Sephora Spring VIB Rouge Sale Haul

April 19, 2018 / thecorkedreader89 / 1 Comment

Last week I posted my Sephora Spring VIB Rouge Sale Wish List so it seems fitting today, now that my online order has come in, to share with you what I bought! Unlike in the fall, I was actually healthy during the first access weekend for VIB Rouge so I actually got to go to the store this time. I went Friday during the day so it was really quiet in there so it made for a quick and efficient shopping experience. Unlike past sales, I actually, for the most part, stuck to my wish list! I did add one item as I had been looking at it online in the days leading up to the sale. But otherwise I was in and out of the store in less than 15 minutes! I already talked about most of these items so I’m not going to be going into detail on why I chose them like I usually do (because normally I go in a totally different direction than my wish list).

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Sephora Spring VIB Rouge Sale Wish List

April 7, 2018 / thecorkedreader89 / 6 Comments

The Sephora Spring VIB Rouge Sale is right around the corner! This time around I’m looking to haul some skincare. I’ve been really getting into researching new products to use in my routine. One of the biggest deterrents for me for buying quality skincare is the price so the sale seems like a great time to pick up some new products!

Sephora Spring VIB Rouge Sale Wish List

Farmacy | Sleep Tight Firming Night Balm

I used a sample of the Farmacy Sleep Tight Firming Night Balm and I really loved the way it made my skin feel in the morning. It supports firming and toning of the skin, as well as reduces fine lines. I’m all about preventative skincare when it comes to anti-aging products so I would love to add this product to my routine. The interesting part about this product is that it is a balm but it melts into an oil in your hands as it warms. Continue reading →

SNP Panda Brightening Mask Sheet

March 26, 2018 / thecorkedreader89 / Leave a comment

It’s been awhile since I’ve given my first impressions of a mask around here but today I’ve got my initial thoughts on the SNP Panda Brightening Mask Sheet for you. I picked up this mask last summer at Ulta but am only now getting a chance to try it out. I don’t know about you but there’s something about a sheet mask with an animal on it that makes me so happy. This mask is supposed to replenish dull skin and even out rough texture, leaving behind smooth and brighter looking skin.

The key ingredients in the SNP Panda Brightening Mask Sheet are: coconut water, paper mulberry, mulberry bark extract and niacinamide. I don’t know why but I was getting a citrusy scent from the mask when I was wearing it. The smell was nice though! Continue reading →

Naturally Well Co by Cynthia Aesthetics Bubble Bath

March 21, 2018 / thecorkedreader89 / 4 Comments

What better way to relax after a long day than to draw a bubble bath and unwind? When I was contacted to review a bubble bath from Naturally Well Co by Cynthia Aesthetics I was so thrilled! I take bubble baths fairly often but I usually just grab a bottle from the Superstore when I’m out getting groceries. This, however, is a handmade product that is glycerine-free as well as friendly to both your skin and animals. Best of all, it’s a Canadian product! Cynthia sells her bubble bath, along with other products on her Etsy shop: Naturally Well Co by Cynthia Aesthetics.

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February Favourites: Makeup, Skincare, Haircare & More!

February 28, 2018 / thecorkedreader89 / 4 Comments

It’s once again time for my monthly favourites and I actually have a lot of miscellaneous favourites for you today along with my usual makeup and skincare favourites! February is the month of love so let’s see what I was loving this month!

Makeup

Laura Mercier | Foundation Primer – Radiance

I am not usually one for any sort of primer that has the word “radiant” in it. Generally, these make my already shiny/oily skin look even more like an oil-slick. However, I have been finding lately that the cold winter we have been experiencing in Thunder Bay is making my skin look dry and lifeless. I still have to use a mattifying foundation and powder but I have been finding that adding this primer underneath (instead of a matte one) has been adding a little extra oomph to my skin. I don’t think I’d use it all year round but I could see this becoming a staple for the winter months. Continue reading →

January Favourites: Makeup, Skincare & More!

February 3, 2018 / thecorkedreader89 / 8 Comments

January was a pretty great month. I started off the month (and the year) in Paris, France with my husband so the rest of this year is going to have a hard time stacking up to January. I started getting into experimenting with makeup a bit more again, trying out a few different looks which I’ve posted here. It’s going to be a great year, I can just feel it! But, on that note, let’s take a look at which products were getting the most love in January!

Makeup

Zoeva | Cocoa Blend

I picked up this palette from Sephora in Paris since I haven’t really seen it in Canada but I’ve seen it all over YouTube over the past few years. It is definitely more of a neutral palette, but what drew my eye to it was the purple shade, Delicate Acidity. I posted a look using the Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette last week mixing it’s warm and cool tones. I’ve been using it a lot this month and have been really enjoying it. I’ll be sure to dedicate a post to it and swatch it soon! Continue reading →

Q4 Empties: October to December 2017

January 27, 2018 / thecorkedreader89 / 4 Comments

I’m a bit late on posting my final empties for 2017 but they have been sitting under my vanity and I am ready to get rid of them. A lot of these are repeat offenders but I do have a few new empties as well. I thought it might be easier to separate out the repeats so that I’m not boring you guys in each empties post. So, with that said, let’s check out what I emptied during the last quarter of the year!

Makeup

Revlon | Mega Multiplier Mascara

I was sent this item in an Influenster Vox Box complimentary for review and spent a great deal of time testing it out and wearing it regularly. It was probably at the end of it’s reign when I did my last empties post but I wasn’t quite ready to get rid of it yet at that point. You can read my full review on the Revlon Mega Multiplier Mascara but essentially, I did enjoy using it. Would I repurchase it? While it probably isn’t my favourite drugstore mascara, I would probably repurchase it at some point. Especially if I saw it on sale! Continue reading →

Winter Skincare

January 19, 2018 / thecorkedreader89 / 4 Comments

With each season the needs of our skin can change depending on the weather. Though I have oily skin all year round, I do find that my face needs a bit more hydration during the winter months. I generally have to find a balance as despite having a few dry patches my skin still looks like an oily mess at the end of the day. Since I do always use mattifying makeup products to combat the excessive oil, I find this allows me to add some moisturizing products to my routine for the winter.

Winter Skincare | Face Products

I do still continue to use the Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer for Oily/Combination Skin, but at least a few times a week I use the Garnier Moisture Bomb Antioxidant Moisturizer* (pictured above in the pump-style bottle). If I use it too often I do end up reeeeeeally oily, but I find it helps keep the dry patches away. I tend to use it on days where I’m chilling at home and not really wearing any makeup. Continue reading →

November Favourites: Makeup, Skincare & More!

December 6, 2017 / thecorkedreader89 / Leave a comment

November… where did it go? I blogged my way right through it and here we are already nearly a week into December. With some upcoming travel on the horizon, I have to say, I’m pretty excited that time has been moving fast. So what was I loving in the month of November? It ended up being another minimal month as I was sick a lot of the month and wearing makeup when you’re constantly blowing your nose is kind of counter-productive. Alas, I did end up discovering a few products that became instant-favourites!

Makeup

Too Faced Primed & Peachy Cooling Matte Perfecting Primer, Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Blotting Powder & Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Spiced Plum

Too Faced | Primed & Peachy Cooling Matte Skin Perfecting Primer

I purchased the Too Faced Primed & Peachy Cooling Matte Skin Perfecting Primer during the Sephora VIB Rouge Sale on a whim and boy am I glad I did! It smells delightful and does an excellent job at keeping my skin matte throughout the day. Though the weather has been cold and dry, my skin gets shiny throughout the day all year round. This has instantly become a staple in my makeup routine and was recently featured in my Oily Skin Essentials post. Continue reading →

The Craft Revival Haul

November 29, 2017 / thecorkedreader89 / 2 Comments

This past weekend I checked out the Craft Revival, which is when local vendors and artisans takeover the shops and restaurants in Thunder Bay’s downtown area. I believe there was about 140 artisans this time around spanning across 13 locations all within walking distance of each other. This was actually my first time attending the Craft Revival so I had an idea of what to expect but hadn’t actually experienced it yet. I went with the mission of picking up some Christmas gifts that had a local flare to them and of course, came hope with a few goodies for myself! I just couldn’t help it.

Hail Cosmetics

Eternal Matte Lipstick | Wined

Hail Cosmetics | Eternal Matte Lipstick in Wined

I featured Hail Cosmetics in a Love for Lipstick earlier this year. Hail Cosmetics is an independent cosmetics company based in Thunder Bay. I couldn’t help but finally pick up another one of their Eternal Matte Lipsticks! I really should own more of these, they are great! I ended up choosing the shade Wined after Elsie, Hail’s founder, swatched it on her hand to show us. How could I not love a lipstick shade that resembles one of my favourite beverages? I can’t wait to show this off for you guys! Continue reading →