Too Faced Love Flush Long-Lasting 16-Hour Blush Wardrobe Palette Review

If you’ve ever been head-over-heels in love then you know how exhilarating and romantic it can be. The warm embraces, stolen kisses and lingering glances can be enough to make a girl flushed and go totally weak in the knees, which seems to be the inspiration for this gorgeous blush palette by Too Faced Cosmetics.

With 6 trendy hues ranging from nude, pinks, coral and berry there are options for every complexion. Nothing brightens dull, lackluster skin like a pretty pop of blush and for spring these fresh, youthful shades paired with a pouty lip color is a killer combination!

The great thing about these pigments is that they are made with a fade-proof, smudge-proof formula that lasts all day. You can sweep the color on in the morning and by evening you can dance the night away with the same rosy cheeks you started with. If you want to get creative you can even mix and match to create personalized hues.

Although the blushes are smooth and apply seamlessly, the powder formulation is completely dry with no creaminess whatsoever. I don’t have a problem with the texture since it applies well over liquid foundation and the pigments aren’t flaky or cakey.

The color pay-off is very good with the versatility and blendability to go from sheer to bright. All the shades are very silky and wearable but my favorite is Your Love is King - a pretty berry that is vivid enough to add a bit of contour and dimension to the face. The blushes all have a matte finish with no shimmer so you can pair them with a highlight if you want more of a luminous glow.

This stunning collection could easily become your new go-to palette since the blushes compliment a wide variety of makeup looks and seasons. The packaging is a bit long for a standard makeup bag but it is also quite thin . If you don’t yet have these colors this is a fabulous purchase! The Love Flush Palette retails for $51.00 CAD / $36.00 U.S. You can pick it up at Sephora or toofaced.com which now ships to Canada.

Make Up For Ever Pro Sculpting Palette Review

Over the last few months I’ve reviewed many sculpting products and I try to keep up with the latest trends like clown contouring, spoon contouring, henna contouring the dot technique, strobing and a variety of other creative hacks. Women seem to love the transforming effects of chiseled cheekbones and in a world obsessed with selfies many people want to show-off a perfect profile. Although I may not sculpt as drastically as Kim K’s signature look, I’m all for enhancing natural beauty and any product that makes the task easier will earn an honorary place in my makeup bag.

Make Up For Ever has recently launched a fabulous Sculpting Collection for the face lips and eyes to help you achieve professional results. This all-in-one palette accentuates your face in 4 easy steps with pigments that highlight, define, enhance and add a pop of color. For those who are relatively new to the contouring craze and require some guidance, the palette also comes with a guide corresponding to different face shapes.

The palettes are available in 4 shade combos: (20) Light, (30) Medium, (40) Tan (the shade I have) and (50) Dark. The formula is infused with nourishing oil and 3D pigment for blendability, long-wear and a beautiful satin finish that feels comfortable on the skin. Although these colors are lush and creamy they aren’t heavy, wet or thick and they set well with simple powder.

(40) Tan

The highlight (first shade on the left) can be placed under the brow bones, on the bridge of the nose and under the eyes. You can use it to form a V shape down towards the cheekbones to brighten the face. The deepest brown is your contour shade which can be applied to the hollows of the cheeks and along the jaw line, forehead and nose to define and sculpt. 

The third pigment is the highlight which is the only shade that isn’t matte. You can place the shimmer on the cheekbones, nose, Cupid’s bow or wherever the light naturally touches the face for a radiant glow. The blush (last shade on the right) is a deep peach/orange that also doubles as a color corrector for dark under eye circles!

These pigments are luxuriously smooth and creamy which makes them very easy to blend for a seamless, natural finish. Unlike powders that can sit on top of the skin and produce visible dark streaks, the creams are soft and don’t accentuate the texture of skin or feel dry. You can go from sheer and subtle for everyday looks or chiseled and glamorous for a bold effect. For those who crave a more structured profile you can slim and shape your entire facial structure! The palette is versatile enough to ignite your creativity and inspires you to play around with different effects to discover your ideal method. It is also very convenient for travel and professional kits.

The Pro Sculpting Collection is available at Sephora stores across Canada and makeupforever.ca, it retails for $54.00.

Hair Recipes Egg & Cognac Shampoo and Egg Yolk Conditioner Review

Recently I was asked to test and review the Hair Recipes egg infused shampoo and conditioner and I was all for trying something new! Applying a popular breakfast food on your mane may seem odd but eggs have been used as a natural hair treatment for ages and coating your strands in this slippery mixture is said to be an effective protein treatment to protect against weakness, split-ends and breakage.

My hair is quite resilient so I don’t usually buy protein packs but I do use products with strengthening properties in the ingredient list. The Egg and Cognac Shampoo can be used on its own or after the Hair Recipes homemade treatment which consists of 1 raw egg and 2-3 tablespoons of their Argan Oil. Naturally I assumed that since the shampoo has “egg” in the title and a yolky yellow tinge it was already included in the formula but after reading the ingredient list I’m not quite sure. Nevertheless I wanted to see how the shampoo worked on its own so I skipped the raw egg and lathered up.

For a sulfate free formula I found the cleansing agents quite strong. I’m not talking about scent as the shampoo doesn’t smell anything like egg or cognac (it smells good), but it left my hair extremely squeaky clean, bordering on stripped. It does a great job eliminating build-up but it diminished a little too much natural oil for my liking and left my hair craving immediate moisture and replenishment. I recommend apply the shampoo to the roots and just letting the foam trickle down as you rinse to prevent drying out your ends. This blend may be better suited for oily hair. The shampoo retails for $14.95.

The Egg Yolk Conditioner has the same yellow tinge but again I’m not sure if there is actually any egg in the formula. The pre-treatment plan outlined in the Hair Recipes pamphlet also calls for raw egg which made me wonder if these products are designed to simply support the homemade egg recipe rather than replace it.

The conditioner looks thick in the bottle but upon application it felt a bit thin and more like a shampoo without the cleansers. It didn’t coat my hair very well nor did it seem rich enough to nourish, moisturize or aide with detangling. For my thick, long hair that tends to need a lot of hydration this formulation just wasn’t enough but if you have oily hair this may be just enough without weighing down your tresses or causing limpness. The conditioner retails for $16.95.

After using these products I needed to follow up with a deep treatment mask to regain softness, bounce and shine. I also used the Hair Recipes paraben-free jojoba oil for extremely dry hair and scalp. The great thing about the oil is that it is lightweight and also contains argan, sunflower and soybean oils that help replenish and improve the look of parched areas. I like applying it to damp hair before styling for a nice glossy finish and on dry hair it helps smooth down fly-aways and frizz. It also improves the look of rough ends and works well as a finishing product, especially after heat styling. The oil retails for $18.95.

Considering my results I think this collection was made to compliment protein treatments and help reinforce hair fibers rather than soften them. I am no expert when it comes to protein recipes but I’m guessing silky hair wasn’t the main objective here and maybe some initial dryness or brittleness is to be expected when attempting to fortify? Whatever the goal, this collection wasn’t quite suited to my hair type but if you need more protein in your routine you may want to check it out. You can visit the website by clicking HERE.

Mont-Tremblant Ski Village & Resort

Nestled in the foothills of the Laurentian Mountains in beautiful Mont Tremblant Quebec is a colorful little village reminiscent of a charming European town. This lovely resort surrounded by picturesque rolling hills, luxurious chalets and spectacular wilderness is one of Canada’s hidden gems and a must-see destination. Tourists flock here from all over the world to experience the ski village ranked #1 in Eastern North America and whether you crave relaxation or adventure there is something for everyone!

There is no shortage of accommodations to suit your preferences including quaint inns, B & B’s upscale hotels, beautiful condos tucked into the mountains plus spacious suites, villas and studios.

With direct flights from Toronto and connecting flights through New York getting here is easy and as you land in Mont Tremblant and step into the warm log cabin airport, hectic city life seems to fade away and become a thing of the past. Tremblant is where couples come for romance and where families and friends come to play!

The airport shuttle service took us to the magnificent Fairmont Hotel which sits majestically atop the splendid little village. This full-service hotel with cozy fireplaces and rustic chandeliers is very large and boasts fabulous restaurants, heated pools, hot tubs, a trendy lounge, spa, a fully equipped gym and a variety of quality services to help you make the most of your stay. 

We were greeted warmly at the reception desk and in our spacious room there was a welcome package with delectable treats infused with Canadian maple syrup!

The deck of the Fairmont Hotel

The view from our room was spectacular and for a hotel that receives a high number of guests I was impressed with its level of cleanliness and comfort. The bathroom was conveniently stocked with an array of great toiletries and there was a large work desk, flat screen TV and a bed so comfortable I wanted to take it home with me! After a long, thrilling day in the village the Fairmont was a fabulous place to kick-back, have a drink and enjoy the evening. Click HERE for more info and rates.

Photo Source: Fairmont Hotel Mont Tremblant

After settling in and grabbing our map we headed out to explore. The resort is now transitioning out of winter and preparing for the spring-summer season but there was just enough snow for ski lovers to hit the slopes one last time.

The pedestrian village provides everything you need during your stay including a wonderful variety of restaurants, 35 boutiques, a casino, candy shops, lifts, bars, toasty outdoor fires, a grocery store, art galleries, and even free concerts! There is no need to battle traffic and city smog, simply take your time, stroll leisurely and enjoy the fresh mountain air.

For lunch we had reservations at Maison de la Crêpe which seems to be quite popular with visitors. The restaurant is cozy and small but the food is well worth the wait! I ordered the onion soup and a lunch crêpe with crispy chicken, tomato, yogurt and guacamole. 

We also went back for dessert the following night to try the scrumptious dessert crêpes. This mouth-watering creation is topped with homemade chocolate hazelnut sauce, fresh strawberries, sweet banana, and vanilla ice cream! I highly recommend stopping by to refuel between activities.

Aside from great skiing, snowmobiles, snowboarding and many other winter sports there are countless other activities to choose from during the spring/summer season including: horseback riding, ziplining, helicopter tours, swimming, golf, luge, canoeing, boat cruises, ATV tours, fly fishing, rafting, cycling, rollerblading, paint ball, rock climbing, hiking, yoga, the Aqua Club, eco tours at Mont-Tremblant National Park, dune buggy tours and more! The resort even hosts an International Blues Festival with an eclectic mix of artists and over 300 free shows! The seasonal and holiday events are fun for the whole family. Check out the activity video below!

One of my favorite ways to unwind and relax during my stay was spending a morning at the Scandinave Spa located just a short drive from the village. This luxurious spa is situated in a lush oasis of tranquility and seclusion, surrounded by forest and a sparkling river. The entrance is a quiet trail canopied by trees which leads to complete serenity. 

As you enter the toasty cabin you are provided with a fluffy robe, towels and water plus an explanation of your treatment plan.

The spa is well known for its hot baths, rejuvenating eucalyptus sauna and restful relaxation rooms surrounded by nature. You can enjoy a variety of soothing massages followed by a reviving dip in the various pools. The steam treatment opens the pores, releases toxins and stimulates circulation plus the invigorating jets and cascading waterfall helps loosen tired aching muscles to ease pain and soreness.

Photo source: Scandinave Spa Mont Tremblant

Photo source: Scandinave Spa Mont Tremblant

The Scandinave Spa or the Amerispa back at the village is the perfect blissful retreat and romantic hideout for couples, my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the peace and quiet. You can visit the website by clicking HERE.

For dinner I highly recommend Coco Pazzo a delicious Italian restaurant with authentic dishes and
ȎWok which serves exquisite Asian Fusion courses like Pad Thai and sautéed chicken skewers dipped in savory curry sauce. The variety of restaurants at Tremblant Village is a culinary delight and there are options to tantalize every palette.

At night the village lights up with a variety of entertainment including live outdoor bands. Guests can socialize and dance around a roaring fire or enjoy drinks in one of the many bars. Vacationing at Tremblant is never dull and there is always something to do!

If you are looking for a fabulous getaway Tremblant resort is a Canadian treasure that will satisfy your need to de-stress, indulge and explore your adventurous side. For more information visit the website by clicking HERE.

*Special thanks to Pierre-Alexandre Legault, Tremblant Resort and The Fairmont Hotel

Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar Eye Shadow Palette: Review & Swatches

Recently I’ve been adding quite a few Too Faced products to my collection because the delicious smelling formulas and pretty pigments are totally addicting! Like the Chocolate Bon Bon Palette I reviewed recently, this one is also wrapped like a scrumptious candy bar and infused with natural antioxidant rich cocoa powder that is a treat for the senses and the skin!

Like the bestselling Chocolate Bon Bon Palette, Semi-Sweet contains many neutral hues that are ideal for everyday wear but these shadows are deeper, warmer and a little more chocolaty! The 16 gorgeous pigments range in finishes from matte to shimmer and include a seductive array of warm caramels, deep mochas and bronzy cocoa hues with a fun pop of blueberry! With names like Butter Pecan, Nougat, Rum Raisin, Caramel and Frosting I just knew it was going to be good!

Last year there was a surge in the popularity of nude and smokey palettes and it seemed that every brand jumped on the neutral trend by creating their own collection of must-have shades. It’s handy to have a selection of versatile hues for daily wear but not all of these palettes were worth the splurge. Semi-Sweet however ranks among the best because the pigments are luxuriously smooth, easy to blend, velvety and slightly creamy for exceptional color pay-off and application. I recommend using a good primer to enhance the shades to their full potential but if you prefer a soft, romantic effect or sheer coverage then skip the base.

I get a lot of use out of this palette because the browns are deeper and there is a matte black, champagne shimmer, pretty gold and matte cream which are my go-to shades. The inclusion of brightening highlights and gorgeous transitions colors make this range complete and if you don’t have a a selection of  neutral shadows that mix and match well with many others in your collection Semi-Sweet is an excellent option.

You can also create smoldering smokey looks and glamorous bombshell eyes with the alluring shimmers and matte black plus Butter Pecan doubles as a face highlight for glowing cheekbones. These flattering, universal pigments don't crease or fade and they stay put all day!

If you want to find out why beauty gurus everywhere are raving about this palette you can pick it up at Sephora and TooFaced.Com, it retails for $67.00 CAD / $49.00 U.S.

Garnier Whole Blends Avocado & Shea Butter Review

While passing through Walmart the other day I noticed an entire isle devoted to the fruity, tantalizing formulas of Garnier’s new hair care products. This colorful range is infused with reviving ingredients that target your specific hair concerns and I find the natural elements very enticing.

The blends include:

*Honey - to strengthen and heal damaged hair

* Indian Coconut Water & Madagascan Vanilla Milk - quenches and softens

*Argan Oil & Cranberry - to protect color and reveal radiance

*Coconut Oil & Cocoa Butter - tames and controls frizz

*Avocado Oil & Shea Butter - to deeply replenish and restore

*Green Apple & Green Tea - to revitalize and boost shine

Since I love fresh avocado facials for seriously supple skin I decided to try the Avocado & Shea Butter line. The ultra nourishing, healthy fats have amazing moisturizing benefits for hair and skin and the only reason I don’t use avocados in my treatments more frequently is because I also love guacamole and end up devouring them! The shea butter is an added bonus and the richness intensifies the replenishing properties of the formula.

Photo source: healthherbs365.com (via google images)

The avocado in this collection is sourced from South Africa and the Shea is from West Africa. Although the shampoo does contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate (which I’m not a big fan of), the formula doesn’t dry out my hair or make it unnaturally squeaky clean. I think the oils and fats from the avocado and shea counteract the harshness of the sulfates to balance the cleansing experience and leave the hair and scalp fresh and build-up free. I also like that the texture is creamy, much like a shampoo-conditioner combo and it lathers well without stripping or making my hair brittle. Although avocados don’t have a pungent aroma it isn’t a scent most people want in their products. The good news is that this collection smells nothing like avocado, it has more of a light shea scent that smells great.

The conditioner is what really helps restore moisture to make hair feel soft, smooth and fortified. This formula is thick and lush to coat each strand without weighing down the hair. I like that the texture has some slip which makes shower detangling a breeze and when you leave it on for 5-10 mins the ingredients do help rejuvenate dry, rough areas for body and shine.

After using these (paraben-free) products my hair felt good but for more softness, bounce and silkiness it would be beneficial to have the avocado deep treatment that comes with this collection. For weekly shampoo and conditioning I like it!

You can find Garnier hair care at drugstores nation wide

Too Faced Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder Duo Review

I’ve talked about glowing skin and strobing a lot here at Diary of a Trendaholic because I just can’t seem to stay away from highlighting products that awaken dull, tired skin and make the cheekbones pop! When you have one of those long, grueling days or a sleepless night nothing perks up the complexion like luminous powders and as we shed those winter layers and transition into spring glowing skin is all the rage!

The Too Faced Candlelight Glow Duos do not disappoint, in fact these beauties have gained a permanent place in makeup bags worldwide and have quickly become bestsellers. The awesome pigments come in cute compacts with a large mirror that makes application and touch-ups on the go a breeze!

I hate when powders are chalky, flaky or difficult to blend and who wants a streak of pronounced shimmer that looks oddly placed or too sparkly!? With the Candlelight Glow highlights you get none of that! The texture is extremely soft, velvety and slightly creamy for smooth application and a seamless finish. You can build them up to your desired effect and go from soft and pretty to red carpet bombshell.

Rosy Glow has a sheer golden powder and a frosty rose or pink.

There are two duos available – Rosy Glow and Warm Glow but in my opinion there isn’t much difference between the two. The warm compact isn’t very golden or bronzy and is still quite cool and silvery. That being said both duos are gorgeous and highly pigmented so just choose the one that best compliments your skin. The “Photolite Technology” diffuses and refracts light to make skin seem lit from within and helps blur the appearance of imperfections and blemishes under any lighting. The effect is soft, romantic and whimsical for youthful looking skin with the perfect amount of shimmer and no chunky glitter.

The mesmerizing highlights can be applied individually or together for a bright, healthy sheen. They look beautiful on the cheekbones, nose and brow bones and you can use them to accentuate the shoulders and legs for a head-to-toe glow that is perfect for spring and summer!

Warm Glow has a champagne and peach combo for sunny, flattering luminosity.

I can definitely see why these powders are bestsellers because as far as highlights go they are terrific!You can pick them up at Sephora and TooFaced.Com for $41.00 CAD / $30.00 U.S.

Vichy Ideal Body Aqua Sorbet Review

When you have a busy schedule jam packed with meetings, events and errands skin can lose that feeling of freshness and become dry. For me the last few weeks have been very busy, I had a press trip to humid Fort Lauderdale, another press trip to frigid Quebec, a vacation to Florence, Fashion Week and never ending beauty events. All the traveling, extreme climate fluctuations, long drying flights plus lack of time and sleep has taken a toll on my skin. When you factor in the effects of winter I definitely need products that can effectively revitalize so I’ve been using the nourishing Aqua Sorbet by Vichy.

One of the first things I notice when applying this lightweight, non-greasy lotion is an instant burst of coolness. This unique formulation automatically decreases skin temperature for an invigorating sensation of freshness. 

The name is quite fitting because the cream does have a subtle sorbet fragrance that lightly scents the skin without bring pungent enough to overshadow your perfume. The smooth gel texture distributes well and leaves skin silky, hydrated and supple with no residue or oil.

The key ingredients- Ginko Biloba, natural oils and Hyaluronic Acid protects and moisturizes while the mineralizing water sourced from French volcanoes rebalances, fortifies and regenerates for that confident, just showered feeling all day! It also promotes micro-circulation and tissue drainage to prevent the feeling of “body heaviness” and bloat.

The natural oils – jojoba, apricot, sunflower, macadamia, passiflora, rose, coriander, corn oil, black currant and rice bran work beyond the surface of the epidermis to harmonize skin tone, firm and smooth. After a hectic month my tired, lackluster skin is revived, supple and luminous!

To deliver the most informative article possible combined with my personal results I read through the impressive research which Vichy has been perfecting for 5 years! The thermoregulation benefits are fabulous especially since the weather will be warming up soon and it softens and soothes rough, peeling sensitive areas affected by harsh climate. 

From young to old and every skin type in-between I think many people are going to enjoy this new blend. Although it was formulated to keep you fresh through your grueling day, the cool texture is also very calming before bed. The Aqua Sorbet retails for $29.95 and Vichy can be found in major drugstores worldwide. You can visit the website by clicking HERE.