Curiously Carmen

ACI Beauty Preview Fall/Holiday 2017 (Part 1/2)

A couple of weeks ago, I attended the ACI Beauty Preview event for Fall/Holiday 2017. Even though it was the epitome of a hot summer’s day, we were treated to the sneak peek of some holiday/Christmas launches!

As usual, this event will be divided into two posts because I hate having long, endlessly scrolly (yes I just made that word up) posts!

Starting off, I was given some Ardell lashes to try on! I was a bit hesitant due to my glasses, but we found a pair that went very nicely with my glasses. The best part of all? It didn’t touch my lens.

This re-sparked the love affair I have with falsies and encouraged me to wear them more often, now that I know there are lashes out there that won’t interfere with glasses!
The Stila Stay All Day foundation has undergone a few changes in the past year! Last year, the packaging of the bottle was changed. This year, they have added many new shades to the line! As well, the cap contains a hidden concealer now too!

You can read my previous review about this foundation here! I quite enjoyed this foundation.
Holiday/Christmas lip sets from Stila!

Pictured are:

-Big Shots Eyeliner & Mascara duo (back, far left)
-Star Studded Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick Set of 8 (back, middle)
-Written in the Stars Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Set (back, left)
-Eye for Elegance Liquid Eyeshadow Set of 6 (front, right)
-Play It Cool Stay All Day Lipstick (front, left – there are 3 packs in various shades shown)

The new Stila one step primer! The crystal clear base in the new primer has 50% water. This gives the product a lighter, more refreshing feel than most silicone-based primers.
Moving on to Korres – two new products pictured above! The first one on the left with the smoothie is the Greek Yogurt Undereye Priming Moisturizer. The coolest part to me was how cold the applicator tip is, which helps to minimize puffy and swollen eyes in the morning.

The second product underneath the roses is the new Wild Rose Moisturizer/Primer. I got so excited about this launch that I wrote a review pretty quickly about it! You can read that review here.
Holiday/Christmas gift sets from Korres!

The gift set on the far left is the Greek Wonders Skin Kit, which contains travel sized skincare products. I always recommend getting travel sized products if you want to discover a variety of different products! This is a pretty good deal for $49 CAD considering that one full size product costs more than that.

The gift set in the back is the Total Body Indulgence, which is a 6-piece set of shower gels/body butters – there is a guava scent in this gift set which I REALLY want to smell!

Lastly, the gift set in the front is the Body Butter Delights which includes the following scents: yogurt, guava, basil-lemon, bergamont-pear, and white blossom!

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Stay tuned for part 2, which features CLEAN, Sekkisei, and Paul & Joe!

 

Pixi Vitamin Makeup Mist

Earlier this year, I attended a Pixi media event to celebrate the launch of Pixi products at Shoppers Drug Mart! Prior to that, I heard of Pixi from Youtubers so I was excited to see and hold the products in person myself.

This will be the first Pixi product review on the blog, but expect more to come! The product I will be reviewing today is the Pixi Vitamin Makeup Mist.

What it says (Taken from PixiBeauty.com):

-Boosting Treatment Toner mist gives a revitalized awakened effect to complexion
-The orange blossom water base is blended with skin-loving citrus fruit extracts, lavender, and arginine
-Strengthens and tones
-Adds hydration and a protective veil
-Cools, refreshes, & wakes up skin

Rather than a morning or night moisturizer, the mist is intended for use throughout the day when your skin could use a bit of a pick me up. Think of it as happy hour but for your skin :).

Application: The first time I used this, I sprayed it about 5 times on my face. It was definitely way too much product and dripped everywhere, which was my fault. I think 2-3 spritz would be ideal.

It had a very refreshing citrus scent and reminded me of this Korean tangerine tea I drink sometimes. The product sprays out wet, and then slowly absorbs into your skin. I found it a bit tacky for the first 5-10 minutes while my skin absorbed it.

After the tacky, drying period my skin did feel more refreshed. Perhaps it was the tangerine smell but I did enjoy adding this to my skincare routine!

-Great, refreshing tangerine smell
-Does a great job at moisturizing skin

-The text on the packaging is difficult to read

Yay!

Press product featured. Opinions are own.

KORRES Wild Rose Primer/Moisturizer

At the ACI Beauty Fall/Holiday 2017 preview, I was introduced to the new KORRES Wild Rose Primer/Moisturizer! I was so excited when I heard this because the KORRES Wild Rose Oil is one of my favourite skincare products ever, so I wanted to see how this new primer/moisturizer compares!
This product dispenses in a pump. You press the top and the product dispenses out. I have yet to find a way to lock the pump so I’m not sure if I would want to bring this out/travelling with me.

Application: I found 1-2 pumps was enough to moisturize my face. Right away, I noticed how amazing this smelled… even more than the oil version! It smelled very fancy and floral due to the roses. Throughout the day, I could smell this product on my face too. However, it wasn’t overpowering or too much.

Wear: My skin absolutely soaked this up as a moisturizer. It didn’t leave my skin feeling heavy or sticky. As well, it felt noticeably more plump and soft after I used this a few times.

I have yet to use this as a primer, but I can definitely vouch for it as a moisturizer. Just like the Wild Rose Oil, this product did not disappoint and I’m very excited to add this to my regular skin regime!

  • Skin absorbed this right up and felt very plump and moisturized
  • Amazing rose fragrant

  • Don’t think there is a way to lock the pump, so I wouldn’t bring this out or travelling with me

Yay!

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Loose Finishing Powder

Loose finishing powder is a product that everyone should have in their makeup collection because of how versatile it is. You can use it for its main purpose, which is to set your makeup over your foundation. Or, you could wear it by itself for light coverage.

I also find finishing powder more breathable than liquid foundation, maybe it’s me and I’m just making that up?

Today, I will be talking about Hard Candy’s Sheer Envy ‘Bake, Brighten & Set’ Loose Finishing Powder! I received this along with many other Hard Candy products, which is why you’re seeing an influx of Hard Candy reviews lately.

What it says (Taken from PR release):

Bake, Brighten, and Set your makeup with this multi- functional loose banana baking powder. “Baking” is a makeup artist technique that prevents creasing and gives a natural radiance to your undereye area. Five minutes is all you need for a bright, crease-free undereye that lasts all day!

Application: Application for this was a tad bit messy. The powder was very finely milled, so when i tapped my brush, I got a lot of product and had to gently tap some off. When tapping it off, the powder flew around so I would recommend doing this over the sink.

Wear: I would describe this as a light coverage. It felt comfortable on my face throughout the day, and I forgot that I was wearing it. Since it is a setting powder, I used my L’Oreal True Match foundation under it.

Overall, I did enjoy using this product and would continue using it again for casual days! Since it is a light coverage, I wouldn’t use this as a setting powder if I was going out to a big occasion. It’s also a great price at only $6.98 CAD!

  • Lightweight and comfortable on the skin
  • Great price at $6.98 CAD

  • Hmm… can’t really think of any. I guess if you’re a person who prefers medium-heavy coverage, than this product wouldn’t be for you?

Yay!

Zoella Gelato Launch

I always find it fascinating and impressive when Youtubers launch their own products. They are normal, everyday people who decided to pick up the camera one day… and now they’re famous with their own line! Why didn’t I think of that? Jk, I much prefer writing instead of videos 🙂

Anyway, Zoella is one of those people! Zoella launched her new Gelato line this summer, with products available exclusively at London Drugs. I was sent three products to try out, which I will be sharing with you today!

Zoella Gelato Shower Sauce: “Lather up with this deliciously scented Shower Sauce. Drizzle and massage into wet skin then rinse thoroughly for a squeaky-clean finish.”

I really enjoyed the shower sauce! When I first opened the package, I could smell the shower sauce right away… and I loved the light and girly smell of it. It lathered very well and my body felt very clean after using it.

Zoella Gelato Shower Shake: “Indulge in the crème de la crème of body washes. Shower Shake not only
cleanses skin, it moisturises too! Blended with extracts of Elderflower and Pomegranate to help
brighten, smooth and tone.”

I thought the packaging was super cute! The shower shake was very moisturizing, but it didn’t feel much like a body wash. It felt more like a body cream that I was attempting to use as a body wash. I didn’t feel as clean as I did with the shower sauce.

Zoella Gelato Pink Bath Wafers: “Bath time has never been so sweet. These fizzy bath wafers are enriched with Shea Butter and extracts of Elderflower and Pomegranate to help brighten, smooth and tone.”

The bath wafers are heavier and denser than your typical Lush bath bombs. I think these would make a cute birthday gift or stocking stuffer for when Christmas rolls around!

Overall, Zoella Gelato is a great addition to the shelves (London Drugs shelves, if I may be exact haha!). A lot of thought and detail has gone into the packaging and design, making it a super cute and girly treat.

You can take a look at the rest of the products here! Which ones are your favourite? I think the guinea pig w/ glasses makeup bag is adorable… if only there was a bunny one too 😉

Yay!