Little Update

Dear diary,

I'm still alive! Sorry for not posting much on YouTube or here lately. Life as a student has been super hectic even thought it is only September. Almost all I do now is studying. Pretty sad, haha! Sigh.

But, I will try my best to post videos or blog post whenever I can! Thank you for sticking by me! It honestly means a lot to me! Hope you are having a great time at school/ work/ life  and I will talk to you very soon!

Thank you for your continuous support!

Love,
Jen

Healthier Food Alternatives

Dear Diary,

I will be introducing some healthier food alternatives.

Let's skip all the gibber gabber and get straight to the point.

 First will be the Hardbite potato chips. (They have a good selection of flavours. The ones you see in the pictures are Smokin' BBQ (red bag) and Jalapheno (green bag).

These kettle chips are gluten free, vegan, free of msg, made with Himalayan crystallized salt, etc. They are a lot less fatty than for example Lays chips. If you like salted chips, they also offer the low in sodium, which in my opinion is really low in sodium to the point that I could barely taste any. Which is good because I had Lays Classics and holy moly it felt like I was putting spoonful of salt in my mouth. Also, These are hand cooked (on the ones that I have munched on are made by Christina, I just want to give a big thanks to Christina for making irresistible chips)

But, I want to be clear. Chips are chips so they are never healthy for you, but if you are craving some it is always better to choose the less fatty ones and doesn't use artificial flavours or colours. Give them a try, the price is similar to other chips out there in the market. You should be able to find them in your local grocer.

Okay, next would be Sunny Boy Pancake & Waffle Mix. I really love this as a healthier alternative when making pancakes (I've also tried making crepes too and it works!) This has whole grains, which is really great, because of the nutrients in it. It does have a bit of a grainy texture, but once you eat it, it's really not that noticeable. Also, the cooking time is really fast 2 minutes on each side. I don't really have much to say but, yum yum yum!

Okay, now moving on to jam. This is by Crofter's Premium Spread. This is an organic jam that uses ethically produced organic cane sugar. It is gluten free and certified organic. It doesn't have much protein content but no jam has a lot of protein in them anyway. I like the raspberry flavour cause it sweet yet a bit tangy. Yum!

Okay, so now we are moving on to something healthier. I love these bread and being totally irrelevant, but the pictures are so darn cute! I always have them in the morning! These are by Silver Hills, they also offer a lot of selections that will surely meet your needs.

The one on the left is called Steady Eddie, it contains no refined sugar and Ali's Alpine Grain are one of the many other selections. These bread are high in protein and fibre, low in fat, sugar, and calories (if you count calories), certified organic, doesn't contain any GMO ingredients, vegan, no artificial preservatives, made with whole grains, and the bread are stored in a biodegradable bag. All in all, I really have nothing bad to say about these breads, but they are so yummy I'm going to die!

Okay, so that is everything! I hope you enjoy reading this. If you have any healthier food alternatives, please leave them down below! It would be great to try out new things! :D Thank you for your time and take care! 

Love Jen

Ecō Logical Skin Care All Natural Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

Dear Diary,

Eco Logical Skin Care is a natural and cruelty-free Australian Company. I've never tried anything from them and was eyeing on them for awhile. Once I saw that this was on sale, I thought I would give it a try since there is no such thing as too many sunscreen products. Right? *cough* in denial *cough*

I will start off with the claims:
1) Non Greasy
2) Moisturizing
3) UVA/UVB Protection
4) Non-Whitening
5) Zinc Oxide
6) Non-Nano
7) Hypoallergenic
8) No Chemical UV absorbers
9) Make-up Friendly
10) Biodegradable

Since there is such a long list, does it actually live up to it's claims?

Yes, it does. I really like this sunscreen! Plus, this is the only natural sunscreen that hasn't broken me out and doesn't feel like my skin is being suffocated.

1. mousse-like texture

2. light creamy texture

3. light cream/ water-like texture, spreads easily

4. non-whitening and non-greasy finish

It has a light mousse-like texture, when you apply it onto your skin it doesn't feel any different than a moisturizer. It spreads easily and doesn't take long for it to be absorbed into the skin. Once applied, your skin will feel smoother. Although it is not a matte finish, it also isn't greasy, so your skin won't have the stickiness feel to it. I would say that the finish is pretty much equivalent to your daily moisturizer. I also really appreciate that it is non-whitening, goes well under make-up, and doesn't make my face look like a grease ball by the end of the day. I also haven't had any issues with flash photography. What more can a girl ask for?

The only bad thing I can say about this product, is the smell. It smells like chlorine that is used  in public swimming pool. The smell does go away after awhile though.

Although I think the price is a bit more on the expensive side, I think it is well worth it.

For those who are interested, here is the  ingredients list.
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 20%
In-active Ingredients: Purified Water (Aqua), Isoamyl Lurate, Capric/Caprylic Triglyceride, Sorbitan Stearate, Surcose Cocoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceterayl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Hydroxpropyl Startch Phosphate, Polyhydroxysteraric Acid, Santhan Gum, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Seed Extract*, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil*, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract*

* Certified Organic

Have you tried this sunscreen? What are your thoughts?

Love Jen

Collective Beauty Haul

Dear Diary,

Here are a list of products that I have picked up:

• Eco logical skin care :  face sunscreen SPF 30
• Juice Beauty : Oil-free moisturizer
• Whistler Naturals : skincare sample (combo-oily skin)
• Laruen Brooke Cosmetiques : concealer (Warm light and Warm medium) and pressed foundation (W4)
• Mineral Fusion : concealer duo (Warm)
• The Name is Product : Pomade for hair 
• Rotten Appleseed : English Breakfast Oatmean Facial Bar & Cream Eyeliner "Up in Smoke"
• Eco-tools : Flat Eyeliner Brush
• Cheeky Cosmetics : eyeshadow in Aubergine, Desert Rose, Mauvelous, Moonlit Rose, Mystique, and Sugarplum. Freebie: Fairy Tale 

                                                            Rotten Appleseed 

Top: did not get more product to go over
Bottom: went over a few times to build up the colour
Both were used with the Eco-Tools Flat Liner Brush

On the left is the smudge test

                                                            Cheeky Cosmetics

Left to Right: Aubergine, Desert Rose, Mauvelous, Moonlit Rose, Mystique, and Sugarplum
Note: I applied The All Natural Face Magic Eye Primer under the eye-shadows

My current favourites are Desert Rose, Moonlit Rose, and Sugarplum

   

Love Jen

Products I've Used Up

Dear Diary,

These are the products that I have used up. Let's get started!

1) Cheeky Cosmetics Oil Control Veil 
    This product is a loose translucent finishing power that is suppose to help mattify the skin. I really do enjoy using the product, it helps with the oil control for a reasonable time frame. Little does go a long way as if you put to much on, it will leave a you face looking slightly pale. I've already repurchased another one so it gives you a hint of how much I enjoy using it ;)

2) Tarte Lifted Eye Primer
    This is a tube of beauty. I really enjoy using this product, it really helps to prevent my eye-shadow from creasing. I still am on the hunt for my HG (holy grail) eye-shadow primer that is a bit more natural than this one. I love the consistency to this product, not too slippery and not too dry. The only down side to the drier consistency is that it dries up pretty fast or there really  isn't a lot of product in there. Plus the doe foot applicator isn't much help to that problem. If only they thought well into the packaging. Oh well, to each their own.

3) Burt's Bees Honey Lip Balm
    Well what can I say it's just a lip balm. It does a okay job, not too crazy about it. I prefer the Ultra Conditioning version from Burt's Bees because I prefer my lip balms to have a softer consistency and that one does a better job at moisturizing too.

4) Cocoon Apothecary Eyewaken Eye Cream
    This is a very nice, light, and basic eye cream. If you are the type of person who is not that fussy then this will be really great for you, even the price is worth a wink ;). The thing that I would like to point out about this product is that little goes a long way. If you pack on too much, the eye cream will just sit there, or at least in my opinion. Also I feel like this is more suitable as a day time eye cream, because I feel like it is not thick enough. But honestly, it really depends on your preference. Overall, I did enjoy using this product. I had finished up 2 jar of this eye cream, except I didn't repurchase because I wanted to try something new.

5) Cheeky Cosmetics Mascara
(Just a heads up, my lashes are naturally black so I can't really let you know on what the pigmentation is like. I'm sorry, I blame them on my lashes)

    I purchased this when it was first released. I checked the website and it is being reformulated, so just a friendly reminder that my experience may be different, but it shouldn't be that drastic. Hmm, well let me just put it like this, if you enjoy the minimal look and is not looking for too much volume or lengthen, then this is the mascara for you! Let's be honest, I was pretty disappointed because my sister thought I didn't have any mascara on! My reaction to her comment was "say what face" O.O and then "sad face" :[. The reason why, it doesn't do the lashes much justice, especially my Asian lashes, is because it is strictly a natural mascara so it doesn't have any plastic polymers (as stated on the website) which is reasonable. Regarding to clumping and flaky I had no problems with this mascara. There are a teeny tiny bit of smudging, but not as bad compared to other mascaras.

Did you try anything of the products listed? What are your thoughts?
Let me know if you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them for you!

Love,
 Jen

REVIEW | Carol's Eye Creme

Formulated to restore, rejuvenate, and hydrate the delicate tissues around your eyes.

This product is CRUELTY-FREE!

Ingredients : Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Filtered Aqua (Water), Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Organic Rose Petal Powder, Bees Wax, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kerne Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Optiphen Plus (Phenoxyethanol), Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbie Acid, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Fragrance (pure essential oils)

Top: not blended
Bottom : blended

This review is long overdue! But hey, better late than never. Haha. Okay, let's get down to business!

This eye cream is really good! Why? Well, it has the perfect thick and moisturizing consistency, without the heaviness feeling to it. It absorbs to the skin very well, and when you blend it it leaves a serum like film on the skin. 

Also since, our under-eye does not have oil glands, even combo- oily skin girls (like me) are suitable to use it as well! I can't say if it reduces under-eye lines, but I can tell you that I don't notice more under-eye lines. So that's good news!

I really recommend this product and honestly it pretty affordable comparing to other natural and organic eye creams out in the market. Roughly $23 dollars depending where you purchase it. (I bought it from Whole Foods, but Choices is cheaper)

Any questions? Feel free to ask down below! I would be happy to answer them for you! :)

Thank you for reading and for your time! <3

(Beautydetaux.blogspot.ca was my past beauty blog)