Alpha-H Liquid Gold Smoothing and Perfecting Mask

It's certainly not easy to pick a favourite skincare item, but I'm in love with masks. I have been known to even indulge in a tri-fecta mask experience in just a short hour. These concentrated treatments are so pampering, and in my humble opinion, almost always give you the results you want in a short time. 

My very handsome boyfriend got me one of my favourite masks for my birthday (and I'm very glad he did considering the price tag!). The Alpha-H Liquid Gold Smoothing and Perfecting Mask with lavender is a real treat. I use this sparingly and love it more and more every time I use it. I've been using the Alpha-H Liquid Gold (check out my post here) for coming up on a year now and still really enjoy the product. The issue I have with it is that its active ingredient is Glycolic Acid. I love this stuff for its ability to resurface the skin in a gentle way that means waking up to a brighter and smoother face. What also tends to happen with active ingredients, is your skin will get used to them and over time they aren't as effective. I find when I use the Liquid Gold today, I don't even feel a tingling sensation anymore. I wish they offered a stronger product to transition into. The mask, and hero of this post, is that very solution!

A thin layer on a clean face for no more than 10 minutes will leave my skin in the same state it used to after a whole night's application of the original Liquid Gold! I would suggest that those with no history of using Glycolic might want to work their way up to this product, its pretty strong. The product doesn't dry and listen carefully when I say to NOT leave it on longer than the 10 minutes! The result is a beautifully brighter, smoother more polished appearance in a very short time! I love to use this after a clarifying mask like the GlamGlow Mud Mask (You can check out this awesome mask's post here). I pull all those impurities to the surface then exfoliate them with my Liquid Gold Mask!

I highly recommend this stuff and love love love using it before heading out for a night out. I am confident you'll love it too! 

Thanks for Reading! 

XOXOX

My New Healthy Lifestyle!

So I thought I’d share with my lovely readers today my newest lifestyle change. Now I’ve contemplated for a while now whether this was something I wanted to share. I am by no means whatsoever an expert on anything health wise. I still am not sure I’ve got it right and I’m always looking for new and informative ways for me to stay healthy. However, I have been fairly successful this new year at loosing some weight and have seen some great results elsewhere. I decided to do this post when I went to write my skincare routine update and I thought to myself – none of this topical stuff would really matter if it wasn’t for my healthy lifestyle. It is the stuff I put into my body that is making the most dramatic difference in my skin’s complexion.

Here are some pictures of my skin last year. Although this is no where near how bad it got. I literally stopped taking pictures I was so embarrassed! 

Here are some pictures from the last couple weeks:

So while in Australia I got into some not so great eating habits and really became quite lazy. This resulted in some unwanted weight gain and an overall body image I wasn’t pleased with. I was low on funds in Australia, which meant I was eating a lot of carbs; carbs are cheap, filling, & delicious! Before heading home I said to myself that I really wanted to clean up my act. My parents have in the last 6 months dropped 35-40 each and I knew that adopting their eating habits was going to be a great thing for me. They went on the Dukan Diet and I thought I might as well go along with it. It is a French diet/eating plan that in a nutshell is a low to no carb high protein eating plan. Along with sticking to this diet pretty religiously, drinking a ton of water and actually exercising, I’ve dropped 15 pounds without much work.

Now by not much work I mean just sticking to what foods I’m allowed and trying to work out at least once a day. BUT it hasn’t been easy either. I have really craved carbs and a lot of the “bad” foods I ate whenever I felt like it last year. That being said, I have enjoyed everything I have been eating and I am really happy with the way I look and that I am still loosing weight and coming closer to my goal weight and my overall goal of being strong and healthy again. As a plus, my skin is a lot better! I owe most of that to cutting down on my milk intake. I was drinking lots of milk and my skin was a mess. Since I stopped drinking glasses of milk I only have minor hormonal breakouts and it only took about three weeks to see a dramatic change.

So here are my suggestions broken down into point form: (these are really in order either!)

•  Drink lots of water 
• Exercise as much as you can and when you do, push yourself. You should want to be strong and able to get better and better at various workouts. 
• Try and eat better. You don’t have to go as extreme as I have. Be strong physically and mentally too! You can have the will power to eat healthy! 
• Stay away from processed foods. I will not have skim milk anymore. It is proven to cause reactions in your body because it is heavily processed and contains extra hormones and for me that meant bad skin. Cut it out and drink water instead! (or almond milk! Delic!)
• Stay positive! When you get down you can really mess things up for yourself. You are the person who benefits the most from having a positive outlook in everything you do. It will help you in everything including your healthy lifestyle.

I’ll leave you with a quote:

“every girl is expected to have Caucasian blue eyes, full Spanish lips, a classic button nose, hairless Asian skin with a California tan, a Jamaican dance hall ass, long Swedish legs, small Japanese feet, the abs of a lesbian gym owner, the hips of a nine-year-old boy, the arms of Michelle Obama, and doll tits.” – Tina Fey

I think this says that its not about what we look like but rather what we feel like that really matters. We cannot be all the things that society tells us to be and really that's not what its all about anyway. Be health conscience not body conscience and your whole life can change for the better.

Thanks for reading and please follow my blog!

XOXOX

The Body Shop & Tea Tree Line

I thought I'd share with my readers a product line that I've been using a while. I tend to talk about new products I've found and feel like I leave out some of the products that I've used for so long that I forget that you might not know about their greatness. For someone who is constantly trying and excited to try new products, something that still holds my attention must be good!

I love The Body Shop for many many reasons. The are completely cruelty free and were that way, way before it became trendy. They strive to have as much fair trade as possible, starting their own fair trade program, "Community Trade", over TWENTY years ago. They believe in being completely transparent in all that they do, as well as promoting this philosophy with the great corporate community. And if you aren't yet convinced that this company is all round awesome they also have their own charity "The Body Shop Foundation" launched in 1990 and focusing on the assistance of those working in areas of human and civil rights, environmental and animal protection. Seriously a company after my own heart! 

(animal love evidence below)

I have used tones of various The Body Shop products! Not only are they all of which I mentioned above, they also make quality products that are often far superior then their competition that cannot come close to The Body Shop's reputation as a respectable company. Some of my all time favourites are their Body Butter's of which I always (always) have at least one on the go (although its winter right now and I have 5 on the go!). But for today's post I want to give an honourable mention to their Tea Tree line.

This line has everything you'd need for your blemish prone skin. Washes, Cleansers, Toners, Exfoliators, Wipes, Blotting Paper and Concealer, etc. and of course Tea Tree Oil. I love the use of this natural oil to clear up skin. I find this line really hydrating too! Tea Tree Oil on its own can be drying but the Face Mask and Exfoliator are really hydrating, cooling and effective. I have an issue with a lot of lines for blemished skin is they are striping and drying (ahem proavtiv ahem), which in turn promotes the natural oil in your skin to overact and create even MORE oil- the last thing you want when suffering from breakouts!

I've used many products from this line over the years and find it always seems to calm my skin down. It really means something to me to use a brand that is doing whatever it can for its community, the greater world and animals. I can feel good using their products in an industry that can be self absorbed and a luxury. 

Have a look in your nearest Body Shop next time you walk by!

 (by the way, this post is not sponsored and I have no affiliation with The Body Shop whatsoever)

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XOXOX

Hump Day Hot Tip - Drysol

So for my first Hump Day Hot Tip I thought I'd let you know about something that I like to use for special occasions. Now that I've made this sound all classy, I'll let you know that it's a product to stop you from sweating.

I am someone who absolutely HATES sweat marks. They drive me crazy! I can't think of anything worse than being a a special occasion and being self conscience about your underarms.

Now this product that I'm telling you about is a little extreme and something you certainly wouldn't want to use on a regular basis. After all, sweating is your body's way of cooling itself down and also releasing toxins! This product will completely stop any sweat, and essentially clog the glans under your arms. So hence why I will once again mention, this shouldn't be used often.

That being said, there are some situations you don't want to be the sweat mark person at. A Wedding, Your Wedding, A family function, a reunion. Maybe your first day at work where you want to wear that perfect tight grey top?!

This product is called Drysol. The active ingredient is Aluminum chloride hexahydrate. It is a clear liquid that you apply to your underarms right before bed. When you use this you should wear a a shirt that will cover your underarms so you don't transfer the product to your bed sheets. Also DO NOT use this if you have any broken skin or irritated recently shaven skin, you will know if you've made that mistake! Trust me! (There is more info in the box you buy and I'd suggest you read that). When you apply the product it will tingle and be uncomfortable until it drys.

So if I've scared you enough I will now let you know that this stuff works amazingly well. I will have the driest underarms ALL DAY!

If you have a special occasion coming up and you're worried about sweating and feeling embarrassed, give this a try! I am glad to have it in my drawer just in case and you might be too!

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Wet N' Wild Comfort Zone

At only $4.99 I was seriously worried that everything I've read about this palette was a lie. I used to have a lot of Wet N' Wild when I was younger and I haven't thought much about the brand as I've grown up and started paying more attention to make-up. 

I don't know if they have just picked up their game, or maybe they've always had great quality and I was too young and unexperienced to notice? Regardless, this is an awesome product! 

I love these colours and have used this palette non-stop since I picked it up. They are really pretty colours that go lovely together and on their own. They aren't chalky, don't crease and are highly pigmented - really what else could you want?!

Here are what they look like on my arm: 

There really isn't a colour I don't like, although the red-ish blue colour I haven't used, but I think its really interesting. The darkest brown colour I really like to use close to the lash line as a liner and the pinky "eyelid" colour is so beautiful and subtle, I've used it the most.

I would certainly have a second look at the Wet N' Wild eye shadows next time you walk by and would feel comfortable highly recommending this "Comfort Zone" Palette (Im so funny and Punny). 

Thanks for Reading!

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XOXOX

What I Won! - Elizabeth Arden

I was at Winners the other day! Winner's is the same company as TK Max/Homesense which can be found in the UK and the US. Winners was bought out by TK Max and because it was already a trusted name round these parts, they didn't change the name! 

If you aren't aware of these companies, please go find them! It is essentially an overstock store. Everything can be found at around 40% less than it is usually priced at regular stores. They have everything apart from perishables and lots of name brand products. ( I mean seriously everything - I also got my Dog a coat while I was there!)

So I always take a look at the beauty section, there are amazing deals to be found! I stumbled upon these Elizabeth Arden products and knew I had to pick them up. The Perpetual Moisture is now discontinued, buy still well within its use by date. I have wanted a nice thick night cream and this is really luxurious and non-irritating. The Eight Hour Cream is..well really do I even have to say?! It is Elizabeth Arden's most well known and likely most popular product. An all purpose balm that is amazing on the lips, cuticles and really anywhere else you are in need of some serious hydration during these bitter winter months. AND when I say bitter I mean it, Its so so cold here in Canada. The middle of the day today read -15 and that's not even mentioning a wind chill factor of -27, I can't handle it. Lets just say I really hope, where ever you might be, that you are warmer than me right now!

So all in all I highly suggest that you make sure to check out your closest Winners (Homesense/ TK Max) because you might just find some winners (hehe) for a fraction of the price!

(I also like to say that "I Won" things when I get them from Winners, life's simple pleasures HAHA)

Happy Shopping & Stay Warm!!!

XOXOX

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Thanks for reading!

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm

So here is another recent purchase a la my return to Canada. This brand, along with many others, is not available in Australia and was on my "must check out" list for a while. I saw quite a few bloggers loving this Nuxe Lip Balm, namely Estee from Essiebutton (a fellow Canadian and therefore I like her even more!). I knew that coming from the beautifully hot Australian summer, right into the shockingly cold Canadian winter, that I would be in need for some real moisture! I usually get dry lips in the winter and hate hate hate it. So this winter, I decided to be proactive and pick up a solution before the problem.

The Nuxe brand is available at Shoppers Drugmart and that's where I picked my lip balm up. The little pot says that it is "For dry or chapped lips" and it certainly keeps mine from getting to that point. It is a thick consistency with dominant smells of lemon and honey. It can be a little gritty, but doesn't leave your lips with any colour or sticky-ness. It also lasts on the lips for a really long time!

I use this mainly in the evenings, before bed and after I use a lush lip scrub. I also put it on just before I leave the house to walk my dog. I take out my lab for about 45minutes twice a day and it's cold! This balm last me the entire walk in the cold wind. 

It retails for $17 (before tax! Gosh I miss Australia for that!). I'd give this a go if you too are in need of some lovely hydration during the brutal winter! 

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Also be sure to check out my links on the contact page at the top, I've been really into Instagram and Twitter lately and would love for you to follow me and interact! 

XOXOX

Also, I got a super cheap hair curler, but I am happy with the result! What do ya think?!

GlamGlow Mud Mask

So I'm back in Canada and it only took a few days before I made my way to my closest Sephora. Coming from the nation (Australia) with the least access to popular brands than anywhere else, an inflated pricing system that had me spending near 60% more and a need for lots of products unnecessary in a colder climate, Sephora was SO exciting!!!

I had a limited amount of money to spend while there and so spent a fair amount of time deciding what I'd get. As I was spending money I'd been given as a gift, I decided to pick something up that would be a bit of a splurge instead of something I needed. Gifts are better that way!

So as the name of this post suggests, I got the famous cult mud mask product by GlamGlow. I had heard about this first from Ruth from AModelRecommends and really trust her opinion as a quite a few of her suggestions are now products I couldn't live without. Check out her blog here. 

The product I decided to pick up was GLAMGLOW's Super-Mud Clearing Treatment. It is the newest product from the brand along with their first product the Tingling & Exfoliating Mud Mask. I was lucky enough to pick up the last special offer kit with two samples of the Tingling & Exfoliating Mud Mask attached. Both products as that you leave the mask on anywhere from 5-20 minutes and wash them off with warm water. The Tingling & Exfoliating mask asks that you remove using small circular motions to benefit from the little bits that will exfoliate your skin. The Super-Mud Clearing Treatment can be used as both a mask or a spot treatment.

The Super-Mud Clearing Treatment Mask boasts a huge amount of claims on their packing. It claims to be 

The World's most-Scientifically Advanced SUPER-MUD Clearing Treatment, Clinically Developed by GLAMGLOW Dermatological Chemist to help fight all common skin concerns.

It goes on to mention some of those skin concerns as Problem Skin, Blemishes, Pimples, Breakouts, Zits, Spots, Black & White Heads, to name a few. But I think if you look a bit closer you will find you just read eight ways to say acne. 

Now don't get me wrong, I think this stuff is pretty awesome and after using it I seriously had a blemish disappear into thin air. It dries quickly and its super hard, you can't even laugh whilst completely covered. It is also cruelty free, good for all skin types and paraban free (not to mention the long long list of wonderfully natural ingredients), and I love that too.

(Follow me on Twitter - @LJ1224 & Instagram - laurajane1224

to see me post pictures like this :p )

So although this product is hyped up, comes in a super swanky package, boasts all sorts of claims that add up to very little and costs $69 dollars for a 34g pot, I also think it is luxurious and WORKS! It isn't something I'd keep buying, but that's just because of the price. I think its certainly worth thinking about buying and is really a treat. A little really does go a long way and I'll say it again, its really effective. 

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XOXOX