Hi there, my darlings! It has been AWHILE, hasn't it?! I can't believe that it's been 16 months since I last posted (!!!). So, where have I been? In Toronto, as many of my long-term readers and followers may know. And while Toronto has been incredibly kind to me in so many ways, the last couple of years has NOT been easy. It took me an agonizingly long time to find the right fit when it came to gainful employment and just as I did...BAM! The whole world was hit with a pandemic. Now, I don't need to elaborate on the pandemic because we have all been challenged by it in more ways than we can count but let me just say this: the job I found after months of searching and heartache is in healthcare management. Yup, I think that should sum up everything in a nutshell about why I've been MIA. Although it hasn't been easy, I still love my job and dearly missed blogging too -- I just haven't had the energy or the mental space to be my best at one while still continuing the other. Until now, that is. The pandemic is by no means over but the initial panic and stress and daily fluxes, I think, are behind us. 

 
Recently, my contact at Zoya Nail Polish and Treatment reached out to me to see what my plans were with the blog/social media and I thought to myself that it was finally...yes, finally time to attempt a comeback. So...here I am. I hope you all will find it in your hearts to forgive the unexplained absence and welcome me back. I know I won't be able to meet my previous posting schedule of 3-4 days a week but I do hope to post at least once a week initially and hope to get to twice a week. Bear with me--the road back is familiar but still a little uncertain. I need to get my groove back! And what better way than with one of my favorite brands! Now, the swatches below are by no means my usual swatching style...I was SO excited to swatch this collection and ease myself back into the swing of things but then one fine day at work, THIS happened:
 
 

 
The swatches below are by no means the end of them and please rest assured that I will have more swatches added to this post once the abomination above grows out. Til then, I hope you like the close-ups!


The Luscious collection consists of 6 cremes and 6 shimmery, metallic shades  Across the board, I found the formula of all 12 of the polishes to be quite easy to work with--I have to find a Zoya with a formula that I didn't love. Even the ones with slightly trickier application ends up evening out perfectly. Unless specifically mentioned, all the swatches below show just 2 generous coats of each polish by itself--the metallics have an additional layer of topcoat.


Bentley is described as "a deepened grape cream". This is the perfect moody purple for Fall, so rich and truly deserving of the Luscious moniker associated with this collection. One of my favorites of this collection, for sure!
 
 
 
 
Lisa is described as "a rich garnet red cream". Reds are always my go-to for the cooler months and this one is sexy red!
 
 

 
Sharon is described as "a red-toned wild berry cream". I love the formula of this one--almost jelly-like, this was a delight to apply. I didn't give much thought to this one until I started swatching--this shade is so unexpectedly flattering on my skin tone! 3 thin coats for full opacity for this one.
 
 

 
Mel is described as "a slightly muted forest green". Now, green nail polish has never been "my thing"...but I can very much see myself wearing this rich green. Zoya never fails to surprise me, even after all these months!
 
 

 
Lou is described as "a deep spruce blue cream with a kiss of green". Lately, blues have most definitely been "my thing" and I absolutely love this one! I just find it such a calming shade.
 
 
 
 
Tommy is described as "a blue toned slate grey cream". I found this to be a touch on the streakier side with the first coat, as pastel shades like this one are often wont to be, but it adjusts beautifully with additional coats for a pretty much flawless finish. 3 coats of this one is shown in the swatch below.
 
 

 
 
Andrea is described as "a cool-toned, duo-chrome metallic with a purple and green shift". The shift in this beauty is to die for and very evident in even low-light conditions!
 
 
 
 
Tasha is described as "a sensual brunette brown metallic". This one was another that I was really impressed with the application--I used two coats below but if you tend to paint thicker coats, I bet you could totally get away with just one!
 
 
 
 
Soleil is described as "a warm sparkling cider metallic". Aptly named, this beauty is like a warm, sunny Fall day in a bottle!
 
 
 
 
Teresa is described as "a deep purple toned ruby metallic". More creme than metallic, it was love at first sight with this one for me! It has just a hint of a metallic shimmer and the shade is just gorgeous for darker skin tones. Believe me, I've had a couple of friends try it on (within a very small social circle to adhere to pandemic recommendations) and we all are in love!
 
 

 
Wanda is described as "a cool-toned rouge pink with a gold and rainbow micro-shimmer". Super sparkly and super uplifting, this shade would also work perfectly in the Spring!
 
 
 
 
Patrice is described as "a neutral blush with a rainbow and gold micro-shimmer". Well-suited for my fairer-complexioned sisters, I personally love the gold shimmer in this one. So delicate and pretty! 3 thin coats for full opacity shown below--I think this would make a great topper too over your favorite pink!
 
 

 
So there you have it, my darlings! The Zoya Luscious collection is available now on Zoya's website HERE for the price of $10 for a full-size, 0.5 oz bottle. But wait! If you're reading this in time for Black Friday, Zoya has a fabulous deal going on -- if you order over $35, you get the ENTIRE Intriguing collection for free!


Don't forget to follow Zoya through the social media outlets below:

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Pinterest
Youtube
Blog




What do you think of this collection? Any must-haves? Planning on adding a few from this collection during Black Friday? I would love to hear from you in the comments section below!

















***Products were sent to me for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.***



 





Hi there, my darlings! So, the last couple of weeks have passed me by in nothing short of a blur. In my continued search for the right employment opportunity, I've devoted all my time to countless applications, innumerable interviews and stringent assessments. The Toronto job market is tough, I tell you! Despite all these efforts, nothing has borne fruit as of yet. If you have ever been in a similar predicament, you probably can relate to the stress and frustration. It definitely doesn't leave much time for pampering or taking care of yourself. Such has been life for me! In the midst of all this, there recently appeared a silver lining to all the thunderclouds.

At the beginning of May, Delineation Salon in Rosedale reached out to me to invite me to their salon for a complimentary facial. Now, I have really sensitive skin which does not do well with facials. So, after checking out their website, I asked them if I could come in for a hair service instead. They graciously accepted right then and scheduled a time for me to chat with them over the phone to get an idea of what I was looking for. Major brownie points already!

I spoke to Sherry on the phone the next day who was incredibly warm and attentive to my needs. I, for one, had nothing particular in mind, save for the fact that I was sick to death of my balayage and my hair needed help! Sherry raved about their stylist, Richard and I happily agreed to leave myself in his seemingly capable hands, with the general idea of bringing my hair color back to a more natural, all-over consistently colored state.

The day prior to my appointment, I realized quite late that I hadn't washed my hair in a couple of days and wasn't sure if I should wash it or not--Google was split on whether it's best to leave it unwashed to allow the hair's natural oils to work with the color or go in with a clean head of hair. So, I sent off a message via Instagram, admittedly quite late. I was pleasantly surprised when they answered within minutes and assured me that there was no need to wash my hair, as they would take care of it when I went in. More brownie points!

The day of my appointment, I arrived in time at the salon, which is conveniently located just steps away from the Rosedale subway station, to be warmly greeted by the front-desk staff and directed immediately to Richard, who ran over and greeted me equally warmly. We chatted for a bit, talking about my platforms, as he sweetly asked me where I "influenced". I was already quite taken with this handsome, well-spoken man!




Before I sat down for my treatment, I wandered around a bit, with their permission, taking some pictures for this post. I noticed that Delineation carries a plethora of high-end, luxury hair care products within the salon, readily available for purchase. So, if your stylist uses something you love or recommends a specific product, chances are you won't have to go hunting for it. Convenient, right?!




Now, back to Richard! After introductions and a bit of chitchat, we talked about what I was looking for. As I mentioned, I didn't have anything particular set in mind--all I knew is that I wanted to get rid of my balayage and bring my hair to a more consistent, all-over color. I was thinking a rich, chocolate brown. To that end, I showed Richard a few pictures and asked his opinion.




Now, my poor hair was fried. And I mean, CRISPY! The ends were a mess and my hair was dry, brittle, in serious need of help. As you can see below, there was no shape left to speak of. Richard had a challenge in front of him. Since my hair was already so brassy and orange where the highlights had been placed, he decided to use cooler browns to balance out the tones. He mixed three separate cool browns, after gauging the effect on my complexion with sample strands, and got to work. He assured me that he would use the highlights still in my hair to my advantage.




40 minutes and a lot of interesting conversation later, I was ready for my hair to be washed. Oh and what a wash it was! Richard has strong yet gentle hands and his wash feels more like a massage than anything else, very reminiscent of the ones I used to indulge in while in India. It's safe to say I almost fell asleep!

Next, he went to work trimming my ends and giving me a new shape, as well as some long, side-swept bangs in front (as per my request). Finally, I got a generous application of Olaplex's new, leave-in conditioner (which I must now find, since they had run out at the salon) and a lovely, sexy blow-out--he's really gentle while doing this, too, which makes such a difference when you have hair as long as mine. And voilà! How gorgeous does my hair look?! Richard is truly a master!




What I love most about my hair is that, while it's darker in person, Richard really did take advantage of my existing highlights. They're just deeper, richer, less brassy so my hair still has depth and isn't flat or monotonous. Most importantly, it feels as good as it looks!




So, here's to Richard and Delineation Salon. My experience with them was simply amazing! They are a high-end salon with none of the snootiness and all the warmth that makes you want to go back over and over. I know I will! Especially since Richard is a GENIUS!




So there you have it, my darlings! A single process color treatment like mine would cost you anywhere from $85 to $120 CAD--worth every single penny and definitely not as expensive as some other places I have heard about! Check out Delineation's full range of services HERE.


If you want to know a little more about Delineation, you can find them through the social media platforms below :

Facebook
Instagram


Looking for Richard? I was too! Find him on Instagram HERE.




Tell me what you think of my new hair color, my darlings! I would love to hear from you in the comments section below!


















***This service was provided complimentary. All opinions are my own.***



Hi there, my darlings! So...Spring in Toronto has pretty much a no-show this year. I mean, it's already May and all we have been getting is rain. Just rain every day! I think I am a little over the rain. But, today is a BEAUTIFUL day and it hasn't rained yet! So, I'm taking this opportunity to sgare the Innocence collection for Spring 2019 from Zoya Nail Polish and Treatment. It's not going to be much better than this day!


The Innocence collection consists of 4 cremes, 1 shimmer and a shimmery glitter.  Across the board, I found the formula of all 6 of the polishes to be quite easy to work with--Zoya makes the most beautiful Brenes and I was pretty happy with the shimmer and glitter too.  Unless specifically mentioned, all the swatches below show just 3 thin coats of each polish by itself on the index and ring fingers and 3 coats plus 1 thin coat of topcoat on the middle and pinkie fingers for the sake of comparison. A couple of the creamed, which I will mention below, needed no more than 2 easy coats!


Agnes is described as "a warm toned muted blush". Now I'm usually not a fan of blush anything so I was surprised by how much I liked this shade! The warm undertones make it much more flattering for my skin tone.





Birch is described as "a gentle greiged lavender". A really pretty pastel, especially for my fairer complexioned sisters!





Aire is described as "a deep, dusty periwinkle blue". It was such a mistake to swatch this beauty in the middle of my line up because I really didn't want to take it off! I'm SO in love with this shade of blue! 2 easy coats for full opacity.





Evette is described as "a softened grape with a pink undertone to balance". Another instant fave and another easy 2 coater, this is just a gorgeous purple!





Fern is described as "a balanced sage with a beautiful warm pearl accent". The shimmer in this, which was super hard to capture, is what makes this shade! Yet another easy 2 coats.





Theo is described as "a stormy grey with subtle texture featuring a flash of larger irregular silver flakies in silver, with dark blue glitter throughout". This shade is...interesting. I like the gray base, very aptly described above, but I'm not a huge fan of the glitter mix. Plus, this requires 4 coats at least for full opacity so this is probably not one I would reach for very often.






So there you have it, my darlings! The Zoya Innocence collection is available now on Zoya's website HERE for the price of $10 for a full-size, 0.5 oz bottle.


Don't forget to follow Zoya through the social media outlets below :

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Pinterest
Youtube
Blog




What do you think of this collection? Any must-haves? I would love to hear from you in the comments section below!

















***Products were sent to me for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.***



Hi there, my darlings! So Winter is finally over in Canada and we seem to have begun the Spring season...or so I think. See, Spring in Toronto, from what I have gathered during the last two seasons, is temperamental, whimsical, completely inconsistent. Some days are warm and sunny but most days are chilly or, more often, rainy. So much rain! After a brutal Winter (which they tell me was pretty mild compared to other years!!!!) and the fluctuating temperatures of Spring, my skin is really confused. I'm seeing things happen to it that I have never seen in my life. Case in point, the skin of my hands, especially around the palms and between my fingers, is peeling. Peeling like dried Elmer's glue and I cannot figure out what to do. So, I'm doing the only thing I can--religiously exfoliating and moisturizing. This is where Laline comes in. I was introduced to the brand a few months ago and fell quite in love with it--you can read my first impressions HERE. I've been trying a few other products from the brand and it's safe to say at this point that I'm hooked!


DEAD SEA MINERAL MUD SOAP BAR ($25.95 CAD)

Discover the magical blend of Dead Sea Minerals and Argan Oil.
A gentle bar soap made with mineral-rich Dead Sea mud and Argan Oil, delicately removes dirt and impurities while providing skin with a fresh scent of fig & sandalwood.



Now, don't let the unappealing look of this bar soap throw you off! This is good stuff! The Dead Sea Minerals effectively detox your skin, removing all traces of dirt, grime, pollution and general yuckiness while the Argan Oil ensures that your skin is not dried out at the end of your shower. Something most scented body washes, although I love them, can't claim to do! I like to treat myself to a hot shower with this soap at least once a week, just to detox, especially if I've been out and about or the weather has my skin feeling like it needs a little something extra. It IS pricey for a bar soap but use it carefully and it should last you awhile.




SCENTED BODY SCRUB ($35 CAD)

Restore your body's shine. The perfect combination of cleansing your skin with Dead Sea minerals, and caressing it with Avocado and Grape seed oils.


I'm a big fan of scrubs, both for the face and the body. My skin is acne-prone and, while I hate to admit it, that includes various parts of the body where I inevitably get annoying bumps and ingrowns and whatnots. It's maddening! Exfoliation is a key part of my body care routine, just so I can really scrub away all the dead cells, excess oil and anything else that would build up and clog my pores. Clogged pores always mean bumps!

It's worth mentioning that this is a salt scrub and therefore not unduly harsh on the skin, as many micro beads can be.Plus, it's packed with Dead Sea minerals and nourishing oils to make sure your skin stays hydrated even after a good exfoliation. Available in 10 scents, I like the Vanilla Pink Pepper scent I tried but I really want to try the Cherry Blossom next!




DEAD SEA MINERALS BODY CREAM ($27.95 CAD)

Discover the magical blend of Dead Sea Minerals and Argan Oil. A luxurious body cream that pampers and hydrates your skin with a unique complex of Dead Sea Minerals and a blend of Argan and Olive Oils. Enriched with Chamomile and Aloe Vera extracts and a delicate fragrance of fig & sandalwood.


You know, every time I'm about to try a Dead Sea or Mud or Charcoal product, I always think I'm about to dig into a muddy brown, earthy concoction. And every single time, I'm proven wrong! It's a normal white lotion, my darlings, in case you were wondering! As for the scent, it's not a floral or a fruity scent, I can tell you that right off the bat, even though it's supposed to smell like figs and sandalwood. I smell neither! I had a hard time placing the scent and so, I've settled on calling it an herbaceous fragrance--basically, this lotion smells like plants and nature. Not unpleasant in the least but I honestly would prefer a fruity/floral type of deal.

As for the texture, it's just lovely! The lotion is not too thick nor too runny and absorbs quite easily into the skin, leaving the skin feeling not just soft but velvety soft! I love this particularly for rough patches like my elbows and ankles, where I spend a few extra minutes massaging this in. The Argan Oil and Aloe Vera does wonders in soothing dry, itchy skin! So much better!




HAND CREAM in VANILLA PINK PEPPER ($15.95 CAD)

Two hands ? Twice the efficiency! Enriched with Glycerine, Vegetable oil and Vitamin E. 


Available in 10 scents, I tried the Musk scent earlier and Vanilla Pink Pepper this time.



I had claimed that this product was my favorite of the set I tried last time and, as they say, the proof is in the pudding. As you can see, it indeed became a favorite and a staple on my nightstand--I used up every last bit of the Musk hand cream. I'm well on my way with the Vanilla Pink Pepper and if you had to ask me to choose between the two scents, I think Vanilla Pink Pepper would be the winner. Musk is really nice but I'm so taken with the spicy-sweet notes of the latest scent.

I mentioned that my hands have been peeling and this is one of the few things that seem to help--I slather this cream on religiously before bed and wake up to my skin being just fine. Throughout the day, as I do dishes or go about life, the peeling starts up. I think I'm going to have to apply this a few more times during the day!




So there you have it, my darlings! In Canada, Laline is available through their site HERE, with shipping free over $50 CAD. You can also find them at select stand-alone stores across Canada, such as Sherway Gardens in Toronto.


For more on the brand, check out Laline through the social media outlets below :
Instagram
Youtube




How is the weather treating you where you are? Do you feel your skin needs a little extra TLC?  Tell me in the comments section below!

















***Products were sent to me for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.***


Hi there, my darlings! Mother's Day is right around the corner and I, for one, especially miss the mothership this year, having spent all of 2017 with her. While I'm too far away to treat her as she deserves, saving all my efforts for the net time I'm in the same city as her, you may be looking for the perfect gift for your own mom. If you're thinking traditional roses, I have a better idea! Grandmothers and mothers in India have been reiterating the benefits of natural beauty for years and we, being the younger, rebellious generation, never paid heed. So, it's particularly humbling and ironic when our favorite beauty brands come up with fabulous products infused with those same ingredients that our mothers vouched for so many years ago! Here's to the wisdom of mothers everywhere! Let's show ours a little bit of appreciation by treating her to a rosier, glowing complexion with Pixi Beauty's Rose-infused Skintreats line!


My mom and I are huge fans of wipes, never failing to have a stash of them in our purses. Now, admittedly, my love of wipes passed to her but I know she would love these delicately scented Makeup Melting Cleansing Cloths ($10.00 USD). Beautifully scented and oh-so-soft, they gently but thoroughly remove any traces of makeup, dirt or pollution from your skin, while still keeping your skin hydrated. No irritation whatsoever!




The Rose Cream Cleanser ($18.00 USD) is a gentle, mineral packed mud cleanser with Aloe Vera and Chamomile, especially effective if you are prone to dry skin or sensitive skin. My oily skin doesn't do well with cream cleansers but if your skin needs a gentler touch after a particularly brutal winter, this cleanser is totally for you! Special mention to the earthier floral notes which may be more pleasing to you if you aren't a fan of straight-up florals.




Now, if you have been following me for a while, you know just how much I love Pixi's Glow Tonic. In fact, it was the first product that made me fall in love with the brand! Its newly launched sister, the Rose Tonic ($29.00 USD for 250 mL) is just as fabulous and formulated to be a soothing toner for redness of the skin, while still keeping skin well-hydrated. Wonderful after a facial or a particularly astringent at-home mask or even if you have been treating breakouts, like I often am, and your skin is annoyed with you!

One of my favorite products of the Rose-infused line has to the Rose Caviar Essence ($24.00 USD). Meant to hydrate while feeling all but weightless, the gel-like formula absorbs quickly and easily into the skin. My skin always feels so soft and pampered, with none of the heaviness or stickiness of many a serum that steers me away! If you have oily skin or get overheated quickly like I do, this one was made for you!




Now, for the moisturizers. There are three pictured below which I would classify as moisturizers but each are as different as they can be.

First, the Rose Oil Blend ($is a mixed oil made from the extracts of sweet almond, rosehip, jojoba, pomegranate seed, and rose geranium. Intense and rich, I believe this would be particularly beneficial for very dry skin. I tend to steer clear of face oils, since my skin breaks out at the mere mention of it, but if you love florals and need the extra hydration, go on and reach for this!




Next, the Rose Ceramide Cream and the Rose Flash Balm ($24.00 USD) are the two moisturizers in the collection. They are quite different from each other and I personally have a definite preference for the 3-in-1 oil-free Balm, which is absorbs quicker without even the need to massage it in, feels lighter on the skin and just feels better for my oily/combination/acne-prone skin. It is meant to be a primer but honestly, I often use just this as both a moisturizer and to prep my skin before makeup before going out.

The Rose Ceramide Cream ($24.00 USD) is the more traditional moisturizer, feeling richer and thicker to the touch. Packed with both rose oil, anti-oxidants and ceramides, this is the perfect cream to reach for before bed. Smooth a little on after removing your makeup and cleansing and just let it hydrate your skin while you sleep!




Last but not the least, the two mists in the collection! I an a huge fan of Pixi's mists and I swear they saved me during my stay in India. The Makeup Fixing Mist ($15.00) is lightweight but powerful--my makeup didn't budge during some of my forays into the scorching summer nights of Calcutta but it didn't feel in the least uncomfortable! Huge win!

The Rose Glow Mist ($15.00 USD) gives you that dewy, subtle glow of naturally healthy skin. With rose, avocado and argan oil, your skin will stay hydrated and fresh without feeling sticky. Stick this one in the fridge before applying when summer comes around--you can thank me later!




Confused as to what to buy for mom? Pixi has a beautifully curated set, with all their favorites from the collection, inside a pretty but limited-edition travel bag. Snatch up the Ultra-Luxe Rose-infused Skintreats Set ($96.00 USD) as the perfect Mother's Day for mom!




So there you have it, my darlings! You can pick up any of these fabulous Rose-infused Skintreats on Pixi Beauty's site HERE. Shipping, as always, is free over $25 within the US!


For all of us Canadians, Pixi is available exclusively through Shoppers Drug Mart, both in-store and online HERE.


Not in the US or Canada? Pixi Beauty ships globally through their UK site HERE. Free shipping over £35 is a great bonus!


Don't forget to follow Pixi Beauty through the social media outlets below for all the latest about their products:

Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Twitter
Youtube



What do you think of this collection? See anything you would like to try? Tell me in the comments section below!

















***Products were sent to me for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.***
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