NAILS | The Hungry Asian Tickled Pink Swatch #CBBxManiMonday

Anyone else feel like taking a sick day? Luckily I have today off, but after going to bed at around 1am last night and then getting up 6 hours later to do laundry, I just feel like I never woke up! I had a small nap at 11am just because I couldn't stop yawning, but I still feel like a complete zombie. I am also feeling quite a bit of anxiety (Ukraine and Russia aside) as tomorrow is my Monday and it's a week of fairly unpleasant things in the retail world. 

The Hungry Asian Tickled Pink Swatch
Purchased by me sooooo long ago!

SHEET MASK | SNP Active Seal Masks: Hyalon Moist, Pepta Firming and Mela Bright

When it comes to Korean skincare brand staples, SNP (Shining Nature Purity) is one that you will often see as they have both been around for over 20 years and have A TON of sheet masks and skincare products that have leaned towards the more science and technology side. I think in the North American market, they are most well known for their Bird's Nest Aqua Ampoule and Gold Collagen Ampoule Masks and rightly so because they are by far some of the best masks I have used! Awhile ago I received some newer masks from SNP to try, among them the 36.5 Active Seal Masks! 

SNP Active Seal Masks
 Press samples

LIFESTYLE | Five on Friday - Feb.25 - Diamond Painting, Wealthsimple, Truffle Butter, LEGO Lion Dance and Satin Rollers

It has been a heavy last couple of days and there will be more to come. Everything beauty-related I talk about or post seems tinged with guilt that I should be even thinking about something like this while men are being sent off to fight and women and children are hiding in bomb shelters in Ukraine. Maybe today's #FiveonFriday has a bit more of a purpose because I REALLY felt like I had to find five things that made me smile. 


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MAKEUP | Phytosurgence Flash Florescence In Bloom Collection #LunarFebruary

I am back almost a year later with more from Vancouver-based brand Phytosurgence! This brand also fits in with my #LunarFebruary theme as it is partially Asian-owned so yay! They have launched SO MANY more products since I was here last with their classic collection of cream eyeshadows and though I have realllly been tame with my makeup purchases, the Summer 2021 "In Bloom" collection was one that I had a challenging time saying no to so I picked it up during Phytosurgence's Black Friday sale as a Christmas gift to myself!

Phytosurgence Flash Florescence In Bloom Collection
Purchased by me

NAILS | Leopard Print Hearts #CBBxManiMonday

I keep thinking today is Sunday because I had yesterday off, but also today which is throwing me off completely! Add to the fact that it is a holiday here so it's quiet outside which further adds to feeling of "Sundayness"! I'm not hating the feeling as I went to bed at 2am so I am feeling a bit like a zombie. Again, I know Valentine's is over, but no one can stop me from doing more hearts!

Heart Leopard Print Nail Art
Press samples provided

SHEET MASK | The Face Shop Jeju Aloe Fresh Ice Soothing Face Mask

If you watched Squid Game over the Halloween season, the word "Jeju" might mean something different to you even though Jeju Island in South Korea has long been a hot spot for tourism and skincare ingredients! It has a volcanic landscape with ample flora and fauna and mineral-rich soil that has resulted in many wonderful Korean beauty products. In Squid Game, Player 067 says to Player 240 that should she win, her dream would be to buy a house for her brother and her to live in, rescue their mother from North Korea and visit Jeju Island. Obviously, this is all very sad as Player 067 was not able to live out her dream, but ever since watching this disturbing series, when I see Jeju Island I think of this scene. 

The Face Shop Jeju Aloe Fresh Ice Soothing Face Mask
Press sample

NAILS | Abstract Love featuring OPI Nature Strong

While I may not necessarily celebrate Valentine's Day, I sure do love a good pink manicure and after doing one round of Valentine's Day nail art, I had to have more! I've always loved the abstract manicures with lines and dots so I wanted to try to create this with solely OPI Nature Strong polishes just to see how a vegan polish measured up to the "regular guys" in terms of ease of use in nail art and as a full base nail colour. As you can see, the polishes did not disappoint!

Pink Heart Nail Art
PR samples

LIFESTYLE | Five on Friday - Feb.18 - Harry Potter Brickheadz, Booster, SPUD Order, Murderville and Enjoying Nature

This past week I was on a lovely staycation and while parts of it were productive, I was very sloth-like for the majority of it and I guess that's ok! The whole purpose was to catch up on some beauty things, do some beauty clean out (which I did!), read, watch the Olympics and get my movie count going again! 


ONE

SKINCARE | MaskerAide Pineapple Brightening Jelly Mask

In the summer of 2020, one of my favourite sheet mask brands, MaskerAide, decided to add something new to their line up - wash off masks! I have been sitting on this review for awhile not for any particular reason, but this is the year I finally catch up! A detoxifying Matcha clay mask was also released in addition to the Pineapple Brightening Jelly Mask, but I will save that for a separate review because it's pretty awesome too!


MaskerAide Pineapple Brightening Jelly Mask
Press samples

NAILS | Happy Valentine's Day! #CBBxManiMonday

How convenient that Valentine's Day falls on a CBBxManiMonday! Today is the last official day of my vacation which I am both sad and relieved about as I realized that being super out of it for two days after having my Booster put me on a path of..."unproductivity". I was pretty much the most efficient in my first 3 days and then kind of lost it though my husband often says that I should just find a way to relax instead of running around taking photos and forcing myself to play with makeup. He kind of has a point, but I feel like the guilt would kill me if I didn't do SOME blog planning. I did do a relatively big clean out and gave away about 4 bags of makeup and skincare, but there will always be much to do! 

Heart Nail Art

Cirque Colors purchased by me

SHEET MASK | Love, Jude Cat Pouch, Sexy Radish and Three Fingers #LunarFebruary

When it comes to skincare and sheet masks, Jude Chao of the blog Fifty Shades of Snail, has been around for a loooong time and it was one of the first blogs I came across years ago that had very in depth skincare reviews for Asian products and with a great sense of humour! She is also similar in age to me so it's nice to know that what works for her has a high probability of working for me! We have seen SO MANY influencer beauty product launches in recent years, but THIS launch is one I had full trust in just because of how detailed and thoughtfully critical Jude has always been of skincare. The perfect sheet masks were a love letter to all of her followers, readers and support that Jude has received over the years hence the brand name Love, Jude!

Purchased by me

LIFESTYLE | Five on Friday - Feb.11 - LEGO Ahsoka Tano, New Ink, LNY Office Setup, Blume Lavender and Extended Versions of LOTR Movies

Last week, I was pretty much gunning to make it to this week as I am on the last few days of a much needed vacation! I haven't taken more than a few days off since the Fall (pretty standard for retail life) and it felt good to plan some things to do around the house, but let's see what I got up to last week!

ONE


The newest LEGO Star Wars Brickheadz launch was released last month and I have to say Ahsoka Tano is looking VERY cool! They even got her hair(?) ears (?) right! Super fun to build and I hope they do more as I missed the bulk of the more popular Star Wars Brickheadz characters. I am not even going to try to buy them since they are ridiculously expensive...

HAIR | Soo'AE Honey Avocado and Sooth Tea Tee Rosemary Hair Masks #LunarFebruary

I have always been a very devoted hair mask user as I am actually quite terrified of what my hair will look and feel like without the help of some extra dimethicones! After doing some beauty organization the last few weeks, I have come to realize that with my focus being less on makeup, I have now zeroed in on other parts of my body and my hair has been a big one! 

Soo'AE Honey Avocado and Sooth Tea Tee Rosemary Hair Mask Review
Purchased by me

BEAUTY | Shu Uemura Crafted in Japan Collection #LunarFebruary

Better late than never, right? Released about six months ago, the limited edition Shu Uemura Crafted in Japan collection is made in Japan and is inspired by the beautiful art of origami. While the actual pieces in the collection are not limited, this design was, but rest assured that you haven't missed out on the products if you are interested! This compact collection consists of: Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil, Petal 55 Foundation Brush and the Hard Formula Eyebrow Pencil.

Shu Uemura Crafted in Japan Collection Review

Press samples 

NAILS | Pink Gradient Polka Dots ft. OPI Nature Strong #CBBxManiMonday

February is classically one of my favourite nail art months because even though I think Valentine's Day is kind of "blergh" in terms of consumerism, I do really love hearts, pink and all of the decorations and designs that accompany this "holiday"! I just received a package with OPI's newest line of vegan polishes and my my are they ever gorgeous! Coming in 30 shades, even just having the core collection will have you covered for all of your manicure needs for years to come! I found myself some Valentine's Day appropriate colours and though this isn't a complicated manicure, it sure is cute!

 

Pink Polka Dot Nail Art
Press samples

SHEET MASK | Banobagi Vita Genic Jelly Masks #LunarFebruary

When I initially took photos of the Banobagi Vita Genic Jelly Masks, I thought this was going to be an EPIC review as there were so many different masks all addressing varying skin concerns. As you scroll down, turns out it won't be that epic after all!

Banobagi Vita Genic Jelly Mask Review
Purchased by me

LIFESTYLE | Five on Friday - Feb.4 - Facial, Ozark, Neo Naturelle, Cheekbone Beauty Haul and Greek Salad Obsession!

I feel like a billion years have passed since I did the activities listed in this week's edition of Five on Friday so I guess it has just been one of those weeks! It was a productive week in terms of blogging and putting out some content which, even if there isn't a lot of reach, I still love knowing that I have my own personal "library" of beauty content! 


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I have been going to Rejuvenating Body Spa for the past seven years and love this little hole in the wall that you would walk right past on the street! Service is fantastic and the staff value quietness so there isn't a lot of chatter. I love supporting this local business so I try to treat myself to a facial or a massage with them every 1-2 months. This past week, I got a Hydrating Facial along with a Hot Stone Massage which was heaven! 

NAILS | It's the Year of the..Tigger?

I had so much fun drawing the tiger on my Lunar New Year nails for #CBBxManiMonday that I went hunting for more tiger nail art! I stumbled the CUTEST Tigger design from Dahlia Nails from a couple awhile back, but let's face it, Tigger and the whole Winnie the Pooh crew are always going to be awesome much like the Sesame Street family!


Tigger Nail Art
Press samples

MAKEUP | Lunar New Year Collection with Quo Beauty

Happy Lunar New Year! Though my family has never been big on celebrating, I started getting a few food things over the last few years just to get in the mood. This year, I have not gone to T&T to pick up anything, but I did of course get a fun little LEGO set themed around the The Year of the Tiger and I made sure that I wore red to work yesterday (an all red jumpsuit) as well as some tiger earrings that Shoppers Beauty sent over that were actually pretty fun!


Quo Beauty Makeup Look

Press samples