Dolly Wink Volume Mascara - Black

All right, I kinda figure I should actually make some sort of contribution to this blog. Now that I have been reminded of its existence.

I've been a fan of Dolly Wink ever since it was first started a few years back. Dolly Wink had some serious advertising in Japanese magazines, and a lot of Japanese models and online bloggers had positive reviews. Their mascara is one thing that I keep repurchasing - volume, length, in black, in brown, I think I've tried every single mascara Dolly Wink has put out. Right now I'm nearing the end of my tube of the Volume mascara in black, so I'll present that first.

My tube on the left (first generation packaging), and the current packaging on the right. I've been holding on to my tube for way too long. But that just means it's really really good, right?

Let me point out that this is probably the third or fourth time I've repurchased this particular mascara (discounting all other Dolly Wink mascaras), and I've tried a LOT of mascaras in between.

I was born with a terrible lack of lashes. They are short, stick straight, and sparse. My bare lashes are almost invisible. Pictures speak louder than words:

 No curling, no mascara - only eye shadow + pencil eyeliner.

THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE. One of them, anyway.

Anyway, with a little curling action from my Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler (another must-buy, IMO), I can actually make my lashes look like something with the Dolly Wink Volume mascara:

After curling - this is with one layer of Dolly Wink Volume mascara in black on. No lash combing in this picture, although I probably could've used it.

PROS

• Holds my curl amazingly - the curl still looks the same after a full day.
• Never ever smudges (and I have oily lids - things will smudge on me).
• Super easy to take off - it's supposed to come off with just warm water, although I've found it to be tear-proof. I usually take off all my make-up with just one pump of cleansing oil, including this mascara.
• Zero clumping in my experience. Separates well too, I almost never have to use a lash comb.
• I can see my lashes!!

CONS

• The formula in the tube dries relatively quick compared to other mascara I own (MAC's Plush Lash's formula still feels as liquid and smooth as the day I bought it and that was half a year ago). So use it fast!
• I've held on to my current tube for way too long (like 8 months?), and you can tell it's a little dry based on my pictures above - still applies fine though, and still no clumping.
• Difficult to get a hold of in Canada, although Dolly Wink is now popular enough that a lot of asian online beauty stores will carry the mascaras (if only they'd carry the rest of the line...).
• Sasa is selling it for USD$18.00. YEAH, NO WAY. I bought it for HKD$99 (~CAD$14) in Hong Kong when I was there in March 2014, and it came with a free eyeliner. I remember they used to go for HKD$79 (~CAD$11) without the eyeliner - maybe they still do. But that requires a trip to Hong Kong.

Your mileage may vary (as always), but I tend to have a not-so-easy time with most mascaras (often smudging, not enough curl, not enough volume/length), and this one has worked out very well for me.

CONCLUSION: Definitely worth trying it if you haven't found your HG mascara yet! Or worth trying even if you have found your HG mascara.

Heroine Make Volume & Curl Mascara

I've been using this mascara for a while now and thought I would share my thoughts on it. As I have really short and straight lashes, I thought this one would be good to give it some volume and curl as suggested by the name. It gave me a little bit of volume and length,but not as much as the name suggest.

My favorite part about this is the fact that it does NOT smudge. I have dry skin but oily eyelids, so I always find mascara smudging under my eyes. I accidentally slept with this mascara on and it still did not smudge by the next day. I usually use a oil based make up remover to fully remove this mascara.

Overall, I wouldn't rush to pick up another tube right away, but I think Heroine Make might work really well for some people and I will definitely look into getting another mascara from this brand.

Extremely Long-Winded Skincare Routine For Someone of the Pizza-face Variety

Let's start with my skin type/concerns:

• Sensitive
• Acne-prone
• Discolouration (Redness/Dark Spots/Scarring)
• Dehydrated/combination/oily in the T-zone
• All around demonic

My skin has always been a struggle for me, and thanks to makeup I can paint myself a new face everyday to partially hide my hideous mug.

Seriously. If you see my naked face: you will die in 7 days. I think they made a movie loosely based on this.

This is my current routine from made-up face to ready-for-bed. It seems like a lot of products, but I don’t use all of these in one go. Most are alternatives and I use one item from each step.

Step 1: Makeup Removal

Products:

• Nuxe Paris Eau Demaquillante Micellaire (or any other micellar cleansing water ex.) Bioderma, Roc, Marcelle, etc…)
• Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils

I like oils because it’s very nurturing and you can massage your face while you gently remove the makeup. The micellar waters are great because it is literally the consistency of water and is amazing at removing any type of makeup. This is especially great for eye makeup that takes a chisel to remove. I use the oil if I’m diligent and the cleansing water with cotton pads when I’m super lazy.

Step 2: Deep Cleansing

Products: 

   

• Shiseido Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam
• Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser for Dry Skin
• Clarisonic Mia

I downgraded from the Shiseido to Cetaphil because the Shiseido was drying (but woooo does it ever foam like a mofo) and Cetaphil was cheaper, nurturing and a cult classic. I think it’s a good cleanser but a GREAT cleanser with the Clarisonic.

Step 3: Exfoliation

Products: 

• Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

This product is interesting: it is a white powder and looks like laundry detergent. With very wet hands, you pour about ½ a tsp into your palms and rub until it foams and is frothy. You then massage your face for 1 minute. Rinse. And Viola! Smooth face. I like this because it isn’t rough like the typical scrubs that can further scratch/rip your face off or rupture/disturb a sensitive face with active blemishes.

Step 4: De-toxify/Masks

Products: 

• LUSH fresh face masks
• Murad Clarifying Mask (for acne)

As of late, my skin has been a total disaster so I’ve been diligently using masks to help it calm down. Otherwise, I would use a mask once or twice a week so I can pretend to be like a real grown-up lady.

Thanks to Agnes, I find the LUSH masks great because:

• way easier to remove than traditional clay masks; thus, less rubbing and disturbing sensitive skin
• brightening
• skin softening, very soothing and doesn’t further aggravate potential blemishes
• fairly cheap compared to $40+ tubs

Step 5: Toning Lotion

Products: 

• Caudalie Beauty Elixir
• Clarins Toning Lotion - Normal/Dry Skin

Caudalie: refreshing, tingly, tightens skin but fairly $$$$ for what it is

Clarins: great to restore some moisture for super dehydrated skin. I apply either with a cotton pad or pat into face with hands 'cuz I'm fancy like that

Step 6: Serums

Products: 

• Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair
• Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum
• Lancôme Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector

I like serums because it’s silky and glides right over my skin without having to re-arrange my face. I like to choose ones that repair skin/correct darkness of scars. I’m not sure about the effectiveness of these, but it helps to soften the texture of my skin and I feel I should at least try to repair the scars from past blemishes.

Step 7: Moisturize

Products: 

• Benefit Cosmetics Total Moisture Facial Cream
• Shiseido Bio-Performance Advanced Super Revitalizing Cream
• Josie Maran Argan Oil
• Dior Crème de Rose Lip Balm
• Philosophy Eye Cream

Benefit makes a rich emollient cream for my super dehydrated skin. Yes, it is thick, but sometimes I mix a few drops of serum into the cream to loosen it up, or even a drop or 2 of argan oil for extra moisture. 

I like the Shiseido because it’s even more emollient than the Benefit, but the price is absolutely psychotic (I am currently using a sample). The Philosophy eye cream is simply out of convenience (also another sample). Most eye creams are very similar unless you shell out the big big bucks. 

I smooth these creams onto my face after warming it between my fingers and gently pat until absorbed.

I am very self-conscious about my routine and habits because I know most people who don't have skin issues will assume all the above is useless and probably cause more issues than it is helping. My philosophy about skincare/makeup is being gentle, use products smartly, where you need it and taking your time. Your face is not a punching bag.

And that’s my nightly routine. Yes, I know I am insane.

Brazened Honey Fresh Face Mask from Lush

I have been experimenting with different masks lately and I found a really good one at Lush. It is called the Brazened Honey Fresh Face Mask.




I have always enjoyed My beauty diary masks but never noticed a huge difference in my skin. However, my skin was noticeably brighter after 1 use and my skin tone looked more even.

Pros: It's affordable at $7 since you could get 6 - 8 uses out of it. It's natural and didn't irritate my skin. I SAW A DIFFERENCE immediately and a few days after.

Cons: It has to be kept in the fridge. It only lasts 3 weeks from the day they make it.

I highly recommend this product and I'll be trying their other masks in the future.

Lush website for the Brazened honey mask

Oh... my... dog!

I was introduced to this fun little place in the SE called Oh My Dog and they sell, you guessed it! Hot dogs.. and poutine... and apparently their milkshakes are amazing! But all I had was this pulled pork dog (see under the dog?) and coleslaw and it was Sooo good. It's down in Midnapore mall. So if you guys have a chance! Check it out!

Briggs Kitchen and Bar

 

I went to Briggs for lunch last week and it was quite delicious. I ordered flat bread, tater tots (can't remember the real name), and lobster ravioli. My fav was definitely the lobster ravioli and I would definitely go back next time for more.  

Printable stock up prices

Printable stock up prices

Sweet, someone compiled a list of pretty much everything and their lowest prices in the last 3 months so you can do some informed shopping. SEE LAI TO THE MAX! Yay to money saving.