I love this time of the year.  The Sun is out.  There is a nice breeze and it's not too hot.  It's also time for a eventful season with Toronto.  One of the biggest is the Luminato Festival that happens every year around downtown Toronto feature art, music, film, theatre, etc.  As the Partner of Creativity of Luminato, every year L'Oréal Canada will have different activation around town for event goers.

As much as I love the look of gel manicure, I have a beef with the system.  1) You need to cure it, even though it's fast, I don't particularly enjoy this extra step.  2) The removal is horrendous, because you need to soak your nails in acetone, not only that dries out your cuticle, it also takes really really long to do.

I'm sure many of you share this love-hate relationship with the gel manicure.  So you might be glad that the new L'Oréal Paris Extraordinaire Gel Lacque 1-2-3 System does almost exactly the same thing with much less hassle.  This system entails 3 steps: Primer, Plumper, and Magnifier.

Having oily skin growing up, I have always got a POREblem.  I use a lot of pore minimizing skincare and deep cleansing mask.  But after all, pores are not going to shrink, but it can look smaller.  SoI always need something to help me smooth out the look of pores.  My newest help is the L'Oréal Paris YouthCode Pore Vanisher Texture Perfector (CA $29.99 / US $24.99).

Just when you think L'Oréal Paris had a great skincare year in 2013, boom, 2014 is even better.  With the release of this new line of Sublime Cleansers, they want women to feel pampered about cleansing.

I have never talked about my skincare routine before because I constantly switch up my routine that I couldn't even keep up.  I do realize it's a bad habit of me, I just can't resist the urge to try new things (it's the beauty blogger in me).  But recently I find myself going back to products that I finished up, so I guess it's safe to say I'm finally getting happier with my skincare routine.

It's a day early, but Happy Valentine's Day!  Believe it or not, I rarely celebrate Valentine's Day.  My friends called my man lucky because he doesn't need to get me a gift or flowers.  But I'd be lying if I say I don't care for the romantic stuff, roses and chocolates.  At the very least, I would have to put on some Valentine's Day themed makeup.  Here's how I'm gonna get that...

I don't have a bucket list to go skydiving, hike the Peru Machu Picchu trail, or simply wear the boldest makeup to work.  Sorry for being so dull but doing things out of the ordinary is just not my style.  Thankfully, the new L’Oréal Paris Color Riche Extraordinaire Lip Colors (CA $12.99 / US $9.99) are well within my comfort zone.

What do you look for in a mascara?  For most of us, it would be volume and length.  One factor that we all subconsciously consider is the shape that the mascara provide.  That is why there are so many different kinds of false lashes out there with different shapes.  If you happened to be a fan of flared-out false lashes, you may want to check out the new L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara* (CA $11.99) to flare out your own lashes.

Ever since I went ombre, I have become really conscious about the "health" or the condition of my hair.  I have never ever take care of my hair like that because I didn't feel the need to when I was younger.  But after being exposed to more and more hair care products/information (thanks to YouTube, Stacey Brennan, and Emily from THISWASFOREVER), I realize I am not treating my hair very well.  So this time, after damaging my hair by leaving hair dye on for a wee bit too long, I am determined to "revive" it, or at least condition it to prevent it from getting worse.  And here's what I'm currently reaching for the most...



"Wow!  That's a lot of hair products!"  I know!  I think so too.  I do use them all but hear me out...  And since this post is going to be VERY long, I have sectioned it up!

1. Shampoo and Conditioner

Left: LUSH BIG Shampoo; Right: L'Oreal Total Repair Replenishing Mask

I used the LUSH Cosmetics BIG Shampoo every day.  Yes, I know, you're not supposed to wash your hair every day but I just can't stand how greasy my hair would get.  My hair gets greasy even at the end of the day even I just washed it 16 hours ago.  It also smells too... yikes!  I think after a whole day of work I deserve some refreshment by just shampooing my hair.  You may think that this small tub might not worth the buck, but a little goes a long way because this lathers up crazy.  I use about a little less than a quarter size amount and that's probably too much.  I massage the product on the scalp and bring the lather to the ends and then rinse it out thoroughly.  I especially like this one because it makes my hair squeeky clean and SHINY.  My hair is not dull per se, but it gives it an extra lift.  Literally!  I do find my hair have more volume after using this shampoo.  I don't think I have used something quite like this and I'm enjoying it!

LUSH BIG Sea Salt Shampoo

LUSH BIG Sea Salt Shampoo

Since I do wash my hair so often, I make sure I do condition it as well.  And my go to conditioner is the L'Oreal Paris Total Repair Replenishing Mask. I have had this for ages but I have never opened it.  It is not until I coloured my hair that I decided to take it out from my cabinet and use it.  My friend Jill from Batting a Lash had talked about using this as her conditioner before, so did Emily, so I gave it a shot.  It makes my hair really soft, silky soft! They probably have changed their packaging since I acquired this one. (I don't even remember when!)  I'm hoping that it works the same because I'm gonna need one when I run out.

L'Oreal Paris Total Repair Replenishing Mask

Last week, you have read my experience on the L'Oreal Paris Féria Wild Ombré dip dye kit (go check out the tips and tricks I learned from L'Oreal Paris Official Hair Colourist Christophe Robin).  Now you can have a chance to win the same kit I used too!  It is most suitable for Medium to Dark Brown Hair, but I heard lighter brown hair girl can do so too (don't quote me though).  But I also got something if you want to go blonde — the L'Oreal Paris Superior Preference LB01.  If you're itching to switch up your hair colour, enter here for a chance to win the follow two hair dye kit.

Prize #1:

1 Box of L'Oreal Paris Féria Wild Ombré dip dye kit in 060 Medium to Dark Brown Hair
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ever since the Ombré trend has started, I have been going oooh and ahhh when I see a bang on ombré'd hair (e.g. Rumi Neely @ Fashion Toast, Zoe @ Zoella).  It's very low maintenance because you don't have to worry about your roots growing out, you only need to touch up on it once the colour has faded too much or your hair has grown too long that the Ombré no longer seem natural.  But I just love the casual, effortless look of Ombré hair.  However, it took me nearly two years to finally jump the gun and go Ombré.  The product that made me do it is the newly on the market L'Oréal Paris Féria Wild Ombré* dip dye hair kit.

L'Oreal Féria Wild Ombré in 060 for medium to dark brown hair

L'Oreal says the Féria Wild Ombré features the following:

• Expert Brush: Apply formula flawlessly with Feria’s easy-to-use Expert Brush. In one stroke, it’s easy to create individual Ombre looks – ranging from subtle to bold.
• Lightening Technology: Feria’s lightening formula blends naturally with each unique haircolour – No lines! Just a perfectly graduated colour.
• Five Expert Shades: Achieve colour perfection with one of Ombre’s five unique shades that blend naturally each woman’s own unique haircolour.
• Conditioned Hair: Conditioning shampoo deeply hydrates hair, leaving it soft and easily tamed.

In the past, I had become so disappointed with drugstore eyeshadows, all those quads/trios they sell at Walmart failed me badly.  That's why I have been steering away from them.  However, I must say that drugstore brands have been trying to up their game with their eyeshadows in the past year.  And L'Oreal Infaillible Color might be the most intriguing one out of the bunch.

L'Oreal Infaillible Color; L to R from the top left: Forever Pink, Time Resist White, Endless Chocolat, Hourglass Beige