Author Archives: Mary S.

The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Shower Gel Review & Pictures

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The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Shower Gel ReviewThe Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Shower Gel is the first shower gel by the brand that I’ve ever tried, so it had a lot to live up to!

Although I have some favourite shower gels, I still like to mix it up and try new ones because variety is the spice of showers…err, I mean life! 😉

I’m already a fan of the benefits of Argan Oil, and the cool thing? The Argan Oil supplier for The Body Shop is Targanine, which is a community fair trade partner.

According to the information that PR was kind enough to send me, Targanine is a “Moroccan Berber women’s cooperative that hand-picks and hand cracks the Argan nuts, which are then pressed into oil. These cooperatives invest in social projects such as school rooms for children and adult learning, creches, doctors’ visit and micro-loan facilities.”

Argan Oil has been used by centuries by the Berber women to protect and nourish their skin and hair from the harsh Saharan winds and smouldering sun. It contains essential fatty acids (including linoleum acid, Omega 6) and natural tocopherols, which is why Argan Oil is sometimes called the “Queen of Oils”.

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Quick Look: Zoya Matte Velvet Collection

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Zoya Matte Velvet CollectionThe Zoya Matte Velvet Collection features 6 re-released nail-polish colours with the edgy finish that I can best describe as sea glass!

It’s matte, but it’s not a dull kind. The Matte Velvet finish feels more luxurious to me. (I like how each one has a bit of shimmer!)

My favourite is the green, but the deep purple also has me giving it a double-take…and a triple-take! 😉

And would you just look at those gorgeous frosted bottles? So elegant!

In this blog post, I show you bottle shots for all 6 colours in the Zoya Matte Velvet Collection as well as quick swatches. (I’ve also included the official press release, in case you’d like more information about the collection and each colour.)

Then, in future blog posts, I’ll do my usual in-depth reviews with more swatches in different lighting conditions for some of the colours that I wear. 🙂 Stay tuned!

P.S. Don’t forget to enter my latest worldwide giveaway by October 24, 2014 at 11:59 pm EDT! You could win the new OPI Don’t Speak 18K Gold Top Coat!
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OPI The Power of Pink Swatches & Review (OPI Pink of Hearts 2014)

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OPI The Power of Pink Swatches & ReviewOPI The Power of Pink is part of the Breast Cancer Awareness duo in the OPI Pink of Hearts Set for 2014.

The set includes a sparkly nail file decorated with a pink-ribbon charm, as well as two full-size bottles of nail polish: Mod About You (previously reviewed) and The Power of Pink.

Although Mod About You is part of OPI’s classic collection, The Power of Pink is a limited-edition lacquer, so pick up the set this month before it’s too late!

You know that I’m not usually nuts about pink polish, but when glitter is involved and it waves its pom poms at me enthusiastically, I sit up and take note. 🙂 Wearing OPI The Power of Pink is like having a cheer squad on your nails. (Every time I looked down, I smiled because the glitter is so cute!)

Here, I’m wearing just a single coat of OPI The Power of Pink over three coats of OPI Mod About You.

P.S. In case you missed it, I announced my latest worldwide giveaway! Hurry to get your entry in by October 24 for a chance to win the OPI Don’t Speak 18K Gold Top Coat!

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Worldwide Giveaway: OPI Don’t Speak 18K Gold Top Coat

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OPI Don't Speak 18K Gold Top Coat GiveawayEdit (October 26, 2014 at 5:30 pm EDT): Congratulations, Katherine! You’ve won! Please reply to the e-mail I sent you within 48 hours to claim your prize.

Thanks to everyone for participating! (Stay tuned because really soon, I’m going to have another fun giveaway.)

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Today is Canadian Thanksgiving, and I thought it was very fitting to have a surprise worldwide giveaway to remind my amazing blog readers of how much I appreciate you all.

From now until Friday October 24, 2014 at 11:59 pm EDT, you can enter for a chance to win the brand new OPI Don’t Speak 18K Gold Top Coat, which is a collaboration with Gwen Stefani! (You may remember me posting Instagram photos here and here.)

(OPI Don’t Speak features yellowish-gold flakes and iridescent glitter. The OPI Mariah Carey gold top coat has white gold flakes. The OPI Man with the Golden Gun gold top coat has yellowish-gold flakes. They’re all different.)

Blogging can be very challenging, especially when you’re going through personal or work issues and dealing with life’s obstacles. It can be hard to stay positive when you’re feeling crummy or having a bad day. But readers like you somehow manage to boost my spirits, and I take it to heart because it’s so amazing how people I’ve never met in person show me how much they genuinely care. It touches my heart!

The past week has been pretty insane after work, and you may have noticed that the posts weren’t as frequent as usual. (There’s always a lot going on, but that week was highly stressful and jam-packed.)

Thank you to my loyal readers who stayed and were patient and understanding! 🙂

I want to reciprocate all the love and support you give me, even though there’s no way I can match your sky-high level that you give me on a daily basis.

Check out the rest of this blog post to get the full details on how to enter my giveaway. (Please read it carefully so that your entry qualifies.)

P.S. I’ll be attending the IMATS (International Makeup Artist Trade Show) in Toronto on Saturday November 22, 2014. So, if you’re also going and see me, don’t hesitate to say hi! 🙂 (The trade show is open to the public. You don’t have to be a makeup artist to attend. I’m not a makeup artist, but it’s fun to see the creativity and trends in the industry. Plus there are plenty of great shopping deals and seminars from which you can learn new tips and tricks from professionals!)

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OPI Apple Pie Spice Avojuice Press Release

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OPI Apple Pie Spice AvojuiceI missed a few days this week on the blog, and it feels like forever!

My life after work has been super hectic, but I’m hoping that things will go back to my normal level of craziness (hehe) by next week.

You, dear readers, are very important to me, and I really appreciate all your support, whether you leave a comment or just drop by to visit.

I also am grateful for those who stick around, even when I miss my typical Monday to Friday blog postings.

In fact, I’m planning a pretty awesome worldwide nail-polish giveaway to reward my loyal readers. Hint: It’s coming VERY soon, and you will NOT be disappointed!

For today, I would like to share with you the OPI Apple Pie Spice Avojuice press release!

I have the lotion and will be reviewing it in-depth soon, so be on the lookout for that.

OPI Avojuice lotions are incredible – they’re my favourite hand lotions by far because they are moisturizing, are not greasy, absorb quickly, and come in lots of fun scents. (You may remember the OPI Holly Berry Avojuice I reviewed on here in 2013 and loved.)

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Essie Fall in Line Swatches & Review

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Essie Fall in Line Swatches & ReviewEssie Fall in Line from the Fall 2014 Collection is a dusty, tranquil green with a few drops of grey mixed in.

Depending on the settings of the screen you’re viewing this on, it may look blue, but, in person, it definitely leans more on the green side than the blue.

I just couldn’t get enough of it, and I wore it for several days straight. And when I removed it, I considered wearing it for a consecutive manicure! *Gasp* That pretty much never happens.

But then I looked over at the other nail polishes smiling up at me with hopeful eyes. How could I neglect them? 😉

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OPI Trend on Ten & Sheer to the Top! Holiday Gift Sets Press Release

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OPI Sheer to the Top & OPI Trend on Ten Gift SetIn the past few days, I’ve been sharing lots of press releases about exciting OPI holiday nail polishes here, here, here, and here!

And, since I still have more to show you, I’m keeping the blog-posting train going choo-choo-chooing with this one! 🙂

There are two more OPI holiday gift sets for 2014:

  • OPI Trend on Ten Gift Set
  • OPI Sheer to the Top! Gift Set

As the name would suggest, OPI Trend on Ten features their top nail-polish shades. They come in adorable mini bottles, which are excellent for collectors and those who want to try a variety of colours without having to commit to the full-size bottles.

Since I have small feet (and also small toenails), I especially love using the OPI mini nail polishes for pedicures. The little brush is ideal!

OPI Sheer to the Top! contains three full-size bottles including a glossy top coat, matte top coat, and glitter polish.

See the rest of this post for the full details!

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