All the shades are a bit thick due to the glitters in them and can look rough when dried, so it is best to apply a good topcoat. I like to use Essie Gel Setter Top Coat whenever I use an Essie polish and its glossy gel finish works really well with these polishes.

TIED & BLUE

CAUGHT ON TAPE

UNDER WRAPS

Under Wraps is a pine green shimmer with the holographic glitter in it. When applied you can really see the glitters and their colour changes. I definitely found that although the base polish is green, the blue in the glitters can give it a bit of a turquoise look.

One brand I was stoked about coming to Canada with Target back in 2013 was Pixi. When Target left Canada I stocked up on goodies and have been known to get my snow bird mother to bring back some goodies from time to time. While that's all been fine and dandy, but nothing beats being able to go to your local store and pick up a product you truly enjoy using.

Well, I am trilled to say that Pixi by Petra is back in Canada, this time at Shoppers Drug Marts across the country (so way more stores and better availability in more remote areas).  The brand has gone through a bit of a face lift since it was last here, and has some new exciting products too.

I was lucky enough to meet the fabulous Amanda Belle from the brand again (we met in 2013 at a pre-launch for the brand) at an event and learn about what is new and what they have brought with them to Canada this time around. I also got to bring a few goodies home with me, so let us take a look at what the brand has to offer.

Glow Tonic:
A cult classic, Glow Tonic is a toner that contains 5% Glycolic acid to help remove exfoliate dead skin daily to reveal glowing skin. I love this product for its mild daily exfoliating action that helps with cell turnover and is helping my skin become much smoother in texture. My sensitive skin isn't bothered by it at all, meaning I get to use it every night with no issues.
Nourishing Sleep Mask:
Apply 2 to 3 times a week at night after your skincare routine to help moisturize, protect and heal your skin during your sleep. Hyaluronic acid helps plump and hold in moisture, while fruit and flower oils soothe the skin. It helps seal in the moisturizers and skin products you use before it while being incredibly nourishing on its own. As someone who suffers from dry dehydrated skin I absolutely adore sleep masks including this one. I love the texture of it and how I wake up with plump and visibly hydrated skin in the morning. The best part is you don't need to slather it on, a quarter sized amount is enough to even help my dry skin out.

24K Eye Elixir:
Filled with collagen to help repair delicate eye tissue, peptides to plump fine lines, while the roller cools the area and increases circulation (you can even put it in the fridge to increase the cooling effect).  I haven't seen any drastic changes in my eye skin, but I do highly like the feeling and how refreshed my eyes are after I use it.

Rose Oil Blend:
Rosehip oil is a skin care savour, this blend is a miracle worker for me. Blended with oils like sweet almond , jojoba and pomegranate seed oil it has a ton of skin loving oils in it, not just rosehip oil. You can use it on its own or add it to other skincare products to boost their healing properties and hydration levels. I personally love using it both ways and this has quickly become a holy grail product for me, there is no way I will not be rebuying this.
Vitamin Wake Up Mist:
This spray toner can be used just about any time of the day, but the name suggests it is great in the AM. Filled with vitamins, orange blossom water and fruit extracts it helps wake up your skin while toning. You can use it before your moisturizing routine to tone, after makeup as a setting spray and whenever to refresh your skin. I am loving this this stuff because, well I love toning mists that are setting sprays.

Peel & Polish:
Containing both fruit acids (it has 5% lactic acid in it) and a physical exfoliants to help get your skin smooth. Applied to dry skin, you massage it around and get the physical exfoliants to scuff off flaky skin, then you leave it on for 5 minutes for the acids to do their work, 2 to 3 times a week. Together you get a really great finish to your skin that is super smooth. The great thing is you get to customize how much scrubbing you want to use with a product like this, just massage a bit for a light scrub or massage more for when your skin is acting up or in problem areas. Personally I really like it but wish there was a tad bit more scrub to cream ratio in the product, but then I remember that there is the acid so I don't need to go overboard with scrubbing anyways. I find it incredibly easy to rinse off and effective to use, definitely a rebuy for me.

Book Of Beauty, Contour Creator in Shape & Shade:
A book (it has a spine with its name on it) that contains 6 micro fine milled powders to help you define and shape your face. With three contour shades and three highlighters there is really quite the ability to contour your face nicely. While most contour sets contain a bunch of shimmers and shinny powders, this one only has one shade that is not matte, a highlighter.
The three contour shades make for a nice variety to them, while all being the same kind of tone to them. Being a pale gal I love that the light one works great on me for a day to day look, while the darker too work well for more dramatic looks or a true contour look.  The highlights vary, but none are quite as light as I really want them to be  unless I use the shimmery one on top. The shimmery highlight shade is nice but I wish it was less shimmery and glittery and more glowy like a Becca or The Balm highlighter, but that is just my preference.  Overall I like the variety of looks I can make with this set, the quality of the powders and the fact that 5/6 shades are matte.

Matteluster Lipstick in Rose:
A conditioning lipstick that has a full coverage finish and is demi-matte. Rose Naturelle just happens to be my perfect pinky-nude shade. Not too pink, not too nude, just right. There are 11 shades available, ranging from fuschia to red to nude, so there is a good chance there is a shade that is right for you. I love that it loaded with vitamins and hyaluronic acid to help nourish your lips and prevent them from drying out (a rarity for a matte lipstick), but most importantly I love this shade on me.

Endless Silky Eye Pen in BlackNoir:
Gel eyeliners are a must have for me. They glide on without tugging and can easily be applied to the water line. The Endless Silky Eye Pen is a waterproof, smudge-proof and applies really really easily. I've tested it out a few times now and had no issues with it in my waterline, no irritation at all, and lasted all day too. As for lining the top eye lid it managed to stay put pretty darn well without any smudging  and was really easy to tightline with. Now I always do manage to smudge my liner no matter what I use, that is because I always (ALWAYS) end up rubbing my eyes at some point forgetting I have product on (when will I learn?). I am giving it a 8.5/10 for staying put. There also happens to come in 18 shades.

Black Lacquer Lash Primer:
The name might just say it all, a black lash primer. Lash primers don't always do it for me, but black ones win me over every time. With a curved brush and a very wet texture this primer coats your lashes and gets them prepped for mascara in just a single swipe. I actually like to use it just as a mascara and it holds up incredibly well. As a primer it helps give my lashes more length and ommph, so I am definitely liking it.
Overall I am really impressed with the skin care from Pixi, I never tried it last time they were here (I actually don't remember seeing it) and I really am glad I have given it a try this time around. The Peel & Polish followed by Glow Tonic, Rosehip Oil and Sleep Mask all work to make my skin smooth, soft and hydrated which is what it really needs being so dry all the time. I want to try out some of the other oils but think the Rosehip Oil is going to remain a staple of my routine for a long time to come.
As for the makeup part of the line, I am really in love with my Rose Naturalle lipstick and the Endless Silky Eye Pen are products I am going to hunt down more off ( I still have CopperGlow liner from when I got it at Target and still use it regularly)
*These products were sent to me for review purposes, all views and opinions are my own.

Wet n Wild is launching a plethora of new products this spring here in Canada, which is pretty darn exciting. Wet n Wild has been a staple value brand for me and many others for many years.
This new batch of products adds on to some already pretty strong products in their collection.  Today I am going to show you the new items and give you a bit of a low down on them.

Au Natural Eyeshadow 
Au Natural has two options, Bare Necessities and Nude Awaking. Each palette has 10 shades and various textures in it (sheer, matte, shimmers). I have Nude Awaking, and while I haven't played with it too much yet, I am pretty darn impressed with it and really like the palette as a whole.


Liquid Catsuit Liquid Lipstick
Wet n Wild has liquid lipsticks!!! Not much else to say here. They are inexpensive and pretty darn fantastic (with a cute name to boot). I am loving these so much.They dry matte and last a crazy long time. With 13 shades I have decided I have to get more, Video Vixen is calling this Vixen's name (a lipstick with vixen in name that isn't actually purple, amazing).
MegaGlo Dual-ended Contour Stick
Contour and highlight in one stick is always a good thing. I already have two others similar to this so I cannot wait to do a comparison review. You can get it in light/medium or medium/tan.
PerfectPout Gel Lip Balm
Gel lip balms are always a great addition to any lineup. With a hint of colour and a moisturizing gel texture these balms help keep your lips healthy and happy. They also happen to be fragrance free for those who really don't like scents.
Makeup Remover
This is a bi-phase micellar water for your face. Just shake and then pump it out on to a cotton pad. The lid locks so it wont leak if you take it with you on a trip or to the gym. I love micellar water and pumps, so I really can't say a single thing bad about this one...it is a great idea..
Ultimate Brow Kit
Lash Renegade Mascara
This mascara has a crazy wand with ball tip. It also has a geometric package, which means that you can hold the top and have total control when twisting it. The formula has fibres that boost volume and give length.
MegaGlo Highlight Powder
This new highlighter comes in two shades, Precious Petals and Crown of My Canopy. These highlighters contain pearls and are incredibly illuminating. I am really excited to give them a shot, I happen to have Precious Petals.
The Saving Base
This a a base coat for your nails  that has a 10-in-1 formal, so let's list the 10 things it can help your nails with.  Brightens, strengthens, conceals, moisturizes, protects, fills ridges, smooths, primes, perfects and improves the wear of your nail colour.
So there you go new goodies from Wet n Wild that you will soon be able to find right here in Canada. I am going to run off to play with these and get some reviews going for you guys.


*Products were sent to me for review purposes, all views and opinions are my own.

SaveSave

Bronzed to perfection! Get sun-kissed, radiant skin in seconds with the Big Zebra Bronzing Powder mix of bronze and golden shades. -annabelle.ca

I have never been much for tanning, its bad for your skin and I just honestly cannot do it. Everyone says to me "you'll look good with a tan", "you should tan" and "oh dear lord, Jill you're so pale, just get a tan already". Which are all things I just try to ignore. The truth is I am full blown allergic to the sun, I physically break out in hives I am in the sun with or without sunscreen on. I burn and then burn some more. So really I cannot get a tan even if I wanted to.

The good thing is with great bronzers like Annabelle's Biggy Bonzers I have no need to tan. I can get a sun kissed glow that looks good on my pale skin without crazy harmful sun rays.

One thing that usually hold me back on using bronzer is shimmer, but Annabelle solved that issue too, because now there is a a matte version of their famous Biggy Bronzer. Woot Woot.

Haute Gold

So lets first talk about what I love about Biggy Bronzer.

It isn't orange. Sounds easy enough, but some companies just don't seem to grasp that people want a natural bronze look, not a orange spray tan look. This bronzer never looks orange.

It comes in three shades. Haute Gold (which I have pictures of below), Dark Gold and Matte Gold (also photos of below). This means there is a good chance you can find something to suit your tastes and skin tone.

It is Big! Well the name should have given that one away. In case you were wondering it is 15.4 g in size (in comparison my Cargo bronzer is 8.9 g, my The Body Shop Bronzing Powder and Physician's Formula Happy Booster Bronzers are 11g each). Which means I get a lot of product and room to swish my brushes around in.

It has multiple colours in it. It has a fun zebra pattern on it, which gives you a few shades to work with and therefor a better overall shade (or at least I think so).

Matte Gold

It is cheap.  Get this baby at your drug store, mass retailer (walmart, superstore) or even on line for about $11.99. Can't go wrong with that.

Finally there is a matte shade. I cannot say enough good things about it being offered in a matte shade. The one thing I really dislike about 99% of bronzers out there is the shimmer. I have a hard enough time working with bronzer since I don't naturally tan that adding shimmer to the mix has never been helpful. Most brands are just so shimmery I can't even consider making them look natural or remotely good on my skin. But the Matte Gold looks fantastic on me. I even love to use it as a contour product since it is matte.

Haute Gold on left and Matte Gold on the right.

So there you have it, a bunch of reasons I love Annabelle's Biggy Bronzers, and why you might too. Overall I love Annabelle's Biggy Bronzers. I truly do. If you are looking at getting a cheap bronzer, a large bronzer or even a matte bronzer I recommend you take a look at them.


* Products sent for review, this does not reflect my views on the products. All opinions are my own.

Instaglam Eyeliner + Mascara touch-up
Eyeliner : Oversized marker-pen with a felt tin applicator designed for ultimate precision, control and versatility. The perfect tool to achieve thin natural lines to dramatic shapes in one stroke.
Mascara: Small brush for ultra-precise and flexible application, wrapping even the tiniest lashes. Perfect to intensify your look by using on lower lashes & last minute touch-ups. Curling and defining formula. Buildable texture. Ophthalmologist Tested.- annabelle.ca

 The perfect duo for a bold eye look, if I do say so myself. I big felt tipped liner and a mascara in one package, what else does a gal need? Well if the answer is colour, they've got you covered there as well.
I am a huge fan of coloured mascaras, but they tend to come in trend waves and are not always easy to find all the time. Luckily for me the trend has returned (for now) and Annabelle has heeded the call with their new limited edition Instaglam Eyeliner + Mascara touch-up in Psychedelic (purple) and Abyss (blue). While I've never been crazy about blue mascara, I have always sought out and gone to extreme measures to get purple mascara. So I thought why not give them both a try.

 Now sometime I see a coloured mascara, get excited and then quickly realize that after I've shelled out good money that they really aren't that coloured after all, they dry almost black. These are not that type of mascara at all, they are bold and stay bright when they dry.

Instaglam also comes in a black shade, which is permanent, but the colours are not, so hustle to the store and get them now.hassle

So without further ado here they are.

Abyss (blue):
 So as you can see the mascaras are quite bold and colourful. What I also have to say is they are great one the lower lash line and they don't flake. I really like the formulation.

The liner shouldn't be forgotten, it is a big fat marker with bold black liner inside. It lasts all day and
now onto the liner, it is the same black liner on all the colours, which is a fantastic black that glides on easy and has a fat felt tip applicator. I find it really easy to use and quite a wet formulation so I know it will not dry up quickly on me. It gives me the pen liner quality I expect from Annabelle. I do find the fat packaging a bit tying to use, but after a short while I got the hang of it.