Bourjois: Healthy Mix Serum Foundation | Review

 Bourjois was created in a Parisian apartment by Joseph-Albert Ponsin in 1863 and by the 20th century was acquired by the same owners as Chanel.
I have known about this brand for awhile now, thanks to my obsession of watching my two favourite UK youtube makeup gurus (estee lalonde and viviannadoesmakeup)! This foundation has always been highly recommended by makeup fanatics across the ocean, however, it was virtually impossible to locate in Canada - until now. Select shoppers drug marts have started to carry this brand. Although this is sold at drug stores, the price tag is a tad higher than other brands like L'oreal and Revlon. The Healthy Mix Serum Foundation was priced at $29 cdn.

The Healthy Mix Serum Foundation
Claims to glide smoothly onto skin giving it a natural finish with no mask effect. It also states that it will boost skin radiance for up to 16 hours.
The jar is made of glass and has a pump which is always a plus. The consistency is gel based and glides on wonderfully. It has a fairly strong floral scent which I quite like. The only con is that the colour option is extremely limited as it includes only six different shades. I picked up number 53 light beige and it seems to match me well.
I have had issues in the past with gel formulas making my combination skin look super greasy/oily. I found that using my sigma flat kabuki brush gave me a more medium coverage than when I tried it with a beauty blender. Using the beauty blender with a gel formula will give you a more sheer coverage.

before (L), after makeup (R)

The Verdict:
Based on my past experiences with gel products, I admittedly was a bit worried trying this out as I absolutely dislike that greasy/oily feel on my face. I was hoping to find a lighter weight foundation to use on a daily basis that would give me a hydrated, healthy glow and was happy that I found just that with this product. It evened out my skin tone and covered up my blemishes well. After wearing this for 5 hours, I did have to retouch my t-zone with powder, however, my normally dry areas remained super hydrated with no visible signs of dryness.

I will definitely be using this as my new go to "no makeup" makeup foundation. Add a touch of concealer, mascara and fresh lip balm and I'll be ready to head out the door!

Holiday Gift Guide

There are times where I swear Sephora has a magnetic field that pulls me in whenever I get too close! It doesn't help that this month Sephora had their VIB(rouge) sale. This year the VIB rouge sale was held between Nov 6th-9th while VIB members had their sale this past weekend. Each sale had a 20% coupon code, the only difference was that the rouge members had "first access" (sale began the weekend before the VIB members). Please check back later this week to see what I picked up during the rouge sale event!

Sephora generally holds two sales per calendar year and if you're like me, you wait for the 20% discount to restock on old products, purchase a few new products and pick up some cute gifts for the upcoming holiday season. As the holidays approach, sephora does a great job introducing limited edition sets and affordable packaged gifts ready to be wrapped up for friends and loved ones. 

If you have a makeup lover on your list this year or need an affordable stocking stuffer, keep reading!

1. Lolita Lip Duo by Kat Vond D ($23.50 cdn) 

This set includes two coveted mini liquid lipsticks in the colours Lolita I and Lolita II. The full size lipsticks are hard to come by in Canada currently. The consistency is creamy, matte and long lasting. Lolita I is a dusty mauve colour suitable for all skin types, while Lolita II is a bit on the burnt orange spectrum. 

Lolita II (left), Lolita I (right)

2. Glow On the Go by Becca ($24.00 cdn)

A travel friendly version of the popular Opal highlighter by becca. This set is absolutely amazing because it has both the liquid and pressed form. Illuminate all skin types with this perfecting duo. A little goes a long way! 

3. Melted French Kisses by Too Faced ($32.00 cdn)

An adorably packaged limited edition set with four liquid lipsticks in the colours Chihuahua, Berry, Metallic Peony and Metallic Macaron. A Parisian inspired set with a variety of velvety long lasting lip colours that range from nudes to reds. I absolutely adore Metallic Peony. 

Holiday packages are great because they usually include a variety of mini colours or items from one brand that you may not necessarily want to splurge on their full sized equivalent. The products in these three gifts are not only highly raved and talked about, but are also long lasting and amazing quality. A prefect introduction to brands or a filler for those christmas stockings!

NEW Tarte's Bling It On Blush Palette

If you ask anyone that knows me, they will tell you that Christmas is my absolute favourite holiday. Around this time each year, I begin the hunt for the perfect christmas gift for each person on my list. For those makeup lovers on my list, I tend to opt for the limited edition Holiday Sets that come out each year by makeup brands that Sephora carries.

This year I picked up a limited edition blush palette by Tarte. If there is one thing I cannot live without in the makeup world, it would be blush (okay fine, mascara too!). That little pop of cheek colour brings much needed life back into my face during the dull, cool winter months.

Let's get to business and talk blush. Firstly, the colours are absolutely GORGEOUS and may I add very pigmented? I have always heard great things about Tarte's blushes but could never commit to buying one. I think my problem was that there were so many colour options that I just couldn't decide. One great thing about this palette is that it containes five (almost) full sized blushes in the colours fetching, doll face, prim, smashing and beaming.

Top - Bottom: Beaming, Smashing, Prim, Doll Face, Fetching

Fetching: a medium rose toned blush that works well for warmer skin tones. One of my favourites in this palette.
Doll face: a pretty light pink colour with cool undertones. This colour doesn't work with my complexion, so I doubt I'll get much use out of it. If you're more light-pale, this colour is for you!
Prim: a stunning rose brown colour that looks great for a more muted look. A lovely natural colour for those bare but not really bare makeup days.
Smashing: a coral pink coloured blush that wears nicely on light to medium complexions. I can see myself wearing this more during the summer months.
Beaming: the only blush with shimmer in this palette. Goes on opaque, so it's a nice top layer to the four other blushes if you want to add a bit of sparkle to your cheeks.

Overall, as a first time owner of Tarte's blushes, I'm pretty satisfied with the lasting ability and the colours offered in this palette. The blushes last the longest on me than any other (nars coming second) and the pigmentation of the colours are extremely smooth, blendable and all in all easy to use.
The one thing that I'm not too keen on is the black glitter from the exterior of the palette flaking off every now and then. It's irritating but doesn't drive me away from using this palette on the daily since purchasing it!

If you haven't purchased any Tarte blushes but want to try them out, this is an absolute steal for $53 cdn when you factor in that each blush on its own would cost you $34 cdn each.