I try a good number of beauty products every month. Sometimes they’re samples I get at press events or in the mail at home, and other times they are products I buy. Because I’ve been working in the industry for almost a decade now, people tend to ask my opinion on makeup and skincare a lot, so I thought I’d try to commit to regularly writing about three favourite products every month. Here goes!
stila Aqua Glow Serum Concealer
A few months ago, I experienced a makeup code red: I was almost out of concealer. I write “almost” because as someone with drawers full of makeup, I’m never really out. But I was almost out of my current go-tos. How I chose this one is simple: I hit up the Sephora website, went to the Concealer section, and sorted the products by “top rated”. At the time I checked, stila’s Aqua Glow Serum Concealer had just come out, and it was rated close to five stars. It’s available online, but since it was my first time buying the product, I wanted to see the texture in person before spending $35 on a tiny tube. I ended up finding it at Ulta in on a recent trip to the States, and I have to say that this concealer is definitely worth the money. Luckily, it’s available from the Sephora website even though they don’t hold it in store.
What I love about it: It has good coverage, and doesn’t cake as much as other concealers, because of its super moisturizing formula. It comes in a good variety of shades, and I was able to find one that blends in seamlessly with my skin tone (Medium).
What makes it special: It’s a “serum concealer”, which combines skincare benefits with makeup.
What I don’t love about it: I have trouble getting the right amount of product out of the tube. You don’t need a lot to cover up your dark circles, but somehow no matter how much I try to just squeeze out a little bit, too much comes out and I end up wasting some of the precious concealer.
Would I buy it again? Yes, definitely.
$35 at sephora.com
NYX Butter Lipstick
This lipstick isn’t new, but NYX has only been available in Canada for a few months, so I was kind of late in discovering this cool line of products. Great quality, awesome variety and super affordable prices make it a fun collection to discover. And because the prices are pretty low, you can dare to try that dark burgundy lipstick and not feel bad about wearing it just once or twice and then deciding the look wasn’t necessarily for you. Speaking of which, that’s exactly what I bought: a dark burgundy shade (Licorice) I’ve been wearing ever since I picked it up.
What I love about it: Its $9 price tag, its buttery texture (they don’t call it “Butter Lipstick” for nothing!), and opaque colour.
What makes it special: Its super creamy texture that is easy to apply.
What I don’t love about it: It’s not super long-lasting, but I don’t mind reapplying.
Would I buy it again? I’ll likely be trying different shades, but I would purchase the product again.
$9 at Pharmaprix and Jean Coutu.
Riversol Revitalize Daily Moisturizing Cream
Riversol is a Canadian skincare company that was started by Dr. Jason Rivers, a dermatologist who decided to create his own line of products for his patients who suffer from sensitive skin. The company is based out of Vancouver, and their products are all about quality ingredients, rather than cute packaging. They sent me some products a few months ago, and I’ve been using their Daily Moisturizing Cream, Eye Repair Cream, Hydrating Cream Cleanser, and Anti-Aging Reparative Serum all winter long; it’s the skincare routine I’ve stuck with the longest in a while. Although I’m usually all about fresh scents and luxurious formulas, this time, I’ve simply been hooked on the products because they’re so effective. I can’t say that I have fewer wrinkles than before, or noticed huge changes in my skin; but that’s simply because I’ve never really had problem skin. What I will say is that my skin is always perfectly moisturized since I’ve started using the products.
What I love about it: My skin is on the dryer side and tends to usually get a little bit flaky in winter, but not this year, and that’s thanks to the Riversol Daily Moisturizing Cream. It gets absorbed into the skin instantly, and the texture of my skin has never been so even and perfect.
What makes it special: It does exactly what it says it will do, which is effectively moisturize your skin, and improve its texture. After applying it, my face doesn’t feel dry or oily; the cream provides the optimal amount of moisture every time.
What I don’t love about it: The price seems a little steep for a moisturizer, but as far as I can tell, it’s worth it.
Would I buy it? Now that I’ve tried it, I would buy it.
$79 at riversol.com
