Amanda Weidensjö

 Product Summary: Ultra-black mascara clinically proven to lengthen, volumize and curl. Delivers fully-loaded, flake-free flutter for 16 hours. Lash lovin' formula nourishes and conditions lash hair. Cost: $40.  I'm always on the market for a good mascara since I don't wear false lashes. And for the most part, I've had good experiences with Tarte products.  I was absolutely in love with how my lashes looked once I applied the big ego mascara but that love quickly turned into annoyance because by the end of my day my mascara flaked off and I was sporting raccoon eyes. Now I will admit, the flaking under the eyes depends on how many coats of mascara I applied.  If I applied one coat? We can manage and my under eyes look semi decent. But anything more than 1 coat? Oh boy, let's just say I wouldn't dare leave the house. I've already gotten into the habit of using another mascara when I know I'll be leaving the house or if I'm going out with friends.  Rat...

It's crazy to think just how many makeup brands who were once coveted and have sold out. Many makeup brands have gone under and closed up shop. Many who have gone out of business being Becca Cosmetics, Bite Beauty, Makeup Geek, BH Cosmetics, Marc Jacobs just to name a few. Am I the only one who is mentally still stuck in the past when it comes to makeup? A decade ago makeup was beautiful and there was such a craze behind it that so many brands and collections were being released back to back. It was such a beautiful time in the makeup industry and I love to reminisce and look at old youtube videos. I think partly is the reason why I want to create a new series on my blog revisiting old makeup brands. Some that were extremely successful and some that didn't get the recognition they deserved.  I was recently going through my makeup collection when I found these two items from Tini cosmetics. I have their swizzle stick eyeliner in Blue Hawaiian and their Barfly highlighter in cand...

 Product summary: This palette features the perfect combo of rich and warm, wearable mattes and lustrous shimmers in universally flattering lid, crease, and liner shades. The powder formula is infused with Tarte’s signature Amazonian clay for intense payoff, long wear, and creamy texture. The palette is arranged in rows of three for easy looks to mix and match. Cost: $61 but I bought it on sale at Sephora for $38.25. ***Cruelty free*** I think by now it’s obvious that I have a thing for nudes/neutral eyeshadows. And the toasted palette is no different. It’s right up my alley and was a dream to use. The shadows are buttery soft, extremely pigmented and lasts all day!  The shadows blend together nicely and you can achieve any look from a natural look to a full glam look fairly easily. Evidently from the picture below, I gravitated towards a more natural/warm look just because I find it looks better and I don’t like having to spend so much time on doing my makeup.  Rating: I...

Product Summary| Shimmering skin perfector spotlight in Opal: Let your features shine wherever you go. Define and highlight with a spotlight highlighter. This formula features ultra-fine light reflecting pearls that melt into your skin for polished, natural-looking radiance. Water-light and sheer, the opal shade adjusts in any light so your refined glow is never lost. Costs around $40. Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal: A creamy luminizing powder that veils skin in a soft pearlized glow with a lustrous velvet finish. Sweep across face or apply to targeted areas including cheekbones, brow bones and bridge of the nose. Costs $50.  ***Cruelty-free ❤*** I am a huge lover of highlighters whether liquid or powder highlighter. I simply love them all! So of course I would fall in love with these highlighters. However, I'm not a big fan of the price. I was able to snag deluxe samples for around $25. But $40-50 for a single highlighter is so obscene. Not sure if that plays a part to ...

 Product Summary: This limited edition 9-pan eyeshadow palette is all the summer feels. Creamy, blendable and buildable, these shades are perfect for a beachy day vibe or a hot date night look. Includes matte and shimmer shades. It's a versatile sunset inspired palette with pops of color for your every need, hyper-pigmented shadows and they are blendable, buttery and buildable. Costs $30.  Shades included: Sol- Yellow gold shimmer | Bonfire- Coral  | Rose Tattoo- Papaya | Tan lines- Warm brown | Ocean Ave- Rose gold shimmer | Toasty- Brown terracotta | Roller skates- purple shimmer | Puppy love- red rust shimmer | Venice fling- cool dark brown with silver foil.  I ended up receiving this palette from Ipsy by redeeming my Ipsy points. Ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription service where you get 5 items from sample to full size for around 20$ Canadian. Click  here to check them out. *** Cruelty free ❤***  I love Bailey Sarian and her murder mystery videos! I r...

 Product Summary: The eye lift gel is a powerful undereye solution that reduces the visible appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and undereye darkness, all while keeping your orbital area hydrated. The space defence bright eye lift gel contains the powerful NAC Y2 formula, aiding restoration and reparation of the delicate eye area. Perfect for tired, dark, and swollen eyes, this soothing eye gel reduces the appearance of dark circles, minimizes puffiness, and softens visibility of fine lines, and wrinkles all while keeping the under eye hydrated. Costs $190 for 15 ml I ended up receiving this item in a Ipsy glam bag which is a monthly beauty subscription service where you get 5 items from sample to full size for around 20$ Canadian. Click  here to check them out.                                              *** Cruelty Free 👍*** The first thing I want to say is you...

 Product Summary: Step up your contoured eye looks with the shade + light eye contour quad. Featuring four curated matte shades, this quad spotlights KVD's high pigment, silky, and blendable eye shadows in a coveted, coffin shaped palette. Bring out the best in your eyes with a neutral base, and then use the contour, define, and highlight shades to create your ideal eye shape. You can use the four shadows to lift, define, widen and narrow your eyes.  Costs around 26$ ***Cruelty free ❤*** I had higher expectations from this product, unfortunately, what I got in return was a disappointing experience and a whole lot of fallout. The first thing I noticed as soon as I dipped my brush is the huge amount of product that kicked up. It felt almost like something out of a sandbox, it's everywhere and it keeps on coming. On top of that, it's hell to blend it. I'm trying to blend the shadow into my crease and instead of blending, the shadow just moves around. I have to work a long ...

 Product summary:  Amazingly creamy, highly-pigmented, and naturally moisturizing. This lipstick is packed with all the vitamins and antioxidants your lips crave. Made with coconut oil, shea butter, and vitamin E. It is also 100% vegan. Costs around $8-9. I ended up receiving this item in a Ipsy glam bag which is a monthly beauty subscription service where you get 5 items from sample to full size for around 20$ Canadian. Click  here to check them out. ***Cruelty Free 👍*** Despite this lipstick being natural, it smells very artificial and almost like plastic. A bit of the shea butter scent comes through but for the most part it doesn't smell good. It's so rough to apply on the lips. Every time I apply it, the lipstick will tug on my lips. It also feels heavy on the lips. Whenever I eat or drink something, I get the horrible taste of plastic in my mouth which tastes quite disgusting and awful. I have to wipe my mouth completely of this lipstick and once I'm done eating I r...

 Product Summary: Take your scalp to a new level of fresh and clean comfort with this luxury head spa treatment. Containing the cold brewed organic rosemary juice and carefully selected botanical ingredients, this charcoal added balancing scalp pack provides rich nutrients to leave oily scalp perfectly balanced and revitalized. And hair feeling light and soft. Costs around 4$ How to use: After shampooing, apply a generous amount to clean, wet scalp and hair. Gently massage and leave on for 5 minutes. No need to use extra .  I ended up receiving this item in a Ipsy glam bag which is a monthly beauty subscription service where you get 5 items from sample to full size for around 20$ Canadian. Click  here to check them out. ***Not Cruelty-Free 👎👎*** I'm not a big fan when it comes to the scent of rosemary but once the product is on my scalp I barely notice the scent of it. I have dry, itchy and a sensitive scalp which at times is hard to maintain because if I touch my scalp...

 Product Summary:  A wet and dry face and eye palette that gives you a healthy glow with even more versatility. These four pearlescent powders can be used separately or mixed together for a customized color. This palette features a soft and creamy pressed powder formula that can be used all over you face and eyes to create limitless looks. Dry for a soft glow and wet for an intensified, luminous finish. Infused with peach & sweet fig milk. Full price is $55 but I bought it on sale for $33.  ***Cruelty free 👍❤***    As you've seen from the products I've reviewed, I'm more of a blush and highlight kind of gal. Bronzer and contour is not really my thing. As soon as I opened this palette I almost cried tears of joy. As you can see from the picture below, this palette is gorgeous and so darn beautiful! It makes me want to cover my entire face with it. Which I come close to doing. My face is like a cute little glazed donut. As soon as I got my hands on this palet...

 Product summary: A full coverage, vegan liquid lipstick with a light, velvet texture and a vibrant, non-drying matte finish. Provides a bold, matte look with a weightless, whipped texture and super concentrated, non-drying mineral pigments. The long wear formula glides on without settling into fine lines, while the tarteist paint brush wand provides easy, single-swiped applications.  Full size product costs around 27$ ***Cruelty free ❤*** The color is a lot darker compared to how it appears in the tube but it's still a nice nude lip color. My issue with it is the way it settles and sits on the lips. It's very creamy when it is applied but it dries out rather quickly and leaves a weird feeling on the lips. And it wears out  quickly all by itself. I could leave my lips all alone, not drinking anything and it'll wear off. I don't know where it goes but it just disappears. You can re-apply as often without any weird clumping but it doesn't feel comfortable on the lips....

Product Summary: Stay matte primer can be worn as a matte, silky base before applying your foundation or on top of your makeup. Ultra lightweight formula that minimizes the appearance of pores.  Controls shine for up to 8 hours creating a soft, perfectly matte complexion.  Won't feel heavy or greasy The must have to keep you looking effortlessly chic without clogging pores. Cost around $6.99. I ended up receiving this item in a Ipsy glam bag which is a monthly beauty subscription service where you get 4-5 items from sample to full size for around 20$ Canadian. You can  click here to check out Ipsy. ***Not Cruelty-Free 👎👎*** Summer time= hell for Amanda. I love the colder seasons over the warmer ones because during summer I feel like I'm suffocating in the heat. And during the summer my face produces much more oil than it normally does during fall/winter. I prefer to keep the amount of makeup on my face to a minimum so I first apply this primer to my face. A little does ...

Product Summary: Colour assure radiant color care leave-in conditioning spray is designed to deliver 48% better color protection. This scientifically developed formula replenishes hair with vital moisture and extends the intensity and vibrancy of hair color. A powerful step in the color protection process. Costs around $15-17.  How to use: Spray onto sections of damp, towel dried hair until hair is saturated. Comb through to distribute evenly, Do not rinse out.  ***Not Cruelty-Free 👎*** As many of you know, I have been dyeing my hair for the past few years and most of the colors I use are extremely vibrant but they unfortunately, fade rather quickly. When it comes to haircare products, I look for some that can protect my hair color while also nourishing and repairing the damage to my ends.  This has amazingly made my hair color last so much longer! Normally, after 3 weeks of dyeing my hair it will begin to fade and I would need to do a touch up but using t...

I first received this Universal eyebrow pencil in universal taupe in my June  ipsy glam bag.   It is full sized and contains 0.07g of product while being worth a whooping $24. Actually I think I have a sample of the brow power but it's not clear on their website . I wish it said the amount of product each pencil contains.  One side as you can see below contains the actual product that you twist up (I appreciate that because I hate pencil's that you have to sharpen) and the other side is a spoolie to comb through your brows.  Here is the brow pencil swatched. I cannot express to you how hard it was to swatch this eyebrow pencil! I had to layer my swatch many times but the great thing about it is when filling in your brows you can slowly fill then in. I do have to say the strokes were very similar to hair.   Many of you may know, others may not but this is definitely not a product that I reach for most. I'm not talking specifically about this It Cosmeti...

Product Summary: This glossy liquid eyeliner, dispensed through a cushion-like sponge is an innovation! Paired with Sephora classic must have angled liner brush #90, this feather light, quick drying formula, gives you richly pigmented precision for any desired look! Price: $18.50 ***Not Cruelty Free 👎👎*** It seems I have no luck with eyeliners as of late. I have a string of terrible eyeliners and with every eyeliner I review, the experience gets worse and worse. It's becoming exhausting for me having to have so many shitty experiences with these liners. And it seems this never ending liner tragedy will continue.  This Sephora liner didn't fair too well either. The first few applications were so difficult, the formula dries too quickly to do a perfect winged liner. You basically have 10-15 seconds to apply the liner before it dries and when it dries it's a bitch and a half to go over and perfect what you already applied. I thought maybe if I changed eye...

 Product Summary: This mask hydrates, replenishes, and calms the overall skin that is dry, tired and sensitive. Delivering results comparable to those of a serum, it helps to energize for a healthy glow while refreshing, soothing and moisturizing skin. Costs around $2.50 per sheet mask. I received this item in my Ipsy bag which is a beauty subscription service. For more information on Ipsy you can  click here. ***Not cruelty-free 👎👎*** I normally don't use many sheet masks or too many serums because I have extremely sensitive skin. I have had instances where my skin got so irritated that I had a huge red rash all over my face and neck for several days. Thus, my hesitance on using such products. As of late, I have been tired and more stressed than usual and that takes a toll on my skin. When I initially put the mask on my face, it did start stinging and I was afraid this would be like all the other products and cause a rash on my face. I waited a few moments and...

Product Summary: When it's festival season it means to experiment with out of the box looks. It's great using the star stamp liner for a faux tattoo effect on the face, wrist or literally anywhere. Feeling like creating more of a classic cat eye? Just flip it over and use the ultra-fine precision tip end to get fierce flicks, keep your lines and shapes in place. The inky black formula won't streak or smudge. This all-star formula is vegan and cruelty-free. It is limited edition and costs around 17-20$. I ended up getting this liner from Ipsy a beauty subscription service for more info on them  click here. ***Cruelty-free 👍👍*** The last review I did on this company was for their eyeliner ( Fierce Flicks eye liner)  and I did not like the liner at all. It wasn't waterproof nor long lasting. And unfortunately for me, it seems they used the exact formula for this liquid liner as well. It is such a pain to apply this liner! I've become sort of an expert ...

Product Summary: The tone up primer essential glow infuses these super-powered skin-loving ingredients to help smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, minimize the appearance of pores, even skin texture and keep skin looking flawless. The satin-sheen and lightweight formula creates an invisible skin perfecting finish. Worn alone or under makeup, no one will know you are wearing it, your skin will thank you later. Got this item in an Ipsy Bag. Ipsy is a beauty subscription service. For more info  on Ipsy please click here.  Full size product is 35$ and deluxe travel size which I have is 15$  ***Not cruelty-free👎👎*** During the morning when I'm getting ready if I see my skin needs a pick me up then I gravitate to this product to even out my skin tone. I wouldn't call this a primer but more of a CC cream. For a "primer", it is super pigmented just like a BB/CC cream. It blends into the skin really well leaving a nice glowy complexion as seen from the pict...

Product Summary: Rihanna wanted to make the matte lipstick of your dreams a reality: think mega-rich color minus the weight. The ultimate light as air texture glides on creamy and stays put- no bleeding or feathering after application, with a velvety soft matte finish inspired by a rose petal. And thanks to mattemoiselle's chic, slim design, you can effortlessly define lips with the ultimate control for lips that look fuller with every stroke. Priced at 190$ but I got it discounted at 95$ from Sephora.  It is formulated without parabens, sulfates and phthalats. This set contains: 10 Mattemoiselle plush matte lipsticks in Violet fury (vivid purple), Pumpkin rose (rich marigold), Flamingo acid (Bright berry), Dragon mami (Tropical papaya), I quit (True mink), F'N Black (Navy Black), Turks and Caicos (Deep teal), Ballerina blackout (Loud bubblegum), Thicc (Sultry mauve), Tiger tini (Exotic Orange).  ***Cruelty Free 👍👍💖**** I never thought that these m...

Product Summary: The color protecting system blooms with a vibrant fragrance of argan oil and cranberry, bringing to life the wholesome care that protects color and illuminates with every use. It will reveal hair that is moisturized and illuminated with brilliant color and lasting radiance. Costs around 7-8$. How to use: After shampooing, apply a generous amount of treatment to hair. Gently work through hair, making sure to cover ends. Wait 3 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.  ***Not cruelty free 👎👎*** As all of you know, I love to dye my hair and to get the brightness I do have to bleach it. So, I need to keep the colour long-lasting and moisturize my hair so it doesn't become weak from the bleach. I have really long, thick hair and I was worried I had to go through this product quickly but it is lasting quite a while.  One thing I highly recommend is if you are thinking you are using too much then you are! I did the mistake of using too much and my roots en...