Pure Anada Natural Mascara Review

Today I'm reviewing a natural Canadian brand called Pure Anada. I was in the market for a new mascara and honestly I didn't have high hopes. I used to love the blinc tubing mascara but when I noticed it had plastic in the formula I felt like I had to make a change. I just couldn't get over the fact that every time I washed my mascara off the little plastic tubes went down the drain and added to our global micro-plastics problem. The plastics don't break down over time and as someone who truly believes we need to be restoring as many of our natural spaces as possible I felt guilty every time I put on mascara.

However, there was a reason as to why I used tubing mascara in the past. It's easy to remove, doesn't flake or smudge, and it doesn't create racoon eyes when I cry or rub my eyes due to allergies. All these things I wanted in a mascara going forward.

On a whim I decided to try Pure Anada's natural mascara. This is a vegan formula and I really like the ingredients of this (no plastics!). I thought I'd therefore give it a shot as it's only $14 CND for 9 grams- a significant drop from my previous mascara. They even have a sample size of 4 grams in a half-sized tube through their website for $7 CND.

Here is a list of the ingredients: Aqua, CI 77499, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters, Stearic Acid, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Myrica Pubescens (Bayberry) Fruit Wax, Pullulan, Glyceryl Caprylate, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Xanthan Gum, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Galactoarabinan

Pure Anada's natural mascara comes in two shades Black and Brown and only the one formula. I purchased the black and it comes in a nice heavy black tube. Upon testing and continued use I am still frankly blown away by how good this mascara is.

This formula doesn't smudge on me, it doesn't leave raccoon eyes, and it flakes very minimally (even my beloved tubing mascara flaked a bit on me- I have allergies and so I'm always touching my eyes). This washes off really easily too.

I also find the formula of the mascara to be both slightly volumizing and lengthening. I've shown below myself with firstly no mascara, mascara on one eye and not the other and finally on both eyes so you can really see the effect the Pure Anada Natural Mascara gives. I love that it creates a natural but still amplified look to the eyes. Perfect for everyday and someone who doesn't want the fake lashes look.

Wearing no mascara

Wearing no mascara on the left eye and Pure Anada mascara on the right eye

Wearing Pure Anada Mascara on both eyes

The only problem I have with the mascara is actually the wand. It has an odd curve to it that I find difficult to use that also brings up too much product. It's not too much of an issue but I often struggle to get the wand to the inner corner of my eyelashes without hitting the brush against my eyelid.

I only ever have the patience for a single coat of mascara so I'm not sure how this would perform with multiple coats, however the Pure Anada website says that layering coats is possible. They also state that this is pH balanced for eyes and won't cause a burning nor stinging sensation even for those of us with sensitive eyes. Additionally it is described as water resistant which I would say is true as I do have watery eyes and this mascara doesn't come off until I gently cleanse it off at the end of the day. No major rubbing or harsh cleansers needed!

Overall, I'm really pleased with this find. I lucked out and found it at a Sobey's that had a natural cosmetics and medicinal section. However, their shipping through the Pure Anada website is reasonable too. 

Sprite Rating: 9/10 

I wish the overall packaging itself was easier to recycle and that there was a slightly different wand but other than that this mascara rocks!

What mascara are you using at the moment? Have you tried the brand Pure Anada?

Skylar Perfume Palette Review

I love different scents and how they can evoke memories and feelings. However, I'm sadly pretty sensitive to perfume- some give me instant headaches. Skylar is supposed to be a natural perfume brand, so I decided to give them a try as I'm usually ok with essential oils and I've tried another more natural fragrance company as well that I've had success with (they'll be featured in an upcoming review). Skylar states clearly that the are a clean, hypoallergenic, vegan and cruelty-free brand that is made in the USA. They also say that you can blend the perfumes in layers to create new scents.

I purchased this Skylar palette from Sephora for $27.00 CND. It includes their main line of perfumes that can be purchased in the full size (except the newest edition Salt Air). There are six perfumes in the palette. They also have a scent club that has a new roller ball perfume every month, but I've not tried that.

The packaging for this set was cute, with a nice sturdy box and decent sized little spray bottles for each of the scents. I love the watercolour spots beside each of the scent slots and how the back fully describes each scent. There was a lot of plastic in it though which I thought was a waste. The ingredients are listed clearly which I thought was great as many perfumes often just say fragrance which could be many ingredients.

Skylar brand photo from the Sephora Website

First up is the fragrance Isle. Isle is described as having key notes of Bergamot, Cardamom, and Sandalwood, with the short description overall being Beachy, Dewy and Fresh. They go on to describe it as "With a subtle citrus and spiced sandalwood, this ocean-inspired oasis will have you feeling relaxed, refreshed, and ready to take on the day".

This perfume is my second favourite of the bunch, but I honestly don't smell any of the supposed key notes. No sandalwood, no citrus. I would say that it is dewy and fresh with a touch of beachy though. Upon first sniff I smell sweetness and fresh water. Over time this becomes more ocean-like (without any of that overwhelming fake ocean scent that is so prevalent in fake candles). As it develops I could smell a hint of salt added to the water, and then later more sweet and water. As it settles more I get the tiniest hint of possible spice.

I think there could have been a bit more to this to make it a tad more unique but I do like it. If the sandalwood had shown up I probably would have really loved this.

Sprite Rating: 7/10

Skylar brand photo from the Sephora Website

Second in the set is Coral. Coral is supposed to have key notes of Grapefruit, Apple Blossom, and Lily Petals. It's supposed to evoke Fruity, Floral, Flirty vibes. Skylar describes it as "With hints of grapefruit and a touch of apple blossom, this happiness booster will have you smiling all day long".

My take on this perfume is that it's alright. I did initially smell a fruitiness, but I didn't smell any grapefruit and the fruitiness disappeared into a typical 'perfume-y' floral/Jasmine scent. I didn't find this unique or different at all and I found it kind of one dimensional. I was probably the second most disappointed with this of the set as the description sounded great but I found it just didn't live up to my expectations. 

Sprite Rating: 3/10

Skylar brand photo from the Sephora Website

Arrow is next in the palette. Arrow's key notes are Midnight Jasmine, Vanilla Bean and Patchouli Haze. It is said to embody Spicy, Warm and Seductive feelings. It is described as "With warm notes of patchouli and jasmine, this confidence complement will have you feeling like you're ready to take on the world".

I'll be honest and say this is the last of the perfumes from the set that I tried. I don't generally like Jasmine or Patchouli so even though I love Vanilla Bean I wasn't particularly looking forward to trying this one. I will say I was pleasantly surprised by it. I still didn't really like it but I didn't hate it either. It started as slightly spicy, slightly sweet and somehow a touch grounded. I didn't smell the patchouli at all. The spiciness does fade a little to become more traditional jasmine-perfume-like but it is still there and over time seems to almost come back stronger. If you like more spicy and seductive perfumes this one might be worth a try. 

Sprite Rating: 6/10

Skylar brand photo from the Sephora Website

Meadow is fourth. Meadow is supposed to smell mainly of Orange Blossom, Ethereal Tuberose, and White Rose. This fragrance is supposed to be Floral, Chic and Beautiful. It's described as "With notes of baie rose, tuberose, and orange blossom, this floral fantasy will highlight your feminine, chic and coy side".

This perfume is my favourite of the bunch. It still has a sort of normal 'perfume' feel to it but it's the only one I didn't wash off soon after applying it and I am looking forward to wearing it again. I actually went back and smelt my wrist multiple times while on a walk. I found that it is sweet and fresh and floral and does give me a springtime meadow or french garden feel. Sometimes I get a hint of lily sometimes a hint of lilacs, all with a sweetened background. I can't quite pin it down. I really enjoy it though.

I don't smell orange blossom nor rose distinctly in this so if you are looking for that this isn't it. I did wish there was another layer to it however, just something a touch more. I'm debating on a larger size of this one as I do like the feminine feel it gives me.

Sprite Rating: 8/10

Skylar brand photo from the Sephora Website

Nearing the end we have Capri next. Capri is said to have key notes of Bergamot, Neroli (Orange Blossom) and Grapefruit. It is supposed to have a Citrus, Sparkling, and Sweet feel. Skylar describes it as "With notes of bergamot, neroli and sparking wine, this carefree indulgence will have you feeling all of the vacation vibes".

Capri was the one of the set that I was looking forward to the most. At first this one to me smells like melon and then it becomes melon-bergamot then mainly bergamot. So it really smelt very normal 'perfume-like' and not too unique. I was really hopeful to smell the Neroli or Grapefruit but neither was there for me. It didn't give me an instant headache, and it was alright but unfortunately that's about all I can say about it.

Sprite Rating: 4/10

Skylar brand photo from the Sephora Website

Last but not least is Willow. Willow is supposed to be Woodsy, Lush and Cool. The key notes in this one are Willow, Pine Resin and Heliotrope. The description is "With notes of cedar wood, pine and fir, this everyday serenity will put you at ease immediately, reflecting everything we love about the outdoors".

I was hesitant about Willow as I find fragrances with pine notes tend to be too sharp. Sadly I found that to be the case with this one too. At the very beginning I could smell a little cedarwood and something fresh and damp like ferns or wet moss. As it developed however all I could smell was the sharp pine. There was no heliotrope or floral at all for me. It also gave me a bit of a headache.

Sprite Rating: 4/10

I think the Skylar Perfume Palette was a great way to sample the majority of the line. It gave me a feel for the brand and let me find one that I liked. Overall though, I was kinda meh about most of them. I found many of the scents kind of typical 'perfume-like', some were even one-dimensional. More than one I ended up washing off shortly after applying. I was hoping for more nuances to them and less conventional generic 'perfume' scents. I do however really like Meadow, and Isle was nice as well. If I liked Jasmine at all then Arrow would have likely been a favourite.

I would recommend the palette if you have an interest in the line at all especially to try first or I would make sure to sample in store. As always scent is so subjective so although I may not have liked most of these, someone else certainly could- especially as Jasmine is not my thing and that is in more than one of these scents.

The travel roller balls for Skylar retail for $37.00 CND and $85.00 CND for the full size. The palette's are limited edition on Sephora and are $27.00 CND, but I believe they are not limited edition on the brand website.

Skylar is available through Sephora or through their own website Skylar. It's great they are being offered through Sephora as that makes them accessible for us Canadians. I believe if you get the palette through their brand website there is a coupon included for a reduction off of a full size bottle for afterwards. Something to note that I have heard is that if you purchase anything from Skylar through their own site, even the palette, they automatically sign you up for their monthly scent club and take automatic payment for that so that is something to be aware of beforehand.

Have you tried Skylar perfume? If so which scent were you drawn towards? Have you tried any other 'clean' or 'natural' perfume companies? Let me know!

Elate Cosmetics Creme Lipstick in Adore Review

Recently I've been really getting into 'Clean', 'Green' or 'Natural' beauty. By no means am I saying that mainstream products are out of my routine or even necessarily harmful (which seems to be the cause of many people switching over), merely that I am trying to buy from more eco-conscious brands that give back more, have more biodegradable formulas and packaging, and try to make a difference. I also have a lot of sensitivities and ingredient allergies and I find it's easier to a) figure out the ingredients in these products and b) avoid many of the acne causing ingredients that cause me problems.

Elate Cosmetics is one of these brands, and bonus they're Canadian!

I've not tried much from this brand but what I did pick-up was one of their Creme lipsticks. The lipstick I chose was a shade called Adore that I believe was limited edition as I can't find it on the site anymore. If you are looking for something very close colour-wise Plush is very similar, just a tad pinker.

Adore is in my opinion the perfect mauve/everyday shade. It's ever-so-slightly purple and I love it. It is very much a 'my lips but better' shade for me and I love how makes me feel. Sophisticated and unique but not too different as to cause a fuss at work.  (Please excuse the acne in the photos, I do the best I can).

Wearing Adore in Natural Lighting

Wearing Adore in Indoor Lighting

The Elate Creme lipstick formula is a lovely one, it's creamy and has medium-long wear time. Without major eating/drinking it lasts about 3-4 hours on average. It's not transfer-proof but it's moisturizing and comfortable to wear and it has a lovely vanilla smell from the real Vanilla Absolute that is one of the ingredients.

Natural Light swatch of Adore (Most realistic)

Indoor Light swatch of Adore

Here is a list of the ingredients:

Ricinus Communis (Organic Castor Seed Oil), Simmondsia Chinensis (Organic Cold Pressed Jojoba Seed Oil), Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla Wax), Limnanthes Alba (Organic Meadowfoam Seed Oil), Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit (Unrefined Organic Shea Butter), Mangifera Indica (Organic Mango Seed Butter), Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba Wax), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla Absolute Oil), +/- CI77499 (Black Oxide), CI77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77820 (Manganese Violet), CI77491 (Red Oxide)

Another benefit of these lipsticks is the beautiful packaging. The tubes are made of bamboo and aluminum metal wrapped on a recyclable plastic insert, so they are partially compostable and partially recyclable. Elate recommends crushing the bamboo and composting that part and to recycle the rest. I particularly love the burned/etched design on all the tubes.

There are a couple downsides to the packaging however, the first being that they come with a sticker that shows you that the lipstick hasn't been opened. This is fine, and it isn't plastic which is great, but the sticker doesn't come off cleanly and you need to spend some time cleaning the bits and residue off of the bamboo which is annoying.

My tube also came slightly ski-jawed so the bullet is a touch crooked. It wastes a bit of product when I twist the tube up and down which is a shame, but doesn't affect the use except for my gentle handling of it.

Elate is a great company that is available in multiple places so if you want to pick-up one of their products. So look around to see if you can get a deal anywhere, here is the link to the lipstick page on their website. The lipsticks retail for $22 CND, which I think is very reasonable considering the packaging and ingredients, etc. There are currently 13 different shades that I think would suit a wide variety of skin tones.

Overall, I do really like these lipsticks, I would get another of these (possibly in the shade Kink, it looks interesting). I would have preferred a touch more wear time, and for the bullet to not have been so fragile but I do like the moisturizing factor and the ingredients, packaging and perfect shade Adore turned out to be.

Sprite Rating: 8.5/10

Paula's Choice Clear Acne Body Spray Review

I have struggled with acne since I was twelve and it's not gone away pretty much since. My face is rarely clear and in fact my back was so bad that I can't remember it being clear entirely since entering my teens. And I have tried a lot of different options to control my acne. Birth control pills, adjusting my diet, antibiotics, creams and cleansers and a chemical peel even (on my face for that one- and no it didn't work and I was in itchy/stingy miserableness for days). So when I can say a product has actually helped clear up my acne- and in fact has entirely cleared up my back acne- I am talking about a true miracle. Like if you told me beforehand that this product would have that good of an effect, I wouldn't believe you (don't get me wrong, I'd try it as I am always on the search for that one thing that will make a huge difference, but I have learned from constant disappointment that nothing really has lived up to it's claims).

I can officially say this has made a HUGE difference.

I may still get the occasional pimple on my back but it's actually clear most of the time. I am officially excited for bathing suit season so I won't be embarrassed while wearing my swim suit and showing off my back. And I am still in shock for just how well this has worked.

But let's go back to the basics of what this product actually is first. Paula's Choice Clear Acne Body Spray is exactly what is says- a light spray in a pretty turquoise bottle that helps clear acne from harder to reach places on the body. It's a powerful formula with the main ingredient being Salicylic acid, which is the ingredient that actually helps fight the acne. However, it also has Hyaluronic acid and Allantoin to help moisturize and sooth as well, two ingredients in skin care that always make me sit up and pay a little more attention, as I find they actually make a difference in my skin.

What is also great about this is the packaging. It makes this product so easy to use. The spray is a fine mist, and you can literally spray the product upside-down, at an angle, etc. I only need about two-three sprays to cover my back (I tend to try and angle the spray onto my back as much as possible and then take a step backwards to sort of catch any spray still in the air on my skin more). It doesn't have a smell that I've noticed but it's going on my back and I've not smelt it really close-up either, however I don't think it would be an issue for people sensitive to smells and it doesn't have any fragrance to it either which is a plus. Even better it doesn't stain my clothes and it soaks in really quickly. Plus the cap on the spray is actually sturdy it's not going to crack and break or fall off if you throw it into you bag to travel with it.

The only small downside I can say is that sometimes it can feel ever-so-slightly tacky on my back, but that isn't all the time. It may be just when I've sprayed it a couple days in a row and not had time to shower so it's built up a bit but I'm not entirely sure and honestly it is so minor I don't even care. It's not like it is causing my shirt to stick to my back or anything drastic just that if I scratch my back I can feel it slightly on my fingers afterwards. It is a slight negative though so I wanted to mention it. They also say not to spray or use this on your face. I'm not sure why not but I've not taken a chance on this and I don't recommend going against the company's recommendation either.

The best thing though? This started to work quickly, without drying my back out either. It wasn't even a full month of spraying it on my back at night before I saw a major improvement with no irritation at all- not even the drying you normally see with acne products. I saw so much improvement I even pulled my shirt up and showed off my clear back skin to my mother, exclaiming like a child to look and see. I am so impressed by this and honestly I don't ever want to be without this product again.

Paula's Choice is a cruelty-free company (I only use cruelty-free products) and this retails for $25 for 4 oz of product. They often have deals though (especially through Facebook for some reason) that will give you a percentage off with free shipping. These change up fairly often so definitely keep that in mind. Plus they have a Canadian option which is great for those of us who live up here and significantly decreases shipping price and time.

You can check out this product here: Clear Acne Body Spray by Paula's Choice. Also don't forget E-Bates/ Rakuten (they currently have a 15% cash back for the American Paula's Choice website which is fantastic, especially if you can get the coupon through facebook).

Would I buy this again? YES!

Sprite Rating: 10/10

Dream Vanity Space

I have a rather different than average style, so when Arhaus encouraged me to possibly do a post about my dream vanity, I was worried about not being able to do it justice. However, I decided to take the plunge and I'm really pleased with what I've come up with.

At the moment I don't have a vanity area. I sit on my rug in my room in front of my mirrored closet doors with all my make-up spread around and do my face up there. It works but it isn't very stylish nor organized. This post is instead all about what I'd want for an area to do my make-up in if money was no object and I could have anything I wanted.

Though I searched for quite awhile I couldn't find anything that fit my preferences exactly for what I would want in a vanity. As I stated before I have preferences for items that aren't the current fashion. Mainly I like traditional and vintage pieces that are unique but don't look distressed or old. I really dislike the look of chipped paint, or the idea that the drawer on might have a half rusted handle.

In addition to a vintage look I wanted practicality- meaning a good amount of storage. I would love to have an area that has ample divided storage for everything. A section for lip products, for eyeshadow palettes, for blush etc.

From createinspireme.blogspot.ca

This vanity is one of my favourites of the ones that appealed to me. I love the rich turquoise colour. I especially love the contrast of the deep stained wood tabletop against the turquoise. I just think that's so eye catching. I also really adore the shape of the mirror, as well as the multiple levels of table space. Personally however, for me it would need some more storage and I'm not a fan of wheeled feet on furniture. Which brings me to my next vanity choice.

From: Eloquence inc

I love the desk part of this vanity. I love all the drawers for storage, the decorative swirls outlining the drawers and on the legs. The delicate shape of the legs, even the simple drawer handles. I'm not a fan of the mirror or the colour but otherwise the bottom half is perfect. If I could combine the first vanity with this one I'd have my perfect vanity.

From: Wanelo

This is a bit of a cheat, but I couldn't pass up on including it. If I couldn't find an attached mirror that I liked I'd get something like this. I love the feel of this. I love the wrought iron work and the rose garden theme. Just stunning. And besides you can never have too many mirrors, right?

From: LampsPlus

I picked out two lighting options for my perfect vanity area, mainly because I liked both, but also because having sufficient light is so important when trying to do your make-up. My first pick is the above pictured mini-chandelier. I didn't even know they had mini-chandeliers until I started looking at Arhaus' lighting pages, but I love the idea of this. It doesn't matter if you have a small space you can still add instant glamour and class. The only thing I'd change about this chandelier would be to make it black metal to match the rose garden mirror or to set off the dark stain of the wood in the stained top of the vanity.

From: Arhaus

The second lamp I chose was this floor lamp. I just love the metalwork stand. The nice thing about a floor lamp is that you can bring light to darker corners and such- you don't need the electrical to already be in place like you do with an overhead light, all you need is an outlet nearby, or possibly an extension cord. 

From: KarensChicNShabby Etsy

I adore the style of this chair. Not only does it look neat with all the curves to it but it looks comfortable! I'm someone who needs back support so I love the full back on this, plus it looks like it has a decent amount of cushioning to it as well. I'd stain the wood the same as the vanity top and change to fabric to match the turquoise of the vanity. 

From: Arhaus

I'd finish the whole vanity area off with some more storage. I really like this triple basket stand from Arhaus. It's practical and I like the style of it. Plus I like that it's partially transparent as that makes it easier to choose amongst items that are similar. It's also a great spot for products that I use everyday so I don't have to dig through drawers.

From: AngelFishIndustries Etsy

Last but not least is this wooden makeup brush holder. I have so many brushes and it helps a lot if I can keep them all in one place. I like the simple natural wood grain of this, and larger to smaller hole gradient. I also like the many holes this has as well as the depth of the holes as I can store shorter brushes in this. The ledge on the front is a nice touch too. 

So, that's it, my dream vanity space. If you're interested I created a Pinterest Board Here that shows a couple vanities and other items that I liked the look of for a perfect space to get ready in. What about you, do you have a dream vanity area? What do you currently use? Any pieces that really call out to you? Let me know!

Disclaimer: Though I was given the idea from Arhaus to do this post, I did not receive anything in compensation for including them. The only benefit is to hopefully get to a larger audience. None of the links on this post are affiliate links. 

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