July 2015 Beauty Favourites

July seemed like an incredibly busy month for me, and flew by (insert classic beauty blogger line about 'where did the time go?' here.) I actually think every product in July's favourites list is new to me this month, so clearly I tested a lot of great stuff - there aren't always so many hits when it comes to new launches in one month! Let's take a look at what I'm loving right now, shall we?

Tata Harper Limited Edition Honey Blossom Resurfacing Mask + SALE

After hearing Caroline rave about the Tata Harper range for ages now, I almost knew I was going to fall in love. The brand boasts 100% natural and nontoxic ingredients that are grown, produced and packaged all on an organic farm in Vermont. They are cruelty free, certified by Eco Cert and have no artificial colours or scents. Sold yet? I was!
So naturally when I got the chance to try out the Tata Harper Limited Edition Honey Blossom Resurfacing Mask* I jumped at the chance...

The original Resurfacing Mask is one of Tata Harper's best sellers, so I knew they had to be on to something. It's a non abrasive beta hydroxy treatment that helps slough away dead skin cells, while accelerating cellular renewal. Unlike some chemical exfoliants or resurfacing products, there is no photosensitivity and has ingredients that help reduce redness and inflammation.  The Limited Edition Honey Blossom Resurfacing Mask* is blended with Vermont-harvested raw honey and floral extracts and let me tell you: It smells amazing.  I knew the minute it arrived I was in for a treat; The gorgeous green and gold packaging (100% recycled paper of course!) came with the Tata Harper wax seal and ribbon! When I opened it up, my jar was numbered 155/1500 which made me feel a little special, not going to lie. Only 1500 of these limited edition Honey Blossom versions are being made, just a heads up! Besides the absolutely gorgeous smell, the product inside feels so lush on the skin. As directed, you apply a layer on a clean face and leave for 10-30 minutes (10 for sensitive skin) then remove with warm water. Then you prepare to have your face feel like a baby's bum. Seriously. The next morning I woke up with my skin looking like a million bucks - it felt plump, radiant and so smooth!  This is definitely one of those masks you need for days when you're feel absolutely rubbish, because it will no doubt perk spirits! Tata Harper can be found online on www.tataharperskincare.com or or www.sephora.com/tata-harper Let me know in the comments below what your favourites from the line might be, or products you want to try from the line!

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To celebrate Tata's Birthday, there is a 20% discount on purchases over $100 for July 29 & 30th at www.tataharperskincare.com only with the code HBDTATA1. I'm not affiliated with the brand, nor do I make a commission, it's just too good of a deal to pass up!

*I was kindly sent the denoted product for consideration. I am not contracted to positively review this product, nor am I affiliated with the brand. Just good old honest reviews around here folks, it's how I roll!

Luxury Products Worth the Price # 2

Now I love a good drugstore find as much as the next girl, but there is something about pulling that fancy-schmancy lipstick out of your hand bag that just feels special, you know? Sometimes there are high priced products that are not worth the packaging they come in, but other times they are sooo worth it. This is for those times...

Too Faced Love Flush Blush in Love Hangover

There's a new kid on the blush block from Too Faced that might take the win for most adorable packaging of life. The Too Faced Love Flush Blushes boast 16 hour wear, intense pigment with a fade and smudge proof formula. So, does it hold up to the claims?

The 'Soundtrack To My Life Tag'

The other day the lovely Holly over a Bloomin' Rouge shared a great idea for a post called Soundtrack To My Life, and being the absolute music nut that I am, I had to jump on the bandwagon. I've always been one of those types that can remember the lyrics to songs from the first time I hear them. I associate music with times and places and memories from my life, and can still hear certain songs play in my head when I drive down certain roads. Some think it's weird, I'd call it a gift. 

Here are some of songs that kind of make up the soundtrack of memorable moments in my life, take a peek (and listen!)

Weekend Round Up | Highlighting the Best Bits of July 12-24

It's the weekend which means I'm rounding up the best bits of the last two weeks, just in case you missed anything. Here are the highlights for July 12th-24th 2015.

Strobing | What The Heck Is It?

If you've read or watched any beauty related blogs or YouTube channels recently you might have heard the term "strobing", and contrary to what it sounds like, it doesn't involve wearing a sequined glove at an outdoor rave (side note: are raves still a 'thing'?). So, what the heck is 'strobing'?

Tarte's Tarteguard 30 | The SPF My Dry Skin is Digging

Finding a decent SPF should have been something on my list many, many years ago. But like many other girls of my generation, I wanted every chance I could get to get a little colour on my face. I know... I know... cringe...

The Summer Coral | MAC Vegas Volt Lipstick

Normally my Summer go-to lipstick is some peachy pink hybrid that you can slick on sans mirror. Occasionally though I just need something that has some more punch to it, you know? Enter in MAC's Vegas Volt Lipstick - an orangy coral that just pops!

Mascara Monday | Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base

It's #MascaraMonday time around here again and this time round I'm giving another much hyped eyelash primer a run for its money to see if it really performs as promised. The Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base (seriously, these long names...) claims it will lengthen, volumize and nourish your lashes, while the white base will allow black pigments to stand out. So, are the claims true? 

Sunday Splurge | Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

It's #SundaySplurge time again and this time round is kind of special, because I'm talking about a particular product I would 9/10 times recommend the drugstore option for: Mascara.  Most of of you know I am rarely impressed enough with luxury mascaras enough to justify the higher price tag, with the exception this particular mascara that the splurge seems totally worth it. Yep, I'm talking about the Benefit Roller Lash Mascara.

The One Sweep and You're Done Shadow | Clarins Ombre Iridescente in 01 Aquatic Rose

I knew the minute I swatched the Clarins Ombre Iridescente Shadow in Aquatic Rose* from the summer Aquatic Treasures Collection that it was love. Obviously my love of anything rose gold is well documented here on GLG, and this doesn't disappoint in the slightest. In fact it's quickly made it into my 'One Sweet and You're Done' pile... more on that below...

Available NOW | Bite Beauty's Canadian Maple and US Frozen Berries Collections

Just a heads up, the Bite Beauty Canadian Exclusive Maple Collection as well a the US Exclusive Frozen Berries Collection are both available online now! I do have a full  Maple Collection review with swatches .

Let me know if you purchased any of these! 

The Repurchase Edit | Beauty Products I Apparently Can't Be Without

I've noticed a bit of a pattern in my purchases lately. Certain products have just made it into the 'forever repurchase' category and my last shopping trip was entirely fill with said products. Now, I'm not going to lie, it isn't quite as exciting to haul repeat buys versus new exciting pretty products, but there is a satisfaction there of knowing it's tried and true. Perhaps even 'holy grail'... I know I went there. Read on for a breakdown of the beauty products I just can't stop using...

10 Bad Beauty Habits You Should Kick to the Curb

We've all got a bad habit or two, or cut the odd corner every now and then. When it comes health and beauty though, there are just some bad habits you really should cut to the curb. In fact, here's ten of them...

New Kid on The Block | Buxom's New Eyeshadow Bar Does Customizable Eye Palettes Right

There's a new kid on the block when it comes to custom beauty and it's all kinds of gorgeous. Buxom's Customizable Eyeshadow Bar puts you in charge of choosing six shadows to fit your needs in an easy to load (and change!) sleek palette. No more buying an eyeshadow palette because you love a couple of shades, but have no use for the others - this time round they are all winners!

This Just In | Bite Beauty Crème Lip Gloss in Opal + GIVEAWAY (worldwide!)

There's a new limited edition gloss in town that not only promises to be silky and nourishing, can be worn on its own or transform any lip colour into an 'alluring, pearlescent lip with high-shine and shimmer'. Bite Beauty has just released their Crème Lip Gloss in Opal*, and it's the perfect handbag edition to add a little 'oomph' to your favourite lip colour. Oh, and guess what? I'm giving one away to one lucky reader!

Weekend Round Up | Highlights from June 29th - July 10th

Rounding up the highlights from June 29th-July10th, including some monthly favourites, an exciting new launch, a sneak peek and trip down memory lane. Let's review, shall we?

Friday Face | Coppered Plum Eyes

I've been having plenty of fun playing with a new customizable eyeshadow palette this week so naturally it had to be included in my favourite look of the week for the #FridayFace post. Perhaps something I would normally associate with Autumn, I've been all about the burnished plums and rose golds lately. Here's what I used to get the look:

The Problem Solver Series | 5 Tricks That Might Make Your Lip Colour Last Longer

At some point, you've probably been there: You put on some lipstick only to find out it's migrated everywhere but where it is supposed to be. It's on your teeth, the corner of your mouth, or all over your wine glass. With some shades and formulas this might not be the end of the world, but if you're wearing a deep vampy red, or anything darker than your natural lip colour the embarrassment factor might be high. So here are 5 tips for getting that lip colour to look fresh and stay put:

My Makeup Story | How It Began

Somewhere along the way I realized my love for makeup was a bit more intense than the average eyeshadow collection. By the time I was 18 I was collecting MAC like it was going out of style, and the idea of only one purple eyeshadow instead of ten seemed absurd to me. A girl needs options.

These were the days before YouTube tutorials when you communicated the love of the craft in makeup chatrooms. There were hours spent stalking the bookstore aisles for Makeup God, Kevyn Aucoin's latest book and entire summer days devoted to turning pages of my Seventeen magazine for makeup tips. I was past the point of 'like' and in full blown 'love' with the power of makeup at an early age.

Illamasqua Gel Colour in Charm | A Pop of Summer on Cheeks that Lasts All Day

The Summer is in full swing around here, and with record breaking temperatures I've been struggling to find products that don't make me look overly made up, super powdered or partially melted. Seriously, it's makeup melting weather round here folks.
Enter in Illamasqua Gel Colour in Charm*, a scarily neon orange solid gel in the tube turned gorgeous coral peach on the cheeks. It's a game changer, and blew away any preconceived expectations I had...

Bite Beauty Goes Patriotic With Their Maple Matte Crème Lipsticks | Review + Swatches

Oh Bite Beauty, be still my patriotic Canadian heart. 

They're smooth, they're pigmented,  and they... smell like maple?! Bite Beauty's Maple Matte Crème Lipsticks* are limited edition and all kinds of gorgeous, with a scent that has you reminiscent of pancake breakfasts. The newest collection screams True North Strong and Free, and they are exclusive to Canadians, eh!

Sunday Steals | NYX Lipstick in Pumpkin Pie

It was about time for another Sunday Steal post, wasn't it? This week I've picked a lipstick that I picked up totally on impulse, and really had no expectations for. Sometimes the best discoveries happen this way!

Five Favourites | Beauty Bloggers

If there is one thing I love almost as much as talking about makeup and beauty, it's reading about it from other awesome bloggers. I think blogs are such an important way to communicate about products (hence my involvement in it!) and really help connect the average consumer with the product in a (mostly) unbiased way. Here's a shout out to some of my favourites:

World Wide Beauty | Celebrating Canada with Bite Beauty

I'm excited to announce a new series here on Girl Loves Gloss called World Wide Beauty, where brands from around the world are chosen to represent their home country. Naturally, since it is Canada Day I had to kick this series off with my home and native land, and celebrate with a Canadian brand that has changed the idea of what lipstick is meant to be made of: Bite Beauty.