While *trying* to complete the Finish 5 by Fall challenge, I realized how hard it was to finish a product. This month, I decided to focus on samples I have laying around, which I have a TON of! 

I managed to finish a couple samples, but will try to work through my stash - this will be my challenge for Winter. Instead of posting a verdict post - I can't imagine posting a verdict with 10+ samples! - the samples will appear in the monthly empties. However, I won't be reviewing samples unless there is a sufficient amount of product to test. 

So let's get started! Here's to the first of many finished samples!

simple Cleansing Facial Wipes - I'm not a fan of facial/make up removing wipes, but I will say that simple wipes are probably my favourite so far. I find that these wipes don't leave my face feeling tingly or sticky, which usually happens with cleansing cloths. Would I repurchase these? Yes - for travelling or on-the-go emergencies, not for everyday use.

Sampar Ultra Hydrating Fluid
Missha Time Revolution Night Repair

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Night Cream

Nivea Aqua Effect Purifying Cleansing Gel

L'oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector

 I was worried that Park Ave Princess would be too light for my NC 20/25 skin tone, but found it to match perfectly. It's less of a bronzer and more of a contour for my skin, and I love that it's a matte light brown - no shimmers or oranges here!

Posh isn't very pigmented, but I prefer that because I sometimes have a heavy hand when applying blush.

Champagne Gold is beautiful and shimmery - but not sparkly. I like using this in the inner corner or as an eye shadow.

I would definitely recommend this palette if you have a light to light/medium skin tone, Any darker and the products might not show too well. I hope they're working on more palettes for different skin tones!

How did you learn how to contour or bronze?

Hello readers of Pink Petals! I'm Geneviève from gendots.com and today I am taking over the blog with a CCB guest post with the theme of the month : plum.

Let's go right into the makeup look. First I did my base as usual, that day I was using L'Oréal true match lumi in the shade N1-2, Rimmel wake me up concealer and Becca compact concealer in the shade latte the Body shop honey bronzer in 02, NYC cheek glow blush in west side wine, and Anastasia Brow Wiz in Dark Brown.

Then for the eyes I started with a generous layer of Maybelline Color tattoo in pomegranate punk all over the mobile lid, extending it a little on the outer edge. I went over the crease with the Stila tone eye shadow, a colour I absolutely love. I also used the two left shades of Sonia Kashuk quad in textured mauve to define the outer corner of my eyes. I added some Annabelle eyeliner in black on the tight line and a little on the lid, really close to my lashes to define everything a bit more. I finished it with Josie Maran Black Oil mascara and I dabbed a Revlon lipstick in berry haute on, just to give a tint to my lips.

And that's all! I hope you enjoyed this kinda simple, kinda smokey make up look.

Here's the verdict of my Finish Five by Fall challenge. Thank you again to Angela of Raincouver Beauty for tagging me in this challenge!

Verdict:

1. Covergirl Clean Oil Control Pressed Powder - TOSS: This tag has made me realize how badly my skin would break out using this pressed powder. 

2. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara - TOSS: I didn't finish this mascara but I will be tossing it. Not because I don't like the product, I just usually toss my mascaras out every 3-4 months.

3. Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner - STILL TRYING: I've made a dent in this pencil eyeliner - who knew they last so long! I will still be working on this though, one day I will finish it!

4. Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer - TOSS: I'm just not a fan of concealers, and after 4 months I only used it a handful of times - I might as well get rid of it now rather than later.

5. CO Bigelow Apothecaries Vitamin Mentha Lip Balm (discontinued) - STILL TRYING: I find lip balms the HARDEST to finish because I have like a million of them, so I use whichever one that's within reach.

Bonus: Escada Born in Paradise - STILL TRYING: But maybe I'll continue next Summer because Fall is here and I need me a new scent!

Products take FOREVER to use up! I probably have enough products to last a lifetime so I will be going on a no buy for Fall. On to the next empties challenge! Stay tuned :).

What product do you finish up the quickest?

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Maybelline's Dream Wonder Liquid Touch Foundation (~$9.99) has been much raved about this past year so I decided to try it out myself.

Unlike most of Maybelline's liquid foundations, this one has a drop stick to dispense the product. I actually really like this, compared to pouring out the product, because it allows more control. I understand that it doesn't seem hygenic to some, but you can still always pour out the product as well.

The foundation itself is light weight and watery, making it really easy to blend - it also blends over flakey patches really well. I would say it's a light to medium coverage foundation, but very buildable. 

I wish there was a wider colour selection though, 40 Nude is a bit too dark for me and the next one down is 20 Classic Ivory which is a bit too light. 

I wouldn't recommend this foundation for those with oily or combination skin. This foundation contains alcohol, which dries the skin and sometimes has a slight tingling/burning feeling when applying it. This caused a slight reaction to my skin and I noticed a my skin breaking out a bit after 2 days of use. Also, after 8 hours of wearing a light layer of this foundation, my face was pretty oily. I usually don't blot or pay attention to how oily I am, but I touched my forehead and my hand was glistening. Perhaps it was the hot weather, so I will try this again in colder weather, but I was hoping for such a light foundation to be Summer friendly.

Edit: I've been using this foundation in the cooler September weather with Rimmel's Stay Matte powder on top and it's an amazing combo - no shininess so far! It's now my new favourite foundation for Fall.

What's your favourite Summer foundation?

Don't miss out on the fun! The festival has so much to offer!

Of course, there is a large selection of movies to watch at various theaters - but this also allows some celebrity sightings for the premieres.

Join the AvionVIP Festival Gallery and watch the people responsible for creating these amazing movies walk the red carpet. (I got a glimpse of Julianne Moore and Ellen Page!)

Enjoy some freebies from L'oreal, McDonalds, Pure Leaf, All You Need is Cheese and Express.

Capture the moment at the Andy Warhol Photobooth.

And lastly, show off your dancing at the Pop and Lock Dance Machine! No experience required!

What was your favourite thing to do at TIFF this year, or any year?

Sheer Shiny Lipstick - Miss Peach

XXXL Shine Lipgloss - True Love

Lipliner - In the Nude & Wish Me a Rose

The essence lipliners are really creamy, making it easy to apply. They're creamy enough that they don't define cracks/dry lips too much - something I often have - and they don't last more than a couple hours, so reapplication is needed throughout the day.

The XXXL Shine Lipgloss apply sheer and aren't too sticky. They provide a nice shine and glimmer to the lips. 

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Let's be friends!

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I don't know about you, but I loved bubble baths as a kid - actually, I still love them.

Growing up, my mom worked until midnight, so I only saw her in the morning before kindergarten. She told me once that one of the other parents would give her a funny look because every time she dropped me off at school, I would say "Bye Mom, see you tomorrow!".

Once in a while, I would sneak into the living room and watch TV until my mom came home. Instead of scolding me for staying up so late, she would prepare a nice and warm bubble bath for the both of us - and of course she used Mr.Bubble. It was the only time she really spent with me since she had such a difficult work schedule, but it became a tradition for a short while.

Demeter's Mr.Bubble (1 oz $20 / 4 oz $39.50) perfectly captures the sweet and soapy smell of the classic Mr.Bubble. It has notes of coconut, banana and peach, with a floral center of jasmine and rose, and a balsamic vanilla and powdery raspberry base. 

When first sprayed, the soapy smell is very noticeable, but after a couple minutes, it becomes a sweet and floral scent. I really like that the scent is light and subtle, and it really does smell like Mr. Bubble. It's definitely a must have for Mr. Bubble fans that want to relive memories on the go.

It's a short list, but it's a start! Here are my August empties :)

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