About
My name is Mikayla! I'm a 22 year old University Graduate with a passion for all things beauty. I stumbled into the online beauty community a year ago and have been obsessed with youtube videos and blogs ever since. After watching hundreds of videos over the past year I figured it was about time I joined the community and posted my own thoughts in my own little space. I'm also recently graduated, unemployed and headed for college in September.
I really enjoy all things beauty, and I really like telling my friends what I think about products so writing them down just felt natural. To me, make up isn't something that you wear to make yourself look prettier, it's something you do on yourself for yourself. It has the power to give you strength to tackle a rough day, the courage to find your inner confidence and sparkle like every girl is meant too.
Other than beauty, I love fashion. Beauty and Fashion are the keys to my heart, along with a great deal. I'm all about a decent deal, and budget shopping is my favourite.
I can't wait to start this journey with the internet and all of you!
Disclaimer
Just a general disclaimer:
I am not a professional makeup artist, I am completely self taught, any posts on beauty products are purely personal opinion and should not be taken as fact.
Beauty items shown on this blog are purchased by myself, or as a gift from family members.
Any and all reviews on products are based on my opinions alone.
Monday, 10 August 2015
I'm baaack, back again, this time I promise it will stick. I've been recovering from surgery and figuring out how I am going to do this blogging thing. It's been hot in Ontario, not as hot as it could be, but there have been some really hot days. A couple of weeks ago I went to the Toronto Blue Jays game and it was so hot that it was almost impossible for my arms to touch my legs (sticky hot man). But my face stayed perfect, and it stayed this way because of a new product in my current rotation (an updated rotation post is in the works!)
Amie sent me this (Morning Dew Matte Finish Moisturizer) product for consideration as I have been such a large fan of their other products (I used their makeup wipes and their two in one cleanser and toner have been on my night stand while I have been recovering).
What I like about this product (as with all of their other ones) is that it doesn't aggravate my very sensitive skin. Having ingredients like natural plant sugars, rosehip and bilberry really work to not only do their job, but because it isn't filled with plenty of chemicals etc. really make me a happy skin customer.
Immediately after washing my face in the morning (usually with the two in one cleanser/toner) I use this moisturizer, it goes on smoothly, and feels almost tacky to begin with (which makes an excellent base for makeup). On days like the saturday I went to the Toronto Blue Jays where temperatures were well into the 30 degree mark reaching almost 40 with the humidity, I never really worried that my face looked oily. In that extreme of heat, I was a little sweaty, but not oily like middle of the day and I have to retouch my makeup because it's breaking down oily.
Another thing I love about Amie products is that the colour of the product matches the pastel colour of the packaging!Labels: amie, bblogger, beauty, morning dew matte finish moisturizer, review
Thursday, 11 June 2015
For quite a few months now, Amie Skincare has sent me products to try for my skin and review on my blog, and to be honest, their skincare line has saved my skin. I've reviewed every product they have sent me (not under a promise to promote it on my blog) but because I genuinely love their products. My mom who has more sensitive skin then I do even loves their stuff!
After months of receiving their products and loving the results, Amie offered me the chance to interview their founder, Fiona Parkhouse. It took me a moment to realize what this was, an opportunity to ask questions to the founder of a company that I actually loved, and am already so grateful for treating my skin so lovely, I had a mini fangirl-esque moment.
I consulted some of my friends and asked them if they were to read an interview with the founder of a skincare company what they would want answered, I thought about it for days, I swear I was dreaming questions in the shower. But finally I narrowed down my questions and emailed them off.
Fiona was kind enough to answer them for me, and I am beyond excited to share them with you.
Did you have to overcome any personal obstacles when founding Amie Skincare?
Yes I did certainly. I had always worked for large cosmetics companies, such as Estee Lauder, and so had never had to oversee any manufacturing. When I came to create Amie, I had to find a creative cosmetic chemist and very supportive manufacturer to work with. So I had to go up a very steep learning curve to start with but I loved it actually.
Was it intimidating to start your own skincare company?
Yes and now. I really believed that there was a place for my range in the market and that belief and determination really drove me on, despite the fact that there is so much competition out there.
What advice would you give to young women who wanted to get into the business side of the beauty industry?
Get lots of experience in business first- any business where you have to sell and understand figures and finance. Beauty products are lovely but the beauty business is a business, just like any other.
When you began Amie Skincare, did you aim to have the products be cost friendly? How important was this to you?
This was very important indeed. I wanted them to be affordable and accessible. I didn't envisage them being premium priced ever.
What is your favourite product from the line for the Spring and Summer?
Well, my skin is still oily at my age, so I absolutely love using Morning Dew Matte Finish Moisturizer, as I need the hydration but also the shine-control it gives. It's an excellent base for mineral foundation which I also wear.
When I am feeling extra hot and oily, I love to use our wonderfully refreshing deep cleansing mask, Spring Clean Deep Cleansing Mask. It has a cooling action and fantastic fresh peppermint extracts which really help soothe and clear congested skin.
I am so happy that Amie offered to let me have the opportunity to interview Fiona, (and thank you Fiona for answering my questions!) and that they have a product range I believe in!
Labels: amie, fiona parkhouse, interview
Monday, 18 May 2015
Amie Skincare has once again hit it out of the park. A brand based around the idea that skin sensitivity shouldn't be sacrificed for a clear complexion and works hard to ensure that all products are free from paragons, mineral oils, petrochemicals, animal extracts (except beeswax) and is also pH-balanced is the best brand for my skin.
To start, I have sensitive, normal skin, I wasn't acne prone until a couple of months ago when I guess the breakouts I didn't have as a teenager finally caught up to me. My skin sensitivity is something I have always struggled with, using certain soaps and body washes, in certain cities yes even water can make my skin itch and when the wonderful people at Amie started contacting me and sending me some of their amazing products, my skin has been a lot better.
Clay face masks are something I enjoy doing, they are very relaxing for me. But some of the ones I have tried, have dried my skin out and made it incredibly itchy, causing me to use hydrating masks (that I have mentioned
here) after deep cleansing masks
which then clog your freshly cleaned pores and chaos ensues. Until now.
Amie's Spring Clean Deep Cleansing Mask* ($12 for 100ml) promises to purify pores, combat oiliness and blemishes while remaining skin friendly with natural extracts. Using ingredients such as natural fruit and botanical extracts, as well as peppermint to stimulate the senses, gently cleanse and reduce inflammation, french white clay to absorb excess oil, dirt and toxins without stripping natural oils, zinc-oxide as a natural anti-bacterial to clear spots and blemishes, and lime butter to tone the skin.
I have been using this mask twice a week for a couple weeks now, and I love it. I feel like I have nothing but great things to say about this brand as a whole. The one thing I will warn against is the peppermint smell is very strong, since I like peppermint and minty things, it does not bother me, but I can see how the scent can be overwhelming for others. The mask tingles as it dries, which gives the feeling that it really is getting deep in there to clean all the dirt and oils. The first time I used this mask it did bring some blemishes I could feel coming out, forward but this is the point of the mask right? To really bring everything bad out.
Another trick I was told about is to mix in a little bit of Morning Light, Amie's moisturizer (mentioned
here) in with the mask for a more gentle treatment. I do really like this trick and use it about once a week, and then the mask by itself once a week.
Since using this mask a couple of times a week, my skin has felt so soft and fresh and wonderful. This product is going to stay in the line up for a while.
*I was provided this product as a PR sample, I am under no obligation to give a positive review, any thoughts on this product are entirely my own.
Labels: amie, bblogger, beauty, Deep cleansing masks, review, skincare, Spring Clean
Monday, 2 March 2015
Recently I went on a weekend trip to visit a friend from high school who had a baby (She's precious!!) and visit my grandparents. For this trip I was only gone for 3 nights so it wasn't necessary to bring a lot of products or things with me. For skincare I've been keeping it simple, as I've discovered that simple is what my skin prefers.
Amie New Bloom Facial Cleansing Wipes I was recently sent these as a sample and I'm enjoying them, they get the job done, and remove my makeup easily, they also don't make my skin feel irritated after using them. My only issue, like with other wipes is that the first few wipes are not as saturated as the wipes lower down. This is something the brand cannot help however and it doesn't effect the quality of the wipes if you flip them upside down and let them sit for a couple of hours when you first get them to ensure an even distribution of the formula.
Amie Petal Perfect 2 in 1 Cleanser and Toner The wonderful people at Amie have created a product that not only makes your skin feel clean and refreshed but one that does not require water. As a cleanser and a toner, I use this after removing my makeup on a cotton round. It comes out like a lotion as do a lot of Amie's cleansing products and really makes my skin feel clean, but not clean to the point it aches this happens to me with most 2 in 1 cleansing and toner products I have tried.
Lush Breath of Fresh Air Toner Water I've been using this product for over a year, and it is the one thing that has remained constant in my skincare routine. I really like it because it has Aloe Vera in it which is cooling and soothing to the skin, especially if I have really had to clean my face. I like that it is a mist and sprays evenly on my face, and that it is relaxing feeling and calming. It is also great on a hot day to mist on your face to cool down momentarily not that I suggest misting this on your face multiple times a day!
Amie Morning Light Hydrating Daily Moisturizer I have featured this product in my January favourites, and I'm still loving it. It's moisturizing without being greasy, and it's a thicker lotion which is more hydrating and better for the winter.
Clean and Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment This was recommended to me by a friend, and I can't believe I didn't buy this sooner. Just a small dap on a spot and it instantly starts working to reduce the appearance and redness of any spot on your face. I use this on spots that have already appeared and the ones I can feel coming you know when you just know you're going to get a spot- and it's the most annoying feeling in the world- combat it with this stuff!
Amie Bright Eyes Eye Makeup Remover I brought this along just in case some of my makeup was a little harder to remove, and I didn't want to scrub with a wipe. I really like that it isn't greasy and that it doesn't leave my skin feeling irritated.
I know this post was heavily featured by the brand Amie, but they are quickly becoming a brand I really trust with my skin, and it is products that are genuinely working on my face, and not making it irritated- which happens frequently.
Labels: amie, bblogger, beauty, clean and clear, lush, Travel essentials
Wednesday, 14 January 2015
I love putting on makeup every day- but man do I hate taking it off. The wonderful people at Amie have sent me this incredible makeup remover to try- and let me tell you, it makes taking off eye makeup even the stubborn stuff incredibly easy. It does hurt when you get it in your eye though- which I did.. ouch
One of the reasons I hate trying to take my makeup off and usually end up using a baby wipe is because of the oily greasy feeling most removers leave behind- even the "Oil free" ones. What Amie has done is somehow magically create a remover that doesn't have this effect- actually removes the makeup (without scrubbing) and leaves the skin feeling soft and clean.
This stuff is gentle but powerful, and nothing is more satisfying when removing your makeup then having almost a perfect impression left on the cotton round and this product does just that. I drop a few drops on to a cotton round and place it on my eye and let it sit for a couple seconds before dragging it off and bam there is my eyeshadow and liner and mascara- in one go.
*product provided for consideration- all opinions are my own.
Labels: amie, bblogger, bright eyes, makeup remover
Thursday, 18 December 2014
Winter is a great season, the snow is pretty, Christmas is wonderful, but it's cold, especially in the area I live last winter the coldest was -32 Celsius which is very drying for the skin. My skin gets very dry in the winter, which isn't fun- actually it's quite painful sometimes.
Amie Morning Light Hydrating Daily Moisturizer I was sent this product by the wonderful people at Amie to try, and I am in love. I am very quickly falling in love with this brand- the price, the product, the packaging- everything. This stuff is wonderful, it's moisturizer, and light enough to use both day and night, and isn't terribly greasy either. It's made of natural ingredients so it isn't harmful to the skin, and it hasn't broken me out. It's incredibly soothing to my skin as it gets colder and dryer.
The Face Shop Cucumber Face Mask I've talked before about my discovery of The Face Shop, and this mask is great! I've stocked up quite a few of these masks- they are paper masks, and they are the only ones I've used so I can't compare them to anything else, but the amount of oil that comes in this package is insane- almost to the point that I have to drain it into my garbage can or it would drip down my neck. I keep it on for 10-15 minutes. My face feels instantly more hydrated and I feel like it shows as well.
NeoStrata Aqua Youth Eye Cream I was given this product when I went to the NeoStrata event at Master Card World Fashion Week in Toronto, and I really like it, it's light but packs a punch, since it's an eye cream it isn't supposed to be heavy but it works, and it helps combat wrinkles and such which is a bonus to it also being a great moisturizer for around the eyes.
Maybelline Baby Lips Dr. Rescue This is a holy grail. I'm not a big fan of the regular baby lips line, I don't find they meet the promise of 8 hours of moisture.. but this stuff is insane. I absolutely adore this. I've been using this particular tube for over a year (not really in the warmer months) and I haven't lost it- which should speak for itself.. I lose everything, all the time. It's medicated so you are only supposed to use it 2-3 times a day, but it's instantly soothing for dry cracked lips and on top of that they have tinted versions so you aren't sacrificing colour for comfort which I think is a treat!
Giveaway!
The wonderful people at Amie have generously agreed to do a small giveaway for the readers of my blog! The contest is open internationally and will run until New Years Eve!
Good luck! :)
This giveaway is now closed and the winner has been contacted, thanks to all who entered!
Labels: amie, beauty, Giveaway, Hydration, Winter
Wednesday, 12 November 2014
Sensitivity is a big issue for me, my skin itches when water filtration is too strong, or not strong enough, I get dry skin, it loses it's colour when I'm sick or stressed, and the winter is not my faces friend. Canada, especially Ontario, and where I live is part of the "Snow Belt" Yes that's a thing so the wind is cold, the sun shines off the snow, it's just not nice.
A month ago, the people at Amie offered to let me try their
morning clear purifying facial wash. Their motto is Naturally Kind and it promises to be a moisturizing facial wash for clear soft skin. The brand was designed with young skin in mind and this specific product is free of paragons, sulphates, mineral oils, petrochemicals and animal extracts, it is also soap free. For a "cleanser" that doesn't contain soap, I was slightly sceptical about it. Needless to say it said moisturizing and I had to try it.
The product itself comes out of the bottle really thick, very creamy, almost like a lotion, you massage it into your skin and rinse away with warm water, and the effect is almost instantaneous, my skin felt soft, it felt clean, it felt bright, it didn't sting or tingle. This stuff does what it says it will. My face has never felt so clean with so little effort put in, I didn't use a scrubber, nothing but my fingertips and it feels great!
Not only am I happy with the results of this product but the price is affordable as well. It retails for $10.00 the only snag is I'm not sure if you can find it in Canada, I could not find this specific one on Amazon either, however you can buy directly from the website.
Labels: amie, review, skincare
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