Sparkled Beauty

Could not pass up other items from Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix line after the Night pads Extreme, I also grabbed the Glycolic Instant Fix mask.

Described as a high potency pore tightening gel mask to exfoliate and perfect the complexion, Glycolic Instant Fix has Glycolic Acid (no specific strength mentioned in the Canada version, 4-5% in the US and UK) and Amino Acid to even out skin tone, with Evermat technology to reduce shine and appearance of pores. I am so in!

Simple squeeze tube packaging, with a seal on the opening. The product comes out clear (see below), with the same citrus/ grapefruit scent as the exfoliating pads.

Instructions: Apply a thin layer to cleansed skin, avoiding the eye area, leaves 10 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water. 1-3 times per week.

The brand does recommend a patch test before first application and avoid application on irritated or raw skin.

The mask feels nice on application and dries down slightly sticky, but no drying or tight/ pulling effect. Wash off is easy and no traces leave behind. Love the "quiet" exfoliating work it does. The skin is hydrated and refreshed.

Look at that gelly swatch :) It even glistens in the sun. I don't notice much of other effects after, like mattifying or skin tone evening out but I was not looking for that at the first place.

Ingredients: Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/ VP Copolymer, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, etc.

Similar to the exfoliating pads, the mask also costs quite a bit - $16.99 for 1.7oz/ 50ml, I paid around $13.49 with sale. Totally enjoy it as an exfoliating mask though, would do it every day if I am not worried about over exfoliating :)

Now that I have tried and liked Pixi Glow Tonic exfoliating toner, I want to continue the Glycolic Acid trend.

Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Night pads Extreme sounds like they would fit the description, just in a more travel friendly format, so I caved and bought it from Shoppers last month.

Glycolic Fix Extreme are concentrated acid exfoliating facial pads with 5% Glycolic Acid (same strength as Pixi Glow Tonic), plus Salicylic and Lactic Acid to help unclog congested skin and Hyaluronic Acid to improve skin hydration. I would not complain about any of these ingredients! :)

Note the suggested 2-3 times a week use (once a week if you have sensitive skin) at night, followed by SPF in the morning. However, since I had used Glow Tonic every night, I did the same with Glycolic Fix and did not notice any bad side effects. The brand also recommends not to use the pads on peeling/ irritated skin, which I did follow.

The pads are lightly textured, thin but durable, not easy to rip. Since the Glycolic Acid already offers the chemical exfoliation you need, the pads sure aren't required to be physically exfoliating the skin. The scent is lightly citrus, like from grapefruits, seems to be the same for the whole Glycolic Fix line.

Not much else to say other than I like the Glycolic Fix pads as much as I like Glow Tonic, but they will travel with me more, just for the compact size and non-liquid format.

Ingredients: Water, Glycolic Acid, Triethanolamine, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Mandelic Acid, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Limonene, Fragrance, Benzyl Benzoate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, etc.

There are 60 pads in the tub, retails $16.99 - the only thing I don't like so much about them :) They were on sale for $13.99, which was better but still a bit pricy for drugstore.

Nip+Fab also has Glycolic Fix daily cleansing pads with 2.8% Glycolic Acid, if you prefer to use them daily.

Ingredients (for comparison): Water, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denat. (SD Alcohol 40-B), Disodium EDTA, Globularia Alypum (Blue Daisy) Extract, Panthenol, Lactic Acid, etc.

A haul post dedicated to just Winners thanks to the waves of new arrivals over the last few weeks, with some brands we can't find in Canada normally.

First is Nip+Fab pistachio body sundae (200ml), $4.99, comparable at $8. I was looking all over the internet for this, was even thinking to swallow the shipping cost to get some.

And there it was just waiting for me on the shelf at Winners :) The tub is sealed, and the price was awesome, so I grabbed a few backups.

There was a bunch of First Aid Beauty products, I only bought the Ultra Repair wash (226.8g/ 8oz), $9.99, comparable at $14.

Found Maybelline Color Tattoos in Mossy Green and Rich Mahogany (the LE Fall 2012 release that Canada didn't get), $5.99 each, comparable at $8.99.

And in the black box is Guerlain eyeshadow quad in Terre Indigo (Terracotta Inca Summer 2011 collection), $29.99, comparable at $48. The surface pattern was breathtaking and the US retail price for it was actually $59, so this is definitely a score.

Many Elizabeth Arden products came, most in plastic wraps, yay!

I couldn't pass up the beautiful packaging of the Pure Finish bronze powder in Warm Radiance (Rose Aurora Spring/ Summer 2012 collection), $14.99, comparable at $45.

Also got the Eight Hour Cream Intensive moisturizing hand treatment (30ml) to try, $6.99, comparable at $10.

The Dual Perfection brow shaper and eyeliner in Brunette, $8.99, comparable at $24 and Color Intrigue eyeshadow in Smoke, $7.99, comparable at $23, are impulsive buys. I have to look up reviews later.

And a Canadian brand, Lise Watier, also made its appearance at Winners.

Another beautiful packaging I couldn't resist, the Glamour Rose eye and cheek palette, $19.99, comparable at $45.

From the Summer Sunset collection (with the orange and hot pink stripes) were the bronzing powder, $16.99 each, comparable at $35 and the Crystal Drops lip gloss in Dragon Fruit, $8.99, comparable at $18.

The dark square box houses the eyeshadow quartet in Les Vins, $14.99, comparable at $36. And the silver long tube is the Duo Glam lipstick duo in Pink Hibiscus, $12.99, comparable at $27.

These are all LE products from last year, for around 50% off, about the same discount in the online warehouse sale a while back. No product pics because the wraps are still on, just in case I might have to bring some back if reviews aren't looking great.

What have you spotted lately at Winners?