Sparkled Beauty

Quite early on in my "quest" to discover nail blogs, I read about Trind, a Dutch company specialized in hand and nail care products.

I was offered some products to test out and gladly chose the two I needed the most. Was happy to hear Trind is now also available for Canadians on The Shopping Channel.

Formulated with Keratin and other vitamins, Trind nail care products are indeed very promising.

First impressions: sleek and simple packaging, oil free, reasonable size (0.30oz/ 9ml), higher price tag ($20 each) compared to most other nail treatments.

Cuticle balsam (pink colour) helps prevent dry cuticles and hangnails, with d-panthenol, allantoin, hyaluron-acid and phytantroil, plus Trind's Duo-Liposome that promotes skin cell production.

Use: As step 2 in Trind nail care system (after cuticle remover), apply the product to cuticles with the brush, leave it on for 2 minutes, then massage the excess into cuticles and nails. Daily for the first 2 weeks, then once a week for maintenance.

The product absorbs quickly after being rubbed in, and does not leave any residue behind. My cuticles love the little "bath" every day and appear healthier and less ragged only a few first uses.

Ingredients: Water, Alcohol Denat., C12-15 Alkyl Octanoate, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Phytantriol, Triethanolamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phospholipids, Silk Amino Acids, Laureth-4, Carbomer, Propylparaben, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Allantoin, Benzophenone-4, Disodium Edta, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fragrance, Eed 4 (CI 14700).

Nail balsam (aqua colour) is the moisturizer (with d-Panthenol, Phytantriol and Biotin) for dehydrated nails, i.e. the dry, brittle or peeling nails that like to split and tear.

Use: Step 4 (after filing/ buffing the nails), apply the product to bare nails daily, let sit for 2 minutes, then massage the excess into nails and surrounding skin. Same process - daily for 2 weeks, then once a week.

Nail balsam has taken care of the peeling near the free edges and the random breakage on the side of my nails. I still use a base coat as my polish chipped fast the next morning with just the balsam underneath.

Ingredients: Water, Alcohol Denat., C12-15 Alkyl Octanoate, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Phytantriol, Triethanolamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methylparaben, Caffeine, Benzophenone-4, Diazolidinyl Urea, Carbomer, Propylparaben, Phospholipids, Biotin, Laureth-4, Allantoin, Disodium Edta, Fragrance, Blue 1 (CI 42090).

I did this mani with Sephora Formula X Prophecy (note: colour not accurate) 2 minute after applying both balsams and rubbing in the excess.

The balsams did not interfere with the matte finish of the polish and my cuticles looked 5 times better already.

I would recommend Trind Cuticle and Nail balsams for those who need an effective boost in nail treatment/ maintenance and don't mind the price tag.

There are 15 Trind products and sets available on TSC at the moment. You can also find Cuticle balsam in the Cuticle Care duo, $26.99 and Nail balsam in the Moist & Shiny kit, $56. Shipping is $6.99/ item, Easy Pay option is available.

A special weekend post to let you guys know about IT Cosmetics being The Shopping Channel's 24-hour Showstopper right now with the Your Most Beautiful Skin Ever kit (direct link), until 10pm Sunday, July 28. I include a stock pic and my pics to show you the kit the best way I could.

Now I have been curious about IT Cosmetics for a while but didn't get around to actually order anything. For us Canadians, the brand is available on The Shopping Channel - I'm not sure anywhere else since QVC stopped shipping to Canada a while back. A Showstopper deal is a great way to try out the brand's best sellers for a good price.

The kit is on for $59.95 ($20 off, valued $230 if bought separately) includes:
- Hello Light Anti-Aging Radiance creme illuminator (reg. $24 as listed on IT Cosmetics's website) with Heavenly Luxe Pointed Precision complexion brush (reg. $38)
- Bye Bye Under Eyes Full coverage waterproof concealer (supersize of1oz/ 30ml), 4 shades available, mine is in Neutral Medium, the second lightest shade (reg. size of 0.28oz/ 8g for $24), with Heavenly Luxe Dual Airbrush foundation/ concealer brush (reg. $48)
- Your Brows But Better Brow Powder skinny pencil in Universal Transforming Taupe (reg. $24)
- Vitality Lip Blush Hydrating lip gloss stain in Je Ne Sais Quoi (reg. $24).

I received this kit just a few days ago, can't officially review it just yet, but I do have some quick swatches and initial thoughts for you.

From L-R:

- Hello Light creme illuminator: feels very hydrating and offers beautiful sheen of glow without being glittery or heavy. Swatched with the concealer end of the Dual Airbrush foundation/ concealer brush for product concentration
- Bye Bye Under Eyes concealer in Neutral Medium covers my dark circles well and is also hydrating :) Despite the hint of pink undertone (swatched directly out of the tube, not with a brush), it blends in my skin well surprisingly
- Vitality Lip Blush gloss stain in Je Ne Sais Quoi is a beautiful light pink when swatched. Once it stains the lips, the colour looks like a darker pink. Comfortable to wear, not drying
- MBBB brow pencil in Universal Transforming Taupe is a dark brown. It was suggested to be used with light hand for light colour hair (blond and silver), more pressure for darker hair (medium brown to black) but I can't say that would work for all
 - The Dual brush is super soft but quite dense. The concealer end works well with both the concealer (seen above) and the creme illuminator for quick highlight. The foundation end is normally used with powder highlighter or contour colour because of its smaller size (compared to a powder brush)
- The precision brush is more stiff but still gentle to the face, not scratchy. It is a good brush to blend the creme illuminator upward, flawless application.

All in all, I would say this kit is worth the price, considering how well they perform on me so far. The only downside of it for some of you is the lack of options for the brow pencil shade, though the colour works fine for my skin tone. Easy Pay option is available, shipping & handling is $7.97. The Showstopper price is only for 24 hours though, just a reminder. Product review is coming soon :)

Hello February! How did January treat you all? The month ended with wind gusts over 85 kilometers an hour here which made a huge mess all over the city. You can see some pics in this article on Metro. Anyway, let's start with some exciting news.

BobbiBrown.ca has arrived, just for us Canadians. Free shipping and a deluxe Crystal lip gloss sample (7ml) as gift with code "WELCOME", today is the last day though. Other than that, shipping is always free with any $75 orders, no code required.

Target is coming in March, at least for some main locations across the country. They just announced brands that we'll see in stores once they open. Also check out the list of locations and when they open.



Illamasqua is coming to the Bay in the Fall at selected locations. More locations and online shopping will follow. Shipping on theBay.com is free with $45 cosmetics/ fragrance orders, so we are all set.

Now onto the deals.

Shoppers: Sat only: x20 points with $50 purchase
*** Sat:
- Quo brushes: 40% off
- L'Oreal shave/ skin care: 30% off
- Revlon nail polish (including Top Speed): CAD3.99.

*** All week:
- L'Oreal Magic BB cream, Voluminous eye, Color Riche lip: 30% off; Infallible eyeshadow, Telescopic eye, True Match makeup: 20% off
- Cover Girl Shadow Blast eyeshadow, Lash Blast mascara, Lip Perfection lip product, Clump Crusher mascara: CAD6.99
- Maybelline Color Whisper lipstick: CAD8.99
- Revlon Colour Burst gloss, ColorStay lip product, PhotoReady makeup: 20% off
- Garnier BB cream, Radiance Renewer facial cleanser: 25% off
- Annabelle eye makeup remover, Expandable mascara, Roll-on eyeshadow: CAD7.99 (reg. $9.95 - $10.95)
- Marcelle Twist Push-up mascara, Velvety eyeshadow: CAD11.99 (reg. $13.50 - $15.95)
Perfect time to get these new Annabelle and Marcelle Spring products on sale.
- Rimmel Glam Eyes eyeliner, bronzer, Match Perfect makeup: CAD6.99
- Almay Intense i-colour eye: CAD7.99
- Physicians Formula Shimmer eye products: 30% off
- Quo lip, makeup: 15% off, lashes: 20% off
- Avene Essential cleanser: 25% off, Antirougeurs skin care: 20% off
- Dermaglow skin care: 20% off
- Sally Hansen Lustre Shine nail polish: CAD8.99, Xtreme Wear nail polish: CAD2.99
- Rimmel Lasting Finish nail polish: CAD2.99
- Nicole by OPI nail polish: CAD8.99
- Elizabeth Arden: GWP of $38 or more. The gift is a choice of Warm or Cool palette, valued $137.

Bonus points until February 14:
- 1,000 points with purchase of any participating Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede lipstick
- 1,500 points with purchase of any 2 participating Elizabeth Arden lip products
- 2,000 points with purchase of 2 participating Lise Watier lip products
- 2,000 points with purchase of Bourjois Rose Exclusif lip gloss
- 2,000 points with purchase of 2 Cover Girl lip products
- 3,000 points with purchase of Rihanna 50ml fragrance (Nude, Rebelle and Reb'l Fleur)
- 3,500 points with purchase of any Juicy Couture fragrance
- 4,000 points with purchase of 2 or more Gosh lip products
- 8,000 points with purchase of Eau de Lacoste EDP spray (50ml)
- x10 points with purchase of any Clinique makeup product
- x10 points when you spend $10 or more on Quo lip products
- x10 points with purchase of any Estee Lauder fragrance
- x15 points with purchase of any participating L'Oreal Colour Riche product
- x15 points with purchase of any participating Maybelline Baby Lips, Color Sensational Whisper, Vivids or High Shine gloss products
- x15 points with purchase of Lancome La Vie Est Belle, Rouge in Love or Baume in Love product.

Until February 22:
- 1,000 points with purchase of any Simple product
- 2,500 points with purchase of 2 participating Revlon products
- 5,000 points with purchase of any 2 L'Oreal Healthy Look hair dye products.

Until March 1:
- 8,000 points with purchase of Clarins Double serum.

Lawtons: Sat & Sun: x10 Airmiles with $45 purchase
- Cover Girl, Maybelline: 25% off
- Vasanti lip: 25% off
- L'Oreal: 20% off
- LA Colors/ LA Girl: 20% off
- Marcelle skin care, cosmetics: 20% off
- Vichy ProEven, La Roche-Posay Redermic: 20% off
- Garnier Skin Renew: 25% off
- Revlon nail polish, treatment, beauty tools: 25% off
- Seche nail products: 25% off
- Essie nail polish, treatment: CAD8.99
- Nicole by OPI Selena Gomez nail polish: 20% off
- Sinful Colors nail polish: CAD2.59
- Del Sol nail polish: CAD2.49.

Walmart:
- L'Oreal Caresse lipstick: CAD9.96 (the wording says lipstick but the picture is the stain, so please check your store to confirm)
- L'Oreal RevitaLift Miracle Blur: CAD24.96
- Sally Hansen Lustre Shine nail polish: CAD6.97
- Revlon Glitz & Glam rhinestone beauty tools: CAD7.96.

Superstore:
- Vaseline moisturizing spray: CAD5.99
- L'Oreal Miracle Blur: CAD24.99.

Sears: Lancome GWP of $35 or more until February 19. The gift includes:

- Visionnaire Advanced Skin corrector (Wrinkles - Pores - Evenness), 7ml
- Renergie Lift Multi-Action Lifting & Firming cream, 15ml
- Creme Douceur - Cream-to-Oil massage cleanser, 60ml
- Color Design Sensational Effects lip colour in Wannabe, 4g
- Color Design Sensational Effects eyeshadows in Daylight, Off the Rack, Ciel du Soir and Sultry Mauve, 3.5g
- Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye makeup remover, 50ml
- Hypnose Star Show-stopping Volume mascara in Black, 4g, and
- A cosmetics bag.

The Body Shop: Makeup is 50% off, today only, in store exclusive.

Lastly, the Shopping Channel (direct link) has some China Glaze collections (in sets) for not bad of prices.

The 6-pc Bohemian Luster Chrome (pictured) is $31.50, or the 6-pc Tranzitions plus a top coat is $39.95. No Holograms yet, unfortunately. With $7.97 shipping each set, it works out to be a bit over $6.50 a bottle.

And they have the Multipack reduced shipping policy (based on weight) when you order more than one item (which in this case, one set).