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Beauty Vixen

I am so excited to share with you the one thing in all the years that has finally gotten me to be able to actually style my hair, and no, it is not the Dyson Airwrap that I got last year, it is my Infinitipro by Conair Digitalaire Hot Air Multi Styler.
Basically, if you knew me in person, you'd know I am not known for well-styled hair, this seems to be the one thing I have always struggled with, and while there have been great tools over the years that have helped tame my hair into something I enjoy wearing, there has not been one tool to cover all my needs. 
The Conair Digitaire Multi Styler is a hairdryer with a long handle and a bunch of attachments: a Paddle Brush, Curling Wand, 1 ¼ Round Brush, and a Drying Nozzle. It has three heat settings, cold, warm and hot, and two speed settings, high and low.  It even has a 6-foot-long cord, so I don't get all caught up in myself.  All the attachments are ceramic-coated for an even delivery of heat, too.
What have I been using on it and why do I love it? Well, basically, I have been using it as a hair dryer with the nozzle attachment to quick dry my hair most mornings now, and then when my hair is almost dry, I start using the paddle brush. 
The paddle brush has a great curve to it, and even in the centre, it has a curve, so I can dry the hair along my head a lot easier. It also helps create a bit of a wave if I want to; either way, it looks great when I am done. If I really want to smooth out my hair and/or add waves to it, I will use the barrel brush.
While I am not the best at this yet, I really love how quickly I can smooth out the flyaways and kinks that are in my hair and create a great wave. 
Start to end, it takes about 10 minutes with my hair soaking wet. I love that I don't have to spend a lot of time on it either.
As for the curler, I like it and it works well if your hair is still a little damp, but the barrel brush works so well, I rarely use it.

The attachments snap into place easily; you just have to turn a band to lock it into place.
Do I like this more than my Dyson AirWrap? Yes, I kind of wish I had not spent all the money on the Dyson. It is great, but this is just as good, and I am reaching for it almost every day now, and rarely my Dyson.
The only thing I wish it had was a diffuser or the option to buy one. I have wavy hair that I may just want to dry curly, and I have to dig out another hair dryer to do that (since my Dyson also doesn't have a diffuser). I would love to buy one for it in the future.
Pros:
  • 4 great attachments for most of my needs:
    • Paddle Brush
    • Curling Wand
    • 1 ¼ Round Brush,
    • Drying Nozzle
  • 3 heat settings
    • cold
    • warm
    • hot
  • 2 power settings
    • low
    • high
  • Ceramic-coated attachments for even heat
  • Internal ionic generator to reduce frizz
  • 6-foot cord
  • Sells for $110 at Walmart (so much less expensive than other brands) and up $220 elsewhere.
Cons:
  • There is no diffuser or option to buy one.
Overall, I love this tool! I feel so much more put together and confident when I use it. It is relatively light and easy to maneuver; the attachments are easy to swap and use. I can get my hair done quickly and get on with my day. It also costs soooooo incredibly much less than other tools; it seems like a great option to have around anyway.

Infinitipro by Conair Digitalaire Hot Air Multi Styler is available at Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, and Amazon.ca 
*This product was provided for review; all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

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Cleaning your makeup brushes and sponges is a necessary but tedious task. I know a lot of people put it off, reuse dirty brushes or just don't clean them. I met a few people who don't clean them because they don't know how to. So today I am going to give a review of my latest cleaner from EcoTools and a little tutorial on how to clean them properly. Because honestly, I just can't handle seeing people submerge their whole brushes in video anymore, or people use crusty, dirty brushes.
First up, parts of the brush. There are three basic parts to every brush: the bristles, the handle and in between the ferrule. The ferrule is the metal part that holds the bristles together and to the brush (there is also the crimp, which is where the ferrule is pressed tight). That being said, it is filled with glue to get that job done. The number one thing to know is that you do not want to get water into the ferrule. If you do that glue will dissolve over time, and your brush bristles will fall out. It is not good.

SOOO....Don't submerge your brushes in a bowl; just dip the bristles in the water and soap.

Steps to clean your brushes

  • Hold brush bristles downward to prevent water from seeping into the ferrule (metal part).
  • Wet only the bristles with lukewarm water — avoid soaking the handle or ferrule.
  • Apply brush cleanser or gentle soap to a cleaning mat or your palm.
  • Swirl the brush gently to loosen makeup and oils.
  • Rinse bristles downward under running water until water runs clear.
  • Gently squeeze out excess water with a clean towel.
    • Reshape the bristles while damp.
  • Dry brushes with bristles facing down — use a brush rack or prop them at an angle to keep water out of the ferrule (I like to use a towel that I have rolled one side up to create a slope) or flat (but downward is better).
    • Space them out so air can circulate around each brush.
  • Let them air dry completely before storing or using again.

EcoTools Makeup Cleaner For Brushes, Brush and Sponge Cleansing Shampoo

Ingredients: WATER (AQUA, EAU), DECYL GLUCOSIDE, SODIUM LAURYL SULFOACETATE, LAURYL GLUCOSIDE, GLYCERIN, PHENOXYETHANOL, SODIUM PHYTATE, CITRIC ACID, POTASSIUM SORBATE
Ok, on to the review. I have tried a lot of cleaners, and this one is really nice. It foamed up a bit, but not too much. The products on my brushes cleaned up with little effort, and they rinsed quite easily. In the end, I needed much less product than I usually do to clean my brushes, which was fantastic, because cleaner brushes with less product means less rinsing and scrubbing.

I also found it really great at getting my sponges clean. I often struggle to get foundation out of sponges, but it made the job slightly better, which is a win for me.

The formula is Fragrance-Free, Vegan, and free of parabens, phthalates, sulphates, and petroleum-based ingredients.

My brushes felt great once they dried., I have tried other shampoos (the very famous baby one) that left any natural brushes I had feeling dry.
Pros:
  • Cleans brushes well
  • Rinses well
  • Fragrance-free
  • Uses less product
  • Under $20 CAD
Cons: 
  • None
Overall:

I have countless brushes in my possession. I tend to use them and put them aside to be cleaned and wait until my pile is a gigantic bin full (seriously, I have not counted my brushes, but I suspect I have over 300 of them). All this means I have cleaned a lot of brushes in my day, and I still hate it, but a good cleaner makes it quicker and easier to do while keeping your brushes in the best shape possible, and that is exactly what this shampoo does.

Ecotools products can be found in Canada at Walmart and Amazon.ca
*This product was provided for review; all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!
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The last few weeks, a lot of time has been spent on the patio, in the pool or just outside in general. Which can only mean one thing...SUNSCREEN! Specifically, I get to try out a new sunscreen.

My mother-in-law just wrapped up a two-week visit with us. She loves to sit on our patio, which we just gave a mini makeover. Power washed the stones, new lights, new furniture and a new BBQ. It is all quite nice. But with all this time outside, I thought it was the perfect time to try out some new Blue Lizard Sunscreens.

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 50

Protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays with Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Spray. Developed specifically for sensitive skin, this easy-to-apply spray dries clear and is enriched with soothing organic Aloe. It offers mineral sun protection and 80 minutes of water resistance without fragrances or harsh chemical active ingredients that might irritate your skin.
Now my mother-in-law is really sensitive to skincare, specifically fragrance, even on other people, which is why I tried out Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 first. I love the cream version of this, but was really excited to try out a mineral spray SPF without common irritants.

The spray is even, went on really nicely, and when rubbed into my skin felt smooth, soft and hydrated, just like if I applied a spray lotion. It took maybe 15 minutes to fully dry down, but my skin felt nice all day.

The initial application goes on a bit white, but blends into the skin easily and without a white cast. Compared to other spray mineral sunscreens I have used, it feels softer on the skin with far less white cast. I think the addition of aloe vera really makes it feel soft on the skin without being heavy or greasy.

Pros:

  • High SPF mineral-based spray sunscreen
  • Fine Spray
  • No white cast/ dries clear
  • Leaves skin soft and hydrated
  • Fragrance Free
  • Reef Safe
  • No titanium dioxide, Oxybenzone or Octinoxate

Cons: 

  • Took 15 mins to dry down, but not really a big deal
Overall: This is a love. I would buy this every time I wanted a new sunscreen in a spray. I went on easily, didn't feel greasy, and it had no white cast. I did a fantastic job when I went swimming of protecting my skin for the advertised 80 minutes of water resistance, and reapplying was easy as well.

Blue Lizard Sport Mineral SPF 50 Spray

Blue Lizard Sport Mineral SPF 50 Spray offers broad-spectrum protection, ideal for athletes. This easy-to-apply spray dries clear and is enriched with skin-energizing Electrolytes. It provides maximum water resistance (80 minutes). Vegan, fragrance-free, paraben free and free from chemical sunscreen active ingredients.
With me loving the Sensitive version, I could not wait to try the Sport spray. I do like their sport cream version, last year I used it while swimming at pool parties, and I held up really well.

This spray went on just as clear as the Sensitive version, so that was a great start. The texture on my skin was a little different. I expected it to feel dry when applied, but it felt a bit more hydrating and almost greasier than expected. I realized at this point, Blue Lizard's idea of a sport sunscreen is long-lasting, but not that dry feeling other brands have. It lasted all day at a pool party, with me sweating, swimming and sitting around. It worked incredibly well.

Pros:

  • High SPF mineral-based spray sunscreen
  • Fine Spray
  • No white cast/ dries clear
  • Leaves skin soft and hydrated
  • Fragrance Free
  • Reef Safe
  • No titanium dioxide, Oxybenzone or Octinoxate

Cons: 

  • Took 15 minutes to dry down and felt a little heavier on the skin.

Overall: I really like this version and would gladly buy it when I run out. I just like the sensitive a bit more (like a lot vs. love). It held up at the pool and heat, was easy to reapply, but I like the feeling of the other one better.

Blue Lizard Mineral SPF 15 Lip Balm

Nourish and protect your lips from the sun with Blue Lizard Mineral SPF 15 Lip Balm. This vegan lip balm with a natural coconut flavor offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and moisturizes with 8 natural oils.
I have never really loved SPF lip balms, but this one impressed me. It felt and tasted like a regular lip balm, which was great.

It has Vitamin C as well as 8 oils in it (shea, coconut, soybean, sunflower, tea tree, olive, avocado, sweet almond, and jojoba) to help hydrate lips and keep them feeling soft and smooth. It has a mild coconut flavour without having added fragrances to it.

Pros:

  • 8 oils to hydrate lips
  • Feels nice on the lips
  • Light coconut scent
  • Fragrance Free
  • Reef Safe
  • No titanium dioxide, Oxybenzone or Octinoxate

Cons: 

  • Only SPF 15, I wish it were higher.
Overall: Great lip balm, feels great on the lips, and it has SPF to it, so it is all together great. No complaints, just a good product.

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Stick

Powerful mineral sun protection is just one swipe away with Blue Lizard Sensitive Sunscreen Stick. This Zinc Oxide-based SPF 50 formula was designed with sensitive skin in mind. It glides on easily, rubs in clear, and dries smooth. Throw it into your bag, backpack, or pocket for on-the-go broad-spectrum protection. This sunscreen stick is formulated with 100% mineral active ingredients. It is vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free, and free from potentially harsh chemical sunscreen active ingredients that might irritate sensitive skin. Pocket-sized and TSA-friendly, this is the perfect travel companion to our sunscreen lotions.
I reviewed this last year, and newsflash, I loved it then and I love it now. The only change is the packaging's look.

I love how convent it is to have this stick with me for touchups, it feels great, and it gets my hubby to use his sunscreen. I still like it as a lip balm, but it is great for any place I want to get coverage.
Pros:

  • Convenient stick format
  • SPF 50
  • Fragrance Free
  • Reef Safe
  • No titanium dioxide, Oxybenzone or Octinoxate

Cons: 

  • None!
Overall: This remains my favourite sun protectant lip product. It is fantastic to swipe on the lips and get a good amount of protection. The creamy formula is also great for the face, and my dry skin just loves it. Perfect for touch-ups, too.
So what do I think of all the items I got to try out? They are excellent, and I am going to continue to use them until there is no more, then I will rebuy the Sensitive spray and the stick at the very least. 
Blue Lizard has proven to me time and again that their products work and they work well. I had a few people message me on Instagram when I posted about their Sensitive Spray saying how much they too loved it, which made me feel great that I was not alone in this opinion. 

You can pick up Blue Lizard products at Well.ca, Rexall, Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs,  and Amazon.ca.
*Some products featured were kindly provided for review. All opinions expressed are completely my own. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting my blog!
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Spring came and went, and I started this post a month ago and got distracted/stuck. So with that, here are the things I really enjoyed during the spring months.

Conair Double Ceramic Thermal Round Brush*

I picked this up at the end of March and fell in love with it on the first try. My hair has been less than put together the last while, and frankly, I feel frumpy. I got this and instantly have been able to style my hair better and make second or third day hair look like something other than bedhead.

I can give my hair a little flip on the ends, I can de-frizz the messy waves that developed overnight, and I can make air-dried hair look polished. 

I really enjoy how easy it is to use, and the fact that it was only $35 was a real selling point. I cannot believe I was looking at ones that were $200 when this one was available at such a good price point.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

I picked some Embryolisse up last year as one of the products for my Vintage Vanity project (which I promise I will get back to), and left it untouched. At the end of March, my skin got very irritated and red. It was bad. As part of my repair routine, I started to use Embryolise. It felt great and smelled amazing. A month back, I got a mini tube in a Shoppers' charity bag, so that one lives in my purse now.

It is a very soothing cream, and I can see why it has been loved since the 1950s.

L'occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream*

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A post shared by Jill Oliver-Fox - Blogger (@beautyvixenca)

I got this a while back from Butterly to try out. L'occitane has never let me down, and this cream is no exception. It is rich and thick and essentially a 25% Shea Butter cream that is as thick as a Body Butter. It hydrates my skin when dry and cracked, it soothes when it is red and irritated, and it feels nice every time I use it. Best part is I need so little, and it now has a recyclable insert for clean swapping when it is used up. 

I like eco packaging ideas, but I know people won't actually rinse and sterilize their containers before refilling properly, and the swap-it-out method, I think, is a great idea. 

Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick 50+ SPF*

It wouldn't be spring without me using a lot of SPF.  While I have a big bin full of face ones I love to use, Shiseido's clear stick has won me over for on-the-go use.

I got this stick at the Shisheido warehouse sale last winter and again at the Lisa Cosmetics sale this spring. I keep it in my purse and use it for touchups daily. I really enjoy the formula, texture and the fact that it won't leak in my bag. It makes touching up my sunscreen so easy, and it feels nicer than any stick I have used before, and it is completely clear, so no mirror is required.

YSL Make Me Blush*-

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A post shared by Jill Oliver-Fox - Blogger (@beautyvixenca)

This one might not be a shock to anyone. I have not stopped talking about the YSL Candy Glow Tinted Butter Balms or Loveshine Lip Oil Sticks all year long, particularly shade 44. Well, now that I have the blush, I am even more in love. Why can't all blushes blend this well and make me feel this great? Did I also mention I have shade 44 in the cream blush, and that it, too, is fantastic?

Ok, do I love the blush or do I just love shade 44 (Nude Lavalliere)? I think both. The blush looks fantastic on my skin, blends well and is just the right amount of pigment I want. If I want more, layer it with the cream blush. I also have the perfect match for my lips with the butter and oil, so it makes for a really easy wear. 

If you are looking for a new blush, I highly suggest you look at these, because they are really nice.         
So there you go, 5 things I really loved this past spring. Is there anything you've been loving?

* denotes affiliate link, which may earn me a small commission. - denotes a product I received in exchange for an honest review.

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Feet are incredibly important in our daily lives; they support us and take a beating every day. Yet they almost seem forgotten in our self-care routines. Last year, I vowed to be better on my feet, and this year, I am supporting that goal with Flexitol products.

Flexitol Foot Odour Powder Spray*

For about a decade now, I have been using spray anti-perspirant on my feet in the summertime to prevent stinky feet and to prevent excessive sweating. I am known for ruining flats by wearing them after a day of work, and without socks to soak some of that moisture, and the shoes get permanently stinky (like I have had comments on it, they smell). So the spray prevents all that from happening and keeps my feet fresh.

The fact that I had to use my arm pit anti-persperant always kind of sucked. I found a few deodorants for feet, but they were just very smelly perfumes that did nothing for the sweat that happened.
This is where Flexitol comes into play; their Foot Odour Powder Spray is an antiperspirant for your feet. It not only makes them smell great (in a non-flowery way) but also stops excessive sweating down there. The spray is also pretty strong and wide, which is great because not everyone can twist and turn to get their feet up where they need them for an accurate spray.

It kills odours on contact, works for 24 hours, and absorbs wetness. It is fantastic.

Flexitol Heel Magic

I get cracked heels. It started happening a few years back, and now it happens more often than I would like to admit. Heel Magic is just like magic because after just a few days, cracked heels look so much better.
I also get strange tears on my feet as I swim more in my condo's pool every summer. I think the concrete floor just rips it up so fast, especially on my big toe and the ball of my Heel. I started using Heel Magic to help, and it really got my feet on the right path so quickly. I still need to be careful in the pool, but it isn't weeks recovery anymore. 

The stick makes for easy application, and the Shea, Olive, and Coconut oils hydrate to help repair and smooth out the skin. 

I like to use it wherever I get calluses, not just my cracked heels.

Flexitol Anti-Fungal Liquid & Medicated Anti-Fungal Cream*

Now, foot fungus isn't something I've had to deal with much (I'm fortunate), but my husband goes to the gym and plays hockey several times a week, as well as works on his feet. So he's pretty prone to athlete's foot. In the past, he's tried sprays, and he found them extremely messy and not super effective for spot treating areas. 

The liquid is perfect for treating a small area, under toenails, between toes and one toenail. The cream is great for all-over treatment and relief. 
The lotion contains Tolnaftate (1%), 15% urea, menthol, and aloe the soothing benefits of menthol and aloe. A combo that helps both kill fungus and keep feet soft.
The liquid contains 25% Undecylenic Acid (which is the maximum strength without a prescription), Urea, Aloe, Vitamin E, Tea Tree, and Eucalyptus Oils. It can kill fungus on the skin but also on the nail, so it can be applied on, under, and around the nail to help combat fungus growth. It's non-greasy, so it's really great for spot treating between the toes and on the nails. 

I plan on swimming in my condo's pool all summer long, so I am glad to have this on hand if things start to get a little itchy or look scaly.
Overall, I really have enjoyed trying these products out. I'm ecstatic to have found an upgrade with the Foot Odour Spray. It works so much better than what I was using and makes me feel a lot more confident during this season. The Heel Magic is a staple in my life. My feet stay soft and smooth and look great with little effort and no grease. The anti-fungal products have been great for the hubs, and I'm glad to have them around, just in case. 

My must-buy items are the Foot Odour Spray and Heel Magic; I don't think I can manage without them.

*All products were sent for review purposes, and all views and opinions are my own. Links are affiliate, I may make a small commission I'd you make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my blog. 
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About Me

Jill Oliver-Fox is a Toronto based beauty blogger with a love for beauty, food, and pets. She began the blog in 2009 and hasn't stopped since. To read more about Jill and the Blog, click here.

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