Tessa x NIVEA Skincare Reviews (Care Cream, MicellAIR Micellar Water)

NIVEA is stepping up their game with these new products so I'm not surprised these are some of "Tessa Virtue's skincare favourites" #TessasFavourites #TessaxNIVEA! Spoiler alert: Ms. Virtue continues to do no wrong because I ended up loving these products as well. Continue reading to find out what these products are, and for my reviews.

NIVEA Nourishing Care Cream, $12.40, 400ml
I’ve tried the original Nivea Moisturizing Crème way back and remember it being too thick for my liking, so I was worried about that also being an issue with this variety. To my surprise, this new NIVEA cream is actually really nice because it hydrating and nourishing but not greasy - don't let the fact that it comes in a tub (which is what I think is typically associated with thicker body creams like body butters) scare you. I love the matte packaging, and that it comes in a tub so you can really get in there and scoop out as much product as needed, though I find a little goes a long way.  This cream is fast absorbing and pretty lightweight so I had no qualms reaching for it this summer, but because of how moisturizing and nourishing it is, I can also see myself using this well into the fall and winter.

NIVEA MicellAIR Micellar Water Dry and Sensitive Skin, $9.29, 400ml
NIVEA's new micellar water line claims to be a 3-in-1 product that removes makeup, cleanses the skin, and refreshes it. I like to double cleanse when I wear heavier makeup so micellar water isn't the something I reach for on those days, but they are excellent for my light/no-makeup makeup days and/or perfect for lazy nights. With the NIVEA MicellAIR Micellar Water for Dry and Sensitive Skin, I can do all 3 steps in a few swipes with this product. It doesn't dry my skin out, and I don’t have to worry about the residual product causing me to break out. It is gentle but effective at removing makeup, and it is affordable (sold at drugstores!) which is basically all I look for in a micellar water. If you want to try micellar waters, this Nivea line is a good place to start.

XO Jenn

I received both products free for testing purposes but as always, reviews are honest and opinions are of my own.

*post contains affil

Drugstore Haul (Spring Empties Follow Up)

This shopping trip was well needed to replace most of the "necessities" that I have used up (see previous posts). Some stuff were extra but nevertheless, justifiable. Most of these items were purchased at Walmart with an exception to a couple things that were purchased from London Drugs.

Goody Classics Mini Claw Clips - I love these mini claw clips and must have them with me at all times. Needless to say, I break these easily and even though I can do with one missing claw, it always bothers me, I don't know why. I am glad that Walmart had these again (for a period of time, I couldn't find them anywhere or they were too expensive). This pack costs $4 CAD and comes with 9 clips.

Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil - The two organic lip balms that I finished up  during last semester left me wanting something more exciting. While people may not think Burt's Bee is exciting, I was really looking forward to trying their lip balms because I have never done so. London Drugs was having a Buy 1 Get 1 promo on this duo pack so I decided that it was a sign for me to finally try them. Of course, I get tired easily and need something new so I am not anticipating that I will use all four chapsticks by myself, unless they're life changing - which I am doubtful.

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Face Powder in Translucent Light - I've gone through 2 Dream Matte Powders (by Maybelline) and so I was ready for a change. I decided to try this powder because it had good reviews (on MakeupAlley) and because it is made by PF, I thought it would have good ingredients. Though I have never really tried PF products before (because it is quite pricey for a drugstore brand) but I was under the assumption that they had this kind of a philosphy. However, this product contains parabens (as does the Dream Matte powders), but every powder that I have looked at (that are also affordable/from the drugstores) contains some kind of paraben so I guess I will have to live with it. I also wanted to try Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder but that does not come with a puff or a mirror. The puff and the mirror is essential for me in a pressed powder because it's the one face product that I am most likely to bring with me so I want it to have dual-function.

Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman Expert Face Brush - I got overly excited when I saw that London Drugs now carries the individual brushes (both LD and Walmart initially only carried the collection sets). We all know that I do not need anymore brushes, especially buffing/synthethic foundation brushes because not only do I have my Sigma brushes waiting for me to use but also because I don't even wear foundation on a day to day basis - though I have recently been longing to buy a new foundation. I guess this was a sign of my itch to start wearing foundation again.

Aveeno Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer - This was crazy expensive for a drugstore moisturizer but because I have been breaking out for some unknown reason, I wanted a moisturizer that would help with my breakouts. This moisturizer has salicylic acid in it.

Plus White 5 Minute Speed Whitening System - Trying a new whitening system/impulse buy (I was initially going to buy Crest Whitestrips but this was on sale so I took that as a sign...)

XO Jenny

Drugstore (Covergirl, Burt's Bee, Sally Hansen, now solutions) Haul

Here is another drugstore haul - I made this specific haul on Well.ca. They had all their nail supplies on sale so I took this opportunity to pick of some things that were on my list, particularly the Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream.

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream - I have really dry cuticles and for the longest time, I didn't really do anything to them but recently, I decided it is about time I managed them if I wanted my manicure to look its best. This product was certainly a no-brainer for me as I've heard a lot about this in the past. Not to mention, this is easily accessible at the drugstores, for a reasonable price, is natural, smells great and supposably works great! I have already gave this a shot and I love it so far! A full review will be on its way.

Sally Hansen Double Duty Base & Top Coat 

Sally Hansen Double Duty Base & Top Coat - I have mixed experiences with Sally Hansen products but since I was in desperate need for a top coat and a base coat, I chose this because this product supposedly kills two birds with one stone. The 'strengthening' property is an added bonus.

NOW Foods Coconut Oil

NOW Foods Coconut Oil - I love Coconut Oil for all sort of things - it's a great moisturizer but I really love it for my hair, so when this was on sale, I picked a back up. Apparently, this one does not have the coconut smell - which is great because although I never really mind the smell, I would prefer to be able to use it and not have people ask, "do I smell coconut?" etc. etc.

CoverGirl Lashblast Volume Blasting Waterproof Mascara

CoverGirl Lashblast Volume Blasting Waterproof Mascara - I decided to pick this up again because since it is a stellar waterproof mascara - ie. it does not budge at all! - it would be perfect for the summer months to prevent smudges and racoon eyes.

That is for my small haul - hope you guys enjoyed it! 

XO Nicole

Personal Care (Drugstore) Haul

Perhaps this is a boring haul but it’s a haul nevertheless :) I was running out of some essentials so a trip to the drugstore was necessary. I must say as well, that I did manage to not stray from what I needed, although three different shampoos may be considered a little excessive but what can I say? We need to shampoo and I like switching them up! Not to mention, they were on sale too! :)

Colgate Optic White toothpaste - these bad boys were on sale so I picked up a few (Even though I only show two here in the photos). This is my favourite toothpaste; aside from the packaging (which I love - it’s red!), I find that this really helps whiten my teeth, which I have never found to be true even for toothpaste that claims to do so. This has to be accredited to the fact that it“has the same whitening ingredients as strips.”

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes - I’ve received a sample packet of these wipes in my June Glossybox and fell in love. While I haven’t tried many makeup removing wipes, I thoroughly enjoyed this one, so I decided to pick up a full size package for everyday use!


Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Comfort Cream - I needed a hydrating moisturizer even though it is the summer season. It is acutally because of the summer season that I purchased this. More skin showing = more luscious and supple skin needed (lol).

AVEENO NOURISH+ MOISTURIZE Shampoo and Conditioner - I have read a lot of good reviews on this shampoo so I had to pick it up when I saw that it was on sale. Had this not been on sale, I would have never purchased this as the regular price of this is rather expensive for a drugstore shampoo (~$11CDN for a bottle). I’ve always liked Aveeno skincare products, and I love the fact that this line uses natural products like “Nourishing Wheat Complex and Hydrating Oat Protein”.

I have tried organix’s brazilian keratin therapy shampoo and conditioner and loved it - especially the scent so when this was on sale as well, I picked up two other shampoos to try. I loved that organic is paraben free and really natural. With macadamia oil being all the rave for hair and skin, I couldn’t pass this one up. The shea butter line also seemed promising for smoothing and nourishing the hair (which is my main concern) so I threw this one in the basket as well.

XO Nicole

Drugstore (Essie - A Crewed Intestert, Prestige, L'Oreal) Haul

I recently dropped by the drugstore to pick up some “essentials”. I had finished using my Maybelline Illegal Lengths mascara and needed a new lengthing one. I had read a lot of good reviews (4.3/5 on Makeupalley!) on the Prestige My Longest Lashes Mascara so this was the mascara was the way to go to replace my beloved Maybelline one. Both retail around the same price.

Essie, A Crewed Interest

Essie’s “A Crewed Interest” had been all the talk recently and being someone who loves neutral nails, I thought this would be great in my collection because it looked neutral enough but also had a more summer/spring vibe to it due to the brighter tone compared to my usual, beige-y, neutral selections.

L'Oreal Colour Riche One Stop Base Coat

Now this L'Oreal Colour Riche One Stop Base Coat was an accidental purchase. I was actually intending on purchasing a new TOP coat but grabbed the wrong one! Instead of a new top coat, I ended up with this weird blue base coat (which doesn’t actually translate blue when painted on your nails - a full review to come soon?)

This was my mini drugstore haul! Let me know what you guys think of these products if you have tried them out !

XO Nicole

Drugstore Beauty (feat. Soap and Glory, Revlon, Garnier & more..) Photos, Swatches and Review

Most of these items purchased are kind of random because I was mostly running errands today and dropping by places that were on the way.

Anyway, as I mentioned, now that I am free to shop, there will be more haul posts, though I am way past overdue on some reviews and swatches!

Revlon Lip Butters (Creme Brulee, Cotton Candy) - Yes, I finally found the famous Revlon Lip Butters! Well, to be honest, they weren’t hard to find (ie. SDM, Well.ca, Rexall..) but they were still quite expensive for a drugstore lip butter so I kept putting them off until I saw that they were only $7 at Rexall. That is the cheapest I’ve seen them and they were on sale from $9.99. I picked up two, Creme Brulee for me and Cotton Candy for my sister (a stocking stuffer!) - I will do a review post for my creme brulee soon!

Quo Blending Brush - Purchased this as a stocking stuffer as well! I own a few Quo brushes and they are pretty good so I thought this will do. I got this at 40% off so it was only $7.80.

Soap and Glory - Flake Away Spa Body Polish - I got this as a gift as well. It was only sale for $15.99!

Almay Oil Free Makeup Eraser Sticks - I did not know about these until juicystar07 mentioned them and I was on the lookout for them ever since. These are so useful for touchups and especially since my eyeliner keeps smudging, Even though it was quite pricey for 24 q-tips ($3.99 on sale), I am saving this for emergency

Maybelline Color Sensational - Born With It
Garnier Nutrisse Hair Color

XO Nicole