Beauty | N15 Salon Toronto NEW Location Bay & Dundas Highlight Review

17:00 Jayyangg 1 Comments

N15 has been my go-to salon for years since they opened. I've been there for a number of reasons such as Highlight and Cut (Junji - at Bay and College), and Highlight and Cut (Tai - Bay and Dundas) and also lash extensions. Their original location was College and Bay but recently as of November 2018, they opened a second location at Dundas and Bay! This new location moved some of the previous staff such as Tai, over. This busy salon has a number of more seats and very gorgeous decor. 
The staff is super kind and the hair stylist will usually do a consultation for 10 minutes to understand what you're looking for, what are your daily habits and how much time do you typically have/spend on hair. I really love this part because it really feels like they're trying to understand what I want, and also what may be best for me given my current hair condition, time constraint, budget, etc. 
Tai previously studied under Guy Tang and that piqued my interest on my first appointment with him a year or so back (Read it here!). Jesse the owner kindly offered if I wanted a touch up on my hair (yes please!) and take a look at the new location. 
Their new location is a dream! Like their first location, they have great taste in decor :) 
Gorgeous marble counters, Dyson hair dryer, and large circular gold mirrors. Wish I could bring this all back home haha! They even have these little marble trays to take off any jewelry to avoid damaging them with hair dyes.  
Tai did my highlights before and he's super funny and very hair smart (follow him @tai.is.that.guy) He's also very realistic which I'm very appreciative of. He'll usually ask how prepared you are to maintain your hair and also take a look at the condition of your hair. Dying your hair requires time and commitment such as if you go blonde 1. Can your hair physically stand the bleach, 2. Are you willing to keep it not brassy by using a silver/purple shampoo? All color will fade, and especially with Instagram, we have this unrealistic expectation for it. You can also follow #hairfactbytai to learn tips, what's true and what are myths when it comes to hair! 
Before
1. Highlights don't start from the top of my head
2. Lots of grow out, the last session was 4 months ago! 
3. Long and outgrown hair

Tai confirmed that he was going to first dye my roots to match the rest of my head, add more highlights/blend the old ones back in, and lastly, trim my hair. 
After
Here is a photo we took immediately after the session. With my hair curled you can really see the highlights and how natural they just melt into my hair. Additionally, you can see that he evened out my root grow-out. I find highlights easy to maintain and less damaging than bleaching my entire head! I maintain my highlights with Matrix's Total Results Brass Off Shampoo and mask which is blue! Blue is supposed to cancel out orange which is more suitable for Asian hair that turns orange/red over time once bleached.
The entire session took 3 hours and a bit.

 The price for highlights/color dye is very reasonable but of course still on the pricier side. However, I definitely feel that it's especially worth it when it comes to highlights, balayage, ombre where the technique and expertise of the hair stylist is crucial! I've recommended a few people to N15 and to Tai and they've all become long-term customers!

This is my first sponsored session and usually, I am a repeat customer regularly, so I definitely recommend N15, especially Tai :) 

Find them at: 

N15: 
http://www.n15salon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/n15hairsalon/?ref=py_c
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/n15hair/
https://www.instagram.com/Tai.is.that.guy
North of Bay and College street (Toronto, ON)
North of Bay and Dundas Street (NEW)

1 comments:

Makeup | Lancôme NEW Spring 2019 LE MONOCHROMATIQUE Blush Swatches & Review

21:59 Jayyangg 1 Comments

Lancôme Le Monochromatique

Price: $30/per 

Lancome launches their NEW spring 2019 the new multitasking product - LE MONOCHROMATIQUE. Keep reading for the full review and swatches of all 10 shades.
Price: $30 per

Thank you Lancome for sending these to me for Review purposes, all thoughts are unbiased and my own opinion :) 
WHY YOU'LL LOVE ITA unique cream-to-powder tint that can be applied all over the face – eyes, cheeks, and lips. This cushiony, soft texture glides seamlessly onto skin providing a subtle flush of color or a buildable rush of color! 
BENEFITS• Fragrance-free• Oil-free• Lightweight feel on skin• Contains Vitamin E• Suitable for all skin types• Soft mate finish 
DIFFERENCEThis oil-free flush of color was curated for the woman who wants an effortless makeup application and look! Available in 10 buildable shades – play in the monochromatic trend or spice it up and mix & match your favorite shades! Just a quick swipe on the eyes, touch on the cheeks and kiss on the lips, and you’re ready to go! 
They claim that it's great for the whole face - Eyes, Cheeks and Lips. You can apply it to all 3 for a monochromatic look.
The texture of the product is SUPER buttery, blends really easily into the skin. The texture is actually similar to butter, in the sense that it feels a bit solid at first but as you rub it, it just melts into your fingers and skin. At first, I wasn't sure what was the best way to apply this, but I believe on the cheeks, a brush surprisingly works really well and blends the product perfectly into my skin. For my eyes, I do prefer to use my fingers. The products can blend out to be quite sheer but layer nicely for added intensity.
My favourite colours are Haut Couture, Ooh Lala, French Affair, and Soiree.
My only con about this product is that I don't feel like it acts as a great lip product as it kind of appears chalky.
It lasts all day on my cheeks and wears really well! 

Rating: 8/10

1 comments:

Makeup | Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation Shade 320 Bisque W

16:41 Jayyangg 1 Comments













Price: $58 CAD

Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation is an iconic foundation on the same level as Estee Lauder's Double Wear. I've heard so many people speak about this foundation and everyone has been loving it! However, for whatever reason, I just never got around to testing it! Luckily for me, Lancome offered me the opportunity to give the foundation a try in the celebration of their new shade expansion. Teint Idole Ultra Wear is now available in 45 shades, which is fantastic! Personally, I got sent shade 320 Bisque W (warm), which is a PERFECT match for those who are NC30 - Light-Medium Warm Undertones. 

It claims to be: 
WHY YOU'LL LOVE ITAn oil free, long wearing, natural matte foundation that creates a velvety-smooth complexion for up to 24 hours. Available in 45 medium to full coverage, buildable shades. 
COVERAGE: Full 
FINISH: Velvety Matte Finish (no powdery effect) 
IDEAL FOR✔ Acne Prone Skin✔ Combination Skin✔ Dry Skin✔ Oily Skin✔ Mature Skin 
BENEFITS• Oil free, long wearing, natural matte foundation for up to 24 hours• SPF 15 protection• Formulated with color-true NAI pigments, to maintains skin’s pH level for long lasting coverage without caking or creasing• Infused with perlite and silica to absorb excessive oils 
FORMULA FACTS• Oil-Free, Transfer-Resistant and Fragrance-Fee• Tested on Sensitive Skin• Tested under Dermatological Control and Non-Comedogenic 


Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation Shade 320 Bisque W swatched




















As you can see here, the foundation covered up all my redness. I would say it is a very light consistency and medium-buildable foundation. Because it is so light and buildable, it doesn't look cakey for me. They describe it as a velvety matte finish, and for me, the finish is matte, but not flat!
I usually stay away from long wear foundations as I find it drying on my combination-oily skin, however, the Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear was surprisingly not drying even after wearing it all day! Usually, with the Estee Lauder Double Wear, the foundation lasts well, but it leaves my skin looking dry and dehydrated. Additionally, Double Wear can look cakey if I am not careful when applying.
Lancome Teint Idole lasted 5 hours on me before I had to blot, and lasted all day beautifully.

Although I only tested it on my skin, it did not cling to any dry patches I had and I would recommend this to people who have combination dry, normal to oily skin. 
I definitely understand why people rave about this iconic foundation! It definitely is a strong all-around foundation that you cannot go wrong with. Probably one of the best all-round foundations, or best foundation for combination oily skin!

Rating: 8.5/10

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