HIIT at Fit36

Holy SMOKES as much as I hate to admit, it’s been a long long time since I did anything quite like this. Guys, I’ve told you before — I miss going to CrossFit so much but it’s too expensive down here for the gym membership and I’m not willing to fork out that kind of dough anymore. So for the past 3 years of living here in California I’ve been doing my own thing, lacking structure and not entirely sure what I’m doing with my workouts anymore. I don’t sweat like I used to.

welcome-spiffykermsFit36 reached out to me and mentioned they will be opening a high intensity interval training / HIIT studio in Cupertino and invited me to try them out. Since I knew my pal Lauren likes these types of workouts too, I suggested they reach out to her as well.

workout-outfitI regret wearing an athletic JACKET to workout in.

The studio literally just opened up, and late October is when I went to check it all out. First dibs! Ha!

Fit36-CupertinoAs much as I thought it was going to be similar to a CrossFit workout — it kinda reminded me of it. You know those days at CrossFit when it’s all about a HIIT cardio workout? Well, that’s the way Fit36 is all the time. Lol. To be honest though, I love a structured workout class that is always changing, like CrossFit or Fit36. I was never a huge fan of going to the gym by myself and not really knowing what I was doing. I miss the small class atmosphere. I do miss my CrossFit classes though. I attended a gym in Canada for close to 4 years! It’s just really expensive down here and I don’t have the budget for it.

purple-faceThe crazy intense workouts that make you sweat buckets (you can prob tell. Due to my purple-sweat-face… sorry! Lol). The hard work everyone puts in and cheers one another on. It really is a community. Although only been to one Fit36 class, I can already tell I love the style of the class.

Calories-burnedBasically the jist of it all is a 36 minute workout (hence the name Fit36, right?). There’s 12 stations set up and you do the entire 12 stations twice in those 36 minutes (60 seconds on, 30 seconds rest). You’re wearing a heart rate monitor too, which is pushed up on the big screen as is everyone elses. That alone will motivate you between those strength workouts and cardio intervals. And if you’re afraid you’re not bold enough to try something like this, everyone there is all sorts of ages, all different sizes. Any workout can be modified and trainers are always around to make sure you’re performing correctly to get that total body workout in.

Fit36And if you’re worried you’ll get bored of it? Ya won’t! Because the workout is on a cycle and it changes entirely every two weeks (with 2 workouts to choose from in those 2 weeks). So, you keep making progress on that bod of yours.

UGH I’m stoked. Sign ME up.

Disclaimer: I received a free class courtesy of Fit36 to try out their studios.
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Dabbling into Natural Skincare

Since I’m still on the hunt of what is causing my hives (I’ve had them daily since July 2015) I haven’t ventured out of my regular realm of skincare, because I knew what worked for me and I stuck to it. I used those products years before my hives ever appeared.

I’ve always been cautious of using different skincare brands hence why I’ve mainly stuck to reviewing makeup over skincare. You guys know what my holy grail skincare products are, if you’ve been reading here for any length of time (philosophy hope in a jar moisturizer, and bobbi brown extra eye repair cream). Those are the front runners for the past 4+ years.

But over the course of the past year, I’ve been interested in dabbling into natural skincare. Products that have better ingredients for your skin — maybe my skin really needs a break?

I reached out to a few natural skincare brands that I spotted on Instagram and I wanted to give them a try. They’re around the same price range I’ve been paying for my not-so natural skincare brand I’ve been loyal to for the past few years.

Osea-trio

Indie-Lee-trioIntroducing OSEA and Indie Lee, two different natural skincare companies that I’ve been trying out since September.

OSEA is a family run business that has been on the go since 1996. They make pure, vegan, organic seaweed skin & beauty products. The story behind the OSEA is incredible, read here!

In 2008, Indie was diagnosed with a brain tumour that changed her life forever. Indie’s story is incredible. You gotta read it.

It makes ME think — what am I using on my skin that’s making my skin act up the way it is. To a newbie like myself with reading skincare/makeup label ingredients Indie Lee’s website has a learning section about the good ingredients, and bad ingredients on what to watch out for, it’s quite helpful and eye opening.

Indie-Lee-ClearingWhen Indie Lee’s parcel first arrived at my doorstep I immediately busted out the clearing mask (see? I tweeted it!) and applied it onto my skin after a run and post shower. This mask is going to last me a long time seeing as I’ll only be applying it to the places on my face that need extra attention and clearing out. Indie herself told me she gets like 30 masks out of it! On their website it says 15-20, but I’ve used it about 4-5x and there’s definitely no significant dent into the product just yet. Perhaps I’ll get the same amount of treatments out of this 1.7oz jar, too. Crossing my fingers!

Due to my weekly-self tan routine I notice that my pores get clogged with tanner (it’s gross, I know) and need a little extra love when prepping my skin for the next week of darkness (lol). I’m happy to report back that the cleansing mask didn’t get all tight on my face but it did the job at literally clearing my face (I notice some build up around the nose area).

Indie-Lee-body-lotionThe Indie Lee Unscented Body Lotion will be great for me when my skin is acting up (unscented, and natural!) but I wish it was a bit thicker in consistency.

Indie-Lee-RosehipI don’t ever want this Rosehip Cleanser to be used up! It smells amazing, it’s a gentle gel-like makeup remover. I don’t like anything that’ll strip my skin, and this works similar to my philosophy purity cleanser (except that one is more of a cream-based).

Shop the products:

01 – Indie Lee | Clearing Mask $60 USD
02 – Indie Lee | Unscented Body Lotion $22 USD
03 – Indie Lee | Rosehip Cleanser $32 USD

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04 – OSEA | Ocean Cleansing Milk $48 USD
05 – OSEA | Atmosphere Protection Cream $48 USD
06 – OSEA | Sea Vitamin Boost $38 USD

Osea-CleansingOSEA Ocean Cleansing Milk:  I’ve always been a fan of soothing cleansers for removing my makeup, this is similar to the Indie Lee one I mentioned above, it’s gorgeous. Creamy, soothing, fragrance-free, anti-aging cleanser for sensitive skin and is great for rosacea and eczema. Key ingredients are DPHP (firms and restores elasticity), Water Lilly Extracts (soothes redness and irritation), and Rose Flower Wax and Cassie Flower Wax (for deep hydration).
Osea-Atmosphere-ProtectionOSEA Atmosphere Protection Cream: After I cleanse my skin, regardless of if I’m wearing makeup after, I apply this lightweight moisturizer over my face, but don’t forget to applyit onto your neck and upper chest! You want to protect those delicate parts of your body from the sun, too. This moisturizer looks beautiful under your makeup, too.
 
Osea-Sea-VitaminOSEA Sea Vitamin Boost:  Mists are a must when living in California. Most days the sun is blaring down and it’s pretty warm out. I actually have been keeping this Sea Vitamin Boost on my desk side, and I even apply it on my husband, hehe! It’s really hydrating and soothing on the skin. You can even use it as a makup setting spray. Made with USDA Certified Organic Gigartina Algae, which boosts immune response and has been found effective for skin ailments such as psoriasis, and eczema. Pomegranate Extract and Red Wine Extract contain high levels of antioxidants to protect skin from cellular damage and even out skin tone.
If I had to pick one product from each brand mentioned I’d tell you to pick up the Indie Lee Clearing Mask (if you need that) otherwise definitely buy the Rosehip Cleanser, it’s fantastic. Then for the OSEA products: the Atmosphere Protection Cream is a gorgeous silky moisturizer with SPF. Highly recommend you wear SPF every.single.day regardless of the season!
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Too Faced Melted | Giveaway + Review

toofaced-giveawayHappy almost-weekend, friends! Let’s kick off this weekend with an awesome giveaway!

Since I’ve been working with the Too Faced brand for a while, I asked if I could host a giveaway for you guys too, instead of just reviewing product for you and you not having the chance to play with it either. Since I’m Canadian living in the USA I am keeping the giveaway open to both USA + Canadian residents. Heck, it’s almost Christmas, why not open it internationally? I’m the one shipping it out to you guys!

Too-Faced-LadyBallsWhether you want to keep all the mini’s for your clutch to re-apply during those Christmas parties you’ll be attending, or divide it up to share amongst friends, that’s for you to decide once you win.

TooFaced-ChristmasI’m going to be giving away this four piece of deluxe sizes of the Too Faced Melted Merry Kisssmas | The Ultimate Liquified Lipstick Set!  $25 USD | $32 CDN

The package contains Too Faced’s bestselling Melted shades: Chihuahua and Fig. They also added the Melted Chocolate in Honey and a mini Melted Matte in Lady Balls (lol).

TooFaced

TooFaced-MeltedToday I’m going to be reviewing and trying on the Too Faced Melted Liquid Lipsticks. I obviously have 2 sets of these, I’m not going to give you my used ones hehe!

swatches

Here is what they look like on the back of my arm.swatch-on-arm

Chocolate-HoneyMelted Chocolate Honey| Satin Medium brown with peachy tones

Too-Faced-ChihuahuaMelted Chihuahua| Dusty Mauve

Too-Faced-FigMelted Fig| Rosy Orchid

Too-Faced-Lady-BallsMelted Matte Lady Balls| Matte True Red. I did want to mention that this feathers after about 3 hours of wear. So make sure you apply lipliner before applying this shade.

LADYBallsI think I love the red one the most! Can you tell? ha! The colours are insanely pigmented so you don’t need to ton. Each of them feels comfortable and not trying on my lips and the applicator is so easy to work with since it doesn’t tug on the lips at all — it literally glides right on.

TooFaced-Melted-LipWanna win the Too Faced Melted Merry Kisssmas | The Ultimate Liquified Lipstick Set? Enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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