The Non-Powdery Powders

My first experience with powder foundation was not a good one. I distinctly remember this tragic incident...I was in high school and I thought that an orange, full coverage, mattifying powder would be a great idea. Was I ever wrong, not only was I an Umpa Lumpa shade of orange, but the texture of my skin looked like the ground of a dry desert. Years went by and I avoided power like the plague.

Maybe it was the internet, friends or magazines but eventually I craved a face powder once again. However unlike the last time I wanted something luminous, lightweight and very natural.  And so I was introduced to the world of non-powdery powders.

MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural

I haven’t purchased this powder in a couple of years. With that being said it’s probably one of my most repurchased beauty products ever, so I had to mention it. MAC’s Mineralized Skinfinish Natural is an excellent natural powder that can be used alone or on top of your foundation of choice. The finish of this powder looks like naked skin. So much so I would say this is invisible to naked eye (unless completely caked on). Unlike the other powders in the post this one probably has the most coverage out of the whole lot.

**I personally love this powder over a sheer tinted moisturizer, because it maintains luminosity while giving some extra coverage**

Guerlain Meteorites

To put things simply Meteorites add radiance to the skin while setting makeup. However unlike other glow inducing formulas Meteorites are by far the best I’ve ever encountered. I know that is a bold statement but trust me when I say this, these light weight, sparkle free, pearls make regular skin look like beautiful glowing skin. If you’re looking for a product to set your foundation while giving the illusion of healthy skin try Guerlain Meteorites.

**Meteorites can be worn over any foundation. With that being said I like that this gives an all day glow to fuller coverage foundations**

Chanel Le Beige

This is a powder truly meant for dry skin. It adds glow, a very sheer wash of colour and for those with a heavy hand the formula is impossible to over apply.  I did a whole review on this last year if you care to see it here. On the skin this doesn’t feel like a powder nor does it look like one either. 

** I honestly find this product a little too luminous for the summer. With that being said Le Beige is an excellent choice during the winter, especially when I am suffering from severely dry skin. **

Bourjois Silk Edition Powder  

If Chanel Le Beige and MAC’s Mineralized Skin finish had a baby this would be it. It’s kind of the best of worlds it’s more matte then the Chanel but more luminous then the MAC. On the other hand it’s less coverage then the MAC, yet more than the Chanel. As for the formula it melts into skin with ease and leaves your skin silky smooth. This is the most affordable powder on this list, yet it’s the one I can see many skin types gravitating towards, it’s easy to apply and just looks downright beautiful on.

** Applied with a sponge I love wearing this powder alone. This method is great for a quick natural no makeup, makeup look. However this powder applied with a brush works wonders to set foundation too. **  

What are some of your favourite non powdery powders?

Summer Beauty Favourites

While summer doesn’t officially start until June 21^st I can safely say that it is starting to feel like summer. The trees are lush and green; the days are hotter and longer… I can also say that this is the season that most of us Canadians look forward too.  Without fail every summer I gravitate to some tried and true favourites. So what better time to start sharing these lovely products then now, right? Here are my summer favourites.

Stella Perfume 

I can’t think of a time of the year where I don’t desire the scent of rose. In the winter I like to stick to heavy dark rose scents that are often accompanied by patchouli. In the summer I still love rose but instead of dark I gravitate towards lighter perfumes… the first thing that comes to mind it Stella. Yes, this is a true rose scent but added to the mix is the notes of mandarin and peony. The overall effect of Stella is a youthful, fresh rose scent perfect for those hot summer days.

Clarins UV + HP SPF 40

My knock on most SPFs is that they start feeling greasy after a while. These greasy SPFs also tend to break apart foundation, block pores and be irritating to the skin. Then there is the Clarins! This is a huge claim, but to date this is the best daily sunscreen I’ve ever tried. Clarins UV+ HP is light weight absorbs into the skin with ease and packs a great deal sun protection at the same time. Because it’s light and non-greasy it makes it my go to for day to day wear.

Chanel Glossimer in Happy

Generally speaking Glossimer’s are one of the best lip products money can buy. Out of the bunch I’ve tried this fuchsia jelly gloss is by far the nicest. While this adds a stunning pink tint to the lips, the glossy finish just looks fresh for the summer. Glossy pink tinted lips, beach waves and a light dusting of bronzer… summer here I come.

I did a whole review on this lip gloss here, this item is now permanent and can be found at your local Chanel counter.

Aveda Rosemary Mint Body Wash

Every summer I flock to this range of products. My favourite among them all is the body wash. With the invigorating effects of Rosemary and the refreshing feel of mint nothing feels better on a hot summer’s day. I also like that this soap is mild enough for sensitive skin.

Ice cream, long weekends, campfires and s'mores I am so happy that summer almost among us. What are some of your summer go-to products, leave me a comment!

Dior Nude BB Cream Review

I am way late to the BB party, but dare I say the party was rather unwelcoming. Many American BB creams I found too dark, while the Asian BB’s I found too yellow. There was also a disastrous run in with a grey tinted BB cream from Korea, which I have to wholeheartedly say it looked terrifying. So while all these praises for BB creams across the globe were in full swing I unfortunately missed out… Until now!

What enticed me about the Dior BB cream was the shade range. Unlike most “one colour fits most” BB creams the Dior range boasts 4 shades. In comparison to vast foundation ranges this might not seem like a lot but for a BB cream I would say most people can find there perfect shade within the collection. I picked up the 001-light shade and although it looks a touch too pink in the tube it blends flawlessly into the skin.

Dior claims that this BB should feel fresh and airy on the skin and I am happy to report it does. The weightless formula feels so light on the skin that you won’t even notice it’s there. This makes the Dior BB cream an excellent choice for the upcoming hot summer months. On the other hand this is also a great option for those who just can’t stand the feel a traditional foundation.

If you couldn’t tell, I really really like this BB cream. The formula itself boasts the skincare benefits of hydrating floral water and antioxidants. Yes, I will say I wish this had a higher SPF, but I will happily take the SPF of 10 then nothing at all. I also really love how this smooths over the skin with ease and adds a decent amount of coverage too.  As for the finish this is somewhere between matte and luminous, but it most looks like natural bare skin. Between the finish, skincare qualities, SPF, bendability and coverage this is already becoming a summer must have. If you’ve yet to jump on the BB train I highly suggest giving the Dior Nude BB a try.

Polished In 5 Min

Sometimes my “go-to” look contains a long list of products. I also thoroughly enjoy putting makeup on, so while I always gravitate to natural looks sometimes I relish in the application process. However as of recently I have loved my speedy, very few product, easy look. Not only does it look fresh but I also find that it instantly makes me look pulled together with minimal effort. Yes people this is my go to lazy, but effective beauty routine.

Clarins Instant Concealer

This concealer has all the qualities of a high coverage, long lasting concealer. However unlike most concealers this product blends like a dream and has a beautiful natural finish too. Which gets me to my point… this is a fantastic product for the bags and spots alike. So days where I’m feeling in particularly lethargic a couple of dots of concealer to combat redness and a couple of dots around the eyes gives me all the coverage I could ever want.

Bourjois Silk Edition Compact Powder

I have never had a problem with the Clarins concealer creasing throughout the day, but personally I like add a quick dusting of powder just to be sure. I really like the Bourjois because it feels light and looks invisible on the skin. Maybe this is an avoidable step but for me this takes seconds and it ensures my makeup lasts.

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Sugar Frost

I love this eye shadow stick! This sparkly champagne colour works wonderful worn alone but is also very pretty as an eye shadow base too. For my “really lazy” spring look I like to add a quick swipe along the eye lid then pat it in with my fingers. The overall effect is a touch of neutral colour that lasts all day and takes seconds to apply.

Benefit Roller Lash

In my humble opinion no look is complete without a quick coat of mascara. Even on days where I wear minimal makeup this is a step I never forget. The Benefit Roller lash is a great mascara because it packs dramatically long lashes in no time at all.

Hour Glass Incandescent Electra Blush

Like so many of us pale girls it’s easy for me to look a little too pale, dare I even say ghostly! So to avoid scaring the neighborhood kids I always apply blush. Even the slightest touch of blush can make me look more awake and take my skin from blah to wow. My current favourite blush is Hourglass’s Incandescent Electra, its summery peachy pink that would be flattering on many. This blush use to be Hourglass blush pallet exclusive, however I am happy to report that this is no longer! You can now buy Incandescent Electra on its own and all year long.

Fresh Sugar Berry Lip Balm
Finally I finish up this look with a quick swipe of the Sugar Lip Balm. Yes it adds a subtle berry tint, but it also feels like a lip balm on AND you don’t even need a mirror to apply. This lip balm has received many praise on the blog since I bought it but darn is it ever good!

6 easy products and in no more then 5 min will get you feeling refined and ready to go. 

What are some of your favourite, quick easy products? Leave me a comment.

Must Have Brushes

Nothing can change the quality of your makeup application more than good makeup brush. Just think about it an amazing buffing brush can mean airbrushed looking foundation, a perfect blending brush can create the perfectly smoky eye and a great cheek brush can mean beautifully defined cheek bones. I also think that if you wanted to splurge makeup brushes are a great place to start. With that being said there are many amazing affordable brushes out there too! Come to think about it there are more affordable options out here, then ever before. Before I start getting side tracked, here are my favourite makeup brushes ever!

MAC 217

So many people love the 217 and for really good reason… it works. Come to think about it I don’t think there is a brush that has impacted the quality of my makeup application more than this. It’s hard to explain this brush because it is somewhat fluffy, which makes it an excellent choice for blending. On the other hand it’s also somewhat flat which makes it great to pack on colour as well. Over the years I have collected three of these miracle brushes and use them daily.

It’s also a great brush for concealer and for pinpoint highlighting.

Marc Jacobs Face Brush 2

In terms of quality and design this is the best foundation brush I’ve ever owned. If you apply your foundation with your fingers, but want a brush to smooth away the edges this brush is for you. In comparison to the buffing method, my new method takes seconds and it’s a smoother, more even look. Amazing, amazing, must have brush!

Sigma Tapered Blending Brush E40

Most blending brushes I find too big, which leave me with that disastrous colour to the eye brow look. To avoid this beauty faux pas I stick the E40! This amazing brush is the perfect shaped blending brush for my crease. And because this fits perfectly in my crease it allows me to really work in product into the crease. For wonderfully hooded eyes this is my go to.

MAC Stippling Brush (from a random holiday set)

How do you like that for a description? In all honesty I wasn’t going to add this to the list, but because I have used this every day for years I just had too. In comparison to the MAC stippling brush this version is smaller, but just as soft and fluffy. I personally like to use this for bronzer; it adds a subtle amount of product while the size allows me to create a natural contour. I know a lot of these MAC sets take a lot of heat for their lack of quality, but I’ve used this brush daily for over 5 years without problem.

Elf Blush Brush

I’ve tired many blush brushes over the years and by far my favourite is the ELF. Again this brush is smaller than typical blush brush.

On a side note I have come to realize that I am small brush obsessed.

The Elf blush brush is flat, but has a beautiful rounded edge. In comparison to Chanel, MAC and other high end brushes I would say this brush is equally as soft. If you take anything away with you from this post it should be this brush… it’s a solid $3.00 bargain everyone should own.

What are some of your favourite brushes, leave me a comment below?

To everyone celebrating the long weekend, I hope all of you have a great, safe time!

Spring Makeup Haul

Warm weather for some means flip flops, short shorts and countless hours basking in the sun. As a non-sun worshiper, but a total beauty nut the warm weather always brings a sudden urgency to update my look. Warm weather for me also means ice cream… but that is a whole other post. So on a recent trip to Sephora and spring on the mind I did a little damage. So without further ado here is my spring haul.

La Vanilla Pure Vanilla Deodorant

 This is more like a yearly essential for me, but I needed it so why not throw it into this haul? To date this is the only natural deodorant I’ve tried that actually works. In my experience Sephora sells out of these like crazy, so whenever I see one I always pick it up.

Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser

I have wanted to try something from the Tata Harper range for such a long time now. Her products are natural, well thought out and come with a slew of fantastic reviews. With the heat just around the corner I thought a gentle scrub would be the perfect way to achieve glowy, spot-less summer skin. I plan on doing a whole review on this in the upcoming few weeks, so keep posted!  

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Sugar Frost

I have been a fan of the By Terry Ombre Blackstars for years. They are creamy, shimmery but most importantly they do not crease. Since the By Terry are impossible to find here in Canada my search for a stick shadow lead me to the Caviar Sticks. This shimmery champagne colour stopped in my tracks because it looks like an easy, summery product. I’m really hoping that these are as bendable and long lasting as the By Terry.

Marc Jacobs 500 Point Perk

This set includes a mini lipstick, eyeliner pen, pencil eyeliner and mascara. As I have never tried anything from the Marc Jacobs range I am excited to give this a try.

Elizabeth and James Nirvana White Roller Ball 100 Point Perk

Again another product I’ve always wanted to try but never got around to it. For 100 I have to say this mini is quite the generous size, I’m sure I will get plenty of use of this over the warmer months.

And that sums up my haul... and how I spent all my Sephora points too! If you would like a review on anything leave me a comment below.
Thank you all for reading!

The Best Body Products

I use to be an absolute body product hoarder. During my Lush days my collection boasted Tupperware of bath bombs, baskets of soap and storage bins of body lotion. These days my collection of body products is more refined. I still have a soft spot for trying new shower gels, but I am pretty faithful to my tried and tested body products. So with my hoarding tendencies gone out the window, here are my favourite bath and body products.

NUXE Reve de Miel Hand and Nail Cream

For years I jumped from different brand of hand cream to another... then I met Reve de Miel and I've been loyal to it since. Firstly is the scent, this stuff smells absolutely divine! If you love honey and subtle floral scents you will 100% love this. As far as the texture this light weight hand cream doesn't leave a greasy residue on your hands, instead it nourishes dry skin and leaves your hands super soft. Really good an absolute must have for me.

La Vanilla Pure Vanilla Deodorant

This is the only natural deodorant I've tried that actually works and smells good. Over the years I've gone threw many of these and although there pricey I continue to purchase them. If you have sensitive arms pits or just want to switch to something more natural this is a the best option out there (in my humble opinion anyway).

Nuxe Oil Prodigieuse

I would like to apologize for the regular readers out there, because I talk about this oil all the freaken time. So yes this might be repetitive but this oil kicks some serious ass. Firstly unlike most oils this leaves a dry finish onto your skin, so if you were worried about feeling greasy fear not! Another great quality and probably why I use this so often is this is some multi tasking stuff. You can use this on your body, face, hair and you can add a couple of squirts to bath water for a luxurious experience too.  So good... it has become my daily go to!

L'Occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream 

Boasting 25% shea butter this body butter is one indulgent treat. I'm not going to lie when I first purchased this I was under the impression that this would be greasy... was I ever wrong. Despite the shea butter and all it's moisturizing extracts this body cream is relatively light, yet packs a moisturizing punch at the same time. Dare I even say... I think I love this more then the body shops body butters or any other moisturizer I've ever tried. 

What are some of your favourite body products leave me a comment below! 

Empties #7

It feels like forever ago since my last empties and darn do I have a lot to share with you. In all honesty I didn't realize I had so many empties... but once I noticed my empties drawer wouldn't shut I knew now was the time. So without further rambling here are my empties!

nspa Hot Cloth Polish 

I loved this stuff... its cheap, creamy and the perfect way to start your double cleanse routine. With neroli essential oil and coco butter you can bet this is both nourishing and smells amazing. In my humble opinion this Hot Cloth Polish is so luxurious it gives more expensive brands a run for there money. In Canada you can find this at Walmart for under $15.00. 

I will buy this again...

Annick Goutal Petite Cherie Shower Gel 

Petite Cherie is one of my all time favorite perfumes. I'm not sure what it is, but notes of pear, peach and fresh grass there is something about this perfume that just captures my youth.  Although this perfume and it's entire range of products is very expensive, I snagged this shower gel for only $8.00. Yes this smelt divine, but the formula itself was that of a cheap drugstore shower gel. Retailing for $58.00 you can bet I will not be buying this again. 

Dior Lip Maximizer 

This might be my all time favourite lip glosses ever. Personally I adore this because of its slight refreshing tingle. I also love this because it's one of the very few lip plumping products that actually work. I will buy this again, however I would like to finish some more lip products first.

Bioderma Sensibio

Feels like water on the skin yet removes makeup like a breeze... I have already repurchased this and will time and time again. 

Avene Micellar Lotion 

This removes makeup way better then Bioderma. However, this also can be a little too aggressive for my sensitive skin. Not a bad product, just not one for me. You can see my whole review here. 

Dove Dry Shampoo
Repeat offender here... I'm not crazy about the scent of this product, but I do love how effective this works. For it's price, this is my cheap dry shampoo go to reserved for casual pick me ups. I have already repurchased this and continue to use it.

Klorane Dry Shampoo Orignal & Natural Tint Version
The Klorane is my "fancy" dry shampoo, that I reserve for work or nights out. In comparison to the Dove the Klorane gives more volume and texture with less residue. I used both the tinted and original formula over the past few months and to be honest I don't have a preference.  Have bought these again, there are an absolutely must for a good hair day (even in clean hair).

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil
This smells so good I've often thought about drinking this... I wish that was a joke.This super moisturizing shower gel makes skin feel, hydrated and smooth. Also, it works wonders used for shaving. I have a few shower gels to finish, but I will repurchase this again. 

Clarins Daily Energizer Cleansing Gel
This is a classic Tanya product! Find this particular agrees with my skin more then any other cleanser I've tried. It's affordable, effective and jam packed with some amazing ingredients. For a more detailed review you can go here. Will I be buying this again? Let's put it this way I would never go without this product.

Avene Hydrance Optimale
Hydrance Optimale is an amazing light weight, hydrating serum. A lot of skincare I use is emollient due to the fact that I have dry, dehydrated skin. With that being said, all though this is a "hydrating" product the light weight consistency would be great for oily dehydrated skin types too. I have a whole in depth review of this product here.
I would totally buy this again, I just have some other serums to finish first.

The Body Shop Vanilla Brûlée Body Butter
Why must everything good be limited edition. Vanilla Brûlée had all the hydrating benefits one could ask for in combination with with a yummy vanilla scent. If this comes out next your I will not only repurchase but buy a back up... I love this scent that much!

Is anyone still reading? Because that was one long-ass empties post!
Have any thoughts on the product's listed above, leave me a comment below!

April Favourites

March was the month I went a little beauty crazy. I don’t know what got into me, but I was buying a lot of makeup and wearing a whole lot too. April on the other hand has been different… very different. Not only have I not purchased a single beauty item, but in general I have been using a lot less beauty products too.  So while some months feature new trendy items, this month has been a true testament to excellent every day essentials.

Clarins Instant Concealer

Dark circles have always been a problem for me and like many I’ve always struggled finding the right concealer. Many full coverage concealers get cakey under the eye, while light natural looking concealers just don’t pack enough of a punch. Then I found the Clarins Instant Concealer and darn it is by far the best concealer I’ve ever tried. If you were looking for natural, high coverage, long lasting concealer this product might be the answer to what you’ve always been looking for.
I have a whole review in depth review here.

 L'occitane Vanille Narcisse Body Milk

With a warm vanilla base and subtle floral notes Venilla Narcisse is a perfect example of vanilla meets modern sophistication. Maybe I’m slightly jaded but usually when perfumes come out with body care ranges, they lack quality and decent formulas. I can talk about bad experiences all day, but we are here to talk about Vanille Narcisse. The actual body milk formula is hydrating and light weight making it a great option for warmer months. Now with my tiny bottle almost empty, it’s time to invest in the full size.

Urban Decay Streak
This blush, bronzer and highlight compact is an excellent choice for busy mornings. All three products are bendable, pigmented and long lasting. Lately I have been wearing the highlight as an eye shadow. With its soft sheen it makes you look awake but because it’s sheer you can apply it with you finger. Yes, this month I resorted to applying eye shadows a finger… told you it’s been a lazy makeup month.

Bourjois Silk Edition Powder
Silk edition power ... I should have known by the name but this sure is silky. This light powder leaves a sheer vail of coverage on the skin. While this effectivly sets your foundation it also doesn't cling to dry patches. If you were craving a sheer setting powder, with a luxuriously silky finish, semi- matte finish and all at an affordable price check this one out!

I don't know some months favourites are filled with the new and the excited. This month however I can't shake the feeling that these are some amazing staples, that I will love forever.
What are some of your favourites this month, leave me a comment!