Done With Diptyque

When I think of luxury candles the first thing that comes to mind is Diptyque  These perfumed beauties go through a 9 step process of ensure optimal quality. Even if you do a quick glance online beauty bloggers and fashionista’s alike claim these to be “the best”. Now with three candles under my belt here are my final thoughts on Diptyque.

My first candle from Diptyque was Rosa Mundi. This rose scented masterpiece was the best candle I’ve ever owned. The scent was a beautiful, it burned like a dream and the packaging was downright stunning. Again Epice was a just as nice and although being a mini size it had no problem filling a room with its stunning scent.

Then there was Figuier a candle loved by so many, it was on my musts of things to try. The first time I opened the box and noticed it was lacking any scent I knew there was something wrong. So I called my local Diptyque store and the instructed me to burn it to “release” the scent and this did absolutely nothing. Now unable to return my burnt candle I was left to contact Diptyque customer service and heard nothing… actually I emailed them twice and both with no response.

I’m not one to bash a single brand and I realize duds happen. However when you pride yourself quality wouldn’t you want to maintain that? In fact, I think there are many candle brands both luxurious and affordable that exceed Diptyque's customer service. So while the Rosa Mundi jar proudly stores my makeup brushes I am unfortunately done with Diptyque.

Makeup Tips for All Day Makeup

Today I am embarking on possibly the girl-ist day ever! First thing on the agenda is wedding planning. Jay and I have been engaged for almost two years and since things have settled down with the house, now is the time. After the wedding stuff it’s off to the antique show with my cousin. Not just any antiques show but one that actually specializes in clothing and accessories. Finally we are finishing up the day with dinner and drinks.

Crazy right! So not only is it a long day where I need my makeup to last, but it’s also a day where I need a look to carry me from wedding planning in the morning to drinks with the girls at night.  So here are my three tips to all day makeup.

A Base that Will Last

Mattifying 24 hour foundations can work wonders on oily skin types, but they just aren’t for me. The long wearing foundations that I’ve tried make my dehydrated skin, look ridiculously dry. What does work for me and still leaves my skin hydrated is thin layers products.

My first layer is a usually a thin application of moisturizer or primer. My favourite primer at the moment is Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. Beauty Flash Balm is great for those who crave luminous, hydrated skin but without sparkles. My next layer of product is foundation. Then to set everything I use the Chanel Le Beige. Which is the only powder that I've come across to date that looks like naked skin.

Natural Eye
Smokey eyes are great, but you do you know what happens to a smoke eye after 5 hours?
Irritated panda eyes! To avoid, smudging and irritation I say stick with natural. My go to look is a creamy/nude colour on the lid, a touch of brown in the crease and a generous coat of mascara. Not only does this look faltering day and night but it takes only a couple of mins to apply.

Night & Day Lipstick
The easiest way to change your look is with lipstick! No matter what way you slice the cake, your going to reapply your lipstick throughout the day anyway. So my lipstick philosophy for all day makeup is to bring two, one day and one night. For day time lips I personally love the Dior Lip Glow. Not only does lip glow add a touch of colour but its balmy finish make it easy to apply. Your night time lipstick and be any bold colour, but I am opting for Dior's Fashion Week. Fashion Week is the perfect shimmery plum, that is both hydrating and easy to apply when on the go.

Now off to do my makeup! What are some of your all day makeup tips? leave me a comment!

International Women's Day- Let Make a Difference

My latest post featured a new insight into a hot new relationship.... with mascara of course. Yes, it was I that compared a perfume to a kid screaming on a roller coaster. Despite my quirky insights to the world of beauty I thought we would get real today.

What I've always loved about beauty community besides the great pictures, fun reviews and artistic tutorials is the idea of women supporting women. When you think about it what other opportunity lives do we get a chance to freely compliment and support one another? I'm not going to start burning my bra but at the core of it, we are doing a great thing here.

I was contacted by Canadian Hunger Foundation, to write about women supporting women. The Canadian Hunger Foundation currently embarking on a massive movement called the Shea Butter Start-Up Business Kit. This campaign focuses on women Ghana and gives them the tools to produce and sell Shea butter. In Ghana the production of Shea butter is exclusively reserved to women and is even called “women’s gold”.  So by giving this gift you’re not only helping two women find an income, but your actually empowering these ladies to have exclusive control over the product they’ve manufactured.

I think that women are the world’s most untapped resource. So this International Women’s Day let’s rock that bold lipstick, pair of power heals and focus on empowerment.  Ladies we have the power to change the world, one woman at a time.

For more information you can see here

If you would like to make a donation you can go here

Benefit Roller Lash Review

Mascara for most women is one heck of a personal thing. My make-shift philosophy is people's lashes react differently to formulas, and different eye shapes favour certain brush shapes. Born with relatively long and curly lashes I have to admit I am a self proclaimed mascara ....slut.

 Yup, I said it!

 There are undeniable formulas I love, but for the most part I would say I am happy using whatever. It should come to no surprise to hear, for over a year I have been jumping from mascara to mascara. Liking them all but never tied down to a single tube, I was liking this free spirited life style. Without even thinking of retiring my ways I bought Roller Lash. 

The formula for Roller Lash is notably long lasting that didn't irritate my sensitive eyes. Even when I wore this all day I didn't experience chipping, smudging or any of that weirdness. As good as the formula is I think the money is in the brush and for two good reasons. Reason one, generally curved brushes make mascara easier to apply, especially to the lower lash line. Second reason and the most unique reason is the tiny hooks each plastic bristle contains. The hooks grip your eyelash and generously (but evenly) coat each lash with product. The result is long lasting, big, curly, beautiful, almost fake looking eye lashes.

The first time I tried this, I did a little test against my current mascara. The results were so dramatic I cursed. My lashes were so long I didn't even realize it was possible to reach those lengths. I was not looking to change my ways, but I think Roller Lash has tied this girl down. 

February Favourites

February might be the month of love but for me it was also the month of frigid cold temperatures, dry skin, chapped lips and static-y hair. I can literally whine about the weather all day but I will spare you the discomfort and leave you with this revelation … I am always amazed to see how seasons reflects the beauty product’s I like. So with that dry arctic air here and moisturizing on the mind here are my February favourites.

Clarins Lip Comfort Oil

Even with my team of nourishing lip products it was a struggle to keep my lips hydrated.  However after reading one good review after another I was compelled to purchase.  Clarins Lip Comfort Oil hydrates, soothes, plums and lasts for hours on your lips. With some days this reaching the -40 mark and my lips looking unscathed I would say this has endured the ultimate test.  For a more in depth review I would highly suggest you check out my full review here.

Patyka Biokaliftin Repair Face Cream

Patyka is a luxury brand that focuses on being natural and organic. This duel daytime, nighttime moisturizer intended for those with sensitive, dehydrated or more mature skin types. Boasting hyaluronic acid and oat polysaccharides Biokaliftin helps plump, hydrate and reduce redness. 

The very first time I used this I had that I "yesss" moment and I still continue to get that feeling same level of excitement within each application. A moisturizer of this caliber definitely needs a review of its own, so be on the look out for that. 

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum 

I finally repurchased this and now I remember why I consider this to be my all time favourite foundation. It's hydrating, dewy, offers just the right coverage but looks completely undetectable on the skin. If you have dry skin and notice every foundation clinging to dry areas try the Bourjois it does not disappoint. 

I did a whole summery of why I love this so much here. 

Avene Xera Calm AD 

This will be an over share but its been so cold and dry that my skin has literally arms broken into dry patches and my chest has broken into hives. TMI I know, but I'm sure there are many of you out there with similar stories. My answer to intolerant skin is Avene's Xera Calm Ad. This soothing, ultra moisturizing body cream helps not only calm itching but it helps nourish dry areas too. While giving a much needed boost of moisture this it doesn't leave the skin greasy in the slightest. 

Random tip- If you are suffering from really dry, itchy, intolrant skin my advice is to avoid anything with perfumes, or harsh chemicals and stick with basic gentle, nourishing products. 

I tried some fun products this month and even introduced some spring-y selections into my makeup routine. However what really shined for me wasn't that spring pink lipstick nor that easter pastel polish. No ladies, this month for me was all about hydration, hydration and more hydration. What products have you been loving this month, leave me a comment. 

3 Things to Try THE FACE SHOP

The Face Shop is Korean brand that seems to be just about everywhere right now. Their eye catching products are not only adorable, but feature some unique innovations at affordable prices. Over the past year I’ve tried at least a dozen of The Face Shop products some bad, some good and some in that “you need to buy this now” category.  With my top three products all under $5.00 I am ecstatic to share with these today.

Cotton Pads

For years I was hooked to the very expensive Shiseido cotton.  I have to say a package Shiseido cotton lasts for a while and the cotton itself is undeniably soft, but at $11.00 a pop it seemed to be a rather spendy purchase.  So quests for cheaper cotton lead me to The Face Shop…

At only $3.00 a pack I have to say not only is this bargain, but the cotton itself is really soft and feels luxurious on the skin.  Unlike the Shiseido layered cotton The Face Shop features edges that are stuck together making the cotton less prone to fall apart.

Hyaluronic Face Mask

If you have dehydrated or dry skin this will be your best friend. For $2.00 a pop you get a generous dose of hydration that will leave your skin noticeably glowing, hydrated and plump. For only a couple of bucks I don’t think you can do anything better for your skin. If you don’t have dehydrated skin this is literally a wall of face masks suitable for every skin type at The Face Shop.

Design My Eye Brow

 When I started running out of this and realized my local Face Shop was sold out I went into full on panic mode. Yes, I am absolutly crazy about this pencil I just love how natural it looks. I also happen to love the convenient spooly brush and I love the slanted tip pencil, oh yeah I love the price too. Come to think about it I love the moustache logo on the packaging, even though I can't make sense of it.  Its one of the very few eye brow products you can apply in seconds and it still manages to look good. Now with 2 back ups on hand I don't dare go without. As for the price Design My Eye Brow is only $4.00 and out it performs any high-end eyebrow pencil I've tried to date. 

Yes people there you have it my top 3 products from The Face Shop. What are some of your favourite products from The Face Shop? leave me a comment. 

To see more of my top 3 products from other brands... please see the links below!

NARS 

Clarins

ELF

Avene 

Guerlain