Things I Must Use

Spring is here and with the warmer weather, budding flowers and brighter days comes the joyous pleasure of spring cleaning. I mean that with the utmost amount sarcasm of course. My cleaning rampage took me from the kitchen right to the linen closest and then to my makeup collection. Truthfully I like organizing my makeup and skincare. Not only does it insure I rotate between products, but it also gives me inspiration for my posts. Which brings me to the inspiration of this post …  things that I found that I need to use.

THEFACESHOP Raspberry Roots Sleeping Mask

If you are on the no paraben kick avoid this product, because it’s riddled with not so great ingredients.

With that being said, I can’t escape the fact that this mask makes my face feel super smooth and look radiant the next day. If you’re on the market for a cheap mask, this refreshing gel mask actually works and comes highly recommended.

THEFACESHOP Floral Mist Water

I love facial mists in the spring and summer, there are refreshing and many contain great skincare benefits too. THEFACESHOP’s Floral Mist is a light mist, perfect to for setting makeup but also great for a quick refresh. It also contains an SPF of 8 which makes it great for subtle sun protection.

Sanctuary Spa Hand Cream

I love the scent of Sanctuary Spa products, but over the years there products have become harder and harder to find across Canada. The last thing I have remaining from a gift set is this very hand cream and I can ensure you I will love every last drop.

MAC Margin

In my seasonal makeup switcha-roo I encountered my old favorite MAC Margin. Margin is a golden peach with some bronze undertones. On my fair cheeks this gives a summery glow, but without the obvious look of a bronzer. It’s a shame this sat in my collection for so long, because it’s truly a stunning yet original shade.

What have you found recently that made a vow to finish, answer below!

Physicians Formula Argan Wear Blush

Perhaps I’m feeling overly candid today, but Physicians Formula has never been a brand that interested me. On one hand there products are on the expensive side of drugstore spectrum, which makes me think for a couple of bucks more I can get luxury brand product. On the other hand there products seem a little too gimmicky for my liking. However, it’s true when I say I am a blush junkie. It’s also true that one look at this blush stopped me in my tracks at the drugstore. With its beautiful mosaic pattern and gold shimmer I thought this would the perfect affordable blush for the summer time.

When I first saw this blush it was sprayed with a beautiful gold overlay. Maybe it's just me, but does anyone else find overlays completely misleading and totally unnecessary? Actually I would think more women would find this appealing without the added glitter (it still looks equally as pretty). Second thing, Argan oil infused blush, I’m all into skincare benefits in makeup, but I would never choose this over any Argan Oil. And finally my third knock would be the heavy scent to this product. Personally, I like its nostalgic grandma scent, but I can see many classifying this as smelling “old lady”.

After you take away the scent, glitter and the skincare claims you are actually left with one heck of a good blush. Yes, you heard me this is a actually an amazing blush! In terms of colour payoff it's got it and it happens to boast a blendable, long-lasting formula too! However, my favourite quality of this blush is the amazing natural shine it gives. It's the same sort of non-sparkly glow you would find in high end products like Dior or Chanel. Come to think about it, it terms of finish it reminds me a lot like the Dior Rosey Glow blush, matte yet radiant all at the same time. 

Do I recommend it?  I'm still pretty bitter about finding random gold sparkles on my cheeks, but overall I would recommend this blush. In terms of quality, finish and longevity its probably one of the best drugstore blushes I've encountered. If you are sensitive to scents I would make sure to smell prior to purchasing. 

I have the colour Rose. I used the coupon attached to this package and scored this blush for for under $5.00

The Best Concealer Ever

 Hyper pigmentation to pimples  we all have things we wish we could cover. For me my problem area is and always had been my dark circles. After years of using the wrong products I finally found my dream team, which was the Bobbi Brown Corrector and the Clinique Air Brush concealer. Totally a great team, but as of late I have been craving a one step kind of concealer. So ladies (and gents) I bring you the Clarins Instant Concealer. 

Let me first start off and say this concealer is so freaking-you-need-to-buy-this-now good. Yes, we have another rave review, where I am so excited about this product it might be considered embarrasing. On one hand the Instant Concealer is pigmented and offers a long lasting high coverage finish. On the other hand despite the coverage the formula itself is non cakey and light. Most importantly (and my favourite thing) this looks like natural, radiant skin underneath the eye. 

If you see the Instant Concealer, swatch it or ask for a sample... you will love it. As for me I can wholehearted say I don't miss my old duo. Not only was my old duo a process to apply but forking over $56.00 seemed a little too spendy. Currently, my concealer takes me seconds to apply and gives me all the coverage I could ever ask for. I think I've found the best concealer ever! 

What are some of your favourite concealers, leave me a comment! 

An Ode to Dior Lip Products

One of my fondest memories with makeup was my very first luxury lipstick. I’m not sure what the occasion was, but I remember picking out a Dior Lipstick in a not so flattering bubble gum pink color. While I have left Pepto Bismol inspired shades in the past, the feeling of luxury within each and every Dior lip product has remained true over the years. Which brings me to this post… I love Dior Lip products so I thought I would share some of my all-time favourites.

Dior Lip Maximizer

I have tried some downright violent lip plumpers in the past and I am happy to report Dior’s is not one of them. This loveable lip gloss features two of my favorite things, hyaluronic acid and a cooling tingly texture. Well maybe three things… I love the minty vanilla scent too!

If you’re a fan of minty lip balms and enjoy that cool tingle Dior’s Lip Maximizer would be right up your alley.

Dior Lip Glow

Lip glow has all the benefits of an amazing balm, while adding a touch of color too and contains SPF too! For years I lumped this “color enhancing lip” balm as some sort of gimmicky trick. But there is no trick to it Dior Lip Glow actually changes your lips to a perfect natural pink shade. Making it perfect for weekends, vacations, work… oh who am I kidding? It’s is good for just about every situation. It’s the kind of product have to limit my usage of, because I swear I could go through a tube of Dior’s Lip glow every two weeks.

Dior Addict Lipsticks

Without doubt Dior Addict lipsticks have to be one of my all-time favorite formulas ever.  Currently I own two of these Dior Kiss (sheer bright pink) and Fashion Week (sparkly plum). Both shades are very different in texture and color, yet both feel as equally hydrating and smooth on the lips. If you were a fan of the Revlon Lip Butters these are the better, more luxurious version.

Do you love Dior Lip products as much as I do, leave me a comment!

Bases Overview

Spring is the time of the year where I go through my makeup collection and revaluate the good, the bad and the old. Today my spring cleaning brings me to my foundation/bases section of my collection.  With a handful of old products out, I thought I would share with you my current base collection.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum

You know you love a product when you can’t communicate in full sentences how much you adore it. This is what Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum does to me … it makes me school girl giddy. With its hydrating qualities, luminous finish, light to medium coverage and perfect colour match, this is what my dreams are made of. For those of you reading this not obsessed with makeup I understand this might sound crazy. With that being said I am hoping most of you are makeup obsessed, because this foundation is my makeup soul mate.

NARS Sheer Glow

Some days I love the finish of this foundation, but most of the time I find the formula too drying. I don’t find Sheer Glow in particularly sheer or luminous. Tons of people love this foundation, but to put it simply this did not work for me. Having already invested in the bottle and the pump I feel like I need to finish this before tossing it. Will I buy this again... absolutely not. 

 Estee Lauder Double Wear Light

Light weight texture, buildable coverage, vibrant skin, and smudge proof formula all seem like fantastic qualities. What I failed to notice was the oil control properties this foundation has and I must say that does nothing for my dry skin. My fault entirely, but a bad foundation? Absolutely not, normal to combination skin types might really seek benefit from this.

Chanel Le Beige

Le Beige is a fantastic powder for those who suffer from dry or aging skin. Yes, this will set your makeup, but no this will not give you that powdery, dry, cakey finish. Actually, this is the only powder I've ever tried that makes my skin look naturally luminous. 

Bourjois Silk Edition Powder 

This is the newest edition to my bases collection. I originally bought this thinking it would be a dupe for the Chanel, it's not. This powder boasts more coverage and mattify's more then the Le Beige. Does it mean its bad? No, just not what I was expecting. With that being said I have only worn this a couple of times so I don't really have a complete list of thoughts yet. 

There we have it my entire bases collection. Leave me a comment and let me know what some of your favourite bases are. 

3 Pastel Polishes to Try Right Now

Years ago I was a nail polish nut and my weakness was pastels. On one particular Easter I even took inspiration from Easter eggs and did a whole pastel-nail art theme. What the heck was I thinking? These days I barely reach for colourful polish. With that being said I do still have a soft spot for some pastels, but generally I reach for more muted neutral colours. Is this what growing up is about? Let not go there, instead let’s go with the 3 colours you need to have on your nails now.

Illamasqua Fragile

Yes, this cliché hard to remove polish is a guilty pleasure. With that being said nothing screams Easter to louder than this Robin’s egg blue polish. I have been wearing this polish around Eater season for the past 4 years and there is no stopping me this year.

Sheer Pink

Pink polish doesn’t look right on my colouring. Sheer pink polish is a whole different ball game, because they make the hands looks tidy and your nails look amazing. Currently I am loving Deborah Lippmans  Le Vie En Rose but OPI’s Bubble bath is a tried and true favourite too!

Nude

Back in my pastel days I swore off nude polishes, but these days I can’t get enough of them. Why you ask? It comes down it there easy. If you really think about it  nude polish goes with every outfit, season, occasion you can think of. Actually, I can thoroughly say my nude is my new default colour. Some of my favourites include Essie’s Cocktails and Coconuts and Sand Tropez.

I hope everyone is enjoying there day off! Let me know what your favourite spring/Easter nail polish you are loving this long weekend.

March Favorites

The weather is warmer and the tulips are out… spring is here people. I’m not sure if it’s due to the longer days or the change of temperature, but there is a certain energy that arises when spring comes. My newly found liveliness comes with some amazing favorites this month, so without further ado let’s get started.

First Aid Beauty Sleeping Cream 

Winter makes my skin dry, but it’s that in-between seasons that makes my skin sensitive. Not sure if anyone else has this problem? This night cream is hydrating, anti-aging and has soothing properties to it too. In a nutshell that is pretty much everything my skin needs right now. Again I did a complete review here if you interested in hearing more about this night cream.

Marc Jacobs Sculpting Foundation Brush

Really good foundation brushes are expensive, but after going through many inexpensive brushes it was time for the investment. I went back and forth on a few different brushes, but eventually settled on the Marc Jacobs Sculpting Brush…. Holy damn people! With its slanted tip, this brush is very different then the buffing brushes I had been using.  With that being said, it blends in foundation like a dream, the bristles are baby soft, but more importantly downright pleasure to use.

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

This mascara makes my lashes longer and curlier than any other mascara I’ve ever tried. I am also happy to report that even after a month I still continue to look forward to using this each day. To see my full review and pictures click here.

Dior Lip Maximizer

About three weeks ago I took a huge sip of boiling hot tea… my lips haven’t been the same since. Now into the peeling stage (over-share, I know) I have craved something hydrating, but has that cooling tingle, and a glossy finish… and so we have Dior’s Lip Maximizer!

The problem with some lip balms is while the hydrate they can actually make your lips look drier than they were previously. On the other hand glossy finishes tend to mask really chapped lips and complications that come with it.

Dry Shampoo

I turned a new page to my hair care routine this month and finally decided to comment to washing my hair less. The secret to washing your hair less is dry shampoo and I have two favorites this month. First and my ultimate favorite is the Klorane Dry Shampoo. I consider the Klorane my “fancy” dry shampoo, I mainly reserve for week days. My second favorite is the wallet friendly Dove Dry Shampoo, which is my weekend hair pick me up. Both are good, I happen to like the finish of the Klorane slightly better than the Dove.

What products have you been loving this March?  leave me a comment!