Being a typical Canadian, living a bit out of the city, I’ve come to expect these winter days frequently when mittens, scarves and hats are a necessity and if you lived anywhere else, nothing would be open and you would have the liberty of having a ‘snowed-in’ day but alas you must venture into the blowing snow and today is one of those days. I thought I’d provide a snapshot into the products I reach for. Er scratch that note about not having to venture through the blowing snow – my second class was just cancelled and I cannot bring myself to make the effort to go to my first class but I got ready as if I were going.

Benefit Rockateur Boxed Powder ($36 CDN)

This is a flattering and instantly brightening, effortless sort of blush for me and although I raved about this after I bought it and then stopped mentioning it, it has remained a staple in my collection since I purchased it at the very beginning of October. The luminous warm rusty-pink shade is worth the rather hefty price tag especially on mornings when you resemble a breathing zombie.

Maybelline ‘The Buffs’ Lipstick in 915 Blushing Beige ($10 CDN)

Like all good makeup tales, this one begins with an unsuspecting stroll down the drugstore aisles that resulted in a new product find and even better a discounted one – they’re on at Lawton’s at the moment for $8, if you were curious. I’ve been in a major nude lipstick phase for the last little while and ever since I’ve heard about these I’ve wanted to try one. They’re creamy with decent longevity on the lips but can highlight dry chapped lips slightly. I’m horrible with the whole name description game but I would have to say that it’s a warm-toned nude that’s fairly light with peachy-orange undertones. It strikes me as the shade that I wished MAC Shy Girl was – I backed to MAC’ed the shade – but somehow wasn’t, a peachy nude that doesn’t appear ghastly.

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation ($12-13 CDN)

I know, I know, the last thing in the world I need is yet another foundation but I’m running dangerously low in Rimmel Wake Me Up and decided to try this instead aaaaand it was on sale (at Lawton’s again) for ten dollars and maybe a dime or two. I hadn’t tried it in the past because I heard that it’s finish was on the natural-matte side of things and when I’m looking for a lightweight foundation I want luminosity but after hearing some recommendations for it and seeing it for a good price (in the Canadian drugstore world), I couldn’t resist picking it up and I’m glad that I did. I only picked this up a few days ago but I’m impressed. Just using the chart at the store, I picked up the warm-toned Shell and it’s an impressive match for my fair skin. It’s lightweight in texture, offering true medium coverage (slightly less than the Rimmel) and a slightly-dewy finish without any sort of shimmer or sheen to it. Note: I haven’t powdered it here and am hardly wearing any concealer. If only it came with a pump…

Benefit Girl Meets Pearl Highlighter ($36 CDN)

I’ve had this product since I redeemed my Sephora points in the summer and I’ve talked about it before but I love highlighter; this liquid one is a subtle peachy-pink one that livens the face without looking ‘highlighted’.

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette ($62 CDN)

I know I wrote about this in yesterday’s post but I’ve worn the palette every single time I’ve worn makeup since I picked it up and have been happy with the results every time. I think this is a versatile palette that provides every shade you need for a variety of different complete eye look. I’m enjoying the warm rosy palette more than I would have ever expected to. The matte shades are fantastic blah blah blah. Expect to hear more on this soon … cough-cough potentially at the end of the month in a certain kind of post.

Kiehl’s Skin Rescuer ($45 CDN)

I’ve been using this moisturizer since August and it soothes skin regardless of how irritated it is. It’s one that is lightweight but protects skin from the elements that is a breath of fresh air for winter days like these and I attribute the fact that my skin has not turned into a sore, itchy, flaky and red mass to this product. It helps to repair the skin-barrier with it’s antioxidants and the lack of irritating ingredients and has stopped my skin from getting into the fragile state that it normally does. It’s not a miraculous product that removes all the stress from your skin but it can definitely help.

OPI Malaga Wine Polish ($10 CDN)

If the bottle looks tiny, it’s because it came in a larger kit and I haven’t worn it long enough to provide specifics about longevity but the red-berry cream shade applies rather opaque (I’m only wearing one coat) and smooth and doesn’t chip off noticeably in a day or two on my chipping-prone nails. I haven’t been feeling traditional reds this winter but this deeper shade is a nice alternative.

The Body Shop Moringa Body Milk ($12 CDN)

I don’t think I had gone as far as to step into The Body Shop in the last two years and I don’t always buy into the natural-product hype as natural is not always better and like Lush, they tend to be laden with potentially irritating fragrance, however I was bored and I ventured inside and came out with this and I’m in love. It is scented but the fragrance is low on the ingredient list and the milk contains high concentrations of Babassu nut oils so I gave it ago. Did I mention that it smells bloody phenomenal and I’m not even much of a scent person. It doesn’t irritate my eczema on my legs which is an impressive feat in itself and it smells lovely without being overpowering. I’m shocked that I like the floral scent so much but it’s not particularly, girlie, sweet, fruity or artificial-smelling. It smells fresh and so far I’m loving the multi-purpose product that smells nice while providing much needed moisture to the body that absorbs instantly.

What have you been reaching for on these cold winter days?

Maggie, x.