November Favourites

I might actually be posting a favourites post on the first day of the new month – what is this? Regardless, I’m pleased to get back into blogging at this busy time of year, especially after much neglect. Despite being so busy, November was a more interesting month beauty-wise for me and I enjoyed playing with loads of products, and I’m excited to share them!

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Bath & Body Works Flannel Medium Candle ($12.50): Given the colder northern climate that I live in – Atlantic Canada – it should be a given that throughout November, I would experience a drastic emergence of cold cold weather. I don’t mind this completely though, as I love that cozy atmosphere that it provides, and the excuse to get into extreme candle burning mode. I burned candles like a mad woman this month – as you’ll see in my next empties post – but my favourite was this returning cologne scent. It has the perfect throw without being overwhelming, adds that cozy atmosphere with the warm cologne vibe with a hint of citrusy musk and woodsiness and doesn’t seem to cliche or generic.
MAC Boldly Bare Lip Liner ($19.50): Sometime in the last couple of months, I found myself at MAC and couldn’t resist picking up a few products that have been on my wishlist forever, this being one of them. Throughout November, I’ve been attached to this shade and formula. It is not entirely different than many of my rosy-neutral-brown liners that I adore, but it has that peachiness that I find perfect with nudes, neutrals and underneath just about anything. The peachiness keeps the shade a bit more flattering, I would say, though.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder in 50 ($62): Before that new NARS cheek palette came into my life at the midway point of the month, I was reaching for this neutral brown powder with rosy undertones to do some bronzing and sculpting at once, on a daily basis. The colour is great and does not read orange or grey in the slightest and the formula feels just as luxe as I would hope for.

Maybelline Superstay Betterskin Concealer in Light ($9-10): In November, I would say that I found my favourite all-rounded drugstore concealer and its this one. It’s neither hydrating nor drying, so it hardly creased underneath the eyes but also goes over dry patches around my chin and nose without accenting them, so it also works on my face. The palest shade works on me unlike many others with a limited shade range, as it has neutral undertones and it has medium-full coverage that looks natural too.

NARS One Shocking Moment Steven Klein Collaboration Cheek Palette ($92): I normally set rules for myself about how long I’ve had to have used a product before including it in a favourites post, but I’ve loved a few of the products that I’ve gotten from the Sephora VIB Sale so much that I couldn’t resist writing this without including them. One of them is this years NARS palette, which has impressed me with its value and inclusion of permanent shades that I’ve wanted to try from the line. NARS Laguna has definitely impressed me as a satin-y brown bronzer that has some sculpting abilities and not an ounce of orange to it and I’ve been rotating between three of the blushes on a daily basis, all of which I adore: Dolce Vita, Luster and Blasphemy. The formula of these powders are definitely impressive and even more than that, it’s versatile, including the essential shades, at a discounted price.

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Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Nude Lipstick in 43 ($7-8): Rimmel’s newer nude lipstick range has an impeccable, easy to wear and comfortable formula, and this brown-hued peach lipstick remained in my purse all month long and I grabbed for it whenever I wanted anything on the lips but quite honestly could not be bothered. It suits dry lips and instantly brightens the face, making you look much less dead.
Sephora Collection Oil Infusion Colour & Care in 03 Peach Tea ($18): I’ve only recently become acquainted with Sephora’s house brand but I’ve been hugely impressed as a whole – so much so that this is the second product that I’ve broken my rule for. It’s an oil-infused gloss that is not sticky at all and more than that is more hydrating than just about any lip balm that I’ve ever tried. It’s essentially a balm in liquid form with a nice sheer peach tint and it’s another product I’ve reached for non-stop. If only it stained slightly or deepened in colour as the YSL offering supposedly does…

Youngblood Brow Artiste Sculpting Pencil in Natural Brunette ($32): If we’re being completely honest here, the Youngblood brow pencil is incredibly pricy and its buildable-rather-than-pigmented and waxy texture could definitely be offsetting to some who prefer to pencil in their brows in a single stroke, but I’ve been enjoying using this pencil regardless. It’s the perfect shade, very ashy without being overly dark on my brows and the combination of the waxy pencil and the spoolie ensures that the brows look groomed but extremely natural. I will say that it makes for quick and easy brows.
MAC Feline Kohl Power Pencil ($19.50): I keep on forgetting to include this intensely black eyeliner in my favourites posts for months on end but this time I did remember. I love the ease of the formula, its creaminess and how it does not budge, but most of all I love the definition it provides with the ease of the pencil formula. I’m definitely an eyeliner girl and this is a nice compromise product when I only have a few minutes to get ready and can’t be bothered with liquid.

What were your November loves?
Maggie, x

October Favourites

All September long to early October, we had an unusually late final surge of summer, but suddenly this month, Fall, that dreadful cold, the emergence of dry skin and the cooler weather hit me like a ton of bricks. These transitional months have me appreciating the skincare products in my routine because of my increasing needs in said routine and this month was the perfect exempli. And they just so happen to all be Paula’s Choice because the brand is precisely that impressive and all of my most recent additions have been from them. My other favourites that veered from the realm of skincare were themed around looking polished with minimal effort, especially whilst being ill, and hiding how crappy I was feeling.

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Paula’s Choice Resist Intensive Repair Cream ($32 US): At first I was concerned that I was actually breaking out from this highly emollient cream, as I was plagued with those weird bumpy breakouts around my lower cheeks and chin, but I can happily report that its not the case. It does have a thicker more emollient texture but I love using this rich cream at nighttime because it actually soothes my skin from all the irritation and dehydration from the day without leaving an unpleasant feeling. The combination of lower-dose retinol, sodium hyaluronate, niacinamide, miscellaneous plant oils and emollients must really agree with my sensitive skin has managed to heal dry patches overnight, leaving my skin radiant and plumped in the morning. It works fantastically as an eye cream, too.

Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Lotion SPF 30 ($28 US): It was not until my skin became so intensely dehydrated and sensitive that I fully appreciated the beauty of this almost impossibly hydrating lotion moisturizer with potent mineral protection. It only has the slightest white tinge that fades quickly but more than that it neither irritates my skin or dries it out, while still protecting from sun damage, and the minor issues I was having with the overly emollient texture during warmer weather have vanished as my skin has drifted back to the dry to very dry end of the spectrum. | review

Paula’s Choice Clear Acne 2% BHA Body Spray ($24 US): Funnily, I bought this lightweight but nourishing 2% salicylic acid chemical exfoliation mainly for use on the body to deal with breakouts but it’s been on the face that I’ve fallen for this product for. I was always sure that I was more of an AHA girl, suffering with drier skin and experiencing more impressive brightening benefits with exfoliants of that variety but adding the anti-inflammatory and pore-declogging product every day or two has improved my skin in terms of irritation and those stubborn bumps that I get. I will say, though, that bringing this high strength salicylic acid into my routine did cause some purging at first but it did go away after a week or two – this purging was part of why I thought the nighttime moisturizer might have been breaking me out.

Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop ($46): Even when I could hardly be bothered with the full-on face of makeup, I’ve been happily applying a generous amount of the peachy gold highlighter to the cheekbones because the visible shimmer somehow fills the void in my soul and makes me look instantly more alive. In my laziness, I’ve discovered that it also makes a gorgeous eyeshadow, especially when paired with winged liner. It’s not that amazing highlighter that will instantly flatter anyone, though, despite what many claim.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Medium Brown ($23): There’s no way around it – brows make the biggest difference in terms of looking pulled together with minimal effort and now that my pot of the gel brow product has dried out somewhat and has become much easier to apply without looking like you’ve painted your brows on with permanent marker, I’ve been relying on the ashy shade to add shape to my arches and fill in sparse spots without regrets. I’ve never heard anyone mention this in relation to the product before, but like mascara, it does get better with time.

L’Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Intenza Mascara ($9-11): In October I added this new mascara to the rotation and even before the formula dried out significantly, I was a big fan of the dramatic volumizing effect that it provided along with moderate separation and length – and its only gotten better. In fact, I’ve gotten numerous compliments on my lashes and I have to agree that it creates loads of drama without looking clumpy – and it does not feel heavy or require effort in the least.

What did you love throughout October?
Maggie, x.

My Sephora VIB Lust List & Recommendations

I honestly was not planning on doing an entire post dedicated to the upcoming (and currently going on for VIB Rouge-ers) Sephora VIB Sale because of all of the countless others that are floating around and my lack of time to write nearly as many posts as I would like. However, I have time for a post today and I was feeling like writing on the products that I’m thinking about along with a few products I would personally recommend. Because there’s lots of overlap on my first list with my last wishlist post, I’ve denoted those items with a star – and you can read more on those here.

The Lust List

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  • *NARS Steven Klein One Shocking Moment Cheek Palette ($92): In terms of holiday palettes, this large and economical one has caught my eye. I do already have the Paloma Contour Blush in full-size but I wouldn’t mind having the shades in a more accessible form – as I love them so much – and it has a myriad of cult-favourite NARS shades that I’ve wanted to try but haven’t managed to get around to – Laguna, Luster and Dolce Vita to name a few.
  • *REN Wake Wonderful Night-Time Facial ($74): I’m well aware that this concentrated lactic-acid based treatment is likely not worth the hype but I really want to try out something with the other alpha hydroxy acid in it, and this one seems gentle – so a 20% off time period would be ideal to take the plunge.
  • *Tangle Teezer Original Detangling Hairbrush ($20): I’ve mentioned my insanely tangly hair on many an occasion and seeing as I struggle with this affliction, I want to try the original version of the brush that claims to eradicate them altogether.
  • *Laneige Bright Review Original Serum ($59): I’m desperate to add a product with niacinamide to my routine because of its cell-communicating, breakout eliminating benefits and this serum intrigues me with its potent concentration.
  • Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($66): For years, I’ve heard amazing things about this beyond pricy foundation but it’s never been available to me – as we don’t have a counter – until the brand launched at Sephora. I don’t exactly need a foundation per se, but I’ve got to see if this foundation delivers on its promises on dry skin as everyone claims…
  • Miss Dior Eau de Parfum ($80-$150): For a year now, I’ve been holding onto the remaining drops of my sample bottle of this guy and every time I do wear it, I fall in love. This warm and spicy jasmine, patchouli and citrus scent instantly makes me feel more pulled together slash sophisticated and does not strike as offensive in the least. The sale is a good opportunity to take the plunge for another perfume and I might very well use it…

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My Product Recommendations

  • Living Proof Curl Detangling Rinse ($32): If you’re in the market for a luxurious conditioner that’s almost impossibly lightweight but has the best slip and detangling power in this world, look no further. It has a different gelatinous texture that is not the most thick and hydrating product in existence but it offers enough moisture while leaving the hair weightless. The scent is rather perfect, too. It’s definitely one to try especially for fine haired curly and wavy types.
  • Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop ($46): I do believe that this visibly-shimmery golden champagne highlighter is worth the hype if you love quite a glow and don’t suffer too much from enlarged pores and you find super-warm face products flattering – because the undertones are strong in this one and are not universal in my opinion. I do love it, though.
  • Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone ($23/$50): If you’re interested in that glow but are looking for a less obviously shimmery and gold-leaning option, I definitely think that the liquid products in the cult favourite shades are the way to go. They add serious glow without the shimmering factor and do not highlight pores to the same degree – and Moonstone might be more universal, especially on fairer skins.
  • Sephora Collection Master Cleanse Daily Brush Cleanser ($11-19): If you’re as lazy as I am and are looking for an easy way to clean your brushes on the daily with little downtime, look no further. This spray does exactly that without containing alcohol and therefore does not irritate the skin or damage brushes in the long run.
  • NARS Audacious Lipstick in Brigitte ($39): NARS’ hella-expensive lipstick formula is phenomenal, as I’m sure you’ve heard from myself and countless others – but sales like this one are the perfect opportunity to try it out. The lipsticks are great because of their longevity along with their perfect semi-matte finish thats comfortable but doesn’t migrate like glossier formulas do – and there’s impressive pigmentation. If you’re looking for a neutral rosy-but-not-too-pink shade, my vote goes to Brigitte. I’m contemplating on taking the plunge for another shade myself.
Any thoughts on the sale?
Maggie, x.

The (Late) October Wishlist

I really do enjoy writing these posts where I describe the products that I’ve got my eye on at the moment and why I’m so intrigued, and it has been a bit than my last one – well, long enough that I’ve tried a number of products from my past wishlist posts. It’s a bit skincare heavy, as I’ve been particularly skincare-obsessed as of late, but there’s also some inspiration from looking into items that I would like to try in the Sephora VIB Sale that’s coming up in the near future!

 

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Paula’s Choice Resist BHA 9 ($42 US): I’ve never really found a spot treatment that worked for me, or even did not irritate my skin to death, drying out the blemish and making it look worse than it actually did beforehand, but I’ve heard great things about this slow-release 9% BHA treatment. My skin tends to respond well to BHA (beta-hydroxy acid) and it would be handy to have something for those pesky blemishes that come through and scar like nothing else in this world – this is supposed to help on both the pimple and the scarring front, too. It’s selection here might also have something to do with the huge inflamed zit that appeared on my chin out of nowhere yesterday…

Tangle Teezer Original Detangling Hairbrush ($20): Anyone who falls into the faithful reader category or knows me well enough in real life to hear me complain about my hair woes, I might just have the tangliest hair on the planet and because of this affliction, I’m eager to try anything that promises to make the detangling process easier. Although I’ve tried and still use the Goody ‘dupe’  of this detangling brush, with the Sephora sale around the corner, I’m desperate to try the real thing and see if it fares better.

MAC Patisserie Lipstick ($20): I realized the saddest thing this week – I’ve somehow lost my favourite, comfortable, sheer warm browny pink lipstick and it’s permanent – I can’t find it in any of my 3859 purses etc. I’m coming to terms with my loss and I miss it so much that I need another one in my life pronto.

NARS Steven Klein Collaboration One Shocking Moment Cheek Palette ($92): Believe it or not, this years NARS Cheek Palette has caught my eye above all other palettes that were released by the holidays; I adore cheek products of all kinds and palettes like this one are nice choices to get a large assortment. I love how it comes with an impressive amount of product – unlike say the Houglass Ambient Lighting Edit – and how it comes with a nice variety of their cheek products that I’ve been wanting to try – I’ve never gone for the cult-favourite Laguna, and this palette almost contains the full-size bronzer and it includes two blushes that I’ve been meaning to try for ages from NARS, Luster and Dolce Vita. I think it would also be a great way to try my beloved, Paloma Contouring Blush without feeling like you were investing $50 dollars into a single duo.

REN Wake Wonderful Night-Time Facial ($74): I really adore these hydrating chemical exfoliant products and although its expensive and new to the market, – so I haven’t heard much about it – I’m intrigued by this one because of just how much Lactic Acid it contains – as I’ve wanted to try this AHA for its hydrating properties and gentleness but have not – and because of its hydrating base, without irritating alcohol or fragrance anywhere near the top of the ingredient list. My only concerns are the price and the fact that the pH is not listed – the large quantity sodium lactate in the product tends to raised the pH and it could possibly be doing so to a level that reduces the AHAs efficacy. Nevertheless, I’m dying to try the overnight hydrating and exfoliating treatment.

Laneige Bright Renew Original Serum ($59): I think my skincare routine is looking pretty great at the moment, but one product that I would like to add is a niacinamide-laden serum and this one seems like it fits the bill, with a high concentration of the cell-communicating and barrier repairing antioxidant, along with loads of the antioxidant squalane as well. I’m quite excited that this Korean brand has come into Canada, through Sephora, because they do have some interesting products, including this one. It would definitely be a nice cooler weather addition to combat irritation and my perpetual dehydration!

What have you got on your wishlist at the moment?
Maggie, x.

The Review| Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Lotion SPF 30

I’ve been using the Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Lotion SPF 30 ($28/2 ounces) on an almost daily basis for months now, but it’s really in the aftermath of suffering through a cold and dealing with very dehydrated skin in the fall that I’ve appreciated  this extremely hydrating mineral-based SPF moisturizer so very much. It does not have the lightest texture and some might regard it as slightly greasy, but its ability to provide gentle mineral based protection without drying out the skin and instead, providing so much hydration that a separate moisturizer is not required beforehand. Essentially, it’s impressive because it manages to fulfill my expectations of a moisturizer, along with a gentle SPF product that my skin can tolerate within a single product.

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Product Ingredients:
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 3.85%, Zinc Oxide 3.12% (mineral sunscreens). Other Ingredients: Water (Aqua), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (thickener), Isononyl Isononanoate (skin conditioning agent), Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil (non-fragrant emollient plant oil), Glyceryl Stearate (emollient thickeners), PEG-100 Stearate (emollient thickeners), Cyclopentasiloxane (silicone slip agent), Butylene Glycol (slip agents), Pentylene Glycol (slip agents), Cetearyl Alcohol (thickening agent), Dimethicone (silicone slip agent), VP/Eicosene Copolymer (film-forming agent), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols (antioxidant fatty acid), Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract (anti-irritants), Glycerin (skin-identical/repairing ingredient), Sodium Hyaluronate (skin-repairing ingredients), Allantoin (anti-irritants), Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E/antioxidant), Hydrogenated Lecithin (cell-communicating ingredient), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (stabilized vitamin C/antioxidant), Superoxide Dismutase (antioxidant), Ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10/antioxidant), Ceramide NG, Methicone (silicone slip agent), Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 (cell-communicating ingredient) , PEG-10 Dimethicone – (silicone thickener), Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract (antioxidant), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (emollient/skin-repairing ingredient), Tribehenin (skin conditioning agent), PEG-10 Phytosterol (emulsifier), Sorbitan Stearate (emulsifier), Polyhydroxystearic Acid (thickeners), Alumina (thickening/opacifying agents) , Polysorbate 20 (emulsifier), Aluminum Stearate (thickening/opacifying agents), Xanthan Gum (thickeners), Caprylyl Glycol (preservatives), Disodium EDTA (chelating agent), Ethylhexylglycerin (skin-conditioning agent), Phenoxyethanol (preservative), Chlorphenesin (preservative).

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It adds instant hydration that suits those who suffer from dry patches and generally dry-slash-dehydrated skin and it does not have an overly thick texture, as might be problematic if you suffer with clogged pores or breakouts along with dryness concerns. It has a lotion texture and a white cast, as expected, but it’s relatively sheer and blends into my fair skin with ease – and is minor compared to other physical sunscreens that are not tinted to conceal the cast. I do love how it instantly calms and soothes the skin, while preventing from further damage and irritation from the sun, with SPF and antioxidants. It’s an excellent one for under makeup in terms of making it apply smoothly without highlighting drier patches, but on any sort of oilier areas, it can create some shine throughout the day.

As with all Paula’s Choice products, – in my experience, at least – the Skin Recovery Daily Moisturizing Lotion does what it sets out and claims to do, replenishing “dry, sensitive skin” and ensuring “a healthy barrier function while protecting from daily sun damage with gentle mineral sunscreens” and is “loaded with potent antioxidants, skin-identical ceramics and cell-communicating peptides to restore and help maintain healthy, radiant skin”. The standout ingredients include the high concentration of apricot kernel oil for combatting inflammation, the barrier-repairing sodium hyaluronate, the anti-irritant allantoin and a cocktail of different antioxidants, to name a few. Especially for those on the more sensitive end of the spectrum, I would recommend this mineral based SPF moisturizer, if you’re on the dry to very dry end of the spectrum. I think it might be too heavy duty for normal skin, but I can’t be completely certain…

Thoughts?
Maggie, x.

The October Empties

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Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in 100 Ivory ($10-12): Once upon a time, not so long ago – in fact it was in the last 72 hours, I finally finished up my bottle of this seemingly never ending foundation. It’s definitely one of my favourites still, with good coverage but a natural skin look and a radiant finish, that rarely seems to do me wrong. I love that it works wonderfully over dry patches and the only complaint I have is that the shimmer can enhance imperfections when I’m dealing with raised breakouts and that the shade range is definitely limited. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a radiant foundation with some coverage, but I’m going to attempt to work through some more foundations in my stash before thinking about a repurchase.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in 125 Very Fair ($7-8): This concealer was really nice for providing medium build able coverage that looked nice even on my driest patches, however, it did not provide enough for blemishes and did not have quite enough correcting properties to conceal my bags on their own. It was a real treat for concealing redness, though, and to highlight the under-eye area after using a corrector – it was especially helpful that it looks so skinlike.

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer in 010 Ivory ($7-8): So apparently I finished a lot of Rimmel face products this time around but I’m pleased to have this one used up, because I liked it, but it was not my favourite. Despite being marketed as a concealer-highlighter-hybrid, I found that this brush-tip concealer had medium build able coverage and didn’t have any luminous properties whatsoever. Although the brush was irritating for use on blemishes, I found it could be used on them as well as underneath the eyes. However, I found it a bit dry underneath my eyes, even though it concealed darkness fairly well and it had a tendency to look really makeup-y when applied in any sort of moderate amount. I would recommend it, though, especially if you’re curious about a thinner textured product that comes with a nice amount of product and has substantial coverage. I must be an awfully tough concealer critic…

Maybelline The Falsies Mascara ($9-10): The only non-Rimmel makeup product that I finished, huh? I do love this affordable volumizing mascara because it is not a menace to remove, does not get clumpy, doesn’t have an overly wet formula and works well without feeling like its even there. I’ve been through so many tubes of this and I don’t plan on stopping.

Prevens Makeup Remover Wipes ($6-7): I’m not your usual makeup wipes kind of girl, but sometimes I want to remove my makeup without the bother of going to the sink, removing everything with separate products and having to go through the routine and these are rather nice, but not my absolute favourite. I quite like that they are gentle, formulated without alcohol and somehow do not sting even my sensitive eyes. They’re not drying either and I’m afraid I have to admit to enjoying the subtle citrus scent.

Aveeno Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream ($15): If you’ve been a regular reader around these parts for some time, no doubt you will be aware that I suffer from a moderate case of eczema – particularly on my legs – that doesn’t seem to respond to much and I had to try this 1% colloidal oatmeal enriched cream because I love the body wash so much. I did enjoy the cream gel texture for how soothing it felt and the lack of general irritants, but it didn’t come out as impressive enough to warrant a repurchase.

Soap & Glory Calm One Calm All ($14): I definitely don’t buy the claims of this bubble bath doubling up as moisturizer and being a treat to the skin but I do adore it for the sake of the luxurious calming experience it provides, without being loaded with irritating essential oils – I find my eczema flares up in reaction to them – and sodium lauryl sulfate. It has that gorgeous warm patchouli scent that reminds me of Miss Dior that loads of products from the brand do and I enjoy it tremendously. I’m also partial to the fact that it’s not irritating and that I can even get away with using it as a body wash as well.

Dove Unscented Anti-Perspirant Stick ($5-6): I feel absolutely ridiculous including a deodorant in an empties post but this one deserves it. It might be a little TMI but I have the tendency to get a bit of eczema in my underarm area and most deodorants are painful to apply there and irritating, but this one works well and doesn’t sting or anything. I’ve repurchased before and I will again.

Bath & Body Works Nantucket Sail 3 Wick Candle: While I can’t seem to do an empties post without harping on about a scented candle, I haven’t been burning through many in recent months – mainly because of the warm weather and extended indian summer that we’ve been having. However, about a month ago I burned through this light citrus musk candle and I did enjoy it, while it’s not enough for a repurchase. It has that nice cologne kind of note that I like but it’s not up there with my faves.

Have you finished anything lately?
Maggie, x.

A Skincare Update

Perhaps I was a little too ambitious with believing that I could get back to the 3-4 times a week posting schedule, while finishing up my degree and working twenty hours a week. Well, anyways I’ve been meaning to do a complimentary post to my morning skincare routine from this Summer, but I’ve realized that enough has changed that an update would make sense before moving onto the evening routine. My thoughts and philosophy on skincare haven’t changed, nor have my opinions on my favourite products but I’ve run out of certain previous staples and have been using others in the rotation… I will warn you, though, that this post will be more than a little Paula’s Choice heavy.

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First off, I’ve been more consistent with my use of the Paula’s Choice Resist C15 Super Booster ($48), every single morning before moisturizer, rather than just applied on alternating evenings. And even though I was feeling pretty great about my skin as a whole, I swear I’ve seen improvement from adding a few drops of the antioxidant serum in terms of skin clarity, brightness and texture.

After I ran out of the two moisturizers that had been in my rotation, I took the opportunity to order the Paula’s Choice Resist Intensive Repair Cream ($32) a month or so back and I’ve been using it on a nightly basis with pleasure. It does contain retinol in a decent concentration, but I find that I can use it on top of my topical Retinoid, along with a plethora of antioxidants and cell-communicating ingredients – including anti-inflammatory plant oils, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. Although its touted as an anti-aging moisturizer, the ingredients do work wonders on younger skin to combat irritation and inflammation, while preventing signs of aging and the like. It does contain petrolatum and plant oils, however, so it does not have the lightest feel, but I wouldn’t call it particularly heavy. It just has a thicker, emollient texture that might not be suitable for those who have issues with clogged pores and any sort of oiliness. I do find it intensely soothing and hydrating overnight and also suitable for use underneath the eyes. It’s been a real saviour as it’s gotten a whole lot drier and colder here and my skin has gotten majorly dry as I’ve been suffering through a wretched cold.

To be completely honest, I’ve switched the moisturizer up on occasion with the Lancome Visionnaire Advanced Multi-Correcting Cream ($92) that I received a sample size of in my Fall Luxe Box, even though I know that the jar packaging ensures that essentially any beneficial antioxidants will become unstable and that the ingredients aren’t impressive to begin with. I kind of just enjoy the soothing cream-gel texture and the light scent – that is not good for the skin. I will not be purchasing this, though, I assure you.

With the same aforementioned order, I’ve added the Paula’s Choice Clear Acne Body Spray ($24) into my daily (morning) chemical exfoliation, alternated with my usual Resist Daily Smoothing Treatment for increased pore-declogging and anti-inflammatory action – but this is its secondary function, as I’m using it to deal with unsightly body breakouts. I enjoy just how light it is without drying or irritating my skin and how it adds something extra to my regular AHA-based regime.

Thanks to my work, I’ve had the opportunity to sample two different products from the seemingly luxe essential-oil based line, Aroma Actives, and while I’ve been trying them out for about a month, they haven’t firmly found a place in my routine – nor have I completely decided my feelings on them. The Aroma Actives Omega Rich Facial Oil ($28) is definitely an indulgent oil that smells delightful and feels delightful on the skin, bringing increased radiance and all that facial oils do for a decent price, but it does only come with 15 mLs and when my skin is at its most sensitive, I find the ylang ylang essential oil content slightly irritating. But it’s still lovely.  I’ve also been adding the Aroma Actives Perfecting Day Serum ($24) to my regime on occasion with pleasure. I love the high rosehip oil content and how its enriched with these extracts in higher concentrations, along with how soothing and lightweight it is on the skin – I’m just not seeing phenomenal results.

Have any skincare recs for me?
Maggie, x.

September 2015 Favourites

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Base-wise, I happily reached for the Youngblood Natural Mineral Foundation in Barely Beige ($48) throughout the month. Adjusting to the whole university, working and attempting to throw some blogging in on the side has been rather difficult and I’ve definitely been slacking on the daily effort front with makeup, so I’ve adored the ease of use of this luminous foundation and just how forgiving it is, build able where you need extra coverage and flattering over dry patches and uneven texture. I adore its satin, glowing finish that reads as natural skin and just how little effort and time it takes to apply.

Along with that effortless haphazard application feel – there are way too many adjectives in this sentence, I’m aware – I was committed to wearing the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Ethereal Glow ($41). I now remembered why I adored this glowy pastel sheer pink – it applies and builds effortlessly, not even requiring a mirror, and adds instant brightness to the face without obvious colour. The texture and glow-from-within without shimmer particles is all kinds of fantastic. But seriously, the formula of these blushes are all kinds of life-affirming. On a less natural-looking note, I tracked down the L’Oreal True Match Lumi Powder Illuminator in N202 Rose ($16) – at work, no less – and have been enjoying the strong sheen and somewhat visible shimmer particles, as it adds instant visible luminosity to dull, dehydrated skin and works as a gorgeous champagne shadow.

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Although I’ve spoken about the NARS Audacious Lipstick in Brigitte ($39) countless times, particular in any favourites kind of the post in the last three months, but I couldn’t make this post without including this creamy warm peach-tinged rose lipstick. The formula is impeccable, as it would have to be at its retail price, and I haven’t wanted to reach for any other shade, as this one is so brightening and just easy. Actually, its kind of a lie when I said that I haven’t been wearing any other shade. I’ve also had the Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Nude Lipstick in 45 ($7-8) thrown in my bag all month long and on days when I haven’t managed to apply lipstick before leaving this own, I’ve been just throwing the hydrating pinky nude-but-not-overly-light shade.

There were also two nail polishes that I was loving throughout September: the Ciate Paint Pot in Brocade Parade ($15) and Essie Nail Lacquer in Find Me an Oasis ($8-9). Unfortunately, the formula on the powder blue Find Me An Oasis kind of sucks, requiring four coats for opacity, but I adore the pale greyed out hue so much that it was worth it. Even paired with this powder blue shade, either as a topper or for an accent nail, I’ve been experimenting with Brocade Parade, this really edgy black and white chunky glitter, that I got in my first beauty box ever (the Luxe Box) and have been loving it.

What were you loving in September?
Maggie, x.

The Summer Essentials

So, truth be told, I’ve been struggling with producing blog posts on any sort of schedule along with working twenty hours a week, while finishing my final year of my degree. I’ve definitely been excited about blogging, so there aren’t any problems on that front but some deadline stress and the sudden onset of a cold has left me overwhelmed. I’m trying to get it together and I think I’m definitely moving towards getting there. And, I’ll stop now – this is not a catch up sort of post: onto those products that were essential for me throughout the summer.

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Guerlain Terracotta Joli Teint Healthy Glow Powder Duo in 01 Clair Brunettes ($60):  From the start to the very finish of the summer, I happily reached for this limited-edition bronzing powder without complaint. It does start out sheer, but I liked that because of how easy it was to use and how buildable the shade was – and it has gorgeous yellow-beige undertones and a warm but not orange base. The powder is creamy and is the least powdery powder ever. I’ve made such a dent in this one and I’m also partial to the sliver of coral blush on the side of the compact.

the review

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Brigitte ($39): The only lip product that I relied on consistently throughout the summer was a similarly pricey warm neutral peachy rose cream lipstick. As I would insist on for a lipstick this expensive, it has a phenomenal comfortable but lasting formula and the colour is such a flattering versatile one, sitting somewhere between a peachy-coral-tinged neutral shade and one of those typically deeper rosy hues.

the review

Studio Makeup Smooth Endurance Cream Eyeshadow in Souffle ($26): Whenever I was in need of a cream shadow base for a more elaborate eyeshadow kind of look, or if I was lazy or running out of time and needed something to apply quickly and look instantly polished, I grabbed for this metallic (but not glittery in the slightest) slightly coppery champagne cream shadow. I relied on it tremendously, because of its colour, ease and it’s longevity and tenacity in the heat and humidity of the summer.

Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner ($20 US): This summer I went from being someone who had loved a Paula’s Choice product and was interested in more to a full-fledged devotee and this last-minute addition to an order might just have been the one to push me over the edge. I was never one for toners, finding them unnecessary and needlessly irritating but I was tempted into trying this one because of the sheer quantity of beneficial ingredients that it contained in impressive concentrations – the antioxidant-rich plant oils, the antioxidants themselves and hyaluronic acid to name a few. I instantly fell in love with the soothing milky formula of this one, particularly as I experienced combination skin for the first time in years on account of the heat and humidity, and I began to struggle with keeping my skin very hydrated and soothed without going for heavy formulas. This was weightless and it would instantly soothe and hydrate without interfering with any other product in the routine, adding plumpness and vitality without contributing to that sweaty feeling on the hottest of days. I should note that my version of combination skin was my usual dry cheeks and chin and a normal forehead and nose, so there was definitely not that true oil issue happening.

the review

Paula’s Choice Resist C15 Super Booster ($48 US): This potent 15% Vitamin C (and Ferulic Acid) treatment also pleasantly surprised me with its efficacy for evening out my skin tone, adding brightness and ease of use as a potent antioxidant to fight off free radical damage, boosting the effects of sunscreen. It’s really one of those products that I noted a difference with using, – even though I had thought my skincare routine was fairy great before – finding that it helped to fight against inflammation and all that jazz with ease. Again, it has a featherweight liquid texture that makes it ideal, regardless of your skin type and what products you prefer to layer over the top.

What were your Summer essentials?
Maggie, x.

 

 

August 2015 Favourites

While I might not have been able to keep up with blogging content throughout August, – or even the beginning of September – I was able to keep up with and organized with my handy list of the products I was obsessing over and gravitating towards all month long…

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NARS Audacious Lipstick in Brigitte ($39):  On a daily basis throughout August, I was happily applying this neutral rosy lipstick shade, either on its own or paired with a neutral lip liner. The formula is so gorgeous, pigmented and creamy and I can get it smudged along my upper lip when I’m being particularly careless, drinking coffee and the like, but otherwise it remains comfortable and intact for hours and hours. The shade has that brightening quality that works great with minimal makeup and when you’re looking worse for wear, but it also looks great with more dramatic makeup too.

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Colab Volume Extreme Dry Shampoo in London ($9-10): I’ve experienced my first true dry shampoo love with this intensively volumizing formula; with a quick spray, even from a distance, it adds drastic instant volume and texture that lasts for hours on end. It has a nice sophisticated high-end-reading scent that I quite enjoy and it does have a white cast, but it dissipates quickly and the effects are worth the extra effort.

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Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in SX04 ($58): As I’ve mentioned before, I kind of adore the uber-pigmented and creamy formula of this multi-purpose concealing product, although I unfortunately do have to work with it quite a bit on account of picking out the wrong shade – I wouldn’t exactly describe this shade as a fair golden hue, as its quite orange-yellow on my moderately fair skin. With some work, I find it works underneath the eyes to conceal heavy duty circles and it’s particularly amazing to spot-conceal blemishes.

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Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette ($64): Essentially every single day in August, I reached for the latest Urban Decay palette without feeling bored by the shades in the slightest. I love the matte shades in the palette along with the more neutral shimmery offerings, particularly paired with the more interesting smoky shades for that neutral-but-smoky look that I adore. If you’re on the fairer side, as I am, this palette contains both a beige transition shade and a matte highlighting shade, along with a few traditional crease and outer corner, which is tremendously helpful. The champagne High and the golden Dirtysweet are both essential lid shades for me, I reach for Combust and Whiskey on a daily basis and I do enjoy the smoky shades such as Smolder to ‘smoke’ things out.

Sephora Collection Master Cleanse Daily Brush Cleanser ($19): With wearing makeup every day – or at least each day that I’ve been working -, I’ve been more inspired to keep my tools clean – to hopefully result in an easier application in the mornings and I’ve been loving this new instant alcohol-free cleanser. I like the slight residue it leaves because it seems to keep my brushes in ideal condition while still quick cleansing well.

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Di Morelli Moisturizer ($58): Through work, I’ve had the opportunity to sample some of the lovely products created by the Vancouver-based dermatologist and I have to say that I’ve been loving this moisturizer throughout the month and it might just be worth the price – as it comes with 100 mLs of product and is up there with my beloved Caudalie. It has that lightweight but thicker soothing texture, that my skin drinks up it quickly but it leaves my drier patches adequately moisturized all day, with its high panthenol content to help repair the skin barrier and nice assortment of the usual emollients etc.

What were you loving in August?
Maggie, x.