giorgio armani luminous silk

Top 18 of 2018

Some of my favourite posts to read and videos to watch are those detailing yearly favourites. However, I haven’t managed to write one since 2015. I’m remedying this now, after much thought on what products I would include. You can’t possibly imagine how much time I’ve spent thinking and thinking about this.  The way that I thought about the yearly favourites were the eighteen products that I relied on the most and got the best performance from throughout the year. I do note that some of these won’t surprise any regular readers here in the least and they aren’t products that just came out this year or products that I bought in the last year necessarily. Here we go.

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Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm ($39 CDN)

This fragrance and known irritant free balm cleanser was a late 2017 discovery that firmly has become my favourite makeup remover because it dissolves everything without stinging my eyes, blurring my vision – unless I’m an idiot and use way too much – or irritating my skin. It’s such a gentle balm cleanser that I managed to use it during an eczema flare when even water made my skin burn and itch without an issue. It’s nothing glamorous but removes even the toughest eye makeup and dissolves foundation better than anything else I’ve tried without that stripping factor. It’s so good that I can skip a second cleanse if I’m feeling lazy without getting under the skin bumps the next day.

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Paula’s Choice RESIST Advanced Replenishing Toner ($24 US)

Since trying out the Skin Recovery Toner in 2015, I haven’t wanted to be without one of these Paula’s Choice milky toners. Honestly, I tend to flip flop between this offering and the Skin Recovery one but just using one of them is essential for my skin that is prone to irritation, dehydration, flaking and eczema. It honestly provides many of the benefits of a serum in a milky liquid form. It’s obviously formulated without alcohol, fragrance and ingredients that are known to be irritating. It’s soothing and is incredibly helpful in maintaining a healthy skin barrier and repairing a compromised one with fatty acids, antioxidants and hydrating ingredients. It provides a soothing effect short term and long-term keeps my skin looking healthier and brighter, without dry patches and calmed.

Paula’s Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA ($36 US) | review

Along with my prescription retinoid, – and more recently my azelaic acid – I rely on an AHA exfoliant to keep my skin smooth and clear on the whole and hydrated. This one keeps my pores from getting clogged and with the 0.5% salicylic acid and I find the glycolic, lactic, malic and tartaric acid formula to be gentler than pure glycolic acid but still have the same even-ing, brightening, smoothing and water-binding impact that single note formulas can have. More impressively, I love how gentle the formula is and how it combines the exfoliating ingredients with antioxidants and skin-replenishing ingredients. Essentially, it acts as a serum and effective exfoliant at once and I find it easier to tolerate, likely as a result of the antioxidants and anti-irritants.

Paula’s Choice RESIST Skin Restoring Moisturizer SPF 50 ($33 US)

It appears that I may have a thing for the Paula’s Choice RESIST line for dry skin, I’m realizing. I think that this is because they are chalked full of antioxidants and anti-irritants that make the formulas the most soothing and replenishing as possible, which my easily irritated skin needs. This is a very hydrating and cosmetically elegant lotion that is formulated with chemical sunscreen actives and is unique because it’s the only chemical sunscreen I’ve ever tried that has not immediately irritated my skin. I think I’ll always be a mineral sunscreen girl but I love this one for how it’s truly hydrating, isn’t greasy and never clings to dry patches in the way that mineral actives do. I think I tolerate this one because of the robust antioxidants and anti-irritants in the formula.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($72 CDN) | review

There’s no foundation that I’ve tried in the last three years that has knocked this cult favourite foundation from its spot as my go-to foundation. It looks incredibly skin like, even on my uneven texture and dry patches, and has a satin finish that lasts until I remove it on my dry thirsty skin. I like the medium-buildable coverage that it offers and how it will cover even reddened eczema patches, without losing that radiant finish. Without fail, this expensive foundation always makes me feel and look my best. Plus, it photographs fantastically.

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Laura Geller Balance n Brighten Baked Colour Correcting Foundation ($45 CDN)

Being someone with drier skin that doesn’t suffer from issues of makeup longevity, I have a tendency to skip powder altogether. However, I have discovered that I really like this one because of the light coverage it provides that mainly serves to cancel out redness of my face and because of the soft focus radiant (but without shimmer in sight) finish that it  provides over my t-zone. I tend to like wearing it if I’m going to be taking pictures and I loved wearing it in the unseasonably hot summer that we had. Also, the smoothing finish and coverage it provides works nicely as a low maintenance ‘foundation’ alternative on good skin days and days when I’m doing two or three minute makeup.

L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation ($20-25 CDN)

I’m beyond irritated that this foundation doesn’t seem to be carried by most drugstores in Canada anymore but I’m pleased that they haven’t discontinued my favourite lighter coverage base entirely. The cushion foundation is not the most economical option but as someone who rarely goes through foundation, it’s worthwhile for an easy option that’s almost undetectable on the skin and doesn’t cling to dry patches in the slightest. When I’m unsure of what to grab as a base and I don’t have time to think about it, I reach for this light to medium coverage offering because it’s hydrating, weightless and doesn’t cling to dry patches. The dewy finish is very brightening and it covers redness well but always looks like skin.

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick in Amber ($31 CDN)

As someone whose face just looks better with a bit of shading, I find myself often reaching for this cream-to-powder contour colour because it’s easy to blend into the skin and has a realistic grey tone that reads as a shadow. Also it works with both powder and cream products in my routine.

Colourpop Super Shock Highlighter in Wisp ($8 US)

I bought this putty-cream textured highlighter in a kit last year with a hefty dose of skepticism but I found myself really enjoying the gleam and sheen that this bronzier golden champagne highlighter provided to my cheeks. It’s one of those highlighters without obvious shimmer, I must note. Being fair, I find that I have to use a lighter hand but I love the luminous sheen it gives my cheekbones and how it adds life to my skin.

Physician’s Formula Eyebooster Lash Boosting Eyeliner & Serum ($15 CDN)

I feel like I’ve rambled on about how much I love this brush-tipped pen style liquid eyeliner so much recently but I do adore reaching for it on a daily basis because it creates a bit of a kitten flick with ease. I don’t have to worry about my eyeliner if I use this one. It removes easily and doesn’t really budge either.

Viseart Matte Eyeshadow Palette in Warm Mattes 10 ($100 CDN) | review

Ever since I picked up this expensive sunset-hued matte palette towards the beginning of 2018, it’s been my everyday go-to. I love how the shades have that flattering warm hue and that everything except a black is included for shade selection. Most of all I like that the shades crease on me the least of any eyeshadow formula, last for ages, blend like a dream and do not cause fallout. The red shade in this palette even got me on the red eyeshadow train.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette ($55 CDN)

It seems like whenever I do these kinds of posts, I can’t resist including a product or two that I’ve more recently discovered. This palette I might have only picked up at the beginning of November, but it has become a real favourite of mine since then. The colour choices are a bit more interesting than the Viseart, being a mixture of neutral mattes (with a few shimmers thrown in), along with some red and berry-toned shades. I love how it makes a nice one and done look and I’ve enjoyed experimenting with the more red shades. The formula’s powderiness doesn’t seem to leave fallout, either. Also, the formula is pretty easy to work with. I love the inclusion of a few shimmery shades for the lid and to add some dimension.

MAC Eyeshadow in All That Glitters ($9/$19 CDN)

I came close to including a selection of the MAC eyeshadows that I reached for some throughout the year but in all honesty, I mainly reached for this peachy champagne shimmery shadow. I’ve repurchased it countless times and when I wanted a lid shade, I always find myself reaching for this one and am pleased with how it looks.

MAC Brow Set in Beguile ($22 CDN)

While I might have a lot of brow, they are sparse and tend to look unnatural unless a lot of care is put into gently filling them in and taming them. This year, I discovered that using this brow mascara with a light hand held them in place and helped to fill in the sparse sections, without looking product-y or unnatural in the slightest. It was a godsend for when I wanted to do something with my brows but did not have the time or energy to really fill them in.

L’Oreal Pro Matte Liquid Lipstick in 360 Angora ($12.99 CDN)

My lip product discovery and favourite of the year was easily this liquid lipstick formula and my go to shade was this medium-toned greige shade. I have super dry lips and aren’t a particularly clean eater and drinker and tend to experience lip products wearing off unevenly through the day, accentuating my dry patches. I like a lip product that I don’t have to think about and this one fits the bill, especially because once I let this product set on my lips, it can last through a Christmas dinner. I also like how the formula doesn’t have a super dry feel but sets on my lips. Also, the colour is interesting enough that it feels kind of cool and different without being a bold or jarring colour.

MAC Lip Pencil in Boldly Bare ($22 CDN)

As much as I like buying lip products, I don’t find myself reaching for them on a daily basis because I can’t be bothered with the upkeep and having to think about them. On days when I wanted some colour to my lips, I often found myself filling in my lips with this neutral coral-hued rosy pencil and topping it with lip balm or a sheerer neutral lipstick offering. It happily lived in my purse throughout the year.

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DevaCurl One Condition Delight Weightless Waves ($32/$62 CDN)

I have long porous fine wavy curls that tangles like nothing else in this world and this conditioner ticks all of the boxes for a daily conditioner; I can use it as a leave-in to keep my curlier underlayer of hair hydrated and defined without flattening out the wimpier waves that are prone to falling out on the top layer of my hair and as my standard conditioner of choice.  I have a ton of hair that requires a ton of slip to detangle and this fits the bill, whilst adding the dose of protein that gives my hair the bounce it needs to look good. It has great slip and provides moisture without weight for my thirsty locks. It’s free of drying alcohols and silicones.

DevaCurl B’Leave In ($27 CDN)

This year, I noticed that most of my good hair days – when I actually wore my curls and waves down – occurred after using this curl boosting product in addition to gel and whatever cream product I was using. This holdless gel-textured product added a weightless dose of protein to my fine hair and really boosted the bounce and curl in sections of my hair that are prone to wilting and falling flat. I’ve used this product before with good results but I rediscovered it this year when I started putting more effort into my hair again.

Any favourites to share?
Maggie, x.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Review | Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

Long time, no foundation review, eh? Rest assured, I have not become any less obsessed with foundations in my quest to find one to cover imperfections whilst imparting the perfect glow to the skin – although I must pat myself on the back for my restraint on the buying front as of late. I’m coming at you with a review of a foundation that (spoiler alert) might just be one of the very few that approach holy grail status and demand repurchase but here are the details. At the moment, I’m dealing with a cold and that hormonal time of the month, so my skin is not at its finest – a little angry and congested, and a lot dehydrated – and I figured it would be an excellent time to show you how it performs over less-than-smooth skin.

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The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($68/ ounce) is a cult favourite of makeup artists and and I’d say that this is likely because it is a foundation that does what it says. The claims that the brand boasts of aren’t complex – they claim that it’s a lightweight foundation that achieves a seamless radiant finish that’s reminiscent of silk – but it’s a refreshing change to review a product that’s not marketed as a skin miracle in a bottle. I knew that I wanted to try the foundation as soon as Armani launched on Sephora last year and I don’t regret it in the slightest. It provides medium buildable coverage that feels lightweight, looks luminous but lasts. It is almost undetectable on the skin but it has a perfecting or airbrushed quality to it. The foundation does not have the dewiest finish ever, but instead sits somewhere in between a luminous and a satin finish – read: the luminosity of this foundation comes off as emanating from within the skin rather than from visible particles or shine.

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Ingredients: WATER, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, GLYCERIN, ISODECANE, ALCOHOL DENAT, POLYGLYCERYL-40ISOSTERATE, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE, HEXYL LAUREATE, ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE, DISTERDIMONIUM HECTORITE, PHENOXYETHANOL, ACETYLATED GLYCOL STERATE, MAGNESIUM SULFATE, PEG-10 DIMETHICONE, TRIHYDROXYSTEARIN, CELLULOSE GUM, NYLON-12, LIMONENE, BENZYL SALICYLATE, BENZYL ALCOHOL, LINALOOL, DIPHENYL DIMETHICONE, ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, PARFUM, DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE, METHYLPARABEN, BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPINOL, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, HEXYL CINNAMAL.

Ingredient-wise, it’s not my ideal foundation because it does include drying alcohol – which is what gives it its weightless feel and texture – and irritating fragrance actives, but it performs so well, providing both lasting coverage and a luminous look to the skin that I’m not bothered by it. It does not contain SPF but that doesn’t bother me because my skin is so finicky to SPF actives that I like to choose a separate product and because it makes it a great flash photography foundation. Unlike some truly dewy foundations, Luminous Silk does set on the skin so it would not be ideal for severe dry patches and flaking, however, it is ideal for those who want some glow while giving their skin a blurring effect and coverage of imperfections. I don’t find that it clings to texture or small dry patches and I find that it wears beyond the 12 hour mark on me without issues.

I will mention that while the shade range is quite good, is confused the living hell out of me. I wear shade 2 – the lightest in the range I believe – which has a nice beige undertone but is a wee bit to pale for me. It matches my pale beyond belief neck that somehow is always 1-2 shades fairer than the rest of my body. It works well for me in the winter months, especially because I like contouring and adding some warmth on the daily but it could match someone about a shade fairer than me. As far as I understand, the range is numbered in terms of undertone – integers denoting neutral undertones, 0.25/0.75s denoting pink undertones and 0.5s indicating golden shades. Next time, I think I would try shade 4.

Because I had applied my skincare products hours before and my skin had drunk them up. I went in with the Make Up For Every Hydrating Primer to give the foundation a layer to stick to, although my moisturizer would have sufficed, if it hadn’t been applied so long ago. I applied one pump of the foundation with a buffing brush and did not set with powder, conceal my face or use any sort of setting spray.

Have you tried GA Luminous Silk?
Maggie, x

The Summer Essentials

So this summer, I’ve been a mess. Aside from working, making plans with friends and taking copious naps, I haven’t managed to get anything done. For a while, I was dreading even having to wear makeup on account of the humidity and heat that we’re experiencing. However, I’m now back into it. I’m just hoping I can pull myself together enough to make posts happen again. I’m still going to pull together a favourites post at the end of the summer, summing up my favourite products for the months I’ve missed posting on, but I’m going to go through some seasonal essentials today:

(Can you tell I’ve had this post waiting in drafts for over a month? :))

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Essie Nail Lacquer in In The Cab-an: Particularly on my toes, I adore a bright blue polish in the summer and this one is perfect, leaning slightly more on the bluer side of turquoise with an easy cream formula. It’s opaque in two thin coats and is easy to work with, lasting a while – on my toes at least.

Skin79 Snail Nutrition SPF 50 BB Cream: In hot and humid weather, everyone – even those like myself who have skin that edges itself towards the truly dry and perpetually dehydrated end of the spectrum – dislikes the feeling of heavy product (or hardly any product at all) on the skin. We all can appreciate a multitasking product that does all three of its functions well – providing necessary sun protection, moisturizing and functioning as an everyday product – and this is it for me. Unless I’m being an idiot, I never burn when I’m wearing this. Impressively, it provides medium natural coverage that works whether or not I’ve gone for a full-face or not and stays put.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation: In this truly humid weather of the summer that just passed, I was not in the mood for any sort of makeup experimentation. This left me looking for a foundation that looked like skin, had a bit of glow and left my skin looking far better than before on a fairly regular basis and this one was my pick. With its satin finish, medium-buildable coverage and longevity, it might just be worth its hefty cost.

Physician’s Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer: Despite being a lover of applying a bunch of cheek products on the daily, my lack of enthusiasm for makeup application left me looking for a one and done cheek product on a regular basis – and that product in question was this effortless and slightly glowy golden-hued bronzer. It’s smooth formula gave that effortless glow with the swipe of the brush and it added much needed life to my face in an instant.

Physician’s Formula Eye Booster Eyeliner & Serum: I suppose this was the summer that I really fell for some Physician’s Formula products. In the very beginning of Summer – or perhaps the tail end of Spring – I broke down and bought the eyeliner that everyone raves about and fell in love. It’s fine tip creates the smoothest lines and makes creating a flick a breeze in seconds. I love that its rich colour and smooth application doesn’t fade after opening for a few months. In my whole not wanting to put a load of makeup on fairly regularly, I’ve been relying on this liner to give me that instantly polished look.

OPI Nail Lacquer in No Doubt About It ($10-12): My infrequent posts in the last six months or so, aside, I have mentioned that I’ve become way more polish obsessed as of late. This summer, I fell for a neon pink – despite not being the kind of girl who is into pink in any shape or form. In my defense, it is a pink-coral kind of hybrid and it’s flattering on my warm undertones. It dries matte so it dries unbelievably fast which is nice, but my only complaint is that it does not cover completely on its own and layered over white, the polish only applies evenly with a perfect coat of white underneath. However, in three coats alone, it does cover 90% of the nail line and looks even.

Zoya Pixie Dust in Vega ($12): This teal tinged pale blue textured polish might not have the same quintessential ‘summer’ quality to it but its ease of use and cool kind of feel left me reaching for it more often than not. The mixture of matte and holographic glitters leave a cool effect on the nail but truly, what I adored the most was that it dried quickly – only requiring two easy coats – and was chip-resistant even without any top coat.

What did you love this summer?
Maggie, x.

 

April 2016 Favourites

What’s this – an almost early favourites post? Hide your unbelievable shock and read on.

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Shea Moisture Mongogo & Hemp Seed Oils High Porosity Moisture-Seal Masque ($17.15): I’ve always heard great things about Shea Moisture’s products and wanted to try them to no end, but I was always doomed to frustration because they were not available in Canada in stores or to order. However, I learned that Target will ship them to Canada with their relatively recent Canadian shipping at not too high of a cost and couldn’t resist trying a number out. One of them was this deep conditioner from the new high porosity hair line – which I have despite having fairly healthy hair – and it was almost as life changing as it gets. It’s one of those concentrated and rich but somehow lightweight formulas that manages to both drastically improve the condition of the hair in a few minutes but leave the hair bouncy with a bit of the remaining product left in. It has heavier butters in the first couple of ingredients so it does have the potential of weighing those with looser textures and extremely fine hair down. It also has a really perfume-y scent that I don’t love but thankfully does dissipate.

Shea Moisture Tahitian Noni & Monoi Smooth & Repair Rinse-Out Conditioner ($14.51): My love for a good conditioner or two – and copious amounts of said conditioners – run deep but regardless, I do feel a bit ridiculous including two Shea Moisture offerings in one fairly restrained selection of product favourites. The fact remains that I couldn’t resist leaving this everyday conditioner out. I love the smell, because it’s fresh and energizing but I particularly love how it has a concentrated boost of protein – keratin is the third ingredient – and packs a moderate hydration punch that lasts. I imagine that it’s not quite as heavy as other Shea Moisture conditioners, as the shea butter appears lower on the ingredient list and likely because of this I can easily leave a generous amount in my long wavy hair without disturbing the curl formation in the slightest, or even use it as a leave-in. It pleasantly has decent enough slip for detangling but the best part is that lightweight moisture-protein mix that helps to perk up my droopier waves.

Pixi Overnight Glow Serum ($31.69): I ordered Pixi’s glycolic-laden serum on a whim from Target in order to reach the threshold for more affordable shipping, being impressed with the aloe rich and alcohol-free formula of the serum. Despite not hearing much about this chemical exfoliant with all of the recent exfoliant hype, I have to say that it’s a delightful one – with enough glycolic acid to be brightening and resurfacing but soothing and hydrating at the same time. My only complaint is that the product has a weirdly thick and gel-like texture to be effectively dispensed through the dropper.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($68): I can count on a few fingers the number of times that I wore makeup in April that did not include the cult favourite foundation and I regret each of these times. It’s not super-detectable on the skin and has that luminosity but its subtle in a way that wears well and does not require powder or anything. I love that it makes me glowy and doesn’t highlight my dry patches, whilst providing almost undetectable medium-buildable coverage. It has risen to the top of my absolute favourite foundations, let me tell you.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Contour Kit in Fair ($52): Despite not being a full-on heavy contour kind of girl, I found myself springing for the cream offering from Anastasia during the Sephora VIB Sale and falling in love with the effect. I’ve found that these creams make contouring really easy and laid-back, fitting into my routine at least a few times a week. Unlike powders, they sit seamlessly with my dry skin and they last and last at the same time. The best part are the colours for my moderately fair skin – coming with two cool-toned grey contours that add that natural shadow and one more neutral offering and three highlighters that actually add some natural-looking light. The contour shades can be combined to sculpt my face and the neutral offering can add warmth and I’ve actually found myself applying a bit of the highlighting creams under my eyes for brightness in that triangular shape – with good subtle results. The sheer golden highlight is also lovely for adding that kind of lit-from-within glow.

MAC Eyeshadows in Typographic & Phloof ($8/each): With MAC lowering the price of their shadows by a significant margin last month, it shouldn’t be a surprise that I found two new shades to fall in love with. Typographic has proven to be that perfect black – it’s actually the deepest grey – with a soft matte creamy and pigmented formula that performs expertly as liner or to smoke out the lash line and outer corner. Phloof has impressed me similarly, functioning as a pale champagne-ivory lid shade and as a spectacular inner corner highlighting shade with it’s champagne lean and pigmentation.

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Juliette ($39): This coral lipstick was yet another addition during the month of April that I couldn’t place my order from Sephora without or write this post without including. I love the Audacious formula and even though I was surprised to learn that this particular shade was a bit bolder than I originally thought, I have been adoring it. It’s bright while having those rosy and peach undertones that give it a more neutral and understated quality, softening it somewhat. The shade is ridiculously flattering and seems to perk everything up. I’ll have to get a post of me wearing it up as the photo here doesn’t do it justice.

What were your staple products in April?
Maggie, x.

 

 

 

December 2015 Favourites

Despite my erratic posting schedule in the last few months, I don’t believe that I’ve ever missed a favourites post in the entire duration of my blogging life, and I was not going to start with December. Oh, and I have two spoiler alerts… One: My favourites post is coming and this year it will be split into two instalments… Two: There might be two products included in this post that are making the cut.

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Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 2 ($66): I purchased this constantly-praised luminous foundation at the Sephora VIB Sale back in November and I haven’t put it down or stopped loving it ever since. Believe it or not, it’s not the glowiest foundation that I own – instead, it has a subtle inner glow – but I do believe it when those with oilier patches find that it develops throughout the day and breaks down. For me, though, it has an inner radiance and satin-to-glowy finish, medium to full coverage and ridiculous lasting power (borderline 24 hours) on my dry-combination skin. And get this, when applied with a beauty blender it looks skin-like. 2 might just be a wee bit pale for me, but it was a good guess on my part and at the very least matches my neck when I’m at my palest fyi. Good thing I have a tendency to get quite bronzer-happy. 

Sephora Collection Colourful Contour Face Powder in Tranquil ($19): Another love of mine that I acquired at the Sephora VIB Sale, this contour is just as good as others report on fairer skin, looking for sculpting via an actually cool grey toned powder. It’s so cool toned that it almost leans purple – just as people have said about the long gone Chanel Notorious – but it has such a silky smooth texture that it blends effortlessly – possibly also like the Chanel, as I’ve heard. It’s definitely one that I’ve been enjoying to sculpt out my features, especially my cheekbones and temples – but given that I’ve gained a pound or ten in the last month or so, I’ve been using it to contour my jawline and slim things out a bit.

Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop ($46): Again, with the Champagne Pop – I know. The simple truth is that I cannot stop using this golden champagne borderline-metallic highlighter and I can easily say that I reached for it every single time that I wore makeup in December – as a highlighter and/or a lid eyeshadow. I’ve somehow managed to make a dent in the product in a relatively short time which is remarkable in itself. I love the glow and radiance it instantly adds to my skin – and how it transforms me from looking dull and tired in an instant.

Benefit They’re Real Tinted Primer ($31): I normally would be the type to scoff at a mascara primer product, deeming it pointless and adding a needless layer of makeup onto my already sensitive eyes but after receiving a sample size in my Winter Luxe Box, I’ve completely changed my mind. For one, it’s tinted brown and adds enough natural-looking drama to my lashes on the daily that I don’t reach for a mascara on the top. I love that it’s lightweight, natural looking but volumizing and separating. And it works wonders with another mascara on top.

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara ($16-$31): I shouldn’t be so surprised that it’s possible that I’ve been so impressed by the latest Benefit mascara, but it is to me, nevertheless, after years of not understanding the They’re Real hype. Years ago, I had a major love affair with the volumizing beauty, the Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara, and although this one is different, more dramatically lengthening, curling and separating, I might possibly like it more. It gives dramatic lashes without looking clumpy in the slightest, especially when paired with the primer.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser ($15-16): I might just say that I found my ultimate gentle morning or second-cleanse cleanser in December and I must just not be lying or even doing that -extending-the-truth-thing. It’s mild, creamy and hydrating, formulated without fragrance or irritants, while rinsing clean. It’s not a spectacular makeup remover, but I have oils and micellar waters for that, but it does remove makeup somewhat and I have to say that it’s everything that Cetaphil is praised to be and more for me.

NUDE Skincare ProGenius Omega Treatment Rescue Oil ($85): Last month, I couldn’t resist redeeming my points at Sephora for a deluxe sized sample and I’m glad I did, as I’ve been reaching for it often as the weather has gotten drastically colder and my skin has gotten drastically drier. This oil has a light but soothing and nourishing texture and leaves my skin plumped and more radiant afterwards. I can feel the effects of the antioxidant-rich oils and I love how much nicer makeup applies over this oil. I might actually consider splurging on this one.

Nivea Dry-Very Dry Skin Nourishing Body Milk ($8-9): I fell in love with that whole in-shower body conditioner thing with Lush African Paradise a while back, but I found the product too ridiculously expensive and inconveniently packaged to repurchase – but I’m pleased to report that I like this product better because it’s cheaper and for its convenience. Also, my eczema might get along better with its heavy concentration of mineral oil and sweet almond oil rather than fragrant essential oils. I’ve adored the hydrating and calming film that it leaves on my skin after the shower or bath, particularly during this colder time of year.

Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black Rollerball ($30): December has definitely been a big fragrance month for me – I rediscovered this three note wonder and purchased two new rollerballs along with a post-Christmas perfume gift to myself. I love this deep, warm and slightly spicy vanilla scent, especially for these cooler weather months. This one hits the right spot with the masculine-feminine mix for me with its mix of musk and the floral note. There’s something about the fragrance that evokes that instantly cozy feeling for me.

What were your December standout favourites?
Maggie, x.