paula’s choice

Weekly Medley #52

20150126-185056In the last week I’ve experienced the cold in both the worst and the best way; I both came to the realization that I had quite a cold and enjoyed the cold weather brought on by the blizzard. I really should have figured out that I was coming down with a cold earlier than this, with the extreme fatigue and the beginnings of congestion that developed into quite the sore throat and cough but the last few days have left me aware with complete certainty that my current state and general sense of grogginess has been brought on by that lovely thing that is known as a cold. On the more exciting front, it’s been a winter wonderland outside – aside from the freezing rain and general iciness – with snow falling and that authentic cozy feeling all around and I have to say I rather enjoyed Tuesday’s snow day where I enjoyed being a generally unproductive human being without shame. Now, let’s get onto the other points of interest this week…

(1) Hello October’s “Going Out-Out” post

I really really love Suzie’s blog in general and more specifically I adore these kinds of chatty/wordy posts that describe a makeup routine with some general product thoughts and ramblings included. Once upon a time, I used to write these posts frequently but as of late I seem to have stopped, but it should be noted that mine tend to involve much more aimless rambling. I have got to get back into writing my ‘The Daily Face’ posts; note to self.

(2) Live Chat With The Paula’s Choice Research Team – “How to Treat Your Most Frustrating Facial Concerns”

In the last month or so more generally, I’ve discovered and loved these hour long informative skincare videos with the research team at Paula’s Choice and Friday’s was a particularly enjoyable one. I love that their information is unbiased, despite having their own range to promote and clear and I also get a kick out of the sense of humor of the staff hosting the show. I highly recommend giving these a watch if you want to learn more about skincare – even if you feel you are already somewhat educated – or specific skincare products/ingredients and you enjoy some sense of humor thrown in more often than not.

(3) This Week’s  Posts

I’m well aware that I am my worst critic, but as a whole I have been happy with the four posts I’ve done in the last week, especially when you take how busy classes have left me and that lovely cold that I’m currently experiencing. I didn’t feel like any of my posts were rushed and I was pleased with my mediocre photography, despite the general lighting issues. However, if you’re someone who works full-time or juggles classes with an actual job, I have some serious respect for you – I have no idea how you do it and I’m in awe. Finally this week, I managed to post the long-promised review of the DiorSkin Star Foundation.

(4) Two Costco Acquisitions

I’ve been impressing myself recently with my shopping restraint; I haven’t been casually strolling into the drugstore and coming out with four or five things every week or so at all, or doing any sort of indulgent splurging on anything resembling the regular. This aside, I ventured into Costco on Friday with the mother and picked up two things: the Eucerin Calming Daily Moisturizing Cream and a book titled The Back of the Turtle by Thomas King. I’m running low on moisturizer for my eczema-laden skin and the Eucerin offering seemed to fit the bill with a suitable ingredient list and a large affordable tube amount plus there’s something wonderful about reading a book for fun that can make life seem a little less frightening and repulsive. I might have read a fair amount of the book and I might have enjoyed it tremendously.

(5) The Nail Obsession

I go through the strangest phases of enjoying nail polish and then being annoyed by the maintenance of the stuff but this week in particular I have been obsessed, painting my nails multiple times and actually writing a polish-centric blog post. Also I’ve enjoyed obsessing over nail polish with my friend instead of doing anything productive, ideally the piling mountain of schoolwork.

How was your week?
Maggie, x.

 

Another Weekday Wishlist

Recently Updated51

With the first month of 2015 passing by with great speed, I figured it was time for another wishlist…

 

  • NARS Audacious Lipstick in Brigitte ($37)

This has to be the least unexpected item in this list, as everyone and their pet iguana has raved about the formula and sleek magnetic packaging of these pricy – even for NARS – lipsticks and I’ve mentioned my interest in the ‘nude rose’ shade before, but after I tried on this shade of the lipstick at Sephora yesterday and fell in love, I knew it could not be resisted. The only thing that stopped me from grabbing it and leaving the store was the fact that the shade appeared to be sold out, much to my disappointment. It has a nice cream finish, is moisturizing and flattering and wore for an impressive time, staining the lips with its flattering rosy tone.

  • Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Taupe ($23)

This gel-pomade formula brow product has also had a great deal of buzz since appearing on the market and I included it in my last wishlist post, but even though I haven’t gone and picked up the product yet, despite enjoying my sample of it tremendously and not wanting to run out of it. I enjoy the very ashy colour and even though I would be expected to go with a darker shade, I’ve been enjoying this to control my crazy brows while giving them so shape without necessarily having to go insane or unnatural in the slightest. This is another product that I shall indulge in.

  • Paula’s Choice Resist C15 Super Booster ($48)

With my interest in skincare in the last couple of months – and more plausibly – I’ve been wanting to try out a serum that would be gentle, effective and most of all be relatively inexpensive and affordable and I’ve been wanting to venture out of using an oil product during that stage as a substitute. This nicely formulated potent Vitamin C product appears to tick off all of the boxes, formulated with zero irritants and many soothing ingredients outside of the wonder antioxidant that promises to even skin-tone, protect against environmental damage, brighten and smooth the skin.

  • Mink Pink Um Yay Sweater ($78)

If you know me in real life you might be aware of three things: that I live for these kinds of comfy slouchy sweaters, I absolutely love these kinds of word-graphic tees and such and that I find myself often saying ‘yay’ in my usual flat monotone-come-sarcastic voice. This is quite expensive but I’ve seen it in passing a few times and have gazed at it longingly. Note: the image is taken from shopvandevort.com

  • Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Liberte ($39)

I’m suddenly realizing that I should have prefaced this post with the warning that I would be writing on and on about the expensive lip products that I’m lusting after because I’m currently in a lip-product addicted state, tending towards the expensive. You may know that I tried my first Chanel lip product last week, the Rouge Double Intensite in Darling Pink and since I’ve had such an amazing experience with that formula, my interest has peaked in other Chanel formulas. The lipstick in question has a sheerer balm-like texture in a muted peach-tinged coral hue that will be nice to transition into those seasons that actually involve seeing the sun looming ahead.

What items are on your wishlist currently?
Maggie, x.

A Weekend Wishlist

Recently Updated30

While in my experience it is crucial to write unique content to your aesthetic, it can be fine to follow the herd at other times, especially ones like this one where it feels authentic; without futher ado, I’m jumping onto the bandwagon with my first ever cliched ‘Weekend Wishlist’. Keep on reading if you’d like to hear my latest musings about this edited selection of items that I’m lusting over at the moment…

1.Nuxe Reve De Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm ($19) 

The Nuxe balm is one of those products that are constantly raved about by other bloggers with supposedly similar lip concerns as mine but it’s something that I’ve always passed off as purely hype but when I was strolling around the large Shopper’s Drugmart in downtown Halifax, I spotted the balm and gave the tester a try on the back of my hand. I was impressed with how rich the translucent matte balm felt instantly and I’ve got my eye on this one now. I have reeeeeeally dry, sensitive and chapped lips, if you weren’t already aware and I’m always searching for a cure, or at the very least a product that works rather well.

2. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita ($30)

I’ve been on a NARS kick lately (and loving it) and I’ve had my eye on this deep rosy hue for ages  so it only seems prudent to include this one here. I haven’t tried the velvet matte lip pencils yet but I have tried the Satin formulation and I want to try more. I’ve been really into these your-lips-but-deeper shades that instantly make you look less dead but aren’t too over the top and this one seems to be the quintessential autumnal shade.

3. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Luminous Flush ($41)

I’m fairly certain that I included the Diffused Heat shade in my last wishlist post and I haven’t since indulged in a second shade of the luxurious blush range but I figure that since I just bought another coral blush, I should have my eye on one in this range that is at least slightly different than my 383 coral blushes. Luminous Flush is described as a “champagne rose” and from what I’ve heard the description is apt, being a more glowing warm rosy shade. I am aware of my blush problem, if you were wondering.

4. H&M Powder Oversized Jumper ($19.95)

I absolutely adore these lightweight and relaxed sweaters — in fact, they are a wardrobe staple — and I loved the pale blush-hued lettering on this one. It seems to tick all of the other boxes too, being very affordable and having the bold lettering graphic. A sweater like this, skinny jeans or leggings and a slouchy scarf are the main components of my quintessential fall outfits.

5. MUJI 5 Drawers Acrylic Case ($27.95)

Given how horrifically cliched the inclusion of the typical makeup storage is here, I’m doubtful that much of an explanation is required. Even after looking around for a local and more affordable storage option, I’ve come up with nothing and am seriously considering paying the monstrous shipping rate and ordering from the storage experts themselves. It’s funny how I used to laugh at those who got excited over beauty storage but now seem to be turning into someone who spends time researching makeup storage. If any of you have used Muji storage, let me know if its worthwhile below – please?

6. Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Powder Pink ($32)

Again, I’m emphasizing my awareness of my teeny-tiny blush buying problem. Lately I’ve been really enjoying the natural-looking luminosity that cream blushes bring to the cheeks and this multi-purpose formula instantly came to my mind as an option; they’re not overly pricy and they go gorgeously onto the cheeks and lips. I already have the much warmer and deeper Rose shade (which I love) and this lighter/brighter warm pink shade seemed right up my street. Plus, it’s not even coral…

7. NARS Radiant Cream Foundation in Fiji ($43)

My foundation obsession slash buying problem might just rival my blush one but this product is actually one that I’ve sampled for a good amount of time and believe to be worth the money. The cream texture feels lightweight on the skin, doesn’t highlight dry patches and provides a gorgeous luminosity to the skin while offering good medium-plus coverage. Somehow this manages to perfect the skin without giving that dull mask-like effect in the slightest. Although Punjab is a better match for me now when I have a bit of colour, Fiji seems to be a better match for me throughout the year with it’s peachy-beige undertones. I can definitely see this foundation as a staple in the cooler months, but I’ve been using my sample in the hot weather and it works well too.

8. Dior Star Fluid Foundation in 20 Light Beige ($58)

So I need another foundation like I need a hole in my head but when I heard about Dior’s new foundation offering and it’s alcohol-free ingredient list, I was instantly intrigued. Dior has impressed me before with the Diorskin Nude foundation so when I heard of their new brightening and illuminating foundation and read the impressive ingredient list, I knew that I at least had to try it. It also helps that I’ve heard great things about this one, being all illuminating and skin-like and all that jazz. It shall be mine.

9. Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant ($24)

Despite not trying her actual line of products, I have been listening to her product recommendations for over a year now and have watched my skin improve so naturally I’ve been curious about her affordable but effective product line and given my love of well-formulated alcohol-free chemical exfoliants, this brightening daily formula was an obvious contender.

10. Citizens of Humanity Avedon Ultra Skinny Jeans ($209)

Even as I type the words into the keys of my laptop, I can scarcely believe that I am seriously including a two hundred dollar pair of jeans in one of my realistic wishlist but nevertheless here I am, doing this. Last year, I picked up a pair of these jeans for less than half of the retail price in a plum colour and fell in love –they suck in the stomach like nothing else, make the butt look less flat and are comfortable to boot — and I’d love to snap up another pair in a more traditional hue if the price was right. These skinny jeans are magical on my thin and stick-like legs slash rather nonexistent butt —if you know me in real life, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

11. Nude Skincare Miracle Mask ($60)

It was not intentional in the least, but it does seem rather fitting that both skincare products mentioned are brightening options, loaded with AHA’s. The one, however, it significantly more expensive but what others have said in praise of this one and the ingredient list make it into a promising option; it’s an exfoliating treatment with gentle rice powder along with the chemical exfoliants in mask form that is meant to combat dullness and an uneven skin tone. In my experience, AHA’s have done all of these things and more for my skin so I’m always up for trying more.

What products are topping your wishlist at the moment?

Maggie, x.