Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Best Moisturizers for Dry, Winter Skin

Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin

1. Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
$38.50 for 1.7 oz / $52 for 2.5 oz


Clinique Moisture Surge

This moisturizer claims to improve fine lines, flakiness, and tightness.  Although it does improve flakiness, I'm not so sure about the fine lines and tightness.  The product itself has several ingredients that combat wrinkles.  Although it is super hydrating, it does not clog pores.  This is also a good product for combination skin, because it hydrates the dry areas, but does not leave the skin oily.  The moisturizer itself has a slight jelly consistency.  The only issue is that is comes in a tub, which is not the most hygienic packaging.

Important ingredients:
Squalane, an antibacterial and antioxidant that prevents UV damage and the formation of age spots.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder helps skin elasticity and wrinkles.
Palmitoyl Oligopeptide works similar to a retinoid in the way it reduces wrinkles, but without the side effects.
Sodium Hyaluronate helps with wrinkles and sun spots.
Linoleic Acid is an antioxidant that also serves as an anti-inflammatory while fighting acne.

2. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
$35 for 6 oz / $15 for 2 oz


First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair

This product will clear up any dry patches.  This cream is super moisturizing, but does tend to clog pores.  I suggest using it at night instead of under makeup.  It also works great as a body moisturizer!  Although the larger size comes in an unhygienic tub, the smaller size is in a tube.

Important ingredients:
Colloidal Oatmeal is an anti-irritant that is also anti-aging and very soothing.
Shea Butter reduces rough patches and helps retain moisture, while also absorbing UVB rays
Squalane
Alantoin soothes and hydrates
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract reduces inflammation caused by UV rays and reduces redness and irritation

3. Josie Maran 100 percent Pure Argan Oil
$20 for 0.5 oz / $60 for 1.7 oz / $120 for 4 oz


Josie Maran Pure Argan Oil

This product is super hydrating and does not clog pores.  It also completely absorbs into the skin.  Not only is this product great for skin, but it's great for nails and hair too.  I recommend using it at night.

4. L'Occitane Shea Ultra Rich Face Cream
$46 for 50ml


L'Occitane Ultra Rich Face Cream

The L'Occitane website describes this cream as protecting for dry skin and ideal for winter climates.  This cream is extremely helpful for anyone with dry skin.  It does a great job of clearing up rough, dry patches. However, it does have some irritating ingredients, and therefore is not recommended for people with sensitive skin.  It also comes in an unhygienic tub.

Important ingredients:
Butylphenyl Methylpropional can cause irritation, allergies, and sensitization
Linalool is a skin irritant, allergen, and sensitizer
Hexyl Cinnamal is an allergen
Alpha Methyl Ionone can cause an allergic reaction or sensitization

5. Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream
$42 for 1.7 oz


Benefit Total Moisture


Not recommended for daytime use as it can make your complexion very shiny.  Also one tub will last at least a year.  However, not a fan of the tub.  Not great for people with sensitive skin, since it contains some ingredients that can cause a reaction.

Important ingredients:
Linalool
Hexyl Cinnamal

I hope this list can help you guys since the winter months are finally here!  I'm very excited since I love cold weather, but I don't love what it does to my skin.  But these products will chase my cold weather blues away.  Enjoy!

- B

Thursday, November 6, 2014

October Favourites

October Favourites


October has been a crazy month for me.  I had so much school work, so that did not give me much time to focus on beauty, so I only have a few products to feature this month.


ALTERNA Caviar Overnight Rescue
ALTERNA Caviar Overnight Rescue
1. ALTERNA Anti-Aging Overnight Hair Rescue
$47 for 3.4 oz

I've never taken great care of my hair.  But lately I've started trying to fix that and make my hair beautiful.  I love this hair treatment.  I put it on my hair at night and wash it out in the morning.  I don't even notice that there's anything on my hair.  And it does not leave anything on your pillow.  The smell is ok.  I didn't really like the smell at first but now I don't mind it.  I was previously using the Moroccanoil treatment in my hair but this stuff works way better.


RoC Energising Cleansing Mousse

2. RoC Energising Cleansing Mousse
$18 for 150 ml


This is a really nice gentle daily cleanser.  It gets rid of all my makeup and my skin has been looking better since I started using it.  This would be really good for someone with sensitive skin.  I always feel so much better after washing my face with this.  The only issue I have with this is that it's almost too gentle, so I feel like it doesn't fully clean my pores.  But if you have a good face scrub to use that shouldn't be a problem.


L'Oreal True Match Foundation

3. L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Foundation
$13 for 30 ml

Now I've been hearing about this foundation for so long it's ridiculous.  When I ran out of my Smashbox Studio Skin foundation, I decided to give this a try.  This works waaay better than the Smashbox foundation and it's so much cheaper.  It gives you so much coverage without getting cakey.  I finally realize what all the fuss is about.  I don't know if I'll repurchase it though because I like to try new foundations.


Maybelline Dark Circles Treatment

4. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment
$10 for .68 oz
I have the worst dark circles under my eyes, no matter how much sleep I get.  I honestly look like a corpse sometimes.  Not only does this product cover the dark circles, it also brightens up my eyes.  I look like a completely different person after.  Definitely repurchasing


L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara
L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara
5. L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara
$8

My mom randomly picked this up for me and I hadn't heard anything about it before.  This mascara lasts all day.  From when I do my makeup at 9 am to when I go to bed at 1 am.  Halfway through the month I started using the Make Up For Ever Lengthening Mascara, but switched back to this because it's much better.  It doesn't melt onto my face halfway through the day like other mascaras do.


Sally Hansen Healthy Cuticles Now

6. Sally Hansen Healthy Cuticles Now!
$5.50 for .48 oz

I have the worst cuticles in the world.  They're gross and dry and make me hate my nails.  I'll put this on my cuticles before going to bed and I wake up with the nicest cuticles in the world.  I will repurchase this for the rest of my life.

Hopefully now that my school work has calmed down I can start posting more.  Anyways, hope everyone had an amazing October!

- B

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Fave Fall Nail Polish

Fave Fall Nail Polish
This has been a very long week.  So much studying for midterms has left me no time to keep up with the internet.  My nails are a mess right now since I haven't had time to do those either.  So, now that my midterms are over, I'm going to lust after all the nail polish I'm going to treat myself with.  Because after this week, I think I deserve a treat.  And all the colours of nail polish out now are just killing me.  I love fall, and one thing I love most of all is the colours.  The deep reds and oranges keep me warm as the weather starts to get cool.

1. Dior's Diorific Vernis in Smoky

Dior Diorific Vernis in Smoky

This colour is described as a "sparkling plum" and it's this kind of deep purple that I love putting on my nails in the fall.  Also look at the bottle!  It's so glam!


2. Deborah Lippman Nail Polish in Laughin' to the Bank

Deborah Lippman Nail Lacquer
This glittery green polish is so pretty!  It kind of reminds me of a Christmas tree... But it's way too early to be thinking about that.

3. Essie Nail Polish in Fall in Line

Essie Fall in Line
This colour is a very muted green, described by Essie as an "enigmatic jade."  It's a really nice lighter colour for fall.

4. OPI Nail Polish in How Great Is Your Dane?

OPI How Great Is Your Dane
This colour is from the Nordic collection.  I just love a good chocolate brown colour in autumn.  I'll drink my hot chocolate with my hot chocolate nails.

5. NARS 3.1 Phillip Lim Nail Polish in Crossroads


NARS 3.1 Phillip Lim Crossroads
This deep violet purple is so gorgeous I want this on my nails for the entire season!

6. Marc Jacobs Nail Polish in Cora

Marc Jacobs Cora
All the Marc Jacobs nail polish colours are so amazing it was difficult to pick which one I wanted to feature, but the pretty sparkle in this colour caught my eye.  I also love the packaging on all the Marc Jacobs products.


- B

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Revlon Parfumerie Scented Nail Polish Review

Revlon Parfumerie Nail Polish Review
So, the other day I spotted this cute little bottle at Walmart.  I had heard a bit about Revlon's scented nail polish, but I wanted to try it out for myself.  I have so much nail polish, but I've never found a green shade that I really liked.  The colours I find are either too dark or too light.  I actually love this colour.  I've never really used Revlon's polishes, since I usually just buy Essie or OPI, but this has definitely turned me on to them.


Revlon Parfumerie Nail Polish

The only downfall is I'm not too crazy about the scent.  I painted my nails yesterday and I can still smell it.  It's a weird smell.  You can definitely smell the lime.  But I'm not a huge fan of the scent.  But maybe I'm just not a fan of lime or basil.  I'm really impressed by the staying power of the scent though.


Revlon Parfumerie Nail Polish
I'm definitely going to buy another colour.  The other scents, like china flower, African tea rose, and wild violets, sound really good.  And the polish goes on really nice.  Plus how cute is the bottle.

Anyways, this product is a 5/5

- B

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Fall Wishlist

Fall Wishlist
I love fall!  I love layering up when the weather is chilly, but not too cold.  It's the time of year for scarves and sweaters and dark reds.  It's the time when your house smells like apple cider and freshly baked cookies.  I mean, summer is ok, but I'm definitely ready for some autumn weather.

I made a wishlist of things that I'm pretty excited to try and buy this fall.  I might not be able to get all of them (the Valentino shoes!) but I'm definitely trying some tea.


1. RED Valentino Snow White Disney patent-leather pumps - $650 

I can't even tell you how much I love Disney.  I am all about it.  I dream about being a Disney princess all day long.  These shoes are just amazing, and I'm in love with them.

Valentino Disney Shoes
2. Too Faced Melted Lipstick in Melted Ruby - $25 

Too Faced is hands down my favourite makeup brand.  Their packaging is just so cute!  I have seen people loving this lipstick all over the internet, and I am dying to try it.  Definitely picking it up on my next trip to Sephora.


Too Faced Melted Lipstick

3. Forever 21 Fuzzy Plaid Sweater - $28 

Loving the colours in this sweater!  This looks perfect for fall, plus I don't feel like I have enough plaid going on in my closet.  And Forever 21 is so affordable, I mean there's no reason not to buy it.

Forever 21 Sweater
4. Tom Ford Black Orchid - $83 - 175 

This fragrance looks like luxury.  Black and gold just seems so classy to me.  This perfume has notes of bergamot, citrus, mandarin, black gardenia, jasmine, ylang-ylang, lotus wood, orchid, spicy floral accord, patchoili, sandalwood, incense, and vanilla.  I mean, who doesn't want to smell like that?

Tom Ford Black Orchid

5. Bath & Body Works Fireside Candle - $22.50 

With leather, sandalwood, and rich amber, I definitely want my house to smell like this.  Everything about this candle is fall.  And I feel like my candle collection needs a serious upgrade anyways.
Fireside Candle
6. David's Tea Pumpkin Chai - $7.50 for 50g 

This black tea includes cinnamon, cloves, lemon peel, carrot, caramel bits and pumpkin candies.  I am so ready to drink this.  Plus this sounds healthier than a pumpkin spice latte (no hate).  And you can get it in a cute little tin!
Pumpkin Chai Tea

What are you guys excited to try this fall?

- B

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Hard Candy "Take It Off" Makeup Remover Review

Makeup Remover Review

I bought the Hard Candy Take It Off makeup remover the other day for around $5 since I ran out of my other makeup remover.  I thought it was interesting that it came in a tube, instead of in a bottle like most makeup removers do.  Plus the label is pretty cute.  Since it was so cheap, I wasn't really expecting much.  


Makeup Remover Label


Makeup Remover Ingredients

When I went to use it, I was surprised that it actually came out like a cream.  I had never used a makeup remover like this before, but I actually really like it.  The scent is really nice, and it doesn't leave my skin feeling like I need to wash it ASAP like other makeup removers do.  I will definitely be purchasing this product again, it is definitely the best makeup remover I've ever tried, and it's so inexpensive!


Makeup Remover Swatch

I rate this product: 5/5

- B

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

The Balm "Liquid Timebalm" Spot Concealer Review

Concealer Review


I went to London Drugs yesterday and found The Balm's Liquid Timebalm concealer for $8.99 (previously $26) and, obviously, I had to buy it.  I haven't heard anything about this product but I've tried other things from The Balm that I liked, so I thought I'd give it a try.

The Liquid Timebalm concealer is a spot concealer with tea tree oil.  Tea tree oil is an essential oil that kills bacteria, so it helps treat your skin even while you're wearing makeup.


Concealer


I applied the concealer mostly to my nose, which is oily.  I have never found any makeup that actually stays on my oily nose, and the Liquid Timebalm is no different.  It goes on pretty pigmented, but it definitely did not last the whole day.  I think it's my new favourite concealer though.  Even though it didn't stay all day, it does a really good job of concealing imperfections.  And it smells pretty good.


Concealer Swatch


Concealer Blended
Overall, I give this product: 4/5

- B

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