Saturday 31 January 2015

Badger Cuticle Care


badger cuticle care review

You need to do something if your cuticles are stabbing you when you run your fingers over them. Having cuticles that can almost rip your tights worse than your nails can says that you are no long safe in public. Keep away the children, 'cause Jenn's cuticles will cut them up. Since that was the case and I might want to coo at a baby eventually, I had to break out my little tin of Badger Cuticle Care balm.

Friday 30 January 2015

The Make Up Addict Tag



I wasn't formally tagged but this has been one of the few tags which I've read in full when I see it on other blogs. I guess something about hoarding makeup appeals to me *groans*.

Wednesday 28 January 2015

Glowy Cheeks and Signalling Space

benefit watt's up, thebalm mary-lou manizer, mac lightscapade sephora midnight magic face and body glitter #2 rose gold review and swatch

A couple thoughts about highlighters. 

Firstly, I never used them in school and now it seems I never use them on my face either. Why someone would take a neon yellow highlighter to their face, I don't quite know (har. har. har. *slow clap*) but let me introduce some acceptable (and removable) face options.

Secondly, I'm not convinced that emitting a radioactive glow, that points out my cheek-peaks, is really all that.

Tuesday 27 January 2015

Beauty Resolutions - Conquering Winged Liner

Hi Everyone,
I'm Meg, and I blog over at Meg's Makeup Bag. I have the pleasure of being Jenn's Canadian Beauty Bloggers Guest Poster this month. I've been a long time reader of Jenn's blog, so I'm thrilled to be posting here today. 


This month, the theme for the guest posts was 'Beauty Resolutions.' When I saw this topic, I immediately knew what I was going to write about, learning how to do winged eyeliner! I've always loved the look of a little winged liner, but it's something I've tried a couple of times, got annoyed and gave up. 

Monday 26 January 2015

Memebox Intensive Moisturizing Hydrogel Mask*

*Press Sample
Memebox Intensive Moisturizing Hydrogel Mask review

Warning: Masked selfies after the jump, so don't freak out.

On top of providing their subscription box, Memebox has started developing their own skincare products and the Mememask* ($3) seems to one of the first things out the door.

Sunday 25 January 2015

Bedside Table Update


I remember being pleasantly surprised my how warmly my "Bedside Table" post was received. It's been a while since I did an update so here are the current items I baste myself in before I wrap myself into a blanket burrito.

Saturday 24 January 2015

Aveeno Fresh Essentials*

*Press Samples


I've been pretty spoiled. I've mostly always used higher end skincare items and this started from the very beginning. Even when I was in high school, my mom believe that it was better to spend more on "better quality" skincare and it wasn't until recently that I've dug into drugstore options. So if you've ever been curious about the Aveeno's Fresh Essentials line* here are some thoughts.

Friday 23 January 2015

Guerlain Spring 2015 Collection

guerlain 2015 spring collection

Fat cherubs, feathery wings and near beatified glow come to mind when I peer at the Guerlain Spring 2015 collection. That baby innocently faced model says, "I can do no wrong. I volunteer on the weekends. The Pope has me on speed dial." 


Thursday 22 January 2015

Wednesday 21 January 2015

On Style Ruts and Wardrobe Architects


 I don't often broach the subject of style.  Like I mentioned before, I do like that "basic bitch" sort of look but lately I've been in such a work style rut. If I have to wear another patterned shirt under embellished sweater combo, someone better shoot me because my tolerance for work appropriate prep is nearing an end. And that is where Wardrobe Architect and Into Mind's 10 Step Wardrobe Revamp and workbook might come in handy. 

Tuesday 20 January 2015

2 Day Looks with the Make Up For Ever Artist Palette


I have already drunk the Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow Kool-aid so this palette was a no brainer for me. It quickly became a favorite during my Christmas holiday. The colors are pigmented, ultra blendable and the color range is just perfect for all your day-to-day needs. In case you picked this up and didn't know what to do with it, or were considering it, here are two day looks.

Monday 19 January 2015

Born Pretty Brushes*

*Press Sample


Born Pretty asked if I wanted to review some of their brush sets so I quickly chose what looked like dupes of the Sigma Precisions brushes. Born Pretty sent along their 5PC Makeup Brush Set and the 1PC Rounded Foundation Brush which is just the rounded/domed brushes in the 5PC set.

Sunday 18 January 2015

Upgrading My Winter Skincare


I already mentioned that I've been using the Clarins Hydraquench Cream but after returning to Toronto from Vancouver, washing my face and noticing how about half of my skin was cracked and peeling, I knew it was time to amp it up a little. 

Saturday 17 January 2015

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Shine Lipsticks

estee lauder pure color envy shine pink dragon surreal sun swatch review

Already super impressed with the Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy lipsticks that launched last year, I was bummed to find that the Pure Color Envy Shine editions were only available in Asia. But Estee Lauder has recently decided to launch this version in North America for Spring 2015 and they are now available on Sephora's website. When first launched, the shades were advertised as designed and perfected for Asian women. I'm curious to see what the advertising will be in North America.

Friday 16 January 2015

Frugal Vs Spendy: A Look at My Price Tolerance

Friends often ask how much I spend on makeup. Sometimes I wonder too. So here is a document of the cheapest and most pricey item I have in my collection per category. I took that direction somewhat loosely. Some items were bought with points or on sale but I wanted to see what my price tolerance was and I think this is a reminder that you don't have to fork over a lot of actual money to get really good things. 

I hope you don't mind? *insert usual disclaimers re: non-showing-off intentions*


Bases

Foundations: Revlon Colorstay Whipped ($11 on sale) vs. Estee Lauder Perfectionist ($50)
I received the Estee from PR but it was the only more high priced foundation I have with me right now. I had the Urban Decay Naked Skin ($45) but I actually paid $24 for it from a blog sale. I think the most expensive I've actually paid has been around $45 for an Estee BB Cream.

Powders: Maybelline Dream Matte Powder (~$11 on sale) vs. MAC Careblend Pressed Powder ($31)
I really like the Maybelline, even more than the MAC! And I would repurchase if it hadn't been discontinued. I will try their latest incarnation of their powder after these two are done.

Thursday 15 January 2015

3 Guys and a Nivea Bold Milk*

*Press Sample


I think we can safely say that David, and most men,  have very simple skincare needs. I have yet to find many guys who will prod and examine their skin to the same degree that girls will or a beauty/skincare topic that guys will universally band together about.

Apparently 30-40% of Nivea In-Shower Body Milk* ($7, 400ml) users are male. That was a bit of interesting information. From there, my investigative mind wanted to see if this handy squeeze bottled moisturizer could convert a few of the guys in my life. For science, I enlisted David, and my two cousins as lab rats.

Wednesday 14 January 2015

Majolica Majora Puff de Cheek

Majolica Majora Puff de Cheek cherry mix strawberry mix mandarin mix review swatch

One sad truth is that I will be swayed by adorable packaging and things that come from Asia. Slap on Japanese lettering, make it look like food and I'm halfway to buying it. Items from Shiseido's sister brand, Majolica Majorca, fall into that category. With princess golden packaging, I'm more than happy to make my way through the range and the Puff de Cheek blushes are a recent acquisition.

Monday 12 January 2015

My Boyfriend Does My Makeup


Honestly...I debated about putting this up but...whatever

In this video:
- David might have ruined about two makeup products.
- You can practically feel the sarcasm drip through your screen.
- You may be watching the most failed version of the Boyfriend Does My Makeup Tag.

Le Sigh.

Sunday 11 January 2015

Eats: Purebread Bakery


If I ever was a King (or Queen) I would want my feast table to look like the spread at Purebread. Purebread was a perfect place to meet up with a few other bloggers in Vancouver for tea and some sweets.


Saturday 10 January 2015

On Soul Sucking Rain and Weather Inspired Shadows

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadows rosewood pale barley swatch review

There is nothing quite as soul sucking as the rain in Vancouver. After 40 straight days of rain, even the most aviophobic would be happy to fly down to California to steal some sunshine. But if any other population could compete for dreariest place to live, it might just have to be the Brits where they have the lovely prospect of rain for about a third of the year (suckas).

Friday 9 January 2015

Currently Reading


1) Obasan by Joy Kogawa
Am I the only BC resident that has never read this during their school years? This common novel study book never made it into my class and I mostly avoided it because of incorrect assumptions that a) school books are boring b) Canadian lit? baahh? I saw this and was reminded that I have never read it and after having read it, was reminded that books are on novel study lists for a reason.

Quickly devouring it in two days, this book is a poetic (but not slow) fictionalized memoir about living on the West Coast of Canada as a Japanese Canadian during the Second World War. It gave me a good education on how this population was shuttled off and forcibly oppressed by the government and an interesting look into Vancouver, BC and Alberta during the time.

2) Crazybone by Bill Pronzini
Picked this up 'cause I was looking for quick mystery read. It's pretty good so far and most of the books in this series are around 200 pages making them easy and swift. I just started but its going quite well and might draw another one from this series.

3) The 100 Year Old Man who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
This book has been floating around my 'to read' list for a long time and with a 40 person long hold list, it seemed like The Rapture would occur before I would get a copy. But, randomly spotting the paperback on the shelf made me lunge for it like a crazy person, leaving me feeling like I won a very small lottery. A sort of magical and fanciful read which is subtly hilarious, the characters are endearing and charming as the accidentally kill criminals and try and escape from the police.

What have you been reading? Any suggestions?

Let's Connect:

Thursday 8 January 2015

The Man Has Spoken: Ft. Clarins Men Cleanser and Antiperspirant Stick*

*Press Sample


Getting David to take care of his skin is an uphill battle. Quite satisfied to scrub his face with bar soap if he remembers, "special stuff" isn't quite up his alley but I try and force it upon him anyways. I'm constantly trying to figure out what kinds of items he will actually use and thought the Clarins 2-in-1 Cleanser* and the Antipersirant Stick* had a fighting chance. If he's not going to take care of his skin at least I can do it for him.  My tactics are now on par with an adult trying to 'hide' vegetables in their child's food. Here is a recap of our conversations surrounding these products. Prepare to roll your eyes at least twice.

Wednesday 7 January 2015

Mary Kay Autumn Leaves and Sandstorm Quad Review*

*Press Sample

Mary Kay Autumn Leaves and Sandstorm Quad Review swatches

For whatever reason, when I see a post on a product that comes from a 'catalogue' brand or from a brand that's hard to find, my brain switches off. Part of me is thinking, "oh...it's hard to find anyways so..whatever." The other part is thinking, "they can't be that good...I don't hear about this brand." But let this be a big nudge for you to seriously consider obtaining either the Autumn Leaves or Sandstorm Limited Edition (till Feb 15th) Mary Kay quads.
No. Really.

Tuesday 6 January 2015

Urban Decay Vice 3 Palette

Urban Decay Vice 3 Palette review swatch

The first two Vice palettes didn't really appeal to me. The colors were a bit too...colorful but the latest variation, Vice 3 ($~70CDN) has just the right amount of neutral and colors to make it useful for a variety of purposes.


Monday 5 January 2015

Make Up For Ever Ink Liner*: Matte, Black and Liquid

*Press Sample


A few of my friends shy away from ink liners because they can't stand the glossy finish. I have only ever used pencil, Stila's Stay All Day Liner (which isn't quite matte) and MAC's Fluidline in Blacktrack so I haven't really considered the matte vs glossy debate. But, if you need liner with a true matte finish in liquid form, there's a new option in Make Up For Ever's new Ink Liner* ($27, 3.5ml).