15 steps, then a beauty blog

(belated) Skincare Sunday V - I'm back!

2013-05-20T19:19:00.002-04:00

I am back after a month-long hiatus where I finished school, worked like a maniac aaaand managed to squeeze in a trip to Romania to see family for a couple of weeks.

I am so excited to get back into gear and to blog my little heart out.

Today's (well, technically yesterday's... since this is a skincare related post) topic is a type of facial cleanser that has absolutely been rocking my world for the past couple of months.

I mentioned in a previous post that I had visited a dermatologist prior to my Silk Peel and one of the things she gave me to try was a Hydroxy Foaming Cleanser that she produces at her spa. Sadly it's only carried at her office and not able to purchase online but after getting my hands on a bottle and studying the ingredients - it's pretty much identical to the Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash.

The Dermalogica option actually ends up being cheaper than what I paid for at my med spa so rest assured I will be purchasing it soon.

Nonetheless, this post is about active ingredients and the type of cleanser - it is a gentle foaming cleanser that contains a small dose of salicylic acid combined with lactic acid. It leaves the skin feeling extremely refreshed and clean. It is most suitable for normal/oily skin types that are prone to acne and I have noticed a dramatic difference in how quick my breakouts clear out and how nice my overall skin texture has been. Especially during the summer when we all tend to get more oily, cleansers like these seem to be just what the doctor ordered (in my case... literally!)

PS: Obagi and SkinCeuticals also make similar foaming cleansers geared to maintain a clear complexion. I should also add that while these are foaming, the foaming action is very gentle and they do not contain SLS.

Claw Of The Day: Dior 155 Tutu Nail Polish

2013-04-16T23:58:00.000-04:00

I couldn't resist to pain this baby on as soon as I got it in the mail. The nail polish in question is Dior #155 "Tutu". It came out in the Spring 2013 Cherie Bow collection but for some reason in America it was not released (as far as I know, only Rosy Bow and Gris Trianon were sold in all the displays I saw). It later became available as a Neiman Marcus exclusive shade, part of the "Pink Champagne Collection". Confusing, right?

Long story short - I bought it from Neimans and I love it. I painted my nails with it ASAP last Wednesday. No top coat, no base coat. Just two rushed coats of Tutu and I was out the door. This photo is of my nails a full 5 days later. No chipping, no scuffing, and minimal tip wear. Application was a breeze.

Dior nail polishes have a slightly thicker tapered brush so if you are careful it literally only takes one stroke to coat the nail. This polish could have probably used a third coat for total opacity but I cannot rave about it enough. Finally a pastel pink that's not a pain in the ass (*cough* OPI Mod About You and Essie Fiji - I'm lookin' at you!)

You can order Dior Tutu nail polish here: Link.

What's on your nails today?

Skincare Sunday IV: Eve Lom Morning Time Cleanser

2013-04-15T01:14:00.004-04:00

Note to self: I should publish these posts earlier on Sunday but I'm in the middle of exams and procrastination is in my nature so alas, here we are!

Today's subject is a beauty product I'm on the fence about: Eve Lom's Morning Time Cleanser. I purchased it at a Space NK inside Bloomingdale's while I was traveling last summer.It's a slightly changed formula of a cult cleanser, the Eve Lom Cleansing Balm. While I found the traditional cleansing balm too heavy for the oily, acne-prone skin I had at the time of purchase, the sales lady wooed me into purchasing the Morning Time Cleanser. The damage? 60 of my hard-earned Earth dollars. The packaging is very sleek and beautiful. The cap twists to reveal a hole through which the product is squeezed out.

What it promises:

More lightweight in texture than the traditional balm, making it suitable for all skin types. The addition of fruit enzymes designed to aid in gently exfoliating the skin.

This product has a rather thick and balmy texture that becomes more liquid as it melts in your palms. It has quite a strong medicinal/sweet/herbal scent. You're supposed to warm it up in your hands and massage it onto dry skin. Leave it on for about two minutes then rinse off.

The sales lady claimed it worked awesome with the Clarisonic but I'd have to disagree on that front. I personally find that cleansers that produce some sort of foam are the most Clarisonic-friendly. This cleanser does not foam at all. It just becomes sort of like an oil that washes off with water. It left me confused. It's marketed as a morning time cleanser yet the back of the packaging boasts about its ability to break down waterproof eye makeup... er... ?

While the experience of using this product is rather luxurious and I like the scent and feeling of massaging the product into the skin, I just didn't get enough benefits to warrant a repurchase. It didn't break me out and it did do a good job at removing eye makeup when I used it at night. However the enzymes that claim to exfoliate didn't do anything better than a what cheaper or similarly priced glycolic acid/lactic acid cleanser or mask would do.

Have you tried any Eve Lom products? Am I right to be unimpressed?

Skincare Sunday III: Aztec Healing Clay Mask

2013-04-07T22:51:00.001-04:00

I've talked about this little tub of wonder in my last video on YouTube, and it's time I blab about it some more. So what is it?

It's a tub of fine powdered pure bentonite clay. It cost me less than $10 (I got mine at Whole Foods, but you can find it online on Amazon as well) and it's probably the most effective clay mask I've ever used.

How do I use it?

I mix one tablespoon of the clay with one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (you can use water as well, but the acidity of the vinegar tends to do a better job at softening and gently exfoliating the skin). I mix in a small glass bowl with my fingers and apply it all over my face. I look really attractive for about 20 minutes as it dries down:

It gets super super tight as it dries down, you can actually kinda feel your blood pulsating to your face. If you have sensitive/dry skin, I would maybe use a thinner layer and use water instead of vinegar since it can be a bit harsh. I wash it off after about 20 minutes with warm water and my skin looks and feels tight, clean and glowing. There is a hint of redness on my forehead right after but it dissipates after 30 minutes.

I can't recommend this baby enough! It's cheap, customizable and amazing especially for combination/oily skin. I wouldn't use this more than once a week or once every two weeks since it can over-dry your skin, but it clarifies just as well if not better than more expensive masks currently on the market.

Have you tried this? I'm a happy camper :)

Late Night Spring Blouse Trollin'

2013-04-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

What better way to cure insomnia than to indulge in a healthy dose of Forever21? That's exactly what I was up to last night.

Seriously, though! Their blouses have gotten prettier and prettier and if you're in need of something sweet and simple to pep up your wardrobe this spring, then look no further.

Here's what is currently in my basket:

Note: I posted links to the products on the Canadian, US, UK and EU Forever 21sites to make it easier for you to check them out if you're interested :)

Lace Peter Pan Collar

...so feminine and simple!

Canada // USA (not available) // UK // EU

V-Shaped Keyhole Neon

It reminds me of a top by the designer brand ALC that I had my eye on but I wouldn't dare spend $150+ for it. This does the trick!

Canada // USA (sold out) // UK (not available) // EU (not available)

Pastel Yellow Contrast Pocket

Pockets on a loose-fitting blouse? This may as well have my name stitched on it. It also comes in a coral option, but the cream/yellow combination appeals more to me. I don't like the way they styled it with a black skirt but I can see this with rolled-up sleeves tucked into a pair of light denim shorts, some sandals, aviators and it'll take me right into summer!

Canada // USA // UK // EU

Pastel Colorblocked Sheer

This has "please wear me with black leather trousers" written all over it. I'll happily oblige.

Also comes in a yellow/black/ivory option which is just as beautiful.

Canada // USA // UK (not available) // EU (not available)

I hope you enjoyed my picks! Now next on the list would be some spring bottoms/shoes... apparently I'm still in my tops phase :)

Skincare Sunday II: SilkPeel Dermalinfusion

2013-03-31T14:37:00.000-04:00

Exciting times over here in skincare land... this week I had my very first "professional" skincare treatment. A super gentle treatment, if you compare it to the likes of intense peels or lasers, but a first for me nonetheless so I thought it would be fun to share my experience on the blog.

The procedure is called SilkPeel and it combines the process of microdermabrasion along with the simultanous delivery of a skincare solution depending on your need. There are different available formulas depending on your skin concern - clarifying for acne, vitamin C for anti-aging, lumixyl for hyperpigmentation or hydration of very dry skins. I chose the clarifying formula which is salicylic acid based.

I've never had a microdermabrasion before but it felt very nice and thorough. A diamond-tip wand is used to break down damaged cells on the top layer of the skin leaving the fresh cells underneath exposed to whatever condition-specific solution you have selected for your treatment. The whole thing lasted about half an hour and, like I said, I felt no discomfort whatsoever. It was soothing and it felt great having all those gross dead skin cells scraped off!

Before - a post cystic acne war zone

The cost? I paid $110, taxes included, at my local dermatologist.

The results?

Slight redness right after the procedure itself but it went away within a couple of hours. My skin texture was visibly improved. Skin surface looked smoother and any annoying bumps I had brewing are gone. The skincare solution that was infused during the procedure is intended to keep on working at improving and addressing particular skincare concerns. My deeper acne scars and more aggressive hyperpigmentation weren't improved but that wasn't within the scope of a single treatment. My dermatologist recommended this treatment almost as a "primer", before diving into a series of more aggressive peels (which I will also document).

After - a smoother, softer skin texture

Some of the acne scarring I have accumulated over years and years of fighting with cystic acne is too deep for normal over-the-counter products to obliterate. After having my breakouts under control for the best past of the last 2 years it is finally time for me to properly and professionally address those scars!

I'm very happy with my little introduction to professional skincare solutions. I can imagine that this type of treatment would produce amazing results on slightly more mature skins in need of a good "pick-me-up"... their Vitamin C brightening version of this treatment certainly looks promising :)

Have you been battling acne scarring? What has worked for you and what hasn't?

PS: How do you feel about my new Skincare Sunday instalment? Catch up on last week's post here.

x

Skincare Sunday I: Origins Plantscription SPF 25

2013-03-24T23:15:00.000-04:00

What better way to wind down on a Sunday evening than by writing my first instalment of "Skincare Sunday"? One skincare product diced, chopped, tried out and reviewed by yours truly for all Sundays left in this year :)

I'm a skincare enthusiast. I get excited reading about active ingredients and there's nothing I love more than the feeling of trying out something that works (shout out to La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo, the little tube that never lets me down).

I hope you'll enjoy my weekly skincare blurbs as much as I enjoy writing them!

Without further ado, I'd like to showcase today's little pot of wonder:

Origins Plantscription SPF 25 Oil Free Cream

I got this in the mail from the kind people at Origins about 2 months ago and I've been testing it out regularly since. Canadian winters are painfully longer than regular winters so my skin, which is usually oily, has been more normal during these months.

I dip the end of a clean Q-tip in the pot (to keep things sanitary) and pick up about a dime-sized amount of cream, which is enough to spread over my whole face and neck. It leaves my skin looking plump and glowy. It makes for a lovely primer before foundation. The formula is rich in anti-oxidants and has an SPF of 25 which is pretty decent. It's heavier in texture than the Murad Essential-C moisturizer (which I still absolutely adore and recommend) which makes it more suitable for combination/dry and normal skins. There is also a formula that is not oil-free that caters to dry/more mature skins. If you're combination oily to oily, it might be a bit too much for you. It's not cheap, but a little goes a long way. I've been using it regularly over the last 6 weeks or so, and have barely made a dent!

To sum it up, here's what I love about it:

non-offensive fragrance (super light clean scent that doesn't linger after application)
no greasy residue yet leaves skin looking glowy
decent SPF
easily available at a number of retailers (Sephora, Origins, The Bay, Macy's)
a little goes a long way
doesn't break me out
my skin looks seriously healthy and plump when I use this in the morning!

The negatives:

comes in a pot, so if you're a clean freak like me it might be a pain in the butt; Q-tip method is alright though
skip this if you're having an "oily" day, even though it's oil free, it will enhance oil slick factor by midday
$55 in the US, $69 in Canada (umm... woof.)

All in all, I am loving this lately!

Any Origins products that you love and recommend? Send the suggestions my way :)

Today's Makeup

2013-03-13T18:47:00.002-04:00

I wore this look in one of my recent videos on YouTube and got a few requests to re-create it so what better than a "Get Ready With Me" type post? :)

It's a simple monochromatic look on the eyes - brown eyeshadow and brown liner and a vibrant lip that just begs for spring.
I've worn it several times over the past couple of weeks, albeit changing up the lip or blush, and I can't get enough.

As always, the names of all products used will be listed underneath, along with links where you can find the products!

Face

Guerlain Lingerie De Peau Foundation – 02 (Nordstrom // Sephora // House Of Fraser)
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush (ULTA // Walmart in Canada)

Maybelline Age Rewind – Brightener (Drugstores)

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer – Very Light/Fair (ASOS)

Sephora Professional Airbrush #57 (Sephora)

NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder – Pressed (Sephora // Space NK // NARS)

MAC 129 Brush (MAC)

Dior Nude Bronzer – 02 Amber (Nordstrom // Sephora // Neiman Marcus)

Quo Professional Bronzer Brush (Shoppers Drug Mart)

NARS Blush – Madly (Sephora // Nordstrom // NARS)

NARS Yachiyo Brush (Nordstrom // NARS)

Eyes

Urban Decay Eyeshadow – Naked (Sephora // LookFantastic)

MAC 217 Brush (MAC)
Clarins Nude Eyeshadow - I use this to "clean up" sometimes (Nordstrom)
MAC 227 Brush (MAC)

Dior Waterproof Eyeliner – Dark Brown (Nordstrom // Sephora // FeelUnique)

Pupa Diva’s Lashes Mascara (Amazon)

Lips

Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick – Muse (Sephora // SpaceNK)

Music: Atoms For Peace - “Dropped”

What has been your go-to makeup look lately?

Sandra

A Rimmel Round-up

2013-03-10T20:21:00.002-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I was perusing the aisles of my beloved local drugstore when I stumbled across a "3 for 2" type of sale on Rimmel cosmetics. I was feeling rather... experimental... so I walked out with some new goodies that I have been using for the past several days.

1. Kate Moss lipstick in #113

This. Smells. So. Bad.

Why oh why do brands decide to pump nasty smells in perfectly good lipsticks? The texture and colour of this are absolutely beautiful. It's creamy and matte and a slightly lighter version of MAC Shy Girl. I can tone down the nasty smell by using it underneath a nicely scented balmy lip product like a YSL Sheer Candy or Maybelline Baby Lips. I have actually created some of my favourite lip combinations in this way and I'll be sure to show you more in detail soon :)

2. Stay Matte Powder

The Internet has been ablaze with rave reviews of this setting powder. Many of my fellow oily skinned girls have dubbed this the best setting powder they have ever used. Me? Underwhelmed. It's just TOO matte. It literally sucks the life out of the areas of the face where I place it, and still doesn't miraculously keep the oils at bay all day long. This is a miss. The NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder is superior, in my opinion (I have the pressed powder version, which for some reason I've only been able to find online on Sephora.com).

3. Wake Me Up Concealer

This has a lovely texture and doesn't crease under the eyes. It's a bit too sheer for me for some days, but works great in conjunction with my Maybelline Age Rewind Brightener if I'm now having a particular bad under-eye day and just need a quick lift. Awesome formula, terrible colour selection (my shade is Fair/Very Light and it's more of a Light/Medium, I'd say.)

How do you feel about Rimmel cosmetics?

What have you tried and is there anything I should be looking at next?

Tops on Tops on Tops!

2013-02-28T02:30:00.000-05:00

I go through phases when shopping for clothes. Jacket phases, dress phases, denim...

Now, the time has come for tops. Form-fitting tops, to be exact. I have had a passionate love affair for oversized voluminous shirts and blouses for so long, I found myself in a crisis when I realized that I had zero form-fitting options. I find it harder to buy these types of tops because they often are cut wrong (too long/too short) or are unflattering in the stomach area.

Alas, that all came to an end when I was shopping a few weeks ago and came across the brand Bailey 44, who make beautiful and flattering yet form-fitting pieces. The quality is wonderful, they manufacture in the USA (which kind-of justifies the higher price point), and the pieces I chose are basic yet with a slight twist that make them stand out above the rest.

I also found some more budget-friendly options in a style that still rocks my world - the embellished collar. I absolutely love the look of a high neck line, slim cut top and a funky collar. You can add a chunky statement necklace & red lip stick to really dress it up or you can let your hair down and rock a smudgy smoky eye, nude lips and grunge it down.

So here are my top picks for... well... TOPS!

1. Bailey 44 twist short sleeve // 2. ASOS faux leather collar top

3. ASOS split back top // 4. ASOS lace collar cop // 5. Bailey 44 twist black

In true "Sandra" style - none of these are colourful. Oops!

I guess I will stick to the bright shades in lipsticks this spring :)

All In The Lips

2013-02-26T23:20:00.000-05:00

I wanted to do a blog post on the two lip products that have been rocking my world recently, so here goes. It also happens to be the best and most simple "day to night" look transformation.

Look #1: Dior Addict lipstick in the colour "Beige Casual" (link)

I had to take an extra photo of it to fully capture its brilliance. It's a real "my lips but better" colour for me because it's sheer and meshes well with my natural lip pigmentation while enhancing them subtle shimmer and a glossy finish. It makes my lips look so much fuller and more plump. Love it!

Look #2: NARS Matte Velvet lip pencil in "Red Square" (link)

I could go on and on about my undying love for these NARS lip pencils but I'll spare you the ramble. If I could own every single one of them, I will be a very happy woman. They're perfect. Matte, lightweight, long-lasting and not as drying as you'd think! Red Square is a stunning bright orange-based red that I will be rocking all spring long. I highly recommend it. I wear it both during the day and night.

All I need!

The rest of the makeup was my usual go-to blend of neutrals. Dior Nude bronzer, a hint of Burberry Earthy blush, and Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow along with a warm brown from Guerlain's Les Fumes eyeshadow quad in the crease. Black liner, mascara, done!

Have you stayed loyal to any lip products in particular this past month?

Exfoliation Heroes

2013-02-19T17:40:00.001-05:00

It's no secret that I am a fan of chemical exfoliation for the skin. I had been using products with 8% glycolic acid on a regular basis for the better part of the past year (Alpha H Liquid Gold, Neostrata Toning Solution Level 1) and the results and changes I had seen on my skin were remarkable.

My main skin concern is hyperpigmentation from stubborn acne scars, so that is why I turn to exfoliating products (and I have tried a myriad of different ones) to help even out the skin tone and texture.

Despite loving my Neostrata toner a lot, it did have one major drawback: it contained alcohol. Alcohol can be super drying and irritating and while I never really reacted negatively to my toner, it always bothered me that it had such a high alcohol content... so I ventured out to the drug store (Rexall, in my case) on the hunt for something new.

Enter Lierac!

I had never tried anything from the brand, but I do know it's from France and that they have a relatively good reputation when it comes to skincare. They had a set with these two "peel" type products on sale - basically a get 2 for the price of one - type of thing so I picked them up.

Comfort Peel, which is a light cream containing a 5% glycolic acid and salicylic acid mix in a time-released formula that supposedly continues working throughout the day. I've been using this every morning under my SPF (which is a must when you're using exfoliants). It's gentle, absorbs easily into the skin and has a light floral fragrance.

High Peel is the "heavy duty" product of the lineup containing a 10% glycolic and salicylic acid mix. This also has a light lotion texture but with some gritty particles in it that almost make it feel like a gentle scrub when you massage it into the skin. This product does sting a bit on application but it subsides quickly and sinks into the skin. I apply this at night and I don't put anything else on my skin aside from eye cream or my blemish treatment on blemishes, if I have any.

After about 3 weeks of using these products in conjunction I have noticed more improvements in my skin texture than ever before. Those super stubborn old marks from cystic acne that I was never able to get to with other products before are starting to fade. This year I am really focused on keeping my skin in great shape (even if eventually I have to resort to professional lasers on those annoying indented acne scars... woof, acne. I had it bad in my early 20's!!) and these two products are definitely keeping me happy.

Any skincare additions that have been rocking your world lately?

Recent Acquisitions

2013-02-04T15:40:00.000-05:00

A quick post on a dreary, snowy Monday featuring a round-up of some recently purchased products that I have been enjoying lately -

Brushes

Finally got my hands on a couple of Real Techniques brushes (a friend kindly picked these up for me from Ulta in the US, but they are available on iherb.com if you are interested). I have been loving the Expert Face Brush for buffing in foundation. It's not quite as dense as my Sigma F80 which means it gives slightly less coverage, making it perfect for light daytime makeup. The smaller Setting Brush has been great for powdering smaller areas such as the under-eye or just the T-zone of the face.

Good price point and I'm excited to try more of these!

Foundations

My good friend Dara kindly sent me an extra bottle she had lying around of the Armani Maestro Foundation. I got a couple of samples of this foundation from the counter when it was first released, loved it and was planning to purchase it anyway so when Dara offered to send me her extra bottle I was beyond excited. Shade #4 is quite similar to B20 in Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, for reference. It's a sheer coverage foundation that is super lightweight, blends like a dream and dries to a satin/matte finish. It's awesome for oily skin. I don't even need to powder it. I will be doing a more in-depth review of this :)

Another foundation that I purchased on the recommendation of a friend is MAC Face and Body. I got it in the shade C1 which is the perfect match for my "winter face". This foundation is super sheer. More sheer than the Armani Maestro or any other foundation/tinted moisturizer that I have tried, actually. I apply it either with my fingers or the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and get a beautiful, natural finish. It leaves a more natural finish than the Maestro foundation and lasts a decent time on the skin. However it definitely needs to be set with powder, especially if you get oily in the T-zone. It's not an ideal formula for oily skins but I love the texture and finish so much, I don't mind busting out the blotting sheets every once in a while!

Eyes/Lips

Urban Decay "Naked" eyeshadow is the latest to join my collection and it's the perfect warm mid-tone brown. I've been using it all over the lid or in the crease. Great texture and easy to blend.

For the lips, MAC lip liner in "Half Red" is perfect for a natural-toned defined lip. It enhances the lip line beautifully and even looks good worn all over the lip topped with clear gloss. And speaking of clear gloss, Lip Fusion's collagen-boosting clear gloss formula makes my lips feel plumper than ever.

All in all, I am super happy and excited with my recent acquisitions.

For now I am just anxiously awaiting warmer weather and days that don't involve me scraping ice off of my car fpr half an hour before trying to go somewhere.

Sandra

On My Face Today - More Dior

2013-01-29T10:52:00.001-05:00

Spoiler Alert: you will see most of these products in my January 2013 favourites video since I have enjoyed wearing them so much!

On the skin I have been priming with Sibu Hydrating Serum followed by Murad Essential C Day Moisturizer. I skipped foundation and used Revlon PhotoReady Concealer (in the shade 02 Light) all over - focusing on the inside of my face and blending outwards with a synthetic buffing brush. This concealer is awesome and really works for me now that my skin is more normal/combination in the winter.

I powdered with Chanel Universal Loose Powder.

Under the eyes I used my trusty Armani Master Corrector (#1) and Dior Nude Concealer (Shades #1 and #2 mixed).

Now on to the fun stuff:

This Dior palette from their 2012 holiday collection creates the perfect brown smoky eye. I used the lighter shade all over the lid, the shimmery cool-toned bronze in the centre of the lid and the satin/matte brown in the crease and along the lash lines. The top two creamy products in the palette are an eye primer (the only disappointing product of the bunch) and a brow liner that works really well for me. It also comes with a mini DiorShow New Look mascara. At $40 this really is an awesome little palette. (Link)

I bronzed with my usual Dior Nude bronzer in shade 02, and added Tarte Exposed blush on the apples of my cheeks a bit heavier than I usually do.

To finish off, let me introduce one of my favourite lipsticks ever. I will need to do another blog post solely on it, or maybe just stop slacking and film a new favourite lipsticks video but until then, the shade is called Grace and it's by Hourglass (Link). Texture very similar to Tom Ford lipsticks and the shade is the perfect nude with a hint of peach. If you like YSL Rouge Volupte #1, #2, Tom Ford Blush Nude or MAC Shy Girl... give this a try. It's so good!

What makeup have you been wearing lately?

Today's Makeup - Dior Candide Lipstick

2013-01-14T21:37:00.000-05:00

My name is Sandra and I am a lipstick-holic.

*sigh*

It's halfway through the January Spending Diet and I have thought long and hard about using one of my holiday gift cards on one pretty piece of Spring 2013 makeup. The brand of the culprit? Dior.

Dior is probably my favourite makeup brand at the moment. I find myself consistently reaching for their products in my daily routine and I love it. Their Spring 2013 Cherie Bow collection has some gorgeous pink/grey/silver shades and the cutest collector's edition palette. Three limited edition Dior Addict lipsticks were released in the range, and after some persuasion from some fellow makeup enthusiast friends (namely Rachel and Jess) I walked out with #436 "Candide".

It's pigmented (slightly more pigmented than YSL Sheer Candy lipsticks or the Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipsticks I own, for example) and glossy and the perfect shade of light neutral pink for spring. I added a tiny hint of Laura Mercier lip liner in Potpourri just to add definition to the edge of my lips, but did not fill my lips in with the liner.

The packaging of Dior Addict lipsticks is so pretty and sleek.

Dior Addict Lipstick - 436 Candide (link)

It lasts a good 2 hours on me, which is nice given the glossy formula. These lipsticks are glossy and not drying and the packaging is so beautiful, they are made for reapplying throughout the day. Here's the rest of the makeup I wore:

Face:

Revlon ColorStay Whipped Foundation

Maybelline Age Rewind Brightener

Chanel Fleur De Lotus Blush (was a Nordstrom exclusive, no longer available)

Lancome Powder

Eyes:

Clarins Nude eyeshadow

Burberry Pale Barley eyeshadow

Urban Decay Tease eyeshadow

Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencil in Rehab

Ardell Demi Pixies lashes

Have you started playing with Spring makeup or are you still rocking the Fall/Winter shades?

Sandra

The January Spending Diet

2013-01-06T14:15:00.001-05:00

Ah, January. The month of resolutions, the month of fresh starts, the month of... pretty new Spring makeup collections being released into the wild!!!

I'm writing this post letting you know that I will be on my best behaviour this month and spend some time showing some love to the things I already own. I found myself frantically starting to make SO MANY lists of new things to check out but I had to slow my roll because

a) I'd like to save some money

b) those lipsticks/eyeshadows/whatevers will most likely still be there in a month and if I honestly can't stop thinking about them, I will purchase later

c) I HAVE NO ROOM

d) using products up makes me happy

e) this can apply to clothes as well

A spending "diet" is much needed for me this month.

This means that this month's posts and videos will be geared more towards reviews/favourites/some tutorials/showing you some of my trusty go-to eyeshadow combinations, etc.

Hope you're on board :)

PS:

I've gotten many tweets asking me what outfit/makeup I had on for New Years Eve. I hadn't planned on doing a post with a complete look since I was rather rushed and it was a hectic day but I did manage to take a bathroom mirror photo at my friend's house, so you can get an idea :)

top - Zara (old)

belt - Nicholas (link)

skirt - Herve Leger (link)

bracelets - Tiffany's (beaded silver), Henri Bendel (rose gold), Pandora (silver)

Paired with dark pumps and Essie Smokin' Hot on my nails.

For makeup I wore MAC Constructivist Paint Pot and Club eyeshadow all over the lid, with some Urban Decay Tease in the crease and some Burberry Taupe Brown in the outer corner.

I got made fun of because of my phone case a lot, which cost almost $4 and was from Ebay haha...

Dior Rosy Glow: Current Everyday Makeup

2013-01-03T20:27:00.002-05:00

First of all, I would like to wish you all a very happy new year. Thank you for making 2012 so much more fun and exciting for me by being a part of this wonderful makeup community.

With it now being full-on winter and with my skin actually feeling NORMAL and BALANCED (cue the angels singing - and check out my most recent blog post here on the products I hold responsible for this small miracle haha) I can actually forget about oil control for a split second and use my favourite highlighter EVER... Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Pearl, along with the Dior Rosy Glow blush that I've been obsessing over for the past few weeks.

It's more of a "spring" makeup look now that I think of it but hey... with all the Spring makeup collections being released in the coming weeks, I suppose it's not so out of place after all.

I hope you enjoy the look (I am sporting it in my recent YouTube video as well) and as always let me know what products you have been loving as of late.

Products Used:

Giorgio Armani Master Corrector - shade 01

Maybelline Age Rewind Brightener

Sephora Professional #57 Brush

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector - Pearl

Revlon PhotoReady Concealer - shade 02

Sigma F80 Brush

Lancome Dual Finish Powder - shade Matte Clair

Quo Bronzer Brush

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer

MAC 129 brush

Dior Rosy Glow Blush

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Clarins Mineral Eyeshadow - Nude

MAC 227 brush

MAC Eyeshadow - Wedge

MAC 217 brush

Urban Decay Eyeshadow - Tease

MAC 224 brush

MAC Power Kohl Eyeliner - Raven (discontinued)

Dior Universal Brow Styler

Anastasia Brow Gel - clear

YSL Faux Cils Shocking Mascara

Shu Uemura eyelash curler

MAC Angel lipstick

music: Florence Welch & Calvin Harris - Sweet Nothing

My Current Skincare Heroes

2012-12-20T18:47:00.001-05:00

Cue the angels singing, people - I haven't had any skin issues in over a month and I feel like this must be documented.

Last fall/winter my skin went dry and crazy, this past summer it went oily overload... I thought I lost hope.

Slowly but surely, as I started incorporating some new products into my usual routine, my skin started getting really nice. Here are the standouts from the past couple of months, old and new:

1. Sibu Facial Soap

If you would have told me I'd love a SOAP for my face, I would have thought you were crazy. On a particularly oily day I decided to give this a whirl with my Clarisonic. It balanced my oily skin so perfectly, I can't rave about it enough.

Now, it's a bit drying for everyday use but twice a week I use this with the Clarisonic and it has kept the oil in check.

If you're in Canada, you can find Sibu products at some Rexall drug stores. The line is also available at Whole Foods or online.

2. NeoStrata Toning Solution Level 1

This baby replaced my Alpha H Liquid Gold. It's a toner that contains 8% glycolic acid and I use it nightly. This costs less than the Alpha H Liquid Gold and it gave me more visible results. It helps fade some old post-acne scars and really helped refine my skin texture, especially on my cheeks!

Note: as far as I know, you can only get this brand at Canadian drug stores.

3. Murad Essential-C Day Moisturizer

I raved about this in this blog post, so I won't go on in too much detail. Basically since I started using a glycolic acid toner on a daily basis I figured it was a good idea to buy a daily moisturizer with a good SPF in it in order to prevent against further darkening of scars.

4. Dior HydraLife Beauty Awakening Mask

I've been mentioning this baby in my skincare routine videos on my YouTube channel for over a year now. I bought it on a whim from Shoppers Drug Mart using my reward points and it has remained one of my "Lazy Sunday" staples. I use it about once a week if my skin is feeling dull and dehydrated. It contains a plethora of hydrating ingredients yet doesn't feel heavy or greasy on the skin at all. It just keeps the skin cells nice and plump, with a gorgeous refreshing scent!

5. Sibu Hydrating Serum

Also purchased this on a whim a couple of months ago and I tend to use it as my night time moisturizer every other day. It sinks in effortlessly, hydrates my skin and doesn't contribute to oil production.

6. La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo

An acne-fighting best friend. I've been using this for years and it still remains my spot treatment of choice :)

In conclusion, I am embracing my skin going from super dehydrated oil slick to normal with oily tendencies in the T zone like a regular human. I think the mixture of keeping the skin hydrated and frequent exfoliation really agrees with me at the moment.

Have you made any new skincare discoveries lately?

Jazzy Nails For Lazy People - Sally Hansen Nail Effects

2012-12-11T03:11:00.004-05:00

On a recent stress-relieving outing to Shoppers Drug Mart I stumbled across a beautiful fully-stocked display of some Sally Hansen Salon Effects nail strips... on sale! They were $7 and you got some bonus points for buying two so naturally I grabbed a couple of boxes and the rest is history. I settled on a pretty and soft shimmery champagne polish strip with a black baroque-ish design.

Nail art has grown immensely in popularity over the past year. While I am not the most adventurous when it comes to nail colour/texture, these nail strip types of things have always caught my attention. I just always avoided trying it out because I thought it would be too difficult (hey - I can barely paint my own nails, I am easily intimidated!)

Long story short, I was up for an adventure last week so I picked up one of my boxes of nail strips and went to town:

you get more than just 10 of these adhesive strips (you get 8 options per hand) in order to accommodate most finger shapes
I don't know the exact science behind these things, but they smell like nail polish... so I am pretty sure they're made of nail polish.
you just peel them off their backing, like a sticker, and stick them on your nail making sure that you selected the correct shape for the particular finger you are "painting".
The instructions suggest you buff the surface of your nails first to get more grip for the adhesive polish strip but I didn't do that and still got good results. As long as you don't have any moisture/oily residue or debris on the surface of your nails, the adhesive strips should stick without a problem.
that's IT! I stuck the babies on like stickers, pressing tightly and making sure that the strip covered my entire nail. I then folded the strip over the edge of my nail and filed off the excess part of the strip... voila:

I was so surprised at how easy this whole thing was. In less than 10 minutes I did one entire hand. They lasted a whole week without peeling off. They claim to last up to 10 days but I removed them after a week just because I got sick of the design - I think that the particular design of it would look better just on an accent nail rather than on all my fingers.

*Note: I removed them with nail polish remover just like any ol' nail polish and it worked like a charm.

Anyways, this was a success! If you were wary of giving these things a try in the past because you're nail art challenged like I am, I promise you that you can handle these :)

I think they're such a cute way to jazz up a manicure especially for a holiday party of sorts. I have since picked up a sparkly gold one that I can't wait to try out. I also have some extra strips from the kit I used in this blog post that I plan on using as accent nails on a manicure with Chanel Vertigo nail polish.

Consider my nails officially JAZZED.

How do you feel about nail art? Have you tried these things?? I know I'm a bit late to the party...

Sandra

Revlon Diamond Lust Eyeshadow Look (and Giveaway)

2012-12-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

The holiday season just wouldn't seem right without a sparkly, metallic high-shine eyeshadow in tow.

Silvers, golds, copper tones and bronze... I love it all.

In today's post I am sporting Revlon Diamond Lust Eyeshadow in the shade Night Sky.

Night Sky is a beautiful shimmery dark grey eyeshadow. There are small particles of silver glitter throughout. You can build the eyeshadow up really dark or use it on top of a black base for a more intense look (would be perfect for a New Year's Eve party!).

In the demo I opted for a more subtle approach by layering it on top of a soft matte brown base. The pigmentation was great when applied with fingers and a sponge tip applicator. A flat moistened synthetic brush can also help pack on the pigment as needed. Now since this colour is so dark and rich in glitter, I recommend doing your eyeshadow before any under-eye concealing just so you can easily clean up any fall-out.

The Revlon PhotoReady concealer in Light is a great match for my under-eye area, is easy to blend with fingers and provides good coverage. I've mentioned it in some of my favourites videos on my channel over the past few months :)

As for the lip - like with any sort of bold eyeshadow look I liked to tone it down and sport a paler lip. Revlon Super Lustrous lipgloss in Peach Petal is one of my favourite shades and one that I have owned for quite a while. It's a must for any nude lipgloss lover!

Now for the best part - the GIVEAWAY.

I will be giving away 10 of the Revlon Diamond Lust eyeshadows! As always, please comment below with your e-mail addresses or twitter usernames to enter the contest. I will pick the winners in 2 weeks and contact you for your shipping information.

What are some of your favourite eyeshadow combinations for holiday parties?

Click here for more beauty tips!

Holy Grail Status: Murad Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30

2012-11-26T14:16:00.000-05:00

I don't talk about moisturizers often because I dislike the majority of the ones I try. When you have combination/oily skin, moisturizing is often a big mystery. I was in the market for a new daily facial moisturizer since we are now getting into the colder months of the year and my skin needs a little extra something to protect from the elements.

Last year I raved about the La Roche Posay Toleriane lotion and while I still think that it is a great product for balancing out irritated skin and dry patches, I wanted something with a pretty decent SPF since I've been using a toner with glycolic acid in it on a daily basis (more on that later). When you're using products that contain chemical exfoliants (glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, etc.) it is recommended that you always use SPF during the day since those ingredients increase your sensitivity to the sun.

Enter my new skincare love - the Essential-C Day Moisture from Murad. I bought this on a whim from Sephora during their friends and family sale last month and I am so happy that I did. It's pretty out of character for me since I'm usually the type who sits and research 48723842 different products before biting the bullet and deciding on a thing to buy.

"A daytime moisturizer for face and neck skin that’s packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants to create a facial lotion that’s not only refreshing, it’s also the key to beautiful, revitalized skin. This face cream from the scientific skin care experts at Murad restores skin from sun damage and the impact of the environment while also protecting against future damage."

Here's what I love about it:

- lightweight, sinks into the skin right away leaving it soft and plump

- very very faint citrus scent, which is nice

- it contains SPF 30 PA+++ which is great for my everyday needs

- it helped balance out my skin within a week

- contains vitamin C, which helps fade marks over time

- great to use under foundation

- only need a small amount for the whole face

I am a happy camper. Only downside? The price. At $60 it's not the most economical of products but a little goes a long way and the benefits are well worth your while.

Note: I bought mine from Sephora, but for some reason I can't find the exact same product on the website. It might be out of stock at the moment, but click any of the links above for other stockists that carry the product!

Back on the taupe and brown eyeshadow train...

2012-11-19T14:28:00.002-05:00

So that may be the dullest blog post title of all time but I'm hoping that you'll forgive me. Let's shift the focus on one of my favourite types of eyeshadow looks instead - taupe, brown, and easy.

I was feeling nostalgic and took out a couple of old favourite eye products - MAC Constructivist Paint Pot - and applied it all over the eyelids with my finger. I then took Bobbi Brown Hot Stone eyeshadow, which is a lovely dark matte cool toned brown and used it to line my eyes and to smoke out the lash line. I used it in the outer corner as well.

I then took a new addition to my makeup collection - Urban Decay Tease eyeshadow (which looks similar to Hot Stone in the photo but is a lot lighter, with a hint more purple and a satin finish) and applied it all over the lid with a fluffy crease brush for a light wash of colour on top of the paint pot.

Finished off with a bit of Burberry Almond eyeshadow (using the same crease brush) in the crease for a hint of warmth.

Here's the rest of my face makeup along with a full list of products used:

Eyes:

MAC Constructivist Paint Pot (link)

Bobbi Brown Hot Stone eyeshadow (link)

Burberry Almond eyeshadow (link)

Urban Decay Tease eyeshadow (link)

Hourglass Film Noir mascara (link)

Face:

Chantecaille Just Skin tinted moisturizer (got a sample of this in the shade Bliss and it's really nice) (link)

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer in SC-4 (link)

Benefit Hervana Blush (link)

Lips:

YSL Rouge Volupte #1(link)

YSL Gloss Pur #7 (link)

Simple eyeshadow, using 2 brushes, and it stayed put all day! It's a combination that happened by accident but one that I'll definitely be repeating.

Hope your week is off to a great start. x

Sandra

Headbands, lipstick and more neutral daytime makeup (Revlon Giveaway!)

2012-11-16T10:04:00.000-05:00

Ever since I started getting into Gossip Girl years ago when it first started (it's about time they put that poor show out of its misery) headbands became one of my go-to items.

I'm not one to fuss with or spend a lot of time on my hair, and I found that when my hair just wasn't cooperating - whether my roots needed touching up or it was looking flat - a headband always came to my rescue. Now, you can do the Season 1 Blair Waldorf thing and opt for bold and bedazzled pieces but I tend to always gravitate towards black textured headbands. My favourite places to get them are Forever21, ASOS and JCrew.

Why black? Black blends in with my dark hair yet a with cool texture like sequins, leather, croc embossed, etc.

Here's the natural look I wore with the help of a gorgeous new lipstick by Revlon (in their Super Lustrous line) called Pink Pearl. It's a brown/pink neutral lip colour with a hint of a pearly sheen and it glides on effortlessly.

This is the type of look that I wear almost daily for work. I work in an office environment so I can't exactly stroll in there with a neon coral lip no matter how tempting that may be sometimes haha.

On to the most important thing -

I have 10 of these stunning lipsticks to give away! So, as always, comment on this post with your e-mail address of Twitter handle in order to enter in the draw. Winners will be announced by the beginning of December :)

Click here for more beauty tips!

Mulberry and Cruella - Autumn Face Of The Day

2012-11-07T22:31:00.002-05:00

Here is a look that I've been wearing quite a lot recently. It's easy yet certainly packs a punch colour-wise (for me, anyway).

As you'll see in the video, I'm getting to the very last drops of my YSL Teint Resist sample that I kindly got from a sales associate at Saks in the summer. I was complaining about the fact that got discontinued so she managed to squeeze out what she could from the last tester they had of my shades - #4 and #5... *sigh* I was hoping the Burberry Velvet foundation would compare but it just wasn't as nice. There's just something about Teint Resist that worked so well with my skin. The search continues!

As always, the full list with links of what I am wearing will be at the bottom :)

Face:

YSL Teint Resist Foundation (discontinued... cue sad violin music)

Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer "Brightener"

Clinique Airbrush Concealer #4 Neutral Fair

Lancome Dual Finish Powder in Clair II

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer

Eyes:

NARS Cream Eyeshadow "Mykonos"

Burberry Eyeshadow "Mulberry"

MAC Kohl Power "Feline"

Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara

Lips:

NARS Matte Velvet Lip Pencil "Cruella"

Brushes Used:

foundation - Sigma F80

powder - MAC 129

bronzer - NARS Yachiyo

eyeshadow - Laura Mercier crease & smudge brush, MAC 217 & 224

Nails:

YSL #4 (super old, they have since changed their nail polish names)

Top:

High-Low Boucle Top (Forever 21)

Necklace:

House Of Harlow

Music:

Hooray For Earth "No Love"

Fall Fashion Wishlist - Casual

2012-10-29T14:15:00.001-04:00

It's been a while since I've done any sort of fashion/wishlist post but there have been some things that I have come across in terms of fashion that have been on my mind this fall. Here are some of the things I am eyeing this fall:

1. Rag & Bone Jeans. These come in a few different shade/texture combinations but the dark green is probably my favourite. I love the dark paneling on the side and the small lambskin detailing. Perfect for fall or for night time any season!

2. All Saints Silk Blend Tank. I love pieces like this for layering in the fall. Quality is amazing and will definitely last you into the warmer seasons as well :)

3. All Saints Damisi Boots in Asphalt. Drool. That is all.

4. All Saints Black Wool & Leather Sleeves Cardigan. All Saints is killing it this winter. This cardigan is to die for. Edgy and dark - I can see myself wearing this for a lonnnnng time.

5. Forever21 Necklace. Big statement necklaces are fun to switch up a more classic neutral outfit. Especially for me in the fall when I tend to wear higher necklines. Throw on one of these shiny pieces to add a bit of spice :)

6. Forever21 Colorblock sweaters. I just saw these online last week and I think they'd make great everyday sweaters for school or a casual fall day.

In terms of makeup I'm really loving matte red lip colours and DITCHING the fake tan! *gasp*

What are you eyeing this fall/winter?

Hope all my readers on the East Coast are staying safe through the storm.

xx

Sandra