frowardfashion

Empties & Update!

2012-11-03T17:51:00.000-03:00

Hey guys!

Judging by my blogging absence, I've been slacking-BIG time!

I could give you a list of everything I do and complain about how busy I am..but who wants to hear excuses? Bottom line is, I love my blog and will stay committed to posting.

Okay, this is starting to sound like couples therapy. Without further adieu, my empties...

Body Shop Sweet Lemon Lip Butter: Won't repurchase, I found it tasted very sweet and didn't do anything out of the ordinary to moisturize my lips. That being said I don't regret using it.

Bumble&Bumble Seaweed Conditioner: Hefty price tag! The formulation and smell was lovely but I will most likely go for something cheaper next time. If you want to try something out from Bumble and Bumble, this might be a nice place to start.

Clinique Moisture Surge: I've raved about this before, and will always go back to it.

Mitchum Deodorant: HATED it! My friend concurs!

Crabree & Evelyn Jojoba Oil: I mostly used this during the summer. It was great for after sun. I would buy it again.

Pond's Facial Wipes: The best I've ever used. I couldn't find them last time I was at Shoppers and ended up getting the Nivea facial wipes but they pale in comparison.

Lush Cosmetic Warrior Face Mask: Yucky, I much preferred Brazened Honey. The smell of this product throws me off. If you don't mind garlic + tea tree + grapes + eggs you are a warrior and should give it a go. I won't repurchase.

Sephora Daily Makeup Brush Cleaner: I love this! I repurchased it about 2 weeks ago (I think?). Let me know if you want a separate review/demonstration.

Di Palomo Fig & Grape Shower Gel: This was heavenly and was included in my last favourites post.

I love how Empties Posts make me aware of everything I use. Sorry the photo didn't give a proper look at the packaging.

Be Be Your Love - Rachael Yamagata

Dice - Finley Quaye

If Only - Fink

These are the songs I have on repeat! Please take a listen and let me know in the comments your favourite songs right now :) Or if you did an October Empties post leave me your links!

Trying out butter london...

2012-10-29T18:06:00.000-03:00

Hello friends!

I am currently listening to Rod Stewart's Have I Told You Lately so excuse me if I come out with some emotional jibber-jabber during this post! Sappy love songs might only accentuate my feelings for this nail polish.

Butter's website describes this colour as, "Be a beacon to bad boys and the life of the party in dazzling limited edition “liquid metal” rose pink."

So beautiful-AH!
I painted my nails using only one coat, and look at the effect. Opaque, smooth and without a base or top coat it lasted from Friday to Monday. What else am I loving about this product? The 3 Free formulation! Butter doesn't use formaldehyde, toluene or DBP! :)
These polishes seem to have a real cult following. Bloggers and youtubers alike, more than willing to pay $17 for the infamous lacquer. Might pick up a couple more shifts at the restaurant and join the ranks! Bossy Boots is on my wish list!

Wanted to throw in a completely random product. Was looking for something to satisfy my sweet tooth and bought this drink. Tastes just like grapefruit, less than $3 and was refreshing-yum!

Unfortunately it had a lot of sugar in it :( Despite the cute packaging, eye catching colour and general deliciousness I won't repurchase.

Any recommendations for a girl trying to stay healthy while satisfying a sugar craving?

Thanks for reading, hope you are coping well with Monday!

Review: Revlon Just Kissable Lip Balm Stain

2012-10-26T01:05:00.001-03:00

What can I say? I am totally obsessed with this product! I swear, the fluorescent lights of shoppers drug mart shined down on the 'Reduced' sign hanging next to the Balm Stains.

Just sayin', 'balm stain is the best way to describe this product. It is moisturizing and feels really smooth on the lips while giving incredible pigmentation.

I went for a pretty bright shade. Smitten has had a recurring position in Essie Button's videos. To be honest, that is probably what swayed me to go for this colour. A little out of my comfort zone when packed on (like the above photo). But when I use a light hand and a little smudging it is much more subtle. I find this shade is waaay more flattering than some of the frosty pinks I've used in the past.

This brings colour to my pale face and because my eye makeup is pretty neutral, the lip never conflicts.

Have you tried anything from this range?

As I type this...my mind wanders to the shade Honey. Should I buy it (i.e, will you be my enabler and give me permission to spend more money)? :p

Review: Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion

2012-10-23T07:58:00.002-03:00

This lovely little bottle was introduced to frowardfashion in my September Favourites post. After having no prior exposure, it might've seemed out of place.

Background: This was one of those weird purchases Canadians make when in American airports.

The Newark airport had a huge selection of Mario Badescu products next to tacky key chains and gossip magazines.

It feels extremely watery and thin. I didn't like it at first. Despite being 'cooling' it seemed more aggitating. Maybe my skin was just having a bad week...but I put this at the back of the drawer and declared it a regretted impulse purchase.

But this fall I took it out for a second chance, and boy am I glad I did!

I rotate between cleanser now and this is one of them. It is great to use before bed to remove makeup. It doesn't leave any weird residue and is a nice switch from my creamy lancome cleanser and my cetaphil cleanser (a real staple).

One complaint would be the bottle. Love how the packaging is clean and simple-props Badescu!

But it can be hard to control the amount. The dispenses isn't squeeze triggered, you just tip it and it dribbles onto your cotton pad. Unfortunately when I am in an impatient mood I tip it too quickly and end up wasting product.

In addition, I ate some delicious cheese over the weekend. Had to bring out the camera and take a photo. Warning: you might feel hungry after looking at this! :p

Applewood, brie and a baguette. Forget beauty products, I could ramble about food all day!

** UPDATE/CORRECTION: Since posting I have been in contact with Mario Badescu PR.

Turns out the lotion should be used as a toner-not a cleanser. If you try this product out, they recommend applying with a cotton pad and not rinsing off, then follow up with a moisturizer. I will try this method soon and maybe make another post out of it!

Sorry for the confusion everyone, hope you're having a nice evening. xx

Recent Purchases

2012-10-20T16:16:00.002-03:00

"I only need to buy one thing" - Famous last words.

Popped into shoppers with my $10 rewards card looking to purchase razors, ended up buying a few other things...

Butter London in Fairy Lights: Ok this was actually from a local spa but I thought it deserved a mention. Such a beautiful colour, I can't stop looking at my nails-HELP! Let me know if you are interested in a NOTD.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Smitten: Finally...I caved. We've all read countless posts raving about these so it was about time to try one.

Nivea Gentle Cleansing Wipes: Ran out of my Pond's Wipes (more on those in my next Empties post) and want to try something new, these are supposed to be good for dry skin.

Softsoap Body Butter: Used this a few times already. It is rich, creamy and exfoliating. The smell doesn't linger on my skin however the beads linger in my shower. My tub was full of little brown beads, what a pain to clean up!

EOS Lip Balm: This makes me smile for a few reasons: One, because it is 100% natural and 95% organic! Two, because there are instructions on how to use a lip balm. Makes sense because the packaging is 'unique' but the photo is funny nonetheless.

What are your most recent purchases?

Ooh La La - French Manicure and Shoppers Deal

2012-10-17T17:16:00.001-03:00

What do you think, is a french manicure polished and understated or dated and boring?

On Friday I felt in the mood for a french manicure-so I ventured up the street to a local salon and spent $15, it took less than 10 minutes and turned out pretty nice (in my opinion)! This photo was taken 4 days after and as you can see, the polish is really holding up.

Wanted to let you guys in on the deal! On the weekend I spent $50 at Shoppers Drug Mart and got $10 gift card and a $10 Tims card. As you can imagine, this made me happy :) I think a new Essie polish will be joining my collection shortly. So go to Shoppers and stock up before the promotion ends.

After RAVING about Essie's A Cut Above I realized you guys deserved to see the aftermath. Removing the polish was a real pain. It hurt my nails-I literally did two rounds of scrubbing to get this stuff off, and haven't applied it since. Is it because my my nail polish remover is weak? I've never had a problem with Quo products. I will be accepting any tips you may have about removing glitter polish. How do you ladies re-apply this devil every week?

As always, thank you for reading. I've had a few new followers this past week so welcome to frowardfashion! I love to hear from you so feel free to tweet me :)

Annabelle Smudge Paint and a Bracelet

2012-10-14T14:18:00.002-03:00

The Annabelle Smudge Paint is a fairly new release. I was super excited to try it because I needed to get out of my makeup rut... wearing the same brown eyeshadow as liner every day was getting tired.

First things first, the packaging is so cool and compact. Basically the bottle has a small brush attached to the lid. You pull it out, screw off the bottom and the product separates into three sections. Perfect for travel, on the go, or anyone looking to save money on a brush.

I've used this stuff almost every day for a week. What I find tricky about it is the consistency. I like to use it on my upper lash line, since it is meant to be smudged, the texture is very wet. Therefore, I need to be extra careful when I apply it. In order to get a clean, sharp line I can't squint my eyes or blink too hard. That being said, it takes less than a minute to dry.

The staying power is incredible. This product doesn't budge. If I put it on at 8am it will be in perfect condition at the end of the day.

When reading other reviews on different blogs, they said it costs $10.95. This is well worth the money in my opinion. Although it is small (just 2.8grams) I don't have to use a lot to achieve the look I want. Definitely worth checking out!

Final thing I want to talk about it my winning streak! ;) I entered a giveaway on Laura Potter's blog Tiny Twisst . It is an awesome fashion blog. She has a really cool sense of style and her makeup and hair always look beautiful! Anyway, I was one of two winners and my gift came in the mail last week. I was impressed by the weight of the bracelet. Very solid. I forget the name of the company that makes the bracelet, but if you are interested, Laura posted! I was also impressed by her business card-such an awesome idea. Thanks Laura for the lovely bracelet!

Hope everyone had a good weekend. I've been really busy lately and haven't been reading blogs very much :'( Hope to check out "the regulars" soon and tweet a bit more.

*All products mentioned were sent to me. Opinions are 100% my own. ^.^

Fall Nail Polish Favourites

2012-10-12T09:43:00.000-03:00

Though my makeup doesn't change much between the seasons, my nail polish does! I love dusty, muted shades like Sephora by OPI Metro Chic-this seems to be a cult fav. I remember some of the first "beauty guru" videos I watched, women raved about this polish. So naturally I went out and bought it.

Another, slightly understated colour (haha!) is Essie's Fishnet Stockings. A beautiful, red with more berry undertones rather than orange or pink. This helps give it that 'fall feel'.

Lastly, OPI's "Sheer"Your Toys. The camera actually picked up on the red shimmer-yay! In the second photo you can see that this metallic colour has finely milled flecks of red. I got this colour on sale at a local salon for under $5, I've had a lot of use out of it, for the past 3 years I always come back to this polish around October/November.

Are there any polishes you bring out for the fall?

Dior Addict: A Packaging Ramble

2012-10-10T08:34:00.000-03:00

Hopefully you've 'oohed and aahed' over the cute box within a box, the embossing, the ribbon and other classic examples of over the top high end packaging. Now, when it came to the actual product I was slightly disappointed at how small the bottle was--I know it is meant to be a small version and if you don't pay for full size you won't get full size. But the box just had me waay too hyped up, and the product itself became a let down.

As for the scent, it is very sweet! Not in the Britney Spears perfume way, much more refined and sophisticated-this is Dior after all!

Haha, just kidding, I have no idea how to describe scents (said by nearly every girl with a blog or youtube channel). But I do know it smells sweet and for most places I go work/school/volunteer this is too strong for me to wear.

This is the frustration that takes the form of a mounting shoe box pile and no place to store them except the corner of my bedroom. I just don't want to throw them out, suggestions?

Sunday Things

2012-10-07T16:10:00.001-03:00

I just got home from the Library and used this face mask. I've mentioned it a few times on the blog (potentially in a haul and later a favourites post) but never showed you what the product actually looks like. Pretty standard mud mask with a thick consistency and pale colour. Scroll down to see more photos :)

I've also had these three songs on repeat all day! Love 'em, if you have the time listen and please leave in a comment some more songs I should look up.

If you're in Canada hope you are having a great Thanksgiving weekend. It's kind of tough getting into the spirit of 'turkey day' when you are a vegetarian. Oh well, my Aunt brought macaroons this year!

Midnight City - M83

Skinny Love - Birdy

Blood - The Middle East

NOTD: OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls

2012-10-06T07:52:00.000-03:00

After eyeing this colour for a couple weeks, I finally caved and bought it.

So worth it! The shade is creamy, lovely and so opaque! It's called My Boyfriend Scales Walls and is part of the Spiderman collection released months ago. Most of the nail polish is probably sold out (I found this in a sale bin at Lawtons) but if you can get your hands on this colour I would highly recommend it! :)

Thought I should include this fine example of the joys of self timer. On the plus side, you do get to see some of the detailing on my new Paige Denim Jacket!

"Under the Weather" Beauty Essentials

2012-10-03T18:39:00.000-03:00

I get it!
Sleep, medicine, liquids all come before beauty products when you are sick. But you feel better when you look better, right?
For me, this rings true. In addition to the longs naps, endless tablespoons of cough syrup and empty tissue boxes, beauty products have been helpful too! They've kept me from looking like a complete ghost. But most importantly, they are easy to use!

This is the Simple Beaute By Dedra Foundation Stick. It was sent to me the day I started to come down with my cold. I tried it out and continued to use it because it was so easy to apply! Perfect for when you don't want to fuss around with brushes, liquid foundation or setting powder. The formulation is very creamy and blend-able. It has spf 15 and is available in 8 different shades. Also, you might remember Dedra from RHOBH. Turns out she's a makeup artist and super sweet to email and communicate with on twitter! :) This product is really versatile and worth checking out.

Whenever I am sick, my skin always goes from combination oily to extremely dry and dehydrated. So...I switch up my cleansers! This is the Lancome Creme-Mousse Confort for dry/sensitive skin. It is very thick and gentle and smells like roses :)

Next up, the cure for my complexion! I literally looked white as a sheet the past few days. I realized I needed to add a bit of colour so I swiped on Nars Deep Throat blush. A beautiful rosy pink with a hint of shimmer. So easy to wear, it's one of my favourite blushes.

And lastly, some of you might be able to sympathize with me on this one...
After what feels like hours of blowing my nose I begin to resemble rudolph. Not the best look. My Mom gave me Mentholatum for as long as I can remember. It looks greasy when you first put it on, and it's definitely not a product to use on the go. However it helps soothe an irritated nose and heal.

Hope none of you catch what I had! Let me know your favourite "Under the Weather" beauty essentials.

Glimpse into my Week //1

2012-10-01T09:56:00.002-03:00

I was helping someone get ready for a wedding (not the bride though-that would be too much pressure)! I thought this was a cute way to organize and easily access my supplies! This bin was given to me for free years ago by a company doing some promotional work and it sat at the back of my closet forever. Now it's finally being put to use-don't you love it when that happens?

Growing up we always had macs in our house, so I've never really learned how to use a PC. It seems this week I spent more time than usually at the computer.

And a single timbit remains..if you follow me on twitter you probably know that I went to Tims far too much this week. I get sucked into the Smile Cookie promotions and always end up staying for more. I find it's a good place to get work done because there is free wifi and few distractions. I also like to go to Second Cup! What are your favourite places to work/study?

So pretty-a photo was necessary.

Another appropriate photo would be me, snuggling in bed with Tylenol. Past few days I have become really sick. I usually never get ill, this is probably the first time in a few years. Ugh I hate it.

Please let me know if you like these posts! I enjoy sharing with you guys, but if you're not into lifestyle photos...raise your hand!

Hope you had a good weekend :)

September Favourites!

2012-09-29T07:16:00.002-03:00

I am super excited about the products I am sharing this month! There are some weeks when I don't pay much attention to beauty products and feel less enthusiastic about monthly favourites-not this time!

For new readers (or anyone really)... I rotate between 'Favourites' and 'Empties'. For example: I will do an October Empties, November Favourites and eventually a December Empties but not two in one month. I find this way I have more products to share in each post and the extra 4 weeks gives me more time to use up products.

Alright, so this was September for me (beauty wise) in a nutshell..

Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion: This has been a skincare addition! I use it in conjunction with cetaphil cleanser. I heard kokolaroo talking about keeping her skin 'on it's toes' by using multiple products at once. I liked the idea and this cleansing lotion even more! It stings a bit so maybe not best for sensitive skin, but I find it does a superb job of removing makeup at the end of the day.

OPI Rapid Dry Spray: No polish this month. I've been using different colours every week, however this spray has been a constant! I scrolled through my blog and realized I'd never talked about it before. Basically you spray it on wet nails and it help them dry really quickly. Fantastic! Just a tad overpriced :P

Di Palamo Fig and Grape Body Set: Mentioned this in a haul and I've been loving it! Unfortunately this isn't available in Canada and I am nearly running out of each product :( The scent is rich, deep and delicious. The smell of the shower gel lingers on your skin.

Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara: This has been a favourite for the past few months. Gives very dramatic results, is affordable and easy to remove. What could be better?

CARGO Cosmetics One base Concealer + Foundation In One: <- That name's a bit of a tongue twister! Regardless, the dofut (is that the right word?) applicator is handy, the coverage is perfect and it matches my pasty skin wonderfully. I've used it almost everyday since it was sent to me.

Gwdihw Orange Lemon Lip Balm: Don't be fooled-this lip saviour isn't just here for the adorable packaging. My lips have been in the best condition I remember thanks to this little pot of heaven. Full review here!

CARGO Beach Blush in Sunset Beach: Last time I posted about this, it received quite the applause in the comments. It warms up my skin with bronzey shades while still giving my cheeks a pink flush. And yes, I'm still mesmerized by the colours + shimmer!

Have you done a monthly favourites post?

Please leave your information in the comments-I really want to check out some new blogs!

NOTD: OPI Flit a Bit

2012-09-27T19:29:00.000-03:00

If you didn't notice my nails before, you do now!

Flit a Bit definitely requires being in the 'right mood'.This might be the colour's last hurrah until Spring.
Mainly because when I'm wearing this and look down at my fingers, I think..kraft dinner..

Is this shade too neon for you, would you wear it?

On a completely unrelated topic-if you need to buy some pens I would highly recommend the Staples Comfort Stic. Seriously, these are amazing. Really smooth and work wonderfully :)

Intensify Your Lipstick!

2012-09-25T07:40:00.003-03:00

Hi everyone! This past weekend I tried something new and loved the effects it had. I typically use a lip liner to draw a faint, thin line around my lips-but nothing else. Until I heard a youtuber (can't remember who it was!) talk about penciling in your entire pout and just leaving it that way.

Chanel's lip crayon in shade #38 looked pretty dull alone. So I smacked my lips together (see awkward mid-smack below) and then applied Chanel's Rouge Coco shine in #50 Rivage.

I love the effect this has. The lipstick alone usually looks sheer. When paired with the pencil the colour looks opaque, intense and is still wearable. If you are interested in the rouge coco shines you should know they feel moisturizing, smooth and LAST! Sometimes lipstick can settles into little crooks and grooves and highlight any dryness that you never knew existed. Fortunately, this does not :)

What lip products are you using?

Review: Lush Cosmetic Warrior

2012-09-22T09:54:00.000-03:00

You might remember how ecstatic I was after using Brazened Honey! Everything about it was perfect :) So I was happily prepared to drop some more dough at Lush and try another mask. There were so many to choose from and while Brazened Honey was amazing, I am always looking for something even better. If I didn't do that..I'd be a pretty bad beauty blogger.

With the help of a lovely sales assistant I bought Cosmetic Warrior. Grey-ish taupe in shade and as the photos hopefully show, chunky in texture. This mask is supposed to help combat breakouts using tea tree oil, garlic, grapes, eggs and honey. It has properties that can "smooth and tighten the pores" as well as moisturize. All for $6.95

So what did I think? The mask felt very cooling and refreshing. My skin felt calmed down once I washed it off. I didn't get any new breakouts during the 2 weeks and I thought it helped with a few nasty spots along my chin. Keep in mind I use this in conjunction with other skin care items; masks, moisturizers, cleansers etc!

My reservation with this product is the smell. It is gross. There is no way around it. The combination of garlic and tea tree oil just does it. The scent took away the 'pampered' feeling I typically get from using a mask. It wasn't horrible enough that I stopped applying the product. Just like the other mask, there was enough inside to cover my face about 4 times.

Overall: If you are extremely sensitive to smells or hate garlic this is not the mask for you! On the other hand, if you are willing to pinch your nose and do something good for your skin I would recommend this mask. Yes it stinks but your face will thank you. I would still recommend Brazened Honey over this one.

CARGO Cosmetics Overview

2012-09-20T16:50:00.001-03:00

If you follow me on twitter you've most likely read some ecstatic tweets regarding recent items sent to me from CARGO Cosmetics. A brand that doesn't seem to get a lot of attention in the beauty blogging community despite the fantastic quality of their products.

The lovely Jessica (virtual hug if you are reading this) sent me four products...

blu-ray high definition pressed powder in shade 10
Tinted Moisturizer spf 20 in shade 02 Nude
One Base Concealer + Foundation In One in shade 01
Beach Blush in the shade Sunset Beach

This powder is heavenly! It immediately caught my eye on the website and lived up to expectations. I wore it with my MUF Foundation and it definitely made it last longer. After 8 hours it stayed put and still managed to look fresh!

The colour suits my skin perfectly (fairest shade you can get) and doesn't leave the classic 'cakey powder' look on my face-score!

In general I love the idea of a tinted moisturizer. CARGO's version has all the perks one can imagine... paraben free, spf 20, formulated without chemicals. Unfortunately 02 is too dark for me. When I tried it on it applied well, looked very natural and gave a nice light coverage. I could still see some of my acne scarring, but hey, that's tinted moisturizer.

So I gave it to my Mom to try and she really likes it! She isn't much of a makeup girl but found this to be really hydrating for her dry skin.

Out of the four products they sent, this was the dark horse for me. A dofut applicator for concealer? Say it ain't so.

The past week I've had a general lack of sleep and this concealer (in conjunction with a nearby coffee place) has been my saviour! It covers dark circles, blends well and is build-able. After all, I don't look like a zombie every morning. I also used this to cover some redness/discolouration around my nose and liked the effect.

The brown and deep pink tones warm up my face while the shimmer gives my cheekbones a bit of definition. I'm not one to stray from Nars blushes but the past few days I've been using this nonstop. I think this colour would look good on people with olive or darker skin tones as well. It is pretty in the package and on my cheeks!

^ mediocre swatch alert. I will make an effort to improve my camera skillz.

Expect products from this post to pop up in my September Favourites! If you're interested in their products take a gander at their website.

In other news I finished a Lush Fresh face mask (Cosmetic Warrior). Let me know if you're interested in a review/ramble!

NOTD: OPI Italian Love Affair

2012-09-18T07:50:00.005-03:00

Please don't mind the food stain on my sweater..thought I'd get dressed up for you guys ;)

This shade has a subtle, pearly finish. I find light pinks are really forgiving in general. If you are just starting out with nail polish or lack a steady hand this 'Italian Love Affair' might be good for you. Or maybe just buy the polish for it's cheeky name ^.^

Hope everyone is having a good week. I felt like rolling out of bed this morning-and it's only Tuesday!

Yesterday I rented the movie, Song of Lunch, with Allan Rickman and Emma Thompson. Think I'll probably watch it this weekend!

My Skincare Routine!

2012-09-16T10:44:00.002-03:00

My skincare routine is a bit of an ever-evolving process. I wrote a guest post on this subject for Sophia Ford's blog (also known as Tattooed Tea Lady)! So you might have already read this, as her blog is immensely popular and lovely. If not feel free to make an attempt at deciphering my ramble! :)

A little back-story… I am acne prone and have combination/oily skin. I have tried just about everything from the Clarisonic Mia to overpriced spa facials. At the end of the day it comes down to hormone balance for me *sigh* as well as healthy diet. However, these are the products that I find help regulate my skin.

1. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser: I use this because I like a basic, no-nonsense cleanser. Fragrance free, non-comedogenic . It says it is for normal to dry skin but I find it works well for my oily/combination skin. I use a quarter sized amount of this in the morning and at night.

2. Vichy Softening Exfoliating Cream: After about 2 years of using harsh exfoliators that seemed to aggravate my skin I opted for a creamy and effective product to slough away all the dead skin cells. What I love about this, is the exfoliating beads, the bottle is jam-packed! I use it 2-3 times a week.

3. Lush Breath of Fresh Air Toner: The first ever toner I have been able to consistently use. I tried a Lancome toner maybe 2 years ago and found it did nothing. The sly hippies who work at Lush coaxed me into buying this, and I’ve so glad I did. I spritz it directly on my face (no cotton pads for this rebel) after I shower and it makes my skin feel happy and helps my moisturizer do it’s job!

4. Boscia Oil-Free Daily Hydration: Alas, I am almost finished this product. Pretty good considering I’ve used it since November! A little bit goes a long way. It doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy and the packaging is ideal, the design helps you get bang for your buck while still being hygienic unlike those pesky jars. I use this with my toner about once a day.

Hope this was informative and that you have some ideas about new products to try!

If you have any recommendations please leave them in the comments or feel free to tweet me @frowardfashion

I've got some posts scheduled to go up later this week so stay tuned...

Korres Abyssinia Oil Volumising Mascara

2012-09-13T17:00:00.000-03:00

I got sucked into the beauty aisle at Winners. A dangerous place for someone with a love for bargains and high end makeup. There were other products by brands like Pixi, Stilla, Elizabeth Arden and the list goes on. I was pretty impressed and settled on Korres Abyssinia Oil Mascara.

I bought this for $7.99. Winners said the original price was $23.99 *remember all prices listed on this blog are in Canadian dollars.

So we know it's a good deal, now onto the quality of the product.

I like the effect it has on my lashes. As you can see from the photos, it isn't too dramatic. I don't find my lashes are as defined, long or voluminous compared to using Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping. It also droops throughout the day, not long lasting.

However, I find this mascara gives my lashes a 'feathery' quality that is pretty :)

The brush is tiny! I have a lot of control with it and I'm able to get into every nook and cranny! This mascara works well on both top and bottom lashes. I read on another blog that this product is 'all natural' and is formulated without parabens. It doesn't leave my lashes feeling damaged and it easy to remove.

Overall: I'm not over the moon about this mascara. If you are looking for a more natural look it might be perfect for you! I like the ingredients and integrity of the brand. Though I won't be repurchasing this mascara, it isn't a regret!

On a personal note.. sorry I've been slow responding to comments, tweets and checking out other blogs. This week has been pretty hectic. I haven't even had the chance to watch trashy reality television :O

With that in mind, are there any tv shows I need to watch? People always recommend Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones but I gravitate towards Bravo..

Favourite Brushes and some sugah!

2012-09-11T17:15:00.002-03:00

I like to get down and dirty just as much as the next girl. And by that, I mean that I enjoy applying makeup with sponges and my fingers. Scandalous! I think these "tools" definitely have their place in the makeup world. Especially with products like BB Cream.

Having said that, I realized this blog lacks brushes! Have you ever seen one grace the pages on frowardfashion? Didn't think so!

So, to balance it out here are my favourite brushes...

Sonia Kaschuk Blush Brush
This has a flat top and is super dense. It was actually the first brush I ever bought and have used it on and off for three years. Good old Target purchase! Even though it is meant for blush I use it to blend foundation. It works flawlessly with my Makeup Forever HD.

Sephora Stippling Brush #44
This is that one brush I can never keep clean too. Anyone else have one of those in their collection? What I love most is the plastic slip it comes with. It really helps the brush keep it's shape and prevents bacteria build-up!

MAC ?
My friend brought this back for me from China. I think it might be 'fake MAC' but it works beautifully nonetheless! I've been obsessed with lining my upper lash line with dark brown shadow. This brush gives me tons of control and helps keep the line precise.

On a side note...I've been having a romance.
You could say I'm cheating on Timbits with something a little sweeter.

Review! Bliss Steep Clean

2012-09-09T11:09:00.004-03:00

I'm going to try to make this review short and sweet! But first, a little background. My skin is combination and often feels dehydrated and congested. I maintain a healthy (for the most part!), vegetarian diet but unfortunately still battle with acne.

Using masks has become my latest obsession. I've talked about the Formula 10.0.6 and Lush masks but here is my impression of Bliss's Steep Clean!

PROS!

This is a basic point, but it feels like it really cleans my skin. The following two days, everything comes to the surface.
A lot of product in the bottle (100 mL or 3.4 fl oz).
Easy to rinse off i.e. doesn't feel glued to your face >.<

CONS!

Using the two pumps simultaneously takes some practice.
Expensive, luckily I received this as a gift.
Bliss recommends using a grape size amount, but I find it takes atleast double that amount to cover my face.

Overall: This mask does it's job. Steep Clean gives you a deep cleansing and pulls a surprising amount of bacteria, grime, blackheads (you know the rest!) to the surface.

I'm going to continue using this mask once or twice a week in conjunction with my new Lush mask :)

Have you tried this product, thoughts?

What are your current favourite masks?

Crabtree & Evelyn-Brand Must-Haves

2012-09-07T15:46:00.000-03:00

I've mentioned Crabtree & Evelyn before and was recently asked what are my 'must-haves' from the brand.

Meaning, 'I'm interested in trying out their products, but don't want to go overboard. What should I start out with?'

Never fear-Veronica is here with four products you should look into :)

Goatmilk Body Lotion: My mom introduced me to this. It has a very very light fragrance and feels silky smooth on the skin. I've used this since age 13 and would recommend it to friends, co-workers, even my grandmother!
Oatmeal and Wheatgerm Tripled Milled Soap: Definitely my most luxurious shower product. I first got this in my stocking (Santa has good taste eh?) and have since repurchased. My favourite part is that while it gentle cleans...it also exfoliates!
LaSource Nail & Cuticle Therapy: Really helps push back cuticles and doesn't feel greasy whatsoever. I like using this before nail polish, gives my lacquer addicted conscience a little boost!
LaSource Hand Cream: This reminds me of summer and the ocean. With continued use it can transform rough, dry hands into baby's bottom smooth skin!

Here's some photos that show off the beautiful packaging. I especially like the hand cream bottle :)

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think of these products and the brand in general.

Also, if you liked this post-please follow! And if you're in an especially friendly mood check out my twitter! @frowardfashion

NOTD: Essie A Cut Above and OPI Lunch At the Delhi

2012-09-05T08:37:00.000-03:00

I usually don't delve into the world of glitter polishes. I find removing them can be really abrasive and I can't help thinking 'my poor nails!'

But after strolling under the fluorescent lights of Lawtons, Essie's A Cut Above caught my eye. Although the glitter doesn't look as pink on the nails as it does in the bottle I still love it!

What are your thoughts on glitter polishes?