NOTD: Essie Splash of Grenadine

I've always loved Essie Splash of Grenadine. It's a fun hybrid of pink and magenta. It also screams spring and after yesterday's January heat wave in the city (13 celsius!), it's appropriate.

I always think of hot summer beaches when I wear this polish... probably because I find this shade beautifully accentuates any tan.

I added a little something, something to the nails by splashing (hehe) some Essie Shine of the Times on the tips. It adds a fun gradient of holographic glitter. I don't think the pictures properly captured it's luminescence, but it's there and it's pretty!

x

Ps, I think I've gotten my blog routine down now. Here's to regular posts in 2013! :)

Essie Shine of the Times (left) and Essie Splash of Grenadine (right).

Lipstick Love: Chanel Romance

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine #55 Romance is one of my favourite pink lipsticks. It's a bright pink with blueish undertones. I think it's one of those colours that would suit most skin tones.

I love the buildable colour and the glossy finish. Coco Shines have good pigmentation, a lightweight texture, and a fairly hydrating formula. The lasting power is good, around three hours. Even the (strong) scent is something I find appealing.

This is one of my favourite summer shades, but I've been really loving it lately. Not only the colour, but the moisturizing formula is perfect for this dry wintery weather.

x

Chevron Nails

I love Chevron (in fabrics, nails, and everything in between). It's a classic pattern and you can transform the look by changing up the colours. It's so easy to do, just layer the colours you want. No steady hand required.

This one is my favourite. I'm obsessed with the colour palette. I used Julep Kate (creamy white), Essie Turquoise and Caicos (turquoise), and Essie Chinchilly (greige). 

Next is an updated red mani. I used all Essie polishes in Lollipop (classic red), A List (a deeper red), Licorice (creamy black).

♥♥♥♥♥

Chantecaille Just Skin

I just cannot make up my mind about the Chantecaille Just Skin. 

All I've been hearing are raves about this stuff, so naturally I had to try it. I've been using it since last July and I'm still on the fence.

Here's what I don't like:

- The price! $86 (plus hst) is the most I've spent for a tinted moisturizer.

- Colour selection is lacking, though I'm sure the shades available will work with most skin tones (I'm in Wheat, btw).

- There's minimal coverage (while this isn't an issue for me because that's not what I look for in a face product, it could be a deciding factor for you).

That's it, really. I don't dislike too much about this product, it's a wonder why I can't make up my mind.

On to what I do like:

- The packaging. The spout uses newfangled technology that prevents air from entering the tube when you squeeze out product. It keeps your moisturizer free from bacteria and such. Very sanitary. It will also help the shelf life.

- It has a thick texture, but it's easy to apply. You can use your fingers or a brush, it spreads and blends effortlessly.

- It feels just like skin when you apply it. It doesn't feel heavy. It doesn't look greasy. It feels like just skin.

- Makes skin look naturally refreshed and is indiscernible while worn.

- It doesn't accentuate my oily t-zone throughout the day.

Lately, if I have anything on my face, it's this, and while I think it's a great product (and my skin seems to enjoy it), there are much more affordable tinted moisturizers or BB Creams that will give you similar results for less money. 

I've almost used up my first tube. It lasted much longer than I thought it would. I was expecting two / three months, but it's now pushing six -- granted, that isn't with everyday use. 

I suppose, like with all beauty products, the test is if I will repurchase once I run out.

♥♥♥♥♥

After a brief stint across the border, my skin has been quite temperamental (i.e., dry, splotchy, and my under eye circles are extra defined). I think my skin is suffering from the effects of "Airplane Air", nonetheless, the before / after demonstrates the simplicity of Just Skin.

Have you tried the Just Skin? Thoughts? x

New Year, New Hair

How's my hair? :)

A lot of new things have happened in my life in the last couple of weeks and I wanted a new hairstyle to match.

I've had long hair for a while now and I wanted something new.  I've outgrown my fear of haircuts (my philosophy is that it's just hair and will always grow back), so, I went for something shorter. Something a little more polished and put-together. 

The style can be classified as a medium-length bob. There's a gradual angle to the edges and a slight bevel. There are no layers (I hate growing out drastic layers) and my bangs were left as is (still trying to grow them out).

Is there a new hairstyle in your horizon? 

x

Military Prepster

Shirt, J.Crew (here)  |  Cropped Pants, H&M  |  Coat, Zara  |  Boots, B2  |  Scarf, Roots 

Mother Nature is a fickle lady. Sunday, I was wearing ballet flats in 12 degree weather, the next day I'm bundled up with a scarf and boots while the occasional snowflake fell from the sky.

I love white shirts. It's more of an obsession, really. I just can't get enough of a crisp white shirt. One of my favourites is the Stretch Suiting Tee from J.Crew. The combination of cotton and spandex is incredibly comfortable.

This Military-style, double-breasted peacoat was a sale piece from Zara a few years ago. I loved the style, but hated the original buttons, so I changed them to these gold ones. I really like the contrast of gold and black.

x

Unboxing Benefit Boxed Powders

Hi lovelies,

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have been meaning to unbox the majority of my Benefit Boxed Powders, so I figured I'd do a post on it.

I didn't come to this decision lightly. I often cringe at the thought of depotting something that's fairly pretty to look at -- mainly because 50% of the price tag is packaging, let's be honest.

Alas, now that the novelty of these boxes has worn off and I'm left jaded by their bulkiness, I've decided to dismantle them and place them in a new, more space-friendly home. Plus, I've forgotten how pretty these powders actually are because they're hidden in this packaging.

To start, I am deboxing Benefit's Dandelion, Georgia, and Sugarbomb.

It's actually quite easy to do, you just have to be a little careful. Specifically when cutting the box to pop out the pan. Benefit doesn't give much leeway, so be gentle cutting the sides or you may crack the powder. As you can see, I shaved a little off the corner of Sugarbomb.

My tip? Just snip the tops of all four corners and then use some muscle to tear the corners apart.

Once you get the pan out, you'll see layers of cardboard cushioning the bottom. It makes the amount of product look quite deceiving. Just keep peeling back the cardboard -- like layers of an onion -- until you hit pan.

Most of the pans aren't magnetized, so you may have to stick a magnet to the pan to get it to stay in a palette. I used a Sharpie to keep track of the names.

Et voilà! Now, just stick them in your palette of choice. I keep mine in the new MAC palettes.

If you're going to venture down this road, happy de-boxing! x

Date Night

Dress, Winners / Faux Fur Vest, Echo Design / Boots, Lucky Brand / Necklace, Betsey Johnson

This dress had me at the animal print (it has birds on it) and kept me with the peek-a-boo back. It's one of those "business in the front and party in the back" creations.

Yes, I forwent leg coverings (i.e., tights) for the evening's festivities. And yes, it's Winter right now, but a) it has been unusually warm these past few days, and b) that's what faux fur vests are for! Right? ;)

On my lips, I'm wearing a new favourite: Burberry Lip Velvet in Pink Amber. I have a mini sample tube of it and I'm in love! The colour and the formula is fantastic.

x

Makeup Storage

I am always fascinated by the art of storing makeup. I love seeing how people organize their collection because I always glean inspiration from it. So today, I'm going to take you through my makeup storage story.

My makeup storage is simple. It's not all matchy-matchy, but that's what I like about it. The main body of my storage consists of two Ikea pieces:

• a dressing table (which is unfortunately discontinued, similar here), and;
• a 3 drawer chest (see here).

CENTER PIECE
I use this acrylic tray from Loblaws as a center piece to hold lipsticks and some daily skincare items.

FRAGRANCE PLATTER
An inexpensive 3 tier serving platter from Ikea. I use it for jewelry, my hoard of fragrance samples (though I adore the mini replica bottles), and miscellaneous trinkets.

INSIDE THE DRESSING TABLE
There are four sections in the long drawer of my dressing table. I use them for an assortment of things and I organize the products in inexpensive acrylic containers that I got found at a dollar store. They come in various sizes which fit perfectly in each space.

INSIDE THE DRAWERS

There's a Godmorgan box with compartments (also from Ikea). I use it for a myriad of lip products, mascaras, and eye liners.

My nail polish lives in the bottom drawer. I store them in trays by colour, not brand. The trays are from Really Useful Products, I found them at Staples but they're also available at Solutions.

SPACE SAVER

I keep most of my hair products in my closet on top of a drawer set. I sit them on a round turntable that I got from Homesense (similar ones available at Solutions). It's great because you can easily see everything with a simple spin.

DUST FREE BRUSH HOLDER

I've done a post on this before (I even borrowed a picture from it). I store my brushes in a cookie jar from Crate & Barrel. The lid keeps the brushes from gathering dust. The beads are the same ones toy makers use to fill up beanie babies. You can find this stuff at craft shops.

How do you organize your beauty products? :) 

Top 12 Beauty Products of 2012

I always love to look back on the prior year, not only for memories, but for the beauty products I discovered and rediscovered.

While I loved many products this past year, I actually found it quite easy to choose my twelve most favourite. These items are the ones that stood out to me the most. So here's to my top twelve beauty products of 2012!

1) CLINIQUE 7 DAY SCRUB CREAM

My skin adores this exfoliator. It's gentle yet effective. It immediately leaves a noticeable difference in the texture of my skin.

2) BIODERMA CLEANSERS

Sensibio is my favourite face makeup remover and Sébium is my favourite toner. This combination helps keep my skin feeling clean and refreshed.

3) CLARISONIC MIA
This has been a game changer to my skincare routine. It has done wonders for my skin and I love using it. I don't want to jinx it, but I think this has been integral in keeping my breakouts at bay. It really cleans my skin to prevent impurities from building.

4) BEAUTY BLENDER
An unexpected favourite. Using this sponge wet creates a flawless finish. I especially love using it for concealer. It blends product easily and it also absorbs any excess product to prevent that cake-y look.

5) CHANEL BRONZE UNIVERSAL
The title of my favourite bronzer goes to this beauty. This cream bronzer adds a warm glow to the skin. I love using it alone, or layered with another bronzer.

6) DIOR AMBER DIAMOND
One of my more recent purchases, but a favourite nonetheless. I love the gradient shades because they're universally flattering. Plus it applies beautifully and creates a nice dimension to the skin.

7) TARTE AMAZONIAN CLAY 12 HR BLUSH

These blushes are amazing. The colour selection is wonderful, the pigmentation is great, and the lasting power is incredible. My favourites are Tipsy (a bright coral), Blissful (a warm peach), and Dollface (a matte pink).

8) CHANEL BLUSH HORIZON

I loved this blush the second I saw the promo picture. This was a limited edition blush from the Spring 2012 collection. I love the combination of peach and pink, it's quite versatile. The texture is smooth and it lasts quite a while.

 

9) GIORGIO ARMANI MASTER CORRECTOR #2  &  GARNIER ANTI-DARK CIRCLE ROLLER
My favourite concealer combination. The master corrector diffuses the darkness under my eyes, while the anti-dark circler roller highlights. This combo really helps to diminish the appearance of my dark circles.

10) YSL GLOSSY STAIN
I love everything about this lip product. The texture, the colours, the glossiness, the stain, the applicator, and even the scent. My favourite shade would have to be #7 Corail Aquatique. See a separate review here.

11) GIORGIO ARMANI ROUGE D'ARMANI SHEER
This is my favourite sheer lipstick formula. It's hydrating, pigmented, and comfortable to wear. One of my favourite shades is #500, you can see a separate review here or here.

12) BURBERRY LIPPIES
It has been the year of Burberry for me. I really got more into their products in 2012. This combination is my favourite neutral lip! The lip mist is hydrating and comfortable to wear. The lip glow is my new favourite gloss formula because it's hydrating, non-sticky, and a little gel-ish on the lips. The lasting power is excellent for a gloss, too. Here's an instagram of the combination.

What were your favourites in 2012? If you have a blog post, please link it below! I'd love to read it :).

Benefit Boxed Powders

Today I'm going to showcase my collection of box powders from Benefit. I'm mainly doing this post because I am planning to depot (or debox) all of them and I wanted their fully boxed beauty to be committed to film.

I have all of the boxes except for two (Thrrrob and Hervana). For a while, I was collecting them purely for superficial reasons (read: I'm a sucker for packaging), but they are wonderful products. They last forever, they (for the most part) smell great, and they apply beautifully. Now, while I love these powders, I'm finding the boxes to be bulky and travel unfriendly.

Let's start...

DANDELION

A soft pink. It's quite sheer when blended. Despite that, it gives your cheeks a natural colour. It's also great dusted lightly all over the face for a nice glow. There's some shimmer, but nothing overwhelming.

GEORGIA

A subtle peach. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe this shade is discontinued now. For good reason because it was often a hit / miss for me. Some days the colour would not show up on my skin, other days I'd swear by the subtle enhancement this gave my complexion. It swatches chalky but it blends beautifully.

SUGARBOMB

A mix of peach, shimmering pink, soft plum, and rose. One of my favourites. It works great on it's own, or to layer with other blushes. It's my go-to blush for those days where all I want is a hint of cheek colour, but also something very natural. The shades blend very well together to create a beautiful glow. It's everything Georgia promises but more.

10
A light pink highlighter and bronze shimmer combo. A wonderful highlight / contour in one fell swoop. While I love how easily you can define your face with these two shades, it does lean a little too shimmery for my liking. The bronze side is nice, but the highlight is the real showstopper.

CORALISTA
A coral / pink. Another one of my favourites. It is a very flattering shade of coral, especially for my skin tone. The pigmentation is good and it easily blends for a sheer luminous finish. The sheen adds to the glow.

BELLA BAMBA
A pink with gold shimmer. It can look a little intimidating in the pan, but when applied, it can offer a sheer wash of colour for a natural flush. The pigmentation is quite strong, so you only need a light hand.
On a side note -- the new packaging sucks. Less product and more apt to nick the powder when closing the lid.

DALLAS
A rosy bronze. An unexpected favourite, but it's a beautiful colour. It's a versatile product. You can use it as a bronzer or as a blush. It gives your skin this healthy sunkissed glow -- especially for medium-ish skin tones.

HOOLA

A matte bronzer. This is a cult favourite. I used to be obsessed with this bronzer. While I still love it, a new favourite has taken its place in my heart. It looks a little muddy in the pan and if overused, it can look muddy on the skin, too. Blended, it can be wonderful for contouring or to add a little warmth to the skin.

1) Dandelion  /  2) Georgia  /  3) Sugarbomb  /  4) 10 (bronzer / highlighter)  /  

5) CORALista  /  6) Bella Bamba  /  7) Dallas  /  8) Hoola

There's my collection in a nutshell. What are your favourite benefit boxed powders? x