07.31.08
L’oreal Eye Makeup Remover
I have to say that I’m really impressed with this eye makeup remover. It takes everything off (eyeshadow primer, eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara) without pulling or tugging. The smell is pleasant, it’s not too over the top. I always use oil free eye makeup remover cause my skin is oily enough on it’s own, without adding any extra oil. It’s safe for people who wear contacts, as well as dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested according to drugstore.com.
I have heard some complaints that it doesn’t remove waterproof mascara. I don’t have any waterproof mascara at the moment but next time I get some I’ll try it with this eye makeup remover and tell you how it goes.
All in all I have to say that I really like this product. I think it just might be my go to eye makeup remover.
Available at drugstores for $10
Image: drugstore.com
PS I tried adding a pic of it but wordpress isn’t cooperating at the moment, so I’ll try to add it later.
07.30.08
InStyle August 2008
Check out the August issue of In Style. There’s a great feature of clothes and accessories you can start wearing now that will take you into the fall. In addition there’s a great piece whether you can tell expensive makeup from drugstore products. Alexis Bledel is made up twice – once with a look that costs over $1,000 and again with one that costs just $110. Can you tell the difference? There’s also an article on the history of the stiletto. And of course you can’t forget the article on the cover girl, Rihanna.
Available at newsstands everywhere.
Image: instyle.com
07.29.08
Dr Scholl’s For Her Open Shoe Insoles
I was intrigued by this insole when I saw an ad for it in a magazine. So much so that I had to go out to get it. During the summer I obviously wear a lot more sandals and flats (which notoriously have no arch support) which make for sore feet.
I went for this particular insole because it’s made to go inside sandals and heels. It’s purposely made to be small and discreet so that it doesn’t show. Although because of it’s smallness it made it hard to place in my shoe accurately. Since it doesn’t cover the entire bottom of the shoe you have to place it where you think it should be, put your foot in, and move the insole around til it’s in the right place. It doesn’t seem like much of a pain, until you’re five minutes late trying to get out the door and you realize you have the insoles in the last pair of sandals you wore and you have to put them into the pair of flats you want to wear now.
When I first took them out of the package the backing was pretty sticky. Once I placed them in my shoes they didn’t move around. However, a couple weeks later and they aren’t sticky at all. They slide around in my shoe and don’t stay put. I can’t even wear them with sandals anymore because they don’t stay in one spot even when I’m walking.
I do however really like the soft lining, it’s almost velvety and feels great on the bottom of my feet. And the gel cushioning at the ball of the foot and heel was right where I needed it the most.
Although this product is a great idea in theory, it doesn’t really pull through in real life.
Available at drugstores for $9.
Image: drscholls.com
07.28.08
Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm
I recently picked up Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm. It’s the first Burt’s Bees lip product I’ve tried and I have to say that I’m really impressed. I really like it.
It goes on really smoothly and keeps my lips moisturized for a surprisingly long time. It’s made from natural ingredients, which is a bonus. According to the website it includes “beeswax, shea butter, almond oil, cocoa butter and ultra emollient lanolin to keep your lips soft and healthy”. It’s great for layering under lip gloss to keep your lips feeling moisturized throughout the day.
The only thing that I think they could have improved on was the lack of SPF. Since most lip glosses don’t have SPF in them, I usually like to wear lip balm underneath that has SPF to protect my lips from the sun.
Available at drugstores and at burtsbees.ca for $4.50.
Image: burtsbees.ca
07.25.08
Deals of the Week
Shoppers Drug Mart
Saturday July 26th to Friday August 1st 2008
Marcelle New Age Skincare products Selected types and sizes 25% off
Selected Coty Frangrances 25% off
Neostrata Skin Brightener 25% off
Life Brand Bath Accessories 20% off
Vichy Purite Thermal 3 in 1 Cleanser. Cleansing Milk or Toner Selected types 15% off
Goody Head Wraps or Head Bands 20% off
CoverGirl Single Eyeshadow, Wetslicks Lip Color, or Smoothers Makeup 15% off
Zellers
Garnier 100% Hair Color $7.97 Reg $9.47
L’Oreal Excellence Hair Color $8.97 Reg $9.97
Tresemme Hair Care $4.27 Reg $5.49
Herbal Essences Hair Care $2.49 Reg $2.99
Conair Infinity Brushes $14.24 Reg $18.99
John Frieda Hair Care $7.97 Reg $9.47
Marc Anthony Shampoo 1 litre $14.97
London Drugs
Revlon Nail Color and Beauty Tools 20% off
Sally Hansen Products 20% off
Rimmel Cosmetics 20% off
Marc Anthony Haircare Buy 2 Get 1 Free
Goody Hair Products 20% off
07.24.08
Body Shop Bronzer
I really like this bronzer from The Body Shop. It blends really well into my skin, which is a must considering how fair I am. It looks completely natural, not at all orange-y. It makes my skin look sun kissed. You really can’t go wrong with that. And has a matte finish, so it won’t leave your skin looking shiny either.
Apply bronzer to the areas of your face where the sun would naturally hit – your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin and blend well. Make sure you don’t have too much on your brush when you put it on. It’s always better to be on the safe side and add more rather than trying to deal with too much. Apply with a large brush like a kabuki to get an even finish.
It’s available in two shades and goes for $18.50 at The Body Shop.
Image: thebodyshop-ca.stores.yahoo.net
07.23.08
Makeup Shelf Life
How old is that tube of mascara? Do you even remember when you bought that foundation? How old are the beauty products in your bathroom? It’s important to regularly go through your makeup and get rid of anything that’s past its prime. Read on to find out how to know when to get rid of products.
First off, here are some guidelines for makeup. Remember, these are guidelines. If you don’t clean your makeup brushes regularly you’ll be spreading bacteria and oils from your skin in your makeup, so they’ll need to go sooner than if you washed them weekly. If the texture, color, or smell of it changes, it needs to be tossed as well.
Liquid foundations 6 months
Concealer 12 months
Eyeshadow 18 months
Blush 12 months
Bronzer 12 months
Pressed powder 12 months
Mascara 3 months
Lip gloss and lip stick 18 months
Eye and lip pencils 12 months
Facial cleansers 6 months
Facial moisturizers 9 months
Facial toners 12 months
Nail polish 12 months
Sunscreen 6 months
Some products have little jars with a number in it. This is the number of months the manufacturer suggests the product will last for. If this number is different than one of the above guidelines then go with the number on the label.
And always remember, never share your makeup, you can spread germs and infections. Also, be sure to get rid of your mascara at the three month mark. Because it’s used so close to your eye, using old mascara is a great way to get an eye infection. Yuck.
07.22.08
Flare August 2008
There’s a great article in the new Flare Canada about beauty and makeup trends for the fall. I love seeing the darker colors. One thing that really stuck out for me is the nail polish. It looks like it’s going to be metallics (gold and silver) and blacks and grays. I’m super excited about this, I can’t wait. I especially like the silver.
There’s also a great editorial on Canadian designers. I love learning more about the Canadian fashion scene (yes, it does exist) and am stoked that it’s getting some much needed attention.
What beauty and fashion magazines do you read? I enjoy Flare Canada, of course, In Style, Marie Claire, and Elle Canada. I find it really frustrating to find something that I love in a magazine and then find out that it’s either not available in Canada or only in Toronto or Vancouver, hence my love of Flare and Elle.
The August issue of Flare is available at newsstands now.
07.21.08
Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara
Hi ladies. First off I have to apologize for the lack of posts over the last few weeks. What can I say other than the fact that summer got in the way of regular postings. Sorry about that. But now onto the product review……
So I just might be the last person on earth to try Cover Girl’s Lash Blast mascara. Better late than never right? In short, I love it and I can’t believe it took me so long to try it.
The brush seemed huge at first, but once I got the hang of it I really liked how it went on. I found that it gave my lashes some serious volume and left them looking really full. I know some people haven’t liked the bigger brush but I really liked it. I’m not very coordinated and I found it easier to apply because the brush was bigger, although I did find it a little tough to get those little lashes in the corner without getting mascara on my skin.
Lash Blast comes in four colors, from brown to very black, as well as in waterproof. According to the website it’s hypoallergenic, smudge and smear-proof, and safe for people who wear contacts.
I ended up having to go to a couple stores before I found the color I wanted in the washable formula because they were sold out, so be warned that you might have to do a little searching for it, but this mascara is worth it.
Image: covergirl.com
