Monthly Favourites - September 2010

I can't believe it's October already! Time sure does fly... I personally can't wait to bust out the sweaters, scarves and boots. And I love when the leaves start changing colour! 

Anyway, without further ado, here are my favourites from September:

1. MAC Powder Blush - Pinch O'Peach

I wanted a true pink blush and remember tossing around the names Well Dressed and Pink Swoon. However, when I swatched them in store, they just seemed much too cool for my complexion. Pinch O'Peach is perfect because shows up as pink on my skin, yet the hint of peach makes it wearable for someone like me. Plus, it's more pigmented than other pink blushes I've tried.

2. Bare Escentuals - bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation 

So when my skin suffered through a Meltdown, I pretty much gave up on bareMinerals ever giving me the coverage it used to. I replaced it with the Laura Mercier Mineral Powder, which I still adore. However, despite my best mediocre efforts, I did get a tad darker. So I gave bareMinerals another go (at this point, my skin was almost back to normal) and guess what? It's "working" again! It really does give great coverage and makes my skin look dewy and fresh. 

3. MAC Powder Blush - Harmony

That mangled piece of sadness is actually a blush (I assure you). I've started using Harmony to contour my face (which I've never done before, shock horror!) a few months ago and I'm a bit addicted to contouring now :p.

4. Origins - Mega Mushroom Moisturizer

As I've mentioned here, this moisturizer was a bit of a disappointment at first. However, lately (as I've since mentioned here) I've started using it again and I have to say i gives me the perfect amount of moisture. It leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth and doesn't make my face feel greasy after a few hours (unlike my Daywear Plus Creme).

5. MAC Eyeshadow - Cork

As I've already mentioned, I've been addicted to contouring, and that includes contouring my eyes. I've taken to using this for the socket and also between my nose and eyes to create more of a bridge (I seriously have none). Cork is pretty much perfect for this.

6. Revlon Nail Polish - Plum Seduction

I'm in love with this colour! It's a great consistency (thin, but reaches opacity within two coats) and doesn't leave brush strokes on your nails. It doesn't last long without a top coat, but the gorgeous colour more than makes up for it!

What are your September faves?

READ MORE - Monthly Favourites - September 2010

Take Two's & Thank You's!

I'm sure we've all had regret purchases. But have you ever revisited a product to find that, miracle of all miracles, it all of a sudden works?

It's a bit like Christmas, I think :p.

Kiehl's Yerba Maté Tea Cleanser

"Facial Cleanser with Vitamin-Infused Tea Extracts for a Healthful Skin Vivacity"

Sounds good, right? It really does. But I think it was a bit harsh for my skin at the time it was having a Meltdown. However, these last month or two, my skin has really gone back to normal. It's no longer sensitive or dry (not quite as oily as before, though), but there are still a few persistent blemishes hanging around. 

So I reintroduced this back into my skincare routine because I didn't want to waste it. After using it for a few weeks once a day (morning or night, depending on what I felt like), I've noticed a slightly more even skintone and less sallowness. It's nothing earth shattering, but at least it's doing its job!

Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Cream

Now this one, I'm really happy about! I mentioned in this post all the reasons why I was disappointed with this product. And for the price of $85 CAD, I think I was justified. 

But as I said, my skin has changed (again!) in the last 2 months or so and I've found that this moisturizes so amazingly well! It no longer just sits on top of the skin, it sinks in well enough that my skin feels moisturized and not oily. And yet, it doesn't completely absorb so I don't feel the need to slap some more on. The scent is a little strong at first (slightly citrusy), but it does fade away after a bit. Nowadays, it's such a pleasure to apply this to my skin. It's the absolute perfect consistency and leaves my skin feeling smooth and supple.

Lastly, I just wanted to say a big "THANK YOU" to everyone who voted for me for the Ultimate Makeup Junkie Contest. At the time I wrote this post, I was at 76 votes and I'm not sure if that was enough to get me to the semi-finals but I'm still so incredibly grateful for those of you who took the time to vote for me. So again, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

Have you given any products a second chance lately?

READ MORE - Take Two's & Thank You's!

Regret Purchases - Vol. I

During The Meltdown, I tried plenty of skincare products. So it's only natural that not all products would work well for my skin. These two stood out in particular.

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes - Night Calming

So follow me down my path of logic. Me = dry, sensitive skin. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes = gently dissolve all traces of makeup, night calming. Um, a match made in heaven? Yes, I think so.

So why did it make my skin burn? Neutrogena, you lied to me. Although, I think the "calming" may have more to do with the scent of the product. And I must say, it does smell rather nice. Maybe it's the perfume that made my skin react?

On a packaging note, the flap that opens to the product doesn't completely stick back down so there's a possibility of the towelettes drying out. Speaking of, these products are much wetter than I thought they would be; it feels very slippery on the skin. Not oily per sé, just slippery.

It does take makeup off well enough, but it's not worth the burning sensation. I mean, I used to clean my arm after doing swatches and it made my arm itch and as far as I can tell or remember, the skin on my body was never sensitive.

Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Cream

This one really kills me. Why?

a) Because I heard such great things about this product: Helps quiet and calm skin? Skin with stronger, healthier, more youthful appearance? I.WANT.
b) Because this product cost me a whopping $85 CAD for 50mL.

I wanted all the things it promised me; and if it was going to cost me $85 to get it? Well then, I was just gonna have to suck it up and bear it. Is it so wrong to expect an $85 moisturizer to actually moisturize instead of just sitting on top of my skin, leaving it oily? Is it too much to expect for it to do what it says it's supposed to? I don't think so.

Yes, I could've returned it. But I kept giving it time thinking that if I just kept using it for one more week, it'll start working. Well, it didn't. So now I'm stuck with it. I'll occasionally reach for it to see if I'll change my mind, but so far I haven't.

Do you have any recent regret purchases?

Share!

READ MORE - Regret Purchases - Vol. I