Winter Staple - Estée Lauder Daywear Creme

At first I was on the fence about this moisturizer. However, at approximately $60.00 CAD per tub, I wasn't about to stop using it!

But when the weather turned colder, it become a Godsend! Especially during that week-long stretch of below 0 degrees celsius weather.

It's got a thick consistency that feels amazing on the skin and it sinks in just enough that your skin feels moisturized, yet leaves some moisture on the surface as well. Some people don't like any sort of tackiness on their skin after applying moisturizer, but I happen to like it. I'm of the "if I don't feel it, it's not there," persuasion :p. It has a light cucumber scent as well; it smells fresh and is not overpowering at all.

I also love that it's got SPF 15 and anti-oxidants to help defend against aging. Personally, at 24, aging really isn't an issue. But it's all about prevention, isn't it? And I find it's best to prevent something before it happens as opposed to preventing it from getting worse. 

This moisturizer has really saved my skin this winter and I've already run out of it (I took the photos above last month). I'm currently alternating between the Origins Mega Mushroom Cream and the Korres Wild Rose 24-Hour Moisturizer, both of which are not enough for me at the moment. So ladies, here's where I need your help:

What moisturizer do you use to combat

dry skin in the winter?

READ MORE - Winter Staple - Estée Lauder Daywear Creme

Monthly Favourites - November 2010

In every Monthly Favourites post, I always say something along the lines of, "I can't believe it's ___ already!" or "Time is going by so fast!" Seeing as I would hate to break tradition, I have to say: November really really flew by for me. But I'm so happy it's December, because it means Christmas is right around the corner! But enough blabbering from me, here's my November Faves:

1. Revlon - Beyond Natural Skin Matching Makeup

I wasn't too jazzed about this foundation at first. I didn't feel there was enough coverage and I didn't really like the finish. But once I found the perfect way to apply it, I've been obsessed! I'd say it's around light to medium coverage and is absolutely buildable. It looks natural on the skin and really matches my skin better now that I use a brush instead of my fingers. I'll do a more in-depth review soon, but this has definitely been the base product I've reached for the most this month.

2. Sigma - F50 (Formerly SS 187) Duo Fibre Brush

It is thanks to this baby that I've fallen in love with the Revlon Beyond Natural foundation. But it works beautifully for other liquid face products as well. By stippling the product onto the skin and then blending it out, you achieve a gorgeous finish. Some say "airbrushed," but I've never used any airbrushing equipment on my face so I can't say for certain if that's the finish it achieves. But gorgeous is definitely a good word to describe the finish I achieve for myself.

3. Sleek MakeUP i-Divine Sunset Palette - Cranberry Shade

This entire palette is gorgeous; in fact, Sunset and Storm are probably 2 of Sleek's best palettes. But I've come to really enjoy this one shade in particular. I'm pretty sure it doesn't have a name, but it's a gorgeous red with a satiny finish. I've used it in two looks recently, one of which I posted yesterday. It's amazingly pigmented and the velvety texture allows it to blend quite easily. I never though I'd love a red eyeshadow, but there you go :p.

4. Lush - The Olive Branch Shower Gel

I've had this shower gel since the summer but I never used it until fall/winter rolled around. It just smells so amazingly warm that it feels more appropriate to use it when the weather's a bit chilly. No, it's not the most moisturizing of shower gels, nor is it a brilliant exfoliator; but it there's something so welcoming about it, especially when you shower with really warm water... That's why I love it so much!

5. Lush - Sympathy For The Skin Body Lotion

This lotion is definitely a staple for me in any season, but I've come to really  appreciate it this winter. Although it isn't technically winter yet, we experienced a period of below freezing weather and my skin has suffered for it. Sympathy for the Skin has kept my skin wonderfully moisturized; it retains moisture better and smells absolutely delicious. The combination of The Olive Branch and this lotion is especially glorious!

6. Lush - Angels On Bare Skin Cleanser

Angels on Bare Skin is really such a wonderful cleanser. It leaves my skin looking and feeling smoother and doesn't strip any moisture at all from my skin. Actually, I would feel comfortable saying it's moisturizing as well because I can get away with not applying moisturizer on my skin after using this product. Not only is it simple yet effective, it's also one of Lush's vegan products. It has natural ingredients and no parabens, sulfates, or any preservatives.

7. Nivea - Milk & Honey Lip Balm

Smells lovely (milk and honey? Come on!) and moisturizes just as well as my well-loved tinted lip conditioner from MAC. Also, it was less than $3. There is no losing with this lip balm! No fancy tricks here, but it's a very effective product. An more in-depth review is coming soon.

8. Revlon - Sugar Plum Nail Polish

Applies smoothly and effortlessly, plus it dries so incredibly quick! The shade is gorgeous, too. Perfect for the Holidays! 

Happy December, lovelies!

What were your favourites form last month?

READ MORE - Monthly Favourites - November 2010

Lush Cleansers - Review

My skin has changed a lot in the last few months. I used to have combination/oily skin with hormonal breakouts but thanks to a rather massive meltdown, my skin is now dry/combination with some pretty persistent breakouts. 

Back when my skin had horrible dry, itchy patches, I used nothing but soothing products. The Aveeno Moisturizing Bar and Korres' Wild Rose Moisturizer really helped to soothe my sensitive skin and get it back to normal. Yes, my skin type has changed, but no more itchy, burning skin!

So, now that my skin isn't so sensitive, I was looking to change my cleansers. However, I was still a bit paranoid about triggering another meltdown so I went with products that were more natural. Enter, Lush's Angels On Bare Skin and Coalface cleansers.

I know Coalface is for oily skin, but I wasn't really too concerned about it drying my skin out because I was going to moisturize anyway. I knew I wasn't going to be able to use it every day since it has gritty particles that can be quite abrasive, and depending on whether or not my skin was feeling particularly robust or sensitive, I would either apply the product directly to my face or rub one side on my hand to create a lather.

If you look closely, you'll see scratch marks and raised bumps on the surface. This is due to the ground charcoal that's in the bar (Coalface is basically Dark Angels in solid form). Like I mentioned before, I wasn't going to be using this cleanser every single day. But it's great for deep cleansing and the gritty particles exfoliate the skin pretty well. 

Since using Coalface (I've been using it for a little over a month), I've noticed less blackheads and some of my blemishes go away quicker. For the stubborn ones that don't go away as quickly as I would like, I've noticed that they don't get as big as my other blemishes have before. I also remember one particular pimple that stuck around for nearly a month and after a few days of using Coalface, the size reduced considerably.

One thing to keep in mind though, is that it does leave a residue after use so make sure to use toner afterwards.

I've used Angels On Bare Skin before and I liked it even then. Since I only use Coalface around 4-5 nights a week, I needed another cleanser to use in the morning. Actually, I lie... I didn't need another cleanser since I still have half a bottle of Cucumber Cleansing Milk from The Body Shop (which I still love), I just wanted another one :p.

Semantics aside, I think Angels On Bare Skin is a really simple but effective cleanser. It has ground almonds in it which are great for gentle exfoliation and whenever I use it, my skin feels very fresh, clean, smooth, and not at all dry or tight. I quite like the scent, too; it smells like lavender and something else I can't place, though it smells very earthy and is definitely not for everyone. However, it isn't strong or overwhelming at all.

One thing that can turn people off from this cleanser (and Lush's other fresh cleansers) is the fact that you need to mix it up in your hand prior to use. Personally, it's not a problem, but it can get messy. I find that the easiest way to use Angels On Bare Skin is by placing approximately a dime sized amount on the palm of your hand and adding a few drops of water. Once you mix it up, it's quite easy to use.

The Final Verdict

I'm definitely happy with these cleansers; Coalface gives me better exfoliation and a deeper cleanse and Angels On Bare Skin exfoliates in a gentler way and keeps my skin clean, but balanced. Another great thing about Lush cleansers is that you can spend only what you want to spend. Each cleanser you see in the photos above cost me $5.00 CAD apiece. So you can either buy a pre-packaged cleanser (usually priced around $10.00 CAD) or you can ask for a specific price and the Sales Associate will measure out a piece for you. But keep in mind that Lush fresh cleansers (these are the ones that come in a roll and aren't solid) expire after 3 months so only purchase what you can use. 

So will I repurchase these? Well, I'll probably try something else because let's face it, us junkies need to keep trying out other products :p. That said, I can easily see myself re-visiting both these cleansers in the future. In fact, this is the second time I've repurchased Angels on Bare Skin.

Have you tried any Lush cleansers?

What's your favourite?

READ MORE - Lush Cleansers - Review

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!

Neutrogena UltraSheer Water-Light Daily Face Sunscreen - Review

As much as I like to think about fall and cooler weather, summer is still upon us. Which means sun protection is still foremost in my mind. Admittedly, I tend to slack a bit with applying sunscreen during the winter months (kind of hard to think about sun protection when you barely see the sun), but I am making an effort to change that. 

I was previously using Clinique's Super City Block, which was fine when my skin wasn't so sensitive, but now it just feels like too much. So I was looking for something that felt lighter on the skin. Enter, Neutrogena's new UltraSheer Water-Light Sunscreen.

The biggest draw for me when I first read about this product online was that it was a nice, weightless formula. My skin is dry so I need moisturizer and I'm not leaving home without base on, add to that primer & sunscreen and that's 4 layers of slap! Four! I was so not having it.

But when I saw the actual product and read that it "works beautifully under make-up," I got really excited. Does this mean I can skip primer? Well, in a word: YES. 

This sunscreen goes on so smoothly and if you've got oily skin, I think you might not even need moisturizer under this (or at least just a teeny tiny bit). It applies fairly matte (unlike Clinique's Super City Block) and leaves skin feeling so smooth.

But the best part is: not only are you getting sun protection, but you're also priming your skin for makeup. My foundation applies just as well as I do when using L'oréal's Magic Base; my foundation is more even and I get better coverage when using this product than when I use moisturizer and foundation alone. 

I am so glad I heard about this product! It does double duty as a sunscreen and primer; plus with a price of $14.99, you really can't go wrong with it. I'm still using my L'oréal Magic Base, but only when I'm re-doing my makeup for nighttime or for performances. That being said, both products are definitely recommended!

What's your favourite sun care product?

READ MORE - Neutrogena UltraSheer Water-Light Daily Face Sunscreen - Review

What Saved My Skin

So approximately 7 months after The Meltdown, I've finally got my skin under control, all thanks to these products:

*Note: to really get the full scope of how badly my skin was behaving, it's important to read The Meltdown. I think that it will give you a better understanding of how well these products have worked for me.*

1. The Body Shop's New Facial Buffer

I first heard about this from The Yummy Mummy's Beauty Blog and I was immediately intrigued. I loved the feeling of freshly exfoliated skin but it had become absolutely necessary for me when my face broke in many dry patches. But my skin was still sensitive so I couldn't use anything too abrasive. Enter, the Facial Buffer. It exfoliates gently and leaves my skin feeling smooth and looking supple.

2. Aveeno Moisturizing Bar

When I purchased this, I was in desperate need of a cleanser. I had just returned Purity Made Simple and was using a sample of Lush's Aqua Marina a lovely SA so kindly gave me. Unfortunately, Aqua Marina was a bit harsh/drying so I started looking for a new cleanser. Thanks to the power of the interwebs, i came across this moisturizing bar and decided to try it out. I'm so glad I did! It leaves my skin feeling really clean but without stripping it dry. It's a simple facial cleanser that does its job well. No fancy packaging or tricks, but it's kept my skin in such great shape.

3. Korres Wild Rose 24-Hour Moisturizer

The Star of the show. I really think that this product was what kick-started my skin's return to normalcy. It's such a beautiful moisturizer and really calmed my skin down. It smells wonderful and I love that it has no silicones or parabens. The first time I put this on, I could immediately feel that my skin was more moisturized and after less than a week, I woke up with zero tightness on my face; a feeling I was waking up to everyday while using Origins Mega Mushroom Face Cream. Also, the properties of this moisturizer sound amazing: 

I'm so in love with this moisturizer. I typically like to switch up products after I've used them up because I get bored easily, but this is one that I have to seriously think about. 

The combination of these 3 products really saved my skin. Not only was I dealing with plenty of blemishes, but I was also dealing with very dry, itchy, sensitive, and dull skin. I still have the odd few blemishes to deal with, but other than that, my skin has had a complete turnaround: my complexion looks much better now than it has in almost a year, my skin is free of dry patches, the sensitivity is under control (my face used to sting when wet), and it feels smooth and supple.

My new philosophy on skincare is simplicity. My skin used to be more robust and able to take harsher formulations but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. So simple, no nonsense but effective products are the way to go. 

Are there any skincare products you swear by?

READ MORE - What Saved My Skin

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

Boots Original Beauty Formula Cleansing Milk - Review

Ahh, Boots Cleansing Milk, how I've heard such wonderful things about you.

Gentle and effective? Hello, I'm Dani, please sign me up!

You see, my skin has been suffering (not to mention misbehaving) for the last seven months; thanks to what I now dub, The Meltdown. I needed a makeup remover that was gentle but didn't require me to use it more than once per cleanse. So when I read the great reviews about this product, I knew I had to try it. Thankfully, my parents were in London at the time so I was able to ask them to bring me back a bottle (dear Boots website, please ship to Canada. Thanks).

I think there's this stigma that products that are "gentle" are somehow less effective than its harsher counterparts. I confess, I bought into that, too. But I'm happy to say that the Boots Original Beauty Formula Cleansing Milk does its job and does it well. 

The above photo shows the cotton pad I used to remove my makeup (left) and the cotton pad I used to tone (right). As you can see, there are no traces of makeup left on the round cotton pad. I only used the cleansing milk once, then I cleansed again with a regular cleanser. The result? Perfectly clean skin. I love it!

HITS

-Packaging: gorgeous glass bottle with a vintage label. Looks fantastic on your shelf/counter

-Efficacy: One dollop + One cotton Pad + One re-cleanse = CLEAN SKIN

-Price: Retails for £3.89 (approx. $6.00 CAD) for a 150mL bottle.

-Texture: Easier to work with than cold cream, smoothes over skin wonderfully.

MISSES

-Reaction: very slight stinging in the eye

-Efficacy: doesn't remove all waterproof mascara

Notice the left over mascara and the slightly red eyes? Yeah... So I do need to use a separate eye makeup remover (which loads of people do anyway), and it did make my eyes sting a bit. I say "did" because I found in the last couple of days that my eyes haven't stung at all. Maybe it's the product or maybe it's because I haven't been using it for lashes. Either way, no red eyes for me! Be warned, there is some slight clouding over if the product gets in your eyes, so if you absolutely hate that, you probably shouldn't use this on your eyes. However, as I said, it's only very slight. I had more intense clouding with the Almay moisturizing eye makeup remover pads.

FINAL VERDICT

The Boots Cleansing Milk is fantastic! It works beautifully and is very gentle on the skin. I haven't had any reactions whatsoever to this product (skin-wise). It's very cheap, a little bit goes a long way, and the packaging is just divine! I hope Boots decides to ship Internationally or I find a way to get someone to send me some... Or maybe I'll just go to London myself, I've always wanted to go anyway! Because this product is so worth it, and I'll be sure to repurchase again in the future.

Have you tried this product before? What are your thoughts on it?

READ MORE - Boots Original Beauty Formula Cleansing Milk - Review