Monthly Favourites - July 2010

Does anyone else feel like this year is going by unusually fast?

I certainly do.

Anyways, here are my favourites from the month of July:

1. The Body Shop Cucumber Cleansing Milk

I purchased this product during The Body Shop's 2 for $10 promotion. However, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it so I foolishly only bought one. Regardless, I would gladly repurchase this at full price ($8.99 CAD for 250 mL = awesome deal!). It's so refreshing, especially on warmer days and cleans skin gently but effectively.

2. The Body Shop New Facial Buffer

Such a wonderful little product! It's gentle enough for daily exfoliation (I use it every morning), yet effective enough to keep my skin looking radiant and supple. Take note: the dye from the label does seep into the buffer so you will have to repurchase every so often. I've been using this for a little over a month and it's already looking a little dirty. Although I think the way it's stored while drying makes a big difference, i.e. don't hang it vertically so the dye won't seep downwards. Click here to read a more in-depth review.

3. Boots Original Beauty Formula Cleansing Milk

A simple cleanser that removes face (not eye) makeup effectively without causing a reaction to my sensitive skin. Click here to read a more in-depth review.

4. Korres Wild Rose 24-Hour Moisturizer

My skin-saver! It cleared up my dry patches in around 3 days and relieved the sensitivity in about a week. It smells wonderful and has given me my old skin back. Click here to read a more in-depth review.

1. Sleek MakeUP I-Divine Eyeshadow Palettes

Wonderfully pigmented, great texture, awesome selection of colours, easily blendable; and all in a small, lightweight case. After having experienced the Sleek Palettes, I honestly can't see myself splurging on eyeshadows anymore. Click here to read a more in-depth review.

2. MAC In The Groove Mineralize Skinfinishes

I purchased By Candlelight and Petticoat (and missed out on Stereo Rose, dagnabbit!) when MAC released the In The Groove collection and I can finally see what the big deal is with these MSF's (<-- that's me dropping abbreviations, yo!). They are so ridiculously gorgeous and gives you a wonderful healthy glow. I foresee another obsession joining the blush & lip product club! Click here to see more product photos.

3. MAC Vegas Volt Lipstick

Gorgeous texture, gorgeous shade, perfect for summer! I love using this lipstick when I've gone neutral everywhere else. It adds just enough oomph to a look without looking like costume makeup. It is absolutely my favourite lipstick at the moment!

4. Viktor & Rolph Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum

Oh my goodness, do I ever love this scent! It's feminine but musky, a winning combination for me as I find the more feminine scents to be too cloying. I like my scents strong; scents that are more woman, less girl. It's such a sexy scent and the bottle is divine! I'm in love!

5. Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15

I purchased this product after giving up on Bare Minerals foundation. I was dealing with The Meltdown at the time and had a ridiculous amount of dry patches all over my face. But, I didn't want to wear liquid foundation all the time as I was dealing with major sensitivity as well (my face was very itchy and stung whenever any moisture touched it). So I purchased this and what a Godsend! It didn't attach itself to my dry flaked (as powder products are wont to do) and has the most amazing creamy texture when applied. I'm serious, it feels gorgeous on the skin! Also, it has fantastic coverage, I barely even needed to conceal my blemishes (and I had many). Dare I say, this possibly HG material for me? Yes, I do dare!

Those are my July Favourites, what are yours?

READ MORE - Monthly Favourites - July 2010

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

Help Stop Trafficking of Children & Young People!

Human trafficking is the third largest criminal industry in the world(1) and it is thought that 1.2 million children and young people are trafficked every year for sexual exploitation and cheap labour(2).

(1) unigift

(2) unicef 2007

A few years ago, I came across a documentary on TV that broke my heart. I have since forgotten the title of said documentary, but I can never forget the situations I saw: girls and young women kidnapped from their families and sold into brothels, forced to perform sexual acts on numerous men every day. In some cases, these girls are sold by their own families; a situation I hope to never understand. But can I judge these parents? No. It reminds me of the scene in Sophie's Choice where Meryl Streep has to choose to have both her children perish, or sacrifice one and save the other. Some of these families have many children they need to take care of and sacrificing one child seems like the lesser of two evils. I cannot even fathom having to make this decision and I hope none of us will ever have to.

As citizens of a developed world, I feel it is our responsibility to help our fellow man. Whether it's donating money for food, medicine, or stopping human trafficking, we all have it within us to contribute in whichever way we can.

This cause means a lot to me because I came from a developing world that still deals with human trafficking and because I love children. It makes me sick to think that these children are suffering immensely. How can we not help? How can we sit idly by and enjoy our luxuries without so much as a thought to people living in poverty?

So I implore you to sign The Body Shop's petition to get the ball rolling towards the end of human trafficking. They're also selling hand cream's and portions of those sales will be donated to Epcat. Or, if you'd much rather donate to Epcat directly, you can visit their website for ways to do so. Also, check out Charity Navigator for other charities that are helping stop human trafficking.

A bit of a serious post to start off the weekend, but I really feel that this is important. The blogging community really proved its importance during the MAC/Rodarte controversy and I believe if we join together for this, that more awareness can be raised. 

I'll leave you guys with this video I saw on YouTube. Maybe it will give you guys a better idea of the horrors these girls face.

We can make a difference in these people's lives.

Please do what you can to stop human trafficking.

Have a great weekend.

-Dani

READ MORE - Help Stop Trafficking of Children & Young People!