November Hits and Misses!

           I tried some new products this month, both sample and full size, and have to say there were a lot of prominent hits and misses. Hence the idea for the post! I apologize in advance for my camera, I could not get it to focus properly for the life of me. Below are some of my favourites and some of my not so favourites for this month!

HITS:

bareMinerals Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15: I received this as a sample from Sephora, and thankfully a little goes a long way. This is a foundation I will eventually be purchasing in full size. I had heard amazing things about it but was still a little skeptical, as it looks like it would dry my combination skin out in the wintertime. However, it is not drying at all and leaves your skin looking flawless. The shade I was given was Fairly Light, which is for porcelain-light skin tones with neutral undertones, which turned out to be perfect for me. 

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation: I have already done a review on how much I love this foundation, and it has definitely been a favourite this month. I change it up every couple days with my Bourjois Healthy Mix and it really illuminates and leaves your skin looking radiant. Only downside is it could be a tiny bit more moisturizing, but other than that, it's fantastic! I have the shade porcelain/light ivory.

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick: Although this particular colour has been my go to lip colour this month, I would definitely repurchase more from this line, as they're so smooth and hydrating! This one here (and swatched above) is 700 Nude Delight. This is pretty much a perfect nude for me. The great thing about these is that they're super affordable, and are really good for your lips. They contain SPF 20 and vitamins A, C and E.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Spot Treatment and Concealer: I LOVE the formula of this concealer! I've heard so many YouTubers rave about the Age Rewind Erasers, and yet I was still surprised to see how good it was. This particular one contains vitamin C in order to treat and conceal sun spots, dark spots, acne spots and acne discolorations. Although my skin is quite good right now (knock on wood) I still decided to get this one for the extra benefit of Vitamin C. I'm using the shade Fair 210. An amazing concealer for any age range.

Ojon Colour Sustain PRO Fade-Fighter Weekly Conditioning Treatment: This was another deluxe sample I got from Sephora, and I was pretty impressed with it! It's really gentle on your hair and super conditioning. It's meant to protect your hair colour for up to 40 washes, and shields hair from environmental damage. Living in the city, I'm always looking for products that specifically claim that they shield from environmental damage, because you are absorbing so much crap into your skin and hair every day. It also contains UV sunscreen, which is always a plus. Seeing as this is a weekly treatment, the 3.4 ounce bottle should last you a decent amount of time.

Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara: This may be my new favourite mascara! As well as volumizing and adding length, it actually is conditioning your lashes with the natural properties of olive oil. It's not supposed to smudge, clump or flake, which I've found to be true. They currently only have one colour out, Jet Black, which is fine as this is the colour I would have chosen anyway. Such a great mascara! 

MISSES:

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion-Anti-Aging: So many people are OBSESSED with Urban Decay's Primer Potions, but after trying this one, I'm having a hard time seeing why. I suppose it's because I've always primed my eyelids well with foundation and/or concealer and powder, so I've never really had an issue with my eyeshadow staying on. I did not find that it made my eyeshadow look more vibrant either. Overall, just not really something I need!

Essence Mono Eyeshadow: The shade I have here is 02 Dance All Night, and I have to say I find it very strange. I found it beautiful to look at, as the top part is a really pretty gold metallic colour. But then when you work your way through the top layer, it has a different, darker colour underneath. It's definitely still usable for something, but not a colour I would have bought had I known that it would be underneath.

Sephora Collection Primal Instincts Eyeshadow Palette: I'm actually really bummed out that I don't like this palette anywhere near as much as I thought I would! I kind of wish I had bought the first palette I picked up instead, which was Benefit's Easiest Nudes Ever. I LOVE shimmery shadows, but there's almost too many in this palette. I definitely need to learn when using this to stick with just one of the shimmery shades for one look. Having said that, they are gorgeous colours when swatched. The other problem I had, was that they are not super blendable. The edges tend to stick after a few minutes, and when you try to fix a mistake it comes off a little patchy. Other than that, I'm still going to try to find ways to make this palette work!

Covergirl LineBlast 24 Hour Eyeliner: I have to say, this was pretty much crap. It tends to dry up fairly quickly as you're putting it on, and by the end of the day it does smudge a little. If it weren't for these two things, it would be a really easy eyeliner pen to use, as the tip is fairly sturdy. It only comes in two shades, which is the one I have (Enduring Black) and Eternal Brown. Not impressed.

Vasanti Casablanca Silky Eyeshadow: I always like trying out Canadian brands, so I thought I would give this one a go. The packaging is nice and sleek, but it seems that's what you're paying for. It's not on the cheap drug store end price wise, as it's $15 for a mono eyeshadow. The colour just did not impress me at all, even as a base. It was very sub par to other gold eyeshadows I've tried. I went back to my Gosh Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick in Gold immediately after using this. (After taking these photos, I dropped this eyeshadow on the bathroom floor, and lets just say the packaging is not durable at all).

GOODNIGHT! xx

Urban Outfitters Holiday Faves!

As we know, I am obsessed with Urban Outfitters and it gets even better this time of year. If anybody hasn't seen Urban Outfitter's holiday shop, I'll link it here, as you'll find unique and adorable decorations, cards, cups, ornaments etc! They combine all sorts of holiday tastes, from classic Christmas movies, to current trends, to nerdy/"geek" paraphernalia to whatever else you can think of. Check out some of my favourites above!

Wooden Tree

Love Christmas Holiday Card 

Instant Ugly Sweater Patch -Set of 6

EZ Bake Oven Ornament

Elf Smiling is My Favourite Pint Glass

Leg Lamp

Cat-Head Ornament

GOODNIGHT! xx

Sephora's Festive Cheery Endurance Bag + More Freebies!

Sephora was giving away 4 amazing deluxe sample bags with any purchase of $25 or more to Beauty Insiders, and I grabbed one before they quickly ran out! I received 8 deluxe samples with my purchase, along with 3 extras that came separately. I was really impressed with these bags, as all 4 contained amazing products from brands like Urban Decay, Origins, Philosophy, Nars, Smashbox and more. Plus, you get a free bag! The bag I chose was the Festive Cheery Endurance one, which is meant for long lasting beauty that stays put. Can't wait to try these out!   

Lancome: Tresor Eau de Parfum

Ren: Hydra-Calm Cleansing Milk

Ojon: Colour Sustain PRO Fade-Fighter Weekly Conditioning Treatment 

Smashbox: Full Exposure Mascara 

Tarte: Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment 

Dolce & Gabbana: Pour Femme Eau de Parfum

Urban Decay: Eyeshadow Primer Potion-Anti-Aging 

Smashbox: Camera Ready CC Cream Dark Spot Correcting in Light/Medium 

Anastasia Beverly Hills: Lash Genius Waterproof Topcoat 

Kat Von D: Painted Love Lipstick in Celebutard 

Versace: Bright Crystal Eau de Toilette

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT! xx

Sephora Must Haves! (Beauty)

Here are the beauty items from Sephora that I am drooling over this season! xx

Sephora Must Haves with Tarte High Performance Neutrals , Butter London , Marc Jacobs

Review: L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation

         I initially bought this foundation because I knew my beloved Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel Serum Foundation was going to run out soon, and I am still looking for a more affordable alternative that I love just as much. So when I saw the L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation for $16.99, I thought it seemed quite similar and I decided to give it a go. Like the Healthy Mix Gel Serum Foundation, it creates healthier looking skin the more you use it. On the L'Oreal Paris website, they state that it contains 40% water, so it's very light weight and hydrating. It also contains antioxidants and vitamins C and E, which are both extremely beneficial for your skin. It contains Anderson Fluid as well (which I've never heard of) for the instant luminous, glowing effect. I actually cannot find what Anderson Fluid is anywhere online, so if anyone knows, please let me know! It also contains SPF 20 and lasts for 8 hours!

Left: Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel Serum Foundation in 51 Vanille Clair, Right: L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation in Porcelain/Light Ivory

I picked this foundation up in the shade porcelain/light ivory, which is the lightest shade they make. It comes in 14 shades, so you get to choose from a decent colour selection. It contains the 30 ml or 1 fl oz which is typically of most foundations. As you can see from the picture above, when compared to the Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel Serum Foundation in 51 Vanille Clair it is a little bit thicker and is a slightly different colour. This particular shade (Porcelain/Light Ivory) does have a warm undertone and the Healthy Mix Foundation has a fairly neutral undertone, so it is likely that the same shade would still work for you. despite your undertone.

I was somewhat surprised to find that I really do like this foundation! It does give an instant luminous effect, which I wasn't really expecting despite what's on the bottle. It's about medium coverage with one layer (which I just applied with my fingers, as usual) and really makes your skin look flawless. The colour was also a perfect match for me, which is always nice to find when you don't test out the foundation at the store! The only complaint that I have about this foundation, is that even though it claims that it is quite moisturizing, it accentuated any dry spots that I did have on my face. So I would recommend making sure your face is well moisturized and exfoliated before applying this foundation. I suppose it's because I'm now used to a gel foundation, which glides over any dry areas and does not accentuate them by any means. Overall, I was really impressed with this foundation, and give it a 4.5/5 for price, the skin care benefits, the light weight effect and the perfect colour match!

HOPE YOU'RE HAVING A GREAT DAY! xx

Take 5 Pounds Off Your Face By Contouring!

         Unless you are really into makeup, you may not know how to contour your face or even know what contouring is. Contouring is simply shaping your face into it's desired shape, using a darker colour than your regular skin tone. It's the easiest way to slim down your face in seconds, and makes a big difference to any makeup look. I now do this every day in my makeup routine, which has lead to many people asking me if I have lost weight, as they can "see it in my face". I've also had many people compliment me on my cheekbones, when a year ago you could barely tell that I had cheekbones! If you don't already know, read on to find out how to contour! 

My go to bronzer these days is one that I have mentioned multiple times in this blog, which is the Bourjois Bronzing Powder in 51 peaux claires/medianes. This is a beautiful, mainly matte, light bronzer that smells like chocolate. I purchased this product about mid summertime and have not nearly hit pan yet, and I've been using it almost every day since.

As you can see, the packaging is now a little messy, (I actually had to wipe it down before taking a photo of it, and this is the end result) as that's what happens when you're whipping out the same product every day of the week! I just use a blush brush to apply my bronzer, but use a contour brush if you have one. The brush I'm using is the Professional Blush Brush by Quo.

When I take photos, you can almost never tell that I have contoured at all. This is what you want, as the goal is to make it look as natural as possible. That's why I only use the lightest bronzers for my skin, as I have such a fair complexion. Another option is to use a foundation that is a shade or two darker than your regular foundation, and blend it in the same areas described below.

Here is my contouring process:

1. Cheekbones

If you don't know where the hollows of your cheeks are, suck them in and blend your bronzer into these areas. Start blending from the top of your hollows, right down to the edge of your mouth . This will really pull your face in and give your cheekbones definition. Make sure you blend afterwards with a fluffy brush to avoid any harsh lines.

2. Temples

Blend your bronzer from just above the middle of your eyebrow to the top of your cheekbone, in a sweeping "C" movement on both sides.

3. Jaw Line 

This might be my favourite area to contour, as I would always like to take a few pounds off underneath my chin. I sweep just the tiniest bit of bronzer underneath my jaw bone as well as right underneath  my chin. You don't want to use too much, as your face will start to look an unnatural colour from the rest of your body.

And that's it! Some people also choose to apply bronzer on the bridge of their nose if they want to slim it down. The trick is, do not go too much darker than your natural skin tone, know what you're doing and blend, blend, blend. I've used bronzer for years, but I never knew how to contour so it didn't make a difference in the shape of my face. Hope this helped some of you!

GOODNIGHT! xx

Nail Colours of the Moment: Metallic Blues and Nudes

           This holiday season, brands are coming out with toooons of metallic and holographic nail polishes in every colour. What has been catching my eye the most is the amazing metallic blues that I have seen in multiple collections, as well as all of the variations of holographic pinky nudes. I am usually not a big fan of dark nail polishes, but these metallic colours are so beautiful, there may not be a colour that I wouldn't be willing to try. Here are two of my most recent nail polish purchases from this trend!

I am sooooo obsessed with this colour and can't wait to try it! This is the Sally Hansen Lustre Shine Nail Colour in 004 Azure. This was only $3.99 at the drug store as it said "Clear Out" on the price tag, so I'm hoping they're just getting new packaging and they're not discontinuing the Lustre Shine collection. On the Sally Hansen website, it says that this nail polish is actually infused with real silver, and is inspired by the lustrous colour flip of molten, liquid metal and the iridescence of a peacock feather. I am really hoping this will be a hit!

I applied Quo by Orly's Nail Polish in First Class soon after I got it, and was amazed by the colour right away. It is so shimmery and beautiful, I was really impressed. I actually cannot find this collection online, so I can't tell you anymore accurate information about it. However, it retails for $10 at Shopper's Drug Mart. For anyone who doesn't know, Quo is a Canadian Brand!

This went on really smooth when I applied it, and two coats is more than enough. I am a little skeptical about the staying power however, so we'll see how this holds up. In case it doesn't end up holding up too well, I may invest in a good base and top coat because I really am in love with this colour. I have definitely jumped on the metallic/holographic/shimmery bandwagon for this season, and will be continuing to enjoy them for the next couple months!

GOODNIGHT! xx

Casual Friday Night Out Makeup!

(Please excuse my horrendous eyebrows!)

FACE:

Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel Serum Foundation in 51 Vanilla Clair

Nip + Fab CC Eye Fix -Light

Covergirl Clean Pressed Powder for Sensitive Skin in 210 Classic Ivory

Bourjois Bronzing Powder in 51 peaux claires medianes

Revlon Matte Powder Blush in Perfectly Peach

EYES:

Gosh Waterproof Eye Shadow Stick in Gold

NYX Love in Florence Palette in Meet My Romeo 

Physician's Formula 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum in Ultra Black

Covergirl Clump Crusher by LashBlast Mascara in Very Black

LIPS: 

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in 700 Nude Delight



Click here for my everyday Fall makeup routine!

Hope you're having a great Friday! xx

How I Heat Style My Hair!

          I know, I literally just submitted a post on why you SHOULDN'T heat style your hair. However, after nearly 3 months of no heat I decided my hair could withstand a bit of damage, as I was getting a little bored! However, I still used caution when heat styling to minimize the damage as much as possible. I use the same process whether I`m styling it straight, wavy or curly for the most part. Here is my process below!

I am a big believer in products as we know, and if you use the right ones they WILL prevent a significant amount of damage. It all comes down to what you're using and what you're using it for. I started fresh today by cleansing my hair with Neutrogena's Anti-Residue Shampoo, (not pictured above) which I use every 2-3 weeks to get rid of any buildup from heavy conditioners and styling products. I then followed up with Alba Botanica's Natural Hawaiian Conditioner, Drink It Up Coconut Milk. Alba Botanica is actually a cruelty free, natural, 100% vegetarian Canadian brand that not many people know about. Check out their website here! 

On my freshly cleansed and conditioned hair, I then spray LÒreal Paris' Everstrong Thickening Tonic onto my roots. This is meant to encourage thicker hair growth and promote the hair you already have to appear thicker and fuller. This has a nice minty smell to it, which I love. After massaging it in, I apply 3 pumps of my lovely Dove Nourishing Oil Care Anti-Frizz Serum to the length of my hair, making sure to avoid the roots. Then, I leave my hair to dry naturally as long as I have time to before blow drying!

Right before blow drying, I spray my CHI Keratin Mist just onto my ends, to make sure they are strong and don`t go anywhere! I've had this bottle for a long time, and I`m not sure they even make the same one anymore, but you can still find it at various places online. The blow dryer I use is one of Conair's Ion Shine ones, although this model is definitely discontinued as it is quite old! I use both my John Frieda Full Volume Medium Porcupine Round Brush and my thermal round brush (not sure which brand) to blow dry and smooth out my hair. 

After my hair is completely dry, I spray the length with CHI's 44 Iron Guard to protect it from my flat iron. I generally use my CHI Original 1" Ceramic Hair Styling Iron to straighten and curl my hair. I've actually had this flat iron since I was 14, so it's crazy that it's lasted this long. I have others, but I keep going back to this one! I use a small comb while straightening or curling to get more of a smooth finish, and separate it with a clip so I can work in sections. During this process, I sometimes add Marc Anthony`s 2nd Day Clear Dry Shampoo to my roots, to give them more volume.

And here is a peak at what my hair looked like when I was finished styling today! I decided to go for a slightly wavy look, as I find that it looks much better then when I just do my hair pin straight. I applied 2 more pumps of my Dove Anti-Frizz Serum to the ends, and sprayed my hair with my favourite hairspray, which is Pantene's Satin Hold Hairspray in their Curly Hair Series. I LOVE this stuff, as it really defines and adds shine to waves or curls and lets your hair move. And that`s it!

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT! xx

My Skin Story: From Hormonal Acne to Clear Skin!

This is my skin with no makeup on, right after washing (and first thing in the morning, as you can see from my bed head). I did not edit out any spots, blotchyness, etc. I still get the occasional spot like pretty much everyone my age, but it is not too often nowadays. My skin has settled on a combination type, and that's what I've been working with for a few years now. Some people may say that my hormonal acne has gone away because I have gotten older, and am no longer a teenager. This is WRONG, as whenever I stray from the products and behavior that keep my skin clear, it breaks out again.  

Disclaimer: Before I say the first step that keeps my skin clear, just a reminder that this is not for everyone, and unless prescribed by a doctor, you should not go on it for this reason. 

1) BIRTH CONTROL

Birth control drastically helped get my skin under control, especially in the beginning stages when I was 15 and had fairly severe acne. This was the initial step that allowed me to even get to the other steps. When you specifically have hormonal acne, combating hormones with hormones is one of the best steps you can take to get your skin to behave, and fast. I have gone off of birth control once or twice since I was 15, and my skin has started to break out again every time, although not as bad as it might of if I didn't take care it. 

2) TAKING YOUR MAKEUP OFF BEFORE BED

When I was younger, I never listened to or cared about all the warnings that sleeping with your makeup on can cause significant damage to your skin. I used to fall asleep with my makeup on CONSTANTLY. Taking it off consistently every night has allowed my skin to repair itself so much more than it ever had the chance to. Not only did it reduce any breakouts, but it allowed my skin to repair itself overtime, and faded some of the acne scars I have from when I was a young teen. This is a definite must for clear skin.

3) USING THE RIGHT PRODUCTS FOR YOUR SKIN

You need to look specifically at what products are meant to do for your skin, and target the areas that you wish to change. If you are looking to reduce the size of your pores, look for a product that specifically says it does that. If you are looking to balance and tone your skin, look for a product that does that. Research what you are putting on your face, or at the very least read the back of the bottle. The skin routine that I have now works wonders for me, and that is because each product that I use is meant to target a certain aspect of my skin that I do not like. Below are the products that I have settled on and use on a regular basis, as well as what I use them for:

Biosource Hydra-Mineral Cleanser Toning Mousse: Cleanses, tones and removes leftover makeup. 

Nip + Fab Scrub Fix: I use this once a week to keep acne away/get rid of any spots I may have, plus brighten and renew my skin.

L'Oreal Radiant Tone Ideal Moisture Day/Night Cream: I use this in the morning to moisturize my skin and keep it looking radiant. I also use this to smooth away any texture, which I did have an issue with from leftover scarring/acne. 

Marcelle BB Cleanser: I use this at night to deeply moisturize and repair my skin overnight.

4) USING A WASHCLOTH

This used to be just an aid in taking off my makeup, until I realized what it was doing for my skin. A washcloth acts as an exfoliator, helping to slough off dead skin cells and renew your skin, making you less susceptible to acne and breakouts. This cut down on how often I was exfoliating and how many products I use. This is an absolute must every night in my skin care routine.

5) TREATING YOUR BODY RIGHT

When it comes to eating, unfortunately I do not eat anywhere near how I would like to. This tends to happen when you're a student. However, I rarely drink, do not smoke or do drugs and get plenty of sleep on a regular basis! Smoking, drinking and lack of sleep have a significant effect on your skin, and do not allow it to reach anywhere near it's full potential.

And those are my secrets to clear, healthy skin! Hope you enjoyed! 

Over 60 Days of No Heat!

  It's official, the last time I blow dried and styled my hair was August 21st, 2013! Coming from someone who used to heat style my hair every day, this is quite an accomplishment for me. When I made the decision to stop heat styling, I also made the decision to only wash my hair every other day. I really wanted to see what putting effort into taking care of my hair was going to do for me. In addition, I have ONLY used a wide toothed comb during this time to comb out my hair after washing it.

So what have I noticed as a result? First of all, I have really come to realize that my hair looks much better in it's natural state. I find that almost everybody's does. People think that straightening or curling their hair everyday or adding extensions makes it look better. However, unless your hair is a mess on a regular basis, I have never come across someone whose natural texture does not look better, with the help of products of course. 

The condition of my hair has really changed in the past couple months. I would say that I have almost twice the amount of hair that I used to in terms of thickness, as you lose significantly less hair when you are not heat styling, brushing and washing every day. Whether or not my hair is growing faster I don't know, but the growth is a LOT more noticeable than it would otherwise be, as it's not breaking off at the ends. My split ends have been drastically reduced, and my hair is much softer than it's ever been. My colour looks more vibrant, and I feel the need to get it touched up less. My hair unfortunately has not become significantly more shiny, as it's hard to make hair that's been bleached as much as mine shine, but it's coming along. 

I would recommend that everyone give their hair a break and let it be for a while. Especially if you're trying to grow it out, and have no idea why it's not growing. It's frustrating that people don't see that it IS growing, but it's snapping off at the ends due to your heat styling! Find new ways to style it that do not involve heat, and you'll find that they're quicker, and look even better. 

Click here to see what products I use on my hair!

HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT WEEKEND! xx

Review: Soap and Glory Calm One Calm All Stress-Battling Softening Bubble Bath!

Soap and Glory Calm One Calm All Stress-Battling Softening Bubble Bath. That's a mouthful! I have heard amazing things about all of Soap and Glory's products, so I decided to try something I can always use-bubble bath! Since we moved into our apartment, I've started taking baths constantly. I'm not the kind of person who can stay in a bath and relax for an hour, but at least 15 minutes in the bath at the end of the day makes me less stressed. I'll actually take one whether I need it or not, which reminded me so much of the quote on the bottle below....except in an opposite kind of way. It says on the bottle that this deluxe formula comes with a built-in body lotion and includes lemon balm, mallow extracts and moisture magnetizing skin conditioners. It's supposed to make your skin so soft, that you don't need to moisturize afterwards! It's also scented with Soap and Glory's original Pink Fragrance.

So, what did I think of this product that I had such high hopes for? Although it smells incredible, (kind of like marshmallow, but floral-like at the same time) I did not find this to be very softening at all! I was extremely bummed out about this! My skin felt pretty much the same going into the bath as it did coming out. Which is so strange, as I've read so many positive reviews on this product, claiming it made their skin super soft! I mean, it has lotion built in! One thing I do have to say is that it creates a VERY sudsy bath, so if you're into baths with tonnnnns of bubbles, this is for you. So, this combined with the smell does make for a very relaxing bath. I don't think it's worth the $14.00 retail price, so I wouldn't buy it again. I think you're paying more for the Soap and Glory brand name than the product. But then again, it works really well for some people, so perhaps it's worth it for them. 

RATING:

Review: Marcelle BB Cream Cleanser

         After receiving a sample of the Marcelle BB Cream Cleanser, I thought it sounded interesting so I gave it a go! Although I never got into the whole BB Cream craze, I thought the idea of a BB cleanser sounded interesting. It actually was the first of it's kind on the Canadian market. I had previously tried Marcelle's Golden Glow BB Cream and wasn't impressed, although I know a lot of people love it. This cleanser is meant to be a skin enhancer as well as a BB cream remover, with many of the same benefits. Even though it's meant to help remove your BB Cream, I've found it does a perfectly good job with foundation as well. It's meant for all skin types, is completely perfume free as well as oil free.

This formula is extremely gentle on the skin, and glides on smooth and creamy. You are actually not supposed to wash off this cleanser to get the full benefits, so I choose to apply it after using my regular cleanser. All you do is wipe off the excess cleanser with a cotton pad, and you are good to go. I have to say, I am quite impressed with this! It REALLY moisturizes your skin, which is surprising as it feels so light. I've used this for the past few nights in place of my regular moisturizer, and not only does it deeply moisturize my skin, but it doesn't break me out either. It helps smooth out my complexion and minimizes my imperfections. Seeing as my skin gets so dry in the winter, it may be necessary to repurchase this to carry me through the winter months and help repair my skin from the harsh cold. The full size BB Cleanser normally retails for $16.95, but is available on marcelle.com right now for $11.87. Definitely worth checking out for any skin type!


RATING:

Fall Outfit of the Day!

I wish I had started these earlier in the season, because pretty soon I'm going to have to do winter OOTDs! Anyways, this is nothing exciting, just a look at what I would wear on a regular day out in the city!

Jacket: H&M Khaki Green 2012

I'll be sad to have to let this jacket go for the winter! Great colour, great fit, great length.

Scarf: H&M Leopard Print Scarf

I wear this all the time when I'm going out into the cold, and with everything! It's surprisingly warm, as it's quite large when you fold it out, so there's lots of layers.

Pants: H&M Super Skinny Super Low Jeans in Black

I wear these constantly and they are holding up great, plus they were cheap! I believe I purchased these for $24.95. H&M can definitely deliver if you're looking for a decent priced jean to wear around.on a day to day basis.

Bag: Zara Soft Bowling Bag in Black 

I usually use this as my school bag, and it's the perfect bag for the job. Not too big, but can fit anything you will possibly need. Great quality as well!

Shoes: Urban Outfitters Ecote Hidden Wedge High Top Sneaker in Taupe

These are really warm and are made of an amazing super soft suede. I'd definitely recommend these for fall, especially if you do a lot of walking or for running around campus.

Top: Topshop Light Jean Button Down Shirt 2011

I love this shirt! I have never found a jean shirt besides this one that actually cinches in at the waist. It fits me perfectly and is a great length.

HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT WEEKEND! xx

First Impression Review: Dove Nourishing Oil Care Anti-Frizz Serum

         I was recommended the new Dove Nourishing Oil Care Anti-Frizz Serum after my mom received a sample of it, and was extremely impressed at the difference in her hair. She was complimented on the condition of her hair by our hairstylist, who told her to keep using whatever she has been using, as it seemed much less dry. My mom has much curlier hair than I do, and hers tends to be prone to dryness and frizz. Curly hair needs as much moisture as possible, especially when you use colour on top of it like she does. I'm always looking for moisturizing hair products, so I went out and purchased it from the drug store for $8.99.

The package recommends that you dispense 2-3 pumps into your hands, rub them together and then disperse the product evenly into your hair. I used 3 pumps, which isn't very much product, as it's an incredibly light weight oil. It's ingredients include sweet almond oil, hydrogenated coconut oil and argan oil.

Since the texture of my hair is naturally wavy, whenever I apply product I scrunch it in to help form the waves. I let it naturally air dry after I finish scrunching.

And this is the final result! Although it doesn't take care of all of my frizz, it made my hair feel conditioned without weighing it down at all. My waves were so bouncy and light, especially compared to when I use some of my other products. It also smells AMAZING and leaves a lasting scent in your hair. I applied one pump after my hair dried, which made even more of a difference. On dove.ca, they recommend using this product as a pre-blow dry primer or to use after your hair is already dry to tame frizz and flyaways. We'll see if this makes a bigger difference with continued use, but so far I love it!

First Impression Review: Covergirl Clean Whipped Creme Foundation

         It was hard for me to accept that I may actually have to switch up my foundation routine for the winter, as I'm obsessed with my Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel Serum Foundation. However, unless I use a super heavy face cream underneath, I'm starting to get dry patches around my cheeks and nose. So instead of spending another $30 on a foundation that I'm not sure I would like, I went to the drugstore and looked for something more affordable that was meant to be moisturizing.

I found a few possible contenders, but decided on Covergirl's Clean Whipped Creme Foundation. I could tell just by looking at it that it was a good colour match for me. This is the lightest shade, in 305 Ivory. It's usually safe to go for the lightest colour for my skin, although there have been a few exceptions to that. I am 3 shades down in Revlon's Nearly Naked Foundation, which is fantastic, especially for the price. And then at times the lightest shade looks way too orange on me.

This foundation is super thick in consistency, therefore it's easy to achieve high coverage. It's meant to be perfect for winter, as it gives your skin a boost of moisture without a shiny, greasy finish. According to covergirl.com, it will make your skin look smooth, natural and matte. It comes in 10 shades, which is a decent selection, but only contains 0.6 fl oz as opposed to the usual 1 fl oz that's fairly standard in foundations.

Bed Head!

While applying this foundation, I noticed right away that it was incredibly smooth, light and matched my skin tone flawlessly. I started in the areas where my pores tend to appear the largest.

The only breakouts I really have right now are around my chin, so I made sure to apply generously around this area. To see if the coverage was buildable, I applied two coats on my entire face with my fingertips, which is how I apply all my foundations.

This is the finished product! As you can tell, I had already applied the rest of my usual makeup. And what do I think of the result? .........Sigh. Here's the problem. Although I definitely found it to be hydrating, that was one of the only things I liked about it. Although I blended and blended with my fingertips, I found that it was hard to get it to sink into my skin. Also, it really washed my face out. I don't feel like using a slightly darker colour would have corrected this, because this shade is 100% my colour, any other colour would have looked unnatural on me. I also did not find that this photographed well on me. I didn't include a picture with just the foundation on on purpose, because I looked SO washed out. It does give a flawless finish, but the two coats I applied definitely did not let my natural skin tone shine through.

Overall, if I had only applied one coat I may have liked it better, but I think this would be a great foundation for anyone with a darker skin tone than me. I purchased this on sale for $5.99, so it's definitely a great price for what you get. So unfortunately, unless my skin is having an exceptionally dry day, I am going to go back to my Bourjois for now!

I give this foundation a 3/5 for the exact colour match, the very reasonable price, the superb hydration and the smooth texture!

THANKS FOR READING! xx