Mini Drugstore Haul: Skin Care and Lipstick

       Now that I've gotten my skin used to more expensive face wash, I've come to slightly dread the time where I'll need to buy one again! I have seen a big difference in my skin since I've invested a little bit more, so I'm not too willing to go back to the products I used to use. However, I decided to try a new face wash this time, and picked up a few other little things from Shoppers Drug Mart that I needed while I was there.

I decided to stop purchasing full face wipes, as they're not the greatest for your skin, so I chose these instead. These are the Quo Mini Eye Make-Up Remover Pads. I find that it works just fine if I take my eye makeup off with a remover pad or eye makeup remover lotion, and use a washcloth for the rest of my face before going in with my cleanser. Quo is a Canadian brand exclusive to Shopper's Drug Mart, and I generally like their products. These come with 30 in a pack for $5.00, so it wasn't a bad deal. Hopefully these don't sting my eyes, as I've been having quite a problem with that lately!

I didn't go with my usual Biotherm this time, and picked up the RoC Multi-Action Makeup Remover Milk instead. I have never tried this brand, and don't know much about it besides the fact that it originates in France. It has everything I'm looking for in a cleanser for the winter months. As much as I like Biotherm, it always made my skin feel tight afterwards, and I'd have to apply a heavy moisturizer. This 3 in 1 cleanser is meant to remove face and eye makeup, tones and refreshes your skin, and moisturizes your skin for 24 hours. I will likely do a review on this once I've tried it out a few times. It's for all skin types, which is fine for me right now. This cleanser was about $17.00, $2.00 less than my Biotherm one.

Possibly a little TMI coming your way, but I've been having some skin related issues lately. I really needed something that would cleanse as well as soothe and calm my skin. I was originally going to go for the Avene Thermal Spring Water, which I'd tried before and liked, but they didn't have any available in the smaller size. So, I picked up the 1.69 fl oz size of the Vichy Thermal Spa Water for about $7.50. People buy these products for all kinds of reasons, normally to spray on their face in the summer time. I decided to use this for other reasons, as the Vichy Thermal Spa Water has 15 rare minerals, is 100% natural and soothes and protects your skin. I used this when I got home, and right away experienced some relief. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is experiencing sore, irritated skin. 

Finally, I picked up Rimmel's Lasting Finish Lipstick in Airy Fairy. I actually wanted to try this colour, because it's the colour Anna Saccone Joly aka the Style Diet wears all the time, and it looks fantastic on her! This colour is so pretty when swatched, so I'm really looking forward to wearing it. It feels creamy and moisturizing, which I need right now, so let's hope it works out. I'm tired of searching for the perfect lipstick!

That's it for my little haul, hopefully some good reviews coming soon!

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