Current Morning Routine

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Henna

Time for a quick morning routine suggestion.

The routine is this: wash face as usual.

Then use The Ordinary Retinol Oil all over the face.  I know that many people suggest using Retinol in the evening and something else in the morning, but Retinol can be used any time of day depending on what other skincare you’re using with it.  I’m just on the retinol at the moment, and I like this formula because it is intensely moisturizing which makes it perfect for the winter weather.  This is a very gentle retinol because it’s in oil and if you use this, you have to promise me that you’re going to use sunscreen! Ok? Ok!

I let that sink in while I get dressed and then I apply my Cerave Day Cream as sunscreen.  To be honest, this isn’t my most favourite sunscreen formula.  It’s thick and it can come off as white on the skin, even streaky, if you don’t rub it in very well.  So I don’t love it because of that but it has retinol in it and ceramides which help nourish the skin so I keep using it.  As it happens, it applies beautifully on top of the Retinol Oil, so it works.

Then I apply the CoverFX powder foundation on top.  I’ve been experimenting with a few options.  MAC Mystery Powder was one.  The bareMinerals Blemish Rescue was another, but I think this CoverFX Pressed Mineral foundation wins the prize.  It’s light, but pigmented, it matches my skin and it lasts the whole day.  Best of all, it blends seamlessly on top of the oil, sunscreen combo so I like that.

Feel free to share your morning routine in the comments!

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Posted in Make-Up, Skin Care | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mask-proof Makeup Routine

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Henna

If you’re trying to get your makeup to last under your mask, then check out this tutorial.  There are some tips and products that will really help your makeup last and last.  Some might come off on your mask, but most will stay on your face.

http://www.instagram.com/tv/CFV1d8kBJdY/

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Posted in More Than Beauty | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask Review

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Henna

If you have extremely dry lips all the time, then you will want to invest in this Lanege Lip Sleeping Mask. It is the best lip balm, better than the Bite Beauty lip balm, and slightly better than the Fresh Beauty lip balm. It’s emollient, and comes with a spatula which I’ve lost.

You know it’s good when I’ve almost run out of it.  I use it every night and am diligent about applying it because I know the difference it makes.

You can use this during the day too – it just makes your lips so soft.

$26 at Sephora and other places online.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Posted in Skin Care | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Nars Velvet Matte Skin Tint Demo and Video

Posted on September 27, 2020 by Henna

I’m definitely having a bit of a Nars moment right now, and this isn’t the only product I’m putting back into rotation.

You can see that my bottle is well-loved.

Here’s a swatch of my colour: St. Moritz.

This tiny amount is super tinted!

 

Watch the video and tell me what you think!

http://www.instagram.com/tv/CFlNW9GBH5B/

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Posted in Make-Up | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Nars Velvet Matte Skin Tint Review

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Henna

When it comes to makeup trends, this year is going to be all about real skin.  We’ve done the contour, the strobing, the weightless foundation that still covers like crazy, but now take a step back and get back to basics.  Take care of your skin, conceal where and if needed, and try to do with less.

Nars Velvet Matte Skin TintOf course, it’s easy for me to say.  Skinceuticals fixed my skin so I’m feeling the less is more vibe, and the new Nars Velvet Matte Skin Tint is totally my jam.

This is a tint for those who have oily skin, although it will also work for people with normal skin as long as there are no obvious dry patches. If you’re a Nars fan, you may already have the Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer.  I do, and that tinted moisturizer has shimmer in it so it’s not great if you’re trying to avoid the oily look.  The Velvet Matte Skin Tint is like they’ve mixed a primer with foundation which means that this has an ultra-smooth matte finish just like a very famous primer, but it’s tinted with skin-true shades the way only Nars can do.

The texture is so smooth and creamy, and the squeeze tube makes it so easy to get just the right amount of product.  I find that I only need a pea-sized amount for my whole entire face and it’s even enough to blend down my chin to my neck.  I use my fingers to apply as it just seems too dry to use a brush with.  The finish is soft and indeed velvety – just like natural, powdered skin.  No need to use powder with this as the finish itself doesn’t really need it.

It’s about as pigmented as the Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer but it goes on matte and absorbs oil a little bit throughout the day.  The coverage is light but buildable to medium, and it mixes very well with moisturizer if you want to make it even more sheer.   I have oily skin and find that it does wear off and move as the day goes on… but that is to be expected.  It’s just the natural wear of the makeup.

The shades are also the same as those of the Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, so if you’re familiar with that then you’ll be able to find the right shade in this too.  I have St. Moritz and the yellow tones match my skin completely yet let it show through – this is a very forgiving and natural-looking tint, especially perfect for those of us who are afraid of foundation cake face!

All in all… I said that I’m giving up foundation this year, and I’m sticking to that.  But when I get ready to go out, I use this and it’s the only coverage I need.

Pick it up at Sephora, The Bay, and Holt Renfrew for $56.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Posted in Make-Up | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Nest Pumpkin Chai Candle

Posted on September 24, 2020 by Henna

You’ll never catch me drinking a pumpkin spice latte (way to sweet for someone who drinks their coffee black) but I’m a huge fan of these Nest Pumpkin Chai Candles.

3 wicks means that the wax will melt evenly and a huge glass jar that I can store my brushes in afterwards. The burn time is 80-100 hours, and the scent is a spicy sweet, almost like there’s some cinnamon in here too.

You can find it online.  $64.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Posted in More Than Beauty | Leave a comment

Staple from the French Pharmacy

Posted on September 24, 2020 by Henna

I don’t know who needs to hear this but Micellar water is not a face cleanser. It’s a makeup remover but it will leave a residue on your face.

bioderma miceller watersI’ve developed a bit of an interest in the whole French Pharmacy phenomenon.

The nice thing about pharmacies in France is that you don’t just get products sold by the big names (L’Oreal, etc.).  You also get products that are made in France.  The products are good, and because they’re available at the pharmacy, they’re affordable.

One staple from France is the whole concept of “Miceller water” – this is a makeup remover that’s not an oil and water mixture.  It’s water-based, non-oily, but still manages to take off all makeup.  The Nars Cleansing Water was developed on this premise and that’s why it’s so awesome.  The waters also point to the European tradition of not washing your face and instead just cleansing it when needed.  North Americans have the habit of scrubbing (I think that’s why we all love our Clairsonics so much) and that can lead to aggravating the skin.  European tradition believes on being more kind to your skin (especially to your face), which helps it look better in the long run.  Many French pharmacy products help you do this by being basic but working the way that they’re supposed to.  You won’t find a lot of hyped ingredients in the products, but the products will end up doing what they’re supposed to.

atoderm cream biodermaThankfully, now you don’t have to go to France to experience some of the products for yourself.

Bioderma, a brand from Lyon, France, is now available at Shoppers Drug Mart and online, and has tons of amazing products at reasonable prices.

If you’re checking out the line, you have to try their Atoderm Nourishing Cream ($19) which is sold in a huge pump and is perfect for dry skin.  It’s paraben free, hypoallergenic and has just a light perfume.  The cream is quite rich, and although the label says that it’s for face and  body, if you don’t have dry skin on your face, you might find that this is a bit too much for the face.

The Bioderma Nourishing Cream is iconic of French pharma products – the packaging is simple, and the cream itself is simple too.  There’s not a lot of hype with it, but it just works. If you check out the rest of the line, also check out its Miceller Waters which come in handy pump bottles and are safe to use on your face and body.

Check out the entire Bioderma line at drugstores now.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Posted in Skin Care | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Marcelle Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Posted on September 24, 2020 by Henna

My skin has changed so much as I’ve gotten older. It’s no longer so oil and actually needs moisturizer on it regularly. I find that with wearing masks, sometimes I even have to moisturize during the day!

Marcelle has a couple of new moisturizers that was especially for those of us in our 40’s and 50’s. These moisturizers aren’t matte or oil-absorbing but are instead formulated with sesame oil so they add some humectants to your skin and then seal it in.

I’m more using the cream that’s for 40+ and I’m loving the soft and supple texture. I do find that the cream absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave my skin oily.

Each cream is $19.95 and available online or at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Posted in Skin Care | Tagged | Leave a comment

Balenciaga Paris by Balenciaga

Posted on September 24, 2020 by Henna

Balenciaga’s legacy is attention to detail and an appreciation of haute couture, so it’s no surprise that this scent smells like what you would image a private salon at the Balenciaga’s head quarters to smell like.  The scent has a base of woods and moss as well as notes of violets and what smells very like tuberose but is not.  There are white flowers in there somewhere, but I’m not sure what they are, and the notes don’t say.  More than anything else, this is a scent that stays true from beginning to end.  I didn’t find the dry down to be that different from the initial spray, and it doesn’t matter whether I spray this on clothes or myself – the scent still stays the same.

By no means is this Balenciaga’s first scent – there has been Le Dix in 1947, La Fuite des Heures in 1948, and then Quadrille in 1955.  I would love to know what those smell like.

This scent retails for $145 for 50 mL.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Posted in Perfumes | Tagged | 1 Comment

L’Oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara

Posted on September 24, 2020 by Angee Johal

cb-telescopicBefore I start, I have to say that I think I have the ideal lashes for mascara. Just a little swipe in the morning gets my lashes noticed. My point? When it comes to mascaras, I’m easy to please because I already have thickness and length.

I was excited to try L’Oreal’s Telescopic Explosion Mascara for a number of reasons, but I was quickly disappointed.

While the red packaging of the mascara made it easy to spot in my giant, sometimes messy makeup bag, application was far from effortless. While rubber bristles seemed to have been made for me because they give my lashes depth and separation, the small circular rubber bristles of the wand did the exact opposite.

Whether it was a quick sweep over my lashes or the wand was worked through them, my lashes clumped together and looked like tarantula legs. I had to spend some time brushing them out to get the separation I wanted. It took far too much time for me to get the clean, wide-eyed look I was going for, and that’s why this product was a bomb for me.

On the other hand, if the mascara came in a waterproof version, I would use it for my bottom lashes on special occasions to open my eyes up without having to worry about it smudging. Having that said, I could see how very sparse lashes would benefit from using this. It didn’t lengthen and fan out lashes as promised, but the formula builds up sparse lashes quite well with one coat and doesn’t flake.

You can find this mascara online.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Posted in Search for the Perfect Mascara | Tagged , , | 3 Comments