Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water

Right now, I’m using Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water.

Micellar water isn’t just regular water. It’s water that’s infused with tiny particles (micelles) of oil or cleanser so that it feels like water, but the micelles emulsify oil and dirt, and make it possible to wipe all that away.

If you’re trying to reduce your impact on the environment, one way of doing that might be to stop using wipes on your face because they are big polluters. I mean, there’s a time for wipes, like on vacation, but if you’re just using them at home, then you might be better off stocking up on micellar water and some reusable makeup removing pads, or even some washcloths.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is meant to take off makeup but also leave your skin moisturized.  I need something else to take off waterproof mascara, but that’s always the case for me.  It always requires a couple of cleanses, or even some cold cream to really come off.  I like following up with a light cleanse to get my skin really clean.

Pick up Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water online for $8.97.

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Kate Moss at the MET

Still going through past MET looks.

This was one of my favourite looks from the MET of past years. The dress is timeless, and this was at the height of Marc Jacobs’ reign on fashion.

Kate Moss proves that your makeup CAN match your dress… just not in that same matchy/matchy fashion that you did in junior high.

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Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara

So many readers with straight lashes complain that they can’t wear mascara because it weighs them down and gets in the way of their vision.  They want long lashes that curl up instead of drooping down.  What can you do instead of using a contraption, oops, lash curler is try a curling mascara.  There’s no guarantee that it’ll work but you can try and this latest mascara really worked on my lashes.

It’s Clinique’s High Impact Curling Mascara.  One coat makes your lashes go up and since this mascara is long-wearing, your curl will last the whole day.

This is one of those mascara’s that covers your lashes in “tubes” so you just need water and some rubbing for it to come off.  It’s not for everyone, but what it means is that this mascara does not budge until you want it to.

The High Impact Curling Mascara is available online!

$26.

 

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Beauty Products I Want to Try

Here are some things that are on a list of my must-tries.

  1. Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother Styling Creme.  Olaplex has done wonders for my hair, and I’m thinking the cream will be good for having the treatment in all the time.
  2. The 7 Virtues perfumes – Rose Amber and Vetiver Elemi seem intriguing.
  3. Gucci Memoire D’Une Odeur.  Reviewed this last year, and still love it so I need a bigger bottle.

4. Peter Thomas Roth Pro Strength Niacinamide Treatment.  A 15% treatment blend of niacinamide, Tranexamic acid, and kojic acid is something that I want to try.  I have The Ordinary’s 10% treatment and it is great, but I want to see what a stronger formula can do, and it’s paired with some cutting edge acids.

What are things that you’re into right now?

 

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Aura Mirabilis from Roger and Gallet

Take a look at some of the prettiest skincare products that I’ve ever come across.  This is the Aura Mirabilis line from Roger&Gallet, and it’s based on a 300 year old skincare recipe.

It all started with this double-extract dual-phase serum.  The recipe is partly based on Aqua Mirabilis which was created in France.  It was later renamed Eau de Cologne (because Cologne was where it was from), but basically it was a blend of essences believed to help revive the body.  It was used by kings and queens and later became popular with all who could afford it.

Roger&Gallet took the original recipe and took the 18 botanical extracts and blended them to create Le Soin Aura Mirabilis (above).

Those extracts are:

Sandalwood, lavender and geranium
Neroli
Lemon zest
Lavandin
Bitter orange
Sweet orange
Citronella
Damask rose
Palmarosa
Green mandarin
Lemon grass
Thyme
Exotic vervain
Magnolia
Rosemary
Bergamot

As you can see from the list, the extracts are all recognizable scents, and so it’s no surprise that Aura Mirabilis smells absolutely amazing. It’s a blend of a water-based skincare base and oils that you mix together to create the perfect serum, that helps hydrate, brighten, firm, and tone.  It’s quite moisturizing because of the oil and it works well on my skin to add a layer of cushiony hydration before I go in with a moisturizer.

There’s also a new product called the Beauty Vinegar which is another dual phased product. Think of it as a toner or micellar water, but with fruit vinegar instead of water as the base.  It helps get rid of residue, tone, and refresh your skin.  You apply it after cleansing and then follow up with a serum or moisturizer. Don’t worry – this smells nothing like vinegar or fruit, but instead more like the blend of fragrant oils that makes up some of the formula.

Finally, there’s the Extra Fine Cleansing Mask which is moisturizing so you can wear it on your skin for a while, or use it to wash away the day.  It goes on as a smooth gel and emulsifies to a milky cleanser that’s adept at removing makeup.

You can find some Roger and Gallet products online at Amazon, but sadly this line isn’t available there.

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Marion Cotillard’s Orange/Red Lip at the MET Gala

It’s going to hurt, but you need to get rid of your red lipstick and find yourself the perfect orange or orange/red which we saw on Marion Cotillard in 2014.

Marion Cotillard Met Gala 2014

Take notes from Marion Cotillard who wore an orangy-red lip created by Hourglass cosmetics makeup artist Christophe Danchaud.

To create this lip look, Danchaud lined the lips with Hourglass Panoramic Long Wear Lip Liner in Raven. He followed with a mix of Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Crème Lipstick in Raven and Muse creating this orange red shade.

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Jessica Alba at the MET Gala

…natural beauty at its best.  Because there’s no MET gala this year (it’s usually the first Monday in May which would be today), we’re going through past MET looks and showing you some inspiration.  Jessica Alba is a natural beauty, and the best makeup for her is what makes her look like herself.  This look is from 2014.

We couldn’t help but love Jessica Alba’s makeup at the MET Gala.  Her makeup was done by Lauren Anderson, and Anderson posted this on her Instagram.

Jessica Alba at Met Gala 2014

 

The look is perfect.  A defined cheek, contour on the eyelid, and then a natural lip.  It coordinates well with the gold dress.  Alba could have easily gone the ultra-glam red-lip way, but I like this: her natural beauty shines through.

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Make Up For Ever 110 Foundation Kabuki Brush

I know that this brush is meant for putting on foundation, but I use it for putting on my blush.  It’s the perfect size for dipping into my favourite Bobbi Brown blush and then tapping on to my cheeks.  I use it in almost all my videos where I do my makeup.

All the Make Up For Ever brushes are vegan, and they are really soft and fluffy.  I actually prefer them to most other brushes that I’ve tried.

$63 at Sephora or where Make Up For Ever is sold.

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Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil Review

Face oils are so popular right now and they’re awesome even if you have oily skin (which I do).  They are great for sealing in moisture and hydration and I really love using them at all times of the year.  You can even put them on under sunscreen which gives your skin a really nice dewy glow.

The key ingredient in Fresh’s Seaberry oil is Sea Buckthorn Oil which is really rich in omegas.  Combined with grape seed oil and sweet almond oil, this makes for a really nice rich oil that helps protect skin from dryness.

You can see that the bottle I have is quite small – it’s 15ml instead of the usual 50ml – and that’s because I got it in a gift set over Christmas.

You can get the full size at Sephora and wherever else Fresh products are sold.

$70 for 50mL.

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Vichy Ideal Body Serum-Milk

This is the moisturizer you’re going to want for the summer months. The Vichy Ideal Body Serum-Milk has a lovely light consistency, and is a beautiful lotion that seems to absorb into your body within minutes.
It also has some shimmer in it – so it makes your skin look like it’s glowing. It’s no so much that it’s going to get on your clothes, and honestly, if I put this lotion on at night, the shimmer is gone by the morning, but I still do like the shimmer.

It leaves skin feeling soft and smooth thanks to the fact that it absorbs so quickly, and isn’t at all greasy. It’s the ideal lotion for putting on in the morning before getting dressed because it will make it easier to pull your clothes on.

Pick it up in drugstores. $25.95.

You can also find it online.

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