Charlotte Tilbury Holiday Collection

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Henna

 

I was not ready for holiday, but these came in the mail and the textures are so good. Smooth and so soft. I know that I’m over due to post form makeup reels and I’m almost ready.

What I love about the Charlotte Tilbury BEAUTYVERSE eyeshadow palette is that it’s a mix of pearly matte and glitter, so either you’re going to the office or to a party and there’s no in between. Works for me, I’m all or nothing over here.

The highlight and blush palette is very pigmented and honestly, this blush is too dark for me. It’s very punchy and pigmented which is great – a little goes a long way.

Are we ready for holiday? I don’t know. I’m tired. But I did buy some eggnog ice cream yesterday so yes, I’m ready.

If you were planning on getting something from the Charlotte Tilbury website, then you may want to wait until Black Friday and Cyber Monday because there will undoubtedly be some deals to be had.

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

My Shalimar Collection

Posted on November 14, 2023 by Henna

It’s now November and the truth is that I barely wore perfume in the month of October. but when I was ready for it, it was there waiting for me. I’d say that Shalimar never disappoints, but the eau de cologne is my favourite version and everything else fails when compared to that. It’s the perfect balance of really zingy bergamot and vanilla, there’s leather in the background so it stays interesting and textured. It’s Shalimar in 4D.

The eau de parfum isn’t completely a write-off, it has a touch of leather but less of the citruses so it wears heavier and sweeter, perhaps as you would expect an eau de parfum to.

Finally, Millisime Iris, Shalimar for the 2023 kids, in an age where hype, longevity, and a good dose of sugar helps sell perfume, and honestly, when we look around at the world is it really a surprise? A persistent caramel sweetness can help dull the pain, like the spoonful of sugar your mom used to give you when you were little and you cut your lip open.

In an episode where I admit to an embarrassment of riches, I have a bottle of the edt lying in a cupboard but I haven’t even opened it. Everyone thinks I should because it has a nice zingy bergamot as a top note and that’s one of my favourite parts of Shalimar, so I will open my bottle soon.

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

Santa Maria Novella Tabacco Toscano

Posted on November 13, 2023 by Henna

Dipped my toe into fragrant waters today by wearing just a half spray of Tabacco Toscano by Santa Maria Novella. It’s a slightly green tobacco with lots of vanilla. I wish I could put my finger on what this vanilla reminds me of, maybe Bvlgari Black, or the vanilla in Dzing! or Dior’s Hypnotic Poison.

Anyway, it was the perfect choice for getting over the flu because an eau de cologne won’t assault a sensitive nose, and by the end of the day, it’s basically gone.

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

Ledda 22 Orris Perfume Review

Posted on November 9, 2023 by Henna

Ledda 22 Orris is the scent of the day because I wanted cosplay as an influencer.

I smell like pear, because it’s trending, and ambrette, because who knows what ambrette is, it sounds super cool and it’s vegan which is another buzz word, so that’s enough for me.

K, byeeeeeeee.

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

Shalimar Season

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Henna

October 17
When a perfume you know is more comforting than one you don’t… turning from a sea of samples today I picked Shalimar.

This is the edp, maybe not my favourite version but it has grown on me. It’s more leathery up front, but settles into the familiar vanilla and powder, a touch of incense. Old school, maybe, but nobody I know has ever smelled this good.

 

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

Amiro Microcurrent Device and Humanrace Skincare Routine

Posted on November 7, 2023 by Henna

The skincare routine now includes a device.

This is the second at-home facial device I’ll be posting about this year, so maybe this is a new trend in skincare. It’s the Amiro R1 Pro. Unlike some other devices that are out there, this one offers micro-current and red-light therapy in one device. You just change the settings to access each treatment, and there’s a timer that tells you when it’s time to move to a another part of your face, which is handy.

In order to see a difference using a microcurrent device, you need to use it daily over a period of months to train the muscles to stay contracted in the spot that you’re zapping them. Microcurrent also doesn’t work without water – you need something to conduct electricity – so you have to apply a water-based gel on your face before using the device. I got the gel that Amiro makes – it’s skincare and conductive in one because it has peptides in it, but I also found that almost any gel-based moisturizer will work.

So I’m using the Humanrace Mystifying Gel Moisturizer because it’s water-based, and I put the Charlotte Tilbury mist on top. It’s an extra kind of routine but my skin loves it so much. I use the micro-current device and as the gel starts to try, I just mist it again.

Yes, it’s another recommendation for the Humanrace products – this is Pharell’s skincare line and it’s thoughtfully formulated. The packaging is accessible – large bottles that are easy to open and close, with braille on them, refillable so you buy the outer packaging just once.

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

Fall Favourite Fragrances

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Henna

Here are some fall picks that need to be within easy reach

Prada Candy. Sweet, but not too sweet, still relevant as we learned recently. Caramel might never be out of style.

Jo Malone Dark Amber and Ginger Lily. This one has been relaunched, reaffirming my love for it. It’s a gingery, slightly floral amber. Maybe it’s time for me to upgrade to a larger bottle.

Belle Ame by Les Abstraits. Like being in a cozy cocoa cloud. The image that keeps coming to me is pale cocoa feathers buoying and enveloping me at once.

Burberry Goddess. Lavender vanilla, easy to wear, super long-lasting, very sweet but hey, cool days can take it.

Dior Homme Intense. Purple iris, cardamom, woody, musky all at once.

Just a handful this time.

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

Vegamour Gro Hair Serum

Posted on November 3, 2023 by Henna

October 17
I had seen ads for Vegamour last year, but it wasn’t available in Canada yet. But now the wait is over. Vegamour Gro Hair Serum is here, and is backed by science to actually make a difference in your hair growth.

The Vegamour brand has shampoo, conditioner, and other products, but the Gro Serum is probably where you want to focus if you’re watching your pennies. The serum uses caffeine, turmeric, biotin, and mung bean extract to stimulate hair growth. You apply it to your scalp daily, massage it in, and wait for it to do its job. Studies have found that 4 minutes of daily scalp massage increases hair growth, and after about 3 months of using this serum and massaging it in, you should see an improvement in your hair growth.

The serum is vegan and oil free, so it doesn’t leave your hair greasy, and it can be used morning or night. I prefer to use it after I’ve washed and dried my hair, and kind of use it as part of my hair stying routine because that’s when I’m getting out the hair products.

I’ve only had this for a few weeks and am using it daily so I’ll report back, but if you’ve had good luck with this, or any other serum for hair growth, leave a comment.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Posted in Hair | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Prada Candy – Benzoin for the Masses

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Henna

September 18
Keeping things simple with Prada Candy. Caramel and musks, benzoin disguised as a kids’ perfume, Prada doing what Prada does best which is giving us kitsch and whimsy and then making us like it. Prada seems to be not as revered as other designer brands – why is that?

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

Skincare Update – Cleansers and HyperPigmentation Treatment

Posted on November 1, 2023 by Henna

I’m in the mood to cleanse everything away, and here are three cleansers I’ve got on hand. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser, Cerave Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser, and Avene Makeup Removing Micellar Gel. These are all creamy and not very drying so they’re perfect for cooler weather or if you just have sensitive skin. The Toleriane is most creamy, and the Cerave is obviously foaming so it’s the most likely to clean without leaving residue. Best new product award goes to the Avene Makeup Removing Micellar Gel because instead of a water, it’s a gel but still gentle enough to remove eye makeup without irritating your eyes. I use it on a cotton pad in the morning and wipe my whole face with it but at night, I hold it on my closed eyes to melt mascara.

Other skincare I’m using: prescription tretinoin, a new Vivier HQ cream especially for hyperpigmentation (it’s working!), and I finished another Charlotte Tilbury Magic Body Cream.

So these are three good things, and I’m off to make soup and grilled cheese for dinner.

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