Estee Lauder Double Wear Eyeshadow Base Review

Posted on November 14, 2017 by Henna

@EsteeLauder Double Wear foundation is definitely having a moment… again.  I’ve run into so many people who are loving it or are thinking of trying it, and I recommend it because I’m wearing the new Fresh Water version these days!

Back when Estee Lauder Double Wear products were released, I was completely taken in by their powder foundation. It stayed on and absorbed oil so well – plus I found a perfect match for my skin.

The Double Wear Foundation line so blew me away that at the time I didn’t even notice that the line also included an eyeshadow base!
I tried, I liked. Now, I want to say that this neutral-coloured cream turns into a powder, but it doesn’t. It does dry but stays a little creamy on the skin. Nevertheless, I was able to blend eyeshadow on top pretty easily and I did notice that it “stuck” more than usual. The colours showed up as more vibrant and the colour of the primer didn’t affect them at all (though the primer was nearly colourless on me).

All in all, this base isn’t as “strong” as my Urban Decay Primer Potion but it’s not as drying either. If I have a day in doors with the air conditioning on, this base is perfect. My eyeshadow lasts and lasts with minimal creasing.

This is available at all Estee Lauder counters. $24.

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Urban Decay Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss

Posted on November 13, 2017 by Henna

It’s been a while since I covered anything from @UrbanDecay but now that I need something more moisturizing, I’m all about this Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss.  I mean, look at the packaging – uber lux, and a hefty tube that lets you see the colour inside.

This is Beso, a deep pink that’s glossy and fresh.  It looks pretty because it has warm pink pearl in it that makes it look so pretty.

Actually, the glosses are so easy to wear.  They’re light on the pigment and moisturize without being heavy or sticky.  That means that you’re going to have to keep reapplying them but that’s ok.

Available at Sephora for $26.

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Dolce and Gabbana Relaunches The One

Posted on November 10, 2017 by Henna

Dolce and Gabbana came out with The One Eau de Parfum maybe 10 years ago and since then they’ve also come out with lots of flankers, a version for men, and now… a new spokesperson: Emilia Clarke, and a reason to relaunch the scent in an eau de toilette version which is more powdery and fresh than the original.

On first sniff, it seems just as relevant today as it was back in 2006. It’s a fruity floral with notes of bergamot, lychee, Madonna lily, vetiver, musk, amber, vanilla. The drydown of Vetiver keeps everything light and fresh while the amber and vanilla introduce a sweet yet earthier quality to the scent. The perfume is seasonless and seems to wear just as well through the hot and cold months. It’s super feminine and kind of smells classic.

The bottle is a taller one than the original Eau de Parfum version, and rightly so, because eaus are usually more liberally spritzed since they’re lighter and not as concentrated.

100ml: $122
50ml: $95

Available at Hudson’s Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora, Murale, Jean Coutu and London Drugs.

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Neal’s Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Body Butter

Posted on November 9, 2017 by Henna

We’ve gotten into a fall rhythm in my family.  Mondays and Wednesdays are swim nights, and after splashing about in the chlorine, we all take a shower at the pool and follow up with intense body butter.  It’s a ritual that everyone enjoys even though it can get to be a little tedious.

When I took out Neal’s Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Body Butter, my kids couldn’t stop inhaling the tub – the blend of orange essential oil and organic honey goes so well together.  It’s a scent that’s at once uplifting and comforting.  It’s sweet without being sugary, and fresh without being lemony.

I love that this body butter is made of natural ingredients which makes me feel better about using it on the little ones. Sunflower seed oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter join the honey to make this blend, and it’s 100% natural and also free of parabens, petroleums, and other possibly bad ingredients.

Pick it up at Neal’s Yard Remedies stores or online. $49.

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Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Eye Capsules

Posted on November 8, 2017 by Henna

 

Growing up, I always admired the Ceramide capsules at the Elizabeth Arden counter, and thought that I’d use them when I really got into skincare.

Well, I guess I had no idea how much into skincare I would be and how many options there would be out there, which means that I’ve never actually gotten my hands on to Arden skincare until now.  I’ve got a jar of these Ceramide Eye Capsules and I’m totally smitten.  This year the original formula gets an update with 9 more ingredients added to the potent, restorative serum.  It includes lipids, fatty acids, and ceramides that not only add a barrier to the skin but also help it be luminous, smooth, and hydrated.

Let’s be honest, the delivery system is pretty cool.  A little bit of serum enclosed in a bubble that you open when you need and squeeze out the juice inside.  There’s actually enough serum in these for your whole face, because honestly, the eye area is actually so small that you just need to tap in a tiny bit.  I used the excess on other dry areas of my face, such as my chin or jaw area, or used it on the back of my hands.

The Ceramide serum is very lightweight but still moisturizing and absorbs quickly.  You can use the serum morning and night, but because it’s a bit on the greasy side (and I don’t mean that in a bad way but it’s just a bit creamy) I found it better to use at night when I wasn’t just going to apply makeup on top of it.  However, if you do have very dry under-eyes, you could apply this morning and night, and it would do a fantastic job at making sure the delicate thin skin under the eyes was taken care of.

Available at The Bay, Shoppers Beauty Boutique, and London Drugs.  $77 for 60 capsules.

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Rocky Mountain Soap Company Store Opening

Posted on November 7, 2017 by Henna

Here are a few lovely pictures from the Rocky Mountain Soap Company store opening I went to a couple of weeks ago.

Pictures were taken from JM Studios in Calgary.

The brand really focusses on making products that are natural and formulated with as few ingredients as possible.  We got to see a hand cream being made – it smelled deliciously of rose and orange oil – and it was made of just 10 ingredients.

We also got to make our own bath bombs… sadly, I haven’t had a chance to use mine.  Any time I get into the bath, I’ve got two little kids that want to jump in there with me so… no bueno, that’s not happening.

A few essential oils for scenting the bath bombs.  I picked eucalyptus and orange oil.  Fresh and uplifting!

Some pre-made bath bombs.

The store is beautiful and I encourage you to check it out and smell everything for yourself.

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Vichy Lets You Add a Shot of Vitamin C to Your Skincare Routine

Posted on November 6, 2017 by Henna

If you start with a serious skincare regime, the first thing that’s likely going to be added to your skincare routine is Vitamin C. It’s a quick and easy way to put some antioxidants into your skincare, and that helps fight the signs of aging due to sun damage and other environmental oxidation.

Luckily, Vitamin C not only helps make your skin less prone to sun spots and freckles, but it can also leave it firmer over time.

Vichy now has Liftactiv Vitamin C which is formulated with 15% Pure Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. The Vitamin C helps fight oxidation and the hyaluronic acid boosts moisture in the skin. According to clinical trials, you’ll notice a difference in your skin in just 10 days!

What I really love about it is that it absorbs into your skin almost immediately, which makes it easy to layer moisturizer or sunscreen on top. It’s not greasy or sticky like some vitamin C serums can be, and so you’re more likely to use it because it makes your skin feel so good.

Pick it up at Vichy.ca for $45, or wherever Vichy products are sold.

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Fragrant Friday: Acqua di Parma Colonia Pura

Posted on November 3, 2017 by Henna

The original Acqua di Parma Colonia came out over one hundred years ago (in 1916), and along the way, the brand solidified its presence as a niche yet successful perfume house by sticking to fragrances that were crafted in Italy and maintained a high standard of quality.

Colonia Pura is the latest addition by the brand and it introduces fragrance lovers new and past to the Italian luxury perfume brand.

Notes of the fragrance are Bergamot, Narcissus, White Musk.  The lack of any gourmande notes means that this scent stays fresh from beginning to end.  It remains contemporary yet refined due to its fresh floral nature. Coriander and jasmine unite with the narcissus heart, and the white musk is joined by patchouli and cedarwood which give this an earthy finish.  The scent is clean and fresh but doesn’t smell like soap or lemons.  The bergamot reminds me more of tea than of the acidity that it can sometimes evoke, and the floral heart isn’t overly feminine so it makes this a unisex scent – and that would explain why you can get a hair and shower gel as well as an after shave balm in it.

Despite being so fresh, this also lasts a really long time – 10 hours on me.

You purchase online at Sephora.ca or in store at Holt Renfrew. $158 for a 100ml bottle.

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Worth the Hype? The Foundation Brush

Posted on November 2, 2017 by Henna

Do you need a foundation brush?


The foundation brush. It’s not new to the makeup world and you know that almost every makeup counter you go to will try to sell you one. It claims to make foundation application easy and smooth but do you really need it?

Truthfully, I go back and forth with foundation brushes.  Sometimes I need them and use them daily, and then I go through a phase where I use my fingers, and then I turn to Beauty Blenders… I’ve found the foundation brushes and Beauty Blenders give the smoothest finishes up close so… that’s the way I’m going right now.

Here’s a Lancome foundation brush from ages ago…


From what I’ve seen, foundation brushes are more or less the same. The only difference that they may have is in their sizes so whichever you pick, just make sure that it’s from a reputable line so that the bristles don’t fall out before you’re done using the brush.

The brush does have some advantages over a sponge. It doesn’t absorb any foundation and that means that you’ll waste less product. I find that even a wet Beauty Blender absorbs a lot of foundation especially if it’s runny.  You just have to wash the sponge out to see!

The tapered shape of the brush also gives you more control than a sponge might.

That said, I am finding that the brush is easier to use with liquid foundations than with creams. The powder finish of my cream foundation means that the brush puts on more product than I like and I have to spend more time blending it out. When I use the brush with a liquid, I really feel as if I am painting my face with foundation and I’m not sure how much I like that feeling. More often than not, I get medium coverage instead of sheer (which I prefer) and I feel like it takes more work to get the product into the contours properly.

So, the foundation brush, is it worth the hype? Yes and no. It’s not perfect, but you waste less product and for that reason I’ll be using my brush instead of putting it away.

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Avon Skin So Soft Satin Glow

Posted on October 31, 2017 by Henna

I’m almost done with self-tanning my skin, but then the weather gets a little warm again and I can’t help but put a bit of a tint on my skin.

These days, because the weather is a little dryer, I’m finding myself turning to a gradual self-tanner because they have the ability to hydrate and self-tan at the same time, and Avon’s Skin-So-Soft Satin Glow self-tanner is perfect for that.  It’s a clear glyceryin-based gel that goes on slick and sinks into your skin to keep moisture in.

The self-tan bit doesn’t develop for a few days (3 in most cases) and regular application ensures that your tan stays and doesn’t fade.  Otherwise, the colour normally washes off in about a week.

Pick it up online.

 

 

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