Joico Tint Shot Root Concealer

Joico Tint Shot…where has this product been my whole life?  Seriously, if you colour your hair at home and dont’ have a ton of greys, this is a game changer and when you have little children and not enough time, it’s a total life saver.

Basically, the tint Shot Root Concealer is like a targeted tinted dry shampoo that you can spray directly on your roots to cover up new growth.  It has special polymers that adhere to hair so it works a little better than a dry shampoo but it isn’t like a hair spray because there’s no tacky feeling aftewards.  It washes out easily and if applied at the right places, it won’t rub off on your pillows.  Case in point: I apply just at my part where the grey is obvious and easily covered up.  It can buy me at least a couple of weeks more before I have to go colour my hair again!

Also, if you have thinning hair, you can also apply to areas where hair is a little bit thinner and it gives the appearance of thicker hair.  It really does work like a dream.

The Tint Shot comes in black, brown, blond, and light brown.  I’ve been using brown and light brown and I’ve found that although I can get away with using either, actually the brown is the most natural to my real hair colour so it works better.

Pick it up online or at a salon near you.

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eos Visibly Soft Lip Balm in Blackberry Nectar

Happy Thanksgiving again!  I’m stuffed full of turkey right now and can’t even think about food, but after a long day it’s nice to pop open something new. eos blackberry nectarJust a public service announcement for all of you who love eos lip balm as much as I do: their Visibly Soft lip balm now comes in a Blackberry Nectar flavour.

I would say that this is a great flavour to try if you like fruity flavours.  It doesn’t smell exactly like blackberries (a taste I know well since we used to have a blackberry tree in our yard!) but has kind of a generic berry kind of scent that’s nice. These don’t have much of a taste but they do smell nice.

I love the original eos lip balm, but the Visibly Soft one is even better because it’s much more creamy and hydrating.

Like all the eos lip balms, this is

The natural bit is why I started using them in the first place, and why I continued using them.

In stores for $3.99.

 

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Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Skin Thanks to NeoStrata

Happy Thanksgiving weekend, everyone!  As I sit here, I still have to go grocery shopping (and I know the store will be an absolute zoo), and lots of prep work to do.  Stuffing ingredients to chop up, punch stuff to buy, salad dressing to make…. Of course, the big day of cooking will be Sunday and it’s allll looming ahead of me.

But on to happier topics. Like the fact that my skin is looking great these days thanks to NeoStrata’s new Acne Clear line which is a definite winner thanks to the combo of Salicylic and Glycolic acids used in the routine of products.

Neostrata Acne ClearThe line has a cleanser ($24.50), a Salicylic Acid toner ($29.50) (that comes in 2%) and a Glycolic Acid cream ($39) (in 5% or 10%).

Why two different acids, you ask?  The Glycolic acid exfoliates the surface of the skin, while the Salicylic Acid goes inside pores and exfoliates from the inside.  Salicylic acid will help clear up existing break outs but the Glycolic Acid keeps skin clear.

Points to note:

• Non-irritating, non-comedogenic, paraben-free

• Effective for both teens and adult acne break-outs

• For all skin types

•The Acne Clear Clarifying Gel Cleanser is the only cleanser within the dermocosmetic section with a NPN authorization from Health Canada

• All three products have verified clinical claims by the Dermatology Review Panel

I will say this: initially, I didn’t feel any tingling or irritation when I used the system, but after about three days where was a slight burning sensation when I used the toner so I had to cut back to using it every other day.  That said, the system totally works at exfoliating your skin and makes it more smooth.  It nipped a couple of potential break-outs in the bud, and has nicely cleared some small bumps.

If you like peels and salicylic acid or glycolic acid toners and the like, then Neostrata is the absolute best brand to go to and easily available at Shoppers Drug Mart.  Their products worked and I’ve used lots of them myself.

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Currently Using: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Water-Light sunscreen

Neutrogena water lightCheck out the picture – it’s SPF 60.  I’m trying to get more physical activity in and so I walk every day.  I’ve always worn sunscreen but when you’re out and about for an hour or so, you need something a little more powerful.

I’ve always loved the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Water-Light Sunscreen and come back to it again and again because it’s super light, not white on my skin, and makes a great base for makeup.

I will say that it’s not super matte – I find my my makeup is a bit more shiny on the days that I’ve used it and doesn’t set as well as normal.  I’ve always found that my bare, moisturized skin takes foundation the best, but sunscreen is a must and this one is great.

About $15.

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Fresh Lush Cup O’ Coffee Mask

Lush Cup o' CoffeeYes, I’m a coffee person most days, and so coffee masks and scrubs are totally my thing.

Lush’s Cup O’ Coffee mask is one of three new fresh masks – the others are Rosy Cheeks for sensitive skin, and Don’t Look at Me to cleanse and brighten.

The Cup O’ Coffee smells like a blend of vanilla and cocoa coffee – more like a Starbucks formulation rather than something we brew at home.  It also has crushed up coffee beans in it so provide light exfoliation – though these are larger in size they feel almost smooth on the skin and are quite gentle.

The base itself is mostly Kaolin which is great for absorbing excess oils and leaving skin nice and matte, so this is a great scrub for those of us with oily skins. I loved this mask for my body but I loved it even more for my face.

Pick it up at Lush stores.

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Nars Fall 2015 Color Collection

Nars Fall 2015Nars’ colour collection for this Fall is right on trend, with a mix of products that help you strobe and add colour to your palette.

The literal highlight of the collection is the blush in Tribulation ($37) which is a shimmering rose-gold.  It’s definitely more on the gold side, and it’s really a perfect highlighting powder rather than a blush.  The texture is soft, silky, and smooth and because it’s a blush, it’s not as shimmery as a highlighter so you can put on just a little or a  lot.

See how it looks like a beige rose in the pan?

IMG_8285

 

But this is what you get with one pass of your finger:

IMG_8282

 

It’s such a pretty colour but definitely not adding any “blush” to your look.  As you can see from the picture, I’ve used it lots – that’s because it doubles well as a shadow!

My second favourite products are the new Dual Intensity Eyeshadows ($36):

  • Telesto Brown with gold shimmer
  • Pasiphae Shimmering peacock burgundyIMG_8289

Pasiphae is my favourite because it makes for a pretty unique smoky eye, and Telesto works great as a crease colour, although if you have blue eyes, it would definitely work well as a smoky base. IMG_8704

Look at the gorgeous duochrome nature of Pasiphae.  So pretty.  

The collection also includes a whole new set of Velvet Shadow Sticks ($35 each).  These are amazing for quick makeup because they completely stick to the eyelid and don’t budge – you don’t even need to use a primer with them.  Plus, they are so soft, that you can even dip an eyeliner brush into them and use them at the base of your lashes.

The light shimmery colours were almost metallic on my eye, so I preferred the darker colours. IMG_8198

Colours are:

  • Hollywoodland Pale gold
  • Aigle Noir Black infused with gold shimmer
  • Glenan Navy
  • Goddess Pink champagne
  • Oaxaca Quartz
  • Sukhothai Shimmering peacock
  • Filbuste Black
  • Reykjavik Grey

Sukhothai (second from left) was one of my favourites to use as an accent colour, and Oaxaca (in the middle) is a gorgeous shimmering mushroom colour that works so well as a neutral.

The collection also includes a lipstick ($34) in VIP Red (brick red), and two lip glosses ($32) – Chelsea Girls, which is a pink beige, and Baby Doll, which is is a shimmery candy pink.

The entire collection is available now at all NARS retailers (Sephora, Hudson’s Bay, Holt Renfrew, Nordstrom, and Murale) and www.narscosmetics.com.

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New Lipstick! MAC Pillow Talk – The Nude You Need

Ok, I’ve become a lipstick lover and I’ve been heading on over to the MAC counter to stock up on some favourites and must-haves, when this caught my eye:

Mac pillow talk

 

You’re looking at Pillow Talk Creamsheen lipstick which is part of the MAC Veluxe a Trois collection.

Described as a Malty Warm Nude, it looked like… yep, it was, the perfect nude lip colour.  It’s just the right blend of pink and beige and because it’s a Creamsheen formula, it has a bit of depth to it and doesn’t look completely flat on your lips.  Because of the amount of beige in this lip colour, it really does look more like a nude than a pink, and is best worn with a smoky eye or lots of black eyeliner.  It just doesn’t wear that great by itself and isn’t a colour you can just throw on, but if you like nude lippies, it’s beyond perfect.

I will say that this wears differently depending on your colouring – I’m warm-toned already, so the pink in this lipstick did show up on my lips.  If you have very fair skin, it will be more brown but that’s very trendy right now, so feel free to rock a brown lip!

It is quite pigmented with medium coverage.  I needed two coats to get full coverage, and it wore evenly throughout the day although it did get more dry as the day went on.

The colour is limited edition, so if you want it, you should get it before the collection is gone.  That said, it’s a repromote which means that they’ve brought it out before.

It’s my new fave lipstick.

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Currently Using: Hourglass Ambient Bronzer

Ambient bronzer radiant light

Bronzer is perfect for those times that your skin might look too flat.  It adds a little something without being as obvious as blush can be.

Subtly is key, and that’s why I’m loving Hourglass’s Ambient Bronzer (I have it in Radiant Light).  This bronzer is mixed with Hourglass’s Ambient Lighting Powder so it makes skin look better as it adds warmth to the face.  The coverage is sheer so you’ll never apply too much bronzer and the lighting powder mixed in makes it so that colour applied is just perfect.  Yes, it’s slightly shimmery, but only in direct light so if you’re indoors, your skin is going to look amazing. 

Of course, because of the shimmer, I wouldn’t use this as a contour powder – plus, it’s not the right shade and is a touch too warm to look like a shadow, but it is perfect for putting on the cheeks, nose, and forehead as if to make it look like you got some sun.

Pick it up at Sephora stores for $50.  It also comes in a lighter shade.

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Live Clean Sheer Light Skin Perfecting Dry Body Oil

image004What makes Live Clean unique is that they always have natural ingredients in their formulas – so when I use their new Dry Body Oil, I know that there’s going to be a blend of organic oils in the bottle, not just scented mineral oil (which, I would use, but it wouldn’t be anything special).

The Live Clean Sheer Light Skin Perfecting Dry Body Oil is awesome – it’s a blend of Safflower, Avocado, Coconut, Argan, Jojoba, and Sesame oils along with a dose of vitamin E and C.

The oil also has a light citrusy fragrance that isn’t too sweet or too strong.  The oil is super smooth and goes on so nicely giving skin a nice sheen.  I use it straight out of the shower and then gently pat skin with a towel.

Available at Walmart and Loblaws for $9.99.

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Fall’s Nail: Dior Hypnotic

Dior hypnoticThis fall’s nail is dark but not too dark.  I’ve been using Dior’s Hypnotic pretty consistently – it’s a nice change from the deep dark reds that normally go to and a bit of brown is so in right now.

I really love Dior’s nail polishes because they always deliver pigmentation, shine, and staying power and this colour is no exception.  The swatch you’ve see above is just one coat and the colour is so rich.

The formula is exceptional and is free from phthalates, toluene, formaldehyde and synthetic camphors.  The brush is wide and distributes just the right amount of pigment to the nails without pooling at the base.

 

 

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