What do you do when you need a boost of self esteem?
Me it's usually getting a new lipstick! For some reason taking out a bran new tube of lipstick makes me go *squeeee* and boom I feel better about myself!
Now that was until yesterday...
I posted my first ever selfie on Instagram...
The comments I received gave me the biggest boost since André used to compliment me, he did so every day and I realise I miss it a lot, among other things of course!
Do you rely more on magazines or beauty blogs when it comes to what you purchase?
Years ago just looking at the cover of Vogue magazine was enough to know month to month, what was In at that very moment but now, I feel like it's a little all over the place.
These past two months I found myself buying Allure and the only pages I was truly interested about have been the ones mentioning new things in beauty, new makeup etc. and there haven't been that many to be honest. Is it because my bloguerette friends are posting fabulous articles? Yup I think it is!
Who needs a magazine that will only show you what the new beauty thing looks like when you can get a feel of what it really is like by ladies who have tried it? True there are many beauty bloggers out there who receive tons of products and simply "love" everything but there are those who will stay honest. They remain diplomatic about their comments/review but they just won't tell you to run out and buy whatever they are reviewing and when they do, well, if it's something you're interested about you just might want to squeeze a little extra out of you wallet because there's a good chance you're gonna love it as much as they do.
There are some items I've purchase just to fill my "blogging duties", my buddy Sara from Color Me Loud mentioned this not too long ago and it made me smile inside since I think that as beauty bloggers we've all done this at one time or another. Then there are the more coveted items that I will read about extensively before having a go at them. What can I say, I rely on my blog roll way more than on any magazine article and I think more and more brands are recognizing the power beauty bloggers hold. Hey, not long ago a Dior rep thanked me for the work I did! The work people! It is work but dang we do love it don't we?
So again, do you rely more on beauty magazines or do you think beauty blogs are more (or getting more) influential in what you chose to by?
Wonky schedule but I still have my bank card after a week and a half so that's good and nothing crazy happened! Few!
Am I getting old?
Yesterday Catherine was getting ready to go to a sleepover to celebrate her friend's birthday. On a side note, weird, it was the first time in 15 years I was alone in the house. I don't think until now I would have had the strength for it but with Julius and Fifi it turned out ok. So as I was saying, my daughter was organising her things and she came to me a little overwhelmed by the fact she had to wrap her friend's gift. I took out a gift bag and some paper and boom, the t-shirt she had purchased was ready to be gifted! That's when she said to me "You must have wrapped lots of gifts in your day!"
Wait what? In my day???
She keeps telling me I'm the star mom amongst her friends and that I'm often the subject of conversation. Always made up, looking "young", like not really a mom in a way and then she hits me with "In your day"!
Argh!!! Where are my glasses I can't find my cane?
Honestly it's truly funny and I know It'll happen more and more. What can I do, that's just the way life goes! So yes I am getting older.
This week's makeup love...
Well I realised that I'm going to have to buy a replacement for my beloved Rouge Dior #459 Charnelle! Yes it has surpassed Grège 1947 as my number one go to, the one that results in my lips but better par excellence and I just love the formula so much that when my friend visited from Australia I made her buy one!
Time to start using a lip brush!
Addicted, makeup obsessed, in love with beautiful things...
First thing we did when we met was going for sushi and it was the perfect premise to talk and catch up. Of course we talked a little about my blog and as I mentioned a few weeks back, I felt real proud seeing the look on her face when she saw my home page. Anyways, since we were on the subject of makeup she said she needed a new eye liner and lipstick... Could I recommend any?... Erm... Duh!!! :)
At Sephora I had her buy Bobbi Brown's latest Perfectly Defined gel liner in pencil form aaaaand Rouge Dior in Charnelle! Once paid, she took it out of it's box, was ready to go for it and just apply it but I stopped her! I mean I just had to, it's Dior!!!
I know, I know it's just a lipstick but come on, the attention to detail is worth the "stop and admire" isn't it? Is it just me? Don't answer that, it'll be asked again this week in my new weekly rendez-vous, The PowderPuff Girl Question. :)
New additions...
If you follow me on Instagram you probably saw that I did make a small purchase despite my current low/no buy at the newly opened The Face Shop this week. I bought a cleanser and three sheet masks. I believe I'm going to like the cleanser and as for the sheet masks, that will be a new experience for me since I've never used any. I'll try to test them during the same week so I'll be able to tell the difference more easily if there is one.
I also bought what could be one of my last O.P.I nail polish. Kiss Me I'm Brazilian is a beautiful soft toned pink that I figured I would wear a few times but just trying to apply on my left thumb was a pain. Since it's Sunday I may try again later today if I have time.
What I have my eyes on...
Except for a new Charnelle which is becoming hard to apply I'll be looking into an eye makeup remover for waterproof mascara. Clinique is a not go since it stings my eyes the same way Lancôme does. Clarins Instant Eye Make-up Remover is lovely but a little too expensive at $28.00 because I use a lot so I'll try to get a sample of Sephora Collection Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover which goes for $7.00. Since I did love their micellar water reviewed here, I may be surprised again. I will also experiment with carrier oils I have like sweet almond, coconut and unscented baby oil.
For your viewing enjoyment...
Even if I'm disappointed by my latest O.P.I purchase, I'm the first to admit they have fun collections. This latest is a collaboration with the giant Coca-Cola. Nail polish and Coke? I don't know who came up with the idea but I must say, the colors are really fun. This also makes me wonder, how many reds can a company produce? O.P.I must have so many dupes!
At the moment I'm using a Jasmine & Lavender scented dish washing liquid and I can't wait for the bottle to be empty! Every time I squirt some in the sink I'm reminded of cheap perfume and knowing how beautiful both flowers can be in a well balanced fragrance irritates my nose a little but hey that's me and my personal preferences because I know they're very popular.
My number one choice, especially for dish washing liquid, lemon! :)
On Wednesday morning I had to take Catherine to an important registration and so we went to my bank first to get a replacement. Two ladies, one in training the other the trainer were at the counter. I explained to them I had no time for any training process for I was in a big hurry. The bank opened only at 9:30, I had to get to the registration thing and start work at 12:00! Did they comply? What should have taken 10 minutes took 30!!!
To the registration we went... by the time we got there, there were already about one hundred people ahead of us! One hour later we finally got to sit in front of a nice lady to do our thing. When came time to pay... my card was REFUSED!!! The pin number didn't work!
The frustration, they didn't accept cash which I had way enough of on me. It was either debit card or certified check!!!
Back to my bank we went! Good thing it took over half an hour because heads would have rolled. I was ready to take the whole building down, that's how angry I was!
I was able to calm down (a little) by the time we got there and I ended up with a male clerk. I'm tellin' ya, that bank is in big trouble!!! It took another half hour to have another card made and make sure my pin number was set up correctly! That guy was really, I mean really clueless! When I asked for a certified check (there was no way I was going back to the registration given the time) he had a blank look in his eyes!
I think when all was done it was 1:20 (remember I had gotten to the bank at 9:30 that morning!) so I sent Catherine on her way for the registration (she got lost 2x!) and I went to work. I entered my office at 2:20 pm!!! People thought I was going to be a no show for the day!
Oh by the way, I forgot to mention that I woke at 3:30 am that morning and was unable to get back to sleep! By the time I got to work I already had a long day in me!
Oh lordy! Gimme a minute here, I'm feeling all tired again! *goes for another cup of coffee*
This week's makeup love...
Given the fact that the first half of my week felt like I had been sent to hell, I didn't really do anything different so it's getting real boring. It was the same old Clinique palette with Diorshow mono in Velvet. I did try the Guerlain look I posted last week, here, but it was a fiasco! I had used my NARS primer but for some reason the somewhat smokey look didn't take and my lashes didn't hold the curl so I kinda looked makeupless!
This means that although I mentioned last week I wasn't going to look for another mascara, well, I'm going back on my word. I just can't stand it anymore. I purchased one Friday and so far so good but I'll wait a few weeks before declaring my love to it... now that of course is if it is love! :)
Although I'm still using NARS Laguna bronzer almost everyday I did give this baby a try this week...
Terra Inca Sublime Radiant Powder, from summer 2011
Gorgeous isn't it? I believe it will keep it's pattern for a good while since I have to apply it with a light hand. It has a lot of shimmer and so I use very little over my Terracotta 01 for a little extra glow.
What I have my eyes on...
Nothin', nada! Trying to stick to my no/low buy for now and so I'm avoiding temptations by not going into stores. Erm... I have been considering a crock pot but that's not makeup related! :D
For your viewing enjoyment...
Sorry but this week my choice is not beauty related. Based on a series of books I read several years ago that came highly recommended by my friend Nico... In fact I think it took me two years before I finally read the first one, the trailer for the series...
Outlander...
If you haven't read them and like adventure/historical/love novels, go get the first, now!!! You'll have plenty of time to read it before the series starts. It's fun, a romantic fantasy that's a little overdone at times but then I guess if it wasn't it wouldn't be that fun now would it? Oh almost forgot, they were written by Diana Gabaldon and the fist book is called Outlander although I've heard it may also be titled Voyager.
I haven't done this is a while, posting screen captures but when I saw this, I just had to!
NARS has a new eye shadow line and it appears to be a stunner! Dry the shadows are matte and wet they shine!!! At $29.00 USD, $33.00 CAD each (that markup isn't very nice!), I do believe I may try one, two or maybe three!
I'll be having a closer look at Subra and Himalia (1st and 3rd first row) and Europa the last at the bottom. Reviews are starting to pop up so I'll wait a bit before taking the plunge but one thing is sure, I'll go have a swatch partayy!
Now available on NARS website and at The Bay.
What do you think of this novel idea? Will you try one?
Recently I proclaimed myself a PowderPuff Girl, a Guerlain PowderPuff Girl to be exact. I was having fun with Sunny of MostlySunny and came up with the name. Btw she's a member, in fact she should be the leader since she's responsible for getting me hooked on the stuff!. I mean Guerlain does make some of the best powders out there (imo) and although some companies are getting close they still have a few steps to take before they equal the legendary beauty house.
Now not to limit myself to one brand I decided to drop the first part of the name. Wanting to create a new weekly rendez-vous I thought of doing something in the lines of Gio from Beautiful With Brains with a question of the week, kind of like, to beat the mid-week blues.
Oh and by the way, PowderPuff Girl is not to be mistaken for The Powerpuff Girls...
Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup*
So what do you think, should it be The PowderPuff Girl Question or just The PowderPuff Question? I'm still a little undecided here. Definitely a little childish I know but it's all in good fun.
Since I did mention Guerlain, here goes with the first... erm second PowderPuff Girl Question...
If you use one, what's your favorite finishing powder?
Mine... Guerlain Crazy Météorites although when the weather is hot I tend to go for Marcelle compact powder which is more matte.
Sad to say I can see way more pan than on this picture taken about a month ago. I do hope Guerlain makes it part of it's regular offerings or at least brings us something similar next Christmas.
*The Powerpuff Girls is an American animated television series created by animator Craig McCracken and produced by Cartoon Network Studios for Cartoon Network. Wikipedia
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Lao Tzu
Friday night watching television, I heard this quote and it stirred something in me. It made me stop and think. I'm not the kind of person who pins quotes on Pinterest and although I probably have a few, I rarely read the ones pinned by the people I follow. I guess I've heard/read most of them before and the ones about love make me sad more often than not, but not this one. It's been hard and still is but hearing this I felt like it gave me a second wind and I just wanted to share it with all of you.
I finally caught up on all the comments several of you were gracious enough to leave on posts from the past two weeks!!! It's been just crazy for me but I'm glad to say that in the next few weeks things should get back to normal... Erm as normal as possible I guess! :)
This week's makeup love... struggle...
Lashes and liner... Argh!!!
So many mascaras and not one does what I want it to do! Thick curled lashes is what I want but it would seem that my lashes don't want to cooperate. Formulas that used to give me good results don't anymore and so it'll be Clinique High Impact mascara for a while (I'm still using the promotional size I got in a recent GWP but will probably get a full size soon). I will not spend $30+ for a mascara that won't perform unless I read it's the best thing since sliced bread! I am still loving Dior Iconic, it remains the best for my lashes so far but I can use it only about a month and a half due to the super tight bristles. Curse those stiff lashes of mine!
Eyeliner? My issue is not with the product I use, L'Oréal Infaillible Lacquer Liner, but the state of my lids close to the lash lines. They're slowly answering the call of gravity! *cries* This means that I have to adjust my application to make the line even and this past week I've had to redo my eye makeup twice on one eye! :(
Still loving my Shu Uemura curlers reviewed here & here.
New additions...
On an "almost" no buy as mentioned last Sunday, I did spend a lil' somethin'... The Body Shop was having a sale hard to resist and so I got the shower cream ($5.00) and the body butter ($10.00) from the Brazil Nut like. The smell is amazing!
What I have my eyes on...
There is that Guerlain bronzer, again, but this week taking advantage of one of many sales I purchased a pair of black sandals instead! Smarter I think. Like I've mentioned several times already I'm rebuilding my wardrobe and so I guess I'll keep my money for whatever good basics I can find on special. Gotta be smart!
For your viewing enjoyment...
From Guerlain, a look I'm planning to try/master because it doesn't require eyeliner except maybe on the outer corners or the eyes. It could be faster to do this in the morning and so I'll try look 3 later today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J7U0a6PY4g
Aren't the Écrin 2 Couleurs stunning? I'd love to get my hands on Two Parisian, a lovely pink and smokey black but that would probably be too dark for me so I'll try this look with Diorshow Mono in Velvet (this is the shadow that gets the most love from me and it pops up in almost all my #fotd makeup pics on Instagram) and if I find it's not enough I can deepen it with others I already own. The Écrin 2 Couleurs are $51.00 a pop so there's no way I'll be getting one anytime soon especially since the colors I'm liking are somewhat dupable.
Is it just me or did this mascara use to give more volume?
I rarely wear waterproof mascaras and in fact I just can't recall using a formula other than this one. I may have tried other drugstore options but that was so long ago that I can't remember which, it's just not coming to me. Over the years I've repurchased this one maybe four or five times which for some reason I didn't mention in my first review of it, here. It was an ok go to for when I needed my mascara to stay put and in my memory I'm quite sure it kept the curl...
L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara, Waterproof...
Not what I remembered...
Again, I rarely wear waterproof but now I get the feeling I won't have any other choice since almost all the regular formulas I've tried recently don't seem to hold the curl even when heating my lash curler. Some of my old favorites aren't doing much better either. Are my lashes getting even stiffer? I hope not! Of course at this time of year, heat and humidity aren't helping much and so last week I decided to replace my L'Oréal Voluminous Waterproof from last year and at $5.99 I figured I'd be good for summer for cheap. Since my last trial was a bust, L'Oréal Voluminous Million Lashes Waterproof reviewed recently, here, I thought this old standard would be fine.
Just like in my original review, the brush is just fine and it does give good length but it doesn't provide much volume! Duh! It's called Voluminous!!! Why did I like this mascara I have no idea!
Am I starting to suffer from Alzheimer?
I thought it not only held the curl but was black enough, thickening enough... Not so but what does remain the same is... Oh what a pain to remove!!!
To give my lashes more oomph I have to apply some Clinique or Dior on the tips otherwise they are practically non existent! Even doing this, the effect doesn't last and so after five hours or so my lashes don't have much volume and barely any curl.
Bottom line, I'm sorry about my previous review, or am I? Seems to me it used to do good on my lashes but not anymore. L'Oréal Infaillible Lacquer Liner in Dark Slate remains my ultimate HG liner (I have two backups of it) but I think I'm done with the brand's mascaras except for Voluminous Million Lashes Excess which I reviewed last year, here. I was considering trying the new Voluminous Miss Manga Mascara but after reading my new bloguerette friend Lena of Lenalure's review, here, I'll pass and keep my wallet happy! :)
Any old favorites you feel have changed or don't perform as well as they used to?
Buying a new concealer is boring! Well it is to me!
I'm not a fan, not at all and I've been using one since I was about 15 years old! Gah!!! Why did I even bother back then, I had perfect skin! I guess I have my best friend to blame for that (yes you Nico!). When I saw her use her little stick of light beige cream I just thought it was so cool that I just I had to get me one. There was no turning back! If I remember correctly that first one was from Maybelline.
Through the years there have been many, many, many... The ones I've repurchased the most were from Clinique and Estée Lauder. I loved the creamy formula with the doe foot applicator. In recent years the formulas seem to have changed and so the last ones I purchased from either companies weren't performing as well as they used to. Or maybe it was just my skin getting older and showing its unhappiness...
Although I've used several high end brands my favorite of the past few years...
Rimmel March Perfection!
The super el cheapo brand makes one good concealer but the latest tube I purchased (after having looked for one for weeks because every drugstore in Montreal appeared to be out!) seemed to be sheerer than before. Could be just me and my "getting older" under eye area but for some reason it didn't conceal as well as before. Do know I don't have dark circles and it's mainly to even out. I was a little disappointed and figured this meant I would have to go on a quest, a quest to replace it, to find another HG. :(
Then came Sunny (mostlysunnyblog) to the rescue with her super amazing idea!
Using a primer under the concealer! Why didn't I think of that? *smacks head*
The two primers I had on hand were NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base which I found a little thick for the under eye area and a small size of Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer which turned out to be perfect! I know it's suppose to be used on face but it wasn't doing much for me and it was dying in my makeup case so why not give it a try?
So now my new routine is, Hourglass primer, Rimmel concealer and a light dusting of Marcelle Pressed Powder with a fan brush. Done! The picture below is from my Instagram feed.
Rimmel has three concealers, Hide The Blemish Concealer in a traditional stick form which I haven't tried. Wake Me Up Concealer, a cream with a doe foot applicator reminiscent of the ones I used to like and Match Perfection Concealer presented in a long tube with a brush at the end.
I found both Wake Me Up and Match Perfection to be quite similar, almost interchangeable (Wake Me Up is slightly more moisturizing) so the choice between the two depends on the type of presentation you prefer and I do believe they've improved on Match Perfection by adding air in the tube so you don't have to press for ages to get product out. That was what I found most annoying with my first tube reviewed, here. Over my Hourglass primer it doesn't dry as fast so I have more time for a smooth application and also it's more opaque and covers better than without.
Rimmel London Match Perfection concealer is often on special in drugstores and there are times when it's hard to find. I guess I'm not the only one liking it and the same goes for Wake Me Up. Even at their respective regular price which is under $10.00, they are a good deals and I doubt at this point that I'll go back to expensive brands. Ok I may for blogging research but not having a blog I'd be quite satisfied with either.
I don't have many drugstore HG anymore but this one remains and I think that as long as they make it I'll own one.
Is there a drugstore item that you've repurchased again and again and again... ?
