Braun Silk-épil Elipator...

Spring as almost sprung in Montreal! Almost! 

I guess one could say we are two weeks behind because it's still pretty cool outside and most days last week were windy, really windy!

Still it's inevitable, it will warm up (hopefully by July...) and this means that we'll finally be able to wear lighter clothes like Capri pants aaannnddd no socks!!! If there's one article of clothing I hate that's the one!

My skin tone is that of a blond and even thought I'm a brunette with super thick hair I don't have hairy legs. In fact I could tweeze if I wanted to (I've done it a few times in fact) but I got no time for that no more. Underarms are on the normal side so I do have to shave.

I hate shaving! I hate that itchy sensation one gets a few hours after having done it!

Shaving every few days? Don't wanna do that no more!!!

Waxing every few weeks? It gets everywhere, it truly does coz I'm a real klutz!

Needing something fast and easy, for my birthday I got myself this little number...

Braun Silk-épil 3...

I gave myself pain!!!

Ok it ain't that bad but the first time, the first go was a little surprising. It took me about five minutes to do both legs and about the same for both underarms.

Quick, easy and I'm good for two weeks!!!

Yup that baby's a keeper!

Now I know these little gizmo don't work for everyone. For some reason they don't perform well on some hair types but on mine it worked beautifully.

Do I recommend Braun Silk-épil 3? Oh yes!

Spring/summer are at the door and if you don't want to be a slave to your razor or don't want to be annoyed with the mess of wax or depilatory creams this is truly a great option.

I chose this model because of the cord. I know most look for cordless but the batteries will only last a few years. They're made for only a certain number of recharge and after that they have to be replaced. This model will last way longer and will always be ready to use. If I remember correctly Braun Silk-épil 3 is the second least expensive option at about $60 or $70 with taxes. It doesn't have any attachments and I'm good with that since I don't need them.

From the Braun website...

Good for legs, underarms and yes, even the bikini area although I haven't had the courage to use it there yet. I've always used an electric shaver in that area to avoid those pesky red itchy bumps and I just might continue doing that since I don't wear bathing suits often.

I may eventually consider laser for my underarm area but for now I'm good with the Braun Silk-épil 3 and since I don't have super hairy legs, it's perfect for now.


So, what torture method do you use for hair removal?

Shu Uemura S Curler...

Recently I've been having major issues with my eyes. As some of you know there's been the watery eyes problem that I seem to have overcome but the other issue that's been almost as annoying if not more so, my lashes! Somehow I just couldn't curl the outer lashes on my left eye. Instead of curling up, they would curl down with my Shiseido lash curler!

Argh!!!

Shu Uemura S Curler...

This little baby is new and unlike a traditional lash curler is made to curl only portions of lashes. I had noticed it about a month ago at Sephora but at $27.00 found it a little expensive but then I got so annoyed with my left eye, wasting major time in the morning trying to "fix" my lashes that I decided to go back for it and give it a try.

How did it perform? Very nicely.

First off I would have liked it to be a little less wide but at the moment it's the only one of it's kind that's readily available in a brick and mortar store so I won't complain. The design makes it very safe to use and I haven't pinched my lids once. The fact that the upper plate is covered with a removable silicone protector still gives me the option to heat it but so far, after a week, I haven't had to do so. It gives a soft curl and definitely gives those lashes that keep pointing down, the upward lift needed.

Good to use on the middle and outer corner lashes, I did try to curl the inner corner ones but it was way too tricky. I just couldn't seem to get close enough to the base of those little lashes and I was afraid I would pinch my lids. I doubt this would've happened since the design is quite safe but I just couldn't do it. The pad is just a little too wide and combined with the way it closes on the lashes I doubt anyone will be able to use it in that area. Now of course, correct me if I'm wrong and just too clumsy!

Notice how the upper metal plate is designed, you can not pinch your lids 

unless you bring the bottom part "inside" your eyes.

It was designed for short lashes after all. There is no curve to it and no side bars so you could definitely use it to curl all your lashes but it will take longer than with a traditional curler and in the morning I want to be done fast. Now this makes me regret not getting the Urban Decay lash curler when it was available which was full sized with no side bars. I know it got some love but there was also a lot of women who didn't like it. No side bars is really a good idea if you ask me.

Here you can see the difference between the upper plates 

of the S Curler and the classic Shu Uemura Curler.

Do I recommend Shu Uemura S Curler? Yes...

As a complement to your usual normal sized lash curler or if you only want the outer lashes to be curled. For me it's too small to use on a daily basis as my sole tool. For the purpose I purchased it for, as I've said, I would have liked it to be a little less wide but I won't complain, it's better than having lashes pointing downwards that end up being almost itchy and annoying all day. The silicone pad is thicker so the curl is softer and more natural.

Maybe not an essential for some but if you have the same issue I have or have a hard time finding a lash curler that fits your eye shape well, the Shu Uemura S Curler is a nice tool to add to your beauty arsenal.


Do you use a lash curler? Would you go for a smaller one like the S Curler?

Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush...

I'll start with the end... this brush is perfect but the price is the equivalent of highway robbery!!!

I think I've mentioned before that my lids aren't what they used to. Aging is starting to show and so I've had to tweak my eye makeup application a little, especially my eye liner. I've been using the same brush ever since I fell in love with L'Oréal Infaillible Lacquer Liner but recently it wasn't doing as smooth job as before. It's a little too wide for the precision I now need. I don't like pointy thin brushes for I find most of them too soft most of the time and so I wanted something that would fall in the middle. Thin but wide enough to do a good line quickly.

I truly loved this thin angled brush pictured on top of Bobbi Brown's but as you can guess, it's wideness makes it hard to get in little tiny corners. With nice smooth lids this is not really an issue but when the skin starts to sag a little the "pointiness" of Bobbi Brown takes care of that.

Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush...

I've had my eyes on this brush for a while now and this week, after having to redo my eye makeup because I totally messed my eye liner application, I decided to get one. 

Positively perfect!

Thin enough to be precise and wide enough to do a good line with bristles that have just the right stiffness to distribute product evenly. My first try was with with Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Caviar Ink and when I was done I looked at myself and went, Wow! With my old brush I would do a ok with L'Oréal but always struggled with Bobbi Brown due to the darker color but with this baby, my eyes looked transformed. I'm not kidding!

This is a great brush but... 

$31.00 CAD!!! Are you kidding me?

Somebody is having fun with setting prices. If it weren't that good I would totally feel like a fool for buying it but I guess there's no turning back now. The worst part is, I'm considering getting a second to always have a clean one handy...

Do I recommend Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush? Despite the price, yes!

If you want the eye liner gods on your side you definitely have to put your pennies away for one of these. It takes a little practice but once you get the hang of it the results are amazing. Why consider this one over a less expensive option? The quality! The ferule is tight and the bristles are strong but don't expect it to last years and years. This is not the same as a blush or even an eye shadow brush. I give it about two, three years tops which is reasonable given the number of cleanings it'll get.  

And voilà, my new perfect combination...

So for now my new technique is I first do my line with my wide angle brush (I'm so used to it, it does the fastest even line) and fill in with Bobbi Brown's Ultra Fine Eye Liner brush. The end result is truly amazing and I couldn't be happier. On some mornings I even do an bit of a wing!!!

What's your favorite type of eye liner, liquid or gel?

Revlon Lash Curler Diamond Collection...

For the past two years or so I've been using a Shiseido lash curler. At the time I would have loved to get a Shu Uemura but they were hard to find in my area. Although Shiseido's does a good job I still have to heat it with my hair dryer for it to create a curl that will last all day and that's with any mascara I've tried so far.

Revlon on the left, Shiseido on the right.

The problem with Shiseido?

The color of the metal it's made in. It's a dark brownish grey, not black but quite dark with a black silicone pad. What this means is that I have a hard time placing my lashes in it. This would probably not be much of an issue if I didn't heat it but since I have to it's always a struggle to avoid burning my lids. Tired of this I decided to get a silver colored one and since I've spend quite a lot on makeup recently I went for this Revlon offering which was on special when I purchased it for a little under $6.00.

I used it once, or at least tried to and to the bin it will go unless I find someone to give it to.

Notice the difference of the with of those top plates? 

It's impossible not to touch the upper lid with it.

Due to the wideness of the top metal plate I almost burned my upper lid. There's no way I can use it without injuring my eyes. Oh and this one doesn't even close evenly!

Notice how Revlon is a little crooked? Shiseido is still perfect after 2 years of daily use.

The curve of Revlon Diamond Collection Lash Curler would have been perfect for my eye shape but the risks of injury make it a no go. I'll continue using my Shiseido for now and will be looking at different options in the next few weeks.

It's important to note that I've used Revlon lash curlers in the past with good results and here I should have purchased the more traditional one. They do have one that strangely looks like Shiseido but with a red pad which is the one I should have gotten.

Revlon Diamond Collection Lash Curler does look feminine and cute but if you use a heating tool, stay away!


Do you use a lash curler? Which is your favorite?

O.P.I Expert Touch Lacquer Remover / Review...

What's in a nail polish remover? A lot if you ask me and I didn't even notice until recently!

We always read about nail treatments, hand creams and nail polishes but rarely about removers. I tried to do a quick search and sadly not much came up and that's probably because most of us figure that a polish remover is just that, a polish remover and they're all the same so why even mention them? This is an almost non issue if you only wear light colors, French manicure or just use a top coat for a clean look but if you wear vampy colors like me, you may find removing your polish a pain without a good one!

That's what happened to me last summer! I had to replace an empty bottle and picked up what was available at my local drugstore. What I got was this particular drugstore chain's name brand and it was the worst ever!!! At first I didn't really notice how poorly it performed since the colors I was wearing then were corals and fuchsias but a few weeks ago I had Dior Nuit 1947 on my nails which you can see here. I think this is probably the darkest color that was introduced this fall out of all the new collections. It took forever to come off and even once I was done, my nails were stained red.

Ok so stained nails aren't such a big deal for me since I usually go ahead with new polish right away but the time and effort it took... argh!!!

That nail polish remover did have acetone in it but apparently not enough of it and yes, it did say Extra Strength on the bottle!

Next up I got Sally Hansen's Extra Strength. I think out of all the drugstore options we have here it's probably the most effective and most affordable. Seeing how much better Sally Hansen was got me thinking about what professional use. Now I've had a professional manicure done only once in my life so I have no idea what they go for. I know, I know, how on Earth is that possible? Well, I hate being touched and the only reason I went was because I had broken a nail just before a special event.

O.P.I Expert Touch Lacquer Remover...

I stumbled upon this one by luck last week at Winners and $12.99 for 480 ml is a little more than what I'm used to pay for such a product but I really was curious to see if it would be better.

How did it perform? Great!

I tested it to remove Guerlain Madame Batifole which is on the dark side, you can see it, here. I ended up using less product and my nail polish came off like a breeze! On the bottle there are no "Strengthening" or "Moisturizing" claims, no Vitamin E added or whatever. It's just a remover and truly the best I've used so far. As a bonus, it didn't dry up my cuticles as much as Sally Hansen does and I found this quite surprising.

Would I recommend O.P.I Expert Touch Lacquer Remover? Yes!!!

If you want to be quick about removing your nail polish, this is for you. It is more expensive but it's so much better! I don't plan on bringing you other reviews of nail polish removers but I guess any Professional option will do better by you than what's at the drugstore although Sally Hansen does perform well so in a jam I'll keep a bottle of it. At around $3,00 for 267 ml, it's a steal.

This O.P.I product has a suggested retail price of about $20,00 for 480 ml but believe me, a little goes a long way and it's still less expensive than Dior which sells for the same price but for a 50 ml bottle.


Bonus review...

O.P.I Nail Lacquer, Casino Royale...

From the 2012 Skyfall Holiday Collection this is just my kind of color. I glad I got this one last winter, I'm such a James Bond fan! A beautiful vampy dark plum, a classic! The formula is opaque with two coats but does require a top coat. Here is 24 hours after application and it's lost a little of its shine already. There are many dupes of this one but even if it's a color from last year, it's still available in some areas.

Of course the color is a little wonky! It's actually a little darker in reality.

Do you get your nail polish remover from a drugstore or from a salon?

Do you have a favorite James Bond movie or actor? Me, I think I would have to say Thunderball (1965) due to the underwater scenes. Sean Connery will always be Bond but Daniel Craig is turning out to be a pretty handsome good one!

Ecotools Pencil Brush with Sharpener / Review

Warning, this is going to be a quickie!

At the drugstore today Ecotools brushes where on special and I stumbled on this little gem that I had never noticed before...

Real Techniques Brush Collection, Eye Starter Set / Review

With all the rave reviews Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman brushes get, I guess it was time for me to take the leap. I purchased the Eye Starter Set last week for a little under $20.00.

The Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System / Review / Comment

According to the Clarisonic's website: "One minute a day for the best skin of your life." It "lets you get your glow and go." Deep cleaning for glowing skin.  Made for all skin types, recommended by skin care professionals. Celebrities and customers are "raving" about it. It's the difference between liking and loving your skin.

Traditional methods of cleansing don’t get your skin as clean as you’d think. Fortunately, the lead inventor of Sonicare® discovered a breakthrough in how we cleanse. Using sonic technology, the Clarisonic® Skin Cleansing System works with your skin’s natural elasticity to gently remove the impurities that traditional methods leave behind — giving you softer, smoother and more beautiful skin. 

Used and recommended by spas and dermatologists, Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing Systems use a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to gently, yet thoroughly remove 6X more makeup and 2X more dirt and oil than cleansing with your hands alone. Cleaner skin is the first step toward healthier skin. And healthier skin is smoother, more radiant and more beautiful. 

                                                                                                          Clarisonic website

Clarisonic Classic Sonic Cleansing System

Quite a nice sales presentation.  For a minute there I was tempted in getting one. Imagine, cleaner skin, less visible pores and yes, less wrinkles! What more could we ask for? The reality is quite different. So many questions have popped up on MakeupAlley Skin Care Board about this devise that I had included a section about it on my MUA notepad since the numerous reviews about the Clarisonic make it quite easy to get lost.  

About the reviews

Glorious! Miracle brush! My skin has never felt softer! No more blackheads or clog pores! It feels like my skin breathes! 

On MUA there are about 1800 reviews to this day about it with an average of 80% satisfaction. This would be outstanding if some of those had been written after more than one use. Some will enter their reviews after about a week. These are not long enough periods of time to really evaluate a product. Another important point is that these reviews are not updated by the ones who made them, the ones who stop using it, either because they stop taking the time to use it or because they end up with irritated skin.

There are much less reviews on Beauté-test, 28 to this day. It's either love or hate. Peeling skin, irritation, not recommended for sensitive skin. On this site, it is asked of the members to wait at least a month before registering a review. This makes them more reliable in my view.

What about the opinions of the MUA Skin Care Board regulars?

Most of them did fall for the hype and most of them ended up returning the device. Others have swapped it or are plainly stuck with it. It's either used for the body or collecting dust on a shelf.

To buy the Clarisonic or not to buy the Clarisonic

This question keeps coming back again and again on Skin Care Board. With Christmas coming up, it will be asked even more.  I can predict that there will be lots of new reviews about it in January. Who knows, the number may even reach 2000! 

What distinguishes Clarisonic form other similar systems out there is its pulsating action. Others, like Olay, spin in one direction but more and more we are seeing dupes of this  coming out on the market, some very similar to Clarisonic but less expensive. 

Do know that spinning brushes are nothing new, I remember having one ages ago. A precursor of the Olay brush, I ended up not liking it because it would spin only in one direction feeling nice on one side of my face and weird on the other. I have no idea what became of it and didn't use it long enough to remember what effects it had on my skin. 

Clarisonic recommends to use the brush twice a day, morning and evening. Very few people can stand this. Skin of steel is what you need. Remember this brush exfoliates and over use can do quite a number on your skin.

Many buy it for acne. Bad idea! It's not made for active acne, it can only exacerbate it by spreading bacteria just like a scrub would. 

In some cases, everything went well until several months later, when they started to notice the apparition of broken capillaries. Even if your skin feels nice, these can creep up on you without warning.

Some believe that the breaking out they are experiencing is a natural side effect when in reality it's simply irritation. It's not purging. This can only be caused by using actives like prescription AHA's and retinoids for example (this I learned on Skin Care Board).

Irritation, increase in skin sensitivity (overexfoliation can break down your skin's natural protective barrier), broken capillaries and the spreading of acne are the most common adverse effects mentioned by many members who have purchased it. If you have rosacea, dry peeling skin, best to stay away. It could make matters worse.

How to use it?

The ones who do like it, mostly don't use it everyday (like recommended by Clarisonic). They use it a couple of times a week for deep cleansing and exfoliation. Used this way, it can be a nice addition to your beauty care arsenal. It's up to you to decide if the high price is justified.

Using a cleanser with facial sponges, microfiber cloth or baby washcloth every night or so, will provide a mild exfoliation that eliminates the need for rough scrubs or a battery operated brush.

A little manual brush like the ones sold by The Body Shop, Shiseido and other retailers, are a nice alternative. A couple of members actually prefer them to their Clarisonic. You might want to try one of those before spending your money it will give you an idea of how it feels. Much gentler, they are easier to control.

If you do decide to purchase one, get it from a reputable seller with a good return policy in case you're not satisfied.

The longevity of it depends on the use you make of it. The rechargeable battery can not be replaced (only the charger can). It's made for a certain amount or charges. In other words the less you use it, the longer it will last. It's hard to evaluate how long it will be good for, some have said 3+ years while others have said less than that. 

Clarisonic recommends to change the brush head every 3 months, at $25 USD each, it does get expensive but this is if you use it two times a day. Most are using the delicate brush head but even with this one, you can get the adverse effects mentioned previously.

One more note, I noticed that the members who post mainly on MUA's Makeup Board are more positive about it than the members on skin care board. This could be because many of them don't have any serious skin issues while others just love gadgets.

On the list of Allure Best of Beauty and InStyle Best Beauty Buys, for many this type of recognition makes it even more desirable. One member on MUA Skin Care Board wrote once "Clarisonic shows that I'm really serious about skin care."

Gadgets are not what make good skin, daily care is what does in my opinion. Given the possible adverse effects, I will keep using my little manual brush once or twice a week. It gives me the results I want, mild exfoliation and it helps dislodge small blackheads here and there. I don't really have problem skin but I am prone to broken capillaries so why risk it? Personnaly I would rather keep my money for makeup but that's me.

Different models are available, the Mia (one speed), the Mia2 (2 speeds), the Clarisonic Plus (3 speeds) and the new Aria (also 3 speeds). The prices taken from the Clarisonic website range from $119 to $225 USD. They even came out with and Acne Clarifying Collection for $169 USD with video and testimonials. Again, careful it's not for everyone.

Moms, sisters, friends, if you plan on giving one for Christmas, discretely ask a few questions first to make sure the person will be able to use it and keep the receipt, just in case. It's loved by many but not everyone can use it.

Available at The Shopping Channel and Sephora

Sending smiles and a daisy wish for your weekend!

Clarisonic Classic Sonic Cleansing System picture: screen capture from their website.

Daisies, from: http://www.myspace.com/friends_horse_rescue

PS: there's a little formating error that Blogger didn't let me correct. Sorry!