Notable Reads of the Week, vol. 1

I thought it would be fun to let you know what I've enjoyed reading during the past week. I may even make a weekly feature of this. Mostly beauty related, it may sometimes include random links I've enjoyed as well.

I know several bloggers do this but here my inspiration is Gio from Beautiful With Brains. This is in no way to be compared to her Sunday Random Ramblings. That format belongs to her!

Here goes...

How To Give Your Broken Compact A Face Lift
How fitting to be starting with Beautiful With Brains. Great article for which I've also provided a link for on my Beautiful Compact entry.

But, I'm Suppose To Be Flattered, Right?
By British Beauty Blogger, about the importance of naming your sources, giving credit where it's due.

On The Street: Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Windows 2012
By Tinsel Creation, this entry reminded me of when I was little. Yesterday I went Downtown with my daughter and the only window that was really worth stopping in front of was the one at Ogilvy with it's adorable display. This store is the only one who still has automated characters. It's a feast for children and grown ups alike!

Seasonal Specials (2)
By Gingerrama the chocolate lover! This entry shows beautiful chocolate creations from a Vancouver chocolatier. Every city has a good one of those, this may inspire you to go get something dreamily good and magical for Christmas and who knows, maybe you will be able to find an Advent Calender!

My favorite from Gingy's post, the little pinguin

Chocolate Arts, Vancouver, BC

Do you like this type of entry? I would really like to know so I could improve it.

Freebies from the Web for the Holidays

Santa and Rudolph

Elf Yourself

Want to send your loved ones a funny, well I should say, hilarious e-card for the holidays? Elf Yourself by Office Max. This enables you to create up to 5 elves and you get to chose the type of dance, Charleston, Hip Hop, Soul and 80's. You can send it as many times as you like but if you want to keep it you have to pay $1.00 USD for it. Super cheap.

Click here to see what I did to Fifi the cat and Julius the dog. I was able to put the link on Twitter.

You can also broadcast live messages as an....Elf! Office Max website


Magic Santa from Sympatico

This one will seem magical to your little ones! Simply amazing. You have to answer a few questions, upload a picture if you have one and the Magic Santa takes care of the rest to personalise the experience. It can also be sent to grown ups. For them you can enter a humorous location like Alcatraz or Mars. They've really improved on it since I used it for my daughter.

Magic Santa from Sympatico

NORAD Tracks Santa 

This is the coolest thing ever! My daughter and I had so much fun with this when she was little. We would go check every hour on Christmas Eve to see where Santa was at. The closer he got the more excited we would be. It was reassuring to know that by Christmas morning our gifts would be under the tree. One never knows with December weather but the NORAD special updates are so informative and reassuring. 

Imagine if Santa was stuck in a snow storm wouldn't you like to know?

Official 2012 NORAD Tracks Santa Promo Video

Rimmel Natural Bronzer / Review

This little bronzer was quite a surprise. Under $10.00!!! Definitely a steal!

Over powder it goes on evenly and has just the right amount of shimmer for a natural look. The shade I have is 021 Sun Light, perfect for my fair complexion. I rarely wear foundation but always a little bronzer otherwise it seems the redness of my cheeks is too obvious. This bronzer is also perfect for contouring, again because it has very little shimmer and in not orangy like so may others out there. What I get with this is, to put it simply, a healthy glow.

The only downside to this product is the container. Thin flimsy plastic it looks horribly cheap! Once you open it, after a few uses, you can't screw the top back on because it gets too loose. Now this is not the end of the world since I don't carry it in my purse. I do my makeup in the morning and only keep a powder compact and lipstick in my purse. Ok I do keep several lipsticks in there, I love them what can I say!

Do I recommend this bronzer? Yes!

Blendable color, natural finish with very little shimmer and not orangy it's definitely a winner and for the price the quality is quite surprising but you do have to get passed the cheap container. If you're on a budget this is perfect, it really is!

Almost forgot, I apply it with a Quo blush brush that I've "recycled" for this purpose since it was pretty horrible for blush application. With this bronzer it does an honest job, preventing me from applying too much. I personally find the hair a little stiff and it tend to break/shed. Not that pleasant to use so I plan on getting a new one but I just haven't been looking into that much. You can see a picture of the one I have on the right here. I know this brand is gaining in popularity and they do have other ranges of brushes that seem quite nice. This one, not so much but I got it for about $10.00 on special so it's not dramatic.

Reviews:

MakeupAlley: 4 / 5 lippies for 154 reviews for Rimmel's Natural Bronzer in shade 021 Sun Light.
Beauté-test:  4 / 5 stars for 12 reviews for Rimmel's Natural Bronzer, all shades.

Reviews for Quo's Blush Brush

Makeup Alley: 3.6 / 5 lippies for 73 reviews.


Rimmel Natural Bronzer retails for $6.98 at Walmart.
Quo brushes are available at Shoppers Drugmart / Pharmaprix

Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer / Review

I think I must have started to wear concealer when I was about 16. Not because I had dark circles but just to make the area a little lighter. It was also quite useful to hide blemishes. I can't remember which brand my first one was but I know it came from the drugstore, in stick form. It was pretty stiff so you had to warm it a little between your fingers. A few years later I discovered liquid concealers and I never looked back!

Estée Lauder and Clinique are, I believe, the brands who came out with this new type of formula. They where quite similar so sometimes I would get Clinique and sometimes it would be Estée Lauder, depending on Gift with Purchase I guess. I didn't really bother looking at other brands since I was working for Estée Lauder at the time.

My skin was oily so powder was a must and it made the mandatory foundation and concealer completely disappear leaving a flawless finish. I used Estée Lauder's on countless faces and every time it was perfect, even on more mature eyes.

Of course over the years I've tried several others but there was almost always a Lauder or Clinique concealer in my cosmetics bag so some might say that I kind of followed the evolution of both formulas. Last spring I purchased Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer in Light and didn't even bother trying it at the counter since it had always worked for me, so far.

How did it perform?

The sponge applicator is what I love most with this type or concealer. Just a few dots you can spread it with either your fingers or a concealer brush. I tend to start with my fingers and finish with the brush. Creamy, it covers well.

I wore it for about a month and started to notice my eye area getting dry. The finish after 3 hours or so would get a little cakey and even a little stiff. Not the look I was going for. Now by that time we where in summer with warmer weather and my combination skin was more on the oily side than dry.

Again, even today I don't have major issues with my eye area. No dark circles just a few wrinkles. *sigh*  I'm pretty thankful for that, I guess wearing sunglasses at practically all times has helped a lot. With this concealer my eye area was starting to look, dare I say, old! Yuck!

Would I still recommend this concealer? Yes

It does get rave reviews. If you don't have a dry eye area and few wrinkles, under powder it does stay in place and gives a good finish. If you start noticing some dryness alternate with a more moisturizing formula. I've used it as a makeup base on my lids and it did a very good job in neutralizing the bit of redness I have there and my eye shadows did stay in place all day with it. I know there are makeup bases on the market specifically for this but I've never bothered with one.


Reviews:

MakeupAlley: 4.2 / 5 lippies for 363 reviews
Beauté-test: 4 / 5 stars for 42 reviews

It retails for $26.00 at Sears and The Bay

Cattier Paris Green Clay Ready to Use Mask / Review

I've only heard about this brand last summer when Caroline from Secret Girly Side wrote about it on her blog. She tried the Pink Clay Mask for sensitive skin and her review of it made me want to try it but I didn't think I would be able to find it in Montreal. Well, to my surprise, I did!

A member on MUA had mentioned that she had seen this brand in a health food store. Last week my local health food store received some Cattier products and so through them I ordered the Pink Clay Mask. When I went to the store to get it, I ended up buying the Pink Clay for sensitive skin and the Yellow Clay for dry skin. Bonus, across the way at the drugstore they had Cattier's Green Clay Ready to Use. Of course it had to get a tube of it as well.

Wow, for someone who hasn't use any masks in ages... well, they where so inexpensive I figured it would be fun to try them and give you my impressions. Both the Pink and Yellow where $5.99, the Green was $11.99. I will write individual review for each.

Cattier Paris Green Clay Ready to Use

From their website:

Cattier Ready for Use Green Clay is used in facial masks and for poultices, for its beneficial effect. Absorbent, purifying and regenerating, Cattier green clay is especially well-suited to the care of combination to oily skins. It absorbs and regulates excess sebum, eliminates impurities, revitalises the skin and encourages cellular renewal. Soothing, it calms irritated skins. With its high content of micro-nutrients, it provides the skin with minerals and oligo-elements.

How did I use it?

On clean skin, I applied a thick layer of the clay on face and neck, avoiding the eye area. I left it on about 8 minutes because my skin started to feel a little irritated. Nothing dramatic but still I was done. I didn't let it dry, I personally have never enjoyed the tight feel of a dry mask on my face. By removing it while it's still humid, the process is much easier and milder for the skin. I used a more wet than damp baby washcloth and it was fairly easy to remove. Of course you can use your hands, remove it under the shower etc.

The results

My skin did have a brief feel of tightness, normal after any type of mask. To my amazement, tiny little blackheads had been lifted away, gone bye bye! It also cleansed the surface of the sebaceous filaments I have on my nose and chin. My skin was truly glowing!

The downside, a little too drying for my cheeks and it did irritate my nose a little. Surprising since usually my t-zone is not sensitive. I did the mask at around 10:00 p.m. and still felt the mild discomfort when I went to be an hour later. Good thing I was careful to avoid the eye area. By morning my skin was fine and still glowing. The effects where good for 3 days.

Would I recommend this mask?

Yes. It is truly a good product for both combination and oily skin. If you have sensitive or dry areas, simply avoid them or don't leave on as long. All natural, no essential oils added or chemicals. For the price it's definitely worth a try.

Other uses

Cattier's Green Clay can also be used as a poultice, reason why it can be found at the drugstore. It can help with scarring, irritated skin, muscular pain, burns, abscesses and even with tummy aches. You can add to it a little essential oil but this I wouldn't if it's to be used on the face. It can be effective in the treatment of contact dermatitis. It's also available in dry form. You can get more information about this on Cattier's website.

If they don't have it in stock you may ask your local pharmacy about the possibility to order it for you. Same goes with health food stores.

Reviews:

MakeupAlley, there are 2 reviews but of the Green Clay Mask which is different from the Green Clay Ready to Use.
Beauté-test, 4 / 5 stars for 97 reviews.

Ingredients (from my tube):
Water, Montmorillonite, Kaolin

I will soon post reviews of the Pink and the Yellow Clay Masks. I may even have my daughter try them. She's never done one so it could be fun.

At Home Gel Nail Polish Kits

I have only recently started to wear color again on my finger nails after years of going either bare or transparent and before that it was French manicure.

The colors I go for these days, dark wine reds! I love seeing red!

Sadly, these shades don't last more than about 4 days. Cooking, dishes and especially typing (I spend a lot of time on my lap top) are not gentle on nail polishes and the darker the color, the more obvious the wear.

Looking for a more durable option without spending a fortune? These could fit the bill. I have seen  gelshine™ manicures and the effect is stunningly beautiful. If like me you're not into salons and prefer to do things yourself, these kits may be worth a second look.

Trésor de Lancôme Gift Set

This fragrance has a very special place in my heart. It was the one I was wearing around the time my daughter was born. The weekend before the big moment, I was given a nice gift set along with little travel sizes, thrown in by my friend Rosy, the SA in charge of the Lancôme counter at the time at The Bay Anjou. She's retired now but she was a staple for over 20 years. These days she's a promotional assistant for a major fragrance company and I'm always glad when I run into her.

If you're over 35 you surely remember Isabella Rosellini's beautiful add campaign.

Trésor was created in 1990 by Sophia Grojman. It's a powdery, floral, fruity and sweet creation. One of the most popular fragrances in the world.

Trésor Prestige Holiday Fragrance Set

$96.00 at The Bay

The set includes:

Trésor Eau de Parfum, 50 ml
Trésor Body Lotion, 50 ml
Trésor Shower Gel, 50 ml

If you like warm oriental fragrances be sure to stop and sample it at any Lancôme counter. It truly is a lovely concoction.

What should not be on anyone's list.

This time of year we are seeing gifts suggestion lists everywhere. Normal, Christmas is after all only 20 days away. Every magazine cover advertises one or several and some issues are bigger than usual in order to make space for these dream pages. From accessories for the home to cars, jewelery, chocolates, fragrances, skin care and of course makeup one should be able to find "the perfect" gift for every single loved ones on their list.

I haven't gone shopping yet but like other bloggers I have been posting gift ideas and will post my personal wish list. Every year there's a little reality and a little dream on it. We don't get them anymore but I used to love catalogue shopping. As a child I would dream about toys and as I got older, clothes, stuff for the home and of course beauty stuff. I could literally spend hours flipping through the pages, looking at pictures and thinking I need this and oh I definitely need that!

My daughter who's 13 is much more reasonable than I was. Sign of the times or the fact that there are no catalogues around, I wonder. She's not much into girly stuff yet except for nail polish. She has her basic skin care, not very exciting, she doesn't wear makeup (yet) and has all the electronic/tech stuff she could want. I'm stuck! Although I do have a few ideas, I don't know what I will get her.

One thing is certain, even if she were into makeup there's one item I would not get her.......

Getting a little tech smarter!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4336389/?claim=txxfbw7tbdq">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

I'm so happy & proud of myself!!!

I just figured out how to put "follow me" buttons on my blog. Finally! Hope you will follow me! :D

Sorry about the code showing, it was necessary to create the link to Bloglovin.

I haven't figured out facebook yet, someone else keeps popping up.

Bourjois' Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation / Review

When it comes to foundation I'm not a big spender. The reason? I rarely wear any.

Years ago, when I used to work in cosmetics, it was part of my morning ritual. Winter, Summer, I always had foundation on, even on those hot and humid days of summer. Yuck! Blotting papers, powders.... I sometimes wonder today why did I put myself through that? I had oily skin! On top of that, I didn't have too many hyperpigmentation spots or sun spots. I've always avoided the sun and acne was petty much under control. So why? It was the thing to do. All the girls working for cosmetics companies did and still do. You do have to sell the stuff so you have to make sure your skin looks as flawless as possible and foundation is what enables you to achieve that perfect neutral canvass that will welcome colors.

So, since I only wear foundation once or twice a month in average, if at all, I don't see any justification in spending $40+ for one. It will turn before I get to use half of it. On my search for a good little foundation I noticed that Bourjois' Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation was mentioned often on MUA's Makeup Board and the review where very positive.

Bourjois' claims

• Instant revitalizing effect, refreshing and light sensation from radiance boosting shades. 
• 8 hours of moisture, lets skin breathe.
• 3 "super fruits" at the heart of it's formula, lychee, goji and pomegranate for strong anti-oxidant and skin enhancing effect. In other words, good for your skin.
• Better looking skin in 4 weeks of use.

How I use it

I'm very fair so the shade I use is no 51, Light Vanilla. It's a light gel formula that goes on smoothly with which you can achieve light to medium coverage. To make it disappear I have to use a brush. The one I use at the moment is a simple blush brush from Quo. Not the best quality, I purchased it for blush application but it barely picked up any powder so I decided to give it another task. Once my foundation is applied, I use it's tip to erase streaks and little spots. A light dusting of loose powder over it and I'm done. I have combination skin and this foundation does well for both my dryish and more oily areas. If you're very oily this may not be for you. I've worn it in Summer on hot days and after 4 hours or so, it was pretty much gone from my nose area.

This foundation receives a lot of love. Does it improve skin's texture? If you use it and have seen any difference I would love to know since I don't wear it often enough myself to notice.

Do I recommend it? Yes.

• Light,
• Easy to apply 
• Convenient pump
• Stays put for a good 8 hours on normal skin. If you have very oily skin you may want to pass on it.
• Under $25.00

Reviews:

MakeupAlley: 4.2 / 5 lippies for 148 reviews
Beauté-test: 4 / 5 stars for 190 reviews

INGREDIENTS from Bourjois website : 
Aqua (Water) • Dimethicone • Cyclopentasiloxane• PEG-10 Dimethicone • Butylene Glycol • Aluminum StarchOctenylsuccinate • Phenoxyethanol • Sodium Chloride •Disteardimonium Hectorite • Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate •Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Tocopheryl Acetate • Glycerin • AlcoholDenat. • Parfum (Fragrance) • Panthenol • Aluminum Hydroxide• Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract • Silica • Lycium Barbarum FruitExtract • Pantolactone • Punica Granatum Extract • PotassiumSorbate • Sorbic Acid [+/- (May Contain) : CI 77007 (Ultramarines)• CI 77019 (Mica) • CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides)• CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide)] 10BMT001-1