Klorane Floral Water Make-Up Remover...

*Stands up and cheers for another great budget friendly option*

My love for micellar waters is probably a little cray cray but here's a confession, most times, this is the only cleanser I use in the evening...

*hides*

I'm soooo lazy!

My nigh time routine... Eye makeup remover, micellar water, Avène Ysthéal on cheeks and neck, Avène Eluage concentrate on forehead and eyes... Done!

These four items along with cotton pads, are kept on my nightstand. This is the only way I can stay diligent with a "before-bed-cleansing-taking-care-of-my-skin" routine, I swear!

I know some cleanse their faces when they get home from but for me it's not an option. I have Catherine waiting for me... I mean she greats me talking and talking while I must hurry to get food ready. She stays with me to tell me about her day and I wouldn't have it any other way. True sometimes I'm tired and would rather have a little silence but our exchanges are way too important!

Remember I don't want her to end up on a psychoanalyst couch one day! Oh well, maybe she will but it won't be because I wasn't listening, right?

Ok so then we eat, then we watch a little tv, then I blog a little in fact, very little these days. :( Then I'm too lazy/tired to even think about cleansing my face. This is the reason why I need a good effective cleansing water, one that removes everything.

Klorane Floral Water Make-Up Remover...

For about a year now I kept stumbling on these bottles at the drugstore but never really gave them a second look. Like me you probably all know about their Blueberry eye makeup remover (I tried that one years ago and it didn't do much for me but I know it's very popular) and of course their hair care offerings. A little while back I was almost out of my latest cheapo micellar water and saw Klorane on special for about $16.00 if I remember correctly. Now that's $9.00 less than Sephora the one I was using, for the same size a whopping 400 ml.

How does it perform? Wow, just wow!

First I use my "wallet approved" Rimmel eye makeup remover (which continues to amaze me so I always have a backup) then I pump enough micellar water to drench two large cotton pads with I keep stuck together so they get wet at the same time. Remember I'm tired/lazy by the time I do this so this makes it faster. I swipe all over my face and neck and by the time I'm using the last of the cotton pads there's no more makeup nor dirt on my face! Yup, really!

I know what some of you are thinking... Wha? No rinsing... no double cleanse... no exfoliating... Nope!

What are the products I use on my skin in the morning you ask? Micellar water (again!) to remove the peach tint of Avène's moisturizers, Dior Hydra Life BB Crème, bronzer, a little blush and finishing powder. During the day I use my Chanel compact two or three times. Of course if I were to use sunscreen Klorane Floral Water wouldn't be enough, no micellar water would be in fact.

High points for the fact that it doesn't dry or strip my skin and it's quite refreshing. Excellent to remove makeup but I do still prefer to use the Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover which is more effective on the mascara formulas I use at the moment. Klorane did good on Givenchy 4 in 1 and Diorshow but not so much on Diorshow Iconic or Make-Up For Ever Smokey Extravagant.

For me it works, period!

Klorane Floral Water has a light "flowery/greenish" fragrance to it but unlike Sephora's it's not a synthetic odor and I think by now I'm a little addicted to it, you know a good smell before bed kinda thing. In fact there is no added perfume in this one, what you smell comes from the ingredients mainly cornflower.

One empty, one half full, I need a backup!

Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Poloaxmer 184, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Cetromonium Bromide.

Klorane is sold in drugstores and is regularly priced at about $20.00 for 400 ml but it's often reduced at $16.99 so when the price comes down I buy 2! Don't you love it when you can find budget friendly options?

As with any skin care item, if you have sensitive and/or clog/acne prone skin, make sure to patch test first.


What was you last wallet friendly find?

A Weird Dream...

Just before I got up last Sunday I made a weird dream, really weird!!!

I dreamt that upon returning home we realised (who I was with was unclear) we had been robbed!

The thieves had stolen the old desk computer (it has to go anyway) while leaving iPads and lap tops behind (feww!), took the 12 rolls of toilet paper I had just put under the bathroom sink aaaand all my makeup!!!

That's when I said "That's it I'm calling the insurance company!"

Forget the police, I wanted the money to repurchase my stuff!

Ok in reality I still would have had to call the police to file in a report to present to my insurance company. That's the way things work.

All my pretties gone!!!

*pulls hair out*

Now what does that dream say about me?

I don't even own that much makeup especially compared to some other bloggers and in fact, looking back at this past year I realise that although I got excited about several collections, I've only purchased a few items here and there. It was last spring that I started to renew my old makeup, that I started to splurge a little too much at times but still I don't think I went that overboard or did I?

From 2013, The Favorites entry.

Getting my priorities straight...

Recently some of the beauty bloggers I follow (religiously) have done a bit of introspection, evaluating or reevaluating their commitments, their reasons for blogging. Their beautifully written entries may be partially responsible for that dream but for a while now I've had to tone it down a notch as far as my beauty purchases are concerned. I mean I have already mentioned that being a stay at home mom for so long resulted in a dire need for a new wardrobe.

Guerlain bronzer or Pink and white Polka dots Ralph Lauren blouse? It was on special and so I went for the blouse!

For me makeup is an escape! I guess only beauty addicts can really get this, I mean I get so much pleasure out of seeing beautiful compacts, bright colored lipsticks and buttery eye shadows why would I want to go into rehab?

Buying a new lipstick makes me so happy!

I know I've been compensating a lot this past year but at the same time I think this escape has enabled me to avoid therapy, really it has! Loosing my husband was the worst event of my entire life and sometimes I smile inside at how André would react seeing the excitement I get from just touching a beautiful bronzer in a store! He'd think I'm nuts, just nuts!

By the way, have you seen Lancôme's latest bronzer? Huge, just huge and oh so beautiful...

Now back to that dream... If this were to happen in real life, you betcha I would replace every single thing!


What about you, what would you do?

The Sunday Post, Vol. 20...

Excited!

My friend from Australia is coming to Montreal to visit her family and we have a date on Wednesday!

We've known each other since we were 14 yrs old and although we've lost track here and there we've managed to keep in touch. The last time we saw each other face to face? I can't really remember but I believe Catherine was 8 and she'll be 15 in less than a month so yes, it's been a while!

Finally we are back on track and have been enjoying beautiful springy weather! Most summer makeup collections are out but I've stayed away from the cosmetics departments! I stayed away because I need to reduce my beauty spending, not completely but I just can't go all crazy like I did last Christmas. I still need new shoes...

... and I have Catherine's upcoming birthday to think about!

This week's makeup love...

... Erm I should say this month's makeup love! Since for a while now I've been using pretty much the same items I thought it would be fun to do a round up and show you what I reach for in order of use, before putting on perfume and lipstick in the morning. Of course I don't use all of these at once in case you're wondering. If I were I guess I would probably look like a clown!

Base products...

Dior Hydra Life BB Crème (see below)
Hourglass Mineral Veil (under eye area)
Rimmel Match Perfection concealer
NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
Marcelle Pressed Powder (with a fan brush under eye area)
Guerlain Crazy Météorites

Eyes...

Guerlain Terracotta La Sélection de l'Été Eye and Face Palette from last year. The faun eye shadow on lower lid and been playing with the other two colors as well, a darkish olive green and purplish brown
Diorshow Mono in Velvet or TheBalm Shady Lady in Risqué Renee for definition
Bobbi Brown Ciment from the Navy & Nude palette on upper lids and to blend the edges
L'Oréal Infaillible Lacquer Liner in Slate sometimes "oomfed" with Dior Fusion Mono in Nocturne
Mascara, alternating between Diorshow and Diorshow Iconic

Contour, definition or glowy stuff, however you want to call these...

Bronzer, alternating between Terracotta 01 / La Sélection de l'Été and NARS Laguna. Diorskin Nude Tan Paradise Duo in Coral Glow has come out of hibernation but I've only used it 2x so far.

Oops! I forgot blushes! Well at the moment it's pretty much always M.A.C Whole Lotta Love

Finishing powder, Guerlain Crazy Météorite again or a combination from Hourglass Ambient Lighting, mainly Dim Light and Radiant Light.

Ok so I have included Bobbi Brown's Longwear Gel Eyeliner in Caviar Ink in there but in all honesty I rarely reach for it. I find it harder to work with than L'Oréal. For some reason, once the line is done, going back over it to either thicken it or make it more clean sometimes makes a pretty bad mess. Since it dries fast, it can get all smudgy and weird.

So you see, I don't need to go all crazy over the new collections since I've got most of my makeup needs covered. Right?

A little update...

It's official, Dior Hydra Life BB Crème will not do for summer! Great luminous coverage but it doesn't control the oil and on some afternoons this week I could actually feel it on my skin. With it I've had to use 2x the powder I normally do if not more. Not a total waste, I will simply keep it for late august, for when the weather starts to cool down to transition into fall.

What I have my eyes on...

I do still want a few new nail polishes but haven't decided yet if I'll go Dior or Chanel and there's a Guerlain Rouge Automatique that I'm considering but since I have to find a new daytime foundation/BB or whatever the name, it may have to wait.

For your viewing enjoyment...

This week's video is not from Dior!!! Aren't you surprised? From YSL showing one of their iconic products, I think I really need one! Imagine that, a full night's sleep rested look in a clickable pen! I just can't believe I haven't tried this before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-3EhjF2ePE

Yup! I definitely need one.

Have a great week everyone! Hélène xoxo

Lise Watier Sparkle of Hope Gloss...

So funny!

Yesterday at work was pretty busy for a Friday! Still, when things get too crazy I tend to find cracks to have fun and make situations not as heavy as they actually are. What can I say, it's my nature! As much as I can be a real b**** sometimes in real life, at works I have to make light of certain situations otherwise it would get way too heavy and considering the time I spend there, well, this is how I keep my sanity!

During the afternoon, one of my colleagues had a fit of laughter! Too busy to inquire about the cause of the hilarity, I heard another say "You must show this to Hélène!"... Hmm... I was really intrigued but then forgot about it because I had to concentrate and get back to what I was doing. An hour or so later I learnt why! My co-worker, who's birthday it was, had received a lip gloss as a gift from a friend but not just any lip gloss, one with a light!

Lise Watier Sparkle of Hope Gloss...

My work friend who coincidentally shares the same first name as Madame Watier, graciously gave me permission to take pictures of it. Lovely packaging, just lovely! I didn't swatch it of course but the texture seemed really nice and not too thin, transparent with shiny silver sparkles. The kind of gloss one wears over a lipstick to give it light...

Now about that light...

When you unscrew the cap, there it is! Notice how it almost seems to come from the gloss itself? This little trickery can also be found in Lise Watier's regular line up of glosses, Haute Couleur Lip Lacquer as well as with their nail polishes. I know the light thing is nothing new but...

What makes this one special? The cause!

I love this and guess what? Since I'm not much into glosses these days I plan on picking up the lipstick...

The name, Rose Tendresse is so appropriate and the price quite reasonable. Plus it'll be an opportunity for me to finally try one of Watier's lipsticks after so many years... It'll be a win win situation, getting a new lipstick with portions of the profits* going towards great programs.

To visit the foundation's web page, just click on the picture!

Isn't it great when companies give back? :)



*I wasn't able to find out just exactly how much of the profits go toward the foundation. 

Guerlain La Laque Couleur in Tonka Impériale...

I tried, I really tried...

Guerlain La Laque Couleur in Tonka Impériale is a total miss for me!

In the store, on Catherine's finger it looked so pretty, like a nice dark neutral that could be worn with just about anything. At home, on my fingers it looked... erm sorry... it looked plain ugly!

Argh!!!

Now I don't want to offend anyone, this is purely my own personal taste here. We all like different colors and that's a good thing. Imagine how boring it would be otherwise?

So the formula is perfect and goes on beautifully. It could almost be a one coater but two make it even and flawless. The wide flat brush makes it's application fast and easy...

But the color! Oh the color!

To make matters worst it was so hard to photograph! The real color falls somewhere between the two pictures above (yesss I know they look horrible!). Looking closely at the bottle I can see faint shimmer but it doesn't translate to nails, not one bit. For some reason I was expecting a little gold reflexion but no, this is a true creme and it's brown!!!

Again I really love Guerlain La Laque Couleur formula and I've grown accustomed to the brush which I found too big at first but here it's just a matter of personal preferences and Tonka Impériale really doesn't go well with my skin tone.

That color is a no go for me and so I was able to wear it only one day! Applied on Sunday, removed on Monday! I just couldn't stand it! Good thing I took those pictures on Sunday coz there's no way I'm wearing it again...

Can you tell I don't like brown? Sorry Guerlain but a bit of gold would have made a world of difference!


What's the color you least like when it comes to nail polish?

Bite Beauty Lush Fruit Lip Glosses...

For some reason this brand hasn't really called my name yet. I've read rave reviews about some of it's offerings but when I see the display at Sephora I always feel kind of meh about it. Bite Beauty is a Canadian company operating out of Toronto and I wonder if this is the reason why my Sephora has it at the end of a gondola in the back of the store. Ok it's right in front of Josie Maran and Tarte but still quite easy to miss. Then there are the prices! At $28.00 a pop for some lipsticks (yes more expensive than in the States!) I tend to prefer Dior or NARS who so far are my favorite formulas.

Ok so I had to at least try something!

I bought this trio of mini lip glosses back in November, on Black Friday to be exact and haven't really given them a go until recently.

All three are pretty sheer and so for me they're the type of glosses I would wear over a lipstick, especially Honey as you will see below. On their own they last about two hours, nice to wear they're not overly sticky although they are slightly thicker than Revlon but not as much as NARS...

Cocoa, described as a nude mauve pulls beige on me and truly looking at the tube, I don't really see any mauve in it but I guess it could give that impression on some depending on skin tone and natural lip color. This one reminds me of my Clarins Lip Perfector in 06 Rosewood reviewed, here, with the difference that it does last a little longer on my lips.

Strawberry, a sheer carnation pink this one is very similar to my other Clarins Lip Perfector, 05 Candy Shimmer a favorite of mine. I nice sheer coral, Strawberry it too stays on longer than Clarins but it doesn't have the same comfortable feel.

Honey, my favorite of the three. A nude with almost micro gold shimmer, Honey is perfect to wear over almost any lipstick to warm it up. It's quite lovely but unfortunately once the gloss disappears the shimmering bits end up all over! Around my mouth, on my chin... Not the look I go for. Now this may not be an issue for you since I have the same problem with both Chanel and Dior glosses who do get mostly love. I'm sorry but I wasn't able to capture the shimmer in Honey on the swatch below but it's there trust me! :)

Cocoa, Strawberry and Honey

They have a faint fruity smell/taste that lasts barely 5 or 10 minutes which in my book is a good thing. These three since they are so sheer don't really leave a stain on my lips so when they're gone, they're gone which is something some of you may be looking for. I can't comment on the darker colors but I would think they probably leave some lingering color behind. Drinking two glasses of ice tea wearing Strawberry I barely had any gloss left on my lips so it's unlikely any of these would resist a meal.

Since these are minis they have a smallish doe foot applicator which felt a little harsh and I had to dip back in the container quite a few times to get enough gloss on my lips. Hopefully the regular sizes are more pleasant to use.

I'm glad I got to try these but would not consider purchasing full sizes which go for $25.00 (0.13 oz). First because I'm not in a gloss wearing mood these days and second because I find NARS at $29.00 (0.18 oz) the best formula for me (it almost wears like iron with no glitter fallout) so for the difference in prices, the latter is my choice.

Have you tried any of Bite Beauty's offerings? Any favorites?

Diptyque Do Son Solid Perfume...

Recently during a little pre-summer shopping spree with my daughter I made a discovery... We have a Diptyque counter at Ogilvy!!! Oh the joy and the sadness... Joy to finally be able to sample their fragrances and sadness for my wallet!

Our last stop that evening, Ogilvy, to Catherine's despair... It was about 8:15 pm and by that time she was done! She had been a good sport and I was really pushing it (as usual) but I just couldn't resist when I saw the elegant Diptyque area! So my daughter took my iPhone and like the good girl that she is, went to the Longchamp handbags area, a favorite spot of hers not because of the beautiful collections but only there is she able to sit down. But all was not lost for her since after we did make another stop just for her, at the Apple Store! :)

I was like a kid in a candy store, really I was and I'm not even a perfumista!

So yes, the candles I've read so much about do smell divine but at $80.00 there's no way I can justify buying one at the moment and I'm not sure I eventually will. I smelled a few of their eau de toilette and felt a bit of a thrill to finally be able to hold one of their bottles in my hand... how lame is that! I mean it's not like I haven't seen/smelled new and maybe more exclusive fragrances before, I mean I worked for Dior for crying out loud!

...On I went looking at the different offerings displayed on the back shelves and boom! There neatly placed on their respective pouches, what I really really wanted to have a closer look and smell at, the solid perfumes! Now I was truly excited and my nose got really happy to finally have a go at these lovely scents. Of course I could not resist and since my nose was so delighted by it I decided that Do Son, the one that reminded me the most of summer, just had to get in my purse!

Fear not, I did pay for it first!

Diptyque Do Son Solid Perfume...

First, the elegant packaging. After you remove the transparent cellophane paper the box is wrapped in you can already smell the loveliness. Once you open the elegant square shaped carton you are welcomed by the small perfectly stitched velvety pouch that will serve as a protector. Smart, it will be more than useful since I plan to carry this little jewel in my purse.

The waxy mixture is lodged in a stunning black zamak case engraved with the Diptyque oval and it's quite hefty for the size which makes it not only feel more luxurious but gives the impression that it will last years and years. Equiped with a small magnet it's easy to open and it closes with a satisfying "click" that brings a smile to my face every time.

Summer theatre in the park... The name of the play, Do Son...

The setting, a flower shop located in the Vietnamese Resort of the Gulf of Tonkin after which this perfume takes its name, where else? A fresh elegant white floral ode in which tuberose is the star with a lovely supporting cast. There is a hint of rose and maybe my nose is playing tricks on me but it seems to detect a little jasmine. One of it's top notes is orange flower but strangely I can't really recognise it in this blend so for me, for my play, it was left backstage but I do get a bit of timid iris who only has a few lines to say. For some reason like other fragrances I've enjoyed recently, it doesn't quite develop on my skin instead, it ends on the same notes softly. Some have complained about a lingering "minty" smell. This is liquely from the benzoin that is said to come out along with musk as Do Son's base notes show up on stage towards the conclusion of the third act but as with the orange flower, my nose doesn't notice them either. Both benzoin and musk remain elusive characters, in the shadows just like the people working backstage that we sometimes get a glimpse of. Maybe it's for the best.

Do Son is almost a soliflore, a self centered monologue but unlike others who may appear static or false, this one is honest, straighforward and quite expressive.

This fragrance wears close to the skin on me and this translates in faint to no sillage but I'm fine with that since I don't want to knock down any of my co-workers. Do Son is for me to enjoy, for me alone. This perfume does remind me of the fragrance one is welcomed with upon entering a small flower shop, hence the setting of my imaginary play. The experience is usually quite personal. We're attracted by the colors of the different flowers available and usually set our choices on the ones that will offer both beauty and fragrance and when we do smell them up close, only our nose can appreciate their uniqueness.

Do Son is fresh, white, clean. The perfect summer scent. It doesn't last all day, in fact I would say it lasts about four hours which may seem little for a daytime fragrance but for when the weather is hot and sticky, it's perfect. Very feminine, non invasive and intimate, exactly what I was looking for and the beauty of this solid version is that if I feel like reapplying I can do so discreetly (without leaving what could be for some and unwanted cloud of flowery scent in the lady's room) since it has elected permanent residence in my purse making it smell lovely, just lovely.

I've only read a few reviews about Do Son and they were all about its liquid form which seem slightly different then this solid version. I will go back to the counter to sample its juice to see if I get a different experience. I think next time I'll make that stop on my own... Poor Catherine, she's so not into beauty things!

Diptyque Do Son is not the most original of fragrance since it's practically a soliflore but it has a little je ne sais quoi that makes it extremely pleasant to wear. Not a tuberose fan? This play may be a little simplistic but sometimes it's nice to have a main character that enables us to not overthink things too much and get to sit and enjoy a light straighforward story with no surprises at the end. After all, the star is quite talented and plays her part in a very accomplished manner. Do Son just might make you appreciate tuberose a little more.

One final note...

As much as it is nice to experience on it's own, the fact that Do Son has that strong tuberose note it can easily be worn over other fragrances or scented oils. I've layered it over both Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse and Caudalie Huile Divine and the results were quite pleasant. Today, as I'm writing these lines, it's been enjoying the company of Liérac Huile Sensorielle aux Trois Fleurs Collection Blanche and I can honestly say that they get along nicely together. This is the beauty of such a fragrance, you can truly make it your own by writing your own personal story with the fragrant characters of your choice.


Have you ever layered fragrances, if so, which ones?

The Sunday Post, Vol. 19...

Another Sunday and this one is right smack in the middle of a long weekend! Yay off tomorrow again! I could definitely live with a four days work week. :)

Due to the crazy schedule I've had recently (which will go on for about another month) it's been hard to publish posts as regularly as I wanted to and I have so many drafts with no pictures at the moment that I don't even know which to finish first. Feel as if I'm running in all directions like a headless chicken!

Ok so this chick has made several new purchases recently and yes, I will review my goodies! Again, which first? Since I like everything these days it's kinda hard to choose but I will, I promise I will. :)

Finally starting to feel a little spring/summer inspiration...

Am I getting my makeup mojo back? Yup, I think I am! I need a pink blush, yes I do! You know a nice light baby pink? A pink that'll go with a pink nail polish I want! Yeah we all match our cheeks to our nails don't we? Hmm I may have to get a slightly pinker lipstick than the ones I have at the moment too!

Imagine that, me inspired to get a pink blush and I'm not even a blush person, o_O...

This week's makeup love...

I've been very happy with Dior Hydra Life BB Crème but this past week it wasn't doing much for my shiny t-zone on those warmer days we've had (on Monday or was it Tuesday... it reached 30° C) and so I'm not sure it's a complete hit. There's no way I'll be buying another in the same price range so I'll probably do a little research into drugstore brands or I may simply decide to use a regular light moisturizer with my Smooth Minerals compact foundation from Avon which gives me a pretty awesome finish.

For bronzer I've been playing with both Guerlain Terracotta in 01 and NARS Laguna which is really growing on me. The faint shimmer of Laguna makes for a very natural finish and so I like to use it on my cheeks while I lightly dust some Terracotta on my neck to make it match my face.

Eyes, also from Dior, I've been using and liking Diorshow mascara which I purchased a little while back and still haven't reviewed. A blue eye shadow!!! Yesssss! I wanted Diorshow mono in Cabine but found another... from TheBalm and it's pretty awesome. What's even more awesome is that I payed less than $6.00 for it!!! I've used it almost every day this week and I must say I'm very impressed by how it performs.

Notice the repetition of the word "awesome"? I need writing lessons!

I've also been testing using a primer on my under eye area before applying my concealer and it's performing well. I do believe it'll work nicely for those upcoming hot days. It would appear I've found use for my Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer sample. I've only done this a few times so hopefully it won't give me milia (those pesky little white bumps I'm prone to).

This smart idea came to me in a dream... nah it's Sunny's! See what she uses, here.

For lips these days I reach for NARS Dolce Vita in the morning before I get out the door but that one stays on my bathroom vanity shelf. During the day it's either Rouge Dior in Charnelle (I think you can see on the picture above that it's been getting lots of love!) which I can reapply without a mirror or NARS Tolède...

I've also enjoyed my new Guerlain Rouge Automatique in... wait for it... wait for it... Tonka Impériale!!!

Also... notice the repetition of the word "also"? Argh I'm losing it! I need a vacation too!

Nails...

I thought I could bring my nails out of rehab the other week but seems the problem is still ongoing. They peel! They're still quite strong but the peeling at the tips make it seem like nail polish chips so bright colors are still out at the moment. I'm stuck wearing Chanel Le Vernis in Frenzy again! Don't get me wrong, this is a very nice shade but I want pink... to go with that blush I want... not nude!!!

What I have my eyes on...

I passed on both Terracotta perfume and Célébration bronzer!!!

Both had been at the top of my wish list for weeks but I just had to pass. The Terracotta perfume almost made me sick due to its high concentration of Tiaré flower. Way too much for my taste and its head notes didn't soften on me the way I was hoping they would. It almost broke my heart to pass on the Terracotta Célébration bronzer! The colors were beautifully stunning in the pan but the blushes were too matte and didn't look natural on my skin and since I'm not a collector I just couldn't justify purchasing it.

I passed on those but got a lipstick and a nail polish. A hit and a miss... Yes, a miss from Guerlain! Argh!!!

Ok so now I want a pink blush, a pink nail polish and there's a face powder compact I'm eyeing... like I don't have enough compacts but this one is... oh... so pretty! My envies are all from Chanel but for the pink lipstick I'm considering that will probably be a Dior Addict. I haven't tried that formula yet and since it's sheerer than Rouge Dior's it just may be perfect...

For your viewing enjoyment...

From Dior again... I know, I know, these past few weeks this feature should practically have been called The Dior Video Moment but what can I say, I want to remain on topic and other companies haven't released anything of interest to me recently so...

This first one from January 2013 is showing a more dramatic take on the smokey eye look I've been doing recently. Here makeup artist Yadim uses Diorshow #096 Khôl with black eyeliner while my version is with Diorshow #783 Velvet with which I use L'Oréal Infaillible Lacker Liner in Slate (I got a second back up of this one last week for fear it may be discontinued) or Bobbi Brown Gel Liner in Caviar Ink. I just can't do black eyeliner! Oh and Yadim uses Rouge Dior in Grège 1947 to finish the look! Woot! :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO6k9RkC5pk

The second is from the Dior Cruise 2015 Fashion show in which Peter Philips, Dior's new Creative and Image Director of Dior make-up for the Cruise 2015 Collection. It's en français I know but just pay attention to the emphasis on the black liner as a strong graphic and classic element and the almost bare face. Simple hair and clean radiant skin help highlight the element of sophistication of the strong liner with black mascara.

About black mascara, did you notice the new Dior mascara? This I'm excited about and wouldn't you know, it just popped up on Sephora's website! Called Dior Addict It-Lash Mascara it's got a brush that reminds me of Benefit They're Real! mascara. Towards the end of the video, Philips mentions a new Dior foundation called Star which would seem to offer more coverage but with light reflecting particles for a more luminous effect. This new product is coming out in the fall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgNdOAC0PdE

See? Even in French you got it didn't you? *pats self on back for my great description* :)

Erm... didn't think it woudl be such a long post... hope you had a nice cup of coffee!


Have a great week everyone! Hélène xoxo

Yves Rocher Beautifying Dry Oil...

In case you didn't notice and I have mentioned this already (yes, I'm getting old so I often repeat myself), it would seem that every brand out there is coming out with body oils and since all are pretty expensive it's nice to see budget friendly options popping up here and there. Last summer I was truly wowed by Garnier's Triple Nutrition Miracle Oil which I use often at the end of my shower. When I bought it, it was less than $5.00... major score!

Yves Rocher...

A French brand that's been around for 50 years, it started in an attic in Bretagne France where Yves Rocher insisted on controlling every steps of production from harvesting the plants used in his products to the distribution to ensure the highest possible quality at a fair price. I can't remember the last time I went into one of their shops which can be found just about everywhere. I think it was when my daughter was a baby for an Hamamélis body lotion, one of their most popular offerings. I honestly don't know much about their products but recently the window of the boutique in front of which I walk by almost everyday had been calling my name.

A beautiful display of shower gels! A collection called Jardins du Monde (Gardens of the World) and at 3 for $15.00 it was hard to resist. As I was about to pay for the ones I chose (I will of course review them) I noticed another display with little bottles of oil with the mention "New"...

Hmm interesting... $11.00 instead of $20.00 for 100 ml (now this doesn't mean much because they always have specials) why not give it a try? I sprayed my arm, surprised by the strength or the pump that yielded almost enough for both my arms. At first scent the mild flowery fragrance was quite pleasant and it didn't appear too "oily". I know this is a weird statement considering I was trying an oil but they are not all created equal as you will see below.

Yves Rocher Huile Sèche Sublimante (Beautifying Dry Oil)...

This oil is a little surprising, in a way it feels more oily but at the same time dryer than others I own. It goes on more easily but doesn't penetrate my skin as well as sweet almond oil or coconut oil for example, two of my everyday budget friendly favorites. It's a little more moisturizing than Garnier but the fragrance is not as pleasant to me.

From the website:

Silky and sublime skin.

The Beautifying Dry Oil is perfectly absorbed by the skin to nourish it intensely.
Result: nourished, softened and beautified, the skin reveals its true beauty.

The Plus: an oil that is dry to the touch.
- 99% natural ingredients,
- Tested under dermatological supervision,
- No preservatives, no paraben, no mineral oil, no animal extracts.

Perfectly absorbed by the skin to nourish it intensely... Not really. It's ok but if you have dry skin this oil may not make much of a difference on it's own. It will "beautify" because it stays on the surface for quite some time but the look on skin isn't as nice as when I use Nuxe's Huile Prodigieuse or Caudalie Huile Divine. It's weird but for some reason it doesn't look as "polished". One would think oil is oil but apparently it's not the case.

About the ingredients...

99% natural... This oil is mainly composed of esters which is not a bad thing because they are emollient but they don't provide the same feel as real oils. This is also the reason why this product is so affordable. The andiroba oil and sesame seed oil are way down on the ingredient list. Andiroba oil is extracted from the seeds of the carapa guianensis tree which is found in the Amazon. This oil is a rich source of essential fatty acids including oleic, palmitic, stearic and linoleic acids but sadly there is so little in this formula that it's highly unlikely going to make much of a difference on the skin. Still, it was nice to learn about a new oil.

The fragrance...

As mentioned at first it's lightly flowery but sadly that freshness doesn't last. It transforms in about ten minutes or so and I'm left with some sort of a dried fruity nutty smell that I can't really describe and after half an hour or so it settles into it's final stage, a fragrance that I don't fancy as much as the other oils I own.

Some reviewers on Beauté-test have compared the fragrance of Yves Rocher Beautifying Dry Oil to Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse... They are nothing alike, not one bit! Gardenia and magnolia are there at the top but my untrained nose doesn't pick up any orange blossom, bergamot or mandarin. It's not as complex and the base is again, nothing like Nuxe. It's just not as elegant but for an inexpensive out of shower option it ain't bad. On wet skin it lasts about one hour and on dry it can linger for close to three.

How I use it...

At the end of my shower I spray liberally on wet skin, gently massage and pat dry with a thick towel. It's perfect for light daytime moisture but I do have to use a more serious moisturizer before bed. Also in summer I tend to reapply a light layer of body oil during the day on arms and legs for the effect but mainly for the fragrance since I rarely use perfume when the weather is hot. I don't think I'll use this one during daytime since I'm not much of a fan of it's fragrance.

Do I recommend Yves Rocher Beautifying Dry Oil? Yes and no.

Yes since it's a nice inexpensive option (just make sure to take advantage of one of their many promotions) that offers light daytime moisture and can be enjoyed again during the course of the day if you like it's fragrance. Great as a cheap pre-shampoo hair treatment.

No if you have dry skin. This will not be enough but can be a complement if for instance you use a non fragranced body lotion in the morning you could spray on arms and legs once the lotion has fully penetrated for a little extra.

Make sure to try it and wait at least thirty minutes to an hour before deciding if you like it's fragrance because as mentioned, the flowery first notes do disappear.


Reviews:

I found no reviews for this product on Makeup Alley
Beauté-test: 4.4 / 5 stars for 36 reviews.

Ingredients: isopropyl palmitate (a palm oil based emolient), octyldodecanol (emulsifiers and thickening agent), coco-capryulate/caprate (a mixture of esters of coconut alcohol with caprylic acid and capric acid), ethylhexil palmitate (a derivative of palm oil), ethylhexyl stearate, hexyldecanol, hexyldecyl laurate, carapa guaianensis seed oil, sesamum indicum (sesame) seed oil, parfum/fragrance, tocopheryl acetate, bht

To read about my favorite fragranced oils so far click, here.


Have you started to "lighten" your body care routine moisturizer-wise? 

Oh look at all my goodies...

Quick post but I just had to share! Last Friday I went on a little shopping spree!!!

Ok a big one according to my wallet but hey, this was for both my birthday which was last month and Mother's Day. I purchased three more blouses and now will be on the hunt for some Capri pants and one or two pairs of shoes. Once I find these I'll be good for summer! :)

Here are the beauty goodies I got...

Sorry about the quality of the picture but I had little time and really, really wanted to show you! If you follow me on Instagram, here, then you've seen these already.

Diptyque Do Sun solid perfume (yes we have Diptyque at Ogilvy which is much closer to me than Holt Renfrew). This was a real unpredicted spur of the moment splurge!

Voluspa candle which is rosy divine! Here you see the top of the box.

Guerlain Rouge Automatique, a nail polish and a La Petite Robe Noire sample (did I mention the SAs at my Gerlain counter were just great?). Would you believe this is my first ever Guerlain lippie? Woot!

Two The Balm eye shadows and a gloss all at an amazing price! This was a great opportunity to try some of this brand's offerings.

A box of Hello Kitty bandages!

*Happy Dance*

I rarely go for so many items at the same time and I must admit, I felt a little guilty but hey, it was for both my birthday and Mother's Day as mentioned.

About the Hello Kitty bandages... Catherine thought I was nuts getting these but as I explained to her, I'd much rather have these on my feet (reason why I just had to stop by a drugstore to purchase because they were hurting bad from all the walking) than some ugly beige plastic or pseudo fabric strips. They look cute and go so nicely with Chanel Le Vernis in Coup de Coeur which is my second pedi color of the season! :)


What do you think of whimsical bandages? Like or no like?


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