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?


If you're on Instagram, leave me your link so I can stalk follow you. :)

The Mother's Day Post...

It's mother's day and I'm a mom! Woot!

This Friday I went shopping and spent way too much! Oops! 

Oh well, I'll just justify it by thinking it was a double whammy birthday/Mother's Day shopping spree! I mean I didn't find anything much interesting last month and did a little no buy these past two weeks. I needed some clothes and "needed" a lipstick and "needed" a new perfume and "needed" a blue eye shadow and needed some Hello Kitty bandages... Those I truly really needed because my feet were killing me from all the walking!

I'm a mom coz I have a daughter and along with all my goodies I got her a little somethin' too beside supper and ice coffee... a bran new lawn mower!!! :D

She's gonna be helping around the house now. Hey being a mom means you gotta spoil but you also gotta be real and teach responsibility... riiight?

She mowed the lawn yesterday and it was bliss!*

Today I'll be showing her how to do laundry... Hey she asked for this herself last week! This does count as a great mother's day gift! I mean imagine the extra free time I'll be getting out of this? A gift to myself that will keep on giving...

Whether you're the mom of fur babies, tiny humans or not so tiny humans...

Happy Mother's Day!!!

... Next item to check off my list of being *cough* "the perfect mom"? Showing Catherine how to cook something other than Ramen! Now that'll be... fun... right?** 

Have a great week everyone! Hélène xoxo

*No worries about security, Catherine will be 15 in June and the beautiful shiny mower I got is an environmentally friendly reel mower so not only is it safe but she'll be able to exercise her upper body. Aren't I a great mom?

**Keeps fingers crossed she won't end up on a psychoanalyst' couch one day due to my excellent mothering*

Images source, here.

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?

Shiseido Sun Protection Compact Foundation SPF36 - PA+++...

Oh what a sweet deal!

On a Friday as I was waiting for Catherine to meet me at Complexe Les Ailes I went into Sephora (erm it's right there so...) and walked around to see if there was anything new. It really was just out of curiosity because I'm waiting for a few goodies to come out so I wasn't planning on buying anything...

Really I wasn't!!!

I came across a display of cute little Shiseido yellow boxes... I couldn't resist but to have a closer look... the price was $25.00... it was a limited edition case for the compact foundation... with the foundation inside which usually retails for $35.00!!!

Scoooore!!!

Shiseido Sun Protection Compact Foundation SPF36 - PA+++...

I've been wanting to try this foundation for a while now especially for the fact that Shiseido's UV Protective offerings have an excellent reputation.

Description, as per Sephora's website...

What it is:
A powdery foundation that resists perspiration and oil to remain fresh and color-true for hours.

What it is formulated to do:
This convenient solution unites optimal sun protection with skin-caring makeup, in a single travel-perfect compact. Minimize imperfections and achieve a flawless, matte finish as you defend your skin against damaging UVA/UVB rays. It smoothes on with a lightweight feeling and a natural, subtle look. It is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation as an effective UV sunscreen.

What else you need to know:
The makeup can be applied with a dry or moistened sponge, for flexible coverage. The case and refill are sold separately.

SPF36 and a PA+++  means that it's got a good UVB protection and a PPD above height is fine with me for UVA protection. The fact that it's a powder that can be reapplied during the day over makeup makes this a winning option in my book. I do my best to avoid the sun but there are those rare occasions where I do end up outside longer than predicted and this product will be much appreciated.

I mean can you imagine applying a regular sunscreen over a "makeuped" face?

Here's a confession...

I don't wear sunscreen! I really don't! I've tried and none feel comfortable for everyday wear so I only wear one when I know I'll be outside more and so far so good because my skin looks pretty good as far as wrinkles go. I've almost always worn a moisturizer and foundation both with with a sunscreen factor and although these do not guarantee good protection, combined with the fact that I've always avoided the sun it kinda worked for me... so far.

Shiseido Sun Protection Compact Foundation comes in six different shades ranging from SPF10 to SPF60. I purchased SPF20 which by the way was the only one available at the price I got it for but it turned out to be the perfect color. It the second lightest and although it may appear a little dark in the pan it's just fine on my skin.

Texture and finish...

It's not like a regular powder meaning it's heavier and can look a little chalky/pasty due to the fact that it's more opaque and more matte but that can be taken care of easily with a light spray of thermal water or what I like to use in summer, rose water. It would be a good idea to keep a small size of either in your bag if you plan on reapplying this SPF during the day and do make sure to blot first otherwise it may look very patchy.

It can be used dry or damp but since this compact is for my purse I haven't tried it damp and like to apply with a brush instead of the sponge.

Do I recommend Shiseido Sun Protection Compact Foundation SPF36 - PA+++? Oh yes!

Made of plastic this little compact doesn't have the elegance or weight of others that I've kept in my purse but it's pretty darn cute for summer and the creamy yellow and orange make me smile! The fact that it provides extra sun protection makes this a must for summer in my book or any time of the year really.

Again this foundation usually retails at $35.00 for the refills and the regular blue compact, $9.00. On the Sephora website there are two yellow limited edition compacts at $8.00 each.

So the regular price of both would have been $43.00 and I got mine at $25.00!!! Tripple Yay!!!

In my purse it goes!

I repeat... this is not your usual powder. This is a foundation (it does feel heavier than a mineral foundation even if it's a powder) that can be used dry with a brush. It will not give you that perfect finish a usual touch up powder like my latest favorite Chanel Les Beiges would. This for me is really for when I end up outside for longer periods of time, for when it's unplanned so it'll last quite a while I think.

Finally a word of advice... 

If you get this compact or another powder sunscreen from another brand, just make sure you keep a little blush with you because you may have to do a few adjustments. Applying Shiseido Sun Protection Compact Foundation will more than likely neutralise what you had on so if you want some definition, a blush and maybe even a small bronzer may have to elect permanent residence in your purse for the summer.

I'm thinking a little number like NARS Laguna/Orgasm compact will be just perfect for that and it will nicely counteract the "mattness" of Shiseido Sun Protection Compact Foundation finish! :)


Ingredients: octinoxate 6.9%, titanium dioxide 15.3% petrolatum, talc, polymethyl methacrylate, nylon-12, silica, hydrogenated c6-14 olefin polymers, synthetic wax, sorbitan sesquisostearate, phytosteryl/octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate, zinc myristate, stearyl glycyrrhetinate, thotaurine, dimethicone, methicone, glycerin, tocopherol, bht, ethylpraben, fragrance, mica, iron oxides.

As with any products if you're clog and/or acne prone or have sensitivity issues do patch test first.

What do you think of powder sunscreen for extra protection during the day?

The Sunday Post, Vol. 18...

Is the weather ever going to warm up???

This past week has been windy and grey. The sun did peek through a few times but overall the weather was more on the pitiful side. I'm still not in the mood for spring stuff and so haven't purchased any new clothes yet. It's like nothing is worth my hard earned money at the moment.

Oh well, it'll change soon I guess.

This week's makeup love...

My lack of "springy" inspiration means I'm still doing pretty much the same eye look but this week I used my NARS Fairy's Kiss palette almost everyday and I've been reaching for Dior Nude Blush lipstick in Charnelle along with Clarins Lip Perfector in Candy Shimmer. I think I'll retire my beloved Guerlain Crazy Terracotta for now since I've started to use my regular one in 01 this week with a touch of Madame Rougit blush. I did wear Diorskin Nude Tan Paradise in Coral Glow once but it felt too summery for now so it'll wait a little longer.

Update... Panic is slowly starting to settle in...

Notice how much bigger the pan of my beloved Crazy Météorites compact is getting... This Guerlain PowderPuff Girl is not happy!

Good thing I have this little number to fall back on which for summer is just amazing...

I haven't reviewed it yet but likely will in a few months. Although I love it it's not quite the same as Crazy Météorites and so I have no idea what I will replace it with. My first stop will likely be the regular Météorites which have been reformulated recently.

What I have my eyes on...

Just have a look at last week's edition of The Sunday Post, here... Next Sunday is Mother's Day so I'll treat myself for sure... to what? Sadly I'll have to be more reasonable than I thought and so there will be some hard thinking. Guerlain Terracotta Célébration bronzer is a whopping $84.00 and the Terracotta fragrance is $80.00!!! I was hoping it would be priced closer to the Eau Allegoria which are $67.00. :( I sooo wanted Chanel Sakura blush and Jardin Zen eye shadow quad from the Jardin de Camélias collection but I might have to pass on them since I would really like to get Diorshow monos from the Transat Collection, Cabine and Pavillon. You can read about and see both on my friend Sunny's blog, here. What you see below is a screen capture of her picture.

What I will likely pass on...

What I really, really want...

For your viewing enjoyment...

Dior is spoiling us again with beautiful makeup tutorials using the new colors from the Summer 2014 Transat Collection.

The Transat look...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsL2s58ACwc

The Sundeck look...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrlnwC20WXw

Clearly not for everyone but stunning none the less.


Have a great week everyone! Hélène xoxo

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kôhl Liner...

I love my gel eye liner, just love the effect but there are those mornings where I wish I could have a faster option and so in recent years I've tried a few "waterproof" crayons but they just didn't do the job, they didn't stay put the same as a good gel eye liner.

I have slightly deep set eyes and this means most eye liners smudge with the heat of my skin and repetitive blinking. So far all the ones I've tried have ended up on my upper lids in no time.

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kôhl Liner in Storm...

I don't know much about this brand except for what I've read about it on Kiss & Makeup where Melissa has reviewed several of their products and these Always Sharp crayons she liked. She reviewed two of them, Raven and Cabana, here.

Since I don't wear black liner (I find it looks too harsh on my eyes) I chose Storm which is a dark matte grey with blue undertones and although darker it reminds me of a Lancôme crayon I used to wear a lot years ago. It's a color that goes well with neutrals but it's a little tricky to pair with other eye looks so this is not an everyday option.

How does it perform? Great!

Not that I doubted Melissa but if you've peeked at her blog you must have seen her gorgeous eyes! I mean practically any eye liner will perform well on her eye shape but she was right about Smashbox Waterproof Liner, it does stay put!

The downsides...

The tip! Argh! The tip isn't long enough to see where the color goes on my lids! It doesn't twist out!

You're probably thinking, what on earth does she mean? I mean, when we apply crayon we hold it at an angle to see where the color goes but with this Smashbox liner due to the short tiny tip one has to hold it at an almost 90° angle to draw the line and this makes it hard to see where the color goes because the pencil itself hides the tip.

See how small the tip is?

At $23.00 I doubt this crayon will last long. Why you ask? Because to do both my eyes I have to reshape the tip at least four times. To do this you simply put the cap back on and twist gently. Reshaping the tip means that every time a little product is wasted but I have no choice since it gets hard to apply in no time, as if it started to dry. It's really the weirdest thing. There's also no way of knowing how much product is left since as I've already mentioned, it doesn't twist out.

Do I recommend Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kôhl Liner? Meh...

I honestly don't know! I really like the fact that it does stay put but I'm not a fan of the packaging. If it could be twisted out a little it would be much easier to use. According to some reviews I've read it performs really well on the waterline so I might consider getting Nude to lighten my eyes on mornings where I haven't slept much. There would be no need to reshape as often for that purpose and so it would probably last longer.


Do you know of a crayon that truly stays put, that wears like iron and is easy of use? Does it exist?

Chanel Le Vernis #559 Frenzy...

My nails are in rehab!

For months now I've been having issues with splitting and brittle nail tips. This is something that's never happened to me before, I've always had very strong nails. Over the years I have had issues with one nail here and there but never like what I'm experiencing at the moment. It's been almost a year! I would let them grow a little longer in the hope that the "bad parts" could be filed away but to no avail and so about a month or so ago I decided to let them grow longer...

Years ago I did wear and like my nails long but this isn't the case anymore and it's not very practical either especially considering the fact that my hands are pretty much always on a computer keyboard!

Long dark colored nails? Not really my style and I don't want to go with no color at all either so I decided to go for a nude...

NUDE??? Meeee???

Chanel Le Vernis #559 Frenzy...

Can I just say that when my daughter saw this color on my nails she went... Whaaa???

I had no choice! The state my nails are in at the moment means that any color chips, fast! Even the best formulas do and I'm not talking about tip wear which normally occurs on the fourth day or so but about chips on the second day, even with a good top coat!

I love my dark and my bold colors but the chipping bits just drive me nuts and redoing my nails two or three times a week? Not an option and who has the time for this anyway?

The color...

When it first came out in the fall of 2012, Frenzy was described as a "lilac grey" and although it can pull slightly in either direction depending on skin tone on me it's more a greyish beige that turns out to be a perfect neutral. Not the most original of colors but it's a very classy one and I get the feeling I'll return to it often.

I don't think a nude has ever suited me this nicely. I remember years ago wanting to find one that would go with my skin tone but the ones I tried at the time were either too beige or too grey, had too much or not enough pink... There was always something that made me remove them the next day. Not Chanel Frenzy. I had also been considering Dior #700 Yacht (I would have had to wait for that one since it just came out last week) but I'm glad to have chosen Chanel since it's a little cooler. You can see the comparative swatches Sara did on Color Me Loud when she wrote a review of the new nail polishes from Dior Transat Collection, here.

The formula...

The first coat can appear slightly sheer in some spots but the second takes care of that. Smooth and even with a good consistency which means hardly any pooling. Two coats make it look perfect but you do still see the tips of the nails which I don't mind with this type of color but if it's something that annoys you then three coats will make it completely opaque. It lasts a good five days with a top coat but I do get chips on my weak nails. On my pinkies and ring fingers it remains perfect but not on the others and since it's a nude they're not as obvious. Brilliant!

What I do like about Chanel's formula the most is it dries relatively fast. The first coat takes a few minutes and the second, seven or height. I always wait about thirty minutes after I'm done to do anything and by that time it's pretty much set.

Since Chanel Frenzy is a cream it's preferable to use a top coat for after two days or so it starts to loose a little of it's shine

Here is a picture I took a few weeks ago the first time I applied it and see how nice it looks against purple? I really like it, even in bad office lighting! Also I do prefer my nails short way better than long. I can't wait to get them back in shape! I'm almost there and wearing polish and top coat has helped protect the tips so now I pray that by the time I gently file them, they don't start spliting again...


Short nails are way more practical but if you could, would you wear your nails long?