At the moment I'm using a Jasmine & Lavender scented dish washing liquid and I can't wait for the bottle to be empty! Every time I squirt some in the sink I'm reminded of cheap perfume and knowing how beautiful both flowers can be in a well balanced fragrance irritates my nose a little but hey that's me and my personal preferences because I know they're very popular.
My number one choice, especially for dish washing liquid, lemon! :)
On Wednesday morning I had to take Catherine to an important registration and so we went to my bank first to get a replacement. Two ladies, one in training the other the trainer were at the counter. I explained to them I had no time for any training process for I was in a big hurry. The bank opened only at 9:30, I had to get to the registration thing and start work at 12:00! Did they comply? What should have taken 10 minutes took 30!!!
To the registration we went... by the time we got there, there were already about one hundred people ahead of us! One hour later we finally got to sit in front of a nice lady to do our thing. When came time to pay... my card was REFUSED!!! The pin number didn't work!
The frustration, they didn't accept cash which I had way enough of on me. It was either debit card or certified check!!!
Back to my bank we went! Good thing it took over half an hour because heads would have rolled. I was ready to take the whole building down, that's how angry I was!
I was able to calm down (a little) by the time we got there and I ended up with a male clerk. I'm tellin' ya, that bank is in big trouble!!! It took another half hour to have another card made and make sure my pin number was set up correctly! That guy was really, I mean really clueless! When I asked for a certified check (there was no way I was going back to the registration given the time) he had a blank look in his eyes!
I think when all was done it was 1:20 (remember I had gotten to the bank at 9:30 that morning!) so I sent Catherine on her way for the registration (she got lost 2x!) and I went to work. I entered my office at 2:20 pm!!! People thought I was going to be a no show for the day!
Oh by the way, I forgot to mention that I woke at 3:30 am that morning and was unable to get back to sleep! By the time I got to work I already had a long day in me!
Oh lordy! Gimme a minute here, I'm feeling all tired again! *goes for another cup of coffee*
This week's makeup love...
Given the fact that the first half of my week felt like I had been sent to hell, I didn't really do anything different so it's getting real boring. It was the same old Clinique palette with Diorshow mono in Velvet. I did try the Guerlain look I posted last week, here, but it was a fiasco! I had used my NARS primer but for some reason the somewhat smokey look didn't take and my lashes didn't hold the curl so I kinda looked makeupless!
This means that although I mentioned last week I wasn't going to look for another mascara, well, I'm going back on my word. I just can't stand it anymore. I purchased one Friday and so far so good but I'll wait a few weeks before declaring my love to it... now that of course is if it is love! :)
Although I'm still using NARS Laguna bronzer almost everyday I did give this baby a try this week...
Terra Inca Sublime Radiant Powder, from summer 2011
Gorgeous isn't it? I believe it will keep it's pattern for a good while since I have to apply it with a light hand. It has a lot of shimmer and so I use very little over my Terracotta 01 for a little extra glow.
What I have my eyes on...
Nothin', nada! Trying to stick to my no/low buy for now and so I'm avoiding temptations by not going into stores. Erm... I have been considering a crock pot but that's not makeup related! :D
For your viewing enjoyment...
Sorry but this week my choice is not beauty related. Based on a series of books I read several years ago that came highly recommended by my friend Nico... In fact I think it took me two years before I finally read the first one, the trailer for the series...
Outlander...
If you haven't read them and like adventure/historical/love novels, go get the first, now!!! You'll have plenty of time to read it before the series starts. It's fun, a romantic fantasy that's a little overdone at times but then I guess if it wasn't it wouldn't be that fun now would it? Oh almost forgot, they were written by Diana Gabaldon and the fist book is called Outlander although I've heard it may also be titled Voyager.
I haven't done this is a while, posting screen captures but when I saw this, I just had to!
NARS has a new eye shadow line and it appears to be a stunner! Dry the shadows are matte and wet they shine!!! At $29.00 USD, $33.00 CAD each (that markup isn't very nice!), I do believe I may try one, two or maybe three!
I'll be having a closer look at Subra and Himalia (1st and 3rd first row) and Europa the last at the bottom. Reviews are starting to pop up so I'll wait a bit before taking the plunge but one thing is sure, I'll go have a swatch partayy!
Now available on NARS website and at The Bay.
What do you think of this novel idea? Will you try one?
Recently I proclaimed myself a PowderPuff Girl, a Guerlain PowderPuff Girl to be exact. I was having fun with Sunny of MostlySunny and came up with the name. Btw she's a member, in fact she should be the leader since she's responsible for getting me hooked on the stuff!. I mean Guerlain does make some of the best powders out there (imo) and although some companies are getting close they still have a few steps to take before they equal the legendary beauty house.
Now not to limit myself to one brand I decided to drop the first part of the name. Wanting to create a new weekly rendez-vous I thought of doing something in the lines of Gio from Beautiful With Brains with a question of the week, kind of like, to beat the mid-week blues.
Oh and by the way, PowderPuff Girl is not to be mistaken for The Powerpuff Girls...
Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup*
So what do you think, should it be The PowderPuff Girl Question or just The PowderPuff Question? I'm still a little undecided here. Definitely a little childish I know but it's all in good fun.
Since I did mention Guerlain, here goes with the first... erm second PowderPuff Girl Question...
If you use one, what's your favorite finishing powder?
Mine... Guerlain Crazy Météorites although when the weather is hot I tend to go for Marcelle compact powder which is more matte.
Sad to say I can see way more pan than on this picture taken about a month ago. I do hope Guerlain makes it part of it's regular offerings or at least brings us something similar next Christmas.
*The Powerpuff Girls is an American animated television series created by animator Craig McCracken and produced by Cartoon Network Studios for Cartoon Network. Wikipedia
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Lao Tzu
Friday night watching television, I heard this quote and it stirred something in me. It made me stop and think. I'm not the kind of person who pins quotes on Pinterest and although I probably have a few, I rarely read the ones pinned by the people I follow. I guess I've heard/read most of them before and the ones about love make me sad more often than not, but not this one. It's been hard and still is but hearing this I felt like it gave me a second wind and I just wanted to share it with all of you.
I finally caught up on all the comments several of you were gracious enough to leave on posts from the past two weeks!!! It's been just crazy for me but I'm glad to say that in the next few weeks things should get back to normal... Erm as normal as possible I guess! :)
This week's makeup love... struggle...
Lashes and liner... Argh!!!
So many mascaras and not one does what I want it to do! Thick curled lashes is what I want but it would seem that my lashes don't want to cooperate. Formulas that used to give me good results don't anymore and so it'll be Clinique High Impact mascara for a while (I'm still using the promotional size I got in a recent GWP but will probably get a full size soon). I will not spend $30+ for a mascara that won't perform unless I read it's the best thing since sliced bread! I am still loving Dior Iconic, it remains the best for my lashes so far but I can use it only about a month and a half due to the super tight bristles. Curse those stiff lashes of mine!
Eyeliner? My issue is not with the product I use, L'Oréal Infaillible Lacquer Liner, but the state of my lids close to the lash lines. They're slowly answering the call of gravity! *cries* This means that I have to adjust my application to make the line even and this past week I've had to redo my eye makeup twice on one eye! :(
Still loving my Shu Uemura curlers reviewed here & here.
New additions...
On an "almost" no buy as mentioned last Sunday, I did spend a lil' somethin'... The Body Shop was having a sale hard to resist and so I got the shower cream ($5.00) and the body butter ($10.00) from the Brazil Nut like. The smell is amazing!
What I have my eyes on...
There is that Guerlain bronzer, again, but this week taking advantage of one of many sales I purchased a pair of black sandals instead! Smarter I think. Like I've mentioned several times already I'm rebuilding my wardrobe and so I guess I'll keep my money for whatever good basics I can find on special. Gotta be smart!
For your viewing enjoyment...
From Guerlain, a look I'm planning to try/master because it doesn't require eyeliner except maybe on the outer corners or the eyes. It could be faster to do this in the morning and so I'll try look 3 later today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J7U0a6PY4g
Aren't the Écrin 2 Couleurs stunning? I'd love to get my hands on Two Parisian, a lovely pink and smokey black but that would probably be too dark for me so I'll try this look with Diorshow Mono in Velvet (this is the shadow that gets the most love from me and it pops up in almost all my #fotd makeup pics on Instagram) and if I find it's not enough I can deepen it with others I already own. The Écrin 2 Couleurs are $51.00 a pop so there's no way I'll be getting one anytime soon especially since the colors I'm liking are somewhat dupable.
Is it just me or did this mascara use to give more volume?
I rarely wear waterproof mascaras and in fact I just can't recall using a formula other than this one. I may have tried other drugstore options but that was so long ago that I can't remember which, it's just not coming to me. Over the years I've repurchased this one maybe four or five times which for some reason I didn't mention in my first review of it, here. It was an ok go to for when I needed my mascara to stay put and in my memory I'm quite sure it kept the curl...
L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara, Waterproof...
Not what I remembered...
Again, I rarely wear waterproof but now I get the feeling I won't have any other choice since almost all the regular formulas I've tried recently don't seem to hold the curl even when heating my lash curler. Some of my old favorites aren't doing much better either. Are my lashes getting even stiffer? I hope not! Of course at this time of year, heat and humidity aren't helping much and so last week I decided to replace my L'Oréal Voluminous Waterproof from last year and at $5.99 I figured I'd be good for summer for cheap. Since my last trial was a bust, L'Oréal Voluminous Million Lashes Waterproof reviewed recently, here, I thought this old standard would be fine.
Just like in my original review, the brush is just fine and it does give good length but it doesn't provide much volume! Duh! It's called Voluminous!!! Why did I like this mascara I have no idea!
Am I starting to suffer from Alzheimer?
I thought it not only held the curl but was black enough, thickening enough... Not so but what does remain the same is... Oh what a pain to remove!!!
To give my lashes more oomph I have to apply some Clinique or Dior on the tips otherwise they are practically non existent! Even doing this, the effect doesn't last and so after five hours or so my lashes don't have much volume and barely any curl.
Bottom line, I'm sorry about my previous review, or am I? Seems to me it used to do good on my lashes but not anymore. L'Oréal Infaillible Lacquer Liner in Dark Slate remains my ultimate HG liner (I have two backups of it) but I think I'm done with the brand's mascaras except for Voluminous Million Lashes Excess which I reviewed last year, here. I was considering trying the new Voluminous Miss Manga Mascara but after reading my new bloguerette friend Lena of Lenalure's review, here, I'll pass and keep my wallet happy! :)
Any old favorites you feel have changed or don't perform as well as they used to?
Buying a new concealer is boring! Well it is to me!
I'm not a fan, not at all and I've been using one since I was about 15 years old! Gah!!! Why did I even bother back then, I had perfect skin! I guess I have my best friend to blame for that (yes you Nico!). When I saw her use her little stick of light beige cream I just thought it was so cool that I just I had to get me one. There was no turning back! If I remember correctly that first one was from Maybelline.
Through the years there have been many, many, many... The ones I've repurchased the most were from Clinique and Estée Lauder. I loved the creamy formula with the doe foot applicator. In recent years the formulas seem to have changed and so the last ones I purchased from either companies weren't performing as well as they used to. Or maybe it was just my skin getting older and showing its unhappiness...
Although I've used several high end brands my favorite of the past few years...
Rimmel March Perfection!
The super el cheapo brand makes one good concealer but the latest tube I purchased (after having looked for one for weeks because every drugstore in Montreal appeared to be out!) seemed to be sheerer than before. Could be just me and my "getting older" under eye area but for some reason it didn't conceal as well as before. Do know I don't have dark circles and it's mainly to even out. I was a little disappointed and figured this meant I would have to go on a quest, a quest to replace it, to find another HG. :(
Then came Sunny (mostlysunnyblog) to the rescue with her super amazing idea!
Using a primer under the concealer! Why didn't I think of that? *smacks head*
The two primers I had on hand were NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base which I found a little thick for the under eye area and a small size of Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer which turned out to be perfect! I know it's suppose to be used on face but it wasn't doing much for me and it was dying in my makeup case so why not give it a try?
So now my new routine is, Hourglass primer, Rimmel concealer and a light dusting of Marcelle Pressed Powder with a fan brush. Done! The picture below is from my Instagram feed.
Rimmel has three concealers, Hide The Blemish Concealer in a traditional stick form which I haven't tried. Wake Me Up Concealer, a cream with a doe foot applicator reminiscent of the ones I used to like and Match Perfection Concealer presented in a long tube with a brush at the end.
I found both Wake Me Up and Match Perfection to be quite similar, almost interchangeable (Wake Me Up is slightly more moisturizing) so the choice between the two depends on the type of presentation you prefer and I do believe they've improved on Match Perfection by adding air in the tube so you don't have to press for ages to get product out. That was what I found most annoying with my first tube reviewed, here. Over my Hourglass primer it doesn't dry as fast so I have more time for a smooth application and also it's more opaque and covers better than without.
Rimmel London Match Perfection concealer is often on special in drugstores and there are times when it's hard to find. I guess I'm not the only one liking it and the same goes for Wake Me Up. Even at their respective regular price which is under $10.00, they are a good deals and I doubt at this point that I'll go back to expensive brands. Ok I may for blogging research but not having a blog I'd be quite satisfied with either.
I don't have many drugstore HG anymore but this one remains and I think that as long as they make it I'll own one.
Is there a drugstore item that you've repurchased again and again and again... ?
Oh my, this is such a boring statement but hey, I gotta do what I gotta do! I'm not such a big spender in the first place but I do purchase a little more than the average woman when it comes to beauty items. This past month I've toned it down quite a bit and it's showing, yay!
Yesterday I did my last bit of clothes chopping, found an nice pair or sandals and so now I'm good for summer. I finally have my basic wardrobe which means more money in the bank for a while... Ok maybe not all of it since it's summer and I want to treat my girl but let's just say that big beauty items are off my list for now... except for one... maybe... After all I did say, almost! :)
One more note...
So sorry I haven't caught up on comments for over a week! Please do not stop it's just that I haven't had much time.
This week's makeup love...
I'm truly enjoying theBalm eye shadows (review coming soon), they are highly pigmented, go on smooth and have good lasting power. The Meet Matt(e) palette combined with my Clinique palette which has more satiny shades work so well together that I haven't considered any of the new limited edition palettes that are available at the moment.
My bronzers of the week...
Since it's summer and I have *cough* a few bronzers I figured, why not? Believe me, I do use them all, not at the same time of course! This week it was The Body Shop Honey bronzer in 02, Guerlain Terracotta in 01 aaaaand my last year's favorite, Diorskin Nude Tan in Coral Glow! That baby is being treasured and used only a few times a week. I want it to last and last and last...
Nails...
For the past two weeks it's been Dior Mirage on toes and Chanel Pink Tonic on fingers but I've been considering getting Chanel Sweet Lilac more and more... I mean I could since it's not a big beauty buy, right? Tonight I might go back to Dior Wonderland on fingers, I haven't decided yet. :)
Fragrance...
A rediscovery! This week I've been enjoying The Body Shop's Oceanus which I purchased two years ago. Sadly it appears to have been discontinued. It's a fresh summery fragrance with good staying power over which I can use a little Diptyque Do Sun during the day. I mean look at it, just the color is refreshing!
Icaria's Food Blog...
I posted two new recipes! My perfect pizza dough and a the basics for a delicious Frittata. I hadn't posted anything new since last august, in fact these were my ninth and tenth posts. Catherine asked me recently how to prepare the frittata so knowing where to find the how too maybe she'll get inspired and start cooking! You can have a look at them, here. :)
Since I mentioned my bronzers I thought it would be fun to see this entry by Guerlain. I personally don't use Joli Teint but my Terracotta, I use practically every single day! If you don't know how to apply bronzer this is an excellent tutorial.
I guess by now y'all know how much I like (loooove) micellar water! I use one every day, at night to remove makeup and in the morning to refresh and remove the bit of oil that accumulates at the surface on my skin during the night. I use a lot of it and so it can get expensive. I'm glad to say, I've found another great wallet friendly option...
L'Oréal Sublime Soft Gentle Micellar Solution...
Recently the French brand has launched several new products including this one. I must admit I was hesitant in trying it since L'Oréal usually puts a lot of fragrance in their skincare and although I'm not sensitive to it I'm not much of a fan of synthetic flowery smells. Why did it surprise me? Well...
It has no fragrance!!! We were off to a good start!
How does it perform? Beautifully!
Works like a charm! It truly is "Soft" like the name says and if you drench you cotton pad enough, it cleanses extremely well without drying my skin. I've used it as my sole cleanser and as a follow up to a gel and it really is effective.
Would I recommend L'Oréal Sublime Soft Gentle Micellar Solution? Yes!*
So, I did say it had no fragrance but it does have a very faint somewhat chemical scent to it. Again it's very faint and for some reason I don't always smell it. Still, if you're sensitive to fragrance I doubt this would be much of an issue because again, it's barely there.
Effective, although I must admit I haven't used in on my eyes because these days I've been using waterproof mascara but given the way it removes my Dior BB I have no doubt it would do a good job on regular eye makeup.
The price!!! I purchased mine on special at $7.99, regularly priced at $12.99 (I think!) which means it's the same price as my recent HG from Klorane reviewed, here. This is really another great cheap thrill!
I still prefer Klorane over L'Oréal due to the light herbal scent but I can definitely see myself alternating between the two since they are readily available everywhere and there's always one or the other on special.
I have two jobs! One that pays the rent and one that doesn't and honestly I wouldn't have it any other way, I just need to stay busy!
A few weeks back, I can't remember what the conversation was about but I was talking with a co-worker (at my job that pays) and mentioned I had no time for whatever we were talking about. My colleague was surprised, I guess he thought that when I wasn't at work I spend my time either out shopping or at home eating bonbons!
Sooo not so!
People's reaction when I say I have a blog goes from Ooo that's so cool to... blank stares!!!
When I say it's a beauty blog (that doesn't pay)... well... let's just say that sometimes I get the feeling of being viewed as a totally empty bobble head!
Blank stares people, blank stares!
Do I care? Nope!
I do it for the "Ooo that's so cool!!! I do it for the readers who stop by to read my Sunday Post and the reviews in between, I do it because I love it! Period!
I think I've already mentioned that not long ago my daughter told me she was proud of me! *blushes* She told me she admired my work ethic and my commitment to this baby! I do it for her! Ok well I do it for her so that she knows what it is to dedicate oneself to a project.
Then three weeks ago I saw my friend who's been living in Australia for ages... Such a great afternoon but I'll talk about that later, for now I'll just mention the sense of pride I felt when first she said my English was impeccable (for those of you who still don't know I'm a French Canadian from Montréal) and then the surprise and joy in her eyes when she saw the way my site really looked like! You see she subscribed to the newsletter and so had never seen the actual look of Icaria's.
I was floating on air! The best afternoon ever! Woot! I do it for her too!
As much as some of us beauty bloggers can second guess ourselves here and there, we do it mainly because we love it. Whether it's done in the closet or way out there, the fact that we know people read us is what keeps us going. I never thought I would be read and that humbles me and it's probably the main reason why it takes me at least thirty minutes to press "Publish" once a post is done. I rarely look at my stats these days, not for a lack of interest but mainly because I kind of know. I king of know which post will be popular and it usually is not the one I took the longest time to write and that's ok since some of those are sweet indulgences for me. I don't look at my stats because I'm not in a competition and I don't want the stress.
With summer finally here my posting schedule will likely be a little irregular as it has been for a month or so now and I know it'll be the same for several beauty bloggers. Some breaks are needed, stuff has to be done and summer has to be enjoyed. Hey this past winter was a killer!!!
As mentioned a few weeks back, I've been enjoying Instagram a lot and will continue to retweet my #bbloggers buddies on Twitter (I do that a lot!) so do follow me if you are on either or both. Even if I slow down a little I'm still going to be on the web as much as possible. Oh and The Sunday Post will be up every week so no worries, I know it's a favorite and I thank you all for this!
Oh by the way, my banner looks horrible on Twitter at the moment. They've modified the settings and I can't get it to fit anymore. I'll try to correct... eventually!
This week's makeup love...
Some same old, same old. Using my Clinique palette, I've been alternating between the fourth and fifth shade from the bottom as a base on my lids and still use Diorshow Mono in Velvet for definition. NARS Laguna bronzer is definitely "Da Bomb" I just love the satiny finish and combined with Deep Throat blush it's really flattering, more so on my than with Orgasm which I've barely touched since getting this small size. I do a little contouring with Guerlain Terracotta and use The Body Shop's Honey Bronzer mainly on my neck but also some days as an all over powder. I purchased a new L'Oréal Voluminous waterproof mascara to see how it would perform on warmer days. I'll be writing a new review soon.
Thinking about bronzers... Do I really need another?
Erm... I'm not sure! To be continued... below...
New additions...
Taking advantage of some blog sales, I recently purchased from Jessica of Getting Cheeky (she's taking a long break so you can follow her on Twitter, here) the TheBalm Meet Matt(e) and the fabulous Guerlain Terra Inca Sublime Radiant Powder, last year's summer star. From Liz of Beauty Reductionista, Guerlain Météorites Compact UV Shiels Pressed Powder.
What I have my eyes on...
A bronzer of course! The new Guerlain Terra Tropica Sun Light Duo Bronzing Powder. For some reason I think it may be similar to my beloved Crazy Terracotta from last Christmas so it's definitely a possible purchase. I was a little disappointed by the fact that the Célébration compact was so matte. Terra Tropica has more shimmer and could be a nice option for me.
What can I say, I'm a bronzer addict with no intentions of geting into rehab and this one seems to be calling my name, loudly! I think I need a fix! :)
For your viewing enjoyment...
There's a Dior exhibition going on in Shanghai at the moment and it appears to be a lovely one. My bloguerette friend Sunny of Mostly Sunny (who by the way celebrated her wedding yesterday!) was there this week. I do hope she got to see this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7Ijqa0VTM0
After its journey from Paris to Chengdu, it's taken a month before Le Petit Théâtre Dior has been able to unveil its sixty miniature dresses presented inside twelve gray sets. Right now is the time for final adjustments: a technician makes sure that the background music for the Grand Bal Dior installation is perfectly synchronized with the waltz in three-quarter time of the sumptuous miniature Schuman dress and the ten others that surround it. Further along, the pastel dress from the fall-winter 2012-2013 haute couture collection by Raf Simons for Dior is carefully displayed inside a giant lipstick tube. Our attention is then drawn to the room dedicated to J’adore which captures all the magic and opulence of the Galerie des Glaces in Versailles with walls that look like they're covered in gold leaf and, on the ceiling, a striking chandelier composed of mini perfume bottles. Next to it, another animation arouses our curiosity; a bed of digital flowers evokes a classic French garden in which, like magnificent bouquets, two bottles of Diorissimo are flowering. The Miss Dior dress designed by Christian Dior in 1949 blooms in the middle of its flower, like a lovely bud, appearing and then disappearing among the petals. This meticulous and precise work across these twelve installations in twelves different shades of gray – the couturier's favorite color – allows the viewer to discover the essence of the Dior spirit distilled in sixty delicately-proportioned dresses. From Dior Magazine
Here, see the attention to details in the making of the Miss Dior Dress...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mihmTwi-rg
Positively stunning!
Congratulations Sunny! I hope you had a lovely time! Have a great week everyone! Hélène xoxo
