January 2012 Favourites

These are cosmetic purchases I grabbed for a lot this month.

#1 La Mer treatment foundation

It is super lightweight and blends into skin flawlessly.
I can NOT feel that I am wear a foundation at all but it still gives medium coverage.
The best part...my reactive skin finds it soothing & calming!


#2 Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15

This is the best mineral make-up out there! The END!

#3 Origins VitaZing spf 15 Energy-boosting moisturizer

A moisturizer that actually moisturizes, protects (SPF), adds just a hint of healthy color, and it makes my skin look and feel dewy? SIGH ME UP!

#4 Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser Brightener

What a pleasant surprise easily accessible at your friendly supermarket or a local drugstore! I use it under my foundation and I am loving it!

#5 MAC Snowglobe Beauty Powder

It's so lovely and extremely delicate!
It has been my "setting" powder used very lightly with a fan brush!

#6 Here's another drugstore shocker:

REVLON  ColorStay Eyeliner with SoftFlex in Blackberry 206

It glides on easily and it stays in place the entire day.
It's been my go-to tightline pencil.
The color is very unusual, a purple black that looks fantastic with my light brown eyes.

Finally, my nails have been thoroughly neglected this month, mainly because this cold weather is drying my hands out and my thumb nail is still healing from an injury. Boo!
I have a few very pretty brand new ZOYA polishes awaiting to be swatched.

Hope everyone is staying warm and cozy!

TOP 11 of 2011 (cosmetics edition)

The year is over and it'd been a fantastic one!
Here's a list of my top 11 of 2011!
One word of wisdom though before I indulge you.
If I learned anything this year it is that expensive doesn’t mean better!
You will see some very affordable options on the list.
Now, can I have a drum roll please?
("Drrr")

#1 Chanel Bronze Universel De Chanel Sun Illuminator
#2 Giorgio Armani Corrector 1 (HOLLY GRAIL)
#3 It Cosmetics bye bye under eye concealer
#4 It Cosmetics universal brow pencil
#5 Milani liquif'eye brown eye liner
#6 Hard Candy Blush Crush Baked Blush in Honeymoon
#7 Wet n Wild eyeshadow trio Walking on Eggshells
#8 Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping mascara
#9 L'oreal Fairest Nude lipstick
#10 Bobbi Brown - Bronzing Powder in Light
#11 Fusion Beauty LipFusion XL Lip Plumping Therapy

Finally, here is a picture of the happy family:

2012 here we go! :-)

DECEMBER 2011 favorites

Hello beauties,
As promised I am going to reveal my top 5 favorite products of the month.
In addition I will share one fail item, luckily it was not expensive.
Here we go:
#1 -  Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM

Wow! Maximum results with minimal irritation! So true! I'm blown away!
At $65 per 1oz I was not in a rush to purchase this but I am so sorry I'd waited so long!
My skintone has evened out, it is much smoother, my fine lines and wrinkles have diminished. Highly recommend it!

#2 - Make Up For Ever HD  Invisible Cover Foundation

My shade is 120 (soft sand).
The truth is that this is my old reliable stand by foundation.
It is lightweight, it does a good job perfection my skin leaving it with a pretty satin finish.
It applies easily with my stippling brush, it is definately ONE of my MANY favorite foundations.

#3 - Hard Candy Crush Baked Blush in Honeymoon

Unfortunately if you want this to act as a blush you will be disappointed, this has very little color payoff however there is still good news,  it works as an amazing highlighter!
It gives a beautiful light peach-pink highlight aka "healthy glow" which is spot on for my pale winter skin.

#4 -  Giorgio Armani Master Corrector #1 (pink)

This is a fantastic corrector! It blends amazingly into my skin & is a perfect first step to fight those narly undereye circles.

Finally, a shocker!







# 5 - CETAPHIL Gentle Skin Cleanser!

I love that it is so gentle but it still removes most of my makeup and even leftover stubborn mascara (I start with L'Oreal eye makeup remover first)!

This is how I work my Cetaphil (pay attention!).

I pump a few squirts into my dry hands, rub my palms together to emulsify the product, turning into a milky lotion.

Next, I begin massaging it onto my dry face.
This will gently remove some makeup, dirt, etc.

Take your time!!!
Add a little water to emulsify it further but keep massaging the product with your fingertips.
Finally, wash it off with lukewarm water.
I always follow up with Clarisonic & any cleanser I desire at the moment since I have an army of those! :-)

For the grand finale, here is my "FAIL" of the month:

Physicians Formula Eye Enhancing Shimmer Strips Shadow & Liner Candy Collection, Hazel Eye Candy.

Well, where do I start?
No pigmentation, all the shimmer, sheer finish, flimpy applicator, the fact that it did nothing for my hazel eyes?
A lesson learned and luckily cheaply.
The set is on clearance at CVS at the moment, marked down to 75% off.

I AM WISHING YOU A YEAR OF HAPPY DAYS!



NOVEMBER 2011 BEAUTY FAVORITES

This is a bit late but the Holiday time is the busiest around here!
I have not really endulged into anything exciting however I would love to highlight one very special product here!

Here it goes:
 La Mer Treatment Fluid Foundation SPF15

This silken, lightweight fluid provides flexible medium coverage, a luminous and flawless finish, as well as long-lasting benefits. The exclusive Blue Algae Lift Ferment™ immediately adds radiance while working to improve firmness, clarity and brightness. SPF 15.

Why do you ask especially given an $85 price tag?
Well, my dry skin is a brat and this is the most superior foundation, in my humble foundation junkie opinion, out there that satisfies its needs.
Trust me, I've tried them all!

My skin feels and looks moist and radiant without being greasy or shiny.

Unlike any other treatment foundations out there, the coverage is phenomenal.

It is just light enough to cover some issues (redness, scars, sun spots, minor acne) yet not too heavy where is feels like it is suffocating my skin.

My color IVORY is yellow based hence it rids of any redness in my skin.
(for your reference I am about NW/NC 20 in MAC shade chart)

It is also so comfortable.

I don't feel it, I don't think about it!

Once put on in the morning it stay put all day, no touch-up's needed!

Finally, giving the reactive (sensitive) nature of my skin, the treatment aspect of this product comforts my skin all day long.

How many foundations do you know that  make your skin feel amazing upon its removal? 

This is my favorite foundation of all time!

Umm...at least for now! :-)

Hope this was helpful and informative enough.
PLMK if you have any questions.
Have a very happy & healthy Holiday Season!

I have found new love and the name is ZOYA

I have been going off the makeup tangent to only find the next best thing to makeup which is nail polish!
Yes, my newest beauty obsession is nail polish in particular one brand - Zoya!

Here is why:

"Ultra long-wearing, glossy nail lacquers by Zoya are free of toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) - chemicals that are known to cause cancer and birth defects. Zoya Nail Polish is vegan friendly".

It is fun, it is safe and my nails are actually much healthier with nail polish on!
Go figure this one!

I have accumulated a small collection of Zoya polishes thanks to the fact that the site is very generous when it comes to special promotions & deals.
It further helps that Ulta has started carrying the brand.
I enjoy them tremendously & recommend the brand wholeheartedly!

I would absolutely love to share my top ten Zoya polishes:
(please keep in mind I prefer very conventional aka neutral colors)

#1 Miley
#2 Jana
#3 Caitlin
#4 Dove
#5 Portia
#6 Jolie
#7 Erika
#8 Pasha
#9 Astra
#10 Luna

I will indeed post pictures of my mani's in the future.
Hope this will help some of you.
Happy paintings!

Monthly Favorites: OCTOBER Favorite Beauty Products

I had not done September monthly favorites because my favorites had stayed the same however there have been three stellar products that needed their own mentioning.
#1 Laser-Free Resurfacer™ with Dragon's Blood Complex

Ok ladies you all need this!
This is a lightweight creamy lotion which blends right in and absorbs easily.
Within a few days I did notice a more even tone to my complexion and my skin had a little glow to it.
The best part my reactive skin has been very happy with it as in no breakouts!
I am wondering how I lived without it... :-)

#2 Un-Wrinkle® Makeup-Less™ Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30

This is an amazing product that does exactly what it claims to do!

A one-shade-fits-all skintone corrector and sunscreen moisturizer with antiaging properties.
I love it. It takes all 60 seconds to apply it. It gives me a healthy color and natural glow. It is chemical free (how awesome!) and has SPF30!

Another winner c/o PTR!

#3 Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long Lasting Eyeliner in Taupe

Well, where do I start with this one?

Do I tell you how special the color is?

How this *plum brown silver* combo brings a certain sophistication to any eye makeup?

How smooth, creamy & long-lasting the formula is?

How lovely & soft it makes my eyes appear?

I seriously believe it is a Chanel must-have!

Have a lovely fall season everyone!

Cheers!

September Favorites 2011

#1 Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

#2 Peter Thomas Roth  Laser-Free Resurfacer™


#3  Bobbi Brown Corrector
 

#4 E.L.F. concealer brush
 
#5 MAC Face & Body Foundation

#6 CHANEL Bronze Universal

#7 MAC Brush # 109

#8 MAC Crystal Avalanche eye shadow (an awesome way to brighten inner eye corner)

#9 L'Oreal Eye Makeup Remover

#10 China Glaze Rainbow nail polish


Here's a little bit of everything that I have been loving this month.
Hope you found this as much fun as I did!
Have a wonderful fall season everyone!