So Blu-ray beat out HD DVD yada yada yada... I've been hearing about this for months, nay, years, from my lovely tech-savvy spouse, BUT:
He DIDN'T know that you can buy special blu-ray make-up from Cargo Cosmetics especially for the occassion!
That is, until I told him all about it.
There are some definitive loves in my life.
To name a few:
1. My love for office supplies:
Each year when my Dad took us back-to-school supplies shopping at Staples, we'd gleefully throw every shiny new set of pens, markers, calculators, protractors and every other office supply into the cart as we skipped down the aisle. It was better than Christmas. And at Christmas, Santa brings us colourful paperclips, highlighters, post-it notes and a fresh set of pens in our stockings. NO JOKE.
2. My love for lip balms/ glosses /moisturizers:
I will buy any lip product, for every pocket, purse, glove compartment or drawer I can get my hands on. -Swoon- The way they glide, smear, shine, and plump up my lips. MORE I SAY! MORE!
3. My love for Ingenious packaging:
I am a sucker for sexy packaging. You designers make me a consumeristic nightmare.
Enter:
Jean Paul Gaultier's Tout Beau - Sneaky Kiss Natural Lip Balm & Lip Stain Duo, which looks like a pen, but secretly holds a gloss and balm!
Elation... An elation I can only get from office supplies, gloss and clever packaging all at once.
I was at my local Shoppers today, grabbing some cold n' sinus relief, when I passed by the most delectable-smelling Raspberry Chocolate Massaging Soufflé EVER.
If I didn't already have a zillion new yummy cremes at home from Christmas, I probably would have picked up this little number and all of her Double Chocolate Raspberry family and friends.
I also contemplated scooping up her Decadent Chocolate Mint cousins as well.
This year I have two priorities: my hair, and the environment. And whaddya know, I just discovered Veganese Conditioner from LUSH which is good for both!
I've been doing a major overhaul in my routine all for the sake of my hair (drinking more water, taking Biotin, eating more greens) so I can't be entirely sure that this conditioner is the sole cause of my amazingly soft and shiny hair, but I've only been using it for four days now and the condition of my hair has improved tenfold. Seriously, miracle conditioner, guys.
And of course, LUSH is so eco-conscious that it makes me feel all warm and gooey when I use it.
Alright, internet, I am about to share something I Love A Lot. Usually LIAL posts are hip pieces we see and covet (techie window shopping). Once in a while, a LIAL gal (or guy, when they get up off their lazies & post) will 'fess up and divulge a personal legend: a product we heart, use and pimp almost religiously.
So, here is my ode to Dior Lipgloss (specifically Addict). Yes, I spend over $20 for 'designer' lipgloss. Shock, horror! Now, I would be the first in line to kick my ass, but you must understand the silky smooth beauty that has my little bouche quite addicted. It started in second year, when Erin McCluskey received a bottle for Christmas. Since I casually tried a swipe, I stuck with that girl through ever bar, party, club night, subtly using her to achieve soft, glossy (but not sticky) lips. Finally, I grew up a bit and bought my own. So finally, after twelve years, I had accomplished at least one stupid little quest (you know like the one to find the best jeans or hair colour).
So yes, it maybe expensive and ridiculous but it is better than the half-ass impulse Rimmel/Covergirl sticks that litter the bottom of purses everywhere. Plus I am only buying gloss every three years now and my my hair never gets stuck to my lips. Suck it, cheap lips, I have found the one.
I am dying to try the Creme de Gloss (pictured) but geeked out at the last moment. Any users?
My first impression of England, and I'm speaking "right off the plane, walking through the terminal to customs" first impression, was that the place smelled like books.
That seems too whimsical to be true, but it is (ask my jet lagged mom). It smelt like a library. That is how I knew that this country and I would get along.
That being said, the smell of old paper isn't really pretty. But since I am a fan of their baked goods scents, I trust the folks at Demeter know what they are doing by introducing Paperback: a perfume that smells of books. And to be completely honest, I am dying to try it.
Can all the girls with slightly oily skin please raise their hands? Lovely.
I think we can have a heart to heart here and say those those blotting papers are a godsend in the summer. No one wants a shiny forehead, especially when there is a camera around. But they're never really gone above and beyond to make blotter packages pretty have they?
Until now. I absolutely love these Blotter Booklet's from Zulu, especially this nice Grassy Knoll print.
Make-up is something of a luxury for me these days. I used to use make-up everyday to feel pretty, to try new looks, and to experience the adventure of colours, textures, and just plain fun.
Now I use make-up just to look well-rested.
And I've found my new best make-up friends. They fall into the clique known as "Benefit Concealers". Yes, Benefit has a barrage of concealers that will turn your haggard complexion into that of a youthful fairy princess. Flawless.
I could spend my entire life-savings on all of these goodies, but for starters I picked up the "sample kit", known as Realness of Concealness.
And I look my age again.
One note I would add is that there is not a whole lot of complexion-tone choice in this little clique. It's too bad, since I want to give one of these to every girl in the world.
It's not easy to see yourself get on in years. Half the time I can't even remember how old I am. It must be memory loss setting in.
Guys, I can see wrinkles emerging on my face. Either I've got to start making some botox appointments, or try Burt's Bees Radiance Night Creme with super anti-age-fighting ingredient Royal Jelly. There's Bee hormones in it! If I know anything about Bees, I know they're a lot smarter than they look. And if they can help me look youthful, I'm ready to smother some of their hormones all over my face.
I don't know about you, but I don't know if I like it when my beauty tools are smarter than me.
That's why I can't decide if I love or am envious of this ingenious little Illuminating Tweezer from Sephora.
That's right, there's a light built into the tweezers, so you won't leave the house with embarrassing little hairs left unkempt.
Perfect for all those occasions when the power goes out all over town and you just have to finish tweezing before a night of looting and rioting in the streets.
I've been snacking on my nails since I was 4 years old.
Truly, if you're going to recommend a product for me to try to stop this nasty habit, it's been tried.
Typically the only things that will keep me from putting my fingers in my mouth are the following:
1. Super sticky lipgloss
2. Holding a gas pump at a gas station. Man, those handles are disgusting.
Anyway, I was treated to a manicure a couple weeks ago that I quite enjoyed. I watched as the manicurist found horrible dead skin and gunk under my cuticles and nails and thinking about the fact that I put that stuff in my mouth everyday made me want to barf, but by the end, the finished product was shiny and pretty.
And it was then that I discovered the secret: Topcoat.
Personally, I like to wear these nail polishes underneath my sexy sexy shiny no-chip Topcoat.
Really. It's THAT obvious.
Ladies love bath products, it's a fact. My linen closet is already about to burst with the multitudes of sweet-smelling body washes, scrubs and lotions that I've compiled for myself. But I'm sure I could find room for some more, especially these beautifully packaged Triple Butter Creams from The Bubble Roome.
Fellow Canadians, the Americans have been keeping a wonderful secret from us. The Anti-bacterial Gentle Foaming Soap from Bath & Body Works is like, the best thing ever. They have a ton of great scents, the foam is nice and lightweight, it lasts forever, and right now it's on sale 5 for $15!! I just went across the border on Monday and came back with ten of these babies. I have enough Midnight Pomegranate soap to last me for the next three years.
There are SO many tempting treats at L'Occitane, that I could hardly choose which item to feature in this photo.
But the luxurious Lavendar Liquid Soap fits the bill nicely.
If you'd like to be swept away to the South of France, just walk into this store and revel in the lavender, olive oil, orange and almond essences wafting thickly through the air. I can hear the doves cooing outside my chateau already. Any girl who's watched Under The Tuscan Sun knows what I'm talking about.
It's too bad that after shopping at lovely L'Occitane, it would look as though my bank account took a shopping trip to the South of France.
-le sigh-
I'm not sure if this product is particularily new, but it's the first I've heard of it: Smashbox's O-Glow is an "intuitive" blush, a clear gel that reacts with your skin's moisture to produce a blush shade identical to that of your natural rosy tones. How crazy is that?? I sooo hope they have this in Sephora next time I go because I'm TOTALLY trying it out!
(via GadgetCandy)
Ladies and cyclists: waxing made my vacation enjoyable. While this sweet, luminous Irish skin grants me a lovely snow white complexion, I have hardy Eastern-European (Lithuanian) leg hair living underneath. Never far from sight, shaving is an annoying, slightly painful daily reality. Don't even get me started on underarms. So I listened to my southern sisters (Med girls are wax converts from birth) and booked a lower leg/under arm appointment right before I flew out.
And while it was so much more painful than expected and while I had to endure a hairy beach day and while on close inspection you will have stray hairs it was worth it. My legs looked even better than shaving. No little black root hair dots. Nothing.
I would have written this entry sooner, but I wanted to see if waxing is really worth it and oh my... my my my my is it ever.
So if you are not naturally gifted like hairless Jessica (whom we all secretly hate), please make an appointment just to give waxing a try. At home kits (which I just purchased and pictured*) work ok but you should make an appointment with a professional for the first few times (its not really convenient for me in London for reasons due to cash).
* I bought UK favourite waxing products today at Boots for ladies interested in at home remedies. The Veet wax strips are very convenient/easy to use and worked better than expected (expected being I would have hairy wax armpits). I will try the Nair microwave stuff tomorrow and let you know
Removing nailpolish can be such a tedious process. Not only does it dry out your nails, cuticles and everything in between, but the smell would make anyone gag.
That is why I'm so intrigued by Sparitual's Fluent Conditioning Lacquer Remover. It's vegan, it's moisturizing, it apparently doesn't smell the least bit bad, and it gives me a good reason to use the classy word "lacquer" when referring to my less-than-fancy nails.
I realize there was a magnificent mascara post a little while ago, but I must share this fabulous lash-enhancing beauty tool I love to pieces: red earth's 2v mascara.
This stuff has never left flakes or grey-ness under my eyes or lashes, it never comes out clumpy and never dries all chunky in the tube - even till the last drop. My loyalties to other mascaras (and I've had a love affair with many) were forgotten when this superstar came into my life.
I'll take a lashing from that.
AND - when it has to come off, there is no other eye-make-up remover I've loved more than Aveda's Pure Comfort Eye Makeup Remover. It's like pillows having sweet dreams on your eyes. No burning eyes for me thanks.
Ok, it's true. I'll never turn down a glass of chilled white wine. And then fall asleep twenty minutes later. But, I digress. My other favourite kind of Lush is the delicious animal-testing-free naturally-handmade cosmetic kind.
I used to be asked a lot what my favourite products were, and I could have named a couple. But then I worked there and my life changed, body-care-wise, and it won't ever be the same. So having known all of these little goodies more intimately (ie: trying everything in the store), I'll share what I'm now addicted to for life:
. Dream Cream. This stuff makes even the saddest skin happy again. Amazing for flaky, itchy, excema-prone skin. I adore this little puppy, and gave copious amounts of it away this Christmas to people I love. If you love someone, they deserve this cream.
. Gorgeous facial moisturizer. My skin has never looked as good as when I used this all winter. If someone loves you, they should buy you this cream.
. Eau Roma Toner. I used to be a toner skeptic. Honestly, I thought it a waste of time. And then, with soothing rose and lavender water, my skepticism was wiped away. I will not go a day without this.
. Ocean Salt. This scrub is like a margarita for your whole body. Softening and scrubb-y, it works magic on tired feet and tired faces. Astonishingly fabulous for those wild & crazy didn't-take-off-your-make-up-the-night-before mornings. oops.
. Buffy. I know half the Love It A Lot posse are already Buffy fans of a different variety, but truly ladies, this little number is something you'll want to slip into the shower with.
. Honey, I Washed the Kids soap. Choosing a favourite soap was difficult, but there's no denying that this is the best one. It's like the equivalent of illegal narcotics at Lush. People buy more of it than they can handle.
. Sweetie Pie Shower Jelly. It's so much fun. And smells like candy!
. And last but not least: Hot milk and Ne Worry Pas in the bath. Divine daaaahhhhhling.
* Oh, and for those of you thinking about guy products, minty minty Demon In the Dark soap and salty salty Big Shampoo are Ty's favourite manly-man Lush products. And there was a Biker-guy-mechanic who always came in to buy three tubs of Dream Cream at a time. Don't be shy dudes.
I love this Early Birds Mirror by Eleanor Grosch (the genius behind all those super cute Keds designs) at My Favorite Mirror. I'm afraid that it's so cute that I may never use the actual mirror, and just stare at the outside all day long.
