Little Pretty

Getting Lippy With Clinique

2011-06-19T21:56:00.000-04:00

Hey All!
Welcome to a new feature on Little Pretty called Getting Lippy! In a series of posts I want to go through my lipstick and lipgloss collection to share and compare all the different brands with you! I got the idea from a few weeks of wearing the same few lip shades simply because I couldn't really remember what the rest of them looked like! Plus, I think it's really interesting to not only compare shades but to compare different brands because they all have different finishes, textures and scents.

For the first post in this series I thought I'd start with a brand very close to my heart: Clinique. I work for the brand but not only that I wholeheartedly believe in the brand. Check out my other posts on Clinique and I think you'll see what I mean.

Left to right to bottom of image: Pink Beach, Think Bronze, Extreme Pink, Tenderheart, Pink Spice, All Heart, Raspberry Glacé.

Clinique lipsticks come in 3 different varieties; Buttershines (the colour of a lipstick, the shine of a gloss), Long Last (moisturizing and long-wearing), and High Impact (SPF 15 and a stain-like wear). Then there are the Different Lipsticks (which are often sampled in gifts) but I don't consider them "different" enough from the Long Lasts to warrand a separate category. Like everything at Clinique they are fragrance-free but despite this I find they don't smell/taste too lipstick-y. Thumbs up!

Left to right: Pink Beach, Think Bronze, Extreme Pink, Tenderheart, Pink Spice, All Heart, Raspberry Glacé.

So you can see I kinda have a thing for pinks. My lips are naturally pretty pigmented so I often gravitate towards lighter pinks to complement my fair skin tone. Clinique lipsticks are great because of the wide range of colours but a word to the wise, try it on your skin before you buy. Clinique lipsticks look especially different in their tubes colour-wise so a shade that looks very deep might come off quite subtly.

That's it for today's Getting Lippy! Let me know what you think!

Sarah xoxo

Too Cute Cosmetic Minis

2011-06-01T22:09:00.000-04:00

Monday night I went to sleep thinking it must be mid-April based on the thunderstorms raging outside my bedroom window. When I awoke on Tuesday it was July; smotheringly hot without a breeze to break the heat. Summer is officially upon us here in Guelph. I'm quickly realizing just how much my work dress code, all black, is going to stink. I guess I'll just have to make the best of my days off by wearing flowy summer dresses and easy, breezy onesies!

Speaking of summer this is the time of year people hop in their cars to enjoy everything Ontario has to offer. I've already taken a trip or two to the Big City (a.k.a Toronto) and I plan to take a few more mini-breaks to my hometown before the summer's through. In the spirit of packing light it's always nice when you can minimize the amount of stuff crammed into your case. Packing short-shorts instead of capris and a mini hairbrush instead of your full size are just a few ways to keep your case light. But how do you downsize the amount of makeup and skincare in your suitcase? The answer: cosmetic minis!

The above are just a few of my favourite miniature beauty must-haves. I can't go anywhere without my Moisture Surge oil-free moisturizer from Clinique and I've just started using Lancome's Renergie Microlift Eye and love it's rich texture. And no fast and fancy makeup look is complete without three things: blush, mascara and lipstick. Clinique has all three covered in these convenient travel-sized versions: Fresh Bloom Blush in Peony, High Impact Mascara in Black and All Heart Lipstick. All of these were featured in gifts or were given out as freebies during events so there are always chances to try new things in the cosmetic department!

So happy travels girls and if you're staying at home this summer enjoy some of the summer's best in your city!

Sarah xoxo

Benefit vs. Urban Decay: The Lid Primer Challenge!

2011-04-21T21:48:00.000-04:00

Picture it: you've just picked up this gorgeous little eyeshadow palette with all your favourite shades including this one shade that you just know is gonna make your peepers pop! You apply the colours and think "gee, these shadows could use some more pigment" and by the end of the day all the colours have migrated and settled into your crease.
Bummer.
But there's hope for you in Benefit's Stay Don't Stray and Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer! Both claim to prolong the wear time of your shadows as well as even out the colour of your lids. In this post these two multitaskers go head-to-head in a battle to win the title of Best Lid Primer!

Benefit's Stay Don't Stray
Pros: I really like the consistency of this primer. It's thicker like a concealer and super smooth. Plus it does double duty: it evens out lids to prepare them for shadow and glides under the eyes so concealer has something to adhere to. Colours applied on top seem more vibrant and blend more readily. Shadows stay put with this primer all day and into the night.
Cons: My beef is with the packaging as opposed to product itself. The primer comes in an airtight pump which despenses 4X more product than you need. I've taken to just pushing the plunger down very gently to waste less. Last I heard though, Benefit was in the process of redesigning the bottle so let's hope they come up with something a little less wasteful.

Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion
Pros: This product is a little thinner than Benefit's version and goes on almost invisibly. I love the slanted applicator that deposits just the right amount of primer on each lid. Shadows blend super easily and last just as long as those applied on top of Stay Don't Stray.
Cons: I wish it had a little more coverage as far as evening out my veiny lids.

And the winner...

Stay Don't Stray! The formula won me over at "hello". But before we discount Primer Potion though it still delivers on staying power. The original potion was the one I reviewed here but there are two other shades (Sin and Eden) which I'd be willing to review in the name of beauty. :)

Happy Easter Y'all!

Sarah xoxo

A Colour All Her Own With Stila Custom Colour Blush

2011-03-28T15:50:00.000-04:00

Hey Girls!
How was your weekend? Mine was pretty standard: I worked Saturday and then did a little running around yesterday. I'm off today as well so I've donated this day towards getting all our mountains of laundry done. Have I mentioned before how many dirty clothes one boy makes? It's a lot, my friends.

In between loads of laundry and episodes of Oprah I've been catching up on some of my favourite beauty blogs. Makeup and Beauty Blog is my number one (it's actually also my homepage) closely followed by Temptalia and The Beauty Look Book. But the more I visit beauty blogs the more I want to find. That's why I'm glad Andrew told me about Stumble Upon! It's a site that takes all of your interests and randomly selects websites to match those interests. And it constantly learns the type of content you want when you thumbs up or thumbs down! And all these blog discoveries inspired me to update my blog :)

You know I never used to give blush much thought. I've always been so into eyeshadow and lipgloss that there there didn't seem to be any need to have more than one or two shades of rouge in my makeup bag. But with bright, bold cheeks being the focus this spring I've realized the importance of peachy pinks, rosy shimmers and warm bronzes in highlighting the face.

I recently picked up Stila's Custom Colour Blush at my local Beauty Boutique and I think it's bright fuchsia tone is perfect for spring.

The thing that makes this blush different is that it works with your skin's pH to create a pretty pink shade that's unique to you. It's silky texture makes it supremely blendable and it's super layerable: apply a little for a sheer flush of colour or a little more for bold, sculpted cheekbones.

What's your favourite blush brand/shade? Do you prefer cream or powder?
We're half way through Monday! Keep on truckin'!

Sarah xoxo

My Skincare Routine: I Don't Wake Up Looking This Pretty

2011-03-18T21:15:00.000-04:00

Woo TGIF!
Except for me it doesn't mean much because I work most Saturdays...but I have Sunday off so that's something! The weather is getting so nice here and the snow is almost gone! Horah! How's the weather where you are?

I thought I'd devote this post to explaining my skincare regime since I'm so in love with all of my steps. Andrew (my hubby) often remarks that there are too many steps but I simply explain to him that each one is completely necessary. Before I started at Clinique I got my cleansers and moisturizers wherever I could afford which meant a lot of trial and error and frankly, a lot of disappointment. Now that I'm on my dermatologist-developed skincare I find my skin to better shape (although it's not perfect but whose is?) and I'm saving money since I use less of my product. Let me just say that I'm prone to enjoying a more complex skincare routine. It makes me feel like I'm taking care of everything and making sure my skin is at it's best. If the following routine seems like a lot to you that's okay! Finding the perfect regime is all about knowing how you want your skin to look/feel and how much time and money you're willing to put into it. Only have a few minutes in the morning and at night to care for your skin? Check out my post on 3-Step Skincare: twice a day in 3 minutes or less and see an improvement in your skin instantly, and over time!

Morning:
1. Wash face with Liquid Facial Soap Oily Skin Formula to remove impurities and control oil as well as loosen the bonds between dead skin cells
2. Sweep a cotton ball soaked in Clarifying Lotion #3 all over just-cleansed face to exfoliate away dead skin. (Note: Don't ask me why they call it Clarifying Lotion since it's a liquid. Weird.)
3. Massage three pumps of Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel over complexion to balance skin's natural oil and water content
4. Apply All About Eyes Serum to under-eyes to gently de-puff and reduce dark circles
5. Apply All About Eyes Cream to under-eyes as well as lids to moisturize and again, tackle those pesky dark circles
6. Smooth two pumps of Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector over entire face to lighten dark spots caused by acne scarring (This product is actually guaranteed to work as long as you use daily sun protection)
7. Moisturize skin with Even Better Moisturizer SPF 20

Night
1. Remove eye makeup with Take The Day Off Eye Makeup Remover
2. Remove all other makeup with Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser
3. Follow Steps 1 to 6 of morning regime
4. Apply Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief to entire face for indulgent hydration all night long

There you have it: my entire skincare solution! This is obviously tailored to my unique skin concerns but pop by any Clinique counter and a consultant would be happy to custom-fit products for you.

Sarah xoxo

Pucker Up and Make Today All About Lips

2011-01-18T12:47:00.000-05:00

Good afternoon girlies!
What are you up to today? I have multiple loads of laundry to catch up on but other than that I'm just enjoying my day off. And even though it's only January I'm already dreaming of spring. I can't wait until I can wear sandals again and leave home without a bulky winter jacket. Most of all I'm looking forward to smooth, moisturized lips! No matter how much lip balm I use and how many times I exfoliate I never can seem to keep my lips flake free. Dry, flaky lips make it difficult to wear lipstick (especially the matte kind) so I've been finding myself reaching for gloss instead.

That is, until I found Clinique's All About Lips.

All About Lips is a silicone-based lip primer which smooths the appearance of fine lines and gently exfoliates away dry skin on the lips. The smooth formula glides onto lips easily and is absorbed readily. More than one coat can be applied and to help with the exfoliation you can also gently scrub lips with a toothbrush.

Lipstick glides on so smoothly and the colour looks so true and flake free that I'm wearing lipstick more than I ever have. Oh, and did I mention it prevents colour from feathering? What an unsung makeup hero!

All About Lips is $27.50 (but lasts forever) and can be found at Sears and The Bay.

Sarah

Put Blushing and Flushing in Their Place

2011-01-18T00:04:00.001-05:00

One thing (among the many things) I love about Clinique is the variety of product lines designed specifically to treat real skin concerns. There's a system for acne, products that erase dark spots and a relatively new line which helps to neutralize redness.

13 million people in the US alone suffer from rosacea; a condition characterized by persistent redness, broken capillaries and small papules that can be mistaken for acne. There are even more people that suffer from occasional redness that can be triggered when they're in hot environments or eat spicy food. There are so many people who can benefit from Clinique's Redness Solutions line which includes a cleanser, a moisturizer and a daily protective base containing SPF 15. Though these products can't cure rosacea or persistent redness they can help to sooth they skin by repairing the moisture barrier and protecting against sun damage.

Along with skincare the Redness Solutions line contains a few cosmetic products to help to cover and conceal redness while still being good for skin. The Instant Relief yellow-tinted Mineral Powder was the first product release and a pressed powder version is currently being featured on counter. But for the girl who prefers a liquid makeup there's Redness Solutions Makeup SPF 15 with Probiotic Technology. And to conceal those stubborn red spots there's the Redness Solutions Targeted Corrector.

The foundation comes in 6 shades each with an appropriate undertone to both neutralize redness and match skin tone. Combined with moderate coverage and a comfortable feel this foundation does so much more than just cover. It's an oil-free formula and it's important to note that if you're a redness sufferer you should stay away from products with oil as oils can actually exasperate redness and irritate skin. It also contains SPF 15 which protects delicate skin against sun damage. Finally, it contains probiotics which help to strengthen and repair skin's moisture barrier and improve the overall look of skin.

The targeted corrector is a yellow-toned creamy concealer that further neutralizes the look of redness. Also oil-free this product is perfect for covering those red papules associated with rosacea, broken capillaries and even plain-old pimples. I also use it under foundation to lighten the darkness under my eyes! It's the perfect multitasker to go along with your Redness Solutions Makeup.

Redness Solutions Foundation retails for $30 and the Targeted Corrector is $25.

What do you have planned for this week? I've got laundry on my to-do list for tomorrow :)

Sarah xoxo

Mid-Winter Bronze Glow For A Pale Girl

2011-01-15T21:09:00.000-05:00

Looking like a naturally sun kissed goddess doesn't have to involve a trip down south and possible skin damage. All it takes is a good bronzer! Sounds like an easy task but in reality it's more complicated than doing your taxes.

[Side note: I have never done my own taxes before but I would like to learn. I've heard it's not as complicated as most people think.]

Being a pale girl I find most bronzers are either too dark or too orangey and tend to make me look more dirty than tan. So you can understand how excited I was to discover Clinique's Almost Bronzer!

It's an oil-free dual shade bronzer with SPF 15 that can double as your all over face powder. It's different in that it's an extremely naturally looking bronzer that's great for bringing colour back into the face after everything's been evened out with foundation.

The brush that's included with the bronzing powder is also a welcome surprise: its natural hair is incredibly soft and it's perfect for touch-ups. This powder is a multitasking queen and it's definitely getting me through the winter with a healthy summer glow!

Clinique Almost Bronzer Powder can be found at Sears and the Bay for $34.

Sarah xoxo

P.S. How`s the weekend going? Have you been catching up with your girls or just laying low at home?

What Am I Wearing...On My Nails?

2011-01-13T23:36:00.000-05:00

Hey Ladies! How goes it? I had a relatively uneventful day. At work the department was the quietest I have ever seen it but I suppose that's just the way it is post-holiday. Here's hoping business picks up a little for the weekend!

In between helping the odd customer and organizing the product shelves I`d get a little thrill of happiness every time I looked down at my nails. I love the nail polish colour I`m wearing right now! It`s called Petal Pusher and it`s part of Sally Hansen`s ever popular Insta-Dry line of quick drying lacquers.

Petal pusher is the ultimate gorgeous pinky-neutral to class up any dull work day. I love Sally Hansen products because they are the best in terms of drugstore nail care. The Insta-Dry line of polishes are designed for impatient ladies such as myself and despite their quick dry time they actually wear a good few days without chipping. That`s with a base and top coat, of course!

So the next time you`re looking for a quick-drying neutral nail colour check out petal pusher! Which reminds me, what are you wearing on your nails at the moment?

Sarah xoxo

Radiance Regained with Clinique's Exfoliating Scrub

2011-01-12T16:51:00.001-05:00

It's all too easy to fall into an uninteresting routine during these long Canadian winters:

Wake up when it's still dark out
Trudge through 3 feet of snow on your way to the car/bus stop
Go to work
Head home after the sun has set
Go to sleep at 9pm because it's too darn cold to and dark to stay awake
Repeat

Along with the winter blahs, another symptom of the colder months is dry skin. The freezing winds outside and the warm, dry air inside join forces to make your skin itchy, flaky and dull. But don't worry, there's a simple solution to all your winter woes! Mix up your routine!

To cure the winter blahs make sure to get a little exercise each day (I like to dance) and eat bright, mood-enhancing foods like citrus fruit! Make sure to get out on your days off work. Go and see a movie or indulge yourself with a little retail therapy.

To cure your skin of its winter dryness takes a two-pronged attack: exfoliate and moisturize. There are a plethora of scubs for the body like Flake Away but make sure to use a gentler scrub for your delicate facial skin. My favourite right now is Clinique's Exfoliating Scrub.

Exfoliating Scrub is a little different than a lot of other scrubs on the market. First of all it isn't a scrub/cleanser because Clinique doesn't believe in making Jack-of-all-trades products. This is because Clinique caters to a number of clients who have ingredient allergies so making each product as simple, effective and specific as possible makes it usable to more people. It's also nice to have an exfoliator you use only a few times a week as oppose to an exfoliating cleanser you use every day because it allows you to control the amount of exfoliation.

This scrub is also different because it contains smooth microbeads which gently polish the skin without tearing or scratching. It also has some salicyclic acid which is a great chemical exfoliant. The last point of difference is it's refreshing burst of menthol which makes you feel as though you've just stuck your face into icy-cool water. It's a pretty intense feeling which makes this scrub best for oilier skins. For you dryer-skinned ladies try Clinique's 7-Day Scrub which has a creamier texture and is more comforting.

Clinique's Exfoliating Scrub is $22 and can be found at Sears and The Bay.

Sarah xoxo

What I Got At The Estee Lauder Warehouse Sale

2010-12-11T18:27:00.000-05:00

Now that I'm working for an Estee Lauder sister company I have the privilege of attending cosmetic warehouse sales. The equivalent of a designer sample sale, the cosmetics warehouse sale is a thrifty makeup junkie's dream. A colleague and I drove an hour and a half to three warehouses packed with fragrances, cosmetics and skin care from a number of Lauder-owned brands.

Mrs. Lauder invented and acquired a number of brands in her years as head of the Estee Lauder Companies including Clinique, MAC, Origins and Aveda whose products all made an appearance at the sale. Testers of blushes, eyeshadows, lipsticks and palettes were all laid out on tables and hundreds of makeup-crazy ladies were smearing colours on every available inch of their hands and arms. Blushes: $15. Eyeshadows: $12. Lipsticks: $10. I saw tons and tons of products I wanted but since I was on a budget I spent about $50 on a select few products I felt my collection was missing.

MAC Slimshine Lipstick in Gentle Simmer

Clockwise from top left: MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow in Mayhem, MAC Paint Pot in Moss Scape, MAC Paint Pot in Perky

I left the sale with four MAC products I absolutely love! First up MAC Slimshine Lipstick in Gentle Simmer is the perfect dusty rose lipstick with the soft shine of a gloss. It has a light vanilla scent and a comfortable feel on the lips which makes me think this is going to be a fav for me.

From left: Gentle Simmer, Mayhem (silver side then gold), Perky, Moss Scape

I've been looking for a true gold shadow with sparkle for a while now and I've finally found it in Mayhem. I love mixing the gold with greens for a warm eye or mixing the silver with purples for a cooler eye look. Both these shadows have chunky glitter which can be prone to fallout so keep that in mind the next time your looking for metallics. Both Perky and Moss Scape Paint Pots have impressed me in more ways than one. Their creamy texture makes them ultra-blendable and their wear-time and colour payoff is second to none.

Well it's 6:30pm but since it looks like 10pm outside I think I'll change into my pjs and, make myself some tea and enjoy a good chick flick.

Sarah xoxo

Elizabeth Arden and I

2010-12-10T21:35:00.000-05:00

As I told you all a little while back (ahem, a big while back) I recently purchased Elizabeth Arden's Beauty Box and I'm finally getting around to blogging about it! This 29-piece purchase-with-purchase was $65 with an Arden purchase of $38. So I stocked up on some of my favourite 8-Hour Moisturizing products and got me some makeup!

From left: Ceramide Lash Extending Treatment Mascara, nail polish in Red Door Red, 3-piece brush set, 10-piece eyeshadow palette, 3-piece cheek colour, High Shine Lip Gloss in Sparkling Ruby, High Shine Lip Gloss in Golden Pearl, 3 Exceptional Lipsticks

I bought this kit mostly for the eye shadow palette since I never can seem to get enough! But I was pleasantly surprised to find myself really loving some of the other products too! Here's my breakdown:

The Eye Shadows

From left: Sunny Pink, Indigo, Limelight, Fizz, Nude, Black Plum, Mink, Slate Blue, Silver Taupe, Midnight Emerald

I like the shadows based on their colours in the pan but they aren't too impressive in the pigment department. I find both the light and the dark shades quite sheer which can be a positive if you're looking for light, daytime looks. Colour can be built up with layers of shadow but but be prepared to blend, blend, blend! That's my first impression of the colours but I want to do a bit more playing around with the shades to find the best colour combos.

The Blushes

From left: Golden Rose, Soft Gold Shimmer, Terrarose

All three of the blushes in this Beauty Box contain a light amount of flattering shimmer and would be totally wearable for any skin tone. Golden Rose is more of a soft pink than the tawny colour it appears in the above picture and adds a light flush to the cheeks. Soft Gold Shimmer is just that: a great champagne-coloured highlighter for cheekbones and browbones. Terrarose is a light bronzer that adds a subtle golden glow to the complexion.

The Lipsticks

From left: Smooth Mauve, Red Door Red, Soft Red

Two of the three lipsticks in this package are matte (Red Door Red and Soft Red) while Smooth Mauve has a light sheen. I don't know what your experience has been but lipstick and me don't always see eye-to-eye. They're either too drying or not long-lasting enough for my liking so more often than not I find myself reaching for a gloss. But these lipsticks are amazing! I'm especially digging Soft Red because of it's dramatic matte finish and its blue-red tone. If you're more of an orange-red girl then Red Door Red will be your best friend! Smooth Mauve is great as a purple-berry and it's the perfect shade for the season.

The Glosses

From left: Sparkling Ruby and Golden Pearl

Both glosses contain multi-coloured shimmer and a slight medicinal scent akin to that of the famous Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant. Sparkling Ruby is a great gloss to layer over Soft Red to shimmer up the otherwise matte lipstick. I prefer Golden Pearl on it's own to create a nude lip to compliment a dramatic smokey eye.

The Eye Liners

From top: Espresso and Midnight

The eye pencils in this kit are pretty standard; soft and wearable in two perfect colours. Espresso is a warm brown while Midnight is a cool steely blue. I appreciate Midnight the most because I didn't have a dark blue in my collection already and it definitely comes in handy as a softer alternative to brown or black.

The Lip Liners

From top: Crimson and Taupe

I just recently learned the importance of lip liner from a fellow Clinique Consultant. Not only does it define your lips and make them appear larger, it actually lengthens the wear time of your favourite lipstick or gloss! Seriously the first time I used one these pencils I was amazed at how long my lipstick lasted without a touch up! Crimson is perfectly matched for Soft Red (or any red, really) while Taupe is a great neutral shade that's great under any colour. Just don't forget the cardinally rule of lip liner: always match the shade to your lipstick and if you can't, pick a neutral that matches the colour of your lips.

The Extras

Nailcolour in Red Door Red 01

There are a few other pieces in this great value kit I want to touch on. I tried out the nailcolour a few days ago without a base coat or top coat and let me tell you that this baby sure needs one! I had significant chips by the next day so next time I chose this for my mani colour I'll be sure to take the proper measures to prolong its wear.

I admittedly haven't tried the mascara yet because I've already got multiple tubes on the but I'm guessing it's just your standard black. :)

I was surprised that I liked the brushes in this collection. There are two eye brushes (a shader and definer) and a blush brush all three of which are composed of synthetic hair. I find their stiffness really concentrates product and cuts down on the time I spend doing my makeup in the morning. And that is always a plus!

This collection also comes with two bags: One large quilted red bag and a small, red, faux-crock brush bag. I find the larger bag sort of Grandma-esque but I like the travel abilities of the smaller brush bag.

Overall, I think this Colour Collection is great value for money and an awesome introduction into the Elizabeth Arden brand. It's a great collaboration of funky but wearable colours with classic universally-flattering shades. Hope you had an enjoyable Friday! I've got the whole weekend off and I'm looking forward to getting my hair done tomorrow and mega-relaxing Sunday.

Sarah xoxo

Dear Lancome, Thank You For Teaching Me That One Good Juicy Tube Deserves Another

2010-12-03T22:24:00.000-05:00

Hey hey hey!

What's shakin'? Got any snow yet where you're at? We've had a couple of light snow falls but nothing's sticking yet. That's fine by me because as far as I'm concerned all I need is a little snow on Christmas day and I'm set for the season!
So as I'm sure I've already mentioned I tend to go through makeup phases now and again. For a few weeks I might feel like I want some new eyeshadow while another week I'll be cravin' me some lippy! Well a couple of weeks ago I was doing just that and as if Lancome read my thoughts they introduced their Juicy Tubes Holiday Set ($39).

Six travel-sized Juicy Tubes make this set an incredible value and ultimately waaaay too tempting for me to pass on! Having never tried Juicy Tubes before I wasn't really sure what to expect as far as scent, texture and wear time. But since I was aware that the Tubes have a cult following I had pretty great expectations.

From left: Butterflies, Sweetheart, Pink Bling, Raspberry Ice, Miracle, Dreamsicle

A few of the glosses smell and taste like orange while the others smell and taste like fruit punch. Personally I like the fruit punch better but I'd like the scents more if they were a little less sweet. Each gloss is moderately sticky which means they're comfortable on the lips and have a wear time of about 1 hour. Though there isn't a ton of colour payoff they're great for everyday wear on their own or layered over lipstick. Overall they are some of the best glosses I've used and I'd totally recommend the Holiday Set to anyone looking for some new versatile glosses.

Sarah xoxo

Good, Better, Best: Eye Makeup Remover

2010-11-25T21:43:00.000-05:00

While enjoying a cleansing face mask and a movie this evening I started considering what my next Little Pretty blog post should be about. I've made a number of cosmetic purchases in the last little while so the choices on which products to review and which colours to swatch are endless. Since I'm not in a makeup mood this evening I thought it might be best to go back-to-basics and review a product millions of women use each and every day: eye makeup remover.

I've used a number of eye makeup removers in my time from drugstore brands to plain and simple baby oil but the following three peeper-cleansers are my favs.

GOOD: Clinique Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent

Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent is a fragrance-free, oil free liquid that removes all traces of eye makeup without irritation. It's one down side is that you need to rinse well before applying more eyeshadow or mascara.

BETTER: Estée Lauder Take It Away Total Makeup Remover

This makeup remover was sampled to me in Estée's last GWP. Since I had never used a cream-based eye makeup remover before I was interested to see whether it performed better than it's liquid counterpart. I find it works well to completely remove eye makeup in just a few swipes while being very gentle on the eye. It's fresh linen scent and comforting texture makes me think I'll use it more this winter.

BEST: Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover For Lids Lashes and Lips

This liquid remover takes the cake because of its versatility and its ability to remove the most stubborn waterproof eye makeup. It's cleansing power isn't reserved for eyes it's also great for removing long-wearing lip colours. Because of it's dual-phase formula it's like a wash and rinse in one and the oil phase conditions and protects lashes.

Well there you have it ladies! Do you have a favourite eye makeup remover?

Sarah xoxo

Has Sally Hershberger Made Me A Believer?

2010-11-17T22:08:00.000-05:00

Hey Ladies!
How's it hangin'? I'm just basking in the afterglow of an amazing beauty purchase. It's the holiday season once again (apparently Sears thinks it should start around October 28 because that's when our mini trees went up) which means it's Blockbuster time! No, I'm not talking about the movie store I'm referring to the great value beauty boxes offered by Estee Lauder, Elizabeth Arden and Lancome!

Estee Lauder's Blockbuster: $65 with any fragrance pruchase

Elizabeth Arden Colour Collection: $65 with any Arden purchase of $38

I set my sights on the Arden Colour Collection because I wanted to get some more Eight Hour Cream and because they have their GWP on now. Plus, I love our Arden lady :) Stay tuned for reviews...

On a totally different topic, which shampoo/condition are you currently using? Do you stay loyal to one brand for years or do you switch it up every time you empty a bottle? Lately I've been switching it up and since I've heard a lot about celebrity hairstylist Sally Hershberger lately I thought I'd give her products a try. I picked up her Maximum Moisture Shampoo and Condition for Normal to Thick Hair on a 2-for-1 deal at my local Shoppers.

I find the shampoo gentle enough to use everyday but without the conditioner it would be a little drying. The conditioner is super moisturizing and I was hoping that keeping my hair's thirst quenched would keep the frizz at bay but it hasn't seemed to make a difference. I also have a beef with the bottle's design: as silly as it sounds I have a hard time getting any product out unless I violently shake the bottle up and down.

They're a pretty basic shampoo and conditioner but they get the job done. Once I'm done these bottles I'd like to try Frizz Ease Smooth Start Shampoo and Conditioner to help tame my tresses. Have you ever tried any of Sally's professional products? How do they measure up to her Signature line?

Sarah xoxo

Simple and Soft Sunday Makeup

2010-11-07T21:16:00.000-05:00

Hey girls! Like me alliteration in the title? Yeah, I thought you'd enjoy that. How was you're Sunday? Hopefully it was relaxing and warm as every Sunday should be. I spent most of the day slowly getting ready for drinks with the girls and I liked my makeup look so much I thought I'd share it with all of you!

I started by applying Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer to smooth out my skin and minimize the look of pores.
Using a foundation brush I applied Clinique Superbalanced Foundation in Petal starting from the center of my face and blending outward.
To ensure my concealer and eyeshadow would have staying power I used Benefit Stay Don't Stray under my eyes and on my lids.
To hid my dark circles I blended Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer in Light under my eyes.
Instead of using I pressed powder to set my foundation I used Clinique Almost Bronzer in Light/Medium all over my face concentrating on my nose, cheeks and forehead.
To add soft flush to my cheeks I applied Nars Blush in Orgasm to the apples of my cheeks and blending up onto my cheekbones.
I've been digging the strong eyebrow look lately so I used Clinique Brow Keeper in Warm Brown to create a perfect frame for my face.
For a soft, pretty eyeshadow look I used Estee Lauder Riviera Rose all over my lids and Wild Truffle in the crease (both colours from Estee's last GWP).
I lined my entire eye with the Estee Lauder Artist's Eye Pencil in Soft Smudge Brown (also in the last GWP).
To prime and condition my lashes I used Clinique Lash Building Primer and to thicken my lashes I used Clinique High Impact Mascara.
A quick swipe of a Lancome Juicy Tubes Smoothie in Dreamsicle completes my dreamy Sunday look.

What do you ladies think? Tried any of these fantastic products before??

Sarah xoxo

Stila's Backstage Eye Shadow Palette Quiets My Craving For Bold Eye Shadow Colours

2010-11-01T18:11:00.000-04:00

It's my day off and I've been lazing around in my track pants, snacking and waiting for a FedEx guy to knock on my door. A couple of weeks ago I ordered my very first gratis (yay!) from Clinique and ever since then I have been impatiently waiting for it to arrive. I checked the status of my order every day and when I finally got an email on Friday saying it had shipped I was sure it would come Monday. And I was right! I can't wait to try all my new products and share my reviews!

On another note, working in the cosmetics department of Sears has given me some odd cravings. I still get a hankering for donuts every once in a while but being around cosmetics all the time has me wishing for new eye shadows and lip glosses more often. So after checking out the selection in the department I decided to head over to Shoppers to take a look at their brands. My "local" Shoppers is 2 bus rides away from my house and I go to that location over somewhere closer because of their selection. Not only do they have brands like Benefit and Bourjois but now they have Stila! So, after a couple of laps around the Beauty Boutique I settled on Stila's Backstage Eye Shadow Palette to satiate my eye colour craving.

I love how pigmented these shadows are and the range of looks that can be created! I like blending lustre (shimmering teal), chiffon (deep blue) and flamingo (pinkish purple) for a colourful eye and pairing it with a glowing complexion and soft pink lip.

Another thing I love to do is mix products from different cosmetic lines to create unique looks. The colours in the Backstage Palette go wonderfully with my Nars Blush in Orgasm (a universally flattering soft pink shimmer) and Clinique Butter Shine Lipstick in Pink Beach (a nude pink shade with the soft look of a gloss). The Stila Backstage Palette is keeping my eye looks fresh and interesting but when one craving is extinguished another is never far behind...

I have my eye on the Lancome Juicy Tubes Holiday Set for my next cosmetic purchase. :) What do you think of Stila`s products? I'm fairly new to the brand so I'd love to hear about some of your fav products!

Sarah xoxo

3 Steps To Your Best Skin

2010-10-29T21:37:00.000-04:00

I know you've been there; the skincare isle at your local Shoppers. It can be an overwhelming place what with all the options for dry skin, aging skin, oily skin, and sensitive skin. Options are great but when you're not sure what's right for your skin you can end up leaving with products that may not be right for your unique skin.

That's where Clinique comes in. Take a sigh of relief and walk right up to the most approachable counter at the department store. At Clinique skincare doesn't need to be complicated and we urge you to start with the basics because they just plain work! If you're looking for a skincare routine that's simple and effective and will leave your skin glowing look no further than 3-Step.

Clinique's routine consists of 3 important steps (in 3 minutes or less!), twice a day: Cleanse, Exfoliate and Moisturize. It's that simple. Depending on your skin type (dry, oily or somewhere in between) you'll start with the Facial Soap which comes in 3 formulations as well as both a liquid and bar form. It cleanses the skin and loosens the bonds between the dead skin cells that dull your complexion. Clarifying lotion is the next step which comes in 5 formulas for optimal exfoliation tailored to your skin type. It sweeps away the dead skin cells to reveal new skin and give you a clean, tingly feeling. Finally, Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion or Gel helps to balance the water and oil on your face and create total harmony for your skin. :)

The 3-Step is like the jeans, white t-shirt and little black dress of skincare and provides the best foundation to add on treatment products and makeup. It's affordable too because a little goes a long way so the product lasts and you end up spending just $1 a day on your skin care routine. 100% fragrance free and allergy tested means no matter how sensitive your skin is chances are Clinique has something that's going to work for you.

Your Personal Clinique Consultant,

Sarah xoxo

Something New

2010-09-15T21:51:00.000-04:00

Please excuse my absence as of late. A few weeks ago I got a job at a Clinique counter and ever since then I have been knee-deep in all things related to the brand. If you've read some of my older posts you'll know I just graduated with a B.Sc. in Molecular Biology and Genetics and was looking to take a break from lab work for my first post-grad job. Clinique seemed like the perfect opportunity; I was already familiar with their products (I used and adored most of them) and I loved the thought of being able to work with customers and sell skincare solutions I truly believed in. So you can imagine my excitement when I received a phone call a few hours after my second interview informing me I got the job! Ever since then it's been such an amazing learning experience in a truly positive environment as I've continued to figure out how to be the best darn Beauty Adviser I can be!

So with that little life update out of the way I'd like to make this post about what I've learned in my life since embarking on my not-so expected career change. I was watching Stephen and Chris the other day (yes, I am a 41-year-old house wife trapped in the body of a 22-year-old ha!) and they had this interior designer woman on the show who was talking about how decorating your house shouldn't be about duplicating a page out of a home magazine but should be about how you want your house to look and feel. She talked about how no one can tell you how to paint your walls or what to put on your side table but that you have to decide what colours make you happy and what kind of decor feels right to you. This made me feel liberated and got me thinking about how I want to decorate a future home to make it stylish yet comfortable and looking lived-in while still representing my style.

This sentiment isn't just reserved to interior decorating. After thinking about it more and reflecting on my ongoing experiences working for Clinique I realized that beauty and fashion and all things style should be unique to every woman and that every woman has the right to chose her's. Though the trends are still predicted and designers show us the "looks" each season more and more women are choosing to make a statement by wearing on their bodies and their faces the shapes and colours that make sense to them. I still believe the shows and fashion magazines and the media are all fantastic inspiration points but any look you choose to rock must be (and inevitably will be) made unique by you, the wearer.

Every woman deserves to look the way she chooses even if it goes against the grain. If it suits you and it feels right to you then it is right. On the flip side if you love all the plums showing up this fall on the runway and make a statement with a dark plummy smoky eye no one can accuse you of being some slave to the trends. Because if it feels right to you then it is right! Think about it and you will be empowered. I have a closet full of heels that I seldomly wear because Guelph isn't the sort of town you see girls walking down the street at 2pm in stilettos. Because of this it can be intimidating to be that girl in the high heels in a crowd full of UGGS. But now I am embracing that difference because I know it's me and it's what I want and who I want to be.

I could go on and on about this but I'm hoping in the last few paragraphs I've made my point. Style, whether it be in the home, on your body or in your lifestyle is a beautiful, unique, ultimately fun and to indulge in it is to be true and honest to yourself. I hope to continue to update this blog a little more frequently in the future although it most likely won't be every day. Expect to see a lot more Clinique on here and a lot more of me indulging in my idea of personal fashion.

Sarah xoxo

Enjoy an Orange Sunset With Rimmel

2010-08-16T19:17:00.000-04:00

I apologize for the last of posts from the end of last week and over the weekend. Don't get me wrong, I've had plenty to write about but my boy and I went to Toronto on the weekend so I was uber busy planning for that. But I'm back and ready to tell you about some juicy nail colour!

It's Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro Polish in Orange Sunse! I picked up this polish for about $4 at my local drugstore because I was looking for a formula that was quick-drying, had smooth application and an awesome pop of colour. This polish dries quicker than some others I've used (I'm impatient) and I can't tell you how much I appreciate that! So many times I've waited hours for my polish to dry only to ruin my whole manicure when I reach for the remote! So frustrating! Rimmel's brush is also a little wider for smooth application of the relatively thin polish. I especially like that this colour appears different depending on the lighting; in bright sunlight it's orange but under the lights at my lab it's more of a bright pink. Not sure if Rimmel intended this to happen but I think it's a pretty groovy feature!

The above pic is how the colour looks on my nails. I applied a base coat, two coats of colour and a top coat. What do you think?

For the cost of the polish I'd say it's a pretty awesome deal and a great way to try an outrageous colour. I do find it chips in a few days (definitely less than 10) but that doesn't make this a loser. What are you wearing on your nails lately? I've heard chocolate brown polishes are going to be big for fall so I'm thinking I'll need to pick one up soon.

Sarah

Sunscreen's Not Just For Summer Anymore

2010-08-11T21:26:00.000-04:00

We all know the importance of protecting our skin from harsh UV rays in June, July and August but what about in December? With summer drawing to a close I'm sure more than a few of you will be packing away your sunscreens and pulling out your fall jackets but don't underestimate the power of the sun, even in the winter months! Snow can actually reflect the sun's rays and even on an overcast day, UV light can still make it through the clouds. That's why dermatologists and beauty advisors alike reccommend wearing a facial sunscreen all year 'round to prevent damage and premature aging.

I love Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face SPF 60 because it's a non-scented, non-greasy product that sits well under makeup. I like SPF 60 because I burn fairly easily and this protects my face on the way to work as well as on the beach at the weekend! This tube was about $15 which is so worth it when you're getting effective protection in such a wearable formula!

Sarah xoxo

What's In My...Makeup Bag?

2010-08-10T22:25:00.000-04:00

Hey ladies! How did this Tuesday treat yah? I had such a crazy busy day today but I got a lot done so I guess that's all that matters.

I've been inspired lately by "Inside My Bag" posts like this one from The Beauty Look Book. Every girl has a certain curiosity as to what every other girl has inside their makeup bag and this is why we read blogs and ask our friends about the products they use. It's the age-old medicine cabinet problem: the one where you know you shouldn't look in your friend's medicine cabinet but you are insanely curious as to what might be in there. For me it's not so much the medicine cabinet as it is the vanity with all it's creams and lotions and potions!

So without further adieu here is what's inside my travelling makeup bag:

1. Retractable powder brush from Clinique
2. Oil absorbing sheets from Life Brand (Shoppers Drug Mart)
3. Olay Quench Therapy body lotion (for those days when you wash your hands a lot!)
4. Avojuice by OPI Skin Quenchers hand cream in Crisp Apple
5. One Step hand sanitizer in Juniper Breeze (so you can clean your hands after taking public transport)
6. Covergirl True Match Super Blendable Powder in Porcelain
7. Smashbox O-Gloss (to give my lips a colour and shine all their own)
8. Burt`s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm (protects and freshens lips with a minty tingle)
9. Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Lovely Lips

I take this bag with me everywhere in my purse so I always make sure it`s stocked with the essentials for on-the-go touch ups!

Stay tuned for more What`s In My... posts from Little Pretty!

Sarah xoxo

Take The Day Off With Clinique

2010-08-09T18:31:00.000-04:00

How was your Monday? Mine was a little blah - I had trouble falling asleep last night (strange) and then I woke up with a bit of a stomach bug this morning and ended up leaving work a little early. I'm just starting to feel a little better now but I'm still in my jammies under the sheets. I'm sure I'll feel better after a good night's rest.

Lately I`ve been trying a lot of new eye makeup looks and this got me thinking about eye makeup remover. With all the eye primers, concealers, waterproof eyeliners and mascaras today`s eye makeup removers have their work cut out for them! I`ve used quite a few removers in my time and I find nothing works quite as well as Clinique`s Take The Day Off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes and Lips.

I think there are two freakin`awesome things about the makeup remover: it pretty much removes all eye makeup in one swipe and it conditions lashes after. If you`re anything like me you`ve tried other removers that only manage to do the job after a little rubbing (ouch!) of your delicate eye area and they still leave some liner/mascara residue. With Take The Day Off you do just that while taking care of your pretty lashes!

What's your fav eye makeup remover?

Sarah xoxo

My Metal Look

2010-08-07T21:24:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before but my lovely boyfriend is in a heavy metal band called Sons Of Demise. Last night I went to his show at a local bar and since I haven't seen him play in a while, it was wicked! I ended up going to his show alone for the first time and since the metal scene isn't normally my cup of tea, I tried my best to fit in.

This is my best attempt at metal makeup and an angry metal-head snarl lol! My man made it very clear that I should wear black so I picked out a tank with a flowery zipper detail to pair with my skinnies and gladiator sandles. I don't think I stood out too much :)

I did a dramatic purple-blue smokey eye with black eyeliner and kept the rest of my face and lips fairly neutral. I actually think I looked pretty rock and roll and Andrew said he liked it! What do you think??

Sarah xoxo

An Early Birthday Gift From Sephora

2010-08-06T18:51:00.000-04:00

Thank goodness it's Friday! August sure is ticking along which means we're getting closer and closer to my birthday on August 31st! In the last few posts I've mentioned that I made a little trip to Toronto last weekend and whil I was there I went to Sephora. As I am part of their Beauty Insiders program I got my free birthday gift which was just awesome for the simple fact that it was free makeup!!

My gift consisted of mini-sized Sephora Nano Eyeliner in Silver Green, Sephora Lash Plumper Mascara and Sephora Eye Shadow in Aspen Summit No. 23. These products are great for travelling light or throwing in your purse for touch-ups! I like the eyeliner because it`s a shimmery, frosty silver that`s light yet striking. The eyeshadow really brightens up your eyes but I find even after using an eyeshadow primer it had limited staying power. I haven`t yet used the mascara but I`m sure it`ll be your standard go-to black.

Sephora`s Beauty Insider program is free to join and you get exclusive access to new products and of course, a complimentary birthday gift each year! It`s win-win ladies!

Any plans for the weekend or are you just resting from a busy work week?

Sarah xoxo

Ultrabalm for an Ultra Balmy Summer

2010-08-05T21:20:00.000-04:00

Congrats on making it to Thursday ladies! It was a hot one wasn't it? I'm just begging for it to rain so this humidity might lighten up a little! Though we may all be complaining about the heat now, in a few months (ahh scary thought!) we'll all be bitchin' about the freezing cold. It's always been odd to me that I seem to wait so long for summer to come and once it does I enjoy it but I'm also hoping for a break in the heat. Then when it's winter again I get so down that I need to wear so many layers and long for the few short months that a sundress and sandals were the only clothing I needed. I'm kind of fickle like that :)

Either way I always try to find something I like about the season: fluffy sweaters with leggings and boots in winter or short-shorts and floaty tops in summer. It might seem like the two seasons have nothing in common when it comes fashion and beauty but one thing is independent of the season: moisture. Your skin needs moisture all year round. In the summer skin can get dried by the sun, salt or chlorinated water, and more frequent showers. In winter cold winds and dry, hot air inside can leave your skin feeling rather parched.

Luckily there's Ultrabalm, a new supe awesome product from the wonderful world of Lush!

This balm lives up to it's name and is a true multi-tasker. Whether it's applied to lips, hands, heels or anywhere else that needs a little extra lovin' it does the same thing: protects and softens. I love love love lip balms so I'm guessing most of this product is going on my pout!

With three ingredients, (organic jojoba oil, candelilla wax and rose wax), this vegan, honey-smelling balm is sure to be a favourite with beauty addicts and minimalists alike!

Sarah xoxo

NARS Brings Me Pleasure

2010-08-04T18:35:00.001-04:00

Yesterday's post was a short one because my camera battery died. But I've charged it and I took some pictures of the stash of Sephora goodies I got this past weekend!

So firstly I picked up the iconic NARS Orgasm Blush at Sephora in the Toronto Eaton's Centre. I've been obsessing lately over NARS' amazing colours and forumlas and as soon as I walked through the magical Sephora doors I made a B-line for the NARS shelf! I wanted to get the NARS The Multiple in Orgasm, their signature multi-purpose stick for eyes, cheeks and lips but I decided to go for the slightly less expensive powder blush version ($29) of the same name. So far it's lived up to its universally flattering promise and it gives me a healthy glow.

The other two products I indulged in were Lush's new super versatile product, Ultrabalm and and my FREE Beauty Insider Birthday Gift! Stay tuned for reviews of these products!

So what do you think - have you been a long-time fan of NARS or are you just learning about their high-quality highly satisfying line?

Sarah xoxo

Mini Post

2010-08-03T16:04:00.000-04:00

Hey Girls! Sorry for being MIA the past few days but I decided last-minute to go home to my parents house for the weekend and I ended up relaxing most of the weekend. On Sunday I went to Toronto with a couple of my close friends who have been looking for an apartment there for the fall. They ended up finding an adorable little two-bedroom in an awesome area. I was really inspired by the current tenant's decor so when I got back to my place I went on an organizing blitz! Since then I've been looking for modern decor ideas for our living room.

Another awesome part of the Toronto trip was our visit to Sephora! I ended up buying one teeny tiny blush (willpower anyone?) which I'll review here soon! I also stopped by Lush and picked up one of their awesome new products that I'll be sure to feature here in the next few days.

Well now that August is here and summer is winding down it's time to look forward to the fall and all the glorious fashion and beauty that comes along with it. I bought a simple vibrant blue long sweater from H&M the other day which I can't wait to wear belted with leggings or with patterned tights and a long necklace! I'm excited about having a fresh, frosty face for fall and dipping into some thicker moisturizers to keep my skin super hydrated.

What are you looking forward to this coming autumn?

Sarah xoxo

With Great Hair, Inner Calm Will Come

2010-07-30T19:20:00.000-04:00

When I say we all live hectic, stressful, busy lives I don't think I'm saying anything new. Between work, yoga, coffee with the girls and your boyfriend's metal music show it can be difficult to find time for you. If your morning hair routine and this humidity is making you frizz out then take a deep breath and meet CHI Silk Infusion.

A friend recommended this product to me after it helped her straighten her naturally wavy hair. My hair is stick straight already so I figured I was half way to my desired look with a straightener and some of this stuff. Lo and behold it works like a charm! It really cuts down on the frizz and I feel it really nourishes my hair as well! This formula is sort of an oily liquid and you only take a small amount and work it through damp hair before styling. I've actually been taking a little after my hair is dry as well and applying it to the roots to straighten out any fly-aways or protect my ends. Just be careful not to take to much because you'll risk looking like you've got oily roots!

The CHI line of products is sold at salons (and select drugstores) but I picked this 50mL bottle up at Winners for about $15. Don't you just love Winners? You really need to be in the mood to root around a little but somehow I always seem to find a gem! They have some ridiculous deals on clothing and I just recently noticed their beauty section which offers salon brands and tools at much lower prices. Check it out!

Happy Friday ladies! Big plans for the weekend?

Sarah xoxo

360 Degrees of Polish

2010-07-29T19:57:00.000-04:00

I believe that makeup is an art and that the person applying that makeup is truly an artist. Your eye shadows, lipsticks and blushes are your paints and your face is your canvas. It is the starting point of many creative looks and its the part of your body where your personality shines through the most. But unlike a plain white piece of canvas, it is far from blank. Each of your features provide unique opportunities to play up your style and enhance your own natural beauty. So doesn't it make sense to start with soft, smooth face that primed and ready for any makeup look you choose to create? Your cleanser is a great place to start! I recently tried L'Oréal Go 360 Clean Deep Exfoliating Scrub paired with a Mini Face Brush from The Body Shop to get my canvas ready.

I got this sample-sized product in the mail and to my dismay it didn't come with a "scrublet". This scrublet is a small pad covered in soft, flexible scrubbers that are suppose to clean deeper when paired with the cleanser. Ever since I saw the first commercial for this product I've been curious to see if it actually does clean better than cleanser alone. I was disppointed because I figured without the scrublet there was nothing new here: there wouldn't be anything innovative about the cleanser itself. So I decided to pair it with the Body Shop Face Brush to simulate the scrublet.

So there's good news and bad news here. The good news is I really like the cleanser! It has small microbeads which gently exfoliate without being too rough on skin like some natural exfoliants can be. It has a nice apricot scent and washes clean. The bad news is I'm not crazy about the face brush. I find the bristles too stiff and no matter how gentle I am it still leaves my face looking red. Plus it doesn't do the best job of creating suds and I'm a big bubbles girl when it comes to cleansers!

Final verdict: good cleanser, bad brush. Which leaves me with one question: what's that scrublet like??? Has anyone used it yet? Well, I think it's about time for an ice cream sandwich and some Drop Dead Diva Season 2! Have lovely night :)

Sarah xoxo

Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

2010-07-28T23:05:00.000-04:00

Look at these gorgeous flowers my man got me today! I came home to find them displayed in a vase on the table in a perfect arrangement! He's a keeper :)

So how're you ladies dealing with the humidity, assuming it's warm right now in your neck of the woods? I've been wearing a lot of tanks and shorts (despite my freezing cold lab) and trying to keep my makeup routine as light as possible. Though I love using my Clinique Super Balanced Makeup Foundation I've been putting it aside lately and reaching for the powder instead. I've been loving Clinique Gentle Light Powder in Glow, Marcelle Pressed Powder in Translucent Dark and Clinique Blended Face Powder in Transparency.

I apply a little face primer to start (over top of my sunscreen of course) and put on my blusher followed by my powder of choice. Clinique Gentle Light Powder has little shimmery flecks that gives me an all-over glow but if I'm going for something a little more matte and understated I'll go with the Marcelle Pressed Powder or Clinique Blended Face Powder. All three are finely milled, high quality powders that offer sheer coverage and shine control.

Keep it light this summer babes! Do you have a secret weapon of your own for keeping chill this summer? We're over the hump today people!

Sarah xoxo

Today's Face: Casually Flawless

2010-07-26T17:32:00.000-04:00

Big news: I'm blonde! Why, you ask? I just needed a change from the red, I suppose. It's much lighter and sunnier plus it's a lot closer to my natual hair colour. Along with the blonde transformation I also got it cut short again with cute little bangs because I think it suits me. Let's get to the face of the day shall we?

As you can see it's a super natural look! My main focus was to test out some of my new priming/concealing products. The verdict: boy oh boy do they work! The picture was taken using the sunlight that streams through my bedroom window. I think it's quite flattering ey lol! Here's the products I used to achieve the look:

1. Smashbox Photo Finish Face Primer
2. Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss Sheer Colour in Lovely Lips
3. L'Oréal True Match Super Blendable Powder in Porcelaine
4. Benefit Erase Paste Concealer in No. 1 Fair
5. Benefit Stay Don't Stray Eyelid Primer
6. Smashbox Eye Shadow Trio in Celeb Sighting
7. Smashbox Bionic Mascara in Jet Black
8. Benefit Instant Brow Pencil in Light to Medium

My favourite thing about this look is how awake it makes me look and how ethereal it is. It's perfect for work but with a few small touches (a little liner here, a bit of shimmer there) it's also great for a night out! It's all about truely embracing your natural beauty and highlighting the things you love while gently down-playing the things you don't.

Sarah xoxo

Mini Shopper's Haul With Big Results!

2010-07-24T21:34:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, in celebration of Friday, I caved and went to Shopper's to purchase a couple of products that've been on my wishlist for quite a while. The trip was also a good way to break in my new credit card :) But be aware I didn't break it in too much! I'm rather responsible with money, girls! So what did I get, you ask? Three little products that pack a heck of a punch!

Two more Benefit products, y'all! This shopping spree was all about my eyes: Benefit Stay Don't Stray Eye Shadow Primer, Benefit Erase Paste Undereye Concealer, and Nivea Aqua Sensation Eye Cream! First of all let me sing my praises for Stay Don't Stray. Today was my first day using it and it locked my eyeshadows in place ALL DAY! It also made it way easier to blend colours and made them more vibrant. I applied Stay Don't Stray to my undereye area and it also helped keep my concealer in place. Talk about multitasking! This product is $30 which seems, at first, a little steep for a 10ml bottle. But this will last forever since you only need 1/4 of a pump to cover both eyes and you really can't imagine how important an eyeshadow primer is until you use one!

I've mentioned here before I've been using a Covergirl concealer to cover up my dark circles. Well lately I've been sort of disappointed with its thin consistency and not so good blendibility. I was looking for something better and I found it in Erase Paste! First of all it's thicker which means better coverage and it's so easy to blend. You only need a little bit and it goes on smooth as butter! This was also $30 for quite a little pot but again, you only need a small amount so it should last. The Shopper's Beauty Boutique woman told me she's had her's for 8 months and she's only hhalf way through so that is a crazy good deal. Erase Paste sure lives up to the Benefit name!

Finally, to treat my eyes real special and hopefully tone down those dark cicles in the process, I bought Nivea Aqua Sensation Eye Cream. I used this product when I was home last week and I love the slight cooling sensation and intense moisture it delivers. Maybe I'm just dreaming this but I swear I saw an improvement in the look of my dark circles after using it for the first time! Either way I like taking care of the delicate eye area and preventing wrinkles before they appear. This was a steal at $11 and once again I use such a small amount it's bound to last!

So what's the general theme of this post? With some product a little does really go a long way! And you get what you pay for: quality products are going to care for your skin, last longer and (most of the time) actually do what they promise. So how do you take care of your eyes?

Sarah xoxo

Extend the Life of Your Shampoo With a Dry Wash

2010-07-23T22:49:00.000-04:00

Can I just say I think I am currently the most full I have ever been in my entire 21 years of existence? I just went for some all-you-can-eat sushi with some people from my lab and boy oh boy did we ever eat a lot! You know when you first arrive and you've fasted for the whole day in preparation so you order much more than you could ever handle? And then more and more plates keep arriving at your table (sometimes you have no idea what some of the things are) and eventually you start to panic. Luckily we all pulled together tonight to finish the overwhelming amount of sushi on our table (and hide the few rolls we couldn't bare to eat shhhhh!). I don't think I'll be able to look at (nevermind eat!) another piece of sashimi for quite a while. :)

If you're anything like me chances are you're not a huge fan of blow drying your hair in the summer. You love the look of freshly styled hair but don't love all the heat damage. Well ladies here is your solution: Tresemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo! Waterless shampoos have been around forever but what I like about Fresh Start is it's light citris scent and the fact that it leaves no build up.

It's a good idea to skip the shampoo every other day (or more if you can stand it) but that can be difficult if you have oily roots or thin hair. Fresh Start works by absorbing any excess oil from your roots, adding body, while leaving the hair shaft clean and fresh! This is great for hot summer days when getting your hair wet and having to dry it is sooo not an option. It's also well-suited for those mornings you press the snooze button a few too many times and wake up so late you hardly have time a coffee let alone a shampoo. Just spray a little at the roots where your hair is parted, wait a few minutes, masage the product into your scalp and brush it through the ends. You're ready to go! Your hair will thank you and so will the fishes for using less water!

Sara xoxo

Smoother Skin While You Snooze With Nivea

2010-07-22T18:56:00.000-04:00

Thursday is winding to a close and Friday is thankfully just around the corner. Any early weekend plans to speak of? I'm planning on making a return trip to the farmers market to pick up some fresh goodies! Yum! One of my favourite parts of summer is getting out and making the best of the sunshine by visiting the beach or going for a walk around the river. But even though sunscreen and ice cream are the main things on most people's minds, the fashion and beauty industry is already looking forward to the fall season. I can't seem to match their ability to be in one season while planning and thinking about another; I'm still focused on easy summer skirts and glowing bronzed skin. So I decided to compromise today by featuring a moisturizer which is rich enough for winter but could be used all year 'round.

It's Nivea Visage Light Regenerating Night Care! Long-time fans of the Nivea brand already know the moisturing power of their original Nivea cream and if you haven't tried Nivea Soft, you're missing out! It's lighter than the original and is absorbed faster but leaves crazy smooth skin in its wake.

Nivea's Light Regenerating Night Care is formulated for normal to combination skin and provides intense moisture during the night so you wake up with genuinely softer skin. It's quite a thick cream which is nice for cold winter nights but I think it works equally well in the summer just as long as you don't mind using something heavier in the heat. If you'd rather use something lighter in the summer, a gel moisturizer can be more refreshing.

Tell me your Nivea stories people! My granny swears by Nivea's original cream and she has such soft skin!

Sarah xoxo

What I'm Crushing

2010-07-20T22:19:00.000-04:00

Hi all! I apologize for the lack of updates over the weekend. I threw a birthday party for my old roomie on Friday night and then went home to the parent's house until yesterday. It was sooo nice just relaxing in the house I grew up, seeing my friends and doing my mom's makeup. Right after I bought the Smashbox Beauty Bliss kit she bought it so I showed her how to use the eyeshadows. She's a big fan of the kit - she loves the primer and the blush but like me she isn't too sure about the fan brush. Like mother, like daughter!

So todayI thought I'd mix things up a little by telling you about a product I want and not a product I've already tried. I've been eyeing Clinique's All About Eyes De-Puffing Eye Massage for a few months now. Truth be told I don't have a lot of problems with puffiness but I do have moderate dark circles under my eyes that I'd be interested in banishing instead of just covering up.

This claims to be cooling and refreshing and I bet it would be heavenly if it were stuck in the fridge. Also, I'm kind of a sucker for gadgets (seriously you should see the kitchen tools I have) so this is right up my alley. I believe it's around $35 CAD so I think the main reason I haven't tried it yet is the price. Buuuut maybe I'll just have to bite the bullet and treat myself. It will be so difficult! ;)
Tried any new products lately?

Sarah xoxo

Today's Face: Easy Summer Shimmer

2010-07-15T19:47:00.000-04:00

Hey girls! I've been sort of swamped this week with work and social events so I apologize for the lack of updates. How was your day? Productive? I got so much done in the lab and I'm feeling pretty positive about the experiments I'm doing because I've been getting really nice results. Finally!

Wanna see my Face of the Day? I kept it pretty light today since it's been crazy hot here and I put my hair up in a twisty up-do to avoid having to turn my blow dryer on :)

I used 8 products to get this fresh summer look:

1. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer - This can be worn on its own or under foundation/powder and it really evens out skin's texture, minimizes pores and helps makeup stay through the summer heat (from Smashbox Beauty Bliss Kit)

2. Covergirl Invisible Concealer in Fair - I use this as an undereye concealer for my moderately dark circles. I like it but I find it sometimes creases so I'm dying to try Benefit's Erase Paste

3. Clinique Blushing Blush Powder Blush in Cupid - Umm..yeah, could they say "blush" anymore in that name? lol This is a bright pink blush that provides a really nice flush to cheeks

4. Marcelle Multi-Colour Bronzing Pressed Powder in Bronze Celebration - I like to layer this multi-coloured bronzing powder on top of Cupid for a soft, sun-kissed glow (see Glow Big or Glow Home)

5. Marcelle Pressed Powder in Translucent Dark - The name of this powder is deceiving: it's not dark. You can see from the above picture I have fair skin and this powder does a good job of controlling shine while still looking uber natural

6. Benefit Instant Brow Pencil in Light to Medium - I like to fill in and bring out my brows a little with this handy, easy-to-use pencil with a spoolie for blending (see Prim and Proper Sunday with Benefit's Instant Brow Pencil)

7. Smashbox Bionic Mascara in Jet Black - Separates lashes to create a natural looking fringe. I find it clumps a little on the wand through so this isn't my favourite mascara of all time (also from Smashbox Beauty Bliss Kit)

8. Benefit Lip Shine in Juicy Coral - This is such a bright shade that really draws attention to your pout and freshens up a neutral look (from Benefit Scene Queen )

What do you think of the look? Ever tried any of these products before? If so, what did you think of them??

Sarah xoxo

Do Baléa Sensitive Facial Wipes Take Off The Day?

2010-07-12T20:43:00.000-04:00

Monday again! The weekend never seems to last long enough, does it? But we've all got to bring home the bacon somehow so it was back to work today for me. How was your weekend? The boy and I went to our local farmers market on Saturday morning and picked up a few things. I expected to walk out of there with a bit of baklava (yum!) and maybe some produce but we ended up getting scones, goat cheese, hummus, tortilla chips, donuts, baklava, and tomatoes lol. I think that was everything! We've made a promise to go much more often because the market is filled with such wonderful stuff and it's nice to support local producers.

Let me ask you a question: do you take your makeup off every night before you go to bed? You know you should, but do you do it every single night? Well I know the few times I've been too tired to take it off my face has felt uber gross the next morning and had an ashy appearance. It's important to get everything off at the end of the day because makeup, oil and pollutants tend to clog your pores if left on over night. So what's your cleanser of choice? I really like Clinique's cleansers as well as St. Ives Apricot Cleanser but for those long stressful days it can be nice to have cleansing clothes in for quick and easy makeup removal.

So to answer the question posed in the title: sort of. I find you need to work a little too hard with these wipes to get everything off. Mascara is expecially tough, even if it isn't waterproof. To give Baléa credit it doesn't actually say anything on the packaging about makeup removal. But lets be real here, why wouldn't they formulate it to remove makeup? These wipes were only about $6 at Shoppers so I think this may be a case of you get what you pay for. I've heard positive things about Garnier and Boots wipes so maybe I'll check them out next.

Sarah xoxo

Be The Queen of The Scene With Benefit Cosmetics!

2010-07-11T15:41:00.002-04:00

How's the weather where you are? True story: the boyfriend and I just got home after picking up a few groceries and just a few minutes after we get inside the house it starts raining. Raining hard. It was actually hailing as well! We ran around the house closing the windows and unplugging the TV and computers to prevent anything from getting fried. Now, about 15 minutes after the storm started, it's died down completely. The sky is clear, it's raining softly and the sound of thunder is far off in the distance. I love thunderstorms because I find them exciting but sometimes I wish they'd last a little longer.

So have you heard about the two limited edition palettes from Benefit Cosmetics? They were created by Maggie and Annie Ford Danielson, daughters of Benefit co-founder Jean Ford. Maggie's palette, Sunday Funday, is meant for Sunday brunch after a late night or partying. It includes brown, purple and champagne neutrals for your eyes as well as brown eye liner, bronzer, pretty rose lipgloss and benetint lip and cheek stain. I haven't bought this palette (because I made myself decide between the two) but it's got some really flattering shades for a pretty day look.

Annie's palette, Scene Queen, contains all the tools to make a versatile smoky eye that can transition from day to night. It contains blue beige and charcoal shades for the eye, a black liner, coral blush, highbeam highlighter and juicy coral lip gloss. I had been crushing on this palette for weeks and when I ordered it just before Canada Day I could not wait for it to come! It was sooo worth the wait. The shadows are especially versatile and I even like the brushes it comes with. Here are some pics to get you going. I'll be including some looks in the next few days.

Artwork on the front. How cool is that?

Side view with the huge mirror up.

Everything in the kit.

The shadows: Charcoal, Shimmering Beige, Misty Blue, Navy

Here's the Juicy Coral Gloss, Smokin' Liner, High Beam, Coralista Blush

Cute, right? Think you might give this palette a spin? The sun's out in full-force again which is good news since I have a volleyball game tonight. The courts are probably going to be super wet though. Oh well! First game of the season! Wish me luck!

Sarah xoxo

Saturday Haul'n: The Body Shop Deals!

2010-07-10T13:38:00.000-04:00

Finally the weekend! This week went by surprisingly quickly for me considering work was rather stressful. We're currently repeating the same experiment we've been working on for 2 months and every time we do it something little (but devastating) goes wrong. I'm beyond frustrated with it so I think we're going to move on to something else for a while as we try to figure out how to fix the problems we've been having.

In order to relieve a little of the stress of this week I went shopping at the mall a couple nights ago. The mall happened to be having a sidewalk sale - almost every store had a table set up in the centre of the mall featuring their on sale merchandise or as my friend Sam would say, "mad deals". I ended up getting a flowery mid-length skirt from Suzy Shier for about $12 and a neutral top with a huge gem necklace attached to it from Costa Blanca for $25. I didn't realize this until I got home but it makes for a nice outfit! Sam got fixed up with an adorable (and versatile) pair of red flat for $30 from Aldo. By the time we had eaten and finalized our purchases the mall was closing and I hadn't had a chance to check out what The Body Shop had for sale.

So I went back the next day lol! I made a B-line for The Body Shop and starting sorting through all the body washes, makeup items, lotions and bath mitts all laid out on their table. I knew I needed body wash (since I'm almost out of my Olive Branch body wash from Lush) so that was a top priority but I also picked up a few bath tools for good measure.

They had a lot of savings on select products so depending on your scent preferences it might be worthwhile to check it out! I know they had half-price deals on the Originals products such as Green Apple Shower Gel and Ice Blue Shampoo so if your fan be sure to get your hands on some! I enjoy lighter scents so I decided to get this bottle of Oceanus Shower Gel which was $8 for 200mL (should have been $10!).

I also couldn't resist this Moringa Shower Gel (travel-sized) for $1.50! It has a soothing, fresh scent I adore!

I got some nice scrubby bath mitts which are always good to have in the house. I like to put them on, put a little Soap and Glory Flake Away on my mitt-covered hands and scrub away! You're actually doing double duty because both the scrub and the mitts are going to work together to get rid of dull, dead skin cells. Just don't scrub too hard or you risk irritating your skin.

And because the buff puffs, shower mitts and exfoliating skin towels were all 2 for $4 I decided to get the puff along with the mitts. Seriously though you could go to Shoppers and get 1 of the puffs for $4 so that is a damn fine deal! Plus, these are really well-made and I find they don't fall apart as easily as the ones you get somewhere like Walmart.

As if sensing my love for freebies the sales girl popped a little sample of Coconut Shower Cream into my bag. I haven't tried it out yet but it smells oh so dreamy and looks incredibly creamy :)

All-in-all I spent about $15 bucks which is not bad for all the lovely products I got! Any hauls to speak of this week ladies? Will you be doing any shopping this weekend?

Sarah xoxo

The Queen Has Arrived!

2010-07-07T21:24:00.001-04:00

You may have heard in the news recently that the Queen of England is currently visiting Canada. At first I wasn't sure why she was here. then I figured out she's probably just doing her rounds to the countries who used to be British colonies and are now part of the Commonwealth. Since Canada declared its independence there's been a lot of talk as to whether we really need the Monarchy anymore. For the most part the Queen has little say in our affairs and we're ultimately not ruled by her anymore. Still, I find her presence charming and since I'm originally from Britain I like the idea of the tradition of the Monarchy.

Something you may not know is that there is another Queen and she has come to stay at my quaint little house! My Benefit Scene Queen The New Annie Collection Palette arrived today!

Opening it was magical! I ordered it from Sephora (that's where this pic came from) and it came completely wrapped in tissue paper with my 3 free samples. I love free things! Stay tuned for pictures and reviews of all the lovely goodies inside! Have you heard about Benefit's 2 new Limited Edition palettes? Are you a die hard Benefit fan or are you a newbie to the brand like moi?

Sarah xoxo

Get Clean With Soap and Glory and St. Ives

2010-07-06T22:21:00.001-04:00

I'm a big fan of drugstore beauty. First of all it's the beauty I grew up with. Most girls get their first black eyeliner and their first pink nail polish from drugstores, not high-end department stores. Secondly you can get some awesome deals on products that actually work! If you're a money savvy chick like me drugstore deals can mean Christmas comes more than once a year!

In yesterday's post about bronzing I mentioned that it's a good idea to exfoliate before applying a self-tanner so that you get even, streak-less coverage of the product your using. Here are two awesome drugstore beauty finds that help you shed those dull, dead skin cells to reveal the healthy new skin underneath:

1. Soap and Glory's Flake Away

This is a reeeaaal nice moisturizing body scrub from Soap and Glory. Key word: moisturizing. Some scrubs can leave you feeling smooth but dry but not this puppy! I love this brand's uber 50s kitchy-style packaging and product info! It's adorable!

The texture of this stuff is quite thick which I like because it allows you to concentrate and then spread out the product. If you exfoliate in the shower you know only too well the problem with sugar scrubs: they can dissolve before you've had a chance to do any real buffing! Luckily Flake Away combines sugar and sea salt which I find to be a pretty good combo. The salt does a way better job of standing up to water because it has stronger molecular bonds than sugar! That`s my science fun fact for the day! This jar is $10 for 300ml which is a wicked deal because it's going to last a while!

2. St. Ives Apricot Cleanser

I have been hearing the merits of St. Ives Apricot Scrubs for a while now but I never got around to trying one out myself. But now that I`ve been using this one for about two weeks I`m hooked! I like that I can use it daily and it leaves my skin clean, smooth and moisturized. Note: I have fairly oily skin so I can use it every day but if you have dry/sensitive skin consider picking up the regular scrub (ie not deep cleaning) or using it less often. It about a $6 product so I can say it's worth every penny! One more thing regarding this scrub: it does contain two natural exfoliants (corn meal and ground walnut shells). A cosmetician once told me not to use scrubs containing natural exfoliants because the particles often contain sharp edges that may scratch or damage your skin. I have no beef with corn meal as it's very finely ground but before trying this product I wouldn't have liked the thought of rubbing ground walnut shells on my face. However the ground walnut shells are very spherical and are more like the microbeads found in other scrubs.

How was your Tuesday? Did any of you make it into the drugstore/beauty counter for your makeup fix? What did you get?

Sarah xoxo

Glow Big or Go Home!

2010-07-05T21:00:00.000-04:00

As quite a fair-skinned girl I have always been afraid of bronzer. It just seemed like such an enigma to me! How do you choose a shade that'll look natural? How can you possibly blend it enough so it doesn't look like you were playing around in the dirt? These were all questions I would ask myself every summer when the topic of magazine articles and commercials turned to beautifully bronzed skin.

This year was different. I decided to throw caution to the wind and pick up a bronzing pallette. I'm here to tell you that bronze (or at least a light bronzy glow) can be done on fair skin tones. Here are 4 products I think would work well on any skin tone to achieve a pretty summer glow.

1. Clinique Self Sun Body Daily Moisturizer

After a long Candian winter of wearing layer upon layer of clothing my skin (espcially my legs) could glow in the dark they're so white. I've tried a few sunless tanners in my time to get a natural glow but they were all either too fast acting or not effective at all. Enter Clinique's Self Sun. It's a gradual moisturizer that builds up a really natural looking tan. I like the light/medium version (Clinique GWP!) so I can get just a touch of a tan. It's easy to apply and leaves my skin incredibly moisturized. It's nice because you can control the depth of your tan by applying it day by day until the desired shade is reached. Just remember to exfoliate before hand to ensure a smooth application.

2. Marcelle Multi-Colour Bronzing Pressed Powder in Bronze Celebration

This pallete was my facial bronzer introduction. This is the pallette that let me know I could do it! It's a multi-coloured palette featuring 5 stips of shimmer colour from a sun-kissed pink to a deep brown. Though I haven't used it this palette looks comparible to the Bobbi Brown Beach Shimmer Brick and is suitable for the girl on a budget! This palette cost me about $15 where the Bobbi Brown pallete is $38! I like to mix all the colours and brush them on my cheekbones for the perfect bronze shimmer or use the colours on their own to create different beachy eye looks.

3. Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick in 01 Glow Blush

This is a blusher stick I got in a Clinique GWP a while back and I had never used one before. Basically you just apply a few swips to your cheekbones (and any other areas that would naturally get the sun like the bridge of your nose and chin) and then blend until the colour looks natural. This hasn't been my favourite product because I find it a little hard to blend and because I think the colour is a little dark for me. But I still think it's an interesting product to try if you prefer cream blushes to powder blushes or if you find they work better on your skin.

4. Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator in 01 Natural

This is yet another Gift With Purchase from Clinique. Can you tell I like the brand?? So if you're looking for more of a glow without the bronze an illuminator, or highlighter, is the way to go. So far this is the only illuminator I've used but I've loved the results. It's such a nice touch to any look and just adds a healthy glow to your features. I liek to apply it up on my cheekbones and on my brow bone to make my eyes stand out. You can also apply it to the space between your upper lip and your nose to make your lips look fuller.

Hopes this helps all of you get that special summer glow! I think I've also reiterated the awesome power of GWPs from brands you already love. You get to try new products you might have otherwise overlooked (or ignored due to their pricetags). How was your Monday? Did you have a busy start to your week or did you take it easy today?

Sarah xoxo

Prim and Proper Sunday With Benefit's Instant Brow Pencil

2010-07-04T20:00:00.001-04:00

Happy 4th of July to my State-side readers! How'd everyone's weekend go? Was it super relaxing or were you totally productive. My weekend was a little bit of both which is exactly how I like it.

Now, if I asked you what you thought your best facial feature was, what would you say? Your eyes? Your lips? Your impossibly high cheekbones? Would anyone say their eyebrows?? Ah, eyebrows; we have a love-hate relationship with them don't we? They provide the perfect frame for your face but only after plucking, waxing and some serious taming. But what about when you pluck too much? You remove a few too many hairs and suddenly it looks like one of you brows went on a hunger strike while the other ate a whole cheesecake and is now a little bloated! :)

The answer for filling in brows? Benefit's Instant Brow Pencil! I got mine at Shoppers for about $25.

I got mine in the light to medium shade because I wanted my brows a little darker (to look right with my red hair) but still look natural. This pencil's sort of waxy and deposits just the right amount of pigment! Plus it comes with a neat-o spoolie (kinda like a mascara wand) which smooths out the colour and your brows to make them perfectly polished!

As you can see this pencil's already been pretty well-loved. It needs a good sharpening. This pencil is seriously fool-proof and for a first-time brow filler like myself it was perfect. I would highly recommend picking it up! What do you all do to keep your brows in tip-top shape? Are you a waxer or a plucker and have you ever tried a pencil before to fill them in? Also what sort of makeup hauls did you ladies bring home this past? Let me know about your beauty purchases!

Back to work tomorrow. A little bitter sweet as it's felt like a loooong 4 day weekend but I'm also not crazy about the prospect of a few long days next week.

Sarah xoxo

Go Nude With Smashbox Sheer Colour

2010-07-03T13:51:00.000-04:00

Is the weather as lovely where you are as it is here in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area)? It's hot and sunny today and at around 10:30am this morning I decided to take our furry house guest for a walk around the neighborhood. By the end we were both panting but I think it was nice exercise! What're your plans for today?

I thought I'd begin this post by wrapping up my review of the Smashbox Beauty Bliss kit. The last piece in this kit is a product I've mentioned before on my blog. It's Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss! It smells lightly of vanilla, with a slight shimmer (to go along with the other products in this kit) but it's also very neutral.

The colour is called Lovely Lips and that's exactly what you get when you use it! It looks sort of beige in the tube but on it's very flattering. Like the other Lip Enhancing Glosses by Smashbox the applicator is a little lip brush which I personally happen to love but it isn't for everyone.

And so ends our Beauty Bliss kit week-long review! If neutrals are your thing this might be right up your alley! Think you might rock this kit?

Sarah xoxo

5 Ways To Score Free Beauty!

2010-07-02T14:32:00.000-04:00

We're all looking for the perfect beauty products. Products tthat work, have pretty packaging and fit our budget. Do you dream of free products raining from the sky? Do you dream of testing products before you buy them. Well then fellow beauty enthusiast, this post is for you. Here are 5 ways to get completely free or deeply discounted beauty:

1. Redflagdeals.com
This first website was discovered by my dad a few years back. You see I have inherited a love for free products and coupons, whatever they may be for, from him. Ever since he started sending me emails telling me about free samples of cleansers to cereals I have been checking this website daily. This website links you to manufacturers websites currently offering free samples of their products. As an example I recieved a sample of Veet wax strips last week (haven't had a chance to try them out yet) plus $2 off coupon should I decide to buy the product. Sample from Red Flag Deals are a great way to test a product before you buy and to save on things you already buy such as femine products. Since it's a Canadian site you'll never have to frown and say, "Oh, it's only available in the States", again!

2. P&G BrandSampler
Procter and Gamble make all sorts of products from Olay to CoverGirl to Pantene. Every season they offer a Brand Sampler - a box delivered in the mail full of sample-sized products you've chosen such as shampoo, face cream, fabric softener, floss, and razors. This is a seriously good deal. I'm a recently grad of the University of Guelph and during my poor student days I lived on these samples! Again I visit the Canadian website but I'm pretty sure they have an American BrandSampler promotion as well so if you live in the US you're in luck!

3. Gift With Purchase
This is a big one for me and many of the department store brands offer seasonal firdt with purchases every year. Heck, it seems like every time I step into Sears there's another promotion going on to catch my interest! Clinque expecially has some awesome gifts 4 times a year and you only need to spend $26.50 to get it! If you shop a department store brand such as Clinique, Estee Lauder or Elizabeth Arden often Gift With Purchase Specials make so much sense! They can also act as a nice introduction if you're new to a brand but try to resist buying products for the sake of the gift if you really don't need it.

4. Lush Product Samples + Events
Are you all familiar with Lush? It's a British brand focusing on making naural, minimally packaged products with the most heavenly scents! Famous for their bath bombs and bubble bars they also stock a wide range of cleansers, moisturizers, soaps, shampoos and every other bath-time product you can think of. I love them for their products but also their generosity with samples. If you're talking to one of their knowledgable staff members about trying a certain product they'll often offer you a sample to see if it's right for you. This isn't something unique to Lush: I find if you ask for samples at the Beauty Boutique at Shoppers Drug Mart or even at you're local beauty counter they'll often have something to give to you. It helps if you're making a purchase to begin with but you don't necessarily have to buy something. Check the Shopper's website often for free offers! Do the same with the Lush website (or better yet join the mailing list) because they host a plethora of events every month and they often give free goody bags to their attendies!

5. Save.ca
Save.ca is a website providing coupons for your favourite products that are delivered to your door a day or two after you order them online. Embrace coupons people! They're out there for a reason and why should you have to pay full price on things you buy often? There are coupons for beauty products and food and it's an especially helpful website if you have children. Another positive to Save.ca is that the glossy coupons you recieve in the mail are taken more readily by cashiers. I find staff at grocery and drug stores are wary of print-out coupons due to their ability to be easily duplicated.

Hope this helps you stay gorgeous inside and out without breaking the proverbial bank!

Sarah xoxo

Get Ready For Your Close-Up With Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer and Bionic Mascara!

2010-07-02T13:37:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Friday: the gateway to your weekend! What are your plans for this weekend people? I'm looking forward to some relaxation as well as a big old helping of getting stuff done. I started my day off this morning with *ahem* a very 'personal' wax (if you know what I mean) and I plan to get a lot of laundry done this afternoon. We also have a houseguest this weekend - my boyfriend's family dog, Ozzy! He's about 8 years old but still acts like a playful cuddly puppy (without the occational puddle on the floor).

For the longest time I never used to wear foundation. I had the same experiences most girls do; the formulas I used were too heavy, too cakey and too mask-like. I wanted my skin to look natually flawless, I didn't want to cover up my own features completely! Then I discovered Clinique's Superbalanced Makeup and I fell in love. I'm a huge fan of all things Clinique and Superbalanced Makeup doesn't let tthe brand or the consumer down! It's light-weight but offers medium coverage and at $25 for 30ml this stuff will last forever! No need to be tempted to buy cheap drugstore brands when Clinique offers such an outstanding product for a mid-range pricetag!

So I'm thinking, "How could this get any better?" Well ladies I'm about to tell you how. Two words: foundation primer. Okay, okay I'll admit I'm not the first chick to discover foundation primer like some rare jewel in a long-forgotten ancient mine but believe me, it has been some discovery! I've known about the existence of primers for some time now but I had ruled them out simply because I'm 21 years old I figured what do I need a primer for when I have no fine lines or wrinkles to smooth out? Well it's not just about reducing the appearance of wrinkles it's about smoothing over pores (mine are medium sized I'd say) and getting your makeup to stay put and stay fresh all day! The primer goes on so smoothly you can hardly feel it and it leaves no residue and no negative indications of its presence on your face. When you go to apply your foundation/powder/blush/etc. it provides a fresh canvas for the product to stick to and in my opinion, makes makeup application easier.

The 15ml tube is considered travel size but the Beauty Boutique lady at Shoppers said it'll last me about 6 months! I can believe it because you only need a pea-sized amount to prime your entire face. While Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer is an important 1st step in beautifying your face, don't forget about the importance of the last step in doing your makeup: applying mascara.

Bionic Mascara does a good job of separating and defining lashes though I haven't noticed an increase in volume or length. It gives the eyelashes a natural look so if that's what your going for this may really work for you! The tube provided in the Smashbox Beauty Bliss kit is travel sized just like the primer but this doesn't bother me much because a) I have never finished an entire tube of mascara in my life and b) I stand true to the 3 month toss out rule of mascara so I don't think I'll ever finish one.

Hope your Friday is going well and that you get a chance to enjoy the summery sunshine!

Sarah xoxo

Smashbox Beauty Bliss: Three Celeb Sightings!

2010-07-01T22:06:00.000-04:00

Happy Canada Day! If you're a US resident or you're international, Happy Thursday! How is everyone today? What'd you do to celebrate? I celebrated by cleaning (something I secretly love to do) and hanging around the campfire with the man's family. It was a relaxing day until we went to get into our car when a swarm of paparazzi ambushed us! You see, I was wearing my Smashbox Eye Shadow Trio in Celeb Sighting and they must've thought I was Sarah Jessica Parker or something. When I took off my over-sized sunnies and they saw I wasn't actually a famous person they stalked off leaving me in my best "no-pictures-please" pose.

I started reviewing the Smashbox Beauty Bliss kit a few days ago. Celeb sighting is a trio of soft, pretty colours with just enough sparkle. To me the whole kit exudes easy, summery, daytime glamour that could easily be vamped-up for evening with some eyeliner and a bright lip.

It's three shadows are sandy beige (for the whole lid), a glimmery forest green (for the crease), and a soft pink (as a highlight for the brow bone). The colours are very smooth and are easily blendable. They fit in very well to Smashbox's line of quality cosmetics!

The green pan looks a little brown in these pics but believe me, it's green. Because these colours are so neutral I think it's a really wearable pallette and I recommend patting them onto the eyelid as opposed to sweeping to get more vibrant pigmentation.

So far I'm quite pleased with this kit. It's offering a really pretty, summery daytime look that's flawless and glowing. The value ain't bad either! I have tomorrow (Friday) off work as well (woot woot 4-day weekend!) so I'll keep you updated on the other products and more! Enjoy your nights ladies and I'll give a little preemptive TGIF shout-out for tomorrow!

Sarah xoxo

Smashbox Beauty Bliss: Soft Lights in Brighten

2010-06-28T20:03:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday Everyone!
I don`t know about you but I had a wonderful Monday! The experiment I was working on in my lab actually worked! It was a real confidence boost! What did you work on today? I worked on staying calm in stressful situations and being optimistic! I also glowed today with the first product from my Smashbox Beauty Bliss Collection: Soft Lights in Brighten!

It's a pot of complimentary pinks and beiges with a slight shimmer so when you sweep your brush through the lot you get a lovely, soft glow. I found this product to be quite light on my fair skin so I've been adding a little brush or bronzer to my cheeks before applying Brighten. You're meant to use the fan brush that came with this kit to apply Brighten but I'm new to this type of brush and can't seem to pick up enough product to be visible on my face.

Overall this is a very pretty product but I'm still trying to make it a bit more visible on my face. What do you think? I'm going to test it out for a few days longer before I give it a grade. Have a good evening ladies!

Sarah xoxo

New Look!

2010-06-27T19:58:00.000-04:00

Hello Ladies and Gents!
How's your Sunday going?? Somehow my weekend just flew by again! I went out Saturday night and did a little man shopping with the hubby today. So here's the deal: new blog name = new blog format. I still want to do product reviews but I also want to integrate little happenings in my world. So let me get you up to speed: I'm a recent graduate of the University of Guelph, I just moved in with my boyfriend about 2 months ago and I'm trying to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life. Yeah, I thought I'd just jump into the heavy stuff right at the end there lol! I graduated with a degree in science but truthfully I really need a break from it. I'm currently working in a research lab on campus for the summer but in the fall I'll be looking for something completely different. Here are some jobs I've been thinking about trying out:

Receptionist/Secretary
Cosmetics Counter Lady
Shop Assistant (at some nice clothing store)
Health Canada Job

So you probably notice a general trend there. I have always loooved shopping but lately I have been absolutely obsessed with makeup. And I think I know the lady that got me hooked: Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog. Her funny upbeat posts and awesome product reviews and sneak-peaks really make me smile. And yeah, yeah I realize the last job on the list above is the only one really related to my degree but I'm young and I need to figure out what's going to make me truely happy. So for now I'm just taking it one day at a time and trying to find the meaning to my life. I'm grateful for everything I have but I hunger for my true calling.

So with the intro taken care of let's get into the story of my most recent beauty purchase! Yay! So this weekend a new Shoppers Drug Mart opened up in my neck of the woods (well it`s actually pretty far away from where my house is but hey this was one heck of a deal) and offered $20 off your purchase of $75 or more on their Beauty Boutique products. For my American and International readers Shoppers Drug Mart is the main drugstore in Canada and in the last few years theyève introduced a Beauty Boutique into newer stores that sells higher-end lines such as Smashbox, Benefit and Clarins. So yeah it's like a combination of up-scale department store brands and wicked awesome drugstore finds! Heaven! Alright, back to the story! I hopped ont he next bus over there and spent much time oggling all the pretty decor. I ended up buying a few things (you know, just to take advantage of the offer of course) which I'll write about over the next few days.

One of my purchases (and arguably the awesome-est!) was this new Smashbox Beauty Bliss Collection beauty in a box ($58). It comes with Fan Brush #22, Lip Enhancing Gloss in Lovely Lips, Bionic Mascara in Jet Black, Soft Lights in Brighten, Eye Shadow Trio in Celeb Sighting and Photo Finish Foundation Primer. Since this kit was amazing value (all the products alone are between $20-$40 each) I snapped it right up! I think I'll do a review of each product per day and I'll include some healpful pics as well. I'm going to leave it at that for this evening. Hope all of your weekends were absolutely lovely and I hope you did exactly what you wanted.

Sarah xoxo

Inspiration

2010-05-08T16:09:00.000-04:00

Okay so obviously the layout of this blog is so not working for me otherwise I'd be posting a lot more. I had a thought that maybe today would be a good day to introduce my new and improved layout! It's a rainy, windy day and by the cup of hot cocoa in my hands and the Golden Girls marathon on TV you'd think it was early January instead of early May. I had a busy week at my new job so I'm just relaxing today and reading magazines. Now that I've updated you on my life how about I tell you about my blogging idea!? I was thinking I could update more with mood boards and inspiration from my own closet and make-up bag! Let's start with today shall we?

Like I said I'm just relaxing at home today but I still wanted to look good. Don't get me wrong, I've been known to spend a weekend in my pjs only getting out of bed during commercial breaks to get more cereal. But sometimes I still want to put on makeup even if I'm not going out, just for myself. So here's what I've got on today:

Clinique City Block Daily Face Protector SPF 25 mixed with Clinique Up-lighting Liquid Illuminator
Clinique Blended Face Powder
Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick
CoverGirl Invisible Concealer
Marcelle Eyeshadow Pallette in Deep Plum and Green
Clinique Kohl Shaper for Eyes
Covergirl LashBlast Mascara

I wanted to create a bit of a smoky eye and since I have green/hazel eyes I smudged some of the plum colour on my botton lash line. I love Clinique products (can you tell) and they recently had their seasonal gift with purchace promotion which is where I got the Liquid Illuminator. To tell you the truth I am not a huge fan of the LashBlast mascara. I find the brush is too big and I don't get a lot of lash definition. Here's my outfit for the day:

Black Fiorucci Top
Medium-wash H&M Skinny Jeans
Moisturizing Socks from Bath and Body Works
Sears Moccasins
Jones New York Leopard Print Dressing Gown

What do you all think?

Sarah xoxo

Silky Locks

2010-03-28T19:47:00.001-04:00

Staying true to my word I'm back again today with a new product! It's a cold, rainy Sunday here and it's the kind of day that makes you want to curl up in bed and read a book. So that's pretty much what I've been doing. It's a day for relaxation and indugence, I think. It's a day for Umberto Giannini's Indulgent Beauty Moisture Mask. Since I've been using this super hydrating product my hair has never been so soft, shiny and frizz-free! I like to work a big glob through my hair with a comb and let it work its magic while I'm soaking in the bath. I find it's a great treatment for damaged or over-processed hair but it's also good for weekly hair maintenance to restore health to my hair. I bought this product while I was in England last summer at Boots and it was only about 5 pounds. Very, very worth it considering the difference it's made!

Sarah xoxo

Smooth All Over

2010-03-27T20:05:00.001-04:00

It's been a while hasn't it? A long while! Well I'm back and after a little deliberation I've decided I'd really like to post a new product everyday. I really, really would! Unfortunately this is my busiest time of year. Bummer. So I'll do my best and make this something of a little study break blogging treat for myself.

Down to business! Lately I have been absolutely obessed with skin care. I kind of go in and out of phases I suppose. Sometimes I get really into clothes shopping and I like to look around in consignment stores for cute pieces. Other times I can't get shoes and bags out of my mind and I find myself lusting after over-the-knee boots which are way out of my price range. Recently I've discovered the magnificent world of make-up and skin care! Okay, so I always knew it was there (that's what this blog is about after all) but more options seem to be popping up every day and I find myself thinking rather frequently "I could really use another body lotion...". Here's a good one: Eminence Naseberry Body Lotion. I originally started using it after getting brazillian waxes to moisturize the area and prevent nasty ingrown hairs but because of it's firming and exfolliating properties (and it's delightfully fresh and fruity smell) I can't help using it all over. Eminence is an organic skincare company based in Hungary that's been praised by celebrities from Jennifer Aniston to Alicia Silverstone. Eminence products can only be purchased from spas that carry the line and his particular lotion is $32. This would usually be a bit steep for me but it is a great product and used sparingly it really does last.

Sarah xoxo

Happy Feet

2010-01-05T00:01:00.002-05:00

Let`s face it ladies, unless we`re headed for a tropical vacation come February we don`t pay a ton of attention to foot care in the winter months. Bundled up in woolen socks and leather boots we forget to polish and moisturize our tootsies from November to March (if not longer). Well our feet do an awful lot for us all year round so why not treat them to a little pampering while sipping your evening hot cocoa? One way to do this is to use Bert's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme (originally designed for hands) around and on your toenails. It's fresh formula softens cuticles and moisturizes brittle nails so it's great for hands and feet! Don't forget to follow with a rich foot lotion and some bright and cheery polish once the creme has soaked in. At $7.99 per cute little tin this stuff lasts for ages! Happy pampering!

Sarah xoxo

Bat Those Lashes!

2009-11-22T13:21:00.001-05:00

So picture this: you buy a new-fangled mascara that does everything but pay your gas bill. It curls, it lengthens, it separates and it makes you feel like a femme fatale. Then the third time you use it it's all clumpy. This, my friends, is the story of my life. That's why I am so glad that in perusing the duty free shop this past summer I came across Clinique's High Definition Lashes Brush Then Comb Mascara. The wand combines both a brush and a comb for maximal separation. And get this: doesn't clump! Fantastic! I prefer the black but I used to be strictly a black/brown girl so I know how lovely and soft it can be. This mascara's $18 each which is more than one pays for most drugstore brands but believe me, you get what you pay for ladies!

Sarah xoxo

The Bubble Bath

2009-09-27T15:25:00.002-04:00

Fall is upon us again and if you're still trying to squeeze one last wear out of your flip flops and shorts you're probably feeling the chill. Though this is a season of transition, beautiful earthy colours and awesome layering options it can be a real stress on your skin. While most of us ladies enjoy taking a nice hot bath on a chilly Sunday make sure to keep it on the cooler side because hot water can strip the natural protective oils from your skin. It can still be a lovely treat though so don't skimp on the pampering! You deserve it! I recently discovered Lush, a natural beauty products company that strives to make things fresh, as well as animal and environmentallly friendly. An awesome bath product they make is their Bubble Bars which offer all the pleasing scents and bubbly fun as traditional liquid bubble bath in a solid packaging-free form! I recommend Creamy Candy Bubble Bar if you have a sweet tooth like me. It smells like vanilla candy and makes your bath even more enjoyable. Plus, the scent stays around for hours so you get that kick of fragrance even after you're all dried off! Though $6.50 for one bar may seem steep it can be used for up to 4 baths. And believe me, they are worth it!

Sarah xoxo

Lovely Lips

2009-08-28T20:41:00.000-04:00

As much as I'd love to wear lipstick more I just don't. The shades I own are a little too flashy for my workplace and I don't have enough hours in a day to carefully reapply every few hours. That is why I and many other women love the lip gloss. Its fast and easy application and its ability to make any pair of lips appear instantly luscious makes it a staple in every women's handbag. I particularly love Smashbox's line of Lip Enhancing Glosses. They cover your lips in flattering colour and sexy shine and have the most delicious vanilla smell. They come in a multitude of colours and at $22 a pop I think it's well worth it!

Sarah xoxo

Welcome to Beauty Gal!

2009-08-25T19:57:00.001-04:00

Hey All!
Welcome to Beauty Gal! This is the best place to read about awesome new products and trends in the beauty world! I'm a twenty-something girl who loves shopping for cosmetics, creams and clothes! I know a thing or two about what works and what doesn't and I'll be sharing everything I know here! Keep checking back for awesome product reviews tested by yours truely!

Sarah xoxo