As I mentioned in my most recent Clinique Haul post, I picked up two shades of Clinique’s newly released product: the Quickliner for Lips Intense. I didn’t include my introduction to lip liner in my haul, so I would like to provide a little summary here:
*cue nostalgic piano ballad*
You see, it was 2007, and being in grade 7 I figured I should probably hop on the beauty wagon, and what better time than the present. So I pilfered a few essentials from my mother’s makeup kit (AKA the “Cave of Wonders” as it really does have everything you could ever need), such as a mascara, a lipstick, and some powder foundation. I thought I was all set, and then one day at my grandparents’ house, my darling grandmother hauled out her Avon catalogue. While flipping through the pages, I caught a glimpse of the most beautiful pink shade of lip liner, and for $5.99, I considered it an investment. Well . . . not only was the formula a bit of a letdown but my application of the product was horrendous. I somehow got it into my head that lip liner meant “draw vertical and horizontal lines on your lips and essentially make them look like cross-hatch shading gone wrong.” All I can say is that I really liked math, especially geometry, and it seemed like the logical thing to do. Upon, reflection, the name “LIP liner” should have clued me in, but hey, if they had called it “lip tracer” I think I could have figured it out and not tried to use tracing paper or anything like that.
*cut nostalgic piano ballad*
But I digress. I have been using these liners ever since I got them, and I really like them, so I wanted to give an honest review of them for those of you looking for a lip liner, or those of you who are curious to know what the product is like.
Features:
Smooth application
Long lasting
Application over enire lip surfacelips extends wear of lipstick
Non-drying formula
No sharpening needed
Wide selection of shades to match all major categories of lip colours
Shades:
There are 11 shades, ranging from dark browns to neutrals, to soft pinks and reds, to bolder shades. To air on the safe side, I picked up two: Intense Punch and Intense Cosmos. This way I would have all my berry hues and all my red hues covered.
Intense Punch
Intense Cosmos
Now just look at how fine that tip is!!! I was really happy about this, because some lip liners have wide tips, making application more difficult, especially if, like me, you prefer a thin line just surrounding your lips. However, I have occasionally been using these all over my lips before applying lipstick because it actually helps the lipstick to last longer (see, my cross-hatching mishap was not quite so far off after all).
The no sharpening feature is a huge plus for me because I find most of the sharpenable pencils end up with really pointy tips that can hurt when trying to apply them. Or they break off like a pencil crayon tip would, and you’re left with wasted liner that you can’t really use.
A big thing that I want to mention is that, while this liner has the perk of not needing to be sharpened, it is NON-RETRACTABLE. So when you go to use it, turn the grey part of the case just a little bit, enough to see a tip of liner but nothing more. If you turn out too much, there is no way to get it back into the case, and this will cause the liner to dry out, or *shudders* you might have to break a little piece off to get the lid back on. And with a $20 price tag, though it is much more affordable than other highstreet lip liners, you don’t want to go wasting any.
Left: Intense Cosmos Right: Intense Punch
But, as you can see from my little doodle test, the liner draws a nice smooth line of varying thickness. It also doesn’t break easily or crumble. Plus here you can actually see what the colours look like, though the package colours are pretty accurate. I have worn these liners with a wide variety of red and pink shades, and they do a fabulous job keeping everything in place without being visible under even pale shades.
Have you tried these new liners yet??? What did you think of them???
I know I did a post on a Clinique haul and bonus a few weeks back, but lo and behold, I have another!!! This time, I headed down to Sears to see what was new, and I am so happy that I did.
This go-around, I picked up some essentials and a few new products:
Clinique’s Take The Day Off Makeup Remover For Lids, Lashes, and LipsClinique’s Cheek Pop blusher in the shade pink popClinique’s Quickliner for Lips Intense. Top: Intense Punch Bottom: Intense Cosmos
I first tried the Take The Day Off Makeup Remover when it came in a sample size in a previous bonus gift, and I love it. It takes eye and lip makeup off in one clean swoosh, and it is fragrance-free so it won’t irritate skin. As for the Cheek Pop blusher, I did a review of them earlier this year, but I was on the hunt for a lighter pink shade that I could wear with my autumnal berry lips and sultry tawny reds without having my cheeks clashing with my lips. This is a beautiful, soft pink, adding just the right amount of colour. And finally, the lip liners. The last time I used lip liner, I think I was maybe 13 years old and, long story short, I completely misunderstood the purpose and royally mucked it up. So, hoping I’ve matured, I am looking forward to trying these out. I’ve heard that they apply super smoothly, and really help lipstick last longer.
With these purchases, I qualified for Sears’ Clinique bonus, and I thought I would share with you all the goodies that came inside:
All of the beauty treats and, of course, the adorable cosmetic bagRinse-Off Eye Makeup SolventRinse-Off Foaming CleanserTurnaround Overnight Revitalizing MoisturizerLong Last Glosswear in Clearly PinkCalyx Fragrance
This bonus gift also came with Clinique’s High Impact mascara, but if you’ve been reading this blog for awhile, then you have probably been subjected to your fair share of me raving about how great it is.
I am really looking forward to trying out the Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent, as I have been committing the cardinal makeup sin of sleeping in my mascara lately due to some late night study sessions. Hopefully this eye makeup remover is as good as I have heard, so I can leave it on the edge of my desk and at least spare my eyelashes from the effects of midnight review.
I am also really excited about the Turnaround Overnight Revitalizing Moisturizer. I reviewed the Turnaround Daytime Revitalizing Moisturizer, but I’m interested to see how the overnight moisturizer compares to the other products in the Turnaround range.
So, now, what about you??? Any beauty bonuses to share, or thoughts on these products??? So many of these ones are new to me, so I would love to know what you think of them!!!
To keep the autumn theme going, I thought I would share with you another seasonal beauty favourite of mine: fragrances.
I do not have any fragrances designated for particular seasons; rather, I like to wear some of my favourites throughout the year. Besides, most fragrances are so expensive that you want to get plenty of year-round use out of them. They also help you qualify for some brands’ bonus gifts, which are always lovely.
1. La petite Robe Noire by Guerlain
I came across this while in Paris back in August, and immediately fell in love with it. I would have purchased it in Paris, but I have a deep-rooted fear of traveling with perfumes (for anyone who has had one leak in their suitcase, you will understand why). So, when I got home, I purchased it as soon as possible, and I actually went with the eau de toilette version. Not only is it more “cost feasible,” to put it formally, but I prefer the more subdued version of the scent. With notes of black cherry, almond, berries, rose, licorice, and black tea, this is a fresh yet intoxicating scent. Aside from the fragrance itself, I adore the packaging. The heart-shaped bottle is so pretty, and the the silhouette of the little black dress is such an elegant yet modern touch. The 50mL size of this eau de toilette is about CAN $85.
2. Dolce by Dolce and Gabbana
As you can probably ascertain from the tiny amount that is left in the bottle, I really, really, really like this fragrance. It is a soft scent of white flowers, neroli leaves, white amaryllis, white water lily, and white daffodil, among other things. Fun fact: White amaryllis is a South African flower that was used for the first time ever in scent for this fragrance. The packaging of this fragrance is both beautiful and symbolic. The bottle itself is evocative of a vintage fragrance flacon, while the flower stopper is a tribute to Sicilian customs. The black grosgrain ribbon represents the signature white shirts and bow ties of early Dolce and Gabbana runway shows and, finally, the script of the label is a replica of the signature of Domenico Dolce’s father. This eau de parfum comes in three sizes: 0.25oz for CAN $34, 1.6oz for CAN $109, and 2.5oz for CAN $136.
3. La Vie Est Belle
I came upon this fragrance in the pages of Vogue. I couldn’t figure out why the issue smelled so good, and then I found the perfume sample. After wiping the magazine page on my neck for the next few days like a right fool, I went out and purchased the fragrance. It turns out that it was actually more cost-effective to purchase the three-piece box set than just the large size of the perfume alone. Fun fact: the final formula of this perfume is the result of three years of trials and 5000 versions. Just imagine working through 5000 different versions of something before you got it how you wanted it; that is dedication. The top notes of this fragrance are blackberry and pear, with middle notes of jasmine and iris, and base notes of praline, vanilla, tonka bean, and patchouli. However, I found that some of these base notes, particularly vanilla and praline, are much more prominent than blackberry or pear, but the powdery base and fruity tier organization is still intact. This fragrance is quite heavy, and fairly long lasting, making it perfect to wear on a night out. It comes in three sizes: 0.34oz for CAN $28, 1oz for CAN $74, and 1.7oz for CAN $98.
4. Vanitas by Versace
This is the second fragrance I ever purchased and, once again, I discovered it from a sample in Vogue. It is a fresh and clean scent, making it perfect for everyday wear, but it is soft enough that those around you won’t be overpowered by it. To many people, it may be more of a spring/summer fragrance, but I love getting whiffs of summer as I go about my day, especially when the days get gloomy. The predominant scents in this fragrance for me are lime, freesia, and Virginia Cedar, with some base notes of tonka bean. It comes in three sizes: 30mL, 50mL, and 100mL. I could only find the price for the 50mL size, and that is CAN $98.
5. Modern Muse Chic by Estée Lauder The last of my favourite fall fragrances is Estée Lauder’s Modern Muse Chic. It is much lighter than the original version, Modern Muse, while still maintaining its striking contrast of floral and woods scents. This is a daring and slightly spicy scent, and I think the nearly-empty flacon speaks for itself about its wearability. This fragrance comes in two sizes: 1oz for CAN $68, and 1.7oz for CAN $90. I went with the 1oz size because I wanted to make sure that I liked it before I bought the larger size. Fortunately, I picked it up around Christmas time when purchasing it qualified me for one of Estée Lauder’s Christmas gift sets, which are well worth their value and come with a large case that is perfect for keeping all cosmetics and toiletries in one place when traveling.
And those are my top five fall fragrances!!!
Now it’s your turn: let me know in the comments below which fragrances are your favourites, either for the autumn season, or just in general 🙂 🙂
With autumn weather in full swing, the berry lips are back, and I could not be happier!!! There is something about a bold lip that just makes me feel super fancy, even if I’ve paired it with some leggings and a sweater. But there are so many lipstick shades out there to choose from, so I thought I would share with you my top five high-end autumnal berry lips. If you like this post, let me know and I will more than happily share my top 5 drugstore autumnal berry lips. So let’s begin!!!
1. Estée Lauder New Pure Colour Lipstick in Fig I received this lipstick in one of Estée Lauder’s annual Christmas gift sets, and at first I thought it was too dark, so it lived in my lippie collection without seeing the light of day. But then about a year ago, I was rummaging around for a dramatic, sultry red to go with a little black dress, and this lipstick was my saving grace. It is a beautiful, tawny red, it goes on super smoothly, it doesn’t dry out my lips, and it stays on really well throughout the day, with little to no fading. This lipstick has the sample packaging, which is more simplistic than the packaging of a regular Estée Lauder lipstick, but they run at about $34 a-piece, so I’ll take more basic packaging since I still get the gem of a lip colour inside.
2. Bite Beauty’s Maple Matte Crème Lipstick in Braised Maple I reviewed this lipstick awhile ago in my post about Bite Beauty’s Maple Matte Crème Lipstick range, and have since been wearing it as much as I can. It is not as orangey as it looks, and it lasts. Like if I don’t fully remove it at night, the tint is still there in the morning. It is such a lovely colour, and it actually smells like maple, which I think is a nice little feature. Unfortunately for those of you who live outside Canada, this range is a Canadian exclusive, and they sold mighty fast. I’m pretty sure most stores only have one colour left in stock. This one was $28, and at the time I purchased three, so both me and my bank account were worried about not liking them, but I am so glad I got them all at once. Otherwise, they would have been gone, and I have got so much wear out of them.
3. Bite Beauty’s Maple Matte Crème Lipstick in Sugared MapleYup, another one of Bite Beauty’s maple lipsticks made it into my top 5 highstreet autumnal lipsticks. I just love how long lasting they are, and somehow going around smelling like maple gives all my makeup looks a Canadianesque feel. I rarely used to wear deep purple shades, but this one is so gorgeous on, and is perfect when paired with simple, daytime eye makeup, or some dramatic wing eyeliner for evening wear.
4. Clinique’s Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in Matte PlumThis was one of the first lipsticks I purchased when Clinique came out with their Long Last Soft Matte range, and I was hooked on it. My mother loved it so much that she went out and got one for herself, and it’s now her everyday lipstick shade. Lots of the other soft matte shades are pretty, but Matte Plum just pops out, and is one of the few shades that I think can be worn in both Autumn and Spring.
5. Chanel’s Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour in La RomanesqueI also discussed this lipstick shade in my review post of it but, to summarize, I had wanted this shade for months since I had seen it in Chanel’s Spring 2015 advertisements, and picked it up while in Paris back in August. It is a subtle yet deep shade of purple that is actually very versatile in terms of the looks it can be worn with and the seasons it can be worn in. It may have been released in Spring, but there is nothing stopping me from wearing it year-round. Plus, I find the formula to be very hydrating, which is important as the days get colder and lips are exposed to harsher elements.
So what are your top five high street autumnal lipstick shades??? Have you tried any of these shades before??? What did you think of them???
I was tagged by the lovely Amy from Polished by Amy to do the Fall Favourites Tag. She has an incredible beauty blog with a spotlight on nails, and I am always so jealous of the designs she comes up with, so definitely check it out.
Side note: Maybe it’s a Canadian thing, but I was taught to say Autumn, and didn’t learn that it was synonymous with Fall until much much later. Anyone else have that???
But I digress. Let’s get into the Autumn spirit with some nostalgic favourites:
Favourite candle scent?
Oh goodness, I love so many. I think my favourite would probably be Aveda’s shampure scent.
Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?
Hot chocolate all the way. About this time of year, I start making hot chocolate every few nights and have it while I do homework. Sometimes I even put an After Eight mint stick in the cup so it melts and gives the hot chocolate this super nice minty taste. I am all about the different flavours of hot chocolate. Like Rolo hot chocolate: yes please!!!
What’s the best autumn memory you have???
This one would have to be raking leaves with my grandfather in my grandparents’ backyard. I had this tiny little, red rake that he had made for me, and he used the giant green rake. We’d get them all into a pile and then proceed to throw them at each other and frolic in them. That’s right: a man in his seventies frolicked in leaves. Just picture that.
Which makeup trend do you prefer: dark lips or winged eyeliner?
Definitely dark lips. I feel like winged liner can go one of two ways: it looks absolutely perfect and makes your eyes bigger and bolder, or it goes horribly wrong and your eyes look misshapen and lopsided and questionably over-defined. With dark lips though, they are such a lovely, sultry Autumn trend, and make any look more dramatic and sophisticated. Berry lip and a little black dress and you can go anywhere.
Best fragrance for autumn?
I don’t know . . . I don’t really have fragrances designated for certain seasons. I am loving Guerlain’s La Petite Robe Noire though. I found out about it while in Paris, and then got some at a local store, and it smells so lovely. I don’t know if I would brand it an Autumn scent, but it’s assumed the role of my Autumn scent, at least for this year.
Favourite thanksgiving food?
This one is a toss-up between my grandmother’s turnip crumble and her turkey casserole. I know what you’re thinking: . . . she likes turnip??? but my grandmother makes this dish every Thanksgiving and Christmas and I can’t get enough of it. I’ll see if I can get a copy of the recipe this year and share it with you all so you, too, can experience the rare glory of tasty turnip. As for the casserole, it’s just the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten, and it makes spending all day cooking a turkey worth it when you can get multiple meals out of it.
What is Autumn weather like where you live?
It’s perfect, at least in my opinion. It’s crisp, but not cold. It’s sunny, but not warm. And there are even a few foggy mornings thrown in.
Most worn sweater?
I don’t know if I have just one, but I have amassed quite a collection of Lord and Taylor cashmere sweaters over the years, and they have started to make their annual appearance in my recent outfits.
Football games or jumping in leaf piles?
Definitely jumping in leaf piles. Canada isn’t known for its football (I don’t think???) but hockey is a game that we will spend all day watching.
Favourite type of pie?
I’ve only ever had one piece of pie in my life . . . but the slice of homemade green apple pie that my friend’s grandmother made was delicious!!!
What song really gets you into the fall spirit?
Ed Sheeran’s Autumn Leaves. It is such a lovely song, and I just get lost in it.
Is pumpkin spice worth the hype?
I’ve only had one pumpkin spice anything, and that was Starbuck’s infamous Pumpkin Spice Latte. My friend’s father brought me, her, and another friend one each while we were marshalling a marathon in seventh grade. It was actually pretty good, but I wouldn’t go as crazy over it as I know some people do, and I don’t think I’d want a candle or anything else that smells like that.
Favourite Fall tv show?
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.
“You’re holding my hand, Chuck, you sly dog” –Peppermint Patty
Skinny jeans or leggings?
Skinny jeans. Once the days get colder, I find leggings just don’t keep me warm enough.
Combat boots or UGGS?
UGGS. I know they aren’t super flattering, but they keep my toes oh-so-warm. I just wish they would do better in the rain. Or at least do ok in the rain.
Halloween: yay or nay?
Whatever’s in between yay and nay . . . okay??? I like Halloween and all, but I’m not big on dressing up, going to parties, scaring people or being scared, or watching horror movies so that I never have a nightmare-free sleep again for years.
Fall mornings or evenings?
Mornings. I love the low-hanging fog, and the smell of burning leaves.
What do you think about Black Friday?
Meh. It’s ok. I don’t think I’ve ever gone out on it, not for shopping anyways. I have real issues with crowded places, so I like to avoid hoards of people all cramming into stores for good deals that are usually just as good throughout the year.
One fall 2015 trend you love?
Bold bags. I usually purchase more conservative bags so they will go with more things, but I think this year I might treat myself to a super out-there bag; maybe a Kate Spade.
Thank you so much for reading!!! I tag all of YOU reading this to do this tag!!! If you do this tag, please link me so I can have a read about all your favourite autumn things!!! Have a lovely day 🙂 🙂
Today I wanted to talk about one of my favourite new products: Clinique’s recently released Turnaround Daytime Revitalizing Moisturizer. As I mentioned in my recent Clinique haul and bonus post, I’ve read some raving reviews of the entire Turnaround range, but the moisturizer is the product that I thought I would use the most. Plus, I love myself a moisturizer that can be worn underneath foundation. At $45, I was hesitant to purchase this, but it coincided beautifully with Clinique’s bonus time, so I took a leap of face and just did it. And I am so glad that I did.
Features:
Oil-free, so no fear of shine
Lightweight
Improves health and radiance of skin
Can be worn alone or under makeup
Gives the appearance of a bright, glowing complexion
Shades:
This moisturizer actually comes in two shades: rosy glow and golden glow. The former gives a nice pinkish radiance to skin, while the latter airs on the yellow side. Given my paper-white complexion, I opted for the rosy glow to give my skin that nice, healthy glow that it lacks once winter comes around. I can’t speak for the golden glow, but I would guess it would be better suited to more tanned complexions that would benefit from that sun-kissed glow in the cloudy winter months. However, I have read other reviews that claim the rosy glow shade delivered less-than-expected luminosity, and recommend choosing the golden glow. So who really knows??? I think it’s hit-or-miss, and depends on the degree of radiance and luminosity you are hoping for. If you are looking for KAPOW radiance, I would say go with the golden glow, but the pink is subtly pretty, so it’s a toss-up.
I’ve been using this moisturizer for about a week now, and already I have noticed that my skin feels smoother, and my little imperfections are masked, and even improved, evening out my skin tone. I have had no breakouts while using this product thanks to Clinique’s classic oil-free formulation, and it goes so well under either powder or liquid foundation. This is big for me because I always moisturize my skin before applying foundation so as to prevent it from drying out throughout the day, and I find that, in some cases, it can even aid in the application process.
The one thing I am really disappointed in that I did not initially consider before purchasing this product is that it has no sun-proof protection. It is marketed as a daytime moisturizer, but with no built-in SPF, the choice is wear sunscreen overtop of this moisturizer, completely negating any glowing effects it might have, or risk getting a sunburn. The latter for many pale people such as myself is just not an option, forcing us to leave this cream on the bathroom counter to wait for a cloudy day. Luckily Autumn is here, and Winter is right behind it, so there won’t be much need for SPF, but it is still something I wish I had thought about before. So, if you take nothing else away from this little blog post today, please remember:
*Always check the SPF, if any, of moisturizers, foundations, or any other products*
Have you tried this moisturizer before, or any of the other products in the Turnaround range??? What did you think??? And did the lack of SPF miff you as much as it miffed me???
P.S. Don’t forget to enter my 100 followers giveaway for your chance to win a Chanel Autumn 2015 lipstick of your choice and one of Time magazine’s listed 100 best English-language novels!!! Click here to find the instructions for how to enter. *The giveaway is open internationally and will close September 30, 2015 at 11:59pm*
With the first day of Autumn now a few days behind us, it seemed apropos that I do a post on one of my favourite seasonal occurrences: Clinique’s bonus time at Hudson’s Bay!!! What this means is for anyone in Canada, from September 15th to October 3rd 2015, Clinique is offering a bonus with a purchase of $31 or more. I absolutely love the Clinique bonuses because they have some treasured beauty favourites in them, along with new products to try. So, I thought I would show you what I bought from Clinique this time, and highlight a few products that came in the bonus 🙂 🙂
This Clinique gift is extra special because the cosmetic bag was designed by interior designer Tyler Dawson. If you haven’t heard of her, you can click here to pop over to her website and take a gander through her portfolio, her about page, and get in contact with her if you are interested in hiring her. Personally, I am a huge fan of her design style. It is so cute and chic at the same time, and I love how she pairs paint colours with furniture to make a room feel homey while looking fabulous.
To qualify for this bonus, I purchased Clinique’s newly released Turnaround Revitalizing Daytime Moisturizer. At $45, I really had to convince myself that this was something I wanted to try, and I JUST missed the free sample from Sephora if I shopped online, so that was a little irksome. But I have heard so many good things about this entire range, and moisturizer is always something I can use, so I went for it.
And now on to some of the goodies stashed away in this lovely little bonus:
First up is the Tyler Dawson-designed cosmetic bag. I think the colours are so fresh, and the clear, cylindrical zipper pull is such a unique take on the classic pull. It is very roomy so I think it would be great for storing, or travelling with, brushes or palettes that need lots of room both lengthways and widthways. The colours and design might be better suited for spring, but hey, it’s only a few months away.
I love taking photos with this kind of shadowing going on
The next item is a shade of Clinique’s Long Last Soft Matte lipstick in the shade Matte Peony. This is super coincidental because I was going to purchase this shade a few weeks back, and decided not to. And now here it is in my makeup collection!!! I’m pretty sure it was meant to be. This is a vibrant pink shade, with warm undertones. Once again, I feel like this shade would be better suited for Spring, but maybe this bonus is for Spring and is just being released in Autumn because Clinique wants us to start prepping our beauty collections for Spring. Who knows???
Next is the moisturizer component of the bonus. Clinique usually has at least one element of their bonus that you can choose so, for instance, the items in the gift are pre-set, but you can choose between two lipstick shades, or two colour themes that dictate which lipstick and eyeshadow shades you receive. In this case, the choosable element was the moisturizer. The choice was between the Even Better Moisturizer with SPF 20 or the Repairwear Uplifting Firming Cream with SPF 15. Really, the choice here is between having a brighter complexion, or giving your skin a bit more vitality. I went with the Even Better Moisturizer with SPF 20 because I have used it before and loved it, and I am not yet concerned with the firmness of my skin. But maybe I should be???
Next up is a product I have never even heard of before, which is strange because Clinique is one of my go-to makeup brands.The Blended Face Powder in Invisible Blend. If anyone has heard of this or used this before, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below, because I have no idea what this is, and no idea how to feel about it. I think it’s for setting makeup??? Maybe??? Gosh, do I ever feel out of the beauty loop here.
Now this product is fairly new, and I have never tried it: the Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum. Apparently this little number is suitable for all skin types and tones, and it sounds like it kind of gets to know your skin and figures out what it needs??? I know that sounds super weird and like I’m describing a life coach more than a skin serum, but I am kind of lost when it comes to this product. I did a little research and some of the uses of this product, like reducing lines or wrinkles, and firming skin are not things that I am really looking for in a product. Evening skin tone and boosting radiance though, those are things I wouldn’t turn down.
The last two products that were included in this bonus were the High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara and the Liquid Facial Soap Mild. This mascara is always, always, always included in Clinique’s bonuses, and I LOVE it. As I have most likely mentioned previously, I never have to buy mascara because I just live off the sample sizes that come in these bonuses. Between the wand design, the formula, and the easiness of packing it, this little sample size is hands-down my favourite mascara to-date. The facial soap is one I have used for years, and I even use it with my Sonic System if I’m feeling it. It’s just a nice, gentle cleanser that leaves skin feeling clean and fresh.
And that was this season’s Clinique bonus, and my mini haul!!!
Have you picked up your Clinique bonus yet??? What did you purchase to qualify??? Any recommendations???
P.S. Don’t forget to enter my 100 followers giveaway for your chance to win a Chanel Autumn 2015 lipstick of your choice and one of Time magazine’s listed 100 best English-language novels!!! Click here to find the instructions for how to enter. *The giveaway is open internationally and will close September 30, 2015 at 11:59pm”
At the beginning of every school year, I always set aside a few dollars for one back-to-school product that I think will make my early mornings easier. This term, I am lucky enough (ha, not) to have 8:30am lectures on Mondays and Thursdays. This means that I am up by 6am, and have to be out the door by 7:30am. With breakfast being a priority and crawling back into bed a regular occurrence, the allotted time for my hair sometimes gets cut short, which can lead to some less-than-attractive hair days. And then I tried this new Bumble and Bumble product.
Features:
Formulated with a blend of two lightweight polymers to improve texture
Plant-based conditioning blend to hydrate hair and help it dry smoothly
Contains UVA and UVB filters to help protect hair against the damaging effects of heat and sun exposure
Gives the air (ha, so punny) of an air style without having to deal with flyaway strands or frizziness
In the mornings, I just wake up, hop in the shower to give my hair a quick wash, and then throw my hair up in a towel. By the time I’m done eating breakfast my hair is towel-dried, and I just work this cream through my hair, scrunch, and I am good to go. If the whole scrunched look isn’t for you, you can also twist your hair to get that nice, soft loose curls look, which I have been sporting the past week. It’s funny because so many people at university have complimented my hair and asked what I did to get it to look the way it does. They seem to think I spent ages on it, when really, I spent the minute of working this little miracle hair cream though my hair and then giving my hair a final once over of air drying if I have the time. Also, this hair cream can be layered with other stylers, so you can get the benefits of this cream along with those of other products if you’re looking to show your hair a little more TLC.
What is really nice about this product is that it is super hydrating and thin. I was worried at first that I wouldn’t use enough for the product to work, but that it would be thick and wouldn’t go through my hair easily. Wrong and wrong. You only need to use a pea-sized amount of this cream in your hair, so just work from the roots to the ends, and it is super thin and smooth so it won’t get stuck partway and make hair look greasy in places.
A trio of Bumble and Bumble’s Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil products I picked up in Paris because the hotel shampoo was destroying my hair. Not the best photo, but it gets the point across.
What I love about Bumble and Bumble products, besides how wonderful they are on my hair, is that the majority of them come in multiple sizes. Typically, if you want to try a new shampoo, you have to purchase a full-size bottle, which is great if it turns out you like it, but if you don’t, then you’re stuck with a 99% full bottle of shampoo that lives in your cupboard for years until it finally gets tossed in a clean out. With Bumble and Bumble products though, they are sold in at least two sizes, one for the people who know the products will work for them, and the other that are perfect for trying out various products to find the one that works best for you. These smaller sizes are also so easy to travel with because they fall well below the airport’s carry-on liquid maximum of 100mL. In some cases, these smaller sizes even come in little bundles of three, so you can sample three products from a range for the same amount as a full-size container of shampoo. Yet another reason why I love the Bumble and Bumble brand.
Have you tried this out before??? What did you think???
P.S. Don’t forget to enter my 100 followers giveaway for your chance to win a Chanel Autumn 2015 lipstick of your choice and one of Time magazine’s listed 100 best English-language novels!!! Click here to find the instructions for how to enter. *The giveaway is open internationally and will close September 30, 2015 at 11:59pm*
Since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to walk out of a Chanel store with a little white bag. So when I passed by the Chanel flagship store on Rue Cambon in the first arrondissement, I had to pop in and see what I could find. Goodness me things in there are pricy, but I spotted the makeup section and bolted for it.
When Chanel released their Spring 2015 collection, the model in one of the advertisements looked so stunning that I took a picture of the display and set to work creating a similar look with more affordable products. The flagship store had the exact picture above the lipstick display, and had the colour in stock, so I bought it. I think I found my new favourite shade, but not necessarily my new favourite lipstick.
Features:
Non-drying
Intense colour
Long-lasting
Velvet matte finish
Shades:
There are 12 shades in the intense longwear collection, six of which have the velvet matte finish. The shade that was in Chanel’s Spring 2015 advertisement was 50 La Romanesque, a beautiful rich, tawny purple. I love the colour to death, but it does not stay on as well as I would like, requiring reapplication after eating and such. Also, though it is not marketed as a hydrating lipstick, it is touted as being non-drying, yet I found my lips to be dried out slightly after wearing it. Each Chanel lipstick is 32.50 €, which in Canadian dollars is approximately $45, and is quite pricy for a lipstick, but it is similar to the prices of lipsticks from other designer brands. Here though, I kind of felt like I was paying for the brand, not necessarily the quality of the product.
However, Chanel is good at giving their products classy packaging. The box is black with shiny, gold sides, while the tube is the classic Chanel black, with little white lettering at the base, and a gold top with the interlocking C’s logo.
Something neat about Chanel lipsticks that I love is that the brand name is actually etched into the lipstick. It’s just a nice little extra that adds to the presentation of the product.
THE SHADE IS SO PRETTY!!! Did I mention it’s really pretty??? I am in love with it, and the chiseled tip makes it so easy to apply. I’m trying to keep using the tip so it doesn’t flatten out, because I don’t really know what I’ll do without it. New lipsticks spoil you, but once they get used, some lose their shape and applying them because more difficult. Hopefully this lipstick won’t be one of those.
I have to admit though that I struggled a little with figuring out how to open the tube. It turns out you push down on the gold top, and it bounces up enough that you can grab it and pull out the lipstick tube. After that, the lipstick turns up normally. I felt quite foolish turning the case around and around looking for where the lid pulled off, or where I could twist it up. Clearly I don’t buy many designer brand cosmetics . . .
Have you tried any Chanel lipsticks before? What shades and formulae did you like?
For many people the start of school is near, or has already happened. The beginning of a new school year is often a time of excitement to see friends and break out new school clothes, but it can also be a time of stress. As of tomorrow, I will be in my third year of university, so I feel like I have done enough first days of school, both high school and university, to provide a few helpful tips. So with that, I figured I would do a post on what is in my school backpack. Give it a read if you are wondering what to pack for your first day of high school or university, or if you just want to have a good snoop.
The backpack: The backpack that I take to university with me is the Herschel classic backpack mid-volume in electric lilac. I do not think this colour is still available, but it comes in a plethora of colours and other styles, which you can browse here. What I really like about this backpack is the simple design. I don’t want a backpack with too many pockets that things could get lost in, but the front pouch gives me somewhere to put things where they will be easily accessible.
Image from Amazon.ca
iPad Air 2: For those of you who are tech savvy or looking for an alternative to taking notes on paper, an iPad is a great tool to have. It takes over the role of a laptop, and is super light, making it a great way to keep a backpack from being too heavy to carry.
Day planner: I know some people are not fans of paper schedules and would rather use the calendar on their iPhone, but for me, having a hard copy of what I need to do is super useful. In my day planner, I write down all the readings, assignments, and tests that are upcoming, and when I am going to do them. I also colour-code things using different highlighters so I can see at a glance what types of work are upcoming. A day planner is also great to have to note doctors appointments, office hours of professors, or meetings with teachers. Even after school commitments like extra-curriculars or volunteer work can be noted so that nothing gets forgotten . Just find a system that works for you to keep everything on track and avoid the stress of last-minute panicking over a forgotten test or assignment.
Notebook: Note-taking is inevitable when it comes to school, but it is important to find a system that works for you. Maybe that means one notebook for each class, or a three-subject notebook for different days, or a binder full of loose sheets of paper. All through high school, I used the one notebook per class system, and it worked fairly well. The one problem with that though is if you start missing classes (and I say missing, not skipping). It can be hard to judge how many pages to leave blank for the missed notes, and leaving too many or not enough can be irksome. In university, I have a clipboard that I write notes on, and all my notes stay clipped to it. Then I paperclip them together at the end of each section and tuck them in the clipboard’s side pocket so I know where they are come exam time. That way, if I miss a day, it is easy to insert the missed notes. It is also easier to lend them to a classmate because I don’t need to give them my entire notebook.
*Note: For university classes, make sure to get to know at least one person in each of your classes. Many professors do not post notes made in class on any online templates, and may not post any notes online at all, so you need to find someone whose notes you can borrow if you miss a class*
Water bottle: It is really important to stay hydrated throughout the day, so toting a water bottle around will make sure you have quick and easy access to water. Drinking water will help keep you feeling alert during your classes if you’re feeling a little snoozy.
Image from 710keel.com
Snack: While high school classes do not allow snacks to be brought to class, university classes almost necessitate it. You create your own class schedule, and unless you are fortunate to have a 12-1 lunch block (which is very hard to get) you will most likely get hungry during your classes and not have a proper lunch block. I recommend packing something both easy and healthy. Apples and bananas are great, because they don’t need to be refrigerated. Sandwiches, or wraps are also good options. Smoothies are a quick way to get a bunch of nutrients on-the-go. Microwaveable foods like leftovers or heatable meals can be brought as well, but make sure there is a microwave close by, and that the smell of your food won’t waft through an entire lecture hall.
Umbrella: This is only a must-have if, like me, you live in a place where it rains all the time, and is not necessarily easy to predict. It is always best to be prepared for a deluge, and a little collapsible umbrella is an easy way to go.
Pencil case: This one may seem obvious, but there are many things you might need, and it’s good to have a checklist of things to include. Plus it’s an opportunity to show off some personal style with a classy black pencil case, or a home-made one, or, in my case, a cosmetic bag-turned-pencil-case. I used a cosmetic bag one year because I’d lost my pencil case the year before, and I’ve done it ever since. They are really easy to clean, and have plenty of space. Plus most of us have one lying around from that free gift with purchase we got that time.
Pencil case contents:
Pencils (remember to pack extra graphite if using mechanical pencils)
Pens (check that they have enough ink-most exams require blue or black ink)
Eraser (we all make mistakes sometimes)
White out tape or liquid white out (sometimes we make mistakes in pen, too)
Highlighters (good for noting important things to study in notes)
Sharpie ultra fine point permanent marker (useful for labelling things)
Ruler (many classes will require the drawing of diagrams on tests or in labs, and they will necessitate the use of a ruler for straight lines)
Calculator (there’s always a math class lurking in the schedule)
Sticky notes (not essential but I love making notes and putting them directly on textbook pages so I can read the text and my notes at the same time without going between textbook and notebook)
Lip balm: Particularly in autumn and winter as the air gets dry, a lip balm is good to have tucked away to avoid dry or cracked lips. I really like using Fresh’s sugar lip balm because it is super hydrating, it smells delicious, and it comes clear or in a variety of tints if you want to hydrate your lips and have a bit of lip colour too.
Hand cream: Once again, very good to have as the air gets dry, because your skin will dry out too. Your hands will be exposed and be busy writing and carrying books and holding up umbrellas, and they will need some TLC during the colder months.
Image from Amazon.ca
Hand sanitizer: This is a really big one, because the start of school also marks the start of cold and flu season. With hundreds or even thousands of students back together, germs abound and it is important to always have clean hands before eating, after sneezing or coughing, or after touching something in the public domain that may have been touched by a sick person, like a door handle. It is always best to wash your hands regularly, but hand sanitizer is a quick, on-the-go way to help reduce the spread of germs and keep you from getting sick.
Image from Amazon.com
Tissues: If all the hand washing and hand sanitizing doesn’t do the trick and you get a cold or the flu, you will be grateful you have a few tissues tucked in the bottom of your backpack. Some cough lozenges also wouldn’t hurt.
Image from Amazon.ca
Laptop/iPad/cell phone charger: This is one thing I usually forget to pack, and immediately regret when I turn on my laptop or iPad and find I only have 20% battery left. The phone charger is important, but less so than a charger for your laptop or iPad. You don’t want your device dying in the middle of you typing up an important essay or doing an online homework assignment.
*Note: To be safe, always plug in your laptop or iPad before starting to draft or edit an essay, or start an online homework assignment. This will help you avoid any panic if your device runs out of battery partway through, and will ensure no progress is lost*
Image from Amazon.ca
USB memory stick: This one is HUGE, regardless of what level of schooling you are in. I know so many people who have lost entire essays because their computer crashed and they didn’t back up their files. Always keep a USB memory stick with the drafts of any major essays, papers, or projects on it. If you don’t have one, I strongly recommend you get one, and I would say don’t start your first day of university without one. It’s good to get in the habit of backing things up early so that you won’t lose any hard work.
*Note: I cannot emphasize this enough: BACK UP YOUR FILES!!!*
Image from Networksolutionsbd.com
Student card: I am not sure how relevant this one is for high school students, since I only ever needed mine to prove what grade I was in when attending a school dance but in university, it is imperative that you have your student card with your student number on it when you when you go to write exams. They may not let you in the exam room or let you hand in your exam without this card, so it is best to always keep it on your person. Also, many student cards are a bus pass, and a reloadable food card to purchase food with if living on campus.
Image from Amazon.ca
Change purse: You never know when you might need some bus money or a few dollars to buy a snack, so having some change on you is always a smart idea. Of course, you can tuck a few bills in there too since you won’t want to carry around a ton of change and be jingling across campus.
And that’s everything that’s in my school backpack!!! I hope this has been helpful for some of you starting up school again, either your first year or your last. Let me know in the comments below what your must-haves are for your school bag or backpack!!!
Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you have a lovely day 😃😃
Good morning everyone!!!
Literary and Lovely 
