Today has been a great day!! I went for a nice walk from the University to the city center and the weather was good!! It was a lovely walk and I took some nice pictures and was listening to music! A terrific saturday indeed! I even got to town when the shops were open and I got myself some weekend shopping!!! I totally deserved it walking 4.3 miles!
I have been trying out the Earthnicity makeup that I was sent to review. All in all I’m quite happy with it and it’s great to know it’s not only good for you but also to the environment. Check out their website here and for part one of this review here.

The samples were a bit tiny to put the brush in and being a bit of a klutz I made a mess of my sink and got it on my hair. Once you get the hang of the powder its fine. The foundation is just right for my skin tone, its Natural Light. Then I applied the blush is has a very rich color and you don’t need to add much, just a pinch, unless you wanna look like a baby doll lol. I used the HD Powder which i found to have a really nice glow to highlight and I liked it! They send some eyeshadow colors like Candyfloss, Lavender, Gunmetal and Lagoon. Since I was wearing a pastel green sweater I used the Lagoon eyeshadow and then applied my mascara and eyeliner from Max Factor. I used the Revlon Sweet Tart lipstick as well.
Here is the complete look!!
Hope you enjoy it! I would recommend Earthnicity if your easy with the brush and like rich pigments.

See ya!!

Xoxo

A simple machine that promises firmer, tighter skin.

Creams and potions are no longer enough.

I think beauty gadgets that help to firm and tighten skin should be included into your routine too.

So next to your cupboard of products, there should be a shelf for these crazy gadgets.

I’ve been using the Tripollar Stop for a while.

When I feel that my jawline is not defined and the marionette lines around my mouth are showing, I turn to the Tripollar Stop, one of the gadgets that I own.

How it works:

Four low power radio frequency beams heat the skin from the inside to cause collagen fibres to contract, stimulate fibroblast cells and boost collagen production.

Just use it two or three times a week, fifteen minutes each time, over four to six weeks.

For maintenance, use it once a month.

After one use, my face looks slimmer, skin is firmer, and jawline more defined.

I’m in my late 20s, so my skin is not exactly lax.

So I guess that’s why this machine works so well on my face. If you’re in you’re 40s or so, it might take longer for results to show.

One tiny drawback:
This machine must be plugged into a socket when in use.

And you need to first apply a layer of gel on your skin so that the machine can glide over it easily.

This also prevents you from placing the machine on one spot for too long and potentially burning your skin.

But just follow the instructions and this machine is foolproof and safe to use.

Use a moisturising mask after the treatment becaude the heat can dry the skin; any one will do, you don’t have to use After Treatment formula by Tripollar.

The best part of the machine in my opinion? It is painless and even feels soothing on the skin.

No pain and some gain.

-A.B.E

I myself bought one for around SGD$8 at Sephora. The price is pretty steep for a lip balm :/
If anyone is thinking of getting and will be going to the states or have any friend going to the states, do not buy it here in Singapore!!!
After I bought it, my sister came back from the USA with this for under five USD :

Yes yes, not one, but FOUR for under USD$5?!
My heart shattered when she passed this box to me -__-
I could have had more consumer surplus }%\#\!\ .

But anyway, I have decided to re-gift them since I realised that my lips do not like this product very much. I used the original version and within five minutes my lips became like this:

I know. Ew. Do forgive my nasty complexion I was (and still am) having some hormonal (??) problem for which I refuse to see a skin doctor (I don’t get my stubbornness either). Anyway the main point is not my complexion but rather, my unsightly lips. I do not have any clearer picture but if there was one you would observe little white pimples on my lips, as well as swelling on the lower left part of my lip. It hurts when I drink water (could be a lip sore)….

So people considering lip fillers, maybe you can try this as an alternative.
It would work, provided you are allergic to it like me… 😉

Jokes aside, I want to confess that I have been stupid.
The above picture was taken during my SECOND allergy reaction to that evil lip balm.
I wasn’t convinced the first time despite the same speedy outbreak of bumps on my lips….
So after a few days I went back to using the lip balm upon recovering from the allergy symptoms and grimaced when I got lip-hell again. Yes, how very unwise of me.

I am sure my allergy lips then would have scared off anyone through kissing. During my “lousy-lip-period”, whenever I press my lips together, I feel like I have sent two rough and hard rocks clashing against each other. It feels disgusting, really. And I am not exaggerating (about how it felt).

Ps: am I the only unlucky one who ended up buying some expensive lip balm that not only did not work for me, but messed up my lips (not to mention that I could have gotten it at a cheaper price)?

Never mind that, I have returned to trusty Vaseline ! I hope there aren’t many unlucky ones out there who share a similar allergy to burt bees lip balm 😘

Xoxo,
Catherine

products mentioned >>

> DIY headbands
> Neff Beanie
> Prabal Gurung Heels
> Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Magician’s Oil
> Garnier BB Cream
> The Eagles Greatest Hits on vinyl

Thanks so much for watching and happy Friday! I hope you enjoy your weekend, and I’ll see you tomorrow! xo

Last month, I went to a Cosmopolitan Masterclass and received a wonderful goodie bag full of amazing beauty products. LashFibres Brush-on False Lashes were one of the fabulous products which were in the bag. I had not heard of the product beforehand and soon after using it, I was left wondering how I had not known about it.

LashFibres Brush-on False Lashes makes you look like you are wearing fake eyelashes without actually having to attempt to glue fake eyelashes on and then having to painfully take them off. The Brush-on False Lashes are the latest in the lash fibre technology and it works with your mascara. It gives you incredible length and fantastic volume which adds a great effect.

It is easy to use. You apply your mascara as you usually would and then apply the LashFibres onto your lashes exactly how you would when you put on mascara. However, you must look downwards. Wait 30 seconds, then apply your second coat of mascara and your eyelashes will look beyond real. The volume and length is incredible, you will not believe how effective is and you will not regret buying the product.

Are you sick of paying too much money for expensive skin care products? Do you want a few quick easy healthy alternatives? Well let me help! I am here to provide a few cheap, home remedy alternatives to big brand name products. Most of the items I am going to chat about you can find in your own home, or you can pick up from any grocery store for very cheap.

Let’s dive right in with some simple products:

Raw honey is a miracle worker for sensitive skin. It is a natural antiseptic and is also antimicrobial, so it helps heal your skin while killing the bacteria that cause acne. It helps balance out oily skin while keeping your skin moisturized. It can even out skin tone and blotches as well. You can use it one of two ways: either smear raw honey all over your face as a mask, or dab it on as a spot treatment. As a mask, leave the honey on for 5-10 minutes then rinse off with warm water. For best results, don’t use a toner afterwards. This mask can be done daily. Raw honey masks will change your skin!

Next we have apple cinnamon vinegar. It may smell awful but works as a natural toner. It helps smooth and exfoliate skin as well as reduce acne redness. It has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties that are ideal in a toner. This particular remedy used on its own is too potent so make sure you mix it with water. I would recommend 1 part ACV and 3-4 parts water. Feel free to experiment with this for your own skin. After cleansing, apply all over face with a cotton swab.

Coconut Oil is our next product. This stuff can be used for anything that needs a little extra oomph. Coconut oil heals dry skin on your face and body and can also tame split ends and frayed hair. It is very dense and so it penetrates deeper into the skin than most moisturizers. It helps strengthen skin beneath the surface. You can replace your normal moisturizer for deeper moisture. Or you can run it through your hair for a silky smooth look. It will not clog your pores so it is a very gentle, effective solution to dry skin.

Another thing I want to look at is tea bags. They are the go-to quick fix for red puffy eyes. We all have nights when we cannot sleep and we are super scared and embarrassed to walk out with redness around our eyes. Tea bags are the cure. The caffeine in black teas will reduce puffiness, while anti-inflammatories in green tea will sooth redness and eliminate inflammation. This is an easy thing to get ready in the morning, just boil some water, soak your tea and wait for those babies to cool down. Apply for as long as needed and get on with your day!

The last item I want to emphasize is eggs! I am recommending an egg mask! They can be done in two parts: Egg white mask followed by an egg yolk mask. Leave the egg white mask on until it dries completely, and then wash off completely with warm water. Apply the egg yolk for another 10-15 minutes, and then wipe off with a warm wash cloth. Egg whites are great for firming up skin. Now don’t be alarmed, you won’t be able to move your face once the egg white mask is completely dried. However, when you wipe it off your skin will feel tight and dry. While this helps reduce redness and inflammation, the egg yolk mask helps moisturize and soften skin. Overall, it’s a great combo, and it works great if you do it right at the first sign of acne outbreaks. This is a great once or twice a week mask and works well for combo/oily skin and is a godsend for PMS time.  Downside: dealing with raw eggs. If you’re uncomfortable with that, there are plenty of other natural skin remedies to choose from!

That its for me, I hope those few helpful hints make your transition from winter to spring a bit more pleasant!

There are 18 lipsticks, 14 glosses and ten liners, which will all go on sale in June for £16 each. I really was amazed by the depth of the shades on offer. I’ve said this before but when I think of mineral make-up it conjures up beige tones which are a little uninspiring. This new line couldn’t be further from that, look at the hot pink and deep purple lipsticks on the right.

I got to chat to a make-up artist who explained the company have worked hard to make sure the formula is highly pigmented (it is) and creamy (it also is). They claim lips look fuller as soon as you put the product on, which increases the more you wear the lipstick. Minerals keep your lips healthy, supple and moisturised too. I tested out one of the colours and it definitely looked and felt great, it didn’t cake or dry and my lips (which are in a state at the moment) felt moisturised.

The lipglosses offer much the same in terms of moisture and stress-busting minerals. The colour range is good, everything from neutrals through to lilac shot with gold. As far as I’m concerned the best thing about them is they aren’t too thick or sticky. I hate that gloopy feeling and it makes my stomach turn when I see girls who have lipgloss almost dripping from their lips. Anyone else feel like that? It’s just so unattractive! Anyway, you can’t do that with these as they have a sheer-to-medium coverage.

I’m not a lip liner affectionado so I’m not going to bang on about those. But the make-up artist did give me a good tip – use pink liner if you’re rocking this season’s orange lipstick. It sounds wrong, but you just need to blend the liner in a bit and it creates a semi barrier between your skin and lip colour, helping to make the orange more flattering. I am now adding an orange lipstick to my wish list so I can test this out.

Also special shout out to the amazing packaging of the collection. You open the lipsticks by pushing down the little silver button and each is quite weighty, which makes it feel expensive.

As you can tell I am loving this range. I have some to test out so I will update you with my progress.

I would like to thank Christine for sending me this awesome products to review! It is already hard as a woman of color to find products that blend well my skin. Since I am in-between shades it makes even more hard! Not only do they blend well with my skin they also feel like I am not wearing anything at all. That is how you want makeup to be.

Check it out: http://foreverpurebeauty.com/

The artist advised using colour corrector under the eyes if you have dark circles, which are the bane of my life. I have used products upon products to try to cover them up, some of which I liked (L’Oréal Paris True Match Touche Magique Concealer) and some which didn’t live up to the hype (*whisper* Touche Eclat). She suggested using a Bobbi Brown one but as I’m new to them I didn’t want to splash out that much.

Enter the ELF Corrective Concealer, which you can pick up here for £3.75. I got it while the shop had their 50% discount on but even at the normal price I was willing to give it a go.

The palette comes in two colours and I selected it in the scary-looking yellow, blue, green and pink. According to the blurb yellow is good for covering blueish colours such a under eye circles and bruises, blue takes care of dodgy tan lines, green eases redness and the pink brightens the eye area. The other palette has deeper colours, I think for darker skin.

I’ve been using this for a little over a week now and I am really getting into it. I use a combo of the yellow and pink under my eyes and it definitely works, they look less tired when I wear this. The circles are much reduced and best of all it doesn’t look like you’re wearing tonnes of make-up. The downsides for me are it takes a fair bit of blending and you need to layer it carefully. Too much can make you look too pale under the eyes, and not enough doesn’t make the difference. I will be reporting back when I’ve used it for a bit longer and I’m also thinking of snapping up a more expensive version to see if it works even better. Does anyone have any hints on a good one to go for?

This is an amazing product, I needed a thick moisturizer so I “ran” to Sephora and hit soap and glory’s shelf. I knew soap and glory has amazing lotions. This lotion is very thick and creamy, it’s a treat to your skin. It’s a lot of product and so thick that u have to use a lot of product. This product has a fruity soap and glory scent which smells fresh This lotion last a long time and leaves the skin baby soft all day and night. For a softer result wear cute socks like from bath and body works with Shea butter in them at night. The scent does stick to your skin which smells great. Also this is great for after traveling. Usually when traveling or in winter your skin gets really dry so when u get home and use this, and your skin sucks all the lotion into your skin like a smoothie. So if u are looking for a royal treatment for your skin for cheap price then go to Sephora and buy this. Price range is 2out of 5. I give this product 5out of 5. I will definitely buy this again.

These socks are from bath and body works collection called spring critters

Bravura Volcanic Cleanser

Apply and wash off as a regular cleanser or leave on for 10 minutes to act as a face mask.  The liquid has a spa smell rather than anything too noxious and comes in a cool, re-fillable push dispenser metallic bottle. It has the effective exfoliating properties of glycolic acid, volcanic mud and the blend of natural active botanical extracts to lift away impurities, dead skin cells and excess oil – gently but effectively. The avocado oil makes it an excellent treatment for dry, dull, dehydrated and ageing skin. The fuller’s earth helps to draw out impurities leaving the skin clean and refreshed, whilst extracts of chamomile help soothe inflammation and redness. So it doesn’t leave your skin dry and papery like some other really strong dead sea mud masks do. Or cratery like Iceland.

Bravura Volcanic Mud Cleanser ingredients: Aloe Vera Gel, Safflower Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Diatomaceous Earth, Fullers Earth, Glycolic Acid and Sodium Glycolate (5%), Glycerin, Avocado Oil, Squalene, Lauroamphocarboxyglycinate and Sodium Trideceth Sulfate , Chamomile and Saponaria Extracts, Amino Acid Condensate, Avocado Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Hazelnut Oil, *Sesame Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Guar Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Natural Fragrant Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.

This great product makes a rapid difference to your skin whether you have a skin condition or just want a freshen up – we’ve tried and recommend it!

Bravura Volcanic Mud Cleanser 100 ml £9.00 from Bravura London

Bravura is also getting great reviews for their Hyaluronic Acid Serum 50ml  home treatment to help improve acne, acne marks, blemishes, fine lines, wrinkles, scars, pigmentation or occasional spots.

And if you like a cup of green tea in the morning it can be part of your daily moisturising routine the Green Tea Mineral Moisturiser (£10.36) Using ingredients such as organic Green Tea, organic Aloe Vera and Titanium Dioxide, this moisturiser repels UVA and UVB rays whilst still nourishing and healing the skin. It is ideal to use on the face, neck, chest and shoulder area to prevent premature ageing.

Other products from moisturisers, toners and cleansers to chemical skin peels that work at home can be found here – www.bravuralondon.com

Bravo for Bravura!

But before I dish about my latest beauty secret, let me tell you a little bit about Bassam Fattouh Cosmetics. As the name suggests, makeup artist extraordinaire and image confidant to a long list of celebrities including Haifa Wehbe, Elissa and Mona Abu Hamze recently launched his re-branded beauty line, collaborating with the likes of international fashion illustrator Liselotte Watkins and renowned graphic designer Rana Salam. The collection boasts an amazing selection of creative makeup tools with a twist from creamy eyeliners named Leyl and Feyruz, dreamy Orient liquid liners dubbed Sharm and Mikonos and a full range of velvety and matte lipstick and blush shades which are this season’s hottest beauty trends.

I prefer to keep things light when I don’t have to paint my face. Other days, I just want to keep my face makeup-free but still need a quick pick-me-up, especially if I’m late to a meeting or off to the gym. That’s precisely what both Blush Tint and Lip Tint are; the perfect remedy to some quick color without looking like you just swiped a ton of blush or lipstick on. But make no mistake; both can be used as base or touch-up with full makeup.

The Tint line is made of a water-based gel works line a stain on your skin giving them a natural flushed look like you’ve just ran a mile. Lip Tint actually gives me the exact same result as applying on red lipstick and then wiping it off with a tissue (which I do A LOT.) minus the actual mess that comes with it. The best part is that it literally lasts all day. The challenging part is trying not to lick it off your lips, this stuff tastes like candy.

Although Blush Tint comes with a sponge applicator, I found that it works much better when you remove it and instead use your hands to dab it on your face.

As for Lip Tint you can control the amount my twisting the bottom, just make sure you move it around fast on your lips as it could blotch if you keep it in one place for too long!

I totally recommend you go for both products which will quickly become beauty staples in your bag. You can find Bassam Fattouh Cosmetics in department stores across the Middle East and Lebanon.

Curious about more beauty products? Let me know what you’d like me to review.

Also see

Too-Faced Lip Injection Gloss

Fiber Lash Brush On Fake Lashes

I have quickly fallen in love with Julep products. So much so that I upgraded to the entire collection for the month of May. It is gorgeous!!! I can’t wait!!!!

Julep May Collection

If you are curious about trying Julep products you can get your first box for free by using the code FREEBOX and all you pay for is shipping. I’d appreciate it if you use my referral link as well.

My Julep Referral Link: http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/94596/

Another week, another nail colour. The sun decided to show itself briefly this weekly so in honour of the occasion I painted my nails a very summery colour. As I said before, I’m a huge fan of the little nail polishes from Boots. This one is from the Natural Collection and cost less than £2. A huge bargain that allows you to treat yourself and feel indulgent without breaking the bank at the same time. A win:win if you ask me!

I decided to brighten up the nails with some nail gems I bought a while ago in Topshop. They’re really fun, don’t you think? I can’t wait to experiment with them some more!

Do you use nail gems? Do you match your nail colour to the weather and your mood?

Look new hair! How exciting! Today’s History class is on my hair and the amount of dye it has seen and how many chops its had and then later in Science i’ll show you what I use to look after the mop! If you want to watch me ramble and get scared by a wasp click the picture above and don’t forget to subscribe! (or at least thumbs it up!)

First let me show you some embarrassing photos of my hair throughout my life excuse the un-edited photos I wasn’t always a whizz!

My hair was always long and brown (not sure why I am dressed like a zombie) until I turned fifteen and decided to dye it black and look all pale and interesting! Then the red dying obsession started.

Then towards the end of sixth form I got it cut into a messy bob which I really liked and had that for the whole term and summer. Right before I started university I had a bit of a crazy moment and cut all my hair off into this pixie cut (which I actually quite like) and then came the awkward growing out period!

So I splurged out on micro bead hair extensions which lasted a few months before having them taken out leaving me with a long bright red bob which is how I have been for a while until I recently ditched the Little Mermaid hair and went back to my brunette roots!

So in my twenty years I’ve been pretty harsh on my locks but have always made sure I looked after it really well. History class over!

First off Shampoo and such like; Herbal Essence Ignite My Colour shampoo and conditioner and then once a week my Herbal Essence Tousle Me Softly Intense Mask, keeps my hair hydrated, shiny and healthy.

After washing my hair I usually blow dry it because I am late; so I spritz the VO5 Heat Protect Spray on before blasting it with the dryer. I also use this before curling and straightening my hair. If i’m not in a rush I like to pop a bit more conditioner on-I may have a slight addiction. I am currently loving the milk_shake Conditioning Whipped Cream which just gives my hair that extra bit of oomph!

Sometimes my hair gets a bit dirty because I get a bit lazy so to pep it up I shove a load of Batiste Dry Shampoo in, I prefer the Blush scent but i’m really not that fussy. This is great for making my hair look nice on those off days and giving it a bit of volume on those flatter days. Turning to hairspray when I do actually manage to style my hair in a half decent way I pop a bit of my favourite Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Rock N Roll Hairspray, this smells divine and holds really well.

Am I missing out on any amazing hair care products, let me know in the comments.

Peace Out and Pixie Dust XO

I have decided to create a list of my Top 10 Beauty Products.

Please note, this list is in no particular order – I just can’t choose a favourite!

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm is the best primer I have ever used. I have such a problem with an oily t-zone & this little gem eliminates my problem immediately. My make up stays put all day & keeps the shine at bay. I also love the fact that it makes me feel a little more awake once I apply this on a morning. A beauty buy I could not live without.

I love everything L’Occitane & this Cherry Blossom Hand Cream is one of my most favourites. Enriched with shea butter & lightly scented with Cherry Blossom, it leaves my hands feeling soft & nourished. My hands really suffer during the Winter & can often crack & bleed. This lovely hand cream gets rid of that problem & keeps my hand in tip-top condition. I also adore the scent! I often switch between the Cherry Blossom & Shea Butter Hand Creams.

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula is a product I have been using since I was 13 years old. 10 years & many bottles later, I still love it as much as the first time I tried it. It is so moisturising, which is perfect for my dry skin & it makes an excellent after-tanning butter. I am also completely in love with the scent. I always have a bottle of this stocked up & I use it to moisturised almost every night, sometimes I use L’Occitane Cherry Blossom Body Lotion for a little change. I know I will keep using this lotion for my whole life.

I started using Benefit They’re Real Mascara just after Christmas & it is already a firm favourite. I love the brush, it makes it so easy to coat every lash, no matter how small. It also gives me the volume & length that I love. It isn’t cheap but it is well worth the money. It is definitely one of those products that you instantly wonder how you ever coped with out it!

Clarins Skin Illusion is my absolute favourite foundation. It offers me the coverage I need & really cares for my skin. I love Clarins because every product seems to focus of what is best for your skin. This foundation is perfect for my oily t-zone & stays put all day without smudging. I have been using it for quite a few months now & it is the only foundation I have ever re-bought!

Clinique Wash-Away Gel Cleanser is perfect for my oily t-zone. My problem has noticeably decreased since I started using this face wash. It makes my face feels so fresh & clean & removes all my make-up with ease. I swap between this & Soap & Glorys Scrub Your Nose In It facial wash.

Since I bought Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Awakening Lipbalm my lips have feel soft, nourished & with a slight pink tint. This lipbalm is very much ‘my lips but better’ & looks very natural on the lips. Glides on with ease & adjusts to my lip color to leave me with soft lips with a slight shine. Love this product!

I could not live without Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray. I first bought the All Nighter version when it was first launched a few years ago. I quickly swapped to the newer de-slick version as it was designed especially for oily skins. It helps keep my make-up in place all day & all I need is to lightly mist it over my face. Good-bye oily t-zone, this is my saviour!

I think Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant is a must have beauty buy for most women. A cult classic, there is nothing this little gem can’t do. I use it on my lips when they are really chapped, burns, cuts, extra dry skin, etc. It is a must have for any lady that loves her beauty products. An all round multi-tasker that I just couldn’t be without.

Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator is the most expensive of my beauty buys but it is worth the price. At £47.00 for a 30ml bottle it isn’t cheap but it does do what it claims. I have a problem with uneven skintone & since I started using this a few months ago I have noticed a vast improvement. It is oil free which is a must for me & is so good for my skin. A real luxury product that is worth the hefty price tag.

So there is it, my Beauty Top 10!

Let me know if you use any of the products I have featured & your thoughts on them!

]]> http://write-and-ramble.com/2013/04/25/delicious-skin-care-solutions-tm-blog/ Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:35:04 +0000 Danii http://write-and-ramble.com/2013/04/25/delicious-skin-care-solutions-tm-blog/ See original post here: http://www.tandmmag.com/delicious-skin-care-solutions/

Feeling stressed and fried from the long winter season? Are you looking for a pick me up that’s cheap, effective and that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and revitalized? Well I’m here to help. If you are looking for a quick fix you need not look any further than your own kitchen!

I’ve got some quick, sassy foods that are both delicious and are great for your skin! Today I am going to focus on fruits:

Did you know bananas can double as a creamy nutritious shaving cream? The consistency of this yummy snack makes a fantastic, sweet smelling shower time companion. To create this wonderful cream, simply mix a mashed up banana with some water and lather up your legs! The vitamin A and potassium content in bananas will leave your skin super moisturized and bananas when eaten as a snack are calorie free. This quick healthy fix is sure to leave you feeling refreshed and ready for spring.

Next let’s that about the wonder that is the strawberry! Did you know strawberries contain salicylic acid, which is a main ingredient in most drugstore cleansers and astringents? Strawberries are cheap and easily utilized as a fantastic toner simply by chopping them up and coasting your face with them. The idea is to saturate your face with strawberry juice. Wipe off with a warm wash cloth after 10-5 minutes. Strawberries are excellent at toning and tightening the face. There are many variations of this mask, including one where you mix strawberry juice with Greek yogurt for a very refreshing face mask. The other wonderful thing about strawberries is eating them helps fight acne!

The next fruit we’ll examine is blueberries. Blueberries are packed full of antioxidants that are great for skin and the best part is you can slather them up all over your face! They combine very well with yogurt to make a creamy mask with will brighten and refresh your complexion. For example: In a blender, mix a small handful of blueberries with two tablespoons of plain yogurt, three tablespoons of ground almonds and one tablespoon of lemon juice for a refreshing berry mask! This is a cheap, tasty, healthy quick fix for skin that needs a boost. Also the antioxidants in blueberries keep your skin wrinkle free!

Last but not least let’s take a look at yummy avocados. Avocados normally contribute “good fats” to our daily diets but they also can provide awesome external beauty benefits, as well. Mash them up to combine with other ingredients to make a mask that will enrich and hydrate. Whisk together one ripe avocado with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and generously slather it on damp hair, from scalp to ends. Cover your hair with a shower cap for 20 minutes, and then rinse and shampoo as usual. For a face mask, combine a whole ripe avocado with ¼ cup of honey and apply and leave on your skin for 10 minutes. Your skin and/or hair will soak up all of the avocado’s rich, oily goodness will leave you feeling like a new you!

I hope you find these wonderful little tips helpful in preparing for the summer months to come!

Remember when I posted about my positive experience purchasing the T3 Roller Set from Murale’s online shopping website?  >>>  http://www.murale.ca

http://vancouverinheels.com/2013/04/03/murale-online-shopping-order-and-the-opportune-moment/

Well… I WON 1 of the 35 Beauty gift baskets they were giving away as part of their celebration!!! I was so excited when a rep contacted me via email, I was literally jumping up and down at the dining table after checking my ipad. Someone actually wins these things!

Thank goodness for the BEDMAS math skills I retained from elementary school. I recall asking my 8th grade teacher, what was the real life application for learning BEDMAS other than prepping for Calculus courses in university? He had no answer. So I quipped, the only time I’ll actually use this, is if I need to answer a skill-testing question after winning a contest. Good thing I paid attention in class, lol.

I opened up the non-descript white box to find a lovely handwritten note of “Congratulations” from Murale, and the insides filled to the brim with STILA goodies! This particular beauty gift basket must have been sponsored by STILA. I’ve only tried Stila lipglosses in the past; I have allergic reactions to a LOT of lip products, so when the Stila lipgloss didn’t irritate my lips, I knew it was quality lipgloss. I’m very excited to be given the chance to try out more of Stila’s makeup products, this gift basket is definitely the stuff dreams are made of!

I’m also quite impressed that Murale and Stila included full sized retail products that weren’t testers or samples. This was all stuff that would have cost me $$$ to purchase in Murale and Shoppers Drug Mart stores. They made a great selection of neutral colors and products that could be tailored to anyone’s taste and skintone. I suppose that means that some Stila beauty reviews will be popping up on my blog in the future!

Contents of the STILA Gift Basket include:

- “In the Light” Eye Shadow Palette with Waterproof Eye Liner Pencil

- Stay all Day 10-in-1 HD Beauty Balm

- 2 x Stay all Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner Pen in “Intense Black”, “Periwinkle”

- Lip & Cheek Stain in “Cherry Crush”

- Custom Color Blush in “Self-Adjusting Coral”

- Glamoureyes Mascara in “Black”

- Set & Illuminate Baked Powder Trio

- Color Balm Lipstick in “Sonya (Dusty Merlot)”

Special Thanks to STILA and MURALE for doing this awesome gift basket contest !!!

Lush’s Brazened Honey Face Mask is one of their fresh face masks, which means you need to keep it in the fridge. It claims to be an ‘exfoliating, stimulating and nourishing mask for tired skins’, which sounds perfect given my dull, sleepy skin after nearly three years at Oxford. I’ve been using this once or twice a week for about a month, now, and I still have about half of the pot left – either I have an exceedingly small face, or Lush is very generous with these masks, because I haven’t exactly been using it lightly!

I had taken a picture of my face all coated in this, but when it came time to edit my photos, I just realised that they all looked really disgusting, so here is my hand. The texture of this is thick and slightly gritty, rather like microwave porridge when you’ve cooked it a little too long – the fact that it lives in the fridge makes it really cold on your face at first, too! As it dries, it sort of balls up into little crusts – the only way I can explain it is that it’s like when you make bread by hand, and the dough sort of clings to your knuckles and starts to dry? If I’m making this sound gross… well, it is a bit.

BUT. I do really like this product. It has a sort of spicy honey smell, which I personally like, but both my dad and Boyfriend have commented is rather overpowering. Once all the porridgey sort of mixture is on your face, it starts to warm up so it’s not so fridge-cold, and it feels really soft from the inside, whatever kind of lagoon monster you look like from the outside. You have to be a bit careful not to crinkle your face too much so it doesn’t flake off, but actual removal is really easy – rub off the dry bits with your hands, and then use wet hands to massage away the rest of it.

Et voila! Super soft skin in ten minutes. I don’t find I have any redness after removing this mask – although it is exfoliating, it is very gentle and kind to skin, like most Lush products. I don’t know if I’ll stay loyal to this mask (I want to try Ayesha next!) but it’s well worth a go if you have slightly dry, dull skin, for a bit of a pep-up.

Have you tried any of Lush’s face masks? Which is your favourite?

(Multitasking Tip:  change your polish while you are watching tv.  You won’t smudge it and it saves time.  Who has a half hour to paint your nails and let them completely dry otherwise?)

I’m not huge on extreme nail art or crazy polish, but the Sea Salt finish line from Julep got my attention.  I preordered it in one of their mystery boxes.  If you are a Julep Maven, you’ve probably purchased one before.  If not, they usually cost between $20-$25 and include 3 to 4 polishes, including their latest color.  It’s a great way to try out new colors that you might not normally pick for yourself, but it is a “mystery” box so sometimes you’ll get a color or two that is very meh.

Back to the sea salt finish.  I ordered one of the boxes and sent a little prayer to the nail polish angels to send me the box with the light pink.  There were three options, a light pink called Madeline, a black called Sadie, and a taupe that I can’t remember the name of.  I would have liked the taupe color too, but the black polish sort of scares me.  I’m not one for darker shades on my fingers, and I think the texture on the toes would be weird.  But I did some Instagram stalking and the black looked amazing on other people.  SO WHATEVER, RIGHT GUYS??

Cut to two days ago, I get my box and I got the Madeline light pink shade.  YAY!  I was genuinely excited, which is why I need a blog to talk about these things because I don’t have any friends left that want to listen to all this beauty talk. … At any rate, my heart was pounding and I couldn’t wait to try it.

Initially, I thought the texture looked too much like when you get air bubbles in your polish.  I was not crazy about it.  But the next morning, after the polish had really “set” it took on the true Sea Salt texture.  The color from far away looks like a soft ballet pink, but when you get up closer you can see the texture.  I loved it and would definitely use it again.  WIN for Julep and for textured polishes all around the world!

Thanks for reading GirlGetGlamorous!  Please follow my blog, share it with your beauty obsessed friends, and leave any comments below.  Thank you!

Ta-Da, the finished look.

After a rough couple months with what I thought was my tried and true brand, I thought it was time to try and review a different brand. And lucky for me, this foundation is stellar.

COVERGIRL’s 3 in 1 Outlast Foundation is an all in one foundation that fuses together the power of primer, concealer and foundation. You’ll no longer need two or three steps to put on your foundation – this little bottle will save you both time and money!

Now, I was a Maybelline Fit Me Foundation girl. Ever since that product came on the market, it’s been my ‘go-to’ foundation. I loved how there were so many varieties of colour, the sleekness of the bottle, and the wearability of the product. Up to a few months ago, it was perfection for my skin. But, in the past few months, I was finding that the foundation would literally bleed off my skin. I was reapplying multiple times per day, and it wasn’t covering up my ‘problem areas’ as well as it used too. My skin hasn’t really changed, so I wasn’t sure what the issue was. It was just frustrating to have to reapply foundation 3x per day!

COVERGIRL provides 14 different shades.
Mine? I’m a Classic Ivory girl!

I saw COVERGIRL’S 3 in 1 Outlast Foundation on sale, and I decided – why not? I’m certainly glad that I did!

This product does everything it says. The added primer allows for the foundation to stay put all day. The added concealer limits the amount of regular concealer that I have to use myself. This foundation is stellar! I don’t even have to set the foundation with powder – it just stays! I use a brush for application, and it’s perfectly seamless. There is no streaking and no lines. With the past week I’ve been testing, I haven’t had to reapply the product ONCE. Until you wipe it over with makeup remover, this foundation stays put!

Left: Unblended
Right: Blended

An added bonus? This foundation totes SPF 20! Perfect for days like we’ve been having in Toronto (dreary, overcast, raining), but in the summer, you may need a little more punch.

Has anyone else tried COVERGIRL’S 3 in 1 Outlast Foundation? What did you think? Leave a comment!

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