Archive for category Hand Care
Silky Smooth with eos Skincare
Posted by Latoya in Body Care, Drugstore Finds, Hand Care, Skincare on April 18, 2013
Even as a total beauty addict who spends a major investment of both time and money into looking and feeling good, there are some beauty no-no’s I’m totally guilty of. I haven’t gotten my hair professionally cut in about three years. I don’t always floss (gasp! I know). I sometimes bite my cuticles (don’t judge!). But probably one of my most cringe-worthy bad habits is that I rarely shave – even in the summer. I’m a total lost cause, huh?
I think the issue started with shave gels that with all their scents and chemicals, would make my eczema freak out on my legs, which progressed to me skipping the process it altogether. In the winter, I probably shave my legs once a month (haha…I’m baring my soul here now lol); summer, probably once every two weeks. Thankfully, my hair is so fine and due to my darker coloring, it’s generally not noticeable unless you’re looking for it. But we all know that nothing beats a nice smooth leg!!
If you recall, I questioned the necessity of shaving products way back when, and since then I haven’t purchased nary a one. However, having been kindly sent a shave cream by eos (Evolution Of Smooth) skincare, I decided to give them another go.
There are several qualities of eos’ Shave Cream that are quite appealing to me. First off, it smells lovely (though…I can’t seem to see fragrance on the ingredient list…strange) – the scent I received was Pomegranate Raspberry, and YUM! So nice, but not sickening or too floral, which isn’t my taste. Second, it’s a cream, which in my experience is always far more hydrating and usually leads to less nicks and cuts as it’s texture allows the blade to glide so smoothly over the skin. Third, it’s got these freakin’ sweet grooves in the sides to allow you to grip the product oh-so-easily in the shower, and the bottle is recyclable plastic – bonus! I love that little added extra 
The formula itself is also lovely and boasts vitamins E & C, natural aloe and oat extract, and shea butter; is paraben-free; and claims to moisturize your skin for 24hours after a shave (even after rinsing). I found while using it in the shower (yes, I DID actually shave my legs!), a couple of pumps allowed me to coat my leg perfectly, and due to the more dense texture (vs a slippery gel) it stayed put and I was able to get my whole leg done quickly and easily, which is a must not only because I’m clearly shaving-lazy, but also because the less time a product sits on my skin, the less chance I have for potential irritation. When I was finished, my legs felt soft, smooth, and not dry in the least. All around I was quite impressed, and amazingly I’m actually looking forward to shaving my legs again – like, within the same week! O_o
Next, I got to check out the CUTEST hand lotion ever, by the brand. The scent is ‘Berry Blossom’ which I find quite similar to the shave cream, and I’m totally OK with that as I like it Fragrance IS noted in the ingredient list here, but it’s quite low down on the list and I don’t feel as uncomfortable using the product as I am sometimes when fragrance is listed in the first ingredients. I won’t use this frequently, but as a purse or work hand moisturizer I’m good to go.
The texture of the lotion is fairly dense but just shy of being a full-blown cream. It absorbs quickly but not so fast that I’m left feeling like I need more, you know? I have dry hands from my eczema and I hate when I put on a lotion only to find that I feel like reapplying several minutes later. I don’t want to feel greasy but I want to feel like I’m actually using an effective product.
Overall, I’m really happy with both of these products – I feel like a reasonable member of the clean-shaven society now, and I’m always happy to have a perfectly size hand hydrator to stash away in my purse or leave at my desk. The Shave Cream comes in another fragrance – Vanilla Bliss – or in a Sensitive version that is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, an option which makes me HAPPY to see available. It retails for $3.99CAD and is available at quite a few spots – Rexall, Loblaw’s/Superstore, and I believe Walmart as well.
Please make me feel less weird – do you shave infrequently? Do you bother using a shave product, or not?
*Products were provided by the PR company/brand for my unbiased consideration.
A Stupidly Large Empties Post (Prepare Thyself)
I’m just going to start by letting out a huge ~GROAN~ before beginning this post. OMG dudes. I’ve been putting this off for AGES and it’s going to get crazy. I suggest getting comfortable with multiple snacks and a beverage of your choice. Let’s get ‘er done.
Bustin’ out my empties bag!
Part of the reason I’ve taken so long to post this is because I have had so many products thisclose to being finished, and just when its used up, another takes it’s place. I’ve got a handful sitting on my counter that are probably going to be done in a week or so, but I can’t wait any longer – and honestly, I’m in the business of entertaining you, not wasting all of your time and punishing your eyes and scrolling fingers. So here we are!
I’ve said this far too many times and not held my word, but seriously – I’m going to keep the wordiness to a minimum. Let’s start with makeup this time, since that’s always what I find most difficult to finish:
OK. The good: I finished 4 eyeliners! UD’s 24/7 in Crash (shimmering eggplant), Lise Watier’s Gold Eyeshine (which is so old that it kept smushing down into the pencil so I’m turfing it), and two black shades (Tarte Starry Night and MUFE 0L, both which were fine, but smudged more than I’d like). I’ve since bought Chanel’s Noir Intense waterproof liner to replace the two blacks, and so far so good. Also good is Clinique’s Bottom Lash mascara, which seems SO gimmicky but which is actually awesome. The Chanel bi-phase remover is a sample and was good but nothing crazy.
The bad (or just OK): MUFE’s Star Collection gloss in S4 – smooth and not too sticky, but it has this weird cast to it that could make me look dead if worn to heavily. The Revlon lip butter in Peach Parfait still has enough that I could eke out a few more uses, but I won’t. HATED the gritty shimmer in this! The white tube is a primer by Jay Manuel’s line (which I have no idea if it exists anymore or not), that I never used at all. Toss! Lastly, the MAC Haute & Naughty mascara I bought while en route to NZ. For the first month, this was great, albeit a little clumpy due to so much product on the brush. I found as time passed, it got worse, and ended up that the brush looked like this:
ICK. Pass!
Anyway, not bad as far as things go, eh? Next, let’s look at facial skincare:
I’ve reviewed the 100% Pure eye cream, Pangea Organics masque, and Shiseido toner previously and my thoughts still stand on those (which is to say, overall good impressions), but I won’t repurchase. The Clarins Sun SPF30 eye cream is my 2nd or 3rd tube, and as always I think it’s great. I don’t know if I’ll repurchase, just because I might just start using sunscreen around my eye area (I use only physical sunscreens, like the ones in the Clarins, which cause less irritation I find), but you never know! Speaking of physical sunscreens, this is also my 2nd or 3rd tube of the Clinique City Block Sheer SPF25, and I’ll continue to use it unless I can find something similar that doesn’t make oily in summer – I find this still *slightly* heavy. The Clinique Super Rescue cream for combo-to-dry skin is a nice moisturizer, but I find it only gives hydration (and antioxidants – can’t beat that!), and I like something that will aid in smoothing my skin as well, as I tend to have slight roughness from my eczema. I have another tube but probably won’t open that till next winter. The Boscia Make Up Break Up remover is nice enough and effective, but I probably wouldn’t get a full size, as I still use a cleanser afterward because I find it can irritate my skin a little otherwise. The Clinique Even Better Lotion SPF20 is actually a lot nicer than I gave it credit for before I tried it. It’s hydrating but not oily and it made my skin look really good while I was using it. My skin is still doing well but I don’t think it’s AS nice as it was since using this up. I might order this on my next gratis.
Some samples:
I bought a handful of these MaskerAide masques before Christmas and used one per week. I really liked them – they were easy to use and gave great hydration without breaking me out or being too heavy. I’d definitely buy them again. The Elizabeth Grant Eye Power Pads were one of those random beauty items I get from my aunt, and I’ve had them for ages. One day I decided to use them, and it was nice! I didn’t notice a big difference in anything, as I don’t have much in the way of wrinkles yet, but it was a treat and they were hydrating. The Kniepp muscle gel was great for tired legs after working a shift at Clinique or a hard run, and if I was feeling spendy one day I’d probably buy it to have on hand.
Almost done, are you still with me!? Let’s move on to body products:
This is my most triumphant success in terms of empties. The Hawaiian Tropic Aftersun and the B&BW Vanilla Bean Noel lotions I’ve had for SO EFFING LONG – the B&BW lotion was my very first swap EVER (back in 2008). Because they’re so scented, I didn’t wear them often, or in very specific, less sensitive areas like my feet and chest (which isn’t sensitive somehow!). I finally finished them both last month and I’m so stoked – I now have NO scented lotions kicking around, and I don’t plan to ever again! I’ll just go the much safer route and just wear perfume. Sweet
The iconic Kiehl’s Creme de Corps lotion is always a nice luxury to have, and it was effective as ever, though FAR too pricey for my needy body. I would repurchase is my budget allowed it though! Although in saying that, I’ve found my holy grail body moisturizer in Haus of Gloi’s pumpkin butter in Aether – honestly, I can’t see myself buying anything else. It smells good for being non-scented, and it works like a dream on my finicky skin. I love it with all my heart. Aveeno’s Moisturizing Lotion used to be my go-to, but I’m SO over it now. It just doesn’t work as well! The Clinique Deep Comfort hand cream is quite nice and if you’re looking for a great moisturizer to tote around, this is a great option – hydrating, absorbs well after a few minutes, and lasts. And it’s unscented
The last time I ordered a few Aether pumpkin butters, I also picked up a couple 2oz jars of Haus of Gloi’s Bubbling Scrubs. This one in Satyr was lovely! Its a sweet, warm, edible scent which some may not like but is right up my alley. And it gives a nice light exfoliation on my sensitive skin, which I usually avoid, but which I can indulge in with these scrubs. Yay! The Hugo Naturals body wash smelled lovely (natural scents) but something about it I didn’t like, so I wouldn’t repurchase. The star here is the Organix Macadamia Oil conditioner, which is absolutely PERFECT for my crazy-curly, mega-dry hair. I hate that it comes in a smaller container, as I went through it pretty quickly, but I would repurchase even though it’s $8 and lasts only a month or so for me. I usually buy jumbo sizes of conditioner because I need so much, but this is worth the cost, as it really hydrates, and is a bit heavy (so, those with fine hair steer clear) which is just what my hair needs. LOVE.
Ok. Wrapping things up, I have a couple fragrance samples!
I got Angel as a sample when I got my mom’s bottle refilled for her birthday last year. I know it’s a hate it or love it scent for most, but for me I actually am in the middle. I don’t think it’s ‘my’ scent, but I do like it – I think because of the associations with my mother. It really works on her and when I smell it I feel cozy The Lancome fragrance however, La Vie Est Belle, IS ‘my’ fragrance – it’s got the same tones with vanilla being predominant (I’m definitely a Gourmand fragrance wearer), and smells FANTASTIC on me. Initially I wasn’t sure if I liked it enough to buy a bottle, but over the past couple weeks I had three men tell me I smelled good (in an almost surprized way, like “You smell really good” and looking sort of shocked like, ‘oh wow, yum’) so I’m taking that as a sign. Its the first fragrance I’ve found in a while that really does it for me. FYI the notes are: black currant & pear (top); iris, jasmine, & orange blossom (middle); tonka bean, vanilla, praline, and patchouli (base). I think the reason I was initially unsure is that I’m not a huge fan of orange blossom in fragrance, but the inclusion of vanilla and iris (iris being in 3 of my favorite scents, interestingly) end up making it a winner. I’m just finishing up my second sample of this and will buy a bottle as soon as I’m able.
So there you have it! In the past three months, those are the products I managed to finish. Not too shabby, huh? My skincare for face and body particularly has been seriously streamlined, and I don’t have anything ‘extra’ in either. Makeup of course is an ongoing battle to use up products I’m not madly in love with, but I’m getting there! It’s an ongoing process, and you are all probably familiar with. Moving forward I hope to post these monthly to keep on top of things!
Have you tried any of these products? What are your thoughts? Any skincare products you’ve found to be absolute winners?
Beat the Winter Blues – Enter to Win Our Winter Edition Beauty Envy Bag!!
Posted by Latoya in Nail Polish, butter London, Tarina Tarantino, Eyeshadow, Lips, Benefit, Hand Care, Giveaway, L'Occitane on January 15, 2013
We’re back with the Winter Edition of the Beauty Envy Bag! We’ve handpicked several of our beauty
favorites that will help you make it through this winter season with some new goodies. The bag consists
of all full-sized products to help meet your beauty needs. For those of you who may be new to our blogs,
here’s a quick introduction.
Lakeisha is a nail polish blogger from Florida. She is obsessed with polish, fashion, and merging the two together. She is the blogger behind Refined and Polished.
Latoya is a beauty blogger from the East Coast of Canada. While she loves all things girly, she’s also a closet gamer and is a die-hard Walking Dead fan. She is the blogger behind Beauty Obsessed.
Leticia is a beauty blogger from the Pacific Northwest. She is a dog lover, sci fi nerd, handbag collector, and makeup junkie. She is the blogger behind Cosmetics Aficionado.
Lola is a Midwest blogger with a passion for polish, science, and music. She is the blogger behind Burb Beauty.
The Winter Edition of the Beauty Envy Bag contains:
- L’Occitane Hand Indulgence Hand Cream Set (Reviewed by Lola)
- Benefit’s High Flyin’ Glosses Collection (Reviewed by Latoya)
- Tarina Tarantino Emerald Pretty Eyeshadow Palette (Reviewed by Leticia)
- Butter LONDON Two Fingered Salute & Scallywag (Reviewed by Lakeisha)
Please feel free to click the links above to learn more about each product. Accompanying all of the items
is a purple metallic beauty bag from Sephora and additional samples will be included as well.
Here is what you need to know to enter in the Rafflecopter widget below:
- Must leave a blog comment (just one blog, doesn’t have to be all four) letting us know your
favorite winter beauty product. - Additional entries for following each blog on social media networks (Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram) - Open internationally
- Must be 18+
- Giveaway closes on Monday, January 28, 2012 at 11:59 EST
Good luck dolls!!!
A Proud Moment: Downsizing at it’s Best
Posted by Latoya in Alterna, Anti-Aging, Aveda, Aveeno, Base Coats, Benefit, Body Care, Cleanser, Clinique, Cover Girl, Dior, Eucerin, Eye Liner, Eyeshadow, Giorgio Armani, Hair, Hand Care, Joico, Lancome, Lips, Make-up, Mascara, Moisturizers, Neutrogena, Paul Mitchell, Phyto, Revlon, Seche Vite, Serums, Shampoo, Skincare, SPF, Styling Products, Top Coats on December 17, 2011
This post has been a long time coming, as I’ve got quite a few empties to show you that have been piling up over the past weeks. I kept putting it off as I had a handful of makeup items that were nearing completion and I wanted them to be included. Even still, I have about three more that are thisclose to being finished, but I couldn’t wait any longer. This is gonna be a doozy, so let’s get right to it. Note: In an effort to keep my inherent wordiness down, I won’t be giving my usual lengthy descriptions of each – otherwise you’ll be here till Christmas 
But, if you do want further details on any product mentioned, don’t hesitate to ask!
First up, we have the hair products. From left to right: Joico Moisture Recovery Treatment Balm, Phyto Phytolactum+ Intelligent Shampoo, Paul Mitchell Smoothing Super Skinny Relaxing Balm (sample), Alterna Bamboo Kendi Oil Dry Oil Mist (sample), and Aveda Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother (sample).
Joico Moisture Recovery: I bought this at Chatters for something like $17CAD. It has good reviews on MUA and I wanted something to hydrate my parched hair. I don’t heat style for the most part, or do any coloring or other treatments to my hair, so it’s pretty healthy but bone-dry. I don’t like Joico much but this worked fairly well – though I wouldn’t repurchase.
Phyto Phytolactum+ Intelligent Shampoo: I picked this up from Sephora last March (see how often I shampoo?) and had high hopes it would sooth my dry scalp and not strip my hair. Mistakenly I thought this wouldn’t contain sulfates (it does) – though it was pretty gentle nonetheless. But it did nothing for my dry scalp, so I wouldn’t repurchase.
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Relaxing Balm: I was in a buying mood when I picked up this travel size sample at Chatters – I don’t know why I get these ‘smoothing’ products because it’s really meant for people who blow out their hair, which isn’t me. I know you’d like that smoothing might be helpful to tame my curly hair, but I really find it doesn’t do much of anything. This product smelled lovely but that made me nervous (due to my eczema) so I was glad when it was finished.
Alterna Bamboo Kendi Oil: I had just read a couple good reviews on this and then they offer this as a 100-point perk at Sephora so I got it to try out. Again, pointless product for my hair type. Also contained fragrance so I was happy to finish it and be done with it. Can’t comment on it’s effectiveness, unfortunately!
Aveda Smooth Infusion Style-Prep: ANOTHER smoother. I know. Anyway, this actually ended up being quite a gem – if I used this after I applied my usual styling creme, it really kept my hair soft and frizz-free. I’m not a huge fan of the herbal Aveda scent, but it’s also not a deterrent either. I probably wouldn’t buy the full size though; I find Aveda products so expensive!
Next – Hand and body creams. Left to right: Aveeno Eczema Care Cream, Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream (frag. free), Eucerin Aquaphor. I’ve discussed all these in length here and here respectively. I’m using a different body lotion right now and I can’t wait till it’s done, it doesn’t measure up to Aveeno’s cream at all. Sometimes you should just stick with what works. I have a new tube of the Norwegian Formula at work – I really like this a lot – but I don’t think I’ll buy the Aquaphor again, it was a bit too thick and contained …. so I’d just rather not.
Facial products. Left to right: Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus (sample), Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF15, Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild (sample).
Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus: I extolled the virtues of this product here, and I still stand by my view – it was a great serum that make my skin feel uber soft and look radiant. However, now I’m onto Ole’s Truth Serum (though it’s almost finished, waaaah!) and I think I’d opt for that over this just because 1) I LOVE the scent of the Truth Serum, 2) Ole’s is slightly cheaper (by about $3CAD), and 3) I think Ole’s serum is more targeted for my age, whereas I was really using Clinique’s serum prematurely. I still think it’s great though!
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle: I’ve used this a few times in the past, and while I really like it – it leaves the skin really smooth – I think my sensitized skin can’t handle the retinol any more, which is pretty bad considering this is a very low dosage. But, for some one with hardier skin who’s looking for a great, cost-effective (it’s around $24CAD) moisturizer with SPF and anti-aging benefits, I highly recommend this.
Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild: I got this in a GWP or something I’m sure, and hung on to it because it’s great for travel. But then I realized I had all these samples and they were starting to annoy me so I began the ‘war on samples’ to mega-reduce my stash. This isn’t really the best formula for my skin, as I’m more oily, but it does the trick for an AM wash, especially in the cooler months. It contains emollients so that it doesn’t leave the skin feeling dry, so that’s a nice perk.
Now, get excited…here comes the makeup portion!!!!
Mascaras etc. Top to bottom: Benefit They’re Real!, Clinique High Impact, Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill, Diorshow Maximizer Base (sample), and Clinique Bottom Lash.
Benefit They’re Real!: See my initial review here. I really enjoyed this mascara and may even repurchase in the future. It was easy to use and gave me nice looking lashes. ‘Nuff said.
Clinique High Impact: Still one of my favorite mascaras – lots of volume and some length, and makes my lashes stand out. Also very easy to use. I wouldn’t recommend to those who want a really natural look however, as I’ve heard complaints of it getting clumpy (though personally I’ve never experienced this). And the $18CAD price point is much more reasonable than any other department store brand!
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill: I have been waiting to re-review this, as I have some sad news – this is the root cause of all my eye sensitivities and irritation! I’m makes me slightly disappointed (since it was great….but tres expensive, hence why I’m only slightly disappointed), but mostly really pissed off, because my eyes have been a trial ever since I used this. I blamed it on the cat (as I’m allergic), and while I am still very careful of Vegas (the cat – yeah baby!), this mascara is the real reason my eyes aren’t like they used to be. I had stopped using it in August because I fell in love with Benefit’s They’re Real, and my eyes improved – then I realized that it was going to dry up and be wasted, so I started using it again, only to find my eyes get totally itchy and messed up! I stopped using it immediately, and while my eyes aren’t as bad, they still get irritated pretty easily ever since. SO not cool. I couldn’t find the ingredients online anywhere so I don’t know the offending irritant, unfortunately. In any case, all I’m saying is that I recommend trying this out somehow first before fully committing!!
Diorshow Maximizer Base: I got this via a coupon code at Sephora.com. Meh. It made my mascara harder to apply and I didn’t see any maximizing whatsoever. I wouldn’t waste the $$.
Clinique Bottom Lash: Awesome. Seemed like the most gimmicky thing in the world, but ended up being really great. For $12CAD, you get this mascara with a mini brush that makes it ridiculously easy to apply mascara to your bottom lashes. It only removes with warm water, so you can cry your heart out with it on (or swim, or sweat) and it won’t budge. It lasted for AGES too (I know you’re not supposed to use mascara for longer than 3-4 months, but this seemed like an exception ).
Lips and cheeks! Left to right: Clinique Superbalm in Currant, Lancome Juicy Tube in Simmer (sample), Cover Girl Wetslicks in Guava Splash, Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick in Rosy.
Clinique Superbalm in Currant: I love these balms! They’re a bit thick and very glossy, and wear pretty well while keeping my lips mega-hydrated. I’ve had this for like, 4 years now so while I’m a little sad to see it go (the shade is neutral and goes with everything!), I’m mostly glad it’s finally done! Having anything for more than like, two years just seems like too much to me!
Lancome Juicy Tube in Simmer: I read once that Denise Richards liked this lip gloss in this shade…she commented that it ‘looks good on everyone.’ While that may be true, I didn’t particularly like this shade for some reason. I used to love Juicy Tubes but thankfully grew out of that stage – it seems like one of those things to buy when you’re just getting into high end makeup so I guess the memory of being a newbie turns me off a bit lol. Nonetheless, these are nice glosses that wear well, but for me their time has come and gone. And this one in particular has had it’s time – I’m sure I’ve had this for well over 7 years! Yikes!
Cover Girl Wetslicks in Guava Splash: I bought this after seeing a makeup shot in Allure in which they suggested this gloss to re-create the look. It was pretty close, so good call by them – but I really didn’t like the formula of this at all. It was soo thin and slippery, I had to reapply it constantly! Blah. I’ve only had this gloss a year so the fact that it’s already gone is a testament to how quickly it wears off. Good riddance to bad rubbish!
Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick in Rosy: I got this as a gift from Clinique a couple years ago, and wasn’t enamoured with it as it seemed too light for my skin. However, I reintroduced it in my rotation this Fall and realized I was missing out! It gave me cheeks the best natural flush ever. I am partial to cream formulas because I like the way they leave the skin glowing, and this one was nice because it wasn’t greasy at all. It had OK wear time – nothing terrible but not spectacular either – so I wouldn’t repurchase, but I sure did enjoy it while it lasted. It went with every makeup look I’d try – can’t beat that!
Unfinished but still must go. Clockwise from left: Revlon Streetwear Double-Ended Liner (discontinued), Revlon Luxurious Color Eyeliner in Blackened Sapphire, Lancome Color Focus Eye Shadow Quad (sample), Rimmel Metallic Eye Gloss in Equinox (discontinued).
Revlon Streewear Double-Ended Liner: I brought this product up in my eyeliner post, and committed to tossing it, so here goes! I’ve definitely had this for over 10 years, I don’t know what I was waiting for!
Revlon Luxurious Color Eyeliner: Also discussed this in the eyeliner post. My mother has this too, and when she wears it (usually on her bottom lash line), it looks awesome – but since I’m too ~fragile~ to wear liners on my bottom lashes now, I just don’t get a good effect from this liner. On my top lashes its just kinda blah. So, time to go!
Lancome Color Focus Eyeshadow Quad: The shades are Daylight (the pale cream), Contrast (deep purple), Blink (khaki shimmer), and Peep (pale pink). I’ve also had this for way longer than I want to admit, and I never use it, so it’s really gotta go. I’m not really a fan of sample eyeshadow palettes anyway, they annoy me – when I get them from Clinique I always give them away. I want the real thing, darn it!
Rimmel Metallic Eye Gloss: Do you remember when eye gloss was a ‘big thing’ back in the day – around 8-10 years ago? Yeah, this was bought then. Oops! I couldn’t get it to work without creasing like crazy so I may have only tried it a handful of times. Fun idea, but just not easy to translate into real life. Toss!
Honorable Mention. Seche Vite’s Dry Fast Top Coat. This bottle isn’t finished, though you can’t really tell from the photo. There’s about 40% left, but you KNOW how goopy and impossible it gets around that time!!! I kept it in my drawer, hoping for a miracle, but it’s time has come. Begone, you most-awesome-of-top-coats-until-that-time-when-you-become-absolutely-NOT-awesome-and-in-fact-a-total-nightmare top coat!!
PHEW!!!!! OMG I’m so sorry to submit all of you to that uber-lengthy post, but it had to be done. 25 items (though 8 were samples, to clarify)! Are you proud of me or what?! I have been chomping at the bit to get this out so you can all revel in my awesome downsizing abilities. What’s that you say? I have in fact replaced many of these products with new ones?! Oh, well, forget that part then, will you? The whole purpose to reduce is to buy more, is it not?? No? Huh. Well, I will keep trying, in any case. Looking at this post alleviates some of my guilt at least. ‘Till next time!! 
Sneak Peek: This Month’s Beauty Hauls
Posted by Latoya in a-england, Aveda, Body Care, Boscia, Cleanser, Drugstore Finds, Hand Care, Jack Black, Joe Fresh, Lip Care, MAC, Nail Polish, Nicole by OPI, Ole Henriksen, OPI, Quo by Orly, Sephora, Shampoo on November 20, 2011
Despite my great efforts to cull my stash to a more streamlined collection, I have still picked up a few beauty items over the past few weeks – some necessary, some not. For the most part, I’ve been fairly restrained, and only my polish collection has grown bigger (which is inevitable, c’mon!) – I’m still whittling down my skincare, getting rid of samples and almost finished products, and only splashed out on one item (which I’m totally stoked about). I thought I’d give you a sneak peek into what you can look forward to reading about over the next little while:
Friday night, after going out for an awesome dinner at the Keg for our one-year anniversary, my bf and I came home and promptly fell into a food/wine coma. I really wanted to wash my face, but OH! the bathroom sink was too far away and required too much energy. As I struggled against sleep, I lamented how I wished I’d had some face wipes by the bed for just these sorts of occasions. The very next day, I picked up Ole Henriksen’s Truth to Go Wipes ($7.50CDN) to save me from this fate yet again. I also picked up another Jack Black lip balm ($8.40CDN), as my last one seems to have gone missing.
On this same excursion to Sephora, my goal was to pick up some Christmas gifts, and perhaps a little something fun (not wipes or lip balm) for myself while I was at it (natch!). Around and around and around I paced the aisles, trying to find something that would be a treat while avoiding repetition in my stash. Alas, it was impossible – as much as I wanted to, I couldn’t bring myself to buy anything that I didn’t truly *need* and so I left, (relatively) empty-handed. However, right across from Sephora lies another temptation – MAC. And it was then that I had an inspiration – it was finally time to lay down the big bucks and buy the #138 Tapered Face Brush I’ve been lemming for months. Ringing in at $62.50CDN, this is a serious purchase, the kind I don’t make too often, but after getting home and feeling the ultra-soft bristles across my face, I knew it was going to be well worth the splurge. Oh yea, baby!
My polish purchasing has slowed down considerably since Fall began – I had already picked up all the new shades I’d wanted – and the holiday collections out are leaving my mostly wanting: I’m not into OPI’s Muppets collex at all, nor Orly or Deb Lippmann, and only want a shade or two each from Zoya, Color Club, and the two collections China Glaze has put out this season. I’m hoping to buy them all online all at once from NailPolishCanada.com, but am waiting on Zoya (as usual) to be up for sale. In the interim, I’ve picked up the following (from above, left to right): Quo by Orly Cuti-Prep (their version of Orly’s Cutique I think), a-England King Arthur (metallic gunmetal), OPI DS Temptation (gorgeous purple-blue glitter), Joe Fresh Twilight (a sheer black jelly with…multicolored flakies!), and Nicole by OPI Khloe Had a Little Lam Lam (deep teal creme). I’ve worn Temptation once but with how fast glitters chip it was a short spell. The other’s I’ve swatched a bit but no full manis – keep your eyes peeled!!
Lastly, I had to buy some necessities this month: Aveda Scalp Benefits shampoo (I used up my bottle of Phyto’s Phytolactum + Intelligent Shampoo and needed something to address my majorly seasonal-dry scalp), Boscia Clear Complexion Cleanser (as my bottle of Philosophy Purity is near finished, and I wanted to try something new), Complex 15 Body Lotion (I have the face lotion, and these are just great basic, no-frills moisturizers to have on hand – and the bottle is bigger than my fave Aveeno Eczema Care cream so hopefully it’ll last longer!), and Vaseline Intensive Therapy Soothing Hand Lotion (my Eucerin has run out and I needed a replacement).
So…I think I have done reasonably well keeping the frivolous purchases to a minimum and not significantly adding to my cosmetics inventory – what do you think? I’ll be doing another empties post in the next few weeks and I think you’ll be sufficiently impressed to let me off the hook In the meantime, I’ll be reporting back on the products above and hoping they were worth the purchase!
Product of the Month: Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream
Posted by Latoya in Burts Bees, Drugstore Finds, Favorite Product of the Month, Hand Care, Skincare on October 26, 2011
It feels like AGES since I last wrote a product of the month…and yet, I did one in September!…
As a (mostly) reformed cuticle biter, while I was having a browse at Lawtons one day on my lunch break, I thought to pick up a cuticle moisturizer, as the more hydrated they are, the less apt I am to nip at them here and there. It was a toss-up between Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream (0.60 oz/17g) and an oil, but in the end, this won as I find oils don’t linger as long and in an hour I’m reapplying again. Lucky me, this happened to be on sale for like, $1.50 or something, when it regularly retails for $7.99 – awesome!
As is standard for Burt’s Bees products, their Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream is paraben- and phthalate-free. And, thankfully for me and my eczema, without added fragrance! Here is the ingredient list: Sweet almond oil, beeswax, lemon peel oil, tocopheryl acetate, cocoa seed butter, candelilla wax, beta-carotene, rosemary leaf extract, tocopherol, sunflower seed oil, soybean oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, limonene. 
The cream comes in a cute little tin, similar to their lip salve, and looks a lot like it too. It takes a little bit of elbow grease to rub some of the balm off initially, but once it’s worked in a bit, it’s no problem. It has a really nice lemony scent that I don’t find at all overwhelming – more just clean – and the texture is like, well, butter, almost. Pretty much like your standard balm – greasy but not uncomfortably so. I do have to wipe off my fingertips after applying so I don’t get fingerprints everywhere, but I like that it’s like that; it means the hydrating effect lasts on my cuticles, for several hours or until I wash my hands.
I leave this tin at work and reapply a couple times a day. If I’m consistent, it really helps with the look of my cuticles, which can be a touch ragged because of how dry they are. Also, unlike some other products I’ve used, it doesn’t interfere with my manicure at all (sometimes I find some cuticle treatments can cause my polish to chip faster).
Overall, I’m digging this cream and I will definitely repurchase when it’s gone. It’s so handy to travel with, I don’t have to worry about it spilling in my purse (which has happened before with nail oils), and it smells lovely. It may seem a bit pricey at $8 a pop, but it’s gonna last for ages, and many nail oils are priced well over $10!
What great thrifty finds have you picked up lately??
Product of the Month: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream/Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Posted by Latoya in Drugstore Finds, Eczema, Eucerin, Favorite Product of the Month, Hand Care, Neutrogena, Skincare on September 28, 2011
This month I’m bringing you TWO products that top my must-have list, as they both do very similar jobs – and very well, I might add. Hand creams are an absolute necessity for those of us suffering from either dry, cracked hands, or eczema (or both), so I hope this post is useful!
As you know, my eczema is touch-and-go; sometimes merely a background issue, other times taking over my life (it seems) and causing me some serious grief. Currently it’s tamed somewhat, but a terrible flare-up during my trip to Newfoundland last month left me with some nasty scarring and recurring irritation on my upper arms. My regime of jojoba oil, in conjunction with Aveeno’s Eczema Care Cream which I mentioned earlier this week, has simmered the problem – I’m not itchy and inflamed, though it’ll take all season to heal the scarring on my shoulders, which makes me very glad that sweater season is upon us!
Anyway, while these two products work wonders on my body, my hands need even more serious moisture and treatment to keep them rash-free. My fingers are often plagued with dry, scaly skin that I battle constantly. In my youth, any old moisturizer would do, and I’d slap on a heavily fragranced hand cream that smelled heavenly but left my hands worse than ever. Finally, after torturing myself for years, I recently dropped the vanity and picked up two very basic, boring hand creams – Neutrogena’s Norwegian Formula ($6.99 for 50mL) – the fragrance free version – and Eucerin’s Aquaphor ($8.99 for 51.75mL). (*Click images to find out more)
Both of these products have reputations that precede them, and for good reason. Though the packaging is plain, and the formulations are thick and greasy, these two do the trick on my parched, irritated hands. I keep the Aquaphor by my bedside table, and the Norwegian Formula at work. I obsessively apply these after washing my hands or getting my hands wet in any way, or when I’m feeling dry patches. Not only do they keep my hands hydrated and soft, but they actually protect my hands from the elements (cold, wet, chemical, or allergy). My eczema has lessened considerably just from these two alone, completely without using hydrocortisone, which I am normally very dependant on (and, incidentally, is what I believe has caused the scarring on my shoulders).
The basic ingredients for these are simple as well, which helps minimize irritation:
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream: Water (Purified), Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Dilauryl Thiodipropionate, Sodium Sulfate.
Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment: Petroleum, Mineral Oil, Ceresin, Lanolin Alcohol, Panthenol, Glycerin, Bisabolol
I think the key ingredient for me is the glycerin – as it is a humectant, it binds water to the skin, moisturizing it as well as helping to retain that moisture. Ever since I realized its efficacy, particularly on my skin, I’ve been sure to keep an eye out for glycerin in all products I pick up from now on.
While I’m not thrilled that there is petroleum/mineral oil in the Aquaphor, there’s no doubting it works and keeps my skin protected. However, since the two products seem to do a similar job, I am going to stick with the Norwegian Formula from now on, as it appears to have more glycerin in it and none of the other two ‘baddies.’
In summary, I highly recommend to pick up one of these babies, especially with Winter fast approaching, a protective and hydrating hand cream is an absolute must. I seriously could not live without ‘em!
Both of these products can be found at Lawton’s Drugs, or Shoppers Drug Mart (and probably Walmart as well!).
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