3 Winter Skin Care Tips for Glowing and Hydrated Skin

Hello, lovelies!

Winter weather can be particularly harsh on your skin. I like to begin my winter skincare routine early to keep my skin hydrated and fresh all season. Here are a few of the tips I use to prevent skin dryness, irritation, and cracking throughout the season.

Moisturize 

Using a daily moisturizer is important to supplement the skin’s natural moisture barrier. A moisturizer that contains ingredients like Vitamin E and shea butter will add moisture and hydration back into your skin.

Wear a scarf 

I like to keep my face covered with a scarf and hat combo when I’m outside in cold weather. The chill of winter can cause windburn, which will dry out your skin and cause irritation. The best way to keep your skin protected is to keep it covered.

Shield your skin from the sun 

Even during the winter, it is important to continue wearing SPF. A moisturizer containing SPF will protect your skin from damaging UV rays. I often select makeup products with a built-in SPF to protect my skin from the sun.

How do you adapt your skin care routine for the winter season? 

3 Ideas To Implement Self-Care At​ the End of the Semester

Hello, lovelies!

As another semester draws to an end, I ensure to implement my self-care routine regularly to decrease stress. Today I share ideas that I implement to avoid burnout while preparing for end-of-term evaluations, exams, and my upcoming Christmas shopping!

Listen to yourself and your body/mind 

If you want to take care of yourself during this time, it is essential to listen to what your body and mind are trying to tell you. Take a few minutes out of your day to understand what is going on with you. Are you tired? Are you stressed out? Are you eating regularly?  To maintain your health and wellbeing at the end of term, cue into the signals your body sends you.

Create a visual calendar 

When I feel stressed and overwhelmed, I like to create a mini, visual calendar of tasks to accomplish during the week. This enables me to visualize what is left to finish and I can divide my To-Do list into smaller tasks.

Try new exercise

I recently implemented mindfulness and deep-breathing exercises into my daily routine. Exercise helps me to de-stress and relax any racing thoughts. The newest routine I’ve implemented is deep-breathing and guided meditation through an app called Calm. This app features meditation exercises, deep breathing, and ‘Bedtime Stories’ to help you relax at night.

What methods do you use to decrease end-of-semester stress? 

REVIEW: Too Faced Under the Kissletoe Liquid Lipstick Set

Hello, lovelies!

During the Sephora V.I.B. Sale I picked up a new mini lipstick set from Too Faced Cosmetics. This collection features 4 liquid lipsticks, each sampling the brand’s different formulas. I’ve only tried the Melted Matte formula, so I was excited to test other formulas in the lipstick collection!

The Packaging 

This set is part of Too Faced Cosmetics Holiday 2017 Collection. The four lipsticks are encased in sparkly, pink plastic. Each lipstick shade is visible through a small panel in the outer case. This is a fun package that reminds me of Christmastime. The Melted Matte and Melted formulas each have different types of tubes, so I will discuss both of them: The Melted Matte lipstick come in a clear glass tube that displays the lipstick colour within. It has a doe foot applicator to comfortably coat the lips with colour. Each Melted lipstick comes in a triangular tube with a soft applicator that is attached to the tube. Both applicators are soft and coat the lips evenly.

The Colours 

I love the diverse shade choices in this collection. The selection of nude, deep red, and pink shades make it easy coordinate the colours to my outfits. The four shades included in the set are:

• Chihuahua -Dusty mauve
• Chocolate Honey – Light brown-nude
•  Hopeless Romantic – Nude with a hint of pink
•  Drop Dead Red – Deep mulberry-wine

The Wear 

Both the shades Chihuahua and Chocolate Honey are satin finishes. They do not wear for a long time on the lips, but they are soft, smooth, and non-drying. The shade Drop Dead Red dries into the lips with a burst of colour. (As a note, I wrote this shade last week and it left my lips with a muted red undertone. It stayed on my lips for about 7-8 hours). The shade Hopeless Romantic wears for 4-5 hours without fading.

This is a fun lipstick set to gift someone as a stocking stuffer. If you are interested in trying a selection of Too Faced lipsticks, I also recommend this set!

Too Faced Under the Kissletoe liquid lipstick set retails for $32 at Sephora.

My Sephora VIB Haul: Winter Edition

Hello, lovelies!

It all started when my dog, Bear, ate my favourite blush compact. I glanced at the email advertising the Sephora V.I.B. Sale but did not take particular notice to it because I had nothing to buy. The following morning, my beloved NARS blush fell to the floor and was quickly destroyed. Bear ate the compact’s contents before I cleaned them up. Off to Sephora I headed.

My main purchase was a new blush, but I did select additional items while I browsed. Here is a peek into my VIB Sale Haul:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trio 

This blush compact features 3 gorgeous pink-toned colours. My biggest concern when buying blush is finding colours that compliment my pale skin. The three shades in this compact deliver delicate pink tones. I normally skip very pink blush colours, but I decided to try them with this compact. The compact I bought the compact called Pool Party. This collection offers a mixture of coral, bright pink, and tan shades.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Foundation

Finding a product that doubles as a concealer and foundation is a dream come true. This foundation is formatted as a stick, which makes it easy to apply to the face. I wore it as my foundation and concealer yesterday and it delivered a comfortable, full-coverage finish. It dried matte but not cakey on my skin. I bought this foundation in the shade Porcelain. This shade is suited for fair skin with cool undertones.

Too Faced Under the Kissletoe Liquified Lipstick Set

I was not initially a fan of Too Faced Liquid Lipstick formula. That being said, I decided to test out a few different formulas in the range. The Under the Kissletoe set is part of their holiday collection. The colours in the set range from a deep burgundy to a glossy nude. This fun set contains 4 lipsticks:

• Melted Liquid Lipstick in the shade Chihauhua – Dusty mauve
• Melted Lipstick in the shade Chocolate Honey – Warm-toned nude with brown undertones
• Melted Latex Lipstick in the shade Hopeless Romantic – Glossy beige-nude
• Melted Matte Lipstick in the shade Drop Dead Red – Matte burgundy

What did you buy during the Sephora VIB Sale?

REVIEW: Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate

Hello, lovelies!

With winter approaching, I like rotating a new moisturizer in my skincare routine. I received a sample of Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate during a trip to Sephora. This moisturizer is hydrating and soothing on my skin. The unique formula immediately added a boost of hydration to my face.

The Packaging 

I’ve always been a fan of Clinique’s tidy, sophisticated packaging. That quality shines through with this product. The moisturizer itself comes in a cylindrical, sleek tube. It is clear to show the fun pink-colored gel inside. My favourite aspect of the package is the pump-dispenser. It is an ideal format for releasing a small amount of product without creating a mess.

The Product 

This product is a water gel that delivers a boost of moisture to the skin. I sometimes hesitate to use water gel formulas, but this one suits my dry skin. It has a smooth texture that cools once it touches my face, similar to a serum. The lightweight gel doesn’t add heaviness to my skin and feels rather light once it dries. An added bonus of this product is that it is fragrance-free. If you have sensitive skin like I do, fragrance can be an irritant.

How to use it 

I cleanse my skin before applying the product. It is ideal for morning or night use, depending on your skincare routine. I dot a small amount on my skin and gently massage it in. Due to the hydration it contains, you only need to use a little product to refresh your entire face.

Clinique Moisture Surge Supercharged Concentrate retails for $17 (for the smaller size) or the full-size is $46  at Sephora.

3 Tips to Help You Minimize Your Morning Beauty Routine

Hello, lovelies!

My makeup and beauty routine definitely consumes most of the time I dedicate to getting ready each morning. Some mornings I go makeup-free. On days when I want a hint of colour on my bare face I employ a few simple tricks.

1. Gather a small, well-chosen team of products

Select 4-5 products that you always wear daily. I pare down my essential products to: concealer, mascara, blush and lipstick. I wear a full-coverage concealer that I apply to my entire face to double as foundation. Lining the lids with mascara quickly transforms it into an eyeliner dupe. If I want a little colour on my lids, I dot my favourite blush onto them.

2. Befriend a good dry shampoo

Dry shampoo works in a pinch when there’s no time to hop in the shower. It helps add volume to strands while reducing oil buildup. A quick tip when using dry shampoo? Spray it into the roots of hair before combing it through. This will distribute the product without leaving residue. I’ve tried a few different brands of dry shampoo, but my favourite one is John Frieda Volumizing Dry Shampoo

. 3. Plan a weekly maintenance night

If there are beauty habits you engage in weekly, it’s a good idea to devote a specific night to do them. Setting aside time to paint your nails and shave your legs saves you valuable time throughout the week.Do you engage in any beauty hacks to save time during the week?

Why I Bought a New Planner Before the New Year + 3 Steps to Set One Up

Hello, lovelies!

I love to plan. I usually buy a new planner every January, but this year I decided to buy a new one in November. The planner I previously owned did not have adequate space for my daily scheduling and I know I’ll need more writing space once I head into a new internship in January.

What planner did I buy?

I bought a large, spacious planner from my local bookstore. This one originates from a brand called ban.do. It features a 17-month spread (August 2017-December 2018), color-coded tabs and yearly/monthly/weekly calendar pageviews. To satisfy my inner organized nerd, it even contains a coil-bound closure and internal pockets.

So, why did I buy a new one before the year ended?

This new planner serves two purposes:

1. It tracks all my reminders – Important dates, reminders, and schedules popped up throughout this semester. I already used up a lot of space in my previous planner, and required more writing space to track everything. (Grad photos, party reminders, group work, etc.)
2. I can schedule activities in advance – I already have a few important dates scheduled for 2018. This new planner allows me to write those dates and times without waiting until January.

Tips to set up a new planner 

Setting up a new planner doesn’t need to be time-consuming. Here are three tips I use whenever I buy a new one:

• Transfer all important dates into your new planner before throwing the old one away
• Determine how you will colour-code your planner to organize it

How do you organize a new planner?

REVIEW: Dior Rouge Liquid Lipstick

Hello, lovelies!

I am consistently searching for new brands of liquid lipstick to test. I received samples of Dior Rouge Liquid Lipstick and I was intrigued to find out how the brand’s first liquid lipstick formula stacked up to other formulas I adore. Dior’s liquid lipstick comes in a range of beautiful colours. The shades I received in the sampler drew me in.

The Packaging 

The full-sized lipsticks come in sleek, elegant packages. The lipstick container is matte black with a transparent panel that reveals the colour within. I enjoy the square, blunt shape of the lipstick container because it is sturdy. This lipstick features a doe-foot applicator to precisely line the lips.

The Formula 

Dior’s liquid lipstick comes in three different finishes: Matte, metallic, and satin. I’ve tried both the matte and satin finishes. Both lipstick formulas are smooth, non-drying, and transfer-resistant. The formula is highly-pigmented. Once applied to the lips, the colour dries down completely and is lightweight.

The Colours 

I’ve tried samples of four shades in the collection:

• 999 – Matte red
• Hectic – Matte deep purple
• Fury – Matte rosewood
• Fab – Satin oxblood-red

Each colour I’ve tested is pigmented and opaque. The matte shades lasted longer on my lips than the satin shade. There are 25 other shades in the collection:

• Reckless – Matte orangey-beige
• Crush – Matte hot pink
• Impulsive – Matte coral pink
• Shock – Matte magenta
• Hypnotic – Matte dark pink
• Chic – Matte beige
• Savage – Matte raspberry-pink
• Lively – Matte dusty pink
• Jungle – Matte light brown
• Mysterious – Matte brownish-pink
• Dressed To – Matte reddish-brown
• Black – Matte black
• Delicate – Satin light brown
• Frenetic – Satin raspberry pink
• Impetious – Satin pink
• Versatile – Satin strawberry-red
• Miss – Satin pink-coral
• Fab – Satin reddish-black with shimmer
• Rock ‘n’ Metal – Metallic rusty red
• Spicy – Metallic hot pink
• Scandalous – Metallic brown
• Poison Metal – Metallic red-plum
• Hologram – Metallic silver
• Vibrant – Metallic rose-gold

The Wear 

Both the satin and matte shades wear comfortably on the lips. Once I apply the shade to my lips, they wear for 4-5 hours without fading. One aspect I adore about these lipsticks is that I only require one swipe of the lipstick to achieve full-coverage. The colour doesn’t bleed on my lips, but it does transfer while eating or drinking.

These lipsticks are perfect if you are looking for a comfortable, long-wearing lipstick. The metallic finishes are beautiful and richly pigmented. Dior Rouge Liquid Lipstick retails for $43 on Sephora’s website.

The Importance of Maintaining a Consistent Skincare Routine in Your 20s

Hello, lovelies!

This season has brought me many things, but consistently clear skin is not one of those things. The state of my skin changes a lot and I’ve modified my skin care routine in response. (I’m currently sitting at my laptop with a charcoal mask smoothed across my face). Today I’m sharing why you need a dedicated skin care routine, and how you can make changes if your routine is just not working.

Why maintain a skin care routine?

Your hormone levels begin regulating between ages 22-25, but you may notice extra breakouts during certain times of the month. Engaging in a consistent skin care routine is beneficial for many reasons:

• The amount of collagen in your skin decreases in your late-20s and your skin’s barrier begins to thin. Sticking to a regular skincare routine ensures your skin continues to look youthful and radiant
• Your skin is a large barrier. It continuously protects you from toxins and other environmental effects. By engaging in a consistent routine, you’re helping your skin function at its best.
• With time, your skincare routine becomes a habit.

A few simple tips to help you maintain a skin care routine:

Developing and maintaining a skin care routine doesn’t have to be hard work! Here are a few of my favourite tips to regulate my daily and weekly cleansing:

1. Use a moisturizer – A good moisturizer will keep your skin looking fresh and supple. Moisturizer protects your skin against wrinkles and reduces dryness.
2. Exfoliate – Exfoliation rids the skin of dead skin cells which prevents the skin from appearing dry and dull

How do you care for your skin? 

REVIEW: Sephora Collection Triple-Action Cleansing Water

Hello, lovelies!

Micellar cleansing water helps draw dirt and impurities from the skin while gently cleansing it. I bought a bottle of Sephora Collection Triple Action Cleansing Water to substitute my regular makeup remover. I use it mainly for that purpose, but was pleasantly surprised with it’s other benefits!

The Packaging 

The product comes in a large, transparent bottle that is lightweight. The cap features a push-top with a hole for dispensing the product. One thing to note about the cap is that it is easy to spill excess cleanser unless it is tightly closed. Despite the size of the bottle, it is easy to transport when I am on-the-go. The product features the Sephora logo, and is simple and clean.

The Product 

The first thing I notice when I opened this product was the fresh, grassy scent. This light fragrance is refreshing to use at the end of each day. I dispense the cleanser onto a cotton ball to remove makeup. While it does not remove all my makeup in one swipe, it does effectively remove it well. Once my makeup is removed my skin feels refreshed and lightly hydrated. My skin is sensitive and I was initially hesitant to use the product because some makeup removers tend to cause irritation on my skin. After 1-2 uses of this cleansing water, I did not experience any breakouts.

The Benefits

Like the name suggests, this cleansing water deliver specific benefits:

• Cleanses the skin to remove makeup, oil and impurities
• Formulated with Hydrosenn+, a natural ingredient that hydrates the skin

How to use it

Open the lid and dispense the product onto a cotton ball or tissue. Gently wipe your face, eyes, and lips to remove makeup. This requires no rinsing.

This product works well as a gentle, effective makeup remover. I like to supplement with my regular makeup-remover wipes to give my skin a refreshing cleanse.

Sephora Collection Triple Action Cleansing Water retails for $15 at Sephora.