Current Favourites

I think it is about time to do another Current Favourites post since my last one was in February.  Here are a few of my favourites categorized using the five senses inspired by Ingrid Nilsen’s Youtube Series called “Sense of Self.”

Sight

Finally, my sight favourite is not a Youtube channel for once!  I barely watch television, but I’ve been loving the new Anne series.  I think it is now called Anne with an E since its debut on Netflix.  Like many, I grew up loving everything written by L. M. Montgomery.  This included her books, the Anne movies from the 80s, and the Road to Avonlea television series.  Who would have thought that in 2017, the Anne series would be remade by the Emmy Award writer, Moira Walley Beckett, who is also famous for her work on Breaking Bad.

This is definitely a remake and not a faithful rendition.  The iconic scenes still exist with more in-depth renditions of certain scenes and some tangents that are completely not from the books.  So as a longtime fan, did I enjoy the remake?  The answer is yes!  To just do a faithful rendition perhaps would have been as justified since we can just go back and watch previous movies.  Instead, this update actually keeps it fresh by focusing on modern themes, like feminism.  Furthermore, I find the changes actually keep me on my toes, as I had no idea where the story is going sometimes.  I just hope that they keep Matthew alive through for a few more seasons.  I always felt he was one of the best characters in the story.  Have you seen the series?

Smell

Summer Essentials: Schmidt’s Deodorant in Rose + Vanilla and the Ilia Balmy Rays

As I have mentioned in previous blogposts, strong scents in beauty products give me a headache.  However, I can tolerate citrus scents and I realized, for some reason, the scent of roses in small doses.  I think it started with the Naruko’s Rose & Botanic HA Aqua Cubic Foaming Wash EX, which had this beautiful rose scent and was great cream cleanser.  So while scrolling through my Instagram feed, I spotted the Schmidt’s Deodorant in Rose + Vanilla on Sort of Obsessed feed (she’s one of favourites) and had to go get it.

I had tried the potted version of this deodorant before, but found it quite messy to use. You have to dig into the product with your fingers.  I have tried the twist-up version, but it was still quite crumbly.  However, the new version comes with a spatula makes it less messy and more sanitary too.  This is a plant-base deodorant that really works for light to medium sweating (it won’t get you through a gym session).  It feels almost like puddy, melts into you skin quickly, and you also need very little so it lasts a long time.  Plus, I love getting a whiff of the rose scent when I move sometimes during the initial application.

Taste

Cornbread!  I love cornbread!  I have definitely had it before, but I don’t think I started to love it till my coworker brought in her homemade cornmeal muffins.  Fresh out of the oven, they tasted warm with hint of sweetness from the corn, and then you also get a hit of the grainy texture from the cornmeal.  It is such an interesting mix of sweet, and a bit of savoury too.  I am surprised I love it so much since I am love super sweet things, like chocolate mousse and triple chocolate ice cream, but this is my new favourite.  I’ve also tried a more cakier version of cornbread and liked it so much that I had a piece every single day last week.  If you enjoy cornbread, do you have a favourite version?

Touch

Two of my Favourite Powders: RMS Beauty Tinted “Un” Powder and Naturaglacé Marshmallow Powder

I don’t know what kind of magic this is, but when I dust my skin with the RMS Beauty Tinted “Un” Powder, it leaves my skin feeling so smooth!  This powder is so fine and it is also supposed to have light reflective qualities as well.  It is amazing how it can smooth out the texture in my skin.  Furthermore, it is also “tinted” so you can also use it to touch-up throughout the day.  Love it!

Hearing

I have never seen X-Factor, but I so in love with James Arthur’s “Say You Won’t Let Go!”  I know this song is playing everywhere, but I love the simplicity of the accompaniment, and the emotions he is able to portray with his voice.  I still think England comes out with some of the best music in the world.  Can’t believe how addicted I am also to Harry Style’s new songs as well.  Don’t really want to admit it since I’m not that young anymore, but I figure it is ok, since I am just crushing on his music, right?

My Current Night Time Skincare Routine

Inspired by the many photos of skincare routines on Instagram, I thought I would talk about my own.  As you’ll see, I am still very into Koran skincare and am “sort of” following the Korean ten step skincare routine.  Like many, I enjoy Korean skincare because it is good value, effective, and focuses more on natural ingredients.  Most of the products are new and quite a few I picked up from the Nordstrom Korean Beauty Pop-Up shop a while back.

FIRST CLEANSE

I love double-cleansing as I feel it really takes off everything.  Not a big balm or oil cleanser fan, I actually love using micellar water.  I have been rotating between the Garnier Micellar Water and the Caudalíe Micellar Cleansing Water.  Although, after watching renowned makeup artist, Lisa Eldridge’s Youtube video about accidentally swallowing micellar water and realizing that one of the ingredients is antifreeze, I might be switching to a more natural version soon.  I also remove my eye makeup with the Innisfree Apple Juicy Lip & Eye Remover, which I have reviewed in a previous post here.

SECOND CLEANSE

I usually purchase beauty items based on online reviews, but I picked up the ID.AZ Dermastic Foaming Cleanser purely on the recommendation of the salesperson at Nordstrom.  I learned that this brand was created by a famous Korean skin clinic with 18 years of surgical experience (might be a plastic surgery clinic).  The products were initially made to treat sensitive skin after their skin treatments.

This foaming cleanser is supposed to be a mild cleanser that cleanses without stripping the skin of moisture.  It contains aloe vera extract, centella asiatica extract, and panthenol to sooth skin and comes out of the dispenser like a foaming hand soap.  I use about two pumps to wash my entire face.  My skin does not feel tight after washing, but I wouldn’t say it leaves my skin as moisturized as some other cleansers I have used before.  However, it definitely hasn’t made my dry skin patches flaky or red.

TONER

So has anyone tried the Korean skincare trend, the “7 Skin Method,” which involves patting on toner seven times!  I don’t have the patience to do 7 layers, but I try to do about 3 and I feel like it has kept my skin even more moisturized then usual.  To kickstart this process, I use the Whamisa Olive Leaf Mist, which is a wonderful organic brand from Korea.  This mist also keeps my skin moisturized right after cleansing and I use it as the first layer of toner as it is full of amazing fermented ingredients.  I love it because it smells great and sinks in super fast!

Then I pat in 2 layers of the VANT Phyto Skin Natural Formulation Phyto Ingredient Face Skin.  This is another Korean brand that strives to use natural formulations.  You can check out the ingredients on Cosdna here.  This toner is almost scentless and leaves your skin plump and moisturized.  The only con is that it is quite sticky after application and takes a little bit more time to sink in.  This is perhaps due to the natural ingredients, like birch tree sap, used in the formula.

ESSENCE

It went out of stock on Glow Recipe, but I had to repurchase the Yuri Pibu Artichoke Power Essence after it came back in stock.  I mean, it was one of my favourite skincare products from last year!  In short, it tightens pores and improves the elasticity of your skin.  I miss it when I don’t have it because I notice the difference.

SERUM

Just finished the Innisfree The Green Tea Serum, which I thought was alright.  I was actually a bit disappointed because there is a lot of hype around this product.  First of all, it doesn’t smell like green tea.  I feel it almost smells like cologne!  It is moisturizing and sinks in quickly, but not moisturizing enough for my dry combination skin.  I have just started the Blithe Pressed Serum Tundra Chaga which is made of mostly chaga mushroom extract.   It is supposed to be a serum moisturizer hybrid which brightens skin.  I will have to report back later on how it worked for me.

EYE CREAM

I am still using my longtime favourite eye cream, which is the Shiseido Future Solution LX Eye and Lip Contour Regenerating Cream.  It’s “special formulation” has kept my crows feet and smile lines from getting worse.  It is expensive, but I keep on buying it because I have this irrational fear that if I stop using it, all my fine lines will get ten times worse.  Plus, you really only need a pea size for every application.

MOISTURIZER

COSRX is all over Instagram, and I couldn’t help but join the hype.  It is known as more of a no-frills brands that offer effective formulations for a good value.  I have used their Advanced Snail 92 Mucin Power Essence, which I found to be very lightweight for a snail product.  Their Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream is another story.  It is super slimy!  This is perhaps because it is made of 92% Snail Secretion Filtrate (hence the name).  I love it because it leaves your skin looking absolutely glowing, plump, and moisturized in the morning.  My only reservations of buying it again is that the application can be quite messy.

 

The Cramm Award

Thank you to the lovely Jamie from her blog, Don’t Give a Jam, for nominating me for this award. She has a lovely blog which touches upon beauty, lifestyle, and her everyday life.  Thank you Jamie also for supporting my blog.

Rules:

• Mention the person who created this award with a link
• Mention the person(s) who nominated you
• Share three things that motivate you to blog
• Share three people who inspire you to blog
• Share one thing you hope to do to improve the world
• Answer your challenge question(s)
• Nominate other bloggers and give them a fun challenge question

This award was created by Liv at theCramm.

3 Things That Motivate Me to Blog

• I just really enjoy the process of  writing and taking photos for my blog.  I find it amazing that I get to do these two things still because they were my favourite classes in high school.
• I love sharing my love of beauty and just having conversations about it with those that read my blog.  It has been so much fun!
• I really enjoy learning about beauty.  To improve my blogposts, I have had to do more research about brands and their formulas.  It has allowed me think more critically about what I put on my face.

3 People That Inspire Me to Blog

• Sounds really cheesy, but my husband encouraged me to blog during a very stressful time in my life.  I am forever grateful because I have loved it so much, and it has given me a hobby that I love doing every day.
• Also, super cheesy, but everyone who reads my blog.  It has meant a lot to me, and your comments encourage me to continue.  Thank you so much.
• This is a bit of a cheat, but so many other beauty bloggers inspire me everyday.  There are too many to name.  Some of my initial favourites before I started blogging include, Anna Edit (formerly Vivianna Does Makeup), Lily Pebbles, and From Roses.

1 Thing to Improve the World

• I think if any of us try to think of all the things we can do to improve the world, it would be rather daunting.  I think it is much easier to focus on the small things that you know you can do for sure.  I decided to not own a car, and use public transportation because it is better for the environment.  For me, it is a pretty easy thing to do where I live, and I love taking public transit most days.  It is relaxing, you can enjoy the scenery, and there is always a few good bus stories to tell every now and then.

My Answer

Question: In your personal opinion, are dad bods still in?

Answer:  I know I’m in the older age range when it comes to blogging, but I’ll be honest.  I wasn’t totally sure what a “dad bod” was.  I just googled it.  Ok, yeah I think so.

My Question

Looking back on the first half of the year, what is the best thing that has happened to you or to the world?

I Tag

Sylliepie

Cat Flicks & Matte Lips

Ms. Meehnia

Polished and Inspired

Stash Matters

Thank you for supporting my blog!

Trying Out a Green Beauty Cult Favourite: rms Beauty “Un” Cover-Up Review

I have loved everything I have tried from rms beauty.  However, I have always been a little reluctant to try their concealer/foundation called “un-cover up”.  Mostly because it just seemed really foreign to me to use such a thick cream foundation on my face.  I guess I had this preconceived notion that it would feel very heavy on my skin.  Plus, it had a coconut oil base and I kept on hearing that coconut oil breaks you out and at my age, the thought having to deal with breakouts did not sound appealing to me!  So it totally did not make any sense when I just suddenly decided to buy it at local shop.

So?  I was totally wrong.  In fact, I think it might be one of my favourite foundations ever.  I have been wearing this on repeat the last few weeks.  And no, it hasn’t broken me out.  The whole experience of using this foundation has been kind of breakthrough to me.  It doesn’t adhere to many of the usual prerequisites I expect from a foundation.  I decided to breakdown this product use these surprising qualities.

Shade 22

It comes in a glass tub

Most cream foundations usually come in stick form or in a foundation compact.  This foundation comes in a thick glass tub with a white lid.  rms states that all their packaging is either biodegradable, recyclable, or reusable.  I think this foundation would be great for traveling as it is super compact and you won’t have to worry about it leaking.

It melts into the skin

This formula is very deceiving.  It looks thick and creamy in the tub, but it literally melts into the skin when you apply it.  One second it is there and then it disappears into the skin and you are almost like, where did it go?  It is recommended you apply it with fingers, and that is my preferred choice of application.  However, you can also apply with a brush (preferably synthetic).  They also have a really beautiful brush you can purchase specifically to apply this product if you are interested.

Here are a few claims of the product from their website which I find quite unique as well:

“Apply sparingly with fingers over the T-zone area or wherever any extra coverage is desired”

Rarely, do you see a brand tell you to apply foundation only a certain area, so I found these application directions very interesting.  I don’t apply it that sparingly, but if your t-zone usually gets oily, I think applying it sparingly will minimize that from happening.  The coverage is light to medium.  It evens out your skin beautifully and covers redness.  However, I don’t find it is great at covering acne scars and pigmentation.  It can also be used as a light concealer and  I would definitely say that it is “light” when it comes to concealing.  I definitely favour it as a foundation more than a concealer as I have pretty dark circles under my eyes.

“Mineral pigments will self-adjust to your skin tone”

This claim just sounds a little too good to be true because it only comes in 7 shades.  After using it forever, I really think it does.  I’m not sure what kind of magic this is!

“Moisturizes and heals, resulting in beautiful second skin”

It is definitely moisturizing and leaves your skin initially with a satin finish.  I do agree it looks almost like “second skin.”  As the day goes by, depending on your skin type, I do find it gets quite dewy, even a little bit oily on my t-zone area.  For my dry cheeks, this is amazing because they have never looked so moisturized, but for my t-zone, it can look almost greasy.  However, this is an even fix, with some powder, and it will look great all day.  What the healing claim?  That is a bold claim.  All I can say is that I didn’t have any breakouts and my skin has looked really good the last month.

Just a few additional things I wanted to mention

rms beauty claims it will minimize pores and I can definitely vouch for that.  What about longevity? I think you definitely should powder and it lasts most of a work day.  I mean, I don’t really consider it a long-wearing foundation though.

VERDICT:  I love this foundation and would totally recommend it, not only as a green product, but just as a foundation in general.  However, I wouldn’t recommend it for someone who is looking for full coverage or a more “made-up” look.

My Favourite Blush: Coffret D’or Smile Up Cheeks Review

I discovered this blush as part of a Christmas gift set from my sister, and I have loved it ever since.  If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know that I love Japanese cosmetics.  They have such beautiful packaging and effective formulations.  The blush I am talking about is the Coffret D’or Smile Up Cheeks.  I decided to picked up the blush again after hit pan from my local Japanese beauty store, but it might be more difficult to purchase out of Asia.  Here are some websites that ship internationally where you can purchase it: Yesstyle and Sasa.

Coffret D’or is a department store brand from a large beauty brand called Kanebo.  They also own other Japanese brands you might have heard of like Kate, Lunasol, and Media, which I also love.  I didn’t find out till after the fact, but this blush has actually won a No. 1 spot on one of Japan’s major beauty ranking websites called Cosme (similar to Makeupalley).  I think it deserves that rankin!  Let’s start off with some of the claims of this particular blush from their website (I just used Google Translate, so if there are any discrepancies, please let me know).

• cheek blurring (I am guessing this means pore minimizing)
• delicate and glossy appearance
• moisturizing formula with collagen
• looks like natural skin after application
• the center colour provides pigmentation, while the outer section creates a blurring effect
• 4 shades

Packaging

Do I think this is the most beautiful packaging ever?  Probably not for a department store brand.  However, the dome shape of the clear lid allows you to see the beautiful swirled rose design stamped into the blush powder.  Plus, it also the houses the small brush that allows you to take it on-the-go.  Even though the brush is small, it is very soft, and great for the intended application of this blush.

Application

Their website shows you that this blush is supposed to be applied using a two-step technique.  Using the included brush, you are supposed to swirl the brush in the centre portion and apply it to the centre of cheeks.  Then, you swirl the brush around the outer portion of the blush and then apply around the perimeter of your cheek to blend out the colour.  Sometimes, the pigmentation can be quite intense for work, and I will just use a big fluffy blush brush and swirl it around the entire blush pan.

Formula

The powder is very soft and finely milled.  There isn’t a lot of fallout though.  It provides your cheek with a soft glow, which is not super shimmery.  The effect is kind of hard to explain.  When you swatch it, it looks a bit frosty, but when you blend it in, it sinks in quickly, and gives a very natural glow.  I am amazed at how smooth and flawless it makes your cheeks look.  I have quite dry cheeks and it keeps them looking glowy without resorting to a cream blush.

Longevity

I am amazed at how this blush lasts!  I apply it in the morning and it is still there at night.  I have tried it on top of different foundations and the colour is almost as vibrant as when I applied it in the morning.  I remember the first time I used it and looked at myself after work, and I was shocked that my blush was still there.

VERDICT:  I am just in love with blush.  I just want to get more shades!