Monthly Faves: June

I have been away from my blog for a little while now. I don't have a good excuse, just the usual ones: work, being sick,...life...

Anyway, I'm back on the last day of June to share my June favorites with you!

NARS Eye Shadow Single in Nepal
This is such an easy color to wear. I've been lazy this month, so I usually whack on some of this eye shadow and some mascara, and that's the extent of my eye makeup. Nepal is a pretty pink with a bronze tone to it - great for summer! Purchased at Sephora.ca

Benefit Benetint
Again, I've been very lazy this month. I put this on under my foundation to create the look of a natural flush on my cheeks. I can't be bothered with powder or cream blush at the moment...just give me a stain and I am good to go! I put a few streaks of this on and blend it in with a stippling brush. I am super excited to get my hands on the new shades of Benetint - Posietint (yes, I know it's been out for awhile, I just haven't bought it yet) and Cha Cha Tint. Purchased at Shoppers Drug Mart

BioSilk Silk Therapy for Hair
When my hair was longer and really damaged, I was using this every night on my damp, post-shower hair. Now that my hair is still short, I find I'm still using it! This oil helps give my hair a healthy shine and keeps it more manageable. It feels softer, and less brittle (even though I don't use heat on my hair!). Purchased at Wal-Mart

Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo
I don't know what it is this month, but I have been obsessed with coconut! The scent, the flavour...I just can't get enough. This shampoo smells divine - good enough to eat! It lathers very well and leaves my hair completely clean (no residue) and my scalp nice and moisturized. Purchased at Wal-Mart and Pharma Plus

L'Oreal Paris Studio Mineral FX Control Cream
Now that I've got a shorter 'do, I have an actual need for styling products. I picked this up because it's cheap. I've been using it at least 2 or 3 times a week to give my short pixie cut some definition. It doesn't leave my hair crunchy - it's got just enough hold to control hair but without making it wind-proof :) Purchased at Pharma Plus

Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup in Shade #1
Now that I've used the last of my Clinique Almost Makeup, I've moved on to using their Perfectly Real Makeup instead. I have to say, I'm impressed! The foundation provides light coverage, which is perfect for the summer. The foundation has not reacted with my skin, and it doesn't oxidize or make me oily at all. The drawback is the size of the bottle/amount of product for the price. While $30 doesn't make it the most expensive foundation I've ever bought, it certainly makes it pricey to re-purchase. Purchased at Sears.ca

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat
I absolutely LOVE this top coat. I does a great job of instantly drying my nail polish after I've given myself a manicure or pedicure. Will I buy it again? Absolutely! Purchased at Pharma Plus

Cover Girl LashBlast Volume Mascara
Ok - so if you're a follower of my blog you know I'm a fan of Cover Girl's LashBlast Fusion mascara. I had tried this version first, and didn't like it, so tried Fusion instead and fell in love with this. I was in Wal-Mart earlier in the month and was going to pick up another tube of Fusion when I saw that the Volume formula is actually a dollar cheaper. So, I bought the Volume formula instead. Honestly, I don't notice a big difference in the two formulas. Until the price of Fusion is the same as Volume, I'll be buying the Volume formula because it's cheaper. Purchased at Wal-Mart

GOSH Velvet Touch Lipstick in #86 Kitch
My go-to lip color for the month has been this GOSH lipstick. I really didn't know what to expect from this color since I really did not like Darling...but Kitch is a whole other story! This shade is a pretty nude/berry color. It's a shade or two darker than my natural lip color, which is why I have been using it this month. It's not often that I completely finish a lipstick before it expires (goes bad), but I can see this lipstick being one that I do manage to finish! Purchased at Shoppers Drug Mart

Here's a swatch of some of the products I have mentioned above:



Left: GOSH Velvet Touch Lipstick in Kitch
Middle: NARS Eye Shadow Single in Nepal (for whatever reason, it looks very gold in this swatch!)
Right: Benefit Benetint

What are your June favorites? Do you share any with me?

I will be back bright an early tomorrow morning with my First Annual Blog Birthday Giveaway! All of the details about how to enter and what the prizes are will be posted tomorrow!

Top 5 Most Re-Purchased Items

5. Clinique 3-Step Skincare System
Soap (bar), Toner & Moisturizer - Number 2

I use this system every morning - sometimes just the toner and moisturizer, sometimes all 3 products. I shower in the evenings to save time in the morning when I'm getting ready for work, so I don't always need to re-wash my face when I wake up. I use to use the cream moisturizer, but recently switched to the gel. I find the gel helps reduce oil production on my face, and it isn't as heavy. For awhile, I had stopped using the system because it's expensive, but my skin loves it. I buy the bar soap (you get three in a package) because I feel I'm getting more bang for my buck (the liquid soap runs out very fast). The toner is the item I go through the fastest, followed by the moisturizer. I always have one of each of those on standby for when the bottle I'm using runs out.

4. Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover

I love to paint my nails, but the damage that polish does can be harsh. Using a Non-Acetone (Acetone Free) remover helps reduce the chemical wear-and-tear on my nails, and the smell isn't as intense. I don't favor a particular brand...I just buy what's cheapest (usually generic drugstore or Wal-Mart brand).

3. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

This is my go-to everyday skin cleanser that I use in the shower. It's a very gentle (as the name states) cleanser, and it does a wonderful job of removing eye makeup (yes, I use this on my eyes!). It comes in a pump bottle or a squeeze bottle (the pump bottle is larger) and it usually between $12 and $18. Sometimes it goes on sale for $9.99, which is usually when I scoop up a bottle. I have never had a reaction to this cleanser; my sensitive skin (I also have periodic breakouts of eczema) loves it.

2. Cover Girl LashBlast Fusion Mascara

This is the Cover Girl mascara in the chubby purple tube, and I LOVE it. It's my favorite mascara. I use to buy it in black-brown, but have recently switched to black. It does a great job of defining my lashes without flaking away on me. I also love the price!

1. Rosebud Salve Lip Balm

This is a pink-tinted, rose-scented vaseline type product that can be used on lips as well as dry or irritated skin. I typically use it on my lips at night before I go to bed and while I put my makeup on to prime/moisturize my lips before I put on lipstick or gloss. I'm actually trying to get away from using it now, because I can only get it from Sephora (which is a pain in the butt for me, as I either have to travel or order it online and pay exchange on it).

What are your Top 5 most re-purchased products? Do you share any with me?

A Simple Saturday Haul

I hope all of you are having a good start to your week. I'm happy it's Victoria Day, which means that it's a Statutory Holiday and I don't have to be at work! I took Friday off too, so it's been a nice four-day weekend for me. My brother was up on Saturday and Sunday and he headed home last night. I've been enjoying the opportunity to relax and catch up on a few good books!

Anyhoo, I was out shopping on Saturday and I picked up a few items that I thought I would share in a haul.



Calvin Klein Eau De Toilette - Obsession (not pictured)
I am a HUGE fan of Calvin Klein scents (with the notable exception of CK One) and this one is a very strong one that not everyone loves. Some find it kind of granny-like. I like the scent because of its potentcy. It smells great used sparingly on one day, but it mellows into a lovely faint musk the next day (even after a shower). It's not a scent that I would wear every day, but it's one that will certainly see a lot of use - especially in the winter months. Purchased at Shoppers Drug Mart

Benefit Pressed Powder in Coralista
So, my local Shoppers branch finally got rid of their stash of Georgia, which has been discontinued for awhile. I was tickled to see that Georgia had been replaced with Coralista. I've been wanting to add this to my collection for awhile, so I was really glad to finally get the chance. I have used it a few times and I'm happy with the purchase. Purchased at Shoppers Drug Mart

Annabelle Cosmetics Leopard Bronzer in Jungle Belle
I saw this and added it to my shopping basket without a second thought. This is a Limited Edition product from Annabelle's summer collection; they also have some funky multi-color zebra print eye shadows that I wasn't too crazy about, but might give a try some other time. The bronzer is made up of shimmery tan, pink, and dark brown. I've used it for three days now, and I love it. The bronzer is not overly glittery; it gives your skin a nice shimmery glow. Purchased at Shoppers Drug Mart

Bonne Bell Biggy Lip Smacker in Cotton Candy
I love these! They are perfect to stash in a beach bag or just to have handy in your purse when you've got dry or chapped lips. Cotton Candy is one of my favorite Bonne Bell scents. Why have something tiny in your purse (especially if you carry a massive one like me!) when you could put something in that is bigger and easier to find? Purchased at Wal-Mart

Nivea Pearly Shine Lip Balm
I am not normally a fan of Nivea, but this was recommended to me to try - so I bought a tube! Purchased at Wal-Mart

Cover Girl LashBlast Fusion in Very Black
I have three mascaras on my rotation right now...a Rimmel, a Cover Girl, and a Maybelline. Cover Girl is still my favorite, so it gets re-purchased no matter what. This is the first time I've every bought a tube of 'very black' though; usually I get 'black' or 'black brown'. Purchased at Wal-Mart

Wet-n-Wild Mega Last Lipstick in 906D Wine Room and 903C Just Peachy
I really like this line of lipsticks, so I picked up two more to add to my stash. Wine Room is a nice berry red color, and Just Peachy is a pale peachy-pink. Purchased at Wal-Mart

Wet-n-Wild Silk Lip Stick in 516C Sunset Peach
I have a few of these lipsticks and love them. They're super cheap and the color range is pretty decent. This is my second tube of this shade...I have misplaced the first tube. Purchased at Wal-Mart

I also went shopping to get a new pair of sandals for the summer. I have a brown pair and a gold pair, but no black! So, that's what I was on the hunt for. I did end up finding a pair that I like and that fit my massive feet. I bought a pair of gladiator sandals at the store Biba. Here's what they look like:



While in Biba, I also came across a cute purse that I couldn't resist buying:



And lastly, I was in Bentley looking for a new large wallet and happened upon this smaller wallet and coin purse. I am in love with neon colors and things that remind me of my childhood, and this just screamed Lisa Frank at me - reminding me of funky stationary and school supplies I had in grade school.



So, all in all it was a pretty successful shopping trip!

I'm not really looking forward to going back to work tomorrow, but I guess it's necessary if I want to have any money, :P

Have a great week!

What's in my Travel Makeup Bag?

I was trying to think of a new post that nobody really does, and this is the first thing that came to my mind. A lot of people post what they carry in their regular kit, professional kit, and purse - but nobody really does their travel kit. So, that's what todays post is about!

The kit (brush roll + bag):

My brush roll is miniature; my mom got it for me for Christmas from Sephora; it's by Bare Escentuals and comes with four mini brushes (powder, blush, eye shadow, liner):

I love that the brush roll is lined with pink fabric and that the tips of the brushes are pink - the bright color makes me happy!

My travel makeup bag is actually a Clinique 'gift with purchase' bag that I got the other day, which contained minis and sample products. I took most of those out (left in a mascara) and replaced it with the contents of my rather run-down and old makeup bag.

Here is what is in my travel makeup bag:


- NARS Blush/Bronzer Duo in Sin & Casino - Full Size
- NARS Essential Eye Palette 9952 (Unconditional Love, Night Star, Galapagos, Nepal, Ondine, Thunderball) - Full Size
- NARS Bronzer in Laguna - Mini (.08 oz/2.5 g, same size as their single eye shadows)
- NARS Makeup Primer with SPF 20 - Full Size
- NARS Multiple in Orgasm - Mini (.14 oz/4g)
- NARS Illuminator in Orgasm - Mini (.29 oz/8 mL)
- The Body Shop Blush Dot in #4 - Full Size
- Clinique High Impact Mascara in 01 Black - Mini (.14 oz/4g)
- Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer - Mini (.02 fl. oz/.5 mL)
- Cover Girl NatureLuxe Foundation with SPF 10 in 305 Alabaster - Full Size
- Clinique Super Balm Moisturizing Lip Gloss in 01 Apricot - Mini (.24 fl. oz/.7 mL)
- Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips in Zena - Mini (12 mL)
- An Eyebrow Razor - Full Size
- Maybelline New York Gloss in Shade 130 (.8 fl. oz./2.4 mL) - Full Size
- DKNY Be Delicious Eau de Toilette (.05 fl. oz/1.5 mL) - Sample
- Marc Jacobs Lola Eau de Toilette (.05 fl. oz/1.5 mL) - Sample
- Tocca Colette Eau de Toilette (.05 fl. oz/1.5 mL) - Sample
- Lip Smacker Natural Lip Balm in Vanilla - Full Size
- Pantene Pro-V Mirror Compact (free with a bottle of shampoo!)

Here is a better look at what the Sin/Casino Duo looks like, as well as the 9925 Palette.

Sin is one of my favorite blushes, and Casino is an amazing dark bronzer, perfect for the summer or as an eye shadow!

This picture makes it look like I haven't used any of the shades, but I swear I have!

These products are both full size, but I don't mind carrying them because they both contain more than one product, which gives me lots of options while taking up less space than brining the individual items contained in the palettes.

Almost everything I carry in my travel makeup bag and in my toiletry bag (not pictured) is a miniature version of a full size product, or is a sample size. I try not to pack too many full-size items with me when I travel. The great thing is that a lot of cosmetic companies are recognizing this and they're starting to produce miniatures/travel sizes of their most popular products.

What does your travel makeup bag look like - or do you even have one? Do you just reduce the items in your normal kit to the bare necessities and take that with you?

I hope you are all having a good week - thank goodness tomorrow is Friday!

Monthly Faves: February

It's March! Before you know it, it will be St. Patrick's Day!

My list of favorites for February is pretty small. I find at this time of year, I usually use a few products religiously and that's all I wear until spring. January was pretty much a write-off for me since I was sick most of the month. February I did get to wear some of my makeup, but I've been wearing much less of it lately. I have to say, I'm happy with that!

With all of that being said, here's the rundown of my February Favorites:



Cover Girl LashBlast Fusion Mascara in Black Brown - This is my favorite mascara; it's been a staple item in my makeup bag for months. I find the black brown shade makes my lashes look more natural. I love how this mascara separates my lashes, and defines them.

CARGO BeachBlush in Sunset Beach - I have been using this product as both a blush and an eyeshadow. When I wear it as an eyeshadow, I either pick one strip of color and use it on my eyes or blend a few together to give my eyes a warm luminous glow. I really love this product and am tempted to order another in a different shade.

Clinique All About Eyes Concealer in Shade 03 Light Petal - This is my favorite under-eye concealer. The product does such a phenomenal job of covering dark circles, it's great! I blend it with another monthly favorite Benefit High Beam, to create an under-eye concealer that both hides dark circles and is also luminous to give me a healthy dewy glow and further conceal anything I'm trying to hide. I dot the blend on my under-eye area with a concealer brush and then blend it out with my ring-finger tip.

MAC Paint Pot in Painterly - I use this as an eye shadow base. It covers discoloration very well, and eyeshadow sticks to it perfectly. Soft Ochre is usually the Paint Pot people recommend for an eye shadow base - but it's a yellow tinted product. I have pink undertone to my skin, so it would do nothing good for me - Painterly it is!

What are your monthly favorites?

REVIEW: Cover Girl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm

I ask you - what exactly is a 'Gloss Balm'?

Today's review is of the new Cover Girl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm.



Product Brand and Name, Price (CDN), Where Purchased

Cover Girl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm, $7.99 CDN ea (on sale) at Shoppers Drug Mart.

I have the shades 230 - Coral (at left), 255 - Marble (at right), 205 - Tulip (center).

Reason for Purchase

I loves me some lip products and can never resist trying new ones out!

Notable Features

The Gloss Balm is made to help you:

Get the sheer color and shine of a gloss with the soft, lightweight feel of SPF 15 balm. Fortified with mango and shea butter, this feel-good formula leaves your lips feeling decadent and delicious.

The product is formulated with an SPF sunscreen of 15 and contains mango and shea butter.

There is an expiry date on the product (hooray!), right above the barcode (or UPC).

Packaging

The Gloss Balm is in a slim tube. The base of the tube is a light green with some darker green leaf print on it, and the lid is clear plastic. The color name and number is on a white sticker on the bottom of the tube.

The base of the tube has a Cover Girl label on it, identifying the product, some of it's claims, and it also has the barcode on it. What I don't like about the label is that it has a peel-off layer that reveals application directions, active ingredients, and where the product was made. This peel-off layer lifts easy, and can make your tube look scrappy and dirty.

Experience Using Product

The Gloss Balm is very glossy, and feels like a regular Bonne Bell lip balm when you put it on. The pigmentation is minimal - just a hint of color and a lot of shine. The product keeps your lips hydrated, but you will need to apply regularly if you eat or drink while wearing it.

All of the shades in the collection have shimmer in them, to amp up the glossy look of your lips. I have two relatively bright shades, and one more 'neutral' color. I like to wear them when I can't make up my mind on what shade of lip stick or gloss to wear. I've had one in my purse constantly since purchasing them; they are handy to have when you don't have any other lip balm on hand.

Would I Re-Purchase, Recommend, or Reject

I think I would re-purchase - but in darker shades. I would like to get the shade 'Pinot' - it's a burgundy red (like the wine!) and Peony - a dark pinky-purple.

I do not like the price of this product; it's so small and I can't help but feel slightly ripped off when I buy one (especially since I know I will use these things up in no time flat!).

I don't recommend this product to you; there are other balms on the market that do the same thing at a lower price-point. If you are OK with spending 8 to 10 dollars (full price) for a lip balm, have at 'er.

To learn more about the NatureLuxe line from Cover Girl, see their website here.

REVIEW: Cover Girl NatureLuxe Liquid Silk Foundation

This product is something I immediately became interested in after seeing the first ad in the January issue of In Style magazine. I was excited to buy it, and was over-the-moon when I found it this past weekend at Wal-Mart.

The NatureLuxe line is new to Cover Girl, and its spokeswoman is Taylor Swift; the line currently consists of only a foundation and a gloss balm (each with a large range of shades). Apparently, the line is not suppose to launch unti January 2011, so I have no idea why I was able to buy it at the beginning of December - maybe the Canadian launch date was earlier?

Anyway, here we go with my review.

Product Brand and Name, Price (CDN), Where Purchased

Cover Girl NatureLuxe Liquid Silk Foundation in Shade 305 Alabaster
Purchased at Wal-Mart for $13.97 CDN

Reason for Purchase

Curiousity, and interest in it's formulation.

Notable Features

- SPF 10 sunscreen
- Jojoba extract
- Cucumber water

The shade names do not match the regular Cover Girl foundation names. In the normal range of Cover Girl foundations, my shade is Creamy Natural - but in this line, I am Alabaster.

The front of the tube says "Luxury touched by nature."

The back of the tube says "Foundation, with a hint of jojoba extract and cucumber water, gives flawless, luxurious coverage with a barely there feel."

Packaging

This foundation comes in a small green squeeze bottle with a twist-off cap. There is a little window at the front of the tube so you can see what the shade of foundation looks like.

The tube itself is slim and lightweight; it does not take up much room in a makeup bag!

Experience Using Product

This foundation is my new favorite! I know I said that when I first reviewed the Cover Girl Clean Foundation, but this time I really mean it! (I actually threw the Clean foundation I had purchased away...the bottle was getting gross and it was time).

Based on what I have experienced, this is a light coverage foundation. I first apply my face primer, and then I only squeeze out an amount a little larger than the size of a pea, dot it on the areas I will cover (cheeks, chin, bridge of nose, above my upper lip, and forehead) and then blend with a large stippling brush.

I apply the foundation at around 7 AM, and by the time I get home from work at 5, it is still doing it's job and has not creased.

The foundation has not broken me out or irritated my skin. At the end of the day, I do not look like an oil slick; actually, my faces natural oils seem to make the foundation look more luminous and radiant (almost a glow) on me.

Would I Re-Purchase, Recommend, or Reject

I would absolutely re-purchase, and do recommend it to you!

I had wanted to post a link to the Cover Girl website, but unfortunately this foundation is not on their website yet.

Monthly Faves: October

I find myself suprised when I look over this list. When I was thinking about what to include in my monthly favorites post for October, I did not think that my list would be that big. And then I started gathering things for the photo, and I realized that this post was going to be a big'un.



Without further adieu, here we go!

Non-Drowsy Claritin, 12 Hour Formula - This has been a lifesaver for me this past month. My allergies have been acting up something fierce. At my allergen-reacting worst, I am a blood-shot-eyed, sniffling, watery-eyed, scratchy throat mess whose ears won't stop popping. I am allergic to mold and mildew, and the fall is really bad for that. When I am taking my Claritin, my allergy symptoms are either non-existent or manageable. I am very thankful for this medicine!

Benefit High Beam - I go through fits-and-starts with Benefit products. I use them religiously, and then don't touch them for months. That's been the case with this lovely liquid highlighter, which I have recently re-discovered after hearing Christina Hendricks uses it. I use this very sparingly (one itty-bitty dab will do ya) on my forehead, brow-bone, the bridge of my nose, the tops of my cheekbones, and on my chin - all of the natural places where light hits. It adds just enough shimmer to make your complexion light up, without making you look greasy.

Cover Girl Clean Makeup for Sensitive Skin (Foundation) - I really like this foundation. I have a good shade that matches my skin very well, and this foundation has not irritated my skin at all. The coverage is great. I couldn't ask for more from a foundation.

Silver Rose Necklace & Earrings - I recently hit my 5-year anniversary with my employer, meaning I have been with my current company for five years. When this happens at my place of work, you get a $50.00 gift certificate to spend where you want. I picked up this lovely set with part of that gift certificate. It's very simple and pretty - it goes well with everything, and when I wear it I will remember my 5-year anniversary.

Cover Girl Clean Pressed Powder for Sensitive Skin (Powder) - Once again, I don't have anything bad to say about this product. I bought a shade that matches my skin color well, and it doesn't irritate my skin at all. It sets my foundation, and does not appear cake-y or ashy on my skin.

Extra Professional Sugar-Free Gum in Bubblemint - I am addicted to this stuff, plain and simple. I have a pack in my purse, a pack at my desk at work, and a stash at home. This is also the product that I will pick up at the grocery store or drug store if the actual reason for my purchase doesn't amount to the minimum purchase total for debit transactions.

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base - This is the best eye primer I have tried to date. It dries quickly and it dries clear. It grabs onto eyeshadow very well, and it takes about 5 hours before my eyeshadow will crease when I use this underneath. It's a standout product from my favorite company!

Neutrogena Healthy Glow Eye Cream - I don't know what it is, but this fall I have noticed my eye area is particularly dry. I use this cream on my under-eye area, as well as in my upper inner-corner (where the bridge of your nose and eyebrows meet). This cream soothes and does not leave an oily residue, which I really like. It's also fragrance free.

NARS Blush in Luster - This is a very pretty orange based blush. It's a nectarine-like shade, and it is very pigmented. I love it, because it gives my skin a nice coral flush without making me look pink, or like an oompa-loompa.

NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Taiga - This is perhaps one of my most favorite eyeshadow duos. The colors are very flattering on my pale skin. The first color in the duo is a creamy gold shimmer, and the second is a dark olive shimmer with gold undertone. The colors bring out the warmth in my complexion, and compliment my blue-green eyes nicely.

So there it is! My October favorites is complete. I cannot believe we are another month closer to Christmas...to think that Halloween was only yesterday! I am really looking forward to November, though. I really enjoy preparing for Christmas, as strange as that sounds - and that's pretty much all I do during November!

What are your favorite products from October?

Top 5 Drugstore Products

Too often we beauty bloggers tend to focus only on department store makeup and cosmetic products, and we ignore the ones that we can find easily at our nearest drugstore.


So, today I thought I would focus my post on my top 5 drugstore cosmetic purchases; they’re all products that I buy regularly and have purchased multiple times.

Blistex Lip Conditioner Sunscreen Lip Protectant SPF 15 - This is a product that I use every night before I go to bed. I slather a thick layer on my lips right before I go to sleep, to help my lips stay moisturized overnight. It prevents chapping and cracking, and I always have a little tub with me when I travel. It’s part of my nighttime ritual - I feel lost without it!

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Top Coat - This is pretty much a clear nail polish, but it’s formulated to help keep your nails strong and stop them from breaking. I use it as a base coat and top coat when I do my nails, and occasionally I’ll use it on it’s own when I can’t make up my mind which color of polish to wear.

Cover Girl Lash Blast Fusion Mascara - Still my favorite mascara. It really defines my lashes and gives them good volume and lift. It won’t flake on to my cheeks, and very rarely does the product clump on the brush. I go through a tube of this at least once every two weeks! I always have two tubes in my makeup bag - one in black and the other in black-brown.

Neutrogena All-in-One Make-up Removing Cleansing Lotion - I am on my second bottle of this, and will soon be onto my third. I love this makeup remover - it is the first remover that I have used in a long time that doesn’t irritate my eyes or my skin.

Rimmel London Professional Eyebrow Pencil in 001 Dark Brown - I really like this brown pencil. It is the darkest shade of brown I could get, and it makes my brows more defined without making them look unnaturally defined and dark. I just do a couple of light strokes on my brows and then blend it in with the brush on the eyeliner cap.

What are your favorite drugstore cosmetics?

If you would like any information about the products I have mentioned here, please visit their company’s website:

Blistex
Sally Hansen
Cover Girl
Neutrogena
Rimmel London

REVIEW: Cover Girl Clean Sensitive Skin Makeup & Powder

Product Brand and Name, Price (CDN), Where Purchased

Cover Girl Clean Makeup for Sensitive Skin (Foundation) - Purchased at PharmaPlus
Cover Girl Clean Pressed Powder for Sensitive Skin (Powder) - Purchased at PharmaPlus

I had intentions of posting the price for each item here...I even saved my receipt specifically for this purpose.

Then I decided to update my chequebook, and shredded the receipt. This is an Ooops! moment for me, and I'm sorry. I know I did not spend more than $10 per item CDN. Obviously, PharmaPlus is more expensive than Wal-Mart, so I would recommend buying it there instead of PharmaPlus.

Reason for Purchase

I wanted to try out a new foundation.

Notable Features

This product is formulated specifically for sensitive skinned ladies like myself.

It is fragrance and oil free (can I get a hallelujah?)!

Packaging

The foundation is housed in a triangular bottle. It's a bizarre shape.

The pressed-powder comes in your standard powder compact. Except it's a pretty deep green.

All of the 'Clean' products for Sensitive Skin are color-coded with the green branding. You can see what I mean in my picture above.

Experience Using Product

I bought both products in shade 220 - Creamy Natural, which is one of the lighter shades.

So far, I have no complaints about either product.

The shade of Pressed Powder I bought is more on the white shade - which startled me at first; but then I remembered that us fairer skinned ladies are suppose to use white-based pressed powder (OK...I'm lying, I checked my Bobbi Brown book!). The pressed-powder sets my foundation really nicely, and doesn't make it look chalky. It gives a nice matte finish, and helps my foundation last.

The foundation is super easy to blend. You don't need a lot. This foundation is truly a light coverage foundation, which Cover Girl promises. If you are looking for a product that gives full coverage, DO NOT pick this. The first time I used it, it was a bit streaky - but I blame that on me using too much product and not the actual product itself.

The best thing about these products is that neither had irritated my skin. That's a big deal. No itchiness, no rash, no hives, no breakouts. I've only ever used one other foundation that has had the same results - my Clinique Almost Makeup. Even NARS Sheer Glow gives me a reaction after a week.

Would I Re-Purchase, Recommend, or Reject

I would recommend this to women with sensitive skin like mine. But, with all products, if you have sensitive skin you need to be cautious and really try things out for yourself to ensure that you've bought something that will work for you. I will probably re-purchase if I continue to go reaction-free with this foundation and powder.

Want more information about the Cover Girl Clean Makeup for Sensitive Skin? Go to the website, here.
Want more information about the Cover Girl Clean Pressed Powder for Sensitive Skin? Go to the website, here.

Review: Cover Girl Lash Blast Fusion

Product Brand and Name, Price (CDN), Where Purchased

Cover Girl Lash Blast Fusion - $8.99 CDN @ PharmaPlus

Reason for Purchase

I needed a new mascara and wanted to give this new formulation of Lash Blast a try.

Notable Features

This product is suppose to give your lashes volume and length. Lashes are also suppose to appear more dense.

As with most of Cover Girl’s mascaras currently on the market, the wand is made up of those silicone globules that are spiky and close together, designed to separate your lashes and coat each lash with product a bit better.

Packaging

The tube is fat and purple - I love it! It also makes it easy to find the product in a messy makeup bag.

Experience Using Product

I really enjoy using this product. I do not get clumps - which is a huge bonus. I already have long eyelashes, and this product does a great job of defining them and giving them ‘lift’. The real test of a good mascara for me is if I can put the product on my lower lashes - which are also really long. If I don’t have raccoon eyes by the end of the day, then the mascara has done it’s job. With this mascara, I do not have raccoon eyes by the end of the day.

I have a problem with mascaras that claim to make your eyelashes longer - it’s not possible. Maybe if there was a growth serum in the product, I would believe it. All these mascaras have to their advantage is that the product is actually thinner - it’s not a super gloppy thick mascara - it’s more liquid. This allows the mascara to coat your lash from root to tip - where some mascaras fall short. When you look at your eyelashes in a hand mirror, you’ll see that the tips of your eyelashes don’t have much color - which can make them appear shorter. Add some good mascara to your lashes and boom! The tips are coated and it makes your lashes appear longer!

Would I Re-Purchase, Recommend, or Reject

I would absolutely re-purchase. I actually already have! I bought my first tube in ‘Black Brown’, and just bought a second in ‘Black’. I would recommend this product to anyone who wants a cheap mascara that does a great job at delivering exactly what it promises. I find this product Acceptable!

Want more information about this product? Check out the Cover Girl website!
http://www.covergirl.ca/en_ca/