Best Sun Care Products

To cap off the week, here are a few of my favorite sun care products. I've also thrown in a few that were recently recommended to me by my dermatologist.

I'm not saying that I am going to remember my sunscreen EVERY day, but I'm doing my absolute best!

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Sunscreen (SPF45 or SPF 60)

*this one was recommended by my dermatologist*

Vichy Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50

*also recommended by my dermatologist*

Smashbox Tinted Moisturizer SPF15

(I love this stuff. I use it all of the time. It makes your skin even and leaves it

very dewy and fresh)

The Body Shop Vitamin E SPF 15 Moisture Lotion

(I haven't bought this for a while, but it's always been one of my go-to's in the Summer season. It's one of the one moisturizers with SPF that don't make me break out)

Summer Wishlist: Fashion and Beauty

Please tell me that I'm not the only one who spends an hour filling an online shopping bag, and then closes the window before the purchase can actually happen...I know that you're out there.

It fulfills a few needs: retail therapy, turns boredom to fun, and gives me ideas for the future (when I have money).

If you guessed that I more than likely just did this tonight, you are right. I just spent an hour on the Victoria's Secret website. Here's what was in my shopping bag before I hastily clicked the little x (aka saved myself $400):

5 Way Push-up Bandeau top & matching bottom.

Echo Striped Cover Up

(I still really want this. I may actually go back and purchase it)

White Lacy Dress.

Bombshell Summer Body Mist

Beauty Rush Minty Lip Shine

Perfect Spring Nails

Essie

Spring and Summer tend to be the seasons that I spend the most time on my nails. Manicures and pedicures just seem to get a lot more attention during these seasons! I do my own mani-pedi 95% of the time, and the other 5% of the time I actually go to a salon and get it done professionally. Luckily, I'm actually pretty good at doing it myself, so I save a ton of money.

When it comes to selecting a color, I stick with lighter shades of pinks, corals, and champagnes for my fingernails. My toes are almost always pink or red. SOMEtimes I take a chance (like last week), and select a very pale shade of purple or blue. I stay away from dark colors because I find they really make my skin look pale.

I think the prettiest hands are ones that look tanned and moisturized, and baby pink seems to be the prettiest compliment! Here are three of my all time favorites that I buy time and time again:

My bottle calls it Imported Champagne, but the website calls it Imported Bubbly.

This color is a very iridescent pale beige/pink. I love it because one coat is all it takes, and it dries so fast. Perfect for a really really quick manicure. Bonus: If you have a tan, it makes you look even more tanned! Perfect for Spring and Summer.

Sugar Daddy.

A pale baby pink. It's quite sheer, so it's great alone or for layering. Currently I have this layered over one coat of Imported Bubbly, and it looks so pretty!

Shop Till I Drop.

A pale pink/coral shade. This one also looks beautiful with a tan!

(The website says it's currently unavailable...I hope it's just back ordered and not discontinued!)

Finally, here are my two favorite toe shades:

Infatuation.

A bright watermelon shade of pink. Adorable for Summer, and blends well with most outfit / shoe choices.

Rumple's Wiggin.

A lovely shade lavender. I've used it for both nails and toes.

Faux Naturel: Faking "Natural" at the Gym

Yes...I am THAT girl. The one that can't go to the gym with a fully natural look...meaning...no makeup at all. Don't get me wrong...I want to go completely natural, but I just can't bring myself to do it! It's not like I wear a full face of makeup, just a few tiny little touches.

Here's a mini "How-To", for faking au naturel at the gym:


1. Skin: I prefer natural skin. I don't wear any foundation at all. Just a tiny bit of concealer under my eyes, and a tiny bit of cheek color. Top picks:
 

The Body Shop: Lightening Touch   

The Body Shop: Baked-to-Last Blush



2. Eyes: This is where I can really pat myself on the back...I only wear mascara! This, coming from someone obsessed with eyeshadow and liner. My favorite steal:

Rimmel: Glam'Eyes Lash Flirt Mascara

3. Lips: Personally, I don't want any stick gloss on my lips while I'm working out, but my lips do get really chapped. I prefer to use a tinted balm like this one:

Dior Addict: Lip Glow

4. Hair: A sleek ponytail is the only hairstyle that I know at the gym. Try this product for the perfect ponytail (I tried it at Sephora, and it's awesome!):

HerCut: The Ponytail Styling Lotion

Cosmetics Splurge: Part 2

Cosmetics Splurge Part 2...AKA Why I can't leave Sephora without purchasing at least 5 items.

In addition to the Burberry cosmetics purchase this past weekend, I also left Sephora with a few new goodies! Unfortunately, I forgot to create a makeshift display on the hotel bed with these items...because I tore into the packaging the second we got back from shopping. Photos from the Sephora website will have to suffice:

1. Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo: I've tried about 4 dry shampoo products, and this one is my favorite. I prefer this bottle of dry shampoo power over the spray version because it doesn't clog, and it gets my hair the cleanest. Bonus: It comes in a convenient small size in addition to the full sized product.

2. Fresh Sugar Lemon Eau de Parfum: A delicious, light and citrusy scent. Perfect for the Spring and Summer season! I picked up the 30ml bottle in line...you know the spot...the lineup surrounded by boxes of little extras? I don't think I've ever shopped at Sephora and NOT picked up one of these last minute items.

3. Sephora Collection Boar Round Brush: Creates volume and shine, and doesn't make your hair static-y! The first time I used this brush, I was hooked. I even said, word for word, "This brush has just changed my life." It was easy to use, and my hair really did look smoother and shinier!

4. Sephora Easy 4-Step Buffer: A fantastic and inexpensive way to get shiny manicured nails! There is a step for filing, buffing, polishing, and shining. Every girl should own one of these.

5. Sephora Professional Emery Board: A 7" double-sided emery board. It's a basic that I tend to replace once or twice per year. I really like this one.

6. Cake Milk Made Hand Creme: A "cult favorite hydrator"...this hand cream smells delicious and gets your hands soft and supple. I really needed this after our freezing Winter that we've been suffering through.



Cosmetics Splurge: Part 1

Happy Monday friends! Did you have a good weekend? I spent mine in Toronto with two great friends. We saw Lady Gaga in concert, shopped, and ate a ton of delicious food. It was also really nice to spend some quality time catching up and talking in our hotel room.

I had been saving up some shopping money for a few months so that I could splurge guilt free this past weekend. I ended up spending the majority of it on cosmetics! Although I'm kind of annoyed that I didn't find more clothes to buy, I'm really happy with the purchases that I did make!

My favorite buy of the weekend was at Holt Renfrew. I invaded the Burberry counter and came away with two gorgeous new eyeshadows and a brilliant mascara. My friend M, from Little Blond Bird, is the one who got me hooked on their makeup in the first place. She bought me the Khaki eyeshadow for Christmas, and I've been promoting their cosmetics ever since! The eyeshadows are velvety and soft, and so full of pigment that you barely need any to cover your entire eyelid.

I bought Antique Rose and Midnight Plum eyeshadows, and Midnight Black mascara.

My makeshift beauty display on our hotel bed:

Midnight Plum Eyeshadow, Antique Rose Eyeshadow, and Midnight Black Mascara.

They also gave me a sample pack of other items which you can see in the back!

Display of Burberry eyeshadows.

Antique Rose

Midnight Plum

Midnight Black Mascara

CB I Hate Perfume

*This post is dedicated to my fellow partner in smells, Alli*

The title of this post is misleading. I actually love perfume! CB I Hate Perfume is an unconventional perfume company that I just discovered. They specialize in bottling smells that you would never imagine could be bottled, such as: Gathering Apples, Winter 1972, In the Summer Kitchen, and Walking in the Air. The scents are meant to capture an experience, memory or feeling. One of my favorite descriptions is the one for Ocean / Eternal Return: "Eternal Return is the scent of sailing toward the shore. It is a blend of Fresh Ocean Air, Wooden Ship and a faint hint of Cypress Trees growing on the cliff above the water...".

I also enjoy the description for Narcissus: Clean running water over mossy stones, the wind gently blowing through green leaves...

You can order the perfume in an absolute or water version (different strengths).

Travel Necessities

It's fitting that I received a little suitcase charm for my bracelet this Christmas, because it seems like all I've done since then is travel! Last week I was in Northern Ontario for business, and this week my job has taken me East, to lively and beautiful Halifax! Although it will be a busy week with work, meetings, and a lot of reading, I look forward to checking out the locals pubs and restaurants at night. I've already embraced the Maritime lifestyle, and enjoyed a great seafood dinner!

One of the most tedious parts of travelling, and those of you who travel a lot will understand, is the packing up of all our toiletries, makeup, accessories, handbags, and shoes. It's exhausting! I don't realize how many different products I use at home, until I try and fit them all in a little travel bag. I end up having to narrow everything down to my "must-haves". Here's a list of my most important items that I can't travel without:

1. The Body Shop Chamomile Eye Makeup Remover. I love this product because my makeup literally comes off in one swipe. It's cooling, soothing and feels great.



2. Philosophy Purity Facial Cleanser. I've blogged about this product before. I just can't get enough of it! My skin is always clean, soft, and smooth after I use it.



3. Clinique All-About-Eyes Eye Cream. The second I'm done swiping on this little delight, my eyes instantly look brighter and more awake. Love.



4. Rimmel Glam Eyes Lash Flirt Mascara. One of the best, most affordable mascaras I've ever used. I love this stuff. It coats every lash and stays put all day.

5. Sebastien Volupt Shampoo and Conditioner. My friend Steph introduced me to these products. They leave your hair moisturized and full of volume.



Smashbox Wishes

I have no clue where I would keep this, as my bathroom is tiny, but the irrational side of me wants it anyway! I saw this Smashbox collection in a Murale catalogue last night, and I knew right then that I would think about it for days. It houses 49 (FORTY NINE!) eye shadows, 10 cream eye liners, 6 brow powders, 1brow wax, 8 lip glosses, 2 blush, 1 bronzer, 1 highlighter, and 4 mini brushes.

I think this would make an amazing gift for any girlfriend, daughter, friend, or mother!



Blond Options

I'm getting my hair done on Saturday! I'm very happy about this because my roots are out of control right now. Plus, the dry air is making my hair even more damaged than usual, so I need a trim too. Here are some of the photos that I'm considering bringing for my stylist. What one do you like best?

Mid-length, no layers.

Mid length, no layers, with sassy bangs.

Short bob.

This photo is more for color inspiration.

A little less bleached than the previous photos.

2 New Christmas Wishes...

I have a hard time choosing perfumes for myself. I have spent a lot of time around perfume (7 years working at The Body Shop), and I still can't narrow down the perfect scent. To date, I've settled on the following fragrances: Chanel Chance, Jean Paul Gauthier Elle, Armani White, and Britney Spears Fantasy (I know what you are thinking...but I really like it!).
Although I do like all of those scents, I don't LOVE any of them. I think Armani White is the closest I've come to finding the perfect fragrance...so the hunt is still on! I'm adding these two perfumes to my Christmas wish list because they are my favorite new scents that I've come across this year:

Peace Love & Juicy Couture

"...captures the free-spirited, hippy vibe of Malibu..."

Escada Marine Groove

"...essence of an exclusive Summer sail party: fun, flirty, fabulous..."

*this one is limited edition, and may be hard to find...



Perfect Blowout Hair Tools!



Coming in at #8 on my Christmas Wishlist is the T3 Perfect Blowout Hair Dryer Styling Set from Sephora. I do need new hairbrushes, and these ones have received great reviews from every site that I found them on. They are lightweight and made out of tourmaline which is great for fighting the frizz. The set even comes with step-by-step instructions for the perfect blowout!



Have a Cherry Christmas!

I've blogged about Philosophy products many times, and I just can't seem to stop! I was just on their site, and I found this adorable, affordable and delicious little gift idea! Wish #7 is the Have a Cherry Christmas Holiday Gift Set. It comes with a sweet cherry scented shampoo, body wash and bubble bath, and a super glossy cherry lip gloss. I think this would make a great stocking stuffer or secret santa gift. It's also good for girls and women of all ages. I really want this one! (insert image of me scribbling it down on my wishlist)

Philosophy: The Cherrier, the Merrier!



The Wishlist: Wish #2



I'm dreaming of a MAC Christmas...

My eyes practically popped out of my head today when I visited the MAC site. I was checking to see if they had released their famous Holiday palettes yet, and I was thrilled to see that they had! The whole collection is bursting with color and "buy me now" packaging inspired by "A Tartan Tale". The compacts are tartans, the colors are vivid, and I want them all.

Staying true to my one item per day, I had to choose the 6 Dashing Lassie Eye Shadow Palette (I'd buy it for the name alone!). It's a gorgeous palette of neutral colors that I can wear every day, and the darker colors will make for an excellent smokey eye.

Clockwise from top left:

Once Upon A Time, A Dashing Lassie, Magic Mist, Showstopper, Buckwheat, and Bronze