Monthly Faves: April 2011

May is here, Happy Cinco De Mayo everyone! And today I am doing my favourites from last month. As you probably know, April was my no-buy makeup ban month, I did find except for the MAC Ever Hip lipstick that I couldn't resist near the end of the month.

Review: Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer

As the warmer weather approaches a good transition face product is a tinted moisturizer. I was pleased to see Clinique come out with one recently, the Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15. This product is described as "allergy tested, 100 fragrance-free, sheer, hydrating coverage, natural finish... smooth on an instant moisture boost with SPF protection and a hint of skin-perfecting colour. Lightweight formula provides a no-makeup look and feel, yet covers imperfections with a natural, hydrating touch. Long-wearing, oil-free, apply prior to sun exposure." 

Review: Clinique All About Eyes

Eye creams are a bit of a mystery to me, I haven't used many so I don't know what I like just yet. However, being in my late 20's now, I think it's crucial that I start using one. On the recommendation of a couple of people, I purchased the Clinique All About Eyes eye cream recently. This retails for $37CAD for 15ml (0.5oz). I think this is the most I have ever paid for something so small, but as with any eye cream, it will last you forever since you only need a tiny amount everyday. I had a $10 off $50 coupon for The Bay, click here for that, so I used that, and purchased the new Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer as well (loving that and will review soon!).

Clinique's website describes this as "Diminishes the appearance of eye puffs, darkness, fine lines. Lightweight, non-creep, cream/gel formula actually helps hold eye makeup in place. For use morning and night, under eyes and on the lids." I think this product is good as a starter eye cream, if you are still young and not worried about wrinkles yet. The thicker version, All About Eyes Rich mentions diminishing the appearance of fine lines, but when I swatched that one it seems much thicker to me, so I passed on it.

For myself, I was looking for something to hydrate and moisturize my eyes, since they get dry and tired looking. Also, every eye cream seems to irritate my eyes, makes them water and makes me break out. So I wanted something very light, and this eye cream is definitely that. The packaging I am not a fan of, I prefer something with a pump or squeeze tube, I have a couple of eye creams from Garnier and The Body Shop that I prefer over this.

The texture is like a gel, similar to the Moisture Surge but more opaque. It feels very light and absorbs quickly into my skin. It makes for a good base for under-eye concealer, I know you aren't supposed to use face cream under your eyes. Of all the times I've bought stuff from Clinique, this product was never included in a gift with purchase, if it were I would of probably passed on buying the full size. I think this is just okay, nothing spectacular and just average for what it does, I think you could find something comparable for a lot less money in the drugstore.

Have you tried Clinique's All About Eyes? What's your favourite eye cream?

Review: Clinique Redness Solutions Foundation

When Clininque's Redness Solutions foundation came out, I was all over it. I get redness in my face, I flush easily and sometimes it can feel so hot that it's bothersome. I don't like it, and it's a major reason why I opt for foundations that provide high coverage. I try to cover it with concealer, but I prefer to have an all over colour to even it all out. I haven't been diagnosed with rosacea however. When I went to a counter to try this out, the sales girl took all my makeup off to see how red my skin got, also to see how my skin reacted to this. There is also a complete Redness Solutions line with cleansers, moisturizers and other items to help with redness, including a yellow powder (not a fan of that though). Clinique's Redness Solution foundation is supposed to "visible reduce redness on contact  for an overall even tone. Probiotic technology helps replenish skin's moisture barrier." This formulation is oil-free and should instantly colour-correct flushing and blushing, with calming ingredients to help minimize flare-ups. For more information, check out Clinique's website.

Review: Clinique Even Better Foundation

Today's review is going to be the opposite of yesterday, let's see if you can tell why. Clinique's foundations are tricky for me, I never seem to get the right colour match the first time. But what I love about Clinique is their frequent gift with purchase offers, I only buy from them when they have these, but I would if they didn't, cause their products are that good. Clinique's Even Better foundation is the second I've ever used, the first was their Redness Solutions foundation. I must say, I prefer this one much more.

Clinique The Bay Gift With Purchase

It's Clinique gift with purchase time at The Bay starting today, February 9-27, 2011 and I wasted no time picking mine up. With any Clinique purchase of $26.50 or more you get this 7 piece set for free. I admit I only buy Clinique when they have these free offers on. A foundation will set you back around $30, so it's a good choice.

Monthly Favourites: November 2010

I am super late getting this one, I am usually pretty good about getting these on time, but several things have kept me from not posting lately. 1) I moved and am busy unpacking and getting everything together 2) I couldn't find my camera for the longest time 3) Now that I have found it, the thing has a mind of its own and won't focus well on pictures anymore (as you will notice in the picture below). Time for a new camera, maybe Santa will bring me one this Christmas. My favourites this month are some old and some new items.

Maybelline's Dream Smooth Mousse may be my favourite drugstore foundation of the year. This product is great for the winter when your skin is dry (mine is extra dry). It gives good coverage, and feels smooth on your face, see full review here.

Sigma's F10 Powder/Blush brush which is supposedly a dupe for the MAC 129. I find this a bit large for blush, but I do like it for finishing powder, bronzer, powder in general. it's soft and fluffy. Sigma should make a MAC 116 dupe.

Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion was not a favourite of mine at first, in fact I found it very similar to the original Last Blast, see review here. But since throwing out my overly-expired Lash Blast I have started using up this one this month and like it a lot.

MAC's Creme D'Nude is probably my most favourite MAC lipstick ever, and it has a special place in my heart because it was my first MAC purchase ever. This colour works well on anyone, has great formulation and a pretty colour.

ELF's Lipstain in Birthday Suit has been my go-to gloss for the month. I don't think of this as a stain really, and only use the coloured end, but I do like the light barbie pink colour that the gloss gives.

Clinique's Redness Solutions makeup is a great foundation. I picked this in the month of November and really like it. It's the first Clinique foundation I've ever used. Does it help tone down redness over time? I haven't used it exclusively enough to tell a difference, but I like the coverage and neutralizing effects that it has. Planning to do a full review of this one soon.

What were your favourites for the month of November?

Friday Faves: What Makeup are you thankful for?

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, (even though I am Canadian and celebrated it last month) we will look today at what beauty products we are thankful for. The products that make us happy to have them around and brighten up our day, or face in this case! I got this idea after reading Maquilagem Masstige do it on her blog.

What products am I thankful for? Ideally all the products that we buy would work well, they would not disappoint us, break us out, cause us to wonder why we bought them in the first place etc. But that is not the case, that is why you see so many favorite and HG posts all over the internet, people are always looking to find the next best thing, never totally satisfied with what we have already. I have a couple of products which I would deem my everyday favourites, products that I love having in my collection and would re-buy.

Quick dry top-coat. This has got to be one of the best beauty inventions ever. No one wants to wait for their nails to dry. Just pile on some top coat (specifically I love Seche Vite or the OPI Fast Forward or Start To Finish) and helps your nails dry quickly and makes them super shiny! Although I do find the Seche Vite to get gloppy and disgusting once you are halfway through the bottle, I still love it. I feel naked without topcoat, it's like a sweater for your nails.

The eyelash curler, another great invention. Pictured is my Revlon one, I haven't found a huge difference between high-end and drugstore eyelash curlers. For me this is a must-have item since my lashes looks so much better when they are curled, I don't even bother putting mascara on if I don't curl my lashes.

I am thankful for lash growth products. The L'oreal lash serum totally changed the look of my lashes, I still use it regularly. As someone who never had long-enough lashes, always wanting them to be fuller and longer, products like these make me happy. I am not sure if the Revlon grow luscious does anything, but I like to think it does.

Concealer is another item that should be essential in every girl's makeup bag and it's definitely a favourite of mine. I am thankful that there are so many different concealers out there, all types of formulations, textures, different ones for all areas of your face. I love the MAC studio finish for blemishes. The select coverup for pretty much all over, and the others primarily for under eye concealing. Where would we be without concealers? it's fabulous.

Being a light girl, bronzer is heaven-sent for me. I use bronzer pretty much everyday, as an all-over powder more or less. It gives me that extra perk me up, specifically I like the Physicians Formula bronze booster.

Last and probably most important, I am thankful for liquid foundation. The kind that provides good coverage while not caking up and making my dry skin look drier. Some favourites right now are Clinique Redness Solutions, NARS sheer glow and Lancome teint idole ultra.

What products are you thankful for?

I also want to take this moment to wish everyone in the US a Happy Thanksgiving! Don't shop too hard today!

Mascara Monday: Clinique High Impact Mascara

I've been neglecting my Mascara Monday posts, so we are back into it this month. Today's mascara of choice to review is Clinique's High Impact Mascara. I got this as part of a gift with purchase some time ago. I haven't used it until recently, because I have a mountain of mascaras. The Clinique.ca website describes this mascara as "Kicks up the volume and length of each and every lash for a look that's lusher, plusher, bolder. Pure, deep colour only adds to the impact. Wear it once and you'll feel naked without it." This mascara retails for $18 CAD.

Clinique Redness Solutions Foundation and Gift With Purchase Haul

Earlier this week I picked up Clinique's new Redness Solutions foundation. I previously posted about how I had a difficult time during my last trip to a Clinique counter. This time around I tried one in another city and did very well. The Clinique rep at this counter talked to me about my skin, tried the foundation on my face, applies two different shades to find my best match, and tried on several other products on me too. I was pretty certain I was getting this one because so many of you recommended it to me and it sounded great. My first impressions of the Redness Solutions foundation is it's an amazing foundation! It does tone down the redness, has medium coverage (leaning more on the heavy medium side) and feels like nothing on your skin. I got it in the lightest colour, "Claming Ivory". I think if you are lighter than me (NC15) I would be weary of trying this because the lightest is not that light at all. The good thing, I do not find this foundation (in this colour) pink at all, it's quite yellow-ish, which I like. I've read over and over that Clinique's foundations are too pink.


I got a bit carried away when the Clinique girl was applying all the products to my face and wanted to buy everything. I ended up going home with this foundation, the GWP and a Redness Solutions Cleanser too. I came home and had buyer's remorse right away, and took the cleanser back today, it was $26.50 and I really didn't need it. However, I am interested in the Redness Relief Mineral powder that she used on me as a setting powder (yellow powder) if any of you have tried that, please let me know! It looks very similar to Everyday Minerals Sunlight Corrector, which I still have samples of, but for much more money. I am curious if it actually calms or relieves your skin. The moisturizer that she used on me, the Redness Solutions Relief Cream, that was really nice too, but $53 for a tub of that. I think the way to go would be to get the trial set, that was like $58 with three products: the cream, protective base and cleanser, maybe I will ask for that for Christmas.

I picked this up now because Sears (in Canada) currently has a gift with purchase until November 10, 2010 when you spend $26.50 (this foundation was $30). I love gift with purchases! However I do wish they came with the Dramatically Different Moisturizing GEL instead of the lotion (they always put the lotion) because I have the lotion already (several of them). I posted about this on Canadian Daily Deals, my other website, definitely check it out if you haven't yet!

The gift with purchase comes with 7 items: Rinse Off Eye Makeup Solvent (good size), Rinse-off Foaming Cleanser, Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (boo), Lipstick/Gloss Duo in Different Raspberry Glace & Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Fireberry, High Lengths Mascara, Pop up mirror with brush and a Cosmetics bag of course. I am most excited about the solvent and cleanser.

Have you tried any of the  Clinique Redness Solutions line?

Small Haul and Clinique Rant

I went to the mall today for something to do and stopped by Walmart and picked up a few things. The Hard Candy section at my Walmart is a mess, there are testers of all the baked products and they are all cracked and spilling all over the display. I admit the products are pretty, but not really my thing, I did buy the Honeymoon blush, but that will be all I get. I don't know why they don't clean up the display, it's horrific. Anyway, I did manage to get their Tinted Moisturizer, in the colour "Fair". I have heard good things about this and wanted to try it out, it was like $8.

Next, I know I said I wouldn't get this but I did anyway with a $5 coupon, the L'oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base. It was like $8 with coupon. I also got the last Ecotools Eyeshadow brush that they had, this was around $4. I have the original one and it's much different, the bristles are hard sympathetic on that one and this one is a huge improvement. I will do a comparison review soon.

Now onto the rant, that's why you read this post right? Okay, so after watching Pixiwoo's fabulous 'Guide to Clinique foundations' video on youtube (link above), I decided to make a stop at my Sears Clinique counter. They have a gift with purchase on now, so a good time to buy a new foundation. I went in primarily wanting to get the Acne Solutions foundation. I told the girl that I have dry skin, but I do tend to break out along my chin and want something with moderate-full coverage. I know Clinique tends to not give much coverage, and this foundation gives a fair amount. The girl asks me if my skin feels tight or just looks dry? I tell her well it's tight after I wash it but no, it looks and feels dry. Then she tells me that my skin is not dry, I just need to exfoliate and get the dead skin cells off. It's not dry? I do exfoliate on a regular basis, I find exfoliating makes my skin even drier if I overdo it. If you take a look at my skin, it looks dry, I am no makeup guru here but I think it's obvious. Is there any truth in this? She then tells me their 3 step program can help with this yadda yadda yadda, I have tried their 3 step and am not interested.

Okay whatever, she tries the Acne Solutions makeup on me, chooses a shade that I think is far too dark for me (03 Fair Neutral) whatever it looks fine I suppose (I could always return it). I go to pay, oh they don't have that colour in stock, or the one lighter down. Okay, what other foundations would you recommend? Superfit? she don't have any colours available, Superbalanced? She says that gives natural coverage. She recommend their Oil-free foundation (can't remember the name). I am getting irritated now so I say fine I will get that one. She rings me through, oh it's only $26 and you need to spend $28.50 to qualify for the free gift, would you like something else? Oh man... okay I will just come back another time! So fed up at this point.

I think when they have gift with purchase promotions they should really be well stocked with their products, or else they are losing sales, as they did with me. I would order online (probably easier) but their shade selection is often out of stock too and I'd have to pay for shipping. Overall, I was really annoyed with Clinique.

What foundations would you girls recommend from Clinique? or ones to avoid?

Tag: My Everyday Routine

Here are the products that I've been using for my everyday routine, I did include options here, I won't use the same mascara everyday or the same setting powder, I do change it up. I've probably left something out with these pictures, but it gives you the general idea of what I use to do my face. If I sit at home all day and don't go out, I won't put anything on at all. I don't know if this is a tag, but I have dubbed it "tag" in case anyone else wants to do it. If you do, please let me know. The ♥ denotes that I love that product a lot.

Eyes:

* Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin ♥

* ELF Blending Eye Brush ♥

* ELF Eyeshadow Brush

* Sigma Makeup F25 travel size ♥

* NYX Versus Palette (just for the gold and brown shade numbered)

* Clinique eyelash curler

* Maybelline Lash Voluptuous mascara

* Cover Girl Lashblast Fusion

Face:

* Cetaphil SPF 15 Facial Moisturizer

* MAC Prep and Prime Skin

* NARS Sheer Glow (Gobi) ♥ or

* Revlon Skin Matching Makeup (Light)

* Maybelline Superstay 24HR Concealer (Ivory) ♥

* ELF Studio Blush (Candid Coral) (may also change)

* ELF Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder (Sunkissed) (changes on day)

* ELF HD Powder

* NYC Translucent Powder (usually this one)

Brushes:

In addition to the eye ones mentioned above already

* Sigma Makeup F80 (for foundation) ♥

* ELF Studio Powder Brush (alternate for foundation) ♥

* Sigma Makeup F50 (setting powder)

* Sigma Makeup F25 (bronzer) ♥

* Sigma Makeup F15 (blush)

* ELF Foundation brush (for concealer)

And that's my pile of crap that I use everyday! :D

Gift with Purchase Bonanza: Clinique, Lancome, Estee Lauder and Anna Sui

Who doesn't love a gift with purchase? And there are lots of them going on now at certain Canadian retailers. Hello to all my Canadian readers! ;)

Alright here is the rundown of where they all are and what you get:
Holt Renfrew/Clinique - Spend $35 or more on Clinique products at Holt Renfrew, and get this lovely gift with purchase, stuffed with many goodies ($100 value)! Now until June 6th.

The gift with purchase includes:
1. High Impact Mascara in Black
2. Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
3. Clinique Foldover Mirror
4. Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizing SPF 20
5. Milly for Clinique Cosmetic Bag
6. Long Last Lipstick in A Different Grape/Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Clearly Pink in a Clinique Key Chain
7. Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder With Brush
8. Rinse-off Eye Makeup Solvent
9. Different Lipstick in Raspberry Glaze

Sears/Lancome: Sears.ca has a Lancome GWP of $45 until June 11, 2010. Choose your bag and every item in the gift.

The products include:
- Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow quad in (Bikini Golden, Latté, Vue, Statuesque) or (Trendy, Garment, Luring, Positive)
- Color Design Sensational Effects Lip Color in Fuschia Clutch or Sugared Maple
- Absolue Premium ßx Absolute Replenishing Cream, High Résolution Refill-3x Triple Action Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF15 or Rénergie Anti-Wrinkle and Firming Treatment
- Crème Mousse Confort Comforting Creamy Foaming Cleanser or Nutrix Royal Body Cream Intense Lipid Repair Cream
- Définicils High Definition Mascara in Black or Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover.

The Bay/Estee Lauder: The free gift with purchase is on any Estée Lauder skincare or foundation purchase of $38.50 or more. Only at the Bay, now until Sunday, June 13, 2010.

The free gift has 7 peices, including a chic striped summer beach tote and Advanced Night Repair Serum in a deluxe size.

Sears.ca/Anna Sui: Sears.ca has an Anna Sui gift with purchase on, this is one brand that I have not seen a gift with purchase from before, so that is cool. With any $60+ Anna Sui purchase at Sears.ca, this exclusive free gift can be all yours.This is online only, until June 4th.

The free gift includes:
• Lip Rouge Glossy – 3.4 g
• Lip Sui Brilliant – 6 g
• Hydrating Gel Cream – 3 g
• Anna Sui Purple Pouch + Small Towel

You getting anything? I like the look of the Clinique GWP at Holts, they always have nice ones, but I don't have any Holts around me, and can't order online.

April Favourites!

April is almost over, so it's time for April favourites. This includes products that I've enjoyed using during this month, and are not limited to products that I've actually purchased this month. This is a fun tag that I see people doing on youtube, so I thought it would be fun to do here too. So onto the faves...

1/ NARS Sheer Glow Foundation: My colour is Gobi. I got it this month and it's quickly becoming my Holy Grail foundation, no others compare. It makes your skin look like skin, applies smooth and lasts all day. I will post a review soon, but I want to use it a bit more before I can really judge how it compares and reacts to my skin.

2/ MAC Viva Glam Gaga: Everyone loves this lipstick including me, it's a pretty bubblegum blue-pink, smells fabulous (as all MAC lipsticks) and is sheer enough to wear anywhere.

3/ MAC Melba: This is the perfect peachy blush, very pigmented, soft and pretty.

4/ Maybelline Turbo boost mascara: I love the brush on this mascara, it's large enough to coat all your lashes with one sweep, I have it in the waterproof and non waterproof version.

5/ Physicians Formula Multi-coloured powder: This is PF's light bronzer, it's silky and works well as a subtle bronzer, I use it as a setting powder over foundation.

6/ Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion: I got this last year, with the 3 piece system, which I am not crazy about. I didn't like this lotion at first, it just smells like corn, but surprisingly I've been reaching for it a lot this month (trying to finish it off) and I like it all over again.

7/ L'oreal Lash Serum: I've been using this on and off for a few months, and I am seeing results! My lashes seem stronger, longer, fuller, less falling out. I will do a complete review soon.

8/ OPI Natural Nail Basecoat: I've never really understood the importance of using a base and top coat on your nails until recently. This base coat helps the polish adhere better to your nails and your polish turns out looking glossy too. Plus less yellow-ing of the nails, which is nice.

9/ Aveeno Positively Ageless Warming Scrub: Love this cleanser. I have dry-ish skin and all defoliators dry it out, except this one. This warms up and cleans my face perfectly. The only problem I have with it is the product dries up around the cap because the heat (I keep it in the shower) makes it harden. Also, the packaging isn't very thick, so once you squeeze some out, the package crumples.

10/ Escada Ocean Lounge Perfume: Forgot to add this in the pic, but this perfume is lovely. A mix of strawberry and lychee, very summery and girly. I got compliments wearing this during a recent salon visit, the girl said it smelled very young. Then we got into a conversation about how different age groups tend to wear different perfumes, some people wear old lady smelling perfume... I think she thought I was a lot younger than I am, I hope my Chanel and YSL is not "old lady smelling". ;)

So that's my top 10 April favourites... what are yours?