July GLOSSYBOX!

Happy August, internet!  I realize it's not July anymore, but I just received my July Glossybox, so here it is!  This month was supposed to be a Canada's 145th birthday theme...not sure how these products represented that, but sure, why not.  My box contained:

Zoya Nail Polish - Summer 2012 is going to be a super stylish season for nails with the latest offering, designed by the Zoya experts.  It is kissed by sea and sand with the famous, full-coverage Zoya formula.  Full size!  0.5oz/$8.00

LOVE the colour they sent.  Not sure if it shows up to it's full potential in the photo, but it's a beautiful shimmery purple with silver microflecks.  It actually reminds me quite a bit of the purple shade in the NARS Eurydice eyeshadow duo I posted last month.  I want to take off my nail polish and try this stuff right now!

Zoya Nail Polish in Carly (it's quite a bit more purple in person), 0.5oz/$8.00

Alessandro International - Pedix Heel Rescue Balm protects and nourishes your skin with shea butter, allantoin and tea-tree oil.  100mL/$19.95

I really liked the last foot cream I got from Glossybox - I believe it was Curel - and I finished the tube of it a few weeks ago.  So I was glad to receive another one to try out.  That being said, this one is WAY more expensive than the last one (it was 100mL/$3.99), and the tube is much smaller.  It does have a rather nice, peppermint-y scent to it.  We'll see whether this is worth the rather ridiculous price tag.

Alessandro International Pedix Heal Rescue Balm, 100mL/$19.95

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Xtra Strength Serum - Instantly and dramatically transforms coarse, wiry, unruly frizz for ultra-sleek, purely polished, super-shiny results.  Full size!  50mL/$14.99

This stuff has been around forever.  I remember my friend's using it back in junior high.  I've always had fairly straight hair, and while it does occasionally get a bit frizzy, it's never been enough to warrant using a serum.  But, since I now have this, I guess I'll give it a try and see what happens!  Hopefully it won't end up making my hair too greasy...

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Xtra Strength Serum, 50mL/$14.99

Eucerin - Eucerin Calming Creme is a daily soothing moisturizer that prevents the reoccurrence of itchiness and reduces the risk of further irritation due to dryness.  Calming Creme contains Natural Colloidal Oatmeal and its fragrance-free glycerin formula provides hydration for 24 hours.  200g/$12.00

Again, another product that's been on the market for quite some time.  The sample is very tiny, but I can always use another moisturizer to throw in my purse.  Probably my least favourite sample of the box.

Eucerin Calming Creme, 200g/$12.00

Dove Softening Creme Body Wash - Get visibly more beautiful skin in just 1 week.  Use daily for soft, smooth skin.  Full size!  200mL/$5.99

Hurray for full size products!  Not a super exciting sample, but I can take it to the cottage or something.  From a first impression, it looks like it will be quite moisturizing, and has the traditional Dove soap smell.  

Dove Softening Creme Body Wash, 200mL/$5.99

BeautySoClean Sanitizer Wipes - These convenient cosmetic sanitizer wipes are effective for sanitizing makeup that accumulates visible debris like dust, lint and food particles.  48 pack wipes/$12.50

This sample came with a pamphlet that I've been terrified to read as I'm sure it will tell me that all of my makeup products are completely contaminated by germs.  Gross.  And I really don't want to have to throw out all of my lipsticks or something.  But I think these wipes are a pretty neat idea, and I'll definitely be using them on a few of my most-used products.  I'm just going to avoid that pamphlet...

BeautySoClean Sanitizer Wipes, 48 pack wipes/$12.50

And that's it for this month!  Overall, I'd say it was a 50/50 box.  I really like the nail polish, and the foot cream and sanitizer wipes will be useful. The body wash and lotion, probably not so much.  But as per usual, the full-size John Frieda sample paid for the cost of the box.  Not too shabby!

WIN! Urban Decay De Slick

Happy Sunday, internet!  Today's WIN! product is Urban Decay De Slick Oil-control Makeup Setting Spray.  This is not a new product on the market by any means, but it's a recent discovery for me. 

Urban Decay De Slick Oil-control Makeup Setting Spray, $41.00/6oz

The past few months I've been trying out several primers as I tend to get oily skin part-way through the day and then my foundation ends up basically melting off my face.  And with the ridiculous heat we've been experiencing lately, it's just not a good look.  So, I've found a few cream/lotion primers that work well under foundation, but they just weren't cutting it under the lighter products, like my tinted moisturizer.  Yes, I know, the whole point of a tinted moisturizer is that you're not supposed to have to wear all that extra stuff like primer and powder.  But that just doesn't work for me.

So, I was in Sephora picking up a few things, and realized I was about $20 off the 500 point gift on my Sephora card.  I decided to pick up a few travel-sized products that I'd been wanting to test to make up the difference, and one of them was De Slick.  I'd heard a lot about the Urban Decay setting sprays, I know a lot of people swear by the All Nighter one, so I was excited to give this a try.  I'd also read that it's much more effective if you spray it both under and over your makeup.

I won't lie - the main reason why I hadn't tried this previously is that it's not the cheapest product on the market.  But it is definitely worth it, in my opinion.  I've tried it under all types of face makeup - foundation, BB cream, tinted moisturizer - and they all stay in place all day with this stuff!  I wouldn't say there was a huge difference compared to my regular primer for foundation, so I probably wouldn't use this for that, but it was a huge help for the tinted moisturizer.

To apply, I spritzed it 4 times over my clean and moisturized face and let it dry before applying my makeup.  I then sprayed it 4 more times after I was completely finished my makeup.  I've heard some people say it doesn't do as well overtop of powder, but it seems to work fine for me.

Long story short (too late, I know) - if you're in the market for an easy-to-use primer, give this one a try!  You can also get the travel-sized bottle for under $20 if you're not sure about it.  But if you're anything like me, you'll probably be going back to purchase the full-size within a week.

My Birthday Presents :)

Hey internet!  How's it hangin'?  I'm feeling particularly productive at the moment as it is my first day of my summer schedule at work, and I got home at 4:30 this afternoon!  What is this craziness?  It's like I can actually get things done during the day!  So, in celebration of my not-procrastinating-by-sitting-around-watching-TV-and-not-actually-doing-what-I'm-supposed-to-be-doing-and-instead-actually-doing-things, I thought I'd give you all a quick run down of what I got for my birthday last week.

First off, I took the week off from work and headed up to BF's cottage with my parents, which was amazing.  It was their first time there, and I think my mom would move in right now if she could.  Dad spent the whole time golfing, so I know he had fun.  For the actual long weekend, my friends from university all came up to hang out, which was great.  Honestly, I would've been happy just having everyone there for my birthday, but because my friends are so wonderful, they got me presents, too!

I feel like I should start by saying that everything kind of followed one of two themes - either related to this blog, or with my upcoming trip to LA with BF to visit our friends in September.

So, the gang from university has always gone together to get group presents for each other.  This dates back to our days in first year when we couldn't afford to buy the birthday person a beer let alone a decent present on our own.  Over the years, we've all gotten some pretty stellar present.  My personal favourite is still the GPS they got me the year I got my first car.  Everyone refused to drive with me until I had one because I have the absolute worst sense of direction in the world.  But this year, they decided to prove that yes, they DO follow my blog, and they got me some re-stock on a few items that I raved about in a previous post - the Soap and Glory Clean On Me body wash, and The Righteous Butter body butter!  I was very happy with this because I'm almost out of the body wash, and it meant I had a whole new tub of body butter to sniff while getting a slight buzz from the amazing scent.  As a bonus, they also got me the Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Plumping Lipgloss in Clear.  Seriously, I cannot get over the freaking amazing names for these products! 

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Plumping Lipgloss (Clear)

Now, when this stuff says "lip plumping", it actually means "I'm gonna make your lips tingle to much you'll think you kissed a metal pole in the middle of winter".  I actually just put some on as I was typing this so that I'd have the full effect.  I'm pretty sure it doesn't so much make your lips bigger as it does make you sit there pretending to look like a duck because your lips feel so weird.  That being said, it's pretty cool stuff.  And makes for an interesting conversation after a few glasses of wine...

My friends also got me a gift card to go buy more stuff for my blog.  They know me and my shopping habits so well :).

BF's mom and dad decided to get me a present, too, this year, which was really very kind of them.  I got a text message from CF while I was sitting in class (with no internet) the weekend before my birthday.  She asked for a list of present ideas, but they had to follow very specific guidelines - it had to be makeup, had to be cottage-themed, and had to be easy for BF's dad to pick up on his own at the mall.  This turned out to be quite the challenge, as I had no idea what "cottage-themed" makeup was, and I was trying to look everything up on my iPhone in the middle of class while attempting to not draw attention to myself so I didn't get called out by the professor.

Anyway, I gave her a few suggestions, and they ended up getting me a gorgeous NARS eyeshadow duo in Eurydice that I'd been eyeing (haha, get it?) for months, as well as a Sephora Classic Angled Brush that I needed...well, okay, maybe not needed, but definitely wanted.

NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Eurydice (how gorgeous is that purple?)

Sephora Classic Angled Brush

And last, but certainly not least, my parents got me a very cool book called "642 Things To Write About".  I've really been trying to get back into writing, it's something I've not done since high school.  So, I saw this book and immediately thought it would make a great subject for another blog!  I've actually written one entry for it already, feel free to check it out: http://642days.blogspot.ca/.  My goal was to write one entry for it a day, but until I finish my last school assignment for the semester, that is definitely not going to happen.  But soon!

But my big present from my parents was...surfing lessons while I'm in LA!  I've been talking about learning to surf for the last decade, at least.  I'm not sure what it is, maybe my only real connection to my Californian birth, or maybe it's an unhealthy obsession with Gidget (it's true, I have a thing for Moondoggie).  But either way, I'm so excited that I'll finally get to cross this off of my bucket list!  Now I just have to spend the next 2 months practicing swimming so I don't drown in the Pacific Ocean.

So that was my birthday rundown!  Big thanks to all of my wonderful friends and family who made it such a great day.  I wish everyday was my birthday!  And really, it's not just because of the presents...

June GLOSSYBOX!

I'm back from vacation!  Sorry, I know I was supposed to be blogging everyday I was away, but quite honestly, sitting on the dock with a beer was far more important at the time.  But I'm back now, so you can all breathe a sigh of relief.  And what did I find when I arrived home last night?  My June GLOSSYBOX!  Woo!

It's like getting a surprise birthday present, that wasn't really a surprise and I actually had to pay for...but I was still excited to see what was inside!

Here's what I got:

Biore Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser - Have skin that can't make up it's mind?  Achieve the clean you want, without disturbing natural moisture your skin needs - more balanced skin in just 2 weeks! Full size!  200mL/$9.99

Can't say I was super excited for this one.  My skin is ridiculously sensitive when it comes to cleansers and it took me quite a few years to find a good fit with the one I'm using currently.  Plus, drug store brands like Biore are notorious for having alcohol and harsh chemicals in their cleansers, which I try to avoid using.  This one might be getting passed on to one of my friends...

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch sunscreen Lotion SPF 55 - Ultra-light and fast absorbing, the voted #1 best-feeling sunscreen by Canadian Dermatologists.  Contains HELIOPLEX which provides photostable UVA/UVB protection.  88mL/$15.99

This is actually my favourite type of sunscreen and I've been using it for a few years, so I was a little disappointed to see this in my box - mainly because I'm already so familiar with the product.  But, it's a nice size to throw in my purse and I don't have any of the SPF 55 (I usually go with the 30).

Wella Professionals Ocean Spritz - Free your hair with irresistible chunky texture achieving that matte, carefree beachy hair look. Available exclusively in salons. Full size!  150mL/$16.99

This looks pretty cool, and I like any products that claim to make hair "chunky"...that makes it sounds so attractive...  Planning on trying this one out tonight, so we'll see how it performs!

Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Revolution Complex - Advanced micro-fillers instantly smooth the look of fine lines.  The anti-aging formula, wih a BioPeptide and B3 complex, hydrates and improves the appreance of deep lines in just 14 days!  50mL/$30.99

 

Okay, I know I just had a birthday, but I really don't think I need to be using such a heavy-duty anti-wrinkle cream.  And what the hell is BioPeptide?  I don't think I want any of that anywhere near my face.  This one is going straight to my mom for her to try.

Cover Girl Flipstick-Blendable Lip Duo - NEW!  This double ended lipcolour stick has a side for shimmer, and a side for colour.  Blend shades together to create endless lip looks.  Full size!  3.8gr/$12.50

Holy man, this is a dark colour!  I had to specify my skin tone when I signed up for this and I have no clue what they were thinking when they sent this.  No way I'd actually be able to wear it.  My mom, however, likes dark lip colours, so this one might be going to her, too.

Gillette Venus Embrace Razor - Get ready for the shave fir for a goddess.  Our first women's razor created with 5 blades hugs every curve to get virtually every hair even bikini hair.  An ultra-close shave and incredible Venus smoothness.  Full size!  1 kit/$13.43

I already have one of these, but it's kind of old, so looks like I'll be replacing it sooner than I thought!  Heck, just this alone in the box pretty much pays for the monthly fee.

Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips - Pore Strips are the deepest way to clean your pores.  In just one use, you remove a week's worth of build up dirt - and it only takes 10 minutes (isn't that great?!)  8ct/$9.99

I remember using these as a teenager with my friends when we did at-home "facials" (which pretty much involved washing out face, using one of these, and a Walmart-brad face mask).  But, I still have them in my skincare regimine, because they really do make your pores feel cleaner.  Who knows whether they actually do much good, but they sure are fun, in a weird ripping-off-a-bandaid kind of way.

Overall thoughts - some good stuff, some stuff I've used, and some stuff I'll probably never try.  I'm really excited for the hair spray, and as I mentioned before, getting the razor pretty much covered this mont's cost.  So hopefully my mom appreciates the rest of this stuff! 

Reading At The Cottage

Well, it's Thursday night, and I'm now up at the cottage. We were supposed to be taking a sunset cruise after dinner, but as we didn't even start dinner until 8:00, that kind of went out the window. So here it is, 10:30 and I'm just sitting down to write my daily blog. I have also just been informed that it's "reading time" (although I honestly don't know when isn't reading time up here), so I thought I'd let you know what everyone is reading currently, and then give some options of what I might read while up here, and you can all let me know what you think I should start. So first off, my dad and BF's dad aren't actually reading. They've had a few glasses (bottles) of wine, and are currently roaming the cottage discussing wood frame construction and beam placement. I've chosen to ignore that discussion. My mom is sitting on the chaise part of the couch, and she's just cracked open "Still Life" by Louise Penny. I've never heard of it, but it was recommended as a mystery by CF. I just googled it, apparently it's the first in a series of mystery books. I don't know, not the type of thing I usually read, but we'll see how she likes it. CF is reading a book on Italian gardens, in preparation for their upcoming trip to Italy. And, unfortunately, my dad has sat down next to her and is grilling her on a "monster garden". I'm really hoping he gets into his own book soon, so she can enjoy her reading. I've just been informed of the two book choices I have to get into. CF always recommends books for me to read while at the cottage, and she has yet to steer me wrong, so I'm going to continue to trust her judgement. At the moment, I can either choose: White Rose Rebel by Janet Paisley - I've been told that this is not a high-quality literature book, but that it's entertaining. We'll see how much cerebral effort I'm wanting to put in to reading this weekend. Or, Stray Love by Kyo Maclear - This was the original recommendation from CF, and is probably a much more literarily-rewarding read. I don't know if "literarily" it a word, but if not, I'm making it into one. Oh, and JF is now completing the sudoku in Tuesday's National Post. He wanted me to share that. So, what should I read? Does anyone have any suggestions on must-read books that I may not have already tried?

My Cottage Makeup Routine

Well, I'm now four days into my official vacation, and as of tomorrow morning, I'm off to the cottage for the remainder of my days off.  So, as I'm currently re-packing and re-organizing my makeup bag, I thought I'd give you all a quick run-down of what products make the cut for being shipped off to the cottage, and why they rate getting hauled up there.

1. Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream with SPF 35 (Fair)

This is a must-have product for me for many reasons.  First, it acts as a moisturizer, primer and "foundation" all in one.  Second, it gives surprisingly good coverage for a BB cream.  And third, it has SPF 35, which means I don't have to bring a second sunscreen for my face.  The Smashbox BB Cream has a pretty thick consistency, but it blends quite well once you get it on the skin.  It also is the closest match to my skin tone of probably any face makeup product I currently own.  Only downside - it's kind of expensive at $50/1oz.  I, personally, think it's worth it though.  It's not something I use everyday, but it's perfect for things like the cottage, or to blend in with my heavier foundations for a lighter coverage.

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream with SPF 35 in Fair, $50/1oz

2. NARS Highlighting/Bronzing Blush Duo in Orgasm/Laguna

I use Laguna bronzer everday as a contour shade, so I knew this product absolutely had to come with me to the cottage.  The Highlighting/Bronzing Blush Duo was actually the first NARS product I ever purchased and it was a great investment.  The Orgasm blush is gorgeous and is a perfect everyday shade for a no-makeup makup look.  Plus the bronzer is great for darkening up my complexion a bit once I start getting a tan.  And having both products together makes for a nice, easy-to-pack compact for my minimized makeup bag.

NARS Highlighting/Bronzing Blush Duo in Orgasm/Laguna, $50/0.35oz

3. Bourjois Volumizer mascara

This is the mascara I wear most days, and I really like that you can build it up for a more dramatic effect.  The packaging is pretty cool - it has one wand, but you can open it a different places to dispense more or less product, depending on what look you're going for.  I use the light coverage portion to separate my upper lashes, and to define my lower lashes.  Then I use the heavier application to go over the top lashes for added volume.  Great for the cottage, where mascara is pretty much all I wear on my eyes.

Bourjois Volumizer mascara, $20

4. Blistex Daily Conditioning Treatment with SPF 20

I put this stuff on at every opportunity because why mess with what works!  Blistex has been around for pretty much forever and I have yet to find anything better for a basic lip balm.  And this one has SPF 20, so it is on my lips at all times while I'm outside.  Plus, it's dirt cheap and one pot will last forever.  Everyone should have one of these floating around!

Blistex Daily Conditioning Treatment, sorry, not sure about the price :(

And that is all I plan on taking to the cottage!  Well, aside from an oil-free high-SPF sunscreen.  Now I just have to remember to actually put it on...

My Top 5 Things I Wish I Could Do, But Can't

I'd say that for the most part, I'm a well-rounded person.  I can maintain a decent conversation, I'm (fairly) intelligent, and I can hold my own at most video games.  But there are a few things I wish I was better at, and that unfortunately I'll probably never be able to do.

5. Anything sports related.

I realize this is a pretty broad category, but I am the least athletically-inclined person on the face of the earth.  I spent my entire childhood dancing - ballet, jazz, tap, you name it, I've probably done it.  But you add a ball or a bat to the equation, and I'm completely hopeless.  My elementary school gym teacher nicknamed me the "ball magnet", which got really awkward when I hit my teenage years.  I don't even know how many pairs of glasses I've bent from getting hit in the face.  Dodgeball was the bane of my existence.  Track and field day?  Worst day of the year.  I was always the last person picked for every sport in gym class.

Even now, when actual organized sporting events are few and far between in my life, my lack of athletic prowess manifests itself in other ways.  Going to the gym?  I have fallen off the end of several treadmills.  Bicycles and I definitely do not get along, and the last time I was on roller blades, I ended up with road rash so bad I couldn't sit for a week!  I really hope lack of coordination isn't genetic, or my poor children will be hopeless!

4. Whistle.

I actually used to be able to whistle when I was a kid.  My dad is an expert whistler, and I thought I'd followed in his footsteps.  But then I started playing the flute in seventh grade and I don't know what happened, but I just stopped being able to whistle.  My theory is that playing the flute developed a different set of muscles or something.  Who knows.  All I know is that I'll never be able to whistle along with the Andy Griffith's Show theme song...sigh!

3. Touch my nose with my tongue.

When I was a kid, my best friend could do this, and I always thought it was so cool.  Not sure why...when I think about it now, it's kind of gross.  I think it's one of those things you're either born being able to do, or not.  So I guess I'll never know what the end of my nose tastes like.

2. Go 24 hours without hurting myself.

Along with being the most uncoordinated person alive, I'm also the most accident prone.  I frequently walk into doorframes, bang my head on pretty much anything even remotely at eye level, and trip over my own two feet.  My friends just shake their heads and sigh when they hear me yelp from the next room, it's to be expected at this point.  Most of the time I end up covered in bruises with no idea of where they came from.  Except for the massive one I have on my thigh currently - that came from hitting my leg on the handle on my kitchen cupboard while walking in the dark.  I think yellow-tinged polka dots is a good look for me!

1. Reach things on the top shelf.

I'm short, I came to accept this long ago.  Well, actually, I'm not short, I'm fairly average.  I just happen to have freakishly tall friends, who like to stick things in places I can't reach.  Unless I plan on walking around in stilettos constantly, or bring a step-ladder everywhere I go, I'll just have to continue annoying my friends to get them to reach things for me.  I've also gotten quite proficient in climbing on counters, although this doesn't really work so well with my clumsiness.  And yes, I have fallen off of the counter on more than one occasion.  But I got down the muffin tin first!