When budgets are tight, a drugstore lipstick can be just the cheap and cheerful pick-me-up one needs, and in this category, few surpass Revlon for their innovative formulas, wallet-friendly prices, and flattering shades. Their latest, the Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick ($11.99 at London Drugs), boasts a wax-free gel base and is available in 20 gorgeous shades, including HD Gladiolus (the poppy red you see above, also worn by Emma Stone at the SAG Awards recently) and HD Orchid (the cool fuchsia).
If the eyes are the window to the soul, then the eyebrows are the all-important frame, and on a bride's big day, this frame had better be in tip-top shape—for photos, loving gazes, warm smiles, and every moment in between. I recently had the chance to pick the brain of Blink Brow Bar owner Kiran Darred for her tips on how to get the best brows possible. Because brows grow so slowly, her advice starts as early as 6 months in advance, which means if you have a summer wedding like I do you better sit up and pay attention. (And hey, even if you're not getting married, good brows never hurt anyone, right? The advice still applies.) More after the jump!
Most days outfit photos take a matter of minutes to snap, but yesterday was another story. Everything seemed off somehow: the angles, the setting, the lighting, the composition. My hair was flipping out weirdly at the ends. The area we were shooting in was very high-traffic, so we constantly had to wait for people to move out of frame before proceeding and I felt awkwardly self-conscious the entire time.
As far as drugstore mascaras go, few rival the perfection of Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume or Lash Blast Length. I've long raved about their volumizing and lengthening properties, clump-free application, all-day smudge-free formula (even on oily lids like mine!), and ability to come off at night with just a bit of warm water. Cover Girl has since launched a multitude of new mascaras, often with mixed results. Their latest, the much-hyped Cover Girl Full Lash Bloom Mascara ($9.49 at London Drugs), is one of the ones that seems to have missed the mark.
For spring 2015, Dior is giving beauty lovers the keys to the kingdom. The Dior Kingdom of Colours Collection is full of pinks, nudes, greens, and textural contrasts (shine, matte, shimmer) that feel like a breath of fresh air after the dark, vampy shades of winter. It's enough to make me crave fresh-cut tulips and and sprinkle doughnuts, oddly enough. (You'll see what I mean when I start talking about the nail polish.) A photo-heavy look at the entire collection after the jump, starting with a show-stopper of a limited edition palette!
The wedding seemed so far away when we were on the other side of 2015, toasting Christmas and the New Year, saying smugly to ourselves, "Oh, it's not for another 9 months!" But the truth is we are already well into 2015 and the first half of January is already gone. That in itself is making me anxious as it's given me a taste of how quickly the next 8 months will slip by. Suddenly it's imperative that we send out our save-the-dates, and there's the guest list to finalize, and my future sister-in-law is asking if I'm planning to have a rehearsal dinner. What's more, the everyday stuff—like the boy's school and salsa team, and my blog—seem to be keeping us busier than ever.
The winter before last, my skin went haywire. There's no other word for it: I had breakouts on the sides of my face; my nose was chapped from one cold after another; and I had dehydration lines so deeply engraved in my forehead that permanent wrinkles seemed inevitable. This winter has been a whole different story. *knock on wood* My face has been soft, smooth, and even-toned with nary a blemish in sight, and the compliments have been flying from acquaintances to aestheticians and makeup artists. I'm always tweaking my beauty routine based on the products I'm testing at any given moment, but after about two odd months with this routine, I think I've found what works for my complexion during the winter.
AVEENO Fresh Essentials proves you don't have to spend a lot to have hydrated, healthy skin. The products (which all come in under $20) boast active natural southernwood extract and vitamins A, C, and E, and they do all the basic things one requires of a skincare regimen: hydrate, protect, nourish, cleanse, and exfoliate. Here's a closer look at the 3 AVEENO Fresh Essentials products I tested.
We're now officially in post-holiday no man's land: winter wares have been picked over, but it's still too cold and early to enjoy spring arrivals. My strategy for shopping the January sales is to look for wear-now items like cashmere sweaters and warm mittens in neutral hues. This is also a good time to replace worn-out staples like everyday tees and Breton stripes on the cheap. And of course, a little sparkle via a new necklace certainly doesn't hurt to breathe fresh life into what you already own.
What have you been shopping for this month?
"New year, new you" is a refrain oft heard around this time of year. And while washboard abs might not happen anytime soon, 2015 could be the year you help your complexion look its best by nipping a few bad skincare habits in the bud. (No judgement! We all have them, myself included.) In honour of this ethos, I'll be running skincare-themed posts this week including basic principles, a product review for a new drugstore line, and sharing what my current routine is like.
The first week of January back from the holidays always feels bittersweet. I miss the relaxed pace of my winter break, but I'm glad to be getting back into the swing of things with a clear head and refreshed spirit and this last week felt like a good warm-up act for the rest of the year, very productive and quiet. Plus, I've been sleeping well every night. That's probably pretty boring, but to this semi-chronic insomniac it's a big deal!
Ever since I heard that Kate Spade Saturday was doing a collaboration with West Elm, I've been counting the days until it'd be available. One's a label known for its cheerful, casual aesthetic, while the other is one of my favourite homeware purveyors. Talk about a match made in heaven! The collection features plenty of graphic black and white pieces, vibrant abstract hues, and a real sense of whimsy and fun inspired by the ease and spontaneity of weekend living.
Whether it's a post-holiday budget or a 2015 resolution to save more money, now is the time when many of us tighten our belts. To help with those goals, I'll be highlighting drugstore beauty buys in my weekly Product Reviews all month long, starting with Almay Smart Shade Anti-Aging Skintone Matching Makeup ($17.99 at London Drugs). It's not exactly a new launch, but it's a reliable standby with a cult following—and for good reason.
I started exercising more often over Christmas break because I had more time on my hands, and because I needed to offset all the eating and drinking. (Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today, right?) The extra salsa dancing and elliptical sessions felt great: I'd forgotten how much more energy I had, how my mood improved, and how soundly I slept when I was moving my body instead of sitting at a desk all day.
Happy 2015 everyone! Hope you all had a great holiday. We spent the weekend squeezing in as much down time as possible before the new year revs up. These last few vacation days have been so wonderful, returning to work and packing away the Christmas decorations definitely feel bittersweet. The last couple of days, I've been bundled up in some variation of the outfit above (love my new hat with the giant fur pouf!), trying my best to stay warm and comfy during a cold snap, as I reflect on 2014 and look ahead.
We rang in 2015 last night with prime rib and board games and toasted the New Year in true low-key style. Today we're having a couple of friends over for a waffle brunch. The next few days will be about rest and relaxation and visualizing what I want 2015 to be like. A lot of exciting stuff is in the works for the blog and beyond.
I'll be back to a regular posting schedule next Monday. Hope your year is off to a great start!
