Christmas Wishlist 2012

 

Tis the Season to be thankful, happy, cheerful, merry and to ask for the finer things in life you want but don't necessarily need. Here are my Christmas 2012 picks!!

 

I love asking for Beauty items during Christmas- they are easy for my family to get and let me indulge further into my beauty obsession!!

 

I asked for a lot of check products this year; I'm not really an eyeshadow girl (I've been pretty much satisfied with the Naked Palette ever since I purchased it two years ago) - but I do love me some bronzers and blushes! I just started getting into highlighters. I used to wear some from time to time over summer as I thought my tan face would suit them better. But I was Christmas shopping at the Bay earlier in November and walked by the Dior counter- their Highlighter, Amber Diamond caught my eye instantly. The sales associate noticed me starring at the shade and applied some to my face. One look in the mirror and SOLD! I love this stuff and am crossing my fingers that someone decided to get it for me ;)

 

I also took a quick snapshot of what I wore to a winter wedding I attended in November.

 The peplum top is from Suzy Shier: http://www.suzyshier.com/eng/product/lace_peplum_bustier_top/021043433406

 Crystal earrings are also from Suzy Shier (cannot find link online)

 

Skirt is a year old from Sirens 

 

Shoes were from The Shoe Company but the name of the designer is rubbed off on the inside- I wear these kitten pointy toe heeled shoes A LOT they are super comfy and let me stand on my feet all day!

 

 

What's your Wishlist look like?

xo

Sam

On Trend: Galaxy Nails

 

I wanted to do a quick blog post on a trend that I have been seeing on instagram pretty much everywhere lately. Galaxy prints have been seen on T-Shirts, leggings, skirts, bags, wallets and Nails. I really love the look and so decided to give it a try on my nails (as I don't think I would be daring enough to try leggings!)

 

I started off with a really nice dark purple shade- Essie's "Sexy Divide"
It only took two coats to get to the opaqueness that I wanted - Good Polish in my books!

Then went over the polish with Spehora by OPI's "Only Gold For Me". I have had this top coat for a while and can definitely say that it is one of my ultimate favourite polishes. It does take some patience as you have to make sure you are getting enough sparkle on the brush but once it is on your nails they look FAB!

 

And Voila! There we have it my version of the Galaxy Nails I have been seeing everywhere!

 

I also picked up a new BB Cream last week- it's from the brand Lioelle. I picked up the Triple the Solution BB Cream as I heard great reviews of the product from Youtubers like: Shaanxo and BentleyBlonde. I've tried it once so far and can say that it is very similar to the Boscia BB cream I was speaking of in my last post. I will have to do a post on these two particular BB Creams soon as I like them A LOT more than foundations!

 

The online store is called: Keautystore.com and I have given you a direct link of where to purchase the BB Cream
 http://www.keautystore.com/lioele-triple-the-solution-bb-cream50ml-spf30-pa-p-455.html

 Shipping was costly for express shipping (paid $22 CDN) but the package came in 7 days- not to bad; especially considering it was coming from Korea.  

I thought I'd also throw in a lazy OOTD. I'm blogging away today as well as chillin' out at home and so I have no makeup on; hair is up and glasses are on! I'm also in a really cozy sweater today since it's chilly out there today- Good Ol' Canadian Winters! Brrr!

 Sweater is from element purchased last year- very long and very cozy :)

 

Happy Wednesday!

xo

Sam

Smasbox BB Cream - Light

 A while back I purchased the smasbox BB cream as a couple of people on YT were really recommending the product. It looked great on their skin and whilst browsing through Sephora during there 20% off VIB sale I decided to pick it up. Unfortunately, this will actually be a negative review from me, as this BB cream did NOT work for my skin. Upsetting- yes - but very thankful for Sephora's return policy as I ended up picking up the Boscia BB Cream instead (which is fantastic by the way- post coming soon)

 

The colour matched my skin perfectly! And usually as a tester for me I like to try textures on the back of my hand (for concealers, bronzers, cream blushes, foundation etc.) I can feel whether or not the substance I am trying- so in this case the BB Cream- to determine if it will smooth into my skin as I have larger pores on the centre of my face near my nose, as well as dry patches on my chin. If the substances can my blended in well than it's usually a winner for me- but if it builds up and cakes on the back of my hand I typically tend not to move forward with it.

Now the weird thing for me was this BB Cream blended into my skin amazingly and did not cake up at all. Which brings my to my very disappointed review. When first applied this BB cream was excellent: Blended in really well, colour match was spot on and it did not leave any oily build up around my T-zone (I thought we were off to a really great start!). As the day progressed I started to notice wear off on my chin; specifically right under my bottom lip- thought that was weird but proceeded anyways. After about 4 hours of wear I noticed that I had huge dry patched around my chin from this BB Cream. My skin was flaky and the dryness around the chin area was so noticeable. Not cool! I expected more from the BB Cream and was very disappointed. But thank you Sephora for having the great return policy for your customers (good on yah!)- I returned the bad for the good; Post coming soon!

 

 

 

Hope your week is going well! Happy Tuesday!

 

P.S. only 21 more days until Christmas!!

 

xo

Sam

New Hair + My everyday makeup latley

 

 

So let's start things off by saying- I'm sorry I have been away for so long. Life caught up with me and so there was no time for blogging- Le Sigh! BUT I am back- and with some actual shots of myself! HOORAH! I know you haven't seen much of me in the past BUT yes I did cut off all of my hair! If you have seen posts of mine in the past you would remember that I did have LONG hair- I cut 22 inches off because I was tired of it! 2 hours to do your hair is a little much; so hear is what my locks look like now:

 

 

Back- not buzzed just cut very, very short

Think the 'POB' short on one side long on the other

 

 

And now to the makeup- I tried to get a step by step of what I use on my face :)

No- Makeup

 

Applying the Chantacaille just skin anti-smog tinted moisturiser in Glow. With a stipple brush from Sephora #75

Here I have curled my lashes; and added a pinky-gold shade from Lancome.

Shu-umera's are truly the best!

 

Lancome lip liner/stick in Charmed

And finished product! I used the badgal lash waterproof by benefit for the lashes.

Products used:

Exposed and dollface where also applied using a Sonia Kashuk stipple brush

Happy Monday!
Sam xo

Where Can I buy Chantacaille products you ask? In Canada, finding products can be a seriously tricky deal. Chantacaille is available at Holt Renfrew Stores; I purchased mine at the Toronto Location: 50 Bloor St.. you can also try ordering through Sak's Fifth- they do charge you duty though.

Holt Renfrew Store Locations: http://www.holtrenfrew.com/shop/en/holt/storelanding/stores
 

A Forgotten Fall FOTD

So one thing that is prominent- I chopped 22 inches off my hair! It was a great feeling and I have had no regrets (got it cut back in September) I have, of course, cut my hair since then- from here on out it will only be short hair for me :)

Sam xo

Some Recent Empties... plus some skincare fav's

Hello All!

I am terribly sorry for being away for so long (since April! CRAZAY!)

I have a full time job and things haven't slowed down 1 bit- any free time I get I sleep or am at the gym (I have a goal I am currently trying to hit- life blog soon to come? hmm...)

Anyways realized that I have used up quite a few skin care products, and one little beauty product.

Here's the rundown:

Clinique Acne control solutions (step two) - I believe I am now on my third bottle, I LOVE the stuff!

St. Tropez tanning mouse- OMG best self tanner ever- I was going to write a blog post on the tanner alone but I'll just do a slight ramble now. First time I tried it- took me 20 minutes to apply, gives me an amazing tan overnight, and lasts for a fair amount of time. Anddd Sam is in love- I currently have the full size and pretty sure it is half way through already!

Claudalee Beauty Elixir- went through the travel size at first (to test out if the hype was worth it... p.s. it was!) Went through the full size bottle. Currently half way through another full size and travel size. This stuff makes my skin glow- it's amazing!

Lush's Ocean Salt- nothing too special here. Really an over priced body scrub. Do I regret getting it - no. Have I re-purchased? no. It was bought for the sole purpose of self tanner application. It ran out.... I've moved on!

Origins Super Spot Remover- have problem acne at times? Have the urge to pick your face right off? ... Ok that one may be a little extreme but I suffer with mild acne; but mild acne that comes in bursts! Currently going through a wonderful wave of acne right now (DRAG!!!). So instead of irrattating my face further I use this stuff every night before bed and applied over top the instant night repair from Estee Lauder (It is the last step in my night time skin care routine). This stuff rocks. Seriously... Get it.

Bath and Body works- Heal of approval: So I have cracked feet.... like really bad cracked feet. So bad that even after I have a pedicure they return to their crocodile like state. Fantastic I know! So After years and years of pushing it off - my Mom shoved this in my hands and made me put it on at night, with socks on my feet! Three days later- cracked feet almost gone! Its amazing! I use this every night before I go to bed. I have since bought a full size as well as a travel size. I need this with me ALWAYS! P.S. I also use this on my knees or elbows before a fake tan application- as those areas can also get crocodile like ;)

Last but not least!

The MAC concealer - NW25 amazing stuff. I have since re-purchased. My Maybeline instant age rewind was giving me the hebegebees! The sponge looked so disgusting and I could just imagine what was living on it- Bleck! No thanks, so I went to MAC and repurchased... ahh so much for wanting a change; such a creature of habit!

So wow- this was a long post. Guess I've missed this! Hoping more posts will follow suit. In need of taking some FOTD pictures so people actually know what I look like! Also- I am wanting to do a review of my hair care latley, as I don't really do anything to it other than slap some really good hair products in and let is air dry. so far so good- and it doesn't take up any time! I know sleep in an extra 30 mins. AMEN!

Have a great week everyone!
Sam xo

April Favs 2012

OK- so this is extremely late; but I new I had too do it! Here are my April- and to be honest May Fav's. Like I said in a recent post I haven't been using foundation, or any BB Creams since March. I'm finding them too heavy for my face- they do not stick well and end up caking on my face. Even tinted moisturizer tends to give me lovely oil build up around my nose - not cute!

There is one product I have been lusting over, and that is the Origin's BB Cream. I went to my origins counter over a month ago and the SA was showing my tones of their new products- she did get me hooked on a few things but I wasn't quite sold on the BB cream. It definitely was smooth and soft, and not cackey at all- without having tried any Asian BB Creams this one was a winner for me! Unfortunately the price tag of $40 didn't suite my fancy that day and decided to pass; but ever since then I have been wondering... what if!? AH the troubles of a beauty addict!

I have recently scoured the Internet for the new MAC collection. And I must say I am disappointed! Of all the bronzer's they came out with in their line not one of them was matte- very sad. Looking at trying one of the Makeup Forever matte bronzer's- hmm there may be a Haul coming up!

Have a great week

Sam xo

Today's Details

The Sun is out! And I am going to enjoy the day! Here are my accessories for today!

Enjoy :) Sam xo

Skin Care review- long overdue!



My Day Time Skin Care:

I wash my face with Dove Bar Soap in the mornings to wash away any residue overnight. I feel like because I use such strong soaps on my face at night in the A.M my face doesn't need to be scrubbed so clean. I then use the Clinique toner to make sure everything is clear off my face. Next is to moisturise. Using a combo of the clinique anti-blemish lotion first and then the Garnier Pure Matifying Lotion. Lastly before my makeup goes on- I use the Estee Lauder Idealist pore refining serum.

Night Time Skin Care:

At Night I feel like I need to make sure the day has been scrubbed away! After taking off my makeup (I use an AVON eye make up remover) I start with the Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream; a very light exfoliant for the skin. I then help wash it away with the Biore combo skin face wash. Next step is to Tone with the Clinique acne solutions toner. Once I can feel that my face is squeaky clean I use the Estee Lauder advanced night repair serum- this stuff is incredible; I don't know why I never used it before! And lastly I use the Origins Super Spot Remover.. always on my chin and around my nose- I feel like it helps to control my acne prone skin and helps prevents blemishes. 

I also find that taking supplements has really helped improve my skin lately. Cod Liver Oil pills help the skin as well as your immune system. And to bust brain activity, as well as extra added skin care I also take Fish Oil Pills. I take both of these supplements 3x daily; recommended to take these with meals.

It's the long weekend in Canada! Hope everyone has a great May 2-4! Enjoy the fireworks and Victoria Day!

Sam xo

NOTD - Essie Marabou

Very streaky and not opaque but its makes my hands look very manicured and therefore I love it!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Sam xo