Friday 1 March 2013

blonde-y

blonde-care


I recently made the switch from ombre to full-on blonde. It is quite the process for me since my hair pulls a LOT of orange tones. My friend started by alternating foils of bleach and a brown that's slightly more golden than my own dark hair (L'Oreal True Brunettes UL61, which is meant for dark hair). 


hair colour




Since my hair was still slightly brassy, the next step was using Clairol Natural Instincts Brass Free Brunettes all over. I just shampoo it all over, like a toner, leaving it on for about 5 minutes max. I find it improves the tone of my hair and seals the cuticle, making it shinier. This one is semi-permanent, so it will fade out and I tend to redo it from time to time. I dont use the entire bottle each time, maybe 1/3, by mixing equal parts colour and developer in a hair colour mixing bowl I bought at the dollar store. 


The next steps are in the care of the blonde hair, which can look extremely dry and wiry. I have been alternating between "Mane & Tail" and AG Sterling Silver shampoos and have found them to be the best. The AG is a purple tone, which helps with the brassiness. For conditioner, I'm loving the Goldwell Kerasilk line! I have both a regular (for colour treated hair) and a deep conditioning treatment. I'm also still a fan of any of the Pantene Pro-V conditioners as well.

Once washed, I towel dry and use a few pumps of Josie Maran Argan oil, which smells so nice! I blow dry my hair with a round brush, always holding the blow-dryer in a downwards angle to smooth the cuticle. To finish, I find that curling my hair helps make it look shinier as well. I use a Hot Tools iron in 1.5", which gives a slight wave but not curly look (since it's such a large barrel).
   

Wednesday 13 February 2013

get yer greens


I just thought I'd share some of my favourite salad combos I've been enjoying these days. I don't ever measure, but just eyeball, and combine any of the following to my liking. You can make the dressing (usually I do 1 part oil to 2 parts vinegar/lemon juice etc) or use a store-bought.

For any of these, I'd add a protein (usually chicken, chickpeas, or tempeh). I usually marinate the chicken or tempeh in a bit of the dressing before I cook it (if using flax oil, don't cook with it). My fave "greens" at the moment is a mix of baby spinach and baby kale (I've been using "Organic Girl" or "Cooking with Spinach").


Lemon-Dijon
greens
salad topper (I use "Joes" brand from Wal-Mart, which is cranberry, walnut and pumpkin seeds)
avocado
grape tomatoes
mushrooms
Dressing: lemon juice, flax oil, Dijon mustard, Italian herb seasoning
*In picture above, I've been making this one a lot lately.

Asian
Greens
cashews
peppers
red or green onion
edamame beans
Dressing: apple cider vinegar, soy sauce or Bragg, honey, sesame oil, flax oil, sesame seeds, ginger

Mexican/Taco
greens
shredded iceberg lettuce (or I buy a bag of "Shreds")
salsa
avocado
black beans
olives (black sliced)
Dressing: lime juice, flax oil, and if you like spice add chili pepper flakes
*you can use ground turkey, chicken, beef or Veggie Ground round with Taco seasoning for this one. Another option is to crush some tortilla chips on top for extra crunch. I also add jalapenos for extra spice.

Marinated Italian
tomato
zucchini
peppers
olives (I like sliced green in this)
carrots
onion
celery and/or fennel
chickpeas
Dressing: balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, Italian herbs (fresh or a seasoning)
*chop all ingredients, put in a container with dressing, stir and let marinate. I sometimes add a can of tuna for protein. Place on top of a bed of greens.

Berry Almond
greens
avocado
mixed berries (or just strawberries)
almonds (toasted slivered are best)
red onion (optional)
dressing: apple cider vinegar, honey, flax oil


Friday 1 February 2013

real techniques- brush review


I recently heard that the "Real Techniques" brushes, developed by Pixiwoo's MUA Sam Chapman, would be available in Canada. I went to London Drugs and they'd sold out right away! I kept checking back in until about a month and a half later they were finally re-stocked.

A set of 4 brushes with a cute holder (which converts into a brush stand) was only $19.99 CDN.

I went for the "Core Collection" of face brushes. I usually buy cheaper brushes to keep in a set to use on myself at home, day to day. I must admit that I love these brushes!

The face brush is excellent for buffing and blending foundation for a seamless look. The foundation brush is quite soft and flexible, as well as fairly small compared to some, making it easy to blend in and around the eyes/nose/chin areas. I love the smaller powder brush, it works fabulously for contouring, blush or precision powder application to specific areas. There is also a tiny brush in the set, which I believe is meant for target application of concealer on blemishes, but I actually love it for blending out my eyeliner since the bristles are soft and flexible.

Considering these are not natural bristle brushes, the quality is still very good. They are soft yet durable. I could honestly say I'd like a second set of just these brushes for myself since they are such multi-taskers. I wouldn't actually mind a set for my kit as well!

I still have yet to try any of the sets for eyes etc, so I will be sure to let you know if I do.

Friday 25 January 2013

skin you-r-in

current skin-care

Here's my current skincare likes & routine:

  • Wash- daily, with Dove sensitive skin bar
  • Exfoliate- 1-2 times per week- cover my face with "Natures Gate" all-natural lotion, rub some Dove sensitive skin bar on my Clarisonic and get some exfoliating going on. I find that my skin is so sensitive that the lotion helps keep it soft and protected while it's being scrubbed.
  • Moisturizers- currently switching between the following. For normal areas, either Embryolisse Lait-Concentrate, Origins Starting Over Age Erasing Cream, Avene Redness Relief SPF 25 and for dry patches Avene Cicalfate or Avene Skin Calming Recovery Cream (in Rich Formula)

I'm really loving the Avene line right now. It's nice and rich (great for my skin which is drier in the Winter months). They do have lines for oily/acne-prone skin as well. The prices are decent too (check for sales at London Drugs and other drugstores). 

I also bought Nivea skin creme after reading that many models use it, and keep it in my car for my hands and face as needed. I thought my skin would be too sensitive for it, but it's actually nice (and only $3.95 for a small tube!).

I also like to do home-made masks from time to time. I usually blend a fruit (such as berries, for the apha-hydroxy acid content), with a fat (such as avocado or coconut, for the moisture) and something to hold it together (oatmeal is good, soothing). Throw it in the blender and apply to your face. 

I also tried a sample of a mask that one of my friends ordered online called "Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay". I will say that it stinks soooo badly (it's made from 100% Bentonite, aka Green Clay), but it did work quite well. She'd heard about it through some friends in the US and found it here on Amazon (it's only $6.79!). It tightens your face, cleans out your pores and doesn't dry your skin out like any other clay mask I've ever tried. I think I will order a jar.


As a side note, for body I find in Winter the easiest thing to do is add some oil to your bath. Try grape-seed, coconut, olive, almond or jojoba oils. It gets all over your entire body, and holds the moisture in your skin when you get out. Add some essential oils if you want to smell great too (I love lavender, rose, bergamot and geranium).

Here are some links to some of the skin products I mentioned:
Origins face moisturizer
48 CAD - beauty.com


Face moisturizer
23 CAD - escentual.com


Embryolisse
53 CAD - shopmrsh.com


Clarisonic Blue Mia
190 CAD - asos.com

Monday 14 January 2013

makeup @ 2013 Golden Globes


I did a little research and here are the breakdowns of products used for some of my favourite makeup looks from last night:


Jessica Alba
By: Lauren Andersen
Skin: Hourglass No. 28 Primer Serum, Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer in Sand, Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer in Warm,  Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Radiant Light 

Cheeks: Hourglass Illume Crème-to-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset 
Eyes: Hourglass Film Noir Kohl Eye Pencil in Espresso, Hourglass Superficial Waterproof Bronzer in the crease of the eyes and the gold shade from Hourglass Visionaire Eye Shadow Duo in Dune on the lids. Hourglass Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara. 
Brows: Hourglass Arch Sculpting Brow Pencil in Soft Brunette.
Lips: Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Riviera
Anne Hathaway
By: Kate Lee
SKIN:  Chanel Hydra Beauty Serum, Chanel Base Lumière Illuminating Makeup Base. Chanel Vitalumière Aqua all over and Chanel Perfection Lumière foundation where little more coverage was needed.
CHEEKS:  Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Medium, Chanel Poudre Signée De Chanel Illuminating Powder
BROWS: Anastasia Brow Powder & Anastasia Brow Gel."
EYES: Chanel Soft Touch Eyeshadow in Fauve in the crease and underneath lower lashes. I left her lids nude, skipped eyeliner, curled her lashes, and coated them with Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Mascara. 
LIPS:  Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in Sedusicante (no lipliner)


Jennifer Lopez
By: Mary Phillips
Skin: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Miracle Blur, L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Makeup in Caramel Beige, L’Oréal Paris Super-Blendable True Match Crayon Concealer in Fair/Light Warm, a small amount of L’Oréal Paris Visible Lift Color Lift Blush in Nude Lift on Jennifer’s cheeks

Eye: several L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Eye Shadow Quads including Cupa Joe as a base and Black Pump around the outer corners, L’Oréal Paris Infallible Eye Shadow in Eternal Black in the crease, L’Oréal Paris Super Slim Liner by Infallible on the top lids, L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara

Lips: L’Oréal Paris Colour Caresse Shine Stain in Eternally Nude

Rachel Weisz
By: Melanie Inglessis


Skin: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in #3 and #4, 

Cheeks:  L’Oreal Magic Smooth Souffle Blush in Angelic onto her cheeks.

Lips: Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro #201 

Sunday 13 January 2013

trend-head

When I'm itching for a change, the first place I look is my hair. You name it, I've tried it... black, blonde, red, pink, oh yeah and my natural brunette locks have crept in here and there.

I've been various degrees of ombre for quite some time now and I must say, it's the best hair trend I've ever experienced! No worrying about root growth and you kind of get the best of both worlds, with both lightness and darkness around your face.

However, I've clung onto this ombre hair long enough. Here are some cut & colour trends I'm currently craving...

Platinum



Bobs
 




Bangs


Pastel


Sunday 30 December 2012

NYE Options

NYE Options

If you are hitting the mall at the last minute for something to wear for tomorrow night, here are some cute (and affordable!) options for ya... all from Zara and Forever 21.


Zara dress
zara.com


Zara dress
zara.com



Circle dress
forever21.com






Forever 21 skirt
forever21.com


Skirt
canada.forever21.com


Forever 21 skirt
forever21.com


Forever 21 skirt
forever21.com


Forever 21 slit skirt
forever21.com

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