Mum's Favourite Skincare Products

So I thought it would be interesting to ask my lovely mother about her favourite skincare and makeup products. I always love looking through her collection, and have done since I was much younger. I think her collection was inspiration for my love of makeup now. Here are her favourites, and a lot of the commentary is actually word for word from her.

 Here are her top 5 products.

 To begin is Estee Lauders "Soft Clean Silky Hydrating Lotion". It's sort of a cleansing water, but a bit more substantial. It has a thicker consistency than a water, and feels much more hydrating when you use it to cleanse. It has a slight rose scent and doesn't leave residue on the skin. Mum's favourite thing is how easy it is to use, it doesn't dry her skin out and the scent (without being overpowering).

 Estee Lauders "Day Wear Plus" moisturizer is one I know my Mum has used for years. The scent reminds me of her because I know she's used it for so long. It has a fresh, cucumber scent and is a relatively thick cream. It is oil-free, and has a built in SPF which is nice. Once it's applied it leaves a bit of an oily-feeling residue, but it helps keep your skin hydrated and isn't noticeable underneath makeup. Mum's favourite things are that it doesn't leave her skin greasy, it has an SPF and the consistency is thick. She also loves how it works year-round, because it can be applied lightly in the morning/summer and thicker in the winter/evenings. She says "It hasn't let me down over many years!"

 Next up is Guerlain's "Abeille Royale Serum". This is a little sample size I gave Mum a while back and she loves it. The full size is ridiculously expensive, but she says if she wins the lottery she'll be using it every day. Mum really likes the light consistency, how well it works around the eye-area and the scent of it. Her only downside is the price, but what else would you expect from Guerlain!

 Next is a body product, the Vaseline "Cocoa Radiant body lotion". It has a nice scent, and is quite light. It sinks into the skin really well, and doesn't leave a sticky residue so you can get dressed right away. She uses it mostly on her hands, and likes that it has a pump dispenser. She loves all Vaseline products, and the price isn't too bad either.

 The Etival "Urgen-C Exfoliant" is a dual-system product which starts with a citrus scrub, and after 5 minutes you add the activating serum. It turns a manual scrub into a chemical exfoliant, and is really gentle on the skin. It gives a bit of a warming sensation, but once you've washed it off 10 minutes later your skin feels incredibly soft. Mum likes that it's not too astringent and leaves your skin feeling really smooth, and like it's had a deep clean. She says it's a bit harsh on the eye-area, so keep that in mind when you use it.

The Vaseline "Spray & Go" is a moisturizing spray which makes moisturizing really quick. She really likes how easy it is to use, and especially because you can use it on your own back (which is generally neglected in the body moisturizing routine). Mum also says that it absorbs very quickly and although she's only started using it this winter, she thinks it works really well and would also work nicely in the summer. She also says it smells great (and I agree!)

So that's a little sneak-peek into products that my Mum loves! I've got a makeup post coming up too, so look out for that!

Empties

I love watching videos and reading reviews of empty products. It shows that you really loved something if you use it up, and it means you've used enough to write a decent review of each product. Some of these products are travel-sized, so there's not a whole lot I can say about it, and others I've had kept in a bag for months to save for a post like this and may have forgotten some details about. Anyway, I've saved this stash of products up for about 2 months, so I'll be happy to finally throw them out. I hope you like this post!

 First up is Cliniques Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. This is a moisturizer I've repurchased several times and really love for the daytime. It's light, oil-free, and works wonderfully under makeup. However, the packaging seriously sucks. I've been scooping the remains of this product out with my fingers, and I've given up now. I do this with every bottle I buy, there's enough left for maybe a full week, but you can't get it without leaving the bottle upside down, removing the pump and trying to scrape your finger around to collect up enough product. It drives me crazy! I intend to write a full post focusing on the matter, but the mens version of this product comes in a tube, so it might be worthwhile to just buy that.

 Clinique's Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm is a holy grail product for me. I love it, use it daily and intend to use it for a very long time! I've already repurchased and would do so again. It lasts a decent amount of time, you don't need a lot of product for each use and the jar works well for traveling, although it can be a bit bulky.

 Elizabeth Arden's Ceramide Lash Extending Treatment Mascara was my first high-end mascara purchase. The brush is quite typical (similar to L'oreal's Voluminous mascara) but the formula makes it that bit more special. It has ceramide to help lengthen lashes, while keeping them hydrated and stronger. I noticed quite a difference with my lashes when I used this product, my eyelashes were softer and I lost less of them, however I wouldn't repurchase because the effect of the mascara wasn't phenomenal for the price.

 Benefit's They're Real mascara is one I'm sad to see go. It's a wonderful product for most of it's lifespan, but towards the end as the formula get's drier and there's less of it, the plastic wand can get a bit pokey. You've got to be quite careful when applying. It does work wonders and lasts all day, but as a blogger I feel as though I should try out more mascaras, and won't be running out to repurchase it. It's a bit pricey, but if you don't mind spending more for amazing lashes, I'd highly recommend this product.

 The Boscia Luminizing Black Mask is one I received from a Sephora Beauty Insider 500 point perk. I wrote a full review on it here, so check that out for a more in-depth review. I feel as if you could get high quality face masks from cheaper brands, so I won't repurchase, but I did enjoy using the product.

 Soap & Glory's Flake Away Body Polish was an excellent body scrub. It leaves a bit of residue on the skin, but is very moisturizing and does a good job of exfoliating the skin. I would recommend using this after shaving, because of the residue, and to get the most out of this product I would turn off the water, use this all over your body, and then turn it back on to wash away. If you use it while the waters running, you don't have much of a chance to work it into the skin, plus it's in a tub so it's a bit difficult to get the lid on and off. It's a great, pampering product and I would certainly repurchase.

 Quo's Nail Polish Remover is just an average product. I've gone through lots of these as I can buy them in my hometown. It isn't any better or worse than any other nail polish remover, but does the job and lasts a long time for around $4.00.

 The Bosica Bright White Mask is very similar to the Bosica Luminizing Black Mask, because it's a peel-off face mask. You apply it, leave it for 20 minutes and then peel it off. Again, I liked it, but I didn't notice extraordinary results and think I could find a better mask for a cheaper price.

 Vichy's Aqualia Thermal Serum is a really lovely face product. It works wonders, hydrating skin, increasing luminosity and helping the surface of your skin to look and feel less bumpy. It improved the quality of my skin hugely, and worked really well whilst using the harsh, stripping Clindet's Acne Therapy. I think for a similar product that works well, try Indeed Labs 'Hydraluron', which you can get for about $10.00 cheaper than this one.

 Clinique's Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief moisturizer made an excellent light-weight night cream. I used this up in about 6 months and found it helped make my skin look more plump and hydrated. I like it much more than the Moisture Surge Overnight Mask, and would repurchase, although it can be quite pricey.

 The La Roche-Posay Nutritic Lip Balm was an expensive product I found in a sale bin for 75 cents. It was my lucky day. This lip balm retails for about $10.00, and I understand why. It is incredible. It's a clear lipstick style lip balm which keeps your lips incredibly hydrated. I don't know if I'd repurchase, but I really did love it and would highly recommend it.

 I know this isn't much of a cosmetic product, but Soap & Glory's Wash Your Hands Of It hand soap smelled incredible and never once dried out my hands. If you love the classic S&G fragrance as much as I do, I would really recommend this hand wash. It's nothing incredible, but something I loved and used up.

 Lancome's Advanced Genefique Serum is designed for anti-aging, but I got a sample and used it anyway. I really liked the consistency, and felt it held up well under makeup, while creating a smooth surface for my base. I think it worked very similarly to the Vichy serum, but is hugely expensive, much more than I'd be willing to pay as a student with no immediate anti-aging concerns.

 Bath and Body Works Vanilla Bean Noel shower gel is a Christmas limited-edition product, I love the consistency of their shower gels in general, and thought I'd like it even more with the delicious Vanilla Bean scent. I wasn't disappointed. This product lathers wonderfully, leaves you squeaky clean and smells incredible. The only downside is that the scent doesn't linger, but if you really love it just buy the matching fragrance mist! This scent kept me feeling festive even in the shower, and if you're going to belt out "All I Want For Christmas Is You", you may as well be lathering up in vanilla bean goodness.

 Vichy's Purete Thermale Foaming Face Wash is a really nice, gentle face cleanser. It is lightly fragranced, and smells like a spa in my opinion. I really loved how my skin didn't feel tight after washing with it. I would repurchase this product, but wouldn't run out immediately to do so.

 Boscia's Tsubaki Beauty Oil is a really wonderful facial oil. I use this alone, or layered underneath moisturizer to really replenish my skin. It works wonders in the colder months and didn't clog my pores. I had no issues with breaking out while using this, and would repurchase, but I think I'll try a new facial oil next time I'm in need of one.

Finally, we have Bobbi Brown's Hydrating Eye Cream. I really enjoyed the deluxe sample of this product and found it really did hydrate my under eye area. It wasn't too thick, but could be used sparingly in the mornings under makeup, and thicker in the evening for a better result. I like the consistency, the lack of scent and how it worked. I won't run out to repurchase this, because I really love my current eye cream, but it was lovely to use.

I hope you enjoyed these mini-reviews and seeing the products I've used up!

Essence Lipliner Review

I don't really own many lipliners purely for the reason it's something I barely wear. I don't want to spend a lot of money on them (Although the Urban Decay Naked liners look enticing) so if I feel like I may need to extend my lip colour I run the drugstore and pick up an Essence one. Essence is a bargain range exclusive to Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada, but can also be found in Europe and in the States. I think the lip liners are actually really good. They are a steal at $1.40!
I have 2 shades, although 3 are pictured. This is because in a hurry I chose a pink lipliner only to realize it's actually a kajal eyeliner (but I've been using it on my lips anyway- versatile!)
Although a fuchsia eyeliner may not be your thing, it's definitely not mine, it works rather nicely as a lipliner and seems to be a similar formula to the lipliners themselves.

 Here is the packaging. They are the colours of the lipliners themselves, which is handy when picking one out, and are wooden pencils which need to be sharpened.

Swatches from left to right: 11 In the Nude, 24 Pretty in Fuchsia and 08 Red Blush

I think for less than $2.00 these lipliners (or eyeliners..eek) are really quite good! They can be a bit drying, so perhaps apply a lip balm over top, but they are very pigmented and long lasting. If you don't wear lipliner often, or don't want to pay a small fortune, try Essence out and see what you think!

Manicure Monday Week 13

Hello everyone!
I missed last week due to vacation (woo!) but thought I'd get right back to it and show you the nail colours I have been sporting this week!

 Firstly is Essie's "Mint Candy Apple". It's a favourite of mine in the spring months (not that we're there yet but still) and I thought it looked nice with my tan!

Next is Essie's "Cute as a Button" which is a really pretty coral pink. It looks quite bright here, but it's a little less neon in person. This was also to compliment my quickly fading tan, it also brightens my day in -18 weather and mostly black wardrobe. 

There you guys go, nothing too exciting but still a little extra post! 

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and a great week to come!!

The Princess Tag

The princess tag is basically a tag to show off all of your most expensive makeup. It just shows what people are willing to spend their money on, and I have to say adding all of this up doesn't make me proud, but I don't think I could give it up... agh. Anyway, the questions are basic, but I've skipped the last two which are "most expensive miscellaneous item (eg. candle)" and "most expensive nail polish". My reasoning is a) I don't have an expensive candle, bubble bath etc. b) why buy an expensive nail polish when it all chips off in less than a week anyway? Here are my most expensive princess products!

 First up we have Stila's "Stay All Day" foundation and concealer duo. At a $44.00 price, I don't think this product is at all worth it, it doesn't last very well and has the coverage of a BB cream. I do like the concept of a matching concealer shade, I think the concealer is actually quite good, but the foundation is streaky and doesn't blend well. I will be writing a full review at some point soon.

 For concealer, I have MAC's "Studio Finish" concealer in the shade NW20. I also own NC15 for paler days, and to be honest this concealer is really worth the money. I think the colour range is excellent, and the formula is long lasting and blendable. It covers all sorts of blemishes and even under eye circles if you've had a particularly sleepless night. It retails in Canada for $22.00.

To set my makeup I have the Hourglass "Ambient Lighting Powder" in the shade Dim Light. It's a beautiful, fine powder that sets your makeup without making you look cakey or overdone. A great thing about these powders is that there are several to choose from, but instead of having shades to match your skintone, they each do a different thing. This helps blur imperfections and I use it for my whole face, although it has a glow to it that stops you from looking too matte. In Canada, this costs $45.00.

 This bronzer is one I can only use in the summer months. It is quite an orange toned bronzer, but it has a built in SPF and can be blended out quite nicely. This is the Clarins "Instant Sun Light" bronzer in the shade Golden Sun. It retails for $32.00.

 If you're going to buy a high-end blush it has to go to NARS. They are famous for their wonderful blushes, and especially the beauty-blogger favourite, Orgasm. This is NARS blush in Orgasm, a beautiful peachy-pink shade with gold specks running through it. You can get this blush for $30.00.

 For a luxury highlighter it has to be Christian Dior's "Shimmer Powder" in Amber Diamond. A beautiful bronze glow perfect for anytime of year! The shades also make great eyeshadows too!

 My eyeshadow pick is NARS eyeshadow palette in "And God Created the Woman". It's a beautiful neutral palette with 4 shimmery shades and 2 matte colours. It's truly beautiful, compact and has a big mirror for on-the-go applications. It retails for $59.00, but used to be $75.00 if I remember correctly. Get it before it's gone- it's limited edition!

 Sadly this mascara is almost finished, but I had to include it. This is Givenchy's Phenomeneyes mascara in the shade "black". The brush is very unique and really helps coat all of your lashes in mascara. The formula is very long lasting, and comparable to Benefit's "They're Real". You can buy this mascara for $30.00.

 For eyeliner I have to go with something I love. This is Stila's "Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner" in the shade Cobalt. It retails for 20.00. It lasts all day and never smudges or runs. I've almost used up the black shade entirely and will repurchasing soon!

 For brows it's no surprise that I love Anastasia's "Brow Wiz". I have the shade Blonde Ash, which is wonderfully close to my natural eyebrow colour. It isn't too red, like many drugstore brow products, and the tip of the brow pencil is so fine that it actually creates natural looking hairs. It costs $21.00, and now that I'm hooked I don't think I'll ever be able to use something else on my brows.

 Givenchy's "Le Rouge Givenchy" lipstick in the shade Rose Taffetas is a beautiful long lasting, matte lip colour. It's lovely, everything about it screams high-end, and is something to make you feel very glamorous and princess-like. I love all Givenchy lipstick formulas, and don't mind shelling out $36.00 for such a wonderful product.

 Finally, for lipgloss I have chosen one that I have had for almost 7 years! I know that might not be the most flattering intro sentence, but seriously, this stuff lasts. The tiniest amount of Dior's "Dior Addict Ultra Gloss" does wonders for your lips! The product makes your lips look fuller and so sparkly and beautiful. I have the shade 157, it has since been discontinued and repackaged, but all of the Dior glosses are well worth the $29.50 price tag.

 I hope you enjoyed the Princess Tag, please don't add up how much I've spent, I couldn't bare to look at it! Just a disclaimer, I'm not trying to show off in any way, makeup is the thing I save my pennies for and they certainly were not all purchased at one time! Have a good week guys!