Everything Is Coming Up Roses...In My Living Room

I love the smell of roses. On my skin, on my hands and in my house. Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater Home Fragrance is a gorgeous and delicate way to make your environment smell like a fresh bouquet of roses. I would say it smells like how I imagine a pink rose smells like. A red rose would be headier and heavier, and a white rose perhaps wouldn't smell as sweet. Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater Home spray comes about as close to smelling like true rosewater as I've found. The main thing I love about this home spray is that it doesn't smell like chemicals (Glade...Febreeze...) or cheap (Glade...Febreeze...) or plastic (...well, you know). The Crabtree and Evelyn Rosewater spray smells gentle and natural and a little goes a long way.

They also have a lovely candle which I may go back and get.  Oh, and of course, rosewater scented drawer liners. Don't they sound lovely? Bringing the scent of gorgeous scented rose petals into all the rooms of your house? It's like it's spring already....wonderful.

Available from Crabtree & Evelyn shops for around $20. The website has a lovely little set of mini room sprays with Iris, Lily, Rosewater and Lavender for $28, which would be a neat way to try them all! 

Despite The Name, This Cream is Udderly Wonderful

Udderly Smooth Cream has been on the shelves for years. I never ever tried it because I find the name so off-putting. Yes, I have Bag Balm and love it for cuts & scraps and deep moisturizing of hands & feet in the dead of winter. But it at least has a cute and charming kitschy tin and some old fashioned farm-y appeal. Not the case with Udderly Smooth. I judged it for trying to cash in on the cow-moisturizer-for-humans trend, and found it's spotted cow hide styled packaging derivative. Silly me.

I'm not sure what made me try the original Udderly Smooth Cream when I was shopping last week, but I did. Maybe it was the under $3 price for a big 4oz tube. Maybe it was that I'd heard it had a lovely scent (which I didn't believe but anyways...). So- it actually does smell really nice- very soft, kind of old fashioned, like a gentle skin scent. I say old fashioned because it reminds me of something but I can't put my finger on it. The scent disappears within minutes which is too bad really, because I really like it. The cream itself soaks right into the skin beautifully, leaving zero residue behind, so if you really dislike a greasy feel on your hands, you will love this. It has a thick creamy texture but really melts away, leaving nothing behind. I now want the big container to use head to toe.

Verdict? I still kind of hate the name, but I adore the cream. Shopping info for the US here, and Canada here.

Benefit Ultra Plush Makes Your Lips Ultra Lush...ious

Benefit has just released the most amazing line of gorgeous glosses based on their gorgeous blushes. Great idea, right? I love the idea of the matching shades, especially if you have a Benefit Blush you adore (ahem, Dandelion, anyone?). And the Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Glosses do just that! I got Bella Bamba, Coralista, Sugarbomb (MY FAVE) and Dandelion. They are quite sheer and moisturizing, which makes them easy to use and rather addictive. These are the least sticky glosses I have ever used which is a relief, as having my hair stick to my lips is not a good look for me. They have a subtle mango- fruity taste/scent that is reminiscent of a lip gloss from my youth. If you try them & recognize the scent, let me know!

Swatches in same ascending order as gloss tubes above... in daylight.

If you are looking for huge colour pay off, then you may be frustrated with these. However, if you are looking for a nice soft lip gloss to match your cheeks, then you will love them! I love the idea of matchy matchy gloss and blush, it just makes for a polished and elegant look. And with the softness of the Benefit blushes, these lip glosses make for the perfect combination! My daughter loves Coralista for the coral orange tone, which is so very hot right now, very Pantone Tangerine Tango, if you will. I adore Dandelion, which is as soft and gentle as the Dandelion blush which I adore and reviewed here. But for some reason, Sugarbomb made me really fall in love. It has that sort of purple-taupe look I am loving these days, and even though it shows as super frosty in the swatch, that does not translate to the lips. Just shine. For the record, Bella Bamba and Coralista are sheer and jelly like with no shimmer, and Dandelion and Sugarbomb have a wee bit of frost. Verdict? Love.

Available wherever Benefit is sold, & on counters in May for $18

Banish Future Blemishes & Hide The Ones You Have With Vichy

I am recent lover of Vichy skincare. After Vichy proEVEN pretty much changed my life and my life and my skin, I have a lot of faith in what Vichy can do for me. Since using Vichy proEVEN my skin tone has changed to the point where my poor concealer collection is gathering dust.  I used to have spots left behind from blemishes that seemed to last forever. I was covering up all the time. Vichy proEVEN has made that unnecessary. I can say honestly as well, that every woman I have recommended proEVEN to have told me the same thing. Usually within the first week of use, they see a dramatic difference.

I do love to use a mask and scrub for my pores still, however. I like a deep cleansing mud-type mask, and I like a scrub that is not too abrasive. Enter Vichy Normaderm Tri-Activ Mask. The website says "a triple action mask that cleanses, exfoliates and mattifies. A formula associating a high concentration of clay, ''peeling'' ingredients and a soothing agent.". And it's true. I don't get irritated or red from using it, and my skin feels baby soft. I like to put it on before the shower and let it dry, then use gentle circular scrubbing motions to rinse it off 10 minutes later in the shower. Use it as a cleanser to thoroughly yet gently eliminate sebum/impurities without drying skin. It also unclogs pores to help reduce blackheads/whiteheads and evens out skin tone. Use it as a mask, and it draws out impurities, as it is enriched with 25% natural clay to remove excess sebum to clarify complexion

The emphasis on this product, besides the efficacy of it, is the gentle formulation. It's hypoallergenic, soap & paraben-free, and made with the famous Vichy thermal spa water. I love it now, but I know I'm going to love it even more in the summer. 

The only concealer I use is one under my eyes, and one to cover the occasional evil zit that decides to set up shop on my face. And the one I am using for that is, big surprise, Vichy Normaderm Anti-Imperfection Stick. My friend uses it and told me she loves it's mattifying qualities as well the fact it is medicated to help up those zits. It's in a nifty twist-up pencil format, which makes it perfect for the purse. The colour is supposed to be universal, which is a bit of a stretch. It's on the darker side, yet not dark enough for a dark complexion. It works for me, and I can dab a little powder on top to lighten it. If I am using self tanner or in the summer, the colour is perfect. It actually helps dry up the little zits without drying out the skin. Most medicated concealers contain so much stuff they dry out the skin, and non-medicated ones can clog pores. Vichy Normaderm Stick is just right. My 16 year old uses on her acne as well and really likes it.

Vichy is available at Canadian drugstores: the Tri-Activ Mask is around $20 for 125ml and the stick is around $15. Vichy Tri-Activ Mask will be available in the US August 2012.

Gorgeous For Earth Day With Live Clean & Weleda

Anselm Feuerbach, Gaia*, 1875

Its not hard to find things make you look and feel beautiful, are gentle and natural and are good for the planet. Two of my fave lines fit this criteria perfectly. Live Clean is one of my favourite hair & skin care lines, everything is gentle, effective, softly scented and there is something for every need- you can read about Live Clean here. Weleda has long been respected as having quality products and a respect for the earth around them- you can read their philosophy & mission here.

My latest Live Clean discovery is one specially designed for dry, colour treated hair, their Professional Damage Therapy Collection. This amazing collection l uses a unique combination of essential vitamins and nutrients that seals damaged cuticles, improves hair strength and texture and mends split ends. The unique formulation "enhances moisture retention with no heavy buildup and increases resistance to breakage". Their Professional Damage Therapy Split End Cream, which is like a deep conditioner, is bloody miraculous and you notice immediately that your hair looks and feels softer, smoother and bouncier. That product along with the gorgeous Restoring Spray, a leave in conditioner, make every day a Breck Girl day. The leave in conditioner smells so incredible! I also got these products for my 16 year old daughter who has the same hair as I do- super thick and wavy with a slightly coarse texture that tends to have dryness at the ends. We have been known to snap combs and brushes in our hair. The Split End Cream + the Restoring Spray is like a hair miracle. All without silicones! Best part? Smells like heaven. It has a rich, creamy scent, perhaps sort of woodsy? Its a clean scent without being soapy or floral. I even use the Restoring Spray to refresh my waves/style on dry hair. Softens and conditions without weighing hair down. Love it!

I've been really liking my Weleda One Step Cleanser & Toner- you can read my review here. But they also have a terrific Refining Toner. Now, while the One Step product doesn't require a toner, per say, the refining toner is more than just a simple skin refresher. I just put a little on a cotton pad to use before I spritz a little rosewater on and then moisturize. It helps to purify the skin and refine the pores after cleaning. An astringent rose leaf helps to clarify the skin, and vitamin C, which has skin brightening properties, refines the skin. It feels like it gives you that little bit extra, especially if you are like me and your skin tends to oil and shine. It has a fresh spa-like scent that only Weleda can do, and I love the way it smells and makes my skin feel. Of course, it's in the gorgeous cobalt blue glass bottle that has looks and feels elegant. Another love!

So there are two little Earth Day suggestions from me. What are your fave planet friendly prodz?

Doesn't this just make you want to hug a tree? And have a Coke? Ok, a Diet Coke...

* From Wickipedia: Gaia  /ˈɡeɪ.ə/ or /ˈɡaɪ.ə/; from Ancient Greek Γαῖα, a poetical form of Γῆ, "land" or "earth";^[1] also Gaea, or Ge) was the goddess or personification of Earth in ancient Greek religion,^[2] one of the Greek primordial deities. Gaia was the great mother of all: the heavenly gods, the Titans and the Giants were born from her union withUranus (the sky), while the sea-gods were born from her union with Pontus (the sea).

A Friday Thought

In the words of the fabulous (super fabulous?) Dolly Parton "It takes a lot of money to look this cheap". Sometimes we can take how we look a little too seriously and forget to have fun. Step outside the box! Wear some colour! Trust me, this advice is for me, as much as anyone!

Happy Friday!

Image from Anne Taintor

Baby Soft Lips- Overnight!

Remember the gorgeous Kim Bassinger in these ads? LOVED Kissing Potion.

I'm a huge fan of La Roche Posay products. Cicaplast is actually miraculous at healing skin issues of any kind, and even though I used it on my lips, it really isn't heavy enough. So while standing in front of the wall of delicious La Roche Posay beauty products, I spied Ceralip. I whipped out my iPhone and used my handy dandy Make Up Alley product reviews app and wouldn't you know- Ceralip had a great rating. Do you have the free Make Up Alley app? Or, if you don't have the app, do you read reviews there? They are amazing and I don't go shopping without reading there first.

I can't really find any scientific explanation as to what it does and how other than it has "considerable lipid replenishing powers". It is recommended for people on Accutane or retinoids, which can cause extreme dryness and peeling, and apparently its designed to stop the peeling. I have been using it at night and LOVE it. My lips are definitely smoother and amazingly, the product is still noticeable on my lips in the morning. It is fragrance and paraben free, so perfect for sensitive skin as well. This will be amazing after a day in the sun this summer. 

I got my La Roche Posay at the drugstore for around $15.

Video! A Perfume Lesson, Pretty Spring Perfumes, Sheer Red Lippy & Glitter!

In which I discuss one of my pet peeves with the perfume industry. It's not earth shattering or groundbreaking news, but I think it's important to be able to distinguish fact from fun in the cosmetic industry. Right?

Links:

The 2 perfumes I mention are Houbigant Quelques Fleurs and Guerlain Jardins de Bagatelle.

The sheer red lippy I now love is Clinique Almost Lipstick in Luscious Honey. Noticed after the fact I refer to it as simply Luscious in the video, but it is Luscious Honey.

And my glittery nails are courtesy of Deborah Lippmann Candy Store. And, here is an amazing how-to post on how to get that tricky glitter polish off your nails by The Beauty School Dropouts.

That Violet Perfume Is So Purple-y

I love violet perfumes. The "love at first sight" flower...fitting. They are soft, simple and innocent. Why innocent? Hm, I'm not sure. Somehow I associate violet with babies or grandmothers, or candy, and all of those things are pretty darn sweet & innocent. They is an airy and fresh feel to violet perfumes that to my thinking makes them perfect for spring, as well as the intense heat of summer. Years ago I got a simple violet eau de toilette on summer holidays at the beach in St Jean de Luz in France, so perhaps that wonderful scent memory of hot sunny days sipping white wine while listening to the waves crash will forever cement the perfect summer day with the scent of violets for me. I just feel clean and fresh when I wear violet. 

Annick Goutal La Violette: It smells like sweet violet candies- soft and soapy, and stays close to the skin. The violet is somehow a "cool" flower so violet scents tend to be cooling and perfect for warm weather. They have a simple old fashioned feel to them and there is a rainy fresh garden feel that I just love.  I get decent longevity from almost all perfumes so while some complain that this does not last on them, on me it lasts a few hours. It is a simple soliflore but somehow so perfect and light. 

L'Artisan Parfumeur Verte Violette: This one is a bright purple violet. It's sparkling and vivid, like a handful of violettes covered in dew. The "Verte" in this (French for green) refers the green notes, which are supposed to be the leaves and stems. The neat thing about violet leaf is it is often used in men's fragrances, and it adds a unisex twist to the violet, which can often be very feminine smelling.  As well, L'Artisan added a touch of iris to this mix, which adds an earthy richness. Both sexes could easily wear this one and they would smell amazing. Love it. One of my favourite L'Artisans.

Guerlain Les Meteorites: Brace yourself for the sad panda- this gorgeous little gem is discontinued. Sorry. I don't usually like to write about products that are nearly impossible to find but I just can't talk about violets without mentioning this. Named after Guerlain's famous cosmetic powder of the same name, Les Meteorites is the scent of those gorgeous little powder balls we love so much. The neat thing about this violet scent is the warmth behind the flower. The yummy sweet Guerlinade makes up the base for the violet. Please read Monsieur Guerlain's perfect description of Guerlinade. He says it better than I ever could. Violet is a cool and fresh flower so adding the sweet sultry Guerlain magic recipe makes it a slightly sexy violet. Only Guerlain...

Officially Hooked On Glitter: I Blame Deborah Lippmann

Glitter nail polish is something I love in the bottle, like a gorgeous piece of sparkly jewellery. But I always tend to balk at wearing them. Not sure why. I've had a bottle of the beautiful Deborah Lippmann Candy Shop for awhile, sitting unworn in my collection. I decide I'm going to wear it, then chicken out and put on a sheer pink.

Candy Shop in sunlight plus some fun with my iPhone...

Well yesterday I finally cracked open the bottle to wear it. And I love it. I should have known this would happen, as the exact same thing happened with Lippmann Boom Boom Pow. At first I think "holy crap I am way too old for so much sparkle what was I thinking I need to take this off" but then it becomes "omg this is the neatest stuff ever and I love it so much I want to wear it every day". Lippmann's glitters are like that- they somehow manage to look elegant- which is the word I would use to describe her whole line, if I had to choose only one. Fun, playful, gorgeous and luxe and elegant. Candy Shop is the sweetest milky pink jelly base chock full of different shaped mulicoloured glitter. This is two coats of Candy Shop with Lippmann Rehydrating Base Coat under neath and Addicted To Speed quick dry top coat. 

Verdict? Love. I never want to take it off.

Givenchy & Liv Tyler Make Rosy Sweet Music Together

Givenchy has released a new version of Very Irresistible for Spring 2012, Electric Rose, on counters this month. Kind of a tricky name, if you ask me, as the rose in this perfume is actually soft, gently fruity and sweet. The gorgeous and stunning Liv Tyler rocks the house in the new single and video she released along with Givenchy to accompany the perfume. But the perfume is more Arwen from Lord Of The Rings than tough rocker babe. Needless to say, I love it. 

Very Irresistible Electric Rose is fresh and airy, very easy to wear and smells like you've taken a bath in a forest stream full of rose petals. Really. The gentle berry and citrus notes keep the rose from being too powdery, and the dry down is sweetly sexy, with cedar and musk. This is a simple scent, not too complicated or strange, and easy to wear. Electric Rose will be a perfect warm weather perfume and will make you smell lovely, not "perfumed". People will want to know who smells so pretty, not who is responsible for their migraine or sneezing fit. I am actually so surprised, in a good way, as the ad copy for Very Irresistible Electric Rose had me expecting something loud and possibly nose-hair singeing. Not so....at all. This is a perfume for strong perfume haters, and would actually be perfect for a young girl. And not in a cupcake teeth curling sugary way. Just a fresh gentle good smelling way. I don't usually categorize scents, but something in this is bringing back memories of something I wore as a teenager. And I like it.Leave a comment on this post to be entered in a draw for a bottle of Givenchy Very Irresistible Electric Rose. Draw ends at 6pm on May 4th, 2012.

Givenchy Very Irresistible Electric Rose is exlusive to Macy's in the US, and at The Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart and Sephora in Canada. Maybe Sephora in the US too, but I'm not sure.

The draw is closed- thanks to all who read commented and entered! The winner is Tamara J! My email is here.

I'm Batting My Long Fluttery Lashes At You, Thanks To Revitalash

You know those amazing products that feel life changing? Yeah, Revitalash Advanced is one of those. Lash growth products have been all the buzz for last couple of years. I didn't really see them as something I needed until my dear friend Vicki and I experienced the most tragic eyelash extension experience ever. Our vanity got the best of us and we ran off to get eyelash extensions. Eyelash extensions, in case you don't know, are basically the acrylic nails of eyelash treatments. They look big, long and flashy and, when you take them off, leave your natural lashes as pale, thin and sparse versions of what they were. So we were both left looking like we had yanked out our own lashes one by one and feeling stupid. We both looked everywhere for solutions and stumbled upon these new fangled eyelash conditioners.

My leg warmers make my lashes look longer. Don't yours?

So. How do they work?  If you’ll ask your doctor, they’ll tell you it’s a drug that was originally used to treat glaucoma. However, its side effect—eyelash growth—was discovered and since then it has become known as an ingredient for beautiful thick eyelashes. Eyelash growth enhancers not only lengthen lashes, they make them thicker as well. Additional rows of hair grow and the color becomes darker. I know this for a fact as I am so fair and blonde that I regularly tint my lashes black. I hardly have to do this since I've been using Revitalash. Another benefit is somehow a slight curl is encouraged- goes hand in hand with the youthful lashes promised by these products. I used it every night for around 2 months and now I use it every other night. It's easy to apply with the teensy little brush and has become part of my evening routine. I really wish I had taken before & after photos so you could see the difference. As it stands, my lashes are long and lovely and I only wear mascara for special occasions. I could not do that before without looking tired. 

How is Revitalash different from the others on the market? I'm not sure. I know I tried 2 before and personally experienced some of the potential side effects (see the FAQ here), ie darkened skin along lash line and red eyes. These are temporary but were definitely worse with the others. So knowing my sensitive skin, I'd say Revitalash is gentler and less irritating. I had a wee bit of darkening of skin with Revitalash but it lessened over time, to the point that I hardly notice it now. It is important to use it with caution, and to not get in in your eyes. They will be irritated. 

So. Longer, thicker, darker lashes with a natural curl. Need I say more? Go get. Now.

Revitalash is around $98 for a 3 month supply and around $150 for a 6 month supply. I have found the tubes lasted quite a bit longer than they suggest, to be honest. You can buy them online from Revitalash and find different deals from various online retailers. Some doctors and spas sell it but I can't seem to find a list of them.

I'm All Soft & Silky Thanks To LUSH Ro's Argan Body Conditioner

Skincare fanatic that I am, how could I NOT try LUSH Ro's Argan Body Conditioner? A cream you apply in the shower just before hopping out then rinse off to feel all moisturized and soft? Yes please. In spite of the silly name. 

Firstly, the "Ro's" is a play on words and by that I mean ROSE. This product has rose coming out the yin- yang, even though it was created by a lovely lady named Rowena. Rose, as we know, is basically heaven for your skin and senses and is full of all kinds of goodness. It's also one of my favourite beauty ingredients, perfume and skincare-wise. Combined with a skin beautifying cocktail of coco butter, almond oil and the miraculou argan oil, the scent becomes like a sort of candied rose but also warm and comforting. I love it. Unlike many LUSH products, Ro's Argan Body Conditioner is actually softly scented and the scent stays close to the skin. It is uber concentrated so one needs only the tiniest amount to spread head to toe to reap the benefits. Trust me- I applied way too much the first time. I was doubtful that this product would actually deliver what a million drugstore body washes promise to and fail to do. You know, moisturize in the shower? Before rinsing off? How does that even work? Well, it does. Amazing, frankly. 

Rose Harvest ~ Henry Siddons Mowbray 1887

This product would be perfect for someone who doesn't feel like putting on lotion after the shower (hello- most men?!) or if your skin is so dry you need to seal in that moisture. This is serious moisture therapy and I am loving it. No itchy dry skin! LUSH Ro's Argan Body Conditioner comes in a big tub for around $30.  My only complaint would be that it would be better in a squirt bottle. I hate repeatedly dipping my fingers into any beauty product, and it gets water in it in the shower. But whatever, not a deal breaker.

Clinique Quickliner For Eyes Intense Makes Your Eyes Pop! DRAW!

Another draw on Daly Beauty! Yay! This time it's for a lovely collection of Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense Spring 2012 shades. I adore the Quickliners, and have Smoky Brown and Shy Brown in my make up draw- ALWAYS. These are my perfect make up and colour shy daytime liners, my "your eyes but better" shades, if you will. They have decent wear on the skin, and never irritate. Now if you are looking for a little drama, the Intense collection is for you! These are rich and gorgeous colours, and pair beautifully with all the Spring 2012 trends- neon brights, pastel colours and nudes. 

From top right: Intense Black, Intense Ivy, Intense Plum, Intense Charcoal

From top right: Intense Black, Intense Ivy, Intense Plum, Intense Charcoal

The colours are rich and sexy without being loud or garish. Intense Plum is a rich blue-purple with a teensy bit of blue shimmer, hardly noticeable on the eye. But wow what a colour! Intense Ivy has a bit of gold shimmer but again, it doesn't read as frosty on the eye. Intense Black also has a blue tinge to it, and Intense Charcoal seems to flash a bit of silver. Really- these are all gorgeous! All Quickliners come with a capped smudge sponge on the end which is perfect for a smoky eye. 

If you are interested in these four beauties, just comment on this post, be sure to like Daly Beauty on Facebook and if you are on Twitter, I'd love it if you would follow and RT this post! The contest ends at 6 pm on April 27th....

Comments are now closed and the winner is: Meggie! Meggie please email dalybeauty@gmail.com with your mailing information!

My House Smells Like An L'Artisan L'Ambre Candle

Scented candles are an obsession of mine. I was discussing this with my friend Dane the other night. We love perfumed candles because, unlike our perfume collections, we will use an entire candle up, right down to the wick. I am quite choosy with my candles, and have a preference for those with good "throw",  meaning their scent spreads out in the room/house. I love florals and resinous, incense-y scents, well actually I also love incense. The only one I burn is Nag Champa. I also love Papiers d'Armanie...environmental fragrance is a big thing with me.

L'Artisan Parfumeur, besides being one of my most favourite perfume houses, also makes my favourite candles. Most of them are so beautifully scented that even unlit, their gorgeous scent permeates the room. Their amber delight candle, Ambre, is one of those. It is a perfect woodsy, powdery sweet amber, and L'Artisan Parfumeur's L'Eau d'Ambre is the most beautiful amber perfume in the world. Seriously, try it. Perfect for men or women, it is irresistible. The candle is the same, and even now, sitting around 7 feet away from me, unlit, I can catch wafts of its beauty in the air. Its still crisp and springlike weather here and the Ambre is perfect. I even enjoy it in the summer. The sweet little L'Artisan votives are perfect for your bedside table and for travel as well.  I want my whole house to smell like L'Artisan Ambre and why I don't have any of the Ambre Boules yet is a mystery to me. The candles are not cheap but burn for hours and hours, and like I said, scent the room even when unlit. A necessary luxury, if you will.

Incense & amber makes me think of a gypsy...

Givenchy Mister Light? More Like Mister Right!

On my last trip to Sephora, they sent me home with an awesome bag of samples. As usual! Nothing like being a VIB to ensure a delicious assortment of tempting samples. Smart, those Sephora marketing geniuses, as I'm already preparing a list for a trip back. Sigh.

Givenchy Mister Light Instant Light Corrective Pen was one of the samples I received and I think it may be love. Often samples, especially the ones that come in a foil pouch, are a disappointment in that are small, and often contain too little of the product for anyone other than a Lilliputian to sample, or worse, the product is dried out. Not so with the foil pouch sample of Givenchy Mister Light. Funny, I read around online after tweeting with another beauty blogger who was going to try her new sample of Mister Light from Sephora, and could only find reviews on Eastern European blogs. I *think* they were positive reviews as the photos looked pretty good....

In natural diffused light- 1 tiny drop, 2 swatches, swatch on left blended. 

Anyways, I LOVE Mister Light. It applies like a dream, the tiniest amount goes so far. The colour I received was #4 Mister Macaroon, which sounds dark, being 4th on the list, but actually is perfect for my medium-fair-but-self-tanned skin. It is opaque yet so light, like some kind of heavy concealer/ YSL Touche Eclat hybrid. I love Touche Eclat, but let's face it. It conceals nothing. But sometimes a thick gloppy concealer is too much. Did I mention you only need a microscopic amount of product? It lasts a decent amount of time on skin, with a little powder on top, and doesn't settle into, ahem, fine lines. And since I have been using my **HOLY GRAIL ALERT** Vichy proEVEN my heavy concealers have been moved to the back of my make up rotation. I only need a bit of coverage around my eyes and on the sides of my nose. Seriously. 

I find Givenchy cosmetics getting harder to find but at least Sephora has it. My next trip to The Mothership (aka Sephora) will be for some Mister Light, although I still haven't used half of my foil pouch, which I've been using daily for over a week. Seriously. So, at $33 for a pen/tube of product, it seems one will get a lot of bang for their buck as this stuff covers a lot with just a little.

Top 5 Items In My Purse - Video Post!

I decided to share my post with you via video this week! I talk about what I'm loving in my make up bag right now, my perfume of the day, and an item I love right now that is soon to be reviewed. Enjoy and thanks for watching!!

In case you are wondering about the stunning painting behind me, it is a huge piece by my dear friend Heidi Conrod. If you aren't familiar with her work, I suggest you check her out. Every single one of her pieces is deeply personal and evokes a feeling of love and warmth. More are incredible caustic works of oil and beeswax and have so much depth you feel like you could reach into one.

Here is a bigger shot of the painting....

For more info on the products I discuss in this video, here are the links:

Jane Iredale Pure Pressed Base Mineral Foundation SPF 20

LipFusion Sweet

Nivea Classic Cream

Goody Double Wear Elastics

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Bel Ami

American Apparel Leather Goods

Annick Goutal Matin d'Orage eau de toilette

The Lemony Loveliness of LUSH Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter

How have I not written about this incredible stuff? I say that a lot as I go through my daily high maintenance routine, pulling up my Holy Grail items, and realize how little new stuff I have to acquire in order to share my beauty love & expertise. Heh heh, my beauty prodz hoarding tendencies are a whole other post....

Anyways, as we are all Mad Manicure Ladies in da hizzouse ( I am the mother Emilie of The Beauty School Dropouts, after all!) of course we take care of our hands. Lush Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter is probably the best cuticle treatment that I've used as well as an amazing value. At around $15 for a 50g jar that will last you ages, your money is well spent. I remember the first time I used it grabbed a huge blob of product to rub in and it was almost enough to grease my whole body down. Use caution, dear reader, as Lemony Flutter is rich and concentrated and a wee bit goes a very long way. I like to use it at bedtime for transformed cuticles when I wake up. And it actually improves the looks of your hands immediately upon application as well. The zingy lemon scent makes your hands smell yummy & clean too. 

One thing you need to know about a cuticle treatment and why they are so important- it is not just for the health and strength your cuticles but for your nails as well. A quality cuticle treatment is made of certain oils that have a certain molecular structure that can penetrate the nail bed, as well as a carrier for other oils. Oils also act as water repellers. Too much water in the nail bed area weakens the nail as it expands. Lemony Flutter is full of rich ingredients like avocado oil, shea butter, coconut oil, mango butter, glycerin flaxseed oil and lanolin. You know how wonky your nail shape becomes after a bath or doing the dishes? I actually hold my hands above the bath water when I soak. So- protect them and coat them with good stuff, like Lemony Flutter. You will see a huge difference in the health and appearance of your cuticles and nails.

Veruschka! I coveted my bff's big sister's bottle of Cutex Opaline 

LUSH products are available in their boutiques or you can shop online. You can even order a catalogue, if you are into that kind of thing.