01915 REVIEW: LUSH CATASTROPHE COSMETIC & DARK ANGELS
Shopping at Lush for the first time I was a bit overwhelmed with the amount of products that they carry and also the smell! Am I the only one who finds it nauseating? I was there to pick up the much raved about Brazened Honey mask but decided against it after discovering it contains eggs. I don’t eat eggs so I certainly don’t want it in my skincare. Lush says the egg is added to the mask for the protein but why not just eat your protein? Instead I ended up picking up the Catastrophe Cosmetic fresh face mask, with blueberries and calamine, and the Dark Angels scrub with charcoal. Both vegan products recommended for oily skin.
I really like the Dark Angels scrub. It leaves my skin feeling really soft and glowy. (Yup, that’s a word now.) It’s coarse enough to feel like you’re getting a good scrub but doesn't irritate the skin like some other products I’ve tried in the past. I’ve been using it every couple of days when my skin starts to feel dull. It does have a slight charcoal-like odor to it, but I don’t really mind it too much.
It contains black sugar, charcoal and cold-pressed organic avocado oil. A 100g tub of this stuff costs about $13 which is half the cost of the Clinique scrub I was using before. I really like this product and when I finish it, I’ll probably buy it again.
The Catastrophe Cosmetic mask is said to offer deep cleaning and has calamine powder and talc to absorb oil from the skin. The fourth ingredient listed is blueberries which are meant to add nutrients into the skin (though I’m not convinced). A small tub, enough for about 3-4 facials, costs $7 and has the shelf life of about two weeks due to the blueberries and has to be stored in the fridge.
I thought it was going to be a moisturizing mask but it’s actually more like a clay mask that dries on the face. It’s also difficult to apply as it keeps coming off the face as you smear more blueberry mess on. As I’m struggling to get an even layer on my face I’m thinking to myself – “What’s the point of this? Why not just eat some blueberries?” Once I rinsed it off my skin, it was left with a strange residue and I had to use a few cotton pads of toner to get it off. Overall, I won’t buy this product again. It seems like a novelty product to me and I’m sure a lot of Lush fans will disagree but oh well. I like simple products with natural ingredients that work well and without the struggle.
Oh and if you’re wondering about that cute little spatula in my picture, I got it from The Face Shop and it cost $2. It’s perfect for digging face masks out of the tubs so that goop doesn't end up under your fingernails!
Lush is Canadian and handmade. Each product features a picture of the person who made it, when they made it and when it expires. Cute!
011815 Long Layers and French Boots
Every now and then I get really excited about a series of photos that I can’t narrow down. Consider this another one of my mega posts that I’m super pumped to share. I braced the cold and ditched my jacket to bring you guys this layered outfit. I’ve also included a couple of style tips in here so read on!
I often build my outfit from bottom up, starting with my shoes. Are you really surprised? I love my shoes! I wanted to show off my Isabel Marant Angie boots (now sold out but these are also great) so I paired them with my black leather leggings as a fun way to play with contrast to the suede on the boot. Because I like wearing longer shirts with leggings, I chose my cotton ivory coloured Rag & Bone dress that I’ve literally had forever (similar here). I used to wear it as a dress but these days I find that I wear it more like a tunic. To play with the proportions of the outfit I picked my long black cardigan from Zara - a sale score for only $30 (very similar here). It fits like a dream and it’s super soft. Overall I wanted to stay true to my personal style, but this is the year of trying new things, which is why I bought the long cardi.
After getting dressed I accessorize. Mainly I’m minimal but other times I like to layer on the jewelry. I decided to play with silver and gold tones with my rings and I’m wearing pieces from Lola’s Vanity and Birds of a Feather, both Canadian designers located in Toronto. I’m also wearing some of my favourite silver rings that my husband bought me a few birthday’s ago along with my platinum wedding band - which i’m guilty of not always wearing! I went light on the necklace and chose this black onyx gold chain necklace from Lisbeth Jewelry, also from Toronto, which has become a favourite of mine.
Since I don’t always like carrying handbags in the winter time for fear of having the snow ruin them, I often go without a bag or just use a clutch. This one by Alexander Wang is actually an iPad case that I bought with the intention of using a a clutch. It has convenient card slots inside to keep credit cards, ID and cash safe and it’s also roomy enough to hold a couple of lipsticks, a compact, sunglasses and my iPhone. It’s easy enough to carry and I love the brass zipper detail and pebble leather that AW does so well. And one item that I can never be without is a watch. Fjord Timepiece sent me this black stainless steel men's inspired watch that is even nicer in person than online. Thanks Fjord!
Isabel Marant Angie boots in grey suede and navy leather | Chanel glasses | Rag & Bone pima cotton dress | Mackage leather leggings | Zara long black cardigan with pockets | Alexander Wang Fumo iPad case | Lisbeth Jewelry black onyx necklace | Birds of a Feather spike gold ring | Lola's Vanity brass U shaped ring | Fjord black Munnan watch | NARS Audacious lipstick in Rita
011415 Review: Seabuckthorn Natural Skincare & Hair care
I recently received a surprise package from Seabuckthorn that I'm calling "a spa in the mail". The parcel included their natural hair care, balms, creams, soaps and tea. Thanks SBT!!! I love this brand for that it leaves my skin balanced even with the freezing Toronto weather. I also love them for the fact that they're environmentally friendly. They're also Canadian and I'm always more than happy to support homegrown! Keep reading for my review.
PEPPERMINT SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER - I love this shampoo for that it wakes me up in the mornings when I lather up. It contains peppermint and seabuckthorn essential oils which feel really nice and refreshing on my scalp. I doesn't create a lot of suds, but I don’t mind that. A lot of the natural and sulfate free shampoos I've tried are similar in that way. Most importantly it soothes my scalp which is perfect in the winter.
The conditioner contains the same essential oils which help stimulate the hair follicles and promotes hair growth, volume and shine. For that reason it’s ideal to massage the conditioner into the scalp and then apply it to the ends of the hair. I rinse it out at the end of my shower so that my hair soaks up as much goodness as possible. I also love the clean minty feeling that’s left behind. Both the shampoo and conditioner are paraben free, all natural with 100% sustainable ingredients and are packed in 100% recycled bottles.
BERRY BAR - I briefly touched on this product on my Natural Skincare post here. Instead of repeating myself I’m going to tell you how I like it. SBT doesn't add unnecessary fragrances to their products which I really appreciate since I’m sensitive to artificial scents. The bar is gentle on my skin and yet it does a great job at removing my makeup. Since using it, my skin has felt more balanced and moisturized. (No more flaky skin in the winter!) I swear I've even have less breakouts!
ANTI-AGING CREAM - It comes in a tube and has more of a lotion consistency but regardless this is my new all-time fave. It feels non-greasy, absorbs nicely, keeps my skin well moisturized and helps my makeup last longer. Around the time I hit 30, I felt the need to use expensive anti-aging face creams to preserve my youth. I found that I was breaking out and they didn't work. After experimenting with skincare I've found the best possible regimen for anti-aging is to eat a plant rich diet, drink lots of water, wash your makeup off every night before going to bed and moisturize, preferably with a natural product! For crying out loud, I still get carded for ID when I buy wine. I must be doing something right!
LIP BALM - Lip balms are pretty universal so I won't go into too much detail but I love that this one by SBT because it's natural, petroleum free and moisturizes beautifully. Even my BFF was so enamored with it that she just order a few online. Enough said.
SNIFFLE STICK - Here we go with the peppermint again! It could be the whole winter time thing but I love using this balm around my nostrils at night. It’s the last thing that I do once I've washed my face and have moisturized. It helps clear my breathing and relaxes me. Love this stuff!
TEA - My diet is about 90% vegan and I'm ashamed to admit that the 10% that isn't is due to my insatiable love of sweets. I'm weak! I rely on this tea to help my body feel better and relax. It's herbal, caffeine free and contains 24% protein, magnesium, calcium, potassium, vitamin E and Omega 3, 6, 7 & 9, amongst other vitamins and nutrients (check out their site for more info). This tea comes from the leaves of the seabuckthorn plant and is available in loose leaf or bagged tea.
SKINCARE TIP: I have been told by the lovely Marissa at SBT that the tea can be used as a toner. I keep meaning to try it but I always drink every last bit!
Seabuckthorn products can be purchased online on their site as well as Whole Foods and other health stores across Canada. For international order email them at sales@seabuckthorn.com.
011415 Behind the Scenes
If you follow my Instagram you'll know that I recently undertook the exciting project of converting one of our spare rooms into my dream space - the walk in closet, or dressing room as I like to call it. It's a project that needs more time and care that I could give it right now but I'm happy where it's going. I have about three bookshelves in the space to house my shoes, handbags and some magazines. You can't see it in the photos but a desk to one side offers a spot for blogging while a small love seat makes the room cozy to hang out in. Oh, and in case you're curious, my hubby really likes the space and in fact, this project was his idea! More pics to come once I complete the space. In the meanwhile, I hope you guys will enjoy my in progress post.
I've repurposed a white bookshelf to house my shoe collection. It keeps me organized since I used to have a terrible habit of leaving my shoes all over the house.
White curtains will replace the floral ones that once belonged in my teenage bedroom.
I'm thinking of replacing the dark (handbag) shelf with a white one to keep the furnishings consistent so that my accessories can stand out more. Don't mind the clutter!
Happy in my new space surrounded by the things I've worked so hard for.
011315 Isabel Marant Angie Boot
I haven’t done a proper shoe post in a while so here we go. My new loves from last month, the Isabel Marant Angie boot. These are my first pair of IM shoes and I was lucky to have scored them on super sale on Ssense just before they sold out. (You might remember me posting about them on my Sale Shopping article here.)
I was drawn to these ankle boots immediately and what sold me was the 3.5” heel height and rounded toe which make it comfortable for walking. The navy blue leather wraps have a beautiful contrast against the grey suede. The leather is also super soft and I don’t think these shoes will need to be broken in. From what everyone on IG has been saying – IM makes super comfortable shoes. I will be wearing these with insoles as I do with most of my shoes for comfort and for a better fit. (These are a half size too big. Ssense doesn’t carry half sizes so I always size up.)
I wear a lot of black and white but I figure these shoes are neutral enough to wear with most of my wardrobe. I’ve only worn them once so far, for my flares post here. I think I’ll wait for nicer weather for their second wear. These shoes deserve to shine.
Isabel Marant Angie boots | Target wool hat | Blue Piston speakers in gold | 3.1 Phillip Lim Depeche small clutch in Cash Only
011015 NAVY + DENIM
I like to keep my outfits pretty simple especially, on the weekends. This navy faux fur coat from Zara is my statement piece and gives me the visual interest I always crave when I get dressed. It also keeps me pretty warm considering the weather in Toronto has been feeling like -20 degrees celsius these days. Since I was running errands, I kept my layers light and braved the cold to do a quick outdoor shoot. Happy weekend and keep warm!
Zara faux fur jacket and jeans | Aritzia neoprene sweatshirt | Chanel glasses | Hoi Bo washable paper pouch in the medium | Alexander Wang boots | Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella
DIY STYLE - I cut two straight slices on each knee of the jeans and purposely positioned them in different heights to make them more fun. Before I made the cuts, I put the jeans on the marked where I wanted the slices to go.
010915 Stripes & Leather
Some things are just made to go together like black & white. I've always loved stripes and this Rag & Bone t-shirt with bold graphic stripes is always fun to wear. I paired it with my favourite jacket of all time and my black Acne Studios mini skirt. Black and white is never boring.
Mackage leather jacket | Rag & Bone Jean striped t-shirt | Salvatore Ferragamo black frames | Acne Studios black mini skirt | Alexander Wang boots | Helmut Lang bag | Jenny Bird palm cuff | Topshop wool hat
010815 Review: The Cheap Pencils
My BFF is obsessed with beauty and skin care products. I wish she had a blog because we’d all learn from it but instead she just chooses who to pass her wisdom to. Being her closest friend I consider myself lucky because she shares so many great tips with me. A few months back she mentioned that a lot of beauty bloggers where preferring the Annabelle eyebrow pencil to that of Anastasia. Recalling this info recently, I drove over to the drugstore (Shoppers to be exact fellow Canadians) and picked up the eyebrow pencil and an Annabelle lip pencil and fell in love!
DEMURE - a true nude colour that is the perfect balance of pink and beige and isn’t too dark, too light or too muddy on my olive skin. I use nude liners when I want to give my coral lipsticks a subdued look.
CORAL - this coral lip pencil is just bright enough without being neon if I want to make a statement with the coral lipsticks that I already own and really makes the colours pop.
BORDEAUX - a perfect rich wine colour. Not too red and not too purple, I like wearing this one with my Chanel Rivoli lipstick.
MEDIUM BROWN EYEBROW - My hair is a natural (yes, un-dyed) medium/ dark brown but my eyebrows black and sparse. It is so hard to find an eyebrow product that works for me without looking too heavy. This one almost matches the colour of my hair, and makes my whole face look brighter!
BLACK KOHL EYELINER - A black kohl liner is good to keep around for quickly lining the eyes. This one draws a smooth line and stays on pretty well considering most eye makeup disappears on my eyelids after a while. (Primers are a must for me.)
RIMMEL LONDON SOFT KOHL IN PURE WHITE - Okay so it’s not Annabell but with all of the Youtube videos I’m watching, I was convinced I needed a white liner for my waterline and this one was recommended to me. Compared to some other white liners I’ve used, this one is soft and holds up nicely through out the day.
All of the formulas I mention here are creamy and go on nicely without tugging at my skin. They also come in beautiful rich colours. At Shoppers the cost was about $7 a pencil but I found them at Target for under $4!!!
To give you an idea the lip and eye pencils that I had in my makeup bag before trying these are: Chanel, Armani, Benefit, MAC, Stila and Givenchy. I recommend trying the cheap pencils. With good formulas, colours and staying power, they're a great way experimenting with looks! I'll be picking up a blue eye liner next!
010515 Fjord
I have a serious love for watches and while some people rely on their iPhones to tell the time, I'm a more traditional kinda girl and just have a look at my watch. In my opinion it just completes an outfit and dresses up my wrist nicely. Without a watch I feel naked.
The team at Fjord sent me this beautiful black ceramic and steel watch. They were also kind enough to size the watch for me so I didn't have to worry about then it it arrived.
