BeautyBlender: Review & How To Clean
I stopped by Sephora a couple of weeks ago to return my Teint Infusion Foundation. Instead of leaving the store with my refund money in hand, I left with a shiny new BeautyBlender in the Red Carpet edition. At $28 (Canadian price and $20 USD) for a little sponge it’s pretty expensive for what it is but I was curious to see if it would add up to all of the hype.
I’m so in love with this little sponge right but there are some downsides, which I’ll talk about below. Overall it blends my foundation beautifully to a flawless finish. Even when I skip my primer, which is more often than not these days, my foundation still looks really good thanks to the BB. (In case you’re curious, I’m currently using Revlon ColourStay for normal/ dry skin in Fresh Beige. I’m really liking it and I’ll do a review later on good drugstore finds.) Since my SPF/ moisturizer combo from Consonant Skincare acts like a magnet for foundation I find it’s ideal to use the BB for everyday use.
Before washing, the colour of the Beauty Blender Red Carpet is vibrant red.
To use the BeautyBlender, just run it under water until it doubles in size and squeeze as much water out of it as you can. I like to dot my foundation on all over my face using my fingers and then I blend it into my skin using the BB. It blends my foundation without much effort which is excellent when I’m in a rush - which is most of the time. I use the round end to blend foundation on my cheeks forehead and chin, and then I use the tapered end for smaller areas like around the eyes, nose and chin.
Based on the reviews from the Sephora website, the Red Carpet edition is a bit smaller and firmer than the original. Since this is my first BB, I don’t have anything to compare it to but I totally love it. I much prefer it to the foundation brush that I was using before because it’s easier to work with.
There are a few things that really annoyed me about this product. Aside from the fact it’s a $30 sponge, it’s delicate (because it’s a sponge!) and the first time I used it, my earring pierced the sponge and took a chunk out of it. Whoops. It’s also very difficult to clean. I’m really anal retentive about cleaning my makeup brushes so after the first couple of times I used the BB, I wanted to give it a wash. Instead of foundation washing off the sponge, I was horrified to find that it was bright red dye coming off my BB! Why did the manufacturer think that dying it in such a manner where the colour runs off was a good idea? As I kept washing it, with soap under running water, I noticed the foundation was budging.
CLEANING YOUR BEAUTY BLENDER
I did a lot of research to figure out how to clean the Beauty Blender and this is what I came up with that finally worked!
- Pour some boiling water into a small container and put your Beauty Blender in. Let it sit for a few minutes to sanitize and remove it from the water and let cool for a bit before handling.
- Remove the hot water from the container and fill with new warm tap water and some dish soap. (I used Seventh Generation Free & Clear.)
- Place your BB into the container and keep squeezing the sponge to get rid of all of the makeup. Be patient because this takes time. I had to empty the container and refill it with new water about 3 times to get it totally clean but that’s just me being OCD. It took about 10 minutes to wash the BB but I finally got all of the foundation out along with a lot of the red dye. After my BB was clean it was no longer bright red but more orange. At least it was clean and germ free!
BB does have an official cleaner but apparently it works as well as regular soap. I think the secret to getting the BB clean is in the method as per my above directions. Make sure you take the time to clean it properly and sanitize it because germs thrive in dirty wet sponges.
PROS
Blends foundation easily and quickly.
User friendly.
Leaves makeup looking FLAWLESS.
CONS
Pricey.
Very difficult and annoying to clean.
Can be a breeding ground for germs if you don’t care for it properly that can cause pimples and cysts.
It can tear if you’re not careful.
Saturated with dye.
Theo approves of my love for the BB!
Overall, I really like this product. I’ll probably get the Beauty Blender Micro Mini next because I find the tapered end of the full sized BB is still too big to blend concealer around my eyes properly.
021715 Mendocino SS15 Shopping
I stopped by Mendocino the other day to check out their spring collection and to take advantage of their complimentary personal shopping service. As you guys know, I'm an online shopper and to be honest I can get overwhelmed stepping into a store. I'm not talking about the shoe or handbag department here. I'm talking about sifting through racks and racks of clothing. Shopping with the ladies at Mendo made my experience easier and really fun! The best part was trying on different things that I wouldn't normally go for, like the harem pant jumpsuit and the highly coveted One Teaspoon super ripped denim.
I've been seeing these One Teaspoon jeans all over IG and I was super excited to try them on but sadly they're not for me. I wanted to love them but I felt really out of my element. This Wilfox shirt on the other hand is perfect. Sheer, black and cute. I can see myself wearing this a lot!
MENDOCINO: One Teaspoon jeans, $126. Wildfox tee, $80.
MY PIECES: Mackage jacket. Miu Miu slip ons.
Hello date night! When Niki picked out this cute Free People top, I wasn't all that sure but once on, I really liked it. The beaded kimono is by Glamorous, which is totally how I felt. You guys know how much I love mixing textures and that's exactly what i did here with the beading and lace.
MENDOCINO: Free People top, $88. Glamorous beaded kimono, $255. St. Xavier beaded clutch, $165 (Australian brand new to Mendocino.). Wonderland sunglasses, $210 (From California. New to Mendocino.)
MY PIECES: Jbrand jeans. Givenchy heels.
This adorable Wildfox bunny in pocket tee was my pick because It's too damn cute to pass up! I'm feeling spring-ready here even though the temperature outside was more like -20 but oh well. I'm wearing the same style in Wonderland sunglasses but in brown to go with the Mackage trench.
MENDOCINO: Mackage trench, $390. Wildfox tee, $90. Jbrand jeans, $235. Wonderland sunglasses, $210. Mendocino cranberry coloured hat, $65 on sale!
MY PIECES: 3.1 Phillip Lim boots.
I love a good white shirt and this one is a tunic style with side pockets. The textured jacket is perfect for throwing on overtop of any outfit and can be easily dressed up or dressed down. I opted for a more casual look here that's totally office appropriate.
MENDOCINO: Beulah jacket, $110. Love + Love tunic, $88. Tantrum ponte moto pant, $92.
MY PIECES: Chanel glasses and loafers.
I keep saying this is the year of trying new things and man is this ever new to me! A crop top (gasp!) and a fringe skirt! You know what, I'm happy I tried them on because I really like this look. It's fun and flirty and totally show stopping but at the same time, I still feel it's very much true to my personal style.
MENDOCINO: Moon Collection skirt, $98. BLQ grey crop top, $78.
MY PIECES: Givenchy heels. Mackage jacket.
This beautiful crop top has a matching pencil skirt, which I tried on and didn't like. Geoff (my hubby and photographer) said to me "why not just wear it with a pair of jeans?", which is when I reached for these high waisted Maria Jbrand's. I love this look so much! I never thought myself to be a crop-top-kinda-girl but you know what, I'm really digging it! #neversaynever
MENDOCINO: Finders Keepers crop top, $150 (Australian brand). Jbrand jeans, $235. Wonderland sunglasses (I NEED THEM ALL!), $180.
MY PIECES: Miu Miu slip ons. Mackage jacket.
This soft jersey jumpsuit by Gilbert has a harem pant that just drapes perfectly down the body. It almost looks like a dress until you stand legs-apart and that when it's noticeable that it's a jumpsuit. I would totally wear this during the summertime in the hot months for a chic, relaxed weekend look. It is a versatile piece though and I dressed it up with nude heels and a beautiful statement necklace.
MENDOCINO: Gilbert jumpsuit, $75 (exclusive to Mendocino). Mendocino necklace, $45.
MY PIECES: Givenchy heels. Mackage jacket.
MUST HAVES:
- Wonderland sunglasses! The shapes of these glasses are so flattering and look incredible on. I want them all!!! (Filled with my prescription of course!)
- Wildfox bunny in pocket tee. Super cute! Now if only it was a cat!
- Gilbert jumpsuit. Perfect summer time wear but still versatile for the spring!
- Finders Keepers crop top. It's tres hot but still feels sophisticated.
CREDITS
Personal Shopping by: Jessica and Niki at Mendocino.
To book a complimentary personal shopping appointment, contact jessica@mendocino.ca.
Styling: Nathalie Shible Martin
Photography: Geoff Martin
*PR post. Read disclaimer here.
021315 REVIEW: Consonant Skincare
A couple of weeks ago I had a chance to visit Bill and Kristina of Consonant Skincare, at their Yonge Street location. We chatted about their natural products and ideal skincare routines. If you haven’t heard of Consonant before they are 100% natural, organic and based out of Toronto.
Bill, Kristina and Anna (one of their associates) have the most beautiful skin! I understand where the term “healthy glow” comes from now because they have it! I was excited to see if their products would do the same for me so I decided it would be fun using only their skincare and following their regimen and using as recommended.
Consonant recommends using their products for a month so the skin can adjust to the natural products and have a chance to detox. It’s almost similar to a diet. If you’re going to be eating clean, it takes about a month for the body to adjust to the diet and detox before you see results. Remember that your skin is your largest organ so what goes on it is just as important as what you put in your body.
Since I was previously using only natural skincare I thought a 2 week Consonant Skincare challenge would be beneficial for me. With my bag of skincare staples, I went home excited to wash my face that night and get glowing!
THE PRODUCTS
For the next two weeks I used five Consonant products for day and night:
HydraExtreme, $72 for 10mL
Ultra Moisturizing Face Cream for Dry Skin, $54
The Perfect Sunscreen SPF 30, $45
Ultra Firming Organic Eye Cream, $36
Natural Foaming Face Wash, $18
Their skincare line up is really simple and straight forward and their formulas are suitable for all skin types and age groups.
THE REGIMEN
I asked Kristina what skin care regimen is best for oily skin (my skin type) and she recommended cleansing my face once a day, moisturizing twice daily, and exfoliating once or twice weekly.
I've always washed my face twice daily so this was going to be different. It was a bit odd not lathering up in the mornings but I soon got used to it. I found that my face was less oily throughout the day and I didn't need to touch up my makeup with powder anymore.
TIP: Over cleansing our faces as we've been told to do by pretty much every magazine and skincare product out there is not necessary. It can lead to the skin producing more oil, which can be more annoying and noticeable on oily skin.
THE MORNING ROUTINE
I would rinse my face with water, pat dry and mix the most amazing concoction of sunscreen and moisturizer that Kristina taught me: 1 pump of the Perfect Sunscreen, 1/2 a pump of Ultra Moisturizer and 1 (or 2) drops of HydraExtreme. Mix together and apply. With the eye cream I just patted it around my eyes with my ring finger.
The moisturizers absorb into the skin quickly so I like to work fast when applying it. The sunscreen leaves a nice matte finish on the face and acts like a primer with makeup, so I completely ditched my Nars primer during my two week challenge. Makeup applies beautifully on top of these products but the big change was in my skin itself, which was more even, hydrated and calm since using Consonant.
THE NIGHTLY ROUTINE
I loved washing my face with the Consonant Natural Foaming Face Wash! Kristina told me that this stuff is so good and would wash away all of my eye makeup so I ditched my eye makeup remover during this time. Let me tell you that it works so well! I start by rinsing water on my face with water and use a pump of this foam cleanser on my eyes and rub it gently into my lashes. My liquid eyeliner and mascara would just come right off. If I wore a lot of eye make up, I would have to repeat the process but one rinse is perfect for daily makeup removal. Then I would use another 1-2 pumps to wash the rest of my face, pat dry and moisturize. Similar to the morning routine I would use the eye cream and then moisturize the rest of my face and neck with a mix of moisturizer and HydraExtreme.
I followed this routine religiously during the course of two weeks. My skin tone and texture were more even and the small dry patches I had on my cheeks went away. I felt more confident with my skin during those two weeks than I had in a while. It's not to say there was anything wrong with my previous skincare but I think my skin reacted really well to the super hydrating products since our winter has been so cold. Even Geoff, my hubby and photographer, enjoyed using their skincare and felt a difference.
PROS
- 100% natural and organic, quality skincare.
- Unscented. (YAY!) Though it does have a faint natural scent that is pleasant and relaxing.
- Non-greasy moisturizers that absorb quickly. No parabens.
- Detoxifying skincare.
- Their products work beautifully. I no longer needed eye makeup remover, makeup primers, toner, cotton pads and facial sprays which means the money saved there could easily go into my skincare.
- Online shopping for those not in the Toronto area.
CONS
- Can be expensive.
Consonant does offer skin care kits and have some very affordable products. It just depends on what your needs are so be sure to have a chat with them if stopping by the store.
MUST TRY'S
- Natural Foaming Face Wash
- The Perfect Sunscreen, SPF 30
- HydraExtreme - a 100% natural serum.
- Kristina recommends the Healthy Skin Care Detox Kit for beginners. It contains full sized bottles of the Foaming Face Wash, Lip Conditioner, Eye Cream and Face Cream.
HEALTHY SKIN TIPS
- Stay hydrated and drink lots of water.
- Eating a healthy diet rich in veggies and fruits and avoid processed foods.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Cleanse once daily. (Unless excessively sweating, once a day should be sufficient.)
Kristina recommends exfoliating with gentle clay particles or fruit enzymes.
"We actually avoid micobeads because they are typically made with plastic which doesn't dissolve and can get into the water systems and be dangerous for the ecosystem." -Kristina, Consonant Skincare
Sugars and nut shells in facial exfoliators can harm the skin by causing micro-tearing.
GIVEAWAY!
Be sure to enter the Ultimate Consonant Experience for you and your friends for $5,000 worth of pampering. More on how to enter here.
Special thanks to Bill and Kristina of Consonant Skincare for their hospitality and to rock-it promotions.
021114 Style Inspo: Isabel Marant
These Zara faux leather pants remind of me everything Isabel Marant because of the five pocket denim style. I just love them! I wore them with my Isabel Marant Angie boot, a pretty black top from Aritzia, a salt & pepper wool coat and accessorized with a grey knit beanie and wool fringe scarf. It's all playing playing with textures and layers here.
Aritzia Jacoby wool coat
Aritzia black Beaudry blouse (exact)
Zara faux leather jeans (exact)
Isabel Marant grey & navy Angie boot
Salvatore Ferragamo frames
Oak + Fort beanie
Diesel Studded belt (similar here)
Alexander Wang Fumo clutch (exact)
021015 Hello, I'm Shoe Obsessed. This is my Story.
When the very stylish Michael of globalgarcon.com tagged me to share my shoe story, I was really excited considering how much I love my shoes. So many of my shoes have a story but these 3.1 Phillip Lim shoes really stand out in my books.
3.1 PHILLIP LIM PAGE LOAFERS, 2012
I first saw these shoes in an issue of Elle Magazine back in 2012 and it was love at first sight! There was a photo of this fabulous editor wearing a black rabbit fur vest and printed pants. All I cared about was her amazing shoes!
For the next few months I stalked Ssense and Shopbop on the daily looking for this shoe. I didn’t know what they were called. I just knew that Phillip Lim was the designer. Five or six months later they finally arrived at Shopbop.com and I nearly died. I ordered them right away and regretted it right after. I’d just paid the equivalent of 1 shoe in customs and duties. Ugh. When I finally got my order, I had every intention of sending them back because I felt so foolish about the import fees. But I didn’t. I had waited half a year for these shoes and they were finally mine! I couldn’t let them go!!!
The first day I wore them I was so happy but OMG did they ever hurt! Every step I took was brought on by sharp pains on the sides of my feet. I was crippled after wearing them for a couple of hours and I could still feel my feet throbbing later that night while in bed. To make a long story short it took a couple of years, (yes years!) to break these beauties in. Even now I can’t wear them for too long because they will eventually hurt but I do love these damn loafers! Between the wait, the absurd import duties and the pain, it was all worth it.
3.1 PHILLIP LIM QUINN LOAFERS IN GUNMETAL, 2013
Before Instagram I was a magazine junkie spending way too much money and time going through issue after issue trying to get my fashion fix. I think I saw the metal Phillip Lim Quinn loafer in an issue of Flare and my jaw dropped open. I ran to the computer to order them online. Ssense was sold out of my size but there they were on 31philliplim.com. UGH. More important fees!
For the next couple of days I obsessed with finding them through a Canadian retailer (with no such luck) in hopes of avoiding custom fees. I also googled the hell out of “silver shoes street style” to make sure that I was making the right choice for my closet. I ordered them and it was heaven until I wore them. What is it about PL shoes?! The Quinn loafers hurt for a short while but I persevered. I felt like a rock star wearing my silver loafers and I needed to break them in fast!
I’m so glad I got them because Phillip Lim hasn’t released this colour since. The Quinn style gets carried over season after season but the finishes are always different. These have become one of my favourite pair of shoes and I totally mean it when I say every girl needs silver shoes.
My Phillip Lim collection now includes three pairs of shoes and two handbags.
020915 The Silk Blouse
When Kate from Doll Memories emailed me about a collab, I was already familiar with her designs having seen them on the lovely Ruby of RougeCloset.com. Being a sucker all things cute and well made clothes, I said yes right away. It was hard to choose but I ended up getting the Night Butterflies blouse since they reminded me of the Givenchy magnolia print which I'm so in love with right now.
When I posted this adorable silk blouse on IG last week, everyone was surprised saying that it's a different look for me. The beauty about fashion is that it's always evolving. Dressing the same way all of the time can get boring and predictable and in case you haven't noticed, I'm all about trying new things this year and updating my look. That's why I'm drawn to Doll Memories. The hand drawn prints are whimsical and the cuts on the clothes are classic and sophisticated and can be dressed in so many ways and I'm always a fan of versatile clothing. Remember what I said in my previous post on styling different pieces - it's all about staying true to your personal style.
I love Hedi Slimane's free spirited, rock and roll influence and I think it really speaks to my personal style. With him in mind I styled my cute butterfly blouse with my zippered Rag & Bone jeans, my favourite Alexander Wang ankle boots, a cropped black leather jacket from Mackage, my studded Givenchy Pandora bag and my wool hat from Target, a lucky find for $16.
My jacket, boots and bag have silver hardware but I opted for brass and gold tones in my jewelry. This Jenny Bird palm cuff has become an absolute favourite of mine and I scored it shortly after I put myself on a shopping diet. Clearly that didn't last long! The black onyx necklace is by Lisbeth Jewelry, another Toronto designer who's pieces can only be described as free spirited and sophisticated. The pinkie ring was a gift from my mum when I was a child. I'm almost embarrassed that it still fits.
For all of those hesitant about trying something new, don't overthink it and just go for it. Fashion is all about fun and if you're looking for something new and unique, have a look at Doll Memories.
*Doll Memories silk blouse
Mackage leather jacket
Rag & Bone zippered jeans
Alexander Wang black ankle boots
Givenchy small studded Pandora bag
Chanel glasses
Lisbeth Jewelry necklace
Jenny Bird palm cuff
Target wool hat
MAC bright pink lipstick in Impassioned
020815 How To Style: The Sequin Pants
Having always wanted sequin pants I ran to my nearest H&M when I heard these bad boys where on sale for only $10! Granted they are one size too small around the waistband so they're a bit tight but the legs fit perfectly so why not?
Don't get overwhelmed with thoughts of how to style sequin pants. Simply dress them as you would anything else in your closet and stay true to your personal style. I love t-shirts so I choose a heathered grey one to go with my pants and kept the look monochromatic. Throwing my navy faux fur overtop keeps me warm in the winter and gives the outfit some luxe texture. A black leather jacket would work here as well.
To accessorize I went with my black Givenchy Pandora bag (mine is the small size). I like the clean modern structure of this bag that makes a statement without competing with the sequin pants. For shoes I followed the same rule of clean and modern lines and chose my black 3.1 Phillip Lim kitten heels. Remember, it's about complimenting the pants and not competing with it.
I hardly wear belts but here a belt adds a nice break since the pant and shirt are similar almost the same colour.
I love the mixed metals of silver and gold from my Bulova bracelet watch (a gift from my parents). Mixing metals is a fun way of playing with jewelry and it keeps the look from being too perfect. The devil is in the details.
This Zara faux dur is my go to on the weekends. It dressed up even the most basic out outfits and goes with pretty much everything!
Zara Faux Fur
Aritzia heathered grey shirt
Free People belt
H&M sequin pants (I cuffed mine)
3.1 Phillip Lim kitten heel boots
Givenchy small black Pandora bag with studs
Lola's Vanity rings
Stila Custom Blush in Coral
Benefit Hoola
Sonia Kashuk contour brush No. 17
Sonia Kashuk blush brush No. 02
Nars Audacious Lipstick in Rita
Bulova Watch
Salvatore Ferragamo black glasses
020615 Target Cosmetics Must Buys
Alright dear friends, before Target is gone for good, here are a few things that I highly recommend. They are my all time favourite cheapie cosmetic finds that won't disappoint. With the liquidation that began Thursday, all cosmetics are 30% off right now so I'm stocking up on some old faves and some items that won't be available in Canada once Target leaves. And remember friends, be courteous to each other and the staff while your out there. Liquidation isn't an excuse for forgetting your manners.
I've just discovered these Velvety Matte Lip Crayon's by Sonia Kashuk, under $8, and I prefer these to the Nars Audacious lipstick that I bought last month. I've been wearing Poppy Nude (an orange red) for about two weeks now and I get compliments everywhere I go. I also picked up Coral Nude (an orange coral) for a more subtle are look but only bought one of those. The staying power and vibrant colours on these crayons are beautiful so go pick them up!
Lipliners are a must for me and I love the one by Annabelle called Demure. It's the perfect nude that it's too brown or pink so that means it doesn't alter the colour of my lipstick. At under $4 at Target, I wish I'd stocked up on more but they all seem to be gone. Consider yourself lucky if you get your hands on some and stock up!
I read about the No.1 Powder Brush, $19, by Sonia Kashuk in Allure magazine who called it one of the best. I've been using this one for a couple of weeks now and I love, love, love it! It distributes a nice thin layer of powder which means no more cakey face. The bristles are also super soft and so far they haven't shed once. Since I loved the No.1, I also grabbed the No.2 Blush Brush, $17 - another goodie that applies my Stila blush beautifully. Finally just grabbed the No.17 Multi-Purpose Powder Brush. Since the bristles are angled, I figured this brush would be excellent for contouring my cheekbones.
I came across this Cover Girl mascara over six years ago and I've been re-buying it since. At the time I was looking for a drugstore dupe of Dior's Diorshow Mascara and found this. The lashes I get from the CG Lashblast are thick, long, separated and NEVER SMUDGE!!!! My skin is on the oiler side so a lot of eye makeup smudges but this stuff stays put. I apply 2 coats to the upper lashes and one coat to the lower lashes and it stays on all day till I wash it off. Right now I'm not using makeup remover and Consonant face wash just gets it all off. LOVE IT!
I heard about the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer on a YouTube channel and ran out to grab it after hearing it's a dupe or Nars Radiant Concealer. I love my Nars and I swear by it but I'm also concealer obsessed and couldn't resist trying this one. It's creamy and has excellent coverage that lasts. I apply mine with my Beauty Blender sponge and I love the flawless look I get. Oh - and don't forget to set it with powder using your No.1 Sonia Kashuk brush so your concealer won't go anywhere! (I'm using shade 20 Sand, a light shade on the yellow side for my medium olive skin.)
For brows I love my Annabelle Eyebrow Crayon in Medium Brown. Even at the end of the day my brows are still on my face and the colour looks so good. I just love this pencil. Again, it's $4 at Target so stock up now because all Annabelle products are double the price at Shoppers!
Okay so this one isn't a cosmetic but it's a super adorable carrying case, by Orla Kiely Etc, that is perfect for travel. They are perfect for my ever growing makeup collection and will make me happy on my next trip. And before you all say anything about the pattern and colour on these cases I have to tell you something. I actually really love cute things like Hello Kitty and Totoro and the colour pink, almost as much as I love black and leather and gold!
If you guys have any amazing drug store finds that you can't live without, let me know. I'm always looking for new goodies.
020415 Box of Hearts
If you read my last post on the Butter Avenue spring tasting you'll know that I was lucky enough to sample some amazing off-the-menu and on-the-menu items. To clarify, you won't be seeing savoury waffles in their stores anytime soon, but the Valentine's Day treats are available for special order.
For those who haven't tried Butter Avenue macarons yet I should mention that their patisseries taste even more phenomenal than they look! I'm not just saying that because they've spoilt me with macarons but I honestly mean it. Go try them and let me know what you think! ;)
Thank you again Butter Avenue. Love you guys!! xo
Heart Shaped French Macarons and "All My Heart" cake by Butter Avenue, Toronto
Chanel perfum bottle gold foil print by I See Noise, Vancouver