012715 REVIEW: Sephora Teint Infusion Foundation
I recently picked up this Sephora Teint Infusion Foundation, $30, because I heard the formula was comparable to the Armani's Maestro Fusion Makeup, $68. The idea behind these light foundations is to give you a no makeup feel with even coverage. With the stuff at Sephora being about half the cost less I thought, why not give it a go! Read on for my review.
My first mistake was not letting the sales girl at Sephora do a proper foundation match with one of their specialists. I had originally chosen the right colour for my skin, medium with yellow undertones, but the pale sales girl with (seafood coloured lips and mismatched foundation herself) insisted I go a shade lighter. I shouldn't have listened. In the bathroom light my foundation matched but in the sunlight it looked too light, artificial and cakey. Whoops! Word to the wise, take the time to get matched for the right colour.
The formula itself seemed promising with a lightweight coverage that looks natural. I was excited to see how it would make my skin flawless. I applied the foundation like the sales girl recommended, by dropping a couple of drops directly onto a foundation brush (use one with stiff bristles like this one here) and just buffed it into my skin. Well I did something wrong because the more I buffed my foundation the more I could see the it beginning to dry and cake on my face. I took a makeup sponge and buffed it in further to make it look more natural.
I tried using Teint Infusion a few more times and eventually I found the best application was to smear the foundation on my face using my fingers and then buffing it in with the foundation brush. It seems to work better than applying the foundation directly on the brush which just seems to apply more foundation and just continues to move the formula around until it dries up (which is where I was left with an unnatural finish). It's also best to work sections at a time starting with the forehead and moving around the face since this formula dries quickly.
PROS
- This foundation has a nice velvety formula that is lightweight and does appear to melt into the skin as promised.
- The foundation does dry to a powder finish so you can skip the powder. I didn't because my skin is on the oily/ combination side.
- The $30 price point is reasonable compared to so many other brands out there. Sephora's return policy is excellent so even if you buy it and it's not for you, it can still go back for a full refund.
CONS
- Though this foundation has a lightweight formula, it still looks very cakey on my skin. I have good skin and I moisturize well and yet no matter how much I blended, it never looked natural. Maybe it had to do with the fact I had the wrong colour.
- Setting my foundation with a bit of loose powder made my foundation look even worse! To solve this I spritzed my face with Jurlique's Rosewater Balancing Mist to make it look more natural.
- Blend, blend, blend. I love using foundation brushes but the amount of time I spent blending this formula into my skin was tiresome!
- Quite simply, did not look natural on my skin.
In case you haven't caught on, this foundation is going back for a refund. I'll continue using my Boscia BB Cream in the meanwhile. I've been using it for 3 years now and I love the formula and coverage, but I always feel like my face is just a half shade too light for the rest of my body. The foundation search continues.
012615 Style Inspo: Faux Leather Pants
I thought I would do a different kind of post today - something fun and silly but still inspirational. I've been on a big Zara binge lately and I just got these faux leather pants and they totally inspired this post. They're under $60 and are perfect for everyday wear. Here we go... 3 ways to wear leather pants, whether they be faux or real!
I don't know what drew me to this pastel coloured faux fur but I love it! I went with a little rock and roll vibe for the first outfit. A white basic tank, a studded Diesel belt and my babycat Saint Laurent Paris loafers anchor down the pastels from the coat and the pink box bag, both Zara finds!
For the second outfit I chose my Zara silk blouse that I picked up for $23! Not bad considering I've been in desperate need of one. Pairing the pretty shirt with the faux leather pants and my Isabel Marant boots gives the outfit a cool laid back Parisian feel. Again I kept on the studded belt and tucked the shirt in just a little at the front so that the look doesn't get too precious.
The third outfit is a little more causal and is totally monochrome. I chose these adorable START STOP sneakers from the Zara SS15 collection. They remind me of something Acne without the high price tag. PS - they're available in silver! I paired the shoes and pants with my white button up shirt from New Classics. I love the lightness of this shirt and the loose fit so I don't mind that it's a bit wrinkled.
There you have it! A different kind of style inspo post to break things up. I hope you didn't mind the duck faces and enjoyed the post. I know Marvin did!
012615 Sports Luxe Redux
I'm back at the bleachers in sub zero temps, wearing my new shorts from Velvet Kimono. I think I'm in denial about the weather these days but I couldn't help it. These shorts were asking to be shot at a track!
With the sports luxe trend still going strong, I paired my sweat shorts with my favourite Miu Miu's. I haven't had the best experience with Miu Miu in the past, so I was really happy to find that these shoes are as comfortable as they look. The metal pointed toe makes it a bit more sophisticated than your average slip on and the white contrast sole gives the shoe a cool vibe. I also accessorized with my Alexander Wang Rocco duffle bag. The hardware on this bag is rose gold but I don't mind mixing metals. In fact, I prefer it for the contrast.
I'm wearing my black muscle tee from kor NYC which is actual athletic wear. To keep the look from being "I just got back from the gym" and more "urban sports wear inspired", I topped off the shirt with my leather jacket. This is the perfect example of why it's important to invest in quality jackets, shoes and bags. They can really change your entire outfit in such a dramatic way and keep you looking polished. If you're on a budget, look for pieces with beautiful details. These sweat shorts are under $50. They have piping in the front and the back, a drop crotch, two front pockets and a white drawstring with metal tips. They remind me of the Alexander Wang pants from 2010. Bonus: they didn't shrink in the dryer like so many other sweats that I have.
Velvet Kimono is offering my readers a 20% discount with coupon code WOAHSTYLE20. A bit on VK, they are based out of Winnipeg, MB and launched their online shop last year. Their style philosophy is to offer women edgy, trendy clothes at reasonable prices. Below are some of my favourites from their shop, all under $60.
Armani sunglasses | Mackage Mary A leather jacket | Kor NYC tank | Velvet Kimono Sundaze Shorts * | Fjord watch | Alexander Wang Rocco bag | Miu Miu slip ons with metal toe | Sonia Kashuk Velvety Matte Lip Crayon in Poppy Nude
012415 Heritage Stripes
Another day, another bag. With the whole 70's trend making it's way back this spring, I thought it would be fun to bring out my Gucci Boston bag with the heritage stripes. I'd bought it a few years ago and I fell in love with it for the vintage vibe that it has. While I have a tendency to sell the pieces I no longer wear, I knew I wanted to keep this one. It's so classic and pretty and it was only a matter of time till it would come back. What piece have you held on to year after year?
Zara navy faux fur jacket | Jcrew turtleneck | Rag & Bone distressed jeans | Chanel glasses | 3.1 Phillip Lim gunmetal Quinn loafers | Gucci vintage original GG canvas Boston bag | Givenchy Mandarine Bolero lipstick | Lola's Vanity rings
012115 Zara Shoe Haul
With my IG obsession still going strong, it’s inevitable that I’d be influenced by what I’m seeing. So many feeds that I follow feature the cutest stuff from Zara so I couldn’t help hitting up their winter sale. I picked up three pairs of shoes and since they were so inexpensive, I went with some wilder choices to mix things up a bit.
These awesome chain boots are a such a rip off of the original Chanel’s but they’re so cute that I couldn’t pass them up. Since they have a squared toe and short block heel, I feel the style is a bit more tough than what I’m used to, but somehow they work! I’m dying to wear them with my leather leggings and a cute dress in the warmer weather. I think I’m going to have a lot of fun with this boot! I did hear that the chains fall off easily but that’s okay because I can easily mend them with some needle nose pliers.
Song Of Style Chanel Chain Boots
These glitter Chelsea boots are inspired by the Saint Laurent Paris version and they're just as show stopping. Pieces like this are fun because they're such a good way of playing up the basics in my closet. 2015 is the year where I want to take more risks with my fashion choices and these are the perfect way of doing it. When layering a piece like this into your outfit, I think it’s important to stay true to your personal style. Just look at the ladies below for some inspo.
Saint Laurent Paris pink glitter boots
I’m a sucker for ankle straps. They’re so pretty and feminine and make women’s legs look better. These studded satin flats are inspired by the shape of the Valentino Tango shoe. The studs around the ankle remind me of Valentino's Rockstud and the bling on the shoes remind me of Miu Miu's. With my minimal style playing with a shoe like this adds something fun and unexpected to my outfits. I'll be wearing them with distressed denim and of course leather pants because everything goes with leather pants!
Manrepeller.com Valentino Tango Pump
012015 Cozy Casual Knits
I love getting dressed and even when I’m sporting a casual look I think it’s important to focus on the details.
These Acne Studios sneakers were a bday gift from my hubby. They where on my wish list for months so when I finally got them, I was over the moon! I love how the shiny patent leather elevates the look of the shoe. Of course that adorable little face also helps.
I went with my distressed Rag & Bone jeans in faded black. Instead of rolling up my pants like I usually do, I let the cuff out and let them bunch around my ankles for a more relaxed look. This is why I can never hem my pants. I always feel like that extra bit of fabric could come into use somewhere down the road.
Since it’s still winter, I wore my white cotton knit from Acne Studios – a lucky find on The Outnet. I really love the relaxed fit of this sweater and I find myself wearing it all year round, weather permitting. Layered over top is my trusty Mackage jacket which I’ll never tire of wearing. The leather is super soft and the cropped cut of this piece is truly unique. My knitted Oak + Fort beanie in grey breaks up the black and white nicely. Living in Canada I’ve worn my fair share of beanies and I’m really loving the cut of this one. I should probably pick it up in black before they sell out!
To accessorize I went with my purple Chanel glasses that I can’t get enough of right now. The little bit of colour makes a good statement with my mainly black wardrobe and I really love the oversized frames. Chanel makes some of my favourite eyewear and I think I might need to pick up a new pair soon! My silver watch is from Fjord and I really like how it brings subtle “bling” to the outfit. The stainless steel mesh band is thin and has a beautiful texture to it. The face of the watch is oversized as it’s men’s inspired, but it’s still feels appropriate for a woman. Since my style is very minimal, the little details really make a big impact and can bring my entire look together.
From January 20th - February 14th get 50% off FjordTimePieces.com using code discount code LOVEWOAHSTYLEDOTCOM
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.