Cold Weather Superstars From The Body Shop

Fall has arrived! 

It's cold and dreary today, and my dog just wants to snuggle on the couch. So do I, so that works for me!

Days like this are perfect for some TLC on your skin, whether it's to treat dryness or prevent it. 

From now on we're all going to be bombarded with cool wind outside and heating inside. The drastic temperature shifts along with dry air are going to wreak havoc on your whole body!  It's all about gentle moisture these days!

The best thing to do is start with a good exfoliation. I said good, not aggressive. Try a home microdermabrasion like The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion if your skin isn't very sensitive. It's also available in a single use sachet which is great!  I'm pretty sensitive so I like the Aloe line. It's a gentle exfoliation, but it gets the job done!  On your body, use a scrub with an emollient base, like The Shea Butter Scrub. It leaves you feeling smooth and dreamy!  The grains are all natural with these products, so they're Eco friendly, and they all run about $20.00. 

Next, a hydrating mask is a huge must!  The best thing about this type of mask is there are no real rules!  Put it on and watch a movie, do some laundry, whatever!  Your skin will only take as much as it needs. Wipe the excess off gently with tissue or a damp face cloth, and continue with the rest of your usual routine. In the cooler months it's a good idea to add a serum. It's always a good idea to use a one of these powerhouses whether it's soothing, anti-aging or mattifying, but a hydrating serum will be your best friend this time of year.

After you've scrubbed your body into deliciousness, go immediately and grab you Body Shop Body Butter. This is the OG of body butters and nothing beats these. The richness of the texture and the scent is beautiful. Back in the mid 90's Kate Moss used the mango butter in a Vogue editorial. I have been hooked ever since!  God, I love the Brazil Nut!  It's just gorgeous, and it makes your skin so soft and, well, buttery!  

This year, a Dry Oil was released in corresponding scents. The Beautifying Oils can be used on hair, face, and body. I've used it on all three and I'll tell you, it lives up to the claims. Since going blonde my hair's dry. I smooth a few drops through it every day and it's shiny and healthy looking. I also put a little on the driest areas of my face at night. I wake up soft and dewy since I've started doing that. When used on the body? It leaves the prettiest sheen on the skin. It's amazing on the cuticles too!

Go to The Body Shop right now!  The quality is spectacular and they have amazing promos all the time.  Not to mention the best loyalty card program I've ever heard of!  

If you've read my blog before, you know how much I love The Body Shop. I truly believe that you will too!

What are your skin superstars?

Donna Xoxo

"Rosie" Lips

I was reading People Stylewatch the other day and have come to a conclusion.  Guys, I need Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's lips.
Not just because they get to kiss Jason Statham either, although, that is a major selling point!
It's the pillowy, pouty quality of them in the pic that I fell in love with!  The texture is beautiful, as well as the colour.  She tends to wear a lipstick which is the perfect shade of rosey-nude.
When I wear lipstick, it's usually a statement shade, or a beigey tone if I'm doing a smokey eye and its never on the matte side.
Well, that has all changed, thanks to Rosie!

I have a fairly dark pigment to my lips, so I had to play around with a few different products to get the texture and shade I was after.  The final look was achieved with three products.
1- Lancome Le Lipstique Sheer Lip Liner in Sheer Raspberry all over the lips.  This is a warmer toned pink which gave me a nice smoothness to the lip colour.
2- Lancome Colour Design in Vintage Rose. This lipstick is a very soft pink with a touch of mauvey irridesance to it.  Ultra girly!
3- elf Matte Lip Colour in Nearly Nude.  This is a very pale matte beige.  I applied this sparingly near the middle of the mouth for a little dimension. I pressed this in with my finger to give the lips an almost "worn in" look.
I am of the opinion that make-up is alchemy a lot of the time. If you don't have the exact shade or texture you're after, play around with what you do have!  You might surprise yourself!
I am absolutely going to add this lip look to the rotation!
Do you guys like it on me?  Be honest!!!!

Donna Xoxo

Sonia Kashuk Brushes, and Why You Need Them.

If you are anything like me, you get a HUGE thrill from a good makeup brush. It is so important to have the right tool for the job!  

When Target opened in my area, I bee-lined to the Sonia Kashuk brushes!  The quality is spectacular and so is the price! There's a couple that were missing from my arsenal, and I'm going to brag all about them today!

First is the Flat Top Multipurpose Brush, which lives up to its name, and then some!  The first time I stumbled upon this type of beauty was a Lancome brush years ago. It's a great brush for applying a creamy foundation or blush. It buffs the product right in for a flawless finish. I also like it for contouring. It fits wonderfully under the cheekbone!  And the black sculpted handle is just sooo pretty!

Next I have the Duo-fibre multipurpose brush. Again, this brush is so versatile!  Because of the differing lengths of the bristles, the application of product is diffuse and sheer. It's great for a hilighter, either powder or cream, and a tinted moisturizer or BB cream. A few sweeps of hilighter on top of the cheekbones and down the nose with this beauty will leave you with a soft luminescence. The black and white handle looks very chic too!

The finish from these brushes will leave behind beautiful, glowy skin. For under $20.00 each, these brushes are must haves!  

Go get them!!!

I'd love to hear about any brush faves everyone else has!  Do tell!

Donna Xoxo

My Favourite Fall Look Featuring Clinique and The Body Shop

Happy September!

I like summer, but I'm totally a fall girl!  I love the richness of the colours associated with fall. I'm also a big fan of layering clothes. There is nothing I enjoy wearing more than a scarf with a great cardi!

I'm also sooo excited to update my makeup look!  There are two things in particular which are absolute musts this season for me. 

Matte, but still luminous skin, and deep plum or berry lips. 

I started with a smooth canvas. I applied a foundation with a medium-full coverage. I'm really in love with the Extra Virgin Mineral foundation from The Body Shop. The coverage is buildable, and the finish is smooth. It blends well, and feels quite creamy. It has a nice glow to it. After adding powder, you're left with a finish that's not chalky.  Matte, but luminous!  A little concealer and cream hilighter helped too!

I added a softly defined eye next with, of course, lots of lashes, (Thank you L'oreal Double Extend Mascara!!!!) along with a sculpted cheek. 

On to the lippy!

I have always loved Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey!  It can look terrifying in the tube, but, don't be scared!  It goes on quite sheer and leaves a beautiful blackberry stain. The texture is between a balm and a full coverage lipstick. Apply it with a finger for more of a true stain, or straight from the tube with a lip liner as I have in the picture for a more opaque finish. 

This face is the kind of look I'll be wearing all over the place these days!  It works with jeans and a pair of Toms while running errands on a Wednesday just as well as it will while having a couple of drinks on a Saturday night. Different footwear, of course!

What is your go-to face for this fall going to be?  I'd love to hear!  Now, as for the hair situation above, I'm waaayyy overdue for a cut and colour!  It's getting remedied tomorrow. 

Don't judge me!!!

Donna Xoxo

Lancôme Concealer and Other Miracles

I've missed everyone!!!

I'm sorry that I've been so MIA for the last couple of weeks!  Been a little under the weather, and I was also in paradise for a couple of days!  (Muskoka is sooo pretty)

Now that I'm back, I'm going to tell all the ladies a few secrets which should be useful in life. 

When your mothers told you that womanhood is a gift from start to finish, they were soooooo full of sh!t!  

They say that menopause is quick, and doesn't happen until you're old. 

I started at 35. I'm almost 40 now. 

Menopause Blows. No other way to say it!  Blows with a capital B!

Last week my chin exploded with cystic acne. Hideous, marble sized acne. 

Not. Good. At. All. 

I'm usually lucky with my skin. Never had bad breakouts, not really blotchy. 

Well, that's out the window. 

My go to concealer these days has been Clinique All About Eyes. I like the texture and shade. The coverage isn't great for zits though. 

I went rooting around in my artist kit, after there was nothing appropriate in my everyday kit. In that little gold mine I came across my Lancôme Effacernes Waterproof Undereye Concealer. 

I love using this concealer! It spreads beautifully, covers everything, and lasts through a hurricane!  

The only reason I haven't used this in the first place, was the shade is on the darker side, but as luck would have it so am I right now!

I dotted a little bit on the beasts that had taken up residence on my face with my concealer brush, blended a bit, and set it with some powder. (Thin layers are the key here, Ladies!)

Oh. My. Giddy. Aunt!

It worked!!!!

The coverage was beautiful, and the texture is so lovely and liquidy for something that complete!  

The price is a little steep at $35.00 but for the coverage and the small amount needed, it's worth the splurge!  A good concealer is a huge part of any kit. Total must!

I'm absolutely picking up this little miracle once I go back to my winter skin tone!  

What do you think of splurging on a good concealer?  What's your little skin secret?  I'd love to hear!

Donna Xoxo

This Girl's on Bloglovin! Stalk Me There!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/10398657/?claim=9hhkhthsd4g">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Never miss a post, keep stylish and lovely!
I'm pleased to announce that I'm on bloglovin now! It's beyond easy to follow my adventures with this wonderful little blogger tool.
Check me out, along with your other faves!
Looking forward to seeing you there!

Donna Xoxo

Blues Fest. My Two-cents on Festival Makeup

This weekend is Blues Fest in Kitchener, and it's always a blast!  

Blues Fest is a four day event held every August. There have been some pretty big names in the 60 act line-up. This year has Steve Earle, Big Sugar and David Wilcox. 

The local talent in the Kitchener blues scene is outstanding as well. 

And, I cant be there!  This is the first year that I don't live there, and this is the one weekend I can't venture on back!

I'm a little bummed about that!

I will watch from the sidelines on Facebook as my friends and family enjoy themselves knowing I'm there in spirit!

Show-offs!

Here's a few tips on staying put together while dancing in the sun and drinking beer!  (I may be quite an expert on that)

1-Keep a well hydrated and well protected canvas. Start off with a great moisturizer, that's not overly heavy. The sun and the beer tent are both dehydrating. Follow up with a sheer sunscreen. Even of you have sunscreen in your moisturizer, nobody applies enough to get proper benefits when you're outside. Another layer is important!

2-Even and dewy are the keywords here. If you can get away with only some concealer where needed that's perfect!  If not, keep your coverage light. Slap on a bb cream, or tinted moisturizer before concealer, and you're good. Perfect and flawless is not the look here. Comfortable and fresh is!  

3-Add a flush that's going to last. We don't need a perfectly sculpted cheek today. I usually use a cheek stain for soft definition that's going to last. Sometimes I add a cream bronzer for a little sun kissed glow. (Whitey Whiterson over here, remember)  After that, brush on some sheer powder to set everything. A light dusting on mainly the t-zone should do it. Dewy Ladies!  That's the goal!

4-Mascara like its your job. Go for the big sexy lashes!  Make sure it's smudge proof though!  Beer, sun, and Tammy Faye eyes are bad. Just bad.

5-Lip primer, and SPF are your friends. The rest of the look is laid-back so keep that vibe going with a lip that doesn't need constant attention. If you want something soft, do a tinted lip balm with SPF. If you want some punch, use a lip primer first. That way you can sing with abandon and not get smudged teeth or lipstick on your chin!  Again, make sure there's sun protection in there somewhere!  I sometimes just apply my cheek stain on my lips and use an SPF balm over for some moisture. Gives a pretty soft finish too. 

If you have some free time this weekend, check out The Blues Fest!  Fan or not, it's a good time and it'll probably turn you into one!

I'd love to hear about your tips for event makeup!

Donna Xoxo