Anabel
Member Since: September 24, 2010Reviews
Aveda Hand Relief
help your hands, help a cause :Pricey at $30: There is no sense in spending a lot of money on hand creams... Unless they're worth every penny. 3,000 pennies to be exact. My sister and I stumbled upon this; it's one of Aveda's... +
help your hands, help a cause
:Pricey at $30:
There is no sense in spending a lot of money on hand creams...
Unless they're worth every penny. 3,000 pennies to be exact.
My sister and I stumbled upon this; it's one of Aveda's best sellers and I can describe it in a few short words: luxurious with an appealing delicate citrus scent. Soft, not greasy. Smooth, not slippery.
Your hands will thank you.
If you buy it now, you also help breast cancer research. October is breast cancer awareness month.
Just because there are only three days left in, doesn't mean you shouldn't stay informed. Being aware means being effective. Learn more.
Love it.
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Kiehl's Lip Balm #1
encore :Moderate at $12: Ten bucks and change for this little wonder: Now, I've always liked the balm but I'll admit that I only pick up the scented tube here and there. I posted way back when, little did I know that this balm has... +
encore
:Moderate at $12:
Ten bucks and change for this little wonder:
Now, I've always liked the balm but I'll admit that I only pick up the scented tube here and there. I posted way back when, little did I know that this balm has healing properties.
My love for Kiehl's doesn't hold a candle to my sister's. She loves it. In fact, it may be the longest relationship she's been in. She's not going to like that joke, but it's not like she can beat me up. We don't live in the same city. Plus, I'm about to give her props.
This past Friday I woke up with a bad case of chapped lips. How bad? Ugly bad.
It's rare, but this was my third bout with the pestering condition. I'm not sure what caused it but my lips were in a lot of pain, and they looked it. I felt ugly, but I compensated by wearing a really cute outfit. Before heading out of town to Montreal, in an act of desperation, I ran to Shopper's and picked up some Blistex.
Fastforward a couple hours and I'm in Montreal. Blistex in tow. My sister sees me pull out the dark blue tub and gasps. She then does one of those rolling eye huffs. Uh oh, I know she's got something to say. So I wait for it.
"What are you doing? Is that Blistex? Don't use Blistex. It's bad for you. It's got chemicals. Stop."
I'm a little stunned. Her brows are furrowed, she's serious. I put on my puppy eyes and say, "well, what am I supposed to do...look (points to lips)...gross...". She gives me another eye roll and says, "not Blistex. Kiehl's".
Wow, that's it? Kiehl's.
I attacked her tub, until we got downtown. Then I bought my own and attacked it.
That all happened three days ago.
My chapped lips you ask? GONE. My lips are back to their natural colour and are ubersoft. Like, kiss me now soft.
My tub? I'm still attacking it.
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Urban Decay Baked Bronzer
fake-and-bake :Pricey at $31: Old packaging Urban Decay recently gave the packaging a slight overhaul. It now comes in a "Moroccan-inspired moon-and-stars motif". New exterior, same interior. When it comes to bronzer I only ask for two... +
fake-and-bake
:Pricey at $31:
Old packaging
Urban Decay recently gave the packaging a slight overhaul. It now comes in a "Moroccan-inspired moon-and-stars motif". New exterior, same interior.
When it comes to bronzer I only ask for two things: Streak-free application and toned-down colour because bronzer only works when you can't see where the work begins.
They call it baked because it literally is. The process evidently maintains the integrity of the microfine texture of the powder.
The true test will come in the form of my sister's stamp of approval. She's the bronzer expert, I'm just learning.
Like it.
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LORAC Pro Powder Cheek Stain
:Pricey at $26: what a peach The reviews rated this blush high. So do I. It's satiny, subtle and void of any synthetics. Super. Of the six colours I opted for peach. I always seem drawn to it - must have started when I first met... +
:Pricey at $26:
what a peach
The reviews rated this blush high. So do I.
It's satiny, subtle and void of any synthetics. Super.
Of the six colours I opted for peach. I always seem drawn to it - must have started when I first met Georgia.
Oh peaches.
Love it
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Fresh Sugar Lip Gloss
baby, baby, baby :Pricey at $21: I like fresh. They're fun. Their bodycare includes sake and rice, brown sugar, sugar and lemon. Mmm, tasty. They also do make-up but I wouldn't call them frontrunners. I needed new lip gloss so... +
baby, baby, baby
:Pricey at $21:
I like fresh. They're fun. Their bodycare includes sake and rice, brown sugar, sugar and lemon. Mmm, tasty.
They also do make-up but I wouldn't call them frontrunners. I needed new lip gloss so here I am. It's a little too sticky but conditions well. The colours are perfectly subtle and they shimmer but not sparkle, because sparkles are for Tinkerbelle. Are you Tinkerbelle? I didn't think so.
Warning. Extreme close up of pout.
Top: Bare | Bottom: Sugar Baby
I read a lot of beauty blogs and fashion mags and you know what I learned? Lip shots are as uncomfortable as T&A;. Truly...they're awkward, slightly lewd, and too personal.
That's why I gave you a half-pout. It allows me to maintain my dignity.
I feel so exposed.
But I dig the gloss so I took one for the team.
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Biotherm Biosource Toner Normal Skin
Biosource HydraMineral Lotion by Biotherm :Pricey at $30: zinc...it ain't just for your nose I have been remiss. But I have a legitimate excuse. I've been busy. For real. I've also been stockpiling a huge collection of products... +
Biosource HydraMineral Lotion by Biotherm
:Pricey at $30:
zinc...it ain't just for your nose
I have been remiss. But I have a legitimate excuse. I've been busy. For real.
I've also been stockpiling a huge collection of products. Oh, it's on.
For now, here's a classic that I recently picked up for ma soeur. Remember how I said when she really loves something, she continues to use it. Decades can pass and girl is still all over it.
Supple radiant skin.
Active toning water to cleanse your skin, without that tight feeling. (I don't like that feeling. I get that feeling from Bioré astringent. Again, Bioré is not my friend.)
It reminds me a lot of the asian products I'm so fond of. It's light, delicately scented and moisturizing.
I suppose my sister likes it for the balancing properties of zinc.
Like it.
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Skirt
This is my "Review of the Week" ... Sure I could talk about my long-time loves, like Aritzia and H&M;, or the new Wilfred in the Eaton Centrre...but I would much rather share a gem. And Skirt is a gem - cute boutique, easy-breezy service, and... +
This is my "Review of the Week" ...
Sure I could talk about my long-time loves, like Aritzia and H&M;, or the new Wilfred in the Eaton Centrre...but I would much rather share a gem.
And Skirt is a gem - cute boutique, easy-breezy service, and not mainstream.
I stumbled upon Skirt while I was killing some time in the Annex. I can tell you that the sign/logo was NOT why I went in. It's terrible. I would like to offer my graphic design skills to them so that they can do a redesign. But it's a small boutique so they probably don't care. They only have on in Toronto and one in London (that I know of). That would be London, Ontario...
What I like about Skirt is that it may seem like it's for the young, hip, urban university student, it also has fun stuff for the trendy tween and chic professional. I wouldn't wear everything in Skirt, but they have enough to make a dent in my bank account.
After I hit my 30s shopping got easier - I have money to blow, but I find there's less to blow it on. I've found myself wanting pieces that not everyone has and in the land of big city Toronto, that's hard because 15 year olds are shopping where 30 year olds shop. I don't always want the same cardie the kids are wearing, you know?
Skirt's not big, but their buyer is open-minded. Whoever it is buys traditional pieces, fun trendy ones, and then throws in a few fashion forward patterns and some everyday wear.
Now would be a good time to introduce you to a few of my favourite cheap labels (well, not cheap, but perhaps cheaper): Ark & Co and Lush. I usually pick up Ark & Co dresses and Lush tops/blouses at Over the Rainbow or Mendocini, now I have a third option and the third has more of both. Shocker.
Feel moved to get going? You should, go on now, shop Skirt.
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Anna Sui Face Color Accent
it's more than just an option I am a huge Anna Sui blush fan. Her make-up line in general is really whimsical. It reminds me of my time in Asia. All the make-up stores there are fun and sometimes, fantastical. I've been in love with her... +
it's more than just an option
I am a huge Anna Sui blush fan. Her make-up line in general is really whimsical. It reminds me of my time in Asia. All the make-up stores there are fun and sometimes, fantastical.
I've been in love with her blush since an annoyied (an annoying friend) introduced it to me. In particular, I'm in love with this soft orange hue. I say soft because Anna's blushes don't go on heavy.
It's number 600, and she is fabulous. Especially, if you're Asian. And if you're Asian and have a bit of tan then you MUST have this blush.
There's something Parisian about it. It's playful yet sexy. The best compliment I received came from one of my homeboys: "wow Anabel, you look different....pause...you look fresh!"
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Crest 3D White Whitestrips 2-hour Express
Let me state at the outset that I am very famliar with the Crest family. I've used them all, more than once. They all work. They all work well, it's more a question of what is most important to you. Over the weekend, I met the youngest... +
Let me state at the outset that I am very famliar with the Crest family. I've used them all, more than once. They all work. They all work well, it's more a question of what is most important to you.
Over the weekend, I met the youngest - 2-Hour Express - for the first time. And before I compare him to his siblings, I'll give him my full attention.
2-Hour Express is exactly what it sounds like. A rapid 2-hour whitening treatment. Although I got my box on Tuesday, I waited until the weekend because who has a 2-hour window these days? I figured I could work them into my routine while doing laundry Saturday morning. The strips seem longer than the other ones. It stuck on well and stayed on for the full 2 hours.
As you can see from the photos - they work (top - before, bottom - after). Pictures don't lie.
I was surprised that my teeth and gums weren't "raw" after the treatment. But I realized I spoke to soon. By Saturday night my teeth were really sensitive. The discomfort was constant and lasted until Sunday night. It's not unexpected, but I'm not sure it's worth the immediate whitening effects. The other systems I've tried may cause a little intermittent sensitivity immediately after, but nothing compared to what I experienced with the express treatment. The good thing is that you only need to use them once every three or four months. '
Taking everything into consideration, I'd recommend them. It's instant, especially if you don't have any sensitivity issues and just want a quick way to brighten your smile. If you're like me, and have sensitive teeth, I would still proceed, but with caution.
Now, as in all families, comparison breeds competition. Since they all work, I would break my advice down like this:
Most cost-effective: Vivid (you give up a little whitening power, but it still works)
Most whitening: Professional Effects (almost always whitens more than her siblings, but costly, even on sale)
Most immediate: 2-Hour Express (you save a little time and get instant gratification, but if you have sensitive teeth it may not be the best)
Most gentle: Gentle Routine (not as potent, and therefore not as effective, but still works)
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Jurlique Herbal Eye Cream
got that loving feeling I dropped by Holts on Monday to pick up a new eye cream. I'm almost finished my Pure Simple one. Will post about that soon. I haven't because I'm walking the line between skip and like. Figured I'd... +
got that loving feeling
I dropped by Holts on Monday to pick up a new eye cream. I'm almost finished my Pure Simple one. Will post about that soon. I haven't because I'm walking the line between skip and like. Figured I'd finish the entire tub before I gave my final answer....
Unlike Jurlique's eye cream which got me all hot and bothered so I had to share.
Up until Monday, I had only tried samples of Jurlique products because it never reaches my bubble, at least not close enough to break through. I know it was founded by Jurgen and his wife Ulrike. And they say what's in a name...in this case, love. Anyway, these two have a farm of sorts in Adelaide Hills, Australia. And it is there that they create their products in an environmentally sustainable way. There's a valuable lesson in there: eco-friendly things from down under will cost you.
But quality eye cream will always cost you. Funny that these creams are eye-goughing. Always have, and always will be. But a little goes a long way.
Enough with the proverbial quips.
The Herbal Recovery Eye Cream dispenses like medicated cream. I'm not crazy about that, but it's probably more sanitary than always dipping your fingers into the same pot. I try not to double-dip, but sometimes when you're in a rush in the morning, you just do.
Jurlique smells very herbal. I'm not crazy about that either.
They call it a "high performance" eye cream. I scoffed when I heard that. High performance. Seriously? But I can't argue because it delivered on all fronts. It brightened and refreshed the eye area, provided longlasting moisture, and seemed to soften fine lines. Yes, I have lines. Dammit.
How did they do it? Apparently with arnica, eyebright, cucumber, safflower, and chamomile.
My eyes, much like the rest of me, requires tender loving lasting care, and that's exactly what I got. Okay, I changed my mind. I like herbs.
Love it.
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