The Best Dry Shampoo

When dry shampoo first hit the drugstore scene, I was all over it. And then I was disappointed, again and again. I loved the idea of dry shampoo but couldn't seem to find "the one". Every other dry shampoo that has come near my head has resulted in weighed down, chalky, and sometimes even wet looking hair. Until this little beauty came into my life and forever changed it.

For those of you who are confused by the purpose of dry shampoo, it is not necessarily equivalent to the traditional shampoo and conditioning experience that you would carry out in the shower, but a great way to freshen up your hair when it starts to get greasy (attractive, I know). I don't wash my hair every day, but I love to use dry shampoo on the days when I don't wash my hair, to absorb oil at the roots and help give my hair some beachy texture and volume. Dry shampoo can also be used on clean hair for the purpose of adding some grit and texture to clean hair that would otherwise lay flat.

What I love about the Dove Fresh Care Dry Shampoo:

• It smells amazing, very similar to Dove shampoos but perhaps more fruity. The scent manages to stick into my hair all day but isn't strong or overpowering. 
• Instead of using clay like most traditional dry shampoos, corn starch is instead used to soak up oils on the scalp. For girls with fine hair, this means that we can freshen up our roots without having them weighed down or look like baby powder was dumped on our heads. 
• A bottle lasts forever. I use mine nearly every day (since I rarely wash my hair) and I get at least six months out of a can.
• It is budget friendly, coming in at around $6 dollars a can. 
• It is the only product I can use to create big hair with my fine, limp locks. 
• It seems impossible to apply too much. Very user friendly. 

If you are a user of dry shampoo or if you are looking for a way to freshen up your hair in between washes, I would highly recommend checking out this product the next time you hit the drugstore. I'm obsessed and I don't think I can be without it. It's a product I have repurchased three times over, if that's any indication.

Have you tried the Dove Fresh Care Dry Shampoo? What is your favorite dry shampoo?

Thanks for reading.

Makeup Look: Fresh Pinks for Spring

If you haven't figured it out yet, I've had a total change of heart about pink makeup this spring. After banging on about pretty, fresh pinks for the past couple weeks, I thought it would be helpful to showcase one of the many ways that I like to wear the bright pink trend that is oh so fabulous for sunny days. Pink is such a versatile color and there is a shade out there for everyone. I think this look is nice for a day shopping with your friends or even worn on a night out. This makeup look is super simple, using light grey shimmery eyeshadows for subtle definition and black liner for a cat eye flick. Lashings of mascara was applied to the top lashes only for a very dolly look. Pink cream blush was used across the apples of the cheeks and blended up towards the temples to sculpt the face and the look was finished off with a bright pink gloss.

Today I used three new products that I have been really loving. Two affordable drugstore products and one splurge! The Joe Fresh Cream Blush in Blossom is an insanely affordable and impressive cream blush. I like this blush for the fact that it doesn't have a dewy finish and also doesn't have a powder finish. I love that it has that non-greasy creamy texture that just melts into the skin without highlighting uneven skin texture or imperfections (and no shimmer!). The blush is super pigmented so I would recommend going easy with it on the first application. Another bonus is that it lasts all day on the cheeks without budging. It is a drugstore blush that seriously brings it for a very reasonable $8 at Dominion (Not to mention that it rivals my favorite cream blush, the Stila Convertible Colors).

The next drugstore product that has made it's way into my collections is the Maybelline Color Elixir in Hibiscus Haven, a punchy purple-toned bright pink. I've heard a few rave reviews floating around Youtube about this little drugstore lippie and I am so happy I picked this up! It's definitely not the type of color I would normally be drawn to but I really like the way it looks against my pale skin without being too in your face. In the look above, I used a lip liner underneath to tone down the neon-ness of the gloss and I think it makes the color even more wearable for daytime.

Finally, I broke down and purchased a decent liquid liner pen. The Stila Stay All Day Water Proof Liquid Liner in Intense Black is probably the best liquid liner I have ever used. The super thin tip makes it easy to make a subtle flick but also allows the precision to build it up to a hefty line if desired. As the lengthy product name states, it stays all day and does not move. I like to think of this product as liquid liner for dummies, which is a dream for liquid liner noobs like myself. If you are someone who wears liquid liner on a daily basis or a few times a week, I think it's definitely worth the splurge.

PRODUCTS USED:

FACE: Too Faced Primed and Poreless Primer, Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation, Maybelline Dark Circle Corrector (for under eye area), Vichy Dermablend Foundation Stick (used as high coverage concealer for spots/scars), Clarins Ever Matte Powder. 

EYES: Dior 5 Couleures Palette in Grege, Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner in Intense Black and Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara.

CHEEKS: Joe Fresh Cream Blush in Blossom.

LIPS: Rimmel Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses Lip Liner in Rose Quartz and Maybelline Color Elixir in Hibiscus Haven. 

How do you like to incorporate pink into your makeup looks? Will you be trying out bright pinks this spring?

Thanks for reading.

May Favorites

May has been such a busy month for me and I'm happy that we are now in the month of June. In the past few weeks I have started a new job, convocated from university and turned 23 years old. I've been really enjoying doing my makeup in the past month, mostly due to the fact that my skin seems to be calming down after a series of breakouts but also because of the sunshine that seems to be showing itself to St. John's from time to time. Many of the products in my favorites are new purchases but there are a few old re-discovered favorites hanging in there as well. Here's the lineup for the month of May:

URBAN DECAY NAKED SKIN FOUNDATION (SHADE 1.0)
If you haven't seen my first impressions of this foundation, you can read about it here. I gave it a rave review but had issues with the foundation wearing off my face before the day was through. After purchasing my next favorite, I've fallen completely in love with the foundation. It really does look like skin and it never looks cakey. I think this is a perfect foundation for spring and summer because it is light-weight on the skin while giving you a semi-matte finish for warmer days. The Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation is definitely my favorite foundation at the moment.

URBAN DECAY ALL NIGHTER MAKEUP SETTING SPRAY
This is my first setting spray that I have used. Somehow I missed the memo that setting sprays are the best product ever. I don't know why it took me so long to purchase the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray but I am completely hooked and I don't think I can go without it again. I purchased this to help my Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation last longer on my skin and my makeup literally looks freshly applied by the end of the day. This not only helps face makeup stay put but also helps to set eye makeup for at least 16 hours. I also love that this helps to take that powdery finish off the skin and make your makeup mingle with the skin harmoniously. I would highly recommend this product to anybody who wears makeup.

RIMMEL MATCH PERFECTION CONCEALER
In an attempt to use up some concealers in my stash, I've went back to this old favorite. After using up my Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer, I've definitely fallen out of love with it and it seems to cake up around my eyes. I love that the Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer is super light weight and sinks into the skin under my eyes to conceal and brighten my under-eye circles. I think this is the old packaging but the new packaging looks quite similar.

URBAN DECAY REVOLUTION LIPSTICK IN TURN ON
I've already raved about this lipstick in the past month (read here), so I won't bore you with a repeat mini-review. I have already deemed this beautiful lipstick as holy grail status and I've been wearing it for most of the month. I'm definitely loving the look of fresh pinks this spring.

JOSIE MARAN COCONUT WATERCOLOR CHEEK GELEE
There was a lot of hype around this blush when it was first released and I got sucked into the hype and purchased it about a year ago. I wasn't keen on this blush at first, but I've recently found a way to make it work on my skin and I am in love with the formula. It's not quite a cream blush, more of a gel blush that I like to use with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. I like to apply it by putting a small dot of blush on each cheek and blending it in with the brush for a super fresh and natural flushed color to the cheeks. I love this blush when worn with pink lipsticks. So pretty!

TVAL DEEP CLEANSING OIL WITH MANDARIN AND CEDAR
I've been using this cleansing oil for about a month and I have seen such a difference in my skin. It manages to remove every bit of makeup from my face while keeping it hydrated and soothed. It has a very earthy scent that I actually really enjoy. I love that this cleansing oil is thicker than other oils I have tried, making it easier to rub into the skin (whereas other cleansing oils run out between my fingers before I have a chance to apply to the skin). I use this oil every night to double cleanse and I will definitely be repurchasing as soon as my small bottle runs out. TVAL is a local shop on Water Street in St. John's and can also be purchased through their website here.

TVAL OIL FREE LOTION WITH STRAWBERRIES AND 2% SALICYLIC ACID
Another TVAL skin care favorite this month! I love this lotion for day time and night time use. Between the cleansing oil and this moisturizer, I believe these products have helped to clear up my skin significantly. I love this lotion because it fights acne without drying out the skin. It's light weight and hydrating with the pleasant scent of strawberries. It creates a great base for makeup and I have not had any new breakouts since I've started using it. I'm totally hooked on this moisturizer and love the very reasonable price point. Check it out at their beautiful shop or order through their website here.

So that's the line up of fantastic products that were well loved over the past month. What have you been loving this month? Please let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading.

Lipstick Mood Ring: Happy Red Lips

Happy Sunday friends! I like to think that lipstick directly correlates with your mood. I find that the color of lipstick I choose often reflects how I am feeling that day. For instance, today I'm having a very blah day that will consist of studying and other mundane activities, but after a swipe of red lipstick I'm feeling more energized and ready to conquer the day. Red lips are definitely one of my favorite makeup looks and I certainly haven't been sporting them enough. Instead of waiting for a special occasion, I think I'll start pulling out the red lipstick on the icky days when I am in desperate need of a mood booster. Red lips don't have to be scary for daytime as long as you keep everything simple. Today I'm sporting a touch of cream blush for some color to the cheeks, a pale gold eyeshadow and a coat of black mascara to the top and bottom lashes. My red pout du jour is thanks to my gorgeous red-orange lippie, Rouge Dior in 844 Trafalgar. Definitely one of my all time favorite lipsticks that never fails to make me feel happy and stand a little taller.

What lipstick shade makes you feel happy? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading.

Review: L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara

Hello again everyone! Today I'm reviewing another drugstore mascara that has crossed my path over the past few weeks. I have been having some mascara issues lately and I'm on the hunt for a good affordable mascara. I know that L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara has been around for a very, very long time and it gets much love in the makeup community. I have used this mascara in the past but I decided to repurchase it a few weeks ago to give it another go and give my two cents about it:

PROS:

• Although it was very "wet" on the first application, it dried out within a few days and became a really nice consistency to work with. 
• It gives me dramatic volume with 1-2 coats.
• It seems to lengthen lashes slightly.
• It helps my stick-straight lashes to hold a curl without feeling crunchy.
• It layers well if you wish to add another layer for a night out.
• It has classy, sleek packaging.
• It's budget friendly and is often on sale. 
• The brush is designed well and separates lashes easily.

CONS:

• The formula was incredibly wet and messy on first application.
• The formula tends to flake onto my under-eye area after a few hours.
• The formula dried out and is now very clumpy after only 3 weeks. 

After giving this mascara an honest try, I can definitely see why it is so well loved by makeup-wearers everywhere. My main issue is that it has dried up and become super clumpy after a mere three weeks of being opened, and I generally expect a mascara to last longer than that. The nice thing is that it can be easily replaced every couple weeks, as it is affordable and easy to find, but I like a mascara that performs for longer. It truly is a beautiful product, but I shall be moving on to another mascara to trial in the pursuit for the perfect drugstore mascara.

Have you tried L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara? Has anybody else experienced it drying up so quickly? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below and recommend me your favorite budget mascaras!

Thanks for reading.