Peachy Keen

UGH that title, I have a terribly dry sense of humour. This was a simple look I did a few weeks ago, sort of monochromatic. I'm not entirely sure what products I used but I figured I'd embed a video with a tutorial for a (kindofbutnotreally) similar look by a wonderfully talented lady who shares my affinity for lame fruit puns!

And here is my face...
(Click to enlarge)

 

 

As always, thanks for looking :)

♥ Sarah

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A couple of Instagram photos to bridge the gap until I post what I consider to be "real" photos! A few F/NOTD. Pardon any lobster hands/shaggy cuticles...

OPI What What Wizardry is This? (Liquid Sand) & Oy-Another Polish Joke!

Butter London's Fairy Cake & OPI's You're Such a BudaPest

OPI Suzi's Hungary Again & OY-Another Polish Joke!

Gold smoky eye with a nude lip...

...and a bright one!

Chartreuse and teal eye with a nude lip...

...and a bright one. :)

♥ Sarah

Skincare Routine: Winter '12 - '13

This might not be a typical winter skincare compilation given the oil-sapping products I've mentioned but it's what works for me! I wouldn't consider these items winter-specific - I'll definitely be carrying them into my spring and summer skincare regimen.

Clockwise starting top left:

Bioderma Sensibio H20 - This is the first and only micellar water I've ever used and I love it. I saturate a cotton pad with this and use it to remove all of my makeup before cleansing. It feels incredibly gentle and is excellent for sensitive skin.

Avene Gentle Purifying Scrub - For work I did some training for Avene and I learned a great deal about their products (how they cater to sensitive skin) and I was particularly intrigued by this scrub. I'll admit that I don't exfoliate as often as I should but this makes me want to - the gel base and the tiny little beads adequately retexturize my skin and leave it feeling nourished, as opposed to stripped and dry.

Bioderma Purifying Foaming Gel - I LOVE THIS. It's formulated for oily skin (which I have to spare) and this has improved the condition of my skin. I've experienced fewer blackheads and smaller-looking pores since using this on a regular basis.

Bioderma Anti-shine Cream-Gel Mat - This is from the same line as the aforementioned foaming gel, formulated for oily skin. This is a lightweight, mattifying moisturizer - it sinks into the skin very quickly so it's awesome to apply before putting makeup on.

Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Optimizing Serum - I was given a sample of this the week of Halloween and I'm thankful I did. After three consecutive days of full-face makeup - fake leaves adhered with spirit gum, grease paint, zombie wounds created with liquid latex - my skin was in dire need of some therapy. My skin got clearer with each use! This is very hydrating and smells wonderful.

Avene Soothing Hydrating Serum - Another serum I love! This is my favourite type of product to moisturize and this one is an excellent option given its high water content. I like to use this in the morning after cleansing - it's very lightweight and leaves the skin feeling majorly refreshed.

Normaderm by Vichy TriActiv Mask - A triple threat in a tube: this is a cleanser, a scrub, and a mask. I think this is a really innovative product. Given its high concentration of clay, it sucks the oil out of the skin and leaves it SO matte and smooth. It also doesn't contain any soap, parabens or alcohol which is awesome. The Normaderm range by Vichy is excellent for skin that's acne-prone, has textural issues, or has experiences a great deal of oil production.

Queen Helene's Mint Julep Masque - This stuff is classic! It's a potent clay mask that should be in every oily-skinned girl's (or guy's) skincare arsenal. When I use this, I steam my pores so they're more susceptible to the product and I spread it wherever I feel needs some purification. I allow the product to dry and remove it with a warm, wet cloth and any blackheads seem to have all but disappeared. This is also mattifying and because of its potency I wouldn't use it more than once or twice a week as it can dry the skin out.

♥ Sarah

Favourite Nail Products: February '13

I've been pretty adamant about keeping my nails looking their best this winter. With the cold, dry conditions where I live, it's not always an easy task. I've found some truly effective products that help me keep my claws shipshape and I'm going to share them here!

CND Cuticle Eraser - Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream

I picked up CND's Cuticle Eraser at the recommendation of Viola of Killer Colours - I'm SO happy I found this because it keeps my cuticles looking better than they ever have. It contains AHAs which are a chemical exfoliant (as opposed to a physical one, like a scrub) - in this product, they help to soften rough, ragged skin that may surround your nails. After I coat my cuticles with this and leave them be for about 10 minutes, I use an orange stick to gently push them back and then scrub the nails clean with a nail brush.

I like to follow this up with Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream! I heard so many good things about this before I picked it up last spring. I use it all the time and I've only just hit the bottom of the tin. Thoroughly rubbing this into your nails, cuticles, and fingertips keeps them hydrated and smelling like the best of lemon meringue pies.

CND Stickey - Orly Bonder

These are my two favourite base coats. Once applied, they both feel slightly sticky to the touch and help your polish adhere well to the nail. Products like these are often used when "sandwiching" polishes as they maintain long-lasting polish wear and are known to prevent chipping.

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat - Hardy Candy Matte-ly In Love Top Coat

My two favourite top coats! Seche Vite is perfect for fast-drying, glossy nails with a hard finish. You apply this top coat before the polish dries completely and it penetrates all previous layers of lacquer to ensure they're all anchored to the nail. As for the matte top coat - it was inexpensive and it produces a desirable finish so it's good in my books! I love to apply this over glitter polishes.

Other products I love and use religiously:

OPI Nail Lacquer Thinner

This has saved so many polishes of mine, especially my beloved pastels. I haven't had to repurchase my favourites after they've gotten too finicky to apply, I've just added some of this bad boy. I've had one small bottle (like the one pictured) for probably two years now and I'm just getting down to the last drops. This is a must-have if you're a nail aficionado.

Soap & Glory Hand Food

A very recent addition to my beauty stash and I will definitely repurchase. It has what I believe to be the token Soap & Glory scent, floral and delicious. Some might find it overwhelming but I really enjoy it. The texture is pleasant, it sinks into my skin quickly enough, and it provides a perfect amount of hydration for hands. Plus Soap & Glory have my favourite packaging ever.

♥ Sarah

Tonks' Perfumery: Personal Collection

In recent months I've accumulated more than my share of perfume - here's a look at all of the bottled concoctions that make up my current fragrance collection!

Justin Bieber - Girlfriend: I love this as an everyday fragrance. It's sweet but not coyly so, and the mandarin adds the perfect hint of tartness. A lot of people don't give it a second look (or sniff) because it's got Bieber's name on it, but this was produced by Elizabeth Arden and as a company they're known for pumping out extremely popular celebrity scents. I've gotten a compliment every time I've worn this around anyone! Here is the description from Fragrantica: Top notes are designated to represent a "Chance" in love and provide an exciting splash of mandarin, blackberry, pear and strawberry. The heart is marked as "Dream" and includes accords of pink freesia, star jasmine, apricot and orange blossom. The base is a "Kiss", containing sensual notes of vanilla orchid, luminous musk and white amber.

Lady Gaga - Fame: I remember the first time I smelled this, not long after its release - my roommate and I were shopping around at a local department store and I laid eyes on the display at the closest fragrance counter. I didn't know what to expect - black liquid, intense packaging...I thought it would be some sort of crazy liquorice cocktail. I was so pleasantly surprised with it! I think it's deep and fun and I love to wear this when I go out. Here is the description from Fragrantica: The fragrance is built on three main accords: dark accord, sensual accord and light accord. The dark accord includes poisonous flower Belladonna and incense, which evolve into the sensual and opulent wave of honey drops, saffron and apricot. A floral veil of Sambac jasmine and tiger orchid embody light and beauty.

Rihanna - Nude: This is another scent I love to wear every day. It's aptly named, too - it wears down to smell like your skin but better. It's fresh and has a nice amount of warmth for me. Here is the description from Fragrantica: Fruity aromas of guava, mandarin and pear are located at the opening of the composition. The heart is blended out of white flowers: gardenia petals, velvety Sambac jasmine and creamy orange blossom. The base consists of sandalwood, vanilla orchid and "second skin" musk.

Givenchy - Play for Her: This was the first Givenchy perfume I fell in love with. It's feminine and has a bit of a sporty feel to me, and both of those things are reflected in the packaging. I really love the men's incarnation of this as well. Here is the description from Fragrantica: Top notes include pink peppercorn and orange blossom, followed by the heart of amyris wood, Tiare flower and orchid, wrapped with the base of sandalwood, patchouli, Tonka bean and benzoin.

Givenchy - Ange ou Demon: Probably the most unique fragrance I own - perhaps due to its powdery nature. It's quite strong; I like to dab it on my wrists or behind my ears. Here is the description from Fragrantica: Sweet freshness of the top notes of mandarin, white cumin and saffron opens the way to the opulent floral heart: the strong lily note in alliance with casual notes of Maxillaria orchid and exotic ylang-ylang. The trace is dominated by two woodsy notes: creamy rosewood and dense oak moss absolute, while the powdery and sensual Tonka and vanilla end the composition.

Givenchy - Very Irresistible: Romance in a bottle. I wear this quite often and I think with spring coming up it will wear even more nicely. I have such a penchant for roses! Here is the description from Fragrantica: Irresistible, modern, floral fragrance. This incredibly feminine fragrance was created of five variances of roses. The opening note of anise, delicately-fresh, brings in an original modern nuance in the classical floral harmony. The sharp and piercing beauty of rose has become milder, even warm and comfortable.

Aquolina - Pink Sugar: This is something I like to spray and go. To me, it's a very low-maintenance scent - something I like to pair with little makeup or if I'm just going to get groceries. It's very light, obviously very sweet, and I think it's very pleasant! Here is the description from Fragrantica: It is a very sweet fragrance that smells like fruity candy floss. The top notes are bergamot, Sicilian orange and green nuance of fig leaves. In the heart, a thin lily of the valley note enjoys the company of liquorice blossom and red fruits. The gourmand drydown is composed of vanilla, caramel, woodsy and musky notes.

Viktor and Rolf - Flowerbomb: This perfume is special to me - my parents gifted me this pink-boxed treasure, knowing I'd wanted it for so long. This feels very elegant to me! Here is the description from Fragrantica: Top notes tingle with fresh and sweet accords of bergamot and green tea. A heart is floral and opulent with intensive, sweet and pure Sambac jasmine, seductive Centifolia rose, freesia and Cattleya orchid. Musk and patchouli in a base wrap us with an oriental scent, while its milky and powdery notes gently fondle our skin.

Do you have a signature scent?

♥ Sarah