2014 Favorites! Skincare Edition!

Hi everyone! Hope you all had an amazing holiday and are looking forward to the New Year! I have written out three separate posts for my 2014 Favorites. Skincare, Face and Body, and Makeup. I am going to start with the skincare, as I have found some really good products this year, that I will continue to use into 2015.

Clarins Double Serum: Technically I started using this product in 2013, but I have continued using it throughout this year, and it still remains a top shelf product in my opinion. My skin loves the texture of this, and I always feel hydrated when I am using it. I go through this product quickly, as I use about 4 pumps morning and night, and take it right down to my chest. The radiance this gives my skin can’t be beat!

Vichy Mineral Balm: I recently did a full review on this product. This is something that is a fairly specific product. If you are someone who works in cold conditions, or runs in the wintertime, or just have super dry skin like me, you should definitely try this. It is the perfect example of a complete barrier cream. And, I was able to put makeup on top of it, which was a nice surprise!

Shiseido Wrinkle Resist 24 Eye Cream: This eye cream is so much better than anything I have ever used. Seriously, I have not gone through an eye cream as fast as I do with this one. My eyes are a problem zone for me, but if I am not seeing or feeling results, I will neglect a product. I have not missed a morning or a night application of this since I opened the jar, and I have anxiety for when it finishes. It is so hydrating, and smoothes the lines around my eyes.

Bioderma: I’ll be quick with this, as I talk about this all the time. It’s a super gentle cleansing water that removes makeup from your face and eyes. No fragrance, alcohol, parabens…. I could go on and on. This has been a favorite for years, but I just had to include it.

Clarins Foaming Cleanser: These cleansers are amazing. I have tried both the Normal/Combination formula, and the Dry/Sensitive formula, and love both. You need the smallest amount, and they work very well with my Clarisonic. These leave your skin feeling clean, but not stripped of all it’s moisture. I have repurchased these over and over all year.

La Roche Posay Nutritic Intense Riche: This was another cream that worked really well for me this year. It’s a super rich cream that still manages to feel light on the skin. It can be applied under makeup, and is a great option for sensitive skin. At $39.00CAD, this is a fairly affordable option, and truly kept my skin hydrated while I was using it. It really locked the moisture into my skin, but never felt greasy, or clogged any pores.

Those are six of my skincare favorites for 2014! I had so many products that I loved, but these were the six that really stood out to me!

What were your favorite skincare products of 2014?

Thanks for reading!

-Sara

My daytime skincare routine!

Being a beauty blogger, I am constantly trying new products. I rarely stick to the same thing for long, but I have been getting a lot of questions about my current skincare routine. In order to break the post up a little bit, I’ve decided to share my daytime skincare routine, and if you guys want to see my nighttime routine, just let me know in the comments!

My skin is super dry, and very reactive. I am currently on a prescription cream called Valeant, which claims to be an anti rosacea agent, but was given to me to deal with peri oral dermatitis.

In the morning when I wake up, I use some Bioderma on my Shiseido cotton, and give my skin a quick cleanse. I use my Clarisonic every night, and using a full on cleanser twice a day, really dries my skin out. Using Bioderma (the best cleansing water ever!) let’s me refresh my skin but doesn’t dry it out. After that I apply my eye cream. I am currently using the Clinique Repairwear eye cream, and it’s quite nice. Keeps my eye area hydrated, but it is by no means life changing.

After eye cream, I apply my prescription cream, only on the areas that seem to be affected by my dermatitis (usually my cheeks and around my mouth) and then I layer the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Baume Mineral on top. This is a newer product for me, and I am quite liking it. I can tell automatically that some people might not love the texture, as it is thicker, and if your skin wasn’t crazy dry like mine, you might want to use this product only at nighttime.

Honestly, this has been my routine every morning for awhile. I like to keep it simple, and these products have been working very well for me.

I’ll admit, my morning routine is fairly boring. Nighttime is usually when the big guns come out! Let me know if you guys would like to see that routine as well!

-Sara

5 Products Sara Talked me Into Purchasing!

Friendship brings some wonderful things to your life. Laughter, a shoulder to cry on, or someone to send you socially inappropriate memes. In my case I receive all of the above from Sara, but I also have received some stellar makeup bullying, resulting in me owning some of my favorite products.

1. Bioderma- Obviously you are all aware of Sara’s at times alarming loyalty to this product. As one of her besties, I understood almost immediately that if I was going to move past the “Hi Sara, I’m Danah” phase of our friendship, I would need to at the very least try Bioderma. Thankfully I loved this almost as much as she does, I currently own a 500ml jumbo size with a pump, a regular 500ml, a 250ml and a 100ml travel size of this makeup remover.

2. Urban Decay Naked Palette- This is an odd choice here because I actually prefer the Naked 3, but Sara ensured that I coveted the Naked palette, and it was actually given to me by friends, who I assumed just wanted me to stop talking about it. I love this palette and because of this love I tried the Naked 3.

3. Clarisonic Mia: I regularly field the question “Is it really worth the price?” This was the same question poor Sara fielded from me patiently for months. Really, I have never hmm and ahhhed over a product like I did over the Clarisonic. Thankfully she bullied me into going for it and my skin has been thanking her since.

4. Eucerin Aquaphor: Aquaphor has really been my saving grace when it comes to snake eye. Sara suffers from the same ailment, not to the same degree I do, but she lead me directly to this product and it is the only thing that will calm my dry eye lids when I have a flare up.

5. Nars Orgasm Blush: Sara and Almira gave this blush for my birthday a few years ago. I have admitted to not really understanding the cult following this product has, but it was my gateway drug into the Nars blush world, for that I will always be thankful for.

So thank you Snug, for introducing me to these five products and to the surreal world of cosmetic hoarding. I mean collecting. This is a collection not a hoarding problem right?

What are products you bought based on rave reviews from a friend? (Or in my case, what products have your close friends forced you into?)

-Sabah

Review: Bioderma Sensibio Cleansing Wipes!

Everybody knows how I feel about Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water. It rocks my world every night like clockwork. It’s something that I never skip. It’s like brushing your teeth at night, you can’t sleep if you don’t do it. Now, I realize that it’s already a shortcut. (I normally use it first to remove my makeup before cleansing) but sometimes, I am just too damn tired, and I will apply my moisturizer after using the water. Well, laziness just got even more intense. I finally for my hands on Bioderma wipes. It’s like pre-soaked facial cotton!

I’ve been using these for just about a week, and I have to say, they are definitely something I will be taking with me when I travel. They have no scent, and they do not burn my eyes. This is huge for me. Normally makeup wipes sting my skin, especially if I have any of my eczema acting up. The cloths are also really nice material, and don’t rip easily. They are a good size, and they aren’t overly saturated. (Sometimes I feel like I need to rinse my makeup wipes off before I even use them!)

They took off most of my makeup, but I can’t say I’d feel comfortable using only the wipe. The first time I tried them, I used my Bioderma water afterwards, and still got quite a bit of makeup on my cotton.

For the convenience of travel, I will for sure be taking these with me. Being someone that cleanses my skin after removing my makeup, a little bit of residue left over isn’t a huge deal, but I wouldn’t rely on these as my only cleansing method. Unless I get evicted and start living in the back of my car … And even then I’d try my best to fashion a Clarisonic charger that would plug into my car …

These wipes retail for $14.95 CAD and you get 25 in a pack!

Have you guys tried these? I definitely prefer the water, but these are going to be crazy easy to travel with!

-Sara

Empties: Products I’ve used up!

I am giddy as I write this post. I have had a day of Spring Cleaning. Washing curtains, and vacuuming the little corners that sometimes get missed in everyday maintenance. I also noticed that my empties bucket has grown enough to do a post, which means I can clear this stuff out of the house too! Is there anything better than purging? And getting rid of stuff that you see everyday and never use? It makes me so happy!

Anyway, let’s get into it! Good things, bad things, and would I repurchase … Keep in mind, I have a very reactive skin type, so just because I didn’t like something, doesn’t mean it won’t work for you!

From right to left:

Clarins Eye Contour Gel: I opened this last year, and used it a few times, and kept it in the fridge. (Great way to help with puffiness!)
I noticed the skin around my eye started to flake, and I stopped using it. I found it today and honestly threw the rest in the garbage, as I am scared that this was the reason my “snake” eye started. I wouldn’t repurchase, but I do know lots of people who love this product.

Givenchy Haute Couture Mascara: This mascara was ridiculously expensive, and to be honest, it was a really nice product. It has a bubble wand, and I was surprised at how much I liked this. That being said, Lancôme Hypnose still works better for me, and it doesn’t cost as much as the Givenchy. I wouldn’t repurchase, but I am glad that I tried it! I also kept the tube, as it’s just too pretty to throw out.

L’Oreal Ever Cream Hair Masque: This product was discontinued, and I stocked up when I found out. This mask works really well for me, and I would absolutely repurchase if I could find it anywhere … If you see this gem, pick it up!!

CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara: This was a mascara that I threw in my travel bag, for those times that I stayed somewhere overnight unexpectedly or needed a quick touch up throughout the day. This mascara really does nothing for me, and I am glad to be getting rid of it. No repurchase plans here.

Ballmania Lip Balm: These came out before EOS (at least in Canada) and I really prefer them. They make my lips smoother, and they smell amazing. This is an empty that I will be hanging onto, because it’s also one of Dexter’s favorite cat toys.

La Roche Posay Redermic C: This is a retinol product designed for sensitive skin. I am happy to report that I had no reaction to this product. I used this from time to time as a serum under my night cream, and I really felt that it was exfoliating my skin. In the morning I would wash my face, and my skin was left super smooth. It wasn’t enough of a life changer to repurchase, but I am impressed that I got through a retinol product with no reaction!

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray: I got this in a variety kit last holiday season, and I really liked this product. It did exactly what it said it would, and I really had no complaints except for the price. I probably won’t repurchase, as I think the drugstore offers similar products for such a cost difference, but I wouldn’t complain if it was gifted to me! 🙂

Biotherm Skinergenic Cream: This product didn’t hydrate my skin enough. I tried it for a about a week, but my skin started flaking again, and I just had to start with something that would give my more moisture. I ended up using this as a foot cream after my Micro Pedi. If you have a normal skin type, this might be a good product fror you to try, it smells amazing!

Bioderma Micellar Water: No need to ramble about this, you all know I always have like three back ups of this product. I will repurchase until the end of time!

Benefit Porefessional: This is one of my favorite beauty products. I don’t use it as a primer though. I actually like to use this on days when I don’t wear makeup. It evens out the skin like nothing else, and it also tames down some redness in my skin. I have two back ups, and will repurchase more for sure!!

What have you guys finished up lately!?

-Sara

Follow us on Instagram! @girlmetblush

Products I always have back ups of …

I have been using makeup for a long time. And without sounding snobby, I have to say; I use a lot of different stuff. Constantly trying new things, always in the whirlwind of limited edition collection world, and I am constantly bringing new things home to try. Now when I use a nice product, I will make note of it, use it until it is gone, and move on. But these few products were so good and worked so well for me that I just can’t imagine having them in my everyday routine. I can honestly say I wouldn’t be caught without a backup for each of these things.

First up is Bioderma. No need to ramble, this stuff is better than everything else and I will continue to repurchase.

My beauty blender is next, and I will be the first to admit, I hate how much I love this. Spending $26.00CAD on a makeup sponge stings every time, but nothing I have tried is quite the same. I want them to launch a teal colored one.

Clarins High Definiton Body Lift is a product that I talk about a lot here. It gives me visible results and it feels like spanx in a bottle. I actually have two back ups of this, and I get anxiety thinking I might run out.

Lancôme Hypnose mascara is next, and this is something I will always have two of in my collection. Even if I am not using it. I can go through five tubes of different mascara, trying to find something that works better, and every time I go back to this I scold myself for straying. Nothing works as well as this stuff for my lashes. A $32.00 mascara isn’t exactly what I want to be addicted to, but it is what it is.

Maybelline Baby lips in Cherry Me. I get so much flack from people for loving this as much as I do. This new one that’s shown will be my third. And I dig into them with a q-tip once they flatten off and I can’t apply from the tube anymore. It gives me such a beautiful color, I love that it has SPF 20 and it is one of the baby lips that actually hydrate my lips. (Some of the shades really dry me out!) I’m obsessed and I will be wearing this all summer.

Benefit Porefessional: Okay- now I have a strong opinion on this product. I like to wear this totally alone, or on top of my foundation. As an actual makeup primer, it’s horrible. It will actually reduce the wear time of my foundation. But as a pore filler over top of foundation, this stuff simply can’t be beat. This is around my third tube, and I recently swapped my boss for a Lancôme primer, because I am so obsessed with it.

I hope you guys liked this post! These are seriously holy grail products of mine! What are products you always have a back up of?

-S

Follow us on Instagram! (@girlmetblush)

Empties: What I’ve used up recently!

Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser: This is the formula for Dry to Sensitive skin, and I love it. I have also used the formula for Normal to combination skin, and I don’t know if I have a preference. They’re both great. This is a wonderful foaming cleanser, takes off all my leftover makeup after my Bioderma, and it doesn’t sting if I happen to get it near my eyes. The only thing I have found is with the new packaging, you inevitably squeeze too much product out every time, which is a bit wasteful for an expensive cleanser. I will be repurchasing this in the future, and recommend it for people who love foaming cleansers.

Twilight Woods Body Wash (Bath and Body Works): I got this product for free one day while Sabah and I were shopping for candles. I was in such a rush and there was a huge line up and I picked the first one I saw. Honestly, I am not crazy about this smell. I used it, as it didn’t linger on me, but I was really happy when it was gone. (Do you ever use way too much of a product just to get through it faster?)

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream: This stuff was good to me, it kept my dryness under control, and it seemed to keep my flakes at bay on my lids. I was pretty excited when it was over, because I have a new Shiseido one I was anxious to get into. This eye cream makes concealer glide on like a dream, but it wasn’t magical enough for me to repurchase.

Estee Lauder Tender blush in Rosewood: This was a blush I got forever ago in a gift with purchase, and that’s the only reason I have it. Estee Lauder as a brand doesn’t really interest me that much, and I wouldn’t seek this blush out again.

Lise Watier Sun Smart SPF 30: This stuff has reached holy grail status for me. I use it like a foundation primer daily, and I have never burned while using this. It is a mineral screen so you can tap it on top of your makeup throughout the day, and it has never caused one single breakout on my very reactive skin. I will repurchase this, and soon, because I can’t be without a sunscreen, no matter what time of year it is!

Bioderma: I will repurchase hundreds of these in a lifetime. It is better than anything else I have ever used, and I don’t need to rant about it. I had a backup, and I since have repurchased another one.

Burts Bees Nourishing Milk and Honey Body Lotion: This stuff was okay. Mild scent, kept my dryness under control, and wasn’t too greasy. I wouldn’t repurchase as I love trying new lotions, but I did like it.

Cucina Hand Cream: This was given to me by my old boss. She had it in her purse during a cosmetic seminar, and I loved the smell of it so much she ended up giving it to me. I did find it was a bit liquid-y for me, but the scent was incredible. I won’t be repurchasing this, but I would look into the hand soaps of the same scent. (Orange and Fennel)

Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream: Now, this stuff is holy grail status. I finished my tube, and was so upset about it, that Sabah gave me her tube as she hadn’t gotten as hooked on it as I have. This hand cream is constantly with me, and I will definitely repurchase once my second tube is gone. This came in a kit over the holidays that was $15.00. What a steal!

Cranberry Joy Body Scrub: (Body Shop) This stuff smelled soooo good! I have an obsession with the cranberry stuff during the holidays from The Body Shop. This was a part of a kit that Almira bought me, and I loved it. The scrub did have what looked like strawberry seeds in it, that was a little weird, but none the less, the smell won me over. I will repurchase this line every Christmas time.

Chanel Volume de Chanel Mascara: I blogged about this earlier. This stuff hated me, and I feel the same way about it. It is such a wet, thick, heavy formula, it immediately weighs my lashes down and clumps like no other. I will no be repurchasing this, or probably another Chanel mascara. This one really left me unhappy!

MAC brow pencil in Lingering: This is one of those things that was almost empty for the longest time, and I finally decided to just stick it out and use it up. It’s okay, I prefer the Clinique Superfine Liner if I am using a pencil, but usually I will use an eyeshadow for my brows.

Those are my recent empties! I have emptied out my basket, and I will continue to fill it! I will update you guys on the new stuff I am using as well!

Have a great day!

-Sara