Lip "sticks"

 It seems that these lip stick balms are really the in thing right now! So many brands are coming out with their version and I have four favourites at the moment. All of these products are perfect for summer. An all in ine product, moisturizing and no gloss needed!

Sweetheart Valentine, Unapologetic, Elusive, Fuschia-ristic, unique pink

Revlon just bitten kissable balm stain in Sweetheart Valentine

I love using this lip balm. Its so glossy, not quite as pigmented as the matte balms but definitely  adds a hot pink glow to my lips.

Revlon color burst matte balm in Unapologetic and Elusive 

These are the first matte lip products I've tried and I was 

Retry sceptacle at first, but I ended Jo loving them. I was worried they would look too dry in the lip but they are just the opposite. They are mint flavoured and so moisturizing. I got 2 colors

Soap and glory sexy mother pucker gloss crayon in Fuschia-ristic

This product smells like vanilla, its so delicious. It gives a very subtle like pink color and its also very moisturizing.

Pixi Tined Brilliance Balm in Unique pink

This product goes everywhere with me. I got it in my ipsy bag this month and i've used it every day since. In my opinion its the most moisturizing of all of the balms. Its very natural and just enhances my own lip color. Its also super glossy and minty! Soon I will have this in full size!!

Have you tried any lip balms yet?

Kiehls rare earth masque review

I just wanted to do a very quick post on my favorite summer mask! I briefly talked about this is my post about summer skin products for oily skin but I wanted to share a little more of my thoughts on this.

Product Description 

"Our Rare Earth masque helps purify and detoxify skin while minimizing the appearance of enlarged pores. Formulated with Amazonian White Clay to gently draw out oil, dirt and toxins that can clog pores. The addition of Oatmeal and Aloe Vera will help soothe, hydrate and protect sensitive skin."

Product Review

I really enjoy using this product. It has a very smooth texture for a clay mask and is super thick. It has no added fragrance so you just smell the clay. Using this product twice a week I notice a huge improvement on oil control as well as the size of my pores around my nose. It retails for $27.00 for a jar of 150ml which is a great deal considering some masks are $70.00 for only 60ml. I think this mask is a great substitution for a lot of higher priced clay based masks that do the same thing.

Do you have a favorite mask that's also a great price?

My Mac Pallet

Let me introduce you to my baby, my biggest investment in my makeup collection! This little beaut is my double sided Mac pallet <3 Mac was my first non drug store brand that I purchased and I was hooked immediately. 

I've sorted the two sides to neutrals and bolder colours. Now I'm very aware that my "bold colours" are pretty boring and probably don't count as a bold colour, but I never go for bright exciting colours; pink and purple are about as exciting as I go. 

Swatches from left to right

Brule, orb, rice paper, naked lunch, soft brown

This is mostly my highlight row and soft brown is the color I use the most as a base for a darker crease

All that glitters, jest, honest, vex, wood winked

All that glitters and wood winked are two of my favourites; I think this is the third or forth pan of each

Quarry, copperplate, haux, satin taupe, shale 

I love love love this row. This is my neutral taupey row and it's so beautiful for a natural smokey eye

Honey lust, amber lights, coppering, sushi flower, passionate

I'll use these colours for a bolder gold or pink look

Cranberry, parfait amour, trax, satellite dream, sable

Cranberry is gorgeous for fall/winter and sable is one if my favourite out corner colours 

Star violet, twinks, sketch, handwritten, shadowy lady

And lastely, my darks for creating that perfect smokey eye

Whats your go-to eye shadows?

July's Ipsy Bag

I got my first Ipsy bag this month and I am so excited. I literally checked the mail box every day for the past 4 days. So here it is!!

First of all, this packaging is freaking adorable! The bag this month was tiny, super cute and hot pink.

Bare Minerals Ready Eyeshadow 2.0 in the shade "The Inspiration"

I was very nervous to see what color this would be and im pretty surprised that i like it. I can be very picky when it comes to eye shadow colors but these are gorgeous. The formula is alright, its very creamy but it was also kind of crumbly. Im very excited to play around with it; i think the light color will be a gorgeous inner eye color.

Derma e BB creme with SPF 25

Im always excited to try a new BB cream. It blends well, it didnt have much of a scent and the color was a perfect match.

Pixi Beauty Mini Tinted Brilliance Balm in Unique Pink

I tried this the second i opened the package. It has a beautiful minty scent, and a very sheer light pink color and was very moisturizing. Into the purse it goes.

POP Beauty Sunkissed Bronzer

So this product would have been lovely... But it was completely smashed when I opened it. I was very sad. The color is very beautiful but not sure how it will look on my skin though. It looks quite dark and its kind of shimmery. I guess ill have to wait till i get a new one sent to me.

Pur~lisse Pur~protect essential daily moisturizer SPF 30

Another product im excited for. I love moisturizers that have SPF simply because I can skip a step in the morning!! Hopefully its not too oily and doesnt make me break out.

Pop Bronzer, and Bare Minerals Eye Shadow

I really wish I could say i was complelty pleased with this months ipsy bag... I think i would have been if it wasnt for my smashed bronzer. Hopefully I get a new one soon and its beautiful then I can officially say this Ipsy bag was amazing!!

Summer Beauty: Oily Skin

I love summer but it has to be the absolute worst season for my skin. The heat, humidity and my skins annoying tendency to over produce, just all adds up to a giant mess. I've been searching for the perfect products for so long and even though i don't think its "OK problem solved, 100% perfection", i am quite pleased with my current oil fighting regime.

Quick Tips

Balance is key!

Just because your skin is oily, doesn't mean it isn't dry! This is the biggest problem with oily/acne prone skin. A lot of the products made to treat these problems are very drying and in the end actually adding to the problem. If you are using an acne cleanser, toner, and moisturiser, the chances are all of them will have an active ingredient in them. This basically means three separate applications of a very harsh acid which will inevitably dry out your skin. What happens with the skin is dry? Produces more oil... which creates more acne. Bam. Basically what i do is remember about the balance. Try to only use one product that has active drying ingredients at a time, and when you do, make sure you follow up with a super hydrating moisturiser.

Avoid excess oil!

 Its my best advice to have completely oil free skin before you apply any makeup, or it will not set into your skin and it will melt off within an hour. Even if I shower in the morning and properly cleanse my face I will still use another cleanser/toner right before I apply any makeup.

24 hour moisture!

Using a moisturiser that is 24 hours works really well for oily skin because you only have to do it once. I will usually moisturise at night and avoid it during the day. I find that my skin retains moisture pretty well and if I do moisturise in the morning, my skin is ridiculously oily through the day, especially if its a heavy moisturiser. If you do have to moisturise in the morning, find the lightest one you can find!

Cleansers

Bioderma cleaning water for oily skin

I reach for this cult beauty favourite multiple times per day. I use it in the morning as my morning cleanser (yes I'm lazy in the morning), and as a bedtime cleanser if i have no makeup on and I'm feeling lazy (which is often). This is also what I use to do a quick cleanse before I apply any makeup.

First aid beauty Face cleanser/ Origins checks and balances

As far as actual foaming rinse off cleansers go, i tend to go pretty simple (balance is key!)  These two are completely interchangeable for me. They both feel nice, foam well, and cleanse. They are both made for sensitive skin, have no hard active ingredients and just simply clean the skin. Very simple, good products, although I prefer the scent of the origins a little better.

Toners and Masques

Keihls blue astringent herbal lotion

On days where my skin is breaking out a little more, or producing extra oil i will use the kiehls blue toner. This is made with salicylic acid and can be very drying so its very important to keep your skin hydrated (balance!) when using this product. On days where my skin is cooperating, I will just use the bioderma water as a toner, or not use a toner at all.

Philosophy total Matteness/ Kiehls rare earth deep pore cleansing masque

Two or three times a week I will do a masque treatment. The Total Matteness by philosophy is amazing for helping with oil production and I immediately see a difference. The rare earth masque from keilhs is very similar but really helps with pores and breakouts. Both of these are must haves for me.

Moisturisers

Kiehls ultra facial cream

I have two moisturisers that i use depending on the products I've used prior. For my 24 hour moisturiser i use the ultra facial cream. This product... I cant even say how good it is. Its so thick but it massages in so quickly and immediately absorbs right into the skin. When I'm having a good skin day I will cleanse, use bioderma water, then apply this moisturiser and my skin is completely satisfied.

Kiehls blue herbal moisturiser

On days where my skin is not so happy and i need a little extra active ingredients, I'll use the blue moisturiser. This product is a very light moisturiser so i tend to use it mostly in the morning (if i have to), or as a spot treatment at night. Its very rare that i will use this all over my face... I more commonly reach for the blue toner for an all over facial treatment.

That's it! Just remember to keep your skin balanced! Cleanse, tone and keep it moisturised.. and hopefully less oily!

Summer Lovin'

Today's post is a summer tag created by Fleur DeForce on youtube!! I love summer products and it was hard to choose just one for each question... But here we go!

Questions

1. Summer lipstick you're loving?

My summer lipstick was actually a gift from Ashley! Macs Creme cup is a beautiful nude pink and its perfect for my skin tone. Its one of those lipsticks that you don't have to think about, you can put it on anywhere, goes with everything and i don't need a mirror to apply it.

2. Summer nail polish you're loving?

Ive actually been loving getting gel manicures this summer. I love how long they last, and how shinny they are! So far I've got a pale mint blue, and a beautiful bright coral pink/red. And of course i got a sparkly accent nail on both.

3. Bikini you're loving this summer?

I do plan on buying a new bikini soon but the one I've been wearing so far is the one i bought last summer and i still love it. The top is by Roxy and i usually wear them with plain black bottoms.

4. Favourite summer Frappuccino from Starbucks?

I don't do frappucinos but i do love the green tea lemonade! i get mine with no sweetener and light ice. so delicious! And i get free refills in store so that's even better! I love this photo...blogging with teas!

5. Favourite fake tan?

Tartes Brazilliance! This is the fake tan for pale people. Oh my god the smell of this stuff is to die for. I love it. Doesn't smell like biscuits, it goes on so easily, gives the slightest bronze look without looking fake and lasts for about a week. i just love this stuff

6. Favourite summer song?

Shake by Walk off the Earth. This song plays often on my favourite radio station and it plays all day on my iphone

7. Favourite summer accessory?

Kate spade earrings! Read more about them on my last post

8. Favourite summer fragrance/perfume?

Victoria's secret coconut passion! Holy crap i just want to eat this stuff. Layer all three body wash, mist and lotion and you smell like a pina colada all day long.

9. Summer book you're loving? 

Bitten by Kelly Armstrong. This was the first book i read as an adult and i read the entire series about 8 years ago and i decided to reread it! i also watched the series on the space channel which was amazing!! The book here is actually Bitten and Stolen (2nd of the series) all in one book.

10. What are you most excited to do this summer? 

River Tubing is my life. And fishing with my boy.

That's the end of Fleurs questions but I'm gonna throw in a few of my own!!

11. Favourite summer candle

Anything that smells amazingly fruity! I love the fruity candles from Bath and Body works but i feel like i talk about them way too much so im gonna mention another candle that ive been burning along side of them. This Kate Spade candle was a total splurge buy. I litterally bought it because Ashley said "Oh my god Krissi you could use it as a makeup brush holder when its out". Done. Get in my bag now. Luckily for me, the candle is actually amazing! Its a fig candle and its so light and sweet; its perfect for a bedroom candle :) and i cant wait to use it to hold my brushes! haha

12. Favourite summer cocktail

Green tea lemonade vodka! I literally make green tea, then add lemonade, then vodka. Or buy a starbucks one and put vodka in it! haha im a little obsessed.

13. favourite summer snack

Watermelon!

14. Favourite summer shoes

Coral ballet flats from spring. Also, ignore my awesome tan line hahaha

15. Favourite summer Purse

I use two right now. One for if im just going out shopping, and the other for when im leaving for a night or going for a longer time. My black Rebecca Minkoff Mac, my baby <3 and this giant white tote from Just Fab!

I tag ashley from a-dash-of-beauty.blogspot.com

What are your summer favourites?