So last week I did a poll on self-tanner usage.
What fun.
I have to say that the answers surprised me a little, and I am rarely surprised by poll results. 34% of you have no interest in self-tanners. I'm sure that most of you in that group are already tan and thus don't feel the need to add colour to yourself. The rest, I have to presume, just don't know the magic of this product, because trust me once you use it properly, you love the effect.
I could relate to the 26% who only use this product once in a while and to tell you the truth, the upkeep can get kind of tiresome. I don't know how people stay tan all year round and I have to conclude that there is some harmful sun damage at work there.
At the end of the day: 34% not interested means that 66% are interested and that's a lot. This means self-tanner reviews for a little while atleast. I love using them in the summer to even out a tan that was inadvertently obtained and to make myself look healthier.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Different Interests
Happy Mother's Day!
I love watching Cityline, and when I was younger I was a religious viewer of the show. I was well-acquainted with all the guests on the show, and like every other female viewer, my favourite day was Fashion Friday!
At the end of each show, Cityline would announce that it was easy to get tickets, you just had to go to their website. Their website had an email address. All you had to do was send an email and request tickets! I couldn’t believe how easy it was.
Fashion Friday was filled up and I would have to wait until a couple of slots opened in a few months. I emailed back saying, no problem let me know when two seats were available, and you know what, I was lucky because it turned out that two seats had just opened up later that month.
So I recruited my mom to go with me. She was resistant.
“Why do you have to go?” She kept asking me in the days leading up to the event. “Why are we going?”
But you know what? When our Fashion Friday finally came, my mom was more excited than I was. Goign to the show and sitting in the audience was something completely different from anything we ever did.
The day of the show came, and the show itself went by so quickly. At the end there was a draw for a prize and my mom won! I don’t remember what the prize was, but we all walked away with a YSL gift bag as a thank you for coming to the show.
It really was one of the most fun days that I’ve ever spent with my mother.
Happy mother’s day, Mom!
Elsewhere on the Web
Beauty's Spot goes back to her college days to give you her oldest beauty secret, The Soap Opera.
Beauty Anonymous shows you Givenchy Summer 2008 Makeup Collection!
Beauty411 reviews Soaptopia, a bath line that promised to be "100% junk free"! Check it out!
Meredith at Daily Dose of Coffee actually posts a "Face of the Day" (yikes!) and reviews the new LORAC Croc Palette.
The Beauty of Life brings you the highs and lows from the celebs' beauty looks at the Costume Institute Gala.
What makes you feel your most beautiful? Toya at The Life of A Ladybug wants to know!
Kitiya from Mischo Beauty helps you determine if you’re a candidate for microdermabrasion!
Monique from Beauty Girl Musings finds a great natural deep conditioner is not so natural after all...
The Muse whispers in your ear about Benefit's new cheek stain and has a link to swatches!.
Jeanne at Periodic Style goes platinum -- is it really true about blondes having more fun?
Christine, from Beauty in Real Life, offers up some phenom looks for spring for under $25.
Weekend Links
SugarShock thinks she may have found her signature scent, and as it turns out, it's the perfect perfume for spring.
The Makeup Divas reviews Mac Fafi Lipsticks.
The Daily Cookie brings you the scoop behind Danity Kane's Welcome to the Dollhouse album cover photoshoot. Check out her exclusive Q&A with makeup artist JJ Jacobucci!
Beauty Anonymous brings you Chanel Limited-edition Highlighting Powders Duo!
A Touch of Blusher picks the top 10 spring 2008 collections.
Mischo Beauty shares a lesson on sun damage and the importance of using sunscreen.
Temtpalia has a weekend getaway you're bound to enjoy at the Pacific Palms Resort & Spa.
Raging Rouge gets her drink on in the only way a pregnant woman can... with tarte Cheek Stain in Tipsy.
15 Minute Beauty Fanatic shows you how to recreate Stila's look from Wayne Lee Fall 2008!
The Beauty of Life finds a way to keep her skin sparkling with Bliss Steep Clean!
Cybelesays checks out the latest in organic fragrances with a new favorite from Tsi~La
Stylish Opinion finds any reason, any reason at all, to try out caffeinated soap.
The Beauty Blog Network interviews new member Mischo Beauty.
Elke shares her fav drugstore beauty products.
Beauty and Personal Grooming tells you to cover your gray with touch-up sticks.
Sure you’re in love with your flat iron, but are your strands silky straight and FLAT? StyleBell shows you how to Volumize Straight Strands.
Beauty Blogging Junkie has fallen for the crazy spatula-like applicator and holographic shine of this lip gloss by Thierry Mugler
The Muse Hauls Heatherette! Check out her first impressions on this new MAC Collection!.
Ever thought about changing your hair because someone else says you should? Mystical Beauty's Musings tells you why you shouldn't in Cutting Long Hair
Savvy Skin realizes most of her favorite skin care and beauty items are Old-School Beauty products.
marina from makeup loves me meets the heatherette boys (pictures included!) and checks out their collaboration with MAC.
Makeup Moxie has a tragic love affair with Sue Devitt Microquatic Lash Line Enhancer
Glossypink has found the pale pink lipstick of her dreams!
Face Candy looks at the new Guerlain Terracotta goodies.
Toya tried the tarte health couture collection and she's feeling healthy, beautiful, and oh so couture!
Product Girl takes a peak at Creative Scentualization's Perfumers Palette.
Pursebuzz.com tries a new look with Heatherette Pigments, check out the video tutorial here!
Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog gives you swatches of Chanel's new summer makeup collection, woot!
Spoiled Pretty has found the definitive eyebrow kit. Find out what it is!
Don't miss your chance to enter All Lacquered Up's Sally Hansen Giveaway. You could be one of three winners to receive the Tracey Reese for Sally Hansen Salon line collection.
Beauty Banter gives you a Girls Guide To Concealers... filled with tips and tricks from the makeup pros!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
It's Almost Mother's Day!
It’s almost Mother’s Day.
Moms are so difficult to shop for, am I right? They never tell you what they’d like to receive and seem to want things they already have? One year, my sister and I shopped high and low, far and wide, for the perfect gift to give to Mom. We couldn’t figure out what she wanted, and finally gave up, decided to get her flowers and a cake. Then, on Mother’s Day itself the three of us ended up going to William’s Sonoma.
“Look,” she said, “let me show you what I was going to get the other day.” She led us over to a display of little jugs and jars for cream and milk. What did she want? One of the little jugs and one of the little jars, the pair retailing for $28, well within our budge (which we had generously set at $100).
My sister and I looked at each other, and said “Done!”
What will we get her this year?
Friday, May 9, 2008
La Mer
La Mer moisturizer is pretty expensive for most people and so I'm expecting that many of you are going to be looking forward to this review.
The great thing about the original Creme de la Mer is that it's good for every skin type. Even a combination-skinned gal like me can use it, and I know that people with very dry skin love it as well. It makes a great base for makeup and does moisturize all day. It's a great barrier for you skin and helps protect it against the elements.I think that a jar of Creme de la Mer would make a great Mother's Day gift if you can afford it. It might be something your mother wants to try anyway, and it's a luxurious product both in feel and in touch.
I will also say that I couldn't get this to emulsify between my fingers, and like to apply it by dipping my makeup brush into the jar and then rubbing it on to my face. I know, I know, the people at La Mer would disapprove, but it works for me!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Mother's Day Spa Day
Sephora Scents
If you haven't tried products from Sephora's bath and body line, you really should. They are just scented enough and really good quality.
The two new scents offered this summer are Lime Blossom and Peach Blossom. The Lime Blossom smells more floral and the Peach Blossom smells just like fresh peaches. Peach especially is the scent of the season so if you're having a hard time deciding, I'd go with that one.
Victoria Secret Very Sexy Now
Today I cover a new summer scent.
This one is super-accessible and one that you will be able to find easily - it's from Victoria Secret and it's called Very Sexy Now.
I have the scent in a shimmering body oil, and though it's super-fruity, I like it a lot. Top notes of green apple keep it super fresh instead of sickeningly sweet and that's a must for the summer scent.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Aveeno Intense Relief Foot Cream
Aveeno Intense Relief Foot Cream is very good. It's minty and refreshing. It moisturizes but absorbs lightly. It really does moisturize for a long time. Plus, it has natural ingredients in it which is always a good thing.
Foot Care
Today I'm talking about foot care products - I've been testing them out for a while, and I have a lot of great tips but first we talk about a product that helps your feet in the inside.
I walk a lot and I love my flats. What that means is that sometimes my feet really hurt because of all the pavement pounding my feet are doing.
I've come to love foot inserts and insoles of all kinds - I've been using them for the past few months and have really noticed the difference. The balls of my feet used to hurt a lot and that's no longer the case. All my shoes are comfortable, regardless of whether they had padding in them or not, and I can walk for a long time comfortably.
In most of my shoes, I use Dr. Scholl's Comfort Insoles that are made of a nice gel substance. It gives some great cushioning and fits into the shoes perfectly.
I also like the Dr. Scholl's Ball of Foot cushions - they're great for high heels and if you're going to be standing in them for a while, this will help a lot.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
New Sephora Store
A new Sephora store opens on May 9th at Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket, so if you're in that area, you've now got a Sephora to call your own.
Also opening soon: a Sephora in the Rideau Centre in Ottawa and a couple in Quebec.
Olay Age Transform Skin Tone Equalizer
This is another one of those self-tanners that is part moisturizer and I thought I'd post this review after hearing from a reader about trying an Olay self-tan product. This one is extremely light in feel and the colour building is gradual.
What I really liked about this Olay Age Transform Skin Tone Equalizer is that it's sheer and it leaves a subtle shimmer on your skin. Your skin really does look glowing with this moisturizer and the tanning that occurs is a nice effect.
I think the thing with most Olay products is that they're reliable and this moisturizer is as well. You won't get too much tanning with this one, it'll be just enough.
Monday, May 5, 2008
New from Bond No. 9
If you've stopped into Holt Renfrew recently, you may have seen the brand new Bond No. 9 display and wondered about the perfume line.
Well wonder no longer - Bond No. 9 perfumes take their inspiration from aspects of New York. Sometimes it's areas of New York, such as Bryant Park which is where Fashion Week goes down, or they take inspiration from ideas that have to do with New York, like my favourite fragrance, Scent of Peace.
Each perfume is rich, unique, and comes in its own iconic bottle.
A while ago, the Andy Warhol Foundation approached Bond No. 9 and asked them if they'd like to do perfumes based on the artist and his work. Of course, the brand was thrilled at the prospect of working in the memory of an artist that was so "New York" just like Bond No. 9! 
So last year, we saw the launch of Silver Factory, the first in a series of perfumes. The bottle is inspired by the Warhol Campbell Soup Can Silkscreens and the scent itself is a smoky blend of incense, amber, and cedarwood. I adore smoky fragrances so this one had my heart right from the beginning.
This year, Bond No. 9 has released Union Square, which is quite different because it's a floral. Again, the bottle design is inspired by Warhol's work.
The scent's top notes are Lily of the Valley and it eventually dies down to a mix of Freesia, amber, and musk. It's a nice scent that's floral but sweet at the same time. Like all Bond No. 9 bottles, this one has a heft to it and looks unique compared to everything else that's on your counter.
Warhol had actually made 10 screenprints entitled Flowers and so to commemorate his work, Bond No. 9 is also going to be producing 10 Union Square bottles, each with a different print on it, and sold as a set.
If you want something new and unusual to add to your fragrance wardrobe, head over to the Bond No. 9 counter at Holt Renfrew. You may find something that you weren't looking for but love.
Clinique Long Last Glosswear
I alluded to a few new Clinique launches a while ago, and as promised individual reviews of products from the summer collection are what you can expect now.
Clinique now introduces Long Last Glosswear with spf 15. It's a little sticky, it's semi-sheer, and yes, it's ultra long-lasting.
Even if you don't normally frequent the Clinique counter, you have got to check out this gloss in Knockout Nude. It's the perfect nude colour for the summer and will go with any makeup that you have. Of course, I loved mine so much that I lost it somewhere, but I've since replaced it for another and wear it all the time. It's also very long lasting and is SPF 15 which is great for the summer!
