2011 Favourites!

You have no idea what has gone into this post.  I had a whole post on high/low favourites in most every category, bronzer, blush, etc.  but I wasn't really feeling it.  Then I realized that part of the problem was breaking it into categories, rather than just picking things I discovered and loved last year.  

So with that in mind, here is my 3rd try at this post.  

These are things I started to use/discovered in 2011 and have grown to love.  I hope you enjoy!

Bioderma Micellar water

Actually any micellar water.  I'm now using one from Vichy that I like just as much as the Bioderma.  I love this for removing eye makeup.  I wear contacts and this is one of the few things that doesn't irritate my eyes, while still removing my make-up.  It also doesn't dry out my skin & feels so refreshing.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores

This powder is amazing.  Hands down the best finishing powder I have ever used.  It gives you that soft blurry finish, minimizes your pores and doesn't look like you're wearing any powder.  Also doesn't give you that white cast like other HD powders.  LOVE & will re-purchase again & again!

NYC Creme Stick blush in Plaza Pink

I LOVE this little cream blush.  I warm it up by circling my finger over top of it and then just blend it on my cheeks.  I use this almost like a blush/highlight, because it does give a bit of a glow.

I definitely want to try a few more cream blushes but not until I use up what I have.  

In the meantime, for less than $5 this is a winner for sure. 

Benefit's Creaseless Cream Shadows

This particular one is Skinny Jeans but I also have Birthday Suit.  These are exactly what they are advertised to be, CREASELESS.  You can wear these on their own or layer powder shadows on top, for a completely different look.  I use them as an eye base/cream shadow and find my powder shadows last much longer, when layered over these.  Beautiful!!

ELF Mineral infused mascara

I tried this on a whim and I have to say it's a great little mascara.  I love the brush and I also love how it tapers at the end so you can get even the smallest of lashes. Didn't flake or clump on me and applied beautifully.  I will say they dry out more quickly than other mascaras I've used.  But all in all, for $3..I mean come on!  I still love my Clinique and other drugstore mascaras, but if you did a blind test with this mascara and other high end ones, I'd bet a number of people would choose this one.   

Kerastase

The line in general is one of my favourites.  This happens to be the Cement Thermique reconstructor milk, but I also have one of the serums and I just got one of their masks for Christmas.  I will be reviewing the mask soon because it is so amazing I can't barely stand it.  

What I don't like about this favourite is the price.  It is not my nature to spend this kind of money on products, but I have now fallen under the Kerastase spell and I can't help myself. 

Goat's Milk Soaps

This happens to be Winter from the Beekman brothers 1802 line, but any pure goat's milk soap will do.  I LOVE goat milk soaps.  For those of you who haven't tried them, they have so many benefits for your skin leaving it so moisturized and silky soft..without any harsh chemicals.  This particular one 

smells like winter heaven! 

AVON Ideal Shade Custom shade foundation

Despite the ridiculously long repetitive name, this one is an exact dupe for Origins VitaZing.

Exact.  I'm almost completely sure of it.

I wear this and often just finish it with a little of my LM mineral foundation for the perfect everyday look.  This is a great one to wear on it's own if you were going to be out in the sun but wanted some SPF (15), it evens out your skin, provides a little coverage but looks like you're not wearing anything!

Clarisonic Mia

Was there ever any question?  Much has already been said so I need not drone on.  Love it!

ULTA

Might sound strange but until this past summer I had never been to ULTA.  I'm now a fan and only wish there was one much closer to me!

Sigma F35 Tapered Highlighter & E25 Eye Blending

I got a few Sigma brushes late in 2010 and a few more in 2011.  These two have 

become two of my very favourites.  

The F35 tapered highlighter is perfect for highlighting and/or contouring. 

The E25 eye blending brush pictured is the travel size, I also have the full size version of this.  

This blending brush corrects every mistake you might have made like magic.  I love it so much I gifted it to all the women in my family this Christmas. 

Cod Liver Oil

I started taking this & thought my skin seemed improved.  Then I started attributing that improvement to my skin care, MIA, etc and became lax with taking my CLO.  I now know that my skin is at it's best when I'm taking this, a 'high quality, fermented Cod Liver Oil.  

So there you have it.  Things I discovered and loved in 2011. I didn't include any skin care because honestly that's a whole nother animal altogether.  I'll have to do an updated skin care routine, because much has changed for me in the last six months or so.  

I think I'll try to do a Things that didn't work list as well, because I definitely have a few items for that and don't we all just love to whinge a little!

How about you, what have you discovered & loved this past year ?

What's in the box?

Happy 2012!

Well that surprise box seemed to have caught the attention of my 'like minded roll the dice beauty product loving' girls.  Want to know what was inside?  *lifts the curtain*

Quite the haul isn't it?  I thought they previewed it & announced 2 or 3 products that were in it, but when I got it only the Nick Chavez hair infinity mist was revealed.

The rest were the 'surprises' I guess and were packaged separately.  Whichever.  For $25ish CDN, I still thought it was a great deal and so much fun to uncover everything inside.  

Here is the full list:

Nick Chavez body styling & touchable hold infinity spray *smells really good

Serious skin care Firm A Face instant invisible skin tightener

Elysee Facial Resurrection Serum *resurrection, a bit over the top maybe?

Strivection Tightening Face Serum *another tightener

Nailtek nail polish full size in Starlight

Consonant ultra firming eye cream

Ojon restorative shampoo & conditioner  *no longer stinky fyi, smells quite nice!

Elarlia Body Cream in Wild Orchid Tahitian Gardenia *mouthful, sounds stinky but it really isn't

Perricone MD Firming neck therapy *another tightener/firmer

Pur Radiance *not a blush like I thought but more of a face brightener?

Urban Decay All Nighter makeup setting spray *so excited to try this

The rest are small samples or packets:

Stila Sheer color tinted moisturizer in medium

Tan Towel

Elizabeth Grant Eye power pads *not a fan of Elizabeth Grant so not sure if I'll use these

Nicholas Perricone Bright Eyed eye cream

Prai pure prai creme royale for timeless skin  *umm, what?

Pink lipstick case with mirror

All in all, for $25 I would definitely do this again.  It was almost worth the price just for the fun of opening it up and seeing what was inside.  That said, I don't think I'd be happy with this if I were a 20ish something, as there are a lot of 'firming' products.  A lot.  I suspect that 'surprise' means surplus stuff we haven't unloaded but there is just something about getting a box full of unknown products that lures me in and keeps me coming back.

How about you?  What were some of the surprises you got this Christmas?

Mine was that Santa (who looks suspiciously like Mr. J) decided to ignore the Christmas budget.  Luckily for me but still.

I wish you all a healthy and happy 2012, may it bring you everything you wished for as it turned to midnight!

Tracy

A package..for me?!

This is a post I had planned to do before Christmas..as you will see.  Kind of lame I realize, but I still wanted to share.  I will post a quick update soon on some of the things you'll see here.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, thanks for all the sweet messages and I trust Santa was good to you all.  Anyone else reaching for their sweats?  The reality that is the New Year will be here all too soon.  Until then, on to the post...and perhaps more chocolate.

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Oh I love getting a package.  Love.  Like butterflies in my stomach love.  

I recently won a giveaway from Her Late Night Cravings, and blogged about getting their package here.   That just made me want more, greedy girl that I am.  Here are some other packages that I have been anxiously awaiting!

In a moment of 'why not I deserve this' while watching the Shopping Channel, I ordered the Surprise Beauty Box.  I know, right?  They tell you what a few of the products are and the rest are a...surprise.  To illustrate how little thought I put into this, I don't even remember 

what the products were that they did reveal.  

But I don't want to know, because I've put it under the tree and told Mr. J it's one of the 

presents he's giving me. 

 I will report back post Christmas...but this is what the box looks like.  I believe it was a Showstopper for about $25 CDN.  

Next...

I ordered some lip balms after seeing Gaby's blog post about these natural & moisturizing balms from a company called My Lip Stuff.

So I opened the box, taking great care....ahem.   Just a bit over-anxious right?

These are the flavours I chose.  I am giving a couple of these to the nieces for their stockings so I don't want to open any until I've decided.  Torture. 

Next...

Another Shopping Channel purchase.  This one was intentional.  

I was waiting for IT Cosmetics to be featured again hoping there would be a special with the Bye Bye Pores Powder in it, but no such luck.  

I ordered a new one anyway..this time in the large size. 

As compared to the smaller size.  In Retrospect the smaller size is more manageable and easy to store.  

For the few dollars I saved ordering the large size, I'd rather get the smaller one & just re-purchase more often.  

Finally....

A few items from Paula's Choice... 

I have an empties post coming up that will go into a bit more detail about how I feel about this line.  

The Resist Weekly Re-Surfacing Treatment is one I heard about from Tracy, the other Tracy.  I got this in a sample and love it, so this is now the full size.  

Can you see that I ordered the Sunscreen spray sample, and it came in a package...I was expecting a small spray bottle like the perfume samples come in.  How bizarre. 

So that's it...well actually I have a few other packages coming, but that's it for what has arrived so far.  I think I'm addicted to online shopping more for the packages in the mail thing, than the don't have to fight the crowds thing.  

How about you, any exciting packages recently?  

Merry Christmas...

Merry Christmas to each of you and your families.  

In a year where our family has been hit with a loss and are at times struggling to find the Christmas spirit, I appreciate each and everyone of you who have read, commented, followed.  

It has given me a much needed distraction and showed me caring from people whose faces I don't know, but who feel like friends.

Thank you and I hope you all have a very merry Christmas.

Photo source

Re-newing my Luxe Box - did I or didn't I?

So you may remember that I had signed up for the a 3 month trial of Luxe Box last year, and then extended it for another 3 months.   Here's the thing I wondered, was I really getting the value out of these boxes?  Or was the thrill just getting a package each month?

Here's a little review of the past 6 months, along with anything I may, or have, re-purchased.

This was my first box, and two things from this box I'd re-purchase would be the Dermalogica daily microfoliant and the Consonant Organic Soap.  Although the Dermalogica will last me forever so by then who knows.  And someone would have to put the Consonant soap right in front of me for me to buy it, I wouldn't necessarily go hunting for it.

The next box was my sadly damaged one....

Honestly I wouldn't be searching out any of these to re-purchase.  The K-PAK is good, it's just not so unique or special that I'd HAVE to buy it again.  And the LM shadow wasn't my colour & didn't have great pay off.

The next month had the Stella in Two Peony fragrance..love it!  It's on my birthday/Christmas list - or I will be buying it for myself.

Next was this box.  I haven't even used the Kaia cleansing cloths from this box, which is the only hope for re-purchase, from that month.

This box had the Laura Mercier perfecting water that I really liked, and would like to re-purchase.  I already owned & loved the Moroccanoil and knew I'd buy it again.

 My last box arrived in October, here is a quick look at what it looked like; 

I really like the redesign on the box. I'm sure you have all seen this already so I won't go on & on..but how cute is that 'Made for Tracy' sticker.  I'm such a sucker for stuff like that.  This is what was inside; 

Again, I know I'm late to this party so I won't go into much detail, but there was a Kerastase hair oil (love), ProX Olay eye cream (really like), Essie in Topless & Barefoot (this was sold out everywhere last summer so excited to own it), Lise Watier Flash life radiance veil (one use sample that I could likely get at my local drugstore),  Lise Watier plumpissimo lip gloss (not a fan of plumping gloss - haven't tried it yet).  

Of these, I am a huge Kerastase fan but I already have a similar product from them so would likely buy something else from their line.   I don't necessarily believe you need an eye cream specifically but this has been especially nice around my eyes as the weather has gotten colder. 

 It's not overly expensive & as of right now I'd replace this when I use it up.  Packaging is also great!

Oh and I'd buy Essie polishes again, but it wasn't the Luxe box that convinced me of that as they were a line I already liked.  

So after thinking about it....I did....not re-new.  I do miss getting the boxes but I felt like I was wasting things.  Like after you try a plumping lip product, it's not something you'd pass on to anyone.  And there are products I still haven't tried to this day.  It did introduce me to some new things but a lot of what is in these boxes can be quite expensive to re-purchase.  

I'm not sure that I'm gone from Luxe Box forever, but I am for now.  Having said that, if someone got this for me for a gift I think I'd be thrilled as they are fun to try.

I've been peeking over at the Glymm website looking at their boxes.  They still only charge $10 per month & they seem to have some great product lines.  Has anyone tried them?  

Are you subscribed to Luxe Box or Glymm, etc...?  Will you re-new?  Is is the thrill of getting a package or the package contents, that keeps you coming back to these? 

Let me know your thoughts!

Tracy

Sephora Christmas Wish List !

Before I start this I feel like I need to make a bit of a disclaimer here.  I do know the true meaning of the season, I am all about charitable giving and generous to my causes.  That said, I think I made the 'nice' list this year.  So just in case Mr. J  Santa is asking, I thought I'd give a few of my wish list items from Sephora this year.

Brace yourselves...I recognize I have enough make-up & don't really NEED anything.  Yes I can admit it.  But sometimes a girl just WANTS a few things, you know?  Kind of like shoes.  I've really tried to branch out from just make-up here, although a few of them might have snuck their way in.

In no particular order...

Laura Mercier Face Illuminator - $42*

*all prices are in USD, only because that is how they are listed on Sephora's site

This looks gorgeous & is supposed to be amazing - and is pretty much sold out everywhere you look, so more of a pipe dream really.  And I'm guessing in Canada it will be closer to $55ish, which makes me really wonder what I'm thinking. 

Laura Mercier Perfecting Water Moisture Mist - $38

This is on my wish list after getting to try it in my Luxe Box, said to help your

serums & lotions absorb better and help to reduce redness on your skin.  I really liked 

it and want to try it in full size.

Laura Mercier Book of Nudes - $48  I would buy this for only a few of these colours, this is an AWESOME deal for all the product you get.  Love!

Sephora Pro Foundation Air Brush #55 - $34

I've heard great things about this brush & in particular raves about using

it to apply mineral foundation.

Clean miniature trio - $15

I've always loved the smell of these & the miniature bottles would be a great

way to try them.  Who doesn't want to smell like fresh laundry?

Benefit's Watt's Up - $30

My girls Jayme & Mendi over at Her Late Night Cravings, rave about this highlighter

and I believe them, so I need to have this.

Pacifica Island Vanilla Beautiful traveler duo - $10 (Lip Tint & Body Butter)

Pacifica Take me There Indian Coconut Nectar - $18  (Perfume roll on, Body Butter, Lip Tint)

I have to confess I haven't tried anything from the Pacifica line but I love the sound of these products/scents.  I'm a sucker for anything tropical & these sound like they are calling my name.

Too Faced Beautiful Dreamer - $46

I love a gift set, and this one looks amazing.  There is a blush/bronzer duo, eyeshadow quad, shadow insurance, lip gloss & mascara.  I have always been curious about the Two Faced box palettes, but I have no where to store those & suspect I would push them back in a drawer somewhere instead.

NARS blush in Douceur - $27

This is described as a soft pink brown & I've been wanting it for a long time but never seem to

get it.  Totally unique colour & I currently own nothing like it.   

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base - $24

This gets rave reviews & I've been wanting to try it for a while now.  

NARS cream eyeshadow in Ponderosa - $26

This is from their holiday collection, the swatches say it leans more grey than brown..which 

I happen to love, how gorgeous is this colour!!

Lashstash - $45

I love the idea of testing all these mascaras, many in brands

I would never normally try...too much fun!

Philosophy Pure Grace Layering Collection - $49.50

I love this scent and these are just small enough that I don't think I'd grow tired

of them, before I was able to finish them.  I also love Aloha Girl but I couldn't find any photo

for that scent, so I wonder if they still have it - it's Hawaii in a bottle.

Sephora Gift Card

How can you go wrong.  I love getting these..then I squirrel them away & use them 

sparingly throughout the year.  

Okay I've rambled long enough..  Notice a particular something missing?  Points to whoever mentions it.  I figure I don't need it and it will be impossible to get right away, so let the hype die down & then I'll decide.  Know what I'm talking about?

How about you, what's on your Sephora wish list?

You've got mail!

Well I have some exciting packages coming in the mail in the next few weeks.  You know that feeling when you were a kid at Christmas and you just.couldn't.wait for it to arrive.  That's how I feel about expecting a parcel.  Even more so when it's a gift, and I don't know what's inside.

Today I got one of those packages...and I'm still on a buzz from it.  This is what I found waiting for me when I got home this afternoon.

Oh hello box of wonderfulness that I just can't wait to open.  I actually tortured myself for a bit, just staring at it, turning it around, looking at the label.  You will see that in my excitement I didn't give a lot of thought to the background for these photos.

I slowly opened it...

I believe upside down....  I blame Mr. J, who made me panic with offers of help when I couldn't get it open neatly and I was afraid he was going to take over.

And this is what was inside......  *sigh, my God I'm dramatic aren't I?

Oh yah, fist pump..high five..happy dance!  This was my lovely prize from the giveaway that Jayme & Mendi of Her Late Night Cravings held.  These ladies went out of their way to do this for me.  There was an issue with the original prize, in that it was a gift card from a company that didn't ship to Canada, when using a gift card (frustrating).  I was more than willing to give up the prize & try my luck next time but they wouldn't hear of it.  So sweet & although not expected, it was appreciated.

You ladies pegged me so well...I am thrilled with my prize!  I LOVE Fix+ and it was on my Christmas list in fact.  It is one of those must have items for sure.  The MAC lip conditioner is one I've been wanting to try, and it's already stowed on my nightstand, I can't wait to use it.  The MAC make-up wipes are perfect.  Just today I was lurking around the make-up wipes at the drugstore.  I have never treated myself to these wipes & I feel so fancy having them.   I just love everything, including the sweet note..thank you so very much.

 If you don't already subscribe to their blog, please go check them out. I also love watching their videos, which are like sitting around with your girlfriends & a glass of wine and talking all things beauty.  My very favourite are their Beauty Battles, where they each try out a product and then review it live without knowing what the other thinks.  Always entertaining.  They also some 'day in the life' type videos..one that my brother even watched when they went to a college football game.  Go check out their Youtube channel, you'll be hooked.

Thanks again Jayme & Mendi..you made this 'not a kid' feel like a kid at Christmas today and I love it all!

Tracy

Onward...

Thank you to all of you who left such kind comments on my last post & who have reached out to me to offer your support and concern.  I appreciate you all and thank you for your kindness.  I have my new computer....a renewed energy for my blog...and my gratitude to you all.  

Onward we go......

And it takes your breath away....

I wasn't sure I'd come back.  Part of me wondered if I had anything worthy left to say.  Part of me felt lazy & thought is it worth it?

And then...our family suffered a tremendous loss this week.  The loss of a 22 year old man.  A man in his prime, just coming into his own.  A light in so many people's lives...the kind of heart breaking loss that you suspect people won't ever recover from.

Photo Source

And I found comfort.  Comfort in your familiar names/faces,  comfort in thinking of something else. Something that some people might find frivolous.  But something that offered me the escape from reality that I so desperately needed right now.  Thank you...

I miss you & I realize I need you.  I can't wait to come back.

Tracy

Computer issues!

Just a quick note to say I'm having some computer issues, I apologize for being MIA.  

I should be back to normal soon....or at least I hope so, or else I can't be 

responsible for my actions - *hugely inappropriate pouting happening here*.