Topshop Chase

I can see myself wearing this little stunner with a sundress, floppy hat, sunglasses and blasting music during... you guessed it, the sThe first of what I hope to be many more Top Shop nail polishes, I chose Chase. It caught my eye right next to a gorgeous little blue number, although the display was all a little jumbled up in a big bin (hop on that, Nordstrom!) A plethora of beauty bloggers from across the sea (that'd be those precious Brits) rave about the Top Shop beauty section and so I decided it was time to give it a whirl.

Bought on a whim at the counter, $10 isn't too bad for the time it lasts. The wear time on this beauty was four or five days longer than Essie ($8) which last on average up to two-three days on me. I really like this color but I'm excited to try out some others. A little birdy told me that perhaps the full beauty selection will be at Nordstrom counters soon... A girl can hope, can't she?

Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque

Some Sunday's will always be reserved for laundry, watching the whole first season of The OC, and face masks. Unlike others, this was exactly what I did with my last Sunday. I ordered this babe of a mask a few weeks ago. Along with Antipodes it was one of the first brands I couldn't wait to try. After a run (one of my new years resolutions-- wahey, I did a post about it here!) I took a hot shower, threw on my robe while I adorned my face with this mask and caught another episode of the teen 2005 hit. I've read quite a bit on it but never expected it to feel as it did. My initial reaction was that it smells very citrusy which was an absolute plus to me. I adore the scent. My second reaction was that the texture was very thin, easy to spread, and it's brown in color. Upon application it dries faster in some places than others and it felt tight on my skin after a couple of minutes. It creates a silly look (as seen above) with my skin looking like I may have come down with a serious case of some infection. In coordination with other masks this is a great one, for sure. Because my skin has been in good shape recently (not sure what's up with that.... maybe I can attribute it to my healthy habits!) I didn't see a real difference in it. Although, my few healing blemishes seem to have gone down in size and redness.

The price was a stinger for this one. At $37, it wins second most expensive face mask I've used. As the product is supposed to be applied in a very thin manner, I can only hope this one will last for a while. My thoughts are similar to the aura manuka honey mask... Love it, just hope that it lasts for a good time span before having to consider raking out another bit -- plus shipping. Boo!

Do you have any other favorites from Aesop? I've heard so much but have no idea where to start!


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Top 13 of 2012 | Part One

Hmm... Well, I started with 10 of 2012, then moved to 12 and settled at 13... I just had a lot of products that I've loved, okay?! This is going to be a post split into two parts, the first one (this one, duh) is going to be skin care/hair care/ brush care/face care/all of the above and the second one (up in a few days, don't you worry) is going to be makeup, plus some other bits and bobs. Here we go!

 All the family together. What a happy bunch they are! Look at their dazzling, smiley faces!

 01. Moisturizers

I struggled to find a good moisturizer this year after having a bad bout with products at the beginning of last year. With a basic drug store brand, I was breaking out left and right. Thankfully, my mom introduced me to the idea that maybe spending a little more money now is better in the long run. These are the ones I've been loving. The Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream is what I use in the mornings and Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins (a new discovery, though I couldn't leave it out!) is what I use at night. 

 02. Haircare

This year, I've definitely become more involved in the upkeep and treatment of my hair. With many dyes comes a whole lotta repair, so these are the products that I've found have kept my hair healthy looking. The first is Aveda Smooth Infusion which works to fight frizz and keep my hair straight while I blow dry it. The second is the It's A 10 Miracle Leave-In Product which is just that... A miracle. I've used this for quite a while. On my fine, long, tangly hair, it never leaves me greasy. Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair is another product I've popped on in the last half of the year. My mother mistook it for a heat protectant but I snatched it up as soon as I could. The light formula works wonders while blow drying. And last but certainly not least is Oribe Supershine Light Moisturizing Cream. Absolutely a savior on particularly knotty, frizzy or unpredictable hair. Just pop a little bit between my fingers and apply to ends and fly aways.

03. Skin Care

The three hottest brands in my stash this year are Bobbi Brown (above), Origins and REN. I've loved using Origins Checks and Balances for a clean, fresh feeling face. To combat dehydration, I often use a bit of Origins Drink Up Mask for 15-20 minutes. Most of it soaks into the skin and requires just a quick wash. And the third product is REN Clearcalm 3 Acne Treatment Mask. While combatting heavy break outs earlier this year, I worked a lot with this mask. It got it's fair share of usage and I really love the way it makes my skin feel.

04. Miscellaneous

This category really has it all, I didn't quite know what to call it. I despise using face wipes but have really liked the Simple Cleaning Facial Wipes. They're handy to have for sleepovers, late nights, and sometimes early mornings. The Clarisonic Mia was another lifesaver during the bout with acne this year. I continue to love to use this though I have been using it less and less lately. I've always hated shaving my legs but with EOS Shave Cream in vanilla bliss, the pure scent makes me want to sometimes. I also really enjoyed Alba shave cream (not pictured). Lastly, this Daily Makeup Brush Cleanser has been so, so, SO handy in the last year. Being able to just scrub off a little product from a brush before taking pictures is so helpful. I still do a weekly deep cleanse but this saves me a ton of time.

Do you have a post on your favourite skin care products this past year? Let me know down below!

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Tarte Amazonian 12 Hour Blush | 'Dollface'

I received this from my sister for Christmas and was completely surprised by it! I've always wanted to try a Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush and I have to say... I'm curious what the hype is about? The colour is gorgeous, no doubt. It's beautifully light on the cheeks and gives a really healthy glow. The thing is that I have about five or six of these pinky shades of blushers. This colour does suit me best and gives me quite a healthy glow for my pale (read: deadly) skin tone.

The packaging is lovely, but a bit standard. I haven't been able to test out the actual wear time of 12 hours but if it really stays for that long, I think I'd understand the hype around it. It's very soft and works best for me with a stippling brush.

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Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair

I haven't had lots of experiences with Aveda but the salon I go to carries their products and uses them every time I'm in. I've recently come to the realization that while my hair is quite easy to work with (i.e. air/towel dry and go!) it is quite damaged and dry, and especially after not having it cut for a while, it feels extra damaged. In enters a new product my mom accidentally bought for herself and gave to me. I like this product a lot because it doesn't feel too heavy or weighing and makes me hair extra soft. For days afterwards, I'll be begging the person next to me to feel my hair. Yes, I become that annoying girl. "Touch my hair! No, seriously. Touch it!! Please!"

It is a heat protectant and detangler as well, which is very important to me. I try to use the least amount of heat as possible on my hair. Organic quinoa protein works to strengthen and penetrate hair follicles. Wheat protein aids in protecting against heat while soy derived oil works to help detangle. It contains certain organic oils as well to create a pleasant aroma, which always reminds me of going to the salon (my favourite smell!!)

I don't use this every day in my hair, as I don't always blow dry it. On the days that I do want nice straight hair, I'll plop a quarter sized amount in my palm, along with the Aveda Smooth Infusion, and run through evenly from roots to ends. I don't have a problem with greasiness, but if you do, you might want to avoid your roots! Then I brush my hair through and blow dry as per usual with the help of a comb nozzle that attaches to the end. Usually I don't have to do much after this step, but if I want it to be extra sleek, I'll attack with a flat iron (though I try not too use too much heat)! The product itself is $26 which is pricey. I received this as a gift but I would definitely repurchase when I run out.

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Chanel Harmonie du Soir Palette

I bought this for my mom's birthday as she kept pointing it out to me when we went shopping together and she kindly let me review it for my blog! The four shades are described as "bronze gold, taupe, violet plum, and pink." This palette, part of their Holiday collection, is incredibly useful for the holiday season and especially useful for women with warmer skin tones. All four shades have incredible color pay off and pigmentation that is out of this world. I have never tried a Chanel palette where all four (or however many) shades are equally pigmented. I find that for $65, I could never buy this for myself. I always seem to relate palettes to each other, so for example the Naked palette is $50 and you get 12 shades and .4 oz (15.6 g) of product versus 4 shades and .14 oz. Of course, you also get the stigma and glamourous feeling of wearing/using a Chanel product.

P.S. I have a new twitter. Feel free to follow! @theblondeblair
x

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Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation

Sigh, when will a world exist where long names don't?!

This is one of the nicest foundations I have used in quite a while, I'll be honest. The coverage is lush. The wear is definitely long-lasting (read: all day.) It feels smooth when applying and afterwards as well. I'm in Porcelain 1 which isn't surprising, seeing as I'm white as a ghost but the shade fits me perfectly. I always casted Bobbi Brown foundations off as catering to yellow skintones due to my mother always using them (she has yellow undertones) and didn't think that I could find a right match for me. It blends so smoothly and doesn't hold around dry patches (healing blemishes, etc) which is usually what throws a foundation off for me. The price tag is another story. At nearly $50, it's very pricey compare to my recent past drugstore BB Cream purchases. However, I do think this is worth every penny. Going into the colder months, I needed a foundation that wouldn't hold to my dehydrated skin, make me look caked on, or evaporate after a few hours. I think I've found exactly my savior for the next few months.

Do you stick to drugstore brands for foundation? What are some of your must-try high end foundations?

xx

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Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil

Yes, thats right. You have heard everyone and their mother's talked about this product but it's my time to shine, so just lay off for a bit wouldja?

I am in love with this product. I'm not even going to lie to you, it has become a savior. While dealing with my ever persistant acne, I have in turn dried out my already dehydrated face. Good going, Blair. But I asked the lovely lady in the downtown Portland Sephora about her recommendation and she gave me this. I've read about it but wasn't completely sold. I bought it in the smaller than full size size because I didn't want to dish out $96-$48 on the full size. But I am completely blown away by this. I'll apply my regular moisturizer each night, maybe a serum, whatever else I like to slap on there and then I finish with this. It does feel a bit thick on your skin at the beginning but it completely sinks in and by the next day, while my skin would wake up begging for moisture, my skin feels refreshed, clean, and smoother. It claims that it works as, "a daily moisturizer, a treatment for your split ends, a conditioner for your cuticles, a body moisturizer, a soothing product for rough patches (such as on your knees, elbows, feet) and as a bath oil." I have only used it as a daily moisturizer and a conditioner for my cuticles but I've really liked it for both. I can really see myself repurchasing this. A little bit goes a long way which is nice because for .5 fl oz/15 mL, it'll cost you about $14.

What are your fall beauty favourites? Let me know :)

xx

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Hair Saviors

These two bad boys are my absolute hair saviors, on any day that I want any style. I have quite fine hair that has a naturally wavy texture. I use the it's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Product every single day, without fail. It has saved me from tears, seriously. If you have very tangly hair, i would definitely suggest giving this detangler a whirl. I spray it about 5 times all over my head, then brush through it and it honestly makes brushing my hair way less of a struggle. After using this, I sometimes use the Aveda Smooth Infusion Style-Prep if I'm going to attempt to straighten my hair. I use about one-two pumps in my hand, then through my hair. I brush my hair out and then blow dry it. My hair won't be completely straight but this eliminates most of the frizziness I would usually get from blowdrying it.

The it's a 10 retails at $38 for the 295.7 ml (bigger bottle) or $37 for the 120 ml (smaller bottle) and can be located at most drugstores (i.e. Target, Walgreens, etc). The Aveda Smooth Infusion retails at $24 for 100 ml/3.4 fl oz. While the prices are quite steep, my hair essentially would not be the same without either of these bad boys. They have completely reworked my thoughts on my hair. These products both tame and nourish my hair in the most wonderful way.

xx

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Clarisonic Mia Review

I may be jumping on this train slightly late but I wanted to get a full trial with my Clarisonic before giving it a proper review. To help you decipher my skin type, I have slightly acne prone, very dry/dehydrated skin. I almost never get oily and my T-zone is usually normal. I purchased my Clarisonic from Macy's, they are available in Nordstrom and many other shops.

My first reaction to the Clarisonic was how clean it made my skin feel, if even a bit tight in certain places. It felt very relaxing and is really nice to not have to do much while giving my skin a deep clean. I started using it once a night and sometimes do it morning+night because I adore the feeling it gives my skin. Unlike it's younger sister, Clarisonic Mia 2, this only has one speed. I'm not too upset by this as I think it would create more complications on my part by trying to figure out the perfect speed. I had quite problematic skin when I first started and this cleared a bit of it up within the first week. I was really attracted to it after that because of the initial results. After using it for about six weeks, I've found that I have fallen more in love since the beginning. It's so easy to use, very compact, and refreshing.

It retails at $120 which is steep but if you think you'll get a good use out of it, I'd say it is definitely worth every penny. My sister and I share one while switching brush heads and between us, we've probably used it nearly 170 times I'd say. Another side to consider is that my sister who has used it just as consistently as I have, has quite different skin from me (oily) and has gotten really nice results as well. The kit I purchased came with a charger which attaches magnetically to the little bump under the power button, a cleansing facial wash, and the cover. I'd love to purchase the travel case as it helps keep water from splashing all over your counter, clothes, makeup bag, etc. While it has the translucent cover over the brush head, the bristles do remain wet after one use and in the evening, if I've used it in the morning, it is often still wet. I'm not sure if this is a turn off, just thought I'd mention it.

Have you tried the Clarisonic? Tell me what you thought in the comments.

xx

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September Favourites

Products:

L'Oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream (812 Light)

Maybelline SuperStay Concealer (Ivory)

Maybelline Colour Tattoo (Bad to the Bronze)

Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream (Monte Carlo)

Botanics Conditioning Clay Mask

NARS Blusher (Desire and Douceur)

My favourites for this month are a bit scattered but I've decided to just go for it and talk a bit about my go to products (some new, some old) for September. One of several new purchases this month, I've recently discovered the L'Oreal BB Cream. This is only the second BB Cream I've tried, so don't hurt me. I think that it works really well, and would work even more for someone with combination skin. It gives much more coverage than the Maybelline BB Cream. It's also just a bit too light for me right now, but come winter and the dark sky, it'll work really well with my complexion. I have honest to god fallen in love with the Maybelline Councealer. It works so so SO well on my skin. It lasts ALL day and blends very easily. I have worn the Bronze Colour Tattoo every day for the last two weeks, at least, and I'm not sick of it in the least. It applies so easily, can be built up for a more dramatic look, or sheered out for everyday wear. Monte Carlo is such a beautiful deep red, and applies very easily for someone who is not the best with lipstick. I really have loved using the Botanics Clay Mask. I don't find it particularly conditioning, but more so detoxing. I would love to try any REN Hydrating mask, that would be my dream honestly... I've also fallen back into love with both Desire and Douceur. Desire is so nice for a pop of colour on your cheeks on a dull day and Douceur works amazingly as a contour colour for someone as pale as I am.

Non-Beauty related favourites? Grimmy's Radio 1 Breakfast Show... I can't rave enough about this. I listen to it nearly every night while doing homework and it keeps me awake and is just so good. I just love him as a radio host. I've also really been enjoying the X Factor recently! That's also really well done.

new songs I'm loving:

Nasty Habits by You Me At Six

Baby I'm Yours (feat. Irfane) by Breakbot

Sleep Alone by Two Door Cinema Club

Angels by The XX

Drink, Dance, Play by Young Kato

xx

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I'm Red Burgundy?

The title is a cheeky little reference to Anchorman, such a class movie. Lately I've found myself a bit obsessed with red/burgundy especially as autumn is right around the corner. The idea of a red lip, winged linger and a simple outfit seems so fall to me currently. But while the weather delays (it's still kicking strong at 70+ every day), I'm still trying to get into the autumn mood. These lippies are bold, bright, brilliant. I've fallen in love with each of them and think they're fab colors for many skin tones.

The first one is Rimmel's Red Alert (900). The brightest of the three, it screams summer while maintaining a new atmosphere. The formula is silky smooth, and the application is easy to work with. One thing that I like about Rimmel lipsticks are that they are easy to take off afterwards. With a brand like MAC, those don't come off even if you beg them to. The price is super affordable ($6) and not hard to get ahold of. I'm not so keen on the packaging, but I really do love the product.

The second lippie is Revlon's Black Cherry (477). I have been a fan of this colour for quite a while (since Essie first wore it in a video) and I immediately ran to get it. The genuine burgundy colour has slight violet/purple undertones and is a safe guarantee for a lovely vampy look. It's very easy to apply, and also easy to take off. The price is a step up ($8) but still not outrageously expensive. The packaging has a hint of Chanel to it but I don't adore it like I adore MAC tubes.It reminds me slightly of MAC's Rebel (though I don't have the guts to fork up that much for it yet). 

The final red is relatively new and it's by Kate Moss for Rimmel London called 01. This and Red Alert are very similar. Both are bright reds while this one has deeper/darker undertones of purple/blue. I love this one for the colour but the packaging is also absolutely gorgeous. I love the Kate with the heart on the tube, it's so cute.

What are your go-to lipsticks year round or for autumn?

xx

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Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream

This is my first ever BB cream that I've tried, so I don't have much to compare it to but I'm raving over it. I love it and frankly think it's the best new product that I've tried in months. I started using this last month and immediately found it very easy to work with. The product is obviously quite sheer but can definitely be built up to a medium coverage. For someone who hates the feeling of heavy makeup, this is a very good alternative to foundation. I'm also someone who has both things I'd like to cover up (blemishes) and things I'd like to accentuate (freckles) and this is really great for both of those things. The price isn't too steep ($8) and it's relatively easy to get ahold of (I believe it's available worldwide). It claims to do 8 things for your skin: blur imperfections, enhance, brighten, adjust to skin-tone, hydrate, provide protection against sun, and has 0% oils/heavy ingredients. Do I think that it does each of these? To a certain degree, yes! This product is wonderful for my skin. It reminds me of the Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizer ($42) minus the price. I believe it only has 5 shades to choose from, so it's limited in its range. This BB cream was also used in the Burberry S/S 13 show in London yesterday.

I'm dying to try the Maybelline 24 Hour Colour Tattoo in Rose Gold and the Rimmel London newest Kate Moss lippies. What are you favourite drug store products? Have you tried this BB Cream before?

xx

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