november favourites

november favourites by blondeblair featuring rimmel

Green coat / Converse , $72 / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics / Rimmel , $14 / Oribe hair care / Clarisonic beauty product, $190 / OPI Holiday 2012 Skyfall Collection You Only Live Twice

Just a little post to touch on what I've fallen head over heels with in the last month.. Many of these are returning to my favourites pile but alas, that's often the way it goes. I've got a post on the Bobbi Brown foundation here but basically it's fabulous coverage in a long lasting, not too heavy foundation. Another I've really learned to love over the last month (truly for the last four or five months I've been using it) is the Clarisonic. I did an initial one month trial judgment post here but was debating whether a follow up would be helpful. I'd love to try some new red lippies but for now I'm sticking with the classic Kate Moss red. Though, does anyone know when her matte collection is coming to the States? Am still ferociously looking for them like a coyote on crack but no such luck yet.. Another fave has been a nice white scarf. It's so easy to throw over any long sleeve shirt, keep warm with and pair with the green coat underneath. Neither of these are my exact ones but they are very similar. I got my white snood thing from American Eagle and my green coat from J. Crew. I love a long sleeve shirt plus white snood plus green coat plus jeans and converse. Relaxed, chic, super comfy and casual. A recently found fave is by Oribe. A more detailed post will be coming up very, very soon but I'll just tell you.... I'm really impressed and loving it. And last but not least, I've been rocking that classic red nail. This time with a bit of shimmer to get in the holiday festive mood. I know I'll have this on my nails for the next couple of weeks... If not for the rest of my life.

What have been your favourites this month? Happy December First... Where does the time go?!

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Christmas Wishlist Part One

Skincare Wants by hellomynameisblair featuring an origins skincare

Origins face moisturizer, $53 / Origins skincare, $32 / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics , $99 / Face mask, $25 / Origins skincare, $32 / REN face mask / Manuka beauty product, $34 / Origins beauty product, $53 / Caudalie beauty product, $51

I've tried to hold off on my Christmas themed posts until now but I hope my timing is alright. This is my very personal wishlist, as I've mostly made it so my sister and mom can come on here and maybe get some ideas... Stocky stuffers anyone?! Anyways, I'll give a bit of a low down on each product.
I have quite dry/dehydrated skin, so most of these products cater to that. They're also a bit on the higher end scale; i.e. things that I can't necessarily afford to pop on all the time. Along with dry/dehydrated skin, I also have quite acne prone skin, so to fight that, I use products which dry my skin. A vicious cycle, I know.. I'm working on it, thus these are desirable to me this Christmas season!
La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Masque- Soothing Rehydrating Mask 50 ml- $13.60
Dermatology based brand, La Roche-Posay focuses heavily on the science behind skincare. Their website is full of informative articles on identifying skin types, and including how their products suit your specific skin type. The aqua based gel properties are used to replenish and encourage hydration deep below the skin.
REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask- $55
This treatment essentially removes the top layer of skin and resurfaces a new layer, without causing irritation. It uses its four-fruit-acid-complex to and papain enzyme to exfoliate and create glowing, healthy skin. Formulated without any of the icky stuff (parabens, sulfates, etc), the all natural mask is refreshing and renewing.
Origins Make A Difference Plus Rejuvenating Moisturizer- $38.50
Used to help repair dry, dehydrated skin, it also encourages the continuous improvement of hydration in your skin. It is clinically proven to instantly boost skin's moisture and keep it hydrated all day. The Rose of Jericho, Lychee extract and Watermelon extract work together to hold essential hydration, trigger the production of Caspase-14 to improve moisture production and trigger the production of Filaggrin (the substrate Caspase needs in skin) so that the skin loses the feeling of dehydration or thirst.
Origins Drink Up 10 Minute Mask to Quench Skin's Thirst- $23
In the freezing winter months, a mask like this one can really improve hydration in skin. Formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes or fragrances, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs or Triclosan, it sticks to the name Origins lives up to... All natural products that work to solve your skin's problems. In this mask however, algae serves as the main hydrating substance which works to help boost collagen production, and allow the body to rid toxins more easily.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir- $18-48
I'm not really sure why I'm that attracted to this product... Maybe because for a long while it was only available in France, then only available throughout Europe and finally in the States. I've heard countless YTr's say that they don't think it actually does anything for their skin except make them feel a bit more glamorous and maybe help breakouts. I just really would like to try the smaller bottle and see what all the hype is about!
Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask- $23
Very similar to the 10 Minute Mask up above, this one serves as an overnight mask to really replenish. Many have said that in the night your whole face just soaks it up, and it's all gone when you wake up. I have to wonder, how much of it goes onto your pillow and thats why there is no more when you awake? Anywho, it uses Apricot Kernel Oil and Avocado this time as well as Japanese Seaweed to prevent future dehydration.
Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins Mineral Enriched Renewal Cream- $39.50
A night cream designed to enhance natural minerals in skin so that dullness, irritation and redness is put to rest- while you rest. Fortified with a system of time-released resurfacers, this night cream releases minerals, moisture and vitamins (C, E, and H). Orange aroma is used to lull you to sleep while skin sloughs away dry, dead layers.
Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Treatment Mask- $39
Another mask designed to enhance moisture.. Surprising, huh?! Aura Manuka is used by New Zealand Maori people to powerfully draw moisture to skin. Vanilla pod and mandarin linger to bring peace to the soul.... So that both your skin and soul are treated while using it. Sounds like a real homemade facial, don't it?
Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream- $52
A light moisturizing cream designed to leave your face refreshed and ready for seamless makeup application. Algae is again used to extract moisture while caffeine provides soothing properties. This formula instantly hydrates while steadily releasing moisture and nutrients throughout the day.

637 words later... Phew. That was a lot to take in, wasn't it? The basic gist is that most of these products aid in moisture. What's on your wishlist? Have you tried any of these products before?

xx

P.S. 33 sleeps until Christmas... :)

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Sunday Face #2.

I'm here in my pajamas (still), glasses on, and bowl of cereal beside me. What a cliched blogger image! All I need is a cuppa tea and I'm set. Today became a bit of a lazy day (like always) and also a test runner. I wanted a lighter coverage than school-work foundation, so I went for the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream. Maybe I'm inherently drawn to lighter coverage bases on days off, but I'd say that I mostly enjoy this one because it feels comfortable on my skin and covers enough so that if someone decided to pop by, they wouldn't be horrified for life. I also again went for a bit of concealer with the Maybelline Super Stay 24 Hour Concealer in Ivory. I've recently taken to setting my eyebrows in the morning. I still need to find a colour that matches my brows but for now, the Covergirl Professional Natural Lash Mascara will do. Just run that through once or twice and I feel much better. It also doesn't feel too heavy or weighing, which I was a bit worried about!

For some holiday inspired goodness, I've started looking for unique colors to add to eye looks. Pulled out an old favourite of mine, the Too Faced 'Midnight Mist' eyeshadow to test run for the day in a new look. I also used a bit of Bobbi Brown 'Iced Mauve' on the lids. The perfect shimmery buildable eyeshadow. I'm telling ya, sooner or later I'm going to be begging for adoption by the brilliant Bobbi. Who am I kidding? I already tweet her all the time! Finally, I've recently grown to love highlighters and am testing out a new one. The Anastasia Matte Highlighter in Camille has been going under my brow and in the inner tear duct area. While I really enjoy this highlighter, I received it as a thank you gift from the- wait for it- bitchiest bitch in the world. Let me just say, I am not getting my brows done there again.

After reading Vivianna's post, I've been running around every drugstore within 20 miles of me looking for the dog garn Rimmel Kate Moss Matte Lipstick (110). I'll have you know that I've been on the search for these bad boys ever since their release in the UK.... And I still have yet to find them!! Help me! Also, let me know if you like these or have any suggestions for blog posts. Have a good week :)

x

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winter-ish wishlist

baroque metallic skirt - 3.1 phillip lim leather tote - bobbi brown moisturizer - aesop parsley seed masque - diptyque candle - obsessive compulsive cosmetics lip tar - monica vader jewelry

Another wishlist to get me blogging again.. I'm obsessed with baroque, though not sure it really suits me. I am always drawn to the leather tote and I'm not really sure why. I really want to try some extra moisturizing skincare items soon, as winter is getting so cold on my poor dry skin. Everyone and their mothers has talked about diptyque candles but here I am, just saying that I need to smell them soon. I love the lip tars from obsessive compulsive cosmetics lip tar. I threw in this lovely little ring that I felt would go very well with a nice jumper and a cuppa tea.

A week off from blogging due to a death in my family was well needed. Excuse the absence, I plan to be back soon.

xx

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