Cute Makeup Tips

Life has been crazy the last couple of weeks, but crazy in a good way! Well, it's time to get back to gabbing about beauty again! I will have to update you on all the awesome things I've been up to but that will have to wait for another post. 

Now where did we leave off? In my last post, it was all about saving the skin on your face but we can't forget your body!

Give your skin some lovin' this winter with some of my latest faves!

1. Korres Guava Shower Gel ($22 CAD): I'm not really a shower gel person, but you might as well start it right. I'll use a body scrubs and the such, but shower gels I usually just pass on. This one, however, I could not pass on because - well - it's Korres! I'm already a fan of the Guava Lip Butter so it was a given that I would love the shower gel too. The scent is just lovely and not overwhelming at all. It has a creamy texture and leaves your skin feeling hydrated and smooth. At $22, consider this a luxurious shower gel but the size is larger than the average shower gel at 400 ml. 

2. Korres Jasmine Body Butter ($33 CAD): I have body butters in every corner of my room - one on my vanity, one on my nightstand, and a few in my makeup bins. Korres body butters feel ah-mazing on the skin. It applies very rich and creamy but doesn't leave a greasy feeling behind. My skin feels moisturized for hours. Jasmine is a light flowery scent and thankfully doesn't conflict with the Guava shower gel. The size is very decent and comes in a squeeze tube which I prefer. I definitely want to add more to my collection especially the Guava one!

3. Biotherm Beurre Corporel Intensive Moisturizing Body Butter ($37 CAD): Don't be fooled by the simple packaging. I was pleasantly surprised I would love this so much. Ok, I don't particularly like dipping my fingers, but it's just so creamy and smells citrus-y divine. My boys love it every time I wear this - the scent is very comforting. Oh and yes, my skin feels wonderfully soft! It helps restore hydration into the skin overtime. A little goes a long way so this tub will last you a while - at least until the flowers start blooming again!

4. George's Special Dry Skin Cream ($6.49 - 14.99 CAD): You know the term "don't judge a book by its cover"? This applies here. I love hearing stories about skin care lines that were whipped up in their very own kitchen. It's probably a product I would pass in the store, but thankfully I was able to test drive this cream. This stuff really works especially for severely dry skin conditions. George's products do not contain Urea, Lanolin, or Parabens and are specifically made to be hypoallergenic and fragrance free. I've talked about my son's eczema before and this is the only cream I've been using on him for the last few months. It has replaced all other creams I've used. His skin has been eczema-free and we haven't had to use his medicated cream once. I also use this on my dry, cracked heels and hands - works wonders! It feels greasy when first applied but quickly absorbs into the skin. 

Korres is available at Shoppers Drug Mart and Sephora locations across Canada. George's Cream is available at Loblaws and Shoppers Drug Mart locations across Canada. 

What do you use to save your skin from the harsh winter? 

How's your skin doing this winter? Feeling a little tight? Looking a little flaky and dull? Add not drinking enough water to the mix and lack of sleep and you've got my skin - one big wrinkly mess. I hate to say it, but I've really been noticing my fine lines and wrinkles under my eyes (insert sad face). Well, I'm happy to say I think I have finally found a skin care routine my skin is happy with! This is major. I get to try tons of skincare and I never really commit to anything. I am no longer a commitment-phobe. These lovely products are now a skincare staple!

Spring is just around the corner (wishful thinking) so save your skin now! 

1. Korres Wild Rose Face & Eye Serum ($49 CAD, Bestseller): I have found my new serum. While I love my Bobbi Brown one, Korres' has stolen my heart. It's a brightening serum for the eyes and face and it is meant to smooth fine lines. It contains Wild Rose oil, Vitamin C, Baobab gel, Ginseng extract, Quince extract, provitamin B5. Sounds amazing right? It's a multivitamin for your skin. I love how radiant my skin looks. I've only been using it for a week so I haven't noticed a big difference in the appearance of my fine lines, but the brightening effect helps minimize the appearance. 

Korres is known for being an all-natural line so I love knowing my skin isn't being fed with yucky chemicals. Another bonus is that you can use it on the eyes like an eye cream - one less product you have to buy. Compared to a lot of serums out there, this is a much more affordable option. It's not cheap by any means, but it's mid-range so it's affordable to most of us. It's a 30 ml bottle so we'll see how long it last, but one pump is all you need to cover the face. This is definitely one serum that I will be purchasing when this one runs out! 

2. Korres Wild Rose 24 - hour Moisturizing and Brightening Cream - Normal to Dry Skin ($44 CAD, Bestseller): This with the serum is a powerful combo. I LOVE this moisturizer! I had my favourites from 2011, but this one by far takes the cake! Besides looking uber luminous, my skin feels plush - that's plump and lush. It's so pillow-y soft! The best part is that my skin never has a surprise flaky patch later on in the day. Again, it contains the same ingredients as the serum so your skin is getting double dose of Vitamin C. Your skin will be in repair mode all day long so I have high hopes for my skin! It's a 40 ml container at $44 so mid-range and affordable compared to other brands. Since it's a richer moisturizer, you only need a little at a time. You get the perfect amount of hydration minus the heavy, greasy feeling. Another staple for me!

3. Cover FX Skinprep FX Nourishing Foundation Primer and Anti-Aging Serum ($45 CAD): I love Cover FX. You get high-quality makeup that performs with anti-aging benefits. If you get a chance to see my kit, you'll see many of their primers. While you can use this particular one as a serum at night, I prefer to use it as a primer before foundation especially on drier and mature skin. I use this one on myself because it hydrates my dry skin especially during the winter. Once you apply it, your skin feels extremely smooth and makeup just applies so easily. It really creates a perfect canvas. Because it helps blur out fine lines and pores, you end up having to use less foundation. You're makeup will also wear longer with minimal touch-ups. This is a definite kit staple for me and it should be for you too! 

4. Ole Henriksen Black Current Perfecting Complexion Oil ($32 USD): This product is my introduction to Ole Henriksen products. All I can say is that I'm so glad we met! I've come across a few face oils in the past but I never really used them mostly because my skin just felt heavy after. This oil helps protect your skin from the elements and this is definitely something you should use for the cold winters. It also contains Vitamin E that repairs the skin from environmental damage. It's a rich oil so I've decided to make it apart of my night routine and use it like a serum. Surprisingly the rich texture turns into a light, calm, and refreshed feeling on the skin. Mixed with my night cream, my skin feels like butta'! The first time I used it, I couldn't stop touching my face. I even made the hubby touch it! Obsessed with this product. You only need a few drops of this to cover the whole face so it'll last you a while until you have to replenish. Again, the price is mid-range and definitely affordable. 

5. Korres Quercetin & Oak Anti-Aging and Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream ($59 CAD, Bestseller): This night cream is no joke. It provides intense anti-ageing nourishment throughout the night. Quercetin and Oak is a clinically proven natural alternative to Retinol. Retinol is used in every anti-aging cream out there so why not go for a natural version that has been proven to achieve faster results? I'd have to say this is richer than my beloved La Mer cream and it's double or even triple the price! It's insane how soft my skin feels after I apply it - I am not exaggerating. My dry skin loves a rich cream, but not if it makes my skin feel greasy and this does NOT. I've been using it for a week and I can already see a difference in the texture of my skin. It's smoother and it's cured my flaky, dehydrated skin! Love, love this stuff. 

All products are available at Shoppers Drug Mart across Canada and Sephora. 

Thankfully, beauty brands make handy cleansers called wipes and cleansing waters that clean your skin in a flash. I can remove makeup, tighten my pores, feed my skin anti-aging nutrients without using water (which means no mess around the sink - such a pet peeve of mine). My skin can breathe in some fresh air again. Yes!

Korres Pomegranate Cleansing and Makeup Removing Wipes For Oily and Combination Skin ($16 CAD): Korres is one of my all-time favourite all-natural beauty brands. I love the pomegranate wipes. The wipes leave my skin feeling refreshed and they effectively take off my makeup, although I usually take off my mascara with a separate remover. One little wipe can remove impurities, tighten pores, and give antioxidant protection. Cleaning your face takes less than a minute to do! If you're lazy like me, keep these at your bedside. 

One pack holds 25 wipes which won't last long if you use these often. It's a little pricey for a small pack, but you get what you pay for which means it's formulated WITHOUT parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, petro-chemicals, phthalates, and GMO. It would be great if Korres comes out with a bigger pack! Now available at Shoppers Drug Mart locations across Canada. 

Biotherm Biosource Total & Instant Cleansing Micellar Water ($26 CAD): Who knew something that looks like a toner could actually cleanse your face? Another quick cleanser, Biotherm's contains Thermal Plankton Cellular Water and is paraben-free. It feeds your skin nutrients rich in minerals and vitamins. It cleans fairly well but sometimes I feel like I need to use two cotton pads to make my skin feel really clean. My skin looks radiant and even feels soft after. It's not as convenient as a wipe because you need to use a cotton pad, but it gets the job done fast. There's a lot of cleansing waters on the market and more continue to come out. It's pretty pricey compared to some others, but Biotherm is not a drugstore brand. Bioderm's version is on my 'want' list and I believe it's slightly cheaper. But if you want something that's a steal, try Marcelle's. 

What are your favourite quick cleansers? Are you guilty of not taking your makeup off every night? Be honest! :)