30DC21: What's In My Purse

My purse and its contents - the only thing not pictured is my phone (iPhone4), which I used to take this picture!

A gay man once proclaimed that I have "THE most boring purse, like, ever" after rifling through mine, and he proceeded to ask if I really were born female, because how could any woman leave the house so unprepared?!

"What if

30DC17: Something I Don't Leave Home Without

Image Source

This is one of my Holy Grails, not just because it's effective for what it's meant for, but also because it's got many uses!  I also love Blistex Medicated Lip Balm in Mint, which is less expensive than Lip Medex, but because I prefer this one just a little more, I've featured it in today's post.  I tend to use the pot at home and the stick on-the-go.

There's a bit of controversy surrounding medicated lip balms because they supposedly create a dependence in users.  I actually wouldn't be surprised - I start to hanker for this like crazy if I've forgotten mine at home - but seeing as how it doesn't actually have adverse health effects, I just keep using it.  That, and it feels too good on the lips!  Products that don't make my lips tingle just aren't as satisfying - I like feeling when my lip balm is there, you know?

Besides all that, my lips are extremely prone to dryness and cracking, particularly at the corners, so this product is indispensable to me and I can't leave home without it.  I reapply throughout the day as needed, after I eat, after I brush my teeth, after I shower, etc.  I go through quite a few of these in a year, so I always stock up when they're on sale.

So what are the uses besides moisturizing lips, you ask?  They are as follows:

30DC15: What's In My Makeup Bag

My face resides in these two bags

When it comes to makeup bags, I have two – one that I carry around with me wherever I go (below), and one for when I need to put on my whole face for a special occasion (above).

Contrary to popular belief, I’m a very light packer. In fact,

30DC10: Face of the Day

This is my first attempt at doing a Face of the Day blog post - just like a real beauty blogger! ^.^  It was fun to do but a lot of work for me at the same time, because I normally don't wear a full face of makeup.  I also didn't realize how much stuff I had on my face until I had to list it!  Either way, I hope you like it. :)

For a full list of products used and an open eye shot, click after the jump!

Target Canada Haul & First Impressions!

My first Target Canada Haul! :D

At laaaaaaaast!
My looove has come along...
My lonely days are overrr...
And life is liiike a sooong!!!

I am, of course, referring to Target’s arrival in Canada! This is proof-positive that every once in a while, the Retail Fairies answer our prayers*. Those of us who have Target on our US Must Go Lists have been hotly anticipating their debut here in the homeland ever since it was first announced.

On the day of their debut (Tuesday, March 19th),

Shellac 2 Week Update

Bio Seaweed Gel Soak-Off Gel in Grapefruit, 2 weeks later

Hi guys!  Here I am for the last installment of my Shellac experience - here are parts one and two.

These photos were actually

Shellac 1 Week Update!

Bio Seaweed Soak-Off Gel in Grapefruit - 1 week later

Hi guys!  As promised, here I am exactly a week later to give you an update on my "Shellac" manicure - to see my intro post about the product and my experience, click here.

I have to say,

Soak-Off Gel ("Shellac") - First Impressions

Bio Seaweed Soak-Off Gel in Grapefruit

I know.   I know!  I must be the last woman within my age bracket in the developed world to properly try "shellac", or soak-off gel polishes.  Soak-off gels

Vote for Me!!!

Please click on this picture and vote for me! :D

Hi guys!  Have just gone on a much-needed break after finishing NaBloPoMo last month (which I'm very proud of!) and then...a host of really tough RL situations have descended upon me.  Regardless, all of you are the bright spot in my life, and I'm still here, I'm still writing, and everything is still on track. :)

I don't know how many of you have been on my YouTube channel, but I've been meaning to relaunch it for a while, just like how I relaunched this blog.  Video is a medium that I absolutely adore and love to play around with, so this is something I'm really excited about!

In fact, I bought my MacBook Pro precisely for all the multimedia tools it comes with, and actually, I'd been procrastinating in producing content for my channel because I was trying to figure out how to use everything, re-learning how to edit, etc.

Lo and behold, came the kick in the butt I needed: Shoppers Drug Mart was holding a video contest for their new makeup line, Essence!  Essence is an affordable makeup line that I've actually had a longtime relationship with - I first started using it when I was an impoverished student living in Nice, and it was one of like, three brands of makeup that I could actually afford.  I was really excited to hear that it was coming to Canada, and of course, I had to take part in the contest!

I had to create a summer look with Essence products exclusively, and film a video tutorial on it.  It was a lot of fun to do, and it really forced me to familiarize myself with iMovie.  The result is at this link; please go have a look and vote for me!!!  I need 25 unique votes to be considered by the judges and by my estimation, I'm getting close.  Please, please vote!!!

I hope you like it, and I can't wait to interact with you guys more via YouTube!

XOXOXO

Essie Jazz

This is me wearing Essie Jazz (and being a Chanel whore)

Oh my goodness, you wouldn’t believe what lengths I went to to procure this nail polish. But the effort was quite worth it, don’t you think?

It’s a beautiful,

Joe Fresh Orange Crush*

Last week I talked about my failed foray into trying one of the season's hottest colours...

NaBloPoMo Day 11: China Glaze Peachy Keen

China Glaze Peachy Keen

One of the it colours for nail polish this year is peach; all tones of orange are in, really, because

NaBloPoMo Day 4: Essie A Cut Above

Over China Glaze For Audrey

On a love/hate ratio, my feelings towards this polish would stand at 60/40.  60 love because,

Basic French Manicure #2

My basic French mani v2.0!

Much better than last time, right?

This might just be my favourite French polish combination yet.  Here, I'm wearing

My Go-To Red: OPI O'Hare & Nails Look Great!

OPI O'Hare & Nails Look Great

While I love pink (as longtime readers will know - remember my old blog and Twitter layouts?), I don't look that great in it.  My power colour is red.  My philosophy is to

Estee Lauder Warehouse Sale Haul!

My Estee Lauder Warehouse Sale Haul! :D

I live for weekends these days.  And most weekends, nothing can come between me and my sleep - except

Basic French Manicure #1

Orly Bare Rose as a base, Orly Soft White on the tips and Orly Fifty Four on top

French manicures – pornstar or posh?

Um, I have a bit of a confession.  I used to be

The Quality Threshold

Source

My Pawpaw (maternal grandmother) is a Chinese Dragon Lady. She takes no prisoners and she doesn’t suffer fools gladly. She has infinite opinions, which are all Absolutely True and Correct and she will tell you ALL about them whether you like it or not.

Hence I found myself in the middle of a lecture one Saturday afternoon when all I wanted was just

Another (Not Really) Chanel Dupe - Essie Sew Psyched

Essie Sew Psyched

I am hating so hard on this polish right now!

I first started hankering for an army green polish after hearing about the one from H&M from my friends in Europe.  Such a creative, chic colour, and the olive tone reminds me of living on the Mediterranean!  Sadly,

Say NO to Cheap Mani-Pedis!

OPI's Do You Lilac It?

At the seediest, skeeviest, grossest nail bars in downtown Toronto, you can probably get a mani-pedi for $30CAD, tax included (provided you pay cash).  In the lower-mid-range level, several steps up from those, at the still-affordable but clean places (like the one I go to), a mani-pedi costs $35.  Prices can go up from there, all the way to $100 or so.

So imagine my surprise when I found,