LBH July Favourites: Essential Back to School Supplies, Muzmm Backpack and Discount Code, H & M Makeup, Urbio Wall Organization

Is it possible that there is only one month left to summer?  Say it isn't so.  I have finally caught on to the coral eye makeup hues that are trending right now.  These warm tones just seem so right in balmy weather.  H & M aren't really known for their makeup line but like their clothing line, their makeup features a lot of on point products.  And like their fashion offerings, the prices are kind to students or indeed, any one on a budget.

I picked up an eyeshadow in Ginger Snap for $7.99, a pressed powder and a bronzer for $12.99 each.  The eyeshadow is a lovely metallic copper, very pigmented and soft.  The powder and bronzer are velvety and very finely milled.  All three items were made in Italy, testimony to the quality.  I didn't experience any fallout with the eyeshadow which impressed me a lot.  I do find that there is a real difference between the H & M makeup products that are made in Italy versus another country.  I tried a palette that was made in China and the highlighter was gritty and the eyeshadows not very pigmented and felt quite coarse to the touch.  So, word to wise, check where it was made.  Obviously, for these prices, there won't be a luxe feel to the packaging. I have experienced lids snapping of compacts.  However, I do think that, considering the pricepoint and the quality of the product(s) it is good value for one's money. Bonus points that it is cruelty free. I think H & M's makeup definitely flies under the radar in the beauty world and I, for one, will be legging it back to pick up a few more of the eyeshadows.

Stocking up for back to school means a proper backpack to lug around a laptop and everything else a student needs for campus life.

via www.muzmm.com

The great thing about these backpacks from Muzmm is that they are convertible so they can be worn as a backpack, shoulder bag or duffel bag.

via www.muzmm.com

This means they work for travel or that emergency visit back to Mum and Dad's.  And for LBH readers, use discount code bleue10 for 10% off your purchase!

I picked a couple more pieces to add to my Perch by Urbio wall organization system.

via www.myurbio.com

I love that it's modular so you can customize it according to your needs.  The compartments are held to the backplate with magnets.  The backplates can be attached to the wall using Command strips or screws.  If you are a student, sending your child off to college or living in a rental, the Command strips are a fantastic solution for putting up a super stylish wall organizing system without damaging the walls. My old dorm room had cinder block walls (very jail like) and I wouldn't have been able to get any nails or screws into the walls even if I had been allowed.  Now, in my own home, I still opt for the Command strips as it is just so much easier to install. Plus, inevitably, I end up wrecking the wall every time I attempt to drill a hole. I get the Perch system from Staples. If you are in the Stayes, I think you can get them at the Container Store as well.

Bring on the last month of summer. I intend to savour every moment of it!

  

LBH June Favourites: Sony Earphones, Urban Decay Ultimate Basics Palette, Whiskey Stones

I can't believe that the year is already half over and it is time for June favourites.  I resisted joining in on the palette trend for ages.  I only ever use a couple of colours and, considering the price tag, it just seemed a waste.  However, I couldn't resist picking up the Urban Decay Ultimate Naked Basics palette.

It was half off at www.sephora.ca so I got a full sized palette with 12 shades for the same price as an Urban Decay mini, travel sized palette which is an amazing deal.  I just love the rose gold packaging and the double ended brush is a good usable size.  It comes with a huge mirror.  The only shade that has a hint of shimmer is Blow which is the first one on the top row, the rest are matte.  Do you have any makeup palettes that are your holy grails?

The hot, humid weather has well and truly arrived and frosty drinks are my saviour.  Ice cubes melt and dilute drinks so these whiskey stones are a great alternative.  Made of granite, they stay cold for a long time and do a fantastic job of keeping drinks cold without diluting them.  These are Canadian made and were perfect for Canada Day celebrations which was this past week.  I got mine at Chapters.

My old Ipod earphones were slowly dying but I was dragging my feet on getting another pair as I had already replaced them one time previously.  However, I decided to drop into The Source and pick up another pair as I saw they were having a sale.  I am really pleased with these Sony earphones.  The sound quality is very good.  They are noise reducing and I was a little sceptical at first as I wasn't sure how much noise reduction in-ear earphones would be capable of as compared to on-ear headphones.  However, they reduce ambient noise surprisingly well.  

The little silicone covers on the earbuds are like suction cups that create a vacuum in the ear.  I didn't realize how much my enjoyment of listening to podcasts and music was being impacted by my previous earphones until I got new ones.  Lesson learned!

This is not a sponsored post.

LBH Weekly Roundup: Bed Bath and Beyond, Wamsutta Sheet Set, Dri Soft Towels, NYX Micro Brow Pencil

Time for another Weekly Roundup!  We all love to crawl into luxurious bed sheets at the end of the day.  For some reason, I go through sheets, especially fitted sheets like the clappers.  The fitted sheets shrink from queen to single size over and over again and the elastic gets worn out.  My linen closet ends up with a huge assortment of mismatched flat sheets and nary a fitted sheet to be found.  A trip to Bed, Bath and Beyond was in order.

I was thrilled to pick up this Wamsutta sheet set.  I've washed the fitted sheet a couple of times now and, thus far, no shrinkage.  It was on sale and with the ubiquitous BBB coupon, the final price was a real deal.  While there, I also picked up a set of Dri Soft towels.

I am obsessed with these towels.  My old towels would take up to 3 hours to dry in the tumble dryer.  Living in a condo, I am unable to line dry towels outdoors.  The towels would take forever to dry in the bathroom and, inevitably, end up with that awful musty smell.  The Dri Soft towels dry in a flash in the tumble dryer (20 minutes) and come out fluffy and soft.  They are light weight but still feel cozy and dense against the skin.  If you are on a budget and watching your electricity bills or even if you are environmentally conscious, these towels are a real boon.

Lastly, I hit pan on my e.l.f brow palette a long time ago and all that was left was a ring around the pan.  I am not sure if it was because the product was getting old but I noticed that it just wasn't lasting for very long on my brows.  I swear the product would just evaporate or get absorbed into my skin within an hour.  It was time to switch to something new.  I have heard that the NYX micro brow pencil is a good dupe for the iconic Anastasia Beverly Hills brow pencil so I picked up the NYX pencil yesterday.

Like the Anastasia brow pencil, it has a spoolie on one end and a thin twist up pencil on the other.  I had forgotten about the convenience of using a twist up pencil rather than a cream or wax in a pan formula that requires a separate brush.  Travel-wise, this is a great option.  Do any of you own both the NYX pencil and the Anastasia pencil or have tried both?  How do they stake up against each other?

This is not a sponsored post.

LBH April Favourites: Josie Maran Highlighter, Sensodyne Toothpaste, Natracare Panty Liners

My Monthly Favourites is a tad late due to the fact that this past week has been the proverbial week from hell.  The family pet was rushed to hospital and stayed there for 2 days.  Turns out our furbaby has pancreatitis.  Administering the painkillers and meds twice daily has been stressful for him and us.  Who knew he was a champion spitter and is now able to spit his pill halfway across the room?  We've tried everything such as hiding the pill in his food but he is on to us.  Any suggestions, please shoot them my way! Suffice to say that my heart hurts... Anyway, you didn't come here to read about me wringing my hands over the furbaby so let's get on with it.  I repurchased the Josie Maran stick highlighter, called the Argan Enlightenment Illuminizing Wand because I love it so much.

When I am feeling and looking particularly careworn and haggard (which has been quite often of late), this highlighter adds a lovely, subtle glow.  It is a golden peachy shade that is perfect for everyday and not just special occasions.  My first one lasted almost 2 years so it really is good value for money.

Now on to something a little less glamorous.  I was inordinately pleased to see that a Noah's had opened up near where I live.  If you live in the Six, then you will know that Noah's is a local healthy living store.  I popped in and walked out with a box of Natracare panty liners.

I have wanted a more natural, eco-friendly alternative to the usual plastic riddled panty liner for a while so was really pleased to pick these up.  They have an organic cotton cover and are plastic free, perfume free and chlorine free.  The ones shown above are the curved version.  I thought that the term "curved" was referring to the curved sides but it is also referring to the fact that they don't lie flat but are pre-shaped into a slight U shape to conform to your body.  How clever!  So far, so good.  I can't believe that I am talking about feminine hygiene products on the internet (!!) but all in a good cause, huh?

Continuing on with the basic but necessary theme is Sensodyne toothpaste (and yes, a highlighter that makes me look less deathly is a necessity).  A side effect of my rather annoying health issue is inflamed gums and sensitive teeth. They became so sensitive that a cold wind blowing against them would send off twinges of pain.   I was rather doubtful about switching to Sensodyne toothpaste as I have been a steadfast Crest girl for years if not my whole life.

It didn't happen overnight, however, slowly but surely, so gradually that I didn't even notice it, my teeth stopped being so bonejarringly sensitive.  I am most definitely a convert now.

And that's it for April!

This is not a sponsored post.

Unisex Skincare and Makeup for Men: The Ordinary HA Blur and Photography Fluid

After listening to me rave about The Ordinary for yonks, Monsieur finally went with me to The Abnormal Beauty Company to check out the goods.  I love the minimal packaging.  No girly colours or flowery ribbons that might send Monsieur running out the door.  Monsieur has really good skin but, like all of us, was becoming concerned about the telltale passage of time.  He picked out The Ordinary's Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution and Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion.

Monsieur's verdict so far is a thumbs up.  The fine lines on his forehead and around his eyes that were bothering him (let me insert here, in case he reads this, that I never noticed these lines) have softened and the few areas of milia have gone down.

Surprisingly, when I showed him the HA Blur by demonstrating it on the back of my hand, he picked that up as well.  Haha, I should get a sales job there.  Apparently, I can sell their products to men!  It is a silicone product that subtly smooths over fine lines and disguises minor skin discolourations.  It is transparent so it isn't obvious that he is wearing "makeup."  Basically, after smoothing this over the problem areas on your face, you look as if there is a soft focus filter beaming down from the heavens onto your face.  I think we were so bowled over by the fact that Monsieur had finally agreed to go with me to a skincare slash beauty store that we got a bit carried away.  The next pickup was the Photography Fluid.

It is a white pearlescent fluid that is described as a transparent foundation.  Again, this is something that a man could wear to make his skin and complexion look better without looking like he is wearing "makeup."

While I was in the store, I noticed that there was a new Vitamin C product in their Vitamin C lineup.  If you are a longtime reader of this blog, you will know that I love the Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%.  It does have a gritty texture that might be off putting to some and makes it difficult to wear under makeup.  So I picked up a tube of Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10% which has a smooth texture.  I am hoping that I can wear it under makeup without any pilling effects.  I noticed as well that The Ordinary offers Vitamin C powder that you can mix into your moisturizer.  I might pick that up next time I am in the store.

Luckily, The Ordinary is wonderfully easy on the wallet as my home now houses another convert!

This is not a sponsored post.

LBH March Favourites: Waterpik Complete Care Sonic Toothbrush and Water Flosser, Nude by Nature

Life has been a bit of a bumpy ride of late.   It started with a flat tire and then went rolling downhill at lightning speed.  But you didn't come here to hear me moan and groan, did you?  So, let's get on with it!  I had a milestone birthday in March and received the Waterpik Complete Care Water Flosser and Sonic Toothbrush.

www.waterpik.com

I am obsessed with the toothbrush.  There is something wonderfully soothing about just standing at the bathroom sink whilst half asleep and letting the brush whir away inside one's mouth.  It turns off after 2 minutes and, more often than not, I am roused from my meditative trance by the toothbrush turning off.  The water flosser is just like the ones at the dentist that squirt water into one's mouth.  You can even fill it with mouthwash instead of water.  My teeth have never been so clean.  Honestly, I don't think I will ever go back to a manual toothbrush.

Next up, is Nude by Nature.  This is an Australian brand (woot!) which I have been itching to try out for yonks.  Finally, it is now being carried in Canada at Shoppers Drug Mart.  Their claim to fame is that their products are composed of 100% naturally derived ingredients with no synthetics.  They are cruelty-free and PETA certified.  The packaging is gorgeous.  Perhaps I am a shallow creature but I find the cheap plastic packaging and garish labels on cosmetics typically carried in health food stores to be quite off-putting.  

I am currently testing out the Moisture Shine Lipstick in Blush Pink which is a pinky nude.  It has the typical waxy lipstick scent and the formula is not the creamiest I have ever come across but still quite comfortable.  There wasn't a huge selection of shades to choose from.  The lipstick was $23.00 which puts this brand at the very top end of what is essentially a drugstore line. Admittedly, I picked out the lipstick because of the magnetic cap which gives off the most satisfying click.  I am thinking of trying out the highlighter next.

Touch of Glow Highlighter Stick by Nude by Nature

The rose gold tube reminds me of the Josie Maran highlighter stick which is a huge favourite of mine.  If it has a magnetic cap, I am sold!

That's it for March.  Do you have sonic toothbrush?  Let me know your thoughts.

LBH February Favourites: Batch Cooking with the Instant Pot, Takenaka Bento Box, NYX Stockholm Palette

With a full time job and a painfully long commute, organizing my free time is more important than ever.  Monsieur bought an Instant Pot a few months back and it languished in a corner of the dining room for weeks while we debated whether or not we had morphed into one of those people endlessly raving about the advantages of a slow cooker.

BUT...this is not your grandma's slow cooker.  Oh no!  It's a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, saute, steamer, and warmer.  It even bakes cakes and boils eggs.  Batch cooking is a lifesaver if you are keen on menu planning and are pressed for time.  We've cooked a whole chicken in it and it was the tenderest juiciest chicken  we'd ever had.  Do you have an Instant Pot?  Suggestions on what to cook in it are welcome!

In days of yore, I used to buy my lunches.  Huge, heavy lunches caused my waistline to steadily creep outward, made me sleepy and was unkind to my wallet.  Now I am determined to bring packed lunches  to work.  I'm obsessed with my bento box.

I really didn't want a bento box that was covered in pictures of Hello Kitty (although I love Hello Kitty) and this white one from Takenaka fits the bill to a minimalist "T".  It has two tiers and the lid clips everything together.

It even comes with a fork.  Packing a healthy lunch is a breeze and opening up my bento box at lunchtime is like opening a present to myself every day.

Last but not least is the NYX Stockholm palette.  I have mentioned this in a previous post but it really has become a firm favourite of mine.   NYX brought out a range of palettes named after various cities around the world and the Stockholm palette caught my eye immediately.

The warm toned colours really suit my skin.  I don't experience any fallout and they are longlasting.  The palette even comes with a matte lip cream.  The lip cream has a doe foot applicator.  There is a strong vanilla scent which I don't mind at all.  It isn't particularly longwearing and my lips do feel a bit dry after awhile but I like the rose nude shade a lot.  The inclusion of a lippie and the incredibly affordable price point makes this palette a winner in my book.  Have you tried any other NYX city palettes?

That's it for February!  I can't believe we are now into March as it snowed a few days ago.  I am already thinking about my Spring Capsule Wardrobe and can't wait to pack away my winter woollies and bring out lighter clothes.  What about you?  Are you experiencing cabin fever like me?

This is not a sponsored post.

Last Minute Gifts: Crabtree and Evelyn Biscuits, NYX Wanderlust Palette

The minutes are counting down to the Big Day!  Are you done your Christmas shopping?  Perhaps you are like me, still frantically scurrying around the shops.  This week threw all my plans out of the window.  The washing machine sprung a leak, causing an almighty mess.  I figured that, if I was going to call in a repairman, I might as well knock out a couple of other pressing repair jobs at the same time.  Haha, big mistake.  The promise of "No worries, we'll blast through the repairs in an afternoon" turned into a 3 day marathon.  Herewith are a couple of emergency last minute gift ideas in case you are stuck having to visit your local 24 hour pharmacy (or worse a gas station that has a mini mart attached to it) because the inlaws decided to spring a dropin on you.

Delicious edibles are always a safe bet.  They are gender free and don't involve too much thinking because, at this point, with your brain on overload, too much thought is contraindicated.

The Crabtree & Evelyn shop in Toronto only brings out their biscuits at Christmas time.  Imagine my chagrin when I discovered that, in other parts of the world, their mouthwatering bikkies are available year round.  This year's Christmas special is their All Butter Dark Chocolate and Hazelnut Biscuits.  The packaging is gorgeous, of course.

NYX came out with a selection of Wanderlust Palettes inspired by cities such as Copenhagen, Los Angeles, Paris, Madrid, London and Dubai.  I was really excited to pick up a few Toronto Palettes to give away but the colours were, in my opinion, astoundingly unwearable.  The lip creme was a dark gray/blue paired with gray eyeshadow.  I live in Toronto and have yet to encounter anyone wandering the streets in gray lipstick.  I suppose the intention was an edgy, goth vibe but it just isn't wearable on the regular unless you want to look like an extra off the set of "The Fifth Element."  I settled for Copenhagen which had a more on point selection of colours.

The lipcreme is a wearable nude and the eyeshadows, blush and highlighter remind me of Urban Decay's Heat Palette but at a price point that is a lot more bearable on the wallet.  Darn those Scandis!  Why do they get all the good stuff?

Wishing all of you a lovely Christmas!  Come and visit me on Instagram tomorrow @lheurebleuewithchloe for the last reveal of my Advent Calendar.

This is not a sponsored post.

LBH October Favourites: Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerise versus Nars Eye Paint, John Frieda Colour Deepening Treatment and Shampoo

October is done and dusted and, scary thought, we are marching steadily towards Christmas.  Around this time last year, I was thinking about holiday makeup and obsessing about Nars Eye Paint in Iskandar which is a lovely antique gold.  I noticed that my little pot was nearly out and was about to get another when I heard that Nars, sadly, was no longer cruelty-free.  This is a point of difference that may or may not matter to you but I thought that this was a good opportunity to stop in at the Charlotte Tilbury counter.  Charlotte Tilbury is, thankfully, cruelty-free.  I walked away with this.

Yessssss, a pot of Eyes to Mesmerise in Bette.  Charlotte Tilbury describes it as an amber gold and it does have more of a warm, bronze undertone to it compared to Nars' Iskandar which has more of an olive undertone.  Bette has a mousse-like, whipped, light as air texture to it which allows it to blend like a dream.   I have used it on top of eyeshadow powder and underneath without incident. 

Because it is waterproof, Iskandar has a stiffer consistency and once it is on, baby, it is there to stay.  This is fabulous if you are living in a tropical environment or dealing with a hot humid summer day but you have to work very quickly before it sets and it does crease and crack.  I did find using an eyeliner over Iskandar to be very difficult.  Bette is touted as long wear but not waterproof.  What I love about Bette is that it is so easy to apply and is highly pigmented with hardly any creasing. Basically, it is a "one and done" miracle in a pot.  The Nars pot has a fill of .08 oz and Charlotte Tilbury has a fill of .24 fl oz.  Both Charlotte Tilbury and Francois Nars are luxury brands so this type of comparison is, I think, a bit more of an even comparison than, say, comparing a luxury brand to a drugstore brand.  I think I will be investigating the Charlotte Tilbury line a lot more in the oh-not-so-distant-future.

Next up, is John Frieda's Colour Deepening Shampoo in Brilliant Brunette.  Because I have never dyed my hair before, this is my way of sticking a pinky toe in that pool.  I like that it is a shampoo so I don't really have to go out of my comfort zone or out of my daily routine to play with my hair colour.  

It is supposed to infuse rich, dark tones to natural brunette hair.  The effect is quite subtle.  I notice the change in tone more where the light hits my hair.  The shampoo came bundled with the Colour Deepening Treatment.  The treatment only takes 5 minutes (but is not recommended for gray or blonde hair).  I do love 2 for 1 deals, don't you?  Funnily enough, I found this on an end cap at my local grocery store.  I didn't see it at any of my local pharmacies.  I noticed that the shampoo also came in multi-tonal and blonde highlights formulas.  Have you tried John Frieda before?  If you are interested, keep an eye out for the 2 for 1 bundles as there were only a few left at my grocery store.

This is not a sponsored post.

LBH Weekly Roundup: Too Faced Love Flush, Riviera Yogourt

I finally, finally bought another Too Faced Love Flush blush in the shade "I Will Always Love You."

I hadn't just hit pan, I had hit the whole pan. There wasn't anything left except a few crumbs.  I have to confess that there is an innate satisfaction in completely using something up and knowing that I have wrung every drop out of it before replacing it.  It was the last one at my local Sephora so I figured it was meant to be and definitely time for a replacement.  If you aren't near a Sephora, you can also get it here.

I have a minimal makeup collection.  I have tried to expand it but, for some reason, I start to feel very guilty and begin to suffer from decision fatigue.  I have a makeup routine that is the equivalent of putting on a daily uniform.  This makes getting ready fast and efficient.  Do you have a minimal makeup collection?  Does having a makeup routine help make your life easier?

Jumping away from makeup, Monsieur came home with the cutest little yoghurt (or yogourt) pots I had ever seen.  Riviera yoghurt comes in chubby glass pots which you can repurpose.  I have to say that it really is the best yoghurt I have ever tasted.  

Monsieur picked up the vanilla flavoured yoghurt.  The texture was so thick and creamy with a delicate vanilla taste.  I usually top my yoghurt with some granola or muesli and berries.  Also, I love the fact that they are made by a niche, artisanal Quebecois dairy.

And that is it for this week!  See you for the next Weekly Roundup.

This is not a sponsored post.  Some links are affiliate links.

LBH July Monthly Favourites: Blue Ice Snowball Microphone, Sony Headphones, Stila, Sephora

Time for another Monthly Favourites!  It's a bit of an eclectic mix this time but that's the fun of Monthly Favourites, wouldn't you agree?

I picked up a new microphone this month.  I had a headset that had an attached microphone which was falling apart.  There was a lot of looping back which was irritating and confusing.  I thought that a completely separate microphone would eliminate that issue and settled on the iCE Snowball by Blue.  It is Skype certified.  So far, I am really happy with it.  It is so easy to use.  Just plug it into your computer and away you go!  The headphones that you see are a pair by Sony that I gave to Monsieur a while ago so I am not sure if this particular model is still available but you can find similar ones here.  I am "borrowing" them back from him, much to his chagrin.  They are noise cancelling and come with an adaptor so that you can use them on an airline.  Because they are suitable for travel, they fold down compactly.  I am not sure if Monsieur is getting them back any time soon because I am in love with them.  They are so comfortable and the noise cancelling feature really does work.  When I put them on, it is like my ears are inside a vacuum.  It means I can concentrate on hearing the other person's voice (or whatever I am listening to).

On a different note, I had to pick up more blotting papers.  Sephora discontinued the blotting papers that came in a mirrored compact so I got their latest version which comes in a cardboard envelope.  Blotting papers are a must during the hot summer months.  I am not a fan of piling on the face powder as it just feels icky by the end of the day.  I find that blotting papers do a fantastic job of soaking up excess oil and sweat and taking down the shine without having to add on more face product.

A late addition to my Monthly Favourites is a little treat for myself from Stila.

When I heard that Stila was now cruelty free, I was so excited!  I rushed out right away and got the Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Lionfish which is a wonderful metallic bronze. There aren't that many quality high end brands that are both cruelty free and widely available (the line is carried by both Sephora and Shoppers) so this was fantastic news.  I am really looking forward to exploring Stila's other products and am already eyeing their convertible blush and eyeshadow palettes.  Have you tried anything by Stila?  Any suggestions?

This is not a sponsored post.  Some links are affiliate links.

LBH Weekly Roundup: Nars Larger Than Life Long Wear Eyeliner, H & M Light and Shade Contour Duo

With the blindness of youth, I never envisaged the day when I would need to worry about fine lines, hooded eyes or the depressing effects of gravity.  It didn't happen overnight (or perhaps it seemed like it did) but I noticed that my favourite eye pencil wasn't performing like it used to.  There was constant smudging and I would look like a raccoon at the end of the day.  Glumly, it dawned on me that it wasn't the fault of the pencil but the fact that my eyelids were losing their battle against time and gravity.  Enter the Nars Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner.

It is supposed to last for 12 hours, be smudge proof and even comes with its own tiny sharpener.  I had assumed that the sharpener was located inside the cap but it is actually at the end of the pencil.  I got the shade Rue Saint Honore which is a deep metallic blue.  I have been wearing it every day for the past week and I will say that there was a learning curve.  Because it is supposedly smudge proof, you have to apply it quickly before it sets.  After it sets, it is almost impossible to build it up without having bits flake off.  It isn't very creamy and I find that it tends to catch and pull on the skin.  In terms of being smudge proof, tiny crumbs do fall off during the day and there is a small amount of smudging but not to the point where I am getting raccoon eyes.  I find that it is best used for tightlining and for subtle definition.  I tried doing a cat eye but didn't have an easy time doing the tail as I just couldn't layer the strokes.  I will continue to use it but am going to keep my eye out for a replacement.  Have you tried the Nars eyeliner?

I went into H & M, eager to use my clothing donation coupons (see my previous post).  I haven't stepped into an H & M in years and now I know why.  The blaring music, miles of inventory and the long lineup at the fitting rooms was really overwhelming.  Desperately, I kept going round and round the store looking for something to buy.  Truly, I felt like I meandering through the seventh circle of Hell.  Finally, as I was ready to give up, I stumbled across their cosmetics section.  Hallelujah!  I didn't know they had a beauty line and was pleased and relieved to pick up their Light and Shade Contour Duo.

I know contouring is all the rage but, until now, it is something that I have never tried.  Thankfully, it comes with an instruction pamphlet, perfect for us newbies.  The compact comes in 3 shades, Light, Medium and Deep.  I chose Medium because I like the highlighter which is pink toned whereas the highlighter in the Light compact is a frosty white.  The compact is a lightweight plastic and so doesn't have the satisfying heft of a more expensive brand.  However, this is H & M, home of fast fashion so the flimsy packaging is to be expected.  At $12.99 CAD, I figured I could try contouring and not have it hurt my wallet.  It is a cream formula so it is easy to blend and build.  I have been using a light hand as I don't want to end up with a scary Kabuki mask.  Are you a fan of contouring?  Any tips or suggestions for this neophyte?

I am going to kick off a 30 Day Wellness Challenge on June 1.  Please join me as I challenge myself to do one small thing a day to improve my overall wellness!

This is not a sponsored post.  Some links are affiliate links.

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LBH Weekly Roundup: Shiseido Full Lash and Brow Serum, Banana Republic Merino Cardigan

Time for another Weekly Roundup!  I am not sure if it was because of my protracted love affair with waterproof mascara or age but my eyelashes, which were always skimpy, one day decided to run up the white flag of surrender.  There are a couple of well known lash enhancement serums on the market but the cost is prohibitive.  I did try Gosh's lash serum but, every time I applied it, it stung and burned.  I tried to put up with the burning but each time, I would cave and wash it off.  So I never did see any benefit from it.  This week I picked up Shiseido's Full Lash and Brow Serum.

What I like about Shiseido's Serum is that the applicator is in the form of a soft doe foot instead of a spoolie.  This means that it is easy to apply to the lash line.  The formula doesn't sting and burn me.  It is too early to report on any results right now.  I have heard that it can take up to 6 to 8 weeks so I will let you know then.

I also picked up a new merino wool cardigan from Banana Republic.

via bananarepublic.ca

It was on sale for 40% off, yay!  I got it in the colour "Citron" which is a very unusual almost fluoro yellow with a distinctive green undertone to it.  I do love a punchy statement colour for adding some pizzazz to my wardrobe and, when I saw this particular colour,  I couldn't get it out of my head.  I love cardigans for their layering capability, don't you?  After at least 5 days of mulling it over, I pulled the trigger and now I am obsessed with it.  Of course there are lots of other colours and the last time I checked, the sale was still on so take a peek if you are so inclined.

It's Victoria Day Long Weekend here in Canada.  I hope you had a lovely weekend!

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LBH April Monthly Favourites: L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream, ELF HD Lifting Concealer vs Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer Review

The warm weather arrived, disappeared, arrived then disappeared again.  The upside of the changeable weather meant that I could put off showing my pale, dry legs.  I am not sure if it is the long Canadian winter or the fact that the air in my building is extremely drying but the skin on my legs get really flaky.  I know that the L'Occitane 20% Shea Butter Hand Cream is supposed to be for the hands but it is so deliriously creamy and unctuous that, to me, it is the gold standard for tackling any dry area on the body.

So I was very pleased to receive a L"Occitane giveaway that contained a travel sized tube of the hand cream.  Included was a little pot of L'Occitane Light Comforting Cream with 5% shea butter which I am keen to try out.  I love the pink tweed bag that they came in as it will come in handy for corralling little things in my handbag.  Monsieur surprised me with a full size tube of the hand cream even though I had received one in my stocking this past Christmas.  He knew I had been having a rough time of it lately and also knows how obsessed I am with this cream.  The 150 ml tube will last me an entire year so it really is good value for the money.  I think I am all set for the next couple of years!

My Nars concealer was running low so I picked up an e.l.f HD Lifting Concealer.  I was curious to compare a high end concealer with a drugstore brand.  It might be a bit like comparing apples to oranges but the e.l.f concealer is so affordable that I wanted to give it a whirl.

I got the e.l.f. concealer in the shade "Fair" which is comparable o the Nars Light 2 Vanilla.  It has Vitamin C, green tea and mulberry in it.  I found that the e.l.f. concealer had a lot more slip with an almost oily feel to it.  It takes a while to dry down to a dewy finish as a result.  The benefit to that is that, if you have fine wrinkles in the undereye area, it is less likely to settle into the lines and to crease.  I would say that it is medium coverage as compared to the Nars which is full coverage.  It is buildable, however, if you want full coverage.  The Nars concealer has a more powdery, thick consistency and dries down to a velvet, matte finish.  One of the issues I had with the e.l.f. concealer was that there were only two shades available, Fair and Light.  The Fair has pink tones while the Light has orange tones to it.  I suppose that for the price, the limited selection is to be expected.  So, if you want a wider selection of shades then Nars is the better bet for you.  I wanted to point out that in the photo above, the Nars concealer pictured is the travel sized version.  I wouldn't want you to have a heart attack, thinking that it is such a tiny tube for the cost!  Both wore well over the course of a day.  Yesterday, I had the e.l.f. on for at least 16 hours and it still looked fine.  When all is said and done, I guess picking one over the other is dependent on factors like budget, whether you want a good colour match or have a preference over the texture and finish.  Have you tried any other e.l.f. products?  Do you have any recommendations?

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LBH Weekly Roundup: March Favourites Trainspotting T2, ELF Brushes, PNY Power Pack

Haha, see what I did?  I am folding a Monthly Favourite into a Weekly Roundup!  Yes, I am a badass that way which leads me neatly into my first fave, Trainspotting 2 or T2.

Image Source via imdb.com

All I can say is, "Thank God, it's not shite."  I have included it in the March Favourites because it opened in Canada the weekend of March 17.  I was celebrating a birthday that weekend and it seemed fateful  to see T2.  I remember watching the first "Trainspotting" and being completely and utterly gobsmacked by the giddy hedonism, the sheer ferocity of it all.  Living in my quiet, conservative lakeside town,  I wanted to be part of the wave of Cool Britannia that was cresting over the world so very, very desperately.  20 years on and I, like Renton, Sick Boy and Spud, and probably a lot of other Gen X'ers, am feeling left behind and squeezed out by the Millennials.  Weirdly, this movie affirmed my growing feelings of ennui and discontent.  Bring on the Gen X'ers!  We've still got something to say.

Next fave and on a completely different note are e.l.f brushes.  I had been struggling with crappy makeup brushes (the freebies that come in gwp sets) for what felt like an ice age.  They were prickly, shed like a Himalayan cat and made even the best blush look patchy.  Thank goodness for e.l.f brushes.  They are wonderfully soft, no shedding yet and best of all, the price point just can't be beat.  I paid around $3.99 CAD each at Rexall Pharmacy.

Last fave is the PNY Power Pack.  

via amazon.ca

This little gadget has already saved me numerous times.  It is surprisingly lightweight but most of all, what I like about it is that it has built in cables, one for an iphone and one for a smartphone.  No more dangling cables that inevitably get lost.  And that's it for this month!

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LBH Weekly Roundup: Ole Henricksen 3 Little Wonders, Mariage Freres Tea

Time for another Weekly Roundup!  In my ongoing decluttering efforts (when will it ever end??), I decided to sort through my tea collection.  Even though I only drink one type of tea on the regular, I am gifted all sorts of tea which end up languishing in a designated cupboard in the kitchen.  I unearthed a very interesting box which I had completely forgotten about.

Mariage Freres Jasmine Mandarin tea! I opened it up, expecting the usual paper sachets and what did I see?

Oh my, cuteness overload.  If ever tea could be described as cute, wee or pretty then the above sight fits all those descriptives.  They look like a little pile of plump dumplings all ready for their hot water bath.  And their delicate scent is beyond divine.

I have been really missing my Ole Henricksen Sheer Transformation Moisturizer this week.  I don't know about you but those few moments every day that I allocate to skincare are moments that I really look forward to.  I can slow down, turn off my mind and just relax.  And yes, I know that marketing hype and packaging is all just smoke and mirrors but I am a weak human.  By chance, I found out that I had accumulated enough points with Sephora to get the Ole Henricksen 3 Little Wonders travel or introductory set.  The set consists of 7 days worth of Truth Serum, Sheer Transformation Perfecting Moisturizer, Invigorating Transformation Gel and Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser.  Admittedly, in the past,  I have avoided products with high concentrations of acids as I found them overly drying.  But, in my desire to get my hands on the moisturizer, I was willing to try out the cleanser and gel, both of which contain AHA's (glycolic and lactic acids).  I do like the fact that the box clearly outlines the steps involved in the 7 day regimen, breaking it down into an am and pm routine.  I am about half way through and my face hasn't fallen off my head yet.  Do you have a skincare regimen?  Or, like me, have you just woken up to the fact that youth is no longer your ally and you had better take action right sharpish?  

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LBH Weekly Roundup: Indeed Laboratories Fillume Moisturiser Review

I ran out of my beloved Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation Moisturizer and instead of running out and restocking, I decided to shake things up a bit and try out Indeed Laboratories' Fillume Volumising Moisturiser.  It was on sale at Shoppers, it is manufactured in Ontario (win win!) and I was really curious about its packaging.  Indeed Laboratories is best known for their star product, Nanoblur, nicknamed the Selfie cream for its ability to get you photoready but they have a few other products in their arsenal such as Fillume, which are worth considering.

Much like the Abnormal Beauty Company, Indeed Laboratories' raison d'etre is to "eliminate all marketing hype and costs from skin care and instead deliver real results as cost-effectively as possible."  Another striking feature of Fillume is that it is packaged in an airtight jar.  I know moisturizers packaged in a jar are a real bugbear with skincare mavens as it is unhygienic and the constant exposure to air destabilizes the ingredients.  So how does the Fillume jar work?  One presses down on the top and the moisturizer squirts out the dispenser in the middle.  The only other moisturizer that I can recall that comes in an airtight jar is Drunk Elephant's Lala Retro Whipped Cream but its price tag will give you sticker shock and make you stagger back like a....drunk elephant.

  

I must say there is something oddly satisfying about pressing down on what amounts to a giant button and having an exact pea sized amount magically appear in the middle.  As with everything, portion control is key and it is comforting to have the guesswork taken out of trying to dispense the recommended amount onto one's fingers.

The moisturizer hasn't broken me out and performs adequately for a cold, harsh Canadian winter that is dragging on for far too long.  It contains sesamin, a paraben free extract from sesame seeds that supposedly minimizes the appearance of fine lines and restores "volume" to the face.  The only grievance I have with it is the fragrance or lack of it.  My first whiff of it produced a gut reaction of intense dislike.  It took me a couple days of grimly slathering it on to my face before I figured it out.  Its slightly medicinal smell reminds me of the generic lotion dispensed in doctors' offices and in hospitals.  In fact, it reminds me of Phisoderm, that decades old cleanser that I was forced to use to combat my unruly teenage complexion.  We all know that scent can be incredibly evocative and reminders of my youthful self obsessing over hormonal eruptions is not a good thing.  Luckily, the scent does disperse eventually.  I intend on soldiering on until I have finished it in an effort to recoup what I spent on it but I don't think that playing "Whack-A-Mole" with the top can compensate for the resurgence of youthful memories so it's unlikely that I will be repurchasing it.  I will say though that if you don't care about the scent and have sensitive skin, you might want to give it a go.  After all, there is something to be said for supporting companies that are offering skincare products with targeted ingredients at a reasonable price.

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