The Weekly Roundup The Ordinary Concealer Review

 Welcome to another Weekly Roundup.  It has been a slow start to the year.  We are still in lockdown 3.0 in the Big Smoke.  I think I went a wee bit overboard with the cleaning.  I added in a common laundry additive that was supposed to boost the cleaning and brightening power of my laundry detergent.  Unfortunately, my zealousness resulted in a horrid case of hives that covered me from the neck down to my ankles.  I have used a hypoallergenic detergent for decades without any other additives so I am not sure what I was thinking.  As we have been sheltering in place for almost a year, I think I have become a tad OCD with housework.  If you suffer from allergies, then you can understand that for the last 3 weeks, all I have had on my mind is managing the itching and trying to bring the hives, swelling, and rash under control. 

Never mind, enough of my woes.  I do have something new to take my mind off the ever present desire to scratch at the hives which is the long awaited release of The Ordinary's concealer.  Currently, I am using Jouer's concealer which I talked about here.  I do like it but I am not in love with it as it dries down incredibly fast so there is no blend time at all.  

At 8 ml and an incredibly affordable $5.80 CAD, one can try it out without worrying about wasting a heap of money if the shade is not right.   It is always a bit tricky when trying to choose the right shade online, however, The Ordinary offers an impressive 36 shade range. I chose 1.2N. which is a fair shade with neutral undertones.  I think I could have gone a step darker but I think a light shade is fine for covering up dark undereye circles.   I don't have a lot of opportunity to wear much makeup these days but having a concealer that makes me looks somewhat healthy and alive on Zoom meetings is a must.

The concealer is described as "high coverage."  It does a very good job of covering my dark undereye circles.  There is enough slip so that it blends easily.  I would say that it sits somewhere in the middle of a matte and a dewy finish.  I used Hylamide SubQ Eyes serum before using the concealer.  However, the concealer still settled into the dry patches and fine lines so I might need a more intense moisturizer in the future.  On the plus side, the concealer is alcohol, oil, silicone, nut, gluten and cruelty free and is vegan.  

The tube comes with a long thin nozzle. I am used to using a doe foot applicator.  However, the nozzle allows for a precise controlled use of the product as a tiny amount goes a long way.  

As you can see, it does a more than adequate job of covering the red spots (from my rash) on my hand.  I didn't put any moisturizer or primer on beforehand so you can see that it will highlight lines and creases even though the product description states that it doesn't settle into fine lines.

Overall, I am very pleased with this concealer.  And really, at this price point, one can't complain.  It does the job and I think it will be a true workhorse in my makeup routine.

The Weekly Roundup: Black Friday Haul The Abnormal Beauty Company The Ordinary

Are you still alive after Black Friday?  Are you gearing up for Cyber Monday?  I can't believe I am even asking but, yes, the mayhem that is Black Friday is a "thing" now in Canada.  This past Friday was just another working day for me so, alas, I had to wait until the weekend to partake.  I was good and did my best to stick to my wishlist. I love The Ordinary.  I missed out on their Black Friday sale last year so this year checking out their Black Friday sale was a definite must on my wish list.  Luckily for me, a freestanding Abnormal Beauty Company store is just down the road from where I live so I didn't have to hover over my keyboard at midnight, waiting for deals to drop.

The Ordinary is known for their budget friendly pricepoints so you can imagine how much more affordable their Black Friday deals are.  My mother swears by the efficacy of the Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion at keeping her wrinkles at bay (she is in her 70s) and at $4 each, I swooped up 2 for her.  At these prices, it is a good time to try out other products in their lineup.  I have been curious to try out a lactic acid peel and as the Lactic Acid was a crazy $2 I picked that up as well as the primer for $3 and Pore Control for $10.  I wish I had bought more now as the prices were jawdroppingly easy on the wallet.  Also, I don't think there is a limit on quantity in the store as there is on line.  

Did you score any amazing deals?  Let me know in the comments so that I can live vicariously through you!

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!

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LBH Weekly Roundup: The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors, Aerolatte Milk Frother, Bialetti Moka Stovetop Espresso Percolator

Time for another Weekly Roundup!  You've heard me bang on about The Ordinary's Natural Moisturizing Factors.  I love the no nonsense moisturizing capabilities of it and I love its price even more.  However, I don't love the fact that I have to buy a new tube every few weeks.  At 1 fluid ounce, it just doesn't last for very long and it was constantly selling out at my local store so other customers were probably going through their tubes just as quickly.  At my last visit, it was a welcome surprise to see that a new larger 3.3 fluid ounce tube was being introduced.

It is only a couple of dollars more than the original smaller sized tube so it is still a great deal.  

This week I picked up a battery operated milk frother for Monsieur.

via Amazon

The Aerolatte Mooo comes in a cute black and white cowhide pattern although if the cuteness factor is too much for you it also comes in chrome, and black,  I got the travel version but it is also available with a stand in black here, and in blue here.  Now Monsieur can whip up some crema for his morning coffee.  Speaking of his morning coffee ritual, Monsieur uses the Bialetti 9 Cup Moka Stovetop Espresso Maker.

via Amazon

It is also available in a 6 cup size, a flashy 6 cup red, and a very Italian 6 cup tricolour.  The great thing about this brand is that you can get replacement parts for it like the handle, filter and gaskets and even the funnel.  When so many things these days are disposable and unrepairable, it is nice knowing that this simple appliance can be repaired.

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LBH June Monthly Favourites: The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension, Natural Moisturizing Factors, Hyaluronic Acid 2%

Welcome to another Monthly Favourites!  The standout for me this month is The Ordinary.  I dare say it is fitting that this Canadian company, which has taken the skincare industry by storm, should be my sole favourite for this particular month which leads into a celebration of Canada's 150th birthday.  Woohoo!  150 years young!  Happy Birthday Canada!

Natural Moisturizing Factors Moisturizer appeared in May's Monthly Favourites which you can read about here. I have also written about the Vitamin C Suspension here.  I am still using the Vitamin C as it is good for combating hyperpigmentation caused by long sunny days.  I have cut back on the Moisturizer as I find I don't need as much moisturizer in the summer and added in something new, the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, instead.  Hyaluronic Acid is excellent for hydration as it can hold 1000% its weight in water.  There is a little glass pipette that administers drops of the acid.  I just sweep it over my face in the morning before applying makeup and it is enough hydration for me.  There is a slightly tacky feel to it which some may not like and it doesn't provide a lot of slip if you are one of those who like to throw in a bit of facial massage at the same time as you are moisturizing your face.  However, as a simple serum, it is perfectly adequate.

That is it for June!

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LBH May Monthly Favourites: Bordertown, Shetland and The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors Moisturizer

It is time for another Monthly Favourites!  Yet again, I have been binge watching shows on Netflix.  The thing about Netflix is that it is so vast that it is a crap shoot what you might come across.  In my thirst for Scandi Noir, I stumbled upon "Bordertown" (also known as "Sorjonen"), a Finnish crime drama.

The central character, Kari Sorjonen, reminds me of "The Bridge's" Saga Noren or even Sherlock Holmes, in that he has more than a few quirky personality traits that tend to rub the people around him the wrong way.  The difference here is that, rather than the usual trope of the antisocial, eccentric but brilliant detective, he has a wife and daughter so is actually able to have functioning personal relationships.  I must admit that a big draw of this show is the Finnish landscape which should be given its own credit as a supporting cast member.

Another crime drama I have been binge watching is the BBC's Shetland.

Who knew that there could be so much crime on an island?  I found Season 1 to be a bit of a slog.  I am glad I stuck with it as I feel that the writers and actors hit their stride by Season 3 and were feeling a lot more comfortable with the characters and the storyline(s).  And again, the island scenery is breathtaking.

Lastly, I repurchased The Ordinary's Natural Moisturizing Factors plus HA moisturizer which is always a good sign.  I am not sure if it is because I know that it is so affordable so I am quite generous with its application or if the 30 ml in the tube just doesn't go very far but I used up my first tube in 2 weeks. 

And that's it!  Join me on June 1st as I kick off 30 Days of Wellness, a challenge to try to achieve a better state of wellbeing through achievable, actionable steps.  I am feeling really nervous about it and am wondering if I have set myself an unrealistic goal.  I think I am going to need a lot of virtual handholding!

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LBH Weekly Roundup: Starbucks Frappuccino Happy Hour, The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors Moisturizer

Oh bliss, Sbx brought back the Frappuccino Happy Hour for a limited time.  Frappuccinos were half price which saw me dutifully trotting over to get my fix of my favourite frappuccino, the Strawberries and Cream with whipped cream on top, of course.

Surprisingly and delightfully, there is no coffee or tea, for that matter, in the Strawberries and Cream frap at all.  The best way that I can describe it is that it is like a creamy, upmarket strawberry milkshake.  Monsieur is very relieved that Happy Hour has come to an end.  There is nothing more likely to put a dent in one's enjoyment of a delicious treat than to have one's significant other bleating continuously in one's face about one's other significant other (repetitive alliteration here!) aka "The Hideous Muffin Top."  The only way to silence the bleating is to slurp vociferously through the stainless steel straw. Haha! Hands up if your SO also has the temerity to engage in the same annoying behaviour.  Never mind.  Me, my Strawberries and Cream Frappuccino and the Red Rocket passing by.  A perfect afternoon in Toronto, thank you very much.

I have had a few pesky dry patches appear on my face recently.  I think this is due to my enthusiastic application of Ole Henriksen's Invigorating Night Transformation Gel which has exfoliating properties.  I was in need of a straightforward moisturizer and picked up The Ordinary's Natural Moisturizing Factors with HA Moisturizer. 

When I say it is a straightforward moisturizer, I mean just that.  It is a simple moisturizer that does only one thing, which is hydrate.  There are no anti-aging benefits, smoothing out of skin tone, spf or similar.  But for the price, $5.80 CAD, it can't be beat.  There is no fragrance and it absorbs quickly and easily.  It is recommended that serums be layered with it for extra hydration and if you want to customize your skincare regimen for a more complex formulation.  The website has some advice on how to mix and match their one-note products for those customers who do not possess a PhD in chemistry, which let's face it, most of us don't.  I have been layering the moisturizer with Ole Henriksen's Truth Serum but have been eyeballing The Ordinary's Buffet Serum as a replacement once I run out of Truth Serum.  So far, I am pleased with The Ordinary's moisturizer.  It hasn't made me breakout and it doesn't have the eyewatering laboratory smell that Indeed Labs' Fillume has.   Have you tried The Ordinary's moisturizer?  And if yes, how is it working for you?

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The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% and Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% Review

I was very naughty last summer.  The CC cream with SPF 30 that I had been using had run out and, instead of getting a replacement, I thought I would slum it and just use a bit of concealer with a daily moisturizer that had SPF 15.  Big mistake.  An SPF 15 might be all right for periodic exposure to winter sun but is woefully insufficient as protection against the glare of an angry summer sun.  The result was that by the end of the year, I had a face covered in freckles and sunspots.  Wah!  Vitamin C has a proven track record at tackling uneven skin tone but the prices of quality Vitamin C serums, meaning ones with a high percentage and a stable formulation, will give you a heart attack right on the (sun)spot.  I had been hearing a lot of buzz about The Ordinary, a skincare line by The Abnormal Beauty Company with targeted ingredients and a price point that will make you salivate but all the buzz seemed to be coming out of the UK.  So, naturally, I assumed that they were a UK brand.  I was so sad and resigned myself to making reluctant friends with my sunspots.  It was quite by chance that I discovered the line is manufactured in Canada and that a freestanding store had opened, quite literally, down the street from my home!

You can bet that I made tracks there so fast that I left smoke trails behind me.  I picked up the Vitamin C Suspension 23% with HA Spheres 2% and the Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%.  And the price you ask?  The Vitamin C was an astoundingly low $5.80 CAD and the Azelaic Acid $7.90 CAD.  At this point, I really do have to give props to them for coming out with a skincare line that is so easy on the wallet.  In all seriousness, even those on very, very tight budgets want and need to feel good about their skin.  Whether you are a poor student battling pimples from too many late nights cramming for exams and scarfing chocolate bars or a middleaged woman on a fixed income dealing with menopausal skin that has decided to undergo its own midlife crisis, I think that an affordable skincare range that delivers is such a blessing.  In a weird way, their philosophy of "clinical formulations with integrity" is the skincare equivalent of Everlane in terms of transparency and delivering a product without a lot of marketing faff.  A word of warning, you do need to have a chemistry degree or a pretty good understanding of how the ingredients work alone and in combination to navigate their line.  I read over their website very carefully before going in to the store which helped a lot although the website can make you think you have stumbled across the syllabus of a Chemistry 101 class and cause even more confusion and angst.  The store is a reflection of the line with its exposed brick walls and simple industrial shelving.  If you are one of those skincare mavens that loves lots of pampering with chandeliers, satin, ribbons and over the top, vague promises, then this might not be the place for you. But if you are a cosmesceutical junkie, then you will take to The Abnormal Beauty Company like a duck to water.

I have been using both lotions for 2 months now with the Vitamin C on my face and the Azelaic Acid on my hands and feet.  The packaging of the Vitamin C warns that a slight tingling sensation can be expected but, unless I really slap it on, I don't feel anything.  It could be my skin has acclimatized to vitamin acids after years of prescription strength Vitamin A but I stopped Vitamin A years ago because I couldn't stand the constant peeling and flaking anymore.  I think my skin just reacts better with Vitamin C.  Within 3 days, I noticed my skintone was so much brighter.  I still have the freckles but I do think it helps to fade a tan.  I wear bareMinerals Complexion Rescue tinted cream with SPF30 during the day as I do think it is important to use a high SPF whilst tackling sun damage.  I tried the Vitamin C under the tinted moisturizer but the moisturizer balled like mad so I switched to using the Vitamin C at night.  I was told by the store clerk that the Azelaic Acid is slower at tackling uneven skin tone.  The tan lines on the tops of my feet caused by wearing sandals all summer did fade away but I wasn't sure if it was because I wear boots all winter or because of the Azelaic Acid.  I tried the Azelaic Acid under the tinted moisturizer in the daytime but it caused balling as well.  All in all, I am really impressed and went back to buy a second tube of Vitamin C.  I am really curious to try the Lactic Acid as I have never tried an acid peel before and I have heard that lactic acid is very mild and a good introduction into the genre. I am even tempted to give their retinoid offerings a go. Have you tried anything from The Ordinary?  If so, what are your impressions?

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