Benefit Brow Bar

When Benefit opened their Brow Bar in Sephora at Halifax Shopping Centre, I was intrigued. I lurked around a few times, seeing what it was all about. Then when I saw the sign that said all the proceeds from the brow wax services in May go towards womens' charities, I knew it was time to act!

You can make an appointment if you want, but I just walked in and was served right away. They have a dedicated spot near the back of the store. All the tools they need are right there, including a ton of Benefit brow products and concealers.

This was the "after" shot. It was spotless before she started on me!

Perched on my pretty stool, I let Madison go about her meticulous work of "mapping" my brows. She used various landmarks on my face to determine where my brows should start, end, and arch. Luckily, my brows are the right length naturally and generally well-behaved.

All mapped out!

Once my face was sufficiently drawn upon, it was time for the wax. Truthfully, it was almost painless, and my brows hadn't been waxed in many months (oops). Once my brows were shaped, it was time to conceal the redness and fill them in to perfection. The whole process took about a half an hour, which sounds long, but I MUCH prefer a precise brow wax rather than a five minute paint and rip routine. It's $24, tax and tip included.

The finished look

Benefit is coming out with a bunch of new brow products in June to add to their already extensive collection. If you want to get some great brows and help empower women as well, get your brows done this month with Benefit! Thanks Madison!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Me Day

A few hours on my own in the mall, and I definitely know how to spend them!

I'm pretty average in the make-up skills department. I love getting my make-up done by a pro and soaking up tips on how to use makeup to make it look natural. I especially need help in the foundation and concealer department since I've been using these more lately (thanks spotty skin). 

I had my face done at Sephora Halifax last weekend (free with my upgrade to VIB status), and I really loved my make-up artist Mary's skills. I have my eye on the few of the products she used, but I'm making a vow to myself to use more of what I have in my stick now before buying any more. I really liked the Urban Decay finishing spray. It made my skin look really fresh. My eyes were done with the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani palette.

Before leaving Sephora, I was sure to spritz myself with some perfume - Atelier Cologne Mandarine Glaciale. Usually, I visit the store during the week and I can't wear perfume to work. I haven't smelled the new CK2 yet, but I'm curious to!

After Sephora, I hit up the Aritzia sale (oops, I did again) and will be sharing a couple of new things I bought in a few weeks when I do my shopping budget post.

DAVIDsTEA was my next stop, to stock up on a few new teas to help get me through my 30 Days to Wellness (more on that in a later post). I picked up The Glow, Serenity Now, and Cinnimon Rooibos Chai (caffeine free).

Details

Vest: Club Monaco

Sweater: Old Navy

Hat: H&M

Pants: Uniqlo

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Bracelet: Gift

Boots: Town Shoes

All of that was accomplished in under two hours! A perfect amount of time to feel like I had a bit of a "Me Day".

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Little Loves Lately: May 2015

I seem to have a bunch of new products.... yay! I think a lot of it has to do with the Shoppers Drug Mart Optimum cash-in I did in April.

First up is a product I received when I went to Waxon to get my brows and lashes done. This body cleanser and scrub is by FAR the best shower product I've come across in a long long time. I love to exfoliate, especially in the summer when I'm usually under a moderate coat of sunless tanner. Sometimes you need to clear the canvas, you know? On the Rocks lets you skip the step of cleansing, because while it exfoliates, it cleanses too. I kid you not. The scent I have is Japanese Peppermint and Eucalyptus and it is soooo divine. It's really gentle as it's a sugar based formula.

This tiny little bit cleansed and exfoliated my entire body. Wow.

Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster is one of those products that is so genius it blew my mind. Why didn't I invent this? I hate putting sunless tanner on my face as it seems to always dry it out. I remember slathering on moisturizer the night before our wedding to make sure my skin looked okay for the big day. This is a concentrate that you mix in with your regular face moisturizer and it makes you TAN. Three drops is all it takes to get a nice glow, and you don't even need to apply it every night, so this little bottle is going to last a long time! Plus it's kind of like playing mad scientist when you get to mix it up in your hand.

When I had my hair dyed red, I had to change up my make-up a bit. The same eye colors I've always used still looked good (lots of bronze, brown, beige, and some purples) but my usual pink blush just didn't look right. Some YouTube browsing lead me to seeking out a coral blush. When I went to Sephora, I was a bit overwhelmed with the selection so I asked for help and was shown three different brands. This was the one I liked the best - Sephora Colourful in the shade "oh my gosh".

It is SO bright in the case and when you swatch it, but when applied with a light hand, it gives a lovely glow that complements my fair skin and red hair. I don't think I've ever in my life used up a blush... I just throw them out when they get old and start to crack!

Have you stumbled upon any great products lately?

Have a great weekend!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Review: Forea Luna Mini

I love trying new things. I could spend hours wandering around Sephora, picking up every tube, jar, and box. I don't even care if I buy anything necessarily. My favorite days are when a consultant comes up and offers me a sample of what I'm looking at. Yay! Sometimes I'm too shy to ask for samples.

Certain things can't be sampled though, and that includes this next little gadget. The Forea Luna Mini is a skin care tool that would be in direct competition with the Clarisonic (which I've never tried). My reasoning for wanting to try the Luna Mini is I really like the idea of having every last bit of makeup removed. I ALWAYS take off my makeup before going to bed. Being on the other side of 35, I also want to be sure that the skin care products that go on after cleansing are being absorbed fully, which apparently doesn't happen if your skin isn't properly cleaned.

So why not Clarisonic? I did some research and realized that with Clarisonic, you have to buy replacement heads. The Luna Mini has no heads to replace. I also didn't like the idea of what might be lurking in the Clarisonic bristles, no matter how well you rinse them. 

I had a decision to make with the color, as it comes in several shades. The turquoise won. It matches our countertop.

I've been using the Luna Mini for about two months now, and I haven't had to recharge it. I wet my face, apply my cleanser of choice directly to my face, then turn on my mini. When you turn it on, it buzzes for about 15 seconds and then there is a pause, which prompts you to move on to the next section of your face. I do left side of chin and left cheek, right side of chin and right cheek, nose, and then forehead last. After one minute it pauses three times, and then I turn it off. I don't use it to take off eye makeup. I do that after using the Mini, with a dedicated eye makeup remover. 

I rinse my face well with water, then pat dry with a towel. 

So, what do I think of it? 

I like it! Admittedly, I don't have what you'd consider "problem skin". I'm not prone to breakouts, nor do I have oily skin or large pores. Since there wasn't really anything I was trying to fix, I can't speak to how well it resolves skin issues. I can say that it makes my skin really soft and feel super clean. I'm glad I bought it, and I will absolutely continue to use it, but if it broke, I don't know that I'd rush out to replace it unless I noticed issues with my skin after stopping it. 

Here's a photo of what I'm using right now for my skin at night. 

Washing face: Luna Mini and either Body Shop Nutriganics Foaming facial Wash or Peter Thomas Roth  Anti-aging Cleansing Gel

Treatment: Either Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum in Oil or Ole Henrickson Pure Truth Youth Activating oil

Moisturizing: Body Shop Nutriganics Smoothing Night Cream

Eye cream: Body Shop Nutriganics Smoothing Eye Cream

Do you use a facial cleansing tool? Please share your opinion!

The Luna Mini retails for C $159 at Sephora.

XOXO

Glitterary Girl

Little Loves Lately: 12/22/14

If you're scrambling for last-minute presents for someone who loves girly things, I have some ideas for you! It's been quite some time since I've shared the products that have been on high rotation in my routine.

Sephora VIP Pass Eyeshadow Palette

So, this is no longer available on-line, but I managed to find mine in-store a few weeks ago. Who knows if there are any left....

This was basically too cute to pass up for $12. It's tiny (smaller than my hand), lightweight (perfect for stashing in your purse when you need to change your look from day to night), and comes with eight neutral colors (most which have a bit of shimmer to them). I'd also never tried Sephora brand shadows, so it was a good way to give them a test.

I've used this palette three or four times since I bought it. Most of the colors have a bit too much shimmer for me to use them on a normal work-day, but I love the colors in this kit for a night out. The matte shades are definitely do-able for daylight too.  They seem to have good staying power and good pigmentation. A great mix of light and darker shades as well.

It would be worth stopping by your local Sephora to see if they have any of these left!

Make Up Forever HD Complexion Starter Kit

This was a purchase I made before the wedding. I wanted a "real" foundation for Vegas, as I normally just use BB creams. I'd heard a lot of really good things about this foundation, so I decided to give the complexion starter kit a try.

The kit comes with a full size foundation, a nice kabuki brush, a small primer, and a small powder. I love everything about this kit! Well, except for the price, but it actually is worth it. Used together (with some concealer - not an item included in the kit) these products can give a flawless face.

I think this would be a great kit for anyone looking to find an easy to use foundation. I think I'll buy a blender sponge soon or a nice foundation brush for applying the liquid as the kabuki included (a beautiful brush by the way!) is really just for the powder.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Sink In Moisture Mask

My skin has been described by estheticians as dehydrated. It's not dry or flaky, just prone to looking dull and tired... not a great look. I struggle with my fluid consumption, especially since getting my Invisalign braces.When I'm wearing them, I can't drink anything but plain water (which I don't love less it's super-cold).

On recommendation from one of the sales associates, I decided to try this mask. I got it half off (40% off sale plus my Love Your Body discount).

I've been using this once per week. I apply thin to medium layer at night, just like a moisturizer. You can tissue it off after a bit or leave it on (I leave it on). The next day, my skin is very noticeably softer and looks more plump and healthy. This got rid of my post-cold dry patches around my nose too!

Given the time of year, I think this would make a great addition to your skin weapons against winter.

Christmas is just around the corner... three more sleeps! I hope all of my blog readers have a wonderful holiday! I'll be taking about a week off from blogging and will return with some holiday outfit looks just in time for New Year's. 2015 should be an exciting style year as there are rumours of several fun stores coming to Halifax (Urban Outfitters, Zara, and Brandy Melville to name a few).

Merry Christmas!
XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Tuesday Treasures: Lip Balm

It's that time of the week again to share your can't-live-without product and possibly find a new favorite!

This week the focus is on lips. This time of year, I find the wildly fluctuating temperatures make my lips extra sensitive and I have to reach for my balm more often. I'll share with you the three places where you'll find my lip balm (and yes I have three different faves...)

Location 1: Work.

Blistex Silk and Shine

In my desk drawer I keep a tube of Blistex Silk and Shine. I am the world's laziest lady at reapplying lip color throughout the day. This one moisturizes and gives a bit of shine to my lips which are sometimes bare by midmorning unless I've got a long-wearing lip color on.

Location 2: Nightstand



I wear this Smith's Rosebud Salve every single night and I've had it for over two years, so that tells you how far a little dab of it goes! I've seen lots of magazine articles with celebrities who swear by this stuff, and it is really good at moisturizing my lips. I've also used it on minor skin irritations with good results too.


Location 3: Handbag

Smith's Rosebud Salve in a Tube

I couldn't find the Strawberry one I have on-line, so the link/pic is for the original scent. It was bought on a whim one day at Sephora (those little bins near the cash are seductive) as I don't like sticking my germy fingers in the pots while I'm on the go. The Strawberry scent  is so yummy. I think I like it better than the rose one!

Share your treasure! What's your favorite lip balm?

Leave your choice below or come over to Glitterary Girl on Facebook and leave your pick in the comments section of the post.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Holiday Beauty Sets

I love the amazing holiday sets that stores have out right now. The deals are fabulous and it allows you access to a ton of products without breaking the bank. I'll share a few of my favorite sets with you, and maybe Santa will stash them under your tree!

Sephora Lash Stash

Buying mascara is always frustrating for me, because it's expensive and I always end up throwing it out when there is still a lot of product left. I actually prefer sample sized mascaras as I like the tiny wands and I don't feel wasteful as I finish the tube before it's time to throw it away (which is every two months FYI). This set would last me easily over a year.

MAC Stroke of Midnight Brush Set

MAC brushes are so great! I bought mine TEN years ago in a holiday set and they are still going strong! I like the holiday sets for brushes because they are more compact than the regular brushes and they come in a great case that is a good size for travel. The holiday brush sets are an amazing value - especially when you compare to how much the full sized brushes are bought separately.

The Body Shop Ginger Sparkle gift

I've been buying a lot of stuff from The Body Shop lately. I received the Ginger Sparkle body butter last year, and it's such an amazing winter scent... spicy and fresh at the same time. The Body Shop is constantly having sales. If something you want isn't on sale, just wait a few days, seriously.

Happy shopping... and have fun building your own wishlist!

XOXO

Glitterary Girl

Novel-Tea: Part 3

The Last Summer (of You & Me) by Ann Brashares was one of those books that contained phrases so powerful that they left a lasting impression. You know by now that it's not my style to reveal too much about the book for those who want to read it, so I won't get into specifics. The story takes place from the viewpoint of multiple characters, and there is some unrequited (or seemingly so) love involved.

And according to Charlie Brown: "Nothing takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited love."


For anyone who has been in this agonizing emotional state, you'll relate to this story. The main character made me mad in the middle of the book, but I forgave her by the end.


Ann Brashares wrote The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series too, which was awesome.


Tea time!


I'm not going to review a tea this time, but a tea accessory (you know how I love accessories). I bought a Timolino travel mug from DavidsTea recently. I loved the color and was told the colored ones sell out fast so I scooped it up. They always carry the black and silver, but I think the colors are a lot cuter.

It has a loose leaf infuser in the lid, so you boil water, pour it in the mug, put the tea in the infuser, then screw the lid on and steep it.

Pros of this mug:
1) Keeps the liquid hot or cold for hours. I mean HOURS. The first time I used it, I actually scalded my mouth because I drank the hot tea a half hour after I steeped it. Lesson learned. When I take tea to work, it's still hot at lunchtime.
2) Comfy and ergonomic.  It fits my hand really well and the rubbery stuff that lines the rim where you drink from is nice.
3) There's a hidden compartment in the lid that holds extra loose tea. If you want a second cup, just find some boiling water.
4) Easy to clean. It all comes apart so you can throw it in the sink. It's not dishwasher safe or microwave-safe.

Cons of this mug:
1) You can't grab it and go right after you put the tea in unless you have somewhere to dump the leaves. Or unless you like crazy-strong tea. Most teas take 4-7 minutes to steep and I doubt my fellow commuters into Halifax would appreciate me pulling off to the side to shake my leaves out the window. Not to mention, that's littering. So I have to make my tea in time to empty the leaves at home before I go.
2) The enamel scratches easily. Mine scratched the first day I had it. I put it in a side pocket of my lululemon work bag and it was rubbing against a snap. Now it has scratches all over it. Sure, it was dumb of me to put it against somethng that could scratch it, but in reality, people are going to throw their mugs into bags where there are scratchy things like keys, coins, and zippers. If anyone has any ideas for disguising my scratches, let me know! Stickers would wash off and nail polish would just scratch off again. I might put tape over my snaps so it doesn't get worse. Or I could just wait til the scratches all blend together and create a white stripe!

See the scratches about 1/3 of the way down?

I think the pros outweigh the cons and perhaps by the time mine needs replacement they'll make them more scratch-resistant.

Yesterday was my birthday.... so let's have some Birthday Cake Oreos! Happy 100th birthday Oreo (I'm glad I'm not as old as they are). I might save the bag just so I can smell it. Dee-lish.

To the left, you'll see my birthday present from Sephora. If you're a Beauty Insider, you get a free treat that you can pick up two weeks before or after your birthday. There's a Sephora at Halifax Shopping Center, lower level. 

This year's gift is a set of two mini Fresh Sugar lip treatments. One is clear and one has a your-lips-but-better rose tint. Both are awesome, but the full sizes are way expensive ($23 I think).  

XOXO
Glitterary Girl