Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette: A Review

The Urban Decay Naked Basics palette has definitely become a staple in my makeup stash. It features six beautiful shadows - five mattes (Foxy, Walk of Shame, Naked 2, Faint, and Crave) and one satin finish (Venus). If you are like me and wear mostly neutral eye looks, you will love these shadows! They have a super smooth texture and apply like a dream, and blending them is hassle-free. I can also skip on using an eye primer because these shades literally do not budge or fade throughout the day. Added bonus right there! ;)

Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment

I am always on the lookout for a good zit zapper and I had heard some pretty good reviews on the Advantage Acne Spot Treatment from Clean & Clear. I decided to pick it up and give it a go since it sounded promising.

Rimmel 60 Seconds Nail Polish in Caramel Cupcake

A few weeks ago I was reading through my blog list and saw that Mademoiselle Josee had dedicated a Nail of the Day post to Rimmel's 60 Seconds nail polish in Caramel Cupcake (#311). I fell in love with how the polish looked on her nails... it is the perfect nude! Low and behold, the shopaholic in me hunted it down the next time I was at the drugstore. I seriously cannot stop looking at my nails whenever I have this on, it has a such a nice sheen to it!

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution

If you are like me and are really into skin care, surely you've heard of the French brand Bioderma. Not only is Bioderma popular in Europe but it now has also made it big in North America, and here in Canada it can even be found at the drugstore (OH YES)! I had always heard such amazing things about their micellar solutions. For those of you who don't know, micellar water is basically a no-rinse molecular mix that breaks down once in contact with the skin as it melts off impurities without leaving the skin oily or dry. Bioderma has many different waters formulated for different skin types, and I decided to pick up the Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution which targets people with sensitive skin.

One Year Blogiversary Giveaway Winner!

Hi Everyone! This is just a quick post to announce the winner of my One Year Blogiversary Giveaway!

June Empties

I haven't done an empties post in quite some time, and having collected quite a few bottles, I decided to share with you some of the stuff that I have used up recently! :)

Easy DIY Patriotic Face Mask: Protecting your Skin from Harmful UV Rays

Michelle Pinto works at Skana Spa in Upstate New York and she was nice enough to want to share with my readers this easy, all-natural, do-it-yourself hydrating mask recipe to keep our skin nice and moisturized in the summer. Take it away, Michelle!

Perhaps you have noticed that Summer and the change in weather can reek absolute havoc on your skin. I find it can truly be a shocking affair for my delicate dermis!  Suddenly there is more exposure to the suns UVA and UVB radiation, more sweat means more dirt and oil trapped in the pores, elevated body temperature means blood vessels are working overtime to send more blood to the surface and cool you down, then you splashing around in the pool or at the beach and strip your skin of its natural oils and moisture; next thing you know, you are a red hot mess!  

I have found that attentive skin care during the summer months really pays off. Don’t get me wrong, I love having a “summer glow”, but damage from the elements, no thank you. By the 4th of July (and for us Canadians July 1st), summer is reaching its climax.  No longer just warm, it is hot, family and friends are gathering for BBQ’s, swimming and fireworks and a lot of pictures are being taken.  I want beautiful, hydrated and glowing, soft skin at our Independence Day BBQ! Is that too much to ask? I deserve to have control over my skin at this point in the summer and so do you.

Here is a great DIY hydration mask recipe from the experts at Skana Spa of New York resort, Turning Stone with some patriotic flair that might just save the day, or maybe at least save our skin for all of those photos with family and friends at the big Patriotic Day BBQ.

Red, White & Blue Face Mask

Ingredients:

• Plain yogurt

• Honey

• Mixed berries

• Lemon juice

(source)

Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara

Lately I have been trying out a ton of mascaras from the drugstore and I have been loving every single one of them for different reasons! The latest one that has won me over is the Maybelline Illegal Length Fiber Extensions Mascara which I got in Very Black- it truly makes my lashes look so full and long!

Perfect Nude Summer Makeup Look with Rimmel!

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client.

With summer just around the corner, I always like to lighten up on makeup since the heat can make my face look like a disaster after spending too much time in the sun, especially since summer days where I live can be extremely humid and can cause a melting episode if I am not careful with the products I use. The nude makeup trend is really in right now and I find it to be the perfect way to achieve a nice, light wash of colour all over my face. Champagne, taupe and light brown shadows really flatter the eyes, while pink blushes and dark bronzers add a nice dimension to the cheekbones and provide a nice overall healthy glow to the skin. Rimmel London has a wide selection of cosmetics that are really great if you are looking for affordable makeup that is pigmented and long-lasting. I got to pick out a few of their products at Walmart and came home with 6 items that are just great to achieve a wearable nude look for the summer! :)

Products I got from Walmart:
Rimmel Clean Finish Foundation in Soft Beige (#240)
Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder inTransparent (#001)
Rimmel Match Perfection Blush in Medium/dark (#004)
Rimmel Glam'Eyes Quad Eye Shadow in Romantic Coll (#018)
Rimmel ScandalEyes Show Off Mascara in Black (#001)
Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick by Kate Moss in Rossetto (#113)