Mini Sephora Haul | March 2015

One last haul for y'all this month! I went to Sephora, because how could I resist? I live 3 hours from the nearest store, so I usually have to order online. The opportunity to enter a store gives me the chance to test & swatch EVERYTHING, even if I have no immediate intention of purchasing.

I only picked up three things for myself (& one for my husband) while I was there & they're all little baby products!

 I got a mini Purity Made Simple by Philosophy 3-in-1 face cleanser, which I've only ever tried in a foil-packet sample but it left an impression on me. I love using this on days that I'm not going to wear makeup at all.

In addition, I picked up a new Urban Decay Primer Potion, which I use almost daily & don't even know what I did before I discovered this product. I only ever get the smaller version, mostly because even at this size it lasts for ages & I don't want to risk them going bad on me.

Lastly, I found this adorable little Bite Beauty duo in Musk/Lychee. One end is a pinky-nude & the other is a light rosy-pink. Both are nothing outrageous & mostly very "your lips but better" type colours.  Very flattering!

What are you lusting after at Sephora? Let me know!!

Cheers,
Kait

Lush Haul | March 2015

As per usual, whilst in the city I made my customary stop to Lush. What can I say - I'm addicted!

We actually ended up popping into two separate store because the first store's stock selection left MUCH to be desired. It wasn't the store I usually frequent & it won't be one I rush back into. But I did make it over to my usual Lush, where the staff is amazing and the shelves are always well-adorned with wonderful products, both new & old, to ogle.

Here are a couple of staples in my bathroom - Angels on Bare Skin & Jumping Juniper Shampoo Bar.  I've talked about Angels before in another post (here), but it is just the bomb. It keeps my skin "normal" and non-greasy. Which also means non-blemished.  As for that purple guy, he's a shampoo bar! Now I know some people find rubbing a bar-like object onto their hair weird, but trust me, if you have oily scalp issues - this is a life (& time) saver. & did I mention Jumping Juniper smells delish too? Cause it does.

This Avobath Bath Bomb is one of my standard purchases. It smells of lemongrass & springtime & happiness. It also has tons of avocado in it, which makes it super lovely for the skin! I picked up two of these, just because one is never enough.

& finally, something I have never tried (but have often smelled) - Karma Bubble Bar.  This smells like the signature Karma scent, all patchouli & lemongrass. It smells like fruity hippy & I love it. I'm actually quite obsessed with patchouli-scented things. This guy will do for a couple baths, because my tub is quite small, so twice the enjoyment!

What do you love to pick up at Lush?

Cheers,
Kait

Spring Bath & Body Works Haul | March 2015

Over the weekend, I took a quick trip up to the city for some shopping and a couple outings. It was fabulous! My husband & I had some great food, saw some old friends & had a great evening out at our favorite Irish pub.  We also spent an entire afternoon shopping! I hit up several stores, but one of my favorites when the seasons are changing is always Bath & Body Works.

As I have more than enough body-related products, we splurged on hand soap! This is such a weird thing for me, but my husband gets super excited to go sniff out some new soaps when the seasons change.  The B&BW store we go to also often has fun little games you can play upon entering (spinning wheels, draws, etc.) & this week's was Plinko! If you don't know what Plinko is, you obviously have not watched enough The Price is Right as a child. So for those of you who've sorely missed out, you take a disk & drop it though a maze of pegs & whatever square it lands in at the end is your price. We got 20% off - score! 

From Left to Right - 

Brazil Pinapple Punch Juicy Pinapple, Iced Melon & Spice serve up a tropical paradise.

This to me smells like red juice. Not good-for-you juice, no, that fake, sugary, turn your mouth red juice.  Which as an ingested substance I'm less excited about, being an adult & all, but to wash my hands with, this is fantastic!!

Spring Poppies & Picnics A yummy bouquet of strawberries, creamy raspberries & a touch of citrus

This is the first one we chose to use in our bathroom once arriving home.  It mostly smells like berries & happiness & springtime (there are literally multiple feet of snow outside right now). 

Sunshine & Lemons Soak up some rays with the scent of sparkling yuzu, juicy nectarines & sunshine musk

This one was my "kitchen pick". I love citrusy soaps for the kitchen & this one wasn't as overpowering as some straight up lemon dish soap smells. Lighter & fruitier. 

Maui Mango Mai Tai A refreshing beachside treat of sweet mango & juicy blood orange

This one's my fave. It smells exactly like what summer should, fruity, sweet & delicious. Like a vacation in an orange grove.

Honolulu Sun A sun-kissed getaway of fresh island coconut & Pacific Palm

This soap smells like sunscreen - and I love it!! 

Black Cherry Merlot An addictive blend of dark cherry, black cherry & sumptuous merlot

While this one is not a spring/summer smell, I've heard a lot about it so I had to give it a try. It smells absolutely divine! This is the only one that we could not find in the foaming variety (my preferred formula) - which to me notes just how popular this particular soap scent must be! 

If you're off to Bath & Body works, I recommend you giving Maui Mango Mai Tai & Black Cherry Merlot a chance. They are amazing (they all are, really)! 

Cheers,
Kait 

Staying Healthy Amid Negativity

While the idea of staying healthy and happy is a great one, in the world of the internet, it's easy to get discouraged and become hateful about the whole fitness/health community.  While lots of people are positive, motivating and inspiring, there are others who are not this way.  Have you seen images that are referred to online as fitspo (fit inspiration)?  It doesn't take more than a quick Google search to find that this is akin to thinspo - which is the driving force behind eating disorders (not the reason they begin, but the encouragement to continue).

 

Above are a couple examples of fitspo...the supposed inspiration to keep going, pictures of gorgeous, impossibly fit women with a saying overlay that may sound positive, but can be really detrimental to the mindset of those trying hard to be healthy.

Now I work out around 5 days a week and I try to eat as healthfully as I can, but I will also occasionally go out with my husband AND HAVE DESSERT, or skip a workout in favor of hanging out with my friends in the evening. Are these things going to kill me? Absolutely not. Are they productive to my healthy lifestyle? People who follow the Fitspo community would say no, but I say that they are very helpful to my lifestyle.  

It's more detrimental to think that you can consistently eat only clean, healthy food every day of the year. The thought that you will never get a piece of chocolate ever again is absolutely depressing & will eventually fall apart. Saying no to fun activities with friends because you HAVE to work out will also eventually backfire because you will come to resent working out if it keeps you from enjoying life. 

"Everything in moderation" & "variety is the spice of life" are two sayings that keep me motivated.  I don't go overboard with my quest for ultimate health and fitness, but I also don't go overboard with junk food. I keep things in perspective and you should too!

Cheers,

Kait

The Bedtime Tag

This is a tag I found on the Youtube. I saw the popular Youtuber FleurDeForce do it (maybe create it?) with TalkBeckyTalk. I thought it was super cute & not a subject that gets a lot of attention, so here are my answers!

1. What are you favourite pajamas?
Right now my favorite pjs are a gray flannel set with white branches & light pink hummingbirds on them. They are as snug as a bug. In the summer I generally wear shorts & a loose t-shirt or a nightshirt. 

2. Current bedtime reading?
The current book on my bedside table is "Teaching - It's Harder Than It Looks" by the Canadian comedian Gerry Dee. He was actually a teacher for about 10 years before going full into comedy & the anecdotes are absolutely hilarious & very relate-able to any teacher. 

3. What is on your bedside table?

• A lamp,
• 3 tea lights in lavender chamomile, 
• my radio/alarm, 
• some lotion, 
• my book, 
• & my phone (it charges when I'm in bed)

4. Favourite sleepy scent?
Lavender. Super relaxing (hence the candles)

5. What is your usual bedtime & wakeup time?
I usually go to bed around 10 or 10:30 at night. I wake up around 6 on my "early" work days & 7 normally. Yes I seriously need this much sleep - I chase small children all day. 

6. Top 3 bedtime products?

• Burt's Bees Peppermint Lip Balm
• Body/Hand Lotion (Brands vary - Olay & EOS right now)
• Sleepy-time tea (David's Tea makes some fantastic relaxing tea)

7. Your most common sleeping position?
On my side. 

8. Any strange bed time routines?

• My husband & I crawl into bed & watch an episode or two of a sitcom. Currently we are re-watching How I Met Your Mother. 
• While we watch our episode I slather my hands with the aforementioned lotion & sit in bed with my hands held up like a T-Rex. Maybe this is something lots of people do? Nevertheless, my husband thinks it's hilarious. 

9. Are you big spoon or little spoon?
Both, but if I get my way I'm big spoon. I can't really sleep when I feel trapped under someone's arms. 

I'd LOVE to read some other bloggers answers/ watch some more videos on this subject! Copy the questions, insert your answers & leave a link in my comments/ tweet me your posts @acadianbeauty - seriously!!!!

Cheers,
Kait 

Beauty Box 5 | February 2015

It's time to share what I received in my Beauty Box subscription for February (which actually turned up on March 4th in my mailbox). As usual, there are five items in the box, which costs $12 CAD plus $2.99 shipping - so around $15.

1, Marsk Mineral Eyeshadow inVanilla Frosting ($22.50 for 0.04 oz - which is full-sized!)
This was full-sized (although it's tiny!) so this is a very pricey brand - that I've never heard of. A pretty loose shadow in a iridescent white. I haven't checked this out yet, but I will probably use it as an inner corner highlight?

2. Revlon Colorstay nail polish in Red Carpet ($3.99 for a full-size polish)
A pretty deep red, of course full-sized. I don't have much to say regarding this, Revlon is a good nail brand that I have generally no issues with. It would have been nice to have received this box early enough to try it out for Valentine's Day.

3. Absolute New York lip balm in Bubblegum ($5.00 per full-sized tin)
Smells delicious, doesn't feel overly greasy & has a slight shimmer when applied. Sounds good to me! I have already tossed this in my work bag because I am always in need of something to rub on my lips quickly.

4. Avon Big Color Eye Pencil in Sunkissed (3.49 per pencil)
This is a cream eye shadow (that I'm not sure Avon even sells anymore) in a golden color. It's super pretty & will be a wonderful cream base for some gold eye looks. I've always been a fan of Avon eye cosmetics (their liners are wicked).

5. Freeman's Body wash in Cucumber,Melon & Ginseng (2.99 for 30 mL)
So this is obviously NOT full-sized...it is foil packet-y. Which is always less than great, but it's also a chance to check out a new body wash. Because of packaging, I don't even know what this smells like yet (I plan on opening it tomorrow), but as a rule I'm okay with cucumber-melon scents.

There was also a bonus $20 gift card for a brand called yourMinerals, which is a Swedish brand whose products are all conveniently a liiiiittle bit more than $20. The shipping to Canada is also around $15, so I doubt I will be using this gift, because it's a lot of money for an unknown brand. 

Soooo for 4/5 products being full, I am pretty content.  This box retailed for around $38.00 CAD, which is pretty great - better than last month's box! Also, this month's box contained exclusively things that I will absolutely use, which makes it even more worth the money!

Dharma the cat likes subscription boxes (she especially likes the snake paper things that come in them), do you like them?

Cheers,
Kait

5 Most Worn Products | February 2015

Time to share some of the products that I've not been able to put down during the past month!  Most of these things aren't "normal" makeup products in that they aren't colourful makeup products, but they all have a place in my heart. 

1. Color Whisper in Lust for Blush
This lip product is lovely. It is light, not terribly pigmented and super wearable. I do usually have to wear some sort of balm underneath to make it apply properly, but once it's on - watch out! It is a lavender-esque blush colour. Perfect for the month of love. Not a great wear time, but who cares - it's beautiful!

2. Lush's Tea Tree Water Toner
This toner makes my skin feel amazing. It smells like tea tree & it feels so soothing on my winter-worn face.  I use this twice a day & I have no regrets. Nothing else compares!

3. Elizabeth and James Nirvana White
Confession - I only have samples of this perfume, but I have literally worn this everyday. I adore it. It is perfect to wear during the day & the floral notes make me less sad that there is still a million feet of snow on the ground.  When I run out of samples, this will be purchased post-haste.

4, Urban Decay's Perversion Mascara
Another sample love. I have worn this mascara so much that I've worn it out. I can't wait to go up to the city in a couple of weeks so that I can buy the full-size of this mascara. It makes my lashes look so crazy good, I don't know if anything else compares!

5. Lotions - various
With winter on the East Coast of Canada comes dry, scaly, unflattering skin. I can't even speak to a specific lotion that I've been using because I've been using many different ones. Particularly, Nivea lotions have many good formulas & scents that I enjoy (but I've used Olay, EOS, Aveeno, Jergens...as well this month).

Do you have anything that you've been unable to quit this month? I'd love to hear about them (& probably try them)!

Cheers,
Kait