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I have oil skin. There is no way to get around it. When I was younger I used to have normal-dry skin. But one summer the oily T-zone came calling and I have been stuck with it ever since. I have tried many primer/foundation combinations hoping to find something that would prevent shine for as long as possible. In my job, I am lucky if I get time to pee sometimes and I just don't have time to blot and powder my face regularly. That's why I am just not impressed with products that promise to prevent shine for "up to 2 hrs!" IMO that is something a regular product should be achieving... not products for oily skin.

I have been using and loving the Revlon Colorstay for Oily skin for a while and really liking it. However, while I find that the finish you achieve when you first apply it is lovely and matte, it doesn't do a whole lot to prevent shine from breaking through. I have tried a few primers in my days from Smashbox, to Laura Geller, to the Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel. But all have either broken me out or done nothing to prevent my complexion from turning oily. For the last few days I have been using and really enjoying Philosophy's "Never Let Them See You Shine Velvet Touch Primer". The scent of this product is *amazing* and the texture it gives my skin is a great base for foundation. I do also believe that it is helping mattify my skin and so far it hasn't contributed to the current breakout I am experiencing. Brought on by the stress of writing my exam.



So, I have digressed for two whole paragraphs. The real rave is for the Origins Multi-Grain Makeup SPF 14. I have never purchased from them in the past and don't know anything about any of their other products, but I was intrigued when LisaSZ on YouTube reviewed it and had so many positive things to say about it. It has been on her Monthly Favourites a couple of times now, so when I passed the Origins counter in my local department store, I had to get a colour match and try it on.



This stuff is pretty impressive. When you first apply it, it leaves your skin matte, but not powdery and once buffed in and allowed to set, the finish is pretty flawless. I wore this stuff all day yesterday while running errands, trying on clothes in a hot overcrowded mall and taking a brisk walk and was really impressed when I checked my face at the end of it. I also reapplied it for a night out of dancing and had no problems with shine! I had my mini Too Face kabuki and MAC blot in my clutch ready to go and didn't need it once. I know it's too early for a decisive review, but so far so good. Also, as I mentioned, I'm currently in the midst of a pretty horrendous breakout, so it's not the best time to be judging any complexion related products. So I will update when my skin has *fingers crossed* calmed down.

Okay, I know I have had a long absence. I am going to try this again. I'm taking my last course exam tomorrow and that should free up some time for posting. I just wanted to give a quick tip I learned today on MUA. Microfiber dusting cloths make amazing wash cloths!!! I picked one up from the dollar store for $1.25 and it does such a great job at exfoliating and removing flaky dry skin from around my nose! I had been looking everywhere for muslin cloths and hadn't had any luck so I am so pleased to have learned this tip.

So, it's been over a month since i posted. It's not that I haven't been using, buying, loving make-up. I have just had quite a few distractions.

1. Exam for the course I am taking at work (which I passed!)
2. My birthday (June 12th I turned 25!)
3. Got a kitten (His name is Iggy and he is 3 months old)





I am working on a post about my MAC 15 pan pallet which should be up later today.

I have decided to make my first real post a "Things I am Loving at the Moment" entry. I think this is a good introduction to the kind of products I like.

1. Chi Silk Infusion



A lot of Bloggers have been talking about this product, and at first I wasn't really paying attention. But after about the fourth recommendation, I couldn't ignore it anymore.

I thought it would be hard to find after I popped in to my local Sally's and they didn't have any CHI products. But a few days later I stopped in at Trade Secrets on my lunch hour and low and behold, there it was. TS had it on sale for $19.99 Cnd (regular price $24.75) and I remember thinking it was a little expensive. But over the next week or so I found it at both Pharma Plus and Winners for $29.99 & $24.99 respectively.

I really love this product. Like the name suggests, it really does make my hair feel and look like silk. Since I colour my hair fairly dark, it can be pretty shiny and the Silk Infusion definitely plays that up. I tend to let my hair air dry at night and straighten it in the morning and I have noticed that after my hair has air dried, it is noticeably less frizzy and puffy. Many people have commented on the smell, remarking that it is too strong and "masculine". I do have to agree there, it definitely overpowers the scent of my shampoo and conditioner and any other products I put in my hair. Still it is not enough to put me off, I love the results too much. While the price is a little steep, you get 150 ml to work with and I have barely made a dent in the past 3 weeks.

2. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in SPF 20



I have been experimenting with TM for the last 6 months or so. I have really been working hard on my skin care regiment and have received good enough results that when my MAC Studio Fix Fluid fell on to the bathroom floor and shattered in to a million pieces I took it as a sign to move on to something a little lighter. Prior to getting my hands on the LM, I tried the Stila lluminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 & Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 20.



I had read favourable reviews on MUA for both products and they honestly didn't disappoint. If I were to purchase another Stila TM, I think I would go for regular vs. illuminating just because I own Benefit High Beam and can add it to any TM I own to make it illuminating when I need to. The PC was also a fine product. I just don't like the fact that I can only get it online.

I have been using the LM TM for about 4 weeks now and I am pretty pleased with the results. Until recently, LM wasn't carried in Canadian Sephora's and I had a friend pick it up for me on a trip to NYC. She bought it for me in Porcelain and so far it has been a good match.



Since my friend picked it up for me, I have been advised that Sephora is Canada is now carrying LM. So if I get hooked, I won't have to worry about tracking more of it down. All I will have to worry about is shelling out the $55 Cnd + tax. The word is still out on if I think the price is worth it.

3. MAC Mineralized Skin Finish in Perfect Topping

While I have been using and loving highlighters for about 4 years. I have been extremely late on the MSF band wagon. In the past I have used (and still use) Benefit Moon Beam and High Beam. I also own a MAC Iridescent powder in Belightful. This was my first powder highlighter and while it is nice, it is not very subtle. As you can see from the bad photo I have taken on my MAC Book camera. It is an iridescent lilac with sparkle. I really like this as a brow highlight in the evenings, but I think my money would have been better served buying a similar shade eyeshadow. You get so much product in this pressed compact and I doubt I will ever get around to using it all.




The MSFs by contrast are much more subtle and natural. No sparkles, just a natural iridescent glow.



I tried on a few colours at the store and the MUA tried to convince me on a darker bronzier colour. While I may go back and purchase that shade eventually...maybe for my trip to Mexico in August...Perfect Topping it a great every day natural highlight for my pale cool skin. The below pic was taken on my MAC Book with no TM or other make-up, just PT and a little mascara.

So I have had this account for a while but haven't posted since November of last year. I decided to delete all the old posts and start fresh. In the past few months I have really gotten in to the whole world of beauty blogs and YouTube videos, so this is going to be my attempt at a beauty blog. I do have a YouTube account under the same name, but I am only using it to manage the subscriptions I have at the moment. Maybe in the near future I will start posting my own videos...I am actually really excited about this endeavor. At the very least it will be a great place to post ideas, wish lists and pics of successful experiments.