I didn’t like Dior Nude Air foundation

Dior-Nude-AirThe struggle is real to enjoy this product and I never thought I’d say I didn’t like a Dior foundation, especially since they make one of my holy grail foundations, but it’s true.

020-Nude-Air-foundationI’m not entirely sure how to describe my skin type any more. I feel like I can sometimes be oily in the t-zone, but for the most part it’s dehydrated which can be mistaken for dry skin. Which I suppose in reality it sort of is pretty dry.

Dior Nude Air with SPF 25 (love that!) launched in February and is markted at a fresh complexion that breathes. While I love the consistency and ease of applying the product, it simply doesn’t perform well on my skin. It makes it look dry, and a little too matte looking for my liking. But the thing that puts it over the edge for me is that it clings to dry patches i didn’t know existed on my face. Gah!

Nude-Air-foundationI want to love it, because it’s the type of foundation I go for. A lightweight, apply-with-your-fingers effortless serum foundation to allow your skin to breathe. While all those claims are accurate: it sure is lightweight, and applies beautifully onto the skin, but doesn’t pair well, it just sits on top making it look dry.

So I’m not entirely sure what skin type this suits, but I’m betting it’s not mine. Here are some swatches of it onto the back of my hand (and obviously I have my self-tanner on so the shade 020 only matches when I’m not that dark. Duh). Dior-Nude-Air-foundation-on

Disclaimer: The Dior Nude Air foundation was sent for review. All opinions are obviously my own. 

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Aesop Skincare

aesop-store-sfSan Francisco is lucky enough to have two Aesop store locations. One being in Pacific Heights (2450 Fillmore Street), and the one we visited was in the Marina/Cow Hollow at 2146 Chestnut Street. Ahem, might I add you think I’m right up on the lingo, but I simply Googled their locations to see which one I actually went to. Because it was that long ago (March) when I visited last, that I don’t really remember what street name I was on, until good ol’ Google helped me out.

Aesop-Chestnut-StI have heard many a person (more like Beauty Guru’s on YouTube) chat about Aesop haircare and skincare products over the past number of years, so it was a nice surprise to happen to come across it when walking on Chestnut Street looking for restaurants to eat at.

Here’s a snippet from the Aesop’s site itself on what they are about:

Aesop’s objective has always been to formulate skin, hair and body care products of the finest quality; we investigate widely to source plant-based and laboratory-made ingredients, and use only those with a proven record of safety and efficacy. In each of our unique stores, informed consultants are pleased to introduce our range and to guide your selections. 

i-love-aesopHonest to goodness, I squealed as soon as I saw the store name pop up right in front of my very eyes. The knowledgeable staff really took their time with me to find the perfect products based on my skin type.

aesop-wallEvery store is architecturally different. Apparently one of the NYC Aesop stores is made completely of old New Yorker newspapers. Like, the walls are newspaper can be lifted up and you can peek in and have a mini-read if you’d like. Wild, right?

aesop-stockAlthough many products are quite out of my price range, I did manage to pick up a lip balm and they threw in a bunch of samples while they were at it. Probably because I was so chatty with them, and kept taking photos of everything in the store, which I later explained to them, I was a blogger. They must’ve thought I was foolish. Wouldn’t blame them, really.

aesop-animalAesop truly has products for the entire family, pets included.

Aesop-testersTheir luxurious hand soaps and hand creams are my favourite products. This is a few of their testers hanging outside the store front. I’m seriously drawn to their apothecary-style, and simple design for packaging. That’s the Graphic Designer coming out in me. I went to a coffee shop in San Francisco that uses Aesop hand soap in their bathroom and was quite impressed! A bottle of this handsoap can run you $35, easily. One day I’ll be able to splurge like that…

aesop-gift-setsThey have gift sets available too.

Aesop-quoteHave you ever tried anything out by this brand? If so, what are a few of your favourite products? I’d love to try out more.

Aesop
2146 Chestnut Street, San Francisco, CA 94123

 

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The pop up Makeup Show SF

The Makeup Show is the largest pro-only makeup event in the United States dedicated to artistry, networking, community, inspiration and education. A few weeks prior to the event I received an invite to go to the blogger preview.

Um, YES I will be there!

So on August 29th I ventured out bright and early that Saturday morning to attend the pop up Makeup Show in San Francisco (not the full-size show, which I can only imagine how HUGE it can get). Perhaps I got a little lost trying to find cheap parking along the way, but ended up getting there still 30 minutes early with a pretty sweet parking spot that might’ve looked a little sketch. That’s what I call a success.

Bioderma at BeautyLishOf course, I wait in line for an American coveted product: bioderma micellar water. Although I’m Canadian and it’s readily available at many drug stores in Canada, I couldn’t help but line up at the Beautylish booth for the discount! I ended up picking up two mini’s because I don’t go through it that quickly since I use my purity by philosophy more often than Bioderma.

I’m telling you I wasn’t expecting it to be so incredibly busy and packed. Ladies and gents came prepared, with lists of what they wanted, what items cost, and lined up for the items on their want-list. I was in awe of it all, going around like a lost kitten trying to find its way. In fact, I even did my homework to scope out what brands would be there. But little did I know how busy it would be by the time I got around to shop and talk to all the brands I wanted to.

beautylish-buysI had no idea there was lipstick in that lipgloss package! I only discovered it as I was taking these pictures yesterday, ha!

I was in line paying for some Senna Cosmetics that cost $1.00 each (!!!), and the woman ahead of me ordered pretty much 10 of everything, if not more. I casually mentioned to her that she must like their products (considering I had never heard of the brand before), and she reported back to me in her soft voice that she came all the way from Africa, and needed to stock up. WHAT?! I looked down, and sure enough she had a rolly-suitcase with her by her side, stocking up on makeup. Holy f-bomb.

I ended up leaving earlier than I expected. You guys are probably sick and tired of me talking about my on-going hive situation, and I certainly hope it’s not part of my regular life, having chronic hives all the time. But it has a little bit to do with why I didn’t stay too long at the event that Saturday. The place ended up getting so packed that we were shuffling our feet trying to wiggle our way in and out of the crowd. I talked with a few brands, but not before they started looking at me a little odd. I headed to the washroom shortly after, only to realize my hives were out in full-force and add to that? I had blood shot eyes! It was embarrassing to say the least, so I ventured out of there and headed home. Unfortunately I totally forgot Make Up For Ever was there and had 40% off their stock. UGH! I missed out on picking up my favourite mascaras from them!

I also left before seeing a few people who were supposed to make an appearance, Cassandra Bankson of Diamonds and Heels, Cora Alvillar of Vintage or Tacky, and Makeupby_ev21.

Regardless of the hive-sitch, I had an awesome time sitting in on a talk with celebrity makeup artist, James Vincent as he showed us some of his favourite products at the pop-up and gave us an exclusive sneak peek of this year’s show. We even received this huge bag of goodies to take home with us. Look at it all!makeup-show-sf-haul

Have you ever been to a makeup show? 

What is your favourite brand for mascara? What about foundation? 

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