Foundation review

While I was using MAC for about two years I decided to branch away from it, even if I could return my empty bottles for a free lipstick. I just didn’t like it anymore. Everyone gets sick of their old-faithful right?

So while I was deciding on what I wanted to invest in next, I took a good year off expensive makeup and decided to buy a bottle of cheap drugstore brand: Rimmel foundation. Sure the coverage was great, and I ended up buying two more bottles of it when it went on sale. It just didn’t look good after a few hours, and it certainly didn’t photograph well. Not that that matters incredibly too much, because I’m not going to be featured in any magazines anytime soon.

I have been looking for my holy grail foundation for a long time. So I read some reviews, talked to a few people and watched continuous youtube videos. A month or two ago I popped into the Bay and sat down at the Chanel counter. I know, stop right there, hey?  Look – I’m getting older now (lol) and I can afford to splurge once in a while on a new product to try out. Plus, I’m giving you all feedback on it too! So, she started taking off some of my makeup towards my chin/neckline and kept having to guess my shade as she was wiping it off. Turns out, I think I’m one of the lightest colors they have, #10 Nude. I guess all that bronzer I pile on, definitely darkens me up :) (Tanning beds are forbidden in my vocab!). All I wanted was to get color matched that day, so as soon as she was done I said thanks and then left.

Then, while I was in Toronto I decided to pick up Laura Mercier’s starter kit and try it out. Then a few weeks later I decided to pop into The Bay and get color matched at the Chanel counter.

To quote the Chanel website, the “oil-free formula imparts an unprecedented semi-matte finish that can be blended for a soft, natural look or built up for greater sophistication.” I’m pretty much going to have to agree with them on that. The makeup artist demoed using a kabuki brush to apply it, which does impart a nice, soft finish. However, I think I still prefer to use a regular ol’ foundation brush instead. Less work, still looks soft. I immediately LOVED the finish, which is just matte enough to keep things from getting totally shiny mid-day, but not so matte as to look like cardboard (hate that!). Cream blush blends amazingly on top, a light dusting of loose powder makes everything look perfectly finished, and my skin looks like skin, not skin covered in makeup. No settling, no excessive mid-day shinies. However after a few months of use, I’m probably getting more tanned on my face. So the makeup doesn’t match as well as it did. The coverage is fine, but it has a watery consistency. The Chanel counter lady told me I would barely need a pump of foundation. I have no idea what I’m doing wrong, but I often use more than that. Maybe that’s why my makeup wears off and looks cakey at the end of each day, no matter what I wear. Disappointing, especially seeing how expensive it is. I often mixed the two (Chanel + Laura Mercier) together, which gave me a nice finish. But I thought that was a bit weird, mixing it…

Laura Mercier is fantastic, only when you use a buttload of it. It’s tinted moisturizer, and I found that applying my concealer first (I usually do that after foundation), I have been using less. Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer is very  well known for giving people that dewy look without making you look oily. I love it, but I think I may have to go for the foundation itself instead of the moisturizer. The annoying thing about this is that I can’t buy it online at Sephora as some restrictions with the SPF in it, they have with Canada/USA selling it to us. But! I can buy it in Toronto.  But I don’t know how often I’ll be going to Toronto.

I probably will not be re-purchasing the Laura Mercier (because of the difficulty of getting my hands on it), or Chanel (for the price). I may hit up the NARS counter, or the Makeup Forever line. Holy grail, you have not been discovered yet. 

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Puppy bed

I did a post not too long ago when I was contacted by CSN stores to pick and item out from their ginormous website, and I reviewed my cooling rack here? Well in June I was contacted again! Love this company.

It took me forever to pick out another item because every store they have listed has thousands of products. I ended up going with a dog bed for Alfie. It’s a Faux Suede and Tipped Berber Round Comfy Cup® in Tan Carolina Pet Company. It’s pretty swanky looking hey? It also comes in a few other colors, but I thought the tan would be classic looking and would go with basically anything in the apartment.

I was positive that Alfie would enjoy this new dog bed of his, as he likes his comfort. It arrived on Friday and I didn’t get a chance to open it and let Alfie have at it until Monday around lunch time.

I decided to document this meet and greet with a new smelling bed.


He wasn’t so sure on what it was for, and if it was even for him. I kept telling him good boy when he was sniffing it and putting his paws up on it.

Rolling around and getting his scent all over the bed.

Clearly, he quickly got used to it and laid on it while I ate my lunch.

It’s huge, fluffy and so comfortable. I got the smallest size, and it was massive. Perfect! I was worried it would be too small, but then again Alfie is only 5lbs. At first he thought it was a toy and started chewing on it like everything else he does.

I decided to take it away from him if he was going to end up destroying it. The bed is such great quality that I didn’t want him to chew it up within the first week. If he keeps acting that way I’m going to have to wait til he’s older to hand it back to him.

Git off you silly kins!

Alfie. DO NOT CHEW.

“Sorry momma”

However, the next morning I put the bed back on the floor, and he did end up gnawing at it again,  until I scolded him and said “AH AH!”.

I think then, he decided it was safe and fine to sleep/sit on, because I left him alone for a few minutes — came back and he was sucking on his bed.

Cuddling into his bed…

…and looking at me.

My other dog Peepers (RIP) used to do this to her toys. I mean, Alfie does this to his bed when he’s inside his crate. But maybe he knows that this too is his bed? Gotta say though, it’s a little strange.

So Alfie and I wanted to say THANK YOU…

…to CSN Stores for having the opportunity to try out the adorable dog beds from Simply Dog Beds.

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DownEast Basics

Since I’m from “Down East” (Eastern Canada, Newfoundland to be more specific), I was automatically drawn to the online store DownEast Basics for some fashionable yet casual clothes for either work or weekends.

I was excited when they sent me a tee from their new arrivals section of their site. This is called the Fancy Tee online and retails in the store for $16.99. As for the fit of the shirts? I requested a size small and probably could have easily gotten an XS. I usually never opt for an extra small because often times I’m not that size.I ended up getting my regular size, in a small — however when I wore it for a full day it seemed as though I could have easily asked for the XS and have it be totally fine, I guess it’s a big make.

The top is really pretty but when I saw neckline on the Fancy Tee online it looked different that it does in person. Online the fancy tee looks like the seams on the neck are just sewn with some satin peaking through, but in person it’s raw edges and a lot of layers of cotton/satin. It’s kind of neat really. But I thought I would let you guys know!

DownEast Basics is pretty rockin’, I have to say. This top would be super cute running errands and maybe even dressed up with some white pants and accessories and you could easily pull this off in a casual work environment. Like any working female, I like to look good for work or “play”. I usually end up putting together a whole weeks worth of clothes together on Sunday night. I definitely would like to get more clothing from DownEast basics, mainly because the store is stylin’ and fits right within my budget. Not too expensive either.

Since I am quite incompetent with putting together outfits, I liked how DownEast Basics’s store works, online. Everything is paired up with one another, so it’s not just showing a model wearing the tee, or just the skirt. You’ll see her wearing accessories, and even carrying purses. That right there gives me tons of ideas on what to pair items up with.

There is such a diverse selection on the Down East website that it would appeal to anyone of any age for that matter, as the styles just aren’t simply “one set style”. They’re classic pieces that could be worn for more than just one season. Also? So fabulous that you have a variety of accessories, bags and even SWIM wear!! The perfect one stop shop for me. Plain and simple. The site is so easy to navigate, even if a person (like my Mother) just getting into online shopping would find this site easy to search and find what they’re looking for.

Now tell me something. What is a review without a giveaway for my readers? I know you guys love freebies and having a chance to win something fun from DownEast Basics! However the item you pick out must be from the new arrivals section.

I’m not going to make you jump through hoops. But if you want additional entries for this contest, just read the rules and follow! Your first comment is basically free, see below!

Rules and Regulations:

  1. Comment once and tell me if you won, which item would you pick from the New Arrivals section?
  2. Comment again if you become a fan of DownEast Basics on Facebook
  3. Comment for the 3rd time if you follow DownEast Basics on Twitter
  4. Last comment? Tweet or Blog about this giveaway!
  5. Contest will be open to residents of the USA and Canada
  6. Contest will close 12 noon EST, July 5, 2010. Additional entries after that will not be counted, and deleted at a later time.
  7. Winner will be drawn from random.org

After this review/giveaway, the winner you choose will not be eligible to win another DownEast giveaway on my blog for at least 90 days.

Once the winner is selected, I will request they send me an e-mail with what they would like (from the New Arrivals section) in the color/size + shipping information. I will contact DownEast Basics and send them the information! :)

Wahoooo giveaways are fun! Good luck all. Remember, if you don’t win there’s always next time. Giveaways on spiffykerms.com are a super fun regular occurrence!

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