Keeping Lips Soft & Hydrated in Winter

It’s happened. I knew it would eventually, but you always think maybe this will be the year we get skipped, maybe it won’t be so bad. No such luck, winter is here and I think it’s here to stay. So long cute heels, fall jackets and moisturized skin and hello winter boots, parkas and dry chapped lips!

 

My lips get incredibly dry during the cold months and as a result, lots of TLC is needed. We all know that the most important way to stay hydrated is by making sure we’re drinking water, but sometimes a little more help is required! I’ve found that one of the best ways to keep my lips looking and feeling soft and hydrated is to treat them overnight. Below I am sharing my favorite products that I make sure I always use before I go to bed so that I can wake up with beautifully soft and hydrated lips, no matter how low the thermostat dropped overnight!

 

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask – $30

 

If you haven’t tried these lip masks yet, you need to! (pro tip: you can ask for a sample at Sephora if you want to test it out first). Handcrafted with agave nectar and jojoba oil, this lip product is actually designed to be used overnight. One swipe of these lip masks before bed guarantee that you will wake up with softer, smoother and healthier lips!

I have a few of these but my favorite is the lavender one, it actually contains lavender, which helps to promote restful sleep.

 

FRESH Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm – $22

 

 

I’ve posted about this before and there’s a reason for that because this balm is seriously amazing! The scent is absolutely decadent and the formula actually feels like you are putting caramel on your lips (minus the stickiness!). I usually put this on my lips on days where I need the hydration but I don’t feel like I need anything quite as intense as a lip mask. It never fails that I always wake up with moisturized and soft lips whenever I use it.

 

Has anyone else used the products above? What are some of your favorite winter beauty tips?

-SS

Sephora VIB Rouge 2017 Holiday Preview Event

When you receive an email like this, you do not hesitate to register!

This past weekend I attended the Sephora Rouge 2017 Holiday Preview event and I was not left disappointed, although my bank balance would probably disagree

The event was for VIB Rouge members (min $1,000 annual spend) and it ran from 8:30-10am on Saturday morning. It was kind of cool that the mall was open for half an hour and Sephora was still closed for the event. Makes you feel special 🙂

The big draw of the event was to preview the holiday items that will be released this holiday season.

Overall, I think the event was well executed. I have been a VIB Rouge member since the program first started and I have found that it’s rare when I feel like a “special” customer. It was nice to have an event just for Rouge. The coffee, snacks and free gift (see below) were also greatly appreciated!

It was a fun event and it’s always great to be surrounded by people who share the beauty/makeup/Sephora obsession I have 🙂

Of course, I ended up having a little shopping spree, mixing new items with some restocks of old faithfuls (reviews on all will be completed):

• Fresh Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm – new-to-me item
  
• Bare Minerals Matte Liquid Lipstick (Swag) – new-to-me item
  
• Boscia Multi-Masking Medley – restock
  
• Sephora Collection Purifying Brush Shampoo – new-to-me item
  
• Laura Mercier Smooth Finishing Foundation Powder (6) – new-to-me item
  
• Urban Decay Naked2 Palette – restock
  
• Urban Decay Naked Flush (Streak)– restock
  
• Urban Decay De-Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray – restock
  
• Boscia Sake Brightening Hydrogel Eye Masks – restock
  
• Sephora Collection Avocado Hand Mask – new-to-me item
  
• Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance – new-to-me item (sample size)
  

And, as mentioned above, since I spent over $50, I got a free makeup bag with samples! I haven’t tried them all yet but I’m really excited to use them. Also, how cute is this bag?!

Did anyone else attend the event?

-SS

Friday Favourites: Pampering Edition

I don’t think I have ever been this happy to see Friday arrive, this week has been INSANE! Sunday night I had an idea of how I thought this week would go and it ended up throwing me for a total loop and being completely different. Between work drama, an ever growing workload, bridesmaid dress shopping, getting my house back to normal after throwing a bridal shower last weekend (so fun!), and just normal life, I have had enough with this week and I seriously cannot wait for work to be over today so that I can go home and relax with a glass of wine and have some well-deserved downtime.

So, I thought that in honor of my crazy week, I am going to focus this weeks’ Friday Favourites on products that are perfect for pampering yourself, and you can imagine that they have been well used this week!

Fresh Rose Face Mask – $75 – Sephora (Rose Face Mask)

Whenever I’m really stressed, my skin really starts to suffer and starts looking dull and tired. One thing I found that really helps is the Rose Face Mask by Fresh. Not only does it revive dull, dry and tired skin, it has a cooling sensation and smells amazing! I mean, with an average of 2.5 roses per jar, how could it not smell amazing?! As soon as this mask touches my skin, I instantly feel better. The consistency is more of a gel and it doesn’t harden while on your skin. You leave it on for the desired amount on time, wash it off with water, and just like that, you look (and feel) refreshed again! This is one skin product that I will always keep in my cabinet.

Laura Mercier Fresh Fig Honey Bath – $56 – Sephora (Fig Honey Bath)

When you’re feeling stressed and burnt out is there anything better than taking a bubble bath?! I think not. Especially when you add in Laura Mercier’s Fresh Fig Honey Bath. This stuff is seriously amazing! The consistency is truly like honey and it really takes your bubble bath to the next level. Whenever I use this, the entire upstairs of my house smells like fresh figs and it’s both luxurious and fresh smelling. The tub itself is full of bubbles and afterwards your skin feels soft, smooth and lightly fragranced. Definitely a winner in the relaxation department!

It’s pricey but you only need a little bit (1-2 swirls from the super cute wooden honey twirler that comes with it), so the jar lasts for a long time and it’s great at doubling up as bathroom decor!

 

Voluspa Embossed Glass Chewan Bowl Candle – Japanese Plum Bloom – $33 – Nordstrom (Voluspa )

I feel as though a relaxing night in wouldn’t be complete without some candles, especially if you are enjoying a bubble bath. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love candles, my house is full of them and it’s rare that I don’t have at least one burning at all times. However, a favourite for me right now is the Voluspa range. They have a huge range of scents, and colours, and one cool fact is their wax is coconut wax! The Japanese Plum Bloom is definitely one of my favourites, it’s floral but also fruity and the purple colour of the glass is stunning! Just like the honey bath above, these candles can double up as decor and look great in either a living room, bathroom, or even bedroom. They are also really great gifts!

Folklore Hand Cream – Raspberry – $8 – Chapters Indigo (Folklore Hand Cream)

If you are unable to do the full bubble bath/face mask/candles routine above, then using a rich, nourishing hand cream is a great alternative. Folklore hand creams leave your hands feeling immediately moisturized, calming dry or overworking hands and leave a delicious raspberry scent. I always have a tube of it in my bag!

Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Cream – $32 – Sephora – (Sugar Lip Cream)

Last but definitely not least, this is a product that I cannot live without. My lips are always dry. I think it’s a mixture of the dry climate in my city, being stuck in an air conditioning office building all day, wearing lipsticks, and not drinking enough water (I know, I need to work on that). I have tried just about everything and nothing compares to the Advanced Lip Therapy Cream from the Fresh Sugar line. It’s translucent so it doesn’t leave any colour and it always leaves my lips feeling moisturized and smooth. Huge bonus is that it also tastes really good! Since it smooths out fine lines, it’s also a perfect primer under other lip products. This is another staple that is always in my bag… and bathroom…. and car… and office.

***Enjoy!***

SS