I've Moved Sites!

It's been a work in progress for the last little while, but I'm very excited to announce that I've launched a new blog titled The Nisprih Edit. It will feature a lot of the same content you're used to seeing here at Brown Girl Next Door, but with a larger focus on the quality of each post (plus I've done away with the alias ;)). I've experienced a lot of growth since I started this blog and I only want it to get better. That means unique topics, high definition photos, and links to my all my favourites.

Please follow me over at thenisprihedit.com for more of my take on fashion, beauty and lifestyle!

5 Reasons to Start Dry Brushing

First of all, what is Dry Brushing?
Dry Brushing is exactly what it sounds like - the process of taking a dry, natural bristled brush and brushing your body. There's a specific way you can brush to ensure you're getting the most out of it, and that is to brush daily from the ankles up, towards your heart, in long smooth strokes. When you're ready to do your back, brush from your neck down. Avoid harsh strokes and brushing back and forth - you want the skin to feel tingly at most, no where near inflamed. Take a good shower afterwards to wash off any dead skin and completely refresh yourself. I bought my brush from Whole Foods, but you can get it at many different stores - Shoppers Drug Mart, Wal Mart, or The Body Shop. If you really want a treat, pick up a nourishing dry oil with it and use it after the shower. I like Caudalie's Divine Oil and Neutrogena's Light Sesame Body Oil. The Body Shop just came out with a new Argan Oil line, so now's the perfect time to start!

So why do it?

1. It Exfoliates. Everyone is telling us to exfoliate these days - it's the best way to keep your skin healthy and ensure cell turnover. Many people exfoliate the easiest and most common way, with a loofah or bath sponge. Others have found a sugar scrub to use in the shower. Regardless, here's another way you can exfoliate that will not only leave you feeling smoother, but also make you glow from the inside out.

2. It increases circulation. When you dry brush your skin, it increases circulation, which encourages the elimination of metabolic waste. Chances are, when you're done, you'll feel the blood flow freely throughout your entire body. It's invigorating, like a good stretch.

3. It helps you detox. Stimulating your lymphatic system, dry brushing directs the toxins in your body to the lymphatic nodes where they can be eliminated. Experts have even been said that dry brushing helps with digestion and kidney function because it aids the elimination of excess water and toxins. Of course this would be a long-term benefit, so you'd have to stick with it (not that it's hard to do - dry brushing is addictive!)

4. It reduces cellulite. Who doesn't want to get rid of cellulite? Here's a way to do it without gimmicky creams, lotions, or gels. Because dry brushing boosts circulation, it pushes the body’s ability to eliminate toxins through the lymphatic system. This elimination process also helps break down fatty pockets, responsible for cellulite. So in essence, benefits 2, 3 and 4 are all individual benefits you'll experience, but they're also tied together in how they improve your health and appearance overall.

5. It's stress relieving. Taking these 5-10 minutes before your shower literally means you're taking 5-10 minutes to do something for yourself. You'll have complete privacy, which means you can be absolutely alone with your thoughts. You can always shower with your favourite relaxing body wash to keep the experience going - all a matter of personal preference.

5 Links to Love This Week

1. What Jim Carrey Explains In 1 Minute Will Change Your Life Forever So many nuggets of wisdom in this speech that will compel you to lose all your hang-ups.
2. Body Dry Brushing A great addition to your beauty routine that's said to have lasting effects. Need a brush, but I can't wait to try!
3. Scandal's teaming up for a clothing line It had to be done. Rejoice, Olivia Pope fans!
4. 30 Smart Career Moves You Should Make By 30 Enough said.
5. Wedding Highlights from Marco Caputo One of the most beautifully done wedding videos I've ever seen. Beautiful venue. Beautiful décor. Can't say I know the couple, just stumbled across the video and fantasized about how dreamy the whole event must have been.

The Ingredient Corner: Rice

It's so accessible, it's almost crazy how it's not in the make-up cupboards of women everywhere. You'll read the same thing on a number of blogs - rice has been an inexpensive addition to the Asian skincare routine for ages, and now you can find out how it can help you too.

Rice Water - soak or boil a cup of rice, strain the water (twice) and bottle it. Pour it on a cotton pad and it'll make an amazing toner for after you've cleansed. Make sure to keep it in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it.

Rice Bran Powder - it's a simple and gentle way to exfoliate that dull layer of skin away. Although it's gentle, you can find rather course bran at grocery stores, so not to worry that it isn't tough enough to really make a difference.

Rice Bran Oil - of the three ways to use rice listed here, this is probably the easiest to use consistently. You can use it directly on your face or body, or mixed in with your favourite moisturiser. Rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, rice bran oil is easily absorbed into your skin and helps to keep you well hydrated from the inside out. Rice bran oil nourishes skin cells with vitamins and antioxidants, slowing down and preventing the aging process- which means it will help improve your skin's texture, overall complexion, and even your skin tone.

Rice is high in antioxidants and a combination of any or all of these should help you see these results over time:

• Brightened complexion
• Tightened pores
• Softened skin
• Regenerative cell growth
• Prevention for hyper pigmentation and age spots

And guess what? Natural rice treatments have been said to stand out amongst many skin treatments for wrinkles, acne, rosacea, and eczema. Be adamant about its use and I'm sure you'll see results. Let me know down below if you've tried anything from this post and how it worked for you! 

New Blog Series: DIYs & Ingredients

Introducing two new playgrounds to the Brown Girl Next Door yard.

The DIY Corner is self-explanatory - it's where all the do-it-at-home recipes will be noted. And there's tons that you can do at home, so stay tuned!

The Ingredients Corner is where you can find information on the natural and not-so-natural ingredients that make up the beauty products we use everyday. Sometimes reading the label can be overwhelming, but that's why it's important to identify a few ingredients that you know work for you and will combat your unique combination of skincare problems.

I'm excited to hear what kind of posts you'd like to see - maybe you want to know how lemons can boost your skin's glow and how you can incorporate it into your skincare routine. Maybe you want to know how vitamin E can help get rid of scars. Share below and I'll get right to it!

January Favourites

Likas Papaya Soap // Olive Make-up Wipes

Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey // Make Me Star Gel Liner // The Balm Blush in Cabana Boy

The Face Shop Rice Sheet Mask // Forever 21 statement necklace // Laura Secord Mint Chocolates

Likas Papaya Soap - If you're in need of a gentle bar soap that isn't too fragrant, I highly recommend picking up a papaya-based soap. I have very sensitive skin and used to have eczema patches here and there, so I'm always looking for natural ingredients that are known to help heal, soothe and repair skin problems. I don't really notice any "skin-whitening" but that's not why I picked it up anyway. You can usually find bars like these in Filipino food stores. I found mine at an Asian supermarket and was tempted to just stock up on a few. 

Olive Make-up Wipes - I used to use Yes to Cucumber Wipes, but I found that it sometimes dried out my skin, especially around my eyes. Getting tough eye make-up off is the worst so I needed to find a wipe that could do the trick, but not bruise my eyelids or dry out any part of my face. Tada! This one is a lifesaver for the lazy girls out there. You can rest assured that everything will come off (as far as make-up wipes typically go) and your skin will have a nice moisturising layer that you can just pat-in and sleep with. Much like papaya, olive oil is also really great for dry skin.

Kiehl's Creme de Corps - This is by far, the creamiest body butter I've ever tried. It's probably the most luxurious feeling cream that you'll ever slather on your body. Texture aside, the whole reason this tub was on my wishlist was because of it's warm, sugary, coconut smell. If you've ever had a Chinese buttercream bun, with the coconut shavings on the side, this is the non-edible version for your skin. One thing to note is that it doesn't absorb very quickly, so it can leave you feeling greasier than your average lotion.

Make Me Star Gel Liner - There was this huge craze with white waterliners last year (or perhaps the year before that) and I tried to jump on the bandwagon but the products I tried looked like chalk - it just never came out right. So here's the new thing - rose gold eyeliner that does the same thing to wake up your face, but isn't as obvious as a white-out shaded version. I like it a lot. Glides on smooth, lasts all day, and makes Monday mornings look like I already had some caffeine.

The Balm Blush in Cabana Boy - I was taken by the packaging and the colour was a pigmented mauve-y purple with a hint of golden shimmer. That's all I really needed in a blush for January.

The Face Shop Rice Sheet Mask - I have a new obsession with the skin benefits of rice. I've always heard that it helps brighten and exfoliate without being too abrasive. Perhaps it's a psychological thing, but after I put this mask on for 10 minutes, I felt soft and smooth and healthy and nice. I will be re-purchasing a good set of these and pampering myself regularly.

Forever 21 statement necklace - Winter can get really boring with the constant fat, chunky sweaters that we have to pair with other things to avoid looking like cows. Enter the statement necklace. This inexpensive beauty has saved me many times from sporting the too-lazy-to-put-myself-together look. It's the ultimate add-on that can take your outfit from blah to boomshakala.

Laura Secord Mint Chocolates - Ah, chocolates...where would I be without you? Stuck at home? Eat some chocolate. Had a hard day? Eat some chocolate. Hungry and you're too lazy to fix a proper snack? Eat some chocolate. My box is now done. (I apologize for promoting bad eating habits. I know we're all trying with our new year's resolutions, but sometimes you just have to indulge. So #sorrynotsorry.)

Cover Girl Capitol Studio

District 01 - Luxury

District 02 - Masonry

District 03 - Technology

District 04 - Fishing

District 05 - Power

District 06 - Transportation

District 07 - Lumber

District 08 - Textiles

District 09 - Grain

District 10 - Livestock

District 11 - Agriculture

District 12 - Mining

I think this is so genius! Obviously loving District 12, but 11, 08, and 04 catch my eye too. Which District is your favourite?

Images via Cover Girl

When to Toss Old Beauty Products

“Most beauty products are designed to stay fresh and stable only for a limited period of time,” explains Jessica Wu, MD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California and a dermatologist in private practice in Los Angeles. “After that, they start to break down, so your cream might not work as well, your makeup may streak or change color, or — worst case scenario — you could develop a terrible infection.” Here’s when to give your health and beauty arsenal a much-needed spring cleaning.

April Favourites

Kiss My Face Peaches and Cream Moisturizer Every girl needs a spring and summer scent. Mine is peach. Ever since falling in love with Sephora's Apricots and Cream moisturizer, I had to find a lotion that hydrated my skin well and still had a long-lasting peach smell. This one is great if you love the smell. The pluses? It'll keep you moisturised for more than 24 hours (you'll still feel it when you jump in the shower the next day), it isn't heavy at all since it has a watery consistency, and oh, it smells great. Some downsides are that it isn't fast absorbing, you have to leave it on your skin for a little bit, and that it's pricier than your average lotion. Though, I find that it has some great benefits with the alpha hydroxy ingredient.

• improves even severely dry skin
• helps unblock & cleanse pores
• speeds up the exfoliation process
• allows new healthy skin cells to emerge
• reduces discolouration and age spots

Alpha Hydroxy Acids are all natural, safe and gentle substances found in fruits and sugar cane. This 4% AHA moisturizer is recommended for daily use on the face or body.Whole Foods ~$15

Johnson's Honey Apple Baby Lotion I didn't stop at one spring lotion. This one smells like organic red delicious apples and it's wonderful. The fact that it's gentle enough for a baby really draws me in. I love being able to grab a lotion that smells great and won't irritate my skin. I love to use this after a long bath in the night time, just when I'm winding down to sleep. Maybe it's a psychological thing, but it's comforting to use. Shoppers Drug Mart ~$8

Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 5 I had my makeup done recently and discovered that the left side of my face is darker than the right side. This is all due to driving in the sun, where most of the sunlight is hitting my face through the driver's side window. Huge disappointment, but it makes me glad that I bought some facial sunscreen now that the weather is warming up. I already use Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, so I figured I would just buy the sunscreen instead of purchasing a whole new moisturizer with built-in SPF. Besides, this is apparently a customer favourite. It has a water consistency that makes it really easy to apply before any makeup hits your face. The non-greasy formula is definitely a plus too because I hate feeling like my face is hidden behind oil, dirt, makeup, etc. Point being that my face still feels fresh even after I apply a layer of sunscreen (which almost never happens with other brands I've used before). Kiehl's ~$42

Lavender and Vanilla 3-wick Candle Aromatherapy? Yes. Smells good? Yes - a gentle lavender scent that is reminiscent of clean laundry. Not like cotton, just like a lavender fabric softener. Enough fragrance to fill a room? Yes. Long-lasting? Yes. A strong recommendation for someone who is looking for a "wind-down and relax me" candle. Bath & Body Works $20

Eucerin Aquafor I've been battling with this irritating eczema patch right above my lips for a long long time. I've heard of this product for years but never really sought it out. I've been missing out. This is great for flareups, when your skin decides to get really hot and then red and then dry. It also works great as a lip balm. I would suggest that whatever you're using Vaseline for, substitute it for this. It will calm down redness and smooth out the texture of the eczema patches overnight. One thing to remember is that it doesn't absorb right away, so it'll look a little greasy upon application (like a Kiehl's/Carmex lipbalm). Not that you'll really care at that moment when you're looking to calm a flareup. Shoppers Drug Mart ~$12

SBT Seabuckthorn Soothing Salve Certain parts of my face are really dramatic and decide to flush whenever they want. At these points in time, I usually go looking for something cold to put on my face - cold hands, cold water, ice cubs - anything to soothe it. This salve works really well for immediate relief. It has a balmy texture that sits almost like a wax in the tin, but warms up when you rub it between your fingers. Once applied, it'll appear a little bit like Vaseline, but that shine goes away pretty quickly. I would definitely recommend this to anyone with rosacea or any other type of red, inflamed skin. It does have a slight medicinal smell, but nothing irritating. One other thing to note is that I find this to be a temporary relief product. It hasn't decreased the frequency of my flareups, but in conjunction with a long-term solution, it can really do wonders. Whole Foods ~18

Drugstore Makeup Review: Wet N Wild Lipsticks and NYC Colour Wheel

Like the average consumer, I appreciate a good deal. These are all seriously bomb for their price. Each lipstick was around $2 and the Mosaic Face Powder was around $5. They were all impulse buys, but seriously, can you go wrong with $9? No, you really can't, unless it gives you a rash.

Black Orchid on the left, Dark Wine on the right.

Your lips need to be smooth and hydrated prior to application, otherwise this lipstick has a tendency of staying in creases. Their pigments are great though! One or two strokes and it's a wonderfully solid, silk finish. Lasting power isn't their strong point, you'll need to apply throughout the day, especially after eating anything (although it will leave a stain). That said, my favourite thing about these are their colours. The dark plums are absolutely perfect. Black Orchid has that ideal red undertone, and Dark Wine is a daring, but not-crazy magenta. They don't smell like anything, for those of you who are weary of fragranced lip products, and I wouldn't say they're drying. I would recommend using a lip balm beforehand though (as I would with any lip colour).

The Colour Wheel Mosaic Face Powder in All Over Bronze Glow (724) is an inexpensive alternative to my Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer ($51). It's the most uncomplicated bronzer - it's matte, subtle, and has a plastic casing so it's not heavy to carry around with you.  I've tried to use the lighter powder in the mix for a highlighter, but it ends up looking whiter than I want it to. I think it will require more experimentation to get this right. Though, if you take a good swirl of all the shades, you'll get a nice glow. Plus it lasts all day.

Absolutely love these three. Will definitely try Wet N Wild's and NYC's other products now. So excited to pick up a few more lipsticks!

March Favourites

Not that many this month, but I've been trying out a few new products for the past week and I am 99% sure they will make it to my April favourites! Just want to make sure they prove to be recommendation-worthy after a longer period of time.

Life brand hair towel I used to depend on a regular towel to wrap my hair after a shower, but it's always been cumbersome and heavy. I didn't think the hair towel was really that big a deal, but since I put it in the wash, I've missed it. It has literally changed how I feel about washing my long, thick, heavy hair. In fact, I look forward to it because my wet hair no longer weighs me down. It might look a little weird at first, but it's super easy to use. Just bring your hair over in front of your face, drape the hooded part over your head, twist the remaining section with your wet hair, and button it back. It's pretty much how you would wrap your hair with a towel, except it stays put with a button closure. (If you're wondering what it looks like, it's the cloth that all the other products are laying on.) Life brand is only sold at Shoppers Drug Mart. ~$8

Balea Cooling Lotion Spring is finally here which means that I'm going to be shaving more often. I absolutely can't stand razor burn and razor bumps. I tend to get the bumps on the back of my thighs, but this cooling lotion can be used every where, it's definitely gentle enough. As can be expected, it is cool on application and rubs in like a gel lotion. It smells like Gillette shaving cream, so kind of masculine, but it goes away shortly after application (I think it's kind of refreshing anyway. Not everything has to smell like flowers). If you happen to knick yourself while shaving, be a little cautious because it tends to sting for a bit. Shoppers Drug Mart~$8

Ombrelle Face SPF Stick Sunscreen is for winners. I usually can't handle regular cream sunscreens on my face, but I found this little wonder that makes application a breeze. Just swipe on, like you would a concealer stick, and then blend in all over like a face primer. I'll be looking for a moisturiser with built-in SPF soon, so I may not repurchase, but in the mean time, this is doing a great job and I highly recommend to anyone with sensitive skin. Shoppers Drug Mart ~$30

Wet n Wild Silk Finish lipstick in Dark Wine So it's kind of late to be wearing dark lipsticks. OH WELL. I only recently discovered this and I'm going to wear it as often as I can because it's beautiful and it doesn't make me look like a vamp. Plus, hello, it is only like $2. Walmart ~$2

Wet n Wild Silk Finish lipstick in Black Orchid Same goes for this one, which is an even darker colour. I'll be writing a review on these two shortly. Can't get enough. I wore it to the Rihanna Diamonds World Tour this February too and it looked so great! Walmart ~$2

February Favourites

Skin and Hair

L'Oreal Nutri-Sleek for Dry, Unmanageable Hair If you have thick, unmanageable long hair, this product will probably save you numerous headaches. I absolutely need some sort of detangler, regardless of which shampoo or conditioner I'm using. I was really excited about the Kerastaste hair oils, but I figured I'd try the less expensive dupe first. It has a really strong, floral scent (reminds me of YSL's Opium perfume), so if you prefer unfragranced, or citrusy smells, this isn't for you. I usually use a few pumps when my hair is damp, comb out, and then blow-dry. It leaves my hair feeling really soft and there's no need to add in anything more until your next wash. Not sure if it's a combination of hair products I'm using, but my hair hasn't been very frizzy or untamed looking since I started using this. ~$8

L'Oreal Volume Collagen Body Boost I ran out of my volumizing hair mousse (which sucked by the way), so I went for a different formula - this time a root lifting spray. It's a stupid reason to be excited about a hair product, but I absolutely love the smell of this thing. It reminds me of passion fruits. I also really appreciate the nozzle which makes spritzing roots a piece of cake. I'll be honest and say that it doesn't give my hair crazy body, but it does help it from becoming lifeless too quickly. I can wash my hair every other day and not worry that I look like I got rained on in between washes. ~$8

The Body Shop Sink-In Moisture Mask Winter calls for extra hydration and this is now my go-to for when my regular face moisturiser isn't cutting it. It's not like other masks, in that you don't have to wipe away any excess product; water nor wash cloths are required. I essentially use it the same way I would use a thick moisturiser, but I don't massage it in all the way. It kind of sinks in on it's own and I find that my skin feels better if I just let it sit first as opposed to when I rub it in for quicker absorption  After one or two uses, my skin is back to normal (plump and healthy) and I can go back to my regular routine. Smells wonderful, like a mixture of tonic water, baby powder, and roses. It has a jelly texture in the tub, but thins out really quickly when you apply it. ~$22

For your insides

BELL Master Herbalist Help for Skin Disorders If you follow my blog and read the When Less is More: Reviewing Your Skincare post, you`ll know that I have challenges with eczema. After seeing a naturopathic doctor and getting accustomed to probiotics, I`m now very much into finding herbal remedies for skin issues. Your skin reflects how healthy you are on the inside, so it makes sense to fix any problems you may have from the inside out. These capsules have really made a difference, getting rid of random flare-ups during the day. My eczema has calmed over the years, but I do get spontaneous red blotches when the air is dry (I think that`s what causes it anyway). Not any more. What really sold me was that it doesn't have your typical eczema-curing ingredients like olive oil, turmeric, or apple cider vinegar. It's entirely made up of grape root extract, bitter sweet extract, sarsaparilla, juniper berries, and neem extract. It was fairly inexpensive considering how much relief it will give you, but if you're taking it steadily, you'll probably be back for another bottle in about a month. ~$25

Emergen-C Those of you who are in Canada are aware that our winter is seriously dragging on, to the point where it depresses you and/or gets rid of your motivation to get out of bed in the morning. Not only has it been hard to stay focused for the past month, it has also been hard to stay sniffle-free. Emergen-C has been getting around a lot, plenty of bloggers have recommended it. It's an easy recco because it tastes great (think of an effervescent vitamin c tablet in water...like a slightly watered down carbonated orange juice) and it really does work. Not only does it fend off colds, it also gives me a rejuvenating boost of energy in the morning. +1 for packaging too! ~$15

When Less is More: Reviewing Your Skincare

True beauty lies within, but let's not lie to ourselves, the way we present our "outside" speaks volumes as well. For me, it's never been as exaggerated as changing my physical make up. I've never cared to change the shape of my lids, to inflate my lips, or chip away at my nose (okay, maybe a few times with the nose). I've always tried to highlight my natural features, which meant taking good care of what I do have - including thick hair, thick eyebrows, and highly sensitive skin. I've always thought, my skin is my largest organ, I can't hide it even if I want to. I better take good care of it. It hasn't been an easy road by any means, but let me try to explain to you the evolution of my skincare.

When I was a child, I forever had dark eczema marks on the insides of my elbows and knees. And being a child, I didn't care, other than for the fact that it itched and was irritating.

Fast-forward to my teenage years. I had cystic acne which left scars on my face for years. It lasted from about when I was 16 until I was 18 years old. It was terrible because my confidence was way down low and I honestly didn't know what to do with it. I didn't know how, or even if I should, cover it up, and I had even less of an idea of how to get rid of it. So I did what every person with cystic acne probably does at some point - I tried a bunch of different cleansers, toners, and moisturisers, to no avail.

Finally, the acne slowly began to fade, but in it's place came patches of eczema. For those of you that don't know, eczema is a skin condition that causes redness, dryness, itching, scaling, and scabbing. If you itch, it gets worse, raw, and infected. By the time I had gone through a bunch of different skin cleansers, toners and moisturisers all over again, I was at the point where I felt nothing would ever work and I'd just have to live with it for the rest of my life. "It" being swollen, ugly, dark patches of skin on my face and neck. I felt so ugly and nothing anyone could say would make it better. I went to two different dermatologists who did a solid nothing for me. I visited a naturopathic doctor who did an assessment and...long story short, I was supposedly allergic to everything aside from potatoes and rice. Following that diet, my eczema improved, but by no means disappeared.

At a last attempt, which was only really brought on by my wonderful mother, I visited a third dermatologist. To my surprise, she took one look, prescribed me antibiotics for what she deemed was infected skin, and then set me up for a regimen of facial peels for following months. Of course there were the famous topical creams, hydrocortisone and clotrimazole, but nothing heavy. At last, the eczema disappeared.

What happened next reminds me of a study that was done involving the psychology behind children with anaphylaxis. As a child with anaphylaxis discovers their food allergy, they are vigilant about staying away from it - staying away from anything that could be a threat. As they become more familiar with their diet, they let their guard down and become less vigilant than the average person. They end up trying a variety of foods that could very well trigger a reaction. Similarly, as my skin has stayed clear from eczema (for the most part) for a few years, I became excited about experimenting with skin products again. More excited than the average person.

Not only have I been trying cleansers, toners, and moisturisers, I've expanded my collection to include deep cleansing masks, smoothing masks, exfoliators, spot treatments, and serums.  Things have been going well, and I have found some great ones, but ever since trying a huge cult favourite, Josie Maran's Argan Oil, I've realized that perhaps I need to get back to the basics.

Turns out I think I'm allergic to 100% argan oil - it gives me hives. Which makes me realize that I don't really need all these products. In fact, I'm fairly certain some of them are making my skin worse. When I fall back to my staples, a cleanser, toner, and moisturiser, my skin is wonderful and free from spontaneous break-outs of rash, redness, and acne.

Based on my experience, most dermatologists will tell you to cut out all the unnecessary products that you're using. If you're hard pressed for a treatment, stick to natural mixtures that you can whip up in your own kitchen. Oatmeal makes a great cleanser, honey is a great moisturiser, and yogurt has anti-inflammatory benefits. Trust me, I know.

So the next time you feel like you have to start using yet another product on your face because it's a top seller, think about if it's really important. Chances are, your skin might be better without it.

January Favourites

 Kiehl's Ultra Facial Set  My skin is on the dry, sensitive side. I've had/still have (frustrating) experiences with eczema and rosacea, so I'm very cautious with the products I put on my skin. Keihl's has really lived up to it's bestseller name - these three have been working wondrously on my skin. The facial cleanser, with its creamy texture and a pearl-like colour, foams and lathers well. It leaves my skin feeling clean without feeling taught. Ever since having a derma-specialist comment that my skin was super dehydrated, I've been bent on trying to quench its thirst. Luckily, Kiehl's comes highly recommended, so it was easy to know where to go from there.  I haven't tried the line on myself twice a day, but it definitely seems gentle enough for morning and nighttime use. The toner is milky, so again, very gentle. The cream has a more watery-like texture (not runny, but nothing like a thick night cream). Everything is fragrance-free and inexpensive as far as skin solutions go. Officially one of my favourite trios. ~$25 cleanser, ~$22 toner, ~$56 cream

The Body Shop Aloe Gentle Exfoliator  I've stayed away from harsh exfoliators, with beads and nut shells in them, for fear of going too far. Chemical exfoliators with lactic acid have been a good alternative, but I've found that they can easily dry out my skin and bring back patches of eczema here and there. This exfoliator does the trick. I can exfoliate every day without worry. Fragrance-free as well. $14.50

Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Moisturiser  I had a craving for chocolate that I couldn't avoid. This happened. Just love warm scents in winter. ~$8

Batiste Dry Shampoo  I swore off dry shampoo after my Dove experience, but ladies, I've found one that works! Baby powder helps absorb oil, but I have a bigger problem with just having limp hair after a day of not washing. Batiste helped bring back the clean feeling and puff up my hair enough to give me my confidence back. It will leave a white residue, but it goes away right after a comb out. Fresh hair all day after that. Smells citrus-y, but they also have a tropical version if you're into that. ~$8

Make-up and Minis

Pecksniff's Calm Hand & Body Moisturiser  Since my last trip to Europe, I've been in love with this hand cream. It smells like ginger, which I've learned can be a hit or a miss depending on the person. I personally love the smell because it's so refreshing from the normal perfumed, overly cake-smelling, hand cream. Don't get me wrong, I like cake too. But imagine what a ginger souffle might smell like. This is that. I would recommend Origin's Ginger Souffle Cream for anyone that can't find this particular brand.

Purell Hand Sanitizer  I've had a persistent cold for the entire of January. For fear of getting even worse, and infecting everyone else, this is a staple of my purse and desk. It's a cheap, but no less significant piece of my arsenal. ~$1

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 in Mango  Thank the lord for this product. I've tried Carmex, Burt's Bees, Blistex, and Vaseline in combination with huge intakes of water and yet still, my lips remain chapped and ugly and blistered and hurting. This lip balm is about the only thing right now that doesn't irritate my lipline and cause worse chapping. I can't say that my lips are forever smooth even though I'm using this, but it definitely helps. I think once this cold weather dies down, I will have no problems. ~$8

Revlon Photoready Concealer  If you read my previous posts, you may know that I swore by Bobbi Brown's concealer. That said, I was convinced that there was a drugstore substitute, so I picked up my shade from Revlon and voila! I have a new favourite. It's thick in texture, but glides on really well with the twist-up stick. I really appreciate the fact that it doesn't require extra tools for a perfect application. Just swipe, and pat with a clean finger to blend in. Even without setting powder, it doesn't crease very much. Excellent coverage for dark circles. Would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a beginner concealer or just an inexpensive one! ~$13

MAC Perfect Topping Skin Finish  I won't lie. I dug this one out of my make-up bag after a long hiatus. When I first purchased it, I found that it gave me more of a silver-y glow as opposed to a golden one. I usually prefer golden highlighters, but this looks really great in the winter time. Freshens your whole face without looking too silver. I wish I could tell you how much it costs, but I honestly don't remember. I guess what you can take away from this, if not that you want to purchase this item in particular, is that you shouldn't be afraid to try a silver-y highlighter this season. Gold highlighters look great with a bronzed look, but I've found that if you want to go for ``youthful, fresh and healthy,`` a silvery-pink highlighter goes a long way.

Preview That Polish, Prior to Purchase

I have long sought neutral coloured nail polishes; the greys, the beiges, and the browns. My problem is that I'm never quite sure how it's going to look on my hands. It might look great in the bottle, but some greys give me zombie hands. Unfortunately, I don't do all colours justice.

But lo and behold, China Glaze has an online tool that lets you adjust the model's skin tone and nail length. You wouldn't think that nail length would make a difference, but let me tell you, long nails and black nail polish might look more witchy than you want it to. A short manicure looks great with certain polishes, as do longer nails (french manicure anyone?) It's an excellent marketing tool, because my wishlist has just become so much longer now that I can preview everything. It's like a dressing room for your fingers. One downside is that you can't adjust the yellow, red or olive undertones, but this is a great step in the right direction.

Click here to access the tool and start stocking up on those stocking stuffers!

The Inadequacies of Make-Up Wipes

Let me admit that I do indeed want a product that requires almost zero effort. When I get home after a long day or a fun-filled night out, all I want to do is sleep. But thanks to the beauty mantra, I make it a habit to make sure I hit the pillow with a clean face.

Sometimes it's hard to find a makeup remover that does it all - foundation, shadows, liner, lipstick, (and my personal favourite) mascara. But behold! My makeup wipes seem to make my face look naked all over again - all in a couple swipes. No need for multiple cotton pads, a variety of makeup removers or water. Makeup wipes are a lazy girl's best friend.

But here comes my disappointment. I'm trying to do a good thing here. Build a solid habit. Take care of my skin. And these makeup wipes are not doing what I thought they were meant to do. Every time I feel good about wiping the makeup off my face the night before, I wake up with some sort of mild breakout. Then it becomes another chore of trying to make the breakout go away. Wipes may seem to clean your face, but it doesn't do a complete job. Wipes should be kept for only refreshing your skin, getting rid of tough makeup (it should never be the one and only step), or travelling.

As J.R.R. Tolkien once said: "Short cuts make for long delays."  I'm at a point where I believe there are no real short cuts to great skin. You just have to create a regimen for yourself that you can stick to. And don't lie, even lazy girls can follow a regimen.

My suggestion? Invest in a good miceller lotion, like Bioderma's Sensibio H2O. It'll take a couple cotton pads, but it's well worth the trouble.

Monthly Favourites: October

1. NeoStrata's Smoothing Cleansing Mask. You should think of exfoliation like how you think of taking out the trash: do it every week. Those dead skin cells need to go or you risk having dull, flakey, unhealthy skin. I use this mask regularly because it doesn't have those harsh beads that you have to physically scrub into your skin, it has 10% glycolic acid, so it works like a mini facial peel that you can do at home. Dermalogica's Gentle Cream Exfoliant leaves your skin feeling amazing as well and it goes for about $30 at Sephora. This one is similarly priced and you can pick it up at Shoppers Drug Mart or Murale.

2. Carmex. When you need a minty lip soother/chapstick, this is the one you should turn to. Never fails. Carmex has a camphor sort of scent, so it's not the most pleasant of smells (I don't really mind. I I think of it like Gold Bond cream - smells medicinal but it works like a charm). If you're looking for a glossy chapstick, this will do as well. Avoid overusing it if you have sensitive skin. Grab it at Shoppers for $3.

3. Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose. Burt's Bees is the bomb. I was looking for something that would moisturize and also add a hint of colour to my lips for those days that I don't want to put any makeup on (wakens your entire face if your lips are a little rosy). Doesn't feel minty, just moisturizing. Grab it at Shoppers for $5.

4. Burt's Bees Lip Balm with Pomegranate. Out of the three chapsticks listed here, I'm putting this one on the most. Smells like fruity bubble tea and I don't feel like I have to reapply very often at all. Love it! Grab it at Shoppers for $5.

5. Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Tutti Fruitti. Again, one of those products that can add a hint of colour to my face and is a nice shade of coral/peach. Grab it at Shoppers for $8.

6. Bioderma Miceller Lotion. The short story is that it is a makeup remover that has no scent, is wonderful on my sensitive skin and gets everything off. Can't say I've tried other brands' miceller lotion (looks like every derma brand is jumping on the bandwagon now), but I don't think I'd hesitate to just stick with this one. I got mine at Shoppers for $20.

7. Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain in Romance. I am struggling to find a drugstore lipstick in red that works with my skintone and doesn't overpower my face. This is a softer option that I'm enjoying because it has a minty sensation to it, doesn't dry out my lips and is very pigmented. Grab it at Shoppers for $8.

1. Teasing brush. I used to use a comb and my hair always fell flat. I have relatively thick hair and it goes in between long to medium length. I find that if your hair is kind of heavy and thick, the brush works wonders when compared to a comb. I disowned my teasing comb afterwards...I got mine at Sally's Beauty Supply for $8.

2. Kerastase Cristalliste Bain Cristal (Shampoo). I went to Europe and finally found a bottle of this stuff. Technically you can order it online to try it out, but I liked that I was able to see the product before I purchased it. It smells like salon quality products, so not fruity or flowery if you're into that. I've been using it for a couple of weeks now and it has left my hair soft, shiny and clean. It stays clean-feeling for at least two days, so that's a major plus if you're a busy girl or you just don't want to wash your hair that often. It's on the pricier side, but I definitely trust Kerastase products now. You can purchase this online for around $40.

3. Kerastase Cristalliste Bain Cristal (Conditioner). No more tangles. My long hair was such a nuisance because there would be this clump of tangled hair at the back of my neck, but no more! I can actually de-tangle before my hair dries and it typically doesn't get knotted up throughout the day either, so I feel like my mane is taking a lot less damage now. Again, you can purchase this online for around $40.

4. Hair dryer diffuser. If you have naturally wavy hair, I strongly recommend using one of these. I used to blow-dry my hair regularly and it came out straight, but I have been craving a tool/product that allowed me to just apply heat and have it scrunch up into a big, wavy (good-looking) mess. Didn't take me any longer to diffuse it (than a regular blow-dry), but I've heard it takes some people longer than usual. Beats having to curl your hair and then comb it out, or sleep on braids. Think, beach-hair.

Lately...

Outfit of the day. Couldn't wait to wear these mustard pants from Forever XXI. Gorgeous suede crossbody bag from Fossil.	Loved Kim Kardashian's look on Anokhi Magazine. I've been yearning for a lipgloss like this.
Another outfit of the day.	Was so happy I was able to see The Marketing Group's Fashion Show. Been envisioning this for over a year now.
The models were fantastic.	I love Prabal Gurung's posts.

Emma Watson Covers Elle UK

Love her make-up look. Lisa Eldridge is a genius. When I saw the behind the scenes video, I felt like she really delivered during the shoot. Multi-talented for sure.

Some boyss don't seem to like her pixie cut, but no one sports its better than Emma. Not even you, Miley.

Concealer Problems