E.O.S Shaving Cream Review

I purchased the EOS Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream in lavender jasmine because I has heard great things about the brand. My legs are really sensitive to shaving, so even though this cream was a bit pricier than the comparable brands, I knew I to try it.

I was throughly impressed by this shave cream's moisturizing power; it greatly reduced the amount of irritation I usually get. Maybe it's because this little bottle is packed with natural conditioning products, Shea butter, and vitamins e and c. It's also phthalate and paraban free (yay). 

My one complaint about this product is that it's pump doesn't not get about half the product out. It's stuck in the bottom and on the sides causing you to have to unscrew the lid and try to scrape it out. Not a fun task when you're trying to minimize your shower time.

What Makes You Canadian Tag

So I thought it would be fun for Meg and I to do this tag because we are both Canadian (born and raised) and proud of it.

Meg's Answers: 

1. What do you order at Tim Hortons?

I'm rarely at Tim Hortons's these days (bad Canadian) but if I am, it's often a hot chocolate and a struedel. Yum. 

2. What is the most annoying Canadian stereotype?

That it's really cold everywhere in Canada so we're all Eskimos who live in igloos. Most Canadians live very close to the US boarder, how much do you think the temperature changes?!

3.How many provinces and territories have you traveled to?

I love in British Columbia and have been to Alberta and Quebec. I've been to Ontario too, but just the Toronto airport so that doesn't really count!

4. Have you ever seen an igloo?

No, see answer 2. 

5.How many/What words do people think you say differently?

Cate always makes fun of me for saying a few words differently (kayak, southern, for example) but that's not a Canadian thing specifically!

6. Favourite YTV show?

Na na na na na hey hey carry me away. Breaker High! Young Ryan Gosling, anyone?

7. What is one thing you wish you could buy in Canada, but can't?

More of the makeup and clothing brands that stay put in the USA, like ELF. Also, vanilla coke!

8. Have you seen deer, moose or other wildlife?

Oh course, all of the above. A couple bears and big horn sheep as well!

9.What is your favourite winter product?

Really moistuzing lip balm like Nivea's Milk and Honey. Also, toques and wollen scarfs. 

10.Who is your favourite Canadian celebrity?

Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.

11. Why are you proud to be Canadian?

I love being from a country that, at it's best, gives me the freedom to be myself and gives me so many opportunities. And the free healthcare too.

Cate's Answers: 

1. What do you order at Tim Hortons?
At Tim Hortons I generally order an Iced Cap but if I am in the mood for a hot drink (which is rare) it would be an English Toffee. As for donuts, my favourite is the Sour Cream Glazed.

2. What is the most annoying Canadian stereotype?
One of the most annoying Canadian stereotypes is the fact that a lot of people really do believe that all Canadians live in extremely cold climates. I have always lived in southern British Columbia and we do get snow but our climate is quite mild.

3.How many provinces and territories have you traveled to?
The only other province I have been to is actually Alberta but I would love to see more of Canada.

4. Have you ever seen an igloo?
Other than pictures, no.

5.How many/What words do people think you say differently?
I actually don't think I say any words differently. I will say that I do use the phrase "eh" quite often though.

6. Favourite YTV show?
I don't watch any YTV now but I loved to watch "Are You Afraid of the Dark" as a youngster.

7. What is one thing you wish you could buy in Canada, but can't?
Having just been to the U.S. I wish we could have Vanilla and Cherry Coke.

8. Have you seen deer, moose or other wildlife?
I have seen deer, moose, and even bears all on the drive to Alberta.

9.What is your favourite winter product?
During the winter my skin can get pretty dry so I like to use heavy moisturizers like the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Mineral Balm. I also really love T-Max Heat socks because they keep your feet so warm and toasty.

10.Who is your favourite Canadian celebrity?
This is a pretty cheesy answer but I would have to say Celine Dion. I just love her, she has an incredible voice and I got to see her in Vegas with Meg.

11. Why are you proud to be Canadian?
I love all the comforts of home. I love Canadian people. I like that in Canada it is legal for everyone to get married regardless of their sexual orientation and I like that Canadian's have this stereotype of being nice people because I like to think that it is true.

Are you a fellow Canadian like us? Make sure to answer these questions below in the comments because we would love to hear you answers.

If you aren't Canadian, we would love to hear a little bit about where you're from and why you love your country as much as we love Canada.

The Body Shop Rainforest Balance Shampoo and Conditioner Review

It is no secret that I have oily hair. Last year during BEDA I wrote a post on how to deal with oilier hair that you can find here.

This year for my birthday, back in July, Meg bought me the shampoo and conditioner from The Body Shop's Rainforest Balance line that is specifically formulated for oily haired individuals.

This shampoo contains seaweed which is a powerful ingredient in lots of skincare products geared towards oilier skin types so The Body Shop decided to add it to this range to help clarify hair. Today I am going to talk about my experience with the shampoo and conditioner.

Product Info: This shampoo and conditioner is available at The Body Shop and costs $10.00 per bottle. You can however purchase travel friendly versions to try out at $5.00 per bottle.

St. Ives Timeless Skin Mineral Clay Firming Mask Facemask Review

As many of you know, I'm a self-proclaimed facemask addict. This time instead of going the individual facemask route (my usual), I'm trying out a squeeze bottle mineral clay firming mask from St.Ives.

I've recently become a huge fan of St.Ives because of their Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturizer and their Apricot Scrub, so I knew I had to pick up their facemask when I saw it (especially since it was on sale!)

St.Ives claims, due to the kaolin clay in their mask, it will "deep clean while visibly firming and tightening the skin" and I have to say, it does the job!

The Body Shop Vitamin E Serum-In-Oil Review

So back when I showed my Spring Favourites I promised to do a more detailed review of The Body Shop Vitamin E Oil and today I am finally doing that.

Since it was in my favourites post you can probably guess that I do like using this facial oil and I will tell you just why.

Product Info: This oil is available at The Body Shop and costs $28.00 for a 28ml bottle. 

Consistency: This is a very light weight oil and it absorbs into my skin in around 10 minutes. It is not a heavy oil by any means but it does pack a powerful punch and my skin instantly looks radiant when I apply it.

What I'm Loving: MAC Lip Edition

Many beauty bloggers swear by MAC. But because of the price, MAC products aren't something I have gotten into until recently. I'm more a bargain/drugstore beauty lover who occasionally splurges on products that I'm really dying to try.

It takes a lot for me to spend the big bucks on makeup products, but MAC lipsticks are the one exception. I've never been one for bold lipsticks, but this year I've really come into my own and embraced them. So I've spend a fair bit of money on creating the perfect red pout.

Here are the products I used to create the look:

Prep & Prime - This is an essential step for me as I have really dry lips, despite being a chapstick and lipscrub addict. Mac's Prep & Prime makes sure my lipstick goes on smooth and stays on longer- it's definitely a lifesaver for me, especially with bold lipsticks. When all eyes are on your lips, you want to make sure they are flawless.

In The Kitchen With Cate: Spaghetti Carbonara (Original Recipe by Martha Stewart)

Today I have another cooking post for you. 

As I mentioned in my Chorizo Carbonara Post I love cooking pasta and I found that Martha Stewart had some amazing pasta recipes on her website and I decided to try this very simple Spaghetti Carbonara. 

As usual, you want to cook your pasta for 11 minutes in boiling water with a bit of salt. 

Next, you want to cook your Bacon in a pan. 

For the simple sauce you want to add your Half And Half, Eggs, and Cheese. 

Use a Whisk to mix everything together and set it aside. 

How to Pack Like a Pro: Weekend Trip Edition

I've been on a fair few number of trips and I really feel that I've got packing down to a science. I actually love packing. Every time I do it it's a challenge to take a little less, to fit everything together more expertly.

So today I am sharing my four simple tips for packing for a weekend trip that won't leave you stressed or exhausted.

• Only take what you need. Really.

This applies to your makeup bag as well as your clothing. Make a list with what you absolutely need. Pare it down to the bare essentials for your face: a cleanser, moisturizer, foundation, and a small amount of makeup. Clothing wise, be conscious of how long you will be there and what activities you're going to be doing. My rule: Don't take more outfits than the days you will be there- otherwise you're over-packing!

Andalou Naturals Creamy Clay Mask Review

Normally I let Meg do all the face mask posts since she is addicted but today I am going to show you one of my favourite clay masks I use for clarifying my skin when I get those dreadful breakouts.

I picked up this mask by Andalou Naturals for the first time over a year ago at my local Natural Grocer and have been in love ever since.

Product Info: You can get this at most Natural Grocers or at some Grocers that have a natural skincare section. The cost of this mask is around $12.00 to $15.00.

The Short Bus: A Journey Beyond Normal Book Review

(Photo Courtesy of Amazon Canada)

The Short Bus: A Journey Beyond Normal by Jonathan Mooney was actually required for the start of my teacher education, but I think this is a book I would have picked up regardless due to my interest in stories of everyday people in all their diversity and wonder.

Jonathan is a former short bus rider. For those of you who don't get the reference, the short bus is a vehicle that often takes students with mental, physical, and learning disabilities to school. The short bus, for Jonathan, becomes a symbol of his (mostly terrible) school experience and the way he was singled out for being different. However, Jonathan is a success story... he overcame his severe dyslexia and went on to graduate from Brown University, becoming a public speaker.

Jonathan has some unfinished business... In the Short Bus, he converts an old bus for his purposes and drives across America meeting people who are also considered different. Even Jonathan who is well-versed in the alternative has his views challenged and comes to greater understanding after getting to know the people he meets.

While in his story, Jonathan recounts several painful classroom memories, the most powerful one for me detailed a teacher treating Jonathan in a way that ostracized him from the rest of the class: she repeatedly referred to Jonathan as "not normal" or "different" implying that he didn't have a proper place in their classroom. As the students watched Jonathon being treated in such a way, they internalized what they saw and began to treat him exactly as the teacher did. This example encompasses two powerful themes of the book: how identity is shaped and the concept of normality in society.

To me, the discussion of normality in the book was one of the most fascinating parts of the book. The main question seems to be:

What is normal, anyway?

This is something a lot of people can relate to, not just people who are considered different academically in school. If I had a quarter for every time I asked myself if I was normal, I would be sitting in Southern France writing this article right now!

50 Random Questions Tag

I love watching tag videos on YouTube because I love getting to know people better so I thought this would be a fun post to switch it up today. Enjoy!

1. Where were you 3 hours ago?- Painting the new moulding in my bedroom.
2. Who are you in love with?- I am not currently in love but I do love a lot of people. 
3. Have you ever eaten a crayon?- Actually I have tried this as a child. 
4. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?- Like one pink shirt in my closet. Anyone who knows me knows pink is not my colour. 
5. When is the last time you went to the mall?- Around 3 weeks ago. 
6. Are you wearing socks right now?- Too hot for that. 
7. Does your family have a car worth over $2,000?- Yes.
8. When was the last time you drove out of town?- Over the weekend I went to the next town over. 
9. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?- Nope.
10. Are you hot?- Well, we are experiencing another heat wave in Vancouver so yes it is very hot. 
11. What was the last thing you had to drink?- Some lemon ginger tea because I have been having a cold.
12. What are you wearing right now?- Old Navy yoga leggings and a Gap pullover. 
13. Do you wash your car or let the car wash do it?- I don't drive so I don't have a car. 
14. Last food that you ate?- Chicken Pot Pie.
15. Where were you last week at this time?- At work. 
16. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?- I just made an online Old Navy order. 
17. When is the last time you ran?- It has been about 5 weeks. The last time I full on ran, I injured my achilles tendon so I have to wait for that to heal before I can get back into running. 
18. What's the last sporting event you watched?- Hockey when it was the season. 
19. What is your favorite animal?- Monkey or Moose, I can't choose. 
20. Your dream vacation?- So many places: London, Paris, Scotland, Sweden, Italy, Greece... 
21. Last person's house you were in?- My friend Katrina who I have known since high school. 
22. Worst injury you've ever had? Not any that I remember but I did hurt my nose pretty bad as a baby which resulted in some stitches. 
23. Have you been in love?- Yes, but it's been a while. 
24. Do you miss anyone right now?- Yes. 
25. Last play you saw?- I haven't seen a play in a long while but the last one was probably a Shakespeare play at Bard on the Beach with Meg a couple years back. 
26. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?- If I had a secret I would let you know but I don't. 
27. What are your plans for tonight?- Blog post writing and packing for Meg and I's upcoming weekend trip to Seattle. 
28. Who is the last person you sent a MySpace message or comment?- These questions are certainly outdated, does anyone use MySpace anymore?
29. Next trip you are going to take?- Seattle with Meg and another good friend this weekend. 
30. Ever go to camp?- I have been camping but never to camp. 
31. Were you an honor roll student in school?- I did make it a few times. 
32. What do you want to know about the future?- If I will get to travel as much as I dream about. 
33. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?- Currently I am au naturale but my mom got me Ralph Lauren Romance for my birthday which I am loving. 
34. Are you due sometime this year for a doctor's visit?- Probably. 
35. Who is your best friend?- Does this even need to be asked? It's MEG!!!!
36. How is your best friend?- She is great, as far as I know...
37. Do you have a tan?- I am naturally tan all year round :)
38. What are you listening to right now?- Taylor Swift's "Shake it Off", it is very catchy. 
39. Do you collect anything?- Scarves or Skin Care products. 
40. Who is the biggest gossiper you know?- The biggest gossipers I know are from work so I won't mention any names.
41. Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over?- I have never been, that is probably because I don't drive. 
42. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw?- Yes, but mostly at restaurants because they give you a straw. 
43. What does your last text message say?- "Thanks for coming" from my friend Katrina. 
44. Do you like hot sauce?- I dislike almost everything that is remotely spicy. 
45. Last time you took a shower?- About an hour ago. 
46. Do you need to do laundry?- I just did today. 
47. What is your heritage?- I am Canadian, born in Canada but my heritage is Indian. 
48. Are you someone's best friend?- Yes, I hope so. 
49. Are you rich?- Absolutely not. 
50. What were you doing at 12AM last night?- In bed watching "Friends", the best television show ever!!!!

I hope you thought this was a fun and different type of post. Feel free to answer these questions in the comments or on your own blog and tweet me the link so i can give it a read. I would love to get to know you all better. 

In The Kitchen With Cate: Chorizo Carbonara (Original Recipe by Jamie Oliver)

So, I haven't done a cooking post in a little bit and I thought it was time for a new one.

I have been really into pasta lately (there will be another pasta recipe post coming up soon) and Jamie Oliver has some really great and simple recipes on his site for those who are newer to cooking pastas.

I decided to try the Chorizo Carbonara, mainly because it contains two of my favourite foods, penne and sausage.

*Disclaimer: This is not my recipe, this recipe belongs to Jamie Oliver and I found it on his lovely website and am just recreating it. You can find the original recipe here.

Firstly, you want to bring your Water and a bit of Salt to a boil and add Pour pasta to the boiling water and cook for 11 minutes. 

You then want to add your thin slices of Sausage to your pan as well as the Rosemary, Pepper, and Olive Oil. 

All That Is Solid Melts Into Air Review

Darragh McKeon's All That Is Solid Melts Into Air is a novel set in the Soviet Union around the time of the Chernobyl Reactor Meltdown and onwards. The story focuses on a few central characters: a child prodigy on the piano who is being bullied by schoolmates, a rural boy on the verge of manhood, a brilliant doctor trying to do the right thing, and a woman with current and past unrest... all are connected by the catastrophic event in one way or another, and thus they are all connected to each other.

History has also been a fascination of mine, but as much as I love facts, it is the stories of people that really interest me. If you are looking for well-developed characters with rich histories and vivid thoughts, this is the book for you. I really felt a connection with the characters: their hopes, their fears, their loves. Even though I live in a place and time vastly different than the tyrannic nature of the Soviet Union in the 1980s, tightly gripped by Communism and totalitarianism, this novel is just more proof that human nature is universal. We all want the same things in the end: a safe home, our loved ones close, and the ability to realize our dreams.

Teen Skincare Series: Toners

So today we are continuing in the next phase of my Teen Skincare Series. If you missed the first post in the series all about Cleansers, you can check that out here.

Toners are, to me, a very important step in my personal skincare routine. There is a lot of debate on whether or not toners are necessary in your skincare. Many people have argued that it is just an unnecessary step but on the other end toners can be good for removing any excess soap you may have  missed while rinsing off your cleanser and they can also help to rebalance the ph levels in your skin and soothe your skin.

I personally have gone with and without toner in my years of experimenting with skincare and I have found that my skin looks better and much more even when I am using a toner that suits my skin type.

I went into detail about the importance of knowing your skin type and how to figure it out in my first post in the series so before you continue on reading this, make sure you know your skin type and if you don't, I explain how you can figure it out here.

There is a Toner for an array of skin issues, you just need to find the right one for you.

Is Acne Your Issue? 

If acne is what you're struggling with (don't feel bad, most teens do) then you need to find out what acne ingredient works for you. The most popular being Salicylic Acid or Benzoyl Peroxide. Once you know that, look for a toner with that ingredient in it. The Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3 for Oily/Combination Skin works for me because it contains Salicylic Acid but if your ingredient of choice is Benzoyl Peroxide try looking at Neutrogena, many of their toners contain a good amount of Benzoyl Peroxide and if you need more Salicylic Acid, Clean & Clear is a good brand to check out. 

Origins VitaZing SPF 15 Energy-Boosting Moisturizer With Mangosteen Review

Hello again everyone, 

Today I am going to be doing a skincare review for you. This time on a bit of a higher end item. I purchased this about a year ago and did not like it at first so I stopped using it and I decided to give it another try and share with your my thoughts the second time around. 

Product Info: I purchased this product at Sephora with a gift card I received and it was on the pricier side at $45.00 for a 50ml, standard size bottle. 

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? Book Review

I have wanted to read a lot of the books that have come out recently by some of the fiercer women of comedy (like Tina Fey's Bossypants). However, Mindy Kahling's is the first of many future humour books that I will be blazing through, I'm sure.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) is the perfect read: half witty comedy, a quarter memoir, a smattering of random thoughts, topped with a smidgen of sensible advice. Despite all of her hilarity, Mindy has her moments of wisdom and authenticity which really make the book seem like your quirky, down-to-Earth, but really funny best friend is telling you a long, disconnected story that will all make sense in the end (maybe).

First Impressions: Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel Serum Foundation

Hello again everyone,

Today I am coming at you with a first impressions review of the Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel serum Foundation. 

I have heard a lot of people in the beauty community on YouTube talk about this one, especially beauty bloggers/vloggers from the UK because I think this foundation is more readily available in the UK.

Here in Canada, however it is a bit tougher to get your hands on. They do sell it at Shoppers Drug Mart locations however, only select locations carry Bourjois and not all so i did travel out of my town to get a bottle.

Product Info: In Canada, I purchased this foundation for $27.00 for a standard 30ml size.

Consistency: The consistency of this foundation is definitely on the light side. In fact when I first held the bottle I thought there was nothing in it. It is almost weightless and it does have that feeling when you put it on your skin. It is not too heavy or a fuller coverage. You all may know that I do enjoy my heavy coverage, thicker foundations but it is nice for the summer time to have a much lighter consistency.

5 Beauty Bad Habits to Break: Hair Care Edition

I'm on a quest for healthier hair this summer, especially because I'm growing out my lovely locks. We're all guilty of being less than kind to our hair at times, but here are some of the biggest habits you can break to get gorgeous hair with less damage!

1) Being too vigorous with your hair after getting out of the shower

No aggressive towel-drying or brushing as it causes breakage and frizziness. Instead, gently pat dry your hair and let it air dry.

Wet hair = delicate hair. Let's treat it that way!

2) Dying your hair too often

At-home dyes can be very harsh, often leading to dry, brittle hair and breakage. Switch to a product that is less damaging, like Lush's henna dyes (review here), which contain moisturizing cocoa butter and no harsh chemicals, or take a trip to the salon instead.

The Good, The Bad, and The Alright: Dark Spot Correctors

So it is finally time for another instalment of my little series. This time I am focusing on Dark Spot Correctors.

As you may know from previous posts, I have been fighting a long and arduous battle with my dark spots which were leftover from last years serious breakout session. So I have tested out quite a few of them and have been generally left quite disappointed by most.

Back in January I reviewed the Kiehl's Dark Spot Solution which you can see here, and I was left very discouraged by the results. Since then I have tried 3 new dark spot treatments that I will talk about now.

Vichy PROEVEN Daily Dark Spot Corrector

I was really excited to try this one from Vichy because I have had a lot of luck with the brand. During the winter time when I was experiencing many dry patches I reached for their Aqualia Thermal line and found my skin some relief so naturally I wanted to give their dark spot treatment a go. 

Texture and Application: This product honestly feels like a light weight moisturizer rather than a serum based formula which most of the corrector I have encountered in the past have been. The instructions say that you can apply a moisturizer over top the corrector which I did end up doing on occasion but a lot of the time, the product itself is enough. 

Results: I did not see a great deal of results from this product. I liked the lightweight texture especially for the warmer weather. This product contains Vitamin C which is actually a brightening product that generally works for me really well but I am not sure the percentage of Vitamin C in this product but it had no effect on my skin. 

Review: St.Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub

I was a bit hesitant to pick up this scrub because I was attempting to not spend money needlessly. After all, I already have a Clarisonic, did I really need a scrub for exfoliation? Apparently, the answer is yes because I'm loving this Apricot Scrub!

There is nothing but good things to say about this one- I love that it's gentle, it's natural, and it smells AMAZING!

Review: Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

I have had a hard time finding a drug store foundation that I am absolutely in love with.

I love Estee Lauder's Double Wear Foundation so so much. It has amazing coverage (so much so that I don't even need to wear extra concealer) and it doesn't budge all day but at 40 bucks a bottle, it is a splurge. So I have always wanted to find something a bit more affordable that I can love just the same.

The Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation claims to make your skin feel awake and radiant each and every morning so I decided to put these claims to the test.


Product Info: This foundation is available at most drugstore and will be around $11.00 to $13.00 Canadian dollars.

Consistency: This foundation has a rather thick consistency (similar to the Estee Lauder Double Wear) but not as easy to blend out.

DIY Simple & Customizable Body Sugar Scrub

Sugar scrubs are one of my favourite DIYs because they are just so simple and quick to make, cost next to nothing (depending on your ingredients), and you can customize every single step to your personal preferences! They are great for a day of pampering and make great gifts for friends and family!

Here's what you'll need: 
Sugar Scrub Ingredients

• 1 part oil (Coconut and olive oil are my favourites, but you can use any you have handy)
• 2 part table sugar (White or brown sugar work well, but even table/sea salt is an alternative if you are running low on sugar!)
• Add ONE/TWO (optional) add-in: 
• 5-15 drops of an essential oil (such as lemon , mint, lavender). The amount will depend on how much you are making: adjust accordingly!
• 1 tablespoon (raw) honey (it's antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and hyper-moisturizing properties are perfect for scrubs and masks!)
• 1/2 tablespoon vitamin e oil or a few capsules
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1 teaspoon of citrus zest (lemon, limes, and grapefruits anyone?)

Personally, my favourite combinations are:

Product Rave: Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Weightless Healing Dry Oil Spray

So...

I don't normally talk about a ton of hair care on this blog, I usually leave that to Meg. That is because I have quite oilier hair. It is usually really great and healthy looking the day I wash it, but the next day it becomes a greasy mess so I don't use a lot of product in my hair.

My hair routine consists of mainly the basics like shampoo (both wet and dry), conditioner, heat protectant spray, and some hairspray to tame fly aways. Anything else usually weighs my hair down.

Lately I have been finding my hair a little more dull. Especially because I have been using more products to control the oil in my hair it takes away from the natural shine in my hair. But this Argan Oil of Morocco Weightless Healing Dry Oil by Organix is a miracle worker.

(You can tell I love this because it's almost empty but don't worry I am on my way out to repurchase!)

I must admit I did steal this product from my moms bathroom and I am sure glad I did. This product is such a miracle for hair that is fine but needs a boost.

Product Info: This product is found in drugstores so it isn't too pricey. Around $9.00 to $11.00 per 118ml.

Consistency: This product, as it says, is a weightless dry oil so it does feel like an oil but not a thick oil and because it is a dry oil it does not leave your hair incredibly greasy.

5 Beauty Bad Habits To Break: Skincare Edition

I wanted to share with you some of the beauty bad habits I've been trying to break up with. 

1)  Not getting every tiny bit of makeup off before bed

Going to sleep with makeup is probably on every beauty blogger's DO NOT DO list. It's so important to get every bit of makeup off before you go to sleep, lest you not give your skin a chance to rejuvenate over night and end up with acne and aged skin.

This is where waterproof mascara comes back to bite me... so keep cleansing wipes and make up remover pads by your bead, break out the Clarisonic, or use some good old fashion cleanser... whatever way you do it, get that makeup off your face before bed!

2) Sleeping on your face

I'm one of those sleepers that even if I'm insanely tired I can only go to sleep when I'm completely comfortable... And I happen to most comfortable on my stomach with my face in a pillow. 

Sleeping with your face in a pillow unfortunately causes fine wrinkles on your face. In other words, if you wake up with lines all over your face, they may be come permanent. The best position to sleep in is on your back... if only I could get comfortable.

First Impressions: L'Oreal Miss Manga Mascara

Hello everyone and welcome to another day of BEDA.  I hope you are enjoying the content we ave created for you thus far and make sure to stay tuned because we will be having new posts every single day for the remainder of August.

Today I am here with another Mascara review. If you recall, back in late June I reviewed the CoverGirl Flamed Out Mascara (which you can check out here) and I was not particularly a fan. I wanted to try out another newer mascara for you all and naturally, with all the hype surrounding it I picked up the L'Oreal Miss Manga Mascara. 

This mascara is inspired by the girls in Japanese Manga comic that always have such bold and prominent lashes.

L'Oreal features their 360 Flexor Brush that is designed to get all of your lashes with its flexibility. So enough about what this mascara is supposed to do and lets get to the results.

Product Info: So depending on which drugstore you choose to buy this at or if you can get it on sale it will run around $9.00 to $12.00.

Kit Peel Off Mask with Pomegranate Review

Today I'm bringing you another review of the Kit's Peel Off Masks, as I enjoyed the first one I tried so much. I was doubly excited to try out this mask because it is enriched with pomogranate which is chock full of antioxidants! 

Like the cucumber peel off mask, this mask went on clear. Though when you take it out of the package it looks rose tinted and smelled like raspberry jelly. It has the consistency of jelly too; it's a lot more firm than other facemasks. 

Cate's Morning & Nighttime Skincare Routine

I did a skincare routine a while ago and to be quite honest back then I was using, pardon my French, a shit ton of products on my skin and while that is okay if it works, it really was not working for me.

Since then, I have really dialled down the products I use on my face to truly essentials and I am much happier with the results. 

Nighttime Routine

Clarisonia Mia 2

I have had a love/hate relationship with my Clarisonic for the last little while, I think because I may have been over using it but now that I have found that right balance of using it for my particular skin type, I love it! I don't use it every night but I do use it at night when I wear a lot of extra makeup just to make sure it all gets off and to make sure my skin is thoroughly cleansed. 

La Roche Posay Efflaclar Purifying Foaming Gel

This is one of my all time favourite cleansers, so much so that I bought the big tube. It is the only cleanser that I have found that keeps my skin consistently clear (aside from the occasional breakout) without stripping my skin and making it super dry and tight. 

Andalou Naturals Clementine + C Illuminating Toner

This is a new toner for me (well a month or so) and I am liking it. I love anything citrus-y and this is great and I really do notice that my skin is brighter with it. 

Garnier Skin Renew Dark Spot Overnight Peel

I have been using this for a while now (expect a review/comparison post soon). I love it, I definitely notice a different in the appearance of my dark spots, more than any other corrector I have tried and I have tried a lot. This is my second bottle. 

Meg's Beauty, Fashion, & Lifestyle Wishlist

FASHION

• Black Cigarette Pants (a la Audrey Hepburn) that won't break the bank

I've been searching for the perfect pair of trousers forever, but unfortunately every time I find the perfect pair, in petite, like these beauties from ASOS they are not available in my size. Alas!

• Beautiful Blouses

(Business Trip Bliss Top in French Bulldog, Fashion Copywriter Top, 

Guest Appearance Top, Everyday Elegant Top)

Like my quest for black trousers, I've also been looking for tops of a more professional (yet still chic) style as I am about to start teaching school and need clothes to, well, teach in! These are from Modcloth and there's a lot more where they come from!

BEAUTY

• Chinchilly, Smokin' Hot, After School Boy Blazer & Geranium Nailpolishes from Essie

When it comes to Essie nail polishes I can't pick just one.

Oatmeal Toffee Cookies: Original Recipe by Butter With a Side of Bread

I normally do cooking posts on this site and I love to cook don't get me wrong but I also enjoy baking. The only problem with baking for me is that I don't have too much of a sweet tooth so I always have so much left over but, I decided to share the love with these cookies and give them to neighbours and co-workers.

Today I decided to make some delicious oatmeal cookies with toffee bits instead of the traditional chocolate chip cookies. 

I found this recipe on the lovely blog Butter With a Side of Bread. They feature lots of great recipes and not just baking but tonnes of mains as well so definitely hop on over and give their site a peak. 

I am going to show you how I made these. For the Original Recipe and list of full ingredients, please check out the original post right here.

*Disclaimer: This recipe is not my own. I found this recipe on the site www.butterwithasideofbread.com and just recreated it. You can find the Original Recipe and Post by clicking here.

*Keep in mind, I doubled this recipe so that I could have lots to give away. 

Firstly, you want to add your dry ingredients (flour, oatmeal, salt, and baking soda) to a medium sized bowl and set aside. 

You then want to add your brown sugar as well as your butter to a separate, larger sized mixing bowl.

Add your eggs in as well. 

Review: St. Ives Timeless Skin Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturizer

I first picked this product up because Cate reminded me that Dr.Oz said it was one of the best, most cost effective moisturizers for anti-aging. I can't attest to those changes yet, being only 25 and not having used it long term, but I have to say I'm loving this moisturizer!

I haven't seen any huge signs of aging on my skin yet, though I do see a few fine lines around my eyes. I do think this moisturizer is helping me be proactive in dealing with them and I've seen visible improvement.

Every night, and sometimes in the morning or throughout the day as well, I apply this St. Ives moisturizer to my face and neck. I also try to get my chest area as well, as the skin there is quite delicate as well, especially due to sun exposure. I love that a little goes a long way- the moisturizer is creamy, luxurious and hyper-moisturizing. I find that a small amount is more than enough for the areas I want to cover.

The Good, The Bad, and The Alright: Dry Shampoos

Hello everyone and welcome to the first day of BEDA.

Meg and I are doing blog posts every single day for the month of August so make sure to keep followed to the blog so you don't miss anything exciting.

Today it is time for another comparison post, this time on some of the most popular drugstore dry shampoos.

As a self proclaimed oily haired girl who's natural second day hair grease can probably be used to fry bacon, I appreciate a good dry shampoo and if it costs less, I appreciate it even more. Today I am going to show you which ones I like and which ones I just don't care for.

Batiste Dry Shampoo: Clean and Classic Original Formula 

This is a really popular dry shampoo in the drug store, in fact it has been sold out many times at my local drug stores. We actually just started receiving this dry shampoo in Canada but those of you in the states have had Batiste for a while. 

Texture and Application: I always apply my dry shampoo the same day I wash my hair but in the night time. I find it much better to absorb the oil before it starts than after it is already full of oil. This dry shampoo applies very nicely and evenly but it does leave a very prominent white cast which shows up on my darker hair. 

My Thoughts: I think this dry shampoo does a great job of keeping my hair oil free the next day but the truth is, my hair always looks way too white/ grey when I apply it and it takes me a long time to brush out. People with lighter hair found benefit from this.