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Tuesday 25 October 2016

Clinique Chubby In The Nude Foundation Stick Review

I used to be a foundation girl.  I wore it every day without fail.  Then life got busy or I got lazy.  There just wasn't time in the morning to be faffing with foundation.  Plus, I always felt like I was wearing a mask on my face.  I switched to just dabbing on a bit of concealer and foundation powder. Then, when cc and bb creams and tinted moisturizers made their appearance, I started using them with a sigh of relief.  It was just so much easier.  I ran out of my trusty cc cream and concealer recently so decided to check out the latest cosmetic offerings instead of simply repurchasing the same products as I have the sneaking suspicion that, with the advance of age, my skin needed a bit more (cough, cough) help.  I wanted something quick and foolproof.  By chance I came across the Clinique Chubby Sticks.
  


The Chubbies come in lip balms, eyeshadows, contour and highlighters and foundation sticks.  I picked up the foundation stick in 08 Grandest Golden Neutral.  I think it might be a shade too dark for me as, now we are heading into November, my summer tan is fading.  But with a tan, it is a very close match.  My biggest complaint in the past with Clinique was their limited range of skin tone shades.  However, I think they have really improved and made an effort to offer a range that covers a wider spectrum of skin tones.  The Chubby Stick goes from cream to powder and is easily blendable.  The portable size means that you can tuck it in to your purse for quick touchups during the day especially if your liquid foundation tends to get patchy.  You can use a brush or sponge to buff it in to your skin but honestly, because it was designed to be portable, patting it in with your fingertips works extremely well too.  It is buildable so that you can go from sheer to full coverage.  If you have dry skin,  I would recommend moisturizing and/or priming first otherwise you might find it gets patchy or clings a bit too much to the dry areas.



I really like the fact that it is oil free as my nose does tend to get a bit shiny as the day wears on.  


I am pleased with the natural finish as well.  I don't feel like I'm wearing a heavy mask.  As mentioned above, the Chubby Stick is available as a Contouring Stick as well but if you went a couple of shades darker, you could use one of the foundation sticks for contouring instead because it so easy to blend.  Foundations tend to come in a wider range of shades than contouring makeup so if you are aiming for a natural contoured look then a foundation stick is one way to achieve that.  All in all, I like it a lot as it is a good way to ease myself back into using foundation without sacrificing a  lot of time and effort in the morning.  
Have you tried a foundation stick?  What are your thoughts?  Are you like me, always looking for shortcuts when it comes to makeup?

This is not a sponsored post.
I am linking up with Share Your Cup.


Sunday 23 October 2016

LBH Weekly Roundup: Festive Scented Candles

The trees are changing colour and heralding the arrival of Fall.  I do love this time of year.  I pull out my favourite cozy sweaters and fire up the radiator.  If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace, this is the time for hot chocolate and roaring fires.  But, if you are like me and don't have a fireplace, go for the next best thing which is a candle (or two) scented like a fresh wintery forest. This is the only time of year that such candles make their appearance in the shops and I can't tell you the number of hours I have spent in gift stores happily breathing in the woodsy scent.  Here are a couple of my favourites.

via chapter.indigo.ca

The Thymes Frasier Fir candle is a perennial favourite of mine.  It really does smell like a Christmas tree.

via chapters.indigo.ca

This Balsam & Cedar candle by Illume is an interesting combination as the cedar base note gives it an earthy, woody tone.
 Now I am off to light some candles and put my feet up.  Do you love scented candles?  What is your favourite scent?

This is not a sponsored post.



Tuesday 18 October 2016

LBH Eyes On Design: Modern Interpretation of the Sputnik Light Fixture

Monsieur recently broke one of the glass covers on the kitchen ceiling light fixture.  Rather than be upset over a light fixture that I had never really liked, I took it as a sign to look at the latest offerings in lighting.  I have always loved the Sputnik light fixture.  The very name evokes the midcentury fascination with technology and space exploration.  Decades later, its design is still relevant.   But finding a vintage one is difficult unless you have deep pockets.  A trend that I have noticed lately is the modern interpretation of the Sputnik showing up in design showrooms.  This reincarnation of the Sputnik is sleek, oh so modern and utterly contemporary.

via theblockshop.com.au

The reborn Sputnik can be seen in a variety of finishes such as oil rubbed bronze or golden brass, not just chrome.

via homedepot.com
Different types of bulbs such as an Edison bulb is another point of difference.

via homedepot.ca

Instead of the usual satellite shape, there is a play on shapes as well.  This one looks like a drawing of a molecule come to life.

via theblockshop.com.au

And this one definitely reminds me of chemistry class.

via theblockshop.com.au

Now I need to save up to get my mitts on one of these babies.



Thursday 13 October 2016

The LBH Weekly Roundup: Buddha and Buddah Pain Relief Cream and Hot Water Bottles

I had the misfortune of straining the rotator cuff in my right shoulder a few weeks ago.  This means that, when I wash my hair or lift my arm to do anything, the jolt of pain sends me straight into the foetal position.  A well meaning friend gave me a jar of Buddha and Buddah Pain Relief Cream to try out.  My friend swore that this was the bomb when dealing with shark week or any other issue involving aches and pains.  The main ingredients are organic shea butter with essential oils but the "magic bullet" is contained in the last two ingredients, tetrahyrocannibinol and cannabidiol.  I will leave you to google what those are but suffice to say I have never gone for a walk on the wild side and my idea of getting crazy is settling down for a marathon viewing of the "Walking Dead."


Still, the alarming greasiness of my hair and my failure to suddenly become left handed meant that I was willing to give it a go.  After several nights of Monsieur massaging it into my shoulder, suffice to say that I felt...nothing.  The pain was still there.  No zen feeling, no meeting of the minds with Buddha, nada.  It was back to my old standby, the hot water bottle.  I love my hot water bottle.  Every Autumn when the hot water bottles arrive in the shops, I obsess over them.  There really is nothing like clutching its warm coziness in the depths of a Canadian winter.  In particular, I do love a hot water bottle that comes with its own sweater as it helps to insulate it and provides a soft surface at the same time.

via chapters.indigo.ca

I have been eyeing this one kitted out with a Fair Isle knit.

via chapters.indigo.ca
And this one with the zigzag knit gives off that 70's afghan vibe but in a much cooler way than your grandma's throw.

Now I am off to press my hot water bottle against my shoulder.

Please note that you should consult your physician regarding pain relief!  This is NOT a sponsored post.




Monday 10 October 2016

LBH Eyes On Design: Stadshem and Scandi Styling

Confession time...I am addicted to those reno shows where a hapless family cannot, for the life of them, sell their home because it is 1) cluttered 2) poorly designed 3) poorly renovated 4) badly styled or all four.  I think these shows' popularity tap into the fact that, with a bit of elbow grease and common sense, it is possible for anyone to make their house desirable and sellable.  Enter Stadshem.  It is not a reality show but a Swedish real estate company.  Just looking at the photographs of the homes on their books is a master class in how to style a home not just to sell but for every day.

via stadshem.se

Look at that living room!  It is pure Scandi style which is so very popular right now.

via stadshem.se

I am in love with the kitchen.  If I was a prospective buyer, this kitchen would have me at hello.


What I love about the styling is that it is consistent throughout the entire property.  It paints a very clear, beautiful picture of aspirational living.

via stadshem.se
The little touches almost make me believe that these are the real owners' belongings and that this is a very livable space.  Well done Stadshem!  Now I am going to go and wipe the drool off my chin.


This is not a sponsored post.



Thursday 6 October 2016

The LBH Weekly Roundup - 2016 Beauty Advent Calendars

I know that Christmas is hardly a blip in your mind right now but I have found that those special Advent Calendars that generate oohhs and ahhs from the adult crowd sell out so quickly.  They barely make an appearance in the shops before they are snapped up.  As well, I just don't think that they are widely available in Canada as celebrating Advent tends to be a more European tradition.  I, for one, could wholeheartedly embrace this tradition as who wouldn't love a gift every day for 24 days?!! Here are a couple that have caught my eye.  

via L'Occitane.com

The L'Occitane Advent Calendar for 2016 made my eyes pop out!  It is packed full of their bestsellers like Shea Butter Hand Cream and the Almond Shower Oil and is available online prior to making their appearance in store later this month.

Price: $59.00 CDN


Next up is the Ciate London Mini Mani Nail Polish Set.

via Sephora.com
The set includes 18 mini paint pots, a full size nail polish, 2 nail toppers, 2 nail treatments and a sequinned nail file.

Price: $70.00 CDN at Sephora Canada.

I will update the list as I am made aware of them.  If you know of any swoon-worthy Advent Calendars coming out, let me know so that I can add them.

This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.

Tuesday 4 October 2016

September Favourites - Live Clean Shampoo and Conditioner, Simple Skincare and Too Faced Lipstick


Is it October already?  For most of this year, I have been thinking about living an intentional life.  At first, I was quite flummoxed by it.  I thought that I had to give up makeup, all the things that make me happy and walk around looking and feeling miserable and disheveled.  Gradually, I came to realize that I had to make the concept fit my life, instead of the other way around.  In my heart of hearts, I knew it was unrealistic to expect me to completely give up shopping, eschew anything that came in a package and start making everything from scratch a la Little House on the Prairie.   I thought about my priorities and values and I know that, when I do buy something, it is important to get good value for my money.  So I thought that I would do a roundup of things that I have been loving and which have been working for me.  Keep in mind that what works for me might not necessarily work for you as everyone's skin is different.  First up, is the Live Clean line of shampoos and conditioners.  The Sensitive and Hypoallergenic Shampoo and Conditioner and Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo for a weekly deep clean are my favourites.  It isn't easy to find haircare that is free of the usual nasties and at an affordable price.  I get mine at Shoppers Drug Mart, which, thankfully, is a national chain pharmacy, so no more having to make a trek to a health food store and paying inflated prices.
Next up is the Simple line skincare.  I cringe when I think of the years when I didn't bother with sunscreen or moisturizer.  And then, one day, I woke up and found that wrinkles had decided to set up camp on my face, never to depart!  It is light weight, doesn't cause me to break out, and is widely available at an affordable price point.  It does the job, no muss or fuss, which is enough for me.  I do wish the Protecting Moisturizer had a higher SPF than the baseline 15 but that is my only quibble.  If you have any suggestions on a good moisturizer, please let me know!
And, last but not least, is my new love, Too Faced lipstick in Spice Spice Baby.  I have always felt a little self-conscious about wearing a lot or any makeup at all.  There was a time when there really wasn't a wide range of colours and a lot of what was out there just wasn't suitable for my skin tone.  I was that girl who would scurry past the makeup counters in a sort of embarrassed state.  When I finally screwed up the courage to really, really explore Sephora, I was astounded, not least because of the pounding music and manic crowd of 18 to 20 year olds.  Is that store every empty?  It really is amazing how the right colour(s) can wake up your entire face.  This lipstick is that perfect shade of coral that makes my lips look like my lips, only better.  I haven't been 18 in years but now you will find me determinedly jostling, elbow to elbow with the 18 year olds, happily swatching away. 
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This week I am linking up with Share Your Cup.  This is not a sponsored post.  All items mentioned I purchased myself.
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