Hi all! So kind of late since it’s almost the middle of May, but I really wanted to blog about my media favourites for April 2011. Basically what I have been into music, movies, books, and television-wise. Oh, and as a side note, do you like the new layout of le blog? I hope you do, I wanted to switch it up a bit.
But anyways, here goes!
Music
Okay so I was into a little mix of everything for April, from the Black Eyed Peas (who I haven’t liked in a while) to Nicki Minaj (whom I can’t stand) to some old favourites like Akon.
I also want to note that I have been really into podcasts lately, especially Above and Beyond’s Trance Around the World, you can download it off iTunes for free and I believe that they put out a new one every week and the best part is that it’s two hours! That may seem like a long time but if you want background noise it’s so perfect.
Television
Okay so I don’t really watch television that often because I don’t really have the time. There are some TV staples that I watch every week like Desperate Housewives but that’s about it. I have really been into Khloe and Lamar and The Dance Scene (only because it’s on after Khloe and Lamar), but I have to say, I have been loving Audrina Patridge’s new show, aptly titled Audrina. Oh my gosh, talk about a guilty pleasure, her family is so whack, but not in a Kardashian way. Her mom is so crazy and her sister seems to freak out pretty easily. And it’s weird how the dad seems to talk a lot about how his daughter is famous (I mean obviously she is, but usually on these reality shows, you don’t hear people talking about how famous they are). I think I prefer this show to The Hills because it seems more real and her family is just so darn entertaining. It’s a VH1 show but I just watch it online at mtv.ca.
Speaking of mtv.ca, I have been loving the new series of 16 and Pregnant. Okay I was totally obsessed with the first season of show and then Teen Mom (with the original cast). I didn’t really watch the second season at all, but oh my, how I have been loving this new season! How juicy was the episode with Jennifer? I couldn’t believe her deadbeat boyfriend just left with the twins in the car and her by the side of the road. This show has seriously become more than just a message of “don’t have sex” for kids, it shows how much of a loser boyfriends can get after they knock up their girlfriends (not that all the baby daddies on the show have been that way, but a good handful of them). Love it!
Movies
Sad to admit but I don’t think anything stuck out to me this month. Scream 4 was good, but if you want to hear me talk about it check out my Horror Weekend post. Another movie that comes to mind would be Waiting. I have never seen this movie before but heard a bunch of good things about it. So when I came across it on Netflix randomly I was like “why not, I’m bored anyways…”. This movie is actually so funny, so glad I watched it. I loved the charter of Amy (played by Alanna Ubach, she was so funny how she was so mad one moment and then fake nice the next. If you haven’t seen this movie, check it out. Hilarious!
Books
Sad to say but the only book I read in April was Kardashian Konfidential. I had no time and when I did, I picked this book up. I’m not going to go into too much detail because I already blogged about it, but if you want something fun and juicy to read, pick this up. If you don’t want to shell out the $30 CDN for it then check out your local library they may have a copy, I know mine did.
So those were my media favourites for the month of April! What were some of yours?
One of the world’s most popular moisturizers, Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (DDML) is my favourite moisturizer ever and the only one I use. They say that a bottle of this distinctively yellow face hydrator is sold every four seconds and I truly believe it. One, because they offer it in basically all of their Gift with Purchases and two, it just works so damn well.
I have known about this product for as long as I can remember (I would come across the little sample jars in my mom’s vanity drawer) but I first started using this product when I was 16 or so when I had an allergic reaction on my face which I thought at the time was acne. Like any other teenager, I freaked out, so my mom took me to the Clinique counter and the sales associate recommended their famous three-step system, which I still use to this day. I don’t use any other face moisturizer and when I do, it’s just not the same as DDML.
So is it cult-worthy? Yes, yes it totally is. And Clinique knows it, so much so that there is an abundance of different sizes and versions you can buy it in. You can get the lotion or the gel (for oily skin types) in either a travel size tube or a jar or a jar with a pump. And the best part? It’s affordable (well relatively, this is not going to be the same price as an Olay cream, but for department store, it’s pretty good); the prices range from about $15-31 CAD.
So why is it so good? Well, according to Clinique’s website:
Hydrated skin doesn’t just look smoother and healthier-it’s better able to function as a barrier against external aggressors. Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is the moisture “drink” developed by Clinique dermatologists to maintain skin’s optimal moisture balance. Works to soften, smooth, improve the condition and texture of your skin. Custom-fit to skin type in Very Dry to Dry Combination skin formula.
Apply twice a day to face and throat all over, or where needed. For best results use after Facial Soap and Clarifying Lotion.
I think they nailed it on the head when they said it’s a moisture drink for your skin. A few weeks ago I ran out of the product but I wanted to wait to repurchase it because Sears was having bonus time in a week or so. Well, I couldn’t stand it; my face felt so dry and tight, it needed something to drink. So I cracked and bought a bottle (the small one) and man it made such a huge difference. My face felt so moisturized and fresh after I put some on, and I basically vowed then and there that I wouldn’t go a day without it. I have tried other lotions from Clinique and they have some others that are great as well (like the Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief), but for the price, DDML can’t be beat.
Have you tried Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion? What were your thoughts? Do you think it’s cult worthy?
It’s a new month so that means a new favourites post! There was tons of stuff that I loved this month, and a lot of it I have featured on here already, but nonetheless, they are so good, I’ll feature them again!
So let’s get started!
MAC Candy Yum Yum Lipstick
I absolutely love this colour! I picked this up the day that Quite Cute came out and I am so glad that I did because it sold out fast both in store and online. The colour is so vibrant and bold that it can be a bit tough to pull off, I personally have always worn it with a high fashion bun so the focus always went to my lips. It’s a matte finish so there is no shine to it, but you can easily add a lipgloss over top or even a nude lipliner underneath to really make this colour pop even more.
For a lot of limited edition colours, I am often kicking myself that I didn’t get a back up, I don’t think I’ll have a problem with this gem because since I got it I have maybe worn it twice (the collection came out on April 7). This one lipstick will last me a very long time, I can tell already.
MAC Pro Longwear and Bare Minerals Original Mineral Foundation
Okay so for the longest time I would only wear liquid foundation because I found that it gave me more coverage. I don’t have bad skin at all, heck I hardly have blemishes, but I want my skin to look flawless. Around Christmastime I needed a new foundation because the one I had was my summer shade and it made my face look darker than the rest of my body. I went to Sephora and managed to narrow my choices down to the Laura Mercier one and the Bare Minerals one. Laura Mercier’s foundations are extremely expensive for such a little tube (I think they retail for $55 CDN), and although it gave me great coverage I opted to go with Bare Minerals because a) the Sephora SA said that it was a good product and b) it came as a gift set with the foundation, mineral veil, bronzing powder, and three brushes. I’m not a big fan of powder foundations, but this one I can make an exception for. This product is fantastic. It goes on so nicely and your skin looks so great after.
Now fast forward to about a month ago when I watched many YouTube beauty gurus rave about MAC’s Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation. I figured I had to try it, so when I got a coupon from The Bay in my email I went straight to the MAC counter. Okay, so do I love this foundation? It’s okay, I don’t think it lasts 10 hours, or however many hours it promises, and it delivers medium coverage I would say. Also, if you have dry skin I would stay far away from this product because it can give your skin a cake-y look to it.
So why is it on my favourites list? Well I love the two products together. I use the MAC one as my foundation and then use the Bare Minerals one over top as a setting powder, and voila! Perfect skin! I also use NC 15 in the MAC one, which is very light, and I find that the Bare Minerals foundation over top adds a bit of colour. Both work great by themselves, and if I am short of time in the morning I will just stick with my Bare Minerals. If you have both products, give them a go together, they complement each other very nicely.
Urban Decay Eyeshadows in Naked, Sin, and Virgin
I have to be honest here, I have not used all the colours in my Naked Palette as of yet. However, with that being said, that’s because I have my daytime look down-pat with three of the colours from the set. I use Sin on my lids, Naked in my crease, and Virgin as a highlight. This is a perfect daytime look, great for the office, school, or wherever. It’s just so basic and neutral and pretty! It’s usually the combo I use everyday of the week.
Essie Sand Tropez nail polish and Spa Ritual Knowledge is Power nail polish
Okay so I reviewed these polishes before in my Spring Nails post, but I am actually obsessed. Right now, as I’m typing this I’m actually wearing Sand Tropez with OPI’s Black Shatter over top. It’s like one of those “you nails but better” shades.
As for Spa Ritual’s Knowledge is Power, oh my gosh, I am obsessed with this shade. It’s just such a gorgeous pink. It reminds me of Hello Kitty to be honest (does that even make sense?). It’s so vibrant, so girly, and so summery! This is a must-have!
E.L.F. Angled Contour Brush
Alright, I loved the e.l.f. C Brush so much that when I was at Target last month I wanted to pick up a few other e.l.f. brushes. I didn’t need a lot of the ones they had at the store because I already had similar ones but I thought I would give this one a try. I use this for my crease and although it may look kind of awkward, it’s so perfect. It fits right in there and gives you a flawless application. And the best part? It was $3 USD, can’t get a better price than that.
I recently just discovered e.l.f. and I really like the brand. I also picked up their makeup wipes and they also work fantastic as well. I wish they sold individual e.l.f. products in Canada.
Bare Escentuals Retractable Kabuki Brush
I picked this up in Las Vegas at the Bare Escentuals outlet and I love it! I really wanted a kabuki brush but they are often super expensive. I think I paid like $14.99 USD for this and it came with a gold shimmer powder as well (it was actually cheaper to get the set then to buy the brush by itself).
This brush is so soft and it works like a charm. It’s not the largest kabuki I have seen but it gets the job done. And the best part? It’s retractable so you can keep it nice and clean and it makes for easy travel too.
I have a few brushes from Bare Minerals/Escentuals and I found one of them, the Flawless Face Brush (I believe) to be a bit scratchy and shed a bit, but this one is nice and soft with minimal shedding.
Forever 21 Gold Chain Necklace
I had been looking for a gold chain necklace for a long time and then I stumbled across this beauty the last time I was at Forever 21. I also featured this necklace in my gold jewellery post, but I actually have bee wearing it close to everyday. Some days I even have to stop myself from wearing it because I’m like, “hey, I wore this yesterday.” I know a few other places make similar pieces, but with Forever 21’s prices, you can’t get better than this (I think this cost me like $9.80 CDN).
Candles
Okay so totally unrelated to fashion and beauty, but I have been loving candles this month! I never have been into candles too much, but lately I like having one going beside my bed. They smell so nice and are so soothing. Now I just want to go out and haul a bunch of them, but they are so darn pricey! However, I got two little ones from Bath and Body Works for $5, so I was pretty excited about that, and they have awesome scents!
So that’s all! Whew, long post! What were some of your favourites for April?
Sad to say but the only book I read in April was Kardashian Konfidential. I had no time and when I did, I picked this book up. I’m not going to go into too much detail because I already blogged about it, but if you want something fun and juicy to read, pick this up. If you don’t want to shell out the $30 CDN for it then check out your local library they may have a copy, I know mine did.
