Le Look du Jour - Retro Red

happy saturday everyone :D

today i'm going to share with you the look that i always go back to when i don't feel like doing a whole lot of contouring, shading and blending, but still need a look that's dramatic. every woman has a shade of red that they can wear - in my case it ranges from true, bright blue reds to a deeper blood red. i can't wear reds that are orange- or brown based, since cooler shades suit me better.

i own 3 reds currently: guerlain kisskiss extreme in rouge infini (a intense, true red), NARS lip stain/gloss duo in indian red (a deeper, blood red) & moon fleet (a clear gloss with golden flecks to be used as a topcoat, i rarely use this), and MAC retro matte lipstick in ruby woo (a bright, vivid blue red).

the NARS and guerlain reds have a more moist, creamy texture, while the MAC is a dry, but velvety and saturated with pigment. all three have intense pigmentation, and are longwearing. i additionally own a single red lipliner, to be used as a base for all three lipsticks (NARS jungle red lipliner - a no-nonsense, straight up red).

red lipstick is strangely minimalist - all you need is flawless skin and some mascara or eyeliner. you can wear it with nothing on your cheeks at all, or with a subtle contour... for me red lipstick is like a push-up bra for my lips, making me feel just a little bit more sexy whenever i wear it. i also like it for stage looks when i do a fiery dance, like the tango or paso doble.

to get my standard going-out night, red lipped look:

1. make skin flawless: conceal wherever needed - under eyes, around your nose, on any blemishes. apply foundation if you need it. set with a light dusting of powder (i used: MAC studio finish concealer for spots, MAC select cover-up under my eyes (shade: NC15) and bareminerals loose powder in fair).
2. highlight: scupt cheek and brow bone with a creamy highlighter (i used NARS the multiple in copacabana). add a contour shade to the hollows if desired (i used a bit of guerlain poudre bronzante legere in brunette).
   
3. eyes: apply a vanilla white shade all over (i used bobbi brown navajo), and apply a cool toned shimmer to the lids (i used bobbi brown pebble). with a tiny, pointed eyeliner brush, apply a black cream/gel eyeliner (i used MAC fluidline in blacktrack) to the top lashes, winging it out at the ends. go as subtle or dramatic on the eyeliner as you want. fill in brows with a brow product. top off with mascara.
4. lips: massage in a thicker lip balm (i used LUSH chocolate whip stick), blot off excess. with a FRESHLY SHARPENED red lipliner pencil (i used NARS jungle red), carefully trace the outline of your lips; fill in. then, with a lip brush, apply the red of your choice (mine: MAC ruby woo) until the desired intensity.

 

from left to right: BB pebble, BB navajo, NARS copacabana, MAC select-cover up, guerlain poudre bronzante, MAC ruby woo, NARS jungle red, MAC blacktrack, MUFE waterproof brow corrector 04

that's it! it's actually quite easy to do, and takes me about five minutes to do all of it. just make sure that the lips are immaculate, or it can turn into a joker mouth. thin- or very very full lipped ladies should avoid full-on red, but instead wear a stain or a translucent gloss.

let me know how your weekend is going in the comments :)

previous L/E/FOTDs:
peacock
blue steel
fierce leopard
the cheryl
au naturel
blue and green

Drugstore/Department Store Showdown - MAC Wipes vs. Olay Daily Facials Express Wipes

TGIF, everyone!

today i'll be comparing MAC wipes and olay daily facials express wipes, both makeup removing/cleansing wipes that claim to remove stubborn makeup, dirt and oil. i don't use either on a daily basis, but i do keep them to clean off all the makeup when i'm just too tired to properly cleanse + moisturize (naughty, naughty, i know!), after dance class, or when i'm traveling.

first off, the luxe product, MAC wipes:

PROS: soft, nonirritating, oversized wipes. comes in two sizes (45 sheets - regular, CA$22, and 100 sheets - bulk, CA$31). i personally love the MAC wipes because they gently remove EVERYTHING, and i mean, EVERYTHING, without any residue. it also left my skin soft, and not irritated, even around the eyes when i removed my dior diorshow iconic waterproof mascara, which is normally super hard to remove, unless i use an oil-based cleanser. i also loved that it was not drying, and that it had a faint, pleasant scent. it also came in one of those packets that have a resealable cover thingy that CLICKS shut, ensuring your wipes don't dry out.

CONS: of course, it's a bit more expensive - about 48 cents per wipe for the regular size - but if you buy the bulk size, it acutally is 5 cents cheaper per wipe than the olay ones (31 cents vs. 36 cents). other than the fact that you can only get them at MAC stores (which could happen if you don't live near a department store), i don't really have anything bad to say about this product, LOL! to make them last longer, you could even cut them in half, because they are oversized.

second off, the budget version, olay daily facials express wipes:

PROS: readily available at most drugstores, cheap, more compact packaging than the MAC wipes, exfoliating. it removed makeup pretty well, and didn't break me out or dry out my skin. costs about $11 for 30 wipes.

CONS: i felt like the cloths were a bit scratchy, which made the skin around my eyes red when i tried to remove eyeliner. it also took a long time to remove all the eyeliner, which the MAC wipes just swept away gently. overall i prefer the texture of the MAC wipes - soft, gentle and nonirritating. also, the closure mechanism on top was only a sticker, which stopped sticking about halfway through the packet of wipes. also, the cost advantage disappears if you buy the bulk version of the MAC wipes - they're actually 5 cents cheaper than the olay.

THE VERDICT:
usually drugstore products work pretty well - but this time, the department store wins! cheaper at 31 cents a wipe, with a better formula and softer, more luxurious texture, the MAC wipes beat the olay wipes by a mile. the bulk will also last longer if you cut the cloths in half - 200 uses in fact (100 wipes x2) - which beats the olay wipes (only 60 uses per packet even if you cut them in half). also, the seal on the MAC wipes are actually functional, whereas it is pretty poor quality on the olay wipes (i had to ziplock them when they stopped sticking). if bulkiness is an issue i would just remove enough wipes, ziplock them, and take them for traveling etc., instead of buying the more compact olay wipes.

Future Posts - This Weekend & Next Week

happy thursday, pretty ladies :)!

this is just a overview of what's coming in the next few days...

1. a post on one of my favorite (dare i say signature?) looks for evenings when i want to feel a little va-va-voom - RED LIPSTICK & WINGED EYELINER FOTD, and the current red lipsticks i love;
2. fragrance comparison: l'artisan voleur de rose & etat libre d'orange rossy de palma eau de protection (a mouthful, i know);
3. dance gear review: ray rose carmen t-strap latin sandal; and,
4. a random foodie post: artichoke & palm heart salad
5. mini-rant on dance: the bachata

i'll be hitting up some sort of free cocktail party today with aubrey @ the wrong resolution... and after that, some salsa dancing (i was suddenly overcome with a desire to bachata last night)... i'll let you know how that goes!

i may be able to sitck in a mini FOTD should i decide to schuzz it up a little bit before i duck out.

keep checking back to see what i've posted!

love as always (and thank god it's almost friday),

lareinarumbera xoxox

Product Review: LUSH Chocolate Whip Stick Lip Balm

it's monday again...

the horrible part of my semester is over, with all my papers turned in, so now begins major review & readings - which isn't half as bad as writing a million pages on ethanol and its implications for the environment & development.

anyway, i've been living in stretchy pants sans maquillage recently, so there are no F/E/LOTDs for you pretty ladies, or any major tutorial, but i have been on a major LUSH kick, and so i'm going to review one of my favorite LUSH product (among many others) for you.

LUSH has a range of lip balms, most of which are made of a shea/cocoa butter base. i like two out of the five that are offered in canada - chocolate whip stick & none of your beeswax. the other three (lip squeak, lip service & honey trap) don't rock my boat... they're too thick, too greasy, too hard, or too strongly flavored.

chocolate whip stick is my favorite of the two that i like - it's rich, softening and soothing, but not too shiny (none of your beeswax is a shinier, transparent sheen, which is great for gals, but not for boys), which makes it a great unisex lip balm. i got aubrey @ the wrong resolution hooked on it - he loves it almost as much as i do.

at about $7 a tin, it's in the medium price range for lip balm, but IMHO, it has the following benefits:
great flavor (like chocolate oranges, very slightly sweet) - but not overpowering or artificial
long lasting, moisturizing and soothing (with regular water drinking it lasts about 2-3 hours which is great for a lip balm)
made with mostly natural ingredients
has an expiration date written on it

in terms of texture, it has a smooth, creamy, almost whipped consistency, and goes on like velvet on your lips :). it's very soothing on windburned/chapped lips due to the oat infusion it contains (it's actually the first ingredient), and it's free of cocoa butter (it's a shea/beeswax base) for those that are allergic. however, it's not vegan like none of your beeswax, so if you don't use animal products, you should avoid this. even though it's brown, like milk chocolate, it doesn't have any color on the lips, which is great :D. it works AMAZINGLY as a lipstick/lipliner base, and as an overnight treatment for dry lips.

the cons:
the tin is horrible, it dents easily and it doesn't seal, which means if it melts, you end up with an oily goo in the bottom of your purse.
it can be a bit "hard" and waxy if you don't warm it up properly, but it's great otherwise.
it's a pot application, i would prefer it in a stick, but i'll deal with it because i love it so much! it's not gooey like the body shop lip balms, so you can just rub in the leftover stuff into your cuticles as a cuticle cream.

overall rating: 4.5/5 (because it comes in horrible packaging).

that's it for now... off to class... AGAIN, but feeling great today :)
would love to hear from you gals about your day!

love,

lareinarumbera

Product Review - Crabtree & Evelyn Hand Therapy Mini-Haul

hey there, pretty ladies!

i handed in one of three papers that are due this week/next week... and i couldn't JUST go to work, because i'd just finished something major...

so i was walking to the metro, when i saw that crabtree & evelyn was doing their annual customer appreciation day (20% off any purchase)... i justified my purchase by thinking that because i had no hand cream i would walk in to get some (i constantly peel/pick at my cuticles and nails, so they're ragged and horrible, unless i have something soothing to put on them).

now, i've never really bought anything from C&E, stuff looked pretty in there, but kind of quaint and old fashioned, which is totally not me... and you know me, i'm more into the sleek, sexy black stuff (think: NARS, MAC) or weird kooky stuff (think: LUSH soaps)... however, a girl friend in my class uses their hand therapy cream, and while the scent she uses was not quite me (C&E summer hill - floral, but once again, too "english countryside" for me if you know what i mean), the formula was amazing!

C&E hand therapy is a less greasy, shea butter & glycerin based dupe of l'occitane shea butter hand cream (which i cannot for the life of me stand the smell of), packaged similarly in a foil tube thing that looks a bit like old-fashoined toothpaste. thankfully, not all the scents smelled like old auntie muriel who lives in glouscester knitting doilies and giving you afternoon tea, but was inoffensive and gender-neutral.

i ended up buying a boxed set that had 50mL minis of all my favorite scents: la source (BLUE - nice, unisex fresh aquatic), gardner's (ORANGE - fresh, earthy herby smell, my favorite of the three), and rosewater (PINK - a light, watery, girly rose, thankfully not old-ladyish) and a 250mL of citron-honey-coriander (BIG BOTTLE - smells like dolce & gabbana light blue) to put on my desk.

the creams are lightly scented (compared to LUSH, the body shop etc.), non-greasy but concentrated, and very soothing. they smoothed out my ragged, thirsty cuticles but didn't make me put greasy fingerprints all over my keyboard at work. i love that it's rich but not greasy - overly greasy hand creams (like the l'occitane, and many from the drugstore that contain gylcerine, like glysomed) make my hands feel DIRTY, because i feel like the oil just attracts grime, if you know what i mean.

these creams also last a decent amount of time, the moisturizing feeling doesn't go away totally unless you really, really scrub your hands clean in hot water (the problem is, i LOOOOVE doing this, multiple times a day, in scalding hot water too, and that's what dries out my hands so much) - a light soaping in lukewarm water won't remove the cream totally, and you still feel a bit of the emollient feeling after you wash your hands too.

like all C&E gift sets, these are beautifully packaged (see the picture above) - the boxed set especially would make a great hostess gift (like most C&E things).

the hand therapy creams come in the following scents: the above mentioned, plus lavender, nantucket briar, summer hill, and goat's milk. i also like that they come in several different sizes, 100mL (standard single tube), 250mL (desk/bathroom-appropriate pump bottle), 3 x 50mL (blue striped boxed set, like the one i got), and 6 x 50mL (a bigger, prettier boxed set). the boxed sets especially are a great value, as are the 250mL pump bottles. i think i may be getting the boxed sets, and dividing them to give away as christmas presents :)

TG(almost)IF!!!

love always (and feeling much better now that that paper's been handed in),

lareinarumbera xox

Tagged! Again :)

the lovely marcela @ el tren de belleza tagged me for this post:

7 interesting facts about me:

1. i have close to encyclopedic knowledge about all things futurama.

2. if you saw me friday night vs. on the street/at school, you wouldn't recognize me at all - i switch from feminine-chic to fitness hipster all the time... i clean up well :)

3. i have an addiction to lip products. lip balm, lip salve, lip gloss, lipstick, lip stains, i LOVE shopping for lip products on an almost constant basis.

4. i have a terrible habit of constantly playing with my hair... so i try and keep it out of my face as much as possible.

5. i love ugly-cute things: exotic shorthair/persian/cornish rex/sphinx kittens and pugs/any kind of bulldog/boston terrier puppies are some of my favorite. do note that i do NOT feel attracted to ugly-cute humans, however.

6. i was born in korea, raised in beijing, currently settled in montreal, and speak four-and-a-half languages.

7. i appear to be always busy & motivated, but in reality, i just overload myself because if i don't, i'll be the world's worst (or best, depending on how we look at it) procrastinator (not to mention super lazy), and won't do ANYTHING. by overloading myself, i actually get about half the things on my list done.

the questionnaire:

an animal i would be in another life: a black panther or jaguar. lithe, feline, sleek and athletic, but beautiful.

what i can't live without: spicy/flavorful foods, dancing

what i like the most about a person: their intelligence & their ability to take sarcastic/inappropriate comments in good humor.

the colors i wear the most: black, charcoal, navy, red & fuchsia. the occasional green or purple... i don't do wimpy colors.

three words that describe me: confident, outspoken, competitive

a place i would travel to: BUENOS AIRES, the city of tango. or spain. either way, there are spanish speaking, dark haired men... and dancing.

ideal date: spicy food, good conversation + wine, chocolate after, and maybe a little dancing?

one thing i'd like to do: SLEEP FOR MORE THAN FIVE HOURS AT A TIME.

if i didn't do what i did now, i would: well university student is not really a career, neither is personal assistant, so... i would say, professional competitive dancer, if money were no object.

most outrageous thing i've done: hmmm... one i would disclose to you guys without being fired from a future job - worn black lipstick, in broad daylight, probably. BORING! to my parents: dating a non-korean boy, most likely.

that's it :)

L'Attaque de les Boutons

i'm quite literally dying of exhaustion from all my papers (and writer's block, and procrastination)...

i tried to bathe my cat today (the little brat spilled a bucket of bleach and cleaning solution, and rolled around in it), and am battling two huge boutons that started because i didn't wash my makeup off fully after my halloween exploits as a bunny rabbit (les francais sont tres charmant, even when they describe disgusting skin ailments)  - which makes me feel deeply unattractive... i probably shouldn't have picked them but now they're inflamed and bleeding... awesome, since now it CAN'T be covered up in a natural way using concealer! :( MAJOR FAIL.

i'm treating it the standard way i treat all my clogged pores/zits (curse you, combination-sensitive skin that flares up at the first sign of neglect!): wash 2x day with LUSH fresh farmacy, treat with LUSH grease lightning, moisturize as always, and put antibiotic ointment with a band aid for the nighttime (prevents infection and soothes the area)... ARGH.

i feel like if you have chronic acne, people sympathize with you... but when you have one or two huge ones that are picked beyond all recognition... they just stare straight at it.

while i wait for this week to be over (and it's only monday), here's a quote that i live by:

"Always behave like a duck -- keep calm and unruffled on the surface but paddle like the devil underneath." 

-Unknown

10 Wintertime Beauty Tips

i'm procrastinating... so i'm going to share with you 10 things i do in the winter to stay pretty!

1. switch to thicker products. look for creams rather than lotions/gels for your face and body, and use hair products that have extra moisture. anything with the words oil or butter, or things denoting a thicker texture like deep-moisturizing or for dry hair/skin are things to look for. apply thicker product, concentrating on dry areas - ends of your hair, knees, elbows, shins, and the u-zone (cheeks, around the mouth and eyes). ingredients to look for are: almond/jojoba/coconut/marula/olive or similar vegetal oils, glycerin (holds moisture in), vegetal butters (shea, cocoa, mango, ilipe). i love: LUSH celestial facial moisturizer (face), the body shop mango body butter and LUSH each peach and two's a pair massage bar (body; the each peach has a nice uplifting scent to chase away winter blues), the body shop monoi miracle oil (body & hair!), herbal essences hello hydration collection and long-term relationship split end mending leave in treatment (hair), oh and don't forget a good foot cream - i personally love LUSH fair trade foot lotion.
2. skip the soap. bar soap can seriously dry your skin out. ditch the irish spring and use a creamy shower cream/gel instead; follow up with a body oil while your skin is still damp. same goes for your face - use a mild, creamy cleanser. i love: aveeno lavender & ylang ylang relaxing shower gel (super gentle on skin and smells great), dove cream oil body wash (comes in 3 varieties - somewhat dry to very dry skin) and LUSH coconut shower smoothie for the body; LUSH ultrabland, the body shop vitamin E cream cleanser, shu uemura cleansing oil (many formulas for different skin types) and cetaphil gentle cleanser for the face.
   
3. cover up. it sucks to look like the human burrito, but seriously, the less you expose to the elements, the less moisture you will lose! tuck your hair into a hat when you're walking outside to prevent frayed/dried out ends and shield your mitts by wearing warm gloves - this will prevent ragged cuticles and rough hands. if it's really windy, cover up your face as best as you can (without looking like a russian babouchka) with a large scarf and by pulling up your hood. i love: newsboy caps - they have a brim to keep the snow off your face, and a bigger back to tuck away your hair; canada goose expedition jacket - large, oversize hood, fleece handwarmer pockets, and longer body length to cover up your butt!
   
4. wear uplifting/comforting scents. wintertime can make you feel depressed - i know that first hand in montreal since it's gray and dark for 8 months, with 6 feet of snow on the ground! i personally like using relaxing (sandalwood, vanilla, coconut, lavender, chamomile) scents when i want to feel toasty and snuggly, and uplifiting scents when i get the blues (citrus, light florals like neroli, tropical scents like gardenia, zingy ones like peppermint) - you can buy individual notes in the form of essential oils, use scented body products, or buy a perfume that has a comforting/uplifting composition. i love: juara tiare jasmin perfume oil roll-on, j. r. watkins vanilla body cream, LUSH honey i washed the kids solid perfume, aveda single notes - bergamot, mandarin and rose absolute, the body shop coconut perfume oil, chloe eau de parfum (so clean and uplifting), l'occitane eau de recolte bleue just to name a few.
5. consume lots of fluids. i load up on herbal (peppermint, chamomile, lavender) teas and traditional korean grain (barley, solomon's seal) teas since they're caffeine-free (non-diruetic, won't sap water from your body), and taste great warm. i also like green tea - it's lightly caffeinated but full of antioxidants. it keeps your skin and lips looking plump, and keeps your body running at peak performance. i also load up on watery/citrus fruit and veggies (cucumbers, melons, oranges etc.). these have vitamins as well as a high water content.
6. have two types of lip balms. if your lips get cracked, get a salve-like lip balm to ADD moisture, and if your lips are ok, PREVENT  moisture loss with a waxy lip balm. you can also use the salve at night as a deep conditioning treatment. i love: LUSH none of your beeswax lip balm, MOR lip delight in blood orange, MAC lip conditioner, the body shop lip butters (salves), nivea hydro care, the body shop cocoa butter lip care stick, aveda lip saver (waxes).
7. don't skip the spf. i still wear spf consistently on my face - the reflective glare off the montreal snow still can cause skin damange. i use a day cream with sun protection of spf 15 in the winter, and add a spf 15 setting powder over it. i love: LUSH paradise regained spf 15, biore dual fusion moisturizer spf 30, and bareminerals loose powder foundation spf 15 - FAIR.
8. go for more saturated blushes and lipsticks, in a creamy formula. i switch up my powder blush for a cream one and wear glosses or lipsticks that are creamier, for a "just stepped in from the cold" flush. i love: bobbi brown pot rouge for lips & cheeks - POWDER PINK, set with a bit of NARS orgasm powder blush or bobbi brown powder blush in SLOPES for lasting power, l'oreal color juice lip gloss - WATERMELON CRUSH (a saturated medium pink), clinique superbalm gloss - 09 CURRANT (a berry/plum-pink) and benefit silky finish lipstick - ROCKET POP (a medium toned mauve-rose). i go with a full blown, red/fuchsia lip for the nighttime.
9. exfoliate. it gets rid of flakes, and keeps your skin glowing, not dull. i use a exfoliating glove/mitt with my regular shower gel.
10. and lastly, exercise. even if it's just walking to the grocery store, it helps to exercise - it'll help you feel alert and less depressed. even though it's cold and dreary, you won't do your self esteem much good if you sit on your butt and eat oreos or something... take indoor classes (i recommend dancing, DUH :D), walk to meet your friend at a cafe, do winter sports... anything to make you move!

Dance Gear Review - Lululemon Remix Lulu Hoodie

hello, pretty ladies!

i hope we've all had a restful weekend. my cold came back, so i've been sleeping... it seems like EVERYONE is sick in montreal, what with the cold weather and all.

today i'm going to share with you one of my wardrobe staples (for school, lounging, apres-dance, running errands etc.) - the lululemon remix lulu hoodie. this is the item, folks, that started my lululemon obsession - turning me away from american apparel for my stretchy clothing needs, and making me into a starbucks non-fat latte clutching lulubot (or so would people who hate the brand say).

all my hoodies, rolled up! i love folding them like this, because i can easily see the colors and all the sleeves stay neatly tucked in!

bottom line is, call me a lulubot if you will, i freakin' LOOOOVE all the stuff i've bought from this brand. like i keep saying, it's top notch athletic gear, and it's cut for WOMEN, which means it's not shapeless and ugly like a lot of other brands. you could be lounging around in lulu and eating potato chips, but you can bet your cellulite that you WILL look fitter than you do if you're wearing their amazing pants.

as for me, i didn't work 6 days a week, 2-3 hours a day minimum on my back, arms, abs and legs, for it to be hidden under a freaking baggy shirt - call it vanity, but i want my back and abs to look carved out of wood, not look frumpy!

unfortunately, montreal being under cover of snow for 8 months a year doesnt really help with the back-showing, and this is where the hoodie comes in.

the hoodie is cut smaller, and fitted, not baggy and oversize, and is longer in the arms (thank goodness, i always have a problem where sleeves are too short). this makes it comfortable, warm and cozy, but NOT sloppy and frumpy - it still makes me look fit and toned but it's not skintight like i'm trying to make myself look like a human sausage in a lycra shell. i'm a size 0 normally, but since lulu runs small, i buy a 2, although for layering purposes, i own a few that are size 4 to allow more room for long-sleeved tees and thermal layers underneath.

it's made of high-quality, pre-shrunk cotton fleece, and the oldest one i have still looks like it's pretty new, even after washing is 1x/week for the past 2 years or so. if you zip it and wash it, the fleece will stay nice and thick.

some of the best things about this hoodie are that it comes with an oversize scuba-style hood, that actually COVERS the whole head without falling off, a high neck for those days when you forget your scarf, and a fleecy thing that covers the zipper so it doesn't irritate your chin. they also come in so many fun colors - ranging from basics like black, charcoal, gray, ivory and brights like pink, red, blues and purples. i currently own five - snorkel blue with navy undulation print (blue with swirlies), heathered gray outside/paradise pink lining with daydreamer floral print, heathered plum with alfalfa (purple and green), poppy red with navy, and a customized mood blue with white (faded heathered blue-gray), that has my affiliation proudly written on it (may dancesport/ballroom dancing live forever).

they also have satin name/phone # labels in all the pockets, so they're yours forever! i didn't upload mine because they have personal information on them, but it's a feature i really really like about lulu gear in general :).

all the seams are flatlocked (see the contrasting ribbon liner? it prevents the seams from getting raised) and there are no loose threads anywhere, making these virtually indestructible. they don't say they're waterproof, but i do find that light rain won't permeate the thick fabric. they are very very warm, especially if you layer it with a cotton long sleeve or something similar. i find if i wear a parka, i can get away with wearing a tank underneath, even if it is -30 outside. with a regular technical softshell, i can get away with a long sleeve. the last neat thing are the zipper pulls (click to enlarge). they're actually emergency hair ties - i can't use them at all since my hair is too thick and i have too much of it but my friends with thinner/shorter hair say it's great when they're running around town and they don't have a hair tie.

here are some detail shots of the hoodies:

 

 

 

 

 

 

some things i wish were different about this hoodie: i wish it were cheaper... it is $98 canadian, which is NOT cheap by any means, although they do last MUCH longer than other hoodies i've bought - my $55 canadian american apparel hoodie turned super thin and not fleecy after washing it twice, which means in winter, i can't wear it at all unless i wear another sweater underneath anyway, while my old mood blue (the faded blue-gray color) one is still thick and warm after washing it repeatedly. i also wish the sleeves came with thumb holes like their wraps/studio jackets - this helps the hoodie stay in place when you're putting on a coat etc., and that the body of the hoodie were slightly longer to cover the butt (remixes are a upper-hip skimming length). but overall, i'd buy these again and again.

all in all i give this hoodie a B+/A-, it could be improved slightly but i still LOVE IT TO DEATH. if you don't own any lulu at all, this should be one of your starting items - i recommend a remix hoodie, a reversible groove pant, and a power-Y tank to start off with, along with a cruiser backpack! FANTASTIC comfort, without sacrificing style at all. in fact, when i wear my remix hoodie with wunder under tights (a thick, reversible legging from lulu) and ugg boots, boys (both gay and straight) seem to find it VERY attractive... i've been asked out in the grocery aisle while wearing this hoodie + legging + ugg boot combo multiple times, but when i'm all dolled up to go out, dressed to the nines - more often than not i don't get any response at all.

i'm not trying to initiate you into the cult of lululemon at all... but if you are looking for a hoodie to stay warm in and look cute, give this one a go - it really is great quality and comfort all rolled into a stylish package.

i'm done with my ranting for now - let me know in the comments what you think about the hoodie and how your weekend was!

love,

lareinarumbera
xoxoxox

I'm a LUSH Lush - 2 Weeks After LUSH

happy canadian thanksgiving, my lovelies!

i survived last week - still a bit tired, but i DO have one thing that i want to rave about this week. it's how LUSH skincare made my skin glowing, happy and balanced!

about three weeks ago i started using clinique super rescue antioxidant moisturizer in the PM because i got it as a GWP, and i was out of my regular night cream (dove sensitive skin day lotion). A BIG, BIG MISTAKE. even though it said it was "allergy tested," i broke out into tiny, tiny, itchy millia (all over my chin, forehead, neck) that would NOT budge for the love of god.  now, i've had problems with clinique skincare in the past, but i guess i just didn't learn from my mistakes - it's SUPPOSED to be good for you, right? and i DO love some of their product - superbalm lip gloss (CURRANT, HOW I LOVE THEE), and anything bamboo pink - but their skincare always, always freaks out my skin.

so comes LUSH to the rescue. i had run out of my regular dream cream, which soothes itchy, sensitive skin and moisturizes really well, so me and my happy little credit card made a trip to the local LUSH. using the millia as an excuse, i thought it would be time to do a little haulage, and decided to try a whole new skincare regime.

i have very difficult skin - it's "confused" (oily at times, super dry at others), sensitive, itching/hives prone, fair & sensitive to the sun - although taking care of it with gentle products has helped me conquer the negative effects and have pretty good skin on most days.

so, the sweet sweet girls at my local LUSH hooked me up with the following (french names in brackets (i do live in quebec after all) my thoughts follow in italics):

from top to bottom, left to right: dream cream, vitamin E eye cream, grease lightning, angels on bare skin, fresh farmacy, ultrabland, celestial, paradise regained, eau roma. dreamwash not pictured (sorry, i forgot! :()

CLICK TO ENLARGE

• daily cleansing - angels on bare skin (peau neuve) hand-rolled cleanser. with lavender and rose oils, and kaolin clay to cleanse extra oil, it's an exfoliator and cleanser in one! you take a pinch, dampen it into a paste, then massage it over your face & throat. looks weird - like a rolled up gray sushi sort of thing with lavender dried up in it (see closeup in picture below). definitely a consistency change! what i thought after 2 weeks: A-mazing. in 2 days, this stuff with ground almonds, essential oils, and clay cured my milia, improved skin texture, and made my skin GLOW. A+
  
• makeup removal - ultrabland (ultra simple) cream cleanser. made with peanut oil and gentle enough for the eye area, it's like a cleansing oil-cream. my thoughts: i'd ALREADY been using this stuff for the past 2 years, and it's the best heavy-duty makeup cleanser ever. it even takes off that awful grease makeup that you wear for performances, DOESN'T clog pores (which seems unlikely, but the oils kind of "melt" the excess oil from your pores or something... i don't know the science behind it, but i've had LESS blackheads since using this). i still use clinique take the day off makeup remover for lids, lashes and lips for days when i'm not wearing as much makeup, but this stuff is gold in a pot. works great with the steam in your shower too! A+
  
• breakout/problem treating cleanser - fresh farmacy (pharmacie frais) facial soap with calamine clay and tea tree oil. my thoughts: it's a bit drying, and kind of leaves this pinkish residue, but that goes away with toner. they told me to only use it when my skin is extra oily/acting up, and max 3 times a week. i haven't had any skin freakouts yet, so i don't yet have a glowing review about this product. C+ for now, may be upgraded later.
• toner - eau roma (eau rome) facial toner. soothing, alcohol free lavender and rosewater toner. my thoughts: nothing groundbreaking, but it's nice. makes my skin feel refreshed but not tight. would buy again because it's gentle and effective at taking off residue. it also comes in a smaller size spritz bottle, which i will be tucking into my dance bag for a refresher spritz. B
• spot treatment - grease lightning (no french name). i'd already been using this witch-hazel-and-teatree gel for a few months now, and it's great stuff - effective, not too harsh, suitable for sensitive skin. it probably only works on the occasional pimple though, it was too weak to cure my sister's chronic acne. B- because it doesn't cure chronic acne.
• AM moisturizer - paradise regained (paradis retrouve). spf 15, has AHAs and antioxidants from pineapple and grape juice. almond and jojoba oils. pretty good, texture not as good as celestial (see below), takes a while to sink in but DID NOT IRRITATE MY SKIN, even with AHAs and antioxidants. overall, not too shiny for something that has sunscreen. solid product! A-
• PM moisturizer - celestial (celeste). vanilla, orchid and other soothing extracts. almond and jojoba oils. my FAVORITE thing from this haul. GREAT texture - it melts into the skin, alleviates irritation, redness, dryness, what have you, and when you wake up in the morning - your skin looks GLOWING. in the beginning i was kind of bummed out because i was waking up oily, but after 2 weeks, i notice my skin is BALANCED, matte, clear and pretty. saved my "confused" skin! A++++++++++
• body - dream cream (creme de reve) and dreamwash shower smoothie (lait de reve sou neuf). lavender and chamomile extracts calm angry skin. two of my favorites - calms itchy skin, moisturizes like a dream, gender-neutral herbal scent :) A/A+
• eye cream - (non-LUSH) the body shop vitamin E eye cream (creme pour les yeux vitamine E). de-puffs, reduces dark circles. gentle. my take: i've been using this cream on and off for the past 4 years. this is the eye cream that i keep going back to - does what it says will do, affordable, hygenic packaging (no pots - ewww), moisturizing and works great as a base for concealer. probs not for "older" gals, but great for me as a preventative measure against premature eye wrinklage! only gripe - it doesn't de-puff as much as the body shop claims it does. A-

closeup of angels on bare skin... notice the lavender flowers, dried up and rolled into the cleanser :)

so overall - this regime worked better than ANYTHING i've used in the past - and i've thrown so much money away on avene, laroche-posay and other brands for "sensitive skin..." which i kind of regret now - dare i say it's holy grail? with my product ADD, i'll probably go off trying something else, but i know i can come back to these if my skin decides to freak out again :).

if one thing lush COULD improve... it's the fact that their creams are in a jar. i'd much rather a tube or a pump type thingy (like grease lightning) so that my products don't get contaminated... but it's a minor issue - the tubs are sturdy and stackable. if you collect five, you get a free mask (kind of like back to MAC but a LUSH version)! yay!

fresh farmacy and angels on bare skin are what LUSH calls "naked" products - they are sold in big rolls/chunks/pieces, and the nice girls at LUSH will cut a slice for you. they come wrapped in paper like the soaps, although the roll cleansers come in those little gelato tub looking things. they are sold by the gram - so it may cost you a little bit more or less depending on the slice you get.


i leave you with this picture of cha cha, living it up on my bed:

if only we could all just relax like that...

wishing all my pretty ladies a great week :)

lareinarumbera xox