July Favourites

Just a quick overview of the things I have been loving throughout July: 

1. Bioderma Sebium H20 - Bioderma!!! I found this beaut while in Montreal, so this one is getting thrown in just because I am so excited to have it.
2. Le Petit Marseillais Creme Mains Nourrisante - My go to hand cream no matter what time of year, but I noticed that I've been applying it more frequently lately. Potentially because of my line of work and having to wash my hands all the time? 
3. Origins Clear Improvement - My face has been sporadically breaking out, which has of course, been a source of much frustration. While this isn't completely solving the issue, it is at least helping. 
4. Origins Fill in the Blanks - THE best eyebrow pencil, in my opinion. Because of the heat, I've foregone a full face of makeup and have instead just been focusing on mascara and filling in my brows. Lazy, I know, but I hate sweating in general and I absolutely hate sweaty, melty makeup. 
5. YSL Volume Effect Faux Cils Shocking Mascara - My mascara of choice at this time. 
6. Lumene Time Freeze Firming Day Cream with SPF 15 - I got the tiny version of this just to try out back in the Spring. My roommate saw it in my cabinet and went out and got the big jar for me for my birthday.
7. My iPad! - I kind of fell out with my iPad for a while but I've recently fallen head over heels in love with it again. It's now back in my bag, at my side at all times. I've subscribed to several magazine subscriptions and am reading a couple of books on it. It's just so much more pleasant to browse the internet and read when I'm out and about. 

That's it for July! What were your favourites this past month? Let me know in the comments and/or link your blog so I can see too. Thanks for reading and I hope to see you again soon!

Review: Sally Hansen's Salon Manicure Cuticle Eraser + Balm

This is a product I wasn't aware that I needed. I was at CVS/pharmacy with two of my friends and we ended up in the nail care section. I stumbled upon this, read the back, but didn't think very much of it. Off topic but still related, I'm not the type of person that gets a basket when entering a store. No, I'm the one somehow balancing a dozen different items in my arms. At checkout, I found this in the crook of my elbow even though I could have sworn I'd put it back. Instead of just discarding it to the side, I decided to take it and give it a try. After all, apparently I wanted it subconsciously.

Its purpose is to soften the cuticles in order to more easily clean them up. I use this right after removing my nail polish since I use 100% acetone, which is terribly drying. It moisturizes my skin right away and makes those unsightly little skins sticking up almost painless to remove. It's very discreet: it goes on completely transparent and has a light fragrance that kind of reminds me of soap. The packaging makes it perfect to bring on the go, however it is rather oily until it has fully soaked in; something to keep in mind if you are in the middle of anything.

All in all, I do enjoy using this product and for $7, I would recommend picking this up to add to your manicure kit. Have you ever tried this product or something like it? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter. I would love to hear your feedback!

Review: Maybelline's Express Manicure Quick Dry Protecting Top Coat

Since my previous post was a loose tutorial on nails, I thought I would stick in the same theme for today's review. My grandmother and I Facetime each other every few days or so. (I would call her every day but work gets in the way of doing that. She's basically my Mum minus the fact that she didn't give birth to me, to give you an idea of how close we are.) A few months ago we were chatting and she raved about this new top coat she had just gotten. She picked one up for me and mailed it out the next day from France.

She was not exaggerating one bit in her praises! A fast-drying protecting lacquer, it also adds a lot of shine and makes a manicure last significantly longer without chipping. I'm talking my manicure has gone eleven days strong and all the nails looked like new minus the visible growth. How impressive is that!? I've looked at Maybelline's varnish line here in the States and regrettably have to say that they don't have something like this available. They do have the Express Finish line with a variety of colours but no top coat - quite silly in my opinion. Please don't think of me as a tease, I'm just smitten with this product and wanted to share. If you or someone you know is going to either France or the UK, definitely add this to your list of things to bring back! 

What is your all time favourite top coat? Leave me some recommendations in the comments or on Twitter. I would love to try out some more options and eventually post a compare and contrast perhaps? Thanks so much for reading and I hope to see you soon!