2018 has wrapped up and we are into a new year. I thought I would give a roundup of my favourite items from this past year. I honestly have loved a lot more than just what I am listing, but this was what I thought was all I could blog about in a year-end roundup.
Smashbox Primer Oil:
 I have had this one a long time, but this year I really learned to love it. I started mixing it into my foundations and it has really helped with my skin not looking flakey when applied. I also got the NYX version, which I must say I like exactly the same amount, I am just trying to use this one up first.

ELF Hydrating Booster Drops:
I picked these up a few months ago and it has been amazing how fast I have used them up. I add a bit of this serum/gel into my foundation and it makes it so much more hydrating and my skin plumper. For a value brand, I have been really impressed with it.

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Coconut Water Primer Stick:
I picked this up at the same time I got the booster drops, and I instantly fell in love. I really wanted to try the Milk stick that is similar but didn't want to pay the price. This was about $10 so I couldn't resist. It applies watery and smooth while instantly cooling the skin. I find it works well as a light primer
L'oreal Lumi Glotion*:
 I have this in a Fair Glow and Medium Glow, both are great but Fair Glow is my favourite. I mentioned it in my summer favourites and it still stands. I love to apply it before my foundation for more of a glow (but not too much of one). It looks quite nice on my skin.

L'oreal Lumi Glow Amour Boosting Drops:
I also have this one in two shades, Golden Hour and Daybreak. Daybreak is the lighter and more pinky shade and it works really well on my skin. I add a small amount to my cheekbones, above the lip or wherever else I want some highlight and it does a great job. I like to add it sometimes under my foundation really get it to look more toned down.
Joe Fresh Cushion Lipstick:
I picked this up on sale while Joe Fresh was exiting Shoppers Drug Mart. I got the shade Tulip which is really pretty deep mauve shade. It has a sponge applicator and gives that powder finish to your lips that so many brands are loving right now (Buxom, NYX, etc).
Dermalogica Barrier Defense Booster*:
My skin has been so dry this year! All year! It has been frustrating as all hell. I have to thank this serum for helping me at least keep my skin calm. I will say it took me 3 months to realize the grey bottom is soft and you can press it to release the product. I had been shaking it out before that.

L'oreal Revitalift Cicacream*:
I don't know what to say about this, but it is a day and night cream that my skin has really been liking. I don't need much and it is a great anti-ageing and hydrating formula.

Acure Argan Oil*:
I only have a few pumps of this left, which should show how much I adore it. It works so darn well. There is just something about this oil's texture that works so well on my skin. Plus there is a pump, which makes using any oil mess free.
ELF Prismatic Highlighting Duo:
I picked this up in Mermaid Tail. One side is a peachy pink highlight and the other a blue tone. Both are very iridescent and microfine in their shimmer, which is exactly what I want in a highlighter (no chunky shimmer, that is the way to go). It builds well so you can go light to strong without much effort. Every single time I wear it I get compliments. I love to wear the peach on my eyes for a lazy makeup day.

Before this, I was not sold on blue or peach highlighters, and now I hooked.
Revlon Galaxy Dream*:
This palette features four shades of holographic highlighters. The shades in the palette are pink, green, purple and silver. I really appreciate the size of the pans (quite big), the shade varieties and the fact it is so finely milled (once again no glittery shimmer bits). All the shades work really well on my skin and add a nice pop of highlight, but they also can be mixed together which I really enjoy too.

Urban Decay Naked Piette Heat Palette:
I picked this up at Sephora when they had their spring sale, and I was really glad I did. with 6 matte shades, I get a lot of use out of it since I don't really wear any other shadow finishes to work. They are all burnt orange/red shades that I think blend out well. I actually wish I never picked up the Naked heat palette because I use this one more and it is completely redundant now.

Nars Hot Escape Eye and Cheek Palette:
I picked this one up during the Nordstrom anniversary sale (as well as a bunch of other things I probably didn't need). I really love the shadows in it as well as the highlighter and blush. I have gotten so much wear out of it that I just had to mention it.
* denotes products that were sent to me for review purposes; all views and opinions are my own.

It is full blown fall right now, and as much as I am enjoying my Pumpkin Spiced everything I am actually anxiously awaiting Gingerbread season. In the meantime, here are some items I am loving right now.

NYX Powder Puff Lippie in Puppy Love:
I picked this up at my Rexall in the spring and started wearing it pretty much non-stop this fall. It is a tube that comes out a sponge tip applicator that leaves a soft look on the lips. It has a strange powdery like texture to it that feels dry. It happens to be really pigmented too. Puppy Love happens to be a nice coral shade.

Dermalogica Barrier Defense Booster:*
I started using this baby in the winter, now that summer's humidity is gone I am reaching for it again. My skin gets dry quickly and can get chapped and red fast. A little of this booster and my skin is instantly soothed and less red. I just adore it. Funny note, I have been shaking this stiff bottle to get out the product for months only to learn the grey bottom is soft and you just have to tap it to get the product out. I feel so silly.

Joe Fresh Tinted Lip Balm:
I love this tinted lip balm, so when I learned Joe Fresh was leaving Shoppers Drug Mart and all the items were 75% off I stocked up. Don't worry, Joe Fresh beauty products aren't going anywhere, they just won't be in SDM anymore. I really love how silky the balms feel, their light scent and how pigmented they are. I recently got my mother in law hooked on them because she wanted something that was like a lipstick but sheer and hydrating.
Left to right: Pecan, Lychee, Spice, Macaroon and Blackberry.

L'oreal Brow Stylist Boost & Set:
L'oreal has never, ever let me down in the brow category, this product is no exception. I picked it up on sale at my local Shoppers and do not regret it one bit. I love this little bent wand, it helps me apply the brow mascara just where I want and not on my skin. The formula helps build up my brows while tinting them just right. I think I may pick up the shade darker next time I see it on sale

Guerlain Meteorites:
So you may have seen in the past that I love Guerlain's Meteorites. I often pick up limited edition versions and even have their perfume (it smells just like them). Lately, I have been trying to actually use them more often, so I have been finishing off my makeup every day with 01 Blanc De Perle. It mainly is white pearls. It adds a nice glow to my skin and smells amazing.

So there you go, five more items I am loving.

*Product was sent to me for review purposes, all views are my own.

This Pop-Up spa and store is just what every single one of us needs this time of year. This Chalet is a little winter lodge in the midst of the city. With lavender everything it is also super calming.  Showcasing their UltraCalming products (which feature lavender, hence the calm purple tones), the line helps soothe and calm sensitized skin, which is real problem for a lot of people in the colder weather.

Oh my, I never did an empties post last month.(but I did do a video)..so that means this one is going to be big.
Hair Stuff:
Baléa Deep Moisture Hair Mask: I got this on clearance (see the red sticker) I paid a whopping $0.99 for it. And you know what? It was amazing. Would I buy it again? Yes, but I feel it was discontinued (hence the price)
L'oreal Argentine Resist Instant Repair: I tried this out since I was trying to grow my hair, I liked it but like masks that have to sit on your hair a bit more.  Would I buy it again? Maybe...right now I have a few too many masks on the go.
Live Clean Clarifying Shampoo: I got this a while ago to use on my makeup brushes. It does a pretty good job of stripping the gunk off, I do find I go through it pretty fast though.   Would I buy it again?  Yes, I've got another one on the go right now.
Mark. Locks it in Place Hair Spray: Buildable, smells pretty darn good, works well   Would I buy it again? Maybe, I got a bottle of Sebastian hair spray I wanted to use but it seems to be a busted can (nothing comes out, no propellent maybe?).
Dollarama Hair Brush: ok this was a silly one, I got this a while ago to hold me over until I found a new one I liked better.  Would I buy it again?  Well, maybe, it actually was a good brush but now I have two Sonia Kashuk brushes that I love so much more.
L'oreal Power Moisture Conditioner: I love this conditioner, while my hair is probably way too damaged for it, it still worked really well in the harsh winter months.
Elin Bianco Hair Mask: This is FANTASTIC!!! I adore this. This tiny tiny sample lasted so long, so little is needed.  Would I buy it again? YES!!!

A few weeks back I received a Dermalogica facial. Not one to get frequent facials, I was extremely excited for this treat.

Now there are many spas that offer Dermalogica facials, but mine was held at the Dermal Institute in downtown Toronto. My facial was performed by the very talented and knowledgeable Amanda.

After filling out a standard form with my medical history (this is quite common in spas, and you should actually look for spa that do this, that way you know you won't have any interactions or allergic reactions to things) and my skin concerns, Amanda went over the lists and reassured me about any concerns I might have had. We discussed my allergies to both latex and to hemp, and was told latex gloves were used at the institute and Dermalogica does not use hemp in any of its products. This was quite a relief to me as many place do use latex and hemp.

Then the facial could begin.
Dermalogica has a unique 14 step face mapping system. Basically the face is broken down into 14 different sections and each one is analyzed on its own, making sure that each unique part of your face gets its own personalized care.

The face making was amazing, and best of all you get to take a copy of it with you as well as a personalized skin care regiment home with you. I found it interesting that my left and right sides of the face had different concerns and needs (ex. wrinkles more on one side or more sun damage on one side).

I was shocked to learn I didn't have much redness around my nose, this being a common spot for women to have hormonal redness and I alway just assumed I did, now I clearly see  I do not. As well that my forehead had quite a bit of congestion, I guess I never really look up there enough to notice. We also discussed some mystery bumps on my chin and concluded it was some type of irritation, possibly hormonal and the face that I have pretty bad under eye circles. I learned there is not much I can do about it except treat my eyes well, conceal and reflect, it is just plane genetics and there isn't anything I can do about that.

One of the interesting thingsI learned was that Dernalogica chooses not to use glycolic acid and uses salicylic acid and lactic acid more frequently. I learned that lactic acid delivers more benefits than glycolic acid. It not only exfoliates, but unlike glycolic that exfoliates well and does little else, lactic  acid gently and thoroughly exfoliates and as well as delivers moisture to the skin and as a result softens it. I also learned that they use synthetic lactic acid, which makes it vegan as well as easier to work with because it is more stable.

I got a really great facial that was customized for my needs, it was quite amazing. I was glad I got to learn more about the brand, its products and most importantly got my facial mapping with my customized routine. Hopefully because of all this I can clear up some of my skins issues.

My Top 5 Must Haves:
So after a week of summer previews (I wanted to do more but things came up in life, sorry), I've chosen to pick my top 5 must haves.

1. L'oreal Colour Riche Caresse Lipcolour
Ok I love these, it is no lie. I love them so much, oh it is just becoming wrong.

I love everything about them and I think they are worth swatting when you see them in a store...I'm sure you'll fall in love too.

If I could have just one of them....Violet Chiffon. It is the perfect purple for me and that is not something I went around searching for or even thought I needed, it just looks great. I get complements on it and people are shocked a purple can look that good. Definitely worth checking out.

2. L'oreal Youth Code BB 
Now I don't own this yet, but I did get to play with it at an event. It has amazing properties to it that do amazing things for your skin and is a more moisturizing BB, which is what I am looking for. As soon as I see this I am picking it up.

3. The Body Shop Lily Cole Collection Shimmer Cubes (24)
I love these four shades. They are so summer and cute it isn't even funny. I really love the shades and think they would look great on so many people. Limited edition means you should get them fast.

4. Joe Fresh Shine Lipsticks
I picked these up in Flamingo and Raspberry, while a bit thinker and a bit less sheer than the L'oreal sheer lipsticks, these babies do deliver the pop of colour I crave. They come in various colours and are only $6.

5. Sun Protection
I've really had a hard time thinking of just one more thing that would be my must have for the summer. It had to be a sun screen. In the end our skin is important and protecting it from the rays is the best way stop premature aging, lines, cancer, age spot and other damages.

I cannot say this sun screen or that sun screen because everyones needs are different. Here are some products and brands that are amazing and have full coverage:

Dermalogica: They have a full line of products with SPF  full spectrum coverage already in them (ex. their new Skinperfect prime with SPF30) but they also make sunscreens that can be used alone or mixed with moisturizers, ones for dry skin or oily acne prone skin. Personally I've been eyeing the Solar Defence Booster in SPF 50 and will most likely grab it soon.

CoverFX: Cover Fx has full spectrum sun protection in many of its products, read the labels to find out more, but their Bright Prep skin primer not only gives you a glow it contains SPF 50! I've used it in the past and loved it.





Hope this helps you know what I've been using and up to lately. Enjoy the summer, but keep protected from the sun.