A Smelly Subject!

So this might fall under the TMI category, but finding a deodorant that works for me has been a battle since, well.... always. I use the term deodorant but I need both deodorant and anti-perspirant. The two are NOT mutually exclusive. Up until now I have always settled for something that keeps me from smelling but have never found something that keeps me totally dry. I did not realize JUST how many people shared this struggle until my Lavanilla deodorant review a week ago. 

Now before I go any further, I beg of you. Please dont post or respond with anything about deodorant causing breast cancer. I ask you to go to the National Cancer Institutes website, webMD, Cancer.Org or any other legitimate health care site to assure you those claims are bogus. There has never been ANY conclusive study proving a connection. I can not believe HOW many people believe with certainty medical claims because they saw scary chain mail emails, facebook posts or other such nonsense. But anyways, back to the topic at hand. 

A long discussion followed on my facebook post about the blog review and the fairly common answer was Certain-Dri (which as it turns out is not available here in Canada). Most “clinical strength” anti-perspirants contain aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex GLY. Certain Dri  contains aluminum chloride instead. I was told by many who use it that they use it only 2-3 times a week and they NEVER sweat anymore. This freaked me out to be honest. I'm not sure I want something that is so strong it will prevent me from sweating for 3 days even with showering daily. But I spoke to my dermatologist and it seems that it is actually safe to use and she recommended Drysol which is basically our Canadian equivalent. 

I know it doesn't seem like a big deal or important issue, but I can NEVER take a blazer or cardigan off (even in the winter) because you can see the stains under the arms. Its not fun. So anyways, I picked this up ($25 bucks!!) in the Extra Strong formula and it looks exactly like a bingo dabber. The instructions say to put it on once a day for the first week before you go to bed (NOT in the morning) and then taper off to once every 2-3 days. 

Now does it work? I don't know. I have used it now for 3 days and so far I think there has been an improvement, but I am not totally dry. I dont notice a smell at all though, and they say to give it a week to fully work. So I will keep you all updated.

In the meantime, I ask you all this. Do you share this struggle? Have you guys found something that works for you? I keep hearing the term LIFE CHANGING in regards to Certain Dri. Have YOU ever tried Certain Dri or Drysol? What are your experiences with it? I'd really love the feedback!

A CRAZY Month - In Photos!

So as many people have commented on through facebook and messages, I have been fairly MIA the last month. My blog while getting updated, has been updated much less frequently, and I am replying to less and less. Its not for lack of trying. I was in LA followed by two weeks of INSANITY here that just finished up!

My trip in LA was far too short, but very enjoyable. It started with an awesome itinerary planned by the lovely Jessica. Here is a photo of us at the Hollywood Museum in the Max Factor Building.  If you want to see more pictures from the museum of TONS of classic old Max Factor makeup (SOOO COOL!!) you can CLICK HERE. Here is a quick selfie (is it a selfie when you are not by yourself?) of us at hte museum. And by the way, I HAVE to try the foundation that Jessica is wearing in this picture. Not only does her skin look totally flawless, but its a drugstore foundation!!! 

Also planned by the wonderful Jessica was a trip to the El Capitan Theatre to see Maleficent. Now I am not a big Disney fan and couldnt figure out WHY she was so excited about taking me there, but was game. AND OMG!! You guys have to see this theatre if you get a chance!

The inside is AMAZEBALLZ! It seriously feels like the theatre that the two old guys from The Muppets sit in! Movie aside, this is a theatre to see! The movie was also fantastic though!

And before the movie starts, they have organ music playing. But its a guy on stage playing live!

I wish I had gotten pictures of some of the other fantastic things done in Hollywood and Burbank but sadly I didnt. I did get some pics of the main attraction though. The entire reason I went in the first place. The gorgeous L getting married!

This is the gorgeous church. My hotel was right beside it, so it took 3 minutes to walk from my hotel to the venue.

The gorgeous couple:

And a pic of me WITH the gorgeous couple.

And then I got back home the day before the insanity of the fringe festival started. I have worked for them for years, and its always a highlight of my summer. We have the second largest Fringe Festival in North America and at least once in the past 5 years have been the largest. I sadly did not take any photos worth seeing, other than this one of me with the FABULOUS Mike Delamont (if you have not seen him perform or seen him do his God Is A Scottish Drag Queen routine I highly recommend googling it NOW! I was literally in tears I was laughing so hard. Sadly he was only in town for 3 of the 12 days as he had to run to do Just For Laughs in Montreal. I was able to get a front row seat though to one of his three showings here (each one was sold out) so that was one of the highlights for me.

And since I cant share more photos I took of the festival, I figured Id share a few that Leif posted on facebook. Leif Norman is a professional photographer who is amazing and I highly recommend you checking out his website.

And now I think at least until my next round of travelling (6 weeks away) I should be back to my normal schedule. And you can expect the normal 2-4 posts a day every day at least until my next trip takes place!

Eyes Are the Window Eyeshadow Palettes From Stila

Stila has four new palettes that are already at Ulta. And they are gorgeous! What do these four palettes have in common? Lets play a guessing game. 

1. They are all a whopping $49 USD each
2. They are all freaking GORGEOUS
3. This blogger needs all four
4. All of the above

If you guessed 4 then you are correct! I need all these! Spirit is full of iconic Stila shades popular over the last 20 years, Body is shimmery jewel toned shades, Mind is all matte shades and Soul is a combo of matte and shimmery neutrals.

Body Eyes Are The Window Eyeshadow Palette:

Mind Eyes Are The Window Eyeshadow Palette:

Stila Soul Eyes Are The Window Eyeshadow Palette:

Spirit Eyes Are The Window Eyeshadow Palette:

Ombre Nudes Eye Palette From Becca

So this has apparently already showed up at Ulta. Why was it not there two weeks ago when I was in California? HUH? Can someone answer me that?

EDIT: Its $48 on the Sephora website!!!

Sephora 2014 Rouge Gift - An Improvement?

Photo Source: http://vanityrouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/VIB-Rouge-Welcome-Kit-5.jpg

I know I am often hard on Sephora, but I have to say the constant disregard for Canadians is hard to swallow most of the time. If I purchase online, I cant use gift cards (for no good reason, they are simply too lazy to make it work) they charge us duty and handling charges twice, once factored in to the inflated Canadian prices, and then again at the end of the order (a new thing they just started), they only give us credit online for the AMERICAN value of what we get and even if you call up and they correct it, it does not correct the $ amount you need to spend to hit rouge meaning if you are an online shopper in Canada you have to spend around $1300 to qualify for rouge, and if you return something in store you bought online, you will lose the proper value of the points even though they only awarded you the American. This leads to a lot of frustration and resentment.

Last year as a reward for spending a grand at the store you got a mini lipstick. Spend A THOUSAND DOLLARS and you get a sample sized item. It was something that many found rather disappointing. While I find the new reward (that I am sadly far too close to getting) to be a slight improvement though I have heard MORE complaint this time around.

A full sized $15 nail polish is yours with your $1000 milestone this year. I understand that its the ROUGE program and thus its going to be a ROUGE coloured item, so can we all please petition Sephora to change the name to VIB Silver? Or VIB Gold? Or VIB Platinum? Better yet, VIB Purple!!! Something so we stop getting red lip and nail items? That being said, I am rather ambivalent about the gift this time around. What are your thoughts? Have you got this yet? Do you want to get this? Do you not care?

Cate & Chloe Monthly Subscription Box Package #3

So it seems that Cate & Chloe are making changes. Unlike the usual where the changes are better for them and more limiting for us, I think these changes are great! Such as the new box! Much more protection for shipping!

And inside the box:

An outline of the changes. Now its one shipment a month instead of two. I like this better as it is more cost efficient and saves money without us losing anything!

And then the goods!

I will be honest. This is the first thing I got that I simply dont like. But its also my 6th item from them, so its not like it wasn't bound to happen eventually. They are sturdy and fairly substantial without being too heavy they are uncomfortable.

Now to update you all, I have temporarily cancelled my sub. I put on my necklace for the first time (from the last shipment) and it broke. Because it was the day before the subscription would autrenew I chose to cancel unitl it was sorted out. I went online and tried to cancel, couldn't find the cancel button ANYWHERE. Where the heck is it? So I deleted my credit card info and sent them an email telling them that I was unhappy that my necklace broke and that I couldnt find the cancel so I deleted my info. Two days later they replied offering me a new piece in its place (I said no, just want a new chain for the necklace as it was the chain that was faulty) and they said they would replace it. I figured as soon as I got a shipping confirmation for the chain I would renew the sub. Well, the next day I get an emailed receipt showing that they took money for the next box. I emailed them asking how that happened when I deleted my info and they immediately credited me back the monthly fee.

I am at this point happy with the fast response (though unhappy that I cant find the cancel option) and as soon as I get the replacement chain I do plan on still resigning up.

Julep August Secret Store

So here is all that is in the Julep Secret Store that is up and live. Remember, if you spend $50 you will get 2000 jules meaning a free box for next month!

Sephora VIB Rouge Reception Event & 4X The Points!

Now I must say, even as I write this, I am very frustrated with Sephora. We hear them go on about how great being rouge is and there are truly very few perks that normal VIBs dont get. So to only know about a VIB Rouge event from online chatter is beyond frustrating. I AM a VIB Rouge. So why is it that I didnt get (or any friends of mine who are VIB Rouge) get an invite? GRR!

Attention, all Sephora VIB Rouge, VIB and Beauty Insiders! Sephora is hosting awesome points event, and a VIB Rouge-exclusive reception event! Pictured is the exclusive invite for VIB Rouge members – Sephora is hosting a closed-door/private shopping event in most US/Canada locations. For VIB and beauty insiders, you get to celebrate with 3x or 2x the points on your purchases!

You can sign up for the event HERE which will be taking place on August 6th from 7-9PM (the date in the USA is different).

Sephora VIB Rouge Reception Event Details

• Time: August 6th from 7-9PM in Canada and Aug 3rd, 9-11AM in the United States
• Where: Most Sephora locations in Canada/US
• RSVP Link: CLICK HERE
• Points Perks: 4x (VIB Rouge), 3x (VIB) and 2x (Beauty Insider)

The bonus points will be awarded on all purchases made between Monday August 4, 2014 thru Sun August 10, 2014 at 11:59pm PDT

At the event, VIB Rouge also get the preview of the new beauty studio, meet brand experts and learn new tips/tricks, and receive a cosmetic bag with sample goodies

NOTE -  Sephora Cosmetic Bag with samples and Rouge Tote Bag are only available in Sephora stores during the VIB Rouge Reception with any merchandise purchase of C$50 or more. Limit of one of each offer per VIB Rouge client, non-transferable. Guests of VIB Rouge that are Beauty insiders are also eligible to redeem theSephora Cosmetic Bag with samples with any merchandise purchase of C$50 or more, limit one per client. Valid while supplies last, quantities are limited, sample bag assortment may vary. Not valid on previous purchases or purchases of gift cards. Sephora employees are not eligible for offers. No returns or exchanges. These offers are subject to change, alteration or termination by Sephora in its sole discretion at any time.

Sephora Shopping - How Does This Happen?!

So I went to the Sephora site to buy ONE item. I was out of (ok, ALMOST out of) my Caudalie Beauty Elixir. And I swear all these other items magically jumped in my cart! How does a $20 order become a $300 order? So I posted on facebook that I was not quite sure how it happened and was asked to share what I got. I will do an unboxing video when it all comes and I am sure you will see most of these items grace the screen of you computer by way of reviews on my blog in the coming weeks, but for those impatient few, here is what jumped in to the cart along with my beloved Caudalie spray!

ARDENCY INN MODSTER Southampton Lip Kit

- 0.16 oz MODSTER Lip Balm & Primer
- 0.12 oz MODSTER Long Play Supercharged Lip Color

SEPHORA FAVORITES - Give Me Some Lip
- 0.03 oz Urban Decay Mini Naked Revolution Lipstick
- 0.12 oz Nars Deluxe Orgasm Lip Gloss
- 0.07 oz Buxom Mini Full On Lip Cream in White Russian
- 0.02 oz Marc Jacobs Mini Lust for Lacquer in Kissability
- 0.05 oz Deluxe Bite High Pigment Lip Pencil in Meritage
- 0.20 oz Full-size Smashbox Be Legendary Gloss in Pout

SEPHORA COLLECTION Detangling Brush

SEPHORA FAVORITES Summer Crushes
This Set Contains:
- 0.5 oz Caudalie Divine Oil
- 0.84 oz Vita Liberata pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan Mousse in Medium
- Mini tanning mitt
- 1.7 oz Bumble and bumble Surf Spray
- 0.13 oz Lavanila The Healthy Fragrance in Vanilla Coconut
- 1 oz Living Proof® Restore Mask Treatment
- 1 oz Shaveworks™ The Cool Fix™
- 0.1 oz Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 in Shea Butter & Vitamin E
- 0.33 oz Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++
- 0.33 oz Murad® Essential-C Sun Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 35 PA+++
- 1 oz DERMAdoctor® Shrinking Beauty™
- Travel bag

FORMULA X - Press Pods

CAUDALIE Grape Water

CAUDALIE Beauty Elixir Limited Edition By L'Wren Scott

FRESH Sugar Lip Treatment SPF In the VIB Exclusive Shade Ruby

LIVING PROOF - Instant Texture Mist VIB Exclusive

BITE BEAUTY VIB Rouge Luminous Créme Lipstick in Lilac