Posts Tagged ‘splurge’

Video for $plurge or $ave? ~ Summer Beauty Essentials

By Melody Iafelice on May 31st, 2012   /   Uncategorized   /   Leave a comment

 

Hello Gorgeous Gals,

Here is the CTV Morning Live TV segment that features yesterdays blog post items.

I confessed admitted to a personal choice in the video after saying I wouldn’t (I’d squeal under a bright light in a cold interrogation room LOL)

So here’s the rest of my picks:

  • Clarins Suncare ($34 CAD)for myself  but I would take the L’Oreal Ombrelle ($13.97 CAD) for the kids, as you use way to much every summer to pay top dollar for it ; )
  • Guerlain Terracotta 4 Seasons Bronzer Blew the budget on this one ($82 CAD) but the matte finish and multi-shades truly made it an ‘adjustable’ (use light or dark shades depending on season/level of existing tan) year round item. You can always add a hi-lighter on top to give a subtle shimmer.
  • L’Oreal Voluminous waterproof, I don’t like to pay high prices for mascara and for an item that I may use a handful of times during the summer, that would be $$ down the drain! It’s was under $7 CAD.
  • Maybelline Baby Lips, feels great on, love the subtle tint and can’t beat SPF 20, the price (under $7 CAD)  made it easy to own several shades and always have one on hand.

 

Ciao Bellas,

Until Next Time ~ Melody xo

 

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Top 4 Summer Beauty Essentials ~ $plurge or $ave?

By Melody Iafelice on May 30th, 2012   /   Uncategorized   /   Leave a comment

Hello Gorgeous Gals,

I’m so excited to bring my $plurge or $ave posts to life by way of  a new series of beauty segments to CTV Morning Live, starting this morning.

I’ve paired products from within the same category, share similarities, but are opposites in price range so there is something for everyone’s wants, needs and budget…I just narrow the search for you (saving time & frustration) It’s up to you to check out each item further before you decide on what/when to $plurge or $ave!   

SPF for the Body

Clarins Sun Care Cream SPF 20 ($34 CAD – Shoppers Drugmart) They have a fab reputation with their skincare and their SPF collection is just as great. They boast several items and levels of SPF. I’ve used it for a few years with positive results everytime.  The L’Oreal Ombrelle SPF 60 ($13.97 CAD Walmart) may say its for kids but they have a few levels of SPF, waterproof, fragrance free formulas, great for anyone with delicate skin.

Bronzing Powders for the Face

Guerlain’s Terracotta 4 Seasons Bronzing Powder (in 2 shades – $82 CAD – Shoppers Drug Mart) is a matte version, great when you don’t want shimmer and can be used year round as you dip into dark or light sections as needed…more ‘sunkissed’ than fake tan. Rimmel Match Perfection (2 shades $7.98 CAD- Walmart) is pretty darn close to being fully matte as compared to all the other Rimmel bronzers. The trouble with shimmery bronzers is that they give more hi-light than color and start to look cheap when over applied (regardless of the brand)

Waterproof Mascara

One thing I have learned over the years….never mess with a gal and her mascara ; ) I don’t suggest using a waterproof mascara for everyday as it can dry out & cause brittle lashes over time. If you need staying power try the water resistant ones first. However when a waterproof one is needed, be it for a wedding or a pool/beach party then you need to head straight for the mascara geniuses. Lancome Hypnose Mascara waterproof  ($31 CAD – Shoppers Drugmart) Lancome mascara have a cult following and Hypnose is one of the popular ones…get volume and waterproofing!    L’Oreal Voluminous waterproof ($6.72 CAD – Walmart) is of course the ‘sister’ brand to Lancome, so there is good reason why all the formulas are similar ; ) Just saying! Voluminous has been around forever cause it works. (reminder to read the package to make sure it’s the waterproof one you picked up)

Tinted LipBalms with SPF

Dior Addict Lip Glow ($35 CAD – Shoppers Drugmart) Yes it’s a luxury brand, but it moisturizes, glistens, feels great on, has several shades, SPF 10 and pretty to pull out of your purse. Maybelline Baby Lips (under $7 CAD – Shoppers Drugmart) Highly moisturizing, SPF 20 and 5 shades (1 clear) stock up with multiple shades, great for the beach bag and you won’t cry if you loose it.

What are your favourite Summer Makeup Essentials?

What do you prefer to $plurge or $ave on?

I’d love to hear what product pairs you’d like to see in future segments/posts.

Ciao Bellas

Until Next Time ~ Melody xo

 

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$plurge or $ave ~ Hi-lighting Pens Dior & Sephora

By Melody Iafelice on January 26th, 2012   /   Uncategorized   /   1 Comment

I do this post on purpose on Thursday’s as it gives you something to read, then spend Friday at work checking out the links. Then you can make your list and head out for some girly shopping over the weekend ; )

Years ago the famous Touch Eclat Pen by YSL Beauty was created, igniting a hi-lighting makeup pen frenzy and cult status to follow. I never joined that parade…truth be told I found it pricey and it was meh on me, didn’t really do much. However, I think its a great idea, I just needed a different formula to make me happy. The idea of these pens is that they are to be used in small areas of the face to soften fine lines, lighten up darker areas and create a radiance, without a shimmer.

Dior Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen

$48 CAD, 3 shades

“Inside this radiance booster pen is every Dior makeup artist’s secret weapon for a glowing complexion. The Light-Booster Complex smoothes away imperfections and illuminates the face. Beauty tip: Works wonders over or under foundation, or just on bare skin”

Sephora Smoothing and Brightening Concealer

$17 CAD, 6 shades

“Boost radiance, brighten the complexion, moisturize, and even out wrinkles in a single step. Light-reflecting pigments erase dark circles and signs of fatigue while hiding imperfections. Hyaluronic acid keeps skin hydrated and nourished”
Also paraben free.

 

Both can be find at Sephora so you can do a side by side comparison for texture and shades.

Ciao Bellas,

Until Next Time ~ Melody xo

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$plurge or $ave -Smashbox vs. NYX

By Melody Iafelice on January 5th, 2012   /   Uncategorized   /   Leave a comment

Welcome to the first edition of  Thursday’s $plurge or $ave, a weekly post where 2 similar category items will be featured from 2 opposite price points. Use the links to find out more for yourself…It’s your wallet, so you get to choose what works best for you.

Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder

Clicking on picture will take you to Smashbox.com

Smashbox has a pretty good reputation for their foundation collections. Often promoting the addition of skincare ingredients in them and Halo is no exception. It boasts anti-aging ingredients and minerals, while the box states visible anti-wrinkle results within minutes. It offers light to medium coverage, its fast and easy to apply and I like the finished look: a soft glow, no shimmer or shine. Great for all skin types including mature. Give the ‘grater’ a small twist, pick up the powder with a brush (a mini kabuki is provided) dust over skin. Repeat if you want/need more coverage. Using small ‘twists’ each time to shave the powder will reduce wasted powder.

*($72 CAD -6 shades Find it: in Canada at Murale, Shoppers Drugmart and Sephora. Click picture above to learn more)   

NYX Cosmetics HD Grinding Powder

clicking picture will take you to NYX Canada site

NYX Cosmetics offers a makeup selection at an affordable price range, many items are very comparable in finished looks to some higher priced brands. The HD Grinding Powder is in the same ‘grater’ style compact as the Smashbox and I would apply in the same way described above. The coverage is light to medium so you have the choice of lightly applying it (can be used as a ‘loose’ powder over another foundation) or layer it to hide a bit more, up to a medium coverage. While it doesn’t list skincare perks, it is promoted as a mineral-enriched powder that helps to deflect light from skin, making pores appear smaller and giving a smoother texture. The finished result I found was a pretty, soft ‘glow’ without shimmer, glitter or shine.

($27.99CAD  6 Shades  Click picture for more info. Some NYX products can be found at Rexall/Pharma Plus however at the writing of this post, the HD Grinding Powder was not available in any of my local stores.

Do you have a favorite $plurge or $ave item? Go ahead, share in the comments.

Until Next Time ~Melody xo

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