Stash Wild Raspberry Hibiscus Herbal Tea

For today’s Tea Tuesday we’re going down the herbal tea road with a super delicious and sweet tea. I’m talking about the Stash Wild Raspberry Hibiscus Herbal Tea. This is a lovely caffeine-free addition to any cupboard and perfect for an afternoon break or in the evening.

This tea is a blend of red hibiscus, lemongrass, orange peel, rosehips and raspberry flavor which are all 100% natural ingredients. It has a very sweet fruity taste, with the raspberry flavor being quite strong. I really enjoy drinking this whenever I’m craving sugar. Sure it’s not as good as ice cream but it helps curb the craving and it won’t make you hyper like sugar or regular tea would. 

I got the Stash Wild Raspberry Hibiscus Herbal Tea from my local grocery store, it is widely available and affordable. You can also get it online here. 

Pretty Little Liars

I’m having withdrawals, Pretty Little Liars withdrawals. You see, season 5 ended last week and I can’t wait for summer to come so season 6 can begin. Therefore, it seemed like a good idea to talk about the show and get you all hooked on it.

I actually refused to watch Pretty Little Liars for the longest time because I thought it looked scary and I don’t do scary stuff. In reality, it’s more of a thriller with very tense moments that are balanced out by funny scenes and witty dialogue. The series follows the lives of four friends who start receiving threatening messages from an unknown person named A. As they try to deal with the situation, they realise the whole thing is connected to their friend Alison who went missing the year before and was later found dead. The show is quite unpredictable and likes to throw quite a few curveballs your way, but it all makes for great fun. All in all it’s an addicting show that will keep you in front of your screen for hours at a time, so best to start it on a weekend and be prepared to be thoroughly entertained.

Something I found quite special about the show is the chemistry between the cast members. Troian Bellisario, Ashley Benson, Lucy Hale and Shay Mitchell actually feel like a real group of friends. They also capture the teenager spirit really well and it doesn’t look like grownups pretending to be teenage girls. The chemistry makes you care about them more and I think it’s one the reasons the show is so addictive, because you want to see what happens to them and you root for their success. Having said all of that, you can have a look for yourself and watch the trailer for the first season here.

And do you know what else, the fifth season of Pretty Little Liars comes out on DVD on June 2^nd which gives you enough to catch up on the first seasons and then be all caught up for the premiere of season 6. If DVDs aren’t your thing, you can also get it on iTunes and Netflix. 

A Second Target Body Care Haul

So I went shopping again… You see sales can be very hard to resist and with Target closing all of its stores across Canada, I figured I might as well take advantage of reduced prices to stock up on favorites and try out new things. Here’s a look at the new products I picked up, you can expect reviews on them soon. Have a lovely Sunday.

After falling in love with the Alba Botanica Shower Gel I decided to give the RejuvenatingPapaya Mango Hawaiian Body Cream a go. This smells amazingly fruity and so far it’s quite a decent moisturizer.

Next was the Burt’s Bees Rejuvenating Lip Balm with Acai­Berry. I love the Burt’s Bees lip balms, especially the mango and pomegranate ones, but I hadn’t tried this one yet. They are just a great product to have around to keep your lips soft and hydrated during the day.

My last purchase was made on a whim and came in the form of the Weleda Body Oil StarterKit. This contains six mini vials of body oils, including their birch, wild rose and pomegranate one. I never gave much thought to body oils before, but this kit looked so cute and I wanted to try Weleda products after hearing such good things about them. I’ll let you know how I get on with them after some testing. 

In all honesty the haul was a bit bigger since I purchased backups of all the things I got in my last target Haul. What can I say, the 40% off was very enticing. Have you tried any of these? Have you purchased any new products recently?

Burt’s Bees Rejuvenating Lip Balm with Acai Berry

Lip balm a.k.a. every girl’s handbag must-have. As much as I love my Dior Crème de RoseLip Balm, it’s not the most hygienic product to carry around because it comes in a pot. So to keep my lips moisturized throughout the day I rely on the Burt’s Bees Lip Balm, most recently the Rejuvenating Acai Berry one.

This is a 100% natural lip balm with bee’s wax, coconut oil and a shot of antioxidant in the form of acai berry oil. Unlike a lot of wax-based lip balm, this one actually adds moisture instead of only sealing it in, though it does this as well. It goes on clear and leaves a bit of a sheen, making your lips look instantly more hydrated. The acai flavor is very pleasant, it’s sweet but not sickly so.

The Burt’s Bees Rejuvenating Lip Balm with Acai Berry is an everyday essential for me and its sweet scent makes it even more pleasant to use. You can find this product on the Burt’s Bees website as well as in most drugstores and grocery stores.

Pixi H2O SkinTint

Hello everyone, I hope you’re all having a lovely Saturday. I’ve decided to take it easy today by doing fun stuff like catching up on my reading and maybe hitting the gym later. So, in the spirit of the weekend I thought it would be great to bring you a review of one of my favorite weekend products, the Pixi H2O SkinTint. 

This is my absolute favorite tinted moisturizer, it’s a water-based gel that feels light and hydrating on the skin all the while providing some coverage. The formula is lovely, the gel feels super refreshing and never makes me oily. You can see in the pictures that the color and texture look quite dark and thick, but as you apply it, it melts into your skin and the tint blends in seamlessly.

Color wise, there are three shades to choose from and I picked the lightest one, which looks quite dark when it first comes out. Luckily, this is actually quite sheer and easy to blend in. As far as tinted moisturizers go, the Pixi one performs really well, it covers up redness and small imperfections nicely, just don’t expect full coverage from it. It truly does look like skin and because it’s a bit darker than my natural skin tone, it gives a nice healthy glow.

For all these reasons, I love using this product on lazy weekends or when I’m going to the gym. It gives me a little confidence boost because my skin looks more even and no one can say no to a little glow. 

You can purchase the Pixi H2O Skintint at Target and online from the Pixi website.

Do you have a favorite tinted moisturizer? What’s your must-have on the weekend?

Tips for Focusing When Writing Essays

When you’re a student (especially in university), spring time can mean several things: nicer weather, spring break and one step closer to the summer holiday. It’s generally all nice and well but spring also means that an insane amount of work and essays are about to be due. The workload can be overwhelming at times and staying focus is key to writing quality papers. I know it’s difficult but procrastinating has to stop.  

Over the years I have discovered tricks that help me get in the zone and really focus on those papers. I’m the kind of person that always needs to have some sort of background sound to concentrate, a quiet library doesn’t work for me. So depending on your personality these can prove helpful or they simply might not work for you.

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For me, the writing process has two sections: the research part and the actual writing part. I like to start by doing research because it makes it easier for me to write afterwards and it also helps alleviate the stress of having to find sources that substantiate your paper at the last minute. Spending hours online looking things up can get a bit boring, which is why I like to put a movie or a TV show on that I have already seen while I do this. Since you know what will happen it’s less distracting than having something random on and it makes the whole research process more enjoyable because you’re listening to something you like. Your favorite parts can also make for really nice breaks to have snack and stretch.

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Once you have most of your references comes the most difficult part: coming up with an insightful, cohesive and well written paper. Depending on your topic this can turn out to be quite fun, but usually, for some mysterious reason, essays you write for university are hard to do. The word count seems impossible to reach, the topic is uninspiring or you can’t find anything on it. This is why you need to get in the zone, that wonderful place where brilliant sentences just flow and you can write thousands of words in an hour. For this, television becomes too distracting, I need something repetitive. I like to find a song that’s calming and will almost hypnotize me into focusing. One song I highly recommend for that is Erase by Hyorin and JooYoung (listen to it here), this is the song that got me through my final essays last semester. It allowed me to concentrate without having silence mocking me during my writer’s block.

I hope these tips will help you with any essay writing you might have to do. Most importantly, don’t worry too much and try to plan ahead so you have enough time and less stress on your mind. If you’d like I would love to share with you all other tips for essay writing, but for now good luck!

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Cocktail Exfoliating Lava Flow Body Wash

As promised, I have a review of the Alba Botanica Hawaiian Cocktail Exfoliating Lava Flow Body Wash for you all today. I’ve been using it every day since I got it and it’s incredible.

So this is a shower gel with loofa particles as well as fruit and sugar cane extracts that acts as exfoliators and clean your skin. In terms of exfoliation, this is very gently and won’t replace your body scrub because it’s not abrasive enough, however I won’t say no to an added bit of daily exfoliation. If you look at it as a basic shower gel though, that’s where all the awesomeness begins. The gel has the most amazing fruit punch scent ever, and I’m talking about an actual fruit scent here, not an overly sweet chemical version. Performance wise it cleans the skin really well without drying it out or leaving a residue. Overall, it’s a great natural shower gel (most of its ingredients are organic) and I’ve actually already purchased a backup.

You can find the Alba Botanica Hawaiian Cocktail Exfoliating Lava Flow Body Wash in Target and online from the brand’s website. 

Tea Tuesday: Kusmi Troïka

For some unknown reason I went on a tea break recently, but now it’s back in my daily routine. To get started again, I decided to go for something fragrant and sweet: the Kusmi Troïka blend.

This is a lovely of black teas with a combination of bergamot, orange and mandarin. It’s one of my favorites from the Russian Blends Assortment and makes for a nice energizing beverage in the morning. I’m typically not a fan of black teas because of their strong taste and slight bitterness, but the Troïka one has a nice sweetness to it. You can really taste the bergamot and mandarin, making it pleasant to drink as well as smell. The scent is very uplifting and comforting which is something most of us enjoy when trying to wake up.

You can find the Kusmi Troïka tea online here and in most tea shops. 

Innisfree Jeju Camellia Hand Cream

Spring is finally here and I’m craving some sunshine, but I have to say I don’t really feel ready for shorts yet. I see some serious self-tanner shopping in my future. Pale skin aside, the part of my body that has suffered the most from our brutal Canadian winter is my hands. Combine -30Cº and a lot of manual work and you’ll be left with dry and cracked skin. To remedy the situation, I’ve been relying on a series of products to make my hands baby soft again and the star of the show has been the Innisfree Jeju Camellia Hand Cream.

Let me start this review by saying:  I’ve never used a hand cream like it, it’s in a category of its own. The cream comes out quite thick from the tube but as soon as you start rubbing it in, it melts into your hands and spreads with a liquid-like quality. It contains shea butter which really nourishes your skin, but like other hand creams that use this ingredient, it takes a little longer to penetrate. As for the scent, Innisfree describes it as floral green and I can’t come up with a better description. It’s a unique fragrance that might not appeal to everyone, however you should know that the scent doesn’t linger for too long. If you’re unsure, Innisfree has a nice range of scent to choose from (the peach one is next on my list).

So far the Camellia Hand Cream might not seem all that special to you, but it does have a unique quality. Once the cream has fully sunk in, it forms a sort of protective film over your hands. Now this isn’t sticky or tacky, you can’t feel any residue, but it’s almost like you’re wearing an invisible glove. As a result your hands will stay soft for a longer period of time and they don’t lose their hydration as easily. It’s a really weird thing to describe but it’s amazing.

The Innisfree Jeju Camellia Hand Cream is a total budget buy at about 5$ and you can find it on the Innisfree global website. I highly recommend you add this to your basket next time you order from them. 

Have you tried this hand cream before? Which scent appeals to you most?

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

I have mentioned my dry hands in yesterday’s post and wanted to share with you all another product I’ve been using to repair my skin. Every few nights, right before I go to bed, I apply a nice layer of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream to speed up the healing process.

This cult product has been around for a long time; the thick orange ointment can be used on any dry areas (including your lips) and coats them with a hydrating and soothing layer. This really is more of an ointment than a cream so you need to really massage it in if you want it to penetrate nicely. It also feels quite sticky which is why I recommend applying it as the last step in your routine before you go to bed. That way you won’t leave greasy prints on anything. After use, I woke up to my softer feeling hands and the cracks had started to heal.

There’s a reason the Eight Hour Cream has such a following, it does what it claims and its multipurpose usage makes it convenient to have around. I don’t love the scent, it has an odd medicinal fragrance, but Elizabeth Arden offers an unscented version if you prefer fragrance-free products.

You can get the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream from their website as well as at any of their counters.

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

When it comes to applying foundation, I’m usually not one for brushes, I find that fingers work best. However, I was recently tempted by the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush after seeing so many bloggers and youtubers rave about it and let me tell you it’s as amazing as they say.

This is a lovely rounded brush that applies your foundation like a dream. The bristles are synthetic and quite dense so they really buff the foundation in, leaving you with a flawless looking face. The handle is the perfect length and not too heavy so you can get a nice grip on it. I was just blown away by this brush, it really makes a difference on how my foundation applies and the quality is incredible for such a budget buy. I also found that my foundation lasted longer than usual which was a nice surprise. 

You can find the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush on the Real Techniques website as well as on Feelunique. 

Chizu Saeki The Japanese Skincare Revolution

I love reading a good book before going to bed, but unlike health and nutrition books I often find the beauty category lacking. Sure there are tons of books on how to apply makeup but I haven’t found that many on skincare that provided information I didn’t already know. Chizu Saeki’s The Japanese Skincare Revolution: How to Have the Most Beautiful Skin of Your Life--At Any Age really is ahead of the pack and considering it was first published in 2009 (2004 in Japan) it’s quite amazing how relevant it still is.

The book mostly focuses on techniques to use with your skincare instead of just talking about products. You can find information on facial massage, lymphatic drainage and how to get the best out of your routine by massaging the skin as you cleanse and apply your other products. Everything is well explained and there are pictures for every technique so you can easily learn how to do them properly.

I learned a lot form this book but it was never boring or preachy and the information was novel. We are starting to hear more about facial massage but it’s great to hear about it from someone who’s been practicing it for years. I mean Mrs. Saeki looks amazing for her age and that’s the best way to show the results of her techniques to readers of her book.

You can find Chizu Saeki’s The Japanese Skincare Revolution online from Amazon were you can look at an excerpt and you can also find it in bookstores, though you might need to special order it. It’s very affordable and a great investment in better looking skin for the future. 

Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara

These days, I’ve been favoring a more natural eye look to get into the spring spirit. A light champagne shadow, some mascara and I’m good to go. To achieve pretty and natural looking lashes, I love the Maybelline Mega Plush mascara. This has replaced my beloved but sadly discontinued (in Canada) Maybelline Full and Soft mascara.

This has a gel formula that’s quite dry, which I prefer, and builds natural volume and length. It opens up the eyes by defining your lashes with a very black formula and medium-sized round brush, but it does it without being clumpy or extravagant. I think it would be very appropriate for someone that’s just getting into makeup or is still young.

One other thing I love about this product is how easy it is to remove, there’s no need for intense rubbing here, a simple cleansing oil does the job in seconds. Another thing to note however is that since the formula is quite dry to begin with, this mascara does dry out more quickly than other. I personally have no issues with this because I like to change my mascaras regularly and being a drugstore product, it is super affordable and often on sale for about 4$. 

You can find the Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara from any drugstore and it is regularly priced at around 7$. 

Clarins Samples Review

Today, I wanted to do a little round-up of Clarins products I’ve been testing over the past few weeks. They are all samples but I was able to use them enough to give you my opinion on them and whether or not I would purchase the full size.

The first one up is the Satin-SmoothBody Lotion with Sorbier Bud, this is a light lotion that absorbs really quickly and leaves your skin feeling soft and supple. It contains sorbier bud and hyaluronic acid and the combination moisturizes like nothing else. I don’t love the scent, it’s a little too baby powdery for me, but I would like to purchase the full size bottle. 

Next is the Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Cottonseed, which is a basic foaming cleanser. I found it very gentle and not as stripping as other product, but it did not blow me away. If you love foaming cleansers and are looking for something very gentle then it might be worth having a look at, but I don’t think I’ll purchase it.

The other cleanser I tried was the One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser with Orange Extract and this one I loved. It’s a super refreshing gel-like cleanser with tiny little beads that exfoliate your skin, but is still gentle enough that it won’t make your face red or irritate it. The zesty scent is uplifting in the morning and I love how my skin feels energized after use. I can’t wait to get the full size tube, it truly is a lovely morning cleanser. 

Lastly is the Daily Energizer Cream-Gel, this moisturizer hydrates and balances the skin without causing any oiliness. It’s a lovely basic moisturizer that would be great for teenagers because of its light texture. It doesn’t have tons of bells and whistles but it’s a solid product.  I liked it but I won’t be rushing to buy just because I’d like to try other moisturizers on the market. 

You can find all these products from a Clarins counter, Boots and online. Clarins offers multiple website options depending on your country, just scroll down to the bottom to select the right one.

L’Oréal Color Riche Lipstick in Cassis Passion

Having a great day-to-night lipstick is essential to any busy girl. I’m always carrying tons of lip products around, but there are days when I enjoy simply having one lipstick that can give me different looks. One of my favorites is the L’Oréal Color Riche Lipstick in Cassis Passion. 

This is a creamy berry shade that’s perfectly balanced, it’s not too red or too pink and it doesn’t pull purple on me. You can pat it on for a nice stain or apply it straight from the bullet for a more intense finish. The formula is super pigmented and creamy, it doesn’t drag on the lips and you don’t need to apply multiple layers to get great color payoff. It’s a fantastic product that does not disappoint and the gold packaging looks really chic.  

        

                               

Saving the best for last, the L’Oréal Color Riche Lipstick in Cassis Passion is super affordable and you can easily find it at the drugstore. Boots and Superdrug in the U.K. often have it on offer. This specific color seems to only be available in Europe but the Color Riche line has a great color selection that’s definitely worth checking out. 

The Royals

E! premiered a new TV show this week called The Royals, the story follow the lives of the (fictional) English royal family. It reminds me of Gossip Girl, but set in England and I have to say I really enjoyed the first episode. With the Pretty Little Liars season finale coming soon I’m glad I have something new and entertaining to watch.

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The Royals has plenty of drama and the cast is great with actors like Elizabeth Hurley (Gossip Girl), William Moseley (The Chronicles of Narnia) and the endearing Vincent Reagan. More than the story itself, I loved the sets and locations of the show with the stunning Blenheim Palace serving as the royal residence. Having visited Blenheim Palace when I lived in Oxford, this show is nostalgic to me and I can’t wait to see more places I’ve visited on the screen. 

You can catch The Royals on E! Sunday nights at 10:00 and you can also currently download the first episode of the season for free on iTunes. Watch the trailer here. 

Desperate Housewives

I’ve been marathon watching a few shows recently and it’s been loads of fun. It all started when I went on a cleaning spree and needed something to listen to at the same time. I also wanted it to be funny but not something I would get to engrossed in which is why I needed something I had seen before. For these reasons, I turned to an old favorite: Desperate Housewives.

I have watched all 8 seasons of this show over the past few years both while it was still airing and on DVD. In case you don’t know it, Desperate Housewives is about a group of friends who are neighbours and appear to live perfect lives in the suburbs. Obviously, there is a lot of drama that goes on in each house and every season introduces new neighbours that bring dark secrets with them to the seemingly picture-perfect Wisteria Lane. The show stars Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross and Eva Longoria. The four actresses have great chemistry together and are quite comedic geniuses with a special mention going to Eva Longoria who never failed to make me laugh.  

I highly recommend this show, it has a great mix of comedy and drama making it great to marathon watch because you want to know the answers to the main intrigue and the humorous situations keep the show fast-paced and prevent it from dragging on.  

You can find all of the 8 season of Desperate Housewives on Amazon and from DVD stores (most of them are less than 20$).

What’s your favorite show to marathon watch? 

H&M Gem Bangle

I rarely purchase jewelry, but I have a weakness for dainty pieces and embellished statement necklaces. So when I saw the loveliest of bracelets on Becky’s (Milk Bubble Tea) February wish list I just had to get it. 

This is a gold bangle with a clear gem in the middle and what makes it so special are the little crystals that move inside the gem. It’s so beautiful and looks great on its own or you could stack it with other bracelets. I like how it adds something to a simple outfit and looks like an expensive piece of jewelry. It’s really well made and comes in different size, so even if you have a small wrist like me, it should fit. The other best thing about this bangle is that you can get it for less than £5 from H&M. 

This gem bangle is available from any H&M store and you can find it online here. 

Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover

I have a quick review for you today and the product in question is all about helping you save time. The Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover makes quick work of removing all traces of nail polish in matters of seconds, it really is magical.

All the magic happens inside the plastic bottle, it contains a sponge that is soaked in remover formula. There is a hole in the middle of the sponge so you simply need to put your finger inside and wiggle it around the sponge to remove your nail polish. After seconds you’re left with clean nails and the sponge really helps get the polish off  the sides and cuticles. 

                           

           

As for the formula, I think it’s amazing. It contains sweet almond oil, making it very moisturizing and keeping your nails from feeling uncomfortable like some acetone remover to do. The sweet almond oil also helps mask the typical scent of nail polish remover and since you’re not pouring it, your room won’t smell of chemicals afterwards.

I’ve been using mine for months and I’ m really impressed by the quality of this product. The sponge has not started drying out and the formula is still as efficient as ever. It works well on both dark and pale nail polishes, but you should not use it on glitter polish to avoid tearing the sponge. For less than £5 it’s a great budget buy and a staple in my bathroom cabinet.

You can find the Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover from Boots and Superdrug in the U.K. For the rest of the world I suggest having a look at your local Bourjois counter, it’s definitely worth tracking down.

Target Spring Body and Skincare Haul

Yesterday was a good day, I woke up well rested and full of energy. So much so that I had a big urge to go shopping and so off to Target I went. I was in need of a few body products and I thought I could share with you the results of my shopping in a little haul. You can expect reviews on all the products soon.

The first thing I picked up is the Alba Botanica Hawaiian Cocktail Exfoliating Lava Flow Body Wash, I’ve been looking for more natural body products and this one looked nice. I love shower gels that have exfoliating properties and this smells amazing, like a super fruity fruit punch.

Next is the Jergens BB Body Skin Perfect Cream. This was a bit of an impulse purchase, mostly I was just curious to try it and got it because it was on sale. It looks like a promising product for spring and a lot more low-maintenance than self-tanner.

The last thing I got is the Formula 10.0.6 Deep Down Detox Ultra-Cleansing Mud Mask Orange + Bergamot. I remember seeing this on YouTube a few years ago and I’ve always wanted to try it. Hopefully it’ll work well seeing as my skin has been a bit congested lately.

So that’s my little haul, you can read more info about the shower gel here, the BB cream here and the mask here. Have you tried any of these products? 

The Perfect Healthy Soup for When You're Under the Weather

Today I wanted to something a little different and go into food blogger territory to share with you all one of my favorite soup recipe. There are several variations depending on the kind of meal you are looking for, but no matter how you do it, it’s a great soup for when you have an upset stomach or are looking for a quick and light meal.

This is a simple vegetable soup with chicken broth and either rice or glass noodles.  If you are looking for something filling and easy to have after a long day at work, I would go for brown rice which is very healthy.  If you’ve been sick or feel the need for a light meal that won’t upset your stomach, I would use either white jasmine rice or, for an even lighter option: glass noodles which are usually made of beans and potatoes. It takes about 20 minutes to make but it can take a bit longer if you’re using rice (brown rice takes the longest to cook).

Ingredients (serves 1):

- 3 green onions

- 2 nantes carrots (they are sweeter)

- 1 cup of brown/white rice or a portion of glass noodles (they usually come in individual portions)

- 2 ½ cups of water or chicken broth

- Chicken broth: if you are using fresh chicken broth use it instead of water and if you are using dehydrated broth then simply use it to season to taste

How to:

If you are using rice, start off by thoroughly rinsing it and then put it in a rice cooker with water following the instruction for the water measurements (usually 1 cup of water for 1 cup of rice). You can then move on to the vegetables. If you’re using noodles you can find the instruction for them below. 

First start off by cutting all your vegetables and putting them in a pot with your water. Cover until it comes to a boil and then remove the lid and lower to heath to let it simmer for about five minutes or until your carrots are cooked.

While you are waiting for the vegetables to boil, fill another pot with a bit of water and bring it to a boil. Once it’s ready remove it from the heath and had your glass noodles to it. Cover with a lid and let it rest for 4 minutes.

Once everything is cooked, pour your noodles into a sieve and rinse them under water. Next put them into a large bowl. If you’re using rice, directly scoop it from the rice cooker into your bowl. Afterwards, carefully pour the vegetables and the water they’re in into your bowl. This is when you would add your dehydrated chicken broth if you’re using it and stir everything together.

You now have a quick and easy soup that’s perfect when you feel under the weather or are tired. What's your favorite soup to make?

Innisfree It’s Real Squeeze Shea Butter Mask

Spring is on its way but if you live in a northern country like Canada the cold is still very much present and taking its toll on your skin. All the wind, snow and cold has really been drying my skin out and to fight back I’ve been using the Innisfree It’s Real Squeeze Shea Butter Mask.

As always, Innisfree knows how to bring it in the sheet mask department. The cotton for the mask is soft and sturdy meaning it won’t rip or drag on your skin. As for the essence it contains, this one has soft cream consistency that is very different from the typical water-like essence. The Black Berry one from the same line was like a lotion but this one is definitely thicker and thus more moisturizing. 

  

After use, my skin felt softer and more hydrated. It really helped relieve the tightness I was feeling on my face. I think it would make a great mask to use on a long-haul flight or after a day spent outside in the cold.

You can find the Innisfree It’s Real Squeeze Shea Butter Mask on the Innisfree website.

Colab Sheer Invisible Dry Shampoo in New York

It’s the end of the week and your hair needs a little pick-me-up? When that happens to me, I like to reach for a nice dry shampoo and my absolute favorite is the Colab Sheer Invisible Dry Shampoo. The line was released last fall by blogger/YouTuber/model Ruth Crilly (A Model Recommends) and it is amazing.

This dry shampoo comes in five different scents: London (classic), Rio (tropical), New York (fruity), Paris (floral) and Tokyo (oriental). I own the New York one which has a fruity fragrance but still manages to have a sophisticated scent, it’s not a kiddy strawberry scent for example. Honestly I think they all smell incredible and it really adds to the products efficiency because it leaves my hair smelling nice and refreshed. As far as performance goes, this really is sheer and invisible. It left no white residue in my hair and didn’t feel tacky even if I used a fair amount. In terms of volume, the formula doesn’t really give you any but it doesn’t claim to be a volumizer. Instead, this cleans my hair like nothing else, I actually prefer it to Batiste because it’s lighter and the formula is finer.

If you prefer something that adds volume you should have a look at the Colab ExtremeVolume Dry Shampoo which is formulated to add body to the hair as well as refresh it. Both products come in a regular and a travel size version which is super convenient  and they are very affordable. I personally would go for the bigger size, I purchased the travel version and went through it quite quickly because I enjoyed using it so much.

You can get the Colab Sheer Invisible Dry Shampoo from Superdrug and Feelunique in the U.K. In Canada, you can find it in London Drugs and Jean Coutu but only the London and Rio scents are available. 

Dior Rouge Dior Couture Lipstick in Carré d’Or

When it comes to beauty there’s a brand that never fails to impress me and its name is Dior. Every collection they release is a test to my restraint and decision making process, everything is just so beautiful.  So when Dior released limited edition lipsticks to go with their newly formulated eyeshadow palettes last fall, I convinced myself I didn’t need another lipstick, but one of them stayed on my mind. So you can imagine my delight when my mom surprised me with the Rouge Dior Couture Lipstick in Carré d’Or.

This shade is unlike anything I own, it’s a peach nude with a gold frost that doesn’t wash me out and just looks spectacular with a tan. The formula is great, it’s long-lasting and non-drying which is a rare combination. It doesn’t offer a lot of moisture but it’s very comfortable for a lipstick that’s not glossy or not overly creamy. As for the packaging, it is as chic as always and feels luxurious, which is something I associate with all Dior products.

Carré d’Or makes a great nude if you have fair skin because the peachy tones add color and brighten up your face instead of looking like you’ve put concealer on your lips. I also think it looks great if you have a bit of a tan due to its golden undertones but I’m not sure how well it would work if you have a darker skin tone.  This is quite a unique color so I would recommend having a look at in person before buying it. The rest of the Rouge Dior Couture lipstick range offers a very nice color selection and is also definitely worth having a look.

The Dior Rouge Dior Couture Lipstick in Carré d’Or is limited edition, but it is still available from Sephora online and you might be able to find it at Dior counters. 

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Purifying Cream Cleanser

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been testing a new cleanser, the Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Purifying Cream Cleanser. Elizabeth Arden is a brand I tend to associate with an older demographic and I never thought about trying their skincare range until I received a very generous sample of this cleanser.

Basically, this is a cream cleanser that claims to remove makeup and impurities whilst soothing your face with a ceramide 3 complex. I was a bit surprised by the texture when I first used it, it comes out as a thick whipped cream. I found it a bit hard to spread, but once you do so, it turns into a light lotion that you can massage all over your face. This cleanser is definitely very gentle on the skin, it is soothing and it did not dry my skin like the initial texture of the product might suggest. As for the makeup removing claim, I have to say it didn’t hit the mark for me and failed to remove my makeup. Nonetheless, this makes a lovely morning cleanser or second cleanse in the evening.

Another thing that needs mentioning is that this is fragrance-free, making it a great option if you have sensitive skin. Due to this, it does have quite an odd smell which is not exactly pleasant, but it doesn’t linger and you honestly just get used to it.

You can find the Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Purifying Cream Cleanser on their website, at The Bay and at any Elizabeth Arden counter.