Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Monistat, the makeup primer


Let me start by saying that I have never been a huge fan of makeup primers. I consider most of them to be pretty much a useless, expensive, extra layer of product on your face that cosmetics companies trick you into thinking you need. I've always dismissed most them as hype, even when I was working for a particular company who considered their primer to be one of their 'star' products. I didn't bother to use it even when they furnished it to me for free. So yes, I went into the Monistat experiment with a very dismissive attitude. Especially since I'm not fond of the idea of slathering my face with something from a brand I usually associate with yeast infections and other ailments of the hoo-ha.

Well, I was pleasantly surprised.

First of all, the product is Monistat's Soothing Care Chafing Powder-Gel Skin Protectant. It's made to prevent the chafing of sensitive skin in areas such as inner thighs, underarms, and breasts, so it's not specifically for your vagina and it's not a 'treatment' type product. It's fragrance-free, non-irritating and the key ingredient, dimethicone, makes it silky and easy to apply, giving it that powdery feel as it dries. Dimethicone is a type of silicone, very commonly used in many skincare products these days. It creates a very silky-smooth, slightly matte, finish on the skin, a perfect canvas for applying foundation. It temporarily smooths out imperfections in skin texture (like pores and fine lines!)and is also said to create a barrier between the skin and the makeup, helping the makeup to last longer.

After a week of using Monistat's product, I am happy to say that it works pretty well. I like that it's scent-free (most makeup primers aren't) and about half a pea-sized amount was all it took to do my whole face. You apply it after your moisturizer and before your makeup, avoiding the eye area. My favourite foundation of the moment (Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover) went on like a dream and lasted longer than usual. I found it especially good at keeping my t-zone from looking less oily. All this for less than $10 for a 42 gram tube! Now for the bad part. My skin doesn't love the daily use of silicones, though I didn't have any terrible reactions, just a couple of pimples. Your skin might not love it either for regular use, but it's worth the price to find out, and it could still be used for its original purpose. I won't be using it everyday, but for those (rare) occasions that I do have time to do a full face of makeup on myself, I would definitely use this stuff. I'll admit also that it is a little difficult to live without the glamorous packaging and it will take some convincing for my clients to try it, but they'll come around. It really is that good.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Shaping up for Spring

I have been really determined lately to get in fantastic shape for this summer. I have been working hard at it through winter, and it's paying off. I want my body looking twenty-five, dammit! I am a huge fan of working out at home, here are my favourite dvds so far:

Tracy Effinger 'Squeeze' (Killer! I am sore in the craziest places, it works)
Ellen Barrett 'Yogini' Workout (Great for flexibility, LOVE the instructor)
Leslie Sansone '5-Mile Fat Burning Walk' (Fun, easy, and effective cardio)
Kathy Smith 'Great Buns and Thighs Step Workout' (More intense cardio + sculpting)
Jari Love 'Slim and Lean' (Awesome workout with weights)

All these dvds can be previewed at www.collagevideo.com. I have been purchasing from Collage because of their great customer service and 30-day return policy, even on opened dvds or videos. Also, they have a team of fitness instructors that actually do the workouts and rate them (from beginner to advanced) and you get a full description of what the workout is, including a breakdown of the minutes. Also check out:

www.tracyeffinger.com
www.ellenbarrett.com
www.lesliesansone.com
www.kathysmith.com
www.jarilove.com

Friday, March 20, 2009

Barbie turns 50!

Check it out, it's absolutely hilarious, though may not be suitable to view at work:

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=51788462

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Spring Fever (well, eventually, I hope!)

So here I am sitting in Montreal, this morning's temperature was -2 degrees Celsius and we still have some snow on the ground. It's hard to believe spring is just around the corner the way those last weeks of winter seem to really drag on. I used to do a lot of work for fashion magazines, shoots were sometimes done at their offices, and one of the things I loved best about being there was losing myself in the racks of clothing, getting a great preview of the upcoming season's fashions. It was particularly uplifting to go there in the dead of winter, all the spring and summer clothing would be on display, their lively colours and flouncy fabrics as a reminder (and as proof) that the warm weather was on it's way. Since taking a break from working in the fashion industry, I have no access to rooms full of pretty clothes to lift my spirits, and the spring merchandise has yet to really arrive here in Montreal.

So how have I coped this year with the seemingly never-ending Canadian winter? Well, aside from lots of exercise, I invested in one of those light therapy boxes and upped my intake of vitamins, particularly b-complex and omega 3. Most of all though, my favourite winter pick-me-up is devouring the spring issue of every FASHION MAGAZINE I can get my hands on. Usually with a nice cup of tea and some dark chocolate, while the baby sleeps.

I always enjoy seeing the spring/summer collections, even if I don't like the clothes the colours and textures are always so gorgeous and cheery. The makeup collections also provide some inspiration, and I find myself going through all my magazines and making lists of things to try out. Rather than wishing away the icy patches on my front steps, I'm am almost grateful to have a little more time to prepare for and anticipate the warm days. Nah, not really.

Happy Spring!

Monday, March 2, 2009

Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop

I've never really thought Gwyneth Paltrow was a spectacular actress, but lately I have been seeing her in interviews, and she seems quite interesting. She seems to have found her place in life and feels good about it. She certainly looks healthy and happy, so I was very interested to see what this 36-year old mom of two has to say.

Check it out at http://www.goop.com/


The recipes look great (especially that detox one!) and I enjoyed reading about her travels and the way she stays fit and fashionable. Critics are saying she's condescending and rubbing her fabulous life in our faces, but I don't find that to be true. Plus, I don't mind reading about someone else's fabulous life. What I do mind is the name 'goop' though, this almost kills it for me with it's bizarre and slightly disgusting connotations.