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August 17, 2012

Summer Essentials


I know, I'm a bit late on this, but I really wanted to share with you ladies the products I reached for the most this summer because some are really little gems!

I have always overlooked after-sun lotions because I'm lazy and I figured out that a normal body moisturizer would work just as well but Burt's Bees Aloe & Linden Flower After Sun Soother completely changed my mind! It was not until I got a really bad sunburn on my chest, arms and belly - I forgot to re-apply sunscreen after going swimming - that I realized how this product was a miracle worker - my sunburn was completely gone within only two days and my skin never showed signs of sun damages! I was expecting this lotion to be liquid and runny but no, it's more on the thick side but still, it sinks right into the sin and it feels so refreshing, and I like the light pleasant herbal scent.


I recently introduced you ladies to my new blog series, Project Farewell Casper, in which I share with you my fake tan adventures, and St Moriz Dark Instant Self Tanning Mousse was the second self tanner that I featured. It was tons of trouble to find a UK seller willing to ship to Canada but all of this hassle was really worth it in the end as this self tanner provides a gorgeous natural deep brown tan, exactly what I was looking for! I hate how it barely lasts three days on me even if I make sure to moisturize twice a day but I guess you get what you pay for.

I recently ordered XEN-TAN Deluxe Tanning Mitt from Apothica because I hated how streaky and patchy St Moriz applied when I used gloves, and as much as I love it because it allows the self tanner to go on soooo smoothly and it makes the whole process a lot easier and quicker, I was a bit disappointed at how cheap the mitt looked... I was expecting it to look like this but mine  does not have the writting and it's not very velvety...


The main reason why I was never keen on depilatory creams or lotions is because of the scent - isn't it awful? If you are able to forget that smell for about 3 minutes, you might actually really enjoy Veet Hydro' Restor Hair Removal Cream*. I absolutely fell in love with the thick texture that was easy to apply on the skin, and the spatula really comes in handy to quickly remove the product without mess. I was actually very surprised to see that the smoothness really lasts longer than shaving - I could see the hair slowly growing back on the third day. I'm also very happy with the results because my legs were soooo smooth and the hair removal cream absolutely didn't dry them. I didn't even feel the need to use moisturizing lotion after! 

With my super straight hair, I was a bit sceptical about Marc Anthony Beach Spray at first but I must say the results are actually pretty decent. This product does add body and texture to my straight hair while also extra definition to my layers. I was surprised to be left with manageable and touchable beach hair after using the Beach Spray.


I'm really happy with Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration sunscreen lotion product because, having dry and eczema-prone skin, being outdoors in the summer sun can really dry out and irritate my skin even more, but the new product line brings sun protection to a whole new level, with the luxurious hydrating ribbons that leave my skin feeling silky soft. I love how this sunscreen lotion goes on clear, light and non-greasy. Oh, and let's not forget that delicious signature coconut fragrance!

Let's not forget about sunglasses, of course! These are my super old aviator sunglasses that I got at my local flea market a looooooong time ago - I think I was in high school! I wore them to death as you can see, they went with me on all my trips, from Wildwood to Quebec, and I think I'm actually due for a new pair as they barely stand straight anymore! Should I get some other aviator sunglasses? This pink silver mirror shaded pair is so cute, although these black Ray Ban are a classic. Maybe I should consider some Ray Ban? My boyfriend has a pair that looks like this one but I really like the "prints" on the frame of this Ray Ban RB4105 Folding Wayfarer 710/51 - which brings me to Wayfarer, hmmm... Have you seen something as cool as these
Spy HELM KEN BLOCK EDITION HHCU131? OK, not really my style... I prefer these Tom Ford, which have a little retro vibe.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Natural in N2 Iridescent Beige and N19 Iridescent Icy Pink

My first foray into MAKE UP FOR EVER products were the new Rouge Artist Natural lipsticks and let me tell you that it did not take much time for me to fall in love with these ultra creamy and moisturizing babies that provides light coverage with a soft, shiny finish, which is exactly what I'm looking for in a lipstick in the summer! I have found these to be quite buildable for a more intense but never overpowering look.

I kept hearing so many great things about Carmex Lip Balm Original Jar and being a lip balm junkie, I just had to try it. At $1.98 at Walmart, it was pretty hard to resist! I think I withheld for so long because I was afraid that camphor and phenol could make my lips react (what usually happen with lip-tingling formulas), but so far, I have nothing to report except that this is an amazing lipbalm that I don't have to re-apply every second and I'm so glad I finally decided to give it a try!


I have never been a fan of waterproof mascaras, but Anastasia came out a very clever solution -  Lash Genius, which is a clear waterproof topcoat. I tested this product while swimming at the beach and also under the shower. If I only blink to get the water out of my eyes, Lash Genius stays put perfectly, but if I rub and insist on the lashes, it will start to show signs of fatigue - I noticed some of my lashes stick together, but then again, nothing dramatic!

*Please note that this product is NOT cruelty-free

Disclaimer: Sponsored post

14 comments:

  1. I love this kind of posts.Keep them coming please :)

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  2. Bonnes suggestions! Ca fait qq semaines que jpeux pas me faire bronzer (trop chaud ou pluie) :( J'devrais p-e utiliser mon fake tan! Moi aussi jai une mitaine, c'est bien pratique!

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  3. The MUFE lipsticks look so pretty~ Great post Gaby!

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  4. I really want to try lash genius -- would love to see your pix of your lashes with and without it :))

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  5. @Nivedita : I'm very glad you liked it, I will try to write more similar posts, thanks so much for the input x

    @Ms Bubu: Ici aussi il ne fait pas très beau... sauf quand je travaille, BIEN SÛR! Oui, la mitaine change tellement tout, malgré que je suis un peu déçue de la qualité de celle de XEN-TAN, je crois que je m'attendais à beaucoup mieux...

    @aly7 : They are awesome! Thanks girlie!

    @Maryam Maquillage : Have you read my review? I didn't include a picture of my lashes because it's simply invisible!

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  6. Great review Gaby! Dale actually got me the Burt's Bees After Sun Soother but I haven't used it yet since I haven't been out tanning or on the beach recently. It's good to know that it works that well though - there's a lot of Burt's Bees products that I really like :)
    That's really cute that you have a new blog series called Project Farewell Casper :) I'm glad the XEN TAN mitt helps your self tanner apply more smoothly. I always have an issue with the uneven fading of self tanner so I don't bother with self tanners anymore - do you ever have that issue?

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  7. I just reviewed the lash genius too, and it is a good product. I remember trying something similar a few years back and didn't like it at all. Great post girlie!

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  8. I also loooove the xen tan mitt but i find it seems to be wearing out a bit. I so need to try the st. moriz self tanner, it sounds great.
    oooo I am really wanting to try the burts bees after sun soother!

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  9. I'm loving reading these summer favourite posts - so many ideas for things to try :)
    the make up forever lipsticks look so pretty!

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  10. I love Lash Genius too! Really awesome stuff. :) That pink lippie looks gorgeous!

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  11. @Kate: Me too! So sad it's not available in Canada... yet!

    @Karen Law : Hi Karen! Yes of course, self tanners always fade unevenly on me, especially because of my damn eczema and my dry skin, but I have found that with this St Moriz, re-applying every 3 days or so helps a lot. I don't really have this problem with XEN-TAN though!

    @Mrs.Makeup : I'm glad that you like it too! I never heard of something similar before though!

    @*MoNtseR GiRl*: Aw I know what you mean Taygan, but on me, XEN-TAN is better than St Moriz, although it's soooooo pricey!

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  12. Je n'ai jamais vraiment été convaincue par les crèmes VEET mais ton article me donne envie de franchir le pas! L'épilation a t-elle duré ?

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  13. @Crazy Brunette: Je dois t'avouer que moi non plus mais je suis vraiment contente d'avoir eu l'opportunité d'en tester à nouveau car c'est tellement plus rapide que le rasoir (je trouve!) et ça dure un peu plus longtemps, malgré que j'ai fait l'erreur d'en appliquer sur mes plaques d'eczéma et OUCH! z=

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