So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains And we never even know we have the key. - Lyrics from Already Gone

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What I learned this week:

+ Apply HD concealer with a concealer/foundation brush. It makes the pores on your cheeks look smaller. I'm assuming it's because the bristles are able to deposit the make-up into the pore, instead of around it. *Thank you Smashbox make-up consultant, I'm really loving the HD concealer and I enjoyed your life story.*

+ Light a candle. If you're alone, reading a book or doing some homework..just light a nice scented candle. I do this a lot when I'm studying for exams, because I have bad anxiety and I find it calms me down. Lately, whenever I light my candle at my desk, I'm automatically programmed to study (which has become very helpful). Go program your candle for whatever mood you need.
+ Strangers believe in you more than you believe in yourself. Stop listening to your own thoughts, and make those strangers your friends.
+ The latest operating system update (iOS 4.0)  for the iPhone has a folder option. Minimalists rejoice!
   I was reading Chatelaine and Fashion last night (both Canadian), and Chatelaine took the cake this month. The former had a lot more information, and covered a variety of useful subjects. I'm just going to post a few tidbits that I wanted to share:
1. Sexy beach hair: Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray
2. Strawberry ideas: Pimm's Cup - 1 part Pimm's, 2 parts 7Up over ice, mint leaves, slices strawberries and cucumber, stir. Strawberry Salad- the one below is more complicated (than the one in the mag) but it looks delicious so you can check it out here.
3. Ruth Promislow - mom, corporate lawyer, fashion designer. No big deal..
(That's her husband Shawn Hewson, the other half of the label and also a lawyer. He quit practicing law so he could dedicate more time to Bustle Clothing, which boomed since the fashion community got a load of its designs.) *PS. They met at University of Toronto's law school!
4. Skin care pointers for girls in their 20's: sunscreen everyday, exfoliate once a week, moisturize with appropriate creams depending on your skin (water-based or gel types for oily skin), find a routine and stick with it! Dermatologist recommended products: Origins Zero Oil Toner ($22 CDN), Orlane Paris Anagenèse 25+ First Time-Fighting Care ($89 CDN), Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer ($20 CDN). Cult favourite= SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ($150 CDN).
5. A few items from their beauty hot list that I am inclined to buy: Clinique All About Eyes serum ($33), Nars lip and cheek tints ($46), Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Flora Nymphea eau de toilette ($58 for 75 mL).

Notes: lilac, orange blossom, and honey.
6. Closet organization tips here.
7. Pure by Alfred Sung is sold at Zellers. Chatelaine showed some really affordable ballerina flats, Ked-like runners, and a microfloral blouse (so cute). By the looks of it, the line is a conservative version of H&M quality and H&M priced clothing. 
8. Want to lose weight, quit smoking, finish a marathon? Start blogging about it. "It creates instant accountability, and a personal support group". Okay guys, I'm aiming for a 30+ on my MCAT, just putting it out there. =P
9. All the exercise you need to improve your mood, relieve stress and make you feel more energized is 25 minutes! Use this tip when you're feeling upset. :D
10. You can boost your IQ by 5 points in as little as one month by working on brain training exercises: NYTimes crossword, brain trainer apps, brain-fitness vacations, etc.
11. The Journal of Consumer Research produced a study that revealed model weight in magazines doesn't matter; self-esteem is all in your head, and reactions fluctuate depending on one's weight and the image.
12. To cut down and map your activity online, use RescueTime.
13. Buy the magazine if you're looking for fresh summer recipes, good diet/metabolism altering tips, and fun exercises.

Adios!
imagesource: weheartit.com
information: life experiences, chatelaine

A man's own good breeding is the best security against other people's ill manners. -Lord Chesterfield

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Today's post is a compilation of cute, and fun summer beauty tips that I found on the WWW:
+ Before leaving the house, check out your city's Beauty Forecast.
(An adorable collaboration with John Frieda & Jergens and the Weather Channel)


+ Dermatologist Dr. Linda Franks' Top 4 Skin Sabotagers:
  1. Re-using your washcloth/loofah: "Bacteria can build up and cause breakouts and other skin issues!"
  2. Using bar soap on your face: "It can overdry delicate facial skin with detergent soaps, toners, and over exfoliation."
  3. Allowing your products to expire: "Beauty and skincare products do go bad. Efficacy of products can decrease, especially with SPF. As soon as you open a product, some ingredients will start to oxidize and degrade. And every time you touch a product you transfer germs!"
  4. Talking on a cell phone for long periods: "It can cause some people to develop a rash on their ears or cheeks. It can be caused by an allergic reaction to the nickel in cell phone handsets."
+ MYTH: Twice the SPF is Twice the Protection
   Remember, overexposure to sunlight is one of the leading causes of skin cancer. But the FDA is about to release recommendations for sunscreen labeling, which for the first time rates UVA protection and limits the UVB rating at 50+. The FDA's intention is to protect consumers who might think SPF 100+ is twice as strong as a SPF 50 when in fact, it's only a few percentages higher. The danger here being the potential to be lax with reapplication, resulting in a sunburn.  
I personally use SPF 15 on my face everyday, because the difference gained by higher values is negligible (as noted on the graph). And if you know me personally, I hate having anything heavy on my face. Yuk!
+ On rainy days, avoid liquid foundation since it will melt!  (I can attest to this.)
+ On sunny days, dab sunscreen along your part to keep your scalp from burning.
+ It is best to use lighter make-up during the summer to avoid a foundation meltdown & oil pit fiasco- Women's Health recommends using a moisturizer, tint & sunscreen in one: You Rebel by Benefit. 


+ Top 4 summer concealers (drugstore & non-drugstore brands)
+ Cosmopolitan- summer questions answered by dermatologists:
Q: How can I stop sweating so much? 
 A: Put antiperspirant on at night, too. That way, it will have plenty of time to absorb into your skin and start working, says Atlanta dermatologist Darren Casey. In the morning, shower and swipe on another coat as you normally would.
Q: My hair is fried from the sun. Any tips? 
 A: If summer fun has wreaked havoc on the health of your hair, pamper your tresses back to their prime with this daily at-home conditioning routine suggested by Gil Ferrer, owner of Gil Ferrer salon in New York City: Mix equal parts of a scalp-soothing mint-oil conditioner and a shampoo made for your hair type. Try Gil Ferrer CoolScalp Conditioner, $28, or Graham Webb Ice Cap Revitalizing Conditioner, $12. Suds up with this mane-moisturizing concoction, and rinse thoroughly. Follow with a deep conditioner, rubbing the ends of your hair as you let it soak in for a few minutes. Rinse, and apply a leave-in conditioner with sunscreen to shield your strands from do-damaging UV rays.
Q: I'm afraid of skin damage, but I want to look like I have a tan. How can I get a summer gleam without actually sitting out in the sun? 
 A: Here are four fantastic fine-tuned formulas:




  • Pro fake-bake sessions: Mystic Tan offers you a range of intensities from light to dark. Looking for more personalized service? Thanks to a superpowered spray gun, you can get an airbrush tan job performed by a technician at salons doing California Tan Sunless treatments in only four minutes.
  • Aerosol spray cans: Like aerosol hair sprays, these spew a continuous fine mist even when you hold them upside down. Try Lancôme Flash Bronzer Airbrush Spray, $28.
  • Individual towelettes: These individually packed, presoaked sheets will coat your whole body with self-tanner. Try L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Towelettes, $10.
  • Speedy mousses: Perfect for crunch times, these airy foams dry in five minutes. A great one: Coppertone Endless Summer Bronzing Foam.


+ Elle's '15 Celebrity Hairstyles for Summer'. (I'll most likely be doing a high ponytail, and side fishtail/french braid. I hate having my hair down on sweaty humid days. Frizz is not sexy.)
+ Summer skin care for men at AskMen.com
+ Be sure to deep condition your hair at least once a week, especially if you swim a lot. Hair tends to become dry, dull and brittle if it is soaked and dried too often.
+ Don't forget the insect-repellant when you head off to the beach, cottage, camping, etc.
+ Protect your color with a protector like Fekkai SunShine Shield Spray.
#1 ON EVERYONE'S TO-DO LIST:
HAVE FUN! 
IT'S SUMMER, YOU'LL BE CRYING FOR IT COME WINTER TIME. =P

image sources: google, tumblr
information sources: elle, teen vogue, women's health magazine, cosmopolitan, about.com, & a few beauty blogs I didn't save (oopsies)

Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true. -Leon J. Suenes

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Two new blog favourites:














-chantelle

**Pür Minerals is selling their 5-piece mineral makeup brush set for $20 (down from $42). This is for those of you interested in starting a collection/need new brushes, and want to purchase from a company that doesn't test on animals.

Reputation is for time; character is for eternity. -J. B. Gough

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  My over-use of this skirt thus far has been nauseating.
It is tellement cute, so I suppose that's a semi-valid reason.
 I'm terribly sorry for never having any shoes on
(my sea foam green wedges really completed the look)!
Eh, c'est la vie.
 I hope all of you are enjoying the World Cup games,
and the [hopefully] wonderful weather!
Unless you're from the southern hemisphere... sorry about that.
We hate you pendant l'hiver anyway.

Cheers,
Chantelle

If you ever need a helping hand you'll find one at the end of your arm. -Yiddish Proverb

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Luxirare: this young woman is ingenious. I admire all her creations, and the originality of her designs. I found this particular clutch mind-blowing. I cannot imagine the hours of tedious work that must have gone into completing the above project. Wonderful woman, wonderful! 

Aim of Luxirare: "Instead of typical “collections” or batches of ideas which are grouped into “seasons”, the goal is to move towards a season-less, collection-less presentation, promoting a constant renewal of thought."


Love is like a beautiful flower which I may not touch, but whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just the same. - Helen Keller

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Organic cotton can make even leotards feel like comfortable t-shirts. I'm currently sitting in bed, watching an Amanda Seyfried movie and reading through some physical chemistry notes. I would love to be sitting in a café in Italy instead, drinking some lemonade and people watching. Hope you are all doing well my beautiful readers. If any of you are interested in viewing some gorgeous photography, please pay a visit to pia ulin's site.

-Chantelle

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