They say oil is mightier than the sword…or in this case oil is mightier than many over priced skin products.

I was recently referred to Palmer’s Skin Therapy Face Oil by my friend Barb.  Now Barb is a skin product expert – not by trade, but by research and her own personal experience. If you want to know about a skin product just call Barb and I can guarantee she has thoughts on it. So, when I got an e-mail from Barb telling me this was a must have I went on a mission to find it.

So, I have now been using Palmer’s Face Oil for about a month. This little bottle is quite something. It claims to  “Transform your skin with a powerful blend of 10 pure precious oils, Retinol, Vitamin C and our exclusive Cetesomate-E® Complex. Skin restorative oils along with natural Cocoa Butter, Retinol and Vitamin C deliver multi-purpose, anti-aging skin benefits.”

Now, I can’t say it is a complete transformation, but I can say that my dry skin is the most moisturized it as been in a very long time and does have a certain glow to it that had recently been missing. My face is smoother and some of the fine lines that have been setting in don’t seem as noticeable. Also, for an oil product it isn’t greasy. A couple of drops goes a long while and I can really feel it absorbing into my skin. This is the best $10 I have spent in a very long while.

I have liked it so much that I went back for Skin Therapy Oil for Body and have been adding a couple of pumps of it to my Nova Scotia Fisherman Lotion for my arms and legs.

Both the Palmer’s Face and Body lotion smell great and are Hypoallergenic, Paraben Free, and Phthalate Free which is a bonus.

Here is the trick in Canada – it is only available at Walmart.  Now, what are you waiting for?  Your face will thank you.

Ok, ok….so I’ve been slacking off on my Blog.  I admit it.  But for good reason.  My spare time has been spent figuring out how I am going to reno my new place.  There’s been no time to covet anything other than kitchen cupboards, appliances and paint colours.  So, prepare for a giant surge in Home section posts from me.

That said, I have stumbled across a lip product that I love.  I am a lip gloss/balm girl.  I have every Stila Lip Glaze palette that comes on the market, about forty Maybelline Baby Lips….it’s so bad I had to ban myself from purchasing any lip gloss for six months.  Part of my avoidance of lip stick was that I always felt it got cakey, never stayed on and made me look like a creepy birthday party clown (come on….you have to admit clowns are creepy).

Lip gloss can only take a girl so far.  Sometimes you just want to be able to pull off a bold, matte, Taylor Swift red lip.  In order to do that, this girl needs a primer…and I have found one!  Mèreadesso Clear Lip Treats.

Sold in a convenient two pack, it contains evening primrose, grape seed, coconut and sunflower oils, enhanced by the added benefits of Vitamins C and E. It’s a great primer, doesn’t leave a waxy build up and I’ve been slapping it on at night before bed as well for a little extra moisture!  These little guys are supposed to last three months each and come in neutral colour balms as well.

Pick them up on the Mèreadesso on-line shop. 

The Maritimes have brought many great things to Canada – Anne of Green Gables, Anne Murray, incredible scenery, sociable people, Matt Mays…. and now we can add another thing to that list.  Nova Scotia Fisherman Lotion.

Gifted to me by my best friend Keri just in the nick of time to save my winter dry as a bone skin.  It is the lotion that keeps on giving!  It goes on smooth, but not greasy, is all natural and really has made a difference for my skin.  I swear I can actually see it absorbed by my skin as I put it on.  It must be that Nova Scotia Sea Kelp.  Not to mention it’s vegan, never tested on animals and paraben free!

Nova Scotia Fisherman doesn’t stop at great ingredients, a portion of every sale benefits the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

I love this time of year at Sephora.  Value sets all over the place, great new product coming out for the holidays, the ability to buy two things pretending like they are both presents, but knowing full well I am keeping one for myself.  It’s a magical time of year.

A great palette for this year has just come out for Cyber Monday four days in advance of it’s arrival in stores.  The new Urban Decay Naked On The Run palette is a limited-edition, all-in-one travel palette loaded with eye shadows, blush, bronzer, lip gloss, and mascara—everything needed for a complete Naked makeup look all in one handy little set.  Add a couple brushes to your bag and a BB Cream and you have everything you need for a perfect travel look.

I’m a huge fan of Urban Decay eye shadows – especially in the Naked line of products.  Combined with their Eyeshadow Primer Potion and they are classic colours that apply well, last all day and are very versatile.

As soon as I saw this on-line I ordered one for my sister for Christmas.  Erin…if you are reading this and it is after Christmas and this wasn’t under the tree for you…I’m sorry…I kept it for myself…

Get one for yourself over at Sephora!

With non-stop rain hitting Vancouver and no end in sight, my mind has been regularly drifting towards a sunny Winter vacation.  Luckily I have one scheduled!  We have a week of golf and pool time to look forward to in February in the Desert.

Packing has never been my strong suit.  Having been regularly mocked about how much I bring with me on vacation, whether it be shoes, clothes or make-up, I have endeavored to cut what I bring on the road with me.  One area where I have really trimmed down is the beauty products I take when traveling.  That said there are certain things I would never give up.

Here are my Top Ten Vacation Beauty Products.  These will all be coming away with me this year.  How about you?  Any beauty must haves for your vacations?  Fill me in!

Heading to to the pool for the day, but don’t want to go eye make-up free. You will love having this bad boy on hand. Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten acts like a eye primer, eye shadow, is super neutral so you look great without looking over done and, bonus, is waterproof! http://www.stilacosmetics.com/product/smudge-pot.do

Why deviate when I just keep coming back to Great Lash. Available in Waterproof and mixed with your Stila Smudge Pot you have a pool look that won’t run and turn you into Rocky Racoon. http://www.maybelline.ca/Products/eye-makeup/mascara/great-lash-waterproof-mascara.aspx

Don’t have a great sunscreen for your face yet? Why not?! 30 SPF, oil free, zinc that leaves no white residue, and packed with Vitamins A & E. It layers great with moisturizer and foundation which makes it a must for a sun vacation. http://www.nucelle.com/AAC/nucelle_companion1a.htm

So, I love sunscreen. Being fair and pale, it is an important part of my regime. What I don’t like is being a sticky mess all day. This spray goes on easily and drys almost instantly. You can barely tell it is on and has kept me burn free on many a vacation. http://www.neutrogena.com/product/ultra+sheer-+body+mist+sunscreen+broad+spectrum+spf+100-.do

So you ignore my advice on sun screen? Then you are definitely going to want to have this on hand. 99.99% natural with Aloe Vera and Linden Flower, this product is highly effective at soothing skin that has seen too much sun. http://www.burtsbees.ca/natural-products/body-moisturizers/aloe-linden-flower-after-sun-soother.html

Sitting on the sun drinking all day is fun for the mind, but killer for your skin and health. Tervis Tumblers are double insulated and keep cold drinks cold in the heat. Fill them up with water and keep sipping all day long. They some in so many fun colours, team logos with endless personalization options. http://www.burtsbees.ca/natural-products/body-moisturizers/aloe-linden-flower-after-sun-soother.html

This colour correcting and treatment hybrid does the job of a foundation without the weight plus it is moisturizing. Add a SPF and you have a vacation must have. http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/product/2336/29515/Makeup/Face/Foundation/CC-Cream-SPF-35/SS14/index.tmpl#i.10f2kau4qgdbyu

This teeny tiny palette can do it all. Day time looks, night time looks, signature Urban Decay neutrals and the black Crave works great as an eye liner. http://www.urbandecay.com/naked-basics-eyeshadow-by-urban-decay/355.html

While I’m a big fan of Baby Lips if you want to treat yourself with some lip vacation indulgence Sugar Lip Balms come in an array of colours that will mean you can leave your lipstick at home. Being paraban free is a bonus if you lean towards natural products. http://www.sephora.com/sugar-lip-treatment-spf-15-P57002

What is more annoying that chipping your vacation pedicure but having nothing with you to fix it. In come these wipes. They easily take off nail polish to allow for a quick fix without having to bring the entire bottle of nail polish remover with you. http://www.amazon.com/OPI-Acetone-Free-Lacquer-WIPE-OFF-Lavender/dp/B00L1KJXOW