Beauty: The Return of Lip Gloss

I have adult braces.

Although they are Invisalign, which means the trays are clear and plastic, I can't really wear lipstick anymore. Since I got my braces in October, I found that whenever I leave the house with lipstick on, my trays get smeared with colour by the time I get to a party or event.

It's not that big of a deal, but I do feel a bit self-conscious at times, in turn opting out of painting my mouth red, or any colour for that matter.

I've now switched to gloss.

I remember in high school when gloss was "cool" and everyone had different sticky, sparkly shades. Somewhere along the line, we all got sick of getting our hair stuck to our mouths, and swapped it out.

I've managed to find what I deem, adult gloss. Non-sticky versions that hydrate lips, and still give my mouth some shiny attention. It's the upgraded version of your high school crush, who now has a real job, and doesn't wear baggy golf shirts anymore.

Below are my favourite glosses (even if you're not going through a regression, and rocking plastic braces)

1. Fresh Sugar Shine Lip Treatment - This was my first foray into adult lipgloss. This treatment claims to moisturize and protect lips for 6 hours. It comes in a variety of shades, but I prefer clear. ($21)

2. Tarte Lipsurgence Skintuitive Lip Gloss - I got this gloss as a sample at Sephora with my beauty points and became obsessed. It's a universal shade that changes to the natural pink pigment of your own lips. It also has Vitamin E, jojoba seed oil, and smells amazing. ($19)

3. Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil - This gloss glides on smooth with its over sized spongy applicator. Lips are wrapped in a sweet shine, and it usually draws attention when I take it out of my purse. Try the honey shade with plum oil. ($23)

Beauty Picks - The Face

While neither of these items would have been on my top 10 beauty list a year ago, these two have managed to become staples. I used to think that oil would make my skin greasy, and tinted moisturizer would make my skin look like I'm wearing foundation.

Neither assumptions are true. Below are my top two beauty picks for the face:

Boscia Tsubaki Beauty Oil: This facial oil protects against free radicals and aging, while leaving my skin softer after every use. It's light enough to use under a daily moisturizer, (especially on cold days) or more heavily at night. It has fatty and omega 3 acids, wakame (Japanese sea kelp) and camellia oil. I love that it is made without parabens, sulfates or phthalates. It's a bit pricey, ($55) but ask for a sample if you want to test it out.

Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer: I have no clue how to match my skin tone, nor do I know how to apply anything with a brush or those weird little beauty spatulas. I also don't like the feeling of looking like I have something "covering" up my skin. This tinted moisturizer leaves my skin looking like my skin, only better. It gives me a fresh base to apply makeup, with an almost even sheen. Also, a pricey choice, ($49) but I've had mine for a few months and a little goes a long way. It also is made without parabens, sulfates or phthalates, and has SPF 30. My shade, if interested is: Alaska.

*note: these beauty products were not sent to me, but I personally feel strongly about them to review them. Enjoy! 

The Kit Beauty Post - Oil...for your face

Below is another one of my Blog Ambition beauty posts for The Kit. Enjoy! 

When I think of oil, I immediately think of my favourite snack.

I envision myself sitting at the kitchen table with my father, while he carves into a large hunk of crunchy Italian bread, spilling dark crumbs everywhere. He hands me a piece, and I grab the crust, turn it over, and dip the soft, white, porous inside into a plate of extra virgin olive oil. The bread sops up the oil like a thirsty sponge, and my mouth is happy.

When it comes to non-edible oil, it can be daunting to imagine any type on the face. We’ve been bombarded with messages that oil causes breakouts and grease slicks. It’s time to debunk that beauty myth. It is actually true that if skin is devoid of oil (cough, cough too dry) it will actually work overtime to produce it, in turn causing more breakouts.

My latest skin saviour is Josie Maran’s Organic Argan Oil, available at Sephora. The oil is organically grown in Morocco, and is cold-pressed to perfection.

While I thought oil on my face would be extremely greasy, Josie Maran’s face oil absorbs effortlessly and has quickly replaced my heavy night cream. With vitamin E and fatty acids, it leaves skin feeling smooth and rejuvenated. Best of all, the product is purchased from women’s cooperatives in Morocco to support their social and economic welfare.

While nothing can replace my pre-dinner snack, this is the kind of oil I can really sink my pores into.