GLUTEN FREE by green beaver

I had no idea what gluten free meant when it came to body care. So I looked it up. Gluten free in body care products means the same thing as gluten free food. If you have celiac disease or similar, you cannot digest gluten. So when you use hand lotion and, for example, eat an apple you may ingest the lotion and have a reaction. Phew! So this is why Green Beaver has come up with this line. I tried the lotion and honestly it's pretty good. It moisturized my skin without feeling greasy and absorbed well. The only downfall, for me, was the scent–citrus fresh. I love lemons, but not in my lotion.

Cindy

Green Beaver is available at most independent health food stores and Whole Foods. Image from greenbeaver.com

CRAZY SHINE by revlon

I really like nail polish, but don't wear it all that much. I am pretty low maintenance when it comes to my nails but I do like my nails to be trim, neat and shiny. So when I tried Revlon's Crazy Shine nail buffer, well all I could say was whoa crazy! It promised 400% more shine than bare nails and it delivered. The teardrop shaped buffer was easy to use, just two sides–one to buff, the other to shine. It also works to revive shine on painted nails. This product does not disappoint and I would recommend it to anyone who wants crazy shiny nails.

Cindy

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart.

DAISY by marc jacobs

I think the image above evokes it all; clean, fresh, and youthful. I found that a little goes a long way; it's flowery and feminine, but I didn't find it sexy. And the next morning, it had tapered off into a light and powdery scent. I do love the bottle, with it's daisies and light blush colour. It would look good sitting on anyone's dresser. Daisy by Marc Jacobs is definitely meant as a day perfume and for the younger consumer but as for me, I probably wouldn't buy it as I found it too strong.

Cindy

Available at Sephora. Image from daisymarcjacobs.com

BOURJOIS PARIS

I was instantly captivated when I saw this makeup line. The packaging is very Paris. The spring/summer 2011 line is actually called Paris Ballerine and is French inspired in both look and colour - delicate, pale shades and irresistible packaging. Just let's say I wasn't able to resist the line and had to try it all.

I'll explain the line below, but fyi, I received compliments the first time I wore it and I wasn't fishing for them. Nice!

The Product:

The Effet Smoky Pencil in Grey Shadow:

So Laquel nail polishes in rose lounge and blue asphalte:

Effet 3D Rose Mythic lip gloss:

Volume Glamour mascara in noir:

Illuminating Touch:

Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart as of April 1, I predict this reasonably priced line will be an instant seller.

MY MAKEUP bag

So, what's in my makeup bag? To be honest, I have some odds and ends from years' past. Things I cannot part with like my Mac Plum lip pencil. It is very 90's as I used to line my lips with it then smear my lips with a pale lipstick, but but it brings fresh memories to mind as I was finally a working girl, making my own money, and able to afford sales-assisted makeup, not off-the-shelf. Old bronzers like my Body Shop Granite shade eye shadow which gets me compliments every time I wear it (It's literally bits of dust but I still haven't found its equal), and my Aveda Butterfly dusting powder which I felt compelled to buy but never actually used.

Then of course, there are my ye ol' favourites like Biotherm's Aquaradiance foundation, Aveda Sterlink Silk eye definer to brighten the eyes (works every time) and a Quo eyeshadow palette for those indecisive mornings. There's also way too many mascaras and lipglosses to mention, but I still have not found my favourites in these departments so they shall remain anonymous. But hopefully, through this blog's future trial and tribulations, I hope to finally add some to the list of makeup bag must-haves!

What's in your makeup bag? Tell us about your favourite products and why they're a mainstay in your bag. We'd love to hear from you!