Vancouver Bloggers Fashion Challenge: Little Black Dress

Dress: Esprit | Cardigan: Esprit | Tights: Ross

Photos by Miss J

Sarah from Cooper’s Closet came up of this idea of doing a Vancouver bloggers challenge where we pick one theme or piece of clothing and everyone creates a look with it. We’ll then all post up the look on the same day, thereby spamming everyone with our solutions to this challenge on the exact same day (just kidding, no spam!).

This month’s challenge is Little Black Dress. I actually don’t wear dresses that often; the only times where for events or some special occasion. I did buy this black dress last winter during Boxing Day that I love to bits but never had a chance to wear out, so this was the perfect opportunity.

This little lace and chiffon number was picked out at Esprit before all of their North American stores closed down (RIP). I absolutely love it and thought it would be perfect for work, until I realized it’s way too short. Oh well, will be wearing it to parties then! And of course I am wearing a cardigan with it…

Hope you enjoy the look, and please check out all of the other bloggers participating in the challenge:

• Sarah from Cooper’s Closet
• Miss J from Just J

Outfit: classic work attire… Pencil skirts and cardigans galore~

Cardigan: Esprit | Blouse: Ann Taylor | Pencil skirt: Mexx | Shoes: Ferragamo | Necklace: Forever 21

Photos by Miss J

Miss J recently wrote a blog post about the four items that are a must-have in every girl’s wordrobe. I strongly connect with the first item on her list… cardigans. I LOVE cardigans. I have at least 6 or 7 lying around in various shades of the rainbow, and even two grey ones.

I recently wore this outfit to work as the skies were clearing up and the weather was getting warmer. It is a classic work outfit for me: pencil skirt (or bootcut trousers), flowy blouse and the all-mighty cardigan. I paired everything with a (faux) pearl necklace that I picked up from Forever 21 for under $10. I am also wearing my new Ferragamo Vara pumps which I am in the process of breaking in. So far, so good. After softening the patent leather overnight with some damp socks, they are actually super comfy. I can feel myself wanting another pair very soon…

Review: Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

I haven’t done a skincare review in a while but I just finished a bottle of this and with summer coming, up, it seems like the perfect season to get yourself a bottle of dark spot reducer. I received the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution as a sample from Kiehl’s in February and I have been using it every day and every night for the past nearly 3 months.

My skin profile: I have very dehydrated cheeks with a t-zone that gets oily. I occasionally get break-outs, usually 1-2 around that time of the month. My main skin concerns are hyper-pigmentation and dehydration in the cheek area and fine lines in the eye area. My ideal skincare products are ones that provide good moisture to my skin, absorb quickly and leave no left-over product sitting on top of my skin.

I used this product twice a day, two drops in the morning for my face and four drops at night for my face and neck. I use this together with the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer both morning and night, and then also a layer of sunscreen during the day as well.

What it claims (from Kiehls.com): Clearly Corrective™ DARK SPOT SOLUTION is a fast-acting serum that evens skin tone and diminishes dark spots to impart overall radiance and luminosity to the skin:

• In as little as 2 weeks, 55% of women clinically demonstrated a significant reduction in dark spot intensity.
• In 4 weeks, 69% of women clinically demonstrated a continued reduction in dark spots intensity and 73% of women showed a significant reduction in acne scarring.  Reduction in other skin discolorations was clinically evident among 69% of women.
• In 8 weeks, 87% of women clinically demonstrated more uniform skin tone to deliver breakthrough clarity.
• With continued daily usage, Clearly Corrective helps to prevent the formation of future dark spots and other skin discolorations.

No Silicones. No Parabens. No Fragrance.
No Colorants. No Optical Diffusers.

Price: $49.50USD/$54CAD for 30mL

Texture/Scent: Light watery serum, very subtle herbal scent

The good: It is a light watery serum that absorbs quickly and leaves no residue. It is gentle on the skin and does not sting or cause any irritation, even with continued and prolonged use. I love that helps the Ultra Facial Moisturizer absorb quickly and the products together leave my skin hydrated, supple and healthy. Most importantly, I felt that my skin was brighter, smoother and more luminous. I also felt that because of the vitamin C in the serum, it helped to increase the cell turnover in my skin through exfoliation, which also help acne spots heal faster and any leftover scars will also lightened faster.

• Light, absorbs quickly and leaves no residue
• Gentle on the skin
• Skin is brighter, smoother and more luminous
• Helps cell turnover in the skin due to the vitamin C

The bad: I did not notice any reduction in dark spot (i.e. freckle) intensity, which was its main claim. If anything, I felt my spots were even more prominent because the rest of my skin was more luminous and bright. I am not a fan of the dropper packaging, because every time I use it, the serum is exposed to oxygen, and over 2-3 months, that is a lot of oxygen. Also as I am nearing the end of the bottle, I have to pour out the rest of the serum because the dropper doesn’t go all the way to the bottom.

• Does not lighten freckles
• Dropper packaging lets in a lot of oxygen and also not effective at releasing all of the product

Overall: I love this product when used with Ultra Facial Moisturizer, so much that I updated my review of the Ultra Facial Moisturizer because the Dark Spot Solution, when used in tandem with the Moisturizer, really helps to improve the efficacy of both products. Even though I didn’t see a reduction in my freckles, I did feel that this serum was worth investing in because it made the rest of my skin brighter, more luminous, and overall more healthy looking. I highly recommend this product to anyone who is looking for an effective skin brightener that is still gentle and can be used twice a day for prolonged periods of time. It is hydrating enough for people with dry to normal skin, and it is light enough for people with oily or combination skin. I just finished my first bottle… and will be on to my second very soon =)

Product: 18/20
Packaging: 3/5
Value: 4/5
Overall: 25/30 | A-
Repurchase? YES!

FYI for an another review of this product, head over to Just J to read Miss J’s take.

Ingredients:

Peacock eyes: smokey blue look for a night out

I attended a good friend’s birthday dinner last weekend and I wore this look out. I haven’t done a smokey look in quite some time so since I was wearing a cobalt dress, I decided to do a blue smokey look. I used one of my favourite blue palettes: the L’Oreal Open Eyes Chrome Intensity in Aquadisiac, which was an Asia-exclusive.

I used UDPP as my primer, which I dusted the turquoise all over my eyelid as an all-over base. I applied the navy blue in my outer V and crease area, as well as on the outer half of my lower lash line. I then used a set angled eyeliner brush and applied the black as a liner, then used a pencil brush to blend it out. I used the white in my inner corner, along my tearduct and on the inner half of my lower lash line. I blended the navy blue and white on the lower lash line with a bit of the turquoise. I intensified the look by adding another layer of the turquoise and blending it in with the other shades.

On my cheeks, I used Chanel Joues Constraste in Rose Petale, a pretty rose shade. On my lips was Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Empire, a beautiful shimmer pink. My mascara with Helena Rubinstein and I also used Dollywink Liquid Liner to line my upper lash line, slightly winged out. Lastly, I used the white eyeshadow shade on my brow bone to highlight.

My base makeup for the day was Chanel Teint Innocence compact foundation with a light dusting of Chanel loose powder.

All Hail the Queen!! Butter London’s gorgeous taupe polish turns heads everywhere

Ever since this pretty polish was named All Hail McQueen, I have been smitten. It was later renamed All Hail the Queen, probably due to copyright issues, but the popularity and beauty of this shade never died down one bit. I finally caved and bought this baby off Nail Polish Canada a couple of weeks ago and every time I wear it out, I always get asked what shade of polish I’m wearing because it is that gorgeous.

All Hail the Queen is a complex taupe holograph with gold, copper, bronze and green sparkles. It has a lot of depth and looks equally gorgeous under direct sunlight as well as in the shade.

The formula itself is also equally fantabulous. It is a thin formula, but not watery and the coverage is pretty good, even with just one coat. This is my first and only Butter London polish as of now, and I would jump to try more.

Priced at $17 from Nail Polish Canada, I would probably buy a backup of All Hail the Queen if it was ever announced to be discontinued.