Beauty Product Review – PRIMER Time

Artists prime their canvas before painting to prevent the oils from seeping through – that is exactly what a primer does for your face. Makeup artists have been using primers for years on models and actors to help create a smooth surface before applying makeup.

I’ve been using a primer since before I even knew what a primer really was. Before all the hype and before every single makeup company decided to jump on the bandwagon and create their own. My very first one was 1) Clarins Lisse Minute – Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Makeup Base – approx. 35.00.

I was game to try anything from the luxurious French skincare company since my mom used the line. I liked the oil free, silky smooth texture that glided on and seemed to hide pores and imperfections. Best of all it completely toned down shine in the T-zone which is what sold me on it in the first place. Makeup applied very easily over top. It became a skincare staple.

THEN the others came into play. I sampled a lot of them at different price points – many are capable but the ones below along with Clarins are my TOP “Hall of Fame” choices:

2) La Roche Posay Anthelios Daily Anti-Aging Primer with 50 SPF Sunscreen – approx. 39.99.

I loved it – felt like cashmere. The only problem is that if you already use their tinted mineral sunscreen for face with SPF 50 (which I do) they tend to cancel each other out. For winter I might re-consider when switching to a lower SPF day cream.

Description: For the 1st time, ANTHELIOS 50 combines broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection with Cell-OX Shield™ antioxidant technology in a primer that is clinically proven to instantly reduce fine lines, wrinkles, pore size, dark spots, and redness. Suitable for all skin types.

Anthelios 50 Daily Anti-Aging Primer with Sunscreen & a transformative light-weight texture has won the following Awards:

2012 Elle Beauty Genius Award
2012 Redbook MVP Beauty Award: Best Primer

3) Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Primer – approx. $10.00 at drug stores nationwide.

For the price this stuff is excellent! Reduces the appearance of lines, wrinkles, pores and imperfections, while enhancing skin’s radiance. A subtle pink tint adds a youthful glow. Apply all over face, after moisturizer and before foundation. Suitable for all skin tones and types.

4) On the higher end I love Micabeauty Cosmetics 100% Mineral Makeup Perfecting Primer.

This gel formula is beautiful but pricey. MicaBeauty’s light-weight Perfecting Makeup Primer with its gel like finish enhances skin texture and primes it for makeup application. The Perfecting Makeup Primer glides on easily creating a protective layer on your skin, allowing foundation to go on easily and last longer. Our velvety formula creates a perfect canvas for foundation and blush application, keeping makeup in place and looking fresh all day long. Price – $129.95. Take 20% off with mention of this blog. Link: http://www.intrigueimports.com/product_info.php?products_id=311

Do you use a Primer – if so, which one?

FUN

Wet ‘n Wild – Surfer STYLE

I wish I was a California Surfer Girl

Ever so appealing, exciting and adventurous – to be able to catch a WAVE. It conjures up free spirited with that hint of danger which some make look so easy.

Annette Funicello vintage photo – images. Do you think she was actually surfing? Love the SUIT!

From May issue of Harper’s Bazaar Magazine – if it was me I’d definitely go for the Chanel surfboard even to lie on at the beach.

styleofsport.com

What about surfer style? I don’t see why we can’t do “avant de” or après surf? For those less willing types not wanting to take a chance that a humongous wave will suck us up or at least our bathing suit:

I’m much better suited to surfing the internet – but that can be dangerous too.

Go Hilfiger! I found this Tommy Hilfiger shirt dress while surfing.

Love these vans-surf casual shoe.

That’s me on the cover. You didn’t really think so did you?

My style INspiration board on Pinterest at:

surfer - north shore, Hawaii — Surfer – North Shore, Hawaii. Looks like he’s not even wearing shoes

http://pinterest.com/intrigueimports/style-inspiration/

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Folk Fest – on the other side of the fence

SUN day was the third and final day of the 36th annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival at Jericho Beach.

The beach at Jericho — **Jericho** has to be my all time favorite Vancouver beach – it’s never too crowded and it goes on and on and on……

Always an amazing musical lineup of world class performers which you can hear quite clearly from the other side of the fence while perusing the other lineup of various vendors under white tents set up all along the beach – haute hippie style.

Lexi – owner of “Daub + Design” ultra comfort panties

Style is Individual

These women are from the Republic of Ghana, Africa.

natural beauty products too

Jia Jia got a feather in his fur

Love at first sight: my purchase – a lovely *carnelian/sterling ring from Fossil Grotto located in Duncan, B.C.

*Energy of carnelian resembles a peaceful, warm afternoon filled with genuine happiness. YES!

Bonus: Its joyful energy has a nourishing and protective quality to it. Carnelian has courage, confidence and creativity at its core; all these qualities being combined in a calm and grounded kind of way.

FUN

INspirational quotes

I feel really good about this:

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B well – don’t be D-prived

The D-lemma: Are you getting enough?

Even though the nutrient is available in supermarket staples and via sun exposure, many of us don’t get enough.

Technically it’s a vitamin, but it behaves more like a hormone, in that the body can create a certain form of vitamin D through exposure to sunlight. And yet, according to nutrition researcher Walter Willett of the Harvard School of Public Health, an estimated one in three Americans of European descent suffers from a deficiency of this vitamin. Vitamin D is vital to bone health and may also support immune function and prevent certain cancers, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and even the common cold.

So if it’s found in readily available foods, and a mere 5 to 10 minutes a day of sun exposure generate enough Vitamin D for most people, what exactly accounts for such widespread deficiency? Willett blames a whole host of factors: Over the centuries, people have migrated away from the equator and are exposed to less sunshine; industrialization has pushed many occupations indoors; and then there’s that aggravating habit, he jokes, of “putting on clothes, which blocks the sun light.” More recently, of course, we’ve been slathering ourselves with sunscreen.

And since the blood test that pinpoints vitamin D levels is expensive and not routinely given, many people have no idea their levels are low. Symptoms that might prompt your physician to order the test: lethargy, muscle aches and pains, clumsiness and frequent falls, and bone fractures from small stresses.

How much do we need?

Adding to the confusion is the debate over the recommended daily allowance. In 2010 the recommended daily amount of Vitamin D for adults was 600 IUs – but according to clinical trial results published in 2012 in the New England Journal of Medicine, 800 IUs a day improve protection against broken bones by 30 percent. D helps the body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus – critical bone builders – which is reason alone to err on the side of more IUs. Willett recommends most adults get 2000 IUs daily. Don’t worry about taking too much – it takes several hundred thousand IUs to reach toxic levels.

If you expect sunshine to provide you with vitamin D, then make sure your shadow is shorter than your height. The long shadow we see in November is proof the sun is not doing it for us any more, and it’s time to take care of ourselves.

Reinhold Vieth, PhD#

– See more at: http://www.vitamindday.net/tag/vitamin-d-quotes/#sthash.WgVkxY77.dpuf

Ways to get more Vitamin D

One simple solution – take a supplement.

The Sun for 5-10 minutes/day – 3000 IU

1 Cup of Vitamin D fortified Orange Juice – 137 IU

3 ounces of cooked Sockeye Salmon – 447 IU

1 Large Egg Yolk – 41 IU
2 Sardines canned in oil – 46 IU

1 cup of vitamin D fortified milk – 120 IU

Typical Multivitamin – 400 IU

Whether you hate the sun or love it, you can and should get enough Vitamin D.

Taken from “How-To-Handbook” in Health section of “Living” by Sally Schultheiss

If you expect sunshine to provide you with vitamin D, then make sure your shadow is shorter than your height. The long shadow we see in November is proof the sun is not doing it for us any more, and it’s time to take care of ourselves.

Reinhold Vieth, PhD#

– See more at: http://www.vitamindday.net/tag/vitamin-d-quotes/#sthash.WgVkxY77.dpuf

If you expect sunshine to provide you with vitamin D, then make sure your shadow is shorter than your height. The long shadow we see in November is proof the sun is not doing it for us any more, and it’s time to take care of ourselves.

Reinhold Vieth, PhD#

– See more at: http://www.vitamindday.net/tag/vitamin-d-quotes/#sthash.WgVkxY77.dpuf

**Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most evocative and informative up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health professionals – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America.

Here’s the link: http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/1686/transforming-health

FUN

INtrigue INsider – IN the Kitchen

How did I ever live this long without my Vitamix?

I made this tropical fruit sorbet in 30 seconds.

Many times I’ve bypassed the Costco demos (oh, they’re demonstrating another blender – can’t be bothered) as I’m making my way towards the food section to get what I need and make my way out of there as quickly as possible.

They recently managed to grab my attention while announcing making sorbet in 30 seconds. What?? A healthy & delicious sorbet born out of frozen fruit, some crushed ice & a bit of agave syrup for sweetener. I was sold! I didn’t even care that you can make soups, dressings and sauces in 5 minutes or less. This machine makes it all so easy and clean up is so simple. The secret is the variable speed dial which allows you to control the blades and therefore provides versatility at various speeds for a multitude of recipes. It’s actually a high performance blender. It comes with a cookbook for getting started but you can do your own thing from there once you get used to it. You can blend, dry & wet chop, make frozen treats, heat, grind, knead, emulsity and purée – even make whole grain flour (not that I will ever – but never say never).

soup — Soup – we made mushroom & cauliflower and cabbage.

It has replaced my juicer, blender & food processor. It’s like the netflix of kitchen appliances for convenience.

The best smoothies ever

Here is a Full Product Description – taken from their website.

The Brand Chosen By Leading Chefs Worldwide. Quite possibly the most versatile appliance ever built.

With variable speed control and precision crafted stainless steel blades, there is virtually nothing the Vitamix CIA Professional Series can’t handle. In fact, it does so many things so well; *it will leave you wondering how you ever got along without one. **I know!

Now, you can make recipes at home the way the Certified Master Chefs at the CIA create their signature dishes. Variable speed operation offers exceptional control.

Vitamix is in a class all its own. These self-cleaning machines allow you to chop, blend, cream, purée, and more—through every course of the meal—with a single appliance. With commercial quality and unsurpassed engineering, you can buy a Vitamix once and have it for life.

Coveted by restaurants and professional chefs worldwide
Able to make smoothies, soups, frozen desserts, and more
Renowned as the world’s most versatile, most durable blender

Images & Logo taken from:

https://www.vitamix.com/Corporate-Information/Media-Center/

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Beauty – Body Butters

Natural, Nourishing, Moisturizing & Addictive Body Butters

If you like Scents…..

Pacifica’s Body Butter uses luxuriously smelling signature blends made with essential and natural oils – 100% vegan and gluten-free.

I received three of them as part of a Christmas package & now I need more. I love the Indian Coconut, Tuscan Blood Orange and Island Vanilla but there are several more exotic flavors.

Born out of a creative passion and a healthy, surfer lifestyle, Pacifica brings inspired fragrances together with the best natural ingredients to create perfect products to live with and love. With a deep respect for nature, culture, and life, Pacifica lead Perfumer and Founder, Brook Harvey-Taylor, believes that sublime fragrance and indulgent products are a right, not a privilege. This grassroots mission has lead Pacifica to develop distinctive fragrances & luxurious, eco-friendly products at a great value. Vegan and free of sulfates, mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, and propylene glycol, Pacifica is a brand you can feel good about indulging in every day.

Available at Sephora

For a beautifully silky & relaxing body lotion this is my all time FAVORITE: DREAM SILK COMFORT CREAM from earththerapeutics.com

Especially for at night before bed as it slips on like a cozy pair of silk pajamas. Made with infusions of valerian root and lavender which calms, comforts, soothes and relaxes for a deep restful sleep.

I first encountered this lotion in a yoga class when the instructor came around rubbing it into each and everyone’s temples during Shavasana. I was immediately hooked – sometimes it only takes one try.

Do you have a favorite?

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Trendspotting – from head to toe

with monochromatic dressing: One Shade Fits All:

carolina herrera

I’ve always liked the look of wearing all one shade in either a neutral or color. It tends to elongate you and if you break it up a bit with a belt or jewellery it works very well & doesn’t seem over the top.

Hit all the right hues this summer. From head-to-heel sleek cobalt at Gucci to Stella McCartney’s green thumb and Carolina Herrera’s orange crush, these color-wonderful shades pack a major punch. Or go completely Black or White – but not together.

From Spring 2013 – great look for petites

These tone on tone ensembles may seem intimidating to pull off, but by keeping a few tips in mind, achieving this look is a piece of cake.

If you’re a little nervous about trying this bold statement, wear a lighter shade of the hue either on top or bottom – to create more of a muted palette.
Stella McCartney

Keep accessories simple and in neutral colors – gold, black, silver, white, nude.

Miss Blumarine

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simply satisfying – Tagliatelle in sage butter parmesan

ITALIAN food is all about ingredients. It’s not fussy and it’s not fancy – Wolfgang Puck.

spinach salad with leftover grilled salmon — with spinach salad & leftover grilled salmon

Those words were never truer than in this recipe, which is really not even a recipe – which is in itself molto italiano!

I first tasted this very simple dish when a friend made it for us in Tuscany. She made it using fresh gnocchi and freshly crumbled gorgonzola and it tasted divine. Of course any type of fresh pasta & cheese would be amazing in Tuscany. Since then I’ve tried making it the same way and slightly different versions too. I can tell you that none is as good as the original in Tuscany but you can experiment and come up with something almost as good.

Basically all you do is toast the sage leaves in butter until crisp. Fresh is best but if you don’t have that, then buy it in the package from the herb section of your grocery store. I use either the whole package or a big handful of fresh herbs. Use a generous amount of butter – about half a stick. Coat the pasta (try gnocchi or orechiette – something with ridges to coat each piece) right in the pan with the sauce and then crumble either the freshest gorgonzola cheese you can find overtop or roughly grated best quality parmesan cheese which will melt right in. S+P to taste and some red chilli pepper if you like it slightly picante. Serve with a side salad & crusty bread.

TIP: Pasta like this makes a great side for chicken and fish dishes as well.