Foundation shopping is the worst for me. First of all, I never seem to find the right shade for my face. Second, there are so many brands I don't even know where to start.
One thing is sure: I know what I want! I just don't know which one is best for me.
I wanted something lightweight because I hate feeling like I have clay on my face. It makes me uncomfortable, I rub my face a lot during the day and I'll end up looking like a clown. I mostly want to achieve a natural look, I don't care if my imperfections show - I am like I am.
My friend Stephanie D., who worked at Sephora, suggested I tried a BB cream or a tinted moisturizer. They're both pretty similar, so I googled to check the difference. I was okay with either of those. I didn't want anything too heavy or that gave too much coverage.
I went on and asked for samples of five different tinted moisturizers. Here's the review and also, the one I bought later.
FIRST AID BEAUTY Ultra Repair Tinted Moisturizer
I didn't know this brand before. Stephanie D said I should try it because apparently their products work wonders!
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Shade: Light (for beige and buff colored skin)
Price: $37 CAD for 30 ml
Pros: Lightweight, easy to apply, with or without a beauty blender. Doesn't have a strong smell. The shade is good for me, just a little light.
Cons: Pricey for such a small quantity. I feel like it hydrates, but not as much as I hoped.
Overall rating: ★★★★☆
Am I willing to buy it? Yeah, probably! If it wasn't as expensive.
Buy it here.
KAT VON D True Portrait Foundation
When I tried it at Sephora, I was amazed. It was so smooth and looked hella good on me. Until I tried it home.. I picked a color that was too light but the shade after it was too yellowish for me. Help.
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Shade: Light 010 (fair with cool undertone)
Price: $49 CAD for 30 ml
Pros: Smooth and soft, no gross smell. Can be applied with a beauty blender, a brush or your fingers.
Cons: Pricey. Cakey. Feels heavy on my skin. Gave me a red rash.
Overall rating: ★★☆☆☆
Am I willing to buy it? Nah, not for me. But there are pretty good reviews on the website. I guess it depends on everyone's skin and look they want to achieve.
Buy it here.
CLINIQUE Dramatically Different Moisturizing BB-Gel
I was super excited to try it on my skin because all the Portuguese beauty bloggers I follow on Instagram keep talking about it. Also, it starts grey and changes color once applied on your face!
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Shade: (one shade for all?)
Price: $21 CAD for 50 ml
Pros: It's a gel so it's super easy to apply. It doesn't smell weird. The texture is cool!
Cons: A bit patchy and not the good color for my Canadian-winter-white face..
Overall rating: ★★★★☆
Am I willing to buy it? For Summer, probably! Once I'm tan, I can definitively use it since it'll be the right color (hopefully)! I really want to try it!
Buy it here.
CLARINS Milky Boost Healthy Glow Milk
I was in a drugstore in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield with my mom and sister (they wanted to go to Giant Tiger, but not in Montreal). I asked the cosmetic employee which tinted moisturizer or bb cream she would recommend me and she showed me this one. She tried it on herself, made me smell it - it has a smell, yes - and told me how much she loves it. She gave me two samples to take home with me (yay).
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Shade: Milky Cashew 03
Price: $45 CAD for 50 ml
Pros: It's really like applying milk-yogurt cream on your skin. It blends so well, it's lightweight but covers just enough, it makes you glow-y and cute.
Cons: I know I put "smells like peaches" in the pro section, but I feel like I also have to put it in the cons. After a while, I had enough of the smell.. It's too strong for me I guess. I'd rather it not have any smell at all.
Overall rating: ★★★★☆
Am I willing to buy it? If it wasn't for the smell, hell yeah. The texture is perfect and you don't need to use too much of product to get the look of your dreams! Please CLARINS, do it without the smell!
Buy it here.
LA ROCHE-POSAY Toleriane Le Teint Crème
This product has 2 shades only (light or medium) and I am definitively the first option during Winter time. Last time I went to the mall with my friend Stephanie D, they only had the tester so I couldn't buy it. I went to another drugstore, tried it again and bought the full size. Let me tell you, I am not disappointed at all.
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Shade: Light
Price: $27 CAD for 50 ml
Pros: Buildable light coverage. No smell. Good for sensitive skin. Not pricey, comes in a packaging with a small pump (love that). Easy to apply and doesn't dry out!
Cons: Not enough shades to choose from.
Overall rating: ★★★★★
Am I willing to buy it? Yeah. I did. And will buy again once I finish it. It's amazing, I feel great AND look good. Thanks a lot, La Roche-Posay!
Buy it here.
So, these are my short reviews. Which one do you use? Have you tried any of these before?
Anyways, hope you liked the article!
I have been using IPSY since 2016. After some months, I "paused" the subscription. Many times, I asked myself if it was really worth it. You pay about $20 CAD per month to try travel size products or even samples. Here is my honest opinion.
My friend Maryse first told me about this. At that time, I was working full time as an assistant manager at Lilianne Lingerie. I was never a girl that wore - or owned - a lot of makeup. Three of us out of five employees from our store subscribed to IPSY. We would exchange some products and talk about what we got. It was good. This lasted about five months. After that, I started having too many products I didn't use. And even though I'd give them to my other friends, I felt like I was wasting my money. Out of the five products I'd get monthly, I would only use 1 or 2.. All of us stopped our subscription.
The first time I stopped the subscription
My main reason to stop was because I was going to Portugal in some months and wanted to limit my expanses. The second reason was because I didn't need to get more products for now. I had too many bags, too many products I don't use, cleansers, creams, hair masks, etc. Back then, I didn't use any of it.
Starting again
I had IPSY from November 2016 to June 2017. In August 2019, I wanted to give it a second chance.
I hate going to drug stores or Sephora because I know so little about makeup so I feel lost whenever I go to these places.. I tried the quiz again, updated my beauty preferences.
When I got the first bag in August, I was happy. I had an eye-shadow in a color I was willing to use, a mascara - I ALWAYS need those -, a felt tip eyeliner, a peel off mask and a gel lotion from It Cosmetics. The only product I gave to one of my friends was the peel off mask. Wasn't for me.
The second bag, in September, was pretty good. Got a blush (hell yeah), another eyeliner, another eye-shadow in another cute shade, a face cream and a sleeping mask. Not too bad but only used 2 out of 5.
My October bag was the best. I got a Betty Boop blush, a crease brush, a highlighter, a mascara and a perfume sample. Used all of them!
In November and December I had great products too. Used most of them. I tried products I really liked. I put them in my Sephora wishlist! Never thought I'd like eye treatments and creams, primers or cleansers.
Will I continue in 2020?
Yes. I like what I've been getting so far. My January and February 2020 glam bags were great.
I thought $20 CAD was expensive but, after a couple of months, IPSY seemed to get it right for me. I think it takes 3-4 times before they start getting it right? I also narrowed my preferences. I use mascara a lot and blush too. These are the two I get the most and I don't mind at all.
Buying mascara in a drug store costs about $6-$20 CAD, and at Sephora, around $30 CAD. They all end up drying out in the bottle, so why get a full sized one if I can have it every month in my glam bag, in a smaller format, that I can bring with me in my purse? It'll still dry out, but I'll finish it before it does!
What made me want to stay
ISPY launched the "pick a product" and it's exciting! Every month, you get to choose a product you really want to have from a list. So, 1 of 5 products you get will have been chosen by YOU! It's a good thing, because we still get the surprise BUT also get something we will use.
You can also choose to get your products bi-monthly, which is a good option for anyone who thinks they are getting too much makeup or to restrict expanses.
You can also choose between the IPSY glam bag, the glam bag plus and the glam bag ultimate. Different prices, more products if you pay more. You can also get full sized stuff! Wow!
Add-ons are also available each month from $2 CAD!
Overall
For now, I think I'll continue it for a couple months more. My budget is tight since I moved out and since I've been on sick leave. I don't mind "pausing" it and starting again later. I get premium samples and travel size products for $20 CAD, I don't even need to leave the house to go shopping for it, they arrive at my doorstep and in a cute makeup bag - that I either keep or give to my friends.
I like that I get to try products that cost a lot instead of buying them full prize and ending up not even using them. I like getting the bags. I like that I can rate them, get points, exchange them for more products.
IPSY has changed for the best and I think it's worth it for all those reasons!
Thanks for reading!
In my 26 years of life, I had never been to a spa. On February 3rd of 2020, my friend Maryse took this matter into her own hands. Here's my first spa experience in a couple of sentences!
I was never a fan of showing my body - especially in a bathing suit - in public. That's the main reason I had never been to a spa before. It was mainly because of how insecure I was - and still am. Going to the beach feels different because everyone's minding their business and you're not as close to people as you would be in a sauna or pool.
Another reason was the price. I thought it was expensive for just sitting around and bathing in warm water (which I can do in my own bathtub at home). I just didn't feel like I needed to go far to "relax". And how would I be able to relax if I knew so many people would be staring at me while I was sweating in a sauna.. in my bathing suit. Nah.
But my friend convinced me to come with her and try this experience. So I went. We were three: her, her husband and I. On our way there - to the Spa Le Finlandais -, she explained to me how it worked.
The place
When we arrived, we were given bracelets with the number of our locker on it. The entry price was $49 CAD, which was not as expensive as I thought. We changed into our swimming suits. We had to wear our sandals and bring our towels everywhere with us on the site.
The Spa Le Finlandais has different small buildings, each representing how spas are around the World. There's the Scandinavian, Russian, 1001 Nights (Arabian), Japan, Egyptian, etc.. The saunas are all different: the temperature is higher in some of them, the look of the interior is unique, some of them are wooden, others are all ceramic. Some have windows, while others don't and there are some with a soothing eucalyptus smell. Some are humid, others dry - anyways, you get it. It's all about trying them all and seeing which one we prefer so next time we can spend more time in it.
There's a huge Jacuzzi-like warm pool in the middle of the place. The buildings are all around, along with the cold baths. Looking around us, we don't feel like we're in the suburbs. We feel like we're in the middle of a forest or a mountain. We don't hear the cars driving by or other disturbing noises. We only hear the calming music, the wet steps of the other visitors walking around on their flip flips. It's silent. No one speaks - they can whisper. It's a truly magical site.
The routine
There are not many steps to follow other than RELAXING. But to really feel 100% stress free, here's what to do. In order.
Take a first shower. Head to any of the buildings. Enter the sauna and sit in there for 8-10 minutes. Jump in the cold pool - for the best "result", your whole body has to be inside. Go to the relaxation room and spend how much time you want in it. Relax. Go to the warm pool in the center of the place. Enjoy. Repeat.
My overall experience
I loved it. I felt very relaxed during and after this experience. It felt great, like I was thanking my body and my soul and taking care of it for real.
Some saunas were pretty hot and so humid I was not so comfortable in it but I somehow got used to it after 2-3 times repeating the process. I never dipped fully my body in the cold pools. I just, entered real quick, and splashed some cold water on me. Maybe next time I'll do it properly.
I enjoyed sitting in the warm pool in the middle, all the relaxation rooms were A-MA-ZING and just relaxing with two friends was the best. Being stress-free and not thinking about the job made the day.
Will I go back? Hell yeah! I can't wait to do this again. Maybe not during Summer. In a country of cold temperatures like Canada, a spa experience is better during Winter time! Perhaps I'll even treat myself to a massage. I'll start saving up for it! See you soon, Spa Le Finlandais!
The year 2019 for me has been a year of new perfumes, new discoveries in the beauty market, trying out new products, etc. I have bought or got as a gift a bunch of new scents to wear. I use them depending on my mood and also depending on the weather outside. I have some fragrances for the cold days, for the warmer ones, for rainy days when I need a bit of sunshine, for a date.. Here’s a post about the ones I wore the most! They are in no particular order!
Sky Di Gioia by GIORGIO ARMANI
I’ve had Acqua Di Gioia by Giorgio Armani before; a very fresh and citrus-y smell. I bought it twice in less than 2 years. My mom gave me Sky Di Gioia because she was sure I was going to like it. She was right! It was more floral and more fruity than Acqua Di Gioia, which was one of my all time fave perfumes ever (yes)!
It smells like a bouquet of peonies, roses, with a fruity hint of pear, blackberry and litchi. It’s very subtle and long lasting.
I wear it for any time of year and any occasion: work, shopping, hanging out with friends. I’ve also tried Acqua Di Gioia by Giorgio Armani.
Coach Floral Eau de Parfum by COACH
Another floral perfume - I can’t help myself, it just fits so well with me.
The notes of pineapple, tea rose, gardenia and musk give you a delicate and fresh scent that lasts for hours! Whenever I wear it, I feel like I just came out of a bathtub filled with flowers! I love it!
I mostly use it during winter time and spring. On Summer, I need more of a fruity one.
Princess of Hearts by VERA WANG
Imagine a cake with whipped cream, strawberries and a place of watermelon slices around it. That’s what it smells like. Pure heaven.
I first tried it in a drug store not far from my boyfriend’s place. It was a new fragrance by Vera Wang. I bought one to try it out and instantly fell in love. Not even a week later I was back at the store and bought 2 more bottles: they were on sale because they were only available for a limited time! I hope they’ll bring this one back..
I wear this one SO MUCH during Summer, it’s crazy. I try to use my other perfumes because I don’t want it to go so fast. I still have a small bottle left (oh no) so I’m wearing it only for cute date nights or special occasions. I always get good compliments whenever I use it!
Replica: Flower market by MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA
This is one of the most expensive perfume bottles I own. My fiance gave it to me for my birthday and I was shocked. But damn, it smells SO. DAMN. GOOD.
It smells exactly like in a flower shop. My sister once worked as a florist, that’s how I know. It’s just like smelling fresh cut roses and a bouquet of jasmine. It’s the most floral I’ve ever had, and the most accurate.
I use it year round. It’s really fresh enough to wear during Winter and floral enough for Summer. It lasts long on my skin and also on my clothes!
Miss Dior: Blooming Bouquet by DIOR
Another perfume I got from my boyfriend - I just want to say, I smell them BEFORE he buys them so I know he’ll make a good purchase. Perfumes are expensive. Okay. Moving on.
The Miss Dior collection has a bunch of different floral perfumes (Absolutely blooming, eau de parfum, eau de toilette...) and the names really look the same so it’s confusing. I’ve tried them all on my skin several times before choosing the right one. Blooming bouquet was the one I loved the most, it reacted well with my skin.
It’s very floral, once again: peonies (gotta love the smell) and roses with a touch of white musk. It has also some light fruity notes: mandarin, apricot and peach.
It’s the one I use the most at work because it’s not a strong smell. It’s also long lasting but it’s very delicate. Not as strong as Flower Market. Just enough to not be overwhelming.
As a busty girl, this bra has changed my life for the best. It’s light, feminine and the seams don’t show too much under blouses and shirts, which is MA-GI-CAL.
Here’s my review of the style 1571 of Chantelle, the magnificent “Révèle Moi”.
First impressions & first try
I was already used to wearing unlined bras so my first impression was “wow this looks cute”. I also like full coverage styles because I hate having to “scoop and swoop” my breasts a couple of times during the day.
Since I had to try all the styles in the store to be able to do a good job as a bra fitter at Lilianne Lingerie, I tried it pretty soon after I was hired. I liked “Hedona” by Chantelle because it held everything in place, it was very simple but feminine and also a minimizer. But I didn’t find it sexy at all on me.
On the other hand, “Révèle Moi” had lace details. The beige one looked boring on me but the black one was pretty original! As soon as I tried it, I fell in love.
So my first impression was already positive: has lace, is cute, has a wide variety of colors (red, jeans, black, beige, grey, light pink, coral, navy..) that get discontinued OF COURSE, but still, every year you get a new color, not just the basic ones.
My honest review
I have a hard time finding sexy and supportive bras. It’s like, after D cup bras, you have to look like you’re wearing an armor or your grandmother’s lingerie! Having the “Révèle Moi” on me in the dressing room was like finding a treasure. Finally. A cute bra with lace, that comes in more colors than just black and beige, AND that gives my boobs a nice shape even if it’s unlined. With four panels, the breast is “molded” and stays round under any kind of top.
Under t-shirts, you can see the seams a little but personally, I don’t mind. It just shows I’m wearing something lacy (woohoo, exciting). Under blouses, it stays incognito. I was almost forgetting about this awesome fact I always share with clients whenever they ask about this style: If you’re a busty woman and have to often buy a blouse in a bigger size JUST because your breasts are making the buttons pop open? Well, the “Révèle Moi” is a minimizer which means, BYE BYE buying oversized blouses! It makes my breasts appear smaller (I LOVE IT). Every time I wear this bra and I tell the clients my size (34G), they can’t believe me. Trust me, lady, I wish I could lie and say I’m a 34D. With this style, I can almost make them believe I’m really it! But no, just a big pair of breasts hiding under a good minimizing bra.
This bra gives me good support. The only thing is, I feel the bra losing its support by the end of the day: the band loses its elasticity a little and the straps slide down. We move, we sweat, we walk, so it’s normal for a bra to not be as adjusted as it was when we put it on in the morning. But my “Virginia” by CORIN doesn’t do that.. That’s the only “bad” thing I have to say about the “Révèle Moi”.
Value for money
The 100$ question (literally): is this bra worth its price.
At Lilianne, we sell it for $109 CAD. It’s expensive for a lot of people - even for me but I am soooo used to it I just know I can’t find anything under $70 for my size. I have five different colors: red, jeans, beige, black and light blue. Last time I’ve purchased one was over a year ago. It was the light blue one. It’s still looking great, just a bit darker around the band because I use black tops over it (oops, don’t do this). My other colors look good too. The black one is the one I wear the most and to my surprise, it’s not falling apart yet. That’s a good thing. I use it so much and wash it so often that the fabric under the armpit area and on the band is starting to wear out. But that’s all. The rest looks good.
Rating of “Révèle Moi”
Overall look: ★★★★★
Support: ★★★★☆
Value for money: ★★★★★
About the brand
Chantelle is a French lingerie company founded in 1876. The brand was known for its elastic corsets back in the 1900′s. They opened their first factory in 1962 in France - it’s still operating today - and their international expansion began in the next years. Read more about Chantelle’s Heritage here.
You can also check out their collections by clicking here.
In 2016, I gained a lot of weight. I started the year with 136 lbs. By June, I was at 155 lbs. With weight gain comes breast size changes too.. I went from a 34DD/ to a 36DDD/80F. Since then, my size has been as unstable as a rollercoaster! I am currently a 34DDDD/75G but in some other styles I am a 36DDD/80F which is the sister size.
First impressions & first try
I first discovered the existence of CORIN when I started working at Lilianne Lingerie in 2016. When we first received the bra, I thought it looked massive: the cups were full-coverage, the band and straps were large, it didn’t look really feminine to me (and to my coworkers).
The cup is “spacer” fabric, which is not too thick, that was the only positive thing I liked about it back then. I hate thick cups that make your breast look a size bigger. I have enough with my 34G, I don’t need them bigger than they already are.
Since my size was available in that bra, I had to try it and show it to my colleagues so they see how it looks on a busty girl. And.. wow. I never had that much support in my life (that sounds sad but you know I mean BREAST support, okay). I still wanted to wait before buying it.
My honest review
I bought my first CORIN later in 2016. It was a navy one, in 36F. I wore it so much. I’d wash it and wear it over and over again! Since then, I bought “Virginia” in red, mocha and beige. I try to buy only one per year!
It’s the perfect bra to wear under a t-shirt. It’s airy, looks massive but feels light, gives me so much support that when I bounce, the breasts don’t move out of place. Pretty cool, right?
The elastics of the band seem to go back to normal after every wash, which means it’s good quality. That’s also the reason why they're still looking brand new. The ultra light spacer cups never lost their shape!
Do I suggest it? YES. Not only “Virginia” has good support, the cup is breathable so not excessive sweating during heat waves, the large band maintains good posture and relieves the weight on the back, and the straps don’t dig in your shoulders. Yes they look massive but at last your breasts have a round shape and don’t jiggle. Your shoulders and back will thank you at the end of the day.
Value for money
In 2016 it was sold at $79 CAD at our store. But with the years, it has gone up a lot (just like the other brands we sell). It’s now sold at $92 CAD. It’s not the priciest bra I’ve bought, so for me and my breast size, it’s the price I have to pay for a good support.
Rating of “Virginia”
Overall look: ★★★★☆
Support: ★★★★★
Value for money: ★★★★★
About the brand
CORIN is a brand from Poland.
The brand spent over a year trying to create the “perfect bra”. They worked with engineers and were supervised by professor Marek Z. of the head of the Oncology Surgery and The Clinic of Breast Diseases. After testing the support of this bra on different women, they proved a well designed bra can help reduce pressure and increase comfort. Every bra they manufacture go through this same process.
They have other styles, with lovely details and cute lace. Yes, more feminine than the “Virginia” (style 17871). They even sell bathing suits! You can see their collections here.
Check out their website here.
Vanilla Cream Truffle Blush Palette by @bhcosmetics 🧁 I honestly don't know what's cutest: The blush shades or the packaging? I'm in love 🙌🏻 . Não sei o que é o mais giro: As cores de blush ou a embalagem? Adoro! 🤍 . #bhcosmetics #blush #bh #blushpalette #maquillagem #beauty #makeup https://www.instagram.com/p/B8zeuFMlcG9/?igshid=62lh0wa8thkd
Did you know that 7 out of 10 women are not wearing the right bra size? I learned that in August 2015, when I was being trained to become a bra fitting specialist in a bra store.
Bra shopping is often something we tend to avoid. Finding the right size can be such a pain! We end up trying on too many styles, buying the wrong cup size and a few weeks later we stop wearing those bras because they’re not as comfortable after all. But with the help of a REAL fit expert, shopping for a bra won’t make you sweat anymore. Here are some things you need to know.
Finding the right size
First step: head to a bra store where they can adjust you. Not any bra store. A real one with fitting experts. If you’re busty, try to look what stores have D+ cups. Find the right bra store for your needs!
Second: tell them your current bra size - or at least, what you think it is. Show them the bra you currently have. If you don’t remember, that’s totally fine! The bra fitter will measure you. This measurement is approximate. It’s just to guide us, bra fitting specialists, to have an idea of what bra type is best. Why? Simply because every bra company has their different measures. From a Chantelle to a Triumph, from a Victoria’s Secret bra to a Warners, the cups and sizes will not be the same. Just like pants! A size 12 at Old Navy won’t fit exactly like a size 12 at Calvin Klein.
Third: tell the specialist what you want. Which color, style, how many bras you need to buy, what your budget is. Tell them also what you really don’t want and why. For example: I don’t want an unlined one because I often wear t-shirts and I hate when my nipples are showing through my bra and clothes. Whenever someone comes to me and asks for help, I just picture all the bras we have in store in my head. The more the customer tells me what they want and doesn’t, the bras get eliminated one after the other, until I am left with what I think are the best ones. I picture them in my head, knowing the sizes available and how they fit.
Fourth: time to try the bras she brings you! She might show you some that you won’t want to try on, but trust her: it often looks better on you than on the hanger. We know what we’re bringing you, we’ve seen it on other women and we’ve also tried it on. Yes, all the bra fitters of where I use to work tried ALL the bras in store. Of course, if the bra style is only for DD+ cups and the employee was a 34B, she wouldn’t try it on but one of the other coworkers had to show her the fit on herself. I was shy at first but, hey, we’re all different and so beautiful in our own way! All bodies are beautiful!
Fifth: the fitting. If you don’t want the specialist to see you in the fitting room, tell her. Of course if you show her how the bra fits, it will be easier for her to find where something is wrong: straps too tight, cup too small, band size too big. I always explain to the client what the problem is. This way, they will be informed next time they’re buying bras, and maybe even be confident enough to shop by themselves!
Sixth and last step. Before saying yes to the bras you chose, do this in the changing room: try them under a shirt. Where I work, we sell pajamas. I always bring a fine shirt for the client to try on. It might look exactly like you want it but once you try it with a top, you end up not liking the shape it gives your breasts. I also bring a shirt because styles with lace don’t always look smooth under it.
After those steps, you’re ready to go home with brand new bras!
Oh no, the fitting specialist didn’t find anything for me!
Do not lose hope, dear. It happens. It can make you feel like either the bra fitter is not the best or make you feel like your breasts are not ‘normal’. Girl, NO. The store you went to just doesn’t have anything for your unique breasts! Worry not, there are plenty of other places to continue the search.
Where I currently work, Lilianne Lingerie, not all stores have the same styles. From one city to another, it varies a lot. The selection is based on what’s selling better in each of them.
If I am not able to find any bra that fits the client, I look at the catalogs we have and see if I can order different styles. In my 4+ years of experience, it happened a couple of times. My passion is to help women find the good bra, so I’ve done a lot of research on my free time. I know a lot of different brands and companies and know what they sell. So if I didn’t find a bra in my store for my client, I tell her where she can start looking next, online or near.
Putting on the bra the right way
- Attach the hook on the widest size. The more we wear a bra, the more the elastic loosens up. Yes, even if it cost you $120 or if it’s from France, nothing lasts forever! Doing that helps the band’s elastic stay ‘elastic’ longer. When it starts getting loose, you’ll be able to make it tighter.
- Sweep your breasts inside the cup. Learn forward and do the ‘scoop and swoop’ so they get in the right place!
- Adjust the straps. They shouldn’t be loose or digging into your shoulders.
- The band size has to be horizontal and at the same level as the front. If it’s too high or too low, you won’t have the needed support and you’ll have back pain. Also, if it’s digging in, you guessed it, you need a bigger band size. If you move down a band size, move up a cup size. And the other way around.
- The cup. There should be no bulging or sagging. Move up or down a cup size - don’t forget to verify the band size as well!
What about bra extenders?
When a client is between 2-3 bra sizes - yeah that happens too - a bra extender might do the job. I try to not rely on that option but sometimes the client’s back is too wide for a band size 34 (75) but a 36 (80) is too loose. ‘But why don’t you attach the 36 on the last hook?’ Because then, when the elastic starts getting loose, the client won’t be able to make the band tighter and her bra will not last as long as it’s supposed to! So, NO. I just take a bra extender and put it on the 34, if the cup is perfect on it. ‘Cause the 36 band can be good but if the wire goes too far under the armpit, that ain’t okay. That’s when the bra extender comes in handy. Without changing the cup size, it adds up to 3 more hooks to the bra. It’s also a good option for people who tend to become bloated throughout the day: they can loosen up the bra a bit to be more comfortable.
How much should I pay for a good bra?
It depends on so many factors. My bra size varies from 36DDD/80F to 34DDDD/75G. La Vie en Rose’s sizes are not for me, neither La Senza or Victoria’s Secret. So far, I can fit in Chantelle, CORIN, Simone Perele, Wacoal. Their prices are from $75 to $190 CAD. My bras cost me a lot but they fit like a glove. I can spend the entire day in them and not even feel I’m wearing any.
I’m not telling you to pay $100 for a bra. It just depends on the style, quality, brand, size. DD+ cups are pricier because of the complexity of the design. A stronger support is needed. D cup breasts can weight 10 pounds. Do you realize how heavy that can be for your back? Choose a bra you’re comfortable in. It’s better to pay more for a high quality bra, with a strong elastic band that fits well, than to pay for a cheap bra that will make you hate how you look in your clothes.
How often should I get fitted?
Our bodies change a lot. We might not notice it. In January you could be wearing a 34D and then in June, when buying the same bra, you could be going home with a 36DD: one cup and one band size bigger! Gain weight or loss affects how often you should get fitted. If you feel like your body has changed you should go get a bra fitting again. I suggest getting it every 6 months. It doesn’t mean you’ll have to spend money again on a new bra. It’s just to make sure your size is ‘up to date’.
Random fact: I have bras for different times of my cycle. During my PMS, they get a cup bigger. They go back to normal after a week. So I have my PMS bras.
Bra care
I don’t buy 10 bras per year. I can use the same 3-4 and they’ll still be looking brand new after months and months. I take good care of them because they cost me a lot of money. That’s how I keep them looking like I just bought them:
- Lay them flat to dry. Don’t put them in the drier. Please. Don’t. It will literally destroy the elasticity of the band. It can also twist your wires and deform them. Try to not hang them by the band or by a strap. The weight of the water in the fabric will stretch it. Laying them flat is the best way to keep it the right shape. Also, don’t twist your bra to remove excess water. Do it gently.
- Use gentle soap. Bra stores sell some but you can use gentle laundry soap (for babies clothes, for sensitive skin, for delicate fabrics).
- Buy a lingerie wash bag. If you don’t have time to hand wash them, it’s okay. You can your bras in the washing machine but don’t forget to attach the hooks and put them in a lingerie wash bag. It keeps them from being tossed around the other clothes you are washing them with. The hooks can also pull the thread of a cable knit sweater. There goes your favorite sweater, oh no!
- Hand wash them. It’s the best way of keeping them looking new. You don’t need to rub them. I usually put soap on the places where my body sweated the most: fabric under the armpit area, under the wire and on the back (band).
- Bra rotation. We spend around 8+ hours wearing it. Don’t use your bra two days in a row. It will make the elastic become loose faster. To give it time to go back to its shape, don’t wear that bra for at least 24 hours.
- How often to wash your bra. Every 2-3 uses. It all depends what you did with it. Did you run a marathon is your sports bra? Wash it, girl. Did you just use it to go to the grocery store real quick and took if off after getting home? It’s fine, put it back in the drawer. Washing it every time is exaggerated and not enough is gross.
That was a lot of information, I know. But the more you know about it, the more confident you’ll be when it comes to finding the perfect bra.
I hope this article helped you conquer your tiny fear of getting help for bra shopping! Thanks for reading!
Here are some helpful articles I found online on ThirdLove.com about other points I have not covered:
Bra size chart | Sister sizes | Bra styles guide | Breast shapes | Fit issues
Before work, I don’t really have the time to watch an episode of my favorite Netflix serie. It would mean waking up earlier just for this. It’s a NO from me. YouTube, on the other hand, has a wide variety of channels of all sorts: vlogs, funny videos, gaming, etc etc etc. Here’s my top 5 most watched - and favorite - channels of 2019, by order.
1. Good Mythical Morning
My all time favorite channel on YouTube. I use to watch it every single morning before work. It’s just a great way to start the day. I’ve been watching their vids since 2015!
Rhett and Link, the two hosts of this channel talk about a LOT of stuff. They make all sort of videos: quizzes, guessing from which country does a particular fast food menu and other type of dish come from, buying random items on eBay and guessing how much the seller listed it for, etc. They even invite famous people! Check them out here.
2. Wuant
This young portuguese man, Paulo, mostly posts about his reactions to video compilations. He is based in Portugal and he’s very popular over there! I just find him super hilarious so whenever I feel down, I just watch a video to laugh my butt off! You can watch his videos here, but they are all in Portuguese.
3. Game Grumps
I’ve been watching their funny gameplays since 2014. You don’t really see their reaction on camera but you can pretty much hear them laughing and commenting the games they play and just that makes me jiggle. They even receive very weird games from their subscribers so they can try them out. My favorite episodes were the ones where they play Mario 64 and the Legend of Zelda II. To watch, click here.
4. Nicocapone
I first watched one of their sketches on Facebook. It was hilarious so I subscribed to their channel. The couple, Dani, a portuguese woman and her italian husband Nico, share with us funny relatable couple videos. All of their videos are in french, sometimes in portuguese too. They’re cute!
5. The Try Guys
Four guys film themselves doing absolutely crazy stuff, trying sexy costumes, making recipes without any instructions, doing DIYs, eat weird food... Anything to get the audience listening and wanting more! Whenever I get a notification they released a video, I’m excited to see what interesting - but mostly stupid - thing they tried this time! Here’s their channel.
FEB 18 2020 Snowy day & McCafé @mcdonaldscanada @mccafecanada . What are you up to today? (at Montreal, Quebec) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8uQCzBlVGt/?igshid=lzkdqwxxhnfs
Remember that trend back in the 2000′s? Plucking your brows to the thinnest? I remember. I always had big eyebrows as a child - yay, Portuguese genes - and even though I never followed the fashion trends, I felt like I had to get rid of most of the hair on my brows. Also because I was made fun of. But then, by the end of the 2010′s, it was cool to have bold brows. But how could I make mine grow back to what they used to look like before?
I used eyebrow pencils for two years but, I didn’t like it. Getting up earlier to fill in my brows and give them a decent shape, that wasn’t for me. One day it would look great but the next day, I couldn’t seem to get it the right shape. At one point I gave up. Until I saw an ad on instagram about tattooed eyebrows, or as most of people call it: microblading.
After several months (yes, months) of research, I found a microblading artist not far from my house. She had an instagram and posted about her work. On July 16th 2016 I contacted her to ask her about this procedure. After I put some money aside, I called to take an appointment. And it was on April 4th 2017 that I got it done. So this is it, this blog post is all about my microblading experience.
My first appointment, on April 4th, 2017
I was very nervous because the day before I searched for videos about how it’s done and to know it was a tiny blade that cut into my skin to be able to deposit the color that would create a stroke, that put me off. I wasn’t so sure anymore but I still wanted to get it done.
I was told to avoid drinking any alcohol and not take any medications that would dilute my blood 48 hours prior to the procedure. It was on my first appointment that I met Myann, the certified microblading artist - now PhiBrows Royal Artist - that was going to make my life better with brand new brows. She was sweet, explained the procedure to me and reassured me. I completed a document with some medical info about me, then the procedure started.
First, Myann applied some natural numbing gel on my eyebrows. She asked what type of shape/style I was looking for (bold, fine, natural looking). I said as more natural as it can be! She then used a special measuring tool to know where my arch ends, drew my ideal eyebrow shape with a pencil and showed it to me. After my approval, she was ready to start. She showed me she had one-time-use disposable tools, gloves and a mask to show how hygienic the place was. With the blade instrument, she cuts into the skin and creates the lines with precision. Did I feel it? A little bit. If you don’t concentrate on the fact there is a blade creating your new look, you won’t feel a thing. The hardest part for me was the arches because that’s where the skin is thinner on the bone. You feel it a bit more. That’s all. After doing both sides, she applies the pigment, leaves it a short time to set and wipes it off. She checks for places she wants to retouch quickly, takes the mirror and shows to me the brand new ME!
Before heading back home, Myann gave me a balm to apply daily on the brows, some Cetaphil to clean before sleep and explained to me the aftercare, how important it was to follow it: no steamy shower/bath, avoid getting the face wet, no makeup if possible especially not in that area for at least a week, no taking out the scabs, etc. I took a follow-up appointment before leaving, I paid and left.
The healing process
The hardest part of all that is to be patient. The first day, the brows look good, they have the right color and the strokes look good. The next couple of days, the brows look very dark. Too dark. Damn it. The next week, they start having scabs, they are patchy, they look dirty.. Then, they start disappearing. At this point I was panicking, but Myann told me it was totally normal. Two days before my follow-up visit, they showed up with the great color. Overall, it takes a month. 30 days or more of being patient, careful and trusting the technician with her work - but also respecting the aftercare!
The follow-up appointment, on May 9th 2017
This happens about a month after the first appointment. It is a very important step because that’s when the technician checks how it healed. I followed all the advice she gave me; the cleaning process, not touching the scabs, applying the balm daily. It showed because my brows almost didn’t need any retouching.
My yearly appointment, on January 31st, 2018 (and 2nd time getting them microbladed)
Usually, microblading lasts from 10 months to 2 years. It all depends on how you take care of them (never thought I’d say this about brows). If you plan on tanning or go to spas (in saunas), you have to use an SPF to protect your brows, otherwise they could fade. It’s a different way of life. You won’t have to draw them every morning but you’ll have to be extra cautious if you want them to look good for the longest time.
Almost a year after getting my brows microbladed, Myann contacted me for the annual visit. I went through the same process as the first time I got microblading, but it was a better technique called PhiBrows. Thinner lines, more precise than ever and the strokes were more ‘hair-like’ looking! And this time, the brows would stay even longer than the first time. From January 2018 to February 2020!
My honest opinion about this experience
Getting my eyebrows ‘tattooed’ on me by the magical thing that is microblading has changed my life. I feel prettier than ever, I feel confident without any makeup on - yes, just by having nice brows -, I have more time in the morning - hm yeah, trying to get the right shape without looking like a clown would take me a while, I’d end up giving up and being annoyed by it -, I could go on and on with the pros of getting it done.
Would I get microblading done again?
The price range varies from $300 to $600. You get what you pay for. So if you pay $100 for this type of work, you’ll get exactly what you didn’t want to get: messed up brows.
Other than it being pricey for some people - but you pay for great brows done by a professional and certified esthetician, so how expensive can it be? - it’s not as painful as it seems. Like I said, the ‘worst’ part of all this is the wait: the time between the first procedure to the day your brows start looking like they’re supposed to. So my answer is YES, TOTALLY. I just have to put money aside and book an appointment. I hate retouching my brows every single morning and it saves me some time. YES YES YES.
Thinking about getting it done?
You can check out Myann’s work on instagram
FEV 3, 2020 @cafedecoceramique 🧸 My favorite place to go to unwind and just be creative (at Café Déco Céramique) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8iWEQ6BZfX/?igshid=tzl82xcl9ypr
JAN 23, 2020 A palette #CaffeinePlease #EyeStories da @sephora e as cores neutras 🤩 Adoro! #sephora #sephorapalette #palette #eyestoriespalette @sephoracanada https://www.instagram.com/p/B8iSbhqBFEJ/?igshid=7bg7r6rizmnc
( EN ) I had a vacation week in January 2020. My boyfriend and I wanted to take a short trip of a couple days to Quebec city to celebrate our four years together. I still had some vertigo episodes during our stay in Sainte-Foy but I still managed to have a good time. Here are the details of our trip!
January 19, 2020: We took the bus from Montreal to Quebec around 8:00 am and arrived in Sainte-Foy, QC at 10:50 am. Our hotel room was ready at Best Western Premier Aristocrate so we decided to directly go there to drop off our luggage; one bag for the both of us since we are not staying for over five days.
Right after this, we were hungry so we went to Cosmos Laurier, a restaurant on boulevard Laurier, not far from our hotel. The food was okay. I had higher expectations but I don’t regret trying it. We went back to the hotel and took a well-deserved nap: we both had a hard time trying to fall asleep the day before, for some reason.. Around 19:00 we woke up and went to the restaurant that is on the hotel’s first floor: La Fenouillere. I like trying new dishes and I was not disapointed AT ALL. The food was delicious, the waitress was so kind and the setup was romantic.
January 20, 2020: Our plan: going to the Aquarium du Quebec. It was not our first time there but I have a very bad memory so it’s like everything is all new for me. We had lots of fun. My favorite part was seeing the walruses. They are bigger than I pictured! After that we took an UBER to Galeries de la Capitale. Last time I went, the mall was being renovated and the Mega Park was closed. BUT GUESS WHAT? This time it wasn’t! They had new attractions (aaaah) and the mall was like brand new (woah). We had lots of fun. We ate at the mall, shopped a bit and we went back home around 20:00.
January 21, 2020: We woke up early - and by that I mean ‘vacation early’ so let’s say, 10:00 am. Before booking our hotel, I had checked the museums current exhibitions in Quebec and there’s one that looked super interesting: Venenum (about venom). When I told my fiance, he was as excited as I was. We spent a good two hours at the Musée de la Civilisation and since it’s in Old Quebec, we walked around. We were lucky it was not too cold outside because otherwise we would be freezing our butts. It was fantastic, just walking in the streets full of snow, seeing the old buildings, go take a picture of the Chateau Frontenac, going to the Boutique de Noel (the Christmas shop, open all year round), stopping at Café La Maison Smith to take a cappuccino and enjoy the rest of the afternoon. We ate at Pub Saint-Patrick and went home. We spent our evening relaxing in our hotel room: bubble bath, snuggling and watching tv.
January 22, 2020: Since I had more vertigo episodes than the past days, we didn’t do much. We stayed at the hotel until noon, we left, spent the rest of the afternoon at Laurier Quebec, one of the three malls on boulevard Laurier. It was close to the Orléans Express bus station. That’s how our getaway ended; at 18:00 we were getting in the bus to go back home.
( EN ) It’s our fourth Valentine’s day together (yay). I was waiting for the usual, which is roses and chocolates. This year, my fiance chose something different: eternal roses and french macarons. He bought everything at MFLEURS, a shop in Montreal that sells eternal and/or fresh roses in beautiful displays and arrangements.
He gave me a la bijoux 4 eternal roses (diamond collection), all peaches and cream color, and a la mignon 4 roses (M-signature collection) in Dior Rose white/gold tip color.
The la bijoux is a clear acrylic keepsake box with a lid, with four eternal roses - you get to choose the color, everything is customizable - and a small drawer at the bottom in which you can fit travel sized perfumes, rings, jewelry, makeup. It’s cute, practical and chic. My favorite so far! It costs $99 CAD.
The la mignon is a 4x4x4 inch box, white or black, with a branded ribbon and four eternal roses of your choice. It makes a nice gift for any occasion: weddings, birthdays, valentine’s, etc. Prices vary between $39 and $53 CAD depending on the rose color.
I already had a my ring box that I bought in 2019 for my engagement ring. I chose the peaches and cream rose because it was the demo in the store and I fell in love with the color. It has only one rose and you can display up to two rings. It has an acrylic lid on it and it’s transparent so you can admire it every single day. It costs $59 CAD.
What are eternal/forever roses? They are real roses that can last a year. They are picked fresh, the stems are cut and they go to a special process in which they are submerged in glycerin and other substances so they can be preserved for a year - and even more!
My fiance was working from 18:00 to 6:00am - he works as a security in a luxurious condo and his work shifts are always the same - so we didn’t do any activity together. I went to a portuguese-brazilian restaurant called Boca Boa Grill with my sister. That was my V-Day friday for you!
( PT ) Minha palette de @colourpopcosmetics. Eu escolhi as cores que eu queria: 8 eyeshadows e 1 blush. Qual preferes?
( EN ) My custom palette from #colourpopcosmetics. I chose 8 eyeshadows and 1 blush (the blush is not pictured). Which shade you like best?
stormborns
izzy806
theartofmadeline
blakekathryn
areudirty