10 Beauty Buys under $20

Let me preface this by saying that $20 does not mean the same thing in Canada as it does in the US. Don't go checking the exchange rate now -- it's just different, even on days where our dollar is actually higher. Realistically, I'd say $25 dollars is more applicable, but I did manage to fit everything on this list under $20 without resorting to minis, DIYs, drug store or value packs -- not that I don't adore all of those things!  But in terms of full-sized, regularly available, ready-to-go products, here are ten that fit the price range that I've repurchased.

Indian Aztec Healing Clay $9 -- this is your one-stop solution for all skin problems -- add apple cider vinegar for an extra kick.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm $13 -- Pricey for a lip balm, but the best I've tried.

Murad Acne Clearing Treatment $18 -- I use this as an all-over treatment when my skin starts sassing me.

Clinique High Impact Mascara $19.50 -- I don't even know why I bother with anything else.  This is hands-down the best mascara I've ever used, and I regret straying from it every single time.

MAC Lipstick $19 -- there's a reason this product is so cult; you get an incredible range of colours, so you're sure to find something you like, and the formulas all come in different finishes with varying levels of hydration.

Inglot Blush $19 -- these are even cheaper if you get just the pan from the Freedom System, but a full-size blush still fits within $20!

OPI Nail Polish $9 -- one of the most famous nail brands in the world for a reason; the formula is unbelievable, the brush is so incredibly easy to maneuver, and you're guaranteed to find a colour that works for you.

Hakuhodo J5523 brush $19 -- it's cheaper, softer and washes up better than the MAC 217.  If not for the fact that I had already purchased three when I discovered this, I would have switched over completely.

Pai Muslin Cloth $5 -- screw the Clarisonic, just get 10 of these.  Seriously.

Klorane Dry Shampoo $16.99 -- this smells so clean and does such an incredible job that I could go a week without washing my hair (if I were so inclined).

SURVIVING THE COLD

Despite having lived in Canada for most of my life, being Canadian and undergoing winter every. single. year I still forget exactly how brutal the weather here can be.  In a few short weeks, the temperatures have regularly dropped to below zero and I've had to pull out a few old tricks to protect my everything.

To give context to those of you who don't know firsthand a Canadian winter: Occasionally it gets cold enough that you'll have arrived safely home but the skin on your legs won't warm up for about twenty minutes.

Tip #1 -- MOISTURIZE!
The first sign of winter is the scaliness that happens on my shins -- sure, my skin gets a bit tighter, the area around my nose gets a tiny bit flaky from constant nose-blowing, but it's my shins that take the worst beating.

Tip #2 -- LAYER!
In my second year of high school, we were forced to winter camp and learn the rules of safe winter dressing.

Layer 1: Wear something that wicks moisture away so you don't freeze and die
Layer 2: Wear something that traps heat so you don't freeze and die
Layer 3: Wear something that blocks wind so you don't freeze and die

I live in a city with a five-minute commute so I'm usually okay with a camisole, a long-sleeved tee and a sweater under my coat.  Also, I had no idea that Lululemon leggings would make for such excellent long johns!

Tip #3 - ACCESSORIZE!
Having your hands, neck, head and feet properly covered and wind-protected makes a world of difference.  I'm often tempted to skip the hat on a wavy-hair day, but I always regret it.  I also spent the last two winters (read: Polar Vortex) without any gloves and while I live to tell the tale, I deeply regret that.  I got the pair in the video from Zara Man because my hands are man-sized.

Any tips for surviving the deep freeze?  Be a lamb and share in the comments!

TOD'S Corner: Recent Winter Empties

Over the years, Tod has evolved from beauty guinea pig to full-on, no-holds-barred, Beauty Insider card in-hand beauty enthusiast.  Most of you knew her as that extremely cooperative girl who would let me put makeup on her, but every now and then she stands in as fellow reviewer when I test new product.  In fact, she's significantly more accomplished than me when it comes to actually finishing product, so most of the empties in our apartment belong to her.  Here are their stories. <Click this link for the DUN DUN>

Caudalie Body Lotion

"You know how silicone feels after a while? Not the initial weirdly smooth feel, but after it's soaked in?  It feels like that -- and it smells really good."

Skyn Iceland Eye Cream

"It's got that bouncy, spongey plushy texture, so I really enjoyed putting it on, and it was really moisturizing.  I wouldn't buy it again though -- I honestly haven't found an eye cream that has made me go 'Yes! This is amazing!' but maybe I'm expecting too much.  I need to re-evaluate my eye cream expectations.  I have bags under my eyes, and those are probably genetic.  I'm happy to keep trying though."

- Note from The Procrastintaor: the texture really is fantastic -- it feels like souffle.

Nuxe Reve de Miel

"Oh my God. This makes me so happy.

I go through it super quickly because I use it every night before I go to bed.  I backed this up before this one even ran out so I wouldn't have to be without.  It's also a good way to rack up Shoppers Optimum Points.  It's matte, which is unusual for a lip balm, I don't think I've come that across before.  It'd be great for guys too, since your lips wouldn't be weirdly shiny."

- also a Procrastinator favourite -

Skyn Iceland Serum

"I liked it, but whatever level of skin magic I've reached, I've plateau'd.  It's super hydrating though.  I think you were supposed to use it to calm redness and I think it helped. I'd use it with the Bioderma Antirougeurs, and I think my face has been less red than it has in the past."

Jurlique Age Defying Lotion

"This was a Winners score.  It's a solid nighttime moisturizer. It smelled nice, felt good, but I wouldn't spend more than $20 on it.  Winners also had the Jurlique Rosewater Mist which I'm really enjoying!"

There you have it folks.  She's also super eager to share her life changing products.  Who wants to see?

MY MOST-USED PRODUCTS IN 2014

It's here it's here it's here!!!!  I actually love 2014 Favourites posts -- they rank right below What I Got For Christmas videos -- anyone else spend all of their vacation between Boxing Day and New Year's Eve curled up with a Christmas-sized box of Cadbury Fingers watching those?  #addict

Anyhoo, this is one of those videos I've been shockingly consistent with in the past three years -- I think it's largely because I can't keep up with someone's monthly favourites, so I wait until the end of the year to get the low down.

This year has been one of my most makeup-restrained years since I started Procrastinating Pretty -- I can more or less count on all fingers and toes all of the beauty purchases I made this year!  It's been an amazing year of getting to know my skin (again), trying to develop a regular makeup routine (almost there), and practicing with the products I already own and love.

Check out the video -- it's got close-ups, swatches, and an old-fashioned Procrastinating Pretty ramble.

BEAUTY GOALS FOR 2015

• Figure out my winged liner situation.  Is this something I want to do every day? What's the best shape for my eye? Do I want to do normal and flattering or go straight avant garde a la Dani from Kastor & Pollux?

• Figure out my beauty situation from within. That is, not eating like a four year old but sleeping like one.

• Purge my beauty collection even more.  I'm down to one Clear Cube, a Muji 3-stack and a cosmetic organizer.  I think I could streamline and repurpose a couple of my Clear Cube drawers for everyday things, and one of my Muji drawers for desk essentials.

What did you love about 2014?  Let me know in the comments, then onto 2015!

New York Haul

I didn't end up making it to any sort of outlet (except a Nordstrom Rack, where I didn't buy anything -- are you proud?!), so this haul is much smaller than I anticipated.  That said, I'm excited to not have completely depleted my budget in the first few days of the new year -- snaps for that please!

I mentioned BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone several times over, but have I mentioned exactly how much of a pain in the ass it is to find in Toronto?  There's only one Sephora that I know of that sells BECCA, and they are constantly and consistently out of stock.  I swear, the first time I bought it, I checked back every week for six weeks, and called at least twice a week.  Obsessive compulsive? Only a little.

When I checked out at the line, I found that I had enough points to score the Peter Thomas Roth Best Face Forward 500 point perk.  It includes a gel cleanser (I'm not usually a fan, but I'm excited to try this out), a peel, and a mask.  I have the mask on right now, and I think it could be a new sleeping mask favourite! More to come on that after I've tested more thoroughly.

I also received the 2015 Sephora birthday gift even though my birthday was last month so I technically shouldn't be getting it until December...oh well.  It's two minis of NARS Lip Pencils, which I've never tried before.  I'm liking the look of the red though (NARS Cruella).

Also, a product I've been dying to get my hands on but has also been out of stock when I nosey down to the States is Milani Liquif'eye Eye Liner, now rebranded as Milani Liquid Eye Liquid-Like Eye Liner Pencil -- first impression? I used the entire tip in my first application, so I feel like it'll run out really quickly.

I randomly stumbled across a parfumerie on 4th street where a lovely lady helped me create a custom fragrance.  It was a pretty cool experience -- she asked me to choose four fragrances I liked, and gradually the scent family grew to about 11 different smells.  I am the absolute worst at describing fragrance, but it's a combination of the lily of the valley,  something fruity, and butter. Not actually, but that's what it reminds me of.

Finally, my prized possession and sole goal for this trip: the ONA Roma camera insert. I don't even want to confess exactly how I'd been storing my camera before this, but it was little more than an American Apparel circle scarf and a fabric tote if I wasn't being lazy.  With this new camera bff, I can turn any of my handbags into a camera bag and not worry about it.  Took it for a test run this week and it worked beautifully.

That's all folks!

VLOG: New Year's Eve in NYC

Tod and I had a blast in NYC last week -- we saw some old friends, rang in the new year, and wandered the streets between meals.  This was a five-day glutton's retreat, and we can't wait to do it all over again.  This was largely a food-based trip, but never fear, I have a mini haul coming for you on Thursday.  Check back!

I'm a firm believer in sharing coffee/ice cream/restaurant discoveries, so here are a few of the food spaces we checked out!

Everyman Espresso | Great coffee to go.

136 East 13th Street

New York, NY 10003

Jack's Wife Freda | I die.  Get everything.  Instead of whipped cream, it's Greek yogurt #drool

224 Lafayette Street

New York, NY 10012

Keen's Steakhouse | Chef Bill Rodgers my new favourite person.

72 West 36th Street

New York, NY 10018

Gregory's Coffee | First coffee this trip, conveniently located near Penn Station

874 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10001

Papaya Dog | I accidentally ordered 32 oz of papaya juice. I finished.

239 1st Avenue

New York, NY 10003

Roebling Tea Room | That pancake was to die for.  Not sure how I feel about grits. 

143 Roebling Street

Brooklyn, NY 11211

Ninth Street Espresso | So good.  

700 East 9th Street

New York, NY 10009

Yankee Deli | Egg + cheese + bacon on the roll is a friggin' revelation.

647 East 11th Street #2

New York, NY 10009

Copper and Oak | Literally wall to wall scotch.  The other wall is cognac / brandy / tequila.

157 Allen Street

New York, NY 10002

Mikey's Burger | Cheese fries with spicy mayo and an avocado shake.  Don't ask questions.

134 Ludlow Street

New York, NY 10002

Dough's | EVERYTHING.  Also a Claire Marshall (/heyclaire) recommendation

448 Lafayette Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11205

BONJOUR 2015

Welcome to the rest of the year!

First, some resolutions:

- Floss
- Actually use that planner I bought
- drop that .blogspot.com
- Keep chia, quinoa lemons, and kale in my kitchen at all times

I'm not quite ready to call these resolutions -- can we call the following aspirations?

- Figure out a fitness plan (no promises) and not die after walking up nine flights of stairs
- Get to 1000 Youtube subscribers this year?  Is that realistic? 

I'm really excited to be working on a few new changes to the blog (WATCH THIS SPACE), and to figure out YouTube, to make sure it lives peacefully alongside my blog and that they get along.  I'm also thinking about expanding out of beauty (which I've kiiiiiinda-sorta-barely done in the past couple of months) and giving myself more room to include everything I enjoy in my life, not just skin care and makeup.

Skin care though. You'll always be my first love.