Farewell, Blogger.

I can't believe this is the last post I'll write on Blogger.  It feels SO weird.  For the past four and a half years (it's been that long, I've just deleted 85% of the embarrassing content), I've opened up my browser, logged into my blogspot editor and crafted all of my posts in this space.  I'm not someone to write up posts in Microsoft Word or in a gmail draft -- this is the only processor I use.

It was time for a change -- I'm not super well versed in coding of any sort, so I turned to the magical (read: MINIMAL) world of Squarespace with its crazy beautiful templates, and I'm taking the plunge.

I hope you'll all join me over there, and celebrate the fact that I've finally, finally dropped that .blogspot.com.

25th birthday resolution, check.

See you over at www.procrastinatingpretty.com.

Hangover Cure: Skin and Makeup

I don't go out that often anymore since I'm the least motivated person in the world, except when it comes to binge-watching any Netflix series or Criminal Minds.  Or Scrubs.  Or all TV.

Starting over -- I don't go out that often, but when I do, I don't handle any drinks well.  I'm that person who passes out after two glasses of wine, but not before my entire body rejects it by breaking out in hives.  That said, every once in a while, I'll be social (read: share a bottle of wine while collectively binge watching TV) and my mid-twenties body doesn't always fare well the next morning.  I try my hardest to coordinate Advil and water ingestion, but things happen.  Hangovers happen, and you can do something about it. Yes, you!

I have three priorities the morning after: alleviating dehydration inside and out, not being mistaken for a zombie, and eggs benedict.  In the video above I address the first two issues, and most breakfast places will help you out with the third.  Alternatively, you can DIY it by watching my Eggs Benedict tutorial here!

Anyways, check out the video to watch Tod go through every step I take to cure a hangover -- I woke her up SUPER early to this (for authenticity obvs).

PS: I don't think I've ever asked you this before, but are there posts you'd like to see from me in particular?  No question is too small -- in fact, the more basic it is, the more complicated I can make it look on video. True story.

Also, check this resemblance:

Life-Changing Products | TOD'S CORNER

A few weeks back, I rounded up a few of Tod's Empties (link HERE), and I asked you if you wanted to see her favourites.  These aren't just any favourites though -- these are life-changing products that she's stuck with for years (except the mascara, I threw that in because she raved about it every day for the first 30 days that she used it -- it earned its spot).  I can firmly attest that these products are in heavy rotation -- her product A.D.D. is significantly less rampant than mine.

In addition to the products above, she's also currently obsessed with Supernatural and tacos.


Darphin Camomile Oil
"I never expected I would like this as much as I do! It was a Shoppers Optimum Redemption impulse buy! But I'll put this on and when I wake up in the morning, my face feels like it's glowing -- and I know it's only that because I don't use anything else when I put that on."

Vitry Nail Care Treatment
"As long as I can remember, my nails have peeled.  I've tried so many different things to strengthen them, from every single brand, but they would still peel especially when it was dry. This is the first thing I've ever used that's ever stopped them from peeling and seems to make them grow faster.  I've been through four bottles and I have at least five backed up."

MUFE Smoky Lash Extravaganza
"So nice.  With pretty minimal effort it separates out my lashes but coats them individually so they all look thicker. I want volume -- I don't need length or curling -- but I hate clumpy lashes.  I like the pointy tip too, but it does tend to pick up a lot of product, so I have to wipe it off."

Urban Decay Primer Potion
"The mini specifically!  It has to be the mini.  It's actually more economical to buy the smaller one, especially if you go by the 6 month use-by deadline.  The larger one takes FOREVER to get through and before I could even get through it the packaging had started to split and the product started separating.  I know it's more money per ml, but I take about six months to finish all of a smaller tube instead of throwing out half larger, more expensive tube.  Back to the product though, I don't put eye shadow on without this.  Otherwise I get lines of product randomly striped on my lids like a zebra."

Paula Dorf Eye Contour Brush
"I don't know why this is so good.  It fits right into my socket -- it deposits and blends colour into my crease with almost no effort on my part.  I reserve this for my crease colour exclusively because I can just use anything else on my lids, even my fingers.  You know this brush is important to me because it's the only one I take on vacation.  It's replaced the MAC 217."

Brow Wiz
"It's pricey and I go through it really quickly but this gives me brow like no other -- it has the best colour.  It gives me the most natural-looking brow, and the spoolie on the end is my favourite.  It has a thin tip so it takes longer -- I don't really do it in the mornings, but sometimes I'll take it with me so I can fill them in later in the day."

BRUSH COLLECTION AND STORAGE

Out of sight, out of mind -- isn't that the way it goes?  If you watched my Makeup Addict Tag last week, you'll have seen that all of my storage is transparent.  I have the worst tendency to forget things that are in my collection!

I keep the brushes I'm currently using in my everyday makeup set up (check it out here), and I rotate them out on a fairly regular basis.  Since my skin is extremely acne-prone, I'm paranoid about putting dirty brushes on my face, hence the need for 5? 6? foundation brushes.  I'm also really lazy about washing my brushes (beauty blogger blasphemy!) so the rotation is SUPER necessary.

When I first started the blog, I had the highest aspirations to owning every single MAC brush in the collection -- it was pretty lofty and unnecessary.  Since expanding my brush collection, I've come to the conclusion that I really don't need all of them, and that I actually prefer a ton of other brush collections.  My current favourites come from Hakuhodo, Paula Dorf, Real Techniques and Suqqu (despite having just the one cheek brush).

While I'm pretty set for brushes (because really, how many fluffy blending brushes does one need?), I still have my eye on a few other brands -- it's that typical beauty blogger Product A.D.D. that's speaking up on me.  I regularly stalk Beauty Bay for RMK brushes on sale, I constantly debate between getting a full set of Chikuhodo or just a few individuals, and the lust for the Suqqu powder brush is SO real I can't even begin to explain it.

I don't often do reviews, but let me know if there's a particular brush you'd like more information on! Also, do you have any brush favourites that aren't in my stash?  Giving you full permission to enable me right now.

A HEALTHY BREAKFAST OPTION

Since I shared my favourite breakfast of all time on Monday (link HERE), I figured I'd share something closer to what I actually eat on an everyday basis.  Ain't nobody got time to whip up that Hollandaise on a weekday.

I've recently gotten into make a green smoothie right before bed and that'll be the first thing I eat.  I think I've just figured out the recipe that I like, but it generally goes as some sort of leafy green, regular water, and flavourings (I like honey and lemon).  I think I might do a video on it, I'm sure there's a really cool way to film that!

My other daily staple is chia pudding -- my mom got me completely hooked on it!  I mix two tablespoons of chia with about half a cup of almond milk, then sweeten with honey.  It is literally that easy -- you might have to shake and/or store a few minutes after it sits, but even if you don't it's not a big deal!

I do have a question though -- since I started eating breakfast about two months ago, I've noticed that I get hungry faster.  Is that weird?

Recipe: How to make Eggs Benedict

Is it appropriate to publicly declare my love for Hollandaise sauce?  Never mind the fact that breakfast is my favourite meal, but there is a special place in my heart for spices, lemon and butter, and until a few years ago, I didn't know that there was a heaven-sent amalgamation of the three.

Eggs Benedict is one of my favourite breakfasts -- it's the most delicious indulgence you can experience, from the richness of the dish itself to the inevitable post-brunch coma you'll experience. If you plan to Eggs Benny, plan for an entire morning/early afternoon.  The experience takes that long.

My friend Laura who you saw in my Holiday Party Tutorial is a food whisperer and she makes the most delicious everything -- literally from raspberry jam to the perfect pie crust to all the random in-betweens.  I've been nudging her to do a food blog, but that remains to be seen.

Check out the video for technique, and everything else you need to know is below! I'll be sharing a healthier breakfast later in the week -- gotta keep those resolutions intact.


INGREDIENTS 

1 cup | butter
1 tsp | salt/pepper/cayenne
1 tbsp | lemon juice
2 egg yolks
2 English muffins
4 pieces of peameal bacon
4 eggs

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Clarify your butter -- it's tempting, but don't stir!
2. Whisk your egg yolks over a pot of lightly steaming water (not too hot, or they'll scramble!)
3. Add a tablespoon of water if you need to help it froth up to a pale yellow colour
4. Take the yolk off the heat and slowly drizzle in the butter in a consistent stream
5. Whisk in lemon to taste
6. Season with salt, pepper and cayenne to taste (not shown in video)
7. Poach your eggs (bring water to a rolling boil, and drop your eggs in for 4 minutes)
8. Fry peameal bacon
9. Toast your English muffins!
10. Build your Eggs Benedict!

My Uniform

Not a word of lie when I say I wear some variation of the following every day:

- Gray sweater (Everlane Raglan Sweater)

- Black jeans (an especially slouchy pair from Theyskens Theory)

- Metallic loafer (Silver Anniel in the photo, gold Joe Fresh in real life)

- Light floral fragrance (usually Miss Dior Cherie or Penhaligon Rose)

- A smoky gray eye (Cle de Peau Color Quad in #9)

- Vampy lip (full disclosure: this is my going-out uniform)

Having come from a uniformed high school you'd think I'd get sick of it, but nope.

The Makeup Addict Tag

Let's not refer to it as an addiction.  At least, not a current one.

It's weird for a beauty blogger to say, but I think I'm kind of over makeup.  Does that sound negative?  I still love everything it can do for people -- giving confidence, expressing creativity and for some people, showcasing their true selves, but I think I'm kind of over products.

That might be beautysphere blasphemy, but I think I've gotten to that point where I know what I like, I know what works, and I don't really want to try too many new things.  Even my great loves of nail polish, lip gloss and brushes have calmed down.  I've gotten to the point where I have everything I know I'll use and I probably won't repurchase until something runs out.

Then again, maybe that was the goal the entire time.  I started writing here because I'd purchased way too many products that I didn't use, and I enjoyed using them other people (mainly Tod).  After four years of this space, I've tried, tested and thrown out enough product to know what I'll never purchase again, and to have decluttered away everything I've used a few times.

I can feel myself pulling away from beauty and more into lifestyle, because let's face it -- when your favourite YouTube videos are makeup storage ideas, you know you're more about the organization/home goods life than anything else.

Not to say that beauty won't still be a priority -- it always will be -- but how would you guys feel about seeing a food post pop up every now and then?  It'll likely be 100% breakfast-related because I am all about that brunch life.  Or maybe a few things about fitness?

LOL. Kidding.

Maybe not though, one day.

8 Red Lipsticks and Nail Polishes You Need

I never knew how much of a red lipstick person I was until I tried to downsize my nail and lip collection and found myself subcategorizing the reds.  For pink/vamp/nude lips, I'm fine with one go-to colour, but the reds...different story.

Most people have capsule make up collections, I have a capsule red pigment collection.  I can't even begin to explain how difficult this is to curate for someone with such an olive skin tone as me.  Coincidentally, it's Chinese New Year, which is the most perfect time to share all of the types of red lipstick and nail polish you need in your life.


Lips (clockwise from the left)

Orange Red: Hands down, NARS Heat Wave.  It was the colour I used in my "How to Make Lipstick Last" video; it makes me look and feel more tan!  It has a matte finish (like everything else I own), so it can drag a little, but on a well moisturized and blotted lip, it'll last ages.

True Red: Chanel Rouge Allure in 99 Pirate -- I LOVE this colour.  It's also one of the more comfortable reds I own and the pigment is insane.  All of these lip colours have mindblowing pigment, but this one just glides on SO easily.

Vintage Red: My first MAC lipstick purchase -- MAC Viva Glam I!  This has a lot of brown to it, probably more than any other red lipstick I own, but I feel like a 40s movie star when I have this on. It's a matte shade so it's not very moisturizing, but I don't find it at all too drying.

Blue-Red: On those days when you need a little pick-me-up for your lips and your teeth?  Look no further than Tarte Lipsurgence Matte in Fiery.  I love the texture of these so much -- it's feather-light and ultra-smooth, leaving you feeling like you're wearing literally nothing.  It also long-lasting but easy to remove with an oil-based makeup remover or Bioderma Crealine!

Vampy Red: Vamp lipstick is here to stay, and as much as I love Tom Ford Black Orchid, Le Metier de Beaute Color Core Moisture Stain Madaket is a more wearable version.  I swatched this in my "How to Make Lipstick Last" video and got way more compliments on it than I could have imagined! Since it's also a stain, it's extremely buildable and lasts forever. One of my favourite ways to wear (besides full-on, of course!) is to pat it into my lips for the most natural berry-stained lip I've ever seen.

Nails (clockwise from the left)

Bright, Summery Red: I love the way Olivia Palermo rocks Essie Lollipop but it just makes my hands look dirty (I'm extremely olive toned, and my hands are probably about NC35-40).  The closest orangey-red I can find for my nails is probably a true red on someone else, but OPI Big Apple Red was my first OPI polish ever, and it holds a special place in my heart.  This also looks incredible on Tod who's an NC 15  (yellow undertone, pale-light skin) skin tone.

Go-to Red:  Chanel Le Vernis Lotus Rouge technically leans a little blue, but this nail polish balances out perfectly on my olive skin.  Chanel Polishes are a guilty pleasure of mine, but I have to say that the texture of this polish is far above and beyond any other I've tried.  As much as I love their limited edition colours, this creamy red polish has the best pigment and spread of all of the Vernis I've tried.


Sexy Red: OPI Quarter of a Cent-cherry is one of those colours I spent days hunting down.  I randomly picked it up in a bargain bin only to fall in love and have it meet a most unfortunate kitchen tile death a few months later.  It took me a few years to locate another bottle; by that time, I never thought I'd see one again.  It's a darker version of Chanel Lotus Rouge, lots of blue, with a hint of brown that turns it into the perfect fall/winter colour. It also goes perfectly with MAC Viva Glam I!

Get Ready With Me/Morning Routine

I'm generally pretty rushed in the mornings before work so I haven't bothered filming a morning routine for that even though it's closer to my regular life.  That said, it would be a 45 second video of me brushing my teeth while simultaneously looking for my keys.  On regular weekend mornings I tend to putter away my time, so there's not really a routine there unless you count watching YouTube for the first two hours of my day, falling back asleep, then contemplating venturing outside to scavenge for food.

A long weekend is an entirely different story.  I'm not sure what it is about having that one extra day to catch up on life, but on one of the three days, I realize I have all this extra time and I bother to wake up properly, make coffee, put make up on and actually dressed.  It's a magical 24-hour alternate universe where I'm both properly hydrated and never late.

Either way, I'm obsessed with these videos -- I can't really watch them unless I know I have a huge swath of time because it is just one click-hole after another.  I don't even know why they're so compelling since they get pretty repetitive after a while (people don't often deviate from wake up/brush teeth/get dressed), but here's mine added to the mix!

What are your thoughts on these random YouTube trends?  Do you love/hate morning routines?  Wait, is this a Get Ready With Me or a Morning Routine?  I don't even know.

ONE INGREDIENT PAMPER - COCONUT OIL

Sometimes I'll go into sudden death pampering mode.  You ever get that?  Where all at once the beauty stars align and not only do you have time to exfoliate your entire body, do various masks and manicure your hands and feet, but you can already picture the most efficient order to do it in?

Of course, Murphy's law dictates that everything else can be perfectly set up, but you'll have run out of your favourite hand exfoliant or Whitestrips.  That's okay -- coconut oil to the rescue!

Start with a hair mask -- I comb a palmful (I have giant hands and super coarse hair so your experience may vary) of coconut oil through my hair from root to tip.  Give your scalp a massage while you're in there.

Head on over to your bathtub with a mix of equal parts sugar and coconut oil and scrubadub.  Get into all the nooks and crannies that you don't normally detail (elbows, knees, shoulder blades, and heels, it's all fair game).  If you're finding the texture too coarse, add more oil.  After you're done completely scrubbing up, fill your bathtub and dump another cup of oil into the running water.

While your tub fills, apply a thick layer of coconut oil to your face.  Is it cheating if I ask you to mix in a spoonful of honey and a few drops of tea tree oil?  Up to you, but my acne-prone skin needs that antimicrobial love.  After applying a layer all over your face, neck and chest, get into the tub. Relax and breaaaaaaaaaaaathe.

After your post-bath shower, take a few minute to revel in your glowy, smooth skin.  In fact, take all the time you need -- you're the boss of your own pamper day.

If you want to be super fancy, grab some cotton socks and gloves, apply a thick layer of coconut oil to your hands and feet before you slip them on.  Then never take them off.

Kidding, obvs.  Wash your hands the next morning.

3 WAYS TO WEAR A CIRCLE SCARF

I can't recall if I've ever written about these before, but I freaking LOVE American Apparel Unisex Circle Scarves.  I've been wearing these for at least seven years now -- I started with the bright emerald green version (I think I also bought a bright orange version on the same day, God knows where that's been left behind), and to this day I'm still constantly asked about them.  Between Tod and me, we have at least four of these that we know of in our house.

These are innocuous little tubes of fabric, just too short to be a sleeping bag, but perfectly sized for rainy day snoods, airline blanket replacements, and a makeshift throw for the first few days that you move into your brand new apartment.

I found myself pretty annoyed with the "How to tie a circle scarf 10 ways" because at the end of the day, they're being used as scarves.  The issue with these videos is that as long as you're using the item as a scarf, it looks pretty much the same regardless which way you tie it.

Its true versatility lies in its ability to repurposed as a substitute for other pieces in my closet.  Check the video above for a full how-to.

What are your favourite wardrobe purchases?

Why I don't moisturize my body

1. I'm lazy.  Occam's Razor -- the simplest answer is often the right one.

2. Why do we even moisturize our bodies?  For one, my body skin has never felt tight the way my face skin occasionally can.  I also don't feel that my body overproduces oil the way my face does if i don't keep it properly hydrated.  There's probably a really good reason to moisturize your body but...see #1.

3. Fine, I occasionally experience flakiness in the winter (limited to the shin area), but I tend to solve that issue by exfoliating really well.  Get yourself a Salux bath cloth -- you'll have the smoothest skin without having to deposit lotion over a square mile of skin.  Also, your body wash will last longer since it creates lather like no loofah could ever aspire to.

4.  I'm not exaggerating, I'm really tall and it's a lot of body to cover.

5. On the rare occasions I do moisturize, it's with Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse (get it here) and nothing else.

5 STEPS TO MAKE YOUR LIPSTICK LAST

I can't be the only person who loves the process of getting ready to go out more than actually going out, can I?  There's just something about settling down and taking time to focus on yourself, really taking the time to unwind, and let's face it -- the people you get ready with are the people you really want to hang out with anyway.

They say I'm an enabler -- I'll push for everyone to order dessert, I'll actively peer pressure people into staying for one last drink, round up the troops for an impromptu trip, and force new lip colours on people.

The comment I often receive in response to "Try this new violet lip pencil I got!" is "Oh no, it'll get everywhere, I can't be bothered."

Yes, you can be.

I will bother you.

Watch my video.

Since my attention span gets shorter and shorter each day, here's the tl;dr version for those of you who didn't make it through the 90-second video:

1) Exfoliate your lips with lip balm and a Q-tip (i.e., forget buying lip scrubs/exfoliants).  Let the lip balm soak in while you finish the rest of your makeup

2) Line and fill in your lips with a nude liner -- this will give your lipstick something to grip and help the true colour come through

3) I apply lip colour in three stages; first I stain it on with my finger to really work in the colour, then I clean up the edges with an angle brush.  For full-on saturated lip pigment, I'll apply the colour directly from the bullet.

4) Blot the colour off with a the cheapest brand of facial tissue available to you.  Higher-quality tissues then to have lotion or other softening agents in them, and they'll have a hard time absorbing the oil from your lipstick.  Remember, oil is the sworn enemy of all lip products.

5) Seal your lips with a translucent powder so your lipstick stays put.  I also love an ultra-matte lip, and this helps tone down the shine of most lipsticks.  If you're looking to keep the shine, skip this step!

 I need to get back into lip colours, I've been eschewing lipstick for absolutely nothing lately. There's no excuse, I'm just lazy. Filming this video has brought the lip colour obsession back 10000000% though

How-To: Tightline

Tightlining!  Qu'est-ce que c'est you say?  It's one of those no-makeup-makeup tricks that makes your lashes look over 9000% fuller!  I didn't mean for that to sound like a mascara tagline.

Most people line on top of their lash line so when you look down, you can see where they've applied the kohl.  This technique is a slightly more subtle version -- it also helps those with limited lid space to conserve room for more eye shadow, since you won't be able to see the eyeliner on top of your lid when you close your eyes. [See Image #3]

In the photos above, you can see the immense difference it makes on Tod -- I used a black pencil for the purposes of this tutorial, but you could easily attempt this with a brown pencil for a slightly more natural look.

In terms of product textures, I prefer a pencil for this step, but I've also played with gel liners -- liquid tends to look too harsh and you end up drawing a thick line to connect the tiny dots you create at the base of your lashes.  It's beyond my capability.


How-to: Tightline your Waterline

Step 1:  Pull up your eyelid to expose the waterline

Step 2: Apply the eyeliner along the base of the lashes.  It doesn't have to be a perfect line; in fact, a series of dashes along the base of the lash will look more or less the same - no need to be neat!

Step 3: If you've done it right, it should look like you have ultra thick lashes, but no liner on the lid.  You can clean up any smudges with a Q-Tip.  Don't wipe them away with your fingers like I'm occasionally guilty of doing - the skin around your eyes is too delicate!

WINTER SKIN CARE ROUTINE

I love the yearly skin care round up.  Hell, I love skin care in general.  I truly believe that happy, beautiful skin is worth investing in -- you only get one skin!  Fair warning, it's a rambly video as opposed to the short, stylistic vids I've been releasing as of late, but when it comes to skin care, I have a lot to talk about.

Also, for the first time EVER in my entire blogging history, I'm doing a guest post!  I share my relationship with my skin over on my friend Gummy's blog, so amble on over there to say hi and show her some love!  She has the most incredible taste in makeup that I've ever seen, so go drool over her beautiful photography and ultra-high def swatches.

Between the video above and the article on Gummy's blog, this is the most intimate take on my skin ever.

Skin care posts are some of the most popular on my blog, so here are the most useful!  I apologize in advance for the hideous quality of the photos.

- Clarisonic vs Neutrogena Wave
- Clarisonic vs Neutrogena Wave Update
- Acne Skin Saviours

I also mentioned this on Gummy's blog, but you'll notice that I haven't included an eye cream. Beauty blogger confession time -- I haven't used one in over year *hangs head in shame*.  Recommendations, please!

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.