FEARLESS

STEPPING INTO A FAIRYTALE UNDER A CURTAIN OF STARS

Knit tops, distressed shorts, and a cup of tea are the perfect combo for breezy summer evenings. My boyfriend and his coffee obsession have definitely upped my intake of caffeine, so when I want to be "healthy", my alternative would be tea. My current favourite is Toasted Walnut from David's Tea. Perfectly paired with one of my favourite reads, The Night Circus. I don't remember the last time I fell this hard for a book.

THE WAY IT FEELS TO BE COMPLETELY INTERTWINED

Here are my rotating outfits on a recent trip with my boyfriend and his family to Oregon. Before we left Vancouver, it was still drizzling, but when we got to Portland the weather took a turn and it was nothing but warmth and sunshine. Thank goodness cause I was starting to get really bummed out, thinking I can't sport my shorts for a consecutive summer.

LIFE WITHOUT YOU IS SOMETHING I CAN'T SEE

Skeptical? Yes. Proven wrong? Yes.

I have sensitive combination skin.  The oily side drives me up the wall. I've tried combating shine with numerous products from pressed powder which was unfriendly to my sensitive skin to translucent loose powders that cast a white sheen over my existing makeup to gel mattifiers that feel thick and only last for a few mins. I absolutely frown upon packing a makeup bag just for touch ups, so I'd use Starbucks napkins for blotting... until now!

When I saw Urban Decay DeSlick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray, I cringed at the packaging. Then I purchased a trail size bottle and followed the instructions. I apply my moisturizer, primer, give it a few sprays and let it dry before I apply foundation. Do the rest of my makeup and then spray again to set it.

Does it really control shine for up to 16 hours? Don't be crazy. My theory is if your skin is oily, it's only natural for it to release oil - it would be unhealthy for you to keep the oil from surfacing, which can most likely lead to breakouts. Sides, the biggest advantage for having oily skin is no wrinkles! My mom is in her 60s but no one believes her cause she looks 40.

So when shine does surface, I use Urban Decay DeSlick Mattifying Powder over the shiny areas. It does not destroy the rest of your makeup by making it lighter. It truly just mattifies your face and makes your makeup look "fresh" again.

Verdict: The miracle product is the DeSlick Setting Spray, as it really helps control initial shine. Usually by the time I finish applying all my makeup, my forehead is already starting to shine, especially in the summer heat. It doesn't last all day but a few sprays that help control oil for a few hours? That's enough to blow me away and purchase a full size bottle.

As for the DeSlick Mattifying Powder, if you're already happy with your powder, then you can skip this. Besides not making me look like a ghost, I like this cause it comes in a beautiful compact instead of a jar that most translucent powders come in. It is lightweight and does not break me out like other pressed powders do. The downside is the "puff" - if I can even call it that - it's pathetic. I'm not sure how many times I can use it before it gets completely destroyed; it's so thin. The compact doesn't give you enough room to fit a standard-sized applicator inside so I'll have to figure something out when it needs to be replaced.