Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Last-Minute Shoppers: Drugstore Beauty Finds

Just as this gift guide is kind of last-minute (sorry guys, 2018 has just been such a crazy year for me), I'm sure some of you may be scrambling for last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers. If you've got a beauty lover on your list, look no further than your local drugstore for these fun finds. If you're in Western Canada, most of these can be found at London Drugs!

Makeup Brushes. I particularly love Real Techniques and EcoTools because they are great quality at an affordable price. The Real Techniques Mini Multitask Brush ($8.99 CAD) could easily be thrown into a purse for on-the-go touch-ups while something like the EcoTools Start the Day Beautifully Kit ($18.99 CAD) features brushes for a full face and comes in a useful storage tray. If your giftee is more of a makeup sponge girl, the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge ($10.49 CAD) is a nice alternative to the much more expensive Beauty Blender.

False Lashes. Maybe not for everybody but if you've got a lash lover on your list, look for MesmorEyes, available as singles ($5.99 CAD) or trios ($12.99 CAD). This brand stands apart from your basic lash brand because theirs are designed specifically for your eye shape. Find the perfect fit for almond, hooded, round, and monolid eyes!

Face Masks. Single-use masks from Montagne Jeunesse like the 7th Heaven Pink Guava Peel-Off Mask ($1.99 CAD) are always a hit. Multi-use tubes, such as the new KISS NY Professional 24K Gold Peel-Off Mask ($6.99 CAD), are also a good pick for avid maskers.

Nail Polish. I like the idea of a colour/top coat duo like this festive red (Cherry Delightful) from Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure ($9.99 CAD). OG readers of my blog will know these polishes were among the first to kickstart my now insane nail polish collection (check out this post from way back in 2010).

Mascara. It's a makeup must-have that needs to be replaced every 3 months... every girl could use a backup! For something a bit fancy, there's the new L'Oreal Unlimited Mascara ($16.99 CAD) which has a two-position wand (straight or bent), but you can't go wrong with a classic like CoverGirl LashBlast ($9.99 CAD). The new Active version is supposed to be sweat-resistant and smudge-resistant, making it perfect for workouts.

Lipstick/Lipgloss. I feel like one can never have enough lip products, be it lip balm, lipstick, or lipgloss. CoverGirl has revamped their Colorlicious Lipsticks, now called the Exhibitionist Cream Lipstick ($10.99 CAD), with sleek new packaging and 48 different shades to pick from. I'm also obsessed with the super holographic Almay Goddess Gloss ($10.99 CAD) which can be layered over lipstick or worn on its own.

Chanel Mini Backpack

Ever since I jumped back on the mini backpack train and also started using one for my office commute, my love for "fashion backpacks" has grown. It was really only a matter of time before a luxury one entered my collection, and what better than a classic Chanel with gold hardware? Special thanks to my new hubby -- I've bought all my own designer bags up until now and it seems I've finally rubbed off on him because he got me this one as a random just-married present!

Coat: Ever New / Blanket Scarf: Dynamite (c/o) (similar)

Boots: Stuart Weitzman (here) / Backpack: Chanel

Hat: Mackage (here) / Gloves: Club Monaco (here)

FOTD: Stila "Vivid Labradorite"

Stila's Vivid & Vibrant Collection came out this Fall and features some really pretty jewel tones. In the midst of beautiful sapphires and jades, however, I was drawn to the shade Vivid Labradorite, which is a cool metallic grey... perfect for creating a smokey eye for any holiday parties you might have coming up.

The shade comes in a few products, including an Eyeshadow Duo and the two I received from a media preview a while back: Shimmer & Glow Eye Shadow and Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner. I've never really been a fan of liquid eye shadow but the Shimmer & Glow is actually quite a nice product. The doe foot applicator delivers concentrated pigment that feels like nothing on the lids and you don't have to deal with any fallout like you would with a powder. It dries to a non-transferable finish, but if you work fast you can easily use your finger to blend it in or with another colour. The Smudge Stick glides on smoothly but I wouldn't say it's long-wearing despite being waterproof... ironically, it smudges considerably after a long day.

For my "Vivid Labradorite" makeup look I wanted to use a few other Stila products I've been excited about, namely the Heaven's Hue Highlighter in the cult classic shade, Kitten. This shimmery nude is the palest of pink and is a perfect complement to the Kitten Eye Shadow that I ran along my bottom lashes.

On my lips, I'm wearing the Stay All Day Lipstick in Fia, described by Stila as a "neutral nude." I'm pretty tan from my honeymoon (more on that coming soon but you can see some preview pictures on my Instagram) so on me it runs more brown and kind of makes me feel like I'm living in the 90s. While I prefer more traditional lipsticks, Stila's formula has always been a favourite. It's pigmented and although it dries a creamy matte, it doesn't feel drying or uncomfortable.

P.S. Can you believe it's already December and Christmas is basically a few weeks away? This year has just flown by!!

MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Foundation

I have tried a few other foundations from MAKE UP FOR EVER (here and here) and each time my comments were the same: they didn't work for my oily/combination skin nor my preference for matte finish makeup. When I received the Matte Velvet Skin ($48 CAD) in the mail this summer, it seemed like the MUFE gods were finally answering my foundation prayers. But did it live up to the hype?

Short answer: sort of. I'll explain.

The Matte Velvet Skin foundation is a reformulation of MUFE's previous matte offering. It features FLEXI-FIT, the brand's exclusive technology for skin comfort and breathability. MUFE claims the new formula resists cracking so you won't look cakey and maintains a velvety finish for up to 24-hours (supposedly it's waterproof as well). It also comes in 40 shades which offers incredible choice for hard-to-match skin tones. 

I really like the texture of this foundation; it's not watery but not too thick either. I find it blends easily and is very buildable. The picture below was taken just after applying the foundation. As you can see, the coverage is medium to heavy (which for me means creating a flawless base but doesn't completely camouflage my freckles) and can be built up without looking unnatural. It also doesn't really feel like I'm wearing heavy foundation so I'd say the claims about Matte Velvet Skin being comfortable are pretty accurate and thankfully I haven't experienced any breakouts due to use.

Unfortunately, where I think this foundation falls apart is wearability. I've worn it to a workout and it didn't separate or melt off. However, for some reason, and I don't know if it's just my skin, but this simply doesn't stay matte... which for me, is kind of the whole point of using a matte foundation. I have tried primer underneath and topping it off with the MUFE Ultra HD Powder, as recommended by the pros, but am constantly blotting my nose throughout the day (where the foundation seems to have the worst time sticking). 

I note that the foundation does seem to remain velvety on the rest of my face but if you suffer from an oily T-zone like me I'd say be aware that this foundation probably will not stay matte "all day." I would recommend this for people with normal over oily/combination skin like mine. 

Korres Wild Rose 15% Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C has been popping up in skincare products for a number of years now and for good reason; it evens skintone, fights aging, and improves hydration. I've consistently kept some sort of Vitamin C product in my routine and my latest addition is this KORRES Wild Rose 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum.

KORRES is a Greek skincare brand inspired by homeopathic traditions and specializing in natural ingredients. I seem to recall it used to be sold in Canadian Sephora stores back in the day (I believe it is still sold in American Sephora stores) but is now carried exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart. Their Wild Rose Brightening line is arguably their most popular, with this 15% Vitamin C Serum being the newest addition.

This bi-phase (oil and water) serum contains 15% Super Vitamin C, the highest concentration of clinically effective stabilized Vitamin C. This potent ingredient increases skin’s absorption of ascorbic acid by 1,000%. Other key ingredients include 10% Wild Rose Oil, Bisabolol & Ginger Root Extract, Vegetable Squalene, Pro-Vitamin V5, and Vitamin E. Together, this combination targets dark spots and discolouration, reduces fine lines, combats pollutants, and provides maximum moisture to the skin.

The product is comes in a glass bottle with a dropper applicator. It must be shaken before use due to its bi-phase nature and can be applied morning and/or night for an intensive treatment.

I've never been the biggest fan of rose scents but since this one contains no synthetic fragrances, you get a fresh rose scent that doesn't tickle the nose. I'm also kind of obsessed with how this serum feels on my skin. Upon first application it seems a little oily but it absorbs quickly leaving my face feeling ultra hydrated and "plumped". With regular use, my skin texture also appears to be improving and it hasn't caused any horrendous breakouts.

At $99 CAD/30 mL, the price is steep. However, a little goes a long way and I think the bottle will actually last quite a while. Find it online or exclusive at Shoppers Drug Mart (and collect those PC Optimum points with your purchase).

London Drugs #LDBeauty: Fall/Winter 2018 Launches to Look Out For

Last week was an absolute whirlwind... not only did I get married (more on that to come), but just a few days before the wedding I also headed up to Whistler for the #LDBeauty event where we got to preview a ton of exciting beauty launches coming to London Drugs.

The event took place over two days, with a "trade show" (where we got to go around meet all the different vendors and learn about their products) followed by a dinner sponsored by Cover Girl on the first day and a Neostrata workshop on the second day. We came home with a ton of different products which I'm looking forward to trying and reviewing on the blog over the next while but in the mean time, I wanted to share a few of the launches I'm most excited about.

Do you remember when Juicy Couture launched its first eponymous fragrance back in 2006? The gorgeous glass bottle was everything. I bought it as soon as it came out but for some reason my body chemistry didn't really agree with the fragrance blend which was a major bummer. However, the 2018 Juicy Couture Oui is right up my alley. It's light and fruity with top notes of watermelon, acai berry, tea, and pear - yum! Also, I'm loving the 2000s throwback vibe... brings me right back to middle school/high school which was such a fun and carefree time.

I've posted about KISS products a number of times before (here, here, and here). The company is best known for its lashes and nail products, of which there are some very exciting new designs coming out including chrome nails! However, they're now moving into skincare with a line of face masks. Check out the 24K gold peel-off mask!

Skincare seemed to feature most prominently in the launches at #LDBeauty this year which I loved since I became pretty obsessed with my skin in the lead up to the wedding. I'm also in my 30s so keeping my skin in tip-top condition is now a major priority.

The Prevage Progressive Renewal Treatment is being touted as an at-home chemical peel that's safe to use and considerably cheaper than going to a dermatologist (I believe the price was around $243 for the box).

Retinol is also super big right now (or maybe it just piqued my interest the most since I have been loving the addition of retinol to my skincare routine). StriVectin S.T.A.R. Light™ Retinol Night Oil is a fast absorbing dry-finish oil that works overnight. The Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules, another night treatment, deliver potent doses of retinol through single-use capsules.

For those interested in more natural skincare, look out for Derma E which was a new-to-me brand. They offer a seriously impressive range of products to target whatever concern you might have. Even better, they're packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and botanicals so you can feel good about what you're putting on your skin.

I know it's only October but in the beauty world, Fall also means holiday launches! I often post about offerings from Burt's Bees (see here and here), and it looks like this year won't disappoint. If you're on the hunt for a beauty advent calendar, look no further than the NYX Sugar Trip Advent Calendar packed with 24 days of amazing products from lipsticks and glosses to blush and highlighter. It would make the ultimate present for someone... or even yourself!

London Drugs never ceases to amaze me with the amount of beauty and skincare products they sell. In fact, I feel like the brands they offer just keep getting better and better as each year passes. Plus, how convenient is it that the store is also a one-stop shop for food, home products, electronics, and everything else you might need? If you don't live in Western Canada, don't forget you can also shop online.

Wedding Hair & Makeup Trial: How To Prepare and What to Expect

There are lots of things to be excited about when you're planning a wedding but for a beauty blogger like me, coming up with my wedding look was one of my most anticipated. I'm obviously not a Kardashian so getting professional hair and makeup is a pretty rare occurrence, and it's always fun to see what you'll end up looking like when you hand over the reins to someone else. Since I just had my hair & makeup trial, I thought I'd share some of the things I learned!

1. Research, research, research

If you decide to go the professional route, a lot of research is involved in picking the right makeup artist/hair stylist for you. I knew that I wanted someone who could do both (two birds with one stone) and they had to be able to offer services for an entire bridal party plus my mom. I obtained a list of recommended HMUA from my wedding planner, did my own research for any additional ones I'd read good reviews about, and e-mailed them all for quotes. After comparing quotes, I narrowed down my choices and checked out their work on Instagram to see who might be a good fit. Some brides may want a more natural look or prefer someone who works with a particular ethnicity often (e.g. makeup for Asian features). I ended up choosing Jayna Marie Makeup + Hair because she's won lots of awards, had great reviews, and I liked her work.

2. Pinterest is your friend

Once I picked my wedding theme/decor and found my dress, I already had a pretty specific vision of how I wanted my hair and makeup to look. I very rarely wear my hair up so I knew I needed a style that would allow most/all of it to be down. I also love bold eye looks and neutral lips but wanted to play off of my dress and wedding accent colours in the makeup shades. My wedding theme is "west coast greenery" so I purchased a custom greenery comb from Oh! Dina Millinery and combed Pinterest for ideas on how to incorporate greenery into a hairstyle. I also decided that I wanted a gold based smokey eye and found some examples that I liked.

Sources: left // right

3. Bring everything to your trial

For my trial, I purposely wore white on top so I'd at least know how the hair and makeup looked against white clothing (when I got home I did change into something a little fancier so I could get the full effect). I also brought all my accessories with me: my greenery hair comb, the earrings I'm planning on wearing, and hair extensions to add volume to my thin hair.

4. Be flexible

After meeting Jayna and talking about my vision, I let her get to work. It's important to trust the professional! Jayna ended up changing the hairstyle slightly from what I originally asked for (everything to the side) because my hair isn't super long and it wouldn't have looked as good. She did show me how it would look that way and left it up to me to decide what I'll end up going with. She also really amped up the lashes (they are double layered and basically triple the length of my natural lashes) which was a pretty huge shock for me when I looked in the mirror for the first time... it's a lot of look but I kind of like it!

5. Check the wear time and take pictures

After you're all fancied up, it's important to test the wear time on your makeup. You want it to really last since your wedding day is long. A lot of people recommend having your trial on the day of your engagement shoot or for your bridal shower so you can really get your bang for your buck, which I think is a great idea. If you have your dress, try it on to get a preview of how you'll look on your wedding day or wear it to an alterations appointment. I didn't really have that luxury due to timing but I did make note of how shiny I got, anything I want to change, and will bring that feedback to Jayna. I also took pictures when I got home to see how the makeup looked outside of Jayna's fancy studio lights.

It's so crazy to think that my wedding is just a few weeks away... I hope this post was helpful for any other brides-to-be. Stay tuned for the final look!

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex

The Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair line is, I think, my favourite from the brand (the Intensive Recovery Ampoules are serious skincare saviours). I just love the idea of incredibly potent products that are meant to work their magic while we're sleeping so we can wake up looking more youthful and refreshed.

Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex is a new treatment for the eye area that helps repair the visible impact of lack of sleep, UV, pollution, and even blue light from all those screens we're constantly looking at. It's the first of its kind specifically targeting blue light pollution and I bet we'll be seeing a lot more products coming out with this in mind in the near future.

I was lucky enough to take home the Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex after a recent event (love the cute plastic globe it came in!) and have been putting it to the test ever since. It retails for $80 CAD which is quite pricey for an eye cream but a little goes a long way and you do get 15 mL in the container.

The texture is a lightweight GelCreme which feels luxurious on the skin and absorbs quickly. It doesn't leave a tacky finish either which can be annoying when you are trying to apply eye makeup on top. There is a slight perfumed scent, however, which may irritate sensitive eyes... I would just caution to be careful not actually get this too close to your eyes and concentrate just on the delicate skin around them.

Although I don't typically have bags unless I haven't been getting enough sleep, I have noticed that my undereye area does look brighter in general. Plus, it doesn't hurt to keep up with preventative measures! If you're in the market for a new eye cream/serum/treatment, definitely give this one a look.

90s Tommy Hilfiger

I remember back when I was in middle school and high school, flares and bell bottoms were all the rage and my mom/aunts telling me that they used to wear the exact same clothing. Well, I'm now old enough that trends are making their way back round again. Not gonna lie, it's a little weird!

For the recent I Love the 90s concert (featuring C&C Music Factory, All 4One, Young MC, and Salt N Pepa) I attended, I wanted to dress the part. Thankfully, my mom is the type of person who never gets rid of anything so she had this OG Tommy Hilfiger coordinates set that is actually from the 90s unworn and hanging in her closet. Funnily enough, I swear I've seen teenagers wearing this exact outfit. Turns out I'm actually into it... in fact, I will definitely be wearing it again and not just as a pseudo-costume.

Shirt: Tommy Hilfiger / Leggings: Tommy Hilfiger / Shoes: Reebok x Sandro

Hoop Earrings: Leah Alexandra

My Vegas Bachelorette

Yikes, somehow I've let the entire summer pass with barely a blog post in sight... it has just been SO crazy this year planning our upcoming wedding. I do have a ton of things I want to write about so hopefully will be able to get a few reviews out soon. In the mean time, I thought I'd share a recap of my recent bachelorette trip to Las Vegas!

The trip was planned by my MOH and one of my bridesmaids and was a total surprise until the day of. I was told what days to book off work and given a packing list but the ultimate destination and the activities we were doing were totally unknown to me. I'm the type of person who reads movie spoilers and flips to the back of the book to find out the ending before I've even started reading so the fact that I was able to refrain from shaking the info out of my friends was quite a feat. Side note: I'm keeping my friends off the blog for their privacy so the pictures in this post make it look like I was in Vegas by myself... I promise I wasn't alone!

My MOH got me a super cute Hello Kitty hat to wear (see below) -- when in doubt get me anything Hello Kitty because I am obsessed with her, haha. I was also excited to use my new Away Luggage, which ended up being the perfect companion for this 3-4 day trip (it's the Carry-On in white).

When I arrived at the airport, my friends were already there and on their phones they were playing a Backstreet Boys song... because we were going to the BSB concert that night!! Total dream come true. I had the best time singing along to all their classics and reliving my teenage years.

The next day we went to a pool party which is something I've always wanted to do in Vegas. It was super fun chilling at the pool, listening to the DJ, stuffing our faces with appies, and drinking cocktails. It also gave me the perfect opportunity to wear this "BRIDE" bikini that I've had for months.

Later that night we headed to the Strip for dinner at the Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill located in Caesar's Palace before we hit the club. I'm way too old to be clubbing but the clubs in Vegas are unlike anything back home (thousands of people, multiple rooms) that it really was something we all wanted to check out. We went to Hakkasan where Zedd was playing.

We didn't get to bed until 3 a.m. so a delicious brunch was in order the next morning. We had made reservations at Mon Ami Gabi, which is in the Paris Hotel. Afterwards, we decided to check out some of the other hotels on the Strip including The Venetian with its infamous indoor canal and gondola rides.

We ended off our last night in Vegas at our hotel, the SLS Las Vegas. It is a super cute boutique hotel at the north end of the Strip which meant it was much quieter and nicer to come home to. It also has its own monorail station so it's convenient to get around. If you are heading to Vegas, I would definitely recommend it!

Dinner that night was our favourite of the trip: Mediterranean tapas at Cleo. The food was sooooo good. We also hit the casino for a bit of "gambling" (in quotes because none of us are high rollers and won 60 cents only to lose it again).

It was tough heading back to Vancouver after such an amazing weekend with my friends. It's a lot rarer to get to go on girl trips like this now that we're all older and have so-called "adult responsibilities". I seriously cannot thank them enough for treating me to such a great time!

EcoTools Facial Mask Mates

As an avid masker, I'm always looking for new ways to enjoy my "pamper time" and recently purchased a facial mask brush from Origins (you may recall it was on my Sephora VIB Sale Wishlist). At $20 CAD, however, the price for the Origins brush is a little steep... especially when you can get the even more affordable EcoTools Facial Mask Mates set for less than $10.

Also Pictured: 7th Heaven Dead Sea Mud and Coconut Cream Masks

The set contains a mask applicator brush for easy application of any cream, gel, or clay mask. Using a brush rather than your fingers makes the whole process mess-free and also allows you to conserve product because you can control how much you're layering on your face.

Once ready to remove the mask, you can then use one of the three mask remover sponges included in the set. I usually use a wash cloth but a sponge is a great way to do it too. EcoTools recommends another use for them as well: with your cleanser as part of your everyday skincare routine to remove dirt, oil, and makeup.

In case you were wondering how the two compare, the Ecotools mask applicator brush is a pretty decent alternative to the more expensive Origins brush. Both have synthetic bristles and are similar in shape (Origins is a little wider but they are about the same level of density). The Origins brush does feel a bit weightier and more substantial but both get the job done just the same.

If you have to pick, the EcoTools set is a no-brainer! It's definitely made my masking routine even more enjoyable and is a great buy that you can find at your local drugstore (London Drugs, Rexall, or Pharma Plus, to name a few).

Revlonissimo Color Sublime: Ammonia-Free Hair Colour in Three Stimulating Scents

My hair had been in dire need of a touch-up so it was most fortuitous that I was offered an appointment to try the new Revlonissimo Color Sublime a few weeks ago. A salon-exclusive treatment, this line of Revlon Professional hair colour is ammonia-free and offers something never-before-seen (or smelled): customizable fragrance!

Getting my hair done is always a bit of a treat... the head massage, the blowdry... it's an experience that you really want to indulge in. With Color Sublime, you can choose from three different fragrances, depending on how you're feeling. Sunset Mood is a tropical affair with notes of orange, mandarin, peach, apricot, rose, and musk. Sweet Gourmet is reminiscent of baked goods with notes of lily, jasmine, chocolate, cocoa butter, vanilla, and musk. Finally, Zen Moment transports you to the spa with notes of orange, lemon, rosemary, clove, tangerine, lily, freesia, wood, and musk.

For my colour session, I chose Sweet Gourmet because I felt like something homey and comforting. Plus, I might have been a bit hungry since it smelled exactly like fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. Yum!! It was nice to breathe it in and not have to worry about huffing damaging fumes. Since Color Sublime is ammonia-free, you're also getting a treatment that is more gentle on your hair but still rich and vibrant. The line is available in 51 shades and can lighten up to 3 levels.

I personally have been going darker these days (especially after my time as a blonde) and was super happy with how rich my colour turned out. My hair also felt incredibly soft and it was fun to have that added bonus of a special fragrance chosen by me (note: the fragrance is present during the treatment but not really once it's washed and conditioned for obvious reasons).

Thank you to Revlon Professional and Pink Lime Salon & Spa in Yaletown for this fun experience!

Carbon Coco Ultimate Carbon Kit: Teeth Whitening with Activated Charcoal

With the sheer amount of photos that will inevitably be taken, weddings are always a good excuse to work on your appearance, from hitting the gym more often to growing your hair longer for a fancy hairstyle (both of which I've been doing myself). Another thing I'm working on: teeth whitening thanks to Carbon Coco!

A while back, the company sent over their Ultimate Carbon Kit for me to try out. The star of the kit is Carbon Coco's Activated Charcoal Tooth Polish. A finely milled black powder, it's an oxidized version of charcoal with a hint of bentonite clay and lemon myrtle that supposedly whitens and polishes teeth without any chemicals or bad-for-you ingredients.

To use, you wet the toothbrush (conveniently made with dark bristles to avoid staining) and dip it in the powder. Brush in small circles for 2-3 minutes, spit out and rinse. The powder is odourless and tasteless but the sensation is a bit weird at first. You can feel the powder on your teeth, but it's not gritty and shouldn't cause any sensitivity.

The powder is followed up with the Activated Charcoal Toothpaste, which is also black in colour but foams up. I don't usually like spearmint flavours but this toothpaste was actually quite refreshing once I got past the strangeness of my teeth looking black while I brushed. Thankfully it does all rinse clear. The toothpaste acts as a protectant from staining to maintain your pearly whites.

Pretty easy to use, right? The main caveat I would give to anyone interested in trying these products is that they can get messy if you're not careful. The first time I tried the Tooth Polish, I accidentally used too much and got black powder all over my bathroom sink and counter. You only need to use a tiny bit of powder so once I got the hang of it, the mess factor was no longer an issue.

As for the whitening capabilities, my teeth are already pretty white but I have noticed they do seem brighter. The results are great for only 7-14 days of use (the recommended course).

Overall, I definitely prefer the Carbon Coco system over other more conventional at-home whitening products like Crest White Strips. I love not having to worry about harsh chemicals and potential tooth sensitivity, plus I need to brush my teeth anyway so it doesn't add much extra time to my night time routine.

The Ultimate Carbon Kit is super reasonably priced (on sale now for $59.95)... just make sure you factor in shipping time from Australia since it does take a while to get to North America.