Currently Obsessed: Maybelline New York TattooStudio™ Waterproof Eyebrow Gel

It’s been a while since I posted a currently obsessed product! During my pregnancy, I used very few products. Girl... but the ones that I used- I loved! I literally ran them into the ground. I need to stock up ASAP.

At the moment, I don’t really wear a lot of make up. Newborn life has taken over (there will be an update on that soon).... but one of the number one things that I need decent if I leave the house is my brows. 

A few Months ago Maybelline sent their New York TattooStudio™ Waterproof Eyebrow Gel over. Have you seen the commercials?

Maybelline Super Stay 24H Foundation + SWATCHES

A few questions:

- How do you feel about all these new foundations that are now coming out for darker woman of colour?
 - Do you feel like it’s too late?
- Do you feel like this is the perfect time? 

For me, I’m just happy to be included. I know that sounds super corny but I’m happy that I can branch out try other brands and also help you save a bit of money in the process. 

*********

This is such a overdue post. I started writing it with three foundations but stopped. Mostly because I got my hands on a fourth Maybelline foundation. Which you know always changes everything! If you’re looking for a drugstore option try Maybelline Superstay Full Coverage foundation ($14.99 CAN).

NEW Make Up For Ever Products 2018

Guys! Make Up For Ever is at it again! I can’t keep up with all these great products that are coming out this year. I was lucky to get my hands on three of them!! Look at them in their glory and let me know which one is your favourite in the comments section!

First up:

The Make Up For Ever Artist Color Eye Shadows ($22.00 CAN)

There are 121 vivid shades and five different finishes.

You get pigmented eye shadows that you can mix and match. Plus 12 hour wear.

Five Ways to Get a Wardrobe on a Budget from buy/sell groups online

Let me start off my stating that I'm not employed by any social media platform like Facebook BUT if there is a deal online.. be sure that I'll find it! *TWO SNAPS*

The rise of Facebook groups.

Did you know that your next outfit might be on facebook? Hear me out! 

Have you ever checked out the Marketplace or a FB clothing group? 

Introducing Nude by Nature in Canada- Swatches on DARK skin

I love discovering new brands. Especially when they’re going to be in places that I frequent. Shopper’s Drug Mart just got an exclusive new brand called Nude by Nature.
They’re Australia's #1 Mineral Makeup brand.

Five things that I wish I knew about Lash extensions

I know I'm totally getting annoying talking about my lash extension experience.... But I really miss them! Currently.. saving money is the goal. So things will have to be sacrificed. There is a lot that I wish I knew before I became so addicted.

Maybelline- Total Temptation Makeup Collection + PICS

As I state almost every day(tears), I have given up wearing lash extensions until 2019. I’ve pretty much been wearing them straight on and off since the middle of 2015 (when I got married). 

I’m not gonna lie I miss how easy and effortless it was getting ready in the morning or having to attend an event was. I hardly had to do anything. I'd fix my brows, eyeliner, find good lip colour and I was set. But personally.... it all comes down to having to spend quite a few dollars a month. Which ends up being $1000+. I could go on a vacation with all that cash! 

Anyways back to the point, I have been on the hunt for a good mascara for a while! One brand that always is on top of the drugstore lash game is ALWAYS Maybelline. If I’ve ever been in bind "lash wise" I was always able to go to Shopper's Drug Mart -find a Maybelline mascara that works. 

Today's mascara of the day is from their Total Temptation Collection-Total Temptation Mascara ($7.96 CAN Walmart). First off !!!! Let me say this brush is REALLY really nice! I know for a while we could not get away from seeing plastic bristles on every mascara wand. Which I’m still a fan of but nothing beats a good old-fashioned bristles.

NYX liquid suede Brown girl friendly swatches

As a woman of colour, finding a good nude used to be the biggest hassle. People would either give me a colour that was extremely light or unflattering for my skin tone. Or I would get a colour that is too dark and did not complement me. One brand which has been making awesome browns lip colours for all skin tones is NYX. Plus you can find it at your local drugstore! You do not have to make a special online order or wait till IMATS to get what you want anymore. All you have to do is hit up Shoppers Drug Mart to test out some samples or find great Canadian beauty blog (like myself) which for the swatches and names that you should look out for.

BITE BEAUTY Agave three-step lip regimen

I’m putting it ALL out there.... this is the driest winter EVER! I literally have a humidifier going off 24/7 but I’m still having some lip issues. When I practice "good" lip care, honestly everything is perfect. But when I’m having an off day-everything goes LEFT.
But finally I have three products that do the job!

You always have to ask yourself what’s your main goal with EVERY beauty product. Mine is kissable and presentable lips. Okay forget kissable.... Presentable is key right now! I want to be able to wear my matte liquid lipsticks without any peeling! I want to be able to carry on a conversation without wondering if the person is staring at my lips! I know not alone out here! I’m so happy that I had opportunity to try out some extremely popular products from Bite Beauty. I actually shared the products on Instagram and had a reader tell me that she’s been trying to get her hands on all three products for a while but it’s always sold out at Sephora.

Let me show you all the three-step series that currently keeping my lips hydrated!

Smashbox Bawse Deep Red: Always on Liquid Lipstick & Swatch

This statement is going to be weird to some people... but as a woman of colour I was very afraid of red lipsticks. I remember when I was experimenting and my mom used to tell me that those were not her favourite colours on me. If I listened to her I would’ve probably stopped wearing them but you know my social media family out there always told me that it looked great!
So I continued to try more colours.

Let me start off by saying liquid lipsticks over traditional lipsticks any day. This was my first time trying anything from Smashbox in a while (like 2010).

So I was excited to try out the Always on liquid lipstick in Bawse ($28.00 CAN) ** (which I received in a goodie bag from a blog event in 2017).

My Spiced Life Contributor: Eseeri

It's 2018, time for a new contributor on the blog. I love having contributors because:

 -It exposes you all to new people. 

-Helps me share more content.

- Fun to see a new prospective!

Eseeri is a Canadian beauty and lifestyle blogger. She's been blogging for a few years about all things related to beauty, health and fitness, and travel. Her passion for developing lifestyle content stems from her drive of being the best version of herself and she encourages her readers to do the same by sharing helpful tips on travel, and healthy lifestyle habits. 

In her downtime she loves traveling, reading inspirational books, connecting with friends, scouring social media for inspiration, recording YouTube videos and of course shopping!

MySpicedLife: Best of 2017 Beauty

I truly cannot believe how quickly 2017 has come and gone.
I’m not sure if it was the best year beauty wise but I did find some gems along the way.
Please let me know if you have tried any of these products below!

All of these products deserve the "MySpicedLife: Best of 2017" stamp of approval. 

High End Skin Care: Is It Worth the Splurge?

“Good” skin comes at a cost – no surprises there. Skincare is one of those things where we have so many options and hacks to help get us to that flawless face. At the same time, it can also get confusing when trying to figure out what is worth the splurge.

The general consensus is that for the following items (providing you have no major skin care concerns), you can scale back and save on as they contain the same basic ingredients that will still get you the results you need:
 Cleansers
 Toners
 Day moisturizers with SPF
 Lip balms
 Eye creams

When it comes to serums, night creams and face masks, we should expect to spend a few more dollars as these products are meant to penetrate deeper into the skin and are packed with highly concentrated ingredients that target your skincare concerns right at the source. I decided to put this to the test with a few pricey products. Although I am a skincare fanatic, I was skeptical on whether these products would be worth the spend.

Let’s find out!

Protect Your Blog + Be Stay Cyber safe on your social media accounts

On this day in 2014, I woke up to write and discovered my blog was gone! A bit of a back story, someone tried to hack my blogger account. So as a precaution, blogger put my account on hold. I had to jump through hoops to get it back... That day I vowed to upgrade my passwords and become more conscious what I post online.

There are 4 tips to keep you cyber safe as an influencer.

Holiday: Gift sharing + Stocking stuffers for you and others

One of the best things about Holiday makeup?? 

You get to sample a little bit of everything. 

Which is good but what if you find a great set that doesn't have everything you want. 

My solution...

Go halvies with someone & share the love. 

Yes.. Halvies is totally a real word. I have a great example in packaging sometimes there is like 12 lipstick shades and only six of them will work for me which means of the other six won’t. I can either regift them as stocking stuffers or since I won’t have seas with someone we can totally spell split up the colours that work for me and the colours that work for her so that everybody’s a winner. 

Quo Liquid Lipstick Bar ($20) can be found at Shopper's Drug Mart.

Is Double Cleansing for you?

After a good girls night or a fun date night to muster up the energy to take off your make up is non-existent. In my younger days, I do remember nights not taking off my make up. Please don’t judge me! Thankfully, I had amazing skin that time so it did not impact me.

There are many ways to fully get your make up off which unfortunately do take up time... but honestly it’s worth it. One thing, I will never give up on is make up wipes. But I'm going to be honest, that there are some wipes that do not fully do the job in one wipe. Those CHEAP ones that are ALWAYS on SALE! Stay away from them. Most of the time, those cheaper wipes only get off the first layer of make up. What about your sunscreen, primer, moisturizer or serum? There is still residue left over. Don't leave me- wet a rag and wipe your face.

So here is where double cleansing comes into play...

Best Sephora Collection Holiday Picks Under $15

Budget is the main word I see coming out of a lot of people’s mouth this season. And you know what? I don’t blame them! For me, I rather get more products for my buck. So instead of getting someone one gift for $50- I rather put together multiple items. I say this all the time but one of the best hidden gems at Sephora is their Sephora collection. 

I was actually sent a few Sephora collection Holiday goodies and I picked five products which I feel any beauty lover would be grateful for!

MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Face Color Highlight, Sculpt and Blush Powder SWATCHES

I have been adding a little bit extra to my make up look, over the years. Although It’s subtle, it makes me happy! Like right now I’m really into highlighters and contours.
Should I do an extra post on this?

A while back Make Up For Ever launched their Artist Face Colors Highlight, Sculpt and Blush Powder ($29 CAN) and asked me if I wanted to try it out. My answer is always yes! I Love when I can share Products on the blog that can be use for all skin tones from the ivory to Ebony. Especially when it comes to things like blushes and highlighters. When you’re deeper toned you need cosmetics that are going to amplify your look!

How to Prep your Lips for Matte Lipstick

I’m tired of hearing people say that matte or "drier" lipsticks are not for them. I personally think that there is consistency out there that would work for everyone. Whether it be a liquid lipstick or something that applies satin right out of the tube. Trust me... you can make it work.

Guest Post: Clarins Event and Double Serum Review

A couple weeks ago Clarins welcomed a group of Canadian Beauty Bloggers/Toronto Influencers to the Ritz-Carlton in downtown Toronto for the launch of their reformulated iconic Double Serum. The event featured a presentation from Clarins’ brand ambassador. The room was beautifully decorated with elements and ingredients found in the serum such a kiwi, banana and milk thistle. At the event, we were all gifted with a full 50 mL bottle to try. (valued at $120 CDN)