Holiday: Beauty Advent Calendar Love

Oh, it’s time ladies! This is probably one of my favourite times of year for make up. My issue is always when to buy. One of the cons about gift sets/advent calendars is that if it really popular... it sells out quick! When I was new to the make up game, I would always wait until it was closer to Christmas to actually go out and purchase the item. Guess what? It was gone by then. 

I finally had the opportunity to get two Beauty Advent for the first time this year! 

The Winter Wonderland advent calendar from Sephora Collection ($56 CAN) 

was the first one I opened. 

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!

20 Sephora Sale Options you Need Right Now

It's that time again! 

The Sephora Sale is here!

I've been eyeing so many things right now.

It's so hard not to go in there and buy EVERYTHING with my AMEX card.

Wedding: Five things I wish I knew before I went dress shopping

Dress shopping wasn't the disaster I thought it would be. I'm short, got boobs and a small waist. I expected fitting room breakdowns but it never got to that. I had to write this post because no one ever talks about the dress experience. It's definitely something that needs to be addressed. Here are a few tips that I wish I knew before I went shopping.

DO not let anybody tell you what you can or can not wear.
I went into a retailer to talk about the process of booking an appointment and on the spot she judged me. I was wearing an oversized sweater and a puffy parka. Her words were "You're a ballgown girl. Nothing else in here would be flattering on you. Don't look over there". Immediately my confidence was shattered. There is nothing wrong with ballgowns-they're gorgeous but why put me into a bubble before I even try anything on. It doesn't matter if you're 100 pounds or 300 pounds- TRY ON WHAT YOU LIKE! You make the decision what works for you.

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)

10 Reasons Why you Need to Incorporate Face Masks into Your Life

I know that not everybody is into skin care. I’ve met people who still use bar soap on their face.. no I’m not talking about specially made skin care soap. I’m talking regular bar soap that they also use to wash their.... never mind. I’m not knocking you but I will say that if you do have skincare issues that generic soap is probably not going to get rid of them.

I am a big believer in skin care routines. You target pesky skin care problems such as discolouration, oily skin or even peeling and flaking. Like I know people who swear by homemade scrubs/mask made out of fruit/vegetables. For the ones who don’t have a lot of time or are just downright lazy...package masks are your best bet.

My Fall Beauty Picks from Murale

It’s time to switch up your skin care routine! With the air getting drier- I'm sorry to tell you but your skin is starting to lack moisture. That leads to cracking and peeling skin. 

NOTHING that I’m trying to have in my life! Lol

A few months back I went to a Murale FALL event. For my USA readers, "Murale stores have an offering of prestige products like hair care, fragrance, cosmetics, skincare plus bath & body." I was introduced to some new brands and was reacquainted with some brands that I know and love. I was also sent home with a healthy bag full of products to try out. 

Guest Post: ECOTOOLS Polishing Cleansing Cloths

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to thoroughly cleanse your face every night whether you are a heavy makeup wearer or not. I typically double cleanse. First, I remove my makeup with a makeup wipes followed by a cleansing balm/oil and then a regular cleanser using just my hands.

Regular thorough cleansing:

• Is essential to keeping your skin looking radiant and healthy.
• Helps your treatments (serums, oils, etc) to work properly
• Helps maintain proper pore size
• Encourages proper skin hydration and prevents the production of excess oils

While makeup wipes have been my tried and true tool for removing that first layer oil makeup, oil, dirt of the day, cost wise they can add up and they can be wasteful for the environment - especially when you are using more than one wipe every night (like I do) to get the job done.

Enter my discovery of ECOTOOLS Polishing Cleansing Cloths.

ColourPop No Filter Concealer – Deep Dark Swatches

It's very rare that I give in to makeup hypes. But when I heard that Colourpop was jumping into the colour cosmetics world and launching concealers... I had to get them. Plus I heard that they had a few colours for darker woman of colour. It was a no-brainer. I had to try it out!

Fenty Beauty Advice from Sephora Beauty Advisors

On Friday, my day started out by going to a fully stocked Sephora at 10AM to swatch foundations and highlighters. The best part is EVERYTHING I wanted was in stock! **Pats myself on the back** Man I was overwhelmed but not. I’m my opinion the line is VERY simple at the moment. No red/fuchsia lips, mascara or eyeliners. I wanted to buy something that I didn’t have… don’t laugh.

New HARD CANDY COSMETICS Collection

I know Fall is coming.... and frankly I don't want to speak about it. Let me stay in "Summer".

For the first time in a while, I got my hands on some Hard Candy products. Some are hits and some are misses. I picked the four that would catch your eye if you were in-store.

Lips
Wet Ever lip lacquer $6 USD

Long Weekend Vacation Prep - Body Edition

Where do I start! Preparing yourself for a vacation is truly a serious task. Like within 48 hours before I left for Jamaica: I got lash extensions, brow treading, a Brazilian (insert the tear emoji) plus a manicure and pedicure. But although a lot of this stuff required a salon. That includes wait times. For ladies who have NO time for that- A lot of things can be done at home to save money/time!

Especially if your just doing a long weekend getaway!

Five Housewarming Etiquette Tips + Bleu Lavande

Okay I've reached the age where I get one of three invites. A wedding, a baby shower, or a housewarming. Although a housewarming seems like one of the least important out of all three. It's NOT! Through out the years I've seen some very INTERESTING things.

Here are some tips that I acquired from being the host and a guest.

Host:

Make sure your house is presentable.

It seems logical....but I can't tell you the amount of housewarmings that I've gone to where people have sectioned off a place where my husband and I can't enter.

Guest Post: Why You Need a Tinted Primer

I love a good primer. Some may even call me a little bit of a primer junkie. I have tried all types from drugstore to high end. If you haven’t been using a primer, you are truly missing out. A good primer can make or break the how your makeup look once applied whether you’re keeping it light with a BB cream or doing full face, full coverage glam.

Many people skip out on this step because they don’t believe they need one or don’t think it is worth the investment. For those who don’t believe, you need a primer because:

• It helps makeup to go on smoother
• It conceals your pores
• It helps your makeup last longer
• It helps smooth/blur out imperfections

There are so many primers on the market to address certain skin types. Primers for mature skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, mattifying primers and primers with illuminating properties for that extra glow.