Four tips every Bride needs to hear before they get Married

I just hit the two year mark a few weeks ago. Man.. let me tell you that time goes by fast! But flashback to 27 months ago.... the planning part was very interesting! Between the feelings and unsolicited opinions. You have to stand your ground. Here are four pieces of advice that I can give to you to make the best out of your big day!

Currently Obsessed: Mary Kay’s Clear Proof Deep-Cleansing Charcoal Mask

I’m so excited that skin care is making a comeback. I’m obsessed with it and live for a good skin day. Random fact about me: I started making my own skin care masks when I was 10. My friends and I use to get together and create some really crazy mixes. I’m happy that if I need to remedy a skin care issue there is a product for that!

Easy ways to save money on your vacation

One of the best things I did in my 20's was travel with my husband! Thankfully the beach was one of our passions so we had a lot of fun in Jamaica (multiple times), Cuba, Dominican Republic and Bahamas. I can admit that if it wasn't for these tips we would never have saved as much money as we did.  FYI if you missed my Four Tips to Help you Plan your Next Island Vacation post... get on it.

Let me explain......

Adulting: Shopping at Lowe's Canada

So the first time in my adult life, I have a lawn & backyard which requires maintenance. I grew up in house which was a part of the condominium complex. So all my parents had to do was pay the complex monthly and they would take care of everything outside. They took care of the grass, shovelled snow, paint and even planted trees/flowers. Now as a married woman....  although I don't have to mow the lawn or shovel snow, it is my responsibility to try to keep the house as warm and inviting as can be!

I was sent a Lowe's Canada Spring/Summer Style Guide for inspiration. Which literally made me want to overhaul my whole house and start over. The emphasis was on 4 patio trends: Metro Modern, Renewed Formality, Gracious Living & Cuban Cool. Each theme takes the guess workout of the stress of finding decor that works together. Plus it's exclusive to Lowe’s Canada.

Here are some of my favourite looks:

MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Concealer + SWATCHES

What if you were told that you had to keep your makeup regimen to three products.

Would it be hard for you? It would be the easiest choice for me.

• A liquid lipstick
• Lashes
• Concealer

Years ago concealer would never be in my top three "survival" products. But I won't lie, I love how awake it makes me look. Especially days when the world is trying me and I'm surviving on NO sleep. 

As a woman of colour, I know that we are prone to getting dark under eye circles. With the MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Concealer’s ($34.00 CAN)  you don't need a lot to get the job done! I also forgot to add that the concealers have a Anti-Dark Circle Complex with Radiance Booster.

Basic Brow Combos with Arbonne Cosmetics

So my holy grail brow product has now finished. I'm now kind of jumping from unsuccessful brow products- one right after the other. It's tragic.. I know. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

 I had the opportunity to try out some brow products from Arbonne to get my to get my brow basics down pat. I don't know about you but brows are so important to me. When they just get done! GIRL!!! I swear I feel like nobody can tell me anything.

 Here is my brow in its natural state, you can see I have very long and thick brow hairs. So if you accidentally take out a few extra hairs accidentally it really shows!

Purse: Declutter & Simplify

I think I've reached a part in my life where I'm ready to simplify.*I hope my husband isn't reading this*... Simplify is such a scary word because if you knew how many things I own right now you would know that it's REALLY needed.

But for me, not to overwhelm myself... I have to start small. Soooo why not start with my purse. 

I used to be the queen of large purses... It all dates back to college and every girl had one of those large TNA bags. It was perfect for me! I could fit my laptop, lunch and whatever essentials I needed for a full day of class. 

My Thoughts about Hairsprays + Herbal Essences Biorenew

This post is going to be so awkward because it’s about a product that is so known to everyone but I just don't embrace it. Here it goes. I hardly use hairspray. I don’t know if it’s laziness (probably laziness) but it’s just a step I always look over.

I spent a lot of time on my curls, whether it be with heat or Flexi rods… but with the heat and humidity of the environment they don't last. By the end of the day I’m rocking a semi-straight style- that I didn’t ask for…

Let’s go back to the root of the problem…Why do I hate hairsprays? We all know the hairsprays of the past. They’re heavy and not workable at all. Like I just remember those up-do’s that were sprayed to the high heavens and did not move. Like a week later you would see the person in the same style and a curl hasn't budged…that is not for me. Lies… it happened once and NO I won’t share pictures LOL. Just bad vibes all over.

TREND: Bomber Jackets

You don't have to be a high school jock to enjoy the bomber jacket trend.

They're fashionable, come in various prints/colours and are pretty affordable.

Lise Watier Cosmetics: Rouge Intense Suprême SWATCHES

I'm always talking about how I need to highlight some more Canadian companies.
Especially ones who are doing amazing things!

Honestly have been sitting on these pretty lipsticks for a while….but it's time that you experience the greatness that is Lise Watier Cosmetics: Rouge Intense Suprême ($27 CAN).

How I cleared my skin up last year!

My skin care story hasn't always been that smooth. Pun *intended* I had really clear skin up until my early 20's. When I hit my middle 20's it got a little rocky. I didn't have extreme breakouts like some people I know but it was enough to make me feel self conscious. In 2016, was probably my best year skin care wise. Here are the four main factors which I think changed everything.

New Real Techniques Sponges that you need in your makeup stash!

I know that you have read about my love/hate relationship with makeup sponges. My stance hasn't changed- I'm still #teammakeupsponges. I love finding new shapes and ways to use them. I have been posting these new Real Techniques sponges on my Spicedbeautyblog instagram account and I have been getting a lot of questions and request to post them on the blog! 

Currently Obsessed: Nivea’s Creme Care Facial Cleansing Wipes

I don’t think I will ever not be obsessed with makeup wipes. They’re convenient and easy to use. Although I have so many makeup-removing methods to choose from melting cleansers to soaked cotton squares…nothing does the trick like wipes.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Lit Powder + Swatches

Do you remember in 2009 when pigments were the biggest thing? I remember getting those large containers and hardly making a dent in the jar. Then people started to press them and the hype of pigments kinda died down...

Fast forward to 2017 and I have seen the use of pigments/powders starting to get popular again. My favourite look is a smokey eye with some gold pigment patted on top. Or maybe even a metallic green. So many options!!!

My love/hate relationship with Makeup Sponges

I'm going to admit something....All of my brushes are collecting dust right now. My obsession with makeup sponges are not dying anytime soon. The typical slope shape is not the norm anymore. You remember those $1.00 for a bag? I still see them at dollarama!
Now i've seen every shape- eggs, spheres and diamonds...
YOU NAME IT!

Limited-Edition Mary Kay Glossy Lip Oil

I'm ready for Spring. Like really READY. I'm sooo tired of wearing this big jacket everywhere and not being able to show off my pedi (first world problems). I have been playing around with a lot of Spring makeup daily. Mary Kay was one of the first companies to kick off Spring for me. The first thing that caught my eye was the Limited-Edition Glossy Lip Oil.

This innovative lip oil provides a comfortable application with a non-sticky, luminous shine. 

What do I do with my Wedding Guests?

I actually got an email from a reader (Hi Cindy!) regarding a wedding situation. I thought it would be perfect to share on here because you never know what someone else is going through. 

Her Question-

I'm getting married in April and I'm unsure what to do. The ceremony and venue is far. It's Hamilton. I'm not from there and none of my fam is from there. I have a gap in the middle where I take pictures and do an outfit change. Do I book a few hotel room for a every to stay in? I have no idea what to do.

When I got married, I was in the same position.. kind of. And I had to learn this on my own to let your guests think for themselves. As a bride, it's so easy to get wrapped up in so many different situations. I'm the type of person that honestly does not want to inconvenience anyone and I will look for ideas to make other people happy.... Which usually end up  with me sacrificing my time or things blowing up in my face.

Four Tips to Help you Plan your Next Island Vacation

Often times people leave from the comfort of their home for vacation, honeymoon or just to get away. These trips can be stressful, if you have never been to a certain location before.

Uvero Alto, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

I love traveling and I'm lucky to have a partner that feels the same!
These tips will help you take advantage of the good points about travel and prepare you for your trip.

Save money online with Groupon Coupons

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine.

Things are much different now that I don't live with my parents. I won't lie, I was lucky being a princess. I hardly paid for anything so I saved a lot of money. Which is a complete 360 now because everything requires money!

Teeez cosmetics - STYLE ADDICT HIGHLIGHTERS + SWATCHES

Have you heard of Teeez cosmetics before? 

I actually seen the kiosk downtown in The Bay last year. 

I swatched a few lipsticks and liked the consistency but didn’t get to explore the brand further.

I got another opportunity to play at the NKPR Spring 2017 event.

I demo-ed the highlighters and fell in love!