Quick Last Minute Holiday Look: Soft pink lip and a glittery smokey eye

The holiday's are here! I can't believe that it has come so quickly. Other than Fall, my favourite times for beauty is this season. I love my vamp lips and deep black cat eyes during this time but I'm going to switch it up for 2016!

What's the look?

Soft pink lip and a glittery smokey eye. This look is super easy. 

You don't have to be a PRO to do this one.

SHOP

tarte Kiss Bliss Tarteist™ Creamy Matte Lip Paint & Crayon Set Swatches

I'm continuing my matte lip obsession into 2017.
 Right now, I'm a playing with the tarte Kiss Bliss Tarteist™ Creamy Matte Lip Paint & Crayon Set (SALE $46 CAN).
This 10 piece kit is perfect for someone like me who want to try multiple colours.

In the set you get: 5 tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paints & 5 lip liners. FYI- If you want to get the most out of your matte colours, a lip liner is NEEDED. Every time I quickly decide to skip the liner with the drier shades it ends up being a MESS.

Five Last Minute Sephora Gift Ideas

Today was the first day I actually went go buy presents and it wasn't bad. You know I had to stop in Markville mall and pop into Sephora too. A lot of Holiday goodies are still available! Did you see my Sephora Collection Shine and Sparkle post from yesterday. I'm still in awe of the PRO brush set!
A definite must have. 

My Sephora Collection Sparkle & Shine Picks

The holidays are here! This is the perfect time to shop! A little secret between you and I.... prices drop significantly at this time. Stores want to get more people in- buying and driving their daily sales total up. Sephora has some really good deals right now. Whether you go in-store or online- you're bound to find something you love for yourself or for a loved one.

Mary Kay Satin Lips® Shea Butter Balm & Sugar Scrub

I woke up today and seen something I haven't seen in a while... Snow. For me, cold=chapped lips. I'm a Summer baby- so this is probably one of the worst times for me because my skin gets really dry. I have to do a lot to get comfortable during this season.

I was really excited when the Mary Kay Satin Lips® Shea Butter Balm & Sugar Scrub ($12.00) showed up on my doorstep. At first glance I'm not going lie, I wasn't sure how it would stack up to the original: Satin Lips mask. Which I might add is extremely popular.

Arbonne's Holiday Sheer Glow Highlight stick duo

I'm currently going through a phase where I don't mind spending money on a highlighter.
If it’s pretty, I must have it! I just love glowing! Especially if it's the Holidays!
Doesn’t mater whether, it’s liquid, powder or stick-I'm a fan!

Caryl Baker Visage Holiday 2016 True North Lipstick- Notre Dame

The holidays are here! 

For the past two weeks, I have seen some Holiday collections come out that I am super excited to play with! Today I'm going to highlight an amazing lipstick from Caryl Baker Visage Holiday 2016. 

This holiday they have a collection called True North Beauty. While there were a lot of items to love with in the collection- once I opened this lipstick.... I was so excited to swatch it. 

MAKE UP FOR EVER Water Blend Face & Body Foundation- SWATCH

It’s time for me to update my Easy Women of Colour Foundation Guide by adding MAKE UP FOR EVER Water Blend Face & Body Foundation ($54.00 CDN) to the mix.

NEED: CoverGirl TruBlend Primer

I won't lie to you, I gave up on drugstore primers a few years ago. I can't even tell you the amount of brands that I've used and they have never compared to the ones that I get from Sephora. 

They have all left me super oily and really disappointed.

I was sent CoverGirl TruBlend Primer ($12.00 CAN) and literally I didn't pay that much attention to it. I was packing overnight bag a few weeks ago and then I realized that I couldn't find my usual primers. I was honestly freaking OUT! Since I knew where CoverGirl one was, I took it with me not really thinking that it was going to do much. 

I was surprised. 

My Sephora Beauty Insider Sale Top Five Picks!

It's that time again! 

My favourite beauty time of the season: The Sephora Beauty Insider Sale! I could live in Sephora! It's EVERYTHING! The range there is insane.. especially as a Woman of Colour. I'm able to find products there that I cannot find in the drugstore. On top of that, there are multiple individuals who can help me find my shade or to find a product that will work best skin concerns. 

Every time I go in for one thing.. I end up leaving with three. No joke! On social media, I'm always asked what are my top five products that I believe should be purchased from Sephora. It's super hard to choose exactly what you should get but here are five products that you cannot go wrong with.

TOP FIVE:

1

Ole Henriksen power bright™($66.00 CAN)

I'm obsessed with this product. I can't tell you how amazing it makes my skin look after using it.You get that famous Ole Glow. It's a easy three-step system that you can not mess up. It always saves me a trip to Esthetician when things are tight!

2

Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Waterproof Eyeliners ($25.00 CAN)

I've been using these daily since July. I actually don't use ANY other liners these are so amazing. Come in five different finishes: Diamond, matte, iridescent, metallic and satiny.

3

Foreo LUNA 2 ($229.00 CDN)

This is an awesome little device which I prefer more than the clarisonic. It delicate and super hygienic. Worth the investment.

4
SEPHORA COLLECTION Skincare Booster - Tired Skin ($14.00 CAN)

This product is perfection in a bottle! Main ingredient is magnesium.
Which can totally brighten your complexion.

5
NUDESTIX Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencils ($28.00 CAN)

Super pigmented and long lasting matte pencils that come in a various colours.

What are you getting?

Beautylicious 2016

It's that time again! Time for the 8th annual Beautylicious event! This year, over 50 participating businesses in the Bloor-Yorkville area will allow you to try beauty services in four different price categories.

Packages range from $30, $50, $75, $125
http://www.bloor-yorkville.com/beautylicious/

From October 20nd to October 30th you can chose from packages that are available in three categories for both men & women:

• Salon
• Spa/Medi-Spa
• Health and Wellness

This week, I had the opportunity to visit Deco De Mode- Beauty Bar for a Beautylicious promo.

It's such a lovely space on Scollard St.

I got the $50 Gel Toe Pedicure deal.
Ladies- Just because it's Fall that's doesn't mean that we have to neglect our feet. Plus it's gel so I know that it will last longer. I used OPI gel Red.

My first impression of Deco de Mode was that it was super clean and swanky!

I loved the comfortable pedicure chairs & decor. There are three main services that you can get here: Waxing/Threading, Nails & Lashes. I'm totally excited to go back and try their lashes service.

Other notables..
Trade Secrets
$75 Offering
Haircut + Treatment & Styling

STILLWATER SPA
I$50 Offering
Orange Spice Pumpkin & Polish Pedicure

Have you checked out Beautylicious before?

Cards based on your personality from Socialcirclecards

How many times have you gone out and forgotten your business cards. Or met someone influential totally by fluke and didn't have a card to give to them. What about this... Have you gone to an event- hit it off with the head of the company they asked for a card and you have nothing to give them. This has happened to me quite a few times.

Dermablend Professional is now in Canada!

As a makeup artist, one product which I would see in a lot of kits was Dermablend. I had the opportunity to attend an exclusive launch of Dermablend in Canada! Starting on October 8th, they are now sold exclusively in drugstores.

If you don't know anything about them please know that they're the #1 Dermatologist recommended camouflage brand in the US. Also known for their high pigment content and blendability.

They have been around for over 35 years changing lives by addressing all skin concerns:

• redness
• dark circles
• uneven complexion
• vitiligo
• rosacea
• tattoos
• scars
• acne

Even if you don't have any of these issues. This is for anyone who desires full coverage. Brides who have a problem with their makeup running would really benefit from using this product. The line features a good range of powders, foundations and concealers. FYI I'm in one of darkest shades in the line- Cinnamon.  Not sure if this is for you? Think about it this way.. It's dermatologist tested, allergy tested, sensitive skin tested, non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic and fragrance-free. 

In other words.. you need to get your hands on this ASAP!

Caryl Baker Visage ENCHANTED - FALL 2016

Have you seen Caryl Visage's Fall 2016 Enchanted Collection in stores?

If not, let me show you my top three favourite products.

About the Collection-

Envision a fairy tale: Colours- Amethyst, pink, lavender and garnet & peach.

Enchanted Eye Shadow ($18.00 CAN)
Three finishes frosted, iridescent and matte.

• Pixie
• Zephyr
• Dreamy
• Mist
• Ambrosia
• Raven

I was sent three colours:

ZEPHYR Shimmer Dusty rose

PIXIE Frosted cream

RAVEN Matte mauve/grey

SWATCH

Enchanted Matte Liquid Lipstick ($24.00 CAN)
Velvety matte finish that stays put.

• Eternal
• Ever After
• Euphoria

Enchanted Lip Liner ($18.50 CAN)
Long-lasting/creamy formula.

• Ravishing
• Inspiration
• Winery

Do you have a favourite?

NUDESTIX Gel Color Lip + Cheek Balm LUXE & HAVEN

I love NUDESTIX! Their Eyebrow Stylus Pencil & Gel is the ONLY product that I've been using straight for a YEAR! Or their Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencils - which have become a staple in my makeup kit because they show up so beautifully on a camera. A lot of people are branching out pf their matte obsession and are trying out products that are more hydrating.  But I currently need products for my clients who prefer more of a natural lip look.

Welcome NUDESTIX Gel Color Lip + Cheek Balm ($28.00 CAN).

What's the key word to describe these:

MOISTURIZING

Fall: Quo Brush Set

 Fall make up is EVERYTHING TO ME!!!! Absolutely one of my favourite times in the MUA world hands-down. Give me a vampy lips- eggplant smoky eye and a gold highlight and I'm good. 

I have actually been playing with a lot of Fall products from the beginning of summer. Perks of getting being a blogger and getting things sent a few items in advance. I had a few cute items from Quo show up on my doorstep but my favourite was the brush set. 

Quo Brush Set Brush Up! ($50.00 CAN)

Seven Ways to Incorporate Essential Oils in to your Life

The older I get, the more I appreciate things like having essential oils in my regimen. 

They're 100% pure/natural and the easiest way to restore your health naturally.

A while back, I was given a cute package with essential oils from Thursday Plantation. I've used Thursday plantation Tea Tree oil in the past and I was totally excited to work with them again. Their current theme is called "100 uses for Thursday Plantation". Did you know that essential oil's are not just used as in beauty regimens? They can be used for therapeutic purposes, first aid, to clean your home or healing.

Love Breakfast again with MIXIT.ca

I'm the queen of picky eating. I hate everything. If you seen my approved food list- you would laugh. The hardest meal of the day for me is breakfast. I never know what to eat. It's so easy to pick up a cereal chalked full of sugar but hard to find one that I really like. 

When I got the email to try Mixit.ca- I wasn't sure what to expect. 

I was able to make an awesome cereal blend that I'm a huge fan of!

Mixit.ca is unique because YOU choose your ingredients OR buy a pre-made mix.

1. Start off with a cereal base
2. Then add as many nuts, grains and dried fruits as you want. 

The nutrition facts are printed on the tube.

My mix: Spiced Beauty

BASE:Sunshine in the soul

Strawberry (freeze dry)

Fuji and Granny Smith Apple (freeze dry)

Organic Pineapple

Mango (freeze dry)

Blackberry (freeze dry)

Quick Facts:

• Canadian Company-made in Montreal
• 12-15 full bowls out of each order
• Shelf life- 3 months-4 months 
• Most ingredients are from Canadian suppliers
• Price varies based on the mix 

Would you be interested in making your own mix or do you like the store bought cereals?

Get ready for Fall with Live Clean Body Washes!

I love beauty products but I'm obsessed with body care items.

I was EXTREMELY excited when a few Live Clean products ($4.99- $6.99 CAN) 

showed up at my door.

I won't lie - I've never used the Live Clean body washes before. So it was a delight to try them out.

I received: Coconut Milk Moisturizing Body Wash, Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Replenishing Body Wash and Fresh Water Moisturizing Body Wash.

Currently Obsessed: Mary Kay® Perfecting Concealer™

Its been a while, since I have completely fallen in love with a new concealer. I have a few products that have run out and I have not replenished yet. Before I stumbled on this one, I was actually using foundation (which is a waste) as a concealer. I received a Mary Kay package and seen the first 5 shades and was bummed out... but then I realized that one had dropped one: Deep Bronze.
Literally, it is the perfect colour for me.

Im extremely proud of Mary Kay! 

This product is very comparable to a something that I tried at Sephora for over $30. 

The Mary Kay® Perfecting Concealer™ is only $17.50 CAN.

Four must have Ole Henriksen products from Sephora

I'm late on the Ole Henriksen train. I'd always see the brand in Sephora but I wasn't sure if it was for me. After having my first Ole Henriksen facial, seeing the Ole glow and meeting Ole in-person: I'm a believer. He told me I was cute and had great skin. He also give me a few personal skin recommendations plus talked about our love of Naomi Campbell!  I've pretty much tried the whole line. I picked four items that are a MUST haves.... If was trapped on a island these products would HAVE to come with me.

Yellow tail Moscato and Nails Inc collaboration is back at the LCBO

Back in June, I had the opportunity to go to a launch of the brand partnership between [yellow tail] Moscato and Nails Inc. With Summer coming to an end, it's time to let loose and soak of the last bit of fun.

In select LCBO stores across Canada select [yellow tail] Moscato bottles ($10.90 CAN) will come with one of five complimentary nail polish shades by Nails Inc.

I've always been a fan of Nails Inc! Their vivid nail colours and formula are amazing. What could be better than enjoying a bottle of wine and giving yourself a mani and pedi.

If you don't know, I'm obsessed with Moscato. I can tell you that [yellow tail] Moscato does not disappoint! Don't believe me?

Get your self a bottle now available from August 14 to September 10.
Let me know what you think!