My Spiced Life Contributor: Shauna

I think that it's probably been about a year since I've had a contributor on the blog. I love contributors because not only does it lessen the load for me (I'm just being honest lol). It gives you guys the opportunity to meet other Beauty lovers and hopefully find a new product a try. 

Shauna is a PR professional. I have been actually been emailing with her since 2016. We finally met in 2017! She's a really cool girl who listens to my beauty rants and raves- Soooo I thought she would be a perfect August contributor!

Wearable Pinks for Dark Skin Women + My Favourite Combo at Moment

If you follow me on Twitter: JENNMUA. You know that I speak a lot about wearable soft pinks for dark skin women. Apparently it's hard to find *insert the eye roll emoji*. A true unicorn. Let me start off by saying, it shouldn’t be. Some of us just want a nice pink which is NOT a porn star pink. You know exactly what I’m talking about!!! I'll spare you the imagery.

I know I’m a couple days late for #nationallipstickday but I thought it be great to speak about this combo that I came up with! I love it but I totally wish I could find this all in one bottle/tube. Either way it will due for now.

Arbonne: Smoothed Over Lipstick - SWATCHES

I know that I'm behind on swatches but please forgive me! 

When I heard that Arbonne had some new lipsticks, I really wanted to try them. 

I really LOVED Arbonne's eyebrow basic brow combos so I had high hopes for the new lipsticks.

I'm so used to wearing matte lipsticks that when I get something hydrating- I'm so shook up! These babies have the attributes of a balm but with the power of a lipstick. I know it sounds odd but wait until you see the swatches. One word to describe them: SMOOTH.

Arbonne: Smoothed Over Lipsticks ($29.00 CAN)

Sooo what's going on with Spiced Beauty?

I know that I haven't really and publicly put this out there but I changed my blog name. 

My blog is now called MY SPICED LIFE.

The first question, I got was why....

I started this blog at 23 years old, living with my family having a boyfriend and just finishing college. I was BORED.  Now i'm in my early 30's, living with my husband(same guy I dated for 10+ years) and owning my OWN business. 

My views and likes/dislike have changed drastically. 

I know that some people are asking "Will this still be beauty blog?" 

Beauty is still one of my first loves. It will NEVER go away. I still have had numerous people.. not just WOC come up to me and tell me that I was one of the first Beauty Blogs that they found in Canada. But I want to share other stuff of my life without being confined to just beauty. Like my love of travel, electronics, food, random events.... I could go on and on. 

Also Wedding things. 

I didn't really get to divulge during the time because I took more of a hiatus to plan but there still a lot of things I want to share with you guys! 

Please let me know your thoughts! So being that a lot of blog related info and I don't think I have done a tag in a while! I want to share some info about my life and maybe share some little titbit that you don't know about me.

Why you Should Wash your Brushes + Real Techniques Deep Cleansing Palette & Gel

I once had a friend who told me that she didn't know that you were supposed to clean your make up brushes. Guys.. for three years! She had the same brushes...Mind you she was using those cheap synthetic two dollar packs.... But still! The whole concept took me out. I nicely told her to throw out what she has and start fresh.

For some of you guys who don't see a problem.
Here are three issues that you can get with dirty brushes:
-Staph infections(Yes.. google it)
-Clogged pores (Pimples all over)
-Pink eye (You get the idea...)

Every time you hop on Instagram or Twitter you always see somebody complaining about how much they hate washing their brushes. I'm in the same boat... I hate washing my brushes! And I'm going to tell you the truth I have enough brushes that I can go without washing brushes for a while. I know that's not the reality for everyone... so I'm gonna show you the easiest way to clean your brushes right now.

Yes there are DIY methods. But if you're lazy and on the go like me :) Here is the quickest and easiest way to clean your brushes and make sure that you're free of infection and bacteria.

Get the Real Techniques Brush Cleansing Palette ($19.99 CAN) 

Make Up For Ever: Artist Acrylip + Swatch

One of the first lip products my list to share for the Summer is the Artist Acrylip ($23.00 CAN).
Totally different from your typical matte lip. 

This is a extremely pigmented product.

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.