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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Nail of the Week: Nail Art for My Mexican Vacation



I wanted to do something festive for my trip down south so I did a little nail art on my tips! I couldn't decide which colour to put on my nails so I used both colours that I liked the most from my recent Essie nail polish haul. For the upper half I wore Essie Turquoise and Caicos and for the lower half I used Essie Pilates Hottie. And for the pattern, I used my m65 Konad Nail Art Plate with the white polish from the Konad Kit. 

What do you have on your nails this week?

What's In My Travel Make Up Bag



Here are a few makeup products that I will be bringing along with me on my trip to Mexico. Have I already said how excited I am?

For the face
1) Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Foundation - This is my go to foundation that never lets me down. Since I am expecting warm weather I need a foundation that will help my oily skin stay matte that would also last for long hours. Also, since this is water resistant, if I decide to dip in the water I can be assured that my makeup would not run off.

2) Benefit the POREfessional Pro Balm - Since our group will be touring from one hotel to another, this will help my foundation stay on longer. I love this face primer because it doesn't make my foundation feel heavy and doesn't clog my pores either.

3) CoverGirl Clean Pressed Powder for Sensitive Skin - Just a standard powder I use to set my foundation.

4) Benefit Boi-ing Concealer - I use the shade 02 for my under eye area and the shade 03 for my blemishes. 

5) E.L.F. Studio Blush in Candid Coral - I love this peachy coral shade blush that gives a subtle glow on my face

For the eyes
1) Mini Urban Decay Primer Potion - This is a great eyelid primer that really makes the eyeshadows last without creasing or fading. 

2) NYX 10 Color Eyeshadow Palette in Champagne and Caviar - I wanted to bring my Naked Palette with me but the length of it does not fit my make up bag so I'm bringing the NYX palette instead. I haven't had the chance to use this palette ever since I bought it so bringing it along the trip would be great for me to try this palette out.

3) Benefit Bad Gal Mascara - This is the first time that I'm going to try this mascara out so I'm really excited as I have read a lot of raves about it.

4) Wet n Wild Megalast Pencil Eyeliner in Blackest Black - A quick and easy way to line my upper lash, its great because it has a smudger at the end for my lower lash line.

5) Rimmel Kajal Eye Liner Pencil in Pure White - This is a fairly new product that I use to brighten my eyes on days that I lack sleep. This would be great in case I have a little too much fun on some festivities while I'm down in Mexico. lol

6) Revlon Eye Lash Curler - I love this curler because its cheap but gets the job done and doesn't pinch. 

For the lips
1) Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm - I've only been using this for a couple of weeks but I'm really liking it so far. I love that it gives a cooling effect on the lips and feels so moisturizing enough that I don't need to re-apply multiple times throughout the day

2) MAC Lipsticks in Vegas Volt, Girl About Town, and Russian Red - I know I don't need this much lipsticks but I couldn't decide which one to bring. I brought Russian Red to wear for the nightly festivities and I have a choice between Vegas Volt and Girl About Town for the daytime.

3) Benefit Coralista Lipgloss - I'm not much of a gloss girl but I will bring this along just in case I get in the mood for glossy lips.

4) Blistex Lip Medex - This used to be my lip balm of choice to wear throughout the day but ever since I bought the Burt's Bees lip balm I use this now as a overnight lip balm.

Bonus Items
1) Real Techniques Travel Essentials Brush Set - I love this set as it has my foundation, blush and eye brush included. I am also using the brush case it came with and bringing my EcoTools Retractable Powder brush and the 2 brushes from the Naked and Naked 2 Palettes.

2) Bath and Body Works Island Nectar Anti-bac - I always bring an anti-bac with me and this scent is appropriate for my upcoming trip!

So those are the things I am bringing with me, I feel that I'm bringing a lot even though I tried my best to pack lightly.

What are your travel essentials? Do share! 

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

I'm Going On A Vacation (of sorts!)


You may or may not know that I work in the Tourism and Travel Industry and a great perk in being part of the industry is travel companies provide trips at discounted prices or sometimes for free. I feel lucky enough to go on an upcoming trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on gratis by the company I work for. I'm super excited because it will be my first time going to Mexico and have heard a lot of great things about the country! My upcoming trip will not be entirely devoted to lounging around the beach (sadly) but mostly going on tours around the different hotels and see what those hotels have to offer their guests and activities that guests can enjoy. Because I will be away for a few days, I don't think I will be able to put up some posts. Hopefully, I can take pictures that I can share with you guys when I come back :)

Have you been to Puerto Vallarta or anywhere else in Mexico? Do you have any suggestions on what I should check out there?


Sunday, October 21, 2012

October 2012's Topbox



For the past year, I have read numerous posts from different blogs about the Topbox subscription service box and how great this box is. Topbox is a Canadian monthly subscription service that provides sample sized (sometimes full size) high end products for $10.00 CAD plus tax. So I signed up last April and have been on the waiting list since then. So when I read an email that I will be receiving my first Topbox this month I was so excited! Last Friday, I was advised that my box has been shipped so I should be expecting it soon. So I was anticipating that it would arrive by Monday or Tuesday the latest but didn't receive the box until Thursday night. I don't know who was at fault for the delay as I live in Brampton, ON and the package came from Mississauga, ON which is just a city away. Anyway, I opened the package immediately but was a bit disappointed at the products I saw. 

Here are the items I received;


1) Aveda Ivanti Exfoliating Shampoo and Thickening Conditioner (10 ml) (Full size retails for $27.00/200ml) - These must be the tiniest shampoo and conditioner samples I have seen ever and since I have long hair, I think I'll just get a single use for these. Sadly, I won't be able to decide if I like the product with a single use. I like the their smell though.


2) Masker Aide Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask 'Detox Diva'(Retails for $4.99 for one mask)- This will the very first sheet mask that I'll try and am actually kind of excited to try this one out. I received the 'Detox Diva' which promises to cleanse, exfoliate and detoxify the skin.


3) Stila Eyeshadow Palette in 'In The Light' (I don't think the sample I received has a "value") (Full size retails for $50/14g)  - I have read a few raves about this Stila palette so I was excited to see this but was disappointed when I opened the paper because I can only get one swipe from the shadows, I think. 


4) Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator (20ml) (Full size retails for $34.00/120ml) - I'm excited to try this out as I love anything that would 'brighten' my skin. 


Bonus: A card for a Lise Watier Sample box from Shoppers Drug Mart

Overall: I'm a bit disappointed with what I received for my first box, three of the items included are 'one time use only' and I don't think that's enough to decide if I like the product or not. I'm still excited to see what else Topbox has to offer for the upcoming months!

Did you like what you received from Topbox for this month?

Friday, October 19, 2012

Favourite Look of the Week Vol. 5: Golden Winged Eye



I feel very experimental with my eyeshadow looks lately and have been enjoying them so far. Here's a look I created using warm gold and brown shades. I also did a cat eye for a bolder statement. I apologize for the fallout on my lashes, the mascara I used is on its last run so it didn't coat so well and made my lashes look crusty :(



For this week's look I used the following products:
Urban Decay Primer Potion "Original" to prime my eyelid (not pictured)
Maybelline Color Tattoo in "Bold Gold" as a base
Urban Decay eyeshadow in "Half Baked" for inner third of my lid
Urban Decay eyeshow in "Tease" for the crease
Urban Decay eyeshadow in "Snakebite" for outer third of my lid
Essence Gel Liner in "Midnight in Paris" for upper and lower lash line
Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara 




Thursday, October 18, 2012

Benefit Holiday Sets for 2012



I have written before how much I love Benefit Cosmetics because they always come out with the cutest and most adorable sets. For this year's holidays the brand has come out with great sets that you can give to your friends, family, and even yourself! lol.

Here are some of Benefit's Gifts Sets

Upgrade to Gorgeous! ($40.00)
- 0.05 Laugh With Me LeeLee
- 0.25 oz POREfessional
- 0.45 oz High Beam
- 0.1 oz They're Real
- 0.42 oz Sugarbomb



High Flyin' Glosses ($28.00 CAD)
- The set contains six 0.22 oz Lip gloss in Coralista, Dallas, Bellabamba, Hoola, Sugarbomb, Dandelion



Sexy Little Stowaways ($40.00 CAD)
- 0.1 oz Bella Bamba
- 0.25 oz That Gal Brightening Face Primer
- 0.08 oz Sun Beam
- 0.08 oz Cha Cha Tint
- 0.08 oz Ooh La Lift
- 0.08 oz Stay Don't Stray
- 1 oz It's Potent! Eye Cream
- 0.14 oz BADgal Lash Mascara
- 0.25 oz The POREfessional
- 0.1 oz Hoola



Let There B. Right! ($45.00 CAD)
- full size It's Potent! Eye Cream
- full size Triple Performing Facial Emulsion
- mini Total Moisture Facial Cream
- mini The POREfessional


Place to buy: Sephora

Are you going to pick up one of these sets?

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Beauty Lemmings Vol. 2


Hey guys!

Here are some products that I have been eyeing for a while which I think is quite interesting as there are no makeup products but mostly skin care. Is it possible that I am content with my makeup collection? For now, I think!

Soap and Glory "Breakfast Scrub" - I have read great things about this scrub, with not only smelling yummy but also leaving the skin smooth and soft. This brand is available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores here in Canada with very limited variety sadly. I'm really hoping that I will find this product soon!

Lush "H'Swan Wen Hua" - Another product that I have read so much about in the blogosphere. I have been trying a few hair conditioners or moisturizers lately but have not found a product that I can label the "holy grail" status yet. Hopefully when I get to try this product it would give the nourishment my hair needs.

Marc Jacobs "Daisy" - I know I have said in the past that I don't like perfumes but when I was at a store once, one pushy sales associate just squirted this on me, I was going to have a b*tch fit but I actually liked the scent. lol. 

Origins "Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask" - This product promises to improve skin by deeply unclogging pores. I have not read about this product that much, but I'm really curious about the "activated charcoal" ingredient that this has.

Butter London Nail Lacquers in "All Hail The Queen" and "Tart With The Heart" - I have been on a polish kick lately and have heard great things about the Butter London brand. When I went to the brand's website these shades have instantly caught my eye.

What products are you lusting after lately?

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Nail of the Week: Gosh Ocean


For this week's nail I am wearing my very first Gosh polish in the shade Ocean. I was browsing one day at Shoppers Drug Mart and this shade immediately caught my eye. Looking at the bottle, the shade really does remind me of the water. Ocean is a turquoise, blue-green with a metallic finish. I wish the shade leans more towards blue rather than green but it's vice versa. Formula wise, I needed to be careful in painting my nails as the brush strokes tend to be noticeable (which I think is common with metallic finish polishes) The picture above is applied with two coats.

What have you got on your nails this week?



Monday, October 15, 2012

Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio in 'Knock On Wood' Review and Swatches



Hey guys! How are you enjoying fall so far?

Since I have featured this trio in a recent eye look I created for fall, I thought to write about this wonderful palette in a post. "Knock on Wood" is a trio from Wet n Wild Color Icon line that includes  gorgeous autumnal shades perfect for the season.



Here are the shades

"Browbone" shade - is a dusty medium pink with a frosty finish. This may seem like a dark highlight shade but it actually sheers out easily when blended.




"Crease" shade - is a warm golden brown with a frosty finish. This is a great crease shade that compliments the eyelid shade well.



"Eyelid" shade - is a reddened brown, burgundy with a frosty finish. My favourite shade of the trio which is very pigmented.



Overall: A great thing about the Wet n Wild Color Icon Trios is that they have labels that will help you create a look easily but you don't necessarily have to follow them. The shadows are very pigmented, the texture is velvety smooth and not chalky at all, and the shades included in the trio blend and compliment each other well. The Color Icon also has a wide variety of shades from neutral to colour shadows.

Price: $4.99 CAD
Place to Buy: Walmart

Have you tried any of the Wet n Wild Trios?

Friday, October 12, 2012

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in 'Raspberry Bite' Review and Swatches


I am a person who doesn't shy away from bold lips, I'm definitely someone who is more comfortable in wearing bright, intense, statement lip colours. And in lieu with that fact, I would like to share with you a lipstick great for the season. The Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Raspberry Bite is a gorgeously rich, red raspberry that epitomizes fall, in my opinion.


The Revlon Super Lustrous Lipsticks line is my favourite kind of drugstore lipstick because it has a wide variety of shades, great pigmentation, the formula is creamy, moisturizing and comfortable to wear. Raspberry Bite might look scary in the tube but its several shades lighter on the lips and the shade is also not that vampy so it can definitely be worn during the day.

Here is an arm and lip swatch




Overall: Raspberry Bite is a great shade, perfect for the season so I highly recommend it. This shade wears about 5 hours on my lips but it does leave a stain when removed.

Price: $6.99 - $8.99
Place to buy: Most drugstores

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Recent Empties Vol. 1



I like seeing empties post because it shows what other people may or may not like and see their opinions on different products. The title says 'recent' because as much as I would like to do a monthly empties post, I don't finish a product that quickly. 

So here are the products I've finished recently;

Organix Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner with Awapuhi Ginger - I have seen a lot of posts about the Organix with Moroccan Oil so I thought to give it a try but when I saw that the brand also has a shampoo and conditioner that repairs I thought that would suit me better. I like the shampoo because it makes my hair feel moisturized even on days that I don't use the conditioner. I've been growing out my hair and its dry at the ends so I like these two for keeping my ends healthy.

Nivea Gentle Toner - I bought this product a few months ago to go with my Neutrogena skincare routine to help remove any makeup that may have not been removed with my cleanser while still hydrating my skin. Unfortunately, I did not see any results from this product and concluded that this is an unnecessary step in my regimen. 

I Love.... Strawberries and Milkshake Shower Gel - This is the first product that I tried from I Love Cosmetics and was pleased with the brand. I like that this shower gel does not have a strong scent but still smells sweet

Neutrogena Rapid Clear Night Lotion - I find that products with Retinol work better for my acne prone skin than products with Salicylic Acid. I have the full Rapid Clear Kit from Neutrogena and found that the products helped my skin become clear and smooth.

La Roche Posay Mela-D Dark Spot Corrector - Since my skin is getting better from acne, I have been using this product to help lighten acne scars and hyper pigmentation. I have noticed a considerable result with this product so when Shoppers had a 20 x points for the Mela-D Serum I purchased the product right away!

Lush Retread Hair Conditioner - I bought this about 4 months ago when my ends were really dehydrated. I saw that my ends have gotten a little better with this product but not enough for me to purchase this again.

E.L.F. Waterproof Eyeliner Pen - I love this eyeliner because not only is this really opaque but also lasts long. I have oily lids so some eyeliners smudge and transfer easily but the E.L.F. eyeliner does not.  Review and swatch here

Bath and Body Works Sweet Pea Candle - a non beauty empty that I thought to share as well. I just love the smell of Sweet Pea so much that I have this scent in shower gel, lotion, body mist and anti-bac as well.

What products have you finished lately?




Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Nail of the Week: Pink Nails for Breast Cancer Awareness Month


Hey guys!
How was your thanksgiving?

As you may know, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month so I thought to do a simple pink french tip in commemoration of the campaign. I am fortunate enough not to have anyone in my immediate family battle the disease but I think its still important to know about the campaign to help spread awareness. To learn more about Canada's breast cancer campaign called the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's 'Run for the Cure', click here

For this week's nails I used Essie's Off the Shoulder from the Summer 2012 Collection and Sally Hansen White polish for the tips. 

Here is a swatch of the base polish alone with 2 coats under natural lighting

When I was painting my nails, my little cousins arrived early for thanksgiving dinner and wanted to play dress up so here is what they did on my nails. Totally blinged out nails.


What do you have on your nails for this week?

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Canadian Thanksgiving Outfit of the Day


Hey guys!

For my fellow Canadians, how was your thanksgiving? For me, I had an amazing day! My family and I went to a Chinese buffet for lunch that had a wide variety of food to choose from. The food was delicious! Then for dinner, my relatives went to our house to celebrate the holiday with us and enjoy some family time. I thought to share what I wore for the occasion. I do apologize for the somewhat awkward 'poses,' I don't normally write "outfit of the day" posts because I'm not really a fashionista. Lol.






Dress - Forever 21
Tights - H & M
Boots - Blowfish
Leather Jacket - Danier

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

Monday, October 8, 2012

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette Review and Swatches


I know I know, this palette has been reviewed and raved about by so many other bloggers but since I use this palette everyday and have recently written about the original I thought to write my own review for this follow up palette. 

Company Description: The most anticipated sequel of the decade. Naked2 has 12 pigment-rich, taupe and greige neutral eyeshadows. Our palette proves once again, neutral is anything but boring, (and is downright sexy when worn Naked). Feast your eyes on our shades ranging from pale to deep, matte to sparkly. This collection lets you achieve lots of neutral looks, smoky dramatic eyes, and everything in between. Let's just say there's a whole new way to get Naked! The case has an art-school inspired look with hinged lid - taupe metal with embossed chocolate brown artwork. It's smooth, modern and cool to the touch - a real tactile experience. Plus, our palette also features a travel-size Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Naked, AND a double-ended, cruelty-free Good Karma Shadow/Crease Brush (available only in this palette). Any self-respecting makeup lover will have to have both palettes to get their complete neutral fix! 

Packaging: The palette is housed in a sleek metal tin that has clasps on each side to open and close the palette. Upon opening the palette, you will see 12 gorgeous full sized eyeshadows, a double ended Good Karma brush (flat brush and rounded blending brush) and a big mirror across the lid. The palette also includes a mini Lip Junkie Lipgloss in the shade Naked. 

Here are some pictures of the palette





So here are the eyeshadows

Foxy - matte soft beige with a hint of yellow. 
Half Baked - metallic neutral gold
Booty Call - frosted champagne-y white 
Chopper - shimmery orange with silver micro-glitter




Tease - matte taupe with purple undertone
Snakebite - dark bronze with golden shimmer
Suspect - frosted taupe-y bronze
Pistol - frosted grayish brown




Verve - pale pink-y gray
YDK - metallic coppery brown with silver micro-glitter
Busted - dark burgundy-brown
Blackout - matte intense black



Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Naked

Dual Ended Good Karma Brush

Flat end of the brush

Rounded blending end of the brush

Overall: I am in love with this palette! When it comes to eyeshadows, neutral shades are my bestfriend! With the 12 gorgeous shades that are included in this palette, there are endless makeup looks that I can create. From everyday neutral looks to smokey going out looks. I like that the highlighter shade (foxy) is a matte and the black matte (blackout) is rich and very intense. The $60.00 price tag for this palette may be a little steep but when you break it down, its actually a bargain as one full size Urban Decay eyeshadow costs $22.00 CAD x 12 = $264.00 + a Good Karma costs around $20.00, that's a total of $284.00. 

Price: $60.00 CAD/ $50.00 USD
Place to buy: Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutique

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