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Showing posts from March, 2017

LANEIGE | Two Toned Lip Bar

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It didn't take long for K-Beauty makeup to jump to the North American market after the skincare started to pop up in stores. Recently both Benefit and Laneige have launched duo toned lipsticks. You can read my Benefit review here . Keep reading for my full review! So first, let's talk novelty. The colour combinations are fun and bright, and much more flattering than I originally thought! The rectangular tip is much easier to use than I expected. I was also impressed by how gently and seamlessly the colour blend together-- no harsh lines. As will surprise nobody, Cashmere Nude was my favourite. I love the rosy nude with a pop of pink. Together they are so beautiful for spring. I found that each lipstick had a glossier colour, and a more matte shade. I wouldn't describe the matte as a true matte... maybe a semi-matte. Maybe its just me, but I felt that each colour had a different formula. Either way these feel great on the lips and are nice and hydrating. When you want to use

WET 'N WILD | Spring 2017 Favourites

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A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend Wet N' Wild's event in Toronto. Not only did I get to play with some products while I was there, but I also got sent home with a pretty sweet goodie bag. Remember being a kid and going to birthday parties? And then on the way out as a thank you for coming and having a good time they would give you a bag full of stuff ? Well that's what leaving felt, in the best possible way! I've had some time to test out the products, and today I am here with my curated list of favourites.  For those of you who don't know, Wet N' Wild is cruelty free. Photo Focus Foundation - $5.99 With an impressive selection of 20 shades, and a price point just over $5, you may be wondering, what's the catch? This foundation left my face feeling quite soft. I wouldn't call it full coverage, which is fine, because I don't usually go for full coverage. It is very lightweight, and as you can see in my photo, it photographs very well. I

Getting Ready With Blush Pretty

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You may know Blush Pretty as a company to book your bridal beauty services with. They have recently opened a chair at 508 Yonge Street (2nd floor) for quick services-- think getting your hair or makeup done before going out. Currently its not a walk in, but you can book the night before. Wearing my custom Bite Beauty lipstick!  Lucky me, I got an email from their team just at about the same time I was thinking of booking a hair appointment before going out to the biggest party of the year. Think prom, but with an open bar, and with all of my friends in my industry. I used the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette on my eyes. I arrived in my work clothes, and had my dress in my bag. I walked into the small, but bright and inviting loft-styled space to meet Stephanie. Honestly, the room was every beauty blogger's dream: bright, well lit, white, and lots of big mirrors. I described what I wanted: curls, framing my face, but with a bit of a side braid. I asked if she wanted to see my dress (

CAUDALIE | Micellar Cleansing Water

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When it comes to skincare I have a few brands that I always keep coming back to. Caudalie is one of those brands. Straight from the vineyards of Bordeaux, France, Caudalie relies heavily on grapes for their core ingredients. Today I am talking about their micellar water. Micellar water in general has taken the beauty works by storm. Its funny- before using it I always used makeup wipes, but now that I use micellar water I couldn't imagine switching back!  This micellar water is gentle and does not irritate my eyes or skin. I like to apply two pumps on two cotton rounds, and then press them on my closed eyes to gently remove my makeup around my eyes, before flipping them over to remove the makeup on the rest of my face. When I am done my skin feels clean, but not tight. Then I go about the rest of my nighttime routine.  I really like the fresh scent that this product has. It isn't overpowering at all, but it reminds me of a spa. This product is safe for sensitive skin.  Now I wi

Becoming a Mermaid | Aquamermaid Toronto!

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When I was first approached with the opportunity to become a mermaid participate in an Aquamermaid class I didn't think twice, I just said yes. Oh, and if I could bring a guest. I didn't want to go at it alone. Keep reading to learn about my fun day (hour) as a majestic mermaid. As somebody who grew up watching Disney princess movies, and loving all things girly, I naturally was thrilled at the chance to be a mermaid. I even considered buying an Ariel branded bikini top that looked like clam shells just for the occasion... I ended up going with my cousin's wife, and we turned it into a girl's day: mermaid, blow out and high tea. Details on the high tea coming soon! My only concern was if the tail would fit me-- looking back that was silly. The tails fit up to about a size 20. If that is a concern for you just email your local school. They are hard to roll up, but that's the case for everybody. Taking them off is way easier! After a quick swim test (two lengths of

MAC | ColourRocker Matte Lipstick Collection

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MAC is the queen of limited edition collections. They always have one on the shelves, and another stunner about to be released. In January they released a limited edition collection of 35 bold matte lipsticks including just about every matte colour you could dream up. Today I am here with five of them, and each one is exclusive to this collection! I was sent five shades from this collection, and if we are being honest I would say that each of them was outside of my comfort zone. One of the coolest things, in my opinion, about being a beauty blogger is being sent products that you would never buy. Now, hear me out. If I was buying something from this collection it would be pink or red (aka: safe). However as a blogger I get the opportunity to try shades that are so different from my usual. SO! With an open mind, and lips that are never fully ready for a matte swatch session... Uncontrollable  - Baked Orange I found this to be the best shade that I tried. Not only is it the most wearable

BENEFIT | They're Real! Double The Lip

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Last Christmas Benefit released a set of four mini dual-toned lipsticks. I recall being curious about them, but I didn't like that you had to buy them in a set (I was pretty much just interested in the nude shades) and I figured what would it matter if I fell in love with them-- I wouldn't be able to buy them when the holidays were over. Well lucky me! They released a full collection availiable in full size for this spring. Keep reading for my first impressions, and lip swatches! Availiable in eight shades ranging from nude to pink, from red to berry, these lipsticks are easy to apply with a beautiful satin finish* Complete with a custom teardrop tip, one shade lines while the other fills, leaving the lips with a greater appearance of volume and dimension. The goal with these lippies isn't to create a vast contrast, it is to compliment each colour so that together they can compliment you.  *While the finish is described by Benefit as "matte" I think it is a creamy

Exploring Essential Oils | Thursday Plantation

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Winter is finally, finally coming to an end. I mean its still winter...but finally I can unzip my coat a bit and shed my clunky winter boots. The only problem with this time of year is its still cold out-- and my optimism about the weather can leave me not feeling my best.  I mean you go out one time when its not quite warm enough without a proper coat... and yup. Thursday Plantation sent me this beautiful Winter Rescue kit (that I totally should have posted a few weeks ago, but moving has just really disrupted my content creation-- just wait until I show you all the new place though!) with tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus essential oils. I wanted to share with you a few ways that I use these oils, because who doesn't love self care + things that smell good? These oils are 100% natural, 100% pure, and not tested on animals. The brand is based in sunny Australia!  My favourite way to use lavender oil  is to gently press it into my temples, and then to give myself a scalp massage.

My 10 Dream Destinations

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Ever since my first trip to Europe, I have suffered (enjoyed?) a sever case of wanderlust. Simply put, I was hooked on travel. I would go so far to say that I would be happy to go anywhere given the opportunity for it to be free or highly subsidised other than say, a war zone. I took this photo in March 2011 as out boat approached Venice, Italy.  Today I thought it would be fun to share with you a little list of places I would love to go one day. I think I have travel on the mind as I am in the middle of booking an epic trip for my boyfriend and I this summer. While I of course wish I could travel everywhere at once, restrictions of vacation days and money come into play.  In no particular order, 10 places I would love to travel: English Country Side I would love to travel the English country side when the roses are in bloom, stay in an old manor-tuned bed and breakfast, and enjoy a few quiet days. Horse back riding would be a must! Eastern Europe Two years ago I went to Poland for the

CHARLOTTE TILBURY | Pillow Talk & Valentine

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Charlotte has this way of launching lipsticks where she launches 1 or 2 at a time (I mean other than the Hot Lips collection, but that’s different!), and instantly making me want to just buy them. Just in time for Valentines Day she released two stunning pink-nudes, and I am so excited to be sharing them here with you today. Valentine is a beautiful glossy pink that was named by her fans. I expected it to be more bubblegummy, and honestly mainly ordered it so I could write this post, however it is actually a very flattering, feminine pink. I’ve been reaching for this one to complete my everyday makeup and have been so impressed with how versatile it is. Given that it is a standard (re: not matte) formula, wear time is not remarkable. But that’s okay. Charlotte knows how to make lipstick! With medium coverage, it looks natural but polished. As you can see in the swatches it makes Bitch Perfect (which I consider pink) look peachy. I would almost say that this lipstick is Bitch Perfect b

Clinique x Crayola

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Brand collaborations are always interesting to see. I think the best ones are a bit unexpected, but also a natural pairing. Bonus points if you can evoke some nostalgia. While officially Crayola’s lip crayons are called “Chubby Sticks” lets be honest… everybody calls them crayons. Partnering Crayola with Clinique is smart, its fun, and it doesn’t come in to either of their market shares. I mean hey, Clinique doesn’t sell * actual* crayons.   One of my favourite things about writing this post was getting to buy a box of crayons, because I haven’t had those in my room in over a decade. Actually no-- the best part was styling the first photo with the crayons together, and then colouring with the crayons for fun. These lip crayons are named after popular crayon colours. Sheer, moisturizing, and easy on the lips these lip balms are easy (and fun!) to work with. Of the three I was sent my favourite would probably be Mauvelous. Available shades include: Razzmatazz (my favourite pink crayon as