six feet in heels

Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream

2012-02-27T12:00:00.001-05:00

Last week, I spotted Garnier's new BB Cream at my local Shopper's Drug Mart. I actually had my heart set on picking up Marcelle's version, but they didn't have it in stock yet. Garnier's was on sale and I had a $10 gift card, so I figured that it wouldn't hurt to test it out.

"All-in-one skin care that gives 5 benefits: Hydrates, corrects wrinkles and imperfections, protects with SPF 15, evens and brightens skin tone."

Garnier's BB Cream has quite a thick consistency, thicker than even my least-viscous foundations. I find I need to apply quite a bit to cover my entire face, but that it does significantly even out my skintone. The effect is very similar to that of Origins VitaZing.

You'll notice in the photo that the colour doesn't quite match my skin. Even though I picked up Light/Medium, it's a tad dark for my NW20 skin. Honestly, when I blend it into my face, it only has the effect of a light dusting of bronzer, so I don't mind, although I do think this makes a point for Garnier extending the shade range to at least 3!

As for wear time, I'm pretty impressed. I find this wears all day (6ish hours) on me, regardless of if I set it or not. It creates a velvety matte finish and controls my oil pretty well. I do notice some shine around the 4 hour mark, but it's not significant enough to warrant powdering.

Overall, I'm quite pleased with Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream! It's priced significantly lower than my current tinted moisturizer, yet supplies the same benefits. It was on sale for $15.99, which is a great price for this sort of product! Although it's not a perfect match, it's very different from wearing a foundation that is too dark and blends in good enough for me.

Have you tried Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream yet? Thoughts?

My February Glymm Box!

2012-02-26T14:26:00.000-05:00

I returned from a quick trip to my February Glymm Box! It was a bit delayed this month, but Glymm warned customers that this would be the case as they were waiting for shipments from a company. I didn't mind; I don't keep track of when I should get my boxes and enjoy the surprise they bring! They seem to have dropped the jelly bean jar, which I support. It was a waste for me, although the jars were cute! Let's see what I got.

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Tigerlily

First off, love the name! Second, love Burt's Bees. This is full-size and retails for $7.99, which is almost the price of the box. My mom received a pink one called Hibiscus, but I'm very happy with my peachy-nude shade. The formula seems similar to Burt's normal lip balms and deposits a nice, sheer tint.

Sula Natural Creme Eyeshadow in Why Not?

I received a Sula lipgloss in my last (or second last) Glymm Box and am pleased to receive this eyeshadow, although I hope they don't go 3 for 3 next month! Too much of a brand (unless it's Chanel, NARS, etc) is not a good thing in these boxes. This shadow is a gorgeous, olive green and unique in my collection. I'm really into cream shadows right now, so this couldn't have come at a more perfect time! The formula seems to be a little tougher than MAC Paint Pots, but it applies well. This is full-size as well and retails for $8.

Mai Couture 2-1 Blotting/Bronzing Paper

I have to be honest, I'm not sure about this. I've seen this brand's blushing papers, which I would like to try, but the bronze in these seems much too dark for my pale skin. Plus, I blot mostly on my T-zone and wouldn't want to bronze only there, so I'm a tad confused by the whole concept. Oh well, what can you do? There seems to be 2 sheets in my sample, which is a bit of a rip off considering 100 costs $24. Slightly disappointed by this.

Glamglow Tingling and Exfoliating Mud Mask

This I am excited about! This mask costs $78 for 50mL and my sample is 7ml, which means it contains over $10 of mask! It's not huge, but I'm hoping to get a couple applications out of it. I've seen this mask on other beauty sites and it intrigues me, so I'm looking forward to testing it out. It smells very nice, almost floraly and not "dirty" like I expected a mud mask to.

And here are swatches of Tigerlily and Why Not?:

Do you subscribe to Glymm Box or other similar services? How was your February box?

Corals for Late-Winter Blues

2012-02-21T12:00:00.000-05:00

This time of the year is always a bit of a struggle for me. Winter is starting to overstay it's welcome and I'm just ready for Spring to come and bring me some warmer weather! Since I'm dreaming of the bright colours of Spring, I've found myself reaching for a coral palette of cream blushers. Not only do they brighten up my complexion, they also brighten up my mood (haha, corny, I know).

My three corals of choice are Illamasqua Rude, NYX Glow and Topshop Neon Rose. They are all quite different, but blend beautifully into my drier, winter skin and give me a flush and subtle sheen.

Despite the fact that these 3 run the gamut of price-ranges, from drugstore NYX to high-end Illasmasqua, the formulas are all spectacular and I wouldn't hesitate to buy more shades from these lines.

(L-R: Rude, Glow, Neon Rose)

Do you have any makeup products that make winter seem a little less, well, winter-y?

MUFE La Boheme Rouge Artist Natural Lipsticks

2012-02-17T10:28:00.000-05:00

Make Up For Ever is one of my favourite brands for essentials. Their foundations, powder and primers are all perfection! I also like some of their more colourful products, like the Rouge Artist Intense line of lipsticks, but find them to be slightly too pigmented for most days. I usually like to play up my eyes, so a super-opaque matte or semi-matte lip is way too much. This is why MAC's Lustre finish is my favourite! Anyways, I was delighted when MUFE decided to release the new Rouge Artist Natural lipsticks, with all the great qualities of the original Rouge Artist, but a more natural (ie, sheer) finish.

Before the entire line rolls out in spring, MUFE has decided to give us a little taste with the La Boheme collection. It also includes a baked eyeshadow palette and eyeliner, but the 2 new lippies are the star of the show, in my opinion! They are Folk, an iridescent coral and Boheme, an iridescent nude.

(don't you just love the designs on the tubes?!)

(Folk, Boheme)

I love both shades. Not only are they sheer, yet creamy, they both have a slight iridescence that adds interesting dimension. It's very subtle, but I love the effect! Both lip swatches below show a hint of the effect: there is a slight pinky sheen to Folk and a gold to Boheme.

Folk reminds me of a slightly darker, less-pink version of MAC's Cut-A-Caper from Tartan Tale. Boheme is actually quite unique in my collection, but I'm pleased to say that it's a nude that doesn't make me look like a zombie! It lets the natural berry tones of my lips peek through and keeps me from becoming a pasty ghost.

I highly recommend both these shades! They work wonders on my pale skin and are definitely go-to shades within their respective ranges. Have you tried the MUFE Rouge Artist Natural Lipsticks yet? Thoughts?

OOTD: bad idea

2012-02-09T12:00:00.000-05:00

I was posting all over twitter last week about my new pleather leggings. I've been eying various pairs for a quite a while and finally found a bargain pair for $11 at my local Winners (basically the Canadian TJ Maxx). I decided to wear them out for the first time last Friday to work. Now, that doesn't seem like such a terrible idea; Fridays are usually a more casual day. However, I work at my school's athletic facility and I wore them to a basketball game. A bunch of sweaty athletes + a gym full of fans = my pleather leggings became sauna pants. I took pictures beforehand and was quite happy with my outfit (even though it turned me into a sweaty mess). So, if I can bestow any wisdom, don't wear pleather to sporting events!

Sheer Blouse - Eclipse
Pleather Leggings - Winners
Flats - Ardene's
Necklace - Tiffany & Co

NOTD: American Apparel "Angeline"

2012-02-08T09:06:00.000-05:00

I had never tried American Apparel nailpolish, but when they had an amazing offer on Teambuy (5 for $15!) I couldn't pass it up. $3 a pop is an absolute steal for a brand that I've heard so many good things about! Here is a bright berry, Angeline:

The colour is a bit brighter in real life; damn Blogger for always degrading my photos! I loved it and received many compliments on it.

As for wear time, I was pretty impressed. There was some tip-wear after the first day, but it held on fairly well for about a week. I usually don't wear nail colours for longer than that anyways! I'm excited to try out some of the other shades I picked up, including Malibu Green!!

Have you tried out AA nailpolishes? Thoughts?

FOTD: bruised

2012-02-03T15:17:00.000-05:00

I absolutely adore NARS Habanera duo. Seriously, it was such a wise purchase. Together, the shades are great, but they are also phenomenal when paired with other shadows. When I matched it to UD Missionary, a sheerer taupe, it took on more brown qualities and turned into a bruise-like colour. Even though that shouldn't work on my eyes, it did and added loads of dimension! I love how versatile the purple is and received many compliments on this look :)

FACE:

Origins VitaZing Moisturizer
MAC MSFN in Light Medium
NYX Rose Petal Cream Blush
MAC Redhead MSF
theBalm Time Concealer in Light

EYES:

UDPP
UD Missionary - on lid
NARS Habanera - purple side, in crease and outer corner
MAC Hocus Pocus - wet as upper lashliner
Buxom Lash Mascara in Black Black

LIPS:

Korres Mango Butter Lipstick in Nude Rose

Some New Revlon Shadows

2012-01-29T11:10:00.000-05:00

Recently, I've had a drugstore love affair, purchasing many of the superb products that drugstore beauty brands are offering us. This includes the standouts like L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows and Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters, both of which are fantastic. My success has made me curious about what else these budget brands put out, so I decided to try out some Revlon Eyeshadows.

Now the title may be slightly deceptive, as only one of these products is truly "new". But the other is new to me, so I went with it.

Revlon Satin Eyeshadow in Peacock Lustre has long been known as a dupe for hard-to-find MAC LE Birds and Berries. It's a stunning blue-green, packed with shimmer and a metallic finish.

I've used it both wet and dry and am very impressed with the pigmentation. It's become a favourite liner of mine when I want something different from the usual black! I've also found myself using it as a crease colour to give any old eye-look some drama. It's absolutely stunning and I can't believe I've waited this long to get it.

The Revlon Colorstay Quad in Siren was purchased using some Shopper's Optimum Points because the taupe/purple combo caught my eye. It includes a cool-toned silver, a taupe, a sparkly lilac and a matte black. I have to admit, I haven't tested them without primer to see if they wear for 16 hours (like they claim to), but I do like the pigmentation and find the wear-time with UDPP to be similar to my higher-end shadows.

This photo in natural light is a fairly true representation of the pigmentation of these shades. They are definitely sheerer than most shadows, but I really didn't mind and found that they worked well for a more professional look. Both the silver and taupe work well as a lid colour, followed by the lilac in the crease and the black as a liner (wet or dry). I didn't follow the instructions on the back of the package when creating a look (who does anyways?).

Overall, I LOVE Peacock Lustre and recommend that everyone run out and get it! It's $5 well spent! As for the Colorstay Quad in Siren, I haven't made my mind up. The shades aren't amazing, but if you could pick it up for $10 or so, it's probably worth it. I'm definitely curious about the Colorstay quads and want to try out another, perhaps with more bright shades.

Have you tried either of these products or any other Revlon eyeshadows? What do you think?

DIY Chocolate Mask

2012-01-20T12:00:00.000-05:00

I tried to think of a clever title for this post, but I really wanted to get across that it is in fact about a DIY Chocolate Face Mask and not confuse anyone, so I went with this straightforward one. This mask is a favourite of mine and I've been using it for years. It's perfect for those of you with oily skin. I find it sucks up the oil and really tightens my skin.

I've decided to share my super-easy, secret weapon mask with all you beautiful ladies. Let me know if you try it and what you think!

- Start with a heaping teaspoon of plain cocoa powder

- Add about half a teaspoon of milk. I never measure the milk as I can eyeball it fairly well.

- The most important part is that you get something that looks like the consistency of thick, melted chocolate

- I then apply it using my fingers in a pretty thick layer! Here's the obligatory shot of my masked face.

Oh pretty, pretty!

You then must let the mask dry, which takes about 30 minutes. Then, wash it off with a washcloth soaked in warm water. If you use cold water, the mask won't melt enough and you'll end up scratching your skin off! I like that the mask mildly exfoliates, but trust me, you don't want to scrub the chocolate flakes off. It hurts!

I hope you have fun trying out my chocolate mask! Do you use any homemade masks? I would love to see your recipes!

Drugstore Mini Haul

2012-01-13T14:35:00.000-05:00

I mentioned a while back that one of my research jobs pays me in Walmart giftcards. While not ideal, I do like that it gives me the opportunity to catch some new drugstore releases and not feel guilty! I received $160 in giftcards recently and headed straight to Walmart to get some new Revlon Lip Butters. Unfortunately, my Walmart doesn't seem to stock them yet (insane, I know), but I did spot a new shade of L'Oreal Infallible (Sahara Treasure), Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze and L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm in Caring Coral.

As I'm sure you already know, I love my neutral eyeshadows! I was actually disappointed that the Maybelline Color Tattoo and L'oreal Infallible ranges are so colourful, but excited about 2 new neutrals. I really need to stop buying neutrals, but these were basically free, right? RIGHT? Just validate me, please.

The L'oreal Infallibles were already reviewed here, but I will say that Sahara Treasure has the same wonderful texture and is very pigmented and metallic. Maybelline Color Tattoos remind me of MAC Paint Pots and Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows, in both texture and packaging. The coverage of the Color Tattoos is much greater than Benefit Creaseless Creams, and truthfully, I think I prefer the Maybelline version to Benefit's. I only own MAC Painterly, and I don't find it comparable to Bad to the Bronze, so I can't comment. The wear time of Color Tattoos is amazing! I wore Bad to the Bronze all day and night, for over 12 hours, and there was very minimal fading. That's impressive, especially considering the $7 price tag.

The L'oreal Colour Riche Balm is similar to Revlon Lip Butters in theory, but I prefer Revlon's. The Colour Riche Balms are extremely sheer and I have pigmented lips, so they don't do it for me. Also, the L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm has a funny, almost chemical smell and taste. I'm happy I tried them, but won't be re-purchasing.

Anyways, onto the good stuff (aka swatches)!

(L-R: L'oreal Infallible in Sahara Treasure, Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze, L'oreal Colour Riche Balm in Caring Coral)

An eyelook using:

Bad to the Bronze on lid
NARS Fez in the crease, outer corner
WnW I Heart Matte Palette - black wet as liner
Buxom Lash Mascara as Blackest Black

(Caring Coral on my pigmented lips)

FOTD: blonde testdrive

2012-01-12T12:00:00.000-05:00

This is my first look using MAC's Blonde MSF. It's still available on the MAC website, which I find baffling as it is LE, but all the better for those of you who have waited to indulge!

FACE:

Clarins Instant Smooth Self-Tanning Primer
Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in 51
Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Undereye Roller
theBalm Time Balm Concealer in Light
MAC Blonde MSF (as blusher)
Tarte Park Avenue Princess Matte Bronzer

EYES:

MAC Painterly Paint Pot
NARS Dogon Eyeshadow - taupe all over lid
WnW I Heart Matte Palette - black, wet as upper lashliner
Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black

LIPS:

Jordana Easyshine in Sweet Strawberry

Black Milk Leggings + OOTD

2012-01-10T13:37:00.000-05:00

A few years back I became aware of Black Milk, a clothing label out of Australia that does amazing printed pieces. Their Galaxy leggings initially caught my eye and I've been stalking the site ever since. Tali from The Gloss Goss and Glossy's Wardrobe recently did a post about Black Milk that made me totally envious and probably pushed me to actually purchase a piece.

One of the neat things about Black Milk is that, from time to time, they re-release popular leggings, etc, that have sold out in the past. The Cathedral Leggings were always my favourite, and when I saw that they were going to be re-released, I knew I had to get them! I stayed up until 2am (because of the time difference) and ordered myself a pair. I guess they had more stock than I expected, because they are still available. Yes, the pieces are pricey, but the quality is amazing and you're really getting a work of art. Here's a close-up of the leggings on:

Blogger has definitely made the photo a lot more grainy and less vibrant. Trust me, in person these babies stand out! I wore them today and besides noticing every single person who passed me was staring at my legs, I received tonnes of compliments. The print is based on real stained glass windows from a church in France, which I think is so neat! The detail on them is unbelievable; you can even see castles and a waterfall in the background on my thighs. Absolute works of art!

As for sizing, I'm usually a US size 8 (sometimes a 6) and purchased a Medium, which fit perfectly! Black Milk has a really great sizing chart and advise to size down if you're in between 2 sizes, since the fabric is so stretchy.

Here's how I styled the Cathedral Leggings.

Leggings - Black Milk
Dress - Joe Fresh
Sweater - Joe Fresh
Purse - Botkier
Earrings - Suzy Shier
Necklace - Tiffany & Co.

I also wore a pair of combat-style boots with this outfit, but they were mucky and couldn't be photographed on the hardwood!

Do you own any Black Milk pieces? What are your thoughts?

MAC Blonde & Redhead for a Brunette!

2012-01-08T11:39:00.000-05:00

When it was announced that 2 more MAC Mineralized Skin Finishes would be making re-appearance, I knew I had to get them. I always kick myself for not getting MSFs and have finally learned my lesson. The second they were available online, I ordered both Blonde and Redhead from the MAC, Naturally Collection. As I'm a brunette, I wish that they re-released the Brunette MSF so I could get the complete trio, but I'll have to settle for just 2! To my surprise, both MSFs are still very much available on the MAC website, and if you're still undecided, I very much recommend that you pick them up!

Redhead and Blonde are both extremely smooth MSFs and don't suffer from the grittiness problems that often accompany them. They both impart more of a sheeny glow that is quite subtle and lovely. As a pale girl (NW15/20), I can use both of them as blushers, which I'm thrilled with. One of the nice things about these MSFs is that they consist of 4 separate shades. The 2 middle colours are probably too small to be used on their own, but you can definitely fit a blush brush into the 2 outer sections. This way, you get at least 3 different shades out of every MSF!

Blonde consists of a gradiant of 4 pinks, from cooler, pale pink to a warmer, deeper pink. Blended, they produce a gorgeous light pink flush.

Redhead's colours range from a peachy champagne to a coral pink and together make a lovely, peachy glow.

Overall, I'm totally thrilled with both MSFs from the MAC, Naturally Collection. They quality it superb and they are welcome additions to my collection! Expect to see these products popping up in many FOTDs to come.

Did you pick up these MSFs or anything from MAC, Naturally? Thoughts?

Kendra Scott Goodies (thanks boy!)

2012-01-06T11:17:00.000-05:00

As you may have noticed from my FOTDs, I'm an earrings kind of girl. I have one necklace that I wear everyday, and other than that, I don't really care for them. Earrings, however, are another story. I like them big, chunky and colourful; they have to be gaudy to be seen through my mane of hair!

The boy likes getting me jewelery for special occasions, which suits me just fine. He knows I like Kendra Scott's pieces and, with a bit of guidance, he was able to get me 3 lovely pairs!

Kendra Scott Ryanne in Mother-of-Pearl

Kendra Scott Kyle in Turquoise

Kendra Scott Wren in Blue Agate

As you can see, I'm still waiting for the last pair to arrive. Nordstrom's shipping sure is slow!

One of the reasons I love Kendra Scott Jewelery is because she uses colourful, semi-precious stones in very ornate settings. I've never cared much for diamonds or expensive stones, but instead like colourful and unique jewels. Her jewelery is also reasonably priced, especially when it's on sale! I don't want to be tacky, but all three pairs were discounted and priced very well.

The quality of her pieces is another reason I'm a fan. Even though to the naked eye, they may look similar to pieces from Forever 21 and the like, they are far from it. She uses gold-plated metals, ensuring that even those with sensitivity issues should be able to wear her jewelery and hand-crafts the pieces in Texas.

She also has a Color Bar both on her website and in her stores, where you can choose each and every stone for many pieces. I used the Color Bar to create my Danielle Earrings in Pink Jade, since they weren't regularly stocking it at the time. Many brides use the Color Bar to create custom pieces for them and their wedding party, using their wedding colours!

And now to the real test: how they look when worn!

Gorgeous! Even though these styles are extremely similar, I'll be wearing them for very different occasions. The Ryannes are much more work-appropriate, while the Kyles will be ideal for a night out. And yes, the Kyles are quite heavy, but the Ryannes are surprisingly light. If you find that heavy earrings bother you, don't even consider Kyle. I'm expecting that the Wren pair will be similar in size to the Ryanne. I stumbled upon the below photo after ordering and it got me even more excited about Wren - they look amazing on Hilary Duff! Her pair are green, but I really like the size of them and the look she has going on with the messy bun and scarf.

Thanks for checking out my Kendra Scott Christmas pressies. Do you own any Kendra Scott or have a favourite jewelery label?

Project Vinyl: Christmas Edition!

2012-01-04T12:02:00.000-05:00

As some of you may know, one of my New Year's Resolutions (although I do hate making them - I feel like I'm setting myself up for failure) is to use my record player more and listen to more vinyl. You can read my original post here.

Anyways, I did receive a few gifts of vinyl for Christmas from my lovely parents, including Adele's 21 and Ceremonials by Florence + The Machine. I've listened to both of these albums over and over on iTunes and listening to them for the first time on vinyl was an amazing experience. I could hear all the tiny nuances and pick out instruments that were buried on the mp3 tracks. I kept yelling at my mom to come and listen because the differences between the mp3 and vinyl version's of songs were blowing my away. I'm not new to vinyl or records by any means, but the quality of music shocks me every single time!

Are you a vinyl junkie like myself? Did you get any new music for Christmas?

2011's Top 11

2011-12-31T13:09:00.000-05:00

Since everyone's doing it, I decided to join in with a "best of" post in regards to my makeup faves for the year. I also hope to follow with an "everything else" faves - actual great things that happened, that have nothing to do with makeup. On a side note, 11 is one of my favourite numbers and made for an exciting year! Let's get started!

1. Origins Vita-Zing Moisturizer

Since discovering this little beauty in the summer, I've become obsessed. As a student, I often don't have time to do a full face of makeup, so this is a lifesaver. I can swipe it on and top with a little MAC MSFN and still look polished! I've noticed that it adds a bit of warmth (aka tan) to my pale skin, but not so much that it's obvious. It also moisturizes my oily skin great - not too much and not too little, just right!

2. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua

Oh my lord, this foundation is everything! Super lightweight, but stunning coverage and performs well on my oily skin. I know I shouldn't expect anything less from Chanel, but seriously this is the be-all and end-all of foundations.

3. MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural

I received this as a Christmas gift last year (good one, Mom!) and used it for a bit, then put it away. I liked it, but it didn't keep oil at bay that well. Finally, I dug it out again and started pairing it with Origins Vita-Zing for a winning combination! I've also re-discovered the beauty of using MSFN on it's own when I have next to no time to get ready in the morning. It's awesome and a student life-saver!

4. Make Up For Ever Microfinish HD Powder

This powder may be my most exciting discovery of the year! It's amazing for setting foundation and creating a soft-focus look. This is also the best mattifying powder I've ever found. Enough said.

5. theBalm Time Balm Concealer

I've been hunting down a great concealer for what seems like FOREVER. I inherited some lovely dark circles and have finally found something that helps disguise them. This stuff is thick and stays put for so long. I don't need to carry around a concealer with me for midday touch-ups, which is basically a dream come true for me.

6. NARS Dogon Eyeshadow Duo

If I was going to give 2011 to one brand, it was definitely NARS. I didn't even own any NARS until 2011 and now I've got a nice little collection, if I do say so myself! Dogon is a duo featuring a stunning duochrome taupe and dark navy-black. Together, they are fool-proof and I wore the taupe shade for practically the first month after purchasing.

7. MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow

Over the past few months, I've tried and tried to use other taupes, but there really is nothing like it! My cousin's wedding was on the 27th and I was maid of honour. And even though it was a risky move, I knew doing my makeup and using my signature combo of UD Sin + Satin Taupe would be perfect. And it was! I'm back on the Satin Taupe bandwagon and can't wait for more good times in 2012.

8. NYX Cream Blush in Natural

This blush seems SO boring in the pan, but is amazing on my skin. It just adds the perfect hint of colour and depth when I'm playing up my eyes or lips (or both!). The cream blush formula is super natural and this has become my blush for days when I can't make up my mind.

9. NARS Orgasm Blush

After finally hopping on the NARS bandwagon, I knew I needed to try our the infamous Orgasm. Initially, I found that it just made me look sunburnt and I was super bummed. However, once my tan faded and I got a new brush, I discovered the wonders of this blush. I always get compliments when I wear it and find it gives me the loveliest, innocent flush, despite the naughty name.

10. Dior Amber Diamond Skinshimmer

This was my big-ticket purchase for 2011. All of my non-makeup junkie friends think I'm mental for spending $50 on a highlighter or any piece of makeup for that matter. However, I'm extremely happy to have this one! It's amazing and just lights up my complexion. I also find myself using this as an eyeshadow and an everyday inner corner highlight. Money's worth if you ask me!

11. Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector

I'm not much of a lip-girl, as I find I can't get away with lots of eyeshadow and lipstick together. That means I'm always reaching for neutral lip products and love ones with added benefits, like moisturization. This Clarins lipgloss is unbelievable and perfect in every way: glossy, adds a hint of colour and moisturizes my lips. It literally hasn't left my handbag since I got it.

And there you have it, my top 11 of 2011! What was your favourite product? Did you do a "top" post? Link me below!

A Taste of L'oreal Paris Color Infallible Eyeshadows

2011-12-30T10:57:00.000-05:00

Despite having to wait for what felt like FOREVER for Revlon Lip Butters, I was lucky enough to snag L'oreal Paris Color Infallible Eyeshadows pretty much straight away. As part of my mega Shoppers Optimum points haul, I picked up two shades that caught my eye, All Night Blue and Permanent Khaki.

The texture of these shadows is perhaps the most interesting thing about them. They resemble Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill and Chanel Illusion D'ombre, but are slightly harder, IMO. Included is a tiny cover, presumably to hold in the moisture and keep the shadows for longer.

Wear time of these shadows is excellent! They claim it can be "up to" 24 hours, and while I haven't tested that claim, I doubt it to be totally true. I've worn both of these for a night out and the shadows do stay put for a full 6-8 hours, with no visible creasing. However, I also have extremely oily eyelids and wear a primer underneath just in case.

My favourite thing about these shadows is the pigmentation and complexity of the shades. They are packed full with shimmer and reflects, making them dance! Check out the swatches below to see what I mean.

(Permanent Khaki, All Night Blue)

Overall, I'm totally impressed by the Color Infallible eyeshadows and can't wait to pick up a few more shades, especially neutrals!

Did you pick up any of these shadows? Thoughts?

My 2 (Naked) Cents

2011-12-24T12:00:00.001-05:00

Since the original Naked palette came out, I feel like everyone (myself included) has been waiting for round two. When I received the email from Urban Decay that Naked 2 was available about a month ago, I immediately ordered. Literally, I didn't even think about it - I went into automatic makeup junkie mode. Of course, I have to pick my American orders up from a border store, so I'm always slightly delayed in getting the newest stuff. I finally retrieved it, along with a bunch of other goodies and Christmas presents, but wanted to give myself time to play with it before posting a proper review. Anyways, here it is!

The selection in this palette consists of 12 shadows, 5 of which are new or only available in Naked 2. You also get a double-ended brush, which is okay, but not the best and a mini lipgloss in Naked. To my naked (haha) eye, this palette looks cooler than the original. I've read from other bloggers that it's cooler, warmer, the same, but I personally find it cooler. I'm pale and cool-toned, so I was excited about that! I'm not going to expand on a description for each colour, because I feel like swatches speak for themselves.

(L-R Natural Light: Foxy, Half-Baked, Bootycall, Chopper, Tease, Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol, Verve, YDK, Busted, Blackout)

(L-R Flash: Foxy, Half-Baked, Bootycall, Chopper, Tease, Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol, Verve, YDK, Busted, Blackout)

My favourite shades are Bootycall, Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol, Verve and Busted. Bootycall is a shimmery pink-cream, and even though it's similar to Sin, I like it and am happy it's been included. Snakebite and Suspect are similar, both brown-taupe shimmers, but Suspect is distinctly more taupe. Pistol and Verve are by far the most cool-toned shades in the palette. Pistol is my #1 shade, a gorgeous grey-taupe. It's become a go-to shade for me! Verve is a cool, silver-taupe and very unique. It applies a bit sheerer than I expected, but I still like it. Busted is also much sheerer than it looks in the pan, but is great for darkening up the crease with any of the other shades as a lid colour.

My favourite part about the Naked 2 palette is the quality of shadows. My most recent UD palette, BOS IV, was rather gritty and not quite up to snuff to UD standards in hindsight. However, Naked 2 is superb. All the shadows are smooth beyond smooth and apply so nicely. Seriously, they require such little effort! Yes, there are a few shades with fallout (Chopper and YDK, I'm looking at you!), but that's Urban Decay for you. Overall, Naked 2 is an amazing value and totally worth your $50. Even if you have Naked 1, I think you'll be happy you've picked up Naked 2!

Do you have Naked 2? What are your thoughts?

Just Finished + Currently Reading

2011-12-23T12:52:00.000-05:00

Last night, as I do every night, I picked up one of the books I'm currently reading and dug in before bed. The book I happened to be One Day by David Nicholls.

I'll be honest - the only reason I bought it was because I liked the movie trailer. Jim Sturgess has been a fave of mine since Across the Universe, but I have a strict rule about reading the book before seeing the movie. Hence, if I wanted to watch One Day the film and go all googly-eyed at Jim Sturgess, I needed to first read the book.

Boy was I shocked. Right from the first page, I was hooked. One Day is told over the course of about 20 years of friendship between Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew. They meet on the day of their college graduation and are inexplicably linked afterwards. Despite the two very different directions their lives take, they try to come back to each other. Throughout the whole novel, it's obvious that they should be together, but fate keeps stepping in between them. I'm not going to give away too much more, but the ending is so totally bittersweet. I couldn't go to sleep last night without finishing it and ended up sitting in my bed, basically sobbing over this book. I always know a good book by the amount it makes me cry, so I consider One Day to be a very, very good one. I'm a typical stone-cold Aquarius, so for a novel to move me to sobs is pretty powerful. I highly recommend this one, but make sure you keep the tissues nearby and don't read it in public!

And now I've decided I must read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. I've heard the book and movie are both brilliant, and now that the movie is in theatres, there's some pressure to finally finish the book. I began it once before, but that went nowhere fast. I feel like I need something a bit tougher after the emotional rollercoaster that is One Day!

What are you currently reading?

December Glymm Box

2011-12-22T13:26:00.000-05:00

Another month, another Glymm Box. It seriously feels like just yesterday! I know a lot of people who are contemplating purchasing subscriptions as last-minute gifts and decided to do this post for them. I hope it's helpful.

1. YSL La Parisienne Perfume

I'm actually excited about this perfume sample. The perfume itself smells wonderful, but the bottle it comes in is really the treat! Of course, I forgot to include a picture, but it's a mini bottle with lots of facets and a little YSL logo. Quite a bit nicer than the usual tube. The scent is gorgeous - slightly floral, but not overbearing at all. It's very feminine and I could see myself purchasing a full-size bottle eventually.

2. Sula Beauty Natural Lip Gloss in Summer Fling

My mom also gets Glymm Box and she received a nude colour, so I'm very excited that mine is bright pink! It's very sheer and packed with sparkles, but does give a bit of colour. The smell is the only thing a bit strange about this - it's definitely chemically and almost unpleasant. I find it fades over time though, thank goodness! This is full-size and worth $8.

3. Caudalie Vinoperfect Enzymatic Peel Mask

Another Caudalie product! I'm excited to receive a mask and think this is probably about 1 application, maybe 2 if I spread it thin. It's supposed to exfoliate and leave your skin feeling refreshed, which is perfect for the busy holiday season.

4. Ahava Mineral Hand Cream

I actually have a tube of this from a summertime Birchbox, but I quite like it! The size fits in any handbag and the cream itself isn't bad. I don't love the smell, but I don't despise it either. I'll gladly take another tube of this!

Overall, not the best Glymm Box yet, but I'm quite happy with the perfume and lipgloss! Did you receive a Glymm Box this month? What did you get?

Won't you take me to Glossytown!?

2011-12-20T11:01:00.000-05:00

I always like and appreciate clever post titles and was happy to think of one for this post!

Benefit is always one for putting out great holiday sets and this year, they didn't disappoint. One that caught my eye from the beginning was the Ticket to Glossytown Lipgloss set. I was able to cash in oodles of Shoppers Drug Mart points a few weekends back and picked up Ticket to Glossytown as part of my shopping spree. It retails for $24 in the States and $26 in Canada (not a bad mark-up!) and contains 6 mini lipglosses, each with 0.1 oz. A normal Benefit Ultra Shine has 0.17oz and retails for $18. That means that you're getting about $63 worth of gloss in this set! Undeniable bargain.

The set contains 5 glosses from the normal Ultra Shine range and 1 shade that appears to be new, which is Kiss You. The formula of Ultra Shines is one of my favs and I'm excited to re-discover them! My first Benefit gloss was a freebie that came with Glamour when I was in Edinburgh. Damn the UK and their amazing magazine freebies! Anyways, it was the shade Life on the A-List, which is actually included in this set, and I adored it. I actually used the whole thing up and then, in the shuffle of Benefit re-formulating their glosses, forgot all about it. They're thick, but semi-sticky and smell wonderful! It's a fruity, sweet kind of scent, but very unique. The formula doesn't wear as long as say, MAC Lipglass, but I gladly trade decreased wear time for a more comfortable formula.

The shade selection in this set is great. I find some lipgloss sets (Anastasia Kisses on my List set, for example) stick to one colour and end up being rather boring. With Ticket to Glossytown, you get a lavender, a coral, a pink, a peach, a nude and a berry shade! Love that! As you can see, I love this set and highly recommend you pick it up while it's still available. Just stick it in your stocking - no one will even know!

And lastly, here are some swatches of Ticket to Glossytown. You can really see the sparkle in a few of the shades in the photo with the flash!

(L-R: Kiss You, Spiked Punch, Life on the A-List, Foxy Lady, So Frisk Me, Nudie-Tude)

(My fave of the bunch, Spiked Punch)

Do you own this set? Thoughts?

FOTD: From Nepal to Cordura...

2011-12-18T16:25:00.000-05:00

Just another face experimenting with NARS Pleasures of Paris palette! I really like that most of the shadows are named after places. Makes me dream of traveling somewhere exotic this summer....

FACE:

Origins Vita-Zing! Moisturizer
MUFE Microfinish HD Powder
NYX Cream Blush in Rose Petal

EYES:

UDPP
NARS Nepal - all over lid
NARS Cordura - crease, outer corner
NARS Abyssinia - inner corner
WnW I Heart Matte Palette - black, wet as upper lashliner
Buxom Lash Mascara

LIPS:

Joe Fresh Cream Lipstick in Nude

Project Vinyl

2011-12-12T13:56:00.000-05:00

I've rarely mentioned it on six feet in heels, but I'm crazy about music. In high school, I was one of those girls who judged everyone based on their musical taste, dated boys in bands and felt extremely hardcore and legit. I even have a shirt that says "I listen to bands that don't even exist yet". I hope you catch my drift.

Anyways, I also have a vintage record player, gifted to me by my dad. It was his - he actually used his student loans to buy it! He also never threw out a record and now I have them all. That means not only do I have a huge collection, I also have plenty of records I've never even listened to. So I've decided that my (early) New Year's Resolution this year is to a) listen to all of my records and b) bulk up my vinyl collection. Seriously, when you listen to music on vinyl and then on CD or your computer, there is just no comparison!

So, as part of my Recharge Year, I'm starting up Project Vinyl. I'm going to try to listen to a new vinyl album each day until I have exhausted my collection. I know I must have so many gems just hiding amongst my records and I want to experience all that the 70's and 80's had to offer!

So without, further ado, I'm kicking off Project Vinyl with.....

December 12th - Bob Dylan "Hard Rain"

Do you listen to vinyl? Any "must have" albums?

OOTD: lacey

2011-12-10T14:18:00.000-05:00

Yes, I can't believe I'm posting an outfit of the day either! It's literally been months. I suppose that when school is in I a) don't dress as nicely and b) don't have as much time in the day to photograph outfits. This one was particularly cute (IMO), so I decided to take the time and make it into an OOTD.

Lace Tank - H&M
White Tank - Joe Fresh
Black Jeans - H&M
Cream Cardi - Forever 21
Knit Boots - Old Navy
Belt - Primark
Purse - Coach Spotlight
Necklace - Tiffany & Co.

NARS Pleasures of Paris, Douceur + FOTD

2011-12-07T10:00:00.000-05:00

A few weeks back, Giltcity had an amazing promo - buy a $80 NARS Voucher for only $40! I didn't hesitate to hop on that and was excited to finally pick up 2 NARS items I've been lemming for: the Pleasures of Paris Palette and Douceur Blush.

Pleasures of Paris is a 6-shadow palette containing 1.4g of some of NARS' best shadows: Nepal, Violetta, Demon Lover, Fez, Abyssinia and Cordura. It's a nice mix of neutrals and purples, or as NARS puts it " earthy neutrals and floral hues". Love descriptions like that! Here are 2 sets of swatches, the first in natural light and the second with flash.

(L-R: Nepal, Violetta, Demon Lover, Fez, Abyssinia, Cordura)

I haven't much of a chance to use the palette yet, but I already love it. The quality of 5 of the 6 shadows (the exception being Violetta) is superb. Violetta is a bit sheer and doesn't really show up as much on my skin. I'm still going to experiment with it and hopefully I can make it work.

Douceur is a gorgeous "soft pink brown" that's matte. I've recently noticed that my blush collection is crowded with bright pinks and corals, and full of shimmer. Douceur gives me a really pretty, yet natural flush and is good for days when I've played up my eyes or lips and want to keep everything else subtle. I've also topped it with a highlighter to add more dimension, so it's proving to be quite versatile!

(natural light, flash)

Here's a look using both of my new NARS goodies!

FACE:

Origins Vita-Zing Moisturizer
MAC MSFN in Light Medium
NARS Douceur Blush
NARS Orgasm Illuminator

EYES:

UDPP
NARS Abyssinia - all over lid
NARS Fez - outer corner, crease
WnW I Heart Matte Palette black shade - wet as upper lashliner
Buxom Lash Mascara

LIPS:

Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in 01 Rose Reflet

Another Revlon Lip Butter Post

2011-12-05T12:29:00.000-05:00

I know that everyone and their dog has done a post on Revlon Lip Butters, but I really want to share my thoughts and some more lip swatches! I have very pigmented lips and think that lip products often show up very differently on me than most girls.

Lip Butters haven't been officially released in Canada yet (although a few lucky girls have found them here!). My mom went down to the States for Black Friday Shopping and I sent her with a list of 3 to pick up. Luckily, she found them all and brought them back to me. Strawberry Shortcake is a light, blue-based pink, Berry Smoothie is a my-lips-but-better rose and Red Velvet is a vampy, burgundy-red.

So what is my verdict on the formula and pigmentation? These are very creamy, moisturizing and comfortable to wear. Of course, they're not exactly as long-wearing as traditional lipsticks, but I find them much more comfortable than almost everything else I own. I don't even feel like I'm wearing much on my lips, which is nice. Second, pigmentation is fantastic. The lighter shades will impart less colour (duh), but shades like Red Velvet are SO opaque and pack a punch!

And now onto the real excitement: swatches!

(L-R: Strawberry Shortcake, Berry Smoothie, Red Velvet)

(bare lips)

(Strawberry Shortcake)

(Berry Smoothie)

(Red Velvet)

Now, are these for you? I'm the type of girl who prefers to play up her eyes much more than her lips. I'm also the type of girl who thinks you shouldn't be wearing heavy-duty eye makeup and bright, intense lips all at once. Unless of course, it's a night out or something like that, but we're talking day-to-day here. If I wear a bright lippy, like MAC Viva Glam Cyndi or Lime Crime Centrifuschia, I've probably only got eyeliner and mascara on my eyes. Vice versa, if I'm wearing an eye look, I'll go for a sheer gloss or tinted balm. So, Revlon Lip Butters are pretty much a God-send for me! The lighter colours have become daily staples, since they don't compete with my eye looks but pull everything together. Depending on how you like your makeup, these may be perfect for you too!

November Favourites!

2011-12-03T16:55:00.001-05:00

I think I just need to accept that I'm going to be late on my favourites for every single month. At least this time, it's only a few days behind! November was a good makeup month; I felt inspired to wear lots of eyeshadows and new lippies, so I feel like I've got a unique list of faves. Take a peek!

1. NARS Habanera Duo Eyeshadow

Thanks to the gorgeous Jess of Getting Cheeky, I added 2 new NARS duos to my collection in October. However, Habanera was one that had been sitting, seldom-used, since August. I've decided to bust it out recently and absolutely adore it. The icy green seems a bit "Britney Spears at 15" at first, but when you pair it with the smoky plum, it's gorgeous and grown-up. I've been wearing this both to school and out on the town a lot. You can really change the look depending on how much smoky-ness you add to it!

2. SUPER by Perricone Coconut Hydrator

I've been recently experiencing some dry patches on my face and seeking out something to help. I also own the SUPER 3-Minute Facial (and LOVE it), so I decided to put my skin in the brand's hands again and see what happens. The Coconut Hydrator is lightweight, but extremely moisturizing. Best of all, it doesn't make my skin any more oily!

3. Revlon Lip Butters

I plan to do a full review of these, but for now let's just say that I'm obsessed! I'm lucky enough to live close to the US border and when my mom went Black Friday shopping, I sent her with a list of lip butters! She came back with three that have completely excited me for the Canadian release. They are perfect; moisturizing, pigmented, glossy and more like a tinted balm than a lipstick. I prefer wearing these types of lippies to really intense lipsticks and can see these becoming my new go-tos.

4. theBalm Cabana Boy Blush

I purchased this blush in the summer during a 50% off sale on theBalm's website. At the time, it made my tanned skin look sun burnt, so I tossed it aside. Early in the month, I re-discovered it and LOVE it on my pale, winter skin. It gives a gorgeous, raspberry flush that looks really natural and suits my cool skintone. The shimmer ends up being very subtle when applied, which I like.

5. Hanson

Whatever, I like to throw in a non-makeup favourite every once in a while. In mid-November, it was announced that Hanson will be playing a show at my campus pub in February. I just about had a heart attack at this news. I've been trying to see Hanson for a decade! Middle of Nowhere was my first CD ever and since then, I've been hooked. I literally begged my mother to come see them with me in October, but to no avail. I've been listening to their albums non-stop since the announcement and cannot wait for the concert, especially since it's very close to my birthday. What a great present!

November Glymm Box

2011-12-01T11:00:00.000-05:00

This is my second Glymm Box (you can see my review of the October box here) and I have to say, I'm impressed once again! For only $10, I get a wide variety of samples and at least one full-size item. They also include a little jar of seasonal jelly beans in each box, but I don't really care for those. I've tried Birchbox, and I have to say, I definitely prefer Glymm. I would also like to try out Topbox, but they are sold out until March and who knows if the quality will decline by then. Let's take a look at what I got in November's box!

1. RGB Nail Polish in Slate

This polish is full-size!!! At $16, my box instantly just paid for itself! I love the colour and actually don't own a dupe. It's a deep charcoal, with a metallic glean, but it's very mature looking. I think this makes a lovely, wintery polish. I've yet to try out the formula, but I've heard good things.

2. Rahua Luxury Shampoo and Conditioner

As you can see, you only get packets of these, however, they are quite large. If you don't have thick hair (like me), you could probably get more than one use out of them. They full-size bottles of this are quite pricey, but I don't use sulfates or silicones on my hair, so I passed them along to my mom.

3. Lise Watier Flash Lift Radiance Vial

I've never heard of this product, but am mega-intrigued! I'm going to use it the day of a holiday party and hopefully experience instant results. A full-size product contains 7 vials for $27, which isn't bad. If I see results, I would consider re-purchasing.

4. Annabelle Smudge Paint in Skyline

Another full-size! Woo hoo! This is a nifty little eyeliner/eyeshadow in a bright, royal blue. The brush actually comes out of the cap and then you twist off the rest to get to the product. I've tested this out and it is great! Super long-wearing and very pigmented. The blue is a tad bright for my liking, but I may purchase this in black.

5. Orlane Paris Light Smoothing Cream

I don't care a lot for samples of creams in these boxes. I have sensitive skin and I'm young, so I'm not looking to spend oodles on a cream right now. It smells light, which I like, but I'm not wowed by this. Won't be purchasing a full-size.

Have you ever tried Glymm Box? If not, what is your favourite subscription service?

FOTD: purple haze

2011-11-30T11:00:00.001-05:00

For no particular reason, I decided to match my eyeshadow to my scarf today! I think it turned out pretty cute and it gave me an opportunity to experiment with colour a bit more.

FACE:

Clarins Instant Smooth Self-Tanning Primer
Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in 51
Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Roller
Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Palette

EYES:

UDPP Original
theBalm Curtain Call Eyeshadow (Muppets) - all over lid
WnW Kitten Eyeshadow - all over lid
MAC Satellite Dreams Eyeshadow - crease, outer corner
WnW I Heart Matte Palette Black Eyeshadow - wet as upper lashliner
Clarins Waterproof Eye Pencil in Violet - lower lashline

LIPS:

Viva Glam Gaga Lipgloss

FOTD: out on the town!

2011-11-21T11:00:00.000-05:00

Last week, I celebrated my friend's 23rd birthday with her and decided to go a little crazy on my eye makeup. I had just received NARS Underworld in my Sephora F+F package and desperately wanted to wear it. Here's how it turned out!

PS - sorry that the pics aren't in natural light! They were taken at about 7pm.

FACE:

Clarins Instant Smooth Self-Tanning Primer
Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in B10
NYX Cream Blush in Rose Petal
Benefit High Beam Highlighter

EYES:

UDPP
NARS Underworld Duo - silver all over lid, navy in crease, extended outer corner and lower lashline
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Obscure Loose Color Concentrate - inner corner and lower lashline
UD 24/7 Liner in Zero - upper lashline and waterline
MUFE Smoky Lash Mascara

LIPS:

MAC The Faerie Glen Lipstick (LE Tartan Tale)

A Dogon Dupe?!

2011-11-19T13:59:00.000-05:00

Most people who know about my makeup obsession also know that I love NARS Dogon Duo Eyeshadow from Summer 2011. The taupe is my absolutely favourite eyeshadow of all time! It's a slightly sheer wash of taupe with lots of shimmer and a green iridescence. In a word, stunning! Unfortunately, it's a little pricey for my students budget and limited edition, so I would have to get back-ups, which I really can't afford.

Today, I was browsing through the GOSH makeup at Shopper's Drug Mart and stumbled upon a little display of baked eyeshadows (named "Glamorous Eye Shadow"). I'm a taupe/neutrals fiend, so one in particular, 14 Grey Brown, caught my eye and I decided to swatch it. I was blown away; a slightly sheer taupe packed with shimmer and a faint iridescence. Could this be a dupe for my beloved Dogon?!

When I arrived home, I immediately swatched the two and compared. Here are 2 photos in natural light and one with a flash.

(Grey Brown, Dogon)

Dogon is slightly warmer and has more iridescence to it, but overall, they are very close! I would say I've discovered about a 90% dupe. I actually like the look of Grey Brown more; it's cooler, which compliments my skin tone. When you apply them on your eye, the difference is virtually indistinguishable.

Now the only problem: GOSH has very limited availability, especially in the States. It's available at Shopper's Drug Marts in Canada, but I've yet to find a dealer in the States. If you know of any, please let me know and I'll add them to this post so everyone can share in the dupe-y goodness.

What do you think? Are they dupes? Have you tried GOSH Grey Brown?

Mega Weekend Haul

2011-11-16T11:00:00.001-05:00

Over the past few days, I've indulged in some retail therapy. No particular reason; everything just seemed to be calling to me! I'm very excited about my haul and wanted to share with all of you. Let me know if you have feedback on any of the items.

First off, Bath and Body Works just opened in my town and I went a little candle crazy! Unfortunately, they only had the Christmas scents available, but I had no issue finding some gems amongst those. The 14.5oz candles were on promo 2 for $25, so I picked up Homemade Cookies and Hot Buttered Rum. Both sweet and delish!

4oz candles were buy one, get one free, plus we had a grand opening coupon for a free item. They didn't have this fragrance, Marshmallow Fireside, in the 14.5oz candles, so I got 3 of these for a total of 12oz! It's a unique scent: very woodsy and cologne-y, but with a sweetness. I love it.

One of my research jobs paid me in Wal-mart giftcards, so I bought a few things that have been on my list! The day I didn't get into grad school, I started watching One Tree Hill over from the beginning and remembered it's healing powers. Seriously, I'm a firm believer that One Tree Hill is a mood stabilizer. I just finished season 5 and needed to get 6, so that was a no brainer.

Two drugstore cosmetics products that I've had my eye on for a while were the Garnier Skin Renew Eyeroller and Nicole Justin Bieber minis set! I've read lots of positive reviews of the Eyeroller and have to agree that so far, I'm impressed. I have very dark circles and need to top this with extra concealer, but it makes me look SO awake! The nail set has caught my eye for about a year now and I finally went for it. The purple sparkle reminds me of OPI Teenage Dream from Katy Perry (but purple not pink, obviously). The purple creme looks like GOSH Wild Lilac to me and I can't wait to compare and possibly find a dupe for you ladies in the states!

Oops, what do we have here?! More Bath and Body Works? So me and my mom are cheap Ukrainians (Not meant as an insult, we just love a good bargain! And I'm Ukrainian so I can say that) and hit up BBW the day after opening to use a coupon that expired that day. Spend $15 and get a free item. I picked up 2 body butters, in Dark Kiss (my fave scent in the whole store) and Be Enchanted, a new scent that is a bit more sweet than Dark Kiss. My mom bought a 14.5oz Marshmallow Peppermint candle the day before, and I loved it so much that I got the 4oz size!

All in all, a lot of hauling happened over the weekend! Did you pick up anything this weekend or over the past week? Share your hauls!

Huge NARS Deal on GiltCity!

2011-11-14T16:10:00.001-05:00

GiltCity is a new website from Gilt.com that's similar to Groupon. You buy a coupon for a certain percentage off at a retailer. Today, they have an $80 NARS Voucher for $50! Plus, if you click here to sign-up, you get 20% off, bringing your total down to $40!

People, that is FIFTY PERCENT OFF!!!

Even though I swore I wouldn't purchase anymore makeup for a while, I couldn't resist this deal! Remember, sign-up here and indulge.

FOTD: earth angel, the one I adore...

2011-11-14T11:00:00.000-05:00

Last night, I received my parcel from the lovely Jess of Getting Cheeky after some hassle with the mail (screw you, Canada Post!). I ripped it open and immediately swatched everything. I also decided that I would wear NARS Earth Angel duo, Milani blush and a tarte Lipsurgences today. Here's the look! (PS - well done, those of you who caught the song lyric as the title!).

FACE:

Clarins Instant Smooth Self Tan
MAC MSF in Light Medium
Milani Luminoso Baked Blush

EYES:

UDPP
NARS Earth Angel duo - taupe on lid, green in crease and outer corner
Joe Fresh Espresso Eyeshadow - wet as liner
MUFE Smoky Lash Mascara

LIPS:

tarte Lipsurgence Natural Lip Luster in Dazzled

"Just Because" Giveaway Winner!

2011-11-13T11:58:00.000-05:00

Hello all! Thank you to those who entered my giveaway! It was my first and I had a lot of fun, so hopefully I'll be able to host more in the future. I used random.org to generate the winner.

Without further ado, the winner of my giveaway is........

G A B Y!

If you're interested, the song she can't stop listening to is Hangover by Taio Cruz. I totally agree - the song is a bit silly, but SO much fun to listen/dance to.

Congrats and thanks again to everyone who entered!

Make Up For Ever Wild & Chic Best Of Set

2011-11-09T11:00:00.000-05:00

I've been a fan of Make Up For Ever products for as long as I've been into makeup! Their products are designed for professional use and I find them fantastic. I love their Smoky Lash Mascara, Aqua Creams and Microfinish HD Powder, so this gift set was a no-brainer. It may be boring, but I was most excited about the mini HD powder. I always tote my full-size around for touch-ups, as it absorbs oil like nothing else and I'm so excited to have a mini for on-the-go!

First up, the HD Microperfecting Primer and HD Microfinish Powder. I already love and sing the praises of the powder every change I get. It's the only powder that keeps oil at bay and doesn't leave a white veil. The primer definitely shrinks my pore and creates a nice canvas on which to apply foundation. It doesn't seem to help with my oil issue, but it doesn't exacerbate it either. These are both sample sizes.

Next is Smoky Lash Mascara and Aqua Eyes Eyeliner. I've tried both of these products before as well. I love the mascara; it is the BEST for dramatic, going-out lashes. I just finished off a mini of this and am very excited about having a full-size. The Aqua Eyes liner is a mini, but definitely delivers on the waterproof promise. I don't wear pencil eyeliner that often, but this one is great for your waterline, as it doesn't smudge. The mini size is handy to bring with you for touch-ups.

Last is a Lab Shine Lipgloss in S4 (Pearly Pink Beige) and an Aqua Cream in 13 Warm Beige (Champagne Shimmer). I'd say both descriptions are accurate. This lipgloss is a great formula: non-sticky and not drying, but I hate the smell! It's so chemically! It won't stop me from wearing it, but I definitely prefer a nice vanilla for my lip products. The Aqua Cream is just as great as the other I have, however, it's not my favourite cream eyeshadow formulation. I find them to be a bit chunky and hard to blend, but they are definitely the most waterproof cream shadows out there. The colours are nice and neutral and should suit most skintones.

Here are the swatches!

(L-R: Smoky Lash, Aqua Eyes, Aqua Cream 13, Lab Shine Lipgloss S4, HD Primer)

Overall, this is a good kit and the $55 price tag is totally acceptable if you know you'll use at least the full-size items. The only downside is that the colours aren't unique and may be in your collection already. However, if you're looking for a new mascara or a mattifying powder, and a few bonuses, look no further!

Have you picked up this kit? What do you think of MUFE?

The Recharge Year: Live Everyday Like It's Christmas

2011-11-08T11:00:00.000-05:00

A while back, I saw posts titled "Live Everyday Like It's Your Birthday!" floating around. They were inspired by a Kate Spade graphic that featured the sentiment and all very cute and fun. Every post revolved around making each day special and living it to the fullest. I thought it was a cute idea and even tried it for a bit, but it quickly died off. I chalked it up to being too busy, but recently realized the true reason for this wonderful idea not taking off in my life: I don't really love my birthday.

Don't get me wrong - I love cake and presents as much as anyone! But, my birthday isn't the most special day of the year to me. That title goes to Christmas!

For as long as I can remember, I've been one of those Christmas freaks. We're talking decorations up and Christmas music blasting on November 1st. As soon as Halloween is over, it's Christmas season in my mind and house. My memories of waking up on Christmas morning are just as magical; hopping out of my cozy bed early and finding tonnes of presents under the tree! I live in Northern Ontario, so we always have a white Christmas (the snow really makes it!). And, most importantly, all of my family come back into town. On my Dad's side, I have roughly 35 relatives and another 20 on my Mom's. I've been blessed with a great family who also happen to be my friends. I miss my cousins so much and relish the time of year when they all come back home.

So, I've decided to start waking up everyday and living like it's Christmas! That means dressing up (a bit), having a few treats and feeling generous and bubbly. When I live like it's Christmas, I smile at and give a cheerful "Hello!" to strangers. I feel warm and cozy inside, making sure to enjoy every single moment. I'm a happier person who is more at peace and lives for each moment.

I've fallen off The Recharge Year bandwagon for the past month and haven't been observing my goals at all. I think this Christmas-living task is just the thing to get me re-started and on the right track again. Here's how it will fit in with my goals:

1. Live in the moment

Like I said, living each day as though it's Christmas really makes me appreciate every second. Christmastime means 2 weeks when I try to spend as much time as family with possible and has taught me how to relish every second. I'm going to try applying this philosophy to my everyday life; relishing in all the wonderful things I can do and all the amazing people I know. One of my favourite quotes ever is from Fight Club and says "When people think you're dying, they really, really listen to you, instead of just...waiting for their turn to speak". I'm guilty of doing this sometime, but really want to enjoy every word spoken to me by my friends and colleagues. If it is an ugly word, obviously I'm not going to enjoy it, but I will truly try to listen anyways.

2. Be healthier

This is going quite well! I've been eating Paleo for the past month and my allergies have improved. Definitely do not miss the gluten. I don't think I can apply Christmas to this, but I surely won't forget to indulge in some Christmas-y sweets!

3. Have more fun!

I feel like I'm doing pretty darn well on this one! I'm scheduling in time with friends (and time for shopping!), as well as doing things I enjoy solo, like having a bubble bath or watching a movie. I had a wonderful, fun-filled Halloween weekend and plan to go out with a friend for coffee on Wednesday and for another girl's birthday on Thursday. I like to try and budget some social or fun time in each day; I've realized that it makes me more productive during my "work" time, just knowing that I'll have fun time later.

What's your favourite holiday? Have you tried living like everyday is your birthday/Christmas? Thoughts?

Urban Decay Books of Shadows IV

2011-11-03T10:00:00.000-04:00

Urban Decay has been one of my fave brands for quite some time. They put out great quality products (especially eyeshadows) and always have fun, kitschy packaging. Their Book of Shadows is one of their legendary products; 16 shadows plus an assortment of extras all for a bargain price! They usually also theme the palettes and make them extremely visually appealing.

This year's theme seems to be "high-tech". The packaging is beautiful, with swirling colours, and a variety of animals, although mainly butterflies. UD is cruelty-free, so I assume that explains the use of animals in the graphics. Opening up the top flap reveals a mirror, more butterflies, a slot for your smartphone and the QR codes. This is the unique part about this palette: 5 QR codes featuring complete eye-looks using the shadows, liner, mascara and primer. My Blackberry Curve couldn't scan the codes, but other smartphones seem to work.

The bottom drawer contains the 16 eyeshadows, a full-sized liquid liner, sample size mascara and sample size primer potion. There seem to be 8 colourful shades and 8 more-neutral shades. Here are some swatches:

(L-R: Blue Bus, Gunmetal, Cobra, Baked, Bender, Gravity, Lost, Hijack)

(L-R: Midnight Cowgirl, Sin, Midnight Rodeo, Crystal, Bust, Missionary, Skimp, Zephyr)

I found most of the 16 shadows to be pigmented, smooth and easy to apply. Cobra and Crystal were a bit sheerer than I'd prefer and not up to snuff. Midnight Cowgirl and Midnight Rodeo were very glittery (as per all UD "Midnight" shades) and fallout ensued. You can clean it up, but are bound to find a few glittery specks on your face. I love the shade of Midnight Rodeo, so I'm willing to brave the glitters. Overall, that's 12 eyeshadows I'd call near-perfect and 4 so-so's - not too bad!

I didn't bother swatching the mascara, primer or liner - they look just like you expect! What I will say is that the primer potion is an everyday staple of mine, the liner is easy-to-use and very waterproof, but the mascara is a bit dry and doesn't really thrill me. It's a nice inclusion, but I don't know if I would use it that often.

Another complaint is the colour selection. I own the Naked palette and consider that my go-to neutral palette. 8 of the 16 shadows in BOS IV are neutrals and not really unique in my collection. I love UD for their fun shades and would have liked to see about 3 more in this palette, bringing the ratio to 11 colourful shadows and 5 neutrals.

Overall, I like this palette. It's a bargain price, especially considering the quality of the shadows. However, it's not my favourite palette that's been put out recently. I still use it, but I'm not in love with it.

Do you own any Urban Decay Book of Shadows? Thoughts?

**Don't forget to enter my "Just Because" Giveaway!**

"Just Because" Giveaway! Closed

2011-10-31T18:25:00.003-04:00

Hello lovely readers! I'm thrilled to announce my very first giveaway on six feet in heels. This doesn't mark a certain number of readers or any special occasion; strictly "just because"! I'm in a particularly good mood because of my BBM Fashion Challenge #1 entry is completed (you can vote for me here), so maybe it has me feeling generous.

Since I live in Canada, I wanted to offer some tantalizing treats that are Canada-exclusive. So, naturally I turned to Joe Fresh Cosmetics. Joe Fresh is easily my fave drugstore line (check out my extensive review here and more recent haul here). Two of the most impressive items are the cream blush and nail polish and that's what I'm offering up in this first giveaway!

Up for grabs are Joe Fresh Cream Blush in Melon, a gorgeous peachy-coral and Twilight, a flaky with a black base and reflective flakes that sheen orange, yellow and green. I personally own Twilight and it's fantastic! Melon is hard to get a hold of at Joe Fresh (it always seems to be sold out), but I saw one today and knew it was meant to be! I own Bloom and Flush and love them both.

So onto the rules...

1. You must be a public follower on Google Friend Connect

2. This giveaway is open to US and Canadian readers only - sorry shipping overseas is just a nightmare!

3. If you are under 18 years of age you must ask a parent for permission to enter

4. How to enter:

a. Leave a comment on this post that includes: your GFC name, your email address (send an email to 6ftinheels@gmail.com if you can't leave it for privacy reasons) and the song that you can't stop listening to! I'm a music junkie and always on the hunt for more.

b. Follow me on twitter (@6ftinheels) and tweet the following link: Follow @6ftinheels and RT to win Joe Fresh Cosmetics goodies! http://goo.gl/QmnAq

If you do tweet about the giveaway, include your handle in your comment.

You have until 11:59pm (EST) on November 11th, 2011 to enter. The winner will be selected using random.org. Thanks for entering!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T12:00:00.001-04:00

Just wanted to say "Happy Halloween!" to all you lovelies! I'm a holiday freak and love getting into the full spirit for all of them. I hosted a Halloween party on Friday evening, where I pranced around and put my 17 years of dance training to use. Saturday night, I attended a psuedo-pub crawl that 6 bars in the downtown area of my city host. You pay $10 and can travel between the 6 all night. Each bar has a different theme and acts and bands all night. It was so much fun!

Since this is a makeup blog, a close-up of the makeup is only appropriate!

I used a random assortment of e.l.f., NYX and Joe Fresh products for my look. I didn't want to use anything high-end, as I obviously needed copious amounts! Overall, I was thrilled with my makeup and received tonnes of compliments. You can't tell in this picture, but my contacts were actually red!

And, if you have a second, please vote for me in the BBM Challenge! My first entry is live here. All you need to do is click vote!

What did you dress up as for Halloween?!

Origins Accidental Haul!

2011-10-25T13:42:00.000-04:00

My mom is a HUGE fan of Origins; seriously, our bathroom looks like one of their counters. She doesn't care much for makeup, but skincare is something she holds dear and her skin looks it! Everytime we go on a shopping trip, she spends quite a while in their and usually I just go the Sephora. On our most recent trip, I decided to join her and test out VitaZing, the mythical, skin-matching moisturizer. I received a sample and was impressed, so I decided to order a full-size tube during their Top 10 promo. As you'll see, this single purchase turned into a haul because of all the amazing samples included!

(the accidental haul!)

1. VitaZing SPF 15 Energy-boosting moisturizer

"This multi-tasking moisturizer handles the vital jobs of hydrating, energizing and protecting to maintain skin's momentum all day. Gives skin the refreshing zing of antioxidant-rich Mangosteen. And adds a healthy hit of radiance that mimics the glow you get from a week's vacation. All in 10 seconds max. Slip it on first thing tomorrow - you'll look like you eat right, sleep tight & don't
have a worry in sight."

Already love this and can't believe how little you need! I got a 5g sample jar in August and am still using it. Blends into your skin and acts like a tinted moisturizer.

2. Smoothing Souffle whipped body cream

"After a stimulating shower, treat your body skin to the brisk, rousing aroma of Peppermint, Spearmint, Orange and Rosemary keep skin and spirits refreshed, revived and revitalized while nourishing Olive Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Rice Bran Oil and Apricot Kernel Oil instantly melt in and surround skin in a top-to-toe veil of velvety-softness. And the way-cool feeling lasts and lasts."

This definitely smells like peppermint; I actually thought it was a foot cream at first! If you have amazing eyes, you may be able to see that the sample size is 2.5 oz, more than the full-size 1.7 oz bottle of VitaZing! Unbelievable deal. A full-size of this contains 6.7 oz at $28, so this is worth over $10!

3. Brighter by Nature skin tone correcting serum

"Considering costly laser resurfacing or chemical peels? Nature has an effective, yet gentle alternative*. This clinically proven plant serum with Japanese Basil Leaf and naturally-derived Vitamin C helps create more even skin tone and zap the appearance of dark spots. Helps prevent future spotting. There's no scarring or scorching skin. No downtime, no hefty price tag. It's true brightness with no regrets."

This is just a baby size, but I'm excited to try it out! This should definitely last 5-10 applications - enough to see if the full-size is worth it.

4. VitaZing Sample

I'll save you from the product description again, but this is a mini .5 oz sample of VitaZing that I figured would be great for travel.

And last but not least, a tiny, one-use sample of Modern Friction, an exfoliant!

Thanks Origins for all the amazing samples! You can bet I won't be skipping your store or counter anytime soon.

Do you shop at Origins? What are your fave products?

I'm a Protege!

2011-10-22T13:44:00.000-04:00

Hi all! I just wanted to share some exciting news with you. If you follow me on twitter, you may already know, but I have been named one of Whitney Port's 25 Fashion Proteges in the BBM Challenge. I entered on a whim, writing a short, 250-word essay and forgot about it for a while. On Tuesday, I received an email saying that I had been selected! I'll be receiving a new Blackberry Bold and taking part in 4 challenges over the next 8 weeks. The winner gets to meet Whitney and spend a day with her, seeing the inner workings of her label!

The reason I'm sharing this is because I need votes to win. I'll be posting everytime a new challenge is posted and open for voting. I would really appreciate your support in this endeavor! If your curious about my entry, you can check it out here. Thanks!

NOTD: Zoya Gemma

2011-10-21T12:00:00.000-04:00

I ordered Zoya's Gemma and Marley on a whim, using my Birchbox points. I'm so glad I did because both of these colours are so stunning and, at least with Gemma, so unique!

Gemma is described as "Light muted olive green with an overlay of blue and violet duochrome shimmer". I love that they take the time to accurately describe their shades! As you can see, the base is a gorgeous olive green - it's very muted and surprisingly easy to wear. However, when the light shines on it just right, this gorgeous blue-purple duochrome jumps out! I couldn't capture it on my nails, but check out the bottle I'm holding...

Super duochrome goodness! I find that the duochrome jumps out a lot more under fluorescent lights or in super-direct light. Gemma is a fun take on a basic neutral and I'm happy to have her in my collection!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2011-10-19T11:30:00.000-04:00

I'm honoured to be part of a Breast Cancer Awareness initiative with a group of gorgeous bloggers. Not only are they stunningly beautiful, they have good hearts and have dedicated their time and energy to raise awareness of this important cause.

Breast cancer is a disease that hits close to home. My aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer in her early thirties, when I was only 6. I remember knowing what the word cancer meant and that she would lose her hair, but other than that, nothing seemed to drastically change. I spent an awful lot more time with my 2 cousins, including sleepovers at my house when my aunt was undergoing intensive treatments and was even allowed to skip school a few days. At the time, it didn't seem like a big deal; I didn't realize that the cancer was quite serious and that my mom spent every single afternoon taking care of my aunt, while I was at school. Her cancer didn't really seem to impact my life, even though it was taking a huge toll on my family.

One day, my brother, who was only 5 at the time, came downstairs and non-chalantly told me that Auntie Donna had died. I didn't believe him and went upstairs to ask my mom. I walked into the kitchen and saw her sitting down, on the phone, crying. That image is totally seared in my mind. The next few days were a bit of a blur - my cousins basically lived at my house and we all just played together while the adults dealt with my aunt's passing. I was 7 and couldn't comprehend what had happened, but knew that my aunt died and we were sad about it.

It will be 15 years since that day on December 22nd. I can't believe that it's been so long; it feels like yesterday. My aunt's illness and passing were definitely defining moments in my childhood - those moments where you lose a little bit of innocence and creep closer to being an adult. She was the first person in my family to die and my first taste of grief. Because she died when I was so young, I only have 2 really potent memories of her: talking to her about Leann Rimes when she put out her debut CD (I was going through a country phase) and the first time I saw her without her hair. Two extremely different memories, but they both stuck. I'm sad that I didn't get a chance to know my aunt better, because people always tell me what a kind-hearted, good person she was. Something, that is in one way even sadder and in another, positive, is that the type of breast cancer she succumbed to is quite treatable now and became easily cured only a few years after her death. I like to think her death and our loss contributed to this cause and now allows women with this type of breast cancer to lead a long, full life that she couldn't.

So here is my FOTD and NOTD, dedicated to my Auntie Donna. I think about her all the time, especially during October, and hope that she is peaceful and happy! As pink is the colour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I chose to do a mainly pink FOTD. Using pink eyeshadow scares me, because I think it doesn't flatter me, but I decided that women who have breast cancer face a much bigger challenge than unflattering eyeshadow. I happily stepped up to the plate and took a risk and was impressed with the results. I also decided to sport my hot pink Lululemon hoodie and Kendra Scott Pink Agate earrings to add more pink to my look.

FACE:

Benefit That Gal! Face Primer
Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in 51 Light Vanille
Hard Candy Baked Crush Blush in Living Doll
Benefit High Beam Highlighter

EYES:

UDPP
Urban Decay Virgin eyeshadow - all over lid
e.l.f. 32 palette Hot Pink eyeshadow - in crease and outer corner, wet as upper lashliner
theBalm Guilty Gwen eyeshadow - wet as upper lashliner
Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black

LIPS:

Lime Crime Centrifuschia Lipstick

Thanks for taking a read everyone! I would love to read your stories of breast cancer and how it has affected your life. I hope you feel inspired to raise breast cancer awareness this month, whether it be by purchasing a BCA makeup product or just having a conversation with your girlfriends - knowledge is power! AND if you take one thing away from this article, please let it be this: make sure to do monthly exams - you're never too young.

October Glymm Box

2011-10-18T10:08:00.000-04:00

Glymm Box is a beauty sample subscription service for Canadians, similar to Birchbox, Glossybox, etc. I was super excited about receiving my first Glymm Box after seeing rave reviews online. Most people had at least one full-size product in theirs! As you may be able to see, I lucked out and received not one, not two, but THREE full-size products! Needless to say, I plan to permanently cancel my Birchbox subscription and stick with Canadian Glymm Box from now on. Check out what I got below. I didn't review the jelly beans, but they are a cute addition and black and orange for Halloween!

1. Lise Watier Lip Kiss Crayon Gloss in Rouge Flamenco (full-size, retail $18)

I already own one of these glosses and was really hoping my box contained another! And it did! These glosses and creamy, but glide on beautifully with a shiny, non-sticky finish. They are also twist up, which is a big bonus. Rouge Flamenco is a true, foiled red; not for everyday, but nice for a night out. This is a perfect Christmas lip colour!

2. Principessa Bacio Lip Balm (full-size, retail $11)

I heard of the brand Principessa a long time ago, but never did try anything. I love the name; it means "princess" in Italian and I'm Italian so it's already getting major points from me. It has a sweet, albeit slightly chemical smell and taste. It seems much more like a gloss, but so far it's nice!

3. Caudalie Premier Cru Cream (sample, retail $150)

Yes, you read that right: this cream's full-size counterpart is worth 150 bones! I've never put moisturizer that expensive and excited about this luxurious little treat. It doesn't seem to have a scent and feels nice and creamy. I would probably never buy the full-size, but it's fun to try!

4. Vasanti Micronized Silk Eyeshadow in Tokyo (full-size, retail $15)

Another full-size! And it's a gorgeous eyeshadow - score! I've never tried Vasanti but quite like this shadow. It's a deep plum, full of golden shimmer, and applies beautifully. Glymm actually suggested that I try this as a blush, which is brilliant. It reminds me of NARS Sin, theBalm Cabana Boy, etc. I'm going to wear this on my cheeks today and see how it goes!

And here's swatches of the eyeshadow, lip crayon and lip balm:

(L-R: Vasanti Eyeshadow in Tokyo, Lise Watier Rouge Flamenco, Principessa Bacio Lip Balm)

Like I said, I'm blown away by this month's Glymm Box! Three full-size products, totaling to a value of $44 - that's amazing. I will definitely be coming back for November's box and hope it is just as wonderful.

Did you get an October Glymm Box? What is your fave subscription box?

FOTD: UD BOS 4 look!

2011-10-15T14:55:00.000-04:00

I just got Urban Decay's new Book of Shadows 4 and wanted to test drive it right away! Don't worry - I plan to review it sometime next week (that means mega swatching!).

FACE:

Origins Vita-Zing
Joe Fresh Bloom Cream Blush
Benefit Hoola! Bronzer
MUFE Microfinish HD Powder

EYES:

UDPP
Urban Decay Bust - all over lid
Urban Decay Lost - crease, outer corner
Urban Decay Midnight Cowgirl - inner corner
Joe Fresh Espresso eyeshadow - wet as upper lashliner
Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black

LIPS:

Korres Cherry Oil Lipgloss in Light Pink

Currently Reading...

2011-10-14T10:00:00.003-04:00

I may not mention it often, but I'm a huge bookworm. I've loved reading ever since I was a little girl; I used to literally read multiple chapter books in one sitting. Since I've been too busy to do much swatching or FOTDs this week, I decided to write about another one of my loves and share with you my "currently reading" list.

Heavier Than Heaven by Charles Cross

First up: one of my favourite books of all time. Yes, this beauty and fashion-loving girly girl also happens to love grunge music. I discovered Nirvana in tenth grade, mostly because the boy I had a crush on also loved them. He was a really strange guy, but back then I was very focused on being "indie" and different. Anyways, I'm thankful to Jack for indirectly introducing me to my favourite band and their tragic frontman, Kurt Cobain. I've read this book 5 or 6 times already, but I like to go back to it every once in a while. For some reason, this book has a mystical hold over me and grounds me when I'm feeling stressed. Kurt Cobain's life was absolutely a disaster waiting to happen, and I don't really condone or like any of the self-abusive behaviours he exhibited, but it's a fantastic read, especially if you like Nirvana!

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

This was one of Amazon's best books of the month last February and I bought it without reading much about it. Supernatural (especially witches!) plus great reviews usually means a good book, in my opinion. This one is a tank of a book: 592 pages to be exact. I'm about halfway through and honestly don't know; it's a neat story, although different than I expected, but it's so damn SLOW! They've been talking about this manuscript for almost the entire book and nothing has happened to it yet! I'm hoping to mystery and action picks up in the 2nd half or else this will be a challenge to get through. It's supposed to be the first in a trilogy, so the adventure must pick up? Right?

Do you love reading too? What are you currently reading?

FOTD: playing around with amber diamond

2011-10-10T11:49:00.000-04:00

Just a simple look! I'm loving my lip combo and using Dior Amber Diamond as an eyeshadow! It's fun to shop and play around with your stash sometimes. Especially when you're saving up for F+F!

FACE:

Origins Vita-Zing
Hard Candy Baked Crush Blush in Living Doll
Benefit Hoola! Bronzer

EYES:

UDPP
Dior Amber Diamond (4th shade from left) - all over lids
Joe Fresh Espresso - wet as upper lashliner
Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black

LIPS:

Rimmel Moisture Renew in Nude Delight
BECCA Lipgloss in Island Dream

theBalm Muppets "Cast Your Shadow" Palette + FOTD

2011-10-07T10:00:00.007-04:00

I was lucky enough to pick up theBalm Muppets palette during its limited edition release! I'm a huge fan of the brand already and this palette did not let me down! All 16 shadows are amazing quality: buttery smooth, super blendable and pigmented. Some of the darker shades (Wocka Wocka, Kissy Kissy) did need a few layers when I swatched them, but I find them to apply sufficiently intense on the eyes.

My personal faves are the whole -ational row (Sensational, Inspirational, Celebrational, Muppetational) and Hiii-Yaaa!

(L-R: Tres Moi, Wocka Wocka, Meep-Meep, Mahna Mahna, Sensational, Inspirational, Celebrational, Muppetational)

(L-R: Woman Woman, Curtain Call, Great Gonzo, Kissy Kissy, Wild Child, Lab Coat, Hiii-Yaaa!, Swedish Pancakes)

One neat thing about this palette is that you also get 2 cheek/lip stains and 1 lipgloss! They do separate the openings for the shadows and cheek/lip products, which I assume is a function for protection. If you've never had a palette with powder and creamy products in it, the powder tends to be attracted to the cream, often contaminating your product. With this palette, you can keep the magnetic lid on the cream products and go to town on your shadows. It's a nice feature.

(L-R: Rainbow Connection, Le Diva, Electric Mayhem Lipgloss)

Overall, I'm loving theBalm Muppets palette and highly recommend it (if you can get your hands on it). If you missed the pre-sale, fear not; theBalm has made a palette with IDENTICAL products, themed around a soap opera. Danielle of Bloomin' Beauty has a review of it here. I'm not sure why the 2 themes, but I'm happy theBalm is making sure everyone who wants these shades can get their hands on them.

And here's a look I created using the Cast Your Shadow palette! I used eyeshadows, cheek stain and lipgloss from this palette.

FACE:

Clarins Instant Smooth Self-Tanning Primer
Origins Vita-Zing
theBalm Rainbow Connection Cheek Stain
Benefit Hoola! Bronzer

EYES:

UDPP
theBalm Wild Child - all over lid
theBalm Sensational - in crease, outer corner
theBalm Celebrational - all over lid, blending shade
theBalm Guilty Gwen (from Shady Lady 3) - wet as upper lashliner
Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black

LIPS:

theBalm Electric Mayhem Lipgloss

Were any of you lucky enough to get this palette? Thoughts?

Joe Fresh Skirt Haul

2011-10-06T10:00:00.001-04:00

Joe Fresh is one of my favourite clothing labels and unfortunately it's only available in Canada and New York City. If you're able to get yourself to a store, I highly recommend it!

People in my city still haven't seemed to discover Joe Fresh, since the clothes are always marked down to ridiculously low prices. I picked up these 3 skirts for $2.94 each! How insane is that?! I just wanted to share my mega-deal with you.

Have you ever shopped Joe Fresh or did you score a great bargain this week too?

FOTD: habanera plum

2011-10-04T10:00:00.001-04:00

I took NARS Habanera Duo out for a spin again last week. I'm particularly taken with the plum side and decided to use that as a crease colour. The whole look just kind of came together from there!

FACE:

Bourjois Healthy Mix in 51 Light Vanille
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW15
Sonia Kashuk Super Sheer Liquid Tint in Peony
Benefit Hoola Bronzer
MUFE Microfinish HD Powder

EYES:

UDPP
theBalm Come Hither Heather shadow - all over lid
NARS Habanera Duo - plum side in crease and outer corner
NARS Habanera Duo - green side as lower lashliner and inner corner
theBalm Guilty Gwen shadow - wet as upper lashliner
Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black

LIPS:

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Airy Fairy

September Favourites!

2011-10-03T10:00:00.012-04:00

Wow, I feel so on the ball this month! I actually skipped August faves as I found myself in a bit of a makeup slump, but the change of season seems to have pulled me out.

1. Sonia Kashuk Super Sheer Liquid Tint in Peony + Benefit Sugarbomb

This combo is seriously just divine! The tint gives me a gorgeous flush on its own, but topped with Sugarbomb, it really takes off. Here's a swatch so you can see what I mean.

2. Haus of Gloi Autumn '11 Collection

If you're a regular reader, you know I love HoG's butters and scrubs. There regular scents are fantastic, but the Autumn '11 collection is spectacular. I'm loving Ghost Puffs, Pumpkin Eater and Olde Haus Cider Pumpkin Butters and Pumpkin Queen and Saft Ernte Bubbling Scrubs. I don't care for Pixie Sorcerer, but 1 out of 6 ain't bad! I just placed an order for a few more and can't wait to review them! FYI: HoG will be producing this collection until the end of October and then moving on to Yule '11!

3. MUFE Microfinish HD Powder

Yes, translucent powder is a boring choice, but I adore this stuff! It keeps my oily skin matte, but natural and has become HG material for me. Only downside: it's no very portable at all.

4. Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in 51 Light Vanille

This foundation was recommended to me by the lovely Jessica (don't call me jessie) and J (Lil' Lady's Life). It's from Europe and is actually available at Shopper's Drug Mart in Canada, but is much cheaper on ASOS. It's also rumored to be manufactured at the same factory as Chanel and is a dupe for Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua. I've yet to directly compare the 2, but they do both impart light coverage with a similar finish. The great, natural coverage and comfortable formula keeps me reaching for it. I plan to do a foundation post soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

What are your faves for September?

Joe Fresh Beauty Haul

2011-09-30T10:00:00.001-04:00

I found myself at Superstore last week and, like any good Ukrainian, I couldn't pass up the bargain I saw. If I purchased $10 of Joe Fresh Beauty, I would get a free $6 lipgloss! I already had a few things on my wishlist and figured this was the perfect opportunity to grab them and get a freebie.

As you can see, I picked up another cream blush and a nailpolish. The nailpolish is called Twilight and is my first flaky! It looks best over another dark polish - the black base is fairly sheer.

The cream blush, Flush, looks like a deep burgundy in the pan, but once applied becomes a gorgeous red. I'm looking forward to using this in the cold months when my skin pales (even more). I chose Poppy for my free gloss and I quite like it. It looks much more coral in the tube, but just gives me naturally-pigmented lips more colour and shine. Check out some swatches!

(L-R: Flush, Poppy)

Do you own any Joe Fresh Beauty? What are your faves?

Sonia Kashuk Super Sheer Liquid Tint in Peony

2011-09-29T10:00:00.000-04:00

I'm a total and complete blush junkie. Naturally my love extends to anything that gives me a fresh glow: powder or liquid!

Sonia Kashuk is a brand only available at Target, so I usually try to pick up at least one goodie when I'm there. This time, the Super Sheer Liquid Tint caught my eye, mainly because it comes in a gigantic bottle! I like Benefit's Benetint and Posietint and was curious about what Sonia's version was all about!

(Peony blended out, natural light)

(Peony blended out, with flash)

Peony gives my NW15 skin a beautiful, pinky flush that's super natural. Very "5-mile-run". My favourite pairing as of late has been this liquid tint topped with Benefit Sugarbomb. The shimmer gives some dimension and I like to think I look positively radiant!

Do you own any of these tints? What do you think of cheek tints?

FOTD: straight hair!

2011-09-28T10:00:00.000-04:00

It's a special occasion when I have straight hair; it takes me about an hour to just straighten it, not to mention blow-dry! An occasion such as this requires a celebratory FOTD. My mom actually complimented me on my makeup today, which is rare. She's a makeup newbie and actually tried foundation for the first time in a very, very long time in August ("I can't stop thinking about how I feel this stuff on my face!"), so it means a lot when she notices.

FACE:

Origins Vita-Zing Moisturizer
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW15
Illamasqua Cream Blush in Rude
theBalm Hot Mama Blush
tarte Park Avenue Princess Matte Bronzer

EYES:

UDPP
UD Virgin eyeshadow - all over lid
theBalm Guily Gwen eyeshadow - wet as up lashliner
theBalm The Great Gonzo eyeshadow - lower lashliner
Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black

LIPS:

MAC Viva Glam Gaga I Lipglass

I couldn't decide between 2 pictures, so I'm just throwing this one up too! Gives a bit of a different view.

FOTD: bon voyage

2011-09-26T13:01:00.000-04:00

I tried really hard to think of a name for this FOTD that wouldn't make you think I was going anywhere! My friend is moving to Vancouver, BC, so we had a little farewell outing for her on Saturday night. I really liked my makeup and wanted to share! If you're curious, that's my boyfriend who's been cropped out.

FACE:

Origins Vita-Zing Moisturizer
Estee Lauder Double Wear in Ecru
NYX Cream Blush in Natural
Benefit Sugarbomb Blush/Highlighter

EYES:

UDPP
theBalm Racy Rebecca - all over lid
theBalm All About Alex - crease, outer corner
OCC Obscure Loose Color Concentrate - inner corner
theBalm Guilty Gwen - wet as upper lashliner
theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer - lower lashliner
Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black

LIPS:

MAC Cut-a-Caper Lipstick (LE from Tartan Tale)

And a (blurry) close-up of my green duochrome eyshadows!

September Birchbox

2011-09-22T10:00:00.003-04:00

I've only received one Birchbox in the past (July) and after taking August off, decided to come back. Like most people, I'm disappointed in this "huge" birthday Birchbox. Let's take a look at my samples and I'll expand.

Incoco Nail Polish Applique

This one is pretty good, although it looks like you only get 6 strips. No idea why only 6 - it would have made much more sense to include a full 10. I would normally reserve this kind of flashiness for an accent nail anyways, so I'll be able to manage. (*I've been informed that there are actually 2 layers of appliques, so you get 12*)

Jouer Lip Enhancer

I'm happy to see this included, but it's so tiny! Seriously, only 0.07oz of product. I'll probably get 10 uses out of this balm, which is disappointing. It's also so small that I won't risk losing it in the bottom of my handbag, so portability isn't even a plus! Would love to have seen a full-size sample of this.

Harvey Prince Eau Flirt

I happily avoided a perfume sample in my July box, but of course was bound to get one soon. I get perfume samples by the bundle for free at department stores, so I'm not impressed. The scent is okay, but I'm not a big perfume girl anyways.

blinc Mascara

Speaking of measly samples, this one takes the cake at 0.02oz. I'm guessing 2 applications at most! I've yet to try this, but can't imagine that it's going to beat my Buxom anyways.

Lash Card

This seems neat, although I would never purchase them. I can't bring myself to spend money on pieces of cardboard - just practice applying mascara and keep a few Q-tips on hand for messes!

And there it is: my disappointment of this supposedly extra-special Birchbox. Not only were the samples ill-matched to me, but the sizes were unacceptable. I think I'll give Birchbox another month and then I'll take my $10 elsewhere. I'm going to try Glymm Box for October so keep your eyes peeled for a review!

Border Haul!

2011-09-21T09:45:00.000-04:00

As some of you know, I live in a city on the Canada/US border. There is a store on the US side that I can ship parcels to (for a fee) and then I just drive to pick them up! It's super handy and allows me to get in on all the great deals reserved for you lucky Americans. Me and my boyfriend make a trip about once a month and went yesterday to pick up our respective hauls.

American Eagle White Skinny Jeans & Tinted Medium Hipster Flares

We have AE stores in Canada, but the deals on the US site are unbeatable! I purchased both pairs for $20 each!

September Birchbox

I'm one of the lucky few Canucks who has access to Birchbox and I love it! This month was good (as was July), and featured lots of products I'll actually use. Definitely worth the $10. I may try Glymm Box (Canadian) for October.

Belle Noel by Kim Kardashian Honey Hexagon Hoops

I wanted to purchase something from Belle Noel just to check it out. These went on sale at revolveclothing.com for $10 and I jumped on them! Expect a review post this week so don't even get me started on the atrocious packaging yet...

maria maria photography

2011-09-19T16:50:00.000-04:00

My friend Ashley is a brilliant photographer and offered to take some pictures for me to use with blogging. I just wanted to share the pictures with all of you and see what you thought. We were (obviously) going for a retro-theme, but not really decade specific (example: 50's dress, 60's makeup, 70's Fleetwood album). You may also notice I have a new banner and that's thanks to Ashley too!

Thanks for taking a look lovelies and check out maria maria photography!

FOTD: first day of school

2011-09-14T10:04:00.000-04:00

Monday was the first day of school and I wore this simple, neutral look. I busted out my Clarins quad for the very first time and was super impressed with the buttery-ness of the shadows!

FACE:

MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW15
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW15
NARS Blush in Orgasm
MUFE Microfinish HD Powder

EYES:

UDPP
Clarins 4 Colour Eye Palette in 02 Nudes - lighter brown on lid, darker brown in crease
Joe Fresh Espresso shadow - wet as upper lashliner
Buxom Lash Mascara

LIPS:

tarte duo lipgloss in Berrylicious

GOSH Nail Polish Haul

2011-09-13T10:00:00.002-04:00

Hello lovelies! I was browsing at my local Shopper's Drug Mart (Canada's Walgreens/CVS) the other day and saw GOSH's Wild Lilac polish. I've been interested in it for a while and decided to finally take the $7.99 plunge. When I got to the till, the polish rang up at $1.99! Apparently, some of the shades were discounted (but not marked AT ALL). I brought up almost every shade and once me and the sales girl sorted through which were on sale, I left with this haul...

From left to right we've got: Golden Dragon, Purple Heart, Blue Monday, Flamingo, Gasoline, Ocean, Metallic Blue, Black Passion and Wild Lilac! I actually bought 2 bottles of WL - it's stunning!

I've only used Wild Lilac so far, but am beyond impressed. The quality is better than all my OPI polishes! GOSH polishes have a creamy formula that is so easy to apply and dries nice and smooth. Wild Lilac only took 2 coats to be totally opaque and left my manicure chip-free for almost an entire week. Impressive!

*This is my 201st post! Exciting!*

Jewelmint Mystic Fall Earrings

2011-09-09T10:00:00.004-04:00

Not too long ago, Jewelmint offered 70% for first-time buyers. I've been eying Jewelmint for a while and couldn't resist this deal. My order ended up being $8.99 instead of the regular $29.99! I chose the Mystic Fall Earrings.

"Transform your look with these ultra-earthy, truly unique earrings. Measuring 3 1/4" long, these oxidized silver and gold earrings with jet glass accents and turquoise drops will elevate your ensemble to goddess chic status."

Firstly, the packaging totally impressed me! The box is made of super sturdy cardboard and inside the jewelery is cushioned by a velvety interior. There is also a note with the product description on the inner lid.

As for the earrings themselves, the design is very unique and I love wearing them. They are lightweight and very much "my style". Ironically, they weren't initially in my Showroom - I find Jewelmint to be totally inaccurate when it comes to recommending pieces and always scroll through every available piece.

The only disappointment is the quality. I would have kicked myself for paying $15 for these earrings, never mind $29.99! It's outrageous that they charge $30 for jewelery when the quality is equal to Forever 21. I am totally happy paying $8.99 for the Mystic Fall Earrings, but nothing more. I guess some of your $30 goes towards the gorgeous packaging?

Overall, I won't be purchasing again from Jewelmint, unless I can use a code for 60-70% off. I wouldn't even use a 50% code.

Have you purchased from Jewelmint? What do you think?

Haus of Gloi Autumn '11

2011-09-08T09:58:00.000-04:00

If you're a reader of my blog, you know that Haus of Gloi is one of my all-time favourite brands. I always get way too excited for their seasonal collections and Autumn '11 was no exception! I picked up 6 of the scents - 3 scrubs and 3 butters. Let's take a look!

Pumpkin Eater Pumpkin Butter

"Cream, glowing pumpkin, rich vanilla bean and the tiniest touch of nutmeg butter."

This is amongst my fave Gloi scents EVER! When I open the jar, I immediately smell the pumpkin and spices. However, this settles down beautifully to a sweet, candy-ish vanilla. This is decadent and I've already received loads of compliments.

Ghost Puffs Pumpkin Butter

"Buttery popcorn and marshmallow goo orbs, presented on a wooden stick"

Don't you just love Britton and her creative descriptions?! On opening, I get a huge whiff of marshmallow (yum!). When applied, the popcorn note really comes out (and can get a little overwhelming). Over time, the sweetness comes back, and the wood mixes in too, for a sugary scent with a little mystery.

Olde Cider Haus Pumpkin Butter

"Old oak, sweet drying hay fields, crushed apple pulp and vanilla husks."

YUM! This smells like apple juice! Initially, there is definitely a hint of spice to the apple (perhaps the oak?). This doesn't change much over time - the apple note is always very strong, but the spice does emerge a bit more, so you don't smell like a 12 year old doused in apple body spray.

Saft Ernte Bubbling Scrub

"A merry drink of harvest and glowing with warmth: Peach juice simmering with sweet spices, pumpkin, silken hazelnut cream and made completely curious with a drop of orange blossom water."

Probably my 2nd fave scent of the whole collection! When opened, this is super duper peachy and sweet, almost like peach candy. When I use it in the shower, the hazelnut note really comes out and tones down the sweet peach. I definitely have my eye on the pumpkin butter version of this; I imagine it's like a Fall version of Peach Mama.

Pixie Sorcerer Bubbling Scrub

"They look cute, but beware! Deceptive pomegranate candy floss, beneath that a spiteful blend of coffee co2, vetiver and myrrh."

When I read the scent, I thought I would be absolutely in love with this one. Don't get me wrong, it's nice, but I wouldn't re-purchase. When I open it, the pomegranate floss jumps out, quickly followed by the overwhelming coffee note. Then there's the myrrh and it gets a bit too herbal for me. I haven't used it yet, because it hurts my head to just smell it!

Pumpkin Queen Bubbling Scrub

"Gentle hay pillows, pumpkin, ripe peaches dusted with clove and nutmeg, dried summer herbs, and lastly, a lovely crown of amber."

Another lovely! You can smell the pumpkin and cloves right away, making for a smell that reminds me of an Indian restaurant (in a VERY good way!). Upon use, the peach comes out to sweeten things up and it becomes a lovely Fall treat. I've been using this a lot because I love it so much! Will get the pumpkin butter since I've heard such good things.

Did you pick up anything from Haus of Gloi Autumn '11? Thoughts?

NOTD: Zoya Jules

2011-09-07T10:00:00.000-04:00

I took advantage of Zoya's recent promo (2 free polishes with any purchase!) and picked up Jules, Faye and Neeka. I was out of town last weekend and wanted a versatile polish, so I went for the metallic gold/taupe that is Jules.

This is 2 coats of Jules. It took me quite a while to get an accurate picture, but I believe this is pretty on. I love Zoya's formulation; super long-wearing and chip-resistant! She always incorporates interesting elements into her polishes, like the super fine, pinky-green shimmer in Jules.

Do you have Zoya Jules? Thoughts?

FOTD: habanera round 1

2011-09-06T10:00:00.000-04:00

Some of you may have seen my NARS haul last week, which included their Habanera Eyeshadow duo. I was curious and googled Habanera. Turns out it "is a genre of Cuban popular dance music of the 19th century" and "the first dance music from Cuba to be exported all over the world". Thoughtful product names like this just make me respect a fabulous company like NARS even more! I had to give it a go immediately, and this was the resulting look!

FACE:

Clarins Instant Sun Self-Tanning Primer
MAC MSFN in Light Medium
NYX Cream Blush in Natural
Tarte Park Avenue Princess Matte Bronzer
Dior Amber Diamond

EYES:

UDPP
NARS Habanera - green shade all over lid, lower lashliner
NARS Habanera - purple shade in crease and outer corner
NARS Dogon - dark shade as upper lashliner
Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black

LIPS:

Korres Quince Lip Butter Glaze

Highlighter Showdown: Dior Amber Diamond vs. NARS Albatross

2011-09-02T10:00:00.000-04:00

I recently purchased both Dior Amber Diamond and NARS Albatross (in a duo with Orgasm), 2 cult-status highlighters. I'm loving both of them, but they are very, very different! I haven't seen many comparison posts and wanted to share my thoughts with you.

First, let's talk numbers. Dior Amber Diamond is priced at $44 for 0.35oz while NARS Albatross is $27 for 0.17oz (the duo is $39 for 0.35). That breaks down to Dior at $125.71/oz and NARS at $158.82/oz. In reality, you need to use so little highlighter to achieve a glowy complexion, I doubt I'll be using up either of these anytime soon.

And now some swatches!

(Natural Light L-R: 5 Colours of AD, Albatross, AD mixed together)

(With Flash L-R: 5 Colours of AD, Albatross, AD mixed together)

(Natural Light L-R: Albatross, Amber Diamond)

(With Flash L-R: Albatross, Amber Diamond)

As you can see, NARS Albatross is much whiter, while Amber Diamond is quite bronze. When you brush both of these highlighters on, they give off a golden-toned glow. Albatross gives more a sheen, while Amber Diamond is more shimmer. I would say Albatross is almost more intense and appropriate for a night out (unless using a very light hand). Amber Diamond is perfect for everyday and, I admit, I've been leaning more towards it lately.

I love both of these highlighters and am happy that I'm not stuck with two identical products. Do you own Albatross or Amber Diamond? What are your thoughts?

Forever 21 + H&M Haul!

2011-09-01T10:00:00.000-04:00

I was on a mini-vacation with my family this past weekend and popped into two of my favourite shops: Forever 21 and H&M. While I prefer to shop Forever 21 online (the store is just so disorganized and hot!), I actually had some luck. I'm on a bit of a budget, but found way more than 2 tops that I loved! H&M is always a hit for me, and I found a great little outfit!

Forever 21

I've decided that my style this Fall will lean heavily on the 70's and picked up this flowy blouse for $17.80 to fit that theme. I love the print: a cream background with tiny black polkadots and brown and rust bows.

I'm loving leopard print lately and was impressed that this "muscle"-style shirt actually looked good on me. It's very flowy too and was also $17.80.

H&M

I thought these 2 just looked wonderful together, so I photographed them as such. For no apparent reason, H&M had skinny jeans in various washes for $9.99. I have 2 pairs of blue skinnies, but have always wanted black ones and didn't hesitate to add them to my cart when they fit me wonderfully. The top was $12.99 and has a swing-style bottom. The outfit is a nice contract of body-con and flowy (seeing a theme??).

And that's it! Hopefully you'll see these in OOTD's soon!

NARS Haul

2011-08-31T10:00:00.001-04:00

As some of you know, NARS offered a really good promo code for the past couple weeks (20% off + 2-day shipping). I've had a few things on my lust list for quite a while and decided to indulge!

1. Orgasm/Albatross Duo

Ah, the famed combination of Albatross highlighter and Orgasm blush. I wanted this more for Albatross as I'm a little highlighter-obsessed right now, but really love Orgasm too. It gives a beautiful pinky-golden sheen with such little product. I've swatched Albatross before and experienced the lovely golden glow it leaves. This duo is probably going to last me YEARS.

2. Luster Blush

I never even considered Luster until the beautiful Yu of Let's MakeYuUp suggested I check it out. I swatched it in a Sephora 2 weekends ago and was sold. NARS describes it as "sheer golden apricot", which is pretty accurate. Luster is gorgeous and has an insane sheen to it, but it blends out lovely and, as Yu says, makes you glow!

3. Habanera Duo Eyeshadow

After purchasing (and loving) Dogon, I knew that I wanted more. I searched for other duos that people who love Dogon also love and Habanera popped up the most. Again, it was love at first swatch: great pigmentation and 2 unique shades! It's a combo of icy green with sheen and smokey purple with shimmer. I wore this duo on Friday evening (to the Death Cab for Cutie concert!) and loved it.

4. Mini Super Orgasm Blush

NARS messed up my order a bit, but threw in a mini Super Orgasm blush, which was generous of them. I've never been interested in Super Orgasm, because I've heard it's extremely sparkley. However, I really like it! It's a nice peachy-pink and when applied lightly and blended, the sparkles aren't so obvious. The size also surprised me: it's only 0.04oz less than a regular-sized NARS blush, but looks so mini compared! Not really relevant, but still interesting.

And now for swatches!

(Natural Light L-R: Habanera green, Habanera purple, Luster, Orgasm, Albatross, Super Orgasm)

(Wish Flash L-R: Habanera green, Habanera purple, Luster, Orgasm, Albatross, Super Orgasm)

(Albatross blended out: Natural Light & With Flash)

I definitely plan to review a few of these more in-depth, but want to give myself some time with them before I sing their praises. Do you own any of these NARS products? What do you think?

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars

2011-08-29T10:00:00.004-04:00

After featuring Grandma last week, I decided to swatch all of my OCC Lip Tars. If you missed the last post, here is a brief summary of my thoughts.

(L-R: Anime, Pageant, Trollop, Grandma, Hush, Interlace)

OCC Lip Tars aren't tar-ry at all; I liken them to a thin, opaque lipgloss. If you apply a normal layer, they dry down fairly matte. It takes quite a bit of product to get a shiny finish. They are super, duper long-lasting, but do get patchy after eating/drinking.

The slant-tip applicator tube isn't my favourite. I prefer the control of a tube and wand design. However, I'm quite happy with them overall, especially considering the $13 price tag. Most lip products of this quality are $20+!

And now onto what you're really looking for: SWATCHES!

(Natural Light L-R: Anime, Pageant, Trollop, Grandma, Hush, Interlace)

(With Flash L-R: Anime, Pageant, Trollop, Grandma, Hush, Interlace)

Do you own any OCC Lip Tars? Which shades are your favourite?

NOTD: Forever 21 "Deep Ocean" Teal

2011-08-26T10:00:00.004-04:00

Considering I had a great experience with my first Forever 21 nail polish (you can see that NOTD here), I didn't hesitate to pick up "Deep Ocean" or Teal (it's referred to as both on the website). The bottle just caught my eye! It's a stunning mix of blue, green and subtle silver shimmer.

(excuse my cuticles, they are a work in progress)

I had a hard time capturing the sparkle that this polish actually has, but this photo is the best representation.

I've received quite a few compliments since applying "Deep Ocean" to my nails on 2 days ago. With 2 coats, I have totally opaque coverage and zero chips (so far!). For a $2.80, I'm more than pleased. I'm heading to a Forever 21 this weekend and can't wait to stock up!

"Deep Ocean"/Teal is available on Forever 21's website.

theBalm Shady Lady Vol. 3

2011-08-25T10:00:00.000-04:00

First off, apologies for the messy mirror! It doesn't look like that in real life - the flash brings out the dirt. But this post is about the shadows!

I've posted about theBalm before and still maintain that it's an underrated brand with amazing products! As you may have guessed, this the 3rd palette in the Shady Lady series, full with 9 of theBalm's best-selling shadows. They are:

Lusty Lee (silver shimmer), Envious Erin (shimmery pearl), Safe Bet Annette (pale-pink shimmer), Runaround Rebecca (sage), Come-Hither Heather (soft taupe), Open To Offers Olwen (teal), All The Way Annie (shimmering amethyst), Guilty Gwen (sparkly black shimmer)

And swatched in the same order:

(Natural Light)

(With Flash)

All 9 shadows are exceptional! They apply smoothly with little fallout (Guilty Gwen has a slight bit!) and blend really well. All of them have dimension/shimmer, which I prefer to matte. Needless to say, I love them!

With so many shadows in a palette, I can't believe that none are disappointing. If you like the shades, you definitely want to pick this palette up.

Do you own Shady Lady Vol. 3? Or any other volumes? Thoughts?

OCC Grandma Lip Tar + FOTD

2011-08-24T10:00:00.000-04:00

I showed you my new OCC Loose Color Concentrates a while back and never got around to featuring the lip tars! I admit, I don't find myself wearing them much, but that may just because I have enough lip products to last me multiple lifetimes.

Grandma has emerged as my absolute fave of the bunch. Described as "clean and classic true coral", I'd say they hit the nail right on the head. If you want a coral that doesn't pull pink or orange, get Grandma. The formulation of lip tars is a lot more watery than I expected. Considering they are called "tars", I prepared myself for a super thick lipgloss. I would actually call these a thin lip gloss with none of the goopy gunk or stickiness. They have exceptional staying power, but need a slight touch-up after eating or drinking. Overall, these are a great product, and great value considering the $13 price tag. I like!

Here's how I wore Grandma a few days ago.

FACE:

Benefit That Gal! Primer
MAC MSFN in Light Medium
Benefit Erase Paste in 02 Medium
Hard Candy Baked Crush Blush in Living Doll
tarte Park Avenue Princess Matte Bronzer

EYES:

UDPP
NARS Dogon Duo - dark side as liner
Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black

LIPS:

OCC Lip Tar in Grandma

Barry M Toffee Lipgloss is not quite "Fresh"

2011-08-22T10:00:00.000-04:00

I'm taking a page from Karen at MBB and being witty with my post title! I ordered Barry M Lipgloss Wand in Toffee from ASOS, hoping that it was a dupe for MAC Frankly Fresh. Frankly Fresh was released last spring in the Liberty of London collection and I wish I purchased a backup. It's a great pinky-nude with subtle sparkles that goes with EVERYTHING!

When my package arrived, I immediately ripped it open and grabbed Frankly Fresh to compare.

In the tube, Toffee is a few shades lighter/browner than Frankly Fresh and also has a lot more sparkle. When I saw this, I was a bit disappointed; it couldn't be a dupe! So I swatched them side by side and...

(Natural Light - Top: Frankly Fresh, Bottom: Toffee)

(With flash, L-R: Frankly Fresh, Toffee)

Darn, definitely not a dupe! Toffee is definitely more brown-toned, while Frankly Fresh is more pink. Frankly Fresh is also more opaque and contains less sparkle.

Despite Toffee not being a Frankly Fresh dupe, it suits the same purpose for me. Toffee will officially become my go-to pinky-nude gloss once Frankly Fresh is finished. Just for fun, I threw in a lip swatch; it shows off multicoloured sparkle well! On my lips, Toffee's sheerness lets the pink shade of my lips to show through and makes a fairly close match for Frankly Fresh.

Overall, I love the Barry M Lipgloss Wand formulation and Toffee! It smells exactly like its namesake, is non-sticky and fits the pinky-nude bill.

Do you own any Barry M Lipgloss Wands? What do you think?

NOTD: Forever 21 Lavender

2011-08-20T11:00:00.000-04:00

I've always been hesitant about Forever 21's cosmetic offerings. As with their clothing, I don't expect amazing quality; I expect low prices and to get about a year out of a piece. More often than not, you get what you pay for!

However, I'm pleasantly surprised and impressed by this nail polish. It applies really smoothly and only requires 2 coats for opacity. The wear time is comparable to my higher-end polishes too!

I'll be checking out more colours from this range when I get to the states. Have you tried Forever 21 cosmetics or nail polish? What do you think?

What's in My Bag?

2011-08-19T10:00:00.000-04:00

Following the trend, I've decided to do a "What's in My Bag?" post. First and foremost, I'm a purse junkie and love adding to my collection. Today, I happened to be carrying the botkier Hayden Street Satchel in a gorgeous teal leather. It never photographs as lovely as it really is; it always pulls greener in pictures.

Anyways, this is what I bring with me on an average workday. I'll have to do a "night out" and "school time" post for my purses - it's an excuse to share more of my collection! Would you like to see a post on just my purse collection? Let me know in the comments.

Okay, let's try this again - on to the purse contents!

First up is my wallet, a Volcom cheapie. I like to spend money, but can't justify doing the same for wallets. I find I'm quite rough on them and stuff them to the brink. Buying a nice designer one just to destroy it seems wasteful. I've had this for just over a year and it's served me well!

Next up, my makeup case from Coach. My boyfriend's parents picked this up for my birthday gift, I believe. They also got me a matching passport case, so I love looking down into my bag when traveling and seeing the pair.

And the contents of the makeup bag. I always bring MAC MSFN in Light Medium and an elf powder brush, my Buxom Lash mascara, a pair of tweezers, Joe Fresh Concealer Duo, a mini Benefit Posietint, whatever blush I'm wearing (happens to be Hard Candy Living Doll) and an elf blush brush.

I always carry a stash of lippies! Today I've got a plumping gloss from Pure Romance (FYI: doesn't work, it was free and I like the shimmer pinky shade!), Nivea Essential Balm, MAC The Faerie Glen Lustre Lipstick, MAC Strange Potion Lipglass and Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in 02 Reflet Rose.

Lastly, my other beauty-related items, hand cream and a clip! The AHAVA sample is from July Birchbox and the other tube is The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector. The clip was from H&M and came in a set.

And there you have it! I pack my purses pretty full, but am never without my essentials. What are you always toting around?

FOTD: purple sunset

2011-08-18T10:00:00.001-04:00

The pink/gold and purple of this FOTD reminded me of a summer sunset, hence the title. I just picked up Wet n Wild eyeshadow in Kitten and desperately wanted to use it. It's a bit sheer, but extremely pretty! Also, sorry for the "room" backdrop; my neighbours were outside and I couldn't use my curtain without them watching the whole photoshoot LOL.

FACE:

Benefit That Gal! Primer
LUSH Charlotte Island Body Tint
Hard Candy Nobody's Perfect Concealer Palette
MAC MSFN in Light Medium
Korres Monoi Oil Bronzer in Sunglow Light

EYES:

UDPP
Urban Decay Sin Eyeshadow - all over lid
Wet n Wild Kitten Eyeshadow - outer corner, crease
Joe Fresh Plum Eyeshadow - wet as liner
Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black

LIPS:

MAC Liptick in The Faerie Glen (Tartan Tale '10)

OOTD: stevie

2011-08-16T10:00:00.001-04:00

Wow - it's been a long time since I've posted an OOTD! Honestly, I've been slacking and haven't worn anything spectacular or new in about a month. But, now I'm back and feel re-energized and inspired in the fashion department. For such an occasion, I dug out a favourite top of mine that doesn't get worn enough. It's pure white and I'm so worried about spilling on it, so I rarely wear it. It's made of a huge piece of fabric and is super flowy. It reminds me of Stevie Nicks and I just feel so feminine in it.

Top - Brandy Melville via Revolve.com
Skirt - Forever 21
Purse - Botkier Hayden Street Satchel
Sandals - Old Navy
Necklace - Tiffany & Co
Earrings - gift from my aunt and uncle

This picture was an accident, but it gives you a really good idea of how big the "wings" of this top actually are! I love it so much that I bought it in black too. I guess I'm a bit of a hippie at heart!

Joe Fresh Cream Lipstick in Strawberry + FOTD

2011-08-15T10:00:00.000-04:00

Joe Fresh is a fashion and beauty line designed by Club Monaco's Joe Mimran. I did a huge post/swatchathon a while back on all my Joe Fresh cosmetics, but wanted to focus in on a particular favourite today.

Joe Fresh lipsticks come in two finishes: cream and matte. They have many shades that are featured in both finishes, which is convenient. I wanted to try the cream formula and settled on Strawberry, a bright pink-red. The colour reminded me of two MAC LE's, Toxic Tale (from Venomous Villains) and Viva Glan Cyndi. I'm lucky enough to own both and decided to do a comparison swatch.

(L-R: Toxic Tale, Joe Fresh Strawberry, Viva Glam Cyndi)

From the swatch you can see that Strawberry is a very appropriate in-between shade! It's duller than Toxic Tale, but brighter and more pink than Viva Glam Cyndi. On the lips, it becomes a bright, almost neon coral.

I really like the Joe Fresh cosmetics line; it's affordable but good quality, and this lippie is no exception! It's super creamy and moisturizing and last a good 3-4 hours in perfect condition. As with most brights, it will bleed if you don't use a lipliner underneath!

And now, the FOTD! It's extremely simplistic - I wanted the lipstick to be the star!

FACE:

Benefit That Gal!
MAC Stereo Rose MSF
Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette
MUFE Microfinish HD Powder

EYES:

UDPP
NARS Dogon Duo - dark shade, upper lashliner
Buxom Lash Mascara
Clarins Waterproof Eye Pencil in 03 Violet - lower lashliner

LIPS:

Joe Fresh Cream Lipstick in Strawberry

FOTD: parisian skies

2011-08-13T10:00:00.001-04:00

I recently won Parisian Skies in Lipstick, Powder 'n Paint's giveaway! I was super excited - it's my first blog giveaway win, and a product I desperately wanted. If you love what you see, Parisian Skies is still available on the MAC website.

*NOTE: My boyfriend told me that my makeup looked really pretty the day I wore this look! That has NEVER happened. He usually tells me that I look pretty without makeup! Lesley Ellen, maybe you're on to something!*

FACE:

Clarins Instant Smooth Self-Tanning Primer
MAC MSFN Light Medium
Sonia Kashuk Melon Blush
Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette
Benefit High Beam Highlighter
tarte Park Avenue Princess Matte Bronzer

EYES:

UDPP
theBalm Lusty Lee-Lee - all over lid, lower lashline
MAC Parisian Skies - outer corner and crease
theBalm Envious Erin - patted over all shadow, inner corner
Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Whiskey - upper lashline
Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black

LIPS:

Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfecter in 01 Reflet Rose

NARS Dogon Duo

2011-08-11T10:00:00.000-04:00

I have a confession to make: until purchasing Dogon, I was a NARS virgin. Despite having a deep love of makeup, it always seemed a little pricey to me. However, you can now count me as a total and complete convert. It only took one eyeshadow duo to turn me into a believer!

Dogon is described as "metallic taupe with icy green sheen/ charcoal black", however that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface. The taupe is very light, with multi-coloured shimmer/sparkle and a green sheen. The darker colour definitely has a black base, but with deep blue/green sheen and shimmer. It's gorgeous and makes a great liner or crease colour.

I tried for a while and this was the most accurate swatch I could get! I hope you can see how the taupe adds little colour, but beautifully enhances my skintone and the dimension in the darker shade.

Do you own NARS Dogon Duo? What are your thoughts?

FOTD: sunny alex

2011-08-10T10:00:00.002-04:00

If you follow me on Twitter (you can here!), you'll know that I got sunburned 2 weeks ago. I needed to wait until it settled down to do a FOTD! Even though I quite like the tan, it's still skin damage and I think that last burn really taught me my lesson about using SPF every day. Also, I'm not naked, I'm just wearing a strapless dress!

FACE:

Clarins Instant Smooth Self-Tanning Primer
Korres Wild Rose Liquid Foundation in 01 Fair + MAC Face & Body in N1
Benefit Erase Paste in 02 - undereye concealer
Clarins Mosaique Bronzing Powder
Skindinavia No More Shine Finishing Spray

EYES:

UDPP
WnW Walking on Eggshells palette - lightest pink shade all over lid
Joe Fresh Espresso Eyeshadow - wet as liner
Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black
MAC Parisian Skies eyeshadow - lower lashliner

LIPS:

Clarins Rouge Prodige Lipstick in Rosy Coral

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash

2011-08-08T10:00:00.000-04:00

I've only recently became a skincare junkie, fascinated by the latest trends to keep my skin bright and clear. Because I have oily, spot-prone skin, I always keep an eye out for products that claim to get rid of acne. The Body Shop's Tea Tree range has interested me for a long time, and when the cleanser was on sale about a month and a half ago, I decided to give it a go!

You get 8.4oz for $11 (or $8 if you score a sale like me!), which is huge. I've been using it every evening Since late June and have went through about 1/7 of the bottle! I squirt a nickel-to-quarter sized amount on the palm of my hand, add a little water to foam it up, and rub it all over my face. Then I go over it with the Clarisonic Mia for the recommended time. I'm not sure how long it is - it turns off automatically.

Since using The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash, I've noticed a definite decrease in the amount of blemishes on my face. I usually get about 1 big breakout per month, but that seems to be avoided using the combination of this cleanser and my Mia. It doesn't leave my skin feeling tight, but it does feel very clean. I also love the smell - herbally and like a Finnish sauna!

Overall, I'm very happy I purchased The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash (despite the mouthful of a name). It's super effective at reducing blemishes and is definitely cheaper than many other skincare regimes. I'm excited to try other items in this range.

Have you tried this cleanser or any Body Shop skincare?

July Favourites

2011-08-06T11:00:00.002-04:00

It's funny; I always think about my monthly favourites post on about the 15th of the current month, when it's too early to write it, and then completely forget until we're into the next month! I must set a reminder in my phone or something so I'm not always late on the Favourites train. Anyways, onto my top 5 from this month!

Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash

Since purchasing this in late June, it's definitely love! The cleanser has a great, fresh scent (it reminds me of a sauna!) and gives me skin a slight tingle. It washes off very clean and I've noticed a definite decrease in spots since I've used this. It also pairs amazingly with my Clarisonic Mia. I'll be repurchasing this once I run out, but I don't think I'll use it up anytime soon. You get 8.4oz for $11, which is such a bargain!

Benefit "That Gal" Brightening Face Primer

When it comes to "That Gal", Benefit really describes it best: "Our silky pink primer takes your complexion from dull to darling!"

This primer goes on so smoothly and a little really goes a long way! I only have a sample size and with semi-regular use, I'm still no where close to finishing it. It comes out a light pink colour with a slight silver pearl and blends into your face to brighten your skintone. It's great for when I'm tired and want to fake a good night's sleep. Foundation also applies really nice on top of it! Definitely a winner and will probably repurchase.

theBalm Cabana Boy Blush

This stunning berry blush has become a quick fav. I've used it almost every single day since I received my parcel a few weeks back! I know it wasn't with me for the entire month of July, but I rarely use a blush so often. The colour gives my pale skin a rosy/berry glow with very fine shimmer to add dimension. You can see a swatch in my original post, along with Hot Mama and Frat Boy. It's a no-brainer product, which I appreciate when I have to get to work for 8:30am.

NARS Dogon Duo

I was late purchasing Dogon, but I'm so happy I did! It's probably become my favourite eyeshadow of all-time, never mind July! The taupe is absolutely perfect for my skintone and the dark blue/black makes a great liner or crease colour. I can do an eye look with this duo in about 2 minutes! I've worn it about 85% of the time since purchasing, which is a feat. If you have the chance, I highly recommend picking it up. I may just have to get a back-up before it disappears.

Korres Lip Butter Glaze in Pomegranate

Korres is one of my favourite brands. Their lip products are totally untouchable: moisturizing, colourful and yummy! Pomegranate is my fav of the three I own, giving a sunny, orange-pink sheen to my lips. You can see my post and swatches of all three here. I prefer this method of delivery to the tubs. I don't have to get my fingers mucky or worry about germing up my lip balm!

What are your monthly favourites?

Stay Away - Anatomical Stop Cracking Up Lip Balm

2011-08-05T10:00:00.002-04:00

Ever since I jumped into the world of makeup, Anatomicals' products have caught my eye. The names and descriptions are SO funny and quirky! I decided to try out 2 products, the body lotion and this lip balm. And boy was I disappointed...

"Everyone loves lush, moist lips and this excellent designer lip balm is an excellent place to start. With a host of ingredients including beeswax, olive oil and zingiber to keep dryness and soreness at bay, it will give you any excuse to pucker up."

I tried to like this balm. I really did. It's actually more of a gloss (to me at least), giving your lips a shiny finish. However, I didn't find it very moisturizing and it wore off in no time at all. And then the worst part: the scent. Instead of having a mint or vanilla scent like most balms, this one smells like old-lady perfume. And it tastes like it too!

I have this on my lips right now so I can give you a very honest and accurate review, and I'm feeling light-headed.

If you don't mind heavily scented products, you may be able to tolerate this. I however, will be adding this to my P5P pile and bringing my total up to 3!

Have you tried Anatomicals? What do you think?

Old Navy Sandal Haul

2011-08-04T09:17:00.000-04:00

I popped in to my local Old Navy last night, just to see what they had in the Clearance section. Now that it's August, my inner Ukrainian is driving me to scope out sales on summer basics for next year. Imagine my delight when I found a wall of clearance sandals, all at about 75% off! I'm a size 8-9, so my options were pretty slim, but I did manage to find 2 pairs.

(Ta-da!)

I picked both these babies up in size 9. They were each regularly around $20 and I got them for $5.99 each! I find I never have enough "fancy" sandals to wear to work, parties, etc, so this purchase was definitely warranted. The woven pair is more of a pewter-colour and the other pair are golden with a giant bauble! As soon as I saw that jewel, that pair had to be mine!

And here I am sporting the bejeweled pair at work today! Excuse the tile flooring; I work in my school's Athletics' department and I'm fairly certain that my office used to be a storage room. And the chipped toe polish while you're at it! But do take a gander at the tattoo :)

Just FYI: I did check on Oldnavy.com and it doesn't appear that either of these sandals are available online.

Do you own any sandals from Old Navy? What do you think?

Korres Lip Butter Glaze

2011-08-03T09:14:00.000-04:00

I've always been a lip balm junkie. My first makeup memories are of collecting Lip Smackers like my life depended on it. Seriously, I probably chucked out 50 of them only a few years back. And now, even though I'm more drawn to lipstick and gloss, I still keep a few good lip balms in my stash.

Korres is one of my favourite cosmetics brands out there. They make quality products using natural ingredients, so I feel good about using them. Their original Lip Butters, housed in tiny pots, have cult status amongst makeup junkies. I believe it was last year that Korres finally smartened up and released their Lip Butter Glaze formula, finally in tubes!

Comparing the two formulas, the Lip Butter Glaze is a bit more slick and lighter than the Lip Butter, but equally moisturizing. It has to be less thick so it can be dispensed in a tube. Another difference is the taste/smell. Original Lip Butters each have a unique smell because of their flavours. The Lip Butter Glazes are lacking unique scents and all smell very sweet. If you don't mind a sweet lip balm, then this won't bother you, but the scent is noticeably different from all the original Lip Butters.

I have three Lip Butter Glazes (so far) and find myself using them all the time.

(L-R: Jasmine, Pomegranate, Quince)

As you can see, the Lip Butter Glazes are just as pigmented as their precursors, delivering a nice shot of colour while moisturizing. My favourite is definitely Quince; it's a perfect everyday pink for my pigmented lips.

I really love the Lip Butter Glazes from Korres, not only because of their convenient tube-design, but also a top-notch formula!

Do you have any Lip Butters or Lip Butter Glazes? What do you prefer?

Makeup Diary Giveaway!

2011-08-02T12:20:00.000-04:00

JC is hosting a huge "thank you" giveaway over at Makeup Diary! She's a great (and very generous) blogger. If you want to win some goodies, head over and enter yourself.

FOTD: colourful!

2011-07-29T10:00:00.001-04:00

I didn't realize how colourful my whole look was until I saw this photo! The multi-coloured sweater, and bright earrings and lips just make for a very vibrant face. Thankfully I opted for NARS Dogon (my new fav taupe!) and a neutral eye.

FACE:

Clarins Instant Smooth Self-Tanning Primer
NARS Sheer Matte in Mont Blanc
MAC MSFN in Light Medium
Benefit Erase Paste in 02 - undereye concealer
Benefit Boi-ing in 01 - spot concealer
Flirt! Heartthrob Peek-a-Blush
Skindinavia No More Shine Makeup Finish Spray

EYES:

UDPP in Sin
NARS Dogon Duo - taupe all over lid & lower lashline, black/blue as upper lashliner
tarte MultiplEYE mascara

LIPS:

No7 Perfect Lips Liner in Fire
MAC Viva Glam Cyndi Lipstick

theBalm Blushes

2011-07-28T10:00:00.000-04:00

A week or 2 ago, theBalm had a 50% off flash sale on their website (I believe it was in honor of someone's dog's birthday). Whatever the occasion, I knew I couldn't pass up the chance to score some products at bargain prices.

Even thought the eyeshadow palette was tempting, I knew I wanted the blushes and settled on 3: Hot Mama, Cabana Boy and Frat Boy. Although they market these as combo blushes/shadows, I would never wear the shades as an eyeshadow.

First up is Cabana Boy, a "pink dusty rose". I would say that's fairly accurate, as the shade is quite rose/plum. It also has a lovely sheen to it and very, very tiny sparkles that warm the shade up.

Next we have Hot Mama, a "pinky-peach". Really to the point descriptions, aren't they? Make no mistake, this is a pinky peach, but I feel like there is a lot more going on with this one! It's quite frosty and applies with an intense golden sheen. Now that I'm inspecting the swatch, it's almost more sheen/shimmer than colour! Hot Mama is really nice for summer, when you want a glow as opposed to bright cheeks.

Lastly, Frat Boy, "peachy apricot". I would call this a very true, matte coral with tiny sparkles. Of all three, this blush is the most pigmented and requires a lighter hand. I like to think that this is what MAC's famed Hipness blush looks like, mainly because I missed out on it. I think I'll get a lot of use out of this in the winter, when I want a natural flushed look.

(R-L: Cabana Boy, Hot Mama, Frat Boy)

All 3 of these blushes apply super smooth and blend like dreams. They're also huge: 0.25-0.3oz of product in each compact. I don't see myself using one up anytime soon. The only downside is the cardboard packaging. It makes a quality product look SO cheap! Plus, it's hard to travel with. NARS rubber packaging may attract fingerprints, but it absorbs impact when dropped. Cardboard is not going to help. I guess I'll just have to be extra careful with these babies.

Overall, I'm really happy with my purchase! Do you own any of these blushes? What do you think of them?

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics

2011-07-25T10:00:00.001-04:00

I've been hearing about Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics for a while now and decided to try them out for myself. I purchased 4 Loose Color Concentrates, but have only used 2 so far. Even though it's hard to let new cosmetics sit around for a while, I'm getting a lot of gratification out of thoroughly using a product before I move on to another. The 2 I decided to bust open first were Layfayette and Smote. Not sure what the inspiration behind the names were, but I couldn't pass on Layfayette simply because of the True Blood character of the same name! I'm honestly shocked that I've been able to resist getting the tarte for True Blood stuff.

The shadows are loose (well duh) and housed in a small jar with a sifter lid. I always find too much powder comes out if I completely remove the sticker covering the holes, so I cut the sticker to cover all but one hole. You seriously save a lot of wasted product using this trick!

Both shadows were smooth and easy to apply, but Lafayette was a bit smoother than Smote. Smote has big sparkles, while Lafayette has more of a sheen, so that could account for some of the difference.

And last but not least, let's get to the swatches!

(Swatched Dry Top to Bottom: Lafayette, Smote)

(Swatched Wet Top to Bottom: Lafayette, Smote)

I think you can see from this dry swatch that Lafayette is the easier to work with of the two. Even applied dry, it's gorgeous! As with most loose pigments, when applied wet the color is super-intense. Smote's glitter is a lot more subdued and prettier when it's applied wet, as the sheen of the shadow also sparkles.

Overall, I like both of these shadows, but prefer Lafayette because it's much easier! It's a really unique colour, but works great both dry and wet. Smote takes a bit more loving, but can still create a beautiful look. After my success with these 2, I can't wait to bust open Obscure and Rime!

Do you own any OCC Loose Color Concentrates? What do you like about them?

FOTD: i want candy!

2011-07-24T11:00:00.000-04:00

FACE:

Lush Charlotte Island Body Tint
Korres Wild Rose Mineral Foundatin in 01 Fair
Hard Candy Nobody's Perfect Concealer Palette
Benefit Sugarbomb
MUFE HD Microfinish Powder

EYES:

MAC Paint Pot in Painterly
Anna Sui Double Eye Color in 01- blue side on upper lashline
theBalm Guilty Gwen eyeshadow - wet as upper lashliner
Buxom Lash mascara

LIP:

Joe Fresh Sheer Lip Crayon in Candy

The Recharge Year: Weeks 2 & 3 + new goal!

2011-07-22T11:00:00.006-04:00

(If this is your first visit to my Recharge Year post, please read this first!)

1. Live in the moment
I'd say I'm doing fairly well on this one!. I've definitely found myself relaxing a lot better and doing one activity at a time instead of 7. Again, sitting down and watching a movie or reading a book without doing something else or letting my mind wander has been good for me. I'm hoping to start meditating more often and incorporate that into this goal.

2. Be healthier
I cannot lie to you - utter and complete failure at this goal! I had many cousins in town over the past 2 weeks and was always going out with them, therefore skipping workouts and eating junky. My mother also filled out freezer with ice cream (SABOTAGE), so I'll be working on my self-control in addition to just eating better.

3. Have more fun!
Definitely a success! Saw a few friends this past week and last (and cousins) and drank way too many times. Never got drunk, but having a drink 3 days in a row is SO unlike me. Me and my boyfriend are also trying to do a few random, fun things, particularly playing with my record collection and turntable. I inherited them from my dad (he's still alive, he just let me have it) and love discovering artists from the 70's and 80's. We actually put on Billy Joel's Piano Man and just blasted it, while grooving and dancing around. I'm sure my neighbours got an ear/eye-ful!

And like I said, I'm adding a new goal...

4. Love Myself
Stealing a bit of inspiration from Gala Darling here (if you haven't read her, you must!) and deciding that loving myself is going to be crucial to my happiness and the success of these other goals. I used to be very, very good at self-loving, but lost some of that in recent years and want to get it back! I'm going to work at praising myself more often, accepting compliments and believing them and just giving myself a bit more credit for our awesome I really am. No more beating myself up over not getting into grad school or anything else for that matter!

Any advice on these goals? What do you think of my latest addition?

FOTD: messy braid kind of day

2011-07-20T10:30:00.000-04:00

FACE:

Clarins Instant Smooth Self-Tanning Primer
MAC MSFN in Light Medium
elf Candid Coral blush
Tarte Park Avenue Princess Bronzer

EYES:

UDPP
Urban Decay Half-Baked - all over lid
Urban Decay Smog - crease
Joe Fresh Espresso Eyeshadow - wet as liner
MUFE Aqua Smoky Lash Mascara

LIPS:

Rimmel Airy Fairy Lipstick