Summer Essentials | 2015

Thought it would be appropriate to let you in on my Summer Essentials as Summer is just around the corner! These products/items are things that I literally could not live without...like my survival kit if I were to ever be shipped away to a deserted island (we all know makeup is a necessity, right).

In the Summer everything seems a lot clearer - my skin included. Not sure if its the sun, eating more healthy or just getting more exercise, but whatever it is, my skin just seems to love it. And because of this, my go-to coverage for my face is my Pure BB Cream by Maybelline (around 8 dollars)that has Salicylic Acid in it to defeat any breakouts before they come to the surface. This is so light weight, and has just enough coverage to smooth out my complexion. You can literally apply this with a brush, Beauty Blender, or even your fingers depending on the coverage you want.

Now for the main event, the star of the show, and that's Josie Maran's Argan Enlightenment Illuminizer (around 31 dollars. I was hesitant to buy this product as I have such fair skin and usually need an illuminizer with more pinkish tones to it, and this one has more gold hues to it. Honestly though, it is so subtle and beautiful on the skin, it gives you a natural glow. You can also brush it over your collar bones on those nights out where you want an all over glow. The best part - it comes with a pump, therefore gives a clean application.

My new favourite blush is Milani's Rose Powder Blush in Tea Rose. This is just flawless, down to the packaging. It applies so smoothly to the skin and blends so easily. This is a nice everyday dusty rose colour, that personally I think you can wear all year round. It is around 9-11 dollars, which may be pricey for a drugstore blush, but there is a lot of product for what its worth, and honestly the formula is even better than most high-end blushes.

Next is an eyeshadow, which is another Josie Maran product. This is a Coconut Watercolour Eyeshadow in the colour Rio De Rose Gold. This product isn't hyped up enough. Its honestly amazing!! Pigment is amazing, colours are beautiful, and the lasting power - 10/10. It has a doe foot applicator, which is very different for an eyeshadow. I literally want, sorry, NEED all the colours.

For my more daring days I wear the Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer in the colour Punch Pop. This is such a Spring/Summer colour, and applies so easily. Because it has a primer built in it applies like a lip balm and has the lasting power of a stain. There are a lot of colours that I am still waiting to try. The packaging is nice and compact and you can almost use the outside as a mirror when you are applying it!

The next thing, i'm sure you've heard of already because everyone and their babies momma is talking about it - and for good reason! The Benefit Roller Lash lengthens, curlers and separates my lashes. Honestly I can't see myself using any other mascara, this is just too good.

Last but not least, a good pair of sunnies. These have been my go-to sunglasses as they go with anything i'm wearing. I bought these from Winners for literally 14 dollars and are apparently Oscar de la Renta.

What are your must haves for Summer 2015??

Top 5: Mascaras

This past year I have been on the search for a good mascaras, and I am happy to have found 5 mascaras that have been added to my staple makeup collection. These are not ranked in any particular order but I think they all do a good job to make your lashes full and separated all day long.

Maybelline 'The Rocket' Volume Express (Waterproof)
Definitely one of the best drugstore mascaras I have found by far! It gives you a lot of volume as it claims to do and separates each lash. It does not leave your lashes clumpy. The only thing I would say is to opt for the non waterproof version as the waterproof one is is very difficult to remove even with the best makeup removers!

Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara
I was so happy to have found this mascara at Walgreens on my last trip to the U.S. With this only being $2-3 it is definitely worth the try. Honestly this ended up being as good or even better than some of my higher end mascaras. The only down side is that it isn't waterproof so maybe on those hot humid months I would stay clear - but honestly it is a great buy for your everyday wear.

Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara
This is my most worn mascara as I literally wear it every day or everyday I wear makeup anyways. Because I have blonde hair I tend to find that black mascara can be a little too harsh for that day-to-day wear so I chose this one in a dark brown colour which is perfect! It doesn't smudge at all therefore not leaving that 'raccoon eye'. It lasts all day but then comes off so easily at the end of the day! PERFECT! This mascara retails for around $13-14 (Canadian).

Benefit They're Real! Mascara
I'm pretty sure you've heard everyone and their mom talking about this mascara already - but with good reason! Currently I am using the small size, because I am trying to use up some of my makeup, but I have gone through a few of these in the past. I also got some of my friends hookup on this one as well! You can purchase this at Sephora and Shoppers Drug Mart for $29. Although this price is a little steep it it still worth it. The spiky bit at the end really grabs onto the corner lashes to give you fuller lashes.

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara This is such a great mascara for those tiny bottom lashes that really just coats every lash without making them clumpy. This mascara stays on all day and doesn't smudge while coming off so easily at the end of the day. Although clinique is known to be a higher end brand this mascara is only $12 at Sephora. If you have trouble coating those bottom lashes I would definitely recommend this one.
Let me know what your favourite mascara is!

XO

Review: Maybelline Dream Wonder Liquid Touch Foundation

OVERVIEW:
Lately I have been a bit bored of my usually foundations, and wanted to try something new! I always have my Estee Lauder Double Wear as one of my staples but I find it too heavy for a day-to-day wear. I have been curious to try the new Maybelline Dream Wonder Liquid Touch Foundation, as I have seen alot of people talking about it on social media.

I bought it at Walmart, where I found it to be the cheapest at around $13.00 for 20ml. For those of you who live in Canada you can also find it at any other beauty stores like Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, Target etc. There were alot of shades to chose from. I picked up the lightest shade in 10 Porcelain Ivory, which happens to match me perfectly as I am super pale at the moment (blame the harsh Canadian Winters)!!

Before applying you do need to shake the product as it is liquid based. You can hear the thinness of this product as it almost sounds like you are shaking a water bottle or something.

The applicator is in a dropper form that allows the product to drop slowly - almost too slowly though that I don't have the patience to wait around for it to drop onto my hand. I put a small drop on my finger and put a few blobs on my face. I used a Beauty Blender to apply the product and to make sure I had an even application. The formulation is very light weight and not something that I have ever seen or felt before, where is literally glides on your face

CONS:
Unfortunately everything met my expectations until I smelt the actual product. It has a very strong chemical smell to it. I'm not saying that I use natural products on a regular basis but I have never smelt something that strong. It had a nail polish smell to it. When it dried and was applied to my face I could not smell it anymore, but just being able to tell the amount of chemicals that are in the product prior to putting it on my skin scares me. If you are someone who is not really concerned about this I would definitely give this product a try!

RATING:
I gave this product a 8.5/10. I think what put me off was the very strong chemical smell that is hard to ignore when applying the product. Otherwise the bottle and formulation was close to perfect!