Halloween Makeup | Sugar Skull

Almost that time..getting into the Halloween spirit and decided to test my artistic abilities and try out some Halloween makeup.

I was inspired by the Sugar Skull that is famously known for the Mexican holiday of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). There are so many variations of the Sugar Skull, and its fun to put your own personality into it.

I used the Nyx cream pencil in the colour milk to make my face look more white and it worked really well! Originally I tried Halloween face paint, however it was too thick and never dried, therefore it was really hard to work with. I also used the essence eyeliner to outline any areas that needed for detail and to make my eyes look very dark.

Once I completed my Sugar Skull I realized something was still missing. I decided that purple hair would look different since its a complementary to green.

I still have alot of Halloween Makeup ideas that I want to try but i'm pretty happy with the way this turned out!

♥ ♥

Go-To Products | Enhancing Natural Beauty

Lately I have been decluttering my makeup and skincare products by using up whatever I have so I just have my staple go-to products. I think sometimes its easy to get carried away with trying new products - and then one day realizing you have a drawer full of products that you will never use. As I have acne prone skin I think using too many products really does create havoc to my skin. My skin really appreciates simplicity.

1.) Jo Malone - Although not a makeup products this fragrance is so light and fresh its perfect for every day wear.This scent is Nectarine Blossom and Honey. If you haven't heard of Jo Malone, it is definitely a company to check out. They have the most perfect scents - scents that are rare to find in a typical fragrance store.

2.) I love putting a natural colour on my nails. To me it looks really classy and simple at the same time. This colour is Urban Jungle by Essie. I think these colours look perfect with any skin tone, and any time of year.

3.) This is a lip product that I just discovered by a brand called Gosh. I think this might be a Canadian brand - which is sold at Shoppers Drug Mart. This shade is called Sweet Moments. I love it because it enhances your natural lip colour while giving it a nice sheen. Its almost like a lip balm with alot of pigment!

4.) This toner by the brand Simple has been my go-to product for a while. It really does get rid of any of that last stubborn makeup that i still on my face after washing, and leaves my face feeling very calm and refreshed, without over-drying and irritating my skin.

5.) Wow! I cannot say enough goods things about this product. This is by the brand First Aid Beauty and is called the Facial Radiance Overnight Mask. I rub it into my skin before going to bed and when I wake up in the morning my skin looks 10x better. Its glowing, radiant - all the things that it claims to do, it does! It allows

6.) I have talked about this before, and I am still in love. This is my favourite BB Cream by Maybelline because it does not break me out and gives me that natural glow.

I love products that are natural and enhance your natural beauty. What are some of your go-to products??

♥♥

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: Estee Lauder 'Raisins' Duo Palette

I recently purchased this amazing eyeshadow duo from Estee Lauder in the colour 'Raisins.' I have never purchased eyeshadow from Estee Lauder, but I can only say good things so far!

I immediately had to try this after seeing Zoella's tutorial using this duo palette, and it just made her blue eyes POP! It is very pigmented and silky in texture, and although pretty pricey (around 27.00 Canadian dollars) it is definitely worth it! It comes in a very sophisticated gold case, that looks very expensive, however is very durable and will last you a long time. Both colours are quite shimmery with both colours having bits of gold in them.

This duo would be especially good for travel purposes, as it has everything you need for an eye makeup look (applicator, lid and crease colour + mirror).

I definitely give this duo a 10/10 for being so pigmented and containing perfect colours that compliment many skin tones and eye colours!

My Winter Skincare Essentials!

Hope everyone is surviving the tough winter months! With the dry air calls for a change up in my typical skincare routine. Here are some must haves to help my skin maintain a healthy glow throughout this harsh season! Let me just start off by saying that in the Summer I have extremely oily skin, but in the winter I tend to get very dry skin (with oily spots in my t-zone). With regards to the order of application lets start with the my daily face wash.

Wild Rose Advanced Brightening and Refinishing Buff Cleanser - All Skin Types

I use this cleanser every night. I really do notice a brightening effect after using this. It has small beads in it so it does act as an exfoliator. It feels very rich and creamy on the face - and the best part THE SMELL! It does have wild rose oil in it so for those who love the scent of roses, this one is for you. Another great part about the Korres brand is that most of the ingredients that are put into the product are natural ones. It specifically tells you on the bottle the percentage of natural content within the product. This one has 85% natural content. I think it allows the consumers to be more aware of what they are putting on their skin - which is very important!

FacEnvy Cleansing Gel

I have been using this product as my daily cleaner for a few months now and I must say I have been pretty impressed considering I have never heard of this brand prior to buying! I bought this product at IMATS Toronto and it is designed to get all makeup, dirt and oil off your face (and yes... even the dreaded waterproof mascara). It leaves my skin feeling super soft.

Bioderma Sebium Global

I have acne prone skin and this is the only thing that will keep by acne at bay and really get rid of any of those pesky pimples. I apply this after I am done cleansing directly onto the problem spots. I let this set in before applying any other products on my face.

Korres Wild Rose Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial

I apply this every night to my skin directly and when I wake up I have bright healthy glowing skin! You really do see the results the morning after - something every night cream claims but can never deliver! This sinks into the skin almost immediately.

Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturizer

I use this moisturizer every morning and night and it really keeps my skin moisturized and soft throughout the day. It gives a great base for any makeup application. Even the smell is very energizing and pleasant

Lush Ultrabalm

I apply this balm to any dry areas on my face that needs extra care. This is great because it doesn't irritate delicate areas. I apply this balm to areas around my nose and near the eyes. It almost has a thick wax texture, but still thin enough to apply easily to the face.

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil (Light)

Lastly I apply this Josie Maran Oil to all areas of my face just to lock in everything that I have already applied and keep it moisturized over the night. If I am applying makeup during the day I will place a small drop into my foundation. Like I said before, I do have oily skin, but applying oil to my face tends to combat excessive oil that my face may produce.

How To: Henna Inspired Nails

Since the holiday season is over and done with I wanted a change from the typical red and green nails, and decided to do something a little different. I looked at some simple henna designs on Pinterest and came up with this simple yet pretty design.

Here is a step by step tutorial on how you can create your own simple Henna inspired nails! You can really create this design by any variation of colours that you would like. The colours I used were gold, red, and black.

The exact colours I used were Sally Hansen Inst-dri in Cinnasnap (The dark red colour), OPI in Glitzerland and Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Black Out. I also used a "dotter" tool that you can get at your local Sally's Beauty Supply Store or within the brand Essence at Shoppers Drug Mart and a tiny paint brush for detailed which I got at Sally's.

1.) Firstly give your nails around 2 coats of the base colour - in my case the black out colour. Making sure this layer is completely dry before we move onto the next step.

2.) Then take the "dotter" tool and place a dot about half way on your nail but a little closer to the cuticle with the gold colour. The next few steps are a little hard to explain about placement of the dots, but I will include a picture to help visualize it.

3.) I then took the small paint brush and drew the curved line that you see above the large dot.

4.) Make sure all the gold has dried before doing this last step or you won't have a clear red colour when dotted on (or whatever colour you are using). With the small end of the dotter dot a smaller red circle in the middle of the larger gold dot. This is the final design of what I have come up with. Be sure to do a clear dot coat once everything has dried to ensure that the design lasts as long as possible!!