im in it for the long haul.

This is a good old fashioned haul post! A little while back, a friend and I went to do some serious bargain shopping. It was an interesting day - and it was certainly an adventure trying to get there. But ultimately, it was a successful shopping trip.

I ended up picking up a couple of tops, a blazer, and some shorts. I am super excited to wear all of it this summer. I absolutely love everything that I bought....but what I love even more is that it was all super cheap! You really can't go wrong with great deals.

Here is a peak at what I bought:

Have you done any shopping lately? What did you buy?

xo Shannon

review: blinc

Every girl has her beauty essentials. For some, it's lip gloss...for others it's mascara. What is my beauty essential? Eyeliner - but, you probably already knew that! Since I am such an eyeliner addict, I am very particular about what eyeliners I do and do not like. Recently, I was lucky enough to try out some products from blinc, which included an eyeliner pen that makes me positively giddy, and a couple of other awesome beauty essentials.

If you haven't heard of blinc yet, get excited! They focus on "life-proof" eye products - which is always a good thing. There is nothing I hate more than my makeup moving throughout the day. Thankfully with blinc, that isn't an issue. I was able to try out a few products: the blinc AMPLIFIED mascara, the ultrathin eyeliner pen, and the eyebrow mousse.

Ready to hear some of my thoughts on the products? Let's start with the eyebrow mousse!

I am always, always looking for the perfect brow product. I have naturally thick brows, but they still need filling in to look nice. My shade was dark brunette and the match was perfect. Without question, this is the best brow product that I own. The formula wasn't too thick or too runny, the colour built nicely on the brows and looked really natural. What I loved the most was how well it lasted. My brows looked perfect all day and the eyebrow mousse didn't budge until I used makeup remover. I confess - I am in love! This is now my go-to brow product.

Next up? The blinc AMPLIFIED mascara.

Let me preface this by saying: I have never used a tube mascara before. (I know, as a beauty blogger, I'm as shocked as anyone!) So, this was a very new experience for me. What I really loved about it, though, was that this type of mascara doesn't smudge or flake at all - always good when you've got a long day. Also, the colour was jet black and added a ton of length to my lashes. It was definitely a different experience to use a tube mascara, but I was really impressed with it! I'm excited to keep using it.

And lastly, the ultrathin eyeliner pen!

I am in love. As I mentioned before, I am such a huge eyeliner fanatic. I am also very picky. But - when I saw this super thin liner pen, I knew this was something special. The liner tip is so thin that it allows you to apply the liner so precisely, making application a snap! You can also build up the thickness as much as you like. I found the thin applicator tip super helpful when doing a cat-eye makeup look, because I had total control. What I also loved? The consistency of the eyeliner and the long-wear. It didn't fade or smudge throughout the day. My perfectly retro cat-eye lasted all day long. I cannot get over how perfect this ultrathin liner is to use. I can look glam in seconds!

Another plus to these blinc products? I loved the packaging. Everything looked super sleek - and I loved the metal tubes the products came in. Super cute and practical!

So, how did my blinc makeup look turn out?

If you couldn't tell, I am loving these "life-proof" products from blinc! If you haven't checked out their makeup line, head to www.blincinc.com/

What do you think of these products?

xo Shannon

tag: seven deadly sins of beauty.

A little while back, I was tagged by the super sweet and talented Kallie from But First, Coffee to do the seven deadly sins of beauty tag. I thought that this tag was super creative, so I couldn't resist. Thanks for tagging me - and here goes!

Greed: What is your most expensive beauty item?
That I use consistently? Probably my mascaras. I use either Dior's Diorshow or Benefit's They're Real! mascara. I used to use a lot of drugstore mascaras, but once I tried high-end, I couldn't switch back!

Wrath: Which item do you have a love/hate relationship with?
Revlon's Lip Stains. I absolutely love the concept, I love the colours, and I love how it looks on. Unfortunately, all of mine dried out really really quickly and I didn't feel like it was worth the money for how long it lasted. (Did anyone else have this issue?) 

Gluttony: What brand makes up most of your collection? 
NARS. Without a doubt, I have more NARS products than anyone probably should. Foundation, tinted moisturizer, blush, bronzer, eyeshadows, nail polishes, highlighters, lip pencils, lip glosses....you name it, I've got it. I am a NARS-aholic. 

Sloth: Which product do you neglect the most due to laziness?
My eyelash curler. I am so so terrible and curling my lashes, even though I know that I should! 

Pride: Which product gives you the most confidence?  
Eyeliner. Eyeliner is the one beauty product that I can't live without - and it is the one that makes me feel like myself. 

Lust: Which item is at the top of your beauty wish list?
Urban Decay's Naked 2 palette. I am a massive fan of neutral shadow shades and I adore the original Naked palette. I use it all the time. No really, all the time. So, I can't help but lust after the Naked 2 palette! 

Envy: Which makeup product/look is great on others but not yourself?
Just mascara on the lashes and a bright bold lip. Whenever I try to do a makeup look like this, I always always reach for some sort of liner or eyeshadow. I simply cannot pull off a look without them!

Since this tag is super fun, I tag everyone to do it! I'm definitely curious about your answers. Be sure to link me to your post if you do it!

xo Shannon

i've never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful.

I love makeup....in fact, I can proudly say that makeup is one of my biggest passions. There is something so wonderful when a makeup look works out just right. Recently, I had one of those days. My makeup turned out exactly how I wanted! So, I thought that I would snap a couple of quick pictures and show you my makeup look of the day.

Products Used:

Face - Smashbox Photo Ready Primer, Rimmel Clean Finish Foundation, Cover Girl + Olay Concealer, Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer, Cover Girl Powder, Urban Decay shadow in Buck, Tarte bronzer, NARS blush in Orgasm.
 
Eyes - Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze, Kat Von D True Romance Palette, London Eyeco Mascara, Two Faced Eyeliner, Hard Candy Shadow Dancers.

Lips - Maybelline Lipstick in Buttercup.

I hope that you are enjoying what is left of the weekend! What do you think of this makeup look?

xo Shannon

review: rimmel wake me up concealer

I am always, always on the hunt for the perfect concealer. There are some that I have loved more than others (Urban Decay's 24/7 concealer still has my vote for the best out there!). Recently, I decided to pick up the Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer. Despite the fact that I wasn't very keen on the Wake Me Up Foundation, I simply couldn't resist trying out Rimmel's first full coverage concealer.

So, how is it?

Surprisingly, it's quite a good concealer. I was impressed. It is definitely the best Rimmel concealer in terms of coverage. The consistency isn't runny, but it's not clumpy and thick either. It covers under eye circles well and lasts throughout the day without creasing - always a plus! It doesn't brighten the under eye area at all and I didn't feel that it made me look refreshed or awake, but it is quite good at covering up blemishes and dark under eye circles.

My only real complaint is the shade selection. I adore Rimmel products, but there simply isn't enough colour selection! This concealer is a touch dark for me, even in the lightest shade, which is a shame. But...I should be used to this by now! Being super pale can make buying foundation and concealer a little trickier.

Overall, I was happy with this concealer. It does a good job and you can't beat the price! It is great for every day use. I'd give it a 3.5/5

Have you tried Rimmel's Wake Me Up Concealer? What did you think of it?

xo Shannon

i'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home.

Every so often, I find myself completely enamored with a celebrity makeup look. This is one of those times. Taylor Swift attended (and won best celebrity fragrance!) the 2013 Fragrance Foundation Awards in New York City last week and she looked flawless. Her makeup was truly perfection. She played with colour in a subtle and classy way, blending rust and turquoise together on the eyes and finishing the look off with a pretty peach lip.

The moment I saw Taylor's makeup, I knew that I wanted to take a stab at re-creating it. I started by applying a shimmery champagne colour all over the lid and blending out the sides with a deep blue. I applied Taylor's signature black cat-eye liner and blended out the shadows with a rust coloured shadow. After that, I ran a bright turquoise shade along the lower lash line and applied a coat of mascara to my upper and lower lashes. Then it was more lashes, lashes, lashes! I put on some falsies, used a neutral blush, and finished off the look with a peach lipstick.

How did it turn out? Well, this was my finished product! It's not exactly like Taylor's makeup look, but I definitely was inspired by it! Overall, I'm happy with how it turned out. Plus, it felt nice to get creative and play around with makeup.

What do you think of this makeup look? Do you love Taylor Swift's red carpet makeup as much as I do?

xo Shannon

it's the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter.

Friendship is like a glass ornament, 

once it is broken it can rarely be put back together exactly the same way.

Lately, I've given a lot of thought to friendship. For too long, I've kept people in my life that shouldn't be there...that don't deserve to be there. It isn't that they don't care. It's that they don't care enough.  

Growing up, I always wanted the kind of friends that I could talk to every day. I never really had that. Even now, I don't really have that. Instead, I largely have friends I see every month or two. It feels like we are always trying to catch up on each others lives. Always trying to fit the pieces back together again. To be fair, much of this has to do with distance and busy lives, but it doesn't make it any easier.

This is why I've made some changes in my life. The people that don't care enough are gone. I've made the rounds of social media cuts (...the way that Facebook and Twitter impact our lives, I swear!) and have said my private goodbyes for the friendship and memories we shared. Instead of being upset or angry, I'm at peace with the choices I have made. Those former friends were wonderful, but they didn't fit into my life anymore.

I've decided to better my life by making sure I have the right people in it.

Have you ever let go of old friendships?

xo Shannon

fashion is so close in revealing a person's inner feelings.

Once summer hits, I find myself ditching anything fussy or complicated. Instead, my wardrobe is bursting with simplicity - tank tops and shorts. Just because it is summer, doesn't mean that you can't look fun and fashionable. One of the best ways to give a simple outfit some extra personality is with killer accessories and flawless makeup.

Since I have been feeling inspired by summer fashion, I created a summer style outfit. A tank top and shorts, yes....but I added in some super trendy accessories and a pop of colour for the cheeks. Lately, I have loved playing with accessories and seeing how they change up a look. And when it comes to blush, I can never get enough!

Here is my summer style inspired outfit:

What do you think of this summery look? What have you been wearing lately?

xo Shannon

i think im addicted to bronzer, boys and alcohol.

Without sarcasm or shame, I confess: I love Snooki. Okay, maybe the celebrities I love aren't always the most popular or respected, but I long ago stopped caring about what other people think. There is something about her over the top style, makeup, and personality that I am attracted to. Perhaps this is because I've always been such a shy person. Who knows! Whatever the reason, I adore Snooki. I have every season of Jersey Shore on DVD, I own her books, and yes, I own both of her perfumes. (You may remember that her first perfume made my top 5 favourites list.)

I was able to pick up her second fragrance, Snooki Couture a few weeks back. Since I am such a fan of perfume - and of Snooki - I thought it was only fitting that I share my thoughts on this beautiful scent.

Let me start off by saying this perfume is completely different to her first. While Snooki was sexy, bold, and perfect for a night out with the girls, Snooki Couture is sophisticated and sultry. The scent is light but ultra feminine, blending lemon, apple blossom, pink honeysuckle, cashmere wood and musk. It is described as "fresh and feminine with a playful sexiness" and I couldn't describe it better! This is the kind of perfume that makes you feel like a confident, beautiful woman. It is absolutely perfect for a date or going out for dinner.

I find myself using this  a lot lately. It has become my go-to scent for evening. It smells so good - I can't get enough! The bottle is simple but cute, and the charms are a really great way to add some personality to the packaging. Snooki Couture also comes with a neon green flower ring. (As you can see in the first photograph.) That was such a fun little extra, and yes, I've worn it a couple of times!

Overall, I have to say that I love Snooki Couture as much as I love Snooki!

Have you smelled Snooki Couture? What do you think of this fragrance?

xo Shannon

congratulations to: red apple lipstick!

Today, I just wanted to say congratulations to Red Apple Lipstick!  You may remember the review that I did about some of their products a while back. In fact, that post was one of my most popular! (If you missed it, check it out here.) I am a big fan of their makeup. Not only is it all gluten free, paraben free, allergen free, vegan, and doesn't test on animals....it is amazing makeup to use! The quality is absolutely fantastic. When in doubt, I usually reach for one of my favourite Red Apple Lipstick products.

Red Apple Lipstick was recently voted the Best Gluten Free Cosmetics Brand at the GFREEK awards. As a fan of their products, this was super exciting news to hear! They were also mentioned in a couple of magazines this week, like Women's Health. It is definitely an exciting time for gluten free makeup!

One of my oldest friends has Celiac disease, so I understand how important it is to have access to great quality gluten free makeup. Whether or not you 'need' gluten free makeup, it's always a benefit to have makeup that is health conscious.

So, congratulations to Red Apple Lipstick for their GFREEK award! If you haven't checked out their makeup, head over to: Red Apple Lipstick for more information.

What is your favourite Red Apple Lipstick product?

xo Shannon

insta-sorta....

I have Instagram. Sort of.

Let me preface this by saying that my cell phone is totally ancient. I'm talking no internet and a flip out keyboard. Why? I simply can't justify spending a ton of money on something I drop a hundred times a day!

Since my cell phone is so basic, I haven't been able to use Instagram. Recently though, I signed up using my boyfriends cell phone. And I downloaded something that lets me use it from my computer. That means that I won't be able to take a ton of photos, but I can check out other peoples!

Which brings me to the purpose behind this post. I'd love to check out all of your photos - so feel free to add me to Instagram: TCOBeautyIsArt

What do you love about Instagram?

xo Shannon

beauty draws us with a single hair.

When it comes to hairstyles, I am no pro. In fact, even the simplest hairstyles turn into a disaster when I try. This is why I stick with the basics: curly, straight, ponytail, bun. Anything else just ends up being a total hair nightmare!

Since I am constantly rocking a bun, I decide to kick it up a notch and try a hair donut. This one is from Goody and was $3CDN. The instructions were simple enough to follow and I think that it turned out okay....but I still need some practice! But hey, practice makes perfect, right? For a first attempt, I'm happy with the result. It added a ton of volume to my hair and felt really secure. That bun was not moving! I just need to work on making it look neater and super sleek. Next time, maybe!

Here are the super easy step-by-step instructions to achieving a voluminous bun with a hair donut!

Step 1: Pull hair into a ponytail on the top or back of your head
Step 2: Pull ponytail through the hair donut
Step 3: Use bobby pins to arrange your hair around the donut and pin into place

Here are some pictures of my first attempt....messy but secure!

Have you tried a hair donut before? Any tips or tricks to share?

xo Shannon

keep calm and have a manicure.

I love nail art. The amount of pictures I have saved on my computer of cute nail polish ideas might border on ridiculous. This is probably because I am never able to paint my nails or get my nails done. Why? Work. Ugh, what a terrible rule, right? Well, thank goodness that has changed. Sort of.

My work now allows neutral nail polish shades, French manicure, and pastel colours - though pastel colours 'will be tolerated, not encouraged.' This may be a far cry from the neon pink nails I dream of, but I'll take it! After not being able to wear nail polish for so long, I am excited to have nice looking nails again.

As soon as this rule went up at work, I booked an appointment to get my nails done. I chose a sophisticated purplish grey shade to start with and I love it! My nails make me feel pretty and feminine again.

What are your favourite nail polish shades?

xo Shannon

the only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on.

We all need advice sometimes. I know that I sure do! I've Googled, I've asked friends...but sometimes you need a little perspective. Recently, I learned about Choice Punch which is an interactive advice website. You can ask questions you need answers to or offer advice to people who need it! It really is a fabulous idea.

My first question? What Are Some Relaxation Tips? If you've been reading my blog over the last while, you probably know that my free time is limited. I work...a lot. Because of that, I've found myself feeling more stressed out than usual. I am looking to change that though, so I asked my question on Choice Punch: 

I'd love it if you went over to the website to help answer my question! Good advice is always appreciated. Also, be sure to head over to Choice Punch to start asking questions of your own.

Do you like the idea of an interactive advice website? Have you ever been to Choice Punch?

xo Shannon

i love sunglasses, i have all shapes and colours.

 Finally, the sun is shining and warm weather has arrived. There's no going back now...it's JUNE! After a very long and grey winter, I am absolutely thrilled to be able to wear my sunglasses again. Here's the thing - I may or may not have an obsession with sunglasses. They are a super fabulous (and practical) accessory.

...which is why I own 18 pairs. Oops? 

For too long, I had sunglasses tossed carelessly around my room. This made finding the right pair a challenge. Since I am trying to organize my life, I wanted to find a way to keep them all together. At first I wanted an actual sunglasses holder. Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything that would do the job! Luckily, I found this super cute wooden box. Not only does it suit my Union Jack obsessed decor, but it holds my sunglasses!

I love having my sunglasses somewhat organized for a change. It makes accessorizing my Spring outfits much easier!

How do you keep your sunglasses organized?

xo Shannon