YouTube: Before and After - Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer

Guess what? Another video is up! Hard to believe but this is now my fifth video on YouTube. I feel a huge sense of pride about each and every video I have posted. Even though I am still finding my footing…. I really love doing this. In fact, I already have a massive list of video ideas for the months to come. It’s just a matter of finding time in my schedule to film. (Easier said than done when there are always people around!)

My latest is all about the Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer. This is one of my all-time favourite beauty products. Especially once spring and summer roll around. This moisturizer is by far the best gradual tanner on the market. It creates gorgeous glowing skin – without any streaks or unnatural looking areas. It is so easy to apply, too! No wonder I keep coming back to it each and every time the sun starts shining.

Me personally? I am really pale. I mean, really pale. I often struggle to find foundations light enough for my skin. (Anyone else deal with this problem? So annoying!) In the past I tried other self-tanning products but they all made my skin look a little more orange than tan. Not with the Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer! I just love the way it looks. This is seriously a confidence boost in a bottle.

Want to find out more about the Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer? My latest YouTube video is a review – and a before and after of the product in action. If you can, please take a look, comment, like, and subscribe! 

Spring is here. And so is my tan! I couldn’t be happier with the way this product delivers. Year after year I find myself stocking up and re-applying. It is affordable, effective, and easy to use. What more could I possibly ask for? Be sure to check out the creation of beauty is art. YouTube channel to find out more and to check out my other videos!

Do you use self-tanners? Which is your favourite?

xo Shannon

review: hard candy glamoflauge foundation

I remember the first time I tried the Glamoflauge concealer from Hard Candy. After a rave review from one of my favourite YouTube gurus....I simply had to try it. It quickly became one of my holy grail products. I am absolutely obsessed with the coverage. It is by far the best concealer at the drugstore. So, when I saw that Hard Candy had expanded the Glamoflauge line to include a foundation? I was beyond intrigued. Would it have the same amount of coverage? Could it be a full coverage drugstore foundation? Without thinking, I added it to my shopping cart.

The downside? The lighter shades were gone. While I absolutely love Hard Candy for putting out some lighter shades (many other brands fail to do this - which is frustrating for a pale skinned girl like me!) they sold out too fast. Despite this, I bought the lightest shade they had. Just to give it a while. A few weeks later, there were lighter shades back in stock. That means I am now the proud owner of two different shades. One for my normal skin tone and one for when I have my spring/summer tan on. I suppose it worked out alright!

Now to talk about the Glamoflauge foundation. How did it work? The claims are as follows. It is designed with "superfine pigments for a seamless full coverage look." It is meant to give tons of coverage without looking cakey or unnatural, has oil absorption, and 12 hour staying power.

I wanted this foundation to be my new favourite. The one to beat all of the others. Was it? Not so much. While I have read some rave reviews about the foundation, my experience was good but not overwhelmingly wonderful. Unlike the Glamoflauge concealer, the foundation is not intensely pigmented. The coverage is medium. Normally that would be more than fine....but I expected a fuller coverage foundation. Especially given the name! The product goes on smoothly and looks great on the skin. As for the staying power? Average. Certainly not 12 hours worth.

My feelings on this foundation are mixed. I love the way it looks on my skin but it doesn't provide the full coverage I was hoping for. Sigh! I think this is a great foundation for sunny spring days and a date night at the movies. If you are looking for a medium foundation that won't look cakey or heavy, go for the Glamoflauge. Otherwise, stick to your regularly scheduled favourite.

Below is a picture of the Glamoflauge foundation in action....

I admit. I am picky about foundations. I find I feel so-so about most of them, with only a few that I actually love. Despite my hopes that this foundation would be my new fav....it isn't. But that doesn't mean I don't like it! I have no doubt I will be wearing it all season long.

Have you tried the Glamoflauge foundation yet? What did you think of it?

xo Shannon

no spring skips its turn.

Words cannot describe my love affair with spring. There is something magical about it all. Watching the flowers start to bloom....seeing the grass get greener....and getting to wear spring clothes! Okay, I admit. That is by far my favourite part. All winter long, I wore bulky sweater after bulky sweater. Then spring began but the weather was still chilly and miserable. That meant more bulky sweaters! No wonder I am so head over heels in love with spring right now.

Since I am feeling so spring-centric, I thought I would make today's post all about spring fashion. What are my favourite looks? Personally, I love lightweight tops and distressed jeans. Bold accessories. Bright lipstick shades. Flirty floral dresses. Open toe shoes. These are the types of things I have been craving all winter long. Now that spring is here I can actually wear them. Thank goodness for that!

Spring is in the air. That is why I decided to create my ultimate spring outfit. It features: a white lace top, distressed skinny jeans, a statement necklace, a pastel bag, pink pastel pumps, gold bangles, and a soft pink blush. The combination? Simple but statement.

There is something about spring fashion. It is fun, flirty, and easy to wear. Now that the sun is shining and the birds are chirping....it is time to embrace gorgeous seasonal styles. This is my ultimate springtime outfit. What does yours look like?

xo Shannon

what is now called vintage was once brand new.

Retro. Vintage. Old school. Whatever you want to call it, there is something special about fashions from decades past. Me personally? I adore 50s and 60s inspired styles. Think housewives and picnics in the park. I love watching old movies and TV shows where the styles are full of glitz, glamour, and just a hint of flirty sophistication. Which is how I wound up spending over an hour in a retro inspired clothing store. My mom and I were downtown. We had a few hours to kill before checking out a theater performance. Then we came across Tatyana. The window was full of vintage dresses, cute purses, and parasols. Cue excitement!

(Below is a picture of the store window that caught our eye. Amazing, right? Especially that blue printed jump suit. I wanted it so badly but they didn't have it in my size. Alas.)

From that point on, we were like kids in a candy store. My mom and I flitted from rack to rack, gushing over the bold colours and stunning prints. The gorgeous details. The incredible accessories. There was so much to look at, it was like a sensory overload. We tried on dress after dress, just hoping to find the perfect one. And then I did.

It was red with white buttons, a white belt, and white trim. It went past the knee and had a gorgeous full skirt. I didn't stop there. Then I found an equally beautiful purse to go with the bag. It was navy blue with a sparkly white detail and a classic shape. And then there was the scarf. I picked up a black and white scarf with a white bow print. I loved the idea of wearing the pieces together to create a head to toe retro look. Quite frankly, I felt like a million bucks.

Despite the fact that I spent way too much money.....I was over the moon. I spent the rest of the afternoon picturing all of the places I could wear my perfect retro outfit. Thanks to truly awful weather (rainy and cold) I haven't been able to wear it yet. But I will. Oh, I will. And once I do, I will be sure to do a detailed outfit post! For now, here is a peek at the pieces I picked up.

Yes, I love vintage designs. They look amazing and manage to instantly boost my confidence. I honestly cannot wait to wear this outfit. I love the bold red shade and the stunning accessories. My favourite piece? That purse. The shape is identical to one my grandmother used to have in her closet. Every time I hold it, I feel a little closer to her. And that means more than I can describe.

Stumbling upon a fantastic vintage clothing shop? Amazing. The only downside is that I will have to force myself to stay away. Too much time spend in Tatyana will lead to a seriously empty bank account!

What do you think of the new pieces in my wardrobe? Do you love retro styles?

xo Shannon

a smooth sea never made for a skilled sailor.

Life isn't always easy. Especially when you throw in an unexpected curve ball like a rip, tear, broken zipper, or stain. Sound familiar? These are definitely things I have dealt with before. Like the time I spilled my drink during a birthday dinner. Or when the zipper on my purse got stuck.....on the way to my destination. Those unexpected fashion disasters can be frustrating to deal with. And sometimes downright awful! Which is why I am always looking for handy life hacks to make things easier. Anything from how to deal with fly away hairs to how to speed up my morning routine.

It can be challenging to make the most of every moment - and twice as challenging to be prepared for those unexpected moments. Thankfully, there are ways to deal with even the biggest fashion emergencies. From a missing button to an unsightly stain. All it takes is a little creativity. Oh, and a few expert tips! After checking out this infographic from Paul Fredrick, I was instantly impressed. There were some fantastic life hacks to make those mini-emergencies a thing of the past.

So, on that note....here is the infographic. Take a look and get ready to say goodbye to the pesky dress shirt mishaps.

These are just a few ideas to make your life a little bit simpler. Whether you are dealing with a dilemma at the office or find yourself cursing that super cute button down post-dinner reservation.....these life hacks will be here to help. My personal favourite has to be the ink stain removal tip. I like to write things by hand rather than type absolutely everything. So I am known to deal with those annoying ink stains every now and again. No more! Thank goodness for that.

Have you tried out any of these tips? How do you deal with fashion emergencies?

xo Shannon

YouTube: Hard Candy Hits and Misses

It’s hard to believe it. I just posted my fourth video on the creation of beauty is art. YouTube channel. Even though it is very early days and I still have a lot of growing to do, I am starting to get more comfortable in front of the camera. Before? I filmed for ages and ages and cut together the best bits. This time? I was able to film straight through. Maybe it was a fluke…. or maybe I am starting to relax a little bit more. Whatever the reason, I am loving this new creative experience. It’s different. It’s scary. It’s fun.

My latest video is all about Hard Candy. They are by far one of my all-time favourite drugstore makeup brands. Over the years, I have tried an awful lot of their products. Some were absolutely amazing and others were a total letdown. It’s just one of those things! Which is what inspired this video. I was in the middle of using a few new Hard Candy products – totally loving how they performed – and then I started to think about some of the others. You know, the not so amazing products.

So, what are the hits? What are the misses? And which products fall in between? Take a look at my latest YouTube video to find out! 

There are definitely some fantastic products from Hard Candy. Which is exactly why I love them so much. And why I continue to try out product after product. Despite some of the misses, I keep coming back. Because the products that work well manage to rival anything I have found in high-end makeup stores. That is definitely worth the gamble!

Overall, Hard Candy is a stand out drugstore brand. Find out which products are worth the cash by checking out on the creation of beauty is art. YouTube channel. Please like, comment, and subscribe!

Do you love Hard Candy? What products have you tried?

xo Shannon

i can't think without my glasses.

A lot has changed. When I was younger, I used to hate wearing glasses. Despite the fact that I needed them to see - I would rarely wear them to school or at home. There was just something about glasses that seemed uncool. Thankfully, it's not like that anymore. Gone are the days of unfashionable styles. There are a ton of different styles to choose from. From bold to sophisticated to retro.....there are as many choices as there are personality types!

On a day to day basis, I wear contact lenses. Despite this, I still like to wear a pair of fashion glasses every now and again. It is a great way to change up your look. Recently, I tried out a gorgeous pair of vintage cat-eye glasses from Firmoo. By far one of my favourite online stores.....these immediately caught my eye. Lately I have been super into retro styling and these fit right into that. They came with a case, pouch, and screwdriver set. All of which was great. I loved the attention to detail. So wonderful. As for the actual glasses? Stunning! They have a wooden feel and that beautiful cat-eye shape. Here is a closer look at the glasses......

As you can see from the pictures above, these glasses are absolutely beautiful. I cannot get over how stunning they look! The shape is so different from anything else I have. But when I wear them? I feel like I am in an old movie....or I am Reese Witherspoon's character in Pleasantville. (Honestly? That thought excites me far more than it should. Anyone else obsessed with that movie?) I was so happy with the look of these fashion glasses - and just as impressed with the quality. Every pair of glasses I own from Firmoo has been wonderful and this was no different.

From design to durability, I love these glasses. Take a look at them in action....

Overall, I was extremely happy with my Firmoo glasses. They look amazing! If you want to snag some glasses of your own - now is the time. New customers to the website receive 50% off frames. You can take advantage of that here: http://www.firmoo.com/z/new-50-off.html

Have you ordered anything from Firmoo before? What do you think of these glasses?

xo Shannon

love at first blush.

Love at first sight. That is how I would describe my relationship with the Hard Candy Ombre Baked Blush in Punch. I was browsing the makeup racks for no reason in particular. In fact, I had already decided not to buy anything. It was merely a way to pass the time as I waited for my ride to arrive. And then I saw it there. That gorgeous ombre blush staring back at me. I knew in that moment, it had to be a part of my life. How did I justify it? Well, even if the blush isn't amazing, it looks gorgeous in the packaging! I could display it! It is amazing how many reasons I can come up with to justify a new makeup purchase. I suppose this will have to change but until then.....a new blush entered my life. 

As you can see from the picture above, the packaging is pretty standard. It looks like all of the other Hard Candy baked products. The main difference has to be that gorgeous ombre effect. It looks absolutely stunning. Below is another picture of the blush so you can take a closer look at the ombre. It fades from a berry pink to a lighter pink to an almost white kind of shimmer. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! 

It is no wonder I fell head over heels for this blush. Out of the many blush shades I have in my collection, none are so beautiful in the packaging. I think the ombre effect took it to a whole other level of stunning. So, you know that I love it in the packaging....but how does it perform? That is another story altogether.

Let me just say that I adore the concept of an ombre blush. It gives you the chance to use the product in multiple ways and in varying intensitites. It also includes a highlight in the same product. It really is a fabulous idea. Sadly? The pigmentation on this ombre blush was not quite what I was expecting. I have a number of other Baked Blushes and Bronzers from Hard Candy and the pigmentation has been consistently wonderful. Great texture and even better colour payoff. This blush was not quite the same. It has a rougher texture and the colour is subtle and sheer. 

That isn't to say you can't do a lot with this blush. It still looks beautiful when layered on the cheeks. The difference? You have to work harder to achieve a more dramatic blush look. Since I tend to like a slightly bolder cheek in general, I found this to be a bit frustrating....especially since their other baked blushes and bronzers have been universally fantastic. 

Want to get a better idea of the blush shade in action? Below is a makeup look I created using the Hard Candy Ombre Baked Blush in Punch on the cheeks: 

So, what is the verdict? It is a bit of a toss up. While this blush shade looks gorgeous in the packaging, the pigmentation leaves something to be desired. If you want something to display, this is a definite yes. If you are searching for a go-to blush shade? Keep looking. 

Have you tried the Hard Candy Ombre Baked Blush in Punch? What was your experience like?

xo Shannon

new in and new favourites.

It's amazing how the little things can make you happy. Like wearing a gorgeous perfume or a sparkly pair of shoes. If there is one thing I love? It is the little boosts of confidence...the unexpected smiles....the moments of joy. It is no wonder my favourite quote right now is as follows: "It's the little moments that make life big." That quote is precisely why I have been snapping pictures of a few of my favourite things. That includes new shopping purchases and some much-used items. Today, I thought that I would share them with you! This is new in and new favourites.....

The first on this list are a couple of products from Avon. My mom ordered them for me when she placed her order and I have been using them constantly. The first is a brow gel and shadow set. It comes with some brow wax and a dark eyeshadow powder. I wasn't sure how effective this product would be, but it works really well! I was so impressed with the quality and ease of use. The other product there? An Avon eyeliner pencil. The great thing about this? It has a sharpener inside the actual cap. So every time you twist the cap back on you automatically sharpen it. An always sharp eyeliner pencil. Perfect for when I am in a rush or on the go. Love!

Next up? A few Betsey Johnson items. Believe it or not, I actually picked these up from the arts and crafts store, Michaels. There were these little baskets full of adorable Betsey stuff (for so cheap!) that I could not resist. I ended up picking up a super cute plastic cup and two plastic zippered pouches. The cup is surprisingly sturdy. I have packed it away for now but cannot wait to use it! As for the zippered pouches, they would be perfect to throw makeup into your purse for the day. But I have actually been using them as a little clutch when I go out for something quick. Lightweight, cute, and easy to use. What more do you need?

While I was at Michaels (shopping for wedding stuff. Fun, fun, fun) I also came across these fake flowers. They were buy three get one free which was of course tempting. But what really sealed the deal was the fact that they came in leopard print! I have a serious addiction for all things leopard print, so these basically had to be in my life. I meant to pack them as soon as I got home since I am trying to pack as much up now as I can....but I just couldn't do it. They were too beautiful! I wanted to enjoy them for as long as possible. Right now they are sitting on my dresser and they make me smile every time I look at them.

I have a thing about scents. The right fragrance can totally turn my day around! Which is why I like to spray things around my room every now and again. There is something about a gorgeous scent that just makes you feel good! One my recent favourites comes from Sonia Kashuk. I picked up this little set from Target before it closed down and I am obsessed. Every other day it seems, I spray some of the perfume around my room or wear some of the lotion. It is like an instant mood booster. Floral, pretty, and feminine....I absolutely adore this.

The last on today's new in and new favourites list is of course, shoes. Honestly? I have a lot of shoes. A lot. That is why I have been trying not to buy them unless I am absolutely head over heels in love......and that is how I ended up with three new pairs. The first is a cute pair of flats with lip prints all over them. They were too cute to resist! I think they will be a really fun spring/summer type of shoe. The next was a pair of glittery wedges. These were almost a legitimate purchase, because I only have two pairs of sandals. Which is shocking, really! Lastly was that gorgeous pair of lace-up wedge boots with lace details along the side. I love them. More than love them. We are an item. I have already worn these three or four times. They go with everything and make me feel like a million bucks. Thank goodness for shoes!

The little things are powerful. Just as powerful as big moments and major life events. That is why I am trying to focus on them as they come. And hey - just writing this post made me happy. Score one for the little moments.

xo Shannon

home is where our story begins.

Life is moving quickly lately. There are wedding plans, appointments, meetings, to-do lists, and all the rest. For the most part this has been okay. I have been able to fit things in without too much trouble. In the past few weeks, though? Everything has begun to feel overwhelming. It is getting harder and harder to balance every day responsibilities (like working, a social life, etc.) with packing, preparing, dress fittings, invitations, and all of the other essentials.

One thing that was crossed off the to-do list? Finding a place to live. For a while, my fiance and I really wanted a house, town house, or condo. In the end, we decided to go with an apartment. As great as all of the extra space would have been - and as nice as it would have been to have a space that was totally our own - we opted to stay comfortable financially while we establish ourselves in our respective careers.

Despite the fact that an apartment is not what I envisioned....I am really excited. We went to one apartment showing and it was the perfect building but not the perfect place. Then a few days later, a three bedroom (with two bathrooms. Amazing for a makeup addict like myself) came up. It just felt right. The moment I stepped inside, I could see our life there. I could feel that this was home. My fiance told me not to fall in love with a place we didn't have yet. Especially because a bunch of other couples were interested in the apartment. But I had fallen head over heels. And somehow we managed to get the apartment. (I credit this to my fiance calling over and over again. Persistence!)

Today is the big day. Okay, we aren't moving in. In fact, I don't plan on moving into the apartment until after our wedding this July. But today is the day that we get the keys and look around. We haven't seen it since that first showing. So, I am looking forward to getting back in there, poking around, and deciding on things like paint colours and what things will go where. This is the first step in our life together. And that feels really special.

xo Shannon

may happy thoughts and springtime flowers brighten all your easter hours.

Another holiday is here! Tomorrow is the big day....Easter. This will probably come as no surprise but I absolutely love celebrating Easter. There is something about this holiday makes me smile. Waking up, watching Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory on TV with my family, going through our Easter baskets, and spending time together. It's the perfect way to get away from the every day and make time for one another. I think that is what I like best about holidays. It is so easy to get caught up in our own lives and our own responsibilities. Holidays give us all a chance to sit back and focus on what is truly important: the people we care about.

This year, I am hoping to enjoy a relaxing Easter with my family. It will be nice to get away from work and just breathe for a bit! Tonight I will be enjoying Easter dinner with my fiances family and tomorrow night I will be celebrating with my own. In the meantime, I am enjoying pictures of pretty pastels, Easter bunny nail art, and chocolate treats. Which is what brings me to today's post. I thought that in the spirit of the holiday, I would share some of my favourite Easter themed pictures. I hope they inspire you and get you ready for the celebrations ahead.

Easter is a wonderful time to slow down and spend quality time with friends and family. I hope that whatever you have planned, you have a wonderful Easter holiday. Laugh, smile, and eat lots of chocolate!

xo Shannon

YouTube: Kardashian Beauty Hair Products

Lately, I have been itching to film a YouTube video. This is a very strange feeling. One I never thought I would feel. It was one short month ago that I started my own channel....and I was so scared to do it. Now I find myself coming up with fun ideas - and wishing I had more time to devote to filming. This is an exciting shift. One I hope will continue in the months to come.

At the moment, my life is busy, stressful, and overwhelming. There is a lot going on and even more coming up over the next couple of months. That is exactly why I chose to take time for myself. Rather than cross something off of my to-do list, I set up my camera. It was an exciting experience that re-ignited my passion. Being able to sit, talk, and share my thoughts? It was exactly what I needed. Oddly enough, even editing the video was exciting! I find I am learning more with eah and every video I film. And that is pretty great.

So, what was it about? My latest video for the creation of beauty is art. YouTube channel is a first impressions video. I recently tried out some Kardashian Beauty Hair Products and was super excited to share my thoughts. Take a look at my video to see the items I picked up and how they worked for me.....



As you can see from the video, I tried out four different products from the Kardashian Beauty line. They were the K-Body Volume Foam, Take 2 Dry Shampoo, Take 2 Dry Conditioner, and the Pure Glitz Hairspray. One thing I absolutely loved? The packaging! The bottles are so sleek and sophisticated. I am definitely excited to use these - and display them on my vanity. (You can take a closer look at the bottles in the picture below. Super pretty, right?)

My first impressions on the Kardashian Beauty line? Good! I definitely am happy with my purchases. If you get the chance, please check out the creation of beauty is art. YouTube channel, like, comment, and subscribe!

Have you tried anything from the Kardashian Beauty hair care line?

xo Shannon