review: l'oreal paradise enchanted scented eyeshadow palette

I love a good gimmick. Something fun, flashy, or unexpected is exciting...especially when it comes to makeup and beauty products. Despite the recent influx of scented items hitting the drugstore shelves lately (from Cover Girl's peach and chocolate scented palettes to Hard Candy's scented blushes), I couldn't resist giving the L'Oreal Paradise Enchanted set a try. It is fruit scented and features lots of easy to wear shades. And like I said: I love a gimmick. So how does the palette perform? Does it hold up well or is it a case of style over substance? It's time to find out. Here is a full review and a makeup look created using this brand spanking new eyeshadow palette.

self-tanning tips for summer worthy skin

The summer months are always exciting. Just think about it: there’s endless sunshine to enjoy, plenty of killer concerts, and more social gatherings than you can possibly keep up with. There are a couple of drawbacks, though…. like sunburns and orange skin. This year, ditch the greasy suntan oil and that cheap spray on tan. Get glowy instead with these self-tanning tips. Summer worthy skin is in your future.

beginner series: when to move on (makeup, brushes, and more)

Sometimes, it’s hard to let go. Your makeup collection is a part of your life. Day after day after day you reach for those much-loved products…. and for good reason. They help you unleash your creative side and have fun while you’re at it. No wonder so many of us struggle to toss out old beauty products. Maybe I’ll use it again! What if I can’t find a replacement? But they discontinued that shade! You deserve better. It’s time to let go of products that have surpassed their usefulness. This is your guide to moving on with ease….

90s week: my choker collection (guess, hot topic, and more!)

As a child of the 90s, I am very familiar with trends from that particular decade. Out of everything, my absolutely favourite trend had to be chokers. (Though inflatable furniture was a close second.)  Back then, I had tons of black ones made out of woven plastic. Some were worn around my neck and smaller ones around my upper arm. Ahh, the good old days of fashion! When chokers made their triumphant return, I was admittedly hesitant. Been there done that, right? But I'd always loved the way they finished off an outfit with just the right amount of attitude.

90s week: lime crime pocket candy eyeshadow palette (review)

Lime Crime is still a relatively new brand to me. The first time I ever tried them was at IMATS a few years back where a couple of lip products caught my eye. (You can take a peek at them and my IMATS haul here.) Since I am not one to order makeup online very often...it was a lovely surprise to stumble across the Lime Crime Pocket Candy eyeshadow palette in an actual store. I was doing a bit of browsing at a Winners location downtown when bam! There it was. An eyeshadow palette that looked exactly like a Polly Pocket. It was love at first sight and I bought the palette without seeing the eyeshadow shades inside. So...how is this 90s inspired makeup? Here is everything you need to know.

90s week: 4 simple ways to snag the 90s look

Feel like getting trendy? How about stepping back in time? There is something undeniably exciting about the return of 1990s fashion. Suddenly we are seeing old-school designs come back in vogue. Everything that had been forgotten (like exaggerated lip liner and ultra distressed jeans) is bigger than ever. If you are ready to embrace the trend then keep reading. These tips will help you snag a fabulous 90s inspired look in four simple steps.

90s week: 1990s inspired #OOTD

The 90s have returned with a vengeance. Styles that were one dubbed vintage or hysterically outdated have become red hot fashion trends. From chokers to baby tees, mini backpacks, and velvet everything....there is no denying the impact this decade had made on the fashion and beauty industries. Since everything nostalgic is new again, it only makes sense to dedicate my latest theme week to the 1990s. This week, you can expect to see a 90s inspired outfit, a product review, a spotlight on classic trends, and my (admittedly large) choker collection. Ready to get started? Good! It is time to celebrate all things old-school.

kourtney kardashian: love it or leave it?

In all honesty, I never thought a time would come when I would write a blog post about Kourtney Kardashian. It is nothing personal...she just happens to be my least favourite of the bunch. While I have written about Khloe, Kim, and even Kylie in the past, I never had a reason to write about Kourtney. The main reason is that the others are far more ingrained in the fashion and beauty industries. Plus, I kind of adore them! That being said, when I saw a recent paparazzi picture of Kourtney, I instantly knew that I wanted to share it as part of my ongoing love it or leave it? series.

review: maybelline lip studio python metallic lip kit

Lip products? I've got plenty! But who cares? No big deal....I want mooooore. (If you read that first line to the tune of "Part of Their World" from The Little Mermaid, you are amazing.) On a more serious note, I have tons of lip products in my makeup collection. More than I will ever use up. Which is why, over the last several months, I have cut back my lipstick purchases dramatically. There has been the odd exception though....like the Maybelline Lip Studio Python Metallic Lip Kit in the shade Provoked. There was just something about it. The colour, the compact packaging, and the optional metallic finish. It had the potential to be the ultimate on-the-go set.

seven years of the creation of beauty is art.

My lucky number has always been seven. There is no rhyme or reason behind this choice...the number simply stands out to me. Seeing as seven is my lucky number, I am especially excited to be celebrating seven years of the creation of beauty is art. It is hard to believe that my very first post was published all of those years ago. Since then, this blog has seen me through some major life changes. From various writing jobs to getting married, this space has been my constant companion. As I take time to reflect today, I realize how incredibly proud I am of all the hard work and dedication that has gone into each and every post. (All 1255 of them!) To celebrate this special occasion in style, here is a little tag so you can get to know me better.

how to make runway makeup wearable

There is nothing like a runway show to get your inspiration going. It’s not just the fashion or the hair. Just think of all the bold makeup! From Fashion Week to the unveiling of a brand new collection, runway makeup is rarely shy. Even the most muted looks are unique or out of the ordinary. No wonder beauty lovers continue to turn to the catwalk for creative new ideas. Do you love over the top runway makeup? Season after season there are countless elaborate creations…but is it possible to make them wearable? Absolutely. These tips will help you take even the most out of the box runway looks and adapt them for your day-to-day life.

haul: zara, hot topic, hudson's bay, and more

Sometimes, an unplanned shopping trip is all you need. There is something about the mixture of companionship (spending time with a good friend while you browse through endless racks of clothing) and adventure (you might stumble upon something truly thrilling) that makes a day at the mall downright special. Not long ago....I was able to spend an impromptu afternoon doing a bit of shopping. Though I wasn't looking for anything specifically, several items managed to take my breath away. Of course, those items simply had to come home with me. Are you ready for a good old-fashioned mall haul? Here it is! 

easy ways to wear mirrored sunglasses.

Are you a fan? This summer there is one accessory you will want to add to your collection: mirrored sunglasses. If there is one accessory that continues to thrill celebrities and fashionistas alike, it has to be mirrored sunglasses. They take your outfit to a whole new level of amazing…. when styled right, that is. These reflective sunglasses are can be as dressy, casual, or fashion forward as you like. Best of all, you don’t need to have a celebrity sized budget to score a pair of your own. Feeling hesitant to try the trend? Not sure if you can pull off these bold sunnies? Here are a few easy (and stylish) ways to wear them….

paris hilton perfume set review

I am no stranger to Paris Hilton products. Or Paris Hilton perfumes. Over the years, many different items have entered my life, from her cosmetics line to clothes, magazines, and everything in between. She is definitely someone I admire for both her style and business savvy. So, of course, as soon as I saw this massive Gold Rush fragrance set in New York City (at Century 21....one of my favourite places to shop), it simply had to come home with me. It included a full-sized bottle of her award winning perfume, an eyelash curler, a pair of false lashes with a gold glitter band, two nail polishes, a mascara, and a gold glitter lip gloss. How did it all perform? Was it worth the splurge? Here is everything you need to know about this oh-so-stunning set.

happy canada day!

I have always been proud to be Canadian...but with all the upheaval and uncertainty in the world these days, I am especially grateful to live where I do. No country, city, or town is perfect - but it is amazing to live in a place that celebrates diversity. Over the years, you may have heard a few common Canadian stereotypes. For instance, that we are all polite, friendly, say sorry a lot, and constantly eat Tim Hortons. Well, I don't know if those are always true but it makes me smile to think that our reputation around the world is largely positive.