katy kat matte lipsticks (2 shades + 2 mini reviews)

Makeup and music always seem to go hand in hand. Especially these days, with so many celebrities keen to endorse beauty related products. Katy Perry is just one example. She teamed up with Cover Girl a few years ago....and since then, a handful of Katy Kat products have made their way into my makeup collection. There have been the Pearl Lipsticks, the mascara, and the Katy Kat Glosses. Not to mention the line of Katy Kat Matte lipstick shades. Though there are quite a few that I've been using....a couple of new shades entered my life recently, thanks to a beauty bag from Shoppers Drug Mart. (You can check out that post here.) The lipstick colours are Magenta Minx and Cat Call. Want to see how they look? Find out how they perform? Keep reading....

twenty questions book tag

Books are my passion. Reading them, writing them, collecting them.....books are my everything. Lately, I have been extra focused on a resolution I made for myself at the beginning of the year. It was to read twenty fiction and twenty non-fiction books by the time 2019 comes to a close. I've already surpassed my non-fiction goal (thanks to oodles of biographies and educational books) and am six away from my reaching my fiction goal. I know I can do it! But to keep myself feeling motivated, I wanted to do a twenty questions book tag that I found online. So, without further ado, here goes.

review + makeup look (juicy couture eyeshadow palette)

It has been a while. A long while, in fact. The Shady Eye Shadow & Highlighter Palette from Juicy Couture has been in my makeup collection for ages now (my YouTube video dedicated to the palette can be seen here) but it is only recently that I've been refocused on the glitzy and glittery set. During the summer months, my main focus was on warm eyeshadow shades and ultra bronzey palettes. Now that fall is here? I seem to be longing for shimmer, glitter, and exciting pops of colour. Which has made the Juicy Palette an ideal choice. Keep reading to take a peek inside the palette, find out how it performs, and check out a recent look made using this oh-so-sparkly set. 

living proof (perfect hair day night cap overnight perfector)

My eyes are always peeled for hair care products that are effective and easy to use. Sometimes, that can be a bit of a struggle. Especially because I am quite low maintenance when it comes to my hair. I don't want anything that is time consuming, has a lot of steps, or requires me to spend additional minutes in the shower. (Like I said...I'm pretty low maintenance when it comes to hair.) There are a couple of items that have served me well on this front. For instance, the Shea Moisture Leave in Treatment that I reviewed on my YouTube channel. It was super quick and easy to use - and left my hair looking and feeling better. When I came across the Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Night Cap Overnight Perfector, I hoped for a similar outcome.

ariana grande perfume review (thank u, next)

thank u, next was on repeat in my house for weeks. Months, even. My obsession with the song (and Ariana Grande) had become undeniable. It got to the point that my husband commented on how many times he had heard the song. It was a lot. Since the song is high up on my list of loves, the announcement of Ariana Grande's latest perfume peaked my interest. Her fragrance, thank u, next was released late last month. Knowing my love of the song, my husband brought home the perfume for me. It was unexpected and exciting. So...how does the perfume smell? What is the packaging like? Here is everything you need to know about Ariana's latest launch.

shoppers drug mart (mini haul + review)

Surprises and samples. Those are some of my favourite things when it comes to beauty products. Every now and then, Shoppers Drug Mart has these little beauty bags for sale that benefit local charities. And every now and then, one of these beauty bags enters my life. They are typically full of different product samples and a couple of full sized items. Sometimes, those items are fabulous and other times, not so much...but whether they are good, bad, or in between, the money supports a worthy cause, so it is never a waste. Keep reading to find out what was inside my beauty bag and see how everything performed...

review: china glaze nail polish (celtic sun)

Lately, I've been all about neon nails. Though this trend is typically associated with the early summer months...I choose my nail colours based on my mood. Not long ago, I had my heart set on a bright neon yellow nail look. Almost like a yellow highlighter. There was no rhyme or reason for this. It's just what popped into my head. So suddenly, I was on the hunt for the perfect shade. Though Sally Hansen recently released a line of neon nail polish shades (expect a review on a couple of those in the next little while) they didn't have the right shade for this particular concept. Not to worry! I found the exact right shade from China Glaze and was super excited about it.

fall 2019 fashion trends to watch out for

Fall fashion always excites. Though we aren't technically into the fall season yet (it officially begins in about seven days) this is the perfect time to start thinking about your seasonal wardrobe. Will you stick to what you already own? Or will you incorporate a few new fashion trends into your looks? You don't need to do a total closet overhaul to enjoy seasonal fashion trends. It may mean adding in one or two new pieces, reaching for older items, or changing the way you style your existing wardrobe. Whatever you choose to do...the best place to start is by learning what some of the latest fall fashion trends are for 2019. Last year at this time, there was a lot of dark denim, faux fur, and tweed. This year? Well, keep reading to find out.

my fan expo experience (2019)

Last year, I went to Fan Expo for the first time. Despite how fun it was....it was also very expensive. So I made the decision not to return. Yet, here I am, writing about Fan Expo once again. Sigh! With the prices being so ridiculous (you pay for entry then pay excessively for each autograph, picture, or photo op you want. It really adds up over the course of the day) there wasn't a lot that could tempt me to go back. Two words: Corey. Feldman. I've been a fan of Corey's for many years but never imagined that I could meet him. Then it was announced that he would be attending this years event. Of course, I bought myself a ticket and made plans to head downtown. Here are all the highlights of my experience at Fan Expo 2019.

style your maxi dress for every occasion

Certain styles are a must come the summer season. Tank tops and cut off shorts are a given. Kimonos and fringe are all the rage. But one enduring – and versatile – style has to be the maxi dress. Known for its floor-grazing length, these dresses are traditionally easy to wear yet effortlessly stylish. No wonder so many of us instinctively reaches for this stunning summer staple. When it comes to making your maxi as versatile as possible, especially with the fall season looming, the key is styling. These tips will help you look your best all day and night in any season.

jonas brothers concert (#OOTD and makeup look)

It's been a while. Six years, in fact. The last time I saw the Jonas Brothers was in 2013, when they were touring for an album that would never properly be released. Things have certainly changed! The Jonas Brothers are back and more popular than ever. Their recent single, "Sucker" is the bands first number one single - and it's still holding strong on the charts. I've been a huge Jonas Brothers fan for many, many years, so when they announced their latest tour, I was excited to say the least. My post today is dedicated to the hair, outfit, and makeup I wore to their concert - and a mini review of the show itself. Here goes....

revisiting an old makeup palette (too faced the power of makeup)

Some days, I feel like doing a little digging. Through my makeup collection, that is! These days, it is so easy to get wrapped up in the new releases and forget about the items that you already own. This is something I am actively trying not to do. As much as I love new makeup...there are a lot of items in my collection that I love just as much. Take the Too Faced The Power of Makeup palette. This has made a shopping my stash post in the past...and it looks like it is about to make another appearance. Though there are an awful lot of eyeshadow sets in my possession, this is one that I come back to time and time again. It might have to do with the bold outer packaging (it is eye-catching in the best possible way) or the fact that there is a purple shadow in there that makes me very happy. Whatever the reason, it seemed like a good idea to revisit this palette.

celebrating 1500 blog posts

1500 posts. It's hard to believe, but since I started this blog eight years ago, I have written just over 1500 posts. Today, I wanted to pause and really celebrate that milestone. A lot of people in my life have asked me how I continue to come up with post ideas and how I stay motivated. It's pretty simple: the creation of beauty is art. is a passion project. When you are passionate about something, it is much easier to find focus, stay inspired, and keep going. Out of the 1500 posts, some certainly stand out in my mind. Like my interview with American Idol contestant, Scott MacIntyre, 3 Looks 1 Palette featuring Too Faced, interviewing Hanson, an #OOTD featuring Kendall and Kylie clothes, and ranking John Denver Christmas specials. To name just a few!

does it work?? laneige lip sleeping mask

There is nothing like a good lip mask. Or so I've heard. I have tried out a few in the past, but they all failed to impress. (Case in point? The Kiehl's lip mask, which you can read about here.) Recently, I got the Laneige lip mask in a Sephora VIB Rouge sample bag and had been meaning to put it to the test. Finally, now I am. This mask claims to address dryness and fine lines. According to the brand, the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask "has a softening balm texture that closely adheres to lips for quick absorption. Its exclusive Moisture Wrap technology boasts hyaluronic acid and minerals to form a protective film over the lips to lock in moisture and active ingredients. A generous layer of this soothing mask at bedtime helps reduce flakiness so you can wake up to lips that feel refreshed, supple, and soft to the touch." Clearly this mask has makes some big claims...but does it actually work? It's time to find out how this high-end lip mask performs.

in september, we will wander through the warm winds of summer's wreckage.

Where oh where did the summer months go? Though the official end of summer isn't until the 23rd... there is always something a little bittersweet about it all. Soon, kids will be back in school and the days of sunshine will be nothing but a distant memory. Personally, I am trying to pack in as much last minute summer fun as possible, but the end is certainly near. Before long, we will be fully immersed in sweater weather and frost bitten leaves. (Which I am kind of okay with.) With September officially here, I wanted to celebrate the end of one season and welcome in the new.