20/20 reading challenge update + mini book reviews

Ahh...New Year's Resolutions. Sometimes they seem impossible to achieve. That is why I have adopted a monthly check-in with my resolutions. It makes it easier to hold myself accountable when I can actively track my progress. One of my resolutions is carried forward from last year: the 20/20 reading challenge. (You can read more about that here.) Essentially, the goal is to read 20 fiction books and 20 non-fiction books by the end of the year. Last year, I was able to surpass this goal, which felt wonderful. This year? I haven't had quite as much time to read....though I am definitely doing my best to squeeze it in wherever possible. Since we are about halfway through 2021, it only made sense to share a mid-way update on this personal reading challenge. There will also be some mini book reviews to consider as well. Here goes...

shea moisture manuka honey and yogurt treatment (review)

Time for a little honesty. My hair is a disaster. At this point, it has been a year and a half since my last haircut. Due to COVID-19 shut downs and restrictions where I live...it just hasn't been possible. Even during brief periods of time when salons opened back up, it did not feel comfortable or safe for me to have another person so close. Especially before vaccinations were an option. Currently, I have my first dose of the vaccine and I am anxiously waiting for my second dose. Fingers crossed it will be accessible to me before the end of the summer. In the meantime? My hair needs some serious TLC. I don't plan to visit a salon until I am fully vaccinated. So that means lots and nourishing hair care products. Like this treatment from Shea Moisture! 

2 looks 1 palette: morphe x maddie ziegler eyeshadow palette

Eyeshadow is my favourite. Though there are many fabulous beauty products out there...eyeshadow is where the fun stuff really happens. You can embrace colour or stick to something simple and neutral. The Morphe x Maddie Ziegler collaboration, The Imagination Palette, makes it possible to do both. There are so many fabulous and unexpected colours as well as warm neutrals and shades to create a bold smokey eye look. There are so many possibilities! Since this is a newer item in my makeup collection, it has been extra exciting seeing where the palette will take me. Ready for another 2 looks 1 palette post? Here are some recent makeup looks featuring the Morphe x Maddie Ziegler eyeshadow palette.

review + reveal: charmed aroma 101 dalmatians candle

Ahh....Charmed Aroma. They certainly know how to maintain my interest. If it isn't a Harry Potter themed candle or a penguin themed candle...it is something Disney inspired. Most recently? That included the 101 Dalmatians release. This scented jewellery candle had five possible necklace options hidden inside. Each one was of course inspired by one of the iconic characters. Though all of the designs were absolutely adorable, there were a few that caught my eye more than others. Ready to find out how this candle smells? What was hidden inside? Here is another Charmed Aroma review and reveal.

get inspired by durafits this season

Life has certainly been different the last little while. Normal experiences, like dinners out with friends, parties, and special events have been either cancelled or postponed. It has been difficult...but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Slowly but surely, it seems that we are getting closer and closer to the return of those types of experiences. Hurrah! The best thing to do now is start planning ahead. There are dresses to be worn and maxi skirts that are certain to wow this season. As important (and exciting) as it is to start planning different outfits and accessories, it is also important to think about what goes underneath. Not to worry...DuraFits has a wide selection of shapewear products to choose from. 

new in: makeup by mario products

Mario Dedivanovic is well-known in the beauty industry. Partly because of his celebrity clients, his master classes, and stint as a judge on a makeup competition show....and partly because of his line of products. Makeup By Mario has been generating a decent amount of buzz since its release in 2020. As someone who has been following his career for the last several years (and as someone who is completely obsessed with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Master Palette by Mario) it only made sense that the line of products would call to me. Though there are many different products to choose from, including sculpting sticks, lip palettes, and brushes....I always gravitate towards eyeshadows. So it should come as no surprise that all of the items selected have to do with the eyes. It is time to take a closer look at the Makeup by Mario products currently in my collection.

first impressions: jlo beauty (that limitless glow mask)

Even though there are countless celebrity makeup and skin care lines on the market...JLo Beauty was intriguing. First of all, Jennifer Lopez is well-known for her incredible skin. Secondly, she is someone that I have been a fan of for a very long time. Her movies and music have been an important part of my life. Not to mention her perfumes! Her incredible fragrance, "Still," was my first grown up bottle of perfume. My dad bought it for me one day when we were out and it has been incredibly meaningful to me ever since. Yes, when it comes to Jennifer Lopez, there are a lot of positive memories associated with this A-list celebrity. That being said, the products from JLo Beauty are on the expensive side. For example, $98 for a glow serum, $72 for a day cream, and $62 for an eye cream. Those items would definitely be a splurge for me. So, it made sense to start with a good old-fashioned sheet mask. Keep reading for a first impressions review of the JLo Beauty That Limitless Glow mask. 

mermaid inspired accessories + betsey johnson review

Mermaids have long been a part of storytelling, folklore, and popular culture. Growing up, I was obsessed with movies like The Little Mermaid and Splash....and used to dream of being as graceful and beautiful as those underwater creatures. Whenever something is mermaid themed, it tends to be on my radar. For instance, the mermaid tail brushes in my collection that have pink, blue, and green handles. Not to mention scales! Or the Tarte eyeshadow palette, Be a Mermaid & Make Waves. There are so many examples of mermaid inspired makeup and beauty collections. Accessories are just as popular! Recently, I was given a beautiful pair of Betsey Johnson mermaid tail earrings. It was love at first sight! In honour of those earrings, this post is dedicated to lots and lots of different mermaid inspired accessories. 

currently loving: morphe x maddie ziegler eyeshadow palette

One eyeshadow palette has been in heavy rotation lately. What is it? The Imagination Palette. This Morphe x Maddie Ziegler collaboration features a wonderful selection of neutral eyeshadow shades and exciting pastels. Whether I am looking for something quick and easy or a little more elaborate...there are plenty of options. Yes, this palette has been adding a healthy dose of happiness to many of my spring makeup looks. Ready to take a closer look at The Imagination Palette? Find out how it performs? Here is everything you need to know about this versatile release. 

2 looks 1 palette: too faced teddy bare eyeshadow palette

Some days, colour is an absolute must. Other days, warm and neutral is the clear winner. Lately, I have been putting the latest neutral palette from Too Faced to good use. That's right....to Teddy Bare - Bare It All Eyeshadow Palette has been a recent obsession, thanks to the beautiful shade selection. Not to mention how quick and easy it is to pull together a gorgeous makeup look. There are lots of mattes and shimmers in dusty rose colours, golds, and warm browns. Want to see some of those shades in action? Here is a 2 looks 1 palette post featuring this unforgettable (and oh-so-cute) palette. 

love it or leave it? emma stone cruella premiere

The premiere for the new live-action Disney movie, Cruella, was historic. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it was the first major red carpet event since the pandemic began. With most movies either moving to streaming services or pushed back indefinitely...it was thrilling to see something as traditional as photographs from a movie premiere. Especially since I have not been able to go to a movie theatre in such a long time. It was nice to pretend that things were normal for a moment. Emma Stone certainly made the most of this historic red carpet event. She let her bold sense of style do all the talking! Are you ready for a healthy dose of high fashion? Here goes! It is time for another installment of love it or leave it? 

updated review: no7 line correcting booster serum

It has been about nine months since my last post about the No7 Line Correcting Booster Serum. At the time of my first post about the product...I had been using the serum for two weeks. Given the fact that the product packaging claimed that there would be a visible reduction of wrinkles in one to two weeks, it seemed logical to start there. Did it work in the first two weeks? Well...maybe. Though there were some subtle improvements, it was hard to know whether that was wishful thinking or the product working as advertised. Since it has now been nine months since then, it made sense to share an updated review. Especially since I recently started to use the No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate instead of the No7 Line Correcting Booster Serum. Keep reading to find out how the serum performed long-term. 

review: too faced teddy bare eyeshadow palette

Neutral eyeshadow palettes are nothing new. Most beauty lovers have at least one or two floating around their makeup collection. Personally? I have several. The most recent one is probably the One/Size Visionary Eyeshadow Palette. (You can take a closer look at that neutral palette here.) I fell in love with the unique spin on easy-to-wear neutrals. With lots of beloved everyday palettes already in my collection, another neutral palette was not exactly on my radar. Until the Teddy Bare - Bare It All Eyeshadow Palette from Too Faced was released. The theme was undeniably adorable. The shades looked warm and wearable. It was too hard to resist. Here is everything you need to know about this teddy bear themed eyeshadow palette. 

the rise of CBD in skin care, makeup, and hair care products

Beauty lovers, rejoice! There is a new trend making waves in the industry and it is infiltrating skin care, cosmetics, and hair care brands. What is it? CBD. That's right...CBD oil isn't just gaining traction for issues related to pain management and anxiety. It is taking over everything from the fashion and fitness industry (there are actually CBD-infused workout clothes that claim to reduce soreness) to all things beauty. There is a solid reason for this: CBD is on the rise. Studies indicate that the CBD market could become a $20 billion industry by 2024. Given the amount of CBD inspired or infused beauty products currently lining the shelves? That doesn't seem like a far-fetched estimate. Are you wondering whether CBD beauty products are actually worth checking out? Here is a breakdown of this unusual yet undeniable beauty trend. 

shoe obsession: randy's donuts x toms

Randy's Donuts is iconic. Though I have never visited the beloved Inglewood, California location myself...the storefront has been featured in countless movies and television shows. It is known around the world. Which is one of the reasons that the footwear collaboration between Randy's Donuts and Toms was so exciting. Anything related to popular culture is a must-have. Especially when it is paired with one of my favourite shoe brands. Ready to take a peek at the Randy's x Toms shoes that have been added to my wardrobe? Find out why they have become a total shoe obsession? Here goes...