month in review (resolutions, goals, and life updates)

Somehow, the month of January is almost over. To be honest, this month is always a strange sort of transitional period. The magic of the holiday season is behind us and the year ahead is overloaded with unknowns. It can take a bit of time to adjust to it all. For me, moments in January were slow, still, and full of leftover seasonal magic...and other moments were stressful, busy, and a little too much. Since tomorrow marks the start of the second month of the year (Hello February and Valentine's Day decorations), I wanted to take a bit of time to check in, reflect, and share some of my resolutions for the year. 

2 look 1 palette: rude cosmetics x koi footwear boots collection

Talk about an unusual eyeshadow palette. This may be the first shoe-shaped makeup item in my collection, but it stands out for other reasons as well. This Rude Cosmetics x Koi Footwear Boots Collection eyeshadow palette is all about colour. There is nothing boring or predictable about this particular release. Since the month of January tends to be a bit of a downer (once all of the Christmas magic has worn away and it is back to the old routines)...it seemed like the perfect time to make the most of this exciting eyeshadow palette. According to the Rude Cosmetics website, there are other shoe-shaped palettes in this collection. Some have more pastel colours and others are a little more neutral. The Lozo Green Rain Boots palette is anything but neutral. There are fourteen pressed pigments and shadows inside...and they all stand out. Ready to take a look at the palette? Find out how some of these shadows perform? It is time for a 2 looks 1 palette post.

charmed aroma review and reveal (hogwarts snow globe candle)

Snow globes are nostalgic. Growing up, there were always lots and lots of seasonal snow globes around. My mom had a modest collection of snow globes with Christmas cottages and toy shops tucked away inside. I always loved shaking the globes and watching the snow fall over the wintery scene. Even though I am an adult now, snow globes still connect me to those childhood memories. Which is why it was so thrilling to receive a Hogwarts Snow Globe Candle from my parents this past Christmas. My love of Harry Potter is no secret, but it feels complicated these days. I want to make clear that I detest J. K. Rowling and her harmful views. (Not sure what the controversy is? Check out this article to better understand why her exclusionary language is so dangerous.) I love the world of Harry Potter, the characters, the magic, and the themes of love and connection. It is a shame that the author has tarnished something so special. Sometimes it is possible to separate the art from the artist and sometimes it is not. At this point, I have not been able to let go of my love for Harry Potter. It means too much. Please know that by sharing this Hogwarts themed snow globe, I am in no way endorsing or supporting the views expressed by J.K. Rowling. That is not who I am. On a much happier note, the snow globe itself makes me feel nostalgic in the best possible way. Here is a review and reveal of the Hogwarts Castle Necklace Collection Snow Globe Candle from Charmed Aroma.

life is better when you are covered in glitter.

Glitter is often associated with the holiday season...but glitter is a year-round pursuit of mine. There is something so special about a makeup look (or a shirt or an accessory) that sparkles and shines. Though the world around us can be dark, dreary, and unnerving at times, glitter is a reminder that it is always possible to find the light. In previous years, my mom has gifted me different glitter eyeliners from Lise Watier. This year, she was unable to find them in store, but ordered three colours online as a pre-Christmas treat for me. That is how the Lise Watier Eye Glitter Liners in the shades Opale, Silver Stars, and Smokey Gold entered my life. I admit: these glitters were in heavy rotation during the month of December and remain in heavy rotation now. After all, the world is more beautiful when there is a healthy dose of glitter involved. Ready to find out how these Lise Watier Eye Glitter Liners performed? Here is everything you need to know about these glamorous add ons. 

too faced christmas bake shoppe (ginger snap and chocolate chip)

Ready for part two of the Too Faced Christmas Bake Shoppe Limited Edition Makeup Collection review? In part one, the focus was on the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mini Mascara and the Sugar Cookie Palette. This time, it is all about the Ginger Snap Palette and the Chocolate Chip Palette. Just like the other items included in this collection, the theme is holiday cookies. After all, it just wouldn't be a holiday set from Too Faced without something sweet and adorable to look at. Both palettes are nicely themed and check off all the boxes in terms of theme. It is time to take a closer look at these seasonal releases.

too faced christmas bake shoppe (sugar cookie palette + mascara)

This year, Too Faced released a few different holiday sets. One was the Yummy Gummy Limited Edition Makeup Set, which was previously reviewed here on the creation of beauty is art. The other was the Christmas Bake Shoppe. Between the two sets, the Yummy Gummy Limited Edition Makeup Set ultimately won out because it was a little more unique...but I could not get the Christmas Bake Shoppe out of my mind. Even though the eyeshadows in the set were similar to other shadows in my collection, the theme was everything. Lucky for me, the Christmas Bake Shoppe set was gifted to me over the holidays. All of my Christmas dreams came true! This particular set came with three palettes and a mini mascara. There is an awful lot to review, so consider this post part one. It will focus on the Sugar Cookie palette and the Better Than Sex Mini Mascara. 

affirmations and makeup (ashley strong x morphe affirmation magic)

January is a time of renewal but also of transition. It can be difficult to shift from that go-go-go holiday mindset back to the pace of everyday life. Thankfully, there are ways to address the transition. For some, that means writing out a list of New Year's Resolutions. For others, that means making plans with friends and family members. For me? It involves lots and lots of positive affirmations. After all, what better way to start off a new year than with a healthy dose of positivity? So far this month, it has been a little difficult for me to get back into the groove. My focus is off and I am still dreaming of the magical holiday moments from December. But there are affirmations to help welcome in the positive and focus my mind on all the good things that life has to offer. What does this have to do with makeup? I have been reaching for the Ashley Strong x Morphe Affirmation Magic Artistry Palette a lot lately. In fact, when I found this affirmations inspired eyeshadow palette, it was intentionally set aside so I could lean on it once January rolled around. I wanted to make sure that I started the new year on the right foot. 

winter themed charmed aroma reveals (candle + bath bomb)

All good things must come to an end. Or at least that is how the saying goes. Unfortunately, the Charmed Aroma store nearest to me will be no more. I discovered this on Boxing Day as there were STORE CLOSING signs plastered all over the walls. It was my first time heading out for Boxing Day since the pandemic hit...and it was a lot of fun. (Minus the whole store closing business.) It wasn't that there were a ton of great deals at the mall or anything like that. It was just nice to spend the day shopping with my mom. On Boxing Day, I was able to pick up a few discounted holiday items at Hallmark, some seasonal CDs and DVDs at an entertainment store, and a pair of fantastic Sailor Moon sweatpants at Hot Topic. Oh, and a few items from Charmed Aroma as well. I don't know when the store closing was announced, but by Boxing Day, there was not a whole lot left. Ultimately, the Snow Day candle and the Polar Bear Bath Bomb came home with me. There weren't any displays left out, so I had no idea what kind of jewellery would be inside, but at a 60% discount, it was worth finding out. 

current obsession: high school musical makeup from colourpop

What team? Wildcats! Okay...there is something that you all need to know about me. I love High School Musical a lot. More than the average person. In fact, the lamp in my living room is a High School Musical lamp that I have had for over a decade. I own the movies, soundtracks, dolls, accessories, blankets, pillows, and an assortment of other nostalgic items. Honestly? It was love at first watch for me. I remember sitting in the den at my parents house the night of the High School Musical premiere. I could not wait. Zac Efron was already a celebrity crush of mine, thanks to his role as Cameron on Summerland. Plus, there had been tons of promo leading up to the release of the movie. From that night on, it was High School Musical, High School Musical, and more High School Musical. I loved the second and third movies just as much as the first. And even today, I love to watch High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+. Everything about HSM feels special.

Early in the month of December, my husband and I went out with one of my friends and her husband for a long overdue dinner. Since the pandemic, my social life has been limited, but I am trying to get back out there and see the people that I care about more often. Hence the dinner! Well, it was during that dinner that my friend gave me an early Christmas present. I could not believe what was inside that holiday themed bag: High School Musical makeup. High School Musical makeup! ColourPop launched their High School Musical collection in August 2022. Unfortunately, it was not in the budget at that time. Never in a million years did I expect that my friend would not only remember the conversation we had about the collection, but go out of her way to order items from said collection for me. It was overwhelming. I fought back tears at the restaurant and did my best not to blubber all over everything. Truthfully, her kindness and thoughtfulness still floors me to this day. Now that I have been using the High School Musical themed products from ColourPop for the last month or so, it seemed only right to review them.

holiday highlights: hard candy fiercely festive makeup set

It just wouldn't be the holidays without a little Hard Candy. Over the years, I've gotten used to seasonal releases from this drugstore brand. Last year, it was The Secret Stash Set and the year before it was the Blushing On You Set. One year, there were even Hard Candy Christmas crackers! And another year, there was an advent calendar! Hard Candy always goes above and beyond around the holidays...and I love that. It's wonderful that there are special seasonal releases available at a drugstore price. That means everyone can enjoy something fun and festive around the holidays. This year, there were a few different Hard Candy holiday options. For instance, there were sets with three mini eyeshadow palettes. I almost added one of those sets to my shopping cart, but then I noticed the Fiercely Festive Set. It had a nice variety of products and seemed to be both fun and practical. Ready to find out what was included? Here is everything you need to know about the Fiercely Festive Set.

holiday highlights: the 12 days of christmas disney advent calendar

What is it about advent calendars? Each December, they manage to amaze and delight. There is something so fun about the element of surprise, the anticipation that builds as the countdown continues, and the fact that there is a fun treat to enjoy day after day. Behind each little door, there is always a small surprise waiting. It might be a chocolate or a beauty item or even a pair of socks! Yes, I love advent calendars. In fact, I love them so much that I watch advent calendar unboxing videos on YouTube and opened four different calendars of my own this year. This year, I had a traditional chocolate calendar, an Elf on the Shelf calendar, a Funko pop calendar for The Office, and a Disney accessories calendar. The latter was the 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar and it was purchased in Disneyland in the fall. It retailed for $34.99 USD but is currently on sale for $16.98 USD. (Just in case you are interested.) Ready to find out what was inside the calendar? Here is a belated reveal...

holiday highlights: charmed aroma nutcracker bath bomb (reveal)

I can't remember when my obsessions with nutcrackers began, but I do remember unwrapping a nutcracker one year for Christmas. It was a gift from my dad. Medium size, green, with a gold crown. The nutcracker had white tufts of hair and a painted on mustache. It was one of those love at first sight moments. I felt so special. So grown up. This wasn't an ordinary gift of toys or chocolate...it was a nutcracker. Unlike other seasonal decorations, this nutcracker was not put into a bin at the end of December. Oh no. Not my nutcracker. It stayed in my bedroom year round. Actually, it stayed in my bedroom year round until I got married and moved out. Now, it comes out each year and I always take a moment to fondly remember that magical Christmas moment. Many other nutcrackers have been added to my collection since then. Each year, my dad gifts me another special new companion...but the first nutcracker will always be my favourite. There is just something about him. 

holiday highlights: decorations, food, and more!

It's hard to believe that January is already underway. That a whole new year is underway! My mind is still back in December, focused on twinkle lights, gingerbread cookies, and all of the special moments that the holiday season has to offer. Sometimes, I find it difficult to shift my mindset from Christmas carols and cartoon specials to resolutions and to do lists. Honestly? That is the reason for the upcoming holiday highlights posts. These posts allow me to reminisce and focus on the time of year that I love so very much. To start it all off, it only makes sense to share some of the photographs that I took during the season. Some are decorations that are in my home, others are from my parents place, and there are lots of other baked goods and special moments scattered in there as well. Ready to take a look? Here are some of my holiday highlights from 2022.

rank and review: laneige midnight minis five piece set

Another holiday season has come and gone...but there is an awful lot of holiday-related content on the horizon. Over the next several days, there will be some holiday highlights posts, dedicated to some seasonal moments and releases. Until then, here is a little rank and review of the latest Laneige Midnight Minis Five-Piece Set. Over the last several years, the Laneige lip mask sets have become a bit of a tradition for me around the holiday season. It is a wonderful opportunity to stock up on lots of different Lip Sleeping Masks for a more affordable price. Last year, the Midnight Minis set came with scents like Gummy Bear, Sweet Candy, Berry, Mint Choco, and Lemon Sorbet. There are a few repeats this year and a few different offerings as well. There is always a lot to love about this seasonal release. Ready for the latest rank and review? Here goes...

become what you respect. mirror what you admire.

A new year is here. Hooray! There is nothing better than a fresh start. I want 2023 to be a year full of joy, wonder, and growth. On that note, it is time for a post that is a little more vulnerable. Here's the thing...I have been thinking a lot about beauty lately. Not just makeup and fashion, but beauty as a whole. Over the years, my perception of beauty has shifted considerably. Though makeup, fashion, popular culture, books, photography and everything in between continues to inspire me, I know now that beauty is much deeper. To me, beauty is standing up for what you believe in. It is making choices that you can be proud of. It is using your voice for good. That is why I want to bring more beauty into my life this year. 

2022 was a year with ups and downs on a personal level and in a broader sense. Over the last twelve months, I have been able to fly to another country for the first time since the pandemic, worked on my novel, spent time with family, and continued to work at my dream job. However, there were some difficult moments sprinkled in there as well, like health concerns with loved ones and anxiety as life returned to a new normal. There were also larger societal issues that took a toll on me. I try to keep things focused on the more positive aspects of life here on the creation of beauty is art. but certain events (and attitudes towards those events) completely shifted how I see the world. That is why I am focused on beauty more than ever before. I am committed to being a better person, living more authentically, and being a voice for positive change. 

Most of the content here on the creation of beauty is art. will remain the same, because I love having a space to write about products, to create everyday makeup looks, and to express myself. However, certain brands and celebrities will no longer be included for moral reasons. This list may grow and change over time, but for now, posts involving those brands and celebrities have been updated accordingly. 2023 is a fresh start for all of us. Here is to a wonderful new year and a more beautiful world. 

How will you contribute to a more beautiful society? What does the new year mean to you?