it is a little planet, but how beautiful it is.

Though nature may not be my favourite...it sure does looks nice.  As you may recall from a recent blog post here on the creation of beauty is art. my family spent a week at a cottage a couple of weeks ago. This has become a bit of a tradition in the last couple of years. Originally, it was the result of the pandemic and not wanting to travel too far away from home. Now? My family just seems to enjoy the experience. I am not exactly Team Cottage (bug bites, spiders, no computer...oh my!) but I always try my best to make the most of the time away. There were some low moments, like several mosquito bites on my chin and face, and some high moments, like doing some local shopping and seeing a movie at an interesting theatre. In this post, I will be sharing some of the highlights from the cottage vacation as well as a few photographs from the trip as well. Here goes...

current obsession: neon makeup products

Summer is officially on the way out. As a fall lover...this thrills me. I know, I know, I know. Most people dread the end of summer (and I have certainly felt that way a time or two in my life) but fall and winter make me positively giddy. I love the clothes and the colours and the festivities. I love the decorations and the traditions. I love pumpkin spice everything. There is so much to look forward to in the months ahead, but before the summer season actually ends, I wanted to focus on a seasonal obsession of mine: neon. It is no secret that neon makes me smile. After all, there have been lots of posts about neon on the creation of beauty is art. over the years. It is so bold and vibrant! Yes, neon is hard to ignore. Maybe that is why there have been lots of neon coloured products incorporated into my makeup looks recently. Here is a recent #FOTD and a mini review...

does it work?? lumiere sunless tanning serum

Summer isn't over yet! Despite the fact that I am dreaming about falling leaves and sweater weather...the sunshine is still out in full force. That means there is still a bit of time to put tanning products to the test. The Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer is my must-have and has been for many years now, but it is always fun to try out something different. Ready to find out how the Lumiere Sunless Tanning Serum performs? Here is everything you need to know about this seasonal product. 

love it or leave it? ariana madix

During the pandemic, there was a lot of TV in my life. To be honest, television has always been a comfort of mine, and I regularly watch more of it than I should. (Even as I write this post, there is a show playing in the background. For the record: I am currently rewatching Dexter. Spooky season is on the horizon, so it seemed like a fitting choice.) During the pandemic? TV was my best, best, best friend. I watched all sorts of shows...including Vanderpump Rules. I started by watching season eight and then went back and watched the show all the way from the beginning. Since then, I have rewatched the show a few times. And of course, I was on the edge of my seat when the Scandoval happened. Most of the cast members have a place in my heart for one reason or another, but my favourite person is Ariana Madix. I love how much she has grown over the years. I also love the fact that she has been so vulnerable about sharing her struggles with body image and mental health. Since Ariana is currently in a season of transformation and fresh starts (she will be on the new season of Dancing with the Stars and has a book coming out, Single AF Cocktails)...it only made sense to feature her in the latest installment of love it or leave it? 

review: r.e.m. beauty gogo boots eyeshadow palette

The hardest part of taking a vacation? Getting caught up on life afterward. I am doing my best, but it is certainly a bit of an adjustment. Fingers crossed I will be able to ease back into things in the next day or so. Until then...I wanted to talk a little bit about some makeup that I have been using recently. It was back in May that my mom and I took a short day trip over the border to do a little shopping. During that time, we were able to stop in at Ulta Beauty. It was there that I was able to take a peek at some r.e.m. beauty products. I'd heard quite a bit about the brand, since I am a fan of Ariana Grande, but since the products were not available to purchase in Canada, it wasn't a brand that I anticipated being able to use. Since there was a small display at the Ulta Beauty store we visited, it made sense to choose something special. I am an eyeshadow lover, so of course, it had to be an eyeshadow palette. There were a couple of options, but Gogo Boots ultimately won out. The colours just called to me. Ready to find out how it performed? Here is everything you need to know about this colourful release.

sometimes all you need is a break from life.

It is time for a short blog break here on the creation of beauty is art. By the time this post goes live, I will be at a cottage with my family for a week or so. It has become a tradition of sorts over the last several years. When the pandemic hit, it put travel plans on pause, so my parents rented a cottage where it would be possible for immediate family to come together safely...but still social distance from others. We have been renting different cottages each summer since. To be honest, it is not exactly my idea of a good time, because I do not love being in nature. Or being away from my computer. Or not having time to myself. That being said, I am very lucky to be able to spend time with my loved ones. I just wish it could be done without all of the mosquitos! At any rate, I will be busy making the most of cottage life for the next several days. (And applying lots of bug spray and sunscreen along the way. Sigh!) I look forward to catching up with you all once I am back home again. Until then...

Will you take any vacations this month? How are you spending the last days of summer?

theme week: lip products (NYX shine loud high shine lip color)

Well, the lip products theme week is wrapping up here on the creation of beauty is art. Over the last several days, there have been all sorts of different lipsticks, lip stains, and balms featured. Now? It is time to talk about the NYX Shine Loud High Shine Lip Color, which is described as a high-shine, long-lasting lip gloss. Apparently, this has been creating lots of buzz on TikTok, but that is not something that I can speak to. Honestly? I don't have TikTok and have no plans for it, considering the degradation and abuse that can spread like wildfire on the platform. There are so many issues with social media sites and user-created content apps. The amount of misinformation out there...the creators who profit off of pain...it really bothers me. Though I still use social media and consume certain types of content, it is something that I try to be very mindful about these days. On a happier note, there is always makeup. Here is everything you need to know about the NYX lip product that is generating buzz.

theme week: lip products (maybelline superstay vinyl ink)

The latest theme week is well underway here on the creation of beauty is art. The last two posts have been focused on Cover Girl and Winky Lux products. Next up? Maybelline New York Superstay Vinyl Ink.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from the Vinyl Ink formula, because the Matte Ink formula was something that I found to be very drying and uncomfortable, despite all of the rave reviews about the product. Would this version be better? Worse? I was excited to find out. On that note...here is everything you need to know about the Maybelline New York Superstay Vinyl Ink Longwear Liquid Lip Color. 

theme week: lip products (winky lux flower balm pH lip balm)

Talk about a current obsession. Or maybe a long-term obsession. I've been using the Winky Lux Flower Balm pH Lip Balm consistently for the last several months...and see no end in sight. I am absolutely obsessed with this adorable lip stain. This product was something that immediately caught my eye. I just loved the idea of there being an actual flower tucked away inside the product. How fabulous! Since I am a sucker for cute packaging and unique products, this was really a no-brainer kind of purchase. The unknown was whether or not this Winky Lux product would actually perform well. Here are all the details...

theme week: lip products (cover girl clean fresh tinted lip balm)

Makeup has always felt powerful to me. It was a way for me to express my internal world externally. Or at least try to! Since I have always been very shy and socially anxious, discovering makeup made me feel like I had a voice. If I was a little more moody...extra black eyeshadow instantly made me feel better. If I was hopeful...a colourful blush let the whole world know. There was power in those products, in those moments of creation, and in those small expressions of self. To this day, makeup has a very special place in my heart. It matters, and sometimes, it even tells my story. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about makeup and beauty. I've read and re-read this interview, featuring a personal hero of mine, many times. Her words are so true. "Beauty is, and has always been, what you make it...Beauty can be power. You don't have to be wearing makeup to feel powerful, but my God, if red lipstick makes you feel powerful or makeup you feel a little bit more empowered that day, then it is your damn right to do so." I love this attitude and it really inspired my posts for this week.  Yes, it is time for another theme week. All of the posts on the creation of beauty is art. this week will be focused on different lip products. I guess I am looking for items that make me feel powerful and strong.. Ones that reflect all the best parts of who I am. Here goes...

ultimate to-go product: NYX it's a barbie party mini palette

Barbie is always on my mind these days. I have seen The Barbie Movie several times at this point (and would love to see it again but it is probably best that I wait for the eventual DVD release) and am continuing to enjoy all of the various Barbie themed collaborations. Take the NYX x Barbie collection that was released recently. To be honest, every single item in the collection looks fabulous. All of the products are so fun, colourful, and well themed. Though it would be amazing to have it all, ultimately, it was the It's a Barbie Party Mini Palette that was added to my makeup collection. There is so much to love about this teeny tiny travel friendly release. Ready to find out all the details? Here is everything you need to know...

finding little pockets of meaning.

The summer season always seems to be a little too busy. Isn't this supposed to be a time of rest and relaxation? A time to lounge on the patio with a cold beverage? Unwind in the sunshine? Apparently not! The to-do list is never-ending. For starters, there are responsibilities at work as well as creative projects and long neglected at-home tasks that are simply begging for attention. Then there are all of the social events and invitations out that seemed to have piled up. It really doesn't take much for the summer season to start to feel overwhelming. At least, that is the way it has felt for me the last several weeks. I mean, there is the usual stuff that always seems to keep my schedule full, but then there are all of these milestone moments and major events happening for my loved ones. That means gift shopping and nights out galore. Don't get me wrong...these are wonderful things...but an open schedule and a lighter load would be nice for a little while. Maybe in the fall! At any rate, life has seemed a little busier lately, so I have been holding on to small moments. Little pockets of meaning. It's amazing how even in the midst of feeling overwhelmed, something can appear, and instantly you remember how beautiful it is to be alive. Today, I wanted to share some of the songs, words, and other such things that have added colour to my life lately.