beauty bookshelf: never give up by richard simmons

In my last Beauty Bookshelf post, I talked about how my view of beauty has shifted over the years. Though it still includes makeup, fashion, hair, photography, and art, it also includes justice, self confidence, and wisdom. It includes hope and perseverance. Knowledge and meaning. Beauty is so much more than what we see...it is who we are. Though I have been reading a lot of books recently that would qualify for a Beauty Bookshelf post (and may well be highlighted in the future) the one that stood out most was Richard Simmons' Never Give Up: Inspirations, Reflections, Stories of Hope. Since his passing last month, my heart has been aching, but I have been doing my best to turn that loss into something meaningful. I have been eating pretty well, exercising regularly, and taking time to read and reflect. This book has been part of that process. 

does it work?? lise watier 24 hours glam eyeshadow

My loved ones are well aware that makeup is a passion of mine. I love to test out products and create different makeup looks. Recently, my husband came home with a little gift bag of items from the drugstore. Each gift bag purchased went towards a local charity, so it was a win-win situation. There were mostly some skin care and perfume samples inside, but there was also a full size version of the Lise Watier 24 Hrs Glam Eyeshadow. I was definitely eager to put it to the test. So...does it work??

cottage highlights and small town shopping haul

The summer season is coming to a close and September is right around the corner. (I love the "ber" months....September, October, November, and December. We are so close to sweater weather and pumpkin spice everything. How exciting!) As has become a bit of a tradition in recent years, my family went to a cottage this August for a week. Though I am more of an inside person, everyone else in my family enjoys the water and the views. My husband went fishing, my brother went kayaking, and my parents took some scenic walks with the dog. As for me? I did my best to embrace the nature, read, spend time with loved ones, and make some memories. Here are some of the highlights and a small town shopping haul with lots of thrifted finds. 

kylie cosmetics theme week: lip kit in 705 charm

What better way to end the Kylie Cosmetics theme week here on the creation of beauty is art. than with a lip kit review? This is what the brand is most known for....lip kits that include both a lip liner and liquid lipstick. Being honest, there are an awful lot of lip kits in my makeup collection, because the Kylie Cosmetics lip products are some of my favourites. A lot of the time, I wear the 808 Kylie lip liner on its own for something quick, easy, and colourful. This time, the focus is on the shade 705 Charm. 

kylie cosmetics theme week: the classic matte palette

Eyeshadow will always be my weakness. It is so much fun to create different makeup looks....and use all sorts of colours and finishes. Though shimmery eyeshadows often grab my attention, there are some days when matte wins out instead. (One example? When I met Donny Osmond recently and chose The Classic Matte Palette.) I have really been enjoying The Classic Matte Palette from Kylie Cosmetics on those matte focused days. Ready to take a peek inside the palette? Find out what matte eyeshadow shades are included? Keep reading for the latest theme week post here on the creation of beauty is art.

kylie cosmetics theme week: mini reviews

Ahh....home sweet home. I am back from a week away at a cottage with my family (more on that in the days to come) and am slowly settling back into my routine. That means catching up on work, laundry, cleaning, my favourite television shows, and all the rest. There seemed to be no better time for a theme week here on the creation of beauty is art. Not only do I love a good theme, but I am excited to review some Kylie Cosmetics items over the next several days. As I have stated before, I am a fan of the Kardashian/Jenner family, but I am also really into Kylie Cosmetics products. Generally speaking, I love the soft pink packaging and the overall quality. Ready for another theme week? Here are some mini reviews of skin and makeup products. 

memories at the lake last forever.

Spending time outdoors is not my favourite thing to do. I am more of an air conditioning and television kind of person...but my family likes to visit a cottage each summer. (My brother likes to kayak, my husband likes to fish, and my parents like the change of scenery.) By the time this post is live, that is exactly where I will be. Though I would much prefer a week at a theme park or somewhere similarly fun, my days will be spent in nature instead. Fingers crossed that I will not come home with too many mosquito bites! This post is just to let you all know that that I will be off applying sunscreen instead of being parked in front of my computer like I normally am. You can expect new posts here on the creation of beauty is art. this time next week.

Have a wonderful week! Be sure to let me know how you are staying busy this summer in the comment section below. 

review: grease x revolution (it's the word shadow palette)

A car shaped eyeshadow palette? Now I have seen it all. Though the shape of the It's The Word Shadow Palette from the Grease x Revolution collection is unusual...it certainly makes sense for a product based on the iconic movie musical, Grease. Curious about this themed eyeshadow palette? Here is a full review of the It's The Word Shadow Palette and a recent look. 

my final richard simmons store haul.

It's hard to believe that a little over two years ago, there was a post here on the creation of beauty is art. detailing my very first Richard Simmons store haul. In that post, I spoke about my obsession with Richard Simmons and how his workouts made my life better during the pandemic. Somehow, I am now posting my last ever purchase from the Richard Simmons store. It is hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that he is gone. The last few weeks have been difficult and my way of coping with the loss was to treat myself to some of the items still remaining in the store. Here is my latest and last Richard Simmons store haul. 

2 looks 1 palette: norvina pro pigment palette volume two

Summer is well underway and that means bright and colourful makeup looks are calling my name. There is something about the sunshine that demands colour. Thankfully, the Norvina Pro Pigment Palette Volume Two boasts all sorts of bold matte and shimmer shades. It certainly has been making my days a little more vibrant. Ready to take a peek inside the palette? Check out some colourful makeup looks? Here is a 2 looks 1 palette post featuring this headturning (and ultra colourful) release.  

review: essence lash without limits mascara

As prices continue to increase on both essential and non-essential items...it is nice to find beauty products that do not break the bank. One thing I appreciate about Essence is that this drugstore brand has always remained affordable. While most other drugstore offerings have massively increased their prices in recent years, Essence has remained fairly stable. Some of their products have been staples in my makeup collection for a long time, including their blushes and eyebrow pencils. However, there has not been a mascara from the brand that has wowed me, despite the fact that the Lash Princess Mascara seems to be beloved by many. Unfortunately, it didn't work well for me. I was a little apprehensive about the Lash Without Limits Mascara from Essence, but with a $5.99 CDN price, it seemed worth it to take the risk. Here is everything you need to know.