Summer makeup looks tend to fall into two categories: bright and colourful or warm and bronze. I normally let my mood decide which one wins out. Recently, it was a warm and bronze makeup look that seemed most appropriate. There were certain eyeshadows that seemed to be calling to me and there were certain lip and cheek products that felt just right. The end result? A new shop my stash post here on the creation of beauty is art. It is time to check out a warm summer makeup look.
Every now and then, some beauty essentials are needed. The eyeshadow primer that I was using ran out, so it was time to check the drugstore offerings. While I was there, it quickly became clear that Essence was the main brand of interest thanks to the affordable price and the assortment of products available. On that note, here is a mini Essence essentials haul.
"One benefit of summer was that each day we had more light to read by." It is official. Another summer has arrived. The temperatures are slowly starting to climb (though it has been nice to have cooler days mixed in so far) and there are all sorts of seasonal activities on the horizon. Though there are other seasons I tend to prefer, like literally all of them, I am doing my best to find the good in this time of year. Some examples of the good? Brightly coloured nails, fun candle scents, a future concert, and more sunlight at night. It is the first official day of summer, but my heart is already longing for fall, so I have been satisfying that craving with bits and pieces of Summerween decor. Maybe you adore the summer months or perhaps you are still looking for a little inspiration. That is what this blog post is all about. Here are summer inspired images to start the season off right.
In two days, the latest Toy Story movie will hit the big screen. As a Disney lover, there is a lot of excitement about a new addition to the popular series. Toy Story 5 will feature some familiar characters as well as some new ones to love. I am eagerly anticipating a trip to the movie theater in the next little while. Something else that has made me excited about the new movie? The fact that Taylor Swift released a song for the soundtrack, "I Knew It, I Knew You." She attended the Toy Story 5 premiere recently and wore a dress from the Erdem fall collection, which means it is time for another love it or leave it post.
The best way to describe summer? Intense. The sunshine and heat can be a lot to deal with, even with sunglasses and air conditioning. The summer season officially starts next week, but the warm temperatures have already arrived in full force. Given the intensity of this time of year, it seemed only right to talk about the new Kylie Jenner fragrance: Cosmic Intense.
Change. Just the word makes my stomach knot in discomfort. I have always struggled to deal with change, whether it was a last minute change to casual plans or a significant life change that ended a chapter. The reality is that it is easier to feel comfortable when things stay the same. There is a certain kind of ease found in familiarity. However, change happens every single day in both acknowledged and unacknowledged ways. I have recently been trying to face some of those previously unacknowledged changes by reorganizing (and decluttering) my wardrobe and jewellery collection. This process has meant accepting that I am no longer who I used to be...and that parts of me will never be the way they were before. It has been surprisingly emotional.
Nostalgia appears to be a constant in my life. There is a part of me that aches for the experiences of the past. I love imagining what life was like in different decades almost as much as I love remembering when my own world felt simpler and more optimistic. These days, my nostalgia has even included makeup and jewellery trends from the 2010s. I find myself missing bold statement necklaces and ultra colourful lipstick shades. There was a time that Sephora had blue, green, and purple lipsticks available from all sorts of brands. I loved that time in makeup so much! Back then, beauty was fun and daring and playful. So much of that has been lost to the "clean girl aesthetic" that has become popular in more recent years and it makes me sad. This recent #FOTD is anything but clean girl inspired. It features a fun statement lipstick perfectly suited to my nostalgia.
Life without music would be unbearable. There is power in a well written lyric, an interesting melody, and a clear voice. Music has been on my mind a lot lately and I have found myself reflecting on the many times it has understood me, offered me peace, and essentially held me together. It seemed like an appropriate time to wax poetic about it here on the creation of beauty is art. so here are fifteen music lover questions. Be sure to share your own answers in the comment section below.
I have always admired people who are talented with hair. Over the years, I have read countless hairstyle books, watched far too many video tutorials, and made numerous attempts to do something with my hair other than straighten it with a flat iron or curl it with a curling iron. It seems that straight and curled hair are about it for me. Braids seem impossible, twists are a no, and even effortless waves seem anything but effortless. So, when it comes to hair styling products, my focus is really on protection and hold. In search of something that would address hold, it was the Workable Hairspray from TRESemme (part of The A-List Collection from the brand) that was intriguing to me. This is mostly because of the versatility. This hairspray is dual sided with both a strong hold and light hold option, making it possible to customize all sorts of different hairstyles.
Mascara is the ultimate finishing touch. It can add a little extra drama to the lashes, with lots of length and volume. However, not all mascaras are created equally. Some are bold and others are lackluster. Over the last little while, I have been putting some mini versions of popular mascaras to the test as part of the Mascara Discovery Collection. (If you missed that show and tell post, be sure to check it out here.) The set came with eight different mascaras and a voucher for one full sized version. I have been putting them all to the test in order to make my final decision, which will be revealed in a future post. For now, here are the first four mascara reviews, which includes products from Benefit, Yves Saint Laurent, Lancome, and Too Faced.
Balance seems out of reach. Despite my best efforts, living a balanced life seems near impossible to achieve, even on a temporary basis. It seems that life is either uncertain and achingly slow or full steam ahead. At the moment, it seems that I am in a season of "full steam ahead." There are appointments, plans, requests, and a to-do list that grows longer with each moment that passes. What kind of season are you in right now? Is the pace a little slower or are you struggling to keep it all together? Whether you are overwhelmed or are finding life a little quieter, it is essential to stay inspired. To find little things that matter. To hold onto bits and pieces of happiness. That is what inspired this blog post. I have been seeking out all that is joyful and beautiful in my world. On that note, here are ten random things that have been keeping me inspired this spring.
The name of the new NYX lip product is a little bizarre: Jelly Job. Despite the unusual name, the Jelly Job Full-Bodied Shine Gloss has received a lot of hype online recently, with influencers and beauty enthusiasts alike eager to share their reviews. There are all sorts of colours to choose from in the product line, but with a $21 CDN price, there are two questions that come to mind: does it work and is it worth purchasing? Keep reading for a full product description and review.
There is something about coral that has been speaking to me lately. While there are all sorts of coral shades, typically, it is something between red, pink, and orange. Some coral makeup products are a little more pink, some a little more orange, and some a little more on the red side. I recently decided to shop my stash to create a coral inspired makeup look. It turns out that coral is supposed to represent joy and optimism. I think this colour has been speaking to me lately because my life has needed an extra dose of joy and optimism! Here is hoping this makeup look will bring all sorts of positivity into my world.
The Cover Girl brand will always be nostalgic for me. I remember buying a black eyeshadow from the brand back in the Laguna Beach days and trying to mimic the makeup style of the girls on the show. I remember my first foundation purchase and the first blush that I ever tried. All Cover Girl. At that time, the brand was accessible and affordable. (Though the prices at the drugstore have increased significantly in more recent years.) Perhaps that is the reason my weakness for Cover Girl remains. It is nostalgic, but the brand also has some great products. Recently, it was the Squishy Glaze in the shade Raspberry Twist that called to me. This is described as a Lip Butter Balm and it comes in several different shades. Keep reading for a full review.
Generally speaking, surprises are not something that I enjoy. Examples: surprise parties and unplanned events. Thankfully, there are examples of good surprises out there, like this Surprise Bag from Ardene. My friend and I recently went to see the musical, Moulin Rouge, together and stayed overnight at a hotel. She thoughtfully brought a Surprise Bag for each of us to open once we checked in. These bags are always full of random accessories from Ardene - and always feel delightfully nostalgic. It certainly started the experience off on a fun note. Ready to see what was inside this Surprise Bag?
What beauty products have you been reaching for lately? With spring fully underway, there are a few blushes and highlights that have been in heavy rotation for me. Colourful, fun, and easy to wear...that is the best way to describe my makeup preferences this season. Need a little inspiration? Here is a closer look at some recent cheek product favourites.
It's not easy being green...but life seems pretty wonderful for beloved icon, Kermit the Frog. There is a new Muppets themed rollercoaster in the works at Walt Disney World, The Muppet Show special received positive reviews and high ratings, and tomorrow is Kermit the Frog's birthday. Well, sort of. May 9, 1955, was the first time that Kermit appeared on television screens. Since my obsession with all things Muppets remains, it seemed like an appropriate time to create a makeup look inspired by this important character. This Kermit inspired #FOTD post is focused on green, green, and more green.
Lauren Conrad remains a style icon. Recently, there was a Laguna Beach reunion that aired exclusively on the Roku Channel. Thankfully, our television set came with the Roku Channel already included, so watching the reunion was a breeze. The reunion special included the cast members from season one of the show and there was all sorts of behind the scenes information shared. As someone who was seriously obsessed with Laguna Beach when it aired (and then The Hills), it was nice to "go back to the beginning." This love it or leave it? post is dedicated to the outfit Lauren Conrad wore on the red carpet for the reunion.
Options are always nice, especially when it comes to accessories. There are all sorts of pieces in my collection, but there are certain ones that I have been reaching for more often in the last several weeks. The start of a new season often results in slightly different choices for one reason or another, so this post is dedicated to some of my current favourite accessories.
Last summer, there was a post here on the creation of beauty is art. about the soap opera that I watch, Beyond The Gates. I described having an alarm set on my phone each weekday at 1:58 p.m. so I could watch the new episode. Thankfully, that alarm is no longer set, because the soap opera moved to a streaming service in my country. That has made it much easier to access. There is no more relying on an inconsistent antenna signal and I can watch the new episode whenever it fits into my day. While the way that I watch Beyond The Gates has changed, my love of the show, the fashion, and the makeup has remained. Every now and then, I take screenshots of Instagram posts or makeup featured in an episode with the intention of making it my own. On that note! This post is dedicated to even more Beyond The Gates inspired makeup looks.
It is almost impossible for me to leave a thrift store empty handed, especially when there are sections dedicated to music and movies. Well, there is one thrift store near me that is entirely dedicated to music and movies. This is not a place that I am able to visit often, because I am simply unable to hold back seeing so many wonderful items. (Music, movies, and television shows are all weaknesses of mine. I find so much comfort in the words and stories of others.) After several months away, there was a random visit that resulted in an armful of media. It is time to take a closer look at some recent thrifted finds.
It is time for another theme week here on the creation of beauty is art. This time around, all posts will be dedicated to perfume reviews. The reason? A few perfumes were gifted to me during different holidays (Christmas and Valentine's Day) and I have been putting them to use ever since. It seemed like the perfect time to share some of my thoughts on these unforgettable scents. The first is thank u next 2.0 from Ariana Grande. There was a body mist and perfume set waiting under the Christmas tree for me back in December. Since I love so many Ariana Grande fragrances, this was happily received. Here is a full review...
A lot of musical artists have added meaning to my life, but David Archuleta is higher on the list than most. His voice has consistently wowed, but the release of his biography highlighted the power of his voice in a whole new way. Devout: Losing My Faith To Find Myself is extremely important. Keep reading for a full review of Devout, both the book and the new EP.
Wicked and Wicked: For Good are still in heavy rotation in my home. The movies and soundtracks are a constant....and so are Wicked themed makeup products. There have been a few reviewed here on the creation of beauty is art. already, but now it is time for two more product reviews from r.e.m. beauty. The first is the Cherry Blossom Blush Palette and the second is the So Popular PH Adaptive Lip Oil. Here is everything you need to know about these Wicked: For Good inspired makeup products.
Certain shows are added to my watch list and sit there for weeks, months, or even years, before finally being viewed. Other shows are watched immediately. Bridgerton falls into the latter category. Whenever a new season premieres on Netflix, it is watched immediately. Whatever plans I had for that day are put on pause so I can find out what is happening in The Ton. I love the interesting characters, the costumes, the music, of course, the different love stories. I also love Bridgerton themed beauty products, as it turns out. Several years back, there were Bridgerton themed makeup items released from Pat McGrath Labs (if you missed that review post, be sure to check it out here) and more recently, Dove released a line of Bridgerton themed bath products. Keep reading for a review of the Moonlit Masquerade Body Scrub from the Dove x Bridgerton collection.
In the words of the iconic Hilary Duff, "life is lifing and pressure is pressuring me." Truthfully, life has been a lot lately. Though there is excitement about the official start of spring - and there are some wonderful experiences planned for the months ahead - my schedule has been unexpectedly full this past week. It has been a struggle to keep my head above water and get done everything that needs to get done. Instead of rushing through blog posts, the decision was made to take a mini blog break so I can rest, reset, and return this time next week with new content. Next week, there will be a Dove x Bridgerton product review, a peek at some of the books on my spring reading list, and an Easter themed post. My apologies that this week will be quiet on the creation of beauty is art. (though I will be sure to read posts from others) but a bit of a break was needed. Until then...
Are you enjoying the start of spring so far? How have you been welcoming in the new season?
How will you celebrate St. Patrick's Day tomorrow? Will you wear green? Will you enjoy a drink and a nice meal with friends? However you choose to recognize the day, here is hoping it will be a positive experience from start to finish. In truth, I have a soft spot for this holiday because my husband and I met on St. Patrick's Day many years back. Each year, there are themed decorations in our home and there is at least some acknowledgement of the day. Tomorrow, I will be wearing a sweatshirt with four leaf clovers all over it and will do something fun and festive with my makeup. In the last week or so, I have painted my nails a bright festive green and have been reading "Irish Parade Murder" by Leslie Meier. I even watched some St. Patrick's Day themed cartoons on YouTube. Life can be stressful and overwhelming, especially with the world the way it is right now, so creating holiday magic has felt more important than usual. On that note, here is a bold makeup look with lots and lots of green.
Having painted nails always makes me feel better, but it can be a test of my patience waiting for the nail polish to dry completely. That is the reason the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polishes have long been favourites of mine. The shorter drying time meant that I didn't need to wait too long to get back to the many items on my to-do list. Another alternative was gel nail polish. Many years back, there were visits made to the salon to have gel nail polish applied. Though the results were excellent, my social anxiety made the salon visits feel stressful instead of luxurious. More recently, a decision was made to test out gel nail polish at home. After some research, it was the OPI GELement LED Gel Lamp and polishes from Modelones chosen.
There are many celebrities who are downright disappointing. Zara Larsson is not one of them. Not only is her music incredible, but she is consistently on the right side of history, loudly calling out famous abusers, supporting women, and standing against various abuses of power. It is meaningful to see someone with a platform speak out about issues that matter, especially with the world the way it is right now. She is talented, smart, and a true inspiration. Zara is a star on the rise for all the right reasons. In addition to being an outspoken icon, she is also well known for the amazing makeup looks that she wears. These looks are colourful, bold, and interesting. Hopefully in the future, it will be possible to re-create (or at least attempt to re-create) one of these incredible makeup looks on the creation of beauty is art. For now, here is some much needed Zara Larsson inspiration.