random beauty favourites.

It is interesting that certain items seem to stand out at different times. For whatever reason, there are five beauty favourites that have become musts in my recent routine. Perhaps it has to do with the approaching fall season, but darker makeup looks have been making me feel my best. Ready to take a closer look at these beauty favourites? Keep reading for all the details. 

the return of country chic (bath and body works)

For several years, the discontinuation of Country Chic from Bath & Body Works has weighed heavy on my heart. Every time that I visited the store, the available scents were compared to that beloved fragrance. I tried various items from the Gingham collection, looking for something that was somewhat similar. Though there were all sorts of wonderful items available...there was no Country Chic. I fell in love with this particular scent many years ago and repurchased the Moisture Body Butter version many times. Country Chic was discontinued around 2014 and life has been less beautiful ever since. Until recently. 

the ugly side of the beauty industry: brands that i no longer support.

Despite the name, the beauty industry is not always beautiful. In fact, it can be downright horrifying once you look past the glossy exteriors and smiling faces. It has become harder in recent years to consume products in a way that feels at least somewhat ethical. I don't know if this is because there is more information available than before or if there has been a shift in the way companies run their businesses. What I do know? There are many brands that I am no longer willing to support. This post will highlight some of those immoral brands specifically, but this is by no means an exhaustive list. If there are ones I have missed or might still be in the dark about, feel free to leave a comment in the comment section below. It is important that consumers are aware of what it means to spend money on certain beauty brands. In many cases, we deserve much better. 

random january beauty favourites

The first month of the year is coming to a close. There have certainly been some high points and low points over the last several weeks, but my fingers are crossed that the month of February will be better. Since January is almost over, it seemed appropriate to highlight my beauty favourites from the month. These are the products that I found myself reaching for most. 

hard candy: skin serenity set (a vanilla dream)

Hard Candy is a must around the holiday season. It has always been exciting to see the different sets and seasonal releases from this drugstore brand. Some years, there were so many options available, it was difficult to know what to choose. This year? There were two different skin care sets and no seasonal makeup items. (At least in the stores that I visited that happen to carry the brand.) I am trying to be more mindful about my purchases, which can be difficult at times, but the Skin Serenity Set checked off some boxes for me. There were two different scents. The vanilla one, A Vanilla Dream, stood out to me, because this last year, vanilla scented products have been some of my most used. It is time to take a closer look at this seasonal set. 

current beauty favourites: winter edition

As I write this, the temperatures outside are downright chilly and there is snow covering the ground. Truthfully, it gives me a thrill. I love watching the snow fall in fluffy chunks and looking out my window at a winter wonderland. This is a time of year that fills my heart and renews my spirit. On that note, there are several favourites have been making the winter season feel even more beautiful. Here are a few current loves. Some are functional and some are fun little extras, but all are fabulous. 

beauty show and tell: back to school pencil case beauty bundle

Things that make me happy? Beauty products, stationary supplies, and fun little surprises from my husband. The Back to School Pencil Case Beauty Bundle managed to check off all three boxes. After seeing this item on sale at the local drugstore...my husband brought it home for me. Just because. It was so thoughtful and certainly appreciated. So, this post is a little show and tell to highlight all of the different beauty products found inside this oh-so-cute pencil shaped case. 

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. 

nail polish review: quo pride collection (polish + faux nails)

The month of June is almost over...but there is still time to celebrate Pride Month. That is exactly what I am doing thanks to a few Quo Beauty nail products. (The buttons pictured will be worn on purses and jackets throughout the year, because supporting the LGBTQIA+ community is a year-round necessity, especially with so much hatred and evil in the world these days.) Something that I love about the Quo Beauty Pride Collection is the fact that 10% of sales are donated to PFLAG Canada, which is focused on support, education, and advocacy. I like when a portion of the sales are dedicated to worthy causes, especially because I have a total addiction to beauty products anyway. It is a win-win. Here is everything you need to know.

mocktails, makeup, and a movie event (2023)

It's that time of year again. For the last few years, the Mocktails, Makeup, and a Movie event hosted by Ontario Shores has been a virtual event because of the pandemic. This year? It was held in person again. Though I am not fully used to being around a lot of people, it is something that I am starting to get more used to as time passes. For those who are unaware, Ontario Shores provides assessment and treatment services for people dealing with mental illness. The Mocktails, Makeup, and a Movie event is a fundraising effort, in partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart. It is wonderful that so many dedicated individuals organized the event, donated items, and made the world a little bit brighter. Ready to hear about my experience at the event? See what was in the gift bag? Here is everything you need to know about the in person event. 

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...

technic nail varnish collection (seasonal nail polish review)

Christmas Day is often associated with gifts, but it seems that I have been spoiled ahead of time this year. When it comes to seasonally themed items, my mom firmly believes that these should be given beforehand so those items can be used during the holiday season. It makes sense! At any rate, that is how the Technic Nail Varnish Collection entered my life. It came in adorable holiday themed packaging and had six shimmery polishes. Ready to take a closer look and find out how these nail polishes performed? Keep reading for all the details and for a simple holiday themed nail look. 

fab or fail? so gloss heat activated nail wraps

I am no stranger to nail wraps, nail stickers, and at-home manicures. Since I do not enjoy getting my nails done professionally (social interaction and small talk? No thank you...) take home products are my favourite kinds. My drawer is overloaded with nail polishes, nail stickers, and nail wraps from various brands. When my mom gifted me the So Gloss Heat Activated Nail Wraps, I was extremely excited. The pink and gold design was beautiful, there were lots of nail size options included, and I was in the mood for something different. So, it is time to take a closer look at this set. Was the So Gloss Heat Activated Nail Wraps set fab or a total fail? Here is everything you need to know about this at-home nail product. 

disney beauty week: mad beauty (sheet eye mask and mirror)

Beauty products often make me smile...especially when there is a little Disney thrown into the mix. As part of Disney Beauty Week here on the creation of beauty is art. it is time to focus on a few items from Mad Beauty. Now, this is not a beauty brand that I am overly familiar with, but based on their website, Mad Beauty focuses on well-known characters and brands. For instance, there are Disney themed products, Looney Tunes items, Star Wars inspired bath essentials, and even Friends inspired things. How fun! I love anything themed, especially when it involves a TV show, movie, or beloved character. Which is why it kind of surprises me that this is my first time trying anything from Mad Beauty. However, I am ready to make up for lost time and Disney Beauty Week seems like the perfect opportunity. Yes, it is time to take a look at the Minnie Mouse themed Cucumber and Green Tea Sheet Eye Mask and the Mulan themed Beautiful Blooms Compact Mirror from Mad Beauty. 

disney beauty week: introduction and future plans.

It is time for another theme week here on the creation of beauty is art. This time? It is all about Disney themed beauty products. This is partly because there are a lot of Disney items in my collection, but also because Disney has been on my mind a lot lately. I am absolutely a Disney person and grew up in a Disney household. The movies, the television shows, and the merchandise have always been part of my life. When I was little, I used to pretend that I was Ariel and sing along to my cassette tapes over and over again. I would hold my plastic mirror and pretend to be Belle. I would dream about visiting Disney World. Since then, Disney has continued to be an important part of my life. From family vacations to a Cinderella themed wedding, movie nights, shopping trips, and well, everything in between...Disney is always thrown into the mix in some way or another. That is why this week will be dedicated to some new and old Disney-related favourites. 

current obsession: bath & body works (mini reviews)

What could be better than Bath & Body Works? Not much, if you ask me. There is something about the brand that makes me smile. The wonderful scents, the adorable packaging, and the cute themes create an unforgettable experience. I always feel a little happier and a little brighter when I use Bath & Body Works products. Which is often! I love the candles, soaps, lotions, and everything in between. Recently, I was ridiculously spoiled by one of my friends. For Christmas, she gave me lots and lots and lots of products from Bath & Body Works. I was overwhelmed and excited. Ready to take a closer look at the items? Find out how they compare to other Bath & Body Works products? Here is everything you need to know...

mini haul: victoria's secret accessories + fragrances

Trips to the local shopping mall used to be fun but ordinary experiences. Now? It is a luxury that I am unlikely to take for granted any time soon. While previous trips to the mall used to involve checking out random stores and wandering around...this visit was brief and for a specific purpose. See, I needed new bras. Badly. After well over a year in either lockdown or semi-lockdown conditions (not to mention gaining some additional pandemic weight) my undergarments were in serious need of an upgrade. So I tried on every single bra in my drawer and tossed anything that didn't fit properly or was worn out. Then it was off to Victoria's Secret to start fresh. Thankfully, the day I went happened to be the time of a major sale, so everything was dramatically discounted. Nothing like good timing! Of course, a few additional items were added to my cart that day. Take a peek at my new purse and a few new fragrances from Victoria's Secret. 

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. 

shoppers drug mart sample haul + movies and mocktails event

Samples have a way of making people smile. Of bringing forth feelings of excitement. Or at least that seemed to be the case at a recent movies and mocktails event I attended. (Sound familiar? I also attended the event last year and documented the experience here on the creation of beauty is art. In case you missed that post - or want a refresher - my first movies and mocktails post can be found here.) In addition to a decked out candy table, lots of fruity mocktails, tables with beauty representatives, photo opportunities, and of course, a girly movie...each attendee also received a goodie bag of samples. Some of those samples were food items and a few were more practical items, like tissues and glasses wipes. However, easily the most exciting things were related to skin care, makeup, and beauty. Ready to see what was inside this fabulous sample bag? Here are some of the standouts.

makeup, accessories, and beauty favourites (january 2020)

Ever have that favourite feeling? Where you reach for the same things day after day, in a blissful state of admiration? That is kind of how the month of January has been for me. Admittedly, the new year had a bit of a rough start (thanks to the fact that I got sick immediately after the holidays) but in the latter portion of January...things finally started to come together. That meant adding a little extra TLC to my life and beauty routine. So without further ado, here are a few of the makeup, accessories, and all around beauty favourites that stood out to me last month.