random recent makeup looks.

Sometimes, there are makeup looks that remain on my camera but never make it into an actual blog post. There might have been something specific that I felt like writing about (which ultimately bumped a planned post) or certain makeup photos simply managed to get lost in the shuffle. This post is dedicated to those random makeup looks. Here are a few recent ones. 

review: colossal bubble mascara from maybelline

Every now and then, it is nice to use something a little bit different. When it comes to mascara, the darkest black possible is normally my must have. I love the contrast between that an ultra dark mascara and a colourful assortment of eyeshadows. This time around, I decided to use the "brownish black" version of the Colossal Bubble Mascara from Maybelline, which allowed me to step ever so slightly out of my comfort zone. The brownish black colour also seemed like it would pair well with some of the warmer fall makeup looks on the horizon. Curious about this drugstore mascara? Keep reading for a full review.

mini review and makeup look (la colors matte lipstick)

It is hard to ignore the colour purple, especially when it comes to beauty products. During the cottage vacation that my family took a few months back, we visited an assortment of small town shops. Though we mostly went to thrift stores, there was an affordable store located in Fenelon Falls that had a little bit of everything available. That is where the LA Colors Matte Lipstick in the shade Entice caught my eye. Purple makeup will always be my weakness! Find out how this matte lipstick performed.

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. 

review: kim chi x ketnipz (rainbow sharts shadow palette)

It has been a little while since there was an exciting beauty find at Winners, but then an eyeshadow palette from Kim Chi Chic Beauty caught my eye. (The pastel colours, pink packaging, and cartoons certainly made this item eye-catching.) I have enjoyed several items from Kim Chi Chic Beauty in the past and this discounted beauty find presented an opportunity to put something else from the brand to the test. The eyeshadow palette name might be a little bizarre, but the eyeshadow colours and overall design are a lot of fun. On that note, here is everything you need to know about the Rainbow Sharts Shadow Palette. 

shop my stash: super simple vintage inspired makeup look

There are certain makeup looks that I return to whenever I am short on time. In those instances, there are specific eyeshadow palettes that I reach for as well as a handful of other tried and true products. Recently, there was a need to get ready fairly quickly, but I didn't want to do the same old thing. I was looking for something a little more impactful. In the end, it was a super simple vintage inspired makeup look that was created. The eye makeup was fairly straightforward but there was a bold red lipstick chosen to add a little extra oomph. This shop my stash post is dedicated to an easy retro makeup look.

katseye: wild hearts movie (review and makeup look)

There is something fun about heading to the movie theater. I have always loved the smell of popcorn, the plushy seats, and the thrill of new movie trailers. This time around, it was the KATSEYE: Wild Hearts movie that brought me to the movies. This documentary had limited screenings last week and I was able to purchase a ticket for the screening in my area on the 12th. It was a documentary with behind the scenes footage and interviews with members of the band ahead of the Wild EP release. Keep reading for a mini review of the movie and a look at the outfit and makeup that I wore to the Wild Hearts screening.

testing out dollar store makeup items.

Every now and then, it is interesting to see what makeup products are available at the dollar store. Since the price of everything seems to be steadily increasing, finding beauty items that are decent and affordable will always be a win. With a cost of about $1.50 CDN for each blush and eyeshadow palette, these items from L.A. Colors certainly excelled as far as affordability. As for quality, that was something I was eager to find out. It was time to test some dollar store makeup items. 

current favourites (music, makeup, and accessories)

What are your current favourites? Every now and then, certain items seem to be more in demand than others, from makeup to music and everything in between. Lately, I have found myself reaching for specific items over and over again. It made sense to highlight some of those items on the creation of beauty is art. On that note, here are some of my current summer favourites. 

inspired by: katseye (allure magazine photoshoot)

The countdown is on. The new KATSEYE album, Wild, will be released in two more days. Their movie, which is being referred to as "a love letter to the Eyekons" hits movie theaters tonight. I cannot wait. Yes, the KATSEYE obsession is still in full swing in my home. I love this band so much. Even though I am not exactly the target demographic, their voices and dancing skills are beyond impressive and won me over instantly. The new album will have five songs, including the iconic Pinky Up, with a bonus track on certain versions. I pre-ordered to the album many months back because I simply could not wait. Though there were several versions to choose from (and it was difficult to know what version to select) it was the autographed vinyl that I chose as well as the member version of Wild (Megan version). Fingers crossed I made the right decisions! I cannot wait to hear the music and receive the album. In the meantime, I will be heading to the movie theater tonight to watch KATSEYE: Wild Hearts. 

fotd feat. the roaring 20's indulgence eyeshadow palette

Some eyeshadow palettes are more exciting than others. One example is The Roaring 20's Indulgence Eyeshadow Palette from Rude Cosmetics. This 1920s themed release has a fun design, a consistent theme, and an impressive assortment of eyeshadow colours and finishes. It continues to be used often. Here is a recent #FOTD featuring this memorable eyeshadow palette. 

four more mini mascara reviews (mascara discovery collection)

For the last several months, the mini mascaras in the Mascara Discovery Collection have been put to the test. (The mascara reviews for Too Faced, Benefit, Yves Saint Laurent, and Lancôme can be read here.) It is time to review the final four mascaras in the set. This includes the 24 Hrs Glam Intense Mascara from Lise Watier, Wonder Volume XXL from Clarins, Lash Idole Mascara Deluxe from Lancôme, and High Impact Mascara from Clinique. Keep reading to find out how each one performed.

revisited review: hershey's milk chocolate eyeshadow palette

I do not purchase makeup as often as I used to. In the past, there were new releases added to my makeup collection on a semi-regular basis thanks to countless visits to Sephora and the drugstore. These days? That doesn't happen often. My focus has been on repurchasing essential everyday items as needed and the occasional splurge on something fun and new. That has led to a lot of "shopping my stash," which is essentially browsing what I have to make sure I am using what is already in my possession rather than constantly purchasing more. That inspired this revisited review on the Hershey's Milk Chocolate Eyeshadow Palette. It was first featured on the creation of beauty is art. in late fall - and is an eyeshadow palette that I have been reaching for a lot lately. Here are the pros, cons, and a new makeup look featuring this chocolate inspired release. 

shop my stash: warm summer makeup look

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. 

review: satin blend gel eyeliner (essence)

My life would be a lot less beautiful without eyeliner. I love the drama a dark black eyeliner can provide. It adds definition, creates shape, and acts as a bold contrast to colourful eyeshadow looks. There are all sorts of eyeliners in my regular rotation. When it comes to liquid eyeliner, it is the NYX Epic Ink Liner that stands out. For gel eyeliner, the Gel Pot Eyeliner from Maybelline is a rediscovered favourite. My most used pencil eyeliner is the Annabelle Kohl Eyeliner Pencil. More recently, it is the Satin Blend Gel Eyeliner from Essence that has been added to the mix. Keep reading to find out how it performs.

canada day inspired red and white makeup look

July looks like it will be jam-packed this year. There is so much on my calendar in the next several weeks. There is Canada Day (which is today), my wedding anniversary, my fifteen year blog anniversary, a cottage getaway with family, dental appointments, and some long overdue hangouts with friends. Summer always seems to be so full. To start the month off on a positive note, it seemed only right to create a Canada Day inspired makeup look. I love using this date as an excuse to pull together all sorts of red and white makeup products from my collection. On that note, here is a holiday inspired #FOTD...

mini essence essentials haul

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.  

new in: quo beauty fragrance mist and hand cream

There is a lot to love about scented products. Especially with a new season on the horizon. Somehow, spring is almost over and summer is about a week away. To welcome in the warmer weather, there are a few new Quo Beauty products on my bedside table. Keep reading for a review of two different versions of the Fragrance Mist and Moisturizing Hand Cream.

#FOTD: beauty nostalgia (statement lipstick colour)

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. 

revisited review: the breakfast club x physicians formula

It was around this time last year that The Breakfast Club x Physicians Formula set was gifted to me. The collection included an eyeshadow palette, two face palettes, three lipsticks, and a mascara. While the mascara is long gone at this point, the face palettes and eyeshadow palette have been heavily used. It seemed appropriate to do a revisited review on the standouts from the collection: Saturday Detention Face Palette Volume 1 and Being Bad Feels Pretty Good Eyeshadow Palette.