first impressions: jaclyn cosmetics (bronzer, blush, and lipstick)

When OG Beauty Guru, Jaclyn Hill launched her own makeup line, Jaclyn Cosmetics, a few years back...I was intrigued. Unfortunately, the products were not available at any stores in Canada. (The line can be found in Ulta in the United States.) To be honest, I do not love purchasing beauty items online. Makeup can come broken, packages can be damaged, and there are often high shipping costs. Not to mention the additional duties if the products come from outside the country. It just feels like an expensive gamble a lot of the time. In store shopping is still preferable to me. So, it seemed that Jaclyn Cosmetics would not be added to my makeup collection. Until a few random items appeared at Winners, that is. This discount store tends to have makeup from all over the place. Without a second thought, two Jaclyn Cosmetics products were purchased. Ready to take a closer look at these items? Read a first impressions review? Find out how the Lip Cushion and Bronze & Blushing Duo perform. 

month in review (resolutions, goals, and life updates)

Somehow, the month of January is almost over. To be honest, this month is always a strange sort of transitional period. The magic of the holiday season is behind us and the year ahead is overloaded with unknowns. It can take a bit of time to adjust to it all. For me, moments in January were slow, still, and full of leftover seasonal magic...and other moments were stressful, busy, and a little too much. Since tomorrow marks the start of the second month of the year (Hello February and Valentine's Day decorations), I wanted to take a bit of time to check in, reflect, and share some of my resolutions for the year. 

2 look 1 palette: rude cosmetics x koi footwear boots collection

Talk about an unusual eyeshadow palette. This may be the first shoe-shaped makeup item in my collection, but it stands out for other reasons as well. This Rude Cosmetics x Koi Footwear Boots Collection eyeshadow palette is all about colour. There is nothing boring or predictable about this particular release. Since the month of January tends to be a bit of a downer (once all of the Christmas magic has worn away and it is back to the old routines)...it seemed like the perfect time to make the most of this exciting eyeshadow palette. According to the Rude Cosmetics website, there are other shoe-shaped palettes in this collection. Some have more pastel colours and others are a little more neutral. The Lozo Green Rain Boots palette is anything but neutral. There are fourteen pressed pigments and shadows inside...and they all stand out. Ready to take a look at the palette? Find out how some of these shadows perform? It is time for a 2 looks 1 palette post.

charmed aroma review and reveal (hogwarts snow globe candle)

Snow globes are nostalgic. Growing up, there were always lots and lots of seasonal snow globes around. My mom had a modest collection of snow globes with Christmas cottages and toy shops tucked away inside. I always loved shaking the globes and watching the snow fall over the wintery scene. Even though I am an adult now, snow globes still connect me to those childhood memories. Which is why it was so thrilling to receive a Hogwarts Snow Globe Candle from my parents this past Christmas. My love of Harry Potter is no secret, but it feels complicated these days. I want to make clear that I detest J. K. Rowling and her harmful views. (Not sure what the controversy is? Check out this article to better understand why her exclusionary language is so dangerous.) I love the world of Harry Potter, the characters, the magic, and the themes of love and connection. It is a shame that the author has tarnished something so special. Sometimes it is possible to separate the art from the artist and sometimes it is not. At this point, I have not been able to let go of my love for Harry Potter. It means too much. Please know that by sharing this Hogwarts themed snow globe, I am in no way endorsing or supporting the views expressed by J.K. Rowling. That is not who I am. On a much happier note, the snow globe itself makes me feel nostalgic in the best possible way. Here is a review and reveal of the Hogwarts Castle Necklace Collection Snow Globe Candle from Charmed Aroma.

life is better when you are covered in glitter.

Glitter is often associated with the holiday season...but glitter is a year-round pursuit of mine. There is something so special about a makeup look (or a shirt or an accessory) that sparkles and shines. Though the world around us can be dark, dreary, and unnerving at times, glitter is a reminder that it is always possible to find the light. In previous years, my mom has gifted me different glitter eyeliners from Lise Watier. This year, she was unable to find them in store, but ordered three colours online as a pre-Christmas treat for me. That is how the Lise Watier Eye Glitter Liners in the shades Opale, Silver Stars, and Smokey Gold entered my life. I admit: these glitters were in heavy rotation during the month of December and remain in heavy rotation now. After all, the world is more beautiful when there is a healthy dose of glitter involved. Ready to find out how these Lise Watier Eye Glitter Liners performed? Here is everything you need to know about these glamorous add ons. 

too faced christmas bake shoppe (ginger snap and chocolate chip)

Ready for part two of the Too Faced Christmas Bake Shoppe Limited Edition Makeup Collection review? In part one, the focus was on the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mini Mascara and the Sugar Cookie Palette. This time, it is all about the Ginger Snap Palette and the Chocolate Chip Palette. Just like the other items included in this collection, the theme is holiday cookies. After all, it just wouldn't be a holiday set from Too Faced without something sweet and adorable to look at. Both palettes are nicely themed and check off all the boxes in terms of theme. It is time to take a closer look at these seasonal releases.

too faced christmas bake shoppe (sugar cookie palette + mascara)

This year, Too Faced released a few different holiday sets. One was the Yummy Gummy Limited Edition Makeup Set, which was previously reviewed here on the creation of beauty is art. The other was the Christmas Bake Shoppe. Between the two sets, the Yummy Gummy Limited Edition Makeup Set ultimately won out because it was a little more unique...but I could not get the Christmas Bake Shoppe out of my mind. Even though the eyeshadows in the set were similar to other shadows in my collection, the theme was everything. Lucky for me, the Christmas Bake Shoppe set was gifted to me over the holidays. All of my Christmas dreams came true! This particular set came with three palettes and a mini mascara. There is an awful lot to review, so consider this post part one. It will focus on the Sugar Cookie palette and the Better Than Sex Mini Mascara.