get inspired by: social media travellers

Few things excite me more than exploring new places and experiencing new adventures. Which is why the travel bug often catches me off-guard! Thankfully, by the time you read this, I will returning from New York City. It was a fairly last-minute trip and a pretty short getaway, but a getaway nonetheless. (Expect a full update on that vacation in the next little while.) In the meantime, I wanted to bring you a travel inspired post. Whether you are looking for inspiration or a few planning tips, social media travellers can offer plenty of insight.

review: paris hilton cosmetics (rainbow highlight + lip wonderland)

Paris Hilton Cosmetics hasn't been in my makeup collection for long. Despite this, it seems that more and more of their products are entering my life. Whenever the opportunity arises, I browse the selection at discount shops (like Winners and Marshalls) to see if there are new items available. Sometimes there are. Sometimes there aren't. Luckily, on a trip downtown, a few new Paris Hilton Cosmetics items caught my eye. That included the Rainbow Highlight and the Lip Wonderland set.  Needless to say, I was excited to find these treasures. So, are they fabulous finds or total failures? Here is my review (complete with swatches and a completed makeup look) of the products.

love it or leave it: alaska (rupaul's drag con 2018)

It happened quickly. I went from casually watching season one of RuPaul's Drag Race to finishing the entire series, buying tons of drag queen merch, and seeing multiple shows. Now? I anxiously await each new episode of season ten and follow many of the queens on social media. Since Drag Con 2018 happened recently, there has been an influx of videos, fashion, and panels to enjoy. Out of everything I have seen so far....the best is of course, Alaska. The style pictured above was her entrance look for the crowned queens runway. So, was it good? Bad? In between? Let's find out with another edition of love it of leave it.

recent reads and book reviews.

My jaw dropped when she said it. "I don't like to read." Recently, a friend of mine explained that while she loved the idea of curling up with a good book, in practice, she simply wasn't interested. To me, that mentality is completely and totally baffling. But it made me realize how lucky I am. Growing up, no matter what happened, I always had my literary companions. That escape allowed me to experience many different ways of life and grow as a human being. My love of reading has done more than fill my bookshelves, though. It inspired me to become a writer. I simply cannot fathom a world without words.

hard candy week: mini reviews of new products

It is hard to believe, but this is the final post in my Hard Candy week series. Time flies when you are talking about makeup! Since starting this themed week, we have looked at old posts, eyeshadow palettes, the Fox In a Box line, and now? It is time to do a few mini reviews of new products from the line. That includes a highlighting trio, a foundation stick, and a glitter lip top coat. So, if you have been eyeing these items at the drugstore but weren't sure whether or not to take the plunge....this post is for you.

hard candy week: fox in a box (then and now)

Products come and go. Sometimes, that is a good thing and other times, it is a total disappointment. Especially when a makeup item has become a steady part of your everyday routine. Over the years? Hard Candy has released an awful lot of products. Some of them have stayed the course but many of them have slowly vanished...never to be heard of again. Until now. Recently, they re-released their popular Fox In a Box line of blushes. Are they different? The same? Good? Bad? As part of Hard Candy Week here on the creation of beauty is art. we are going to be taking a look at Fox In a Box, then and now.

hard candy week: eyeshadow palette reviews

Are you ready to dig onto Hard Candy week? Then it is time to start by taking a closer look at the two eyeshadow palettes, pictured above. The first is the Galactic Eyes palette and the second, the Look Pro Eyeshadow Pro Palette. The first is ultra glittery and has been dubbed an Urban Decay dupe while the other has a combination of matte and shimmer shades for a more versatile offering. Want to find out more? Here is everything you need to know about these drugstore palettes.

hard candy week: why i love hard candy cosmetics

Every makeup brand is different. Some are more beginner focused while others include trendier beauty items. Hard Candy offers a bit of both, with staples like foundation, concealer, and brow kits sitting next to galactic eyeshadow palettes and glitter top coats. With a drugstore price tag and a steady stream of new product launches....Hard Candy is one brand that you will want to keep on your radar.

FOTD: tarte eyeshadow palette (be a mermaid & make waves)

Tarte is a brand that has always been there but has never been my main focus. Despite the fact that beauty bloggers and YouTube gurus from around the globe continued to rave about Tarte products....I never really got the hype. Sure, their blushes were fabulous, but so what? Was that enough to make it a must-have brand? Not in my mind. Then the Be a Mermaid & Make Waves palette happened. Needless to say, my eyes have been opened. Each eyeshadow shade in the set is creamy, pigmented, easy to blend, and effortlessly fabulous. Could it be the start of a new love affair? Time will tell, but in the meantime, here is a closer look at Tarte's mermaid inspired palette and the very first look I created with it.

four tips to pull off mixed prints

The great thing about the Internet? There are so many incredible outfits to inspire your next look. Whether that inspiration comes from a celebrity appearance or a well-known blogger…. finding great fashion has never been easier. Lately I have been head over heels for mixed prints. I love the way pieces that traditionally would not be worn together somehow bring out the best in each piece. It works, even though it shouldn’t. Despite the popularity of this trend, it can seem tricky (if not impossible) to wear. How can you tell what goes and what doesn’t? Keep reading. These tips will help you pull off mixed prints all season long.

current obsession: guess accessories

Some brands have a way of capturing your heart. They speak to you and light the spark of inspiration needed to push the boundaries of your own personal style. That is the best way for me to describe how I feel about Guess. What I love most about this specific brand is the fact that it manages to combine strength and femininity in the best possible way. Especially when it comes to their line of accessories. Often, they include bold statement pieces, sparkle, and just a hint of softness. As you can see from the photo above, there are a few new Guess accessories in my collection.

review: too faced life's a festival eyeshadow palette

I've said it before and I'll say it again....I am a sucker for cute packaging. Anything with sparkles, pretty colours, or a theme immediately grabs my attention. (Though that sometimes leads to purchases that are less than ideal.) This happened a little while ago, with the Too Faced Life's a Festival collection. With items in the line ranging from unicorn tears to rainbow highlighters and more, the one piece that really caught my eye was the eyeshadow palette. So, let's dig into this limited edition release and find out how it performs. Good? Bad? Glittery? Here is everything you need to know.

clinique haul (skin care, makeup, and more)

Some brands consistently deliver quality products. Clinique is definitely one of those brands. Over the years, I have tried everything from skin care to beauty products and rarely has there been a disappointment. Since they tend to be on the pricier side, I like to time my purchases very carefully. Every six months or so....there seems to be a promotion where if you spend over $30 you receive a goodie bag full of Clinique favourites. That happened not long ago, and I was able to try out some newer items for myself. Here is a peek at everything I picked up in my most recent Clinique haul.

my thoughts: i feel pretty

The controversy shocked me. Ever since the trailer for the Amy Schumer movie, "I Feel Pretty" was released, people have been losing their minds. The comment section instantly included variations of the following: How dare she! Amy isn't ugly enough. Amy isn't heavy enough. Amy is too ugly. Amy is too heavy. Why would I need to have brain damage to feel good about myself? Yikes. And these comments were all made before anyone had actually seen the movie. As a fan of Amy Schumer in general, I was eager to see the film, controversy and all.