jasmine inspired makeup + why i'll never be speechless again

Aladdin inspired me. A lot. Recently, I saw the live action remake and it took my breath away. There were incredible visuals, a touching love story, and of course, magical musical numbers. However, I was most inspired by Jasmine. By her costumes, accessories, makeup, changes to the character...and most of all, her song, "Speechless." Yes, I was left feeling inspired by everything Jasmine. That is why my post today is dedicated to this incredible character. To start, I decided to recreate one of her makeup looks from the film. Though I am no Naomi Scott (and no Disney makeup artist), I simply could not get that glamorous gold look out of my mind. After a healthy dose of makeup inspiration, I will be sharing my favourite song from the film - and discussing how it motivated me to take action.

new in: drugstore + high end lip products (and lipstick try on)

Lipstick is always a good idea. It constantly amazes me how the right lip product can completely transform a makeup look - or pull it all together. Even a wildly bold eye look somehow becomes more wearable once you add on the perfect nude lipstick shade. And a super simple creation instantly become head-turning with the swipe of a vibrant lip colour. Talk about magical! Though I confess, I am trying to cut back on my lip product purchases (to focus on using more of what I have), a handful of new items made their way into my collection. The lip products pictured above obtained were from events, giveaways, and things like that. So in honour of their new status, I wanted to do a mini review for each one and a lipstick try on.

sinful colors nail polish review (copper a feel)

There is nothing like a good nail polish. The right colour can not only compliment a fabulous outfit but it can also boost your mood. Every time you look down at your nails...bam! Instantly, it makes you smile. Though I used to get my nails done at the salon every few weeks, these days, my go-to is a quick and easy at-home manicure. It's easier, more affordable, and fits in better with my schedule. Quite frankly, it has been a while since I added a new nail polish colour to my collection. (This is because my collection is already pretty darn full, which you can see in my nail polish organization + declutter video on my YouTube channel.) Then it happened. My co-worker walked in with fabulous nails. And I mean fabulous. Immediately, I asked her what shade it was and before I knew it, I was picking up a new nail polish from Sinful Colors.

avon iconic lipstick + glimmersticks lip liner (and red lipstick tips!)

Red is a powerful colour. According to ColorMatters, it is all about extremes. This colour symbolizes passionate love, seduction, anger, and adventure, among other things. It conjures up images of strength and an inner fire. Red is never shy or reserved. It always makes a statement and turns heads. No wonder there are so many popular quotes about red lipstick! A few of my favourites include:

• "Beauty to me is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick." (Gwyneth Paltrow)
• "She has a way with words, red lipstick, and making an entrance." (Kate Spade)
• "Heels and red lipstick will put the fear of God into people." (Dita Von Teese)
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See? A great many makeup lovers have been inspired by a bold and statement-making red lip. Though I love a powerful lippie as much as the next person....I tend to choose more neutral colours or perhaps a bold purple colour, if I feel like mixing it up. That being said, I love a good red every now and again. More recently, I've been reaching for the Avon Iconic Lipstick in Holly Red and pairing it with the Avon True Color Glimmersticks Lip Liner in Clear. Used together, they create a fabulous finish. Want to find out how these products perform? Here is everything you need to know.

budget shopping tips for a new summer wardrobe

One thing I love about summer? New clothes. Step foot in any store and the racks are full of cute shorts, tank tops, maxi dresses, and other seasonal must haves. New clothes can be pretty tempting for a fashion lover. Just think of all the summer favourites, trendy pieces, and fun extras. Are you on a budget this season? Me too...and there is nothing wrong with that. You can still score cute summer pieces without spending a ton of cash. All you need to do is keep these budget shopping tips in mind the next time you head out.

kiehl's overnight lip treatment (review)

Lip balm is never far away from me. It's become a bit of a recurring joke...me with my blue Nivea tube. We are two peas in a pod! I guess that's what happens when your skin is on the dry side. You become well acquainted with a number of different moisturizing products. While my go-to item is the Essential Lip Balm from Nivea, more recently I was gifted the Kiehl's Overnight Lip Treatment. The Buttermask For Lips seemed like the perfect product for me. Immediately, I loved the idea of an overnight lip mask. The idea of waking up to hydrated lips was certainly appealing. Curious about how it performed? Keep reading to find out how this high-end item worked for me....

fake tanning tips for glowing summer skin

The sun is shining! The weather is glorious! Are you thinking what I’m thinking? This is the ideal time to get your glow on. There is nothing like getting gorgeous and bronze once the summer months roll around. Each year, men and women all over the country hit the beach with tanning lotion in hand and just as many visit tanning salon. Guess what? Going tanning has been proven to be one of the most dangerous beauty practices. It can lead to sunspots, skin damage, and even cancer. The best solution? Choose self-tanning products to get that sun kissed glow.

paris hilton: love it or leave it?

Some people love Paris Hilton. Other people loathe her. If you've been reading my blog (or watching videos on my YouTube channel) for any amount of time...you probably know which side I am on. Though I adore her style, her music, fragrances, and just about everything else you could possibly list, there are quite a few nay-sayers out there. That's okay. Everyone is entitled to their own option. Which is precisely what my love it or leave it? posts are all about. When it comes to fashion, everyone sees something different. For instance, one person might adore an outfit and someone else might think it is the greatest look ever put together. Today, let's take a peek at a recent Paris Hilton ensemble and see where the chips fall. That's right, it's time for another edition of love it or leave it?

review: violet voss (the rainbow eye shadow palette)

A rainbow palette in my collection? Oh, how times have changed. I used to be afraid of too much colour...with the exception of a nice purple or a warm green. When I first started getting into makeup, my collection was largely black, brown, and copper. These days, as my skills have progressed and my love of makeup has fully blossomed, I enjoy taking more risks with colour, shape, and contrast. Which is probably why The Rainbow Eye Shadow Palette from Violet Voss immediately caught my eye. This is a palette that I have been playing around with for a while now, ever since the last Sephora VIB Rouge event. Since then, I've been doing my best to make good use of the palette - and be more playful with these intense rainbow shades.

new purses: betsey johnson + barbie

"Handbags speak louder than words." This is more than a humorous quote...it's true. I firmly believe that the purse you carry can reveal an awful lot about you. Maybe it says something about your mood that day (quirky, understated, or casual) or perhaps is telling of your personality (colourful, outgoing, or modest). To some, a purse is just a purse. But it can also be a whole lot more. If you couldn't tell, I have a certain love affair with handbags. They don't necessarily have to be expensive or come from a high-end designer store for me to love them. In fact,  most of mine are pretty affordable. More recently, two new purses entered my life. Which is why today's blog post is dedicated to my latest loves.

reach your step count goal (simple ways to walk more)

There is no doubt about it. Walking is good for your health. It has been found to lower your risk of heart disease, prevent dementia, give you energy, and even help you lose weight. The reality? Many of us do not walk enough. We drive to the grocery store, take the elevator, and sit for long periods of time. This can make that 10, 000 daily step goal seem impossible to achieve. It doesn’t have to be. These simple tips will help add walking into your daily routine.

two simple everyday makeup looks (feat. urban decay gwen stefani)

Getting glam is one of my favourite things. Few things are better than really taking your time getting ready for a special event (like a concert or a date night). Those are the moments where inspiration guides you. Those are the times when you can get creative and do something totally different. While I thrive in those moments, they don't happen every day. Most of the time, doing my makeup means quickly throwing myself together so I have a few extra minutes to eat breakfast before heading to work. It's not ideal but that is reality! As much as we may love the process of getting ready....sometimes you just need something quick. That is what inspired today's blog post.

revisiting an old favourite: milani easybrow brow pencil

Editing Note: Since Milani chose to contribute to a campaign that involved the harassment and bullying of a domestic violence survivor, I no longer support the brand and do not recommend their products. Spend your money wisely and look elsewhere. 

 

It's been a while. I used to buy Milani products fairly regularly (as you can see from past posts here and here) but purchased less and less from the brand as time went on. This is partly because the Milani sections at the drugstores around me seem to get smaller and smaller - and are never restocked - and partly because I stopped being able to find the Milani easybrow brow pencil. It was at one point my must-have eyebrow product. So, imagine my surprise when I randomly saw it back in stock. I simply had to try it again. Would it be as good as I remembered? Or would it be a total makeup flop? Keep reading to find out how it performed in this revisited review.

the disney dress shop (review + experience)

I had big plans for the Dress Shop at Walt Disney World. Big plans. Money was set aside in my spending budget for a dress of my very own. The Dress Shop (there is one in Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and of course, online) features a selection of Disney inspired dresses, purses, and accessories. These are no ordinary dresses though. They are typically retro inspired and have bold colours and prints. Just one look at the designs and you are sure to fall in love. Though I didn't have any luck at the Dress Shop on my last Disney vacation - because the Orange Bird dress I tried on didn't seem to flatter - I was still optimistic. I knew this would be my moment.