does it work?? clarins water lip stain in red water

I used to love a good lip stain. There was a period of time where the Benefit Bene-Tint was my everything. I used it all the time and purchased all sorts of different colours. The stains worked on the lips and the cheeks....and I loved having a makeup product that I knew would stay put. To this day, I enjoy a good lip stain, because it means I don't have to worry about product moving or transferring. It is a low maintenance kind of product and that can be really appealing. That being said, I haven't purchased a tint from Benefit in many years now. There is no reason exactly. I suppose as lots and lots of other products were added to my collection, it just sort of slipped my mind to do a repurchase. (Though now that I am thinking about it...I absolutely just browsed the Benefit website to see what colours were available. Oops!) A little while back, I received a sample of the Clarins Water Lip Stain. I can't quite remember where this sample came from, but nonetheless, it has been waiting for me to put to good use. Finally, I have been able to test out the Water Lip Stain for myself and see how it compares to previous tints that I have tried. Ready to find out if it works? If it is similar or better than the Bene-Tint? Keep reading...

current obsession: betsey johnson back to school inspired earrings

One thing I do not miss? Being in school. Though several friends are currently enrolled in classes and have had to readjust to "back to school" life, thankfully, I do not. Though education is extremely important (and it is necessary to continue to learn throughout your life)...my school days are over as far as I can tell. I have long since graduated from university and have achieved what I plan to achieve academically. The truth? School was never my favourite place. I was bullied in elementary school and high school. I was mostly ignored and uncomfortable in university. Oh, and I hated the early mornings and the long commute. There were a few friends who made life better, but school in general was not a positive experience for me. I actually love that those days are behind me. That being said, a pair of back to school inspired earrings from Betsey Johnson caught my eye recently. At this point, it is clear that I have a serious weakness for anything and everything Betsey Johnson. She just has a way of making the world seem a little bit brighter. It is time to take a closer look at these back to school inspired earrings.

when will it stop being cool to be quietly misunderstood?

There are far too many pictures saved on my computer. Some are fashion editorials that I like, some are of people that I admire, and some are just random inspiration photos. Whenever I am feeling low...in need of a little reminder that there is beauty in the world...I like to look at those photos. It is a nice way to remember that beauty can exist even in a society that often feels dark, cruel, and hateful. In case anyone out there is feeling a little out of sorts today or is struggling to see the good, here are are some inspiration photos. I hope they lift your spirits or at least act as a reminder that you are not alone. 

testing out a sephora lip product + mini sample review

There was a little bit left on a Sephora gift card in my wallet. Though I had intended to use it on a Rare Beauty liquid blush, the blushes are often out of stock in store. Tired of waiting, impulsively, I placed an online order for a lipstick. Since I have been really into cool toned makeup looks lately...I was looking for a cool toned lipstick to pair with my beloved Kara Beauty eyeshadow palette. A quick search on the Sephora website led me to a few different options. Ultimately, the Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick was added to my cart. The shade Pretty Beige was described as a matte taupe. Since my gift card covered the $20 CDN cost, it was an impulsive decision, but one that I felt pretty good about. I was also able to add two samples to my order. I chose the Glossier Stretch Fluid Foundation sample set and the Huda Beauty Faux Filter Luminous Matte Liquid Concealer sample set. I wanted to know how the foundation and concealer would perform. Samples are a great way to find out whether the formula works for me...and if it is something that I want to purchase a full-sized version of in the future. Ready to take a look at the Sephora lipstick? The samples? Here is a makeup look and some mini reviews. 

early fall favourites (makeup, music, beauty products, and more)

Tomorrow might be the first official day of fall, but I have been in fall mode for the last several weeks. I'm talking seasonal decorations, cozy sweaters, and Halloweentown in the DVD player. The pumpkin scented wall plug ins are already on full blast in my home! In honour of this oh-so-special time of year...it made sense to share some of my early fall favourites. These are all of the things that have been assisting me with the transition from a hot and sticky summer to a crisp and clear autumn. 

fall fashion trends (2023)

Fall is an exciting season for a lot of reasons. For starters, the cooler temperatures are always a relief after a hot and muggy summer. Then there is the fashion to consider. Once the fall season rolls around, I am usually a plaid button down and cozy sweater kind of person...but there are all sorts of exciting seasonal trends to enjoy as well. These can be bold and exciting or a little more practical. It all depends. Ready to check out some of the fall fashion trends for 2023? Here are a few favourites.

my favourite eyebrow products

I have always had a difficult relationship with my eyebrows. When I was younger, my grandmother told me my eyebrows were "strong" and urged me never to pluck them. Unlike the other girls in my classes, my eyebrows were bushy, large, and out of control. I felt so ashamed of them. (Especially when the ultra thin brow trend was around.) Eventually, I did pluck my unruly brows, but to this day, that shame lingers just below the surface. Even plucked and polished...my eyebrows don't match. I learned this after booking an appointment to have them waxed once. The woman at the salon told me that one eyebrow was shorter than the other and one had more hair than the other. Her comments were probably meant to be harmless, but I remember feeling that familiar sting of shame. And I never went back to get my eyebrows waxed. I was too embarrassed. So, when it comes to brow products, having things that work well and make me feel semi-confident is everything. It's why I tend to use the same things on my eyebrows over and over again. On that note, here are my favourite eyebrow products. 

currently loving: clinique samples

Clinique is a must-have brand for me. Their Moisture Surge line has saved my skin many times over the years. This is especially true when the colder months arrive. The Moisture Surge lotion always becomes an essential part of my daily routine around that time. (Not to mention the Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream!) Every now and then, it is possible to score extra Clinique items with the purchase of a full-sized product. Those are the best times to stock up. Ready to see what products were included with my last purchase? Here are some mini reviews of a few Clinique skin care and beauty items. 

review: fmg glimmer diamond vibes multi palette

I've never been great at expressing myself in person. All my life, I have been described as shy, awkward, and anxious. Whenever people would try to talk to me in school, my face would flush and I would become totally tongue tied. Part of me wanted the floor to swallow me whole so I wouldn't have to face the social interaction for another moment. Over time, I became better at faking my way through conversations with people I did not know well, but it still isn't something that comes easily to me. Perhaps that is why writing and makeup are my biggest loves. The written word allows me to think about what I really want to say while makeup allows me to express how I really feel. This blog is kind of the best of both worlds, because I am able to write about makeup. Today, I am feeling especially grateful for this little corner of the internet and for all of you reading this. Ready for another makeup review? This one is dedicated to the Diamond Vibes Multi Palette.

mini fall winners haul (accessories and makeup)

On September 1st...I was itching for fall. Though technically, the fall season doesn't start until September 23rd, in my mind, once September arrived, all bets were off. That day, I pulled out the decorations from the storage closet and planned to put out a few autumn decor pieces. Well, by the end of it, the living room was decorated for both the fall season and Halloween. Oops! To be honest, I was in my glory that day. There was a Vanilla Pumpkin candle from Bath & Body Works lit, Phantom of the Megaplex was on in the background, and decorations were scattered everywhere. The only problem? I was missing a seasonal tablecloth. My old one had fallen apart and needed to be replaced, so I asked my husband if we could pop over to Winners and take a peek at what was there. We ended up finding a beautiful fall tablecloth (which is used as the backdrop in the photos for this particular blog post)...but I also found a few additional items. On that note, here is a mini fall Winners haul. 

barbie the movie jumbo eye pencil (nyx review)

Even though Barbie The Movie has been out for almost two months now...my mind is still focused on all things Barbie. At this point, the movie has broken record after record. This movie is a big deal. And thank goodness for that! Not only is it colourful, vibrant, and nostalgic, it also speaks to gender roles and societal expectations. It is a beautiful film that is both fun and meaningful. I have seen the movie five times, but cannot wait to own it so I can watch it as often as I like. Until then, I am making the most of the movie collaborations and collections. Take the Barbie x NYX collection as an example. I've already reviewed the It's a Barbie Party Mini Palette and now it is time to take a look at the Jumbo Eye Pencil set. It included two different jumbo eye pencils inspired by some iconic Barbie characters. Keep reading for all of the details...

2 looks 1 palette: r.e.m. beauty gogo boots eyeshadow palette

There has been a lot of Ariana Grande in my life lately. Earlier this week, there was a post here on the creation of beauty is art. dedicated to her Mod Blush and Mod Vanilla perfumes. Now? It is time for a 2 looks 1 palette post for the r.e.m. beauty Gogo Boots Eyeshadow Palette. This palette was reviewed here recently, but since there were so many thrilling colours to choose from, I wanted to make sure each and every one was showcased in some way. The review post focused on that gorgeous taupe shadow. Now? It is time to let the other eyeshadows shine. Here are two looks created using this r.e.m. beauty palette.

revolution super dewy liquid blush (review + FOTD)

Though most of the blushes in my collection are powder, there have been a few liquid and cream blushes used every now and then. (Like the Rare Beauty liquid blush that wowed and the Ciate London cream blush set.) Most recently, I have been able to try the Super Dewy Liquid Blush from Revolution in the shade Flushing For You. Since the Rare Beauty liquid blushes are a little more on the expensive side (approximately $32 CDN), I was curious to find out how a drugstore brand would compare. Ready to find out whether the Revolution version was worthwhile? Keep reading for a full review of the Super Dewy Liquid Blush.

perfume review: ariana grande mod blush and mod vanilla

There are an awful lot of perfumes lining my shelves. Some have been there for years and others are much newer. An example of the latter? The Mod Blush and Mod Vanilla perfumes from Ariana Grande. Over the years, there have been many Ariana Grande fragrance reviews here on the creation of beauty is art. It only makes sense...the bottles are bold, interesting, and totally unique. As for the scents, those tend to be sweet and warm. Out of all her fragrances, my most worn are R.E.M., Thank U Next, and Cloud. But who knows? That might change now that Mod Blush and Mod Vanilla are on the scene. Curious about these celebrity perfumes? Here is everything you need to know about Mod Blush and Mod Vanilla from Ariana Grande. 

small town shopping haul (thrift store finds and more)

I love thrift stores. Absolutely adore them. For starters, everything inside is so much more affordable. Not to mention the fact that there are older items that are harder to find elsewhere. Since I love books, movies, and music from different decades, thrift stores are an absolute must when it comes to finding the entertainment I want and need. My family spent time at a cottage recently (which had far too many mosquitos and spiders for my liking) but my mom and I made time for a healthy amount of shopping in some of the small towns. This included lots of thrift stores, antique stores, and local shops. Ready to take a closer look at some of the items that came home with me? Here is a peek at my small town shopping haul...