review: elf 16 hr camo concealer

Finding a good concealer is difficult. Finding a good concealer to replace an old favourite? Even more difficult. I absolutely adore the Hard Candy Glamoflauge Full Coverage Concealer, but it is becoming harder and harder for me to find. At the stores around me, the Hard Candy displays have either been removed or reduced, and there are rarely a lot of products to choose from. I stock up whenever it is possible to do so, but I never know whether it will or will not be available. Talk about frustrating! My husband suggested I try something from another brand so I have a different option, should the Glamoflauge Full Coverage Concealer not be available. After browsing the displays at the drugstore, it was the Elf 16 Hr Camo Concealer that I decided to purchase. How does it compare? And is it a viable alternative for my beloved Hard Candy concealer? Keep reading to find out...

if only i could stop the world, i'd make this last.

There's a place waiting just for you. It's a special place where your dreams all come true. Many S Club 7 songs impacted my life as a teenager for one reason or another, but "Reach" was a song I turned to when I felt especially misunderstood. High school was rough for me and though I had friends, I was also bullied, mocked, made fun of, and felt deeply uncomfortable in my own skin. The more I was bullied, the less I thought of myself, and the more I longed for escape. S Club 7 was that escape for me. Watching the television shows, the specials, the movies, and listening to the music made me feel like I was part of something...like I had this giant group of friends who would protect and stand up for me. I often imagined S Club 7 walking the halls with me and putting those bullies in their place. I imagined being part of the "club" and feeling confident and happy. Though the band obviously never saved me from the cruelty of the world, their music made me feel much less alone in the midst of it. When the world leaves you feeling blue, you can count on me. I will be there for you. Needless to say, hearing S Club 7 perform "Reach" live (along with many other favourites) was a dream come true. Five members of the band reunited and brought their "Good Times" tour to Meridian Hall in Toronto recently...and the night was everything I hoped it would be. 

r.e.m. beauty week: naughty and iced cheek and lip set

The latest theme week here on the creation of beauty is art. is coming to a close. That's right...this is the last post for r.e.m. beauty week. It is all about the Naughty and Iced Cheek and Lip Set. I love that this set from the brand includes one warm toned product and one cool toned product. There is nothing more exciting than mixing and matching! I always love the contrast. Ready to find out more? Here is everything you need to know about this Limited Edition holiday set.

r.e.m. beauty week: galactic frost metallic eye set

r.e.m. beauty theme week continues here on the creation of beauty is art. The last post was all about the Midnight Shadows Eyeshadow Palette in Smitten Kitten. Today? The focus is on the Limited Edition Galactic Frost Metallic Eye Set. This particular set stood out to me, because it contains three different products. It seemed like an excellent way to test out several products from the brand. Ready to find out what was included? Here is everything you need to know about this limited edition set. 

r.e.m. beauty week (smitten kitten eyeshadow palette)

r.e.m. beauty has officially launched in Canada. This is a brand that is of interest to me, because I really like Ariana Grande. (Both her music and her fragrances.) With products available at certain Shoppers Drug Mart locations, it was time to check out what was on offer. Though an awful lot was tempting...three items came home with me. Two were holiday themed sets and one was an eyeshadow palette. This week on the creation of beauty is art. the posts are dedicated to these new r.e.m. beauty products. That's right! Another theme week has arrived. There will be a post about the Galactic Frost Limited Edition Metallic Eye Set and a post about the Naughty and Iced Limited Edition Cheek and Lip Set in the days to come. For now, it is time to kickstart this theme week by focusing on the r.e.m. beauty Midnight Shadows Eyeshadow Palette in Smitten Kitten. 

#FOTD: violet voss taupe notch eyeshadow palette

Back in the early 2010s, one of my most beloved beauty products was this trunk from Tarina Tarantino. At the time, products from the brand were sold at Sephora. It might have been around the holiday season that the trunk was released. It had an eyeshadow palette built in, a gorgeous red lipstick, and a glowy face primer. I was obsessed with all of the products inside, but especially this one taupe eyeshadow. It was gorgeous. Though that trunk is long gone, my memories of that taupe eyeshadow remain. Maybe that is why the Taupe Notch Eyeshadow Palette from Violet Voss immediately nabbed my attention. It brought me back to the makeup looks that I used to create. It brought me back to another time in my life. Add to that the fact that Violet Voss is a brand that I have had a lot of positive experiences with (some of their eyeshadow palettes are on my all-time favourites list) and it simply had to be added to my cart. It is time to take a look at this taupe-tastic makeup release.

all you need is love. but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

Happy Valentine's Day! This holiday is all about love. That includes friendships, romantic love, love of family members, pets, and well, everyone. Though the romantic aspect is often highlighted in movies, television shows, and all the rest...Valentine's Day is truly a time to celebrate the people that matter most in your life. Whether you are heading out for a nice dinner, baking cookies or brownies at home, sharing Valentine's Day cards with people at work, or sending a thoughtful text message, my hope is that your day will be full of love and kindness. Not feeling the holiday spirit? This post is full of inspiration photos. Another option is to check out Valentine's Day cartoons (one that I really enjoy is My Smurfy Valentine) or a classic rom-com on a streaming service. Grab some chocolate, some candy hearts, and make this holiday one to remember.

review: pixi + hello kitty glow tonic

What is it about Hello Kitty? This iconic character is beloved around the world. Created in the mid-70s, her popularity never seems to wane. Even today, it is common to see this adorable cartoon on everything from backpacks to t-shirts, purses, buttons, shoes, and even beauty products. An example of the latter is the Pixi + Hello Kitty Glow Tonic. Since I happen to adore Hello Kitty...it was impossible for me to resist this themed product. And since my skin has needed some extra attention lately, it was a win-win situation. Ready to find out how this adorable Glow Tonic performs? Here is everything you need to know.

first impressions: rimmel scandaleyes volume on demand mascara

Rimmel used to be one of my favourite drugstore makeup brands. I purchased items from them frequently....and then I didn't anymore. It all started when they discontinued my favourite foundation (The Clean Finish Foundation was my everything). Over time, I just browsed their selection less often than before. That being said, I do miss the brand. It is certainly nostalgic for me. I've tried a few of their mascaras in more recent years, but not a whole lot else. Maybe it is time to take a closer look at what they have to offer these days. Until then, it is time for a mascara review. Since my favourite mascara, The Super Sizer from Cover Girl, appears to have been discontinued (or at least seriously difficult for me to get my hands on), I am looking into alternatives. Keep reading for a first impressions review of the Scandaleyes Volume On Demand Mascara from Rimmel. 

does it work?? winky lux catne pimple patches

The winter weather is always hard on my skin, but it seems to be especially harsh this year for whatever reason. I've been moisturizing regularly, exfoliating, and all the rest, but my skin is not cooperating. Currently, it is ultra dry on my forehead and cheeks, but there are blemishes around my chin. Talk about frustrating! Since I had these Catne Pimple Patches from Winky Lux on hand, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to put them to the test. So...does it work?? Keep reading to find out.

current obsession: sailor moon for love and justice palette

My obsession with Sailor Moon began when I was in elementary school. I remember watching that first episode on YTV (a local channel that was a favourite for much of my adolescence) and immediately being hooked. From that point on, I was begging my mom for the Sailor Moon action figures and all sorts of Sailor Moon stickers at the dollar store. I remember getting in trouble by my fourth grade teacher, because I prioritized drawing pictures of the characters instead of paying attention to the lessons. Yes, the show was a full-blown obsession. Though I have had many obsessions over the years, Sailor Moon was, and still is, special. It is an important part of me. It represents my past, but it also represents my future. When I watch the episodes, I am reminded of what matters most to me and what I base my life on: fighting for love and justice. That simple message inspired me as a child and it continues to inspire me today. The world is dark and many people are cruel...which makes it even more important to fight for what is right. Sailor Moon is not just a television show to me. It is a reminder of what matters.

fashion obsession: lazypants fleece shackets

Sometimes, memories appear on my Facebook page or I will come across photos on my computer from years past. One thing is clear: my fashion choices have certainly changed! I used to wear a lot of cute blouses, dresses, and high heels. Though at my core, I am a t-shirt and jeans person, there was a time in my life when getting glam was a lot of fun for me. For special events, like a concert or a night out with friends, I would spend a lot of time and energy putting together the perfect outfit. Finding the perfect accessories. It was a wonderful form of self expression. I have to be honest...a lot changed for me when the COVID-19 pandemic happened. For starters, there was no leaving the house. No concerts, no seeing friends, no seeing family, no nothing. A few months into the pandemic, my job changed as well. I was fortunate enough to find my dream job, which involved writing, helping others, and working from home. Since I was now working from home and not leaving the house, slowly, I transformed into a human sweatpant. Though it is 2024 at this point, I haven't transitioned out of being a human sweatpant. Part of me misses those more glamorous looks...and part of me loves embracing comfort. I suppose it makes sense to meet in the middle somewhere. Until that happens, it only makes sense to highlight my current (oh-so-comfy) fashion obsession.