#FOTD inspired by descendants: the rise of red

As a Disney obsessed adult, it is not a shock that I watched Descendants: The Rise of Red the first day it was available on Disney+. I have watched (and loved) all of the Descendants movies over the years. I love the costumes, hair, makeup, music, dances, and the unique way that Disney lore is examined. The newest movie in the series totally wowed. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but it was an immediate favourite. For starters, Brandy and Paolo Montalban reprised their roles from the live action Cinderella movie. There was also Rita Ora in the role of the Queen of Hearts. There were lots of familiar faces from previous Descendants movies as well as some fantastic new characters. I loved everything about it...and am eager for a follow up film. While watching Descendants: The Rise of Red, the hair and makeup really wowed. Though I knew there was no hope of me recreating the hairstyles of the main characters, the makeup was another story. I decided to put my own spin on the makeup look of Red, the daughter of the Queen of Hearts. It might not be a perfect recreation, but it was a lot of fun to do. 

sunshine on the water looks so lovely.

How is summer treating you so far? Have you made lots of memories in the sunshine? Have you been wearing your favourite shorts, tank tops, and sunglasses? Admittedly, summer is not my favourite season, but it is an important time of year nonetheless. It is a time when many are able to take time off of work and school to visit with friends and family, take walks, go for picnics in the park, visit seasonal attractions, head to the beach, or enjoy a number of other summertime activities. Whether summer is your favourite or least favourite time of year, my hope is that you are making the most of the sunshine. If you need a little extra dose of inspiration or perhaps a reminder of what summer has to offer (as I so often do) then this post is for you. Here are some inspiration photos and quotes that truly highlight the magic of the summer season. 

review: danessa myricks beauty (love is love palette)

It is always exciting to try makeup from a brand that is new to me. It is especially exciting to try out a palette that focuses on love, representation, and inclusivity. I have seen a few Danessa Myricks Beauty products at Sephora before, but have not taken the plunge because of the prices. However, my mom recently gifted me the Love Is Love Illuminating Eye and Face Pigments palette after she fell in love with it. This palette costs $88 CDN....so I was definitely spoiled with some high end makeup. Ready to take a look inside? Find out how this palette performs? Here is everything you need to know about this colourful release. 

christmas in july spectacular (review, mini haul, and tag questions)

It is Christmas in July! Being a Christmas fanatic, I am willing to find any excuse to celebrate my favourite holiday. Truth be told, I have Christmas movies and music in heavy rotation year-round...but I decided that it would be fun to celebrate Christmas in July properly this year. That means taking a day off of work to bake gingerbread cookies, watch some holiday movies, read Christmas themed Archie comics, light a peppermint candle, and just have some fun. Summer is not my favourite time of year, so it seems only right to transport myself to the most wonderful time of the year. Tomorrow is the big day, so in preparation for all of the festivities, a themed blog post was a must. Keep reading for a mini review of the movie, Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas In July, some new Christmas themed items, and answers to some Christmas In July tag questions. Here goes...

a tribute to richard simmons.

It has taken me some time to write this. Recently, the iconic Richard Simmons passed away at the age of 76. My heart has been aching ever since. I have written about Richard a few times on the creation of beauty is art. over the years, because he quickly became a very important part of my life. (You can check out those posts here, here, and here.) I found his videos during the pandemic, which was a time of uncertainty, fear, and isolation. But Richard Simmons was there to make everything a little brighter. I started off doing the exercises posted to his YouTube channel and then bought the Sweatin' to the Oldies collection. My obsession continued as the years passed. I bought everything I could get my hands on. Workout videos, books, keychains, and Funko Pop figures. See, Richard didn't just help me through the pandemic. He helped me tackle my longstanding self esteem issues. His kindness was evident in his videos, interviews, songs, books, and everything else he created. Not only was he kind to others, but he had a way of seeing people as they were, without judgement or cruelty. He saw all of us. He saw me. 

mini skin care reviews (tula, pixi, unicorn glow)

Lately, a few new-to-me products have been in rotation. I wanted to take my time with them and really see how these items performed over a longer period of time rather than share initial thoughts. Without further ado, find out how the Tula Skincare Purifying Face Cleanser, Pixi Clarity Cleanser, and Unicorn Glow Long Wear Primer performed with these mini reviews....

kim chi chic: mattely poppin liquid lipstick (review and #FOTD)

Fresh. Natural. Barely there. Those are not the words that I would use to describe my preferred makeup look. Though the "clean girl aesthetic" is popular...I am much more into bold blush, winged liner, fun eyeshadow, and liquid lipsticks. My makeup inspiration is more Miss Piggy than whoever is popular on TikTok at the moment. That is what is so wonderful about makeup. It can be whatever you want it to be! Since I love products that are a little bolder, it only makes sense that Kim Chi Chic is always on my wish list. Created by beloved drag queen, Kim Chi, this brand is focused on beauty for all. Recently, I was able to put the Mattely Poppin Liquid Lipstick in the shade Werk to the test. Here is everything you need to know about this long lasting item.

fab or fail? spongebob squarepants eyeshadow palette

Though some themed beauty products are fabulous, there are many others that are lacking in quality. In the years that I have been testing and trying different makeup products...my weakness has always been a cute theme or cartoon character. In fact, I have purchased eyeshadow palettes inspired by the Care Bears, Minnie Mouse, Moana, Peanuts, The Powerpuff Girls, and countless others. I can't seem to resist! When I came across a Spongebob Squarepants Eyeshadow Palette with fun summery colours, there was barely a moment of hesitation. Did I need it? No. Did I want it? Yes. Did I buy it? Of course. Without further ado, it is time to find out whether this fun Spongebob Squarepants themed eyeshadow palette is fab or a total fail. 

donny osmond meet and greet experience + concert review

I wasn't always a Donny Osmond fan. In fact, in my younger years, he was mostly on my radar as the host of Pyramid and the Donny & Marie talk show. In 2009, my mom and I watched his season of Dancing With the Stars (because she was a fan) and Donny quickly won me over. He was so charismatic and talented! At some point after that, Donny and Marie came to Toronto for a show and we attended. I wasn't familiar with their many hits beforehand, but by intermission, I was shelling out fistfuls of cash to buy one of everything at the merchandise table. I was obsessed. In the years since, I have purchased records, CDs, and downloads of everything Donny, Marie, and The Osmonds. I have attended quite a few Donny concerts, Marie concerts, and yes, Donny and Marie concerts. I was lucky enough to see Donny and Marie perform in Las Vegas three times and won a surprise meet and greet with Donny back in 2016. Though I have not been a fan my whole life....I have certainly made up for lost time. Last week, my mom and I attended a casino show a few hours away. I was just excited to see the show, but she spoiled me with meet and greet tickets! Here are some of the highlights of that experience and a concert review. 

thirteen years of the creation of beauty is art.

Thirteen years. Somehow, the creation of beauty is art. is a teenager. It is difficult to wrap my head around that statement, because when I first started this beauty blog, it seemed impossible to think beyond the first few posts. Well, thirteen years have passed and this is blog post number 2,404. When I sat down to write my first blog post, my future was uncertain. I had graduated from university, but was working in food service. I didn't know when (or if) anyone would hire me as a writer. Thirteen years later and I happily earn my living writing. A lot of dreams have come true since that first introduction post. 

That first post essentially outlined my mission: to focus on the beautiful things that keep me dreaming. I think, for the most part, I have stayed true to that vision. There have been many posts dedicated to makeup, fashion, movies, books, holidays, and well, whatever inspires me at any given time! However, as the years have passed, my dream also includes a better world for all. In that sense, what is included on the creation of beauty is art. has expanded somewhat. Every now and then, there will be a more personal post where I speak out and share a different piece of who I am. (Thank you to all who have left supportive comments on those kinds of posts. It means more to me than I will ever be able to express.) Over the years, I have learned that beauty is so much more than I initially thought. There is beauty in makeup and clothes, of course, but there is also beauty in meaningful work, in justice, and in hope. My definition of beauty has grown, but my love for all things beauty remains. 

This post is simply to acknowledge the anniversary of the creation of beauty is art. and to thank all who read, comment, and share. This little piece of the internet has brought so much joy and fulfillment to my life. Here is to another year of blogging! 

testing out some grease inspired makeup products

Grease is the time, is the place, is the motion. Grease is the way we are feeling. Though many movies have inspired me during my lifetime, Grease is high on the list. When I was a child, I remember being obsessed with the music and the clothes. I desperately wanted to be Sandy...pre-makeover. A lot of years have passed since I first saw the movie at the house of a family friend, but my love remains. Whenever I am feeling down or a little lost in life, Grease is the answer. It always seems to make me feel safer, happier, and a little more hopeful. Of course, when I found some Grease inspired makeup products from Revolution recently, the display was impossible to resist. There will be another post dedicated to a larger Grease x Revolution eyeshadow palette in the future, but for now, it is time to look at the Pink Ladies inspired cream blush and nine-pan palette. 

cancelling a streaming service + what i watched

There are too many streaming services. And far too many in my own household! Being honest, I have always loved watching television shows and movies. When my husband and I first moved into our apartment, we looked into cable television, but it was way too expensive. It was cheaper to have a couple of different streaming services instead. We started with Netflix and branched out into some different offerings over time. Disney+, Paramount+, Hayu, Stackd, Amazon Prime, and Crave. Eesh! With so many streaming services in our home, it was time to cut back, so Stackd went, and most recently, so did Crave. In the final days before the cancellation, my focus was on watching as much on my list as possible. (I have a bad habit of adding things to my list but not watching half it.) So, I thought it might be fun to share some of the last things that I watched on Crave.

beauty spotlight: winky lux joyful jewels gift set

When the Winky Lux products were released in Canada last year, it was a love at first swipe kind of experience. The Flower Balm pH Lip Balm was an immediate favourite and has been a staple in my day-to-day makeup routine ever since. Seeing friends? Winky Lux. Going grocery shopping? Winky Lux. Traveling? Winky Lux. The lip products work so well. The stain looks natural and it lasts for ages. It is the ideal no fuss flush of colour. For Christmas, my husband gifted me the Joyful Jewels Gift Set from the brand and the three products have been in heavy rotation ever since. Today seemed like a good day for a mini review.

red and white makeup look (canada day inspired #FOTD)

Another Canada Day has arrived. For some, that means fireworks and barbecues, and for others, it looks like just another day. In past years, my husband and I have gone to local events where there was live music, vendors, and other forms of entertainment. However, since the pandemic, the celebrations have been a lot more low key for us. At first we did not feel safe heading out into the crowds. Now? It just seems harder to fit in those special events. Despite the fact that we both had plans to work on Canada Day, we have made a last minute shift, and will be heading to Ottawa to see some fireworks and a DJ that my husband enjoys. It is a long way to go for a few hours of entertainment, but I think it is exactly what we need. To look and feel my best this Canada Day, I decided to create a red and white makeup look using some of my tried and true favourites.