travelling tends to magnify all human emotions.

It is time for a little end of the summer break. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, my family has booked a cottage at the end of the season for a week or so. It is not usually in the same place but in the same general area. Going to the cottage is not my favourite thing to do (I like being on my computer, watching Netflix, and being in the comfort of my home...and I dislike bugs, nature, and the unfamiliar) but given the events of this year so far, it might be nice to spend some dedicated time with my family. Here is hoping the week will be a positive one with lots of fun memories. This post is just to let you all know that the creation of beauty is art. will be on pause this week while I am away, but there will be new posts next week as usual. 

What do you have planned for this week? Will you do any end of summer travelling? 

first impressions: glossier (ultralip high shine lipstick)

Glossier is an ultra popular brand, but to be honest, the only thing I really know about them is that there was a collaboration with Olivia Rodrigo. Oh, and I was able to test out a sample of their foundation a few years back. Beyond that, the brand is a bit of a mystery to me. I am not opposed to trying different items from Glossier, but I haven't felt compelled to run out to Sephora to fill my basket with their products either. Lucky for me, my sister passed along the Ultralip High Shine Lipstick in the shade Ember. Keep reading for a first impressions review that talks about all the essentials: packaging, colour, and comfort. 

recent reads (thrillers, mystery, and more)

In a perfect world, it would be possible to read all the time. It is one of my favourite things to do, but sometimes, it can be difficult to make time for this passion. (Or as much time as I would like.) Reading is something that I have been prioritizing a lot more this year. Instead of winding down at the end of the day with a television show or movie, it is an evening curled up with a good book that feels right. I have been re-reading a beloved series from my younger years, but also have been reading an assortment of other books. Some of my recent reads include mysteries, thrillers, and so much more. Take a look...

pros and cons: aqua bomb jelly cleanser (belif)

When it comes to makeup, skin care, and beauty products, my loved ones spoil me from time to time. They might pass along something that was included in a subscription box or spoil me with a product that they saw while out and about. That is what happened recently when a loved one gifted me the Aqua Bomb Jelly Cleanser from Belif. I have tried the popular moisturizer from this brand, but not the cleanser, so it was a nice treat to put it to the test. Keep reading for all of the pros and cons.

shop my stash (smokey summertime look)

When thinking about the makeup look I wanted to create for a get together with an old friend, the vibe was immediately clear: smokey summertime. Despite the fact that summer is still underway (with the high temperatures making life more difficult)...my heart is longing for the fall season. Warm colours, vampy makeup looks, and all the rest. So, for this smokey summertime look, I wanted to take darker, richer colours, and combine them with something a little bit brighter. 

celebrity fashion that i've been loving lately.

Sometimes, it is fun to get inspired by different red carpet looks. There always seem to be premieres and special events where celebrities wear outfits that are more expensive than my entire wardrobe combined. Though the outfits are not necessarily pieces that I would like to wear myself...the designs are often bold, creative, and a little out there. Definitely a feast for the eyes! Are you in need of a little inspiration? Here are some examples of celebrity fashion that I have been loving lately. 

my favourite makeup essentials.

Eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick get an awful lot of attention here on the creation of beauty is art. I love being able to play with different colours and finishes. Whether the intended makeup look is bright, neutral, or vampy...colour products can bring it all to life. However, there are all sorts of essential items that are worn no matter what colour products happen to be used. I'm talking face products, eyebrow products, and all the rest. Here are some of my tried and tested everyday beauty items.

debbie gibson concert (makeup look and concert review)

Concerts can be an awful lot of fun. Unfortunately, the price of concert tickets seems to increase dramatically year over year, so it is necessary for me to be a little choosy. When I heard that Debbie Gibson was playing a show not too far from me...it was a must. I have been a fan of Debbie since I was a little kid and still have her cassette tapes in my collection. I was originally looking for tickets in the back section of the venue (because of the cost) but my husband surprised me with floor seats. I decided to use an 80s inspired eyeshadow palette, pull out my hair waver, and create a look that was fitting for an evening with an 80s pop icon. This blog post is all about the makeup look that was created - and some of the concert highlights. 

not everything that is faced can be changed.

Change is my least favourite thing. Even positive change can be difficult for me to navigate a lot of the time. I like structure, routine, and familiarity. Unfortunately, nothing feels familiar these days. The majority of the year has been difficult due to serious health issues with both family members and friends. There have been periods of time when life almost seems normal again, but then something happens, and it all comes tumbling down. In my last blog post, I wrote about not quite feeling like myself despite not having a concrete reason. Perhaps my subconscious could sense something on the horizon, because there is now a reason. My family member is in the hospital once again and there are all sorts of unknowns. There is change ahead...and there is nothing that I can do to stop it from coming. I keep wishing it away, but it creeps closer and closer despite my efforts. 

skin care review: masque bar mask set

Confession: I have been slacking when it comes to face masks. In fact, my entire skin care routine has been less than consistent lately. There is no concrete reason for this, other than the summer blues and feeling a little out of sorts. In an effort to feel more like myself, my days have included a lot of self-care recently. This has involved taking time to read, Disney inspired essential oils, watching old episodes of Survivor, and putting some face masks to use. The set shown above was gifted to me at Christmas, but for whatever reason, it did not receive my full attention until the last few weeks. Since all four Masque Bar masks have now been used, it seemed like an appropriate time for some mini reviews. Keep reading for all the details...

trend alert: summerween (and how i have been celebrating)

I love holidays and loathe summer. Perhaps that is the reason the Summerween trend has been making me smile lately. It adds a little bit of what I love (holidays and spooky season) into something that I do not (scorching temperatures and mosquitos). Originally from the animated series, Gravity Falls, Summerween has become a summer trend for all. It is essentially a summer version of Halloween. Think skeleton inflatables in the swimming pool, carving a "Jack-O-Melon" instead of a Jack-O-Lantern, and chilled pumpkin flavoured beverages. Keep reading to find out how I have been enjoying this fun twist on a fall holiday.

psyduck (pokemon) inspired makeup look

Pokémon is not something that I have meaningfully engaged with over the years, but my husband plays all sorts of Pokémon games on the Nintendo Switch. Every now and then, there will be a cute character that catches my eye. (Some of the characters are ridiculously adorable.) That is what happened with Psyduck. I saw this cute little duck character waddling around and holding his head. My husband informed me that Psyduck gets headaches and holds onto his head until he releases tension with his strong psychic powers. I was immediately enamored with this character, from design to personality. So, my very thoughtful husband ordered me a little Psyduck plush. He arrived fairly quickly and has been keeping me company ever since. There are a handful of yellow eyeshadows in my makeup collection that I have not used all that frequently - and the arrival of Psyduck seemed like a good reason to put them to use. Here is a makeup look inspired by this adorable Pokémon character. 

accessories that i have been loving lately.

Do you ever find yourself reaching for the same things over and over again? Sometimes that happens to me with accessories. There are certain periods of time when the same few items seem to feel right...until eventually something else steals my attention and the process starts over again. I thought it might be fun to show you all a few of the accessories that I have been loving lately. These are the ones that seem to scream "choose me" whenever an outfit starts to come together. 

christmas in july part two: holiday movie mini reviews

Over the years, many Christmas themed movies have been highlighted on the creation of beauty is art. My collection grows and I continue to watch these movies, cartoons, and holiday specials over and over throughout the year. Lately, I have been giving extra thought to why these movies mean so much to me. The world is often cruel, dark, and selfish. It is a place where people lie, cheat, steal, and harm. In Christmas movies, selfish people become generous and giving. Liars become honest. Harmful people learn to be better and make amends for their past actions. The world is so rarely like this...so when I watch a Christmas movie, it is the ultimate escape from the way things tend to be. I can pretend for a little while that good wins out, that kindness matters, and that miracles happen. On that note, to celebrate Christmas In July this year, it seemed right to focus on some new-to-me holiday movie reviews. My husband found all sorts of discounted Christmas movies for sale and asked me a very dangerous question: Do you want any? Of course, the answer was yes. Keep reading for all sorts of mini movie reviews.

christmas in july part one: bath and body works semi-annual sale

Christmas In July is officially celebrated on July 25th, but thanks to an unexpected holiday release from Bath & Body Works, there are going to be two Christmas In July posts this year on the creation of beauty is art. My husband and I were out running errands a few weeks back and saw that Bath & Body Works was having a semi-annual sale. I love Bath & Body Works products (everything smells so good) but normally stock up in the fall and winter because the seasonal scents are my preference. We decided to walk through just to browse...but then found there were all sorts of Christmas In July themed items available. 

love it or leave it? lana condor

How long is your list? The trouble with so many streaming services, both free and subscription based, is that my watch list tends to grow and grow and grow...and then the shows and movies I want to watch slip my mind entirely. My current list is long and the chances of me watching everything that I would like to are slim to none. Unless I happen to win the lottery or am granted immortality. So while this post is all about style, it is also a reminder to myself to watch one of the movies on my ever growing list. Worth The Wait stars Lana Condor, Ross Butler, and many others in a movie about four different relationships. Since I have watched the To All The Boys I've Loved Before movies on Netflix more times than I should ever admit...a new movie with Lana Condor is a must. Especially since it is totally free to watch. (No seriously. You can watch it here. I will be watching it shortly!) Another must? Discussing the red carpet look that Lana Condor wore to promote Worth The Wait.

life lately: pop 2000s tour and ottawa getaway

Life has been busy lately. Busy, but fun. Most of the time, my preference is for life to be slow and steady....quiet and calm. However, it has been nice to mix things up a bit in recent weeks. (Though the idea of slow, steady, quiet, and calm sounds appealing again, as there is a need to recharge after so much social activity.) In a short span, I've been able to see a movie with a friend, spend a few hours shopping with my parents, go to a concert, and visit Ottawa for a couple of days. With so much happening in the last little while, it seemed appropriate to share a few of those highlights in this life lately post. 

current music obsession: beautiful chaos from katseye

It seems my current music obsession is one that many others have as well. Recently, the global girl group, KATSEYE, announced a number of tour dates in the fall. I tried my best to purchase one ticket for the show nearest me during the presale...and found that I was number 21,380 in the Ticketmaster queue for a venue that holds 5,000. Thankfully, my luck was much better during the general sale and I happened to refresh at the exact right moment. I will be seeing KATSEYE this fall! Even though I will be at the very back of the venue, I am so exited to be able to attend. In the meantime, their new album, Beautiful Chaos will be keeping me entertained. Since the KATSEYE releases come with all sorts of fun extras, it seemed only right to share some of the items that were included in my version of the Beautiful Chaos album and talk about the newly released music. 

beyond the gates inspired makeup looks.

There is an alarm set on my phone for 1:58 p.m. each weekday. That alarm is my reminder to turn on the latest episode of Beyond The Gates. Ever since this soap opera premiered at the end of February, it has become a full blown obsession. I love the drama, the characters, the sets, and the style. Speaking of style...the wardrobe is out of this world amazing and so is the makeup. Every time an episode airs, I am wowed by the incredible looks that the characters are wearing. Everything is so bold and elegant. Since makeup is another one of my obsessions, it was only a matter of time before an attempt was made to combine the two. Lately, I have been doing my best to recreate some of these stunning soap opera makeup looks.

my first order from main street melts candle co.

The post-Walt Disney World blues have been extreme this time around. After a visit to the most magical place on Earth, it is common for me to feel a little sad adjusting back to the real world. However, knowing there will not be a return trip for several years really got me in my feelings. That is how I found myself searching for Walt Disney World inspired scents on Etsy shortly after returning back home. Enter the Main Street Melts Candle Co. The company has all sorts of Disney inspired items, including candles, melts, room sprays, and oils. Since I have a diffuser that has been neglected in recent months, it seemed wise to focus on some of the available oils. Though there were many that caught my eye (and many that will be ordered in the future) my first order included ten different essential oil blends. It took about twenty three days for the oils to arrive, which was not too bad, and everything was well packed. Each essential oil bottle has a cute Disney inspired label and there is a generous amount of oil provided. Keep reading for a mini review of each Main Street Melts Candle Co. item in my order.

fourteen years of the creation of beauty is art.

the creation of beauty is art. will turn fourteen tomorrow. What a strange sentence to write. It never occurred to me way back in 2011 that this beauty blog would become such a significant part of my life, but it has become something that makes me extremely proud. It remains a creative outlet, a passion, and a safe place to land. My life has changed so much since that first post was shared, but one thing remains the same: the creation of beauty is art. Though many of the older posts make me cringe when I look back at them, those posts show how far I have come. It is kind of nice to see where I was before and compare it to where I am now. I am a little older and possibly a little wiser....and I finally like the person I am becoming. 

benefit: porefessional deep retreat pore-cleaning clay mask (review)

Every now and then, a face mask is a must. It is a nice way to pamper myself and focus on some much needed self care. Since I had a sample of the POREfessional Deep Retreat Pore-Cleaning Clay Mask from Benefit sitting around, it made sense to incorporate it into a recent relaxing evening. (For the record, that relaxing evening included pizza, season two of The Ultimatum: Queer Love, and sweatpants.) Ready to find out how this clay mask performs? Keep reading for a skin care review.

review: kylie cosmetics hybrid blush in slow jam

My husband and I officially celebrate our ten year wedding anniversary today, but truth be told, we have been celebrating it for the last little while. Instead of doing something special on our actual anniversary, we took a vacation to Walt Disney World at the end of May. We also took a day trip to a random shopping mall and visited Ottawa for Canada Day. There have certainly been some special days spent together over the last little while. While visiting that random shopping mall, which was a fairly lengthy drive, we found a few fun items. One example? My husband treated me to the new Hybrid Blush from Kylie Cosmetics.

home is where the maple leaf is.

Happy Canada Day! Across the country, there will be barbecues, get togethers, and fireworks. July 1st is always a time to celebrate where I live...but the celebration feels even more important this year. For many months, the President of the United States has made threats against Canada, referring to it as the "51st State." There have also been illogical tariffs implemented that have harmed hard working people in both Canada and the United States. Travelers visiting the US are encouraged to use caution, take burner phones, and delete social media apps. A lot has changed since the start of the year. That being said, it has been meaningful to see Canadians come together against these threats. For example, there is the Buy Canadian movement, which has benefited Canadian brands as well as non-US brands from around the globe. It focuses on spending thoughtfully. In a society that is often individualistic and divisive, it has been nice to see people come together and focus on the collective good. 

does it work?? electronic makeup brush cleaner

One of my least favourite tasks? Cleaning my makeup brushes. It is a lengthy and tedious process, but one that needs to be done. Knowing that I am a makeup lover, my sister gifted me an electric makeup brush cleaner for Christmas. It was immediately intriguing, because anything that makes cleaning my brushes faster and easier is thrilling. So...does it work??

affirmations and journal prompts to make the summer season special.

Summer is here. That means sunshine, warm temperatures, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Whether this is your favourite time of year or your least favourite...you deserve to make the most of the season. It can be difficult to do that when your schedule seems too full or there are obstacles in your way. So, do what you can to refocus your mind, reflect, and make the most of the next few months. Here are some positive affirmations and journal prompts to make that process a little bit easier. 

r.e.m. beauty x wicked (so popular ph adaptive lip oil)

The countdown is on. There are 151 days until Wicked: For Good is released in movie theatres. The much buzzed about second half of Wicked is sure to have some stand out moments. Recently, the trailer was released (check that trailer out here if you missed it) and it looks fantastic. I cannot wait to see how it all ends on screen for Elphaba and Glinda. I was treated to a Wicked inspired product from r.e.m. beauty a little while back and with the recent release of the movie trailer, it seemed like an appropriate time for a product review. Keep reading to find out how the So Popular pH Adaptive Lip Oil performs...

shop my stash: summer inspired makeup look

It is officially the first day of summer. Maybe you have all sorts of exciting summer plans. Or maybe you are simply hoping to get through the season without a sunburn. Wherever you fall, here is hoping the next couple of months will be memorable for all the right reasons. Lately, my focus has been largely on beauty products that I already own, so I went through some of my palettes to find one that had lots of seasonal colours. In the end, it was the 24K Birthday Collection Eyeshadow Palette from Kylie Cosmetics that won out. The eyeshadow palette includes all sorts of warm colours that are ideally suited to the season.

random things making me smile lately.

Finding happiness in this broken world of ours can be difficult. There are constantly disappointing people and upsetting world events making headlines. That is the reason it is extra important to hold onto beautiful, happy, uncomplicated things that add a little bit of joy to each day. On that note, here are some of the random things that are making me smile lately.

revisited review: love is love palette (danessa myricks beauty)

Happy Pride Month! The world seems to be worse than usual lately, but that highlights why it is so important to celebrate Pride Month and Pride Season. This is a time to honour the past and celebrate the resilience of the LGBTQQIP2SAA community. It is a time to remember, reflect, and look ahead. My hope is that this world we live in will stop being so regressive and divisive. My hope is that the best days are still out in front of us. This month, do what you can to show your support, learn more, and make the world a better place for all. In honour of this important celebration, it seemed only right to create a colourful makeup look using the Love Is Love Illuminating Eye and Face Pigments palette from Danessa Myricks Beauty. Here is a revisited review...

walt disney world week: beauty products i took with me on vacation

It is always hard to know what makeup items to take on a vacation. There need to be tried, tested, and true products on hand...but there also needs to be enough variety available so makeup still feels fun, creative, and expressive. To end this Walt Disney World theme week here on the creation of beauty is art. it seemed only right to highlight the different beauty products that I took with me on my recent vacation. Here it is, from primers to setting spray and everything in between.

walt disney world week: souvenirs

There are all sorts of stores in Walt Disney World. In fact, everywhere you turn, there seems to be someone selling something. Popcorn, Mickey shaped pretzels, drinks, t-shirts, pins, and all sorts of other odds and ends. It was hard not to pull my wallet out at every opportunity. Though I did my best not to overindulge, there were a few items that came home with me from my vacation. It was mostly clothes, but there were some other fun souvenirs that were included as well. Take a look....

walt disney world week: vacation highlights

Coming home from vacation is never fun...but my transition back into regular life following my Walt Disney World trip has not been smooth. Shortly after arriving home, there was a slight tickle in my throat. I didn't feel quite right. Before I even had time to unpack my suitcase, some sort of sickness had taken over. Cough, runny nose, exhaustion, and all the rest. It came on very quickly and is still lingering to this day. Definitely not the return home that I envisioned. Despite this setback, I am attempting to slowly get myself back on track: catching up on cleaning, laundry, blogging, work, and everything in between. Which brings me to the latest theme week here on the creation of beauty is art. To start this Walt Disney World theme week off on the right foot, it is time to share some vacation highlights from my recent getaway to the most magical place on earth.

current favourites (accessories, perfume, skin care, and more)

It is time for a current favourites post. Sometimes, it is nice to focus on the little things that make life feel more beautiful. There have been all sorts of items that I have been for enjoying and reaching for lately...from accessories to perfumes to action figures and so much more. Here is a closer look at some recent favourites that have been making my days brighter. 

review: the kissu lip mask from tatcha

Tatcha is a brand that I have heard a lot about over the years, but never tried. Though my sister swears by many of their products, makeup is always more intriguing to me than skin care. This meant that my Sephora gift cards were used on the other side of the store instead. When a loved one gifted me The Kissu Lip Mask, it felt like a long overdue introduction to the brand. Curious about this jelly lip mask? Keep reading for a full review of The Kissu Lip Mask from Tatcha.

chase your dreams but know the road that will lead you home.

So much goes into a vacation. There is all of the planning, preparing, and packing beforehand. Then once you get home, there is laundry, work, and an endless to-do list of everything that has been neglected in your absence. Now that the fairy dust has settled and I am back home again, it is time for me to tackle that aforementioned to-do list. I look forward to sharing Walt Disney World themed posts here on the creation of beauty is art. next week. (Expect to see some vacation photos, some of the souvenirs that came home with me, and even a post about the makeup that I took with me on vacation.) In the meantime, there will be some beauty related posts shared and I will do my best to catch up on comments and all the rest. I hope you have all been well this last week. Feel free to share some of your recent highlights in the comment section below. 

What are you looking forward to this week? Do you have any vacations planned?

when you wish upon a star...

Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. Dreams are forever. By the time this post is live, my husband and I should be enjoying sunshine and Mickey Mouse shaped ice cream bars in Walt Disney World. This summer, we will be celebrating our ten year wedding anniversary. We have long planned to return to Walt Disney World for this milestone as a way to remember our honeymoon there...but also because I am a Disney fanatic. However, the world has changed a lot in the last several months. There was some uncertainty about whether it was safe or appropriate to take our scheduled anniversary trip. Given the fact that the vacation has been booked and planned for such a long time, we decided to follow through and head to Florida. I don't know when we will be able to return to Disney, but my hope is that we are able to make some positive memories during this vacation. It will be quiet here on the creation of beauty is art. this week, but I look forward to catching up with you all soon. 

Have a wonderful week - and feel free to share some of your future vacation plans in the comment section below!

drugstore lip product try on (marcelle, revlon, and elf)

Drugstore beauty products will always have a special place in my heart. I still remember scanning the aisles back in the day and wondering what items might work for me. As my makeup collection grew, I developed a better understanding of what brands I liked and what brands tended to be so-so. Though I do not spend nearly as much time browsing the drugstore aisles as I used to...it is nice to test out different items now and then. Here are mini reviews of lip products from Marcelle, Revlon, and elf. 

does it work?? 24-hr brow setter from benefit

Back in the fall, there were all sorts of products from the Back to School Beauty Bundle highlighted. The set included fourteen different items, including makeup, perfume, and skin care. Some products have already been reviewed on the creation of beauty is art. and some reviews are still outstanding. It is time to focus on another sample from the set....the 24-Hr Brow Setter from Benefit. There is something very nostalgic to me about Benefit. During my earliest years as a makeup enthusiast, it was the Benefit section of Sephora that thrilled me most. I loved the cheek tints, the themed sets, and the blushes. Over the years, the brand seems to be a little less innovative and colourful, but there are still some fantastic staple products. These days, Benefit is mostly known for their mascaras and eyebrow products (my personal favourite brow product from the brand is the Goof Proof Brow Pencil). Ready to find out how this clear brow gel performs? Keep reading for all of the details.

review: kylie cosmetics lip kit in angel

When it comes to the iconic lip kits from Kylie Cosmetics, I have certainly been spoiled lately. In my Easter basket this year, there was the shade Angel (along with holiday chocolate and some other goodies). This is the kind of warm neutral colour that the brand is known for. Ready to take a closer look? Here is a review of the Kylie Cosmetics Lip Kit in the shade Angel. 

shop my stash: tarte glamour eyeshadow palette

The world is an interesting place these days. Quite frankly, it is hard to envision what the future will look like. That is one of the reasons I am choosing to slow down on beauty related purchases. There are still products that I have not reviewed on the creation of beauty is art. including items that loved ones have gifted me over the last little while. (Stay tuned for those posts in the weeks and months to come.) That said, it has been quite some time since I actually purchased makeup for myself. I am doing my best to focus on what I already own. The "shop my stash" idea has been around for many years and essentially means using what you already have instead of constantly purchasing more. Since there are all sorts of wonderful items in my makeup collection already, it seems appropriate not only to use those items in my day to day life, but also to post about them here. Every now and then, there will be a shop my stash post that features different products from my makeup collection. The first shop my stash post features everyday favourites and the Glamour palette from the Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Wardrobe. 

affirmations and quotes for difficult days.

To quote Olivia Rodrigo, it's always one step forward and three steps back. As mentioned in previous posts, a loved one has been in and out of the hospital over the last few months, with the longest stay being about three weeks. It seemed like everything was slowly getting back on track. There was non-linear healing, but positive progress all around. And then it all came crashing down. There is so much uncertainty, not to mention the trauma of watching a loved one struggle both physically and mentally. I am not okay. Life has not been okay lately. It seems that as soon as I start to piece myself back together, as soon as I start to feel some sense of normality creep back in, it all crumbles. So, this post is dedicated to hope. I certainly need it and maybe someone else out there needs it, too. Here are quotes and affirmations to add a little bit of hope to difficult days. 

hair product haul: haircare haven beauty bundle

The relationship with my hair has been complicated lately. Now that I am needing to dye it on a semi-regular basis (thanks to the grey hairs that have decided to take over)...there have been all sorts of frustrations. Like the medium brown hair dye that I used several months back. Despite the name "medium brown," it turned my hair almost black. I was looking for something similar to my natural colour, but this was not at all similar, and the colour refused to fade. More recently, attempts have been made to address the dark colour, but the results have been mixed. All of the products used (like Color Oops) have left my hair feeling dry and looking a little frizzy. Thankfully, my mom gifted me the Haircare Haven Beauty Bundle for Easter. It includes all sorts of haircare products. As I continue to work on addressing the hair colour issue, it is important to focus on the overall condition of my hair as well. This post is a little show and tell to highlight the products included in this set. In the future, there will be a review of all the different haircare products. Ready to take a look inside? Here is everything that was included...

inspired by all things amber.

There is something special about amber. The colour is a yellowish orange and is often associated with warmth. It is also thought to be positive and protective. Lately, amber has been on my mind. It all started with one of the holiday body mists from Aeropostale (check out that post here) that I have been wearing often. Cashmere Mittens has soft cashmere, white rose petals, and amber. Soon after, it became clear to me that many of my favourite scents also include amber. Somehow, that led me to adding some amber inspired items to my home, including an amber scent and some amber coloured accessories. 

nostalgia is a powerful feeling. it can drown out anything.

I fell down the rabbit hole recently (as I so often do) and watched hours and hours of compilation videos on YouTube. The videos featured all sorts of television shows from the 80s and 90s - complete with the original commercials. It was a wild and nostalgic ride. These days, familiarity seems to be my focus. Whether I am listening to music, choosing a movie, or watching a television show, more often than not, I am gravitating towards what was. New releases do not seem to have the same hold on me. I have been thinking a lot about why this is the case and I think it comes down to safety. With the world being so turbulent, it feels especially sweet to return to a time where I did not have to worry about bills or politics or what was happening outside of my little bubble. I still believed that most people were good and that evil would never win. I was more innocent then and certainly more naive. Perhaps there is part of me that is missing that state of being...that uncomplicated hope. But life happens and learning more inevitably means losing some of that innocence. Thank goodness for all of the television shows from my youth. These shows help me remember who I used to be and what I used to believe in. 

review: elf power grip primer + 4% niacinamide

Preparation is key, especially when it comes to increasing the longevity of a makeup look. The right skin care products and primers can make all the difference. With certain products on hand, makeup application can become easier and products will stay put throughout the day. After hearing rave reviews about the Power Grip Primer from elf, it seemed like time to put this much buzzed about item to the test. There are a few versions of the Power Grip Primer available, but I decided on the Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide. Ready for a review of this popular makeup primer? Keep reading for all the details.

#FOTD and mini review: love at 1st sight eyeshadow palette

Spring is well underway, but this eyeshadow palette is taking me all the way back to Valentine's Day. Not only was this a Valentine's Day gift from my mom, but it is loved themed. The Love at 1st Sight Eyeshadow Palette is downright adorable - and so well themed. Ready to take a closer look? Here is everything you need to know about this love inspired product.