four mini mascara reviews (mascara discovery collection)

Mascara is the ultimate finishing touch. It can add a little extra drama to the lashes, with lots of length and volume. However, not all mascaras are created equally. Some are bold and others are lackluster. Over the last little while, I have been putting some mini versions of popular mascaras to the test as part of the Mascara Discovery Collection. (If you missed that show and tell post, be sure to check it out here.) The set came with eight different mascaras and a voucher for one full sized version. I have been putting them all to the test in order to make my final decision, which will be revealed in a future post. For now, here are the first four mascara reviews, which includes products from Benefit, Yves Saint Laurent, Lancome, and Too Faced.

ten random things that are keeping me inspired this spring.

Balance seems out of reach. Despite my best efforts, living a balanced life seems near impossible to achieve, even on a temporary basis. It seems that life is either uncertain and achingly slow or full steam ahead. At the moment, it seems that I am in a season of "full steam ahead." There are appointments, plans, requests, and a to-do list that grows longer with each moment that passes. What kind of season are you in right now? Is the pace a little slower or are you struggling to keep it all together? Whether you are overwhelmed or are finding life a little quieter, it is essential to stay inspired. To find little things that matter. To hold onto bits and pieces of happiness. That is what inspired this blog post. I have been seeking out all that is joyful and beautiful in my world. On that note, here are ten random things that have been keeping me inspired this spring. 

my top four most used ariana grande perfumes.

There will always be something special about perfume. I love that scents can remind you of a specific experience or a different chapter of your life. Perfume can be both nostalgic and part of the current moment. Though there are many bottles on my perfume shelf, it is the Ariana Grande ones that I tend to reach for most often on a day to day basis. I love the sweet, warm, and comforting blends. On that note! Here is a closer look at the four Ariana Grande perfumes that I use most often.

does it work?? jelly job full-bodied shine gloss (nyx)

The name of the new NYX lip product is a little bizarre: Jelly Job. Despite the unusual name, the Jelly Job Full-Bodied Shine Gloss has received a lot of hype online recently, with influencers and beauty enthusiasts alike eager to share their reviews. There are all sorts of colours to choose from in the product line, but with a $21 CDN price, there are two questions that come to mind: does it work and is it worth purchasing? Keep reading for a full product description and review.

my favourite albums to write to.

Some people can write in silence. I am not one of those people. There needs to be something on in the background to spark the flow of creative energy. Though there are many albums on my shelves, there are four that I tend to listen to when I am writing. Some are connected to specific projects while others make me feel safe enough to address the blank page. 

shop my stash: coral makeup look

There is something about coral that has been speaking to me lately. While there are all sorts of coral shades, typically, it is something between red, pink, and orange. Some coral makeup products are a little more pink, some a little more orange, and some a little more on the red side. I recently decided to shop my stash to create a coral inspired makeup look. It turns out that coral is supposed to represent joy and optimism. I think this colour has been speaking to me lately because my life has needed an extra dose of joy and optimism! Here is hoping this makeup look will bring all sorts of positivity into my world. 

review: squishy glaze by covergirl (raspberry twist)

The Cover Girl brand will always be nostalgic for me. I remember buying a black eyeshadow from the brand back in the Laguna Beach days and trying to mimic the makeup style of the girls on the show. I remember my first foundation purchase and the first blush that I ever tried. All Cover Girl. At that time, the brand was accessible and affordable. (Though the prices at the drugstore have increased significantly in more recent years.) Perhaps that is the reason my weakness for Cover Girl remains. It is nostalgic, but the brand also has some great products. Recently, it was the Squishy Glaze in the shade Raspberry Twist that called to me. This is described as a Lip Butter Balm and it comes in several different shades. Keep reading for a full review. 

opening a surprise bag from ardene.

Generally speaking, surprises are not something that I enjoy. Examples: surprise parties and unplanned events. Thankfully, there are examples of good surprises out there, like this Surprise Bag from Ardene. My friend and I recently went to see the musical, Moulin Rouge, together and stayed overnight at a hotel. She thoughtfully brought a Surprise Bag for each of us to open once we checked in. These bags are always full of random accessories from Ardene - and always feel delightfully nostalgic. It certainly started the experience off on a fun note. Ready to see what was inside this Surprise Bag? 

current favourite cheek products (blush and highlight)

What beauty products have you been reaching for lately? With spring fully underway, there are a few blushes and highlights that have been in heavy rotation for me. Colourful, fun, and easy to wear...that is the best way to describe my makeup preferences this season. Need a little inspiration? Here is a closer look at some recent cheek product favourites.

#FOTD: inspired by kermit the frog (green makeup look)

It's not easy being green...but life seems pretty wonderful for beloved icon, Kermit the Frog. There is a new Muppets themed rollercoaster in the works at Walt Disney World, The Muppet Show special received positive reviews and high ratings, and tomorrow is Kermit the Frog's birthday. Well, sort of. May 9, 1955, was the first time that Kermit appeared on television screens. Since my obsession with all things Muppets remains, it seemed like an appropriate time to create a makeup look inspired by this important character. This Kermit inspired #FOTD post is focused on green, green, and more green.

love it or leave it? lauren conrad

Lauren Conrad remains a style icon. Recently, there was a Laguna Beach reunion that aired exclusively on the Roku Channel. Thankfully, our television set came with the Roku Channel already included, so watching the reunion was a breeze. The reunion special included the cast members from season one of the show and there was all sorts of behind the scenes information shared. As someone who was seriously obsessed with Laguna Beach when it aired (and then The Hills), it was nice to "go back to the beginning." This love it or leave it? post is dedicated to the outfit Lauren Conrad wore on the red carpet for the reunion. 

current favourite accessories.

Options are always nice, especially when it comes to accessories. There are all sorts of pieces in my collection, but there are certain ones that I have been reaching for more often in the last several weeks. The start of a new season often results in slightly different choices for one reason or another, so this post is dedicated to some of my current favourite accessories.

more beyond the gates inspired makeup looks.

Last summer, there was a post here on the creation of beauty is art. about the soap opera that I watch, Beyond The Gates. I described having an alarm set on my phone each weekday at 1:58 p.m. so I could watch the new episode. Thankfully, that alarm is no longer set, because the soap opera moved to a streaming service in my country. That has made it much easier to access. There is no more relying on an inconsistent antenna signal and I can watch the new episode whenever it fits into my day. While the way that I watch Beyond The Gates has changed, my love of the show, the fashion, and the makeup has remained. Every now and then, I take screenshots of Instagram posts or makeup featured in an episode with the intention of making it my own. On that note! This post is dedicated to even more Beyond The Gates inspired makeup looks.