stila part two: light up the night (eye and lip set review)

Are you ready for part two of my Stila review? In my last blog post dedicated to the Liquid Eyeshadow Set, I mentioned that this brand wasn't largely on my radar. Though I'd tried a few things here or there...it simply wasn't a brand that I found myself purchasing in bulk. However, in recent months, a couple of Stila sets made their way into my makeup collection. The first was the liquid eyeshadow set and the second set is the focus of today's post. The Light Up The Night Eye & Lip Set includes an eyeliner, mascara, and a lip gloss. Definitely a great way to test and try a handful of products from the brand. Here is everything you need to know about this high-end beauty set.

first impressions: stila huge extreme lash mascara

Though my all time favourite mascara comes from Cover Girl (The Super Sizer) and my more recent favourite comes from Cover Girl (the Lash Blast Cleantopia in Ultramarine Black)....there are a few mascara samples that I have been wanting to put to good use. One is the HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara from Stila. Curious about the formula? Keep reading to find out how it performs. 

testing out a stila beauty boss lip gloss (blue sky)

From the drugstore to the dollar store to Sephora...it seems I can find fun beauty products just about anywhere. One example? The Beauty Boss Lip Gloss from Stila that is pictured above actually came from a duty free store. Makeup clearly is my weakness, even during times of travel. For a reasonable $10, it was possible to try out Blue Sky, an iridescent blue/purple lip gloss. That unusual shade was simply too tempting to resist. Ready to see what it looks like? Find out if it was worthwhile?

review: stila gift of light liquid eye shadow set

It is no secret that eyeshadow is my absolute favourite. When it comes to beauty purchases, I am far more likely to spend my money on an eyeshadow quad or eyeshadow palette than on a new lipstick. (Even though I do love a good lipstick.) There is just something so thrilling about eyeshadows. I love the different colours and finishes. And I also love that eyeshadows can transform a makeup look. They are versatile and fun to use. Almost all of the eyeshadows in my collection are powder. I say "almost all" because over the holidays, I was gifted the Stila Gift of Light Liquid Eye Shadow Set. The set includes three travel-sized liquid eyeshadows in three different finishes. Here is everything you need to know about these Stila products.

stila part one: the fourth dimension (liquid eyeshadow set review)

Stila is a brand that has long been on my radar - and yet isn't one that I am overly familiar with. My experience is limited to an eyeshadow palette from years ago and a couple of liquid lipstick samples. Until last year, that is. My husband bought me a set of their liquid eyeshadows for Christmas. I was completely and totally obsessed - and meant to do a full review here on the creation of beauty is art. but never seemed to get around to it. This year? He treated me to even more liquid eyeshadows from Stila. So...The Fourth Dimension set has made its way into my makeup collection. This particular set includes four liquid shadows. Two of the shades are the Glitter + Glow formula and two are Shimmer + Glow. Ready to learn more about these fabulous shadows? See them in action? Here goes...

how wonderful yellow is. it stands for the sun.

Happy Monday! I can't believe it is the start of another week already. How did you spend your weekend? Mine was super busy. I did some work (okay, a lot of work! I was determined to cross some things off of my to-do list) and went to a birthday party for my boyfriend's uncle. Yes, it was definitely a jam-packed couple of days. Here is hoping the rest of the week is a little more...relaxing! Ready for today's blog post? It is all about yellow! Okay, and makeup. Here goes!

Spring is a time of colour. When the sun is shining and the flowers are in bloom, colour is everywhere. Even in our clothes and makeup! With that in mind, I picked up an eyeliner that was a little bit different. On a regular basis, I stick to neutral colours - especially when it comes to eyeliner. I love blacks, browns, and purples. But what about yellow?

That's right - I bought my very first yellow eyeliner.

I was browsing the shelves at Sephora and it caught my eye. I debated for a brief moment before deciding to take the plunge. It was time to step out of my comfort zone and really embrace colour. Enter, the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Canary. It is a bright matte yellow shade - that knows how to make a statement. 

The liner was creamy and pigmented - and the perfect way to make a splash this spring. In fact, I loved the colour payoff so much, I have already created a wishlist for more colours. Mint Julep, here I come! 

So, how did I wear it? Instead of using it as a substitute to black liner, I chose to pair it with a classic black cat-eye for a look that was both wearable and fun. I am definitely excited about all the ways I can play around with this in the future. Here is a look at my Stila eyeliner in action:

If there is one thing I am trying to do this spring, it is get creative with my makeup...and colour is one exciting way to do just that. 

What do you think of this Stila eyeliner? What colours do you have in your makeup collection? 

xo Shannon

success is the only option. because i like expensive makeup.

It is difficult. Using what I already own instead of constantly buying more, more, and more. See....there is this blissful rush when you try out a new product. When you swatch, test, and create. I love that feeling. I miss that feeling. Lately I have been doing my best to buy less. This has been a struggle. The solution? At least for now? Shopping my stash. I've been digging through my makeup collection to unearth palettes and products that have not gotten enough use. They aren't new but they still manage to spark creativity. Which brings me to today's post.

This Stila eyeshadow palette has been on display since I moved. The sleek gold packaging took my breath away. I love how it adds glitz, glamour, and elegance to my makeup display. Then it dawned on me. This has been on display for ages....but it hasn't gotten a lot of use. That made it the perfect item for my shop my stash initiative. Over the last few weeks this has been used in many of my every day looks. Some casual and some a little more glam. Ready to check out the palette? This is the Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palette. 

As you can see, there are a number of different shades in here. Soft shimmery neutrals, purples, blues, greens, coppers, and even some underwater blues. Gorgeous, right? There is something so beautiful about this eyeshadow palette. The combination of bright colours with those softer shades? So stunning. I love that you can create some really bold looks, glamorous looks, and feminine looks. There is a lot of versatility here. (Always a good thing.) Something to keep in mind is the finish. If you are a fan of matte shadows...skip this palette. Every single shadow has a shimmery or glittery finish. This is something I personally really love. But with the matte trend taking over? It is important to factor in the finish before you pick this up for yourself.

Okay....gorgeous shades? Check. Versatility? Check. So, how is the pigmentation? This is hit or miss. Certain shades are super soft, pigmented, and easy to use. Others do not have the same colour pay off. For me this is a little disappointing. I like when a palette is consistent throughout. In my opinion, each shadow should have the same texture, blendability, and pigmentation. That being said? I do really enjoy this eyeshadow set. There are some really gorgeous shades. Ones that are not anywhere else in  my makeup collection. (My personal favourite is that shimmery lilac shade. How perfect will that be once we hit spring? Love!) My goal is to use this palette more and more as the weeks go on.

This is one of my favourite looks thus far. I used that gorgeous copper shade all over the lid and added a hint of that grey-blue to the crease. Take a look and let me know what you think!

Shopping my stash? It will take some getting used to. As a total product junkie, I am always after the latest and greatest. But for now....what I already own will more than do the trick. This Stila palette is a prime example. There are some gorgeous shades and fun colour combinations.

What do you think of this palette? Are you shopping your stash?

xo Shannon

does it work?? nyx epic ink liner

NYX first launched at drugstores in Canada back in 2016. (In fact, I excitedly posted about my very first NYX haul at that time. It included lots and lots of lip products among other things.) Since then, the brand has become a regular part of my makeup routine. From colourful lipsticks to eyeshadow palettes...NYX has it all. Recently, my eyeliner had run low. There were a few pencil liners left but my liquid and pen liners were all out. This is a rare occurrence! However, since the pandemic started, I really haven't been out much to stock up on those sorts of things. So, I needed something that would work well and was easy to use. The NYX Epic Ink Liner was recommended...but does it work??

does it work?? heaven's dew all over glimmer (stila)

What is it about glitter, sparkle, and shine? It seems impossible for me to resist a beauty product with a little pizazz. Though not all makeup is sparkly and colourful...it is nice to have those items on hand. Certain days just call for fun. (And I believe that makeup should be fun more often than not.) The Heaven's Dew All Over Glimmer from Stila certainly falls into the fun category. It is versatile, exciting, and a wonderful way to add a little extra pop to any look. Keep reading for all the details.

warm fall makeup look (shop my stash)

Obsessed with fall? Me? Okay...I admit it. My obsession has gotten a little out of hand this year. Though I have always loved the fall season (there is so much to smile about: cozy sweaters, crisp morning air, falling leaves, and the fact that both my birthday and Halloween take place in the fall), this season, I am completely and totally obsessed. Maybe it just feels nice to have something to look forward to. Or it might have something to do with the fact that I decided this fall would be wonderful. Whatever the reason, my home is decorated with autumn decor and my makeup has gone full blown autumn. Recently, I pulled together a super simple but super fall inspired makeup look using a combination of drugstore and high end items. Ready to see how this warm fall makeup turned out? Find out more about the products used? Keep reading....

makeup, accessories, and beauty favourites (january 2020)

Ever have that favourite feeling? Where you reach for the same things day after day, in a blissful state of admiration? That is kind of how the month of January has been for me. Admittedly, the new year had a bit of a rough start (thanks to the fact that I got sick immediately after the holidays) but in the latter portion of January...things finally started to come together. That meant adding a little extra TLC to my life and beauty routine. So without further ado, here are a few of the makeup, accessories, and all around beauty favourites that stood out to me last month. 

show and tell: back to school beauty bundle

The words "back to school" have not been in my vocabulary for quite some time. Clearly, my student days are well behind me at this point! Despite this, the Back to School Beauty Bundle was seriously tempting. This set came with an assortment of skin care and makeup items all in a cute pink mini backpack. Keep reading to see what is included and what items I can't wait to try.

girls night out: isn't it romantic (makeup, mocktails, and a movie)

How do you make a night out extra special? With the three M's, of course: makeup, mocktails, and movies! Recently, I attended a fabulous girls night out event to support a wonderful cause. With friends, family, and even a little popcorn...it was the ultimate movie night. Here are some of the highlights from the evening and a brief movie review.

2 looks 1 palette: one/size visionary eyeshadow palette

One/Size is a relatively new makeup brand. It launched in mid-summer and has since released a small handful of products. One of those items is the Visionary Eyeshadow Palette. This isn't something that I was certain about at first, but I took the plunge. Thank goodness! This is an eyeshadow palette that has some seriously unexpected takes on neutral shades. Along with a bold blue shade to mix things up. (You can take a closer look at the palette and read my full review here.) Since I have been making good use of this eyeshadow palette lately...it only made sense to do a 2 looks 1 palette post dedicated to it. So, here goes! Two looks created using the One/Size Visionary Eyeshadow Palette.

shoppers drug mart sample haul + movies and mocktails event

Samples have a way of making people smile. Of bringing forth feelings of excitement. Or at least that seemed to be the case at a recent movies and mocktails event I attended. (Sound familiar? I also attended the event last year and documented the experience here on the creation of beauty is art. In case you missed that post - or want a refresher - my first movies and mocktails post can be found here.) In addition to a decked out candy table, lots of fruity mocktails, tables with beauty representatives, photo opportunities, and of course, a girly movie...each attendee also received a goodie bag of samples. Some of those samples were food items and a few were more practical items, like tissues and glasses wipes. However, easily the most exciting things were related to skin care, makeup, and beauty. Ready to see what was inside this fabulous sample bag? Here are some of the standouts.

2 looks 1 palette: morphe x maddie ziegler eyeshadow palette

Eyeshadow is my favourite. Though there are many fabulous beauty products out there...eyeshadow is where the fun stuff really happens. You can embrace colour or stick to something simple and neutral. The Morphe x Maddie Ziegler collaboration, The Imagination Palette, makes it possible to do both. There are so many fabulous and unexpected colours as well as warm neutrals and shades to create a bold smokey eye look. There are so many possibilities! Since this is a newer item in my makeup collection, it has been extra exciting seeing where the palette will take me. Ready for another 2 looks 1 palette post? Here are some recent makeup looks featuring the Morphe x Maddie Ziegler eyeshadow palette.

beauty show and tell: back to school pencil case beauty bundle

Things that make me happy? Beauty products, stationary supplies, and fun little surprises from my husband. The Back to School Pencil Case Beauty Bundle managed to check off all three boxes. After seeing this item on sale at the local drugstore...my husband brought it home for me. Just because. It was so thoughtful and certainly appreciated. So, this post is a little show and tell to highlight all of the different beauty products found inside this oh-so-cute pencil shaped case. 

coca cola x morphe eyeshadow palette (review + video)

Coca Cola is one of the most recognizable and well-known brands in the world. So, when I stumbled across a Coca Cola themed eyeshadow palette? There was no question. It needed to come home with me. Not only was the concept itself intriguing but it was also a collaboration with Morphe (a brand that has been part of my makeup collection for quite a while). I couldn't wait to put the themed colours to the test. Curious about this unexpected release? Want to see inside? Keep reading for a full review, video, and makeup look featuring the Coca Cola x Morphe Eyeshadow Palette. 

i followed a colourful makeupbysaz tutorial

Over the years, I have watched a lot of makeup tutorials. Hundreds. Thousands, even. At first this was because my makeup skills were limited. Thanks to places like YouTube, a world of previously unknown information - as well as various skills and techniques - suddenly became available to me. I was entertained, inspired, and constantly learning how to improve my makeup application. One of my very early inspirations? MakeupBySaz. This fabulous YouTuber, blogger, and Instagram creator has been an important part of my journey with makeup. She has taught me skills and has pushed me to be more creative. Most recently, she posted a video titled, "Summer Makeup Using Affordable Products." I watched in awe. Since I had a lot of the products she was using....I thought I would attempt to recreate the look myself.

new in: drugstore + high end lip products (and lipstick try on)

Lipstick is always a good idea. It constantly amazes me how the right lip product can completely transform a makeup look - or pull it all together. Even a wildly bold eye look somehow becomes more wearable once you add on the perfect nude lipstick shade. And a super simple creation instantly become head-turning with the swipe of a vibrant lip colour. Talk about magical! Though I confess, I am trying to cut back on my lip product purchases (to focus on using more of what I have), a handful of new items made their way into my collection. The lip products pictured above obtained were from events, giveaways, and things like that. So in honour of their new status, I wanted to do a mini review for each one and a lipstick try on.