It was different. Unusual. The Rainforest of the Sea Foil Finger Paint set from Tarte stood out among the aisles of products...and for good reason. Not only were the colours bold and shimmery but the packaging was pure glitz and glitter. Since all of these qualities are right up my alley, I was intrigued to say the least. There were three different options. One was warm and golden, the other a combination of warm red and a cool white shimmer, and the last...a galactic inspired trio. The latter is the one I chose to test and try. Lunar is a trio that includes three shades, Tidal (a blue glitter), Shooting Star (a shimmery silver), and Moon Rise (a shimmery champagne). How did the trio perform? What was the unique formula actually like? Here is everything you need to know about this high end product.
Tarte is a brand that has always been there but has never been my main focus. Despite the fact that beauty bloggers and YouTube gurus from around the globe continued to rave about Tarte products....I never really got the hype. Sure, their blushes were fabulous, but so what? Was that enough to make it a must-have brand? Not in my mind. Then the Be a Mermaid & Make Waves palette happened. Needless to say, my eyes have been opened. Each eyeshadow shade in the set is creamy, pigmented, easy to blend, and effortlessly fabulous. Could it be the start of a new love affair? Time will tell, but in the meantime, here is a closer look at Tarte's mermaid inspired palette and the very first look I created with it.
Though we are approaching mid-March and the first day of spring is right around the corner...my makeup world is still focused on holiday releases. This past Christmas, my loved ones gifted me all sorts of beauty products and limited edition holiday items. I am slowly but surely incorporating those items into my makeup routine. The most recent? The Gilded Glamour Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Wardrobe from Tarte. This set came with two limited edition eyeshadow palettes: Gilded and Glamour. The part one blog post will be focused on Gilded while the part two blog post will be all about Glamour. Ready to take a peek inside? Find out how the Gilded palette performed? Here is everything you need to know about this seasonal release.
I spend a lot of time talking about the fun stuff on here. Like eyeshadow, lipstick, and lashes. When it comes to the absolute essentials (like beauty tools), I admit they receive far less attention. Maybe because they aren't as exciting. I mean, a brush is a brush...right? Not exactly. Despite how important the basics are - how integral they are to the success of any makeup look - they tend to get overlooked. Well, not this time. A while back, I was given two different brush sets. One from Tarte and one from Juicy Couture. They were a welcome addition to my existing makeup brush collection (which you can see a bit of here). Want to know how they perform? Here is everything you need to know.
Tomorrow is the day....St Patrick's Day to be exact. In the past, my St Patrick's Day experiences included bars, restaurants, and movie nights. These days, it is a lot more low key. There are a few seasonal decorations scattered around the living room and there might be a drink or two at home tomorrow. Nothing wild or crazy! Even though my background is Irish, St. Patrick's Day wasn't something that was celebrated in my home growing up. It was just a day to wear green. In fact, it wasn't until one of my friends wanted to go out one year that it became something of a tradition. This holiday has felt special since then. It helps that my husband and I met on St. Patrick's Day about twelve years ago. Yes, this is certainly a sentimental day for me. To celebrate the holiday, it only made sense to create a St. Patrick's Day inspired makeup look. Of course, there is lots and lots of green and a few newer makeup products thrown into the mix. Ready to take a peek? Here is a holiday themed #FOTD.
Ready for part two of the Gilded Glamour Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Wardrobe review? Over the holiday season, Tarte released this set, which included two different eyeshadow palettes: Gilded and Glamour. Part one was all about the Gilded eyeshadow palette (check that out here) and part two is dedicated to the Glamour eyeshadow palette. While Gilded had lots of warm and easy to wear shades, the Glamour palette had an unexpected colour story. Curious to find out what this palette looked like? See how it performed? Here is everything you need to know about this limited edition release.
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.
I went into Sephora with a few things on my wish list. I ended up purchasing Urban Decay's Naked Palette, Benefit's They're Real! mini-mascara, and Tarte's blush and bronzer set. I also was recently given a set of Sephora Nail Bling Nail Stickers that I haven't had a chance to try yet.
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.
Nothing like last minute plans! My weekend was meant to be relaxing, with absolutely nothing planned or on the to do list. This is a rare occurrence. Then, out of nowhere, I got an invite for a movie and a bit of shopping. Though part of me was disappointed that my blissful weekend of lounging was gone....there was another part of me that was excited to go out and be social. (For the record, the movie we ended up seeing was "I Feel Pretty" by Amy Schumer and there will be a review of sorts posted here in the next couple of days!) The shopping itself was really fun and we checked out an awful lot of places. So, on that note, here is my latest mall haul.
Makeup obsessed? Love to try out new products? I know the feeling. The problem is that being a beauty lover can get
pretty costly. Especially if you are the type to pick up the holiday lines from Too Faced, Tarte, and every other Sephora favourite. Being a beauty
lover is a wonderful thing…. except when it takes a hit on your finances. Don’t
stress this season. There are plenty of ways to save money on products without
feeling the pinch that December often brings. Here are a few of my personal favourites.
It's always a little bittersweet. Coming home from vacation, that is. On one hand, it's a huge relief to be back on familiar soil, enjoying your home, and catching up with friends. On the other hand, your mind can't help but wander back to those blissful travel memories. That's kind of where I am now...caught in the in between. A lot has happened since my last blog post and I can't wait to tell you all about it. For now, I just wanted to let you all know that I arrived home safe and sound! Expect lots of makeup related posts in the coming days, and of course, lots of travel posts.
I love makeup....in fact, I can proudly say that makeup is one of my biggest passions. There is something so wonderful when a makeup look works out just right. Recently, I had one of those days. My makeup turned out exactly how I wanted! So, I thought that I would snap a couple of quick pictures and show you my makeup look of the day.
Products Used:
Face - Smashbox Photo Ready Primer, Rimmel Clean Finish Foundation, Cover Girl + Olay Concealer, Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer, Cover Girl Powder, Urban Decay shadow in Buck, Tarte bronzer, NARS blush in Orgasm.
Eyes - Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze, Kat Von D True Romance Palette, London Eyeco Mascara, Two Faced Eyeliner, Hard Candy Shadow Dancers.
Lips - Maybelline Lipstick in Buttercup.
I hope that you are enjoying what is left of the weekend! What do you think of this makeup look?
Going out and being social? Not so much. That certainly isn't something I have been doing a lot of in the last six months or so. In fact, I've been inside almost all of the time. Apart from visiting my immediate family and picking up groceries, that is. However, last month my friend had a socially distanced bachelorette party. It was in a backyard, we all stayed away from each other, wore masks except for when we were eating or drinking, and did everything humanly possible to stay safe. Despite all of the precautions, it was still a little unnerving for me. Like I said...leaving the house isn't something I've been doing a whole lot of. But it was a special occasion and it was important for me to be there and to support my friend. Especially since her wedding experience has undergone so much change due to the pandemic. It was a memorable afternoon, for sure. Want to see the makeup look I put together for the event? Here is a warm glam #FOTD featuring some beloved beauty items.
Emo kid? Me? Absolutely. I was in university when I first discovered My Chemical Romance. Something inside of me shifted when I heard them. Their music made me feel like I was heard, seen, and understood in a way that I never had been before. Suddenly, it felt okay to be me. It felt safe to express the happy parts, the sad parts, the confused parts, and the depressed parts....most of which I had tried to hide away or reject over the years. My Chemical Romance allowed me to accept and embrace my authentic self. Ever since then, their music has been an important part of my life and my story. It has been there for me in good times and in difficult times. Lately, their music has been playing in my apartment on a regular basis. This is partly because the music is phenomenal and partly because a My Chemical Romance earring set has been in heavy rotation lately. Since I have been so inspired by this band over the years (and especially lately) it only seemed right to create an MRC inspired makeup look and to share a mini review of the earring set. First up? The earrings....
Mermaids have long been a part of storytelling, folklore, and popular culture. Growing up, I was obsessed with movies like The Little Mermaid and Splash....and used to dream of being as graceful and beautiful as those underwater creatures. Whenever something is mermaid themed, it tends to be on my radar. For instance, the mermaid tail brushes in my collection that have pink, blue, and green handles. Not to mention scales! Or the Tarte eyeshadow palette, Be a Mermaid & Make Waves. There are so many examples of mermaid inspired makeup and beauty collections. Accessories are just as popular! Recently, I was given a beautiful pair of Betsey Johnson mermaid tail earrings. It was love at first sight! In honour of those earrings, this post is dedicated to lots and lots of different mermaid inspired accessories.
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.
For a long time, the main mascara in my life was Benefit's They're Real. And every now and then, Too Faced's Better Than Sex. While I still enjoy all three of these high-end options....they are no longer at the top of my list. My post today will highlight my current favourite mascara (which I recently re-purchased for the millionth time) and showcase a recent makeup look that I created for a casual night out.
Am I a superhero kind of person? Not really. I've seen my fair share of superhero movies over the years, because my husband enjoys them and because some of them are decent. (I like the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and the occasional Spiderman film.) But despite that, I am not exactly a fan. So, it felt kind of strange to purchase movie tickets a month in advance for the opening night of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Truth be told, I only watched the first Aquaman movie very recently...and I only watched it because I am currently working my way through the filmography of Amber Heard. Despite not totally loving superhero movies, it was important to me to see the new Aquaman movie right away, to support a recognized survivor of domestic violence - a survivor who faced one of the most horrific smear campaigns in modern history. I will always stand with survivors, publicly, privately, and even when I head to the movie theatre. Though I have known about Amber for many years, thanks to my obsession with the 00s television show, Hidden Palms, I didn't become a fan until more recently. First, I supported her simply because it was the right thing to do. (Disagree? Read the Amber Heard Open Letter signed by literally hundreds of domestic violence experts and feminist organizations, read the UK judgement, where her ex husband was found to be a wife beater, or look at the mountain of evidence in her favour.) However, as time passed, I became a fan of her as a person thanks to her long history of charitable endeavors, her outspoken stance against injustice, and her dedication to standing with survivors. I also became a fan of a lot of her work on television and in movies. So, for me, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom was a movie I needed to see on opening night. It was only right. Going in, I knew that I wanted to create Mera inspired makeup.
It has been forty five days. Forty five days since it all began. A while back, I decided that I needed to be more consistent with my workouts. The best way for me to do that? Journal. Everyday, I write down three things. Some brief thoughts on the day, the workout I did, and my mood. There is something about writing it down that makes me more committed to working out. Maybe I just like being accountable to something. Even if it is a notebook. Despite the fact that I have been working out five to six days a week for the last forty five days....I haven't made any real goals. Solid plans. Until now.
Actually, I was inspired by a friend of mine. She decided to set up a reward system for herself. She would receive one reward whenever she hit a fitness goal. Genius or what? Because of that friend.... I have started to think about what I want to achieve and how I will get there. That sparked the following post. So, without further ado! Here are some of my favourite reward ideas for when you reach your fitness goals.
Pamper Yourself With An At-Home Spa Day. You did it! Despite a full schedule, you managed to workout four times this week. What better way to congratulate yourself than with an at-home spa day? Bring out the face masks, the nail polish, and the scented candles. After all.....you deserve it.
Have a Netflix Marathon Of Your Favourite Show. Sometimes? It feels good to do nothing. To just sit, relax, and watch TV. Once you reach a fitness goal? (Like reducing your junk food intake for two straight weeks) Treat yourself to a Netflix marathon. Put on your favourite TV show and unwind in style.
Shop For Some New Workout Clothes. A new outfit can totally change your mood. In the best possible way! Whenever my workout clothes are cute? I put more into each and every exercise. So consider splurging on some new workout clothes. They don't have to be expensive....just colouful and full of personality.
Download a Health And Fitness App. You are on your way to reaching bigger and better fitness goals. Be sure to keep that motivation going. Download a health and fitness app onto your phone or tablet. It could give you daily workouts, positive mantras, or healthy recipe ideas. The choice is yours.
Change Up Your Hairstyle. There is a brand new you emerging. Someone who is happier and more confident than ever. Why not celebrate with a new hairstyle? You can do something drastic (like chop off some length or alter your hair colour) or keep it simple (a trim and a new style). The idea is to do something that makes you feel your absolute best.
Another reward idea? New makeup. This is the perfect motivator for a beauty fanatic. Not sure what to treat yourself with? There is always the new Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Blush Palette. Or if budget is a concern, you can pick up the Demi Lovato Lovatics palette from NYC. The latter is a fantastic bargain - and the quality is outstanding. For a full review and to check out some swatches, take a look at the latest video on the creation of beauty is art. YouTube channel.
What do you think of these reward ideas? Share your own in the comment section below!
