shop my stash: super simple vintage inspired makeup look

There are certain makeup looks that I return to whenever I am short on time. In those instances, there are specific eyeshadow palettes that I reach for as well as a handful of other tried and true products. Recently, there was a need to get ready fairly quickly, but I didn't want to do the same old thing. I was looking for something a little more impactful. In the end, it was a super simple vintage inspired makeup look that was created. The eye makeup was fairly straightforward but there was a bold red lipstick chosen to add a little extra oomph. This shop my stash post is dedicated to an easy retro makeup look.

canada day inspired red and white makeup look

July looks like it will be jam-packed this year. There is so much on my calendar in the next several weeks. There is Canada Day (which is today), my wedding anniversary, my fifteen year blog anniversary, a cottage getaway with family, dental appointments, and some long overdue hangouts with friends. Summer always seems to be so full. To start the month off on a positive note, it seemed only right to create a Canada Day inspired makeup look. I love using this date as an excuse to pull together all sorts of red and white makeup products from my collection. On that note, here is a holiday inspired #FOTD...

#FOTD: beauty nostalgia (statement lipstick colour)

Nostalgia appears to be a constant in my life. There is a part of me that aches for the experiences of the past. I love imagining what life was like in different decades almost as much as I love remembering when my own world felt simpler and more optimistic. These days, my nostalgia has even included makeup and jewellery trends from the 2010s. I find myself missing bold statement necklaces and ultra colourful lipstick shades. There was a time that Sephora had blue, green, and purple lipsticks available from all sorts of brands. I loved that time in makeup so much! Back then, beauty was fun and daring and playful. So much of that has been lost to the "clean girl aesthetic" that has become popular in more recent years and it makes me sad. This recent #FOTD is anything but clean girl inspired. It features a fun statement lipstick perfectly suited to my nostalgia. 

shop my stash featuring advent calendar makeup items

It is time for another shop my stash post here on the creation of beauty is art. This time around, several of the products included in recent holiday advent calendars were used. While opening themed advent calendars is always a fun activity during the month of December, it is even more exciting to put all of the different items to use. Recently, several products from the Revolution and Essence advent calendars were put to the test. Keep reading for some mini reviews and a makeup look.

random january beauty favourites

The first month of the year is coming to a close. There have certainly been some high points and low points over the last several weeks, but my fingers are crossed that the month of February will be better. Since January is almost over, it seemed appropriate to highlight my beauty favourites from the month. These are the products that I found myself reaching for most. 

holiday highlights: 24 days advent calendar (revolution)

It is time to finish off a week of holiday highlights with another advent calendar review. This one is from Revolution and the calendar included 24 different beauty products. This was a fun and unexpected find at Winners for $30 CDN. Ready to take a peek inside? Keep reading for a look at all of the products inside the advent calendar, some mini reviews, and favourites.

holiday highlights: pictures, makeup looks, and memorable moments

The first week of the new year is over already. It is hard to believe, but time seems to move faster these days. Though there is no denying the arrival of January, there is a part of me that is still lingering behind in December. The holiday season had some highs and lows...and I am trying to hold onto the highs as much as possible. That is the reason for this holiday highlights posts. It seemed appropriate to share a few seasonal photos, makeup looks, and talk about the more memorable moments. 

holiday highlights: essence advent calendar (reveal and mini reviews)

It is always difficult when the holiday season ends. All of the twinkling lights seem to dim as the reality of day to day life takes over once more. Instead of putting off various adult responsibilities, it is time to tackle that neglected to-do list and get back on track. Sigh. As a way of extending some of the seasonal wonder, this week is dedicated to holiday highlights posts. These often focus on Christmas themed products, decorations, makeup looks, and so on. To start this week of holiday highlights, it is time to take a look inside the Little X-Mas Wonder Advent Calendar from essence. Keep reading for a reveal and some mini reviews.

current beauty favourites: winter edition

As I write this, the temperatures outside are downright chilly and there is snow covering the ground. Truthfully, it gives me a thrill. I love watching the snow fall in fluffy chunks and looking out my window at a winter wonderland. This is a time of year that fills my heart and renews my spirit. On that note, there are several favourites have been making the winter season feel even more beautiful. Here are a few current loves. Some are functional and some are fun little extras, but all are fabulous. 

holiday highlights: charmed aroma and cath kidston advent caledars

Advent calendars are a special part of the holiday season. Some years, there is just a chocolate one to count down the days and other years, there is something a little more elaborate. But no matter what, I like to watch all sorts of advent unboxing videos on YouTube each year. I love the surprise of seeing what is hidden away inside! This year, my countdown to Christmas included a chocolate advent calendar, an Elf themed calendar, a Disney Princess Lego themed calendar, and a Charmed Aroma themed calendar. I was gifted the Elf, Lego, and Charmed Aroma calendars for my birthday in the fall (there is nothing I love more than receiving an advent calendar for my birthday) and was finally able to open them, day by day. However, there was another advent calendar that snuck in at the last minute when I found a discounted Cath Kidston calendar in late December. On a whim, I decided to add it to my countdown. Here is a look inside the Charmed Aroma and Cath Kidston advent calendars...

holiday highlights: beauty creations holiday wishes nude x set

Though the calendar says it is January...my heart is still somewhere in December. At the moment, my focus is on New Years Resolutions and re-establishing my regular routine, but my days are still full of classic Christmas songs and holiday specials. Decorations are still in my home. The tree is still lit. I suppose one of these days, I will have to tuck it all away for another year, but I am trying to hold onto the magic of the season for just a little while longer. That is probably the reason for all of the holiday highlights posts this week on the creation of beauty is art. There will be some reviews shared, including some advent calendar reviews and a look at some holiday themed makeup items. Today, the spotlight is on the Holiday Wishes Nude X Set from Beauty Creations. This was found at Marshalls for $9.99 CDN shortly after finding the Oh Deer Christmas Shadow and Face Palette from the brand. Since I had such a positive experience with that holiday themed release, the decision was quickly made to add the Holiday Wishes Nude X Set to my collection. It is time to take a look inside and find out how it performed...

holiday highlights: charmed aroma holiday house candle

Well, my days of writing about Charmed Aroma are nearing an end. As I mentioned in my advent calendar post recently, the Charmed Aroma store near me finally closed down. So...all there is left to review is this Holiday House candle and one Disney themed candle that was gifted to me during the holiday season. It is definitely a bummer, because I love candles and I love jewellery. Having the two combined was a total thrill. Ahh well, it sure was nice while it lasted. Now it is time to talk about one of the last Charmed Aroma candles in my foreseeable future: the Charmed Aroma Holiday House Opal Necklace Collection. 

holiday highlights: charmed aroma 12 days of jewelry

There is a lot to love about the holiday season. One example? Advent calendars. I love them a lot, but over the years, it has been harder to find decent ones that aren't overly expensive. (Even though I love watching people open all sorts of advent calendars on YouTube, the idea of spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on an advent calendar is ridiculous to me.) Thankfully, the Charmed Aroma 12 Days of Jewelry advent calendar was a little more reasonable, especially because the store had a sale taking place when the calendar was purchased. Sadly, there is not a lot of Charmed Aroma in my future, because the store near me finally closed. This calendar was purchased in late November and the store was closed on Boxing Day! I suppose the treasures inside of this advent will carry me through. Ready to take a peek inside? Here is a look at this jewellery advent.

holiday highlights: hard candy fiercely festive makeup set

It just wouldn't be the holidays without a little Hard Candy. Over the years, I've gotten used to seasonal releases from this drugstore brand. Last year, it was The Secret Stash Set and the year before it was the Blushing On You Set. One year, there were even Hard Candy Christmas crackers! And another year, there was an advent calendar! Hard Candy always goes above and beyond around the holidays...and I love that. It's wonderful that there are special seasonal releases available at a drugstore price. That means everyone can enjoy something fun and festive around the holidays. This year, there were a few different Hard Candy holiday options. For instance, there were sets with three mini eyeshadow palettes. I almost added one of those sets to my shopping cart, but then I noticed the Fiercely Festive Set. It had a nice variety of products and seemed to be both fun and practical. Ready to find out what was included? Here is everything you need to know about the Fiercely Festive Set.

holiday highlights: the 12 days of christmas disney advent calendar

What is it about advent calendars? Each December, they manage to amaze and delight. There is something so fun about the element of surprise, the anticipation that builds as the countdown continues, and the fact that there is a fun treat to enjoy day after day. Behind each little door, there is always a small surprise waiting. It might be a chocolate or a beauty item or even a pair of socks! Yes, I love advent calendars. In fact, I love them so much that I watch advent calendar unboxing videos on YouTube and opened four different calendars of my own this year. This year, I had a traditional chocolate calendar, an Elf on the Shelf calendar, a Funko pop calendar for The Office, and a Disney accessories calendar. The latter was the 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar and it was purchased in Disneyland in the fall. It retailed for $34.99 USD but is currently on sale for $16.98 USD. (Just in case you are interested.) Ready to find out what was inside the calendar? Here is a belated reveal...

holiday wrap up: harry potter advent calendar (review + reveal)

Any Harry Potter fans out there? I remember reading the first Harry Potter book when I was in elementary school. And then the second. They were compelling and immediately stood out from other books at the school library. The characters were interesting and there was this whole other world to imagine and explore. Several years later, the movies started to come out and the Harry Potter mania reached another level. Over the years, I have attended midnight movie screenings and book release parties. I have stayed up late reading page after page. I have purchased Harry Potter memorabilia, have attended Harry Potter themed events and theme parks....and that is only the tip of the iceberg. It really is such an important part of my life. I am always grateful for all of the magic and joy that the series has created. Which is why I was so thrilled when my husband surprised me with a 25 day Harry Potter Holiday Magic Official Advent Calendar. 

favourite holiday traditions TAG

How could it be? Despite the fact that I have steadily been counting down the days on my advent calendar...it still comes as a shock to me that there are only four days until Christmas. This is always such a bittersweet time. As much as I love and look forward to all of the traditions that will take place over the next several days, it is hard to know that this special time of year will shortly be over. I think that I love the buildup to Christmas Day more than the actual day. All of the little moments create such a beautiful and unforgettable season. On the plus side? Christmas always comes back. Since there are only a few days left, it made sense to share a little bit about my favourite holiday traditions. There are ten different TAG questions that I will be answering below. Be sure to share your own answers in the comment section! I can't wait to hear more about your traditions. 

inside my beauty advent calendar (Q-KI 12 days of beauty)

One of my favourite things about December? Advent calendars! There is something so exciting about waking up each morning and knowing that there is a special surprise waiting. The last few years, beauty advent calendars have become something of a tradition. Last year, I had the Makeup Revolution Advent Calendar and a few years before, I had the w7 Advent Calendar. Some calendars are better than others. But the fun for me is the surprise element. It's knowing that there is something to look forward behind each little door. With everything happening this year...I didn't anticipate there would be an advent calendar in my December. Luckily, there were two! My mom gifted me a Frozen sock calendar (which was loaded with lots of Frozen-themed socks) and the Q-KI 12 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar. Ready to take a peek inside the Q-KI beauty advent? It was loaded with lots of makeup goodies. Here goes....

christmas advent - day ten

It's Christmas Eve-Eve! This is one of my favourite days of the year. Partly because it is so close to Christmas and partly because I love to spend this day doing special holiday things at home. Like baking cookies, movie marathons, and time spent with my husband. There is always so much magic in the air on this day. It's like the excitement and joy is practically bursting out of every room. There are twinkling lights, colourful decorations, and the smell of freshly baked cookies lingering in the air. Bliss! Are you ready for a little more holiday cheer? Here is day ten of the Christmas advent on the creation of beauty is art. 

holiday wrap up: beauty advent review (makeup revolution)

Beauty advents are always a good idea. Okay, maybe not always. (Just check out YouTuber Alexandria Ryan's advent calendar reviews for proof of that.) However, the surprise element makes advent calendars of all types an exciting addition to the holiday season. This year, I was gifted a calendar from Makeup Revolution. Since my experience with the brand is limited to The Emily Edit palettes (if you missed them, be sure to check out my reviews of The Wants palette and The Needs palette here on the creation of beauty is art.)....I was excited to try out other items from their line. The advent calendar included a variety of products. There were highlights, strobe creams, lipsticks, and more. Take a peek inside and see which items stood out.