YouTube: Hard Candy Hits and Misses

It’s hard to believe it. I just posted my fourth video on the creation of beauty is art. YouTube channel. Even though it is very early days and I still have a lot of growing to do, I am starting to get more comfortable in front of the camera. Before? I filmed for ages and ages and cut together the best bits. This time? I was able to film straight through. Maybe it was a fluke…. or maybe I am starting to relax a little bit more. Whatever the reason, I am loving this new creative experience. It’s different. It’s scary. It’s fun.

My latest video is all about Hard Candy. They are by far one of my all-time favourite drugstore makeup brands. Over the years, I have tried an awful lot of their products. Some were absolutely amazing and others were a total letdown. It’s just one of those things! Which is what inspired this video. I was in the middle of using a few new Hard Candy products – totally loving how they performed – and then I started to think about some of the others. You know, the not so amazing products.

So, what are the hits? What are the misses? And which products fall in between? Take a look at my latest YouTube video to find out! 

There are definitely some fantastic products from Hard Candy. Which is exactly why I love them so much. And why I continue to try out product after product. Despite some of the misses, I keep coming back. Because the products that work well manage to rival anything I have found in high-end makeup stores. That is definitely worth the gamble!

Overall, Hard Candy is a stand out drugstore brand. Find out which products are worth the cash by checking out on the creation of beauty is art. YouTube channel. Please like, comment, and subscribe!

Do you love Hard Candy? What products have you tried?

xo Shannon

i can't think without my glasses.

A lot has changed. When I was younger, I used to hate wearing glasses. Despite the fact that I needed them to see - I would rarely wear them to school or at home. There was just something about glasses that seemed uncool. Thankfully, it's not like that anymore. Gone are the days of unfashionable styles. There are a ton of different styles to choose from. From bold to sophisticated to retro.....there are as many choices as there are personality types!

On a day to day basis, I wear contact lenses. Despite this, I still like to wear a pair of fashion glasses every now and again. It is a great way to change up your look. Recently, I tried out a gorgeous pair of vintage cat-eye glasses from Firmoo. By far one of my favourite online stores.....these immediately caught my eye. Lately I have been super into retro styling and these fit right into that. They came with a case, pouch, and screwdriver set. All of which was great. I loved the attention to detail. So wonderful. As for the actual glasses? Stunning! They have a wooden feel and that beautiful cat-eye shape. Here is a closer look at the glasses......

As you can see from the pictures above, these glasses are absolutely beautiful. I cannot get over how stunning they look! The shape is so different from anything else I have. But when I wear them? I feel like I am in an old movie....or I am Reese Witherspoon's character in Pleasantville. (Honestly? That thought excites me far more than it should. Anyone else obsessed with that movie?) I was so happy with the look of these fashion glasses - and just as impressed with the quality. Every pair of glasses I own from Firmoo has been wonderful and this was no different.

From design to durability, I love these glasses. Take a look at them in action....

Overall, I was extremely happy with my Firmoo glasses. They look amazing! 

Have you ordered anything from Firmoo before? What do you think of these glasses?

xo Shannon

love at first blush.

Love at first sight. That is how I would describe my relationship with the Hard Candy Ombre Baked Blush in Punch. I was browsing the makeup racks for no reason in particular. In fact, I had already decided not to buy anything. It was merely a way to pass the time as I waited for my ride to arrive. And then I saw it there. That gorgeous ombre blush staring back at me. I knew in that moment, it had to be a part of my life. How did I justify it? Well, even if the blush isn't amazing, it looks gorgeous in the packaging! I could display it! It is amazing how many reasons I can come up with to justify a new makeup purchase. I suppose this will have to change but until then.....a new blush entered my life. 

As you can see from the picture above, the packaging is pretty standard. It looks like all of the other Hard Candy baked products. The main difference has to be that gorgeous ombre effect. It looks absolutely stunning. Below is another picture of the blush so you can take a closer look at the ombre. It fades from a berry pink to a lighter pink to an almost white kind of shimmer. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! 

It is no wonder I fell head over heels for this blush. Out of the many blush shades I have in my collection, none are so beautiful in the packaging. I think the ombre effect took it to a whole other level of stunning. So, you know that I love it in the packaging....but how does it perform? That is another story altogether.

Let me just say that I adore the concept of an ombre blush. It gives you the chance to use the product in multiple ways and in varying intensitites. It also includes a highlight in the same product. It really is a fabulous idea. Sadly? The pigmentation on this ombre blush was not quite what I was expecting. I have a number of other Baked Blushes and Bronzers from Hard Candy and the pigmentation has been consistently wonderful. Great texture and even better colour payoff. This blush was not quite the same. It has a rougher texture and the colour is subtle and sheer. 

That isn't to say you can't do a lot with this blush. It still looks beautiful when layered on the cheeks. The difference? You have to work harder to achieve a more dramatic blush look. Since I tend to like a slightly bolder cheek in general, I found this to be a bit frustrating....especially since their other baked blushes and bronzers have been universally fantastic. 

Want to get a better idea of the blush shade in action? Below is a makeup look I created using the Hard Candy Ombre Baked Blush in Punch on the cheeks: 

So, what is the verdict? It is a bit of a toss up. While this blush shade looks gorgeous in the packaging, the pigmentation leaves something to be desired. If you want something to display, this is a definite yes. If you are searching for a go-to blush shade? Keep looking. 

Have you tried the Hard Candy Ombre Baked Blush in Punch? What was your experience like?

xo Shannon

new in and new favourites.

It's amazing how the little things can make you happy. Like wearing a gorgeous perfume or a sparkly pair of shoes. If there is one thing I love? It is the little boosts of confidence...the unexpected smiles....the moments of joy. It is no wonder my favourite quote right now is as follows: "It's the little moments that make life big." That quote is precisely why I have been snapping pictures of a few of my favourite things. That includes new shopping purchases and some much-used items. Today, I thought that I would share them with you! This is new in and new favourites.....

The first on this list are a couple of products from Avon. My mom ordered them for me when she placed her order and I have been using them constantly. The first is a brow gel and shadow set. It comes with some brow wax and a dark eyeshadow powder. I wasn't sure how effective this product would be, but it works really well! I was so impressed with the quality and ease of use. The other product there? An Avon eyeliner pencil. The great thing about this? It has a sharpener inside the actual cap. So every time you twist the cap back on you automatically sharpen it. An always sharp eyeliner pencil. Perfect for when I am in a rush or on the go. Love!

Next up? A few Betsey Johnson items. Believe it or not, I actually picked these up from the arts and crafts store, Michaels. There were these little baskets full of adorable Betsey stuff (for so cheap!) that I could not resist. I ended up picking up a super cute plastic cup and two plastic zippered pouches. The cup is surprisingly sturdy. I have packed it away for now but cannot wait to use it! As for the zippered pouches, they would be perfect to throw makeup into your purse for the day. But I have actually been using them as a little clutch when I go out for something quick. Lightweight, cute, and easy to use. What more do you need?

While I was at Michaels (shopping for wedding stuff. Fun, fun, fun) I also came across these fake flowers. They were buy three get one free which was of course tempting. But what really sealed the deal was the fact that they came in leopard print! I have a serious addiction for all things leopard print, so these basically had to be in my life. I meant to pack them as soon as I got home since I am trying to pack as much up now as I can....but I just couldn't do it. They were too beautiful! I wanted to enjoy them for as long as possible. Right now they are sitting on my dresser and they make me smile every time I look at them.

I have a thing about scents. The right fragrance can totally turn my day around! Which is why I like to spray things around my room every now and again. There is something about a gorgeous scent that just makes you feel good! One my recent favourites comes from Sonia Kashuk. I picked up this little set from Target before it closed down and I am obsessed. Every other day it seems, I spray some of the perfume around my room or wear some of the lotion. It is like an instant mood booster. Floral, pretty, and feminine....I absolutely adore this.

The last on today's new in and new favourites list is of course, shoes. Honestly? I have a lot of shoes. A lot. That is why I have been trying not to buy them unless I am absolutely head over heels in love......and that is how I ended up with three new pairs. The first is a cute pair of flats with lip prints all over them. They were too cute to resist! I think they will be a really fun spring/summer type of shoe. The next was a pair of glittery wedges. These were almost a legitimate purchase, because I only have two pairs of sandals. Which is shocking, really! Lastly was that gorgeous pair of lace-up wedge boots with lace details along the side. I love them. More than love them. We are an item. I have already worn these three or four times. They go with everything and make me feel like a million bucks. Thank goodness for shoes!

The little things are powerful. Just as powerful as big moments and major life events. That is why I am trying to focus on them as they come. And hey - just writing this post made me happy. Score one for the little moments.

xo Shannon

home is where our story begins.

Life is moving quickly lately. There are wedding plans, appointments, meetings, to-do lists, and all the rest. For the most part this has been okay. I have been able to fit things in without too much trouble. In the past few weeks, though? Everything has begun to feel overwhelming. It is getting harder and harder to balance every day responsibilities (like working, a social life, etc.) with packing, preparing, dress fittings, invitations, and all of the other essentials.

One thing that was crossed off the to-do list? Finding a place to live. For a while, my fiance and I really wanted a house, town house, or condo. In the end, we decided to go with an apartment. As great as all of the extra space would have been - and as nice as it would have been to have a space that was totally our own - we opted to stay comfortable financially while we establish ourselves in our respective careers.

Despite the fact that an apartment is not what I envisioned....I am really excited. We went to one apartment showing and it was the perfect building but not the perfect place. Then a few days later, a three bedroom (with two bathrooms. Amazing for a makeup addict like myself) came up. It just felt right. The moment I stepped inside, I could see our life there. I could feel that this was home. My fiance told me not to fall in love with a place we didn't have yet. Especially because a bunch of other couples were interested in the apartment. But I had fallen head over heels. And somehow we managed to get the apartment. (I credit this to my fiance calling over and over again. Persistence!)

Today is the big day. Okay, we aren't moving in. In fact, I don't plan on moving into the apartment until after our wedding this July. But today is the day that we get the keys and look around. We haven't seen it since that first showing. So, I am looking forward to getting back in there, poking around, and deciding on things like paint colours and what things will go where. This is the first step in our life together. And that feels really special.

xo Shannon

may happy thoughts and springtime flowers brighten all your easter hours.

Another holiday is here! Tomorrow is the big day....Easter. This will probably come as no surprise but I absolutely love celebrating Easter. There is something about this holiday makes me smile. Waking up, watching Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory on TV with my family, going through our Easter baskets, and spending time together. It's the perfect way to get away from the every day and make time for one another. I think that is what I like best about holidays. It is so easy to get caught up in our own lives and our own responsibilities. Holidays give us all a chance to sit back and focus on what is truly important: the people we care about.

This year, I am hoping to enjoy a relaxing Easter with my family. It will be nice to get away from work and just breathe for a bit! Tonight I will be enjoying Easter dinner with my fiances family and tomorrow night I will be celebrating with my own. In the meantime, I am enjoying pictures of pretty pastels, Easter bunny nail art, and chocolate treats. Which is what brings me to today's post. I thought that in the spirit of the holiday, I would share some of my favourite Easter themed pictures. I hope they inspire you and get you ready for the celebrations ahead.

Easter is a wonderful time to slow down and spend quality time with friends and family. I hope that whatever you have planned, you have a wonderful Easter holiday. Laugh, smile, and eat lots of chocolate!

xo Shannon

YouTube: Kardashian Beauty Hair Products

Lately, I have been itching to film a YouTube video. This is a very strange feeling. One I never thought I would feel. It was one short month ago that I started my own channel....and I was so scared to do it. Now I find myself coming up with fun ideas - and wishing I had more time to devote to filming. This is an exciting shift. One I hope will continue in the months to come.

At the moment, my life is busy, stressful, and overwhelming. There is a lot going on and even more coming up over the next couple of months. That is exactly why I chose to take time for myself. Rather than cross something off of my to-do list, I set up my camera. It was an exciting experience that re-ignited my passion. Being able to sit, talk, and share my thoughts? It was exactly what I needed. Oddly enough, even editing the video was exciting! I find I am learning more with eah and every video I film. And that is pretty great.

So, what was it about? My latest video for the creation of beauty is art. YouTube channel is a first impressions video. I recently tried out some Kardashian Beauty Hair Products and was super excited to share my thoughts. Take a look at my video to see the items I picked up and how they worked for me.....



As you can see from the video, I tried out four different products from the Kardashian Beauty line. They were the K-Body Volume Foam, Take 2 Dry Shampoo, Take 2 Dry Conditioner, and the Pure Glitz Hairspray. One thing I absolutely loved? The packaging! The bottles are so sleek and sophisticated. I am definitely excited to use these - and display them on my vanity. (You can take a closer look at the bottles in the picture below. Super pretty, right?)

My first impressions on the Kardashian Beauty line? Good! I definitely am happy with my purchases. If you get the chance, please check out the creation of beauty is art. YouTube channel, like, comment, and subscribe!

Have you tried anything from the Kardashian Beauty hair care line?

xo Shannon