shaaanxo + bh cosmetics palette review

Rarely do I order makeup online. There is too much fear involved. I hate worrying about cracked eyeshadows, damaged packaging, and undelivered orders. Is anyone else like this? There is something to be said for going to a store and holding the product in your hands. Seeing it up close and personal. Testing the shades and making an informed decision. Despite being hesitant to buy makeup online...I found myself doing just that.

I have been watching Shannon Harris on YouTube (her channel Shaaanxo is crazy popular) for years now. There is something about her upbeat personality and honest reviews that I really enjoy. Not to mention her amazing tutorials and dupe videos. Gotta love a good beauty guru! When she announced the release of her eyeshadow and lipstick palette with bh cosmetics....I was entering my credit card information before I knew what I was doing. I could not resist!

This is a product that has been in my collection for several months now. But before I wrote a review of any kind (or filmed a YouTube video) I wanted to make sure I really dug into it. Honestly? This exceeded my expectations by a million miles. It came with nine eyeshadow shades (all neutrals but some are shimmery and some are matte) and nine lipstick shades (with nude shades, pretty pinks, and deeper colours as well). The quality is pretty amazing - and the sheer variety of eyeshadow and lipstick options is pretty fantastic. There are a ton of gorgeous looks you can create with this palette.

These pictures will give you a better idea of what you can expect inside...

As you can see from the photos above...there is a pretty fantastic shade selection. The standout shades for me on the eyeshadow side? That stunning rust shade and the shimmery champagne colour. As for the lipstick shades, I am loving that super bright pink and the medium nude colour. (There are sadly no names for the individual products so that makes identifying them a little trickier!)

After using this palette on and off for several months? I decided to film a couple of videos for my YouTube channel. The first can be seen in my last post. It was a Get Ready With Me featuring the Shaaanxo palette. The latest is a full review. Find out how this performs and check out some swatches!


We all have beauty gurus we look up to. Shaaanxo is definitely one of mine. Her palette with bh Cosmetics was pretty fantastic. It is one I continue to reach for.

Have you tried this palette? Which shade is your favourite?

xo Shannon

new in: michael kors, kate spade, guess, and hot topic

This summer has been a bit of a whirlwind. There was a lot going on all the time. Some of it good (like travelling and spending time with loved ones) and some of it not so good (like working constantly). Now that it is all coming to a close...it is time to think back on the good times. For me, that includes my trips to Niagara Falls. I was lucky enough to go twice this summer. Though both trips were rather brief, I still managed to have fun, make memories, and squeeze some shopping in. Which brings me to today's post. During my last trip to Niagara Falls, there was of course, a trip made to the outlet mall. Here are a few of the goodies that I picked up!

The first couple of items came from Hot Topic. Not going to lie...I have a serious addiction to that store. There are just so many novelty items! So many great t-shirts! Both are major weaknesses of mine. Which is how I wound up picking up a Labyrinth shirt (one of my all-time favourite movies) and a Veruca Salt Pop! figurine from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (another favourite movie of mine). There were so many other things calling my name but I had a teensy bit of self control. Progress!

Next was a quick stop off at Kate Spade. The line at the outlet was so long that we had to wait about fifteen minutes before we could even step foot inside the store....but it was so worth it! My mom picked up quite a few things (and a future birthday present for me) and I snagged these gorgeous pink earrings for a measly $10. Definitely a great bargain! Plus, they are super sparkly. That is always a plus.

Then we visited Michael Kors. Because no vacation is a vacation without a stop off at Michael Kors. I absolutely love his purses, accessories, and clothing. While no bags were screaming my name (I am a firm believer that when you need to own something....it makes itself known to you) there was this awesome t-shirt. It was simple, stylish, and chic. Plus it was a great deal. For just $30 this lovely little gem made its way into my wardrobe. Thank goodness for outlet shopping.

Guess is without a doubt one of my favourite places to shop. Unfortunately, when the pieces are full price? I am a little more reluctant to buy. (Sometimes their stuff is a little overpriced for what it is.) But with the help of the outlet the prices were a whole lot better. That is how I wound up with a super cute pineapple print top, a long striped maxi dress, and a pink fluffy purse accessory (sadly not pictured as it is currently on my favourite purse).

So there you have it. My latest haul from a really great getaway. While I have you here....I also wanted to share my latest YouTube video with you all. It is a Get Ready With Me video featuring one of my favourite Beauty Gurus, Shaaanxo! Take a look....



What have you bought recently?

xo Shannon

my cne experience.

The CNE in all its glory!

It is hard to believe. Somehow? September is here. We are currently clinging to the last remaining days of summer....dreading the return of cool weather and rainy days. Or at least I am. It is always the same story though. The summer months zoom by and are over before they ever truly began. At least there are good memories to look back on. Like the CNE. The Ex is an annual tradition where I live. One that signals those last beautiful days of the season. Every year, people flock to check out the vendors, eat greasy food, watch live performances, and do some shopping. There is truly no better way to spend a day. At least in my opinion!

Last week my mom and I went down to the CNE to see a concert. So we decided to get up early and see as much as we could before the show. It started with some browsing of the many (many) vendors inside one of the buildings. Then we lined up and waited to see the Super Dogs show. It was so cute. The animals (and trainers) were very talented. From there we went immediately to see the ice skating show. It was fantastic. Especially since Canadian legend, Elvis Stojko was part of the performance. Honestly, I got a little bit emotional watching him skate. It made me think back to his time in the Olympic games - when every Canadian was beaming with pride. Definitely one of the highlights of the day.

Waiting for the Ricky Nelson Remembered concert.

Afterward, we got some food, then continued on shopping. There were so many stores and vendors set up. It was a little overwhelming but we managed to score some great deals. In fact, I've already got items stashed away for upcoming birthdays and holidays. (Bargain shopping means buying presents way in advance sometimes!) The rest of the day went by really quickly. Before I knew it...it was time to head down to the Bandshell for the concert. Who was performing? Matthew and Gunnar Nelson in a tribute to the iconic Ricky Nelson..

I didn't know quite what to expect from the concert. This was my first time seeing a tribute show....but seeing as it featured Ricky's sons it seemed like a good place to start. Well, I had nothing to worry about. The evening went by in a flash. It was so much fun! They played many of his biggest hits (including my favourites, Travellin' Man and Garden Party), told personal stories about their childhood, and showed clips of Ricky's most iconic moments. It was a really wonderful celebration of his music and his life. Such a lovely evening. I only wish it had lasted longer! They had so many great songs to play - both Ricky's and their own.

Matthew and Gunnar Nelson in action. 

The day went by quickly but it was full of great moments. Spending time with my mom, seeing unique shows, and hearing fantastic music performed live. What could be better than that? One thing is for sure....we will definitely be returning next year. Fingers crossed it is just as much fun.

Have you ever been to the CNE? How will you celebrate the end of summer?

xo Shannon

i'll never tell, tell on myself, but i hope she smells my perfume.

Currently? I am in a Britney state of mind. Her latest album, Glory, dropped last week, and it has been blowing my mind ever since. The more I listen to it...the more I love it. There are so many fantastic tracks. My personal favourites are Man On The Moon, Just Luv Me, Liar, and Just Like Me. Each one is so good. Yes, Britney Spears really knocked it out of the park. It's not just her music that is making me happy these days. Her perfume line also gives me joy. Especially Rocker Femme Fantasy. This is just one of the many fragrances in her collection (and one of the thirteen Fantasy themed fragrances she has released over the years).

My perfume collection is pretty extensive. While I do not own every single Britney Spears perfume....I have quite a few. As many as I can get my  hands on! So when I came across Rocker Femme Fantasy, there was no doubt about it. I needed to have this on my perfume shelf. Turns out? This has become one of my all-time favourite Britney fragrances. To begin with, I absolutely love the bottle. The pink and black colors, the black studs, and that electric pink cap give this bottle a distinct look. It effortlessly blends femininity with a harder edge. It looks fantastic.

As for the scent itself? It is equally amazing. Rocker Femme Fantasy has a bright, energetic smell, with sweet undertones. Everything about it is girly and fun. To me? This is a classic daytime fragrance. You can wear it to the mall, on a lunch date, or throw it in your purse for work. It has this lovely sweetness that isn't overwhelming - and a warmth that makes it feel elegant. This is a perfume that is versatile, pretty, and feminine. And with an affordable price tag (the 100ml bottle cost me $20) it is something you can wear day-to-day.

Perfume is a pretty important part of my life. It inspires me, it makes me happy, and it effortlessly expresses how I feel on any given day. Want to see my full perfume collection? (Britney perfumes included!) Then take a look at a video I posted recently on the creation of beauty is art. YouTube channel. Take a look....



Have you tried this Britney Spears fragrance? What is your perfume collection like?

xo Shannon

mini essence haul.

What is it about Essence? It is one drugstore brand that I cannot seem to quit. Despite trying to buy less makeup....the lure of new Essence products is impossible for me to resist. Perhaps that explains my recent purchases. It started off innocently enough. While waiting for my ride to show up, I decided to do a bit of browsing. No harm in that. Right? Then I saw it. A display jam packed with new items. Makeup products that were practically begging me to swatch, test, and try.

It should come as no surprise that a few of them came home with me. (Though not nearly as many as I would have liked!) That included the Essence Pure Nude Makeup Natural Finish Foundation in the shade Pure Beige, the Essence Liquid Lipstick in Make a Statement, and the Essence XXXL Shine Lipgloss. Why these specific products? Lately I have been on a serious foundation kick. I cannot resist a liquid lipstick - especially an affordable one. And my makeup collection is seriously lacking in lip glosses. So there you have it. A few slightly justifiable purchases!

Are these products hits? Misses? Somewhere in between? Let's take a closer look.

• Essence Pure Nude Makeup Natural Finish Foundation in Pure Beige. I am always on the hunt for the perfect foundation. It doesn't matter if it is drugstore or high end. I will try anything I can get my hands on! My expectations for this foundation were pretty low. Though I was intrigued by the "no makeup feel" claims on the bottle. Well...this product was actually quite good. It provides a nice light coverage look, doesn't dry out the skin, and has a very natural appearance. This has been perfect for work or if I am heading out to run a few quick errands. It feels comfortable on the skin and is a no-fuss kind of product. Very impressed!
• Essence Liquid Lipstick in Make a Statement. Liquid lipsticks are my everything lately. I have a handful of shades that I love and adore....but am always searching for more. When I saw the selection of liquid lipsticks in the Essence display there was no doubt about it. One of them was coming home with me. There were a lot of really lovely shades but Make a Statement stood out to me thanks to its sophistication. This berry toned colour will be perfect for fall. This  product is very pigmented, glossy, and has fairly good staying power. (Though it seems more like a super colourful gloss than a liquid lipstick to me.) Overall I am really liking it.
• Essence XXXL Shine Lipgloss. There are few things my makeup collection is lacking. Except when it comes to lip glosses. I only have two or three. Mainly because I am so picky about them. I cannot stand anything sticky on my lips - and so many glosses out there have that tacky finish. The great thing about this gloss? It is moisturizing, doesn't feel sticky, and smells fantastic. I am so happy with it. Finally, I can get that gorgeous glossy look without dealing with awful sticky lips. This has quickly become a favourite. 

Who would have thought? All three of these products exceeded my expectations. Not bad for an impulsive mini haul!

Have you tried any of these Essence items? Which one is your favourite?

xo Shannon

concert review: wave reunion in niagara falls

Wave hits the stage for their first full show together in fourteen years.

Everyone has that band. The one you listened to constantly and think back on fondly. For me? That band is Wave. For those of you who don't know...they were a Canadian duo from the early 2000s. My obsession was real. I spent most of my high school days doodling their names on my notebook, listening to their music, and going to their shows in Toronto. By the end of their run, I had seen them at least a dozen times. I would go to concerts, mall appearances, television tapings, and everything in between. Seeing them brought me joy. Turns out? It still does.

Wave got back together for a one-off show in their hometown of Niagara Falls. They were the headliners for the second day of the Niagara Falls Beer Festival. Since Wave is a massively important part of my history (I used to draw pictures of them and even ran my own Wave fan website. Oh, memories!) there was no doubt in my mind. I needed to be there. And so the begging began. I immediately phoned my parents and asked them to take me. Why? They used to take me to see Wave back when I was in high school. It was a blast from the past in the best possible way. 

Me before the Wave concert. I went with lots of liquid liner and a smile! 

When we got to the Beer Festival it was not quite what I expected. There were a few people walking around. A few more sitting and drinking. The streets were lined with a few beer taps and food trucks. Then there was a large stage in the middle of a grassy area. This was it? The place of the Wave reunion? Despite the so-so locale.....I was nervous. Anxious. Excited. After all, it had been fourteen years since I last saw them perform. So we grabbed a seat and waited. I could see Dave and Paul milling around before the show. They were talking to family members....then sound people....there wasn't a chance for me to approach. Not that it mattered anyway. I was completely terrified. It was like stepping back in time. I was fourteen years old all over again. Totally in awe of the band that I loved so much. 

Before long they were on stage. The fans went up to the front of the stage and everyone else stayed behind in lawn chairs. With my front row spot....I was in my glory. They sounded even better than I remembered. And they had an incredible set list. It wasn't just full of singles. They played album songs. Songs that had been a part of my life since 2001. The best part? The fact that they played my absolute favourite song, So High. (The one song that Dave sang lead on. Therefore a must listen.) They also played my favourite song from the first album, Until The Record Breaks. It was a seriously stellar set list. 

Dave Thomson rocking out at the Wave reunion show.

I loved singing along to every single song. It is amazing that even after all these years.....I still have all the lyrics committed to memory. They mean something to  me. They matter. The only way the show would have been better? If the crowd had been a little more enthusiastic. There were a few fans there but it was mostly casual listeners, family, and friends. I definitely miss the days of lining up hours beforehand only to get a third or fourth row spot. (What a weird thing to write!) At any rate, the performance itself was wonderful. I was on cloud nine. I felt free and happy. It was one of the best experiences I have had in a long while. Yes, it was an hour and a half of pure bliss. 

There was a little disappointment after the show ended. My mom was not feeling the Beer Festival and demanded that we leave immediately. So I left, disappointed, without meeting Wave. I don't know what I would have said to them exactly. Maybe I would have gushed. Or played it cool. Or maybe I would have made an absolute fool of myself. Who knows? I just wanted the chance to find out. But it was just like my high school days all over again. My parents set the rules. 

Overall though, it was a great experience. While I wish it had ended on a better note....it was still an incredible day. Seeing Wave perform was a dream I had long given up on. The concert gave me the chance to go back in time a little bit. To reminisce. To re-discover my happy place. I will never forget it.

xo Shannon

new in: forever 21 accessories

Khloe Kardashian rocking a nineties inspired choker.  

Honestly? I was a little hesitant to get on board with the choker necklace trend. There is one simple reason for this. I have been there done that. Back in my elementary school days....everyone wore chokers. They were plastic and stretchy and an absolute must have accessory. I remember feeling so cool whenever I put on my black plastic choker. It even had a ying yang symbol hanging off of it. (Remember, this was a very long time ago. Long enough ago that ying yang symbols were also the epitome of cool.) Unfortunately? I do not have particularly fond memories of my time in elementary school. I was bullied, teased, and torn down every single day. Not exactly a time and place I like to think back on frequently!

So when I saw the resurgence of choker necklaces....I was suddenly transported back to those days of yore. It was not a pleasant experience. Which is why I was so willing to forgo the trend altogether. Until a recent shopping excursion. I was perusing the wall of accessories over at Forever 21. Then I saw it. The most beautiful pair of choker necklaces ever. They immediately caught my eye.

My new favourite accessories. Choker necklaces from Forever 21.

Talk about gorgeous. What do I love about these necklaces? What makes them so special? These were no ordinary necklaces. And they certainly weren't made of cheap plastic. The combination of the two pieces together is unexpected and bold....and the fact that they can be worn separately as well is an added bonus. I love the velvet band on the first choker. It is reminiscent of the 90s but the pendant gives it a great modern twist. Then there is the second necklace. That pendant just called to me. I love the unique design and the combination of shapes and details. It is a stunning piece that simply begs to be worn.

Yes. I was hesitant about the choker trend. At first it brought back not so fond memories. Now? I have fallen in love with a couple of gorgeous accessories from Forever 21. They are beautiful enough to make me re-think my no-choker stance,

What do you think of these pieces? Have you embraced this trend?

xo Shannon