Glitter Week: Urban Decay Vice Special Effects Lip Topcoat

Beauty trends come and go, but glitter is forever. The way that we wear it continues to adapt and change...but this sparkly add on has inspired makeup artists, runway looks, and beauty fanatics from around the globe. One of the hottest makeup trends of the moment? Lip art. Which is precisely why glitter lips have become so popular. Whether you want to go full on glitter or use it as a bold accent, there are many different ways to incorporate glitter into your next lip look.

Urban Decay recently released the Vice Special Effects Long Lasting Water-Resistant Lip Topcoat. There are twelve shades in all, ranging from blues to purples to metallics. With so many choices, it is possible to create an endless array of fabulous styles. There are currently two of these topcoats floating around in my makeup collection. The first, White Lie, was purchased during my Las Vegas trip. The other, 3rd Degree, during the Sephora VIB sale.

At $21 per tube, these topcoats are reasonably priced and oh-so-beautiful. Here is a breakdown of the latest offering from Urban Decay. Oh, and some pictures of the glitter topcoats in action!

Packaging. The tube sleek, stylish, and bold in design. Essentially, it looks like a tube of liquid lipstick. The applicator itself is a small brush that makes this topcoat super quick and easy to apply evenly across the lips. There is nothing elaborate or over the top about the packaging but it is high quality and easy on the eyes.

Quality. I'll be honest....I love this stuff. The two shades in my collection are White Lie (which is a shimmery white) and 3rd Degree (a glittery gold). Both are bold in terms of pigmentation and the colour is very buildable. I love that these brush on quickly, giving you a glamorous glitter lip in seconds. It does not flake or fall off and is totally mess free. This product can be worn alone or over another lipstick shade, depending on the look you have been dreaming of. That makes this product versatile, beautiful, and easy to apply.

Comfort. Glitter lips look amazing but they are rarely comfortable. They can become super dry and annoying. When it comes to the Urban Decay lip topcoat, it is far more comfortable than traditional glitter lips. Keep in mind, after about twenty minutes, your lips will start to feel dry. Simply apply a lip balm over top (you may lose a small amount of glitter but it is minimal) and you will be good to go. Another plus? This lasts really well. It stays put for hours without moving. Bonus!

Now that you know how the product performs, it is time to see how it looks! Here are two makeup looks that I put together using the Urban Decay Vice Special Effects Long Lasting Water-Resistant Lip Topcoat. (Try saying that three times fast!)

Left: 3rd Degree layered over top of Hard Candy Fierce Effects Lipstick

Right: White Lies worn alone

Overall, I was very happy with this product. Glitter always makes me feel glamorous....and now that there is an option to make every lip look sparkle and shine? Life is extra beautiful.

Have you tried these yet? What did you think of the topcoat?

xo Shannon

Glitter Week: Inspiration Pictures

Everyone has certain weaknesses. For me, the shortlist of those weaknesses includes chocolate, makeup, music, and glitter. The latter has been an endless source of inspiration for me lately. It seems that all my makeup looks are shimmery and sparkly....my clothes have at least a little glitz...and my accessories are all glitter-centric. Which explains where the idea of a glitter themed week on the creation of beauty is art. came from!

Today is the first post for glitter week and it is dedicated to inspiration photos. Sometimes, when I am tired, down, or am lacking inspiration, I will pour through pages and pages of pictures. The special ones? I save. Then eventually, they make their way into an inspiration post. It turns out, there were a ton of glitter related pictures saved on my computer. Some were related to nail art, others to fashion, makeup, and even hair.

That being said....I hope you enjoy this selection of pictures. In the days to come, I'll be doing a review of the new Urban Decay Vice Special Effects Lip Topcoat, showing you my glitter collection, and sharing some alternative ways to create a stunning glitter lip look. Until then, enjoy this daily dose of inspiration.

There is something about glitter. It is fun, bold, and unapologetic. Yes, it can be messy and chaotic....but that only adds to its beauty. Over the next several days, you can expect posts related to anything and everything glitter!

Do you love glitter? What inspires you?

xo Shannon

review: too faced white chocolate chip palette

One of my biggest weaknesses? Themes. There is nothing more exciting to me than a theme of some sort. Whether it is a themed party, an outfit, or even a makeup item....a good theme makes me weak in the knees. No wonder there is so much Too Faced in my collection. And just as much on my wish list! They are the absolute best brand when it comes to fun and creative themes. When I saw the Too Faced White Chocolate Chip palette sitting at the line-up section of Sephora (the place where last minute add ons can quickly double your purchase price) it immediately caught my attention.

There were so many selling points. A few examples? The themeing (their chocolate themed palettes smell good and work well), the size (super small and easy to take on the go), and the shade selection (there are dark shades, medium shades, and light shades to choose from). Before I get into a full review of this mini eyeshadow palette, here is a closer look at what is inside.

There are some good and not-so-good things about this Too Faced palette. So, to make things a little easier to digest, I am going to break it down into a pros and cons list. Let's start with the things that really stood out about this palette.....

Pros: 

• The packaging is perfection. It is small, sturdy, and has a large mirror inside.
• The smell is incredible! This palette really does smell like white chocolate. Yum!
• There are some really beautiful shades here. The ones that are very shimmery and glittery have a lot of pigmentation and look absolutely gorgeous.

Cons:

• There is a lack of consistency from shadow to shadow. Some are great and others are flaky and lack pigmentation.
• An awful lot of the lighter shades look the same when swatched or applied. That limits the versatility.
• The pans are super small so you need to use a very fine brush for application. 

As you can see, this is kind of all over the place. It is a fabulous palette to take with you in your purse thanks to the super compact size. But when it comes to everyday use? It is probably not going to be something you reach for all that often. I am probably going to keep this in my makeup bag or take it with me when I am travelling. Here is a makeup look that I created using the Too Faced set. You can absolutely come up with a beautiful eye look....the shades simply aren't consistent. 

Too Faced is a fantastic brand and there are many aspects of this palette that stand out. Unfortunately, this specific product did not knock my socks off. But hey....there is always next time!

Have you tried the White Chocolate Chip palette? What did you think of it?

xo Shannon

How to Achieve Effortless Rainy Day Style

Spring is here. Though in my mind, that means sunshine and flowers, the reality has been drastically different. Every day it seems to rain. Not just a little. It has been pouring. Quite frankly, that has me a little down! Not only do those grey skies give me the blues, but it is challenging to keep your hair, makeup, and fashion on point when it rain, rain, rains. That is what inspired this post! To help you look flawless (even on a gross, rainy day) here are some tips, tricks, and inspiration to help you achieve effortless rainy day style.

Tips and Tricks to Look Gorgeous on a Rainy Day

• Always choose waterproof makeup. Not everything at the drugstore comes in a waterproof formula, but it is possible to protect your face from the rain. Choose waterproof or water-resistant items (for a comprehensive list, check out my article on LoveToKnow, "How to Wear Makeup Swimming") whenever possible, or invest in a good setting spray. That extra step can make all the difference! 
• Choose fashionable yet functional pieces. Just because it is raining outside doesn't mean you have to throw on a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie. You can still look high-fashion! Choose an umbrella with a stylish shape (a bubble umbrella is a super chic option), a water-resistant trench coat, or a pair of rain boots in a bold, statement-making shade. 
• Be careful which purse you choose to carry with you. Certain materials, like leather and suede can become damaged in the rain. In order to preserve your oh-so-beautiful bag, either wrap a plastic bag around it while you dash from place to place, or choose a more water-friendly bag. 
• Have fun with your hairstyle. The rain has a habit of taking a gorgeous hairstyle and transforming it into a frizzy, sopping mess. Make sure that doesn't happen by getting a little creative. Tie your hair into a gorgeous high-ponytail, rock a stylish side-braid, or create a topknot bun. Not only do these hairstyles look great....they last. 

Now that you have a better idea of how to stay stylish on even the rainiest of days.....it is time for a little inspiration! Here is an example outfit that I created with rainy days in mind. It is quick, easy, and beautiful.

There is nothing exciting about a rainy day. The good news? It doesn't have to ruin your style or your mood. With a little extra care and consideration, you will look amazing all day and night!

On another note....be sure to check out my latest YouTube video for the creation of beauty is art. It is all about disappointing makeup purchases.

What are your rainy day style tips? Sound off in the comment section below!

xo Shannon

as long as I could remember I dreamed in black and white.

Concerts have always been an important part of my life. I went to my first one at ten years old. Since then, it's been one after another after another. They make me feel alive....free....blissfully happy. There is something so incredible about connecting to music in an undeniable way. You can feel the bass thumping through you. You are surrounded by people who love the songs as much as you do. It's electrifying.

Unfortunately, I don't get to attend as many concerts as I used to. Tickets are expensive, and with bills to pay, choices must be made. Sigh! Though Good Charlotte was coming to town....I made the difficult decision to skip the concert. It wasn't that I wanted to miss it. But I'd already bought tickets to a couple of shows in the spring and fall. Then my best friend's mom surprised us by buying a pair of tickets. I was overwhelmed, and to be honest, felt a little guilty. Her mom has always been so wonderful and welcoming to me. The last thing I wanted was to take advantage of her generosity. That being said, I am so grateful we were able to see the show. I am forever in her debt!

For the concert, my friend and I decided to go super dark and gothic with our clothes and makeup. That meant lots and lots of black, skulls, and badassery! I used the Cover Girl Jewels eyeshadow palette to create a black and gold smokey eye look. Then added on the Kat Von D lipstick in Slayer. (Though I topped up with my friend's NYX liquid lipstick for a darker, bolder, black.) I wore a neon green and black hoodie, paint splattered jeans, and an old pair of Vans. Oh, and there were sparkly skull earrings for good measure. It was a lot of fun to go a little darker with our fashion and makeup. In fact, we were super inspired by it and decided we would try to do this more often!

We got downtown early, grabbed some food, met some interesting people, and then headed to the venue. There were three opening acts (which we were not super thrilled about) but eventually, Good Charlotte appeared. And they were amazing! The show was really high energy with the perfect mix of slower songs thrown in. Overall, the set list was solid, though they didn't sing my favourite song. (All Black, for the record!) My favourite part of the show? Either Dance Floor Anthem or the fact that they talked about important issues....like being true to yourself, caring about one another, and rejecting negativity. It was such a good night.

The best part? Spending an evening with my best friend. Though I was exhausted from work, it was wonderful to catch up and rock out to a band we love.

What is the last concert you attended?

xo Shannon

NARS chiang mai eyeshadow duo (review and swatches)

I am hard-pressed to think of a NARS product that has let me down. This is a brand that consistently produces high quality products for their consumers. Though their blushes are iconic, I always find myself drawn to the other items they offer. Like lip glosses, lipsticks, and eyeshadows. A short list of my favourite pieces from NARS? The Turkish Delight lip gloss and the NARSissist eyeshadow palette. Though there are plenty of stand out items in their vast collection....their Wildfire Spring Collection shines.

It features two duo eyeshadows, velvet shadow sticks, a new blush, lipsticks, and glosses. Recently, the Chiang Mai eyeshadow duo made its way into my collection. (I couldn't resist the colour combination! It was so unique!) So. what makes this NARS product so stellar? Let's start by taking a closer look at the duo. Here is a photo and some swatches....

There are several pros, including the packaging. If you've bought a NARS product in the past, then you know what to expect. The packaging is simple, sleek, and sturdy. Absolute perfection in my opinion! Then there are the shades themselves. The colours are what drew me to this set in particular. They are so different - especially paired together. Paired together, you can create a smokey eye look with just the right amount of colour. It is a great way to do something a little different with your makeup, without it being an overwhelming or time consuming process.

The quality is just what you would expect from NARS. Each eyeshadow is highly pigmented, butter soft, easy to apply, and perfectly blendable. There is also a ton of staying power! My makeup look withstood a full day of wear and an unplanned nap.

This is the quick (and oh so lovely) makeup look that I created using the NARS Chiang Mai eyeshadow duo. Be sure to let me know what you think of it.....

This is one product that definitely met my expectations. It is high quality, loos beautiful, and lasts. No wonder NARS remains one of my all-time favourite makeup brands.

Have you tried anything from the Wildfire Spring Collection from NARS?

xo Shannon

in love with: kat von d alchemist holographic palette

When it comes to makeup....I have a serious weakness for all things new. There is something thrilling about trying out a new product and hoping that it will become one of your all-time favourite items. Despite this, I've been trying to limit my trips to Sephora. Even still, a few new products have made their way into my life. Including the Kat Von D Alchemist Holographic Palette. It was a must-have kind of product. Between the unique packaging and bold highlights, this is most definitely a one-of-a-kind palette. It has made my love list!

Before I start listing all of the reasons this palette makes my heart flutter, it is time to take a closer look at the packaging. It has a triangular shape and an intricate pattern on top. (Not to mention a stunning holographic finish.) It flips open to reveal four different holographic highlights. Here is the outer packaging, inner packaging, and some swatches of each shade.

It is pretty clear that the packaging is special. Not only because of the shape of the palette but the beautiful artwork on top. It is one of the many things that makes Kat Von D makeup special. Beyond that, the products themselves are spectacular. As you can see from the swatches, these are no ordinary highlight shades. Most of the ones on the market are white and shimmery or gold and shimmery or maybe champagne and shimmery....but none are quite like this. One is a greenish yellow (Green Emerald), one is a gorgeous blue (Blue Saphyre), one is a beautiful purple (Ultra Violet Amethyst), and the last is a gorgeous soft pink (Pink Opal). 

Each one is ultra shimmery and holographic and stays true to colour on the skin. My fear was that these would sheer out on the cheeks and wind up looking like every other highlight on the market. Wrong! These look just like they do when you swatch them. I absolutely love it. There is nothing better than adding a pop of holographic green, blue, purple, or pink. It is a subtle way to introduce colour - and do something bold and exciting with your makeup. This is a 10/10 makeup product. To say I love it is a major understatement! 

Kat Von D is one of my favourite makeup brands, and this holographic palette is a prime example of why. The quality is incredible, the products are unique, and the packaging is beautiful. If you find it at your local Sephora, be sure to pick it up.

Not all beauty products are loves. Case in point? The Maybelline eyeshadow palettes. My latest YouTube video for the creation of beauty is art. is all about the best and worst of these drugstore palettes. Take a look! 

Have you tried this palette? What did you think of it?

xo Shannon