review: kat von d everlasting glimmer veil liquid lipstick (televator)

Kat Von D always pushes the envelope where makeup is concerned. For a long time, she was one of the only brands releasing ultra vampy or ultra colourful lip products. In addition to her other standout products (the Tattoo Liner and the beloved Shade and Light palette immediately come to mind), she continues to release new items. More recently is the Everlasting Glimmer Veil Liquid Lipstick. There are nine shades in total, including three classic metallic shades, three purple colours, and three shades from the blue family. These are ultra shimmery and sparkly with a bold metallic finish. Though there were many to choose from, I opted for a vibrant purple, called Televator. What does it look like? How is the formula? It is time to find out...

Editing Note: I do not support Kat Von D as a person. 

top 5 favourite red lipsticks.

Gwyneth Paltrow said it best. Many people have theorized what beauty is (and how to achieve it) but I think the basics are pretty simple: feeling good and unleashing your kick-ass side. Red lipstick is certainly one way to go about this. See, it is not just a type of makeup or a pretty shade to wear....it is a tool used to boost self confidence and assert your power.

birthday post + sephora birthday gift (mini review)

Some people loathe birthdays. Dread them, even. Not me! For as long as I can remember, I have eagerly looked forward to my birthday. October 24th has always felt like a special day in my world. Not only is it my my birthday but it is also my brothers birthday as well. (Yes, I am a twin.) Since it is so important to me and my family....it is extra important to celebrate, enjoy, and make special memories. Which is why today I am in full celebration mode. How will I celebrate? And what was my birthday gift from Sephora this year? Keep reading to find out.

stars can't shine without darkness.

Lately I have been loving Kat Von D products more than usual. And I usually love them a lot. There is a good reason for this. I was given the Kat Von D Star Studded Look set over the holidays. So, it has given me the opportunity to try out some new things and get creative with my makeup. What did the set include? There was a bright red lipstick, an eyeliner pen, and a mascara.

In the past, I have been really please with the Kat Von D products I have tried. Gorgeous eyeshadow shades and great pigmentation at every turn. How did these products hold up? They certainly exceeded my expectations. Let's start with the eyeliner pen. The set came with a mini version of the Tattoo Liner in black. The pigmentation is quite good and the pen makes it super easy to apply. It has a little bend to it but it isn't too soft. That makes precise application a snap. I love using this if I am running late or need to do my makeup in a rush. Quick, easy, and looks great. There is nothing else I need from a liquid liner!

Now for the mascara. It is a full sized version of Immortal Lash 24/7 Mascara in black. A couple of years ago, I tried another mascara from Kat Von D and wasn't super happy with it. I found the formula to be quite wet. The Immortal Lash? So much better. It is still a bit wetter than I would like but it goes on beautifully and does a great job of adding thickness and volume to the lashes. One thing I really loved was the wand. As you can see from the picture below, it has spikey swirls going up the length and a rounded end. It is kind of like the Benefit They're Real! mascara in that aspect - which makes it super simple to get to the lower lashes.

The last part of this makeup set? The lipstick. I saved this one for last because I love this one the most! Sure, the eyeliner and mascara are great - but the lipstick is in a whole other league. I have a lot of red lipstick shades in my makeup collection. Some are high end and some are drugstore. Some are glosses and others are tints, balms, matte finish, and the list goes on. Despite all of the gorgeous reds.....I never found the one. Until now, that is. Let's take a look at my new favourite.

The moment I put on the Star Studded Kiss Lipstick in Underage Red, it was true love. The colour was just right. It had a matte finish but didn't feel super drying. It was intensely pigmented, long wearing, and shockingly easy to wear. I absolutely love it. In fact, I am already thinking about all of the different ways I can wear it. My love affair is real! Even just talking about the lipstick shade now makes me excited. So, are you ready to see it? Here is the makeup look I created using the products from the Kat Von D Star Studded Look set.

There is nothing quite as thrilling as falling in love with makeup products. The right shades can inspire you and make you excited to get ready each day. I was so impressed with the Kat Von D Star Studded Look set. Each and every item surpassed my expectations.

Have you tried anything from this set? What do you think of the lipstick shade?

xo Shannon

warm + cool makeup look (feat. too faced and kvd vegan beauty)

When it comes to makeup...there are no rules. Or at least there shouldn't be when it comes to colour combinations. For the most part, I tend to separate my looks into warm, cool, or colourful. Rarely do those categories come together. But lately, I have been mixing and matching. For me, that meant reaching for warm eyeshadow shades and cheek products but then finishing it all off with an ultra cool-toned lipstick shade. This was the first time in a while that I felt inspired to incorporate both warm and cool tones into a makeup look. Want to see how it turned out? Find out what products helped pull it all together? Here is a warm and cool makeup look featuring some high end products from Too Faced and Kat Von D.

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

kat von d studded kiss lipstick zero (review)

I have been looking everywhere for one specific shade of lipstick. I could see it....a matte taupe with mauve undertones. Not too dark and not too light. I thought my search was finally over when the Kylie Cosmetics liquid lipstick, Moon caught my eye, but it was always out of stock. So, I went though my fair share of drugstore products, including but not limited to Concrete Jungle and Carnal Brown, and Huntress by Maybelline as well as Hit the Pavement by Hard Candy. None of them were quite right. Even scouring the shelves at Sephora seemed fruitless. Until I locked eyes on Zero by Kat Von D.

Could it be? Was this the one? I pulled out the tester with baited breath, swatched, and finally, finally rejoiced. I'd found it. Wondering what it looks like? How the formula performs? If it has staying power? Keep reading. This is everything you need to know about my dream lipstick shade.

my purple dreams

Have you ever given yourself a limit? Like, I won't buy anything until the end of the month. Or no more shopping trips to Sephora until I actually need something new. Several months back, I gave myself a limit on purple lipstick. At this point, I have a deep purple, a bright purple, a lilac, matte, gloss, and so much more. One day I decided: use what I have....stop looking for more.

Then this funny thing happened. I was at Sephora and came across the line of Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipsticks. Over the years, I have added more than a few products from her line to my makeup collection. I love the edgy packaging, the bold colours, and the array of unique items. Instantly, I fell head over heels for that studded packaging. How unique! I rationalized that even if the lipstick wasn't one I used all the time, the lipstick would look amazing on my dresser.

Then my eyes fell on Wonderchild - a neon lilac with tons of glitter. How did I manage to rationalize yet another purple lipstick? Glitter! Surely the glitter made it different enough. Right? Okay....maybe that isn't totally true but it is at least partly true. And that is the most important part! Now that I have been wearing the lipstick on and off for the last several weeks....I finally feel ready to review it.

If you couldn't tell by now, I am obsessed with the packaging. The studs look amazing. It is such a fabulous detail that makes the line of lipsticks stand out from the rest. As for the lipstick itself? The colour is amazing. It is bright, bold, and fun to wear. Plus, that extra pop of sparkle and glitter makes it look even better. My only criticism? The formula can be pretty drying. I find that I need to layer a lip balm over top to keep my lips feeling comfortable. Other than that - it's a total hit.

Ready to see that bright purple in action? This is the smokey makeup look I created to showcase that stunning colour. Take a look:

This Kat Von D lipstick might not be something I needed in my makeup collection....but it is something I love. I find myself excited to wear this over the top but totally sultry shade. I love the colour and the packaging. 

Have you tried any of the Kat Von D studded lipsticks? What do you think of this colour?

xo Shannon

foundation review: kvd good apple skin-perfecting foundation balm

Kat Von D was one of my favourite makeup brands. Over the years, there were many many reviews of the products here on the creation of beauty is art. Then....things changed. Did I still love the products? Yes. The brand owner? Not so much. So it was almost a relief when Kat Von D was bought out and the brand became KVD instead. It meant I could still enjoy all of those wonderful products. (This particular high-end brand has the absolutely best shade selection when it comes to lip products. There are vibrant purples, blacks, greens, blues, and every colour in between. Definitely a great way to make a statement!) More recently, the Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Foundation Balm was released to an awful lot of buzz and fanfare. Early reviewers were impressed by how full coverage the foundation was. However, as time went on, there were lots of negative reviews thrown into the mix as well. I have to say....I was curious. Very curious. Are you wondering how this foundation balm performs? Here is everything you need to know about this much talked about product from KVD. 

colourful makeup look + kvd crushes technicolor crayon set review

The sun outside is shining. Whenever the sun shines brightly through my window, my first instinct is to create something colourful and exciting. To bring that light and optimism to any and all makeup looks. That is how I wound up putting the Kat Von D Crushes Technicolor Crayon Set to the test. Disclaimer: recently, Kat Von D stepped down from her company and it is now going by KVD. I am still a fan of the products that the brand has released in the past but obviously do not agree with the personal views she has expressed. Now! Back to colourful makeup. This particular set included three bright crayon colours which included a vibrant blue, pink, and orange. On a sunny afternoon, I decided to use all three of the colours to create something bright, fun, and a little out of my wheelhouse. The end result was a fun and creative expression. Ready to take a look? Find out how the KVD Crushes crayons performed? Here is a colourful makeup look to and a mini review.

black and blue.

Makeup is a big part of my life. I love putting together looks that are fun, flirty, and wearable. But every now and again? I like to do something totally extreme....just because. Makeup is such a unique form of expression. That is why I find it so exhilarating to play around, get creative, and see what I can come up with. Lately, it has been lipstick. I have been on the hunt for colours that were totally different from anything I had. Forget pink, red, purple, and nudes. I was desperate to get my hands on black and blue.

After a trip to Sephora, I managed to do just that. I picked up (the very last) Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Slayer and the OCC Lip Tar in Pool Boy. The first was a rich black shade and the second, a bold and bright blue. Both were bold, dramatic, and totally different. And that is what made them so exciting to play around with. So, what do they look like in action? And how did I feel about the products? Here is my black and blue inspired makeup......

My first purchase was the Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Slayer. I have a couple of other shades from this line and I love them. In terms of colour variety and pigmentation they are fantastic. However, I do find them a bit drying on the lips. Slayer was the same. A bit drying? Yes. Gorgeous? Yes. Black lipstick is totally over the top for me. But I was inspired after seeing Khloe Kardashian rock it in a glam-chic kind of way. Surprisingly, I actually loved the way it looked! Instead of being too edgy, I found it to be totally glamorous. Even my fiance (who was very hesitant when I mentioned black lipstick) thought it looked good! That is always a good sign.

I absolutely fell in love with this black lipstick. Take a look and let me know what you think!

Next up? The OCC Lip Tar in Pool Boy. I have heard rave reviews about the lip tars for ages - and was super excited to try one of them out. The colour I chose was super bright and dramatic. What can I say? I was looking for something totally different. It is not exactly suitable for a dinner date or a trip to the mall. But it was still tons of fun! I cannot wait to pick up a few more shades and mix them together. In terms of the quality, these lived up to the hype. Super pigmented, easy to apply, and very, very, very long lasting. What could be better?

Pool Boy may not be the most wearable on its own...but I am looking forward to having fun with it! Take a look at it in action.

So, these were my recent lip product experiments. Black and blue edition! It was a lot of fun to step out of my comfort zone and embrace more dramatic looks. Will I be wearing these out and about? Who knows! I am definitely committed to embracing the black lipstick. I love it so so much. As for the bright blue? I am looking for shades to mix it with and other ways to wear it. Stepping out of my makeup comfort zone was a ton of fun....and I can't wait to do it again.

What do you think of these shades?

xo Shannon

i think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple...and don't notice it.

My makeup obsession lately? Purple. Purple eyeshadow, purple eyeliner, purple blush...purple everything. The best though, has to be purple lipstick. You've probably seen just about everyone rocking this trend lately, from the red carpet to the mall. It's pretty clear why: purple looks amazing. On the lips, this colour is a fun way to make a statement.

As you can probably tell from the picture above, I've been collecting a few purple lipstick shades lately. I've been trying to collect some different shades. Now that I have four, I feel pretty good about the amount of purple in my makeup collection! From a pinkish purple to lilac and some deep and dramatic colours, I have plenty to choose from.

In honour of my favourite colour of the moment, here is a run down of my lipstick shades:

L-R: BITE Matte Lip Crayon in Raisin

Revlon ColourBurst Matte Balm in Shameless

Maybelline Colour Whisper in Oh La Lilac

Kat Von D Painted Love in Homegirl

I picked up the BITE Lip Crayon during my last trip to Sephora. I didn't mean to, but I just couldn't resist! It's a pink-ish purple colour and it comes off super bright. Definitely great if you want a fun pop of colour. It is basically like a twist up pen, which I quite like because it's compact and easy to store. The real selling point on this one is the colour though. I love it!

Next up is the Revlon ColourBurst which was the first purple addition to my makeup collection. I have a few other ColourBurst shades and I love the pigmentation and hydration...so I knew this one would be a winner. The colour itself is really rich and a little dramatic.

My favourite of the bunch has to be this next shade....the Maybelline Colour Whisper. It's a gorgeous lilac colour. Why? It is super light and feminine - but really bold. The texture is creamy and its nourishing on the lips. I love that the colour can build to become as intense as you like. Definitely one of my favourite lip products, well, ever!

And lastly is the Kat Von D lipstick. It is a darker shade of purple but has a little pow! to it as well. Yes, this one is definitely a statement lipstick. I absolutely love the colour - but the formula can be a bit drying. So, you'll definitely want to layer this with a lip balm as the day goes on. Great shade, though.

Out of all of these purple shades, my favourites are from BITE and Maybelline. Love! Here is the BITE lipstick in action:

Purple is definitely in. If you're anything like me, then you are finding ways to incorporate it into your beauty routine. My advice? Get a bold and don't be afraid to unleash your creative side.

What do you think of purple lipstick? Do you own any shades?

xo Shannon

a smile is the best makeup a girl can wear.

Know what I love? When you get ready for an afternoon with friends and your makeup turns out just right. That happened to me a little while ago. I was getting ready for a barbecue and decided to use one of my favourite makeup palettes from Kat Von D. I was super happy with how it came together! Simple but dramatic - my favourite type of makeup look.

Lately, I have been super inspired by red eyeshadow shades with deep brown colours. Thankfully, the Kat Von D palette has this amazing red colour. It is super bold and pigmented - and the perfect jumping off spot for my makeup look of the day! I applied the red shade all over my eyelid and blended a medium brown shade through the crease. Some winged liquid liner (from Blinc), plenty of mascara (Benefit's They're Real!), a peachy blush (Almay in Peach), and a caramel coloured lipstick (from Maybelline) finished off the look.

Are you ready for this makeup look of the day? Let me know what you think!

There is something special about the days when your makeup turns out exactly how you want it. It becomes this beautiful combination of passion and art. That is what I love the most....those little moments of creativity. So, there you have it! My latest makeup look of the day.

What do you think of this makeup look? When is the last time your makeup turned out just right?

xo Shannon

my imats experience (and haul!)

It was one of those things that had long been on my radar. Yet, I had never made it down to IMATS. That changed when a friend of mine invited me along for IMATS Toronto 2016 show. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to see what all the fuss was about. Going in? I had no clue what to expect. I simply hoped for a fun day full of makeup. Well, that is exactly what I got. Here it is....my very first IMATS experience.

Morning came very early. I was up at 6am doing my hair and makeup (my hair was not cooperating so I opted for an "I Dream of Jeannie" inspired high-ponytail and warm matte eyeshadow shades with a little winged eyeliner). Then came the dilemma of what to wear. Despite having multiple outfit options laid out....nothing felt right. Ultimately I went with a simple floral blouse and a pair of skinny jeans. Then it was time to head to the train station to make my way to the city. We met up for a quick breakfast before waiting in line to get in.

IMATS was crazy. Beyond crazy. We waited for quite some time to be let in and then it was line after line after line. Silly me, I figured you could walk up to the makeup booths and shop. Ha! Basically, you would get into a line for a brand. Wait for 20 minutes to an hour. Decide what products you want to buy. (Sometimes without seeing them until the very last second.) Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. There were certain booths we simply did not have time to make it to. The lines were just too long. It was definitely a little overwhelming!

It was still a lot of fun, though. We got to talk about makeup, pick up some new products, and take in all of the madness around us. Full reviews will definitely be coming for these....but until then...here is my IMATS haul.

Products Pictured Include: 

• Morphe 35W Eyeshadow Palette 
• Morphe M458 Brush
• Morphe M705 Brush
• Naked Cosmetics Desert Sunset Collection
• Lime Crime Velvetines Liquid Matte Lipstick (Squash and Blondie)
• Kat Von D Liquid Lipstick (Beloved, Nosferatu, and Santa Sangre)
• Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick (Lolita) 

Phew! It was definitely tricky to show that much self-restraint. With makeup absolutely everywhere....I wanted to buy it all. Instead, I tried to focus on items I would get a lot of use out of or were totally different than anything already in my makeup collection. For that reason? I think that I did really well. Expect detailed reviews on each of these items in the weeks to come.

Have you ever been to IMATS? What was your experience like?

xo Shannon

new in: mall haul

Shopping is more than just a pastime...it is a passion. I love finding new treasures, uncovering great deals, and spending time with a friend or family member. For me, shopping is a way of life. It had been a long time since I'd had a proper day out at the mall, though. Three months to be exact. Despite the fact that my wallet was jumping for joy during the shopping hiatus, my spirit was less than impressed.

Last weekend, I finally went out for a little retail therapy. At first, I felt rusty. I was struggling to get into the experience and afraid to spend money. By the end of the day? I'd returned to my shopping splendor. Which is why today's post is all about my long overdue mall haul. There were trips to Sephora, H&M, Forever 21, Hot Topic, and so much more!

Lately, I have not been feeling my wardrobe. I needed a few new things to spice it up. That is how I wound up with some cute sweatshirts, a cut out top, some new shoes, and a David Bowie jacket. These are the perfect ways to add personality to my next look!

Then there was Hot Topic. This store is my biggest weakness because I want everything they sell there. They had a massive Disney section at the front, so I treated myself to a Beauty and The Beast tank, a Pocahontas tee, a Moana shirt, some Pop figures, a Stitch bow, Beauty and the Beast earrings, and a few other odds and ends.

Oh, Sephora. I have been trying very hard not to go in lately, because it would be impossible not to spend money. Turns out, that was all too true. I picked up the new NARS eyeshadow duo, the Kat Von D Alchemist Palette, and the Too Faced white chocolate chip palette. (Don't worry! Full reviews will be appearing on the blog in the weeks to come!)

Here are a few of the other things I picked up, including a zebra print dress, a DVD set and shirt (from HMV, my favourite store, which is sadly closing), and a Clinique sample set.

Boy, do I love to shop! I had a blast hanging out at the mall and adding new pieces to my wardrobe. (And new makeup to my always growing collection!) It was a much needed experience.

Do you love to shop? What have you picked up recently?

xo Shannon

FOTD featuring naked cosmetics

Hard to believe, but it is already the end of January. This month has been all over the place for me. There have been some great moments (like hanging out with my best friend, going to the movies with my husband, and catching up on everything post-holiday season) and some not-so-great moments (like being tired and sick). For the last little while, I have been feeling under the weather. I'd wake up exhausted and ill - and sleep most of the day away. It was not a great way to spend the first month of 2017.

During that period of feeling off and sick....I started to get a little restless. Since I didn't have enough energy to be productive (even though my to do list was full of tasks like cleaning, organizing, writing articles, and everything in between) I decided to do something fun. Just for me. So on a sleepy Saturday morning, I straightened my hair and played around with makeup. For no reason at all. Even though the remainder of the day would be spent in bed, I was desperate for a creative outlet. That brings me to this Face Of The Day post.

I started by with the skin (Cover Girl foundation, NYX Highlight and Contour palette, and Kat Von D concealer), then the brows (Maybelline brow pencil). Next up were the eyes, which I decided to have some fun with. Since one of my New Years Resolutions is to be more adventurous with makeup and colour....colour it was. I used the Naked Cosmetics set that I picked up at IMATS and applied a shimmery pink all over the lid (These can be applied dry or wet but I chose to apply them wet for an ultra pigmented pop). Then I worked a deep purple into the crease, blended with a fluffy brush, and added a shimmery champagne shade on the inner corner.

Next up was a little liquid eyeliner (Hard Candy Walk the Line in black) and mascara (Rimmel Rockin' Curves) to finish off this bold eye look. I used a little bronzer on the cheeks and topped it off with the Becca Jaclyn Hill Face Palette highlight. On the lips, I opted for an orange-nude shade (Kylie Cosmetics lip liner in Dolce K and a liquid lipstick from Jem and the Holograms by Sephora). Take a look at the completed Face Of The Day below.....

This makeup look was just what I needed to lift my spirits. Though I was still sick in bed afterwards....at least I spent a little time doing something fun. It improved my mood, if nothing else!

What do you think of this FOTD?

xo Shannon

review: violet voss (the rainbow eye shadow palette)

A rainbow palette in my collection? Oh, how times have changed. I used to be afraid of too much colour...with the exception of a nice purple or a warm green. When I first started getting into makeup, my collection was largely black, brown, and copper. These days, as my skills have progressed and my love of makeup has fully blossomed, I enjoy taking more risks with colour, shape, and contrast. Which is probably why The Rainbow Eye Shadow Palette from Violet Voss immediately caught my eye. This is a palette that I have been playing around with for a while now, ever since the last Sephora VIB Rouge event. Since then, I've been doing my best to make good use of the palette - and be more playful with these intense rainbow shades.

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

in the fashion industry, everything goes retro except the prices.

The great thing about stores like Forever 21? Super affordable accessories. You can find some cute ways to spruce up an outfit for $5-10. That makes it pretty easy to try out trendier pieces that don't necessarily have to last well, forever. The last time I placed an order with F21, I threw in a couple of cheap accessories on a whim. (If they weren't as cute as they looked, it wasn't a huge loss.) They were some midi-rings and a retro inspired headband.

I decided on the midi-rings simply because they were super cute. There came in a bundle and one of them even looks like a crown. Love! As for the headband, I have always been inspired by retro fashion. There is something about vintage accessories, like a bandana, that makes you feel strong and powerful. When these accessories arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by how great they were - the headband in particular.

Since I loved the headband so much, I decided to wear it for my latest face of the day look! I wanted something simple but pretty. I hope I managed to achieve that! So, here it is...my face of the day featuring my new favourite accessory.

The products used to create this look were: Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette, Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation, Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer, Blinc Cosmetics Liquid Liner, Benefit They're Real! Mascara, Hard Candy Baked Bronzer, L'Oreal Colour Whispers Gloss Balm.

When creating this makeup look, I wanted something that was a little retro inspired...but wasn't too dramatic or over the top. That is why I stuck with neutral shades on the lid and opted against a bright red lip. Overall, I'm happy with how it turned out!

What do you think of the accessories? Do you like this makeup look of the day?

xo Shannon

review: fenty beauty killawatt freestyle highlighter (ginger binge/moscow mule)

Few makeup brands have been able to compare to Kylie Cosmetics and other Kardashian-brand releases. Until Fenty Beauty by Rihanna came along. Not only did it boast foundation shades for all skin tones (which is sadly, a rare occurrence)....but it had a unique selection of products. Now, it is on track to outsell Kylie, KKW, and even Kat Von D. Talk about making a mark on the cosmetics industry! Since its initial release, I have tried a few products from the Fenty Beauty line, which you may remember from my first impressions post. Since then, I have been desperate to try out more.