i just feel my best when I'm all glammed up.

Okay, I love perfume. I love it! This is probably why I have such an extensive collection. The way I look at it is, perfume is like fashion - you have to wear what suits your mood. Not long ago, my boyfriend and I were running an errand and I noticed the Kim Kardashian Koffret Kollection was on sale. Since I am such a huge fan of the Kardashians, I simply couldn't resist picking it up.

The collection included small versions of four of her fragrances: Kim Kardashian Signature, Gold, Glam, and Love. Since I hadn't tried any of her perfumes before, this was the absolute best way to test them out! Overall, I really loved the scents...though, I confessed, I did have my favourites.

Here are my thoughts! The Kim Kardashian Signature scent is a really pretty blend of floral and woody smells. It is feminine and sophisticated and it is just perfect to wear out on a date night! Kim Kardashian Gold is easily my favourite from this set. It has this air of luxury and sophistication. I like to wear this one to work because it makes me feel bold and beautiful - even in a uniform. Kim Kardashian Love is the ideal scent for an evening with the boyfriend. It is ultra floral and beautiful. It is the kind of scent that just makes you feel good about yourself. I love it! And lastly, Kim Kardashian Glam is definitely a great scent to wear out with the girls. Dinner or an evening out drinking and dancing? Choose this one! It's fun and flirty and super pretty.

So, those are my thoughts on these amazing Kim Kardashian perfumes! My favourite is Gold for sure, but the others are all fantastic as well.

Have you tried these Kim Kardashian fragrances? What do you think of them?

xo Shannon

life is the flower for which love is the honey.

There are some things I love....like celebrity fragrances and the Kardashians. Put those two together and I am a total fangirl come to life. Perhaps this is why I own every single fragrance from Kim Kardashian - and even the Khloe and Lamar scent! During my trip to Las Vegas, I came across a perfume that was sadly missing from my collection. It was Pure Honey by Kim Kardashian. Even though I got a good deal on it, this perfume was a little steep. It cost $70US for a 100ML bottle.

Despite the price tag, I was quite happy to bring this fragrance home with me. Why? In the past, I have really enjoyed the other scents in Kim's perfume line. (My all-time favourite has to be Gold by Kim Kardashian. It smells amazing!) So...where to begin? Let's start with the packaging. This perfume really took the honey idea to heart. It features a little bumblebee decoration on the bottle - which was super cute. The box itself also has a honeycomb print. The attention to detail was really refreshing! As for the bottle itself, it has a unique shape that is perfect to display on your vanity.

Here is a closer look at the Pure Honey by Kim Kardashian bottle:

Cute, right? Now onto the scent itself. This one was very different from Kim's other fragrances. She normally sticks to more girly and floral scents - but this one is very sweet. It has that same feminine touch....but it feels very separate to the rest of her perfume line. Pure Honey definitely smells like honey with a rose kind of undertone. It is a unique scent that doesn't smell like anything else I have in my collection. The end result is a warm and inviting scent. It is perfect for a day out or a cozy night in. I think this perfume lends itself well to the spring and summer months in particular - but it might be a good way to bring a little warmth into fall and winter as well! 

Overall, I quite like this. It may not be my favourite scent from Kim, but it smells wonderful and can add tons of femininity to any outfit. Plus, a spray or two is more than enough to last you all day long. The scent isn't overly strong but it has an impact. I have been reaching for this one a lot lately....even though fall is officially here. I guess that is a good sign! 

Have you tried Pure Honey by Kim Kardashian? What did you think of it?

xo Shannon

love it or leave it? kim kardashian

Kim Kardashian is never afraid to turn heads. Her style is bold, over the top, and totally fearless. Whether you love or hate what she is wearing...there is no denying the fact that this fashionable celebrity knows how to make a statement. More recently? She stirred up a healthy dose of controversy during a recent trip to the Vatican. Why the controversy? Though she adhered to the dress requirements (covered knees and upper arms) there were a lot of unhappy people thanks to her lace dress with cut outs. It will certainly be an outfit to remember. So, is it a love it or leave it? Keep reading to find out. 

kim kardashian fleur fatale (perfume review)

My perfume shelf has become quite full over the years. There is something so special about scents...about beautiful bottles filled with memories and promise. One whiff of an old perfume can remind you of who you used to be. Of memories with loved ones. Of important experiences. One whiff of a new perfume can fill you with hope for what is to come. Maybe that is why different perfumes make me so happy. They are kind of like the story of my life told through scent. A little while back, the Kim Kardashian Fleur Fatale was at my local Winners. Though I had not smelled it before, it was worth the risk, because I am a huge fan of the Kardashians. In fact, there are many Kim Kardashian perfumes in my collection already. (My all-time favourite is Gold.) So...how was Fleur Fatale? And how does it compare to other fragrances in my existing perfume collection? 

inspired by: kim kardashian's snapchat makeup

It isn't too often that something really catches my attention on Snapchat. Sure, I love to follow my favourite celebrities and see what they're up to. But it's not often that I bother to screenshot something. But then a little while back, Kim Kardashian posted the makeup look, shown above. It immediately took my breath away. There was something about the bright colours and that ultra contoured face that just struck me. I knew right away that I wanted to try to re-create the look for myself. 

My reasoning? To follow through with some of my beauty resolutions. One of them was to be more adventurous when it comes to makeup. There are certain types of looks that I love to do - and wear often. But I want to continue to grow, learn, and sharpen my skills. That means continuing to try new things and really get out of my comfort zone. This Kim Kardashian Snapchat makeup seemed like the perfect place to start. It was full of bold, mermaid-like colours. What could be better than that? 

So...without further ado. Here is my version of this ultra bold, glamorous, and bright makeup look. Definitely let me know what you think of it. 

It can be a lot of fun to get creative and do something different. Being playful with colour is something that is constantly on my to-do list...and this Kim Kardashian makeup look was a great place to start. 

What do you think of this makeup look? Do you like to wear bright colours?

xo Shannon

love is the only gold.

Saving money is always a good thing. Especially during this time of year. Thanks to holiday spending and seasonal outings, my bank account has certainly been feeling the pinch. With tons of expenses coming up in the next several months....I am cutting back wherever I can. Except when I head to Marshalls, of course. While browsing the selection downtown, I came across a gift set of my favourite Kim Kardashian perfume: Gold. It was a great price and included a full sized bottle, a body lotion, and a body wash as well. I couldn't resist!

I remember the first time I smelled it. There was this set with four mini-versions of her fragrances that I picked up a few years back. The other scents were pretty and floral but Gold? Gold was something special. It had this spicy kind of undertone that was totally different to her other perfumes - or any other perfume I had in my collection. The scent isn't super girly. It's strong, powerful, and dynamic. This is the kind of perfume I reach for when I am feeling super confident.....or when I'm not feeling particularly confident and want to turn it all around.

As for the packaging, they did a great job. The picture of Kim on the box is glamorous. I also love the Gold lining inside makes the whole set seem elegant and luxurious. I love the combination of the black and gold. This was definitely a winner as far as I am concerned.

Some perfumes I love more than others. And some I reach for more than others. But when it comes to Kim Kardashian's Gold, I can't get enough of it. I don't know what it is about this particular scent, but it just makes me feel good! This set may not have been something I needed.....but I am certainly glad that I came across it. The perfume, lotion, and body wash are absolutely gorgeous.

Have you smelled Gold? What do you think of the scent?

xo Shannon

kardashian/jenner week (KKW beauty eyeshadow palette review)

I had no intention of buying KKW Beauty. In fact, I went into Ulta dead set and determined to buy as much Kylie Cosmetics as I was realistically able to. It wasn't that KKW didn't interest me. It was more that I had given myself a budget and I really wanted to try out products from Kylie Cosmetics. A lot of them. However, one eyeshadow palette from the KKW line took my breath away. The colours were warm and bold. Swatching them in the store only further impressed. There was no doubt about it: the Sooo Fire Eyeshadow Palette was coming home with me. Ready to take a peek? See what was so impressive about this product? As part of Kardashian/Jenner week here on the creation of beauty is art. I am finishing out this particular theme week with a full review of the Sooo Fire palette.

review: master palette by mario (anastasia beverly hills)

There are many things that make me happy. A few examples include Anastasia Beverly Hills and the Kardashians. (If you have been reading my blog for a while then you likely know about my obsession with the Kardashians. From inspiration photos to tutorials and hauls....they have definitely been featured here a time or two!) So of course, I had my eyes on the new limited edition palette from Anastasia Beverly Hills. The Master Palette by Mario was created by Mario Dedivanovic, Kim Kardashian's makeup artist. The man who has perfected the art of smokey eye looks and expertly contoured cheekbones has released his very first makeup product. And it is amazing.

My husband and I did a bit of shopping downtown on my birthday weekend. That of course included a quick stop off at Sephora. Going in, I was trying to be good. I knew about the palette but was determined not to shell out the $60 (CDN) to get it. Then I saw it. Swatched it. Fell in love with it. While I hmm-ed and haww-ed endlessly - it was as if there was an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other - my husband made the final decision. He told me to get it. Not only was there a Kardashian connection, he reasoned, but these were all the eyeshadow shades I loved most. Sold!

Before I get into my full review of the palette, let's take a closer look inside. Here are all of the shades and the swatches...

As you can see from the photo above, there is a great shade range here. The palette includes twelve shadows altogether (three matte and nine shimmer) that are warm, earthy, and easy to wear. There is a great combination of light shades, mid-tones, and deeper colours. That makes it easy to create that Kardashian inspired smokey eye look! 

These are swatches from the palette (all without a primer). From left to right they are: Hollywood, NYC, Kim, Muse, Marina, Claudia, Lula, Isabel, Violeta, 5th Ave, Bronx, and Paris. I love that the shades were named after the things that inspired Mario....the people and places he adores. So cute!

Now to dig into the full review. As you can probably tell from my review so far, I am a big fan of the shade selection. I love metallic colours, warmer tones, and bold neutrals. This has all of that and more. These are amazing every day eyeshadows that can be worn to work, out to lunch, or on a girls night out. It has the versatility to take you from day to night and work for a variety of different skin tones. Each shade was definitely well thought out. Something to keep in mind, though? If you do not like shimmery eyeshadows then this is something you should skip, as most of them have a shimmery finish. (Which is something that makes me happy. I love a good shimmery shadow!)

The packaging is sleek, simple, and sturdy. It has an elegant logo on the front, a magnetic closure on the front, and a small mirror inside. This palette also comes with a double ended brush. It has a fluffy blending brush on one end and a denser brush on the other end.

As for the texture of the eyeshadow shades? Incredible. They are so soft and buttery smooth. Each one applies like a dream and is super easy to blend. I haven't experienced any fall out whatsoever (even with the darker shade, Claudia) either. The pigmentation is another standout aspect of this palette. All of the shades, both shimmer and matte, are highly pigmented. Needless to say, I was very impressed with the quality of these eyeshadows!

The Master Palette by Mario is not just a good eyeshadow set. It is one of my all-time favourite makeup items. The quality is so high, the shadows are so wearable, and the formula is incredible. There is absolutely nothing about this palette that I would change. It was completely worth the price tag....and I am so glad my husband urged me to pick it up.

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

xo Shannon

kardashian/jenner week (kylie cosmetics holiday set review)

It is no secret that the Kardashians and Jenners are on my radar. They have been featured many times on my blog and YouTube channel over the years. Thanks to their always on trend style and bold makeup looks (like this one, inspired by Kim Kardashian's Snapchat)...they are many beauty enthusiasts dream come true. Which is why it only makes sense that it is Kardashian/Jenner week here on the creation of beauty is art. My last post was a Kylie Cosmetics and KKW Beauty haul and a review of two mini liquid lipsticks. Today, it is all about the Kylie Holiday Try It Kit. Find out what is inside, how the product perform, and what items stand out from the rest.

top five favourite: fall perfumes

Two things I love? Fall and perfume. Now that the weather is getting chillier and the temperatures are starting to drop....there are certain fragrances that have been calling my name more than ever. Ones that are a little warmer and bolder. During the summer months, I tend to use light, fresh, and fruity kind of fragrances but when the fall season hits? It calls for something decidedly different. Though there are many different bottles of perfume in my collection (you can take a peek at my perfume collection here) five of them really stood out. So, here they are. These are my top five favourite fall perfumes.

happy women go shopping.

Like so many others, I have been trying to cut back on my spending. New year, new budget, right? Because of this new budget, I haven't done much shopping....since boxing day, that is. So, I thought that I would show you some of the things I picked up during my boxing day shopping. I managed to find some amazing deals that I simply couldn't pass up!

Plaid flats from Attitude - on sale for $11!

 

 New clothes from H&M and Guess - buy one get one free. Amazing!

 

Jacket with faux leather sleeves - $16

 

One Direction perfume set - half price! 

 

Taylor Swift, Enchanted Wonderstruck Perfume - $17

 

Kim Kardashian Signature Body Spray $9 

 

Striped sunglasses and Betsey Johnson earrings - $10 and $16

The boxing day crowds may be insane...but there are plenty of great deals to be had! I definitely did well this year.

What do you think of these items? Have you done any shopping lately?

xo Shannon

comedy show review: kathy griffin (my life on the ptsd-list)

Kathy Griffin is someone that I really admire. She is an outspoken advocate who regularly stands on the right side of history. She is an ally to marginalized groups of people, loudly stands with survivors, and even tried to have her brother arrested for his various abuses. (Read more about the latter here.) I am so impressed with her perspectives and the way she handles adversity. Recently, she came to a city near me on her My Life On The PTSD-List and shared all sorts of stories about wild celebrity encounters and her own challenges in more recent years. Kathy Griffin is a strong and powerful woman who has held onto her voice, despite those who tried in vain to take it from her. It was such a delight to see her perform live again. She is charisma personified. Since I had such a wonderful time, it only made sense to share some of my thoughts on the sold out show.

take your valentine's day makeup from day to night

Do you want your Valentine’s Day makeup to look sweet or sultry? Well, how about a little bit of both. The most romantic day of the year is quickly approaching. That means it is time to whip out the chocolate hearts, choose an adorable singing card, and start thinking about your Valentine’s Day makeup. It doesn’t matter if you are attached or single. You can still have fun with your makeup this February 14th. The best place to begin is with a simple but sweet daytime look. From there, you can transform it into something dramatic, sultry, and perfectly suited to a special night on the town. Are you ready to get started? Then let’s go....

beginner series: five tips to make false eyelash application easier

Bigger is better…especially when it comes to lashes. Stars like Kim Kardashian and Gigi Hadid have made look-at-me lashes a must-have both on and off the red carpet. With stunning celebs sporting perfectly curled lashes everywhere they go (lashes with tons of thickness and length), it only stands to reason that everyone else wants to follow suit. At least every now and again! Some people are blessed with full lashes of their very own. The rest of us need a little extra help to make it happen. That’s why false eyelashes have become so popular. You can find them at your local drugstore, beauty supply store, or makeup counter. If lash application seems a little too complicated – or you haven’t had much luck in the past – don’t worry. These five tips will make it quick and easy to apply false eyelashes.

review: paris hilton gold rush perfume

It sounds strange to say, but perfume is a big part of my life. The truth is that I love to collect it as much as I love to wear it. Every day, my morning starts the same: there is a careful selection process as I pour over my perfume shelf. Eventually, I choose the perfect fragrance to suit my mood. Sometimes the scent is soft and sweet (like Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift) and other times it is bold and powerful (think Gold by Kim Kardashian). Since my perfume collection is so massive....there are always a few options for every mood and occasion. And I like it that way!

Currently, there is one scent in particular that makes me smile. It is Gold Rush by Paris Hilton. I picked it up during my shopping trip to the states several months back. The set (pictured above) came with a full sized bottle, a mini spray, a body lotion, body wash, and a massive gold purse. Everything about the set was fun and elegant - just like the scent! It is the perfect blend of sophistication and excitement.

As you can tell from the picture above, this perfume set is amazing in terms of the packaging. The bottle is absolutely stunning. The gold dress shape is lovely and looks incredible on my perfume shelf. As for the actual scent, it is just as wonderful as the bottle. It is a little sweet, a little spicy, and downright intoxicating. Whenever I wear Gold Rush, I feel strong.

If you couldn't tell, I love this perfume. A lot. This is without a doubt Paris Hilton's best.

Something else I am loving is the Becca Jaclyn Hill Face Palette. Check out swatches and a full review on my YouTube channel!

Have you tried Gold Rush? What did you think?

Editing Note: Since Paris Hilton has decided to publicly support an abusive man, her products will no longer be reviewed on the creation of beauty is art. All previous reviews will remain, but no new content will be shared. 

xo Shannon

inspired by: khloe kardashian

Lately, I have been watching a lot of Netflix while I work. I blame the return of Arrested Development. My family never had Netflix before the latest season, but now we've signed on for another six months. And it's amazing. There are just so many TV shows and movies to choose from. It's paradise!

Let me admit right now that I have mostly been using Netflix to catch up on episodes I'd missed of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. I love that show. It's addicting!  I may love Kim's style the most (pre-pregnancy of course), but my current obsession is with Khloe. I love her bold, outrageous personality. I admire that she is always so fun, lively, and outspoken. I definitely wish that I was a little bit more like her! 

Since my Khloe Kardashian love is at an all-time high, this post is going a two-parter. (This is obviously part one!) This first post is totally dedicated to her style. Her fashion sense is definitely a little hit or miss for me, but I love that she takes risks. She epitomizes sexy, glamorous style. Plus, her makeup always looks flawless.

Here are some of my favourite pictures of Khloe's style!

Do you like Khloe Kardashian? What do you think of her fashion style?

xo Shannon

kourtney kardashian: love it or leave it?

In all honesty, I never thought a time would come when I would write a blog post about Kourtney Kardashian. It is nothing personal...she just happens to be my least favourite of the bunch. While I have written about Khloe, Kim, and even Kylie in the past, I never had a reason to write about Kourtney. The main reason is that the others are far more ingrained in the fashion and beauty industries. Plus, I kind of adore them! That being said, when I saw a recent paparazzi picture of Kourtney, I instantly knew that I wanted to share it as part of my ongoing love it or leave it? series.

new in: kendall + kylie accessories (purse and shoes)

At this point it should come as no surprise that I am a big fan of the Kardashian/Jenner family. Over the years, I have dedicated more than a handful of blog posts and YouTube videos to this ultra famous family. From makeup tutorials to product reviews and fashion posts...there are so many ways to get inspired by Khloe, Kim, Kourtney, Kendall, and Kylie. Since I am such a huge fan, it was especially exciting to stumble upon a few pieces from the Kendall + Kylie line. (At a discount, no less.) Of course, I simply had to have them. Curious to see what the items are? Not to worry: all will be revealed. Keep reading to check out my new shoes and purse from the Kendall + Kylie fashion line.