affordable body shimmer products to try + mini reviews

There is no better way to celebrate the summer season than with an extra hint of sparkle. The way glitter shines in the sunlight just makes the world seem brighter and more beautiful. Thankfully, body shimmer products are easy to find. Best of all? There are countless budget friendly options available. If you are looking for some stellar shimmers that will give your next look that extra oomph...look no further. Here are a few liquid products and a couple of powder products to consider. There are options from Hard Candy, Bath & Body Works, and Avon. Keep in mind, the most expensive is $16.50 and the least expensive is $7. So whatever your budget allows....it is possible to find something spectacularly shimmery.

inspired by: chromatica + lady gaga inspired style for real life

When it comes to music...women are dominating. Especially in the pop genre. There have been recent releases from Katy Perry, Britney Spears, and even Lady Gaga. The latter is back in an undeniable way. Her first week sales were massive and the second single from the album (a duet with another woman of pop, Ariana Grande) debuted at number one. There is no denying it. This era of Lady Gaga is a smashing success. Not only this the music amazing but so is the style and overall concept. I love the 90s, space alien, drag queen inspired, over the top outfits, accessories, makeup, and hair. Everything makes a statement. Which totally sums up Lady Gaga's aesthetic. And is one of the many reasons that she is such an enduring star. Her image is always completely out there. You never quite know what you're going to get. One red carpet appearance might have her sporting something dramatic and alien-esque and the next might show her in a floppy hat and oversized blazer. She is always keeping fans on their toes. So, today this post is dedicated to all things Chromatica.

rank + review: jaclyn hill makeup products

Jaclyn Hill is no stranger to controversy. Many of her beauty releases have been riddled with issues. (Anyone remember the whole fuzzy lipstick fiasco?) Despite that...there are four Jaclyn Hill related products in my makeup collection. Three are collaborations with Morphe and one is a collaboration with Becca. Though I have been curious about Jaclyn's own line, there hasn't been anything that seemed like a must-have. Maybe one day! Until then, my focus is on using and enjoying the Jaclyn Hill makeup already in my possession. Maybe you've been wondering what these releases are actually like. Or need the inspiration to use something in your current makeup collection. At any rate...it is time to take a closer look at these ultra popular Jaclyn Hill releases. Here they are, ranked and reviewed.

beginner series: choosing an eyeshadow palette

Are you new to makeup? Then the word palette might be a little bit scary. Eyeshadow trios or quads may be more in your comfort zone. Take a deep breath. You can find the perfect palette for wherever you are in your makeup journey. It doesn't matter if you are brand spanking new, still learning, a total pro, or somewhere in between. Finding an eyeshadow palette that gives you everything you need simply requires additional thought and care. Here are some effective tools to help you choose a palette that suits your needs and current skill level.

why i reordered the emily edit (the needs) palette

There are some makeup items in my collection that get used more than others. My most used? The Needs palette from The Emily Edit collection. For those of you who missed the initial launch, Emily Eddington aka Emily Noel on YouTube teamed up with Revolution at the end of 2018. There were two items in the collaboration: The Needs palette and The Wants palette. The Needs was all about those everyday essentials where The Wants palette was loaded with lots of colourful eyeshadows. (Take a peek at that palette and a full review here.) All in all, it was a fabulous selection of products. Ones that I continue to go back to time and time again. Though I have not been buying new makeup products lately and been dedicated to using more of what is in my collection....it was time for a re-stock. As I mentioned, my original The Needs palette has been around since 2018 and I have used it almost every single day. So, I went on the Revolution Makeup website and ordered two more palettes. They were super affordable and on sale as well, so with shipping, both palettes cost a mere $25 CDN.

shop my stash: abh x alyssa edwards palette

What is old is new again. At least when it comes to my makeup collection. Normally, this time of year is spent splurging on shiny new items from Sephora or adding exciting releases from the drugstore to my beauty room. These days? I am doing everything in my power to cut back. To step back from the lure of spending and focus on enjoying more of what I have. This is something I am working on in every aspect of my life. What caused this shift? For a few months, I was at home. All the time. I rarely left the house except to buy groceries. COVID-19 changed everything in an instant. There were no more trips to the shopping mall or cute outfits to buy for special events. There weren't any concerts to attend or dinners with friends to enjoy. It made me re-prioritize my spending....but it also made me realize how blessed I am to have so many wonderful things.

My home has shelves full of books. Drawers full of eyeshadow palettes. Movies, DVD sets, crafting supplies, and notebooks. I am so lucky. And yet, in the past, I have always been looking for more, more, more. This isn't to say I will never buy anything new again. More that I am trying to be thoughtful. I am trying to really use and enjoy the incredible things I am grateful to have. Which is why you will see some different kinds of posts on here. (You may have already noticed this shift!) Yes, there will still be lots of reviews but there will also be shop my stash posts, revisited reviews, #FOTD style posts, and so on. My goal is to appreciate every single item in my current makeup collection. On that note! Here is an updated review and a makeup look featuring the Anastasia Beverly Hills x Alyssa Edwards eyeshadow palette.

review: china glaze nail polish (VII)

China Glaze and I have had a bit of a rocky relationship. In the past, there were nail polishes from the brand that really impressed me. Then this past fall, I purchased a neon yellow shade that looked beautiful in the bottle but was without a doubt, the worst nail polish I had ever used. By a country mile. It took more than fifteen coats to build up the colour and it chipped the very next day. (You can read all about that experience here.) Despite that...the shade VII looked absolutely beautiful. The rich plum-maroon shade was enchanting, dramatic, and right up my alley. I had to try it. Did it work? Or was it another disappointment? Here is everything you need to know about this China Glaze nail polish.