it is a little planet, but how beautiful it is.

Though nature may not be my favourite...it sure does looks nice.  As you may recall from a recent blog post here on the creation of beauty is art. my family spent a week at a cottage a couple of weeks ago. This has become a bit of a tradition in the last couple of years. Originally, it was the result of the pandemic and not wanting to travel too far away from home. Now? My family just seems to enjoy the experience. I am not exactly Team Cottage (bug bites, spiders, no computer...oh my!) but I always try my best to make the most of the time away. There were some low moments, like several mosquito bites on my chin and face, and some high moments, like doing some local shopping and seeing a movie at an interesting theatre. In this post, I will be sharing some of the highlights from the cottage vacation as well as a few photographs from the trip as well. Here goes...

current obsession: neon makeup products

Summer is officially on the way out. As a fall lover...this thrills me. I know, I know, I know. Most people dread the end of summer (and I have certainly felt that way a time or two in my life) but fall and winter make me positively giddy. I love the clothes and the colours and the festivities. I love the decorations and the traditions. I love pumpkin spice everything. There is so much to look forward to in the months ahead, but before the summer season actually ends, I wanted to focus on a seasonal obsession of mine: neon. It is no secret that neon makes me smile. After all, there have been lots of posts about neon on the creation of beauty is art. over the years. It is so bold and vibrant! Yes, neon is hard to ignore. Maybe that is why there have been lots of neon coloured products incorporated into my makeup looks recently. Here is a recent #FOTD and a mini review...

does it work?? lumiere sunless tanning serum

Summer isn't over yet! Despite the fact that I am dreaming about falling leaves and sweater weather...the sunshine is still out in full force. That means there is still a bit of time to put tanning products to the test. The Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer is my must-have and has been for many years now, but it is always fun to try out something different. Ready to find out how the Lumiere Sunless Tanning Serum performs? Here is everything you need to know about this seasonal product. 

love it or leave it? ariana madix

During the pandemic, there was a lot of TV in my life. To be honest, television has always been a comfort of mine, and I regularly watch more of it than I should. (Even as I write this post, there is a show playing in the background. For the record: I am currently rewatching Dexter. Spooky season is on the horizon, so it seemed like a fitting choice.) During the pandemic? TV was my best, best, best friend. I watched all sorts of shows...including Vanderpump Rules. I started by watching season eight and then went back and watched the show all the way from the beginning. Since then, I have rewatched the show a few times. And of course, I was on the edge of my seat when the Scandoval happened. Most of the cast members have a place in my heart for one reason or another, but my favourite person is Ariana Madix. I love how much she has grown over the years. I also love the fact that she has been so vulnerable about sharing her struggles with body image and mental health. Since Ariana is currently in a season of transformation and fresh starts (she will be on the new season of Dancing with the Stars and has a book coming out, Single AF Cocktails)...it only made sense to feature her in the latest installment of love it or leave it? 

review: r.e.m. beauty gogo boots eyeshadow palette

The hardest part of taking a vacation? Getting caught up on life afterward. I am doing my best, but it is certainly a bit of an adjustment. Fingers crossed I will be able to ease back into things in the next day or so. Until then...I wanted to talk a little bit about some makeup that I have been using recently. It was back in May that my mom and I took a short day trip over the border to do a little shopping. During that time, we were able to stop in at Ulta Beauty. It was there that I was able to take a peek at some r.e.m. beauty products. I'd heard quite a bit about the brand, since I am a fan of Ariana Grande, but since the products were not available to purchase in Canada, it wasn't a brand that I anticipated being able to use. Since there was a small display at the Ulta Beauty store we visited, it made sense to choose something special. I am an eyeshadow lover, so of course, it had to be an eyeshadow palette. There were a couple of options, but Gogo Boots ultimately won out. The colours just called to me. Ready to find out how it performed? Here is everything you need to know about this colourful release.

sometimes all you need is a break from life.

It is time for a short blog break here on the creation of beauty is art. By the time this post goes live, I will be at a cottage with my family for a week or so. It has become a tradition of sorts over the last several years. When the pandemic hit, it put travel plans on pause, so my parents rented a cottage where it would be possible for immediate family to come together safely...but still social distance from others. We have been renting different cottages each summer since. To be honest, it is not exactly my idea of a good time, because I do not love being in nature. Or being away from my computer. Or not having time to myself. That being said, I am very lucky to be able to spend time with my loved ones. I just wish it could be done without all of the mosquitos! At any rate, I will be busy making the most of cottage life for the next several days. (And applying lots of bug spray and sunscreen along the way. Sigh!) I look forward to catching up with you all once I am back home again. Until then...

Will you take any vacations this month? How are you spending the last days of summer?

theme week: lip products (NYX shine loud high shine lip color)

Well, the lip products theme week is wrapping up here on the creation of beauty is art. Over the last several days, there have been all sorts of different lipsticks, lip stains, and balms featured. Now? It is time to talk about the NYX Shine Loud High Shine Lip Color, which is described as a high-shine, long-lasting lip gloss. Apparently, this has been creating lots of buzz on TikTok, but that is not something that I can speak to. Honestly? I don't have TikTok and have no plans for it, considering the degradation and abuse that can spread like wildfire on the platform. There are so many issues with social media sites and user-created content apps. The amount of misinformation out there...the creators who profit off of pain...it really bothers me. Though I still use social media and consume certain types of content, it is something that I try to be very mindful about these days. On a happier note, there is always makeup. Here is everything you need to know about the NYX lip product that is generating buzz.