does it work?? clarins water lip stain in red water

I used to love a good lip stain. There was a period of time where the Benefit Bene-Tint was my everything. I used it all the time and purchased all sorts of different colours. The stains worked on the lips and the cheeks....and I loved having a makeup product that I knew would stay put. To this day, I enjoy a good lip stain, because it means I don't have to worry about product moving or transferring. It is a low maintenance kind of product and that can be really appealing. That being said, I haven't purchased a tint from Benefit in many years now. There is no reason exactly. I suppose as lots and lots of other products were added to my collection, it just sort of slipped my mind to do a repurchase. (Though now that I am thinking about it...I absolutely just browsed the Benefit website to see what colours were available. Oops!) A little while back, I received a sample of the Clarins Water Lip Stain. I can't quite remember where this sample came from, but nonetheless, it has been waiting for me to put to good use. Finally, I have been able to test out the Water Lip Stain for myself and see how it compares to previous tints that I have tried. Ready to find out if it works? If it is similar or better than the Bene-Tint? Keep reading...

current obsession: betsey johnson back to school inspired earrings

One thing I do not miss? Being in school. Though several friends are currently enrolled in classes and have had to readjust to "back to school" life, thankfully, I do not. Though education is extremely important (and it is necessary to continue to learn throughout your life)...my school days are over as far as I can tell. I have long since graduated from university and have achieved what I plan to achieve academically. The truth? School was never my favourite place. I was bullied in elementary school and high school. I was mostly ignored and uncomfortable in university. Oh, and I hated the early mornings and the long commute. There were a few friends who made life better, but school in general was not a positive experience for me. I actually love that those days are behind me. That being said, a pair of back to school inspired earrings from Betsey Johnson caught my eye recently. At this point, it is clear that I have a serious weakness for anything and everything Betsey Johnson. She just has a way of making the world seem a little bit brighter. It is time to take a closer look at these back to school inspired earrings.

when will it stop being cool to be quietly misunderstood?

There are far too many pictures saved on my computer. Some are fashion editorials that I like, some are of people that I admire, and some are just random inspiration photos. Whenever I am feeling low...in need of a little reminder that there is beauty in the world...I like to look at those photos. It is a nice way to remember that beauty can exist even in a society that often feels dark, cruel, and hateful. In case anyone out there is feeling a little out of sorts today or is struggling to see the good, here are are some inspiration photos. I hope they lift your spirits or at least act as a reminder that you are not alone. 

testing out a sephora lip product + mini sample review

There was a little bit left on a Sephora gift card in my wallet. Though I had intended to use it on a Rare Beauty liquid blush, the blushes are often out of stock in store. Tired of waiting, impulsively, I placed an online order for a lipstick. Since I have been really into cool toned makeup looks lately...I was looking for a cool toned lipstick to pair with my beloved Kara Beauty eyeshadow palette. A quick search on the Sephora website led me to a few different options. Ultimately, the Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick was added to my cart. The shade Pretty Beige was described as a matte taupe. Since my gift card covered the $20 CDN cost, it was an impulsive decision, but one that I felt pretty good about. I was also able to add two samples to my order. I chose the Glossier Stretch Fluid Foundation sample set and the Huda Beauty Faux Filter Luminous Matte Liquid Concealer sample set. I wanted to know how the foundation and concealer would perform. Samples are a great way to find out whether the formula works for me...and if it is something that I want to purchase a full-sized version of in the future. Ready to take a look at the Sephora lipstick? The samples? Here is a makeup look and some mini reviews. 

early fall favourites (makeup, music, beauty products, and more)

Tomorrow might be the first official day of fall, but I have been in fall mode for the last several weeks. I'm talking seasonal decorations, cozy sweaters, and Halloweentown in the DVD player. The pumpkin scented wall plug ins are already on full blast in my home! In honour of this oh-so-special time of year...it made sense to share some of my early fall favourites. These are all of the things that have been assisting me with the transition from a hot and sticky summer to a crisp and clear autumn. 

fall fashion trends (2023)

Fall is an exciting season for a lot of reasons. For starters, the cooler temperatures are always a relief after a hot and muggy summer. Then there is the fashion to consider. Once the fall season rolls around, I am usually a plaid button down and cozy sweater kind of person...but there are all sorts of exciting seasonal trends to enjoy as well. These can be bold and exciting or a little more practical. It all depends. Ready to check out some of the fall fashion trends for 2023? Here are a few favourites.

my favourite eyebrow products

I have always had a difficult relationship with my eyebrows. When I was younger, my grandmother told me my eyebrows were "strong" and urged me never to pluck them. Unlike the other girls in my classes, my eyebrows were bushy, large, and out of control. I felt so ashamed of them. (Especially when the ultra thin brow trend was around.) Eventually, I did pluck my unruly brows, but to this day, that shame lingers just below the surface. Even plucked and polished...my eyebrows don't match. I learned this after booking an appointment to have them waxed once. The woman at the salon told me that one eyebrow was shorter than the other and one had more hair than the other. Her comments were probably meant to be harmless, but I remember feeling that familiar sting of shame. And I never went back to get my eyebrows waxed. I was too embarrassed. So, when it comes to brow products, having things that work well and make me feel semi-confident is everything. It's why I tend to use the same things on my eyebrows over and over again. On that note, here are my favourite eyebrow products.