Beauty By Lyndsey

The Kylie Jenner Lip

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 04:59:00 +0000

If you happen to have even the slightest interest in makeup, then you know that pretty much everyone and their dog is obsessed with the lip colour Kylie Jenner has been rocking lately.
The only problem is that no one seems to know what product(s) she's using.
I am most definitely one of those who is loving her lipstick shade, so I decided I would attempt to recreate it for myself.
I searched and swatched and tore my lip drawer apart, but just couldn't find something that was going to do the trick. Obviously that meant a trip to the mall was in order.

After an unnatural amount of time spent at MAC, I found two products that got the job done, especially when working with my already fairly pigmented lips.
Enter MAC's lip pencil in Subculture and lipstick in Faux. While the two look rather similar in the above photo, the lip liner is substantially more brown-based than the lipstick.
Depending on your colouring, you may need to play with the balance of these products, but I think with a bit of tweaking, they could work for most people looking to get Kylie's much coveted look.

Top - Bottom: Subculture, Faux, Faux layered over Subculture
(Still working on my swatch photo skills, bear with me...)

It's worth mentioning that Faux is not a matte shade, which I didn't mind because my lips have been pretty dry lately. However, there's a quick fix for that. Once I've applied my products, I blot the lips to take away some of the sheen. If that doesn't do enough to mattify the look to your preference, you can take single-ply tissue and lay it over the mouth before giving it a dust of a transparent powder. Do make sure to use something that is completely transparent, as you don't want to leave the lips with a white overlay!

I think it's safe to say I've found my new go-to lip colour for back-to-school...

The Orange Blush Edit

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 22:34:00 +0000

As a self-proclaimed blush addict, it's no surprise that I have quite the stash of blushers in my collection. These days, some of my favourite shades to wear tend to be of the less traditional variety.
As the summer comes to a close, I thought I would share with you all some of my favourite orange-based choices. Although the warmer months are almost behind us, I still think that many of these shades can work for autumn.
When wearing orange blush, my personal advice is to head forward with a light hand, particularly if you tend to lean on the pale side of things, like myself. Opting for a duo-fibre brush can really help you out when working with such intensely pigmented shades.

NARS Blush in Luster - While it may look quite orange in the pan, Luster has a golden sheen to it. One of the less pigmented shades, this is a good shade for someone new to using orange blusher.
Kat Von D Everlasting Blush in Wish - The newest addition to my stash is a neutral peach shade with a hint of shimmer. A wearable shade that does not draw attention to problematic pores.
Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Lover - Currently on the Illamasqua website for less than half price, this blusher is easily the most pigmented of the bunch. This shade is a matte apricot colour, and while the pigmentation is very intense, it can work for many skin tones.
Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso - A shade that has received its fair share of attention in the beauty world, Luminoso is your drugstore solution to orange blusher. The shade is a lovely warm peach colour with just the right amount of sheen. You could use a duo fibre brush for this offering, but I prefer to use an angled contour brush to amp up the intensity.

Limited Edition:
MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Blush in Warmth of Coral - While the word coral is in the name, this shade is most definitely orange. Warmth of Coral does not have any shimmer and is kind of the cool-toned sister of Lover. I generally use duo fibre brushes with MAC Mineralize Blushes, but since this one has no shimmer, any powder brush will do.
MAC Cosmetics Powder Blush in Supercontinental - I would describe this shade as a more pigmented version of Luminoso. The shimmer is a lot more obvious, and on my skin, it tends to look more coral than orange.

From L-R: Lover, Luminoso, Luster, Supercontinental, Warmth of Coral, Wish

Do any of you prefer to wear orange blusher? Any favourite shades?
Let me know in the comments below!

Oh, and I know my Illamasqua blusher is looking a little worse for wear at the moment, I just haven't gotten a chance to pick up the things I need to fix it.
Maybe it'll see an improvement by my next post...

The Weekend Post: Moving Cross Country and Jasper National Park

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 07:38:00 +0000

I know I've said it time and time again, but I'm really sorry for just vanishing into thin air!

Rather than bore you with some lame excuses, I'll just sum it up that things were crazy and I'm really bad at adding new things (blogs) to my schedule. Maybe things will be better this time around?
Anyway, as I mentioned in a previous post, I was planning on moving to Alberta after graduation and I'm here!
My mother and I drove across the country in her old sedan, which has officially been passed down to me.
It was a bit of a squished ride, but that didn't keep us down. Even after long days on the road (I'm talking 15 hours here, people) there was always time for laughs and sing-alongs.
However, rather than simply powering through and driving from NS to AB, we decided to stop along the way and take in a few sights.

Our first "detour" was to Ottawa, the nation's capital. Neither my mum or I had ever been, so we were pretty stoked to check things out. While the weather wasn't on our side (RIP nude flats) we still had a fantastic time - shopping, sightseeing, and eating. Uhhh, the eating...
We weren't really sure where to go, and while I'm sure there were loads of other places we could have went, we decided to go to Milestones. I had been there before when visiting a friend in Toronto, but only for drinks. While I did try an excellent craft beer at the Ottawa location, the burgers were what were ah-mazing. Like seriously, I'm drooling on my laptop as I think about them right now.
Mum ordered a chicken burger with a sriracha slaw and I opted for a beef burger with guac and salsa.
If I could lend you my brain so that you could experience the memory of these burgers, I would - they were so freaking good.
But I digress.

Our next destination was Sault Ste. Marie. Just so you know, it took us about 2 days to get through Ontario. If I never have to see Northern Ontario again, I won't be upset.
I'm really not sure what there is to do in the Soo, but I did a bit of googling and discovered that there were some waterfalls in the area. We all know how I can't resist a good waterfall.
As we were walking the trail to the falls, my mother decided that was the opportune moment to mention how much it would suck if we were to run into a bear. Uhm, say what?! The thought hadn't even crossed my mind at that point, honestly, but it was definitely there after she made that comment.

Will we ever understand my fascination with waterfalls? Probably not...

After Sault Ste. Marie, we did our best to power through the Prairies and get to Alberta as quickly as possible. We stopped in Edmonton for a brief shopping excursion, though to be honest, I wasn't that impressed with the West Edmonton Mall. A bit obnoxious, if you ask me.

Then, finally, we made it to Grande Prairie! Moving and getting supplies isn't all that exciting, but my dad flew in on our second day in GP and we decided we would head down to Jasper and check things out there.

WOW. That's about all I can say to sum up Jasper National Park. So freaking pretty, but so many bear warnings. As if I wasn't on edge after our trip to the falls earlier...

I GET IT, OK!?

Athabasca Falls - the obsession continues!

Got soaked trying to capture this, but how could I resist waterfalls and a rainbow??

Becoming one with nature...

Running away from nature when it got too close...

Anyway, the three of us had a fantastic time, albeit the trails were a bit hard on dad, especially when you consider he's waiting for a hip replacement.

Shortly after our return, my parents had to head back to Nova Scotia. I was sad to see them go, but also definitely looking forward to what the next year has to bring.

With that, I just want to say that I've got a bit of a schedule set up and some pretty cool ideas in mind, so I'm hoping that I'll be posting more frequently.

Until next time...

The Weekend Post: Medford Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 03:11:00 +0000

Sorry for the hiatus! Things have been pretty busy - I really didn't start my blog at an opportune moment.
Shortly after I started this blog, I entered into the final stretch of my classes, which meant an overwhelming amount of assignments were due as well.
And then after that I began my final teaching practicum, which ended up being changed at the last minute... but more on that at another time.
Anyways, I'm hoping to get onto a more regular posting schedule since I have a bit of a solid routine going on right now, but I thought in the meantime I would do a quick "Weekend Post" for you all.

Earlier today, my friend Emily asked if I wanted to go on a photography expedition. My only plans for the day involved some pyjamas, spicy hummus, and Netflix, so her offer definitely seemed like the better option.
So we packed up our bags, put on our boots, and off we went.

We ended up going to Medford Beach, which is about twenty minutes past Port Williams, NS. Our directions weren't that great, and from what we read online, it could be a bit of a challenge to actually get down onto the beach, thanks to years of erosion.
As we hit the end of the road, we decided to ask one of the locals as to how we should go about getting down the cliff. Luckily we met a lovely old man who actually let us cross through his backyard and use a private set of steps he had built. They were a little rickety, but they got the job done.

We then spent the better part of two hours trudging through the mud. To be fair, it probably didn't help that the tide had only just gone out an hour or so prior to our arrival.
Afterward, Emily and I decided to stop at The Port Pub on our way back through Port Williams.
We both got the Lobster Clubhouse, which was sooo good.
I'm definitely going to miss fresh seafood when I move in August!

Anyways, that's all for now. I'll leave you all with a few snaps from today.
After that, I'm going to grab my latest read, pour myself a modest glass of wine, hop in the tub, and then it's off to la-la-land for me.

Until next time...

Once we made it down onto the beach...

I have a serious obsession with running water. Not sure why.

I should mention there was a brief period of time where I thought I would be able to climb this.

There were snails and barnacles everywhere.

Desert-esque landscape on the ocean floor. Oh, Nova Scotia.

Morning Skincare Routine

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 04:23:00 +0000

Now, I'm a girl that absolutely despises washing her face before bed, but doing it after I've just woken up is a completely different story. I am most definitely not a morning person, but the process of preparing my skin for the day ahead really helps to wake me up. To some it may seem a bit time consuming, to others, not nearly enough. I'll leave that to you once you've seen the whole process.

But before I begin, one obvious disclaimer: This routine changes on an as-needed basis, depending on my specific skin concerns for the day.

Continue reading to find out more...

Cleanse

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser with Red Clay

This cleanser is absolutely divine! Though it comes out of the tube looking like a red gel, it turns into a nice white lather quickly after adding water. It is designed to purify the skin, unclog pores, and remove excess oils. Since I'm a gal who has to worry about her makeup slipping off by the middle of the day, I try to do anything I can to prevent that from happening. Not only has this cleanser help keep my skin balanced with regards to oiliness, but it has also helped to improve the overall state of my skin. It should also be important to note that I do use a topical acne treatment (more on that at a later date...) and this cleanser does not dry out my skin in the least!

Tone

Korres Pomegranate Toner

While I know that some people disregard the entire step of toning, it is one that I personally think has helped with the improvement of my skin in a big way. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a weird obsession with buying toners, but the one I'm loving right now for the day has got to be this product from Korres. The toner acts as an astringent to clarify and mattify the skin. It contains both pomegranate water and pomegranate extract, which are full of anti-oxidants. The ingredient list also includes witch hazel and salicylic acid to help clarify and mattify the skin. I still haven't decided if I like the scent of it yet, but it does dissipate rather quickly after use.

Hydrate

Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Booster

Any of you who even know of Caroline Hirons have surely heard about Hydraluron. It is a hydrating serum packed with hyaluronic acid, which as an fyi, holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it the perfect precursor to your moisturizer. Another important note about this serum is that it contains a specific type of marine red algae, which promotes skin turnover, allowing the hyaluronic acid to better penetrate the skin.

Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturizer
This has got to be the absolute best scent to put on your face first thing in the morning. This lightweight moisturizer has a very strong citrus scent that I personally adore. It is an oil-free formulation, so it is designed to work on all skin types. Coming from someone who has sensitive/acne prone skin, I can tell you that this one did not break me out. I am a bit oily, and I wouldn’t say that this helps, but it also doesn’t lead to more oil production throughout the day. And just on a personal note, I don’t rub it in too much, as I like to let a little sink in rather than going into the skin on my hands.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
I just thought I would throw this one in, even though it’s not something I use all the time. If my skin is feeling a bit dry or I can see some rough patches, I’ll apply a generous amount of this, just to those areas, to amp up the hydration. I have used this all over the face during the day, and if you don’t mind a slightly heavier moisturizer, or you find you need something more substantial than the Origins offering, then this might be the one for you.

Treat
Indeed Labs Eysilix Instant Eye Rescue
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to include this in the hydrate or the treat category, but I figured there was already too much in the first category, so I went with the second option. Anyway, this is an eye cream that I use on a regular basis that is perfectly lightweight and gentle on that ever-so delicate area. I’m not sure if it packs quite enough of a punch for anyone with serious anti-aging concerns, but if you’re just looking to add a bit more hydration to the skin around your eyes, then I would definitely recommend giving this one a go.

Origins Super Spot Remover Acne Treatment Gel
There’s a mouthful for you. This little baby is the answer to your prayers when you wake up with a big spot – especially if it’s before an important event. While I already use a prescription treatment a few times a week at night, I do like to have something to put on those really pesky spots during the day. And the best part? It doesn’t flake off during the day so you’re free to put makeup right on top of it.

Phew! That was a long one, but a couple of people had asked for it, so there you have it. My go-to morning skincare routine.
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above? Care to share your own routine? Feel free to do so in the comments!

The Weekend Post: Reading Week

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 05:08:00 +0000

So, there it goes. My final Reading Week. This time next year I will have finally graduated and will be out into the "Real World". Dun, dun, dun...
As usual, I returned to The Motherland to spend some time with family and friends.

The Motherland (Cape Breton Island)

Since it was my final reading week, I decided to do something I had never done during a previous Reading Week - Read. Shocking, I know.

Technically this is supposed to be the time that you catch up on school work and read school-related things, but let's not get too picky.

Since I'll be moving to Alberta in August, I'm trying to work my way through some of the literature lying around my apartment so I don't have to worry about taking it with me. This is currently what's on the list.
Over the break, I finished Far To Go, by Allison Pick (not pictured) and made a fairly substantial dent in The Book Thief, which I am currently loving. If you couldn't guess, I have a bit of an interest in World War II, so it's not weird to see quite a few related reads on my bookshelf.
Once I finish Zusak's book, I'll continue to work my way down the pile.

I'll eventually read them all...

Aside from reading, I spent a pretty significant amount of time watching The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. Pretty good one for Canada this year, eh? Between events I managed to make time to hangout with friends and enjoy some live music - see Instagram for more details (videos) on that! And, of course, what's a trip home without a visit to the salon? This time I decided to change it up and go dark again, but this time, for fun, threw in a bit of red to spice things up.

On my way back to university, I took a few pictures of The Island and I just couldn't resist sharing a couple with you all...

St. Ann's Look-Off

One more time...

Nothin' but clear skies ahead.

Closed for the season...

So, what do you like to do when you have time away from school or work?
Share some ideas in the comments below!
(Also, I know... technically the weekend is over, but as I still haven't gone to bed, it's still Sunday in my books!)

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 19:04:00 +0000

When Hourglass Cosmetics released their Ambient Lighting Powders, I couldn't wait to get my hands on them. It was marketed as a finishing powder that would diffuse and soften the way light hits the skin. While I wasn't overly impressed with them as an all-over face powder, I did love it as a highlight, and for good reason. They're finely milled, never chalky, and have solid staying power. So you can imagine how excited I was when they announced their newest product - Ambient Lighting Blush.

Here's what the Hourglass website had to say about the product...

This groundbreaking hybrid combines the customized lighting effects of
Ambient Lighting Powder with a spectrum of breathtakingly modern hues.
The result is a natural radiant finish with seamless,
soft-focus and buildable color.

Sold! Being an absolute blush freak, I decided that I would order all six offerings as soon as they were released. And then I looked at my bank account... That obviously wouldn't be happening any time soon. So, I waited until the reviews started surfacing online. (My favourite for swatches? Temptalia, of course.) It was then that I realized I really didn't need all of them (duh!)

I originally thought I would want Ethereal Glow, but decided that it wouldn't serve much of a purpose as a blush, being so light in colour. In the end, I settled on Radiant Magenta, and I could not be more pleased!

Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Lighting Blush - Radiant Magenta

Much like its predecessor, the Ambient Lighting Blush has a lovely texture and fantastic staying power. However, it was the pigmentation that I was most impressed with. You hardly need to use any product to get good payoff on the skin. In fact, I recommend using a duo fibre brush to apply this product, depending on the look you're going for.

It's just so darn pretty...

As I mentioned before, there are some similarities with the shade offerings.
Ethereal Glow is very light and I imagine it would be more suitable as a highlight for most.
Luminous Flush, Diffused Heat, and Radiant Magenta are all a bit too similar for me to buy more than one.
Mood Exposure is definitely darker than all of the other shades, with Dim Infusion leaning a bit more coral (read: orange) than the rest.

Ambient Lighting Blush vs. Ambient Lighting Powder

If you're looking to take the plunge, you can find them here at the Hourglass Cosmetics website.
These blushes are definitely smaller than the original powder - 0.15 oz versus 0.35 oz. You'll also notice that they're a bit pricier than your average blush, coming in at a whopping $41CAD.
To put that in perspective with some of my favourites...
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush: $31CAD for 0.2 oz.
Illamasqua Powder Blusher: $32CAD for 0.14 oz.

So, what are your thoughts on these blushes? Let me know in the comments below...
I've still got my eye on Dim Infusion. Do I smell a coral/orange blush post coming up for Spring?

Urban Decay Naked3

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 02:25:00 +0000

When I first got wind of Urban Decay's Naked3 palette, I thought to myself - "Do I really need another neutral eye shadow palette?"

The answer to this question was, obviously, YES.

Although it is still fairly neutral, Naked3 tends to lean a bit pink. While some people were concerned about this rosy-hued palette, I personally find this offering quite wearable. I’ve used it on myself, as well as a few friends on nights out, and I am beyond pleased with the result.

Urban Decay Naked3

Just like the first two Naked palettes, the twelve shades allow you to create a variety of looks with minimal effort.
On a typical day, I tend to reach for three shades – Strange, Dust, and Limit. A quick sweep of Dust on the lid, a bit of Limit (or Nooner) in the crease, and a touch of Strange on the inner corner and brow bone to finish it off.
If you want to take things up a notch for a night out, I recommend making use of Darkside and/or Blackheart. Be careful though – Blackheart has a bit of fallout, so definitely make sure to tap that brush before applying!
And of course, for a “no fuss, no muss” look, take a fluffy brush and blend Liar or Mugshot all over the lid – simples.

Your answer to wearable pink eye shadow.

What are your thoughts on this palette from Urban Decay? Already have it? Can’t wait to get it? Or maybe you’re just plain uninterested…

Let me know in the comments below!

The Body Shop's Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Balm

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 23:48:00 +0000

Over the past few months, cleansing balms have become my makeup remover/cleanser of choice. The latest addition to my stash is The Body Shop’s Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Balm. Retailing at about $16CAD, this little number is a more affordable, less bumped up version of the incredibly popular Emma Hardie cleansing balm (and for those of us living across the pond, not only is it significantly cheaper, but it is also much easier to get your hands on).
On their website, The Body Shop has the following to say about this product:

This cleanser is an indulgent make-up remover for the whole face. It gently and efficiently melts away make-up and impurities, leaving skin feeling clean, refreshed and pampered.

Well that’s all fine and dandy but does it actually live up to its description?
I think so - it works like a dream when it comes to removing makeup, and if I wasn’t so worried about destroying my washcloths, I would most likely use it to remove eye makeup as well (more on this at a later date…)
Speaking of washcloths, when using this cleanser, I take a small amount onto my fingers, rubbing together until it turns into a sort of oily consistency. Then I go ahead and massage it into my skin for about ~60 seconds before wiping it off with a warm washcloth. With this particular product, I would say that you would not need to use a second cleanser afterward, as it does not leave any sort of residue and your skin really does feel cleansed and nourished.

It should also be noted that there is no heavy scent to this product, and the light smell that is present dissipates quite quickly after use, so for anyone who is particularly sensitive to scents, I would say there’s nothing to worry about on this one.

Lastly, the one thing that I particularly like about this product is how it holds up in the container. My EH cleanser began to separate (oil coming undone from the actual balm – forced to mix up in container before use, thus changing the consistency of the product) after about two months of use. I also thoroughly enjoy the light packaging and the fact that the container is more disc shaped, making it a breeze to throw into your bag when travelling.

So, long story short, would I repurchase? Probably not.
There are so many cleansers out there that I’m itching to get my hands on that it would be pointless to do such a thing. My skincare expectations are probably somewhat unrealistic, but I will probably forever think – what if there’s something better out there? Something that gives a deeper, cleaner feeling, while still providing optimum moisture and without being too harsh on my sensitive/acne prone skin. Does it exist? I’ll keep you posted.
With that being said, a second question needs to be asked: would I recommend this product? Absolutely. It really is a great product, and it is especially good for anyone interested in trying a cleansing balm, thanks to its budget-friendly pricing, plus it's cruelty-free!

Important Update:
After testing this product, I found that it was causing serious breakouts. I mean, serious. I hadn't seen anything like this on my face in years. It was horrific. I cannot even include a photo of this product as I had handed it down to my dry-skinned friend, who thankfully, had much better results with it than I did.
So, if you're oily, prone to acne, or have sensitive skin, you may want to see if you can get a sample of this before committing to it.
Thank goodness it wasn't an expensive purchase...