Lavender Luxury

New Eyeshadow Palettes!

2019-02-06T00:50:00.000-05:00

Hey y'all!!! I'm super late with this post, but I just wanted to share some new eyeshadow palettes that I got on my birthday. I had my eye on the 'Morrocan Spice' palette by Fenty Beauty and the 'Born to Run' palette by Urban Decay for a little while and luckily, I had amazing friends that surprised me with them! I loved these palettes because I thought they both had bold and fun colours that would look nice on my skintone.

Morrocan Spice - Fenty Beauty

These shadows have a really flirty feel to them. The first two rows kind of give me fairy princess vibes– they're very light and airy looking. I think they'll create some really pretty looks in the Spring.

The second two rows are more bold, so it'll allow me to create some more smouldering looks.

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with this palette. The packaging is so cute and there's a nice variety to the shades. Also, the shadows go on pretty smooth.

Born to Run - Urban Decay

Ummm, so first off, let me just say that this palette is BOMB!!! The colours looked so fresh and intense from the pictures I saw online and they were even more gorgeous in person. The shadows are very pigmented and work beautifully on dark skin.

This palette is definitely something I would bring on vacation because you have some really playful colours, but you also get some beautiful, warm neutral shades, as seen in this first row. These are some colours I would probably rock for some subtle daytime vacay glam.

I think this second row might be my favourite. These colours just remind me of a fun summer night.

This last row has the most shimmer shadows in comparison to the other rows and has more of a dark feel. I think I'll be able to create some super cool and edgy looks with this.

Fenty Beauty Review on Dark Skin

2017-11-25T15:28:00.002-05:00

Helloooo lovelys its been FOREVER!! This post is long overdue, but I got my hands on Rihanna's Fenty Beauty back in September, and I've been loving it ever since. I picked up the Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation in 460, the Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick in Sinamon, Match Stix Matte Skinstick in Mocha, the Killawatt Freestyle Highlighters in Ginger Binge/ Moscow Mule and Mean Money/Hu$tla Baby as well as the Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer.

Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation in 460: This is a matte foundation, but the finish appears to be more of a demi-matte. The shade 460 is good for those with dark skin and cool/neutral undertones. If you are looking for a foundation with medium to full coverage, this would be perfect foundation, as it is quite buildable. It's long lasting throughout the day, but doesn't seem to pair well with primers that aren't from the Fenty Beauty line of products. However, I am seriously digging this foundation, because of how well it matches my skin tone and the coverage it provides. It looks natural, offering quite a bit of coverage without looking cakey.

Match Stix Matte Skinstick in Mocha: Great for brightening up the under eye area. It is a creme formula that goes on smoothly without creasing. You can also get the skinsticks in a trio that include a highlighter and contour stick. I opted to get the single skinstick, as the contour shades in the trios were not dark enough for my skintone. I found that a little disappointing but seems as though she will be coming out with much more, very soon, so fingers crossed!

Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick in Sinamon: This product serves as a more subtle highlight for everyday. It also serves a multi-purpose item as well - you can put it anywhere! The bridge of your nose, cheeks, eyelids, wherever you want really! I've really been enjoying the versatility of this product.

Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer - This is a high sheen gloss with clear pinkish-brown hue. I love it because it isn't super sticky, but has pretty good staying power regardless. I've always been a gloss girl so I'm pretty happy that it has made a comeback. My favourite thing to do with this gloss is to pair it with a brown lipliner - a go to move for us WOC ;)

Killawatt Freestyle Highlighters in Ginger Binge/Moscow Mule and Mean Money/Hu$tla Baby - These highlighter duos are absolutely amazing! Each set is made up of two similarly pigmented highlighters - one subdued and one that's more high wattage. The more subdued side I tend to use for an everyday look, while the other I opt to wear at night. Like everything else in this line, the highlighters are very versatile. Ginger Binge/Moscow mule I sometimes use as a blush, opting to place Mean Money/Hu$tla Baby on top as a highlighter. I feel like with the duos, you get more bang for your buck and versatility. This is hands down one of my favourite offerings from the line.

Match Stix Matte Skinstick in Mocha (left), Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick in Sinamon (right).

Ginger Binge/ Moscow Mule

Mean Money/Hu$tla Baby

Check out my YouTube review of Fenty Beauty!

Trying Out Face Masks - Boscia & Origins

2017-02-02T14:19:00.002-05:00

Now if you're like me, you're on a never ending quest to find the key to perfect skin. After searching high and low I've narrowed it down to these two super popular products: the Boscia Luminizing Black Mask and the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask.

The first up is the Boscia mask. It was a bit pricier than other masks I've tried out before, retailing for for $39 bucks CDN at Sephora. The consistency of the mask when putting it on was slightly goopy in addition to making my eyes water for some reason. The mask dries quite quickly, drying to a shiny black latex look. I left it on for about 30 minutes so it could could fully dry. When completely dry the mask felt tight, leaving me a little afraid to laugh too hard (haha). This mask is a peel-off, which I found a little intimidating due to the many videos I had seen online of people screaming and writhing in pain when removing it. When it came time to take it off it was indeed somewhat of a daunting task. For me the hardest part was trying grab a piece at the bottom to peel off. Once I did that peeling off the mask wasn't too difficult, albeit slightly uncomfortable. Even though my skin type is oily, I still found this mask to be particularly drying. It removes moisture from your face in addition to removing impurities from your pores. I guess this is why the instructions say to apply a moisturizer right after. My skin felt clinically clean the first time I used this which I liked, but also a little itchy and irritated. I would urge you use this mask with caution, especially if you have sensitive skin like myself. One cool aspect of this product was the fact that you could actually see the impurities being removed since they are pulled out as you peel the mask.

Next up is the Origins mask. This mask was pretty straight-forward in its application and it's a trusted favourite of mine. With this mask you simply put it on, let it dry for about 30 minutes and then wash it off afterward. I really like the way my face feels afterward. It feels soft and supple and does seem to clear my pores up a bit. I would definitely recommend this mask to people who are looking for a weekly mask that isn't too harsh on the skin.

So that was my quick little review on both the Boscia Luminizing Black Mask and Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask. For a more in depth review on the two products check out my YouTube video after the jump.

Adj's Summer Fashion Round-Up

2016-09-12T12:00:00.000-04:00

Hey Everyone! Sorry for the hiatus, I know I haven't posted in a hot minute (school/life happened). Anyways, as Lisa said this Summer has definately been ridiculously hot! My go-to style for keeping cool has been decidedly city-girl chic. I wore lots of t-shirt dresses, denim cut-offs and rompers paired with sneakers. Check out some of my looks below.

Dress: H&M // shoes: Footlocker (Adidas) // Purse: Forever 21 // Sunglasses: Random boutique in chinatown

Romper: American Apparel // Purse: Aldo // Shoes: Little Burgundy

Hat: Forever 21 // Top: Brandy Melville // Shorts: Value Village // Belt: Value Village // Shoes: Little Burgundy (Jeffrey Campbell) // Purse: Forever 21

Top: H&M // Boyfriend Jeans: Costa Blanca // Shoes: Footlocker (Adidas)

Lisa's Summer Fashion Round Up

2016-09-07T16:37:00.001-04:00

This summer was a scorcher!! I don't remember the last time there was a summer that was so consistently hot. I kept cool this season by rocking lots of denim cutoffs and mini skirts. I loved rocking all my summer styles, but I'm over this weather now and super ready for fall fashion. I know I'll regret saying that but anywho, check out some of my looks below.

Hat: Boohoo // Crop Top: Forever 21 // Skirt: Brandy Melville // Necklace: Forever 21 // Shoes: Forever 21

Necklace: DIY (Learn to make it here) // Halter Top: Brandy Melville // Skirt: Forever 21 // Shoes: Zara

Fringe Jacket: Forever 21 // Halter Top: Brandy Melville // Shorts: Levis via Aritzia // Shoes: Journeys

Hat: Boohoo // Crop Top: Forever 21 // Long Cardigan: Zara // Shorts: Thrifted // Shoes: Zara // Necklace: Aldo

Check out the vid below to see a lookbook of my summer styles.

Rihanna x Puma Unboxing

2016-09-04T11:00:00.000-04:00

This post is a little late, but earlier this summer I ended up scoring a pair of the ever-elusive Rihanna Fenty x Puma Creepers. I was initially unsure of the shoe when it first dropped, but it quickly grew on me! I got the shoes in the Bordeaux colourway, which is a hunter green colour with a dark red stripe. I love this colourway as it reminds me of the classic 70s inspired Puma styles. I originally ordered this pair from Nordstrom and after a whole ordeal (watch the video below to hear about it) I ended up cancelling my order and ordering from Toronto-based Getoutside Shoes. I had no idea Getoutside was also carrying this line, so I was quite pleasantly surprised to find out I could grab a pair from here. This way I avoided dealing with insane conversion rates, shipping and customs fees. I think these shoes are a must have for any die hard fan of Miss Badgyalriri (such as myself) and/or Puma. I know I'm eyeing the fluffy slippers as my next purchase!

Check out my unboxing vid of the shoes below!

DIY Gift Crate

2016-04-02T17:41:00.000-04:00

I created this really cute gift crate as a present to one of my best friends and wanted to share with you all how I made it! I think it's a really cool, aesthetically pleasing way of presenting a gift. The great part about it is that the recipient can use it as decor and storage afterward. The gifts we put in the crate were a collaborative effort between myself and two other friends and I think it all added a really personalized twist. Check out the video below for a full tutorial.

My Trip to La Romana, Dominican Republic

2016-03-24T13:00:00.000-04:00

This post is long overdue, but last month I took a little trip with my girlfriends to La Romana, Dominican Republic. We stayed at the Grand Bahia Principe La Romana Resort, and I highly recommend it especially if you are a family, and/or looking for something more low-key than the usual resort fare. The weather was beautiful almost all throughout the trip and the resort staff were wonderful and attentive. We participated in two off-resort excursions - ziplining, and snorkeling with a trip to Catalina Island. These two excursions really made the trip for me, as we got to really see the beauty of the island without the commercialized lens of a resort.

Hope you enjoy my vacay pics and that they help you think of warmer days. I filmed a lookbook/travel diary of my trip as well. Check it all out after the jump!

XOXO,

Lisa

Take Instagram Pics Like a Pro - DIY Marble Background

2016-03-23T19:47:00.001-04:00

I've always wondered how other bloggers were able to get their pictures and feeds perfectly curated and what they were using for the beautiful marble backdrops I was seeing. After a little poking around, I've finally figured it out - marble Con-Tact paper! I bought the paper off of Amazon and used a square piece of plywood I got from Home Depot to lay it down on. For my example, I put together a cute little beauty flat-lay using some of my beauty favourites - MAC lippies, Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced, Essie nail polishes in Borrowed in Blue and Ballet Slippers, Nars blush in Outlaw and Nars lip gloss in Stolen Kisses. Watch my tutorial below to see how I put it all together:

Tory Burch Robinson Double Zip Tote Review

2016-02-12T02:35:00.000-05:00

Hey Friends!

I'm back with another video and this time it's a bag review. I've been rocking (and loving) this sturdy satchel and thought I'd let everyone know my thoughts on the bag. Please check out the video below. :)

XOXO Lisa

A Shopping HAUL!!! Featuring Aritzia, Urban Planet and Forever 21!

2015-12-28T07:41:00.000-05:00

I'm back with another video... this time it's a SHOPPING HAUL! I've picked up a few things from Aritzia, Urban Planet and Forever 21, so please have a look. If you like what you see don't forget to like comment and subscribe!

XOXO

Lisa

Holiday Season Lookbook 2015

2015-12-07T20:32:00.001-05:00

We're back! (again). Adj and I have a lot of exciting content planned for the upcoming weeks. I've recently started a Youtube channel and I'd love for you all to have a look. I featured looks that you could rock to a work Christmas party, a formal dinner party, Christmas Day, a casual dinner party and New Year's Eve. If you dig it, please like and subscribe.

XOXO,

Lisa

Giant Delicious Sugar Cookie

2014-09-18T16:37:00.002-04:00

I'm more of a cook than a baker but I couldn't resist trying out this recipe. It was very easy to make and equally delicious.

I used the recipe found here on Bunnys Warm Oven, and just left out the baking powder and lemon peel. Why? I had neither at the moment I was making this, but I didn't notice anything lacking when I devoured it haha.

Ingredients

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Prep

1. First preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Stir together flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and put it aside.
3. In another bowl beat the butter and sugar together until it's smooth and fluffy (I used an electric mixer).
4. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract and slowly blend in the dry ingredients, you put aside earlier.
5. Once everything is throughly mixed put it into a lightly greased cake pan (Oil of your choice).
* Alternatively you can use a skillet. I decided to use a cake pan over a skillet just because with a cake pan you can just pop the sides open to get the cookie out. Much easier than I imagine removing it from a skillet would be.
6. Pat down the mix in the pan so it's even and add the sprinkles on top. You can choose to add the sprinkles last, like I did, or mix it in earlier with everything else. It's up to you!

7. Bake the cookie for roughly 8 - 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly browned. * I didn't keep it in the oven too long, as I wanted it to be super soft and chewy.
8. Take the cookie out the oven and leave it to cool for a few minutes.

9. Cut the cookie and serve! I decided to be super indulgent and add a scoop of ice cream and whipped cream on top. You could even take it a step further and drizzle chocolate syrup on top of everything for an added sugar rush!

Enjoy!

- XOXO Lisa

We are Back! (Again)

2014-04-16T21:58:00.000-04:00

After a long hiatus we are making a conscientious decision to start posting again. This was a really great outlet for us to express ourselves creatively and we definitely need to get back to it. In the meantime enjoy this new Instagram account we created! @lavenderluxury

A Flowing Blouse in a Field

2012-09-16T12:27:00.001-04:00

Necklace: Aliexpress

Blouse: ModeStar

Tank: Forever 21

Bracelet: Aliexpress

Pastel Jeans: Express

Shoes: Aldo

I use a nikon 3100 dslr to shoot and I'm still learning how to capture vibrant and beautiful pictures with it, I think I'm slowly getting the hang of it. I have recently discovered that the best time to shoot is during what they call the golden hour. The golden hour is around sunset, the lighting is very warm and hides any imperfections. Very flattering!!!

Neon Green

2012-08-15T00:38:00.001-04:00

Spike Necklace: Happy Baby (aliexpress)

Tank: Urban Outfitters

Skull Bracelet: Happy Baby (aliexpress)

Denim Shorts: Topshop

Neon Green Sandals: Aldo

Bag: Tobi

Friday the 13th...

2012-07-15T22:07:00.002-04:00

A monster tee on Friday the 13th...coincidence? Not at all. I guess you can say I was trying to go along with the whole spookiness that usually surrounds Friday the 13th. Muhahaha >:) Oh, and the shirt was a tee I got for $1.99 and cut up myself. Look out for a post later on how to spice up your clothing! ;)

Muscle Tee: Black Market

Denim Shorts: Urban Behaviour

Bandeau: Garage

Converse Chuck Taylors: Foot Locker

Accessories: Happy Baby (Ali Express)

Midnight Stroll?

2012-07-15T21:35:00.000-04:00

Gotta love those summer nights. Here's another a outfit post from the night stroll with Lisa ;)

Hat: Aritzia

Denim Shirt: Garage (I bleached it)

Tank: Pink

Floral Biker Shorts: Forever 21

Keds: Little Burgundy

Multi-Layer Chain: Forever 21

Midnight Stroll (ha ha)

2012-07-12T23:59:00.000-04:00

Top: Forever 21

Shorts (+Belt) : H&M

Shoes: Aldo

Bag: www.tobi.com

Necklace: Karmaloop

Misc Jewlerly: Aliexpress

Follow @_adjoa on Instagram!

2012-07-11T23:22:00.002-04:00

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I've always been the type of person that loves taking pictures and ever since I got my iPhone, I've been hooked to Instagram! So if anyone reading this has an instagram account, follow me!

Summer time fun :)

2012-07-11T22:50:00.001-04:00

Headed out to a party and decided to snap some pictures of my outfit.

Wolf Tank: Retail Wholesaler

High waisted denim cutoffs: Black Market

Belt: Black Market

Cheetah Studded Sneakers: Aldo

Spiky arm bangle: Boutique downtown

Feather & chain ear cuff: Happy Baby (Ali Express)

Maxi Skirt Lovin

2012-06-07T22:02:00.000-04:00

Check out my ombré!!

Jacket: Danier Leather.

Crop Tank: Topshop

Belt: Zara

Skirt: Plndr

Bracelets: Fashionably Yours

Sandals: Forever 21.

Sunny Day

2012-06-07T21:26:00.002-04:00

Hat: H&M.

Sunglasses: Black Market.

Jean Jacket: American Eagle.

Dress: Spoof.

Cuff: Express.

Sandals: American Eagle.

Some Fun Downtown...

2012-04-19T23:36:00.000-04:00

Striped T-Shirt: Bluenotes

Denim Shirt: Forever 21

Fur Vest: H&M

Black Jeggings: Forever 21

Combat Boots: American Eagle

Accessories: H&M and Forever 21

Bandana: Dollar Store

Heather Greys and Black.

2012-04-11T19:38:00.000-04:00

Necklace: Local Celebrity from Plndr. Sweater: Hollister. Bustier: Talula from Aritzia. Harem Pants: Forever 21. Belt: American Eagle. Flats: Aldo. Bracelet: Etsy.