Misscouture17

NOTD: China Glaze Heart of Africa

2013-03-09T01:48:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone,
Today's NOTD is a beautiful deep shimmery burgundy shade with an almost metallic finish. The formulation of this polish is fantastic. It's a thinner varnish, but it goes on completely opaque in one coat. Not to mention, the lasting power is second to none. Most China Glaze polishes last 3-4 days without chipping on me. I took this picture 2 days after painting my nails with it. I love this varnish for the fall and winter and love to wear it for special occasions as it just makes me feel more sophisticated and grown up!

What's your favourite nail polish brand?

NARS Eyeshadow Duo: Kalahari - Review + Swatches!

2013-03-04T17:58:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone,
Today I wanted to share with you guys one of my favourite eyeshadow duos of all time, NARS Kalahari. I have a pretty wide range of neutral eye shadows in my collection, but after hearing so much about this duo and swatching it for myself, I knew that I had to have it. Hey, a girl can never have enough neutral shadows, right? ;)

The NARS website describes these shades as 'gold confection' and 'sugared cocoa' which is probably the oddest description for an eye shadow that I have ever heard. The shade on the left is more of a warm golden bronze (fairly similar to MAC Woodwinked) while the shade on the right is a cool taupe. Both shades are sort of metallic with a frosty finish.

The formulation of these shadows are so fantastic! They're so smooth and buttery and as a result, they blend very easily. The pigmentation of both these shadows is really great, as well. In terms of how long these shadows wear, it really depends on whether you have oily lids or not, but if you wear a shadow primer, they should last 8+ hours.

These duos contain 4 g/0.14 oz of product for $38 CND and $34 US. Kalahari can be found wherever NARS products are found!

Ultimately, this duo contains two gorgeous, well formulated neutral shades. If you're looking for a nice, versatile eye shadow duo and are willing to spend the money, I would definitely recommend Kalahari.

NARS Outlaw Blush: Review & Swatches!

2013-02-26T17:09:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone,
Outlaw came out with the NARS Autumn 2012 line. As soon as I saw it in Sephora, I knew that it would be the perfect autumn/winter blush, and I was right.

NARS describes this as a 'soft rose with golden shimmer' but I would describe it more as a medium berry with golden shimmer. On my cheeks, it gives a beautiful natural flush and thankfully, the gold isn't super glittery so it simply gives an illuminating effect to my skin. I think that this blush is better suited for those with warmer skin tones, but it's the perfect blush for anyone with maybe medium-darker skin tones. In terms of formulation, Outlaw is pretty good. It has decent pigmentation and blends fairly well. It isn't as smooth as some of the NARS blushes I've had, but it's certainly not dry and chalky either.

This product comes encased in NARS' iconic black rubber compact case. Each product comes with a full lid sized mirror of pretty good quality. The case collects fingerprints and dirt very easily though, which is unfortunate. Do not let the thick looking casing and rubber material lull you into a false sense of security. If you drop this blush it will completely shatter.

Each blush retails for $28 US and $33 CND (a $5 difference..are you serious NARS?!) and contains .16 oz/4.8g of product. Despite that it came out with the Autumn collection, Outlaw is now part of the permanent collection and can be purchased wherever NARS products are sold.

If you're looking for a berry blush and are willing to part with the money, I would definitely recommend Outlaw!

MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow: Review + Swatches!

2013-02-23T17:55:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone,
Satin Taupe is without a doubt one of MAC's most raved about eye shadows. After swatching it in store, I knew that I had to have it, but ultimately decided not to purchase it. I dropped a few very 'subtle' hints that I wanted it for Christmas, and ended up getting it. I am so glad I did, because Satin Taupe has very quickly become one of my all time favourite versatile eye shadow shades.

The MAC website describes this as a 'taupe with silver shimmer', but it is so much more than that. It's a darker, kind of brown taupe with subtle purple undertones and a fine silver shimmer. This particular eye shadow is pretty versatile because it can be used as a crease colour, used in the outer V of the lid to deepen a look, or you can apply it all over the lid and a little into the crease and blend out the edges for a quick put together look. Personally, I usually use this in the outer V and a little into the crease.

Left: normal swatch; Right: Satin Taupe blended out

Satin Taupe is one of those universally flattering shades that I think would look amazing on all skin tones and with all eye colours. Satin Taupe is a frost finish eye shadow with absolutely phenomenal pigmentation. This eye shadow does not have any chunky glitter, so pesky fallout is not an issue.

Each MAC eyeshadow contains 1.5g/0.05 oz of product and retails for $15 US and $18 CND. Satin Taupe is part of the permanent collection and can be found at any MAC store/counter and online at maccosmetics.com

What's your favourite MAC eye shadow?

February Wishlist 2013!

2013-02-19T15:31:00.000-05:00

February Wishlist by misscouture17 featuring a nike sports bra

Hey everyone,

I haven't done a wishlist in the absolute longest time, so I thought that today I would show you what I've been lusting for this month!

Evidently, I'm in desperate need for some new Spring/Summer workout gear. I've spent the entire winter season (and most of fall...shh!) lounging around and I haven't been working out at all, which is really bad. I really need to get myself motivated to start being more healthy and working out more and I definitely think that some bright, fun workout gear would help with that motivation.

First, I need some sports bras. I ehem, outgrew my old ones and it is torture to go for jogs without sports bras so I can't wait to pick some up in a few shades similar to the ones in the collage above - I really like Nike Pro Compression sports bras and Under Armor.

I could also use a new pair of running capris and running shorts - I adore Lululemon and VS Pink capris and Nike shorts.

Lastly, I own the Nike Free Runs in basic black and white and they are the absolute best! They don't weigh me down like some shoes do and it essentially makes me feel like I'm running barefoot. I love my basic Nike Frees, but I would love to purchase the Frees in the eye popping shade 'Hot Punch'.

Also on my list is a more lightweight jacket in a neutral shade. The Cotton Utility Jacket from Banana Republic is a fantastic option for me. It's a great more lightweight jacket for that transition between winter and spring and is very versatile as it can be turned into a vest.

Next, for beauty products I've been looking for a pretty, opaque mint shade of nail polish for Spring. Essie Mint Candy Apple is a pastel milky mint green shade and is exactly what I've been looking for.

NARS Super Orgasm lipgloss has been on my wishlist more than once. This is a kind of pinky-peach lip gloss with gold shimmer. I've heard a lot of people raving about this shade and I've swatched it and have been so impressed by the colour. Maybe this will be the month I finally buy it!

MAC Well Dressed blush: Review + Swatches!

2013-02-16T17:04:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone,
Today I wanted to share with you one of my favourite everyday go-to blushes: MAC Well Dressed.

Well Dressed is described as an 'Immaculate Pink'...whatever that means. Personally, i would describe it as a cool toned light pink with a satin finish. This is definitely one of those best friend blush colours that pairs well with every makeup look from very neutral to dramatic as it simply adds a nice feminine pink flush to the cheeks.

Well Dressed has pretty low pigmentation, which is really disappointing considering how much hype there is surrounding it. Just from my experience and from reading other reviews, I would say that the best way to get decent colour payoff with this blush would be to apply it with a more dense blush brush, such as an angled
MAC 168. When used with a denser brush, this blush gives my NW20 skin a very nice, soft flush of colour.

*I spent a good 15 minutes running around trying to get a swatch of Well Dressed to show up on my camera, but it absolutely refused. So, here's a link to a post with a beautiful swatch of this blush. Sorry guys!*

That being said, I would only recommend this blush for fair to medium skin tones as it will not show up well on darker complexions. This is also a really nice blush to have if you are a beginner to makeup as it blends very nicely and due to the lack of pigmentation, it is very hard to go over board with it.

MAC powder blushes retail for $21 US and $25CND and contain 6g/0.21 oz of product. Well Dressed is part of the permanent collection and can be purchased wherever MAC products are sold!

What's your favourite blush shade?

Pamper Yourself This Valentine's Day!

2013-02-13T17:23:00.001-05:00

Source

Hey Everyone,
People tend to think that Valentine's Day is just for people in relationships; however, it doesn't matter whether you're single or not because Valentine's Day is about embracing and celebrating all love and appreciating the people in your life. Over the years, I've come to realize that whether we have a date for Valentine's Day or not, we should try to show a little love for ourselves as well. A great way to do that is through a little pampering and I'm going to show you a few ways to do that. You can have a girls night and do some of these things, do them to prepare for a date or just do them by yourself. One thing's for sure though, whether you're single or in a relationship, this post should be useful for everyone.

Why not stay in and read a great romance novel? There is something so relaxing about snuggling up under a warm blanket on the couch with a hot cup of your favourite tea and a good novel. This is personally one of my favourite things to do.

Source

If you plan on having a girls night, you might find doing some baking to be a fun idea. Why not try some heart shaped sugar cookies (make sure to ice them with festive pink and white icing) or some delicious red velvet cupcakes?You can even try being a little more imaginative than usual and try out a few brand new recipes.

There is nothing better than settling down with some popcorn and hot chocolate to watch a great romance movie (I love romantic comedies). This is one of my favourite ideas because it's something that can be done by yourself, with a group of great friends, or even your boyfriend!

Take a relaxing, luxurious bath. I know that personally, I never have time to take luxurious baths, but Valentine's Day might be the perfect opportunity to break out your favourite bath products, light a strawberry or cranberry pear bellini scented candle and just relax amongst the bubbles as you listen to your favourite music.

Give yourself a manicure and pedicure! Try going for baby pinks or deep seductive reds to get into the Valentine's Day spirit. Maybe add a little glitter on top or if you're able to, maybe try some fun nail art!

Do something a little different with your look and change up your lipsticks! I wrote a post all about this last year, so click here to read it. Whether you're going on a date or just staying in with some great friends, why not try rocking a sexy red lip or an understated but beautiful baby pink shade? (Shown: NARS Red Lizard, Dior 'DiorAddict', MAC Lovelorn, NARS Roman Holiday, MAC Creme Cup).

I hope you found this post helpful or at least interesting and I hope you all have a wonderful day/night tomorrow!

Tarina Tarantino EyeDream Highlight Duo: Jasper/Agate - Review & Swatches!

2013-02-12T15:26:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone,
Jasper/Agate - which I got on sale at Sephora for a mere $14 CND - is a gorgeous neutral palette from Tarina Tarantino. Out of all my eye shadow, I definitely use this little guy the most as the two shades are so versatile.

Jasper is a stunning warm yellow beige with a frost finish. Agate is a medium tan colour with a frost finish. I typically get the most use out of Agate because I can just use it all over my lid and in the inner corner in the day, but I also like to use it as a base colour and in the inner corner when I'm going out at night. I use both of these on my inner corner once in a while, and it does an amazing job of opening up the eyes.

Oh my goodness. Let me just say that the formulation of these shadows is absolutely amazing. They are the most buttery smooth eye shadows I have ever seen which make them a dream to apply and to blend. Not to mention, they are so pigmented you only need a very little bit on your brush. The shades themselves are certainly not unique, but the shades are so versatile so it's a great little duo to have on hand.

This product comes encased in beautiful metallic silver packaging and contains an almost lid sized mirror. The packaging is pretty big, but certainly not the bulkiest packaging I've seen. Overall, the packaging is one of the prettiest I've seen, and I was very impressed with it.

These eye shadow duos retail for $19 US and contain a whopping .13 oz/3.6 g (x2)...yes, 3.6 g per eye shadow in the duo. This duo is not limited edition; however, Tarina Tarantino makeup products are no longer available at Sephora as of December 2012, so the only way to order these products is through tarinatarantino.com.

If you're looking for a versatile neutrals duo with amazing formulation, I would definitely check out Jasper/Agate.

Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express Mascara Review

2013-02-10T13:20:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone,

If I had to name my go-to brand for mascara, it would definitely be Maybelline. With the exception of The Falsies, I have loved pretty much every mascara that they have come out with. Whenever I see an advertisement for a new Maybelline mascara I cannot resist running out and purchasing it, and 'The Rocket Volum' Express' was definitely no exception.

Firstly, I want to talk about the wand. This mascara has a shorter and stiffer wand, which makes it easier to control and apply the mascara. The brush itself is thick with more densely packed short plastic bristles. This particular brush design is used to create maximum volume.

Maybelline describes this mascara as a thickening and volumizing mascara which will give you the most 'explosive, beautiful lashes ever'. Well, I don't know about exploding lashes but it definitely adds a lot of length, volume and curl to my lashes with very minimal clumping. It's not a lightweight mascara like mega plush, but it does not make your lashes feel super weighed down and crunchy like some mascaras. I find the effect it gives my lashes to be similar to Benefit's They're Real mascara in that I'm able to evenly coat my lashes and it delivers such great length and volume.

I own the regular, non-waterproof version of this mascara and one thing that I don't like about it is how difficult it is to remove at the end of the day. I really don't want to have to scrub at and around my eyes to get it off my lashes and off the area around my eyes at night. That being said, it doesn't smudge, smear or flake off throughout the day which is fantastic.

This mascara comes in both washable and waterproof and in the shades 'Very Black' and 'Brownish Black'. It can be found at any store that Maybelline is sold and is not limited edition. It retails for roughly $7-12.

Ultimately, if you're looking for a lengthening and volumizing mascara and a cheaper alternative to They're Real, Maybelline's The Rocket Volum' Express may be the mascara for you. Just be warned that even the non-waterproof version is extremely unpleasant to remove at night.

MAC 'Flatter Me' Pearlmatte Face Powder: Review & Swatches! (Archie's Girls)

2013-02-09T17:46:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone,
As I said in my previous post, considering the fact that Archie comics were a big part of my childhood, I was ecstatic about this collection. When I was looking at promo pics of the collection online, one of the first things that caught my eye was the pearlmatte face powders, particularly the precious hearts stamped all over them. I mean, who wouldn't want this product?!

The Archie's Girls collection featured two of these limited edition face powders: the Veronica side of the collection has 'Veronica's Blush' and Betty has 'Flatter Me'. After much deliberation I decided to purchase 'Flatter Me'. This powder has a golden peach base with pink toned coral hearts. When swirled together, the resulting colour is a soft, warm toned golden peachy pink with a slightly frosted finish. Flatter Me doesn't have any flecks of shimmer or glitter, so it won't emphasize pores or aging skin. It just adds a really nice brightening glow to the cheeks.
This powder reminded me a lot of the Cream Soda blush from this collection.

MAC states that this can be used as a highlighter, blush, or even an eye shadow. I say that it depends on your skin tone. If you have deeper skin tones this would make a beautiful highlighter and I think even for lighter skin tones, if you just used the golden peach base, it could be used as a highlighter. But for light-medium skin tones, when the two shades are swirled together, this makes a lovely blush which adds a nice brightening sheen to the skin.

Left: base shade; Middle: hearts; Right: combined

I've read online that the base of this is MAC shell pearl beauty powder and the hearts are Foolish Me powder blush. And for those who are wondering, I also heard that the pink hearts go all the way through to the bottom of the pan and they're not just an over spray, but I haven't been able to test that out for myself.

The MAC Archie's Girls collection comes packaged in white, instead of the typical black packaging. The collection features a Betty side, which features more 'girl next door', softer shades while the Veronica side of the collection features more vivacious shades. Each product features a cartoon picture of either Betty or Veronica, depending on which side of the collection each product is from. The only products which feature a picture of Betty, Archie and Veronica together are the eye shadow palettes and the pearlmatte face powders. The pearlmatte face powders also feature a mirror on the inside of the lid.

MAC pearlmatte face powders retail for $30 US and $35 CND and contain 10g/0.35 oz of product. Flatter Me is part of the limited edition Archie's Girls collection and as of February 7, can be purchased wherever MAC products are sold!

What's your favourite product from this collection? Did you read Archie comics when you were younger? Let me know below!

MAC Prom Princess: Review & Swatches! (Archie's Girls)

2013-02-09T16:42:00.003-05:00

Hey everyone,
So, you have absolutely no idea how excited I was when I heard that MAC would be coming out with a Betty and Veronica makeup collection in February. Every time I'd go to the grocery store with my mom when I was younger, I would make her buy me one or two of those little Archie comic digest books. Not to mention, I never missed an episode of 'Archie's Weird Mysteries'. This collection featured two beautiful limited edition blush shades, but the one that I ultimately decided to pick up was Veronica's blush: Prom Princess, simply because it was unlike anything I had in my collection.

Prom Princess is described as a 'mid tone pink berry' on the MAC website, and although I think that's a pretty good description, I would say it's more like a bright violet fuchsia. This blush is a satin finish, so it has a really beautiful sheen to it which is very subtle on the cheeks. Prom Princess has really nice pigmentation but I noticed after I purchased it that it had a bit of a chalkier and drier formulation. No worries though, because this is still workable and because of the subtle sheen, it doesn't look chalky or dry when applied.

This blush does look like a scary bright colour, one that people with lighter skin may decide to skip right away. However, it is very blendable and easy to work with and can definitely be sheered out. I have NW20 skin and I can blend this out nicely to make it look like a beautiful subtle berry flush on my skin. So that being said, I definitely think that Prom Princess will look nice on a variety of skin tones from light to dark.

Left: heavy swatch; Right: blended out

The MAC Archie's Girls collection comes packaged in white, instead of the typical black packaging. The collection features a Betty side, which features more 'girl next door', softer shades while the Veronica side of the collection features more vivacious and more I guess, seductive shades. Each product features a cartoon picture of either Betty or Veronica, depending on which side of the collection each product is from. The only products which feature a picture of Betty, Archie and Veronica together are the eyeshadow palettes and the pearlmatte face powders. I personally really love the packaging and I think MAC did a great job with it. I just think it's really cute and fun!

MAC powder blushes retail for $22 US and $26 CND and contain 6g/0.21 oz of product. Prom Princess is part of the limited edition Archie's Girls collection and as of February 7, can be purchased wherever MAC products are sold!

Would you say you're more of a Betty or Veronica? Let me know down below!

4 Ways to Wear 1 Lipstick!

2013-02-08T19:23:00.003-05:00

Source: WeHeartIt.com

Hey everyone,
My favourite makeup item to purchase is a gorgeous bright lipstick. Over the years, I've collected quite a collection of vibrant (and sometimes pretty expensive) lipsticks, yet I hardly reach for any of them. In my opinion, if you're going to invest in a boldly coloured lipstick, you should be made aware of a few different option for how to wear it in order to get as much use out of them as possible! In today's post, I'm going to show you 4 very different ways to wear 1 bright lipstick!

High Impact!
First up is your classic vibrant lip. For this, you can apply the lipstick either straight from the tube onto your lips or use a lip brush. For bright lipsticks I recommend using a lip brush as they are generally more precise. The classic bright lip looks beautiful on most people.

Stain/Lip Tint
For those days where you want a little pop of colour on your lips, but nothing too bold, opt to use a bright lipstick as a stain for a just bitten look. Basically, you want to rub your finger on the lippie bullet to get the colour on your finger, and blot it onto your lips. Make sure to get into all the little crevices and blend to make sure your lips are evenly coated. (If you have dry lips, I recommend using a balm first). Using a bright colour as a stain still gives your lips a nice pop of colour - perfect for the summertime - but it's more subtle than the classic lip and therefore is more appropriate for day looks and for the office. If you don't want to use your finger, you can lightly blot the lipstick onto your lips and blend it out for the same effect.

Cheek Stain
Yes. You can actually use your lipstick as a cheek stain, and it's particularly convenient when you're tight for time. This is going to last longer than a classic powder blush and give your cheeks a nice glow. I like to warm the lipstick on my hand first so that it will be easier to blend. I then dab the product onto my finger and dab it onto the apples of my cheeks, and blend it, using a clean finger. The trick here is to start with a small amount of product and once you're done blending, add more if you're not satisfied with the over all look. Remember that it's a lot easier to add more than to take away! You especially want to be careful with this because if you don't blend properly or use too much product you could end up looking like a clown, if done right though, it looks absolutely beautiful!

Glossy Lips
Last, is the super juicy, glossy pout! So basically, to achieve this look, you're going to follow the steps for the 'High Impact', but then for the fun part, you're going to take either a clear gloss or a gloss in a corresponding shade, and add it on top. This is just going to give your lips an ultra glossy and almost juicy look.

My favourite way to wear a bright lipstick in the summer is a combination of the cheek stain and lip stain. It's such a simple combination and so perfect for the beach. Honestly, all 4 of these looks are very easy to achieve and a great way to utilize a beautiful, vibrant lipstick that you maybe didn't previously pull out too often.

What's your favourite way to wear a bright lipstick?

PS. Check out How to: Perfect the Red Lip !

*I wrote this post last May hence all the references to summer and the beach, but haven't gotten around to posting it until now! I still thought you guys might find it useful though. :)
Look out for my reviews on some of the products from the new MAC collection, Archie's Girls, coming very soon!*

Where have I been?!?

2012-12-09T20:05:00.001-05:00

This adorable little puppy is miss Lucky! I thought her adorableness might make your day! ;)

Hey everyone,

So, I realize that I have definitely been neglecting my blog the past few months. I really just wanted to write this post to offer an apology to my readers. I have been so busy with school work and personal issues these past few months, that I just haven't had time to write quality reviews and informative posts for you. You may have noticed that my last few posts were hauls and tags, and that was just because I barely had time to actually sit down and write something of decent quality for you...and that isn't fair to you guys. So, I instead decided to go on a little blogging break until I had a little more time to focus on writing quality reviews. In these past couple months I have missed blogging SO much. I'll get back into blogging very shortly, and my makeup collection has expanded quite a bit recently, so look out for tons of awesome reviews and NOTDs and maybe even a makeup collection post. ;)

Thanks to everyone who has been leaving sweet comments on my older posts and e-mailing me with questions! It means a ton to me!

Also, I've almost reached 200 followers and 100 000 pageviews, so thanks guys!!!!

Until next time,

Kels :)

Back To School Supplies Haul/Organization

2012-09-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone,
I'm starting my last year of high school (eeekk!!!) very shortly, and as much as I never really want to go back to school after 2 months of relaxation and fun, I always get so excited about back to school shopping! I went back to school shopping a few weeks ago and started organizing everything, so today I thought I would share with you the things I purchased and how I organized my planner, binder and pencil case!

I got these two adorable 1.5 inch binders at Staples. I only have 3 subjects my first semester, so I decided to get 2 binders and use 1 binder for 2 subjects. I also custom made these covers myself with the course code of each class so I would know which binder was for what subject.

Of course, I needed a couple sets of dividers for my binders! I like to divide my sections into hand outs and notes, homework, assignments and tests, and lined paper

I also stocked up on lots and lots of paper to last throughout the year and put one package of lined paper in each binder.

I also picked up a locker mirror and whiteboard. I already had a lock and locker shelf from last year, so I didn't need to repurchase those!

My sister and I split a pack of flower magnets and a pack of round magnets so we would get 5 each.

For some reason, seniors aren't provided with planners, so I went out and found this pink one at Staples. I'm going to go into a little bit more detail of how I organize this.

It's separated into monthly sections and each section comes with a monthly calender as well as a daily calender where you can write little reminders or your homework in, The yellow tab flips to the monthly calender while the blue tab flips to whichever week it is.

I added a key on the front page to show which colour pen I use to mark down dates on my calender. I find that using different coloured pens just makes my planner seem more fun and makes it something that I want to keep up with. Below is an example of September's calender. It isn't fully finished yet, obviously and I'm thinking of adding a different colour so I can mark down my work out schedule as well.

Here's what the day by day sections looks like.

This is the pencil case that I decided on this year. Last year I used one from Aritzia and found that it just wasn't spacious enough for me. I meant to take pictures of everything before I packed it away, but I guess this part can be more of a 'how I organize my pencil case/what I keep inside it' rather than a haul.

In the front pouches I just keep extra staples, paper clips, sticky notes, reinforcements, my USB, and an eraser.

I don't generally use pencils as I much prefer pens, but I decided to include a couple just in case I need them!

I like to keep a large variety of pens. (You can probably tell I love my blue pens ;)

Some fun colourful pens!

Lastly, I made binder covers for my brother and sister as well, so I thought I'd include those here!

J-Crew Haul ft. The Oh So Famous Pixie Pants!

2012-08-31T14:55:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone!
A few weeks ago I went in to J-Crew just to browse around and ended up purchasing a few items. J-Crew has become my most recent obsession; I can always find so many things that I love there and am constantly looking through the website. Today I thought I would share with you the items that I purchased. I'm going to let you all know right now that I took these pictures at night when my lighting was really bad, so the photo quality is not that great...actually, it's pretty bad. haha! ;)

This first shirt I bought is just a very basic half sleeve dark kind of periwinkle (in person) shirt. It's pretty sheer so I can wear it in the summer without getting too hot, but I can also layer a scarf over it and pair it with some cute jeans and booties for the fall!

Again, I must apologize for the horrible lighting in these photos, haha! These photos do not give this shirt justice whatsoever, but it's a gorgeous, very soft t-shirt with navy, white, light blue, red and pink stripes on it. I bought it a size too big so it would be really slouchy and it has grown to become one of my favourite shirts this August!

Source

Finally, I decided to splurge and buy a pair of black pixie pants! I have been lusting over these for so long that I decided enough was enough and I just had to get them. The photo I took of them on me was really bad, so I decided to add the picture from the J-Crew website (sourced above). These are basically a cross between a legging and a jegging. They are ultra thick and super comfortable...they basically feel like jeggings but look like leggings! The Pixie Pant has a zipper at the back as opposed to the front like most pants, so they're extremely flattering. These pants have been so popular recently, and I now see why...they are amazing! I might even go back and buy another pair!

What's your favourite store to shop at?

Benefit Bella Bamba Blush: Review + Swatches!

2012-08-31T02:43:00.001-04:00

Last month on a shopping trip to Sephora, I had the opportunity to receive a sample of Benefit Bella Bamba blush as a 100 pt. perk. I had been lusting over this particular blush for months after swatching it in store, but could not fathom spending $36 on it. So, I was thrilled at the chance to receive and test out a sample size. I can now safely say that when this generous sample runs out, I will be returning to Sephora to buy a full size.

This blush came out in 2011 and Benefit actually switched up the packaging for this release, following with the other boxed blushes soon after. With the new packaging (not shown here as this is a sample size) the lid is actually attached so that it flips up and it contains a mirror. I actually don't like this change as I much prefer being able to completely remove the lid.

Just something I though I'd note in this post, for and after the release of this product, Benefit downsized the amount of product in their boxed blushes from 12 grams to 8 grams, but kept the price the same ($28 US and $36 CND). Don't get me wrong, that's still a lot of product and these blushes will last a long time, I just found it really frustrating as a consumer to be paying the same price for less product.

Let's get down to the product itself...
Bella Bamba is a gorgeous bright medium watermelon pink shade with golden shimmer. I find that it smells like pineapple which I love! All the Benefit blushes have very distinct scents, which I think is a lovely addition to these products.

Although a little scary at first glance and after initial swatching (the pigmentation is fantastic) this can be used as an intense blush, but can most certainly be sheered out for a gorgeous wash of pink on the cheeks. It does have shimmer in it, but once applied to the cheeks, it is hardly noticeable. It kind of just gives your cheeks a nice glow. I find this product to be a brighter more pigmented version of NARS Deep Throat (which is my all time favourite blusher), so if you like Deep Throat than I really think you'll like Bella Bamba.

Last thing, this product, like all the other Benefit boxed powders, does come with a little applicator blush. I'm personally not a fan of their applicator blushes, I find that they apply really heavily and I'd just much prefer to use my own brushes. That being said, for those who do not have a blush brush, this is a great addition! I included a picture below from Temptalia (linked below) which shows the applicator that comes with the product as well as the new packaging!

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Overall, I am in love with this product and have been alternating between this and Benefit CoraLista all summer. If you are a lover of pink blushes I would definitely recommend investing in Bella Bamba. I will definitely be purchasing a full size when I run out!

What's your go-to summer blusher?

IMATS Tag!!!

2012-08-25T18:28:00.000-04:00

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Hey everyone,
I'm super excited because this year I will be attending IMATS (International Makeup Artist Trade Show) for the first time ever thanks to my lovely friend and fellow blogger, Lacey. While doing a little research on IMATS, I came across this tag so let's get started!

Which IMATS are you attending?

The one in Toronto!

 Have you ever been to IMATS before?
No I have not

 How are you getting there?
We'll be driving there

 Are you bringing anyone along?
Lacey will definitely be there, but I'm not sure if we'll be bringing anyone along at this point.

 Is there anything else in the IMATS host city that you want to see?
Well, I live in the IMATS host city, so I've pretty much seen everything, haha!
That being said, I really want to try out this sushi place right near where IMATS is going to be held, so we shall see because I'm pretty sure Lacey hates sushi.

 What days will you be in the city that IMATS is in? 
I will be there for a long time, but I'll be at IMATS on the Saturday

Who do you want to meet there?
Hmm, well obviously I'd love to meet any of you guys if you're planning on being there.

 What companies exhibits are you most excited to see?
Definitely Makeup Forever!

What products are you looking for? 
I really want to focus on the brands that I can't find anywhere around here, so I'm mainly looking for brands like Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (I really want a couple lip tars), definitely Hakuhodo brushes. I don't want to have to pay to ship them over here so I usually have to wait for my aunt to being me a few when she visits from Japan, so I'd love to be able to easily get my hands on some Hakuhodo brushes. Also NYX because I can never find NYX anywhere!

What brand do you plan on stocking up on the most?
Like I said, definitely Hakuhodo!

How much do you plan to spend? 
I'd love to say that I don't want to spend a lot of money, but knowing myself, I'll probably go a little crazy. haha

I'd just like to thank Lacey for this really great birthday present!♥♥
Are any of you planning on going to IMATS or have any of you already been? any tips?

My Fave First Day Back To School Hairstyles!

2012-08-25T07:09:00.004-04:00

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Hi guys, long time no talk!
After the popularity that my 'prom updos' post got, I decided that I would continue this series with my favourite hair styles for the first day back to school. I'm a little late writing this post as a few of you have probably already started school, but these hair styles can definitely be worn throughout the school year as well! I hope you enjoy!

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To recreate this particular look is pretty simple!
1) Just take a large section of hair from whichever side you prefer and just begin french braiding until you get a look similar to the picture.
2) Secure the french braid back with a couple bobby pins and cover the bobby pins with a layer of hair so they don't show.
This is a fairly easy look, but it looks absolutely adorable and looks a little bit more interesting than the typical Lauren Conrad inspired braid. If you don't know how to french braid bangs, click this link for a tutorial.

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I really love throwing my hair into a basic top knot for those awful mornings where I wake up really late and have to find a way to tame my wild hair really quick.
1) Basically what I do, is brush my hair back into a high ponytail.
2) Then I like to twist the ponytail (I find that this makes it easier to wrap my hair into a bun, and it just looks neater).
3) Following that, I carefully wrap the twisted ponytail around my head and secure it into place with bobby pins.
4) If you want to go for a sleeker look, put some hairspray on a never-been-used tooth brush and carefully brush your hair back to tame frizz and fly aways. If not, you can definitely pull down a few pieces to make the bun look more casual.
**To make your top knot look more interesting and since braids are in for Fall, put your hair into a high ponytail, braid the ponytail and follow the rest of the steps! I love how this looks!**

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Next up, we have the inverted ponytail! This is just a much more interesting take on your classic ponytail, and a great option if you don't feel like having hair in your face and have a little bit more time in the morning to do your hair. This is such a simple hair style to do, but it looks as if you put a lot of time and effort into your hairstyle! Here's a link for how to create an inverted ponytail!

I love how Jessica Lowndes is rocking this style! Braids are very on trend this fall, so why not try rocking a braided headband?
1) For this look, you will want to take about a 2 inch section of hair from the back of one side of your hair and braid it as far down as you can and secure it with an elastic.
2) Repeat this step on the other side of your head but do not secure that one with an elastic. If you don't want your part exposed, pull your hair back like Jessica has done in the picture above.
3) Take the braid without an elastic and pull it taut to the other side of your head and secure it into place with a bobby pin or two.
4) Following that, take the other braided bit and repeat the action, pulling it so it sits right behind the first braid (refer to the picture!) and secure it with bobby pins.
5) Pull a section of hair over the bobby pins so they aren't exposed.
This particular style would look really lovely with loose waves, but also looks nice with straight hair. The braided headband is easier to achieve for people with longer hair, but if you have short hair and love this look, do not fear! A lot of stores actually carry braided headbands in a variety of different natural looking shades.

So, those are 4 styles that I'm currently loving and can't wait to wear to school this Fall. Have you gone back to school yet if so, how did you wear your hair on the first day?

Bachelorette Style Guide: Emily Maynard!

2012-08-07T15:50:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone,
If any of you have been keeping up with The Bachelorette, you will know that the last bachelorette was the gorgeous Emily Maynard. Her season finished a few weeks ago, and personally, I'm really happy about her choosing Jef (with one f)! While watching the season, I developed a love for Emily's style. It was very girly yet laid back with a little country twist here and there. This season, Emily seemed to favour feminine dresses, super high heels, scarves and of course, lots of sparkle! As well as, boots, blazers and the occasional leather jacket. So, today I wanted to share with you a few Emily inspired outfits I put together from various episodes...enjoy!

I love how casual yet edgy this outfit is! As girly as Emily's style is, I noticed that she likes to toughen up some of her looks with leather jackets, graphic rock tees and different styles of boots. I really like this motorcycle tank from Urban Outfitters (both that and the leather jacket she wore are now on sale...click on the picture for more info!) because after watching a few episodes of the Bachelorette and seeing so many sequins and dresses, it was just such an unexpected, kind of edgy choice! We often saw Em rocking her signature staple, a cute pair of boots, throughout the season. The ones she wore in this episode were from Frye, but I found a more affordable version, perfect for the fashionista on a budget! I think this outfit would be perfect for hanging out with friends or like Emily, for a more casual date.

Emily is definitely very stylish and quite girly, which I think is definitely reflected in this outfit inspired by the one she wore on Jimmy Kimmel. The bright hot pink dress looked amazing on her and the turquoise earrings were right on trend for this season! I decided to pair it with black peep toe pumps, a gold and turquoise ring. Since stacked bracelets are a staple for Maynard, I also added a selection of white, turquoise, black and gold bracelets to finish off the ensemble. This outfit is great for most events, maybe a night at the club and for night dates.

This is definitely my favourite Emily inspired outfit. Personally I think the pairing of an ultra feminine cream dress and the rough cowboy boots reflects Emily's girly meets country personality perfectly! She often times wore dresses with more feminine silhouettes, similar to this one. Inspired by her hometown date with Jef, I added a skinny brown belt to the waist line of the dress, and paired it with cowboy boots in a similar shade of brown. I couldn't tell what jewelry Emily was wearing, but since she likes a little sparkle, I paired the outfit with these gold heart shaped earrings with diamond studs, and this cream and gold wrap bracelet. I would wear this outfit on a casual date, and if you aren't feeling the cowboy boots, you could switch them out for a pair of nude heels!

Emily was often seen wearing adorable striped knit tops throughout the season and is even wearing one in the promo picture on the top picture on this post. I found this adorable pink and white striped knit on asos.com, and paired it with medium wash skinny jeans, a cute anchor necklace, and basic white sandals for a more casual look. Emily is often times found wearing bright, statement earrings; I found a pair of gold and coral ones to finish off this ensemble. This is definitely more of a casual Emily inspired look and could be worn for basically any kind of day time occasion. To dress it up, switch out the sandals for heels and maybe opt for a darker wash skinny jean!

Emily has paired a sleek blazer with a number of outfits throughout the season, and I just love how it can make a casual outfit look that much dressier. One particular look I fell in love with is to pair a vintage looking rock tee with a sleek blazer and a scarf. (As seen in the very first picture). I couldn't get the actual PacSun Van Halen tee that Em owns to clip onto polyvore, but the link to it is here. I paired the shirt and blazer with dark wash skinny jeans, a beautiful pair of basic black heels, and this gorgeous J Crew navy and white scarf. I would wear this on a date, or to go out with some friends at night. To make it more suitable for daytime, switch out the heels for a cute pair of boots.

So those are my 5 Emily Maynard inspired looks. I hope you liked them, and if you want to know where anything is from, just click on the picture!

Which one is your favourite, and what do you think about Emily choosing Jef (with one f)?

NOTD: OPI Lucky Lucky Lavender

2012-08-04T11:22:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone,
Today's NOTD is a long time favourite of mine, OPI Lucky Lucky Lavender. This comes from the Hong Kong 2010 collection, and is actually more of a lilac colour rather than lavender. Lucky Lucky Lavender is a creme finish with absolutely no shimmer, and is opaque in 2-3 coats.
You can definitely get away with only applying 2 coats, however, this varnish tends to be really streaky, so I like to apply 3 for maximum opacity.

Would you wear it?

Back To School: Locker Organization & Tips!

2012-08-02T17:00:00.000-04:00

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Hey everyone,
A locker is a little piece of the school that belongs to you for the year, your little home away from home, so you should take advantage of that and transform it from bare and boring to beautiful. Your locker, once decorated, should make you feel happy upon opening it, and be a reflection of the kind of person you are. Now that it's August I'm going to be posting some back to school tips throughout the month and doing an updated 'what's in my school bag' post. So if anyone has any requests, let me know below!

-You can start by putting a fun colored magnetic mirror up. Next you can purchase a magnetic white board and write an inspirational or funny quote on it, this can also be used to write reminders to yourself about assignments. You can also find many different colored and shaped magnets and magnetic pencil holders at stores like Staples and Target.

-Now make your locker your own! Tape up appropriate pictures of you and your friends and family having fun, or celebrities and people that inspire you. Make sure to keep things appropriate, fellow schoolmates and teachers will be able to see your locker as well!!

- Consider creating a theme for your locker, and changing it up with the seasons or holidays.

-Attach magnetic pencil cups and baskets to your locker wall to keep you organized. Throw in some extra pens and pencils, and fill them with colorful markers if you have a white board so that you and your friends can draw on it.

-Keep your locker neat! Things get thrown in there, and lunches get left on the locker floor, and by the end of the year, you have a HUGE and sometimes disgusting mess to clean up. This is from personal experience...up until I reached 10th grade I allowed my locker to turn into a disaster, and always regretted it at the end of the year! Clean your locker out once every three months.

- Don't keep anything breakable in your locker, that's a lesson i learned in ninth grade when a senior slammed into my locker by accident and broke something inside.

I hope these tips helped you, and be sure to leave some of your own down below!

July Favourites 2012 ♥

2012-08-01T23:36:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone,
Well, it's that time of month again...time for my monthly favourites post! I cannot believe how fast the month of July flew by. It was a pretty great month, of course, seeing as I didn't have to deal with exams and all the stresses of school. However, it did fly by, which is pretty unfortunate. I've been savoring each month as it comes, and although I'm kind of excited to begin my last year of high school, I just don't want summer to end. This month I discovered a few new beauty, accessory, drink and song favourites, so I'm just going to jump right into everything...

Macadamia Nourishing Leave-In Cream
I've been using this, as well as other Macadamia hair care/style products for about 9 months now. I have a tendency to switch up my hair routine and products often until I find something I really like, and Macadamia products, especially this product in particular has clearly been a constant in my routine. When I don't use this product after I wash my hair, I definitely notice a huge difference. I have really tight, unmanageable curls naturally, and since I straighten it so often it's pretty damaged. This product leaves my hair feeling SO soft and looking extremely shiny. My locks stay more tame when I use this and it makes brushing my hair out with a wide tooth comb as opposed to a regular brush - something that is ~~FRIGGEN IMPOOSSSSIIIBBBLLLE~~ ...rather difficult for us curly haired girls - a much easier task.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation - B20
I feel SO repetitive as I keep mentioning this as a favourite, but I guess that just goes to show you how amazing this foundation is! I've ranted about it enough already, (to the point where a review would probably be unnecessary), but in sum it's just so lightweight and feels so natural on my skin, which is why it's perfect for the Summer. I recently got the worst weirdest looking sunburn on my cheeks, and this is the only foundation that can completely cover the redness and make my skin look even again whilst looking natural.

NARS Laguna Bronzer
So, I've used this bronzer on countless occasions, but I finally decided to splurge on it and bought a full size a couple months ago and it has quickly become a total favourite of mine, especially in July. It isn't orange toned like some bronzers and although it looks scary in the pan for us pale girls, it adds the perfect amount of warmth to the skin and because of the golden shimmer, it adds a natural glow to the face.

Urban Decay Deslick spray
I use a setting powder in the morning, but since I have extremely oily skin and the weather has been so hot lately, my face is prone to getting really oily throughout the day. I use Deslick in the morning before and after I apply my makeup, and it works to combat the oil so my face looks dewy rather than greasy. I'll be doing a more extensive review on this product this month!

Sephora Colourful Mono eyeshadow in Peige Beige (#13)
This shimmery rosey beige shade looks gorgeous on its own all over the lid for a really natural day look, as well as in the inner corner as a shimmery neutral highlight. It has almost a frosty finish when applied. *There are a few little digs in the pan from when I decided I wanted to depot it, then realized I liked it better in the pan!*

Benefit Bella Bamba
So this gorgeous, really pigmented shimmery watermelon pink blush is from Benefit's boxed powder collection, and I've been loving it this month. I got the little sample size as a 100 pt perk at Sephora around the middle of the month, but it's one of the only blushes I've been using in July, and I'll definitely be purchasing a full size when I run out!

Burts Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranite Oil
After I ran out of my blistex at the end of April - and failed to replace it - I decided to give in and try out this lip balm. It gives my lips a bit of a really natural rosey tint and makes them look really juicy. It's really moisturizing and lasts on my lips for a long time. As well, it has SO much product in it, so I know it will last a long time. I purchased this around the beginning of May and have used it pretty much every day since.

Buxom Big & Healthy lip polish - Destiny
This lip gloss is fantastic for summer and I've been wearing it so much this month! It's this stunning peachy pink gloss with lots of shimmer. It just makes my lips look juicy and summer ready. Its a plumping gloss, so not only does it plump my lips up a little, but it provides the tingly cooling sensation that all plumping glosses do, which I personally love!

Marc Jacobs Daisy eau so Fresh
I just wrote a review for this perfume, so you can check that out by clicking here. Basically, this is just a lovely fruity-floral fragrance. It's very feminine and playful and the perfect perfume for Spring/Summer!

Nike Free Runs 3
I got these runners at the end of June, and I can't imagine jogging/exercising in any other running shoe! These literally feel like you're jogging barefoot. I feel like I'm able to push myself harder and go longer distances without experiencing any ankle or foot pain. If you're looking for a great pair of quality runners, definitely check these babies out. My only regret is not getting any of the cute, brighter colours, but I decided to stick to black as they'd match everything.

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Starbucks Tazo Shaken Passion Tea Lemonade (Venti, please!)
Just in general this month I've gone to starbucks so much more than usual, and almost every time I've gone, I've ordered this amazingly delicious drink.

National Anthem - Lana Del Rey/Everywhere I Go - Lisse & Ellie Goulding
Just check out these 2 songs, they're absolutely amazing and both have been constantly stuck in my head over the past month!

From left ro right are swatches of: Sephora eye shadow in Peach Beige, NARS Laguna , Benefit Bella Bamba, Buxom gloss in Destiny and Burts Bees Pomegranite Oil lip balm!

So those are all my monthly favourites! Leave a list of the things you've been loving lately in the comments below!

NOTD: Sephora by OPI - Sample Sale

2012-07-27T15:23:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone,
Today's NOTD comes from the Sephora by OPI Glimmer Wonderland Mini 6-Piece Set. Sample Sale is a very festive true red shade with an almost metallic finish and lots of red shimmer in it. It is fully opaque in 2 coats, and is very long lasting. Usually, I switch out my nail polish every couple days since it always seems to chip on me after the first day. I've worn this polish on my nails for 2 days so far and there is very, very minimal chipping, which I find to be very impressive. Due to the shimmer and finish, I feel like it already looks so shiny on my nails I don't need a top coat for added shine. Overall, I've been so impressed with this shade, and I can't believe that I've had it in my collection for 8 months and have never noticed it until now! That being said, now that I have noticed it, it will definitely become one of my most well loved nail polishes, especially when the holidays come back around.

What's your favourite red nail varnish?

An Impromptu Monday Wishlist!

2012-07-23T04:22:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone,

So, today I have a very out of the blue, casual monday morning wishlist to share with you guys. This is just a small collection of items I've been totally craving for the past few months, and may or may not be drooling over as I write this post, that I just can't find it in me to splurge on!

1. The NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Alhambra - Featured in this duo are a golden champagne colour and a more gold toned pink shade, and these two shades are just so stunning and highly pigmented. I think that they're perfect every day eye shadows!

2. Michael Kors 'Blair' Chronograph Watch - I've been drooling over Michael Kors watches, in particular, the Blair Chronograph watch. I know that the rose gold watch is really in right now, but I want something really classic and timeless looking that I'll be able to wear for years to come, and this style is really beautiful.

3. A denim jacket - any medium-dark wash jean jacket will do! I feel like denim jackets can both be worn during the summer paired with maybe a white lace dress, and also for fall and through that transition from fall to winter, where it isn't quite cold enough for a jacket, but it's too cool to just wear a light sweater.

4. Jeggings - I always find myself investing in expensive shirts and neglecting the fact that a lot of my jeans are getting a little too snug for me. I really love jeggings, I just find them more comfortable than regular jeans. My favourite jeans/jegging brands are Abercrombie, Guess and American Eagle, so I'll definitely have to hit those stores up soon to stock up on quality jeggings for the colder months.

5. NARS Cactus Flower cream blush - NARS cream blushes are a true cream to powder formulation, which I really like. Cactus flower is a really intimidating poppy colour with golden shimmer, however it sheers out really nicely for a beautiful flush on the cheeks!

6. Wildfox Couture Red Sparkle Heart Baggy Beach Jumper - This is just a really pretty, casual jumper which I've been eying for awhile.

7. NARS lip gloss in Super Orgasm - This is a kind of pinky-peach lip gloss with gold shimmer. I've heard a lot of people raving about this shade and I've swatched it and have been so impressed by the colour.

So, there is today's wishlist! I really hope you enjoyed reading this post, and I would love it if you'd share your wishlist down below!

Kid Approved Homemade Mac & Cheese

2012-07-17T17:56:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone,
Today my brother stayed home with me, and he really wanted Kraft Mac and Cheese for lunch. Normally, I'd have no problem making this for him and helping myself to a big bowl of it too, but he's been eating a lot of junk lately, so I wanted to make him something a little more healthy for lunch as opposed to powder cheese and noodles. So I promised him I'd make him 'super special, super cheesy home-made mac & cheese". I used the recipe from MissGlamorazzi's mac & cheese recipe video, but subbed in 9 oz of marble cheese instead of the 3 kinds she used, to make it a little more kid friendly. My brother is the pickiest 8 year old alive, so I was a little worried that he wouldn't want to try it, but as soon as he heard that it was full of bacon and cheese, he agreed to try it and actually ate 2 bowlfuls. Success? hell yeah.

The bread crumbs/basil/cheese to put on top of the macaroni while it bakes - just to crisp it up!

9 oz of marble cheese...next time I make this, I'm going to use more of it!

mmh, bacon!

Here it is all mixed up in the pot

I wish you all could have smelled this...it smelled AMAZING.

I'm so excited to make this again, and I'm really glad that my little brother approves of it! Next time I make it, again, I'll probably use more cheese and whole wheat pasta and bread crumbs just to make it a little healthier!