Rachhloves

Second Day Hair: 2 Cute Hairstyles

2013-03-29T14:43:00.002-07:00

Please note that the 5 winners will be announced on my TWITTER ACCOUNT on April 14th so please watch for your name there!!

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10 Favorite Lip Products

2013-02-25T13:03:00.000-08:00

I'm kind of obsessed of bright lips right now. There are so many ways to wear them and they just add the perfect little pop to draw you out of the dreary winter weather. Day to night, high end to budget friendly, I've got a list of some of my absolute FAVORITES that I highly recommend!

Swatches/Product Information

1. Stila Color Balm Lipstick - Valentina

2. Benefit Cosmetics Silky Finish Lipstick - Sassy Frass

3. Maybelline Super Stay 10 Hour 24 Hour Lip Stain - Cool Coral

4. Stila Long Wear Matte Lip Color - Exhilarating

5. Face Atelier Lip Glaze - Mystique

6. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream - Addis Ababa

7. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain - Cherish Devotion

8. Benefit Cosmetics Full Finish Lipstick - Flirt Alert

9. L'Oreal Infallible Lip Color - Velvety Fuchsia

10. Wet N' Wild Lipstick - 522A

Spring Inspired Smokey Eye & GIVEAWAY!

2013-02-18T13:22:00.000-08:00

With the snow FINALLY starting to melt (did I say FINALLY?!?!) I was inspired to add a little pop of color to the classic smokey eye. Benefit Cosmetics was generous enough to provide me with a full set of their beautiful new spring makeup collection for one of you fabulous girls! Wanna enter? See below for all the details!

Please note you must live in the United States or Canada so Benefit Cosmetics can ship you your prize.

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A Special Announcement

2013-01-02T13:10:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! 2012 was a year of incredible highs and lows - I feel like I just got off a rollercoaster and my head is still spinning. But just like every year, I feel the placebo effect on January 1st: the promise of a fresh start and that sudden rush of motivation & determination. Here's my start to the new year... and I wanted to share it with all of you! I'm starting a new channel called RachhLovesLife, which is house all my future vlogs, travel videos, bloopers, tag videos unrelated to beauty, perhaps even future pregnancy vlogs... ;)

As a thank you for supporting me and subscribing to my new channel, I wanted to share two things with you!

#1: a fun Christmas vlog! (see my announcement video if you want a taste of what my crazy hilarious family)

#2: a GIVEAWAY!! Just a fun little something to thank you for all your support & love over the years and checking out our new edition to the RachhLoves fam :)

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winter Beauty & Fashion Must-Haves!

2012-12-19T17:59:00.001-08:00

There are always a few key staples that I absolutely cannot live without during the winter. Okay, I'm exaggerating but I do love a good knit and red lip. Here is a list of my favourite makeup and fashion items that I'm in love with this winter!

Products Mentioned
Bath & Body Works Candy Cane Bliss Foaming Soap - http://tiny.cc/n1dlpw
Bath & Body Works Winter Candy Apple - http://tiny.cc/j2dlpw
Vaseline Healthy Hand & Nail Lotion - http://tiny.cc/cfdlpw
Fresh Lip Treatment - http://tiny.cc/13dlpw
EOS Lip Balm - http://tiny.cc/e5dlpw
Face Atelier Lip Glaze - Mystique - http://tiny.cc/e6dlpw
L'Oreal Color Riche - Velvety Fuchsia - http://tiny.cc/76dlpw
L'Oreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense - http://tiny.cc/z7dlpw
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil - Perversion - http://tiny.cc/48dlpw
Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo - Bad to the Bronze - http://tiny.cc/q9dlpw
Bare Minerals High Shine Eye Color - Gold Medal - http://tiny.cc/yaelpw
Essie Fishnet Stockings and Aruba Blue Nail Polish http://tiny.cc/ecelpw and http://tiny.cc/2celpw
Jewelry - Forever 21
Knit Scarf - Gallerie LaFayette (Paris, France)
Knit Sweaters - Garage, Forever 21, Zara
Boots - Aldo http://tiny.cc/ifelpw

$5000 BEAUTY GIVEAWAY!

2012-12-11T12:59:00.000-08:00

I have been working on this for months and I can't believe I finally get to share this with you! Some of my favourite girls and I are bringing you an enormous giveaway just in time for the Christmas holidays! Please see below for the all the super easy entry details!

Follow @RachhLoves Follow @nikkiphillippi Follow @meghanrosette Follow @missjenfabulous

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Holiday Party Makeup Look

2012-12-10T08:00:00.002-08:00

Christmas parties are in full swing and as much as I love a classic red lip, I really wanted to do a fresh take on it this year. I still wanted a to do a bold lip so I opted for my most recent lip colour obsessions: fuchsia. Bold, statement-making but a fresh take on a classic. I love the final look and have been wearing a softer version almost daily. Who says you can't have a little holiday glamour every day? ;)

Products I Used
Primer: http://tiny.cc/j6x3ow
Eye Pencil: http://tiny.cc/c9x3ow
Eyeshadows
MAC: http://tiny.cc/eay3ow
Face Atelier: http://tiny.cc/icy3ow
L'Oreal: http://tiny.cc/ffy3ow
Urban Decay: http://tiny.cc/cgy3ow
Too Faced: http://tiny.cc/lky3ow "Ever After" and http://tiny.cc/emy3ow "Smolder" (can't find the palette I used that has both these shades in it)
Mascara: http://tiny.cc/8ny3ow
Lipstick: http://tiny.cc/hpy3ow http://tiny.cc/cqy3ow

Christmas Holiday DIY Gift: Sugar Scrubs!

2012-11-28T16:05:00.000-08:00

I don't think you quite understand how obsessed I am with these scrubs.

They smell amazing (and probably don't taste awful... I haven't tried) and they leave my skin feeling so incredibly soft.

All this with just a few ingredients I have in my cupboard and some decorations from Wal-Mart - perfect!

Send me photos of your creations on my Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #RachhLovesChristmas - I can't wait to see what you've come up with!

Recipe #1: Candy Cane Sugar Scrub
(makes a 650mL jar worth)
- 3.5 cups of sugar
- 1 cup of light olive oil
- 3-4 tsp of peppermint extract
- 4 tsp coconut oil

Recipe #2: Vanilla Cinnamon Sugar Scrub
(makes a 1L jar worth)
- 3 cups of brown sugar
- 2 cups of large flake oats
- 1.5 cups of light olive oil
- 2 tbsp of vanilla extract
- 1.5 tbsp of cinnamon
- 1 tbsp of nutmeg

Get Ready with Me: Christmas Shopping!

2012-11-27T06:51:00.000-08:00

Christmas is my absolute FAVOURITE time of the year, hands down. This is Chris and my first Christmas living together so we don't have any Christmas decorations yet! So this past weekend we went shopping and got a few things to start the process :)

Here is a video getting ready for the day: makeup, hair, outfit and a little vlogging at the store. Hope you like!

Question for YOU: What is your #1 favourite Christmas decoration and why?
Mine is a beautiful quilted advent calendar with little quilted toys to hang up on each day in December. My sister and I both have allergies so for our entire childhood we weren't able to eat the chocolate advent calendars so we did this instead! I love it so much and I hope I'll be able to find something similar for my home :)

Products I Used
Primer http://tiny.cc/16rfow
Foundation http://tiny.cc/u7rfow
Concealer http://tiny.cc/t8rfow
Powder http://tiny.cc/r9rfow
Contour http://tiny.cc/1asfow
Highlight http://tiny.cc/mbsfow
Blush http://tiny.cc/arsfow
Eye Primer http://tiny.cc/gesfow
Eyeshadow http://tiny.cc/9gsfow
Liquid Liner http://tiny.cc/jnsfow
Kohl Liner http://tiny.cc/essfow
Mascara http://tiny.cc/3ssfow
Lipsticks http://tiny.cc/5tsfow and http://tiny.cc/susfow

October 2012 Budget Beauty Favourites!

2012-11-27T06:14:00.001-08:00

Like everyone else, I love a good deal. I make it my mission to find great products on a budget that are comparable to higher end products. And while I do adore Sephora and MAC (and have found some amazing products there over the years) this month I found myself drawn to all the products I picked up at Wal-Mart!

What are your favourite budget beauty products this month?

PRODUCTS I LOVE!
#1: http://tiny.cc/vdlonw
#2: http://tiny.cc/2hlonw
#3: http://tiny.cc/jolonw
#4: http://tiny.cc/iqlonw
#5: http://tiny.cc/1rlonw
#6: http://tiny.cc/stlonw

Taylor Swift Glamour Cover Look - Nov 2012

2012-11-27T06:12:00.002-08:00

IS ANYONE ELSE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT TAYLOR SWIFT'S RED ALBUM?

... no? Just me?

Well, regardless, I think you'll all agree that she looks absolutely STUNNING on the cover of Glamour's November 2012 magazine. I really wanted to re-create the look for myself and I am super happy with the results!

What is your favourite Taylor Swift look?

Get Ready with Me: Fall Wedding

2012-10-17T14:53:00.001-07:00

Last weekend, Chris's beautiful cousin Kayleigh got married and we couldn't be more happy for them. Not only did the bride and groom look positively glowing, but they clearly put a lot of time and love into their special day. Here's a look at how I got ready to celebrate their wedding day! :)

Products I Used

Makeup Brushes http://tiny.cc/MakeupBrushes
Primers http://tiny.cc/4g3bmw and http://tiny.cc/fn3bmw
Foundation http://tiny.cc/9n3bmw
Concealer http://tiny.cc/7r3bmw
Under-eye Illuminator http://tiny.cc/fu3bmw
Setting Powder http://tiny.cc/kv3bmw
Bronzer http://tiny.cc/9v3bmw
Blush http://tiny.cc/c13bmw
Brows http://tiny.cc/613bmw
Eyeshadow http://tiny.cc/l53bmw and http://tiny.cc/k73bmw
Eye Liners http://tiny.cc/393bmw and http://tiny.cc/hc4bmw and http://tiny.cc/kf4bmw
Mascaras http://tiny.cc/jd4bmw and http://tiny.cc/7g4bmw and http://tiny.cc/bi4bmw
Lip Gloss http://tiny.cc/gk4bmw
Curling Iron http://tiny.cc/er4bmw (XL)

DIY: Fall-Inspired Mask for Clear & Glowing Skin!

2012-10-14T20:28:00.003-07:00

Sunday is the day I look forward to most every week. I am a naturally high-strung person - ask anyone (cough, my husband), so I have recently made an effort to build in time to relax and unwind. It doesn't come naturally to me, so I have to schedule it in (anyone else like this?).

This is what Sunday is all about: I go to Church, I have a lazy brunch with my husband, play Wii and play at-home spa. One of my favourite parts is experimenting in the kitchen with new face mask recipes. These past 2 weeks I've gone for this recipe and I absolutely love it! After baking pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, I didn't know what to do with the extra canned pumpkin so I added it to my face mask! I'll slather it on my face and then go paint my nails, or watch Real Housewives or clean my makeup brushes. My skin feels so soft and refreshed!

Check out my video below for more information and how-to tips as I show you how to make and apply the mask. I'll include all the ingredients below if you just want to make it from there :)

DIY Pumpkin Mask for All Skin Types
- 1 tsp olive oil (extra virgin is best)
- 1/2 to 1 tsp of honey
- 2 heaping tsps of canned or raw pumpkin
- 1 tsp of milk (or if you have an allergy, substitute a bit more olive oil or honey)

Combine well and gently apply to skin in upward and outward circular motions. Let it set for 5 to 10 minutes then rinse.

Enjoy that glowing skin of yours!

First Impressions: 6 Burgundy Lipsticks

2012-10-02T13:36:00.000-07:00

It's been all over the runways this fall 2012: burgundy, plum, vampy reds... and I was determined to figure out the best ways to pull them off. It's such a bold statement and a great way to accessorize a look. So here we go: after testing out 6 different shades (all drugstore finds!) here are the results... good, bad and ugly.

Click below to see my full review!

L'Oreal Infallible - Persistent Plum

Great formula, super smooth on the lips with great colour pay-off

Colour: true plum

Rimmel Moisture Renew - Berry Queen

Love the formula, super rich and moisturizing without being thick

Colour: a bright, rose-plum - much more red than I expected

Wet N' Wild Lipstick - 522A

I adore these lipsticks - I have a ton of them! Very inexpensive but super-rich formula and great colour pay-off

Colour: classic deep plum-burgundy

Rimmel Lasting Finish Kate Moss - #11

Very pigmented formula, can be tricky to apply because of this!

Colour: very orange-red - not at all the colour it advertised (still lovely though!)

Revlon Colorstay Liquid Lipstick - Brilliant Bordeaux

Wanted to love this, but the formula is so streaky and difficult to work with

Colour: true to the same, a warm bordeaux wine colour

L'Oreal Colour Riche Lip Gloss - Rich Plum

Super wearable shade, very soft and pretty! A bit of a chemical-like smell to it

Colour: soft mauve

Bright Eyes: Look Awake for Work or School!

2012-09-19T14:23:00.002-07:00

Metallics have been all over the runways for Fall 2012. From subtle gold wash to intense bronze smokey eyes, I feel like I keep pinning these gorgeous metallic looks and thought I should probably just start experimenting with my own take on this gorgeous trend!

This look is probably one of my favourites. My eyes are naturally a bit smaller so this really opens up the eye and even makes me look more awake!! On top of it all - I used mostly all drugstore products!

Products I Used

L'Oreal La Couleur Infallible Sahara Treasure

Naked Palette #1 - Hustle

Maybelline Eyestudio Master Drama Eye Liner - Made of Steel

Annabelle Smoothliner - Gunmetal

L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara

Time Saving Makeup Products!

2012-09-13T08:30:00.001-07:00

We all have those mornings. The ones where you wake up all peaceful and then that overwhelming horror strikes you when you reach over and realize you had to be at work or school in... 20 minutes ago. AHHH! Here on my favourite multi-purpose beauty products that make getting ready in the morning super easy so you're out the door in a flash!

#Postit: What is the one beauty product you won't leave the house without putting on?

For me, it's a super moisturizing tinted lipbalm. Nothing grosses me out more than chapped lips!

Love It: Envelope Clutches

2012-09-12T16:42:00.004-07:00

Just a few weeks ago I was shopping with my friend Lynsey at an outlet mall and came across a stunning Michael Kors crocodile envelope clutch. It was STUNNNINNNGGGG. I thought I would find it online and... nothing. I will never forgive myself for not buying it. BUT in my desperate hunt to find it, I did find these four beautiful bags that I'm obsessing over.

#Postit: What's your favourite can't-live-without-it bag?

1. ASOS Slot Through Envelope Clutch - $35.01
2. Tory Burch Robinson Envelope Clutch - $345
3. ASOS Side Metal Bar Clutch - $12.25
4. Marc by Marc Jacobs Katie Clutch - $355

A Week of Fall Outfits!

2012-08-29T19:23:00.000-07:00

I decided to gather up my lovely sisters in law and get them to help me style some cute outfits for fall. We have Caroline (14), Sarah (18) and Lauren (20) and they all did a fabulous job modelling for me :) Send them some love and let me know if you'd like to see more videos/blog posts like this!

Modeled by Caroline (14 years old)

Shirt: Guess

Metallic-coated pants: Garage

Faux python flats: Guess

Necklace: Forever 21

Modeled by: Sarah (18 years old)

Cream knit sweater: Forever 21

Jeggings (yes, jeggings): Garage

Flats: Winners

Studs: Forever 21

Modeled by: Rachel (26 years old)

Sheer, cream tunic & belt: Guess

Leggings: Garage

Booties: Windsor Store

Earrings: Forever 21

Modeled by: Lauren (20 years old)

Burgundy knit: H&M

Faux leather leggings: Guess

Boots: No idea

Bracelet: Jewelmint

Earrings: Forever 21

Modeled by: Rachel

Sheer top: H&M

Burgundy jeggings: Garage

Boots: Steve Madden

Studs: Forever 21

Watch: a small shop in Beverly Hills

My Food Diary: What I Eat in a Day

2012-07-19T19:46:00.002-07:00

I am a self-professed foodie. I love the Food Network. I want to adopt Paula Deen. Baking is very therapeutic for me, and I like pushing myself to test new recipes and throw my own ideas into the mix (no pun intended). If you follow me on Twitter, you'd notice that despite having a beauty channel, 90% of my photos are of food.

One of my first videos was "What I Eat in a Day" and I get at least 2-3 requests a day to see an updated version of that video. I contemplated for a while whether or not I wanted to put up a video like that. Food, diet and weight are very touchy subjects, especially for us girls, I'm very sensitive to what I put up online about it. I am not a health professional, and I do not encourage anyone to follow what I eat. I'm putting up this video for two reasons:

1. For pure entertainment value. I like watching these kinds of videos because its fun watching what kinds of foods other people enjoy. Plus, there are some great recipe ideas too!

2. To show that I'm normal. I don't always eat healthy, wholesome foods all the time (I admit, I do love a good homemade chocolate chip cookie). However, I do my best to fuel my body with healthy foods as often as I can.

Remember that each and every one of us is unique, and our nutritional requirements differ. I strongly suggest that if you're struggling, to speak with your doctor to find meal ideas that fit your unique needs! :)

Here some additional meal ideas based on things I tend to eat on a day-to-day basis:

Breakfast
- 2 eggs (or egg whites) scrambled with whole grain toast
- Greek yogurt with bran flakes and berries
- Homemade protein pancakes

Lunch
- Almost always leftovers :P
- My biggest tip is to buy a big pack of meat (or meat alternatives) and bake them all up on a weekend. Freeze any portions you won't consume and then use the rest throughout the week for salads and sandwiches.

Dinner
- Whole wheat spaghetti and turkey meatballs with homemade tomato sauce (crushed tomatoes, olive oil, spices, fresh basil)
- steak, mashed potatoes (or sweet potatoes), broccoli sauteed in garlic and olive oil
- Mediterranean fish with brown rice and
- Beef pot roast
- Chicken stirfry (homemade stiryfry sauce, chicken, a variety of veggies and brown rice)

I hope you enjoy this video! :)

My Flawless Foundation Routine: Stays ALL DAY!

2012-07-13T06:21:00.001-07:00

I've tried dozens of foundations. DOZENS. I've tried primers, concealers, specific moisturizers, BB creams. I've tried combinations of the above, both in products applied together and the order in which they are applied. I've tried $7 foundations and $60 foundations.

This is by FAR the BEST combination of products I have EVER USED. My face stays matte-but-dewy ALL DAY, the foundation stays put through anything and it blurs out all the big pores and acne/scars.

My Skin BEFORE and AFTER

Click below to see how I did it!

Products & Brushes I Used

Primers
Cover FX ClearPrep

Smashbox Artifical Light
Dr Brandt Pore Refiner - Hint of Tint

Foundation
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation - 1N1 Ecrue

Concealer
Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer - Sand
Sedona Lace - Concealer Brush

Powder
Bare Minerals - Mineral Veil
Royal & Langnickel Powder Brush

Bronzer

Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder
Sigma Angled Kabuki Brush

Blush
NARS Orgasm blush
Sedona Lace Tulip Brush

Highlighter

Benefit High Beam
Sedona Lace Fan Brush

Fake A Bronze Summer Glow!

2012-07-09T06:24:00.001-07:00

Now don't get me wrong. I adore my pale skin. I used to feel like Snow White when I was younger (and who doesn't want to feel like a Disney Princess??). But every summer's the same: I crave a subtle, natural glow. I don't want to look like a Umpa Lumpa. Just a soft, summery hint of colour. Here are my tips to achieving this!

Products I Use

1. St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse

2. I combine Smashbox Artifical Light with Dr Brandt Pore Refiner - Hint of Tint as my primer underneath my foundation

3. Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder

4. NARS Orgasm blush

5. Benefit High Beam

Our Honeymoon in Turks and Caicos

2012-07-03T09:23:00.001-07:00

There is nothing quite like a relaxing vacation with sun, sand and miles of clear blue ocean. And when it comes to honeymooning those were three requirements that were absolutely imperative. And oh boy did Turks & Caicos deliver. SUCH a beautiful island - very relaxing, with great people and fantastic vistas (I feel like the travel agent from the Carmen Santiago computer game everytime I say vistas... anyone?... no?)

Chris & I finally decided to stay at the Ocean Club West Resort - which was a perfect fit for us. I loved that our suite looked out over the ocean (and it was all netted in - which means NO BUGS!!! That was what sold me on the place) and the food was delicious. The month of May, it turns out, is a slower month for most vacation spots (they peak from October to February) so Chris and I felt like we were the only ones there!

We also went horseback riding in the ocean, dined privately on the beach for a special romantic dinner and went stand up paddleboarding! Walking along the shore we also witnessed a few wedding receptions going on - how much fun would that be? :)

If you want to see more from our honeymoon, we also vlogged throughout! I'm so happy we went and I miss it every day. A big hug to our sweet-as-honey travel agent Marion Primeau (she's a honeymoon specialist so we obviously needed her help :P) - her and Chris worked super hard to find somewhere for us to go and I'm so happy with everything!!! :D

Question for you: What is your favourite vacation spot and why? :) <3

May Beauty Favorites!

2012-06-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

May was such a special month for me so I wanted to share with you guys my favourite products that I used not only on my wedding day but pretty much daily ever since! I've also included my favourite tea, jewelry and photo. I think I'm going to try and incorporate my favourite photos every month and share a little personal story around it with you :) What do you think?

Our Wedding: Rachel & Chris - RachhLoves

2012-06-17T15:06:00.001-07:00

I can't believe its been over a month since our Wedding Day. I'm a wife.

That's craziness. ;-)

I finally have the final highlight video from our wedding day and I'm SO excited to share it with all you beautiful ladies. I wish you could've all been there with me, but you were definitely in my heart and thoughts on that day (and always!)

Here are some frequently asked questions:

Where did you get married?
London, Ontario at St. Peter's Cathedral

When did you get married?
May 12, 2012

How long did you know Chris before you got married?
5 years

How much did you spend on your wedding?
We spent between $200 and $2 billion. I'm kidding - I am not going to talk about how much I spent on the wedding but I will tell you that we paid for everything. No companies paid us to mention them, I speak highly of them because they were excellent!

Where are your wedding photos?
I will put up a separate video later with all the wedding photos :)

Thank you everyone for your love and support, I love you all so much!

Pre-Summer Shopping Haul

2012-06-08T11:42:00.000-07:00

I went a little crazy shopping over the last 2 weeks or so and got some great things for summer! Rich, pigmented lipsticks for $2, my favourite new nail polishes 3/$10, a bunch of sweet, summery clothes and more! Super stoked to wear that blue dress for my barbeque tomorrow that we're hosting for a bunch of friends - reminds me of Cinderella :D

My question for you is: What is your top 3 must-have item for summer?

Mine are definitely bright nails, beachy waves and a subtle glow (all bottled - I'm never outside without my sunscreen! I don't count it as an item because... well... its just not that exciting :P)