Note: I happened to take these photos on a super cloudy, rainy day, so apologies for the less than perfect photos. I took out my studio lights but it was so dark, I’m not sure if they helped all that much… 🙁

Sapphire

Fave Sapphire Beauty Product: MAC Cosmetics Eye Shadow in Freshwater (pictured near centre) {discontinued; similar}
Why It Lights My Fire : Brown eyed girls, rejoice! This bright blue beauty makes your eyes pop from every-which-angle. I really like wearing this as a pop of colour on my waterline with a neutral shadow or two on my lids. Subtle and fierce!

Emerald 

Fave Emerald Beauty Product: Naked Cosmetics Loose Powder in #UR-03  (pictured on left) 
Why It’s thebomb.com: This olive-toned loose pigment is seriously GORGEOUS! It has beautiful golden flecks to make your eyes pop when worn as a shadow or liner, but it really hits it out of the park when mixed with clear nail polish and worn on the nails. Golden green manicure FOR THE WIN!

Pink Diamond

Fave Pink Diamond Beauty Product: NYX Butter Gloss in Cupcake  (pictured on bottom left)
Why It Rocks My World: Three words…cheap, cheerful, PRETTY!

Aquamarine

Fave Aquamarine Beauty Product: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Flipside (pictured on upper left) {discontinued, similar}
Why I’d Swim An Ocean For It: As you can see, all the products in this group are eye products. I have dark brown eyes and find it really easy for my eyes to look dull and small. A beautiful colour like aquamarine makes them pop like nobody’s business, instantly giving me that wide-eyed effect that I dream of.
BONUS – Fave Application Style: Aquamarine is a double-lining hero…just sayin’

Amethyst

Fave Amethyst Beauty Product:MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Riveting Rose (pictured near centre) {limited edition, similar}
Why My Rose Is Riveted: As you can see, I love this deep purple colour. It’s beautiful on the eyes and cheeks but personally, I like it on the lips best (both on me AND other people). You can’t get any better than a deep, sexy plum lip with winged liner and full lashes. Perfecto! 

Garnet

Fave Garnet Beauty Product: NARS Cosmetics Lip Gloss in Bad Education (pictured on upper left) {unfortunately, discontinued; similar}
Why It’s Bad-Ass: Clearly, I love a good deep red, especially on the lips (duh). But there is something about this smooth, dark ruby red lip gloss that makes me feel EXTRAORDINARY. Lip gloss with a kickin’ name, makes me feel ultra confident and takes any look up ten thousand notches? Yea, me likey…WHY DID YOU HAVE TO GO AND DISCONTINUE IT NARS?! ♥️✔️
BONUS – Runner-Up: MAC Cosmetics Paint Pot in Idyllic {limited edition, similar} This dreamy eyeshadow base makes a dramatic eye complete. I loovvveee using this bad boy under copper eyeshadow for a BAM! effect. 

So…what did ya think!? Aren’t they STUNNING?  I have to say, though I don’t use all of these products all of the time, they’re kind of like the pride and joy of my makeup collection. Well, how could they not be!? They’re beautiful, versatile, unique and eye-catching. They’re like Pokémon but better. They’re pretty. Precious. Gems, even.

I don’t usually make resolutions when a new year comes around because I don’t find them practical, really. I find that, like most people, I “resolve” to do all of these things to make my life and year better — go the gym more often, eat better, spend less, travel more, etc., but  by the 12th of the month, I’ve forgotten all about them and slump back into my old habits. Though 2016 seemed to be a bit, erhm, mad for the rest of the world, I had a fairly good year on a personal level and feel rather content heading into 2017. Therefore, I don’t particularly want to commit myself to a whole list of cliches only to let myself down later; instead, I’d rather focus on two or three long-term goals that will take hard work and dedication but are much more realistically attained.

Having said all that, there are a few aspects of my beauty routine that need serious overhauling. LOL.

And so, here are a few of the things that I am hoping to clean up in my beauty act this year:

1. MAKEUP BE GONE – It saddens me to admit this, but I recently haven’t had the time to wear makeup every day (life is SO busy at the moment). However, when I am a little gussied up, I tend to casually brush off the completely normal and HEALTHY habit of removing my makeup and washing my face, often replacing it with a haphazard promise to myself to cleanse my face “thoroughly” in the morning. HORRIBLE! Guess what!? Germs and bacteria grow regardless of the time of night or how tired I am! EW. This year, I will try my best to regularly cleanse my face in the evening, or at the very least, run a makeup removing wipe over my face. All in the name of clean, happy skin! 

2. SERIOUSLY PROTECTED FACE – SPF, son! I’m hoping this one goes without saying, but sun protection is a serious topic that I think we could all use a little refresher on. Protecting your skin from the sun can help prevent more trivial things such as sunburn, heat rashes, eczema breakouts, wrinkles and other signs of aging, or very serious issues like skin cancer. You may think that you’re hardly ever in the sun, or you live in a country that is cloudy most of the year or that you’re of a darker complexion so wearing SPF doesn’t apply to you, but, sorry friend, you are oh-so-wrong. The sun and its harmful rays affect us all, even when doing “simple,” daily things like driving to work or walking the dog. Just remember: the higher number you can get from your beauty products, the better (we’re talking SPF 50 and above, and if you’re fair, start with a baseline of SPF 70). 2017 is the year that I will get my act together and stop counting SPF 15 in my (rarely used) tinted moisturizer as a reasonable amount of protection. Stay covered, stay gorgeous!☀️

3. HAIRWAY TO HEAVEN – In general, I am downright awful to my hair. Between the frequent heat styling and pulling my hair taut almost daily into a bun or ponytail, at this point,my hair is crying for mercy. While I’ve never been one to consistently spend my money and/or time on the latest special hair treatment or style (hi, hair dusting, I’m lookin’ at you), introducing simple things like hot oil treatments with avocado oil, deep conditioning regularly and using a cleansing conditioner instead of a harsh shampoo has really started to take my hair from a super dry, frizzy mess to strands I actually admire again. Maybe 2017 will be the year I grow my hair out a little bit again, eh!? (We can only hope!) 

4. HELLO!? IS ANYBODY THERE? – Continuing on the same theme, I am terribly unhappy to admit that, at the moment, my skin is in even worse condition than my hair (and that folks, is saying a lot). My skin is going through a bit of a rough patch at the moment, both literally and figuratively. With extreme cases of eczema breaking out all over my body and face patches so dry, meteorologists in the Sahara are jealous, it’s just a bloody mess! Sure, some of it is stress related, and some of it is my environment, but A LOT of it is purely my fault. Here’s a tip that you won’t hear anywhere else, folks: if/when your skin is fuh-reaking out as much as mine is at the moment, LISTEN TO IT!!!! Drink more water, take a break when possible from excessively stressful situations, wrap up in the cold, sleep with a humidifier on, apply that extra hydrating face mask…do anything, as long as it’s SOMETHING!!! The human body has a funny way of expressing itself, but I tell you, this year, when my organs speak to me (yes, skin is an organ), I aim to have a big ol’ loudspeaker at the ready so I can make like Queen B and listen.

5. TRIAL RUN – Finally, we have the age old dilemma that I’m sure every person who has ever stepped into a Sephora store and purchased something has faced (no pun intended): the dreaded sample. Now, don’t get me wrong, the fact that I can spend my hard-earned $50 on a face serum that, 5 years ago would have only cost me $35 (oh my, don’t get me started on that one; different post, different post, different post…), and, at the end of the experience, I can come out with three sample sized beauty products. Really, it’s lovely. However, do you know what I do with those fantastic samples the minute I get home!? Shove them into a corner/basket/drawer and proceed to use the product I just purchased and completely forget about my glorious samples until a YEAR OR TWO LATER. Samples are great, in theory, but I’m just getting a little tired of the deep pang of guilt I feel every time I see one from the corner of my eye: “I should have used this by now,” “oh, man, I forgot I could have used this!” OR EVEN WORSE, “Dagnabit, if I’d remembered, I could have given this to [insert friend or mother’s or friend’s mother’s name here], she would have loved it!” I’m T I R E D of trialling, so this year, I would like to stay on top of the game and stick to a simple sample regimen (say that 5 times fast): test immediately & share strategically. I’ll test it out, shall I? 

Now that you’ve read some of my beauty goals for the year, what are some of the things you’d like to take on or change in your beauty routine in 2017? Feel free to share below!

Here’s to a happy, healthy, successful and most important of all – beautiful for us all! 

Until next time,

S.

Naturally, being a photography-lover first, human second, I took some photos as I was prepping the room for the evening and as the night unfolded, and as soon as I started to flip through the photos, I knew I wanted to share them. Again, for a night that was supposed to be a casual get-together with some good friends, things didn’t turn out too bad, if I do say so myself! So, today, I’m going to do just that, as well as share some tips for you to use should you decide to host your very own game night, or any other kind of gathering, for that matter! I am by no means the authority in hosting, heck, I’m not even 25 years of age yet! I have hundreds of parties still on my list to host, but the following are some thoughts I have on making hosting as easy as counting 1,2,3!

♥ – ♥ – ♥

Do decorate your place with intention.

Personally, I like to pick a decor theme for entertaining, and I try my very best to incorporate it into bits and pieces of the entire get-together. The theme doesn’t have to be anything crazy or unattainable, just some form of a visual guideline to keep your place streamlined and looking great, no matter what. When I set out to host a game night, I originally planned to have a nautical theme (red, white, navy and stripes galore), but then decided against it in favour of something a little easier to envision in my mind and something a little more “me”, so I opted for a pink, grey and white colour scheme. However, when it comes to your own gathering, you do you! Do you love the colour blue and would like everything to be topped off with a little oceanic charm? Are you obsessed with the film The Sixth Sense and feel compelled to work a reference or two into each aspect of the evening? Don’t be afraid to have a little fun with it, it is your party after all! If it’ll make things easier, play around a little bit; move things around and try different arrangements and colours. The only way any guest will feel comfortable at your gathering is if you feel comfortable, so let your inner Sarah Richardson free! Still struggling? Here are some questions to ask yourself when choosing a theme/colour scheme or decor plan for your next get-together:

• Can I envision myself putting everything together easily, no hassles?
• Is this a theme I’d enjoy if I were a guest?
• Does it look right?
• Is the theme appropriate for this crowd? (For those wondering, yes, there were males at my party but a) they were outnumbered by the females [♪who run the world…♫] and b) I don’t really think they noticed or cared what colour the plate they were eating from was. It was a plate with food, and that was/is all that matters. :P)
• Is the overall visual effect too stuffy?
• Is the overall visual effect too casual?
• Does this theme exude warmth, charm and fun?
• Does this theme reflect my and my guest’s personalities? Will everyone understand the meaning behind the theme?

OH! Something else worth noting here, never underestimate the power of a bouquet of fresh flowers. I’m serious, y’all, it doesn’t have to set you back more than $10…yes, they can be from your local grocery store if anything (mine were!), but a fresh floral arrangement can instantly transform a room and atmosphere from “blah” to “oh YAH!!” 🙂

Don’t be shy…

Credit for this great photo & these cupcakes that I couldn’t stop talking about goes to my lovely friend Krisa. Thanks again, girl! 🙂 ♥

…ask for help where you need it! Especially on casual occasions, I don’t consider this taboo anymore. In fact, if you were to follow the rules of the late, great Emily Post, it is suggested that you bring a little gift for the host and/or hostess when you go to a party anyway! In the past, said gift could have been a fresh bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolates; something for the host or hostess to thoroughly enjoy. However, in today’s age, that old trend has morphed into bringing something that the host or hostess needs. Now, this could be something for the hostess to use after the party, but nine times out of ten, it ends up being that special something that can be used at the party and takes it over the top.

In the case of my game night, I expressed myself pretty clearly in the invitation, that I would take care of food and that the only thing that guests had to bring was their own alcohol if they intended to drink that evening. I also mentioned casually that maybe we could all pitch in some money to buy a pizza as a supplementary food option, but because my friends are downright awesome, we didn’t need to. Why? Because they ALL BROUGHT FOOD!!! My friend Gabby brought an ice cream cake (!!) and bags of popcorn from Kernels, my friends Jerelie and Ryan brought salsa and chips (and some extra games, yippee!), and my friends Merlin and Krisa outdid themselves and brought the AMAZING game night-themed cupcakes pictured above! *tummy grumbles* Everything was delicious, and to my friends who are reading this, THANK YOU!!!

The point is, it’s no longer 1948; it isn’t considered rude to ask for help. Now, I wouldn’t necessarily ask for it if I were hosting a more formal or special occasion like a wedding shower or a surprise birthday party or anything, but a casual get-together with friends?! Girl, please! 🙂 \

Do prepare in advance. Way in advance.

I’ve heard that the reason people choose not to entertain in today’s day and age is because of the associated stress level of it all. That’s why most of us go out to meet friends at a bar or a restaurant, because it’s so much easier. My question is, where’s the fun in that? Sure, there’s no stress in sitting at a table at Jack Astor’s, ordering a meal and chatting the night away, but there’s certainly no “home-grown” charm either. Sometimes, it’s nice to kick back in a home, with all of the special, personalized touches and what not.

The reality is, entertaining is a LOT less stressful if you’re prepared. I’m telling you, “be prepared” isn’t the Scouts’ motto for nothing. As you can see above, a few hours before my game night began, I set everything up, to see if what I’d envisioned would come to life as easily as I thought it would. I then proceeded to put towels over all of it, to prevent anything bad getting on one of the serving plates, and moved onto cleaning. By the time that the party rolled around, all I had to do was set up the food on the plates and vacuum (I always leave this to last because while you’re cooking and preparing, the crumbs can sometimes get the best of you!).  I have to say, it might be because I’m now older and wiser, or I’m just more organized now than I was when I used to entertain frequently in high school, but I’ve never been less stressed and panicked than when my first guest rang the doorbell that evening. It was great to already have everything covered, with no rushing around the kitchen (or elsewhere) to brush and finish up the last details.

Here’s a timeline for when I did the key parts of prep for entertaining my friends that evening, and hopefully it will help you the next time you entertain! Keep in mind, the invitation said the starting time for this party was 7 PM. 🙂

The Night Before 

Make sure you have everything you need! Cutlery, plates, serveware, etc. as well as ALL ingredients to prepare the food and set the scene.

Party Day! 

2:30 PM

Set out dishes. If you’re hosting a dinner party, clean and lay out the table where guests will be seated. As I opted for a buffet style set-up, I cleaned the counter and then set everything up. It took a little while to get everything just right in my mind, but this is the optimal time to fiddle and play until it looks right to you.

3:15 PM

Cover everything and start prepping the food. To make things easier for me, I didn’t cook a lot of the food (details below), so I took this time to prep the salad and make the popcorn.

3:45 PM

 Make a list of areas guests will be in throughout the home and clean to your hearts content! For me, it was primarily the kitchen, living room and washroom, so I got to mopping, dusting, cleaning the toilet, etc.

4:45 PM

I set aside this time to cook, because most hosts and hostesses aren’t like me (LOL) and put in hours of cooking into a party. In reality, I was photographing for this post, but hey, to each his own!

5:30 PM

Shower time! A host/hostess has to do many things in order to host a party, but first and foremost, they’ve got to look and smell good! 🙂

6:15 PM

Take this time to vacuum, make the finishing touches and get the ambience going! This is when I put my wings in the oven, set up my playlist so that all I had to later was press play, put the food that didn’t need to be warm into dishes and covered them, etc.

6:45 PM

First guest arrives, because there will always be one early bird! With everything important already done, I could relax so my friend Gabby and I got to chatting as I put on my playlist and checked on the food in the oven.

7:30 PM

The party’s well under way! This is your moment to shine, you got this girl (or guy!)! 😀

Don’t skimp on drinks or food!

Seriously, don’t. It’s not wise. Be the host or hostess with an abundance of food and plenty of options, so that if you’re guests bring anything to eat with them, it’s a nice topper, not necessity. Here’s another little tip about food: go pre-cooked when you can, for at least one of the dishes you plan to serve! It really cuts down on stress and reduces the time you spend in the kitchen cooking and cleaning up, a lot! Here’s what was on my menu that evening:

✓ 4 lbs of pre-cooked chicken wings from my favourite grocery store’s prepared food section in Honey Garlic, BBQ & Spicy Buffalo

✓ Caesar salad with bacon, cheese and dressing on the side so that guest’s could customize their own

✓ 2 bags of my favourite cake batter flavoured popcorn 

✓ Drinks: Diet Coke, Diet Sprite, Juice, and Water

✓ The food that my friend’s brought along! 🙂

In actuality, I learned something that night: I didn’t have enough food. Though I kept talking about how shocked I was that everyone brought food, in reflection, I’m happy they did, because I didn’t have enough. I thought I did, and even thought at one point that we wouldn’t need to order the pizza I mentioned earlier, but one rule of thumb that I forgot in preparation for that evening: the extra guests rule! You should always have some extra food in case an extra guest or two come by, no matter what. Odds are, you won’t need it and you’ll end up putting it in the fridge as leftovers that night, but it never hurts to have more. In my case, I wasn’t prepared (enough), and two unexpected guests arrived! My menu for six definitely didn’t stretch to eight, especially when one of my guests is about 6’2″ (Hi, TJ!)!!! When hosting a party, be Latin for a day, and think to yourself, in omnia paratus, or, for any of you who aren’t obsessed with the Gilmore Girls (or Gilmore Guys, for that matter), be ready for anything! I promise, you won’t regret it.

Do set the mood.

There is pretty much nothing worse than getting all excited for an event or to hang out with your friends and when you get there, the atmosphere kills your buzz. At games night, or any gathering for that matter, it’s always nice to have a little light mood music playing. You’ll have to choose this based on what you and your guests like, but for me, I simply went onto Spotify, searched Game Night, and bam! A playlist called, ironically enough, Game Night, appeared and that was that! I connected Spotify to the TV through my Chromecast (God bless that thing), and when I did, an instant light, cheerful & melodic back-track was born.

Another crucial thing to remember when hosting an evening at yours is that guests are wild. Well, not actually wild, hopefully (for your sake), but they hardly ever stay in the room that they’re supposed to be in, so it’s always nice to have some light snacks and something fun in another room, just in case anyone gets peckish! My female guests are quite feminine and are intrigued by fashion and beauty (ha! I wonder how we all connect! ;)), so having some great magazines out for their reading pleasure was a welcomed little touch. Sometimes, it’s about the little things, you know!?

Don’t sweat the small stuff.

When entertaining, you’re a host/hostess, first and foremost, and a friend, peer, etc., second. Though it may not seem like a big or intimidating title, a certain amount of stress and/or pressure comes along with the hosting territory. Speaking as an overthinking, overplanning, slight control freak, it can be difficult to make it through a self-hosted evening without being let down in some shape or form. Maybe your guests show up late (or don’t show up at all, even though they said they would). Perhaps, some of your guests forgot to tell you about a dietary restriction they have, or, maybe, your guests end up changing the agenda that you perfectly planned out for the evening. Though it’s hard, believe me, I know, try not to sweat it. Life is full of unexpected moments, good and bad, and what are you hosting for if not to make memories and socialize the night away!? Sure, maybe things didn’t go to plan. Heck, maybe the plan was thrown out the window the second your guests arrived an hour after your lobster thermidor came out of the oven perfect. That’s okay. Sure, you might be annoyed, heck, you may even be downright pissed, but at the end of the day, you know you did your part, and that’s all that matters. If nothing else, just remember this: a host/hostess should always be two things, gracious and attentive. As long as you’ve noticed what’s going on in the room, paid attention to your guest’s needs, and looked after them the very best you can, without being impolite, or anything, anything else that can (and probably will) happen can be chalked up to a good experience. Plus, unexpected things usually make for some great stories after the fact, so don’t worry about it!

Do remember to have fun!!

As an addendum to my previous point, I think something that hosts and hostesses seem to forget is that their having a party for a reason. Anyone can sit in a room, stress themselves out beyond the point of no return, and then call it a night. Instead of being that host/hostess, please do one thing for me: have some fun!!!! Let loose a little, and enjoy the time you spend with your guests during your get-together! Remember that everything you’ve done leading up to your party or get-together was for you and your guests to enjoy, so do just that! After all, where’s the pleasure in following all of these tips if you don’t have some fun along the way!? 😉 ♥

So, there you have it, folks! A rather lenghty recap of my little game night and some tips and tricks that I use for entertaining that will hopefully help you the next time you entertain! Though I know this was a long one (it might even be my longest feature on the bylaws yet, oops!), I sincerely hope that you learned a thing or two, or at the very least, were entertained a little while you read!

All in all, I had a great night with my friends and quite honestly, cannot WAIT until I can do it all over again! 🙂 Game night 2.0, anyone!? 😉

Until next time,

S♥

As I’m sure you know, the 88th Academy Awards took place a week ago in Los Angeles, California and as per, the evening was truly spectacular. I am not joking when I say that I’ve rearranged plans with friends before in order to be home for the Oscars. I know, I know, it seems crazy to some, but I’ve always been a huge fan of arts & culture, especially visual media likes television and cinema, and seeing all of my favourite actors and actresses all glammed up and together for one incredible night of celebration, honour and fun is actually one of my favourite things in life.

The show itself was fantastic, in fact, I’d even venture to say that it was the best ceremony they’ve had in the last few years. I loved the pacing of the show this time around, and even though it went nearly an hour over what was scheduled (what else is new), I never felt bored; my brain was consistently stimulated and I was thoroughly entertained. I thought Chris Rock was an incredible host, with charm, wit and humour that was, shall I say, close to the knuckle — albeit fun, entertaining and light-hearted enough to edge him out of some tough spots. Plus, though I didn’t necessarily agree with all that came out his mouth, I think some of the more gripping “Hollywood leans on the racist side” thoughts truly needed to be vocalized.

Speaking of thoughts that simply need to be shared, did you see some of those red carpet looks, friend!? Talk about g-l-a-m! So, today, instead of getting engrossed in an hour of tense, tough and thought-provoking writing, I’m here to talk about the important, hard-hitting part of Oscar evening: the fashion! 😉 These are some of my picks for the most conversation-worthy outfits at the 88th Academy Awards! Whether you loved them or you hated them, I’m pretty sure they got you gabbin’ in some fashion or another (no pun, of course! ;))!!

The Different

Sunday’s red carpet had some real headturners – and I mean that in every which way. Some of these outfits are GREAT, some of these outfits are…umm, not, but all of them strike the same chord, they’re unexpected and unpredictable, and I can certainly appreciate the beauty in that!

I can’t remember the last time I saw orange on the carpet, and Olivia Munn was perfection in this chic gown by Stella McCartney. LOVE the shoulder, so minimal and yet so lovely!! Plus, that orange pout, though! 

Though the gorgeous Isla Fisher was at the Oscars to support her husband, Sacha Baron Cohen, she stole the spotlight the second she stepped onto the carpet in this light, airy & feminine number by Marchesa. Stunning!

Photo via Hollywood Life
While I truly love & admire Jennifer Lawrence, I actually have NO IDEA what happened on Sunday night. I don’t really like overstated looks, so I’ve been loving Jennifer’s more understated and minimal looks this year, but then she showed up in this Dior gown! What the!? Again, I love you and your work JLaw, but please remember: this is the OSCARS, aka the biggest night in cinema for the whole year. Show up with your A-game ON, please!! 🙁
UPDATE: If only she’d worn this at the Oscars, instead of the annual Vanity Fair afterparty! Sure, it’s a little casual, but I think it works much better than…this ↑. Sorry, Jen.

I have to be honest, I’ve been a big fan of Alicia Vikander since the moment she drunkenly danced on screen in one of my favourite movies of 2015, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Therefore, you might think I’m biased as I share what I am about to, but I simply must: ALICIA rocked the house in this gorgeous yellow gown by Louis Vuitton! Alicia paired this unexpected pop of spring-toned yellow with minimal jewellery and simple hair and makeup, and she was the Belle of last night’s ball (do you get it!? She looks like Belle from Beauty & The Beast!).

Photo via E! Online
Simply put, WHY, Olivia, WHY!?!? Perhaps Olivia was trying to be bold or trying to stand out from the pack on the red carpet on Sunday, which she most certainly did, but unfortunately, it wasn’t in the best way. Olivia is usually someone who knocks it out of the park on the red carpet, with an effortless, timeless glam factor that few naturally have, but I’m afraid that this time, she missed the mark. This Valentino original might be pretty on the bottom, but all I can think as soon as I look at her from the waist up is “suspenders.” Sorry Liv, not your best look. 🙁

Alright Kate, I’ve witnessed your phenomenal talent time-and-time again, not-to-mention your warm, friendly, kind-hearted and seemingly genuine personality in interviews, but….errr, what, what’s goin’ on here, girl!? Don’t get me wrong, I think Kate looked good, and I think her fashion choices are usually spot on, I’m just a little confused about the material her shiny custom Ralph Lauren number is made of. I don’t know where I stand on this one…meh! 

I looked at the always stunning Lady Gaga walking down the red carpet and two thoughts kept finding their way back into my head, over and over. The first, I suddenly realized how much the presence (or lackthereof) of a great bra can totally make (or break) a killer outfit. The second was a far less complicated thought: pick a lane. If the incomparable Miss Gaga had worn this without the weird dress skirt addition, simply as a jumpsuit, my goodness, it would have been unexpected and spectacular. Likewise, if she had opted for a simple white ballgown, it would have looked great. However, I’m not really such a fan of this confusing outfit by Brandon Maxwell. I never really know where to look, and surely, that can’t be good. Maybe next year, Gags?

Far and away, Cate Blanchett’s GORGEOUS dress was the first and most divisive on last night’s red carpet in my household. Mom hated it, I loved it, Dad couldn’t decide (yes, my dad has pretty good fashion sense, and he’s FULL of opinions! ), and my cat Lucky, who was the deciding vote, had a quick look, then turned onto her back for a quick nap. 😉 No matter how you feel about it, this custom Armani Privé gown is a show-stopper, with its unique floral appliqué pattern and magnificent mermaid blue colour, and the way it hugs Cate’s beautiful body so perfectly — yea, it’s guaranteed to make you feel strongly, one way or another!

The Divine

Now we get into the real fun, the looks that were so darling, so lovely, so precious, I want to see them over, over and over again! Bring on the stunners!

Photo via Huffington Post
Starting out the list of contenders STRONG here, with the beautiful Ashley Graham. If you follow me on Snapchat (shameless plug – beautybylaws is my snapchat username and we have some fun on there! 😉 Come hither! :P), you aren’t surprised because on Sunday, I would NOT STOP GOING ON ABOUT ASHLEY’s incredible look. Everything about this look — the hair, the makeup, jewellery, and that bombshell of a dress (by Bao Tranchi) on that bombshell of a woman — PHEW!!!! Heart. Racing. Well done, Ashley, way to make a statement on one of the biggest nights of the year! ♥

Having been a fan of Brie Larson’s since Sleepover, the little ditty of a movie she starred in alongside Alexa (then) Vega and Sara Paxton in 2004, again, you might think this next comment is totally biased. However, I assure you from the bottom of my haute couture loving and beauty blogging heart, I remain as neutral as I can be when I say: this look is perfection. Again, the simple hair, stunning makeup and MAGNIFICENT royal blue custom Gucci gown is and was a showstopper. I love every detail on this lovely gown, and that belt!? OMG.

It goes without saying, every year, some fine actress shows up looking like an Academy Award herself. It’s been done time and time again, so the trick is, doing it right. Well, Margot Robbie didn’t do it right, she did it FLAWLESSLY. The snake-like texture of this classic Tom Ford gown is what steals my heart every time I look at her, and the super laidback hair and makeup compliments it well. Plus, I hear that Margot is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside, which, I bet is really hard to accomplish when you’re this easy on the eyes. I’m telling you, she better be careful, because if she continues looking so glam in every way, George Clooney will be divorcing Amal and going after her gorgeous soul sometime soon! 😉

I’m pretty sure Jennifer Garner is one of the most classic beauty’s in Hollywood, and I SWEAR she doesn’t age! I was wowed by this gorgeous one-shoulder number, which she had custom made by Armani Privé, and her hair, makeup and jewellery perfectly completed the glam look. Love!

Photo via International Business Times
Lest we forget the men who stepped up their games entirely for Oscar’s big night!! Seeing as it was literally impossible to find a photo of Kevin Hart alone without his stunning fiancé on the carpet, I had to resort to this one of him on stage. However, whether he’s on the carpet or on the stage, Kevin is simply rocking it in a Dolce & Gabbana suit that shined bright like a diamond. I LOVE this look!

For a solid 45 minutes of watching red carpet coverage last week, Daisy Ridley’s breaktaking dress was my favourite. What I appreciate about it most, is that though this Chanel dress has a simple cut and an “average” colour, the texture/detail and length are what takes it over the top. I absolutely LOVE this dress, and Daisy did it justice with a bright red lip and pulled back hair. The force is strong in this one (sorry, I had to. :P)!

Speaking of breathtaking, I had to rewind the TV a few times to get more than one glimpse of Naomi Watt’s amazing Armani Privé gown. There’s so much that’s good here, I truly don’t know where to begin. The gorgeous navy/burgundy colour, the incredible metallic detail and trim, and the way it hugs Naomi’s great bod, OH MY! Pair all that greatness with a beautiful necklace and a chic and timeless red lip with simple but flattering hair…yea, it’s no mystery that Naomi is at the top of a lot of best dressed lists for this year’s awards. STU-NNING.

Photo via Independent UK
I don’t believe that Chris Rock even walked the carpet last Sunday, so again, we’re left with a photo of the funny man on stage. Though apparently Chris wore this great white tuxedo for a reason (to support his “Oscars So White” monologue), I thought he looked fantastic! It really suited him (no pun) and he more than pulled off this look! Good job, Chris!

Every single aspect of this gorgeous look on Saoirse Ronan is perfection. First, let’s talk about the detailed metallic pattern on her custom Calvin Klein Collection gown, wowza! I feel like I’m looking at Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh, but, dare I say, better! Oh, and the lovely jade colour of Saoirse’s gown? Apparently, she wore it to represent her homeland, Ireland (which I LOVE! Maybe if I ever get to the Oscars, I’ll show up in something red because, girl, I look good in red AND it represents my home and native land, Canada! #agirlcandream #youneverknow #patrioticastheycome). Finally, you have the beautiful plunging neckline and the quirky added touch of mismatched earrings, oh my goodness, I know I’ll be talking about this look for years to come! A++!

Photo via Mirror UK
This man could make a paper bag look like pure gold, and I have to say, he did it again. Leonardo DiCaprio is by far one of my favourite actors of all time, and I’ve seen every single one of his films, including ones I’d rather not have seen (hello, Shutter Island!!!). He is a great man and I’m not ashamed to say I shed a little tear when he FINALLY won his Oscar (and if you follow me on Twitter or Snapchat, you know that I went on and on about it for days). It’s true, ACADEMY AWARD WINNER Leonardo DiCaprio (oh my, that feels SO good to type, after all these years!!!), may have opted for a classic tux, but daaannnggg, he makes it werk. Brav-ah!

Photo via People Style Watch
I absolutely adore Chrissy Teigen and her/her stylist’s incredible dress sense (have you SEEN some of the sexy numbers she dons on Lip Sync Battle!?). Though some are calling this worst dressed or a “fashion risk,” I think it absolutely worked! I don’t know, because I’ve never been and aren’t planning on being pregnant for hmm, about a decade, but I reckon it’s hard to dress a bump, especially when the world is watching! I think Chrissy did it wonderfully, in a charming and beautiful embroidered Marchesa gown, with a matching clutch and neutral makeup. All of that puts her not on my worst dressed list, rather, near the top of my best dressed list! Oh, how lovely!! PS- her husband, John Legend, didn’t look too shabby either! 🙂 #winningcouple

Photo via US Magazine
This pick was another controversial one in my household last Sunday night. While I absolutely adored this stunning Zuhad Mohair gown on the one-and-only Priyanka Chopra, both my mom and my dad weren’t such fans. My mom kept saying over and over again that it looked “too bridal,” however I think it was just right. I love the sheerness of the gown, the embroiderd detail, the belt, the glimmering accessories, and in my opinion, the white colour took it over the top. To me, she doesn’t look like she’s about to get married, but she does look like a million bucks. Hats off, Priyanka, you look enchanting!

Well, we’ve reached the end of the road here. It’s time to talk about the most divine dresser of the evening, my best dressed, which, without a doubt, goes to the incomparable Charlize Theron. Between the gorgeous hot red colour of her Dior gown and that incredible deep plunging neckline, my eyes simply can’t get enough! Plus, the cut of the shoulders and that fantastic train, and that smoking hair, makeup and jewellery?! Charlize didn’t knock it out the park with this look, she knocked it out of the universe. The goddess strikes again! ♥

Well, folks, there you have it, the looks that I, personally, had a little too much of and the looks that I couldn’t get enough of! There were some honourable mentions I left off of this list, like Charlotte Riley, Angela Bassett and Serena Armitage, because girl, I didn’t want this to be an essay! All in all, it was great night of fun, admiration and some truly gasp-worthy moments that I, personally, will be talking about for weeks to come. 🙂 Only 357 days until we do it all again! 😉 ♥

What were some of your favourite looks for Oscar evening? Which looks could you not stop talking about!? Who do you think could have done better?! Leave your thoughts below ↓, let’s start a conversation!

Love always,

S♥

Unless otherwise noted, all images via People Style Watch. 

Welcome Back to Beauty Bylaws!

AHHHHH! After a semi-long break, that feels so good to say!

On February 2, 2016, Beauty Bylaws turned four years old, and to me, that is a momentous occasion! Though I haven’t treated blogging like my job for the entire duration of operating Beauty Bylaws, it has become something so near and dear to my heart, I can’t even put it into words. It’s not just a hobby, it’s not just something I do to keep busy. No, it’s much, much more than that, and even though I have phases during which I have an article or feature up every single day, and then on the other hand, have phases in which I hardly publish anything, Beauty Bylaws is an actual piece of my heart at this point.

You may also be thinking, wait, whaa??? Things look different around here.

UH, YEA! BB got a makeover!! What do you think?!?! 😀

Personally, I love the design, and I hope that it evokes the grown-up yet fun spirit that I was aiming for while glamming it up over the last few weeks! 🙂 There are a ton of new features, so you should have a look around, but my favourites are obviously the new menu fully equipped with emojis (but of course!) and the new home page, what could be better!? Oh, yea, the fact that I’m finally opening up my shop in two weeks! 

Remember when I mentioned ‘phases’ earlier? Now, I could be wrong, but I feel like #BeautyBylaws is about to enter the best, most fun, glamorous, and all-around awesome phase yet, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to get started!!!

Whether you’re a “day one” reader who’s been by my side for the last 4 years, or a new reader whom is still trying to get a feel for the bylaws, thank you.

 Thank you for coming along on this journey with me and for being the best friends a girl could hope for, online and otherwise. You’re the best & here’s to another 4 years of fun, laughter, learning and most importantly, beauty! 😉

Ta-rah!

Today’s write-up is very special, in fact, I can barely contain my excitement as I type this. Do you remember the giveaway I mentioned in this article…? IT’S HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

This “giveaway” is not a traditional sort that a blogger would have; I’m not going to ask you to do anything, and I’m not going to raffle out some random prize. This giveaway is more of a gift, especially if you are a creative and/or entrepreneur, because, it’s the holiday season and, well, why not?? I’ve been interested in going into the stock photography business for a while now, and after some encouragement from my peers and my family, I decided I would. I originally planned to rush and get my little shop open before Christmas, but one thing you have probably guessed about me is that I’m not a “rusher.” Yes, I take my sweet time in doing most things, mainly because I’m a perfectionist, but because I do, I’m usually very happy with the outcome. Thus, the opening date of my stock shop has been pushed to early January.

BUT, but, my friend, that doesn’t mean that you have to wait to see some of what I have to offer. You see, these days, you rarely find me without some type of camera in my hand, and I take photos basically everyday; photography has become a part of who I am. In effort to both please the restless 3-year-old in my heart (“Mommy, mommy! SHOW ME AND GIVE ME EVERYTHANG!!!! NOWWW!”) and to (hopefully) help you out, I’m sharing 16 (sixteen!!!) of the festive snaps I’ve taken recently. For free.

No, you didn’t suddenly enter euphoria and start imagining things, the word “free” is really up there! To be completely honest, I haven’t decided on what my selling rate will be for my stock images, so I can’t really tell you what the value of these images are. However, I am aware that right now, to get wonderfully styled, high-quality, and customizable stock images that will look great on your blog, website or online store, you have to cough up some kind of dough. But in this case, you don’t, all you have to do is click the button below, and save the images you would like to use! 🙂

“…k, that’s swell, Siobhan, but it’s December 22, it’s too late for promotional images on my site”

No,  no, no! Think outside of the box. Yes, it is December 22, but what’s the most profitable period for most webstores and companies, leading up to Christmas, or Boxing Week? I’ll tell you this, it’s not December 1-25, that’s for sure. 😉 Heck, some of these will even work for the winter season, not just the holidays!

So, what are some of the ways you can use these awesome, free images?

or even…

What I, personally, love about stock photography, is that you can use it so many different ways, and because all of the images are high-resolution, croppable and editable .jpg files, the world is truly your oyster. That’s right, whether you use them to service your business, online or not, add a visual component to something you’ve been working on or, hey, just to send a friendly holiday greeting to your uncle, I hope they serve you well. I worked hard to create and style images that are high quality, clean, and most of all, visually appealing, so I sincerely hope you get the most that you can out of them! And don’t forget, those boxing day/boxing week promotions are practically begging you to use one of these!

Interested in downloading some or all 16 images? Look no further, pal! 🙂

Well, that’s all for today! I’ve been so, so excited to share these photos with you and I’m so happy that this day finally arrived. Please, feel free to use any of the photos and share away, and if you’d like, drop me a line on any of my social networks (my username is @beautybylaws on all of your favourites! :D) or send me an email at siobhan[at]beautybylaws[dot]com to let me know what you think of them! I can’t wait to share more with you when my stock shop opens (eek! Early January, #savethedate!!!), but until then, I hope this will tide you over. 😉

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a wonderful day, evening and week! ♥ Oh, and of course, a #MerryStockmas! ❤️

Lots of love as always,

S♥

ps – Wishing a very happy birthday to one of my closest and oldest friends, Krisa, today! I hope you’re out partying and not reading this, girl! Wishing you a lovely, fantastic, fun, safe, healthy, and HAPPY year! ♥♥♥

There’s a saying floating around out there that says: “Forget the glass slippers, this princess wears boots.” Its origins are uncertain, but it’s nonetheless accurate when it comes to a girl’s love for pulling up her bootstraps. But when it comes to choosing a pair, let’s be honest, boots are a dime a dozen. You can always finish an outfit with a plain ankle bootie. You can easily find a pair of thigh highs, or even just a simple pair of simple riding boots. But why choose something plain when you can have a little fun with the look?

Don’t let your boots be boring when they’re supposed to be just as squeal-inducing as your favourite pair of heels. Take them to the next level with three kinds of accents that are reinventing the classic boot style—fur, fringe, and jewels.

Fur
If you’re against real fur, don’t worry. Faux fur is on the rise, especially when it comes to an accent for boots. Fur can line the interior, or give a fun look to the top line. Just make sure you pick a quality faux fur. According to an exposé on faux fur, “it is imperative to have the right kind of faux fur in your wardrobe in order to pull it off. No one wants to look like a Muppet, or be called out for a terrible fake. So, what’s the best test when faux fur shopping? Feel your purchase up (literally!). Synthetic fur should be soft, but not so mushy that it is overly delicate. Even after being touched, the fur should easily mold back into its original pattern.”

Fringe
You don’t need to head to the wild west to pull off this look. Fringe has been a hot look for a few months now, so a stylish fringe boot is an obvious win. Style icon Amal Clooney was recently spotted sporting the look during a night out on the town, and she paired them with an outfit that was anything but western. Clooney wore a short, multi-coloured dress, covered in different styled embellishments, a bold leather jacket, and solid black accessories.

Jeweled
Don’t discount that bedazzler just yet. It turns out that jeweled boots and heels are trending this season. If you check out this collection of designer boots, you can see how everyone—from Alexander McQueen and Ivy Kirzhner, to Matisse and Jessica Simpson—is using the trend on their latest styles. A sparkling, intricate heel gives your look extra interest, and they’re fun enough for any festive gathering this season. If you go with a heavily jeweled heel, keep the rest of your outfit clear of any bling. You don’t want to walk in the room and blind everyone.

This season, trade in your glass slippers for something a little more durable. Give your boots a bit of life, and take advantage of these stylish trends before they’re gone!

Written by Alex Perini

Alex Perini lives in Toronto with her rescue dog Max. She loves exploring new trends in food, fashion, and fitness.

So, this article is about 15 days overdue but, you know what they say, better late than never! 🙂

If you read Volume 1 of The Colour Study, you know that my goal in this little experiment of mine is to switch up the aesthetic of my Instagram page on a monthly basis, as to fit a certain season, mood and maybe even evoke a certain type of emotion from my followers. The first month, October, I opted to start strong with a bold colour, orange, and if you remember, I mentioned that for the month of November, I wanted to choose a theme and colour that is a little bit softer and more neutral in tone. However, I didn’t compile a nice little overview for you of how it turned out, which is so not fair, or cool, especially if you don’t follow me on Instagram (which you totally should, it’s essentially my life at the moment, I love it SO much! ;))! And so, it is time for a #ColourStudy update (YAY!)! Let’s begin, shall we?? 🙂

Lately, I’ve been really enjoying beginning the month with a flatlay (a photo taken of a flat spread of products, clothes or, really, anything laid out) featuring an illustrated calendar by the lovely Kerrie Hess. Not only are all of her pieces gorgeous, but it encourages me (and hopefully you, too!) to get into the right frame of mind in order to accomplish the goals I have set for myself for the month. I did this in October, when I learned about Kerrie’s FREE #khcalendar project (get yours here), and November was no different. Isn’t it puurrttyyy?

HONESTY TIME: I’ve been contemplating opening my own stock photography shop for about 6 months now, as I truly have grown to love photography and taking still life shots has become a passion of mine as of late. However, seeing as I’d not done any kind of market research, I thought I’d see if there was even a little bit of interest by popping this photo up on Instagram. Good news, there is interest and this photo got positive feedback across multiple social media platforms (YAY!). I even received emails from a few very kind people to offer some words of encouragement (which have meant more than you will EVER know, thank you so much!). My little shop will open early next year (AHHH) and there will be an exciting giveaway of some “sample work” before Christmas! 🙂 YAHOOO! #bigthingscoming #2016WILLbegreat

Speaking of photography, I bought a new lens and speed-light back in November and I am so in love with the choices I made! I got a Canon 75-300 mm lens on sale and, though it was SO painful to see that money slip out of my bank account, it has proven, time and time again, that it was indeed worth it! 🙂 When I think of what I can do with my camera now that I’ve added this beauty to the arsenal, the phrase ‘in omnia paratus‘ (ready for anything) comes to mind…

In November, I had the opportunity to travel to Niagara Falls for a writing workshop, which ended up being one of the best experiences of the year thus far. This photograph was taken as I leisurely sipped a cup of coffee and read Seventeen magazine before the day started, what fun! I haven’t decided if I should write about the experience on #BeautyBylaws, so I’ll leave it up to you! Comment down below or contact me via one of my social media profiles if you’re interested in seeing photos of the Falls and reading about the experience as a whole! 🙂

While obviously not the only food I ate in November, this is definitely what I’d consider the prettiest food I ate! I loooovvvveee me a good belgian waffle! ♥

My friend Corina is getting married (wooo!), and when she invited a big group of her girlfriends out to her first bridal dress fitting, I couldn’t turn the invitation down. As soon as I stepped into the magical world of Kleinfeld Canada (located at Hudson’s Bay in The Eaton Centre in Toronto), I swooned. The dresses, the bridal consultants, and…oh yea, the dresses were just perfect. What a lovely experience!

I posted this very simple photo of my coat on November 11, which, here in Canada is Remembrance Day. It’s a day for all to remember and appreciate the veterans (and active members of the Canadian Forces) who have fought and sacrificed for our freedom. I wore the symbol of this day, a red poppy, on my left lapel with pride and honour, and will always remember, respect and be grateful to anyone who has sacrificed yesterday for mine and others’ freedom today, forever and always. Thank you. #lestweforget

If you didn’t know already, I’m a bit of an architecture nerd. I’ve just always been enthralled by architectural design, specifically modern design. Thus, when I spotted this house on the way home from an errand run one afternoon in November, I simply had to take a photo. At a quick glance, it’s just another townhouse, but if you take a closer look, you can see some truly spectacular architectural details on this magnificent house, like the small rounded windows at the top, or the piping or trim above the second level (and plenty of others)! It’s a feast for the eyes!! ♥

It had been a while since I posted a photo of my precious calico cat on my Instagram, and as a proud mama, I seized the opportunity! This photo was actually put on my Snapchat first, which if you want to sneak a peek into what my daily life really looks like, follow me on there @beautybylaws! 🙂 #shamelesspromoover ;P

This photo totally broke the theme I had going all month, which I was very much aware of at the time, as well, but if you know me personally, you’d know that it wouldn’t and didn’t stop me from sharing it regardless! My friend Brooke & I went to see a live taping of The Social, which I feel like I’ve discussed before, so I won’t again. Essentially, though, four females host this super addictive Canadian talk show during which they discuss life, politics, health, relationships, fashion, beauty, food and more. The more important thing to note in this photo, though, is my facial expression. I was doing about all I could not to break down in happy tears, as Melissa Grelo, the beautiful woman on my right (far left in the photo), is one of my personal idols. I’ve been to see the show before, but I hadn’t ever met her and/or had the chance to speak to her until that very moment. Let me just say, she as effervescent and lovely on camera as she is in person, and I’ve got to say, her hair, makeup and general disposition – #GOALS! 😀 (I’ve been asked why I haven’t mentioned meeting the incomparable Jann Arden when talking about this photo/experience, and that’s because, I didn’t, haha! I said two words to her, “Hi Jann!”, before the audience coordinator snapped a few pics and we were off. She seems nice, though! :))

Things were getting mighty festive in my home towards the end of November, right down to the glittery, festive artificial pinecones lingering on our tabletops! 🙂 Plus, this photograph was my way of getting my theme back on track!

This motto/phrase is everything. I’ve been working really hard on concepts for my little shop, as well as documenting any and all dreams I have for future collections and/or separate projects. I’ve been really enjoying it, and I hope you do, too! 🙂 #LaunchingJanuary2016 #greatthingscometothosewhoWORK

The end of November means it’s the most wonderful time of the year (holiday season, YAY!), and with that, comes a trip to the Toronto Christmas Market, of course! 🙂 I had such a great time, it was really nice being able to enjoy it in the daytime, as last year I went in the evening, when it was already dark. The tree, the main attraction, is GORGEOUS! Again, let me know if you want to see a write-up about it and more of my photos from my day at the market! ♥

The last photo in this roundup is of my beautiful city, #TheSix. I’ve lived in the Greater Toronto Area for all of my 24 years on the planet and it is a magical city, if I do say so myself. I went on an photography mission on the last weekend of November, and stumbled upon this place with a fantastic vantage point of the city. I know that some people hate what Toronto’s skyline is becoming, with high rises being built one a penny, but I personally think the Toronto skyline is now, and will always, be beautiful, even on a cloudy day! Love ♥

As you can (hopefully) see above, the colours I chose for the month of November were a soft brown and gray. At least one of those colours is in all of the photos in this piece, and if you scroll through my Instagram feed to look at all of the photos from November, you’ll see the same holds true. I worked harder last month than I did in October to keep the theme consistent and to make sure that my photos had a similar aesthetic. The goal for my Instagram is always for the photos to flow and vibe when put together, and to therefore create a sense of peace within the feed. I found that with a softer palette, I didn’t have to work as hard at finding things to photograph, that softer browns and grays naturally appeared in a lot of the things I like or want to photograph, which was great. It didn’t turn out exactly how I imagined, but it turned out okay in my books.

The same cannot be said for this month‘s colour, red, but I am slowly getting the hang of this month’s theme, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of using splashes of red in my photos in different ways than just the typical, festive styles. I have to say, though this #ColourStudy of mine is challenging in many ways, it’s been very enjoyable and I’m hoping that you get as much pleasure viewing my themed photos as I do creating and styling them! 🙂 Want to follow along on the journey?! Follow me on Instagram here! 😉

This won’t be the last time you hear from me this month, I promise, but I feel compelled to say this, anyways: As always, I wish you a fantastic, happy, healthy and safe month, and seeing as this time of year is filled with holiday-related festive cheer for many of us, Happy Holidays! ♥♥♥

Until next month’s roundup…sayonara, friends!

Lots of love,
S♥

I’m sitting in my bed, sipping on what feels like my 80th cup of ginger tea today, hoping that when I wake tomorrow, I will not only have my voice back, but also would have recovered a little from the weirdest,most sudden strain of strep throat (or something like it) I’ve ever heard of. I’ve been weak all day, with a fluctuating fever, so I’ve been forced to lounge for most of the day in bed, watching Scandal on Netflix. Oh,the horror (seriously, if only being sick felt better, we could all actually enjoy our sick time!). In between water refills and Ricola munches and crunches, a thought occurred to me: I’m officially the worst blogger ever. I’m sorry.

I have been busy lately working on articles and features for Beauty Bylaws, though, and  an exciting new project that I’ve been working on that I can hardly wait to debut next week.

I’ve even decided to do #Blogmas this year! Well, wait, before you get too excited, I’ve decided to Blogmas this year, indeed, but in my own way. You see, all the folks of YouTube have Vlogmas, which is when they video record snippets of their lives throughout December and edit and upload those videos onto YouTube on a daily basis, prominent bloggers have Blogmas, which is the same thing as Vlogmas but instead of a video per day in December, it’s a blog post per day (and usually holiday-related), and…then there’s me. I want to commit to doing Blogmas in the traditional sense, I really do, but anyone who knows me and/or this blog knows that I’m not like your average blogger. I get swept away in my ideas and commit hardcore to taking the time and paying attention to every detail in order to produce the best quality and (hopefully) fun articles to read and then within a short period of time, be it a few days, weeks or even months, I get burnt out. And then I feel guilty, which makes me even more hesitant and reluctant at times to step back up to the plate, so to speak.

So, instead of making grand promises, I’m going to do you one better: I hereby commit to non-commitment. Yes, I will be doing #Blogmas, and it will be great. Nay, it will be fantastic. It will be raw, different and dare-I-say cutting edge, but I have and will continue to pour my heart and soul into creating the best content I can for you (as always). I hope that it will bring on a whole new, exciting chapter and hopefully, form a new pattern for the #BeautyBylaws website. But for now, that’s all I can share, and it’s certainly all I can say with my Ariel-esque, post-Ursula promise lack of a voice (can you tell I’m annoyed by it!? As someone who talks a lot, communicating by paper and pen because it physically hurts to speak is NO FUN!).

However, know this: the return is coming. And it’s going to be damn good.

Ta ta for now,

S

• • •

One makeup item that I get asked about often is highlighter. I mean, sure, you slap some gold or iridescent glitter on your face, bing, bang, boom, you’re out the door lookin’ like Beyonce, right? WRONG. Oh no, this isn’t another mistake…I’m here to tell you that highlighter is so much more than that . While the terms highlighter, illuminator and luminzer  are used interchangeably in the beauty world and all, technically speaking , do different things, they are all created for the same purpose: to illuminate you from within. Nothing scary, nothing shocking, and nothing overly obvious, just a subtle glimmer to make you look healthy and radiant. In other words, a good highlighter will give you that J. Lo glow that you have long yearned for, with ease (shout-out to my friend and ex-colleague Amanda for repeating the phrase ‘J. Lo glow’ to me so often, it stuck. Miss you, girl! ♥).

Now, I don’t want to get too technical or too negative, but what exactly is “a good highlighter”? Hard. To. Find. There are many aspects to consider when searching for a highlighter: is your face of a warm or cool undertone? Will the highlighter in question make you glow or make you look ashy? Like a disco ball? Is the highlighter made of glittery chunks or softer, more refined shimmer? Is it the correct tone for your face, not to match it exactly but to make you look resplendent, not…heaven forbid, shiny ? Will this product fade throughout the day or stand the test of time? Is it a brand name I trust? *passes out from stress*

I’m sorry to say, but it’s no easy feat. Just reading half of those questions can make a girl’s head spin. Not to worry, though, because this is exactly what I’m here for, and I’ve already done all the work for you. *the skies open, baby angels in diapers start singing HALLELUJAH*

Enter the Becca Cosmetics x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop, or, as you may call it, the answer to all of your prayers. I’m going to be frank – I have never really been a ‘fan’ of highlighter, only because to me, there was no point. I have a deep complexion and after months of searching for a product that could offer me a luminous glow without making me look like a zebra and/or like the spoon you’d be served to stir with at high tea (shiny), I rallied the troops and called it quits. It was a shame because I have dry skin, so often my skin can look dull or flat, especially in the colder months of the year. But, this, this product, ladies and gentlemen, is a game-changer.

Formulated by the team at Becca Cosmetics along with makeup artist and YouTube personality Jaclyn Hill, Champagne Pop offers something that most other illuminating products do not – versatility. That’s right, this product is designed to work across a wide range of complexions. When I first learned of this, I chuckled to myself and instantly dismissed the product; what an insane notion! With us lovely humans coming from a plethora of backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures, there’s simply no way to appease us all, to satisfy our skin’s demands. It is simply impossible.

…or, so I thought. To quell the curiosity that was ever-growing in my mind, I picked one up. And by golly, was I surprised. The soft, peachy gold tone of this powder somehow manages to illuminate my face, without  making it look oily or, like I have previously experienced, like there is a bright, white mark on the sides of my face. It adds warmth and radiance to my face, without making me look overly warm, cool or even shimmery. I even tried it on a few of my friends, to see if this warm shade would transfer well onto their cool-toned light, olive-toned medium and cool-toned dark complexions with the same grace as it did mine. It did. After days and days of experimenting with various application techniques and applying it to different areas of my face for different looks, I discovered that this powder had reached ‘holy grail’ status; I didn’t want to be without it, for I always looked healthier and, in my opinion, a touch prettier, with it on. It can do no wrong!

L-R: Champagne Pop swatched heavily, blended out and a single swipe.

Well, almost. As pictured above, there is one thing to consider before you try this near-perfect highlighter out: light touch, light touch, light touch! Nothing good comes from applying this with a heavy hand, not even remotely. While the fine pearls in the product lead to a superfine, buttery soft texture and subtle shimmer, rather than the chunks of glitter used in similar products, they do not restrict the powerful pigmentation this product has. Lots of pigmentation is great when you realize that this product could also be used as an eyeshadow or as a blush/bronzer topper when dusted lightly over your favourite matte shade (score!), but it does not bode so well when highlighting your face. Highlighters are meant to be subtle and soft, not BAM! IN YO’ FACE, so ladies, please, take it easy with this one. Seriously, I lightly sweep my brush in the pan and then remove the excess by lightly tapping my brush against the product’s side. Don’t forget, it’s always better to start slow and build up the product rather than applying peachy eye black to your face and regretting it later (or worse, walk out the door without even realizing).  🙂

Close-up shot of the effect Champagne Pop has when blended out.

Some other things worth noting…

Not to get all dramatic on you here, but hey, it’s me, what else do you expect: with every ray of sunshine, must come a little rain (makes for a healthy, balanced ecosystem, y’all. SCIENCE. :P). Champagne Pop retails for a whopping $46 CAD. Yup, even I, lover of makeup and all things beauty, had trouble coughing up that kind of dough for a highlighter (which I hadn’t even swatched , mind you, I trusted my blind intuition — okay, and the loads  of hype I was hearing). To be fair, though, there is a lot of product in the pan, 0.28 ounces to be precise, and as you only need to use a little, tiny bit each time, one pan should last well beyond its expiry date. Plus, let’s be honest, anyone who knows me at all knows that I would have just spent that money on Starbucks coffee, naïvely “only adding $10 at a time,” and I’d rather spend that money on something that I can actually use daily than spend it on something that passes through me in a matter of hours (sorry for the visual). Just sayin’…

Oh, and did I mention the glorious packaging!?

Champagne bubbles!

Overall, I’d say that this is one of those products that is worth every ounce of hype I’ve heard and more. Truthfully, it shakes up the whole makeup market, as brands will be are probably  trying to replicate the beauty of Champagne Pop, while putting their own little spin on it. Think of this as the Urban Decay Naked Palette of the highlighting world; do you remember the amount of “dupes” and “takes” you saw and still see now, years after its release? Champagne Pop is  that product; it motivates big brands to come up with ways to think outside of the box and push the boundaries, to re-think “the norm” (in this case, patchy, chunky highlighter ill-suited for the royalty that we are ;)). It effortlessly streamlines your routine and takes the guesswork out of makeup, all while making you look dewy, glowy and naturally radiant in the process. Luminous. Dazzling, even. Effervescent.  Okay, I might be getting carried away, here, but you know what I mean! 😉

Well done, Jaclyn Hill & Becca Cosmetics. Champagne Pop is a stunner. Bravo. 
Cheers. 

So, have you given Champagne Pop a try yet? Do you like it? In general, have you dabbled in the highlighting arts? Are you a little intimidated or baffled by it, like I was? Or, have you already found your perfect, holy grail highlighter? If so, do share what it is, I’d love to sample some more now that I’m no longer terrified of it, LOL! Let’s have a conversation!! 🙂 ↓

xo,

S♥