Glitter Diaries

Lipstick Love: MAC Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick!

2012-03-13T21:57:00.000-04:00

Hi guys!

Nicki Minaj is really hard to miss these days! She's always dressed up quite outrageously and I always find her makeup intriguing. Unfortunately I missed out on Pink Friday lipstick when that came out last year so I was very excited to find out that she was teaming up with MAC again for Viva Glam! The cause the proceeds go to is so great and I knew that I had to get my hands on her latest lippie!!

Nicki is a warm coral-pink shade but it works on both cool and warm skin tones. It is a bold lipstick and if you're afraid of wearing bright shades, you could also blot it down a little which will tone down the colour but I just love it! MAC has been coming out with a lot of great, unique, pink lipsticks lately and I've been really loving it so far!

The colour looks fabulous with light shades on the eyes or you could take it even further and go with a hot smokey eye! It's a perfect shade to wear for spring and summer and is in my opinion an absolute must-have! Lately I've been wearing brighter lipsticks and this has been a great addition that I recommend everyone check out!

Have you picked up Viva Glam Nicki yet?! Thoughts?!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter,

Kelly

Review: Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Cheek Palette!

2012-03-07T19:58:00.001-05:00

Hi Guys!

Every time I step into Sephora, I always find myself gazing at the beautiful eyeshadow palettes and shimmery shades Tarina Tarantino's section has to offer but I wasn't sure about picking something up because of the somewhat high price tags that come with them. But a great deal mixed with amazing quality came my way last weekend when I stopped dead in my tracks to swatch the brand's new Dollskin Cheek Palette!

I couldn't shake myself out of the growing need I had for this blush palette with every swatch I took. I was just about to buy a NARS blush actually when I calculated that this palette was such a better deal to go with because you get four blushes for the price of almost two NARS blushes!

Here's a cute quote I found from Tarina Tarantino herself on what led her to create this darling palette:

"I love blush and feel that no makeup look is complete without it. As a makeup artist, I was constantly searching for the perfect range of blush colors to give cheeks a sweet, romantic flush. In the past I had to mix several blushes to create the effect I wanted. Now I have created the perfect collection of complimentary blush shades for every skintone. These highly pigmented formulations mean a little goes a long way while providing a longwearing finish."

The palette is formulated without parabens and holds true color payoff for long lasting wear. These buildable blushes are formulated with micronized powders that blend over the skin evenly and easily. A little really goes a long way with these blushes :)

Top L-R: Feather, Parasol

Bottom L-R: Carved Rose, Candy Cameo

This palette contains:

Candy Cameo: Shimmery pink
Feather: Shimmery peach
Carved Rose: Cool vivid pink
Parasol: Shimmery pink/peach

Size: 0.12 oz each

Price: $54 CAD exclusively at Sephora

R-L: Feather, Parasol, Carved Rose, Candy Cameo

It's hard not to love this palette just by the looks of it. Swatching these blushes gave me the pigmentation as seen in their pans. They apply on the skin like a dream and really give you doll-like cheeks! Parasol and Candy Cameo have some small flecks of glitter in them, especially Candy Cameo, but it's not something I would think would be a problem for anyone with mature skin to wear because the glitter is so fine. My favourite blush is Candy Cameo because it makes your cheeks sparkle not just because of the glitter in it but the colour is such a pretty pink! I've actually been rotating through the blushes during the week and I like that all of them work well on either warm or cool skin tones.

This palette is the perfect introductory product to get me more familiar with the brand. I find her eyeshadow palette's very pretty and colourful but have always been apprehensive because of the price and this was the kick I needed to get me going! Sometimes it just takes a great deal and an amazing product to make you see things differently! I know I've heard nothing but great things about Tarina Tarantino's products and now I'm a believer!

Do you own anything from Tarina Tarantino?! If so, I would love recommendations on what to buy!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter :)

Kelly

Review: Laura Mercier Lingerie Eye and Cheek Palette

2012-03-06T20:32:00.000-05:00

Hi Glitter Babes!

As a huge fan of Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizers and the ever so gorgeous Rose Rendevous Illuminator, I knew the next step I had to take was to introduce myself to her eyeshadows and blushes. I'm always a sucker for palettes and when I saw XPPINKXX's review on the Lingerie Eye and Cheek Palette, I was immediately sold on it and used a gift card I got for my birthday to pick it up!

This palette contains six gorgeous eyeshadows in matte and shimmer finishes and two blushes. The colours include quite neutral smokey colours that work for day or night.

The palette includes six 0.05 oz eyeshadows:

Buff Pearl: Golden cream luster
Tawny Apricot: Light peachy-beige Luster
Rich Cocoa: Matte dark reddish-brown
Pale Pink: Matte creamy pink
African Violet: Soft pinkish-purple with gold flecks luster
Black Plum: Matte dark plum
And also includes two 0.11 oz second skin cheek colours:

Rose Desire: Rosey pink
Fresh Peach: Soft peach
Price: $75 CAD at Sephora

The eyeshadows can be worn wet or dry and also mixed for a variety of looks. It's so compact and convenient to travel with and the colours work really well for using on vacation. African Violet is my favourite shade out of the bunch because it's a pretty violet that I don't own anything similar to and that I've never seen before. The colours apply smoothly and the colours apply really well. This is a great palette to put together a look appropriate for work and to add some extra dazzle for evening.

Top: Black Plum, African Violet, Pale Pink

Bottom: Rich Cocoa, Tawny Apricot, Buff Pearl

L-R: Rose Desire, Fresh Peach

Overall, I think this palette is really cute and convenient. If you're willing to spend the money and looking for something with a great set of shadows and blushes, then I'd say this palette is worth checking out. The price may deter a lot of people from buying it and I know most of the colours are dupeable but this is the price you have to pay for something higher end. I can see this working well on both warm and cool skin tones as it has a mixture of both that don't lean extremely in a certain way. This is my first Laura Mercier palette and I highly enjoy it! It's made me look forward to building on my small Laura Mercier collection because of the great quality!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter!

Kelly

Review: Marcelle B.B Cream Skin Enhancer!

2012-03-01T20:55:00.000-05:00

Hi Guys!

Yes, the day finally came when I was able to get my hands on Marcelle's new BB Cream! Since I was able to test it out back in November at the Marcelle & Annabelle Beauty Premier, I have been WAITING rather impatiently to finally take it home and start wearing it! It comes in two shades - Light to Medium and Medium to Dark - so I went with Light to Medium.

The perks that come with this BB Cream are quite awesome. It really is your all-in-one tinted moisturizer and skincare product in one handy airless tube pump. This oil-free BB Cream is paraben free, non comedogenic and dermatologist tested and acts as a tinted moisturizer but also can be used as a primer for additional coverage and long lasting results.

It promotes a more even skin tone, mattifies skin and controls shine, minimizes the appearance of imperfections and pores, has soothing and calming ingredients like aloe vera, green tea and chamomile, provides long term and immediate hydrating benefits and contains vitamin E and hyaluronic acid which protects the skin from premature aging and environmental stresses.

Ingredients:

AQUA/WATER/EAU, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, OCTYLDODECANOL, DIMETHICONE, GLYCERIN, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, BIS-PEG/PPG-14/14 DIMETHICONE, ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE, XYLITYLGLUCOSIDE, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE , POLYGLYCERYL-4 ISOSTEARATE, HEXYL LAURATE, SILICA, SODIUM CHLORIDE, ISODODECANE, ACRYLATES/DIMETHICONE COPOLYMER, DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, ANHYDROXYLITOL, XYLITOL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, LAUROYL LYSINE, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE, CAMELLIA OLEIFERA LEAF EXTRACT, CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER/LEAF EXTRACT, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, TRIHYDROXYSTEARIN, TALC, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA , IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, TITANIUM DIOXIDE , MICA, IRON OXIDES

How to apply: Apply to freshly cleansed skin with a brush, sponge or your fingertips using small circular motions.

Size: 45 mL

Price: $22.95 CAD at local drugstores and on Marcelle's website

Naturally, I had to find out for myself whether these claims rang true. At the Beauty Premier, I only tested it out on my hand and was amazed by it but the true test would be to apply it to my face. It's as if you're applying a liquid at first and once you smooth it over the skin, it feels like a powder - soft, velvety and smooth. The feeling of not feeling it on my skin is quite nice. I think the point to it finishing as a powder helps combat oiliness but it didn't dry my skin out since I'm not prone to oiliness often. I can also see the lines on my forehead are less visible. In terms of coverage it gives me a light to almost medium finish.

Before application

After application

It has self adjusting pigments in it which I think is quite cool and I've seen how even with only two shades to choose from, it applies perfectly to a wide range of skin tones and skin types. Light to Medium applied perfectly to my skin tone as I'm pretty fair and that's something I was initially concerned about with there being only two shades to choose from. I also like that it comes in tube form so I would easily be able to get every last drop of it without wasting any product!

Overall, I have to agree with all of the other beauty bloggers that have raved about this product - Marcelle has hit it out of the ball park with this one! I would recommend this to everyone - young and old clients, even young girls who are experiencing break outs and want to start wearing foundation to help conceal as this is very light, has pretty good coverage and will above all help treat their skin instead of only adding to the problem like most regular foundations would.

Thank God it's March! I had a pretty stressful February and I'm glad the month is over. I think it was a mix of the weather and work stresses which is why I haven't been blogging/tweeting as much as I used to. I'm hopeful that March will not only bring spring and better weather but also better things to come :)

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter!

Kelly

Earthy Green Drugstore Makeup Tutorial

2012-02-28T20:51:00.000-05:00

Hi Glitter Babes!

Sorry for the delay in getting more videos out! I'm in the process of trying to set up a new video shooting space so I've been rearranging things in my apartment to get the look that I need. So without further adieu, in my latest makeup tutorial I created a smoldering earthy green eye with red lips and the best part of it was these colours were purchased at Walmart!

It is so easy to achieve a high quality look these days with drugstore makeup because they've really come a long way and are really trying to compete with the higher end brands out there. So, if you've picked up the shadows from L'Oreal's "L'Or L'Or L'Or" collection and stopped by Revlon for their Cherry Tart Colorburst Lip Butter, then you're all set towards creating this look for yourself!

Even though L'Oreal's Infallible eyeshadows are pretty long lasting, I wanted to add some extra insurance to them by first applying my NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base then MAC's Shroom eyeshadow was applied to the brow bone. To help Emerald Lame stand out the most, I applied Bronze Divine and Sahara Treasure in the crease first with a fluffly crease brush and then Emerald Lame was applied to the lids with a flat brush. I brought the look together with a swipe of Muddy Smudge Paint by Annabelle to the upper and lower lash lines and finished it off with a pair of dramatic lashes.

For a fresh face look, I put on Garnier's Skin Perfector BB Cream in Light/Medium Chanel's Correcteur Perfection concealer in 01 and topped it off with NARS powder foundation in Deauville. I gave myself rosy cheeks with Azalea Blossom blush ombre by MAC and added Dior's Coral Riviera Harmonie de Blush and Laura Mercier's Rose Rendezvous Illuminator for a nice bronzey glow. The lips were done quite simply with a couple swipes of Revlon's Colorburst Lip Butter in Cherry Tart to complete the look.

I'm in LOVE with the L'Or L'Or L'Or collection of eyeshadows and you will notice in upcoming posts that I will add them to certain looks because they are too gorgeous to ignore. I'm also pretty certain that the Infallible eyeshadows are still on sale at Walmart right now, so you really shouldn't pass it up if you don't own them! I'm also loving Revlon's Lip Butters! So many of them provide great colour and moisture for the lips all in one.

FACE
MUFE HD Primer
Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream in Light/Medium
NARS Powder Foundation in Deauville
Chanel Correcteur Perfection Concealer in 01
MAC Azalea Blossom Blush Ombre
Dior Bronze Harmonie De Blush in Coral Riviera
Laura Mercier Rose Rendezvous Illuminator

EYES
NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
L'Oreal Color Infallible Eyeshadow: Sahara Treasure, Emerald Lame, Bronze Divine, Hourglass Beige
MAC Shroom e/s
MAC Charcoal Brown e/s (used for the brows)
Annabelle Smudge Paint in Muddy
Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous Mascara in Very Black
Lashes from Pacific Mall (Unknown brand)

LIPS
Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Cherry Tart

Hope you guys enjoyed this post and video tutorial :)

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter!

Kelly

Sequins & Stripes Birthday OOTD!

2012-02-24T20:57:00.000-05:00

Hi guys!

I know it's been forever since I've done an outfit post. I blame it on work (it's been quite stressful) and me trying to slowly build up my wardrobe and throw things out. January sales as well as the shopping I did on my birthday have had a big hand in boosting up my closet majorly. I really want to start doing a couple outfit posts a week because fashion has become a big part of my life since I started losing weight and feeling more comfortable in my own skin!

I found this colourful striped and sequined tank on a trip to Fairweather at Dixie Outlet Mall. It was $20 bucks and screamed "birthday" top to me so I knew I had to get it. It also reminded me of a dress Lindsay Lohan once wore years ago.

Top - Fairweather, Blazer - Urban Planet, Jeggings - Garage, Watch - Unknown, Necklace - F21, Earrings - F21 (Not pictured: Zellers boots)

Fairweather is pretty much a hit and miss store for me (more misses than hits). I bought the striped top as well as a sequined heart shirt which seemed to be made poorly. They were both $20 each (and I believe still available) so I've just realized to be careful when shopping there. It's weird because I have an awesome peacoat that I've had for years and that I still wear to this day that was bought there so maybe their attention to detail these days is just not what it used to be.

Anyways, the top was paired with black leggings from Garage and my black blazer from Urban Planet. The whole outfit was comfy and allowed me to eat till my heart's content at Denny's and Tucker's Marketplace without showing it! I'm obsessed with blazers and I've been trying to build my collection with quality blazers. I've tried sweatshirt material blazers and they never look as good as a blazer made of a more structured fabric. I'm in love with bright coloured blazers as well as the pastel coloured blazers that are a big hit for this spring!

I hope this has somewhat suppressed your appetites to see more outfit posts from me :P I promise I will start doing more. I would like to also add some work outfit posts into the mix because I work in a business casual environment and I always get inspired in that area!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter!

Kelly

Birthday Shopping Pacific Mall Haul!

2012-02-23T20:22:00.001-05:00

Hey Glitter Babes!

My birthday shopping trips concluded with a trip over to Pacific Mall. I don't often get to check out Pacific Mall because it's about an hour away from me and I like going there when parking isn't so hectic to find! But we took off on Friday morning for the mall and the parking lot was barely packed and the mall wasn't clustered with people so I was able to shop with ease and get what I needed!

First I was on the hunt for a set of great lashes. The ones I ended up buying were both no names and look quite similar. I like spiked lashes with a lot of volume and length so these sets drew me in the most. They look really nice and look like they're decent quality. I will be posting a review of them sometime soon. I would like to go back sometime and buy some Dolly Wink lashes, among others.

Next I was on the hunt for another BB Cream (told you I wanted to try out a few!) and stopped buy one of the stores carrying a bunch of them and other skincare items as well as makeup. I was a little apprehensive to deal with sales people at the mall because they can be a bit annoying but the lady at the store was very nice and told me about all the different BB Creams they were selling. I settled on the Signature Wrinkle Filler B.B Cream by Missha which is meant for someone looking for one with anti-aging properties in it. Turning the big 2-6 is a big deal to me and as I get older I get more concerned about wrinkles so I was the most intrigued to try this one out first. I will definitely be reviewing my thoughts on this one once I've used it for a bit! I also picked up some face masks to try out. The lady was kind enough to deduct 15% from the bill because it was my birthday and she also added in some samples of stuff to try out!

I stopped by one of the stores that carries Coastal Scents and NYX to check out what they had. I was going to buy some NYX Black Label lipsticks but passed on it for the time being. What did catch my eye was their huge selection of nail polishes! They carried Essie, OPI, China Glaze as well as some others. I picked up a few that I missed out on from past collections as well as some that I haven't seen before. I picked up China Glaze's Full Spectrum (silvery purple polish with multi-coloured flecks of glitter), Essie's Borrowed & Blue, Lilacism (which I know are two pastel shades I will definitely be rocking this spring!) and Velvet Voyeur (a dark eggplant) and last but not least OPI's Crown Me Already! (silver with hexagonal silver glitter chunks) and I Lily Love You (sheer hot pink polish with multi-coloured glitter flecks and chunks). It's nail polish purchases like this that get me so excited to paint my nails! I have quite a collection now and I'm so excited to combine polishes as well as wear the beautiful spring shades I bought!

The last purchase I made was for some Asian fashion/beauty magazines that I often look through when Eki, from a little bit of eki, posts them on her blog! The fashion over there is so inspiring and I'm always trying to recreate some of my favourite looks! I picked up Popteen and ViVi. The store I bought them from sells older issues as well as new so I picked up the latest Popteen issue and the December issue of ViVi.

I hope you guys enjoyed my hauls! I can't wait to review those lashes and the BB Cream as well as do a few NOTD posts with my new polishes!

I can't wait for the weekend (yay for short work weeks!) because I've got a Bay gift card that I forgot about so I think I'm going to use it towards some Chanel makeup! I've only used some of their foundations and concealers so it would be nice to try some other things out!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter,

Kelly

MAC Hello Kitty Birthday FOTD!

2012-02-22T20:56:00.000-05:00

Hi Guys!

Ever since I picked up the Too Dolly eyeshadow palette from the Hello Kitty MAC collection at the CCO in Ohio, I've been waiting for the perfect moment to use it and since I don't like holding back on a bold makeup look for my birthday, I knew this was the perfect time to use it!

I love the sea green shade of Too Dolly mixed with Stately Black. I paired the look with a pair of voluminous lashes by Ardell and a swipe of Toxic Tale, from the Venomous Villains collection, to the lips. I'm all about bright and bold makeup most days but I thought this look was particularly special for the day and came out nicely!

Toxic Tale by MAC is a very bold coral/pink lipstick that really held up throughout the day. I didn't add lipgloss to it because the colour was just enough to add that special oomph to the look. I paired the look with a colourful sequined top and black blazer which I will be showing in my next OOTD post ;)

FACE
Eve Pearl Priming Moisturizer
MUFE HD Foundation in 117
Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer in Light
TheBalm Hot Mama Blush
Dior Bronze Harmonie de Blush in Coral Riviera
MAC Lightscapade MSF
Kryolan Fixier Spray
EYES
NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base
MAC Too Dolly Hello Kitty Palette: Too Dolly e/s, Stately Black e/s
MAC Shroom e/s
NARS Eyeliner Stylo in Nuits Blanches
Ardell 803 lashes
Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara in Excessive Black
MUFE Waterproof Eyebrow Corrector in 0

LIPS
MAC Toxic Tale l/s

Sorry for looking like a hot mess in the pictures as I took them at the end of the night! lol I think this birthday was the best one I've had in a while. I think having a couple days off from work really helped me let loose and have a good time. And now after the decadent birthday meals and partying, I'm back to the grind of eating really healthy and working off the guilt ;) As always, if you have a special request for a makeup look you would like to see, you can let me know in the comments below or you can send me an email at glitterdiaries@yahoo.com :)

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter!

Kelly

Birthday Shopping Clothing Haul!

2012-02-16T20:05:00.000-05:00

Hey Dolls!

I'm the type to shop for clothes when the crowds have thinned out so I can take my time to browse each rack. Since I took a couple days off work last week, it was the perfect opportunity to go clothing shopping without the stress of doing it on the weekend!

I had to head over to Forever 21 in Bramalea City Centre. It's my favourite F21 to shop at that's close by since it has two levels! I hit it up when shoppers were few and far between and it looked like they had fresh, new stock in. I've recently discovered a love I have for stripes. It all started with me being on the hunt for a classic white and blue striped shirt and then I just continued to buy anything cute and striped.

I love metallic tops so seeing the combination of stripes and metallics was a must-buy as well as nubby sweaters, neons, sequins and the like. It's safe to say that you'll be seeing me in a lot of stripes this spring and summer! My husband had to actually restrain me a bit from buying too many striped tops because that's where my eyes kept gravitating towards! lol

One thing I'm not a particular fan of is shopping for jeans! Especially after I've had a big meal, I just wanna pull on my TNA pants and call it a day. But as luck would have it, I randomly stopped by Garage to check out their deals and saw that my FAVOURITE jeans they sell were on discount!! I picked up a jeggings in a dark wash, medium wash and a light blue wash. I know all I wear these days are jeggings or skinny jeans and that's because for years when I was overweight, I dreamt of the day I could wear these kinds of pants without feeling like crap in them! So I'm milking it for all I can! lol I do, however, wanna branch out into other styles like straight leg, wide leg and some good boot cut jeans sometime when I've hardly eaten much prior to trying them on so I can get it over with quickly! lol

Lastly, I ventured through Zellers to see what they had since I've been lucky in the past to find some cute tops there. I was so excited when I saw they were selling some very good quality blouses!! I am officially a blouse freak! I love how you can dress them up or down. The versatility is really great. I picked up a black polka dot blouse and army green blouse as well as a cute baby blue & pink plaid button down. They also had a semi sheer animal print tank top there that I had to add to my unfortunately small animal print collection. I am VERY picky when it comes to animal print. I steer very clear of cheap looking animal print which is available in abundance at numerous stores. One thing I am on the hunt for right now is an animal print blouse!! If you guys know of any stores selling a great quality animal print blouse, PLEASE let me know! :)

So, that was my clothing shopping adventure for my birthday! I LOVE adding to my wardrobe but unfortunately my closet's too small for my expansion. I've had to wittle down my closet so much and load up garbage bags of clothes to bring to Good Will. One thing I'm planning on doing is reorganizing my closet by colour and style. I think I will start to get into that when we move into a bigger place hopefully by the spring or summer.

I have one last birthday haul post that will be about my shopping adventure I had at Pacific Mall! I don't go there often and enjoy loading up on skincare and random stuff that I can never find in my area. So, stay tuned for the post!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter,

Kelly

Birthday Shopping Makeup Haul!

2012-02-15T20:31:00.001-05:00

Hey Dolls!

Last week I took off a couple days from work for my birthday (February 9th :)) so I could spend some time with friends and do a little bit of shopping unlike last year when I worked on my birthday :( I had a clear cut plan of the places I knew I had to visit as well as cash ready to be burned! Going on a good shopping trip helps give me a sense of renewal and helps get me pumped for new makeup looks as well as outfits to wear.. and it also gives me a ton of new posts to work on for the blog! ;)

I started off my birthday with a free Grand Slam breakfast at Denny's! It was the first meal I've ever had that was free lol I had egg whites scrambled, whole wheat pancakes, hashbrowns, and turkey bacon. It helped fuel me for the big day that's for sure!

First, I bought more NYX products! I really love NYX lippies and their Jumbo Eye Pencils. So, I decided to go with Chic Red l/s, Chaos l.s and Darling l/s as well as Iced Mocha and Pots & Pans (silver) Jumbo Eye Pencils. I was also eager to pick up the Nude on Nude Natural Look Kit because I've heard it's a good Naked Palette dupe and was thinking of adding it to my kit. I love a good smokey eye any day of the week so when I saw that NYX has a grey/smokey eyeshadow palette called Casting Call from The Runway Collection, I had to get it! I was also near a Shoppers at the time and saw that they were fully stocked with Marcelle's new BB Cream! I've heard nothing but great things about this BB Cream and so I went with Light to Medium and I can't wait to try it out!

Sticking with my love for all things smokey and dramatic, I stopped by The Bay since I had a gift card and checked out Dior. I played with their new Spring collection palettes and decided that the colours were a bit too soft for me. So far I own Dior's holiday eyeshadow palette and the Rosy Tan eyeshadow palette so I decided to go with Gris-Gris, their GORGEOUS smokey eye palette. I know it's a must own within their collection so I'm really excited to try it out soon!

Then I went to MAC to peruse their new collection. Nothing in the collection caught my eye at the time so I picked up some lipsticks that I don't have. I bought Saint Germain, MAC Red, Up The Amp and Pink Nouveau. I love MAC lipsticks so much and wonder why I don't own as many as I would like so I'm planning on making at least a few trips to MAC a month like I used to! The next MAC lippie I think I'm gonna get will definitely be Nicki Minaj's Viva Glam lipstick because I missed out on Pink Friday!

Finally I headed over to Sephora for Laura Mercier's Eye and Cheek Palette. I've heard and seen nothing but great reviews about this palette so I knew I had to have it. Luckily they had one left so I thought that was a sign of positive energy for my birthday! After that I wandered over to NARS to quickly scan through what they had. I've never swatched/used Galapago's e/s before and I CANNOT believe I haven't! It's a beautiful brown with gold flecks in it! So, with those two items I proceeded to check out and pick up my Mini Fresh lip duo birthday gift.

I finished off the night with a buffet dinner at Tucker's Marketplace with friends and family. Our table was beside a roaring fireplace in a secluded part of the restaurant. The food was really good and it was one of the best nights I've ever had in a while. I'm so happy the weather held up its end of the bargain! I don't think I can remember having a birthday where there wasn't snow or slush on the ground. Afterwards, we had yummy cupcakes from Sweetness Bakery and my husband surprised me with my first pair of Uggs! I've owned Fuggs (fake uggs) and I know they will never compare to the feeling of walking on clouds in my new Uggs!

My favourite was the red velvet cupcake in the top right corner!

I was gifted with the tall black Uggs!

Be sure to look out for my next haul post on my clothing purchases!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter!

Kelly

Review: Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush!

2012-02-13T21:19:00.001-05:00

Hi Guys!

Cream blushes have always been a favourite of mine but unfortunately I haven't been using them much - until now! I was very excited to hear that cream blushes are making a comeback with drugstore brands when I found that Maybelline's new Dream Bouncy Blush collection had landed at my local Walmart. I've been longing to find a small, compact cream blush to tote around in my makeup bag and these cute little compacts were just the thing to dive into!

Coming in 10 fresh, flushing shades, the Dream Bouncy Blush collection come in a revolutionary powder-gel formula with silicone elastomers that help them melt in seamlessly into the skin and are so lightweight that they feel like powder! Maybelline's newest blushes are part of the line of Dream products which are dermatologist tested, allergy tested and non comedogenic.

Price: $8 CAD at Walmart

Size: 5.6 g / .19 oz

How to apply: With your fingertips, blend a small amount of blush onto the apples of your cheeks, applying from your cheekbones to your temples.

I ended up going with 2 out of the 10 shades which are Fresh Pink and Rose Petal because they seemed to best fit my complexion the best. I will probably add Coffee Cake and Candy Coral to my collection for their peachy-tan colours that I love.

Forget about making these look somewhat attractive in the packaging once you start applying them. The term 'bouncy' doesn't exactly apply to these blushes since once you dab your finger into the cream, they start to move around like putty. They're incredibly soft so I try not to be too hard when I'm dabbing into it so I don't deform the look of them too much! lol

L-R: Rose Petal, Fresh Pink

Swatched from each pot at least 6 times to get the colours to show up right, especially Rose Petal

Fresh Pink (picture doesn't do it justice!)

Rose Petal

In terms of wear, I have had to apply about 6 or so swipes of each blush in order to get the colour that can be seen in the pot. I wish it only took just a few swipes of the product to get the right amount because it seems to me like I will be going through these blushes quite fast because I have to dab into it a lot to get the colour that I'm looking for. Fresh Pink is my personal favourite out of the two because it required less time to apply since it's more pigmented and goes on easier than Rose Petal. I've been wearing these a lot to work and find that the colour sticks around for the full 9-hour work day I go through and even when I workout with the blush on, I will still see it in tact after I'm done. For me, I will wear Rose Petal if I'm looking for something subtler to put on my cheeks.

I do like them overall, Fresh Pink more so than Rose Petal, but wish I didn't have to work so hard to get a good colour payoff because with all of them, you have to swipe at it more than a few times to get what you're looking for and it should be easier than that! Mostly it's the price point that makes me okay with this purchase but if it was more than $8, I would probably pass on them.

I had seen L'Oreal's new cream blushes (which I'll probably end up trying one of these days) and passed on getting those at the time when I spotted Maybelline's because the colour selection didn't draw me in, as well as the size since they are pretty heavy jars but mainly because of the price point. There's about a $10 or so difference between the two blush collections and before I go ahead and buy one of them, I'll have to see if it's worth it!

Have any of you guys tried Maybelline's Bouncy Blushes?! I would love to know what you think!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter!

Kelly

Review: Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream!

2012-02-07T21:00:00.000-05:00

Hi Guys!

At the Marcelle & Annabelle Beauty Premier, I was lucky to play with their new BB Cream coming out and it just reaffirmed my obsession with BB Creams! I've waited for the moment when they would finally become available to everyone in a variety of stores. I finally got my wish when my husband alerted me to the new display for Garnier's new Beauty Balm!

When Mike tapped me on the shoulder and said, "You've gotta see this!" (yes he always knows what I'm on the hunt for! I'm lucky, I know :P).. I knew it could only be something too great for words! I went gaga over the new, barely touched display of BB Creams and quickly swatched (as most of us beauty bloggers/makeup enthusiasts do!) and picked up Light/Medium and then promptly went to check out!

Garnier's Beauty Balm's come in two shades - Light/Medium and Medium/Dark. And for the price, you get quite a nice amount of product which is always a big plus! It's basically a tinted moisturizer, but it helps treat the skin by hydrating, preventing wrinkles and imperfections, evens and brightens your skin tone and protects the skin with SPF 15!

After just one use, 90% of users saw a more even complexion, 93% saw a healthier looking glow and 96% saw smoother skin. This beauty balm is your time saver with its multi-benefits - advanced skincare & immediate skin perfecting coverage - so you can start your day quickly!

How to apply: Gently apply to face daily for instant coverage and correction.

Price: $15 CAD at Walmart

I've been using this quite a bit and love the feeling of it since it's really lightweight. It works perfectly for my dry skin. I don't suffer from breakouts normally (thank god!) so the light coverage is fine. I've been adding concealer to the areas that need more coverage anyways and I'm okay with that. I found that it gave my skin a nice glow which reminded me a lot of Origins VitaZing and evened out some of the redness that I have.

Left: Me sans makeup (Hate posting these! lol) Right: With Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream applied!

Most of the time I do prefer wearing at least a medium coverage foundation but this BB Cream is good for days when my skin isn't bothering me or I need to do my makeup quickly to run errands or whatever! I've had a couple friends with oily skin try this out and they told me that you do need to apply some powder on top of this BB Cream because it will slide around a bit.

I will definitely be wearing this a lot in the summer because it's light. It's perfect for wearing to the beach or on a no muss no fuss kinda day! If you have oily skin, I would recommend testing it out first and see how it feels! This is not recommended for anyone who's looking for something with good coverage as it mainly evens out the complexion a bit and gives a nice glow to the skin.

I'm looking to stock up on different recommended BB Creams out there that have a bit more coverage as an alternative to this one. I'm looking forward to comparing them all in the end to see which one will end up being my favourite!

What are your thoughts on BB Creams?! Do you use them? And if so, which ones?! I would love to know your recommendations :)

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter,

Kelly

Review: Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase!

2012-02-02T20:14:00.000-05:00

Hi Glitter Babes!

Honestly, this winter has been constantly yoyo-ing from cold to warm to cold to warm again and it's been doing a number on my skin! One of the items that Clarins introduced me to when I worked for them was Clarins HydraQuench Bi-Serum and it's been a lifesaver for my skin at this time of year!

This bi-phase serum helps restore moisture to dehydrated skin that's been affected by extreme climates as well as help battle those premature wrinkles that I know a lot of us are concerned about in order to bring through our skin's natural radiance and well being. This serum works for all skin types in all climates which is pretty nice!

Size: 30 mL

Price: $60 CAD at Clarins counters

The active ingredients in the serum include:

Katafray Extract: Restores cohesion of the corneal layer to prevent moisture loss.

Inca Peanut Oil: Effectively restores the protective hydrolipidic film.

Hyaluronic Acid: A natural skin component capable of retaining up to 1,000 times its weight in water, increases hydration.

Alfalfa Extract: Dramatically boosts the production of collagen, intensively regenerates, firms, and minimizes the appearance of wrinkles.

Full ingredients listed on product:

Katafray extract, Inca Peanut oil, Hyaluronic acid, Alfalfa extract, Service tree bud extract, Clarins exclusive 3p complex.

How to use: Apply morning and/or evening on the face and neck after thorough cleansing, with light smoothing motions, before moisturizer.

I read research results from Clarins that say that Katafray bark extract is proven to significantly stimulate hydration and dramatically improve skin barrier functioning in in-vitro tests. When extremely cold weather hits, I normally get these patches of red, dry skin. They start out as patches and then start to feel more like rashes which I can't stand.

After applying the serum and putting on my moisturizer, my patches start to smooth over the more I use it and are cleared up within a few days of wearing it and my skin looks more alive. With this product, you have to remember to shake it well before applying since the ingredients separate when it's not being used.

I've really started to understand the importance of using serums, especially since I have dry skin. They have greatly improved the look of my skin and helped minimize those pesky wrinkles that are trying to make themselves known! lol
This serum has become one of my go-to skincare items during this hormonal weather we've been having. I would recommend this one to anyone who's having skin issues like mine right now and needs some extra hydration. I also like using this serum on my hands before I apply moisturizer because they're prone to get really dry and red and this helps lock in the moisture that my hand cream puts down.

What are your favourite skincare products that you use in the winter?!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter,

Kelly

Precious Pink & Lovely Lilac Inspired Jennifer Lopez FOTD!

2012-01-31T20:37:00.000-05:00

Hi Guys!

I've watched American Idol since the beginning and lately it's become a little redundant for me to pay attention to who's on there and pick a favourite to win. But what I do always look out for, especially since last year, has been what makeup look Jennifer Lopez will strike out with next!

In the 11th season premiere, we saw J.Lo go through the audition process with GORGEOUS pinks and lilacs on her eyes and lips! I thought that it was perfect timing to see this kind of look because Valentine's Day is right around the corner and Ms. Lopez' look is a perfect option for anyone looking for something pretty and feminine to wear for the romantic holiday!

I used my Coastal Scents 88 Original palette and added a bit of MAC's Lovely Lily pigment and Gosh's Rose Gold pigment for some sparkle. I took the pink/lilac up to the brow bone and applied some of L'Oreal's Color Infallible Eyeshadow in Hourglass Beige to make the brow bones and inner tear duct pop and for an added glow. I had to add lashes to the look and used a pair by Hana's World. Unfortunately they didn't add any length, just volume to my lashes. So, if I was to recreate this look again I would add longer, wispy lashes! I kept the look consistent by adding pretty pinks to the cheeks and mixed two lipsticks to get the right shade of light purple-pink that Jennifer was sporting while topping it off with NARS' Easy Lover lip gloss.

If you want to go for some extra glam, I would recommend adding glitter to the lids like J.Lo. Overall, I really enjoyed wearing this look and adding it to my options to wear for Valentine's Day. I'm so jealous of the glow that seems to come so naturally to Jennifer Lopez but I like trying different products out to try and recreate it. I would LOVE to know what makeup is used on her so if anyone knows, please share! ;) I'm always inspired by the gorgeous makeup looks she wears on the show, so you'll probably find a few more looks inspired by her posted on here while the new season of AI is on tv!

FACE
Garnier Firming Day Cream
Eve Pearl Priming Moisturizer
Revlon Photo Ready Foundation in Vanilla 002
Cover FX Camouflage Concealer in X-Light
Benefit girl meets pearl highlighter
MUFE HD Blush in #4
Too Faced Pink Leopard Bronzer

EYES
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Coastal Scents Original 88 Palette
L'Oreal Color Infallible Hourglass Beige e/s
MAC Lovely Lily Pigment LE
Gosh Rose Gold Effect Powder Pigment
Marcelle Liquid Eyeliner Pen in Very Black
Kryolan Kajal Cream Jumbo Pencil (applied to the lower waterline)
Maybelline Define-a-brow in Light Blonde
Marcelle Xtension Plus Mascara
Duo Eyelash Adhesive Dark Tone
Hana's World Lashes (not sure of the number)

LIPS
MAC Melrose Mood l/s LE
NYX Harmonica l/s
NARS Easy Lover l/g

I'm hoping to post a few more V-Day inspired looks that range from soft & feminine to sexy & alluring, so stay tuned!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter,

Kelly

Review: Wild Rose Herbal D-Tox Program

2012-01-26T20:20:00.000-05:00

Hey Dolls!

When I began my lifestyle change around this time last year, I used a cleanse to help clear me of all the toxins and give me more energy to stay committed to the work out routines I had to do. And now with the holidays having passed us by and the guilt I've been feeling about all of the gorging that I did during that time, I knew I needed to do another detox to start the year off right.

So, after scanning the cleanse aisle at a local health foods store, I asked the sales girl which cleanses she recommended and the first one she told me about was Wild Rose Herbal D-Tox Program. A lot of her customers had come back to her after trying it to let her know of all the success they had while on the program and that was all I needed to hear! So I quickly grabbed the last box of it and headed home to try it as soon as I could!

I was a little nervous by the fact that there's 3 bottles you need to take the supplements from for the whole length of the detox which is 12 days. This detox was created to help your body eliminate toxic material, greatly increasing your energy and sense of well-being.

Included in the detox, you will get 4 bottles of herbal formulas which are:

Biliherb: Stimulates bile production by the liver and its release from the gallbladder into the small intestine. Bile is necessary for proper digestion as it serves to emulsify dietary fats, enhancing their absorption. Biliherb helps to decrease cholesterol buildup in the gallbladder and aids in the prevention and dissolution of gallstones.

Laxaherb: Formulated to minimize bowel irritation and stimulate elimination through a 'laxative' effect upon the intestinal tract.

CL Herbal Extract: Designed to be an effective and complete body cleansing formula. Its diuretic properties focus on elimination of toxins through the urinary system while also acting as a specific urinary tract disinfectant.

Cleansaherb: Formulated to cleanse the blood stream, muscle tissue and lymphatic system of toxic waste material and metabolic by-products.

The selection of foods listed are recommended to be the best foods to eat in order to obtain optimum detoxification results during the 12 days. Less than 20% of the diet should be taken from acid-forming foods (i.e. meat, eggs, legumes) and more than 80% of the diet should be taken from alkaline or neutral foods (i.e. fresh vegetables, millet, rice). During the cleansing period you're allowed to eat as much as you want as long as you follow the 20%/80% proportiong. I know this sounds complicated, but it really isn't!

The most recommended foods to eat are fish, beans (dried), beef, coffee (black maximum two cups a day), grains, eggs (whole), i.e., barley, kasha, bulgur, oats, rye, wheat berries, lamb, lentils, liver, nuts, oatmeal, peas, poultry, pork, prunes (cooked), rhubarb (cooked), rice (white – brown is in 80% column), soy beans, tea (black), tofu (plain, unsweetened only), veal, wheat germ.

There are no breads or other flour products (i.e. breads, cakes, cookies, pastas), dairy products (except butter), or tropical fruit allowed during this program. Fruits like bananas (which is understandable) and pineapple aren't recommended during the program. I really love pineapple so this was a challenge for me. Candy, ice cream, cereal (processed), flour, gravy, fruit juices with sugar and pop/soda, jams and jellies, oily nuts and peanuts, pies and pastries, sugar (white or brown) aren't allowed either but most of this is justifiable anyways.

Be cautious of accidentally having any of the restricted foods as I once had a slight episode with a salad that had a bit of cheese on it.. and the consequences weren't pretty! So, note that those foods are on the restricted list for a REASON! lol

There's also a recipe book that is available for purchase with the detox for around $15 which may be of use for someone who cooks often. I decided to mainly eat whole grains, fruits, vegetables and basically sticking as much as I could to the foods listed in the 80% recommended to eat list!

For further restricted or recommended foods, check out the Wild Rose Products site.

Directions: Take two tablets from each bottle and 40 drops with both breakfast and supper.

Price: $38.50 CAD, available at most health food stores

Days 1 - 3: Pretty easy day to get through since the supplements were just starting to work through my system. I had a great work out and was full of energy prior to taking the first supplements but I think it helped them work a little quicker by not letting my energy levels deplete while I was at work.

Days 4 - 6: I really started to feel the effects of the detox. I was feeling a little head achy and tired which I've read is a side effect of the detox. I had a late evening work out which helped boost my energy and made me a bit hungry. This was the first day where I was left with a sick feeling after I had dinner. I don't know if this is another side effect but I only had a soup for dinner and felt turned off from eating anymore after that.

Days 7 - 12: Woke up and felt much better than the day before. I think the supplements have worked their way through my system and have started to regulate things so I'm not feeling the headache anymore or have been feeling a bit sick at dinner. But the sugar cravings have kicked in and it's made me a little irritable. The husband was made aware to be careful on these days..haha. At the end of the week I was able to curb my cravings and adapt to the eating plan.

Overall I'm very happy with the results and how I now feel. This detox has given me a big confidence boost and that's what I really needed after being away in Ohio for almost a week for the holidays and only eating chocolate and cookies while I was there. In total, I've lost about 10 lbs with the detox, which from what I've read from other people's experiences is quite typical! I stuck to their recommended food list and that's why I think it worked really well for me. I think it actually put me off some of the junk food that I would indulge in before the detox and I think it has made me get a little sick if I eat certain dairy products.

Before considering this detox, I would recommend consulting a physician to see if this will work for you. I'm kind of sad that it's over with but I'm very glad that I did it. I think I will follow the food list (sort of) while I still have the liquid herbal formula. I've been taking it morning and night as usual but it isn't as strong as combining it with the pills.

Would I buy this again? Absolutely! I'm already planning on buying this again in the summer as they advise to use it twice a year. It helped me greatly with the Christmas weight gain I put on and has helped me start the year off fresh!

My birthday is coming up very soon (only 2.5 weeks away! Eek! lol) and this was a great early birthday treat for myself. I'm still committed to eating really healthy and working out 6 days a week. I've got a few birthday dinners coming up, so I'm trying to be really good. And I'm also looking forward to going shopping for more clothes!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter!

Kelly

Everyday Makeup Routine Video Tutorial

2012-01-23T21:30:00.000-05:00

Hi Guys!

We all have a particular look we prefer going for every morning before we go off to work or school. It normally depends on how much time we have available for it that determines the extent of the look. I wake up quite early to workout and then have breakfast and put on my face for the day! lol

My everyday makeup routine isn't that complex. I add things like bronzer and highlight into the mix normally but if I'm rushed I will just put on bronzer. I like to look put together as I usually meet a lot of people through my work (I work at an employment agency :)). I will switch up eyeshadow colours but will keep it fairly neutral.

For the video tutorial, I used my Dior Rosy Tan 5 colour palette which is perfect for a light pink smokey eye. I drew out a cat eye with my Marcelle felt tip liquid eyeliner pen and added Marcelle's Xtension Plus Mascara (LOVE it!! Review coming up ;)) I smudged the lower lashline, in the outer third, with Annabelle's SmudgePaint in Muddy for a soft smokey look. No lashes were added to my everyday look but sometimes I will add a couple individual lashes to the outer corners, if time permits, for extra lift and oomph to the eyes!

I love my bronzer and always wear it to work, so I added my Smashbox Contour Palette's bronzer to the cheeks, temples, forehead, down the nose and a bit on the chin. NARS' Copacabana Multiple was added to the tops of the cheekbones for some highlighting. I finished off the cheeks with a dusting of Marcelle's Multi-Colour Pink Fusion blush.

I prefer a nice neutral lip at work so I normally grab either a nude or a pink lipstick and for this look I went with a pretty pink. I started by lining my lips with MUFE's Aqua lip liner in 1C to make sure the colour stayed on my lips for most of the day. Then I added Lancome's Color Design lipstick in Love it! to pretty up the lips and topped it off with Victoria's Secret's Innocent lip gloss.

And there you have it! It takes me no more than 20 mins or so to get this look together in the morning. If I'm not in a lipstick mood, I will put on one of my Revlon Lip Butters instead for a bit of colour.

FACE
TheBalm Balm Shelter Tinted Moisturizer in Light
NARS Powder Foundation in Deauville
Benefit Erase Paste in No. 1 Fair
Smashbox Contour Palette (used just the bronzer)
NARS Copacabana Multiple
Marcelle Multi-Colour Powder Blush in Pink Fusion

EYES
Too Faced Eye Shadow Insurance
Dior 5-Couleur Palette in Rosy Tan
Marcelle Liquid Eyeliner Pen in Very Black
Annabelle SmudgePaint in Muddy
Maybelline Define-a-brow in Light Blonde
Marcelle Xtension Plus Mascara

LIPS
MUFE Aqua in 1C
Lancome Color Design Love It! Cream l/s
Victoria's Secret Innocent l/g

What do you use in your everyday makeup routine?!

Hugs, Kisses & Lots of Glitter!

Kelly

My Winter Wardrobe Essentials!

2012-01-18T20:49:00.000-05:00

Hi Glitter Babes!

This winter has been pretty mild so far so I can only imagine what we're in for in the next few months. I've had to basically redo my whole winter wardrobe lately because last year at this time I was over 50lbs heavier and I really LIVED in those clothes. Lately I've been more into building up my closet than buying makeup. I wanted to show you guys some of the great pieces I've bought within the past few weeks that are great essentials for work and play during this crummy weather!

L-R: Old Navy blouse, New York & Co. blouse, Old Navy blouse

Blouses - Neutrals & Bold Colours

I had ventured into Old Navy to hopefully get my hands on a few bold colours jeans but unfortunately they were all sold out. But I did get my hands on some great blouses! The blouses I picked up were styled with a bow at the bottom so they will hug your hips a bit. If you go a size bigger, as long as the blouse is a bit flowly, you can easily tuck it in to sharp work pants or a skirt and put a blazer over top of it for a great work look. Blouses are such a simple item to have in your closet that can easily be dressed up or down. I'm still working on my blouses collection. I need more jewel toned and I like the look of sheerer blouses too!

Pants from New York & Co.

Work Pants - Black, Grey, etc.

Whenever I go to the US, I always check out New York & Co. They always have some kind of deal going on and they're always stocked with great work clothes. I love stocking up on different styles of work pants, like flare, straight leg, skinny, etc. and I buy them in all different colours. Black pants are great for work and for going out, especially the ones I picked up that have a big flare to them which works really well with a sexy heel underneath!

Tops from New York & Co.

Metallic & Fun Printed Tops

To get us through having to deal with grey skies, below 0 temperatures, impending snow and slush I think we all should own some things that are pretty to look at as well as wear! I bought some metallic as well as a couple other different varieties of tops. It picks up my mood when I wear them and are lovely to wear when you're going out for a special evening. I wore the gold top to dinner with friends not too long ago and it was a lot of fun to wear! Animal print is a personal favourite of mine. I love the look of it because you can wear it to work and after hours. I'm seriously in love with animal print and anything that sparkles!

L-R: New York & Co sweater, Old Navy sweater, Suzy Shier sweater

Sweaters - Basic Colours & Fun Styles/Designs

I was able to pick up a few sweaters at NY & Co. that have metallic threading in them. I've worn them to work as the threading adds subtle shine but they can also be worn if you're going out to some place nice. Even though hearing from me that sweaters is an essential is nothing new but what I like to do is keep on the look out for ones that have a little something extra to them or were made interestingly. I love buying sweater vests which are awesome transitional peices to take us into spring because they don't make you super hot when you wear them!

Tights from New York & Co.

Opaque Tights - Basic Shades & Funky Designs

I was in a frenzy over their selection of opaque tights that were in a variety of patterns and styles. I stocked up like crazy because I love showing off my legs these days and it's a great way to wear with shorts during the winter! I also like wearing these for work under skirts as well.

Plaid button-ups from Old Navy

Plaid Button-ups - Basics & Fun Colours

I was quite happy to buy some cute plaid button up shirts at Old Navy for $17 each since I don't think I've ever owned any plaid button ups before. They are great to wear in a layered look which I'm all about. The ones I picked up are great for transitioning into fall as well since they don't scream "winter wear only".

I know there are many other key winter items I could've touched on, but I wanted to show you guys some of the things I've been loving and wearing a lot of lately! My mantra this winter is "Just because it's not looking cute outside, doesn't mean I don't have to!" Haha! It's definitely something we all can tell ourselves as the weather gets yuckier!

What are your winter wardrobe essentials? I'd love to know!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter!

Kelly

George's Cream Giveaway WINNER!!

2012-01-16T10:11:00.000-05:00

Hi Guys!

I just wanted to give a big THANK YOU to everyone that took part in my blog's first giveaway. I was unsure about whether it would go smoothly or not but I'm happy that it went quite well. I would have to say that part of the reason for that would be Rafflecopter which helped organize all of the entries for me so it was less of a fluster for me! lol

So the entries were gathered and the winner of the George's Cream gift bag is............

Meredith a.k.a et tu and you!!! I hope you enjoy your new skincare and please let me know what you think of it when you get it!

Big shout out and thank you goes to George's Cream for providing the gift bag for this awesome contest!

Look out for the next giveaway which will most likely be around the time of the blog's first anniversary (April/May) because I've got some surprises in store for it and I really can't wait to spoil my readers with another great giveaway!!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter!

Kelly

Tarte Starlet Vanity: Sparkly Blue Makeup Video Tutorial

2012-01-13T10:36:00.001-05:00

Hi Glitter Babes!

It was a big decision for me in deciding what my last makeup look of 2011 would be. For New Year's Eve I knew I had to do it up with something bold and glamorous. I've had my eye on the Blues quad in the Tarte Startlet Vanity Palette since I bought it back in November and thought it would be the perfect thing to use to ring in the new year! I also knew that I had to add in some glitter to the look just because you can never have too much! :P

Since the look was turning out gorgeously, I knew I wanted to feature it in another makeup video tutorial! I focused the darker shades into the outer 1/3 of the eyes and didn't carry the colours up to the brow bone too much so this would be a great look for someone with smaller eyes. Next, I added Annabelle's glitter liquid liner in Celestial Sky for that glittery look on the lids. I love Annabelle's glitter liquid liners because they can be applied however you want it. I added some Ardell 105 lashes to complete the look. I don't think you can do a NYE look without adding dramatic lashes! :P

I completed the look with a softer lip with MAC's Hue lipstick (one of my all-time favourites!) and glossed over it with Visanti's Lip Shine in Baltic. I wore a sparkly black outfit for the night from NY & Co. with some black booties from Payless and poofed my hair out. If you go out for NYE, you have to go big or go home! lol

*Excuse the roots! lol

FACE
Eve Pearl Priming Moisturizer
Hard Candy Glamoflauge in Light
Maybelline FIT Me! Foundation in 115
Benefit High Beam
NARS Laguna Bronzer
MAC Pink Swoon Blush

EYES
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Tarte The Startlet Makeup Vanity: V.I.P e/s, Big Break e/s, Fame e/s
Urban Decay Naked Palette: Virgin e/s, Gun Metal e/s
Annabelle Glitter Liquid Liner in Celestial Sky
MUFE Aqua Eyes in 3L
Annabelle Silver Kohl e/l
Revlon Colorstay Black Liner
Ardell 105 Lashes
Maybelline Lash Stiletto Vuluptuous in Very Black
MUFE Waterproof Eyebrow Corrector

LIPS
Bonnebell Toast l/l
MAC Hue l/s
Visanti Lipshine in Baltic

What makeup look did you go with for NYE?! Also, if you have any special requests for videos you'd like to see from me, please let me know as I'd love to know what you guys would like to see on the blog!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter,

Kelly

Review: Essie Luxeffects Holiday 2011 Collection

2012-01-11T20:56:00.000-05:00

Hey Dolls!

It was love at first sight when I found out about these new Essie glitter top coat polishes while I was down in Ohio for the holidays. I thought they were only available in the US for the time being but during a recent Walmart trip I was able to pick up the rest of the collection because it is THAT good!

You may know from my past nail posts that I love adding glitter and interesting top coats to my nails and so you could imagine the feeling I had when I saw that Essie came out with a collection to help you do just that! This collection includes five sparkly top coats ranging from ones containing chunky hexagonal flecks to tiny shimmering specks. I've read that Essie hasn't done something like this before since they're mainly known for their pinks and nudes so this is quite a change for them and definitely expands their audience.

As Gold As It Gets: Iridescent sparkly gold shimmer flecks

Shine Of The Times: Iridescent hologram flaky shimmer

A Cut Above: Pink chunky flecks

Pure Pearlfection: Iridescent pale white shimmer

Set In Stones: Silver chunky flecks

L - R: Shine of the Times, A Cut Above, As Gold As It Gets, Pure Pearlfection, Set In Stones

The pairings and designs that can be created with these top coats is fantastic. They can transform any nail polish from drab to fab! lol The soft iridescent shimmer top coats are great for a pretty subtle effect while the chunkier top coats add that bigger dazzle effect. Be sure to shake up the bottles well as they tend to apply thick. In the picture above I applied only one coat of the chunkier flecked nail polishes, while the others have two coats. It's so hard to pick a favourite because they all have something great to offer!

I can't wait to use these for upcoming NOTD posts since I know the colour combinations are endless!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter!

Kelly

Review: L'Oreal L'or L'or L'or Color Infallible Eyeshadows!

2012-01-06T12:10:00.001-05:00

Hi Glitter Babes!

I love going out shopping and stumbling upon something, especially makeup related, that I didn't realize was available and that's what happened when I picked up some of the brand spankin' new colours that are from L'Oreal's "L'or L'or L'or" collection!

I have checked up on the CI eyeshadow line before and have noticed a few new additions that didn't excite me but this time I was sucked in by the GORGEOUS bronzey shades and other vibrant hues. I had never seen these shades before even though it appears that the collection came out in the fall. They are super pigmented and everything that I hoped they would be!

021 - Sahara Treasure: Iridescent bronzey beige

022 - Emerald Lame: Iridescent emerald with gold shimmer

023 - Black Onyx: Iridescent dark silvery grey

024 - Bronze Divine: Iridescent medium golden bronze

And now for some drool-worthy swatches!

L-R: Sahara Teasure, Black Onyx, Emerald Lame, Bronze Divine (Without Flash)

L-R: Sahara Teasure, Black Onyx, Emerald Lame, Bronze Divine (With Flash)

These eyeshadows are insanely beautiful to look at and (as I expected) are a dream to apply. Black Onyx is one of my favourites (although it's hard to pick just one!) because it applies as a dark silvery grey mix! These colours can definitely be mixed and matched to make several amazing looks. The pigmentation is incredible and the longevity to these shadows is awesome. I can apply them at 7am and will still see them staying strong at 7pm! The swatched colours are actually still faintly on my skin after washing my hands several times, so that really speaks great lengths to me. Check out my first review of the L'Oreal Color Infallible Eyeshadows to see my original thoughts on the new line!

I don't know if I've ever been impressed with drugstore makeup like I've been with these. What you see in the see-through lid is basically what you get. I know there are some matte shades and a few others that I haven't picked up but they haven't really spoken to me but then again you never know! I'm so impressed by this line that I may need to have the whole collection :P This was definitely a big hit in 2011 for me and still is!

I am really excited and anxious to use these shades for upcoming FOTD posts! They're a dream to apply and if you don't have them, you NEED to check them out asap!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter,

Kelly

Review: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters!

2012-01-04T20:35:00.000-05:00

Hi Dolls!

Since they came out not too long ago, everyone has been buzzing about Revlon's Colorburst Lip Butters! Ranging in sheer to medium pigmentation, I knew I had to check these babies out because lip balm is basically the only thing I wear when it's cold out. I had a chance to get my hands on the whole collection while I was in Ohio for the holidays so I picked up a few of my faves!

K-Mart was having a BOGO sale (LOVE those sales!!) when I was down there so I took advantage and purchased Sugar Frosting, Peach Parfait, Cherry Tart and Creme Brulee out of the 20 fabulous shades. Containing mango, shea and coconut butter, these lip butters boost the lips' hydration by 156%. I love my EOS lip balm in Summer Fruit but I had heard good reviews and was looking to try something with pigment to it. The packaging isn't the greatest in my opinion. It definitely gives off that lower end makeup look with the clear lid. But that doesn't stop me from trying something out when I hear positive reviews.

Sugar Frosting: Sheer pale shimmering pink

Peach Parfait: Natural peach

Cherry Tart: Rasberry red

Creme Brulee: Natural nude-peach beige

All of them applied really creamy onto my lips and had great colour to them except for Sugar Frosting which adds just a bit of a frosty look to the lips (hence why it's called Sugar Frosting :P). I'll use that when I'm not looking for colour, just purely hydration with a bit of a shimmer to the lips. I love Creme Brulee because it's great for a nice natural looking nude lip that I can apply when I'm strapped for time or going to work because it requires minimal touching up. Peach Parfait didn't impress me as much as I had hoped. I looks nothing like the ad with Emma Stone wearing it but it's still nice as a peachy lip balm.

I'm always a sucker for trying out a nice red, especially if it's in lip balm form since I'm a HUGE fan of Black Honey Almost Lipstick by Clinique. I find these formulas are always easy for me to wear every day especially at work because they're softer and require less maintenance. Cherry Tart is, above all, my favourite shade that I've bought so far because it's a very youthful shade and gives me that red lip that I know won't look funny after I've taken a sip of a drink. All of the shades feel very hydrating and comfortable on my lips and don't have a weird plastic scent to them. At the end of the day with each shade, I was still left with smooth, moisturized lips.

These Lip Butters have made me want to expand my collection so I'm thinking of getting Tutti Frutti, Candy Apple and Raspberry Pie to name a few. I would recommend these to anyone who's a lip balm fan and wants a more pigmented lip but without having to use lipstick! I can see these being used by younger girls as a way to introduce them to a bit of pigment on their lips. They actually make me think about my cousin who's only 4 but is DYING to start playing with makeup! Maybe when she's old enough, I'll introduce her to some of these? ;)

Have you tried any of the Lip Butters?! What did you think of them?! Which one is your favourite?!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter!

Kelly

Fitness Diary: My Beachbody Insanity 60 Day Total Body Conditioning Program Review

2012-01-03T20:18:00.002-05:00

Hi Glitter Babes!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I hope you guys had a great time ringing in the new year as I did! I enjoyed my time going out for dinner and drinks at Turtle Jacks with friends and the hubby. I'm not much of a partier on NYE so this was a great night to sit back and have some good food and great conversation. I can't believe we're in a new year already as it feels like it was just yesterday that I was typing out my first few blog posts back in April/May!

In January of last year, I decided to take the chance and try the Insanity workout program since I was looking for something with high intensity as I was fed up with the workouts I had tried that weren't working for me. And now with it being January again when we begin working on our resolutions for the year, I thought it would be the perfect time to share my thoughts on the Insanity 60 Day Total Body Conditioning Program! Insanity is for those looking to get results fast but are willing to put in the maximum effort to make it happen!

image via. ridiculouslyhealthy.com

This deluxe, 12-disc program includes 13 workouts whereas the regular 10-disc program includes 10. The deluxe program can be purchased online, which is the only place I've seen it. The regular 10-disc program can be purchased at Best Buy and Walmart among others for $140 CAD. The program begins with a Fit Test to see where you are fitness wise. This test is to be taken every 2 weeks to assess how you've been doing and allows you to monitor your progress throughout the program.

The workout discs also come with a Nutrition Plan, Fitness Guide, Insanity Calendar (very important for tracking your progress and what workouts need to be done!) as well as Online Support. If you're away from home, be sure to save the calendar below to your computer so you can keep track of what workouts you need to do!

image via. intenseworkoutdvd.com

I was unable to follow the work out routine fully as I usually fit in my workouts after work, so I made it a commitment to workout at least 4-5 days a week. I also cut out pop, juice, pasta and junk food and started drinking at least 10 oz. of water a day (after not being able to stand drinking water for a while, it became my favourite drink!) and eating a ton of fruit and veggies. You're also supposed to eat 5 smaller meals a day while using this program.

The first month of Insanity, which ended up taking 3 months for me to complete, was, in one word, insane! These workouts made me sweat buckets like no other and had me finish each workout with a tomato face! lol I knew it was doing something for me because during my first week of Insanity, I had measured myself and noticed that I had already lost a few inches! That immediately pushed me to keep going. I've been the type to give up easily when things aren't going the way I'd like them to, but luckily this workout program helped me see changes pretty quickly so that made me not want to give up.

The meals you're advised to eat during this time are roughly around 300 calories each.

Here is one of my favourite recipes!

Turkey BLT

2 slices whole wheat bread
3 slices turkey bacon
Sliced tomato
Lettuce
1 fresh pear
Make a sandwich of first 4 ingredients and serve with a fresh pear.
Nutrition Breakdown: 293 calories, 13 grams protein, 46 grams carbohydrate, 9 grams fat, 8 grams fiber

The workouts during the first month include:

Fit Test (approx. 28 mins)
Plyometric Cardio Training (approx. 40 mins)
Cardio Power and Resistance (approx. 39 mins)
Cardio Recovery
Pure Cardio and Abs (approx. 39 mins)
Core Cardio and Balance (approx. 39 mins)
Cardio Abs (approx. 21 mins)

During the first month, all of the workouts are only 40 mins long which means there's absolutely no point in not being able to fit in one of these workouts into your daily routine. I enjoyed that every day there was a different workout to do which helped me continue with it and not get bored. The program also states that you can burn up to 1,000 calories in an hour workout which in itself is insane!!

The second month starts off even more insane! You're going from workouts that run 40 mins long to ones that are mainly around an hour long. These workouts are tough but help your body to not get adjusted to what it's doing so it can lose even more weight! For me, the second half of the program was when I lost the most weight!

The second month workouts included:

Fit Test (approx. 28 mins)
Max Interval Circuit (approx. 59 mins)
Max Interval Plyo (approx. 56 mins)
Max Recovery (approx. 54 mins)
Max Cardio Conditioning (approx. 49 mins)
Max Interval Sports Training (approx. 55 mins) *
Insane Abs (approx. 33 mins) *
Upper Body Weight Training (approx. 48 mins) *

* workout included in the Deluxe program only

The second month was my favourite part of the program because the workouts were really tough and challenging. Since I finished the Insanity program back in June, I have used it in my own customized work out routine by integrating a few of my favourite workouts from it like Max Interval Plyo and Max Cardio Conditioning.

A couple of my favourite workouts from the second month were Max Recovery and Max Interval Plyo. My favourite exercise in Max Recovery was the Calf Raises with your arms extended outwards. In this exercise, you start in a sumo squat position with your feet pointed outward with one calf raised and arms extended out. You are to hold this position a few times on each side for 4-16 seconds while slowly bouncing up and down and you finish by setting the palm of your hand on the ground beside your raised calf (same side leg and hand). I found that this exercise really did a number on my calves.

You're allowed to eat more during this month but still it's important to keep it healthy. Because your metabolism is now working overtime and the exercising is more intense, you're allowed to add some complex carbohydrates into your daily food intake like a small baked potato with the skin, a whole wheat english muffin, or a 1/2 cup of whole wheat pasta, measured after it's been cooked.

The Insanity program may not be for everyone because it is very high intensity and lives up to its name so if you are concerned about whether it will work for you, I would suggest discussing it with your doctor!

The Insanity Program is a bit pricey but in terms of your health and overall well being I find it's very much worth it. It's taken me to where I am now. I have more energy and confidence than I did before I started using it. If you are looking to get in shape by the summer, this will DEFINITELY get you there! All it takes is commitment and a bit of hard work and you'll see your resolution coming to fruition! I recommend Insanity to everyone I know that's looking to get in shape quickly.

I will be doing another post shortly about my fitness journey one year later which will contain a ton of photos, unlike my last fitness post! It will definitely be a must-see blog post for anyone who needs inspiration to get going with their new lifestyle change!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter!

Kelly

George's Cream Review & My FIRST Giveaway!

2011-12-29T14:14:00.001-05:00

Hi Glitter Babes!

I had never heard of George's Cream before but when I was contacted by the company to review their Special Dry Skin Cream and their Light Special Moisturizing Lotion, I was very intrigued! This is the time of year where my skin aches for moisture 24/7. I'm plagued with very dry skin during this time of year so it was awesome to hear from a company that specializes in relieving these problems!

Pharmacist George Doherty created George's in order to provide the skin with lasting relief from different types of skin symptoms and conditions. George's Special Dry Skin Cream provides great relief for those suffering from conditions which include:

Eczema
Psoriasis
Sunburn
Windburn
Cradle Cap
Winter Itch
Flaky Skin

George's Special Dry Skin Cream was also formulated into a lighter version with George's Light Special Moisturizing Lotion, which is gentle enough for those with sensitive skin and for everyday use. George's Creams do not contain Urea, Lanolin or Parabens and are hypoallergenic and fragrance free. I'm also happy to say that there is NO animal testing with George's skincare products, which is a huge factor in my skincare and makeup purchases.

Ingredients listed on the Special Dry Skin Cream:
Deionised Water, White Petrolatum, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate-20, Polysorbate-80, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Phenoxy Ethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid

Ingredients listed on the Light Special Moisturizing Lotion:
Deionised Water, White Petrolatum, Glyceryl Stearate & PEG-100 Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol & Caprylyl Glycol & Sorbic Acid, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

How to use George's Special Dry Skin Cream: For best results use daily immediately after a bath or shower. Use twice daily for especially dry or sensitive skin.

How to use George's Light Special Moisturizing Lotion: Apply to hands and body as needed.

Both creams are quite thick, especially the Special Dry Skin Cream, and require a bit of rubbing in to sink into the skin. I noticed that my legs and arms felt really soft and smooth. They don't leave the skin with any residue but you will have to use both creams a couple times a day to maintain moisturized skin as I find that when I apply it in the morning, my skin needs more at the end of the day.

When I applied the creams for the first time, the first thing I noticed was that there was no fragrance to either of them. I've used creams before that were fragrance free and wasn't bothered by it but with this one I kind of was. It has a bit of a plasticy smell but thankfully it goes away once it's rubbed into the skin.

George's Cream can be purchased at select pharmacies, Pharmasave, Loblaws and Shoppers Drug Mart's across Canada!

L-R: George's Special Dry Skin Cream consistency compared to George's Light Special Moisturizing Lotion

I've really been enjoying blogging so far and have met so many wonderful people because of it so I really wanted to find a way to give back to my readers. George's Cream provided me with the opportunity to do my FIRST giveaway! The weather out there is getting really nasty and harsh on our skin so this George's Cream gift bag will be perfect for anyone looking to protect and maintain healthy, moisturized skin! And this gift bag is perfect for guys too as my husband has also been using it for his dry skin problems!

The gift bag includes an assortment of George's Cream Special Dry Skin Cream (450 g jar & 30 ml tube) and George's Light Special Moisturizing Lotion (360 ml bottle and 30 ml tube) valued at $35!!

I hope you enjoy my first giveaway and let the contest begin!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter!

Kelly

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Holiday Party Makeup Look #3: Sexy, Gold Cat Eyes!

2011-12-28T21:28:00.001-05:00

Hi Guys!

I've been having fun planning out holiday makeup ideas for you guys since my first holiday party makeup video tutorial. It's also helped me plan my party makeup looks a bit more rather than just putting on a nice brown smokey eye. I wanted to do something dramatic requiring a bit of technique so I decided to do a hot gold cat eye!

To ensure I was getting a fierce, bold look on the eyes I went with pigments. For the gold, I used Emani Minerals Color Dust in Goldfinger and Naked Cosmetics EB-03 pigment, an almost black shade for the cat eye angles. Q-tips are a necessity with creating a perfect (or almost perfect :P) cat eye. You'll need to clean the angles up with makeup remover to get them looking even on both sides. If you have trouble creating your cat eyes, you can always use a tissue or some tape to create the angles that you're looking for. You'll need to follow the angles of your eyes to create the cat eyes like you would with winged eyeliner.

Since the makeup look is warm toned, I went with a beige-nude glossy lip. The first time I wore this, I added glitter to the upper lash line. I didn't use it in the video tutorial because I wanted the look to stand out on its own. Upon trying to edit my makeup tutorial, I found out that my camcorder randomly deleted the first huge chunk of the video so now I can't post it :( I'm really upset about it because it was such a nice makeup look that I got to create. But, you can see still see the look in some of my latest videos!

Luckily I did take pictures so hopefully this will somewhat fill the void that the video has left behind! Bold eyeshadow looks in silver or gold are perfect for New Years and this one is a perfect example! To amp it up, just add in gold glitter like Annabelle's Glitterama Liquid Eyeliner in Solar Flare! I wore this look with a gold top and black mini skirt to a Christmas party not too long ago and I got a ton of compliments on the cat eyes!

FACE
Eve Pearl Moisturizing Primer
MUFE HD Foundation in 117
Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer in Light/Medium
Dior Harmonie de Blush in Coral Riviera
Smashbox Contour Palette
Laura Mercier Rose Rendezvous Illuminator

EYES
MUFE Aqua Cream in #11
Emani Minerals Color Dust in Goldfinger
Naked Cosmetics Pigment in EB-03
MAC Shroom e/s
MAC Carbon e/s
Marcelle Liquid Eyeliner Pen
Quo 803 Lashes
MUFE Smoky Lash Mascara
MUFE Waterproof Eyebrow Corrector in #0

LIPS
Marcelle 700 l/s
Annabelle BigShow Lip Shine in Nude/Beige

Right now I'm trying to figure out whether I want to stay in or go out for NYE. What are YOUR plans?! And what makeup look are you going to wear?!

Hugs, Kisses and Lots of Glitter!

Kelly