Microbeads

So the microbead nail trend is nothing new, but I decided to try it out in a new way by doing a cross pattern instead of the whole nail. 

Here's a little preview, I'll do a DIY post soon with better pictures!

E.L.F. Haul

I was so excited when I woke up to my ELF order at my door this morning. I've recently discovered ELF after watching Lisa Eldridge's videos about some of her favourite products. Lisa Eldridge is a make-up artist to all the big stars. Her videos are great, you can check them out here!

My first picks are the Contouring Blush & Bronzer in blushed/bronzed ($3), Blush in Pink Passion ($3) and Complexion Perfection ($3). I'm loving these so far, the packaging of all three reminds me of NARS and the colours are quite matte and well pigmented. I'm always afraid of ordering powders on line in the fear that they are shimmery but these are great. 

My next pick was something that Lisa Eldridge talked about specifically - The Flawless Face Palette. This set has four highlight shades (top row), four concealer shades (middle) and a blush and bronzer. The blush and bronzer seem to be similar from the duo above.  I chose this because I'd like to play around with highlighting. I also needed a variety of concealer shades to mix for when I'm darker in the summer.  I'm not crazy about the packaging of this, it has sparkles on the front which I can see getting everywhere. For the price it's great, I believe it was $5 (sold out online).

For lip products I bought the Matte Lip Colour ($3) in coral, praline and natural, the Mineral Moisturizing Lip Tint ($3) in natural, and the Hypershine Gloss ($1) in blossom and fairy. I'm really excited about the matte lip colours. The pencil application always wins me over, it's easy, quick and can be thrown in any bag. I'm happy with the colours overall. 

Here are the lip shades swatched: (Left to Right) praline, natural, coral, natural lip balm, blossom, fairy

The last few things I bought are the Mineral Infused Mascara ($3), the Mineral Blemish Powder with brush ($8), the Zit Zapper ($1) and the Mineral Infused Face Primer ($6). I bought the mascara because all of the reviews said it was the best marscara they've tried. I haven't tried it yet but the brush looks promising, similar to one of my favorites Lash Exact by CoverGirl.  I was really excited when I saw the Blemish Powder because Bare Minerals has one that hasn't hit my local stores yet. The brush that comes with it is very good quality, similar to the Bare Minerals brush. The zit zapper I bought for the heck of it, for $1 I figure I can throw it in my bag. Finally the primer I bought because I just ran out of my Arbonne primer and this one has quite good reviews online.

As you can see the prices are amazing. I'm excited to see how the products work! I'll have reviews up soon!

xo

Oldies, Newbies and Goodies

Todays post is about some of the products I am always coming back to, as well as some new productss I'm loving. When I find something I'm really crazy about I feel the need to share them, because I'm pretty hard to please. This is because I want to see results quickly, and with skin care that's not easy to come by.

First up is my brand new Clairsonic Mia, I bought it on a 20x the points day at Shopper's (can't wait for the next redeem your points day). I've been using this for only three days and I am loving the results. My skin feels smoother and more even, also it does a great job at taking off any makeup that may be left behind. It feels like your going over your face with an electric toothbrush... in a good way. Can't wait to see the results after using it longer.

Next is my favourite setting powder by Vichy Dermablend. Vichy partnered with Dermablend to make Dermablend's products more useable and available to it's users, instead of being tailored to make up artists. Since I've been breaking out over the past 6 months (holy crap I need to see the dermatologist) I was looking for a setting powder that would be great for over concealed areas. This works wonders. It came with a puff but to avoid the bacterial breeding grounds that those are I dab it on problem areas using a disposable cotton pad and then give a light dusting on my T-zone. One thing to note with this is that it's not a finishing powder so you have to be careful about how much you use (or you'll end up with white cast in) photos similar to MUF HD Translucent Setting Powder.

Next are three facial products I have continually used up and re-purcased: 

Lancome Pure Focus Scrub - This scrub uses microbeads to exfoliate as opposed to rough uneven particles, which avoids any of the scratching damage that can result from other scrubs. It is tailored to those with oily or combination skin. My skin feels smooth and refreshed after using this. I use it everyday, but for those with more sensitive skin I would recommend 3 times per week. 

The next item Lancome Creme Radiance is my favourite cleanser ever. It starts off creamy and works into a lovely foamy lather. My skin feels incredibly clean after using this and I always go back to this after other cleaners make me break out. I took a sample sized bottle of this to the Bahamas one year and my boyfriend used it in the shower and even said how much he loved it. So if a guy appreciates it, you can imagine how great it is. 

Thirdly, my miracle worker, Vichy Norma Derm Night Anti-Imperfections. When you have problem skin you truly appreciate finding a moisturizer that acts double duty as a blemish, uneven tone, large pore fighter. This has almost a powdery feeling when you apply it, mattifying your skin immediately, and working through the night. Of all the Norma Derm products, this and the mattifying concentrate are my favourites. 

Next is a product I've been using since November. Arbonne's Re9 Cellular Renewal Mask. I use this a couple times a week, more when my skin is going haywire and it really helps the skin turnover time (as the name states). This line is targeted as an anti-ageing line, but I also love it for it's skin evening and healing properties. As soon as I take off this mask I notice my skin is more even and my pores are smaller and any post blemish damage heals faster.

Next up are eye shadow pencils. I'm a huge fan, they are quick and easy, have a lovely creamy texture, are great as a base for other shadows and look great on their own. In the photo from left to right: Urban Decay 24/7 glide on Shadow Pencil in Rehab, Joe Eye Crayon in Beige and Nars Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Skorpios. I love all three of them, but obviously the Joe Eye Crayon is much nicer on the budget. 

Lastly here are some of my current favourite lip colours for spring: (from left to right) Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick In Airy Fairy (070), Mac Snob, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Matte in Mauve it Over (003) and Lancome Colour Design Creme in Wannabe.

If you've tried any of these products or have some personal favourites you think I should try out let me know! 

xo

Like!

Hi friends! If you guys could like my posts on bloglovin I would really appreciate it! That way I can get more readers, which leads to getting sent free stuff! I know it's only my close friends who read this right now so I don't feel bad asking :) Thaaanks

Ombre Nails

So today's avoid studying activity was ombre nails. It takes about 10 minutes, and is super easy!  I don't like the look of ombre nails that are painted on because it's impossible to get the colours to blend or get a straight line between colours unless you use tape ect. which is time consuming. So to avoid those issues I painted my colours on to a makeup sponge and stamped my nails to make the ombre look much more cohesive. Then I cleaned up the edges and finished with top coat!

Sponge with painted on colours used to stamp nails.

Final result

Looking forward to playing around with this! Happy hump day!

xo

Hair Chalking DIY

So I thought I would try hair chalking after exams, but procrastination leads me to do this now instead of study for biochem - huge surprise.  I looked up some videos on youtube on how to do this and it's super easy. All you need are some soft chalk pastels (not oil), water, a brush and a heat source (curler, straightener, blowdryer). I found my chalks at Michael's for $6.99, and with a 50% off coupon I ended up with 36 colours for 3.49! To chalk hair wet either the chalk or the hair strand and just rub it on to the hair. Then brush the section and apply your heat source. That's it. Really. Chalk away!

The set of pastels. I used the middle bottom coral colour. 

Can't wait to try out some of the other colours. This time after exams... maybe.

xo

currently loving

Starting from the left:

Hair chalking - I love the look of coloured hair but could never commit, so I will definitely be attempting this for a temporary splash of colour. I'm thinking coral instead of the multi-colour shown.

Sam Edelman sandals - I bought them already, just can't wait for the weather to be nice enough to wear them!

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray -  I've heard nothing but great things about this and can't wait to try it for beachy waves

Blue polish - needing a blue ombre mani asap. Enough said.

Lancome Rouge in Love Lipsticks - the entire collection is fan-freaking-tabulous.

Dannijo x ManRepeller - pretty much anything Dannijo would be a much welcomed addition to my jewellery wardrobe. Grad present perhaps? (hint hint)

Floral Jeans - Looking for the perfect pair for summer. These ones are from ASOS.