Remembering 2016

I feel like 2016 was a tough year on us all. I know personally, it was probably one of the hardest years of my life. 

The US and Britain both made huge changes that will affect the rest of the world, there were mass shootings and continuing conflicts in Syria, many beloved celebrities passed as well as a gorilla the world still seems to be mourning. It seems hatred and vitriol have become common in our everyday discourse and the media promotes stories that fill us with anxiety and pessimism. While I will be happy to see 2016 end, I want to go out on a good note by remembering all the wonderful and exciting things that happened this year, both personally and publicly.

Thesis!

I finished my Sociology Honours thesis earlier this year. A huge accomplishment and something I'm really proud of.

Gilmore Girls!

One of the best TV show ever returned this year with 4 new episodes. We got to spend 360 more minutes in Stars Hollow and regardless of what you thought of those final four words, we should be thankful for being allowed back into the Gilmore's universe.

Graduations!

My bestie graduated and became a Registered Massage Therapist and finally got to start her career and I couldn't be more proud of her! I was also supposed to be finished my undergrad degree this December, but due to a situation out of my control, I'll now finish in early January instead. Close enough though right.

More Harry Potter! So Much More!

I grew up with Harry Potter. From the time I was 6, those books have been in my life. I was one of those obsessed kids dressing up for the movies and going to midnight releases. Well 2016 brought us both the release of the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. What more could a Potter fan want!

First Real Job!

I got my first job related to my field of study this year and it helped open up doors for my future, my grad program, as well as gave me lots of experience and confidence that this is what I want to do with my life.

New Music!

My favourite artist George Watsky released a new album this summer which I have been listening to non-stop ever since. X infinity is really great and I would suggest everyone go give it a listen. Also Beyoncé released her album Lemonade.

John frickin Scott!

I expect this one will fly past a lot of you but if you watch the NHL (hockey) you'll have heard about John Scott and the All-Star Game controversy that started off our crazy 2016. John Scott has been one of my favourite players since he was a Chicago Blackhawk in 2010. Well for me, seeing John Scott lifted up by his teammates after being named the game's MVP was one of the highlights of my year. His story is one that brings me so much joy, I would encourage everyone to go give it a read. He also has a new memoir out and it's on my wish list.

These have been some of the highlights of my year. It felt really nice to think about the positives that came out of this year. I highly suggest everyone take a few minutes to think of the good 2016 has brought them.

What were your best moments of 2016?

I'll leave you with a picture of a puppy.

Digby: 2004-2016

2017 will be better my friends,

Love, Meggy ♡

Top 3 Series: Lipsticks

MyTop 3 Series is back, this time with Lipsticks. Choosing only 3 lipsticks was really hard.  I really emphasized the formula but these are also my favourite shades from each specific lipstick line. You'll notice I clearly lean towards more rosy colours.

Maybelline Matte Lipstick in Touch of Spice

I always get compliments whenever I wear this lipstick. I really believe these are the best matte lipsticks at the drugstore and are good enough to rival any high-end matte lipstick. They are super comfortable, opaque and creamy. However, due to their creaminess they don't last as long as other matte lipsticks.

NYX Butter Lipstick in Pops

This is my favourite everyday lipstick. I'd describe it as halfway between a creamy lipstick and a lip balm. It feels really nourishing on the lips but it takes a few swipes to build up the colour. It's so comfortable, it doesn't feel like you're wearing anything on your lips. It's also drugstore so you know the price tag is reasonable. Plus they smell so yummy!

Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Lip Crème Lipstick in Slow Burn

Last but certainly not least. I know I've raved about the formula of these a lot recently but it's really that good. It is super opaque with just one swipe, it's super long lasting and very comfortable. I don't have a bad thing to say about it except for the steep price tag, however I think it's worth the money.

Swatches:

What's your Favourite Lipstick?

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Catch up on the rest of the Series:

Top 3 Series: Highlighters

Top 3 Series: Blush

Top 3 Series: Bronzer

November 2016 Favourites

Monthly Favourites Time! It's been a while since I did a monthly favourites post. November was a very strange month for me as I didn't have school (long story- not by choice), so I didn't wear a lot of makeup. However the Sephora VIB sale allowed me to get some new products.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Foundation

I needed a new foundation and the lovely woman at Sephora helped me pick this one out (finding a foundation that comes in my snowy-white shade is not easy so extra points to UD). I love how it doesn't feel like you're wearing foundation but it's still buildable enough to give you good coverage. It also doesn't stick to my dry patches and allows my skin to still look natural which is literally all I'm looking for in a foundation. The downside is it smells, quite literally, like paint. 

Ulta3 nail colour in Sizzling Red

This is a nail polish I got in my Ipsy bag. It's super opaque with only one coat and surprisingly long lasting. I've been wearing it a bunch this month. It looks especially festive with a glittery gold top coat.

Marc Jacobs Lipstick in Slow Burn

This a a perfect everyday lipstick for me. The shade looks really natural and the formula is super comfortable and long lasting. I know I've talked a lot about Marc Jacobs lipsticks on my blog but it's got to be one of my favourite formulas.

NudeStix Concealer Pencil

This is another product I received in an Ipsy bag. I really love this concealer pencil for covering up spots. It's thick and has high coverage which makes it perfect for concealing small problem areas.

What were your November Favourites?

Make sure you're also following me on Instagram and Twitter where I have lots of holiday themed posts and mini reviews!

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November 2016 Ipsy

It's another month and another Ipsy bag. I was actually happy with everything I got in this month's bag which is fairly rare. The bag itself is also cute! It's a dark navy and gold. 

Luxie Beauty- Luxie Rose Gold Small Duo Fiber Brush 524T

I really like the brushes from this brand so I was excited to see this in my bag. This is an extremely soft brush and it applies just a little bit of product at a time so I've been liking it to apply highlighter. This brush is travel size and retails for $16.

Skone - Brow Wand Eyebrow Pencil in Chocolate

I haven't been a fan of the other Skone products I've recieved in bags before but this brow pencil pleasantly surprised me. The shade is perfect with my dark brown hair and it comes with a brush on the other end which is convenient. I find the triangle shaped tip takes a little getting used to, but overall it's a good long lasting brow pencil. This is full size and retails for $18.

LAQA & Co. - B'Lighter in Peacher's Daughter

I've never heard of this brand before and I'm usually not a fan of cream products but this highlighter is pretty good. On my pale skin, it works a little bit better as a blush topper as the peach is a little dark for my cheekbones. It gives a nice glow and the texture isn't sticky. This is a sample size but full size, it retails for $18.

Too Faced- Better than Sex Mascara

I always love getting high end brands in my Ipsy bags. I've actually used this mascara before and while I love the brush and how it makes my lashes look, I find it smudges on me so I'll probably give this one away. This travel size which retails for an astonishing $15.

VERB- Ghost Oil

Another higher end product. I have very fine hair so hair oils are tricky for me but this one didn't make my hair too oily. It also didn't make too much of a difference so I'll need to use it a bit more to determine how I feel about it. This is a sample size but the full size retails for $16.

This is probably the best value bag I've gotten. I've calculated it to have over $55 worth of product! 

What did you get in your Ipsy bag this month?

My Updated Makeup Collection- Autumn 2016

My collection has grown and changed since the last time I showed my makeup collection so I thought it was time I did an update. Just in case it isn't obvious to anyone, I am NOT trying to brag about my makeup. I love to be nosy and look at other people's makeup collections so I thought I would share mine for all you other nosy people out there. I know I have a lot of makeup, I am lucky and have received much of it as gifts from family and friends. I also save up my money and mostly only spend it on makeup. I have attached links for the products I have reviewed in the past.

We'll go by Category starting today with mostly powder products:

Eyeshadow Palettes:

Urban Decay Naked 2

Urban Decay Naked 3

Urban Decay Naked Basics

Urban Decay Naked Basics 2

Lorac Pro

Lorac Pro 2

theBalm NUDE'tude

L'Oreal La Palette Nude 2

itCosmetics Naturally Pretty

Smashbox #Shapematters

Smashbox Full Exposure

Too Faced Natural Eyes

Sleek Vintage Romance

I ❤ Makeup Naked Chocolate

Collection Eyes Uncovered Nude Bronze 

Sonia Kashuk eye on neutral shimmer

essence How to Make Nude Eyes

Wet n Wild Comfort Zone

Wet n Wild Petal Pusher

Single Eyeshadows:

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe, Inked in Pink, Bad to the Bronze, Pure Nude, Creamy Beige

L'Oreal Color Infaillible Eyeshadows in Time Resist White and Tender Caramel

L'Oreal Color Riche eyeshadows in Cafe Saint Germain and Quartz Fume

Kiko Cream Crush Lasting Colour Eyeshadow in 05 Pearly Silver Rose 

e.l.f Long-Lasting Lustrous Eyeshadow in Soiree

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Eyeshadow in Rio de Rose Gold

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Sin

Seventeen Eyeshadow in Rose Quarz

Nomad eyeshadow in Spice Market

Sephora Eyeshadow in Girl Talk

M.A.C eyeshadows in Satin Taupe and Naked Lunch

Blushes and Cheek Palettes:

Lancome Blush Subtil in Aplum

Nars Blush in Deep Throat and Orgasm

NYX Blush in Angel

Milani Powder Blush in Tea Rose

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso and Red Vino

Model co Blush in Cosmopolitan

theBalm Hot Mama

NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Hot Pink

Josie Maran Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil

Bourjois Aqua Blush in Nude

Sleek Blush by 3 Pink Lemoade 

e.l.f. Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder in St. Lucia

Urban Decay Naked Flushed in Native

Tarte Park ave. Princess Contour Palette 

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour blush Blush in Glisten

Tarte Pin up Girl Amazonian Clay 12-hour blush Palette

Benefit Box o' Blushes

Bronzers:

Bourjois Dèlice de Poudre (Chocolate Bronzer)

Soap & Glory Solar Powder

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder

Nars Laguna Bronzer

Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Bronze -03

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil 

Highlighters:

LAQA & co B'lighter in Peacher's Daughter

theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer

Sleek Face Contour Kit in Light

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Opal

Benefit Watt's Up!

Face Powder:

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

City Color HD Powder

Be a Bombshell Smooth Criminal Powder

Clinique Blended Face Powder

Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder

If you want to take a walk down memory lane, here are my previous collection posts:

• Earliest Blush Collection
• Earliest Bronzer & Highlighter Collection 
• Face Collection 2015
• Eyes Collection 2015
• Lips Collection 2015

Updated Makeup Storage and Organization

The last time I showed my makeup storage was over a year ago and I've made quite a few changes to how I organize my makeup since then. If you want to take a trip down memory lane you can see how my makeup storage used to look here.
The point of this post is to share how I organize my makeup and maybe give some tips on how to store your makeup. I also made the brands/companies clickable so it's easier for you to shop the storage options for yourself.  Come back next week for my updated makeup collection posts. 

I'll start with my vanity which I got from Bed, Bath and Beyond (I think my exact model is discontinued but I found a similar one). It has a tri-fold mirror and a fake marble counter top as well as a drawer and a cupboard for storage. I added the vanity lights on top.

I used a file organizer from Staples to display my eyeshadow palettes. Not only is this a good way to store them, I also am more inclined to use them because they're all in my line of sight.

I got the hexagon shaped rose gold dish from Urban Outfitters and I use it to store my everyday skincare (and my little rose gold bunny). I got the 3 drawer organizer from Amazon and I use it to store my highlighters and cheek palettes (top), blushes (middle), bronzer and cream blush (bottom). I bought the vase, stones and flower from Michael's.

 My eyeliners are held in a purple flower pot that I filled with clear beads. I store (most) my lipsticks in this acrylic holder from the dollar store but you can also find them on Amazon. Behind that I keep my larger blush palettes. My eyeshadow sticks and lip pencils are stored in this rose gold candle holder from Anthropologie. 

I converted this flower pot I found in a hardware store into a brush holder. I filled each side with clear beads so the brushes will stand up. I don't have a link for this one but it's really easy to convert any small flower pot. I especially like this one because it has a distressed vintage look and a way to separate my face and eye brushes.

 I got my two-sided vanity mirror from Hudson's Bay. I got my everyday makeup bag from Milly Green. I painted an Ikea container (similar but different lid) with Rose Gold paint to keep my cotton pads and Q-tips.

In my vanity drawer I keep my most used eyeshadow palettes (itCosmetics, Too Faced, Naked Basics 1&2), my least used/small eyeshadow palettes and my contacts on the left. I keep my single shadows in this organizer from Bed, Bath and Beyond.

In my side cupboard I use this mesh drawer from Bed, Bath and Beyond to keep my foundations and various beauty tools in the first section, less used skincare in the second section, and my samples and less used makeup in the back.

On the bottom shelf of the cupboard I keep my lip products in this 4 drawer organizer from Bed, Bath and Beyond.  I organize them by colour from Left to Right- Purples/Plums, Reds/Oranges, Pinks and finally Nudes. I keep lips scrubs and lip balms on top.

I hope you enjoyed this look at how I organize and store my makeup. Do you have any good organization or storage tips?

**Let me know if any of the above links stop working. Also note that I am in no way affiliated with/endorse any of the companies or brands I've linked above. I'm just trying to help people organize their makeup :)

Autumnal Eyeshadow

 I wanted to do a really warm autumn eyeshadow look that incorporates lots of reds and oranges. This is what I came up with. This look can be done with any similar shadows.

I started with Sunset and Sunrise from the itCosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette. I took Sunrise, the matte brownish orange shade, and buffed that messily in my crease, almost to the brow bone. I then took Sunrise, the matte reddish shade, and took a more precise crease brush and applied that directly into the crease. 

All over the lid I used the shade Spice Market, a reddish cranberry from Nomad. I used Mac Fix+ to make the shadow more pigmented and bright. Using my finger I then pressed a gold shadow (I used one from Sonia Kashuk) right in the middle of the lid.

I mixed Spice Market and the gold shadow and smudged that along my lower lashline. I finished up the look with Jordana Liquid Liner and Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara.

What do you think of the look? 

What's your favourite makeup look for autumn?