Summer at the Lake: Travel Makeup




Sorry for the lack of posts lately but as you can probably tell from this post, I've been spending a lot of time at the lake lately where internet is unreliable.
In Canada one of the most popular summer activities is going to the lake. We are lucky enough to have access to a cabin on a very nice lake and I tend to spend a lot of time there during the summer. Lake life is very different from being in the city. I often won't wear much makeup, but I still bring a makeup bag. So here's my Lake travel makeup bag.
BASE
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer- Something to cover my spots and redness, also great for a day when I don't want to wear foundation.
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer- For under the eyes.
Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream- It has SPF 35 and it's not too heavy so it wears nicely in the heat. 

COLOUR PRODUCTS
Urban Decay Naked Flushed in Native- An all in one palette with bronzer, highlight and blush is perfect for travel.
Collection Eyes Uncovered in Nude Bronze- Easy pigmented and blendable neutral shadows to wash all over the lid.

 EYES & BROWS
L'Oreal Brow Stylist Plumper- I don't do much with my brows but they still need to be kept neat.
Maybelline The Falsies Mascara- I almost never go without mascara and waterproof is important if you're going to be in the water.

BRUSHES
Zoeva 127 Luxe Sheer Cheek- For blush and highlight
Real Techniques Multi Task Brush- For bronzer
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush- For foundation and concealer
Urban Decay Naked 2 Brush- For eyeshadow, dual eneded brushes are ideal for travelling
Crown Brush C476 Crease/Shadow Brush- For eyeshadow

LIPS
MAC Lipstick in Syrup - This is my favourite everyday lipstick so it's great when I want to look put together for going into town.
Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Crayon- It's moisturizing and gives just a hint of colour and shine for anytime.

 PERFUME 
Elizabeth and James Nirvana White- This is my normal perfume and I bring it in roller ball form to the lake so I always smell like myself.

Does anyone else wear Makeup at the lake? The Beach? What are your go to, easy, summer products?

Dramatic Eyes!




Here's a dramatic eye look that I did recently that was based off of this Instagram post from Makeup Geek. I don't own any Makeup Geek shadows yet (one day) so I had to improvise. It was really fun trying to copy this look and to go a little DRAMATIC! 
I started by using Sunset from the itCosmetics Naturally Pretty palette in my crease. I buffed that out with Sunrise. Then took a light cream shade to highlight the browbone.
I used Charcoal from the Lorac Pro 2 palette and packed that on the lid. I finally used my finger to dab a little of the Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Eyeshadow in Rio de Rose Gold in the very centre of the lid.
To finish off the look, I used my trusty Stila Stay All Day black liquid liner to do the flick and finished off with some Ardell Demi Wispies (This was my first time ever wearing falsies!) 

Where do you go for Makeup Inspiration?

Best Spring Lip Products




In spring and summer I love bringing out all the bright lip products. I've collected some of my favourites that I thought I would share. I did a similar post for my favourite Autumn Lip Products.

Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake
This is a pale pink lipstick that is great for the spring and summer months. As it's a lip butter so it isn't long lasting but it feels really comfortable and moisturizing on the lips. It is definitely one of my favs.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Antwerp
This is the darkest of the spring lips products I like to wear. It may be a darker pink but it's still fairly bright and really pops on the lips. It's a matte formula but it's really comfortable and long-lasting which is important when wearing a brighter colour.

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Elusive 
This hot pink matte lip crayon is really comfortable on the lips. It's long lasting, and mint flavored which leaves a cooling feeling on the lips. 

Teeez Lipstick in Read my Lips
This is a nice, bright coral lipstick that is perfect for the warm months. I find the colour very wearable even with my pale skin. It's a matte formula but comfortable and long lasting. Also the packaging is very cute. I got this in my Ipsy bag so I don't know if it's available in stores but you can find it online.

Swatches

What are your favourite Spring Lip Products?

Why I Love Makeup





We're all here because we love makeup. I mean you're reading a beauty blog so I can only assume you share my love for makeup. I thought it was time to explain why I love it!

Makeup is good for making you feel more beautiful and more confident but, to be honest, I have become completely comfortable going out with no makeup at all. The reason I love makeup is for the creativity. I love playing with new products and experimenting with colours, especially when it comes to eyeshadow. For me, makeup is art. To save myself from becoming really cheesy, I thought I would just leave a few of my more artistic eyeshadow looks. I don't believe I'm the best at doing makeup but it's fun and it allows me to use my imagination.

Bleeding Hearts Flower
I was inspired by the colours in this photo I took of the bleeding heart flowers in my backyard. I wanted to do an eyeshadow look that incorporated the pinks and greens.
flower eyeshadow look
I used Jade from Lorac in the outer corner, the Green Lid shade from Wet and Wild Comfort Zone and Posh from Smashbox on the inner half.
If you follow me on my Instagram you'll have probably seen this Earth Day inspired eyeshadow look.
earth eyeshadow look
The name and brand of the palette I used rubbed off, sorry! It was nothing special though. Any blues and greens would do. 
I love makeup because it allows me to be creative and artistic. 

Why do you love Makeup?

May 2016 Favourites





It's that time of the month again. Here's what I've been loving in the month of May.

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer
I am as white as snow and thanks to some Icelandic/Irish ancestry, I don't tan, like at all. My skin burns, freckles a little, then returns to snowy white so if I want tanned skin in the summer I have to do it artificially (which is safer so I would suggest it anyway). I like this gradual tan lotion because it doubles as a moisturizer and I can control how dark I get by how often I apply it. It also looks really natural.

Too Faced Melted Liquid Lipstick in Chihuahua
I have been loving this lipstick this month. It's a really pretty mauve colour. The formula is comfortable and long lasting. Plus it smells really good. I like the sponge applicator but it does make it a little difficult to apply.

Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara
Another Too Faced product I have been loving this month. This mascara leaves my lashes looking long and voluminous. I love the wand which has bristles instead of plastic. It also does a really good job of separating my lashes. 

Milani Shadow Eyez in 03 Champagne Toast
I have been reaching for this quick eye shadow pencil a lot this month. It's perfect for days when you're in a rush to get ready. It is such a gorgeous champagne colour and its easy to apply and blend out. I did a eyeshadow look with it a few years ago (one of my very first posts). You can find it here.

Milani Baked Blush in 05 Luminoso
This is probably my favourite blush for spring and summer. It gives you an amazing glow that looks very sun-kissed. It's also especially great when you have a bit of a tan. I usually wear it alone on my cheeks without any bronzer, highlight or contour.

What have you been loving in May?

Bedside Beauty




I wanted to do a post about beauty products I often forget to post about, but use daily. The beauty products that sit on my bedside table.
 Zoella Beauty Wonder Hand
I, like a lot of people I think, like to mositurize my hands before bed. My current favourite hand lotion is this one by Zoella. Not only is the packaging super cute, but the lotion is quick to sink in, doesn't leave my hands too sticky or greasy and it smells lovely.

 Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body ButterCream
I know I've talked a lot about this body butter on my blog lately so I'll keep it short. I like to use this to moisturize my arms and legs before bed, especially in the summer because of its citrus scent.

 Bath & Body Works Sleep Aromatherapy 
This is not a product I use every night, only when I'm having trouble getting to sleep. It's a lotion with a Lavender Chamomile scent that is supposed to help you fall asleep. The scent is so calming and I find rubbing it on my hands and taking a few deep breaths can really help me relax.

Nivea Lip Butter
This is a step I literally cannot miss before bed. If I don't have some kind of lip balm on my lips, I can't sleep. My favourite brand is Nivea because I find it really moisturizing, it smells good but has no taste. Perfect for bedtime.

Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Candle
Although not technically a beauty product, I love drifting off to sleep with the scent of this candle. This is one of my favourite scents from Bath & Body Works. I never light it because I feel beds and candles are a dangerous combination, but the candle is scented enough that it doesn't need to be lit. 

What products do you keep on your nightstand?

Want to see the rest of my room? I did whole Bedroom Tour post. 

Empties #6




I've amassed another pile of empty products to do a final review on. Like I always say, you can determine your most compete opinions about a product if you've used it all up. Most of my empties this time are skincare related but I do have a few makeup products. I'm using the same format as my past empties posts (Empties 1, Empties 2, Empties 3, Empties 4, Empties 5) including a mini review of the product, an estimate of its longevity and whether or not I will repurchase it.

Skincare

Ole Henriksen Nurture Me Moisturizer
This is one of my most favourite daily moisturizers I've ever used. It smells unbelievable for starters. It also leaves my skin soft and ready for makeup. It was hydrating and gentle on my sensitive skin. I also think it marginally helped calm the redness on my face. I was so sad to finish it.
Longevity? About 9 months of daily use
Repurchase? Most likely one day, but at $50 I currently can't afford it.

Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins
A game changer for my skincare. By applying this thick cream before bed, I would wake up with hydrated and soft skin. It's called a renewal cream and that's exactly what I feel like it did. Renewed my skin over night. The citrus smell is also a plus. It's become holy grail for sure!
Longevity? About 6 months of nightly use
Repurchase? Absolutely!


Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer
After raving about the Night-A-Mins cream I have to keep Origins humble. I can't say this GinZing Moisturizer was anything special. It hydrated my skin, it wasn't to thick so it applied well under makeup and it smells of citrus, but in my opinion, not worth the money.
Longevity? About 6 months of daily use
Repurchase? No

Vitamin E Sink-in Moisture Mask
I have a review comparing this mask to the Glam Glow Hydrating Mask which you can find here. I think I like this one just as much as the more expensive option. Overnight it can take my skin from dry and flakey to completely moisturized and back to normal. It's kind of a miracle. Plus a little goes a long way.
Longevity? About 1 year
Repurchase? Yes.

Glam Glow Supermud Clearing Treatment
This is such an amazing mask! Because it's soooo expensive I tend to only use it on my nose and sometimes the rest of my T-Zone. It immediately clears up any blackheads and makes my skin the clearest it will ever be. It's by FAR the best mask I've used.
Longevity? Hard to say (This is the mini size)
Repurchase? Yes, I just wish it was more affordable.

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels
These gels do firm the under eye area and feel really nice and cooling. For special occasions they're probably worth it however I don't think they have any long term effects. They also aren't very brightening which is something I'm looking for.
Longevity? 1 use
Repurchase? Not likely.

Makeup

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
This is my favourite concealer from the drugstore. It's not quite as good or creamy as the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer but it's amazing for the price. It has really good coverage and it's really blendable.
Longevity? About 8 months of daily use.
Repurchase? For Sure!

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Beige (it's NOT Beige, stupid name!)
Anyone remember the days when this was my favourite, holy grail lip gloss? It is not at all sticky, the colour is flattering for everyday and it smells like fruit punch! I love it!
Longevity? N/A 
Repurchase? Maybe one day, but not right now.

Tanya Burr Lip Gloss in Picnic in the Park
Tanya's Lip Glosses have been repackaged since I bought mine so I don't even know if the formula is the same anymore. However this was a fairly good gloss with a nice scent. A little sticky but not too bad.
Longevity? N/A
Repurchase? Probably not! Sorry Tanya, but there are other glosses I like just as much that don't need to be shipped from the UK.

Have you tried any of these products?
What products have you finished lately?