Empties (Products I've Used Up)

I've been meaning to do one of these for a while. Keeping a Sephora bag full of garbage under my desk only adds to the hoarder vibes the rest of my messy room gives off. Anyways, on to the reviews.

Skincare

Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture, SPF 15: This stuff is okay? But I have really dry skin, especially in the winter, and I feel like this just doesn't do the job. I didn't finish it, it's actually in here because it expired. I've switched to the Aveeno equivalent of this, which is better so far.

Kirkland Signature Makeup Remover Wipes: These are the best. The very best. I have two different packaging of these, the new ones are bigger, and less dry, so they're even better. I've gone through so many of these.

Purederm Lemon Sheet Mask: This was super nice! Usually masks irritate my skin (I have the most sensitive skin ever) but this one just felt really cool and refreshing. I picked this one up at Wal-mart forever ago and I think I'm going to pick one up next time I'm there if they still have them.

Makeup

Be a Bombshell Mascara: I got this in one of my first ipsy bags. It was not good. It's clumpy and smelly and just overall very unpleasant.

Hair

Klorane Dry Shampoo: This was also from an ipsy bag. This however was a much more positive experience. I'm not super into dry shampoo, I rarely need it, but sometimes it comes in handy when my hair needs to be at it's best and I'm not due to wash it for another day. It doesn't smell the best, but who cares when it works so well.

Candles

Bath and Body Works Holiday Apple Crisp Candles: They're the two big ones. I was obsessed with this scent over the holidays, so much so that when my roommate got me one of these for Christmas and wrapped a shirt around it, I was super disappointed when the shirt stopped smelling like the candle.

Cinnamon Bun Soy Candle: That one's the medium sized one. I got it at Giant Tiger for $1. It was kind of nice? I mostly ended up burning it at the same time as another candle because the smell wasn't that strong. But I still enjoyed it.

Bath and Body Works Bourbon Butterscotch Candle: (the mini jar candle on the top left) This one was also a gift from a roommate. It smelled super nice but there's not much in these, so it ran out super quick.

Bath and Body Works Pumpkin Cupcake Candle: (the one on the bottom) This is the first candle I ever finished. I finished it in November I think, and then almost immediately went on to burn through one of the apple crisp 3-wicks. But I really liked it, I'm a sucker for cupcake-y scents.


If you're curious why my candles all have black stuff in them, it's because I only recently acquired a bbq lighter so I was previously lighting all my candles with a black pillar candle (or a Babylon Candle, as I like to call it, cause I'm a huge nerd)

What's in My Bag! ft New Blog Logo

So I figured the blog was due for a bit of an update! I put my Adobe Illustrator skills and considerable font collection to use and made a new logo and a new background.

Now for the tag post. I was tagged for this on tumblr but I figured it was relevant to this blog too! I tag Lauren of Lipstick + Lacquer and McKenna of Genderwitch Swamp Club.

I usually carry a bigger purse, but I recently downsized because I fell in love with this bag and honestly it feels great. Not only does my shoulder thank me for the lighter weight, but I also feel more organized and it's way easier to find things.

The bag itself is New Look, I got it from ASOS. It's no longer available in black but they now carry it in "Oatmeal" which you can find here.

It lacks a lot of the things I usually look for in bags: multiple pockets, zip closure, long strap; but I love it. It feels like it adds a touch more class to my outfits... rainbow laced combat boots notwithstanding...

eos Lip Balm in Summer Fruit: I always carry around a lip balm, especially in the winter. The cold and my habit of biting them tends to do a number on my lips so it's good to be able to hydrate them whenever possible. I like this one because it reminds me of my girlfriend, because it was a gift from her. I'm also really impressed with myself because it's almost finished and I think I've finished a total of two lip balms in my life. I'm always losing them.

Bicycle Mini Wallet: I got this at Target because my new purse just barely fit my old wallet, and I kind of needed space for other things. It turns out having a smaller wallet is way easier. I spend so much less time fussing with zippers and flipping through cards I never use. Also the print on it is super cute.

Duracell Phone Charger: My parents got a set of these for the Disney World trip and I think I used it once when I was there. It's a lot more useful here, when I spend long bus rides killing my battery and need a bit more juice so that I can make sure I get home safe.

Headphones: Not much to say about these. They're blue, which I enjoy, they have a microphone and a remote which comes in handy. I hope they last a while I've grown quite fond of them.

Forever 21 Macaron Compact: You all may have noticed I'm a bit of a sucker for baked good prints. I had to spend a few more dollars to get free shipping on my last order so I threw this in my cart and I'm so pleased I did it's so cute.

Colourpop Lippie Stix in Bunny: I got this for Christmas from McKenna and I love it so much. I wore it yesterday (hence why it's in here) and I got so many compliments. Green lipstick is the best. I'm trying what I'm calling a new purse resolution to keep no more than two lipsticks in my purse at one time. When I emptied out my old one to transfer, I found eight. So far so good, but I've only been using this bag for about a week, so we'll see.

The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector Sample: The Body Shop at my mall was doing a "Girl's Night" yesterday, and while I didn't take part in the complementary hand massages or any of the other services they were offering, I did take a sample. This stuff smells bad. Like not horribly off putting but not nice at all, but it's thick and buttery and my hands feel so so nice. And the sample is pretty sizable, so I think it'll last a little while in my bag.

What do you keep an abundance of in your purse? Have you considered downsizing?*

*this sounds kind of like an infomercial to me. no judgement here, i promise. 

FOTD: Styled in Sepia Tone

So I may have gone a little crazy at the Great Canadian Superstore a few days ago. I went because there the only place that carries Milani locally and I wanted to see if they had the new Matte Lipsticks. They didn't (unsurprisingly) but a few other things caught my eye. Including this rad t shirt. Which I saw and bought immediately because space. 

I figured I'd post a look trying out my new stuff. I am particularly in love with this lip combo, filling my lips in completely with the liner and then topping it with the lipstick. I feel like the pictures don't capture it properly, it's sort of taupe-y and I'm just obsessed.

(sorry about the headphones but I've been completely obsessed with the 

"Cool New Music: Winter" playlist on Songza for like the past two weeks)

Products Used

Face: MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in NW15, Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer in Fair, Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer in Light 18

Brows: Anastasia Brow Whiz in Dark Brown

Eyes: elf Eyelid Primer, Maybelline Color Tattoo in Punk Pomegranate, Urban Decay Naked Basics 2, Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara

Cheeks: MAC Crazed Imagination Blush, Tarte Park Avenue Princess Bronzer, Lovely me:ex I Make You Brighter in 01 Pink Glow

Lips: NYX Slim Lip Pencil in Espresso, Wet n Wild Mega Last Lip Color in Bare it All

NOTD: Brown & Gold

So a few days ago I went to the drug store in the middle of the night for a toothbrush, and they had a bin of makeup on sale for 99 cents each, including tons of essie nail polishes! So I picked up a couple: Topless & Barefoot and Partners in Crime. 

I thought Topless & Barefoot would be a nice nude colour but it doesn't really suit my skin tone, but it will be useful for nail art, especially because it goes on fairly opaque in one coat. I was even more impressed with Partners in Crime, which is a beautiful dark chocolate brown that goes on perfect in one coat. 

I didn't really have a plan, just the colours picked out, and sort of just made it up as I went. The thumb is supposed to be animal print but it looks a little more like fried eggs to me. 

MAC Pro Longwear Foundation Review

So foundation is a bit of a problem for me. I have very sensitive skin, so I've had problems with allergic reactions with a lot of face products. I'm also very pale, so even if I find a formula that I don't react to, it rarely comes in a colour that matches my skin.

For the last year or so I've been using the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream in Light. There was nothing wrong with the product, but I was never crazy about it and I found myself always on the lookout for something better.

Then a few months ago I went into MAC to get the Rocky Horror Crazed Imagination Blush. I wanted to try it out but I went in with no makeup on so the MAC employee gave me the Pro Longwear Foundation to put on first before I put on the blush.

I really liked the way the foundation looked, but I was hesitant to drop $40 on one product, especially because I like to go for more flashy items when it comes to splurging. So that day I walked out of the store with just the blush.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, I was at the mall with a friend and I grabbed yet another bottle of the Maybelline BB Cream, resigned to continue using that after being allergic to yet another foundation (which was really disappointing because the L'Oréal Magic Nude Liquid Powder in Light Ivory was a really good colour match)

We were about to leave when I hesitated. What if I made a different foundation decision? So we went over to The Bay to the MAC counter there and after trying it out again I bit the bullet and bought it.

The only problem was that when I got it home, I wasn't as enthused with it. Over the next few days I tried different things: applying with a brush, my fingers, a sponge, exfoliating directly before, and nothing was making me quite as happy with it as I was to begin with.

And then today I tried something new. At IMATS last fall I bought a flat kabuki brush from Bdellium (its from their Pink Bambu collection it's adorable) and I hadn't used it yet. But dear god was I missing out. My foundation looks flawless. It's amazing.

So it went from a 5/10 for me to a 9/10, and I'm really pleased. Now I'm really excited to pick up some more Bdellium brushes at IMATS Toronto 2015!

Have you ever had a brush completely change your opinion of a product?

My Mug Collection

I have a bit of an obsession. No I'm not talking about makeup, or cupcakes, or even boats. I'm talking about mugs. So I decided to show off my collection by making a video!

Let me know if you have any ideas for future videos!

Fashion Friday!

I love prints in general, but by far my favourite kinds of prints are transportation related. I know it's a bit of a niche interest, but it just makes seeking them out more fun! 

 clockwise from top left: Paper Airplane Print Scarf from Aerie, Ship Print Top from Modcloth, Airplane Print Sweater from ASOS, Sailboat Print Tunic from Tommy Hilfiger, UFO Print Golf Shirt from ASOS

Here are some of my favourite items to rock this look!

On A Barrel Roll Dress in Navy from Modcloth

Afternoon Wander Top in Ships from Modcloth

and my spaceship polo is still available from ASOS for 60% off!

Polo Shirt With Spaceship Print from ASOS