September 2018 Monthly Empties and Month in Masks

Time for a look at my beauty garbage! 

Mac Cosmetics False Lashes Extreme Black Mascara ~ sample (full size is $30.00 CAN). A mousse-like formula in carbon black that pushes up lashes for maximum volume.

I haven't tried many mascaras from Mac so I was excited to try this one. It really did make my lashes look full, long and thick! The only downfall for me was that it smudged - it would rub off on my eye lid during the work day and did not look good.
Repurchase: Sadly, no 

Five on Friday - September 28, 2018

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all had a great week - I had a super busy week at work and my husband has been out of town all week, so I could not be more ready for the weekend! 

ONE 

So, I unsubscribed from Boxycharm last month, and I like to get at least 1 monthly subscription, so I resubscribed to Ipsy after a year and a half of not being subscribed! But shockingly, it's only my first month and I'm already not loving the picks for me and it came so late in the month - this subscription probably won't last long! 

Lipsmacker - Lippy Pal Lip Balms

It's no secret that around here I am in love with adorable packaging - it gets me every time! And, Lipsmacker just knows how to make the cutest lip balms! 

One of their newest lines this year are these adorable Lippy Pals! There is a little critter for everyone - I have the Fox, Panda, and Kitten; but, there is also a Unicorn, Koala, Monkey, Bear, Racoon, and Bunny! 

Hard Candy Velvet Mousse Matte Lip Color - Heather and Buttercup

Mmm... doesn't Velvet Mouse Matte Lip Color just sound like a product you really want to wear?! Yes please, I want my lips velvety smooth and matte! 

Hard Candy is a really affordable and exclusively sold at Walmart - don't let that fool you though, they actually have some really great products at a great price point! (I'm still using their peach cushion concealer a few times a week, for over a year!)

Manicure Monday - Pumpkin Spice Latte Water Marble Nails (aka Basic Bitch nails...)

Does it get anymore basic Fall than a Pumpkin Spice Latte?! I'm not going to lie, I don't care how basic it is, I love them! 

I had my first Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte yesterday and it was totally my inspiration for my Mani right after I finished it! 

Skincare Sunday - GlamGlow BubbleSheet Oxygenated Deep Cleanse Mask

Happy Skincare Sunday! I'm really trying to get back in to masking, and the best way to motivate myself is by using the funnest masks in my collection! 

These bubble masks are just so fun - I've used a couple bubble masks; but, only one other bubble sheet mask. Glamglow is known for their masks and I've really liked all the masks I've tried from, so I was really excited to try this mask out! 

Five on Saturday - September 22, 2018

Happy Saturday everyone!! I hope you all had a great week! Mine was long - I was out of town for training and working late, so I'm happy to see the weekend! 

ONE

Happy First Day of FALL! I love Fall - the leaves changing, the sweaters, the scents, everything. Unfortunately, Calgary never gets Fall for longer than a week. We always go right from Summer in to Winter - we already got snow last week while it was still Summer! So, I have to live vicariously through everyone else's Fall; but, I will still drink my Pumpkin Spice Lattes and burn my Fall candles now (or in this case, my Baked Apple Pie and Sugar Cookie scentsies)! 

Wet n Wild Zodiac - Scorpio Color Icon Lip Gloss and MegaGlo Loose Highlighting Powder

I'm always been pretty in to astrology, so I have been loving all the brands coming up with all of their Zodiac collections! 

Wet n Wild released a whole Zodiac collection with eyeshadow palettes, highlighters, and lipglosses for each sign! For once, I showed a little self restraint in my order and picked up the lip gloss in my sign (Scorpio) and the loose highlighter! This is a limited edition line, so if you are interested in picking up anything, I wouldn't wait too long! 

My First Sephora Orders - What I Still Have In My Collection!

I love the "My First Sephora Orders" videos that are going around Youtube right now - they are such a fun idea! Who didn't immediately jump on to their Sephora account and check out their very first orders to see what they got?! 

For me especially this idea is really fun because my first documented Sephora orders go back to July 2013, and while I started this blog in May 2014 I didn't actually post any make-up looks July/August 2015 (I think there was one makeup post in my whole first year)! So, while I was a pretty big beauty addict by then, I really only posted my nails and subscription box reviews on the blog and it took a while for me to start talking about makeup! 

Manicure Monday - Fall Forest Friends Stamped Nail Art

Happy Manicure Monday! It's almost time to thank about Fall - the season starts on Saturday! (Side note - is there anything worse than rushing your top coat and smudging your nails just slightly?! I have been so patient lately, but not this week!)

Ever since I purchased this adorable Forest Cuties stamping plate, I have been waiting for the perfect time to finally put it to use! I'm still a bit of a beginner with nail stamping, so I need some more stamping practice - I'm really going to try and do it more often! 

Skincare Sunday - A'Pieu Icing Sweet Bar Sheet Mask in "Melon"

Happy Skincare Sunday! We have less than one week left until Summer is officially over and Calgary's current weather this week went right from Summer - skipped over Fall - to Winter, so I need a little reminder that it's still warm somewhere! 

A'Pieu Icing Sweet Bar Sheet Mask in "Melon" ~ $4.00 CAN. Brightening and Lifting effect. Offers deep hydration and nutrients to your skin.

How adorable is this little popsicle mask?! I cannot resist cute packing and k-beauty masks always deliver in the packaging department! A'pieu especially has some cute products - I have another mask that looks like a milk carton from the brand. 

August 2018 - Monthly Empties

Here is a look at my Monthly beauty garbage:

Smashbox Super Fan Mascara ~ sample size shown (full size is $24.00 CAN). A lengthening mascara that gives you modern, fanned-out volume without any heaviness or clumping.

This was a hyped up mascara for it's release and I really liked the sound of it; however, it just didn't do it for me. It was super clumpy and made me look like I have 5 spider lashes - not what I'm going for. 
Repurchase: No

Five on Friday - September 14, 2018

Happy Friday everyone!!! Hope you all had a great week! No one in our house was feeling very good this week - I think we pick up a few germs with Damian going back to school; but, we are on the mend now! Also, it's been freezing here in Calgary this week and we've even seen a little snow already - so long Summer, hello Winter (there is no such thing as Fall here)

ONE 

I've shared a few of my recent Topbox Circle boxes and I'm so happy about receiving this Benefit Brow Precisely, My Brow Pencil in #4 - this is a super good brow product! Not too hard where it's difficult to apply, not to soft wear it's too creamy to apply well. 

Natasha Denona Mini Lila Eyeshadow Palette - Swatches, Makeup Look and Review!

If you been following the blog, you will have noticed that all the cute little Natasha Denona goodies keep popping up around here - I love them! 

Earlier this Spring, I tried the Natasha Denona Mini Sunset palette and pretty much fell in love with it right away! (It's still a favorite as well - you can see my review here!) And, spoiler alert - this Mini Lila palette just made my Monthly Favorites for August, so I've made it pretty clear that I love this one too! 

Manicure Monday - Scratch x NinaNailedIt "Lemon Zest" Nail Wraps!

Happy Manicure Monday everyone! Mondays can suck, so I always love starting my week with a fresh nail look! 

This might be my last week to really hold on to Summer, so I need something bright and fun! It's actually starting to get cold here in the mornings and we could potentially get snow this week in Calgary! 

Skincare Sunday - Revamped Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rehydrating Serum and Water Gel

Happy Skincare Sunday! It's no secret I'm a big fan of Vichy skincare products, so I am always excited to try out new products from the brand! 

Vichy recently revamped and relaunched their Aqualia Thermal line! Vichy worked on improving the ingredients for more natural ingredients, better hydration, and safer products for your skin. 

Five on Friday - September 7, 2018

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all had a great week! I had a short work week as I took an extra day off after we got home from vacation and it was such a good idea! It was a really busy work week still, so I'm happy it is weekend! 

ONE 

Thanks to Topbox Circle, I got to try out these 2 products from E.L.F. - the Lip Exfoliator in Mint Maniac and the Matte Lip Colour in Tea Rose. I haven't tried very many products from ELF before, so I was really excited to try these out! 

I really like the application of the Lip Exfoliator - it is so handy not to dip your finger in a pot; but, this just doesn't have quite as much scrub as I need for my lips! The Matte Lip Colour was just okay for me as well - the application was just okay and the colour was quite cool toned for me. But, it is cute (and only $4!)

August 2018 - Monthly Favorites!

Here's a look at the top 5 products that I have been loving in August:

Natasha Denona Mini Blush & Glow ~ $23.00 CAN. A mini compact that’s perfect for giving cheeks the ultimate pop of color and glow on-the-go.

I love these little minis - this is such a great little set! The blush is a #14, described as a golden coral blush with a shimmery finish. The highlighter is All Over Glow Face & Body Shimmer in Powder #1 - light, a champagne shade. I did not reach for another blush and highlight for most of the month because I just loved the glow this set gave!

I will say right away that this duo isn't for everyone - it's definitely made for lighter skin tones. I'm in the light to light-medium tone and the shades work well on me; but, I'm not sure if you were darker than that, how well this would work on you. I do think they should release a couple of these in different shade sets. This is a really light blush shade and I like that it applies subtly and can be built up for a look that you like. I also love the shimmery finish of the blush in the Summer - it just gives such a nice glow on the cheeks! The highlighter is gorgeous as well. The formula is nice - I will have a review of this up soon! 

August 2018 What I Bought - Monthly Haul!

I'm back to my regular introduction to this Monthly Haul post - My name is Renee and I'm a Shopaholic! Okay, but really, I went slightly over budget this month! There have been so many amazing releases this Summer! 

I love these Haul posts; because, for me it's a way of sharing everything I pick up throughout a month - honestly, I buy so much stuff that if I don't share it here, it might not pop up until my empties post! Let me know if there is anything you want to see a full post on, just let me know and I will do it!)

Also, I do "try" to stick to a monthly budget of $100, and these posts are supposed to keep me in check! I can go a little crazy sometimes with new things though - why is there so much new makeup being released all the time?! I will only include products I have spent money on - gifts and freebies are usually shared on posts like my Five on Friday posts!

Here is a look at everything I bought in August:

Wet n Wild Order ~ $102.37 CAN. Oh man - Wet n Wild is affordable until you throw in that $25 shipping with the exchange rate! I really thought this Fire Dragon vs. Ice Dragon set looked amazing (I'm a pretty big Game of Thrones fan and this gave me all the vibes!). Then, I picked up 2 things from the Zodiac collection - the Scorpio lipgloss and the loose highlighter. The scorpio bag was a freebie! 

Manicure Monday - Half Moon Fruit Nail Art

Happy Manicure Monday everyone! I'm back from holidays now (and don't have anything else planned for a while!), so I should be back in full swing from now on! 

Can you believe this is the last holiday before school gets back in tomorrow?! Where did the Summer go?! I feel like it just flew by!