December 2019 - Monthly Favourites!

Here are my Favourite Products I have been loving this month:

The mist was received in PR - this post contains affiliate links

Clearly this month is a little heavy on the glitter eye shadows - I tried so many in November and December, and there was so many that I really loved that I couldn't help but include more than one! 

Manicure Monday - Best Nail Art of 2019!

Happy Manicure Monday everyone! Can you believe this is the last Mani Monday of 2019?! And, I'm being a bad nail blogger without having anything new this week! But, instead I'm recapping my Favourite Nail Art looks from the past year! 

The rest of the #CBBxManiMonday crew is featuring Holiday nails, so I'm veering a little off course! I haven't done a ton of nail art this past year, so I like looking back at the best looks and hopefully it inspires me to do more nail art in 2020! (Also, it's kind of holiday because it's a New Yearsish recap, right?!)

Some polishes featured in the looks may have been received as PR

Emoji Nail Art 

This is probably my favourite nail art of the year! I did these Emoji nails for Valentine's Day and I think they turned out so cute. I love how the lips and the kissy face turned out - and the heart eyes and heart turned out well too! You can see the original post right here! 

December 2019 Tribe Beauty Box x Angeschka - Unboxing and Review

I'm always on alert for beauty boxes and what they are sneak-peeking. I've previously subscribed to Tribe Beauty Box earlier this year, so when I saw that they were teaming up with Angelica Nyqvist (Angeschka) I was pretty excited! 

I purchased this subscription - this post contains referral links

Tribe Beauty Box is all about indie brands and woman owned companies. They describe the box as "discover the wonderful and untapped world of indie brands through our customizable subscription box. This box gives you a chance to receive a mix of trendy and indie products that have been expertly curated. Every Tribe Beauty Box contains at least 3 items from female owned brands." And, Angeschka is a Swedish youtuber who really focuses on indie brands too! Tribe also is a Canadian subscription, so they often feature Canadian brand as well! 

December 2019 What I Bought - Monthly Haul!

Time for a look at everything I picked up in December - I really love these Monthly Haul posts - they give me a way to share everything I pick up each month as I don't always post about everything I get!

For 2019, I put myself on "stricter" $100 a month budget, not because I need to; it's actually to be more conscious about what I purchase. I also really want to make sure that I'm enjoying and using everything on my collection! But, over the past couple of months, I got a little less strict and went over budget! (I still think I'm being a little more thoughtful in my purchases while I go overboard!)

I purchased everything in this post

Shoppers Drug Mart Haul ~ $50.64 CAN. (I also redeemed $220.00 worth of Optimum points). Alright, I love when Shoppers has a point redemption event, so I stocked up! I picked up a back up of the Estee Lauder Double Wear, as well as Double Wear Light. Then I picked up a Too Faced Glitter Glue, Urban Decay Naked concealer (hoping to replace my Naked Skin concealer), then I picked up the Catrice, Patchology, Quo and bath bomb sets - that I featured in my Stocking Stuffers post. I picked up the Quo crackers that were supposed to arrive before my friends Christmas party, so now I will save them for next year! I also bought the Catrice mascara and liner as well as a Double Cleanser from the Inkey List! 

Five on Friday - December 27, 2019

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all have had an amazing week and a fantastic Christmas or holiday, however you celebrate! I had such a busy week - lots of family time with my family and my husband's family! And, Christmas with the kids was amazing! 

ONE 

All products in this post were purchased by me - this post contains affiliate links

It's time for a look at my Winter 2019 Reading List! I always like to pick a variety of books to read over each season. But, my to-read list is getting so long, I've had to break it up in to fiction and non-fiction reads, so this is my fiction list for Winter! 

Manicure Monday - Christmas Nail Art

The countdown to Christmas is on!!! Woo hoo - only 2 days away! Today is my last work day before just over a week off, which I'm so excited about - I'm looking forward to the holidays with my family and some time off! It will probably be a quiet week around here so I can enjoy the holidays.

The OPI polish was received as PR - this post contains an affiliate links

The #CBBxManiMonday group is carrying on with our holiday nail art for the whole month of December, and this week I went with some good ol' Christmas nail art! 

Skincare Sunday - Lush Christmas Collection

Is it even Christmas if I don't blog about some Lush Christmas goodies?! I get so excited for the collection every year that I have to make a list of what I want and then cut it down to a reasonable amount! 

I purchased these products on my own

Lush always just comes out with new and adorable products for the Christmas season! They do seasonal collection so well; but, their Christmas and Halloween collections are always amazing! 

Five on Saturday - December 21, 2019

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all had a great week! Are you all ready for Christmas?! I'm getting so excited! We are all ready to go and I can use a week off of work - it's been so crazy and I've been pretty overwhelmed! 

And, it's the First Day of Winter so it's the shortest day of the year! But, that also means the days are going to start getting longer now! Yay! 

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post - this post contains a referral link

How amazing is this mug?! It's made by CaraKozik and it's exclusive to OwlCrate - she made a couple for Harry Potter year 2, 3, and 4 and had included them in one month's box. I wasn't subscribed at the time, so when they released a pre-order for the mugs I jumped at the chance for this one! And, it shipped in November and just arrived! 

20 in 2020 Project Pan and December Shop My Stash Look

This past Summer, I started my first Project Pan and I only had 4 projects to use, or hit pan on within 4 months, and even though it was short, I really enjoyed doing it! All through 2019 my goal has really been to make sure I've been using and enjoying the products I have in my collection - palettes of the week, monthly makeup baskets and shop my stash posts.

So, now I'm planning a year long project where I set a goal to hit pan or finish up 20 makeup products in the year 2020! 

The lip oil was sent as a PR sample - this post contains affiliate links

I'm starting the year off with the first 10 products and will treat this like a rolling project - once I reach my goal, I will add a new product to the mix! I have a mix of goals between finishing products and hitting pan, so this should be a lot of fun! I also picked a mix of products that I will reach my goals quickly on and some that may take close to the whole project to reach! I plan on updating the Project every two months (so you will see update 1 in February, update 2 in April, etc.)

High-end Liquid, Cream and Shimmer Eyeshadow Roundup - Try-ons, Swatches and Thoughts

I've picked up so many new liquid and cream shimmer shadows, that I thought the best way to show them all off is a round-up post! Last week I did a round up of the drugstore shadows that I've tried recently - you can check it out here! 

All shadows were purchased by me - this post contains affiliate links

And, now it's time for all the high-end shadows, so be prepared for a little steeper prices than last week! Last week's post talked about shadows that were $7 - $20, so this week's lowest priced shadow is $26. I love a little splurge and I tend to use these style of shadows all the time, so it makes it worth it for me (but I keep my standards really high when I'm spending this much on a single shadow! 

Beauty Stocking Stuffers Under $30

The final countdown is on for Christmas! I always leave stocking stuffers for the last minute, so if you're in the same boat and you need some last minute ideas for the beauty lover in your life, look no further! These are also great additions to gift baskets, white elephant exchanges - you name, beauty products are always a great go-to! 

The Catrice, OPI, I Love, 7th Heaven and Thursday Plantation products were received as PR - this post contains affiliate links

Or, if you're just a beauty lover yourself, most of these are holiday sets and sets usually come with a good value for what you pay! They are a great way to try new products from a new brand or brands you love! 

Manicure Monday - Mini Candy Cane Nail Art

We have made it to the single digit count-down to Christmas!!! Woo hoo! Are you guys all ready to go?! All my gifts are bought, cards are going in the mail today and everything will be wrapped this week! 

All polishes were bought by me - this post contains affiliate links

I haven't done any holiday nail art yet this year, and I love candy cane nails, so I thought that it would be fun to do little mini candy cane art on my nails! 

November 2019 - Monthly Empties & Month in Masks

Time to dig in to my beauty garbage from November! 

Some products were received as PR - this post contains affiliate links

Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer ~ sample shown (full size is $45.00 CAN). A replenishing face primer that hydrates, smoothes, and brightens skin for a dewy, healthy looking finish.

This was a really hydrating primer - I liked the faint coconut scent and it was really nourishing. With my combo/oily skin I could probably only get away with using this in the Winter! 
Repurchase: Probably not

Cozy Winter Self-Care Night

I'm the type of person who talks big about self-care (because I truly believe in taking care of yourself); but, as soon as I get busy or overwhelmed I tend to forget everything I preach. I have been extremely busy with work and life since November basically, and I've had to force myself to do nothing and take some time for myself - and seriously it is the best decision I've made! 

The mug and lotion were received as PR - this post contains affiliate links

I thought right before the holidays was the perfect time to talk self-care! I know this is a really busy time and people feel pretty stretched - I also know with some time off around the holidays, I feel even more pressure at work to get everything done before I have the time off. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way too!

Five on Friday - December 13, 2019

Happy Friday everyone! What a week - it's been crazy! We had a busy weekend last weekend with two Christmas parties and then Tuesday my car broke down and I had to rush 

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post unless otherwise noted - this post contains affiliate links

So, I've been getting a little bored with beauty subscriptions as of late - I've received all the makeup boxes I could over the past 5 years, so I think I've lost the excitement of them. But, I recently got in to a book box and it sent me spiralling in to the world of bookish goodies, and as a total bookworm, this speaks to me! (Do you remember when I used to have a book challenge page on here?!) So, in this world of bookish goodies, I can across Novelly Yours who makes these stunning candles and then boom, they have a candle subscription and amazingly the November box is about The Starless Sea! I absolutely love Erin Morgenstern and her books - if you saw my birthday post, my husband pre-ordered me a signed copy of The Starless Sea for it's November release! I love the book and the atmosphere it created so I had to have this!)

November 2019 What I Bought - Monthly Haul!

Time for a look at everything I picked up in November - I really love these Monthly Haul posts - they give me a way to share everything I pick up each month as I don't always post about everything I get!

For 2019, I put myself on "stricter" $100 a month budget, not because I need to; it's actually to be more conscious about what I purchase. I also really want to make sure that I'm enjoying and using everything on my collection! But, over the past couple of months, I got a little less strict and went over budget! (I still think I'm being a little more thoughtful in my purchases while I go overboard!)

All products were purchased by me

The Body Shop Haul ~ $32.55 CAN. How cute is this little banana shampoo and conditioner set?! It's called "Go Bananas" and I love it! The shampoo and conditioner are my favourite and the little banana towel is super cute! Plus, I wanted to pick up the Vitamin E mask to try it again as my first experience wasn't the best with it. 

Battle of the Newer Drugstore Liquid Eyeshadows - Try-ons, Swatches and Thoughts

I've picked up quite a few new liquid/cream style eyeshadows that I thought instead of reviewing them all individually, why not compare them all in a "show-down" post?! I'm breaking it down in to drugstore and high-end brands, so let's start with the drugstore shadows since they are more affordable! (And, for the record even though I said battle, I really want all my makeup to get along for the greater good of my face!)

Products were purchased by me - this post contains affiliate links

This trend of liquid shadows started with the Stila glitters a couple of years ago and it's exploded since, but especially this year - tons of brands have some type of liquid, cream, glitter or jelly shadow and I love it! I've been pretty impressed with most of the formulas I've tried and they are all a little different which I also think is great! 

Manicure Monday - Holiday Dotticure Nails

Happy Monday everyone! It's been a busy weekend - full on Christmas celebrations here for the whole weekend, so I needed a quick nail art look while keeping it festive still! 

The OPI polishes were received as PR 

A dotticure is such a fun way to incorporate a bunch of colours in to a quick look, so it was the perfect nail art to do this week! 

Five on Saturday - December 7, 2019

Happy weekend everyone! Hope you all had a great week - I'm almost done my Christmas shopping and feeling pretty good about! Just a few little stocking stuffers left. 

ONE 

All products were purchased by me - this post contains affiliate links

It's time for a look at my December Monthly Makeup Basket! Each month I've been picking a few different face products to focus on for the month! I'm really trying to focus this year on using and enjoying my whole makeup collection! 

Masking - Last 50 Days Of My #100DaysofSheetMasks

Way back on August 1, I started a #100Daysofsheetmasks challenge with a fellow blogger, Jayne from Cosmetic Proof and the challenge went all the way to November 8. Basically, we wear a mask every day for 100 days straight! I shared my reviews and thoughts of my First 50 days on another post - you can check it out here if you are interested! 

Some masks may have been received as PR or won in giveaways - this post contains affiliate links

While I found the first 50 days really fun, I did actually think the second 50 days was quite hard to get to - it almost made masking feel a little like a chore to me (sadly), so I actually haven't used a sheet mask since I finished the 100 days! But, I certainly plan on starting again in moderation! And, this challenge was good and my skin certainly benefited from it, I think I'd do a month timeline as a max for the next round! 

Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips 2 Mini Lip Set - Swatches, Try-ons and Reviews!

Charlotte Tilbury is a brand that feels really luxurious to me - it's a bit of a splurge for their products, but everything I've tried has been really good! So whenever I see a high-end brand come out with affordable minis, I feel compelled to try them (I don't mind a good splurge, but when I can, I will save some money when I try products!)

I purchased this set myself - this post contains affiliate links

Charlotte Tilbury released this Hot Lips 2 line of lipsticks earlier this year - it was a line of 11 shades inspired by "strong icons, rule-breakers, record-makers, and history-shakers." I had been eyeing up trying the J.K. Magic shade because it is named after J.K. Rowling and I mean Harry Potter was pretty influential in my life, but I shied away because $43.00 a lipstick is a little steep for me! 

Manicure Monday - Winter Wonderland Nails!

"Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? In the lane, snow is glistening. A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight. Walking in a winter wonderland."

The OPI polishes were received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links

Happy December everyone! Are you counting down the days until Christmas?! I'm getting so excited - I love everything Christmasy and I can't wait! 

November 2019 - Monthly Favourites!

I could not narrow down my favourites this month to 5 products, so here are the Top 10 products I was loving in November! 

Some products were received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links

Everything I used this month was gold - I was just loving everything! And, there is such a fun mix of products in all beauty categories this month: nails, hair, skincare, makeup and tools!

November 2019 Boxycharm - Unboxing, Swatches, Review, and Full Make-up Look!

Boxycharm is a beauty subscription box for $25.00 US a month + $5.00 shipping to Canada (shipping is free to the U.S.) Boxycharm sends 4 to 5 full size and luxury size beauty items. While it is a little pricier than the more inexpensive beauty boxes, the majority of the products are full size, with a deluxe product every once in a while. 

This subscription was purchased by myself - this post contains affiliate links

It's been over a year since I've tried Boxycharm and I was suckered back in by a few upcoming spoilers, including the palette in this box! Boxycharm has changed their subscriptions like crazy - last year they started with one variant or two but prior to that, every subscriber got the same box. Now the include the base box, Boxycharm Premium which is basically higher end products for more $ each month, and then BoxyLuxe every 3 months for even more! 

Five on Friday - November 29, 2019

Happy Friday everyone!!! I've had some of the busiest work weeks, these past few weeks so Fridays are feeling especially great right now! And, I'm back to my usual Five on Friday post this week! 

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post, except the jelly highlighter below - this post contains affiliate and referral links

I received my first Owlcrate subscription this week and I'm so excited about it! I'm a huge bookworm and have really been trying to get back in to making more time for myself to relax and read, so earlier this month I thought I'd treat myself to a little birthday gift and ordered a 3 month subscription to Owlcrate (a little different than my typical beauty boxes) as I've been an admirer for years! The November theme was "Through the Enchanted Forest" and I just couldn't resist a theme like that! Also, each month the book Owlcrate includes is signed by the author and includes a note from the author as well - they often have special edition covers just for the box, and they seem to include a lot of exclusive items just for Owlcrate, which is so fun! 

Too Faced Cosmetics Hot Buttered Rum Palette - Try-on, Swatches and Thoughts!

Not a lot that Too Faced put out this year has really excited me and it's been a bit of a bummer, as it's a brand in the past that I could always rely on for releasing something that caught my eye. So, I was very excited when they announced their holiday collection that it included another mini palette (last year's collection had this Mini Peach palette and I loved it!) and this one is inspired by a Hot Buttered Rum! 

I purchased this palette myself - this post contains affiliate links

While this is a neutral palette and my collection certainly didn't need another neutral palette, I really loved the shades they included in the palette and I thought they were different enough than the typical neutral palette that it would fit well in my collection (and I was right!)

Winter 2019 FabFitFun - Lifestyle Subscription Unboxing

I restarted my FabFitFun subscription recently in the Summer and was excited to give the subscription another go! I really liked my Summer box and the Fall box was okay; but, I feel like I just unboxed it?! It's a little early for Winter to me (it's not officially Winter yet, so it could have waited until December at least to ship! 

I purchased this subscription myself - this post contains affiliate and referral links

FabFitFun is a quarterly lifestyle subscription box full of fabulous finds in beauty, wellness, fashion, and fitness － hand-picked by the FabFitFun team! Each box will contain $200 or more in retail value. Each season's box (ships out around the start of each season) is $49.99 US plus $8.00 US for shipping to Canada (or free shipping in the U.S. and $10.00 US shipping to the U.K.) Or, you can subscribe for an Annual Membership for $179.99 US (plus shipping costs). 

Manicure Monday - Labiotte Chateau Labiotte Wine Gel Nail in Nebbiolo Red

I am such a sucker for cute packaging and Labiotte really knows how to get me - seriously wine bottle packaging?! It's so adorable - I already reviewed the lip tint last year and it's too cute! 

I purchased this myself

I want to pick up more from this line and as a wine lover myself, I pretty much need too try everything out! I was excited to see a nail polish line that claims to be a gel polish - I love a good long wearing formula as I'm pretty rough to my hands and nails all week! 

November Shop My Stash - Full Face of High End and Luxury Makeup

In September I did my Shop My Stash post as a Full Face of Drugstore Makeup, so I wanted to do the opposite and do a full face of my highest end makeup and do a glam look! 

Some products featured were sent as PR and others won as gifts - this post contains affiliate links

While I found the drugstore post a little hard to do as I'm slower getting in to that end of makeup, I love my high-end makeup (or in some cases mid-range to high-end) as I've always looked at makeup as a bit of an investment, and I do love a designer, high-end brand personally!

Five on Saturday - November 23, 2019 ~ Pat McGrath Labs, Wet n Wild, ColourPop, and Violet Voss palettes!

Happy Saturday everyone! I'm doing something a little different for this Five on Saturday post and I'm taking a week break of sharing my life update (because it's only been a long week of work and nothing amazing has happened) - I'm sharing 5 palettes (or sets) that I've been waiting to review for a while and I'm just getting a little overwhelmed all of a sudden with keeping up with writing full posts on them! 

I know this sounds like a lame problem - but as a blogger, I feel like I have to photograph and review everything I pick up and there is products that I want to use and at this point feel a little too old to have a whole post dedicated to only them! So, they still deserve a little love on here! 

ONE 

I purchased these palettes - this post contains affiliate links

These beautiful Pat McGrath Labs palettes went on sale this Spring from $70 CAN to $35 and I couldn't resist giving these lovely palettes a try - I mean Pat McGrath is supposed to be an incredible formula and what a great deal to snag these at! (These palettes are actually $86.00 CAN each now too - I think they are Sephora exclusives from the holidays last year but I'm not positive).

Mask Wednesday - The Creme Shop Energy Essence Scorpio Zodiac Mask

I have to sneak one more Scorpio product before the last day of our sign being on Thursday, and how fun is this zodiac mask?! I have actually been hunting this product down for a little while! 

I purchased this mask - this post contains affiliate links

The Creme Shop Energy Essence Zodiac Mask - Scorpio ~ $5.00 CAN. The stars have aligned and it’s time to shine! This sheet mask collection by The Crème Shop includes a formula for each sign in the zodiac, specialized for the unique you. Crafted with kind intention and positive energy in Los Angeles.

ColourPop Zodiac Collection - The Scorpio Bundle

You know what's fun is purchasing a set months in advance to save them for a special time, and then that special time comes around and the product or products aren't available anymore?! So, I should have known that this would happen because ColourPop is constantly releasing and discontinuing products! 

I purchased these products myself - this post contains affiliate links

Insert the ColourPop The Scorpio Bundle! I actually checked last week that this was still available and it was, and lo and behold, it's gone at the time of writing! But, there products are still available in other forms, so we're talking about them anyways! And if you didn't guess it - the special time is of course Scorpio season (October 23 to November 21)! 

Manicure Monday - ColourPop Nail Art Decals Burgundy Rose + Gradient Set

ColourPop always surprises me with the amount of products they release - I try and keep up, but I didn't even notice until my most recent order that they had nail decals! Naturally, I had to try them!

Nail decals were purchased by me - this post contains affiliate links

As much as I love my nail art, I love nail decals too; but, I'm really picky about which ones I use! I love them for ease of design and application when there is just not a lot of time to paint my nails but I need something fresh and new. 

Hot Tools One-Step Blowout Volumizer

While I focus so much on makeup and skincare, I tend to neglect my hair a little bit. It's so thin and fine, but long so there isn't much I can do with it. Also, last year my work implemented policy that I have to wear my hair up every day, so I rarely take the time to dry and style it ever! 

These products were received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links

So, I find it quite time consuming to blowdry and straighten my hair only to wear it up, so I've basically been airdrying it and just styling my bangs most days (and if I have plans on the weekend, I will take the time to actually do my hair, but that's rare!)

Five on Saturday - November 16, 2019

Happy Saturday everyone! I hope you all had a great week - I love a short work week, but man do they ever feel extra busy?! I've had a crazy week and my toddler has been a total maniac too (up one day at 3:30 and didn't go back to bed and let's just say that I am happy it's the weekend!)

ONE

Some of these products were gifts and others in this post I purchased myself - this post contains affiliate links

Last week I turned 33 and I was awaiting a little Sephora order to come in before I shared my birthday gifts! I have been waiting forever for Erin Morgenstern to release her second book - I have actually read and listened to The Night Circus at least 5 or 6 times and it's easily my favourite stand alone book - it gets better and better every time I read it! So, I was very excited when I saw that The Starless Sea was being released 2 days before my birthday, I couldn't wait. Then, Erin announced back in September that she would be signing books and sending them through The Odyssey Bookshop - I immediately suggested to my husband what I perfect gift it would be and it arrived right in time for my birthday! (Also, a signed copy of The Night Circus too because it's so special to me). 

My Fall Transition Skincare Products

I always switch up my skincare products for each season - I maintain the same basic routine and steps; but, my combination skin can lead a little more dry in the Fall evenings and often is still a little oily during the day. 

Some products were received from PR - this post contains affiliate links

On top of my skin's fluctuation, Calgary's weather is crazy in the Fall too - we can jump over 20 degrees in a day with cold evenings as well as chinook warmings. So, it can throw my skin in to a bit of a tailspin, so it's nice to have some solid products in the routine for the craziness! 

October 2019 - Monthly Empties!

Time to look at my beauty empties:

Some products may have been received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer in Medium/Deep ~ travel size shown here ($40.00 CAN full size). A long-wearing, rich, matte bronzer infused with 100 percent real cocoa powder.

I know you've this bronzer a lot over the months because it was in my Summer Project Pan and I got so much use out of it that it was almost finished by the time I was done the project! And, I managed to finish this off a few weeks later - even though this is a mini, it still is awesome to have finished it!
Repurchased: Not until I'm done my other bronzers (But, this was a good formula!)

ColourPop Disney Designer Midnight Masquerade Collection - Swatches, Try-on, and Review!

I don't know if you've noticed, but I have a rather strong fondness for Disney around here and have a total soft spot for Disney beauty collaborations. 

These products were purchased my me - this post contains affiliate links

Last year when ColourPop released their original Disney Designer collection, I loved it and the palette and some of the lipsticks were instant favourites! Then, they released the Villains collection, and I really liked the products that I've tried - I still have a couple to review from the line! 

Manicure Monday - Spiced Fall Nails

I never remember that we are still technically in "Fall" in November - we've had so many snowstorms already in Calgary (I saw this as we got a big amount this weekend), but I'm trying to remember that it's still technically Fall, so I'm feeling all the spicy vibes. 

I purchased all these polishes

For the month of November for #CBBxManiMonday we are featuring deeper, darker polishes for a vampy "Emo-November" theme.