Saturday, November 30, 2019

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. 

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

Friday, November 29, 2019

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 

November 2019 Owlcrate
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! 

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

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! 

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

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

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! 


Winter 2019 FabFitFun - Lifestyle Subscription Unboxing
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). 

Monday, November 25, 2019

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! 


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

Sunday, November 24, 2019

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! 


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

Saturday, November 23, 2019

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).

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

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! 


Mask Wednesday - The Creme Shop Energy Essence Scorpio Zodiac Mask

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.

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

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! 


ColourPop Zodiac Collection - The Scorpio Bundle
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)! 

Monday, November 18, 2019

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!


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

Sunday, November 17, 2019

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! 

Hot Tools One-Step Blowout Volumizer
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!)

Saturday, November 16, 2019

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). 

Thursday, November 14, 2019

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. 


Fall Transition Skincare Products
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! 

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

October 2019 - Monthly Empties!

Time to look at my beauty empties:


October 2019 -  Monthly 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!)

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

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. 


ColourPop Disney Designer Midnight Masquerade Collection
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! 

Monday, November 11, 2019

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. 

Manicure Monday - Spiced Fall Nails
I purchased all these polishes

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

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Skincare Sunday Week of Affordable K-Beauty Masks You Can Find at Walmart - SooAE Masks and iN.gredients

Happy Skincare Sunday everyone! I've been very excited to share this post because if you saw on my first half of the #100DaysofSheetMask post, I recently used affordable k-beauty masks I found at Wal-mart (almost all are SooAE masks) for a whole week and they have a huge variety of masks to pick from! 


Skincare Sunday Week of Affordable K-Beauty Masks You Can Find at Walmart - SooAE Masks and iN.gredients
Some masks may have been won in a giveaway, the rest were purchased by me - this post contains affiliate links

This post was supposed to be a full week of SooAE masks; but, wait until the last mask and I have to admit I didn't even look at the masks and brands I was picking up), but now it has a bigger variety of brands and types that are affordable and accessible! SooAE is really easy for me to find in Canada at Walmart and all of their masks are only $3.77 CAN each, which is great! They have a huge range of hydrogel, fun mini masks and just a really great variety of sheet mask types! I love mask brands that are accessible and easy to find! 

Saturday, November 9, 2019

October 2019 - Monthly Favourites!

Here's my top 5 things I've been loving in October:


October 2019 - Monthly Favourites!
All products were purchased by me - this post contains affiliate links

I feel that I have a great combination of products that I was loving in October - a little skincare, makeup and nails this month! 

Friday, November 8, 2019

Five on Friday - November 8, 2019

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all have had a great week! 

ONE


Some products featured were received as PR samples - this post may contain affiliate links

Yesterday was my 33rd Birthday! I always love my birthday and used to take a whole week to celebrate my birthday! But, now it's a little more laidback - we ordered in from our favourite Indian food restaurant, had a nice glass of wine, and a delicious cheesecake from the Farmer's Market! Yum! 

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Storybook Cosmetics Book Club Subscription Box - October 2019 Volume 2 Sherlock Holmes

I finally received my Storybook Book Club Volume 2 palette! Yay! Volume 1 was actually shipped all the way back in November 2018 and was an adorable Pretty Woman palette! 

Storybook Cosmetics Book Club Subscription Box - October 2019 Volume 2 Sherlock Holmes
This subscription was purchased by me

In my post about Volume 1, I did speak to the experience with the subscription thus far, so I won't get in to lengths about it again; but, this did have some set backs. Volume 2 originally renewed in February 2019 and was supposed to ship that month. Unfortunately, Storybook Cosmetics ran in to some issues at the lab and I believe they switched labs to reformulate the shadows that weren't working in the original lab.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Manicure Monday - Hello Kitty by OPI Holiday 2019 Collection

OPI goes all out for their holiday collections! Seriously last year's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms was gorgeous and also came with 15 polishes! So, for their 2019 Holiday collection two icons are teaming up and OPI is collaborating with Hello Kitty for her 45th Anniversary and a follow-up to their 2016 collection!


Manicure Monday - Hello Kitty by OPI Holiday 2019 Collection
Products received as PR samples

The  2019 OPI Hello Kitty Collection comes with 15 polishes - they describe it as 12 signature shades, plus 3 festive glitters! The collection has lots of frosty whites and pinks to deep velvety hues with lots of SPARKLE! 

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Five on Saturday - November 2, 2019

Happy Saturday everyone and Happy November!!! I sound like a broken record sometimes, but I can't believe it is November already!!! 

ONE 



I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween! We had a blast - Elliott loved trick-or-treating this year and was so good, although he kept saying "I want some treats" instead of "trick or treat" - good thing he was the cutest little Pikachu ever! I love handing out candy and seeing everyone's costumes! But, dare I say that as much as I love Halloween, I'm totally ready to prep for Christmas now!!!!