April 2020 - Monthly Favourites!

Here are the top 5 products I have been loving this month: 

I received the Catrice Primer as a PR sample - this post contains affiliate links

Honestly, for the month of April, I haven't been trying a ton of new products - some of these are new, but, for the most part, I've been trying to use this time to get through products in my collection!

April Shop My Stash - Bright Spring Look and Duping The Vibes of The Viseart Mini Petit Pro Chou Chou Palette

I've been buying a fair bit less makeup since the Covid-19 pandemic; but, there have been a couple of releases that have caught my eye lately. I really enjoyed my a previous Shop My Stash look when I Duped The Vibes of an eyeshadow palette that really caught my eye - I ended up having very similar shades in my collection, so I really convinced I didn't need the palette even though the reviews about it were great! And, it was such a fun new way to Shop My Stash and play in my collection! 

The two primers were received as PR - this post contains affiliate links

When I saw the new Viseart Mini Petit Pro Chou Chou Eyeshadow Palette, I actually really wanted it! It was perfect for Spring and Summer - it comes with bright shades and it is really refreshing! I already have 3 of the Petit Pro palettes in my collection and I like the quality, so I was certainly considering purchasing the palette!

Manicure Monday - Using Eyeshadow To Make My Own Nail Polish

Happy Manicure Monday everyone! I hope you had a great weekend - the weather is finally warming up here in Calgary, so even though we're stuck at our house, we could spend most of our days outside! 

The Essie and OPI base and top coat were received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links

I have been seeing a few people that I follow recently using eyeshadows as nail polishes (and I've especially seen it with the Clionadh Cosmetics stained glass shadows because they are multichrome pigments and offer a really unique finish on the nails) and I really wanted to give it a shot! I think it turned out so pretty and I actually think the shift and finish was a little hard to capture in a picture! 

Five on Friday - April 24, 2020

Happy Friday everyone! What a strange week this has been - I've been working from home for the week, and was just back to work today. My husband started feeling sick over the last weekend and he had to self isolate and get tested - we were told yesterday that he does not have Covid-19, which is great. We didn't think he did; but, with the nature of our work, it's always better to be safe! But, it's made for a bit of a crazy week! 

ONE 

Everything in this post was purchased by me, with exception of the NYR gift

The strangest part of this week was that it was Elliott's 3rd birthday yesterday! I had fun plans for a birthday party, and then we just hard to celebrate with the four of us. It was fine and Elliott was happy, but it was just a hard adjustment! So, I made some adorable Spiderman cookies and cupcakes to help my little Peter Parker celebrate! 

Earth Day Beauty - Compostable Makeup and Skincare Products

Happy Earth Day everyone! I've been sharing Earth Day posts for the last few years and I'm really trying to make some overall changes in my life towards being more eco-conscious and I've been seeing how I can incorporate these in to my beauty products too! 

The Patch bandaids were received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links 

In 2017, Calgary introduced a Green Cart composting program and I was actually pretty excited to get composting - my husband and I were actually considering a back yard self compost, so I'm glad our city made the decision for us! And honestly, it feels really good to be able to see how much waste I'm diverting from landfills and it's so accomplishing! 

Manicure Monday - Pastel Abstract Nail Art

Happy Manicure Monday everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend - it was pretty quiet around here (of course!)

The BioSculpture polish was received as a PR sample

I've done abstract nails before; but, this was the first time I went in totally abstract and didn't have a plan - I came up with these as I was doing them and I'm really happy with how they turned out! 

20 in 2020 Project Pan - Update #2

In December I kicked off my big year-long Project Pan - I am planning on using up or hitting pan on 20 makeup products throughout the whole year! So, I introduced the first 10 products in December, did an update in February, and now it's time for my second update! 

The Hard Candy primer was received in PR - this post contains affiliate link

I was really happy that I already reached two of my goals in my first update, and am excited to say I hit more for this update too! So, I wanted to use up 20 products throughout the year; but, I didn't want to overwhelm myself with 20 products at the start, so I'm rolling in new products as I reach my goals on products so I'm sticking with 10 products on a time to focus on! 

Five on Friday - April 17, 2020

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all have a great week - I am happy it was a short week and that it is already the weekend! Did you hear the good news that Calgary is actually supposed to be having warm weather this weekend - woo hoo! Finally - it's been snowing for basically two weeks and I'm ready for it to be done! 

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post (except for the library books, clearly I'm borrowing those - this post contains affiliate links)

I shared last month some of the fiction books I'm planning on reading this Spring, so I thought it was pretty fitting that I also share some of the non-fiction books on my Spring Reading List! 

Clionadh Cosmetics Stained Glass Collection Eyeshadows - Swatches, Eye Swatches and Makeup Looks!

I started hearing about Clionadh Cosmetics last year - they are a Canadian indie makeup brand and I was pretty impressed with the eyeshadows they were releasing last year. They came out with their Stained Glass multichrome shadow line and I had to get some when I could! 

They announced in January that they were doing a restock of the line plus adding some new categories and colours of shadows in the range, plus they were doing a 15% sale of the whole range, so I picked up a few singles to try out the Stained Glass shadows! 

I purchased these shadows myself

I ordered from the sale at the end of January and just received my order at the end of March - Clionadh shadows are all handmade and the brand let everyone know that they received more orders during that sale than the whole of 2019, so their production time was a little slower than usual. Also, given the current pandemic as well as their production time, all orders are currently on pre-order status and won't ship for a couple of months. 

Fresh, Fun Products for Spring!

It sounds so cliche; but, the word I always associate with Spring is "fresh". New growth and new beginnings - everything about the season just always feels fresh and new. You know what I mean, right?! That fresh scent of Spring is my favourite! 

The Reversa, Calgon, Vichy were received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links

Personally, Calgary is a little slow to get on the fresh train - we had snow this whole past weekend and it's been pretty cold! I'm waiting for that slow warm up, so I can start to see green grass and my garden grow!

Manicure Monday - Tie Dye Nails

Happy Mani Monday everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend - I'm so happy to have a long weekend and I hope you all enjoyed your Easter, however you got to celebrate while staying home and safe! 

The top coat and base coat were received as PR - this post contains affiliate links 

Am I the only one who has noticed that tie dye all the sudden popped up everywhere on my social media?! It's actually kind of a cute trend - I like what I've seen on some people,; but, I'm sort of having early 90's flashbacks to tie-dying my own shirts in elementary school, so I'm not sure if I'm jumping back on the tie dye bandwagon with my clothes; but, I will jump on the trend with my nail art! 

Five on Saturday - April 11, 2020

Happy Saturday everyone! I hope you all had a great week - I'm very excited that it is a long weekend and it was a real treat that I had yesterday off! (Ask me if I regret that choice after Monday with 4 days off in a row stuck in the house with a toddler!)

ONE 

Everything in this post was purchased or paid for by me

How could I not get the weekend started with some Easter baking?! The boys and I spent a couple of hours last weekend baking delicious treats for the Easter Bunny! (I know I'm not the only one that's on a baking kick right now - I've always been a baker; but, I've been stepping it up and trying new things since I've had way more time at home!)

Mad Beauty Disney Minnie Magic Face Mask

It's Mask Wednesday! I've shared these adorable Mad Beauty Disney printed masks before and they are too cute! 

I purchased this mask myself

I've seen this big movement during this self-isolation time to focus a bit more on skincare instead of makeup, and it's likely true that overall people are wearing less makeup while they are at home more. I personally am feeling a little uninspired with my makeup right now and stress can tend to wreck havoc on my skin, so I'm trying to use this time to get back in to a better masking routine!

March 2020 - Monthly Empties and Month in Masks

Here's a look at all my beauty garbage from March and what I loved and didn't: 

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

Skindinavia The Makeup Finishing Spray - Bridal ~ $29.00 US for 4 oz. or $39.00 US for 8 oz (this is the 4 oz bottle). Our ultra-fine mist spray has patented technology designed to resist the effect of excess moisture and help keep makeup flawless all day and all night.

This is a pretty easy favourite setting spray and it was featured in my Favourite Setting Sprays post I did awhile back, so I clearly love this - it's been a love since way back in July 2016. I also recently featured this in my Shop My Stash where I use products that will weather proof my makeup for a long night and this is the best formula of setting spray by far!
Repurchase: I have a few other kinds to use first, but, yes! 

Manicure Monday - Sally Hansen x Jelly Belly Insta-Dri Hop Into Spring Nail Color Set

Happy Manicure Monday everyone! I loved the Sally Hansen x Jelly Belly they released last year for a limited edition collection, so I was pretty excited to see them collaborate again this year for some pretty Spring colours! 

I purchased this set myself - this post contains affiliate links

They brought back a favourite shade "Tutti Fruitti" from last year - you can see it swatched on my Sally Hansen x Jelly Belly post from last year, plus they released some cute new shades! And, how adorable is this Hop Into Spring set?! I was most interested in the Birthday Cake shade because it's this light shade with fun confetti in it! So, when I saw this little set that included a light pink shade, I had to pick it up! 

What Makes Me Happy - Keep Calm And Tag On

How is everyone doing this weekend? I hope you are all hanging in there! I'm still trying to keep my head up and stay positive! I still have to go to work every day as an essential service, but otherwise we are staying pretty quiet at home! 

Some items may be received as

I just saw this "What Makes Me Happy" Tag over on Abby Williamson's youtube channel and I believe the original creator of the tag is Kara C. and you can see her video here! 

Five on Saturday - April 4, 2020

Happy Saturday everyone! I hope you all had a great week - I'm finding these week's lately are a little long; but, I think that will be the new norm for the foreseeable future! 

ONE 

 The Catrice product was received as PR - this post contains affiliate links

I'm keeping up my Monthly Makeup Baskets for 2020 because I really enjoyed that they helped me shop my stash and allowed me to use and love everything in my collection! I always like to remember the older products and not let them get pushed aside when I get something shiny and new! 

Foundation Showdown - Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup vs. Double Wear Light Soft Matte Hydra Makeup

I have absolutely loved the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation - it made my Monthly Favourites all the way back in July 2017 and it's easily gotten holy grail status in my collection since! I can always rely on the formula to be full coverage and weather-proof, so I'm constantly repurchasing it because I can't be without it! 

I purchased both foundations - this post contains affiliate links

But, the Double Wear Stay-in-Place makeup is solidly full coverage, but, I've been trying to go for a lighter base look when my skin is behaving, so I was really intrigued when I saw this Double Wear Light foundation! I had to pick it up to see if it's as good as the Double Wear Stay-in-Place foundation, just with lighter coverage!