Hair Model in a Bottle | Alterna's Caviar Cream

I've seen a lot of "do-it-all" products over the last year or so and I've gotta say, none of them appealed to me.  I've always had problematic hair that never does what anyone wants it to; my curls fall and my straight hair goes wavy in a matter of minutes.  Not to mention, it's not smooth or shiny, not even after a conditioning mask.  I'm the "before" girl with hay-like hair in shampoo commercials.

Enter Alterna's Caviar Cream 10-IN-1 Leave-In Hair Perfector *deep inhale to regain breath*.

Again, this is not a product I would've picked on my own; I was given a travel-sized bottle as a 100 point perk at the Sephora counter about a year ago that I only used when away at a wedding recently.  After towel-drying my hair, I applied a small amount starting at my ends and working up, then I added a tad of straightening cream for extra frizz fighting and I blow-dried my hair with a round brush as usual.

And.....

BAM.

My hair stayed tame all day despite the heat; not to mention, I danced until 2 am and left without looking the way one does after a sweaty highschool dance (you know exactly what I'm talking about...).

Needless to say, upon our return, I hit up Sephora and picked up a full-sized "Hair Model in a Bottle".

It's not sticky, doesn't weigh your hair down, makes your hair soft, smells amazing AND you can add a little bit to dried hair as a finisher.

Sold yet?

If not, go to Sephora and ask for a sample!  They can put a little squeeze into a container for you, enough for one use.  (HINT: Get a sample and save it for a night out, you won't be disappointed!)

xo.

Fall Beauty Edit Pt 1: Lips and Nails

This year, I thought I'd do a series of "Fall Edits" to highlight some of the new products I'll be incorporating into my routine this fall.  For Autumn 2014, I plan on styling a very basic, monochrome wardrobe with some blood-red beauty bits.

My first pick is a product that I actually purchased back in the Spring; Lime Crime Cosmetics released their Clueless Witch Collection back in March and come release day, I was fumbling with my keyboard desperately trying to get my hands on one of the new Velvetines.  I knew right off the bat that the deep, blue-toned blood red Velvetine Matte Lip Color in Wicked was the one for me.  

I loved the long-lasting formula so much that I couldn't wait until Fall and actually wore it a couple of times this Summer.  P.S. You'll need a very efficient makeup remover to get this stuff off, unless that smear-y Joker look is what you're going for.  Here I paired it with a little bit of MAC Patina Eyeshadow and lashings of mascara for a quick, yet mysterious Fall look.  

For nails, I saw this brand new ruby red color by Essie in the drugstore and since I picked it up, I haven't been able to find it again.  Unfortunately it comes off as a much brighter red on camera but don't be fooled, Essie's Macks is blood red, like the kind that Morticia would wear.

Let me know what you think of these in the comments!  I'll be making more Fall Edits so keep an eye out for those.

P. S . In case you're wondering what the book in the second picture is, it's a handmade, leather-bound copy of Bram Stoker's Dracula that Tristan and I found in a little shop.  Flawlessly creepy.

Click here to check out LimeCrime's Velvetines.

xo

IMATS Haul

Despite the fact that IMATS is geared toward makeup artists who have kits filled with oodles of goodies, I still managed to find a few items I'm really excited about.  Mind you, I was one of the only ones not buying in bulk, and by bulk I mean some chicks had storage containers as shopping baskets...

I started at the Morphe Brushes counter and picked up their Eyebrow Brush M215, their Crease Blending Brush M441, their Face Buffing Brush M439 and their Contour Brush MB30.

I'd never heard of Morphe Brushes before but when I gave them a little feel-up at the counter, I was surprised at the quality.  The buffing brush looks similar to the Zoeva one I've been perusing online and the contour brush reminded me of the gorgeous Nars one everyone goes broke for.  Lets hope these brushes hold up!

While we're on brushes, I may have made a pesky litte stop at the Hakuhodo stand, where I know the brushes are of unreal quality.  They're Japanese and use real hair to give the softest and most flawless blend.  I picked up the Crease Blending Brush made with blue squirrel hair.  This brush may be made from poor little Bucky's fluffy tail but it it by far the softest brush I've ever felt.  Perfect for that quick and even sweep of brown through the crease to give your eyes some definition.

Onto lashes, I lunged at the Red Cherry #43s because they were dirt cheap and splurged on a set of Velour Lashes in Complete Me.  Velour lashes are made with real mink (I know this isn't exactly the most animal-conscious haul), but if taken proper care of, these lashes can be worn up to 25-30 times.  I'll admit they were pricey but these wispy little things will carry me through an upcoming wedding and many a night out.

After leaving IMATS, my craving for actual makeup wasn't satisfied so I made a stop at Sephora and let me tell ya, I wasn't alone.  Half the girls there had IMATS bags slung over their arms and didn't look the slightest bit guilty.

I've already gone through 2 of the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper but recently, I hadn't wanted to splurge on it.  I went for a drugstore liquid liner instead and the last time I was that irritable was when I gave up dairy and carbs.  I've now accepted it as something that needs to be in my makeup bag because it is by far the best liquid liner pen out there.

On my way to pay, I passed by the Nars counter and my eyes were drawn to this blush (isn't that always the way...).

It's the Nars Blush in Amour and it gives the most natural looking flush of color.  I swear by Nars blushes and this will be that perfect Snow White color for me in the winter months.

I don't think I did too bad, what do you think?

Let me know if you've tried any of these and your thoughts, I love hearing from you!

xo.

Sunday Photo Diary: IMATS 2014

This weekend, it was Vancouver's turn to host the IMATS convention.  For those of you who've never heard of IMATS, it stands for International Makeup Artist Trade Show; it's full of brands you can't find in stores and talks are given regarding careers in makeup.  This year was my first time going and I had a great time, not to mention some of the bargains I got.

I decided to take my camera with me and took quite a few pictures...

My face of the day consisted of a mix between Nars Sheer Glow in Siberia, L'Oreal True Match in N1, MAC Blush in Taupe, MAC Eyeshadows in Soft Brown and Cork, Nars Blush in Seduction, L'Oreal Lineur Intense, Maybelline Pumped Up Mascara and Almay One Coat Triple Effect Mascara (lower lashes).

Jo Malone London's Red Roses Cologne is the latest addition to my perfume collection.  The scent is so realistic, spritzing it is akin to walking into a fresh flower shop.  It's my new everyday scent!

For nails, I went with Essie's Go Ginza, the perfect lilac to give my outfit that mod look.

An easy-breezy outfit to make it through the heat wave; Top: Topshop; Skirt: American Apparel; Sunnies: Raybans; Tote Bag: Ted Baker.

Speaking of the Ted Baker Tote Bag, this is my first time featuring it on the blog!  I adore the look of this bag, not to mention the inside is lined with french bulldogs wearing pink bows...

The rose gold hardware is gorgeous and it holds a ton of stuff.  It's a little heavy for every day use but I'll be carrying it as long as my arm can hold out.

I stopped by a great little cafe for some breakfast, because let's face it, no one has time to eat while applying makeup.

On to IMATS!  There were some intense competitions going on with makeup artists who actually know what they're doing.

I may or may not have stopped to make a purchase at the Hakuhodo brush stand...

So many gorgeous brushes to choose from!

The Make Up Forever stand was awesome but let me tell ya, it looked like a watering hole on the African savanna.  Much like the mall scene in Mean Girls, it was savage.

Here are a couple of the things I threw in my bag for yesterday: a classic book to read anywhere and a sweater (yes, a sweater) in case the convention was a little chilly.

An afternoon snack that consisted of a perfect London Fog and the most amazing chocolate bar I've ever had.  As you can tell, my cravings are probably similar to Marie Antoinette's.

Outside the chocolate cafe, this woman was playing a public piano.  Her clothes happened to match it perfectly and she played it beautifully.  Unfortunately, I was the only person around.

I had an amazing day!  I'll be making a whole post this week with all the beauty purchases I made so keep your eyes peeled for that or go follow me on Instagram for notice.

Hope you're all having a good week so far!

xo.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Desirable

Ok, I'll admit it; the name of this lipstick is absolutely ridiculous.  I know because I've been asked a lot by women what lipstick I've been wearing (and because I had to go find the box to write the post title). Similarly to my last post, this purchase was inspired by another beauty blogger, in this case, Suzie from Hello October.  

Finding that perfect "pinky-nude" lipstick was difficult because of my skin's red undertones, not to mention my practically translucent skin tone.  Most nude lipsticks make me look washed out and well, corpse-y.  This is that lipstick that I can throw on without a mirror.  It's incredibly creamy, lasts for hours and tops off any makeup look.

Oh, and did I mention the case is magnetic?!  Yes, the cap is magnetized, so there's no chance of finding this lipstick at the bottom of your purse, cap-less and covered in dirt or leftover cracker crumbs. The future is now.

I promise that the painful price tag is worth the splurge and I'll definitely be saving my pennies for one of the more vampy shades for fall and winter.  Stay tuned...

What do you guys think?

Happy friday!

xo

The Single Product Smoky Eye

After watching Tati from GlamLife Guru's video on the new Maybelline Color Tattoo Leather Cream Eyeshadows, I thought to myself: "If she's impressed, I'll be impressed".  I picked up the shade Chocolate Suede because realistically, it's the only one I would wear on a daily basis and let me tell ya, I've been wearing it on a daily basis.  

Although it looks slightly metallic in the pot, it goes on matte and surprisingly, it blends well, like really well.  Not to mention the staying power; unlike the rest of my makeup, these cream eyeshadows don't crease, move or fade during an 8-hour shift, which is something I'd expect from a product that was 3x the price.

I love throwing it on when I'm in a hurry but need something on my lids.  I apply it with my ring finger and then spend a couple minutes blending out the edges with my Real Techniques DuoFiber Eye Brush.  After blending it out on my upper lid, Ill take what's leftover on my brush and run it under the outer part of the lower lid to even things out.  Remember kids, a properly blended eye look takes time, even if it's only one product.  On a Friday night, I'll apply a second coat on the outsides of my lids to deepen the color and add a little definition.

Often times I find that when I use several colours to do a smoky eye look, they disappear and it just looks messy.  With this, I feel put together and a little 'Keira Knightley-ish' if I do say so myself.  Fun fact: I've gotten several compliments on my eyes when I've worn this, which never happens.

Long story short: Affordable drugstore product with high-end results.  Two thumbs up from the girl late for work.

Contouring Fair Skin

ATTENTION PALE GIRLS: Are you tired of gazing upon the masterfully sculpted cheekbones of supermodels?  Sick of watching Youtube videos with girls who can actually contour with bronzer??  Look no further...

As a first line player for the Alabaster Angels, I've been searching for quite some time for a shade I could contour my cheeks and temples with that didn't make it look as if I'd rolled around in the mud.  Darker foundation powders were always much too warm and don't even get me started on sparkly, orange bronzers...

Allow me to introduce you to the MAC Pro Palette Blush in Taupe.  Yes, unfortunately, this shade is only available for Pro Palettes; however, if you've already got a palette or if you buy a decent amount of MAC products, this is spot on for you.  Unlike many of the products used to sculpt out cheekbones and foreheads, this one is not too warm yet not too cool toned.  It has taken a spot in my every-day makeup routine and even if I'm in a mad hurry, I still find the time to throw some on.

Like any other contour powder, I apply a little to the hollows of my cheek bones, making sure not to blend it past the corner of my eye.  I then apply some to my temples and up onto the sides and top of my forehead and then lastly, I apply a small amount to my jawline.

Although it doesn't look like much in the photo, it's just enough to keep my face from looking like a beach ball and I'm not sure how I went so long without it.  Not to mention, I also use it in my lid crease to define my eyes.

For the rest of my face I used: Nars SheerGlow Foundation in 01 Siberia mixed with L'Oreal True Match in N1; A little MAC Mystery in my brows; MAC Soft Brown and Taupe Contour Blush on my Lids; Maybelline Pumped Up Colossal Mascara in Black; Milani Blush in Dolce Pink; Tanya Burr's Lipgloss in Afternoon Tea.

What products do you use to contour?

J xo.

The Nude Pastel Nail

New jobs: great for income, bad for blogging.  My latest bout of blogging absence has been due to my new job, which so far, has also resulted in a lot of late nights and mediocre outfit choices.  Recently, my health has also had it's ups and downs with one malady leading to another.  Long story short, the only beauty aspect I've managed to maintain for more than a few hours has been my nails.  

I recently made a quick stop at Sephora and was desperate to try their Formula X nail polishes I've heard so much raving about.  As I didn't own any, I decided to start with a beautiful basic color that could carry me through the entire year.  I chose the Sephora Formula X Polish in Thrilling, a lovely cashmere shade that is part of their new range of Nude Pastels.

This. Color. Is. Lovely.  Not to mention, my hands take quite a beating at work and these nails survived well over a week with no more than one chip on each hand.  The application was smooth, opaque and I didn't struggle with streakiness whatsoever.  To boost the staying power and add shine, I used my holy grail Essie Good to Go topcoat.

Thrilling is perfect for giving your nails a break from louder, summer shades.  Not to mention the nude color makes your fingers appear longer.  This is the perfect sophisticated polish and I'll be wearing this through Summer, Fall and next Winter.  Perhaps I'll even add a hint of silver glitter...

What do you think?

xo J.

The Only Drugstore Blushes You Need This Spring

Left: Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink #01; Right: Milani Baked Blush in Delizioso Pink #10.

Recently, I've grudgingly swapped quite a few of my winter beauty staples for more Spring appropriate tones.  If you're a seasoned veteran in the world of beauty blogging and Youtube, chances are you've seen more than your fair share of the fan favorite Milani Baked Blush in the shade Luminoso.  Unfortunately, not all of us suit the light peachy pink sheen Luminoso has to offer.  I for one, am way too pale to pull it off.

Fret not!  Milani has several alternatives that are just as gorgeous, including some newer shades.
The first is Dolce Pink (#01) pictured on the left above.  At first glance, it looks alarmingly shimmery but once you apply it, it gives your cheeks the healthiest looking glow.  It's also the perfect universal blush color and is an excellent alternative for those of you who were just as bummed out when they saw the price of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes (you're not alone...).  The pigmentation and quality are great for the price and this blush will definitely carry me through the summer and into the fall.

The second option is one of Milani's newer shades called Delizioso Pink (#10).  This matte blush is hot pink and the color is just as startling as the first one.  When I first applied this, I was just as surprised at how much I loved it.  Even though it's matte, it gives your cheeks amazing dimension and the color can be built up for a little nighttime oomph of drama.  As someone who is too pale to even contour my cheeks without looking muddy, this is a great way to achieve standout cheekbones.  I like to apply both of these with my Real Techniques Blush Brush, starting with a little bit and building it up while blending upward.

In the picture, I'm wearing a little bit of Delizioso Pink, what do you guys think?

Thanks for reading!  Stay tuned for my next post which will be a Spring Topshop haul and don't forget the blog's domain change!

xx.

DIY // Recycled Candle Containers

As you're probably already aware, I buy a lotta candles.  However, I don't think I'm the only member in the Bath & Body Works fanclub.  Today's post is to help all of you candle nuts further justify your copious aromatic purchases.

Rather than throw away all your empty spicy, wintery candles while you do your spring cleaning, convert them into containers!  It's so easy, you'll wonder why you haven't done it yet.

The first step is to throw that sucker in the freezer.  Yes, the freezer.  You're going to have to get that useless bit of leftover candle out somehow and freezing it makes it way easier, trust me.

After it's been in the freezer for about a day, take a knife (you don't need sharp one), and gently wedge it in between the leftover candle and the container.  The candle should lift from the container easily; if it doesn't, continue wedging the knife in gently all the way around.  

Once you've got the leftovers out, peel off the side sticker first and leave the bottom one till after you've washed it.  It should come off no problem, if it doesn't, run it under warm water for a second.

Next, wash the container inside and out with a good kitchen scrubby (that's what they're called, right?) and a simple dish soap.  Make sure you get all the thin, waxy bits out and don't forget to wash the bottom of the inside.

Now for that pesky bottom sticker.  Once the container has been under warm water, the sticker on the bottom will come off slightly easier than it would have when dry.  I just use a good nail and work it off, making sure I get all of that tacky under-sticker stuff.  If it's not working for you or if you don't have long nails, soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and rub it on the bottom.  The tacky bits should come right off.

And you're done!  See, I told you it was easy.  I love the way these look by themselves but if you're not one for simplicity, take a ribbon and wrap it around.  Or, if you're super crafty, dip the container in some glitter and bedazzle it, the world is your oyster.  I use mine for just about anything that will fit in them such as makeup brushes, lip glosses, Q-Tips, cotton balls, etc.

Let me know if you try this at home and send me links to your blogs and pictures!