October Favourites!

             I can't believe it's November in 2 days! So crazy. This means less than 2 months left until Christmas, and also less than 2 months left until I go to Ireland! Ahhhh! I have been loving anything moisturizing this month, as my skin has officially made the changeover from summer to winter. I also have a few random favourites that I will include as well. I have mentioned some of these products before, so there will be a few familiar ones. Let's get into it!

LIP PRODUCTS

Burt's Bees Ultra Conditioning Lip Balm With Kokum Butter: I've started using this lip balm as a base before I put any sort of colour on my lips. It's meant to condition your lips for 4 hours with one application, which I find to be true. I purchased this forever ago, and have busted it out again for the cold weather. A must have for the winter!

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm: The shade I'm using is called Honeysuckle, and it is the perfect colour for me. It's a brownish nude, and goes extremely well with my well loved Gosh Velvet Touch Lipstick in Cappuccino. This tinted lip balm is super moisturizing, and conditions with Shea Butter and Botanical Waxes. I'd highly recommend this for the fall/winter! 

Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter: I have to say, I really wish I had tried this stuff sooner! The shade I have here is 065 Creamsicle. This may seem like more of a summer colour, but for some reason I only started getting into the light pink shades this fall! You don't need to apply any sort of a base underneath, as it's exceptionally hydrating and glides on effortlessly. Will be repurchasing more shades ASAP!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain: I just did a review on this, which you can find by clicking here, but I love this gorgeous colour! This one is 035 Charm. It lightly stains your lips while giving them a moisturized feel. Unfortunately, the moisturized feeling doesn't last for too long, so I'm really only a fan because of this specific colour!

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub: I actually received this as a gift for my birthday in May, but only needed to start using it recently. This has become part of my daily routine when I'm getting ready to go out, to make sure that there's no dry skin building up on my lips. My lips get chapped SO easily because of the cold weather, so this helps significantly in getting them ready for the day.

Top to Bottom: Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Honeysuckle, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 035 Charm, Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in 065 Creamsicle

EYES + FACE

Nip + Fab CC Eye Fix -Light: This is a really nice concealer and surprisingly moisturizing! I don't have dark circles under my eyes, but this concealer does make you look noticeably more awake and just brightens up the whole eye area. It contains light diffusing particles, as well as beeswax and vitamin E to nourish and protect. I'd recommend this to anyone who wants to start carrying for their under eye area and brighten it up at the same time.

Essence Stays No Matter What 24 Hour Jumbo Eye Pencil & Shadow: This eye pencil was extremely cheap and does it's job exceptionally well! I use the shade 07 Whipped White Frosting for the inner corners of my eyes, and it's really made a difference in the presentation of my eye makeup. My eyes look brighter and stand out more. It really does not budge all day. I'll definitely be using throughout the fall and winter.

Revlon Matte Powder Blush: Apparently I'm a big fan of Revlon this month! They actually come out with some really great products, I don't think they get enough credit. I have the shade Perfectly Peach, which I've been wearing forever. I always tend to gravitate towards peach blushes as opposed to pink, just because they seem to look more natural on me. This blush has quite a long staying power, as when I take my makeup off at the end of the day it's still there. There is quite a lot of product there, so it does last you a long time. Big thumbs up!

NAILS

Butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer: All Hail the Queen....there's really no need to say anything else. Check out my review here!

CLEANSERS + MOISTURIZERS

Biotherm Hydra-Mineral Cleanser Toning Mousse: I've talked about this cleanser so many times that it seems to be getting a little repetitive. However, I've been using this all month long and it is the perfect cleanser as it really does tone your skin at the same time. I wish it were a LITTLE more moisturizing for this month, so perhaps I will purchase the one that is meant for dry skin as well. Excellent product.

The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter: I have both the 50 ml size and the 200 ml size, as I like to carry one in my purse. This is a must have for the winter. Incredibly moisturizing, made with Community Fair Trade virgin organic coconut oil, you cannot go wrong with this stuff. I love using this as soon as I get out of the shower and/or on freshly shaven legs. 

Be Better Sakura Sensation Foam Bath: I received this as a gift, but I believe it's from Rexall Pharma Plus, which is a Canadian drug store. I've been using this all month long, as I take baths constantly and it smells amazing! It's made with natural ingredients and is paraben free. Love this stuff!

OTHER

Coconut Oil: I have been a huuuuge fan coconut oil for the past year, but after discovering it's most recent purpose, I've become an even bigger fan. My cat Kenya has not been feeling well (send her good vibes!) and had a really sore throat. She wasn't eating properly and was having a hard time swallowing. I started giving her about a tablespoon of coconut oil twice a day to sooth her throat, and from the first time I gave it to her there has been a huge difference! There's a million different amazing uses for coconut oil, and I'll link an article here in case you don't know about them. The kind I have here is Omega Nutrition Certified Organic Coconut Oil. However, it's best if you can get virgin or extra virgin. 

Owl Change Purse: I am obsessed with this little purse! I purchased it from St Lawrence Market I believe last month and it comes with me all the time! It's hand crafted and made with real leather. I actually use it to separate my subway tokens from my wallet. So adorable!

Kimchi Blue Kissing Swans Zip-Around Wallet: I purchased this online from Urban Outfitters about a month ago, and unfortunately it is sold out now! I love swans, so when I saw this I had to get it. It's got all the space you need and is made of incredibly smooth vegan leather. I'll be using this until it completely wears out.

H&M Leopard Print Scarf: I've been wearing this scarf non stop this month, as it seems to go with everything! I've even been wearing it with my winter coat (which may have to change, as it's not the warmest scarf). It's inexpensive, I believe I got it for $14.99 and is quite durable. I will likely be getting all of my winter accessories from H&M as well!

Back when it was warm enough to sit outside!

AND MY LAST OCTOBER FAVOURITE...

Chloe!!! Seeing as we just got Chloe this month, she is for sure an October favourite! She has settled in quickly, has grown and is such a pleasant little kitten. Her and Kenya love each other so much! Perfect addition to our little family.

THAT'S ALL! xx

New Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain: Review

        I've heard so many people rave about the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Stain + Balm, that when I saw this new version I thought I'd give it a go! I actually was looking to try the lip stain, but the colours were all wrong for me, as they don't make any particularly natural ones. Also, my lips have started to get SO dry now that it's getting so cold out, so something with a little bit more moisture would be a better option for me right now!

Before applying a few coats of the Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 035 Charm, I exfoliated my lips with the Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub. This is a must have if you have dry lips, as nothing goes on properly when your lips are chapped. This is an edible exfoliator, which I try not to think about as I'm licking the dead skin off of my lips.

Seeing as I only picked this up at the end of the day today, I decided to apply the balm stain at 5:30 PM and see how it held up until around 9:30 PM, when I normally take off my makeup. According to revlon.ca, this product is supposed to give your lips an instant moisturized feel with a light stain of colour. The flush of colour that it does give you is meant to last for hours.

This is how is looks on my lips after applying a few coats. My lips did feel moisturized, although not exceptionally. They're naturally a dark nude colour, so this gave me a really nice light shade of pink. I am really a huge fan of this colour! Once again, it is 035 Charm. The balm stain smells minty, but doesn't make your lips tingle.

An attractive close up of my noticeably chapped lips!

The moisturizing balm came off pretty quickly in the next hour, and my dry lips started to reappear. However, the colour was still noticeable.The stain came off a little more in the center of my lips than anywhere else, but that's to be expected with any lip stick/stain. In the 4 hours between putting it on and taking it off, I reapplied once after I ate.

This is what was remaining on my lips when I took the rest of the stain off with a little makeup remover on a tissue (ran out of cotton pads, sorry if it looks a bit gross!) Overall, it does what it's supposed to do. It is only meant to keep a flush of colour on your lips, which it did. Next time I wear this, I may just apply once or twice and use a gloss or moisturizing lip balm over top when needed. Usually I don't go for pink/peach colours, but I loved this one as soon as I swatched it on my hand in the store. I'm not sure if I'll be repurchasing other colours, but this one is a huge thumbs up!

HOMEWORK TIME! xx

Everyday Cleansing/Moisturizing Routine!

          For whatever reason, girls are incredibly interested in what other girls use in their pre-getting ready routine, the stage before you do your hair and makeup and figure out what you're going to wearing for the day. I suppose this is because it's such critical part of the daily routine, and people just want to know what works. And seeing as I haven't done anything of note lately that would be of any interest to blog about, I will show you what I have been using!         

Even though I do switch up my shampoo and face wash a couple times a week, this is what I grab on a regular basis. I try to only shampoo and condition my hair every other day, as it is bleached and can be quite dry. I would have to say that all of Bed Head's Products are amazing for putting strength and nutrients back into your hair. The Colour Combat Dumb Blonde Shampoo is no exception, and feeds my bleached hair extremely well! As mentioned numerous times before, I wash my face twice a day with my lovely Biotherm Hydra-Mineral Cleansing Toning Mousse in the Biosource range. Then for my body wash, I use Dove Visible Care Toning Creme Body Wash. I actually like to shave my legs with this as well, as it leaves your skin incredibly soft. You barely even need to moisturize afterwards. This will definitely be a continued favourite, especially for the price.

I try to use a treatment on my hair at least once a week, and leave it on for as long as I have the time to. Lately, I've been using my Bed Head Self Absorbed Mega Nutrient Conditioner and it gets the job done beautifully. You do need to use quite a lot of it, as it's not as thick as it seems, but it's worth it. Also, the citrus scent is amazing!

When I get out of the shower, I moisturize with my Coconut Body Butter by the Body Shop, which is my favourite in their selection. I can't get over how soft it makes your skin feel! However, I'm really not crazy about having to dip my hand into a pot, I find it a little unsanitary. If they come out with this same formula in a squeeze tube, I will be a happy, happy person.

After brushing my teeth, the last part of this routine is applying my L'Oreal Paris Ideal Moisture Radiant Tone Day/Night Cream! Although it could be a tiny bit more moisturizing, this has worked well for me so far, and I have been applying it both morning and night.

GOODNIGHT!! xx

Life Experience: Having My Face Cast

             This was an incredibly strange experience that not everyone gets the chance to have done! While participating in a special effects makeup program at Ryerson University, it was required that we each have a casting done of our own faces in order to create prosthetics for them. Doing this to somebody else is easy enough, but having it done yourself is a completely different story!

Some people who have experienced this think it's no big deal, others think it's one of the scariest things they've ever had to sit through. Coming from someone who is somewhat claustrophobic, I found it was somewhere in the middle. Having said that, it did end with me wanting to rip the mask off of my face. Here's what I had to have done!

A very thick layer of alginate was first applied to my face, which felt okay, even when it went over my mouth. A couple thick pieces of burlap were then applied over top to help support the mask. Alginate is basically what dentist's use to cast your teeth, except this is a slightly different kind. It starts off as a powder, then when mixed with water turns to rubber-like consistency.

Next, was the application of the plaster bandages, which is actually the same thing a doctor would use to cast your arm. I believe we used Ultra-Cal 30, which is gypsum cement. This wasn't all too bad, until it was put over my mouth...and then started to dry.

This waiting period was by far the scariest. I think it was only five minutes, but it felt a lot longer. I really did want to rip the mask off, as I was freaking out underneath and breathing heavily. As you can see, you have very narrow breaking slits for your nostrils, because it's best for the mask if they're as small as possible. 

I literally could not communicate verbally at all at this point, so it was important that we had a pad of paper next to us to give an update on how we were doing. For some reason I was laughing a lot when they were applying the alginate, so it set partly in my mouth!

The end result before I sanded it down! It felt extremely weird holding an exact replica of my own face! Overall, an experience I will never forget, and will probably never do again!

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT! xx

Osteoporosis in Your Teens: Reversing the Damages

               Time for a more serious post today! I was going to do a Toronto adventure post, but the weather is miserable and I don't feel like leaving the apartment. So, here we go. Most people are not aware of the fact that I've had osteoporosis since I was in my early teens, or perhaps haven't believed me when I told them. Although it is not uncommon in young people who have suffered with eating disorders, it barely gets any attention. I remember trying to find support by searching for posts online, from girls who were in the same situation I was and couldn't find any.

If you don't know, osteoporosis is a disease that involves having a low bone mass and the deterioration of the bone tissue. This leads to your bones over time becoming super delicate and frail and your risk of a fracture increases significantly.

It is truly alarming to be diagnosed with osteoporosis at such a young age. This is a disease that typically strikes when you're in your 50s or older, not when you're in your teens. However, it does happen. And it happened to me because I was engaging in behavior that was affecting my bone mass at such as critical stage in the growing process. Not only was I not allowing my bones to grow properly by eating little and exercising frequently, but I was also partying and drinking a LOT. I was one of those teens who starting drinking at a very young age, and when I drank I had to drink a lot. Not only has drinking to this degree always affected me mentally, but it was doing terrible things to me physically.

What's also alarming is the amount of doctors who do not take this disease in teens seriously enough. After going for my initial bone density scan when I was 15, I found out that I had a mild form of osteoporosis in my spine and hip. As a result, it was essential that I started getting my eating disorder under control, increase my dairy intake and at the very least start taking calcium supplements. It was also recommended that I go and see a pediatrician to further delve into why I had this disease.

I am still bitter about this pediatrician appointment, and it's been 7 years. This doctor had never really heard of somebody my age having osteoporosis. Therefore, all he decided to do was take a scan of my wrist to see if calcium was actively leaching out of my bones. First of all, I did not have osteoporosis in my wrist. So why he did this, I do not know. After examining the scan, he told me that he did not think I had osteoporosis, and that I could slow down on taking calcium supplements, as it wasn't really necessary. He just thought I was still growing, and my bone density would start increasing.

After going through recovery for my eating disorder, I was scheduled for another bone density scan a couple years later. Not only had I completely stopped taking calcium supplements because I was told I didn't have osteoporosis, but I was still drinking quite a bit and never fully ceased my eating disorder behavior. After this appointment, I was told that this disease that was afflicting my bones had gotten significantly worse, and I had moderate to severe osteoporosis in my spine and moderate in my hip. I was FURIOUS. I knew that there was something off about this doctor and was glad I had followed my instinct to not schedule a follow up appointment with him.

Following this scan, I knew I had to make some serious changes. At this point I was 17 and at the risk of being crippled by the time I was in my 40s. My eating disorder behavior had to get fully under control, and I had to make the decision to stop drinking as much as I was. I was getting wasted every time I hung out with my friends on the weekend, and that had to stop. Alcohol does terrible things to your bones, especially when you have issues with them to begin with. I didn't stop drinking right away and I still have times where I let myself have a good time, but by the time I was 20 the amount I drank was split in half. Now, I only have more than a few drinks every few months.

I requested another bone density scan when I was 20, and received good news. My osteoporosis had gotten significantly better. You still have an opportunity in your early 20s to build back almost all of the bone density you lost, and as far as I know I am in a safe range. I can honestly say that knowing I had osteoporosis stopped me from continuing to engage in some seriously harmful behavior, and as terrible as it was, maybe underneath it all it was a good thing.

If you have had a serious eating disorder in your life, it is best to get tested for osteoporosis now. Most people have no symptoms until they fracture a bone. Hip and spinal fracturing can eventually lead to death, so even though it's not always fun to not be able to drink and party as much as I used to, it is 100% necessary.

HOPE YOU'RE HAVING A GOOD THURSDAY! xx

High End Drugstore Products: Why You Don't End Up Spending More

                As you may have been able to tell from my previous posts, I am a big fan of drugstore products. I buy almost all of my hair and skin care products from Shoppers Drug Mart on a regular basis. It wasn't until a couple years ago that I ventured over to the "high end" section of hair care, and it was only this year that I discovered high end skin care. Now when I say high end, I mean anything that is over a certain price point. In Shopper's, they generally have these products separated into different sections. However, drug store high end is still only high end to a degree, as they try to keep these products below a certain price point as well. I think I only started checking out these products when I left home, as I was always discouraged from spending too much on anything. 

Having said that, there's something I've noticed since I began to purchase these products. I'm actually not spending more money. The large majority of drugstore users shop at these stores for deals and affordable products. Nothing wrong with that. Spending much more than $10.00 at a time on pretty much anything is a no no, and that's just how it is. And these products generally work perfectly fine, they do what they're supposed to. This year, I started to want to REALLY take care of my skin, and transform it from just okay to really nice, clear and radiant. Many will just say to cut out this and that, don't drink caffeine or diet pop, drink lots and lots of water, blah blah. I'm a student, realistically none of that is going to happen right now and I'm good with that! I have watched all kinds of beauty tutorials and reviews on YouTube for years now. As there are a multitude of beauty gurus out there, you can always find someone with your same hair or skin type. This has lead to me getting it right almost every time I've purchased a product that they've recommended. 

Countless reviews on YouTube have led to me purchasing my beloved Bioderma Sensibio H2O for the first time. I have never seen or heard a bad review on this stuff, and that's coming from girls of all skin types. Great, great stuff! Having said that, this cleansing water is more expensive than what I would typically buy. I had never tried a cleansing water before Bioderma, and would never really have thought to. However, from the first day I started using it, I noticed that it did amazing things for my skin. My skin felt softer, produced less oil and looked more clear. It also eliminated the need for another drug store product I was using on top of my makeup remover, to get a similar softening effect. I haven't repurchased this other product since. Interesting.

Oh Biotherm....how I love you. I just started using this product, and I'm obsessed! This is the Hydra-Mineral Cleanser Foaming Mousse by Biosource for normal to combination skin. I noticed a difference in my skin after using this product twice. I have to say, through all my years of buying Clean and Clear, Garnier, L'Oreal and even Neutrogena, there has never been a time where I've noticed such an amazing difference, especially in such a short period of time. I actually bought this product on a whim, as I have not seen it mentioned in a YouTube video yet on my usual subscription channels. This cleanser eliminated the need for a toner, as well as cutting down my use of Bioderma to only once a day.

Last but not least, another recent purchase, my Bed Head Self Absorbed Conditioner. After using this product for the FIRST TIME, my hair was so lovely, full of moisture and frizz free that it eliminated the need for any other product I would normally spray or scrunch into my hair after it was dry. It also did the job better!

All 3 of these products are in the "high end" category of the hair or skincare section of the drugstore, and all three have eliminated the need for at least one other product for me. The prices are not outrageous, they are all $20 or under. Don't get me wrong, there are so many great drugstore products that cost less than this. However, if you're going to end up spending the same amount anyway for 1 versus 2 or 3 products, do some research on what would really work for you. You may be surprised how much better your skin or hair gets from one amazing product.

TIME TO HAVE A NAP! xx

Ashley Bridget Accessories Review

               Lately, there have been ads for ashleybridget.com all over Facebook. There always seems to be some kind of big sale going on! Especially with the Ashley Bridget Magic Collection, which I actually think is quite cool (if you're into Harry Potter, which I am!). If you don't already know, Ashley Bridget is a fashion forward accessories line, designed in New York City and put together in Toronto. The amazing deals that they advertise made me want to see what the line was actually like, so I ordered a couple pieces.

Both pieces came in cute little individual bags, which included the bracelet (obviously) and the Certificate of Authenticity, which I think is a really nice touch. I think their packaging looks sophisticated and professional, and I love the navy blue.

This is the Halyard-Navy Bracelet from the Nautical Collection, which retails for $49.00. What's great about their Nautical Collection is that it's not too summery looking, so you can get away with wearing them year-round. This particular bracelet also comes in black, tan and white. For each bracelet, they give you a detailed description online about what it represents, which actually makes you really want to buy them! This one is 14k gold plated on the chain link and cuffs, and is fastened to a sailor rope. It's fully adjustable, and can easily fit any wrist size. I really like this! It looks great and is really well made. I don't think I would pay the full retail price for it, so even though it is 14k gold plated, I think they could bring their prices down a little. Other than that, a great accessory!

I was actually most excited to purchase this piece, which is the Tranquility Bracelet from the Expression Collection. I have to say, I did not end up liking it as much as the Halyard-Navy one, which was disappointing! It's a nice bracelet, but I definitely don't think it's worth the price, as it retails at $42.00. Although both of the white rope bracelets are silver plated, I found both them and the Koskin Weave in the middle a little flimsy, along with the clasp. I also needed assistance with putting this on, as it's actually difficult to clasp yourself. So although I liked the idea of this bracelet and what it represents, I'm not sure if I'll be repurchasing from the Self Expression line if they're all made like this.

 Having said all this, I would recommend checking out ashleybridget.com, as they do have some beautiful accessories. I believe I ended up paying $24.00 for these two pieces along with receiving free shipping, as I purchased them when some great deals were going on! They ship worldwide, with regular free shipping over $50.

TIME TO GET BACK TO STUDYING! UGH! xx

Mini Drugstore Haul!

        It's official.....fall is here, and winter is creeping up right around the corner. And both my skin and hair know it. This is the time of year where the products I use during the spring and summer officially stop working, and I need to put them aside and double up on moisture. I've witnessed the first dry patches of the season on my face, and I am not happy. It was definitely time for a trip to the drugstore.

I've actually never tried any of these products before, and they range from somewhat high end to the very cheapest you can get. 

I am really looking forward to trying the Biosource Hydra-Mineral Cleanser Toning Mousse I purchased from Biotherm, because I've never tried a product like it. This one is for normal to combination skin and has 150 ml of product. It's supposed to have a 70 mineral complex and balances your skin with zinc. It says that it will tone without drying out your skin, and that within 7 days your skin will radiate with a healthy glow. I nearly bought the same cleanser in the pink tube instead, which is the dry skin version. However, the sales girl told me that even though I'm getting dry skin now, it doesn't mean I have a dry skin type, and should stick to the cleanser for combination skin. I hope she's right, as I really need hydration right now! It seems to come out almost like a light clay mask, which is interesting for a cleanser. It spreads smoothly and feels nice on the skin.

Next, I needed to pick up something heavier than my Neutrogena Natural's Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Moisturizer, as I'm currently not using any sort of a night cream. So instead of picking up the corresponding night cream, I chose the L'Oreal Paris Ideal Moisture Radiant Tone Day/Night Cream for all skin types. I'm a little concerned that this one may not be heavy enough for my skin right now. However, I decided to try it because it's meant to smooth the texture of your skin and reduce imperfections. Texture is something that I seem to have an issue with, especially on my forehead and around my nose where my pores are large. I also don't like the feeling of anything too heavy on my face, so I wasn't sure if I wanted to go for a full on night cream. So, we'll see if this works for me. I think I only like the smell of L'Oreal's face creams because they remind me of my mom. Otherwise, they don't do much for me! Anyway, it was on sale, so let's try it out and see if I like it!

There are SO many bloggers who go on and on about Wet and Wild, and how amazing it is for the price. There have actually been quite a few comparisons to brands like Urban Decay in terms of eyes shadows. I decided to just pick up a new top coat, so I got the Wet and Wild Wild Shine Clear Nail Protector for under $2.00. What I was most excited to see, was the collection that Wet and Wild created with Fergie, called Fergie Nail Colour. I've heard good things about it, so I chose the colour Gold Album. I've been wanting a gold nail polish for a while as I don't have any. Even though I love my Butter London, I don't necessarily think the more expensive the nail polish, the better it is. It would be great for me price-wise if I could get into these!

Lastly, I purchased Bed Head's Self Absorbed Mega Nutrient Conditioner. Lately I've only been buying products that are specifically for colour treated hair, but on the back it does mention that it's great for out of shape, chemically treated hair. My hair isn't as out of shape as it used to be, but it still definitely needs the extra hydration. It's meant to add body and shine, as well as work out tangles and feed dry ends. You can use this as a regular conditioner, or as a treatment that you leave on for about 3-5 minutes. I've only ever seen this conditioner in this size (250 ml) so hopefully a little goes a long way. It has a refreshing, citrus-like scent to it. I have high hopes for this product!

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT! xx

My Everyday Fall Makeup Routine

For the most part, this is the way I have applied my makeup every day this fall. Occasionally I switch it up with the eyeliner or eye shadow, but I pretty much do the same thing every day! I would have to say the only major difference between what I do in the summer compared to what I do in the fall/winter, is what I put on my skin. I rarely wear anything but tinted moisturizer on my skin in the summer, but like to switch to something slightly heavier in the wintertime like my Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation. I always go for a neutral look, as I find that suits me best. Wearing a darker eye look or lip colour tends to look strange on me!

These are all the product that I use on a daily basis! It seems like a lot when all laid out like this, but it all amounts to a very natural, clean look. I've been using some of these products for years, while some are still relatively new to me. Here's a run down of what I do below:

FACE: After applying my Neutrogena Naturals Moisturizer, I go in with the Nip + Fab CC Eye Fix in Light to brighten up my under eye area. I really like this concealer, as it's hydrating and contains vitamin E to fight off signs of aging (yes, at 22 you need to start thinking about this already!). Then, I just use my fingers to apply my beloved Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel Serum Foundation in 51 Light Vanilla all over my face, including my eyelids. I go in with a second coat over any breakouts, and around my nose where my pores are the largest. I am lucky enough to not have any breakouts right now, but I definitely do get them. Once this sets, I use a large brush (not pictured above, as it needs to be washed) and dust my face lightly with Covergirl's Clean Pressed Powder for Sensitive Skin. I've been using this powder for years, and repurchase it once every couple months or so. I then take my Bourjois Bronzing Powder in 51, and contour my cheekbones, temples and jaw line. To finish, I apply my Revlon Matte Powder Blush in Perfectly Peach to the apples of my cheeks.

Note: I do nothing to my eyebrows besides brush them out. Not into filling in my eyebrows!

EYES: Next, I take my Gosh Waterproof Eye Shadow Stick in Gold and apply it to my eyelids. Using my finger, I make sure it's all blended in, and that there's no crease. This has become my staple eye shadow, and I will eventually be purchasing more neutral colours from this line. Using a flat eye shadow brush, I take my NYX Love in Florence Palette in Meet My Romeo and sweep the lightest shimmery brown over my lids as well. I actually got this from the Urban Outfitters website in the summer, as I've never seen NYX in Ontario and wanted to try it. I then sweep the off white colour over my brow bone. I used to apply one of the darker brown colours in the crease, but I prefer a lighter look now. I have recently started adding the littlest bit of the Essence Stays No Matter What Jumbo Eye Pencil and Shadow in 07 Whipped White Frosting to the inner corners of my eyes. After this is complete, I use my favourite Physician's Formula 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum in Ultra Black to create a winged out look. This took forever for me to learn how to do, and I'm still trying to get it right! I top this off with two coats of my Covergirl Clump Crusher LashBlast Mascara in Very Black.

LIPS: To finish off the look, I first apply Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Honeysuckle, (I often have foundation all over my lips by this time and need to put colour back into them!) and go in overtop with my Gosh Velvet Touch Lipstick in 146 Cappuccino.


Once again, this may seem like a lot to some, but it takes me on average 10 minutes to apply.

HOPE YOU ENJOYED MY NEUTRAL FALL LOOK! xx

Lush Review: Empties!

   
           I have used up countless amounts of Lush products in my time, so this certainly isn't all of my empties, but it is all that I've managed to keep over the past couple months! I love all of these products in some way, and some have even made it into my top 10 favourite products. Here's a run down of each, and what I thought of them!

Marilyn Hair Treatment, Curly Wurly Shampoo, Sweetie Pie Shower Jelly, Bûche de Noël Facial Cleanser, New! Shampoo Bar

Some of these products look quite scuffed up and perhaps slightly gross, as the majority of them spent their lives in my shower, so I apologize for that! I will be listing these in order of what I enjoyed the least, to what I enjoyed the most. Again, these are all great products, but I would have to say some are more impressive than others.

5) SWEETIE PIE SHOWER JELLY

This 100 ml version is actually Lush's best selling shower jelly. It came with The Sweetest Thing gift box, which was a really nice gift to receive. 

PRICE: $6.95

WHAT IT DOES:  This product is literally a jelly that you use to cleanse your hair and body. It softens and cleanses your skin and leaves a slight iridescent shimmer.

WHAT IT'S MADE OF: The star ingredients in this shower jelly are coconut, black current, cherry and seaweed.

HOW TO USE IT: This product works best when you pinch off a piece and spread it into a loofah. It foams up nicely, so you don't need much.

WHAT I THOUGHT: Although a lot of people adore shower jellies, and Sweetie Pie smells great and leaves your skin exceptionally soft, I'm not a huge fan of the whole idea of a shower jelly. Unless you do use a loofah and make sure the jelly is completely crushed into it, it tends to be hard to work with and bits end up falling into your shower.

RATING:    2/5

4) NEW! SOLID SHAMPOO BAR

This shampoo bar does not get it's name from the fact that it's actually "new", but is created for people who want "new" hair! I purchased this from Lush by the recommendation of a sales girl, when I told her that I wanted a product that would help my hair grow longer.

PRICE: $11.95

WHAT IT DOES: This product is especially meant for people who have weak or thinning hair. It helps stimulate your scalp, influencing your hair to grow in thicker and healthier. It also leaves the hair that you already do have soft and shiny.

WHAT IT'S MADE OF: The star ingredients in this shampoo bar are peppermint, rosemary, cinnamon and nettle herbs.

HOW TO USE IT: Wet both your hair and the shampoo bar, and either work the bar into a lather in your hands or glide it down your hair a few times. Make sure you massage it into your scalp!

WHAT I THOUGHT: I loved what this shampoo bar did to my hair! It didn't feel exceptionally stimulating on my scalp, however it smells great and does make your hair stronger and shinier. I didn't notice if it made my hair thicker at the root or that it promoted faster hair growth. The downside to this product was kind of my own fault. Although I stored it in a Lush tin, I did not store it in a dry, cool place in between uses, so it started to get a little gross. However, used correctly this is a great product and is ideal for travelling!

RATING:    3/5

3) MARILYN HAIR TREATMENT

I was recommended this product in a Lush store when I was searching for a pre-wash treatment that would benefit blonde hair. There is 225 g in this product, and you get roughly 3 uses out of it depending on your hair length. It is of course named after the world's most famous blonde, Marilyn Monroe! All the more reason to purchase this product, as I'm a huge Marilyn fan.

PRICE: $22.95

WHAT IT DOES: Like I said, this is a pre-wash treatment that is meant to hydrate and add shine to blonde hair. It also uses natural ingredients to infuse colour into your hair so you go even blonder! It is formulated to strengthen your hair, calm your scalp and bring out the blonde tones that you already have.

WHAT IT'S MADE OF: The star ingredients in Marilyn are chamomile, saffron, linseed gel and lemon.

HOW TO USE IT: You can really leave this product on for however long you want, but the suggested time is 20-30 minutes. Shampoo it out afterwards and use a conditioner if you need to.

WHAT I THOUGHT: I adored this product! It for sure has a place in my top 10 favourite hair care products. Out of the five listed here, it's my favourite smell-wise. It does everything it's supposed to do and I did notice a difference in my hair colour after using this product. My hair was actually noticeably blonder, not just to me, but to other people as well. The only thing is, I did expect my hair to be softer after using this treatment. I'm not really one to spend almost $25 on a treatment you can only use a few times at the most, so I did expect a bit more of a transformation in terms of hydration. Having said that, it's still a great product, and I will eventually repurchase it.

RATING:    4/5 

2) BÛCHE DE NOËL FACIAL CLEANSER

This 100 g pot is actually a seasonal cleanser, so it's only offered for a limited time during the year. However, the arrival of this cleanser means that once again Christmas is near! I put this product on my wish list last Christmas after reading about it's benefits for combination skin such as mine. This product is meant to be similar to the Lush cleanser Angels on Bare Skin, and is named after the French dessert! 

PRICE: $12.95

WHAT IT DOES: This is an exfoliating cleanser, which buffs away dead skin while deeply cleansing at the same time. It's ingredients also help to moisturize and nourish your skin.

WHAT IT'S MADE OF: The star ingredients in this cleanser are ground almonds, kaolin clay, almond oil and seaweed.

HOW TO USE IT: After dampening your face with warm water, take a pinch and create a paste in your hand by adding just a little bit of water. Apply to your face in circular motions and pat dry.

WHAT I THOUGHT: I will without a doubt be repurchasing this product this Christmas (or as soon as possible). It is one of the best products I have ever used on my skin. My skin tends to feel tight after using pretty much any cleanser, especially in the wintertime when my skin gets quite dry and flaky. This is the perfect cleanser for me, and keeps my skin clear while moisturizing it at the same time. Love, love love. The only negatives are that it doesn't smell the greatest, and can be a little messy!

RATING:    4.5/5

1) CURLY WURLY SHAMPOO

Last but not least, my all time favourite Lush hair product. This 220 g pot lasts you at least a couple of months if not more, seeing as you need very little of it. I was given this as a gift from my boyfriend last Christmas, without even knowing about this shampoo myself. He thought he'd take a chance because he knows I love coconut, and it was an excellent choice!

PRICE: $25.95

WHAT IT DOES: This shampoo is meant to make your hair super soft and moisturized, as well as treating split ends and eliminating frizz. It adds a ton of protein and nutrients to your hair, which keeps it extra shiny and bouncy.

WHAT IT'S MADE OF: The star ingredients in this shampoo are creamed coconut, coconut oil, eggs and avocado.

HOW TO USE IT: Just pinch off a small bit of product into your hand, lather up and work through your hair.

WHAT I THOUGHT: I cannot say one bad thing about this product. When I first received it I was wearing my hair straight nearly all the time, so I used it even before blow drying and flat ironing my hair, and it worked fine. It was only when I started wearing my hair naturally wavy more often that I was blown away. I don't think any product makes my wavy hair look as amazing as this product makes it look. My hair absolutely loves it. It looks incredibly moisturized, it is not frizzy at ALL, and it smells amaaaazing. I even somehow like the fact that the little bits of coconut get on the walls of my shower. Although this is expensive for me for a shampoo, I will without a doubt be purchasing it again.

RATING:    5/5!!!

 HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT WEEKEND! xx

Adopting a Cat From a Feral Cat Colony: My Experience

                Many people do not like the idea of taking in a feral or "wild" cat off of the streets. Understandably so, as you do not know if these cats are carrying a contagious disease, and you don't always know if they're going to be able to adapt to living with people. However, there are many charities and organizations that take in feral cats and kittens, such as the charity I adopted Chloe through. They are first checked out by a vet, and given up to date vaccinations. Their behavior is then monitored in a foster home, where they stay until they are given their forever home. These organizations also neuter or spay the cats that are taken in, in order to avoid the possibility of even more homeless kittens. I have adopted a kitten through an organization such as this, as well as taking a homeless kitten right off of the street myself. Both have been rewarding, and both were very different experiences. Here is my experience with taking a feral kitten right off the street, and into my home.

KENYA

When Kenya was first brought to my home by a friend of mine, this is exactly what she looked like. Scared out of her mind. She was TINY and could fit in the palm of my hand. I had no experience with feral cats whatsoever, but I had been informed of a litter of kittens that had been living outside since they were born, visiting a local bar every so often to get some food. After hearing this, I offered to take in at least one of them. I first did some research on what to do and what not to do when you take in a feral cat. I remember scrambling around, trying to find a large shallow box, newspaper, litter box and some food and water and putting them in my bath tub. I had two other cats with me at the time (I know, cat lady!) and didn't know how this was really going to work. 

The first night that I had her, all I could do was cuddle her and try to get her to go to sleep. That night she would repeatedly make the tiniest hisses at me, as that was all she could do. But in between the hissing, she let me hold her and snuggle her. I gave her a hot water bottle covered in a small towel to lie next to as well, which actually helped her get to sleep when I'd put her down. I wanted to introduce her to my other two cats right away, to maybe give her some sort of comfort, but I knew that it was a bad idea. She was scared enough as it was, and introducing new cats to her at this point couldn't be a good thing. Also, I had no idea if she had any contagious diseases. All I could see from looking at her was that one of her eyes was a little runny. So until I could take her to a vet, I was going to have to keep her separated. I started feeding her both wet and dry kitten food, and a special milk supplement for kittens that's supposed to be the closest thing to their mother's milk (expensive!)

Once she became a little more adjusted and was comfortable with me holding her, I took her to the vet. If anyone thinks that adopting a kitten off the street is a cheaper way to go, it is definitely not. The first time I took her she was tested for FIV (Feline Aids) and was given a general physical and her very first shots. FIV is not cheap to get tested for, but was definitely necessary seeing as where she was coming from. She was given a clean bill of health with the exception of her eye, which had an infection. This is common with kittens and I was given drops.

Hobbes and Kenya

It didn't take long for my cats to start warming up to Kenya, and before too long they were cuddling and playing together. Keep in mind, this was after 2 weeks of keeping them separate and slowly introducing them through the door, as well as a little growling and hissing along the way.

Kenya and I, 2012

Kenya and I have always had a truly special bond. Whether this is because I've had her since she was SO young, or the fact that she's always been with me wherever I've moved to over the last year and a half (I moved around quite a bit for a short period!) She is just an amazing little girl, and I absolutely love her to pieces. She's quite skiddish with a lot of people, mainly men for some reason, but I don't think this has much or anything to do with her being taken off of the street. All cats develop unique personalities, and she's just a lot more comfortable with females. She is up to date on her shots, spayed and is a healthy girl! If it's something you are willing and able to do, I would definitely suggest getting involved in rescuing cats, or any animal for that matter, any way you can. Whether it's through an organization that does the rescue and vaccinations and then adopts these cats out, or rescuing a homeless cat off the street yourself, it's an extremely rewarding experience for both you and the cat.

Check out the organization that rescued Chloe, her mother and brothers and sisters here!

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT! xx

Butter London's 3 Free Nail Lacquer Review: All Hail the Queen

Let me start off by saying, I had a TERRIBLE time taking pictures for this post! I cannot take adequate pictures of nail polishes for the life of me. With such a beautiful nail polish you'd think it would have been easier. Anyway!

I picked up Butter London's 3 Free Nail Lacquer in All Hail the Queen from the Blossom Lounge in the Distillery District for around $20. I've never spent $20 on a nail polish of any kind before this one. However, I hadn't seen them anywhere else in Toronto, so when I saw them there I had to pick this one up. I've actually wanted it for several months now, ever since I randomly came across All Hail the Queen on Pinterest. I don't think I'd even heard of Butter London before then! Of course, Sephora.com started carrying them about a month after I purchased it, so at least I now know of two places I can get them in Toronto!

Just a note: Butter London's "3 Free" formula means that it's formulated without formaldehyde, toluene and DBP!

This has become my favourite nail polish, and I rarely use anything else. I've picked up colours that were similar to this before, however there's nothing that compares to this one. All Hail the Queen is called a "holographic beige", due to the fact that it has tiny specks of all different colours mixed into it. This makes it like no other beige you'll find out there! 

Yes, my nails are slightly different sizes! Oops!

The ONLY thing I don't like about this nail polish, is that a regular top coat only prevents it from chipping for a couple days. I haven't tried either of Butter London's top coats or base coats, which are designed to make a difference in the staying power. As I just applied it today, it's still perfect. 

For now, I'm using Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails UV Top coat, which came with a Sally Hansen Hard as Nails French Manicure Kit. This gives a great shine and works fairly well with most nail polishes. Even though spending $20 on a nail polish does not mean it's "better" than others, I do believe it is worth it when it comes to these holographic colours that you can't seem to get anywhere else. Overall, I still give this nail polish a 9.5/10 for it's amazing colour!

Starting Out: Decorating Your Apartment

             When you're in your 20's and starting out in a new apartment, chances are you're not going to have a lot left over in the budget for decorating. Unless of course you're one of those young people who gets everything handed to you, in which case I hate you. Kidding! (Kind of) But yes, while starting your first real job, making it through school and/or paying off the massive debt you've accumulated whilst in school, decorating is not going to be your number one priority. However, you still want your apartment to look nice and presentable and have a homey feel to it. This is what I've been trying to achieve since moving into my apartment with my boyfriend, and I've picked up a few tricks on how to do it without having to spend too much. Not everything is going to match right away, and some furniture may not go with others, but you do the best you can!

Everything in this photo are things that we've picked up over the years, with the occasional new item we've bought for our apartment. If you have an island area like we do, it is essential that you pick up some bar stools, as they make the biggest difference. I believe these were about $30-$40 each from Canadian Tire. They're comfortable, really sturdy and are a great way to add more seating options to your apartment.

I never thought I'd be one to buy fake flowers, but I LOVE these! These cost $10.00 altogether from the Dollar Store. It's a great way to always have seasonal looking flowers without constantly having to repurchase. Just fill the vase up with water and it's hard to tell the difference between real and fake!

Let me just say, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this dog. This is the Bulldog Decorative Figure from Urban Outfitters, which I got on sale for $27.99 from their website. Unfortunately he's no longer available, but I think he's such a cute addition to our apartment. He's quite heavy, and has little grips on the bottoms of his feet. This dog was originally $59.99, so I couldn't complain about the price.

This is another recent purchase from St. Lawrence Market. This was from one of the souvenir stores on the first floor, and was the only one there. I wasn't originally going to buy it, as it was on for $34.99 and the very top was broken off. However, I managed to bargain down the store owner to $20.00 and he fixed the top for me. 

The best thing about this by far, is that it's a tea light holder! Once I realized that I couldn't just let it go. (That may look like dust around the edges, but it's not!)

This is the Bonjour Multi Hook in silver from the Urban Outfitter's website as well, which hangs by our doorway as a key holder! It really couldn't be much of anything else as it is quite small, but it's a nice touch as you walk in the doorway. This was not expensive at all, I purchased it for $12.00 at regular price.

There are all kinds of prints going on with our dining table, but that's okay! We actually got the table and chairs for free from someone who was getting rid of them in our building, so that was a bonus. However, the top was fairly scuffed up, so we purchased a tablecloth from Homesense to just throw over it for now. The elephant LED light was about $10 on sale from Pier 1 Imports in Guelph, and the seat covers were $12 each from IKEA. IKEA will become your new best friend when you're starting out in your apartment.

Last but not least, at any given time you will find about 5-10 items from Bath and Body Works in our apartment. This is the Birdhouse Mini Candle holder, which you can't get anymore. I need to go purchase a fall one! I have 3 Wallflowers in our apartment to keep it smelling fresh, and numerous soaps. You can always get amazing deals at Bath and Body works, and it's a great way to find little decorative details for your apartment. 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND! xx