Saturday 30 April 2016

April Favourites - 2016



Beauty Favourites

Essie Nail Lacquer in Fiji
I love how tanned this nail polish makes my hands look, and because of this, it was on my nails almost all month. I have a feeling this will be my favourite throughout the summer too, but I guess we will see. The only thing I found is that I would often have to do 3 or 4 coats of this nail polish because it was quite streaky. But I can't seem to find this colour in any other nail polishes.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla
I can't say this is any better than other concealers, luxury or drugstore, but the colour really suited me this month which made me grab it almost every day. It made me look a tad pale but it worked well after I would bronze.

Estee Lauder Little Black Primer
This is a newer product of mine, and I'm absolutely loving it! It stays on my lashes all day and really adds a nice natural look to the lashes while adding colour. You do have to remove it with waterproof makeup remover, however.

ELF Baked Eyeshadow in Toasted
I've really been loving a natural bronzed look this month which made me grab this ELF eyeshadow a lot more than anything else. It gave me a natural eye colour but still adding definition and brightening my eyes.

Elizabeth Arden Sunkissed Pearls Bronzer and Highlighter in Warm Pearl - 01
This is my number one favourite for the month. I am in love with this limited edition Elizabeth Arden Bronzer. The product worked well as a multi-purpose, bronzer/blusher/highlighter. It's quick and easy and puts 3 steps into 1 while giving me a natural glow and warmth to my face.

AKL Maui Lip Balm in Lavender Honey
Lavender is one of my absolute favourite scents ever (I am basically an old woman), so when I found this in Maui on a  holiday I had to buy it. It's a thicker formula but due to the scent and the freshness of spring in the air, I've really been grabbing at this.

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Coral Britannia - 630
This lipstick is great to add to the bronzed look I've been going for recently. It adds a bit of a lighter pink lips that adds contour to the face in order for it to look more bronzey and glamourous. This is a great spring lipstick.

Biotherm Biosource Balm-to-Oil Deep Cleanser and Make-up Remover
I recently went to a work event where we were given a sample size of the Balm to Oil by Biotherm and I've basically used to all up and plan on buying the full size. This balm to oil wipes my makeup off so easily and well. I feel so clean afterwards and I'm not left with a tight feeling in my face. I can't wait to buy the full sized.


Other Favourites
Staples Paper Clips in Gold
This adds to my little stationary obsession (read about it Here), but I found these gold paper clips in my families computer room and have been using them for very thing I can. They are so cute and gold!

Lipton Herbal Tea Bag in Lemon-Ginger
I had recently run out of a lemon-ginger tea that I had had, but I forgot what kind it was. My dad then went on a hunt to try and find this tea I was missing and came home with the Lipton tea one day. I knew it wasn't the right one but I gave it a try and fell in love. It's a very strong ginger taste which many wouldn't enjoy,  but if you love a strong ginger and cinnamon taste. Try this.

Bath and Body Works White Barn Candle in Georgia Peach
With Spring, comes new candles. Ayla and I were snooping through Bath and Body Works and when I smelt this candle, I knew I wasn't putting it back down. It is such a fresh and spring/summer scent that it's been burning almost every day since I got it.

Excel Gum in Strong Mint
I drink a lot of coffee and because of this I usually chew a piece of gum afterwards to get rid of my coffee breath. I love this strong mint by Excel because it is so strong that I know I won't be bugging anyone with my bad breath afterwards.

Dove Dry Spray 48h Protection Anti-Perspirant in Cool Essentials
In Canada, most people use stick deodorant but recently spray was introduced in Canada, so I thought I'd give it a try. I love it. It needs rubs off on my clothes and it dries almost instantly to leave my dry and smelling fresh all day.


I hope you enjoyed my favourites this month. If you enjoy any of these products tell me below, and if you have any other products you think are worth trying tell me!

Brittany

Thursday 28 April 2016

My Eyeshadow Palette Collection - 2016



I love palettes. Eyeshadow palettes allow us to have a lot of colours available to us; some that we will use and some we won't ever use. But generally, I find it less expensive to buy a palette then a single eyeshadow.
I used to have quite a few more palettes, but after careful consideration and trying to remember how old some of them were, I figured these eight were the ones I used the most and were worthy of staying in my collection.

So here is a bit about what I think regarding each palette:
Note: They will be linked - 'Here' - if they are still available.

NARSissist Eye Palette
This palette was highly raved about, which made me want it even more. However, once I actually had it, I found myself reaching for other palettes or eyeshadows a lot more than this one. The pigmentation is amazing and the quality is great, but I find the colours themselves a little dark for my taste. I only use about six of the fifteen colours, and I can easily find those six in other palettes I own. The main reason I keep it is because it has a variety of purples that I wouldn't have otherwise.

Kat Von D True Romance Eyeshadow Palette in Saint
I could live off of just this palette alone. I love the colours, very pigmented and they easily stay on all day. This palette is also great to travel with because it's a bit smaller and it fits perfectly into a handbag or makeup bag! The pinks and bronzes are colours I go for the most regardless of brand, and I use the dark browns for either my eyebrows (if I don't have a matte one available) or as a liner. They are all shimmers however, just something to be aware of.

Urban Decay Naked Basics Eyeshadow Palette Here
This little palette is also great for travelling. I usually take this one and the Kat Von D on holiday with me. This palette has all matte neutral shades that I usually want to have on me. It is very compact, so you can take it anywhere. This is a must have for me.

Urban Decay Naked 3 Eyeshadow Palette Here
This was the first palette I ever bought for myself, it was on a boxing day. I didn't care that I had to wait in long lineups, I wanted that palette right then and there. To be honest, this is one of the best makeup purchase I have ever made. I like to wear a lot of pinks and this gave me a wide range of shades that I can match up with similar blushes or with what I'm wearing. If you love pinks, this is for you.

Lancome Color Design 5 Shadow & Liner Palette in Sienna Sultry Here
This is my most recent palette and I chose it as a travel palette to take the place of the Naked Basics and the Kat Von D. I wanted one palette that would incorporate my most used colours for travel and this one did a pretty good job. It has a base colour, an eyebrow colour, a liner colour and a pink and bronze (which I love). I haven't used it yet, but I'm hoping this little compact baby will be all I need from now on!

MAC Duo Palette in Expensive Pink - A35 and Cranberry - A16
My relationship with MAC has kind of struggled, I didn't really discover it till after I had found other products that I loved. So recently I have been dipping into the MAC pool and trying some of their eyeshadows, lip products, (I plan on trying some brushes soon) etc. to see if I can be converted to the MAC cult. I made this little palette a few months ago and have so far liked the quality of the shadows, plus it's cute and little. Cute and little is always good.

Stila Eyeshadow Palette in In the Light
This was one of my first palettes and is one of my favourites. I use ever single colour except the blue (blue just doesn't suit me). It's an easy palette with a good mixture of mattes and shimmers and it's a great first palette to play around with. Highly highly recommend. Sadly they don't sell this exact palette anymore but they have a similar one called 'Soul' that I will be buying next [Here].

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow Collection Here
This is probably my most fun palette out of all of them, with a wider range of colours (sadly the lid covers some of them in the picture) and it smells like chocolate. Thank you, Too Faced. This is the palette I reach for when I want to play with some greens or experiment with. It's still not a super bright or  colourful palette compared to some, but it has a wonderful mixture of neutrals that are bit out of the ordinary that you can have a lot of fun with.

All of these palettes are perfect for me. I love the colours and the quality. I find it worth it to buy luxury eyeshadows because they go on a lot nicer and stay on a lot longer, with better pigmentation.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. If you want me to do an eyeshadow look with one palette, tell me; and tell me what your favourite palette is! I'd love to hear from you too!

Brittany

Sunday 24 April 2016

Book Review: The Awakening

Taken from Here
The Awakening
By Kate Chopin

Many of my friends and family know that I am a huge supporter of women's rights and my own individualism, strength and independence. However, I always been sceptical of academic feminism and some thoughts and movements surrounding feminism. I find myself being placed in the way of many feminsit novels, scholarly articles and writting on topics surrounding women, including recently writting an essay on women in Alberta Politics and a report on women in office since the 2015 Canadian election.

During my grade 12 Provinical exam for English, there was a peice we had to read from 'The Awakening' by Kate Chopin. I loved the peice taken from novel and immidiatly put it on my 'to read' list on GoodReads. However, I didn't end up reading it till this year (almost 3 years after finishing English 30).

I didn't really know what I was getting myself into but about half way through I knew it was a feminist novel. I rolled my eyes but kept reading thinking it would get crazy feminist and unrealistic. Despite this, I was greatly suprised by the end of the book and fell in love with the whole thing.

The novel focuses on the life of Edna, a young wife with two children and a devoted but society inclined husband. She starts the novel as a placid simple women who lives to be accepted and part of society. However her male companion Robert and her start to fall in love, which 'awakens' a part of her she didn't know existed. Robert leaves before the relationship can become physical and Edna changes drasticlly throughout the rest of the book.

This change included wanting to work, not following high society norms, moving into her own home and eventually taking a lover. These events are part of her growth in life and her relaization that she doesn't have to impress everyone or be what is expeted of her.

The thing I loved about the novel was how relaistic it was regarding modern women through a novel written in the ltate 1800s. It was a blast to the future without taking it to far. Edna still cares for the people around her, the men around her, her children and her life. But it shows the needs, wants and style of a women from 2015 and what we want from life. It also explains the struggle we feel between being tradionally focused wants and focusing on a career and independant life style.

The end is tragic due to the weight these pressures put on her and her new 'modern' lifestyle. Yet it brings light to how lucky women are today to be encouraged to be 'awakened' and be able to live the life we want and not the domestic life women were pressured into. We can work if we chose, we can raise children and stay home if we want. We have a choice, where Edna tried to have a choice and in the end suffered the conseuquences because of the society she lived in.

An amazing book, one I would recommend to anyone and everyone.

Brittany

Thursday 21 April 2016

University: Studying for Finals - Tips, Tricks and Struggles



When I got out of high-school and went into Univeristy, I struggled to find studying habits that worked best for me. I tried index cards, re-taking notes, reading the textbooks through and through; but there always seemed to be some kind of barrier between me and a letter grade higher.
However, with dedication, struggle and finally success, I found a few methods that worked best for me. These are just a few tips that to help you study better, take in more information and feel more confident about your impending exam!

Note: These tips can be used for any level of education (high-school, college, university, grad-school, etc.) and are not specified to any in particular. These are strategies that work best for me and are not set in stone, they may work for you too or other strategies may work better to help you study.

Find Your Study Spot and Study Sound
I've realised over the last little bit, that I study better in certain spaces. I don't study well at libraries or at school, I get distracted by absolutely everything. I've tried every single room in my house to see where I study the best. That spot is in my bedroom, at my desk, or in the living room on a certain couch in a certain spot. I also put on a GooglePlay playlist that is all instrumental music (classic, ambient, something calm or mellow), or I put a song on repeat so it becomes background noise. Both work really well for me. I think it's really important to know where you are the most focused and with what sounds that are around you, this helps you put yourself in the right mood to study the most effectively.

Study in a Clean Space
I'm sure you've heard the saying "messy space, messy mind", and I believe it's 100% true. I cannot study if my bedroom if it is messy or if I know I need to do laundry or some kind of chore. These are things I find myself doing to procrastinate. So instead I clean up my room, I get my laundry done and anything else before I study. This way I have no distractions and no way to 'proactively' procrastinate.

Put Away your Phone
This seems simple or even frivolous to some people. What if I'm waiting for a call from my mum? What if I'm using it for music? That's all fine and dandy, but make sure you aren't texting from friends, or responding to notifications that pop up; because those are distractions, and next thing you know you'll be playing Candy Crush on your phone and an hour just passed without any studying. Turn your phone over, turn off the sound, put it away; so it can't distract you.

Make a Schedule of When you will Study What
Part of making sure you take in as much information as possible is studying properly and over a period of time. Especially when all the class material is looming over your head and will be on a final cumulative exam. I usually use Post-it Notes, write the day on it, and everything I want to get done in that day, study wise and in general. That way I can cross things out, add things and satisfyingly crumple it up after when I've completely everything for the day!

Take a Break When You Need It
Some people like to take a break every 30 minutes, or 2 hours but I've found an hour is when my mind starts to wander or I start to get that burnt out feeling. I don't keep close tabs on the time either, if I'm really charging through and doing well I might wait till an hour and a half, or if it's the end of the day and I'm starting to die, I might take one every half an hour. It really depends on how you feel and where you're at. The same goes for the length of the break, sometimes I'll watch an episode of something, sometimes it's just a quick snack or facebook check. The important thing is that you take a couple minutes to forget what you were studying and just relax. Otherwise after 3-4 hours of pure studying you'll be burnt-out and done for the day, instead of being able to study for a solid 5-6 hours with a couple breaks in between. It makes a difference.

Condense your Notes
This is the main way I study. I will take my notes from the class, go back through any notes the teacher has posted and fill in any blanks, then I go through them all and add in area's I don't understand and condense notes in places there is too much information. I'll do this process of condensing about 3 or 4 times till I'm satisfied. This usually ends up being about 20 pages of notes going down to about 10, with the most important information in them. This works best for me because I go through all the course information and analyze what is important and what isn't, what concepts and theories I'll need and which ones I won't. In this way, I end up studying everything, and all the important stuff a few times over as I condense and then I'm left with a detailed study guide to review with.

Do the Least Amount of Work for Optimal Success
This one's tricky because it depends on the course, the teacher and what you're studying. But basically, if your professor said chapter 5 won't be on the exam, don't study chapter 5.
Or if your professor gives you 8 short answer questions and says 5 will be on the exam and you'll have to write on 3. Only study 6 of them, that way if the 2 you didn't study are on the exam you prepared for the other 3. Basically, don't waste your time studying things you don't have to, ask your teacher what will be on the exam, get them to clarify. If you don't have to focus on something, that means you have more energy that can go towards other area's while studying.

Don't Cram the Day/Night Before
This is an oldie, but it's important. If you only studied the night before, expect to fail. Like the tip above says, you need to make a plan to study over a period of time. Also don't stay up late cramming all the information you have been studying. I usually do a thorough review after dinner and then I relax for the rest of the night. You need to relax and let your mind rejuvenate a bit so you aren't burnt out for the exam. You should make sure you've done enough studying before that point to feel confident for the exam

Get a Good Nights Sleep and Have Breakfast
Again, another oldie. I usually try to get to bed around 10-11pm and sleep until around 7-8am (If I'm not up at 6 for an 8am exam). This way you'll be well rested and not passing out during the exam or have a clouded mind. Also breakfast. I'm not saying eggs, bacon, toast, waffles, pancakes, sausage etc. Just get something in your stomach to give you some fuel, this is usually yoghurt, toast with cheese and a coffee for me. Food will energise you and help stimulate your brain.

Don't Study the Morning Of, Just Relax
This depends on what time your exam is at, but if your exam is before 12, just relax. I might do a quick scan-through-review of my condensed notes, but I will watch some TV, read a non-related book, talk with family and friends etc. Get your mind off of the material at least 2 hours before the exam so you don't confuse yourself or overthink things. Also, make yourself laugh before hand. I've had a lot of teachers who try to make us smile or laugh right before the exam because it helps us relax and not be so tensed and stressed. Stress is not your friend during an exam. Relax, laugh and go into confident.

I hope these tips and tricks helped! They work well for me but if you have any tricks please share in the comment box! I'd love to have some new ideas and we're all different learners so we can all learn and benefit from each other!

Happy studying and good luck!

Brittany

Sunday 17 April 2016

Review: Swiss O-Par Eyelash and Brow Dye Kit


BEFORE

AFTER

I'm a natural blonde. If you haven't seen me with blonde hair, you're probably thinking "No way! Really?", But, yes, I am; and a huge struggle with having naturally light hair when you dye it dark, is your eyebrows.

If I don't colour them in everyday, I look like a hairless cat or like someone who purposfully chose to burn off my eyebrows in crazy stumpor. Both are not an attractive look.

I don't mind colouring in my brows, but I had been debating getting them tinted for a while. So after some research on home products and getting them done professionally, I finally decided to do it with a home product.

I bought the Swiss O-Par Kit from Shoppers Drug Mart, also available at London Drugs (So this product is available in Canada) and followed a youtube tutorial while I applied it becuase the written instructions weren't very clear.

I reccomend this tutorial if you use the product:
NOTE: Watch the whole video first before you start to apply.



I recommend doing this in the bathroom (incase you spill the dye), make sure to have a timer, and makeup remover and pads ready.

The kit comes with a brush applicator and q-tips for the two step process, but I recommend asking you beauty counter for some mascara wands when you're at the checkout, they work a lot better at evenly applying the product.

The basic idea to the product is you apply a liquid (for around a minute), then put a gel on top that will dye the hairs. The gel turns your eyebrows very VERY dark (Do not freak out. Like I did...), as long as you take it off after about 5-10 seconds it shouldn't cause an issue. I took off the eye brow dye with a micellar water which worked really well.

I had to apply the product after 3-4 times over in order ro get the after picture (above). I did a Before and After picture becuase I couldn't find many blogs that did, and I think it's important to see before you buy something like this. The difference is subtle but creates enough of a tint that it makes a big enough difference that I would feel comfortable leaving the house without eyebrow products!

I was orginally worried that the 'brown' colour might come out too redish/orange, but I am happy to say the brown tint has an ashy undertone and not a golden one. I didn't use it on my eyelashes but if you do make sure you are close to a sink if you have to rinse your eyes out.

Overall, the product worked really well (for me), I would recommend it to others and I would use the product again! For any questions regarding the process, just ask below!

Brittany

Thursday 14 April 2016

Stationary Haul





I had never been one of those people who had a stationary obsession, but apparently it's something you grow into. In the last little bit, I've had this itch to buy, organise and use stationary. I felt like I was going mad. I scrounged through my parent's stationary drawer where I found WAY too many white-outs, stole a pair of scissors, a few pens, and a bunch little notebooks. I thought that would crave my urge but a few days later I was scrolling through stationary hauls on YouTube and putting pens, notepads, and greeting cards in my wishlist on multiple stationary websites. 
So finally I said to myself, just go and do it. So I did. I spent a day shopping my way through Staples and ChaptersIndigo in my city and this is what I bought.

Floral 'Thank You' Blank Cards Here
'Les Petits Sweets' Blank Cards Here
Animal Kingdom Adult Colouring Book Here
Botanical Blooms Notebooks (3 Pack) Here

Bali Collection Post-it Notes Here
Triplus Fineliner Pens (10 Colours) Here

The first four I found at ChaptersIndigo, a local bookstore that also carries stationery. After an hour long detour in the book section of the store, I started going through the cards, notebooks and sketching sections. With Spring here and Summer on the way, my items ended up representing these seasons quite well. I thought the 'Les Petite Sweets' would well as birthday cards, and I've always wanted to be one of those people who give thank you cards to friends and family. I feel as if it's a bit of a lost courtesy. The colouring book was picked up because I've already gone through one (doesn't that explain my stress level as Univeristy so well?), and I was surprised at how relaxing colouring books really are as a (somewhat) adult. The notebooks were bought because they were. I have no plan for them and now they will most likely stay in my desk for the rest of eternity. #smartbuys

At Staples, an office supplies store, I knew I needed more Post-it notes, so that happened. The pens, however, were an impulse buy after remembering a friend of mine in high school who used them to colour coordinate notes. I'm hoping I can use them for a similar purpose when studying in Univeristy. I also purchased some basic yellow highlighters and mechanical pencils just to stock up (which aren't pictured above.)

Overall, my stationary bug has been repressed for now. But the real question is, for how long?

Brittany

Sunday 10 April 2016

Makeup Look: Minimal Spring



NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Light 2 - Vanilla
Elizabeth Arden Sunkissed Pearls Bronzer and Highlighter in Warm Pearl 01
MAKE UP FOR EVER Duo Mat Powder Foundation in 201 - Ivory
Lise Watier Double Definition Automatic Brow Liner in Brun Universal 71438
Lancome Hypnose Mascara in Black
Clarins Joli Rouge Lipstick in 747 - Rosy Nude

Recently, I have been loving the minimal makeup look I love feeling like there's close to nothing on my skin and it's easier to do when you have the right skin care routine as well. When your face starts to clear of spots, redness starts to fade and your skin evens out. You become more comfortable with your skin. 
Now-a-days I only wear a bit on concealer to cover any spots or minimal redness, I use the Duo Mat powder to keep shine away from my face all day and a bit of bronzer just to contour and give my face a little dimension. 
I've been loving the Lancome Hypnose mascara, to me, it's that perfect amount of drama to brighten up my eyes and widen them. 
I've also been loving the Joli Rouge lipstick by Clarins, it has such an amazing smell to it (raspberries and vanilla) and is very moisturising. The rosy nude is such a lovely natural lip enhancing colour as well. 
Overall, this look is simple, natural and easy to do in under 5 minutes; which makes mornings super easy! I hope you all enjoyed this look and if you re-create it, let me know!

Brittany

Thursday 7 April 2016

Barcelona - 2016

Park Guell by Gaudi and view of Barcelona
Sagrada Familia
Park Guell by Gaudi

Park Guell by Gaudi

Montserrat, Spain

Montserrat, Spain and the funicular 

Montserrat, Spain at the top of the funicular

Montserrat, Spain as we snuck into dangerous area's.

15th Century Spanish castle, now used as a winery.
Vineyard fields, Spain

Casa Batllo by Gaudi
Famous Beer Market in Barcelona

Barcelona Boardwalk and Port

Barcelona Boardwalk

Barcelona Boardwalk

Sunday 3 April 2016

Spa Day Routine


French Lavender 3-Wick Candle from Bath and Body Works



 Epson Salts from Life Brand (SDM)
Tonic Bath & Shower Concentrate from Clarins 


Purete Thermal Fresh Cleansing Gel by Vichy
Mia 2 Keith Herring Collection by Clarisonic
Wonder Mud Face Mask by Biotherm

Having a little spa Sunday is such a wonderful pleasure. Slipping into a hot bath with your favourite book or TV show (currently watching Sherlock) and just relaxing. Is anything better? No. Not really.

Lavender has always been one of my favourite scents so the French Lavender candle scent from Bath and Body Works is my ultimate bathtub candle. It basically sits next to the bath 24/7, because it's my bath scent, such a relaxing and calming scent (or to some, it smells like their grandmothers).

I always sprinkle plain Epson salts in my bath while the water is running, its supposed to help with muscle relaxation, and to be honest, I think it works but I've never not used it. Otherwise, I've recently been loving the Tonic Bath & Shower Concentrate from Clarins, it smells like eucalyptus, which is super fresh and earthy. I've always been more of an earthy and/or citrus scent lover so this bath oil/tonic was something I fell in love with right away.

I, like many, also love to put on a face mask during my bath. I wash my face with my everyday cleanser first (Vichy) and put it on my Clarisonic. I got this in December and I've noticed a difference in my skin, it's a lot more even and it takes makeup off amazingly better then my cleanser and hands. 

After attending a Biotherm conference, we were rewarded with a jar of the new Wonder Mud face mask. I remember trying it on the back of my hand at the conference and loving it, so when I knew I got to take it home, I was ecstatic! It exfoliates as you massage it onto your face, so you get rid of any dead skin. When you take it off, it leaves your skin with this beautiful natural glow and your skin is amazingly soft. I think it's wonderful that they use natural algae extracts because I've always preferred the use of natural ingredients over artificial (as I'm sure many of us do).

Once my bath is run and prepared, and my face is ready, I hope into the bath and just unwind. We all need some time to just relax and unwind and this is my current favourite way to do it. If you try any of these products, please tell me what you think of them!

Brittany