FOTD & OOTD | Yeah you've crossed the line, I've got a knife behind my back (just sayin')

Hi ladies! I recently attended a party and of course, I did not get to take proper pictures even though, for once, I was free all day and I took plenty of time to pamper myself... oh well, I was browsing through the pictures in my camera yesterday and I realized I did have a few pictures, although they might not be the best ones, but I figured out I had not posted a FOTD or OOTD in some times so I thought, why not?

Benefit The POREfessional | Marcelle BB Cream 'Light to Medium' | Clarins Poudre Multi-Eclat Mineral Loose Powder '01 Light'| theBalm Time Balm Concealer 'Light' | PUPA 4SUN Bronzing Powder SPF 15 | Annabelle Blossom Blush 'Peachy'

I was delighted when PUPA 4SUN Bronzing Powder landed on my doorsteps since I am a huge lover of bronzers, especially when they are as big as this one! This bronzer includes four shades to suit every skintone, but I prefer to simply swirl my brush on all of them at once and dust lightly in a '3' shape on my face (temples, cheekbones and jawline). Full review to come!

Dior Diorshow Extase Mascara 'Black' | Marcelle Velvety Eye Shadow + Primer 'Primer Rose' | theBalm Meet Matt(e) Eyeshadow Palette ('Matt Gallangher' and 'Matt McDonald') | MAC Eye Pencil - Ebony* | Wet n Wild Color Icon Liner Brow & Eye Pencil - Taupe | Revlon ColorBurts Lip Butter 'Cupcake'

Reviews of theBalm Mett Matt(e) Eyeshadow Palette kept popping on my blog reading list recently and they made me want to dig mine out of my stash and use it more. Since I kept the rest of my face neutral, I decided  would do a dark green smokey eye, and 'Matt McDonald' turned out to be perfect for this since it is the darkest green in my collection - it is almost black! Let me know if you are not sick of reviews of this palette, and I will add mine to the bunch.

leopard print tank - Ross | cardigan - San Francisco | Sqin jeans - H&M | oversize glasses shape metal ring and multi-spike charm layered necklace - ROMWE | nail polish - Barry M Nail Paint 'Peach Melba'

I really did not have a specific outfit in mind but I knew I wanted to show off my leopard print tank, so I decided to keep the rest of my outfit pretty basic - I wore my favorite distressed jeans and a comfy cardi. I originally planned to wear my spike necklace from ROMWE but I decided it was too much with the animal prints, so I slipped on my current favorite ring and I was good to go!

Lyrics are from Call It What You Want, by Foster The People

*These products are NOT cruelty-free

Tag | I ♥ Drugstore Makeup

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I have never been a huge fan of tag for some reasons, but I am actually really getting into them and now, I just can't get enough! Let's be honest here; they are pretty easy posts to write, but most importantly, they are fun to do, and to read! I found this tag on Evelyn's blog (which is one of my favorite, by the way!) and since I happen to prefer drugstore makeup to high end products, I thought it wouls be super interesting to do it!

1. What is your favourite drugstore make-up brand?

I would probably say Revlon since it's one of the only cruelty-free drugstore makeup brands that is of high quality at an affordable price, even though I have not tried a lot of their products besides their lipsticks, lipglosses, lip butters and nail polishes.

2. What are your favourite face, cheek and lip products?

Face - I never wore foundation on a daily basis but I am a big fan of Marcelle BB Cream which buffs imperfections without feeling like a mask. I am also still in love with 

Annabelle Zebra Bronzing Pressed Powder which is the perfect bronzer for a natural healthy glow on fair skin!

Cheeks - My favorites are Hard Candy Fox in a Box in Spicy & Sweet and Annabelle Mineral Powder Blush in Au Naturel since they are both greatly pigmented and of high quality for the price. NYX and Milani also makes great drugstore blushes.

Lips - Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Primrose which is a close dupe to the limited-edition MAC Lazy Day Lipstick*, and also a gorgeous wearable pale pink. I have also been impress by NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in La La - amazingly pigmented, great smell and genius applicator!

3. Least favourite product?

Probably Maybelline Great Lash Mascara* - did absolutely nothing for my lashes.

4. What is the best make-up bargain?

Does nail polish count as makeup? If yes, Barry M Nail Paints, definitely - amazing selection of opaque shades that take so long to chip at such a cheap price!

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5. What is your favorite underdog product? (Something you love that often gets overlooked?)

I would say store brands in general - most products are exact dupe at a fraction of the price, it's crazy and absolutely worth a look!

6. A drugstore product that is overpriced?

L'Oréal and Physicians Formula makeup products in general, for my personal budget.

7. What is the best drugstore dupe?

For me, it is probably Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Primrose for MAC Lazy Day Lipstick*, as mentioned earlier.

8. Drugstore product that is not worth the hype?

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters, definitely! I am a bit ashamed to admit that the only reason why I finally caved in and bought Cupcake is because this product was getting so much rave on the blogosphere, but I quickly realized that it really has nothing special! It is not moisturizing enough for my dry lips to allow me to skip lipbalm, and it is not as opaque as a lipstick - I just can't justify the price!

*Please note that these products are NOT cruelty-free

Barry M Nail Paint in Peach Melba

Barry M is my favorite brand of nail polish because it's of amazing quality for the price (only £2.99!). You only need 2 coats for a perfectly opaque color that last a complete week without a single chip. The brush is perfect, the texture is creamy the application is streak-free. 

Peach Melba must be my absolute favorite nail polish shade. It sheers me up instantly and it even makes my hands look tan! It's a shame Barry M is not available here - they had plans to come to Canada but it doesn't seem to work well so far. I'm very grateful to have won this nail polish from the extremely generous Karen - thank you so much! =D

The Seasons Change - So Does Your Beauty Routine!

Thanks to Walgreens for underwriting this post. I was paid as a member of the Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all mine. Visit http://www.discoverbeautywithin.com/.

When the warmer weather sets in, it's important to switch up your beauty routine as well. It's time to say goodbye to heavy body butters and welcome to light lotions, and throw away this heavy-duty foundation and opt for a tinted moisturizer instead. I have been thinking to write a post about how I switch up my products as the seasons change but I guess I have always been too lazy - time to stop slacking now!

Because I have dry skin that is prone to eczema, I still have to be careful to moisturize it properly, but not overdo it. I try to switch my super heavy products for a lighter alternative that is still able to properly moisturize my skin.

In the winter, I like to use a serum followed by a moisturizer day and night. I will continue to use my current combo at night because I don't care if it feels a bit heavy because I will be going to sleep anyway, but for the day, I will switch up Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Moisturizing Gel Cream for dry skin for Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Energizing Hydrating Gel. These products are from the same range, hence they deliver similar benefit, but the Hydrating gel feels lighter and it also melts when it comes in contact with the skin, which is very refreshing.

My two favorite cleansers are from Burt's Bees - the Soap Bark and Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream and the Orange Essence Facial Cleanser - because they take great care of my easily irritable skin while leaving it feeling pampered. However, both tend to be a bit heavy for the spring and summer months, when my skin needs less TLC. As much as I appreciate the fresh and tingly feeling Noxzema Noxzema The Original Deep Cleansing Cream with Eucalyptus Oil provides, it tends to dry out my skin if I use it morning and night, so I use it only a night, followed by an heavy duty night cream.

I have a soft spot for body butters in the harsh winter weather because my eczema tends to flare-up much more easily and I have to be careful with which products I use on troubled spots. I have been trialing I Love...  Strawberries & Milkshake Body Butter recently and even though it's not the thickest butter I have tried, it's still a bit too much in the hot weather. A lotion I have discovered back in November and that I instantly fell in love with - it rarely happens, believe me - is George's Light Special Moisturizing Lotion. It has a light texture but it never fails to relieve dryness and itchiness, meaning significantly less eczema flare-ups. Also, I could feel my skin being moisturized all day, which I don't think I have experienced before!

L -R: e.l.f. Shimmer Gloss Pink, NYX Mega Shine LA~LA~, Revlon Super Lustrous SPF 15 Pink Afterglow, Annabelle Big Show (my own concoction), Eyeko Liptastik Hot Lips, Barry M Glossy Tube 11

I am not a regular lipstick wearer because I am cursed with constantly dry and chapped lips, but while lipsticks can look dull and harsh in the warmer weather, why not switch for a bright colored lipgloss? If you are not a fan of lipglosses, maybe try some colorful lipsticks such as NYX, Essence and Barry M.

My all-time favorite fragrance is, without any doubt, Jessica Simpson Fancy. I don't even understand why I have never properly talked about it on this blog, maybe because I find fragrances so hard to describe and so, hard to review? Still, Fancy is a deliciously sweet gourmand fragrance that smells just like dessert. While not everybody likes to smell like a cake fresh from the oven, when the warm weather comes, I like to wear something a bit lighter, fresh and even fruity and floral. My favorite pick would be Harajuku Lovers Baby, which is described as a powdery musk, fresh, clean and soft scent. To me, this perfume smells a bit of baby powder with a hint of fruit and vanilla. 

L - R: Revlon Minted, Julep Blake, Essie Neo Whimsical, Borghese Verona Pink, Barry M Peach Melba

I'm not the kind of girl who only wear pastel nail polish in the spring or summer and swears by dark shades in the winter. I wear what I want when I feel like it, but still, it's fun to pain your fingers joyful shades when the sun is shining! Why not swap those dull and boring dark reds for some happy mint green and banana yellow?

What changes are you making to prep for spring?

Barry M Nail Paint in Grey (With A Twist!)

Barry M is my favorite brand of nail polish because it's of amazing quality for the price. You only need 2 coats for a perfectly opaque color that last a complete week without a single chip. The brush is perfect, the texture is creamy the application is streak-free. It's a shame Barry M is not available here - they had plans to come to Canada but I don't know what is happening with this now?

I was recently sent some nail art stickers from Online Nail Bar to try and I thought it would be fun to jazz up Grey with these.

Tiny Pink Yellow Nail Art Stickers

Onlinenailbar.com stock a fantastic range of nail art stickers. Each sheet contains between 30 and 60+ stickers so this means that you can complete mutliple manicures or share with friends. This product is extremely affordable at only £1.25 each.

These nail art stickers are very easy to use - simply place the stickers on your nails and seal the nail stickers with a clear top coat. I have founf the stickers a little hard to manipulate because they are so small, but it's not impossible. Just be careful and act quick if you don't want them to properly adhere to the nails. Also, the first time I tried them, I forgot the top coat and of course, the stickers fell off within 30 seconds!

I would not personally re-use the stickers because hey, at £1.25, what did you expect? They lose they stickiness quickly altough a top coat helps them stay put on the nails more easily. I must say I was a little disappointed with the color too - you an clearly see the color pixels when you look closely, but not so much from a distance. They are still cute though!

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Tag: Nail Polish Addict

(source: weheartit)

I found this tag on Sunshine Rose's blog and decide to "steal" it as I realize I don't talk much about nail polish on my blog for some reasons.

1. What's your favorite nail polish company?


Barry M, definitely! It's one of the most affordable nail polish brand and it's amazing quality for the price. I really hope they will come to Canada one day!

2. Glitter or no glitter?


Glitter, even though it's a complete mess to remove, it's totally worth it! I love how it can totally change the look of any nail polish super easily.

(source: weheartit)

3. OPI, China Glaze, or Essie?


I will have to say OPI because the only China Glaze and Essie nail polishes I have tried would chip incredibly quickly on me, which is disappointing for the steep price.

4. When do you change your nail polish?


I like to wear a difference nail polish every week (:

5. What's your favorite color on your nails?


Barry M Peach Melba because it's the most beautiful shade ever and it makes my hands look tan!

(source: weheartit)

6. Darks or brights?


I would say I go for brights more often because they are more fun and original but dark are beautiful too, although more classy.

7. What are you wearing on your nails right this moment?


Catrice Cosmetics Nail Polish in 440 I Wear My Sunglasses At Night (gorgeous greenish black with pink&green glitter)

8. Matte nails - in or out?

I have never tried them but I'm not a fan, it just looks dull in my opinion.


(source: weheartit)

9. French manicure?


I know a lot of people think this is a really dated look but I think it's very classic - when it's done right. To me a good french manicure is a nice light pink or nude with small white tips. Claw like, long white-tipped acrylics? No thanks.

10. Favorite Winter Color

I don't believe there is such a thing as winter or summer color. I just wear what I like when I feel like it!

Mail of the Week (August 29 - September 2)

My prize from Karen's 200th Post Giveaway: I was absolutely thrilled to win this amazingly generous giveaway! The main prize was two MAC lipsticks of my choice, but Karen also included some of her favorite products!

• MAC Glaze Lipstick in Hue (soft pale pink)
• MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Shy Girl (creamy neutral coral beige)
• Barry M Nail Paint in Vivid Purple
• Barry M Nail Paint in Peach Melba
• GOSH Nail Lacquer in Holographic
• Essence Colour & Go Quick Drying Nail Polish

Hue (top), Shy Girl (bottom)

Thank you so much Karen, I'm totally over the moon!

Erotica books from Greenleaf Book Group: I was sent two books from Craig Odanovich: The Black Widow Trainer and Captured Prey. I've been really into erotica books lately - not, it's not porn! - so I was happy to receive the opportunity to read and review these two books.

The Black Widow Trainer ($11.66 at Amazon.com)

Join the Black Widow Trainer in her sultry world of steamy, heart-pounding adventure. 

Bored with tedium of her passionless marriage, Misty's life explodes after a weekend of mind-blowing sex with the man of her dreams. Exploring the physical limits of her newfound desire, she combines the lure of her honed, disciplined body with cunning business acumen and redefines herself as the Black Widow Trainer, a high-price personal trainer/escort. 

Negotiating an open relationship with her husband is the easiest part of her career move. Adjusting to the whims and demands of her well-heeled and imaginative clients, however, requires Misty to expand the limits of her sensual being. 

The genre-busting novel features a cast of original, gritty characters, including an Alaskan sea captain, a pint-size satyr, and a genderbending woman, Misty's fantastic sexcapades in exotic locations around the world are hot enough to fire up anyone's sex life.

Captured Prey ($11.66 at Amazon.com)

After enjoying a brief but sultry respite in Argentina with her best friend Gabriella, Misty--the high-price personal trainer with a unique, controversial clause in her contract--embarks to the United States to meet her next trainee. What she finds under the hot Texas sun shocks and captivates her, and she ends up caught in a wrenching dilemma that causes her to choose between love and career. 

As she sorts out her feelings for an intriguingly handsome cowboy and his conniving, cowardly employer, Misty's sexual appetite and lust for adventure take her from honky-tonks to bustling Copacabana Beach festivals--and land her in the crosshairs of a scheming DC politician hell-bent on taking down an opponent in an upcoming election. 

Captured Prey is populated with a new set of impossible-to-forget characters, plus some key favorites from the first book. As always, Misty's blend of wiliness, sensuality, and wide-eyed innocence helps her charm everyone she meets. Surprises await at every turn in this seductive, action-packed follow-up.

Coupon from Save.ca for a free Kinder Surprise Egg

Samples of Zanta 150 Maximum Strength and a $2.50 mail-in rebate from LivingWell.ca

♥Up All Night - Blink-182

Tag: Summer Besties

I'm not a big fan of tags (even though I enjoy reading them), but I've seen this one on YouTube and on some blogs and I thought it was quite interesting so I decided to give it a go!

Favorite summer...

Lip product - MAC Lazy Day Lustre Lipstick I was extremely lucky to win this gorgeous lipstick from Kim. Because of my dry lips, I don't wear lipstick as often as I would like to, but this one is definitely a favorite of mine. It's a perfect pale pink that doesn't make me look like a ghost even though I'm pale, and I like its glossy finish.

Blush - Annabelle Mineral Powder Blush - Au Naturel I've never been a big fan of mineral makeup because it tends to be a mess to use, but I love this blush regardless. Yes it goes everywhere on the bathroom counter when I try to put it on, but the color is just so natural and perfect, it's definitely worth it. This blush is easily buildable and provides a natural and radiant glow thanks to its slightly shimmery finish.

Nail Polish - Barry M Nail Paint in Mushroom Barry M is not available in Canada as of yet, but I was very lucky to receive this nail polish to try and review. It's one of the best drugstore nail polish I have tried so far! It lasts a week with minor chips, the formula is great and you barely need two coats to achieve perfect opacity. Mushroom is a super pretty taupe shade that has quickly became a staple of mine.

Bronzer - Annabelle Zebra Bronzing Powder in Haute Gold (the original question was "Liquid face product" but I don't use any) I reviewed this a long time ago, and even if I had the chance to try numerous bronzers in the meantime, I always go back to this one. It is perfectly shimmery and even if I'm fair, this bronzer gives a natural glow to my face without overdoing it.

Powder face product - Sheer Cover Mineral Foundation SPF 15 - Bisque I normally don't wear foundation, but I like to swipe this one on to absorb the oil on my face when it's hot outside. It also has SPF 15 which is great, because I don't have to apply a greasy sunscreen before going out.

Hair product - Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo As I have super greasy roots, I fell in love with dry shampoos a long time ago, but I haven't had the chance to try Batiste until very recently - not to mention it's pretty hard to find here in Canada. Batiste is perfect: even if my hair is dark brown, the white residues are easy to brush out, and my hair is left volumized, texturized and clean for hours. With other dry shampoos, there was always a problem, but Batiste solved it all. I have tried Batiste Original, Blush and Tropical, and out of the three, Tropical is my favorite as it smells fresh and citrusy. The on the go size is also perfect to throw in my handbag.

Eye product - Too Faced Eye Shadow - Sitcom Siren When it's all hot and sweaty outside, I don't feel like putting makeup on and I tend to get lazy, that's why I like to rely on Sitcom Siren: it's a pretty taupe eyeshadow that applies like a dream and blends really well. It's a great natural shade to apply all over the lid when I'm in a hurry.

Self Tanner - Clarins Intense Bronze Self Tanning Tint For Face and Décolleté I bought this bronzer recently at Clarins 2011 Spring Warehouse Sale for $13 instead of $32 because I have never heard of a tint bronzer before. I'll be honest: the application is awful - because it's a tint, you have to be quick and apply the product exactly where you want because when it's put, it stays put - you can't blend it. I know it was meant for the face and décolleté, but I really wanted to try it all over my body, and I wasn't disappointed: it really gives a dark tan without looking orange. It's a hassle to reapply it every week thought because of tint formula but I have yet to come across a bronzer that gives me better results.

Fashion accessory - Claire's Adjustable Humming Bird Ring I won this ring from Em about a month ago, and I'm absolutely in love with it! I've never been a big ring wearer but I never had something similar to this and it is sooooo gorgeous. I love its vintage vibe and the little sparkly stones are super pretty!

Clothing piece - Garage denim shorts I don't think I have ever bought denim shorts as I prefer to simply cut off the legs of old jeans that I don't wear anymore. Why waste something that still fits? I love the look of denim shorts, they go well with everything, and I even wear them in the winter with leggings or stockings.

L - R: Lazy Day, Au Naturel, Haute Gold, Bisque, Sitcom Siren


♥

The winner of my LoveMode.com giveaway is...

Krystal!

Yey! Congrats hun!!! =D

Mail of the Week (March 7 - 11)

Products to review from Reviva Labs: I have never heard of this brand before so when they approached me to review some of their products, I was curious. Here are the products I received:

• Makeup Primer
• High Potency Collagen Serum

My purchase from Emma's blog sale: I always love to browse blog sales to find products that aren't available in Canada. Here's what I got from Emma:

• Natural Collection Moisture Shine Lipstick in Pink Mallow
• Barry M Lip Paint in touch of Magic
• Barry M Lip Liner in 13

I'll write a proper post about these products so stay tuned!

My purchase from Tiffany blog sale: I'm glad I got some great things from her!

• MAC Peachstock 
• Barry M Lip Paint in Dolly Pink

Swatches in an upcoming post!

Crystal Light Pure samples: I love them so much, I have actually already wrote a post about these here!

April issue of Glamour: That dress is gorgeous!

PETA Vegetarian/Vegan Starter Kit: Order yours for free here.

 And that's not all! I still have to go pick up three parcels at the post office! These will be featured in my next mail post.

Barry M

About a month ago, I had the chance to receive some Barry M products to test and review. I had plenty of time to play with them, so now it's time for me to share my thoughts with you!

L-R: Silver over Pearly Mauve, Silver, Pearly Mauve

Fine Glitter Dust in Silver and Dazzle Dust in Pearly Mauve: Both are super pigmented and soft (no chunky glitters!), and they really glides on smoothly. I'm not a big fan of pigments as they tend to be a mess to work with if you're not careful, but these ones are an exception.

Glitter Lashes in Gold: I had no idea that such product existed, but honestly, I think a normal glitter eyeliner could do the trick. Also, I'm not really fond of the applicator as it makes it quite hard to control the amount of product you want to use. They say to apply to tips of lashes, but I just add it on top of my black mascara.
 It doesn't make a big difference until you layer it, but it does add a hint of sparkle.

Metallic Liquid Eyeliner in Pink: Even thought I'm not a fan of pink shades on the eyes, I was surprised by the quality of this eyeliner. It's a pretty light pink with a chrome finish and the fine tip makes it very easy to apply qieht precision.. And once put on the lids, it won't wash off easily! I swatched it on my hand and let it dry (it really does dry super quickly!) and then I tried to wash it off with water by rubbing it, but it just didn't want to come off! Talk about long lasting!

 L-R: Glitter Lashes and Metallic Liquid Eyeliner

Lip Paint in Baby Pink: When I saw the color in the tube, I was like "OMG! It's the perfect light pink!" so I rushed to try it on my lips... and I was totally disappointed. It's a really, really light pastel pink that totally wash me out. I mean, I'm already really pale, but this lipstick definitely doesn't help the cause! I'm sad because I have read on many blogs that the Lip Paints glide softly on the lips and are moisturizing. I guess this one is the exception, though. However, putting a lipgloss on top does help to live it up a bit.

Glossy Tube Super Shiny Lip Gloss in Passion Pink: This lipgloss is pigmented and non-sticky, and it smells like bubblegum, yum! What can I say more? I love it!

L-R: Passion Pink and Baby Pink 

Blusher in  Rose: I can't resist hot pink blushes, especially in the winter! This one may be scary at first, but the texture is extra fine, which makes it easy to layer to control the intensity, and the color is gorgeous. I also like the packaging, which doesn't look cheap for a drugstore case. Oh, and it also contains Vitamin E, which is so unexpected in a blush!

 Mushroom

 Grey

Nail Paint in Mushroom and Grey: These products were the one I was the most excited to try. I keep hearing lots of great things about those nail polishes in the blogosphere, and I'm so glad I finally got to try them for myself! Now I see why they are one of the best seller drugstore nail polishes. You only need 2 coats for a perfectly opaque color that last a complete week without a single chip. The brush is perfect, the texture is creamy the application is streak-free. And come on, is there a prettier shade than Mushroom? I think I'm addicted!

Barry M needs your help to make its way into the Canadian market! Be sure to "like" "Get Barry M into Canada" on Facebook and follow "@BarryMinCanada" on Twitter.

Disclaimer: These products were sent to me for consideration to review. I was not paid for this review,  I am not affiliated with this company and the fact that the products were free absolutely does not influence my opinion.