Current Makeup Favourites (Cruelty-Free)

I had initially planned to do a 2017 Beauty Favourites video, but time seemed to escape me. Before I knew it, it was the end of March and I don’t know about you, but that seems a tad too late. So instead I thought I’d do a post talking about some of my current favourite makeup products – most of which were from 2017, but some are new launches.

This video contained many bloopers, which I decided not to edit out. Specifically, my dog knocking over my Jaclyn Hill palette, and the heartbreak and turmoil that followed. I hope you enjoy!

Products mentioned: 

  • Lise Watier CC Eye Primer
  • Jaclyn Hill x Morphe Palette
  • Stila Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eyeshadows – “Cloud” and “Starlight”
  • Eyenvy Lash Conditioner
  • Pur Fully Charged Lash Primer
  • Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions
  • Smashbox Photofinish Primerizer
  • The Ordinary High Spreadability Fluid Primer
  • Lise Watier Teint Velours Foundation in “Porcelain”
  • Tarte Shape Tape concealer in “Light”
  • Lise Watier Teint Velours Loose Powder
  • Nude By Nature Radiant Loose Powder Foundation
  • Stila Stay all day liquid lipstick in “Sheer Patina”
  • Fenty Beauty Universal Gloss Bomb
  • NYX This Is Everything Lip Oil

 

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Morphe Me Brush Subscription – August 2017 Review

Morphe’s August brush package is a summer-themed “bag of sweets.” It features 3 rose gold brushes – 2 for face, and 1 for eyes.
This month’s brushes are:

  • R14 Round Contour
  • R7 Deluxe Pointed Powder
  • R39 Tapered Eyeshadow Blending

 

(Left to right: R7, R14, R39) 

R14 Round Contour: (Natural hair bristles) this rounded brush has a domed, slightly tapered tip. It’s ideal for powder, such as setting the under eyes, baking, or contouring. I personally love a brush like this for setting my under eye concealer, as it sets it lightly without adding too much powder, and fits perfectly around the contours of the eye! It’s similar in shape to the E48 (which is one of my all time favourite brushes) but the R14 is definitely a bit more dense, and much more rounded.

(Left to right: E48, R14, R7) 

R7 Deluxe Pointed Powder: (natural hair bristles) this larger, fluffy brush has a flattened shape that tapers to a bit of an angle. It’s pretty much a perfect dupe for the MAC 150 Large Powder Brush. The MAC 150 was one of my all time favourite brushes (when I used to buy and endorse MAC products, though I no longer do that due to their animal testing practices.) A brush with a shape like this is perfect for applying bronzer, powder, or blush. I personally use it every day for bronzer, as it applies it naturally yet gives you control for a more contoured look. It also works beautifully to apply a soft dusting of blush to the cheeks.

(Left to right: Real Techniques #100, Morphe M551, R7, Mac 150) 

R29 Tapered Eyeshadow Blending: (natural hair bristles) this small eyeshadow brush has a flat shape and is a combination of firm and fluffy. I personally find this much better for blending or adding colour to the crease rather than packing on colour to the lids. It also works nicely as a precise brush to highlight the cheekbones, brow bones, cupids bow, etc. It’s nearly identical to the M433 Pro Firm Blending Fluff, and the MAC 217 (though the R29 has longer bristles and is a bit more flat.) Eyeshadow brushes in a shape like this are a must-have in my opinion, though I’ve accumulated quite a few of this shape now and don’t really need anymore.

 

(Left to right: M433, R7, MAC 217) 
Overall, I think this month’s is a good package with some basic necessities. I am a huge sucker for Rose Gold anything, and the brushes are very soft. However, I wish I had skipped this month – not due to quality of the brushes – but simply due to the brushes being made of goat hair. I try to avoid using any animal products now, especially in cosmetics. I sadly missed the skip date. If you prefer to use synthetic brushes like I do (for ethical reasons) then you will definitely want to skip this month.
If you’re thinking of joining, you get a free brush when you join here through my link! 
*this post is not sponsored or endorsed* 

Morphe Me Monthly Brush Club – October Review

Another month, another fabulous brush package! Receiving my Morphe Me package is honestly my favourite part of the month – going to the mailbox to get my package makes me feel like a giddy kid on Christmas morning.

This month’s package was particularly exciting, because as I opened up the pamphlet I happened to see MY OWN FACE inside! Morphe shared one of comments raving about how much I love the subscription! Admittedly, I screamed when I saw my own face – I had no idea they were going to share my comment and Instagram! I was so excited and grateful. It was definitely a fantastic way to start the month!

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This month was also particularly special, because October’s package was themed for Breast Cancer Awareness! This month’s features 3 gorgeous Gunmetal limited edition exlusive brushes for Morphe Me members! That’s right! These brushes are not – and will not – be available to the public!

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The LGM1 Flat Contour: (synthetic bristles) this is a flat, dense brush that is ideal for contouring and sculpting out the face. It’s similar to the Mac 163, though I find the Morphe brush to be much softer! This is one of my favourite shapes to use for contouring; it makes contouring so easy, because the shape creates the perfect sculpted line for you. I can create a super precise and insanely fast contour with this bad boy. Because it’s dense and synthetic, it will also work very well with cream products!

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LGM2 Small Pointed Powder:  (synthetic bristles) This brush is fluffier than the LGM1, rounded, with longer bristles and a bit of an egg-shape. While it is fluffier than the previous, it still has a density to it that allows it to be a very multi-purpose brush. It works great with powder – to set the under eyes, to blend away powder from baking, to apply blush, to set other other areas of the face, or to contour – or you could even use it with cream or liquid foundation (though I personally think it may absorb too much of the foundation.)

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LGM3 Tapered Blending Fluff: (synthetic bristles) this is technically an eyeshadow brush, but can be used in a multitude of ways. The bristles come to a slight tapered point, so you get into the crease of the eye really well. The bristles are longer, so you can apply and blend colour with one brush! This would also be a great brush to use to blend out nose contour, or to highlight the brow bone and cupids bow! Like with the previous brushes, its synthetic bristles allow it to work well with powder or cream products!

While I do definitely love this brush and think it works well, I do agree with other reviews that Morphe has included some brushes similar to this in previous months (for example, 2 of the brushes included in April’s Morphe Me package and the M441 from May’s package)

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Overall, I absolutely love this month’s brushes. The gunmetal design is sleek and gorgeous, and I’m a sucker for limited edition or exclusive products! Once again, I cannot describe how happy I’ve been with the Morphe Me Monthly Brush subscription!

You can join the subscription here!  If you join through my referral link, we both get a free brush! How awesome is that!? You also earn points every month that can be redeemed for some seriously cool prizes, like previous months brushes, Kylie Lip Kits, palettes, and more!

(This post is not sponsored in anyway, I truly just love this subscription!) 

Check out my previous posts:

 

Morphe Me Monthly Brush Club – August Brushes Review

 

Here’s a (late) review of the brushes that came in the Morphe Me August brush subscription!

-M530
-M437
-M403
-M431

Morphe hits it out of the park yet again with their monthly brush club! This is by far the best monthly package I’ve ever subscribed to. What are your thoughts on the brushes?

We both get a free brush if you join through my referral link! You can join here! 

Previous Posts: 

On Trend: Glitter Eyes

July 2016 Favourites

July 2016 Favourites

 

Here’s a roundup of my favourite products from July!

Full list of products:

-La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo
-It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream
-Pur Glow Together Matte/Shimmer Bronzer
-Pur Strobing Highlight Moonlight Glow
-Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator “Charming Pink”
-“Anastasia Beverly Hills Glowkit “Sundipped”
-Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Slimlights “Champagne Pop”
-Lorac Buildable Blush “Spectra”
-Lorac Pro 3 Eyeshadow Palette
-Colourpop Supershock Eyeshadow “Un”
-Colourpop Lippie Pencil and Lippie Stix “Frida”
-Morphe E48 Brush
-My Makeup Brush Set Oval Brushes

Disney & Universal Studios – 2016

MAC & Estée Lauder Makeup Giveaway!

April 2016 Favourites

Here’s a roundup of my favourite products from throughout the past month!

 

Products mentioned: 

  • Makeup Forever HD Concealer
  • Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer
  • Mac Mineralized Skinfinish “Faintly Fabulous”
  • NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil “Yogurt”
  • H&M Eyeshadow “Chin Chin” – full review here!
  • Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer
  • Laura Mercier Lip Glace “Bare Baby”
  • Lancome Juicy Shaker “Piece of Cake”
  • Morphe M510 brush – full review of April’s Morphe Me brushes here!
  • Morphe M504 brush

Don’t forget to check out my Facebook page to be notified when I host new giveaways!

Previous video: Spring Makeup Haul

Previous Tutorial: Spring Makeup Tutorial

Previous Review: Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipsticks Review

March 2016 Beauty Favourites

 

 

It’s been a little while since I’ve done a monthly favourites video, so I thought I’d put together a video talking about my favourite products from the past month! Many of these products are new launches, and I used them in my previous tutorial which you can see here!

February and March were really about the skin focus for me – creating glowy, dewy skin and a more natural makeup look. These were my stand-out products to help me achieve that!

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Products mentioned:

  • Skinceuticals Blemish & Age Solution Decongesting Toner

  • Pur Miracle Mist

  • Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

  • Smashbox Halo Highlighting Wand “Pearl”

  • Tarte Skin Twinkle Lighting Palette

  • Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit – That Glow

  • Becca Mineral Blush “Flowerchild”

  • Morphe E4 Brush

  • Lancome Absolue Precious Cells Lip Balm

  • Lancome Juicy Shaker “Apri-cute”

Current Favourite Makeup Brushes

Here’s a roundup of my current favourite makeup brushes, and the brushes I used the most throughout 2015!

 

Brushes mentioned:

  • Cover FX Liquid Foundation Brush
  • Lise Watier Perfecting Foundation Brush
  • Mac #130 Brush
  • The Buffer Airbrush Finish Foundation Brush
  • Cargo Magic Brush
  • Real Techniques #300 Brush
  • Real Techniques Blush Brush
  • Mac #135 Brush
  • Mac #161 Brush
  • Lise Watier Multi Function Powder Fan Brush
  • Sigma E35 Tapered Blending Brush
  • Mac #217
  • Morphe M507 Pointed Mini Blender
  • Stila #36 Brush

To see a tutorial on this makeup look and what’s on my face, click here! 

2015 Makeup Favourites

I can hardly believe that 2015 is over. As a child, I remember someone telling me that every year will seem to pass faster than the previous. I didn’t understand it at that time, but now I do. 2015 passed by faster than I ever could have imagined. It was full of ups and downs, but mostly it was the year that I really started to truly work on my blog, and make it more of a priority.

Here is a roundup of my top favourite makeup products throughout 2015:

  • Mac “Soft Ochre” Paint Pot
  • Mac Extra Dimension Eyeshadow “Sweet Heat”
  • Mac Electric Cool Eyeshadows
  • H&M High Impact Colour Eyeshadow “Chin Chin”
  • Marc Jacobs Twinkle Pop Eyeshadow Sticks
  • Stila Eyes Are the Window “Mind” Palette
  • Morphe 35O Palette
  • Benefit Rollerlash Mascara
  • Kat Von D Shade & Light Contour Palette
  • Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
  • Stila Stay All Day Contouring Bronzer
  • Becca “Champagne Pop”
  • Becca Champagne Glow Palette
  • Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter liquid “Opal”
  • Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer
  • Estee Lauder Double Wear To Go Compact Foundation
  • Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks – “Como,” “Venezia,” “Rosa,” and “Bacci”
  • Clarins Rouge Eclat Lipstick “Strawberry Sorbet”
  • Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfectors #04, #02, and #05

What were your favourite products for 2015?

 

My Favourite Christmas Traditions (Blogmas Day 18)

Sometimes it’s hard to slow down and enjoy the holiday season – especially if you’re working, or getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season. It also seems that there is so much pressure to enjoy yourself this season, which is ironic because it tends to be one of – if not the most- stressful times of the year.

I will fully admit that I often get caught up in all of that. It’s not hard to, especially when you work in retail. But I really do think this can be one of the most beautiful times of year, if we could only slow down and appreciate it. This year, I really wanted to make an effort to try to slow down, and focus on all the things I love about the holiday season. One way I like to do this, is by partaking in some of my favourite holiday traditions.

Here are some of my favourite holiday traditions:

  •  Christmas Music – love it or hate it (and a lot of people seem to hate it) Christmas music is an absolute must for me. On December 1st (sometimes as early as November, not going to lie!) the Christmas playlists begin. We usually always have Christmas music playing in the background! I love a good mix of old favourites and newer Christmas songs. And of course, no Christmas playlist would be complete without Michael Bublé.

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  •  Decorating – this is one of my absolute favourite aspects of the holidays. Decorating fills me with so much joy and creative energy. You can read my post about our holiday decorating for this year here! Decorating our Christmas tree has always been a very special time for me. When I was younger, I always remember decorating it with my parents, and my father lifting me up to place the star on the tip of the tree. Now I’m tall enough to do that by myself, and my mom and I have taken over decorating – I guess my dad doesn’t have too much patience for our need to color code and theme our Christmas tree! While the front of our tree goes with our colour theme for the year, we also mix in some of our special ornaments – ones I made when I was a child, gifted ornaments, and ones that hold sentimental value.

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  • Baking – since I was a child, I’ve always loved baking. Well, when I was younger I more so enjoyed eating the baking – but now I love to bake yummy treats for my family, friends, and work. Some of my favourite treats to bake for the holidays are shortbread cookies, butterscotch confetti bars, cookies, and rice krispies. A new recent favourite is the incredibly delicious yet very easy Sweet & Salty Chocolate Toffee bark, which you can find here!  I love experimenting with fun recipes, and hope to post more soon!

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  • Movies –  holiday and Christmas movies are an absolute necessity in my household. Every Christmas, my mom and I love to relax in the evenings by watching a Christmas film with some tea. We light a bunch of yummy-smelling candles, turn on the fireplace, and unwind. Last year I posted a month’s worth of Christmas movies, which you can find here! We also record nearly all of the Christmas hallmark movies on television – you know, the very cheesy yet undeniably adorable movies.
  • Family Dinner – this is always a tradition for my family. Usually we get together with my aunts, uncles, and cousins, and have a big dinner full of both Arabic food and “white people food” as my Grandmother used to call it. Sadly this will be our first Christmas without my grandmother, which will definitely be tough. But I think it’s even more important for us to get together to celebrate Christmas, family, and being together. My Grandmother always loved to see all her children and grandchildren gathered together, spending time with one another, and enjoying delicious food. Our family dinners usually include turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, salad (tabbouleh, fatouche, or sometimes just regular cesar!) pita bread/pita chips, hummus, kibbeh, Arabic rice, and more. Mealtime is no joke for Middle Eastern cultures – there’s no such thing as a “simple” meal.

 

What are your favourite Christmas/Holiday Traditions?

 

October 2015 Favourites

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Products: 

  • Quo Konjac Pink Clay Sponge (limited edition, but the regular Konjac sponges can be found from a ton of different brands and stores!)
  • Skinfix Inc. Ultra Rich Hand Cream
  • NYX Dark Circle Concealer
  • Estée Lauder Double Wear Concealer
  • Estée Lauder Double Wear Makeup To Go Foundation
  • H&M High Impact Color Shadows “Sun Worship,” “Baci De Dama,” and “Chin Chin”
  • Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid lipstick “Lolita”
  • Stila Eternal Love Holiday Liquid Lipstick Set
  • Tarte The Buffer Airbrush Finish Foundation Brush from the Stroke of Midnight Holiday Set

Happy Halloween! – Halloween Favourites

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Happy Halloween Everyone!

Halloween is one of my favourite times of the year, and is tied only with Christmas! I love everything about Halloween – the fall weather, candy, makeup inspiration, decorating, and most of all, Halloween movies. To me, Halloween is a time of creativity. It makes me so happy to see what types of costumes and looks people can create. I feed off of creative energy like a vampire feeds on blood.

Continue reading “Happy Halloween! – Halloween Favourites” →