July 28, 2015

my current beauty obsessions.

I go through phases where I am obsessed with certain beauty products and reach for them every day when I'm getting ready. Even if they aren't new, I will "re-discover" them in my makeup drawer and use them until something else catches my attention. This summer I'm currently reaching for these 7 things!



✖️ MAC Fix+ 
To keep my skin dewy pre or post makeup application. Smells great and with vitamins it's great for the skin!

✖️ Maybelline Fit Me! Matte and Poreless Foundation 
Controls shine and not too heavy, perfect for hot summer months. 

✖️ La Roche Posay Sunscreen Spray
Protect your skin! This SPF45 feels so light and doesn't leave the typical sunscreen film. Also doesn't contain hormone-altering chemicals like some other sunscreens (ahem, Neutrogena).

✖️ Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray 
Perfect for creating a messy, textured (read: beach wave) style, and as a dry shampoo for body. I love using it when I do THIS style from Jen Atkin (Kim Kardashian's stylist). 

✖️ Kat Von D Shade & Light Palette
My go to!! Love this for setting my foundation and sculpting my face. The yellow toned powder really brightens up under eye!

✖️ NYX Blotting Powder
Touch up your t-zone on the go with this light blotting powder. (*Unfortunately since Target left Canada *tear*, you can only get NYX in the states.)

✖️ MAC Lipstick in "Pure Zen"
A lovely pale peach shade, this lipstick finishes a natural look perfectly. 



What are your current beauty obsessions? Any go-to products you love in the summer? I'd love to know!

- Lianne xo


July 6, 2015

june beauty buys!

Let's jump right into it!



Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara

This is a kit staple of mine (and Kim Kardashian's makeup artist!), I just love the formula and the carbon black version is even better than the original.

Shoppers Drug Mart, $10.99

Ardell Double Up Lashes

These beefy lashes are comparable to the more expensive mink lashes from brands like Velour Lashes, as they have the same thick 3D look, but a fraction of the cost! I like #203 and #206.

Sally Beauty, $6.49

Beyond The Zone Rock On Dry Shampoo

My Italian tresses tend to be on the oilier side, so dry shampoo is my best friend on day 2 and 3 after I wash my hair. So far my favourite is Batiste (the dark hair formula, although they have since discontinued this so the regular will have to do), but I always like to try new ones in the hopes of finding a true replacement for shampooing (I'm lazy and have a newborn). This one is for dark hair, but doesn't really do anything for me. For roughly the same price just go to Shoppers and pick up the Batiste one.

Sally Beauty, $7

milk_shake Incredible Milk 12 Effects Leave-in Treatment 

My stylist recently opened his own salon (Honed&Polished) and exclusively carries an organic line of amazing hair care products that not only contain natural ingredients like milk and honey, but work great and smell delicious! I picked this up at my last appointment and have been loving the results! Apply on towel dried hair and blow dry.

Visit www.honedpolished.com for more info on the salon and products. 

Quo Cosmetic Sponges

Just a fun purchase to replace those boring old white sponges!

Shoppers Drug Mart, $2.99

L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundation

This was of the first products I blogged about when I started this blog over a year ago, and it's still one of my favourite products! I like it in the summer because it's very light and leaves a powdery finish which is great for my combination complexion in the summer. I picked up a darker shade (324 Buff Beige) now that my skin is starting to see some sun!

Shoppers Drug Mart, $16



Have you tried any of these products? Love them? Hate them? Let me know in the comments!

- Lianne xo




July 2, 2015

april & may beauty buys!

April and May were big months of joy, change and adaptation as we welcomed the newest member of our family Amelia, so I didn't have much time to review my beauty buys and post in May. Things have gotten a little bit easier and I had a minute to blog so I've reviewed them all below for this month, enjoy!




Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Base and Top Coat

During a recent trip to Sephora, I was on the hunt for a top coat that mimicked a gel mani - Something glossy and thick that didn't need an LED light to cure when I came across this product at the irresistible checkout maze of goodies. It consists of a two step base and top coat that is supposed to deliver "a gel mani without the damage." I tried it on my toes and was pleased with the smooth application and relatively quick dry time, and so far has held up well to wear (It's been almost 2 weeks chip free!)

Sephora, $28

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel 

As a follow up to the previous Deborah Lippmann purchase, I tried Sally Hansen's miracle gel coat and I love it! It really does give a thick and glossy coating to regular polish, mimicking gel. The only problem is it doesn't dry fast at all so you need to use a quick dry top coat to finish everything off. 

Shoppers Drug Mart, $16

Kat Von D Shade and Light Palette

The contour rage is still going strong and one palette that's been getting a lot of attention lately is this one from Kat Von D (the tattoo artist turned makeup designer). I have the Anastasia contour kit, as well as various matte bronzers, but I really do like this palette the best for a couple of reasons. First, the colours are great. There is a cool grey brown that is perfect for contouring my skin tone, and a yellow that highlights beautifully. But better than the shades is the pigment! Best I've used thus far. It's an expensive palette but worth it for what you get. 

Sephora, $55

Cover Girl Ready, Set, Gorgeous! Foundation 

This oil-free foundation promises "a shine free look that lasts all day" and I must say it delivered! It went on and blended really nicely and after hours of wear my skin was noticeably less shiny than usual. The only complaint I have with this (and buying any drugstore foundation) is the guessing game when it comes to choosing the right shade, as generally the testers are long gone and you're left to pick one and hope for the best. 

Shoppers Drug Mart, $7.99 (on sale)

Sephora Oil Gel Lipstick Remover

We all have that lipstick - that super bright and bold colour we just LOVE to wear, but hate at the same time for it will stain your lips for days! I came across this on sale at Sephora.com and figured I would tack it onto my order. After applying my most pigmented, staining red lipstick I gave my lips a swipe of this remover and was pleased to find it took off not only the lipstick but the residual stain that usually lingers till next morning's breakfast. If it's still available at Sephora.com I say give it a try!

sephora.com, $5

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar Set

I'd seen this product many times while shopping at Sephora and finally decided to give it a try. I expected a long lasting finish but was disappointed to find it wore off after just an hour or two. I found the finish to be greasier than expected as the package advertises a matte finish, so I need to play around with it again and try it without the included primer and hopefully will have a better experience with it. 

Sephora, $23

Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow

As we all know I am brow obsessed, and I've wanted to try this product for a while. It's waterproof and applied similarly to my fave, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow pomade (with an angle brush). I ordered online so took a guess with the colour and chose "Ash" and I couldn't be happier with it. You only need the tiniest amount and it blends so nicely on your brows to give a really natural finish, or can be built up for a darker more dramatic brow. And it really is waterproof! Look good even in the pool!

makeupforever.com, $24

Make Up For Ever Step1 Skin Equalizer

I have large pores. It's unfortunate but there's not much I can do about it. I do have a skin care routine that helps (more on that in a later blog post), but mainly I try to find products that will help minimize them. The Step1 Skin Equalizer series of primers is new to the MUFE family, and each one helps with a common skin complaint. There are eight in total and they do things like mattify, correct colour, and smooth the skin... I ordered #2 "Smoothing". Although it didn't completely fill in my pores like I had hoped,  I really like the texture of this primer, and it did make my skin smoother than foundation alone.

makeupforever.com, $43

Make Up For Ever Mist + Fix (30ml)

A good setting spray will do for your makeup what hairspray does for your hair... keep it in place! I love Urban Decay's setting spray, and have tried L'Oreal's version (meh), so was very interested to see for myself how well mist+fix worked. I give it two lipstick darling thumbs up! It worked just as well as the Urban Decay version to keep my makeup in place.

makeupforever.com, $14



Has anyone tried any of these products? I'd love to hear what you thought of them! Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

- Lianne xo