{Beauty} June Favourites

It's time for another monthly favourites, and although I'm a bit late with this one (hey, I just really wanted to share my nails post with you guys!), I hope these products are as interesting to you as they are to me. Everything featured here was in heavy rotation throughout the month of June (and many will make their way into July, I'm sure), so without further ado, here's a breakdown of what I've been loving lately!

CLINIQUE CHEEK POPS: No exaggeration — this is the only blush I've used all month. And you know what? I have a feeling that's going to be the case for the entire summer. I've been using the shade 'Berry Pop' and have found it to be the most natural looking flush I've ever gotten from a powder blush... Check out this post for more blush musings, but the cheek pop and I are currently BFFs.

MAC'S "RELENTLESSLY RED" LIPSTICK: Oh my gawd you guys, this colour is INSANE! It's from MAC's retro matte range (who doesn't love a good matte lipstick?), and it's the most amazing pinky red I've ever tried... swoon. Just make sure your pout is well-moisturized as the formula can be a touch drying!

L'OREAL MISS MANGA MASCARA: Holy shizzz, this stuff is rad. And to be honest with you, I don't think I've ever been more excited to see a product lining a drugstore shelf before. I had heard about this mascara ad nauseam over the past few months, but because it was only recently released in north america, the hype had gotten to me and I just couldn't wait to get my hands on it. In my haste to grab one, however, I mistakenly picked up waterproof, which is not typically my jam... but you know what? This stuff is great regardless, and if waterproof mascara is good enough for Anna (my all-time favourite beauty babe), it's good enough for me.

NAILS INC. LATEX EFFECT NAIL POLISH IN "BERMONDSEY STREET": I've spoken about this one before, so I'll spare you the details, but just know this — this shade is unreal. Just be sure to use a base coat, unless you think stained nails are cute (you've been warned).

ELIZABETH AND JAMES NIRVANA WHITE PERFUME: With this stuff, it was love at first sniff, and luckily for me, this mini roller was a point perk at Sephora. June was pretty much spent rubbing this all over my body — I may have killed a few brain cells along the way, but hey, dem the breaks.

CAUDALIE DIVINE OIL: The mini aisle of Sephora lures its ugly head again... This stuff was a total impulse purchase, but you know what? Sooooo worth it. I slather it on my face and body, morning and night, and hot damn am I ever glowy... I think a full-sized repurchase is in order.

TARTE AMAZONIAN CLAY 12-HOUR FULL COVERAGE FOUNDATION: Believe the hype, friends — this foundation is ah-mazing. It's easily the best I've ever tried, and that's no exaggeration. It's super thick and gives a nice level of coverage, yet it somehow lets your skin shine through for a natural look... genius. You've probably heard it all before, but if you haven't tried this and are looking for a new foundation, I would definitely recommend this one. I even went out and repurchased a bottle of NARS Sheer Glow just so I wouldn't go through this stuff as quickly... That's totally reasonable, right? Hmmmm.

MAYBELLINE INSTANT AGE REWIND ERASER DARK CIRCLES CONCEALER: With this one, all I can say is beauty bloggers made me do it. There were just too many people buzzing about the stuff, and in an attempt to preserve my NARS Creamy Concealer for as long as humanly possible (are we sensing a trend here?), I figured I just had to. I normally don't like to wear any concealer under my eyes, but this one's so light and nourishing that I don't mind — totally worth a try, ladies!

REAL TECHNIQUES STIPPLING BRUSH: This is the only thing I've been using to apply my base lately, and let me tell you, it rocks. It seamlessly blends my makeup and is so darn affordable that there's really no reason not to pick one up... and if you live in Canada (hollah!), just stalk Winners until one turns up — hey, you might as well save a few bucks!

And that's it! Hope you guys liked this roundup of goodies, and please let me know what products you're into these days... I'm looking for a good serum if you have any recommendations! xx

Photos by Adventures in Fashion

{Beauty} 3 Must-Have Blushes For Spring

Always a sucker for dewy skin, my quest for the perfect blush has led me down many a Sephora aisle over the years (and left me with a pretty epic list of favourites). But since variety is the spice of life and what not, my newest go-tos were just too good not to share, all for different reasons: From a little extra "glow-from-within," to that perfect peachy finish, these three blushes are hands-down my top picks for spring...  And although I'm no makeup expert, I think you may just agree.

First up is the one I've consistently turned to for the better part of a year — Josie Maran's Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee in "Poppy Paradise." It provides a subtle pop of colour, but the best part is how nourishing it is to the skin. It's packed with good-for-you ingredients that leaves cheeks dewy and soft without the slightest trace of film... "Glow-from-within" doesn't even begin to describe this one, people.
 

Next up is a new favourite, Makeup Forever's HD Blush in 215. Seriously though, I love. this. blush — exclamation mark. The cream formula glides on effortlessly and blends in to leave a satin finish that's basically like second skin. Not to mention the fact that this peachy shade in particular gives the illusion of a sun-kissed complexion, when in reality that couldn't be farther from the truth. This one gets two thumbs up from me, no question!

Finally I had to include Clinique's Cheek Pops in the shade in "Berry Pop." Their colour range in general is amazing and I love the formulation — it's beautifully pigmented yet it goes on in a super subtle, barely-there finish... Perfect for no-makeup makeup days, if you know what I mean (winky face). And can we just take a moment to acknowledge the delightful floral imprint? Hubba hubba! In my opinion, this one is a mega-must.

So those are my picks — what are yours? If you have any current faves or amazing recommendations, I'm all ears! xx

{Beauty} Holiday Makeup Must-Haves

Deborah Lippmann nail polish in 'Red Silk Boxers,' $20 | Nars lip gloss in 'Bleecker,' $26 | Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner in 'Dark Chocolate Ink,' $24 | Laura Mercier Creme Cheek Color, $30 | Dermablend Cover Creme SPF 30, $38

It's no secret that I rarely stray from my daily makeup routine (save for the odd, seasonal lipstick switch-up), but the holidays are the one time of year I actually get excited about makeup. Aside from the products I use on the regular, I could generally take it or leave it where makeup is concerned (what, I really like skincare!). But the way Sephora dangles gift sets in my face and M.A.C. inundates me with flashy, limited edition everything, it's no wonder I can't say no. So aside from some shimmery shadows I'll probably never wear past the new year or yet another illuminator that I really don't need, my holiday must-haves this year are all about creating flawless-looking skin (complete with uber rosy cheeks!) and bright eyes, with festive (and in my case, standard) pops of red thrown in for good measure... Because less is more, right?

These are just a few of the products I'm including in my holiday makeup arsenal, but I'd love to hear what you're obsessing over right now as well! And as a tip from one homegirl to another, if you're looking to try a new skincare range, I would totally recommend Tata Harper; I recently splurged (and believe me, they aren't cheap!) on a few products to help restore my totally neglected (aka- sleep deprived) skin and I'm officially obsessed... Who knew natural skincare could actually be good? xx

{DIY} Striped Makeup Bag...

I've been incredibly drawn to the striped pouchettes at Chapters right now, and always stop to admire them whenever I'm in the store. Mr. AiF scolded me last time we were there together with, you know, words of reason and whatnot... Pfffft, AS IF I don't need another makeup bag! What does he know, anyway? Well, I guess something he said must have sunk in, because I decided to revamp this old Zara clutch instead of caving to my baser instincts (to which shopping totally applies) and buying yet another pouch.

Want to breathe new life into an old bag too? Repeat after me: Tape, paint, dry, remove tape, acetone smudges... It's as simple as that, my friends! xx

 

{Valentine's Week} Two-Tone Lipstick...

When I first saw the makeup from Holly Fulton's S/S 13 show, I instantly became obsessed with two-toned lips and filed the idea away in my mind for this very occasion... And by occasion, I of course mean Valentine's Day (don't hate). Seriously though, when else is it permissible to walk around sporting pink and red lipstick in the light of day if not V-Day? Please don't say never...

Happy Wednesday, friends! xx

{Beauty} Everyday Makeup

We all have our beauty routines, and when it comes to makeup, I have mine down to a science. I rarely deviate from my 'everyday face' (or whatever you want to call it), which now only takes me about five minutes to do in the morning. The key? Finding products you love and holding on to them for dear life... So with that said, here's a quick rundown of my daily makeup routine:

I've tried many foundations in my day, but my favourite by far is NARS' Sheer Glow Foundation. The formula goes on smooth and covers all my imperfections without looking too intense, and a bottle of the stuff lasts forever (which, at $55 a pop, is definitely a good thing). A recent addition to my cosmetic arsenal is Bare Minerals' Ready SPF 20 Foundation, which is beyond amazing. I don't usually wear powders because I'm not a fan of matte finishes (plus if I'm not careful, I get maaaajor cake-face), but when perfectly applied, this stuff is like a pressed miracle... For serious.

When it comes to mascara, I'm not a fan of shelling out big money for something that will only last me a month or two, so I always opt for CoverGirl's Lashblast Mascara. It works great and is super inexpensive, which is always a plus. The same goes for eyeliner (I switch between Revlon and L'Oreal based on whichever is cheapest at the time), and lipstick I can go either way on. I rarely find a difference between high end lipsticks and drugstore varieties (with certain exceptions of course), and after trying what feels like a million different products, my favourite is definitely CoverGirl's Lip Perfection Lipstick in a basic red (surprise surprise).

Oh, and let's not forget blush! Blush makes everything better, am I right? I love everything from cream to powder varieties, but the best and most natural-looking blush I've ever tried is hands down Benefit's Benetint. And if you don't believe me, I think it's cult following says it all.

Now it's your turn! Tell me lovelies, what are your makeup must haves? xx

Product details: 1. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation; 2. Bare Minerals Ready SPF 20 Foundation; 3. CoverGirl Lashblast Mascara; 4. CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick; 5. Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner; 6. Benefit Benetint

{Oxblood Week} The Makeup...