November Favorites

Where has the time went?! November is over and I feel like Christmas will be here and gone before I know it! I think autumn has to be my favorite season of the year and I love wearing seasonal makeup looks in celebration of warm hats, cozy sweaters and endless mugs of Tetley tea. I've added some new makeup bits to my collection in the past month (The blog made me do it... I swear), so keep an eye out for some reviews on what I've been slapping on my face.

Now, on to the makeup. I've been enjoying a mattified, natural-looking base in the past month, as a pristine backdrop for bold lips and smokey eyes. I generally love a radiant glow to the skin, but I'm surprised with how much I love the look of a velvety, perfected finish. For this, I have chosen Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in 1W1 Bone, the lightest neutral shade available in the range. Before purchasing this foundation a few months ago, I was pretty turned off from the many reviews stating that is was a drying, mask-like foundation. I am so happy I went ahead and purchased this anyways! The foundation has amazing coverage, and when applied lightly on the face, it blends beautifully into the skin to create a second-skin look.

For cheeks, I have been loving The Body Shop Honey Bronzer  in 03 Medium Matte. This matte bronzer has an adorable honey comb pattern on the product itself (though mine is looking less like a honeycomb everyday- see image above) and is an affordable bronzer coming in at $19 (Check in store for holiday sales!). I've heard this bronzer is comparable to the likes of the infamous Nars Laguna, probably the world's most loved bronzer. I love using the bronzer just under the cheekbones, perfect for those of us not blessed with the facial structure of a Victoria's Secret Model.

For eyes, I've been enjoying a sheer rose-gold wash of color over the lids. My pick is L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush patted on with a flat eyeshadow brush for an even, shimmery finish. I've been getting tons of use out of Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Smokey Eyes Pencil in 03 Espresso for creating a smokey blended out line along the lashline (Note: This is not the type of pencil to be used for sharp lines, the pencil is made of powder so it is soft and blendable). Finally, my favorite mascara of all time, Clinique Hight Impact Extreme Volume Mascara in Extreme Black has been applied faithfully for months. It is the best mascara I have found for my long, but stick-straight lashes. It's volumizing, curling, and is simple to remove with cleanser or makeup remover. I give it A+!

In terms of lip products, I have worn down my Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Moisturizing Stick to a sad little nub. This is my favorite lip balm ever and I will be promptly purchasing another when this one bites the dust. I apply this periodically throughout the day, underneath lipstick and heavily at bedtime. My most-worn lipstick of the month has been my new Lancome Rouge in Love Lipstick in 163M, a warm reddy fuschia with a hint of shine. This has been my go-to alternative to a red lip in the month of November. 

For skincare, I have been using La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Treatment for my angry skin. For whatever reason, I have been dealing with one stubborn blemish that does not want to go away. I apply the spot treatment in the the morning (under my makeup) and at night and it helps to clear up breakouts faster and reduce inflammation and redness. I have been using this product every day since June, and I highly recommend it to anybody experiencing blemish-prone skin, as it is the best of any other acne product I have tried. It's about $24 dollars for the tube, which may seem steep, but I have used mine daily for 5 months and have only used up about a quarter of the tube. 

For nails, I have been sporting Revlon Nailpolish in 490 Urban. Though I have been restricted from wearing polish while nursing in the hospital, the few times I have painted my nails has been with this. It's a lovely deep bluey purple that almost looks black. This color is unique in my collection and is a nice alternative to black nails, while keeping with the autumnal theme. A further bonus... it's budget friendly (I got mine on sale for $3 a little while back). 

So that's what I have been loving for the month of November. I look forward to more glitz and festive glamour in the coming month of December. What products have you most-used this month? I love to hear what other people are loving so please leave your comments below.

Thanks for reading :)

Plum-Smoked Eyes and Glossy Nude Lips (Drugstore Edition)

This week's makeup look is autumn-inspired and budget-friendly. I adore drugstore products for adding a seasonal update to the makeup bag without breaking the bank, as well as for trialling new colors. This look is really subtle with plum-washed lids and glossy lips (à la Kardashian sisters), without being too stark against my sun-starved pale complexion. Here's how I did the look:

Base: I began by applying my new Maybelline Fit Me Foundation Stick in #110 Porcelain all over and blending with the fingers. The foundation stick is great for lazy people like me or when you are pressed for time, with great coverage and a lovely velvety-matte finish (warning: This potentially caused me to breakout, though it's hard to say as I had a particularly busy and stressful week. This may not cause blemishes for others). I concealed my under eye circles with Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Very Fair, a neutral yellow toned concealer that works well to cover my ever-present blue-ish grey bags. Blemishes and scars were covered with Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer in #010 Ivory, a concealer with impressive coverage. As I have a tendency to get shiny in the T-zone after a few hours, I set the base makeup with Maybelline Fit Me Pressed Powder in #110 Porcelain.

Cheeks:  A swipe of NYX Cream Blush in #11 Boho Chic helped to bring some color to my face. This blush has a lovely dewy formula comparable to high-end cream blushes in my collection. I would describe the color as pink with a hint of peach. The blush adds some radiance to the skin and warms up the complexion without competing with the strong eyes.

Eyes: I applied a sheer wash of Maybelline Color Tattoo in #30 Pomegranate Punk over the lids. This is an impressive cream eyeshadow formulation from the drugstore, a gorgeous warm plum with golden shimmer running throughout. I have never experienced any creasing with this product and it lasts all day on the lids. I concentrated most of the color along the outside of the lid and into the crease. In the inner corners, I blended in Rimmel ScandalEyes Eyeshadow Stick in #002 Bulletproof Beige. This gorgeous golden champagne stick brings some shimmer and lightness to the tear duct and complements the color tattoo beautifully. For extra definition on the lashline, Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in #003 Brown did the trick. To jazz up the look, I used the shimmery dark brown liner to make a small feline-flick at the outer corners. I used lashings of L'Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara in #971 Black to add length and definition (and a fair bit of volume!) to my lashes. This is hands-down my favorite drugstore mascara.

Brows:  Although I recently tinted my brows, I still like to fill in the gaps with a brow pencil. For this, I chose Maybelline Define-A-Brow Pencil in Medium Brown. To keep my bushy brows in place, I used Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara as a brow gel (apologies for the grubby condition of mine, it's well loved).

 Lips: My favorite part of this look! I used Rimmel London Kate Moss Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick in #113 to neutralize the natural pigment of my lips and make a "true nude" lip. To add dimension, shine and a touch of glitter, Rimmel Stay Glossy in #120 Non-Stop Glamour completed the Kardashian-inspired pout. 

What are your favorite products at the drugstore for autumnal makeup looks? I'm always looking for new products to try, so please leave your suggestions in the comments below.

Thanks for reading :) 

 

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Seeing Red (Lipsticks)

From left to right: Maybelline Color Sensation #615 Summer Sunset, Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipstick #01, Clarins Rouge Prodige #135 Dark Cherry & Rouge Dior #844 Trafalgar

There's nothing like a red lipstick to get my heart pumping. From the time I was a little girl, I would watch the likes of Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood to catch a glimpse of the makeup looks on the red carpet. My favorite looks were always the classic pin-up looks, reminiscent of the glamorous 50's and 60's. A cat-eye slick of black eyeliner and a glossy red lip on the likes of Nicole Kidman... perfection. Today, I feel a little different about red lips in the sense that I can justify sporting a red lip every day. 

Maybelline Color Sensational #615 Summer Sunset (This looks much more red in person).

 

 

Option One: Lazy days. On the days I don't feel like doing the “full-face” look, I'll slap on some tinted moisturizer, comb through my thick brows, add a coat of mascara, and apply blush to the apples of my cheeks. For the finishing touch: a slick muted pinky-red lipstick. This is a great way to make yourself look so much more put together than you really are, but takes minimal effort.

My pick: Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in 615 Summer Sunset. A gorgeously subtle rosy terracotta color with a satin finish. This is unlike any other color I own and is a beautiful subtle color that would be universally flattering on a variety of skin tones.

 

Clarins Rouge Prodige #135 Dark Cherry

Option Two: Bronzed Lids, Red Lips. I don't think there is anything more autumn-appropriate than a smokey brown eye with a pop of brick red on the lips. The smokey eye can be done using a variety of brown shades, anywhere from shimmery taupe to golden bronze to deep rich chocolate brown (I think this comes down to personal preference). This is a relaxed but more sultry look, appropriate for everyday wear. For night time, I would up the vamp-factor by applying a dark true red.

Daytime Pick: Clarins Rouge Prodige in 135 Dark Cherry. I'm not so sure this is a true cherry red, as it looks both cool-toned and warm-toned (how is that possible?). It is a gorgeous, creamy brick red that feels very lightweight on the lips.

Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipstick #01

Nightime Pick: Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipstick in 01.This is a beautiful Hollywood red that leans towards a blue-undertone with a rich, full coverage and a semi-matte finish. Lovely for a night out.

Rouge Dior #844 Trafalgar

Option Three: Orangey Red Insanity. This is my personal favorite red lipstick look. This look is bold look yet that I think would look good on most skintones (including pale girls like myself!). I love doing a neutral eye with a swipe of dark brown liner, slightly flicked at the edges for a feline look. For this look I go heavy on the mascara to balance out the bold, hot tamale lips. I also like to wear bronzer for this look to warm up my pale complexion.

My Pick : Rouge Dior in 844 Trafalgar. This lipstick is pure decadence and luxury. The color, I would describe as an intense orangey-red with a shiny finish. A lovely bold lip choice that screams for attention and is appropriate all year round. For a budget option that is similar to the Dior Rouge (which puts a dent in the bank balance), Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick in 110. A lovely budget option with a matte finish and very similar in color. I would say this lipstick leans a little more pink, but is still a vibrant red-orange with full coverage.

How do you like you to wear your red lipstick? What are your favorite reds?

Thanks for reading!

Note: All makeup in today's post was purchased from Shopper's Drugmart for those of you who are wondering.
 

 

Introducing: Newfound Beauty

Welcome to Newfoundland- I mean Newfound Beauty! I'm excited to finally take the plunge into the world of blogging. I am no expert on makeup, nor am I a makeup artist. In fact, I will be a Registered Nurse in six months (hopefully). I live in St. John's, Newfoundland with my boyfriend and my adorable cat (whom I may refer to as "babycakes" from time to time). I love to read reviews on the latest makeup product launches, watch makeup tutorials and take a peek into other people's makeup bags.

Living in Newfoundland has it's challenges as we do not have Sephora. Yes, you heard me right, I'm a beauty addict who struggles to get my fix. As a result, I purchase much of my own high end products from the Shopper's Drugmart Beauty Boutique, with the occasional online order from Sephora. I also shop in the various drugstores around the city (Shoppers, Lawtons and Walmart). Since I started watching/reading beauty bloggers from the US and UK, I have noticed a gap in beauty-obsessed blogs, specifically for Canadian girls. Providing posts on budget beauty is also on the to-do list, as I think being a poor university student is no reason for having to look less than amazing.

I want to make the beauty blog that I wish had always existed for the beauty geeks of Newfoundland. No pressure, right? I plan on spreading the word about the products available on the island, as well as throughout Canada. I will provide honest reviews of products that I have purchased myself. My goal is to share my own love of makeup with both seasoned beauty addicts and new-comers to the world of cosmetics.

I have many of my own ideas for upcoming posts, so keep an eye out for those. If you have any questions/comments/suggestions, please leave your comments below.