Review: Avon - ANEW Hydra Fusion*


The extremely cold temperatures lately have my skin gasping for some intense hydration, so what better time than to break into my Avon Anew Hydra Fusion items that were sent to me a few months ago. I will be reviewing and introducing these products in the order that I use them during my skincare routine for your convenience. 

Review, Swatch & Tutorial: YSL - Spring 2019 Makeup Collection*


Let's talk Spring right now because the weather outside is horrendous - if you're in the Greater Toronto Area, you will probably have heard of the near 20 cm of snow we're getting - boo! I was fortunate enough to be sent the YSL 2019 Spring Makeup Collection and if you are a reader or follower of my blog, you will know that I am an avid fan of their makeup - from their packaging to some of their formulations. I truly believe that they have come a long way in their formulations in the past year - if you keep reading below you will see which products are a must buy, and whether or not there are any misses and why. If you're interested in my last post about the Holiday collection, you can read all about it here, if not then you can see my other YSL posts here.


This season's packaging is housed in a beautiful iridescent pinkand gold packaging - both remaining true to their standard eyeshadow palette and blush/highlight compact size. Again, the packaging is sleek, luxe and has a nice weight to it that makes you feel super fancy and posh when using it. 

First, we have the Shimmer-Rush Multi-Palette for eyes, lips and cheeks, which retails for $70 cad. I can see how this palette can be used for the eyes and cheeks, but not quite sure which ones could be used for the lips, unless you mixed it with a medium before application. These are all powder formulations that honestly swatch beautifully and none of them are duds. They are all pigmented, buttery smooth and blend like a dream. When you see this in action in my video below or even in the makeup look photos, none have been altered or enhanced, what you see is what you get. Is this palette worth the $70 price tag, yes. Even if you are a collector and buy it for the packaging, yes it is but the bonus is the product inside is amazing.


Next, we have the Shimmer Rush Collector Blush Palette, which retails for $78 cad. While the formulation is soft, buttery and smooth it is important to note that it is a very light shade. I am a light-medium neutral in complexion and it hardly shows up on me. I had to end up layering this on top of the YSL Babydoll Duo Stick blush (one of my favs for a natural look). The swatch below is a heavy swatch of about 3-4 swipes, when I just use a fluffy brush to dip into the compact though and then apply to the face, I see the radiance they talk about - similar to a finishing powder. Though this item is beautiful to look at, I would however still recommend sticking with the mutli-use palette above if you had to chose between these two items.


In addition to the palettes, I was also been sent 5 of the 8 new Volupte Plump-in-Colour Lipsticks. I had originally seen this product reviewed on Tati's (Glam Life Guru) Video recently and she had done a horrid review on these lipsticks - saying it burnt her lips and that it made her lips look blue and her circulation was being cut off - which is quite harsh and scary! To be honest, I was a bit hesitant to try these out because I am such a huge fan of YSL lip products, I didn't want this to ruin the streak for me. However, hey It needs to be done! 

I started off by swiping these lipsticks on my arm as you can see below and they glided on effortlessly and beautifully - one swipe, even color distribution and looks wonderful like their other formulations. I saw no evidence of the black and blue markings that Tati mentioned - perhaps maybe she had got a bad batch? who knows - I'm not here to criticize her review, but just simply bringing light to those reading my post that I did not encounter this issue at all. 

This balm also is said to have a subtle plumping effect, which I find to be true - it has a slight tingling sensation, but nothing as extreme as many other ones I have tried in the marketplace - this one did not bother me nor did it over-do it. It just made it look a bit more juicy and at the end of the day this felt weightless, like water on my lips but as you can see in the video - one swipe, leaves behind a glossy look without the tackiness at all. You guys definitely need to go buy one... two... or more of these!ASAP!

From left to right are shades 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 on the far right which is a true red. I think all these colors are great for Spring or even for Valentines coming up!


The products used to create the look above are listed in the video, but I also have them photographed below. 


Which items are your favorite or make you feel most excited about? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, XO - M.

* All items are PR samples, minus the Anastasia and Benefit products. 

Review: Indeed Laboratories - Nanoblur Colour Correctors*


The original nanoblur from indeed Laboratories has recently added three new items to their existing line-up, the colour correctors tinted in shades of yellow, purple and green. Think of these as both a skincare and make-up product as it works to treat, blur, correct and also prime the face at the same time. For those of you who are just looking to even out some redness, or add some brightness to the skin, wear this alone. If you are looking to wear make-up on top of this, it works as an amazing primer as well as it blurs out and fills in pores to give you a great canvas to apply your foundation, and rest of your make-up routine. 

Each tube of product retails for $16.99 and contains 30ml of product - they are paraben and fragrance free. As mentioned above, this is also a skincare item as it contains Nigella Sativa Oil which is an antioxidant and contains anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it also helps to moisturize and strengthen the skin as well. Talk about a two-in-one product!

Review, Swatch & Tutorial: NARS - Skin Deep Eye Palette*


I am very excited to bring to you a few brand new items from NARS - particularly their newest eyeshadow palette that launched this month, the Skin Deep Eye Palette. It is limited edition (spoiler: so go get it!) and has a selection of mattes, shimmers and metallic finishes. What I appreciate most about this palette is that their larger eyeshadow pans contain the shades that are essential to any look, whether it gravitates towards a more cool or warm toned look. It works in conjunction with the colors in the palette and just comes together effortlessly. It is a well thought out palette, and even includes two smaller matte shades that work well as a brow powder.


The products used to create the look you see below include:
Primer: Lancome - Blur and Go Stick*

This foundation is brand new to me and oh my goodness I think it is quickly becoming a new favorite. It offers a very buildable coverage that does not look cakey, it is a thin formulation so it glides on effortlessly and just covers any imperfections and makes me look airbrushed in my photos without any touching up (I did not do any photoshopping to my face in the images below). I used one layer in my look and it gave me a light medium coverage.

This is also a brand new shade to me, typically I use the shade Custard during my lighter skin toned months (winter) and Ginger, during the summertime when I'm a bit more tanned. Crema Catalana is a brand new shade exclusive to Sephora and it's a tad darker than Custard leaning more peach and it works so well in combating my under eye circles. Again, in the photos I did not do any retouching under my eyes!

Bronzer: NARS - Laguna
Eyeshadow: see each look/photo for specifics listed*
Brows: Skin Deep Eye Palette - Coconut Grove*
Mascara: NARS - Climax*


Crease: Undressed and Sophia
Lid: Unbuttoned
Defined Crease: Sophie and Bali
Browbone: Taunt
Lower Lash Line: Unbuttoned and Whipped
Diffuse any harsh lines: Whipped

Crease: Undressed and Sophia
Inner Half of the Lid: Icon
Outer Half of the Lid: Faster Pussycat
Outer V: Whipped
Browbone: Taunt
Lower Lash Line: Bali and Faster Pussycat

This palette really is a neutral lover's dream - you can easily transition from something natural and effortless to something smokey and dramatic and you bet I will be taking this with me on my next vacation! 

Until next time, XO - M.

*products were sent to me for consideration, all opinions are my own.

Review: Espira by Avon*


To start off a brand new year, AVON has released a whole new line of health and wellness products named Espira. It includes various forms of supplements to help you customize what works with your personal lifestyle and needs to boost and promote your natural energy levels and supporting your overall health. They have two areas of focus right now - one which is Boost, the other is Restore. Boost gives you the natural energy kick to help you perform your best while Restore supports your overall health and well-being.

Espira provides essential minerals, vitamins and nutrients to the body and is made from trusted, non-genetically engineered ingredients, does not contain preservatives and has no artificial colours or flavours. 

To see which products suit you and what their benefits are - you can refer to this chart that breaks down how the product works for you, what it does as well as what ingredients are inside. What I like as well, is that they also have various recipes on their site to help you get the most out of your protein shake for example. 

I was recently sent the Espira Vanilla Plant Power Protein to try and I had it for breakfast. The vanilla taste is subtle and doesn't taste overly artificial. I had it with coconut milk which was a bit overwhelming but with soy or almond milk it was great. It is thick in texture so it filled me up and is a great on the go item especially for when I get back to work. 

I'd actually love to try their chocolate one as well as most items on their Boost line - the metabolism boost, hunger block and natural energy - I think these items will really give me the kick for those long days back at work and then mommyhood again in the evenings and afternoon. 

Until next time, XO - M

*product was sent to me for review/consideration, all opinions are my own.

Review: Schwarzkopf Professional - BC Bonacure*


I was recently sent a few new items to try from Schwarzkopf Professional and after using it a few times, I have my review of the products below. 

Review, Swatch & Tutorial: Tarte - Tarteist Remix Collection*


Happy 2019 my lovely readers and Thank You so much for bearing with me while I took a week off to just relax and spend some time with my husband, baby and furbaby. Hubby took the week off and we had a staycation, running errands and getting ready for my transition back to work soon. I will be trying to still continue blogging 3x a week, if I can, it may be rocky right when I get back to work to figure out a balance to my schedule, but let me know what you would like to see and I will make it happen! I think that the best way for me to continue with the 3x/week post is to pre-schedule a bunch like I did near the end of my pregnancy and I was set for about 2-3 months without having to worry! Anyways - enough of the long-winded introduction and lets get started to this beautiful new collection from Tarte Cosmetics!


For those of you who are already fans of Tarte, will know the original Tarte Pro Palettes - the Pro Amazonian Clay Palette and the Pro Glow Highlight and Contour Palette, will know that they came up with the REMIX collection which contains a colourful eyeshadow palette as well as a blush, bronzer and highlight palette that is literally my dreams in one palette - this is perfect for vacation, take this on the go with you and you will have everything you need. I have everything swatched below for you, and have also created two different looks as well. 

Not only does the REMIX collection include the eyeshadow and face palette, but also from the original Double Take Eyeliner. This REMIX includes a Bronze and White Gold addition that is beautiful. Of the two, I highly recommend the White Gold which is truly unique and a stand out. The liquid liner can create both a thick line, as well as a fine one (as demonstrated below) - it delivers a matte and opaque product and makes cat eyes effortless. 

The micro glitter reflects in the REMIX Lip Gloss helps to add a subtle extra plumpness to the lip while providing it with hydration as it contains one of my favorite ingredients which is hyaluronic acid. It has a subtle vanilla cake scent and isn't heavy or tacky.



The Tarteist Pro REMIX Amazonian Clay has 20 stunning and vibrant eyeshadows that allow you to be as creative as you want (and also as natural as needed as this palette does have a wide variety of shades) with its six unique finishes: matte, luster, metallic, duochrome, shimmer & floating glitters. 


The Tarteist PRO Glow and Blush, as mentioned above contains four blushes, a highlight and bronzer. All buttery, smooth and pigmented and you can either use it alone or mixed together to form your own customized shade.


For the below two looks, the shadows I used are listed below each picture, and the products used on my face are here (as it is the same for both):
All over the lid: Artist
Crease: Wall Art
Brow Bone: Mixed Media
Middle of the lid: Art Deco
Lower Lash Line (Outer): Artist 
Lower Lash Line (Inner):  Double Take Eyeliner (White Gold) 

Crease: Wall Art
Defined Crease: Mic Drop
All Over the Lid: Graphic
Lower Lash Line: Graffiti

On the Face:
Foundation: Tarte - Clay Stick Foundation (light-medium neutral)
Concealer: Tarte - Shape Tape (light-medium)
Eyeliner: Double Take Eyeliner (Liquid Eyeliner - Black) 
Bronzer/Blush/Highlight - Tarteist PRO Glow and Blush
Setting Powder: Tarte Creamy Powder Foundation (light-medium neutral)
Lashes: Tarte Wifey 
Brows: Tarte - Arch Architect 

On Vacation


Happy New Year my lovely readers! I am currently taking some time off from the blog in order to spend some time with my little one (my maternity leave is finally coming to an end, and I'd love to just spend some unplugged time with him) and also, to brainstorm some awesome content in my notebook for you guys for 2019! Please feel free to e-mail me or connect with me if you have anything you'd like to see!

With lots of love, and thanks for understanding - M.

How I Maintain my Balayage at Home*


Near the end of 2018, I decided to balayage my hair - with it, I knew would come alot of upkeep (especially since I am a brunette) and so began my journey in finding the products that I know would work for me. I think that I have narrowed it down to my tried and true so far, so if you're interested in knowing what they are, then keep on reading below.