Holiday 2015 Nail Art Contest - Nail Polish Canada



Hey Everyone :) For those of you who have been a part of my blog for the past year, you will know that I love to do some nail art on occasion. The one I have been most proud of is the nail art I did for Halloween 2014 to enter the Nail Polish Canada Halloween Nail Art Contest. I ended up winning Readers Pick - which was quite the honor! You can see my submission here.

This year, while I am late in my submission, I still wanted to do one for fun for their 2015 Holidays Contest. There are so many talented artists and I really can't pick my favorite! If you would like to support me please vote for my entry here (I am Number #26) :) I decided to do something different this year compared to my last submission. I wanted to originally do characters and scenes from one of my favorite Holiday Movies - Elf, but I already did the Addams family for the last contest.

Here are some of the products I used to create this look:

Here are additional pictures of what I've done :) 


Until next time - XO, M.

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Makeup Monday: Glitter Liner and Red Lip Holiday Look


This week I bring to you my second holiday makeup look. I decided to put my own twist on the classic winged liner and red lipstick look by adding some dark  glitter on the liner. In some angles and under certain lights, you will be able to see the dark blue/silver reflect which I think adds an extra something special to the look. Otherwise, from far away it really just looks like a classic winged liner. 

Ever since discovering Lit Cosmetics at IMATS, I've been trying to incorporate it into all my holiday looks this year! Also, Instead of doing such a bold red lip as some people (like myself) may find it intimidating, I decided to go for a red gloss instead. This way, it adds the tint of color without being too pigmented.

Here's a close up of the glitter liner paired with the KoKo by KOKO lashes. 

 Here's a list of the products used:

Foundation: Maybelline Hydrate & Smooth 
mixed with Charlotte Tilbury: Wonder Glow for extra dewiness
Concealer: Sephora Gel Serum no.11
Eyes: Make Up Forever Shadows - M-534 (leige matte beige all over the lid), M-646 (matte light brown) in the crease with a fluffy brush, and M-608 (matte dark brown) very lightly placed on the outer corners for some dimension, although it's not showing quite well in the picture from the lighting 
Liner: Kat Von D - Trooper
Glitter: Lit Cosmetics Seeing Stars
Blush: Buxom (Seduction) 
Contour Kit: Kat Von D Shade & Light
Lashes: KoKo by KOKO Lashes
Lash Glue: Esquido (holy grail)
Highlight: Charlotte Tilbury from the Filmstar Bronze and Glow Palette
Lips: Gerard Cosmetics - Candy Apple



I hope you enjoyed this makeup look! I have a feeling I'll be doing this exact look for my holiday events this year!
Until next time - XO, M.
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Makeup Monday: Neutral Bronzed Glitter Holiday Makeup Look


With the holidays fast approaching, I thought that I would create some holiday looks for my Makeup Monday posts :) The first one I'd like to start with is a neutral bronzed glitter eye look. The holidays is a perfect time to bring out that glitter to add some extra sparkle to your look and you would never be blamed for being too glittery! When I went to IMATS this year, I bought some glitters from Lit Cosmetics  so I decided to play around with it and create this look for you.

Here's a close up of the eye look. I decided to opt out of using liner as I do not have much lid space and having included liner would take away from the glittery-ness I was trying to achieve. 


Attached below are pictures of the products I used to create the look. I will try my best to list everything, however for the eyes, I primarily used the Lorac Pro palette.  I blended Cream all over the lid and brow bone, took Mauve at the crease with a fluffy brush and used a finer crease brush and blended Sable and Espresso to the outer crease focusing in the shape of a V.

I then packed on Lit Cosmetics in Oprah with the Liquid Glitter Base focusing only on the mobile lid area. 

Foundation: Amore Pacific Cushion Foundation (Review coming soon)
Lipstick: Tom Ford Indian Rose 
Concealer: Sephora Gel Serum Concealer shade 11
Corrector: Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener
Contour: LA Girl Pro Conceal in Beautiful Bronze
Contour Powder to set the cream contour: Kat Von D Shade and Light Palette
Brows: Etude House and Milani Brow Gel 
Blush: Hour Glass Luminous Flush 



Lashes used are KOKO lashes in number 201 - I bought them at LadyMoss.com
I used the Esquido Lash Glue to apply them and it's amazing! It beats my old DUO glue x100, there is no drying time to wait for it to get tacky before applying and it holds all day and washes off very easily! I would keep repurchasing this for sure!


Here are a couple more pictures of the look I created

Tune in next Monday for another holiday inspired look! 

Until next time, XO - M.
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September to November 2015 Product Empties


I have made it a mission the last few months, to use up as much existing open product as possible and I think I did quite well in the past 3 months! Keep on reading to see what I loved and would re-purchase again, and what other products made it on the regrets list!


Products Above:
1. L'oreal Ever Pure - Sulfate Free Color Care System Volume Shampoo 
Repurchase? Yes!
Why? I love everything about this shampoo, from the scent, which is a minty herbally scent to the results - it doesn't weigh down my hair nor does it strip my dyed hair color. I don't really see any VOLUMIZING properties, but I do love this shampoo alot! The only other one I may like more is the Herbal Essences Naked Volume Shampoo

2. Bath & Body Works - Harvest Body Wash
Repurchase? No.
Why? I didn't find it moisturizing, even though it says it contains Shea and Vitamin E. When I read the ingredients in the back, alcohol is one of them which may explain why I feel drier than normal especially in the winter months. The scent is also quite artificial and overly pungent.

3. Aveda - Rosemary Mint Shampoo
Repurchase? Maybe later on.
Why? It's really too expensive for shampoo and ever since finding Herbal Essences Naked Volume, I see no reason to really having to repurchase this again.

4. Living Proof - Flex Shaping Hair Spray
Repurchase? Maybe later on
Why? Again, this is a higher end product in terms of cost. While it does an amazing job and the scent is wonderful, I am trying to find a drugstore dupe that will do the same. This hairspray gives me a light feeling but strong hold and adds volume and texture. I really am quite fond of it and have repurchased it before.


5. Body Shop - Tea Tree Skin Clearing Foaming Cleanser 
Repurchase? not now
Why? I just don't need it, I found the Indie Lee Spot Treatment Solution that works on targeted break out spots.

6. Miracle 10 - Solution 1
Repurchase? later on
Why? It is a pricier item, and while I got it in a PR package to review, I would like to try out other products first and see what else is in the market.

7. First Aid Beauty - Facial Radiance Pads
Repurchase? Yes, later on
Why? These are really good exfoliating pads that really do work to brighten your skin and get out your black heads and dirt.

8. First Aid Beauty - Dual Repair Face Cream
Repurchase? No. 
Why? I didn't like the texture or the product.


9. Nails Inc - 45 Second Top Coat
Repurchase? Yes! Always! Forever! 
Why? IT WORKS. It gives you a high gloss shine and dries your nails quickly. This is how i can afford to always change my polishes!

10. Saje - Tree Scent Eseential Oil Blend
Repurchase? Yes
Why? love it for my Saje diffuser! So relaxing and calming! I also like Mountain High

11. Atrix Beauty Charge - Honey Milk Hand Lotion
Repurchase? Yes! (if I can find it, because I got it from Japan, my sister in law got me 2 more on her recent trip)
Why? It works on my eczema prone skin in the winter. It's not greasy, absorbs quickly and the scent is very nostalgic to my trip to Tokyo 3 years ago.

12. EOS - Coconut Milk Lip Balm
Repurchase? No.
Why? I don't like EOS products, I don't find them entirely moisturizing

13: Algenist - Eye Cream
Repurchase? Maybe later
Why? It's expensive! I got this as a deluxe sample and will keep my eye out for when its available. This stuff is potent and it really works, but I don't think I'm ready to bite the bullet and buy it yet. I am trying out the GinZing Origins eye cream now and I'm quite fond of it, and it's about 1/2 or maybe even 1/3 of the cost

14: Origins - GinZing Mascara
Repurchase? No.
Why? Didn't work for me, My drugstore Covergirl and Maybelline mascara worked much better! 

15: Aurora - Eye Liner
Repurchase? No, good thing I got it for free in my Ipsy Bag
Why? Not pigmented at all - watery and patchy! Also has a weird scent.

16. Anastasia - Clear Brow Gel
Repurchase? Maybe later
Why? I'm pretty happy with the Milani brow gel right now, it does the job for less than half the price!

17. Indie Lee - Blemish Stick 
Repurchase? YES! 
Why? Anytime I feel a flare up, I put this on and it's gone the next day. I've recommended this to so many people and they all love it. My one coworker has repurchased it... four times now? She's addicted.

What are some of your empties this month? Have you tried out anything I've mentioned above?
Until next time, XO - M.
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November 2015 Favorites


November has gone, can you believe it? and now we're onto December - which means there's only 25 days left til  Christmas! Have any of you started your Christmas Shopping yet? I have to say, I'm actually 90% done! so I don't need to go and push around the mall with the last minute shoppers.

My favorites this month contain some repeats (which only means that I truly love them!):
1. Smashbox - Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer
This has become a must have in my makeup routine - as the name suggests, it fills my pores and doesn't leave a greasy residue. Perfect canvas for makeup application after.

 2. Maybelline Fit Me! - Hydrate and Smooth Foundation
My first time using a drug store foundation since my teens that I actually like! My shade is 220 and I combine it with a little bit of Charlotte Tilbury's wonderglow to give it even more of a dewy finish. 

 3. Embryolisse - lait-Creme Concentre
Adds an amazing level of hydration to the skin in the morning before I put on my makeup. It's lightly scented, reminiscent of jasmine? I am definitely ordering more after.

4. Laneige - Water Sleeping Mask
 I use this every night now that the weather is much colder. I wake up with baby soft skin. I recently gifted the Laneige skin set to my girlfriend to try since I love so many Laneige products! I even started using the foaming cleanser and toner!

 5. GinZeng - Refreshing Eye Cream
Salmon tinted and not overly greasy for my under eyes! Love it!

 6. Aveda - Shampure Dry Shampo
This is my newest discovery when I went to Aveda during Black Friday to restock on the Volumizing tonic. It doesn't have an aerosol can and comes straight from the tube. It's herbally scented and plant derived. It volumizes the hair slightly while works to absorb the hair grease!

 7. Cover Girl - The Super Sizer Mascara
The wand of this mascara is quite interesting, it's an inverted triangle and has short plastic points instead of a brush. Somehow, this adds a lot of volume and length and I can get away with two coats of this and no liner and my eyes still look existent!

 8. no name brand foundation brush from Phoenix Beauty that I bought for 9.99
Even though this is no name brand, I had to include this as my monthly favorite only to prove a point to my fellow readers. I wanted to let you know that sometimes, you do not need to buy high end brushes just because you think they will be better than no named brand ones in the market. I got this from Phoenix Beauty at Pacific Mall for 9.99 and it works better than my Sephora Pro Airbrush Foundation Brush which cost triple that amount! 
What have been some of your monthly favorites? Can't wait to hear from you! 

Until next time - XO, M.


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Estée Lauder Limited Edition Modern Muse Le Rouge Makeup Collection

The holiday season in the beauty world brings around lots of different value sets, beauty sets in pretty packaging and of course, limited edition sets. Estée Lauder is excited to announce the launch of their Limited Edition Modern Muse Le Rouge Makeup Collection exclusive to Hudson's Bay. 

The collection is inspired by the gorgeous high-impact pop of red in the iconic Modern Muse Le Rouge fragrance bottle. The products allow you to create a beautiful neutral eye and to add a pop color to your lips with the various lip colors included in this collection. Also, no look is created for the holidays until your nails are adorned with red polish. 




The collection includes:

- Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Envious, Red Ego and Carnal $34 each.
- Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Envious - $25
- Pure Color Envy Sculpting Eyeshadow Palette in Pink Mink $55
- Modern Muse Le Rouge: 3.4oz/100ml EDP $122, 1.7oz / 50ml EDP $90 and 1.0oz/30ml EDP $68.








Are you eyeing anything in the collection? If so - which ones? Stay tuned for some holiday makeup looks coming soon on Miranda Loves!

Until next time, XO - M.
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Reversa Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF 30*


If you are like me, the thought of forgetting to use SPF on your face comes quite often. I always remember to put SPF on my body, but never remembering that my face is equally, if not, more important. The reason that I have been guilt of neglecting SPF is because I do not like to put excessive layers of product on my face and having it feel greasy after. Imagine layering on your toner, serum, moisturizer, SPF .. THEN primer? please... ain't nobody got time for that! Secondly, the products that I have tried in the past, either have a white cast/flash back in flash photography, or break me out.

That is why when I was contacted to try out Reversa, I thought what do I have to lose? and gave it a go! This face cream contains SPF 30 as well as ant-wrinkle properties. The benefits include:
- Reduction of the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
- Exfoliates, moisturizes, softens and smooths the skin
- Filters UVA/UVB rays and helps sunburn
- Non-greasy, leaves a pleasant silky feeling on skin
- Ideal for daily urban activities #urbanprotection.

The product is housed in a practical and elegant airless-pump bottle and allows you to see how much product you've used so you know when to re-stock before you run out! It is available in most Canadian drugstores and a 50 ml bottle is $45 approx. In the same line, there is also a anti-wrinkle eye contour cream with SPF 15, and anti-wrinkle fluid with SPF 15.

My thoughts and would I repurchase this?
Yes! 100% yes! I really loved the weightless texture of this product. When dispensed, it is like any ordinary white-tinted cream. However, when applied thoroughly to your skin/face it dries to almost a satin/powder textured finish. It doesn't ball up when applying primer or foundation. There is no flashback when using flash photography and well its great to have a product that serves two purposes - SPF + moisturizer. It says to apply this at least 15 minutes before you head out the door and get exposed to the sun.. so I wouldn't say that's unreasonable consider you put it on after your skincare routine, put on your makeup then get dressed etc .. so that's more than enough time...

Until next time, XO - M.
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Beauty Haul from Korea & Japan


My weakness in beauty products is cosmetics from Asia. When my sister in law recently went to Hong Kong, Japan and Korea, she was kind enough to pick up some goodies for me and I thought I'd share them with you! Most of these products are items that I know I'd like, as I've tried them before when I went to Tokyo 3 years ago and bought them. I was so sad I couldn't get my hands on them that I had to ask Jen to pick me up multiples!

The below face masks are a gift by Jen, she actually bought 100+ face masks while she was in Korea. She told me that Horse Fat is really good? It's said to be ultra hydrating - can't wait to try it! 

Have any of you triede the Baby Lips formula in Asia? It's absolutely different than that of Canada/America. The version in Asia is ultra hydrating, almost wet in texture like it instantly melts onto your lips and really does provide moisture. I bought one in Tokyo three years ago, and upon using it after I bought it - I had to double back and go get another. They are super inexpensive, about $2 cdn or less? So glad Jen found me so many different flavors!! ahh! 

What next, the Beauty Charge Honey Milk hand lotion. It's really hydrating, and the scent alone brings me back to my trip to Asia. So nostalgic. It doesn't irritate my eczema prone hands in the colder winter months in Canada. LOVE it!

Three other items include the Sugar Syrup lip balm (smells like candies and is coral tinted), Etude House (Blooming Lipstick) and Clio Kill Black Liquid Liner. The Clio liner is the first time I've tried it, but it is BETTER than the Kat Von D Trooper liner. More precise, darker, more pigmented and does not budge at all! 

Yes, candies - black currant pastilles to be exact, the Hong Kong version tastes different and is shaped differently as well. Trust me, if you love these candies, you have to get the Hong Kong version, it's tons better!


Lastly, Jen gifted me these two pairs of socks - Totoro! AHH! and a cute fat owl.. too cute!

The two colors of the lip products I got :)


Hope you guys enjoyed my short haul post! What are some of your asian beauty favorites? Would love to hear em!

Until next time, XO - M!
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Makeup Monday: Fall Mauve Makeup Tutorial


Hello lovelies! I'd like to apologize in advance for the week I took off last week as my schedule just became too busy and overwhelmed with work and I really didn't want to deliver anything half-a-sed for you guys and thought to just take a break entirely and start fresh today with an all new Makeup Monday look.

This look is inspired by the colder temperature now in Toronto and with fall in the air, I thought a pretty mauve look would be ideal.

Two shadows is all this took so for those of you who are shy when it comes to makeup, it can totally work for you. It's also neutral enough that you can wear this at work too if you wanted! Totally day time appropriate! :)
Products Used:
1. Smashbox - Photo Finish Primer ~ to hydrate and prep the skin for a dewy glow.
2. Giorgio Armani - Luminous Silk Foundation (5.75) ~ my ultimate go-to foundation, 4 years + going!
3. Urban Decay Primer Potion for the eyes 
4. Sephora - Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer  (no. 11) ~ I LOVE this stuff! Great coverage and not heavy/cakey!
5. Buxom Eyeshadow - Lingerie Lover all over the lid and Invite Only on the crease. 
6. Kat Von D Liner in Trooper
7. Marcelle Xtension Plus Curl Mascara ~ gives you a perfect lift
8.  to set the under eye, I used MAC - Emphasize
9. to contour, I used MAC - Sculpt
10. for blush, I opted for a darker plum color for the fall season, and that is MAC - Blushbaby. 
11. finished off the look with a pair of lashes from KOKO lashes - 205
12. The best discovery is the Esquido Companion Lash Glue* - at $10 USD it's honestly a steal. It's in the size of a lipgloss container and comes with a very fine tip for application. Also, you don't need to wait it out to get tacky before applying to your current lashes You can brush the glue on, and immediately set it onto your lashes. I LOVE IT! and it stays put all day!


Until next time, XO - M.
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oct 2015 favourites


Happy Halloween everyone :) This month's favorites are pretty minimal and are items that I have mentioned before. Fall is upon us here in Toronto and it's been quite chilly and the only thing I can think about is keeping my skin hydrated. October has been really busy for me, on weekends and at work, so I haven't really done much in the makeup department - I haven't ventured out of my regular routine, so my favourites this month is going to stick to what I must use everyday to keep my skin happy :) 

Products:
1. Laneige - Water Sleeping Mask
Super hydrating, I put this on before I go to bed, and I wake up with plump, dewy, baby soft skin!

2. Smashbox - Photo Finish Primer Water
Perfect primer that hydrates your skin allowing for better application of your makeup!

3. Origins - Ginzeng Refreshing Eye Cream
This is slightly salmon tinted, so it helps to counter discoloration under your eyes. This isn't overly greasy and I use this twice a day - love it! This is a deluxe sample, I will definitely be repurchasing this when it runs out (and probably during the Sephora VIB November sale!)

4. Anastasia Beverly Hills - Dip Brow Pomade (Chocolate)
I've been really focusing on upping my brow game this month and this has been really helping me! I've had so many compliments on my brows! Yes! :) It stays put all day and doesn't budge!

5. Chloe - Eau de Parfum
I have to thank my bestie Meagan for this. I love this perfume so much but couldn't bare to spend money on it as it is so expensive! She surprised me with this and I LOVE YOU M! Thank You! (for those of you who don't know, I loved this so much I kept getting little samples at Sephora to satisfy my need for this .. haha) 

6. Estee Lauder - Day Wear 
I've mentioned this previously in a post - it is a moisturizer that also self adjusts to the color of your skin tone. Two in one! Saves me time in the mornings when I get ready! 

7. Sigma - E35 Tapered Blending Brush
Want a brush that can help blend out all your shadows with ease? This ones your baby!


What have been some of your favourites this month? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, XO - M.
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