Hard Candy is a drugstore brand that I was using in highschool - the most iconic product from their line that I remember is their nailpolishes with the ring attached to it. When I had the chance to review some of their Holiday Products, I had to take them up on the offer and see what goodies there are for you all this Holiday Season. 

In full disclosure, I do have to remind you that these are drugstore products that are relatively budget friendly and inexpensive. I think that this is a great introductory brand for those starting out in make-up - so early teens etc. They offer a wide variety of gift sets that are customizable to the recipient, and even if you do decide to buy all the products you still will not make a giant dent in your wallet. 

For example, their lip balm in a ball, baked bronzer and blushes, eyeshadow palettes, setting sprays are $1.47 each. Their eyeshadow in a tin (in the above picture, 8 shadows total), highlight and contour stick set are $3. Concealer Palettes (6 shades total in a tin), Blush and Bronzer Kit, and in the above picture - the circular 3 palettes in one set shadows and face powders are all $4.97

As for the polish sets below, the one on the left is $4.97 and the polish train set is $19.97 which contains 10 nail colors. 

In the photo below, the circular 3 palettes in one set shadows and face powders are $4.97, the metal eyes shadow palette/tins are $3 each and the horizontal shadow palette is $1.47. As you can see, the prices are all very reasonable! 

To show you how these products look, I used the Party Ready Holiday Set valued at $9.97 and the Best of Kit $19.97 to create this look. My entire face of makeup is from Hard Candy - the concealer is pigmented, covers my dark circles effectively. The shadows are buildable and are well at the price point listed. Finally, the liquid lipstick is a whipped formula that smells kinda like vanilla cupcakes. It is non drying and does not settle in fine lines. The setting spray is strong, not a fine mist but it does set your makeup - it has a slight cucumber scent to it. When I tested a secondary bottle, it did leak a bit - so I will empty that bottle into my first bottle that worked fine.

If I had to suggest one must purchase product, it would be the baked highlighter, blush and bronzers. My friend had recommended them to me a few years back, and I have purchased a few of them already. They last so long as well that you will barely make a dent in them even if you use them frequently. The product is very similar to the ambient powders from a luxury brand, but honestly at a much lower price point. 

Until next time, XO - M.

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

It's been so long since the VIB Rouge event happened that I was contemplating whether or not to even post this. However, I do still get the occasional question on what I purchase since I do get sent some PR for review on occasion. "What would you actually spend your money on?" is a question I get most often....well, I buy things randomly here and there but I thought I'd share this haul with you.

Lip Products

1. Hourglass - GIRL Lip Stylo in Liberator, a deep berry (left) and Creator, a pinky nude (right). I have since returned Liberator as it just looked so different at home then at the store - the Sephora lighting is too good. These lippies are something that I've had my eye on for a while now, they are balmy in texture but delivers a beautiful wash of color to the lips like a lipstick. They are hydrating and do not settle in dry spots or lines. 

2. YSL - Tatouage Couture Liquid Matte Lipstain. From left to right the colors are: 11, 5, 19, 3 and 20.  I have reviewed these in a post with swatches included as well. If you want to know why I purchased so many of these even after I was sent 3 for PR, then you have to read the post.

Face Products

1. Touch In Sol - No Pore-Blem Primer - This is a relatively inexpensive primer in the market compared to its competitors. It promises to mattify your skin as well as to even out any large pores.

2. NARS - Liquid Blush - originally, I had bought Torrid online, a warm coral with golden shimmer. However, upon testing the product it was just too dark for me and it was hard to apply it without looking too pigmented and strong. I even tried using a sesame sized amount on the cheeks and it was just too hard to control. I since exchanged it for the color Orgasm and I am loving it!

3. Sephora - Brow Gel

Face and Other Products

1. Glamglow - Power Cleanser - bought this product as it was already on sale and the reviews were good, I have yet to use this so I cannot comment on it however I like the concept of mud & oil to foam. 

2. Fresh - Seaberry Nourishing Hand Cream - This is my third year using this product in the colder seasons, if you want to know why then read my in depth post here.

What were some of your hauls? Would love to read about them or know if you have tried any of the products listed above!

Until next time, XO - M. 

For this Makeup Monday's instalment, I decided to create a make-up tutorial featuring some new Dior items I had received a while back. I truly love the way it turned out so I'm hoping you enjoy it too! It's a super easy grey and mauvey purple smokey eye featuring the 5 Couleurs Palette in 067 Provoke. This palette has great pigmentation and the shadows contain 3 satin like finishes, one matte and one foil-like one. 

This is also the first time I'm using a new way to map out how I create a look, instead of writing out what products I used on my eyes, I used the new drawing tablet my hubby bought me to map out what I used and where, so I hope you like this upgrade I made :)

Products used to create this look:

1. Dior - 5 Couleurs Palette - 067 Provoke 

2. Diorific Matte Fluid in 007 Desire (on the cheeks) and 008 Intensity (base of lips)

3. Diorskin Nude Air Luminzier - 002 (on the cheekbones)

4. Dior Show Pump N' Volume Mascara

5. Diorskin Forever and Ever wear (primer)

6. Dior Skin Forever Foundation - 030

7. Diorific Khol Powder Lipstick - 991

*If you're interested in knowing what the two polishes in the first picture are, they are the Diorific Vernis in 673 Ruby and 745 Grenat.

How I created the eye look below: 

Until next time, XO - M.

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

For those of you who don't know, Soap & Glory is now available in Canada and you can find them at Shoppers Drug Mart and Murale Stores. I have been a fan of their products for a few years now, and in the past I had to travel to the U.S. to buy their products - I'm so happy that since they are here now, I no longer have to lug these products cross border! My favorites are Sexy Mother Pucker Pillow Plump, Hand Food and the Flake Away Body Polish. 

They have a wide variety of fragrances to their products, my favourite has to be Original Pink which has the notes of orange leaf, lemon, peach, strawberries, rose, gardenia and jasmine. A blend of fruity citrusness and floral notes. The other scents include:

- Mist You Madly - mandarin, bergamot, blackcurrant, magnolia, freesia, patchouli and sandalwood

- Fruitigo - frozen yuzu, sweet orange oil and pomelo essence

- Smoothie Star - pistachio, almond and sweet vanilla

- Sugar Crush - sweet lime, sparkling lemons, sweet vanilla musk and almond oil,

If you ever wanted to try out Soap & Glory products yourself, the below gift set would be a great introductory set to either you or a friend/family member for the holidays. You receive deluxe size products that allow you to effectively try out each product before purchasing it. 

Alternatively, you can always do a DIY spa set for your friends, I typically like to create customized gifts for them so buying any of the full sized products below would be a great idea.

Sugar Crush Body Wash and Body Lotion ~ putting a loofah with these two products or sleeping mask would be a fantastic idea! 

Vitamin C Facial Wash, Body Mist and Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Gloss ~ great for the natural girls who have a simple routine, cleansing the face, quick spritz of body mist and a light lipgloss. This is a great lip plumper as it gradually adds volume to the lip, without the burning tingling sensation. 

Smoothie Star (polish), The Righteous Butter and Flake Away (body butters)  ~ a great trio to gift someone as these products pair very well together. The exfoliators are super gritty so it does a great job buffing away the dead skin cells to prep the body to absorb the moisturizer right after. 

Until next time, XO - M.

*products were provided for consideration, all opinions are my own

Products in this collection include:

1. Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Treatment Lotion - $42 cad

The #1 best seller, this lotion provides the skin with an instant dose of calming, soothing hydration

2. Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Micellar Cleanser - $40 cad

This is a no-rinse required cleanser and contains no soap and alcohol. It works to help you remove make-up, dirt and pollutants. This cleanser leaves your skin feeling hydrated and not stripped - it's comfortable. 

3. Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Face Mask - $50 cad 

This is a creamy mask with Cordyceps and Reishi Mushrooms, plus Ginger, Holy Basil and Tumeric. It instantly calms and soothes the skin while visibly reduces redness with continued use. 

4. Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Face Cream - $83 cad

This is a hydrating cream that calms the skin with Dr. Weil's signature Mushroom Blend. It reduces redness like the mask above, and works with sensitive skin. 

Until next time, XO - M

*products were sent to me for review, all opinions are my won

Too Faced Cosmetics has been on a roll with their make-up launches this year. Most recently, they have released their newest chocolate eye-shadow palette called the Chocolate Gold. It retails for $49usd and $59cad. The palette contains a mix of 12 beautiful metallic/foiled shadows and 4 mattes. From the swatches below, you can see that both the formulations are pigmented and buttery. Shadows like Gold Dipped, Classy & Sassy, Rich Girl and Famous have a chunkier foiled effect. As with their other palettes, this one has a decadent chocolate scent that is reminiscent of hot chocolate powder.

I used the palette to create two separate looks for you - one for more of the neutral lovers and the other a more colourful holiday look! 

First look features the following shadow colours:

- Gold Dipped - inner 1/3 of lid

- Classy & Sassy on the middle 

- Decadent on the outer V 

- Cocoa Truffle on the crease. 

- On the lips is Too Faced Melted Matte in Drop Dead Red from the Under the Kissletoe set

Second look features the following shadow colours:

- Drippin' Diamonds - inner 1/3 of lid

- Money Bags on the middle 

- Livin' Lavish on the outer V 

- New Money on the crease. 

- On the lips is Too Faced Melted Latex in Hopeless Romantic from the same set mentioned above.

Of the two looks above, which one do you prefer? :) Would love to hear your thoughts on this palette! Will you be grabbing it? I haven't been this excited about a palette from Too Faced since the original Chocolate Bar Palette as that was a neutral lovers dream (plus other than neutrals I love purples!) 

Until next time, XO - M.

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

Coconut lovers rejoice! If you are already a fan of the Coconut line from OGX, which includes the Coconut Milk and Coconut Water (my personal favorite), you will be pleased to find that OGX has launched the new Coconut Miracle Oil line that is filled with even more deliciousness "coconuttyness". 

The products in this line include: 

- Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo

- Coconut Miracle Oil Conditioner

- Coconut Oil Weightless Hydration Oil Mist and the

- Coconut Miracle Oil - Penetrating Oil

Fresh is a brand that I have mentioned a few times on the blog, most recently here - If you have never had the opportunity to try out products from Fresh, or if you have always wanted to try various products but didn't want to pay the higher price tag; the Holiday Season is honestly the best time to try out products from any brand because they usually come out with Value Box Sets, like the ones featured here. 

Fresh was kind enough to send me three different ones to share with my lovely readers so if you're interested in learning more about the contents of each box, and what I think about the products, then keep on reading ...

Top Row L-R: No.11 and No.16 / Bottom Row L-R: No.5 and No.20

On the face/complexion: 

1. Urban Decay De-Slick Complexion Primer - $38

2. YSL - All Hours Full Coverage Matte Foundation - $65

3. Laura Mercier - Secret Camouflage - $42

4. NARS - Liquid Blush (Torrid) - $38

5. Marc Jacobs - #Instamarc Light Filtering Contour Powder - $61

6. Urban Decay - Naked Skin Highlighting Fluid (Sin) - $35

On the eyes: 

1. Too Faced - Peanut Butter and Honey Palette - $36 USD

2. Stila - Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow (Smoldering Satin) - $31

3. Shiseido - Inkstroke Eyeliner (Shikoku Black) - $35

4. NYX - 3-in-1 Brow Pencil - $16

Until next time, XO - M.

As November comes to an end and the weather gets colder, we're getting closer and closer to the Holiday Season. Our homes and malls are decorated with Holiday Decor and I'm sure that some of us have even started our Holiday shopping. I know that I started scouting out items even months ago (I never pass up a good deal) or, if I see something that I know a friend will like, I have to get it because if I wait until last minute I know for sure it'll be gone!

Farley and Co has compiled a list of great stocking stuffer ideas that is great for all ages! They range from skincare products to cosmetics, so if you're interested keep on reading below!