Tis the Season to be Jolly, Fa-la-la-la-laaaaaa-la-la-la-la!!! Zoya is getting you ready for this Holiday season with their Jubilee collection, which contains a mix of 12 polishes in a range of creams, luxe metals and a special effect topper (black leopard print - ooo!). There's something for everyone in this collection, from nudes to rich and brilliant jewel tones. If you're interested in seeing them all swatched, then keep on reading below.

I had recently received some goodies from YSL and you know I'm always down to create a one-brand tutorial! With Halloween coming this week, that means that the Holidays are right around the corner and what better way than to bring around some elegance to your Holiday look with YSL. I have created three looks with their YSL Couture Palette Collector Yconic Purple and two of their Tatouage Couture Metallics Liquid Lips (that I LOVE and have done a previous post about before). If you're interested in seeing some swatches and the look I created, then keep on reading below.

Oh I can't believe it, Halloween hasn't even arrived yet and we're already looking at HOLIDAY collections! If you are a follower of my blog, you will know that Holiday Sets are my favorites! Usually you get to try out a variety of smaller items from different brands at a greater value. I know myself that I never finish an entire regular sized anything let's be honest when it comes to make up, so having these smaller sized products are excellent for me.

Here, we have the SMASHBOX Holidaze Always On Liquid Lip Mini Set. The entire set of six liquid lipsticks retail for $36 and it contains three matte metallic shades and three matte shades. This year, they collaborated with L.A. Artist Jen Stark to bring to you these fun designs on their packaging. You can see a whole series of them right now - and it just brings a great visual and fun component to your vanity or makeu-up bag and collection. A full size liquid lipstick on its own retails for $26 so as you can see, for just $10 more you get to try five other shades and all in smaller volumes. Again, this is great for me because I get exposure to six different shades here (three being metallic and I am really intimidated with metallics to ever just purchase a full sized product on its own). 

I have actually written about their liquid lipstick formulations before and they are excellent. I like their wand especially as it has a very firm and pointed precise tip to allow for precise lines and for you to shape the lip lines before applying the product to the entire lip. They are light weight, non-drying and non-flaking. It wears off evenly which is key - nothing is worse than having a product that only wears out on the center of the lip, you end up looking silly. It also doesn't settle in fine lines and has a very light almost subtle sweet scent to it that you probably won't really notice as it doesn't bother me at all and I am quite sensitive to scents. As an FYI, their products are also paraben and phthalate free!

Below I have all six shades from the collection/kit swatched for you - the top row are all the mattes and the bottom row are all the metallics. They all perform great with one swipe except for Miss Conduct that was a bit sheer and therefor patched a bit and requires a solid drying between the first layer application before applying the second one to deliver the same result as Stepping Out and Babe Alert.

Which shade is your favorite? For me it would have to be Babe Alert, a neutral pink shade for effortless everyday wear and Maneater, a beautiful metallic red for the upcoming Holiday Season!

Until next time, XO - M.

Jouviance is a brand that I have been using on and off for the past two years - my most recent experience with them is with their Coconut Melting Balm which not only helped myself but with assisting in reducing the inflammation of my baby's diaper rash. As such, I am always interested in trying what other hidden treasures lie within the new launches from Jouviance. If you are in learning what was recently launched - then keep on reading below.

What I respect most from a brand is that they take their time to come out with quality launches and collections, especially with collaborations. Shu Uemura is always one of those brands that just does collaborations and limited edition beauty collections in the right way. They never rush things, they put thought and care behind what they're doing and for this Holiday season, they have partnered up with French chocolatier La Maison du Chocolat to bring to you some beautiful skincare and makeup items. I was graciously sent a few items to review, so if you're interested in hearing my thoughts, seeing swatches and seeing the looks I created then keep on reading below

Can we just take a moment to appreciate how beautiful this PR package was? I just had to photograph it and remember it! 

I'm sure that some of you may know that Sephora is not just a place where you can buy beauty products from many different brands - they actually also have their own in-house beauty brand called Sephora Collection. They carry a wide variety of items from skincare to makeup and other beauty related items like tools, brushes and adorable make-up bags. I have been a user of Sephora Collection items for MANY years and they are always solid, reputable and reliable (and at a very reasonable price point compared to its similar competitors that they carry).

My exposure to Lise Watier was always with their cosmetics, so when I was sent a few of their skincare items to try out, I was quite intrigued to see how it would work out. The four items I was sent were developed and produced in collaboration with a Korean-based laboratory and include two cleansers, one oil and one cream based, a scrub and a toner. To read more about the products and my thoughts, then keep on reading below.

SUVA Beauty is a brand that I was introduced to via social media, and I was really proud to learn that they are also Canadian! I was graciously sent their Block Party Eyeshadow Palette as well as their entire new collection of the Moisture Matte Liquid Lipsticks. This review is focused just on the liquid lipsticks as I have swatched them both on my arm and on the lips so that you can see how they perform and look. 

There is a total of six liquid lipsticks so far, I really hope that they will make more shades!  The swatches below are with one swipe - both on the lips and on the arms. They retail for $22 CAD each and wear like a dream. I'm very picky in terms of my liquid lipsticks, as most of them either dry down too dry and shows all fine lines and becomes uncomfortable, or they have a weird metallic scent to them when dried. This formulation however is GOLD. I love it so much! It feels like a creamy whipped formula when you first apply it, and so it glides like butter on the lips. It is actually hydrating on the lips, it never feels dry and tight. It is opaque with one swipe, as mentioned above and their colors pack a punch. The bonus, it smells like cotton candy - it's subtle, lasts for about 15-20 minutes after application and is not overwhelming at all.

I personally feel like they did each shade perfectly, the nude tone Awakening doesn't make me look washed out and ghostly (like most nudes do), Dreamer is a beautiful baby pink perfect for the everyday natural look, Strange is a bold red that makes a statement, The Unconscious is a true purple, Imagination is what I always gravitate to in terms of lipsticks - a mauvey berry tone and Abstract Thoughts is a hot pink.

Honestly, it is so hard for me to pick a favorite - but I think Imagination and Awakening will have to be it. I finally found a nude that I can pull off and that makes me so happy! It is also important to note that their products are formulated without Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates and Gluten. They are Cruelty Free and Vegan Friendly. 

Which shade is your favorite?

Until next time, XO - M.

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

Sulwhasoo is an indulgence, a luxury product that I have seen before and sample tested, but never had the opportunity to purchase and use. I had to fully put the product to the test by spending the last few months trying out the items that were generously sent to me for review/consideration. If you're interested in reading my thoughts and learning more about the brand - then keep on reading below!

For those who know me personally will know that I am a firm believer of holistic health care, I had many incidences of going to my holistic doctor and seen proof of its wonders that has actually translated to show up in my bloodwork. Anyways, that's for another story. When I was approached with the opportunity to review products from Sulwhasoo and after learning that their brand and idealogy stems from the inside, offering holistic beauty solutions that are combined with advanced modern medicine to bring balance to the skin, I had to say YES immediately!

The products that I was sent to try include the:

1. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum

2.  Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening Mask

3. Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Intense SPF 50+

Perfumes are such a personal touch and when worn can evoke a specific memory or feeling, which is why I typically like to switch things up as seasons change. Perfumes work differently on each person's skin when worn and mixed with your natural body chemistry and oils. In addition, I find that as the seasons change, especially in Canada when we have extreme cold and hot months, fragrances can just smell differently on a cold winters day, a crisp fall day or a hot summer's day. These are the reasons as to why I rotate my staples. To find out what I like to use during fall, then keep reading below - I think that I will actually keep this series going with each season as I do tend to get asked what scents I like.