Montreal-Based Beauty and Lifestyle Blog


December 30, 2012

December Empties!

I can't believe it's the end of the year already! Wishing you all a wonderful New Year, may it be the best one yet! :) This past year was very special to me as I started blogging in May. What started as a hobby really grew into what I now consider a passion of mine! I am definitely looking forward to pursuing my "blogging love affair" in the upcoming year! hehe :D

Now, on to my empties for the month of December!


SHARE:

December 28, 2012

Marcelle Face Powder in Translucent

I have been using the Marcelle loose powder in Translucent for the last couple of months and it has been amazing for setting my foundation and leaving my skin shine free throughout the day. I thought I would share my new discovery with you since I have never heard anyone mention this product before! :) I have combination skin that gets crazy dry in the winter around my cheek area but tends to get oily in my t-zone, so this powder has definitely been doing an outstanding job at making my makeup hold up nicely throughout the day! :D

SHARE:

December 20, 2012

Guest Post: Review of Tarte's Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed

Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in Exposed
Hello lovelies! I have the joy of sharing with you today the very first guest post featured on this blog. It is by the beautiful Ashlee from The Makeup Wonderland. Ashlee has such great taste in beauty products, every time she writes about a product on her blog, I just want to run to the store and get every single item she mentions in her posts lol! She is super sweet, and I consider her a great, supportive blogger friend. I have definitely learned a lot from her when it comes to blogging. Without further ado, take it away Ashlee!
SHARE:

December 16, 2012

My Christmas Wishlist ♡

These are the products I've been eyeing this Holiday season! :)


SHARE:

December 4, 2012

November Empties!

Another month has come and gone, and that means it's time for another monthly favorites! :D I personally love reading these types of posts, hence the reason I've started writing them myself! This month I've used up quite a bit of products. Here we go! :)

SHARE:

November 28, 2012

Sally Hansen: Strobe Light

With the Holidays being just around the corner, this glittery nail polish called Strobe Light by Sally Hansen is perfect to glam up any look. I am a sucker for anything rose gold, and it was my first time coming across a rose gold nail polish... I must admit I am in love!

SHARE:

The 'Not Quite There Yet' Link Up

I have the joy of co-hosting this awesome link up! Thanks again Dalayna for letting me co-host! :) Here we go:
Welcome back to the brand new link up 
Not Quite There Yet!
SHARE:

November 26, 2012

First Impression: Burt's Bees Brand

I recently ran out of lip balm so when I saw the Honey lip balm by Burt's Bees on clearance at Zellers, I just had to try it! This is my first time testing the brand out, and I must say I am seriously loving this product! It is ultra hydrating, smells yummy, and most importantly doesn't contain petroleum. You want to avoid products containing petrochemicals when it comes to lip care because although petroleum hydrates the skin temporarily, it really dries your lips out quickly after it has been absorbed by the skin. The entire Burt's Bees line is made of 100% natural ingredients (see the last picture for the full list of ingredients in their honey lip balm). Personally, I noticed a big difference after switching to their lip balm, and am really excited to try out more of their products!

SHARE:

November 23, 2012

Amazing Drugstore Highlighters!

I cannot stop raving enough about these highlighters! Not only are they dirt cheap, but they provide the most beautiful, natural-looking glow to your skin. Although they are both marketed as bronzers, they are best used as highlighters, even for those of you with pale skin (like me!). The first highlighter is the Reserve Your Cabana ColorIcon Bronzer and it is by Wet n Wild. I really love this one, it has a hint of shimmer but nothing too over the top for day-to-day wear. It applies nice and smoothly and it lasts for ages since the pan is so huge. The fact that it has an SPF of 15 is also a plus!

The second highlighter is the Tiki So Baked Bronzer by Hard Candy. This one is pretty popular in the makeup world, and I have to agree it is pretty awesome! Tiki I would say it a little more shimmery then Reserve Your Cabana, but once again it is pretty subtle when applied with a brush. Applied wet however, such as with a beauty blender or a dampened brush, it gives you an even more intense sun-goddess glow, which is perfect for that 'night on the town' look.

SHARE:

November 19, 2012

Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic: A Review

If you are in the market for an all-natural face mask, Lush definitely has some great options in their Fresh Face Mask line. I tried their Catastrophe Cosmetic mask, and I absolutely loved it! It is made of blueberries, chamomile, almond oil, orange peel oil, and a few other ingredients that your skin will love (see image below for the full list of ingredients). You simply leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes and let it do its magic. Once dry, it becomes clay-like on your skin, but unlike many masks, Catastrophe Cosmetic is super easy to remove with warm water, and feels super refreshing since it is applied cold.  As it is made fresh and without preservatives, it must be kept refrigerated and must be used within 2 weeks of purchase. I highly recommend this product...your skin will thank you! :)

You can see the blueberry chunks! :)
SHARE:

November 13, 2012

Butter London: British Racing Green

I got this polish as part of the very first giveaway I won by the beautiful Alexandra from 21standserendipity. This is the perfect color for fall with the turning leaves and for winter with Christmas being just around the corner. This deep green called 'British Racing Green' by Butter London has a great consistency, and after only 2 coats my nails were full opaque. I also noticed that the polish lasts longer on my nails even without a clear top coat. This is my first Butter London polish, and I absolutely love it! :)

SHARE:

November 8, 2012

Brightside Beauty Blog Hop

Hello ladies! I was graciously invited by the lovely Kristin to co-host the Brightside Beauty Blog Hop this weekend! Join in on the opportunity to discover great blogs while also increasing your blogging nest! Be part of the fun and link up! :)


Happy Friday Bloggers!  The weekend is here! Come link up to my Brightside Beauty Blog Hop for a chance to gain new followers and find amazing new reads. Linky list will be open now until this Sunday night 11:59 pm, Ohio time. There are only a few guidelines , so read, follow, and let the fun begin.  Don't forget to come back every Friday to join the blog hop and enter future giveaways :)  The blog this weekend with the most views will win a co-host spot on next weekend's hop so get your network on :)
SHARE:

November 5, 2012

The Liebster Blog Award

I am so flattered to have been nominated for the Liebster Blog Award by the stunning Nikki from Heaven Has Cupcakes! She is seriously so sweet and literally has made my day and blogging life! :)



For those of you who don't know what the Liebster Blog Award is, it's basically a nomination from someone who loves your blog and wants to show it some love. The blogs that can be nominated for this award are seen as being the up-and-coming blogs and they must have less than 200 subscribers.
SHARE:

October 31, 2012

October Empties!

Lately I've been trying my best to finish up a lot of the products I've accumulated (some over a few years... pathetic, I know) as I'm seriously starting to feel like a beauty hoarder. So my goal this month was to use up the most products I possibly could in an effort to make more room on my vanity where I keep most of my beauty junk lol. I am really proud of myself... I did better than I anticipated! :)


SHARE:

October 27, 2012

Come Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram! :)

Hey Lovelies!



So I've recently created a Facebook page destined for my blog, and I figured I'd share it with you along with other social media where we can connect and where I can keep you up-to-date with blog posts! :)
SHARE:

October 24, 2012

Lush: Mint Julips Review

With winter fast approaching, not to mention the cold, dry air associated with the season, my lips have already been signaling their discontent with the rapid change in temperature. The joys of living in beautiful Canada! Luckily, I have come across a great lip scrub by Lush called Mint Julips. During the colder months, I notice how much more often I need to apply lip balm because my lips are CONSTANTLY dry and chapped. It was until I bought this little miracle of a product that I really noticed how much longer my lips stay hydrated. Before purchasing this lip scrub, I attempted to make my own (DIY) lip scrub with granulated sugar, olive oil, and honey, but it just wasn't the same, since it didn't give me the same long-lasting results. Although this lip scrub isn't the cheapest (it retails for a little under $10 here in Canada), it definitely has made a difference for my lips. Mint Julips contains jojoba and peppermint oil, as well as some other hydrating ingredients that are great for the skin. Best part, when you are done scrubbing, you can simply lick the product off! Tastes yummy! :)

SHARE:

October 18, 2012

Real Techniques Haul!

I had heard so many great things about the Real Techniques brushes designed by makeup artist Samantha Chapman from the UK, but I was always hesitant to purchase them online as they are not available in stores here in Canada and I didn't want to spend a crazy amount on shipping. But after doing some research I came across an affiliated website to the realtechniques.com website called iherb.com which offers a great bargain not only on the brushes but also on international shipping. If you use the coupon code FFM227 prior to checkout on their website, you will get $10 off your purchase if your total is over $40, or $5 off if it totals under $40. Also, iherb.com now offers free international shipping if your cart totals $40 or more, and if not it is a flat shipping fee of only $4, which is crazy cheap! :)

Each set cost me $17.99 (again, I couldn't believe my eyes), but with the coupon code I was able to get an extra $10 off since my order was over $40. So instead of having to pay $54, I only payed $44, which is such a bargain considering the quality of these brushes, and the amount of brushes I got for the price (12 in total).

Here is what I ordered: 

From Left to Right: Core Collection, Travel Essentials, and Starter Set
The Core Collection contains:
contour brush
pointed foundation brush
detailer brush
buffing brush
The Travel Essentials consist of:
essential foundation brush
domed shadow brush
multi-task brush

The Starter Set contains:
base shadow brush
deluxe crease brush
accent brush
pixel-point eyeliner brush
brow brush
Each brush can be used on so many different areas of the face since they are all synthetic and made of taklon bristles. They do not shed, are ultra light-weight, and dry super quickly. Another plus is that the brush names are printed on each brush to simplify use. If you do not own Real Techniques brushes already, you are in for a wonderful treat! :)

Nat xx
SHARE:

October 9, 2012

Hair Health: The Benefits of Coconut Oil

Looking for that miracle product that will leave your hair silky smooth and super strong? Look no further, because the answer lies in coconut oil!


Coconut oil is probably the best oil you can use on your hair, since it's rich in protein and antioxidants which are directly absorbed by the hair follicle, creating a protective layer for your strands. It is also great if you have an itchy scalp or suffer from dandruff, as it acts as a hair mask by providing intense hydration.
SHARE:

October 5, 2012

Blog Hop!

I just joined my first blog hop called "Beauty Bloggers Club Blog Hop" - it is basically a great way to find new bloggers and get traffic and new followers on your own blog. It was started by Ashlee from The Makeup Wonderland. It's super easy to join, and it's a great way to share the common interests among us makeup lovers!  I had never heard of a blog hop before, and think it's such an awesome idea! So what are you waiting for? Come and link up! :)

Nat xx


SHARE:

October 3, 2012

TAG: This or That?

I came across this fun TAG on Tawny's blog and could not help but do it myself! I tag YOU to do it! :)


Blush or Bronzer?
Definitely blush. I mostly use bronzer in the summer when I'm more tanned, but blush I wear all year long.

Lipgloss or Lipstick?
Lipstick, for sure. I am not a big fan of lip gloss, probably because my hair always ends up sticking to my lips whenever I wear it lol.
SHARE:

October 2, 2012

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Blizzard Blue

I love blue nail polishes, and this one is definitely one of my favorites. It is called "Blizzard Blue" by Sally Hansen. It is a beautiful metallic baby blue, and as the name implies, it is ideal to wear in the cold winter months. I love the freshness of this color, and cannot help but wear in in the fall. This picture is taken in natural light. I reached full opacity after 3 coats, and I sealed my nails with my Seche Vite top coat. Et voila! :)

Walmart CAN $2.97
SHARE:

September 27, 2012

Review: Bain de Terre Rise n' Shine White Willow Volumizing Foam

Hey there!

I first heard about the Bain de Terre Rise n' Shine White Willow Volumizing Foam through my mom. Her hairdresser had used it to style her hair and my mom liked it so much that she bought a bottle for herself. The results were amazing on her short, thin hair, so I decided to give it a try on my long, thick, wavy hair. I was really impressed... it really added extra body and curl to my hair, plus it smells really nice! :)

(source)

SHARE:

September 22, 2012

Lemon for Acne Scarring!

Hello Friends!

I have been looking into using solely natural ingredients on my face, and after doing some research, I came across the benefits of lemon for acne scarring. It's really simple: cut the lemon into disks and then take one and apply it topically all over your face or simply on your problem areas and store the remaining slices in a sealed plastic bag in the fridge for future use. It will visibly reduce any redness, and overtime, will help your skin heal from any scarring caused by breakouts.


SHARE:

September 15, 2012

Maybelline 'The Falsies Volum' Express Flared': A Review

Hey Girl! :) Today I bring to you... a mascara review! (that rhymes..haha)

The 'Falsies' line by Maybelline is probably one of the most hyped about drugstore mascaras in the beauty world. I decided to try the 'Falsies Flared' myself, but unfortunately it just did not do anything incredible for my lashes.

Maybelline 'The Falsies Flared' in Blackest Black 00

SHARE:

September 8, 2012

Nail of the Day: Essie 'Fiji'

Heyyy! :)

Just wanted to share with you my hands down favorite Essie polish called 'Fiji.' This beautiful pink pastel is completely opaque after only 2 coats, and looks gorgeous on dark, medium, or pale skin tones. This one should definitely be in your collection if you do not own it already - it is great for everyday wear but also for those special occasions that merit a more sophisticated and classy look. Highly recommended!

Essie's 'Fiji'
SHARE:

September 2, 2012

Milani Liquif'Eye in Aqua: WOW!

Hello Ladies!

I had heard so many great things about Milani products, but sadly they were not being sold in Canada... until recently! :D When I saw the Milani display at my local Walmart, I got so happy and excited! My sister was actually looking at me like I was crazy haha! I decided to try one of the Liquif'eye metallic eye liner pencils, as they have AMAZING reviews on makeupalley.com and are compared to the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On eye pencils. At only $6 CAN, this Milani product is a steal for the quality you get. I honestly cannot believe that this is a drugstore product, the pigmentation is INCREDIBLE, it literally glides on your eyelid when applied (no tugging = a big YAY! in my books) and this stuff does not budge. If you have watery eyes like I do, you know what I mean when I say that my eye makeup gets super runny and all over the place at the end of the day. But the company is not kidding when they describe it as being "all day wear, smudge-proof and waterproof." It is also paraben-free. This stuff is really holy grail worthy!

I got #04 Aqua, but they also had Silver, Gold, Brown, and Black at the store. I am definitely going to get every single one of them! Milani, you have a VERY satisfied customer! haha :)

Here are a few pictures:

SHARE:

August 28, 2012

Apple Cider Vinegar for Getting Rid of Impurities on Hair and Face

If you are suffering from weighed-down locks because of all the hair products you have been applying to your hair recently, apple cider vinegar will be your savior. That is because it is naturally clarifying, meaning it gets rid of all of the build-up on your hair. Clarifying shampoos are available in stores, but for the price, you might as well make your own for much cheaper - and knowing what you are putting onto your hair is definitely a plus!

Filsinger's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
$3.99 CAN Health Food Store
SHARE:

August 22, 2012

Aloe Vera: A Cure for Acne Scarring and A Pimple Buster

Acne sucks. Especially when you've had blemishes since your pre-teen years and are now in your twenties and pimples are still stubbornly "sticking around". With time, scars are almost inevitable and are a pain to get rid of or, for that matter, cover up. Here's where aloe vera comes in!
SHARE:

August 19, 2012

Nail of the Day: Sephora by OPI 'Natural Environ-mint'

Just wanted to share with you what I've been sporting on my nails for the last little while: it is a beautiful baby blue called 'Natural Environ-mint' by 'Sephora by OPI'. I absolutely love the color and I have received many compliments on my nails. The consistency is easy to work with, as with only two coats I was able to achieve full opacity. :)

SHARE:

August 17, 2012

Wet n Wild Haul + Swatches!

It's official - I'm on the Wet n Wild bandwagon!

I have never tried anything from Wet n Wild, but I've heard such great things about the amazing pigmentation of their eye shadows and blushes that I decided to go a little crazy and purchase 4 of their products on my last trip to Walmart. They are really inexpensive but so good quality (although the packaging is on the cheap side). Sorry this is so picture heavy, I kind of got carried away! ;)


SHARE:

August 15, 2012

Glittery Nail of the Day: Technic's Carnival

Hello friends!

I was watching one of essiebutton's videos on YouTube when she flashed her nails and my jaw immediately dropped in amazement - she had the prettiest glittery nail polish on! She mentions the polish in the first minute of her video (click here to access it and see her beautiful nails in action). I later found the seller on ebay, so if you would like to purchase this nail polish as well, click here. For a little over $6 CAD (including shipping fees), I would say it's a steal! :)

I applied Essie's "Mademoiselle" as a sheer nude base and then applid Technic's "Carnival", which consists of blue, green, red, silver, and gold glitters of various sizes, allowing for a sparkly spectacle for anyone who sets eyes on your nails. I finished it off with a top coat, and voilà, you have disco multi-colored nails!

After 1 coat of Essie's "Mademoiselle" and 3 coats of Technic's "Carnival" 
SHARE:

August 11, 2012

Chanel Éclat Lumière Highlighter Face Pen: A Review!

Hello Ladies!

Today I bring to you a very exciting purchase I made recently. I was in the market for a good concealer, and when I passed the Chanel counter at Ogilvy's in downtown Montreal, I decided to see what the brand had to offer. I have never owned anything Chanel before, and after getting past spending  $45 on a mere 1.2 mL of liquid product (which I still can't believe I did!) , I really started to embrace my new beauty find.

SHARE:

August 7, 2012

How to clean your makeup brushes for really cheap!

Hi you! :)

Just wanted to share with you two really inexpensive ways to clean makeup brushes. I know how makeup brush cleansers can put a big hole in your wallet, and these methods I use are just as efficient as 'labelled' brush cleansers and come at a fraction of the cost!

(source)

SHARE:

August 6, 2012

Nail of the Day: Chevron Nails

Hi there!

I discovered this nail trend called 'chevron nails' recently. It's basically a look that uses a variety of patterns on the ridge of the nails. I first saw YouTuber Nicole (her channel is nguerriero19) do a nail tutorial on this look (click here to see the video) and got inspired to try it myself! :) I find it really original, and the best part, it's really easy to do! For step by step instructions on how to get this nail look, check out Nicole's video! You only need 2-3 different nail polishes, a top coat, scotch tape, and nail polish remover to clean the edges. I used blue and violet polishes - I coated all of my nails with the violet polish, and then simply cut up little scotch tape squares and stuck them just above my mid-nail with the pointed end sticking upward and painted the part of my nails above blue. I'm really happy with the results! Just a couple of tips: make sure you nails are completely dry between each coat, and peel the scotch tape off before the coat dries.

SHARE:

July 22, 2012

Super Quick & Easy Side Braid!

Hi there! :)

Today I decided to add an extra touch to my usual ponytail when getting ready to go to work. I ended up creating a side braid after having split my hair to one side. You don't need to be a pro braid-er (I guess that's how I'll put it lol) to get this hairstyle, since french braids/fishtail braids can sometimes be tricky to recreate. You simply take a strand that is approximately 2 inches wide and split it in half. Then, you start braiding these 2 pieces and gradually add a little hair, at every twist, to one strand, and then add hair to the other, and so on. I did this on second-day hair, and it really adds a nice touch to my otherwise boring ponytail. The braid catches the light nicely and brings out some of my natural highlights. Here are a few snap shots! :)

SHARE:

July 17, 2012

In Love with my Beauty Blender: A Review!

Hi Lovelies! :)

I purchased the Beauty Blender last month, and have fallen in love with it! Trust me, this baby is awesome! It is extremely bouncy, as you can see in the pictures below!

SHARE:

July 12, 2012

Garnier BB Cream Review!

Hello from extremely hot and sunny Montreal! :)

I had received a sample of the Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream by mail a couple of weeks ago, and since the forecast for today was super hot and humid (first day of a heatwave, yikes!), I decided to apply this to my face instead of my usual foundation. I know this Beauty Balm Cream has been out for a while, and I had heard mixed reviews ever since it hit the shelves. My take on it: I really like it! :) The fact that my sister walked into my room right after smearing it on my face and asked me if I had makeup on made it a done deal for me! She told me I had a nice glow and was wondering how my face looked so dewy, since my foundation leaves my skin really matte.

SHARE:

July 10, 2012

Nail of the Day: Essie 'To Buy or Not to Buy'!

Hello everyone! :)

Just painted my nails with this beautiful polish by Essie called "To Buy or Not to Buy." I absolutely love the lavender color with its hint of shimmer, but I was very disappointed with the consistency of the polish. It is very runny, and it took me 3 coats for it to no longer appear sheer. This was my first Essie nail polish purchase, and it left me quite unimpressed. I decided to give Essie another chance, and was much more satisfied with the brand after buying one of their more nude-toned polishes. Considering that Essie is so highly priced compared to other brands, I should expect nothing but great coverage, 1 or 2 coats max!

SHARE:

July 5, 2012

Product Rave: The Clarisonic Mia!

Hey there!

I had heard amazing reviews for the Clarisonic cleansing system on YouTube, and when I went into Ogilvy's in downtown Montreal and saw the Clarisonic Mia beautifully displayed on a shelf a couple of weeks ago, I of course gave in and purchased it, right after calming down from doing my little happy dance (I never thought I would be able to find it in stores in Canada, especially Montreal, although later that day I also found it at the newly opened Sephora a few blocks away... YAY)! The Mia comes in a variety of colors, and I decided to get it in this pretty lilac! :)

Comes with:
Clarisonic Mia
Sensitive Brush head
Universal Voltage Charger
Sample size (1  fl Oz or 30 mL) Gentle Hydro Cleanser
SHARE:

June 15, 2012

Essence Haul!

Hey there! :)

So today I went out on the hunt for Essence products, which I've only been able to find at my downtown Shoppers Drug Mart here in Montreal. I've heard many good things about this brand from Canadian youtuber cityandmakeup (click here to see the video where she raves about their products) and also Greek youtuber myburlesque (click here to listen to her talk about their new collection). FYI, Essence is not Canadian, but a German brand, based in both Frankfurt and New York. Their products are SO inexpensive here in Canada, and given the fact that they were on sale, I got even more excited to get my hands on some of their stuff!

Grand Total: $10.76 (pre-tax)
SHARE:

June 4, 2012

Why your hair will thank you: Organix Argan Oil Review

Hi Ladies!

So today I will let you in on my little secret for keeping my hair extra soft and hydrated: it is a product by Organix called "Renewing Moroccan Argan Deep Penetrating Oil". Let me tell you, this stuff is so awesome! I'm on my second bottle already! :)

Retail price at Walmart: $8.99
SHARE:

May 31, 2012

Michael Kors look-a-like Watch: Bargain Hunting!

Hi! :)

I would like to share with you my beautiful watch that I purchased not too long ago. It's very similar to the oh-so-popular oversized MK watches that I find absolutely gorgeous... without the heavy price tag! I got this for a steal: $9 and some change! It's a "Chao Fan" watch, and I got it from a vendor on eBay called gemini_stars - they have a wide selection of really pretty watches!).

SHARE:

Nail of the Day: Birthday Babe

Hello Lovelies!

So today I am bringing to you my very first NOTD! This nail polish is by OPI, and it is called "Birthday Babe". It is a stunning metallic silver that can definitely be the perfect lacquer for a special event, but I love simply wearing it whenever I feel like adding a little "je ne sais quoi" to my daily outfit. I find it to be an excellent alternative to wearing "finger or arm candy" since it is a statement within itself. Forgot to put some jewelry on this morning? No problem - "Birthday Babe" will do the trick, and it is guaranteed to catch an onlooker's attention ;)

OPI "Birthday Babe" No Flash
SHARE:

May 30, 2012

Welcome to my blog! :)

Hey you!! I would like to officially welcome you to my blog and thank you for stopping by! My name is Natalie and I would love to share bits and pieces of my life with you! So I was thinking to myself: what can I do this summer as a project that is fun & exciting... and then the idea came to me: why not create my own blog?! I have been inspired by a few of the bloggers that I have been following as of late and absolutely LOVE the whole concept of sharing photographs and thoughts with the world!

For starters, I plan on posting about beauty related items, ranging from makeup products to fashion items that I am currently loving, but who knows... I might end up talking about my breakfast, university stress or the weather (lol)... so please stay tuned! :)

Nat x


Follow my blog with Bloglovin
SHARE:
Blog Design Created by pipdig