EPIC EMPTIES | Summer 2017 Edition

Well, my favourite time of the year is sadly coming to an end, and that can only mean one thing: it's time to do some cleaning up around here and get rid of products I've used up this past season! My summer empties stash isn't looking too shabby, from fragrances to skincare, body care, hair products and even a few random items worth sharing. As usual, I filmed a video in which I go into detail about the goods, so I invite you to catch my thoughts by watching below (and subscribe to my channel if you haven't already)!

Maison Jacynthe | Fluid Foundation, Soleil Pétillant Highlighter, Panarea Nail Polish & Vingt-Deux Perfume

I was first introduced to Maison Jacynthe a couple of years ago when I got to try out some of their skin care products and last year also tested out a handful of their makeup products, and I have been in love ever since! Created by Jacynthe René, a Québec-based health and natural wellness guru, actress and author, among many other talents, her natural line of toxin-free products is also vegan and cruelty-free. Now, I love supporting natural beauty brands, and the fact that Maison Jacynthe is local makes me even more of a fan. I recently got to try out a few of her more recent launches, namely her Fluid Foundation, Highlighter, Nail Polish and Perfume, and am here to report back on how I have been getting along with them.

Alberta Road Trip: Canadian Rockies, Glacial Lakes, BC Border and Edmonton

Western Canada has a special place in my heart. I first got to experience it back in 2011 when I visited Vancouver, and again in 2014 when I travelled to Alberta to visit my cousin and her husband who had recently moved to Edmonton from Ontario (catch a glimpse from that trip here). My sister and I wanted to visit them again this year, so we booked a week off in mid-August so that we could make our way out west again. I've been documenting my travels on the blog these past couples of years (Greece two years ago and Italy last September), so I thought it would be fun to put a post and video together for Alberta this year since I did not write a detailed post the first time around. In true tourist spirit, I lugged my DSLR and phone around everywhere we went to capture the beauty around me. We landed in Edmonton on Wednesday and spent the rest of the day at their country house that first night and had Indian food from Tandoori Fuzion in St Albert for dinner. I went for Chana Masala with rice and vegan naan bread and it was exquisite. I've only had Indian a handful of times but have yet to be disappointed!

First Impression | Charlotte Tilbury Makeup and Skin Care

I still remember quite vividly the whirlwind surrounding Charlotte Tilbury's beauty line launch back in 2013 - I myself had not been familiar with the makeup artist, but once news broke that she had released her own products, she had definitely piqued my interest. I later learned that she was a household name in the makeup industry and worked with a slew of celebrities including Emma Roberts, Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, JK Rowling and Kate Moss. Since her brand's launch at Selfridges in London, her products are not only available in Britain but also in stores in the US, Canada and the Netherlands as well as online. Her products are on the pricier side and I always wondered if they are worth the price tag. I recently had the opportunity to try a handful of her beauty products, and I am happy to report back on how I have been getting along with them.

Yves Rocher Summer Collection + Makeup Look

There's no denying I am a creature of habit - once I find something I really enjoy, I will keep reaching for it on the daily. My comfort zone when it comes to makeup revolves around me sticking to neutral and warm tones, such as purples, browns and bronze shades. However, once summer hits, I am all for trying new colours and challenging myself to create something I have never done before. Yves Rocher has come out with an amazing summer collection (as they always do), and I have partnered with them to share some of my favourites from their recent launch. I also created a vibrant look that focuses on the eyes yet is still simple to achieve, requiring only a few products (using old favourites and new ones) in a few easy steps.

Moisturizing Isn’t Just for Your Face

I have peaked your curiosity, haven't I? I know, not your typical beauty-related post, but one that covers an interesting (and important) topic nonetheless, and that is vaginal dryness. This is a topic that I believe should be more openly discussed - if you are a woman (which I know most of you reading this are!), you have most likely experienced this kind of discomfort at one time or another, and knowing there are products out there that can help, such as the Vagisil ProHydrate Natural Feel Moisturizing Gel*, is a relief in itself! My goal here is to make intimate care less taboo, and let others know that those dealing with dryness down there are not alone - in fact, it is quite normal and we should not feel embarrassed to talk about it, even with our doctors.

EPIC EMPTIES | Spring 2017 Edition

I actually filmed this video a couple of weeks ago, but then life got in the way (as it always does) and I finally managed to edit the footage these last couple of days! So without further ado, here are my empties from this past season - not as epic as some previous ones, but I still managed to finish up quite a bit of products! On a side note, I recently received an influx of beauty products, and am currently working my way through testing everything out and bringing you reviews in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for those!

Summer Get Ready With Me | Wet Highlight + Orange Lips

Saying that I am excited that summer is finally here is a bit of an understatement - I am beyond thrilled as it is my favourite time of the year! There's just something about sunshine and hot temperatures. I am always at my happiest once the warmer months come around. I figured since it's been a while that I filmed a Get Ready With Me, that I would share a quick video showing how I created this very simple wet highlight and orange lips look.

Summer Skincare Lineup | My Top Natural Beauty Recommendations

Summer is officially right around the corner, and mother nature has been giving us a preview here in Montreal! This past weekend was a scorcher, but I'm not complaining because I live for the hotter months in the city. With the change in seasons, I also have been switching up my beauty routine and trying new products out. I mostly stick to natural skincare products as I find those work best for my skin, so not surprisingly I have quite a few to share with you that are part of my summer lineup.

iHerb.com Vegan Snack Haul | Trying New Food On Camera!

I haven't done a vegan snack haul and taste test in what feels like ages, so this post and video are way overdue! I recently placed an order on iHerb.com* which is my favourite online store when it comes to natural beauty and vegan food items. If you've been following me for a while, you might already know that I am plant-based and I am addicted to snack foods! I'm always on the hunt for new things to try out, and iHerb never disappoints - I always manage to find new-to-me snacks to try. I also picked some new supplements and toothpaste - because I always have to be stocked up on essentials, too. Check out my video below for my on-camera reactions!

Eco-Friendly Brand Spotlight | Yves Rocher Botanical Skincare

I don't know if I've ever shared this on the blog, but geography and the environment have always been fascinating topics to me, so much so that my major in university combined both! For as long as I can remember, I've had an appreciation for nature and organizations or companies that make an effort to better their carbon footprint. Funny enough, I was never taught about veganism in my formal education, and it wasn't until a few years ago that I decided to make the switch after doing my own research, and one of the major reasons I did so was that going plant-based and changing my consumption habits actually do make a huge impact on bettering our planet. I've been working in partnership with Yves Rocher* for nearly a year now, and while I was familiar with the brand before, I did not realize how environmentally-friendly they are, which of course made me want to learn more about what they do!

Discovering Suzanne Organics | Suzanne Somers All Natural Makeup + Skincare

Suzanne Somers is quite the iconic figure who has graced our television screens with her popular infomercials and entertainment endeavours - her regular TV appearances are actually how I first knew about her growing up! When I say Thigh Master, do you envision Suzanne Somers in a neon leotard squeezing a funny looking contraption to keeps her legs looking toned? Because I sure do! She has had quite the thrilling career, starting in acting roles and then venturing into singing, comedy and entrepreneurship, with many #1 New York Times bestselling books under her belt. She even appeared on Dancing with the Stars alongside Tony Dovolani in 2015. Side note: Can you believe she is 70 years old? Because I sure can't - she looks incredible! Little did I know that she had come out with her own cosmetics line recently, Suzanne Organics*. Being diagnosed with cancer in 2001 and beating it, she realized that what goes onto your skin is just as important as what goes into your body. As a cancer survivor, she became aware of the chemicals that are found in the cosmetics industry and how they can negatively impact one's health, and makeup is something she has loved playing with since a young age, so developing a natural beauty line of her own simply made sense!