Makeup, Hair, Skin Collective Haul | February 2015

I went shopping! Multiples times! Here is what I bought -

Here are some makeup, skincare & hair products that I have been dying to try!

The Balm - Frat Boy is a beautiful peachy pink blush. Mary-Lou-Manizer is a lovely champagne highlight with lots of shimmer & Ima Goodkisser is a pretty rosy-pink lipstick that is super creamy & lovely to apply.

Origins - This Make A Difference Plus + Moisturizer is suitable for AM & PM use. It is light, but super moisturizing and, as a bonus, it smells like fruit loops!

First Aid Beauty - 5 in 1 eye cream is for people who don't have any major eye issues. It is suitable for both night & daytime use. It wears well under makeup with no creasing or greasiness.

Bumble & Bumble - This city swept finish spray is meant to give a piece-y, lived-in look. It works kind of like a spray pomade. It has a lovely smell & makes hair look a little less than well-kept, which is kind of nice!

Bamboo (by Alterna) - This is a beach hair spray. It smells like citrus & it has a slightly sticky feel to it. Can be used on damp or dry hair to get a tousled look.


So basically my face is going to be bright & spring-ready, my skin is going to be well-moisturized and my hair is going to be rocking the unkempt look for a while.

What have you bought lately?

Cheers,
Kait

Battle of | The High end Mascaras

Round 2 of my "Battle of" series! Last month I did some drugstore face towelettes, so this month we're heading up the ladder to some higher end mascaras.

For this Battle, I've chosen Lancome's Definicils, Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes & Urban Decay's Perversion. All of them are in their blackest form & I've tried them all at LEAST 20 times (that's 60 days of testing mascaras, y'all). I also tried them all at least once in conjunction with another - waterproof - mascara layered on top, just to see if it would behave differently.

I've rated them on :

• staying power (none of them are waterproof)
• blackness
• lengthening
• volumizing

Lancome Definicils
This mascara has some serious staying power. The only time I've ended up with a smudge was after a tough workout. Even through snow & rain, this stuff stayed put. It was pretty black, but by the end of the day I found it to be graying. This is more of a lengthening mascara than a volumizing one. For volume I had to layer it with something else. But as the name suggests, it did define my "cils" or my lashes for those of you who don't speak French. I give it an overall 81%

Urban Decay Perversion 
This mascara is wonderful! UD is one of my favourite brands for eye makeup, but this is my first mascara by them.  It is black and stays that way all day. It isn't particularly lengthening, but it is soooooo volumizing! I've noticed that while it doesn't smudge at ALL, it does start to flake off around the 8-10 hour mark, which is usually long enough that I don't even get to that point (I tend to take my makeup off as soon as I'm home for the day). Rating-wise, this one gets an 81% as well.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 
This mascara did not stay on my lashes very well at all. Now, it is winter - season of the watery eyes - so it may fare better once it warms up. It is black & stays that way throughout the day. As far as what it does to my lashes, nothing spectacular. It makes them stand out & curl up a little bit, but I wouldn't call it a lengthening or a volumizing mascara. This one fell short of my personal expectations, especially since I've heard wonderful things! This one only gets a 63%.


Ready for a conclusion??
So again, like with the cleansing cloths, I graded each out of 16 - 4 points for each of the 4 criterion. Then I converted them into percentages. Since we have a tie this month, I guess I'm the tie-breaker! Overall I really liked the Urban Decay Perversion the best. I would definitely buy it over & over again. The brush was fantastic & the overall look is one that I really enjoy, since volume is what I look for more often.

Do you have a favourite mascara?

Cheers,
Kait

Beating the Winter Blahs

Are you ready for Winter to turn itself over to Springtime? I sure am. As much as I do love Winter, my town is currently buried under about 3 feet of snow, it's hard not to get discouraged even leaving the house in the morning. I've rounded up some things that keep my spirits high & my sights set on Spring.


Floral, Fruity Skincare
Some yummy skincare can certainly perk up even the dreariest day. Here I have a Bath & Body Works foaming hand soap in Caribbean Escape, Pacifica Facial Towelettes & Softsoap Body Wash in Acai Berry. Even the colours scream Spring on these products & each of them are very affordable.

Fun colours
A pink scarf, a fun nail colour, a pretty lippy. It doesn't take much to punch up an outfit and perk up a mood.

Flowers & Candles
Candles are the key to my heart. This Luau Party Yankee Candle is a bright fruity delight. Flowers, real or fake are a way to brighten up a space, whether it be a work desk or a living room.

Here are just a few fun, easy ways to brighten up the dreary days of February.

What things make you think of Spring?

Cheers,
Kait

Empties | February 2015

Sephora Blotting Papers in Soothing Lavender 
I love having blotting papers at my disposal & I generally have a pack in my desk at work, as well as in my purse. I've used up 2 packs of these this month & while I've purchased a different kind for now (still Sephora brand), I would definitely buy the Lavender ones again!

L'Oreal waterproof makeup remover 
Shake well, pour on a cotton round & swipe away the day's makeup & grime. What's not to love? This formula is very gentle but effective, affordable and I have already repurchased.

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm 
I just wrote about this beauty in my 5 most worn things January 2015 post, and the fact that it is now empty is proof of just how much I did wear it. Trust me, I have backups & maybe even backups for my backups. This stuff is a permanent fixture in my home.

Lush's Bûche de Noël 
This face wash is just okay. I've mentioned before that Lush's Angels on Bare Skin is truly my favourite of their line of cleansers. This one is limited edition and part of their Christmas line & I had tried it in the past. The only reason I purchased this was because I live 3 hours from a Lush store & at the time that I was there in December, they were all out of AOBS & I hate to leave without some sort of cleanser. I would maybe buy this again if I were stuck & it happened to be during the Christmas season.

Live Clean's Exotic Shine Bali Oil Conditioner
This conditioner smells like summertime. It is nourishing without weighing down the hair & it is 98% plant-based. If you have major conditioning needs, this may not be the one for you, as it is a little on the light side. I would repurchase.

Olay Fresh Effects Out of this Swirled Deep Pore Cleanse
Lovely standard little cleanser. I wouldn't call it "deep pore"face wash, but it works for basic cleansing purposes. I would repurchase, I enjoyed it as a nighttime wash up.

Hello Mouthwash
Maybe it's weird to include a mouthwash, but this one is different than your run of the mill brands. Fomulated without alcohol, this adds freshness without burning. The grapefruit mint flavour might be a bit strange, but enjoyable all the same. For the less adventurous, it also comes in a normal mint flavour (& a mojito one as well). Would repurchase, yum!

These are some of the things I have been using up lately, what have you been using? Have you found something you love? Let me know!

Cheers,
Kait

Sally Hansen Salon Effects | Trial & Review

A few weeks ago I received some French Mani Salon Effects nail polish strips in my Beauty Box. Since I am having an at home date night tonight for Valentine's day, I decided that it would be fun to test them out.

 Here's how they work:

First you have to "prep" your nails. I did this using my Butter London Scrubbers. They are 2-in-1 prep & remover pads (p.s. I love these!). I swiped each nail to make sure there was no oil or lotion or gunk on them.

After they are prepped, you begin with the tips. Since these are French Mani strips, they have an extra step, in order to give you that look. Mine are gold glitter tips.  This step was easy enough. Peel, stick, file the excess. Once you do a couple nails, this goes pretty quickly. I was left with something that looked like this:

The last step is where I got in trouble. There are clear strips that go over your entire nail, to protect the tip & subsequently give the "french manicure" look. These strips would NOT stay on. Now, I admit that I didn't realize that these were like window cling material & not actual stickers.  I tried applying them two or three different ways, on several different nails - all with the same result. In the end, I had to haul out my clear polish & paint over the tips so they won't peel off!

Verdict - While my nails look super cute, I don't think these strips work as promised & are probably not worth the $9.99. I would perhaps buy them for a special occasion, because admittedly they give a french manicured effect without too much hassle...but not really reasonable for everyday use.

**Update:  These lasted for around 7 days on me before they started to look weird/ peel off. 

What do you think of nail polish strips? Did I do something wrong? Let me know!

Cheers,
Kait

5 At Home/ Last Minute Valentine's Ideas for Couples

Need a good idea for Valentine's Day that doesn't take a lot of effort (because it's 3 days away!)? Here are some at-home date nights that are sure to please your significant other, yourself and your budget!

Cook a Meal
I absolutely love cooking with my husband.  It's a great way to have some good conversation, be productive and enjoy each other's company in a familiar space.  This Buzzfeed article has some really delicious ideas for getting in the kitchen together and making some magic!


Video Game Marathon
Whether you're more into the classics like Mario Kart & Donkey Kong Country or you're into the Call of Duty games, this is a fun bonding activity! Compete against each other or work together, it's all fun.


Spa Night
For a more romantic night, nothing beats a massage & a bubble bath together. Throw in some chocolate truffles & a bottle of your favourite bubbly and you've got a down right sexy evening ahead of you!


Movie Night
Going to the theater is pricey! How about an at home movie night instead? Pop some corn, pour some yummy drinks (even and some alcohol if you're feeling it!), slide into your PJs & put in your favourite movie. Can't choose? Why not make it a marathon & watch two or three in a row! Just because it's Valentine's Day, doesn't mean it has to be a chick flick - anything goes.


Play a Game
Sure you could play Scrabble, Cards, etc., or you could play Would you Rather? / The Newlywed Game / any game that lets you get to know each other better!  You could even go online & find some personality quizzes, take them & compare the results. Anything fun & personal is always a hit.


Bonus : A Themed Night
Choose a theme - could be a decade (50s/20s), a country (France/India) or something random (Kids Night/Chocolate/Dracula). Plan your dinner accordingly, choose a movie or two, some snacks that fit the bill, maybe even a cute decoration or outfit to match & have a blast!

Would you choose any of these dates? We're going to be trying a combination of these ideas for our Valentine's this year!

Cheers,
Kait

Valentine's Day Ideas for ALL the Single Ladies

All alone this Valentine's Day? Think the day is a drag, a scam or a money-grab? I have been there, my friend. But I have some fun at-home ways to get the most out of a day that bombards you with love and romance & might remind you of past relationships or of the fact that you are forever alone.

1. Treat yo' self 

Does this not look super decadent and wonderful? It's also meant for one, so how can you go wrong! Indulge your sweet tooth without having to leave the house. Check out the recipe at Completely Delicious.

2. Mix up a Drink

I am a fan of having a drink on the weekend & since Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday this year, a drink (or three) is fair game!  Here we have a simple, yummy drink dubbed an Anti-Valentine's drink - Valentine's Day on the Rocks.

1.5 oz. Cherry Vodka

4 oz. Ginger Ale

Splash of Grenadine

Cherry to top (optional) 

If vodka isn't your style, there's always wine. My personal favourite white is Casasole, an Italian Orvieto ($14.99 CAD). 

3. Have a soak 

Grab yourself a fun bath item or two and jump right in! I personally LOVE Lush bath products and they have some great Valentine's offerings like the Lonely Heart (pictured above). If Lush isn't an option, every drugstore has a great selection of bath bombs, bubble baths & essential oils - for whatever your taste may be!  

4. A Gift? Why Not!

Gifts are not always for others, they can be given to yourself!  Some fun ideas might be a new face mask, if you're into beauty things, a new outfit for a fashionista or a new read for a book lover! & if you're feeling especially like treating yourself, why not all three? A book or a mask will go well with a cozy night in with yourself, and so will an outfit if it's a new Pj set!



No matter whether you choose some of my ideas or if you have ideas of your own, it's fun to spend a night alone once in a while and really learn how to enjoy your own company. If being alone really isn't going to fly this year, round up some girl friends and go check out the new 50 Shades of Gray movie...that's sure to be entertaining, or awkward.

What will you be doing this Valentine's Day? Let me know!

Cheers,
Kait

Health, Fitness & Beauty - My Journey

I've been doing the Beachbody program P90X3 since January 5th & so far I AM IN LOVE.

For context, in the past I have completed the original P90X program as well as T25, which are also both Beachbody deals. P90X was awesome, but the workouts could be anywhere from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours every day & as a teacher with a fast-paced, busy life, I couldn't commit. I did it during the summer while I was off, but come September it just wasn't possible any longer.

P90X3 is only 30 minutes a day & it is a fun mix of cardio, weights, stretching/yoga & strength. It encourages an all-over body fitness. 

I also started drinking some Shakeology (also a Beachbody product) which has tons of protein and vitamins! I realize that someone reading this might say "oh that's bad for you" or "that's not regulated by the FDA", but I did my research, I talked with my doctor & I am confident that it is actually amazing for ME. That doesn't mean that it will be a good fit for everyone.

Along with these things, I have been cleaning up my eating habits. Yes, I still have moments of not-so-healthy choices - chips are my weakness. I enjoy veggies & lean meats, but I get bored. I've learned to make homemade dressings, homemade seasonings & lots of other fun add-ons for meals that when pre-packaged are full of yucky ingredients. I love cleaning up my food choices!

Here are some of my favourite healthy eats, all on a fun Pinterest board. Not everything on this board is healthy, some of the things are from before. My favourite things are Chia Pudding, Balsamic Chicken & Pita Pizza.

All of these things contribute to a healthy lifestyle, which to me is linked directly with beauty.  My hair is shiny, my nails are long and strong, my skin is clear & I have tons of energy. I also have a flatter tummy & some wicked looking upper arms.  I don't feel the need to work nearly as hard to maintain my skin or my hair these days, because everything is smooth and even and wonderful!

How do you feel about fitness & beauty? Let me know!

Cheers,
Kait


*this is NOT a sponsored post - these are my personal products, thoughts & opinions

5 Most Worn Products | January 2015

Just thought I would share some of the things I have been wearing CONSTANTLY this month!  Some of these things I'm wearing because I'm actively trying to use up, some I just use because I love them and choose to include.

5. Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
This is my absolute go-to lip balm for the winter. It's 100% affordable at around $4.99 CAD & it heals even my most chapped, rough lips. Some people find this lip balm to be too waxy, but for me it is the perfect consistency for healing. I mostly wear it at night, but on no makeup days I slather it on many, many times. I like the original peppermint one the best, but the pomegranate flavour is pretty magical as well.

4. Revlon Photoready setting powder in 010 fair/light
This stuff is NOT great. I am truthfully just trying to use it up, but it does the job. I just find it to be too heavy & it leaves my makeup looking a little too powdery, especially for the dead of winter. I much prefer a translucent powder that it a little more finely milled.

3. Maybelline's Dream Bouncy Blush in Pink Plum
This is a love it or hate it type product. It's a cream-to-powder blush that came out a few years back & I just couldn't help myself. At first I disliked it, just like everyone else. Now, I pretty much love it! I don't know if it's the time of year or what, but this stuff is the bomb. I was finding my powder blushes were starting to be too powdery & if my eyes water (it's really cold in Canada), it leaves streaks clear through the powder. With the bouncy blush, little oopsy moments like that are easy to fix with a little finger blending at a red light.

2. Urban Decay 24/7 glide-on eye pencil in West
This is probably the only liner I've worn all month. It's a deep brown with a slight shimmer. It was in a limited edition set last Christmas (2013), but it is similar to Corrupt, which is a part of the permanent line. It's perfect!

1. Urban Decay shadows in Virgin & Sin
Both of these are found in the original Naked palette. Virgin is the perfect browbone + inner corner shade. Sin has been my go-to all over shade. It's light, pinky goodness is the perfect colour to wear to work without looking like a try-hard.


That's all folks! Everything else has changed, been on rotation or not stood out enough to mention. These are the staples of January.

What are your most-worn products of the month? Let me know!

Cheers,
Kait 

Why I have yet to show my face & why I want that to change

Tonight as I sat down to plot out new blog content, I began thinking about the direction of this blog. I have only been writing for a few  months & I feel as though I have much distance still to cover so many aspects:

• My photography requires a face lift, but I am not a photographer by any stretch of the imagination. I'm working on it! 

• I haven't shown any type of "getting ready with me", "look of the day" posts, or anything that depends upon me exposing my face. This is a confidence problem. Not so much a beauty-confidence dilemma as much as a "what if someone I know finds my blog" embarrassment. I'm trying to do the impossible by building a blog from nothing, without the support of even the people who are close to me. 

• I've solely posted beauty-related posts and, while that is where my heart lies and part of the reason I began this journey, I also have so many other themes that I would love to share with the world. I would delight in writing about my journey as a beginning teacher, my fitness & recipes that make me smile and occasionally I would love to just write comparable posts to this - about what is in my heart or on my mind. 

I began this blog because of my love for composing and due to the fact that I have had few chances to write since graduating from university in the spring of 2013. Even at that it has been one year more since I took my last literature & creative writing courses. That is nearing the 3 year mark and is far too long to not practice a craft. I love teaching with every bit of my being, but I love the written word even more. Taking words, manipulating them, transporting readers on a journey and changing their mind. Making something out of nothing and inspiring others to do the same.

THAT is my goal with this blog - whether it be through beauty posts or something entirely different.

What do you like to see for blog content? Do you enjoy the expected or does the unexpected excite you just as thoroughly? Let me know!

Cheers,
Kait

Beauty Box 5 | January 2015

So in light of the new year, I've decided to test out something new & subscribe to a box! I chose beauty box 5 because it's affordable ($12/month) & it usually has an interesting selection of products.

1. Ultraflesh Panthera Mascara ($20.00 for full-sized)
Claims dramatic, thicker lashes & at $20.00 I would consider this to be in the realm of high-end mascaras.

2. Hard Candy Take Me Out Liner in Sushi ($5.00 for full-sized)
Claims a creamy liner with powerful pigment. While this is an unusual, bluey-purple shade, it could be fun to play around with during the summer months.

3. Sally Hansen Salon Effects in French Mani ($9.99 for full-sized)
Claims a perfect manicure for up to 10 days. I'm looking forward to trying these because they seem like an interesting concept. I also lucked into a very wearable gold-tipped french manicure pack, so the style is very wearable.

4. Softsoap Nutri Serums Body Wash ($8.00 for full-sized)
Claims to contain vitamin E to hydrate & omegas 3 and 6 to retain moisture. Smells pretty good & is in the perfect size to travel with for a few days. Will be packed in my next overnight bag!

5. Hard Candy Baked Eye Shadow in 261 Make Believe ($6.00 for full-sized) 
Claims to be highly pigmented wet-dry eye colour. While I received colours that I don't wear on a regular basis, they do seem very creamy & easy to blend. My next smokey eye will certainly be attempted with these shadows.

My box included 3 full-sized products (Liner, Shadow & Nail strips) & two samples. All in all, my box is worth around $30.00 CAD, which is quite wonderful considering they are $12.00 boxes & $3.00 shipping. Of the products I received, I am most definitely going to be using the mascara, the nail strips & the body wash. I will also play around with the eye liner & shadow on occasion.

Verdict? Month One was a success!
Do you subscribe to any boxes? I'd love to hear about different ones!

Cheers,
Kait