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Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadows in 223 Friend's Selfie and 307 Prom Queen

June 1, 2016, 9:00 pm
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The Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadows ($13) are a formulation that caught me by surprise. 


There are 110 shades of the Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadows available. Very impressive. Browsing website, there are 3 finishes - matte, shimmer and glitter.  They're housed in a simple plastic pot. Each pot has small indent beside the shadow pan and the indent can be used to easily depot the shadow into a magnetic palette. 


Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow in I-918 Iridescent Lavender, Sephora 223 Friend's Selfie, Sephora 307 Prom Queen 

223 Friend's Selfie is a light purple shimmer shade. Compared to the Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow (far left) I-918 Iridescent Lavender, Friend's Selfie has more impact in terms of both colour and shimmer. 307 Prom Queen is a matte pink. It's bold in one swipe and works well as a blush. 

The Make Up For Ever Artist Shadows are my all time favourite formulation of eyeshadows. The gel texture of the Artist Shadows is very different from the more powdery Sephora's Colorful Eyeshadows. This is what had me a little confused. While Sephora's Colorful Eyeshadows are smooth and feel finely milled but have more fallout than MUFE's. They're also just as pigmented (if not more) than the MUFE Artist Shadows. 

The Sephora Colorful Eyeshadows contain 70% pigment (compared to 88% for the MUFE Artist Shadows). Sephora says the Colorful Eyeshadows are long-wearing (10+ hours). I wore mine for a day without primer underneath and there was only the slightest bit of fading of the shadow. 

 Above, I'm wearing the Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow in 223 Friend's Selfie all over the lid and the Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette in the crease and outer corner. 

The Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadows (that I've tried thus far) are just as good as the Make Up For Ever Artist Shadows and half the price. I'll have to try a few more to make a conclusive decision but based on what I've tried, they're fabulous. 

Considering you can get a MAC eyeshadow pan for $6, these are a little bit pricey. However, the formulation is different, so I'd suggest swatching in-stores to see if there are any colours you'd like! 

Have you tried the Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadows yet? 
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Mary Kay Perfecting Concealer and Undereye Corrector

June 2, 2016, 9:00 pm
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I feel like I'm always testing out a new concealer - the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Concealer, Sephora Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer... etc. Next up on my undereyes is the Mary Kay Perfecting Concealer and Mary Kay Undereye Corrector ($17.50 CAD each). 


Mary Kay says that the Perfecting Concealer conceals blemishes, age spots, minor imperfections and dark circles. Further, that it has light-diffusing technology to blur the appearance of fine lines. 

As for the the Mary Kay Undereye Corrector, it's meant to add a hint of tint to neutralize dark circles. 


Swatches: Mary Kay Perfecting Concealer in Light Ivory, Deep Ivory, Light Beige, Deep Beige, Light Bronze, Deep Bronze; Mary Kay Undereye Corrector

The Mary Kay Perfecting Concealer is available in 6 shades - light ivory, deep ivory, light beige, deep beige, light bronze and deep bronze. While the range isn't all encompassing, the ends of the spectrum are pretty far apart. Light Beige is a good match for my spring complexion. 

The Mary Kay Undereye Corrector is available in only 1 shade. It's quite light and peachy. Mary Kay states that if you are an "ivory" or "beige" skin tone then this will work for you. As far as I can tell, I agree. The light peachy concealer is a tad too pale but when worn underneath the Perfecting Concealer in Light Beige, it's perfect! 

(1) No concealer; (2) Mary Kay Undereye Corrector;  (3) Mary Kay Underye Corrector + Perfecting Concealer

I'd call the Undereye Corrector a medium coverage and the Mary Kay Perfecting Concealer a full coverage. For both products, a little goes a long way. Too much and it gets a little cakey. Like most concealers, I need to set the both the Undereye Corrector and the Perfecting Concealer for crease-free wear. On the skin, it feels slightly heavier than the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Concealer and Sephora Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer... on par with the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer but less creamy feeling. The Mary Kay Concealer and Corrector lasts about 7 hours before fading away. 

At the $17.50 price point, it's about the same as the Sephora Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer and a bargain compared to the  Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Concealer and NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. In terms of performance, it's just as all three. So, if you're looking for a high coverage concealer or undereye corrector, be sure to check these out! 

What's your current favourite concealer? 
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First Aid Beauty Fab Faves to Go Kit

June 3, 2016, 9:00 pm
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I picked up the First Aid Beauty Fab Faves To Go Kit ($30 CAD) a few months ago in preparation for my travels to Greece. The FAB Faves to Go Kit contains 3 of First Aid Beauty's most popular products.


The First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration (2 oz) is suitable for all skintypes (excluding oily) and contains oatmeal, shea and ceramide 3 to solve skin issues like dryness, itchiness and eczema. Surprisingly, the First Aid Beauty Ulta Repair Cream worked well for my oily combo skin. It's lightweight and non-greasy, absorbing into the skin almost immediately. I found it to have no scent and the product. It's a good facial cream that hydrates without feeling oily at a decent price.


First Aid Beauty Facial Cleanser (2 oz) is one of those gentle cleansers that is too gentle for my tastes. If I'm wearing a light layer of makeup, sure it removes everything. But cake on some long wearing foundation and waterproof eyeliner and you'll need to bust out the big guns instead. 


First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (28 pads) are daily treatment pads for toning, brightening and exfoliation. It contains both lactic and glycolic acids, which both typically work for my skin. Unfortunately, I didn't see any obvious results in my skin but I did feel like the pads were a more convenient way to tone than a cotton pad + some other toner. 


Is it worth it? YES. On the Sephora site, individually the FAB Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration is $12 (2 oz), FAB Facial Cleanser is $10 (2 oz), and the FAB Facial Radiance Pads are $15 (28 pads). The total value is $37. The total savings are $7, which is a great deal if you're sure use all three products.

Have you tried First Aid Beauty?

Purchased by me. First Aid Beauty is a cruelty free, paraben free, sulphate free and phthalate free brand. 

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DIY Spicy Salmon Sushirrito (Sushi Burrito)

June 4, 2016, 9:00 pm
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SUSHI + BURRITO = SUSHIRRITO or Sushitto (if you happen to live in Toronto). It's the hottest new Asian Latin American fusion food trend. 



I was browsing photos of the Sushiritto online and it looked to me like a glorified, re-marketed, overstuffed version of a sushi roll. Though, I'm sure it tastes delicious - sushi-related things usually do.

Other than for laziness or the convenience of fast casual dining, a poor student such as myself cannot justify $12 for something that I could easily make at home. Alternatively, I could go for an ALL YOU CAN EAT sushi lunch for $12 (not including tax...sigh). Granted, the quality of $12 all you can eat sushi isn't typically very high.

Anyways, one day I came home from class. I was tired, I was hungry, and I only had a few things in the fridge. My kitchen staples - like rice, mayo, gochujang and rice wine vinegar, and canned salmon (for really lazy days). Plus a few things that are always kicking around in the refrigerator - cucumbers and green onion. So, I whipped up my own version of a spicy salmon sushirrito.

I got some really good feedback from my friend Lucy, who said she was going to try it out for herself. So, I feel like I should share this with the internet...for all the hip yet struggling students who want to Instagram a Sushirrito but can't afford to buy one OR for anyone who just wants to try to the trend at home! It's super simple, I promise. 

Spicy Salmon Sushirrito (Sushi Burrito)

Ingredients
Adapted from Stephanie's brain
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 15-20 mins
Servings: 4

  • 1 cup sushi rice*
  • 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
  • 3 tbsp. white sugar
  • 8 oz. canned salmon (approx. 1 can/1 cup)*
  • 1 sprig green onion, chopped
  • 1 tbsp gochujang
  • 1 tbsp kewpie mayonnaise*
  • 1/2 cucumber, julienned
  • 4 sheets of roasted seaweed

Instructions
Sushi Rice 
  1. Cook rice (as per packaging instructions).
  2. While the rice is cooking, whisk together rice wine vinegar and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and set aside. 
  3. Pour sugar and vinegar mixture over rice and stir until rice is evenly coated.
  4. Do not move onto the assembly until the rice has cooled. 
Spicy Salmon 
  1. Strain excess liquid from canned salmon. 
  2. Combine canned salmon, green onion, gochujang and kewpie mayonnaise. 
Sushirrito
  1. On a dry, flat surface place seaweed. 
  2. Spread a scoop of the sushi rice over 3/4 of the seaweed sheet. 
  3. Place 1/4 of the strips of cucumber and 1/4 of the salmon widthwise onto the centre of the rice. 
  4. ROLL tightly and serve. 
*Notes
  • Other types of rice can be used. Try to stick with something glutinous to make your sushirrito more sushi-like. In the photos, I substituted sushi rice with jasmine rice because that was all I had on-hand. 
  • If you have the luxury of sushi-grade salmon, skip the can. Salmon can also be swapped out for imitation crab. 
  • The difference between Kewpie (Japanese) mayo and North American mayo is that Japanese mayo drops the egg whites, replaces white vinegar for rice wine vinegar, and adds MSG. If you can't find Kewpie mayo, try whatever you have in your cupboard plus a dash of rice wine vinegar. 
  • ADD MORE FILLINGS! I can imagine lettuce, avocado, pickled carrots, asparagus, mushrooms and french fries would taste pretty decent in this spicy salmon sushirrito. 
Have you tried a Sushirrito yet? 

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Trust Fund Beauty Summer Launches - Adult Content, Rude Nude, Just Talk to My Lawyer & Major Eye Roll

June 6, 2016, 2:57 am
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Trust Fund Beauty is proof that a beauty brand can be ethical and have a sense of humour at the same time! Trust Fund Beauty nail polishes are 10-free, vegan and cruelty-free. 

In addition to the non-toxic approach of the brand, my favourite things about Trust Fund Beauty are (1) the minimalist packaging and (2) the unapologetic names which include but are not limited to Resting Bitch Face, Bye Felicia, Money Buys Happiness and Magical AF. 

I tried 4 polishes from the Trust Fund Beauty Summer 2016 range - Adult Content, Rude Nude, Just Talk to My Lawyer & Major Eye Roll.




Adult Content is literally the epitome of an adult colour. Adult like my grandmother. Seriously. She would love this nail polish. I'd describe it as an iridescent champagne pink that's opaque in two coats. The colour and finish of Adult Content are not my cup of tea but it's a pretty one for you if pearly polishes are your style. Adult Content is opaque in 2 coats. 


Rude Nude was rude to me. Firstly, it takes four coats for opacity. Because the brush is a bit large and polish is thin, it's a bit awkward to work with... especially if you're laying a lot of coats. I have at least 5 off-white pink nail polishes. All of them are better than this one, unfortunately. 


Just Talk To My Lawyer is a shimmering dark brown with a hint of red. Love it. It's not very summery but I'll wear it anyways. Just Call My Lawyer is opaque with 2 coats. 


Major Eye Roll is a blackened blue. The first layer of polish is a deep turquoise, while the second leaves your nails looking like the bottom of the ocean - pitch black. In certain lights, it'll look black and in direct sunlight you might be able to spot the hints of blue. Like a black... but not quite. Again, it isn't really a summer colour but I'll still rock it. Major Eye Roll is opaque with 2 coats. 

Overall, I quite liked the polish formulation (with the exception of Rude Nude), which was thin yet opaque in a couple coats. Rude Nude and Adult Content are pretty standard colours but if you're looking for something interesting try Major Eye Roll or Just Talk to My Lawyer. 

Have you tried Trust Fund Beauty? 
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LUSH Father's Day - Superdad Bath Bomb, Thanks Dad Soap & Smuggler's Soul Multipurpose Cream

June 7, 2016, 4:30 am
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Father's Day is fast approaching. I feel like guys in general (boyfriends, dads, brothers, etc.) are hard to shop for. Generally speaking, I don't share the same interests with the men in my life. And if I do they're pricey hobbies like tech and photography.

LUSH to the rescue. 

The LUSH Father's Day range is so awesome that I'd use most of the products myself. There's a good mix of bath products, skincare and hair....all things that a dad needs. 

 LUSH Thanks Dad Soap, LUSH Smuggler's Soul Multipurpose Cream, LUSH Superdad Bath Bomb

LUSH Thanks Dad Soap

Thanks Dad Soap ($5.95) is bright and citrusy, containing orange juice and Brazilian orange oil. Out of these three products, this is the most non-dad-like scent. Regardless, the letters D-A-D are embossed into the soap for a nice Father's Day touch. 
LUSH Superdad Bath Bomb

The LUSH Superdad Bath Bomb ($7.95) is an explosion of scents (even before you drop it in the tub). It's got a seriously smoky sandalwood aroma. My Dad got a whiff this one and I think he's a fan. I haven't tried it myself because I handed it off to him! 


LUSH Smuggler's Soul Multipurpose Cream

Last but not least is LUSH's Smuggler's Soul Multipurpose Cream ($18.95), which has a brother product, the Smuggler's Soul Facial Scrub ($13.95). I guess the Sandalwood scents are a thing this Father's Day because Smuggler's Soul is just that. The cream also contains lemongrass, lemon balm and jojoba oil. It's a lightweight cream that sinks into the skin immediately and leaves no trace of grease. This makes it a great hand cream, as well as a facial moisturizer for someone with slightly oily skin. I'm debating if I should keep this one for myself or hand it off to my Dad. 

All in all, LUSH has some fab products for Father's Day that are a little something special for treating your favourite guy. 

What do you think of the LUSH Father's Day Collection? Do you like sandalwood scents?

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Sephora Collection Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer in 10.5 Blondie

June 7, 2016, 9:00 pm
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The Sephora Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer ($18) has been compared as a dupe to the likes of NARS, Urban Decay and BareMinerals. Sephora says that the concealer is helps to improve the texture of the skin while providing buildable lightweight coverage. 


Apparently the Sephora Collection Bright Future Gel Serum Concealers have the largest range of shades available at Sephora. There are 20. 10.5 Blondie doesn't seem to be available on the website (the shades may have gotten a revamp). 10.5 Blondie is a warm, medium skintone shade that fits my spring summer tanned complexion to a T. My best guess is that 10.5 is equivalent to what is 08 Palmier.


Swatch of the Sephora Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer in 10.5 Blondie next to the KVD Lock It Tattoo Eyeshadow Primer in Deep

It's a great concealer. It blends into the skin with ease and sets to a natural finish. I wouldn't call the texture of the Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer creamy. It's very thin yet somehow medium to full coverage and manages to make me look cake-free. It doesn't crease on me but it tends to make my mascara and eyeliner smudge if I don't set it. When set, it lasts 6-7 hrs wearing away evenly on my undereyes. 

Sephora Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer before and after

While I haven't seen any improvements to the texture of my undereye skin, it's a good concealer, great even. Just not as high coverage or long wearing as the Too Faced Born This Way Concealer in Light Medium (my current fave). But if you're not willing to shell out $39 for the Too Faced, the Sephora Collection Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer is very similar.

 Have you tried the Sephora Collection Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer?

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EVENT: #NYXClassof2016 Prom #tbt

June 8, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Way back in May... to celebrate the grand opening of the NYX store in the Toronto Eaton Centre, NYX held a PROM party. Prom 2.0 - better food, makeup stations, an actual DJ, an open bar, and a less cupcake-like dress... basically a chance to re-do prom after my awkward high school years.

I didn't take too many photos this time around (mostly photo booth ones) because I was too busy stuffing my face with mac and cheese balls but here's a few tidbits of my night! 

Zubie, Liz, Andy, Melanie, Vanessa and Christine

I got ready with Zubie and headed to prom with Zubie and her husband Zameer. Photos c/o Zubie's Snapchat! 

The Adams family(?)... I'm the child obviously 

Shawna and Chelle

One of the makeup stations


The DJ @ Berkeley Church

And in school-like style, all attendees went home with a cute faux leather backpack, the NYX Beauty School Dropout Palette, some colouring pencils and a colouring book! 


For your amusement, here's a photo of my prom back in 2011. Ex-boyfriend's face is scratched out for anonymity. Don't you love my shiny blue dress? 

Do you remember your high school prom? What was it like!? 
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Quo Summer 2016 Collection - Nautical & Neon

June 8, 2016, 9:00 pm
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I'd never wear nautical-themed clothing. But nautical makeup packaging... super cute! Same goes for neon - don't love neon clothing but I'm down to put it on my nails. The Quo Summer 2016 Collection includes both the nautical and the neon. 


 

Quo Bronzer in Sunny Days 

First up is the Quo Bronzer in Sunny Days ($22). The thing is freaking huge (bigger than the palm of my hand).  It's a lovely light bronzer with a hint of shimmer not glitter. It's also not overly warm-toned. Unfortunately, it's quite pale, so it doesn't really show up on my face other than the sheeny finish. If you're fair to light, this will be perfect for you... but anything darker than that and you're better off with something else. 

Quo Lip Oil in 40 Knots

Lately, I've been obsessed with lip oils, as many brands have been putting out their own version of the product. The Quo Lip Oil in 40 Knots ($12) is probably at the top of my list thus far. It has the shininess of a gloss but feels oily/hydrating instead of sticky. I attempted to swatch the lip oil beside the bronzer above, but it has no colour despite seeming like it does in the tube. This collection also features the lip oil in Set Sail, which looks orange in the tube. I suspect it's also clear. 





Quo Precision Liquid Eye Liner in In the Navy

Coloured liners are always fun during the summer! The Quo Precision Liquid Eye Liner in In the Navy ($12) isn't the most unique but a shimmering navy is a welcome change from my regular blacks and blues. The Precision Liquid Liner has a sharp, hard felt tip which is ideal for the perfect cat eye. The formula is slightly watery so requires a couple layers for full blown navy.

Quo Eye Shadow Palette in Lost at Sea 


I thought Quo had improved its eyeshadow formulations after trying the new True Hues Eyeshadow Palette. I was a little disappointed by the Quo Eye Shadow Palette in Lost at Sea ($18). Yes, the colours are fittingly blue but the quality wasn't there for me. They're very powdery and don't stick to the lid as nicely as I'd like. 

Quo by Orly Nail Polish in Costal Crusin' 

Last but not least is the Quo by Orly Nail Polish in Costal Crusin' ($9.99). It's a neon orange. Probably the brightest shade to ever grace my fingertips. Annnnd... I love it. Pylon orange is not the most subdued colour but it's got summer written all over it. The Quo Summer 2016 Collection includes 3 other colours - Pink Bikini, Sun Daze (neon yellow) and Purple Sunset. 

What do you think of the Quo Summer 2016 Collection? Do you love nautical prints? 


Press samples featured. The Quo Summer 2016 Collection is available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart in June 2016. 
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Quo True Hues Eye Shadow Palette in Simple Pleasures // #Quo2016

June 10, 2016, 5:14 am
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At $24 for a 6-pan eyeshadow palette, you're probably venturing out of the drugstore and into Sephora. The Quo True Hues Eye Shadow Palette in Simple Pleasures ($24), at a glance, might seem pricey for what it is but look a little closer and you'll see that the value is there. 

Quo True Hues Eye Shadow Palette in Simple Pleasures - light taupe all over the lid, coral in the crease, purple and black in the outer corner. 


The Quo Cosmetics True Hues Eye Shadow Palette in Simple Pleasures comes with six eyeshadows and a dual-ended brush. The eyeshadow pans are HUGE. The Make Up For Ever Artist Shadows are 2.5 grams (and $25 each), while the True Hues Eye Shadows are 2.6 grams (at $4 each). Albeit, the quality of the product is not quite the same. The True Hues Eye Shadows are fairly soft and blendable but generally sheer, requiring several layers for full colour, and very powdery. 



Top Row: matte medium lavender, pearly coral, matte light grey 
Bottom Row: matte deep purple, pearly light bone, shimmering charcoal

The combination of colours is strange yet it all feels very cohesive. The bone, grey and charcoal are good for a base neutral look and the lavender, purple and coral can be added to amp it up. If you're not so into the purples and coral, Quo also has the True Hues Eyeshadow Palette in Romance Novel, an all-neutral brown-toned palette. 

Swatches: Quo True Hues Eye Shadow Palette in Simple Pleasures

Overall, I'm digging the colour combos in the Quo True Hues Eye Shadow Palette in Simple Pleasures. When I'm feeling a more natural look, the grey all over the lid with the bone in the inner corner is just what I need. On days when I'm feeling adventurous, the coral combined with the purple is like a sunset for my eyes. 

What do you think of the Quo True Hues Eye Shadow Palette in Simple Pleasures? Would you wear purple and coral eyeshadows?

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Disappointing Products #3

June 10, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Too Faced, Clinique, Dior, OCC, Benefit, etc. All brands for which I have several products that I am very fond of. Hype, exaggerated claims, and all that good stuff build up some high expectations. Just like life, not all beauty brands and their products are made perfect and that's okay! 

Keep in mind that just because these things didn't work for me doesn't mean they'll work the same for you.


Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara* ($30 CAD)
There's no way that this mascara is better than sex. Yes, it makes my lashes look fabulously volumized (a similar effect to the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara) but it smudges like mad. Racoons are not sexy. Too Faced just launched their waterproof version of the Better Than Sex Mascara and I'm totally willing to try that if it means no smudging. 

Clinique Chubby Stick Baby Tint in Budding Blossom ($20 CAD)
The packaging is cute and the tint is a pretty, natural pink. What kills me is the texture. It feels kind of waxy and hard. 

Dior DiorShow Waterproof Pro Liner ($36 CAD)
Smudging seems to be a commonality in products that I dislike or am disappointed with. Other than that, it's great... smooth and ultra-black. Such a shame. 

I already talked about this in a previous post. To recap, it's crumbly and is not long wearing by any means. 

OCC Ready to Wear Lip Tar in Black Dahlia ($15 USD)
Black Dahlia is a badass lip colour but the Ready To Wear Lip Tar formulation is not my favourite. It transfers, so much that after 3 hours of wearing the stuff I had found that it transferred all the way to my chin. 

THEFACESHOP Freshian Volumizing Mascara* ($5~ CAD)
Is it possible for a mascara to make your lashes look less volumized? 

Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner ($31 CAD)
A very cool concept. The combination of the rubber tip and a dry, crumbly gel liner formulation make for an awkward pairing.

Benefit Stay Flawless 15 Hour Primer ($42 CAD) 
Not a lot of primers can handle my oily skin. Same goes for this one. 

The sad thing about these nail appliques is that they're so pretty. They stick on the nail nicely, as the plastic is too thick and lacks flexibility. 

Have any products disappointed you lately?

Press samples, gifts and purchased products featured. Press samples are denoted with an asterisk (*). 

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Sweet Potato & Sautéed Mushroom Open Faced Sandwich

June 11, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Bread isn't good for me. But I love bread. So how I make a sandwich healthier? USE ONE SLICE OF BREAD INSTEAD OF TWO. In fancier words, make an open faced sandwich. It's magic, really. 

To be honest, most lunch meat tastes pretty icky anyways, so as a quasi-vegetarian (which is a whole other blog post in itself) I thought I'd whip up a sandwich that I'd actually want to eat. I must have read somewhere that sweet potato and mushroom would be a good combination... it totally works. The earthiness of the mushrooms paired with the sweetness of the potato - it's kind of like Thanksgiving on a piece of bread. 




Sweet Potato & Sautéed Mushroom Open Faced Sandwich 

Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 10 mins
Servings: 2 

Ingredients
  • 1 small sweet potato 
  • 1/2 small red onion, diced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1/2 lb mushroom
  • 2 tsp olive oil 
  • 4-5 slices of bread (I picked up a loaf of day old sourdough from a cute little bakery in Waterloo called CE Food Experience)
  • A smidgen of butter 
  • 1 sprig green onion (optional) 
Instructions
  1. Cook your sweet potato until it's soft. You can boil it, bake it... even microwave it. I wrap mine in some damp paper towel and pop it in the microwave for 8 minutes. Then, mash it! 
  2. Over medium-high heat, lightly oil a pan and add in red onion, garlic and mushrooms. Sautée until mushrooms are soft and the onions are transparent, about 5 minutes. 
  3. Toast your bread (if you like it toasty). 
  4. To assemble your sweet potato and mushroom open faced sandwich, smear some butter on your bread. Next, spread the sweet potato onto it, then sprinkle mushrooms on top and garnish with a little green onion. Repeat until you've run out of ingredients to cover your bread. 
  5. ENJOY. OMNOMNOMNOMNOM. 


Do you love bread? Also, how are you liking these Sunday food posts? Yay or nay? 

No press samples featured. Not sponsored. Just me, eating food! 

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OPI Retro Summer Collection

June 12, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Now that the weather is (finally) warming up, it's time for some warmer weather nail polishes. The OPI Retro Summer Collection ($12.50 CAD each) is that collection. Warm, washed out colours with a few pops. Yes, I've got swatches for you! 

OPI Retro Summer Collection

OPI Retro Summer // Towel Me About It Swatch

OPI Towel Me About It is a banana yellow. It's slightly deeper and less pastel than the yellow from the soft shades collection, OPI One Chic Chick. Three coats are required for opacity. 

OPI Retro Summer // I'm Getting a Tan-gerine Swatch

OPI I'm Getting a Tan-gerine is a washed out peachy orange and looks like perfection with a tan. Two coats are needed for opacity. 

OPI Retro Summer // SPF XXX Swatch

OPI SPF XXX is a perfectly summery warm coral. These colours are my absolute favourite to wear during the summer, as they're colourful and bright but not too attention-seeking. Two coats are necessary for opacity. 

OPI Retro Summer // Flip Flops & Crop Tops Swatch

OPI Flip Flops & Crop Tops is a warm medium pink. Two coats are needed for opacity. 

OPI Retro Summer // What's the Double Scoop? Swatch

OPI What's the Double Scoop? is a pastel baby pink. There's at least one of these in nearly every spring summer collection, so I find it a little overdone. Nonetheless, it's the perfect wedding, baby shower and everyday shade. Three coats are needed for opacity. 

OPI Retro Summer // Sailing & Nailing Swatch

OPI Sailing & Nailing is a light turquoise blue. Blues aren't the most flattering on my skintone but this one's quite nice! Two coats are needed for opacity. 

Overall, I like the look of the OPI Retro Summer collection. Some of the colours are a bit overdone during the spring and summer, while others are fun in the sun. My favourite from the Retro Summer Collection is SPF XXX. What's yours? 

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THREE THINGS: Eyes on Quo // #Quo2016

June 13, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Quo Cosmetics is a Canadian drugstore brand available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart. This year, Quo launched a a ton of new beauty products for it's 16th year in existence. 

Lately, I've been loving a simple, bright eye makeup look. A wash of light colour over the lids, winged liner, and a brightener on the inner corners/waterline/browbone. All three of the products I've used to achieve the look are from Quo! 

Wearing: Quo Back to Basics Eyeshadow in Prim, Quo Double Agent Brow Lifter and Eye Brightener, Quo Art of Lining Brush Tip Eyeliner


Swatches: Quo Back to Basics Eyeshadow in Prim, Quo Double Agent Brow Lifter and Eye Brightener, Quo Art of Lining Brush Tip Eyeliner



Quo Back to Basics Eyeshadow in Prim ($10) - If you were ever looking for the perfect base eyeshadow colour, this is it. The Quo Back to Basics Eyeshadow is smooth, finely-milled and fully matte. Prim is a light beige with a pink lean, suitable for any and every eye look. The Quo Back to Basics Eye Shadows are available in 6 shades - Flesh, Blossom, Prim, Cameo, Sand and Bone.


Quo Double Agent Brow Lifter and Eye Brightener ($12) - If you wished the Benefit High Brow was matte, this is the eye brightener of your dreams. I was impressed with how easily the pigment transferred onto the skin. No tugging whatsoever. The brow lifter (to be worn on the browbone) is an off-white pink, while the eye brightener is an off-white yellow (to be worn on the inner corner of the eyes). Both have stellar staying power when worn on the skin, about 7 hours. When worn on the waterline, the eye brightener sticks around for 2 hours.



Quo Art of Lining Brush Tip Eyeliner ($12) - There's a million and one liners but this one is worth your attention. I have no way of measuring it but the tip of the liner brush is probably a millimetre and ever so fine. But be weary if you are not comfortable drawing wings with a very flexible, bendy brush. The black is not the deepest but the formulation of the liner is ridiculously long lasting. I put the liner on in the morning, went for a hot sweaty bike ride in the afternoon, and at the end of it all my eye makeup was still intact - no smudging or weird transferring. 

What are your favourite products for bright eyes? 
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Empties & Tosses #20 - January to May 2016 [Toronto]

June 15, 2016, 9:00 pm
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It's been a while, eh? I've been hoarding empty canisters of liquids and creams in my room at my parents' house and I finally decided to recycle some of it. Decluttering is good for the soul... 

Instead of my usual emoji rating scale, I've decided that there's so much stuff here that I need to be decisive and say yes or no. Anything with a ✔ is a YES (would purchase again) and everything else is a no.  



THE EMPTIES





The MAKE UP FOR EVER Mat Velvet + Foundation  ✔ was my first ever "high-end" foundation. I loved it dearly for its long-wear, oil control, and natural matte finish. 



Samples like the Butter London Lippy Moisture Matte Lipstick in Ruby Murray annoy the heck out of me. There wasn't enough product for me to cover both my lips (or form an opinion). Ruby Murray is a pretty deep raspberry.  




  • Be Delectable Strawberry & Cream Triple Moisture Body Lotion* ✔ - Lightweight, smells amazing, super moisturizing. YAS. 
  • Miracle 10 SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion for Face* ✔ - Lightweight SPF that doesn't break me out. 
  • LUSH Don't Look at Me Fresh Face Mask*  ✔ - Smells like lemons and makes my face blue... also exfoliating. 
  • LUSH Rosy Cheeks Fresh Face Mask* ✔ - Smells like roses and is ultra-calming for my skin. 
  • LUSH Brazened Honey Fresh Face Mask* - I had some issues spreading this one on my face. It also stung slightly.
  • Sephora Sleeping Masks x 2* ✔ - Makes my skin feel fresh and doesn't leave a residue the next morning. 
  • Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask- Even though I have oily skin, this felt stripping.
  • La Roche Posay Toleriane Make-Up Remover - too gentle
  • Province Apothecary Moisturizing Cleanser and Make Up Remover* - leaves an oily residue.
  • Boscia Makeup Breakup Cleansing Oil - The gel formulation was a bit odd. It's a decent cleansing oil but not the best I've tried. 
  • Phytomer Acnipur Blemish Solution Fluid - Too small of a sample size to see results.




  • Vidal Sassoon Salonist Permanent Hair Dye in 4/46 Dark Red Violet*  ✔ - I dyed my hair with this stuff last year. The colour actually showed up, it's still kicking around, and it didn't dry my hair out. WIN. 
  • Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste - just toothpaste, I'd like to try something new! 
  • Kerastase Lait Vitale Irisome Conditioner* - This conditioner wasn't particularly memorable. 
  • Kerastase Resistance Thickening Effect Shampoo* ✔ - I recall this smells like apples and made my hair feel super clean without stripping it of all of its life. 
  • COLAB Extreme Volume Dry Shampoo in London* - I prefer the sheer volume formula, as it feels less gritty in the hair. 

THE TOSSES

These things are very old... 


  • Mamonde Real Skin Founder* - Not offered in a colour that matches me. 
  • IOPE Cushion Foundation* - Not offered in a colour that matches me. 
  • Essence Match 2 Cover Concealer* - Too stiff
  • Benefit Watt's Up x 2 ✔ - The Benefit Watt's Up was my first venture into highlighters. This one is the best cream for a golden glow. 
  • Madison Street Beauty Primer - Very stiff in the pot. Also, the company went out of business.
  • Shu Uemura Tint in Gelatos x 3* - Some of the best multipurpose beauty products that I tried at the time but now that I've tried 123912312038 things, they're great on the cheeks but not amazing on the lips. 
  • CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation  ✔ - Great foundation for those with oily skin. 
  • The Body Shop Tea Tree Flawless BB Cream* - Decent BB cream but limited colour selection. Also, it doesn't have any SPF. 
  • Cailyn Eyeliner in Mermaid - Beautiful, longwearing green eyeliner but bulky packaging. 
  • Rimmel Salon Pro Nail Polish in Soul Session* ✔ - Stunning drugstore nude nail polish. Also long lasting! 
  • Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics Nail Polish in Tramp Stamp - Love the name and the brand but I grew out of the colour.
  • Sally Hansen I Heart Nail Art Striper in Yellow* - The striper was too thick. 
  • Sally Hansen I Heart Nail Art Neon in Wasabi* and Sunny Side Up* - both polishes were too sheer and not truly "neon" bright. 



It takes me less than 2 applications of mascara to determine whether or not I like it. The Quo Curl Effortless Mascara*, Mary Kay Lash Intensity Mascara*, Revlon All-In-One Ultimate Mascara*, Joe Fresh Lash Focus Extending Mascara* were all either a miss or a meh. 


I'm picky about my lip balms...
  • The Surya Brasil Moisturizing Lip Balm in Strawberry & Buriti*, Surya Brasil Moisturizing Lip Balm in Cinnamon & Cupuacu*, Inspired Soap Works Limited Soothing Lip Balm*, and Gardener's Dream Lip Saver* had strange scents. 
  • The Kiss My Face Shimmer Ruby Mineral Color Lip Balm* and Pacifica Color Quench Lip Tint in Blood Orange were tinted with shimmer, did not apply evenly and felt gritty. 
  • Rimmel Kate Moss Lip Balm* was nice but I forgot about it. 
  • The Crawford Street Skincare Spearmint-Vanilla Lip Balm was too hard.
  • The Sweet Leaf Bath Co. Peppermint Beeswax Lip Balm was gritty.
  • The Province Apothecary Repairing and Conditioning Lip Balm*  ✔ was slightly on the oily side but felt wonderful on the lips. Also, it's made in Toronto. I didn't finish it up because it was over 2 years old and look like it had been through the laundry machine a couple times. 


  • St. Ives Mineral Clay Firming Mask - The scent stung my eyes. 
  • NeoStrata Secure White Anti Dark Circle Complex* - Didn't see results. 
  • Pure + Simple Hydrating Serum* - Forgot about it then it started to smell weird, otherwise it feels like water on the skin which is refreshing. 
  • Philosophy Total Matte-ness* - Does the trick at mattifying but doesn't look good underneath makeup. 
  • Graydon Clinical Luxury by Nature SPF 30 Glow Face-Body* - Has a gritty shimmer. 
  • Tresemme Keratin Smooth Treatment* - I'm too lazy for a 3 step haircare routine that includes blowdrying. 
  • Biotherm Aquasource Nuit Hydrating Jelly*  ✔ - So, so good as a lightweight moisturizer for day or night, despite the word Nuit in the name. 
  • Biotherm Aquasource Deep Serum* - OK but not as great as the Nuit Hydrating Jelly. 
  • NeoStrata SecurWhite Toning Solution Level 2* - Didn't see results. 
  • The Body Shop Insta Blur Primer* - Balled up under makeup. 


THIS ROUND
38 tosses
14 full-size empties
4 sample empties
56 total 

YEAR-TO-DATE
38 tosses
14 full-size empties
4 sample empties
56 total 

So... yeah. Another empties post (school edition) coming soon! Have you finished anything lately? 

Press samples featured and denoted with an asterisk (*). Full blog posts are linked! 


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Mary Kay Beauty that Counts Hearts Together Lipstick

June 16, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Every May, Mary Kay releases a Mary Kay Beauty that Counts lip product. This year, for every sale of the limited edition Mary Kay Beauty That Counts Hearts Together Lipstick ($18), $1 will be donated to support the Look Good Feel Better and to help end violence against women through community outreach programs. 

The packaging is freaking adorable. It's not too tacky or out there. Just the perfect amount of adult-level cuteness. 


Swatched: Mary Kay Beauty That Counts Hearts Together Lipstick



In the tube the Mary Kay Beauty That Counts Hearts Together Lipstick appears to be a medium warm pink. On the lips, it's quite sheer and appears cooler in colour.  Oddly enough, its too light for my natural lip colour, though I wouldn't have guessed it from seeing it in the tube. 

Above, I've applied a couple layers to the lips. I wouldn't call it a moisturizing lipstick. Nor is it particularly creamy, in fact, it's a little hard. The pigment lasts no longer than a couple hours on my lips. 

Though the cause is commendable, I'm not a fan of this particular lipstick. Perhaps if you're a bit lighter than me or prefer less creamy lipsticks this one might work out for you. 

 Press samples featured. Available as of May 16, 2016. 
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Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash

June 18, 2016, 1:00 pm
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While my skin is pretty normal in the Winter/Fall months, summer sweat and sunshine does this weird thing to my skin and makes it all crazy and no fun. Thank goodness for the cleansers of the world. 


This one in particular, the Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash ($27.50) is particularly noteworthy. According to Dermalogica, breakouts are the #1 skincare concern for young adults.


Dermalogica Clear Start is a line of skincare products targeted towards teenagers and young adults. There are 9 products in the Clear Start range including a facial mist, mask, moisturizers, and exfoliator and SPF. All of the products are formulated with botanical ingredients that are meant to be "Tough on breakouts. Gentle on skin," that is... control oil, unclog pores, and minimize bacteria. All the things that my skin needs. 



The Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash is a clear, yellow-tinted, and quite thick. A little goes a long way and the Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash can be used on the face but also the neck, chest, arms and everywhere else I feel like my bod needs a little extra breakout prevention. 

The cleanser has one of those no-scent scents that doesn't bother my eyes. It foams up lightly, removing most traces of makeup. I find that I need to go in with Bioderma first if I'm wearing heavy-duty eye and/or face makeup. 


Post-cleanse, my skin feels clean. But not squeaky clean or dry... just nice and clean. And the best part is that when I wake up the next morning, my face doesn't look like it has a film of oil on it. But for good measure, I wash my face again without having to worry about my face getting greasy or a breakout popping up in the middle of the day. 

Are breakouts a skincare concern for you? Have you tried Dermalogica skincare?

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TRAVEL: Greece 2016 - Travel Details

June 18, 2016, 9:00 pm
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A little bit of a tangent from the usual beauty chatter but I promised I would post about my trip to Greece. I did a little island hopping with my parents from Santorini to Crete to Rhodes and then stayed a bit in he mainland capital city of Athens for two weeks of April. I'm going to say it was one heck of a time, but it's easier if I just show you! 

On top of Areopagus (Mars Hill) in Athens, Greece

This of first part of a 5 part series. Today, all the nitty gritty details. 

Why did you go to Greece? History, culture, hiking, beaches, food, food, food. If you like any combination of the aforementioned things, you should probably head to Greece ASAP.  

When did you go? Saturday, April 9th to Sunday, April 24th, which is mid-season. On the islands, it was pretty quite but as expected, Athens was 24/7 busy. High season for travellers is approximately Greek Easter (early May) to mid-October. The weather was a perfect 20C to 25C during the day, dropping down to 15C in the night... and not humid at all! 

How did you get there? 
TORONTO TO GREECE --> I took Mid-April is just before Greece's busy season, so there weren't any direct flights from Toronto to Athens. Turkish Airlines had a seat sale from Toronto with a stopover in Istanbul to several European destinations. The flight to Athens, Greece around ~$700 per person.  Turkish Airlines probably had the best economy in-flight service I've ever experienced - generous and tasty portions of food (including Turkish delight!), and a huge selection of relatively new movies and TV shows. A Highly recommend. 


Turkish airlines has a great program where if your stopover in Istanbul meets a certain length and time block (8:30AM to 11:00PM, 9:00AM to 6:00PM, 12:00PM to 6:00PM or 4:00PM to 9:00PM), free city tours (including travel and food) called "TourIstanbul" are provided. On the way there, our layover was 8 hours, but we didn't meet any the specified times. I'll have to go back to Istanbul one day! 

BETWEEN ISLANDS --> It's possible to take a boat but the timing varies from a couple of hours to a couple of days depending on which islands and when. So, we took Ryanair flights, which aren't between islands but go from the islands to Athens. The flights took about an hour each 

If you're curious, I was on two flights in the span of a couple weeks.  
Toronto > Istanbul > Athens  > Santorini > Athens > Crete > Athens > Rhodes > Athens > Istanbul > Toronto. 

Where did you stay? A hotel in Thira (Santorini) and Air BnBs in Rhodes, Chania (Crete) and Athens. 

To what extent did you plan out your days? Other than the general area (islands, cities and hotels) and some specifics (i.e. the Acropolis, Samaria Gorge, etc.).


What did you eat and how much was food? Before traveling to Greece, I had a preconceived notion that I was going to be eating Greek salad and souvlaki for a majority of my meals. Yes, they have great souvlaki and feta cheese but it was so much more. Available at both family-run "snack bars" and upscale establishments, the combination of fresh seafood, local cheeses and olive oils, and ridiculously tasty produce made for some very satisfying plates of food. 

For casual meals, it was around €20 for three people. For pricier, fancier things, it was around the €50-60 range, which is relatively inexpensive for the quality of the food. 

Which was your favourite island? They were all amazing for many different reasons. Santorini had the best topography but was the most touristy. Rhodes was slightly more expensive but a unique mashup of Italian, Turkish, English, and Greek history. Crete was like an entire country in itself and felt the least touristy. 


What makeup and skincare did you pack? Check out my What's In My Travel Makeup Bag post! 

What camera gear did you bring? I was playing Fujifilm X-T1, which is a stellar mirrorless camera. Courtesy of the best dad ever.


This is the first post in a five part series. 

Got a question? Leave it in the comments below. 

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Ceramic Glaze Botanical Oasis Collection

June 19, 2016, 9:00 pm
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The OPI nail polish posts are getting tired, so here's some summer newness from Ceramic Glaze - the Botanical Oasis Collection($11 each, exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart). Ceramic Glaze = China Glaze, which means that the polishes are formulated with a similar technology to clay ceramics where adhesives and plasticizers harden the nails and give a "glazed finish". 

I've tried lots of Ceramic Glaze polishes in the past and my opinion hasn't really changed. There's a ton of colours and finishes, the polishes dry quickly, and they last a good 4+ days on my nails (which is more than I can say for most polishes. 

Onto the summer colours! The limited edition Botanical Oasis Collection features oceanic brights and a few lighter what I'd call garden party colours like a nude and sheer pearl. 



 Ceramic Glaze Heavenly


Ceramic Glaze Heavenly is a sheer pearl with a pink shimmer. I've said this before and I'll say it again. I don't love sheer pearly polishes. Opaque in 4 coats. 


Ceramic Glaze Urbane


Ceramic Glaze Urbane is a peachy nude with a silver shimmer. Ugh. So perfect. On the nails, the shimmer is unnoticeable. Opaque in 2 coats. 


Ceramic Glaze Pink Peony


Ceramic Glaze Perfectly Peony is a light-medium coral. Super flattering on my light-medium skintone but nothing particularly unique. Opaque in 2 coats. 


Ceramic Glaze Seize the Day


Ceramic Glaze Seize the Day is a bright hot pink. Again, it's pretty but not unique. Opaque in 2 coats. 


Ceramic Glaze Impusive


Ceramic Glaze Impulsive is a matte warm purple with blue and fuchsia glitter. Definitely my least favourite polish in this collection. The formula is fine but it doesn't look particularly flattering on my nails. I think the blue glitter is a little childish. Opaque in 3 coats. 


Ceramic Glaze Petal Pusher


Ceramic Glaze Petal Pusher is a medium periwinkle. Love this one. I haven't seen too many of these periwinkles in Spring/Summer collections. Opaque in 2 coats. 


Ceramic Glaze French Riviera


Ceramic Glaze French Riviera is a true blue with a blue shimmer. It looks a lot like OPI's Fearlessly Alice in the photo but in person French Riviera is slightly less vibrant. Opaque in 2 coats. 


Ceramic Glaze Surf's Up

Ceramic Glaze Surf's Up is a bright mint. A few too many coats to opacity but it's a lovely spring/summer colour. Opaque in 3 coats. 

Sometimes I hate how picky/spoiled I am with nail polish. Luckily, there's quite a few polishes here to please me. My favourites from the Ceramic Glaze Botanical Oasis Collection are Surf's Up, Pink Peony and Urbane. 

What do you think of the Ceramic Glaze Botanical Oasis Collection? 

Press samples featured. 

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TRAVEL: 2 Days in Santorini // Greece 2016

June 20, 2016, 9:00 am
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Oh, Santorini... the island of clean white buildings with blue roofs and beautiful sunsets. Santorini is the southern most island of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. It's shaped like a crescent, as it was once a volcano with a centre that has since collapsed into the ocean, which makes for some interesting amazing views. 


I spent 2 days in Santorini, which seemed a little short but I would spend 3 days at most. Santorini was the smallest and most topographically beautiful of the islands that I visited. I can see why people fall in love. However, it was also the most touristy, as even though we travelled there during off-season there were crowds of people at the most popular and well-known sights. Touristy-ness aside, here's what I got up to in Santorini! 



Accommodations at Evgenia Villas

We stayed in Fira (also known as Thira or Thera), which is in the centre of the crescent-shaped island. Fira is about 25 minutes north by car to Oia and 25 minutes south by car to Akrotiri.


Greek mix grill for breakfast/lunch at Bagiatiko Food Bar.


The walk/hike from Thira (Fira) to Oia is almost 10km. Google maps says it will take 2 hours but if you plan on taking photos, it will take 4 hours or more. Every few steps, I would turn back and the view would look a bit different. We left around 4:00pm on our hike and got to Oia at 7:00 pm, which was just in time for the sunset at 8:00pm. After the long walk, we hired a taxi to take us back to Fira. 










Sunset in Oia



Our first dinner at Salt & Pepper Santorini was one of the best. It's on the outskirts of Fira and run by the sweetest couple. The wife is the waitstaff while the husband works in the kitchen. They pride themselves on using fresh, local ingredients (the herbs are picked immediately before plating). We went for seafood dishes because it doesn't get any fresher than right out of the ocean. 


Fish and baked rice from Salt & Pepper


Grilled Octopus from Salt & Pepper


Mussels from Salt & Pepper


Greek Crepe with lemon and sugar for breakfast/lunch at Corner Restaurant

The next morning, we took the bus from Fira to Akrotiri (€2). The Akrotiri Archeological Site (€12 admission) houses an indoor dig of a Bronze Age Minoan settlement that was buried by a volcanic eruption ("the Pompeii of Santorini") in approximately 1627 BC and was found and excavated in 1967. 


Akrotiri Archeological Site


The Red Beach at Akrotiri


Grilled Calamari


Buttered Monkfish 


Sweet and Sour Cheese


Loukoumades (Greek Timbits) with Vanilla Ice Cream

Coming back on the bus from Akrotiri, we had dinner at Theoni's Kitchen in Fira, again ordering lots of seafood. A little factoid - it's common for Greek restaurants to provide a complimentary dessert at the end of each meal. Theoni's had my favourite dessert of the trip because it reminded me a little bit of home (timbits but better!). After dinner, we walked through Fira (and walked off the dessert). 


Stray cats EVERYWHERE. 







One Greek island down, three to go!



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