fun size beauty

Brother, cousin, nephew, father, boyfriend, husband, son - the men in your life deserve to feel beautiful and pampered too. Here are a few beauty gifts for him:

Clean for Men Eau De Toilette in Black Leather ($84 USD for 100mL)

If you don't like his bottle of Axe, toss it and replace it with something more sophisticated...like the Clean for Mean Eau De Toilette in Black Leather. Black Leather is described as a musky, spicy, edgy, modern scent and features top notes of bergamot and black peppercorn, followed by juniper, spearmint, violet lleaf and black orchid.

Paula's Choice PC4Men Trial Kit ($30 USD)

Cult skincare brand Paula's Choice has men's branded products too. Men can use the regular Paula's Choice Skincare line too but in case your man friend wants a skincare product that says so this set contains 5 PC4Men Products - a face wash, shave, soothe + smooth, daytime protect SPF 30 and nighttime repair.

Jack Black Moisture Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 ($19 CAD for two)

The Jack Black Lip Balms are the kind of product you buy for your boyfriend but end up "borrowing" from time to time (or permanently). The balms contain antioxidants, Vitamin E and green tea extract to soothe and repair chapped lips.

Les Industries Groom All Natural Hair Pomade ($32 CAD)

Les Industries Groom is an all-natural, Montreal-based brand specializing in men's grooming products. I handed this one off to Charles to test out and he said that the product, while full of wonderful ingredients, had little to no hold for his thick hair. Perhaps if your guy friend has thinner hair than Charles, this would be a good pick for you.

What will you be picking up for your boyfriends/dads/husbands/brothers this holiday season?

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Each holiday season, Sephora's in-house brand (SEPHORA COLLECTION) releases a ton of eye and face palettes for all of your beauty gifting needs. They range from inexpensive stocking stuffers ($13 CAD) to items that are a little pricier ($45 CAD). Sometimes they're good and sometimes they're of questionable quality. This year, I've got 5 of them to share with you.

SEPHORA COLLECTION the Delicate Palette ($13 CAD)

Sephora Collection the Delicate Eyeshadow Palette Swatches

The Sephora Collection the Delicate Palette contains 8 eyeshadows contained in a cute little cardboard envelope. The packaging doesn't contain a mirror. Nothing stands out to me and the shadows are not of particularly amazing quality (there are better drugstore shadows). I can't recommend this palette to anyone. You get what you pay for, so consider spending a little more for one of the palettes below.

SEPHORA COLLECTION the Romantic Palette ($15 CAD)

Sephora Collection the Romantic Eyeshadow Palette Swatches

The Sephora Collection the Romantic Palette contains 9 eyeshadows, again in fairly neutral colours. The texture and colour impact of the shadows are significantly better than the Delicate Palette, particularly the satin-finish shadows with a touch of glimmer. The mattes are still a little wonky but they're workable. This one doesn't contain a mirror but it does have some handy instructions.

SEPHORA COLLECTION the Enchanting Palette ($20 CAD)

SEPHORA COLLECTION the Enchanting Palette Brows Face Eyes

SEPHORA COLLECTION the Enchanting Palette Swatches

Sephora Collection the Enchanting Palette for Eyes, Face and Brows Swatches

The Sephora Collection the Enchanting Palette contains 2 luminizers, 2 brow colours, 1 blush and 6 eyeshadows. Similar to the Romantic Palette, the Enchanting Palette has nice shadows. The satin shadows with a bit of shimmer are particularly noteworthy. For my colouring, I find the luminzers too pale and frosty to us as a highlight but other than that the palette is useable for my light medium skintone. I like that it contains both face and eye products, making the palette as a whole fairly travel friendly (minus a functional mirror, which would be helpful for on-the-go).

Also worth mentioning, the packaging is of questionable quality. Some of the paper between the shadows was bubbling before I even opened the palette.

SEPHORA COLLECTION the Graceful Palette ($30 CAD)

SEPHORA COLLECTION the Graceful Eyeshadow Palette

Sephora Collection the Graceful Eyeshadow Palette Swatches

Sephora Collection the Graceful Palette Swatches

The Sephora Collection the Graceful Palette contains 15 eyeshadows in hexagonal formation. This time, the palette contains a mirror (hurrah! I can see my reflection!) and the shadows are all very good. Again, the satin shimmers are gorgeous. That mattes aren't bad either. Not the best, but very good and appropriate at the $30 price point. I like the combination of shadows - mostly neutral shadows with a few interesting blues, purples and greys.

SEPHORA COLLECTION the Surprising Palette ($45 CAD)

SEPHORA COLLECTION the Surprising Palette Eyeshadow Contour

SEPHORA COLLECTION the Surprising Palette Eyeshadow Swatches

Sephora Collection the Surprising Palette Swatches in Graceful, Pretty, Delicate, Splendid, Rock, Alluring, Angelic and Sweetie

SEPHORA COLLECTION the Surprising Palette Blush and Contour Swatches

Sephora Collection the Surprising Palette Swatches in Happy, Charming, Coquette, Beauty, Romantic, Fantastic, Lovely and Superb

The Sephora Collection the Surprising Palette is not one... but four palettes with four powder products in each - two for eyes and two for face. Guess what? All of the palettes have mirrors!

The Smokey and Chic Eyeshadow Palettes are the best in formulation that I've showcased here. They ain't no Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow gel-creme powder formula but they are pigmented, smooth and easy to blend. The colours are wearable but not boring. All of the Blushes/Luminizers have some sort of shimmer. There's no way that the luminizer in Romantic would ever work on my face (unless I wanted to look like a disco ball) but the rest work for me. The powder formulation is good but I find the Contour shade a bit odd. Fantastic is too dark and a tad warm for my colouring. Luckily, Lovely works well as a bronzer.

Are you thinking of picking up any of the Sephora Collection holiday palettes?

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Loveabox ($160 RM/$36 USD) is a hand-curated monthly mystery k-beauty box all the way from Malaysia. A longtime blogger acquaintance of mine, XXZYRO, actually started it up! She was generous enough to send me the very first box to share with you. Here's a look at what's inside:

By far the most exciting product in the box is the Pony Memebox Shine Easy Glam 3 Eyeshadow Palette in #03 Orange Bloom ($18 USD). I love the way that Korean's do their eyeshadows. Three of the 4 shades in the palette have a watery, shimmery silky quality to them. You need to see it in person to believe it.

I've always wanted to try a rubber face mask and the Etude House Fresh Cup Modelling Mask in Blueberry ($4.50 USD) is my chance! The Blueberry rendition of the face mask is meant to smooth and hydrate. I'll update ya'll when I test it out.

There's nothing more k-beauty than a lip tint. The box contained the Tony Moly Liptone Get It Tint in 07 My Rose ($11.50 USD), which is a lightweight lip tint in a warm rose shade that's appropriate for everyday wear.

A head band that makes me look like a cat? Can I get a YAAAASSS for the Etude House My Beauty Tool Lovely Etti Hair Band ($10 USD)? So cute!

I've never heard of Entel Beauty before but upon a quick google search I learned that Entel is a Malaysian skincare brand. The loveabox contained both the Entel Blueberry Face Mask Pack ($1 USD) and Entel Collagen Face Mask Pack ($1 USD), which I suspect will be similar to Korean sheet masks.

The box also came with a golden Love necklace ($N/A) and a few miscellaneous skincare samples ($N/A). A nice touch but totally for me! If I were to pay for a box, all I'd need is skincare and makeup to make me happy.

Overall, the loveabox has a well-rounded selection of skincare, makeup and accessories (3 masks, 1 eyeshadow palette, 1 lip product, 1 beauty tool and 1 necklace). The total value of each of the products add up to $47 USD, which is a great value considering that I will be using all of the products inside!

What do you think of loveabox?

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Today - gifts for gals that are that awkward age that's too old for Claire's makeup but too young for the Naked 5 palette.

Sephora Geometric Colour Palette ($59 CAD)

The ULTIMATE makeup palette for any budding beauty lover. It contains 80 eyeshadows, 32 glosses, 6 cream eyeliners, 4 brow powders, 4 blushes and 2 tutorial cards for her to play with.

EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balm 3 Pack (Limited Edition) ($11.96 CAD)

As a teenager, EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balms was a gotta catch'em all sort of thing. They're cute and totally collectible. This year's holiday set includes Passionfruit, Wild Berry and the NEW Visibly Soft Honey Apple scent.

Hard Candy Glitter Gel Palettes ($4.97 CAD)

It ain't the holidays without some sparkle in an assortment of rainbow colours.

Mary Kay Be Delighted Shimmer Mist ($18 CAD) and Body Mousse & Body Wash Set ($36 CAD)

With notes of raspberry, apple and raspberry chiffon, Mary Kay's Be Delighted scent is sweet and totally girly. A+ for pretty in pink packaging.

Sephora Sparkle and Shine Skinny Brush Set ($49 CAD)

What's the point in buying makeup for someone if they have nothing to apply it with. The Sparkle and Shine Skinny Brush Set from Sephora is the perfect starter kit and contains a powder brush, foundation brush, crease brush, flat shadow brush and angled liner brush, along with a glittery carrying case.

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By miscellaneous, I mean non-beauty things - technology, lifestyle, wellness, etc. A majority of the people in my life are not makeup hoarders lke myself. So, these picks are (in my opinion) unique, interesting and totally giftable. Everything is something that I would be ecstatic to receive myself!

Marvis Toothpaste Gift Pack ($35 CAD)

Nothing says I love you more than a gift that says I care about your dental hygiene. Brushing your teeth is a mundane and routine aspect of life. Thank goodness for Marvis Toothpaste, which keeps things interesting. Marvis originated in Italy and was originally formulated to whiten the teeth and freshen the breath of smokers and coffee drinkers. Now, Marvis is a contemporary and luxury toothpaste brand. The Marvis Toothpaste Gift Pack includes 7 invigorating flavours - aquatic mint, cinnamon mint, classic mint, ginger mint, jasmine mint, amarelli licorice, and whitening mint.

Amrita Sen Cosmic and Eternal Love Adult Coloring Book ($19.99 USD)
I've been meaning to stress less and colour more. For home bodies and stressed messes like myself, colouring books are the perfect way to wind down. Cosmic and Eternal Love is not just a colouring book, it's a traditional Indian love story (that also comes with a soundtrack to set the mood!). Pair this with some pencil crayons and you've got a full night ahead of you.

Sudio Sweden Vasa Bla Wireless Earphones ($140 CAD)

Before trying the Sudio Sweden Vasa Bla Wireless Earphones, I must have been living in the 19th century. The Sudio Sweden Vasa Bla Wireless Earphones are sleek, chic and connect to your laptop/phone/wireless device via bluetooth. I'm no audiophile but as far as I can tell the sound quality is great! The earphones also come with a handy microphone (for long conversations with bae), a leather case, 4 pairs of extra sleeves, a charger and a carrying case. Get 15% off with the code funsizebeauty (not an affiliate link!).

LimeLens Smartphone Lens Set ($49.99 USD)

Step up your insta game (or your insta husband's insta game) with a few smartphone lenses. They're a fun way to play with smartphone photography if you don't have a DSLR or find a DSLR too bulky. The LimeLense Lens Set includes The Thinker (Macro/Wide Smartphone Lens) and The Captain (Fisheye Smartphone Lens), along with all the clips and attachments. Make sure your giftee has a phone that's compatible with the attachments and you're good to go.

Here's a photo I took with the LimeLens:

*serious taco eating business meeting with @livingthegrey* 😁 ft. @limelens.original smartphone fisheye 📸 + @sevenlivesto 🌮
A photo posted by stephanie lau (@stephh_lau) on Jul 29, 2016 at 5:33pm PDT

Superfeet Women's 3/4 Insoles ($29.95 USD)

If you or a friend is like me and are very short, have flat feet but find heeled shoes impossibly uncomfortable, try Superfeet! The insoles help with discomfort related to shock absorption and odour control. I've been wearing the Superfeet in both my heels and running shoes and they're a godsend.

Socks ($2-$6 CAD)

When in doubt, gift socks. The cozy, fuzzy, cute kind. Shoutout to Charles for picking up the penguin socks for me!

What's the most unique gift that you've ever received?

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They say your highlight ain't bright enough unless you can see it from outer space. If you want to get your glow on then you need to check out the NYX Bright Idea Illuminating Sticks ($10.99 CAD).

NYX Bright Idea Illuminating Sticks Review Swatches

There are 12 shades in the range (4 blushes, 4 highlights and 4 bronzers). I've got 9 of them to swatch and share - all but Brick Red Blaze (blush), Lavender Lust (highlight), and Sun Kissed Crush (bronze). All of the shades have some level of fine shimmer but it's nothing offputting.

NYX Bright Idea Illuminating Sticks Swatches in Pinkie Dust, Coralicious, Rose Petal Pop, Chardonnay Shimmer, Pearl Pink Lace, Bermuda Bronze, Maui Suntan, Sandy Glow, Topaz Tan

NYX Bright Idea Illuminating Stick Swatches in Pinkie Dust, Coralicious, Rose Petal Pop, Chardonnay Shimmer, Pearl Pink Lace, Bermuda Bronze, Maui Suntan, Sandy Glow, Topaz Tan

NYX says that the Bright Idea Illuminating Sticks should apply on smoothly and set. I would agree with half. It does apply smoothly but it doesn't set on its own. The texture is creamy but not wet or sticky, however it does feel a little heavy/greasy on my skin. Hence, I feel the need to set. With a setting powder, the product tends to wear for 6-7 hours.

The product blends out with ease (my preferred tool is a beauty blender), leaving a dewy, lit from within glow. I particularly enjoy the NYX Bright Idea Illuminating Sticks because the intensity starts at a high level that can be blended out for something more natural.

Wearing the NYX Bright Idea Illuminating Sticks in Chardonnay Shimmer, Coralicious and Maui Suntan

Not every colour will suit every skintone, so I've only been reaching for 3 - Chardonnay Shimmer, Coralicious, and Maui Suntan. The rest are too chalky, too dark or too harsh on my complexion. My favourite is definitely Chardonnay Shimmer. On its own, it's a beaming light gold highlight. It also doubles as a amplifier for any powder highlight that you apply on top.

All in all, a wonderful illuminating product. After getting used to the funky texture, the end result is glowing.

Have you tried the NYX Bright Idea Illuminating Sticks?

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Skin is always in, so I've got six giftable skincare sets to share with you today!

Glam Glow Gift Sexy Supermud Set ($79 CAD at Sephora)

Hailing all the way from Hollywood, Glam Glow offers some of Sephora's bestselling mud masks. The Gift Sexy Supermud Set includes the SUPERMUD (for blemishes, redness and ingrown hairs), THIRSTYMUD (for hydration) and YOUTHMUD (for firming and softness). I have yet to try all three out but I'll let you know how it goes in a later post.

Tatcha Bestsellers Set ($72 CAD at Sephora)

In the last couple years, Tatcha has become a very popular skincare brand on blogs and social media. The Bestsellers Set includes minis of the very raved about One-Step Camellia Cleansing Oil, Luminous Dewy Skin Mist and the Rice Polished Enzyme Powder, all of which I've been meaning to try. Now that I have, I'm hooked. In addition, there's the Moisture Rich Silk Cream. I was worried that it would be too heavy but it has a gel-like texture that sinks into the skinb beautifully.

Dr. Jart+ Trans-foam Clay Trio ($39 CAD at takegoodcare.ca)

This is a cool bit of skincare. The Dr. Jart+ Trans-foam is (1) a clay mask that (2) transforms into a cleanser when splashed with water. The clay/foam is ideal for removing makeup, absorbing oil, and detoxing the skin. This set contains all three versions - Calming White, Moisturizing Pink and Refreshing Green.

Philosophy Radiant Celebration ($45 CAD at Sephora)

Another favourites/bestsellers set, the Philosophy Radiant Celebration includes Purity Made Simple (cleanser), Renewed Hope in A Jar (moisturizer), and the Microdelivery Peel. All of the products are aimed at radiant, supple and nourished skin.

Innisfree It's Real Squeeze Sheet Mask Set ($15 CAD for 10 at takegoodcare.ca) and Mizon Enjoy Vital-Up Time Sheet Mask Set ($16 CAD for 7 at takegoodcare.ca)

Korean skincare is all the rage but at the same time there's so much out there that it makes it a bit overwhelming to navigate. If you weren't sure which sheet mask or ingredients work best for your skin, pick up a sheet mask set. Take Good Care (an online Korean skincare shop) has sets from Innisfree and Mizon.

What holiday skincare sets do you have your eye on?

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My first foundation was a powder foundation. I was interested in taking the glo Minerals Pressed Base ($63 CAD) for a spin because it's been a while since I've used a powder foundation. Also, the glo Minerals Pressed Base is one of glo Minerals top-selling, award-winning hero products...so it had a lot to live up to.

glo Minerals Pressed Base in Golden Medium before and after

The glo Minerals Pressed Base has a good range of 20 shades, from natural fair to cocoa medium. I've been using the shade Golden Medium, which was (when I took these photos) too light for me. Even now for the winter months, I could go one step deeper to Golden Dark.

What I like about the glo Minerals Pressed Base foundation is that it's very buildable. Application with something fluffy and sparse like the glo Minerals Ultra Brush ($49.50 CAD) provides sheer coverage, whereas application with a sponge or denser brush would provide full coverage of acne scarring and redness. In the photos I've built it up to a medium.

In texture, I feel the powder on my skin. It's not heavy like a cream foundation but it's not lightweight either. Perhaps it's the ingredient bismuth oxycholoride which tends to break some (but not all) people out. I didn't find the Pressed Base to break me out.

The powder is mattifying with a natural sheen. Oil control is not ideal - after about 4-5 hours when my face begins to look oily and I need to blot. The weird thing about the Pressed Base is that I found it to oxidize lighter throughout the day, particularly in my oily areas like my nose and forehead.

Overall, I'm not convinced. My experience with the glo Minerals Pressed Base was okay but not great. For now, I'll be going back to my liquid foundations.

Have you tried the glo Minerals Pressed Base? What's your fave powder foundation?

Press samples featured. glo Minerals is talc-free, non comedogenic and cruelty free.

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Nothing says relaxation like a hot bath, candles and a mani-pedi. Give the gift of R&R by putting together a few of your favourite pamper products and you've got a very well-rounded and thoughtful present.

Lines of Elan Natural Soy Candles ($22 CAD for 16 oz.)
Set the mood with some cozy candles. Lately, I've been enjoying warm, enveloping scents like Lines of Elan's Cedar & Saffron and Maple & Pecan. Bonus - they're made from soybeans and 100% biodegradable.

LUSH Bath Bombs ($5.25 to $7.95 CAD)

The most exciting way to treat-yo-self is with a LUSH Bath Bomb. Pictured is Dashing Santa Bath Bomb (which I don't think is avaiable this year) but other favourites of mine include LUSH So White (crisp apple) and LUSH Butterbear (vanilla).

Amope Pedi Perfect Holiday Gift Set ($60 CAD)

Not particularly glamorous but totally necessary for baby soft feet. The set includes the Amope Pedi Perfect (which can be used on wet or dry feet), a charger and a foot cream.

Tweezerman Moroccan Oasis Nail File (~$6 CAD)

Switch out a plain nail file with something with a bit more spice. From time to time, Tweezerman puts out new designs and colours for their beauty tools. The latest is the Moroccan Oasis collection, a fun pink and yellow graphic inspired by block prints and textiles seen on runways.

Mary Kay Fragrance Free Satin Hands Set ($51 CAD)
The Mary Kay Fragrance Free Satin Hands Set includes a scrub, softener, and cream for an all around hydrating at-home manicure experience. I've used the melon scent in the past and using all three products has been an extremely effective way to keep dry hands at bay during the winter months. The set is also available in White Tea & Citrus.

Hard Candy Seize the Sparkle Nail Polish Gift Set ($4.97 CAD at Walmart)

What's a mani pedi without some pretty polishes? The Hard Candy Seize the Sparkle Gift Set contains a bag plus blue, pink and silver polishes all with a little bit of holiday cheer (aka glitter).

What's your favourite way to relax?

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Want to give an amazing gift while also doing a little good for the world? Perhaps you have something cruelty-free, organic, fair trade and sustainable in mind? Look no further!

Acure Aromatherapeutic Moroccan Argan Oil in Rose, Coconut and Citrus Ginger ($12.99 USD each)

Skincare meets aromatherapy! Acure is a family-run company that features green packaging, recyclable and biodegradable materials, and certified organic ingredients. The Acure Aromatherapeutic Moroccan Argan Oils give my skin LIFE. Argan oil is one of the only oils that feel comfortable on my skin. It's fast absorbing and Acure has added the most delightful scents. Of the three, Citrus Ginger is my go-to - especially before bed time. Rose and cocnut are spot-on with what you'd expect. Pick up one or all three (full size!) in a set for $24.99 USD.

Lines of Elan You Don't Shea Organic Shea Body Butter ($12 CAD for 2 oz.)

Organic, local, fair trade... what more could I ask for? Lines of Elan is a Toronto-based brand and their You Don't Shea Organic Shea Body Butter is straightforward and extraordinarily multipurpose. It contains two ingredients - organic fair trade shea butter and organic camellia oil. Use it everywhere - cuticles, feet, hands, lips, arms, legs, face... your skin can thank me later.

Antipodes Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator($49 CAD)

Certified organic incredients + scientifically validated performance + recyclable packaging all the way from New Zealand. The Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfolatior is a whipped facial scrub with avocado oil, calendula oil, sandalwood, sweet orange and tonka bean. It's gentle on the skin yet effective at schluffing off dead skin. The Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator is the only product I've tried from the brand and it's only made me look forward to trying more. Also a plus - aesthetic packaging.

The Good Bar Shea Butter Bar 30% ($9 CAD)

Handcrafted, all natural soaps straight outta Toronto. The Good Bar Shea Butter Bar 30% smells merry and bright, as it's formulated with lemongrass and eucalyptus. It's amazing how a single bar of soap can do all sorts of wonderful things for your skin. Ingredients include shea butter (for moisture), green clay (for sebum control), lemongrass (for anxiety relief), and eucalyptus (for deoderizing).

What are your favourite eco chic products?

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Just last month, Mary Kay released their limited edition Pure Dimensions Eye Palettes ($46 CAD).

At a glance, the palettes are gorgeous. I love that the three dimensional etchings on each of the shadows corresponds to the name of the palette - Moroccan Dunes, Paris Starlight and Maui Gardens.

There are no mattes in the palettes but the finely milled texture and soft shimmering finish may as well make up for it. All of the shades have a light sheen, rather than being full of chunky glitter. It's a sophisticated shimmer with a ton of pigment.

In terms of wear time, the shadows are pretty but not longwearing if not paired with a primer.

My favourite palette is 100% Moroccan Dunes. It's the least impressive in terms of the swatches but it's the most wearable/neutral and least colourful. Paris Starlight leans too cool, while Maui Gardens is too dark for my preferences, nonetheless both are beautiful palettes.

Mary Kay Pure Dimensions Eye Palette in Moroccan Dunes Swatches

Mary Kay Pure Dimensions Eye Palette in Paris Starlight Swatches

Mary Kay Pure Dimensions Eye Palette in Maui Gardens Swatches

Overall, the Mary Kay Pure Dimensions Eye Palettes are pretty and pigmented shadows. However, they're quite a pricey number for just 4 in a palette. I would pass on these and pick up something for the same price but with more product.

What do you think of the Mary Kay Pure Dimensions Eye Palettes?

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My own family does not partake in stocking stuffing but if we did, here's what I'd want to see mine filled with...

EOS Lip Balm in Vanilla Bean ($4.38 CAD)

Gotta catch'em all, amirite? This year's limited edition holiday "flavour" is Vanilla Bean. Formulated with shea butter and vitamin E, it's sure to keep dry lips in check this winter.

MaskerAide Weather Warrior Face Mask ($6.99 CAD)

Another one to help your skin brave the cold weather, the MaskerAid Weather Warrior Face Mask contains argan oil, aloe, green tea and witch hazel to soothe and calm the skin.

Quo Hidden Treasures Cosmetic Crackers (3 for $18 CAD)

Every year, Quo releases a set of 3 Christmas crackers, which is probably the most exciting way to open a beauty gift. Spoiler alert - there's an eyeshadow and lip gloss in side.

Philosophy Hands of Hope Ornament ($14 CAD)

Hand cream is a staple in my purse. The Philosophy Hands of Hope Hand Cream is particularly lovely because it's lightweight and non-greasy.

Too Faced Melted Liquified Lipstick in Berry Ornament ($15 CAD)

Too Faced makes some of the most adorable Christmas ornaments. The mini Liquified Lipstick in Berry is no exception. Bonus - Melted Berry is a stunning colour for the holidays!

Mary Kay Mini Eye Brush Set ($20 CAD)

You can never have too many eye brushes, especially if you're lazy like me and never want to deal with washing them.

The Body Shop Personalized Body Butter ($21 CAD for body butter with free personalization)

This year, The Body Shop's holiday theme is "JUNGLE BELLS/WILD CHRISTMAS". Available at select The Body Shop locations (I got mine done at the pop-up shop in Yorkville), you can personalize your Body Butter by finishing the sentence I'm wild about... and select an animal of your choosing.

Sephora Collection S Personalized Pouch Bag ($25 CAD)

I'm in love with this Sephora makeup bag. It's simple in design yet the lettering makes it personal and the lipstick zipper adds a twist.

Tweezerman ProCurl Eyelash Curler ($27.50)

Tweezerman makes some of the best eyelash curlers, which are available in two shapes - ProCurl (for rounded eyes) and ProMaster (for wider eyes).

Mary Kay Satin Lips Set ($32 CAD)

Lips and moisturization seem to be a recurring theme here. The Satin Lips Set comes with a Shea Butter Scrub and Shea Butter Balm - ideal for prepping the lips before applying a longwearing lipstick!

Do you do stocking stuffers?

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It's been a while since I've taken photos of my face. But here I am. All done up and ready for the holidays! I've been wearing this look to all of my holiday festivities (some get togethers with friends and my office party) - a mostly neutral, slightly metallic eye with a deep browny red lip.

EYES

Kat Von D Shade and Light Eye Palette - Samael*

Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons Palette - Molasses Chip

Fusion XXL Xtension Waterproof Mascara*

Blinc Eyeliner*

LIPS

Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Creme in Bad Behaviour (LE)*

FACE

NARS Velvet Matte Skin Finish in Groenland

Too Faced Born This Way Concealer in Light/Medium*

Kat Von D Metal Crush Eyeshadow in Thunderstruck

Marc Jacobs Air Blush in Flesh & Fantasy*

What makeup look do you wear during the holidays?

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I try a lot of beauty products - thousands per year - but seldom do I purchase them. I'm not a Very Important Beauty (VIB) or VIB Rouge at Sephora. However, there's one very special time of the year typically during the holiday season that I make a little splurge. That $15 off $50 coupon is 30% off SEPHORA and the best annual steal of a deal. Okay so I spent about $78 with taxes, so it ends up being that I only got 17% off...My haul is pretty boring so feel free to click out of this window as soon as you see the pics.

The most exciting addition to my little family of skin bases is the NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint in Groenland ($54 CAD). It's a natural matte base that I'd liken to the texture and coverage of a Korean BB Cream except in a natural matte finish. Review coming soon but so far so good.

I've been finding myself with less and less time to do my nails so to speed up the manicure process, I picked up the Sephora Collection Instant Nail Polish Remover ($12 CAD). It's one of those dip your finger in the sponge and twisttype deals and it has rave reviews on the Sephora website.

Last.. and probably least is the MAKE UP FOR EVER Metal Palette ($16 CAD). I have about 6 different MUFE 2-, 3- and 4-pan palettes filled with shadows but I want to have them all in one place. Jenn of A Beautiful Zen raves about the MUFE Metal Palettes so I thought this would be a sturdier option compared to another Z-Palette.

I also chose 3 samples with my order - Philosophy Hope in a Jar, Chloe Eau de Parfum, and Elizabeth & James Nirvana Roses. Philosophy because why not? and the two fragrances because it takes me half a year to get through these kinds of minis.

Have you picked anything up from Sephora lately?

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'Tis the season for glitter, gold and everything bold. I've rounded up a few gold goodies - old products and new releases to celebrate this special time of the year!

ACCESSORIES AND TOOLS

Sephora Baby It's Bold Outside Makeup Bag ($25 CAD)

The makeup bag that inspired it all.

Sephora Glitter Happy Brush Set ($106 CAD)

Very similar to last year's Sephora Collection Glitter Happy Brush Set but in gold! They're 100% synthetic and antibacterial.

Sephora Sparkle & Shine Z-Palette ($38 CAD)

My very first attempt at de-potting eyeshadows was a successful one. Z-Palettes are particularly handy if you've got a lot of palettes but only a few shadows that you enjoy from each (*me*).

Sephora Collection Multitakser Complexion Brush 45.5 ($18 CAD)

...I could rub the synthetic bristles of this brush all over my face, all day long.

Sephora Strays Away Tweezer Set ($14 CAD)

FUN SIZE TWEEZERS. Perhaps they're quite easy to lose because they're so tiny but they're so cute.

MAKEUP

Guerlain L'Or Pure Radiance Face Primer ($81 CAD)

Infused with 24 karat gold, it doesn't get any more golden than this primer. It's a treat-yo-self kind of beauty splurge, though likely worth the price with both makeup and skincare properties.

Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Waterproof Liner in ME-42 ($25 CAD)

Metallic, diamond glittery goodness in an eyeliner - ideal for perking up the lower lash line.

Kat Von D Metal Crush Eyeshadow in Thrasher ($25 CAD)

Another metallic for the eyes. The Kat Von D Metal Crush Eyeshadows have the look of a foiled eyeshadow without using water or Fix+. See also - Thunderstruck. It ain't gold but it is iridescent and full of unicorn magic.

Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Creme Lipstick in Bad Behaviour ($38 CAD)

This limited edition lipstick comes in limited edition gold packaging! Though, it's not a gold lipstick - Bad Behaviour is a vampy wine.

HAIR

Kerastase Soin Gomage Renovateur Chronologiste ($50 CAD)

Last but not least, what is more luxurious for your hair than another step in your routine? The Soin Gomage Renvateur is a pre-shampoo/scrub that detoxifies the scalp and improves the performance of your other haircare products. FYI - the bottle in the photo is 90% empty.

What's your favourite gold beauty product?

Press samples featured

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In 2016, I wrote over 310 posts, which means I've tried at least 300 different beauty products this year. I've narrowed it down to just 16 products in nails, makeup and skincare:

Foundation - Make Up For Ever Waterblend Face & Body Foundation in Y305*
My everyday fave. It's lightweight and easy to apply with fingertips.

Lipstick - Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick (custom)
The experience AND the perfect shade of lipstick.

Blush - Marc Jacobs Air Blush in Flesh and Fantasy*
Contour/blush/highlight all in one.

Primer - Guerlain Meteorites Primer*
I don't usually wear primers but the Guerlain Meteorites primer is a luxury and and exception.

Brows - Clio Kill Brow Tattoo in No. 3 Dark Brown*
The marker side of the Clio Kill Brow Tattoo is a good beginner brow product. The felt tip deposits a sheer wash of buildable colour making caterpillar brows nearly impossible.

Bronzer - Make Up For Ever Pro Bronze Fusion in 10M*
Good stuff for looking all summery and tan.

Eyeliner - Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner
This felt tip liquid liner has been my favourite for the past two years.

Concealer - Too Faced Born This Way Concealer in Light Medium
Makes me look like I was born with perfect skin.

Eyeshadow Palette - Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette*
Satin, shimmery goodness. Cute packaging too!

Mascara - Fusion Beauty Waterproof XXL Dramatically Volumizing Mascara*
A mascara that holds a curl, doesn't dry out my lashes and won't smudge. WIN.

Highlighter - Kat Von D Metal Crush Eyeshadow in Thunderstruck
My fave highlighter would have been MAC's Oh Darling but I lost it and started using Thunderstruck. It's an eyeshadow but the pink-gold iridescence makes it

Perfume - Atelier Cologne Pomelo Paradis*
Smells like a fruit, which is my favourite thing to smell like.

Nail Polish - OPI Nuances of Neutral Collection*
Not just one polish but the entire collection was my favourite.

Moisturizer - Acure Organics Wonderfluff*
Saved my skin from some not-so-favourite skincare products.

Eye Cream - Kate Somerville Goat Milk Eye Balm
Hydration for 10+ hours, which makes this the best eye cream/balm EVER.

Lip Balm - Laneige Water Lip Sleeping Mask
My lips were perpetually dry but applying the Laneige Water Lip Sleeping Mask every night has really helped!

What beauty products were you loving in 2016?

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10 most popular and 6 of my personal favourite blog posts.

The 10 most popular posts of 2016 mainly consist of foundation, concealer and lipstick reviews. My guess is that the internet loves photos that show an obvious and immediate before and after result. On the other hand, my least popular posts are skincare and haircare related.

I picked 6 of my favourite blog posts, because it's nice to look back at what I've done in the past year and how I've pushed myself to put out content that I'm proud of!

I made my very first Youtube video in 2016. My filming and editing wasn't perfect but the behind the scenes LUSH Factory Tour experience was.
Charles reviewed some skincare and made an epic GIF - Charles Reviews No. 7
You know your nail art is decent when Huda Beauty shares it on her Instagram page - Huda Beauty & Formula X Color Curators Collection
Bite Beauty Lip Lab - I made my own lipstick (and another Youtube video)
I went to Greece and it was beautiful.
There's something about Halloween makeup looks that make me feel like I'm slaying all day - Chrisspy Skull Makeup Look

Bye, 2016. Hello, 2017!

What were your favourite blog posts of 2016?

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We said goodbye to 2016 a couple days ago and now we're in 2017. I don't love resolutions because if I wanted to change something in my life, I would have done so the moment I thought of it. That being said, the new year is good timing to reflect and re-evaluate the past year and look towards the next. I just need to remind myself that change can happen more than once a year.

School/Career-wise, I graduated twice, with a Bachelor's of Accounting and Financial Management and then my Masters of Accounting from the University of Waterloo. I studied for a couple months straight for the CFE (Common Final Examination) as part of the CPA accounting designation program which happened in September. I found out that I passed in December!

In 2017, I'll continue working towards obtaining my CPA through practical experience and also look into other designations that I want to pursue including the Certified Fraud Examiner and Chartered Business Valuator Designations.

On the blog, I wrote at least 3x per week in all 52 weeks of the year, oftentimes every day of the week. I made a bit of income but it's a teeny tiny fraction of what I'd make in my day job. I also made a few new blogging friends!

In 2017, I want to take a step back at the blog and re-evaluate the quality and meaningfulness of what I am putting out. With a full time job, I'm finding I have less and less free time for blogging (or other activities) so I really need to figure out the best way to use my time. It might mean less reviews and posts in general or perhaps different topics for content (food, lifestyle, fashion).

On the personal front, I traveled to Greece with my parents and went camping with Charles, Zubie and Zameer. I cut down my meat consumption by at least 50% (particularly beef, which I ate 3 times during the year - not full meals, just tasting!).

In 2017, I'm going to try to cut down on my consumption of pork as I work towards transitioning to a more vegetable-heavy diet. I also want to make a trip to Peru (Machu Picchu, specifically) and maybe NYC and BC. Since 2017 is Canada's 150th b-day all the national parks are free during the year... so more of those during the summer/fall seasons. I also want to save up to move out of my parents place some time between 2018 and 2020.

In general, I've got a number of things to work on...

more organization, more hydration, more nature
more photos, more travel, more colour,
less meat, more vegetables
less screen time, more books
less things, more experiences

Do you have any resolutions for 2017?

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Too Faced's Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Palette is back in stock at Sephora. But not just that. If you haven't heard, Too Faced just dropped entire peach-themed collection of eye, lip and face products. Everything is currently available online but hits stores January 6th, 2017.

The scent. Similar to the Too Faced Chocolate Collection (which smells like chocolate), the Too Faced Sweet Peach Collection smells like peach. Considering fuzzy peaches are my fave candy and I'm super into peach scented anything (artificial or not), I was beyond excited to unbox the Sweet Peach products. All of the products are infused with essence of peach and have a light peach scent, with the Sweet Peach Creamy Lip Oil being the strongest and most candy-like.

The packaging. It's tacky but I love it. Something about the peach character design gives it a vintage vibe that makes it less childish. Also, the Sweet Peach Creamy Lip Oils have the little guy in the rounded sticker at the top of the lid. And I'm super into the peach ombre. The embossing on both the the Papa Don't Peach Blush and the Highlighting Palette are fun albeit fleeting. The powder products also come in a magnetized tin. Do beware the tins though. They're sturdier than cardboard but the lid of my Highlighting Palette didn't come properly attached.

Too Faced Papa Don't Peach Blush ($38 CAD)

This one's from the Too Faced archives. The Papa Don't Peach Blush is actually a re-release from the discontinued Brightening Blush line. The shade is a peachy bronze tone with a slight frosty shimmer. It's slightly more neutral than that of the blush included in the Sweet Peach Glow Peach-Infused Highlighting Palette. It's fairly natural and can be built up to a bolder pop of colour if you so please.

Too Faced Papa Don't Peach Blush vs. Too Faced Sweet Peach Glow Peach-Infused Highlighting Palette

Papa Don't Peach + Too Faced Sweet Peach Glow Peach-Infused Highlighting Palette (Highlight + Bronzer)

Too Faced Sweet Peach Glow Peach-Infused Highlighting Palette ($52 CAD)

At a glance, it's gorgeous. The highlight is nice - a soft glow with slight shimmer in the perfect white, pinky peach tone. The blush is very similar to Papa Don't Peach, though slightly less soft in texture and more peachy/orange/pink in colour. Where Too Faced missed the mark the bronzer. It's alright but the texture of the powder makes it difficult to pick up with a brush and the pigmentation isn't up to par with the likes of the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzers.

Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Lip Oil in Peach Tease Swatch

Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Lip Oil in Peach Please Swatch

Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Lip Oil in Tickle Me Peach Swatch

Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Lip Oil ($24 CAD) in Peach Tease, Peach Please and Tickle Me Peach

I'm always down to try a new lip oil. These ones lean more towards being a pigmented lip gloss than just an oil. In one word.. they're JUICY. Juicy, peachy colours and a kick of hydration too. They're not sticky and don't well up in fine lines like some glosses. However, the Sweet Peach Creamy Lip Oils have a sheer to medium pigment to them unlike most uncoloured lip oils. They're comfortable on the lips and last about 2-3 hours, leaving a slight peachy stain. It's what I wish all glosses were. The Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Lip Oils are available in 8 shades - Peach Fuzz, Papa Don't Peach, Peach Side, Pure Peach, Peach Please, Poppin Peach, Peach Tease and Tickle-Me-Peach.

Overall, I'm into the Too Faced Sweet Peach Creamy Lip Oils, Papa Don't Peach Blush and maybe the palette if I ignore the bronzer. If you're into peach tones and peach scents, you'll be peachy keen for this collection!

Are you a peach person? Have you picked anything up from the Too Faced Sweet Peach Collection yet?

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During the holiday season, I was treated to some very generous gift cards to spend at Shoppers Drug Mart BeautyBoutique.ca

Beauty Boutique by Shoppers Drug Mart is an online beauty destination for makeup, skincare, and fragrances. It's comparable to Sephora with some differences:

Beauty Boutique carries brands that are available at Sephora - to name a few: Urban Decay, Guerlain, Dior, Smashbox
Beauty Boutique carries brands that are not available at Sephora - to name a few: Chanel (soon), ArtDeco, Paul & Joe
Sephora carries brands that are not available at Beauty Boutique - to name a few: Make Up For Ever, NARS, Hourglass
Beauty Boutique offers 3 small samples (mostly skincare/fragrance) with each order
Beauty Boutique has free shipping with orders of $50+
You can use and earn Optimum Points at the Beauty Boutique, a program which is bounds better than the Sephora rewards program. For every purchase, earn points that are redeemable for an actual dollar value of product on almost anything sold at Shoppers Drug Mart (beauty obviously, groceries, tech, etc.) There are also offers and events where you can earn 10x/15x/20x the points

Shipping. I made my order on the 22nd of December, got tracking info on the 23rd and received everything in the afternoon of the 23rd. Shipping was with Canada Post and impressively quick, especially so close to Christmas.

Packaging. It was quite lovely actually. My order came in standard small cardboard boxes but contained in the box were these adorable blue and white boxes which I'll definitely be repurposing. Everything was packed with care and lots of air bags to prevent the products from shifting around. Each of the samples were placed into little baggies.

So onto the fun stuff. Here's what I picked up:

Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder in Natural Brunettes ($62 CAD) - this is a cult beauty product, so I thought... why not?
Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Brightening Toner ($37 CAD) - by recommendation from Zubie, as she noted that this was a little stronger than the Pixi Glow Tonic for radiance and exfoliation.
Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in 06 Rosewood Shimmer ($20 CAD) - another cult beauty product and I've been wearing sheerer lip colours lately so this was perfect
Dermablend Professional Smooth Liquid Camo in 30 Camel ($42 CAD) - another Zubie thing, this stuff looks AMAZING on her skin... so I had to try it for myself.
Skin Republic Brightening Vitamin C Face Mask ($8 CAD) - I had $200 to spend, so this was the last thing that I picked up to clear out my balance.
Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation in 53 Beige Clair ($30 CAD) - yet another very popular beauty product among bloggers. It's kind of pricey for a "drugstore" brand, so the gift card really helped!
Samples: Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream x 2, Shisedo ULTIMUNE Power Infusing Concentrate 3-Step, NUXE Correcting Cream, Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation & Concealer, Chloe Love Story EDP

Have you tried any of the products that I picked up? What do you think of BeautyBoutique.ca?

Gift card provided for consideration. I had free reign to select any product of my choosing!

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GIFT GUIDE: Beauty for Him

Sephora Collection Holiday Palettes

SEPHORA COLLECTION the Delicate Palette ($13 CAD)

SEPHORA COLLECTION the Romantic Palette ($15 CAD)

SEPHORA COLLECTION the Enchanting Palette ($20 CAD)

SEPHORA COLLECTION the Graceful Palette ($30 CAD)

SEPHORA COLLECTION the Surprising Palette ($45 CAD)

UNBOXING: November Loveabox

GIFT GUIDE: The Beauty Beginner

GIFT GUIDE: The Misc Bits

NYX Bright Idea Illuminating Sticks

GIFT GUIDE: The Skincare Addict

glo Minerals Pressed Base in Golden Medium

GIFT GUIDE: DIY Spa Night

GIFT GUIDE: The Eco Chic

Mary Kay Pure Dimensions Eye Palettes in Moroccan Dunes, Paris Starlight and Maui Gardens

GIFT GUIDE: Stocking Stuffers & Ornaments Under $35

What's On My Face #9 - The Holiday Look

Sephora Haul 2016

Baby It's GOLD Outside

16 Beauty Favourites of 2016

16 Best Blog Posts of 2016

You are '16, going on '17

PEACHY KEEN for the Too Faced Sweet Peach Collection

HAUL: BeautyBoutique.ca