During the hotter months, I like to change up my skincare by going for lighter-weight products that are gel-like in consistency and cooling. Introducing the Water Bank Hydro Essence ($51 cad /70mL) that you use in conjunction with the hydro gel (below). This is targeted for those with dryness, dullness, oiliness and uneven texture. It is a very lightweight serum that quickly absorbs into the skin and helps boost hydration and prevent water loss. It contains their Green Mineral Water which is extracted from kale, watercress and beet which brings a refreshing texture and instantly absorbs into the skin. It also does not contain parabens and phthalates. 

  Next, we have the Water Bank Hydro Gel ($50 cad /50mL cad) a cooling, non-oily gel moisturizer that is packed with antioxidants and hyaluronic acid that helps to hydrate the skin and bring moisture back to it without leaving a heavy layer or feeling on the skin after. This is good for people with oily, combo or normal skin and helps to combat dullness and unevenness. It is also created without parabens and phthalates and contains the amazing Green Mineral Water as in the essence above.

A very important thing to note is that it is essential to keep the skin hydrated even when your skin is oily and sweating in the summer months. Do not make the same mistake as I did in my younger years by thinking that because my skin is so oily that I could refrain from applying moisturizer as it would regulate my oil control. That is a big no-no. In fact it does the opposite, stripping and depriving your skin of its required hydration and moisture would actually cause the skin to create even more oils to help regulate moisture and create that protection which is the opposite of what anyone really wants. 

I have been a user of Laneige skincare items for years and continue to include them in my skincare routine! These are must-trys :) 

Until next time, XO - M.

Zoya's Summer 2021 collection, Dreamin' includes 6 polishes in a variety of formulations including cream, metallic and a neon matte. 

Desi - vibrant geranium coral (cream)

Polly - fruit-punch pink (cream)

Darla - Gerber Diasy pink (cream)

Skipper - milky purple neon (dries matte but apply a top coat to make it glossy)

Mateo - cool-toned pacific blue (cream)

Summer - blue mermaid shimmer with green/gold reflect

Of the shades that are sent, the ones I am gravitating to are Desi, Skipper, Mateo and Summer - what about you? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, XO - M.

I was recently sent the Zoya EasyNeon Collection and its fun and vibrant colors make it perfect for summer! It comes with six shades total and the below swatches are one with two coats. The brush for this polish is their z-wide brush which makes application even more effortless! My go-to colors here are Janie, Zelda and Oakley, what are some of your favorites?

Until next time, XO - M.

It will come as no surprise that this past year and a half has been unchartered territory - with that came alot of stress that really took a toll on my skin. For those who know me, know that I was fortunate enough to not have much issues with acne in the past. I would get a few hormonal pimples here and there, but never to the degree that I got it the past year. I had flare-ups all the time, some angry and cystic, and some that left some scarring on my face. It took me a long time to find a skincare routine that worked for keeping my pimples at bay and I thought that it's about time I shared it with you after I have been using these products above for the past few months+. 

To summarize, I have oily combination skin and products I have been trying out varies in price ranges. So if you're interested in reading more about it, then click on the link below.

Swatch shade descriptions:

Mara - nude 

Val - pastel grey blue

Kayleigh - pastel light grey

Ella - coral

Tweedy - true bold pink

Joyce - bright pink

Of the shades, my favourite would be Mara, Kayleigh and Joyce - what about you? 

Until next time, XO - M.

The Spring 2021 OPI Collection has launched which features 12 shades in total - I was sent 6 of them and I thought that I would swatch them for you so you can get a taste of how this collection is! The theme is centered around Hollywood and all their names as usual coordinate with them.

Bee-hind the Scenes - pastel yellow (cream)

Movie Buff - pale pink (cream)

Suzi Calls the Paparazzi - rose-toned pink (cream)

I'm an Extra - pale terracotta (cream)

Hollywood & Vibe - vibrant pastel pink (cream)

Destined to be a Legend - pastel grey blue (cream)

I'm Really an Actress - Red with Red and Gold Glitter (Metallic)

Oh You Sing, Dance, Act and Produce? - cornflower blue (cream)

Rated Pea-G? - rich emerald green (cream)

15 Minutes of Flame - fuchsia (metallic)

Award for Best Nail goes to .... - rich navy blue (cream)

Emmy, have you seen Oscar? - bright red (cream)

The other 6 are much brighter and rich shades to balance out the pastel spring hues of the ones I was sent. There truly is something for everything, and I am sure you will find something that suits you! The formula is solid, I would not expect anything less from OPI - all swatches are done with two coats of polish.

Until next time, XO - M.

Guerlain has recently launched their brand new matte lipsticks that feel luscious and comfortable - KISSKISS TENDER MATTE, available in 15 shades and retails for $48 each (price subject to vary from vendor to vendor). The lipsticks are housed in a chic and sleek glossy black component that has a beautiful weight to it. Everything from the formulation to the packaging screams luxury and I LOVEEEE it!! 

Below are the three shades that I have received and have swatched both on the arm and on my lips for you to see how they are. 

Of the three shades sent, my favorite would have to be 775 a true red followed by 940, the cherry red which is a shade darker. These lipsticks truly glide on effortlessly and they are all comfortable on the lip, non-drying, and is pigmented - one swipe is all it took!

What are your thoughts on these lippies? I already checked the Sephora site and some shades are already sold out, so really go and buy yourself at least one .. or MORE to try out!

Until next time, XO - M.

I've been using Quo Cosmetics since I was first wearing makeup, I still remember my first purchase from this brand, it was a cream bronzer, blush and highlight palette and I loved it so much. Fast forward now to 2020, they have relaunched their entire collection, repackaged it and reformulated it as well. I was recently sent their collection to try out and since it's been a hot minute from my last makeup tutorial I thought why not take the opportunity now! I have these beauties swatched below and I will also list out what products I've used to create the looks below.

Here is a classic before and after shot of my face - left, super tired panda circle eyed mom and right, my "effortless" clean-ed up look! To create this, I used the:

- Quo - Brow Defining Gel 

- Quo - Sheer Lip Paint (Poised)

- Quo - Pump Up The Volume Maxi-Volume (Black) 

- Quo - Golden Glow Primer 

- Quo - Skin Perfector (Golden Hour)

- Quo - Blush (Rose Water)

- Quo - Featherweight Cream Blush (Angelic)

- Quo - Cosmic Cream Shadow (Dark Matter)

- Quo - Liquid Precision Marker (Jet Black)

The only product that I used that isn't Quo is the foundation, concealer, lashes and Brow pencil (as one wasn't provided)

Below are the face and eye products that were used to create the look as well. The liquid liner is black and opaque, pigmented and can do a thin or thick line equally. The Cosmic Cream Shadow blends out like a dream and stays put all day and also layers wtihout getting caught and patchy. The Skin perfector powder is a beautiful diffused highlighter and the Golden Glow Primer is DEWY. It is like a liquid highlight so use with caution, I would not just use this directly on its own as a primer as you will end up looking like edward cullen when the sun hits - haha! I actually mixed this with my foundation and it was perfect! Lastly, the Blushes are buttery and pigmented as you can see the swatches are only one swipe. 

I decided to include swatches fo the three lipsticks for you below (oh and yes I did go darker, say goodbye to the blonde balayage hair). I used a lipbalm under the lipstick to give it a bit of shine and I really have to say its beautiful. You can see how truly pigmented they are and it only took one swipe.

Which products are you looking forward to? Have you tried anything from Quo yet? 

Until next time, XO - M.

I was sent the Transitional 2020 collection from Zoya to swatch recently and if you know me well, this is right up my alley, purples... lilacs.. pinks.. my favorite! The collection is called Naturel 4 and I have swatched all six of them below for you, which one is your favorite shade? 

Evelyn - a cool soft pastel pink in a cream finish

Cami - a pale mauve pink with a cream finish

Barrett - taupe violet cream

Vivian - dusty grape cream

Adeline - deep fig eggplant purple cream

Marlowe - a duochrome rose-gold finish with and a jewel-toned blue base 

My favorite shade in this collection would be Adeline (I've been wearing it daily) and Barrett.

Until next time, XO - M.

Every Christmas, I always love to keep my eye out on the brow value sets from Benefit Cosmetics and this year the Magnificent Brow Show that is available for purchase at Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora and TSC.ca. It comes in 4 shades (2 - Blonde, 3 - Light Brown, 4 - Medium Brown and 5- Deep Brown), it also contains 5 full sized items and retails for $66 (combined value of $160). This is such an incredible deal and you best get a hold of it if you're smart!

Attached below is a photo of the before and after of what my brows look like when I use the Benefit Good Proof Brow Pencil. That is my go-to favorite one that I've been using for a very long time and continue to repurchase. I love the triangle tip that goes from thick to thin so you can angle it how you wish to fill in the bulk of the brow and then use the thin tip to draw in the individual brow hairs. I then like to take the 24-HR Brow Setter to set the brow hairs and the small brush helps to get the smallest hairs and set them into place without giving it a crunchy texture afterwards. On days I am lazy, and just going for a natural look, I will only use the Gimme Brow that is a tinted brow gel and just run that through my brow hairs to fluff them out, give it some color and illusion of thickness and I'm ready to go!

 

Below is the list of all 5 brow products that come in the set - it is a great set that is perfect for anyone who wants to test out what brow products work for them and which formulation they want to work with, whether it be a gel/pomade formula, a thin tip pencil or the triangle angular one I spoke about above. Lastly, the two brow gels also let you see which one you gravitate towards, a small tinted one or the bigger traditional brush.