For my weekly get to know me this week, I will be answering these questions from the Sunshine Blogger award. I was nominated by Hannah from Floraful. I won't be tagging anyone but if you do want to participant, let me know and I will link you below.


Here are my 11 questions for you guys:

1. What type of camera do you use for your blog photos?

I use my IPhone 6S Plus. It's not the best solution but it's been working. At some point, I would like to upgrade my photography. 

2. What is your favorite fall beverage?

Hot Chocolate. Coffee Crisp Nestle Hot Chocolate to be exact. Costco, you better have some this year.

3. Which beauty products can you absolutely not leave the house without on your face?

Brows, and liner and some sort of concealer. I really hate my dark circles, and my brows are very sparse.

4. If you could go back and fix one of your biggest blogging mistakes, what would that be?

I don't think I've made any big blogging mistakes. I'm not really new to blogging and I've been doing it or 8+ years. This is a new blog and I'm learning more and more about increasing your traffic and SEO.

5. How do you manage blogging on top of your other life obligations?

The key to me blogging is keeping ahead of schedule. I like to have at least 2-3 posts pre-scheduled and I continue to add posts throughout the week. If I'm ahead, I don't feel pressured or overwhelmed to create content.

Maybelline is one of those brands that I continually check out at the drugstore. They release items that catch my eye, and make me want to try them. The first item that really surprised me was the Master Bronze palette*. I'm fair skinned and I have to be careful with bronzer because I don't want my face to look to warm and muddy. I wasn't expecting much from the palette but I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I mix the first two bronzer shades and use a fluffy brush to apply to my face. It looks really pretty and natural on my skin. The highlighter is a light champagne and REALLY good. I find myself pulling this palette out so that I can wear the highlighter. It stays all day and looks very vibrant and pretty on my cheekbones. I added  the Master Blush palette and the Blush/Bronzer/Highligher Trio to my wishlist because I was so impressed.

Monthly Beauty Favorites

September Lifestyle Favorite

September is almost over, and I'm so excited for fall to come. It's my favorite season of the year, and I have a two week vacation coming up. We'll be going back to our hometown, and I get to relax for two whole weeks! I plan to get alot of reading and blogging done. I wanted to share with you some of my favorite lifestyle items that I've been loving. I'm still testing out the waters on this blog, and I thought it would be a nice addition.

The first item I wanted to share was my Kobo Aura One ereader. I've read exclusively on an ereader for a few year now, and it works great for me. I don't have alot of space for books and an ereader gives me the ability to have hundreds and hundreds of books available to me. This reader has a big screen, it has a 7.8 inch screen and I can bring it in the bath and not worry about it getting wet since it is waterproof. The comfort light makes reading in the day or night very easy and it doesn't strain my eyes.

Tarte Blush Bazaar Palette (Holiday 2017)

Tarte usually releases these double-sided blush palettes for the holiday season. Doesn't it seem like brands have been releasing their holiday collections earlier and earlier as the years go buy? Last year, I didn't pick up Tarte Blush palette and regretted it. I knew this year, I would pick one up as soon as it released at Sephora.

This limited edition palette comes with 8 blushes and 2 highlighters. It ranges from warm to cool tones and has pretty much every blush shade I will ever need. It is also great to travel with. The palette came with a plastic sheet in the middle to cover both sides of the blushes. I removed it from the palette, but kept it for travel. You also have both matte and micro shimmer finishes.

Tarte is a brand that I'm very loyal to, and I love their blushes. They wear very well on my skin and I don't find them too pigmented where I'm afraid to touch the brush to my cheek. These clay blushes are packed tightly and I use a stiffer brush to pick them up. This palette was no different from what I normally expect from a Tarte blush. The highlighters also work much better with a stiffer brush. The shades are really gorgeous on the skin.

The packaging is really pretty, and comes in the familiar Tarte Gold packaging. It does feel more plastic-like but not cheap feeling. It still is weighty. It's clearly not the same quality as usual, but I have no complaints. The value that you get in this palette for 10 blushes and highlighters is great.

Purchase Here*

*Post contains affiliate links.

Favorite high-end makeup brand?

My favorite high-end makeup brand would have to be Tarte Cosmetics. I'm always drawn to Tarte eyeshadow palettes and blush palettes. Tarte Shape Tape is great too. I do wish it was sold in Sephora though. If I just need one item, I would prefer to go in store to pick it up rather than pay shipping fees.

Favorite online brands?

My absolute favorite online brand recently has been Colourpop. Their pressed eyeshadow palettes have really blown me away and I will continue to buy them. Their Ultra Satin lips are very comfortable to wear. I also want to try they concealers. Morphe Brushes is also a favorite. When I use their eyeshadow palettes there's no denying the foiled shadows are great.

Do you wear false lashes?

Yes, I do wear false lashes. I don't wear them every day but if I feel like putting them on and I have the time in the morning, I will. I don't usually wear them on weekend, because I like to nap with my son.

Favorite Drugstore Brand at the moment?

I've been pretty impressed with Maybelline. I love their mascaras and I recently tried their bronze palette and was surprised by how much I liked it. I want to get the blush palette next. They've been releasing some great products recently.

What beauty product do I buy alot of?

Palettes... I love eyeshadow and blush palettes. I feel like you get a great value when you buy them in palette form. I would say my top product would be eyeshadow. I have a hard time saying no to eyeshadow palettes that catch my eye.

What is on top of your current wishlist?

The Tarte Limited Edition Buried Treasure is on my wishlist. It looks so pretty, and I love the burgundy shades. I'm hoping it will come to in store at Sephora soon.

Studio Pro Total Coverage Concealer

The BH Cosmetics Studio Pro Total Coverage Concealer is one of my favorite concealers. Concealer can not be missed in my daily makeup routine, because I have pretty dark circles that I don't like to see. My 3 year old that still wakes up EVERY SINGLE NIGHT is to blame for that one, but concealer does the trick. I alternate between the B H concealer and the Tarte Shape Tape because both are really good in my opinion. The BH concealer is very affordable and comes in 17 shades and 4 color correctors.

This concealer is very creamy, not too thick and blends very well. It does remind me of the Tarte Shape Tape. I have used both a sponge or brush to blend it out and had no issues. It has very high coverage which I appreciate.  I use shade 101 and the Pink Corrector and using both layered together doesn't feel too thick or cakey. I always set my under eye and have no creasing with this concealer.


The applicator is not my favorite but it does the job. I would have much preferred a doe foot applicator to make it easier to blend on to my under eye. Maybe they will eventually change the packaging? The first tube I received was faulty, when I opened the cap, the pressure would squirt some of the product out. However, I have since repurchased a new tube and this did not happen. Overall, when it came time to repurchase. I didn't hesitate because B H Cosmetics has affordable international shipping rates and the concealer was 5.99$. Also, I received a second free with their Bogo sale that was going on at the time.

If you haven't tried BH Cosmetics, they are definitely work checking out. I've mostly has good experiences with their products. A few misses, but mostly hits.

Purchase here*



*This post contains affiliate links.

Maison Jacynthe

Maison Jacynthe is a Canadian brand that is 100% Natural, Cruelty Free and Vegan. They have a wide range of products from makeup to nail polish: perfume, soaps, skincare and lip balms. I'm fairly new to this brand, and was happy to be provided three products to review. Both the blush and highlighter are single pans that can put into a magnetic palette or you can purchase an interchangeable case.

The light weight foundation comes in 5 shades and is easy to apply. It has a natural finish on the skin, leaving a dewy look. It definitely has a light coverage and applies best with a brush. I didn't like using a sponge, as the sponge soaked up alot of the product. It worked well with my dry skin. The one issue that I have with this foundation is the scent. If you're like me and are very sensitive to smells, this one might bother you. I struggled with it the first time I applied it.

Both the blush and highlighter come in single pans and are quite large. The highlighter is a standout product for me and I would love to try more of the shades. It has a light golden reflect and it's very pretty on the skin. I was shocked by how much I loved it. It's great for an every day highlighter- not too intense and not too natural. The blush was too dark for my skin tone but I did use it very sparingly and it blended very well. I think a lighter shade would be great. Both the highlighter and blush have that same scent but it's not as strong as the foundation.

Overall, I enjoyed trying these products and the highlighter was my favorite of the three. I would like to explore the brand more. If you're looking for a natural, cruelty free, vegan line- check them out.

* This post was not sponsored by the brand. Products were received for free inconsideration for review*

Morphe 35F

Isn't this palette gorgeous? As soon as I started thinking about fall and eyeshadows, I knew I wanted to pull this palette out of my collection. It's not too warm compared to alot of newer palettes I've been playing around with lately. The 35F has 28 shimmer shades and 7 matte shades. I really like the layout of this palette because the matte shades are condensed and put together in the last row. I prefer Morphe shimmer shadows, and this doesn't give me 4 matte shades that are almost the same in a 35 pan palette. The shimmer shades have a good variety of colors. You have green, copper, purple and cranberry shades. It allows me to stick to my neutral shades or step out of the box and try something new.

Just Peachy by Too Faced

When I first saw this palette, I really liked the colours but was hesitant because Too Face likes to scent their products and I'm very sensitive to smells. The Sweet Peach palette was a "no go" for me because when I opened it up in the morning to do my makeup, it was too heavily scented. I wouldn't want to use the palette. I went to Sephora and smelled the Just Peachy palette and it didn't seem to bother me. Yes, it's scented and I notice it right away when I open the palette but it's not as strong.

The packaging is well thought out. Too Faced did an amazing job. I think it's one of the most gorgeous palettes I own. The clasps on the front are little peaches, how cute! The pan sizes are nice, and it has a mirror. The formula is very nice. The powders blend very well, and it doesn't have a lot of kickup. This palette has 12 shades, all of them matte except the shade Peach Sangria which is more of a satin shade. I feel like each shade stands out on it own. They don't seem to resemble each other much, they each have their own undertone.

I know I said before that I don't like all matte palettes, and that's generally true but this palette makes me step out of my comfort zone. I like the range of colours and putting looks together has been easy for me. It's not just another all brown matte palette. If you're like me and struggle with all matte palettes, this might be a good one for you too.

Too Faced Just Peachy Palette

I'm giving away the Pur Cosmetics Soiree Diaries Palette. Thank you to all those who visit my blog.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

L'Oreal Lash Paradise and Essence Volume Stylist

When it comes to mascara it takes a lot for me to be impressed. My lashes are short, don't curl easily and tend to stick straight down. I know if I want length and volume, I should just put on lashes. However, there are days that I'm not able to apply them and these two mascara's have been my "go to" lately. Both are great affordable drugstore mascara's but they work differently for me.

L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise

Urban Decay Naked Palette, Becca Afterglow, Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess

If I'm in a hurry, I like to grab products that I know will work. These three products are very well loved in my collection. The Urban Decay Naked palette is one of my favorite neutral eyeshadow palettes. I love that I can throw Naked and/or Buck in the crease, a shimmer shade on my lid and I'm done. This is a simple look that will still look put together and very nice. I know we like to have alot of mattes in a palette to create a gradient look on the eye but sometimes less is more. I like that I don't have that many matte option in this palette, I don't have to think too much if i'm in a hurry.This palette is a cult classic and for good reason. I use this palette often, and it will remain a favorite in my collection.

The Becca Afterglow palette has 2 shimmering skin perfectors and 2 mineral blushes. This was a limited edition palette and I wish it was not. Moonstone is the lightest highlighter and I do love it. It works very well with my fair skin, and I would love to get a full sized Moonstone at some point. Rose Gold and Topaz are too dark but I like to use them as eyeshadow toppers. Both the mineral blushes (Wild Honey and Flowerchild) are so pretty on the skin. They last very well and blend beautifully. This is a small palette and great for travel.

The Estee Edit bronzer in Bronze Goddess is a beautiful bronzer that I love to use most days. It's a matte bronzer that I can apply to my face and not worry about looking muddy or it being too pigmented. I can apply it easily and enjoy the finished look. I believe the Estee Edit line has been discontinued but I really do like this bronzer.

These are 3 products that I go to very frequently because I know what I will be getting when I use them. As you can see, I love palettes. Eyeshadow palette, face palettes... I'm drawn to a palette. If you've used any of these, do you love them as much as I do?

Kat Von D Shade and Light Eye Palette

Manic Panic Dreamtone

False Lashes Tips and Tricks

Have you thought about lashes but don't know where to start? Have you tried them and it didn't work? False lashes have a learning curve, and it took me awhile to figure out how to get them on. I have thin, short lashes that love to stick straight down. I love the look of lashes, and wanted to share some of my tips.

Selecting Lashes

If you're starting out with lashes, my first tip would be to find an affordable multi pack of lashes. This will give you a few pairs to practice with, if you trim one pair too short don't worry about it, you have a few more to try. You can find affordable pairs on Amazon (check reviews) that will give you some breathing room. Also, affordable lashes will let you try out different styles. Walmart has multi packs at an affordable price too. Do not buy a thirty dollar pair of lashes to start. It won't be good...You can also pick up some half lashes that would get you going and practicing. I started with half lashes and moved on to full sets soon after. Half lashes will be glued to the outter part of your lashes.

Glue

It was hard for me to figure out what beauty guru's meant by waiting for the glue to get "tacky." I purchased a squeezy tube of glue, and let me tell you- don't start with a squeeze glue. I find a brush tip lash glue to work much better. It's cleaner and you don't have to put as much on the band. It gets tackier much faster and it is easier to work with. I use both House of Lashes and Kiss glue. The House of Lashes is great because it's tacky almost immediately and you don't have to wait so long. I would be impatient and think I wanted long enough, but it was still too slippery and not dried enough. You have to wait for the glue to almost be dry so that it will stick to your lid and you can finish placing the lash.

Trimming

Trimming your lashes takes practice. My eye is pretty rounded and it's hard to see how much to trim. Start slow and trim from the outter portion, never the inner corner. Trim very little at a time, until it looks right. I use a small pair of nail scissors that I keep for lashes. Also, a nail clipper works well too. I keep a pair specifically for my lashes. Nail Clippers are great for lashes with a thicker band.

Maybelline Fit Me Hydrate + Smooth

Maybelline Fit Me Foundations can be purchased in the Matte and Poreless version or the Hydrate and Smooth. I have normal to dry skin and decided on the Hydrate and Smooth formula. The foundation comes in a glass bottle without a pump. I found the consistency to be just right, it wasn't thick and it wasn't too runny. It was easy to blend out. Since it doesn't have a pump, I like to pour foundation on a paddle brush to apply to my skin. It has a light to medium coverage, and builds very well. Once I have it on my face, I use a beauty sponge to blend it out. I really don't like to put makeup on the back of my hands. I always forget to wash it off before going anywhere..

I like the look that this foundation gives me skin. I can see my freckles peaking through and it gives me a nice even base to work with. It's lightweight and feels nice on my skin. As for the wear time , it gets me through my day at work but by the evening it's gone. It's a great day to day foundation, but not something that I would want for a special event. It does have a nice luminous finish. It's a great drugstore foundation for those with dry skin. As we go into the winter months, and my skin gets more drier. I'll keep using this one.

I would like to try the Matte and Poreless with a good moisturizing primer. I'll have to pick it up and see if I like it. Have you tried any of the Fit Me foundations? What did you think?

Makeup Revolution Vice Palette and Urban Decay Naked Heat

Makeup  Revolution Vice Palette and Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette

Sleek Solstice, The Balm's Mary-Lou Manizer, ELF Starlight Glow)

When it comes to highlighters you really need to find one that will work with your skin tone. Many highlighters will look too pigmented on my skin and not give me a "glow within" look but a coloured strip across my cheekbones. I have to be careful with what I'm choosing. These 3 highlighters are great for fair skinned beauty lovers.

Sleek Solstice Palette looks pigmented, but the peach and pink tones work very well on my fair skin. This palette is not for those looking for a "natural" glow, but those looking for an intense highlight. I can still wear it to work, but I know it doesn't look natural. I prefer to use the 3 powder highlighters, the cream highlighter is not one of my favorites. You do have to be careful if you have texture, these highlighter do emphasize any texture on my face. This is an affordable palette from the UK that I purchased through Amazon since I live in Canada.

The Balm's Mary-Lou Manizer 

Mary-Lou Manizer was one of my first highlighters and I still use it alot. I love the "honey hue" of this highlighter. It builds very well, and it's great for a day to day highlight. You can have a subtle glow or build it up for a more intense highlight. I also like to mix this one in with warmer highlighters like Champagne Pop.  I prefer a more white toned highlighters.

ELF Highlighting HD Powder in Starlight Glow

I purchased this off the ELF site and didn't expect too much from it. I haven't liked that many ELF highlighters in the past. This highlighter surpassed my expectations and I'm really happy that I purchased it. It reminds me of the Mary Lou-Manizer but is much more affordable. The powder is soft and blends very well into my skin. If you've tried ELF's baked highlighters, this is completely different and much better.

Kara ES07

The Kara ES07 has a similar color scheme as the Anastasia Beverly Hills Subculture palette. I've been going back and forth with the Subculture palette after all the controversy. Initially, I didn't like the colors and wasn't sure how I would wear them, but I started seeing some beautiful looks that peaked my interest. When alot of influences kept saying the Subculture palette wasn't "beginner friendly" I decided not to pick it up and try the ES07 palette first.

ES07 Swatches

Kara ES07

Washing your makeup brushes is essential but that doesn't mean you have to look forward to it. I know, I really don' t look forward to washing them. Honestly, it's not the washing part that bothers me, it's the waiting for them to dry.

Spot Cleaning

You can spot clean your brushes with a quick makeup brush spray cleaner and swirling the brush on a paper towel. ELF makes an affordable cleaner that I like to bring on vacation. I do like to spot clean my brushes but it doesn't compare to a good thorough cleaning. This will do between washes, but don't think that's all you should do. Deep cleaning will show you how dirty your brushes actually are.

Color switch (Review Here)

A color switch is usually found in a tin-like container and will allow you to swirl your brush on the rough sponge material to remove any leftover shadow from your brushes. If you're not sure what this is, check out my review linked above. Again, this works between deep cleanings but should not replace it.

Tarte Rainforest After Dark Do you have a "go to" travel palette? I do, and it is the Rainforest After Dark palette by Tarte. This palette has every thing I need to complete a look. This palette includes one blush, one bronzer, one highlighter and six eyeshadows. You can easily create a neutral daytime look, or darken it up for a night out. This is the palette I bring, if I'm staying overnight while traveling.  Tarte is one of my favorite brands, my absolute favorite palette from them would be the Tartelette in Bloom. The Rainforest After Dark palette has their amazonian clay formula and and it is drier but I didn't find it any harder to blend. The pigmentation is not the best I've seen, but it does a good job and the gold shade is my favorite.  The blush, bronzer and highlighter work well on my skin. Often, I pull out this palette to use the face products. The CD packaging makes it very easy to travel with, and easy to store. It does have a mirror which is nice. This palette was limited edition, I'm not sure if it's still sold. I love "all in one" palettes and dream of owning the Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette.