NEW SITE | WWW.BRATTYB.COM

Hello Beauties! 

I've left you in the dark for way too long! I apologize! When I finished writing back in April I had plans of leaving you with an exit note detailing my plans for an new, and more authentic site. Unfortunately, as with most things when it comes to me, I let it go for too long and then figured that it would be best to simply announce the new site once it was ready. And that day is finally here! 

Welcome www.brattyb.com, my new online persona, per se. I have felt disconnected from The Pretty Vain for quite some time now and have hopes that this new identity will revive my passion for writing. With it comes a whole new side of my life including style posts, playlists, as well as personal writings. And of course I could never forget my favourite topic: beauty. 

I hope that you'll join me on this new journey!
And don't forget to follow my new social media links!!

Twitter: @yungbrattyb

Instagram: @amymckissock

Pinterest: @thebrattyb

Tumblr: yungbrattyb.tumblr.com

Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/yungbrattyb

Finally, I wanted to thank you all for always being supportive of my growth and change, and giving me a wonderful sense of community. I have so much love for all of you! Please keep in touch! xo

AMY,     XO

SEPHORA VIB SALE WISHLIST

There have been rumblings that the bi-annual Sephora VIB Event, in which VIB Rouge members get 15% off their purchase, will be taking place next weekend. As such I found it fitting to create a wishlist this weekend to help prep for the event. Here are a few of the products I'll be searching for...

1. Maison Martin Margiela | Replica Lazy Sunday Morning ($115) – It's become tradition to purchase a fragrance during this sale given the savings, and this year it's the Lazy Sunday Morning perfume topping my list. This fragrance features notes of pear, orange blossom flower, white musk, and patchouli oil – think soft skin and bed linens. It's equally warm, sensual, and calming – my ideal scent.

2. Make Up For Ever Face & Body Liquid Makeup ($46) –  I've gone months without this foundation in my collection due to an overwhelming amount of foundations. I've since purged the stash, but my need to re-purchase the Make Up For Ever Face & Body Liquid Makeup is still imminent. The water-based gel formula gives this foundation an ultra-light feel without compromising coverage, making it ideal for spring/summer wear. Plus the formula is waterproof.

3. boscia Make Up-Break Up Cleansing Oil ($35) – I've long wanted to take on a completely oil-based skincare regime, and in my search for a new cleansing oil was reminded of how fantastic the Make Up-Break Up Cleansing Oil is. The oil quickly transforms into a milky cleanser that easily removes even the most stubborn makeup, while providing a refreshing feel. This is a product that I cannot wait to be re-united with.

4. Stila Convertible Cheek Colour in Lillium ($33) – Every time I leave Sephora without purchasing this blush I die inside a little bit more – primarily because of it's association to the Olsens. Lillium has been on my wishlist since I first discovered that it was a  go-to for the twins when they wanted a light flush and nude lip. Why it's taken me so long to purchase... one will never know.   

5. NARS Dual Intensity Blush in Fervor ($52) – I've spoken about my need for these blushes in the past as they allow you to amp up the intensity of the colour and finish with the addition of water. I absolutely love multi-purpose products such as this one, and Fervor is by far the most stunning duo from the line. You can't deny the need for this shimming pink and deep copper rose duo. 

6. Clinique Chubby Sticks Sculpt & Highlight ($24 each) – After seeing a Clinique rep demo these in Sephora the other weekend I knew that I needed to own them. Never has contouring and highlighting seemed so simple. Simply draw on the appropriate areas of your face and blend with a damp beauty blender. Et voila a perfectly chiseled canvas!!

7. Tony Moly Pocket Bunny Moist Mist ($18) – If I'm being honest I have no need for this product aside from it's adorable packaging, but do I really need a better reason? 

8. Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins ($51) – This night creams promises to help skin wake up looking more radiant and refreshed thanks to it's mineral-rich formula. Created with a system of time-released resurfacers, minerals, moisture-rich replenishers and vitamins C, E and H to slough away dead skin while you sleep. Sounds rather promising!!

What's on your wishlist?

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AM¥     XO

MONTHL¥ FAVOURITES . MARCH EDITION

Each month I encounter a handful of products that I cannot seem to get enough of. Ultimately by the end of the month these products are viewed as 'mandatory' and would inflict some serious mental damage if they went missing.

MAKEUP

I've slowly started to come out of my makeup funk this month (must be the weather), and have recently been experimenting with neutral lips, bold eyes, and ever-glowing skin. Since I'm still reppin' that vampire complexion the Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer for Radiance in Blue ($43) has kept my skin radiant and on point all month long. I've used this primer two ways: a) all over my skin for an angelic, Dita Von Teese inspired complexion, and b) as a spot highlighter to bring radiance to the high points of my face – both of which reveal luminous results. For eyes I've been introduced to two basics this month that in my opinion no woman should ever go without: the new Roller Lash Mascara by Benefit ($29) and the Brow Gel by Eyeko ($24). The Roller Lash Mascara creates lashes for days that truly form, and hold the curl, while the Eyeko Brow Gel tames brows of any shade with ease. For lips I've been rotating between two lippies: the YSL Volupté Tint-In-Oil in Oh My Gold ($35) and Bite Beauty's Matte Créme Lip Pencil in Glacé ($28). Both shades are rather neutral, however each offers infinitely different results. Glacé creates a Kylie Jenner inspired lip with a matte finish, while Oh My Gold adds a beautiful sheen and provides a comfortable texture and feel. Finally for colour, the Essie Nail Polish in Garden Variety ($9), a new shade for Spring that has yet to leave my toes! This is a great pop of colour for the girl constantly in black and white.      

MISC.

Last month I spoke of my love for the Algenist Complete Renewal Eye Balm ($81), and that love has yet to fade away. This eye balm uses Alguronic Acid to fight visible signs of aging, while hydrating and soothing the eye area to reduce puffiness and dark circles. I was also introduced to the Phyto Phytodéfrisant Botanical Straightening Balm ($29), a straight-haired girls saviour. This heat-activated balm is formulated with ferula, horseradish and sage, which hydrates, softens and protects unruly hair, prepping it for a smooth, manageable look. My hair instantly looks and feels more polished and  extends my style for days, minimizing my need to wash and refresh my hair. Plus, the straightening effects increase with extended use. 

What products were you obsessed with this month?

AM¥      XO

5 THINGS . THE NEW & NOW FROM P&G BEAUT¥

Drugstore beauty brands have truly brought their A-game this Spring season, in both colour and skincare – and that is especially true for one of the biggest drugstore umbrella brands, Proctor & Gamble. This Spring their line-up of beauty giants including Olay, Covergirl, and Pantene, to name a few, have released luxury-inspired products at a fraction of the cost.     

I've long dreamt of the day that I could walk into a drugstore and purchase a hydrating overnight mask, and thanks to Olay's launch of the Regenerist Luminous Overnight Mask that day has finally arrived. It should come as no surprise that moisturizing masks are my thing, especially when in gel form, and the Regenerist Luminous Overnight Mask ranks high on my 'you need to own this or you'll die' scale. The hydrating gel is formulated with vitamin B3, Mulberry extract, and humectants, which are absorbed quickly and work late into the evening to produce a glowing, hydrated complexion come morning. Olay's Regenerist Luminous line also makes room for the brands first Daily Facial Oil, a blend of nine naturally-sourced oils that condition and protect the skin to reveal a luminous complexion. The oil has a much thinner consistency than those currently occupying my vanity, however it will be a go-to this summer when I'm in need of a lightly moisturizing, fast absorbing oil – plus the orange scent is divine.  

Spring also places a heavy focus on bright, airy makeup, and perfectly tamed, never frizzy hair, which can be a tough achievement when you're on a budget. However, the latest releases from Covergirl and Pantene make looking and feeling good this season simple and totally affordable. Covergirl's Global Creative Design Director Pat McGrath developed an updated colour palette of 36 ultra-pigmented shades, dubbed the Colorlicious Lipsticks, curated into four colour families making it easy to find the perfect colour for every occasion. My top pick for Spring: Temptress Rose, a beautiful and flirty, every day medium pink shade – which also pairs beautifully with the white liner trend. Finally, to tame and control unruly hair there is the new Dry Defy line by Pantene, which features a shampoo, conditioner, and velvet hair creme. When used together in a routine this line keeps my hair intensely hydrated and frizz-free, boasting a glistening sheen. However the line is quite brilliant alone as well – the Velvet Creme transforms from creme to water when worked between the hands, then provides a micro-seal to the hair when applied, which prevents loss of future moisture. This Spring/Summer humidity and dryness are no match for this new army of drugstore products.  

Have you seen these new releases in store? 

AM¥     XO

[*]The items featured in this post have been sent to THE PRETT¥ VAIN for purpose of review. All views expressed reflect my own opinion on the product/service. For additional information please see the Disclaimer.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...

For the past few weeks I've had Heems' latest album Eat, Pray, Thug on repeat – an album he has described as 'post-911 dystopian brown man rap'. The theme and horror of 911 is heavy in the album with songs such as 'Patriotic Act', 'Al Q8a' and 'Flag-Shopping' depicting what life was like for a Sikh, Muslim, Hindu and basically any brown person post-911. The line "And we yelled 'I'm just like you' as quietly and calmly as we could / So as not to raise too much attention and be labelled as a trouble maker" reminds one of the racial and religious struggles of that time. Heems also paints a picture of going flag shopping to show patriotism and to be displayed as a symbol showing his fellow Americans: 'I am not Osama'. In commemoration of Heems' struggle, and to celebrate the brilliant complex nature of this album I present you with the American Flag accent nail. 

To recreate this design simply paint all nails with two thin coats of a red polish. Once this base has dried create a small rectangular box in the left corner of your ring finger with blue polish, allow this section to dry completely. To complete the flag you'll need a striping tool, dotting tool and a white polish. Create thin vertical striples along the ring finger with the stripping tool, the switch to the dotting tool to create dots within the blue rectangle to mimic stars. Finally seal in the design with a fast-drying topcoat such as the Seche Vite Fast-Drying Top Coat. 

Would you wear patriotic nail art?

AM¥     XO