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

ALL ABOUT THAT BASE . GLOWING SKIN

This season the runways were riddled with fresh-faced beauties rocking luminous skin, barely-there makeup, man-made freckles, and slicked back hair. I fell especially hard for the makeup looks seen on the models in the Erin Fetherson, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Donna Karan runway shows – each model looked ethereal, angelic, and naïve with a hint of sophistication. 

I've always admired those who are able to rock the minimal makeup look on a daily basis – it says a lot about a persons confidence and priorities. And at the age of 25, I finally feel that my skin has an even texture and tone, and remains blemish-free long enough that I'm able to ditch the heavy makeup for the majority of my work days. I always begin my foundation routine with a primer and I've currently been loving the Make Up For Ever Skin Equalizer Nourishing Primer[*], which contains hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate, giving an even texture and feel to my skin. Plus, the velvety-rich formula melts into my skin quickly and truly extends the wear of my foundation, which for a luminous look is, of course, the Estée Lauder Double-Wear All-Day Glow BB Moisture Makeup[*]. This BB cream is spectacular in terms of it's wear-time, radiance, and coverage, and never feels heavy or suffocating on my skin. To hide the darkness below my eyes I paint the YSL Touche Éclat in the shape of an inverted triangle and then blend it out with my Real Techniques brush. In order to maintain the glow of this foundation I've decided to skip powder completely, and instead add extra radiance using a cream product, the Make Up For Ever Skin Equalizer Radiance Primer in Blue. By tapping this primer into the inner corners of my eye, as well as the high portions of my face I instantly amp up the luminosity of my look, giving my complexion a fresh-glow. To finish off the look I've lightly filled in my brows using the Victoria Jackson Taupe Brow Pencil, and curled my lashes for a wide-awake look using the Benefit Roller Lash Mascara. Now simply top with a light spritz of the Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix and rest assured that your minimal makeup look will keep glowing all day long. 

How do you achieve glowing skin?

AM¥      XO

BENEFIT COSMETICS . ROLLER LASH MASCARA

At this point I've heard too many good things, and seen too many jaw-dropping photos of curled, lengthened lashes not to purchase and test out the Benefit Roller Lash Mascara ($29) myself. And unless you've been living under a rock, you're probably well aware that this is the latest must have mascara. 

Benefit has always been a wizard when it comes to long, lush lashes. They first got me hooked with BADGal Lash, which I quickly tossed to the side when They're Real came around, and today I forget about every mascara I have previously encountered thanks to the Roller Lash Mascara – except for you, Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash... we can never part ways. Benefit's Roller Lash Mascara was inspired by the curling rollers often used to curl hair, and features their 'Hook and Roll' brush specially designed to grab lashes with the help of strategically placed hooks that guide the lashes upwards to add curl. The formula is quite special as well, featuring a 12-hour setting powder to hold curl in place all day long, as well as inky black pigments, and lash conditioning ingredients provitamin B5 and serine. The end result is perfectly curled, long lashes even without the use of an eyelash curler – and thank god for that, at 6am it feels nearly impossible to curl my lashes without pinching my skin.  Plus the curl truly holds for the entire day, and despite my initial concerns the Roller Lash Mascara still remains easy to remove come bedtime, even when the gentlest cleanser is used. The only thing missing: volume. 

Have you tried Benefit's Roller Lash Mascara?

AM¥     XO

THIRST¥ FOR... SPRING BEAUT¥ WISHLIST

Spring has sprung in Toronto – well sort of. The past two days have been absolutely wonderful weather-wise, but we all know it's bound to get cold again. For now though the smell of spring is in the air, and I've even noticed a few bold Canadians wearing their trench-coats – brrr! But for a beauty fiend like me it's simply caused me to lust for all things spring. Ahem, this wishlist. 

First on the list is the NARS Dual-Intensity Blush in Frenzy ($52), which allows you to amp up the intensity of the colour and finish simply by using a damp brush. To be honest I was really only a fan of this shade and Fervor from the collection – the swatches tell all on Temptalia. Next up is the Marc Jacobs Beauty The Shape Contour And Blush Brush No.15 ($48), seeing as contouring is all the rage for spring. The shape reminds me of the MAC 109 Small Contour Brush, however it appears slightly more dense and precise. And after reading the reviews complimenting the brushes softness I can't wait to feel it myself! Another thing that's all the rage currently is the Benefit Roller Lash Mascara ($29), and you bet I can understand why. Have you seen the reviews? This mascara truly curls and lengthens, giving girls the look of false lashes, leaving me hella jealous. Must. Purchase. 

Since I've only been digging neutrals on my nails recently I've decided that I need the Formula X White Party Set ($27). The four polishes, Dainty (ivory white), Delightful (dove grey), Precious (mint white), Blushing (cotton candy pink) are so fresh and beautiful for spring and fit my newly discovered 'no brights philosophy'. But I can still get a little silly, and the kid in me is dying to own everything from Tony Moly, including this adorable Mini Cherry Lip Balm ($10). He also has a Peach Lip Balm, Panda Brightening Eye Base and Apple Hand Cream – be still my heart. Last on my wishlist: more of the YSL Volupté Tint-In-Oil, specifically in the shades Cherry My Cherrie and Crush Me Orange. The colours are beautiful for spring, and the formulation on these lip products is beyond comfortable. Now if only this weather will stick around so that we can all be in true spring mode.

What's on your wishlist? 

AM¥   XO

GET THE LOOK . ZENDA¥A GRAMM¥ AWARDS LIP

Each and every year I highly anticipate the arrival of award season – although, my excitement has little to do with the award shows themselves and more to do with the televised red carpet events. I merely want to see the stars flaunt their perfectly done hair and makeup, model a custom gown, and fingers crossed, drunkenly tell Ryan Seacrest how much the jewels their adorned in cost. 

But my favourite red carpet event of all: the Grammy Awards – the reason being the stars are able to take more fashion and beauty risks given that this is a celebration of music and creativity. This year Zendaya, a disney starlet/young Miley Cyrus if you will, wowed at the Grammy's with a pixie cut and the most stunning, sensual lip colour I've come across in a while – see her complete look here. To my surprise this lip was so easy to re-create that I may end up wearing it daily until Spring. Simply begin by filling in lips with a dark brown lipstick – here I've used the Bite Beauty Matte Créme Lip Crayon in Cognac. I swear I'll own every shade of this lip crayon by the end of the year – they apply beautifully, feel comfortable on the lips, and provide a pigmented, long-lasting lip colour with a matte finish. To add some dimension, making my lips appear fuller, I've added a touch of Benefit's Watt's Up to the center of the lip before applying a bit of my Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in Amy with my finger. This golden nude lipgloss is packed with gold shimmer and adds a beautiful shine, completing the look. 

What look caught your eye this award season?

AM¥     XO

SEVEN TO TRY . FOR WIDE AWAKE E¥ES

We've all been there. Partied a little two hard and woken up with big black bags under our eyes – not a good look. This weekend I have a few events that will require me to stay up past my typical 10:30pm bed time, so I've compiled a kit of seven products to ensure I look bright-eyed come morning – yes, I'm that much of a grandma.

The first savior for tired eyes is a product that is entirely new to me, and contains dragon's blood... you heard me, dragon's blood. The Rodial Dragon's Blood Eye Masks[*] use bio-cellulose technology and dragon's blood [a natural plant extract] to intensely hydrate and plump the under eye region. Much needed for those of us who forget to guzzle water before bed after a night of drinking. I further hydrate this delicate area with my most-loved Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado – the unique formula applies as a cream but quickly transforms, giving a water-like feel as you massage it in. Now to the makeup, the most compelling way to fake that you've had a full 8 hours of sleep. My go-to for concealing under the eyes is my Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque – I've been using it for years now as it instantly hides dark circles and never creases, which can accentuate my naturally puffy eyes. What a lot of people don't recognize is that it's equally as important to colour correct your eyelids as well, and my mom has got me hooked on Benefit's Lemon-Aid for this. The soft-yellow shade corrects redness that may occur if you 'forgot' to wash your makeup off – I say 'forgot' because I often know that I should wash my face and simply choose sleep instead. The next step is to line the waterline with a nude eye liner – this will make your eyes appear larger without having the stark effect that a white pencil can have. I love the Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Liner in Nude because the creamy formula ensures I'm not tugging at my eyes. I then pop a bit of my Stila Smudge Crayon in Kitten in the inner corners and blend with my ring finger – the pearl champagne shade has an instant brightening effect and can double as a brow bone highlight. The final step is mascara, and lots of it. I received a sample of the Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara[*] in the Double Exposure Palette and have been obsessed with it ever since. The thick brush is similar to Make Up For Ever's Smoky Lash, which was formerly my HG mascara, creating thick bold lashes, without clumps. And if all that fails... well, you're most likely a zombie and should just throw on some sunglasses.

What are your go-to products for the day after a sleepless night?

AM¥     XO

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

FACE OF THE DAY . MINIMALIST FT. A STRONG BROW + LIP

A new year and a new me – transforming into a woman who is going to be bold with her choices at the vanity and beyond. Bold choice number one: matte skin, heavy brows and a dark lip with minimal to no eye makeup. I saw this look on a girl working at an Urban Outfitters on Queen St., always ahead of the trend, and was taken back by how striking it was. Her face was a pale canvas and the only thing the artist had painted was eyebrows and lips – I loved it. But the old me would never dare to try a bold look like that – it was shockingly beautiful and demanded attention. But why not demand attention? So today I step outside of my comfort zone to re-create the look that had me in awe.

There are two key products for this look, a gel brow product and a deep aubergine lip product. Application must be meticulous, which means finding the right tools and beginning with a primed, perfected base. I shaped my brows using an angled brush and a tiny amount of the Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade in Medium Brown. This pomade is heavily pigmented, can easily create defined lines and won’t budge all day, making it my go-to brow product for every look. Once you’re happy with your brow shape, simply give them a quick brush upwards with a brow gel and move onto the lips. For me, a deep aubergine lip can be created using a single product, the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Train Bleu. This is a staple for beauty junkie’s everywhere, and is a favourite of Beyoncé’s – the colour is perfection, housed in a pencil so it’s easy to apply, and it’s long wearing. The final look falls somewhere between 80’s grunge and eclectic chic, setting you apart from the rest.

Products Used: Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, Marc Jacobs Beauty Marvelous Mousse Transformative OilFree Foundation, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit, Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, Urban Decay Original Primer Potion, Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade, Benefit Gimme Brows, No Bleeding Lips Secret Lip Liner, and NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Train Bleu. 

AM¥     XO

BIRCHBOX CANADA . DECEMBER EDIT

When I first got word that Birchbox had answered all of our prayers by shipping to Canada I nearly fell off my chair. Birchbox first began in 2010 and turned the beauty industry on it's head. It was the beginning of a new era – and the trend took off with beauty subscription services popping up everywhere. Yet still I longed for 'the real McCoy'. This box marks the first month of Birchboxes arriving in Canada, and I cannot wait for what is to follow. 

'Get a monthly shipment of beauty products customized for you for just $10 a month, plus $4.95 shipping and handling! You can earn back half the value of your box by reviewing all five of your samples. 50 Birchbox Points equals $5 to spend on your full-size favorites in the Birchbox Shop!' To subscribe click here!

I love when a beauty box has you covered from 'head to toe' – this festive offering includes a facial exfoliator, body cream, leave-in conditioner, cheek/lip tint and an eyeliner. I've used the Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator in the past and absolutely loved it – the micro-crystals buff away dead skin, while papaya enzymes, aloe vera, coconut and panthenol help to reveal a brighter, more hydrated, complexion. Plus it smells amazing. The Harvey Prince Hello Body Cream and Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle Leave-In Conditioner on the other hand are products that I've never even heard of. The body cream features a subtle citrus scent that my mother will love... me, not so much. The leave-in conditioner is much more appealing – it promises to instantly detangle, provide thermal & UV protection, seal cuticle, smooth hair, lock in colour and add shine. The scent is pretty dreamy as well. The final two products are the most exciting and the most visually appealing; the Benefit Lolli Tint and Cynthia Rowley Eyeliner in Black. I've been dreaming of a pink barbie lip, which is now totally possible thanks to Lolli Tint, and every girl could always use another black liner.

It seems as though the majority of boxes were a variation of this one, so hopefully Birchbox mixes it up a bit more come January. If your box was different then mine be sure to leave a link in the comments below.

Will you be signing up for Birchbox?

AM¥     XO

G¥M POSER . WORK OUT BEAUT¥ MUST HAVES

I'm working up the willpower to make the commitment to the gym again – I'm still in that hazy phase where you set your alarm each morning with intent but never make it out of bed on time. This overwhelming feeling of lazyness needs to end and this week I've taken matters into my own hands – and by that I mean I've bought some new workout gear, created the ideal playlist and assembled my very own post-workout beauty army.

THE GEAR

Getting the courage to go to the gym for the first time in a while can be daunting – you want to look the part and fit in seamlessly. When it comes to gym wear I tend to stick with brands like Lululemon, Addidas and Nike – their products last the test of time and keep me stylish as I sweat. Lululemon is my true kryptonite. Just one look at the Cardi All Day ($178) cardigan, made of merino wool and you'll understand why. I've also recently become obsessed with a new water bottle company called bkr – their simplistic design mixed with edgy editorials and vivid inspirations make them a brand to know. Below are a few products that are currently on my gym-wear wishlist.

THE PLAYLIST

Now that we've got the look down pat it's time to focus on the music. I spend days at a time researching what songs to add to my playlists because I hate the feeling of begrudgingly listening to a song I dislike while running – it's completely demotivating. The genre that gets me moving: trap music. I've found so many great trap playlists on 8tracks – a site similar to Spotify that let's you explore pre-made playlists. The playlist from 8tracks on days when I'm too lazy to create my own is called Okay Work, found here. It features strong women like Rihanna and Queen B to empower you as you work out and even offers some profound advice: Do your damn squats, wear red lipstick and tell boys to fuck off.

THE POST-WORKOUT BEAUTY ARMY

Before we get into the powerful little post-workout beauty army that I've assembled let's talk about my pre-workout regime, which consists of simply one detoxifying cleanser, the Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser[*]. It's lovely. The Purifying Cleanser deeply cleanses my skin removing all traces of makeup and even imparts a cooling sensation that feels great pre-workout. Post-workout I like to cleanse my face and neck using a cleansing cloth –  currently the Olay Fresh Effects S'Wipe Out. However I find them slightly irritating. I'm dying to try out the Philosophy Purity Made Simple One Step Cleansing Cloths or the new Korres Greek Yoghurt Cleansing Wipes. Once cleansed I give my face a quick spritz of the Caudalie Beauty Elixir for a boost of radiance before moisturizing with whatever sample has peaked my interest that week. This week I've settled on the  Eve Lom Moisturizer[*] – so decadent, and so spa-worthy ahh.

My post-work makeup regime needs to remain quite simple because personally, I'm likely to be running errands or simply headed home to nap/binge on chocolates. The best errand running foundation I know of remains the Benefit Big Easy – it delivers light coverage, enhancing your skins natural beauty and hides any signs of the workout with it's matte finish. I then simply fill in my brows using the Benefit Gimme Brow, add a few coats of mascara and bring some life to my face with a pretty pink lip courtesy of the adorable Royal Apothic Tinties Lip Butter[*] in Pink. Although another great lip/cheek product to add colour and warm up the complexion are the Josie Maran Coconut Cheek Gelées – I used the shade Pink Escape while vacationing in Miami and absolutely loved the natural effect it delivered. Et voila, ready to face the world.

What keeps you on track before and after the gym?

AM¥     XO

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