MOST REACHED FOR: Mascaras

Ahh Mascara, my favourite cosmetic item. Period. I am always amazed how a person's entire face can change with a squeeze of a lash curler and a swipe of mascara.
I suppose you could call me a mascara junkie, over the years I have tried zillions, but there are a few I just keep reaching for. Best part? Not a single one of them is over $12.

MOST REACHED FOR: BRONZERS AND BLUSH

Blush and Bronzer is one of my favourite products to buy, wear and in general hoard. Over the years I have amassed quite the collection, and so many brands, but these are the ones that have really caught my eye over the others screaming to be used.

MANI MONDAY #4 | Red Carpet Manicure 188 Star Power

This past weeks manicure embraced neon in a big way! I picked this up in the store ages ago thinking it was a bright neon pink, only to find out inside the bottle it is actually a bright neon coral - even better in my books! New to gel polish? Some thoughts...

MOST REACHED FOR : MAKEUP BRUSHES

While I have no problem using the tools we were born with to apply makeup, aka your fingers, I LOVE a good makeup brush. There are just some I find absolutely essential to day to day like. Here's a list of the brushes I find myself reaching for on a daily basis, and which ones I'd be first in line at the store to replace if I'd lost....

WEEKEND EDITION #4 | Sunsets and Subtly

Sometimes I need to reel it in with the makeup. You see I actually really enjoy putting on a little makeup everyday; It's my time. Something about the ability to transform myself a little different each day has such amazing appeal. However, I do need to remind myself sometimes that less is more. Last week I posted my "Weekend Face" and I think I'll make it a thing - one day a week (at least) where I keep the products to what can fit in my hands.

INSTAGRAMMING WEEK #2

After enjoying a few of my favourite bloggers posting a weekly recap of their Instagram pictures, I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon. If you haven't seen last weeks post, check it out here.

MOST REACHED FOR: CONCEALERS

Carrying on with my Most Reached For series is the product we've all reached for at some point - concealer. Whether it is to cover up a spot or two, brighten dark circles or give that extra little coverage some of us need, no makeup bag is complete without one!

Here are my picks for my most used concealers - some hyped and some lessar known. 

MOST REACHED FOR : FOUNDATION

Continuing on with my Most Reached For series, today it is all about getting that flawless face with foundation.

I'll outline my 5 favourites that I keep going back to over and over, and the reasons why I love them.

MOST REACHED FOR: FOUNDATION PRIMERS

I thought I'd start my Most Reached For series off with the products I use first in my makeup routine: Primers. 

I know some people love them, some people don't find the need. Here is my breakdown on 5 that I love, and why there may not be just one perfect primer for you.

MOST REACHED FOR : JEWELLERY

I'm kickstarting a new serious here on Girl Loves Gloss - my most reached for products. I imagine myself updating this series on occasion when my preferences change, but I thought I'd start off with something I truly love, Jewellery. 

You may or may not have picked up on the fact that in my day to day life I am a jewellery designer and metalsmith. Which basically means I play with hammers and fire all day, which seems like quite the jump from a girly girl who loves makeup, don't it?

What it does mean is that I am a bit... err, picky about my jewels and baubles. It needs to sit just right, feel comfortable and be non intrusive in my daily life (hey, I play with power tools after all!) 

Let's take a look at my current favourite list of jewellery, shall we?

MANI MONDAY #3 | Essie Go Ginza

It's Monday folks, you know what that means - Mani Monday!

This week I have been loving my Essie Go Ginza... again (it seems this is getting heavy rotation in my nail basket since I bought it, but I can't help it, it is just too darn pretty!)

WEEKEND EDITION #3 | Haircut and Fuss Free Makeup

This weekend wasn't much of a weekend really for me. As I have mentioned when you work for yourself every day is pretty much a work day. Since I knew I needed to get orders by deadline, I was mostly stuck around the house. The results of this? A fuss free face. Pair that with a much needed hair cut ( it had been 6 months since my last!) and that was all I needed to feel put together!

NUDE LINER | MAC NC15 NW20 vs RIMMEL SCANDALEYES NUDE

DUPE - the word we all know and hope for when a product comes out that strains the ole wallet a little, or becomes famously elusive. I've often heard of it to describe the Rimmel Scandaleyes Nude pencil to the Mac Chromagraphic nc15 nw20 pencil. But is it really a dupe, or is it just similar? 

INSTAGRAMMING #1

I've seen a few other bloggers do a weekly recap of their Instagram photos, and I thought it might be kind of fun to make it a feature here on my blog. Here's what I got up to this week...

THE SKINCARE LINEUP

Up until this year, I truly was a cleanse and moisturize and go kinda girl. But then I had a horrific allergic reaction that left my skin beyond parched, horribly textured and downright nasty looking. A reevaluation of my skincare routine was seriously needed. After many hours scouring the amazing Caroline Hiron's blog BeautyMouth, I managed to come up with a routine that my skin has really responded well to. In fact, my skin looks better than it ever has. Ohhh bold statement, isn't that??

SUMMER SWEAR BYS

It's full swing summer here in Raincouver *cough* I mean Vancouver. We wait patiently for the sun to poke it's head out in this city, but boy oh boy when it does it is so gorgeous round these parts! Of course every year when that yellow orb in the sky does make itself known, it has me reevaluating my summer weather must haves. 

WORTHINESS vs APPEARANCE

Something that has come up many times over the years when I wax on about my love of makeup and more recently skin care is the question, "why do you think you need all that?" and in simple form the answer is always, "I don't need it"

EVERYDAY ESSENTIAL | Benefit's RSVP Creaseless Cream Shadow

You know that effortless shadow you reach for when you just can't be bothered to think up something new? That go to eye makeup you reach for when you are already 10 minutes late and need to get out the door right now? Perhaps you are looking for exactly that to add to your makeup wardrobe....

MONDAY MANI #2 | Maybelline Poolside

I've had my eye out for the perfect shade of pale blue polish for a while now. Something that wasn't too aqua or mint (got those!) and not a juvenile baby blue. When I stumbled across the new limited edition Maybelline Color Show in Poolside, I new I had to have it!

WEEKEND EDITION #2 | Sunday Stars

Since I work for myself, standard weekends aren't really a thing - no day is free from a little work for me (hey, no rest for the wicked right?) But there are a few weekend traditions in the beauty arena that I have picked up and made habit of as of late.

TEN UNDER $10

If you are anything like me, you love a great drugstore beauty find, but find it a bit rare to find something that is not only affordable but also up to snuff when it comes to the quality. 

JUNE BEAUTY FAVOURITES 2013

Seeing as we are already in the first week of July, I thought it was about time I did a little recap about all the goodies I am loving this month! I have found myself reaching for these products over and over this month, and have also discovered some new skincare that has made a world of difference, especially after that nasty allergic reaction I mentioned here.

BASE BASICS | Nars Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

When I talk to my makeup loving friends one of the first gripes of theirs seems to be creasing eyeshadow. Over the years I have tried my hand at many eyeshadow primers and bases, and NARS Pro-Prime has officially trumped them all.

PEER PRESSURE #1

{Left-Righ CW : Diorskin Nude BB Creme, Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Heftiest Hibiscus, Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask, Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfecter in Rose Shimmer,  Stila Convertible Color in Gerbera}

Ooooh that sounds so dramatic doesn't it?? Peer Pressure!? I assure you I am not writing this post about the seriousness of doing things because others say you should, but rather about the influence of other's options when it comes to the beauty world. 

MANI MONDAY #1 | Essie Naughty Nautical

Happy Canada Day Everyone! Whether you are from my home and native land or not, I am sending happy thoughts of stronger beer and maple leafs your way today!

Today marks the start of a new feature - Mani Monday, where I plan on posting what's on my nails that week (if there is something on my nails)