On the Go Makeup Made Easy with Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation

After recently falling in love with the newly revamped Make Up For Ever HD Foundation, I knew the brand had done some great things in terms of formula. So when I heard that the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation was being launched, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. The convenience of a swipe, blend and go stick just seemed too good to be true, so naturally I had to give it a full try and review for you all... #BeautyBloggerExcuses.  

Getting the Glow | Tanning Innovations from Hylamide and St Tropez

There's been some serious innovations going on in the faux glow world as of late. Orange skin and tell tale tanner smell are becoming a thing of the past and we're moving into formulas that develop faster, last longer and look more natural. I for one am always interested in adding a little glow, and there have been two recent additions to my face self tanning routine that stand apart from traditional tanning products.  

Swoon Worthy Products with Pretty Packaging

While we all know it's what's inside that counts, occasionally a beauty product will sweep me off my feet a bit when it comes to their packaging. While some tend to fall for cute and kitschy, others might like bright and campy, I am all about sleek and chic. So here's a handful of products that had me at first glance, but also have amazing quality on the inside (where it really does count the most)

Charlotte Tilbury's Matte Revolution Luminous Modern-Matte Long-Lasting Lipstick

Everywhere I go, Matte finish lipsticks seem to be all the rage. While I was never a fan of the dry, powdery matte formulations of yesteryear, recently there's been a new crop of silkier, smoother lip colours popping up all over the place, and the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipsticks definitely fall into that category.

This Just In | MAC Studio WaterWeight SPF30 Foundation

With a crop of serum style foundations housed in bottles with dropper style tops popping up, it was only a matter of time before MAC jumped on the bandwagon. I always think of MAC as innovators when it comes to base products, and I know they like to perfect their products and create a range that not only has a diverse colour spectrum, but also a wide variety of finishes and formulas. Normally, with my dry skin I struggle to find a foundation the brand offers that sits well on my skin, so I was super intrigued when I heard that the new MAC Studio WaterWeight SPF 30 Foundation boasted something called Moisture-Fusion Complex, which is meant to keep skin hydrated throughout the day.

Sunday Steals | Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat

It's been awhile since I've done a Sunday Splurge around here. I generally find myself gravitating to higher price tagged beauty bits, but when it comes to nails I've found the top coat that works better than anything else, and it's a total bargain that can be found at the drugstore! 

Current Beauty Wish List September 2015

It's been a few months since I put together a good old wish list, and let's just say I was feeling like indulging myself in a little window shopping. Here's what's caught my eye this month:

Clean Beauty Series | MV Organic Skincare + GIVEAWAY

I'm so thrilled to be launching the Clean Beauty Series, which is devoted to spotlighting beauty brands all over the globe that create beautiful, high quality products, free of potentially toxic/reactive ingredients such as parabens, petrochemicals, sulfates, petrolatum, phthalates and artificial fragrances.  I'm also super pleased to kick start this series with the truly gorgeous MV Organic Skincare, which has developed a bit of a cult following, and earned a favourite spot amongst the likes of Emma Watson, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Poppy Delevigne and Maggie Gyllenhaal to name a few! Enjoy reading about this gorgeously refined skincare line, and make sure you stick around for the giveaway below!

The Australian born MV Organic Skincare range was created by Sharon McGlinchey in a bid to create products for those with skin sensitivities such as eczema and rosacea, but still using the highest quality organic ingredients so that skincare could still be an enjoyable experience. 

The website for the brand is jam packed full of incredible information, including a thorough list of ingredients they use (like Organic Rosehip, Camellia, Calendula and Avocado Oils to name a few) and ingredients they don't (things like parabens, petrolatum, alcohol etc) and the brand does not use any synthetic fragrances, which for this sensitive nose is a HUGE plus. 

The products are also housed in aluminum packaging, which protects the delicate and sometimes volatile essential oils from sunlight and keeps the product fresh. This packaging also comes with pump/spray nozzles which means no contamination like you can get with jar packaging. 

So here's my thoughts on the line and products I've tried:

I can see why MV Organic Skincare is becoming a bit of a cult classic - the quality of the products is noticeable on the very first use. The formulations feel luxurious, spa like and a total treat for your skin. It's no doubt to me that these products are worth every penny of their price tag. 

My favourites from the range:

Rose Plus Booster: This is the king of rose oils. It smelts softly of genuine roses, and makes me skin absolutely glowing. I use 2 drops of this at night sandwiched in between my serum and my night cream and in the morning my skin looks balanced, clear and radiant (Rosehip Oil is known for its healing properties and abilities to reduce some of the aging that occurs from UV damage. It works wonderfully to restore balance to hormonal, acne prone, dry and dehydrated skins equally)

Rose Soothing Protective Moisturizer: This is such a lovely and nourishing day cream, I find it very calming and it really soothes my sometimes red and sensitive skin. It also sits beautifully under makeup, and almost acts as a primer. 

Hand Rescue: This might go down in my books as one of the silkiest feeling hand creams I've used and it sinks in super fast leaving a soft satin feel rather than a sticky or greasy feeling to the skin. Given that I'm a trained silversmith who is used to working with and washing her hands many many times a day, I think I have pretty good standing on what constitutes a decent hand cream!

Gentle Cream Cleanser: A good old cream cleanser should be a staple in every skin routine, whether you use it every day, or just when your skin is being a bit reactive or stubborn. This is a nourishing, luxurious feeling cream cleanser that leaves my skin feeling soft, hydrated and smooth - really what more could you want!?

The Giveaway
MV Organic Skincare has kindly sponsored a giveaway for one lucky reader to win the MV Organic Skincare Luxury Travel Bag Bundle worth $250CND!
The set includes: 70ml Rose Soothing Protective Moisturizer 70ml Rose Hydrating Mise 70ml Gentle Cream Cleanser Muslin Cloth Organic Cotton Travel Bag (this bag is awesome!)
The Rules:
You must be 18+ years of age to enter. Open Worldwide. Winner will be contacted before end of day October 5th, and will have 3 business days to respond to the winner email before a redraw. Giveaway runs from September 16th 12am PST - Sept 23rd 11:59pm PST 2015. All entries will be checked for validity! If you already follow on social media networks please ensure you still use the form below to enter!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


*MV Organic Skincare is very kindly sponsoring this giveaway. The prize will ship directly from them. *PR Samples

This Just In | Laura Mercier Lip Parfait Creamy Colourbalm

When it comes to cosmetics, I honestly feel like Laura Mercier is one of the most underrated yet beautifully curated ranges out there. I've had a hard time finding anything from the line that I don't get on with, but hadn't tried many lip products. So naturally when I saw the new Laura Mercier Lip Parfait, described as a 'creamy colourbalm', I instantly was intrigued by the title. I mean, anything that has colour+balm in the description must be amazing, right? 

Five Blushes for Fall 2015

Autumn is one of those seasons I really find myself adjusting my makeup for, especially blush. After a summer of peaches and corals, I find myself desiring more rosy, pink and neutral tones. So here are five blushes I tend to gravitate towards for the Autumn/Fall season

Sunday Splurge | Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Cream

Here's a little #SundaySplurge for you that may very well take your skin from looking alright to looking absolutely amazing. Every time I treat my face to the much hyped Charlotte's Magic Cream, I am blown away not only for how incredible it feels on the skin, but how wonderful it makes my skin look. The name hits the nail on the head when it comes to this product - it really does seem like a bit of magic. 

Friday Face | Day to Dusk Makeup Featuring Purple

I adore a good purple shadow, in fact for years I considered purple my neutral if you can believe it. As I've gotten older (cringe) I've been a bit more reserved with how I wear it, and I know it is a touch colour for some to pull off, so I thought I'd do a walk through of how I take purple from soft daytime to sultrier evening with the same palette.

Velvet 59 Contour Is a Girl's Best Friend Palette

I've recently had the pleasure of trying some products out from new kid of the beauty block, Velvet 59. One of the products that really caught my eye was the Contour is a Girl's Best Friend Palette - a palette of 6 cream shades (3 contour, 3 highlight) to sculpt the face. With a claim of cream to powder, as well as paraben free, cruelty free, gluten free and vegan - naturally my interest was piqued. 

Back to School Beauty

While it's been a good stretch since I've been in that back to school frame of mind, but I do remember those days like they were yesterday (don't ask how long ago they actually were, I'll never tell!). I can remember hitting the snooze way too many times, heck I still do, and savoring every last minute of sleep... wait a minute, isn't that my day to day life now? 

Regardless, here are my pics for quick and easy beauty to look wide eyed and pulled together, whether you're going back to school, back to work, or just need that 10 more minutes of shut eye.

This Just In | Becca's Backlight Priming Filter

When it comes to the glow factor, Becca really just has it in the bag, don't they? Their Shimmering Skin Perfector range comes in the classic liquid, powder and cream - and now they've gone and added that pearly glow into a primer!
The Becca Backlight Priming Filter is meant to act as an instant filter, creating a diffused, soft-focused radiance that allows your complexion to catch light for a glowing look... and it hits the nail right on the head.

The Autumn Beauty Edit 2015

Usually by the time Autumn rolls around I am totally ready for chunky knit sweaters, boots and the ability to wear jeans and not feel like I am trapped in a sweaty denim hell. I'm also ready to switch up my makeup a bit and wear some tones that seem easier to pull off in the cooler crisper months. Keep reading for my my picks for the perfect transition into Fall makeup with my Autumn Beauty Edit for 2015.

Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick in After Dark

We're in the first few days of September and I'm already thinking about sweaters, layers, and going a little darker with my makeup. For myself, bolder lips are definitely out of my comfort zone and with matte lips being all the rage, I've struggled finding a formula that actually feels comfortable to wear. On my wishlist was a formula that sticks around well, isn't drying and won't spend most of it's time smeared on my teeth. 

Enter in a lipstick formula I already love, but with a new velvety matte finish, and you've got Urban Decay's Matte Revolution Lipstick.

Scultpting Simplified with Charlotte Tilbury's Filmstar Bronze and Glow and Powder & Sculpt Brush

The other day I got my hands on something I had coveted for what seems like forever: The Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Palette. This has been getting plenty of love in the blog, youtube and instagram world but with its luxury price tag I had worried it wouldn't live up to the hype. Turns out I had nothing to worry about, because apparently Charlotte can do no wrong.

Conscious Beauty Series Vol 1 | Eye of Horus Cosmetics + GIVEAWAY

I'm thrilled to announce the Conscious Beauty Series - which will put a spotlight on brands for environmental, humanitarian and ethical, and charitable efforts. To kick this series off I thought I'd shed some light on the Aussie brand Eye of Horus Cosmetics, and one lucky winner will get to try it out for themselves!

August 2015 Beauty Favourites

You know that thing where you blink and the Summer is over? No? Just me? Well that's how it's felt this Summer, because with September 1st here, so its the drizzling rainy Vancouver weather and it suddenly feels like Autumn is moment away. While August was a particularly busy month for me, I did have some wonderful finds when it comes to beauty, and most of them are new to me products I tried for this first time last month!