Wherein Girl Loves Gloss Gets an Update

Stay tuned lovelies, Girl Loves Gloss is getting a fancy schmancy update and posts will resume *very* soon! In the meantime, head over to my Instagram page to watch all my beauty mail unboxings and let me know what type of posts you want to see next!

Watch this space!

The Drugstore Mascara I'm Loving

It's been a while since I had a really fabulous, love-at-first-use mascara to review for Mascara Monday, but the day has come once again folks! I snatched up the L'Oreal Voluminous Feline Waterproof Mascara on a whim the other day, and I am so glad I did! It claimed to do everything I wanted in a mascara in just one coat, so of course I had to put it to the test!

Small Fish in a BIG Pond: The Mode Media Bankruptcy Drama

Here's the thing: I blog because I have a genuine and slightly obsessive love for the beauty industry. Since I was young I've loved makeup, the art of painting faces and the ability to transform myself day to day to suit my desires. The beauty industry is not short of bloggers, and I am a very very small fish in a very big pond. Sometimes I kick myself for not having the guts to start Girl Loves Gloss sooner, when I was younger and probably appealed to a larger audience (because a 23 year can make almost anything look good, I swear) but I love the insight I have now as a 33-year-old woman and how makeup has played a part in my journey to get here. I remember when I signed with Mode Media in June 2015 I thought I had 'made it' - I was going to be monetizing Girl Loves Gloss and my social media outlets with advertising and the occasional sponsored post, and the prospect of making a few bucks (and oh boy, do I mean a few) felt like a great milestone with hope of many more in the future of this blog. 

MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2 Swatches and Review

MAC and Ariana Grande are back at it again collaborating on another Viva Glam collection. If you're new to Viva Glam, you can read my post and review about the first collab the songstress did with the brand to raise money for HIV/AIDS research here. I was a big fan of the first lipstick and lipglass launched with Ariana's name inscribed on it, and this time round is no different! 

New In from Nars: Powerfall and Audacious Additions

Unlike some brands that launch limited edition and seasonal collections at every turn, NARS tends to be a little more curated in terms of new releases. I've got a handful of new additions to the range, including and expansion of the much loved Audacious Lipstick line, as well as some new shades and products that were released in the Powerfall Collection. There are some definite winners and losers here, keep reading to find out what I loved and what I could leave!

My Experience with Laser Hair Removal at NuAge Laser in Vancouver : Part 1

I had always had one opinion about Laser Hair Removal, and that was that it must hurt like a bitch. I think that is a really common (mis)conception regarding the process of ridding body hair via laser, and I fully admit I never thought about getting it done purely for my wimpy tendencies and desire to not break the bank (my 2nd thought when hearing about the process in the past). So when the super lovely Ellie from NuAge Laser in the heart of Coal Harbour in Downtown Vancouver, contacted me and asked if I want to give it a go, I plucked up all my courage and took a leap - and now I can't believe I didn't try it sooner! 

Smelling Good: Custom Fragrance Blending with Demeter

If you're like me and are extremely particular about scent and fragrance, you know how hard it can be to get a signature scent. I struggle with many smells giving me migraines, and it's especially hard when shopping for a new perfume to get something that brings to life what the perfect fragrance in my head is. The Demeter Fragrance Library has been around for ages, creating incredibly on point unique scents that include everything from Turpentine (yes, seriously) to Suntan Lotion (on my list next for sure!) to Glue (still not joking...) to classic scents like Gardenia, Patchouli and Vanilla. In fact, the library is so extensive, it's overwhelming! Not to worry though, because now the brand is letting you custom cocktail your own perfect scent!

Two Lush Loves You Might Love Too

Lush is one of those companies that continues to surprise me with their products. Every time I think I know everything in their range, I find something else that I didn't know they 'did' and find a new reason to fall back in love with them. Recently I've tried two of their somewhat cult products for the first time, and let's just say the results were so good, my wishlist has instantly doubled!

New Kid on the Block: Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick

I knew the minute I saw the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick I needed to try it. First of all stick foundations are so easy to use, and make perfect travel companions, secondly, the 26 shade range looked phenomenal, and thirdly the funky triangle shaped tube had me all sorts of curious. Hey, what can I say? I love great packaging! Hourglass had some incredible claims about this foundation, so I gladly put them to the test!

Just When You Thought They Were Done: Becca X Jaclyn Hill Champagne Splits Collection

The collaboration that had makeup lovers stalking their local Sephora's is back again, and possibly for the very last incarnate. Becca teamed up with Jaclyn Hill (Youtube extraordinaire) on several new launches this Spring and Summer and the last addition to the range hit stores recently is The Champagne Splits Shimmering Skin Perfector Mineral Blush Duos. Not only are they exclusive to Sephora, but they are limited edition which has had some beauty lovers a little perturbed. So, the big question is: are these worth the continued hype, or should you pass for the next big launch?