So far, the spring season has been sporadic at best. Some days, there is snow, other days, rain, and then occasionally, there is sunshine scattered throughout the day. Despite the inconsistent weather, the spring season always makes me think of pastel colours and blue skies. Perhaps that is why it seemed like an appropriate time to put the Care Bears Eyeshadow Palette from Taste Beauty to the test. The goal? Create a colourful spring makeup look inspired by the much loved Care Bears.
This Care Bears themed eyeshadow palette is adorable. I love the classic Care Bears illustrations on the front (as cute as the “new” versions of the Care Bears are…I much prefer the older illustrations and cartoons), the soft spring colours, and the overall sweetness of the palette. Everything about the design is so comforting and nostalgic. As for the colour story, there are actually a lot of similarities to the Violet Voss x Care Bears 12 Color Eyeshadow Palette. Both have purples, blues, pinks, and some warm neutrals. The main difference is the pigmentation level. While the Violet Voss version is richly pigmented, easy to use, and downright incredible, the Taste Beauty version leaves a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, despite how beautiful the pastel shades look in the palette, the performance is lackluster. A lot of the colours have low pigmentation or blend out to not a whole lot. It is a shame, but even so-so palettes can be fun to use. Or at least they make it possible to get creative.
For this spring makeup look, the goal was to focus on the most pigmented shadows in the Care Bears palette. Unfortunately, that meant the purples were out. (Those looked like practically nothing, despite my hope that the pale lilac shade, Care Bear Stare, might be a winner.) Ultimately, it was the blues and greens that won out. The darkest blue eyeshadow, Anything Is Possible, looks quite dark in the pan, but applies more like a sky blue. I did my best to apply that all over the lid and then added some Care Bears Forever (the darkest green shade) to the outer corner for a little bit of dimension. The colour contrast didn’t show all that much, but I did what I could do. The shade Care-A-Lot, a light shimmer, was applied on the inner corner and Kindness Keepers, a warm shimmer, was applied to the center of the lid. It was all blended out with Caring Is Magic (a warm burnt orange) but that shadow didn’t do a whole lot. Essentially, it took a lot of different eyeshadows to create what is kind of a one-note makeup look. That being said, it is important to make good use of whatever I purchase. Despite the not great result, this is a palette that I will continue to reach for and work with to the best of my ability. At least it is Care Bear themed.
How are you enjoying the spring season so far? Share your favourite spring products in the comment section below!
Eyeshadow palettes will always be my weakness. Truth be told, there is something about a thoughtful assortment of colours and finishes that excites me. After all, it is with those colours and finishes that I am able to express the inexpressible parts of myself. The right combination of eyeshadow shades can reveal my emotions, fears, desires, and hopes. Those products seem to speak words unspoken. Other makeup items are wonderful, and I love a good blush or lipstick, but eyeshadow is special. It is the heart of every creation. I suppose that is why there are so many eyeshadow palettes in my collection. Each one has the power to inspire and reveal. More recently, the 35A Up ‘Til Dawn Artistry Palette from Morphe has been in heavy rotation. I just love all of the grungy greens and warm browns. Here are two makeup looks for the latest 2 looks 1 palette post.
Look #1: Grungy Browns. Though there is an awful lot of colour in the Morphe 35A Up ‘Til Dawn Artistry Palette (as seen in the colourful pink makeup look featured in the initial review). In addition to the pinks and greens, there are also some really fabulous shades of brown. These are all really warm and can be paired with other shadows to create a grungy kind of look. To create the look above, the shade Wild Abandon was applied on the inner portion of the lid and Spicy Haute was applied on the outer portion of the lid. A bit of Jungle Boogie was mixed with Mystique to create contrast through the crease. Since it difficult for me to stay away from sparkly things, Pearly Hours, was applied lightly on top and in the inner corner. There was lots of In Deep applied along the lower lash line for a smokey and dramatic finish. Some eyeliner and mascara finished off the eyes. As for the rest of the makeup look, it was simple and muted to make sure the eyes were the focus of this grungy brown creation.
Look #2: Glorious Greens. The green eyeshadows in this palette continue to call out to me. I especially love Lush Life and Jungle Boogie, but all of the greens are fair game. For this look, Lush Life was applied all over the lid, then Jungle Boogie was added to the outer corner, and Nocturnal was blended through the crease. A bit of Nude Swim was used to blend everything out and some 2AM Gem was added to the inner corner. Nocturnal and Lush Life were applied along the lower lash line. Eyeliner and mascara finished the eye look. Bronzer was used on the cheeks and Gingerbread Kiss from r.e.m. beauty was on the lips.
What eyeshadow palettes have you been using lately? What do you think of these makeup looks?
Some days, a makeup look is inspired by an excellent makeup palette. Other days, a makeup look is created to make the most of a disappointing makeup palette. The latter is what happened most recently. I found an adorably themed Disney Villains Eyeshadow Palette a little while ago and was excited to put it to use. Since coming back from my Walt Disney World vacation, my mind has been focused on all things Disney, so it only made sense to reach for this themed palette. Unfortunately, the quality was not there. In fact, this is one of the worst eyeshadow palettes that I have ever used. The colour story is wonderful. The theme? Perfection. The shadows? Downright terrible. At any rate, I did my best to create a semi-colourful #FOTD.
The Disney Villains Eyeshadow Palette has a great theme and features iconic Disney villains like Maleficent, Ursula, Cruella de Vil, and the Evil Queen. There are pictures of the characters on the front of the palette, inside the palette, and there are outlines of the characters to contrast the black background. Some of the shadows even have the Maleficent horns pressed into them. As I said, the theme was excellent. The colour story is also fantastic. I love the blues, purples, greys, and browns. Visually, this palette checked off all the boxes. Unfortunately, when I went to actually use the shadows, the pigmentation was weak at best. It took a lot of time for the colours to make any sort of impact. This eyeshadow palette was such a letdown.
For this #FOTD, I did my best to use this lackluster eyeshadow palette. I started with the light brown shade, Be Prepared, through the crease, but it didn’t look like anything at all. So, I added Pretty Evil, the darker brown, through the crease as well. I applied Dreadfully Delightful, the brightest blue, to the lid, but it didn’t have a lot of pigmentation despite trying to apply the product with different brushes and my finger. So, then I added on as much Don’t Blame Us, a shimmery blue, on top to try to create some sort of colour. Wicked, a matte black, was added through the crease to add some intensity, but even that didn’t do much. I really did my best to make the most of a bad situation! As for the rest of the makeup look, there was some liner and mascara to finish off the eyes, a soft pink blush from Too Faced on the cheeks, and a Winky Lux Flower Lip Balm on the lips. Though the Disney Villains Eyeshadow Palette was a bust, I did my best to create a (sort of) colourful makeup look.
Have you ever been disappointed by an eyeshadow palette before? How did you make the most of it?
No Walt Disney World trip would be complete without a little shopping. (Or a lot of shopping.) As someone who loves to shop in general and especially loves to shop for themed items…it is difficult to reign myself in at Disney. From the World of Disney store to Main Street USA and everywhere in between, a decent amount of browsing and buying was done. Want to see what souvenirs came home with me? This theme week post is dedicated to all sorts of Walt Disney World memorabilia.
Stuffed Friends. I have mentioned this once or twice before, but despite being an adult, I have a serious stuffed animal obsession. Always have and probably always will. Someone cute and cuddly is incredibly difficult to resist! At the World of Disney store in Disney Springs, there was this giant Kermit the Frog pillow person. Despite being quite large, it was a no brainer since I am such a Muppet obsessed person. (Kermit had to be squished inside my suitcase coming home, but he made it.) I also found an adorable Figment plush, a sad looking Porg, a magnetic Olaf, and a beautiful plush Pocahontas. I love them all!
Light Up Lumiere. During the last Disney vacation, my husband and I fell in love with this beautiful Cogsworth clock from Beauty and the Beast. I knew that there was a matching Lumiere figure, so this was something that I was on the lookout for. Thankfully, it was also at the World of Disney store. And it lights up! The candles actually flicker. This light up Lumiere looks fabulous next to his pal Cogsworth. It is pretty heavy, but we managed to stay under the weight maximum for our suitcases.
Pennies and Pins, Oh My! I have a bad habit of collecting all sorts of random things. Like pressed pennies and pins. I’m not exactly sure when the pressed penny collecting started, but at some point, it did, and now I have a book full of pennies pressed into all sorts of Disney designs. I also became a Disney pin collector by accident on my honeymoon all those years ago. (I was gifted a pin trading set and an obsession was born.) This time, a bunch of pin packs were purchased and then I went around trading those pins for ones that caught my fancy. I was able to find some really special ones, like Christmas ones, an Oswald, Duffy Bear ones, and some Monsters Inc pins. Since coming home, my husband found me a Mickey Mouse shaped pin board.
Disney Accessories. There were all sorts of Disney accessories to choose from. Since I am a huge Moana fan, the necklace was a no brainer. I also found a really cute Figment earring set. It was wonderful to see so many Figment products available. I’ve been in love with that purple dragon since I was a kid and this was by far the most Figment merchandise I’ve ever seen! There were all sorts of choices. The last accessory is a gold ring with sparkly stones around the outside. On the band, the words, “Faith, trust, and pixie dust,” are written in black writing. That was a last minute purchase at the airport Disney store. It was something that I had looked at throughout the parks, but hadn’t made a decision on. When I saw it at the airport, it felt right.
T-Shirts, T-Shirts, and More T-Shirts. There was a time where a cute skirt and blouse made me feel special. Or maybe a dress with a fun pattern. But when it comes down to it, I am a t-shirt and jeans girl at heart. Maybe I always will be. On a regular day, my uniform is a graphic t-shirt of some sort and either sweatpants or jeans. I love having cute Disney shirts to wear and all of the ones shown above checked the boxes. The first is a beautiful Moana shirt with embroidered details. The second is a long sleeved Oswald shirt in a bright blue. (I love Oswald. He is one of my favourite characters.) Then there is a strappy My Happy Place shirt with a glittery picture of the castle. The Peter Pan shirt is fabulous and the fabric is super soft. It was gifted to me by my mom as a surprise. I love it! The last shirt shown is oversized and has all sorts of cute Walt Disney World ears.
Figment Spirit Jersey. The spirit jerseys in Walt Disney World are beloved for a reason. These oversized shirts are ultra comfy and come in all sorts of colours, prints, and themes. I have a couple already (Bambi, Stitch, and the live action Little Mermaid) and decided ahead of time that I would bring one new one home on the vacation. There were a few that I really loved….but ultimately two came back with me. Oops! The first is this amazing Figment spirit jersey. I love how colourful it is and that the front design is as bold as the design on the back. (This isn’t always the case.) I also love the Epcot symbols throughout.
Orange Bird Spirit Jersey. I wasn’t planning to purchase more than one spirit jersey, but then this Orange Bird spirit jersey caught my eye. For whatever reason, I have had an obsession with this cute bird for years and year. Since the Flower and Garden Festival was taking place while we were visiting Disney, there was all sorts of Orange Bird merchandise. I could not resist this special spirit jersey! It is really comfortable and I was able to wear it around the park when it was purchased.
Themed Ears. It just wouldn’t be a Walt Disney World vacation without some ears. The Oswald ears were on sale (pretty much all of the Oswald merchandise was 50% off. A good deal for me, though it was certainly strange to see items on sale) and were an absolute must. As for the Orange Bird ears, they are ridiculously cute with an Orange Bird pin in the center of the bow. My husband treated me to the ears as a surprise. They definitely made my spirit jersey look even more fabulous.
Enchanted Tiki Room Art. The last item in this souvenir post is extra special. Though I love everything that I purchased in Walt Disney World, this last piece was a wonderful discovery. A handful of my family members were sitting outside of the Enchanted Tiki Room, waiting for my sister and her child to return from another bathroom adventure. While waiting, something caught my eye. It was a clear plastic bag with something inside. I was curious, so I picked it up, and discovered that it was free art! Tiki Bird art, at that! It was such a thrill. I’ve always wanted some kind of Disney art in my home and often look at the different paintings available to purchase in the parks. However, those have always been well outside of my budget. To find something beautiful, free, and small enough to take back, was a total dream come true. This beautiful Tiki Bird painting is now hanging proudly in my home!
My apologies for this ultra lengthy blog post, but it turns out that an awful lot of Walt Disney World souvenirs came back.
What do you think of these Disney items? Would you ever visit Walt Disney World?
Though my vacation to Walt Disney World ended a few weeks ago…it is only now that I have been able to sit down and write about the experience. (Trying to catch up on life after a vacation is no joke.) Walt Disney World is my happy place. Though I have visited Disneyland and Disneyland Paris in the past, Walt Disney World is my favourite place on earth. It has a special kind of magic. Maybe I just like being in the Disney bubble, hidden away from all of the hurts and fears in the world. Or maybe it has to do with the four theme parks there are to explore. Whatever the reason, it is clear that Walt Disney World brings me joy. There are Mickey Mouse shaped waffles for breakfast, Mickey Mouse shaped pretzels to snack on, and well, Mickey Mouse shaped everything! To start this Disney theme week off on the right foot, here are some vacation highlights from the getaway…
Day One. The first day was a travel day. It all started very early in the morning when my family members met at the airport ahead of our flight. (We met my parents in Florida, as they had been on a cruise beforehand.) It all went fairly well, though I am extremely anxious when it comes to flying. I was relieved when we were safe and sound in Orlando. From the airport, we took a shuttle bus to the All Star Movies Resort on Walt Disney World property. We tried to figure out our Magic Band situation, quickly checked into our hotel rooms, and then headed out for dinner at the Rainforest Cafe just outside of the Animal Kingdom park. The food there is always really good. After that, we all split off, with some heading back to the hotel and some heading to Disney Springs to do a bit of shopping. (I chose shopping.) Then we returned to the hotel for the night.
Day Two. Our first official park day was spent at Animal Kingdom. This is always one of my favourite vacation days, because there is so much to see and do. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to do everything we wanted. This was partly because of the weather (it rained off and on throughout the day) and partly because there was such a large group of people (there were eight family members in total, including one young child. As a childfree person, I was not prepared for the amount of bathroom breaks necessary). On the plus side, we were able to meet a couple of characters, spend time in the Pandora section, go on some rides, and even attend an animation class. We weren’t able to do a lot of the walking trails, sadly, because those closed several hours before the park. I had a good time, but would have loved an extra day at Animal Kingdom to explore.
Day Three. The next park day was spent at Hollywood Studios. We tried to make the most of the early access for resort guests, but cut it a bit close, and wound up separated from some of our party. Sigh. Ahh well, it turned out alright in the end. We went to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway first. This ride is a new one for us, since it went in after the last family vacation to Walt Disney World. Everyone absolutely loved it. Definitely a highlight of the vacation! We also walked around different parts of the park (my husband loves the Star Wars area) and had lunch at my favourite restaurant, PizzeRizzo. Why do I love PizzeRizzo so much? It is a Muppet themed restaurant. As a Muppet enthusiast, the restaurant, fountain, and Muppet 3D movie make Hollywood Studios stand out. We also went to a Beauty and the Beast live show and had a (not great) dinner at a Toy Story themed barbecue restaurant. After that, my brother and I, because we stayed behind to ride Slinky Dog Dash.
Day Four. Next up….Epcot. This is a park that can normally be done in one day. However, a lot has been added here since our last visit. We actually needed more than a day, but it was not to be. (So much Disney to experience and not enough time.) One of the highlights was the Moana Journey of Water section. Moana is a serious obsession of mine. I have watched that movie hundreds and hundreds of times. I cannot get enough. It is such a comfort to me! To be able to see Te Fiti (pictured above) was a total dream come true. Other highlights from the day: going on the amazing Guardians of the Galaxy rollercoaster, all of the topiaries and Orange Bird merchandise everywhere, meeting Figment, and a character dinner at the Garden Grill.
Day Five. The day started very early for myself, my brother, and my husband. It was Magic Kingdom day (hurrah) and we planned to beat the crowds. We made the most of the early access and were able to get on the Haunted Mansion ride fairly quickly as well as Big Thunder Mountain. The rest of the family made it to the park a little later and we were able to see a show at the castle, check out some Fantasy Land rides, and have lunch at the Be Our Guest restaurant. (Try the grey stuff…it really is delicious!) It was mostly a good day, though I went on the Tron rollercoaster for the first time, and was absolutely miserable. I hated it! I was so scared. Almost immediately after the rollercoaster started to move forward, I regretted my decision. It is not something that I am brave enough to go back on again…but I survived. At the end of the night, we watched fireworks, and then did some shopping on Main Street. Magic Kingdom is always my favourite place to visit in Walt Disney World.
Day Six. Next was the last day at Hollywood Studios. We usually allow two days for this park, though we didn’t really need that much there this time. (Some of the rides were closed. Sigh!) My mom, dad, and I waited in a very long line to meet Mickey and Minnie, we saw the Indiana Jones show, went to the Frozen sing-a-long, had a Mickey shaped pretzel, re-rode Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, went back on Muppet 3D, and spent a little more time in Toy Story Land. My husband and I also walked around the Star Wars area. For dinner, it was a family favourite, the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant.
Day Seven. All good things must come to an end. This was our last day at the parks, so of course, it was spent at the iconic Magic Kingdom. We did our best to make the most of the day. There were some re-rides, some more items checked off the to-do list, and some tearful goodbyes. We were able to watch the parade, check out the Jungle Cruise ride, visit the Enchanted Tiki Room (where I found a piece of free art outside! More on that in a future post….), and ride one of my favourites, Peter Pan’s Flight. We ate dinner at a quick service restaurant themed after Pinocchio and then did last minute shopping on Main Street. I didn’t want to leave the Magic Kingdom and I didn’t want to leave Disney, but alas, it was all over.
Day Eight. The travel day home was a lot. Our flight was delayed several hours, but our shuttle bus reservation stayed the same. It meant we had to head to the airport anyway, but were unable to check in our luggage for several hours. The time of our flight changed multiple times, so it was quite frustrating not knowing when (or if) the plane would leave. A lot of other flights were being cancelled, so there was a lot of uncertainty. Since I am already such a nervous flyer, this was an especially stressful situation. How did I deal with it? Shopping, of course. The Orlando airport has all sorts of stores, so I grabbed a few little extras and even bought a Kylie Cosmetics eyeshadow palette from a Kylie Cosmetics vending machine. (Most expensive vending machine purchase ever!) Eventually, we made it home, absolutely exhausted. And that was the trip!
There were a lot of wonderful moments in Walt Disney World. Though it was a lot trying to make sure eight different people were happy and organized…there were some special memories created. This is a vacation that I will remember for many years.
Have you done any travelling lately? Are you a Disney fan?
Spring is just around the corner. In fact, it is only a handful of days away. What a thrill! Normally, winter is my time to shine, because I love grey days and staying indoors. Unfortunately, this particular winter was a little more difficult, as it seemed impossible to shake away those winter blues. Perhaps a change of season will do me good. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about flowers: all of the beautiful colours and fresh starts. Here is a little inspiration as we drift closer and closer to spring.
What has been inspiring you lately? Are you looking forward to the spring season?
Happy Valentine’s Day! This holiday is all about love. That includes friendships, romantic love, love of family members, pets, and well, everyone. Though the romantic aspect is often highlighted in movies, television shows, and all the rest…Valentine’s Day is truly a time to celebrate the people that matter most in your life. Whether you are heading out for a nice dinner, baking cookies or brownies at home, sharing Valentine’s Day cards with people at work, or sending a thoughtful text message, my hope is that your day will be full of love and kindness. Not feeling the holiday spirit? This post is full of inspiration photos. Another option is to check out Valentine’s Day cartoons (one that I really enjoy is My Smurfy Valentine) or a classic rom-com on a streaming service. Grab some chocolate, some candy hearts, and make this holiday one to remember.
Happy Valentine’s Day! How do you plan to celebrate this love-filled holiday?
Spring is officially here! Normally, I am the kind of person who holds tightly onto the last remaining days of winter, but this year, it feels like a change of season is in order. Yes, it is time for sunshine, flowers, and warmer temperatures. I am looking forward to walks with my husband and even some overdue cleaning tasks. (It just isn’t spring without a bit of spring cleaning on the to do list.) Something else that piques my interest? Spring fashion trends for 2024. Here are a few favourites.
Sky Blue Everything. Though the spring season is often known for soft colours and pretty pastels…this year it is all about sky blue. It has been described by some as a “Cinderella blue” and others as an “icy blue,” but whatever you call it, blue is a must this season. Though this colour was seen in the Stella McCartney runway (and many others) it is something that is ultra accessible. Whatever your budget looks like, it is possible to incorporate this colour into your wardrobe this spring. Take a peek at your favourite store and find something that speaks to you. Or see if you have this colour already. Check your closet, take a peek at your nail polish collection, browse through your accessories, and see how you can make this seasonal trend your own.
Disco Inspired Pieces. Disco is definitely not dead…especially when it comes to fashion this season. Many high-end designers drew inspiration from all of the glitz and glamour of yesteryear thanks to the focus on rhinestones and metallic fabrics. Take a peek in your closet and see if there is anything sparkly, silver, or gold that you can work with. Another option is to browse your local thrift store for something dazzling. Not sure you want to go all in with the disco trend? Have fun with accessories instead of sporting a shimmery outfit. A rhinestone or sequin purse is an excellent option as are shoes with a little extra shine.
Layered Sheer Fabrics. There is something about this next trend that takes me back. Highlighting sheer fabrics feels so late 90s/early 00s to me. (I am specifically thinking about sheer fabrics like Bianca’s prom dress in 10 Things I Hate About You and other kinds of media from the time.) It is soft and fun and nostalgic all at the same time. Pairing these delicate fabrics with soft spring colours makes everything feel sort of cotton candy inspired…in the best possible way. Want to try out this trend for yourself? Look for a something soft and sheer this spring and make the most of this unforgettable fashion trend.
What spring fashion trends will you try out this season? Are you excited that spring has arrived?
What is it about Hello Kitty? This iconic character is beloved around the world. Created in the mid-70s, her popularity never seems to wane. Even today, it is common to see this adorable cartoon on everything from backpacks to t-shirts, purses, buttons, shoes, and even beauty products. An example of the latter is the Pixi + Hello Kitty Glow Tonic. Since I happen to adore Hello Kitty…it was impossible for me to resist this themed product. And since my skin has needed some extra attention lately, it was a win-win situation. Ready to find out how this adorable Glow Tonic performs? Here is everything you need to know.
Truth be told, the packaging makes me positively giddy. As I mentioned, Hello Kitty is high on my list of loves. Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved that cartoon cat. In fact, I have fond memories of watching the television show and wearing all sorts of Hello Kitty merchandise. (This is true even as an adult. I still have the Hello Kitty sneakers shown here.) Clearly, this character is special to me and to a lot of other people in the world. No wonder the Glow Tonic packaging is so thrilling. The light green bottle topper is shaped like Hello Kitty and there is a little Hello Kitty design on the product label. Skin care is not usually all that exciting to look at, so it is nice to have something that looks so adorable. It makes the skin care routine feel more fun!
According to the brand, the Pixi + Hello Kitty Glow Tonic contains aloe vera, ginseng, and botanical extracts. It is also formulated with 5% glycolic acid. It is supposed to exfoliate, brighten, and smooth the skin, as well as add a glow to the skin. It is suitable for all skin types, not tested on animals, and paraben-free. My experience with the product has been positive so far. It has been included in my skin care routine for the last several weeks. Though I haven’t noticed a dramatic shift in my skin…this has certainly made it appear less dull. (Always a good thing during the winter months.) It has also made my skin feel softer and smoother to the touch. What do I like about the Glow Tonic? The cute packaging, the fact that my skin feels smoother, and lastly, the smell of the product. I’m not exactly sure how to describe the scent, but it is light and refreshing. It makes me feel pampered and soothed. The Pixi + Hello Kitty Glow Tonic is a product that I will happily continue to use. It is quick and easy to add to my skin care routine and makes me feel good. Here is hoping it will continue to benefit my skin.
Have you tried any of the Pixi skin care products? Are you a fan of Hello Kitty themed items?
As I write this, the temperatures outside are downright chilly and there is snow covering the ground. Truthfully, it gives me a thrill. I love watching the snow fall in fluffy chunks and looking out my window at a winter wonderland. This is a time of year that fills my heart and renews my spirit. On that note, there are several favourites have been making the winter season feel even more beautiful. Here are a few current loves. Some are functional and some are fun little extras, but all are fabulous.
Pink Body Mist: Warm Cookie. When it comes to scents that make me smile, my preference tends to be ones that are warm and inviting. There is nothing more inviting than a Warm Cookie inspired scent. This one came from Pink and was something that I was able to purchase for a bit of a discount. The body mist was on sale for $10 CDN and it was an immediate addition for me. It has a cute Christmas sweater inspired design on the front and the scent is gingerbread, vanilla icing, gumdrops, and essential oils. Though the bottle does not list the exact essential oils used, it does describe this scent as, “your favorite fresh-out-of-the-oven treat with a hint of warming spice.” I love anything gingerbread scented and have used this body mist a lot. It is sweet, warm, and comforting. The Warm Cookie mist is a quick and easy way to make my days feel extra special.
Cath Kidston Hand Cream: Red Berry and Cedar. It was a few weeks ago that a post about the Cath Kidston advent calendar was posted here on the creation of beauty is art. (If you missed that post, it can be seen here.) Though all of the items in the advent calendar wowed, the one that has really been making this winter season stand out is the Red Berry and Cedar Hand Cream. As you can see from the photo above, the bottle has the most incredible holiday artwork. It is a fun way to keep the magic of the holiday season alive, even though the month of December is in the rearview mirror. Not only do I love looking at the festive bottle…the hand cream itself is fabulous. It smells wonderful and has been especially useful now that the temperatures are chilly and my skin is in need of more hydration. This is a winter favourite that stands out for all the right reasons.
Rare Beauty: Find Comfort Hydrating Hand Cream. It just wouldn’t be a winter favourites list without at least two hand creams on the list! Whenever the temperatures drop down, my hands tend to need a lot of TLC. The Cath Kidston hand cream makes me feel like a million bucks…but I am afraid of finishing the bottle too quickly, so it is nice to have other options available as well. The Find Comfort Hydrating Hand Cream is an interesting one. It has a unique bottle design (which is intended to be easier to grip) and a nice light scent. It is refreshing, absorbs quickly, and is lightweight. The only downside is the cost. The Find Comfort Hydrating Hand Cream was gifted to me for Christmas, but after taking a peek at the price online ($25 CDN) this is not something that I am all that likely to purchase for myself. It is a bit too much of a splurge for an everyday item. That being said, this hand cream is a current favourite, and I am more than happy to make use of the bottle that is in my possession.
Maybelline New York: Dream Matte Mousse Foundation. This next product is one that I used a lot in my earlier makeup days. A couple of years back, the Dream Matte Mousse Foundation from Maybelline became a rediscovered favourite. It has been a consistent part of my makeup routine ever since. Now that winter is here and I do not leave the house as often (this is something that I personally love, but recognize other people dislike this about the winter season) this foundation has become even more beloved. It is a quick and easy to use product that addresses redness on my cheek area in particular. I like to do little makeup looks for myself some days, so it is nice to have this mousse foundation on hand. It feels lightweight and comfortable.
One Size: Wicked Defying Gravity Spotlight Highlighter. This next winter favourite is a Christmas gift that I received and have been obsessing over in recent weeks. When the One/Size x Wicked collection was released, the eyeshadow palette was an immediate must. Though there were all sorts of other items from the line that were of interest, my ultimate weakness is eyeshadow, so that won out. Luckily, the highlighter and broom shaped brush were gifted to me over the holiday season. The Defying Gravity Spotlight Highlighter has wonderfully themed packaging and a fabulous champagne coloured finish. This highlight makes the skin look glowy and healthy. It has lots of shine, but isn’t sparkly like some other highlights out there.
There you have it: a few of my current beauty favourites. This winter season, my focus has been on products that are easy to use and functional, but still feel fun and exciting. It has been wonderful to make use of products that make the days better.
Do you have any current beauty favourites? What products are you reaching for this winter?
