Bite Beauty Crystal Creme Shimmer Lip Crayon

Hello, lovelies!

I adore Bite Beauty. I recently bought a Crystal  Creme Shimmer Lip Crayon from Sephora and instantly enjoyed the lightweight, creamy formula that differs from the drying matte lipsticks I usually wear. Bite Beauty’s Crystal Creme Shimmer Lip Crayon is the newest addition to the brand’s range of lip crayons. Instead of a matte formula, this crayon features a fun shimmer formula that delivers sheer colour for the spring season!

The Packaging

The lip crayon comes in a sleek, matte black tube with the Bite Beauty logo embossed on it. It is lightweight and portable. The crayon itself has a precision tip for easy application. The crayon twists upward when the bottom of the tube is twisted, but it is not self-sharpening.

The Lip Crayon

I love the creamy texture of the lip crayon! It glides onto the lips and is highly pigmented. The lip crayon feels weightless when applied to the lips, and dries down to a translucent finish. I adore that this product doesn’t fade or feather with extended wear. The product dries down to a soft-focus finish that appears blurred and chic.

The Formula 

The formula is nourishing and soft. The texture feels lightweight and comfortable. As with other Bite Beauty products, this lip crayon is formulated without parabens or sulfates. The lip crayon is water-resistant and feels smooth and hydrating on the lips. Each crayon has a pearly undertone.

The Shades

Bite Beauty’s Crystal Creme Shimmer Lip Crayon is available in a range of 10 shades. Each shade has a shimmer finish. I adore the fun, whimsical names of each of these lip crayons!

• Rose Glace – Shimmering peachy pink with rose pearl
• Candied Guava – Shimmering apricot with gold pearl
• Mauve Marzipan – Shimmering mauve with magenta pearl
• Fuchsia Frosting – Shimmering hot pink with electric fuchsia pearl
• Cherry On Top – Shimmering warm red with red pearl
• Violet Icing – Shimmering lavender with silver and violet pearl
• Grape Glaze – Shimmering violet with iridescent pearl
• Cocoa Crush – Shimmering bronze with bronze pearl
• Molten Chocolate – Shimmering cocoa plum with maroon pearl

Bite Beauty’s Matte Creme Lip Crayon is a great product if you like a creamier lipstick formula. It is lightweight and feels delightful on the lips. Though it is not long-wearing, the formula is one that I favour when I’m looking for a lightweight, creamier product! Bite Beauty’s Matte Creme Lip Crayon retails for $28 at Sephora

3 Tips to Enhance Your Lashes

Hello, lovelies!

Even if you weren’t born with long, voluminous lashes, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get them with a few easy tricks. I love experimenting with new tips and ideas to apply mascara to lengthen and enhance my natural lashes. Here are my top tips to enhance eyelashes with mascara!

Twirl your mascara wand for maximum effect 

Twirl your mascara wand inside the tube instead of pumping it to avoid letting excess air into the product. Pumping the wand into the tube increases the likelihood that bacteria will get into the mascara. Twirling your mascara wand inside the tube will also help dispense extra product onto the wand.

Find the best wand shape for your eyes

Not all mascara wands are one-size-fits-all. If you have monolids or a smaller eye shape, a smaller mascara wand will enable to reach all your lashes. The point of mascara is to ensure that it reaches all your lashes. If you have a smaller eye shape, look for a smaller shaped mascara wand.

Curl your lashes for 10 seconds at a time 

Your eyelashes are fragile, so they should only be curled once at a time. Hold your eyelash curler on your lashes for 10 seconds to give them volume without causing them to loosen from your eyelid.

What is your favourite tip for applying mascara?

3 Things You Should Never Do To Your Skin

Hello, lovelies!

Your skin is with you for life. If there’s one thing you should do, it is to treat your skin with care and respect. We know there are certain ways to care for the skin, but most of the time, we just bypass them regardless. Here are three things you should never do if you want your skin to love you back.

Over-exfoliating 

Exfoliating 1-2 times per week is great – it refreshes your skin and removes any dead skin cells that may be causing breakouts or dullness in the skin. Over-exfoliating can cause scratching on the skin’s surface which leaves it prone to environmental toxins and breakouts.

Not protecting your skin

Sunscreen is a vital skincare product. You probably know that you’re supposed to wear sunscreen daily, but have you ever considered why? The sun is responsible for how your skin ages, and wearing sunblock daily not only prevents aging, but it also protects against dark spots.

Using the same products for a long time 

You may have found the best moisturizer or cleanser ever, but your skin will eventually change and adapt to any active ingredients in the product. Over time, this causes the product to become less effective. It’s important to know your skin type and how it reacts to different products. If your beloved cleanser or moisturizer is no longer working, it’s time to reevaluate the products you use.

REVIEW: MAC Fix+ Setting Spray

Hello, lovelies!

MAC’s Fix+ is a staple in my daily beauty routine. MAC’s Fix+ is a combination setting spray and primer. I use mostly for setting my makeup but it also gives bare skin a refreshing boost. Sephora recently launched MAC products in-store and on its official website, and I was enticed to write a review of the brand’s beloved Fix+!

The Packaging 

The outer package is a glittery black box. The spray comes in a lightweight bottle. It is clear and capped with a matte black top. The top of the product is slightly indented with a button you press to dispense the product, which can be adjusted to lock or unlock. It displays the MAC logo.

What is it?

This product is a lightweight mist of water that contains vitamins/minerals to sooth and refresh the skin. It gives a boost of hydration while delivering a soft sheen to refresh and finish makeup. It can be used underneath makeup to prep the skin or after makeup to set and lock-in makeup.

How to use it

I hold it a few inches away from my face then spray it on. It can be used alone or to finish makeup. The spray has multiple benefits:

• Hydrating
• Soothes and refreshes skin
• Finishes makeup

It provides my skin with refreshing hydration, but once it dries into my skin it sets my makeup for the entire day. I spray it over my eye/face makeup and it doesn’t budge for hours! I have not experienced any melting makeup after I’ve used the spray. I love how it acts as a double-duty makeup product.

If you’re looking for a new setting spray, or simply a refreshing mist for your skin, I’d definitely recommend MAC Fix+. Last year, MAC released new three new scents as part of the Fix+ line. These scents include Lavender, Coconut, and Rose. Each bottle retails for $31 on MAC’s official website or from Sephora’s official website.

3 Tips to Effortlessly Apply Red Lipstick

Hello, lovelies!

Red lipstick is a makeup chameleon. The shade is classic and can transform any modern, edgy, bright, or romantic makeup look. Despite the beauty of red lipstick, it can be a pain to apply thanks to feathering, smudging or streakiness. If you’re planning to rock a red lip this season, here are a few tips you need to know!

Powder the lips to prevent feathering 

This is a unique trick that I rely on when my lip liner is running low. To prevent feathering or bleeding lipstick, apply powder to the lips before applying lip colour. The powder gives the lipstick a base to adhere to which helps the colour stay in place.

Prep your lips first

Red lipstick adheres best to smooth and hydrated lips. Apply a lip scrub to exfoliate, then follow up with a balm to hydrate before selecting your favourite shade of red to ensure maximum colour payoff.

Apply a lip liner that matches your lipstick shade

Red lipstick is not forgiving when it comes to lines or mistakes. If your lipstick bleeds often, apply a lip liner to your pout to prevent lipstick from fading or emphasizing lines or texture.

What are your top tips for wearing red lipstick?

3 Confessions of a Blogger

Hello, lovelies!

I enjoy blogging. Since I began my blog, I’ve been able to share my creativity, experience new things, and I’ve even been occasionally noticed by beauty brands. Despite the positive aspects of blogging, there are often secrets that bloggers keep to themselves. Today I’m sharing a few ‘secrets’ that I’ve unearthed as a blogger.

It is not all sunshine and rainbows

Blogging takes a lot of work and effort. Creating new content regularly then promoting said content is time-consuming and it requires a lot of attention to detail. In addition to this, becoming a blogger will not guarantee that you’ll gain instant recognition and sponsorship from brands, which is a common misconception.

We, too, suffer from blogger brain

I constantly think about writing. If I’m not thinking about content for my next post, I’m checking my WordPress dashboard for new content, engaging with blogger groups on social media, or updating my social media feeds. Sometimes this can feel overwhelming and it’s not uncommon for your brain to feel ‘zapped’ from this cycle.

Support is a wonderful thing

We love when a new post is liked or shared, it makes everything we do as bloggers worth it! From my own experience, I read every single comment that is posted on my blog posts and feel grateful for each like I receive. Support from other bloggers or readers is a powerful thing, and it means a lot.

REVIEW: First Aid Beauty Coconut Water Cream

Hello, lovelies!

I recently received a sample of First Aid Beauty’s Coconut Water Cream. I was eager to integrate a new moisturizer into my skincare routine to gauge how it helped my dry skin. First Aid Beauty’s Coconut Water Cream is lightweight, and acts as a moisturizer or primer.

The Packaging

I adore how fun and whimsical this packaging is! The cream comes in a lightweight, travel-friendly jar that features a striped design with pops of pink, silver and white. The jar bears the First Aid Beauty logo and has a bright pink cover.

The Cream

The cream has a lightweight, balmy texture. It absorbs instantly into the skin without leaving any residue, and it is oil-free. The cream is translucent and airy. My skin feels soft, moisturized and refreshed once I apply the product. One aspect that I particularly enjoy is that the cream retains the texture of a primer when it dries into the skin, making it perfect to wear underneath makeup!

How to use it 

First Aid Beauty’s Coconut Water Cream is ideal to use morning or night as part of your skincare routine. Apply it evenly over clean skin. The moisturizer can be worn underneath makeup or alone.

If you’re looking for a lightweight moisturizer to introduce into your springtime makeup routine, I’d recommend First Aid Beauty’s Coconut Water Cream! The lightweight moisturizer refreshes the skin without feeling heavy or dense. This product is part of Sephora’s Hello FAB Coconut line that also includes a Priming Moisturizer, and Jelly Mask. Each jar retails for $42 at Sephora.

3 Simple Tips to Upgrade Your Morning Coffee

Hello, lovelies!

I love coffee. I’m always seeking new ways to upgrade my morning coffee, and recently upgraded my Keurig to a machine that creates lattes. Whether you have a Keurig or a regular coffee maker at home, today Im sharing three tips I use to upgrade my morning coffee!

Make your own latte 

If you’re craving a latte, but don’t have a coffee maker that makes them for you, it’s easy to make them yourself! Pour a small amount of milk into a jar and seal the lid. Vigorously shake the jar to foam the milk. Microwave the jar for a few seconds before pouring it into your mug to stabilize the foam, and viola, you have an instant latte!

Reduce the bitterness in coffee 

This is my favourite trick to reduce any bitterness in my coffee. Add a sprinkle of salt to your mug before pouring your coffee to balance the flavour. Your coffee will taste smoother and it’ll cut down on any bitter taste present in the coffee beans.

Brew beyond basic 

Introducing ice into your coffee cup is a perfect trick to create a DIY iced latte. Brew a cup of coffee and add ice cubes. After the coffee brews, stir it to melt the ice fully. Carefully pour your beverage into ice cube trays and freeze to create coffee-flavoured ice cubes. Melt these ice cubes with your favourite coffee or add it into your mug for a delightful iced coffee!

3 Truths To Know Before Sleeping In Your Makeup Again

Hello, lovelies!

If you wear makeup, you’ve probably heard hundreds of times the importance of removing your makeup before bed. Have you every considered ‘why’ it’s so important to remove your makeup, or how to remove it the most effectively? Here are three things you need to know before you consider hitting the pillow with a full face of makeup again!

It negatively affects every skin type

No matter what your skin type is, sleeping in your makeup will negatively affect it. Poorly removed makeup can clog pores and exacerbate any current skin conditions (for example, hormonal acne or rosacea). If your skin is oily or acne-prone, you may notice increased breakouts or redness in your skin the following morning.

Your lips will thank you

I’m a regular culprit, but sleeping with remnants of lipstick on your lips does some damage. Many lipstick formulas contain drying waxes, which can lead to clogged pores in the skin around your lips (hello, breakouts!). Wearing lipstick to bed can zap your lips of their natural moisture, so it’s best to remove it before bed.

Makeup remover wipes are a lifesaver, but they shouldn’t substitute your regular cleansing routine 

Makeup remover wipes are convenient and portable. While they remove most of your makeup with one swipe, they shouldn’t be substituted for a deep cleanse. If you find that your makeup remover wipes aren’t doing the job, you can always supplement them with a cleansing oil to remove any excess makeup.

 

REVIEW: Tarte Pro Glow Highlight & Blush Palette

Hello, lovelies!

I adore Tarte blushes, bronzers, and highlighters. When the brand released their Pro Glow Highlight and Blush Set, I was eager to try out new shades of the beloved blushes and highlights. This product is travel-friendly, and a great addition to your makeup kit if you enjoy trying different blush, highlight and bronzer shades! I instantly loved that this travel-friendly kit gave me multiple options for shine and colour.

The Packaging 

The outer packaging is gorgeous. The matte black cover features a colourful paint-like design and bears the Taste logo. I love that the palette has a magnetic closure, making it ideal for travelling. The palette is lightweight. Inside, the palette contains 6 pans of product that includes four blushes, a highlight, and a bronzer.

The Product 

This palette features six highly pigmented, creamy products. The highlight shade, Hi-Fi, is a light-medium golden that is creamy and bright. It has a metallic finish with a thicker consistency that doesn’t emphasize texture on the skin. The bronzer shade, Solo, is a light-medium brown. It is semi-opaque but buildable. One aspect of the bronzer that I disliked was that it did not blend easily, and clung to imperfections in my skin. Below, I’ve included a description of each blush shade:

• Electric is a gorgeous medium-dark pink with flecks of gold. It has light-to-medium coverage that is buildable. The golden flecks make it feel drier on the skin, but it is pigmented and long-lasting.
• The second blush, Tempo, is a coral-pink. It feels creamy on the skin and is highly pigmented. The consistency feels similar to a cream blush.
• Beat is a peachy coral with a luminous sheen.
• Amp is a vivid, medium pink with a metallic sheen. This blush had a luminous glow when applied to the skin, and didn’t emphasize any texture in the skin. It is creamy yet lightweight.

The Wear 

Each shade in the palette is long-lasting and pigmented. I’ve tested each blush, bronzer, and highlight shade during a full-day wear test. I love that none of the shades in the palette creased, faded, or smudged throughout the day! A little product goes a long way, and the smallest amount of product gives a luminous colour payoff!

Whether you’re new to Tarte products, or looking for a multi-tasking kit for your blush, bronzer and highlight needs, I’d recommend the Pro Glow Highlight and Blush Set. It retails for $59 at Sephora.