4 Easy Ways to Save Money At Starbucks

Hello, lovelies!

Coffee is one of my favourite things. I drink it daily and it gives me the perfect energy boost. I am a frequent Starbucks customer, and enjoy trying new drinks and food items. Starbucks can carry a heavy price tag, so today I’m sharing my favourite tips to save money on your daily cup!

Join the MyStarbucksRewards Program 

This program involves earning Stars for every purchase. With each Tier of the program, you earn can earn free food and drinks after every 12 purchases. If you buy coffee daily, you’ll earn a free food/drink every two weeks! The program also has special promotions and Double Star Days to help you earn rewards quicker.

Create your own latte for the price of an espresso 

Order 2-3 shots of espresso hot or over ice. Add your own milk afterwards to create your own latte for less.

Bring your own cup 

I often bring my travel mug to Starbucks when I have a long study session ahead. Starbucks gives you a 10-cent discount when you bring your own reusable cup.

Brew your Starbucks coffee or tea at home 

I recently discovered the variety of Starbucks K-Cups that exist for my Keurig. I buy a 12-pack of K-Cups for $11.99. My at-home coffee is still Starbucks brand, but it only costs about $1 per cup.

 Do you visit Starbucks? What is your favourite tip to save money on your daily coffee?

3 Beauty Brands You Didn’t Know Originated From Canada

Hello, lovelies! 

As a Canadian, I have a soft spot for cosmetic brands from Canada. I reorganized my makeup storage drawer this weekend, and it inspired me to shine a spotlight on my favourite Canadian beauty brands. 

Bite Beauty 

Founded in Toronto, Bite Beauty features natural products for face and lips. The creamy lipsticks are handcrafted with both restorative and nourising benefits. I like that Bite Beauty products are crafted with natural ingredients, but still colourful and moisturizing. 

Nudestix

Nudestix are the ultimate busy-morning products. All eye, face, and lip products are formatted as crayons. The makeup range is both easy-to-use and create a flawless base. The Lip & Cheek Duo is long-lasting and creamy. The double-ended pen is lip colour, lip liner and cheek colour. 

CoverFX

This brand offers vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics. Each highlighter, concealer and foundation is customizable to fit your skintone. CoverFX was founded in Ontario. 

REVIEW: Sephora Collection Eye Brush Set

Hello, lovelies!

I bought a new eyeshadow brush set a few months ago and wanted to test the brushes for a while before reviewing the set. The set I bought contains 4 lightweight, multipurpose brushes.

The Packaging

The brushes are packaged in a standard clear plastic box. The packaging of this product is unremarkable, but I do like how sleek and travel-friendly each brush is. The brushes have slim, matte handles in various shades of pink.

What is it?

This brush set contains four brushes to apply eyeshadow and eyeliner:

• Crease brush
• All-over shadow brush
• Smudge brush
• Liner brush

The Brushes

The quality of this brush set is surprising, given the small size of each brush. The bristles are soft, pliable and smooth on the eyelid. Each brush is small, but the size makes them ideal for precisely applying and blending eyeshadow.

Tips for using each brush

I typically use each brush for a specific type of eye makeup. The liner brush has a flat, slanted tip to apply eyeliner. I use the fluffier smudge brush to blend shadow into my lid and crease. I mainly use the all-over shadow brush to apply shades to my lid and brow bone. The smudge brush is ideal for layering darker shadows on the outer corner of my eye.

Sephora Collection Eye Brush sets are perfect if you are looking for brushes that are smaller, light and easy to use. The 4-piece set retails for $20 at Sephora.

3 Quick, Easy Ways to Grow Your Blog With Twitter

Hello, lovelies!

I frequently use Twitter to share links to my blog posts, but recently began to grow my blog with the platform. I shared my content but did not engage with my followers or fellow bloggers. Implementing a few simple strategies has not only grown my following but also increased my engagement on my blog.

Engage with your followers 

If you’re using Twitter to promote your blog posts, it is important to engage with your followers (and potential readers). It only takes 5-10 minutes to scroll through your feed and like, retweet, or comment on your followers Tweets. This not only increases your engagement, but it also increases the visibility of your account and blog.

Create a call-to-action

I recently posted a call-to-action and asked my followers to link their blogs in one of my Tweets. This was beneficial for two reasons – (1) I was able to explore new blogs and content; and (2) Connecting with other bloggers grew both my Twitter account and my blog’s follower count.

Add hashtags to your Tweets 

Adding hashtags to your tweet, or tagging a brand, will introduce your content to new readers who may not have found your blog otherwise. Exploring hashtags on Twitter also increases your visibility to brands you may want to work with.

Add images to your Tweets 

Tweets with images receive twice the amount of engagement than those without. Your tweet will stand out more than text-only tweets, especially if it the size is Twitter-friendly.

Erin Angela’s Fall Bath and Body Works Haul

Hello, lovelies!

Bath and Body Works is one of my favourite stores to shop in. The delightful array of fragrance, candles, and soaps excites me for a new season. I typically stock-up on seasonal fragrances during the fall, winter and summertime. This is just what I did last week! Here’s a glimpse into my fall Bath and Body Works haul.

Vanilla Birch 3-Wick Candle

A single candle from Bath and Body Works lasts me forever. I tend to favour clean, fresh scents like vanilla, linen or sage. I picked up one Vanilla Birch candle and the fragrance notes of Madagascar vanilla, vanilla birch and sandalwood result in a delightful scent that reminds me of a cozy fall morning.

Beautiful Day Fine Fragrance Mist

I regularly repurchase fine fragrance mists from Bath and Body Works. Each fine fragrance mist contains 8 fl oz of product that typically lasts me throughout each season. The Beautiful Day fragrance is a delicious combination of daisies, apples and pink peonies. I typically wear this fragrance when I’m seeking a light, crisp scent.

Sweater Weather Fine Fragrance Mist

Hello, fall! Sweater Weather encapsulates the season in a bottle. This fragrance has crisp and cool notes, accented with crisp apple, autumn leaves and musky woods. I love wearing this specific fragrance when I’m ready to celebrate fall and cooler weather!

REVIEW: Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Lipstick

Hello, lovelies!

For the past few years, I have been on a never-ending hunt to find the perfect liquid lipstick. Most formulas that I’ve tried have either been too drying, not long-wearing, or crumbly. I know that the lipsticks I’m blogging about today are not new, but they are the best liquid lipstick formulas I’ve ever worn. And the best part? They’re drugstore! I recently discovered Maybelline’s SuperStay Matte Ink Lipstick line and let me tell you, they are ink-credible! 

The Packaging 

The packaging is sophisticated and fun. The tube has a unique square shape that features a white top that bears the Maybelline logo. The tube itself displays the colour contained within. It is lightweight and travel-friendly. The most interesting part of the packaging is the applicator – it is tear-drop shaped which allows for precise, mess-free application.

The Formula and Wear 

This lipstick claims to be a 16-hour, long-wear lipstick and it absolutely lives up to the claim. Once applied to the lips, these lipsticks are smudge-proof for hours. They do not flake, feather, or falter with eating, drinking, or sleeping. The formula dries down to a matte but glossy finish. The lipstick has the wear of a matte lipstick but it still feels creamy and has tact on the lips.

The Shades

Maybelline’s SuperStay Matte Ink is available in a range of 10 versatile shades:

• Loyalist – Pale nude
• Dreamer – Pale pastel pink
• Lover – Dusty rose
• Pioneer – Blue-based red
• Heroine – Bright orange-red
• Romantic – Neon pink
• Creator – Bright violet
• Believer – Eggplant purple
• Escapist – Oxblood brown
• Explorer – Navy blue
• Originator – Deep purple
• Composer – Maroon
• Founder – Dark pink
• Ground Breaker – Burnt orange with red undertone
• Dancer – Vibrant red

Maybelline’s SuperStay Matte Ink is an incredibly long-wearing liquid lipstick that comes in a variety of shades from pale nudes to vibrant berry. If you are looking for a lipstick that will not budge for the day, I’d highly recommend this one! To demonstrate the incredible longevity of this liquid lipstick, I’ve worn it in the shower to test it and it did not budge. Maybelline’s SuperStay Matte Ink varies in price between drugstores, but it is available from Maybelline’s official website for $11.99 or $9.99 at most other retailers including Walmart.

 

3 Tips You Need to Know to Properly Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Hello, lovelies!

Are you guilty of neglecting to clean your makeup brushes regularly? Keeping your brushes clean is a great way to prevent product build-up and maintain clearer skin. Here are three tips you should know when cleaning your brushes!

Disinfect them

Spritzing an anti-bacterial spray onto your brushes will eliminate bacteria and it will dry quickly. This is a simple method if you are pressed for time! Simply spray your brushes and let them dry.

Clean them regularly

I like to use a daily brush cleanser after every use, and deep-clean each brush once a week. This is especially important if your brushes are exposed to air for long periods of time. I gently clean my brushes daily with a daily cleaning spray, and deep clean them weekly with a gentle soap.

Reintroduce softness into your brushes

Sometimes brushes can become hard and flat after cleaning. Introduce a dab of conditioner into the bristles of the brush to keep them soft and smooth.

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: Dior Rouge Liquid Lipstick

Hello, lovelies!

I am consistently searching for new brands of liquid lipstick to test. I received samples of Dior Rouge Liquid Lipstick and I was intrigued to find out how the brand’s first liquid lipstick formula stacked up to other formulas I adore. Dior’s liquid lipstick comes in a range of beautiful colours. The shades I received in the sampler drew me in.

The Packaging 

The full-sized lipsticks come in sleek, elegant packages. The lipstick container is matte black with a transparent panel that reveals the colour within. I enjoy the square, blunt shape of the lipstick container because it is sturdy. This lipstick features a doe-foot applicator to precisely line the lips.

The Formula 

Dior’s liquid lipstick comes in three different finishes: Matte, metallic, and satin. I’ve tried both the matte and satin finishes. Both lipstick formulas are smooth, non-drying, and transfer-resistant. The formula is highly-pigmented. Once applied to the lips, the colour dries down completely and is lightweight.

The Colours 

I’ve tried samples of four shades in the collection:

• 999 – Matte red
• Hectic – Matte deep purple
• Fury – Matte rosewood
• Fab – Satin oxblood-red

Each colour I’ve tested is pigmented and opaque. The matte shades lasted longer on my lips than the satin shade. There are 25 other shades in the collection:

• Reckless – Matte orangey-beige
• Crush – Matte hot pink
• Impulsive – Matte coral pink
• Shock – Matte magenta
• Hypnotic – Matte dark pink
• Chic – Matte beige
• Savage – Matte raspberry-pink
• Lively – Matte dusty pink
• Jungle – Matte light brown
• Mysterious – Matte brownish-pink
• Dressed To – Matte reddish-brown
• Black – Matte black
• Delicate – Satin light brown
• Frenetic – Satin raspberry pink
• Impetious – Satin pink
• Versatile – Satin strawberry-red
• Miss – Satin pink-coral
• Fab – Satin reddish-black with shimmer
• Rock ‘n’ Metal – Metallic rusty red
• Spicy – Metallic hot pink
• Scandalous – Metallic brown
• Poison Metal – Metallic red-plum
• Hologram – Metallic silver
• Vibrant – Metallic rose-gold

The Wear 

Both the satin and matte shades wear comfortably on the lips. Once I apply the shade to my lips, they wear for 4-5 hours without fading. One aspect I adore about these lipsticks is that I only require one swipe of the lipstick to achieve full-coverage. The colour doesn’t bleed on my lips, but it does transfer while eating or drinking.

These lipsticks are perfect if you are looking for a comfortable, long-wearing lipstick. The metallic finishes are beautiful and richly pigmented. Dior Rouge Liquid Lipstick retails for $43 on Sephora’s website.

3 Natural Ways to Remove Makeup At the End of the Day

Hello, lovelies!

If you want to wake up with clear skin, removing makeup the night before is essential. I use a variety of methods and products to remove my makeup. When I do not have a makeup remover on hand I substitute natural methods for my beloved remover. Here are 3 methods I rotate between:

1. Use coconut oil 

Coconut oil has a range of benefits for your hair, skin, and nails. Combining coconut oil with a soft facial cloth is a quick way to remove stubborn makeup. Apply a small amount of coconut oil to your fingertips and gently rub your face to melt makeup.

2. Combine honey and baking soda 

This simple combination acts as both a makeup remover and a cleanser. Start by adding a small amount of baking soda to raw honey. Add a few drops of essential oil and whip the mixture until it forms a paste. Apply with a facecloth, and you have a gentle, effective makeup remover!

3. Use chapstick

This method may surprise you. Chapstick is an effective eye makeup remover. Swipe a small amount of chapstick onto your eyelid or underneath and gently rub it in with a cotton ball to remove makeup residue.

What is your favourite way to remove makeup?