Author: Lea

Favourites, Life

10 things I can’t live without

by LeaLeave a Comment on 10 things I can’t live without

Hey guys! Today’s post is based on a video that I saw Allana Davison did a week ago. In her video she shared 10 random things that she can’t live without. I loved this idea because I have so many random favourites that I wanted to share with you guys but weren’t sure how or when to mention them. So here are 10 random things I can’t live without.

1. The Calm app

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Guys, I use this app every single day. For those who haven’t heard about this app, it’s a guided meditation app. Except I don’t use it to meditate, I listen to their sleep stories. They are mini audiobooks. The stories are written to induce sleep and the narrators speak in soft voices. They will put me to sleep within 15 minutes. If my mind is particularly active one night, they also have guided sleep meditations that do work.

I use this app almost every single night. The only time I don’t is if I’m sharing my bed or room with someone else (sleepovers, vacations, etc.). You do have to pay to access most of the stories, but the cost vs times used makes it totally worth it. I don’t know what I would do without this app.

2. Tazo Chai Tea Latte Concentrate

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If you are addicted to Starbucks chai tea like me, you need to get this. My friend who worked at Starbucks said that this is what they use in store, but the concentrate they use it a different amount than the one sold in-stores. So while it doesn’t taste exactly the same it’s very close. I make myself a latte probably every other day.

This concentrate is super simple to use. I just add milk and sometimes sugar and it’s ready to go. It’s good both hot and cold. It’s been a godsend during quarantine when I can’t get Starbucks all the time. I have purchased it at Walmart, Longos and Sobeys (for all my Canadians). But it also available on Amazon, just be careful because some retailers will overcharge for it.

3. My Sony Speaker

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I love listening to music – I have two things on this list related to music. I listen to music almost all the time. I prefer listening to music through a speaker than my headphones if I’m not in public/with other people. I find I can think better if I listen through a speaker and then I’m also not restricted by headphone cords (because I don’t own wireless headphones). Listening through a speaker allows me to do things better than with headphones. Portable speakers are also great because I can bring them to the beach or work.

I got my Sony XB30 Extra Bass Portable Bluetooth Speaker for Christmas about three years ago and it still works like brand new. It accidentally fell from on top of the fridge and one speaker got dented but it still works perfectly! It has some colour changing/flashing lights which can be annoying if they are in your peripheral but it’s fun for parties. I love my portable speaker and if mine broke I would immediately buy a new one.

4. Scented Candles

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I love scented candles. And being stuck at home during quarantine has just increased my love of candles. I find having a nicely scented candle just relaxes me and makes me enjoy my space so much more. I always have one burning if I’m in my room.

Even though I love candles, I have a very weak sense of smell so I need strongly scented candles. Bath and Body Works are some of my favourites. They don’t have a Canadian website though so I haven’t had any in a while. Indigo is a great place to get some candles and I’ve enjoyed many of theirs. Some small Canadian brands I have ordered from and enjoyed are Au Natural, Shy Wolf Candles and Natura Soy Candles.

5. Pop Sockets

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I know pop sockets aren’t new anyone, but I still get so many questions about mine from people in real life! Since I first put a pop socket on my phone about three-ish years now I haven’t taken it off. It has changed my life and I don’t think I could ever go back.

There are many reasons why I love my pop socket. It makes it easier to hold my phone. Now that I have an iPhone 8 Plus my phone is large and can be hard to hold. The pop socket just gives me something to anchor my hand better. It’s great for walking around and also lying down in bed. I am a klutz and have dropped my phone countless times, but having a pop socket has decreased that a bit. It also helps so much when taking photos. Because I have a better hold on my phone I can better stabilize my hand to take nice photos. The final reason why I love my pop socket is that it’s so fun to fidget with it. Sometimes my friends would borrow my phone just to fidget with my pop socket. I use it every day and I just love it.

6. Scrunchies

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I love my scrunchies. The only time I’ll use regular hair elastics is if I am wearing my hair in braids or I’m going in the water. I love scrunchies because they damage my hair less than hair elastics AND they are cute!

I’ve bought my scrunchies from a variety of places. I have some from Claire’s, Topshop and Forever 21. Some of my favourites are this six-pack that I got from Amazon. They are all of equal quality. I usually just pick what scrunchie I want to wear based on my outfit.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

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I suffer from canker sores. I won’t go into details about them, but I’ve had them since I was a kid. When I’m stress or near my period I get a bunch and they can be super painful. People aren’t sure what causes them and they aren’t any cures. My mom read that apple cider vinegar can help and it is the best preventative measure I have found.

It works because canker sores are affected because of pH levels in your mouth, and apple cider vinegar can help regulate it. I take the Jamieson pills because it’s easier than taking the liquid version. This has made such a dramatic difference in my life. If I forget to take them for a couple of days I will get a few canker sores just like that. Now it hasn’t completely eradicated my canker sores. I still get a few if I am stressed. But it has made such a difference in my life. If you suffer from canker sores I highly recommend them.

8. Birkenstocks/Vikings

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Everyone has a favourite pair of shoes. These are mine. I’ve owned a pair of Birkenstocks or Vikings since I was 15/16. These are the best summer sandal. They are just super comfortable! If you don’t know what Birkenstocks are, they are a cork and rubber shoe that will conform to your foot as you wear it. The thick sole makes them super comfortable. I travelled and spend days at the CNE in these shoes and have had no problems.

I usually buy a new pair every two summers. Because they are cork if they get wet they deteriorate. I worked at an outdoor pool for four summers wearing these and got them wet accidentally quite a few times. Since I get them wet that’s why I have to buy them more frequently. But if you’re careful these shoes could probably last you quite a few years. I currently own a pair of Vikings. I’ve owned both and haven’t noticed a difference in quality. Vikings are cheaper so I recommend those.

9. Spotify Premium

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If you don’t have a Spotify premium account you are missing out! I think I’ve had it for almost four years now. I got premium within a month of downloading Spotify. I couldn’t stand the ads and not being able to skip songs.

As I’ve mentioned before, I love listening to music. I would say that I use this app every single day. It has a huge selection of music. But what I love about the app is the number of playlists. I get tired of listening to the same stuff all the time, so I like the ability to find and listen to new stuff all the time. My favourite is the #ThrowbackThursday playlist. It’s full of throwback songs (obviously) but it’s changed every week to reflect some theme. I always look forward to Thursdays and what songs are going to be on the playlist. Spotify has many different paid plans now from when I first got it, so I would recommend checking out the deals they have.

10. Notebooks

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I learn and remember things best when I write them out by hand. For that reason, I have many notebooks. I used notebooks when I was in school to write notes, to do research and to plan out assignments. The process of physically writing something by hand helps me remember it better. I also used notebooks to plan blog posts and do other random things like research trips. I always have a notebook near my desk.

When I was in university I always used the Five Star 5-Subject notebooks – you can get these from Staples. Now I usually buy my notebooks from Winners or Indigo. I prefer having large notebooks that are the size of a regular sheet of paper. I also like having coils on the side because it folds over nicer. Technology seems like an easy, obvious choice but sometimes it’s nice to put a pen to paper.

And those are the 10 random things I can’t live without. Let me know if you guys use any of these things or what some of your random favourites are!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Haul, Makeup, Skincare

Sephora VIB Sale Haul + First Impressions

by LeaLeave a Comment on Sephora VIB Sale Haul + First Impressions

Hey guys! My Sephora VIB Sale order has finally come in! I ordered one of the last days of the sale which is why it took so long to come in. I usually do full reviews on the products, but since it took so long for the products to arrive I thought it best to just do some first impressions so I could get this post up asap.

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The first product is a Beauty Blender set! I’ve mentioned this before but every sale I always buy a new Beauty Blender. They are great sponges and I use them almost every time I do my makeup. This one came with a red sponge and a solid cleanser. It’s a good deal because it’s the same price as a regular Beauty Blender.

The next product is the one I was waiting for the most! I got the OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Juice Daily Cleanser. I finished my other OLEHENRIKSEN cleanser the other day so it was great timing. I tried it this morning and I think I like it. It smells like orange which I love. It lathers up nicely and left my skin feeling soft. I need to try this cleanser a bit more to say whether I love it or not, but so far so good.

I got two eyeliners. The first is the Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner in the shade Brown. I have been wanting a brown liquid eyeliner. I thought this one would be good because it also has a pencil on the other end. Now this is a felt tip, which I’m not as good at using. But I was able to create a pretty good wing with it. But I will say it’s darker than I expected. I think I like this and will get some good use out of it.

The second eyeliner I bought was the Makeup Forever Artist Color Pencil in the shade Boundless Bisque. I like to put white in my waterline, but sometimes white can be a little too bright. I thought this nude would be a good shade. And I was right! I used the pencil and it make my eyes just look so awake and bright. I’ve only had it in my waterline for two hours but it’s still there! I think I will like this liner.

The final product is the Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer. I have heard so many good things about this bronzer and have had it on my wish list for awhile. I thought now was the perfect time to get it ahead of summer. I’ve only used it once but I am already it love. This bronzer blended out so easily. I also love that it’s a matte formula. I find that sometimes creams can make me look greasy, but this one just looks so natural. It’s also a great shade match for me. OH I LOVE THIS ALREADY!

And that is my Sephora VIB Sale haul. Let me know in the comments what products you guys got during the sale!

xoxo

Lea

Book Review

Book Review 007

by Lea1 Comment on Book Review 007

Hey guys! Today I am back with another book review. Today I have three books! I am very impressed with how much I have been able to read lately. I am making up for the fact that it took me four months to read one book. 😂

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I have also decided to instill a rating system to help give some structure to my reviews. 5/5 is amazing everyone should read. 4/5 is pretty good but not perfect. 3/5 is not bad, if you are interested in the novel then read it but not wow everyone needs to read it. 2/5 is major issues but I was still able to finish the book. 1/5 is trash but I finished the book still. 0/5 would be for a book I didn’t finish.

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

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I actually wrote my first book review on the first novel, The Handmaid’s Tale! I have since watched the tv show and I love the tv show. I know it’s not for everyone, but media academic in me absolutely adores the tv show.  It also won the Man Booker Prize AND was Goodreads Best Fiction of 2019. All of this preamble is to say that I had high hopes going into this novel.

Well it did not disappoint. I quickly settled into the world of Gilead again. This novel is set 15 years since The Handmaid’s Tale and follows the story of three woman: Aunt Lydia, Agnes and Daisy. The novel borrows aspects from the tv show but some things are different than the show. I think having watched the tv show will help the reader, but having not seen wouldn’t hinder someone.

I liked all three of the main characters. Atwood did an amazing job of creating complex characters. I liked them but also would get frustrated with them, just like real people. I also like how the characters point-of-view can change my feelings on a character. For example, I generally liked Agnes, but found her annoying from Daisy’s point-of-view. I think this highlights how important people’s perspectives are.

I found this book way more readable compared to the first novel. One of my comments on the previous novel was that I found some passages to be a little too description and heavy with literary devices. This novel did have some, but it was mostly Aunt Lydia’s sections that had it. It was in small enough doses that I found it interesting. I think the average reader would find the novel easy to read.

Overall I was happy with the ending. I’m sure some people might be disappointed. But this novel is not about the fall of Gilead but the build up to it. I also found the epilogue to be super satisfying for me personally.

Overall I give this novel a 4.5/5. I think this novel was well written and the themes are super important. But I do realize that this novel deals with some heavy themes are just not for everyone.

The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White

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So I bought this novel when I was a teenager – this book was published in 2013. I know Kiersten White is famous for her Paranormalcy series and I heard good reviews about that series so I thought this book would be good.

It’s not yet I still couldn’t put the book down.

This book is confusing. Isadora is the human daughter or Egyptian gods, and she moves to California to live with her brother. Unless you know a lot about Egyptian gods this book is very confusing. By the end of the book I can say I have a better understanding on Egyptian mythology, but I had to do a lot of Googling at the beginning because White didn’t explain anything very well.

The exposition wasn’t very great and the conflict was very flat throughout the novel. Like this is such an interesting concept and White didn’t do anything interesting with it!

Also none of the characters felt real. Isadora was infuriating and I didn’t connect with her whatsoever. She was just annoying and nothing is worst than an annoying protagonist, especially when it’s a first-person novel. Ry, the love interest, was so idolized that he didn’t feel real. Their romance was just so fake.

I predicted the big reveal at the ending. I think it’s fine to be able to predict the ending but it has to be satisfying. I can always predict at the end of a Hallmark romance movie that the girl and guy will get together, but if they did a good job of setting up the romance it will be satisfying. This end was just flat because there was a lack of conflict leading up to it.

BUT despite all the flaws I was still hooked into the novel. I kept finding myself wanting to read the novel to find out what was going to happen. I think because of the lack of a good plot line I was always hoping it would get better but it didn’t.

Overall I would give this a 2/5. It was pretty bad and I wouldn’t recommend it. But I still finished it and enjoyed the book even though it was so bad.

Educated by Tara Westover

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This book has been on my to-read list for a while. It’s a best-selling novel – last I checked it’s at number two on the non-fiction list. There is a lot of hype around the novel.

The book is a memoir of Westover’s life growing up in a Mormon survivalist household. Her father rejects many Western conventions such as public education and health care because he is afraid of the government. She grows up in rural Idaho with her six older siblings. The story follows her life and how she progressively receives higher education.

The book is a real slow burn at the beginning. It took me a couple of days to get through the first 150 pages. But I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing because it made me sit and reflect on what I was reading. But once you settle into Westover’s novel I became hooked, and read the last 100 pages in on sitting.

The content can be quite shocking. Tara Westover is the victim of much violence from one of her problems. Many of her family members, including herself, and subject to horrible injuries that are described in much detail. So I wouldn’t recommend this novel if violence and gore and aspects you steer clear of.

Much of the violence and injury is because Westover’s father puts his faith before the safety of his family. This is one passage that Westover discusses this that made me sit back and think. Westover is figuring out her religion and her relationship with her family, which is oftentimes at odds against the education that she is seeking.

I also want to note that this is a memoir, which is a tricky vehicle of storytelling because it’s one-sided. I do like that Westover acknowledges the issues with her memory. Many times she has footnotes describing how she and members of her family remember an event differently. I like that she included these notes in her book.

Overall I think this is a good book. It’s hard to say I enjoyed parts of the novel because it can be hard to read about people’s trauma. But I liked that this book made me sit and think about themes such as religion, family and education. I would give the memoir a 4/5. I don’t think everyone would love this book, but I think it’s an important book and I’m glad I read it.

And those are my book reviews guys! Totally opposite books haha. Let me know what you have been reading lately or if you have any book recommendations for me!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Makeup

I tried the Decades Challenge

by LeaLeave a Comment on I tried the Decades Challenge

Hey guys! Here I am doing another TikTok challenge. Sorry guys but I am obsessed with the app and find it so fun. This challenge was to create a look starting from the 1950s to the 2000s. I thought it would be fair to share the results and also explain some of the thoughts when creating the looks.

1950’s Glam

I feel like this is something my grandmother would wear. I even put on her pearls for the photos!

1950s makeup is a combination of light and natural and heavily applied makeup. The eyebrows and base makeup are both very light, with just a little blush. The eyes are just lined on the top with black and a heavy coat of mascara is applied. During the day most women would wear nudes or pinks, but I decided to go for a glam red.

It’s hard to tell in the photo but I tried to do a little swirl with my hair. 1950s hair is generally pretty complicated. I had only three bobby pins so I was limited to what I could do. I finished the look with a basic black collared shirt.

1960s Mod

When I showed my mom the final look, she said I reminded her of my great-aunt. She said all I was missing was blue eyeshadow haha!

There were many different makeup trends, but I decided to go for a mod look because it’s the most dramatic. The eyebrows are probably the only not over the top part of the look. The base is extremely matte and powdered, and generally a share lighter than your natural skin tone. The eyes in the focal point of the look. A line is drawn above the crease and the lid is either white or blue. False lashes are optional but common. The waterline is usually white. On the bottom of the eyes are fake lashes drawn in with eyeliner. The look is completed with a very pale lip.

I decided to complete the look with a polka dot headband and a turtle neck.

1970s Natural

My mom was a tween/teen in the 1970s, and this is a look she would rock. The 1970s was a decade of social activism and with that many women embraced a more natural face after the heavy makeup of the previous decade.

The eyebrows were big and bushy. I kept my base very light and applied a peachy blush. I added some faux freckles because I felt like it added to the natural look. I added a bit of mascara and a lip balm and I was done.

Now I would have loved to do a Farrah Fawcett style hair but there was no way I would be able to pull that off. So I went with straight hair because it was popular to have long straight hair. I finished this look with a crochet knit top that was my mom’s and vintage. My mother’s chest was way smaller than mine and probably fit her better though haha.

1980s Bright Neon Workout Makeup

When I showed my mom my look, she said I needed to add more blush haha!

Makeup in the 1980s was big, bold and bright. Big brows continued from the 1970s. Purple, blue and pink were some of the favourite eyeshadow colours, so I added all three to my lid. Big false lashes were also common, so I applied my biggest pair. Blush was applied with a heavy hand to the cheeks, temples, nose and chin. I finished the look with a pink lip. I would have loved a neon fuchsia, but I don’t own any.

I finished my look with a pink sports bra and a high pony in a scrunchie. My mom was super into exercising  in the 1980s and was an aerobics instructor, so this felt appropriate to my lineage.

1990s Grunge

If I was a teen in the 1990s I feel like I would be in the grunge scene. When I was a teen I often wore oversized jean or plaid shirts. I loved dark floral and was getting more and more into rock music. So it only made sense that I did a grunge look for the 90s.

Thin eyebrows were huge in the 90s, but I wasn’t going to sacrifice my brows for this photo ahaha. I made them super dark and almost look like they were pencil-ed on. Dark eye makeup with lots of black eyeliner was popular with the grunge look. There was two popular lip looks in the 90s. The first was dark browns or reds and the other is lining your lips in a different shade than the lipstick. So I combined the two with a brown lip liner and a nude lipstick.

I finished the look with a vintage jean shirt I own. Having front pieces hang out from a ponytail is a look that was common in the 90s and is currently making a comeback. I like this 90s look might be my favourite.

2000s Teen Movie

I was a kid/tween in the 2000s, so this makeup is what I saw on tv. Some of my first makeup products were lip gloss and sparkly blush.

Blue sparkly eyeshadow started in the 90s and continued into the 2000s. Eyebrows were also thin, but I’m not messing with my brows for this post. The base was usually very tan sometimes orange looking. Lots of bronzer and blush was applied. And no 2000s look was complete without lipgloss.

Light pinks and purples were popular colours, so I threw on this purple top. 2000s hair was crazy. I was inspired by the great Lizzie McGuire to do this clip with hair sticking out.

And those are all my looks. I hope you enjoyed this, I had so much fun doing in. Let me know if there are any other challenges you think I should try out.

xoxo

Lea

Life

My Morning Routine

by LeaLeave a Comment on My Morning Routine

Hey guys! I know this is a classic Youtube video and I have also seen a bunch of videos on TikTok of people showing their morning routines. I decided to make a video myself and I writing this post to support that video. I just wanted to mention that I don’t do this morning routine every day. My mornings differ if I’m working out that morning or taking my dog on a walk. I always sleep in and eat breakfast as a family on the weekends. I would say I do this routine three days a week. Anyways I digress, let’s get into the routine.

So I set my alarm for 8 a.m. but I usually snooze it for a bit and then spend some time on my phone. I usually like to get out of bed at around 9 a.m.

I prefer to workout in the mornings because that’s when I have the most energy. If I workout in the afternoon or evening then I’m too tired to do anything else. I also just like to get it out of the way. I always work out before I eat because otherwise I find that I am lethargic during my workouts. I am currently doing Chloe Ting 25 Day Hourglass Challenge. I’m not doing this every day so it’s taking me a bit longer. I like doing programs or challenges because it gives me a goal and structure.

By the time I’ve finished my workout, I’m hungry and ready for breakfast. I like a variety of things for breakfast but one of my all-time favourites is avocado toast. I personally like to top mine with salt, pepper, everything-but-the-bagel seasoning, olive oil and balsamic vinegar glaze. I highly recommend everything-but-the-bagel seasoning. My mom made the mix for me so that’s what I use. I usually eat a piece of fruit with breakfast as well.

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I also read the newspaper – I know not a popular activity for young people to do. I had to read the Globe and Mail because of my program and the habit just stuck. It’s actually a habit that I am really happy that I picked up on. It’s actually incredible how much more up-to-date I am on global events. So many times I’ve had conversations with people about topics and I was able to contribute or even educate because I’ve read the paper. I have a paper copy just because my mom reads it too.

This might be weird but I always make a cup of tea before I shower. I like to drink it while I get ready and do my makeup after my shower. I make it before so it’s perfect temperature after I’m done my shower. I like to drink black or earl grey in the morning.

After breakfast, I shower. I’ve lined by my hair washing days with when I work out. After watching a few Youtubers go on Curly-Girl hair journeys, I have started to do a modified one myself. I am slowly replacing my hair products with sulphate and silicone-free options, and I am trying new techniques with my hair. I want to do some more research and experimentation, but expect a post about it sometime in the future.

Now that I have more time I have been doing face masks more! I usually cleanse my face in the shower and then apply a face mask depending on how my skin is feeling at the moment. I can always do a face mask collection if that is something you guys are interested in. Let me know in the comments!

While I do my mask I usually slather my body in lotion. My body skin is pretty dry so I always moisturize after showering. I’ve mentioned this before but I have pretty bad body acne as well. So I always use an acne cream and a moisturize meant for the face on my chest and shoulders. I like heavily perfumed body lotions for the rest of my body, but if I were to apply that to my chest and shoulder it would break me out. After applying my lotions I get dressed, wash off my mask and finish my hair.

Finally, I do my makeup! I know a lot of people aren’t wearing makeup at home during quarantine but I do it for two reasons. First, it’s because it helps bring some normalcy and routine to my days. My putting on makeup makes me feel less of a slob and more productive. And second I am usually testing out products for a post that I am working out. If I am not testing out products, I usually do something similar to my 5-minute makeup routine. After I am done my makeup I start doing whatever task I have planned for the day!

Now I do want to mention that by the time I am done it’s usually noon. I realize that I am lucky and privileged to be able to take all my mornings for myself. Since I am done school and currently looking for work, I have the luxury to take my time and do all of these. My heart goes out to all the people who are stressed and worried. And thank you to all the front line workers who are spending their mornings helping everyone out.

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Drugstore, Makeup, Product of the Month

Products of the Month – May 2020

by Lea3 Comments on Products of the Month – May 2020

Hey guys! Today I am sharing my thoughts on my April products of the month and revealing the products I have selected for May. The point of this series is to rediscover products in my makeup collection and to get some use out of them.

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The first of my products is the Cover FX Illuminating Setting Spray. I have come to realize there is a reason why I don’t use this spray very often. They spray on this sucks. It leaks so there is setting spray all over the bottle. There is also glitter particles in the spray so it also gets stuck and makes the spray sputter. It’s also such a fine mist that I have like I have to hold it close to my face, with increases the chance of getting droplets all over my face. The formula isn’t bad but makes me really dewy. So this is nice on top of matte makeup, otherwise it becomes too much. Overall not impressed and I stopped using it because I didn’t like it for everyday use.

The other product was the Wet n Wild Rose in the Air Eyeshadow palette. This is one of the best drugstore palette is my opinion. The shimmers are quite medicore, but I have so many shimmers that it’s okay. The mattes make up the majority of the palette and they are great. I was able to create so many looks, where are two that I photographed. I like the mix of warm orangey shades and more neutral pinks. Also did I mention it’s under $10? Ya this palette is great.

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Now for my May products I decided to choose three. For my palette this month I decided to pick a blush palette. I picked the Alamar Cosmetics Colorette Blush Trio in Medium/Tan (I got it in my Boxycharm and they sent me this one, would have liked the light one but oh well). I love blush but always forget to reach for my palettes. And I feel like spring is such a great time to use lots of blush. Excited to play with this palette.

The next are two lip products. I decided to pick both a lipstick and a lip gloss so I have some options. I’ve had both of these for quite awhile and they are probably expired but all the more reason for me to use them up. The first is the MAC Cremesheen Glass. The shade I own is discontinued (Calypso Beat) but the shade Boy Bait is similar. The second is the Maybelline Color Sensational The Mattes in the shade 655 Daringly Nude.

And those are the products I have selected. Excited to try and get some use out of them. Let me know if you have tried any of these products and your thoughts on them.

xoxo

Lea

Book Review

Book Review 006

by Lea1 Comment on Book Review 006

Hey guys! Today I am here with another book review. One of the few good things about quarantine is that I have more time to read. Hopefully, I will be posting book reviews more frequently.

book review 006

Today’s book is Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors. I have read Coffeehouse Angel by Selfors as well, but I can’t remember the plot or my thoughts about the novel. It’s an older novel, published in 2011. I bought this when I was a teenager and just now got around to reading it.

I picked this novel because I wanted something light and easy. Like a Hallmark movie that is easy and has a happy ending. WELL, this novel is not what I expected.

Description: The main character, Alice, is the daughter of a best-selling romance author. But her mother has been secretly hospitalized for mental illness. Alice needs to write a new book for her mother. Alice meets Errol, a stranger who claims to be Cupid and has a story for her to write.

Now maybe I just misread the except, but I thought Alice was going to be writing the novel near the beginning of the novel. But it takes a while to get going. During the first half of the novel, I was wondering when they were going to get to the book writing back.

The book is very readable. So while I was waiting for the plot to speed up, I still was going through the book quickly. The tempo was good that I was always wanting to pick up the book and learn what was going to happen next.

Now I thought this book was going to be a romance novel, so I was disappointed when the romance was a secondary plot. Tony, the love interest, is cute and I liked him. But I was left wanting more.

The main theme/point of the novel was mental illness. Alice’s mother is bipolar. Throughout the novel, Alice is dealing with her relationship with her mother. She is also afraid that she is going to inherit her mother’s disease, which complicates her relationship with Errol.

It’s hard because this novel is nine years ago and society’s views and opinions on mental health have come a long way since this book came out. I think at the time it was one of the first YA novels discussing it, so I think that’s good that it broke down the stigma. But I think our understanding of mental illness has changed since the book came out and so some things are outdated. This is just something to keep in mind – especially since I didn’t know the novel was going to focus so much on this when going into it.

There is also some magical realism in the novel with the character Errol being Cupid. While I understand that Alice was reluctant to believe Errol because of her fear of mental illness, I also found it infuriating. I was like come on, just accept it and let’s move on. I also wanted more. I felt that the magical realism was very surface level and wasn’t explained very thoroughly. I think Selfors could have taken away from other side characters to have better told Errol’s story.

What I loved most about the novel is the cast of characters. They are all so different and not what you see in an average teen romance. I enjoyed all the characters and thought most of them were more multidimensional than the main character. I also liked how all the characters plot-lines ended.

My overall thoughts were that I enjoyed the book even though it wasn’t what I expected going into it. I was hooked and wanted to know what going to happen next. I would recommend this book if you are interested in reading a YA novel about mental illness. Like I mentioned it’s a little outdated but still cute.

And that is my review! Let me know if you have read this novel and what your thoughts were. I am also currently reading The Testaments by Margaret Atwood and I’m also done so there should be another book review soon.

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Boxycharm, Review

April Boxycharm

by Lea4 Comments on April Boxycharm

Hey guys! Today’s post is my April Boxycharm. It took a little longer to arrive but I still had over a week to try all the products so that’s good. This month’s theme was Festival Vibes – I assume they picked it before Covid-19. Here are the products I received.

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For those you didn’t know, Boxycharm now allows for choice. I got to pick between three items this month and I chose The Elemis Superfood Cica Calm Hydration Juice. The was another Elemis product and one of 10 different eyeshadow palettes. Since I couldn’t choose the eyeshadow palette, I picked this Elemis moisturizer because I felt like I would get the most use out of it. This moisturizer is a gel, which I like for my skin type. It’s supposed to be a ‘super-hydrating’ and while it does a good job it’s not the most hydrating moisturizer I’ve ever used. Overall this is a good product and I will continue to use it, but I’m not saying you have to run out and purchase it yourself. Price: $48 US

The next product is the Iconic London Illuminator. I have heard many amazing things about this highlight but have never purchased it because it’s only sold on their website in Canada. This shit is BRIGHT. This is the blinding highlight that was super popular a couple of years ago. I have the original shade, which is a hair too dark for me. If I apply too much I can see a stripe on my face. I think once I get a bit of tan it will match me well. It’s also a bit fussy to use. I find that the only way it applies well is with my fingers. So I will continue to use it but it won’t be my go-to highlight. Price: $41 US, $57 CAD

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The Lavish 5-Piece Neon Eye Brush Collection is a weird set. Four of the five brushes are decent quality, on par with some of Morphe brushes. But the Fine Liner brush is crap. It reminds me of those scraggly brushes that you get with a Crayola paint kit as a kid. So it’s weird that there is different quality within the set. Also, the brand’s website is hard to find and doesn’t seem very legit. Honestly don’t buy these, stick to Luxie brushes. You can get them at Winners and they’re good quality. Price: $29.99 US

When I saw this was an option I was really hoping I wouldn’t get it and of course I did. I received the Benefit Cosmetics Porefessional Face Primer. If you read my April Products of the Month post you would understand my feelings. While it’s not a bad primer, I just don’t use pore filling primers very often. I also have many other open primers in my collection. So I have decided to not open it and I will give donate it or sell it. Price: $32 US, $42 CAD

The final product is the Makeup Eraser. I have seen this before but never tried it before. It’s a cloth that you just wet and it removes your makeup. No need for makeup remover. It’s quite sustainable because not only is it eliminating cotton rounds but also the makeup remover itself. Does it work? Well, it does take off my makeup, even my mascara! But my face doesn’t feel clean after, I have to wash my face after. I like using micellar water to remove my makeup because it not only removes my makeup but cleanses my face at the same time. I have yet to wash it yet but I will update this post once I have. Overall if you like to double cleanse this might be a good product for you, but I’m lazy so I’m going to stick to my micellar water and reusable cotton rounds. Price: $22 US, $29 CAD

And that is my Boxycharm! The total price is $172.99. Pretty good value in the box, but it’s mainly the Elemis moisturizer and Iconic London Illuminator that brought up the price. Overall this was quite a mediocre box. Nothing was horrible but nothing amazing. Let me know what you think in the comments.

xoxo

Lea

*UPDATE May 11* Hey guys. Wanted to post an update about a two of the products. The first is the Makeup Erasure. I have since washed it and it washed well! There are no makeup stains and it worked just as well as the first time. My thoughts still stand that while it took off the makeup it didn’t leave my skin feeling clean. I believe that this will be good when I am travelling and don’t want to bring makeup remover but will be bringing a cleanser anyways.

The second product is the Elemis moisturizer. I have used it for three weeks now and I’ve figured out my opinion. It’s a good moisturizer and would be best for oily/combo skin. It’s a gel, so it’s a enough for my skin but if you are dry wouldn’t be enough hydration. After first applying it to the skin it feels tacky, but that dissipates over time.

The only thing that is holding me back from recommending it is the availability in Canada. Now this may be different in other countries, but the only retailer I could find in Canada that sells this moisturizer is the Elemis website. Shipping is $25 for orders under $200 and who knows if they would be duties as well. I think there are other moisturizers that are more readily available than this one. Now if you live in the US or Europe it’s way easier to get Elemis products. I think it’s important to take into consideration how accessible a product is when recommending it.

I hope this update helps! 🙂

Fashion, Haul

American Eagle Try On Haul

by LeaLeave a Comment on American Eagle Try On Haul

Hey guys! Today I am doing a try-on haul of all the pieces that I got from American Eagle. I have photos from their site and photos (well screenshots of a video) on myself. I am posting a video on my IGTV showing off the pieces so I recommend checking that out as well.

I placed this order about three weeks ago and it took a while for the pieces to come in. When I can’t link the exact item I try to link similar pieces. Also just to let you know I purchased these items when they were 50% off, so what I paid might be different from what it’s priced now.

American Eagle, AE, American Eagle haul, lounge wear, loungewear, comfy clothes, sweatpants

First is the AE Plush Long Sleeve Peplum T-Shirt. I got it in a lavender shade but they have a nice cream still in stock. It’s soft and comfy to wear at home but still nice to wear outside the house. I would wear this top with leggings. I like how the back to long enough to cover my butt because I don’t always want to show my butt off haha. I also like how the peplum adds some shape but isn’t too tight so it isn’t uncomfortable.

The next shirt is the AE Cinched Waist T-Shirt. I have it in a beautiful sage green, but online they have a white and tie-dye still. The shirt is very soft and the cinch has some shape and definition. The cinch is also adjustable. While it’s nice with sweatpants, I think this would also be cute with ripped jeans and a jean jacket.

The other t-shirt I got was the AE Fleece Boxy Crew Neck Sweatshirt. This is basically a sweatshirt but with short sleeves. It’s perfect for a Canadian spring where it’s too warm for a thick sweater but not yet warm enough for a t-shirt. I also know tie-dye is really big right now, but this one isn’t too loud.

The first pair of pants isn’t available anymore. They are called the AE Super High-Waisted Jogger Pants in the shade olive. These ones are a similar shade and these ones are a similar shape. What I like about these pants is that they are something different than wearing jeans or leggings. Mine fit me perfectly where it’s not super tight in the waist but still gives me definition. It also makes my butt look good hehe. Excited to wear these!

The second pair of pants are the AE High-Waisted Paperbag Pant. I love these. The paperbag waist just hugs my curves. The fact that they’re black means I can wear them with almost anything. I could dress them up with heels or dress them down with my Birkenstocks. They are made from cotton so they feel great. I think I’ll get a lot of wear out of these pants.

The only item that didn’t fit quite right was the AE Soft Plush Long Sleeve T-Shirt. On the photo it’s completely baggy, but for me it lays oddly over my chest. It’s not bad enough for me to return it, but I wouldn’t wear this while going out. It’s fine for just lounging around the house. I love the colour and that’s mainly why I am keeping it. I think the creamy/oatmeal colour just suits my hair and skin tone so well. So while I don’t necessarily recommend it, I will still wear it.

The final item is the AEO Super High-Waisted Soft Plush Leggings. These are not exactly the most figure-flattering pair of sweats, but they are super comfy. They are basically tighter sweatpants, but they are not skin tight so they are still comfy. The material is super soft as well. The light colour and material highlights my belly but I just wear a long shirt or sweater and it’s out of sight! Definitely great lounge pants for all this time we are spending inside.

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And that is my AE haul! A nice combination of lounge-wear and pieces that I will wear when quarantine is over. Let me know if you guys liked this type of haul in the comments below.

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Review

Sephora Haul April 2020

by LeaLeave a Comment on Sephora Haul April 2020

Hey guys! Today I am sharing a little Sephora haul! My birthday is at the beginning of April. I used a gift card that I received when placing this order. Now I know the Sephora sale is on right now, so this haul comes at a great time! I will probably be placing another order myself using the sale (mainly to buy a new Beauty Blender lol).

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So the first product is the Huda Beauty Nude Obsessions in the shade Medium. I picked the Medium one specifically because I love the combination of warm browns and pink/peachy colours. I love every single shade in this palette. They all work so well together. I like how balanced the palette is with four shimmers and five mattes. Within the mattes, there is a mix of light and dark shades. It’s a tad deep for everyday use for me but I was able to make it work. This is the perfect glam palette, and it will be great to travel because it’s so small and I know I can create a bomb look with this palette. Overall very happy with this purchase and I think I’ll use it a lot.

Next up is the Nudestix Nudies Matte Blush in the shade In The Nude. I had heard so many people rave about this product and decided to try it myself. Well, they were right because this is the best cream blush I have tried yet. It’s very creamy so it’s easy to apply and blend out. It settles into the skin well and lasts a long time. The shade is the perfect everyday blush shade for my skin tone. I am in love and want to pick up more shades in the future. WOW.

This product is expensive which is why I got it with a gift card (should have waited until the sale oh well). I finished a sample of the Biossance Squalene + Vitamin C Rose Oil and decided to pick up the full size. This product has helped reduce my acne scarring and brighten my skin tone. I know there are cheaper vitamin c oils on the market, but with all the stuff going on I rather buy one I know that works than try a new one and not be able to return it. I am very happy to have this back in my routine because I noticed a difference in my skin when I stopped using this.

Another repurchase is the Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask. I had a sample of this mask and I feel in love. It’s amazing at helping active breakouts. I use this mask whenever I have an ugly or painful pimples and I notice a huge difference after I take off this mask. I would only recommend this mask if you have oily skin or deal with breakouts because this can be pretty drying.

I decided to repurchase my eyeshadow primer, the Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer. Now I was considering trying other eyeshadow primers out, but the ones I wanted weren’t available. So I decided to go back to my old classic. If I don’t prime my eyelids shadow will crease on me. This one is pretty good. It has a cream colour to it but drys clear on the eyelids. I prefer to set my primer before going in with other shadows. This is the only primer that I have used for years so I have nothing to compare it to haha. Does it the job.

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The final two products are my Sephora birthday gift! Sephora has a few sets, but I decided to pick up the Nars one that is exclusive to Rouge members. It comes with a mini blush in the shade Deep Throat and a Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in the shade Bad Girl. I like both of these products. The blush has a faint sheen that makes my cheeks look dewy – but without any visible glitter. I like the lip pencil because it’s a beautiful cool toned nude. I find cool-toned lips either to be really mauve or really pink. This one matches me so well. If you are a Rouge member I would recommend this set.

And that is my Sephora haul! Let me know if you guys are picking up anything during the Sephora VIB sale in the comments below.

xoxo

Lea