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August Boxycharm 2019

September 6, 2019May 6, 2020by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! So the last couple weeks have been crazy for me. At the end of summer I was taking extra shifts to cover for everyone who was going back to school. Then I went back to school this week, and it has been definitely overwhelming to say the least. I also feel like I was in a writing lull for awhile, and then I got all this stuff at once to review and well – my life is all over the place. At first I wasn’t going to post this review, because at the time I hadn’t really tried out any products in the box. But now that school has started I am wearing more makeup regularly, so I have had a chance to try the products. Anyways, that is a very long winded way to say here is my August Boyxcharm:

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First up is the Steve Laurant Lip Liner. This lip liner isn’t worth your money – Maybelline makes much better ones. I do like the colour; I got the shade Chic which is a warm, slightly brown nude. It would work for a range of skin tones. What I don’t like is that the lip liner is very stiff. I really have to press hard to get any colour payoff. I don’t use lip liners very often, but when I do I like to use creamy pencils, and this ain’t it. Price: $15 USD

The product that I was most excited to try was the Becca Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder. As someone with oily/combo skin, I am always looking for the best powder. I always wanted to try this powder when it first came out, but never got around to buying it. Now after trying it I’m unsure how I feel. What’s cool about this powder is that it claims to feel like applying water to your face when using this powder. This is true. The first time I applied the powder it felt so cool and almost wet. The only thing is that if you leave your powder out/open, this cooling effect goes away. I often pour some powder into the cap, and if I pour too much I just leave it in the cap for the next time I do my makeup. I did this with this Becca powder, and the powder didn’t have the same cooling effect. The cap does have a disclaimer to keep cap close, so just keep this in mind. Now I am on the fence about how I feel about this powder. The first time I used it I baked with it and my under eyes felt sooo dry. The second time I didn’t bake and it wasn’t as bad, but I still wasn’t super impressed. I feel like I have to play around with this powder a bit more. Price: $39 USD, $51 CAD

Next up is the Tarte Big Ego Mascara. I believe this is a new mascara, but I didn’t hear much press about it. This mascara claims to be a lifting mascara, and I definitely would say that’s true. It doesn’t give crazy volume, but does make my lashes look longer. It also lasts long through the day. I find that some mascaras almost ‘fall’ throughout the day, so by the end my lashes don’t look as long. This Tarte mascara lasted me though a good 10 hours no problem. I have yet to compared it to my other Tarte favourite, their Tarteist Lash Paint. Overall it wasn’t bad but didn’t WOW me. Price: $23 USD, $30 CAD

The next product is the Wander Beauty Glow Ahead Illuminating Oil. K I don’t get this product… like what is it? Is it a skincare product? Is it a primer? Honestly I have no idea. I would apply this to my face before applying makeup and honestly I didn’t really notice much of a different. My face didn’t look any dewier with it, and my Dr. Brandt primer is much better at illuminating. My face didn’t feel any more hydrated. I might try using it to sheer out a matte foundation, but that is really the only thing I could think it might be good at. If you have any idea on how to use this product let me know. Price: $42 USD, $50.40 CAD

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The final two products are the Glimmer Shadow Duo from Ace Beaute. I was skeptical at first, I won’t lie. These shadows look like a dupe for the Colourpop Super Shock Shadows. I was unsure if they would be that good. And I am hear to report that I am wrong, these are amazing. I got the duo with Cotton Candy and Iced Latte, and wow these shades are beautiful. The pink shade has a gold/peach shift to it, which is just so beautiful on the eyes. And the gold shade has little glitter in it that just look so great on the eyes. These shadows are easy to apply using a finger, and they are super pigmented. The only thing is that they are more expensive that Colourpop’s SSS, so they are not exactly a cheaper dupe… I would probably recommend the Colourpop ones over these just because they are cheaper but of equal quality. Price: $25 USD

And that is my August Boxycharm box! Let me know what you guys thought of the products. Also just an update – the part two of my Colourpop haul will be coming out next Friday, so stay tuned for that!

xoxo

Lea

Back to School, Fashion, Haul

Back to School Haul

September 3, 2019by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! So when this post goes up, I will have just finished my first day of school! So what better way to celebrate than a back to school haul. Even if you are not going back to school, September is a great time to get some end of summer deals as well as some new pieces for fall. If you want to see my talk about these pieces, go check out my Instagram (@xoxoxoleelee) I have it saved as a highlight. Now for a miscellaneous haul!

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First up are some notebooks! At Indigo there were doing a special deal when I was in store that if you bought two stationary products, you got the third free! So I got a Watercolour Floral notebook, a Blush Branches one (on sale), and an Agave Plant notebook (also on sale). I like these because their three subject notebooks, so I will have one section for each of my classes. At Indigo I also a new pencil case for my bujo supplies since my other one was getting too small. This Organized AF one is also on sale! Finally from Indigo I got a Ginger Pumpkin Spice candle. I had the same scent last year and I loved it. It smells like fall, but isn’t too sweet.

Next I decided to jump on the hair clip trend with this four pack from the brand Zoe Ayla (which are currently sold out on their site). I actually found them at Winners for $7.99, which is way cheaper than the $45 price tag on their site. Winners had other clips as well, so if you interested I would check them out.

My one pair of shoes are a pair of Loafers from the brand Naturalizer. I own a few other shoes from the brand and they always held up well. I decided to get loafers because I have slides that look similar, but find they slid off when your walking a lot, and also can’t be worn when it’s cold outside. I needed a pair of professional looking shoes, and I think this pair fits the bill. I got mine from DSW.

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Next up clothes! First I got this cute skort from Forever 21. I think it’s fun but still slightly professional looking piece. I can easily dress it up and dress it down, and it long enough that I don’t have to wore if my shorts are being cheeky.

I got three pieces from H&M. First I got this V-Neck Dress, and if you don’t like the pattern I got they have other options online. I like the dress because it’s long but still looks fresh. It’s a step up from a summer dress but still pretty casual. Next I got this crinkled blouse in a fun leopard print. I love this shirt for a couple of reasons. First I was looking for a leopard print item, and I think this blouse is so fun. And then I can easily style it up or down, for more casual and business use. Finally I got this fine-hair sweater in taupe, but there are other colours available online as well. The length is great where I can wear it with jeans tucked in or untucked with leggings. I also don’t own anything like this taupe shade, so it’s a nice edition to my sweater collection.

Finally from American Eagle I got three items. They were having a sale of buy-one-get-one-50% off their jeans, so I got two pairs. I tried their curvy line and fell it love. I haven’t tried on a pair of jeans that fit me so well before. They are cut to be wider in the hips and more cinched in in the waist. I got them in Black and Midnight Dreamer (dark wash). Finally from American Eagle I got this super cool sweater. I can’t seem to find it online, but if I do ever find it again I will link it. It gives me 80s ski lodge x Patagonia vibes. Can’t wait for the weather to cool enough for me to wear it.

And that is my lil back to school haul. Let me know in the comments what you guys are doing this fall, whether it’s going back to school or any fun plans you have!

xoxo

Lea

Back to School, Bullet Journal

How I Use My Bullet Journal to Stay Organized

August 27, 2019by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! So as apart of my back-to-school series, today I am sharing how I use my bullet journal to stay organized. One of the reasons I was able to stay (relatively) sane during school was because of my bullet journal. I balanced five courses, a part-time job, clubs and this blog because of my bullet journal. Today I am sharing specifically how I use my bullet journal for school.

So first I create a four month outlook. My school semesters are four months long, so that is why I do four. At the beginning of the semester I get all my syllabuses and input all my assignments, quizzes, presentations etc. into my four month calendar. This way at a quick glance I know what my semester is going to look like. Often times professors all like to have assignments or midterms at the same time, usually near reading week and at the end of the semester. By having a four month outlook I am able to tell when I am going to have a busy week and can plan accordingly. This is also helpful for being able to book other things, like appointments or when I can work. I will often transfer most of the info into a monthly calendar as well, but I will offer refer back when I need a broader picture.

Next for my weekly spread, I have all the days of the week as well as to-do lists. I split them into regular to-do list and school to-do. I find that having both combined too confusing and overwhelming. Often I will do things on my school to-do list before moving over to my regular to-do list. I will also put things on this to-do list that might not go on my four month outlook. Say I have an essay due, I will often break down having to do reading, research and writing into separate to-dos on my school list. From this to-do list, I will then write on the days of the week which tasks I will do which days. For example, in the picture example above, I have the tasks of CMST 2HC3 reading and post. I have on Monday that I am doing the reading and then on Tuesday that I will start the post and finish the post on Wednesday. At the end of the week if I have any outstanding work I will put it on the next week’s spread.

Finally, when it comes to midterms and exams I will use my bullet journal to create study lists. I will write out all the content I have to review and check it off as I go. Professors may sometimes give study guides, or sometimes they just say you need to know everything (so helpful haha). So I find writing it out easier for me to know what I have to review. Plus it feels rewarding to be able to check something off after I have reviewed it.

And those are just a few things I do to keep organized during the school year. If you want more bullet journal content or studying content, let me know down below in the comments!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Haul, Review

Colourpop Haul Part 1

August 23, 2019by Lea2 Comments

Hey guys! So about a month now I placed a Colourpop order. I don’t order from Colourpop often, so when I do I usually do a big order. My order came in a couple weeks ago (you would have seen this if you follow my Instagram @xoxoxoleelee). I have mentioned this before, but I am currently working at a pool this summer. Which means that I don’t wear makeup most days, so it is taking me longer than usual to test out products. I have decided to split up my haul into two parts. Some of the products I already have an opinion on, but others I still haven’t tried. So today I have five products, and the rest will be up within a week or two.

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First up is the Orange You Glad palette. Colourpop has been releasing these nine pan colourful palettes what seems like every other week. This palette was the newest one when I placed my order, plus I fell in love with the colour story. While a full orange palette might not seem like the most wearable palette, what I like is that you can take one or two of these shades along with a more neutral palette to make a beautiful look. Oranges pair well with browns and golds, so you can easily create a simple glam look that isn’t too bold. Or you can do what I did and go all out (see look below). But the best part of this palette is that the quality is amazing. Even the neon matte shade called Sunkiss’d (which reminds me of Cheetos) is so bright but also soo blendable. I had no problems blending out the shadows. And the photos don’t do them justice, they are so bight and pigmented in real life. Oh also did I mention that this palette is $12USD?? I highly recommend this palette if you like the colours.

Next up is the Lippie Stix in the shade Brink. This lippie is one of their best sellers and it’s currently sold out – for a good reason. I love this lip, it is definitely my new go to. This is such a comfortable matte lipstick. I wouldn’t even call it matte, it’s much closer to a creamy satin. It lasts pretty well through the day. It didn’t really make it through lunch, but it wear away badly like some other lips. The shade is also so nice. It’s a deeper nude, but not dark by any means. Overall I love this lippie, and will be continuing to wear it a ton.

The next lippie is their Lip Tint in the shade Rise n Shine. I featured this lippie in my simple school makeup look. This formula is like a hybrid between a creamy lipstick and a lip gloss. It’s sheerer than a regular lipstick but more pigmented than more lip glosses that I have tried. It’s perfect for a nice wash of colour on the lips. I also really like this peachy shade, it’s great for summer but also to transition into fall.

Next I tried one of their new-ish launches – their Blush Stix. Listen, I have been watching Youtubers rave about cream blushes all summer, especially the NudeStix ones. Now I have never tried cream blush before, so I was a little hesitant to spend $40 CAD on a product I’m not even sure I would like. So I decided to try the Colourpop ones and if I like the idea of cream blush then I might invest in a more expensive one. Well the answer is yes, I want more cream blushes! I got the shade Splash, which is a midtone rose (aka pink). I could rub a brush against the stick and then apply it to my face. It gave me such a fresh face look. It looks so much dewy and lighter than using powder blush. It is less long lasting than powder, but I really enjoy the look. And for $8USD it’s a great product. I definitely want to get a peachy one now.

The final product is a basic but needed one. I got a single pressed power eyeshadow in the shade Hear Me Out. This matte shade matches my skin tone perfectly. I like to use it to set my eyeshadow primer. I had finish a NYX shadow in a similar shade, so I decided to get one from Colourpop to do the job. I just find setting my primer with a shadow helps blend them out better. A pressed powder could also be used, but I like putting this in my magnetic palette with my other shadows so I have all the shadows I need in one place. I would definitely recommend Colourpop’s single eyeshadows, I’ve never had an issue with any of them.

And that is the first part of my Colourpop haul! Stay tuned for part two, which should be coming within the next couple of weeks! Also if you are interested in seeing swatching of all the products that I got, check out my IGTV!

xoxo

Lea

#amazonfinds, Fashion, Hair, Review

#amazonfind Animal Print Scrunchies

August 20, 2019by Lea1 Comment

Hey guys! So I wanted to start a small little series – just sharing some good products I found on Amazon! I going to share any products that I find on Amazon that I think are great – beauty related or otherwise.

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Today’s #amazonfind is a six pack of Leopard print scrunchies. I was shopping with my mom and a cashier at one store was wearing a super cute leopard print scrunchie. I asked where she got it, and she said in their store but they were out of stock. When I got home, I realized I could probably find a dupe on Amazon.

I liked the look of the leopard because it’s a simple way to jazz up an outfit but not too over the top. Animal print is super in right now, but wearing a scrunchie is a simple way to add it to an outfit. I also love scrunchies. I already own five haha! They are much better for your hair than regular elastics, plus they are super cute.

This Numblartd pack comes with six scrunchies for $14.99. That’s a pretty good price considering I once paid $10 for one scrunchie from Topshop.

The print on these are very nice. Sometimes printed stuff came turn out pixelated looking, but these look good. The fabric is also good quality, an almost silky feeling. Finally the elastic in these scrunchies are strong and keep my hair up.

While there was some cheaper deals, these had the fastest delivery date. I got these within two days, while most of the other options have estimated delivery dates around 2-4 weeks out. So if you are looking for a set of leopard print scrunchies, I would definitely recommend these ones.

xoxo

Lea

Back to School, Beauty, Drugstore

Simple School/Work Makeup

August 16, 2019by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! Summer is almost over, only two more week! So I am starting up with some back to school/work content. I am personally super excited. I love fall and I am so tired of this hot weather. I am also ready for a change, and I’m excited to start my new program. So to start off my back to school series, I thought I would share my quick 10-minute makeup routine. This look is great for school or work because it’s quick and simple and lasts well. In this post I will be sharing all the products that I use, but check out my Instagram (@xoxoxoleelee) because I filmed myself doing the makeup! I am trying out doing some stuff for IGTV, so it should be up sometime this weekend!

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So to start off my makeup look I prime my eyelids and skin. I want my makeup to last me all day, so priming is super important t help it last. I use the Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer on my eyes and the Dr. Brandt Pores No More Luminizer Primer.

For my eyes I use three eyeshadows – super simple! Today I am using all Colourpop. First I set my eye primer using Hear Me Out. You could also just use a face product to do this as well. I find that shades blend better when I set my primer. Then I use Bel Air to add a little definition to my crease. You can use as much or as little as you want. A bronzer could also be used instead of a shadow for a more monochromatic look. Then I take my Super Shock Shadow in the shade Ladybird and put it all over my lid. The little bit of sparkle and glitter takes the look from average to fun, but the champagne shade is still neutral enough for everyday wear. To finish off the eyes I apply my Tarte Tarteist Lash Paint Mascara.

For my base I am currently doing a lot of mixing, just because I am in between shades right now. I used my Physicians Formula Healthy Foundation and Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation and buffed it out using a brush. Then I mixed my Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer and Maybelline Fit Me Concealer, placing my Nars concealer (which is paler) closer to my under eyes to help brighten them. Then I took my Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder and used my sponge to pack it under my eyes and around my nose. These are the areas that crease the most/get oily first, so that’s why I densely apply powder here. I lightly dusk the rest of my face with powder just to set it.

Next I do my eyebrows with my Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz. If you are curious about my brows, I have a whole blog post about them. I didn’t set them with brow gel because I find that makes them look harsher, and since I want a simply makeup look I let them be.

To finish up my face, I take my Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer and place in on my cheeks, forehead, nose and under my chin. Then I take my Milani Rose Powder Blush and place that on the apples of my cheeks and on my nose. Then I finish off with the Essence Pure Nude Highlighter for a soft glow. I like to use powders for my simple makeup look because I find them faster to apply then creams and they last way longer on the skin. I finish off the face with some NYX Dewy Finish Makeup Setting Spray. To finish all the whole look, I apply the Colourpop Lip Tint in the shade Rise N Shine to add a little colour and shine to my lips!

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And that is my quick and easy makeup look! I have a lot of back-to-school stuff plan, including a haul, an outfit lookbook and some content about my bullet journal! Ooooh I’m so excited!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Drugstore, Favourites, Review

Revisiting Old Makeup Favourites

August 9, 2019by Lea1 Comment

Hey guys! So the other day I decided to revisit some of my old favourite makeup products. I feel like makeup, like any industry, is always focused on the new. A new palette comes out and every forgets about their old ones. Makeup has definitely improved in quality over the years, but are the old favourites bad or still pretty good? I decided to go through some of my old favourites and let you guys know my thoughts, whether they’re still good or not.

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First is the Too Faced Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Palette. Everyone went crazy when this palette came out a couple of years ago. I actually waited out and bought this palette used in makeup-selling group for $25. Everyone was in love with the peachy shades and smell. So how do I feel now? Honestly, the peach smell is not strong it’s a little much if you ask me. But I still love the matte formula. The mattes are just so incredibly smooth. They have the perfect amount of pigmentation and blend beautiful on the eyes. The shimmers are definitely not like what I remember. Shimmer shades in palettes nowadays are super pigmented/metallic/foiled/glittery looking. The shimmers are still nice, don’t get me wrong. The perfect for a softer look. This palette is still great, and I definitely will still use it, but I don’t think you have to run out and get it for yourself.

I think a really underrated product is the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil. I have the shade Deep End and I think it’s absolutely gorgeous. They glide on so well and are easy to smudge. But they also stay put so well, even on the waterline. They are just as good as the Marc Jacobs ones – they are $4 cheaper which isn’t much but still cheaper! Like this eyeliner has been out for almost ten years, that must mean that it’s good if people still use it.

The OG favourite primer for me was the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer. I have been using a dewier primer but I recently used this Smashbox primer again. There is a reason this is a cult classic. It does such an amazing job at smoothing out my pores. My foundation also lasts way longer when I use this primer over a dewy one. I don’t think I’ll be converting back over full time, but when I need my makeup to last I will definitely use this primer.

A foundation throwback is the Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation. I loved this foundation so much that I bought both a summer and winter shade. First I forgot how full coverage and matte this foundation is. I feel like the makeup community has been into much more lighter coverage and dewy skin lately, so it was a fun change to wear something else. I do still like this foundation because it makes my skin look so good. I think next time I am going to use a dewy primer and a beauty sponge to lighten up the coverage a bit.

A concealer favourite was the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Flawless Wear Concealer. This was my concealer of choice during the Tarte Shape Tape craze. I couldn’t get Shape Tape in Canada, so this was my go to high coverage concealer. I forgot how high coverage this concealer is. I have been using my Nars concealer lately, which is definitely more of a medium coverage. I think I need to get a different shade in this concealer because it was looking pretty yellow on my skin.

A powder favourite was the Maybelline Fit Me! Matte & Poreless Powder. This was actually the first powder that I ever bought. I have tried so many since that I forgot how amazing this powder is. It makes my face look and feel sooo smooth. It also doesn’t leave me looking cakey afterwards. As you can see I’ve almost finished this powder, but I am definitely going out and repurchasing this.

Another Maybelline favourite was their Facestudio Master Blush Colour and Highlight Kit. I love this face palette when I first got it. The highlight is a nice pinky shade that isn’t too icy. My favourite of the blushes was the first peachy one. It is still gorgeous now. It has a very buildable formula, so I’m not afraid that I will apply too much. It also has a light sheen to it – don’t glittery but more than a matte. I don’t really use the other two shades that much so I’m not sure I would say it’s the best palette. I still like it and I think I will start using it again.

The final old favourite is the OFRA Cosmetics Rodeo Drive Highlighter. I still have the old packaging for this highlight, that’s how long I’ve had it! This used to be everyone favourite highlight. It’s just so blinding on the skin. I have definitely noticed that blinding highlights are not as popular anymore, but like man this is still a good highlight. It’s just so smooth, it doesn’t look chunky on the skin or make my skin look textured. I definitely use a lighter hand but I still really like this highlight.

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I was able to create this really fun look using some of my old favourites. Let me know if you guys would like to see a part two of this, I can definitely dig up some other old faves!

xoxo

Lea

Favourites, Review, Television

Recent Netflix Faves

August 6, 2019by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! Today I am sharing some of my recent favourite shows that I have watched on Netflix, plus one bonus that is not available on Netflix but that I highly recommend you all to watch immediately. As some of you may or may not not, I studied Communications in university, which is basically media studies. One of my favourite courses was actually a course on television. I like watching tv way more than movies, but I am enjoy reviewing and recommending different tv shows to my friends. Now I’m not going to lie, I have a pretty niche-ish taste in tv shows (my faves on historical dramas and teen dramas) but I have decided to share my recent faves that you can watch on Netflix. Let me know if you guys are interested in seeing an all-time fave tv post!

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1. Brooklyn 99

I mean you must be living under a rock if you haven’t heard of Brooklyn 99 yet. I’m not much of a comedy person, but I actually find this show hilarious. Back in first year, some friends on my floor and I watched the first season together. That winter break I binged the rest of the show with my brother who also feel in love. I just recently finished the sixth season. Like I can’t just say ‘cool’ anymore, I say:

Image result for cool cool cool gif

For those of who you don’t know, Brooklyn 99 follows a group of dectectives who work in NYPD’s 99 prescient. A lot of the humour is based on crime television, a genre full of tropes. The main character is played by Andy Samberg, so if you like Lonely Island you would like this show. The characters are all love-able but complex. Comedies can sometimes rely on stereotypes for characterization, but all the characters are quirky and hilarious. Finally, Brooklyn 99 also tackles some serious issues using humour. It discusses sexism, racism and also portrays some LBTGQ characters quite well. If you wanna laugh, check out this show.

2. Medici

If you want a historical drama that is more heavy on drama than history, then check out Medici. The first season, Medici: Masters of Florence, follows Cosimo de Medici and he figures out who murdered his father, Giovanni. The second season, Medici: The Magnificent, follows Cosimo’s grandson Lorenzo de Medici. First, I like the show because both seasons are only eight episodes long. It doesn’t draw on forever, it’s a quick and addictive watch. I binged both of the season within a week each. I also like the show because it is full of drama, romance and mystery. There is a lot of shit that goes down in the show. But finally will it might not be the most historically accurate, I still learnt a lot of the Medici and the Renaissance. For those who don’t know, the Medici where the big ruling family of Florence, Italy, and they sponsored many of the thinkers and artists of the period. It was super cool going to Florence this past spring and seeing some of the building and artwork mentioned in the show.

3. The Last Czars

If you loved Anastasia as a kid, then you definitely need to check out this mini series. Part reconstruction and part documentary commentary, the show explores the life and downfall of the Nicholas Romanvo, the last Czar of Russia. Now the mix might not be for everyone, but I personally enjoyed it. As someone who didn’t know much about the Russian Revolution except for the basics, I found this highly educational. But the presentation style was also highly enjoyable. The costumes and cinematography was beautiful. I did find the acting a little cheesy, but I do enjoy cheesy. I felt like The Last Czars was a good introduction into the topic, and now I want to learn more. At six episodes, it’s a quick and enjoyable watch.

4. You

If you weren’t one of the millions of people who watched the show when it came to Netflix this past winter, then I recommend you go back and watch it. This show is so gripping and creepy yet dumb and ridiculous at the same time. The show follows Joe Goldberg, a bookstore manager who becomes obsessed with a girl named Guinevere Beck. The show is creepy because Joe’s obessesion with Beck is crazy, and the steps he goes towards stalking her and controlling their relationship is insane. What is most conflicting is how the viewer is repulsed yet also silently cheering on Joe through the show. The viewer watches Joe help his kid neighbour who has an abusive dad, but then he goes and beats up Beck’s boyfriend. And the ending is such a surprise, not one I saw coming. I am curious what the second season will be like.

5. Outlander

I decided to start reading the books after falling in love with this tv show. This historical time traveler series follows Claire Randall, a World War II nurse who falls back in time to 1730s Scotland. Claire meets James Fraser, a Scottish Highlander, and she becomes involved with the Jacobite risings. Sam Heughan, who playes James Fraser, is extremely attractive so this show is very easy on this eyes. The show has a little bit of everything, with romance, action, political intrigue and a dose of history. If you like Game of Thrones, I feel like you would be a fan of Outlander as well. I personally found the third season to be a little slow, but really liked the fourth season. Also fun fact: my last name is also Randall, so it’s funny to watch the show and see characters sharing your family name.

BONUS: The Handmaid’s Tale

So this is a bonus because it’s not on Netflix, but if there is one show you should watch off this list, its The Handmaid’s Tale. Based on Maragret Atwood’s novel of the same novel, the show is a dystopian future where a highly conservative and religious government has taken over the USA, forcing fertile women into slavery. With all the stuff that is happening in the US, this show is a scary look into what our society could be like. The first season can be a little confusing if you haven’t read the novel, but the next two go past the plot of the novel. This series if very dark and serious, so it’s not for leisurely watching. It is beautiful filmed – fun fact it is actually filmed in Southern Ontario. I’ve driven by one of the main houses multiple times, and one scene was filmed at my university.

But anyways, if you are looking for a show for academic reasons, this one if also perfect. It is full of imagery and symbolism, and full of bible references. Many people are also drawing parallels to Trump’s America as well. I wish I had watched this show while in my television class, because this would have been great to write about. This is definitely a more intellectually inclined show, but I would still highly recommend because I think the narratives and themes are highly important. ~~Please watch so I have someone to discuss the show with~~.

And those are my recent Netflix recommendations! Let me know in the comments some of your current favourite shows!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Favourites, Makeup

My Fave Youtubes

August 2, 2019by Lea1 Comment

Hey guys! So I watch a ton of Youtube. Like in university I would watch Youtube whenever I ate a meal and whenever I wanted a study aka all the time. Now I watch a variety of Youtubers, but today I am sharing some of my favourites. The ones I will be sharing today are all beauty and fashion/lifestyle. If you are curious what some of my other fave Youtubers are, let me know and I can always do a part two!

Photo 2019-08-01, 5 19 19 PM

Probably My Favourite Youtuber – Allegra Shaw

I have a lot of favourites, but I think Allegra Shaw might be my favourite. Allegra is known for her fashion content, pretty sure she got famous for her changing videos. But the reason why I like Allegra is because of her personality. She posts weekly vlogs that are just so simple and show her personality so well. Some vloggers do vacation vlogs with drones and fancy shots, while Allegra’s are just simple clips of her and her friends hanging out. She is also a Canadian Youtubers based in Toronto, so it’s so cool seeing her around the city. Like I just want to be friends with her.

My Other Favourite Youtuber – Allana Davison

Another Canadian queen. I actually found Allana Davison through Allegra. Allana is also very down-to-earth and super funny. Like during her videos she makes durpy faces and funny noises. Plus I love her cat. Allana posts a variety of videos, ranging from beauty, fashion and vlogs. Allana is also get about talking about Canada things and products, so she feels super relate-able to me. Finally, Allana does simple but cool makeup, so it is easy to recreate her looks. She doesn’t wear crazy falsies so she is very approachable for the average makeup-wearer.

I Always Laugh but also Learn Something while Watching her Videos – Samantha Ravndahl

Guys, I just have a thing for Canadian Youtubers okay? But actually Samantha Ravndahl is amazing. Her humour is so similar to mine, she always manages to make her laugh out loud. Sam is a trained makeup artist, so she does beautiful tutorials and is really good at reviewing products. I find her videos to be very informational. I’ve shared so many of her videos with my friends because she is amazing at explaining. I also recommend reading her description boxes because they’re really funny too.

The First Beauty Youtuber that I Watched – RachhLoves

I found RachhLoves about four years ago, when I really started to get into makeup. I found her because I was looking for some drugstore makeup, and as a Canadian she suggested products I could actually purchase. I find that she is very through in her reviews, and I have bought some many good products from her recommendations.

Queen of Product Reviews – Tati

I known that some shady stuff went down with her and James Charles back in May, but at the end of the day I trust her opinions so much on makeup. Tati is such a great product reviewer. I have bought some many products that she has recommended. She is extremely through, giving wear tests and will often give dupes/similar products for expensive items. A great Youtuber to check out if you are interested in makeup reviews.

Crazy Makeup Fun Girl – Keilidh MUA

I find Keilidh MUA so inspirational. I get so many ideas for makeup looks from her. But she is also so fun to watch. I also lover her Irish accent. I think a big thing is that Keilidh is only a year older than me, so I relate to so many things that are going on in her life as well. Keilidh is great if you are looking just for some fun makeup related videos.

Alexa, Play Glam&Gore

Listen, I am awful at SFX makeup. But I still watch all of Mykie’s (Glam&Gore) makeup tutorials because she is hilarious. Mykie is currently on break, but I am literally counting down the days until she comes back. She is a fabulous storyteller, but also super creative. I laugh the whole time as she does her makeup, and then I am amazed at the end at the final product. Not for the faint of heart, because some of her looks are crazy good. Come back soon Mykie!

Does Tutorials That You Can Actually Recreate – Kathleen Lights

Kathleen Lights does the most beautiful makeup looks and tutorials, but they are actually are pretty simple and easy to re-create. Kathleen also reviews tons of drugstore/affordable makeup, so I can actually afford her recommendations. Plus she is actually the reason I decided to get Boxycharm, because I love watching her reviews of the boxes.

Another Canadian Queen – Alex Centomo

What can I say, I love Canadian Youtubers. Alex is from Montreal, which is where my mom’s side of the family is from. Even though she’s English, she still reminds me of my French Canadian family. I also love her style, I find that is very similar to mine. I also like how Alex is very vocal about mental health, talking honestly and openly about it. She discusses a wide range of topics, so it’s not always the same thing on her channel. I really enjoy the variety.

My Idol, Who I Strive to Be Life – SunbeamsJess

I want to be like Jess. I discovered her when she was finishing up her last year of university. It was motivating to watch her balance Youtube, a blog and post-secondary education. She also discusses a wide variety of things on her channel. She does fashion content, beauty content, book reviews and vlogs. It was watching her that I kind of realized that I don’t have to pigeon hole myself into one niche. I can talk about makeup but also do book reviews at the same time. She also have the most soft, soothing British accent, it’s very calming to watch her videos.

And those are TEN of my favourite Youtubers! Let me know down in the comments below who your favourite Youtubers are!

xoxo

Lea

Book Review, Review

Six Summer Reading Recommendations

July 30, 2019by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! We are half way through summer, and by now you might have already read through your summer reading list. So I have six recommendations, two of which are series, to add to your list. For me, the perfect summer book is easy to read, has a compelling story line that makes me want to binge-read and a little bit of romance. I want to preface that if you are looking for serious, thought-provoking books, this isn’t really the list for you (except maybe the last one). Most of these are light and fun, but I did try to put some variety in the list. Anyways, my recommendations:

summer reading recs

Classic Beach Read – Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

This is a classic beach read in the sense that it’s a YA chick-flick kind of book. The story is about a girl named Anna who moves from the US to attend a boarding school in France. She (of course) develops a friendship/crush on a British boy, and the rom-com ensues. The story is easy to read and quite absorbing, but the French boarding school element adds some variety. I was able to learn a little bit about Paris and France, so it added something to being just a simple novel. Now this book isn’t for everyone, but it is totally cheesy and can be a little much sometime, but sometimes that’s just what I’m looking for.

Classic Beach Read x 3 – To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series by Jenny Han

If you want to read a full review of this series, check out my blog post about it! This series is perfect for summer because it’s simple and easy to read. It’s cheesy, with tons of those moments that give you second hand embarrassment. But the scenes with Peter K are just so cute and worth it. I read through this novels pretty quick, and now I’m excited to watch the movie!

The Bachelor Meets Hunger Games – The Selection series by Kiera Cass

This series was my summer read for a couple of summers. I read the books as they came out, so it was a new book in the series each summer. I just associate these books with summer for some reason! Anyways, the series is about a future with a caste system (similar to Hunger games). A bunch of girls compete to win the prince’s love and become a princess (Bachelor). This book is just super fun to read. There are so many twists and turns, but also just some petty girl drama as well. The series does have some political commentary, but it’s pretty obvious and surface level. The plot line is just so unlike other YA novels that I had a lot of fun reading it.

YA Contemporary with a Twist – Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone

This is different that your average YA novel because the main character, Samantha, has OCD. It has the foundation of your average novel with the high school drama and the romance, but it also tackles many important issues with mental health and illness. I found this book addicting because I wanted to read more about the romance but I also wanted to learn more about Samantha and how she deals with her OCD. This novel also has a wild plot twist near the end, so this novel is truely a roller-coaster ride.

Groundhog Day meets Mean Girls but darker – Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

The movie doesn’t do this book justice. Like it was good, but there is so much more depth in the novel. The novel follows the story of Sam, bitchy mean girl who dies on February 12 and relives the day multiple times. Sam is such a well developed character – you like her and you hate her at the same time. I was extremely absorbed into the plot line, I kept on wanting to know what Sam would do when she woke up again. This story is so interesting and so unlike anything else I’ve read. I read this novel back in high school, and I still sometimes think about passages in the novel. It’s thought-provoking, and that ending. Man I cried. Just read the book and don’t watch the movie.

An Addictive ‘What If’ – Every Day by David Levithan

This book makes you think without going too deep. The story follows ‘A’ who wakes up every day in a new body – male and female but always the same age. ‘A’ falls in love with a girl named Rhiannon, and they try to make their relationship work amist ‘A’ interesting circumstances. This is a novel where I actually find the romance to be some of the least interesting part. I was always curious to see what body ‘A’ will wake up in. But what I like most about this novel is the philosophical debates that Levithan brings forward to the reader. The book discusses gender, disability, and mental health. It also discusses being a bystander and when to step in. I often found myself sitting and thinking about aspects of this novel. Yes there are some technical plot holes (you never really understand how A is the way it is) but I was so addictive to this novel. The writing is simple and something you will just speed through.

And those are my six summer reads recommendations! Let me know if you guys liked this type of post, I can do other ones like historical-fiction or series or even my all time fave books!

xoxo

Lea