Sunday, December 29, 2013

UPDATE | Instagram

Hello beauties! So sorry about my slight disappearance (once again), it's been a pretty hectic month for me but we're finally settled in and getting used to the area. I have a whole bunch of drafts lined up (most of them being hauls, of course), so hopefully I can get  them up ASAP!

Anyways, I just wanted to make a quick post to let you guys know that I finally have a good phone (Samsung Galaxy S2X), so I can now tweet on the go and I finally got Instagram! I'm gonna post a link below so you guys can check it out! And please post your links so that I can follow you back.

Also, please let me know if you'd be interested to see what I got for Christmas, I'd be happy to oblige.

Lastly, how was your Christmas!? How much food did you eat, what was your favourite gift you gave and received, and what are your plans for New Years Eve? I'm gonna meet up at my brother's apartment with his girlfriend and some friends and then we're gonna head down to Nathan Phillips Square. Super excited!

http://instagram.com/smokeandcabin

Ada xx

Saturday, November 30, 2013

HAUL | Chapters, H&M


My brother needed to get some headshots done one day so I did his makeup and eyebrows then came along to watch and then we went downtown so he could get his passport done and his girlfriend met up with us. We then went down to the Eaton Center where I needed to find some casual everyday gloves (I didn't take a picture because I honestly forgot and they were just plain black boring) and a journal.

I found the journal at Chapter's and I absolutely adore it! Unfortunately I can't find it on their website and I took off the sticker from the back but it's called the Henry the... and there was a number here but I don't remember which, XVIII?? Something of the sort. It cost around $15.99, which was right on my price point. What I love about this journal is that it's hardcover (which is funny 'cause I prefer paperback books, but it's easier to write on hardcover) and that it has the magnetic closure on the side. I used to keep a diary when I was little and it's this awful pink and blue rose diary that has a lock on the side and I recently re-discovered it and read through it then wrote my own passage and realized how much better it made me feel! I decided to upgrade to a more grown up version, minus the lock. Although what I write in it is private, I trust my family and know they'll never get into it. If you're one of those people that holds in all their emotions, I definitely suggest starting up a journal. It's literally like a free therapist. Also, is anyone else notebook obsessed!? Literally it's heaven for me! I want to buy all of them, they're so pretty to look at, even if I know I'll never use them up.

Next we went to H&M and I just grabbed a 2-pair of plain black gloves. I had a pair of red Olympic mitts from way back when but they're falling apart now and I wanted something simple I could wear when I walk the dog. They cost $5.99 I believe. Of course I gravitated towards the makeup section right away and I've never tried H&M makeup before but I can't imagine it to be the best, sorry. But they were having 50% off select makeup, so I decided to try out their nail polish, I think I heard a good thing or two. It's funny 'cause before the trip I was thinking about how I don't have a spring green nail polish and I really want one. Well, I got it! I won't be wearing this colour until the spring EXCEPT for one Christmas look I'll be doing.

Have you ever tried H&M makeup before? What do you think?

Ada xx

Thursday, November 28, 2013

HAUL | November Beauty Box 5


Yayayayay I love beauty boxes! Even if they're a disappointment, it's always fun to get a box in the mail. You get a surprise 'gift' every month.

So I've received another free Beauty Box Five this month, and as usual, I will be posting a full review later on. In this box I received:
  • Aveeno Positively Nourishing Calming Body Wash sample ($6.99/16 fl oz)
  • Montagne Jeunesse Glacial Face Mask full-size ($2.49/mask)
  • Blum Oil Absorbing Facial Tissues full-size ($2.99/50 sheets)
  • Be A Bombshell Cosmetics Eye Crayon full-size ($14.00/One)
  • Bellapierre Cosmetics Shimmer Powder in Penny full-size ($14.99/0.08oz)
Have you received this box? What did you think?

Ada xx

NOTW Thursdays - Candy Canes.... Kinda


Hello everybody, long-time no-see! If you haven't noticed yet, I put A LOT of effort into my nails this week! I was trying so hard to focus and apply as carefully as possible so be proud lol.

Also, Happy American Thanksgiving! Canadians have it in October but I think I'm gonna start celebrating the American one too just so I can have double the turkey dinner, it is my favourite holiday after all. Although, it kinda is hard to compete with Christmas.

Speaking of Christmas, that's the theme I went for this week! I was gonna just do them all red, but then I thought 'Hey, there's snow on the ground and Christmas everywhere, might as well!' I painted over my entire nails using Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Cherry Red. Believe it or not but this is my first 'true' red nail polish! I was in-store one day and saw it and realized that I don't have one of those! I love the Xtreme Wear collection, not only are they super reasonably priced but they have a great colour range and lastability.

I also wanted to do something candy cane-ish and I knew I was going to use OPI's Kyoto Pearl but I wasn't sure what exactly I was going to do. I thought about straightening a paper clip and dragging it through the wet white to make the stripes, but a) too much effort and b) too risky, especially since the red was dry but still fragile. Then I thought I was going to paint the white stripes with the brush but I wasn't sure how they'd turn out and if I screwed up it'd be a whole mess. I took the easy route and just went over the entire nail in white. But, I did try to put on the thinnest layer possible and then I went over the nail a few times so the bristles would cause these little lines in the polish. It's barely visible but you can see it if you try hard.

So that's it! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and stuff yourselves full for me! ;D

Ada xx

Sunday, November 24, 2013

REVIEW | ELF HD Blush


A few months ago I purchased the e.l.f. HD Blush in the colour Diva off of ftbbeauty.ca for $4. I've been planning to do a review for a while but just never came around to it, but here it is... finally!

The blush comes in a 10ml (0.34 fl.oz.) bottle and has an easy to use pump. The amount is huge and 100% worth the price! I really like the packing, I think it looks sleek and professional. I love the matte black accents and I love the fact that it's in a pump, you don't have to worry about bacteria and you can easily control the amount you pump out. I also really love that the entire bottle is translucent so you can see the colour of the blush and you can see exactly how much you have left.

According to the description, the blush has a "Vitamin E enriched formula" and it "conditions and hydrates." I'm not concerned about it having Vitamin E, but after doing a little bit of research, I learned that it's an antioxidant beneficiary to the skin and eyes. Obviously this blush is not meant for the eyes, so that doesn't matter, but it's great that it's good for the skin! I'm sure there isn't a particularly significant amount in the blush, but even the little bit must make some sort of difference.

The formula is very smooth and not too liquid and not too thick, it's just perfect. I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this formula. This will probably sound ridiculous but the formula is literally too pigmented! It is so strong and bright that you really need to take the most care to not apply too much or you'll look like a clown. I kinda like using up my products and moving on to new ones, but I just know that this will last me forever and more. If you're one of those people that wear very little makeup and only own 1 or 2 blushes, this would be a great match for you.

I like to pump out a tiny bit onto my hand, tap a large duo fibre brush into the blush and then carefully apply it to my cheeks. It blends out wonderfully and dries to a matte finish. I've worn it all day long and it did not budge a bit (which is why it's really important you're careful when applying). It easily removes with some soap and water, which I think it very important for such a bright, pigmented product.

I've used this blush as a lipstick as well and it works wonders! I don't have to worry about using too much, I just pump out a bunch and apply it and it dries super nicely and leaves a gorgeous bright lip.

Performance: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Quality: 9/10

Hope you found my review helpful!

Ada xx

Monday, November 11, 2013

TAG | Reader Appreciation Award


Hey everyone! So the lovely Sarah from SoItsSarah has tagged me for The Reader Appreciation Award (about a month ago but shhh...) Thanks, Sarah!

Let's get to it, then.

Rules
- Include the award logo somewhere in your blog.
- Answer 10 questions (detailed below) about yourself, if you want to.
- Nominate 5-10 blogs that you love. Or you pick the number.
- Contact the nominated bloggers to let them know.
- Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you with a link in your blog.

I'm not sure whether I'm supposed to pick my own questions or what, so I'll just answer these.

Favourite colour?
Hunter green.

Stretch your left arm out and grab the closest thing to yo.
Oatmeal hand cream, yum.

When did you last go outside?
Around a half hour ago to walk Azor around the block in his cute 'firefighter' rain coat.

Favourite non-alcoholic drink?
Hmmm, coffee. Anything caffeinated.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would you live?
Ohohoh, Europe - preferably Czech Republic, Poland, Scotland, Ireland, England, Sweden, Holland. Anywhere, really.

Favourite day of the week?
Eh, I've lost track of the days of the week.

Are you listening to music right now?
I waaaaaaas, but not right now. Last song I listened to is Grow Up by Paramore.

What was the last thing you bought?
Hmmm, a whole bunch of food stuff at Ikea (meatballs, chocolate, blueberry cake, etc)

Grab the nearest book to you, turn to page eight and find line four.
"Recycling Yarn: Do you have a hand-knitted sweater that is totally out of style or no longer fits, but you love the yarn?" That gem is from Pocket Posh Tips for Knitters by a whole load of knitters. (In case you're curious about the answer to the question: 'Recycle it!')

Is there anything happening this weekend?
I went to Ikea twice and bought way too many candles and chocolates.


So I'm going to nominate these great blogs:
Emmi from EmmiHearts
Jane from PopTartsBeauty
Lily from BeautywithLily
Daphne from PeanutButterandChocolateLife
Libby from Life-of-Libby
Vanessa from CitronandGuavaberry

Friday, November 8, 2013

HAUL | Rexall


A few weeks ago when we had the inspection at home, my mom, Azor and I went out to this all-day breakfast place (which was delicious), and then we stopped by Rexall 'cause we had nothing better to do while we waited. Mom waited in the car with Azor while I went in for a few minutes and browsed the aisles as I've never been to Rexall before.

I was hoping they'd be carrying Wet N' Wild as I've been dying to try their lipsticks for quite some time, but I was out of luck. But, I did spot a small rack hidden away with the Wet N' Wild 2013 Halloween Collection. Out of everything I decided to just grab the Fantasy Makers Glitter Eyeliner in the colour Fantastical. I don't remember the exact price but it was around $2.13. It's funny that I chose this product because a) I already have a black eyeliner, b) I hate liquid liners and c) I hate brush (vs. pen) liquid liners, but I chose it to wear over top my black gel liner. I've worn it a few times already and I just love it, it adds such a nice sparkle to the eye.

I somehow have this radar inside me that knows exactly where the sale section is, so obviously I went to investigate. I was surprised at how organised and good the sale section is compared to Shopper's; it was a lot neater and well-stocked with makeup. This brand is called Prestige (I actually thought it was Too Faced at first 'cause the packaging and font is so similar). The lipstick was on sale for around $2 and it's a beautiful metallic rosy pink called Berry Fantasy, a colour lacking in my collection.

Lastly I picked out this Sally Hansen nail polish in the colour Pumice. I've never seen such a colour before and I think it's so lovely! I think it'd be great for any season. I've actually already worn this colour and it is a bit more green than pale but it looks so lovely and unique! It was also $2.

Also, quick update: I got the job at The Body Shop! Major discounts: here I come!

Ada xx

Friday, October 25, 2013

HAUL | The Body Shop


This post has been a long time coming, I swear. About.... a month ago I visited The Body Shop after a Sunday morning shift (when I still worked, of course). I remember this day clearly because there was a Ukranian festival going on and the entire street was blocked off for like... 6 blocks or more. I wanted to go read in a cafe after work so I had to fight through the crowd. I ended up reading for only 45 minutes because there was a crying baby behind me in the cafe and a loud band right outside so I just chose the worst day possible. As I fought my way back through the crowd, I stopped into TBS and had to use an immense amount of willpower not to buy everything.

I was lucky that day because I managed to get a few items for really great prices. The little container is their BB Cream in the newest pale colour 00. I had tried 01 and it was way too dark for me, so I was definitely excited to try their new colour. I can honestly say I like the Vitamin E BB cream so much more. The one cool thing about this new one is that it changes colour when rubbed into your skin (I'm not that pale). This one is very oily and the colour is still a tiny touch too tan for me, so it'd be good for my someone with dry skin that just came from vacation.

The other 3 items were bought in a bundle. They were all in the sale section and they were having some deal that you need to buy 3 items and you'll get one price for them. They were $3 each of something along the lines, an amazing deal for products that range from $8-$18. I bought the little flower brush for my makeup bag. I use this Physician's Formula pressed powder and it comes with one of those half-moon brushes (you know... the ones that come in all the Benefit blushes) and it really packs on the powder when I really want a soft look, so I decided to buy a separate brush instead.

Also, some good news: I have an interview at The Body Shop Sunday morning for a part-time seasonal position! Because we're moving I just need something temporary for the next two months so I can still make some money.

Ada xx

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Lifestyle | My Disappearance!!

Hello ladies, long time no-see!! I'm so sorry for my long absence, it's been quite a while since I last updated. My life has been turned upside down the past month, and if you know me, you know I'm not a huge fan of change.

At the end of September I was laid off from the restaurant (I worked as a Hostess for nearly 2 years) because the landlord has decided to redevelop the block and make an indoor shopping center for the new condos coming up. So basically the entire team had to scramble to find new work. I had gotten my brother a job there as a Server Assistant about 2 months before and he was working hard to become a Server so it was a bit of a hard blow for him, but he's found a job as a Server now. It's a funny situation with me because I was planning on quitting, so it made the transition easy for me. During the month of September I had 2 workplaces that were interested in hiring me as a Barista (I missed being one) and so I was doing interviews (I was just getting over my cold at the time), and they both went really well. So my first choice cafe took a while to call me back so I was going to call back as a follow up from the interview but then my second choice emailed me saying they wanted to offer me a position and they asked when I can come in to start, so I gave it some thought and accepted and asked them to start a few days later on a Friday so I could be healthier. A few days go by and nothing. I email them back the Thursday asking if Friday is ok to start and what's the uniform etcetc. Nothing. I call them Thursday night and this girl answers and tells me all the managers have gone home for the night but she'll pass my name and number on to one first thing in the morning. 12:00pm Friday and no response. I call back the place and the same girl answers telling me she gave my information to the manager 2 hours ago. I never got a call back or an email.

So basically I have no job and no income, which you'd think would give me plenty of time to blog, right? But then my parents put the house up on the market (which we were always planning on selling it but after 2 failed attempts and a signed contract from one agent that basically said we couldn't list the house for 6 months after being released from the contract). So those 6 months had already passed and we took the original agent we always had a good feeling about and for one week we had showings all day so basically we'd be up at 9:00am, out of the house by 10 and come back at 6:00pm. We would go to the dog park, have some lunch at a picnic table and then sit in the car for 3 hours waiting. It was horrible and I was exhausted. But, we got an offer and sold the house for 98% asking price! Our last day is December 20th (Boooooo I didn't want to move around Christmas!!) and now we're hunting for a farm about 2 hours outside of Toronto. I need to get my Driver's License because I'll need to drive around in the country, but I'm so scared of driving so it'll take some willpower.

So basically my life has been super different and it'll be hard to adjust from city to country, but I'm sure it'll happen. I need some peace and quiet for a bit and some nature to nurture the soul. Oh, also! I'm writing a book! I've always wanted to write a book but I was always went with novels and I started writing about 4-5 different novels that all failed. About a year ago I found that Joseph Gordon-Levitt and wirrow created The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories on hitRECord.org. I fell in love with the book and joined the site and was astonished to find so much inspiration coming to me and I wrote around 70 tiny stories to be submitted as part of the book. None of them got chosen and to be completely honest, I was pretty disappointed and if I didn't doubt my work then, I definitely did now. But then I realized that my writing is so much better when I get these little bursts of inspiration rather than forcing a huge novel. So I'm writing a book of short stories, ranging from 1-2 sentences to maybe 2 paragraphs. It's coming along well and I'm so excited!

I've also been spending a lot of time looking through websites such as Pier 1, Pottery Barn, Urban Barn etc for home inspirations! My parents are moving to this farm and that's it, they're not going to move again so they asked me to decorate it for them and of course I said yes! I absolutely love design and decor, so this is a treat for me (and a bit of a challenge). Of course, the stores I listed are supersuper expensive and can quickly clear a bank account, so I'm also going to be raiding some thrift shops. My mom and I have found some really great expensive pieces for so cheap. Our style is very rustic, warm and cozy (go on my Tumblr and you'll see what I mean), so I want this house to just be like a giant furnace, I want everyone to feel at home the second they walk through the door. Keep your eyes open for my home posts because they will come! I have a lot of furniture to buy.

I think I've babbled long enough so that's it for now. Keep your eyes open for some beauty posts because they will come.

Ada xx

Thursday, September 26, 2013

TAG | The One and Only


So a while ago Maya, from Spider Leg Lashes, had posted a tag and then tagged anyone who wanted to do it. Of course, I took the opportunity to do the tag!

The Only Question: If you could only have one ____ what would it be? And, why?
 
 
Primer - It would be a sin not to say Urban Decay Primer Potion. This has been my beauty must-have and I'll forever continue buying it!

Base product - I went for The Body Shop Vitamin E Cool BB Cream just because it's the one I'm currently using and I really like it.

Blusher (cream or powder) - Definitely Sleek MakeUP blush in Pomegranate. This colour is gorgeous and looks amaaazing.

Highlighter - I'm going to opt for an eyeshadow that I like to use both as an eye and face highlight, which is Sephora Peach Beige. The colour is a perfect champagne and always looks amazing!
Eyebrow product - I love Quo brow gel! It does not leave my brows stiff and holds them in-place at all hours.
Mascara - My favourite tends to change a lot, but at the moment it's definitely Benefit BadGal Waterproof. This mascara has gotten a lot of hate but I just love it!
Concealer - I don't actually use a concealer as concealer, I use a foundation which is MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW20.
Powder - I've been opting for Marcelle Translucent Powder lately and I just love the finish it gives to my skin!
Bronzer - It seems that I use product that are meant for one thing as something else, and here's another one. I actually really love how The Body Shop eyeshadow in the colour 10 looks as a bronzer.
Make Up Brush (single) -This was definitely a tough one. I was going to choose ELF Eyeshadow brush, but I went for MAC 217 only because it's a multi-purpose brush.

Eyeshadow - I loooooooove eyeshadow, and I have a whole ton, but this was my easiest pick. Quo eyeshadow in Dusk. I've never seen such a beautiful, unique colour before and I cherish this eyeshadow!

Eyeliner - I went for Rimmel Soft Kohl in the colour Sable Brown because it looks great on the waterlines and smudged around the eye. It was either that or MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack.

Lip Liner (or lip colour) -This category kinda irks me cause there's no lip colour category, but a lip liner one? I'm changing it... My choice is Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Sugar Plum, this colour is gooorgeous and perfect for the fall!

Lip Balm - Another easy choice. Hands down EOS in Summer Fruit. This is the only EOS balm I've tried and I absolutely love it! It's the perfect texture and wear.

Nail Polish  - This was definitely a difficult choice because I have so many nail polishes, but I opted for Gosh Limited Edition in Galaxy. The colour is so unique and gorgeous!


I Tag...
 
Anyone who wants to!

NOTW Thursdays | Mermaid's Cove


This week I decided to do another mix of colours! I think these are one of my favourite nails yet. They can definitely be summery if you change the blue to something lighter, but they remind me of the deep ocean in the winter time, which is why I think they're appropriate for the cooler days.

I decided to go for Revlon Top Speed nail polish in the colour Royal (it really is a true royal blue) all over the nails. Now, I haven't had the best of luck with this nail polish, it would chip off quickly and not last, but since I've changed my nail routine, I think they have a better chance now. Plus I just love the colour! I have a mascara like this that looks super funky.

I knew I wanted to do a glitter as well, but instead of doing the usual ring-finger, I switched things up and went for the pointer finger. I think it looks nice and a lot different to what I'm used to! I used Make Up Academy Nail Lacquer in the colour Jellyfish (you can't see it on the bottle but it's there!)

What do you think?

Ada xx

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

HAUL | September Beauty Box Five


Hello lovelies! I'm so sorry I've been a little lacking on posts this month, although I do have posts planned, I've been a little uninspired and stressed.

So I've received another free Beauty Box Five this month, and as usual, I will be posting a full review later on. In this box I received:

  • Bella Pierre Cosmetics Shimmer Powder in Celebration full size ($15/.08oz)
  • Body Drench Lip Drench full size ($4.99/.15oz)
  • Fine Featherheads Fly Ties ($7.95/4 pack)
  • Skiin Shop Skin Smoothing & Soothing Eye Cream sample ($49.95/.5oz)
  • Every Beauty Makeup Remover Pads with Argan Oil ($6.99/50 count)
Have you received this box? What did you think?

Ada xx

Saturday, September 21, 2013

NOTW Thursdays | Silver Panties


These nails have probably been my second sloppiest I've ever done. Usually when it's only 2 or 3 layers, they turn out pretty good and even but this time it've been like 7 layers and they're just not working out for me.

So anyways, these are more along the line of the original image that inspired me for this nail art. The one thing I don't like about these nails is that the pink isn't pink enough, it's a bit too pale and translucent so they look very grey on the nails. The Rimmel French Manicure Pro colour in French Lingerie is one of my favourite nail polishes! It's similar to the Nailtini one I have, but this one leaves a "faker" nail. I don't wear it as a french manicure, though, I do it all over for a nude look.

The Sally Hansen Nail Lacquer does not have a colour name on it, but it has a 22 on the bottom, so maybe that's it?? If you're looking for it, it's literally a silver, and I doubt they have very many true silvers going around. This is also one of my most favourite nail polishes.

This week I don't feel like I've done my best nails by far.

Ada xx

Monday, September 16, 2013

HAUL | September Ipsy Bag


Hello beauty lovers! A few days ago I received my September Ipsy bag. The folders they send the bags in are bright pink and shiny and I just love them, they make you feel so special getting them! I also love the fact that each makeup bag is different and unique. I think I have around 4 or 5 of them already and they're all different and really nice. I love this one, both the blue colour and the lace-inspired print.

The one thing about Ipsy that is bothering me is that it doesn't come with a card giving you the product details and prices. Those are especially helpful when writing a review (which I will be later on).

Anyways, this month I received:

  • John Frieda Full Repair Shampoo and Conditioner
  • Starlooks eyeliner in Obsidian
  • Elizabeth Mott It's So Big mascara
  • NYX eyeshadow in Dark Charcoal
  • Em by Michelle Phan sample eyeshadow/blush card
Stay tuned for a full review!

Ada xx

Sunday, September 15, 2013

REVIEW | August Beauty Box Five





So today I shall be reviewing the August Beauty Box Five! It's taken me a while to get a post up but it's finally here. In the box I received:



  • Be A Bombshell Eyeshadow in Always a Bridesmaid ($14.00)
  • Swissco Nail File ($1.50)
  • H2O Plus Aquafirm + Micro-Collagen Moisturizer ($50.00/1.7oz)
  • Bask Heavenly Silk Daily Skin Lotion ($19.98/22oz)
  • Nubar Nail Lacquer in Faded Jeans ($8/0.5oz)

  • I think my biggest shock from this box was the eyeshadow. At first I was pleasantly surprised because I really like Be A Bombshell as a company, but have only tried out their lipglosses so seeing an eyeshadow was exciting! The name of the eyeshadow is Always A Bridesmaid, so I was under the assumption that it would be a taupey-pink or something very nude and natural, but boy did I get a surprise. Hot, hot pink. Like, shockingly pink. I'm not gonna lie, I was super disappointed. As someone that mostly wears nudes, or darker colours, this was not something that I was particularly excited about. I've used it as a blush already and it looks really lovely and bright, so I'm very happy about that! I still have yet to use it as an eyeshadow because I'm still trying to figure out how it'll look best, but I've seen some hot pinks in the crease so I'm gonna have to take a risk and try it out one day. As a product, it's a really great matte texture and is very pigmented. It's definitely worth the $14.00 and I'm excited to try some more suitable colours next!

    A bright pink, sparkly nail file might be one's cup of tea, but it's definitely not mine. I don't mind it in any way, but it doesn't serve a particularly useful purpose for me, believe it or not. Most of my nail files are in packs of 20 from the dollar store and that's good enough for me! I wouldn't take it with me in my purse because it's much too big, and I'm afraid that a ton of sparkles would find their way everywhere, even though they're stuck on there pretty well (surprisingly; and yes, I totally rubbed my fingers all over them testing to see if they'd succumb). For $1.50 it's definitely a great price if that's your thing. The file is very good and works really well, I just wish they made the file-side half-and-half, one part the black file, the other half the white file.

    Another H2O Plus product! The first one was interesting but not a really great product, and I have to say the same thing for this one, except that it's not interesting. On the little card, it tells me that: "... to promote collagen production and visibly fight lines and loss of firmness." Perhaps I should have passed this on to my mom? I still have a bunch left so I'll do just that. I've tried this out a few times in different ways. On the bottle it says to use it after cleansing and toning, I've tried that and noticed that it leaves my skin pretty dry without my serum. A little ironic for a product that's supposed to help wrinkles, right? I've also tried it with my serum and can't say I've noticed a great difference. My skin is more glowy and moisturized, but that's with the help of my serum. For $50.00 for 1.7oz (a small amount), I would not recommend it or say it's worth it. If you're considering this product, either for yourself or as a gift for a more mature lady, I'd suggest getting a sample first or a gift receipt.

    The next sample I received was from Bask (a company I've never heard of). It's a Daily Skin Lotion, although sometimes it says moisturizer on it so I wasn't sure whether it was face-safe or not but I haven't tried it on my face anyways. This is probably my favourite product out of the box. It's a good size and smells amaaaaaaazing! It's also my favourite type of cream, it rubs nicely into the skin but leaves it feeling silky and soft and does not dry out after a while. It's definitely not one of those creams that stays oily even after you've "rubbed it in". The consistency is perfect, not too liquidy, not too thick. On the BB5 card, it tells me that it's "packed with vitamins, plant extracts and antioxidants..." Obviously this is a very nourishing lotion that actually works perfectly. For $20 for 22 oz (a huge bottle), it's so worth it!

    Lastly I received the Nubar Nail Lacquer in the colour Faded Jeans. I really can't review this nail polish because I did not try it nor will I. I'm going to be passing it on to my cousin next time I see her because I have a nearly identical blue polish from China Glaze in the colour Bahamian Escape. It's disappointing because I've always wanted to try Nubar. Next time!

    Hope you found my review helpful!

    Ada xx

    Saturday, September 14, 2013

    LIFESTYLE | I'm A Winner!





    Hello lovelies! A while ago Kate Spitz had a giveaway on her blog for an Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush, and I entered not expecting anything because seriously, who ever does? But lo and behold, I'm a winner!

    She included a really sweet note and the blush (of course), in the colour Natural Beauty. I loooove this colour so much and am so excited to try it on and experiment with it! I've been wanting to try this blush for 5ever after all the hype it's gotten.

    Have you ever won a contest? Do you own this blush? What do you think?

    Ada xx

    Friday, September 13, 2013

    NOTW Thursdays | Picturesque Purple




    NOTW... Fridays.... GAAHH I'M SORRY! I was going to post this last night but I came home after work at 10pm, had to eat and shower and I totally forgot. Better late than never, though, right? Also, sloppy nails.

    This week I got a package from MUA I ordered because they were having free international shipping on orders over £20, so naturally I went for it. Included in that package was the above sparkly purple in Jellyfish - that colour only went on the ring finger. The rest of the nails are Sephora by OPI in the colour What A Broad. Honestly, I've never been a big purple person because my mom haaaates the colour so she never bought me anything with it. But lately, I've been really loving it! With the onset of cool weather, I've been looking for an appropriate fall colour and I think these guys make the cut.

    What's your favourite fall colour?

    Ada xx

    Thursday, September 12, 2013

    HAUL | Old Navy




    Hello! I'm so sorry about not posting very much this week. At the start of September, my workplace found out that not only the building, but the entire block will be demolished to make an indoor shopping center. We have until the end of September and then we need to find new jobs. I've been stressed and tired all week, trying to figure out what my next steps will be, hoping someone will call me back for a job.

    Anyways, I was in super duper deep need for a new pair of jeans so I stopped by Old Navy because I've had the best luck with their jeans and their fit. Surprisingly, I guess they changed the style of how they're made because a lot of them fit really oddly. And when I needed a Regular length, they only had Short or Long available. Obviously, I was really not having a successful shopping trip, but finally after trying on probably 10 pairs, I found the right ones.

    But that it totally not what this haul is about! After leaving the change room, I found my mom browsing through the jewelry rack and saw she had her hand full. One of the racks was a sale rack and it had everything for $1.99 so after much browsing, we picked out a whole bunch of earrings.

    I only got three pairs: the dangly blue, dangly light pink and the multi-tiered black, the rest my mom got. I looooove all of my choices and I'm so happy! Honestly, Old Navy jewelry is usually really bad quality and hot glued, but these were surprisingly well made. My favourite are the black ones because they're so unique and look amazing on the ear.

    Ada xx