HAUL | Swanson, Zoya, Madison Street Beauty

Hello beauties! I know it's been a little while since my last post but that's only because I've been putting in orders online and you know how shipping takes... forever. But most of the items have finally arrived!!

The blue bottles are by a brand called Essencia and they are Floral Water sprays. My mom specially orders them from a private company for doctors so unfortunately I have no idea how you'd be able to get them. :c I got Pure Rose and Witch Hazel ($8/each, I believe). I've used Pure Rose before and I really liked it so I went for it again, but I also got Witch Hazel because I heard it's perfect for taming wild skin.

The first site I ordered off of is SwansonVitamins.com. It's a site my mom and I have been frequenting for years (mostly for her vitamins and such) but I've been known to purchase a face mask or shampoo here and there. I've been looking for a good shampoo/conditioner brand and I found Desert Essence: the price was good, the ingredients were good and so were the smells! I haven't given them a shot yet but they look amazing. I got the smell Apple & Ginger in both Shampoo and Conditioner ($5.06/bottle). I then picked out the Everyday Shea Moisturizing Body Wash in the smell Vanilla Mint ($10.59). I still have my The Body Shop Grapefruit body wash I'm using up but I figured I'd stock up for now so I don't have to order later. Plus, the smell looks amazingly unique.

Next I picked out a few cosmetic items. The Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Petunia ($6.99). I've only ever used the clear, minty Burt's Bees lip balm so I was definitely excited to try out this product. A product that is both coloured and a lip balm? Must be made for me! Next I chose the Beauty Without Cruelty Soft Natural Lip Gloss in Coral Mist ($11.39). Firstly, I must not have read the listing properly because I ended up getting a pack of 3 lip glosses rather than one (mom and cousin each got one). I'm not a huge fan of lipglosses, I like how coloured ones look but they're sticky and messy and your worst nightmare on a windy day, but I figured any makeup collection needs at least one lip gloss. Lastly I got a nail polish. I've been going bare-nails for the past few weeks and it's been killing me! I got the HoneyBee Gardens WaterColors Nail Enamel in the colour Camelot ($7.79). This polish is actually water based, which is super cool, never heard of that - can't wait to give it a shot. And this isn't even the end of the Swanson journey! I still have another package or two coming in the mail.

The little white bottle in the fourth picture is a natural Waterproof Macara by Ere Perez. Natural mascara is not hard to come by in the natural world, but waterproof mascara is an entirely different story. I have the most stubborn lashes ever and they refuse to stay curled unless I wear a waterproof mascara, and sometimes even then it's a hit or miss! I scoured the depths of the internet searching for the right mascara with the right ingredients. Finally, I found this one but the one problem? It's from Australia! I looked everywhere for an online retailer and finally succumbed and dished out the extra on shipping. $30 for the mascara + $15 shipping, yeah I was ready to cry. I'll be posting a full review on it soon.

As many of you may know, I love nail polish. I make it a priority to repaint them every week. There's something fun about having different coloured nails, and something relaxing about the application. As I looked for natural nail polish brands, I was disappointed to find many of them come to the $10+ mark which just makes me cringe. $16 for a nail polish? No thank you. Zoya is a well-known brand amongst beauty lovers and I was pleased to hear it's natural and 5-Free (no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, dibutyl phtalate and camphor) and comes at only $9 per bottle. Unfortunately zoya.com does not currently ship to Canada but I did find a seperate retailer that ships free! nailpolishcanada.ca For my "starter" polishes I opted for a nude/dark. I found these two and thought they were perfect! Taylor and Raven.

Next I decided to indulge in my obsession, MadisonStreetBeauty. These guys seriously have the best eyeshadows I've ever used, even better than MAC (and that's saying something). Since all my eyeshadows (save for my other MSB) had to go, that means all my nudes went too, I decided to get some new ones and who better but MSB? I went and bought a whopping 14 eyeshadows, 1 highlighter, 1 blush and 1 bronzer in the following colours:

• Highlighter: Sheer Glow
• Bronzer: Ibiza
• Blush: Nectar
• Cloud
• Bronze Shimmer
• Shell
• Starry Night
• Posie
• Copper
• Rose Gold
• Eclair
• Soft Heather
• Walnut
• Dulce de Leche
• Water Hyacinthe
• Rum Raisin
• Gold Leaf

I also got my cousin in on this criminal obsession and she went for a smaller load: Magic Carpet, Burgundy Glow, Ganache Champagne, Caramel Latter and mineral foundation in Cameo. Everything was 60% off so we had some serious savings right there. If you're looking for a new company to try, I 100% recommend these guys, not only do they have amazing products but they're actually super nice and have the best customer service. And right now is the best time to try them because they still have 60% off!

And lastly, my little helper came to see what I was up to and why I wasn't paying attention to him.

Ada xx

HAUL | The Body Shop

As you all know, I'm super obsessed with The Body Shop and still grieving the day I had to leave them. NOOOO D: It was a great experience and I loved working with all the products and people. I can only hope the one near my house calls me if they have a spot available.

Anyways, just before Christmas and just when I was hired, I decided to do a little shopping. They have a new Colour Crush collection out and I really wanted to give them a shot. How can I say no to lipstick? I can't. I had never seen the collection in person so I had to choose out the colours based on what they looked like online. I decided on Berry Me (matte) and Coral Blush (matte). Originally the lipsticks go for $12.50 each but I got them for $6.50 each. I was attracted to the colours and Coral Blush is a perfect light summertime lipstick and Berry Me was perfect for the fall/winter. Plus they are 2 colours I don't have in my growing collection.

Next I picked out an eyeshadow because why not? This colour is called Mon Cherry and it runs for $10 but I got it for $5. Because my eyes are greenish/brown, purple is the ideal colour for them as it compliments both shades. I opted for this shade because it's very gentle and girly and I'm a sucker for a bit of sparkle/sheen in an eyeshadow. I've just now read on the Body Shop website that you can wear these eyeshadows wet for a more intense colour and I've never tried that before, but I'm so on it!

Also, please ignore the eyeliner in the first picture, I forgot I had already posted about it.

Ada xx

HAUL | Christmas Shopping! JustFab, Sephora

(Click to go to JustFab listing)

(Click to go to Sephora listing)

Normally Christmas time is usually a stressful and panic-induced time for me but luckily this year wasn't too bad. I was able to get these 2 gifts well in advance so I was pretty relieved with that.

The first is this gorgeous clutch/crossbody bag. This little gem went to my cousin (the same one that got the bh brush set). I've never got her a bag before and I know how handy then are! She has a lot of small crossbody bags and she goes out a lot, so I kinda wanted to find a nice medium for her and I think this bag is perfect. Black with gold hardware is universal and pretty much goes with any outfit. It's a larger fold-over clutch and the cut-out handle creates an ease to carry it, but I also made sure the bag had the long straps in case she did want to sling it over her shoulder for easier carrying. I'm happy to say she totally loved it!

The next item is an adorable, portable and super-handy little makeup set from Sephora by Sephora. It went to my brother's girlfriend. She's from South Korea and has a lot of Korean makeup but not a lot of North American makeup so I wanted to get her a little something that she could use. This set is Holiday and Limited Edition, so I thought it was perfect! It comes with 8 eyeshadows that are absolutely gorgeous and I thought would suit her eyes and complexion perfectly (Purple on brown eyes? Yeeessss please). It took me a while of fiddling, but I finally figured out that the bottom slides out and comes with 5 lipcolours and 1 blush. I just love this set and she loved it too! Because it's small, it easily fits in her handbag and the 2 brushes that come in it are super useful because she does a lot of her makeup on the go.

Out of all the gifts I bought this year, these 2 were the ones that fit most with my blog and that I wanted to share with you all!

What beauty/fashion-related items did you buy for your loved ones?

Ada xx

HAUL | bh Cosmetics

This purchase was originally going to be 1 item, but then everything was on sale and so cheap and just... there that I caved and got a few.... extra.... things. I've never purchased from bh Cosmetics before and can honestly say that their customer service sucks horribly, but I really needed the brush set so bit my tongue and went through with the order anyways. I probably won't order from them again unless it's to get a few more of the lipsticks.

The first thing that went in my cart is the item that I needed to buy: the brush set. It was a Christmas gift for my cousin. A while ago I was doing her makeup and she literally had 2 eyeshadow brushes and 2 face brushes; I was horrified to say the least. What I really liked about this set is that all the brushes were fluffy (not tools) and the handles are bamboo. For obvious reasons I won't be posting the price. Also, I'm pleased to say she was happy with the set!

The next item was definitely an indulgence and something I've been wanting for ages... literally, like 2+ years. Remember when the Youtube community was going craycray over the huge 88 eyeshadow palettes? I do because I wanted one ever since I laid my eyes on one! I did originally want the Coastal Scents but figured since I'm already buying from bh and spending too much on shipping, I might as well. I went for the 88 Neutral Palette because if I were to buy the original palette I'd never use the crazy, brighter colours and it'd be a huge waste. I paid a whopping $10.45 (originally $24.95) for the palette - definitely a steal. I will most certainly be posting a review about it.

While browsing through their site, I came upon the lips page and anyone who knows me knows I'm a bit wacko when it comes to lipsticks. I spotted the Creme Luxe Lipsticks and obviously needed to get one ASAP. I googled some swatches and found a video where a girl bought all of them and swatched them all (so sorry, completely forgot her username!!) which was extremely helpful. The girl showed a gorgeous cinnamon colour and I was hesitant at first but couldn't get it out of my mind so I went for it. I must not have chosen the right shade (Red Truffle), though, cause this lipstick doesn't have an ounce of cinnamon in it. Either way, I absolutely love it! If you'd like I'd be happy to do a review on it. I paid $3.95 (originally $7.95).

Lastly, I really wanted to get some gel eyeliners because they're my favourite type of liner and I really wanted some new colours to play with. I went for 3 different colours: Night, Forest and Gunmetal (I'm sure you can figure out which is which). Also, Night is actually a navy blue. I will not be posting a review on these eyeliners, but I will say that they're not worth bothering with. They are nice and creamy, but they're pretty sheer and a little more of a loose-gel (if that makes sense). I paid $3.33 for each (originally $7.95).

Have you ever ordered from bh Cosmetics and what did you think?

Stay tuned for the review!

Ada xx

HOME | The Body Shop

Happy New Year! I thought I'd start off the new year with a post - Holiday-related of course. I'm obviously very obsessed with candles but I find they're gone so quickly (maybe I should stop burning them 24/7), so I opted for an oil burner for a change. Just when I got hired at The Body Shop they had a sale online so I caved and got the Holiday oil burner with the 3 Holiday scents.

The oil burner is originally $16 and I paid $12 for it. I love how it looks, the shape, the little stars and the colours! I believe it's made of ceramic, so you don't have to worry about it exploding or cracking on you.

The 3 Holiday scents are Cranberry Joy, Vanilla Bliss and Ginger Sparkle. They're $5 each and I got them for $3.75. I absolutely love the scents! I'm currently loving Cranberry, it's so fresh and seasonal. The vanilla is beautiful and warm and the ginger is sharp and smells like Coca-Cola.

I've used this burner quite a bit and I can tell you that it really makes your room smell a lot (in a good way, of course). You need to fill the little groove at the top with water (about 2 cm from the top) and then put around 5 drops of oil then light a tealight inside the burner. If you're sensitive to smells I do not suggest this burner, or I would say use 1-2 drops. I love strong scents so I put a lot.

The thing I don't like about oil burners is that you need to supervise them. Using one is like cooking, in a way. The fire burns and evaporates the water and sometimes the burner will start smoking a little and maybe bubble very lightly. Once most the water evaporates the oil will start burning and smelling. It's not a huge problem but you just have to make sure to keep an eye on it.

The Body Shop also has other non-Holiday oils and burners, so if you're finished with Christmas but still want a burner, don't worry, they've got you covered. They also have candles and diffusers if that's something you're into as well. I'm definitely planning on picking up some more oils.

What's your experience with oil burners?

Ada xx

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HAUL | The Body Shop

It's been that time of every few months where my skincare products were running low and I was in deep need to replenish them. I'm obsessed with The Body Shop and whenever I go in there, I always want to sniff and play with everything. But with a little bit of self-control and press for time before work, I managed to go in and out in record time. Also, I called ahead for them to put some stuff away for me. Plus, they were having 50% skincare!

I wanted to try some new stuff and see how it worked with my skin. My skin is pretty sensitive and picky when it comes to products and I think I'm allergic to sunscreen because whenever I wear a product with SPF in it, it irritates my cheeks and brings out my dry spots. Luckily my skin remained calm and didn't throw a tantrum.

The first item I picked out is the Vitamin E Moisture Cream. I was originally planning on using it as a general everyday moisturizer but I've decided to only use it as a night cream because if I wore it with a BB cream, it's be too much for my skin. Obviously I should have bought the Night cream but they're all the same in my opinion. The cream costs $16.50, I paid $8.25 with the sale.

The next item I got is the Vitamin E Face Mist. On the website, it says this mist should be used as a makeup setting spray or a 'pick me up' throughout the day, but I've bought it to use it as a toner. They do have a Vitamin E toner itself, but I find that I like the spray better because it wastes less product (if I were to use a toner with a cotton ball), and because it's a makeup setting spray, it helps work as a sort of primer. It costs $16.00, I paid $8.00.

The third item I picked up is the Vitamin E Cool BB Cream. I personally love this BB cream and find that it works so well on the skin! What I love most about it is that it rubs nicely into the skin and it comes in 1 shade. I know some people would be annoyed, but luckily this shade works really well with my skin and blends in. On the website it says this cream: hydrates to protect, evens tone, and give fresh looking skin. So far I have no complaints and plan on buying it again and again! It costs $18.00, I paid $9.00.

And lastly, I picked up the Warming Mineral Mask. This product is so interesting and I was definitely intrigued enough to pick it up. You're supposed to dampen your skin and then rub this mask into it, and it warms your face right up. It's a great product for the winter months! I'm not entirely sure how it works, whether it's activated by the water or rubbing motion (I'd assume both). It's a bit tricky though because the warmth only lasts a few seconds, so you kinda have to wet your face and then squeeze onto one hand and quickly rub it in. It's made with: ginger, cinnamon oil and kaolin clay, all excellent ingredients for skin. It costs $17.00, I paid $8.50.

Do you own any of these products? What do you think?

Ada xx

HAUL | August BeautyBox Five

Are you telling me I managed to post an August beautybox post in August!? I wouldn't believe you.

Sooo... last month I had cancelled my subscription to Beautybox Five because I wasn't happy with the July box and I just didn't have the millions of dollars to spend on beauty boxes. But somehow this month, I received another one??? Regardless, here's my haul post for it! As usual, not getting into details because I'm going to be posting a full review of this 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)

Did you get the same box? What's your take?

Ada xx