Inglot | My Very First DIY Palette

As I mentioned earlier this month, I went to Inglot at Yonge and Dundas Square in downtown Toronto earlier this fall to check out their brand and test out their products.  While I was there I ended up falling in love with eyeshadows 326, 344, and 46.  After testing them at home, and being more than satisfied with the results, I went back to complete my palette with 420 and 153.

Before I get into talking about the actual quality of the shadows (which are, by the way, fantastic), I wanted to first explain why I love the concept so much. I don't know about you, but I reach for my shadow palettes way more often than I reach for my singles.  Its so much easier when everything you need is right in front of you.  However, I know that when I buy a palette that there are almost always colours I don't use.  For me, these are usually the super sparkly ones, or the very dark ones.  I have also often caught me critiquing palettes-- to each their own.  Too much sparkle, too few mattes, I wish there were more purple-taupe shades...enter, the Inglot Freedom System.

326 (Matte), 420 (Satin), 153 (Satin), 344 (Matte),  46 (Shimmer)

Holiday Sets | We Wish You a Lush-ful Christmas

I have a secret.  I never knew how flawless the Lush holiday line was until I got into this whole beauty blogging thing.  I never knew how pretty the items were, I never knew how delicious they all smelled.  I never knew what I was missing out on.  The other day I walked past the Lush at the Toronto Eatons Centre, and the line was so long that it wrapped through the whole store and into the hallway.  Rather than deal with that stressful mess, I went to the large, open, crowd free location on Queen West.  There I was able to ask the staff questions, smell each item on its own, and really make sure I was getting the very best goodies.

Such pretty pretty bath goodies!  And the smell?  Perfection. 

Holiday Sets | Julep "Dancing" Lipstick Trio

A number of months ago Julep had two mini lipstick sets, Paris and New York, as the beauty product of the month.  One of those sets ended up in a mystery box which I ordered, and I really enjoyed them, so I was happy to see Julep bring back a similar product.  I also want to take a moment to apologize in advance for all the Julep reviews this month!  It was a combination of some great coupon codes, 12 Days of Christmas deals, and an abundance of $15 referral codes.  So, please do use my link if you intend on getting a Julep subscription.  It keeps this blog with lots of content, and helps add to my makeup stash.  You can sign up here!

Seasonal | The Only Three Manicures You Will Need This Christmas

Lately I have been building up my confidence in my nail art abilities, and have been sharing them on my personal instagram.  For my poor followers from my personal life they get a mix of my nail designs,  professional life, my boyfriend's cats, and diet coke cans.  Let me be clear, my dream boss "<3" my nail art photos in Insta.  Do you know what that's like?  To see your professional life and love of nail polish collide?  Its a bit terrifying, but over all a great reception.  When I explain it as my hobby and my outlet people just tend to think that I can do magical things with glitter.  // end rant.

Okay!  On to my special holiday themed manicure post!

For Parties: Dipped In Gold

I am going to let you in on a little secret.  When I was a kid, I loved glitter nail polish!  When I started getting back into nail polish last year I couldn't figure out a way to make glitter look all grown up, until I figured out how to do glitter tips.

Start with your usual filing, base coat routine.  Then paint your nails either a nice silky navy or a to die for berry shade. I decided to use Julep's Lupita.  As for the glitter I used more of a bronze-gold glitter: Essie's Luxe Effect "Summit of Style".  Next carefully freehand a triangle with glitter.  Since you are using glitter it doesn't need to be perfect.  I recommend 2-3 coats of glitter so you can get a full coverage look.  Finish off with two coats of top coat and ta-da!

Lupita and Summit of Style

DEAL ALERT: Updated Sephora Sale Section

I was casually browsing the Sephora Sale section this morning, when I noticed they had updated it to include some pretty fantastic items!  You can shop the sale here.  I encourage you to check it out and see what they have, here are my picks:

(All prices are in CAD.  Lucky for you US ladies, things are likely all cheaper)

Bumble and Bumble Make It Big Set
$55 Value - $32.75 Regular Price - $26 Sale

Kisses | Tony Moly

Memebox opened my eyes to a whole world of Korean Beauty!  One thing I have learned from my time with Memebox is how fantastic Tony Moly products are! When I saw this beautiful little lip balm at an end cap in Sephora for $11, I simply had to have it!

Holiday Sets | Julep Pop the Bubbly!

This was one of the holiday duos that Julep released this season!  As usual it contains one old polish (Noelle) and one new polish (Irina).

Both of the polishes in this duo are Satin finishes which are matte with shimmer.  In other words, entirely beautiful.

Noelle is the light shade in the middle, Irina is the pink to the right of Noelle.

Holiday Sets | Wild Argan Oil from The Body Shop

The Body Shop (TBS) always has amazing gift sets available, and since this isn't a limited edition holiday set, its not reeeeeally a holiday set.  However, I bought it around the holidays.  So it is a holiday set in my books.

I am a huge supporter of taking part in points programs.  At TBS you get 1 point for every $25 purchase and 2 point for every $50 or more purchase.  4 points gets you $15 off, 8 points auto-renews your $10 membership and gets you $25 off.  No matter what, you get 10% off everything, which makes your membership free if you spend $100 or more there a year!