SUBSCRIPTION: Ipsy Glambag September 2016

Welcome back to another post where I show you what I got in this month's Ipsy Glambag. Honestly, I've gotta say that I feel like Ipsy has been stepping things up in the past several months. Not only am I seeing a good mixture of well known brands with less recognizable ones, but I think the curation is improving - aside from all the black eyeliners and the base products that are too dark for me... but since that's not a problem in this month's bag, I'm choosing to be optimistic about that. Just me? Probably. Anyway. There's also been an improvement in their rewards system in that there have been some really great rewards offered recently and I definitely find that I'm earning points more quickly than I once did. Overall, while I've thought about canceling Ipsy in the past, I'm really happy with the service lately so these posts will continue.

Wanna see what I got in my Glambag this month? Keep reading!

REVIEW: Urban Decay VICE Lipstick in Rapture

I, like most other beauty obsessed people, saw the huge PR packages that a lot of bloggers and vloggers got of the new Urban Decay VICE lipsticks and I'll admit that I was overwhelmed by the number of them. However, I finally got down to a store where I could see them in person and swatch them on my hands so I could get a better idea of the shades and formulas that might be most appealing to me. Now, of course the shade I wanted the most was sold out (it's currently on its way to me from Sephora... It will be mine!!!) Anyway, this one came in a close second and, though it wasn't in the finish that I would have preferred I was still very interested in putting it on my face. SO I picked up the Urban Decay VICE lipstick in Rapture and I've been wearing it for a couple of days, so let's talk about it!

Keep reading for more!

REVIEW: Makeup Revolution New-Trals vs. Neutrals Palette + Swatches

Raise your hand you've reached your limits on the same old nude and neutral palettes! I mean, don't actually raise your hand, but you know what I mean. Anyway, I'm over it. I've got all the nudes in my collection that I could possibly need and I'm on the lookout for palettes that are still wearable, but a little bit different than the other things I have in my collection. I'm admittedly not all that adventurous when it comes to my eye looks and bright pops are colour are more rare than I might like them to be, but I think it's time to change that a little bit. Why am I telling you this? Because I think the Makeup Revolution New-Trals vs. Neutrals Palette just might be what a lot of other people like me - sick of the same old neutrals but not quite ready to go full out colour - are looking for.

Keep reading to take a look!

HAIR: Fall Hair Makeover feat. Natural Instincts & ION Color Brilliance

*Products were provided for PR Purposes.

I decided early in 2016 that I wanted pink hair and I maintained that all summer. I had bright pink, I had coral pink, and once it faded I lingered in a peachy rose gold place until it was time to dye again - and it was glorious. Honestly, I absolutely love pink hair. As the end of summer approached and my grey hairs started to show through more and more, I decided that I wanted to deepen everything but still keep some of that pink going. Because... Yeah, I think I'd be bored if my hair was just brown again. 

Anyway, I had the chance to try out some Clairol Natural Instincts in Medium Cool Brown*, which is ammonia free dye that washes out in about 28 washes, and it seemed like a good time to try out a different colour in my balayage as well, so I went with ION Color Brilliance in Garnet, which is a deep raspberry shade. 

So... How'd it go? Keep reading!

REVIEW: New & Classic Products from NIVEA*

*Product was provided for review by Chickadvisor.

I feel like there are a handful of brands that have just been around as long as anyone can remember. The NIVEA Creme has been around for over 100 years now and continues to be one that a lot of people reach for when they need a moisturizer, whether it be for face, hands or body. I definitely have a few long time favorite products from NIVEA that I also seem to go back to! Recently, I had the opportunity to try out a bunch of NIVEA products, both brand new products and some old favorites, through Chickadvisor, and I wanted to share my reviews of them here for you guys!

Keep reading for more!

MAKEUP LOOK: Soft & Simple Autumn Peach

So I've recently decided that I want to do more makeup looks here on the blog and I did this look over the weekend that I felt was a perfect start to this. Generally fall makeup is heavy and smoky and vampy - and I love it - but I tend to have days where I want to keep everything fresh and light and I feel like this is a great look for transitioning from summer into fall with warm shades all over the face, but still a bright, fresh look to both the skin and the eyes. I also tried to use a lot of products that had Peach in the name and I think it came together really beautifully!

For a closer look at the look as well as the products that I used, keep reading!

Live Clean Vanilla Oatmeal Body Wash & Hand Soap*

*Product was provided for PR purposes.

If you guys have been reading this blog for a while, you know that Live Clean products are an absolute staple in my bathroom. From their shampoos and conditioners, which both me and my boyfriend use consistently, to the hand soaps that I literally can't not have on hand, I'm a huge fan of the brand and am pretty much up for trying any and everything that they put out. But as soon as I saw the Live Clean Vanilla Oatmeal Soothing Body Wash & Hand Soap*, it was pretty much next level excitement to try it out. I mean... VANILLA OATMEAL. 

Let's take a closer look, shall we?

REVIEW: e.l.f. Instant Lift Brow Pencils in Taupe & Neutral Brown

Ahhh, there are so many products from e.l.f. Cosmetics that were released ages ago, it seems, but have been hard to come by here in Canada. Luckily, Walmart Canada is carrying e.l.f. in store now and they have a lot of those products on the shelf for those of us who have been waiting. One of those products for me was the e.l.f. Instant Lift Brow Pencil, so when I saw it on the shelf I grabbed two shades - just in case. At under $3 a piece, it didn't really feel like I was going mad with brow power or anything!

So, was it worth the wait? Keep reading for my review!

REVIEW: huna Natural Apothecary Revitalizing Age-Grace Face Serum*

*Product was provided for PR Purposes.

More and more over the past several months I've been realizing just how well my skin does when I use a really good facial oil as a part of my nighttime skin care routine. One thing that I'm finding more and more is that certain oils really help my skin to feel deeply nourished and hydrated in a way that only they can. Recently, I got the great opportunity to try out one of these products from a local Winnipeg skin care brand, the huna Natural Apothecary Revitalizing Age-Grace Face Serum*, and I'm excited to talk to you guys about it. I think it's incredibly important to support smaller brands, particularly local ones, and I also think that there's a lot of hidden gems from these types of businesses.

huna Natural Apothecary is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba and they have a farm in Southern Mantioba where they grow the ingredients for their products. They're the first luxury skin care brand in Manitoba to grow their own botanicals and make proprietary blends. Pretty cool, right?  

Keep reading for more about this product and my experience using it!

REVIEW: VICHY Eau Thermale Mineralizing Thermal Water*

*Product was provided for PR purposes.

For a long time, I passed over spa waters in the skin care section because it just seemed like something that I really didn't need. However, a couple of years ago a local makeup artist who is a friend of a friend mentioned that she loves to use it as a last step in makeup to give everything a seamless appearance and take down powderiness. My interest was piqued, obviously, and I picked up a bottle of the VICHY Eau Thermale Mineralizing Thermal Water* and have been a convert ever since. And when I say convert, I mean that I keep a big bottle on my desk at work and one on my vanity at home. And if I had a small bottle, it would be in my purse at all times. I got a chance to try the newly renamed and repackaged version recently and, though I've mentioned my love for it on the blog before, I thought this was a good time to go into a little more detail.

Is your interest piqued? Keep reading for more!