Fall Favourites

I'm finally getting into the swing of things and embracing fall to its fullest potential. And by that I, of course, am talking about switching out my corals and bright pinks for some fall beauty favourites (both new and rediscovered!) Here are some of my fall must-haves this season:

Sally Hansen Insta-dri nail polish in 370 Show Steel-er

I've never really delved into greys in my beauty routine before, but it has been really speaking to me lately. In general I tend to stay away from cool-toned anything because I just don't think it compliments my skin tone as well as the warmer hues. But this shade of grey polish is not too blue or dark on me. I just love it!

OPI nail lacquer in Got The Blues for Red

What's fall without a collection of rich burgundies and oxblood? This OPI polish is a classic. It's so rich and deep yet vibrant. This is one I will continue to repurchase again and again.

Annabelle blushon in Rosebud

This was part of the spring collection from this year, but I haven't whipped it out 'til now because re: cool-tones = not my thing. Or so I thought! Just goes to show you how our pre-conceived notions could be wrong and everything is worth a try. I am IN LOVE with this blush for fall. For some reason, it gives me the perfect pink flush to compliment my rotation of lip products. Maybe because I'm starting to get paler so the peaches and corals that made me look perfectly sunkissed in the summer and complimented my orange and pink lipsticks, aren't working so well now.

ELF blush palette in Dark

This is a new product for me and it is not disappointing. I picked this palette up in the states in August and the hues are perfect for fall. They have the same versatile combo of warm-toned, cool-toned and neutral blushes as the Light version of this palette, but they are much deeper and richer. I especially love the blush on the right bottom corner. It's such a beautiful berry colour that appears much lighter on your cheeks than how it looks in the pan. It reminds me of the beautiful flush you get when you've been walking outside in the cold.

NYX matte lipstick in Alabama

Another new addition to my collection is this gorgeous burgundy matte lipstick. I had been on the hunt for a burgundy that was more brown-based than purple or pink and not too dark. It took me a while to find the perfect shade, as I can be quite picky about these things. But this lippy does not disappoint. It's just a little vampy without being over the top. My only criticism is the packaging. It's a bit flimsy for my tastes but for a drugstore lipstick, I really can't complain!

Kat Von D everlasting liquid lipstick in Lolita

This is also a new product for me, and honestly, the biggest surprise of the season, in a season of quite a few surprise loves. I know the deep purple/grey 90s colour is all the rage this year, but I have never been a huge fan of that tone of lipstick. It just feels so muddy and gothy to me. But this shade from Kat Von D seems to have just enough brown and pink in it that I'm kinda diggin' it. And it's not too dark either, which can look a bit grungy in my opinion. I can see why this lipstick is so popular!

NYX prismatic shadow in Jaded

Olive and army greens scream fall to me, but instead of a boring matte, a shimmery shade of eye shadow can add so much interest to a look. Just check out this NYX shadow I picked up recently. In the pan, it looks like a true army green shimmer but in a particular light, it can read more blue or grey. A smokey green eye with a nude lip is one of my favourite looks for fall!

L'oreal infallible eye shadow in Goldmine

And lastly, this is a new discovery for me as well. I had never been into gold eyeshadows before but I am in love with this pigment from L'oreal. It's the perfect lid colour for a classic brown smokey eye and goes with all the shades of red lipstick you could possibly have. These shadows from L'oreal have a crazy amount of pigment and shimmer to them. A must-have, in my opinion!

                                                   

Tropical Dream

I was inspired recently by a pair of lia sophia earrings (called "Flamenco" no less) to go a little bit tropical, a little bit wild and a little bit electric in terms of a makeup look. And I'm loving it! There's nothing more fun in the summer than packing on tons of colours, whether it's your hair, your clothes, your makeup or your salad! Here's a quick how-to:

Prime your lids and dust a nude/beige base shadow all over before applying colour. Start with a really bright emerald green (shimmery or matte, I went with shimmer) and cover your entire lid going passed your outer lashes by just a bit. Follow with a bright royal blue (can be shimmery or matte, I went with matte) just on the outer half of your lid on top of the green. I also dabbed on a bit of a navy blue with sparkles on top but just a touch. Don't worry about it being messy at this stage, you just need to get the colour on there.

If this is as crazy as you're feeling, you can start blending the blue with the green where they meet and blending out the edges so they aren't as harsh and call it day. Or you can keep going and also line your lower lash line with the same colours (green on the inner half and blue on the outer half) and dab a bit of light green shimmery shadow on the inside corner of your eyes as a highlighter. This is where I stopped for my look, but if you're really feeling like standing out, finish with some black liner on your upper and lower lash line and a few coats of mascara before topping off the earring-inspired look with a bright fuchsia lip colour.

lia sophia earrings
Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Fuchsia Fusion
Sephora Collection Medium Shopping Bag Makeup Palette
                                                         

Things I'm Looking Forward To This Spring...

... besides the sun, the flowers and not feeling like I'm trekking Mount Everest on my way to the metro station. 

Bronzy Lids

Clinique eyeshadow in At Dusk Super Shimmer

I fell in love with this look in the fall and I'm excited to see it lining the catwalks this spring as well! Not only does it work for all eye colours, but it's just a fun way to add some oomph to your peepers without going too extreme. All neutral eye shadows are flattering, but adding that bronze shimmer just kicks it up a notch. Just dust on the powder, blend and finish with some black liner.

The Classy Bar Necklace

Forever 21 necklace

Don't get me wrong, I adore a good statement necklace as much as the next girl, but sometimes clean, simple and minimalist is best. Enter this must-have piece that really goes with anything and will probably be a staple in your wardrobe for many seasons to come. Wear it to the office on Friday, the party on Saturday and the market on Sunday. This piece does it all!

Floral Hair Accents

Aldo headbands

Ok this one is just a no-brainer, but I'm happy to see that others are embracing one of my go-to year-round themes. My love of all things floral is no secret, but if you're not quite comfortable with the whole garden nymph look and want a more subtle way to introduce this motif into your do, try smaller buds, simple hair clips instead of a full band, paler colours if you're a blond or darker colours for brunette.

A Tangerine Pucker

L'Oréal Paris Color Riche lipcolour in Volcanic

Yves Rocher gloss in R301

I love me some bright lipstick and orange has become the new red to fear. Just like picking a red that will make you feel like a vixen, it's all about trial and error. If you're not really into the pylon orange, opt for a nice coral or a sheerer formula. And try both glosses and lipsticks to find what works best on you. Just remember: there's almost nothing you can't pull off with a bit of confidence!

Hang on Frockers...Spring is almost here!
                                                                       

The Eyes Have It

Photos by Kyler Kelly

Classic smokey eye with a colourful twist!

1. Apply primer onto lids with fingertips

2. Sweep a light metallic green shadow across entire lid

2. Dust a metallic emerald green shadow onto the lash line and blend outwards

3. Using an eye contouring brush, dust a matte evergreen shadow onto the outside corner of the eye and extend slightly up and outwards

4. Blend, blend, blend!

5. Line upper and lower lashline with black liquid liner

6. Finish with one or two coats of black mascara

- Sephora Collection Medium Shopping Bag Makeup Palette

- Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer PRO

- Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper

- Maybelline Volum' Express The Colossal Mascara in Glam Black