Christmas Gift Guide 2014: For Him

I figured I should be fair and make a gift guide for all the ladies out there looking to buy for their men! All these items are around mid- to high-range price wise, but hey, it's better to get one great gift than a bunch of little ones. It certainly saves effort!

For the Sporty Guy:

1) Tickets to see his favourite team play

For my boyfriend, tickets to the Raptors would be a welcome surprise! Most guys who are avid sport-fans would love a chance to cheer their favourite team on and have the "full experience". Yup. That means 10 dollar hot dogs and nose-bleed seats. Even if you can only afford the cheapest tickets, your guy will just be glad to be there! Men tend to have better eyesight anyway...right?

2) Nike Pro Combat Hyperwarm Dri-fit Max Compression $60 CAD

These compression tights may look like a funny gift, but it's a gift with practicality and style! With the cold weather here runners love a good pair of tights that will keep them warm and keep the sweat away. The compression from the tights also help with the drainage of lactic acid and can decrease recovery time!

For the Traveler:

1) GoPro Hero $129.99 CAD

If your guy wants a cool camera that works underwater, on ground, at high altitudes and more, this entry level GoPro Hero hits the mark. At $129.99, the cheapest camera GoPro has launched thus far, you won't exactly break the bank. I've wanted one myself for all the adventures that I don't go on...

2) Timbuk2 Showdown Backpack $89.99 CAD

If your guy likes traveling but is constantly rummaging through his handful of bags at airports or losing things, this backpack is for him. It features tons of pockets and a laptop sleeve that will comfortably fit up to a 15'' laptop. This lightweight, durable backpack can help him get where he's going and pack all the essentials for hikes, camping, school, work, or the plane.

For the Simple Guy:

1) Bellroy Slim Sleeve Wallet $84.95 CAD

This wallet is made from premium grade leather and smooth as a baby's bum! It's got a clean, streamlined look and will fit easily in pockets. Gone are the days of Velcro (shudder). This is definitely a big boy wallet.

2) Flannel Pajamas

For Christmas, get your man a set of cozy pajamas! Nothing is more comforting on a cold night than soft flannel. They have some nice sets at Sears or else you can have a look at your local Winners - you never know what kind of deal you can score.

I hope I provided you with some gift ideas that will aid you in your holiday shopping. If anyone else has any ideas, feel free to comment on the post! I'd love to know too.

Love,

jane

Christmas Gift Guide 2014: For Her

Christmas is just around the corner and instead of scrambling to find something on Christmas Eve (yes, we've all been there), take a look at this list and see if the special lady you have to buy for would enjoy any of these! Ladies, feel free to "accidentally" leave this post open for your guys or family to see ;).

For the Makeup Lover:

1) Urban Decay Naked On the Run $64.00 CAD

This is a great palette for a girl who is on the run. It's got your essentials all packed away neatly in one spot. It features 5 beautiful eyeshadows in neutral colors, a bronzer/blush duo, a nice highlighter, a full sized lip gloss in the color "Sesso", a sample of the UD Perversion Mascara, and one of their 24/7 Glide-On eye pencils! It's one of those sets that really packs a punch. Urban Decay boasts great pigmentation and quality in all their products! Definitely a gift that would "wow".

2) FRESH Sugar Cravings Kissing Trio $33.00 CAD

This little trio may look small but once one of these babies touch her lips, she'll be in love! Winter comes with dry, cold weather and the FRESH sugar lip balms are the best for battling it. This is something your lady won't want to splurge on, but would welcome as a gift!

For the Gym Goer: 

1) Nike In Season TR 3 Training Shoes $49.98 CAD

I just picked up a pair of these recently! First of all, the colors are amazing. Secondly, check out the price tag!! These won't break the bank and they look great. Get em before it's too late! Sportcheck might actually have more stock in store than online.

 2) Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity + Sleep Wristband $79.99 CAD

A Fitbit is a great tool for tracking steps or calories and is perfect for the girl who wants to know her baseline. I used mine for quite a while, tracking how many steps/calories I could burn in a walk to school or an hour at the gym. Another interesting part of the Fitbit is the sleep tracker. It's now on sale for $20 less than it's usual price.

For the Writer:

1) Kate Spade Journals $7.20-$14.40 CAD

Pick these up before they're gone! These journals are so cute and sure to inspire your girl to write. There is nothing like a fresh page in a fresh journal. They've got plenty of colors and styles on sale at Indigo.ca so be sure to have a look.



2) Book-Inspired Soy Candles Three 8oz Candles for $33.77 CAD

FromThePage is a seller on Etsy that makes soy candles that are inspired by some of the most popular books of the age. Transport her to the places her imagination already travels to. Christmas at Hogwarts, anyone? 

This is where I leave you. Although I've put these gifts into categories, feel free to mix & match! Best of luck!

Love,

jane

August Favourites 2014!

How...what....?

SEPTEMBER?!

I can't believe how fast August has flown by.  It's been a crazy summer and I'm sure it'll turn out to be just as crazy this month.

So without further ado...my August favs.

NIVEA Lip Balm - Raspberry Rose
This stuff smells heavenly. It seriously smells good enough to eat. It's also very moisturizing so it serves it's purpose well.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Creme - Copenhagen & Cannes
I am LOVING the formula of these soft matte lip cremes. They're smooth, non-sticky, and extremely pigmented. The formula is buildable and doesn't tend to stick to dry areas on the lips. Plus the colors are great for transitioning to Fall!

BareMinerals Matte Foundation - Golden Fair (applied with the Expert Face Brush by Real Techniques)
This stuff was my go-to foundation for any given day. Going to the beach? Slap some of it one. Going to work? Slap it on. It's got fair coverage without caking up. Another reason to buy it? It doesn't clog pores.

Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade - Chocolate
There are not enough words to describe how absolutely wonderful this product is. You will use the TINIEST amount for your brows. This stuff is long wearing, pigmented, and acts like a wax. They'll hold your brows in place all. day. long.

Lorac Pro 2
Although I wasn't a fan of the original palette, this version has hit it out of the park for me. I'm loving the cool toned colors and the quality of the shadows. They are smooth, pack a pigmented punch, and most of all - blendable. The palette itself is versatile; it allows you to create a deep and dark smoky eye or go with a day-time appropriate neutral eye.


BH Cosmetics Glamorous Blush Palette
I picked up this palette on a whim since their site had a sale going on. Turns out, I like it more than I thought I would! It works best when mixed with other colors in the palette and allows for easy use for when you're doing other people's make up. The range is incredible and the colors are ALL wearable - yes, even that deep red.

Pomelo Lime Soy Candle
I'm terrible at describing scents...so just take my word for it: this candle is AMAZING. It's fresh and bright. It's citrus smell is sweet but not overly so. It's light. It brings memories of spring and summer. It's that good.

FitBit Flex
I never thought I would be one to buy and use a fitness bracelet...but here I am! It's a great tool for motivation and helps you keep track of your fitness goals. I've been finding that I'm more inclined to park farther away or take that extra set of stairs to get to where I'm going. If you're looking for something that will give you a little more incentive to be active - this might do it for you! The bracelet itself if comfortable and it's many colors make it easy for you to style with outfits.

7 Minute Workout App
Who thought that 7 minutes could be so long? This app makes use of HIIT (high intensity interval training) and has you go through 12 different "workouts" to target different parts of your body - all within 7 minutes. If you do it daily you can unlock other workouts and gain badges!

That's it for this month!

Love,

jane

Tips for Long Lasting Lipstick!

Hi Beauties!

I hope you're all doing well. Today, I thought I would share some tips on how to get the longest wear out of your lipstick. And yes, I went with a bold, red lip just so you could see!

Check out my video, or read the steps down below :)

Step 1: LINER! Make sure you use a liner that is a few shades darker/lighter than your lipstick of choice. To get the best shape on your cupid's bow, draw an X from one point and drag it towards the middle of your upper lip (it's shown in the video) and do the same on the other point. Mark out the bottom of your lower lip and then outline the rest of your lips.

Step 2: Fill in parts of your lips with lip liner where lipstick often wears off i.e. corners of mouth.

Step 3: Apply a smooth and creamy lip product - I love the Revlon Matte Balms! Keep this layer light.

Step 4: Using a single ply of tissue paper, place the sheet over your lips. Take a translucent setting powder such as the Makeup Forever HD Powder and dust it on top of your lips (through the paper).

Step 5: Apply the second coat of lipstick.

Step 6: Clean up any areas you may have made mistakes!

Step 7: Do the awkward "finger in mouth pull-out" to get rid of any lipstick that may get on your teeth!

And....that's it!

Enjoy a lip look that will last ALL night.

Love,

jane

My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ddsm4CtLIY7TMVZdk20uQ

June Favourites 2014!

Hello everyone!

I know it's been a while but here are my favourites for the month of June.

If you're interested in reading, do take a look below! Otherwise, the video will contain all the info you need :) 

L'oreal Silky Sheer Face Sunscreen SPF 50
This stuff is seriously good. It hardly feels like I have any sunscreen on at all when I apply it! It's completely non-greasy which was the main attraction for me.


Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer
I have officially fallen back in love with this moisturizer! It does the job well and the bonus is the SPF 15 that Aveeno snuck in there. When I put this on, the high school days just come flashing back...

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in "Sand Sable"
The colour is working REALLY well for me! Sometimes I will use this to spot conceal and then set with a powder. It's got great coverage that lasts all day...what more can you ask for?

Laneige BB Cushion in "Medium"
I think I found my favourite BB cream of all time. I'm not even joking! I've seen such a difference in my skin when I use this lightweight formula. My skin appears flawless without looking like I'm wearing any makeup at all! It's high-time that I get to Target to buy the full size.

Revlon Matte Blush "Blushing Berry"
I was digging through my blushes and found this barely touched. I remember not liking this blush because it wasn't pigmented enough but now, I think I've developed a quiet appreciation for it. The neutrality of the blush is VERY appealing. I don't have to worry about colours clashing or over-doing my blush. It's a great everyday shade!

Maybelline Volume Express Pumped Up! Colossal Mascara
When they say Pumped Up, they mean PUMPED UP. This mascara boasts mega volume and I'm inclined to believe it. I love the shape of the brush and the way it applies. The formula is not too wet for my pathetic lashes, and it makes the most of what I've got. Go Maybelline!

Fujifilm Instax Mini 8
*Drum roll please...* I am in LOVE with this instant camera. Its cute, functional and oh-so-hipster. Not that I'm into that hipster thing. But I do love that the photos print out instantly. It's got this vintage feel that I cannot help but love. Definitely looking forward to making a photo-collage/wall thing for my room with this!

Thanks for reading!

Love,

jane

Covergirl Colorlicious Lipgloss Review

Hello, my readers!

I was browsing through Walmart (bad idea) and of course, the makeup section will always call my name and I will always oblige. As I was passing one of the end displays, these glosses caught my eye. The new limited edition Covergirl Colorlicious glosses are the hottest thing at the drugstore right now...and they're seriously underrated!

I have the color "Fruitylicious" (the color directly in the middle of that photo to the right) and it's BEAUTIFUL. It's the perfect fushia that contains minimal sparkle and some serious shine! It's got a slight bluish purple undertone which makes it very wearable since it's more cool-toned for me.

High pigmentation and endless shine paired with a non-sticky formula means that I am one happy girl. The color range is amazing as well! I'm looking to pick up another color...or two.

The packaging is nice and quite simple. I like the clear glass tube and the sleek, silver cap.
It features a doe-foot applicator that helps you get into the corners of your mouth with precision.

In Canada, this gloss is $6.99 which is decent for the drugstore! You get 0.12 fl oz but the gloss is so pigmented that you will need very little to attain the perfect glossy look.

Check out my full review & application here on my YouTube channel!

Thanks so much for reading!

Love,

jane

My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ddsm4CtLIY7TMVZdk20uQ
Follow me on BlogLovin' :)

Quick Update & Triangl Bikini

Hello everyone! It feels like forever since I've been able to post. My trip to Cuba was awesome! I got to meet a dolphin named Mara, snorkel, swim in the beautiful sea, watch a circus act and participate in a magic show. All this and more was jam packed into 7 days. Crazy. Keep an eye out for a vlog and video on outfits I wore in Cuba :)

I'm working on establishing a regular schedule to post my reviews/videos and update this blog but here's a quick update on the TRIANGL bikinis.

I only have one picture of me wearing the Chloe bikini in Santa Rosa Splash.

First of all, these bikinis are very high maintenance. I'm talking constant maintenance. This one held out better than the Ollie rose-coloured bikini I got, but it does have some white marks on it from sunscreen. Make sure if you use spray sunscreen that you keep it far away from the neoprene.
The bikini looked fabulous and it felt great. It dried so quickly and was very comfortable. In the water the neoprene will stretch slightly so ladies, make sure your bottoms aren't too loose!

After being in any kind of water you'll have to rinse (do not soak) the bikinis in cold water and lay them flat to dry (out of the sun!) or else they'll crease.

The Ollie, sadly to say, did not hold up well at all. The first time I wore it the rose-gold of the bottoms were starting to rub off and I don't know how that happened. I'm quite disappointed in it. The bikini looks awesome, just the material wasn't up to the sand and sunscreen attack that it went through.

So if you're thinking to buy these, just be aware that you'll need to be really careful with what it comes in contact with.

Fingers crossed that TRIANGL will be able to help me out...
**EDIT**
Great news! TRIANGL has always been amazing with customer service and they have really impressed me this time. I emailed them after I wrote this post and not even two hours later they resolved my problem. They're willing to exchange it for me! Hooray! The bikinis may be high maintenance, but the company is great to deal with. Will definitely continue my bikini shopping there.

Love,

jane

Follow me on BlogLovin' :) 
My YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ddsm4CtLIY7TMVZdk20uQ/videos