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
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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

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

May Ipsy Bag 2014!

Hello all!

I just want to start off by saying that I really loved my past Ipsy bags. This month just wasn't working for me though :(. I got products I really wasn't interested in and some of them seemed like a cop out.

In this month's bag I received:
Pur~lisse hydra-balance moisturizer
Hang Ten Classic Sport Sunscreen
Pacifica Duo in #1
Nailtini polish in the colour "Champagne"
Eau Thermale Avene

To be honest, I don't like any of them! The nail polish is okay, but I don't really enjoy receiving them because my mom owns a Salon (Mei Nails 989 Fennell Avenue, Hamilton ON). I pretty much get my pick of all the colours we have.

Also, the moisturizer seems cheap and smells too much like Glysomed hand lotion - definitely wary about putting that on my face!

The sunscreen smells like Malibu Rum (not good in my books) but it does apply thinly. I could use it at some point in my trip.

The Pacifica Duo is poor quality. The colours are not pigmented nor are they smooth! They're quite powdery and the packaging just screams "cheap"!

The Eau Thermale is basically pressurized water. Water in a can.

I'm pretty disappointed in this month's Ipsy picks, but that's the feeling I'm getting from a lot of Ipsters too!

I hope next month is better.

Love,

jane

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

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette Review

                                             

In the video above, I am wearing "Dim Light".

The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette is definitely a "splurge" item. It contains about 0.348oz of product (0.116oz per powder) and it retails at Sephora for $67.00 CAD. The regular, full-sized powders are $52 CAD and contain 0.35oz of product. So with the palette you will pay more as well as lose out on quantity. 

However, the palette does contain one shade that is exclusive to it. Incandescent Light is only available in the palette and is a pale, peachy, pink powder with shimmer that reflects on the skin.

Left to Right: Dim Light, Incandescent Light, Radiant Light

Lets start with a what I like about the product. First off, I love the packaging. It's smooth and sleek and easy to clean (although it does tend to attract fingerprints). I also love the colour of it! The rosy chrome colour is stunning! The simplicity of the design makes it very elegant.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

Secondly, I love how smooth the powders are. Dim Light and Radiant Light are so smooth and creamy. They swatch and blend beautifully. Incandescent Light doesn't swatch as nicely nor does it feel as smooth as the other two, however it is still a very blendable shade.

Third, they all provide a beautiful glow to the face. There are no obvious chunks of glitter but rather, a subtle glow that makes it look like you are in soft lighting. I love the "lit from within" look!

Left to Right: Dim Light, Incandescent Light, Radiant Light

Left to Right: Dim Light, Incandescent Light, Radiant Light

They're all soft to the touch and wonderful to work with. My favourite is Dim Light because it provides such a beautiful and romantic sheen.

A few cons:
- The price! It's very expensive for such a small size.
- Doesn't control oil. I know it's not meant to, however after a couple hours I can definitely notice a lot of shine (not the good kind).
- Lack of neutral colours in the palette. I think they would have done well if they included a shade like "Diffused Light" instead of Incandescent Light. It would provide a better balance for all skin tones.

All in all, a very nice palette to add to my ever growing collection of makeup. I appreciate the concept of "lighting" and enjoy experimenting with it all! If you've got something that performs as well as this, don't go rushing out to buy it.

See you next time!

Love,

jane

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

Back in stock!!

I absolutely FREAKED out when I found out that the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder Palette was back in stock at Sephora for Mother's Day. Of course, I ordered it right away! I really wanted to try a range of these powders and I think this set is the best way to do that. This sold out so quickly when the lighting powders first came out and the prices on Ebay and Amazon were INSANE. Needless to say, I'm ecstatic that I'll be a proud owner of this palette for a reasonable price.

The palette includes Incandescent Light (an exclusive to the palette) and two existing shades, Dim Light and Radiant Light. 

The palette is $67 CAD for 0.348oz and a single full sized shade (0.38oz) is $52 CAD. Considering the small size of the product, I am a little still a bit skeptical of the price, but I will sacrifice that for the colour range and versatility.

Stay tuned for a full review!

Love,

jane

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Ardene & Forever 21 Haul

Surprise, surprise...Jane is shopping.

Here's my latest shopping haul!

Enjoy!

Love,

jane

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

April Ipsy Bag

I've been subscribed to Ipsy since December and all in all, I've been happy with the products I'm getting. Each month it works out to be about $16.55 CAD (dependent on exchange rate) for one bag. This month has definitely earned it's worth, in my opinion!

Here are my goodies:

This month's bag is "Beauty Rocks" themed and the contents of the bag work well with the theme. Although the makeup bag itself is a little flimsy (the other bags have been sturdier) I like the size of this one.

I got a travel sized Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Black Velvet, Dr. Brandt's Microdermabrasion treatment which I have yet to use, Elizabeth Mott's pop! goes the shadow in Champagne, Starlooks lip pencil in Naked, and lastly a Coastal Scents medium shadow brush.

The eyeliner and lip liner were my favourites of the bag (I mentioned them both in this month's favourites video), but I also really enjoy the champagne shadow. I've got a Sigma E55 brush that does a better job than the Coastal Scents one, and I'm a little wary of trying the microdermabrasion treatment.

Left to Right: pop! goes the shadow; champagne. Starlooks lip liner; Naked. UB 24/7 liner; Black Velvet.

The eyeshadow is very smooth and buttery and has a pretty glow to it. It provides a very sparkly highlight to the inner corner of the eye and it can even be used as a cheek highlight as long as you apply it carefully.

The lip liner is extremely soft and creamy! Has great pigmentation and blends like a dream!

The UB 24/7 liner is smudge-proof when it's dry and is one of the darkest, creamiest, and truest black liners I've tried on the market.

All in all, a great "bang" for your buck. Most of the products are mid-range to high-end as well. There are some "filler" products of lesser quality but it really isn't that hard on the wallet. Who knows, you may even like some lesser known products if you have an open mind! Thanks for reading :)

Love,

jane

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Check out Ipsy's site. 

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

April Favourites 2014

Helloooooo! Long time no see. Kind of.

Exams are officially done for this semester so I am making my way back into the blogging world.

Here are my favourites this month. (If you don't like to read, all the info below is in the video).

Soap & Glory Rub Your Nose In It
This stuff is amazing! It really helps minimize the look of pores with extended use.

Marc Jacobs Genius Gel Foundation "Medium Bisque"
I have the color Medium Bisque and it's the PERFECT colour for me right now. It's so blendable and easily buildable.

BareMinerals Matte Foundation "Golden Fair"
This loose foundation has been great for a casual day at school or work. The coverage is variable - can be light or can be built up to medium coverage. Best part? It doesn't clog pores.

Urban Decay 24/7 Liner "Black Velvet"
Loveeeee this liner. Honestly. It's so pigmented and blendable. And it doesn't smudge! Must try more.

Sonia Kashuk Eyeliner Brush #107
It's tiny and gives you a lot of control. Perfect for flicking that gel liner!

Sigma E40 Blending Brush
My holy grail blending brush. Perfect for all pigments!

Starlooks Luscious Longwear Lip Pencil "Naked"
I've been loving this! It came in my April Ipsy bag and I think it's perfect for spring. Think pink roses and cream.

That's it, folks! Thanks for reading/watching.

Love,

jane

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The Secret Video is out!

Here it is everyone! Thank you so much for watching and I really do hope that this video would affect you in some way or another.

HUGE thank you goes out to Vinh Ngo who helped me film and edit this video. Couldn't have done it without you, my friend! Thanks also goes out to Pat Pho and Mary Hoang who endured cold weather and unexpected hikes to help me film.

Love,

jane

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March Favourites 2014

I'm a little bit late on this, but here are my March Favourites for 2014! Please like the video and subscribe to my channel for more videos :)

Love,

jane

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March Favourites:
Ole Henrikson Ultimate Eye Lift Gel
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind - Neutralizer
Skin 79 Gold BB Cream
Sigma F86
Elf Fan Brush
Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Creme Bronzer - Warm Tan
Dolce & Gabbana blush - Tan
Sonia Kashuk Creme blush - Petal
Milani Baked Blush - Luminoso
Tarte BeMATTEnificient Palette
Maybelline the Buffs - Nude Lust
NYX Buttergloss - Tiramisu
Flat hair clips
The Tomorrow People

Top Secret Video?!

I have some luck. Every time I choose to shoot a video, it's freezing. As in below zero.

Sigh.

Oh well! This is a secret video that will be revealed on Easter (Good Friday)...you probably have an inkling about what it's about right? ;)

Anyhow, here's one photo taken on set by Pat Pho of PatPho-tography! He has a whole bunch of behind-the-scenes photos on his blog too so make sure to check em out!

Also, I'll have a new video up very soon! Stay tuned.

Love,

jane

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Daily Skincare Routine

If you're anything like me, once you find a product that works for you, you never let it go. I've used Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser since my teens and it's my holy grail cleanser!

My daily skincare routine is pretty basic but it can be quite long! Spending time on your skin is definitely an investment that pays off. I have combination skin; oily along the T-zone and dry along the outer edges of my face and cheeks.

So, what works for me? Salicylic Acid. It might take time to figure out what works for you, but keep at it and you'll be sure to find something your skin likes. 

AM 

Aveeno Daily Brightening Scrub: I wet my face with warmish/hot water and then apply a dime-sized amount of this in circular motions all over the face, focusing on the nose.

Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser: I will rinse off the exfoliant with warm water and then use a half pump of this all over the face. After I rinse off with warm water, I always always always splash my face with cold water to close the pores up.

L'oreal YouthCode Serum Corrector: I use a half pump of this before my moisturizer. It helps balance the skin tone and fades dark spots.

Josie Maran Argan Oil Light/Coconut Oil: I use two drops of this after giving the L'oreal skin brightening cream a minute to sink in. I focus this mostly on my dry areas. I will sometimes use Coconut Oil (check out my post on Oils for more info http://www.sidesofjane.blogspot.ca/2014/03/oils-oils-oils.html) instead of the Argan if I'm at home all day (it tends to be oilier).

I wait a couple minutes before apply any makeup. While I wait I grab some water and try to guzzle it down!

PM

Sonia Kashuk Makeup Remover: I put a small amount on a cotton pad and remove my eye makeup.

Ponds Makeup Wipes: I remove the rest of my face makeup with one of these. It's important to remove all makeup first before you use any other product. If you don't your cleanser won't be able to work at full capacity.

Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub: I scrub my face with this nightly! I use a dime-sized amount for the whole face.

Mario Bedescu Acne Facial Cleanser/Biore: I use these interchangeably. Recently I've been reaching more for Mario Badescu because it's a bit gentler and the Biore Unclogging Scrub already contains Salicylic Acid in it. I will of course, splash my face with cold water after.

I've been using Ole Henrikson's Ultimate Lift Eye Gel all over my face and eye area! I needed something with extra moisture this winter - it's been a long, dry winter, so I decided to use it all over my face one day and I loved the results. I'm going to try out their actual facial moisturizer and see how it compares soon!

Lastly, for any pimples/breakouts I have, I dip a Q-tip into Mario Badescu's Drying Lotion and apply it right over the pimple itself. Be very careful not to use this around the eye area as it's pretty strong stuff and can ruin the thin skin.

Tips
- Drink lots of water! I try to have a minimum of 40 oz of water which amounts to about 5 cups of water per day. It's still under the recommended amount but that's how much I can definitely drink a day.
- Mineral makeup is always my go-to when my skin is acting up because it doesn't clog my pores.
- Finding a good moisturizer is the best tip I can give you. Dry skin can give you the appearance of advanced age and it just isn't pretty under makeup. After you use a harsh cleanser on your face it's always best to moisturize and restore the skin's balance.

There's my daily skincare routine. I hope this helps you form a routine that keeps your skin happy :)

Love,

jane

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

First Video!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12021891/?claim=tmft7fsxq4w">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>
Hello!

Here's the first official video for my blog and YouTube channel :)

Glorious Ruins cover by Jane and Jessica. Enjoy!

Love,

jane

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Surprise Date!

Hello!

Just wanted to write a little bit about what went down today. My boyfriend, Pat, planned a date for us back in February and wanted to keep the details a secret. I've been in turmoil for the past few weeks (I hate surprises, generally). But it turned out to be such a great day!

We had lunch at My Cousin Vinny's in Niagara (delicious!) and then he took me to see Bodies Revealed!!!

Bodies Revealed. Can you see Pat hiding?

Sorry for the instagram quality haha...I had to sneak those photos.

I'm a Kinesiology student through and through. I loved every minute of this exhibit. My boyfriend and I are such nerds haha.

After that, he took me to Lundy's Lane and we did a little bit of shopping. I scored this awesome A-line leather skirt at Garage for 5 bucks. I've got outfit ideas in the works already! We rounded Lundy's off with a visit to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory...mmmm giant peanut butter chocolate cups.

Pat asked if he could take one shot of me somewhere (he's an awesome photographer). I agreed and so we decided to shoot in Hamilton. The one photo turned into a 20 minute photo shoot. Here's one of the photos:

If you are looking for a photographer, this one comes highly recommended :) He does some amazing outdoor photography, portraits and more.

You can check out all his work here at http://patpho-tography.com/

What a lovely, lovely day I had - thanks to my sweet boyfriend :)

Hope your day was just as great!

Love,

jane

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Sigma Brushes

Happy Thursday everyone!

I recently purchased a set of Sigma brushes (eep!). I told myself I didn't need to have Sigma brushes but when Jaclyn Hill, one of my favourite makeup artists on YouTube, teamed up with Sigma to pick out her own set of favourite brushes to make available to the public, it just seemed like the right time. Or so I tell myself.

Turns out, it was a good idea to buy when I did because since then, that set has been out of stock! It's only available for the month of March, but they're selling like hot tamales so maybe they'll extend the sale. Here's to hoping.

Here's a link to Jaclyn's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6jgzx2g3nlbaYkd8EMweKA

So the Jaclyn Hill Expert Beauty Box includes 7 brushes:
- F80 Flat Top Kabuki (the well loved foundation brush on YouTube)
- F86 Tapered Kabuki -
- F35 Tapered Highlighter
- E55 Eye Shading
- E25 Blending
- E40 Tapered Blending
- E30 Pencil
*Plus you get a free travel sized brush with any order over $35. I got a travel sized E25!

Oh. My. Gosh.

All these beautiful brushes for $90.00. This set is a $113 value. She also had a 10% off code on her YouTube channel so that pretty much covered the shipping & handling ($9.55 to Canada).

Top to bottom: E40, E30, E25, E55, F35, F80, F86 & Travel E25

These brushes are every bit what I imagined - except maybe a bit smaller. Haha

The handles are sturdy and are clearly stamped with the brush name and number.
The synthetic brushes are soft and dense, and the goat hair brushes are slightly stiffer but still soft enough for the eye. All the brushes pick up colour well and do not shed at all.

My Favourites
The E40 is such a great blending brush. I have no bad things to say about it. It effortlessly buffs out colour to create a soft, blown-out look.
I also really love the F86 tapered kabuki brush. I used it for under eye concealer and as a contour brush. It applies just the right amount of product to the face.

I've put together a little collage for you guys to see them up close.

Jaclyn Hill Expert Beauty Box

Love,

jane

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Triangl Swimwear

I've been looking forward to a vacation all year! To make things even more exciting, I stumbled upon an Australian company called TRIANGL that sells these beautiful and simplistic neoprene bikinis!

Check out their website for some pretty awesome bikinis! I got two (since I'm going away, I need them right?). http://northamerica.triangl.com/

The first one I got is called the Chloe bikini in the colour Santa Rosa Splash. I love the vibrancy of the blue next to the classic black lining. It's a regular triangular tie bikini.

Chloe Bikini in Santa Rosa Splash

The neoprene material is basically wet suit material, and it definitely fits tighter than your regular bikinis. It has less give but it feels very comfortable on (provided you have the right size!).

The second bikini that I fell in love with is the Ollie bikini in Billie Firefly. It's a rose gold bottom with a black and orange mesh top. It's kind of bra-style so there aren't any ties or clasps for the top. Make sure you get the right size!

Ollie Bikini in Billie Firefly

They each come with matching neoprene bags that are very sturdy. I must commend TRIANGL on their customer service. They have staff available for live chats for sizing information, as well as quick email responses. Shipping charges are pretty steep (flat rate $20 USD) and the duties for Canada are killer. So, I ordered off of Luvocracy http://www.luvocracy.com/hoangjv (there's a link to my page where I have the bikinis in my Luvs) at a time where it was Free Shipping AND...NO TAX!!

I'm a deal finder, what can I say?

I got it sent to my US Kinek Point and picked it up there for 5 bucks. It shipped so quickly.

So. I got this bikini with NO tax, NO shipping fee and no duties. Holla!

Luvocracy only ships to US, so you definitely will need a US address if ordering off of them.

I can't wait to hit the beach! Just need some sunglasses...hmmmm more shopping?

Love,

jane

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

Spoken Word : We were won

I wrote this spoken word two years ago (2012) and I wanted to share it all with you. I hope to record it some day, but for now, have a read :)

Love,

jane

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Let me tell you a story

one I’m sure you all know

It’s about a man and a cross

who’s life was inevitably lost

because it was the only way

it could cover our cost.

You know how it starts...

a baby in a manger

who won all our hearts

grew up to be a man of God

not just a man

but God in man form

a man with holy mission

who would weather the storm of humanity

OUR despicable insanity

OUR innate vanity

OUR perverse profanity

and he would call it: Christianity.

The story goes on

he travels and speaks

and he stumbles upon

Generations of sinful people

beggars, murderers, liars, thieves

for all those souls, our God cried, and grieved

This holy man, the very God we believe in

became real bones, real blood, real skin

so that we could have a chance

he gave us a cash advance

He paid the price before we were born

He paved a way, and the veil was torn

But he was shunned, he was hated

he was turned away

and still, and still,

he decided to stay

He was despised and rejected by mankind

but when He came down,

our fates and His, they were aligned

By the blood of the lamb we were made one

Dying to our sins, made alive in the Son

But like sheep, we have all gone astray

each wandering, looking for our own way.

 We mock him by forgetting

by putting us before him and not regretting.

“The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve

and to give his life as a ransom for many”

No repayment was necessary, not even a penny.

He made himself nothing,

so we could be something

He was pierced for our transgressions

crushed for our iniquities

our lies, our hurts, our human disease

He was whipped and beaten

broken in death

His life, 33 years

gone in a breath.

He was rejected, backstabbed

betrayed by a friend

left alone, left to die

alone at the end.

Here my story ends, but His never will

though he was nailed to a cross on Calvary’s hill

He rose again, he prevailed still.

Jesus, the Christ. God’s only Son.

When he cried, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they’ve done.”

in that one shuddering breath, he beat death. He won. 

New Camera!

Yay!! I picked up a Nikon D5100 just a couple hours ago and boy am I excited to play with it. It's been a crazy few weeks embarking on this new adventure, but I figure this new camera will help me make my music, beauty videos and etc.

The only thing that is scary about it is that my face will be on the internet. More so than it already is! And is it just me...or does the camera add 10 pounds...

Still, I'm excited to test everything out!

I've been finding this website helpful (for all you new D5100 owners out there): http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/choosing-a-focus-mode-in-live-view-with-a-nikon-d5.html

Love,

jane

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Makeup Geek : Full Review & Swatches!

     Hi, everyone! So happy to be back home on this super cold and snowy day. Yesterday was a beautiful 13 degrees Celsius. Today? Going down to minus 17....what the heck?! Anyway, since my classes and midterm were cancelled (hallelujah!) and I had nothing better to do...here are my thoughts on my recent Makeup Geek purchase.

    First off, hats off to the pigmentation on these shadows. Each color shows up very well on the lid and blends like a dream. An individual shadow pan is $5.99 USD and let me tell you, you definitely get the bang outta your buck. All of them have a very smooth and creamy texture.

                                                     Photo on the left. Top (left to right): Vanilla Bean, Glamorous, Shimma Shimma                                                         Bottom (left to right): Purely Naked, Peach Smoothie, Taupe Notch

The swatches on the photo on the right hand side: Vanilla Bean, Glamorous, Shimma Shimma, Purely Naked, Peach Smoothie, Taupe Notch.

Vanilla Bean: A pale, skin tone colour. Matte with a slight sheen. (Very hard to see the swatch as it is almost the exact same color of my skin!)

Glamorous: Shimmery bronze/gold with tiny glitter particles. Swatches beautifully and applies easily without too much fall out.

Shimma Shimma: Shimmery pink champagne. Velvety and perfect for the inner corner and highlight or for a pop of shimmer in the middle of the lid.

Purely Naked: Medium tan color with some shimmer. This works very well in the crease for any sort of warm-tone look.

Peach Smoothie: Peachy beige matte colour. I use a light hand with this colour when placing it in the crease. On my skin it tends to look a little too orange.

Taupe Notch: Darker taupe color. Great for deepening the crease.

                                                         Photo on the left. Top (left to right): Moondust, Creme Brulee, Prom Night                                                           Bottom (left to right): Hipster, Frappe, Unexpected.

The swatches on the photo on the right hand side: Moondust, Creme Brulee, Prom Night, Hipster, Frappe, Unexpected.

Moondust: Metallic purple shade with silver accents. Lovely in the crease or all over the lid for a purple smoky eye.

Creme Brulee: Medium sand shade with a totally matte finish. Great for warming up the crease and blending.

Prom Night: A greyish purple with a shimmery finish. I like to use this shade in the outer corner to give depth to the eye.

Hipster: Darker sand colour. Shimmer finish. Good choice for when you want to smoke out the lower lash line.

Frappe: Matte, medium reddish brown. Frappe is great for blending out darker shadows along the crease.

Unexpected: Matte, pinky-purple shade. I use this mostly as a transition colour for my purple eye looks.

Left to right: Latte, Cocoa Bear, Unicorn

Latte: Soft brown, matte. My favourite pick for the crease.

Cocoa Bear: Deep reddish brown, matte. This colour is extremely pigmented! Be careful with how much you apply and where you apply it.

Unicorn: Sparkly, bluish purple. This colour was the only one I have some trouble with. It's not as creamy as the other shades and it takes a little longer to work with and build up. However, great for a fun pop of colour!

There you go! All 15 of my colours reviewed for you. I will definitely be shopping with Makeup Geek some more. I've been wanting to get some colours that are darker to make the perfect palette (perhaps a matte black/brown that can double as eyeliner).

Overall, I'm very impressed with the formulation of this product and will definitely be purchasing more in the future :)

Love,

jane

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Oils, oils, oils

Left to right: Cold-pressed virgin olive oil, cold-pressed virgin castor oil, cold-pressed virgin coconut oil, moroccan argan oil, josie maran argan oil light and normal.

      I used to run away from anything that was oily; especially when it came to my face. Being the grease monster I am, I used harsh cleansers and oil-free moisturizers in hopes of combating my oily skin. Little did I know that in response to all that "good" I thought I was doing, I perpetuated the oil making process! In 2013 I discovered Argan oil and since then I've been an advocate for it.

Go oil! :) Here are a few of my favourite oils and how I use them!

     Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil: I am in LOVE with this oil. Just a couple drops of this after I cleanse my skin (night and day) and my skin is instantly moisturized. I use it interchangeably with coconut oil, but since I've got the Argan oil, I use it. The only downside? The price tag. The Josie Maran oil costs $58 dollars for 1.7oz. Quite pricey, but it was a great oil to start off with. My skin slowly started developing somewhat less oil (I'm still oil prone), and I noticed less dry patches.

     Coconut oil: I use this for everything! It's solid at room temperature (easy storage - zero spills!) but heats up quickly on your fingertips. I moisturize my face with it but I mostly use it on my body. Arms, legs, hands, feet, elbows (I know y'all have ashy elbows too)...so many uses! This giant jar was about $20 CAD at Goodness Me! my local organic grocery store. Just make sure your oil is cold-pressed and virgin! When they process it with heat you lose a lot of nutritional quality.
Side note: you can also cook with this oil as a healthy alternative!

      Olive Oil: I mostly use this in combination with my castor oil to make a deep oil cleanse. It removes all make up and helps keep your skin looking dewy and moisturized. To make the concoction I mix about 2 parts olive oil to 1 part castor oil. I will rub this on my face (makeup and all) then place a steamed towel over my face for about a minute. I'll take the towel and wipe off any excess oil but that's it. The theory behind this crazy idea? Like dissolves like. It does work! I just don't do this very often. Probably only about once every 2 or 3 weeks.

     Castor Oil: I can confidently say that Castor oil is the reason my lashes have grown longer and fuller! Again, make sure it's cold-pressed and virgin. I brush this oil on my lashes nightly with a sanitized mascara brush. I make sure I get the roots of the lashes and top and bottom. You definitely have to use this for about a month before you see visible results. This castor oil helps rejuvenate and moisturize my lashes after I remove waterproof mascara. I also see less lash fall out!

Part of my birthday gift from Jessica, thanks girl! :)

    Moroccan Argan Oil: For the days I'm lazy and don't condition my hair, I throw this oil onto the ends and work it to the roots to smooth out the frizz. I also use this to protect against heat styling or afterward to give my hair a shiny boost.

There you go, my friends! Lesson of the day? Don't be scared of oils. Embrace them. Love them. Use them.

Thanks for tuning in!

Love,

jane

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