Because of YouTube Tag

Hey everyone! I picked up this tag off of icallitambrosia and thought it would be fun to do, considering I've been superrrr obsessed with YouTube lately. I'm not on YouTube myself (although I might be one day - who knows!), so some of the questions don't apply. Also, I have a running list of all the channels I'm subscribed to (CLICK HERE) in case you're interested.

Products I've purchased off of a beauty guru's recommendation:

Urban Decay Naked palette (icallitambrosia), Rimmel Stay Matte powder (Tanya Burr), NARS Laguna bronzer (pretty much everyone lolol), NYC Smooth Skin Bronzer in Sunny (Amarixe), Korres lip butter in Wild Rose (essiebutton), OPI Vant To Bite My Neck (missjenfabulous)

YouTube gurus you would like to meet:

To be honest, most of the YouTubers I would like to meet aren't beauty gurus... However, I would like to meet Tanya and her fiance Jim because they both seem really sweet and lovely. I'd also like to meet essiebutton because she's hilarious and Canadian and I feel like we'd have lots in common!

Three techniques you learned:

1) The importance of blending eyeshadow! I used to shy away from eyeshadow in its entirety because I never achieved a seamless look. NikkieTutorials, in particular, showed me how eye makeup can immediately look 1000% better if you just blend, blend, blend.

2) I remember I first learned how to do winged liner from Michelle Phan. She also taught me the best way to clean makeup brushes. Come to think of it, all of my basic knowledge of makeup/beauty comes from Michelle!

3) I learned from Lisa Eldridge that the best way to match a foundation is to make sure the color is consistent when you blend it in from the side of your cheek onto the beginning of your neck.

Two friends that I have made through YouTube:

I haven't made friends through YouTube because, as I said, I'm not actually on YouTube lol!

One video that has been the most helpful:

I can't pinpoint one specific video, but I feel like some gurus are definitely more helpful than others. In terms of techniques, I would direct you to NikkieTutorials who is so great at what she does at such a young age, Michelle Phan (her older videos that weren't overly sponsored), and Lisa Eldridge who is a celebrity makeup artist. Additionally, the pixiwoo sisters do some really great, easy-to-follow tutorials! In terms of product recommendation, I feel like Allison from Amarixe always offers really thoughtful reviews and has great taste in general.

That concludes the tag! Please feel free to fill it out for yourself and link back to me so that I can read it too!  :)

Nail Polish Trends for Summer 2013

Hey everyone! It's no secret that I've been off my blog game for a while now, but hopefully with school done I'll be motivated to get back in it. My two favorite beauty "realms" of the moment have been nail polish and hair, so I thought it would be a nice idea to share my favorite shades for the season! Without further ado...

My absolute favorite nail color of choice for the spring/summer season is coral. Or salmon, orange, creamsicle, peach, etc. If you're looking for something on the paler pastel side, I suggest Julep's Clara. It's a really subtle but flattering way to wear this trend. My favorite, however, has to be Butter London's Trout Pout. It does range on the pricier side ($17), but the quality is incredible - completely opaque in two coats but definitely wearable with just one - and the color is spot-on. It's the most perfect pink-toned coral I own!

Swatches & Full Reviews: L'Oreal L'Orange

You can never really go wrong with a solid neutral nail polish. Admittedly, I haven't found my perfect nude tone, but these are some that have come quite close. My favorite of the bunch in terms of color has to be Kiko's "French Pink". My only problem with it is that it's quite sheer considering it's meant to be a french manicure topcoat, however it still looks really chic and put-together. Another one I love is Julep "Kate". This is my go-to white nail. I think white nails look really great with a nice tan, and this one is just right. It's opaque and lovely and doesn't have that "liquid paper" look.

Swatches & Full Reviews: Julep "Kate", Kiko "French Pink" (#207), Zoya "Jacqueline", Essie "Sand Tropez"

I really believe that a fun, pink nail polish can be the perfect pick-me-up. For a bright, fluorescent pink option, I highly recommend China Glaze Shocking Pink. The color is truly shocking, but it's so summery and looks great on tan skin. I also really love Essie "Fiji". This is the most muted option of the bunch, and it has a more soft, feminine feel. Cascade Cool is a really cute blue-toned pink that veers more towards the purple tones - still a very nice option.

Swatches & Full Reviews: Essie "Fiji", Kiko "Flamingo Pink" (#288)

Lastly, I also love bringing out the blues & turquoises in the summer time. My favorite turquoise has to be Julep "Robin". It's the most perfect turquoise color I've tried so far. Kiko Light Misty Green definitely comes close. My favorite blue to wear is Essie "Bikini So Teeny". Funny story - I wore this polish to Disney World and Cinderella noticed that my nails matched her dress, so now I call this polish my "Cinderella Blue"! That really is the best way to describe it haha!

Swatches & Full Reviews: Julep "Robin"

Hope you enjoyed this post! Let me know if you would like to see these polishes swatched side-by-side. I might do a part 2 to this post if it's requested!

"Shopaholic" TAG!

Hey everyone! I had this tag sitting in my drafts for a little while and I thought I'd finally publish it. I got it from Missglamorazzi I believe. Enjoy and feel free to do it yourself!

1. Would you consider yourself a shopaholic?

I wouldn't necessarily consider myself a shopaholic because I don't have enough funds to really fuel a shopping addiction hahaha. BUT I do love a good trip to the mall, especially if I've got my eye out in Sephora or MAC (of course).

2. How would you classify your style?

To be honest, I couldn't really classify my style because it changes all the time. Lately I've been dressing really casually and wearing whatever fits. That's my main priority with clothes nowadays - I'm not one to follow trends, I normally just focus on proper fit. Unfortunately with my size I can't be picky about style and whatnot, so if I shop for fit then I know I'll look decent.

3. What store can you not leave without buying at least one thing?

Bath & Body Works. Hands down. Those COUPONS man. There's always at least one promotion going on. You can click HERE to see what exactly is on offer right now in Canada! (So many deeaaalsss)

This is just a screen grab of the last e-mail I got from them

4. Where do you find the best deals?

I mean, Bath & Body Works has good deals but you need to be into candles otherwise you won't really benefit. Personally I'm not a big fan of their lotions and whatnot. Other than that, I think H&M has a good price point. H&M is really awesome for basics - whenever I'm looking for something specific I tend to go there.

5. What designer are you willing to splurge for?

I don't splurge for designers but rather for specific items, and even at that, I don't tend to splurge very often. I think the most expensive item I own that I bought with my own money (i.e. that wasn't a gift) is my Longchamp bag and I'm totally aware that isn't really that expensive. I don't know - it kind of pains me to spend a whole lot of money all at once.

6. Do you have a "go to" shopping outfit?

Anything that can be removed easily, and something relatively basic (jeans and t-shirt type) so that I can properly try on tops or bottoms without having to take off an entire dress, for example. Nothing with too many buttons!

7. What is your guilty pleasure? (Aside from makeup)

Does nail polish count?! I swear, I'm NailPolishCanada's #1 customer. But other than that I'd have to say I'm a sucker for a nice candle.

8. What is one staple clothing piece you cannot live without?

I don't think there's anything better than a pair of jeans that fits well. 

9. What is a trend you hope never goes out of style?

Hmm, I would say skinny jeans. I mean, skinny jeans have been around for a while now but I can definitely remember a time when they weren't in style. I honestly can't imagine myself wearing a jean other than the "skinny" style. I actually get nervous thinking about having all that extra fabric around my ankles - ahhhh! OH, also "oxblood" or whatever. I know it's just maroon - get off me LOL.

10. What trend did you love that passed way to quickly?

I would still wear this trend now but I think color-blocking passed way too quickly! I don't even know if it really passed - I'm awful at keeping up with trends. But I really thought color-blocking was a good one.

11. Who is your fashion icon?

I think everything that MissGlamorazzi wears is really on-point. She knows how to style and layer simple clothes really well, and she always looks so put-together. It's happened many times that I buy something that I later see in one of her hauls!

I have the same denim shirt as the second photo, and check out that color blocking in the third photo!!! (Photos: http://web.stagram.com/n/thegridmonster/)

So that concludes the Shopaholic tag! Again, feel free to do it yourself and please link me to your post in the comments below if you do :D

REVIEW: TRESemme Keratin Smooth Trio

Hey everyone! Review coming your way! These are the TRESemme Keratin Smooth products that were recently launched. I was lucky enough to be sent these from Klout to review. If you don't know what Klout is, basically it's a website that measures your internet presence and gives you a score. If your score is high enough you qualify for certain perks, and since most of my internet presence is beauty-related, I was given these to try out!

The TRESemme Keratin Smooth conditioner, shampoo, and heat protectant are meant to smooth out frizz and give your hair noticeable shine. I'll start off by saying that I saw a noticeable difference after using these products as a trio. Individually, they may not be as potent, but together they worked really well.

Keratin Smooth Shampoo: First off, this shampoo smells incredible. It smells tangy and lovely and the scent lingers in my hair even when it dries after I wash it out. My only problem with this shampoo is that it isn't very cleansing. It's super thick in consistency and I feel like it doesn't really seep down to my scalp unless I spend lots of time working it in. If you're looking for a clarifying shampoo, I wouldn't recommend this.

Keratin Smooth Conditioner: I think this is my favorite product out of the trio. The consistency is perfect and it feels very nourishing as I put it on. When it washes out, I can immediately sense my hair much thicker and smoother.

Keratin Smooth Heat Protectant: What I liked most about this heat protectant spray is that it didn't change the texture of my hair. It didn't leave it feeling tacky or crispy at all. My only gripe is that the packaging is kinda awful. The spray contraption on top isn't very user-friendly or durable, and the product seeps out the base when you use it. It's a shame because what's inside is great, but the packaging sucks.

Overall, these products made my hair feel very smooth. I don't normally go for TRESemme products (mostly because their adverts really annoy me lol), but perhaps aside from the heat protect (that damn packaging!), I would probably repurchase these.

NOTD: Essie "Sand Tropez" + Bonus Easter Mani

Hey everyone! Welcome to April :) I probably won't be doing a March favorites post seeing as not much has changed from last month, however this little manicure has definitely been a favorite. I think it's so cute and perfect for spring! First I'll show you the base color I used, which is Essie Sand Tropez.

Though some may find it a little bland, I've been looking for a nude-taupe nail colour for a while. I think this will quickly become a favorite! The application is really lovely and smooth (as is with many Essie nail polishes).

PS. my nail beds have been awful lately! Do any of you have this problem?

This was the manicure I wore on Easter! Cute, isn't it? And it reminds me of Mini Eggs haha.

It's really simple to do as well. First, you paint your nail the color of the half moon (in my case, either blue, pink, purple, or yellow), wait for it to dry completely (I used a quick bit of Seche Vite topcoat because I'm super impatient lol), apply a page hole reinforcer to the bottom half - those little circular stickers, and then paint the top part of the nail with your color of choice. In case you're curious, the colors I used are Zoya "Jacqueline", American Apparel "L'Esprit", Essie "Fiji", Zoya "Blu" and of course, Essie "Sand Tropez".

Let me know what you think in the comments! Hope you're having a great spring so far!

My Life in 8 Photos

Hey everyone! Long time no see! I've been in a sort of blogging rut, evidently, so I needed a little pick-me-up post. The title is pretty self-explanatory and there won't be very many words, but I thought this would be a nice little memory to look back on in the future. I picked this up as I was lurking through the archives of Zoella's blog, and she presented it as a sort of tag, so do feel free to steal this idea for a post :)

:) Normal blogging will now resume.