Empties & Products I've Hit Pan On

Hey everyone! I've been hoarding a few items over the past couple weeks so that I could talk about some products that I've either used up entirely or hit pan on. I've decided to share them with you today!

Bioderma Sensibio H2O: This is what I've been using as my go-to eye makeup remover and it works like a dream. At first I was a little skeptical since this product is oh-so raved about on blogs & YouTube, but when I finished it I went back to my Rimmel remover for a little while, and let me tell you, it is not the same. I've already purchased a new one since I feel like you get good value out of the 250ml format. It lasted me five months which I think is pretty impressive since the bottle is relatively small.

Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser: I probably discussed this product already in a previous post, but this is my daily face cleanser. I use it in the morning and at night and although I don't really think it gets rid of acne entirely (I use other products to do so), I think it does at least control it by reducing redness and keeping the pores clean. If I forget to use this at night, I immediately notice a difference the next morning - my face just doesn't feel as clean.

Batiste Dry Shampoo (Tropical): This product was definitely well-loved. A 150ml can lasted me around 7 months, which is fantastic. It's super inexpensive and it really keeps my hair decent in between washes. I don't wash my hair every day since I do style it every time I wash it, so this makes me feel more comfortable about that. I have since repurchased it in a larger format with the original scent (though the tropical scent didn't bother me).

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder (top left): I've discussed this product ad nauseum already so I don't feel the need to be too detailed here. It's just a really great mattifying powder. It doesn't give coverage but it really controls shiny-ness.

Bailey Powder Foundation Duo (top right): This is perhaps the only product I received in a beauty box that has been so frequently used. Contrary to the Rimmel powder, this provides awesome coverage. I wouldn't use it alone, but over a BB cream or tinted moisturizer, or even just some concealer, it works out perfectly. I still use the bronzer side for days that I'm striving for natural-looking contouring. It's matte and just the right shade - no fuss.

NARS Laguna Bronzer: Let me tell you, I was very sad to hit pan on this product. I use this bronzer on the high points of my face just to give my skin a bit of colour. A little does go a long way and you do get a lot of bang for your buck, but you will love it so much that you'll use it daily. It has a subtle shimmer which I find perfect for summer.

Marcelle Hydra-C Foundation: I've been using Marcelle foundation ever since I started wearing makeup, and this foundation is my favorite from their entire range. I'm not even sure it has to do with the formulation, but rather the shade (it's an exact match to my skintone) and the packaging (so convenient and fuss-free!). But, sad story - they're discontinuing this :( I have since moved on to the Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation and am loving that though.

Urban Decay Primer Potion mini: This has actually been empty for a really long time now and I just keep it around thinking I'll be able to get one last drop out of it. It hasn't necessarily been my favourite eyeshadow primer, but it's absolutely neutral (no colour) so it's really versatile - i.e. ideal for any eyeshadow look.

So that concludes my first empties post! Hope you all enjoyed it :)

Nail Polish Canada Wishlist

Hey everyone! It's no secret that I'm obsessed with nail polish, which means I have a ridiculously large collection of it. That also means, unfortunately, that I can't justify purchasing any more. So, instead of buying the ones I want from my usual online store (nailpolishcanada), I figured I'd make a quick wishlist. Not exactly the same as making an order, but it'll have to do!

Photos from nailpolishcanada.com

First up is "For Audrey" by China Glaze. Surprisingly, I don't think I have a similar colour to this in my current collection. I have a turquoise but it's much more on the green side. I think it's such a cute shade and name - of course referencing Breakfast at Tiffany's. I feel like it would definitely be a staple in my collection if I were to own it!

Next is "Bouncer it's Me" by Essie. Of the newer Essie collections (including their Resort Collection, their new wedding collection, their new summer collection, and their neons), this is pretty much the only one that caught my eye. I don't normally gravitate towards blue polish anymore but this one is so crisp and shocking that I can't help it!

OPI hasn't really intrigued me with their new collections recently - I feel like nothing totally unique has been released and I'm not feeling their new liquid sands, but "Chic From Ears To Tails" is something I would like to own. I don't have a pretty, creamy pink colour, and from the swatches I've seen I believe this has a very slight glitter to it, so I think it would be really pretty on!

Models Own "Hedonist" is a colour I've been eyeing for ages. I don't know exactly when Nail Polish Canada started stocking Models Own, but I'm so thrilled about it! These nail polish are extortionately expensive on the Models Own site and on ASOS (presumably because they hail from the UK), so I'm really glad they're only going for $8. There are other Models Own polishes that I'm after ("Luis Lemon" and "Indian Ocean"), but they're unfortunately sold out. I feel like Models Own is the only company that has put out anything super unique lately!

Photos from nailpolishcanada.com

It's no secret that Seche Vite is my favorite top coat ever, but once you're about halfway through the bottle it does start to get gloopy. "Seche Restore" is a polish thinner that supposedly gets the top coat back to its original state.

Zoya "Godiva" is hands down the most gorgeous textured glitter that has been released in this entire trend - or at least of the polishes I've seen swatches of. It has the prettiest sandy texture and it looks so classy and elegant. I'm really sad that it's sold out at the moment but hopefully the site restocks soon! Otherwise I might have to pop Trade Secrets a visit!

Next is Revlon "Orbit Moon Candy", a nail art duo that has intrigued me for a little while now. I nearly picked this up at Wal Mart but, of course, decided against it because I can't justify more nail polish. The combination of the two polishes makes a really awesome, quick galaxy nail.

Speaking of the galaxy nail, NCLA released limited edition nail wraps in a galaxy print. I originally saw these on Little Black Bag (where I've just placed my first order!!! Expect a haul/unboxing soon!), but they were soo popular and impossible to trade for. They just look really cool, and I'm a big fan of the galaxy nail trend.

So there you have it! My Nail Polish Canada wishlist complete. Any nail polishes you've been loving lately?

May Favorites 2013

We've reached the end of another months which means it's "Favorites" time! This month I haven't been going crazy on eye makeup - the most I've done is a neutral eye and some mascara. However, I have been focusing on face makeup, meaning concealer, blush, bronzer, highlighter, etc.

FINALLYYYY the Real Techniques brushes have made their way to Quebec! I found this set at the Walmart Superstore near my house, and I am absolutely in love. The pink one is just perfection - it can be used to apply bronzer, blush, powder highlighter, anything. The purple one is meant for eyeshadow but I've been using it to blend cream concealer. The densities of these brushes are spot-on. Well done, Sam Chapman!

My nail polish favorite this month is Essie "Fiji", which I'm sure you've heard me discuss at length. You can find a full review of this nail polish by clicking HERE, but in sum, I think it's the best summer colour. So flattering, and so pretty. Also, Seche Vite is an all-time favorite but I figured it merited an appearance in at least one monthly favorites post. It dries your nails completely in about two minutes. I'm not sure what I'd do without it!

This is the NYC bronzer in "Sunny" which, honestly, I've been neglecting it for a little while! I'm so glad I rediscovered it because I love how matte it is, making it really easy to dust lightly all over the face, giving you an instant tan!

I got this MAC mineralized skinfinish back in March but since I didn't do March or April favorites, here it is - however, I should mention that I've literally been using it every since I got it. It's the perfect highlighter - a really lovely bronzy, champagne color that looks awesome atop the cheekbones. It's subtle enough that you won't look shiny/greasy, but luminous enough that you'd notice a healthy-looking difference in your skin. It makes it look like it sucks the sunlight right to your cheekbones, which is actually really flattering.

This next product is the Ro's Argan Body Conditioner from Lush. I've been using this after every shower on my arms and legs and I've been enjoying it very much. The scent is sooo nice, and it does a good job hydrating your skin. My only problem is that it takes a little while to sink in, but when it does, your skin becomes really soft!

And last but not least, my favorite candle of the month is Espresso Bar from the Bath & Body Works Italy collection. It makes my room smell like a coffee shop! It definitely smells like espresso, but it also has very detectable vanilla-scented sweetness to it. A must-have if you're into sweet dessert scents like I am!

That concludes my monthly favorites! Let me know if you've done a monthly favorites post for May and leave a link in the comments as I would love to read it :)

Tumblr Inspiration

Hey everyone! In the past I've done posts showing you guys collages of things I've been loving/photos that I find inspirational or indicative of my mood, personality, etc., and all of these collages have featured pictures I reblogged on Tumblr. Since I haven't done anything similar for a while now, I figured we could all use some spring-time inspiration :) For more stuff like this, head over to my Tumblr page, abundanceoferica.tumblr.com.

The Toy Story aliens that you see up there are actually sweet dumplings fill with ice cream, and they're sold at Disneyworld in Tokyo! So cool. PS. Clearly I like reblogging desserts.

I've been watching Skins nonstop lately, and recently found out they're starting a new series featuring Cassie, Effy, Cook, Naomi and Emily! I'm soooo so so excited. Also, one thing I've found particularly inspirational this month is Angelina Jolie's op-ed in the New York Times. I found it very empowering and it sparked a lot of discussion re: medical ethics, which is always an interesting topic.

Nothing much to say about this batch of photos, except I've been really lusting after those Tarte lip balms/glosses. They're soo lovely - I've swatched them in Sephora tons of times. (So expensive though!)

Netflix, Netflix, Netflix. I'm dreading the internet bill for this month because I've been watching TV shows on there nonstop... It's kind of a problem.

So I know there's nothing really representative of the iPhone app "Vine" on here, but Harry Styles and Joe Jonas have been posting some particularly good Vines lately. And I guess a recurring theme in all of these photos is travel, but that's something I'm always interested in!

Let me know if you guys are on Tumblr in the comments below because I would love to follow you!

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!