March 2018 Boxycharm Review

After being a loyal subscriber to Ipsy for over two years, I decided it was time to give another makeup subscription box a chance. Boxycharm is similar to Ipsy. Each month you get full size or deluxe-sized products delivered right to your door, and I was sold after checking out their previous boxes. If you're not very adventurous with makeup like me, it's a great way to build your makeup collection on the cheap and expand your makeup expertise!

The March 2018 Boxycharm theme was Baecation and I'm thrilled that my box came at a decent time this month. For the last few months, my box has been coming extremely late...sometimes a full month late, so this was a welcome change. I've become a bit of a palette collector so it was nice to get a new one to add to my growing collection. I'm also happy to see that the Charm Room is being updated more regularly so I can finally redeem some points for something useful. That was one reason why I preferred Ipsy over Boxycharm so it seems that Boxycharm is stepping their game up for 2018!

In my box:
Pür eyeshadow palette
Butter London mascara
South Mane eye gels
Vintage Cosmetic Co brush set
Pretty Vulgar blush  

I like that this month has a skin care item and an impressive variety of products. I rate the March Boxycharm box a 5/5.

Click here to sign up with Boxycharm to get a haul like this for yourself! 

More about the products inside:

Pür eyeshadow palette- This palette is perfect for spring! I love that you can create a variety of looks with one palette like this. These pigments are silky smooth and blendable so you're able to layer shades with ease. I can see the potential for every day use as well as full glam looks. 

Butter London mascara- This mascara is massive! I know the picture might not do it justice but truthfully I think this is the largest mascara I've ever owned. I like that there's a ton of product in the tube but still coats my lashes nicely. This is a great daily mascara and as my first intro to Butter London, I was impressed. 

South Mane eye gels- I was happy to discover South Mane in my box this month because I was unfamiliar with this brand. I love using under eye gels, so this was a nice treat. South Mane offers these gels individually or in a pack of 3. I used these gels before bed and I liked that it was cool to the touch. My skin felt a slight tingle, but it wasn't anything unbearable. I only used this once so I didn't see any outstanding results that were promised like reduction in dark circles, fine lines and puffiness. It was a nice way to soothe my skin but one use wasn't enough to sing all its praises. 

Vintage Cosmetic Co brush set- I love doing a smokey eye look so I was very happy to get some new brushes just for that! This brush set had three  brushes- a shadow brush,  angles shadow brush, and a smudger brush. The set is even labelled with numbers so you know which one to use. FANTASTIC! 

Pretty Vulgar blush- This colour wasn't for me but I do like the formula and packaging of Pretty Vulgar products. I found this blush didn't blend as well as I'd like and I probably won't be using this too often. Such a shame since it's so pretty :( 


Do you subscribe to any beauty boxes? Which ones are your faves? I'd love to hear from you!

CURRENT OBSESSION- Karma and Luck

Spring is all about renewal and there's no better way to welcome a new season than by updating your wardrobe and accessories. For me, spring is also a time to appreciate nature and its ever changing ways, which is why I've always felt a connection with animals. I love trinkets that evoke wisdom and strength so you can imagine how happy I was to get a nice accessory upgrade from the Karma and Luck team. 

I've been obsessed with my new gold plated crystal elephant bracelet with an adjustable drawstring enclosure. Elephants have long been a symbol of strength and wisdom and this bracelet has a much deeper meaning for me than just a stylish piece of jewelry. In East Asian culture, the red string is thought to connect people that are destined to be with each other, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. There are other beliefs about red chord or string that offer an ever deeper spiritual connection- like wearing the bracelet on your left wrist in the Buddhist, Kabbalah, Hindu and Christian faiths. In Western culture, red is the colour of love, youthfulness or excitement. For me, this bracelet is a combination of all these things, with the modern style I love. 

My elephant bracelet feels wonderful on my wrist and I can see the hard work that went into making it. The Karma and Luck artisans have created some beautiful pieces of jewelry that would make great gifts for anyone looking for something a bit different. 

Not only can you find incredible jewelry on the Karma and Luck website, I was surprised to see many resources like a chakra map, feng shui map, information about stones and symbols and other spiritual resources. I learned so much from reading the informative pages and I was able to get a deeper understanding of many things that are important to me. I'm a Virgo, but I didn't know that there are certain stones best suited for my sign- like Amethyst for the mind, Hematite for the body, and Jade for the spirit. 

I love everything on the Karma and Luck website and if you want to see other bracelets available, check out the website https://www.karmaandluck.com/

So tell me, do you have a spiritual connection with certain items? If so tell me what they are in the comments! I'd love to hear from you :)

SUBSCRIPTION BOX REVIEW- Extraordinary Man Box *Spring 2018*

Spring has sprung everyone, and even though it certainly doesn't feel like it, there's a new Extraordinary Man Box for spring that I'm so excited to share with you. Subscription boxes are great for getting some seasonal goodies and since spring is all about new possibilities, fresh new vibes, and embracing the sun again, the EMB spring box was filled to the brim with fresh picks for spring. 

In the box:

Canvas Candle Co Woodland soy candle
Wolf Clothing Capella socks
Walter's Shoe Care Shine To Go
Glutenull Quinoa Granola
Wolf Clothing Admiral lapel pin
Scentuals facial cleanser
Cooking Essentials 3-in-1 avocado tool
Redavid texture creme 

My favourite items were the soy candle (obvs LOL)  and I must admit...I'm a sucker for kitchen tools so the 3-in-1 avocado tool will definitely be the most used item from this box. This box is valued at $126 CAD and is a great deal if you're looking for some useful items to add to your collection. There were 8 items in the spring 2018 box and every item will be well loved. 

More about the products inside:

Canvas Candle Co Woodland soy candle- There's something about candles that keeps me calm and what I love most about this soy candle is that my hubby won't complain that the house smells too sweet. Honestly it's perfect for both of us! He likes that it's got a clean and woodsy scent, and I like that there's a hint of vanilla as well as a non-toxic, soy wax base that's infused with natural oils. 

Wolf Clothing Capella socks- These socks are great for any wardrobe since the design is striking but not overbearing. Named after the brightest star in the Auriga constellation, these socks are perfect if a seasonal wardrobe upgrade is needed. My hubby can never have enough socks!

Walter's Shoe Care Shine To Go- This is a great addition to your spring time arsenal because you can use it on most leather products- not just shoes. The sponge is super convenient to use and offers a no mess way to stay shiny and fresh. I don't know what is in the formula but I swear it smells like cookies. The Walter's Shoe Care website says it's a "special blend of the finest waxes" so whatever it is...it smells yummy!

Glutenull Quinoa Granola- I was excited to see a full size bag of granola in the EMB spring box. I was unfamiliar with the Glutenull brand and I was thrilled to try something new. I've been a huge fan of quinoa for a while now and this quinoa granola sounded incredible. It's made with gluten-free and high fibre ingredients that's packed with protein. There's a nice balance of fruits and nuts that would please any granola lover. I'm already thinking of all the different ways I can enjoy this treat....mmmmmm! Definitely going to try this on top of some yogurt later today :)

Wolf Clothing Admiral lapel pin- I thought this lapel pin was very trendy and offers an understated way to add a dash of sophistication to any wardrobe. I LOVE!!!! If you have a spring wedding to attend or just want to upgrade your spring blazer and collar combo, this pin would be perfect for you. 

Scentuals facial cleanser-I've been all over my hubby about taking more time for skin care because duh...you only have one face so you better take care of it! So THANK the HEAVENS this cleanser was in the spring box. In keeping with the spring renewal vibe, this cleanser is invigorating and leaves the skin thoroughly clean. I was impressed to see that the first ingredient is aloe juice followed by olive oil. NOICE!  And since this cleanser is 99.6% natural, it would be beneficial for all skin types. 

Cooking Essentials 3-in-1 avocado tool- I may not look like a chef or talk like a chef, but I can make a mean guacamole. Just a few days a go I made my signature dish and a large bowl was GONE in seconds!!! I'm no stranger to avocados so that's why I was thrilled to see this 3-in-1 avocado tool in the spring box. Honestly...WHERE HAS THIS BEEN ALL MY LIFE?! This handy tool can scoop, slice, and even pits avocados with ease.  I also love that it's plastic and has a comfortable handle. WINNING!!!


Redavid texture creme- I wasn't a big fan of the fragrance when I took a sniff of this product but it did feel super luxe and made my hubby's hair feel nicely textured. It's got a 4/5 star rating for hold and a 3/5 star rating for shine. Great for anyone that wants to get creative with their hair this spring! 

I'm very pleased with this box and would recommend getting the subscription for any special guy that might need a little lifestyle update. Don't miss out on this great box! 

Check out the EMB at https://www.bcliving.ca/Buy-the-Extraordinary-Man-Box and let me know how you're getting ready for a new season in the comments. I'd love to hear from you!

March 2018 Ipsy Glam Bag Review

I have been an Ipsy subscriber for over two years, and at first I was a bit skeptical about a monthly beauty and makeup subscription box because I didn't want to end up with a bunch of products I couldn't use or didn't know how to use. Each month you get full size or deluxe-sized products in a cute makeup bag, and I was sold after checking out their previous bags. If you're not very adventurous with makeup like me, it's a great way to build your makeup collection on the cheap and expand your makeup expertise!

The March 2018 glam bag theme was Create and I love the first ever DIY glam bag. This 
bag came with two markers so you can unleash your creativity and colour your bag any way your like. How fun is that?! The bag was designed by LA-based artist Priscilla Witte and I'm loving the street art/colouring book vibe. 

In my bag:
Hikari cream pigment 
Glossier Balm Dotcom universal salve
Benefit Cosmetics Bad Gal Bang (eeeeek!)
Andalou Naturals body lotion
Tarte sex kitten eyeliner

I was most excited to get the Benefit mascara even though I already own it (and LOVE it) LOL. My Hikari product arrived broken so I was a bit disappointed about that. I rate the March Ipsy Glam Bag a 4/5! 

Click here to sign up with Ipsy and get your very own Glam Bag! 

More about the products inside:

Hikari cream pigment- Since this product arrived broken, I wasn't able to try it as it was intended to be used. I hate throwing away makeup so I repurposed it by putting it in a bottle of clear nail polish :) Now I have a super pretty gold nail polish topper!

Glossier Balm Dotcom universal salve- Just when I thought I didn't need any more lip balm, Ipsy had to go an introduce me to something I now can't live without. Seriously, this Glossier balm is perfect. My lips felt hydrated and I'm happy that this salve isn't only for lips. You can use this product anywhere so if you like packing light, this would be perfect for you!

Benefit Cosmetics Bad Gal Bang- I've said it before and I'll say it again...I'm a Benefit Cosmetics junkie. Ugh. I can't help it. Their products are just so damn good! I like that this mascara is lightweight and makes my lashes look super long, but natural. It's like magic. If you haven't seen it already, check out my side by side video on Instagram here  so you can see the results for yourself. 

Andalou Naturals body lotion- I'm a sucker for rose scented products and this Andalou lotion is right up my alley. Not only does it smell great, it absorbed well and left my skin feeling soft :) My new love!

Tarte sex kitten eyeliner- I wasn't blown away by this eyeliner, but I like that it's a super convenient size so I can take it along when I'm travelling. It's a creamy pencil that glides well and smudges easy so you can create many different looks with one product. I like the formula of Tarte products since I find most of their products are long lasting. I've only tried this once and so far...no complaints!

I was happy with the March glam bag and can't wait to see what April has in store! Tell me...did you get the March Ipsy bag? I'd love to hear from you!

My First Time using HS Skincare

If you've been following along on my skincare journey, you may know how much I detest some hydrogel masks. Like really really hate them. I've tried so many masks that would slip right off my face or leave me feeling dry as if there wasn't enough serum on the mask itself. I was so very grateful to get a lovely gift from the HS Skincare team that included their 24K Ultra-Lite Gold Hydrogel collection, and I was pleasantly surprised to find hydrogel masks that fit well. 

After taking a look at the ingredients, I liked that the fourth ingredient in the serum is niacinamide. I've been using a niacinamide serum for a while now so I can attest to its effectiveness.  Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide is a very effective skin-restoring ingredient and can visibly reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, help uneven skin tone, and reduce fine lines. I was also surprised to see that bee venom is another ingredient in the serum. When we think of venom, it doesn't always equate to something good, but bee venom in skin care is actually beneficial. Bee venom is an anaphylactic which means it can temporarily relax your face muscles. Sounds a lot like botox right?! I had no idea that bee venom is a natural alternative to botox that can also improve circulation and creates tighter and smoother skin. 

Aside from effective serum ingredients, I was happy that the HS masks fit well on my face. This hydrogel mask comes in two parts so no matter what your face shape or size, this mask can be customized to fit your needs. The instructions recommend keeping the mask on for 20-30 minutes...but if I'm being honest, I leave sheet masks on for at least an hour (if I'm multitasking and watching something awesome while I'm masking LOL) I liked how the serum stayed on the mask and I was left with smooth and radiant skin. Since there are many nourishing ingredients in this mask I was happy to get the chance to experience this brand for myself. 

There are other products available from HS Skincare too like the eye patches, lip masks, neck patch, and fine line patch. All these masks worked beautifully! If you're looking for a few new natural additions to your skin care routine and want to learn more about these awesome gold masks, check out https://www.hsskincare.com/ :)

Have you tried hydrogel masks before? Let me know which ones you like best in the comments!

My First Time using Urban Minerals

I'm a big fan of quick and easy makeup. It will usually take 10-15 minutes to do my makeup if I'm not doing full glam. Honestly, there's nothing I like more than easy to use products. When I'm wearing makeup, my go-to is a liquid foundation. I like that I can get full coverage with minimal and easy blending. The problem with things that are easy, is that sometimes you get stuck in your comfort zone. When I heard about powder foundations (which I didn't even know existed!) I was a bit skeptical about how it would offer the same coverage as my much loved liquid foundation. Could a powder offer the same flawless look as liquid foundation? I got the chance to find out with a lovely gift from the Urban Minerals team :) A huge thanks to Sarah for helping me on my makeup journey! 

As you know by now, I love products that are not only good for you but good for the environment. I was happy to learn that all ingredients in the Urban Minerals loose mineral foundations are locally sourced. I love that the product I got to use is handmade by head makeup artist and CEO Sarah Devika. I can really feel the love Sarah!! There are 8 hand selected herbs that offer healing and soothing properties and I love that the products are Reiki infused. If you haven't heard about Reiki, it's the Japanese healing practice of channeling Universal Life Force energy into a person or object to help align them with a higher vibrational pattern. The names of the loose mineral foundations are closely related to living a zen lifestyle and I tried the shade "Lady Golden." 

When I first opened the jar, I noticed the subtle shimmer right away and I was excited to get this beautiful powder on my face! When using a mineral powder foundation, a little really does go a long way. The first time I dipped my brush in the powder I must have taken too much because I made a bit of a mess :( 

LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES EVERYONE!!! Using mineral foundation is really easy to use, and I can't believe I haven't known about it until now! It's all about learning how to work the product into circular motions on your face. I also found that using a Kabuki brush gave me a much softer finish than using a foundation brush. It was easy to build up to the coverage I wanted and buff the powder in places I really needed it. 

Another mistake I made was starting on the inside of my face and buffing towards the outside. This left me with patches and streaks. After tapping off the excess powder from your brush, start from the outside and work your way in. After switching up the direction, my skin was left looking sheer, but made up...just how I like to wear my makeup on days when I'm not going out anywhere fancy but still want to look put together. 

I absolutely love this mineral powder and it really is perfect for everyday use. I still have a love affair with my liquid foundation, but it's nice to have something even easier to use when I want something a little more matte. 

Have you tried a mineral foundation before? Tell me if you made a mess your first time like I did!! 

SKIN CARE GUIDE- Using "The Ordinary"

I love spreading the word about incredible skin care brands so I put together my personal skin care routine using The Ordinary products!!! My skin has truly been in the best shape it's ever been all thanks to these little gems. Take a look at how I keep my skin clear using these effective and inexpensive formulas. I hope you love it as much as I do!!

Click the image to see a larger calendar that you can screenshot and save for yourself or contact me if you want a PDF copy :)

Click here to download :)

February 2018 Boxycharm Review

After being a loyal subscriber to Ipsy for over two years, I decided it was time to give another makeup subscription box a chance. Boxycharm is similar to Ipsy. Each month you get full size or deluxe-sized products delivered right to your door, and I was sold after checking out their previous boxes. If you're not very adventurous with makeup like me, it's a great way to build your makeup collection on the cheap and expand your makeup expertise!

The February 2018 Boxycharm theme was Galaxy Glow and I'm a bit disappointed that my box keeps coming extremely late. I've seen so many March boxes already and I'm just now getting to review the February box. So lame right?! I love being a #Boxybabe and I guess it's better to be late then never!

In my box:

Cover FX Shimmer Veil
Crown Brush Pro Brush trio
Ofra Pop-Up Palette and blush godet refill
Vintage by Jessika Liebskind eyeliner pencil
PUR plumping lip exfoliator 


I'm a bit underwhelmed with the selection this month, but I'm really happy to see many high end brands and full size items. I rate the February Boxycharm box a 3/5.

Click here to sign up with Boxycharm to get a haul like this for yourself! 

More about the products inside:

Cover FX Shimmer Veil- I was very excited to try the shimmer veil because I saw a lot of beautiful makeup looks on Instagram. You can use this product anywhere on the face but I like using it as eyeshadow. It's creamy but blendable... PERFECT :)

Crown Brush Pro Brush trio- I love getting new brushes...especially super soft ones like the Crown Brush trio. The three sizes are perfect for concealing, highlighting, sculpting and setting. It's great to have three brushes that offer everything you need to create the perfect look. These brushes have a little dip in the handle that make it easier to hold. Not like we are out here dropping our brushes that have a straight handle or anything, but it's a nice feature to have nonetheless. 

Ofra Pop-Up Palette and blush godet refill- I must admit, I was really disappointed with this product. I don't have any single eyeshadows in my makeup collection so I have no need for this pop-up palette. I do like the Ofra blush but I won't be filling this with other products any time soon. As much as I see the potential for this palette to be useful since it's magnetic, it just isn't for me. Such a waste...

Vintage by Jessika Liebskind eyeliner pencil- I do love a good eyeliner pencil and I was impressed with how easily a smokey eye can be achieved. This isn't for someone that likes a crisp and clean line because part of its charm is that this pencil smudges easily. As long as you know what you're getting into, this pencil would be a great addition to your makeup collection. 

PUR plumping lip exfoliator- I was impressed with the ingredients and what this product offers...minus the lip plumping. The shape of the "pencil" made it easy to apply and was really convenient to use. I love PUR products and I'm happy to try this product since I probably wouldn't buy this at the store. 

I wasn't happy with the Feb Boxycharm, but I am thrilled that the charm room has finally been updated. I hope Boxycharm can keep up the momentum of other past boxes that were way better than this one. Do you subscribe to any beauty boxes? Which ones are your faves? I'd love to hear from you!