Ready to #create with Birch + Fog

One of the reasons I started this blog was to have a creative outlet, which I've heard- from Dr. Google of course, was good for you. At the time, I found myself getting bored with the day to day so my blog was a great way to exercise my mind. Finding things to talk about was never a problem for me since I could talk all day long about things just on my vanity. A big hurdle I've had to overcome was finding (and keeping) my creativity. This may come as a surprise, but presenting ideas in a creative way isn't always easy. 

Throughout history, writers have used many vices to find inspiration and pique creativity. Some of the most famous writers of our time had habits, like Ernest Hemingway who said "I drink (alcohol) to make other people more interesting", or Honoré de Balzac who had a very interesting caffeine habit...like 50 cups a day kind of interesting. There were all types of vices used like absinthe, meditation, and of course there were others like Stephen King and Hunter Thompson who snorted cocaine like nobody's business, but that's not the type of inspiration I'm talking about! It was Walter Benjamin who wrote about his experiments with hashish and called his drug use "profane illumination." Fast forward to 2018 and the growing acceptance of CBD use. A trendy way to keep those creative juices flowing is with micro-dosing. While I don't claim to be an expert on the subject of the benefits of CBD use, as a writer I wanted to see what micro-dosing was all about for myself. I've never liked the idea of losing control of myself which is why I have never even touched the "hard stuff", and besides...plants seemed more "natural" to me.  

So what is micro-dosing anyway?? Just as the name implies, micro-dosing is having the smallest amount of a stimulant like THC in smaller doses which allows for cellular changes without the behavioural changes one usually expects with CBD use- in other words, you get the health benefits (a more detailed article about the health benefits of micro-dosing coming your way soon) without getting stoned. Since I hate the smell and mess of traditional CBD delivery systems, I opted for a vaporizer which offers a much "cleaner" experience. The Birch + Fog website is by far the most user friendly site I've seen if you're learning about hemp, plant-based health products, or CBD for the first time. Whether you're looking for something to help relax, focus, refresh, or create, the Birch + Fog team has created a way for you to find exactly what you're looking for. Not only are the products of the highest quality, you can find discrete and stylish vape pens (cause you know I like pretty things ahah!) like this pen.

So how did I feel anyway?? 

It's important to note that micro-dosing isn't for everyone. There were some days when the words just flow and other days when I need a little help. Even though it wasn't a mind-blowing experience like the heaven's opening up and I certainly don't expect to become a world famous beauty blogger, micro-dosing did help provide clarity and focus. My day job is hella busy so you can imagine how distracted I sometimes get when it's time to sit down and write. There are days it's easy to decompress...and others are just ugh. 

Having a helping had is amazing. I felt great, and there was no sluggish feeling or loss of control with micro-dosing. Rather than feeling wasted, I felt focused and surprisingly determined. My creative juices were definitely flowing. 

This is just one way I found that worked for me, so tell me readers...what are your vices? I'd love to hear from you!

BEAUTY DEVICES- Michael Todd Beauty Sonicblend

It's not everyday that I have time to do a full face of makeup, but when I do have time I love the ritual of getting "put together". Anyone else love the feeling of soft brushes and sponges on your face as you blend your makeup? Still, there are some days that I want to look fresh faced but don't have time for the full makeup application experience. That's why I was thrilled to get the Sonicblend electric brush to try so I could see for myself how much time I could potentially save. A huge thanks to the Michael Todd team for spoiling me with this device :)

Just like the Soniclear cleansing brush the Sonicblend makeup brush uses sonic technology to apply your makeup. Say whaaattt? Ya I know. Imagine how smooth your makeup would be if your hands could do 400+ micro-movements per second. This brush does just that so you're left with flawless makeup. Since skin care is a huge thing for me, I love that the Sonicblend has built in protection against microbial contamination. This means the Sonicblend brush stays fresher and cleaner for longer. I try to wash my brushes often, but sometimes I just don't get to it as much as I'd like so it's nice to know that at least one of my brushes has built in protection against bacteria! When I first took the brush out of the box I was surprised to feel how durable it felt in my hand. I assumed it would feel a bit flimsy since it's made of plastic so it was a nice surprise to have a device that had some weight. In the box there was the brush, hardshell case, and charger. 

I tried this brush with various types of foundation and I noticed the best results when I applied my liquid foundation to my face with my fingertips and blended it with the Sonicblend after. Some days when I want minimal coverage, I just wear tinted moisturizer. The Sonicblend works well with all types of makeup so if you're like me and like to change it up, the Sonicblend might be the perfect tool for you. 

While I still reach for my beauty sponges once in a while, I notice a huge difference in the amount of time saved when I use the Sonicblend. This would be great for anyone looking for smooth, even coverage in half the time! Just look at the picture below to see for your self!

So tell me readers, what beauty tools are you using to keep your makeup looking smooth? I'd love to hear from you in the comments!

No filters or airbrushing required...just kissed by the sun (and a little help from my Sonicblend)

September 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 September 2018 Boxycharm theme was Wild Flower and I'm so happy to get this amazing collection of goodies for my birthday month. I've been so busy lately that I haven't even had time to write all the reviews I had planned last month. It was a nice treat to get my Boxymail today so I can get back into the swing of things. 

In my box:

Pretty Vulgar Nightingale eyeshadow palette
Laura Geller baked blush-n-brighten
Alamar Cosmetics brush set
Lorac lip colour
Luscious Cosmetics eye primer

I love that there's a wide variety of products in the box and of course...palettes always make me smile :) I rate the September 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:

Pretty Vulgar Nightingale eyeshadow palette- If you've been reading along, you know how much I love a good neutral eyeshadow palette. I really do have a thing for soft shimmer, natural glam, gold hues, and earth tones. That's why I fell in love with the Pretty Vulgar Nightingale Palette as soon as I saw it! This beauty has 12 pigmented shades that blend so well, you can create so many looks effortlessly. I like that this palette can be used every day as well as days I want to do a full glam look. This was the first PV eyeshadow palette I used and I'm so glad I got to try it. I probably wouldn't spend $35 for a palette like this on its own, which is one of the reasons why I think the Boxycharm subscription is a worthwhile investment. 

Laura Geller baked blush-n-brighten- I've heard of the Laura Geller brand before but this was my first time owning a LG product. I was impressed with the quality and blown away with how soft and blendable this blush is. This blush actually starts out as a cream before it's baked. It's a great product for all skin types since it has skin loving ingredients like white tea extract and Jojoba seed oil. And c'mon...look at how pretty it is!

Alamar Cosmetics brush set- Since you can never have too many brushes, this Alamar trio was a welcome addition! To say that these brushes are soft is a huge understatement. The brushes are made form synthetic fibres and are perfect for blending, applying colour, and creating lines. If you ever needed just three eyeshadow brushes to call the "essentials," this set would be it!  

Lorac lip colour- Another product I heard of but never actually used is Lorac. Sweet Jesus I must be living under a rock! This Pro Matte lip colour is a welcome addition to my collection because I NEEDED another berry lip colour. I swear it! (That was pure sarcasm/my inner hoarder speaking) But this one is different guys ahah! THIS ONE has nourishing ingredients like pomegranate, acai berry, grape seed extract, as well as vitamin C and E. I love the curved tip because it can be used as a lip liner. I love products that are buildable like this one because my preference might change from day to day. One day I might want one swipe with gloss on top, and the other I might want full colour. I LOOVEEEE that!

Luscious Cosmetics eye primer- One makeup sin I've been making is skipping the eyelid primer. Ugh I know right? I'm sure there's some of you out there that are with me (like why the heck do you even need to prime your eyelids) and other readers that are cringing (like honestly Mo...how could you NOT?!) I just never felt the need, until now. The Luscious Cosmetics Angel Eyes primer is a cruelty free, vegan formula that literally glides across your skin like silk. It promises to deliver a magnet like effect for your makeup that also provides a smooth canvas for makeup to stay in place all day. I must admit, I was a huge skeptic. Sure this felt great on my skin but could it really make my makeup last longer? I truly don't wear my makeup that long anyway so it was difficult for me to say this made any difference in my makeup lasting ALL day. I promise, the next time I do a full face in the morning I'll write a proper review because one use isn't enough for me to say I really need to add this to my makeup routine.

As much as I love Boxycharm, this will probably be my last review for the year since I'm taking some time off from my subscription to use up the products I got. You won't believe how much unused makeup I have stashed away!! So tell me, fellow charmers...did you like your September box? If so tell me what your fave item from the box was and why. I'd love to hear from you!