ESTEE LAUDER Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer Review and Swatches

Hello my lovelies,

As we are quickly approaching the holidays, I wanted to share this superstar combo for flawless skin all day long. I started using the Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer a few months ago and I was amazed at how it keeps my skin looking fresh no matter what the weather might be. I have used this in humidity, as well as in Calgary's super dry weather and I loved the results so much that I must share my experience for you. I love using this primer with my all time favorite foundation - Estee Lauder Double Wear and currently I am using the shade Tawny (review here)

For full review and swatch keep reading...

REN Clean Skincare - Glow One Step Further Set - Daily AHA Tonic, Glycolic Renewal Mask & Vitamin C Gel Cream Review

I have been a huge fan of REN Clean Skincare for quite a long time, but since I always began using these as soon as I brought these home, it was impossible to take good pictures for the blog. The Daily AHA Toner is my favorite for the past two years and I have purchased this several times, but couldn't really share it on the blog. Even in today's post all of these products are half empty - or shall I say half used, but I still managed to gather myself to post these because you NEED to know about these extraordinary products. 

My journey with Vitamin C products isn't a nice one. I developed an allergic reaction to some Vitamin C serums in the past, after which I was scared to even try Vitamin C products ever again. When you get acne at 30 and it scars your skin, you feel like all the time you spent as a teenager taking care of your skin is wasted. Its devastating and I was sure I am never going back down that route.  

So, if I used retinol treatment at night, do I do the quintessential Vitamin C routine in the morning? We know the drill - retinol at night, vitamin C in the morning and SPF, but how do I do that? I began using water creams, gel formulas and generally anything calming for my skin for years before I was confident I am ready for Vitamin C products again. At age 36 I need that glow! Hyperpigmentation is real and I needed some kind of acids in my routine! So I trusted this clean skincare line, which is vegan, created without the regular toxins, marked 'Clean at Sephora' and BINGO! Sold! My love for Ren Skincare began with its Vitamin C products because it worked for my skin and I am so happy to finally share and recommend a vitamin C skincare range with you :)

Keratinworks Haircare Review ft. PURE Shampoo, PURE Conditioner, Pure Hair Mask, Pure Liss BB Cream and Pure Crystal Serum

Cooler temperatures usually dry out my hair and skin and there is an instant need to hydrating and moisturizing formulas for my hair products and skincare. Most of the times I end up with breakouts on my face and neck because these formulations clog my pores and irritate my skin and that is the worst thing to experience when I am so close to the holiday season! So when I came across these non-toxic, formaldehyde-free, vegan, SLS free haircare products from Keratinworks, I was ecstatic! 

Today I am sharing haircare products from Keratinworks PURE line which includes a shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, Liss BB cream (styling cream) and a crystal serum (shine serum). 

NARS High Profile Cheek Palette Review and Swatches

NARS blush palette for the Holidays 2021 got me so excited, I couldn't resist getting one for myself and I am so pleased to share it with you today with the swatches. This is probably the best blush palette I have tried from NARS in a while mainly because all shades have a smooth and buttery, non glittery finish which looks absolutely stunning on my skin. All the shades are super pigmented and long wearing on me. There is a gold bronze-y highlight, a couple contouring shades and three pinkish hues for an instant pop on my medium skin tone. If you are looking for the ultimate blush palette, then this might be it! Keep reading for swatches and review.

GIVENCHY Limited Edition Prisme Libre Highlighter for Holidays 2021 Review and Swatches

I am so excited to see all the new holiday makeup in stores and online but this new Holiday Edition Prisme Libre Highlighter by Givenchy caught my eye. I already use the Givenchy Teint Couture Highlighter from earlier this year and I love it so much that I wanted to try the Prisme Libre one as well especially because it has two shades instead of one. From my previous posts you know how much I love Prisme Libre loose powders and I haven't found any finishing powders to match the effect Prisme Libre powders have on my skin. So, without further ado, let me show you the Holiday Prisme Libre Highlighter by Givenchy.

OPI Infinite Shine DOWNTOWN LA Collection 2021 Review and Swatches

When is Sephora Sale?

Sephora Sale happens three times a year in April, August and November for Sephora's Beauty Insider, VIBs and Rouge members. It's easy to create an account on Sephora.ca and you can be assured to get the discount coupon in your inbox and also in Sephora App.  As a VIB, you can get 15% off during Sephora's Holiday Savings Event (11/9-11/15)

Sephora Birthday Gift 2021 Review - Laneige

Its that time of the year when I splurge on things I don't need and promise to use them throughout the year, such as my gym membership :P I am usually quite excited about my birthday because I know that I would be doing something fabulous but this year despite planning on a trip to Baja California, I had to cancel it because my children are still unvaccinated and no matter how long the trip, children can't be in school for 2 weeks after returning from international travel. Blah! There is no better way to ruin a vacation than to sit at home with your children and answer the constant questions about why they are so bored and what do we do at home. 

Anyways, that was quite a sad intro to a birthday post, but that's how I was feeling when I took a trip to my local mall yesterday and realized I can pick my Birthday Gift from Sephora. The little pleasures of life eh?

More on this 2021 Sephora Birthday Gift in today's post.

GUERLAIN L'ESSENTIEL High Perfection Foundation in 35N Beige and Pore Minimizer Primer + Retractable Brush Review and Swatches

This morning felt particularly chilly for an outdoor walk and made me wonder if I'm ever ready for winters. My dry skin hates how harsh Calgary weather can be and let me tell you that no matter how much water I drink, it can not overcome the dryness of my skin. I need a makeup primer for days when the wind and the weather are not on my side. I particularly enjoy using the Guerlain L'Essentiel Primer and the High Perfection Foundation for days when my skin isn't looking its best and today is one of those days. Though this is designed to be an everyday, matte finish foundation, I apply this only on days when I am heading out to meet someone. I rarely do a full face foundation, since everything rubs off on the mask, unless (drumroll please) I am in a restaurant where I am guaranteed to be without mask and get photographed as well.

As I was getting ready, I was gently reminded of how wonderful this combination of products is for me and decided to write this blogpost, so I can share exactly how I feel after using this foundation and primer which I have been using for almost two months now. For more pictures, swatches and review, keep reading...

Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience in Calgary

“I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say 'he feels deeply, he feels tenderly'.”

And that's exactly how I felt today at the Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience exhibition in Calgary. Designed using cutting edge projection technology that surrounded the walls and the floors; this exhibit was unique in the way it connected with me. It was glorious to see those famous paintings, come to life all around me, which I have only ever seen in museums, books or TV shows! 

For pictures and my experience at the Beyond Van Gogh Calgary exhibition, keep reading!

The Starry Night <3