Wild & Free Project

     I've been following the beautiful Alexa Jean Brown for years, and have done two rounds of her Sore To The Core ab program (review here), and I mean basically I'm just obsessed with her and her brand. So earlier this year, she started the Wild and Free Project, which helps raise awareness and support families fighting pediatric cancer by selling super cute T-shirts and donating 25% of all proceeds to the Kylie Rowand Foundation.

     There are so many styles to chose from, and they come in women, men and kids sizes. Literally obsessed with so many of these shirts, they are very adorable designs and they are so comfy to wear. 

     So I bought two tanks, both were $22 US ($29.72 CAD) and they are really nice quality. I'm honestly living in the mermaid one lately, it's so cute and so comfortable! 

             

   
     I couldn't recommend The Wild and Free Project more, there is nothing better than getting some adorable clothes and helping support those affected by childhood cancer. You can browse and shop the styles here!

*all opinions are my own and I purchased all of these products myself.*

Illuminate By Ashley Haul // Review

I have been so excited to try Ashley Tisdale's new cosmetics line basically since it got announced. It took me awhile to actually get around to buying it though because since I'm in Canada I thought the shipping would be atrocious. I was so wrong though, as the cost was only around $6.50. The shipping took a little bit longer than I would have liked, but that's only because I'm the most impatient person ever. There also was no customs charges which I was very, very happy about!

So first of all I have to say that I'm absolutely in love with the packaging. I know that what matters is inside the packaging but it's just too cute not to mention. In my order I got the Beach Goddess Palette, a lip gloss, an illuminating shimmer, body bronzer, and a cream lip and cheek tint. On first use they all seem like good quality, highly pigmented and very easy to apply.

The Beach Goddess palette has 9 eye shadow shades (5 shimmery, 4 matte) in different brown and neutral colours, as well as one matte bronzer, a shimmery bronzer and a shimmery blush. The colours are all super pigmented and I'm definitely in love with the colour Belize, a dark coppery brown shimmer shade. The packaging does come with a plastic sheet over the colours with their names on it, which I guess could be annoying for some people, but I don't mind it. Overall, for $14.50, it's my new go to palette.




I got the lip gloss in the shade coral reef and was a little iffy at first, but I think it'll probably be my new favourite. The colour is a very pretty light coral which looks shimmery in the package, but the glitter in it is so small that once it's on your lips you barely notice. It dries well and doesn't smear as much as I thought it would considering it was only $8. The applicator is a little bit weird, as it is plastic with a small brush on one side. I'm still deciding if I like it or not. Regardless, the gloss goes on smoothly and I'm happy with the pigmentation

I have a very love hate relationship with the illuminating shimmer right now. It is absolutely beautiful, but it gets on everything. It goes on really well and the pigmentation is good, but there's just so much glitter. It ends up all over my hands and therefore everything I touch for the next few hours. But it's $7.50 so I can't really complain.






The body bronzer is probably my favourite product right now. I originally got it so that when my tan started to fade, I could make it last longer so I wouldn't have to purchase all new makeup (Summer Delaney and Winter Delaney are about 5 shades different), but now I'm using it on my tan lines and my skin looks so so amazing. I've been using a dove bronzer for years and have never gotten my tan lines to match my skin until now. The shade I use is soaked in sun and not that this actually makes a difference to the results, but it smells like grapefruit. The bronzer costs $14 and I will definitely be repurchasing.



So I have never seen anyone actually apply a cream blush, so I'm not 100% if I'm doing it right, but either way I like it. It's not my favourite and the pigmentation isn't great, but it does it's job and for $8, it's pretty good quality. I honestly just might be using it wrong though. Time to watch more makeup tutorials, I guess.

I'm definitely pleased with my purchase overall, and will be repurchasing the bronzing lotion, and I will absolutely be getting the Night Goddess palette in the future. If you're interested in any of the products you can shop them here!

*all opinions are my own and I purchased all of these products myself.* 

Winter Reading List

I can't believe how quickly this year is going by! It seems like just yesterday summer was here, but now it's getting cold and snow is falling. I don't know about you, but all I want to do is curl up with a soft blanket and a good book and let the snow fall. Speaking of books, I have some that are perfect to read during the cold months.

Children's Christmas Books

I know Christmas isn't here yet, but it is getting very close! What better way to get into the Christmas spirit then reading old Christmas books you used to read as a child. Some of my favourites are A Cup of Christmas Tea and The Night Before Christmas.

A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

What's Christmas without a little Charles Dickens. Usually I just watch a Christmas Carol (okay, I watch the Muppets version), but this year I've decided to read it as well. It's a classic, so how could I not.

The Selection Series - Kiera Cass

This one has really nothing to do with Christmas, as Christmas doesn't even exist in this dystopian society. It is on the other hand a great series which I can only describe as a cross between The Hunger Games and The Bachelor. This is a great feel good series (although it does have some soul crushing moments) which is perfect for sitting around in comfy pjs and relaxing.

Girl Online - Zoe Sugg

Oh, how I love Zoe Sugg. Girl Online has been on my reading list for quite awhile, and I've decided that this winter will be the perfect time to just snuggle up with a fuzzy blanket and some tea, and read Girl Online... and Girl Online 2... and 3... wow, I'm super behind.

We Were Liars - E. Lockhart

We Were Liars follows Cadence Sinclair's journey trying to remember her summer, after an she has an accident on her family's private island. One of the most incredible books I've read in a long time, with an ending that I did not see coming.

All The Bright Places - Jennifer Niven

Not going to lie, this book made me cry for hours after I finished, but it was so unbelievably touching that I already want to read it again. This book is about Finch, a boy who wants to die, and Violet, the girl he meets and saves on top of a bell tower. This is probably the biggest tear jerker since The Fault in Our Stars.

The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily - Rachel Cohn and David Leviathan

I'm currently making my way through all of Cohn and Leviathan's books (Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist is my favourite so far!) but the Twelve Days of Dash and Lily is perfect for the Christmas season, as it follows Dash, Lily, and their closest friends and family while they try to remind Lily of the magic of Christmas.


So that is my Winter reading list! If there is any books you think I should read this winter, please leave a comment below!

Face Shop // Haul & Review

     I feel like I will always be the person that smudges her nails 3.4 seconds after putting nail polish on because I literally cannot keep my hands still. I'm not even kidding, I'm writing this post with wet nails. Already smudged 4 of them.

     Anywayssss, my credit card hates me but my inner beauty lover is a happy, happy girl. I've just had a small delivery from the Face Shop so I thought that I would show you my mini haul and do a quick little review.

    I want to say how happy I am with their shipping. My mom's first order (months ago) came super late and incomplete but she had called and told them what happened, they corrected their mistake and within two days she had all of her order, and since then all of our packages have been super quick (usually between 2-4 days) and really inexpensive which is great because I am the most impatient person while waiting for deliveries and I will literally stop shopping at any place that has shipping prices over $10.

     So getting on with the haul now...

     First up, this Rice Water Cleanser, $13, which says it is a cleansing foam. I wouldn't necessarily say that it's super foamy,  but it lathers really well. I've definitely noticed a difference in my skin since using this, my acne is clearing up, and my skin overall seems brighter. 

I've used a few face masks from The Face Shop, but this aloe face mask, $2, is definitely one of my favourites.  It is super soothing and makes my skin feel incredibly hydrated. It's recommended to use once, but I put it in a sealed container to get another use out of it.

 Next up is the Mild Papaya Peeling Mask, $17, which scared the crap out of me the first time I used it. When I read "peeling mask" I figured it would be a mask that you put on, wait to dry and then peel off. I was wrong. This one really isn't a mask, but a gel that you put on that peels off your dead skin. Sounds super sketchy, I know, but I'm honestly so in love with it now. I use this once a week, and my skin feels so much better the next day, and my acne is clearing up so well since using this.

Finally, this Acacia Honey Hand Cream, $6,which is probably my favourite thing I've bought from the Face Shop. It is super moisturizing, sinks into your skin quickly, and isn't greasy. Also it smells SO good. This is definitely my new go-to hand cream.
   
   






     I would definitely recommend these products or The Face Shop in general, if you're looking for good quality products for a really good price. Also they have some great deals going on for Christmas so if you're stumped on what to get someone, definitely check it out!

*all opinions are my own and I purchased all of these products myself.* 

Autumn and Winter Lipsticks

     Autumn and winter are my favourite times to wear lipstick, as this is when all the red and dark berry tones come out. Whether you're going to a party or just feel like a little something to extra, all of these are available in Walmart or Shoppers Drugmart.

  

  So my very favourite is a Rimmel / Kate Moss lipstick in number 107. This is a dark red matte lipstick that lasts for quite awhile and doesn't feel like it's drying out my lips. Also it smells like watermelon, so that's definitely a plus. It is regularly $8.99.

   Next is the priciest lipstick for $32, Elizabeth Arden, Iced Grape, number 36. It's a really beautiful colour, and very moisturising. It also has a really amazing scent that I can't quite name, but I love.

      This next one is a matte Maybelline lipstick in the shade Siren in Scarlett, number 690. It is a beautiful bright red, which retails for $10.99. This is probably my favourite red, as it lasts quite awhile and is highly pigmented.

     My NYC Expert Last lipstick in shade Red Rapture, 432 was an impulse by at a Walmart because it was only $2! Considering it's price, it's super pigmented although it does tend to smudge, so I would suggest using a lip liner with this one.

     The only Gosh lipstick I own is number 008, and although the colour is absolutely gorgeous, it doesn't glide onto my lips the way the other lipsticks do. Not too sure if this is one is just a faulty lipstick or it's the formulation for all of them, but I don't wear it as much as I would like to because of this. $14.99

     Last but not least is the NYX Liquid Suede cream lipstick, number 11. It dries as a matte and is such a beautiful deep red, I'm in love. It dries quickly and lasts a super long time without flaking. This one is a bit drying though, so once you take it off I do recommend doing a lip treatment. $10.99

*all opinions are my own and I purchased all of these products myself.*