Fresh Spring Beauty Essentials

Spring always seems to bring about the same trends in beauty... pastels, peaches and glowy skin. And as much as I like to keep things fresh, I end up coming back to the old faithfuls. So today, I wanted to share with you some of my favourite products for spring (that you'll never stop loving).





1. Benefit's Posie Balm
This line of lightly coloured lip balms came out last spring, and I snatched up this shade right away. I'e never stopped loving it- it has the perfect amount of sheer colour and hydration, and like many Benefit products, it smells amazing. Definitely a spring must-have.

2. Tarte's 12 Hour Amazonian Clay Blush in Captivating 
These blushes are cult classics- everyone in the beauty community seems to be totally obsessed (myself included). And this particular shade happens to be perfect for spring, its pinky and corally in all the right ways.

3. MAC's Mineralized Skin Finish Natural in Soft n' Gentle
Again, another HUGE cult classic. But it's just so hard to let go of it! It gives such a nice and natural sheen, just apply to the cheek bones, the bridge of the nose and the cupid's bow and BAM! - perfectly glowy skin, no perspiration required.

I hope these suggestions were helpful and that you're all having a great day. Isn't it good to be back? I feel good to be back online again and hopefully you'll be seeing me again on Wednesday as well!

Until then,

Earth Day: Eco Friendly Fashion & Beauty Ideas!

In honour of Earth day, I decided to throw together a list of my favourite environmentally friendly beauty and fashion alternatives. Enjoy! 

Makeup & Beauty 

Eco-tools - This is a great company that is totally cruelty free, and makes their brushes with bamboo handles.

Lush - Lush is a well known bath and body company, but did you know all of their products are hand made? And environmentally sustainable?

Bert's Bees - A classic lip balm choice. But they also make hair and skin products. They have a strong commitment to all natural products and sustainability.

Fashion 

Thrift - My number one suggestion for eco-friendly, ethical fashion is always thrift. Often buying ethical, new clothes can be way out of most of our budgets. Check out this TedTalk by designer Jessi Arrington about how she never buys anything new!

 

But if thrift isn't your thing, you can check out this post on the Notepasser about sustainable fashion companies you can support!

So those are all of my eco-friendly beauty and fashion suggestions for you today! Sustaining our environment is so important- if our Earth isn't happy and healthy, none of us will be either! I encourage to to take this Earth day to reflect on your own impacts on the environment, and consider taking some of my suggestions! 

Best Spring Lip Colours!

As you can tell, I've been very fixated on spring lately. I just can't wait for all this snow to melt! Anyway, inspired by all of this spring-thinking, I've decided to share with you my favourite lip colours for spring! Enjoy!

(Top left, clockwise)

1. Revlon Matte Balm in Audacious

2. Smith's Rosebud Salve

3. Elf Essential Lipstick in Sociable

4. Two Face Melted Lipstick in Fuchsia

5. Maybelline Baby Lips with SPF 15

6. Nyx Mega Shine Lipgloss in Beige

7.  L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Caresse Wet Shine Stain, Berry Persistent

8.  EOS Lipbalm

9. Viva Glam Miley Lipstick

10. Tarte Natural Matte Lipstick in Elusive

Top 10 High Quality Drugstore Products!

Welcome back! Today I'll be sharing with you some of my all time favourite drug store products. In this recent winter weather I've been dreaming of travel... and therefore also how much travel costs. So, with that inspiration in mind, I decided it was time to focus on cost effective makeup options. So, here are my top picks!

1. Revlon Colorstay Foundation - I've loved this foundation forever. It's not oily, and it has great coverage, without looking cakey.

2. Revlon Matte Balm - I have three of these- they're so amazing! Matte, vibrant colour, but not drying whatsoever! 

3. Wet and Wild Eye Shadow - This brand makes some of the best drugstore eye shadow out there. It's pigmented and rich, and super cheap! You can't go wrong with this stuff. 

4. Covergirl Lipstick - I've been using these lipsticks since I was 14. They're classic, great colours and super pigmented. 

5. Maybelline The Rocket Mascara - Definitely a cult favourite. It's lengthening and volumizing.

6. BH Cosmetics Concealer Palette - I bought this on Amazon for about $10, and its certainly been one of my best purchases. It's great for highlighting, contouring and concealing.

7. Wet and Wild Bronzer - Another favourite of mine since my young teen years. You get so much product for such a good price and can bronze your face and body. 

8. EOS Lip Balms - Another cult favourite. Really great lip moisturizers, and certainly just as good as any high end equivalent.

9. NYC Cheek Glow - Mine is in the shade West Side Wine, and I love sweeping it just below my cheek bones. A great alternative to other high end blushes.

10. Covergirl Tru Match Concealer - Super high coverage, and long lasting! 

Hope this was helpful! Let me know what your favourite drug store products are! 

Spring Wishlist!

Here's a peek at what I'm absolutely loving for spring this year! 

1. The jacket, from H&M, is a great transition piece from Winter to Spring. The pink paneling brings in the new season, while the leather sleeves still keep you warm.

2. This Hourglass palette has been on my mind all winter long. If there is one makeup splurge I'll make this summer, it will be on the Ambient Lighting Palette.

3. This bag from Call it Spring is perfect for spring outings, or even just running errands. It's light, and well structured.

4. I'm loving this top from Aritzia. Although it's a bit of a splurge, I think it would be the perfect statement piece for Spring.

5. The Better Than Sex mascara by Two Faced has been one of my favourites since I got a trial size in the Favourite Things palette by them last Christmas... My goal for this spring is to actually purchase a full size!

6. This watch by Kate Spade is to die for! I think it would work perfectly with any spring outfit.

Let me know what you're lusting after this spring in the comments!

Best Valentines Day Lip Colours!

Valentines Day is upon us, and of course that means romance, chocolates and cute makeup! In today's post I wanted to share with you my favourite lip colours for this season of love, and the best, longest staying lip products I have (which should last you through your romantic dinner date, and a goodnight kiss!)

That's all for this post! Hope you enjoyed, and of course, happy Valentines Day!

Cozy Winter Makeup Look!

Check out my latest video, a hair and makeup tutorial for cozy, winter days! Be sure to subscribe to my Youtube channel, and as always, if you have any requests, be sure to let me know!

Until next time,

DIY Bath & Body Gifts for Christmas

Handmade, Organic, DIY Body Products 

For Christmas this year, I decided to make some of my friends and family these fresh, hand made bath products. I think homemade presents are really nice because they really come from the heart. It takes a long time to plan and execute some of these DIYs, so I think its a really nice sentiment to give something hand made. On top of that, homemade body products are the best because they're natural and organic, and you know exactly what you're putting on your skin. 

For full details and directions on how to make the following products, check out the links I've left bellow. And if you try to make any of these for yourself, let me know how they turn out! 

Green Tea & Lavender Body Cream

Based on a recipe from this website. 

Vanilla Sugar Body Scrub

Ingredients: 

- Brown Sugar

- Coconut Oil

- Vanilla

- Vitamin E 

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, and stir thoroughly. 

Bumble Bee Lip Balm 

Based on a recipe found here. 

Hope you enjoyed! And of course, happy holidays! 

Everyday Hair and Makeup!

Easy and Fast Hair and Makeup Look! 

Today I'll be showing you my quick & easy everyday hair and makeup look. Enjoy! 

November Favourites!

Today on Thought Couture I have a video post for you! My November Favourites. Let me know in the comments what products you've been loving this month! And if you haven't already, check out my Youtube channel.

Great Makeup Brushes for Cheap!

A Product Review of Amazon's X SOURCE Brushes

I recently purchased these brushes form amazon, for $19.99. I was skeptical at first, but I thought for twenty dollars, I would try it out. I was very pleasantly surprised. 

(from bottom left corner, and clockwise) 

1. Fluffy Rounded Eye Brush  It is very fluffy and soft, but the bristles are not very dense, and so it's not that great of a brush for blending eye shadow. It can dust on colour, but it doesn't have the density or the grip that you would want from a blending brush. 3/5

2. Flat Buffer Brush This brush is a good quality face brush, but it isn't necessarily a stand out for me. It could just as easily be used for bronzer or face powder. It doesn't have a unique purpose- or at least none that I have discovered yet. 3/5. 

3. Flat Top Eye Brush. Unfortunately, this brush is extremely similar to the first, but it has a flat top rather than a rounded one. This brush might be good for application, but it doesn't work as well for blending. 2/5 

4. Rounded Powder Brush. This is one of my favourite brushes from the set. It's perfect for buffing face power onto the skin. 5/5. 

5. Angled Eye Brush. Again, this brush is very fluffy, but not very dense. That being said recently I have really enjoyed using it to apply highlight on to my cheek bones and the bridge of my nose. It seems to work very well for that. 4/5

6. Flat Buffer Brush. This brush is extremely similar to the second brush. Almost no noticeable difference to be honest. 3/5. 

7. Tapered Crease Brush. This is certainly a stand out brush for me. It is very dense and blends eye shadow perfectly. 5/5

8. Tapered Face Brush. Another stand out for me. I love to use this one for contouring the cheek bones and temple. 5/5 

See below how I use my favourite stand out brushes from this set. 

Overall, I would certainly recommend these brushes to anyone looking to find something that is high quality, synthetic, dense, and good for blending. 

Overall Rating: 

Thanks for reading!

Best Winter Nail Polishes!

These three nail polishes by Sally Hanson are all wonderful quality, and in some cases quite festive. I love the dark purple "Pat on the Black" for a more formal look. The peachy pink, "So Much Fawn," is great for everyday. And finally, the gold, which has the perfect amount shimmer, is great for a holiday party. It's called, "Wedding Glitters." Today I'm wearing Wedding Glitters

Naked 3 Easy Eye Look Tutorial!

Naked 3 Winter Eye Look 

DIRECTIONS: 

1.  Start by applying Painterly by MAC all over the eye lids. 

2. Sweep "Limit" through the crease. 

3. Work "Nooner" and "Darkside" into the outer corner of the crease to create depth. 

4. Line the upper and lower lash line with "Blackhheart" 

5. Finally, curl your lashes and apply "They're Real!" by Benefit. 

BEFORE: 

AFTER: 

July Favourites

Marcelle Gentle Makeup Remover Review

Ever since I started wearing makeup, I've been using makeup removing wipes to take off my makeup at night. Recently, though, I decided to try out a makeup removing solution, and I picked the Marcelle Gentle Makeup Remover for Sensitive Eyes.

Overall, I'm pleased with it's performance. Bellow, you can see the cotton pads I used, and how long it took to get my face clean. Finally, after three rounds the makeup was fully off my face. The main downfall of this product is that it literally feels like rubbing baby oil on your face. It's that same sticky oily feeling.

Despite those complaints, I still feel that this makeup remover is of decent quality. It's probably not the best option, but, I'm obviously going to use it anyway.

Anyway, that's all for this product. I would probably have to give it 3/5 stars. If you're cheap like me, it's a good option, but other than that, meh.