NYX Beauty School Dropout Palette – Back To Basics

Hi beauties!

This past spring, I had the chance to attend an NYX Cosmetics event to celebrate the opening of their professional makeup store in the Vancouver area (read about it here).

One of the items in the goodie bag that NYX was kind enough to give out was the Beauty School Dropout Palette – Back to Basics.

I was pretty excited to receive one of these palettes as NYX has already released different versions of the Beauty School Dropout Palette, which have been very popular.

For this version of the palette, you get everything you need to create a basic makeup look. The palette comes in a foldout book with three sections:

• The first section contains a mirror along with a day and night makeup illustration (natural every day look/dramatic evening look).
• The second section contains a massive amount of eye shadows (35) in matte, metallic, and shimmery finishes.
• The third section contains 3 blushes, 2 highlighting powders, and 2 contouring powders.

One interesting packaging detail is a plastic cover over the eyeshadows. At first, I thought it was a bit annoying because you have to lift the cover to get to the eyeshadows. I realized, though, it will protect all of the shades if the powder moves around as you start to use them.

The NYX eye shadows have good payoff and are easy to blend. The colors, which cover all of the bases in a contemporary way, include neutrals, rusts, and smoky shades.

Now on to the blushes, highlighting powders, and contouring powders. First, they come in fairly large pans, which means they’ll last awhile. The blushes are all the shades I like to use: peach, coral, and pink. The highlighters give off just the right amount of glow (they’re not over the top).

The two contouring powders are on the light side. This may be a drawback, if you have a deeper skin tone. However, you still may be able to use them as highlighters.

If you’re just getting started with makeup, this is a great kit. If you’re a makeup hoarder (like me), you’ll be in heaven!

I really wish that this type of palette had been around when I first fell in love with makeup, but I’m so glad I have this in my makeup stash now. 💕

Disclaimer: Media sample provided, all opinions are my own.

Easy Summer Haircare: Infusium23 Repair & Renew Collection

Hi beauties! Do you change your haircare routine for the summer?

During the summer, I like to give my hair a break from heat styling tools (my blow dryer and flat iron can use a breather, too). Since my hair is highlighted, it can turn nasty due to humidity and high temperatures.

I recently had a chance to try out three products in the Infusium 23 Repair & Renew collection. This easy-to-use trio features keratin to fortify hair and argan oil to prevent damage.

Infusium 23 Repair & Renew Shampoo

The Repair & Renew Shampoo is designed to strengthen hair, while diminishing the damaging effects of the past. The formula contains provitamins, proteins, and amino acids to make hair more resilient and renew troubled hair.

Nourishing hair cuticles from root to tip, this shampoo minimizes future breakage by removing residue and build-up. Getting rid of product build-up just may be the reason my hair looked smooth and had a lot of body after using this shampoo.

Tip: When shampooing your hair, focus on cleansing the scalp first, rubbing in circular motions with the pads of your fingers (not the nails) and letting the motion of the water work suds down the length of your hair. Try to avoid piling your hair on the top of your head or rubbing shampoo into your ends.

Infusium 23 Repair & Renew Conditioner

After shampooing my hair, I usually apply conditioner to the ends of my hair. The Repair & Renew Conditioner is very silky so you just need a minimal amount to take advantage of the  i-23 Complex to recharge, renew, and treat dull, damaged hair (amen!).

Infusium 23 Repair & Renew Leave-in Treatment

The Repair & Renew Leave-in Treatment is designed to improve the quality of hair over time. Since I’ve previously used an Infusium 23 Leave-in Treatment for color-treated hair and liked it, I knew this would be my favorite product in the collection (and it is). This light mist, which you can use every day, also helps detangle wet or dry hair.

In Canada, you can find Infusium23 at most retailers. For summer 2017, Infusium23 is offering a special bonus size in the Repair & Renew Shampoo and Conditioners with 35% more value and $1 off any purchase until July 31, 2017; check out more here.

You may have noticed that I included a couple of hair slinkies in the photo. I’m so happy I was introduced to this hair tie (I wish I would have thought of this). They don’t dent or tangle your hair, or create breakage!

Disclaimer: Media samples provided, all opinions are my own.

 

 

 

 

 

Red Lips to Celebrate Canada Day

Hi beauties!

In Canada, we’re celebrating a big birthday this weekend in recognition of Canada’s confederation 150 years ago.

Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadian bloggers (and Happy Fourth of July to fellow US bloggers).

What’s cool this year is that several beauty brands have introduced special shades to mark the occasion. You’ve got to move fast on these colors, though, as some of them are limited edition.

MAC Proud to be Canadian

Created for matte lipstick lovers, the Proud to be Canadian shade is a true red.

To get you into a True Patriot spirit, it comes with a special-edition red package inspired by the Canadian flag.

Urban Decay Canada Day Vice Lipstick

The No Tell Motel shade in the Vice Lipstick collection is a cherry red shade.

I have a couple of Vice Lipstick shades, and love how smooth and comfortable they are!

Bite Beauty Canada Day Amuse Bouche Lipstick

Bite Beauty, which is a Canadian brand, has created the Flag Red shade (orangey-red) to celebrate Canada Day.

If you haven’t tried Bite Beauty lipsticks, they feature lip quenching nutrients, vitamins, and omega oils for healthy lips.

Arbonne Glossed Over Lip Gloss

Arbonne Glossed Over Lip Gloss in Cardinal is a deep red shade that you can wear alone for sheer to medium coverage or as a topcoat to add more volume.

This lip gloss is certified vegan and contains plant extracts and peptides for moisturization.

I hope everybody has a great Canada 150! I’ll be busy trying out all the cookies and cupcakes with true north strong and free 🇨🇦 decorations.

[Images via Sephora, MAC Cosmetics, and Arbonne Cosmetics]