MAC Alluring Aqua Lipsticks Review

A wise friend once told me, whenever you break up with a guy buy a new lipstick. I didn't follow the rules, but hey.. I got a new lipstick...

MAC recently came out with a new collection called the Alluring Aqua Collection. While the whole collection has been reviewed by numerous bloggers and vloggers alike, I thought I would add my two cents about the lipsticks.

While shopping for a bathing suit, and feeling slightly down about it, my sister was in The Bay obviously checking out the MAC counter. It's the only one in Barrie, therefore the most important stop on a shopping trip. When we met up again, she showed me the two lipsticks she had somehow managed to find herself having bought them. One look in my down mood, and I knew the solution- I have to buy a lipstick.

Needless to say, the packaging, the limited edition colours and the beauty of a new MAC collection made me buy one.

I purchased one of the same as my sister, a lovely "my lips but better" shade called Mystical. I would describe this colour as a slightly darker version of the Viva Glam V. I actually wore this colour on my Graduation day. I love it, and since it is a cremesheen it is a lot softer and more wearable on a daily occasion.

My sister bought one more colour, she's into darker bold lips, especially in the winter. She had been checking out the upcoming Lorde collection with MAC and loved the colour, but when she saw this one called Goddess of the Sea she liked it a little more because it was a slightly lighter option. This colour is also a cremesheen.

I love both of the colours but Mystical is more my style. I do enjoy the colour of Goddess of the Sea, but I don't think I would ever wear it, so I spared myself the agony of never wearing an expensive lipstick and skipped buying it.

Right: Mystical   Left: Goddess of the Sea

The packaging is completely amazing. It's very tricky. When you look at pictures of it online it looks like the drops of water that appear on the packaging and smooth and not actually 3D... well they are. It's such a cool feeling and truly unique. I love the colour and the texture of the packaging and love that it still maintains the signature MAC bullet style lipstick.

For the price of $17.50 US, it cost me $21 CAD to purchase the lipstick- and like other MAC lipsticks it was money well spent.

Have you tried any of MAC's other recent collections? What other favourites from the Alluring Aqua's collection do you like?

I Graduated University!!

As I write this post, I am sitting in the airport, waiting for my flight to Vancouver for the summer. Yesterday was a surprisingly big day (and very tiring) as I accomplished something no one else my family has done.. on my dad's side at least.. I GRADUATED UNIVERSITY.

I've taken up introducing myself as "Hi, I'm Mikayla, I have a degree." It hasn't really sunk in yet, but I was so nervous about tripping before hand that I'm glad it's over. As you saw in my last post, we had to stay in a hotel, which meant a tad of an uncomfortable sleep and makeup applications using tiny mirrors as all the other ones were taken.

Shaking hands with the Chancellor, I'm officially a University Graduate

My Best Friend, who helped me every time I considered giving up

My Grandpa, Dad, and Poppy

Me and My Parents 

My sister and I

One of my favourite Profs

All of my Grandparents and I

My nana couldn't be at the ceremony, so we took a picture when we got home

My mom made these cute little Grad Caps- Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and my school colours

Life Update

This post was supposed to go up on Monday, but the internet in the hotel was non-existant so I couldn't post it :(... I have pictures though I promise!

I was really busy this weekend. My parents and sister flew in on thursday so friday we spent the day hanging out.

On friday my mom, sister, nana and I went for pedicures and chicken wings at Wild Wings.

Saturday my family and some cousins (aunts/uncles included) went to Wasaga Beach which is right near Barrie, about a half an hour drive, and we've been going there for as long as I can remember. 

At Wasaga Beach there is this ice cream shop called Mr. Norm's Nephew, it was Mr. Norm's until his nephew took over the business. At this shop there are menu boards, like you would see at a fast food restaurant with all different flavours that you can mix and match to create your own unique ice cream, and they make it with fresh ingredients right before your eyes into a cone for you. 

I got Chocolate, Fudge-O and Oreo 

It was some of my cousins first time, they really enjoyed it.

Monday was a day of travel. My university graduation was on tuesday, and because of the two hour drive my grandparents live from the school, and the time of the ceremony we had to spend the night in a hotel.

My friend from school and her son came over to the hotel to go swimming in the pool. We had an amazing time. He is so adorable and is currently begging his mom to come swimming again.

Summer Fashion Trends: Guest Post by Elle Charie

Introduction:
Hello my name is Marie from Elle Charie and I am posting a guest post. Read on for what products to look for this summer 2014.
The Light Wash Jean Shorts:
A staple must-have item for your summer wardrobe. The great thing about light wash shorts, is that they attract less sunlight due to the lighter colour and therefore will keep you cooler during the summer. The minimalistic style is very popular so pair with a white/off white top.


Photo credits here and here. Best stores to purchase high waisted light washed shorts? Try Urban Outfitters or Topshop.
Crop Tops:
The 90's are back! And much like last summer crop tops are in-trend! Get ready to bare your midriff, of if you're like me and like to with a more conservative approach I recommend high waisted shorts/jeans/skirt and a nice crop top to boot.

Photo credits. Best place for cheap crop tops? 100% Forever21.
Crochet Everything:
Basically crochet is super popular this season. Get ready for crochet dresses, tops, and shorts. Pair them with a bright colour for extra impact. Some style inspiration photos below.


Photo credits here and here. Get great crochet clothing at Free People or Forever21.
Boxy, Light coloured Purses:
Purses in light coloured pastels with a boxy frame are really popular right now. Try getting a purse in an off-white colour, or mint.

Photo credits here. The purse in the above photo is by Kate Spade. If you are looking for something more in budget try Forever 21, Aldo or Spring.
Gold is Everywhere:
From Gold Watches to gold bracelets, we are going to be seeing a lot of statement gold pieces everywhere. So get your gold game on!

Photo credits here. Grab amazing gold watches from Michael Kors!
The Fedora Hat:
The Fedora Hat was traditionally for males but now is an iconic hat for women of all ages. The Fedora Hat is great for making you look stylish while protecting your eyes from all those nasty UV rays.

Photo credits here.  Grab a Fedora Hat from your nearest Top Shop or even Ardenes!
Other notable fashion trends for the summer? Maxi Skirts, wedges, & ankle strapped shoes. Can you think of any other notable trends? Leave a comment below!
If you like this post check out my blog Elle Charie for more beauty & fashion. You can also follow me on bloglovin.
--> Also don't forget to enter my Beauty Product Giveaway. <---

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How great is this post? I did a post on Elle Charie's Blog check it out Here

I love doing posts with other bloggers! If you are interested send me an email at northernjoli@gmail.com

May 2014 Favourites

I'm completely and utterly sorry for not posting yesterday- my family flew in from Vancouver and I was so caught up in excitement and then spending time with them that I completely spaced and forgot to post.

Onto another topic, it's the end of the month, which means it's time for me to round up my favourite products, fashion, tv shows, and random loves of the last month. This is my first favourites post (so it will be a work in progress over the next couple months). For this month, I only have beauty favourites, and the show I am currently power watching on Netflix. Either way, let's get into it.

May 2014 Favourite...

...eye product: Physicians Formula Kohl Kajal in Black (part of the 3 pack in Neutral)

...face product: ELF Baked Blush in Pinkalicious

...lip product: Maybelline Colour Whisper in Rose of Attraction

...nail polish: Essie Watermelon

...hair product: Tresemme Platinum Strength Heat Protectant

...tv show: Veronica Mars

Happiness

Today, I had a pretty amazing experience. I am not usually an outgoing smiles all around type person. I usually keep to myself, and keep my head down.

Since I graduated University and moved away from my University town I've been staying with my grandparents, which is fun, I just don't know anyone my age. So spending every day just hanging out by yourself, or going grocery shopping with your nana could cause some to get lonely. I've been enjoying it. I've spent a lot of time thinking about how I want my life to be, and how I will make it happen. I started this blog, where I find myself every day day dreaming about posts, taking pictures and enjoying myself.  Even if no one were to ever look at my little space of the web, I'd be okay with just having somewhere, and doing something I genuinely love.

While I've been working on this self discovery, I've also made a pact with myself to be happy. I've been trying to get my anxiety to a level that I don't have to think about reminding myself to breathe, and worrying about what everyone thinks of me.

I love music, nearly everyone does, I like music that makes you want to dance, dance around in your bedroom or dance in the grocery store. Instead of thinking what other people think of the weird girl with a smile on her face bouncing to the beat of the music walking to get the milk for her granny I just do it.

Today, this older woman was looking at the milk when I skipped over to her with the smile on my face and the bounce in my step. She actually stopped me and told me it is rare for people to express happiness anymore, that no one seems like they are genuinely happy, and that she loved seeing someone with a smile grabbing some 2% milk.

The smile may have gotten a little bigger... just a little though. It got me to thinking though- isn't it sad that an older lady has to stop a young 20 something with a smile on her face and say that it is refreshing? Being in University I met a lot of people who were there, or in certain programs because it was what their parents wanted, or what they felt they were required to do, why is it like this? What is so wrong with being happy?

Needless to say, I'm loving this new outlook I have on everything. Why not just be happy? Anyways, That's my goal. I will continue to deal with anxiety that makes me relive every moment of the day before I go to bed, analyzing every minute detail to think of what could be perceived of me until it snowballs into me thinking about something that happened 2 years ago. I will continue to have to count to 4 as I inhale and to 4 as I exhale while laying in bed, tricking myself into thinking about something else. But I will also be happy. I am challenging myself to write a blog, like so many others do, and ignoring what others will say, because I want to.

I refuse to be held down by opinions, instead I want to be the reason an older lady smiles, knowing some 20 something loved getting the bag of milk for her nana.

Rimmel BB Cream

Recently, while at Shoppers Drugmart, I stumbled upon a sale. Ooops. My grandmother should know to just keep me away from Shoppers- or sales. Well, I was there to shop for a post I'm planning for next week.

Anyways, I was looking into BB creams, as I have mentioned before, BB creams and tinted moisturizers are more my style- not too much coverage (so I don't look horribly hilarious sans freckles on my face). I have been using the L'Oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier- and I do enjoy it, but something maybe not $20 a bottle is preferred.

And this is where I found the sale. Rimmel has a couple different BB/foundation type options, and while I am a major fan of their concealers, I had never tried the foundations etc for my fears of weird face. Well, I'm not one to turn down a bargain. The Rimmel London BB Cream 9-in-1 Skin Perfecting Super Makeup retails in Canada for $9.99 half the price of my L'Oreal one! Take in the fact it was on sale for $2.50 less ($7.49) I could hardly say no.. right?

Pros:
- Light coverage
- promises 9 in 1 (primes, moisturizes, minimises pores, conceals, covers, smoothes, matifies, brightens and helps protect)
- Lasts all day
- Under $10

Cons:
- Only 3 shades available (light, medium, dark)
- slightly Orange tint in the Light shade

To be critical, the light shade is slightly orange, now that could just be how it appears on my face, I am very pale. The limited shade selection pretty much made me get the lightest shade available, which is then orange. I am hoping that in the summer, if I get a tan (a girl can dream right?) that it will appear a lot better on my skin.

I have found that the best way to blend this in, personally, at least is with a damp Beauty Blender. It sheers it out a bit, and takes away that orange tint.

Overall, I am using it. Maybe as I get a little darker in the summer, and figure out some more tricks I could grow to like it a little more. But for $7.49, I don't feel like I wasted my money.

Have any of you tried the Rimmel London BB Cream? What is the best way to use it, and not appear orange? :)