Happy Halloween pretties! Are you all ready for your Halloween festivities? I know I'm not, but that's never stopped me before. Stay tuned to Twitter for some sneak peeks as I put together my costume for this year!  The month of October has come and gone, and if you have been here a while you know what that means: may these products Rest In Peace. A little Halloween humour for you there - don't judge.

First up we have the Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque. This is a well loved favourite in blogland, and while I do really like the product I wish we were able to find it in the squeeze tube version in Canada. This tub came with an incredible amount of product which lasted me for ages, but having to scoop it out made it a very messy process. All in all I'm a fan, but now I'm on the lookout for my next favourite - any suggestions?

Recommendation? If you can find it in a tube, it's a steal for the price! In a tub, I would not repurchase.

I waited so long to give into the hype around the Macadamia Deep Repair Masque, but now I wish I hadn't! I have had comments from multiple hairdressers since I started using this that my hair is in so much better shape than they expect from a bottle blonde. Because this has protein, and let's be real it's expensive, I try not to use it more than twice per week. This tub was $40 but it lasted me at least six months, maybe more.

Recommendation? If you have dry, damaged or colour treated hair I highly recommend testing it out, just try not to cringe when you hand over your credit card.

My beloved Purity cleanser from Philosophy finally bit the bullet, and if you consider I got this for Christmas last year I think that's a pretty good product life! I've been testing out something else, but I really don't think anything will stand up to Purity just because it does it all. It can remove makeup, though I always do that sparately first so I don't waste product, and cleanses the skin throughly without leaving it dry and tight. 

Recommendation? It is expensive, but worth it! I will definitely be restocking during the Sephora VIB sale!

This Lancome Cleansing Water was actually originally my Mum's, but in a pinch I borrowed it and finished it off. It did the job at removing makeup, but it was definitely not in my top picks of cleansing water's I've tried. It left a sort of sticky feeling on the skin that needed to be rinsed off before continuing with my routine. I have recently found a new cleansing water that is a fraction of the price of both this and Bioderma and works like a charm, so stay tuned!

Recommendation? Not worth it in my opinion! I will be purchasing a second of my new favourite to replace this in my Mum's routine.

And finally, would a Trash Talk post be complete without some sort of dry shampoo product? When I was in Orlando, I picked up the Suave Dry Shampoo after reading how much Karly loved it. I really do like this, but I still think that Batiste is my holy grail. The smell of this is very citrusy, so if you are using in a small room beware! This was a good lower price option dry shampoo, but not my absolute favourite.

Recommendation? I may repurchase again someday, but as it's not available in Canada (that I know of) I'll be sticking with my Batiste for the time being.

That's all folks! If you're looking for Halloween-themed reads, you can always check out my DIY costme from last year or my Halloween's through the ages posts from when I started this little blog last year!

So tell me: what ghostly products have hit your trash recently? And also, are you dressing up for Halloween?

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I know I'm not the only one whose favourite time of the year for fashion is Fall. Extreme temperatures don't give you much wiggle room for playing with your look, but the cool crisp morning and milder afternoons give Fall the perfect edge for focusing on layers and accessories. These are some of my favourite ways to top off an outfit for the fall season! I'm guessing you've seen many of these more than once over the last few month's outfit posts.

Headwear has been huge this year, and as someone who is almost permanently cold I have always embraced all the hats and headbands with open arms. Cloche hats, wide brim fedoras, berets, and knit headbands have been my go-tos.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of summer, but every year I wait with anticipation for the first day I can bust out my favourite boots again for Fall. Since the weather here can be pretty tempermental, rain boots are an absolute must. How cute are these cheveron ones? Short slouchy booties and riding boots are an everyday staple in my life as soon as September hits, and my favourite heel for wearing out at night is an oxford because the provide some much needed stability and can be danced in all night!

A little bit of jewelry always finishes off a look, and they are fantastic pieces for layer and dressing up simple outfits. Longer chains with geomentric or chunky pendants are great for under scarves to lengthen the appearance of your torso. Crystal statement pieces are my favourite because they pair well with all colours giving them a lot more milage. A bit of sparkle on your wrist is the perfect way to layer with your favourite watch.

Living in Toronto, outerwear is an absolutely essential component of dressing for the fall. Puffer vests have been all the rage this year, and until I found one with a slimer profile I was convinced they weren't for me. Now I have to stop myself from wearing it everyday! A timeless trench or anorak is perfect for those rainy fall days, and a wool coat with some military inspiration is my favourite alternative to the classic pea coat.

What is your favourite accessory for fall?
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Is there anything quite as quintessentially fall as a plaid flannel shirt? So cute and cozy, all wrapped up into one easy to wear package.

Shirt: Garage {exact} | Skirt: H&M {exact} | Beret: H&M {similar}| Necklace: Target {similar}
Scarf: Alexander McQueen {exact though search ebay for deals!}  | Watch: Ebay {similar} | Boots: Spring {similar}

This shirt has become my absolute favourite piece to wear this fall because of it's versatility. Dress it up, dress it down - it can do it all! I had to also pop in a picture of the scenery while we were taking these photos. I'm so lucky to live right by a ravine, and I think this may have been the most perfect weekend for a walk through the woods. Even the river was completely covered with leaves, it was stunning!

What is your favourite way to rock a flannel shirt?

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Linking up to: The Fashion Canvas | The Creative Closet

A few months ago I shared my must-have brushes for the face, so I'm back today to share my 5 essential eye brushes for completing your look!

Want to get the most out of your coloured shadows? A flat shader brush is a staple for packing on opaque colour to the eyelids. These brushes can be found from so many different brands at so many different price points. From my experience, I would recommend checking out the Sigma E55, the ELF shadow brush or the MAC 239.

Having a smaller tapered blending brush is perfect for if you like to add some dimension to your eyes. Use it to focus darker shades on the outer third of you eyelid and drag the colour into your crease. Keeping the brush tapered means it is great even for people with smaller eyes/limited eyelid space! My favourites are the Quo crease blender, the Coastal Scents Pro Blending Fluff, and the MAC 217.

A larger fluffy blending brush will be your eye makeup's best friend. The more blended and seamless your shadows are, the more finished and flawless your look will be! Make sure you find a brush that is nice and soft, as blending can be a lengthy process and you don't want to irritate your eye. I'm a big fan of the Sigma E40 and Coastal Scents Classic Blender Natural.

Finally, a stiff angled brush is great for multi-purposing. Use it to perfect your liquid liner or with eyeshadow for a softer look. If you love the smudgey and smokey side of things, you can apply your favourite soft eye pencil and easily control the blending process without looking like you're in black eye territory. The Coastal Scents Classic Angled Liner and the EcoTools Bamboo Flat Liner Brush are my tried and true.

Even though I love and use constantly all of the above. If I were to choose one brush to rule them all, it would be the MAC 217. I have yet to come across something that quite measures up to it's fantastic shape and texture. Just remember, if you're using a brush for multiple colours/purposes, a brush spot cleanser will be your best bet to keep everything from looking muddy. Every brand will have their own version, or you could just DIY your own. Let me know in the comments if you'd like a recipe! 

What is your #1 must have eye brush?

P.S I'm already full swing on The Blogger Closet for the weekend! Check it and Amanda the brilliance behind the account out and follow along!

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A few weeks ago Alyssa asked me to do the Sweater Weather TAG, and since I've been super busy with work trips lately, I thought this would be the perfect time to put together this fun fall Q&A. Thanks Alyssa for unofficially tagging me!

Favorite candle scent?
I'm not a huge fan of the "traditional" fall scents, they're usually much too sweet or overpowering for me my tastes. My favourite warm and cozy candle smells like Moroccan Oil and is made by a local candle company, but like I mentioned in my September Favourites I recently found that B&BW Black Opal is the closest I've ever found to a similar scent!

Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?
Tea, tea and more tea please.

What's the best fall memory you have?

This is so difficult! If I had to narrow it down to a set of memories, it would probably be heading up to my cottage for the Cranberry Festival almost every year since I was three. I love perusing the craft markets, eating all the fair food and visiting the petting zoo. And yes, I still visit the petting zoo. It's also the most beautiful time to see all the trees changing colour in the Muskoka area.

Which makeup trend do you prefer: dark lips or winged eyeliner? 

I love both, but I wear winged liner basically every day no matter the season so I'll go with dark lips just because it's something different. These are a few that I am rocking this year!

Best fragrance for fall?

I'm not a huge perfume person to be honest, mostly because I always forget (or in too much of a rush to remember) to put it on before leaving the house. I always keep Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb rollerball at my desk in case I feel like it's necessary.

Favorite Thanksgiving food?

We have already had Canadian Thanksgiving here, and is there really anything better than mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie?

What is autumn weather like where you live?

From September to mid-October it hovers in that beautiful not-too-cold-not-too-hot stage that is my absolute favourite to dress for, but as of now it's all wool coats, scarves and rain boots because it is cold and damp.

Most worn sweater?

In public? It would probably be this green wool cardigan that I found in the men's section of the thrift store over three years ago. It's warm, easy to wear and it's pretty cute for a grandpa sweater.

Must-have nail polish this fall?

I'm not going to lie, I've been rocking Essie's Bahama Mama all month long and I'm obsessed. Here are some of my other favourites for the season if you haven't seen them already.

Football games or jumping in leaf piles?
Well I'm not much for football, so process of elimination...

Skinny jeans or leggings?

Until I recently I would have said leggings all the way. Then I found the American Eagle jeggings and they changed everything. They're thicker than leggings but just as stretchy and comfortable, and they come in tall sizes. Hallelujah!

Combat boots or Uggs?
I don't own either so I'm just going to cheat and say riding boots.

Is pumpkin spice worth the hype?

PSLs just taste like coffee to me and I don't drink coffee, but I've been eating these Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats for weeks now and I'm loving them!

Favorite fall TV show?

I don't really watch much live TV these days, but I was definitely most excited to see Homeland come back again. Tyler and I aren't watching until the season is over because we can't stand the cliffhangers week to week, so no spoilers please!

What song really gets you into the fall spirit?

This may sound strange but anything on Drake's Thank Me Later album really reminds me of homecoming which was always at the beginning of the fall semester. Say Something and Up All Night always give me major nostalgia and make me miss my beautiful roommates who are now spread out across the country. 

And that just about wraps it up for the Sweater Weather Tag, don't forget to check out Alyssa's vlog-style version! Now I'm curious, what song gets you in the fall spirit?

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Layering is my best friend when it comes to living in the Great White North. Already our temperatures this weekend were heading down to the single digits, and there were clear signs of frost in the morning.  I will say though, if it weren't for the cooler whether we wouldn't have some of the most gorgeous fall views like I shared this weekend Twitter and Instagram. As someone who is definitely a dress girl, I have to get a bit creative to keep the bulk down and the warmth factor high.

Dress & Blazer: Forever 21{similar dress/similar blazer} | Tights: Target {exact} | Scarf: Jessica {similar}
Locket: Gift {similar} | Belt: Local Boutique {similar} | Boots: Spring {exact on sale!} | Bracelet: Ebay {similar}

This dress is one of my favourite layering pieces in the fall & winter. It's made of a thick, warm material but is also sleeveless so it works great over collared shirts or thin sweaters. Here I topped it with a classic slim cut blazer and chunky scarf, and finished the look with my favourite new taupe riding boots to compliment the cool hues. With a neutral base the possibilities are endless!

What is your biggest tip for layering?

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It used to be pretty rare to find me wearing anything else but lip balm, but this fall I've been slowly stepping out of my comfort zone and into the exciting realm of lip colours. My four favourites? Rosey nudes, corally reds, deeper raspberry pinks and burgundy berries. Here are my favourite products that fall into those categories!

Rosey Nudes

Nars Dolce Vita has been a favourite for a few years now. It is the perfect sheer natural rosey nude that looks good with everything. It's probably my most worn shade because of it's moisturizing formula and no fuss application.

Revlon's Kissable Balm Stain in Honey is a tad bit darker, but is still a quick and easy option for on the go. It's staining quality is nice because you don't have to worry so much about touch ups. I will say that the stain ends up a lot brighter than the initial application, so don't be alarmed if it looks different a few hours into wear.

Coral-Reds

MAC's Viva Glam Cyndi is my favourite subtle sheer red for wearing during the day. It has a bit of an orangey undertone, which I did not think would be flattering, but it really does look beautiful as I lose my tan in the fall. This shade is tragically discontinued, but never fear: I've heard that this lipstick in #30 Secret Affair is a dupe.

When I'm feeling a bit more punchy, Wet N Wild's 909D Coraline is perfect for the fall. The warmer shade reminds me of the fall leaves, and I feel like it plays especially well with my favourite shade of cobalt blue clothing. This formula can be a bit drying, but it lasts for ages. Just make sure you have exfoliated, moisturized lips before applying and you'll be golden.

Raspberry Pinks

Revlon's Raspberry Bite is an absolutely stunning shade for nights out. It heads into the realm of the classic deeper berries while still managing to brighten up my face. I get so many compliments whenever I wear this shade!

If you like a more shine, Rimmel's Apocolypic Lip Laquer is the way to go. It's a super opaque formula that is pretty long lasting for being a glossy product. It's a bit more bright and bold, so if you just can't say goodbye to your summer favourites this is a great shade for you.

Burgundy Berries

Getting into more scary territory for me we have the Revlon Lip Butter in Red Velvet. It's a deep red with a little more of a brown undertone which won't be for everyone, but I think it actually looks quite nice with very minimal makeup. The formula is smooth and hydrating, but not the longest lasting so make sure you pop it in your purse before heading out for the day.

Finally, we have the cult classic Revlon Black Cherry. Full on this lipstick is way to much for me, but once blotted with a tissue a couple of times it creates this burgundy stain that is much more wearable. This one has yet to leave the house, but I'm getting there!

So which is your favourite? What lip colour are you gravitating towards this season?

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Linking up: Meet @ The Barre | Housewife Glamour

A classic black outfit is something that is always timeless and generally a go-to for me when I'm in the typical "but what do I wear?!" situation. Instead of going with my automatic instincts of dresses and skirts, I challenged myself to pull out my faux leather leggings once again to bring a bit more texture into this monochromatic look for fall.

Blouse: Dynamite {similar} | Leggings: Express {exact} | Scarf: Aldo {similar}| Sunglasses: H&M {similar}

Necklace: Antique Market {similar} | Bracelet: J. Crew {exact} | Watch: Anne Klein {similar}

I love how black really allow the accessories to shine. This outfit could easily be dressed up with a pair of booties or heels, or dressed down with a military jacket and flats or riding boots. The more outfit possibilities I explore with these leggings, the more confident I get that they are wearable for the daytime too!

Are you a fan of monochromatic looks?

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Having clear skin is one of my biggest confidence boosters, but sometimes no matter what your skincare regimen is you may suffer from the odd bought of acne. Whether it is an active breakout or hyper pigmentation left behind, here are my top tips for covering spots.

1. Keep the area moisturized. Our automatic instinct is to pile on the acne fighting ingredients in order to make the breakout go away faster.  However, when it comes to disguising acne, the only thing worse to cover than an active spot is a dry and flaky spot. Apply a facial oil to the area you will be covering let sink in before applying makeup. I use the Jose Maran Argan Oil Light for this and it works beautifully.

2. Select the right concealer. There are different formulas for concealer, and selecting the right formula can make all the difference. A liquid or cream is your best bet, because they provide a little bit of extra moisture that prevents the area from getting dry and noticeable.

3. Find a perfect match. Colour is especially important when it comes to hiding imperfections on the face. Anything too light or too dark can work against you and actually draw attention to the spot. Having a few different colours of your favourite formula, or a concealer quad like this one or this one is great for getting your perfect custom shade.

4. Use a blending brush to apply light layers. Traditional flat concealer brushes have never worked well for me. They can pile up too much product and make things difficult to blend. Instead, I use a clean eye blending brush to gently swirl the product on the problem area, and blend it out seamlessly into the surrounding skin.  Don't pile on product right away, use light layers and build up to coverage you need.

5. Set with powder to ensure it doesn't budge. Especially if you have oily skin, don't forget to set your work so it stays all day. For this purpose, the finer the powder the better. A super matte or high coverage powder may suck away the moisture you've added and make the area look dry and cakey

Do you have any secrets for covering up imperfections?

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While this may be coming at you a wee bit late, who doesn't love a little bit of mini-review action? Most of the items this month came from me doing a little bit of binge beauty sorting, but stay tuned for next month because I have so many products that are so close to hitting the trash that I can almost be certain they will all annoyingly fizzle out at once within the next few weeks.

 I've talked a few times about my love for this John Freida Frizz Ease Conditioner on the blog before so I'll keep it short and sweet. It smells great, it makes my hair soft, helps my battle against frizz and it always reminds me of summer. That's a winner in my books!

Recommendation? If you have a problem with frizzy hair, go get you some.

These had probably been in my drawers for much too long. I don't wear false eyelashes very often anymore, but when I did I loved the Duo dark tone glue especially. As long as you were pretty confident in your placement, it looked almost liner-esque which easily blended in with already established makeup looks.

Recommendation? These do work, and work well, but I just prefer the convenience of the Revlon Precision Lash Adhesive nowadays. I just wish I could find one with a dark tone!

I accidentally fell in love with this Stila Stay All Day Eyeliner after receiving a kit with this in it last Christmas. This is the exact same one. Yes, it lasted this long with almost daily use, which meant it was worth the $20 repurchase from me. Nothing I've tried really compares to its lasting power, and still is easy to remove at the end of the day.

Recommendation? If you're a winged liner lover, you basically need this. I promise you won't be sorry.

You all know how faithful I am to my Jordana Best Lash Extreme, but sometimes when it starts to get past the two month mark it can get a little thick. While this Covergirl Clump Crusher was never a standout formula to me on it's own (though if you prefer really natural looking lashes this might be up your alley),  it is great as a layering mascara to help comb through some of your clumpier formulas.

Recommendation? Completely unnecessary, but kind of nice to have on hand in case of mega spidery lashes.

I love the original Voluminous mascara from L'Oreal and after hearing all the hype on this release I decided to give it a go. Honestly? Not really impressed. While it was decent for separating the lashes and adding a little bit of length, it really did nothing for me in the volume department, which is where I need it most.

Recommendation? Again, if you like a natural look this may be something to try, but I will not be repurchasing.

My beloved Sally Hansen Nail Polish in Flirt finally bit the dust, and no amount of Seche Restore could bring it back to life. I think this has been discontinued since I couldn't find it in stores, but thankfully I found a replacement for the deep burgundy shade that is my favourite to wear in the fall.

Recommendation? If you can find it I would definitely pick it up, but if you are looking for a similar colour Essie's Bahama Mama is a gem of formula!

That's it, that's all. What have you used up recently?

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