Today I'm starting a new series all about colour just in time for summer! I'm typically a neutrals girl through and through but lately I've been experimenting with adding a little more colour into my look and have been loving it. This series will be all about how to step outside of your regular comfort zone, while still remaining wearable. I'll share with you some of my favourite products from the colour family and a look featuring some of the products. Today we're starting out with one of my favourites for spring - coral.

Coral is a great "gateway" shade to adding some brightness to your look because it works on so many areas of the face and blends in well with standard neutrals. 

THE PRODUCTS

Benefit Coralista | The perfect sweet, light coral flush to make you look young, fresh and awake

NYX Butter Gloss in Apple Strudel | A beautiful, comfortable corally-peach gloss perfect for even the non-lipgloss-lover

Maybelline Coral Queen | A punchy statement coral lip that looks fabulous in photos

Sonia Kashuk Sunset Blush | A brighter, bolder blush that adds a pop of colour to a minimal makeup look

Revlon Coral Berry | A deeper and slightly more wearable shade for every day, featured in my wearable spring lip colours

MAC Paradisco | A beautiful coral with a golden sheen - this shadow doesn't have great pigmentation on it's own but layers beautifully over other products

THE LOOK

EYES | Prime the eyes to make sure that the shadows adhere to the lid and give maximum colour payoff. I started off packing Coastal Scents Reef Coral all over the lid, and then topped it with MAC Paradisco to add a bit of a sheen. I blended Urban Decay Naked into the crease and under the eye for definition, and finished everything off with Urban Decay Virgin in the inner corner for subtle brightness. I skipped eyeliner to keep the eyes looking bright, and used Maybelline Lash Sensational on my upper lashes, and IT Cosmetics Tightline mascara on my bottom lashes.

FACE | Since I was doing colour on the eyes, I went with Benefit Coralista on the cheeks for a light application of blush. The slight shimmer in this formula really helps to give the skin a healthy glow without any highlighter.

LIPS | To keep the lips fairly light, I layered the Revlon Lip Butter in Creamsicle under my NYX Butter Gloss in Apple Strudel.

What other colours would you like to see in this series? I would love to know! What are your favourite coral products?

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Linking up with: Making Mrs. M & Miranda Writes for The Makeup Mix Up!

Happy Memorial Day to all my friends from down South, I hope you're enjoying your extra long weekend! After a morning frost on Saturday it warmed up to be the most perfect temperature for a beautiful afternoon spent with Tyler and his family outdoors. I seriously wish it could stay spring forever, don't you?

Dress: Garage {exact} | Jacket: Thrifted - GAP {similar} | Necklace: Old Navy {similar}
Shoes: Tory Burch {exact}

This thrifted jacket has been a staple in my spring/summer wardrobe for years now, and I aways get super excited to bring it back into the rotation. Pastels are some of my favourite colours, but I feel like they are a bit more wearable after I've already gotten a bit of colour. Though they may seem like the same colour in these photos, this dress is actually a pale mint and the jacket a washed out blue that both look pretty killer with a tan!

You can see this jacket remixed in this post:

Island Hopping

How did you spend your weekend?

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Linking up with: Jana & Maegen | Laura | Lauren | Saumya | Lindsey | Laura & Erin

Happy Friday friends! After four long weeks of radio silence I got the amazing news yesterday that my camera is fixed (and there's no charge, it's a miracle I swear) and I can finally get back to my regular schedule & quality content! I have a bunch of post ideas that I've been collecting while my camera was out of commission so I'm excited to get back into the swing of things, but if you have any requests I'd love to hear them!

It's supposed to be a beautiful weekend so get outside and have some fun!

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Hello everyone! My name is Erika and I blog over at Hedonist in Hats. I'm glad to be guest posting on Nadia's blog as part of the Canadian Beauty Bloggers monthly post swap. This month's theme was orange, and I am all about the orange life in the summer. Whether I'm accenting my hazel eyes with some orange in my crease or adding some coral to my cheeks, there's usually always an orange hue going on my face somewhere.

Orange is a great color that really works well on any skin tone, even people who have very light skin and red hair can add some coral if they do it strategically - I think that it looks particularly great on the lips. And for people with darker skin tones, oranges just compliment the skin so beautifully and can provide a vibrant glow.

The great thing about orange is that it never really goes out of style from year to year. While it may not always be en vogue to wear a bright orange lip and look like a pumpkin, coral is always a safe bet to give you a warm, healthy glow and it's a perfect transition shade into the autumn, even though we're a long way off from that. If you're interested in seeing what my top eight high-end orange products are, then follow the jump and take a look!

Happy Victoria Day to my fellow country-folk, and happy Monday to everyone else! Since I am still currently spending some serious R&R time at my cottage, this weekend's style was nothing if not casual. This outfit was perfect for a warm but breezy day spent on the lake.

Shirt: H&M {similar} | Dress: Gap {same cut} | Sunglasses: H&M {exact}

I realized recently that I don't own a ton of patterned clothing, so I was so excited to pull this dress back out from winter storage. These t-shirt dresses from the Gap are serious wardrobe workhorses. I have the same dress in a more fall/winter fabric/print that I wore to death this past season. I found both at the outlets for less than $10 so definitely keep your eyes out for great deals!

What are your favourite pieces for casual summer weekends? I'd really like to find a maxi-dress next, but don't know where to start - any recommendations would be so appreciated!

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Whether you're celebrating May 2-4 this weekend or Memorial Day next weekend, we are heading into the unofficial start of the summer. If you're planning on spending some time in the great outdoors, one of the most important things you can do for your skin is to pack the sunscreen. I admit I was not always one to follow my own advice, but after a few major burns and discovery of the beauty of self tanners, I'm all about the SPF. These days there are so many options out there that you don't have to settle for sticky, greasy feel!

Laying the Foundation | I will admit I've only been wearing the IT Cosmetics CC 50+ for a week, but it's been a serious game-changer for my spring/summer routine. It's a serious all in one product. I use it directly after washing my face in the morning and it acts as my moisturizer, sunscreen and foundation all in one easy step. If you have combo - oily skin you will want to set it, but for me once it's set it lasts all day and leaves my skin really healthy looking and flawless. Note: I have the Light shade it matches me after I've self tanned so the shades to seem to run dark!

Reapplication | I've already talked about my love affair with setting sprays before, but when I saw the Coola Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30 I immediately thought it was a genius idea! How often do you reapply your sunscreen once you have your makeup on? I'm willing to bet it's not very often. I haven't tried this product myself yet, but I can't wait to get my hands on it! If it lives up to the reviews so far I think it will make the perfect beach bag companion for a matte, protected complexion!

Covering the Bases | Now that we've covered the face, what about the rest of the body? Neutrogena have me sold on a ton of their sun care products. The Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen is completely non-greasy and non-sticky. I've used it on my face too and it doesn't feel heavy their either. If you're not a fan of lotions, the Ultra Sheer Body Mist is an easy and quick way to make sure you're protected from the sun. Don't forget the hands! Hands are one of the first places you can start to see the signs of ageing because no one thinks to protect them regularly. If you are constantly washing your hands you're washing most of your previously applied sunscreen down the drain. A hand lotion with SPF is a good habit to get into!

Protecting the Pout | If you've ever gotten a burn on your lips you know it can be really painful. Grab a lip balm with SPF that you can take with you on the go. The Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments have SPF 15 and come in a bunch of fun colours perfect for spring/summer. These are a great drugstore option with SPF 20!

What are you favourite sun care products?

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Oh how I've missed doing style posts. We're back at it today, and what better way to get back in the swing of things than co-hosting my favourite fashion linkup the Creative Closet! My own camera is still out of commission so apologies for the quality of the photos, but I could not miss out on styling this week's prompt: East Coast Prep. Link up below and don't forget to check out Jana and Maegen's looks!

Dress: Marshalls {similar/similar} | Shoes: Aldo {similar} | Chain Bracelet: J. Crew {exact}
Faux Pearl Bracelet: Joe Fresh {similar} | Necklace: H&M {exact}

Looks like I missed the hat memo, but aren't these mamas looking so fresh and fabulous for summer?

My mind immediately goes to three things when I think of east coast style - nautical, navy & pearls. Since I'd already done a couple of looks featuring my favourite lobster sweater, I decided to go with this collared "country club" dress and some nautical-inspired accessories. Fun fact - this was the dress I wore on my first date with Tyler!

Can you believe we're almost halfway through May already?! Seriously where does the time go. I'm definitely looking forward to the last two prompts of the month!

 

Now it's your turn! Link up your East Coast Prep outfits below & share the button below or link back to this post!

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An InLinkz Link-up

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 Linking up with: Jana & Maegen | Laura | Lauren | Saumya |

I've already rounded up my thoughts on the gel moisturizers, foundations, mascaras, lip balms and dry shampoos I've put to the test, so I thought it was about time to talk about concealers. There are so many amazing affordable options at drugstore prices, but different concealers can used for different purposes so here are my thoughts for navigating this space in the drugstore.

Maybelline Cover Stick | I feel like this is a hidden gem at the drugstore. This concealer was my secret weapon when I was working as a swim instructor because it is both high coverage and waterproof. I still to this day keep one on hand for the summer when I know I'll be at the lake or pool, or just generally spending time outdoors. It is a very thick consistency so I warm it up first with my fingers and then blend out with a fluffy blending brush so it doesn't appear cakey.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind | The brightener shade of the concealer is amazing for counteracting dark circles and bringing back some life to your face. It is a thick formula so a little goes a long way, and I always top it with something skin toned to make sure it blends into the face.

Coastal Scents Camo Quad | I know this isn't drugstore per se, but it is available for a drugstore price and I love it too much not to include it! This is my favourite concealer for covering blemishes, as it is so easy to get the perfect colour no matter how much of a tan you've got going on. It's a gel-like formula so it blends seamlessly and provides great coverage. 

 

Maybelline Fit Me | This is a very popular concealer, and for a good reason. The moisturizing texture makes it useful for both under the eyes and on the face. If you're battling dry skin or even dry spots from acne treatment this may be something you would love. Just note, the coverage is medium and it definitely benefits from being set because of the creamy consistency.

Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Rollerball | Since I already use a brightening product underneath my eyes, I love that this formula is very thin and doesn't feel like you're caking up the product. It's not very high coverage, but it covers what I need and it doesn't crease on me throughout the day making it perfect for everyday wear. The amount of product you get in this is crazy so even though it is on the higher end of prices, I know it will last me for at least a year.

What is your favourite affordable concealer?

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When it comes to nails, I'm all about the DIY. Unless it's a special occasion, I much prefer to do my own nails in the comfort of my own home than have them done at the salon. Doing your own nails can be a process, but with a couple of awesome tools I feel I can get professional looking nails in just a few minutes!

 Step 1 | Tame those Cuticles
A few months ago I finally picked up the Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover and it was a serious game-changer when it comes to at-home manicures. Apply it to the cuticle area, let it sit for a few seconds, then use a cuticle pusher to remove all of the excess skin. It's quick and simple and makes it easy to get a professional look at home.

Step 2  | Shape
When it comes to nail clippers, I'm not picky, but files are a whole different story. A glass or crystal file not only saves you the cringe-worthy feeling/sound of filing nails with a traditional emery board, but it gives the smoothest finish and lasts basically a lifetime.

Step 3 | Lay the Base
Base coats are one of the most important steps when doing your nails - they adhere the polish to the nail bed to help your mani last longer, and protect the nail from yellowing. My holy grail used to be the Revlon Colourstay Base Coat, but since that has been discontinued I've been loving using ORLY's Bonder. It's quick drying and creates a "rubberized" layer that truly helps increase the longevity of any polish on top.

Step 4 | Colour & Clean Up
After applying my nail colour of choice, I use a small synthetic brush dipped in nail polish remover to go around the edges and clean up any areas that I may have gone beyond the lines. This gives you a clean, professional final result! This one sent to me by Born Pretty Store (use the code SSEG10 for 10% off) doubles as a dotting tool which is a great for achieving easy nail art designs.

Step 5 | Seal It
The worst part of doing your own nails can be the time you're left waiting for your mani to dry, am I right? After recently repurchasing the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri, I don't know why I ever stopped using it! With this top coat the nails are dry to the touch in just a few seconds.

Step 6 | Maintain
I have very dry hands so a cuticle cream is necessary for keeping everything looking it's best. Lush's Lemony Flutter is amazingly moisturizing and smells pretty heavenly. I'm still working on a sample that I got last year, so the full size would probably last you forever! I apply this once my nails are fully dry and I'll use it a couple of times a week while I'm at work or before bed to keep everything smooth and moisturized.

Do you do your own nails? Any tips that I need to know?

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I was recently tagged by both Mia for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award, and Melanie for a Leibster Award so I thought I would combine the two in a quick Q&A that I'd love to hear your answers to as well!

Are you an early birdie or a night owl?
Definitely a night owl. I honestly wish sleep wasn't necessary because I get my best work done at night!

Favourite trip you've ever been on?
My favourite vacation was probably when I went to BC and Alaska with my family the week before I started university. It wasn't a trip I was particularly excited about at first, I'm not a fan of the cold after all, but the landscape was unbelievably stunning. One of my best friends is getting married in Whistler next summer and I can't wait to go back out west!

If you could eat one food and beverage for the rest of your life what would it be?
Food would definitely be pasta of some kind - I just love carbs. And beverage would definitely be tea! Hot, cold, it's always good.

What made you start your blog?
I'd been reading blogs for years and had always loved writing, photography & beauty. It was actually Tyler who gave me the extra push to bite the bullet and start, and I am forever grateful he has been so encouraging!

If you were to only wear one makeup item forever what would it be and why? 
Just one? That's tough. If I could also have great skin forever it would 100% be mascara, but if not probably foundation. Having flawless skin is an instant confidence booster!

Current favorite song, you know, the one that you crank up in the car?
This song has been my running companion for the past few weeks...and maybe Ariana Grande One Last Time.

Dream job & why?
Would any blogger not want to be able to turn this into a full time gig? But other than that, working in marketing for a company like Benefit or Revlon would be a amazing!

Do you like to workout? If so, what types of sports/workouts do you like the best?
My favourite workout is definitely swimming, but unfortunately my gym doesn't have a pool so I have to wait until the lake is warm enough in the summer to get my swim fix at the cottage. Running isn't my favourite thing, but I'm currently training for a race in June so that's what I've been focusing on recently.

What is your favourite can't-live-without lip product?
Lip balm, definitely. Lately that's been either the Nivea Lip Butter at night or the Smith's Rosebud Salve in the daytime.

You have 1 totally free YOU day, what would your day consist of?
I would spend the day outside in the sun on the porch swing reading and relaxing, then at night go through the whole nine yards of my pamper routine, and probably self tan - because it's a process people!

Here are some things I'd love to know about all of you:

1. Do you have any pets? Tell me about them!
2. What is one thing on your wishlist right now?
3. What is your favourite photo from your childhood? And yes, you can post photos in comments!
4. If you had to pick one which would it be: Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest?
5. Where do you get your style inspiration from?
6. What is your most treasured possession?
7. What are your favourite apps?
8. What is your favourite beauty/life hack?
9. What's one accomplishment you are particularly proud of?
10. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Answer any of these questions in the comments, or write a post and tweet it to me so I can learn some more about you!

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