Coming back from the May long weekend means we've officially kicked off the summer season in my books, and that means looking forward to achieving that summer glow. I've already gone through my self-tan routine in previous years, but since then I've discovered a few new products and a few new tricks I thought I would share with you. 

Find your formula | Mousse formulas are my favourite for the body because they are easy to apply and dry quickly. I've enjoyed the St. Moritz Medium and Dark in the past, but have noticed the formula starts turning a grey colour (though the tan it leaves behind doesn't take on the same grey hue) and isn't as effective after a year, so I moved on to try the St. Tropez Express. It's a 1-3 hour process depending on the colour you're looking for, and I find it looks natural and lasts well without getting patchy. Since your face generally gets the most regular exfoliation, I find a gradual tan that mixes with my moisturizer is the easiest to maintain and gives the most natural look.

Avoid self-tan hands | I'm sure by now everyone has heard of a tanning mitt (this one is my fav), but what do you do when it comes to your wrists and hands? My favourite method is to use a makeup sponge for a seamless blend. Whether it's a retired Beauty Blender or Real Techniques sponge, or a simple cosmetic wedge, they are all great options for keeping palms clean!

Cut the creasing | When I first got the St. Tropez I actually really disliked it because I felt like it never quite set. If you find your tan leaves your skin feeling sticky, try hitting the spots that are prone to creasing (the underside of elbows and knees, and arms) with a hairdryer on a cool setting. If you still need some extra setting action, dust a light layer of baby powder over the same areas and you'll be good to go. 

Pick the right moisturizers | Keeping moisturized is key to prolonging the life of a fake tan, but some oils and citrus ingredients will actually break down your tan and cause faster fading. I've talked about my love of this quick dry lotion before and find it to be the best for keeping the skin hydrated everyday without the feeling heavy or sticky in warmer weather. Also, don't forget the SPF when you're out in the sun to prevent dryness and peeling (come back next week to see my favourites!).

Do you have any tips for achieving a flawless faux glow?

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Mascara is probably my number one favourite makeup product. I think lashes can make the biggest difference in how awake, and pulled together someone looks. There are so many mascaras out on the market with so many different claims, I thought I would take inventory of my top favourites and let you see for yourself the type of impact they make!
IT Cosmetics Tightline Mascara Primer | This is my favourite mascara for the lower lash line because it is extremely smudge resistant and the brush is teeny tiny. However for no-makeup days it's also ideal just to darken up the lashes without adding a ton of impact. It's officially called a primer so it can be used under your other favourite mascara, but I prefer just to use it on its own.

Maybelline Lash Sensational | This is my current everyday mascara because it gives a good balance of separation, length and a touch of volume and stands up well all day long. I prefer the formula once it's been open for a few weeks and has had the chance to thicken up a bit as I find then it's able to build on itself more and create that volume. The brush is the perfect shape to both apply product and comb through the lashes to make sure there isn't any significant clumping. 

Jordana Best Lash Extreme | This mascara is my favourite for achieving thick black lashes. The formula is the blackest I own, and it coats the lashes instantly to give some serious volume. It has some small fibers in the formula that help build up the lashes in both volume and length. Because of that it can get a bit clumpy if you add on too many layers, but it's a great one coater that gives a ton of impact. It's definitely not at all waterproof so anyone with super watery eyes should stay far away, but for days when I'm focusing on a big lash look this is my go to.

Benefit They're Real | I've never bought a full size of this mascara, but I've had multiple minis and so it's my go to when it comes to travel. This stuff is serious when it comes to longevity so it makes a great choice for heat and humidity since it won't budge until you're ready to remove it. It reminds me of a combination of the Maybelline & Jordana mascaras I love because the formula is super dark but still creates soft feathery looking lashes. Because it's so long wearing I find it tough to remove with my standard cleansing water - but a little bit of coconut oil does the job.

Which lash look do you like best? What is your favourite mascara?

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Spring has arrived, whether your weather is cooperating or not, and that means it's time to get out of the winter makeup rut and bring on the brightness - in more ways than one. I've been keeping things simple for everyday, focusing on double duty products to give me a fresh, awake, and glowly complexion and eye. I love this look because it's so easy to amp up with your favourite bright lip!

FACE | I primed my skin with the Smashbox Primer Water used the CoverGirl Stay Fabulous foundation. Since I have somewhat oily skin I like to keep the base matte and then add the glow where I want to so I don't end the day looking like a grease ball. I apply my Maybelline Age Rewind Brightener under the eyes and on my eyelids with my beauty blender to cancel out any darkness and brighten up the whole eye area. On my cheeks I used Coralista by Benefit for a soft glowy flush, and topped with Laura Mercier's Matte Radiance, which I'm completely obsessed with! To add some dimension 

EYES | To keep things soft and bright I run my Laguna Bronzer very lightly in the crease, and take my Laura Mercier Matte Radiance just over the center part of my lid. I catches the light so beautifully and makes your eyes look so fresh and awake! For some soft definition I'll use any matte dark brown shadow for liner and keep it really close to the lash line. Curl your eyelashes and add some Benefit They're Real and you're done!

LIPS | I've been waiting for spring to come around to bust back out this gorgeous cream lip stain from Sephora in the colour Strawberry Kissed. It's a beautiful pinky-red that stays on forever!

Do you switch up your look from season to season?

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A few weeks ago we did a major clean out of my parent's basement and it inspired me to finally use up the ends of a ton products that have been on the edge of empty for a while now. There are some of my favourite products in here so let's get started!

It's A 10 Miracle Leave In | It's probably taken me at least years to go through this bottle because I hated it at first, but once I started using it more over the past year it became my hero hair product for conditioning, detangling and helping combat frizz. Even if you have fine hair like me, I highly recommend checking it out. Just remember, a little goes a long way! I have already repurchased and use every time I shower.

Anastasia Clear Brow Gel | This was another product I did a complete 180 on. When I first got it I hated how stiff and crunchy it made my brows feel. Once I got a handle on using just a small amount or product, I was in love! It really is like superglue for your brows - they will stay in place all day long. I picked up a drugstore clear gel to see if it could be duped, but after I use that up I'll likely be repurchasing this. I'm hoping I can find it again in the mini size because it lasted me forever and was great for travel!

Jordana Best Lash Extreme & IT Cosmetics Tightline Mascara | I've talked about these both plenty of times, and will have a post up in the next few weeks about my favourite lash looks so I'll keep it short: I love both these and have already repurchased!

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner | I've talked about this stuff enough that I'm sure you know this is my favourite black liquid liner on the market. Expensive, yes, but it lasts me for nearly a year before drying up so it's worth the investment to me!

Skindinavia Makeup Setting Spray | I bought a double pack of the regular setting spray and the oil control version and finished up both recently. I loved using the regular in place of powder when my skin is super dry, and the oil control on top of powder on humid summer days. They're running a 24 hour sale right now that will get you 2 free travel sizes and free shipping (plus use FREE15 for 15% off!) so you bet I'll be placing an order ASAP!

Palladio Eyeshadow Primer | This is a drugstore priced eyeshadow primer that I found to work just as well as the UD Primer Potion. It reminds me a bit of the NARS primer, although it is slightly thicker in texture. I'm picked up the Milani one to test that out, but I would consider purchasing this again in the future. 

Josie Maran Argan Oil | The dropper of this got really gross and sticky near the end so I'm not a fan of the packaging, but the oil itself was very nice. I find a facial oil essential before attempting to cover up acne, but I'm probably going to try another type of oil to see if this is really worth the relatively high price tag. What's your favourite facial oil?

Simple Soothing Eye Balm | I really liked the squeeze tube packaging of this, and the product did exactly as promised. I used it as a night eye cream to hydrate and did like the light texture, but I won't be repurchasing this time around because I'd like to try out something different. Any suggestions?

Kudos to any of you who made it to the end!

What has hit your beauty trash recently? Was it worth a repurchase?

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When it comes to beauty tools, there are so many on the market how do you make the decision of where to invest your hard earned money? Here are the tools that have proved themselves must-haves in my routines. 

Eyelash Curler | Even though I have fairly curled eyelashes naturally, I don't feel fully awake until I've used my eyelash curler as part of my morning routine. Not only does it help to open up your eyes, it makes your lashes look longer which I'm all about. I typically never wear false lashes because a curl + tons of mascara is a big enough lash look for me.

Glass/Crystal File | I've talked about glass files quite a few times on this blog, but if you haven't taken the plunge yet seriously go get yourself one. They you the smoothest, fastest file and are inexpensive and reusable so it's a great investment!

Beauty Blender | I held off so long on trying this out because I thought there was no way that one beauty sponge could be vastly better than another. Well, turns out I was wrong. The texture of this sponge is unlike any other, and makes blending out concealer or foundation #flawless. Make sure you're cleaning it regularly to protect your $30 investment and you should be able to reuse it again and again. 

The Wet Brush | If you have fine or damaged hair, or hair that just tangles easily out of the shower this brush will be your best friend. The longer flexible bristles help detangle without tugging roughly on knots. You should still be gentle when brushing through wet hair, but this brush makes the process a whole lot more pleasant. 

Clipless curling iron | I bought my Enzo Milano curling wand over 5 years ago when it was the first clipless wand on the market and it's still in perfect condition, but there are tons of options now for less expensive alternatives. I have down to the middle of my back and I can curl my whole head in under 15 minutes, and the curls last for days.  

What are your must have beauty tools?

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If you're a regular reader of blogs, you know that everyone has their own two cents when it comes to beauty wisdom. Do you ever find yourself reading or passing on advice that is more "do as I say not as I do"? Well here are 5 pieces of beauty advice I can't seem to follow!

"Sleep on your back" | I will say I have tried and tried to break this habit, but somehow throughout the night I always end up on my stomach with my face mashed into my (non-silk) pillows. This likely causes tugging on my skin, and may mean my pillow is soaking up all great skin care ingredients I put on my face before hitting the sheets. Back sleepers - how do you do it?!

"Always use clean brushes" | I think this is one that many of us can relate to, right? Washing brushes takes so much time! I do try and keep my foundation brushes sanitary using my DIY Natural Spot Cleaner since liquid/cream products are the first to harbour nasty bacteria, but my powder and blush brushes especially could definitely do with a more regular cleaning appointment.

"Don't touch your face" | At work and while I'm asleep I am almost constantly leaning my face in my hands, and the majority of my spots start out as tiny bumps/clogged pores that I just can't leave alone. Recently I've been trying to break the latter habit through exfoliating instead of picking, but the former is unfortunately pretty ingrained in my daily habits so much so that I hardly realize when I start doing it!

"Start early to prevent aging" | I am in my mid-twenties and I don't use any specific anti-aging products. In my mind, making sure my face is cleansed and moisturized is a big part of the process, but I'm sure I could be more diligent in using serums and eye creams (which I do see the benefit of but always forget to include in my routine!). Anyone have recommendations on products in these categories?

"Throw out old makeup" | This one is probably the worst habit of them all - eek. It takes me so long to get through a foundation, it's likely I have it for longer than the recommended year mark. If the formula/scent changes or the ingredients start to separate I know it's time to hit the trash, but is it difficult for anyone else to get rid of unfinished products even if you know it's time to go?

Do you relate to any of these? What are your worst beauty habits?

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It's been a hot minute since the last post in my Colour Story series, all about encouraging neutrals gals (like myself) to have some fun and incorporate colour in a wearable way. I've known since the fall that I wanted Navy to be the next instalment in this series, since I feel as though it's such a flattering colour that doesn't get as much attention as it deserves!

The Products

L'Oreal Silkissime Liner in Plum | They may have named it Plum, but to me this liner is a deep rich navy with perhaps slighty warm purple undertones. The formula on these pencils is beautiful - creamy full colour that is blendable, but once it sets, it's made to last.

Marcelle Dip Liner in Navy | I was on the hunt for a navy liquid liner for so long, and this one is definitely the best of the bunch (and from the drugstore!). The applicator isn't my favourite, but the formula is instantly opaque and dries down to a matte finish. If I want a more fine line, I'll use an angle brush for more precision. 

NYX Morocco/Asphyxiation | They don't sell this particular single shadows anymore, but Asphyxiation in their current collection seems very close. This is a brighter indigo-navy with a bit of a duochrome which is really pretty for a little extra pop of colour. 

Coastal Scents Rainstorm | This shade is a true deep navy blue with a silvery grey shimmer. It is richly pigmented and only $2 - who could beat that? It's the colours in this little quad that inspired me to create the look I did below!

Revlon Nail Enamel in Urban | I thought I'd throw in a navy polish, since it's one of my favourite colours for the nails. It's a deep, rich colour that may appear close to black in low light, but I love wearing it with a super glossy top coat so that the blue catches the light.

The Look

EYES | I used some tape with the majority of the stickiness removed on the back of my hand to ensure a defined wing shape for my shadows. After priming with my Milani Eyeshadow primer, I mixed together Frisk and Cover from the Naked 2 Basics palette for blending all over the lid and slightly up into the crease. Using an angled liner brush I created a medium wing with L'Oreal Plum Silkissime Liner. Using a clean pencil brush I blended out the liner to soften the line, before adding Coastal Scents Rainstorm a little at a time to smoke out the line even further and bring it into the outer corner.  A used just a little bit of Urban Decay Naked along the edges of the navy and taupe to help warm up the brow bone just a tad. I finished the upper lashline by tightlining with the L'Oreal liner and adding plenty of mascara.

Using a small fluffy brush I laid down Frisk all along the lower lashline for some soft definition, and topped with Rainstorm closer to the lashline in the outer corner, connecting with the upper wing.

FACE | To balance out my pale skin and deeper eye makeup I used my ride or die pair of NYC Sunny Bronzer and Tarte Exposed to bring some warmth back into the face, and added some of Laura Mercier's Matte Radiance highlight to the cheekbones and inner corner of my eyes.

LIPS | To tie into the cooler tones of the eyes I used Estee Lauder Pinkberry - a pinky-mauve neutral shade.

Are you a navy fan? What colour would you like to see next?

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We may be nearing the end of February, but around here spring isn't going to start showing it's face for at least another month. Planning on spending the rest of winter bundled up from head to toe? Why not include a warm and cozy design for your nails!

Before getting started you may want to check out my tips and tricks for getting the best results from your nail art stamper.

For this nail look I started with a Covergirl's Speed of Light for a light taupe-grey base. The pattern was created using this winter-themed plate from Born Pretty and the Konad White Stamping polish. I have to say, using the Konad brand polish made a huge difference in achieving a crisp, opaque design. While I've had plenty of success using various branded polishes in other designs, this was the best white I have tried by far!

Has winter let up at all yet where you live?

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If you're a beauty junkie, you know the struggle is real when it comes to packing up your beauty products to take with you on a trip. After returning from my recent trip to Mexico, here are my top tips for getting the most out of your storage while limiting the temptation to overpack!

1. Choose a great organization system. Over the past three years of packing bags at least once per week, I've learned relying on gift with purchase makeup bags just wasn't working for me anymore. I invested in the Sonia Kashuk Weekender and it's been a serious game changer. It fits all my beauty storage needs: skin care, hair care, body care, makeup AND brushes in one slim and easy to clean package. 

2. Think about where you're going. This may be completely obvious, but really stop and think about the environment and activities you'll be participating in during your trip. Do you really think an eyeshadow palette is necessary if you'll be on the beach 90% of your trip? Will your favourite mascara cut it in the humidity? Go through your everyday routine with that frame of mind and determine what can be cut and what needs to be added for your trip. You may realize you can save some space by ditching an eyeshadow palette and choosing a waterproofing top coat to get maximum use out of your favourite mascara.

3. Focus on double duty. Space is limited so make the most out of it. Choose products that can help you achieve multiple functions while you're away. A face product that includes your spf, a tinted brow gel that can fill and tame, a beauty oil that can moisturize your body hair and face, and face palettes that can sub in for eyeshadows for a special dinner are some of my favourite multitasking products. 

4. Make use of your samples. If you've been collecting minis of products, now is the perfect time to use them. While you may not want to revamp your whole skincare line while away for a week, mini mascaras, powders, and hair products are ideal for trips away. Finished any samples recently? Save the packaging for decanting small portions of your favourite products. My full size favourite hair mask and facial mositurizer take up a ton of space in, but I was able to use sample packaging to bring just the right amount for a week away. 

Do you have any winter getaways planned? What are your best packing tips?

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Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and while Tyler and I don't go crazy celebrating the day, it is nice to change things up a little from our typical weekend routine. For a semi-engagement party dinner this weekend, I decided to focus on a soft, slightly smokey eye incorporating rosy tones and fluttery eyelashes that would be perfect for a Valentine's date.

EYES | I primed the eyes with a combination of the Milani Eye Shadow Primer and Jordana Made to Last eye pencil in Almond to cancel out any discolouration on my eyelids before packing on UD Sin all over the lid. I worked UD Naked into the crease and under the eye for a neutral matte base, and layered MAC Sketch on top of the outer corner and smudged across the upper lashline for some soft definition. I love the look of Sketch layered on top of a shimmery shadow, as it brings out a little more dimension in the plummy shade. I used some of my Laura Mercier Matte Radiance powder to bring a glow to the inner corners without going overboard on the shimmer. 

To finish off the look I skipped liner and focused on creating long fluttery lashes with my fibre extensions on top and my IT Cosmetics Tightline on the lower lashes. 

Here is what was used on the rest of the face:

FACE | 

Loreal Infalliable Foundation + Garnier BB Cream for Combo Skin

Maybelline Age Rewind Brightener 

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder
Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Powder

NYX Micro Pencil in Taupe

Tarte Exposed Blush

LIPS | NYX Tokyo Soft Matte Lip Cream

Do you have anything special planned for Valentine's Day?

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January is typically one of my least favourite months of the year, but between a tropical vacation and big life news, this month has to be my favourite January ever! I received a number of makeup related gifts for Christmas, which led to plenty of amazing new discoveries for me this month in the beauty world. So, let's get cracking!

Beauty Blender | This one completely surprised me, because I've been in a very happy relationship with my Real Techniques sponge for over a year. I had always wondered if the original was really any different, and I have to say sadly I think it is. There is something about the material that really helps blend liquids/creams without absorbing a ton of product. I've been storing mine in a recycled David's Tea tin, which is the perfect size wet or dry, travel friendly, and the lid makes for a great mixing palette when I'm combining foundations!

Sephora Solid Brush Cleaner | Which brings me to this product, which has made me dread cleaning my brushes SO much less. It's quick and easy to swirl brushes or sponges on the product, and it comes with a mini scrubbing pad which really helps work in the cleanser and get rid of all the dirt and grime even in dense foundation brushes. Just rinse & go, no dry hands or hours spent at the sink!

Sephora Mud Mask | I've been on the hunt for this mask since the fall but it was always out of stock, finally I got my hands on it and now I see what all the hype is about! It makes my face feel extremely clean without the dry, tight feeling post-rinse that I've felt from most other clay masks. I haven't had any significant breakouts all month long!

Coconut Beautifying Oil + Sibu Moisturizing Lotion | I spoke about both of these already in my post on banishing dry winter skin, but the combination has been pure heaven on my legs this winter. I've been swimming in chlorine pools multiple times a week so my legs have needed a little TLC, and this combo has given me the softest skin I've ever had! 

Smashbox Primer Water | It's hard for me to put my finger on what this product actually does, but somehow when I use it my makeup just looks better. On top of that it smells and feel great to apply, which is likely why I've gone through over half of the travel size in just over a month!

Dream Smoothe Mousse | I've fallen in love with this all over again since coming back from vacation. The texture is so light it feels like you're wearing nothing on the skin, but the coverage is amazing!

Laura Mercier Matte Radiance | I wasn't big on the fuss of highlighting on an everday basis until I discovered this powder. It gives the most beautiful glow to the skin without looking chunky or over the top in the slightest. I've been wearing it basically every day since I first tried it!

Did you kick off 2016 with any new product discoveries?

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Hi everyone - today I've got Karly from Miss in the Midwest here to share her secrets to big beautiful hair. Her styles are always on point so you better believe I'll be trying out these products in the near future!

Hello, The View is Beautiful readers! My name is Karly, and I blog at Miss in the Midwest where I share my love of style and beauty, along with some peeks into my life as a born and raised Midwest girl. Nadia and I have become good friends throughout the past couple years, so I'm thrilled to be here today while she is away enjoying her vacation!

Okay, let's get down to beauty business. If you have hair anything like mine, then you'll know that it can be pretty difficult to get fine, straight hair to do anything - especially to achieve any sort of volume.

Throughout the past year, I've experimented with different products, and I finally have a select arsenal of products that help me achieve a voluminous, salon-quality blowout in the comfort of my own home.

Pantene Pro-V Volume Triple Action Mousse // This mousse is my go-to for everyday use (or on the days that I wash and blow dry my hair). Don't be concerned by it's claim of maximum hold - while I do find that it gives my hair hold and lasting volume throughout the day, this product never has made my hair crunchy or show oil at the roots quicker than normal.

L'Oreal Paris Boost It Volume Inject Mousse // This product, on the other hand, is what I reach for when I plan to put more style in my hair other than just blow drying it straight with a round brush. (Last week, I filmed a hair tutorial on how to use my favorite heated hair tool!). It provides just that extra amount of hold and oomph that you need when styling your hair for a special occasion or if you just want to amp it up on a particular day. Don't put too much of this near the roots, though - it can leave a greasy oily residue behind if there's too much in your hair. A golf ball-sized dollop usually does the trick for me.

Schwarzkopf Styliste Ultime Biotin + Volume & Texture Magic Volume Powder // This is still a fairly new-to-me product, but oh my goodness - this stuff is ah.mazing. This is the first volume powder that I've tried, and I would beg to argue that this is better than dry shampoo (which, I can't live without). This gives my hair crazy volume and texture, which is perfect for second and third day hair when I typically throw it in a messy bun. Just remember that a little goes a long way!

TRESemme 24-Hour Body Finishing Spray // This might be my favorite product of the bunch! This spray provides fantastic volume and hold to any hairstyle. It never gets crunchy, despite how much you might spray in your hair, and you can reuse it throughout the day if your hair starts to fall. I recently had this with me during bridesmaid duties at a wedding, and my hair looked just as full and voluminous at the end of the night as it did when I applied it pretty early in the morning.

So, if you are suffering from flat, lifeless hair, I hope that you give a few of these products a try to bring some volume and bounce back to your hair!

Thanks, Nadia for having me takeover your space today, and I hope some of you will stop over at Miss in the Midwest and say hello!

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Winter weather has finally caught up with us and whether or not you're dealing with harsh wind chills and freezing temperatures, a change of season often calls for a change in routine when it comes to skincare. While I don't think it's necessary to throw a routine that is working for you out the window, here are 3 simple steps you can take to bring some much needed hydration to dry winter skin. Thanks to Sibu Beauty for providing some of my new favourite products!

Layer Up

Now that sub-zero temperatures have arrived, my Vaseline spray lotion is feeling a bit light for the skin on my legs and arms especially. Layering my products has done amazing things for my skin! I love using the Body Shop Beautifying Dry Oil on my legs and sealing it in with the Sibu Beauty Body Cream. This combo has given me the softest legs of my entire life!

For a thick, hydrating lotion the Sibu Body Cream also absorbs really quickly into the skin so instead of washing it off after moisturizing my body like I normally I do, I leave it on my hands and apply my Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil to give my hands an extra boost during the super dry weather.

Tyler has also been battling some stubborn dry patches on his face and we've been layering the Hydrating Serum with the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, and I saw a huge difference in the dry patches within days!

Treat Yourself

I've recently been obsessed with face masks, and find myself making the time to do one almost every other day, and my skin has been feeling and looking amazing. The Peter Thomas Roth Gel Cucumber Mask is a long time favourite for hydrating parched skin, but the Rose Stem Cell Mask has been a recent love as well.

Once in a while opt out of the piping hot shower which dries out your skin even more, and treat yourself to a bath with a LUSH bath melt. They create a rich creamy bath that softens the skin while you relax!

Sleep On It

Sometimes thicker products are just necessary for getting the results that we need during the winter months, so use those 8 hours you're catching some zzz to get the most moisture into your skin. I think we've all heard it the "drink more water" speech before, but consider a humidifier to help restore moisture into the air that is taken away by dry indoor heaters. I got this one for Christmas and have been loving it!

Before getting into bed I apply the Sibu Miracle Stick on the backs of my arms where I get rough dry patches, as well as a little to my lips before I put on my PJs and head to bed. It is a thick product, but I let it work it's magic over night and my arms have never beens smoother!

What is your best tip for dealing with dry winter skin?

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We've covered the best skincare, haircare and nail products of 2015, so it's about time we got into the best of the best beauty of the year! Grab yourself a beverage and get comfy because I have a ton of amazing products to talk about today to wrap up my Hit List series for 2015!

Face

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ | This should come as no surprise to anyone who has read any of my makeup or favourites posts from the past six months.  Beautiful coverage and finish, an SPF of 50+ and great staying power made it my favourite product discovery of the spring. It's an easy one stop product that I wish came in more shades! 

Maybelline Master Concealer | I'm still an avid user of my Coastal Scents Camo Quad, but this concealer became a handbag staple for me this year. The formula isn't too dry and has amazing coverage so it's perfect for a quick touch up or travelling since it can be used under the eyes or to cover spots on the face. 

Maybelline Age Rewind Brightener | I rediscovered this product this year and have been using it every single day since. It immediately brings life to my face and makes me look awake and fresh even on days when I've gotten less sleep than I should have. 

Skindinavia Makeup Setting Sprays | I also began to really appreciate setting sprays this year as my skin became a touch more dry. I use it in the winter as my only setting product to avoid any dry patches from powdering, and as a finishing spray in the summer to avoid makeup meltdown. The regular setting spray is my favourite but the oil control version was great in the summer heat!

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette | These powders are a beautiful formula, and having an "all over" powder, highlight and bronzey shade in one palette makes it a perfect full face/travelling companion. I will say if you were to pick one I would go for the Dim Light, it leaves the skin with a beautiful soft focus finish that is like nothing else I've ever tried!

And once again Tarte's Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed had to make an appearance for the second year in a row because it is my HG blush!

Eyes

Naked2 Basics | This is the everyday eyeshadow palette of my dreams. I love the cooler tones which suit my light & cool features, and the mix of colours is perfect from day to night. I use every single shade in this palette which is rare so it had to be included!

Maybelline Lash Sensational + Jordana Best Lash Extreme + IT Cosmetics Tightline | This trio of mascaras made for the best lashes ever in 2015. I've loved the Jordana mascara for a long time because it is super dark and dramatic, but layering it over the Lash Sensational, which is great for lengthening and separating the lashes, was a match made in heaven. The Tightline's teeny tiny brush and smudge-proof formula made it perfect for getting right to the root of the lashes for natural day or on the lower lashes for a more dramatic look.

Stila Black Stay All Day Liquid Liner | I'm convinced this is the best black liner on the market, full stop. It's tip is flexible enough for the perfect feline flick, without being too flimsy and messy. It's rich and black and seriously stays. all. day. and a tube lasts me at least six months. I did try the brown and was a little disappointed so I would recommend sticking to black!

Sephora Cup of Joe Wink-It Felt Liner | I picked this up after my Stila disappointment and have worn it nearly every work day since.  I don't love the tip or staying power as much as the Stila liners but the colour is a perfect opaque dark cool-toned brown, and nothing else has beat it yet!

NYX Brow Mascara & Anastasia Brow Gel | This was definitely the year of brows for me, and what a difference a little attention to them has made! The NYX brow mascara is the perfect budget friendly one-step brow product that I use everyday to define and shape my brows. Nothing quite holds like the Anastasia gel though, and if I was looking for perfect brows from morning to night, this was my #1.

Lips

Maybelline Lust for Blush Color Whisper | This was without a doubt my most worn lip product of the entire year. The natural cool pink colour, the silky formula, and the fact that it smells like fruit loops meant that it lived in my purse for easy access all year long.

NYX Butter Gloss | I'm not usually a lip gloss girl but the formula of these is simply beautiful. Thick enough to stick around on the lips but not sticky, they are just so comfortable and moisturizing to wear. My favourite shade was Creme Brule, but it met an untimely death one day when I accidentally crushed the tube on the kitchen floor (oops). 

Maybelline Plum Please Color Blur | I had to throw this in as an honourable mention because the colour is so stunning! It's dark but still super flattering, and it's made an appearance in many blog posts in the past couple of months! 

If you managed to make it to the end, thank you so much for joining with me in 2015 and recommending some of your favourites in the comments! If you missed them, don't forget to check out my 2015 standouts in the skincare, haircare and nail product categories!

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Happy New Year friends! Anyone else not entirely looking forward to getting back into the regular swing of things at work/school? Well to soften the blow, let's get back to talking about the best of the best from 2015! Last week was all about skincare standouts, and today we'll be getting into the best of the best hair & nail care products of the year!

Hair Care

Live Clean Apple Cider Shampoo | I still haven't found my perfect everyday shampoo, but this clarifying shampoo made a big impression on me this year. It does the job of getting rid of any build up of product (I am a dry shampoo junkie after all) but always leaves my hair feeling soft and looking shiny - something I've never experienced from a clarifying shampoo!

Bumble & Bumble Invisible Oil | If you've been opposed to the feel or weight of hair oils in the past, you're going to want to give this one a shot. It is incredible at smoothing and protecting my hair without feeling thick or heavy. I got this last Christmas and have only used a quarter of the bottle, talk about value!

Macadamia Deep Repair Hair Masque and my It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In are two time winners  for the best moisturizing tag team for my hair. I tried so many other conditioners and leave in products but none could knock them out of the top spot!

Hair Styling

Batiste XXL Volume Dry Shampoo | If you've been following for any length of time you'll know that Batiste is my #1 when it comes to dry shampoo. This year the XXL version came into the picture for when I wanted long lasting volume in my super fine, flat hair. It adds a ton of grit and texture that allows the hair to build on itself without the need for teasing, but isn't super messy and doesn't leave my hair feeling greasy the next day like some other volume powders I've tried. 

The Wet Brush | My hairstylist used this once on my hair this year and I bought it on the spot. It's the best thing I've ever used for detangling damp hair! I still use last year's winner for the majority of my dry hair detangling, but this has taken the top spot for use after the shower!

Croc Clips & Meta Grip Bobby Pins | I almost completely abandoned the hair tie in favour of clips for overnight hair styling. Using bobby pins for my nightly top knot turned my naturally frizzy curls into voluminous waves, and the crocodile clips made original styling and keeping my styles in kink free a breeze.

Nail Care

ORLY Bonder Base Coat | Since my favourite Revlon Colourstay Base coat was discontinued, I had to go on a hunt this year to find a replacement. ORLY was the standout as the rubberized formula is amazing and gripping onto colour and extending the wear.

L'Oreal Infallible Nail Colour | The infallible formula was my favourite discovery of the past year, and I wore it on my nails all the time through the winter and fall of 2015. I even did a full review showing how it faired through nearly two weeks of wear time, and the results were amazing!

Essie "Ignite the Night" | The top polish shades of 2014 continued to live on my nails this year, but this shade is the most memorable new colour purchase I made in 2015 because it is literally so stunning on the nails! 

Sephora Instant Nail Polish Remover | Last, but definitely not least, this nail polish remover completely changed the game for me this year. It makes removing polish (even glitter!!) so quick and painless, that changing up polish colours was way less time consuming! No mess and no bulky packaging means this will likely have a permanent spot in my nail drawer for years to come!

Phew that was a long one! Is there anything in the hair/nail department I'm seriously missing out on? Let me know, and look for the grand finale of the Hit List coming on Wednesday: standout beauty products of the year!

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Another year is quickly coming to a close and that means it's time to kick off my Hit List series for 2015 - rounding up all of the standout products of the year, starting out with my must have skincare items. This category has grown quite a bit from last year so let's get cracking!

Face

New Appearances:

Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask | This mask may seem pretty boring, but it does incredible things for my skin. It was a lifesaver during our harsh winter last year and I kept loving it through the rest of the year for instantly making my face feel soft, smooth and hydrated.

Mario Bedescu Buffering Lotion | I've loved the Drying Cream for quite some time, but the Buffering Lotion was new to me this summer. I love that it's light and invisible and seems to do well with cystic acne which I was struggling more with in late summer/fall. It makes a difference without over drying, and I could wear it during the daytime under makeup which nudges it slightly over the Drying Cream. 

FAB Eye Duty Triple Remedy | This took the top spot for day eye cream this year without question. I don't have particularly puffy eyes so I can't vouch for that aspect, but it is definitely very hydrating and the peachy tone is amazing for helping conceal darkness before concealer. To see it in action you can check out my "No Makeup" Makeup look for how I use it even on lazy days!

RapidLash | My natural lashes have never looked better than in the past year when I started using this growth serum. Since I have hooded eyes, the longer and more full my lashes look, the better my makeup looks in general. I'm not one to fuss too often with false lashes so having great natural lashes has done wonders to improve my confidence with minimal makeup. I can see why people splash out for eyelash extensions! 

Repeat Winners:

Philosophy Purity Cleanser  | Garnier Gel Cream | Marcelle Micellar Solution | Clarins Radiance Plus Glow Booster

These products all kept their top spots from last year and are staples in my daily routine. I'm sure you've heard me go on about them many times but if you want more information, you can read all about them in last years skincare Hit List.

Body

This year there is a whole crop of new product winners in the body category!

Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer | I've mentioned a few times that I can be super lazy when it comes to moisturizing but it's an essential step for my skincare routine. The spray format and quick dry of this lotion have made it easily my most used of the year. Even though it is quick to absorb it still leaves the skin feeling comfortable and soft, and doesn't irritate my sensitive legs.

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil | This is shower oil is my #1 favourite body product discovery of the year. The feel of this cleanser is unlike anything I've ever tried and leaves my skin feeling heavenly. It is pricey but I've had this bottle since the summer and it's still going strong, which is 100% worth the price to me!

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub | Exfoliation is a big part of my shower routine, and you just can't beat when you get the best of both worlds in performance and price. The Tree Hut scrubs are just the right amount of grit without being too harsh, rinse clean without any sort of residue, and all smell incredible for just over $5.

What were your skincare standouts for the year?

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Can you guys believe that it is the week of Christmas already? I feel like just yesterday it was Halloween, but soon we'll be talking 2015 favourites! I've been powering through the ends of tons of products lately so it felt like time to clean out the trash and see what worked and what didn't. Look for even more empties come the new year!

Once again I feel like I need to apologize for things being pretty quiet around here lately. Extra exciting stuff at work has made for some extra long days and weekends are full of house hunting (!!) and holiday festivities. December has seriously just flown by! I'm looking forward to the next two weeks to have a little bit of time to get myself back on track. Nothing like a new year to jump start the organization process right? Thank you all again for bearing with me during the rough patch that has been this fall. I seriously appreciate every one of you that keeps coming back to read! Now let's get back to the products shall we:

RapidLash Serum | I bought this product when I was on vacation last year, and at first it was difficult to remember to apply at night so I was using it sporadically and wasn't seeing crazy results. In the last maybe 6 months I've finally gotten the hang of including it in my routine and I noticed a huge difference in the length of my eyelashes! I'm already using my second tube of this and thought to take some before photos this time so keep an eye out for a full before/after review!

Recommendation? If you looking for a growth serum to try, I highly recommend this one. Just make sure you are applying regularly to see best results. I believe Costco sells a double pack for the same price as one tube at any other store so be on the lookout!

Aveeno Positively Radiant Toner | This was a product I loved using back before I discovered Micellar waters for that last bit of cleansing before adding your mosturizer. It was gentle and didn't strip the skin like many other toner/astrigent type products I had tried previously.

Recommendation? I don't use a separate toner now because I feel that a micellar water does double-duty, but if you are a toner fan this one was very nice for sensitive skin!

Maybelline Lash Sensational | When I first tried this mascara I wasn't super impressed, but as the formula dried and thickened a bit it became one of my very favourites from the drugstore. The wand/bristles are the perfect shape/length to really separate, lengthen, and fan out the lashes.

Recommendation? If you're looking for a new drugstore mascara to test out, definitely give this one a try!

Dove Cream-Oil Body Wash | I rediscovered this in my collection last year during the harsh winter, and have been loving it ever since. It is a thick, creamy body wash that leaves the skin feeling clean but not stripped. The Rose Oil scent was also really nice!

Recommendation? They don't sell this particular product any more, but the Winter Care body wash I've heard is very similar. Dove body washes are definitely some of my favourites!

I think by now you all know how much I love and recommend the Marcelle cleansing water, Macadamia hair masque & Batiste dry shampoo, but if you're looking for more information you can click any of the links to read more. I will say that I wish we could find the Fresh sent of Batiste in Canada, because I think it is my new favourite!

Have you been purging your stash of almost-used products in time for the new year? What have you used up recently?

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