Charm Bracelet Giveaway WINNER!!

I had a great time running this giveaway and it was a pleasure reading all of your comments and finding out where your dream vacation destinations are. Many of you dream of traveling to some amazing and exotic places and I hope you all make it there one day. 

 “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

There were a whopping 15,160 entries in this giveaway so thank you to everyone who stopped by! And without further adieu the winner is.... Lisa k!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations Lisa, I hope you enjoy the bracelet!

NEW GIVEAWAY COMING SOON.....

To everyone else who reads Diary of a Trendaholic and stops by often I thank you and appreciate your support. I will be posting another giveaway soon and this one will include makeup from some fabulous brands including:

*Maybelline

*Loreal

* Mary Kay

*Broadway nails

*Essence cosmetics

*Almay

This giveaway will also include a couple limited edition items so if you didn't win this one don't worry just swing by again for another chance!

Yves Rocher Summer 2014 Collection Review

Summer is not over yet and despite the fact that fall is just around the corner I am still wearing bright colors and fun, eye catching shades. This summer Yves Rocher launched a fabulous summer collection which includes everything from fragrance, polish, gloss, bronzer, shadows and more! The theme captures the essence of summer by the Mediterranean Sea and incorporates varying shades of blues, sandy bronze, sparkling gold and sunny yellows. The collection also includes shades that can transition from summer to fall such as: pink, navy and brown.

 3 Pearl Effect Eye Shadows – retail price: $9.95

I like that the bronze and nude shades in this palette provide illuminating shimmer and match beautifully with the deep blue. Although the palette is small it is ideal for travel and the shadows have a silky smooth texture and good pigmentation. They can also be used to create both neutral and bold looks to transition from light and playful during the day to sultry and smokey for evening wear.

Swatches

Summer Collection Eye Pencils- retail price: $5.95 ea

These smooth, bright pencils glide on effortlessly for bold summer eyes. The 4 available shades are reminiscent of the beach and designed to illuminate your look and boost your tan. I like the creamy texture and the ease of blending and application but they do require sharpening and the Royal Blue shade looks more like deep purple. These trendy shadows provide long-lasting color and work best over primer; they are also safe for sensitive eyes and can be used as liners!

Swatches

Mini Summer Nail Polish- retail price: $2.95 ea

For stunning summer nails Yves Rocher has also added 5 great nail colors to the collection. These little beauties are the ideal size for travel and painting your nails as you lounge on a patio. There is even a crackle effect polish available for those who enjoy nail art.

Many of the colors are also suitable for every season and work well for both manis and pedis. They contain full size, thin brushes that make the polish easy to apply and they dry rather quickly.

Bronzing Powder in 3 earthy shades- retail price: $9.95

I love a good multi-purpose product and this lovely bronzer provides subtle highlight for luminous looking skin. It was designed to work for every skin tone and you can wear each shade individually or all together. The formula is light-weight and although it isn't really suited for contouring and shaping it looks lovely dusted lightly on the cheekbones and along the nose.

Glitter Mascara- retail price: $4.95

If you want your lashes to “shine bright like a diamond” then this golden glittery mascara is for you! The light reflecting non-clump formula illuminates eyes for a dramatic, show-stopping effect and the ingredients are gentle on sensitive eyes. The spiral applicator may not produce ultra thickness but you will get a pop of unique color.

Lip Gloss- retail price $4.95 ea

For me no look is complete without lipstick or gloss, this collection has three shades ranging from subtle, shimmery and bold! My favorite is the Bright Pink with red undertones but if you prefer lighter colors then Golden Beige and Copper Sun also offer luminous shine and wonderful hydration. The formula has a non-sticky gel consistency and is infused with raspberry extract to provide paraben free, pretty color that works well for all complexions.  

Swacthes

Overall this collection is gorgeous and for the affordable price the quality is fantastic! If you haven't checked out this line yet I definitely recommend heading to your nearest  Yves Rocher store. You can also find the full collection online by clicking HERE

*Disclaimer: Products were provided for a review

Silk Naturals Mineral Eye Shadow Review

When I find products that are affordable, great quality and safe it keeps me going back for more. In March I reviewed the beautiful mineral eye shadows from Silk Naturals and today I have even more gorgeous colors to share.

Silk Naturals is a company that strives to create homemade beauty products with more natural ingredients including vegan and gluten free options. The loose pigments are my favorite items from the brand because of the vivid, vivacious colors! These shadows are highly saturated, easy to build and there are over 275 shades available! With so much variety it is difficult to pick favorites and the swatches online do not express the amazing multi-dimensional shimmer, deep rich hues and smooth texture.

The shadows come in small jars with a sifter top that is easily removable and each 5g jar contains about ¾ teaspoon of pigment. With these shadows a little goes a long way and the texture is soft, fine and easy to apply for non-creasing, long-wear coverage. They are also available in matte, shimmer and glitter finishes.

The shades I have are:

*Loaded- a rose gold

*Kick- this purple is not as solid as the others; it is slightly transparent with a layer of pretty glitter

*Vandal-deep shimmery blue

*Element- a true Midas gold that is yellow based

*Rouge- light shimmery blue

*Swamp-  matte, light green, (a bit darker than lime green)

*Burnout-shimmery, deep burgundy/plum

*Magpie- shimmery blue/silver (but up close it seems to contain flecks of sea foam green!)

(swatched over Silk Natural's Stick em primer)

My favorite blue shadow called Paranormal is from this brand and I love how easy they blend. I prefer loose pigments because the color pay-off is usually more intense than the pressed variety and provide a wider range of saturation to play with. When paired with Silk Natural’s Stick em primer the shadows adhere well to skin and look stunning!

If you are new to loose shadow I recommend using the following method of application:

1. Refrain from applying face makeup such as: foundation, concealer, blush etc until AFTER you complete your eye makeup. This reduces the chance of fall-out messing up your makeup.

2. Use a flat shadow brush and dab it into the pigment

3. Gently knock off excess shadow on the side of the jar to help prevent fall-out

4. Using small dabbing motions press the pigment onto the lids starting at the center and working your way out.

5. Build up the color to your desired saturation

(Lid color: Loaded)

This brand has something for every skin tone and satisfies every preference; whether you like neutrals, medium tones or brights. There are also colors available for every season and occasion and the shimmer colors catch the light and look beautifully iridescent in the summer. I definitely recommend trying these pigments and they make a fabulous gift for any makeup lover! They retail for just $4.50 each and you can check out the website by clicking HERE.

 **Disclaimer: These products were provided for review. 

Summer Essentials: Clarins High Protection Sunscreen for Face Review

I like to make the most of summer by spending a lot of time outdoors, soaking up some sun and sipping a cold drink but the beautiful weather also comes with an increase in the UV index. Prolonged sun exposure can take quite a toll on skin and may cause sun spots and premature wrinkles. Clarins has developed a wonderful sun protection line that includes some great beach bag essentials. The line focuses on preserving the skin’s health and beauty while efficiently protecting against sun damage.

Today I will review the Sunscreen Control Face Cream with very high broad spectrum protection and SPF 30. The sunscreen is also available in SPF 15, 20, 50+ and includes lotions, body milks, sprays and sticks. Tanning occurs naturally with prolonged sun exposure and Clarin’s sunscreens are designed to promote an even tan to ensure a beautiful glow.

Unlike many sunscreens this one smells great and leaves my skin feeling hydrated and supple with no need for additional moisturizers. The formula is non-greasy and non-sticky which works well under makeup. It is formulated for sensitive skin or those exposed to intense sunlight and it even protects against wrinkles and sun induced age spots. The texture can feel thick if applied too heavily so I use a thin layer and blend it well for a lighter consistency.

Last week when I was in Jamaica this sunscreen was front and center while I was lounging on the beach and swinging lazily in a hammock under a big mango tree.

The directions indicate that you should apply the cream 15-20 minutes prior to exposure and reapply after swimming and excessive sweating. The cream is formulated with natural plant extracts to nourish skin and it has done a great job protecting me this summer.

The sunscreen retails for $34.00 and you can find it online by clicking HERE and at select retailers including Shoppers Drug Mart.

**Disclaimer: This product was provided for review. 

Ceramic Glaze Island Paradise Collection Review

Today I have a review on some fun, tropical nail colors by Ceramic Glaze. If you haven’t tried this line yet you are missing out on some seriously gorgeous shades that are perfect for bright summer manicures and pedicures.

Ceramic Glaze is created by the makers of China Glaze and their Island Paradise Collection is available in 24 playful colors. The polishes are formulated to be available in both shiny and matte finishes however despite the label "long lasting shine" the shades were all matte. Simply applying a top coat will result in glossy nails if you prefer that effect. 

Aside from the brilliant color these polishes dry very quickly which is big selling point for impatient home manicurists like me. By the time I am done painting my second hand, my first hand is dry and I can add my fast drying top coat and be out the door!

The colors apply as vibrant as they appear in the bottles and although the formula is a tad thin I had no trouble with application. Because the polish dries so fast you do have to be quick with making corrections but two coats was enough for opaque coverage.

The shades I have are: 400 Exotic Dragon Fruit which is a lively bright pink that is great for a pedicure! 402 Watermelon Cooler is a pretty blue that reminds me of the Caribbean and Moji-Toes is a neon green polish with a touch of yellow. I added a glossy top coat to enhance the colors and I recommend using a good non-chip, long-wear top coat if you want your manicure to last a few days.

In Canada the polishes retail for $11.00 each exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.

**Disclaimer: These products were provided for review 

Jamaica, Photos, Travel and Tourism

Last month I traveled to Spain and Italy visiting Barcelona, Venice and Rome and I showcased some of my favorite photos from my trip. Last Friday I made my way to sunny Jamaica for a 4 day mini getaway that was picturesque and relaxing. This wasn't my first time visiting Jamaica, in fact I have been there about 7 times and it remains one of my favorite Caribbean destinations due to the abundance of beautiful tourist sites, attractions, festivals, beaches, shopping and food. While some small islands lack enough activities and sites to keep you stimulated  for more than a few days, you could spend weeks in Jamaica and not run out of things to see and do! 

Emancipation Park-Kingston Jamaica

I began my journey in Kingston which is the capital and largest city in Jamaica.We rented a car to get around but be advised that driving on the island is not for the faint of heart. The pace is fast and people tend not to display much patience before cutting you off and weaving in front of you! Car rentals are a lot cheaper in town than at the airport and if you stick to the main roads and follow a navigation system it can be safer than public transportation. Shuttle services may also be available from your hotel.

We stayed close to Emancipation Park which is a charming spot to spend an afternoon in the warm Caribbean breeze. The average temperature last week in July was about 40 degrees Celsius or 104 Fahrenheit.  

Emancipation Park

The hotel I stayed at in Kingston is called The Spanish Court and for $170 per night it offered a beautiful patio and pool, breakfast, posh modern decor, internet and a spa. Security is high and the service is great so I definitely recommend this hotel if you are staying in town.

The Spanish Court hotel patio

No visit to Kingston is complete without stopping at the famous Devon House, a mansion that was owned by Jamaica’s first millionaire. Devon house serves some of the best ice cream I've ever tasted, my favorite flavor being grape nut. Jamaica is also famous for their spicy jerk chicken, slow cooked over a bed of wood and covered with tin to seal in the flavor! If you are ever in Kingston I recommend stopping by Scotchies for some fall-off-the-bone, delicious chicken.

Devon House

After a couple nights in Kingston we drove through the lush green mountains towards Ocho Rios before our final stop in Runaway Bay. The drive was gloriously scenic as our car circled up winding mountain roads with plunging views of the beaches below. The air was warm and clean, sparkling rivers cut through the trees and wild horses grazed the fields.

Along the way local merchants sell fragrant bags of fresh fruit by the road and because the exchange rate is about $1.00 Canadian to $100.00 Jamaican dollars you can purchase bags of mango, plums, banana, and pineapple for just one dollar! If you are in the mood for a spicy Jamaican patty my favorite is Tastees restaurant which can be found in almost any town.

roadside fruit stand

Driving through Fern Gully in Ocho Rios where the vegetation surrounds the road is like passing through a rich jungle teeming with the shrill sounds of wild birds and other unseen animals. Goats and wild dogs graze by the roadside and the thick treetops block out most of the sun. If you look at the photo below you can just make out the road winding its way through the foliage. 

Fern Gully

If you stop along the way you can find some hidden treasures like this little waterfall tucked away from view.

When we reached the resort I was relaxed and ready to enjoy the final days of my vacation. Although it was very warm the cool breeze blowing off the water and the shade of palm trees provided instant relief.

My husband and I stayed at the Royal Decameron All Inclusive Beach Club in Runaway Bay and the grounds were spectacular. Private bungalows, fruit trees and colorful flowers adorned the resort and each night offered great entertainment. The resort  also offered two restaurants, a small buffet, night club, water sports and all the delicious cocktails you can drink! There is room for improvement however since the service was inconsistent and the check in process and room preparation took a long time.  

Royal Decameron Beach Resort

Banana tree

seaside dining

We spent two days lounging on the beach enjoying the warm sun and cool salty breeze, swimming in the crystal water and gently swinging in a wicker hammock hanging from a ripe mango tree, it was the epitome of relaxation! 

The dinning atmosphere was incredibly romantic; we ate our meals by candlelight on the beach, sitting under a canopy of stars and listening to the calming waves crash against the shore. We watched the sun set and took leisurely moonlit strolls along the beach while enjoying the cool sand and the soothing sounds of reggae music. 

It was definitely a fantastic trip! If you haven’t experienced the wonders of Jamaica add it to your bucket list!