Happy New Year! Makeup and Favorite Photos of 2014

I hope everyone had a great holiday and a fabulous New Year's Eve! Many people signify the beginning of the year with a fresh start, setting new goals and exploring possibilities. Whether you follow through with a diet plan, get promoted or find love just remember that it is never too late to go after what you want! Any day can be a turning point, so don’t feel discouraged if life doesn't always follow the path you expect.

I don’t make resolutions anymore because I am constantly changing my goals throughout the year. I always wish for success in all my endeavors and a happy, healthy life for me and my family. I know that it takes patience, hard work and determination to achieve anything worthwhile so I try to stay positive and dispel negativity.

2014 passed by in a flash of trips, fun and new experiences. From: California, Spain, Rome, Venice, Jamaica, Hawaii, Mexico and New Orleans I was truly blessed with some amazing opportunities and I was able to see a bit more of the world!

For New Year’s Eve I had a quiet evening with lots of champagne, food and family. It was freezing here in Toronto so I avoided the outdoors and stayed warm and cozy. Usually I break out the sparkle and do something dramatic with my makeup but since I didn't feel like spending weeks cleaning up loose glitter from every surface in my house, I decided to go simple.

I created a smokey eye using a chrome/silver shadow and paired it with black shadow in the crease and a matte brow highlight. On my lips I wore a nude/pink gloss by Stila in the shade 06 Vinyl Nude.

And now for some of my favorite photos of the year!

Los Angles

Barcelona Spain

Rome Italy

Venice Italy

Jamaica

Honolulu Hawaii

Maui Hawaii

Cozumel Mexico

New Orleans

I wish you all success, good health and much happiness in 2015!

Real Purity Cosmetics

Real Purity is a brand that focuses on quality ingredients and cruelty free makeup that is safe, non-irritating and environmentally friendly. It is a family owned beauty company that sells everything from bath items, cosmetics and skin care products.

Today I have a review on makeup by Real Purity in some beautiful shades. I have been trying these items for weeks now and I am really enjoying them.

Frosted Orchid Powder Blush

Real Purity sells a great selection of blushes in some pretty colors but one that caught my attention right away was Frosted Orchid.

This blush is a purple-pink shade and since I didn't have anything quite like it in my collection I had to try it. On the website the blush appears to be very purple but it is actually more pink; nevertheless it is a beautiful shade. On the skin it shows up as a deep berry color which is very appealing.

The blush is smooth and buildable. You can create soft or bold looks and applying less or more produces a totally different appearance and effect. The formula is non-chalky and contains no shimmer whatsoever so you get pure color without any silver based highlight on top. This shade is suitable for both cool and warm skin tones.

The packaging is very simple and goes with the theme of the brand. The blush retails for $15 for the full size (20 oz) and samples are available so you can test colors to determine what works best for you.

 Parfait Powder Blush

Parfait is a light, subtle pink that highlights the face without sparkle. On the website this pink is described as “bubble gum pink” but it does not give off any harsh tones, just pretty accentuating color that shows up slightly frosted. It is best suited for “cool skin tones” although on warm tones it works well to brighten the face. This is a lovely pink for spring.

This blush also retails for $15 dollars and a sample is available, you can find more information HERE 

Berry Crème Blush

I like to go subtle and soft but sometimes I want something a bit more fun and vibrant. This crème blush in the color Berry is a rich raspberry shade that is ultra creamy! My favorite way to apply cream blush is simply using my fingertips, I pat the blush on and blend it out where I want it to sit. The texture of this blush slides on so smooth that it would have been a great idea to make it into a multi-purpose product for use on the lips as well.

The blush contains sunflower oil, jojoba seed oil and vanilla and grape extract. Although the shade may look a bit daunting to some you don’t have to cake it on! Don’t let the color intimidate; a little dab onto the apples of the cheeks gives gorgeous, healthy color to the face.

The great thing about this blush is that unlike other crèmes that may dry out over time this one stays smooth because of all the beneficial oils. The crème blushes come in 2 other appealing shades and retails for $15 each. You can find more information HERE 

 Heavy Swatches

I heavily swatched these blushes to demonstrate just how pigmented they can get but on the face you would use them a lot more sparingly! 

Subtle swatches

I also swatched the blushes lightly to demonstrate how subtle and soft they can appear.

As you can see from the two sets of swatches these blushes are very buildable and provide a nice range of saturation to work with.

Real Purity Lipstick in the color Parfait

Infused with castor oil, aloe and sweet almond oil this lipstick is creamy, smooth and highly pigmented.The pink is intense and bright making it ideal for spring and summer. The lipsticks by Real Purity are designed to "plump the lips and be a powerful antioxidant." 

The lipstick is also non-drying,  feels comfortable on the lips and is not prone to feathering. This is a great medium pink hue for a wide range of skin tones and the packaging is simple yet chic. I also like that the formula does not stain, it glides on easy and once removed my lips feel smooth and slightly moisturized. 

These lipsticks come in a variety of pretty colors and retail for $15 each. You can find them HERE

You can find  more great cosmetics from Real Purity at: realpurity.com

**Disclaimer: These products were provided to me for a sponsored review courtesy of Real Purity. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based on my experience with the products. Results may vary based on individual use.**

Vegan Cuts Beauty Box Review

Vegan Cuts is a company that sells a variety of natural and cruelty free products including beauty items, fashion and food. Today I am going to be reviewing the Vegan Cuts beauty box.

How it works

This monthly subscription box offers a delivery of 4-7 cosmetic or skin care samples every month for $19.95. It is suitable for people who prefer environmentally friendly beauty products that are safe and mostly organic. The box ships out on the 17^th of each month.

I love natural products especially when they work, so I am reviewing the January beauty box. I received 2 full sized products, 2 medium samples and 3 small packets. The box comes with a card that lists all of the products with a short description of each.

Aubrey Organics NuStyle Organic detangler & shine booster

Aubrey Organics is a line I have come across before although had never used. This spray is certified organic and came in a 30 ml sample bottle. It is made with quinoa and protein to smooth tangles, strengthen the hair & cuticle, repair damaged ends, replenish the scalp and tame frizz. It also contains: aloe, primrose, lavender, orange, lemon, lime, eucalyptus and more.

This is a good sample for me because I have naturally curly hair that has its frizzy moments and takes a while to detangle. Although this product may come in handy I don’t care for the smell and I may need to use a lot for long thick hair. The full size bottle retails for $9.95 per 148 ml.

Ofra Cosmetics Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick

This liquid lipstick was one of the full sized products in the box and my favorite item. This color is called Plumas, a very pretty bronze shade with a slight sheen. I like the texture of this product; it reminds me of a smooth lip cream, very dense and pigmented although a bit thick. It glides on smoothly and looks rather matte on the lips. I love the smell; to me it resembles the scent of cake batter!

The liquid lipstick retails for $19.90 which is the price of the entire beauty box!

Bamboo Charcoal Dew Puff

Dew Puff konjac sponge is a product I have tried and reviewed before. If you saw that review you know that I like knojac sponges, they are great for gentle cleansing and making the skin feel soft. This sponge has natural antioxidants for blemish prone skin and was actually my favorite type of puff. The box contained a full sized konjac puff.

 The Dew Puffs retail for $7 each and you can find my full review on them by clicking HERE 

Primal Pit Paste

I have tried natural deodorants before without much success but they are healthier since they are aluminum free. This deodorant is a creamy white paste that you apply to the armpits to help control odor and keep fresh. It contains: shea butter, arrowroot, coconut oil, baking soda, thyme and lemon grass. The paste comes in different scents, the one in this box is called thyme and lemongrass and I don’t care for the smell, to me it is quite strong and resembles ginger. Although the paste looks white when you rub it into the skin it blends out for a translucent application.

The sample is .25 oz and the regular size is 2oz and retails for $8.95

Sample Packs

Also in the box were small sample packs of the Better Botanicals jojoba clarifying scrub and the coriander balancing cleanser. These products are jam packed with natural ingredients. The cleanser is suppose to “eliminate impurities, remove makeup and excess oil while refreshing and detoxifying the skin.” The scrub helps polish the skin and is gentle enough for everyday use.

The last sample is a small packet of Biao Beauty rejuvenating night cream; it is suppose to “rejuvenate and moisturize the skin.”

Final Thoughts

This box is not bad for those who have negative reactions to many of the chemicals found in most beauty products.  It is good for testing out natural and organic products in order to determine what works for you. Some products were a hit for me while others were not. I like the ingredients in most of these samples and I think if the box contained more makeup items I would have liked it even more.

You can find more information on this beauty box at: Vegan Cuts Beauty Box

**Disclaimer: These products were provided to me for a sponsored review courtesy of Vegan Cuts. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based on my experience with the products. Results may vary based on individual use.**

Red Apple Lipstick Review

Today I am going to review some of my new favorite lipsticks from Red Apple. If you haven’t yet seen these lipsticks circling the web, Red Apple is a company that specializes in chemical free, safe lip products as well as lip gloss, lip pencils, balms, eye shadow, exfoliates and more!

What makes Red Apple so different is that the company strives to offer everything you could ever want in a lipstick. Their lipsticks are “ safe, smooth, moisturizing, buildable and blendable” instead of thick and waxy. I love lipsticks that have great all in one formulas so that I can achieve amazing color while still having soft supple lips even during the winter.

Another very unique thing about these lipsticks is that the company makes them in small batches instead of mass production so that when they are delivered to you they are fresh and new! You can also blend different shades together to create your own unique custom shades!

Benefits of Red Apple Lipstick:

*All natural

*Gluten free

*Cruelty free

*Vegan

*Allergen free

*Paraben free

*Petroleum free

*Contains vitamin E

*Improves the health of your lips

 * Free of harmful ingredients 

* Free of synthetic fragrance

*Lead free

Packaging:

The packaging of these lip products is simple yet chic. I like the design and the names of each lipstick is located at the bottom of the tube.

The lipsticks come in a wide variety of beautiful shades from lighter hues to dark rich colors. They also have different finishes, some shades contain shimmer while others do not. The photos of the lipsticks on the website are a pretty good representation of the actual colors and I like that applying a color sheer or heavy can result in a different finish and look.

Satisfaction Guarantee:

Red Apple has so much confidence in their lipsticks that they let you try them out for 6 months after your purchase and if you are not satisfied for any reason they will issue an exchange or refund; although I doubt you will want to return these gorgeous lipsticks, in fact you may become a little addicted to them like I am!

Shipping:

Shipping was fast even during the holiday season and the lipsticks came in a cute drawstring eco friendly bag.

The first lipstick I am going to review is called Hibiskiss which is a best seller on the website. It says that the color is a “vibrant true raspberry” and it is a very beautiful pink berry tone. It retails for $23.50

Hibiskiss is a great shade for all skin tones and it is suitable for every season. I love the formula! It glides over the lips very smoothly and it is rich, highly pigmented, creamy and velvety. I also like that this color is glitter free and it isn't glossy looking. The formula is very comfortable to wear because it is non-drying and quite moisturizing. I like that after application is stays in place and it contains 100% cold pressed sunflower, shea butter and vitamin E.

This next lipstick is called Coral Crush. Coral has been a very trendy color for the last few summers and I like wearing this shade all year long. (Retail price $23.50)

This shade is a true coral, encompassing a beautiful combination of pink and orange, it is also the most requested color the company has created and now I know why. I love how this color looks on my skin tone and I like that the formula is also soft, smooth and shimmer free with a bit of a sheen finish. This coral can work well for many people because the orange is not very harsh or bright and it contains a slight coppery layer that makes it easy to pull off. 

The last lipstick I am going to review is my favorite color called Rebel. I am drawn to rich bold shades so for me this was an obvious choice.

This red is blue based which can help make your smile appear whiter. I like that this red is warm and not too harsh. It is also shimmer and shine free and quite long lasting. 

This lipstick contains shea butter, jojoba seed oil and avocado oil which is probably why it is provides a wonderful amount of hydration. All of these lipsticks are great for winter because they help keep dry chapped lips in check while still providing a great color payoff. 

Swatches

Here are photos of the swatches

I love these lipsticks! I can see why the company is so confident in their products because these formulas are amazing! They glide over the lips in a buttery soft way and the colors are highly pigmented, easy to apply and gorgeous. If you suffer from dry lips or have adverse reactions to many of the cosmetic lines out there then these products may be great for you.

In the past I have purchased lipsticks from well known brands for around the same price range and I have to say that these lipsticks are better than many of those. After trying them I want to place an order for more! The website also offers package deals so you can get a group of lipsticks at a reduced price.

You can find more information on the website at: Red Apple Lipstick

You can also find Red Apple on:

YOUTUBE

TWITTER

FACEBOOK

**Disclaimer: These products were provided to me for a sponsored review courtesy of Red Apple Lipstick. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based on my experience with the products. Results may vary based on individual use.**