Burberry Earthy Blush and Highlighting Luminous Pen*

*Press Sample

As far as I can tell, Burberry's Earthy Blush* has been surprising every blogger I've read that has used it. It's been sold out on Sephora's website for a while (thanks VIB sales...) and though it might not look like much in the pan, once applied, you will understand why you need this. Add on some of Burberry's Highlighting Luminous Pen* and your cheeks might be ready for about anything.

OPI Starlight Holiday 2015 Polish Collection*

*Press Sample

The OPI Starlight Holiday 2015 LE Polishes* ($11.50CDN each) have landed in stores and this year's theme draws from the stars and the range is full of glittery and cosmic inspired shades.

Food or Flowers? (ft L'Occitane x Pierre Herme Jasmin-Immortelle-Neroli and Grapefruit-Rhubarbe Collection)*

*Press Samples

The CBB recently worked on a campaign with a perfume brand where individuals got to choose scents in the line and I was overwhelmed with the number of individuals who chose food related scents. Well, the latest collaboration from L'Occitane with Pierre Hermé (of macaron and pastry making fame), gives you an option for both food and florals. Which would you choose?

Burberry First Kiss Fresh Glow Lip Balm in Crushed Red*

*Press Sample

When Gummy first tried the Burberry First Kiss Fresh Glow lip Balms*, I was skeptical about these. But she's tried them, and I've tried them, and we both agree these are great!

Strange Conclusions with Thierry Mugler's Alien*

*Press sample

An application of Thierry Mugler's Alien* ($96CDN, 30ml/ $98CDN for the 40ml LE 10th Anniversary Bottle) is nothing less than a bazaar scent experience. The amethyst inspired bottle houses an Oriental Woody fragrance that is as foreign as its name.

Burberry Khaki Green

It's interesting that my tastes still change over time in leaps and bounds and not just by degrees. Maybe because I became comfortable using the more cool toned Dior holiday palette (review to come) or maybe for some other reason, but I'm liking the cooler tone of Burberry's Khaki Green ($33CDN, 0.09oz) eyeshadow even though I've traditionally favoured warmer shades.

Life Lately: Words and Workouts

In this video I talk about:

- what I've been up to

- 2 quotes

- Kayla Itsine's Bikini Body Guides

What are some words that have meaning for you?

AmorePacific CC Cushion Compact - 104 and 204*

*Press Sample

I've waited a long time to try out a cushion compact because I'm still getting through a lot of my foundations (and have given some away) but when you can sent an email asking if you're interested to test out AMOREPACIFIC's Color Control Cushion Compact* ($72CDN, 1x15ml)...welll, you don't say no.

My Burberry Eau de Toilette* - A Brief History Lesson

*Press sample

Certain thing have maintained their importance even as periods change; the Burberry trench is one such item. Through a brief google-fest, I learned so many interesting historic facts about Burberry and their trench coats. Though a $1500 jacket isn't affordable the My Burberry Eau de Toilette* ($80CDN for 50ml, $105CDN for 90ml) which takes inspiration from the house's trench is more easily attainable and a neat way to take part in some of that history.

Creamy, Too Creamy - Diorific Matte Velvet Lipsticks - Radieuse, Fascinante, Fabuleuse, Fantastique*

*Press samples

I've come to the realization that there is such as thing as too creamy. The Dior Diorific Mat Velvet Lipsticks ($45CDN) in Radieuse, Fascinante, Fabuleuse and Fantastique come in an exceptionally creamy formula that, for all its advertised benefits, might just be too much of a good thing.

OK, It Works (Really Well) - Kiss InstaWave Automatic Curler*

I like my hair. I like my hair short. But sometimes (just sometimes) I wish I had long flowing hair that I could style every which way or into curls (and I know that David wishes that too). I received the Kiss InstaWave Automatic Curler* ($69.95 CDN at Walmart) at a press function and was instantly skeptical. I was ready to call out "gimmick!" and set it aside but the Kiss reps told me that it the curler would work for short hair too. 

Deliveries and Purchases

Hey dude,

Haven't done a video in a while...so here's my first one back!

Just a short thing on what I've gotten in the mail and what I've purchased recently. I enjoy reading/seeing these posts from other bloggers so I thought I'd try my hand on one as well. 

Tell me what you think! Any purchases/deliveries lately?

Pseudo-Szechuan Eggplant and Chicken

Sometimes I have a few ingredients in the fridge and I don't quite know what I'm going to do with them. I saw some eggplant and chicken and I was feeling like something salty and spicy so I mixed up this impromptu not-quite-szechuan-but-trying dish.

SPF Everything!

During my trip to Asia I didn't wear a lot of makeup because I knew that 40C weather with a humidity of 90% was a 'no-makeup' zone for me. Thick paint of make up? No thank! Sweat mixing in with my foundation? Gross. My preference hinged on two truths: puddles produced from the makeup that has slid off your face and more importantly the crispy skin look from sun burns is not attractive.  Truthfully, in such weather, sun protection is infinitely more important to me than 'looking pretty' but I was still happy to find that I could wear some lip color since the Maybelline Baby Lips have SPF 15. 

 I still find it difficult to find a light weight, tinted, moisturizing lip product with SPF and I really wish more companies would create such products. Though I have yet to really delve into Avon, I have to say I'm pleased that they have their Avon Beyond Color SPF 15 Lipsticks* ($12CDN, 3g).

Currently Reading #8: On Being Creative

It takes a lot to be creative. Unlike some artistic superstars out there, every word and photo for this blog is a hard fought battle where I have to pull, squeeze and wring from my brain the few drops of gold that are steeping there. But I still persevere and because I think creativity is a muscle, I have been playing around with some books to help me exercise that skill a little bit more.

Much Better than Before - Dior Blazing Gold*

*press sample

I like to think that as I age, I get better over time and I improve upon my mistakes. Sometimes you wish that of some other people too and sometimes you wish that of prodcuts. Though the Dior seasonal eyeshadow palettes haven't been a hit with me, this year's Holiday collection which includes the 5 Couleurs State of Gold Palette in Blazing Gold* ($70CDN), is much different from more recent releases.

DIY Makeup Storage Drawer Dividers

I think I finally have all the storage space I want to hold my makeup collection.

After considering the default blogger option (the 9 drawer Alex) I opted out for a two reasons:

1) more space means more unintentional hoarding

2) the tall set of white drawers doesn't fit in our bedroom

But I did end up with other storage that works. I stole a page from Zubie and recreated her desk for my own/David's space and opted for the shorter Alex drawer system (5 drawers) which I found off craigslist for $60. This gave me 7 drawers worth of space in a much more flexible configuration since we've tucked the Alex into the closet.

 Merely having space is but part of the equation. After staring long and hard into the depths of the internet for ideas on how to (as David puts it) making every inch of space as efficient as possible, I nixed the buying-plastic-drawer-compartments route, and chose the (somewhat) less expensive but more time intensive option of creating some DIY drawer dividers.