Majorly Crushing on this Coat...

Kimchi Blue Ice Skater Coat, from Urban Outfitters

I wonder if they have it in my Urban Outfitters down the street...

Confessions: Purchasing on a Makeup Ban.

So as my previous post stated, my No Makeup Buying Period is over early. I do think it helped me fend off a lot of temptation, making me re-think about whether I should purchase a product or not.

Because I've been a terrible promise keeper, I might as well tell you guys what I got! Yay!

1. MAC "All That Glitters" and MAC "Soft Brown" Eyeshadows. These two are great basics. I find that I'm getting more attracted to neutrals these days.
   
2. Ardell "Wispies" Strip Lashes. Gorgeous volume and length that doesn't look drag queeny.
   
   
   
3. Ardell Duralash Naturals Individual Lashes. I'm still a little shaky with putting this on, so I need more practice. It looks stunning though once they are on correctly.
   
   
   
4. MAC Lipstick in "Patisserie". My everyday creamy pink lipstick.
   
   
   
5. Sephora by OPI in "Worth My Weight". Two words: glitter fiesta!
   
   
   
6. Revlon Colorstay Liquid Liner. I'm going to give liquid liner another go, since the previous ones I've tried are terrible. This one is very easy to use.
   
   
   
7. Smashbox WISH For The Perfect Pout Lipgloss Set. Six glosses: 2 full size and 4 "fun size" as I like to call them. I love them. :)
   
   
   

Savings for IMATS Toronto 2009

On a different note, the main reason for my No Makeup Buying Period was to save up for IMATS Toronto on November 22. And I have savings! So much that I might only be using half of it. We'll see how much I get tempted.

Overall, I think the No Makeup Buying Period was a semi-success. I know I probably would have gotten so much more if I wasn't thinking about it.

Make-up Ban Over Early.

That's it. I'm done. Wasn't that successful anyway.

Details to come later.

(Sent from my iPhone)

October is Happy Month.

I'm sad that October is now over. I love the crisp air, the fallen orange leaves, the cool rainy nights. Aaaand of course a couple other things...

Our Fifth Anniversary at Niagara Falls

Amazing view, food, and the best company in the entire universe.

No wonder celebrities stand like this in pictures. I look skinnier. :)

The Horseshoe Falls in the background. And my love, of course. :)

The other falls.

Halloweeny

For the first time ever, a Halloween party. It's pretty fun dressing up. I made the bacon and egg costume myself on Halloween morning.

Things I would Buy if I wasn't on a Makeup Ban.

Sephora Favourites Glitz & Glam Shimmer and Shine Deluxe Sampler, $49

Shining, shimmering, splendid. Bonus points if you know where that's from. I played with these in Sephora and they are gorgeous!

Urban Decay 24/7 Super Stash, $43

After trying out last year's holiday offerings, Urban Decay has released some new colours this time around. I can't wait to get my hands on these. I personally am in love with "El Dorado" and "Rockstar."

Dolce & Gabbana The One Gift Set, $102.87

Confession time: I've asked for perfume samples of The One a few times (like, 3) already. The set makes it such a sweet deal.

On a side note, has anyone else smelled the Dolce & Gabbana Rose the One? It just doesn't smell good on me, yuck!

Total

Which brings my hypothetical shopping cart total to: CAD$194.87.

Popping my Spa Virginity: Pure + Simple Spa

Fact: I've never been to a spa.

Today I took advantage of an event called Beautylicious, where the beauty obsessed can try out salon and spa services in the fabulous* Bloor-Yorkville area for a discounted price.

I went to Pure + Simple Spa on 27 Bellair Street. I tried out one of their most popular facials called Urban Renewal Facial, $75 (regular price $99).

Even though I've never had a facial before, I can tell you why this was an incredible facial. First, you get a face massage. Who knew that could feel so good? Also included is a upper back and neck, hand, foot, and scalp massage. That's a whole lotta massage for a service that's called a facial! And it felt amaaaaazing.

I won't be able to tell the benefits of the facial until the next couple of days, and I'll be sure to give an update. The extractions -- which BTW, hurt more than I expected -- gave me some redness on the nose and chin area, but they did warn me about it and I said go ahead. I hope I see some improvements on these pores!

If you're in the Toronto area, be sure to check it out! Beautylicious runs from October 28 to November 7.

_____________________
* fabulous = expensive.

Shopping my Makeup Drawer: Quo 3 in 1 Brow Pencil

If you don't already know this, I am a big advocate for well-kept brows.

Dear Mila Kunis,

Thought you'd like to know that my boyfriend is not the only one who has a crush on you. And I'll be forever *jealous* of your perfect arches.

Arianne

For brows that stay where I set them this morning, my number one choice is, and you're going to love me for it, Quo 3 in 1 Brow Pencil. Yay for great drugstore buys!!! It goes for about $11.

I've gone through a couple of these already, and there's good reasons why I like it so much.

• It is super convenient. It comes with your brow colour, wax, and a brush. Although I still like spoolies that I steal borrow from Sephora.
  
• It stays on like a champ. No melting or disappearing acts here, and my brows do get sweaty sometimes. Don't judge me, I have bangs!
  
• Great for busy and lazy ladies. It goes on smooth and pigmented enough to disguise unruly brows. Because you don't always have time to sit and tweeze, right?

It comes in light, medium and dark. I like to use light; it balances well with my tanned complexion and dark hair. Love this! Rating: A+++++

But Stay Away from This!

CoverGirl Brow & Eye Makers: because it's not a good deal if you have to throw a pencil and a half into the trash. You have been warned.

Shopping my Makeup Drawer: MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty

MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty is the very first MAC blush I ever owned, and it's all for a good reason. Dainty, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

1. You are sheer, but you still show up on my medium dark complexion.
   
2. Your pink colour does not look overly Barbie, but imparts a healthy glow. Just enough to not make me look like death.
   
3. Your perfect (low) amount of shimmer makes me look grown up.
   
4. You still look untouched in the pan after more than a year together. How do you do it?

I know I'm probably forgetting all the other ways why I love thee, but remember that you're my favourite pink blush evarrr that I'm putting you on my holy grail of products. Rating: A+++++

Love,
Arianne

Shopping my Makeup Drawer: Maybelline Define-a-Line in Slate Gray

When it comes to eyeliners I tend to stay away from drugstore brands, as they tend to either tug or smear all over. This is not the case for Maybelline Define-a-Line.

The Good

• Texture is smooth and glides on like a dream.
  
• It comes with a smudger for easy soft lines.
  
• Stays on and on!
  
• Slate Gray is a fantastic alternative to black when you still want to look pulled together.

The Bad

• I'm glad to report that I have no problems with it. :)

If you need a good smudgy liner for cheap, I'd recommend this. Note that I only use it for soft lines though, I'm not sure how it performs as a sharp liner. For that purpose I prefer my gel liners. Rating: A-

Speaking of gel liners...

This thank-you has been delayed for eternity, but I want to thank Marisol for being so sweet to hunt down Lancome Gel Artliner in Indigo Charm for me. I really love it! :) Thanks again, girl!

Bangs, Anyone?

I'm thinking of getting bangs. So I played around with InStyle.com's Hollywood Hair Virtual Makeover to try on hairstyles, and MAKEUP???

And just for kicks, Kim K's blonde do! LOL...

Aah my skin is blending into my hair!