The best of 2012

Hello lovelies,

2012 has come to an end and it is soon time to ring in the new year and say hello to 2013. But before 2013 gets here, we need to highlight some of the best products of 2012.

The best of the beauty products....

Face:
Garnier bb cream
I raved about how much I loved this product when I did my review a few months back and have since repurchased this product. I use it everyday when I do my makeup and it has just the right amount of coverage I need. It does have a dewey finish so I also set it with either a translucent powder or my mineral foundation.

Hard Candy sheer envy face primer
I LOVE this primer. It has a smooth silicone texture and glides on so effortlessly. I use this primer anywhere I have redness and also under my eyes so my concealer stays on all day. Amazing product and so cheap. If you have not tried this primer, go buy it NOW!!!!!

Cheeks
Covergirl blush trio in purely plum (I can't remember the number, I think it's 220). I love this blush because you can create so many looks with the colours or use each on its own. This blush is perfect for every skintone and all three colours are a must have in every girls collection.

Lips
Rimmel moisture renew is my top fav lipstick brand, as it is one of the only ones I have tried that does not dry out or look cakey on my lips. I have a couple of colours I love, but my fav this year has been lily extase 340. I love this colour for a bold look in the summer and for the fall it is perfect paired with a purple liner.
My second favourite lipstick of the year is Mac snob. This is the perfect barbie pink and you can tone it down by just patting the colour on and putting a sheer pink/nude colour lip balm on top. I love pairing it with my peach kiss baby lips.

Skincare
Merida fresh clean cleansing wipes from ...are you ready... the dollar store!! I love these wipes, they remove all of my makeup and do not break me out at all. They have a very faint scent and are so soft. The best $1.25 I have ever spent. If you live in Canada, then head to your nearest Dollarama and pick these babies up!!!

Eyes
Hands down my naked2 palette by urban decay is my favourite eyeshadow palette of the year and probably of all time. It has a number of matte and shimmery shades that are perfect for everyday. Tease, bootycall and pistol are my fav shades for a perfect smokey eye. Myself having green eyes I find this cool toned palette just the right aray of shades for me.

Hair
It is so hard to narrow it down, but I was able to pick just 2 my shimmerlights purple shampoo and my Garnier leave-in conditioner. Anyone who bleaches their hair and does not have these two products must go pick them up right away. Both of these products have helped to give me the perfect and healthy shade of platinum blonde hair that I now have. I cannot live without either of these products.

Nails
I recently got a bunch of nail products from avon and have fallen in love with their gel strength base coat. I have very thin and frail nails and this base coat fills in all of the ridges I have, making for a smooth application everytime I apply nail polish.
My fav colour of the year is this diy berry colour that I made. I wear it no matter what season it is!!!

Scent/perfume
Calvin Klein summer is my fav summer scent of the year. It is feminine and girlie and I love it.
For fall and winter I have fallen in love with Victoria Secrets bombshell body mist. It has just the right amount of spice and is still really feminine too.

I hope you all enjoyed this post and that you have found some newbproducts that you can also fall in love with. Comment below what your fav products of 2012 are.

I hope you all have had an amazing 2012 that you can look back at and be proud of. I hope you have memories that you can look back at and cherish. I also hope you all have a fantastic and blessed 2013. May God bless you all and your families in the year to come.

xoxo
annpaige

New years Eve makeup

Hello lovelies,

This post is a tad late I know, considering that it is already 2013 for some of you, but I still wanted to do this post. So here is my New Years Eve makeup look that I am wearing tonight.

Step1: Apply Color tatto in 05 too cool all over lids

Step2: pat on verve from the urban decay naked 2 palette in the inner corner of your eye

Step3: Put Wet n wild creme shadow pencil in 131 electro on the rest of your eyelid up to crease line and also draw a v shape on the outter corner to your crease line 
  
Step4: Using a crease brush blend Pistol(naked2) in crease and outter v

Step5: Use Nyc eyeliner duo 880 mockingbird (white side) eyeliner on entire lower lash line and inner water line

Step6: Use Wet n wild electro again on outter to middle lower lash line
      
Step7: apply pistol over electro on bottom lash line

Step8: Use Stila smudge stick in stargazer to line the top lash line and wing it out

Step9: Use Essence superfine eyeliner pen over stargazer on top lid
      
Step10: Apply Bootycall(naked2) as highlight on brow bone.

Step11: Apply stila all day waterproof volumuzing mascara

For my cheeks I used a bright pink blush from my stila palette

Lips first apply rimmel moisture renew 180 vintage pink and then mac snob    

For a highlight on my cheek bones, the bridge of my nose and my cupids bow I used bootycall from my naked 2 palette.

I hope you all enjoyed this look, please comment below and ♡ on bloglovin if you do (it would be much appreciated).

I wish each and every one of you all the best in 2013 and may God bless you and your families.
Have an awesome and eventful night!!! Stay safe!!!

xoxo
annpaige

Christmas ootd

Hello lovelies, I have been so mia the past couple of weeks because of work and I have not been able to do any shoots with my boyfirend 'cause he has also been busy. Nonetheless I am here to say Merry Christmas (3days late) to you all and I hope you all had an amazing holiday and that Santa was good to you this year. This is my Christmas day outfit:

Dress: fr21 Belt: fr21 Necklace: fr21 Sweater: Reitmans (old) Boots: winners (brand is rampage) Purse: guess (my Christmas gift from my boyfriend) Watch: aldo Bracelets: made by my boyfriends aunt I will di a post tomorrow with a step by step tutorial of my makeup. I hope you all are having an awesime nigh and as always thanks for reading and please leave any and all comments below. xoxo annpaige

Mint and charms - ootd

Hello lovelies,

Today's post is one of my most recent ootd's. I just recently it this new sweater and I LOVE it!!! At first I did not think the colour would look with my hair and complexion, but after trying it on I had to have it. It is just a comfy and slouchy know sweater, in such a gorgeous colour for winter. It is loose and cozy and I just love it with my distressed, light wash jeans from garage.

Sweater: rickis (comes in 4 diff. colours)
Jeans: garage (mine are a little more distressed because I keep getting my foot stuck in the knee hole, when I put them on....)
White tank: American eagle
Scarf: rickis
Bracelets: gifts from my boyfriends aunt (she made them all herself!!! Such a sweet lady)
Watch: guess (old)
Moto jacket: dynamite
Boots: call it spring (last year)


What is your current fav item to wear for the winter time???

I hope you all enjoyed this post!!!
Please leave all and any comments below.

xoxo
annpaige

Bye bye FRIZZ!!!

Hello lovelies,

I have thin hair, but not very frizzy hair, mind you that can all change after blow drying. I always dry to let my hair dry, especially since I bleach it, I don't want to put my hair through any more damage. Having said that there are always times that don't allow me to air dry and I have to blow dry my hair. Here are some of my favourite hair products that I use after every shower and before every blow dry.

As soon as I get out of the shower I let my hair stay up in a towel for as long as possible, while I do my makeup or pick out my outfit. The first step after taking my hair out of the towel when my hair is still damp is to apply a generous amount of göt2b's crazysleek flat iron & blow dry lotion. I love this product because it has keratin in it and it also doesn't leave my hair feeling heavy. It also has a heat protectant so it is perfect for smoothing and protecting my hair.

The next product I use is the Garnier Fructis color shield double care leave-in conditioner. This leave-in conditioner is my fav ever!!! It is supposed to be a detangler and my gosh is it ever. It has acai and grape seed oil which helps to smooth out my hair for brushing. It also has UV filters in it which is great for platinum blonde hair (helps keep those yellow tones away, that the sun can give) and really any dyed hair because it won't get damaged by the UV rays!!! I also love this product for everyday use when my hair is looking a little dry.

The next product I love to use is the göt2b oil-licious triple oil with argan, white grape and marula oil. This is an amazing product for my ends, to help keep them healthy. When using this product you only need about a dime sized amount and that covers all my hair. Just pour a little in your hands and heat it up with the warmth of your hands and apply where needed. I do avoid the roots and I apply from the top of my ears down. This is another product I also use on a daily basis with dry hair if my ends are looking a little dry.

Here is a before and after of my frizz ball hair to my nice and smooth hair.

I hope this little hair "tutorial" helped some of you and that you found some new products that you as we'll can try. Please leave any and all comments below!!!

*göt2b products were sent to me from vervegirl and göt2b. All thoughts and opinions are my own, I was not paid to do this review, I really do love all of these products!!*

check out more from vervegirl at www.vervegirl.com


xoxo
annpaige

Christmas Nails

Hello lovelies,


(First off I just want to say I now I am super late with my next Holiday makeup look, but I have not been able to take the pictures of my looks. At the moment I have only had my IPod and the picture quality is not good at all. I will have the next look up this week end for sure!!!)

I cannot believe how fast this year has gone by, it is so crazy!!! Being December the 10th already that means there are only 15 days left until Christmas!!!! Speaking of Christmas and all, I have been getting super excited lately and I have this really cute nail tutorial to share with you all.


I recently got some new products to try from avon's pro nail wear and nail art enamel line and so far I am loving them (except some of my nail art brushes are not thin enough to do a lot of designs :( )With all these new nail polishes, why not do a new Christmas nail tutorial?! You don't have to do the designs in the same order that I did, have fun and do whatever you like with this tutorial.


What you will need:

Base coat, red polish, silver polish, white nail art polish, clear top coat, toothpick /wooden cuticle pusher

Step1: I applied avon's gel strength base coat (my new fav base coat)

Step2: paint all nails (except for your ring finger) with 2 coats of avon's real red

Step3: paint ring finger with two coats of your fav silver nail polish

Step4: to create the snowflake on our thumb start with putting a white dot in the top left corner.

Step5: using a toothpick draw 3 white lines stemming from the dot.

Step6: using the same toothpick draw 2 lines on the side of each of your snowflake lines like a leaf stem.

Step7: to create the snowflake design draw 4 white diagonal lines using your white nail art polish (or a toothpick)

Step8: to create the snowy french tip nail - using your white nail art polish make a white french tip over you red polish.

Step9: draw white dots all over your nail using your white nail art polish (or a toothpick) in no particular order.

Step10: create the same design on your pinky nail as on your thumb.

Step11: put on your top coat (avons uv gloss top coat)and let nail dry.

Step12: do the same thing on your other hand.

Step13: you are done!!!

I hope you all enjoyed this post, please let me know if you try this design at home, I would love to see your renditions.



*this post is sponsored by vervegirl. For more beauty tutorials and awesome Christmas contests check out www.vervegirl.com*



xoxo

annpaige

My platinum journey - brunette to platinum blonde (before and after)

Hello lovelies,


Looking back at all of my posts, my bleached locks to ash blonde hair (which I have now deleted due to the quailty) post, is still one of my most read posts and it isn't even very informative. With that being said I thought it would be a great time to give you all an update and explain my full journey with pictures for those interested and who may also be trekking on the same journey as myself.

Last year in the summer and I guess fall/winter as well my hair was quite dark from dying it. My hair was a medium to dark brown and I wanted a change, so in December I went to the salon. I told the hair dresser I wanted gorgeous golden blonde hair like Kristin Cavalari and that did not happen at all.

My hair was an orange colour, mind you the lighting makes it look much nicer then it was. Not being happy with the results, I took matters into my own hands and bought a boxed dye. I bought a a dark ash blonde dye - Garnier #71 dark ash blonde - and I got a really nice dirty blonde colour.

To maintain and lighten my hair (because I wanted more of a light ash colour and also get rid of the orange tones) I started to use Joico color endure purple shampoo and conditioner once a week and left both in my hair for 15 minutes in the shower. I would and still do my roots about every 5-7 weeks. Back then when I would do my roots I would do everything (all of my hair) with a boxed dye (L'Oreal Excellence cream AA01 ultra light ash blonde), making my hair lighter every time. I would also tone my hair after dying, using wella color charm T18 or T14 (alternating each time). The Joico shampoo and conditioner worked amazing and lasted me about 8 months. When I ran out I started to use "light blue" purple shampoo and that also worked pretty well for a drugstore product (from shoppers or Walmart).

Still wanting my hair to be even more platinum I went out and purchased clairol shimmer lights purple shampoo and it is so comparable to my Joico shampoo that I used to use, but less drying on my hair. I now leave the shampoo in my hair for about 5 min (longer than 8 will turn my hair a purple/silver colour). For conditioner I now swear by the Organix brand sold at wal-mart and shoppers. I don't stick to a specific Organix conditioner, I get a different one every time and I leave it in my hair for 5-10 minutes, or longer if I have time. This conditioner makes my hair tangle free and so silky smooth every time, I LOVE it!!! In the summer (because my hair wasn't light enough) I did an over all bleach (L'Oreal extra bleach blonding kit #205) and my hair went to a Barbie blonde. To get rid of the brasiness I just kept on using my purple shampoo (shimmer lights) every time I washed my hair.

More recently now when I need to do my roots I have started to use bleach and the bleach I am currently using is the Ion color brilliance Creme lightener with ion 9% 30v developer and I leave it in for approx. 70-75 min. I leave it in a bit longer because my hair does not take to dye very easily (after such a long amount of time my roots are still a golden colour, they don't ever really get to that pale yellow, with bleach alone). After that I condition and blow dry, then tone. I now prefer the T18 toner and after bleaching I leave the toner on my roots for 30-40min and then I add it to any parts of my hair that need a little pick me up for the rest of the 20min.

So this is the before (brown) and the after (platinum). In total the amount of time it took me to get this colour was approx. 9 months (August). (Sorry there are so many pictures, but I wanted to show my full journey and the products I have used along the way).

I hope that this post has helped any of you trying to go blonde, or that it has given you some helpful tips if you are already blonde. I will also do a post next week with my everyday products that I use to maintain and keep my hair healthy. Thankfully I have never had my hair snap or get damaged and I usually only trim my hair once every 4 months or when needed.



*disclaimer - I am not a professional, these are only tips and tricks that I have acquired along my journey. I am not telling you what is right or wrong for you and your hair. Please consult a professional for the best products for your hair type, if your are unsure*



Thank you all for reading and if you have any questions or I have missed something please leave a comment below.



xoxo
annpaige

Blue Christmas - stila holiday series look #2

Hello lovelies,

I am in love with this look. The slight smokeyness and blue on the eyes, makes this the perfect look for any holiday night out. Where this look to work dinner party or even a New Years party. Jazz up the lips with a darker colour for more of a sultry romantic look.

Here are the steps in creating look #2 of my Stila holiday makeup series...

Step1: prime eyes with hard candy sheer envy primer
Step2: using the stila snow angel palette brush #19 eggnog all over lid up to brow bone
Step3: lightly pat #22 merry on the inner corner of your eyelid
Step4: pat on #20 icicle on the rest of your eyelid up to the crease
Step5: using a crease brush blend #28 coal into your crease and also create that "v" shape in your outter corner blend out for a smokey eye
Step6: brush #23 kitten over crease line to blend and also up to brow bone as a highlight
Step7: using a pencil brush take #28 coal and #20 icicle to line your lower lash line to the centre
Step8: Take your stila Stargazer smudge stick waterproof eye liner and line your upper lash line and lower lash line (on top of step #7). Create a slight wing at the end
Step9: using a shimmery white eyeliner line the rest of your lower lash line and water line (mine is from NYC)
Step10: curl your lashes and apply stila's stay all day waterproof mascara for look that will last all night
Step 11: apply your favourite Ardell lashes (I used 120 demi) and bat those purtty eyes!!!

For contour use #12 Shimmery plum
For the perfect pink cheek blend #8 Shimmery peach blush and #3 Shimmery coral blush

For lips I used Mac snob lipstick and stila lip glaze in jolly on top.

You are now ready to rock around the Christmas tree and/or party into the new year with this look!!!

I hope you all enjoyed this look, please leave any and all comments below, I would love to read your feedback and/or thoughts.


Have an awesome night (or morning, depending on when you read this)!!!!!

*(photos by ©Frank Arzaga Photography, for bookings and/or inquiries please contact me by email listed in the sidebar and to view more pictures click here: http://500px.com/frank_arzaga)

xoxo
annpaige