Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Earth Month Eco-Friendly Beauty Tutorial

Happy Earth Day!

This was the perfect excuse to pull out my favourite eco-friendly beauty products today, to do a little beauty tutorial. Watch the video below to see the whole look (I kept it simple but pretty), and find out why these products were curated as part of my Earth Day beauty routine. They range from natural origins products to those that are made of highly renewable resources, or have recyclable packaging to environmentally-friendly manufacturing operations. Luckily, you can find all the products I used at your local London Drugs (which is open during the pandemic, yay!), or just order online from their website and get it delivered so you don't need to leave your home!



Products I used:





Now your turn...what are your favourite eco-friendly and natural beauty brands?



Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta


Saturday, April 11, 2020

Easter Brunch in Ted Baker

Man, am I ever grateful I had a bunch of outfit photos stockpiled before quarantine! Needless to say, no, I'm not running around doing photo shoots while we're self-isolating. BUT I will be changing out of my sweatpants for Easter Sunday tomorrow, as my friends and I are doing Easter afternoon tea, delivered from Neverland Tea in Vancouver! I've been talking about them a lot lately, because a) it's important to support local businesses now if we can and b) their afternoon tea definitely brightens an endless string of days spent indoors.

Now I'm not usually one to share a bunch of higher-end brands here on Vancouver Vogue, with one exception - when I get a great deal on them!! The Ted Baker skirt and handbag you'll see below were purchased during a Ted Baker warehouse sale I went to last April. I picked up some incredible deals, including 3 Ted Baker purses, a skirt, and a dress. The beautiful skirt you'll see below here was only $29.99 and the purse was only $49.99 (can you believe it?!?!). Talk about some serious deals. I actually ended up giving this adorable little lilac purse to my mom, and kept the other two - a deep royal blue bag with gold bow, and a black bag with rose gold hardware and bow.

For sizing reference by the way, I'm wearing a Ted Baker size 2. Their sizing is completely different from any standard sizing you're probably used to - I'm wearing a Ted Baker size 2, which is about a US 4-6. You can find their full size guide for women on their website.

Since that sale, I've been keeping my eye out on Ebay and Poshmark for second hand Ted Baker pieces that are a good deal. I think one of my goals once I turn 30 this year will be to try and curate more high-end fashion pieces that I can treasure for years to come. I just love the attention to detail on their pieces. The hardware on everything from their purses to their skirts and dresses are beautiful - I love the rose gold their often use!

Finally, I paired my Easter tea outfit with this gorgeous statement top (actually it's a bodysuit) from SheIn, which I love so much I also ended up buying it in hot pink too. It's only $15! The ruffles are made of a scuba material, which gives them that nice volume.

I've linked up some similar skirt options at the bottom of this post as well, since unfortunately I couldn't find this exact skirt for sale anymore online. Just scroll right to the bottom to see them all!











Bodysuit - SheIn | Skirt - Ted Baker (similar Ted Baker ones on Ebay, or here's a similar one from Chicwish) | Purse - Ted Baker (similar) | Earrings - Nobis & Grey | Heels - thrifted





Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta

Monday, April 6, 2020

Outfit Inspiration: Easter Pastels


Well, I wish I could say I'd be wearing this outfit out for Easter this weekend, but no. Easter will be spent on the couch this year. For the record, these photos were actually from last year (notice the shorter hair!), as I realized they never did make it to the blog here for some reason. I still absolutely love how colourful and pastel-y this outfit is (it definitely puts a smile on my face!), so I figured it was still definitely worth sharing. And with Easter this weekend, pastels seemed more than appropriate.

I've actually worn these pastel blue trousers to Easter brunch a few times in the past. Would you believe they're just from Forever 21?? I love a good pair of statement pants, and have an obsession for wide leg trousers especially. I bought these ones years ago, but I found a few similar pairs online - in plus size, and high waisted. I wish I could share a link to this adorable macaron blouse too, but sadly, I can't find anything similar in stock online! But...I think a simple white blouse would also look great with a pair of pastel pants like these. Just pair it with a pastel pink lip and you'll be set to go! Even if you're just celebrating Easter from your couch...

As for Easter-themed celebrations, I'm thinking it may be a waffles and mimosas kind of day. We usually do a waffle brunch with the family on Easter. Since we're stuck at home this year, just me and the bf, I also thought I might do a little adult Easter egg hunt (I've searched for some jumbo fillable Easter eggs that might fit mini bottles of alcohol)! I'd fill them with chocolate, but let's be honest, I've already eaten two big bags of Mini Eggs by myself as a quarantine snack here. I'm going to have to hide the eggs really well though, considering we live in a very tiny apartment! What are your plans for a self-isolated Easter?











Blouse - Winners | Pants - Forever 21 (similar) | Purse - Kate Spade (similar)





Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

5 Lip Products Anyone Who Wears Lipstick Should Own




I feel like this post has been a long time coming! I'm a huge lipstick lover, and over the years, I've managed to curate a ride-or-die collection of products that help me keep my lipstick game on point - from the best lip scrub to the best lipstick remover. Keep scrolling to check out all 5 of my top lip products anyone who wears lipstick should own!



1. Physician's Formula Organic Rose Oil Lip Polish


To make sure your lipstick goes on super smooth and doesn't result in any clumping of dead skin, it's best to use a good lip scrub/polish. I received this Physician's Formula Lip Polish from London Drugs, and I love that it has rose oil in it. It doesn't have an overwhelmingly rose scent, but it also helps to keep the lips moisturized. I find that some lip scrubs are too gentle, to the point of not working. This is not one of them. The granules of organic raw sugar are just right for sloughing away any dead skin on your lips.


My only issue with this product, and I've had that with other lip exfoliators too (like the e.l.f. Cosmetics Lip Exfoliator), is that it seems to expire within about a month or two. Kind of smells like playdough after that time, and it's a bit hard to get rid of all lasting residue after using. So as long as you're OK with replacing somewhat regularly it does work well. If you want to make your own sugar scrub at home, this will work just as well! The point is, a good lip scrub/polish is key if you want a nice smooth lipstick application.

2. NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Pencil 


I've been buying NYX's Wonder Pencils at London Drugs for years now. They're just such a handy product to have in your makeup bag. I use it sometimes as a universal lip liner for my lipsticks, drawing around my lip line and blending in before applying lipstick. Other times, I'll use it one my lipstick is applied just to neaten up the edges. It comes in 3 different shades, so you can pick the one that's closest to your skintone. The nice this is with this, you don't have to worry about finding the perfect lip line to match each and every one of your lipsticks! I find this particularly helpful when trying to keep some of my creamier or glossier lipsticks from bleeding. That physical barrier makes quite a difference!


Pro tip: I also keep this in my purse at all times, so that if my lipstick smudges at all while I'm out (for instance, transfers to my chin when drinking/eating), then I can use this as a spot corrector. Or to clean up my lipstick lines on-the-go.

3. e.l.f. Cosmetics Makeup Remover Pen


This is one of my absolute holy grail beauty products. I actually have a stockpile of them. I use one for making my cat-eyes super sharp and cleaning up any mascara mishaps, and I have another I keep for cleaning up my lipstick lines. If you're someone who doesn't have a super steady hand (like me), then this is a miracle product. I use this all of the time especially with my long lasting lipsticks, to easily clean up the outside lines after I've applied. I even works once my liquid lipsticks have dried. It's also great for creating an extra-defined cupid's bow. I love this pen because it's SO much more accurate than using a Q-tip soaked with makeup remover.


A quick usage tip: The makeup residue is essentially picked up by the pen, and you need to wipe it off before going in to take off more makeup. I usually just wipe it on the back of my hand to remove any coloured residue. You could also easily use a tissue.


 I'm so so so SO sad it looks like this makeup remover pen from e.l.f. Cosmetics is being discontinued. I've managed to find some on Amazon though, if you're looking to hunt some down.

By the way, I'm wearing Rimmel's Lasting Finish Extreme Lipstick in 130 Buzz'n here. It's a highly pigmented lipstick that delivers a nice bold dose of colour in just one swipe. The formula is also ultra-comfortable! No drying out here.

4. NYX Professional Makeup Be Gone Lip Color Remover


This NYX Lip Color Remover will remover pretty much any trace of your lipstick super easily! I even use it on my LipSense lipsticks, which stay on suuuuper well, and it makes the colour really easy to wipe off. Same with waterproof lip products.


It applies basically the same as a lip balm. I usually apply a liberal amount all over my lips, leave for about 30 seconds, and then use a tissue soaked with makeup remover to wipe off.

5. StriVectin Double Fix 2-in-1 Plumping & Vertical Line Treatment


This is a really cool new product that I was introduced to at the annual London Drugs Beauty Event. It's a dual-ended lip treatment that works to fight the signs of aging around the lips - those pesky vertical lines that make your lipstick bleed - as well as plump and moisturize your lips.



I like to apply this before I go to bed, first using the Step 1 side, which has a brush applicator, and apply all the way around my lip line. Then I use the doe foot applicator on the Step 2 side and apply to my lips like you would a lip gloss. It has a similar texture to a gloss, but a bit less sticky. And it smells great - maybe cherry?


When I wake up, my lips feel nice and moisturized, and hopefully over the years, it'll also help me avoid the issue of bleeding lipstick due to tiny wrinkle lines!



Happy Beautifying! xo

~ Britta

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