Tutorial: Daily Make-up Routine

My makeup routine is fairly low key, but has a bit of retro-inspiration to it. I get a lot of random people asking me how I do my eyeliner and mascara in particular, so I thought I'd put together a quick DIY here. You can find all of my beauty products at your local mall, and most of them are fairly inexpensive. I tried using a lot of luxury brands over the years, but never felt they really made much of a difference.

Follow the steps below to achieve my everyday look:



Products above (from left to right): Esteee Lauder 4-colour blush, Smashbox photo finish primer, Almay black eyeliner, L'oreal true match foundation in C1, Covergirl Super Thick Lash in very black, Clean&Clear dual action moisturizer, Covergirl red lip stain and lip chapstick set

I always start with a light moisturizer with salicylic acid to keep skin hydrated and free of breakouts. Then on photoshoot days, I'll put on a layer of primer before applying my foundation. It'll make your foundation stay on better, and look better on camera. I don't know the science, but it works!



As you can see, I have an extremely pale complexion, so I often find it hard to get a foundation that doesn't look orange on me. The closest I've found is L'Oreal's True match foundation in the lightest shade they sell (of course)! You can apply it with a foundation brush, but I find it easiest and quickest to just use my fingers.





I prefer liquid liner over pencil liner on my top lid. The only time I will ever use pencil liner is on my bottom lid, if I want a more fierce look. Narrow felt-tip liners will work best for winged liner, and will also stay on MUCH better than pencil liner.



It's easiest to trace a good line if your eye is open naturally. Start near the inner corner of your eye and work your way out in small strokes.When you get to the outer corner of your eye, flick the line out so that it lines up with your outer lashes.



Everyone has a slightly different way they like to apply their mascara. I go over them a few times each, using a zig-zag motion to separate lashes. Then I finish with a coat on top, and an extra bit on the outer lashes for dramatic effect.









For fear of looking like a ghost, I take a blush brush (this one happens to be Kirkland brand) and apply some darker pink blush. I apply it in upward strokes along the cheekbones.



Usually I'll leave it at that, but if I'm feeling a bit more bold, I'll apply some Covergirl lipstick. The one I have comes in two steps: a red liquid stain that goes on like lipgloss (but matte and opaque), and then a moiturizing lipbalm that seals in the colour all day! (Caveat: If you drink alcohol or hot beverages, the lipstick tends to come off faster)

If you'd like to see another makeup tutorial in particular, let me know!

Happy Styling!

Look of the Week & DIY skirt: Spring Pastels

While it still feels pretty chilly around here, spring colours are starting to appear all over the shops and blogs nowadays! So here's some spring inspiration: pastel hues! To make the transition from winter to spring a bit easier, mix those great spring colours with some thicker tights and some 3/4 length sleeves. I threw on a cozy, loose-fitting sweater on later when it got too cold while studying.

The skirt you see here is actually a DIY project (2 in one week?!?). It's an old skirt that belonged to my Nana, which she gave to me to work into my wardrobe. It used to be MUCH longer than this...I took some liberties with the hemline. Then I took some of the extra fabric and made it into the bow you now see on the front! The skirt already had a really sweet back to it; it has cute buttons all the way down. And no, believe me, I checked to make sure I didn't have it on backwards!

I think I was feeling very girly today...hence the bows. The bow in my hair is from when I was like 5. I think I like it even better now

Happy Styling!






















Top/dress-Seduction, Skirt-Vintage, My Nana’s, Heels-Ross Dress for Less, Bow clip-from when I was a kid

DIY project: Vote for mine on Facebook!

Hello there lovely fashionistas!

I've got something a little different for you here today. I recently entered a Modcloth facebook contest, highlighting creative DIY projects! I decided to pick a project I did last year for an ABC (Anything But Clothes) party at my school. Some of you may have seen my project already here in my marketing class' commercial for the Cosmopolitan Hotel Las Vegas. I made the dress from things at the local dollar store: extra-large playing cards and plastic tablecloths. It was a frustrating project to perfect, but I'm so glad I went all-out, and I actually ended up winning costume of the night! Yay for free champagne and concert tickets :)

Anyways, so if you like my project, please head on over to the Modcloth facebook page's Got It Made contest here to add a vote to my count! The contest closes this Friday at 11am PT. I promise to style a fab Modlcloth outfit if I win!

Hope this inspires you all to create your own DIY projects! Check out the other contestants too, there's some amazingly creative people out there.



Happy Styling :)

Look of the Week: Tailored with lace

I have some fantastic news I've been sitting on for a little bit; I wanted to wait until I had these photos ready before making the announcement here. I'm very honoured to be one of this year's new Modcloth Style Ambassadors! If you haven't come across it already, Modcloth is a fantastic site for adorable vintage and retro clothing, accessories, decor and other little surprises. They have really created their own community surrounding the site, and you can get involved in so many ways! My most recent purchase on their site was a surprise bag, worth anywhere between $19.99 and $249.99! And it only costs $15! I'm very excited to recieve mine in the mail :) the anticipation is part of the fun.

So in recognition of joining the Modcloth Street Team, I thought I would do a post with a dress I bought from them last year. It was part of their Cabin Fever sale, and I got an amazing deal on two dresses, including this one. I thought I would style this one along with the cute little old-fashioned booties I got while thrifting during our school Reading Break. I got them for $12, and they've never been worn! I like how I feel a bit tailored and business-y in this outfit, but the volumous lacey skirt gives it that oomph of girly that is OH so necessary :) Finishing the look off with a cameo neckalace is the perfect accessory.

I'd like to think of this as a bit of an ode to three-piece suits...because I think every guy should own one. I've always been a fan of the 1920's, and the tailored suits they wore (and we still see sometimes) are just so dapper and handsome.

And keep your eyes peeled this week, as I will also be posting that makeup tutorial I mentioned a little while ago. You can also keep looking back here for more Modcloth updates, where I'll let you know about upcoming specials. It's great to be working with a company that thrives so much on vintage and retro inspiration. If you haven't already, check out their website. I'll guarantee you'll be hooked like I am :) If you love them too, what's your current wish list?




















Dress-Ark&Co. Via Modcloth, Heels-Fioni, Vest-Seduction, Jacket-Vintage, Cameo Necklace-Richmond Night Market

Red Carpet Favourites: 2012 Oscars

Well, I just finished working on an assignment for class, so sadly I missed the Oscars this year! But that most certainly did stop me from scouring the web for all the gorgeous gowns that walked the red carpet earlier this evening! I've listed my top picks for best dressed below. There was a great variety of gowns on the carpet, and white made quite an appearance this year. I'm glad there weren't many over-powering tulle-y gowns this year, either. A nice change!



Maria Menounos looked absolutely stunning in this beautiful green Maria Lucia Hohan gown. The cut is very flattering on her, and the cut-out pattern on the side is very sexy!



E! News host Giuliana Rancic wore a beautifully delicate gown by Tony Ward. The sequin detailing creates a lovely silhouette, as do the interesting leaf-like sleeves.





Wow! That sure is a lot of sequins, and Rose Byrne pulled it off perfectly! The sleek bob is an excellent styling with the outfit, as are the black platform heels. I just love the draping of this gown on her; of course it's a Vivian Westwood!



Ohhh I feel some vintage in the air! I must say, I didn't love this dress as much when I saw it head on, but from this angle, it is just darling. Her light red hair perfectly complimented the Alexander McQueen gown. The gold detailing gives the dress that gorgeous vintage feel that caught my eye!



Another amazing sequin-encrusted gown! And I love this one for an entirely different reason. Usually one wants to avoid being to matchy-matchy, but Ellie Kemper's hair matches the copper colour in the Armani Prive dress so perfectly!



Penelope Cruz is a stunning rendition of Grace Kelly! I'm not usually one for the volumous gowns, but this one is so classic. Her 50's hair and diamond accessories are just right for this Giorgio Armani gown.



Angelina Jolie is just killin' it in this Atelier Versace gown! It's been awhile since I've seen that much velvet on the red carpet, but this one is so dramatic, so amazing..it was worth the risk! Not to mention that high slit: a dramatic touch to an already fabulous gown.



And lastly, contrary to what most people are saying about Emma Stone's Giambattista Valli gown, I like it! Maybe it's because I just think Emma Stone looks amazing in anything, but I love how she contrasts her porcelain complexion with such a bold red. (Oh and it may just happen to be my favourite colour..hmm..) The bow is a little bigger than I would like, but I think she pulls it off with grace!


I must say, I am loving the amount of porcelain complexions on the runway this year! I really hope the over-tanning/orangeness that has hit Hollywood for so long is finally over! These girls look fantastic in their real skin!

What were your favourite picks from this year's Oscars?

Look of the Week: Styled by the boyfriend

I was curious this week as to what guys really think of what we fashion-forward girls wear. I've seen blog posts by other fashion bloggers before, who said their boyfriends/husbands didn't really 'get' what they were wearing. Sometimes, it's true, we wear rather unflattering pieces in the name of high fashion...and I think they just kind of accept it. But I wanted to know, if they had the choice, what would they have us wear? I thought I would put my boyfriend to the test and have him style an outfit based on what I have in my closet!
Now, obviously this brings up a whole other issue of who you dress for, be it for yourself, your man, your friends, or passerby. I'd say I dress to feel good about myself, by defining who I am, but I definitely want to look extra good for my man too :)

I felt so fantastically vintage and pretty all day, I absolutely loved it. I've never tried something like this in my hair (also his idea, by the way) and I'm definitely going to try it again with different scarves. I was extra proud that wearing this look downtown got me spotted by blogger Frock of Ages, as you saw in my post here! So what you you think? Did he do a good job?

He also requested that this outfit be paired with some equally lovely little muffin treats (which here are blueberry). It's true, I never see mini muffins anywhere; mini cupcakes are much easier to come by. But these are perfect for a quick breakfast on the go! I must admit, they really are adorable, and look perfect on the new 3-tiered platter I recently purchased. The day of shooting was complete with some Cream Earl Grey tea and a couple of the bite-sized treats. Yum!





























Coat-Urban Behaviour, Dress-Mystic(from Sirens), Belt-Urban Behaviour, Headscarf-Vintage, Bag-Joe, Gloves-Vintage(a Christmas gift from my lovely neighbour!), Hosiery-LaSenza, Heels-ParkWest