Holy Grail - Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter

I haven't delved too far into the world of highlights. I have only bought one before and I'm not a huge fan of it. It is very gold toned and I'm not about it. I wanted something that was more silver toned. And then in walked Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter in Aura. 

View fullsize

It is a gorgeous iridescent light pink. The pink doesn't really translate on the skin (at least on mine) but the highlight it leaves behind is gorgeous! You can sweep it lightly across your face once for a little bit of a pick-me-up or you can build it up for a bigger glow. Either way, I am obsessed with it! It's so subtle in the best way!

Holy Grail - Bite Beauty Maple Agave Lip Mask

A while back, I got the original Agave Lip Mask. I only got to try it once before my Kitten Terrors got ahold of it and punched holes in the tube. But when Bite launched the maple line, I had get the maple lip mask.

The winters are cold and dry and every year my lips reach a point where none of my lip products are cutting it. Lip mask to the rescue! A little bit goes a long way and it's super hydrating. It completely changes how my lips feel. And, of course, there is the maple flavour that I am obsessed with. 

There are a few different options for this lip mask. There is the original, there is a champagne rose-gold one and a smashed on with a red wine finish. I think the maple is a Canadian release only. But the lip mask is a must have, just for your day to day lip care.

Holy Grail - Rimmel London Wake Me Up Concealer

In part two of my 'I Bought Drugstore Makeup On A Time Crunch", I present to you Rimmel London Wake Me Up Concealer.

There isn't much to say. I am obsessed. I have had people comment on the fact that I don't look exhausted. And that is more than enough for me! It does an amazing job covering the black holes that currently live under my eyes. And it wears well. It has a wand and blends out perfectly.You can build it up, but you don't really need to. And it doesn't crease. After the first time I used it, I was in love. You need this in your life! Unless you are on of those weirdos who doesn't have dark circles. 

Holy Grail - Body Shop Body Butter

I live in the freezing cold and it's always very dry. My hands and legs are always super dry and itchy as a result.  I don't like lotion in a pump because I feel like there is so much wasted product. I've had various lotions but I like the Body Shop Body Butter. And, as you can see, I may have a problem.

For the longest time, I was just using the Pink Grapefruit scent. I would walk around citrusy all the time. It was marvellous! There are usually sales so they are never the full $20 price tag. And when the sales come around, I've started getting all the scents. So I can make an informed decision, of course. I enjoy all of them, except the chocolate one they had for a while. And the Vanilla Brûlée one seems to get stronger as the day wears on. 

Right now, I am in love with the Japanese Cherry Blossom scent. And, of course, my default, Pink Grapefruit. And it keeps my skin soft all day.

My Skin Care Routine

My skin is awful. I am constantly wearing make up all day. I am horrible for touching my face throughout the day. Needless to say, I am constantly breaking out. And it is super picky about what it likes when it comes to skin care. 
Through trial and error, I have found some products that work for me and my skin. (When I use them regularly.)

View fullsize

First, I use Josie Maran Argan Exfoliating Cleansing Powder twice a day. First thing in the morning and when I take my make up off. It's scubs off all the dead skin and keeps my skin clear.

After I wash my face, I moisturize with Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil Light. I use a couple drops and rub it all over my face. I finish it off by using Benefit It's Potent! on my eyes. 

What I use to remove my make up changes. I love my Make Up Eraser, but when I'm at the gym I prefer make up removing wipes. 

I love Josie Maran's skin care products! I am obsessed with them. The agran oil moisturizes my skin and absorbs quickly.  

Holy Grail - Just Fab Boots

If I was a boot, I would be these boots.

As you can see, they are worn. These go with everything. I have worn them with jeans or with dresses. I can be dressed up like a grown up and then throw these on and instantly feel like me. 

Just Fab is a monthly subscription type website. You sign up and every month, they send you a personalized boutique of shoes. You can choose to skip the month, or you can buy a pair. These were one of the two pairs I bought immediately. (The second pair haven't been worn yet. The are six inch blush peep toes. The complete opposite of these.)

These are simple and studded and super comfy. And they make the sound that heels make when you walk in them. I love that sound. I feel like hot shit when I'm wearing shoes that make noise. I feel like that is them talking and drawing attention to them. And they deserve it.

Holy Grail - Astoria

ASDFGHJKLASDFGHJKLASDFGHJKL!!! (INSERT SCREAMING AND SQUEALING AND FLAILING AND FANGIRLING AND JUST OMGGGGGGGGG!!!!) 

I could insert about a thousand more gifs but it still would not fully get my point across.  Anyone of you readers who are a fangirl probably understand to some degree.  But you don't fully get it.

Marianas Trench is one of my favourite bands ever. Josh Ramsay is one of the men that brought me and my One Love/best friend together. (Pete Wentz, Brendon Urie and Gerard Way, I thank you as well. But this is not your moment.) 

Fix Me is amazing. Masterpiece Theatre got me through my year of working a night shift at a fast food restaurant. (I am still not sorry for playing it during clean up every day. Shout out to the Steincrack Day Timmie Hoes!) Ever After has been in my car since its release date. I have shouted at people for trying to take it out (sorry Lissa!)

It has been 4 long years but my next fix is here!

One Love was released a little over a month ago. I have played in on repeat incessantly (probably to the great annoyance of everyone who has had to be anywhere near me.) This song is amazing. Josh's voice is so strong and amazing. The lyrics hit me in my soul. The pain and emotion behind this song hit me right in the feels. It has given me so much hope and excitement for the rest of the album. 

Wildfire was also released early when the album became available for pre-order. This song makes me feel some sort of way. My immediate reaction was that I need to choreograph something with my Lover Dearest immediately.  The lyrics hit me right in the soul the way One Love did. And some of the lyrics were a little too true for me right now. I, again, played it on repeat. 

Anyway, the album is now out. And this will be a fangirl review. So it will basically be not any help as a review at all. It's more of a way for me to let some of my excitement out. 

The opening lyrics are 'Astoria, I'm warning ya. Not ready yet. Not for ya.' And that tells you everything you need to know. 

This album is a rollercoaster of feels. I was live texting Porcelain through the whole thing and it was intense.  Just to give you an idea...

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Can I survive you, Astoria? Yes. But just barely.

Okay I am going to try to pull myself together and do a quick overview of the album.

The opening track is called Astoria. It is is what you would expect format wise from the opening track but it is nothing that you could prepare yourself for.

Burning Up and Yesterday bring the mood back up and are very fun and I've been dancing around to them. Then One Love comes up to hit you right in the feels. August Burns Red is instrumental, giving you a little bit of breather to gather your thoughts.

This Means War is so much fun. It's probably one of my favourites. Hospital Bells is another instrumental that prepares you for Dearly Departed. This song has a different feel than the rest of the album, at least to me. There is one set of lyrics that will be my wedding vows. They completely caught me off guard. (There is screen shot above that shares my reaction.) And then Hollywood Renaissance is another instrumental.Shut Up And Kiss Me

lightens the mood and eases up on the feels a little bit. I have been dancing around to this song because you just can't help it. It's fun but the lyrics still hit home. Who Do You Love is the perfect follow up. It's a little more intense but still fairly light compared to some of the other songs on this album. Never Say Die is another instrumental reprieve that leads into Wildfire, another of my favourites.

While We're Young makes me feel some sort of way. It makes my soul hurt. That is followed up by Forget Me Not, which continues to squeeze my soul. I just want to hug Josh until everything is okay again. 

Straight On Til Morning is the final instrumental break before the End Of An Era. You know how you had an idea of what to expect with Astoria, but were not prepared? That is what End Of An Era is. It ties the entire album together while taking you on a final rollercoaster of feels. It brings up old emotions and reworks them into new ones.

Verdict: Really? It's amazing. If you haven't been able to gather that from my long fangirling rant, let me be very clear. This album is my everything. Listen to it and support my favourite band. 

Holy Grail - Kat Von D Mi Vida Loca Remix Palette

It's baaaaaaack!

My holy grail, all-time favourite eye shadow palette is back and better than ever! I impulse bought the original Mi Vida Loca palette and it quickly became my favourite. I only got into neutral make up since the release of Naked 3. But bright colors? My weakness!

The original palette contains your basic bright colors. But the remix takes it to a whole new level!

View fullsize

View fullsize

The palette contains 24 eyeshadows in all the shades you could possibly need. It expands on the colors included in the original palette, as well as a collection of neutrals. 

At first glance, Anthem, Destroyer and Hyperballad all caught my eye. After swatching them, Lemmy, Synth and Analogue also have my attention.

View fullsize

The outer colors are... Muse is lilac purple, Echo is purple glitter, Dark Wave is deep navy, Synth is an electric blue, Hyperballad is a sea blue, Lemmy is grass green, Misfit is kelly green, Vinyl is neon green, Legend is golden yellow, Fran is deep mustard yellow, Analogue is a burnt orange, Harpsichord is a metallic bronze, Rewind is an aubergine, Destroyer is a bright strawberry, Swoon is fuchsia, Love is a shimmery rose, Anthem is purple.

And the inner colors are... Vox is chocolate brown, Moulder is butter yellow, Noble is nude, Skulls is iridescent pearl, Black Metal is your standard matte black, Lyric is white pearl, Strutter is taupe  

The packaging is gorgeous and the colors are exactly what you expect from Kat Von D. Long wearing and super pigmented. You can build up the intensity or blend them together. The look options are endless. So far the looks I have created are in the same color family. But I have plans for some looks, so stay tuned.  

It's my holy grail. It's $71 but that is a pretty good deal for 24 eyeshadows. 

Holy Grail - The Original MakeUp Eraser

The number 1 rule about skin care is to take your make up off before bed. And how many of us know we should, but disregard it because we are too lazy? We've all done it. 

View fullsize

I've never been super picky about my make up removers. As long as it doesn't burn my eyes and takes my make up off with little to no effort, I'm content. I usually buy whatever is on sale. But all that has changed. 

View fullsize

This thing is magic! It takes off everything. And I mean everything! Eyeshadow, foundation, eye liner and even waterproof mascara. All you do is get wet it with warm water and wipe your make up off! It's soft and gentle on your face. And when it's dirty, you can just throw it in the washing machine! There are no chemicals involved. It is the best, cleanest, easiest way to take your make up off.  

If you don't have one, get one. It's under $25 and good for one thousand washes. Why don't you have one? I can not stop gushing about it. I love it!

Holy Grail - Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo

I currently have this in Soft Brown. But I recently went super bright blonde and I needed a lighter option for my brows. And, as my duo was running on empty, I decided to go with Taupe. 

I love these. I have tried a few different brow options and loved them. Except that they don't really last that long. Where as these brow powder duos last quite a while. I think I have had my previous one for about a year or more. 

These are the best. And they look super natural looking. I love these and definitely think you need to check them out.