Dolce & Gabbana Monica Voluptuous Lipsticks in 70 Gentle Monica, 80 Only Monica, and 100 Chic Monica

Dolce & Gabbana's make-up range remained a unicorn to me until earlier this year, when I discovered that they're available online at Sephora for Canadian consumers (without hefty shipping and/or duties fees). For whatever reason, they've never made it to stores here (Holt Renfrew, which carries the cosmetics lines by Burberry and Tom Ford, doesn't even carry D&G), though they're available at more upscale department stores in the US. I've been wanting to try their lipsticks for a few years now, so when I saw that they were on Sephora's website, I promptly ordered three shades from their Monica Voluptuous range, which is inspired by muse Monica Bellucci (who was the face of Dior for four years). The Monica Voluptuous formula is described as "a highly pigmented lipstick that gives medium to full coverage in a radiant, satin finish [that] leaves lips looking plump, feeling soft, and appearing voluptuous." They are packaged in weighty curved square gold metallic tubes with "Dolce & Gabbana" engraved on one side and Monica Bellucci's signature on another side. D&G's logo is engraved into the side of the actual lipstick bullet, and they have a sweet rose scent and flavour. Each lipstick contains a total of 3.5 grams of product, and retails for $33. 
70 Gentle Monica, 80 Only Monica, and 100 Chic Monica
70 Gentle Monica, 80 Only Monica, and 100 Chic Monica

70 Gentle Monica is a light-medium soft warm pinked peach-brown with a subtle sheen in a satin finish. This is a permanent shade. It has a soft, lightweight, and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is similar though slightly more peach than MAC Fanfare, warmer and less pink than MAC Grande Dame, more peach than MAC Glamour Era, darker and more peach than Urban Decay Naked, lighter and less brown than Urban Decay Liar, and lighter and more peach than YSL 5 Beige Etrusque.
80 Only Monica is a medium brightened grapefruit pink with a subtle sheen in a satin finish. This is a permanent shade. It has a soft, lightweight, and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has medium-high pigmentation and semi-opaque to opaque buildable colour pay-off. It is similar though slightly more pink than MAC See Sheer, lighter and more coral than MAC Speak Louder, more coral than MAC Elegant Accent, darker and more muted than Urban Decay Streak, lighter than Tarte Poppy, and more orange than Tarte Tulip.

100 Chic Monica is a medium-dark vibrant cool-toned fuchsia pink with a subtle sheen in a satin finish. This is a permanent shade. It has a soft, lightweight, and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is darker and slightly more muted than MAC Girl About Town, warmer and more reddened than MAC Flat Out Fabulous, cooler and more pink than MAC So Good, more pink than Urban Decay Catfight, and darker and more muted than Urban Decay Anarchy and YSL 11 Rose Culte.

These remind me a lot of Dior's Rouge Dior Couture lipsticks, from the texture and colour pay-off to the smell and taste (and even the muse — Monica Bellucci was the face for the Rouge Dior Couture lipsticks as well). This isn't a bad thing, of course, because it's a gorgeous formula: smooth, light-to-medium weight, creamy, richly pigmented, and hydrating. They're incredibly comfortable to wear and actually have a fairly impressive wear time of about five to six hours. The packaging is luxurious and very much in line with Dolce & Gabbana's aesthetic with its curved edges and gold metal tubes. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the scent, which is the same as Dior's. It has that traditional rose fragrance that is actually fairly strong; at least, enough for me to taste it. I'm sure this is meant to be apart of the "luxury" aspect of the lipstick, but it makes me think that I just inhaled too much perfume. I generally prefer my lipsticks to have a subtle, pleasant scent, but no discernible taste. I love the formula enough for it not to be a deal-breaker, but if you have a sensitive olfactory scent, you may not like these. On the flip side, if you're looking for a great luxury lipstick formula from a high-end fashion house, these are a fantastic option.

Friday Five: Zero

This week's Friday Five:

1. What is something you have run out of? These days, energy. I'm just always so damn tired. Instead of going out on my days off, I often just sleep for the whole day. Like, I'll sleep for eight hours, get up, eat, maybe do a chore or two (usually laundry), do some reading, and then nap for four hours. Who has time for a social life when sleep is to be had? (Oh, god. I'm getting old.) 


2. What is something you don't know anything about? There are plenty of things I don't know anything about. Like, astrophysics, particle physics, quantum physics... Basically, anything they talk about on The Big Bang Theory.


3. What is something that needs emptying? Ironically, my "empties" bag. I have accumulated a lot of empty containers over the last three months. Will need to do an empties post at the end of this month...


4. There are a lot of stylistic or slangy ways to say "zero." Which are your favourite? Nil, or nada.


5. When did you last receive something free when you were expecting to pay for it? Last month, I went to Starbucks at the mall with my friend (who works in the mall), and the girl cashing us out gave us our iced lattes for free because she knew my friend.

Too Faced Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder Duo

Too Faced is a brand that has been around for years (remember their old square eyeshadow duos?), but I never really looked into their products until recently when they started getting more and more raves. I purchased several of their products over the past couple months, one of them being the Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder Duo. I was originally intrigued with their original Candlelight Powder, but when I went in store to swatch it, this one caught my eye instead (I might still get the original one, but y'all know I have a thing for brighter, more shimmery highlighters). Candlelight Glow offers "a more ethereal glow by using 'Photolite' technology which diffuses harsh light, giving your skin a soft, youthful luminosity." Candlelight Glow is packaged in a round cream and gold mirrored compact with a candelabra embossed in the powder. Each compact contains a total of 10 grams of product, and retails for $38. 
Candlelight Glow
Candlelight Glow swatches (shade #1, shade #2, and shade #1 + 2 mixed)

Candlelight Glow includes two shades. The first shade is a pale champagne gold, and the second shade is a pale gilded rose. Both of them have a frosted finish. When swirled together, the two shades create a pale champagne beige. It has a silky, finely-milled, almost buttery texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is similar to theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer and Becca Moonstone, much lighter and less golden than MAC Global Glow, more golden than MAC Soft and Gentle, more frosted and more golden than MAC Lightscapade, more frosted and more golden than NARS Albatross, and lighter and more frosted than Hard Candy Tiki.

Sephora states that "the sheer golden powder warms skintone, while the gilded rose formula brightens and illuminates," but I find the difference between the two shades to be too subtle to really see a difference on the skin, so I like to use the two shades swirled together. I don't think the golden side "warms" the skintone, because it's just too light... but both shades do brighten and illuminate beautifully — it goes on smooth and silky with full colour pay-off. It's a softer powder formulation, too, so it feels creamier and is thusly easier to execute and manipulate on the skin. Texturally, I would say it's more powdery than Becca's Shimmering Skin Perfectors (which feel almost creamy), but more velvety than baked powders like MAC's Mineralize Skinfinishes. However, like all shimmery, bright highlighters, this one should be used with a light hand, because as much as Too Faced says that these shades are "sheer," they actually pack quite a punch. It can go anywhere from soft and "candlelit" to bright and shiny, so use accordingly (my favourite way of using this is with a small duo-fibre brush like MAC's #159, dabbing it in the powder, and then buffing it on the skin so it looks more diffused). Fans of theBalm's Mary-Lou Manizer or Becca's Moonstone Shimmering Skin Perfector will love this one. 

Tom Ford Lip Color in Pink Dusk and Violet Fatale

Tom Ford may very well be the height of luxury in cosmetics. If not in the packaging or formula or price point of the products, then in the name itself. I actually have a Tom Ford lipstick from years ago (a now-discontinued shade called Moroccan Rouge), when the packaging was still white and gold and Tom Ford's beauty line only consisted of lipsticks. (I got that lipstick with a Holt Renfrew gift card, so I technically didn't spend any of my own money on it. At the time, I was working minimal hours and not making much money, so Tom Ford was literally a luxury I could not afford.) When I went to New York last month, I was hell bent on finally getting myself some of the revamped Tom Ford lipsticks. Tom Ford has two lipstick ranges, but I focused on the original Lip Color formula, which are made with "rare and exotic ingredients including soja seed extract, Brazilian murumuru butter, and chamomilla flower oil [to] create an ultra-creamy texture with an incredibly smooth application." Each lipstick contains "specially treated colour pigments [that] are blended to deliver pure colour with just the right balance of luminosity." They are packaged in weighty square black and gold metallic tubes with Tom Ford's initials engraved into the top of the actual lipstick bullet, and have a light sweet vanilla scent but no taste. Each lipstick contains a total of 3 grams of product, and retails for $50 USD or $55 CAD. They are exclusive to Holt Renfrew in Canada.
Pink Dusk and Violet Fatale
Pink Dusk and Violet Fatale

Pink Dusk is a light-medium soft warm pink-nude with a subtle sheen in a cream finish. This is a permanent shade. It has a soft, lightweight, and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is slightly darker and warmer than MAC Creme Cup, more opaque and less glossy than MAC Peach Blossom, lighter and warmer than MAC Faux, lighter and more beige than Urban Decay Naked, lighter and more pink than Tarte Pure, lighter and more opaque than YSL 8 Pink in Confidence.
Violet Fatale is a medium-dark brightened cool-toned berry-fuchsia with a subtle sheen in a cream finish. This is a permanent shade. It has a soft, lightweight, and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is lighter and more fuchsia than MAC Rebel, darker and more berry than MAC Girl About Town, more pink than MAC Quite the Thing!, lighter and brighter than Urban Decay Venom, darker and more purple than Clinique Plushest Punch, and darker and more opaque than Revlon Smitten.

It's everything you want in a lipstick: goes on smoothly and evenly, and pigmented with full colour pay-off; feels creamy but not slippery, lightweight but moisturizing, and is long-wearing but comfortable to wear. Pure luxury. And at this price point, I can't say I expected any less. It's creamier and wears longer than MAC Mineralize Rich Lipsticks, is more lightweight and less slippery than YSL Rouge Voluptés; they remind me of Urban Decay's Revolution Lipsticks or Shiseido's Perfect Rouges. But these also have the packaging: sleek and clean, elegant and timeless. And they are weighty, like you can actually feel the luxury in your hand. I suggest, however, that if you do decide to splurge on a Tom Ford lipstick (it's one of the most expensive lipstick ranges in the world), you get a shade that you will wear often so you get more bang for your buck. I mean, I have to state this obvious: there's plenty of dupes out there for significantly cheaper that feel and execute just as beautifully. It will just lack that sense of magic and wonder of a Tom Ford product.

Sunday Video Love: Beyond the Veil

Been thoroughly enjoying Lindsey Stirling's latest album, Shatter Me. She's proof that there's still true originality in music these days; she really created an entire sub-genre of music all on her own. Honestly, not that many people can make the violin look so damn cool.

Friday Five: All's Fair

This week's Friday Five:

1. How do you feel about carnival rides? They're fun, but so overpriced. I prefer roller coasters at amusement parks.
   
   
   The Midway at Canadian National Exhibition


2. How do you feel about carnival games? Again, they're fun, but way too overpriced, even more than the rides. And honestly, I really don't want anymore stuffed animals. A couple years ago, my guy friends ended up spending nearly $40 just to win me an stuffed Angry Bird. 


3. What's your favourite carnival food? Ah, now this is why I go to the carnival (and by "the carnival," I mean CNE, 'cause what else is there in Toronto?). Doughnut cheeseburgers, deep-fried Oreos, Tiny Tom's doughnuts, funnel cake... And that gelato panini we got last year was pretty damn epic. I hope we can get it again this year.
   
   
   Krispy Kreme doughnut cheeseburger
   
   Gelato panini


4. Which animals do you look forward to seeing at the fair? While I know that a petting zoo exists at the CNE... I am usually too busy at the Food Building to actually look at the animals...


5. How much does it cost to ride the bus in your city? I haven't taken the bus in a long time, but I'm pretty sure it's still $3.00.

The Summer Lovin' Tag

I haven't done a tag in a while, and saw YouTuber Fleur de Force's Summer Lovin' Tag and thought it would be a fun one to do. I changed a couple of the questions to make it more relevant to me, but it's otherwise the same tag. So, here goes!
1. Summer lipstick you're loving? Okay, so let's be real here — anyone who even knows me a little will know that I can't just pick one lipstick. I don't even wear the same lip colour more than two days in a row. So, I've narrowed it down... to 24. And divided them into MAC and non-MAC, 'cause let's face it, I have more MAC lipsticks than anything else.

MAC permanent (back row): Freckletone Shy Shine Flamingo Relentlessly Red Pink Pigeon Up The Amp

MAC limited edition (front row): True Red (Pedro Lourenço) Pleasure Bomb (RiRi ♥ MAC Holiday) Kelly Yum-Yum (Kelly Osbourne) Dodgy Girl (Kelly Osbourne) Daddy's Little Girl (Archie's Girls) Goddess of the Sea (Alluring Aquatics)

Back row: Dolce & Gabbana Monica Voluptuous Lipstick in 80 Only Monica Dolce & Gabbana The Lipstick Shine in 100 Violet YSL Rouge Volupté Shine in 19 Fuchsia in Rage Tom Ford Lip Color in 17 Violet Fatale Tom Ford Lip Color in 07 Pink Dusk

Front row: Marc Jacobs Lovemarc Lip Gel in 108 Have We Met? Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Naked Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Turn On Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Streak NARS Cinematic Lipstick in Goodbye Emmanuelle NARS Cinematic Lipstick in Full Frontal Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Melted Violet

2. Summer nail polish you're loving? Again, let's be real, I change/buy nail polish way too often to pick just one favourite. But here's what I've been loving the most this summer. I've divided it by glitters (which I wear on my fingers) and creams (which I wear on my toes).

Back row: Formula X — Center of My Universe  Formula X — Celestial Hare Polish — Hooky in the Hamlet Hare Polish — Cast in Bronze Hare Polish — Reverie in Rubellite

Front row: Rainbow Honey — Neon Blossom Rainbow Honey — Magic Cake Rainbow Honey — Waves Rainbow Honey — The Kraken Rainbow Honey — Tidal Wave Rainbow Honey — Tessellate

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Holiday, Sweet Lilac, and Nouvelle Vague
3. Summer blush you're loving? As we all know by now, I am a person of excess when it comes to make-up. I love many, many, many blushes (#blushfiend), but these are the ones that I'm rotating regularly right now:

• Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush in Peach Beach
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Radiant Magenta
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Diffused Heat
• theBalm InStain Long-Wearing Powder Staining Blushes in Lace
• theBalm InStain Long-Wearing Powder Staining Blushes in Toile
• MAC Sharon Osbourne Powder Blush in Peaches & Cream
• MAC Mineralize Blush in Petal Power
• MAC Alluring Aquatics Extra Dimension Blush in Seduced at Sea
• Clinique Cheek Pop Powder Blush in Berry Pop
• Clinique Cheek Pop Powder Blush in Ginger Pop

4. Favourite summer Frappuccino from Starbucks? I don't really drink Frappuccinos, but if I had to pick one, it'd probably be the Tazo Green Tea Crème Frappuccino, which is available all year round, not just the summer. My favourite drink from Starbucks right now, though? The new Teavana Shaken Iced Passion Tango Tea Lemonade.

5. Favourite fake tan? I don't use fake tan, nor have I ever used self-tanner. I've just never been interested in it; it looks like way too much effort. And I don't expose enough skin in public to warrant self-tanning. But bronzer? Yes, please. My favourite right now, and the one I've been using everyday exclusively since the day it launched, is MAC's Extra Dimension Bronzer in Delphic (from the Alluring Aquatics collection). Imparts the perfect amount of golden warmth and subtle illumination without being shimmery or sparkly. I should really get a back-up before they're out of stores for good...

MAC Alluring Aquatics Extra Dimension Bronzer in Delphic
6. Favourite summer song? I'm going to change this to album rather than song, 'cause picking a single song is just ridiculous. In fact, I'm going to pick three albums, all by Alexisonfire: Watch Out!, Crisis, and Old Crows / Young Cardinals. Each album holds great memories and nostalgia for me, but all three albums were released in the summer (in 2004, 2006, and 2009, respectively) so I always associate them with the season. And I've been listening to Alexisonfire a lot lately (mostly blasting them while driving with the windows down to be extra obnoxious), so it's maybe why I'm associating them with this summer, too. It's funny, I won't listen to them for years, and then I'll just play them non-stop, rotating all their albums on repeat for months. This song especially gets me pumped:
7. Favourite summer accessory? My Dior sunglasses. I've had them for years and haven't bothered getting newer or trendier ones because these suit my face shape perfectly (plus, I really only wear them when I'm driving... or not wearing make-up). I wouldn't necessarily categorize it as a summer accessory, but I wear them the most in the summer. 

8. Favourite summer fragrance/perfume? This is easy for me, because I wear "summer-y" fragrances all year round. As we all know from my many empties posts, Fresh's Sugar Lychee holds the number one spot for me in fragrance. I've yet to find one I love and go back to as much as this one, so much so that I would call this my "signature" scent (and my friends and family actually associate me with it). I have, however, added a second and much loved fragrance to my regular rotation this year: Atelier Cologne's Cédrat Envirant. Both scents are fresh and citrusy.

9. Summer book you're loving? I don't really have a "summer book" as much as I have a "summer reading list." I usually read a book a week, whether it's a new book or I'm re-reading an old book. Books I just finished this month: Proxy by Alex London, and The One & Only by Emily Giffin. Book I'm currently re-reading: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (she does modern coming-of-age so, so well). Books I am going to be reading: Guardian by Alex London (sequel to Proxy), Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth (apart of the Divergent series; stories told through the eyes of Four, who happens to be my favourite character from the series), and The Immortal Crown by Richelle Mead (the sequel to Gameboard of the Gods). What can I say, I really like YA books.

10. What are you most excited to do this summer? I got to see Paramore a couple weeks ago, which was definitely a summer highlight for me. And I will be seeing Lorde in early September. But other than that, I don't have a lot planned for the rest of summer, really. I am so busy with work that I barely have time to see my friends. But I do hope to make it to The Ex next month and eat some epic foods. And, look, Hanson's performing there this year! What! Maybe I will go just to get some Grade 5 flashbacks.
I don't like tagging specific people because I don't want them to feel obligated to do this, but if you end up doing this tag on your blog, let me know in the comments so I can read your answers!

Sunday Video Love: Buzzcut Season

Guess who I got tickets to see in September?

Marc Jacobs Style Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Eyeshadow in 210 The Siren

Now, I'd always heard amazing things about the textures and general formulation of Marc Jacobs eyeshadow palettes, but when it came down to it, the four original colour combinations just weren't exciting or unique enough for me to justify the price. But then Marc Jacobs came out with a new and limited edition palette for summer called The Siren, and when I saw the colours and the packaging, I knew I had found the one to splurge on. The Siren comes in a special edition thin, sleek white mirrored compact (as compared to the other palettes in the series, which are black). Each Style Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Eyeshadow palette contains a total of 7.0 grams of product, and retails for $71 CAD/$59 USD.

The Siren
The Siren

The Siren #1 is a pale bright cloud white in a frosted finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft, dense, almost buttery texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is similar to MAC Crystal Avalanche and Makeup Geek Ice Queen, brighter than MAC White Frost, and cooler than theBalm Envious Erin.

The Siren #2 is a medium-dark vibrant rusty red with orange undertones in a frosted finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft, dense, almost buttery texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is darker and more reddened than MAC Coppering, more red and more frosted than MAC Red Brick and NARS Persia, and darker and more orange than Makeup Geek Razzleberry.

The Siren #3 is a light-medium yellow-marigold in a frosted finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft, dense, almost buttery texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is similar to MAC Goldmine and Makeup Geek Gold Digger, darker and more yellow than MAC Gorgeous Gold, and brighter and more yellow than Urban Decay Half Baked.

The Siren #4 is a medium slightly muted warm golden copper in a metallic finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft, dense, almost buttery texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is darker and more copper than MAC Amber Lights, darker and more vibrant than Urban Decay Chopper, and similar to NARS Isolde #1.

The Siren #5 is a light-medium seafoam green in a soft pearl finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft, dense, almost buttery texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is darker and more frosted than MAC Aqua, lighter and less golden than MAC Steamy, and lighter and more green than Urban Decay Shattered. 

The Siren #6 is a medium-dark cobalt blue in a soft pearl finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft, silky, texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is more muted and more frosted than MAC Cobalt, lighter and more muted than Makeup Geek Neptune, and darker and more purple-toned than NARS Rated R #2. 

The Siren #7 is a dark smoky teal with blue undertones in a frosted finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft, dense, almost buttery texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is more metallic than MAC Plumage, similar though slightly more muted than Urban Decay Loaded, and more teal than theBalm Jealous Jordana.

Honestly, this is one of the best palettes I've come across in terms of texture and colour pay-off across the board. I would definitely put this on par with Urban Decay's palettes or some of MAC's best palettes. What really sets this apart from other palettes for me, however, is the colour combination. These are vibrant and colourful without being too in-your-face, and run from warm to cool tones that work well separately and together. (Actually, I was wearing the red and copper shades from this palette blended in with some warm brown matte shades to create a full-blown, smoked out terracotta look for the Paramore concert I went to a couple weeks ago, and received a ridiculous amount of compliments.) While I can see why this came out for summer — all the shades packaged together in a white compact is very nautical-esque — I can definitely see this working well all year round. For those who like some colour in their eyeshadows without being too bright, this is a fantastic, luxe palette that truly lives up to its reputation.

Friday Five: Veggie Thing

This week's Friday Five:

1. What's your favourite tomato thing? If we're talking about tomatoes in its original form, I actually like cherry tomatoes raw in a salad (especially with Asian sesame dressing), or tomato slices in a burger. Otherwise, I like tomatoes in pasta sauces.


2. What's your favourite celery thing? I'm pretty indifferent to celery. I don't eat it very often, but I don't mind it when I do. There's a Chinese dish with chicken, cashews, and celery that I quite enjoy... though it's more for the chicken and cashews than the celery. Oh, I also quite like celery in tuna or chicken salad. Gives it a nice crunch.


3. What's your favourite broccoli thing? I love cooked broccoli in almost any form, but I especially like it in Chinese dishes, like beef and broccoli. I don't love it raw, though. 


4. What's your favourite eggplant thing? Like broccoli, I enjoy it in most forms, but I especially like it in Chinese dishes, like stuffed eggplant with black bean sauce or eggplant in spicy mince meat sauce.


5. What's your favourite spinach thing? I love spinach both raw in salads or cooked in dishes, but nothing beats spinach artichoke dip (the fact that you can't actually taste spinach in the dip is besides the point).

Pick-Ups & Deliveries: June 2014

As you'll know, I did quite a lot of shopping in June, as witnessed by my huge NYC hauls (here and here). I was trying not to spend much during the rest of June, but alas, it was the month of sales and gift with purchases, and I just could not resist. And it all started with... a tube of deodorant.
Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Deodorant in Fresh Vanilla Lemon
Jack Black Moisture Therapy Lip Balm in Shea Butter and Lemon
Formula X Effects Nail Color in Center of My Universe and Borealis
As I'm allergic to anti-perspirants and most deodorants, I had been meaning to try Lavanilla's The Healthy Deodorant for some time because it's aluminum- and alcohol-free. A few years back, when they carried these deodorants at all Sephora locations, I remember having written them off as being way too sickly sweet (vanilla, of course, being the main scent). But then they came out with the Fresh Vanilla Lemon version, which I had heard was soft and clean rather than cloying. By the time I had heard about this, though, Sephora had pulled Lavanilla out of a lot of their locations. As I had just renewed my VIB Rouge status (e.g. spent way too much at Sephora in a very short time span), they sent me a 10% off coupon code. So I decided to get this deodorant. VIB Rouge members get free shipping on all orders with no minimum purchase, but it seemed silly just to order one thing, so I also got two new tubes of my favourite Jack Black Moisture Therapy Lip Balm in Shea Butter and Lemon, as well as two bottles of those Formula X nail polishes in Center of My Universe (a rose gold and silver glitter shift) and Borealis (a multi-faceted olive green and gold micro-glitter) that I'd been eyeing. And with my order came some amazing, amazing VIB Rouge member perks:
Formula X Nail Color in X♥︎Rouge
Marc Jacobs Love and Lust 2 Piece Lip Set
Marc Jacobs Lovemarc Lip Gel in Cabaret
Marc Jacobs Lust for Lacquer Lip Vinyl in Shooting Stars
So, yes, I got a third Formula X nail polish in X♥︎Rouge, which is free when you renew your Sephora VIB Rouge status. It's apparently "a custom shade of the best nail polish, only for the best clients." It's a classic vibrant cherry red, which every single brand of nail polish has a dupe of, so I'm not sure it's that "exclusive," but the formula is truly marvelous. And it's free. So I really can't complain. What I got really excited about, though, was the 1000 point reward. So, up until now, Sephora offered VIB members 100- and 500-point perks. But last month, they finally came out with a 1000 point reward, one that I think makes saving VIB points entirely worth it. I mean, to be fair, I had way over 1000 points earlier this year, and I was just waiting for something good to redeem them on... but when I saw this, I was all over it and thanked myself that I didn't redeem them on other random crap that I would never use. The 1000 point reward is an exclusive Marc Jacobs Beauty set that includes a full-size limited edition Lovemarc Lip Gel in Cabaret (an opaque deep berry-wine shade) and a full-size limited edition Lust for Lacquer Lip Vinyl in Shooting Stars (an opaque deep berry-plum with multi-dimensional shimmer). They are both stunning. And come in a fancy velvet-lined box with a booklet. By far the best VIB point perk I have ever seen.
C.O. Bigelow Mentha Vitamin Body Lotions
Then, as I'm still on a big mint kick, I decided to go to Bath & Body Works to get some more of C.O. Bigelow's Mentha Vitamin Body Lotion because I already finished the bottle I bought in May. Also because I had a coupon for $10 off a $30 purchase. When I got into the store, I discovered that my beloved mint body lotion was being phased out and was on the clearance shelf. I was momentarily sad that it was being discontinued... but then ultra happy when I found out that each bottle was half-price. So I bought three and my friend bought one, and we used my coupon, and they ended up being $5.75 each instead of $16.50. I figure the three bottles will last me well into fall, and then I'll be out of my mint phase by then. 
Wilfred Montesson Jacket
Babaton Cayden Blouse
Aritzia Handmade Scented Candle in Fig
Finally, I got an invitation to Aritzia's Clientele sale. It's essentially a private sale held for a week to "exclusive clients" before it goes public. I assume they extend invitations to those who spend far too much money there. And as I am an Aritzia whore, I had to jump on the chance to get 20 - 40% off everything. So I finally got the Wilfred Japanese crepe Montesson Jacket that I'd been eyeing since February and the Babaton silk georgette Cayden Blouse (which looks quite wrinkly in the photo but looks wonderfully chic in real life), both of which I received 20% off. And every year, they give out a free gift with purchase to those who shop the private sale. I think I received a massive TNA beach towel one year (which I use as a blanket when I nap now, so it clearly came in handy). This year, they were giving out candles. Apparently, they're handmade in France and retail for $60. Not sure I'd ever buy them (because, really, at $60, I'd go Diptyque), but they do smell amazing and come in hefty glass jars and beautiful boxes. I ended up choosing the Fig scent, which is fresh and lightly sweet. Thought it would be nice as a summer scent.

Sunday Video Love: Spark Up

Seriously, a YouTube musician who really needs more attention. I've been a fan of the Lungleys for some time and have posted several of their covers here, and they still remain my favourite musicians on YouTube, but they need to be signed ASAP and release a full-length album of their original work.

Day Trip: Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake

I had the day off yesterday, so my parents and I decided to take a little trip to Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls
Entering the mist of Horseshoe Falls
"I think I can, I think I can..."
"Hornblower"
Rainbow Bridge
Seagulls galore
Horseshoe Falls
Old power generating station
Mystical dragon's breath
My dad also wanted to check out a winery on this trip, so we took a detour in Niagara-on-the-Lake, which is known for their copious amounts of wineries. Not having any idea which one to check out (we didn't exactly do research), we just stopped at the one that looked the most impressive, Colaneri Estate Winery, which is housed in a palatial Romanesque-style building.