Travel Make Up Essentials

Being high maintenance is tough. In French we have this harsh expression to describe people like me we call them poule de luxe. I am very comfortable with what other people think of this side of me, in fact, I don’t give a ***.

The question I get ask the most when people get to know me is: « how long does it take you to apply your makeup in the morning »

ok guys, let me put this straight, unless you suddenly have the title of: Schedule Manager, this is none of your business, but since you asked and I am always super happy to talk about makeup, let say 30 minutes. Now, this 30 minutes is when I am home preparing for work. On weekend it can go from 0 minutes to a full hour depending on the activity and how much I want to have fun with my stuff. On business trips typically I will go for my regular 30 minutes, but what we are interested in right now are vacations trips!

Hold you breath, I rarely bring makeup on leisure trips. There it is, I said it. However, our last trip to Disney World (Orlando, FL) (WDW) which was our honeymoon, I don’t like any pictures taken. I must add at this point that most of them were taken by professional photographers, and still, I don’t like any of them. I look to pale, sick, tired, fat… oh yeah true, makeup can’t do anything about latest, nevermind!

Anyway, we are going to WDW again this year and I made the vow to look somewhat cute on the pictures this time. So here we come, what should we bring. If you are reading this because you want inspiration I will state my constraints right now:

I will likely travel carry-on only (liquid + space = major issue)
My husband : « Are you *** kidding me? You won’t apply makeup? Are you ready now? Oh Come ON! » (he can go on and on and on…)

Therefore, I need something quick (still glam) that takes little space with as less liquids as possible.

Here is what I plan to bring, as you can see, the pouch is narrow enough to fit at the bottom of the suitcase, between the rails.

Total make up I bring for Disney, I know, it’s not enough…

On the picture, we can see some pencils (gray, brown and black) I might end up bringing only the black since I don’t really use eye pencil except to line my waterline from time to time, I also bring the brow wiz pen from ABH, at home I like to use the pommade, but on the go this genius saves space and has the brush integrated. Also, we can see the 24/7 Urban Decay eye liner that I might leave behind as well, because a wing line might be too much time consuming when hubby will be ready…

I bring sample size that I got from previous purchases or those Sephora gifts. The sample sizes I bring are the Bare Minerals Bronzer (I love it so much and it’s such a surprise!) my favorite lid primer from UD and a sample size of mascara, I think this one is the Clinique. I also have a tiny Nars concealer in my perfect match, custard.

When doing my makeup at home, I like to use cream contour, so I have these sample size of the Tarte pencil (not super fan of the color, but I am so accomodating and I compromise) and the Buxom highlighter.

As for the most important part of the make up, I plan to bring my Soft Glam ABH palette (this might change last minute for the Sultry though) which gives me plenty of possibility for natural and glam look. I bring the discontinued marble palette from Hourglasse because I have an ambient light powder that I will use to set my foundation, 2 blush (hello Rose Gold) and a higlighter. This is very frugal make up, I typically want to have at least 2 choices of blushes, highlighters and complementing eye palette, BUT, this time, I try to be less high maintenance than I usually am, will see how this turns out!

Finally, we can notice on the right hand corner, a pile of sample enveloppe. This trip, I want to downsize so much (no *** way I use the bar soap at the hotel to wash my face) I plan to bring those useless enveloppes Sephora gives us when purchasing online, I think I have enough of them to cover the entire trip. My routine will be crazy that week, but, I will save space, I am so much into compromise, no wonder why my husband chose me…

mai 28, 2018mai 29, 2018

Packing Makeup for a Cruise

Minimal makeup for the Fashionista

Our next trip is just around the corner and I am burst with excitement! This will our second cruise, therefore, I am no expert, but we have been on so many trips, that I am pretty sure I know what I am talking about.

First and foremost, let’s get something clear. There are types of girls when comes to pack makeup:
1st- The MINIMAL makeup, (I have nothing against you girl) these girls put on concealer, mascara and lip balm and call it a day.
2nd- The heiress. These girls could bring an entire carry-on full of makeup, although my father is genuinely thinking that’s what I do, I try very hard to get rid of this high maintenance reputation.

Whenever I am looking for makeup packing lists, I always come up to these two opposites, which don’t correspond to what I need really. I thought I might not be the only one in this case and decided to go ahead and share my packing list along with my tips with you ladies which actually fall in between the 2 common situations.

Before getting into the real stuff, I want to point out that I typically don’t bring makeup when we go on vacations down south. Incredible, I know, but it is so hot and humid in Cuba, Mexico, DR… that makeup just melts before I am at the restaurant. However, on a cruise, all the interior sectors are highly air-conditioned (I bring a jacket because it is too cold) so my makeup is safe, plus there are typically 1 to 3 formal nights on the ship and it’s a nice occasion to dress-up and look like a cute couple.

What Shall I bring?

I am a big Sephora customer, meaning that I have multiple samples of different products. I get these sample either when I make a purchase or these are part of the rewards program (100, 250 and 500 points gifts) whenever I get a new sample, 3 choices are available:
– Useless, throw it away
– Kind of cute, but not for me –> give it to someone else
– NICE, keep it for upcoming trips
Using sample size allows me to minimize the space as much as possible here, I have mini size for:
– Cream contour (tarte sculptor pencil)
– Cream highlighter (buxom)
– Powder blush (NARS)
– Bronzer (Bare Minerals)
– Hangover Primer (Too Faced)
– Powder highlighter (Laura Mercier)
– Selection of lipstick + gloss
– Mascara (Clinique)
– Kat Von D lock it powder
– Origins night mask
– Urban Decay prime potion

The entire list of Makeup

I bring my MUF foundation, since I am not constrained by any liquid rules, I take this one since it is slightly darker. Typically, if I need to face the 3-1-1 rule, I will bring the Hourglass Stick Foundation, but this one is highly creamy and I don’t like it when going to very hot climates.

The Origins Mask is actually a sample size I got off the 500 points gift sometimes ago, I saved it specifically for a trip where I would be mainly under the sun. Even with sunscreen, sometimes, you go a little bit overboard with the time spent under the sun and when the night comes, you will your face dehydrated, dry and itchy. I thought I would give this one a chance to shine and sooth my skin at night.

I like the Lock It Powder from Kat Von D, I can use it to set my foundation and to bake if need be.

Again, since the liquids rule doesn’t apply to this trip, I bring what’s left of my Tarte Concealer I will typically bring a stick concealer if liquids are an issue, but I really hope I can empty this concealer on those 2 weeks.

I like to wear primer when the weather is hot, and the Hangover primer by Too Faced is not too sticky and smells like heaven! <3

The one thing I hate to compromise are eyeshadows, I will bring more choices than I need and for the past trips, I find myself very reasonable. For the upcoming trip, I plan to bring my new love Soft Glam by ABH and the Fantascene from Marc Jacobs in an ultimate attempt to fall in love with it

I like to contour and I find that the cream contour does a better job, I have the small sample of the Park Ave Princess pencil from Tarte as well as a tiny cream sample from Buxom in a champagne Highlight color, I also use a light shimmer color from Laura to top it and add a little more intensity.
I also like to add a bit more color to my cheeks with a Bronzer from Bare Minerals and a Blush in sample size from Nars. There was a time were I would have brought like 3-4 blushes, a full size bronzer and 2-3 highlighters, think of what is really important for you, will you be REALLY wearing FULL makeup when spending the day at the beach/by the pool? You will more likely wear a full glam makeup at night only, for a couple hours. Don’t be that pr

I always bring a selection of lipstick, it doesn’t take much space and still can elevate your makeup if you wear a deep red or you can keep it simple and fresh with a light pink. So I always have a handful of lipsticks and glosses, most of them in sample size.

A makeup look couldn’t be complete without mascara and khol. I bring a gray, black and brown eye pencil as well as black eyeliner, so if I am in the mood for a winged look, I can still do it.

A beauty blender is a must, you can do so many things with it and it takes virtually no space.

And that’s it! All these « essentials » still fit in a medium size bag and as we talk, I have not pack the final suitcase, but I am pretty confident I can manage to fit everything in a carry-on + personal item.

avril 24, 2018mai 26, 2018

Fantascene Palette

Excitation over the Marc Jacobs EyeConic Fantascene Palette

Oh my goodness!

This girl hasn’t been excited this much in a long time (like 1 month).

Marc Jacob’s new rose gold limited edition was supposed to be released on April 24th. Conveniently 1 day after Sephora’s Spring Sale. I was saving what was left of my Sephora gift card my dad gave me for my birthday (this man knows me so well) specifically for the delightful new eyeconic palette.

On Instagram, on Saturday, Trendmood posted that MJ’s collection was available to VIB and VIB rouge. My my! To be honest, my husband couldn’t really understand my excitement for such a trivial thing, but hey, a girl can have other loves than her husband right? I have been into rose gold before it was trendy, at that time, only jewelry was available in the coveted color. I remember my first ring in rose gold (I think I was in high school), I was so forward thinking!

Since then, you can find pretty much anything in rose gold and although I don’t have the brand new Iphone or Macbook in rose gold, I take pride in my beats headphone, my davids tea mug, my Lamy Lx fountain pen and so on… #rosegoldEverything. To circle back to this beautiful piece of art Marc Jacobs offers us, I was never a fan of his eyeconic palette. I have multiple palette and individual eye shadows, and I have always thought Eyeconic was to expensive for what you got out of it, like 7 shades? Obviously, I forgave the minimal number of shades since it offers gorgeous rose gold and copper tone in a none less gorgeous white packaging.

I have recently purchased the ABH soft glam palette and I have traveled with it to a business trip + vacation combo (workation you guys call?) although the ABH palette is a jewel in itself, I thought I was missing some matte rose/pink to build up on the dusty rose ABH has to offer. Seeing the colors of Marc Jacobs totally filled my needs for such colors! Plus, before moving further with the swatches, I must say that, in my opinion, MJ palette by its owns, severely lacks of a deep shadow, it could have benefited from a warm grey, chocolate brown or deep plum (I must say, I love my smokey) Since I have already planned to use it with Soft Glam, it doesn’t bother me to much, but I would never bring this sole palette on a trip due to its lack of flexibility.

So the Canadian retail price is 64$ for the eyeconic palette, I couldn’t get the bronzer because it was already out of stock, but nevertheless, this beauty was in my mailbox on Monday night and I thought I would share swatches and first impression with you.

Review and Swatches

The colors are gorgeous, don’t get me wrong and the pigmentation of the metallic shadows is not so bad, but… when we get to the matte shadows, these guys are so powdery and the payoff is just not there… in order to get more success, I used the Milk Jumbo Pencil from NYX prior make up in order to maximize the color. However, when you are used to Anastasia Beverly Hills palette with pay off being AMAZING, it’s kind of disappointing… moreover for the price tag being higher per gram…

If someone is more into light and subtle makeup, than this palette is a must, if you are more into glam, full makeup, I would pass on this one.

avril 20, 2018mai 25, 2018

Let’s be friend!

About me

Hi guys!

Thanks for stopping by! Before we begin our more or less long-term relationship, I would like to introduce myself, by the way, the length of our relationship depends on you!

I have always been interested in a bunch of things. I mean, a lot! Younger, I wanted to be an artist, a drawer, a singer (thanks God, this option have been withdrawn quickly for the sake of any potential public) an accountant, a lawyer… I was interested in books, drawing, photography, rocks, insects, embroidery, knitting…

Well, you get the pictures, growing up, I had to focus on a single field of study, (ideally, one that would bring enough income to allow me to pursue all my other passions/hobby) interestingly, my passions/hobby pool hadn’t decreased over time.

I am now ultra passionate about makeup and beauty, a passion that has been around for the past 12 years. I am seriously considering purchasing shares at Sephora, at least part of my money would come back! More recently, travels, crochet and photography have been added to the list. Let’s not forget DIY and decoration.

Oh, and I almost forgot, I am borderline shopaholic. Throughout this blog, I would like to share with you, different tips and tricks to get good at what you are interested, but also, how you can run multiple hobbies without breaking the bank (which sometimes is close to happening, let’s face it). I will try to bring honest reviews of different products I use, places I have been and how I avoid bankruptcy.

I don’t want to be another perfectly polished blog that will bring the guilt out of you and makes you wonder what is it you are doing wrong? This is the type of questioning I go through when surfing around my favorite blogs. What is wrong with me? how can they have designer bags, shoes, clothes, beautiful house (top clean by the way) perfect makeup and spending their days and night shopping and clubbing?

Truth is, from my understanding, they do not have a 9 to 5 job, this is where I am trying to step out, showing how can a normal life can sometimes be fun to see. And how can we, normal lady, stop drooling and envying those successful bloggers lives who expose their luck and wealth over the WWW.

During the past year, my former boyfriend/now husband, got married, bought a very (VERY) simple house and went on a few trips together. Our wedding was a very affordable, full of DIY, day. Our house is not fully decorated yet (meaning that, over the next blog posts, you will likely be invited to my decorative mission) and we never travel first class. Recently, we booked two additional trips to our 2018 schedule and my dad casually asked : “are you guys working from time to time?” The truth is, we barely do anything else! We both have regular 9 to 5 day jobs in regular offices with very limited vacation time (2 weeks for my husband, 3 for me).

Throughout our adventures together, you will see that I don’t do Yoga every morning, not only do I eat gluten, but also plenty of starch, fat and salt. I am overweight, I train from time to time and enjoy a jogging here and there, but I couldn’t say no to chocolate to save my life. I know, all the blogs are about eating healthy, staying fit, going to the gym, but what if life was about having fun? Maybe we can find a not-so-bad balance between chips and treadmill? How one is supposed to enjoy travels if it is to eat gluten free kale salad? I want to discover the world through local cuisine and neither southern fried chicken nor France tartiflette are on the top ten for healthy food, but you know what? I couldn’t care less! As long as I am healthy enough to stay clear of diabetes (which would eventually prevent me from eating chocolate) I am good with that!

Are you ready to accompany me on my « ordinary journey »?

As a side note, before you guys say anything, English is not my first language, and yes there might be (there are) mistake all across the different blog posts. I try my best to keep it understandable and readable, I already fully master one language (my mother tongue), I find it hard to get to this level of perfection in a second language. Also, when I talk to English speaking people about my first language I always get this: “oh! I have done 1 year in 7^th grade, I found it too difficult” so now that I am enough proficient in English to write an 800 words blog post, I find I went beyond most people’s efforts in mastering a second language!