Haus of Gloi Yule Order

This is my small but hearty Haus of Gloi Yule Haul. I bought:
Peppermint Cocoa Whipped Soap (Reverie Scent)

Sample Scents in - Winter Divinity (Reverie Scent)

- Three Treasures

- Boreal (Reverie Scent)

- Snow Wolf

- Hearth
- Eggnoggin

L-R: Eggnoggin, Three Treasures, Snow Wolf, Hearth, Winter Divinity, Boreal

Eggnoggin- This smells exactly like egg nog. So much so that you get the slight eggy smell, and the rum and the sweet milk. I doubt I'll wear it very often but it is very realistic.

Three Treasures- I'm kind of on the fence for this scent. I don't dislike it but I don't exactly like it either. It smells mostly metallic with a very slight sort of musk/sandalwoodish undertone. Personally I think a male would like it more. I can see some people really enjoying this but not to my taste really.

Snow Wolf- Whoa evergreen! This one I just couldn't like as it's very sharp tree dominated. A bit too herbal for me. Very fresh!

Boreal- Much like Snow Wolf in that it is too herbal for my tastes. You can smell the eucalyptus right away with other things beneath it I can't identify. Very fresh as well. (Reverie Scent)

Hearth- An interesting scent which I do like, but isn't my favourite. You can smell the bread and faint dried fruit. I think this one is very much something that does speak of home-baking this time of year. I think it needs to grow on me a bit still but it's very homey and cozy.

Winter Divinity- My favourite of the bunch this is a relatively simple scent. It's peppermint and vanilla. It starts out quite strong with the peppermint with a very slight sweet note. Then over time the vanilla comes out more. Together they are really lovely and I think the name really suits! I can totally see a Winter Divine Being smelling like this! (Reverie Scent)

Lastly the Whipped Soap in Peppermint Cocoa smells amazing! I keep opening the container to smell it, and I've been longing for peppermint hot chocolate because this stuff smells exactly like the real stuff. No fake chocolate or cream scents here, just pure rich magnificence. Like Godiva truffles. It's even coloured to to look like there is bits of candy cane in it. (Which are actually cranberry seeds)

The soap itself is super light. You only need a bit and it applies and feels a bit like a cross between a soap and a moisturizer. It does make my skin less dry once you're out of the shower and it helps with shaving I found. One word of warning though because it is a peppermint scent don't use it on sensitive areas. A really lovely product that I'm glad I went out on a limb for to buy.

I believe Haus of Gloi re-opens after the holidays tomorrow with re-stocks of all the Yule scents. Be sure to check them out! Anything here that really catches your attention?

Quo for Orly~ Christmas Red NOTD

Full Sunlight

For my birthday this year (December 10th, so not too long ago) my sister gave me this little Quo by Orly polish along with a lovely shirt. This polish is a true red that doesn't lean blue, pink or orange. It didn't come with a name as it's a mini bottle but I believe in full size it is Red Hot. It's a perfect festive shade for the holidays, exactly the colour of Rudolph's nose or Santa's suit. All my photos are coming up a little orange but it doesn't have that cast in real life- it's a bright cherry red. 

(Truest to colour)

 I was actually really impressed by the formula of this little polish. It was almost completely opaque in one coat and it glided on really nicely. The brush though small was very good too, firm but flexible. 

In the photos I'm not wearing any base or top coat so as you can see it's quite shiny. It also seems to be wearing well so that's a bonus.

Beware those that have big fingers though! This bottle is tiny! I have small hands to begin with so you can sort of get an idea from the photo above. The little bottle stands about 2 1/2 inches high. But such a cute way to try a shade don't you think?

Quo by Orly polishes are available in Canada at Shopper's Drug Marts.

Overall, I like the colour, the packaging and the formula. Plus it's tiny so it doesn't take up a lot of room. Heck I may actually be able to finish a polish this size! Classic.

Sprite Rating: 9.5/10 Not sure why I took off a 1/2 point but I guess I just don't feel it deserves a perfect score. Maybe for the super small handle of the brush.

Would I buy this again? Yes, the formula was great and the mini is adorable, especially for colours you aren't planning on wearing too often.

Merry Christmas to all! (Sales)

Merry Christmas (or Happy Holidays if you celebrate something else)! There are two indie companies that I know are having short sales today and Urban Decay is having a deal too.

Morgana Cryptoria- Sale ends 11 PM PST tonight. Glosses are 10% off, Full size eyeshadows, Foundations and Veils are 15% off.

Venomous Cosmetics- Sale ends mid-day on the 26th. 15% off everything. (Psst. She's got her Christmas colours up and they look lovely!)

Urban Decay- Today only! Spend over $25 and get a travel size 24/7 liner in Zero (black) and a Skyscraper Mascara. Spend over $50 and get both those items and a make-up travel bag. 

Hope everyone is doing well and having a wonderful happy day. :D

Darling Girl Darling Deer Christmas~ Swatches and Review

I'm a bit late on this collection but I'm enjoying it! This is the Darling Girl Cosmetics Darling Deer Christmas collection! Some of the shadows and the liner are from the main collection but I'm including them anyways as they were a part of my order :D. I'm going to start with the lippies but I've got quite a few of the shadows too!

L-R: Kiss You Off Lip Balm in Cookies for Claus, Holo Gloss in Jolly Holly

L-R: Kiss You Off Lip Balm in Cookies for Claus, Holo Gloss in Jolly Holly

I'm ADORING the Kiss You Off Lip Balm in Cookies for Claus! Such an amazing Cranberry with gold reflect! Just amazing and festive!

The Holly Jolly Holo Gloss is also lovely. Slightly gritty due to the holographic glitter but a true red shade with gold and light green (but it looks gold on) glitter.

Midnight Train Aqua Liner

Aqua Liner in Midnight Train

Close-up of Midnight Train Aqua Liner

The colour of this liner is fantastic. Really beautiful and complex. Slate blue with magenta glitter. These aren't waterproof, but I believe Susan from Darling Girl is working to try and make them water resistant. I've not been able to try it on yet due to holiday madness but I hope to soon!

Loose Pixie Glitter in White Christmas

This glitter realllllly needs a glitter adhesive base. I tried it over two different primers and just had it ball up and fall off. It looks so pretty but as I left my Pixie Epoxy at school I'm not going to able to use it until January. If I remember I'll try to review it then.

Eyeshadow in Comet

Comet is a beautiful shade! However, I think this one would too benefit from a sticky base as just on primer it tends to go plum-red and loose the beautiful purple-green interplay. You'll be able to see what I mean in my swatch.

Dancer

My favourite from the collection is Dancer! A beautiful forest green with silver and red glitter! *Drool* So happy I got this one!

Blitzen

Blitzen is the most neutral shade I got from the collection. Gorgeous light peach-gold with a very faint pink reflect and gold shimmer. Something easily useable all year round!

T-B: Blitzen, Persuasion (GWP), Comet

Persuasion, the gift with purchase is a fantastic super shimmery light purple with gold shimmer. 

Comet if you look in the left part of the swatch you can slightly see the green reflect.

Rudolph

Rudolph is another really neat shade. Deer brown with lots of silver glitter, it also has a faint red reflect (like Rudolph's nose!). I love how unique this shade is.

Rudolph 

And finally the samples I recieved :D

Angel Face

Angel Face is a lovely matte purple (that looks grey in some lights) with light blue subtle shimmer.

Angel Face

Angel Face (Artificial Lighting)

Here you can see Angel Face as grey and if you click to enlarge you can see the blue shimmer.

T-B: Mustang eyeshadow, Purple Haze Blush

Mustang is a lovely neutral medium smokey brown eyeshadow. Purple Haze is a super pigmented magenta/berry blush with a slight sheen. 

Did you buy anything from Darling Girl Cosmetic's Darling Deer Christmas? Anything here that really pops to you? 

Note! Darling Girl Cosmetics is closed until the New Year, but the Christmas collection will still be available then!

 Hope everyone has a lovely Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day!

Beauty, Skin, Body and Nail Product Winners of 2011

~Hebridean Sprite 2011 Beauty Awards~

These are my favourite products from the year of 2011. These aren’t products that have necessarily been released this year, but instead are the ones I have used the most and have risen in my esteem or taken over the star spot for each category. Starred or asterisked items are ones that blow me away again and again or just really do their job well with no side effects. In comparison non-starred items are ones that are the best that I’ve tried that fits the category currently but I’m still on the look out for something better. Hope this makes sense!

If you are interested in any of the products further please type the item into the search bar at the top right hand side. Almost all of the items have reviews for them!

DC= Discontinued or No longer available in stores (Check out Amazon or Ebay)

ID= Indie cosmetic company

Cosmetics

Eyes

Pencil Liner: Mac Chomographic in NC15/NW20, Milani Liquif’eye (DC)

Best Overall Gel Liner: Mac Fluidline

Gel Liner Burgundy: Mac Fluidline in Dark Diversion* (DC)

Gel Liner Brown: Mac Fluidline in Rich Ground*

Gel Liner Navy: Mac Fluidline in Midnight Blues* (DC)

Gel Liner Green: Mac Fluidline in Envy (DC)

Gel Liner Purple: Wet n’ Wild Cream liner in Aubergine

Eyeshadow Palette: Urban Decay Box of Shadows 2

Eyeshadow Intensifier: Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy* (ID)

Eyeshadow Primer: Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Eyebrow Pencil: Le Beautique Auburn*

Mascara: Blinc Tubing Mascara*

Expensive Eyeshadow Brand: Urban Decay (Only non-glitter shades!)

Drugstore Eyeshadow Brand: Wet n’ Wild

Powder/ Pressed Eyeshadow Shades->

Cream: Too Faced Heaven

Taupe: Fyrinnae Damn Palladins (ID)

Dark Brown: Too Faced Teddy Bear

Red Brown: Mac Spectacle of Yourself (DC)

Nude: Wet n’ Wild Color Icon Single in Brulee*

Red: Venomous Cosmetics Fire Ant (ID)

Burgundy: Nars Cheyenne Duo

Orange: Nars Cheyenne Duo

Yellow: Venomous Cosmetics Sunspot (ID)

Lime Green/Chartreuse: Nars Wicked Duo

Light Green: Fyrinnae Jade Ghost (ID)

Olive/Khaki Green: Mac Sumptuous Olive

Dark Green: Mac Jealousy Wakes* (DC)

Light Blue: Fyrinnae Faerie Glamour* (ID)

Dark Blue: Venomous Cosmetics Paranormal (ID, DC)

Purple: Too Faced Poison Orchid

Violet: Venomous Cosmetics Apocalypse* (ID, DC)

Teal: Fyrinnae Wicked* (Most amazing Teal/Dark Purple shadow ever)(ID)

White Gold: Fyrinnae Polar Bear (ID)

Gold: Sugar Pill Goldilux (ID)

Silver: Wet n’ Wild Christmas 2011 palette Night Elf silver shade (DC)

Bronze: Venomous Cosmetics Curse of the Werewolf (ID, DC)

Black: Urban Decay Perversion (DC)

Grey: Mac Vex*

Lips

Lip Balm->

Tinted/Coloured: Darling Girl Cosmetics Kiss You Off Lip Balm in Poison Plum*(ID)

Clear/Treatment: Jack Black Lemon Chamomile*

Lipstick->

Nude: Mac The Faerie Glen (DC)

Berry: Morgana Cryptoria Vegan Lipsticks in Rose Plum* (DC, ID)

Green: Morgana Cryptoria Vegan Lipstick in Absinthe* (ID)

Peach: Morgana Cryptoria Gel Lipstick in Persephone (ID)

Lipgloss/Liquid Lipstick->

Lipgloss Brand: Venomous Cosmetics Lip Poisons (ID)

Dark Purple: Venomous Cosmetics Wicked Witch (ID, DC)

Green: Venomous Cosmetics Oxygen Deprevation (ID)

Blue: Mac Kissable Lip Colour in Peacocky (DC)

Pink: Venomous Cosmetics Fairy (ID)

Coral: Venomous Cosmetics Hypnotize* (ID)

Red: Mac Kissable Lip Colour in Love Peck (DC)

Light Purple: Mac Kissable Lip Colour in Flaunting It (DC)

Peach: Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in (DC)

Nude: Venomous Cosmetics Zero Gravity (ID)

Lipstain-> Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain in Twilight (Dark red shade)

Face

Undereye Concealer: TheBalm TimeBalm in Lighter than Light*

Foundation/Tinted Moisturizer: Laura Mercier Oil Free tinted Moisturizer in Porcelain

Mascara: Blinc Tubing Mascara in Black

Pressed Powder Foundation: Physician’s Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 in Translucent Light

Setting Powder: Lost in Makeupland’s Oily Skin Finishing Powder (ID)

Concealer: Make Up For Ever Full Cover in Shade # 2 (DC)

Primer: Cargo Blu_ray Activating Face Primer

Bronzer: Smashbox Soft Fusion Intermix Bronzer

Cream Highlight: Lorac oil-free illuminator in L1 Pearl

Powder Highlight: Darling Girl Cosmetics Spectral Shift in Corpse Candle* (ID)

Blush->

Cream Blush Brand: Nars

Drug Store Cream Blush Brand: NYC (New York Color)

Cream Blush in Pink: NYC Blushable Cream Stick in Big Apple Blush*

Cream Blush in Nude: Nars Penny Lane*

Cream Blush in Red: Darling Girl Sweet Cheeks Just Bitten (ID)

Pressed Powder Blush Brand: Tarte

Coral: Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in Blissful*

Red: The Body Shop Autumn Berry Blush* (DC)

Pink: Laura Mercier Rose Petal

Lilac/Violet: Mac Azalea Blossom Blush (DC)

Skincare

Face Cleanser: Murad Clarifying Cleanser

Face Moisturizer Night: Avene Clean AC Moisturizer*

Face Moisturizer Day: Marcelle Hydra-C Ultra Thin Mattifying Fluid

Acne Treatment: Murad Acne Treatment Gel

Eye Cream: The Body Shop Wise Woman

Nails

Cuticle Cream: Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream

Cuticle Remover: Revlon Cuticle Remover

Treatment: Nail Tek II*

Base Coat: Cult Nails Get It On* (ID)

Top Coat: Cult Nails Wicked Fast* (ID)

Nail File: Cult Nails Glass Nail File (ID)

Best Nail Polish Brand: Cult Nails* (ID)

Nail colour->

Taupe: Nubar Gem*

Dark Brown: SpaRitual Howl

Red: Sephora OPI Sample Sale

Berry: Cult Nails Iconic* (ID)

Burgundy: Nicole by OPI Kiss Me at Midnight (DC)

Pink: Orly Kiss the Bride

Orange: Wet n’ Wild Inferno

Yellow: Joe Fresh Butter

Light Green: Nubar Reclaim* (DC)

Olive/Khaki Green: Color Club Snakeskin

Dark Green: None! I have some but none I adore yet L

Light Blue: OPI Breathe Life* (DC)

Dark Blue: Cult Nails Time Traveller (ID)

Indigo: Eyeko Indigo Polish (DC)

Violet: Color Club Fashion Addict

Teal: Cult Nails Living Water (ID)

Gold: Sephora OPI Looks Like Rain Dear (DC)

Black: Color Club Revvvolution

Layering/Effect Coat: OPI Breathe Life* (DC)

Odds and Ends

Favourite Perfume: Haus of Gloi Depravity* (ID)

Body/Hand Scrub: Haus of Gloi Soft Bubbling Scrub (Imp Scent)* (ID)

Whipped Soap/Shaving Cream: Haus of Gloi Peppermint Cocoa Whipped Soap (ID)

Toothpaste: Tom’s Of Maine Fluoride toothpaste in Peppermint flavour*

Hand/Body Moisturizer: Haus of Gloi Pumpkin Butter (in either Imp or Depravity scents)* (ID)

Make-up Brush Brand: Ecotools

Make-up Remover: Boots Botanics Soothing Eye Make-up Remover

Face Exfoliator: Clarisonic Mia

Clicking any of the following brands will bring you to their website!

Top 5 High End Brands of the Year
Nars
Murad
Laura Mercier
Mac
Too Faced*

Top 5 Drug Store Brands of the Year
Wet n' Wild*
Revlon
New York Color
EcoTools*
Color Club (No Brand Link sorry!)

Top 5 Indie Brands of the Year
Venomous Cosmetics
 Darling Girl Cosmetics
Cult Nails
Fyrinnae
Haus of Gloi

That's it! Tell me what brands or products really stood out to you this year! Anything similar to mine? Anything completely different? Let me know!

Morgana Cryptoria~ Haul, Swatches and Reviews

A little while ago Morgana Cryptoria was having a sale and so I made an order wanting to try out some of her new products. Recently she's released a bunch of things including a blush, a halloween eye-themed shadow collection (for halloween, I was a bit late to the party on that one), gel lipsticks and lip glosses. I made a small selection and here are the items!

T: Creepy Peepers eyeshadow, B: Gravely Blush

First up is the blush, Gravely. Gravely is a silver/grey highlight or blush with a hint of taupe/violet to it. Very pretty, reflective and pigmented but I've yet to be able to find a way to apply this without A) getting the powder everywhere (the jar is too small to get my brush in and to tap off on) and B) looking very strange/metallic/dead. I think best it will work as a neat eyeshadow or a highlight well blended on the cheekbone as it's quite shimmery. The powder itself seems silky though so that's nice. As I've yet to really been happy with how it's looked, I can't tell you lasting power yet. 

Creepy Peepers is a dark charcoal shade with a bunch of silver and dark green shimmer. Very unique and you only need the smallest amount to make a statement to your look as it is so dark! Much more shimmery in real life than in the picture.

Next are the three lipglosses I ordered.

L-R: Fallen Leaves, Mystical, Sexy Spellcaster

The three small glosses came in a little trio for $17 USD. You get to pick your scent with these and I chose chocolate. However, the chocolate scent is very artifical and fake to me, and very overpowering so I'm kinda bummed I didn't choose something else.  These came in tubes with doe foot applicators however the trio deal isn't on anymore, just where you can buy pots of gloss or full size lipgloss tubes.

L-R: Fallen Leaves, Mystical, Sexy Spellcaster

The three shades I chose are Fallen Leaves: a warm brown with gold and green duochrome; Mystical: a very dark plum with amazing blue shimmer in it; and Sexy Spellcaster: a blue-based violet with light blue shimmer. 

L-R: Mystique, Sexy Spellcaster

L-R: Autumn Leaves, Mystique

My favourite has to be Fallen Leaves, it is the most flattering on my skintone, well pigmented and it is really unique. The green doesn't show up too often on the lips so don't let that scare you away. It also looks quite brown in my photos but I assure you it's not that brown on either! The first swatch photo where it's more of a brick red-brown is the most accurate.

Mystical I do like but it's reallllllly dark. Like almost black-plum when you put a full coat of the gloss on. Instead I use only a tiny bit and sheer it out and you still get a hint of colour along with the awesome blue shimmer.

My biggest disappointment from this order has to be Sexy Spellcaster. The colour itself is beautiful, but my tube came partially leaked and the shade itself has the pigment separating from the oil. I've tried to mix it up and the oil just gets everywhere not mixing well at all. It's pretty much unusable and due to leaking issues I don't like putting it on the wood vanity with my other cosmetics in case it damages the wood because the leaking seems to be a reoccurring issue. :(

When I contacted Morgana Cryptoria about the separation issue she said some shades are just like that, and to mix it back up. You may want to inquire about which shades do this before you order as personally I find it a pain to even attempt this. It may be easier for glosses in the pots though.

In general, the glosses are well pigmented and last a little above average in wear time, at most around 2 & 1/2 hours on me. Once the colour fades a bit with Mystical the shimmer stands out more which I like- kind of like the gloss morphs over time but is still on. The gloss itself feels slightly oily but not overly so by any means.

I also found the doe foot applicators surprisingly difficult to twist back on for these glosses- I needed two hands and had to push down and twist quite a bit to get the threads to line up and catch so the wands wouldn't forcefully pop back up again.

Overall, I like two of the shades I got, but would be wary about ordering any more. Leaking and mixing isn't something I want to deal with when it comes to lipgloss, despite the fact that there are some fantastic colours available.

Sprite Rating: 4/10- I had to take off points for overkill scent, leaking, and gloss separation. Though the colours are lovely and I'll use the two that don't separate I just can't give them a higher score.

Would I Buy the lip glosses again?: No.

And finally I purchased one of the new gel lipsticks.

 These $6 USD lipsticks come in a balm twist up tube. Morgana Cryptoria is still releasing some shades but this one is Persephone, the most neutral of the first shades released. Persephone is what I'd classify as a peach-gold. It's a peach shade in the tube but on the lips it really amps up the gold reflect in this colour and comes alive.

Persephone, heavily swatched dim light

Persephone, heavily swatched bright light

The texture of these glosses is less like a gel and more like a mousse! You need very little on your lips as it tends to clump up a bit if it's too thick (as seen above in photos). It feels somewhere between a whipped lipstick and a balm which is really cool and has good pigmentation. 

I have an awful tendency of pursing my lips which upsets the long-wear setting these are supposed to do according to Morgana Cryptoria but even with doing that they last about the same as most of my say Mac lipsticks do. 

This is a great shade for toning down your lips without becoming devoid of colour as it's subtle but still really pretty. Word of warning though, make sure your lips are non-flaky as this accentuates flakes like crazy.

The tube itself doesn't really work all that well though, the twisting mechanism only works going up. I think it has to do with how soft the product is. I often apply too much because of the super soft texture and need to use my finger to deal with clumping. Also you need to be careful only to wind it up a slight bit as you cannot push the product down from the top it will just squish and not go back in the tube. Plus the sticker with the ingredients didn't stick to the tube very well even when I had first got it. 

Overall, I like the texture of the gel lipsticks. The feel and super duochrome are lovely though the packaging needs a bit of work.

Sprite Rating: 6.5/10- points were lost due to tube/mechanism issues and the fact you really do need to be careful in how you apply it otherwise it will clump and not look good. Great effect once it's on (and if you don't smoosh your lips!). Good lasting power for the type/texture of the product though.

Would I buy it again? If I see another shade I like the looks of I would probably purchase it. The formula is so unique that the extra work is worth it.

Julep Contest on Facebook

Hey everyone! I don't know too much about Juelp other than they are supposed to be cruelty-free and they have a rather expensive box program. But here is a chance to win one of every bottle in their line- something like 60 shades! It is through facebook so you'll need an account but you can check it out here: http://bit.ly/tNJVQI

Good luck!

Too Faced Review~ Exotic Color Intense Eyeshadow in Poison Orchid

 For my birthday this year my mom got me Too Faced's Exotic Color Intense Shadow Single in Poison Orchid. I'd been eyeing this shade for a while as I had swatched it when they were first released and was amazed by the shimmer but as they are rather expensive at $18 USD a pop I never took the plunge. I'm so glad I received this though as Poison Orchid is incredibly unique and super sparkly.

I've left a whole slew of things at school as I was so sick non-essentials were abandoned and promptly forgotten. I was focusing on trying to breathe- then it turned out that I was much sicker than I thought and I've not made it back to school and so most of my blogging things are there. Thus, my swatches are only on Too Faced Shadow Insurance. 

This shade is amazing on but it does have quite a bit of fallout, so it really does need a sticky base like Fyrinnae's Pixie Epoxy. 

Poison Orchid is a charcoal-purple base with violet shimmer throughout. It has a duochrome effect to it as well as you can see when you compare the two pictures below.

The packaging is adorable- flower shaped with a little window in the lid so you can see the shade inside. It's a hard black plastic that seems quite sturdy and is easy to open and close. However it picks up finger prints and powder like crazy.

On the eyes this creates a very easy purple smokey eye that requires no real work to achieve. It has good pigmentation and the shimmer/glitter bits don't have any discernible feeling to them unlike some glittery shades I own.

You can get this shadow from the Too Faced's website, from Sephora or any other Too Faced retailer.

This really does look better in real life but I think you can get an idea of the shade from the above shots. Poison Orchid is truly unique, I don't own anything similar at all (which is amazing as I own waaaay to many purple eyeshadows).

Overall, though I do think that these are priced too high I am really digging Poison Orchid. The colour is unique and sophisticated, perfect for a holiday party. I'll try and get an eyelid shot up of it soon.

Sprite Rating: 8/10- lost points due to fallout issues and high price.

Would I buy it again? Yes, I think the shade is unique and beautiful. Though I may want to get it during a sale to save my wallet a bit! (And don't forget to use ebates! Sephora is currently 8% cash back)

Holly Jolly Christmas Tag

I saw this tag on Jaci Walker's blog and I just had to do it! I love Christmas so I wanted to share with everyone else some of things I do around this time of year!

1. Favourite Christmas movie?
Every year I try to watch The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (the one with real people). I love this movie it makes me so happy! Another one of my favourites is the really old Rudolph movie where he goes to the island of misfit toys.
2. Are you on the Naughty list or the Nice list?
Considering I don't get up to much while I'm at school probably the nice list, or at least I'd like to think so!
3. Show us an embarrassing Christmas Card photo! (We know you have one)
Sorry, no pictures for Christmas cards in this family. I think it's that we always forget until it's way too late lol.
4. Have you ever had a White Christmas?
Almost every year, I live in Canada and I love having snow until about February than I don't want snow anymore. I do enjoy downhill skiing though.

5. Where do you usually spend your holiday?
Well before my Grandparents passed my whole family would have Christmas eve and morning at their respective homes and then travel to my grandparents for a huge get together/feast. We'd then spend about a week with them. Now however we usually have my great uncle down and have a smaller feast and relax at the house.
6. Play or sing your favourite Christmas song!
All I Want for Christmas is You, is one of my favourites, however mostly I enjoy the really traditional songs like God Bless Ye Merry Gentlemen, etc.
7. Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?
Mostly no, but I can remember one year that we opened one gift Christmas eve.

8. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?
Yep lol- Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph. I'm a little obsessed with the reindeer. 
9. What holiday tradition are you looking forward to most this year?
Being all together and eating all the amazing food my mom makes!
10. Is your Christmas tree real or fake?
It's always been fake, plus I don't really like the idea of cutting down a tree for just a month of decoration. Not to mention they're less stable and drop needles everywhere. 

11. Hands down, what's your all-time favorite holiday food and holiday sweet treat?
Shortbread cookies, and Curry cauliflower. Strange sounding I know but my Grandmother served it every year at Christmas and it's amazing (which is saying a lot as I don't like cauliflower otherwise.)
12. Be Honest: do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better?
I think it depends on the person! Does that sound awful?

13. Show us your tackiest Christmas attire (eg: Ugly Sweater)
Awwe I love tacky Christmas sweaters! And Christmas themed pjs. I don't have a pic at the moment but I got this awesome reindeer sleep shirt this year which I am enjoying greatly. :D
14. What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season?
I like having Christmas at home, but afterwards Costa Rica or South Africa would be awesome to visit! And I'd enjoy visiting St. Lucia again.
15. Does your family have a special holiday recipe you like to help make?
I tend to avoid cooking but we often have thimble cookies, shortbread cookies and other various yummy baked goods I help eat. 
16. Are you a pro-present wrapper, or do you fail miserably? 
I think I'm somewhere in the middle. I'm not horrible but I'm not exactly skilled either lol.
17. Most memorable Holiday moment?
Laying under the christmas tree at night looking up at the lights and ornaments.
18. What made you realise the truth about Santa?
I heard something somewhere about the Easter Bunny not being real and asked about Santa. I cried.
19. Do you make New Years Resolutions? Do you stick to them?
No, because I don't stick to them.
20. What makes the Holidays special for you?
The feeling of happiness/oneness with my family. The decorations, the food and gifts come next though.

Venomous Cosmetics Swatches- Fear and They All Believed in Dragons

These upcoming swatches are from my latest Venomous Cosmetics order. It includes a mismash of the Fear collection (from Halloween- no longer available), the Shifty collection (a lip poison subtle coloured collection up now), and the They All Believed in Dragons collection (also up now and really awesome!) I've also got a comparison swatch between a previous lip poison (Wicked Witch) from the Fairy Tale collection and the currently available Drowning lip poison. For reference here is which shades below belong to which collection.

Fear Collection: Paranormal loose eyeshadow, Nightmare loose eyeshadow, Apocalypse pressed eyeshadow, Claustrophobic pressed shadow, Curse of the Werewolf loose eyeshadow, and Drowning lip poison.

Shifty Collection: Venom lip poison

Once, They All Believed in Dragons...: Zu loose eyeshadow, Creature of the Night loose eyeshadow, Scales of Gold loose eyeshadow

Fairy Tale: Wicked Witch lip poison

L: Zu, T-B: Creature of the Night, Scales of Gold, Paranormal, Nightmare, Apocalypse

T-B: Creature of the Night, Scales of Gold, Paranormal, Nightmare

L: Zu, T-B: Paranormal, Nightmare, Apocalypse, Claustrophobic, Curse of the Werewolf

L: Zu, T-B: Apocalypse, Claustrophobic, Curse of the Werewolf, Venom Lip Poison, Drowning Lip Poison, Wicked Witch Lip Poison

L: Zu, T-B: Creature of the Night, Scales of Gold, Paranormal, Nightmare, Apocalypse, Claustrophobic, Curse of the Werewolf, Venom Lip Poison

Of these shades my favourites have to be Paranormal (it has the most amazing shimmer in real life and it's so pigmented!), Curse of the Werewolf (lovely rich bronze with gold shimmer), Apocalypse (which also has a neat sheen, it goes from periwinkle to light blue-based grey) and Venom which is gold shimmer in a clear base and pretty much goes with everything!

Note! There is a Venomous Cosmetics weekend sale going on with certain shades offered at $4. Worth taking a look. Have a good day!

Update: Birthday and Pneumonia

Hey everyone! I hope everyone is doing well this holiday season. I personally have Pneumonia and have been in bed now going on two and a half weeks, I've been so sick that I've had to miss my exams and couldn't finish a paper. Oh and it's my birthday- whoot I'm 22. My parents were very generous this year and I got some things I had been lemming for. Unfortunately, I can't really enjoy them right now. I left my camera at school as I was having trouble breathing and really just wanted to leave so I could go to a clinic and go home to sleep with my mom taking care of me. Pathetic yes, am I grateful completely. My dad also is recovering from heart surgery, so it's been a hectic month. So I do apologize for the lack of posts, but I really couldn't have gotten anything up sooner. I have a couple posts in the works but most of my makeup got left at school and I'm forgetting some of the names on certain swatches, plus I'm exhausted all the time. I really hope I can get back into everything soon, but it may be another week or so.

In good news, Venomous Cosmetics is having a weekend sale where select items are on sale for only $4, not to mention she has a new Shifty collection up as well as the They All Believed in Dragons (which is also awesome!). Venom one of the lip poisons from this collection is amazing, super sparkly and subtle for everyday. You can check it all out Here!

Take lots of Vitamin C everyone and I rec Cold Fx if you feel something coming on. Take care I'll be back as soon as I can!

All I Want For Christmas...

Not mine, I think I got it off one of my friend's Facebook wall so I don't know where it's from

Image from Musings of a Muse

This palette new out for the holidays from Physician's Formula looks like a great drugstore version of the famous Urban Decay palette. Plus I am loving the black lace packaging! Snazzy huh?



This set of 5 lipsticks from Bite Beauty and Sephora look awesome don't you think? Plus they're a great deal at only $25 for the entire kit. The set includes a nice variety of wearable shades too in my opinion- a soft plum, nude rose, dusty rose, soft pink and pearly nude.



Next on my list is definitely Too Faced's Poison Orchid eyeshadow from their Exotic Color Intense Shadow Singles line. The swatches of this beauty don't do it justice, as it's a fantastic deep plum shade with iridescence and a violet sparkle. You can see The Beauty Spot's swatches of it here! From Lacquered Painted Polished here; and from Phyrra here! :D


Smashbox's Soft Lights Fusion in Intermix is the only bronzer I've ever used on my super fair skin that looks glowy and pretty instead of dirty. I had borrowed a friends and fell in love. Seems I've got expensive taste though



I'm on the lookout for a really thin/precise flat tipped liner brush that has synthetic bristles. I'm not sure exactly which one I want but something not too expensive, I just want it for tightlining.

A ton of specialty nail polishes from Ilarowe and Cult Nails:

Time Traveler, image from R3Daily Blog/Cult Nails

Clarivoyant over Time Traveller from R3Daily Blog/Cult Nails

Cult Nails- Clarivoyant, Time Traveller and a black glass nail file

Glitter Gal- Lizard Belly (Swatches at Temptalia, All Lacquered Up, Cosmetic Cupcake, Once Bitten Blog), 

Glitter Gal- Light as a Feather (Swatches at Once Bitten Blog, Nailed Up, Also Known As)

A England- Tristam (Swatch at Nailasaurus)

HITS- Dionisio (Swatches at More Nail Polish, Dizzy Nails)

HITS- Hera (Swatch at More Nail Polish)

HITS- Artemis (Swatch at More Nail Polish)

HITS- Demeter ( Swatch at More Nail Polish)

Ozotic- Multichrome 503, 504, and 505 (Swatched at More Nail Polish 503, More Nail Polish 504, More Nail Polish 505)

Ozotic- large holographic 603, 618 (Swatched at More Nail Polish) 

Funtasma Red Plaid Mary Jane Heels

Image from Wikipedia

A mini tripod is on my list this year! A heavy duty one that can hold up my digital SLR so I can take better photos for this blog. I want to be able to give you more macro shots but working the camera and holding it with one hand is almost impossible!

Image from Donna Andrews website

This is the newest book out in one of my favourite series by Donna Andrews. If you like light-hearted funny murder mysteries Donna Andrews' Murder With Peacocks (the first in the series) is one of my all time favourite books!

From Octopus Stew (at etsy) this is a really cute ornament/pendent called Booella. Isn't it adorable!? And she glows in the dark. Oh how I love Cephalopod jewelry.

I'm also on the look out for a hemp-like belt. What I want most for christmas though is my family's good health and happiness for the coming year. What about everyone else, what is on your wishlists?