Bright Eyed Babe | 5 Steps to Reviving Dull, Tired, Darkened, Eyes | Self Care & Skin Care

Hey Beauties! 

Life has been a whirlwind lately! Plenty of early mornings, long days at the shop, late nights working til the wee morning, and all of the fun that is summer adds up to one tired girl! 

I know some people can run on little to no sleep but not this girl. I need a full 8 hours and some quiet time to recharge or it will show on my face. The dark circles start to form, the rims of my eyes turn red and you can literally see the lack of sleep in my eyes. 

So I had to come up with a fail-proof routine to help treat and then camouflage those dull, tired, darkened eyes. I have nailed it down to 5 easy steps to looking bright eyed, wide awake and well rested no matter how tired I am. 

Step 1 - Treat

The first step might just be the most important because good nourishing skincare is integral to how you look and feel. Happy, healthy eyes will appear lighter and brighter all on their own. An eye cream should be used both in the morning and at night and you can use the same one at both times or change it up. 

I personally like to use a lighter lotion during the day (I use the CeraVe Eye Repair Cream $20 CAD) to ensure good makeup application and a heavier, richer cream at night to nourish while I sleep. I feel like the combination is the perfect mixture to keep my eyes hydrated while I combat aging and further dark circles. 

My top choice for nighttime is the First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy Overnight Balm ($47 CAD). It is a luxurious rich balm that just melts seamlessly into the skin while leaving a protective layer to keep working overnight (almost like a face mask for your eyes). It has a nutrient rich formula with shea butter, sunflower seed wax, algae, niaminicide and more that helps to target fine lines and wrinkles, combat dullness and uneven texture, and counteract loss of firmness and elasticity. The nourishing formula is amazing for chronic dry eyelids and eczema. 

Step 2 - Soothe

My secret weapon for happy, revived eyes that hold onto moisture throughout the day even under makeup! The Physicians Formula RefreshMint Eye DePuffer ($12 CAD) is an absolute must have in my routine. It is a cooling gel treatment stick that actually feels cold to the touch and transforms into water the second it hits skin! It is formulated with cucumber, peppermint and aloe vera to cool the temperature of the skin and visibly reduce signs of fatigue while bamboo shoot hydrates and glacial mineral water refreshes skin. 

Step 3 - Correct

Now that the skin and eyes are being treated from the inside it's time to combat the outward appearance. 

If you have dark circles of any kind, it's important to counteract any discolouration or darkness before attempting to cover anything up. This two step method is much more effective and you will use less product in the long run. In the case of tired eyes, less is definitely more to avoid looking overdone, cakey and dry. 

I always go in first with the Becca Cosmetics Under Eye Brightening Corrector ($39 CAD), it is a full coverage corrector with a peachy tint (comes in two shades for your personal skin-tone) that brightens the appearance of darkness. It is infused with ultra-fine, light reflecting illuminators and Backlight Technology (just like their liquid illuminators and primers that they are known for) that reflects light to draw attention away from dullness, fine lines and wrinkles to create a lifting effect. 

I like to apply this starting in the inner corner and then blending out and up onto the lid. 

Step 4 - Conceal

I am constantly switching up my concealer but I always make sure to add just a little bit on top of the corrector to fully cover up any darkness and discolouration. I prefer to use a liquid concealer in a shade that is slightly lighter than my foundation to bring light and brightness to the eyes. Just like the corrector I concentrate the product in the inner corner and blend out to avoid applying too much. 

Step 5 - Brighten

The final step is hide the last little bit of redness along the inner rim of the lower lash line and brighten even further. You can do this with any white, cream or nude coloured liner but I have found the absolute best option that stays put no matter how long you wear it or how watery your eyes are. 

The Pixi Beauty Eye Bright Liner ($12 USD) is a retractable, waterproof, precision inner rim liner designed to brighten, widen, and make the whites of the eyes look whiter. This creamy pencil has the perfect texture to melt into the eye but also stay in place once it's applied. It comes in a cool, nude, flesh-toned shade that gives the illusion of larger, brighter, more awake eyes. 

Before & After

There you have it, 5 steps to revived, refreshed and rejuvenated eyes! 

Lavenders Blue... I Will Love You | Hunting Lavender Fields In A Sweet Linen Frock | Outfit Roundup & Recommendations

Hey Beauties! 

It's the happiest, loveliest, most incredible smelling time of year - it's lavender season! 

This flower obsessed girl gets weak in the knees over the smallest bunch of lavender - dried or fresh - so when lavender season rolled around this year, I knew I needed to find the nearest farm and frolic in the fields. 

Luckily, Just 15 minutes from our home lies Weirs Lane Lavender Farm & Apiary  a little piece of heaven here on earth. Unlike many other lavender farms, Weirs Lane is a private home and working farm that welcomes others to enjoy their never-ending fields of florals. It feels like an oasis in the middle of the city, where you can hear the birds chirping, the bees buzzing and the crickets croaking. It is in a word - peaceful. 

My dear friend Dorothy (an amazing photographer who takes all of my lifestyle photos) and I had an early morning rendezvous in mind so I set out to find the perfect romantic, whimsical outfit to go with this dreamlike adventure. 

I had my heart set on an easy linen dress that felt at home in such a location and I found the beautiful "Love of my Life" dress from Free People (one of my favourite brands). It has the most effortless, yet romantic design that reminds me of a novel heroine having a picnic in the French countryside. 

I knew I wouldn't be able to order it in time for our adventure so imagine how thrilled I was to see this wonderful copy at Forever 21!

The original Free People dress has been insanely popular and is sold out in most places so I have hunted down as many versions as I can for you! 

1. Free People Love Of My Life Dress in Black, Army and Golden - $143

2. Free People Love Of My Life Dress in Black Floral - $143 

3. Free People Love Of My Life Dress in Ivory, Blue and Black - $149

4. Forever 21 Woven Button-Down Dress in Red - $56

5. SheIn Knotted Cuff Button Up Dress in Green - $23 USD

6. SheIn Ruched Detal Button Up Dress in Orange - $29 USD

7. SheIn Button Through Striped Dress - $20 USD

Summer Lovin' | 5 Current Favourite Beauty Products For Summer | Roundup & Full Look

Hey Beauties!

Summer is officially here and it made quite an entrance with this no-end-in-sight heat wave we're having! Well since we are all slowly melting away I thought I needed to simplify my summer beauty routine to keep the makeup meltdown to a minimum. I've paired down my products and swapped my full glam staples out for more lightweight, glowy options. 

I can't wait to show you the new base products that have been a COMPLETE game changer but for now I wanted to share my other current favourite beauty products for summer! 

These are the products that I haven't been able to put down and that help create what I have dubbed my "look of the summer". 

1. The Maybelline Lemonade Craze Eyeshadow Palette ($13.99 USD) - 

Described as "A fresh take on the classic palette, these pigmented shades offer endless possibilities. Softer hues to highlight, darker shades to amplify and define, and bright pops of citrus inspired colors to make your eyes pop!" This palette caught my attention straight away and I am so pleasantly surprised by the quality! The pigmentation, the formula of the shadows and the performance really surpassed what I was expecting. I have been using it every single day to create everything from super simple one shot looks to more complicated, artsy looks. 

2. The Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Sun-Kissed ($36 CAD) - 

Described as "Nail the golden goddess look every time with Beached Bronzer from Urban Decay. Dust this silky powder onto your face or all over your body for a beachy, sunkissed look. Urban Decay’s finely milled, super-soft formula applies smoothly, doesn’t streak, and creates a radiant glow that locks into place. These universally flattering matte shades provide sheer, natural-looking coverage every time. Its HPP (Highlighter Performing Pigments) Technology is long-lasting and provides rich color with the perfect level of coverage." I have been a creature of my habit for the longest time but I thought I should switch it up for summer and I'm so happy I did! The slight red tone and luminosity gives that perfectly sun-kissed glow that looks so natural on my freckled complexion. 

3. The L'Oreal Paradise Enchanted Fruit-Scented Blush in the shades Bashful & Fantastical ($12.99 USD) - 

Described as - "Warm blush shades with subtle peach and apricot hues, to natural pops of coral and pink. With a variety of finishes, from mattes to shimmering pearls, you will have everything you need to create endless enchanting looks. The soft, velvety texture allows for ultra-blendable application, rich color pay off and lasting results." Not only do these blushes smell divine but they are literal summer in a blush. The warm peachy tones with the slight sheen and rich pigmentation gives the most beautiful just-pinched glow. 

4. The L'Oreal Colour Riche Shine Lipstick in the shades Luminous Coral & Glossy Fawn ($9.99 USD) - 

Described as - "an ultra-rich, ultra-radiant lipstick with a glossy finish and comfortable wear." These lipsticks completely surprised this matte liquid lip lover and now I can't put them down. They feel like a lush lip balm but they deliver a sheer wash of luminous colour. They go perfectly with a more natural makeup look. 

5. The Lancôme Dual Finish Multi-tasking Illuminating Highlighter in Shimmering Buff ($53 CAD) - 

Described as - "ultra-creamy powder highlighter melts into the skin for a brilliant highlight that doesn't cake. Its wet-dry technology allows for customized highlight and the ultimate versatility: use it dry for a subtle glow, or apply damp for a more intense result. The formula is infused with light-enhancing pearls to achieve that beautiful pearly glow. It’s also infused with vitamin E and triglycerides for a non-drying formula that wears comfortably all day long." This highlighter has quickly become my favourite for its neutral champagne tone and it's truly glossy finish. It looks absolutely stunning no matter how you apply it. 

I used all of these products along with my new favourite complexion products to create this look and I am obsessed. It's the perfect naturally radiant, slightly perfected, in your own skin look. 

What are you summer favs?

A Breath of Fresh Air | Amazon Favourites For Our French Provençal Bedroom | Roundup & Suggestions

Hey Beauties! 

I have always had a really big passion for home decor, for as long as I can remember I have always been really invested in my space, how it looks and how it feels. Even at 8 years old I had my hands deep in my bedrooms decor and I made sure every little detail was covered for my leopard print themed abode. Since then I have tried out many different styles and vibes with a complete redecoration every few months. Along the way I have been able to narrow down all of my ideas into one specific theme - French Provençal. 

Our entire home is now designed to feel like a little slice of French Country heaven but our bedroom is my personal oasis. I wanted to create a space that felt calm, airy, relaxing and comfortable. A space that called to me at the end of a long day or a space that I could feel cozy when I have days at home. That meant lots of light, delicate colours, textures and fabrics. 

To bring that French theme in, I wanted to find true linen sheets and pillows, intricate french furniture, architectural pieces, and hints of vintage style through accent pieces. 

Even though the room is not quite finished I recently started to share photos of the space on Instagram (@labellesirene_) and you guys have been absolutely loving it! I've been getting so many messages asking for links and sources to certain pieces and it's crazy but most pieces are actually from Amazon!! 

So I thought I would throw together all of my Amazon favourites, a roundup of everything in our bedroom and suggestions for alternatives to vintage items. 

If I miss anything and you have questions don't be afraid to leave them in the comments below! 

Our French Provençal Bedroom 

Linen bedding and throw pillows

A tufted headboard - architectural discs from Homesense - lamps from Target

a handy laptop stand for working in bed

a full length mirror - a vintage chair - a tufted bench 

1. Soft Ruffled Linen 3 Piece Duvet Set (King) - $100 

2. Full Length Vintage Inspired Mirror - $469

3. Elastic Ruffled Drop Bed Skirt - $24

4. Tufted Vintage Bench - $235

5. Sovereign Tufted Headboard - $180

6. SmartBase 14in Mattress Foundation - $120

7. White Faux Peonies For Dresser - $18

8. Faux Silk Peonies For Dresser - $24

9. Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress - $240

10. Brushed Microfiber Double Stitching Pillowcases - $26

11. Down Alternative Mattress Topper - $60

12. Traditional French Accent Chair - $422

13. Rose Gold Aluminum Laptop Stand - $35

14. Set of 4 20x20 Faux Linen Cushion Covers - $40

Rose Gold Romance | Smashbox Cosmetics x VladaMua Petal Metal Collaboration | Review & Swatches

Hey Beauties!

Every once in awhile as I'm scrolling through Instagram I will get sucked into the big black hole that is Trendmood1. Trendmood1 is an instagram account that reports on the hottest upcoming beauty releases from all of your favourite brands waaaaaayy before you can see them anywhere else. They share sneak peeks and all of the top secret info including swatches and even mini reviews that can drive any beauty lover wild. I often find myself taking note of new releases that I want to try but sometimes I'll see something that makes my heart beat crazy fast. 

That was totally the case with the new Smashbox Cosmetics x VladaMua collaboration. The second I saw the stunning rose gold packaging (especially the breathtaking rose embossed highlighting powder) I KNEW I needed to get my hands on the entire collection. 

Well, dreams came true and I was lucky enough to be invited to the collection's release in Toronto and I learnt some valuable information and insider insight that made me love the collection so much more. So let's break it down and chat about each product but first a little history on Smashbox and how this collaboration came to life. 

Smashbox x VladaMua 

Smashbox is a brand born in a legendary photo and film studio in LA with the very same name. Created by iconic photographer Davis Factor to be a range of products made specifically for film, lights, HD cameras and everything you find on big Hollywood sets. Smashbox is known for their incredible editorial content and avant garde cinematography  that really sets them apart from other brands and this style is what led them to join forces with Vlada. 

Vlada Haggerty (or vladamua on Instagram) is an LA based makeup artist and photographer who is famous on social media for her crazy lip art. If you ever come across a close up photo of a pair of lips that have been transformed into something insane, she is probably responsible. Those posts led to her becoming Smashbox's Lip Editor-in-chief and then to her first collaboration with the brand. What started as one liquid lipstick that captured her signature rose gold aesthetic has now evolved into an entire collection of rose gold goodness. 

The limited edition Petal Metal Collection is described as "a bouquet of boldness" and this group of statement making products for lips, eyes and face took over two years to get just right. The range consists of eight different products each with their own shade ranges. The products are designed to be mixed and matched, layered and combined for a multidimensional glow. 

The first product I want to share is the Petal Metal Shimmer Spray ($50 CAD). When I first saw this previewed on Instagram I was under the impression that it was a shimmery version of the Primer Water but in fact it is a completely unique product not a "spray" of any kind. 

The Shimmer Spray is an illuminating liquid that is meant to be used as a hydrating base for glossy looking skin. It has a beautiful pink-gold shift that just creates a dewy, glass-like glow. The liquid is a little bit thicker than a typical spray so it doesn't spritz properly, I prefer to squeeze some onto the back of my hand and apply with my fingers. 

The Photo Finish Petal Metal Primer ($50 CAD) is the newest sister to the Photo Finish Primer family but it is a completely unique adaption that takes on a life of its own. This tinted silicone based primer is a multitasker.

 It perfects the skin, addresses uneven texture, fills in lines and wrinkles and adds a touch of coverage with a dewy rose gold glow with the inclusion of high-definition spheres and micro-fine, rose gold pearls. The formula also contains hyaluronic acid and shea butter for a full dose of moisture to aid in makeup application and wear.  It can be used a glow enhancing base for makeup or it can be used alone as a tinted moisturizer type base for a quick sun kissed glow. 

Vlada describes the Petal Metal Shimmer Drops ($40 CAD) as "drops of heaven" and I can totally see why. These translucent shimmer drops are labeled as a weightless sparkle topper for lips and eyes or a shimmering highlight for the face. 

Unlike other liquid illuminators, these are true shimmer drops as they are a clear water thin base loaded with fine shimmer particles. They must be shaken thoroughly to evenly distribute the shimmer within the base but then you are left with gorgeous pure shimmer to layer on top of other products for an added pop. They come in two shades, Rose Glitz (rose gold shimmer) and Gold Glitz (champagne gold shimmer) and are both absolutely gorgeous!

 Shimmer Drops in Rose & Gold

Now for the product that first captured my attention! 

The Petal Metal Highlighters ($49 CAD) are what my dreams are made of from the packaging to the product itself. This 3d rose-embossed highlighter has an innovative gel-powder formula that features a clear base to allow for the purest reflection of the light particles suspended within it. That gel-powder formulation glides so smoothly over skin that it doesn't accentuate texture whatsoever and it actually smooths the surface of the skin for the duration of your wear. The super velvety texture applies so easily, blending and building to give a beyond gorgeous wet, glass-like appearance. 

It comes in three shades, with one for every skin tone. Gilded Rose (champagne gold with a pink/gold pearl), Rosemantic (soft rust with a bronze gold pearl), and Prismatic Pearl (rose gold duo chrome). 

There were two lipstick formulas added to the collection, both of which are metallic liquid lipsticks but each are slightly different. 

The Always On Petal Metal Matte Liquid Lipsticks ($28 CAD but currently on sale for $19 CAD) are part of my favourite range of liquid lipsticks. I have actually reviewed the original range so I will leave the details in that post for you to read (here). They are essentially an 8hr matte liquid lipstick that feels featherlight, stays put all day long and won't dry out your lips. 

Vlada took these cult favourites and added her special rose gold to make 3 gorgeous custom blended shades that show various facets of rose gold. Desert Rose (copper with a copper pearl), In Bloom (mauve with a mauve/silver pearl), and XO Vlada (metallic rose gold)

The other formula is the Be Legendary Petal Metal Liquid Lipsticks ($28 CAD but currently on sale for $19 CAD) and they are a super unique formula. They offer the full coverage colour of a liquid lipstick but the high shine finish of a gloss in 3 liquified metallic shades. There is Petal Metal (metallic rose gold), Rose Magic (metallic rust rose gold), and XO Vlada (metallic warm bronze gold)

Finishing off the collection are the Cover Shot Petal Metal Eyeshadow Palette ($35 CAD) and the Petal Metal Liquid Eye Liners ($30 CAD). An ultra-precise liquid liner with a thin felt tip applicator to line lids quickly and easily. The long-wearing, water-resistant formula comes in two shades with a satin-shimmer finish, Black Rose (black with a rose gold pearl) and 24K Rose (metallic rose gold pearl). 

Overall, I think this is one of the most beautiful makeup collections in existence and I think this collaboration was genius. I am so in love with both Smashbox and Vlada for their unparalleled creative thinking. If you haven't picked up anything from this collection, I highly suggest you do before it sells out! 

Longwear, Lightweight & Life-proof | Makeup For Whatever Life Throws At You | Maybelline SuperStay 24hr Full Coverage Foundation | Review & Demo

Hey Beauties!

When I am looking for a new foundation I focus on a few key aspects including coverage, blendability, shade range, weight and most importantly wear time. For the majority of the year, I prefer to wear a full coverage foundation with a weightless feel, an effortless blend and superior wear time but when the summer heat sets in I need something seriously life-proof. 

I need a base that will stay in place through long work days, running around the city and plenty of time in front of a camera. Most importantly, I need all of my hard work to look exactly the same at the end of the day as it did when I first applied it. 

My favourite base to achieve this look is the NARS Radiant Longwear Foundation (read the review here) but for the past couple of months I have been switching it up for the new Maybelline SuperStay 24hr Full Coverage Foundation. I have either worn it alone or I have mixed them together for the ultimate foundation combo! 

The new Maybelline SuperStay 24hr Full Coverage Foundation ($14.99 CAD/$11.99 USD) is a reformulation and relaunch of an older foundation with the same name. This new re-imagination is described as a super powered transformation that helps your makeup combat the clock. I never had a chance to try the old version but I am SO glad that they brought out this new gem. 

Housed in a very aesthetically pleasing glass bottle with white and pink accents and a pump (YES!), this ultra creamy foundation offers high impact coverage with super saturated colour pigments that provide an ultra rich transforming effect on the skin. The high concentration of coverage within each molecule means you only need a tiny bit to achieve medium to full coverage. One pump can be evenly distributed to cover acne, hide redness and discolouration and even out tone. Its builds beautifully so you can add another layer to add coverage wherever you see fit. 

It has a thicker liquidy consistency that applies and blends out effortlessly with a lightweight feel that feels breathable and never looks heavy or cakey. If you build slowly and apply as little as possible, it will look and feel like nothing but your own skin perfected. 

It has a fresh, soft satin-matte finish that appears flawless from the get-go and stays looking just as good for a full day (roughly 10-12 hours for me). It actually looks better after the first hour as it adjusts to my dry skin! It would be perfect for oily skin types as it holds its matte appearance and stays set in place all day long. 

It has a pretty great range (especially for a drugstore brand) with 16 shades that range from fair to deep. There are a number of darker shades with various undertones and even a shade that is actually fair enough for me to wear in my natural palest state. I do hope they expand later on to work for even more skin tones! 

(102 Fair Porcelain and 120 Classic Ivory)

You can actually see how intense the pigment and coverage are in that tiny little swatch above. This foundation truly has super powers in its ability to cover so much with so little and keep it looking its best all day long! 

I love to apply it with a damp beauty sponge, working from one pump in the centre of the face, blending outwards and adding more if I need it.