SHEET MASK | Steambase Manuka Honey Propolis Perfect Shield Mask

Just when I think I have caught up with the world of sheet masks, I realize that in the world of Kbeauty, I will NEVER catch up. I don't know how people manage to keep up with the sheet masks that are out there because I have been trying to make room in my office for two years now! I went a bit crazy buying every brand and mask under the sun and I am seeing the error of my ways in terms of lack of moderation. The pandemic changed a lot of things for me and even though I still buy the occasional sheet mask(s), I am nowhere near the level of acquisition I was at before and I am grateful. I did allow myself a large YesStyle purchase back in November of last year as I had my eye on a few Kbeauty products including a new-to-me brand called Steambase. I was immediately attracted to their hexagon logo and minimalistic packaging. Their brand promotes skin balance and health using thermal spring water and botanical ingredients.  

Purchased by me

HAIR | 5 Heat Protectants I Use Everytime I Style My Hair

I never thought about how much I use heat protectant until I looked around and saw just how many bottles of the stuff I had and just how empty most of them alllmost were (I'm terrible at sticking to one)! If you have coloured hair, you will understand just how important using a heat protectant can be as it keeps colour in your hair for longer, but in general protects hair from damage from heat styling tools and UV light. A lot of protectants also hydrate, add shine and help to improve hair texture so even if you don't have coloured hair, this isn't a bad product to add to your haircare routine! 

Kerastase and Rene Furterer products are PR. Rest purchased by me.

NAILS | Heart Berry for Indigenous History Month #CBBxManiMonday

Continuing on with this month's theme of "Allyship", today's nails are inspired by this Instagram post by Indigenous beauty brand Cheekbone Beauty in honour of the strawberry or as the Anishinaabe First Nations call it, the "heart berry". I loved this photo and the colour scheme creating the dotted heart and thought it would be pretty as a set of puzzle nails! Also if you haven't shopped with Cheekbone Beauty before, they are FANTASTIC! They aren't one of those brands that say all the "clean or green beauty" marketing and don't follow through. They said last year they would endeavour to create sustainable beauty products and they have! From their newest packaging for their SUSTAIN Lipglosses to the wood their eye pencils are made from, they are a brand that has stuck to their guns and made a point of staying away from words like "clean" or "non-toxic". They stick to science and research and on top of it all, donate 10% of their profits to Shannen's Dream. A charity that I now support because Cheekbone Beauty introduced me to this touching cause.   

Some PR samples

SHEET MASK | Design Face Pack Star Wars Collection

I've always been a bit of a nerd when it comes to Star Wars and growing up, I had no female friends who liked anything that involved Superheroes, robots or space. It wasn't until university and actually beauty blogging that I found other women who loved beauty, skincare and Star Wars so you can imagine my elation when I found out there were sheet masks out there with superheroes and Star Wars on them! 

Purchased by a friend in Japan

MAKEUP | Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadows with Swatches

I have always liked eyeshadows in stick form because my God are they ever convenient when it comes to covering an eyelid and then quickly lining my lower lash line! In the mornings when I cannot be bothered to think of what sort of colour scheme will go on my eyelids, I know that an eyeshadow stick won't let me down. When it came to colour selection and staying power, I first used the Urban Decay 24/7 chubby eyeshadow sticks and then when those got discontinued, I became obsessed with MAKE UP FOR EVER's Aqua Shadows which were essentially the same thing. Then my favourite shade 20E got discontinued (it was this metallic champagne) and replaced with something close in the Aqua Matic collection, but still wasn't the same. The closest I have come to is the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow in the shade Moonlight which brings us to the beginning of my Caviar Stick relationship and how one stick became four!

Purchased by me

NAILS | Rainbow Leopard Pride Nail Art #CBBxManiMonday

This month's editions of #CBBxManiMonday will have some extra special meaning as our theme for the month of June will be "Allyship" in honour of Pride and Indigenous History month. I have talked a little bit about my goals in last week's Instagram stories including finishing my Indigenous Canada course, reading more about residential schools and researching local charities who support both LGBTQ+ and Indigenous causes. This is not just a one month thing. This is a way of life that I opened myself up to last year and I can honestly say that when it comes to consumption and beauty, I am much more mindful of where my money goes and making the time to learn about uncomfortable topics that I feel I will never know enough about which is a good thing because it keeps me wanting to know more. 

PR samples featured