NAILS | Ouch! Bloody, Stapled Nail Art

I am working a glorious seven days in a row so posts are going to be a bit erratic (I'm on Day 5) until I get a day at home again. I did manage to get these awesomely disgusting bloody nails done on Friday night as I watched this cutepolish tutorial and knew I had to try it! I never thought that scratching up your base colour and filling it with "blood" could be so amusing! It's also a fairly quick and dirty manicure that you can do just before a Halloween party! 

Bloody Halloween Nail Art

MAKEUP LOOK | Sweet Anniversary Look with the Dior Capitol of Light 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette

As some of you know from my social media, it was my 3 year wedding anniversary yesterday and though we were both working a long day yesterday, my husband still had flowers sent to my office (here) which we are all thoroughly enjoying as Hugo and Hemi would have just eaten at home! We do plan on going out for dinner later this weekend, so in preparation, I started playing around with Dior's Fall Skyline Collection. I know reviews are already starting for the holiday collection, but it's freakin' October and I just...can't. Beauty seasons move so quickly and I like to keep it snail's pace over here at Cosmetic Proof since November and December will be FULL ON HOLIDAY! 

Dior Capitol of Light 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette Makeup Look

NAILS | Halloween Haunted House #ManiMonday

I literally did these an hour before writing this post because I had to go "nail naked" for the Vancouver Chickadvisor Showcase yesterday afternoon as we were testing out nail polishes! If you haven't attended this event before, it is open to the public though Chickadvisor was gracious enough to send me a media pass. This is the most estrogen-filled afternoon you will ever have and by the time it's all over, you feel like you are on some sort of adrenaline rush from all of that product speed-dating! 

Halloween Haunted House Purple Gradient Nail Art

NAILS | Black Widow Spiders #Halloween

Three sets of nails in one week is a lot even for me, but I am determined to go FULL Halloween before it becomes all about reindeer, glitter and Christmas trees. I should do religious nails this year since it's also about Jesus too, right? When I was asking people what sort of nails they wanted to see, someone suggested spiderwebs. Spiderwebs aren't any fun without spiders so I included the scary female black widow too. I know the red hourglass shape is really supposed to be on her belly, but this spider wouldn't look quite as fun if she were belly up because I think that would mean that she's dead...

Halloween Black Widow Spider Nail Art

MAKEUP LOOK | The "Walking Dead" with Make Up For Ever #GlamToGhoul

I have a whole new level of appreciation for those of you who do special FX makeup. I don't think I have ever done "scary" Halloween makeup and though this "Walking Dead" look isn't as scary as a zipper face or severed head, I didn't warn my husband what I was up to when he came home from work. In fact, I sat with him and ate dinner with this on my face because I was STARVING by the time he got home. He pretty much got to see a live zombie feasting on a lamb donair.

Since I am a complete newbie when it comes to "fierce" makeup looks, I was terrified of attempting this, but I followed the MAKE UP FOR EVER tutorial on the Sephora website and crossed my fingers that I would look a little glam and not go too far over the edge with the ghoul!

MAKE UP FOR EVER Halloween Zombie Makeup Look

Lush | Halloween 2016 Collection aka That "Other" Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I don't know about you guys, but as a grown woman in her 30s I cannot WAIT for Lush's Halloween and Christmas collections to come out. Certain products, like the Sparkly Pumpkin and Snow Fairy Shower Gel are becoming a tradition where it just doesn't feel like the holidays until they hit my bathroom. Since Lush comes out with new products every year, I won't share the ones I have already reviewed - just the ones that are new for this year or items that I (you) have to have! 

Lush Halloween 2016 Collection

NAILS | Halloween Stitches French Manicure

I am appalled at myself for starting my Halloween manicure so late in the month! I adore Halloween, but this year I am finding it hard to come up with ideas for nail art that I have not done. I could always re-do the very first set of Halloween nails I EVER painted in my life (here)? I look at them and I am grateful for the progress I have made in 5 years! I am starting off Halloween with some elegant stitches nails reminiscent of Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas. I decided to do multi-coloured tips because I get so sick of orange and black so it's nice to mix it up a little.

Halloween Stitches French Manicure Nail Art

Makeup Look | Gettin' Smoky with the Mary Kay Rock the Runway Eyeshadow Palette

Alright, alright (say it like Matthew McConaughey) let's get to some more Mary Kay love! I think we often forget about directly sold brands like Mary Kay because we don't see them in big box places like Sephora, but we really shouldn't because they make a ton of good makeup! I first started buying Mary Kay makeup in 2006 when I found out one of my co-workers was also a Mary Kay consultant. I loaded up on Satin Hands, Satin Lips and a couple of eyeshadows which kept me going for a good couple of years. The makeup quality has only improved since with shadows having effortless pigmentation and colours that are a far cry from the "old lady" style of days gone by.   

Mary Kay Rock the RUnway Eyeshadow Palette Review Makeup Look

Mary Kay Rock the RUnway Eyeshadow Palette Review Makeup Look

NAILS | Mary Kay Fall 2016 Collection "My Nails Look Like Wrapping Paper" #ManiMonday

I have been going almost one year straight without missing a #ManiMonday and I have to say that I feel pretty proud of myself for having some form of a routine on Cosmetic Proof. I have seen a lot of bloggers come and go in my time here because of babies, school and just life in general and though the natural progression of beauty blogging is leaning towards editorial/media style write-ups, I have always loved the homegrown cozy feeling of a personal journal. These were the first blogs I really gravitated towards and though I have a few magazine-style blogs on my Bloglovin', I much prefer beauty blogs with a touch of personality, not too much controversy and a bit of humour. I try my best to do a blend of the three and though I haven't been quite as regular with the blog as last year, I truly enjoy doing it and will never throw in the towel as it is such an outlet for me. I get discouraged like any human being, but in the last year or so, I've realized that we all do our own thing here and as long as I continue to contribute content that expands our global knowledge base, I am a happy camper. So, what was I talking about again? Nails. Right.

Mary Kay Gold Polka Dot Nail Art

Clean and Refreshed with Vichy Spa Shower Gels

Why, hello there! A recurring theme here on Cosmetic Proof seems to be that "life is hectic" and though I can't say things have changed, there are a couple of products that make me happy to be home (other than hubby, Hugo and Hemi). I have my showers at night so generally I like to relax and scrub off the stress of the day in order for me to get a good night's sleep. It's also where I brainstorm most of my nail art designs so the shower really is an important place for me!

Even in my pre-blogging days, I always loved buying an insane amount of shower gel. There are so many scents out there and it is something I use every day so I can buy LOTS of it, no? I still have a bit of a problem with hoarding shower gels, but now I am a bit more selective and tend to behave whenever Bath & Body Works has their crazy "Buy 7 for $25"! Lately, I have been focusing on keeping my skin hydrated with some bath and body newness from Vichy! 

Vichy Spa Shower Gel Review

NAILS | Jayne's Must-Have Sephora and Formula X Essentials

If you hadn't noticed, I like to paint my nails. A lot. Though I don't often talk about what I do behind the scenes to keep their nails at their best, I definitely have some strong opinions concerning all things nails. Sometimes I will listen to customers at the drugstore ask the sales associates about the best top coat or how to make manicures last and a few times, I have interjected and made recommendations because let's face it. I think I know my s*$&!

I started using the Formula X System XCEL ($40.00 CDN) awhile back when it first came out and found that it extended the life of my manicures by up to a week at times. The longest I have been able to wear a chip-free Formula X manicure is a full 14 days earlier this year! Granted, I had strep throat and didn't use my hands too much, but the shine on my nails never seemed to fade. Over the last few months I have incorporated a few other loves that I thought I'd share with you that have really kept my nail game STRONG!


Sephora and Formula X Nail Essentials

NAILS | Literal Dior Skyline #ManiMonday

I was working today, Thanksgiving Monday, so I ended up having a very quiet Thanksgiving dinner last night with my husband. Though we didn't have turkey, we still ended up making a good number of traditional Thanksgiving sides and after all of the gluttony, I had completely forgotten about doing Thanksgiving nail art! Now, I know you guys have already seen tons of posts about Dior's Fall Skyline collection, but you know how slow I am so only now in October am I debuting Dior's Skyline collection! I'm not the most creative person and often need to peruse Pinterest for inspiration or better yet, take the name of the polish I am using and draw it on my nails! 

Sunday Essentials Edition #1 | My 5 Favourite Foundations

Ever since I stopped doing monthly favourites, I haven't really had the opportunity to share products that I have been using religiously. Looking at my routine, I actually have A LOT things that I have been loving to bits, but haven't actually written about!

Over the past two years, I have developed an unhealthy/healthy addiction to foundation. Never in my lifetime would I have thought I would love foundation so much, but it ties in to my utter love of skincare. Good skin is the perfect foundation for well, foundation! When I started this blog in 2011, I didn't even wear real foundation! I stuck to BB creams and mineral powder because I was convinced that foundation was only for people with "problem skin". I didn't realize that foundation comes in varying levels of coverage and can be used to enhance, cover and even out skin tone. Some can even be relatively hydrating if need be! Though I have a number of foundation favourites, these five are the ones that I have been reaching for on a daily basis for most of the year! 

MAKEUP LOOK | Clarins 5 Colour Eyeshadow Palette in #03 Natural Glow with Swatches

Every month I try to go through my stash and inevitably, I always rediscover some sort of makeup treasure where I either decide that it should go to another loving home OR into my makeup rotation for the next couple of weeks. When it came to the Clarins 5 Colour Eyeshadow Palette in #03 Natural Glow* ($39.00 CDN), I had a look at the shades and wondered why I hadn't used it more often! Though this palette is from the Spring collection, the current Fall 4 Colour Eyeshadow Palettes have very similar shades that can be used to recreate this smoky brown-eyed girl look.

Clarins 5 Colour Eyeshadow Palette in #03 Natural Glow with Swatches

NAILS | Power to Purple with OPI for #ManiMonday

I am cheating a little because this manicure was actually something I was saving for a later date, but because I didn't have a chance to paint my nails last night I am jumping the gun. I wore this manicure as a tribute to Urban Decay for their new store in Metrotown Mall last month. It's pretty cute though I wish the taping came out more cleanly. Purple is one of my favourite colours as I always feel empowered when I wear it and is actually a great shade to wear if you have a case of the Mondays because you look down at your nails and feel ready to slay whatever comes your way! 

OPI Purple Nail Art

KOREAN BEAUTY | A'Pieu Doraemon Edition Air-Fit Cushion Blusher in Coral and Pink with Swatches

Coming back to the blog is like rediscovering an old friend. I looked at my calendar and realized that I had only two posts for your reading pleasure last week! For shame! In all honesty though, my ongoing trend of being exhausted continued on and even now on my second day off, I am still struggling to keep my eyes open. I think I actually might be either sick or lacking in something so I plan on getting some blood work done to rule out anything scary!

While I was hoping to keep to a theme for Sundays, it will just have to wait until next week, but for now I have something that is just too cute not to chat about! Earlier in the summer, I was so in love with the cutenesss of the Doraemon edition of the A'Pieu Ait Fit Cushion (review), but did you know that Doraemon's sister, Dorami, was also part of the collection? She is yellow and has red ears that are meant to resemble a big red bow. How totally "kawaii"!  

A'Pieu Doraemon Edition Air-Fit Cushion Blusher in Coral and Pink with Swatches