NAILS | Happy NYE! #CBBxManiMonday

Purchased by me

Happy New Year's Eve everyone! We made it! I'm still doing my best to catch up on rest, but one thing I am not doing is harping on 2024 as I feel like we should never tempt fate by saying good riddance to one year and hoping that the next year is better (ahem 2019 to 2020!). While 2024 was a challenging year in many ways for me, I also discovered that I was stronger than I thought and that eventually it paid off in the form of a super toxic employee leaving! So, I will drink to that!

Sheet Mask | Top 8 of 2024 (Because I couldn't think of 10)

It has been eons since I have done a Top ANYTHING on the blog, but the one thing I know well are SHEET MASKS! After picking it up as part of my skincare routine in 2018, I have not stopped and though I don't do them every single day like before, I still manage to use at least 3-4 sheet masks/week making them a beauty product I am quite familiar with! While some of the sheet masks in this list aren't necessarily ones I discovered in 2024, all are masks that I try to have on hand all the time.

VT Cosmetics Cica Reti-A 3 Step Mask (Review)

Who doesn't love an all-in-one skincare routine? I have always loved multi-step masks and this one from VT Cosmetics left my skin looking so even-toned right away and also took out the redness in my cheeks. The sheet mask material was cushion-like and soft making for a very comfortable sheet mask experience!

MAKEUP | Dior Holiday Golden Ball 2024 Collection

Purchased by me and it was QUITE the splurge!

As some of you know especially from my Instagram, back in April while I was stress leave, I decided to dedicate my beauty budget for the remainder of 2024 to one brand and that brand was Dior! I was scrolling through Instagram and started seeing some their new releases, events and GWPs and it made me go back into my old Dior press samples and reminisce. In doing so, I realized that I had been neglecting a VERY good brand with quality formulations and of course, FANTASTIC packaging. Over the years, I have been tiring of Sephora and their lack of client service so I have been buying all of my Dior products almost exclusively from the Dior counter at Holt Renfrew. I like that I am buying from a Canadian department store and giving commission to a real person. I have also been rewarded with facials every month, invitations to exclusive events with Dior as well as GWPs that are way better than what I have ever received at Sephora. Suffice it to say, I am going to be continuing to shop with Holt Renfrew! 

SHEET MASK | VT Cosmetics Vita Light All in One 3 Step Mask

 

Purchased by me

I had high hopes for blogging more this month, but working so much this season really took it out of me so I allowed myself some grace (and naps) to catch up. I have today to Sunday off so I think I will feel MUCH better by the time Monday rolls around. I started my day off with a Dior facial (which was glorious) and a little retail therapy at Holt Renfrew. I came home after fighting downtown traffic at noon (like WTF) and had to do some grocery shopping, having not been able to do any for the last 1.5 weeks, had lunch and then promptly fell asleep for an hour while watching The Good Place. All in all, a good start to recovery!

NAILS | Merry Christmas! #CBBxManiMonday

Press samples 

This is going to be short and sweet as I have been working the last nine days straight and today - Christmas Day is my first day off since Dec.15th! I woke up feeling pretty tired around 8am, but the kitties were hungry so I forced myself to get up and make an Nescafe coffee. I vacuumed, had some breakfast and then started to fall asleep at the computer around 10:30am so took nap #1 for about 30 minutes and felt better. I've just been listening to Tati on YouTube most of the day, doing some Pixyls and catching up on rest and life. 

NAILS | Dior Soir de Bal with Snowflakes #CBBxManiMonday

Decals are press samples

This is THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER for so many reasons, but the main one being that for the last two years, myself and others in the store have been terrorized by a very difficult employee. The most difficult and unprofessional employee I have ever come across in my 20 years at work and as of last Thursday, this employee is retired and most importantly gone. 

SHEET MASK | Sephora Glow Booster Mask

Purchased by me 

How is everyone doing? Are the holidays getting to you? Or is this your favourite time of year? I definitely love the making extra money side of it and how generally people are pleasant, but then I dread the unpleasantness that comes with January...people are like extra grumpy OR they get into follow up mode. For now, I will enjoy the Christmas magic and let you know of this Sephora Collection sheet mask that was interesting...

SHEET MASK | Neogen Surmedic Vital Collagen Mask

Press sample

This month is already whizzing by! How is it already almost the middle of December?! Like WTH! I have A LOT going on this month which I will be sharing on social media as it involves my passion project Pelegrims, but I am also attempting one last surge of blog posts for 2024. Last month was an all-time low for me in terms of content on all fronts as I focused more on Pelegrims and work (and also had no nails to speak of), but this month I have nails again and I really would like to have some Christmas content out!

NAILS | Christmas Lights #CBBxManiMonday

Some press samples

I am determined to stay on track with having nails every Monday and as we speak it is 1am and I am typing this out because I just painted these two hours ago! I hope I have the energy to continue being punctual because it makes me feel better about everything else in life in general. I think it has been awhile since I have done Christmas lights so I figured it was a good time to bring them back!

SHEET MASK | Daycell Probiotics Lactobacillus Bacteria 3 Step Solution

Press sample

You know the song "Here Comes the Hotstepper" by Ini Kamoze? That's the song that runs through my head everytime I use a 3 step mask ("Here comes the three stepper") like this one from Daycell! This is a mask that focuses on a healthy skin microbiome by using probiotics. Probiotics in skincare is not new and has been shown to soothe skin, help with breakouts and improve overall skin texture and improve elasticity.

NAILS | Let the Holiday Nails Begin! #CBBxManiMonday

 

Press samples marked with *

Oof, my nails are still on the short side, but I was determined to make a design happen! I hadn't done a skittles manicure in awhile and it worked out because I could not decide how to kick off this month of holiday nail art! 

SKINCARE | Leaders Milk Sponge White Mud Pack to Foam

Press sample

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a good weekend! I had a much needed break yesterday and though I was productive, I still took some time to snuggle up and read a book in this colder weather! I was doing some filming as well (I despise filming hence the lack of IG Reels), but it was for a product that I have been testing out that has turned out to be super cool! 

SHEET MASK | A By Bom Ultra Water Leaf Mask

Purchased by me

The minute I dive into an A by Bom sheet mask, I KNOW it's going to be a good one! They have never disappointed and if anything, generally exceed my expectations! They were one of the first sheet mask brands I saw that did "multi-masking" which as to have the first step be smaller masks for targeted areas and then a sheet mask that would go over top (example here). They also made these masks very pretty to wear to the point that you wanted to go out in public and show everyone what you were wearing on your face! The mask I am sharing with you today is not a multi-mask, but it is definitely still one worth talking about!