MAKEUP | Auric Cosmetics Smoke Reflect Cream and Powder Eye Shadow Duo

Purchased by me

I think we were all pretty excited when local Vancouver YouTuber Samantha Ravndahl launched her brand Auric Cosmetics. As her popularity has grown over the years from a young MUA fighting with L'il Kim when the latter stole her work without credit (I remember following that reddit thread when Sam posted asking for help) to YouTube/Instagram star, one thing that has remained consistent is her honesty about products and brands. I feel like she has always been genuine here even though her livelihood depended on getting sponsorships and deals. She has also been honest about her use of Photoshop and commenting about what really happens behind the scenes with many of the seemingly perfect IG photos and brand trips (when they used to happen monthly!). Having met her in person a few times over the years at events, I don't think we would be best friends, but she is fun to listen to on camera and I will always like her somewhat cynical and refreshing take on the beauty industry. 

MAKEUP | Phytosurgence Flash Florescence In Bloom Collection #LunarFebruary

I am back almost a year later with more from Vancouver-based brand Phytosurgence! This brand also fits in with my #LunarFebruary theme as it is partially Asian-owned so yay! They have launched SO MANY more products since I was here last with their classic collection of cream eyeshadows and though I have realllly been tame with my makeup purchases, the Summer 2021 "In Bloom" collection was one that I had a challenging time saying no to so I picked it up during Phytosurgence's Black Friday sale as a Christmas gift to myself!

Purchased by me

MAKEUP | Phytosurgence Flash Fluorescence Cream Eyeshadows with Swatches and Look

My love affair for Canadian products and shopping local has grown ever deeper and I have the pandemic to partially "thank" (I always feel a bit weird using the words "pandemic" and "thankful" in the same sentence) for my exuberance in trying to "keep it in the family" this year. I don't want to be one of those people who get sad when local places or businesses close having invested zero effort into keeping them afloat. Now, food is one thing since we all get hungry and need to eat, but beauty is next level for me because I need absolutely NOTHING so I'm seriously investing not just money, but space in my already overflowing drawers so the products need to hit a certain level of bougieness that I have become accustomed to.

Hi, Phytosurgence...   

Purchased by me