The Cutest Last Minute Gifts From Quo

Happy Holidays!

Can you believe that Christmas is next week?

I have been chillaxing, watching tv, and drinking gingerale for the last 5 weeks because of my treatment, so I'm totally behind the eight ball.  As per usual.

If you're still looking for some adorable gifts at the last minute, Quo and Shoppers Drug Mart have you covered!

First up is the Love Lip Set, which contains six gorgeous mini-glosses.  There are five neutral shades, and one soft pink glittery shade.  Each one is nicely pigmented with a delicious vanilla scent.  The texture is creamy and quite rich, without a lot of stickiness. These are perfect for throwing into a purse, keeping at a desk, or a locker.  A girl can never have too much gloss!  This set retails for $20.00.

 

 

The Quo Walk The Line Set contains four different shades of eyeliner.  Each liner is well pigmented, and soft in texture, with no drag when applying.  Since they are creamier in texture, they may smudge a bit, so use a primer on the lid before hand.  The metallic blue, copper-brown, and silver are all loaded with shimmery loveliness, while the black is inky and deep. This set retails for $20.00.

 

 

  

This little beauty is my favourite!  The Quo by ORLY 18-Piece Mini-Laquer set is an amazing gift.  The 18 polish shades are separated into three sets of six: The Nudes, The Pinks, The Glitters.  I had never tried Quo by ORLY nail colour before, but after one try I was hooked!  The formula lasts like a champ, and for the most part goes on well in two coats.  I am particularly enamoured with the glitter polishes in this set!  I don't have a lot of luck with glitters, but these particles are perfectly distributed throughout, and there is a great tint to the base of the polish.  That green shade is super-pretty on toes!  The price is $43.00, which is wonderful for the amount of laquers, as well as the fact that you can split into it three gifts!

Are you guys going to run out to Shoppers ASAP to check these out?  Or are you going to take someone there as a subtle stocking stuffer hint for yourself?  That works too!

 I hope everyone's well, and I wish all of you the Merriest of Christmases, Happiest of Holidays, and a Spectacular 2015!!!!!

Donna Xoxo


*These products were sent for consideration, however, the opinions expressed are all mine!

Travel Musts: Kimonos and Sky Blue Nails!

Happy Canada Day Week and July Fourth Week everybody!
I hope everyone is rested and fed and patriotic.
Usually around this time of year, travelling is on everyone's mind.
Summer's here, school's out, and when the temperature rises we all itch to get away.
Even me!  And, I just might do it!
My family is from Scotland, and I have a lot of relatives still over there.  Up until I was 21, I went over every year with my Mom.  After that, she got too sick to travel, and I haven't been back since.
If you haven't been to Scotland, what are you waiting for?  The scenery is breathtaking, and the people are amazing!  You'll never laugh harder during a taxi ride than one you take in Glasgow.  "Glesga Folk" are witty and down-to-earth, and genuine, and robust.  It's a great combo!
In a few weeks, I just may be there!  So exciting!
Earlier in the week, my In Flight Essentials for Fresh Skin were featured on Fashion Translated, so we know what will be on my face during the flight, and here I'll talk about a few things that need to come along in the suitcase!
The first thing that everyone needs, no matter where you're going, is a kimono!  This is a huge trend this year.

A kimono looks just as great with jean shorts as it does with a maxi dress, along with everything in between!  They can be found everywhere this year, but one of the best places to get one is Forever 21.  The selection is fantastic!  Since I'm petite, I need one that is on the shorter side so I don't look like I'm drowning in it, but taller ladies are looked after too with longer options available.  I love a rich print, which will carry me right into fall.

A vacation in the summer absolutely calls for bright nails!  Essie's Strut Your Stuff fills that bill in spades!  Its a bright cerulean blue that looks wonderful with summer skin of all shades.  It applies quite nicely in two coats for the most part, and the finish is rich and true.  I'm desperately in love with this polish.  I had it on my nails within minutes of walking in my door!  It's that good!  Check out Essie here.

These are just two of my travel musts, I could go on for days with this!  A good bronzer, a big cozy scarf, and fits-like-a-glove jeans are all on the list too!

What do you not vacay without?

 

Donna Xoxo

 

PS - For the month of July, I will be keeping a Lipstick Diary.  Each day, I'll have a different lipstick, gloss, or balm on Instagram here, and Twitter here.  Follow me at #JulyLippyLove!  

Pretty Pastels From Maybelline and L'Oreal

Happy Easter Boys and Girls!
I hope everyone has lots of chocolate, lots of family and lots of happiness this weekend!
I'm hanging out with Annie, eating too many Easter Cream Eggs, and chillin', which works for me!

 

 

Since the day they came out, I was dying to get my hands on Maybelline's Colour Sensation Colour Elixir Liquid Lip Balm.  I was intrigued by the formula, as I am such a lip balm junkie!  Had to see if it was as hydrating as they claim, right?

It kind of is!

 

The Colour Elixir's are a hybrid of lipstick, gloss, and balm.  They contain a trio of concentrates which contribute shine, colour, and an ultra-cushiony feel.  The applicator is a wide doe-foot, and the smooth angora of the applicator brings a lovely luxe component to the product! 

The balm has a vanilla scent, that has a touch of mint to my nose.  It also feels a bit minty on the lip which makes it a little tingly.  The texture is soft and squishy, and I got about two and a half  hours wear from it.  This was while drinking tea and eating a chocolate chip cookie!  (Man, I have the worst willpower!) 

 The colour I have is Captivating Carnation.  It's a pretty warm pink, which is quite sheer.  The darker shades may be more pigmented.  If I'm honest, I don't love the colour on me.  I wish I had picked up the coral, or the caramel.  Next time!

The shade of the L'Oreal Colour Riche Nail Colour, however, is spectacular!

The L'Oreal Nail Colour is a richly pigmented, smooth polish, which wears exceptionally well!  I'm quite rough on my nails, but I got four days wear from this polish before it chipped badly.  The application couldn't have been easier either.  The brush is dense with a nice curve at the edges, and a flatter shape.  It glides nicely over the nail, and since it's not too thick it didn't spread all over my little nail beds!  I did about three coats to get a streak free finish.  That's the nature of a creamy shade, though.  I always need an extra coat when I'm using a shade without shimmer.  Streaks stress me out!

The colour I'm wearing above is from this springs "Trend Setter" collection, and it's called Royalty Reinvented.  What a lovely violety-lavender shade!  It screams spring, and sunshine, and freshness to me!

These colours are the perfect Easter pastels, aren't they?

Have you guys tried Maybelline's Colour Elixirs yet?  What did you think?

 

Donna Xoxo

 

 

 

 



Nail Polish, Sociopaths and Doggie Love: A Glimpse into My Days

Happy Canada Day Boys and Girls!

I hope it was a great weekend for everyone, and I hope it's a quick recovery too, be it exhaustion or hangover. 

Been there my friends, let me tell ya!

I've been laid up for the last week, so I thought I should check in and give a little snap-shot into how I've been amusing myself!

Don't everyone wet themselves in anticipation all at once!  It's exciting, I know. 

I did a little mani a few days ago. Has anyone tried the new Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Glosses?  I tried the Mint Mojito and I have to say... Love It!  It's a great creamy mint green that is so not wimpy!  The brush is a great width, and the formula doesn't streak. The application on my right hand looked to be streaky when I did it, that being my non-co-operative hand and all, but it dried nice and smooth. 

As for the rest of my week, a lot of Dexter was watched in anticipation of the season premiere last night!  I'm going to be a wreck when this show ends after this season!  We won't talk about that right now. Can't bury James Gandolfini and discuss this in the same week. 

I'm only human after all!

I spent the rest of the week hanging out with my fur baby, Annie. Did I tell you guys that Ray and I have a new doggie?

She naps in the afternoon, likes to lie on the couch and get affection!  She's me in dog form!

I also discovered this week that the Walmart near me has a section of chocolate imported from Scotland!  

Dexter, pretty nails, an Orange Club Biscuit and my Annie. Not a bad week, all things considered. 

I'd love to hear about everyone else's weekend!  Anyone do exciting stuff?

Donna Xoxo

Ps. A quick shout out to my Dad. He would have been 75 today. 

Ray and I'll have a wee scotch in James Hain's honor since we can't have one in his presence. He would have enjoyed my wee family, such as it is!  Xxxx

My Secret to Smooth Glossy Nails.

There are a few things in life which, for me, are non-negotiable.
Clean, healthy looking nails are one of them.
A lot of the time, my nails aren't freshly manicured.  Life gets in the way, whether its time, money, or gardening.  Just not a major priority. My nails do, however, always look good!
It is the easiest little routine! 
A few years ago, my health started to decline.  My nails started to develop deep ridges, and became very brittle.  They would peel and tear all the time.  Regular strengtheners did nothing but make them more brittle.  The key to a brittle nail is moisture!
Every night I apply a cuticle oil, like Creative Solar Oil.  Rub it in well and let it soak.
Next the nail needs to be smooth.   
I have been a fan of nail buffers for ages now.  I have always used the four sided ones, and never thought the two sided ones were all that great.
Until now! 
The Revlon Crazy Shine buffer is Fab. U. Lous!  When they say crazy shine, they're not kidding!
It leaves the nail smooth and glossy like nobodies business!  Could not believe my eyes first time I used it.  My nails were as shiny as glass!  I'm so in love!
The treatment that I find works best for me, is Sally Hansen Complete Care 4-in-1 Moisturising Treatment.  It softens and protects the nail, so you don't get those little cracks at the edge of the nail, or peeling at the tips.  Dries in record time too!

 
I buff my nails, and do a coat of the treatment in about five minutes flat!  Easy Peasy!
So, that's my secret!  I'd love to hear yours!

Donna Xoxo