Foxy Originals Giveaway!

If you guys know anything about me, you'll know how I love accessories. Most of my pictures on this blog have some sort of gold accessory peeking through behind all the make up. So when I was contacted to do another giveaway with Foxy Originals, I couldn't possibly say no.

While I more simple pieces usually, I did want a little something more for the Christmas season so I opted for this "star studded" (get it, get it?!) piece: the Cosmic Earrings in gold. These ear jackets are adorable and give the impression that the earrings are floating - the front is a little star and the back piece is a cluster of stars. I love that these earrings are a little glam without being overwhelming - very, very me! The earrings weren't heavy which is a bonus though it did get caught in my hair when I wore my hair down. It wasn't too big a bother but still something to know.

Foxy Original's jewellery is made in Canada (Toronto, to be specific!) which makes me love the brand even more. Quite a few of the pieces are made of pewter and plated with genuine 14 Karat Gold, silver or copper which is surprising as the prices are reasonable. These earrings came in an adorable box and bag which make it the perfect gift for someone special!

Some things to note:
1. This giveaway is open for Canada and the US only
2. The giveaway will close on Friday, December 18th at Midnight (Eastern Time Zone, UTC: -5:00)
3. The winner will be chosen at random and I will notify them via Twitter
4. Once the winner has been announced, they will have 24 hours to respond, after which a new winner will be selected.
5. The prize is the gorgeous Cosmic Earrings as seen above and you have to enter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Current Game Face

There are some days where I just spend a good hour on my makeup: I take my time blending eyeshadows, placing blush/bronzer/highlighter strategically on my face and carefully lining my lips. Then there are other days I don't wear make up at all and just run outside the house. Hooray for ignorance/confidence/poor time management!

While my full make up routine is extensive, this is my quick game face. It looks like a lot of products for a "quick" routine but trust me, I can have this done in less than ten minutes, maybe even five!

For my base I use my new favourite Kat Von D Lock It Tattoo Foundation (Medium 57): it's full coverage and perfectly matches my tan, neutral-undertoned skin. There's no faff with this product, I use a dense brush to buff it all in and I'm good to go!

Disclaimer: I don't use under-eye concealer. I don't think I'm quite there yet so I find this foundation adequately covers any uneven colour which does shave off a little bit of time off my routine.

Next, I swipe some NARS Blush in Oasis on my cheeks - it's a darker blush that I would say is a mix of brown, purple and pink with a little shimmer. It's definitely not a "natural flush" colour but I do like a bold blush so it's my go-to. Also, NARS blushes last ages. They would wear longer than my previous foundations - my skin would look a mess while my cheeks looked pristine! I then add my ColourPop highlighter in Wisp: this cream/mousse product is a gorgeous champagne gold and adds a subtle shimmer. It's perfect for my tan skin and doesn't look overwhelming during the daytime.

Moving onto eyes, I add some of this Inglot Bronze shadow in the inner corners for a little brightness. Using my current favourite Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper, I line my eyes - I prefer a thicker feline flick even for day-to-day operation and this liner is just so darn great. It's incredibly dark and the brush tip makes it easy to draw the skinniest of lines! My mascara of choice is currently the Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless which is perfect for longer, non-clumpy lashes.

Last, but certainly not least, I use Kat Von D Studded Lipstick in Lolita for perfectly pink lips. This dusty rose shade is great for Autumn while still looking natural and daytime appropriate! The creamy formula isn't drying on the lips either which is a huge cold-weather bonus!

It's a lot to read but I promise it doesn't take more than ten minutes tops. What are your favourite "everyday" products? Comment below or tweet me @SundayWardrobe!

Swatch + Review: Fall Lips

If you know anything about me, you'll know how much I whine about finding it hard to get good lipsticks and nudes for Women of Colour. While this isn't a list of just nude lipsticks, these are some colours I've been loving for fall - nude and berry.

Let's start with my current favourite: Kat Von D Studded Lipstick in Lolita. I raved about this just last week - a matte dusty rose with a great formula. It's creamy and non-drying, lasts really well and is such a beautiful pink for darker skin tones.

Next is my favourite dark nude from Buxom, the True Nude Lip Foundation in Revealed. It was in my nude lipsticks lists and I still love it. Creamy formula, beautiful colour and lasts for a good while without smudging, drying your lips or rubbing off. It's a brown colour with a slightly pink undertone and I love wearing it on it's own.

Rimmel's Kate Moss 107 is a cult favourite - a reddish berry that's appropriate for any occasion. It has great pigmentation, a creamy formula and is super affordable. It's been a favourite of mine for years especially for this time of the year.

Lastly it's my favourite purple colour for the season by Covergirl in the shade Euphoria. It's slightly shiny compared to the other lipsticks I've mentioned but I don't mind it so much. The formula isn't as great as the others; it rubs off a little easier and can smudge so I do pair it with a lip liner. It's not drying (so important for this time of the year!) and I love the dark purple colour.

What are your favourite lipsticks and colours for this season? Comment below or tweet me @SundayWardrobe!

From L to R: Kat Von D - Lolita / Buxom - Revealed / Rimmel London - 107 / Covergirl - Euphoria

Review: My Moment with Kat

I'm having such a moment with Kat Von D. I've raved about her liquid lipstick before but I've picked up a few bits from her make up like and I just can't. Everything I've tried has been so fantastic so I thought I'd do a little review (cough, rave, cough) about Kat Von D.

Starting with the face, her Lock-It Tattoo Foundation (Medium 57) is my new favourite. The shade range is really great, she has a variety of colours and undertones to pick from. This is probably the most full coverage foundation I've ever used as three quarters of a pump goes a long way. It manages to hide my scars and hyper-pigmentation and makes my skin look air brushed. It is a matte foundation though I've noticed it gets slightly greasy after four or five hours - nothing a little powder can't fix. Though it is a little bulky, I do like the pump and packaging. It came with a plastic piece to fit over the opening and I've held onto it as it'll make sure your foundation is spill proof when you travel. I can't say enough good things about this bad boy.

Next I've really been enjoying her Tattoo Liner in Trooper. This is the black liner and it really is quite black (nothing more annoying that grey "black" liners). At first I hated the fine brush, preferring a more stiff tip applicator but I've grown to love it. The brush is very fine, perfect for drawing thin lines though I build mine up and out as I love a strong cat-eye. If you're used to a stiff applicator, this takes a while to get used to but I now prefer the brush to the stiff tip. It isn't impossible to get off while still lasting ages. It does smudge if you rub your eyes so, you know, don't. Easily my current favourite liner.

Lastly I've been loving the Studded Kiss Lipstick in Lolita. This is a matte dusty rose and it is the prettiest pink for those with darker skin tones. It isn't drying, it lasts well through meals and it's just so pretty. I wear this without a lip liner as I love the colour on its own and it lasts a good 7 to 8 hours without touch ups and while eating spaghetti bolognese.  I'll have a swatch up on the blog soon so stay tuned!

I still want to try out her powder foundation, concealer and the liquid lipstick version of Lolita (seriously, why is it so hard to find?!) and I'll definitely post a review when I do!

Have you tried anything by Kat Von D? What was your impression? Would you try anything else? Comment below or tweet me @SundayWardrobe!

5 Tips for Avoiding the Morning Rush

Once you hit a certain age, every second of sleep is precious. From hitting snooze multiple times to not wearing make up to work, I will do anything to get those extra minutes of sleep. But I've been getting better at the whole "morning" thing and I boil it down to these few tips:

1. Just wake up earlier. Easier said than done but I find that when I know I have an early morning, I try to get to bed much earlier than I normally would. This means I can wake up fairly refreshed and not have to run around looking for things.

2. Dry Shampoo the night before. If you've been reading this blog for a few months, you'll know my dry shampoo tricks - baby powder brushed through my hair the night before absorbs all oil and, as a bonus, there's no white residue in the morning.

3. Organize your make up and outfit the night before. I can spend countless minutes deciding on an outfit so I try to check the weather and plan my outfit the night before. This saves me from staring at my closet and frantically throwing together something haphazard. Don't forget shoes and any jewellery!

4. Make sure any bags are packed the night before. The worst thing you can do is worry about packing your bag when you're in a rush; you're more likely to forget half the things you need! Keep everything you need for the day all together so you can just grab and go.

5. Quick breakfasts that can be made and kept the night before or are quick to assemble are key to ensuring you don't skip that important meal. Granola bars are a life saver as they're quick to throw into your bag and easy to eat during your commute.

It's all about prep when it comes to being more organized in the mornings. If you work a little the night before, you're rewarded with a few more minutes to sleep in the morning after and that is gold. What are your tips for avoiding the Morning Rush? Comment below or tweet me @SundayWardrobe!

image source: weheartit

Aztec Healing Clay

I don't like when things are on my face - I never use a towel to wipe my face, I don't like when people touch my face and it's why I'm so lazy when it comes to masks. I hate sticky masks, I hate messy masks, I just don't like masks.

But there's one mask I make the exception for (actually, two but we'll get to that another day) and it's the Aztec Healing Clay. This mask got a lot of hype a few years back and I never really understood why. The fact that I could only find it online really bothered me and so I just never tried it. Then on a particularly bad skin day, I bit the bullet and ordered two jars of this stuff. I can't remember where I ordered it from but it only cost around $8 per jar and so I only ordered two to make the free shipping minimum.


This is a natural one ingredient product (pure bentonite clay) which I've been very into lately. I've used this mask weekly for months and it surprises me every time. It's a clay mask and perfect for any skin type though I wouldn't do it weekly if my skin were on the drier side. It's drying but not too drying and it just gives your skin a fresh glow. It's great for when you have an event that evening as your skin looks so much brighter though this only lasts for a day or so. I haven't found another mask that's as great as this and, for the price, I doubt anyone can.

What's your favourite face mask - natural or not? Leave any recommendations in the comments below or tweet me @SundayWardrobe!

Rose-Tinted Toner

Lately, I've been reaching for natural skincare - the kind our grandmothers always talked about but we never really cared to try. I love flashy packaging and I think my main reason for trying any product is how it's presented but it was time to change that. The struggle of balancing finances with beauty and the environment has led me to reach for a toner that has consistently been recommended by South Asian women.

The other day I heard someone talking about a coconut oil infused hair mask and I realized that I (and so many others) was making a silly mistake. Why spend money on slathering your hair with chemicals that contain trace amounts of coconut oil when you can just use coconut oil as the hair mask? It's also a South Asian recommendation and I've written a post about it here.

But I've been making the same silly mistake with other products - buying expensive products that are enriched with rose and rose water when my family always has a bottle of rose water in the house. So my toner at choice is the very inexpensive rose water! It's great for reducing redness, cleansing and hydrating the skin. I use it in the mornings after I wash my face, wiping it all over with a quarter of a cotton ball (that's all you need - let's save the environment kids!) and letting it dry on my skin before going in with my moisturizer. The scent bothered me at first (despite not being overpowering) but it disappears after a few minutes and you're left with hydrated skin. I do find it's helped with the texture of my skin as well as breakouts and it's now a cheap, must-have in my beauty regimen. It can also (supposedly) be used as a makeup remover but I find that you need to rub it in quite a bit if you want your pesky mascara to come off. Other benefits can be found here if you're interested.

I buy my rosewater from South Asian grocery stores (serious SA love in this post!) and I haven't checked elsewhere but it's not a hard ingredient to find. If not at your local grocery store, check Arab/SA stores around you as they're a staple there!

What's your favourite toner - natural or not? Any natural skincare products you've found that make a difference on your skin? Comment below or tweet me @SundayWardrobe!

The Sunday Mind: Racism in Beauty

I feel like The Sunday Mind is going to be a Save the World Wednesday type series where I think out loud. I know that it's probably better for the blog that I keep it beauty and lifestyle but at the same time, this blog should represent me and I have thoughts independent of beauty that I want to speak out about. But to tie it all in, here are my thoughts on racism in the beauty industry.

I don't know if many people have realized this (not sure how many people of colour read this blog or are having this problem) but there are not many darker shades of foundation. Going into Sephora, I can see a plethora of  lighter foundations and concealers but each brand seems to have 3 darker shades. I don't understand why - if anything there's a wider spectrum of shades and colours in darker skintones but why don't more companies cater to it? Why can I only find maybe 3 brands that carry my colour but every single brand (it seems) has the exact same shade of a pink under-toned, cool, light foundations.

And it's not just foundation and concealers, I can't seem to find any shade of bronzer dark enough to contour with. Do darker skinned individuals not need to contour? The cruel reality of racism even when it comes to beauty. If anyone has any recommendations for darker or mixed skintones, please comment below! I could just be looking for them in the wrong places (though I do believe the standard of beauty is geared towards European/whites).

This is also the case for nude lipsticks (or nude anything). They may be nude for lighter skintones but definitely not for darker ones. I posted my favourite nude lipsticks a few days back - hopefully they help someone who's having trouble finding a good, darker nude (I know it took me a while to find those three).

This may seem trivial to most (especially if you don't share the same problem) but I do think it's subliminal, subconscious and subtle racism (a little alliteration for ya). The standards of beauty are very much skewed towards lighter skin tones and I think it's a shame considering all the beautiful shades of white/tan/brown/black there are out there.

Do you ever find it hard to get makeup for darker skin? Or am I looking in all the wrong places? Leave any recommendations or comments below or tweet me @SundayWardrobe!

May Favourites

May has been a great month so far - the warm weather has opened up weekends of adventure; I've gone hiking, to the beach, walking around downtown Toronto. All things that put  me in a great mood. I've (re)discovered quite a few favourites this month though not all beauty but what's life if it's only about makeup?

My Brother, My Brother and Me has become one of the high points of my day. I listen to this hilarious podcast on my commute to work since driving over an hour everyday has made me sick of the radio. These three brothers answer questions from listeners and on Yahoo Answers for an entertaining time.

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara was an impulse purchase from Target when I went to Buffalo a couple months back and it's blown me away. The brush was interesting - the short stubby bristles intrigued me as I've never used something like that but the formula was fantastic. It was long lasting, didn't smudge and gave my lashes length and volume. Only thing was that it was a little stubborn to remove - my regular cleanser would take off majority but not all of it.

I rediscovered my Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation after needing a good foundation that wouldn't make me too greasy during warmer days. I've raved about it before and my feelings haven't changed much - a foundation with great coverage, it doesn't wipe off easily or slip around and it doesn't make you look greasy. Again, the fact that it doesn't have my exact shade really bothers me but the one I've got is close enough and will probably match better once I tan.

Hey Claire is a YouTuber I've recently started watching and she is fantastic. I love her style (though I could never pull it off), how she talks and her videos. She's easily one of the more talented YouTubers when it comes to ideas and editing and she puts in so much effort in all her videos. Definitely been binge-watching her!

Last but certainly not least is my favourite primer, Neutrogena Shine Control Primer. I've spoken about this and other Neutrogena products before and you'll know how much I love this. This is the perfect summer primer as it's so absorbent without making your skin look dry or cake-y. I put this on before my foundation and I've rarely had to powder after a few hours (I think I've had to powder on three separate occasions and that was after 8 hours).

What are your May favourites, beauty or otherwise? Leave your recommendations or links to your posts below or tweet me @SundayWardrobe!

Nude Lips for Darker Skintones

It's been quite a battle finding the perfect nude for my skin tone. A lot of the nudes out there are great for lighter skin tones but the light pinks don't work well on my skin. I've always known my perfect nude would be a balance between brown and pink but all the brown lipsticks are far too dark while all the pink ones are far too light. Whine whine whine.

But I've finally done it. I've finally found some perfect nudes for darker skin tones that don't make my lips look like I smoke a pack a day. It's been a few months of digging and swatching but I've finally done it.


My journey started with a lip liner I've raved about before.  I wear Rimmel's Exaggerate Automatic Lip Liner in Epic on a daily basis to work with nothing on top as it's the perfect nude for me. It's light brown with a pink/peach undertone. At first I felt as though this lip liner was drying but after several months, I realized it's just sticking to my lips (not sticky either). I wish I could find a better word for this; know that it's not drying or sticky, it's just ...there. After using this for so long, I don't feel it on my lips and it gives my lips a my lips but better look. It also lasts for a good long while (at least five hours) but it does start to rub off once I eat (lasts through drinks though!). It also makes my lipsticks (when I do wear any on top) last for ages. Knowing that this was my perfect nude, I then set out to find matching lipsticks which brought me to...

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in London (04): I need to have a moment of silence for the death of Target in Canada. Also, if any Canadians could tell me where else I could find these, that'd be great. This is a lovely light brown and I wear it on top of my Epic liner as I feel as though it's not dark/pink enough in it to wear on it's own. It lasts for a long, long while, it doesn't smudge or run and it doesn't dry out my lips. It's a win-win-win-win-win. There's also a slight vanilla scent which I love. The only downside is that it's hard to find even in the States as NYX SMLCs are so popular.

The last is a higher end brand that is darker that my previous picks and it's a creamy lipstick that I've really been liking. Buxom's True Nude Lip Foundation in Revealed is very pigmented and creamy. It's not drying and it lasts so so well without smudging or rubbing off. The colour is just as pigmented after eating as when I first put it on - it doesn't fade or transfer. It's easily the best formula of the three nudes though (get ready for more whining) I wish it was a tad lighter/more pink. Now if only I could get the Buxom formula with the Rimmel colour..

Have you tried any of these products (in any shade)? What are your thoughts on them. Leave your favourite nude lipsticks in the comment below or tweet me @SundayWardrobe! Hopefully we can get great nudes for a variety of skintones! 

STWW: Body Acne (and how to get rid of it!)

Here's a little story about something I've had for years and years that I was always so shy about: Bacne. It's not a "pretty" topic but it is common and human and natural so I thought why not share my story if it helps someone out.

I had fairly bad breakouts on my back for many years which I hated. As I got older, the frequency of these breakouts reduced (not by very much) but the scarring was still prominent. I was always so shy about wearing tank tops or strapless tops and wouldn't unless I wore my hair down to hide my back.

Around six years ago I made a decision that I wouldn't let something on my body affect me so negatively and started not caring about my scars and bacne - writing it out sounds silly, like I'm making it a bigger deal than it is but, back then, it was a huge deal to me. After appreciating my body for the wonderful things it does for me, rather than hating something small like scarring, I decided to take action on my breakouts. I visited a doctor who prescribed an acne cream for me. I did this for a few weeks and, while it worked, the second I stopped, my back would break out again. It was also incredibly drying on my skin and the chemicals would bleach my clothes. I spoke to a friend who had done research on this and she recommended something that's so easy and that I use everyday and swear by.

Head and Shoulders. That's it. Or any dandruff shampoo, really. I use it in place of a body wash - it's enough to combat my acne without drying my skin and I've used it for a few years now and love it. I break out much less frequently and my scars are gradually fading (though this isn't because of the shampoo). I also don't use a moisturizer on my back as I don't want the oils and chemicals to irritate my skin. This is the most effective thing I've used without drying my skin or bleaching my clothes.

Is body breakouts an issue for you? Write any products/ways to reduce body breakouts (and if you use Head and Shoulders) in the comments below or tweet me @SundayWardrobe!

Natural Beauty: Coconut Oil

I don't know if you've seen my haiku for Argan Oil but I'm a girl who seriously loves her oils.

I have curly hair that is very, very dry and that I love to straighten. Since I've started straightening my hair, I've noticed that it's thinned out a lot, it's become incredibly dry and frizzy and it breaks off so easily. I've tried so many products: keratin sprays, deep conditioners, heat protectors, expensive shampoos but none of them worked well or at all. Desperate, I asked my mom what she thought I should do and she told me what they use back home (Sri Lanka) - Coconut Oil.

My grandma has been using coconut oil on her hair since she was young and her hair is thicker than mine (she's more than 50 years older than me). While she, and many others from her generation, leaves it in her hair all day and everyday, I decided to do what works for me: to use it as a deep conditioner. This is now becoming very popular though it's something my grandmother has been practicing for decades and I can see the results.

I massage coconut oil onto my scalp and rub it all over my ends and leave it in for as long as I can - sometimes it's overnight but a lot of the time it's for an hour or so. I then wash it out and wash my hair as I normally would - with shampoo and conditioner. It is a deep conditioner so I would recommend that those with finer hair skip conditioner altogether to avoid getting too greasy. Ideally I would use coconut oil each time I wash my hair but it ends up being that I use this treatment maybe twice a month.

I've definitely noticed a difference - though my hair is still dry, it's not as dry as it once was. It's less prone to breakage and seems to grow much faster. It's also thicker though I'm not sure if it's just falling out less or growing more. I find when I stop using it, my hair thins out quickly which is a sure indication of just how harsh hot tools are on your hair. It's one of, if not the, best deep conditioning treatments I've ever tried. It's a huge bonus that it's all natural and isn't hard on the environment (no chemicals, no tiny plastic packaging).

Have you used a coconut oil hair mask before? Have you noticed a difference? Leave any recommendations for hair oils in the comments below or tweet me @SundayWardrobe!

Cleansers

Following up with my STWW post on using less tissues, I know a lot of people use makeup remover wipes which is not only bad for the environment, but not good for your skin either. Aside from requiring more than one wipe to get the make up off your face, they take up time and don't do a thorough job. So here are some effective make up removers that help your skin and the environment.

The Ultrabland Cleanser by Lush was my very first review on this blog. The cleanser is probably the priciest one of the lot and it's due to the mostly natural ingredients. Ultrabland did a good job of removing make up and keeping the skin hydrated though, in my opinion, the hydration was a little bit much for my oily-combo skin. At first I would just think my skin is unclean before realizing that it was just incredibly moisturized. It's something I would repurchase for its technical performance and the fact that it's all natural but the price tag is too high for me (considering what's coming up next).

The Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser is something I mentioned in my February Favourites. It's a wonder, you rub some on your dry face and wipe off with a washcloth. This leaves your face feeling so moisturized and clean and I can't get enough of it. I tend to use it for when I wear my daily, light makeup as I don't need a heavy duty cleanser - I've used it on heavy make up but it doesn't pack as much punch as my next product.

The Muji Sensitive Skin Cleansing Oil is a surprising find and very quickly became a favourite. I'm on my second bottle already, this stuff is magic! I rub the oil over my dry face and rinse off and it leaves my skin squeaky clean with no traces of make up in site! One complaint is that it is a little drying but it's nothing a moisturizer can't fix. I'm not giving this bad boy up for anything!

What are your favourite non-tissue cleansers? Why do you love them? Comment below or tweet me @SundayWardrobe! 

Greasy Hair Fix

Seeing as my hair is curly and generally unmanageable, whenever I straighten my hair, I try to get the most out of it. This means days of "dry shampoo" in a feeble attempt to get my hair looking freshly done. I've been using this method for years and a lot of people are surprised with how well it works for me but I've mastered the art of Baby Powder dry shampoo.

All you need is greasy hair, baby powder and a brush. The white powder is a huge turn off for dark haired people but the trick is doing it the night before. I liberally (note: start of slow and add more as you go along until you find the right amount for you) sprinkle the powder on my greasy roots, lightly rubbing it in. I then run a brush through my hair to distribute the powder. At this point, the powder is quite visible in my hair but distributed well. And then I go to bed.

In the morning, you'll find that your hair has absorbed all the powder and you're left with clean looking, fresh smelling hair. If you still see some powder, brush your hair until it disappears and, next time, just use a little less powder. It's that simple and, trust me, it's a life saver! Washing your hair less is good for your hair and this makes the process so much easier.

Have you ever tried this method? What is your favourite dry shampoo? Comment below or tweet me @SundayWardrobe!

STWW: "Green" Products

This was originally a guest post for Workaday Ramblings (a great blog by the very lovely Sarah) last month but I thought I'd post it here since it's a great STWW. Enjoy!

In honour of St. Patrick's day, I'm talking all things green though this has a little twist to it: I tend to shy away from green coloured make up and so this will be reviews on environmentally friendly and natural (or Green) products that I use.

The first is the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Full Coverage Foundation. If you didn't know, Tarte is a cruelty-free brand that has eco-friendly packaging and supports co-operatives in the Rainforests. As an added bonus, Tarte uses natural products such as minerals, plant extracts and vitamins in their products and steers clear of parabens, phthalates and synthetic fragrances among many others. Aside from being a Green product, this foundation is winner in that it is a great foundation. It is an almost-full coverage foundation (thanks to my hyperpigmentation, some of my darker spots still need concealer and this is not very buildable), it lasts very well throughout the day even without a primer and it doesn’t feel heavy or greasy. It almost feels like a second skin which is perfect for those who want to wear foundation but hate the feeling of it. The only downside is the range of colours for the foundation is very minimal. I’m between shades so I just opted for the shade down. I find this to be the perfect foundation for long days as it is long lasting and doesn’t feel heavy while giving great coverage.

The second is a combo that I've been using for months now and really love: the Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention shampoo and Restorative conditioner. This is another cruelty-free brand which uses certified organic and ethically sourced ingredients such as Argan oil, avocado butter, coconut oil and much more. They, like Tarte, stay away from chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, paraffins which is a huge bonus. I have dry, curly hair which is damaged from dying and using hot tools on it. This combination is a miracle worker: my hair feels soft and moisturized while not greasy; it's clean without feeling stripped. While this works incredibly well for my hair, it may be heavy for those with finer or straight hair - I would recommend skipping any conditioners and using just the shampoo as it is conditioning on its own. My friend with straight, fine and limp hair uses just the shampoo and loves how much thicker and healthier her hair has gotten.

The last green product I love is St. Ives Swiss Formula Apricot Scrub Gentle. St. Ives uses 100% natural moisturizers and exfoliants such as Shea butter oil and walnut shell. A problem with a lot of exfoliants is that they use microbeads which are plastic and cannot be detected or filtered out by water treatment methods. These beads then go out into the ocean where unsuspecting sea creatures consume them and ultimately we eat these beads through seafood. Plastic microbeads are not biodegradable - they cannot be removed from the environment and they release toxins as photodegrade. Walnut shell is a natural exfoliant and this scrub is gentle for my sensitive skin. It's great for brightening up my skin on days where it looks lacklustre and so I use it twice a week.

Hope you've all enjoyed my post, comment below for any green products you like or tweet me @SundayWardrobe. Hope this inspires you to make green choices when it comes to beauty!

Kelly's Going Green

Kelly from Glitter Diaries has written a wonderful post on all things green (literally and figuratively!), I hope you all enjoy: 

Hey lovely The Sunday Wardrobe readers!

This month, the Canadian Beauty Bloggers Network dedicated March's guest posting theme to any and all things green. I kept thinking about green eco-friendly products and green coloured makeup that I love using and then decided to combine both of those ideas into a round-up of my favourite green products, both eco-friendly and in the pretty shade of green. So, here goes!

I collected my favourites of the boldest shades of green I owned, from neon green pigment to pressed eyeshadows to glitter (gotta include that!) and also an awesome green mascara I love pulling out for themed makeup looks. I also had to include one of my favourite brushes and lip crayon, unfortunately not in a shade of green but still gorgeous none-the-less.

From L-R: Urban Decay Electric Palette 'Freak & Thrash' Eyeshadows, MAC 'Green Space' Pigment, Annabelle 'Kryptonite' Glitterama Liquid Eyeliner, NYX Cosmetics 'Glam Lagoon' Glam Liner Aqua Luxe Waterproof Liner, EcoTools Skin Perfecting Brush , Burt's Bees 100% Natural Lip Crayon, Hard Candy 1000 Lashes Mascara

Urban Decay Electric Palette 'Freak' & 'Thrash' Eyeshadows (reviewed here): What can I say about these shadows except that they're two amazing shades from an equally amazing palette that I tend to grab for often. Super pigmented colours that are vividly bright and so much fun to wear for an electrifying (get it? ;)) look.

MAC 'Green Space' Pigment: If I want a higher dose of saturated green pigmentation, Green Space is my go-to. It is the bomb at delivering intense colour that is easy to blend help me create whatever crazy look I'm going for.

Annabelle 'Kryptonite' Glitterama Liquid Eyeliner: Annabelle's Glitterama liners are something I just can't live without ever since discovering them years ago. I love how gorgeous this liner is and how I can use it as a straight forward liner or all over my lids to achieve green apple glittering eyes. The possibilities are endless with these liners!

NYX Cosmetics 'Glam Lagoon' Glam Liner Aqua Luxe: Delivering a sparkling finish as well as bright colour, my favourite green coloured liner is Glam Lagoon by NYX. It truly is smudge-proof and long lasting which is what I look for in bright waterproof liquid liners. This one makes your eyes pop and adds great dimension to any look.

EcoTools Skin Perfecting Brush (reviewed here): I wanted to fit more of these brushes into the pictures because, really, I'm in love with EcoTools and their natural and very affordable brushes. The Skin Perfecting Brush is great for using with light weight liquids like BB Creams and tinted moisturizers. Every time I use any ET brushes, I'm always blown away by the quality and how extremely affordable they are!

Burt's Bees 'Hawaiian Smolder' 100% Natural Lip Crayon (reviewed here): This is just one lipstick out of a collection of all natural lip crayons that deliver great colour and make your lips feel really good too! Hawaiian Smolder is like the perfect shade of pink to brighten up your mood on a gloomy day.

Hard Candy 'Lush Green' 1000 Lashes Mascara: For crazy makeup looks or to simply add a bit of fun to something more subdued, Hard Candy's 1000 Lashes Mascara in Lush Green is where it's at! I used this a heck of a lot during the weeks leading up to Halloween last year, but it also is fun to wear on your bottom lashes for a nice pop of colour!

From L-R Amie Skincare Bright Eyes Very Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, Amie Skincare Morning Light Hydrating Daily Moisturizer, Amie Skincare Morning Clear Purifying Facial Wash

Amie Skincare Bright Eyes Very Gentle Eye Makeup Remover: When my eyes are covered in tons of shadow and glitter, Amie's Bright Eyes helps really soothe my eyes as it strips everything off which is critical for me when I'm taking off makeup like that.

Amie Skincare Morning Light Hydrating Daily Moisturizer (reviewed here): Another fave of mine from Amie is Morning Light Hydrating Daily Moisturizer because it isn't too heavy (so it's perfect for wearing now that the weather is getting warmer outside!) and leaves your skin feeling nourished and moisturized all day long.

Amie Skincare Morning Clear Purifying Facial Wash (reviewed here): My skin always feels so soft and refreshed after cleansing it with Morning Clear Purifying Facial Wash. It gets rid of everything and smells really good too!

Thank you Nabihah for letting me post on your blog! This round-up was a lot of fun to put together :) What are your favourite green beauty products?!

An InLinkz Link-up

Review: Neutrogena Shine Control Primer

It's no secret I'm a Neutrogena fan - for a drugstore brand, they're just so good! This past Autumn I picked up the Neutrogena Shine Control Primer from Chicago and I've been in love ever since.

If you're a shiny disco ball after a few hours of wearing foundation like I am, this product is your best friend. This primer claims 8 hour shine control, to extend the wear of make up, a matte finish and it won't over dry. While it definitely gives a matte finish without looking too dry, I would say I started getting a little oily after 6 or 7 hours of wear. 

It doesn't minimize pores or make it easier to apply foundation but it definitely mattifies and keeps your foundation lasting a good long while. This product is perfect for the summer when my skin displays the effects of heat and humidity. Yes, it's definitely a product I'll be repurchasing though I have yet to see it in Canada yet.

Have you tried this product? What is your favourite drugstore Primer? Comment below or tweet me @SundayWardrobe.

Neutrogena Mornings

My skincare routine in the mornings is very, very simple. I wash my face with cold water, spritz on some toner, apply moisturizer and I'm onto make up. When it comes to moisturizer, I believe a good one is crucial as it is something you leave on your face for hours at a time. I don't believe that the more expensive a product is, the better it is as Neutrogena is a drugstore brand that impresses me time and time again.

I've been using Neutrogena products for years, trying out their toners, face washes, and body washes and I always come back to their moisturizers. If you've been a consistent reader of this blog, you'll know that their Deep Moisture Night Cream was a game changer for me.

Another game changer is their Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen (SPF 55). Sunblock has the tendency to make you look ghostly, shiny and smell funny but all three problems have been solved in this miracle tube. This sunblock, while providing SPF 55, isn't shiny at all and you cannot detect it on your skin unless you use flash photography (as is the case with any SPF product). There is no smell and it is easy to apply as it isn't sticky. It also doesn't make me break out; I've been using it for the Summer and Winter months and I have no complaints.

Another product I use daily is their Oil Free Moisture (SPF 35). As you can see, I'm doing my best to be proactive against wrinkles and skin cancer. It is non-greasy and moisturizing while providing that ever important SPF. I use this for both winter and summer months but, with this harsh winter, I've been using the night cream during the day and saving this for warmer days.

Have you tried any Neutrogena products? What were your thoughts? What's your favourite sunblock/day cream? Leave a comment below or tweet me @SundayWardrobe!

Easy Ways to Look Nicer Than You Feel

If you've read my Quick Day to Night Products, you'll know I'm always looking for fast ways to look nice. It's not an exact science but, over the years, I think I've figured out easy (and lazy) ways to look nicer than I want to.

Scarves

Especially in this weather, scarves are so easy to loop around your neck and look put together. I love going for an all black look and adding a punch of colour with bright, patterned scarves. This look also works in the summer with lighter fabrics - Forever 21 makes great, affordable scarves if you're looking!

Statement Necklaces

Statement necklaces are so quick to wear and really glam up a look - perfect if you're going for something dressier. I usually get gold or silver necklaces since I can easily pair them up with any colour but necklaces with colourful stones are perfect for solid-coloured outfits. I tend to keep my colourful necklaces for monochrome looks or I try to make sure there's at least one similar colour in both my top and necklace if I'm mixing it up. All of mine pictured above are from H&M from years back but they're still going strong! 

Bold Makeup

This falls in with my Quick Day to Night post - if you've got a little more time, you can apply a bold lipstick or brightening eyeshadow and head out the door. My quick-fixes include a Kat Von D lip or the Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen which I can't get enough of. 

What are your quick and easy ways to dress up? Comment down below or tweet me @SundayWardrobe!