WET N WILD | STEAL THE LOOK + GIVEAWAY

The post in which Ginnifer Goodwin's makeup SLAYS while I pitifully try to recreate it with some amazing Wet n Wild products.

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GUEST POST | HALLOWEEN CANDY NAILS

It's not often that I get a guest poster, but I'm seriously honoured to have Kalyn Lord on board today bringing some much needed Halloween festivity on C&GB. (I've had mad respect for her since my pre-blogging days, so YOU KNOW IT'S ABOUT TO GET ~LEGIT~)

My photos aren't as awesome, my posts aren't as awesome, and I am, in general, not as awesome as my gracious and talented blog host, but rest assured...what I lack in skill, I make up for with sheer enthusiasm and an absurd amount of words.  I hope you enjoy my festive pairing here today -- a quick and dirty candy-inspired Nail Art look, as well as a history of what Halloween means to me.  Thanks for having me, Vanessa -- I hope I've entertained you, your readers (and your little dog, too!).

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100TH POST | TEN FACTS ABOUT ME

WELL WELL WELL, 100TH POST, FINALLY. Perfect post to cap off this week of daily blogging, eh? (It's almost like I've...PLANNED IT)(But seriously can we just take a moment to applaud this coincidence) 

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SLIGHTLY DISAPPOINTING SKINCARE

OH THE CONTROVERSY!!!

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SH*T BEAUTY COLLECTORS DO

Beauty collecting/hoarding happens to the best of us whether accidentally or intentionally, and y'know, I don't judge. I just point it out so we can all have a laugh at how about how screwed our bank accounts are...ah crud.

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ALL ABOUT THAT BASE

Not to be dramatic or anything, but I'm going to say these base products have changed my life...5EVER.

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COPING WITH BLOG UNFOLLOWERS

It's hard to not take it personally whenever someone unfollows your blog. In fact, every time someone unfollows my blog, I applaud them while crying on the inside, "BE FREE OF MY TYRANNY, YOU LITTLE ONLINE STRANGER".

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SURVEY SAYS SEND HELP

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FIRST LOOK AND COMPARISON | Tarte Pin Up Girl Blush Palette

"HUBBA BUBBA MAMMA IN TRUBBA" - Jess Day (quote on how I feel about the release of this palette)

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LIPSTICK LOVE

Otherwise also appropriately titled "Vanessa Finally Gets Over Her Fear of Lipsticks But Still Is Too Terrified To Wear Them On A Day To Day Basis But Still Here Are Some Favourites".

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Scotland | Week Four

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BEAUTY PHOBIAS

You know, for someone who's been writing about makeup for more than a year now, I sure have a lot of beauty phobias. TALK ABOUT UNQUALIFIED.

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QUARTER LIFE CRISIS | I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO WITH MY LIFE

So, I turn 22 today (I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I'M FEELIN' 22), and here's the thing—I have no idea what to do career-wise for the rest of my life.

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SOME (SARCASTIC) TIPS TO BECOME A POPULAR BBLOGGER

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THE AUTUMN FLUSH(ES)

Here's a story—last week I went from Edinburgh (cold weather + intervals of rain and blinding sunshine) to London (cold + nonstop rain ALL DAY) to Toronto (HEAT ALERT), so needless to say, I was pretty weather confused when I got back home. The next day in delusional confusion, I slapped on a fall-esque blush shade, only to be met by blasting air conditioning on the bus. WHAT THE DAMN HELL, WHERE'S MY AUTUMN, CANADA?

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SMUGGLING UK MAKEUP ACROSS THE POND

I think this has been the most anticipated post ever since I announced my UK + Europe trip, amirite? WELL, FEEL FREE TO LIVE VICARIOUSLY THROUGH MY HAUL WITHOUT BEING THE BANKRUPT ONE.

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Western Europe | Week Three

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London + Brighton | Week Two

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London | Week One

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GUEST POST: Two Budget Dupes for the MAC 217 Brush Under $15

For the first time on G&GB, I HAVE A GUEST BLOGGER! Steph from The Fantasia (a fav of mine) is here today to give the lowdown on two dupes for the infamous MAC 217 because who doesn't love a good budget dupe, amirite? (Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to admire her product shots for this post)

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Starting off your makeup brush collection is a daunting and intimidating process. Do you invest in them or sacrifice quality for price? Do you go with the high-end brand, or start out with the lower price point? Which brand? Which brush? Can you really get both quality and price? The list of questions only gets longer and longer!

One of everyone’s favourite brush is the MAC 217 Blending Brush ($28, available here), which at $28 a piece made me cringe at the thought of initially investing in it. Trust me, the 4.7/5 rating and 92% repurchase rate on MakeupAlley doesn’t make it any easier to resist. Fortunately, I’ve found 2 dupes that are about half the price of the MAC brush, and after trialing both for more than a year, I’d say they are strong competition to the real thing!

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THE SUMMER FACE

Behold, my face in all its majestical summer-wannabe glory.

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A+ PACKAGING

With all those pretty products sprawled in the above photo like that, I'm starting to understand why my bank account balance is at 'super peasant' status right now. EYECANDYPORN, EYEPORN EVERYWHERE.

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I'M GOING TO BRITISHLAND. SEND HELP.

First off, I suck at posting. Heck, I can't even remember the last time I did a beauty/makeup/skincare post. On the other hand though, I'M GOING TO ENGLAND, MUTHAFUDGERS.

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DABBLING IN LIPSTICK

Lipstick??? On C&GB???? WHAT IS THIS MADNESS? (To be fair, this is more of a chatty post)

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ONE YEAR BLOGIVERSARY + GIVEAWAY

Whoops, today's the actual date of the one year blogiversary, but thanks to everyone who left me overwhelmingly amazing messages in yesterday's post! Running this blog has been a whirlwind of an adventure, and if I could, I would send you all snazzy presents like "YOU GET A BLUSH! YOU GET A BLUSH! EVERYONE GETS A BLUSH!!!!"

Alright, so I've been thinking about doing this giveaway for months now, and I initially wanted to give away a Chanel cream blush, but realised that is quite pricey, and not all people are comfortable smearing those bad boys on their cheeks yet. SO I've decided to give away a Bobbi Brown blush....LESS EXCITE.

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WHAT I'VE LEARNED FROM BLOGGING

Well well well, look who's been blogging for a year now. (Well, almost—tomorrow's the blog anniversary) It's a little cray to see the progress since day one, because let's face it, all blogs look hideous on day one. I mean, I've advanced the blog to looking a lot less hideous and picked up a ton of html, photography, writing and social skills since then, but here are the lessons I've learned from blogging.

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LAST WEEK I...

...went to a cat cafe. Seriously.

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MOISTURIZE ME

HOLLA IF YOU GET THE REFERENCE.

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The High End Favourites

STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM NOW WE HERE. (And by 'bottom' I mean drugstore products, and by 'here' I mean high end products)(IDEK MAN, IDEK)

A few weeks ago, I posted my drugstore favourites, so it was only inevitable that I do a follow up. These are the high end products I reach for the most often, and are definitely worth being repurchased by me until I realise I've become super broke and may need to sell off some organs to continue the 'looking ~b00tiful~' fund. 

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On Meeting Essie Button

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Raiding the Stash | Jenn from A Beautiful Zen

Having friends is nice. But having friends with makeup collections that rival or surpass your own? HEHEHEH NOW WE'RE TALKING. A few months back, I made the trip to Jenn's house (I feel like since then, I frequent there too often now), where we marathoned some TV (what else do you expect from someone who watches too much TV?) and swapped some pieces that we had wanted to try from each other's collection. 

To see what she borrowed from my collection, click here!

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The Drugstore Favourites

I always forget that not everyone outside (and inside) the beauty blogosphere has the ridiculous funds to spend on something as 'trivial' as makeup, much less on the high end pieces. As a beauty blogger, I often forget this, since I'm so accustomed to seeing BAM HIGHEND HERE HIGHEND THERE A HIGHEND EVERYWHERE on other blogs, that I often forget the ~gems~ of the drugstore. It doesn't really help either considering how ~high-end-y~ my collection is getting (ah, so that's why I'm broke), so I thought I'd devote a post on my drugstore favourites. Huzzah!

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MOM'S SKINCARE

In honour of Mother's Day and my mom's birthday this weekend (yes, it is as financially stressful as you think it is...just like my brother's birthday being 3 days after Christmas...and my dad's birthday three days before Father's Day....what is up with my family????), I've decided to talk about something other than blushes, and to put the spotlight on my mom's skincare since she basically doesn't even age (she's 50-something) and SHE DOESN'T EVEN WEAR MAKEUP, GUYS. Asian genetics, better than serums. 

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Bobbi Brown Hibiscus {MPB #4}

A few days ago, I realised...I haven't even done April's monthly blush purchase post yet! But then again, I did kinda derail on this whole "buy only one high end blush per month" thing last month...so now I'm on a blush buying ban until at least August. What can I say?...LIMITED EDITION BLUSHES ARE MY KRYPTONITE. 

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CREAM OF THE CROP

As of late, I've been piling on the cream blushes because 1)I desperately need to wash my makeup brushes and slapping on powder blush with my fingers is probably not one of my better ideas, 2)CREAM BLUSHES LAST SO LONG IT'S RIDICULOUS (longer than powders, GUYS), and 3)I can't seem to stop buying cream blushes to the point where most of my money has been converted into creamy pink $5-$30 bills. (Blushes should be a currency, 'jus sayin')

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You Just Got Litt Up

L-I-T-T UP.

(Holllla if you get that reference!...but if you don't, DISHONOUR ON YOUR COW)

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The Photography Edit

This post is basically how I make my photos go from "Oh, that's pretty" to "UHM, EXCUSE ME??????" in Photoshop...in my opinion anyways. Experimentation ahead!

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A Life Snippet | Summer Plans/Jenn's House/Sephora Haul

Welp, that was a blogging hiatus that took longer than I intended. By the time you're reading this, I'll probably be at the city's aquarium...unless you're reading this at 5am. Then no, I'll probably still be "sprawled out like a starfish" on my bed (my brother's actual words to describe my sleeping position) unless my dog has decided to claim 3/4 of the bed.

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FOUR HIGH END + DRUGSTORE BLUSH FORMULAS

I sometimes forget that not everyone has a secret leprechaun held hostage to keep their bank account afloat when spending the big $$$ on makeup. Peasants. 

In all seriousness though, obviously not all high end and drugstore blushes are created equal, and being the blush hoarder collector that I am, here are the four high end and four drugstore formulas I can't recommend enough if you decide to pick something fancy up! ʘ‿ʘ

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The Makeup Swap ft. Pauline from Addicted to Makeup!

Oh look, my first makeup swap! I AM EXCITE, SINCE THIS WAS 3 MONTHS IN THE PLANNING AND WAIT TIME, YOU GUYS. Anyways, earlier this week, my swap package from Pauline (Addicted to Makeup) arrived, and I ran home like a fat kid to open this badboy up. BUBBLE WRAP ENSUES.

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New In: A Credit Card Binging Haul

Towards the end of every semester when assignments/essays/exams dates start to roll in, I begin to experience this bi-yearly phenomenon called 'retail therapy'. As a student of anthropology, these patterns of behaviour fascinate me, while the bblogger inside me goes, "FUQ IT, LET'S BUY ALLLL THE THINGS TO MAKE UP FOR MY ACADEMIC INADEQUACY ".

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Around My Room

I'll admit, the only reason I like going to people's houses (besides the free food) is so I can sneak into their bedroom to see their lives, style, likes and dislikes, all reflected in their personal spaces. It's a highly fascinating study, not gonna lie. 

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THE DISAPPOINTS

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a woman in possession of a holy grail beauty product must have a shit ton of disappointing products. 

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Coral Cheeks Make Me Feel Like A Fancy Lady

CORALS? FOR SPRING? GROUNDBREAKING.

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Chanel Intonation {MPB #3}

Well folks, another month has gone by, and while I'm in the "BRACE YOURSELVES, THE FEBRUARY FAVOURITE POSTS ARE HERE" mode, I'm also ecstatic because it's MONTHLY BLUSH PURCHASE TIME!! AND SWEET HEAVENS REJOICE, FOR I HAVE FINALLY PICKED UP THE CHANEL SPRING BLUSH THAT I HAVE LUSTED FOR SINCE JANUARY.

(I apologise in advance for the...extensive...number of photos in this post. I, uh, kinda got carried away. 

IT'S JUST SO BEAUTIFUL! -sheds tear-)

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Let There Be Lou Manizers!

My love affair with The Balm started years ago—before my blogging days! Unfortunately, finding The Balm here in Canada isn't as easy as you think...until last December I finally found a display inside Rexall.

-CUE THE SOUNDS OF ANGEL TRUMPETS AND GROSS SOBBING-

It was all fine and dandy until I asked the cashier how much Mary-Lou Manizer was. $32??!?!?!?! AW HELL NAW. 

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A Cheek-y UK Haul {Unboxing Video + SPECIAL GUEST????}

Guess who's back from the pit of assignments/essays/reading responses/midterms? ʘ‿ʘ

(....well not me...kinda...since I still have a bit of work to do, but that's what reading week is for!)

(for those unfamiliar, 'reading' week = Canadian spring break-ish)

BUT ANYWAYS, SPECIAL SHOUTOUT TO DAPHNE FROM SUBGENRE OF A DREAM FOR HOOKING A PLAYA UP WITH THIS UK HAUL!

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Dior Corail Bagatelle {Review +Swatches}{MBP #2}

This blush, hands down, is the one of the most expensive pieces in my collection. 

I MEAN, WHAT KIND OF STUDENT EVEN PAYS $43USD/$44CDN FOR A BLUSH??!?!?!

(to be fair, it is limited edition)

I immediately had the serious hots for Dior Trianon Edition Blush in 'Corail Bagatelle' after accidentally browsing the spring makeup collections, which, to be honest, is something I've never kept up to date with. 
(Also, 'bagatelle' sounds like 'baguette'...mmm, baguette).

I MEAN, LOOK AT THAT EMBOSSING AND TELL ME IT DOESN'T SELL ITSELF!!! 
BOWS + RIBBONS + PEARL NECKLACE. SERIOUSLY???

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The Photography Setup

Photography and aesthetics is something deeply personal/subjective for everyone, and while I've never taken a photography class before, it makes me incredibly happy to receive positive feedback over the past few months regarding the blog photos. At the same time though, I'm kinda like 'QURL U NEED UR EYES FIXED' because I feel like I'm a bit undeserving, but what do I know, eh??

Anyways, I thought I'd share my own photography setup + some things/tips I've picked up over the course of blogging.

(Oh yeah, some people might find this post useless/common sense, [-coughcough- the photography mavens], so I don't mind if you jump ship on this post c: ) 

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Top Six Blushes

Choosing top favourites for anything is difficult, but when you make a blush hoarder choose her top favourite blushes, gross sobbing and stressed binge eating ensues. 

(Oh who am I kidding, I stress binge almost every week during the school season)

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