I’ve never had an issue with going to the gym.
Since 2011 I’ve been a fitness instructor teaching two programs at gyms around the city. Honestly, it’s the food part that gets me.
As I mentioned in my last post, one of my goal’s for this year is to lose 10 pounds by May. I’m a pretty driven person, so I know I can do it. For those of you that need a little motivation to hit the gym, I hate to say it, but looking cute while you work out is a huge boost.
I had a friend who would get in these gym moods and hit Lululemon every three months and spend $300 on new outfits because it made her feel better. Although she would only end up going to the gym for a week, spending all that cash to make her feel better while working out seemed to get her motivated. My point with this story is, if you need some motivation, maybe a new outfit will help. I’m not saying you have to go to Lululemon, as their clothing is quite pricey (but well worth it), Marshalls, Old Navy, Forever 21, and H&M all have cute workout gear too.
A big thing for me is keeping the hair out of my face. I have pretty long hair, so even in a ponytail, if I’m doing pushups, I hate having the hair flip over to the side of my face. As a result, I’ll ponytail my hair then bun it up. But then I get all these whispies around my face as well, so a good headband that sticks on your head is a must.
Although you can get hair accessories anywhere, I’ve always been a fan of Goody. The Goody Ouchless or SlideProof Secure Fit Elastics are fabulous as they hold everything back and it won’t budge, which is great if you’re doing something more intense, like running, HITT, bootcamp, or in my case, step class (I absolutely cannot have any hair on my face, it bothers me that much – having pieces of hair stick to your sweaty skin is so irritating).
Once your hair is securely pulled back, make sure you slip on a hairband for all those baby hairs. The Goody SlideProof Headwraps hold everything in place and won’t slip, which is a must (I have a Lululemon headband that I have to adjust as it will slip up at the back). These are available in a thin and thick version, so you can totally customize your look (they also have braided ones).
Once you’re all sweaty and after your shower, if you are in a rush and need your hair dry ASAP (hey, it’s wintertime, you don’t want to damage your locks), grab the Goody QuikStyle Paddle Brush, which will speed up your drying time. This brush has absorbent microfibre bristles that remove water to make hair dry faster. Think of it like having a towel in your brush.
Goody also makes a ton more affordable products (like brushes you can throw in your gym bag), and let’s not forget the fact that you can get like 30 hair elastics for a low price (trust me, you’ll need a lot of them, they always tend to go missing). When it comes to working out, keeping your hair out of your face (and a cute workout outfit that will keep you motivated), is a must.
What are your workout essentials?
Please note, product sent by PR, all opinions are my own.
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Happy New Year!
No doubt everyone says this every year, but where did this past year go? It’s truly crazy how time flies by so fast.
Although I’m not that big on making new year’s resolutions, I did manage to accomplish my 2015 one; read a book a month. For 2016, I have two: be more positive (what you put out in the world reflects what you get back) and lose 10 pounds by May. I’m usually not big on the whole weight loss resolution thing, but I’ve been eating way too much these past few months and I can definitely see it on my body.
Anyways, since a new year means new beauty products, a 2015 recap of my favourite products is in order. Although I don’t have a favourite for every category, I will mention products that are still favourites.
Best makeup primer
Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizers
Best foundation
Marc Jacobs Re(marc)able foundation
* Best drugstore – Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless
Best concealer
Emani HD Corrective Concealer
Best face powder
Hourglass Ambiant Lighting Powders (I love Dim Light)
Best bronzer
Smashbox Step-by-Step Contour Kit
Best blush
Benefit Rockateur
Best highlight
Make Up For Ever Sculpting Kit
Best eyeliner
Kat Von D Tattoo Liner
Best cream shadow
Sephora Colorful Shadow and Liner (I love the nude one for a base)
Best eyeshadow palette
Anastasia Beverly Hills Shadow Couture eyeshadow palette
Best mascara
Make Up For Ever Smoky Stretch mascara
* Drugstore – CoverGirl The Supersizer mascara
Best lip product
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks and Too Faced Melted Lipsticks
*Drugstore – Maybelline Color Sensational lipsticks and L’Oreal Infallible Lipstick
Best makeup remover
Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Solution
Best setting spray
Skindinavia
*Drugstore – L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Spray and Set
Best false lashes
Kiss Ever EZ false lashes starter kit (also best lash glue)
Best shampoo and conditioner
Garnier Full and Plush
Best styling products
Aveda
Best nail polishes
Yves Rocher
I didn’t mention skincare since I’ve been using a whole whack of things and for the most part, nothing has broken me out. For the past few months I’ve been using The Body Shop Oils of Life and have really enjoyed it (although I don’t recommend the oil for daytime use if you wear makeup, it makes everything run). Other favourites from past years include the Clinique Three-Step System and First Aid Beauty.
I hope you had a wonderful 2015 (I did!) and also a fabulous upcoming 2016!
What were your favourite products from 2015?
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Did you catch me on this morning on Morning New Winnipeg on Global TV? I was invited on the show to chat about some must-have New Years Eve makeup products.
NYE is the one day of the year where it’s totally acceptable to go all out. Wanna wear that ballgown that you picked up on Boxing Day? Rock it girl. How about that all-sequin mini? Yass bae slay! The point I’m getting at here is nothing is too over the top for the last night of the year, including makeup.
New Years for me is all about glitter, big lashes, and let’s not forget, kissable lips. If you are still in a rut over what you’ll be wearing (and the products you will be wearing to accompany it), here are my must-have eight picks for New Years Eve.
Self Tanner
This one has to be done either the morning of, or the night before. I always self tan before a big event, and NYE is no exception. My favourite self tanner is the St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse, which you apply with an applicator mitt (sold separately). Unlike lotions, a self tanner mousse is easier to apply, dries almost instantly, and you can see where you are applying the colour. You only need one application for a nice “I just got back from Mexico” glow, or you can apply it over the course of a few days for something darker. I usually apply this product at night so the tan develops while I sleep. Always remember to take a body shower after at least eight hours of this on your skin to wash off the colour guard. What you’re left with is a beautiful natural-looking tan.
Press-on nails
Glitter nails are a must for NYE, and luckily, if you have thin, short nails like mine that always break and peel, you can fake it with some press ons. I love the Kiss Gel Fantasy Ready-To-Wear Gel Nails in Faux Real or the L’Oreal Color Riche Press On Nails in Nude Muse, which both feature glitter tips. These go right over your existing nails, leaving you with a perfect manicure that look so natural. The L’Oreal ones feature a gel sticky back that adhere directly to your nails, whereas the Kiss ones feature the gel backing, as well as nail glue (I prefer the nail glue).
Glitter shadow
As I mentioned, glitter is a must for New Years, so why not play up the eyes a bit? I’ve been loving the Revlon PhotoReady Eye Art Lid + Line + Lash, which is a double-ended shadow product, with one end being a metallic cream shadow and the other as a glitter. Available in a variety of different shades (my fave is Burnished Bling), I love applying the metallic end as a shadow primer and then going over my finished eye look with the glitter on the other end. You can also use the glitter as an liner on your lower lash line for some extra bling on the eyes.
False lashes
To finish up the eyes, false lashes are a must. Go big or go home with Kiss Looks So Natural lashes, which are incredibly soft and natural looking. If you don’t feel comfortable wearing false lashes, give Physician’s Formula Eye Booster Instant Lash Extension mascara a try, which is a duo product; a mascara and fibres. You apply the mascara first, then apply the fibres, which adhere to your lashes making them look longer and fuller. After, you set it with the mascara for longer-looking, instantly fuller eyelashes.
Contour and Highlight Kit
Since we are going all out with the makeup, get a sculpted face with the NYX Highlight and Contour Palette, which features four bronzers and four highlights. Apply the banana powder over your concealer to set it and add light to your face, then sculpt out your cheekbones, temples, nose, and jawline to create dimension and shadow. Finally, apply the shimmery highlight to the high parts of your cheek bones to add some shimmer.
At under C$30, this is a must-have. Most drugstore contour kits feature a blush, bronzer, and highlight, which in my opinion isn’t a true contour kit. I absolutely love this one and have been coveting it since I saw it at the London Drugs Fall Beauty Preview back in July. I was so excited to get my hands on it since I think it rivals it’s luxury competitors, such as the popular Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit (which I also have) and the Kat Von D Shade and Light palette.
Everlasting Lip Colour
When the clock strikes midnight and you get ready to pucker up, you don’t want to worry that your lip colour will transfer all over your lover’s face. Be worry free with the L’Oreal Infallible Two-Step Lipcolour, which features a matte liquid lipstick on one end and a moisturizing shine balm on the other. These are billed as being 24-hour colour, and although they don’t quite last that long (depending on the colour, the darker ones will last longer since there’s more pigments, however, they won’t be as vibrant by the 24-hour mark), these will last a while on your lips and if you wear them as just matte, they won’t budge as much as when you apply the balm end. I love this product in Flamboyant Flamingo and Never-ending Nutmeg, a pink or a nude (duh).
Makeup Setting Spray
So you spent hours doing your makeup, the last thing you want is for it to fade away before midnight. Once you’re done applying everything, lock it in with a makeup setting spray, such as the L’Oreal Infallible Pro Mist & Fix Makeup Extender Setting Spray (Maybelline also has one coming out in their spring 2016 collection). Spray this over your face in a T and X motion to make sure your makeup doesn’t budge all night long.
Micellar Solution
Well it’s officially 2016 and you need to wash off 2015’s makeup? I love the Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution, which is a makeup-removing water that washes everything away (even waterproof makeup). It’s super safe for your face and event soothes and clears up irritated skin. I’ve been using this stuff for years and I haven’t found anything that beats it (aside from maybe a cleansing oil).
So my friends, with NYE being tomorrow night, I hope I sparked some inspiration into what makeup products you’ll need to complete your look. Everything mentioned in this post is available at London Drugs, in store and online.
What are your NYE makeup must-haves?
Please note, this post features products gifted to me from London Drugs, as well as various PR companies that deal with the brands mentioned. All opinions are my own.
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I’ve never had an issue with going to the gym.
