No Mirror Makeup Challenge

This week, I did the No Mirror Makeup Challenge! I had been wanting to do it for a while and finally got to it. How do you think I did?

Get Ready With Me TAG!

If only I could wake up with my hair and make up done...  Well, that's not the case. I've got super frizzy hair and dark under-eye circles, so there is a bit of effort that goes into getting ready. I thought it would be fun to do a Get Ready With Me video - and maybe you're as easily amused by any sort of 'transformation' or 'before and after' videos as I am! Hope you enjoy!

Collective Haul {1}

YouTube just keeps getting more fun - especially now that I've filmed my first haul! I'm the biggest girly girl that just loves girl talk and so you can imagine how exciting this was for me to chat about things I've purchased lately. In this video, I touch on skin and hair care products, nail polishes, clothing, and accessories. Hopefully you guys enjoy it! Please like, share, comment, and subscribe!




Products mentioned in this video:

- Organix Cherry Blossom Ginseng Shampoo & Conditioner
- Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Leave-In Split End Protector
- L'Oreal Elnett Hairspray
- St. Ives Exfoliating Apricot Body Wash
- Exfoliating Gloves (from Shoppers Drug Mart)
- Aveeno Therapeutic Shaving Gel
- Avene Ystheal+ Lotion (with .05% retinol)
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Sunscreen 60 SPF
- China Glaze Nail Polishes (Celtic Sun and Flip Flop Fantasy)
- Forever 21 Sheer, Sleeveless, Collared Black Blouse
- Forever 21 Black, Distressed, Cuffed Denim Shorts
- H&M Spiked Bracelet
- Forever 21 Neon Spiked Bracelet
- Forever 21 Spiked Necklace

Winged Liner and Coral Lips Make Up Tutorial

Happy May, friends! I am so ecstatic that summer is getting closer day by day! And with spring and summer comes gorgeous colors. So, I decided to incorporate coral into a simple daytime look. In this tutorial, I also show you my own technique for winging out eyeliner since I sometimes have trouble doing that. (And hooray for this video finally uploading! It took me forever after YouTube had a few glitches! Over 3 hours for this bad boy!)

 

Products used: 

- Clarins Daily Energizer Creme 

- Burt's Bees Lip Balm - Garnier BB Cream (Light/Medium) 

- MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer (NW20) 

- Chanel Loose Powder (20 Clair) 

- MAC Brow Pencil (Spiked) 

- MAC Eyeshadow (Blanc Type) 

- Hard Candy Eyeshadow (Peace) 

- Maybelline Master Precision Ink Pen Eyeliner 

- Urban Decay Eyeshadow (Creep) 

- Clinique High Impact Mascara 

- MAC Matte Bronze 

- MAC Mineralize Blush (Dainty) 

- NYX Lipstick (Haute Melon) 

- Sephora Airbrush Precision Foundation Brush 56 

- MAC 129 Brush 

- MAC 217 Brush 

- MAC 138 Brush 

- Urban Decay Flat Eyeshadow Brush 

- Spa Resource Lip Brush

Neutral Eyes and Peachy Lip Make Up Tutorial

Yay! Another make up tutorial is here for you just before the weekend!

I like wearing make up every time I go out and so I am always looking for a new way to spice up everyday, casual palettes without looking too overdone. With this look, I've used the Urban Decay's Naked Palette to add dimension to my eyes and to create a soft-but-darkened upper lash line. Add a peachy lip and this look is perfect for going out during the day!

Products used:

- Clarins Daily Energizer Cream
- Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation (30 beige)
- Sephora Airbrush Precision Foundation Brush #56
- MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer (NW20)
- MAC 217 Brush
- MAC 129 Brush
- Chanel Loose Powder (20 Clair)
- MAC Brow Pencil (Spiked)
- MAC Matte Bronze
- MAC 138 Brush
- MAC Mineralize Blush (Dainty)
- MAC Blanc Type Eyeshadow
- Urban Decay Naked Palette (Buck, Smog, Creep, Naked)
- Urban Decay Flat Eyeshadow Brush (from Naked Palette)
- Tarte EmphasEYES Inner Rim Brightener
- MAC False Lashes Mascara
- MAC 'Kinda Sexy' Lipstick
- Victoria's Secret 'Be Mine' Lipstick

Have a fabulous weekend and let me know of any requests you have in the comments section below!

My Skincare & Foundation Routine

Hello lovelies! I am so excited to be bringing you my first HD makeup tutorial! It makes such a difference and I hope that the clarity helps you to get more from my video! In this tutorial, I talk about the products I use everyday to take care of my skin and I also demonstrate my go-to foundation routine. I hope you enjoy this tutorial! If you do, feel free to subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Products used:

- Clarins Daily Energizer Cleanser
- Clarins Daily Energizer Cream
- Clarins Eye Contour Gel
- Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation (30 Beige)
- MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer (NW20)
- Chanel Loose Powder (20 Clair)
- MAC Matte Bronze
- MAC Pinch O Peach Sheertone Blush
- Sephora Airbrush Precision Foundation Brush 56
- MAC 217 Brush (Blending)
- MAC 138 Brush (Contouring)
- MAC 129 Brush (Blush/Powder)

What's in my makeup bag

As if I don't love expressing myself enough, I find another creative outlet in makeup. I used to have major acne problems. It made me ashamed of my face and according to some boys in my class I was a crater face. Makeup was a way for me to feel like my best self, without redness and scars, to be what I was like before my hormones decided to go crazy. My views of makeup have changed a bit since then. Now, it's an art to me and it helps me to bring out my features. I have also learned to be careful about choosing makeup. I only buy what suits my skin type and what doesn't feel or look cakey. I can't deny that collecting and applying makeup is fun!

Here is what is currently in my makeup bag! And don't forget to enjoy the video at the end too!

Hope you enjoyed this post and are having a fabulous week so far!

Blogging: how did I get here?

Today, I opened up my Google Reader and found myself nodding at Stephanie's post. She mentioned young motherhood and the impact the blogosphere has had on it. It really got my brain thinking about how I even found the 'blogging world.'

Let's start from the top, shall we?

I'd like to think I am resourceful, driven, and independent. So, when I found out I was pregnant, I knew certain of two things. 1. I was definitely keeping my baby and I was going to do everything and anything to make his/her life a good one. 2. I was going to defy all of the stereotypes (let me remind you that when I became pregnant was the time that the show Teen Mom was becoming a hot topic) and I was going to stay in school and prove to people that my life was not over.

In order to make those goals happen, I had to know all of my stuff. I immediately bought tons of books, subscribed to BabyCenter newsletters, kept up with my doctor's appointments, and of course I googled any question or concern I had. One day, I happened to be on YouTube and I thought, "I wonder if there are videos about pregnancy." So, I typed in "19 weeks pregnant" (as I was obviously 19 weeks pregnant myself). I clicked on one of the first thumbnails and found Meghann's channel. In her videos, she chatted about her pregnancy, her thoughts, baby products, and she even showed her belly. I cannot tell you how relieving it was to find someone that I could relate to and that I could follow along with. I mean, it's not like I could go out and sit and have coffee with a pregnant friend and giggle about all of our weird symptoms. It was just me at home trying to complete high school and get into university... or better yet trying to see over my belly to see my laptop screen. So, Meghann's sweet personality took place for those missing pregnant lady chats.

In my third trimester and working on an essay for school

As if that wasn't good enough, Meghann posted a link to her blog in her video descriptions. It was through Bringing Up Bumble that I found the blogosphere and some of my all time favorite blogs! Reading posts from moms all over - and trust me, these moms are amazing and witty and brave and did I say amazing?! - and to see their photos and laugh at one-liners that totally described my life.... it was perfect! For those who don't blog or who aren't parents, there is an entire community out there that you don't know about and, despite the occasional grown-up drama, this community makes my heart melt.

So, for a while I just read blogs and watched these videos from afar. But about a month later, I was too inspired to not be a part of it. I opened up a Blogger account and started 'Baby Bump Bliss.' Lame name with the whole alliteration thing going on (LOL) but I just wanted to write about my pregnancy, share it with the rest of the mommy bloggers, and to show people that it was possible to be a young mom and to do well at the same time. Well, as I got a hang of designing my blog and writing better posts, I changed the blog name to 'Dear Carter' and started to sponsor other blogs, to gain readers, and blogging became a big part of me.

(Side story: Once, Meghann mentioned me on her blog and ended up putting my button on her "Blog ♥" page... well, when I saw that, I was jumping on my couch and squeeing like a little four year old girl. So, that's how much these blogs mean to me! Haha)

And it has been uphill from there. This blogosphere has a been a great thing for me as a mom and as a woman because it's given me a lot of inspiration, courage, and a sense of belonging in the mom department. The only downside is that these are the only moms I know and they are all so far away so I never get those mommy and kid playdates. Carter is the youngest in our family so he really doesn't have any best buds aside from kids at daycare.

Anyways, I guess this post is just a thanks to all of these fabulous mom bloggers because you probably haven't noticed it but in some ways - by writing and sharing your lives - you've gotten me here.

"Thank you, everyone!"

- Carter

Everyday, rosy makeup tutorial

Makeup and I have a history. Around the age of 13, when I'd be incredibly bored, I would dig through my mom's makeup and create different looks. Of course, that upset her and I was told time and time again to stay out of her makeup. But it had me mesmerized! Somehow, I'd end up back in her washroom trying out all of her Revlon lipsticks. I guess you can call me a self-taught makeup aficionado. These days I am into a really natural and defined eye, and rosy cheeks and lips. If you're interested in creating an everyday, rosy makeup look then you're in luck! Check out my tutorial below to find out how to do it!