How To Get A Sun-Kissed Glow All Year Round with Laura Mercier
Love it or hate it, summer is winding down and if you live in a northern climate like Canada, then you know that soon that sun-kissed glow will soon fade.
If you’re like me, you slather on the SPF all year round and stay out of the sun which means that summer glow is faux, faux, faux.
Laura Mercier has just released the limited edition Sun-Kissed Veil makeup - a universally flattering lightweight bronzing balm that can be applied to the face and body. The creamy texture glides on the skin and leaves a sheer bronzed, illuminated finish.
It can be applied with the fingertips, or with your favourite dense bristle brush and is suitable for all skin types.
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Laura Mercier’s Sun-Kissed Veil comes in a marbled blue oversized compact, with a pattern that’s reminiscent of the ocean.
It’s part of the limited edition Mediterranean Collection, which also contains:
- The Glace Touch lip gloss tubes (available in four sheer shades, Dreamer, Laissez-Faire, Nomade, and Oasis).
- The Velour Extreme Matte Lipsticks (available in four shades, Cabana, Soulful, Seaside, and Optimist, pictured above).
- And, the Caviar Stick Eye Colour (available in four shades, Mystic Gold, Azure, Poolside, and Off The Grid).
The Mediterranean Collection is available at Nordstrom, Saks, and thebay.com in Canada.
SHOP THE LAURA MERCIER Mediterranean Collection
Glace Touch lip gloss tubes
SHOP MY ACCESSORIES
Photos by Nathalie Martin.
Disclaimer: Laura Mercier products provided as PR samples. All opinions are my own.
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Big Surprise, CAMEL Will be HUGE this Fall
We all know that fashion is forever changing and evolving and it’s only natural to shake things up after seeing so much neon for the last couple of seasons.
Don’t get me wrong, I still love lime green and plenty of designers like Acne Studios and Saint Laurent have incorporating bright hues into their fall/winter 2019 collections.
But I’m calling it now, neutral camel tones will dominate our closets for autumn 2019.
SHOP MY LOOK
Luckily there are some key pieces we can all consistently rely on to remain staples in our wardrobes. For example - the leather moto jacket, cashmere sweaters, a black wool coat, and the trusty camel blazer.
This season, however, camel will rule, whether in a head to toe monochromatic look or just by adding one accent piece here like I did with this Zara blazer (exact piece here for $139 CAD).
It’s time to take your camel suits, blazer, and coats out of storage because fall will be here before we know it.
WHAT I’M WEARING
BLAZER, Zara Camel Blazer, $139 (exact here) I sized up to a medium with mine.
TANK, Zara ribbed black tank (exact here)
PANTS, Frank & Eileen Tee Labs Trouser Joggers (exact here)
SHOES, Balenciaga BB Kitten Heel Mules (exact here)
BAG, Loewe Striped Small Hammock bag (exact, preloved here)
SHOP CAMEL BLAZERS & COATS
Photos by Geoff Martin. Video/GIF by Nathalie Martin.
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How Jeans + T-Shirts Have Simplified My Everyday Routine
Whenever I’m in a rush and need to head out the door quickly, there are a couple of go-to items that I consistently fall back on - sneakers, for comfort and practicality, an oversized t-shirt, preferably one by Balenciaga, and finally, a pair of jeans. (But let's be honest, it's more like sweatpants these days.)
Truth be told I used to spend a lot of time picking my outfits each morning back when I worked in an office. I was a set designer for a television channel at the time, but I also happened to have just launched my blog and Instagram, which meant fresh outfits were important for the sake of creating new content.
SHOP MY LOOK
Interestingly enough, now that I work from home as a freelancer I find myself reaching for the same uniform day in and day out, oversized t, sweatpants, and sneakers. What can I say? Vera Wang and Karl Lagerfeld had uniforms so there must be something to it.
This is how I see it - as much as I love fashion, there are just some days where I'm more preoccupied with my work or enjoying a day off with my family, so glam takes a back seat. And that's okay! I just do my thing and put my spin on a basic t-shirt and sweat pant combo and head out the door to live life.
LUXE FOR LESS
Photos by Geoff Martin
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CHANEL Coco Mademoiselle Intense New Oversized Bottle
Just in time for fall, one of my favourite perfumes has just released an oversized edition its woody, amber scent.
The 200ml bottle of CHANEL Coco Mademoiselle Intense Perfum is a “warm, soft and feminine ambery accord with Venezuelan tonka bean and Madagascan vanilla heightens the sensuality.”
While the “an extreme and luminous concentration of Indonesian patchouli reveals a voluptuous dimension.”
The scent is sultry and mysterious, warm yet feminine and definitely gets the attention of my husband.
In addition to the oversized bottle, CHANEL Coco Mademoiselle Intense Perfume has extended the fragrance collection to include a Velvet Body Oil Spray, Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Hair Mist, and the Twist & Spray purse sized bottle.
SHOP CHANEL COCO MADEMOISELLE INTENSE
“I wanted to remain close to the original formula, while giving it a whole new dimension. I wanted to increase the proportions of fractionated patchouli. Push it to the limit.”
- Olivier Polge.
SHOP MY FAVOURITE CHANEL FRAGRANCES
Photos by Nathalie Martin
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Fall Must-Have: The Leather Trouser
With fall just around the corner, I’m getting really excited about wearing hoodies, sweaters, and yes, leather pants.
It’s all about leather weather in my eyes and I already have a ton of outfits that I want to wear with my these trousers. Here I wore it with an oversized Balenciaga shirt, though it looks equally as amazing with a simple white tank, a black sweatshirt, or even a camel coloured blazer, which means these leather trousers are the ultimate fall must-have.
If you prefer faux leather, check out these ones from Nanushka. They’re ridiculously soft, easy to care for and best of all, they’re high quality so they’ll last season after season.
WEAR LEATHER PANTS WITH …
A CAMEL BLAZER
A BLACK HOODIE
A WHITE TANK
SHOP MY LOOK
LUXE FOR LESS
Photos by Geoff Martin
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Trying Pantene’s New Sulfate-Free Rose Water Collection
A couple of years ago I was excited to try this incredible smelling sulfate-free shampoo that I had received from PR. The bottle retails for around $50 and was the hottest thing in sulfate-free hair care at the time.
I stepped into the shower, excited to lather up only to find nothing happened. No lather whatsoever. It felt like a cream had taken the place of my normal shampoo and somehow this cream was supposed to wash my 4-day old hair. Um, Okay.
I let my hair air dry like normal only to find that my roots felt weighed down with shampoo residue. The whole experience didn’t exactly leave me with clean hair which was extremely frustrating, to say the least.
Since that experience, I’ve stayed away from sulfate-free hair products because I just assumed they don’t work on my thick hair.
As you might already know, I’m a BIG fan of Pantene so when I was sent a bottle of their sulfate-free Rose Water collection, I was intrigued but didn’t want to get my hopes up.
I tried the Rose Water shampoo for the first time just shortly after getting a fresh balayage knowing that the formula is:
- colour safe
- sulfate-free
- paraben-free
- dye-free
- hydrating
- rich in antioxidants
Plus I trust Pantene and have always had a positive experience with their shampoos and conditioners.
To my surprise, the Rose Water shampoo worked into a luxurious lather in my hair. The shampoo is clear and smells subtly of rose water, which I love.
After shampooing, I worked the Rose Water conditioner into my hair and let it sit for a minute before rinsing it away, along with my tangles. This formula is said to instantly release nutrient-rich hydration leaving hair replenished, shiny and smooth. I kid you not, Pantene makes some of the best conditioners around and this one didn't disappoint.
Okay, so it passed the lather test. Seeing whether or not my hair was actually clean once I dried was the next test.
Once dry, my hair felt clean, hydrated, and soft. No residue weighing down my roots either. Pass!
For a few months now I’ve been alternating between the Rose Water collection and my other Pantene fave, the Smooth & Sleek collection. My balayage colour is still in check and I’m really happy with the health and manageability of my hair.
I have to say that Pantene’s Rose Water collection outperformed that high-end $50 bottle by a long shot. It didn’t leave my hair weighed down with a film like the other brand. I also didn't have to sacrifice the lather in my shampoo and still had the benefits of a hydrating, antioxidant rich formula. There were no compromises and it worked as effectively as expected from Pantene.
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Pantene. All photos and opinions are my own.
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Wearing Neon Is Easier Than You Realize
A wardrobe built on core staples (well-fitting jeans, classic blazers, and basic t-shirts), will allow for a lot of versatility each season. I believe that accessories are the way to go if you want to bring your outfit to life and drastically change the vibe of what you’re wearing.
For example, the addition of this neon yellow Balenciaga Ville Top Handle XXS small tote to my black and white outfit just makes it come to life. Not to say there’s anything wrong with black and white, but sometimes I just want a pop of colour.
Since I bought this bag at the end of summer, I had to be thoughtful about how it would fit into my fall wardrobe. I can see it going well with a leather moto jacket, a black wool coat, black trousers, and black ankle boots.
It’s all a matter of incorporating neon into my closet in small doses via a handbag or a pair of shoes.
When you’re wondering if you can rock neon yourself, go small and see if it’s right for you. Of course, you don’t have to invest in Balenciaga to try this trend for yourself - which is why I added a section below on how you can shop my look for less.
Remember, it’s fashion, so enjoy yourself and don’t overthink it!
SHOP MY LOOK
SHOP NEON BAGS
LUXE FOR LESS
Photos by Geoff Martin
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URBAN DECAY'S Waterproof Perversion Mascara WILL NOT SMUDGE (even in this hot & humid summer)
Admittedly, trying new mascaras is not my favourite thing as I know that I’ll inevitably end up looking like a raccoon at some point in the day. My lower lashes happen to be freakishly long, which is both a blessing a curse.
If you’re a smudger, like me, then you know how hard it is to find a good mascara. Because of that, I have a very small roster of brands that I can rely on - CoverGirl, CHANEL, Maybelline, and, well that’s pretty much it.
As much as I love Lancome and L’Oréal mascaras for their volume building, clump-free, lengthening qualities, they will eventually smudge throughout the day so I’ll never wear them for a night out.
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In addition to the smudging, I also have the sort of lashes that will, without a doubt, lose their curl and straighten out again if I don’t use waterproof mascara. Yes, this is a thing and I’m very jealous of people who can curl their lashes, apply any mascara, and move on with their day. That, however, is not an option for me.
Upon receiving Urban Decay’s Perversion Waterproof mascara as PR, I was excited because brands very rarely send waterproof mascaras for review.
I tried it for the first time on a hot and humid day, where I was working away at my desk up until about 5 pm and had to attend an event later that evening. Those types of days are very stressful for me because I’m trying to get as much done as possible before facing an hour-long commute into the city. I digress.
The first stroke of mascara thickened and lifted my lashes as I applied it in a zig-zag motion from the root to tip. The second coat, which I’ll do for more volume, was even better with no signs of clumping along the way.
SHOP MY URBAN DECAY LOOK
As I went on with my day, I actually forgot that I was testing out new mascara because I didn't find myself wiping away any annoying smudges.
I got back home at about 10 pm exhausted and ready for bed. My lashes were still intact and it was clear that Urban Decay’s Perversion Waterproof mascara held up beautifully without any signs of smudging or flaking.
With the price tag of $32, it’s more expensive than its drugstore counterparts but cheaper than my beloved CHANEL mascara (which I’ll buy once a year as a beauty treat).
Well done Urban Decay, you get two thumbs up from me!
Photos and GIF by Nathalie Martin
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The Best Small Bags. How Much Do They Actually Fit?
Because of my height, 5'‘4” for anyone who’s wondering, i much prefer smaller bags for every day life. In today’s post, I’ve gathered four of my current favourites of this year.
From Loewe, to Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga, there’s a mix of classic, and fashion forward for those wondering which bag might best suit them.
Make sure you click on the video below because that’s where my review happens!
Thanks in advance for watching and be sure to subscribe! xx
SHOP MY SMALL BAGS
Four Of My Favourite Small Bags
ONE. BALENCIAGA EVERYDAY TOTE XXS
What I’m Wearing: Balenciaga XXS Ville Top Handle Bag in neon yellow, Balenciaga oversized white t-shirt and black patent leather BB knife mules, Zara jeans and grey plaid blazer.
TWO. LOEWE MINI PUZZLE BAG
What I’m Wearing: Green Loewe Mini Puzzle bag, Zara white linen pant and blazer suit, Free People tank.
THREE. SAINT LAURENT LOU LOU BOWLING BAG SMALL
What I’m Wearing: Saint Laurent small Lou Lou bowling bag, Anine Bing sweatshirt, The Kooples leather moto jacket, 3.1 Phillip Lim patent leather ankle boots.
FOUR. BALENCIAGA VILLE TOP HANDLE XXS
What I’m Wearing: Balenciaga pink XXS Everyday Tote, Balenciaga white oversized t-shirt, Zara jeans, Alexander Wang Kennah boots, Saint Laurent Bold 2 sunglasses.
Photos by Geoff Martin. Video by Nathalie Martin.
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