Link Love #2

I'm back with another post about things I've been watching, listening to, and cooking recently.

Music:
This is Your Fight Song (Rachel Platten Scottish Cover) - The Piano Guys. This just sounds amazing. The Scottish scenery is breathtaking. It's something really nice to watch and listen to. It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard.
Hanap-Hanap - James Reid & Nadine Lustre. JaDine is bae. While I don't understand tagalog it didn't stop the song from getting stuck in my head. James and Nadine's voices sound amazing together. I also looked up the lyrics to this song in English. The video is adorable.
Christmas Medley | Anthem Lights. I love Christmas and I love Anthem Lights. Put those together and you get something amazing. Their harmonies are perfect. I could listen to this song all day.
The Prayer - David Archuleta & Nathan Pacheco. These two have amazing voices on their own, but together they're extraordinary. I love how the song is both English and Italian because it brings back memories of singing Italian hymn for me. Their take on this song is beautiful.

Watching:
Vlogmas. December is my favourite time of year to watch Youtube videos because my most of my favourite Youtubers to Vlogmas, which if you don't know is vlogging every day till Christmas. Some of my favourite people to watch this year are Donal Skehan, Fleur, Lily Pebbles, Amelia Liana and Zoella (she has the best into.)
The Peanuts Movie. I remember watching Charlie Brown as a kid. This movie makes my inner child happy. It's so nostalgic to see your favourite characters come to life again. It's sure to make you laugh. If you're looking for a feel-good film watch this.

Food:
Cabbage Roll Casserole. I've never been a big fan of cabbage rolls, but I actually loved this casserole version of the dish. It's an updated way to eat a classic. I think the fact that it's covered in cheese and baked is what made it for me.
Honey Sriracha Chicken. I love when a dish has a mix of sweet and spicy and that is exactly what you get in this dish. I love sriracha, which is the main reason I made this.
Hunan Dumplings. Dumplings covering in a peanut sauce. What more can you ask for. It's delicious.
Sausage Rolls. I feel like Donal has updated this classic appetizer. Everyone loves a good sausage roll. I haven't made them yet, but I plan to make them for Christmas.
Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins. I love anything chocolate. I like to find healthier ways of having a sweet treat without skimping on flavour. This is a good one. The zucchini keeps the muffins moist. When you eat it you wouldn't even think that there's a vegetable in it.

Merry Christmas!

Sincerely, JoJo. ♥

November & December Favorites!

This was going to be my November favorites post, but since I've also been loving these things in December I decided to combine them into one post. There are my November and December monthly favorites.

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Highlighters in Wisp and Monster
I'm a huge fan of Colourpop highlighters. I may eventually buy them all. They're easy to apply and they give your cheeks a beautiful glow. Wisp is a golden champagne shade that is said to be a dupe for Becca Opal. I was afraid it would be too dark on me but it's actually really nice; therefore, it's a shade that will look flattering on everyone. Monster is unlike anything I own. It's a pale pink with an iridescent duo-chrome finish. It gives you a serious glow. I've been alternating between the two, so I couldn't pick one to be my favorite because I love them both.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure
This blush has been on my wishlist for a long time. I bought it as a birthday gift to myself, which coin-sided with the Sephora VIB sale. I would descibe it as a neutral mauvy shade. It's a shade that you can't get wrong. It works with many different looks because it won't overpower bold eyes or lips. It's shimmery but it's subtle. I love pairing it with Colourpop's Monster for extra glow.

Essie Angora Cardi
I bought this shade because I saw Amelia wearing it in a lot of her video. It's described as a deep rose purple. I had trouble coming up with a description of it because it's not purple and it's not pink. I guess I would call it a muted plum. It's a beautiful shade. I think it's underrated because it's a dark but not vampy and it can often get overlooked. I glanced over it for years and now I can't imagine my collection without it. It wears 4 days on me with very little chipping. The formula is amazing. I could have gotten away with one coat but I always prefer to apply two coats. I think this is a shade that everyone needs in their collection.

Random Favorites

Music:
One Thing - Hillsong Worship
Rise As One - TVQX!
One Love - E.D.E.N.
The First Noel (Holy is the Lord) - Hillsong Worship
Merry Christmas Everyone - Rend Collective

K-Dramas:
Mrs. Cop (available on dramafever and viki)
You're All Surrounded (available on dramafever and viki)
Reply 1988  (available on dramafever)

Books:
Finding Perfect by Kendra C. Highley

Food
Healthy Pasta Bake from The Chiappas 

Sincerely, JoJo. ♥

October Favorites!

I'll be honest, this post is going up later than I wanted it to. I'm just going to blame midterms. Here are the things I've loved in October.

L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation
This foundation has been in my collection for quite some time, but I never used it consistently until this month. I originally bought it in the spring and didn't like the matte look that it gave me, but now that the weather has changed I decided to give it another shot and liked it. I like that it gives me a matte but not flat finish. Throughout the day it makes me look a little dewy but not oily, thus; I don't feel the need to touch up. The only thing that I don't like about this foundation is the shade range. I originally bought the shade 101 Classic Ivory (which is my shade in True Match) and it a little pale for me, so I tried the shade 102 Shell Beige and that one seems to work better but I find it a little too yellow-toned. I might try mixing the two shades to see if that gives me a perfect match. It's a great foundation but I think the shade range isn't accurate.

This month I've worn a lot of warm-toned makeup such as: MAC Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul, MAC Velvet Teddy and Chanel Adrienne.
Warm Soul is the perfect blush to use to define the cheek bones. The shade is a bronzy beige with shimmer it in. For me, it acts as a blush, highlighter and almost bronzer hybrid because it gives my cheeks the warmth of a bronzer, the glow of a highlighter and the color of wearing blush. I think it's a great blush to have in your collection.
Velvet Teddy is a matte warm-toned beige. On my lips it leans a little orange and I think it's great for this time of year because the color makes me think of leaves.
Adrienne is a warm-toned nude similar in tone to Velvet Teddy but the formula is creamy. It's also more of a peach-toned nude. It's a great everyday shade and I've been wearing it more than I thought I would.

Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask
This face mask has been on my wishlist for the longest time. I finally decided to purchase it this month. I'm so glad that I did because using it during midterm season was the most relaxing thing that I did all month. It has a pleasant scent and doesn't irritate my skin. It also made my skin look so glowy and healthy afterwards. It also made me feel calm. I would definitely recommend this product and it is completely worth the hype.

Random Favorites:

TV Shows:

Sassy Go Go/Cheer Up! (Why do k-dramas have multiple names?!)
This has become one of my favorite k-dramas of all time. It explores real issues that people go through in high school. Not only does it explore the pressure of going through high school, it also addresses mental illness, self-harm and both physical and emotional abuse. There are some dark moments, which might offend some people, but there are so many great moments of friendship and love as well. There's also cheerleading involved but the serious topics often outshine the cheerleading aspects. The leads are my new otp. It only has 12 episodes, which I am extremely sad about. I watched the finale right before writing this post. There are some story lines that fell short but everything was addressed in the finale. I would recommend it to everyone, even people that have never watched a k-drama before but beware that heavy topics are involved. It will make you both smiling and crying in the span of two minutes, but the finale left me with tears of joy.

Sincerely, JoJo. ♥

Link Love #1

I've read many blog posts about things that people are loving online, so I decided to give it a try.

Shopping/Wearing 

I’m currently obsessed with this scarf from Zara. I got the Maroon one. It’s so comfy and warm. I love the colour and the zig-zag pattern. I’ve already started wearing it now but it’s going to be perfect in winter to add some colour to my black winter coat.

I’m also loving these J.Crew snap-front Pixie pants. I've always wanted a pair of Pixie pants because they've been raved about for years but I never liked the fact that they zip up at the back. Since these ones tie at the front I decided to take a change and order them. I took a big risk by ordering them online (since there is no J.Crew here) but I was familiar with their sizing from going to their store in Florida. They fit perfectly. I definitely understand why these have such a cult following. They’re the best of both worlds: they look like pants with the comfort of leggings. I almost don’t even want to take them off. 

This sweater from Reitmans is currently my favourite sweater and I want to buy it in the red shade as well. It’s so comfortable but it makes your outfit look polished at the same time. I’m loving everything at Reitmans right now. I’ve always liked their clothes but this season it seems like they really stepped up their game in the fashion world. 

The Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey mask is probably my favourite thing that I’ve put on my face in the past week. I first used it when I was taking a study break. It just took away all my stress and made me feel calm. It smells amazing and leaves your skin feeling refreshed. The hype around this product is extremely accurate. It may be pricy but it’s worth it. 

Colourpop have recently launched their Creme Gel Liners and Colours and I may have ordered way more then I actually need. My makeup collection is always lacking in the eyeliner category because I don’t wear it often. The shade selection sucked me in and they look just as pigmented as high end brand eyeliners. When I was in high school I wore eyeliner every single day whether it was black, purple or teal. Granted, I wore too much of it, but once I got to college I just stopped wearing it (maybe it’s because of the all-nighters). Hopefully this purchase will force me to rediscover my love of eyeliner. 

Watching

I’ve been watching Asian Dramas on Viki and Drama Fever. My current favourite K-dramas are Sassy GoGo/Cheer Up! (the male and female lead is my new OTP) and She Was Pretty. My favourite Taiwanese Drama at the moment is Love Cuisine and I’ve also started watching Taste of Love. I feel like too many dramas are centred around food. I’m not complaining because Asian cuisine is delicious; but, watching dramas tends to make me hungry. Additionally, the problem with watching dramas that are currently airing is the agony of waiting for new episodes/english subs. 

I also enjoyed watching Sense of Self: Estée Lalonde where Ingrid went to Estée’s house and we got to see things that she loves based on the five senses. I’ve been watching both Ingrid and Estée for a long time. Seeing them in a video together just feels like two of my friends are talking to me. Estée loves awesome things (maple syrup, yaaassss). 

Reading 

9 Must-Have Maybelline Products Launching in 2016. Beautezine has me excited for Maybelline’s upcoming launches. 

Wishlist 

Charlotte Tillbury Matte Revolution lipsticks in Very Victoria and Love Liberty 

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Champagne Glow Palette 

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned (I blame Anna)
Chanel Illusion D'ombre in Mirage (Blame Anna again).

This scarf from Topshop that Lily Pebbles wears all the time.

This sweater from J.Crew, which is sadly sold out in my size. 

These Christmas Countdown planner stickers from LimeandMortar.

Have a great week! 

Sincerely, JoJo.♥

September Beauty & Lifestyle Favorites!

September has felt like a really long month for me. School and reading has taken over my life. I've been spending any of my free time watching Asian dramas. I haven't had much time to discover many beauty products because I've been wearing the same makeup almost everyday. Here are my September favorites.

Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour in Adrienne 
This lipstick is probably the most luxurious lipstick purchase I've ever made. I 100% blame Anna from ViviannaDoesMakeup for this purchase. It's basically the more sophisticated version of MAC Patisserie. While Patisserie is more pink under toned,  Adrienne is has a peach undertone. It's a perfect everyday nude lipstick. I would say that the shade would be in between MAC Patisserie and Velvet Teddy because it's similar to Patisserie but it more warm toned but it's not as dark as Velvet Teddy. The formula is creamy but sheer. I find that it wears well on me. The only issue I have with it is that it has a light floral scent. It's not overpowering but no one mentions that this lipstick has a scent. It can be a little drying on the lips too. If you love MAC Patisserie but want to go a step up you should definitely try Adrienne. This is a pricey lipstick, but I justified it because it's a shade that I can wear for any occasion.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Exposed 
I basically wear this blush every single day because it's easy. You can just slap it on even when you're in a hurry and it looks good. It's the perfect neutral blush. It's not too brown and not too pink. It's matte and lasts all day. It's the perfect blush for people who are afraid of blush. It's also great when you need a little wash of color so that you don't pale like a ghost. It's very pigmented so you only need a tiny amount. I think this blush is worth the price and it's a shade that everyone should have in their collection.

Lifestyle Favorites

TV Shows

She Was Pretty Yes, I'm continuing the theme of being obsessed with k-dramas. I started watching it because the plot sounded interesting and it was all over tumblr. I just hate that I have to wait for new episodes ever week. Choi Siwon's character is my favorite. He's the reason I keep watching it. The actual story is giving me anxiety. Kim Hye Jin's first love Ji Seoung Jun doesn't know that she's his childhood best friend because she made her best friend, Min Ha Ri pretend to be her because she doesn't think that she's pretty anymore and she didn't want to deceive his image of her. But then he ends up being her boss. He's starting to notice that her behaviour is similar to the his first love and the girl that he thinks is Hye Jin has the complete opposite personality as the Hye Jin he knew. So he's confused. And then, in yesterday's episode (episode 6) Ha Ri did something that basically violates the best friend/girl code.

On the Wings of Love
I found out about this show on tumblr. It's a filipino teleserye. It's very hard to find the episodes with english subtitles and I have to wait a long time for them. Anyways, the story is about a girl named Leah who goes from the Philippines to San Francisco. When her visa is about to expire she has a green-card marriage to Clark, her ex-boyfriend's cousin. At first Leah and Clark hate each other but then they become friends and start to develop feelings for each other. I ship Leah and Clark so much. The story is realistic because everything that happens is something that can actually occur in daily life. They said it would be a light series. They lied! Every episode breaks my heart into a million pieces for these two characters. P.S. Jigs is the most annoying character ever written! Every time he speaks I'm annoyed with him.

Music
Per te ci sarò - Il Volo (probably the best song they've ever sung)
Tornerà L'Amore - Il Volo (simply a beautiful song)
Il Volo released a new album at the end of the most, well three versions of it (Italian, Spanish and international versions), which basically means I have three times the songs to be obsessed with. Any song that they sing sounds amazing. I really want to see them in concert.

Radio - CNBLUE It's Korean. I don't understand most of the words but their sound is amazing and Jong-hyun is probably the best guitar player I've ever heard. It also helps that all four guys are really good looking.

Food
Butternut Squash and Pancetta Penne Gennaro Contaldo is one of the most entertaining people to watch. His recipes are so simple but extremely delicious.  I love pasta, I love pancetta and I enjoy butternut squash.This pasta dish is one of the best things I ever ate. I can't even describe how good it is. All I know is that you NEED to try it.

Sincerely, JoJo. ♥

August Beauty & Lifestyle Favorites!

The month of August flew by. Then September came and school started, and I forgot about my monthly favorites.

MAC 217 Eyeshadow Brush
I've heard about this eyeshadow brush ever since I first started watching beauty videos. This brush gets so much hype and many brushes are comparable to it. I was always hesitant about buying it because it's not cheap. I also hesitated to buy it because it's not the softest brush out there. Now that I own it I understand why this product gets so much recognition. I think it's the best eyeshadow brush I've ever used. It makes blending eyeshadow extremely easy. It's almost effortless because it feels like the brush does the work for you. You can just lightly swirl it around and it blends your eyeshadow so fast. My eyeshadow turns out looking better than it does when I don't use this brush. This has proved to me that MAC brushes are worth the investment.

Rimmel Blush in Santa Rose 
This is one of the first blushes I ever bought. It's always had a special place in my heart.  I love this blush because it looks so natural but it brightens your complexion. I would describe the shade as a pale peach. For a long time I couldn't get a hold of this blush and I was so upset about it. I ended up buying from FeelUnique because this particular shade seems like it's no longer available in Canada. If you can get your hands on it buy it.

Sephora Solid Brush Cleaner
I've always used Dove soap to clean my makeup brushes because it always did a good job of cleaning them. I always thought that specific crush cleansers would have the effect as my Dove soap. I heard a few rave reviews on the Sephora Solid Brush Cleaner. At first I thought $17 was too much for a soap to clean my makeup brushes. I decided to try it because it's formulated with argan oil. Once I used it I realized that the hype surrounding this product are accurate. It makes cleaning my brush so much faster than usual. I also feel like it helps my brushes to dry faster.  I like that it comes with a little silicone disk that helps with the washing of the brushes. I'm quite happy with this purchase.

Lifestyle Favorites

TV
I've spent my summer watching a lot of K-dramas. I don't understand Korean but I decided to watch Secret Garden after hearing my friend rave about it. It was on Netflix and I ended up marathoning it. Since then I've become obsessed with K-dramas. My favorites at the moment are: Secret Garden, Tomorrow's Cantabile, Witch's Romance, and Sensory Couple. They're highly addictive. Once you start watching one you can't stop.

Music
My Everything - Owl City
Listen To My Heart - Melody Day
You've Fallen For Me - Jung Yong Hwa

Sincerely, JoJo.♥

July Beauty Favorites!

I honestly can't believe that July is already over. It feels like the month just started. This summer is going by way too fast for my liking. Anyways, here are some products that I've been loving this month.

Batiste Dry Shampoo
I've heard about this product for years. I'm pretty sure everyone and their mother has tried this product and I'm probably the last person to try it. I was hesitant about trying this dry shampoo because I heard it leaves a white cast on dark hair. It can leave a white cast but I use it at night and I don't notice any white cast in the morning. This is the best dry shampoo that I've ever tried because it instantly makes my hair look like it's been freshly washed. I'm extremely happy with the results of this dry shampoo.

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek in Between The Sheets 
I was never a big fan of creme blushes because they always look like they never set on me. The Colourpop blushes are amazing because they're kind of like a creme to powder product. Once the product sets it's not going anywhere and lasts all day. When I take off my makeup after a long day of wearing this blush it still looks like I just applied it. A little goes a very long way because it is extremely pigmented. I like applying it with a stippling brush or a beauty blender. Between The Sheets is a neutral pink shade. I wish I could buy every single shade in the range.

theBalm Mary Lou Manizer
This highlighter has been raved about all over youtube and beauty blogs for years. I was always afraid to try it because it's an intense highlight. I'm so glad that I tried it because it looks beautiful when worn. All the hype surrounding this product is true. I would describe the colour as a champagne gold leaning more towards gold. I like to wear it as a highlighter and eyeshadow. When worn as eyeshadow it just pops on your eyelids. It's so pigmented and you need to use a light hand with it, especially if you're fair like me. I don't know why I went this long without having this product in my makeup stash.

Sincerely, JoJo.♥

July Lifestyle Favorites!

I know I posted about my lifestyle favorites less than two weeks ago, but I have more things that need a mention.

Erin Condren Life Planner
I've always loved planners. There something special about writing down things that you need to accomplish and then ticking them off once they're done. What I love about the Erin Condren planners is that the covers are customizable, which allows you to have a personalized planner. I chose the vertical layout because I like the idea of organizing my day in a sort of list form. I've had it for a little over a week now and I'm already having a great time decorating the pages. I've found that decorating and planning my days out has become therapeutic for me, and I enjoy doing it at night. I'm so excited to use it for school. If you would like one click here for $10 off your first purchase. They ship internationally. Their shipping to Canada is almost $20 so the $10 off really helps.

Books
A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade
I love Becky Wade's books. From the moment I finished her first book My Stubborn Heart (which I think everyone needs to read) I knew that she was an author that would produce great things. I've read all of her books so far and I've loved every single one. You can tell that she writes from the heart. Every character was carefully crafted and you instantly love them. This book is the third book in her Porter Family series and it doesn't disappoint. A Love Like Ours is the story of Jake and Lyndie. They were childhood best friends. Jake always protected Lyndie and went along with all her wild ideas. They got separated because Lyndie moved away. Years later they meet again and everything is different. Throughout the entire story you find yourself rooting for them. This book made me laugh, cry, angry, and joyful. If you like a good love story and this book is one to read.

Music
Every Giant Will Fall - Rend Collective
Rend Collective is one of my favorite bands. Their music speaks to your soul. Their latest single Every Giant Will Fall is simply amazing. Though there's pain within the plan / There is victory in the end / Your love in my battle cry. I can't even describe how wonderful it is. Just go listen to it.

TV
I'm still loving Teen Wolf. Liam and Hayden is my new OTP. They're just adorable!

Food
Strawberry Chia Seed Jam This jam is really good, you only need three ingredients and doesn't take long to make. If you love strawberries, chia seeds and honey or maple syrup you'll definitely want to try this.

Sincerely, JoJo. ♥

June Lifestlye Favorites

I meant to post this 2 weeks ago but I painted my room and got a new bed. Long story short, I wasn't living in my room for 3 weeks. Now this has turned into things I've been loving in June, which will include some things from July as well. Now, onto the favorites.

Books:
Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider
I really enjoyed this book. If you're a fan of John Green you will love this book. I would describe this book as The Fault in Our Stars meets Looking for Alaska. It's about teens that have a fictional form of tuberculosis and are sent to this sanatorium to get better. Lane is an overachiever who has planned his whole life, and this was not part of his plan. Sadie is living in the moment. She and her friends know how to get around the rules of Latham House and Lane is fascinated by them. He befriends them. Lane and Sadie embark on an adorable love story. I won't say more because I don't want to give anything away. This book will make your emotions go on a roller coaster. You'll laugh, cry, be angry, sad, and hopeful. All I'm saying is you have to read it. I recommend that you check out the book trailer here because that is what convinced me to go out and buy it.

Movies:
In the month of June I watched the highly anticipated Pitch Perfect 2 and Inside Out. I loved both of them and I would definitely recommend them. I also watched A Gift of Miracles, which was a very nice Hallmark movie.

TV:
For the past month I've been loving My Kitchen Rules. The new season premiered a little over a month ago here. If you live in Canada and have the channel Gusto you will most likely know about this. If you live in Australia you know this show. It's a cooking competition where they're looking for Australia's best home cooks. It's probably my favorite reality TV show. From watching this show I've learned a lot about the geography of Australia and Australian cuisine. I blame this show for the fact that I desperately want to visit Australia.
The next show I have to mention is Suits. I never miss an episode. This season doesn't disappoint. I really feel for Harvey at the moment. I'm not liking Louis this season. Donna will always be my favorite.
I also have to give a shout out to Teen Wolf because it feels like I've been waiting for season 5 for a long time. There has been so much Stydia buildup in the promos of this season and I'm going to be livid if they don't deliver.

Music:

Glorious - BJ Putnam 

I Was Made For Loving You - Tori Kelly ft. Ed Sheeran 

Verge - Owl City ft. Aloe Blacc

Here Now (Madness) - Hillsong United 

Tell Your Heart to Beat Again - Danny Gokey 

Where It All Begins - Hunter Hayes ft. Lady Antebellum 

Food:

I have to mention this Creamy Greek Yogurt Alfredo Sauce. I love it because it tastes just like a traditional Alfredo sauce but it contains no heavy cream. It's a lighter version of a well-loved classic. 

If you have any book, movie and/or tv show recommendations please let me know. 

Sincerely, JoJo.♥

June Beauty Favorites!

June. What can I say about June?  Well, this month has introduced me to two products that were rarely present in my daily makeup routine: bronzer and highlighter.

Colourpop Highlighter in Smoke N Whistles 
I never really has the need for highlighter because I always wore shimmery blushes. Over the past 6 months I've been getting into wearing matte blushes and sometimes I feel like my cheeks are missing some glow, which is where highlighter would come in. I was never a fan of highlighter until I tried Colourpop. This is a product unlike anything I've ever tried. The texture is kind of like a mousse and it's very easy to apply. Smoke N Whistles is a cool-toned pinky champagne with silver shimmer. My favorite way to apply it is to tap my beautyblender into it and tap it onto the high points of my cheeks and it gives me the most beautiful glow. It looks so flattering. A little goes a very long way. It lasts all day, even on hot summer days (which are rare around here atm). I highly recommend these highlighters. Now I honestly want to buy every single shade.

Tarte Park Avene Princess Amazonian Clay Matte Waterproof Bronzer 
I've had a difficult time finding the perfect bronzer because I'm fair and a lot of bronzers tend to look muddy or orange on me. Not this one. I would described this shade as a neutral brown color because it's not too warm but not completey cool either. It's good for bronzing and subtle contouring for pale skin. It never looks muddy and I never have to worry about going overboard because it's not too dark. It also lasts all day on my skin.

Colourpop Lippie Stix in Brink
Yes, another Colourpop product. I placed my first Colourpop order this month and I've been loving their products. All the hype surrounding this brand is true. The only thing I don't like is that shipping to Canada can get expensive. Anyways, Brink is a  greatMLBB shade for me. It's more brown than Mac Brave. I would call this a brick colour. At first I thought it would be too warm-toned for me but it actually looks nice on me. It's matte. It's supposed to be the ideal Kylie Jenner lip. I don't think it is, but it's still a beautiful colour. The staying power of this lipstick is amazing. It lasts through eating and drinking. I'm amazed that even though it transfers it manages to still stay on your lips for a really long time. I'm impressed with these lipsticks.

MAC Faux
This lipstick is described as a muted mauve pink. On my lips it looks like a mauvy nude. It's a satin finish. When I first got it this past winter I thought it washed me out and I hated it. Now that the weather is warmer and my face has gotten some sun it actually looks nice on me. I think that this is a summer nude for me. I've been reaching for this a lot this month. People say that it's similar to Brave but Faux is better is you have cool undertones. I have cool undertones and I personally think that Brave suits me all the time. It works for any season or occasion. Faux is much cooler toned and only looks good on me when I'm a little tanned. At the moment I love both Faux and Brave, but if I had to pick just one I'd go with Brave because it's the perfect MLBB shade. I would say try both even if you're fair with cool undertones.

What's your favorite neutral lipstick?

Sincerely, JoJo. ♥

May Favorites!

The month of May has been a busy one for me. I'm actually surprised that I have beauty products to talk about because I wore the exactly same makeup for half of the month and rekindled my love for a beloved MAC lipstick. For the other half I discovered some new products.

L'Oreal La Palette Nude 1
Living in Canada I didn't think I would find this palette at my local drugstore because new launches can take a little longer to get here. I'm glad I found this palette because it looks similar to high end palettes. I seriously think the texture of the eyeshadows and their performance is very similar to Urban Decay. There can be some fallout but once you tap your brush it's all good. The lasting power of these shadows is decent with a primer. It is pricy for drugstore but it's a fraction of the cost of a high end eyeshadow palette. I'm pleased with this palette.

Milani Powder Blush in Romantic Rose
I bought this blush purely based on the fact that it's in the shape of a rose. The colour is a neutral, subtle dusty rose shade. It's more pink than Tarte Exposed. It lasts all day on my skin. I find it to be a little powdery though. I like that it's matte but I think you need to wear a highlighter with this blush because it can give your cheeks a flat look. It's a good choice if you love neutral pink shades.

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue
I've been stalking both of the Sephora stores near me for the past few months waiting for this product to arrive. Last week, I finally saw it in store and snatched it up. It gives a light coverage than can be built up to medium without looking cakey. It's a good base when you don't want to wear much makeup but want to even out your skin-tone. It has spf 30 which makes it great for summer. When I wear think my skin looks healthy and glowy. When set with powder it doesn't make me look oily. I got the shade Opal which seems to match me perfectly. It's really hard to find a good tinted moisturizer. I may have found a winner for me but we'll see how it performs for the rest of summer.

MAC Syrup
During my internship this month I wanted to wear the most natural makeup possible and I found myself reaching for Syrup most of the time. (When I wasn't wearing Syrup I was wearing Brave). What I love about this lipstick is that it's the perfect MLBB shade for me. It's a beautiful mauvy pink. It's like my lip colour but 10x better. It gives my lips some colour and shine without being bold. It's subtle but it pulls any look together. This is actually my second tube of this, which proves how much I love it. I still recommend it to everyone.

Lifestyle Favorites 

TV Shows:
Brooklyn Nine Nine (Full Boyle for Jake and Amy. That is all.)
Girl Meets World (It's such a feel-good show.)

Books:
The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West (It's a good light read.)

Sincerely, JoJo.♥

NOTD: Essie Topless & Barefoot

I've been MIA for the past month. That is because I was on an internship. It was a great experience and I'm glad I had this opportunity. I didn't have time to plan blog posts. Now that I have time to blog again I thought it would be a good idea to jump in with a NOTD because my love of nail polish is what prompted me to start my blog. 

Essie's Topless & Barefoot is describe's as 'a barely there soft beige pink.' It appears more nude in person. The flash of my camera picked up the pink undertones. This is one of the nudest nail polish shades that I own. I wore it during the first week of my internship and it went unnoticed. It made my nails look polished and put together, which is the look I was going for. This is the most appropriate work shade or for a professional setting. 

The formula is pretty good. You can get away with two coats. I added a third coat just to make sure it was completely opaque. If you're looking for a great nude or love nude polishes in general this is a perfect addition to any nail polish collection. This shade used to be limited edition but it was recently added to the permanent range. 

Sincerely, JoJo.♥

April Favorites!

April has been the month of lipstick for me. I've been switching up my daily lipstick to more spring-like shades and I've discovered many new shades. These are the three that stood out to me the most. 

Maybelline Color Whisper in Lust for Blush 

I've heard about this lipstick range when it first was released but I never got around to trying them. This particular shade was always one that I was meaning to pick up but it was always sold out so I forgot about it for awhile. This month I remembered to try them and got the shade Lust for Blush. It's a pale slightly cool toned pink, but because it's sheer it looks very natural on the lips and you don't need a mirror to apply it. After I bought it I read that it's a dupe for MAC Creme Cup and finding a MAC dupe is always a plus. This lipstick is basically a tinted lip balm because it's moisturizing and comfortable to wear with a hint of color. 

MAC Peach Blossom 

This lipstick has been on my wishlist for quite some time (blame ViviannaDoesMakeup). It's a peachy pink, more pink than peach, kind of a nude shade. It's a cremesheen which is not my preferred kind of MAC lipstick but this one feels different than cremesheens I've had in the past. It's quite sheer so it looks really natural. There is some shimmer in it but it goes unnoticed on the lips. The lasting power is about 3 hours but it's so pretty that I don't mind reapplying it. If you love MAC Patisserie you'll also love Peach Blossom. 

Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer in Plum Pop 

For this lipstick purchase I blame lilypebbles  for wearing it in a blog photo and ViviannaDoesMakeup for saying it's similar to MAC Syrup (my all-time favorite lipstick). This lipstick is quite opaque. You can get away with only one swipe or two. I've compared it to MAC Syrup and it's more rosy and brighter. It's the perfect lipstick for people who want to try bolder lip but are afraid. I'd say it lasts about 4 hours till you need to reapply. It's a beautiful lipstick. 

Clinique Plum Pop, Maybelline Color Whisper in Lust for Blush, MAC Peach Blossom

March Favorites!

March was a both long and short month for me. I don't have many beauty favorites because my daily base makeup doesn't change often. I've been having a moment with MAC products, and two products really stood out to me this month. 

MAC Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul

When I bought this shade I was afraid it would look too orange on me but it really doesn't. It gives a natural sheen to my cheeks and warms up my complexion. This blush is perfect when I'm in a rush to do my makeup because it's kind of like a blush/highlight/bronzer hybrid. MAC describes this shade as a "mid tone beige with gold pearl." It's golden and bronzy and gorgeous. I think it would look beautiful on a lot of different skin tones.

MAC Lipstick in Patisserie 

This lipstick has been on my wishlist for the longest time and for that I blame ViviannaDoesMakeup. Whenever Anna recommends something you know it's going to be good. After trying this lipstick I understand why she loves it so much. It's a MLBB shade. On me it's my lips but a little more nude. MAC describes this as a "sheer creamy neutral pink". I would say it's a pinky nude shade with a hint of peach and it has shimmer in it but it's not noticeable on the lips. When I don't know what lipstick to wear I seem to gravitate towards this one. It's must-try in my opinion. 

COLAB dry shampoo

This dry shampoo has a lot of hype. I was so glad when it finally made its way to Canada. I love it because it does exactly what a dry shampoo is supposed to do and it doesn't leave a white cast in my brown hair. I've tried both London and Rio (the only shades that made it to Canada) and I personally love the scent of Rio. My hair always looks good after I use this. 

Lifestyle Favorties

TV Shows:

The Office - I watched this show occasionally while it was airing but I was never really invested in it except for the fact that I shipped Jim and Pam. For the past 2 months I've watched the entire series and it has become one of my favorite shows. I had wanted to watch it since I read Mindy Kaling's book last year and I'm glad I finally did. Now that I've finished the series I don't even know what to do with myself. 

Movies:

The DUFF - I've read the book and didn't understand how they could make a movie about it but the movie pleasantly surprised me. I know people were thinking it would be the next Mean Girls and it's not. It's about self-acceptance, bring comfortable in your own skin and not letting anyone else define who you are. I really liked it. 

Cinderella - I loved this movie so much that I watched it twice. I'm sure most people are familiar with the story of Cinderella and this live action version doesn't disappoint. A stunning cast, beautiful costumes, and a classic story, it was everything I was expecting it to be. Richard Madden *sigh*. It was so nice to see him acting in something since GoT. 

Books:

Home is Where My People Are by Sophie Hudson - I love her first book so I knew I needed her second one. Just like her first book it's a memoir. Sophie has a wonderful way of putting words together where you really feel like you know her as you read through the pages. It has reminded me that the people in your life are important and really do have an impact in your life, and that God has placed you where you are for a purpose. I highly recommend both of her books. 

Music:

I Am They - I discovered this band by browsing through iTunes. Their self-titled album is simply amazing. I've been listening way too much this month. My favorite songs are Your Love is Mine, We Are Yours and Amen. I told my best friend about them and she really loves them as well. I highly recommend that you check them out. 

Youtube:

Simone Scribes - Simone is a blogger/vlogger living in Dubai. I've been obsessed with her vlogs. It's really interesting to see what life in Dubai is like and I really love her personality. 

Sincerely, JoJo.♥

P.S. If you know of any TV shows similar to The Office and/or Parks and Rec please let me know. 

15 Things That Make Me Happy

There are some days where I get in a rut and feel unmotivated. I tend to forget all the little things that bring happiness to my day. This is a list to remind me that there is something good in every day.

1. Listening to music, specifically Anthem Lights
2. Conversations with my grandfather
3. The smell of freshly baked cookies
4. Reading a good book
5. Buying a new lipstick
6. Feeling the warmth of the sun
7. Knowing that everything will work out because God is in control
8. Going for a walk
9. Gelato
10. When the bus comes on time
11. A cup of tea
12. Coffee
13. Painting my nails
14. Getting a package in the mail
15. Catching up with friends

Sincerely, JoJo.♥

February Favorites!

I don't have many beauty favorites this month. I've been using most of the same beauty products for the past 2 months and nothing that I haven't mentioned before stood out to me. Here are the products that I've loved this month. 

The Beauty Blender 

This is the best beauty tool that I own. I repurchased one this month after not having it for almost a year and I'm so glad that I have it again. Any foundation that I apply with this looks amazing on my skin. Concealer blends in seamlessly with this. I even tried applying powder with it and it looked flawless. I've tried dupes for it any nothing ever measures up to the original. I know it sounds crazy to spend $26 for a sponge but once you try it you can't be without it.

Josie Maran Argan Oil Light

I've tried to original version of this but it was too heavy for my face and I ended up using it for my hair. I decided to try the light version for my face. It was amazing! I use it at night. It cleared up my skin and made the oily parts of my face less oily. It's not the most moisturizing oil on my dry patches so I need to use it under moisturizer.

Tweezerman Tweezers

I've heard many rave reviews about these tweezers but I never believed the hype. I always thought that any brand of tweezers would be the same. I mean they're tweezers, they all do the same thing. Now that I've tried Tweezerman ones I understand why people love them so much. They work so well and quickly. They pick up every single unwanted brow hair, even the stubborn ones. Using these has made my like my eyebrows. The last time I was pleased with my eyebrows I got them threaded and now I don't think I need to get them threaded because I have these little gems.

TV Shows:

Parks and Recreation - I've mentioned this last month and I have to mention it again. The series finale was this past week and it was amazing. Every character got the ending that they deserved. The finale made me laugh and cry, and I loved every minute of it. This show will always have a special place in my heart.

Cristela - This is a comedy show that is actually funny. Whenever I watch this it makes my day better.

Movies:

Away and Back

All of my Heart

Music:

No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music

Grande Amore - Il Volo

Food:

Lemon Polenta Cake

Sincerely, JoJo.♥

NOTD: Essie Mademoiselle

Last week I saw pictures of on Instagram the nail polish that was used on the runway for NYFW and I saw that Essie Mademoiselle was used in the Dion Lee fashion show (here). Since I had this shade in my collection I decided to try it and I really loved it. Essie describes this shade as "the most classic grown-up pink." I never thought that I would like wearing sheer nail polish but this one is just my nails but better. It just enhances your nails and makes it look like you're wearing a french manicure. I did two coats just to make sure my nails were fully covered but I think one coat was used in the photo from the fashion show. I would say that this polish lasted 3 days on my nails because on the fourth day I found that the colour was fading. This is a great polish if you're looking for a sheer pink. This is a shade of nail polish that would look great for any occasion whether it's formal, professional or casual because it's a noticeable colour. It's just makes your nails look flawless. I will definitely keep wearing it. 

Sincerely, JoJo.♥

The Me-Time Tag

What do you watch or read during me-time?

I usually watch my favorite show of the moment or I catch up on Youtube videos. I’ve been watching Parks and Rec for the past month, and I started watching Parenthood yesterday. Before that I re-watched the entire series of Gilmore Girls. I usually read any book that sparks my interest. The last book I read and loved was Yes Please by Amy Poehler. Sometimes I watch a movie. My Sunday night me-time currently consists of watching Call the Midwife while straightening my hair. 

What do you wear during me-time? 

The comfiest clothes I own which is usually yoga pants and a comfy sweater or my pajamas. 

What are your me-time beauty products?

NUXE Rêve de Miel lip balm and Lush Dream Cream. 

Current favourite nail polish? 

Essie Merino Cool is the polish I’ve reached for the most in the past few months. 

What do you eat/drink during me-time? 

Tea because it relaxes me. Sometimes I’ll have some chocolate or a cookie or anything else that I’ve baked. 

Current favourite candle?

Autumn from Bath & Body Works was my favourite but I used it all up and now I’m mourning the loss of it till next Fall. I also love to burn candles that have a wooden wick because they crackle while they burn and it has the illusion of sitting by the fire. 

Do you ever have outdoor me-time?

No. It’s super cold right now. Sometimes in spring or early summer when there’s a cool breeze in the evenings I like going for walks and seeing the flowers in bloom. 

Would you ever go see a movie alone? 

Yes. I’ve never done it but I would like to. 

Favourite online shop? 

I like browsing Etsy, Feel Unique, Sephora and Forever 21. 

Anything to add? What else do you do during me-time? 

I like to bake. It takes away all my stress and makes the whole house smell good. I also like listening to music to de-stress as well. 

Sincerely, JoJo. ♥

January Favorites!

January felt like a long month to me. I feel like the holidays barely ended and a new semester started way too fast. I was also cut my hair, which took a week for me to get used to but now I'm really glad I did it. The products I've been loving this month really helped to give my dull winter skin a healthy glow. 

NUXE Rêve de Miel lip balm 

This is my #1 lip balm. I went without it for a few months and since repurchasing it I see a huge difference in my lips. I slather this on every single night and I wake up in the morning with soft and hydrated lips. I also wear it on days when my lips are feeling particularly dry and since this drys to a matte finish you can apply your lipstick over it. You need this in your life especially during Canadian winters. It's about $17 but this will last you a long time because a little goes a long way. 

MAC Brave 

I gave into the hype and purchased this lipstick. I actually ended up buying the last one at the MAC counter and the sales girl told me that I was trendy. I blame Amelia Liana for this because it looked beautiful on her lips. MAC describes this shade as a pink-beige with white pearl. It looks shiny in the tube but don't see any pearl when it's on my lips. It's a satin finish and lasts around 6 hours on my lips. I would call this a MLBB shade as it looks like the color of my lips but a hint more nude and it makes my lips look so nice. It has surpassed Syrup and is now my favorite MAC lipstick. 

Tarte Amazonia Clay Blush in Exposed 

I finally jumped on the Exposed bandwagon. I tried to stay away from the Tarte blushes for as long as I possibly could because their foundation and I didn't get along. I ended up getting this blush because people were raving about it in their 2014 beauty favorites. It's described as a nude but it has a rosy tone. It gives a natural flush to the cheeks making it perfect for every day. I was afraid of wearing matte blushes because I always thought that they would look flat on my cheeks but this one has made me reconsider my original views because it manages to give me a healthy glow. It has also given a chance to experiment with highlighters. 

Lifestyle Favorites 

TV Shows

Parks and Recreation - this show is gold. You need to watch it. The first season which is only 6 episodes is a little meh but once you get to season 2 it starts to get amazing. Just the thought that this current season is their last makes me want to cry. The characters will quickly capture your heart. Ben and Leslie is my new otp. 

Call the Midwife - I've said it before and I'll say it again, this show is a gem. Every single episode makes me cry but I love it so much. There are also parts that will make you laugh, so the happy and the sad balance each other out. 

Books

A Little Something Different by Sandy Hill - This is such a cute story about a boy and a girl who like each other told in the point of view of everyone that comes into contact with them. It's a really cute book, you can finish it in one sitting, and I definitely recommend it. 

Yes Please by Amy Poehler - This book has given me so much respect for Amy Poehler. Before reading her book I didn't know much about her. I only knew that she was an actress in comedy but I didn't know what a great person she is. Reading her book is honestly what made me watch Parks and Rec because there is a chapter where she talks about the show and her cast mates and she has so much love for them. 

A Little Salty to Cute the Sweet by Sophie Hudson - This book is simply amazing. Sophie Hudson takes you through stories about her family and she has such a good way with words that you feel everything you're reading. This book made me laugh and cry at the same time. I loved it and I've been recommending it to anyone who will listen. 

Movies

I've re watched two of my favorites this month: The Young Victoria and Pride & Prejudice.  

Big Hero 6 was amazing! 

Music

To Leave It All Behind - Moriah Peters 

Greater - MercyMe

Nearness - Bethel Music 

Food

Flourless Oatmeal Cookies

Chia Seed Pudding 

Baked Brie 

Sincerely, JoJo.♥

Natural Makeup Days

Over the past few weeks my daily makeup has taken a more natural appearance. I've been going for the no-makeup-makeup look. I've been going for a flawless/natural base with a nudey pink cheek and lip. I love it.

An Ode to Lush Dream Cream

In the colder winter months I get eczema on my hands. I've struggled with this since I was about 12 years old. Over the years I've tried many products to get rid of it, even prescription products and I've found that Lush Dream Cream is the one product that helps the most. I started using this last winter and I've never looked back. It's the only cream that use on my hands all year round. The thing I love most about Lush is that their products mainly contain natural ingredients so you know exactly what you're putting on your skin. It's main ingredients of oat milk, lavender and chamomile sooth sensitive skin. Oats have been used for centuries to sooth ezcema and sensitive skin. Many over the counter creams targetted to treat ezcema contain oats in some form. It also contains olive oil and cocoa butter to help dry skin. There's also rose essential oil in this which is said to be calming to irritated skin.

I didn't think that all these ingredients together would work but somehow it does. I slather this on my hands every single night and it instantly feels cooling and soothes my skin. When I first started using it the scent bothered me but now that I'm used it I don't even notice it anymore. It's not going to get rid of eczema overnight but it will make it bearable. It take a few weeks to completely get ride of my eczema but with prescription products it used to take months and multiple tubes. With Dream Cream one pot lasts me almost a year. This product is $26.95 but it's really worth the money.  

It's also a good moisturizer for dry or itchy skin. I've used this on mosquito bites and sun burns and it takes away the itchiness and uncomfortable feeling. I also use this at night when I get dry patches on my face and in the morning my skin is back to normal. I would recommend this to anyone who struggles with eczema and/or dry and sensitive skin. I will always have a pot of this on my vanity. I just works so well.  

Sincerely, JoJo. ♥

2015 Beauty Goals

I like setting Beauty goals because they give me chance to think about different things that I want to add or change in my daily makeup and skincare routine. This is a great way for me to keep track of what I want to achieve throughout the year. I did this last year and I really enjoyed it. So... I decided to set some new beauty goals for myself this year.

1. Lipstick Lover

I would like to venture out of my lipstick comfort zone aka MAC Syrup (which is great for every day and professional settings) and explore other shades. I would also like to try a bold lip (I'm looking at you Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Matte in 107). I've been afraid of bold lips in the past but I think it would be fun to make my lips the star of a makeup look as opposed to my eyes as I usually do.

2. Under Eye Affection 

I'm determined to find a hydrating eye cream that will help my dry and dehydrated under eye area. Since I'm 22 I think it's time to start taking care of my under eyes because preventing fine lines is always a good idea.

3. Face Mask Time

I want to find a face mask that is safe for my sensitive skin. A lot of face masks that I've tried in the past make my skin feel tight or are too harsh for me and then break me out.

4. Nail Treatments 

I have an obsession with nail polish but I need to find a good base coat and top coat that will make my nail polish last longer (my favorite ones from Revlon seem to have disappeared from my local drugstores which makes me think they're discontinued.)

If you're reading this and have any product recommendations please let me know.

Sincerely, JoJo. ♥

Happy New Year!

photo found on tumblr

Whatever happened over this past year, be thankful for where it brought you. Where you are is where you’re meant to be. May this year be full of joy, love and laughter. May you get all that you wish for. To me a new year means a new beginning, a chance to stop worrying, letting go of the past and keep moving forward. Don't let the past keep you from moving on and making the most of the new year.

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. Philippians 3:13 

Let go of the past and enjoy where you are now. Don't worry about that the future holds.

This year I vow to let go and let God. I put the entire year in His hands and I know that everything will work out perfectly because He is in control.

Sincerely, JoJo. ♥