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. ♥