REVIEW: NARS X STEVEN KLEIN COLLECTION

When the NARS x Steven Klein collection landed on my doorstep, it took every ounce of willpower to refrain from swatching and playing with the colours right away! I like NARS as a brand fine enough, yet I always seem to gravitate towards their collabs more so than the permanent collection. Perhaps I’m just a sucker for good marketing.

So the story goes like this; Steven Klein, fashion photographer, and François Nars, NARS founder, have been pals for about 20 years. They came together to bring us a collection of beautiful, bold, inspirational colours just in time for the holidays. The holiday kits are wrapped in Klein’s hauntingly beautiful photography (seriously, they’re amazing!) or if you’re not a makeup kit kinda person, you can get singles of the nail polish, lipstick, lipgloss and eyeshadow shades that peak your interest. I was lucky enough to receive five pieces from the collection to share with you guys here; 

• Killer Shine Lipstick in No Shame (bold berry) and Redemption (pale pink champagne).
• Killer Shine Lip Gloss in Fast Life (shimmery mauve/pink).
• Single Eye Shadow in Mortal (shimmery white) and Never Too Late (olive with gold shimmer).

KILLER SHINE LIPSTICK
The first thing that surprised me about this lipstick is how high gloss it is, and yet it don’t feel like a typical lipgloss. For a more subtle day time look, I ditch the liner and just dab it onto my lips straight from the tube. For a more dramatic evening look, I found this lipstick has much more of an intense shine when paired with a lip liner and applied with a lip brush. No Shame, the bold berry shade, wears better than any lipstick I’ve ever tried, even without a liner. It stayed on even after drinking and eating and left a pretty stain on my lips. As a result, this shade needs minimal touch ups. 

Redemption is a shimmery pale pink champagne shade that scared me right off the bat. Keep in mind that I like a bold lip and the idea of donning a nude mouth always terrifies me. I tried it on, sans liner, and I was pleasantly surprised with how pretty it looked. Even still, I don’t think I like it enough to wear it in public. If I did, it would be paired with either a brown or aubergine lip liner, because that’s just me. I think this one is going to my mum. 

KILLER SHINE LIP GLOSS
I got this lipgloss in the shade Fast Life. It’s a shimmery mauve-pink shade that’s my idea of a nude. I think the colour is super pretty, but I find that NARS lip gloss and me just don’t mix. Even if I wear a liner, the gloss seems to bleed over my lip line and I end up with a ring of colour around my mouth. The formula itself is high shine as promised. If you don’t have the same weirdo lip gloss issue I do, I’d say this is for you!

SINGLE EYESHADOW
The description on the NARS site says these eyeshadows give a "true colour application" and they do. Be sure to spritz your eyeshadow brush with a nice primer first, and you’ll be crazy impressed with the colour payoff. Mortal, the shimmery white shade, acts as a beautiful highlighter on the eye when used with a dry brush. Never Too Late, is a pretty olive colour that could work on it’s own, or layered in with gold and brown for a more defined eye. In my opinion NARS makes amazing eyeshadows and so far, I’ve been loving these! 

The NARS x Steven Klein collection was gifted to me. All opinions are my own. 

Just Get It Done

Blogging isn't always easy. It might look all glam and effortless once the finished product gets published here, but there's a lot of work that happens behind the scenes. For example, we shot this post early evening on a busy Sunday. The sun was beginning to set, so we were worried about light and it was getting cold really fast. I don't typically get embarrassed taking street style pics anymore, but when a family consisting of three generations and their dog, stops to stare, I will get shy. With all of the elements almost working against this shoot, it's hard to remain composed but, I think determination is always key. Apply that to blogging, or just to life in general but just get it done!!!

xo, Nathalie

WHAT I'M WEARING
Vaughan, silk blouse with bow tie.
The Kooples, smoking jacket and leather skirt.
Saint Laurent, monogram crossbody.
Jcrew, black suede pumps.  

The Special Occasion Dress: Paper Crown

I can't even believe I'm about to say this but, I have my first Christmas party of the season next week! When it comes to fashion, I always like to plan ahead and when a collaboration with Lauren Conrad's Paper Crown presented itself, I knew it would be perfect for the holidays or maybe even for my birthday next month!

Out of all the pretty dresses on PC, I went with the Francesca dress because I don't have anything like this in my closet. The double side slits give this maxi just the right amount of sex appeal. I also really like the halter neckline, which is so pretty and feminine and perfect for showing off my necklace, a gift from Tessa Virtue, from her Hillberg & Berk collection. I think there's something so special about the pieces that Tessa designed. I love how they can elevate a casual outfit and also compliment a dress like the one I'm wearing here.

With all of the feminine details happening here, I felt that grounding the look with a leather jacket was the right thing to do. I always say that staying true to your personal style is outmost importance. Keep that in mind, even when dressing for a special occasion. You want to be comfortable and feel like yourself no matter what. So with that, have fun when getting dressed up and don't overthink what you're going to wear too much. Pick a beautiful, flattering piece of clothing, and remember to accessorize.

xo, Nathalie

A NOTE ON SIZING
Shopping online with a brand for the first time, I never know what to except in terms of sizing. I was relived when I tried on the Francesca dress, and the length was perfect for my petite, 5'4" frame. Make sure you stay TTS when ordering from Paper Crown.

WHAT I'M WEARING
Paper Crown, Francesca Dress.
Tessa Virtue x Hillberg & Berk, earrings, ring and necklace. 
The Kooples, leather jacket. 
Valentino, burgundy Rockstud clutch.
Alexander Wang, kitten heels. 
Bulova, watch (bday gift from my mum last year).

Special thanks to Paper Crown and Tessa Virtue for helping me get holiday ready.

REVIEW: Tati Westbrook's LOVE OF COLOR Collab with Birchbox

If you guys read the beauty section of my blog, you'll know that I love watching YouTube for makeup tutorials. I also have YouTube to blame for my new found makeup obsession. When a chance to meet with Tati Westbrook of GlamLifeGuru came up, I jumped on it! I met Tati at the Four Seasons in Yorkville, bright and early at 8am. She walked into the room glowing for such an early morning meeting. Clearly I need to watch more of her channel because this girl's makeup game is STRONG!

We chatted about her new collection, exclusive to Birchbox, called Love Of Color. She walked us through the formulas and the shades she developed. Staying power and wearability is a big deal to Tati and it really shows. Just read my review below. ;)

Even through my eyes, Tati's LOC collection is a dream come true in terms of hard work and determination. She started her YouTube channel 5 years ago and now has over 826K subscribers (myself included), and over 101 million views, and now, her own makeup line. Congrats Tati! Can't wait to see what's to come next!

xo, Nathalie

ONE & DONE SHADOW STICKS
I love these shadow sticks! Smudge these around your lids quickly because they'll set in 30 seconds time, and won't budge! You can layer them on as you would a regular shadow but the advantage here is that they're easier to play with (in my opinion anyway). I tried using these shadows without a primer to test the staying power and they failed. I have oily skin and without a primer my makeup just comes right off. Someone with normal to dry skin would probably be okay sans primer, but not me. Overall, I love these and if I could recommend only two colours, they'd be Day Trip and Nite Owl. They work beautifully together and on their own. Regardless of what shades you pick up, the whole colour collection is made to work seamlessly together so I don't think you'll be disappointed.

• ON POINT: shimmery champagne.
• DAY TRIP: shimmer rich gold with orange undertones.
• IMPRESS ME: a beautiful coppery shade with mauve undertones.
• SMOKE SCREEN: shimmery steel.
• NITE OWL: a beautiful aubergine iridescent shade.

VIBRANT MATTE LIPSTICKS
The formulas of these lipsticks are creamy, matte and non-drying. You can ditch the lipliners with these, but after testing the staying power, I feel much more confident in using them with a liner. If there's only one lipstick you can buy these seasons, I'd recommend Glam Life. It's so beautiful and flattering and really makes a statement!

• FIRST KISS: The perfect nude.
  The perfect nude for all skin tones! Tati swatched this on the back of my hand and I was immediately impressed with how pretty it looked against my olive skin. Nudes are the most difficult colour for me to wear, and while most people feel outside of their element wearing red, I feel outside of my element in nude lipstick. As pretty as this one is, I use it to tone down oranges or browns and I want a more subtle lip. I just can't do a full nude.
• WILDEST DREAM: A flattering cool red.
  This vibrant red is a dream come true! It's a cooler red than I'm used to with some blue undertones, but it's still very flattering with my olive skin. 
• GLAM LIFE: Bordeaux luxe.
  Where has this colour been my whole life? I think Tati really hit a "home run" with this shade. It's a beautiful deep burgundy shade that is perfect for this time of year. I got tons of compliments when I wore it for the first time but I found the staying power wasn't the greatest on me. I've been using it with NYX's Auburn lip liner to help it last even after my morning coffee. It's comparable to Chanel's Rivoli, but Tati's Glam Life is much, much better! 

Thank you Birchbox for hooking me up with the LOC Ultimate Collection. Like always, opinions listed on my blog are my own.
I'll update the post shortly with colour swatches so stay tuned. 

WEEKEND STYLE FEAT. GLOBAL GARÇON

Weekends are all about relaxing. "Me" time is pretty rare for me these days, between juggling a full time job and blogging full time. My schedule is crazy with a mile long list of things to do, on going projects and trying to manage my schedule. At the end of the day, I do it all because I love it and fashion has always been the driving force in my life.

Yesterday was one of those rare, chilled out Saturdays when my only agenda was to hang out with my bff, Diana, and Michael of Global Garçon. We brunched at Portland Variety, probably for the last time due to slow-as-a-snail paced service, and then walked over to Momo Milk Bar for cookies and crack pie (major yum). We also spent waaaaaaaay too much time at Jo Malone, shopping for Christmas presents, and for ourselves, because we all agreed that Jo Malone is exactly what you need to destress. 

Now, what is a blogger meet up without the obligatory photo collab and appearance on each other's fashion page? I had fun getting behind the lens, and shot Michael for a series of street styled posts that he'll be sharing on his blog later. Diana photographed the pics you see here. Back when I started my blog, she was my original photographer but now she's more behind the scenes at WoahStyle, managing my business affairs. (I have the best team ever!)

I hope you guys are all having a fabulous weekend. Remember, hard work pays off, but make sure you have down time and get to sleep early when you can. It's life's little luxuries that make the difference - Brunch, sleep and a luxe scented candles. 

xo, Nathalie

WHAT I'M WEARING
Aritiza, cocoon coat in nutmeg.
Rag & Bone, paint splattered sweatshirt.
The Kooples, leather skirt and fringe bag.
Alexander Wang, ankle boots. 
Felony, iPhone case. 
Larsson and Jennings, watch.
Jenny Bird, ear cuff (gold is sold out), snake ring and snake bracelet.
Lisbeth Jewelry, rings.

Save It For A Rainy Day

Being as accessories obsessed as I am, I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I love rain boots and umbrellas. A few years ago I logged onto Shopbop, a site that I used to spend waaaaaay to much time and money on, only to end up buying a pair of designer rubber wellies. They looked like motorcycle boots and I loved them but they made the most annoying loud "flop flop" noise every time I walked. I even wore them into the winter, paired with thick socks in hopes to keep my feet warm, but they never were. After a while, the boots ended up cracking around the ankles and water started seeping in, so I retired them. 

I've been holding out to replace my wellies until now. I found these really comfortable ankle boots from Cougar, that are made for rainy days. The dual buckles on these moto rain boots are adjustable, although they're super easy to get on and off. They're also cold rated up to -10 degree weather, which means I can wear them into early winter if I want. I have to say, my favourite part is the neoprene shaft, which means these boots won't crack like my previous pair and they don't make the "flop flop" sound that I hate. 

As for the duck umbrella, I got this one a few years ago when I was visiting Miami. I was desperate to replace my favourite Moschino umbrella, that broke on me. I loved it so much that I held on to it, even in it's pathetic broken state. It was light pink with a pattern of Olive Oyl from when she use to model on Moschino everything. You might be surprise to read that I love cute shit like Hello Kitty and Totoro so much, you'd think I was a 5 year old Asian girl. (Seriously, ask my husband. I squeal when I see HK anything!) So, what are you guys crazy about? We all have something!

xo, Nathalie

WHAT I'M WEARING
Cougar, Kirby rain boots in black. 
TOMS, Bellevue Tortoise sunglasses.
Zara, stripped top.
The Kooples, smoking jacket. 
Rag & Bone, zippered moto jeans.
Saint Laurent, Nano Sac De Jour.
Jenny Bird, ear cuff and snake ring. 

"Fashions fade, style is eternal." - YSL

I went shopping with Geoff and my mum this weekend at a very popular Canadian department store. I won't say who, because it's not relevant to this story and I feel like this could happen anywhere. The story goes like this, after hubby and my mum finish their shopping, it's my turn to drag them to the contemporary section. I consider myself to be an "in-and-out" kinda shopper because I always know what pieces I need to fill the gaps in my closet. Also, in my opinion there's nothing more annoying than being stuck in that "I have nothing to wear" scenario, which is why I often shop ahead, or off-season, if I see something that I love. 

Back in the store, I grab a few pieces from The Kooples autumn collection to try on. I fell in love with a pretty floral dress in aubergine coloured silk, with long sleeves and a secretary bow around the neckline. My mum, being the beautiful woman she is, was going to buy me the dress for my birthday, which isn't until the end of December. (Seriously guys, I like to shop ahead!) Long story short, the dress has a blemish on it that needed the attention of a dry cleaner, so I decided not to take it. Here's when shit got funny. I mentioned to the SA that I'd just stop by The Kooples outlet and look for something there. She responds with "You won't find this dress there because they only carry stuff from past seasons". Um, no kidding!

A trip to the outlet means I have more selection to choose from and I can also score a good deal. Dare I tell her that a majority of what I'm wearing in this post is from past seasons? Because I really could care less. And like Yves Saint Laurent once famously said "Fashions fade, style is eternal." 

xo, Nathalie

WHAT I'M WEARING
TOMS, Bellevue Tortoise sunglasses.
Jenny Bird, Moondrop Ear Cuff. (ltd. edish)
Boluva, men's watch in rose gold.
Felony, iPhone 6+ Kaleidoscope case in rose gold.
Mackage, Rubie mini cross body.
Giuseppe Zanotti, combat boots.
Equipment, cashmere sweater.
The Kooples, leather jacket with buckle.
Zara, jeans.
Nyx, lip pencil in Auburn. 

Simplified Skincare with SkinOwl

Guys, I had terrible skin growing up. Part of it is probably because I was using terrible products. I bought into the advertising and tried chemical-laden products that were doing way more harm than any good. That's why I now gravitate towards natural products and am vigilant about supporting brands that are made with quality ingredients. 

When SkinOwl reached out and asked me if I wanted to try their Beauty Drops, I was very excited. I'd read articles about using oils to replace moisturizer and thought it was an interesting concept. 

SkinOwl's Beauty Drops are designed to replace your moisturizer AND serum, which is a huge time saver. They're also made with raw, organic ingredients which is a plus. Smell is so important when it come to skincare and the scent of the Beauty Drops is not overwhelming - it's very natural and pleasant. Their Beauty Drops come in three formulations: Lavender (for oily/sensitive skin), Geranium (for combo/uneven skin) and Clary Sage (for aging/tired skin).

I was originally sent the Lavender Beauty Drops, since I generally have oily skin. However, as the seasons changed, my skin became dry. They also sent me the Geranium, since it suited my needs better. You need to use 10 drops every morning and evening and it'll moisturize and nourish your skin. After a week of using it religiously, my BFF Diana asked me if I was sleeping more, which is her way of saying my skin looks good. I gave the Lavender drops to my husband Geoff since he has oily skin and he likes it. He was in a rush this morning and didn't use it - he said that he definitely felt a difference. He said his skin didn't feel as good and he thinks this is something he can see himself using regularly. 

SkinOwl also sent me their eye+ which is for the area under your eyes. It feels great on, and like Diana said, I look like I'm sleeping better - maybe it's because I've been using this?

If you love natural skincare and are looking to simplify your routine, check out skinowl.com for their full assortment of products.

xo, Nathalie

Disclaimer: These products were provided by Skin Owl, but I keep it real. I wouldn't recommend something to my readers that I didn't like. Friends don't lie to friends. 

Review: October Birchbox

Happy Halloween guys! Hope you're all having a great weekend so far. Sorry I'm a bit late on posting October's Birchbox. I just got it recently and I haven't had the opportunity to post it until now.

I'm pretty excited about this box because it's full of goodies that I've been wanting to try - Eyeko mascara and Egyptian Magic cream. Also, I'm excited to announce that I'll be giving away a box to one lucky IG follower in Canada. The winner will get the same box I'm reviewing here. To enter, just follow the instructions on my IG post. Good luck!

xo, 
Nathalie

OCTOBER BIRCHBOX FIRST IMPRESSIONS

• UICE BEAUTY GREEN APPLE PEEL SENSITIVE
  SAMPLE SIZE: 7.8ml
  There's probably enough use for about 4-6 face peels in here. At first I thought it was going to be one of those products that solidify on the face and then peel off, but that's not what this product is since it has a watery texture. Apply it to the face for 10 mins and then rinse off to reveal a brighter complexion. I tried it on the back of my hand while I did this review and I can't wait to try it on my face. Juice Beauty makes all natuaural organic skincare and this Green Apple Peel is one of their top sellers. 
   
• EYEKO BLACK MAGIC MASCARA
  SAMPLE SIZE: 4ml
  I'm so excied to see Eyeko Mascara in my Birchbox. This mascara comes highly rated. I've always wanted to try it and I just never knew where to get it. It's water water-resistant, curls and adds volume. Hopefully it doesn't smudge or clump. I'll update you guys in a later review. 
   
• PARLOUR BY JEFF CHASTAIN MOISTURIZING & REPARING SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER
  SAMPLE SIZE: 30ml (shampoo) and 12ml (conditioner)
  First impression: This shampoo smells really nice!!! Actually, it almost smells like green apples. I didn't smell the conditioner since it's in a sealed packet so I'll just have to wait until I take it with me on a trip. There's probably enough product for about 2 uses in these. The Birchbox card says they're lightweight, sulfate-free and nutrient rich.
   
• VASANTI COSMETICS ALL STAR 2-IN-1 FACE & FACE PRIMER
  SAMPLE SIZE: 5ml
  Diana, my BFF, tells me that Vasanti is a Canadian brand. This face primer feels lightweight and smooth when I swatched it on the back of my hand. I'm a bit primer-obsessed at the moment, and I have about 3 of them in my makeup collection, so I'm looking forward to trying this. 
   
• EGYPTIAN MAGIC ALL-PURPOSE SKIN CREAM
  SAMPLE SIZE: 0.25 fl oz
  For years, I've been hearing that this stuff is incredible. It's all natural, and it's got a multitude of uses - it can be used as a moisturizer, to help heal burns and for treating cuts and scrapes. Diana's mom has eczema and she bought it for her a few years ago. She said it's incredibly emollient and is unscented. My hands are really dry from the cold weather, and this feels amazing on. 

BIRCHBOX IS MARVIN APPROVED   ｡＾・ｪ・＾｡