030415 3 Shoes to Pack for Vacay
I'm pretty good at packing for a holiday and usually I can fit everything I need into a carry-on for a two week vacay. The secret is in creating capsule collections with your clothes so everything works together. Colours should compliment each other to get the most out of your limited wardrobe while you're away.
The same rule should be applied to shoes but this is when I have a really hard time narrowing down my choices. Footwear is my go-to accessory and it's rare that I wear the same shoe twice in a row. (I swear I don't have an extensive shoe collection, I just like to change it up!)
My three shoes to pack for holiday go a little something like this:
- Something super comfy for walking.
- Something dressy.
- Something casual.
Regardless, everything you pack should be versatile. I like pieces than can be dressed up and dressed down (minus the Nike's but then again... never say never!).
In a perfect world I would pack about two pairs of shoes for each day while on holiday but I'll have to do with these three on my 5 day vacation to Quebec. Well, four if you count the North Face hiking boots that are not in the pic. They're my "just in case a blizzard hits" shoe. You never know with the Canadian weather this time of year! Make sure your footwear choices prepare you for everything!
Finally, how cute is this amazing kitty tote bag from Target? I picked it up today for $10! I figure it can go on holiday with me and when I get back, it'll become my new gym bag for bootcamp because yes, I'm that ghetto. But that is if Marvin let's me borrow it! #legitcatlady
Target, Mossimo cat tote
Nike Free Run sneakers
3.1 Phillip Lim ankle boots with kitten heel
Alexander Wang black ankle boot
030215 Goodbye Acne! Hello brushegg!
You might remember that I went on a little makeup brush binge recently and ended up buying about 14 new brushes! The downside of that is that now I have double, er, triple the amount of brushes to clean! I don't know about you guys but I'm insanely anal retentive about cleaning my makeup tools.
Let's rewind for a sec to when I was a young teenager discovering makeup for the first time. All was fine and dandy until pimples started showing up on my face fast and furious. It was probably hormones, but looking back now all of those dirty powder puffs laden with makeup grime and germs were majorly to blame! Gross, I know. Not my proudest moment but to my defence no one talked about cleaning brushes then - not Vogue, not YM, not my silly friends, and definitely not my mum, who even now in her 60's has a beautiful clear complexion. (Thanks dad.)
Sadly it took me a while to make the connection that dirty brushes = pimples and knowing what I know now, it's all about makeup hygiene. Taking the time to clean my brushes is of outmost importance to me, which is why I reached out to the amazing team at brushegg and to bring you guys this fun collaboration.
BRUSHEGG REVIEW
I have to say, these adorable egg-shaped cleaning tools are appropriately named. One side of the "egg" is a smooth curve bearing the brushegg logo. The opposite side has little raised bumps at the top of the "egg" while the rest of the surface consists of these straight ridges to help easily clean makeup brushes.
As per the brushegg directions, I just dropped a bit of cleaner on the ridged surface and ran the wet brush over it and watched it get clean fast! (For the cleaner, I use a mild natural hand soap or facial cleanser.)
The "egg" fits snugly over my fingers so I could comfortably hold it with one hand while running my brush over it with the other hand. Easy peasy. We got this picture just in time because the brush was clean before I knew it.
I always dry my brushes by laying them on their side. I suggest to lay them on a clean towel and let the bristles hang over the surface so that the air can fully reach the bristles and properly dry them.
TIPS
- Never dry your brushes upright, bristles facing up. The water will trickle into your brush and ruin it. Also, never use a hair dryer to dry your brushes for the same reason. Instead give your brushes plenty of time to air dry once you've washed them. I like to wash mine after I do my makeup in the morning so that they're fully dry for the next day.
- Don't forget the handles. Give them a little wash with soap and water to make sure your whole brush is clean.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WASH MY BRUSHES?
The package on the Sonia Kashuk makeup brushes I bought say every day. brushegg says at least once a month. I like to wash mine once a week but every two weeks works too. And remember, if you start getting pimples, you're probably due for a washing.
BRUSHEGG PROS
- Works like a dream! Even my hard-to-clean foundation brush was sparkling clean again!
- Well priced at $10 / 1 egg.
- Cute colours, pink, mint, purple, black.
- So easy to use.
- Deep cleans brushes quickly.
CONS
- Honestly. NONE!
GIVEAWAY TIME!
I'm giving away four brusheggs! Enter on Instagram by posting the picture above and follow the directions exactly to qualify! Don't forget to hashtag!
- Contest is open to Canadian and US residents only.
- brusheggs will be shipped directly by WoahStyle.
- Winners will be notified by Instagram on Tuesday March 10, 2015.
- Enter as many times as you wish.
- Good luck!
030115 Happy Blogiversary WOAHSTYLE!
I'm excited to announce WoahStyle's first year blogiversary!!! (Bring out the champagne & cupcakes!) Thanks to everyone who reads my blog and supports my fashion endeavours and shoe obsession. You guys are the best! I'll keep this post short and sweet and let the #ootd do the talking but first...
I've teamed up with some of my favourite brands and designers so that you guys can celebrate with me! I'll be doing giveaways all month long to say, thank you dear readers. : ) Stay tuned!
xo,
Nathalie
PS - I'd love to hear from you! Feel free to drop me a note in the comments below, or on IG, and tell me what you want to see more of on WS. Thanks!
WoahStyle Turns 1! Happy Blogiversary!
Aritzia Coat & Sonore Dress
Mackage leather leggings & moto jacket
3.1 Phillip Lim ankle boots
Chanel glasses
ABOUT THE NECKLACES
I'm wearing pieces by Lisbeth Jewelry, a Vancouver designer who just recently relocated to Toronto. The designs are light, airy and versatile and they're perfect for layering. Shown here are the Rosa, Luna, Lucy and Gray necklaces. Thank you!
022815 February Favourites: Winter Edition
In my opinion, January and February are the worst months for fashion in Toronto. It's too cold to truly be excited about getting dressed and all I really want to wear is head to toe fleece. With that being said, this month's faves will be focused on beauty & accessories - my winter saviors from dry skin and shiny golds to brighten up dark, gloomy winter days.
I keep organized with this clear jewelry tree from Umbra ($20 at Target). Dangling necklaces are tempting for my cats so I keep it on a high shelf that I can easily access but they can't!
KMF Air Powered Continuous Spray lotion in Lavender Shea, Consonant HydraExtreme, It's A 10 Miracle Leave-In plus Keratin, SBT Vegan Fruit Oil & Sniffle Stick, Consonant natural sunscreen SPF 30, KMF Triple Action toothpaste, Consonant DHE Mask & Organic Face Cream for dry skin.
WINTER BEAUTY SURVIVAL KIT
Somewhere along the way I realized that even though my skin is oily, it still needs lots of moisture to keep hydrated in the winter months but it's all about finding the right skincare!
- My Consonant Skincare routine is still going strong so these products get mega shoutouts from me! I like to mix it up once a week by adding a bit of SBT Seabuckthorn fruit & seed oil to my moisturizer at night, and the next morning I wake up to baby butt soft skin.
- Exfoliating during the winter is a must and aside from dry brushing, I'm using this DHE Mask once a week to keep my face fresh.
- I recently started using this Kiss My Face spray moisturizing lotion and I love it! It's easy to use and the lavender scent keeps me hopeful that spring is just around the corner. (Please hurry! I can't take this weather anymore! *whimper*)
- Winter hair can get nuts with static and dryness and It's A 10 Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin is the shit! My frizz goes away and my hair is soft, shiny and manageable. I hear it's hard to find in Canada so grab it at Target before it's gone.
NYX Radiant Finishing Powder & Dewy Finish Setting Spray, Beauty Blender, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and Revlon Colourstay Makeup for Normal/Dry Skin
DEWY SKIN 101 FOR DUMMIES
I have to credit my BFF Diana, for two things- 1. Introducing me to NYX (cruelty free, cheap cosmetics) 2. Korean dramas. I just finished my first K drama series and all I wanted was the young dewy skin that all of the boys and girls have!
- Go get yourself a Beauty Blender if you don't already have one. It's a must have for airbrushed makeup. Just go get one. Not the cheapie rip off kind, but the real deal. You can thank me later.
- Revlon Colourstay Makeup - I heard about this foundation on a YouTube channel and it is so good! It lasts all day and doesn't look cakey. I just wish they had more colours since the shades range from fair to medium and that doesn't include yellow based tones. (Hi Revlon, I'm Latin and my skin is olive. Remember that ethnic people like to buy makeup too!) It's too bad because the formula is great but I'm still searching for the right makeup shade.
- My Nars Radiant Concealer is still a fave and it's excellent for erasing my dark under eye circles. A light dusting of this NYX Radiant powder makes my skin a bit more lively. Finally I like to set my makeup with the Dewy Finish setting spray. It's a bit of heaven sent from the makeup gods. Canadian friends, I know there isn't much NYX left at Target these days but you can always grab it at Rexall!
Lisbeth Jewelry necklaces, OST New York bracelets and ring, Lola's Vanity brass rings, The Free Island evil eye ring, Birds of a Feather, Jenny Bird and Vitaly Design bracelets.
GO FOR THE GOLD
Like I said in the intro, getting dressed for -30 degree weather isn't always fun but accessorizing sure is! This month was all about the jewelry and even though some of these pieces are new, I know I'm going to wear them lots!
- Lisbeth Jewelry makes some of my favourite necklaces and when I see them in person for the first time, I can't get over how much better they look IRL! Worn alone or layered in 2's or 3's these pieces go with pretty much everything, including head to toe fleece!
- I met Khariz, designer of Lola's Vanity, last January before I began blogging and fell in love with her designs. I bought a few pieces from her back then that are still my faves (this knuckle ring!) and I just acquired this amazing double ring in brass. Her designs are simple and always perfect.
- When I was a kid living in Miami I had a set of bangles that I loved. I wore them in stacks on my little arms and even at 5 years old, I knew what was hot. Then we moved to Canada and the bangles were no more. These super stunning bracelets from OST New York take me back to when I first started loving fashion. I've been wearing them non stop and love how they clink together. My 5 year old self would be proud.
*Some pieces mentioned in this post are PR samples or gifts. Read my disclaimer here.
022715 Shopping with Mendo & WoahStyle
A little behind the scenes action from my shopping day with Niki and Jessica at Mendocino. Take me back!
Monochrome racks of goodness!
These Wonderland sunglasses need to get in my life!
More Wonderland goodness. Don't mind the goofy expression. Trying to suppress my excitement for these glasses long enough to take a pic.
"What more black and white? Outrageous!"
A rack full of custom goodies chosen pour moi! In case you missed it - my faves SS15 pieces are here.
022515 Role Playing with OST New York
Working on this jewelry collaboration with Daniel Lodato OST New York designer and former Parsons student, was especially fun since we share so many commonalities! We're both visual people who consider ourselves designers, not artist, and we both gather a lot of inspiration from the world around us, especially documentaries. (I'm a Netflix junkie and I try to get my fix whenever I can. I watch movies and tv shows in the mornings as I get ready for work. I love documentaries, especially on Cosmology, but I like to savour those and give them my all.)
The bracelets that I'm wearing here, Serpent Bracelet and Screw U bangle, are from the Basics collection and are brass, plated in 22k gold. I love them for stacking or wearing on their own. They're edgy and classic, feminine and masculine. The designs have a subtle juxtaposition that work so well together, which is what drew me to them.
The Noose ring is part of the Western collection and is made out of 14k gold. I was happy to see that different sizes are available because my fingers are small and I generally have to comprise on size when I find something I like.
The jewelry is made using a 3D printing, where a mold is produced and the metals are poured and casted and then finally finished by being shined by hand. It's process that allows Daniel to focus more on designing and also means that jewelry can easily be made to order - a plus for us since we can pick our favourite metals. Another plus to 3D printing is that all jewellery is perfectly produced without imperfections and each piece is exactly the same each time - a plus when there's stunning details in the design.
I guess something about OST jewelry made me feel like a character because it's only now that I realized that I have this whole detective thing going on. I figure strong jewelry needs a statement outfit!
Thanks OST for the stellar pieces. I know that I'll be wearing them for years to come. I'm looking forward to shedding these winter layers so I can let them shine!
I don't know if you can tell but I have a few layers happening to keep me warm. It's been bitterly cold recently and even as we shot this, tons of snow was blowing off the rooftops.
OST New York bracelets and ring
French Connection fedora
H&M faux fur stole
3.1 Phillip Lim ankle boots
Jbrand Maria jeans
Aritzia Jacoby wool jacket
022415 REVIEW: Pai Skincare + Q&A with Sarah Brown, Founder
This organic, natural cream cleanser by Pai Skincare landed on my doorstep recently. I've never been keen on cream cleaners but after watching their video, I was pumped to try it for myself. Natalie Portman uses it and if it's good enough for her, it's good enough for me!
PAI SKINCARE: CAMELLIA & ROSE GENTLE HYDRATING CLEANSER, $50
PROS
- Organic, fragrance free, cruelty-free, vegan skincare! (Leaping bunny approved!)
- Very gentle on the skin. Safe for dry, sensitive skin.
- Alcohol and detergent-free formula leaves skin balanced.
- Leaves skin well hydrated and silky smooth after washing.
- The cleanser comes with a muslin cloth to help clean and gently exfoliate skin. (This cloth is my new fave! You can wash it to keep it germ-free or purchase a two-pack here.)
- Eye makeup came off beautifully using a cotton pad, just as the video promised.
CONS
- Perhaps this is just an indication of how much makeup I wear, but I found that it didn't take all of my makeup off. After washing I would run a toner soaked cotton pad over my face and makeup was still coming off. Unless you use minimal makeup or don't wear any, I would recommend using makeup remover before hand.
- This is just a preferential thing, but I'm not convinced cream cleansers are for me. I miss the suds!
You can shop UK skincare brand Pai online or at Whole Foods around Toronto. (More stockists here.)
Q&A
Sarah Brown, creator of Pai, was kind enough to do a Q&A for this post. Have a read to educate yourself on skincare and find out why makeup wipes are bad, how to prevent milia and what causes it. And if you like what you read, you can keep up with Sarah's blog for more skincare, health and lifestyle tips.
Nathalie: Why are makeup wipes bad?
Sarah Brown: Picture this - if you poured water into a tissue box and left it alone you’d be horrified at what you saw after a few weeks but a packet of damp make-up wipes can sit on a shelf for up to three years! Cleansing wipes are saturated in alcohol and harsh preservatives to keep the layers of moist tissue mould and bacteria-free. As a result, they can be very irritating and leave the skin imbalanced.
Why do we need an oil and a cream in the winter time?
SB: An Oil can’t hydrate the skin. They are brilliant for nourishing, conditioning and repairing the skin but for healthy, hydrated skin you need to be using a Cream as well. A Cream is a mixture or ‘emulsion’ of fats, water and actives that are able to hydrate skin thanks to their high water content, which is around 60-80%. A Cream drives moisture into the skin while fatty oils and ingredients like glycerine prevent the water from evaporating. This hydration boost means that skin cells retain moisture - keeping skin supple during the drying Winter months.
How often should we be exfoliating our skin?
SB: It really depends on your skin type. Typically for dry or sensitive skin once a week is enough and for more oily combination types 1-2 times per week. Exfoliating is such an important step for keeping skin healthy and clear, but the wrong exfoliator can actually do more harm than good. I always recommend steering clear of any product containing crushed seeds, crushed shell or sugar – all of these grains have irregular edges, which tear skin cells and cause a lot of damage. Our Kukui & Jojoba Bead Skin Brightening Exfoliator has perfect circular wax spheres which gently polish the skin rather than scrub it to destruction!
How does not taking off our makeup before we go to bed age us quicker?
SB: A build-up of make-up on the skin can enlarge and block pores, which can lead to breakouts as well as lackluster skin. Dull skin looks older than it is. Bedtime is the best time to apply your hardworking products that replenish and repair the skin, as they can work uninterrupted without having to protect the skin from pollution, free radicals and daily impurities. The few minutes it takes to properly cleanse in the evening is a really important skin investment.
What is the benefit of using a toner?
SB: For most people traditional alcohol-based toners conjure memories of tight, tingling skin! Our toners are very different, for a start we call them “Tonics” as they serve a very different skin nutrition function. They contain the living water from the Rice shoot and Lotus root; this is the vitamin, amino acid and mineral rich liquid that circulates within these plants and have a host of skin benefits. As well as removing remaining cream residues post cleansing, our Tonics actively feed the skin and balance pH. I don’t like to restrict using my Tonic to my cleansing routine – I also spritz it over the top of make-up throughout the day. It’s also a life-changing travel companion – especially on long haul flights when air humidity is very low.
Are eye creams necessary?
SB: Short answer – yes, but it’s all about how you apply it. The skin around the eyes is the thinnest on the body, so you need a gentle touch and a nourishing Cream to effectively treat this area. Our Echium & Argan Gentle Eye Cream is packed with one of my all-time favourite ingredients, Echium. It’s one of the best sources of Omgea-rich Gamma Linolenic and Stearadonic Acid – something you definitely want in your beauty arsenal!
Sarah's Tip to prevent milia: When it comes to applying your Eye Cream, the trick is to pat it in much lower down that you’d expect. Stick to the top of your orbital bone (it starts at the top of your cheekbone) using your ring fingers, in an anticlockwise direction. Now for the clever part – as the eye area doesn’t have any sebaceous glands, it ‘draws’ the Cream from lower down, taking in the amount of hydration it needs. Avoid applying your Eye Cream to the fleshy under-eye area – it can lead to puffy eyes and even milia if you have oily or combination skin.
Thank you to Sarah Brown, Founder of Pai Skincare for the interview and to rock-it promotions.
022215 How To Style It: The Pastel Fluff Jacket
Cotton candy goodness with this amazing Zara coat! I got it on super sale and I honestly don't know how often I'll wear it, but I love it a ridiculous amount! Wearing a pastel turquoise-blue, fluff coat that borders on cartoonish, needs to be brought down to earth which is why I wore it with my leather leggings and black perforated Helmut Lang oxfords. The inspiration for this outfit actually came from the bracelets and t-shirt that I recently received from Vitaly, a Toronto designer with amazing unisex rock and roll inspired jewelry. I then layered in my brass double ring from Lola's Vanity and this stunning 14k gold noose ring by Ost New York. I'd like to think my take on the uber-cute fluff coat is much easier to wear than the Coach Spring 2015 collection, which is pretty awesome with monsters and clogs, but just not for me.
Vitaly Arma bracelets in rose gold & stainless steel and Cirkle bracelet in rose gold.
Fjord Munan Watch in black.
Lola's Vanity hammered double ring.
Ost New York 14k gold noose ring.
Lisbeth black onyx beaded necklace.
Zara turquoise-blue pastel faux fur coat.
Vitaly A-cut tee - men's size small.
Mackage leather leggings.
Helmut Lang perforated oxfords.
Target black floppy wool hat.
Giorgio Armani sunglasses.
PR samples. Read disclaimer here.
022015 Pretty Hardcore Jewelry with The Screw Bangle
Loving this little hardcore moment by OST New York. The brass and gold plated bracelets are delicate with plenty of attitude. Small but fierce.
Pictured here are the Screw U bracelet and Serpent bangle, both brass with 22k gold plating. The Noose ring is solid 14k gold and is even prettier and more detailed in person. It's making me realized that I desperately need a manicure so I can let these babies shine.
Thank you to the talented designer, Daniel Lodato of OST New York for sending these may way! They look just as beautiful sitting on my vanity as they do on.
