NYC STREET STYLE
I love NYC! Who doesn't? While I was only there for a short 24 hours I made the best of my time there and made sure to explore SoHo and stop by vegan hot spot, by Chloe. OMG was that bean guac burger ever amazing! I'll be putting together a mini NYC travel diary together for you guys as well as pics of the Bowery Hotel where I stayed with Herbal Essences.
I also have to shoutout Michael, aka Global Garçon, for taking these pics. I don't know what it is but whenever he gets behind the camera I turn into a different person. I smile more in pics and feel freer in photos. It's probably because we're such goofs when we're together and we're always laughing like two little school girls. If you haven't already, make sure you check out his blog. His personal style is very similar to mine so I know you guys will dig it. Can I just say, if I was a dude, I'm pretty sure I'd dress like him. (Except I'd show more chesticle. LOL) Love you Michael!
I'm wearing: The Kooples leather jacket, Zara jeans, Frank & Eileen plaid Grayson shirt, black v-neck tshirt from my private collection (available on my shop here), Saint Laurent Candy platform boots and small cross body bag, Holt Renfrew beanie, Valentino Rockstud bracelets, David Yurman bracelet and Ray Ban aviators.
SHOP MY LOOK
Photography by Michael Biro, globalgarcon.net
Special thanks to Frank & Eileen for the plaid shirt. All opinions are my own.
Affiliate marketing links in this story are used as form of compensation.
EDITOR'S FAVOURITES: JANUARY EDITION
This January has been incredible! Between travel opportunities to Montreal and New York and working on special projects that will soon be revealed, life has been crazy and hectic but in the best of ways. My go-to beauty items are hard working, reliable and TSA approved cuz I'm the kind of girl who prefers traveling with a carry-on.
1. Lise Watier Blush in Libertine
I love blush so it's hard for me to pick just one shade to travel with! This blush warms up my complexion and makes the apples of my cheeks look rosy and youthful. I lurve it.
2. Sephora Pro Featherweight #90 Complexion Brush
This universal brush is great for applying foundations but it's my favourite for applying my Libertine blush.
3. Laura Mercer Secret Brightening
Can they just call this Magic already? Seriously! It brightens and sets under eye concealer to perfection AND it never looks cakey!
4. Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask
The OG! It's the first thing I apply before my morning makeup routine because I find it helps my lipstick stays on longer. It's also the last thing I do at night to keep my lips hydrated and from getting chapped. It's well worth the $30 and a tube should last a year.
5. Kaia Naturals The Takesumi Detox travel deodorant
It's made with bamboo charcoal which is known for its detox properties and fights odor causing bacteria. Best of all, its' 100% natural and 100% easy to carry in even the smallest handbags.
6. SBT Seabuckthorn Sensative Skin Soothing Salve
This salve is vegan and 100% natural packed with good-for-your-skin essential oils like seabuckthorn seed & fruit oils, pomegranate oil, rosehip, helichrysum, rice bran, geranium and lavender. I've been using it on my dry nose, hands and elbows all winter long. Best of all, it's safe for those with eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and seborrhea.
7. Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black Perfume Oil
I get so many compliments when I wear Nirvana Black! It's mysterious, feminine and warm with notes of vanilla, sandalwood and violet. When I travel I prefer the oil instead of the roller ball because I find it lasts longer.
8. Garnier Moisture Bomb The Antioxidant SuperMoisturizer in SPF 30
This lightweight lotion has Hyaluronic Acid and is jam packed with glycerin! If you didn't know, glycerin acts as a makeup primer and seals in moisture. Best of all this lotion contains SPF 30 to keep you protected from the suns rays.
9. Smashbox Studio Skin Foundation
I find it's a bit heavy for everyday use but it's my absolute favourite foundation for traveling and when I'm in front of the camera. It's hydrating, lightweight and offers medium-to-full buildable coverage and applies beautifully with a Beauty Blender. Best of all, even without a primer this foundation lasts all day.
10. Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick
My go-to lipstick for life! It's long wearing and won't dry up as long as you moisturize your lips before hand. I find the Agave Lip Mask to be this liquid lippies best companion. My favourite shades are Out Loud, a brick red shade, and Driver's Seat, a medium rosy-brown with a neutral base that's excellent for olive and yellow skin tones.
11. Oribe Signature Shampoo
It's a tad pricey but it's gentle enough for coloured hair and everyday use (though I wash my hair 2-3 times a week). It tames my naturally frizzy hair and leaves it smooth, shiny and manageable.
Artwork and photography by Nathalie Martin.
Some items were provided as PR samples. All opinions are my own.
Affiliate marketing links in this story are used as form of compensation.
YO, IS MY HAIR BRASSY?!
Hello! I have returned to life after being hit with the worst cold that ran six days straight! In that time I probably watched more Tana Mongeau videos than anyone should ever admit so now I'm going to tell you what I learned. For those who don't know Tana, she is an 18 year old YouTuber based out of Las Vegas with over 2.5 million subscribers who has recently being accused for being racist for her use of the N word and lying about having a stalker. Look her up.
I first watched Tana out of intrigue and then out of frustration and confusion because she doesn't doesn't give two fucks about what she says or does, on YouTube. She has a video with fellow YouTuber Shane Dawson (7.9 million subs!) where she pees, farts and gets period blood on him in addition to talking about all sorts of vile stuff for us all. In the follow up video, Tana spits a loogie into Shane's wide open mouth after crying about a Ouija board. Insert side eye emoji here.
So imagine me, sick in bed with a fever, snotty tissues, drooling off the side of my face sick, watching this stupid girl called Tana performing vulgar acts and saying vile things and thinking to myself, "shit, this kid has guts". I can't imagine being her age, or any age for that matter and having my parents, family and friends see me do such things on screen because wait, I am not vulgar or vile and I have something called integrity. On the other hand I can't help but think that maybe, just maybe, I'm too closed off. I mean, for fucks sakes, I wear sunglasses in every post!
Let's rewind for a sec. BTC (before the cold) I had a call with someone who runs a well known agency. You know what they said to me, "Had you not been recommended by the brand, I wouldn't have picked you for the campaign based on your Instagram." OUCH!! It's shitty to hear but man, did I need to hear it! Turns out my innocent little act of wearing sunnies in every posts is actually hurting my reputation!
- People don't know what I look like and therefore brands who I want to work with are reluctant to cast me.
- My IG feed is "too perfect" therefore "lacking personality".
FUCK. SHIT. FUCK.
So Tana Mongeau, the lewd 18 year old YouTuber with her millions of subbies, taught me that being yourself is better than hiding behind a pair of designer sunglasses. Because now I'm at a point where brands (who pay my bills ultimately because I am a freelance blogger) know me as the chick with cool style (or at least I hope) but they don't know who I am therefore why cast me????
So who am I?
I'm a 36 year old hispanic chick who immigrated to Canada when I was six, I'm a wife to a Canadian man who is the kindest most patient person I know, I'm a cat mommy for two domestic black cats who where strays, I'm a former vegan, now vegetarian who wears leather because I gave up meat and fish in hopes of doing my part to save the planet, I'm an avid recycler who loves nature and hiking and would rather spend a holiday discovering Yosemite than going to New York, I'm a crafter and DIY-er and I love to cook, I'm a music lover - the Beatles, Soundgarden, Jimmy Eat World, Arianna Grande (yup!) The Weeknd, I love music so much I subscribe to SiriusRadio so I'm never without it and finally, I'm a person who has to be up at 5 am tomorrow to film a TV spot tomorrow so BOOYA, life works in mysterious ways so I'm thankful for Tana's weird antics (not the racism) and the person who told me I lacked personality online.
I'm wearing: Givenchy boots and Pandora bag, Mackage leather skirt, Aritzia hoodie (for ages ago), Dior glasses, Kate-Cate star strap, Rachel's Box tights.
* Special thanks to kate-cate.com for the awesome star strap and giving my Givenchy bag new life!
#newin TOO FACED X KAT VON D, IGK, BITE AGAVE LIP BALM & GARNIER MOISTURE BOMB
It's a new year and a new(ish) month and I don't know about you guys but I'm feeling pretty optimistic about 2017. The beauty world is proving to be just as exciting and there are plenty of amazing new launches out there. Here are some just some of the favourites that have made it's way to the WoahStyle beauty closet recently.
I'm going to keep the #newin section short and sweet to show case new items but please let me know if you guys want reviews on any of these products and I'll whip something up for you. For the Too Faced Sweet Peach collection, you can find my review here.
IGK Smoke & Mirrors Conditioning Cleansing Oil, $33
It's a lightweight and effective cleansing oil that replaces your everyday shampoo. It's gentle enough for everyday use and it seems nice.
Bite Beauty Agave Lip Balm, Lip Scrub & Agave Lip Mask, $20
Bite's iconic Agave lip mask now comes in a convenient tube that's perfect for traveling. For dry lips, there's a scrub that leaves your lips feeling fresh as new.
Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb The Antioxidant Super Moisturizer
The newest addition to the SkinActive family, the Moisture Bomb line does not disappoint and it's become a quick favourite after just one use! Best of all, it's a drug store item which means drug store price!
Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant, $79
Gentle enough for everyday use, this powder exfoliator just needs a bit of water so scrub away daily impurities and keeps your skin glowing.
TOO FACED SWEET PEACH GLOW PALETTE, $52
This pretty tin comes with a flattering peach blush, a highlighter and shimmery bronzer that's perfect to travel with. Best of all, it smells like peaches! Click here for my review on the Sweet Peach collection.
Cake Beauty Heavenly Cream Intensive Hand Repair Balm, $22
It smells like cake batter but it protects your hands against the cold winter months. Best of all, it's vegan and cruelty free!
maybelline matte lipstick in Brown Blush, $10
The right nude lipstick will do wonders for your complexion. This one is flattering to most skin tones and the formula wears comfortably.
Too Faced x Kat Von D Better Together Cheek & Lip Makeup Bag, $47
I had been going crazy for this collaboration since I learned about it in the summer. This cute bag features two limited edition cheek items from Too Faced and two limited edish lippies from Kat Von D that are beyond amazing. And hi, how cute is this two faced makeup bag? ;)
Too Faced x Kat Von D Better Together Ultimate Eye Collection, $79
Featuring 12 limited edition eye shadows and a full sized Better Than Sex Mascara and Tattoo eye liner in Trooper, this kit is a dream come true!
L'Oréal Butterfly Sculpt Mascara, $13
L'Oréal never disappoints with mascara! This one beefs up lashes and separates them without clumps or smudging!
Annabelle Eye Primer, $9 and matte eyeshadow, $6
Is there anything better than finding amazing drug store items that work? I think not. LOL. This primer has become a quick favourite. Eye shadows last and appear more vibrant. Use the Annabelle matte shadow following the primer application to seal in the primer.
*Disclaimer: Some of the items listed in this post were provided as PR samples. All photos and opinions belong to woahstyle.com.
VINTAGE COFFEE, IS IT WORTH THE HYPE?
Like fine wine and hard to find limited edition Chanel bags, somethings just get better with age and yes, coffee is one of them. That's right, add vintage coffee to your favourites list because I promise, this one is all sorts of next-level-amazing.
If you're like me, you'll have to leave the non-dairy creamer in the fridge because Nespresso's very limited Selection Vintage 2014 roast, 3 year aged beans, (available for both VertuoLine and Original Line) is best enjoyed black. I normally prefer a level 3-4 (light roast) and the Vintage 2014 is a level 7 (medium to dark roast) but because it has such a smooth taste, I don't miss the almond milk one bit. You don't need to dilute the flavour and you wouldn't want to either. Coffee connoisseurs will hate me for saying this but the Vintage 2014 almost has a chocolatey taste. I'm not too far off because the aromatic profile is described as a "complex taste with elegant woodiness and soft fruity notes".
Like a fine wine, this coffee is perfect for pairing with a slice of chocolate cake or aged cheddar. If you ask me, it would have to be with cake.
Let me summarize Vintage 2014 for you in the best, most honest way I can:
This coffee is like a treat you keep in the back of your cupboard where your significant other won't find it and you can have all of it to yourself. It's like a treat that you save for last and don't share with the guests. (Sorry mom!) And if you like them as much as I do, you're going to have to stock up before they're gone because when Nespresso says limited edition, they mean it.
Nespresso Selection Vintage 2014 is a complex taste with elegant woodiness and soft fruity notes.
QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE TRUST IS GONE?
I have a question for you guys and maybe you can help me shed some light on to the topic. What do you do when you no longer trust someone? When it's so bad that it keeps you up at night and you have nightmares about this person hurting you. What do you do?
I think the answer is pretty obvious, break up. Sometimes it's easier said than done though because there are ties and at the end of the day, I'm afraid fomo will set in. What would I miss out on if we break up and would I be better in the long run if I stick around and wait for things to get better? I think that's seldom that case in a dysfunctional/ no trust relationship and things either remain the same until they get worse or maybe they eventually fizzle out? Maybe they get better? I don't know anymore.
Give me your honest opinions guys and don't hold back. As you can tell I'm at a total loss. Part of my brain is telling me to get out, the other part is telling me to suck it up. Help!
WHAT I'M WEARING
Sanctuary Clothing leopard print coat. Isabel Marant endings t-shirt. Ray Ban sunglasses. Rag & Bone zippered jeans. Saint Laurent leather Candy platform boots. Givenchy Pandora bag, small size. Cashmere beanie from Holt Renfrew. Beaded necklace from Lisbeth Jewelry. Brave leather belt. Felony Case iPhone case.
In collaboration with Sanctuary Clothing. All photos and opinions are my own.
#newin YSL BEAUTY, LANCOME, LISE WATIER & CAKE BEAUTY
Is there a full moon coming up because it was been a straaaange week for me and everyone I know. Even the PR kits I received this week were no exception. Sure a lot of really cool stuff came my way yet still they don't seem like the typical PR kits I get. Moon phases aside, in this post you guys will see features from YSL Beauty, Lancome's latest skincare, Cake Beauty's line of dry shampoo's and some new faves from Lise Watier.
As always, if you want a full review or if you want to learn more about a specific product, leave a comment below and I'll put something together for you guys.
YSL BEAUTÉ PRIMERS, $55 - $65
I've heard Nikkie Tutorials talking the Touch Éclat Blur Primer (on the right) so I was excited to see it in my mailbox. It does a great job blurring but I feel the shimmer in the primer is too big and sparse. I'd like this product more if the shimmers were smaller and more concentrated to give a true illuminating effect.
The Touch Éclat Blur Perfector Compact (left) does a great job and is excellent for touch ups. I love using this on my forehead and nose to minimize the appearance of pores. Finally, the Instant Moisture Glow (centre) also blurs imperfections and can be used alone or under makeup.
LISE WATIER CC CREAM, BRONZER & BLUSH, $29 - $48
Canadian beauty brand Lise Watier makes my favourite CC cream on the market right now. It's the perfect neutral colour for my olive complexion and it contains SPF 25. They also have a killer shimmery bronzer to warm up a dull winter skin and the most bomb ass blush I've tried in a while in the shade Libertine. It's not pictured here because I misplaced it, which is odd considering I have been using it non stop recently.
cake beauty dry styling hair products, $10 - $19
This is a brand that's new to me though it's been around for a while. Cake Beauty is all about delicious smelling skincare and bath products that are vegan and cruelty free. I'm excited to see them expanding into dry styling products because I am dry shampoo obsessed! I use it on clean hair to create texture and on dirty hair to make it look clean.
Lancome Énergie De Vie skincare, $38 - $90
This line helps revive tired, dull skin and gives the appearance of hydrated skin that glows. The collection includes a night moisturizer, glow boosting liquid moisturizer and foaming face cleanser that's suitable for all skin types - oily, dry, combo and sensitive.
MARCELLE COSMETICS LIPSTICK & LIP LINER, $11
Some items are best bought at the drug store and for me one of those is lip liners. I've tried high end liners, from Chanel to Givenchy, and low and and I find the drug store ones are the best. Marcelle has an array of colours suitable for everyone with matching lipsticks for that perfect pout.
MASTERING THE ART OF GETTING READY IN 15 MINS OR LESS
It's the weekend and your best girlfriend calls to say, "let's hang out". You're too embarrassed to admit that at 11am you're still in bed so you tell her you'll be ready in 15 mins. You haul ass out of bed, take the worlds quickest shower (not washing your hair of course) and then you get down to the nitty gritty - what to wear!
KEEP IT SIMPLE
A classic pair of black jeans can do no wrong. Paired with my WoahStyle deep V neck black t-shirt, you'll look pulled together real quick.
ACCESSORIZE
A statement shoe like leopard print boots for example will make you go from basic to rock star status in 1.2 seconds. Add a statement coat if you're going for the extra mile.
DIRTY HAIR, DON'T CARE
I'm one of those chicks that washes my hair 2-3 days a week. Don't judge k? If my hair is feeling expired but I have no time to wash, I simply throw a hat on!
MAKEUP & CHILL
For super duper fast makeup, keep it simple. CC cream, some concealer where needed, a quick swipe of mascara, bronzer and blush (yes you can do it all in 5 mins!), some quickie brows and a red lipstick and you are good to go. I like a red lip when I'm in a rush because it makes me look pulled together without all of the crazy effort.
That's pretty much it. This is the look that works for me when I'm in a rush. If you're not a makeup girl, skip the red lips and opt for some tinted balm and a light touch of blush instead. I find a little kiss of colour on the cheeks always makes a difference and your friends will never know you got ready so fast!
SHOP THE OUTFIT
In this post I'm also wearing a loose deep V neck t-shirt from my new private collection. You can shop the tees in black and white here. And yes, I designed these myself. ;)
SHOP BEAUTY + ACCESSORIES
In collaboration with Revolve.
How To Buy Pieces You Love
I'm always telling you guys "buy what you love" but I want to know how many of you actually practice what I'm preaching. Hands up now.
Here's a little secret. I spend money on accessories, bags, shoes and jackets but I try to buy smart. I wait for sales or promo codes and sometimes I even buy preloved, like my charming patent leather Chanel bag. *gasp
This post is sponsored by Town Shoes. All photos and opinions are my own.