Urban Decay Naked2 Basics

My aunt bought me the new Urban Decay Naked2 Basics palette for my birthday and I was elated! I loved the Naked Basics palette, but I think I love the Naked2 Basics palette even more. Above I have a couple comparison shots of my Urban Decay Naked Basics palette and the new Naked2 Basics palette side by side. You can see that my original basics palettes is pretty well loved.

The Naked2 Basics palette is supposed to pair perfectly with the Naked2 palette, but I think it also compliments Naked3 (you can read my Naked3 review here). There are 5 matte shadows and one satin. All colours run cool and are taupe-hued neutral shades. The palette also includes five new shadows.

I think that there is a little more variety in the colour in the new palette compared to the first. The colours in the palette from lightest to darkest are Skimp, Stark, Frisk, Cover, Primal, and Undone. Skimp is a pale nude statin shadow, Stark is a matte nude-pink, Frisk is a matte warm grey, Cover is matte and a muted red-brown, Primal is matte and is muted brown, and Undone is also matte and is a deep smokey brown. Out of all these colours I am loving Frisk, Cover and Primal the most. The shadows tend kick up a little powder when you dip your brush in, but all shadows are also very buttery soft, pigmented, and blend nicely. So far I've just created soft day looks with this palette, but I am looking forward to mixing and matching with my Naked3 palette and creating a darker smokey eye for an evening out. 

Do you have the new Naked2 Basics palette? What do you think?

xo Ashley

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Fall Nail Polish

Now that Fall is approaching I've been going through my nail polish collection and have been picking out some colours that are more appropriate for the changing season. Lately I've been drawn towards darker shades of blue and purple, as well as shades of grey. My two favourites right now are Essie Cocktail Bling, and Essie After School Boy Blazer. In the Fall I really love colours that are so dark they are almost black, so the CoverGirl XL Gel nail polish in Bodacious Berry* (a dark purple) and Essie After School Boy Blazer (a dark blue) have really appealed to me. Lastly, I love the Revlon Colourstay Gel Envy polish in the colour Wild Card. It's a really pretty bright blue. The Revlon polish is a little more summery, but I'm still obsessed.

What colours of nail polish are you wearing lately?

xo Ashley

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Softlips Cubes Review

Finally I am getting to my Softlips Cube* review! I love these lip balms! First of all, the packaging is just so cute and I love how the package colour coordinates withe the scent. I also love the "glass" look to the cubes. It make them seem a little more sleek and sophisticated then your average lip balm. I have literally been taking the Vanilla Bean Cube everywhere with me. It permanently lives in my handbag now. The two balms that I have are Vanilla Bean and Berry Bliss. Berry Bliss is lovely, but one of my favourites scents ever is Vanilla, so of course the Vanilla Bean cube was instantly my favourite of the two. 

The lip balm itself is smooth and silky, and leave your lips with a pretty shine. Softlips describes the cubes as "5-in-1 lip care". The five benefits are listed as hydrating, replenishing, smoothing, protection, and shine. The cubes are formulated with shea butter and antioxidant vitamin A, C, and E. I definitely agree that these are hydrating and moisturizing on the lips. A new favourite product for sure. 

Have you tried the Softlips cubes yet? Which one is your favourite?

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Have you had the chance to enter my Softlips Cube giveaway yet? Click here to go to my giveaway post, or enter below!

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#shopyourmood | Dressing for my mood with Elle and Hudson's Bay

 This Fall Hudson's Bay and Elle Canada introduced a series of shop ready videos that included all of Fall 2014's best trends. The theme of each video was based on five different moods (happy, rebellious, powerful, relaxed, and romantic) which I thought was such a cool concept. I definitely dress for my mood, but not only that, I also dress to enhance or change my mood. For example, if I want my mood to lighten and I want to feel happy, I might pick garments with more colour or fun patterns, and if I want push my comfort zone and I might pick pieces that reflect a rebellious tone.  

Hudson's Bay at Chinook Centre recently celebrated their newly renovated location with a couple weekend events, so I thought this would be the perfect time to take some of my inspiration from the #shopyourmood videos and try out some looks. I was really inspired by the "Relaxed" mood video, so I went in search of comfy knits and cozy cardigans. I had so much fun trying on all of the new brands and I seriously have a sweater obsession, so I ended up putting together four different Fall looks. One common pieces between all looks was a pair of Ash ankle boots. Of course those had to come home with me!

Outfit #1
Theory t-shirt sweater dress
BB Dakota Cardigan
Ash Jalouse Taupe Suede Ankle Boot


Outfit #2
Vince Sweater
Vince grey skinny jeans
Fossil Sydney Satchel
Ash Jalouse Taupe Suede Ankle Boot


Outfit #3
Free People lace detail t-shirt
Maison Scotch oversized cardigan
7 For All Man Kind textured jean leggings
Ash Jalouse Taupe Suede Ankle Boot


Outfit #4
John & Jenn leopard print sweater
Rebecca Taylor faux leather pleated skirt
Ash Jalouse Taupe Suede Ankle Boot

I also have a post up on the  Elle Canada Blog, so please check that out and leave a comment! I would also love to hear which of these four looks you like best. Finally, How do you shop or dress for your mood?

xo Ashley

photos by Lorie Boychuk

Fashion Beauty Panel | Colour For Your Eyes

This weeks Beauty Panel challenge was inspired by a celebrity trend of wearing coloured eyeshadows. The challenge was to show how to wear coloured eye makeup that would compliment your eyes. Instead of playing it safe and sticking to the browns, bronzes, golds, coppers and pinks that I I tend to wear, I decided to go with a neutral eyeshadow and a thick winged liner in a periwinkle blue. I've actually been wearing this eyeliner quite a bit lately, so I wanted to show it off. 

If you would like to read the about my look check out the post here!

How do you wear coloured eyeshadow or eyeliner?

xo Ashley

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Monthly Favourites | August 2014

I'm pretty late on posting my August monthly favourites! During August I was loving my Revlon lipstick in Primrose. I wore this lipstick almost everyday. A late edition into my august favourites was the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara. I had been wanting to try it for a while, so when Brittany of Life, Set Sail said she loved it and suggested I buy it while we were out shopping I knew I had to have it! It has quickly become an essential part of my makeup routine. I also have been loving this purply-blue eyeliner from Maybelline. It caught my eye when I was picking up some things at Shoppers, and I've worn it a couple days a week since then. I used it in a post for the Fashion Magazine Beauty Panel if you want to check that out here. Next up on my monthly favourites list is my Wild Rose Beauty Balm* by Neal's Yard Remedies. When I use this before bed I feel like I'm having a luxurious spa day. The scent is so soothing and relaxing, and the perfect edition to my nightly routine. I've mentioned the Skindinavia Primer Spray* in a favourites post before, but I used this non-stop all August. I just love how light it feels on the skin. Finally I've been trying a new day moisturizer by Optimera*, a new skincare line that recently launched in Alberta. I am loving it. My skin has felt soft and hydrated during all of August.

What makeup and beauty products did you find yourself using a lot during the month of August?

xo Ashley

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Fashion Beauty Panel | Statement Eyes and Lips

Somehow I forgot to post last weeks Fashion Beauty Panel look! Last weeks challenge was wearing statement eyes and lips at the same time. I decided on orange-red lips and winged eyeliner which I created with a gel eyeliner and bent liner brush.

You can read the rest of my beauty panel post here

How do you wear statement eyes and lips at the same time?

xo Ashley

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**Giveaway** // Softlips Cube Prize Pack

Hey guys! I have a giveaway today from Softlips, and they are offering one of my readers a prize pack including two of the new Softlips Cubes as well as a purse mirror and a clutch. The Softlips Cube lip moisturizers included in the giveaway are Vanilla Bean and Berry Bliss. The Vanilla Bean scent from Softlips has been one of my favourites for years! I also have a review of the Softlips Cubes coming up, so watch out for that! What I can tell you so far is that I am loving them, especially the Vanilla Bean cube!

This giveaways is open to Canadian residents only and will run for two weeks, ending on September 22.

Enter the giveaway below.

Good luck!

xo Ashley


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Prismatic World Tour and Meeting Katy Perry

Last week Katy Perry was in Calgary for her Prismatic World Tour. My fellow Calgary blogger Brittany of Life, Set Sail and I were lucky enough to get to get the chance to go to the concert. On top of that we got to meet Katy herself! I could hardly contain my excitement when I found out that we had meet and greet passes! 

We were told to meet at the CoverGirl birthday cake where we would meet with someone from Katy's team. From there we were escorted to the Prismatic Lounge, which was an area behind the scenes that was draped in sparkling and glittery fabric and furnished with glowing sphere chairs. 

We met Katy right before the concert started, so she was dressed in her outfit for her first performance. About five minutes before we met Katy we were told to line up. There were a few more people that had meet and greet passes, and the first one to meet Katy was a little girl and it was definitely the highlight of the meet and greet! When my chance came up it lasted all of 30 seconds, but it was still amazing! Let me tell you, she is stunningly beautiful in person! I was mesmerized, so when Katy commented that she liked my jacket all I could manage to say was a squeaky, "Thanks!" 

Once we met Katy we were ushered out of the backstage area to take out seats for the concert. 

photos via PrismaticWorldTourKatyPerry Instagram

Katy Perry puts on an amazing show! Definitely the highlight was the set and costumes changes, as well as some of the acrobatics and stunts that her dancers performed. The show started with Katy appearing out of a pyramid to perform Roar. The most memorable performances for me were Dark Horse where she appeared on a giant horse, Walking on Air where she flew over the crowd, and This Is How We Do, although the acoustic set was also unreal. The show was divided into six sections, and I think my favourite part was the "Cat-oure" Intro/Interlude before she performed Hot and Cold. I could not stop laughing! It was just too bizarre not to love!

I've never really been the type of person to be into celebrities or pop stars, but since meeting Katy Perry and seeing the concert I have to admit I'm a little obsessed! Her new song This Is How We Do has been on constant repeat.

Thank you Jenn and CoverGirl for making this all possible!