Haul / Makeup & Skincare

June 19, 2015Leave a comment

A couple weeks ago (and some, months ago) I picked up some new skincare and makeup products, and I thought I would share a wee haul with you because that’s fun, isn’t it?! I always like seeing what other bloggers and vloggers have picked up, so I figured maybe you would too.
Mario Badescu The Moisture Magnet – this moisturizer is really mean’t for mature skin, which I don’t have, but what drew me to it was the SPF 15 sunscreen and vitamin E oil included. Being a ginger, my skin is very susceptible to sunburns, and I often forget to put any sunscreen on my face before applying makeup, however, I always apply moisturizer before makeup, so it’s the perfect product to use on days when I know I will be out in the sun for a long while. I wouldn’t recommend using this product everyday. I find the consistency to be somewhat thick and greasy, although I have found I just apply a bit less than I would with a normal moisturizer and it works just fine. It’s also a great base for my foundation.
F21 Mega Color Stick – I’ve always been intrigued by lip crayons, so I finally decided to pick one up when I was browsing F21. The shade I picked is Tigerlily which is a lovely coral shade, perfect for the Summer. I think I will always prefer a true lipstick, but I like this crayon because it’s easy and quick to apply. With lipstick I always apply a liner first and then fill in my lips, so it takes longer, but with this crayon it acts as a liner all on it’s own. I can get the desired shape for my lips in seconds and be good to go. This stick is long wearing, but I do find it gets a little cakey if you apply more coats throughout the day. I might not repurchase it after I’m done with it, but I would definitely look into a similar product from another brand. I will also note that after the second day of purchasing this, the lip product snapped off. I was able to shove it back in and can still use it, but sort of shitty quality…however it’s F21, I don’t necessarily think of them as quality queens.
F21 Multi-Hue Shadow Palette – What drew me to this shadow palette was mostly the packaging, and then of course the shades. I’m not entirely impressed with it…again, F21. Unless I use an eye primer before applying my shadow, it doesn’t really go on well. The colors look incredibly pigmented, but when applied they don’t really come out that way. Also, the brush that is included is absolutely terrible, so if you do purchase this palette, make sure to have proper brushes. I don’t necessarily dislike this product, like I mentioned, if I use a primer it works pretty well, but I feel as though I could have picked up a few eye shadows from say, the drug store at around the same price, and been much happier with them.
Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation – For a long while I had just been using a BB cream instead of foundation, but because I was feeling crazy and wanting to try something new, I picked up this foundation. This product claims to have 3 correcting pigments – yellow pigments that conceal dark circles, mauve pigments to correct dullness and green pigments to help with redness. Redness is really my main issue, but all the other pigment corrections seem like they couldn’t hurt. This product feels a little bit drying and goes on matte, in my opinion – much different than a BB cream. However, the coverage is excellent and goes on great with a base of moisturizer. It doesn’t take too long to buffer into the skin which I like. I’m not sure if I would repurchase, I’ve been wanting to try NARS sheer glow foundation, so that will probably be my next purchase, but I would recommend this product.
Essie Meet Me at Sunset – I am an essie addict. I just love the product! When it comes to nail polish, I’m really just a red nail gal through and through. I do use other muted shades sometimes, like light grey, blush or mint green, but when I want something bold, it’s always red. So, you can imagine I have many different shades of red polishes by essie. My favourite shades of red are always with orange undertones. I really don’t like reds with pink undertones for some reason. So when I found this shade that had a very distinct orange tone, almost more so than red, I knew I had to have it. If you have not ever used an essie polish, I highly suggest it. The shades are always excellently pigmented so you don’t need a ton of coats (I always apply two), and it’s quick drying even though it doesn’t really claim to be. The only thing I have an issue with is it chips pretty quickly, sometimes even the following day. But, that could be fixed with a simple top coat.
Wildcraft Bergamot Rose Toner – This spray toner is one of the most refreshing and lovely toners I have ever used (and it’s made in Toronto! woo!) I had never used a spray toner before, and I really enjoy it. It’s a nice product that you could bring in your purse to spray on after a workout (or in my case, dance rehearsal). I use this toner every morning after I have washed my face and before I apply my moisturizer. If you’re looking for a toner, I would highly suggest this, and the price is honestly a steal. I bought the 120ml bottle (full size) at only $20 over a month ago and I’m not even close to half way through it. Would recommend, 100%!
F21 Strawberry Milkshare Lip Balm (sold out, but here is another cute one) – There is not much to say about this lipbalm. It’s a tiny milkshake, which is adorable and the only reason I bought it. I’m not a huge lipbalm fan, unless it is a soothing lipbalm (like a chapstick), then I don’t really care for it. I don’t really see the point in lipbalm unless it has healing properties. I mean, nice smelling things are cool, but they have no pigment really…so what’s the point? Anyways, this lipbalm is cute, so I didn’t hold my lipbalm disdain against it.

*dont forget about my GoFundMe campaign to help raise money for my dog Gus’ back surgery. Please read if you have the time, and if you are able to donate, I would truly appreciate it.

Beauty / Two Quick Romantic Up-dos

June 17, 2015Leave a comment

I’ve always found up-dos to be a weird thing, mostly because they remind me of horrible 90s proms or something. But up-dos can actually be really pretty if done right, and most importantly, quick and easy. So I thought I’d share with you two styles – the first one is a nod to an Edwardian hairstyle and the second is a retro one I have seen a lot around the internet lately (Zoe, Colleen, Rebecca), so I thought I’d give it a go with my own twist.

Edwardian Inspired Up-do
-start by putting your hair into a loose bun/top knot atop your head with an elastic.
-flatten your bun out a bit and start pinning it into place; feel free to pull out pieces in the bun to get the look you desire.
-after your bun is secured in place, start adding volume to the rest of the hair by pulling it out from the bun and pin any unruly pieces in their desired place; we want to achieve a more voluminous, messy and lifted look.
-add some flowers or cute hair accessories wherever you like to finish off the look

Retro Rolled Up-do
-start by placing your elastic headband on top of your hair
-from there take a small section of hair close to your ear and roll it over top of the elastic
-continue this process using hair from both sides until you have covered the hairband
-if your hair is being annoying like mine was, then feel free to use bobby pins to secure any stray hairs in place
-if you have a nice headband from the get-go, then you are all done, but if you are like me and had a boring black one, feel free to add something on top to make it more exciting. I used a vintage headband to cover the one underneath

Dress: vintage
Headband: vintage via Victory Mills

After The Cut

June 16, 20155 Comments

You know those people who change their hair whenever they are going through a life ~~crisis~~ transition? Well I’m one of those people, kind of. I’m also one of those people who likes treating myself to something new, whether that’s material or otherwise ~~cheese danish,~~ when I am feeling a bit blue. The last few months have felt exhausting in so many ways, and while there have been many positives, I started to grow tired of the same old, and so I resolved to cut some inches off these locks, at some point, just to change something, in some way. There is just not much you can do about some things in life, but hair, well there is always something you can do. Now, you’re probably thinking, okay Alex, it doesn’t look much different, and you would be right. But it’s shorter, a lot shorter, which is really a testament to how goddamn long my hair was before. In the 4 or so years I have been growing my hair I have cut it exactly one time, and that was a tiny trim. There is this weird thing that happens when you have long hair, especially long red hair. No one ever wants you to cut it. Your hair becomes a matter of everyone else’s opinion and it starts to feel like not your own, but also the very thing that defines you. Having long red hair can sometimes feel like my only discernible quality. Like, people would be horrified if I dyed my hair (which I have before, for years, and I don’t regret it), and people would also be confused if I cut my hair short. Knowing all these things, and having my life so public on the internet and having so many people comment on my appearance daily, it does actually affect your everyday, offline life. I have actually been a bit scared to cut my hair in any big way for fear of what people would think, which is absolutely silly, but it’s the honest truth. So instead of allowing myself to feel pressured by everyone else’s feelings about the very hair on my own head, I decided to go ahead and cut several inches off. The difference is actually not as noticeable as I wanted it to be, but who knows, maybe this is a slow step toward a much shorter look. I’ve always had this dream of styling my hair in perfect 50s pincurls, but with long hair, it’s nearly impossible. One of these days, guys. One of these days.
If you live in Toronto and are looking for a great hair salon, I highly recommend The Proudest Pony. My stylist is Micaela and while this was my first time meeting her, I adored her instantly. The attention she paid to my hair and my wishes was on point and awesome.

Remember Hopscotch?

June 15, 20153 Comments

This Family Affairs dress is probably my most go-to easy-peasy dress to wear when I don’t feel like making much of an effort. It’s just one of those dresses that doesn’t need much styling because it’s pretty dead awesome on it’s own – pair it with a fun shoe, a cute hat and you’re good to go, which is exactly what I need lately. With Gus being immobile, it’s sort of consuming my life. I now feel like I have a better understanding what it’s like to look after someone impaired or ill, which is the everyday life of my older brother and parents who look after my autistic nephew Jason. I can’t even come close to comparing my dog to Jason and the things my family goes through with him, but for most of Jason’s life I have not lived in the same city so I only see small doses of my parents/brothers life with him and the things they tell me over the phone. So I get it, but I don’t get it. Going through this with Gus and seeing how all consuming it is – worrying, wanting them to get better, having to help them with everything, keeping an eye on them at all times… it’s given me a better understanding of what my family experiences – there is just not much time to think about yourself. So, thank goodness for easy dresses and thank goodness I have Ryan around so I can step out for a bit and play hopscotch like 4yr old with no cares in the world.
Dress: Family Affairs
Hat: thrifted vintage
Shoes: Nosilla Vintage

ACT THREE. AW ’15 Lookbook

June 10, 2015June 10, 201510 Comments

I’m so excited to finally be able to share with you ACT THREE.‘s AW ’15 lookbook that I styled and modelled for back when snow was still very much on the ground (ugh! let’s not even think about that). If you follow me on instagram, then you have already seen images here and there, but if you don’t (you probably should though), then this will all be new to you.

Sarah McGowan, founder and designer of ACT THREE. wanted to create a line of accessible vintage inspired garments for petite women (5’4″ and under) like herself, and so was born Act Three and this adorable collection of varying styles of dresses that I honestly want to own each and every one of. Unfortunately friends, she doesn’t have her own online shop (although maybe one day), but her stockists at the moment will be Victoire and Coal’s Miner’s Daughter and they both have online shops, so be sure to check check check when her pieces are available to nab yourself something.

I really love the black button up with contrasting white collar and the black & white polkadot with a high neck tie. What are you favourites?!

Photographer: Danielle Suzanne
Model, Stylist, Hair/MUA: Alexandra Spence (me, hi!)
Dresses: ACT THREE.
Accessories: stylist own
Would you guys be interested in seeing some extras from this shoot that I loved? We took plenty, and I thought it could be fun to share some that didn’t make the cut. Let me know!