Books | My haven for books (and more)! Indigo @ CF Sherway Gardens

So...yeah...it's been awhile, but like with everything in life, you need to take a step back and gain perspective. As the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder! (LOL)

Anyway, before I could come back to blogging, I needed to recharge and decompress. In my time away, here's what I have been up to:

1. READING! (When I was younger, I always had a book I read before Bed and I'm glad to say that the love of reading has been reignited).

2. Obsessed with my new fave TV Show: Power! If you don't know about this show, you need to LOOK. IT. UP!

3. Spending time reviewing lots of makeup videos (Basically getting re-inspired)!

I think it was important for me to take some time away, before I could come back and feel excited to share things that make me happy and smile! One thing I've learned is if you feel forced to do something, you lose your authentic self, which is what I didn't want for the blog.

So without further ado, I am sharing one of my many loves, which is my love for books! A perfect time for me to share my 1st visit and my overall experience of the NEW(ish) Indigo Bookstore at CF Sherway Gardens!

First Impression:

• Loved the layout, if you are into books, you can get lost in there, in a good way!
• Each section of the store is it's own room/space with comfy chairs and gift ideas
• The shelving displays are angled which displays the books perfectly, they're calling to be picked up
• Bright, airy and modern
• They have a PIANO on the second floor! (Yes, I played it with ZERO experience but IDGAF)

Here are a few pics from my visit to Chapters CF Sherway Gardens: 

1. Angled Shelving and Accessories for Inspiration

2. Beautiful Candles, Photographs and more!

3. My other love, COOKING and this section was amazing!

4. The EPIC Mug Wall - With the best sayings and quotes

5. Every notebook in every colour and size!

I also like how the space overall has a great vibe and flow. A few things I loved was:

• They have a beautiful American Girl section which I legit got lost in, and wished I could buy them all. (If you are not familiar with what American Girl is, you need to find out, the detail in their packaging and look of their dolls is epic).

• The epic MUG Wall! These mugs are perfect for work, for tea, for coffee and most of all...Makeup Brushes! Can I get a #YASSS :)

I would highly recommend to visit to Indigo CF Sherway Gardens! It's perfect for gift ideas, inspiration and a great place to find the next best book.

Happy Reading my fellow #booklovers!

Beauty | Want glowing skin? or an epic Makeup Highlight? Keep reading ;)

Photo Courtesy:  https://ca.caudalie.com

This product is epic. The.End.

Seriously though...The Caudalie Divine Oil is legit. Multi-purpose product, good for your skin and there's more to love...

Caudalie Divine Oil:

• I can use it mixed with my Foundation (Always Giorgio Armani)
• I can use it as skincare (Apply it on cleansed skin, on days I am makeup free)
• I can use it on top of Makeup as a highlight (This is the EPIC portion of why I love it)
• It contains Antioxidants = Great for your skin
• Dry Oil which can be used on Face, Body and Hair

Now there are a million ways to highlight your face to achieve the ever popular "insta" glow, but if you are looking for something easy to use and can be worn naked on skin, this is the oil to try. BONUS POINT: It smells great!

Here is a pic of me using it on top of my makeup, right after I set it with Powder. I patted it on very lightly and then used my foundation brush with the same motion.

Check it out if you get a chance, worth it to add to your Skin AND Makeup routine!

Beauty Tip | From your everyday #Makeup look to #Summer ready!

Summer time makeup can be tricky because usually its hot AF outside (Let's be honest)! However, on the days that you do wear makeup, here is an easy tip that I like to do to switch it up.

It basically works with any makeup look you want to do. Whether it's neutral or super smokey, you just add a pop of colour, softly underneath the eye and that's it! Summer Ready :)

PRODUCTS USED:

FACE

Giorgio Armani CC Cream 5

Giorgio Armani Blush - Peach Tone

EYES

BH Cosmetics 28 Neutral Eye Palette - Peachy/Brown Tones

NYX Black Eye Pencil & Matte Liquid Liner

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Mascara

Giorgio Armani Eye & Brow Maestro in Wedgewoo

POP OF COLOUR: Giorgio Armani - Teal/Blue Eyeshadow

LIPS

Giorgio Armani Rouge D'Armani Lipstick 500 (Medium Mauve Pink)

Bobbi Brown Lip Pencil in Bobbi (Grey/Brown)

NYX Butter Gloss in Merengue (Bright Pink)

This look is my everyday makeup look but the lined shadow underneath makes it fun for Summer. You can pretty much do any colour underneath to coordinate with your mood or your outfit.

Enjoy experimenting! 

Beauty | Goodies from NYX Cosmetics

NYX Cosmetics Canada made a game changing decision for Makeup lovers when they opened their shop at Square One Mississauga.Typically, you could find NYX at select Rexall locations, but a standalone shop was exactly what Toronto/GTA Beauty lovers needed. All my fave goodies in one place and affordable!

I got these goodies a while back but they are SOOO worth this post. I have listed the items I got, their price point and my overall feedback. Take a look below:


1. Highlight & Contour Pro Palette | Cost: $27.00

• 8 Shades
• Highlight Shades: Ice Queen, Soft Light, Cream & Nectar
• Contour Shades: Tan, Toffee, Sculpt & Hollow
• Customizable shades that you can choose from their Pro singles

I like this palette because it gives you so much versatility in shade choices (especially as a Makeup Artist). These shades can work on all skin tones! I prefer the powder formula, because it really gives a diffused finish on the skin

2. Face & Body Glitter in Bronze | Cost: $6.00

• 12 Shades
• High sparkle pigment
• Can be used on eyes and body

I'm all about glitter and sparkle!! I love that a tiny amount can be used all-over the lid or as a liner. The glitter is fine and reflects beautifully on the eyes! Be sure to use a liquid product to help control your application. I tend to use liquid highlighters by picking up a bit on my brush and then picking up the pigment from the lid.

3. Matte Liquid Liner | Cost: $10.00

• Matte Finish - Similar to a gel liner look
• Think and flexible brush
• Get classic or bold looks

I was not used to using Gel liners but I loved their finish. That's why I love this liner because the matte formula gives me the gel liner look but with the control of a brush. Long lasting, doesn't fade/move and is great for Summer makeup looks!

4. Collection Noir Liquid Liner | Cost: $8.00

• Fine Tip Brush
• Precision and control
• Long lasting

This liquid liner for me is exactly like the traditional liquid liners that I have grown up using. So my comfort level is high! I love the finer brush and how easy it is to create thin to thicker lines.

5. Soft Matte Lip Cream | Cost: $9.00

• Creamy Application
• Matte Finish
• Transfer proof
• Shades: London (Nude/Brown), Tokyo (Light Pink), Copenhagen (Burgundy) & Monte Carlo (Red)

These lip creams feel incredible! A little product gives a beautifully painted lip! What I love is that it leaves a super matte finish that doesn't transfer or bleed! Great with gloss or alone.

If you are a makeup lover, like me and want to try the new makeup trends, NYX offers great quality products for an affordable price point! Be sure to check out the NYX stores in Toronto/GTA!

Happy Shopping!

Skincare | My Escape to France via Caudalie Boutique Spa

I wish I was in France, but the experience I had at Caudalie Boutique Spa at Sherway Gardens, made me feel that way!

Growing up, we are told how important it is to take care of your skin. From our early teens we are told to take the right precautions from moisturizing, drinking lots of water and staying out of the sun! If we must be in the sun, wear SPF. As we near our mid twenties, we are advised on preventative skincare and eventually as we go through life, we want to to increase hydration and minimizing wrinkles.

Now as a Makeup Artist, it's CRUCIAL to have a regular skincare routine. However, it's important for everyone to take care of their skin. You want to use the right products, that help deliver the solutions for your skincare needs. I had the pleasure to experience an amazing facial treatment at Caudalie.

Here is a little bit of information on the brand:

• Caudalie is a French skincare brand, created in 1995
• Favoured the use of Natural & Environmentally friendly active ingredients
• Paraben, Mineral Oil, Paraffin, Phthalates, Synthetic Colourings Free
• Products use Grape-seed Polyphenols - the most powerful anti-oxidant in the plant world 
• Click here to know more about their products: Caudalie Canada Website

Toronto Boutique/Spa Details
The Caudalie Boutique Spa opened in Toronto at Sherway Gardens in 2015, the 3rd location in Canada. You can buy your Caudalie skincare products as well as enjoy their exclusive Spa services, which is amazing! Here are some pics of their beautiful boutique:

Arrival:
I was greeted by the Caudalie skincare specialist who walked me into my beautifully soothing room and explained to me what was going to be involved with the Facial.

After I was tucked into my warm and soothing bed, I was ready for my facial. The Facial I chose was called the Premier Cru-Facial - Ultimate Anti-aging. The room had a light scent but wasn't overpowering, the music was soft and not distracting and once I was in the midst of the spa facial, I was in my own personal utopia!

I loved that I received the following from my Caudalie skincare specialist:

• Provided details from the start on what was involved
• Reviewed the menu and types of Facials that were available and allowed me to provide input
• Softly explained what steps were happening and what products were being used
• Explained the importance of each product and how it would help with my concerns
• The warm/heated bed was a great treat along with the hand/arm massage I received

Results

• My skin felt awakened and was brightened and glowing 
• In order to receive the full benefits, I went makeup free for the rest of the day
• I felt relaxed which was a great stress reliever and felt revived

The products I ended up purchasing was the Eye Cream, Polyphenol C15 Anti-wrinkle Eye & Lip cream, which for me is my biggest concern. I had recently purchased the Beauty Elixir, which by the way is a STAR product featured through out the entire facial! 

I would highly recommend the Spa services to anyone who is interested in trying out a new Facial experience as well as get to experience an amazing skincare brand. To book their next appointment with Caudalie Sherway Gardens, feel free to contact the Sherway Team at: 416-622-6484

Happy skincare everyone!

Lifestyle | It's been awhile! Hair, Books & Makeup :)

Yes, I know, it has been awhile. Lots of changes in the start of the year that were super positive but also important things that took my time away from my blog. This doesn't mean I haven't been "cooking" on some new blog posts and fun things for everyone, just needed some time off the blog to live this thing called life.

Soooooo, here is what's been new with me and what's coming up on the blog....Take a look!

OMBRE/BALAYAGE

I finally took the plunge! I stayed in my comfort zone for the last few years by sporting dark(er) brown hair and took the leap to a golden/blonde ombre. Firstly, I'm not scared of colour since I used to colour my hair all sorts of colours and shades! But in the past few years, I got too comfortable (aka rut) and just rode out dark brown for as long as I could. Secondly, even though I am familiar with the whole process, I still am surprised to see my hair since I got used to seeing dark brown day in and day out. I love it and I feel more vibrant. Therefore, I would recommend anyone who's been sitting (safely) on the fence about changing their hair colour, just jump and do it! 

Here is my before and after:

This is a Phone pic, therefore not clear. Base is not that dark ;)

Interesting fact: Make up choices and typical go-to looks had to alter slightly, read more here on my blog post regarding changing your hair colour and changing your makeup: Click Here!

MY OWN PERSONAL BOOK CLUB
I love books and reading, and have finally committed to make a move to read through the high volume of books I have purchased/gifted in the last few years. I mean, I could be sleeping on potentially the best book I have ever read, but I don't know that because I haven't started to read them yet! I finally made the move and am doing pretty good so far.

Here the books that have been completed. (It's a list over 30 books, just saying!):

1. The Sweet Life by Dulce Candy - Great book if you are a beauty lover and in the business of blogging or would like to start a YouTube channel.

2. Inside the O'Briens by Lisa Genova - This book had me! I mean when you read a book and can actually picture yourself in the house and around the characters described in the book, it means it's a good book and well written! Lisa Genova is one of my fave authors and I have read 3 of her 4 books and I have not been disappointed. I will be adding the 4th one soon (Love Anthony) but need to get through my current unread books first!

3. Not that Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham - In progress - Loved her on her show the Girls, heard a lot about this book and love anything with reflection and wit! We shall see how it goes!

BLOG UPDATES:

1. New Product Reviews

2. My 1st Spa Review - Caudalie Skin Spa Facial

3. Spring/Summer Looks

No, I don't have SNAPCHAT but I LOVE the filters! :)

I am excited and re energized about blogging again. This winter was brutal but thankful for the Sunny days that have re-inspired me! Those who know me understand that I am thee happiest when I blog and I love and live for the makeup posts that I do and yes YouTube is coming, just needed more time to make it right!

Lots to come, thanks for checking in and keeping me inspired! :)

Spring VIP Event with Caudalie | Skincare & Makeup Event!

I am so excited to be a part of this great VIP event with Caudalie! A perfect opportunity to enjoy an amazing Caudalie instant beauty facial followed by a Spring Makeup touch up by me!

Be sure to RSVP to this exclusive event: http://caudalie-and-sandip-randhawa.eventbrite.com

If you are feeling like your skin needs a boost or that your complexion is ready for a post winter treat, then this exclusive VIP event with Caudalie is perfect for you!

Here is some additional information on the brand:

Caudalie Boutique Spa

Caudalíe was born in 1993 when founders Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas had a chance encounter with Dr. Joseph Vercauteren, professor at the University of Pharmacy (Bordeaux, France) and the world’s leading expert on grape and grapevine polyphenols. Upon visiting the vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte in Bordeaux, Dr. Vercauteren noticed the leftover grape skins and seeds from the harvest and explained to the couple that the polyphenols in the grape and grapevines had extraordinary anti-oxidant power. It was from this knowledge that Caudalíe was created. 

I hope to see you all there!