December Topbox 2016

Hi everyone, hope your day is going well. I just received my Topbox today, and I was very excited to see that I got a Privé box. At the beginning of the month you receive and email where you can specify if you want a regular or a privé box. Some months I do not like any any of the privé boxes, and I just get a regular box with 4 deluxe or some full size products. This month when I went to select my wish list I was very excited to see a cushion foundation. I selected it right away and submitted my wish list. I have been waiting and continuously been checking the mail to see if my Topbox had arrived. You don't know what if you got a privé box or a regular box, it is not guaranteed that you will get the privé box you selected. So today when I went to the mail box to find I got the cushion foundation I was so excited!

With Topbox you can select whether you would like the box or an organza bag. This month the bag was a nice festive red for Christmas.

This cushion has very standard packaging, but unlike the Maybelline cushion the pores of this sponge are very small and tight. 

You can see it blends very well into my hand, but currently this is too dark for my face. I am going to Hawaii in February and I plan on bringing this cushion on my trip. This cushion is also awesome because it has SPF 50 so I can have some coverage while getting the protection of a sunscreen.

In each Topbox they always send a card with information about the product or products inside, and the price of the full size products. I was so excited to see that the Missha Cushion had a value of over $20. On Missha's website the cushion is selling for $21.99, which is a fairly competitive price, considering the Maybelline cushion sells for $15 at Walmart. If you want an update on the cushion you can comment below or let me know on Twitter or Instagram my handle is @makeupcuisine. 

This month's box also included a couple of coupons one was or a free box of Kotex tampons or pads, and 20x the Opimum points at Shoppers Drug Mart when you purchase a full size Smashbox primer. I have received a couple of samples Photo Finish Smoothing Primer and I have really liked it, so I am considering maybe using this coupon to purchase that primer. 

Overall I was very excited about this box considering it is only $12, I think I am going to love the cushion and the coupons topped the cake. Thanks for reading, hope you have a good day! 

-Ashley 

You can find me on Twitter and Instagram @makeupcuisine.

All photos taken with my Canon T5i.

Business enquiries email me at makeupcuisine@hotmail.com.

Sephora Birthday Haul

Hey everyone, I hope your week is going well. I have been busy finishing up my finals at school, but I took a break to write this blog post for you. My dad for my birthday present this year took my to Sephora and I was able to pick out some items as my gift. My birthday was in October, what I wanted to be able to try all these products and give you short reviews, enjoy! 

Sephora Glow For It Favourites Kit: I was no longer able to find the direct link to this product, I would keep checking online, or pop into your local Sephora. This set is a good value I believe it was $46, the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone for the travel size (which is in the box) is regularly $23. I also believe the Hourglass highlighter was around $25, with those two products you have made up the value of the box. This is a great set if you are wanting to try out some new highlighters, and related highlighting products. 

This is the Clinque Bottom Lash Mascara, I really like this mascara of my bottom lashes it defines them so well. You can also build them up if you are wanting more drama. It does not smudge at all, and washes of relatively easily. 

Nars Audacious Lipstick in Barbara: These lipsticks are pricey but the are the best lipsticks I have ever tried. The pigmentation and the texture is amazing. I only have the one, but I definitely will be buying another shade. 

Becca Ombre Rouge Eyeshadow Palette: This is a great eyeshot palette for anyone with blue or green eyes. There is a red/orange tone in these brown eyeshadows, which enhances my blue eyes. I also really enjoy that this palette is all matte. The shadows are really bendable and great quality. 

Urban Decay Naked Skin Colour Corrector: I have been using this colour corrector under these eyes to brighten and hide the darkness under my eyes. I have to pink fluid because I found the peach too dark for my skin tone. I really enjoy this it is light enough that it sits under my concealer really well, but I do wish it was a little bit more pigmented. 

Nars Blush: I got the shade Madly, I really like the colour, it gives you a bronze look to the cheeks. With a light hand it adds life to your cheeks without wearing too much pink. 

Hope you enjoyed my post, and thanks for reading! I am almost on my Christmas break and I will be posting lots of content then, prepare for Christmas posts!

-Ashley

You can find me on Twitter and Instagram @makeupcuisine.

All photos taken with my Canon T5i.

Business enquiries email me at makeupcuisine@hotmail.com.

Christmas Gift Guide

Hello everyone, I hope you are doing well. Christmas is getting close to a week away and I still have not finished my Christmas shopping. If you are like me and you are still trying to find the perfect gifts, and are stumped for ideas, here is a Christmas gift guide to help you along. 

Bite Beauty Best Bite Redux $29: These lipsticks are a great gift for your beauty lover in your life. They are great quality made with food grade ingredients and are highly pigmented. They are able to try a few colours from the collection and they also come with a cute tin.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 $79.99: If you are looking to spend a little more on someone this is a really fun present of anyone who loves taking pictures. I think a guy or a girl would really like this. 

Fujifilm Instax Mini Holiday Film $29.99: If you know someone who already has a Instax mini this holiday film pack is super cute. It is great for Christmas having the holiday borders. 

Real Techniques Bold Metals Diamond Sponge $9.99: I have not personally tried this sponge but I have heard a few times online that it is a great dupe of the Beauty Blender sponge. It is very affordable and anyone who likes beauty will be happy to get this sponge. 

3-in-1 Universal Lens Clip $24.99: These lens clips are tons of fun, and can add a cool affect to your phone photos. 

Super Chunky Pom Pom Beanie $19.95: Most girls I know like a toque with a pom pom on the top, this one has a really big one adding something extra. 

Velvet Pink Baseball Cap $24.95: I think a girl or a guy would love this hat, velvet and this pink colour are really in at the moment. This hat is perfectly on trend and would be a great gift for him or her. 

Adidas Trefoil Tee $35: Anyone who loves a good basic tee, will enjoy this Adidas tee. I own it and it is personally one of my favourites to just throw on.

Lush Great Balls of Bicarb $43.95: This is a great gift for your mom, sister, or a mother-in-law. Lush has so many great sets, I just chose this one because it was all bath bombs which are my favourite. 

Jack Black Face Buff Energizing Scrub $34: I have heard so many great things about this skincare line. Anything from this line is a great gift for your dad, brother, or a father-in-law. 

I hope this gave you some inspiration, I didn't want to choose anything too expensive in case you are on a budget like me. Good luck Christmas shopping!

-Ashley

You can find me on Twitter and Instagram @makeupcuisine.

All photos taken with my Canon T5i.

Business enquiries email me at makeupcuisine@hotmail.com.

Film Photography

Hey guys, I am here with something a little different. My grandpa gave me his film camera and I have enjoyed taking pictures with it. The way film looks is so beautiful. Hope you enjoy these pictures I took, they are not all perfect, but that is the beauty of film. 

The Seattle Great Wheel, Summer 2016

Post Alley, Seattle Summer 2016

The Seattle Great Wheel, Summer 2016

Gum Wall and Post Alley, Seattle Summer 2016

Pike Place Market, Seattle Summer 2016

Pike Place Market, Seattle Summer 2016

Day by the Lake, Summer 2016

Orchid 

Summer Day

Spring Time at the Beach

Farm Life 

Spring Time at the Beach

Fair, Summer 2016

Summer 2016

Puppy

Potted Plants

Thanks for reading my post! Hope your week has been well and I will be back with some Christmas posts very soon! 

-Ashley 

You can find me on Twitter and Instagram @makeupcuisine.

All photos taken with my Canon T5i.

Business enquiries email me at makeupcuisine@hotmail.com.

November Topbox 2016

Hey guys hope you have been well, my first semester in school is coming to a close, and I now have more time on my hands. I have been subscribed to Topbox for a few months now, and so far I have been loving it. It is a Canadian subscription service that is $10 a month, that includes shipping. It is great because services like Birchbox have left Canada because of our dollar value and shipping prices. I always love to support Canadian brand, and so far I have not been disappointed. Some boxes have been better than others, but I always find that to be the case with makeup subscription services. This is what was in my box for the month of November, I hope this is helpful! 

Bliss Body Butter: I enjoyed this body butter, it is on more of the thick side, which provides a lot of moisture. The sage and lemon scent it enjoyable but it is not my favourite. 

Elizabeth Arden Eight-Hour Cream: I am not sure why this is called cream, because it seems more like a tacky gel to me. The smell for me is a little off putting, but the results are good. It feels really good on the lips and cuticles. 

Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara: I have not tried this mascara yet, I have so many mascaras I am working through right now, but if it is any good I will let you know.

China Glaze Nail Polish: The colour of this polish is really pretty. It goes really nicely over other polishes, or you can layer it up to wear on its own. 

Over all I was very pleased with lasts month's Topbox, I do recommend this subscription it is only $10 every month. It is a lot of fun to be able to try a few beauty products every month, and all my dealings with the company have been great! 

Leave any questions you have in the comment section down below. 

Hope your week is going well, and thanks for reading! 

-Ashley 

You can find me on Twitter and Instagram @makeupcuisine.

All photos taken with my Canon T5i.

Business enquiries email me at makeupcuisine@hotmail.com.