Make-Up Review: Micabella Cosmetics

My makeup routine isn't by any means complicated, but usually involves concealer, foundation and powder as my base. This requires three different products and makes the process longer than I'd like to spend on making my face day fresh. 

Just over a week ago while I was doing some downtown shopping on Queen Street in Toronto, I was enticed into a makeup store called Divine Beauty Bar, with an offer to touch up my existing makeup with a foundation by Micabella Cosmetics. Not only did she remove the foundation I had already taken the time to do myself, but she reapplied it with one single product. Needless to say, I was impressed with the final look and decided to take one home for myself. 

The foundation is a 100% all-natural mineral foundation powder and I've been using it now for just over a week. It wears very lightly so it's perfect for day makeup, and provides amazing coverage without needing to use multiple products. Where I usually use concealer to cover up my under-eye darkness, and a liquid foundation, followed by a powder to set, this powder does all three steps in one. I find that with my skin, being much less than perfect, liquid foundation seems to provide a bit of a smoother finish. Although I'm using a primer (currently using Rimmel London Fix & Perfect Pro Primer), I find that my pores are still a bit more visible than I'd like. I can't really complain though for such a light, easy foundation that let's my face breathe so nicely. And although it retails for a price higher than I'd normally pay for a foundation (CAN$99), the clerk said I should get approximately 10 months out of this one container so I figured it was WELL worth the investment. I may look into trying some of their eye shadows and bronzers if I continue to like this product as much as I do so far. If you give it a try, let me know what you think! 

SkyHiWear

I've been meaning to try this out for awhile and finally decided to bite the bullet and make a few experimental tees. SkyHiLights presents SkyHiWear :)

There are only two designs in the store to start so I can vibe it out and see if I like how it works.

SkyHiWear.spreadshirt.com

I hope to come up with a few more designs and once I learn a bit more, get more creative with them. If anyone has any ideas of things I should include, I'm totally open to suggestions. And if you buy one, I'd love if you could take a picture in it so I can see <3

**UPDATE -- the black tshirt has since been removed from the store. Apparently boobies aren't allowed. But I added a replacement!

Mascara Review: Maybelline's the ROCKET Volum'Express

**image from walmart.com

A few weeks ago I had entered Maybelline's Rocket Contest to win passes to Toronto Fashion Week. While I didn't win the passes, I at least won one of their new ROCKET Volum'Express mascaras. Since I don't generally stray from my go-to mascara, Maybelline's Great Lash BIG (pink container, green lid), I was pretty excited to try something new.

I received my mascara in the mail 5 days ago, and I must say, I'm having a love-hate relationship with this product. The dark dramatic black is perfect and with the first coat, it begins to look pretty good on my lashes. I generally like to wear two coats though, and when I do that with this mascara it becomes very difficult to make my lashes even. It instantly starts to clump so I find myself going over my lashes over and over and over again to try and even it out. This just makes it worse. When I'm finally done my eyelashes look very thick and dark, but up close they still look a bit uneven and clumpy. I'm not completely dissatisfied with how my eyes and lashes look with this mascara, but I definitely will be finding an alternative after this one runs out, or returning to my regular.

Overall I'd give the ROCKET Volum'Express mascara a 3/5. I'm not loving it because of the clumping, but not hating it because my lashes still look thick and dramatic. Perhaps because my lashes are long this formula is just not suited to me. If I find a better fit, I'll definitely be sure to share it!

Kate Nash in Toronto

Hair, CHECK! Makeup, CHECK! Casual but cool outfit, CHECK! Lady date, CHECK! Tickets, CHECK! Double check details.... PROBLEM. I was all ready to go to the show on March 8th, but upon checking final details before heading out the door, I realized I was a week early. I had been so excited and remembered only that it was on a Friday night, just forgot to double chick WHICH Friday night.

So fast forward to this past Friday, March 15th. I went through the whole getting ready process all over again, had another predrink with one of my friends, and then proceeded to head downtown to catch the actual show. Friday night Toronto had the pleasure of hosting UK's Kate Nash at the Horseshoe Tavern. The venue always promises a good show and I knew that Nash would do just the same.

We arrived before the opener began so we decided to use the bathroom during that time and primp up in the mirror. I was fixing my hair when none other than Kate Nash herself came out of a stall. Surprised and excited all I could do was compliment her awesome hair before she left. Like really. GET A GRIP right?! lol.. Luckily a few girls had stopped her outside the bathroom for pictures so I was able to grab a picture with her before the show began.

When we went back upstairs to the main room, Supercute! kicked off the show. With Kate Nash taking pictures and dancing off of stage right, the girls and their girly attitude looked comfortable but still very shy. Perhaps that was part of the image and act they were going for. They rocked a very cool look and sound, and included a cover of "Painted Black" with their hard ukelele beats. We made our way to the front corner for a good view but I soon realized that standing in front of the speaker may not have been the best idea for this show. Partially because their singing came off a little bit more like yelling during parts (in my own opinion), but also because later on in the night, Nash's set got heavier and louder.

Supercute! on stage

After what seemed a pretty quick set, the girls left the stage and the crowd waited during a LONG intermission for Nash to grace the stage. She recently released her latest album, Girl Talk, so her set consisted mainly of her newest material. I had listened mostly to a lot of her older material a few years ago so her new sound was a big change, but equally as catchy. Definitely more of a feminist punk feel than what she had put out before. I found a lot of her songs to have a bit of a hypnotizing edge to them. Add that to a heavy bass, some tinny electric guitar, and her incredible stage presence, and you have her show. Personally, I liked the sound she had with some of her older material, but her performance on stage left nothing to be desired and I found myself able to enjoy the whole show regardless.

Kate Nash and her all girl band

 Unfortunately, the crowd and volume levels left me feeling slightly sick closer to the end of the show so I had to move back, but was happy to hear her break out "Foundations" as one of her closing numbers. Chances are I'd see her live again (but next time not so closet to the speaker), and definitely prefer her new material live as opposed to listening to the album at home. Perhaps we'll run into each other in a bathroom again at her next show. Who knows. Overall, amazing show Kate! I thoroughly enjoyed myself :)

Natural Instinct Lingerie

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to shoot with photographer Tony Felgueiras for a new project coming out of Toronto. Natural Instinct Lingerie (@drivethemwild, www.drivethemwild.ca) is a new playful line of lingerie made of a fragile, sheer nylon. The product line currently consists of a halter top that can be easily ripped off its wearer. The idea behind the line is that it creates a new way to enjoy passion with your partner.

I'm excited to see what else comes from this new line and expect that they'll be quite popular among us cam couples. I know I definitely look forward to using this one for a wild show! ;)

The website has JUST launched as of yesterday, and while they only have 2 products listed right now, if you plan on doing any shopping, be sure to use my coupon code: 'Skyler' (capital S) to get a 10% discount and free shipping.

Hotel Review: Radisson Hotel & Suites Fallsview

A little late, but I wanted to review the hotel we stayed at for Valentine's Day. We booked a room for the night at Radisson Hotel in Niagara Falls, ON. Yes, there are MANY options in Niagara Falls that are more luxurious and fancy, but for our purposes, this looked as if it would be what we were looking for. We wanted to have a getaway from our regular schedule, and use the opportunity to do some special Valentine's cam shows for the night, and the recently renovated hotel looked perfectly ideal.

Upon arrival, check in was quick and smooth, and within minutes we had our room key, wireless password, and directions to our room. We had booked the whirlpool room, and we were pleased to see that the room was just as beautiful as the pictures. The simple pattern on the wall combined with the subtle colour scheme and beautiful view made the room a modern luxury.

*photos taken from radisson.com

Almost instantly my boyfriend ran the jacuzzi tub that was right next to the window, to relax and enjoy our view of the falls. Between the tub and the SleepNumber bed we had in our room (which was beyond dreamy and to DIE for), our room was perfect. Everything was clean and nicely prepared for us.

While we didn't make use of the room service to comment on that, we DID use the complimentary WiFi connection. For a camgirl staying at a hotel, a great internet connection is always a plus! Having the option to be online during at least part of the stay is awesome, and the fact that it was included in the cost of our room (only CAD$126.99 for the night) makes it even better. Streaming was flawless and the new scenery was a nice change from our regular bedroom shows. I added some rose petals to the tub, and it was instantly a Valentine's dream!

Overall, our stay was romantic, relaxing, and completely right for our needs. I was also able to push back our check-out time by a few hours with no extra fees so we didn't have to rush out in the morning. The ONLY negative feedback I have is for the recommendation I got from the front desk for pizza delivery; 321 Pizza was probably the worst pizza and wings I've EVER had. 

I would definitely recommend this room. It was also equipped with a fitness room and pool room, but we were very content in our room so these options were not even a consideration for our stay. If we go back to Niagara Falls for a visit, I don't see why we'd stay anywhere else. I would probably choose to go back when the weather is warmer so that our walk to the tourist attractions, while not far, was far enough in the cold. But I'm also excited to go somewhere new!

Here's to traveling more, and writing out reviews much sooner than a week and a half after our stay  lol..

 Happy Belated Valentine's <3

My Bucket List

There are SO many things that I always say I want to do in my lifetime, or that I've added to my so-called "bucket list" but have never actually written out any form of bucket list. So I've decided that that is precisely what I'm going to do, in a way that is public so I have some form of accountability (even if I don't accomplish some of these until years from now). I know I'll probably miss some so this will definitely be revised over and over well after it's been posted, but here goes....

• travel: particularly Denmark, France, Germany, England, Thailand, Costa Rica, Columbia, Africa, (there will be more)
• do the voice of a cartoon character in a movie
• get a tattoo done by Kat Von D
• makeout with Kleio Valentien
• collab on a clothing line with sizes for tall chicks (clothing, bikinis, lingerie, maybe even shoes)
• go to the Oscars
• adopt a kid 
• hang out with Russell Brand
• buy a vacation property
• sing with the Dixie Chicks
• record an album
• play a stadium concert
• go to the AVN Expo
• nose job
• hang out with other cam girls/people
• own an old warehouse loft
• write a book
• go to a Tony Robbins seminar
• take a flight with Virgin Airlines
• be part of a huge flash mob

Well that's it for now, but like I said the list will probably always be changing and growing as I do the same every single day. If there's anything you think you can help me with, by all means, let's work together!! haha.. Either way, I plan on accomplishing most of these in my lifetime and am so excited at that very idea. Life is such an adventure! 

Let me know what kind of things are on your bucket lists.. I'd love to hear and maybe even get more ideas of my own.

Until next time,

Skyler

xoxo