You know it's almost the Holidays when Santa comes to town.  This past weekend, the annual Santa Claus Parade took place in downtown Toronto.  The man and I took this great opportunity to getting into festive mode.  Even though it was a beautiful day, it was still quite chilly, so I prepared myself with a chunky knit sweater and knee high boots with fleece inside.

Happy Mani Monday!

Every year Dior brings out these little pots of "gold", otherwise known as the Diorific Nail Vernis (CA $33 / US $27), for the Holiday season.  I'm not exaggerating or anything when I said "gold" because when it comes to gold nails for the Holidays, Dior knows best what to do.

Last year we went head over heels for the Benefit Cheeky Sweet Spot Box O’ Blushes, which features all, but one (Dallas), of their then current line up of their box o' powder.  The kit was sold out so quickly last year, it has done so well that they're doing it again... but a little differently this year...

In the Benefit Real Cheeky Party Blushing Beauty Kit (CA $54 / US $42), instead of BellaBamba, which sadly is no longer part of their box o' powder line up, they included the mini version of Watt's Up Highlighter, They're Real Mascara, and They're Real Push Up Liner, along with Dandelion, Rockateur, Sugarbomb, Hoola and Coralista.

Happy November!

November is a month of no long weekends (in Canada), it's cold, it's soon to be the Holidays but not yet... Long story short, it's not the best month of the year... Except, it the month when Sephora holds its annual Holiday Sale!  Depending on your status, VIB or VIB Rouge (i.e. your degree of beauty/makeup addiction), you get a certain amount of discount during the sale off your entire purchase (in the past, it's 15% for VIB and 20% for VIB Rouge).  For VIB Rouge, it starts this coming Friday, November 6, 2015!!!

Every year I take this opportunity to stock up on my vanity staples, while also purchase a few things that I'd like to try.  It's also a great time to get the holiday gifts ready.  So let's go over my shopping list / wish list this year for things to restock, things to try, and things to gift... and don't be alarm it might be a bit long... lol

Things to restock...

GLAMGLOW Stay Sexy Clearing Set (CA $76 / US $69)
Every year I would get their "Gift Sexy" kit, which usually does not have the full size Supermud, which is my fave.  But this year, they have this Stay Sex Clearing Set that features both Supermud and Supermud Cleanser, both of which I use religiously, so this seems like the perfect set for me.


Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer (CA $60 / US $52)
I am currently 2/3 way into the Jumbo size.  It has been a staple in my routine for the past year and a half.  I can't see myself not using it, at least for the next year.  But I'm still debating if I should get the jumbo 2oz or just get the 1oz.


Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz (CA $27 / US $21)
My brow routine staples, which I always have a backup or two.  It has a tiny retractable tip for detail work.  It also has the best spoolie brush for brows, which is better than any other stand-alone spoolie brush I've tried, for brows anyway.  The best thing about it is probably the colour match for me (I use Ebony), until I find a better match, I'll always be restocking it.


Estée Lauder Little Black Primer (CA $27 / US $24)
This is a life changing mascara.  It separates my lashes, thickens and lengthens my lashes, and stays on all day (and also makes other mascaras stay put).  I don't know what it is but the formula is quite different than anything else I've tried on the market.  I do like to pair it with another mascara to achieve the most fluttery lashes.


Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara (CA $36 / US $28.50)
I haven't had this mascara for maybe a year, and I miss it.  It does a lot on its own, giving my lashes more volume and length.  But I'm very curious to see how well it works with the Little Black Primer.  Maybe it'll give me false lashes effect!

So who cares if she's not a cat but a little girl?  Hello Kitty is still adorable and a favourite of many.  And its ongoing collaboration with Sephora continues to this holiday.  One of the best collectibles in the holiday collection is definite the Hello Kitty Pop-Up Party Eyeshadow Palette (CA $62 / US $52).

If it's not said already, I'm quite Urban Decay obsessed, especially when it comes to their NAKED line.  But you know, while they're really well known for their NAKED line, they're best known as the "Beauty with an Edge" brand.  It's apparent in their Book of Shadows (anyone remember those?), the Electric Palette, and the most recent Vice 3.

If you follow me on Twitter and/or Instagram, you may know that I'm currently on vacation in Hong Kong.  One of things about planning a vacation right after your exam is that, you really don't have enough time to pack and run all the errands you meant to do before but too busy studying.

I was in a panic mode for several days since Halloween, thinking, "so much to do, so little time".  I was overwhelmed by my poorly planned schedule.  So the manicure plan had to be terminated, and I opted for bringing a few press pods included in Formula X Paint Party (CA $47 / US $39) instead.

It's time for some Holiday Giveaway!  This time, I'm giving away a gift set by Benefit called Pretty Parfait.  It contains 4 of Benebabes' favourite products:

• They're Real Mascara
• Gimme Brow
• The POREfessional (mini)
• Stay Don't Stray Eye Primer

This kit has a $98 value!  And these are definitely some of my favourite products too... Case in point, I use Benefit Gimme Brow almost every single day.  If you need to try one thing from Benefit, I would totally recommend Gimme Brow!  This giveaway if opened for 2 weeks (from November 2, 2014 to November 30, 2014 @ 11:59PM).  For more details about the giveaway, please refer to the Rafflecopter widget below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!


x Rica

Image from LORACCosmetics.com

Gosh, where do I even begin the excitement.  Well, I guess it started with that we can't track down LORAC in Canadian stores any more!  I pretty much gave up in seeing LORAC Pro Palette 1 & 2 unless I go to the states and find an Ulta or Kohl's.

Every year, there's at least one beauty releases that would capture my heart.  And I fell fast and hard for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette (CA $67 / US $58).

One of the perks of being a beauty junkie who shops at Sephora way too much is the VIB Rouge status.  Ya, thanks to that (I guess thanks to me!?), I was able to snag the much anticipated blush palette early.  And now it's available for everyone to purchase!  HUZZAH!


Oh man, I have been lusting after this palette for months ever since a sneak peek picture popped up on the Internet.  It's lovely that they included 2 permanent shades from the original Ambient Lighting Blush range, Luminous Flush and Mood Exposure, because the original shades are highly praised.  That's not to say I don't like the limited edition shade Incandescent Electra because I do, so very much.

• Luminous Flush is described a champagne rose but it looks more to me like a warm pink with a luminous sheen.
• Incandescent Electra is a peachy pink colour with shimmery finish.
• Mood Exposure is a rosy plum with soft sheen.

Still trying to figure out what to wear to tonight's countdown?  Well, my go-to last minute festive look is always bold eye liner and lips.  Check out a few of my picks:

Eye Liner

Stila Art of the Fine Line Stay All Day® Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner Set

Want to have some fun with your eyeliner and make sure they stay all night long?  This Stila set comes with 4 of their bestselling felt-tip eye liner along with a look card to help you achieve the party look you're looking for.  You'll have the choice to try out the midnight blue, the dark brown, and the moss green shade out, or all of them together. And Stila knows a black liner is every girl staple, so this set comes with a full size of the black shade.

RiRi Hearts MAC Superslick Eyeliner

Loose glitter might be messy to deal with when time is tight.  A better alternative might be glitter liner.  The RiRi Hearts MAC Superslick Eyeliner in Pisces Persuasion is a option.  Unlike traditional glitter liner, it comes with a felt tip applicator, which offers a greater coverage in this one swipe.  Like its name suggests, the formula is super slick that it glides on smoothly with very fine pearlescent glitter.  It's perfect to make your eyes pop.

L to R: Stila Dark Brown, Moss, Midnight, Intense Black & MAC Pisces Persuasion

Day 7 and 8 giveaway are some Marc Jacobs Beauty goodies!  I have already reviewed them (Showstopper Set review here & Lovemarc Lip Gel review here), you can read about my two cents on them.  I absolutely adore the formula of the Lovemarc Lip Gel and The Showstopper Set has some great products in it :)







This giveaway is open till January 20th 11:59PM EST.  There will be two prizes to win:

• Marc Jacobs Beauty The Showstopper Set
• Marc Jacobs Beauty Lovemarc Lip Gel in Showstopper

Follow the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.  Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Until next time,


x Rica

I have finally put up my Christmas tree and decorated it over the weekend.  In recent years, the beauty industry has caught up with the fact that we all appreciate some cute and special ornaments.  Here are beauty ornaments available now and they're on my tree!

Holiday is all about the glow.  And this face powder will definitely help you achieve that soft focus glow without making you look like a disco ball.  Therefore, I present to you Marc Jacobs Lightshow Luminizing Powder in 302 Close Upas the Day 6 prize of our 12 Days of Holiday Giveaway!


Follow the Rafflecopter instructions to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is opened till January 17, 2014 11:59PM EST.  Good luck!

Until next time,


x Rica

No need to choose between Sugar and Spice, win both in the Day 5 of 12 Days of Holiday Giveaway!


The Quo by Orly Mini Nail Lacquers Set in Sugar and Spice each has 6 gorgeous shades for you to pick for many different occasions.

Follow the Rafflecopter instructions to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is opened till January 16, 2014 11:59PM EST.  Good luck!

Until next time,


x Rica

If that person is anyone like me, who jumps on most of the beauty bandwagons, chances are they already have a lot of things available out there.  But no beauty enthusiast can say no to a pretty palette and here're a few favourites that would impress the important him/her.