Mullein & Sparrow

Images via, here, here & here

as you know I love beauty products, specially anything natural and easy on the environment. recently I came across this beautiful brand of all natural products called Mullein & Sparrow. founder and designer, Anit was a creative mind working in the business of fashion, when she decided to make the switch into beauty products after learing about plant based healing rememdies during her travels. this shop believes that the best rememdies come from nature, and I strongly agree. this beautiful apothecary line, makes everything in small batches as needed, so slight differences can appear from order to order, but it confirms the freshness and authenticity. they I don't know what I love more, these luxurious products or the vintage style containers they are housed in. everything about this is old world and old beauty for the modern buyer.

these products have not only prettied up my face, but also my bath counter.

Bottle the Last of Summer - DIY Scrub

not ready for summer to be over yet? make those last summer days linger a little longer with this simple scrub using farm fresh ingredients. shower scrubs are a simple thing you can easily make. they keep your skin soft and keep a little extra coin in your pocket when you make it yourself. this pear and orange mix is one i made this past week. it's smells like summer and the honey mix is heaven on the skin.

what you need:

• 1 quarter of an orange
• 1 half of a pear
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp honey

start out by blending your pear so that it creates a soft mixture. next add all your other ingredients listed and stir well together with a spoon. store in an air tight glass jar in your bathroom and try to use within 2-3 max max. I tend to use my homemade scrubs 3-4 times a week, just make sure to rinse well! 

helpful hint - if your mix is a little too liquid for your taste add more sugar to thicken it out.

Polka Dot Nails for Spring

images via here, here and here

on sunday nights i have a quiet weekly ritual of pampering my nails and watching episodes of Suits on Netflix (oh! I love that show!). let's put it this way, i love really sundays! i would like to think that i'm someone who tries to have nice nails. although it may not ever look like that, i do try. low and behold without fail the day after i paint them i always manage to seriously chip one nail. i'm talking like a good whole half of one nail of polish is removed. urg. I'm learning just to accept it.  recently i stumbled across a picture of  polka dot nails for spring and i don't believe it can get any cuter. think pastel colours and clean white dots. Essie has a whole selection of beautiful spring time colours that i suggest you check out. after trying a few different methods, including what is referred to as the band-aid stencil method (i do not recommend this one), i have come to learn that the best way to to achieve this adorable look is with the end of a bobby pin or toothpick. play around with it when you do it. try creating larger and smaller dots, or clusters of dots near the tips. it's a fun look for spring that i highly recommend trying.

Autumn Beauty Best of the Best

the autumn season is the time of year i begin to notice that my skin starts to change from combination to dry. i have always adapted to those changes by using sugar from my pantry as an exfoliant, paired with rich facial oils packed with vitamins for the coming winter – like Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil , or my recent new find which smells SO amazing, the Youth Preservation Serum by Clementine Fields (review to come soon!). i have also always then modified my make-up routine to help keep my face looking fresh. i crave spending as much of this season outdoors as possible and so my morning and (when needed) evening routine is quick and to the point. this is the time of year i swap out up my bronzing powders for tinted moisturizers, and things like my peach powder based blushes for more liquid based berry 2in1 stains. here are a list of my tried & true favourite beauty recommendations for this season, and the best way to take your fall look from day to evening in a matter of minutes.

day time

when it comes to my daytime routine i'm quick and to the point. in the mornings i'm usually found running out the door to work, or to an early morning gym class. like i said earlier, i like spending as much time outdoors as I can, so i like to keep my face as fresh and as natural looking possible. because of all that I focus on key double duty products to give you that crisp cool morning rosy glow.

1+ Bigelow's Warm Apple Cider Lip Gloss

2+ Revlon Lash Blash Mascara in Brown

3+ Laura Mercier Tinted Moisterizer (great for the start of dry skin season)

4+ Brown Sugar (mixed with cleanser this is the best exfoliating scrub in town)

5+ Benefit Bene Tint for lips and cheeks (this gives that perfect duwie cheek and provides a long lasting touch of colour for lips)

night time

my night face is what i do post work and more often than not on my way out the door to meet friends, or my hubby for a night out. I typically carry these supplies in my purse so i'm always ready for anything, along with some rose gold hoop earrings and an elastic for a quick bun updo. for any evening look that isn't overly formal i truly believe that it shouldn't take take more than 15-20 mins to get ready. heck - i'd rather be out drink in hand doing something fun!

1+ Benefit Watt's Up Shimmer (used as a highlight under the brows and on the cheeks)

2+ Mac's Ruby Woo Matte Lipstick (this one stays on perfectly without bleeding. it is the best red i've ever found)

3+Aveda's Rose Mascara in Black (great for plumping up and it also smells heavenly)

4+ Stila Shimmer eye shadow

5+ Maybelline Foundation Stick (great long lasting wear and super easy to apply to any much needed cover up areas)
6+ Butter London Nail Polish

 what are your favourite tried & true products?