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Today is National Lipstick Day so I thought I would share some of my favourites! I tried to pick a combination of current favourites (which let’s be honest – can change weekly) as well as staples that I’ve been reaching for all year. For anyone who has been a long-time reader of this blog, I actually wrote a similar post in 2016. In fact, the Fresh Sugar Lip balm is still an every day favourite of mine but I decided to show six new lipsticks.

Current Favourite Lipsticks of 2018

Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink | If you want a lipstick that lasts, you need to try this one. I ate a 3-course meal on our last cruise and it didn’t budge! This particular one is in the shade “Loyalist” which is a bit too light for me, but I had to rave about this formula. I definitely plan to pick up a few other colors. Bonus: it’s from the drugstore!

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in “Lovesick” | I haven’t been wearing many matte lipsticks lately because I am all about the gloss, but this is a staple. When I’m looking for a long lasting but comfortable nude lipstick, this is my go-to.

YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick in “20 – Coral in Passion” | I cannot find this exact shade on Sephora so I’ve linked to a similar one. These YSL lipsticks are definitely in my top 3 and I always try to spluge on a new shade during the sales. They are buttery, glossy and smell amazing plus the pigmentation is great for a balm! Any suggestions for which shade I should pick up next?

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in “Sugarcane” | I haven’t reached for this one in a while but I feel that it deserves a spot on the list. It’s a great everyday nude-pink that earned itself it’s own post on my blog. Plus, it’s on sale for $22.50CAD right now so grab it while you can!

Fenty Gloss Bomb | Hands down my favourite product of 2017 and quite possibly 2018 as well. This is my everyday, go-to lip gloss. It is universally flattering, non-sticky, and smells like tropical fruit. It makes my lips look bigger and better in every possible way.

Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Lip Lacquer in “Sugar Sugar” | This is an oldie but a goodie. I’ve actually been reaching for this one a lot in the past week. It’s the perfect champagne nude that packs a lot of gloss. It has a fine microshimmer that is barely noticable on the lips and a minty flavor. I’m dying to try the stick version as well!

Despite having a huge lipstick collection, I reach for these six (and the Fresh balm) more than the others. What are your current favourite lipsticks?

Mary Kay Timewise Miracle Set 3D Review

A while ago, Mary Kay sent me their new Timewise Miracle 3D line in “Normal/Dry” to review. I can honestly say that I have been using these products ever since! I’ll be honest, anti-aging products are not my main priority. Despite the fact that I am nearly 30, I look way younger. As in, I still get ID’d all the time! Therefore, I cannot comment on the actual anti-aging effects of this line. However, I think it is still an amazing everyday line of products and the fact that it is anti-aging is a bonus! And for those with oily skin, Mary Kay also carries this line in a “Combination/Oily” formula.

Mary Kay claims that each product contains a patent-pending, exclusive age-minimizing complex. Encapsulated resversatrol is an antioxidant which encourages even-looking skin tone while supporting the skin’s natural collagen. The products also contain Vitamin B3 which has brightening properties and an age-defying peptide to reinforce natural collagen and elastin, therefore providing a more youthful glow.

The Mary Kay Timewise Miracle 3D line consists of four products and a total of three steps, which makes it totally easy to use. Step one is the cleanser, followed by either the day or night cream as step two, with the eye cream as the last step.

Mary Kay Timewise Age Minimize 3D 4-1 Cleanser

This product contains a whopping 172g of product so despite using this nearly every day for the past couple months, I still have tons left! The cleanser is very pleasantly scented and contains micro exfoliants. It is very creamy while still providing an effective scrub. One of my coworkers tried this product and wasn’t a fan of the scrubbiness but personally, I love a cleanser that both cleanses and exfoliates. My skin is left feeling hydrated and smooth after I apply this. Mary Kay recommends using it twice a day in the morning and evening but I use it once a day in the shower.

Mary Kay Timewise Age Minimize 3D Day Cream SPF 30

Once again, I love a product that can do two jobs at once. In this case, the day cream provides ongoing hydration and also SPF 30. I’ve been using this day cream every day and the reason I love it so much is because of the extra sun coverage it provides. Thanks to broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, this cream helps delay the look of premature and aging skin. Like the cleanser, it does have a pleasant but noticable fragrance. I’ve worn this under my makeup with no issues whatsoever.

Mary Kay Timewise Age Minimize 3D Night Cream

I haven’t used this product quite as regularly as the previous two, however, I do use it most nights. Again, it has the same fragrance as the other products. I know that I can use this in the nighttime and wake up with hydrated skin that does not look or feel greasy, unlike some heavy creams.

Mary Kay Timewise Age Minimize 3D Eye Cream

Of all the product in the line, this is the one I use the least. For me, this one is okay – it does its job but isn’t anything special. However, I am very picky with my eye products! I have dark circles and I have yet to find a product that really impresses me. This product claims to improve dark circles as well as reduce puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles. I didn’t notice any difference using this but it did provide hydration without any negative effects.

Overall, despite the fact that an anti-aging routine is not my priority, I am loving this line from Mary Kay! The products are simple and effective with a pleasant fragrance. The packaging simple with the classic Mary Kay pink and grey colors. I highly recommend checking out these products from Mary Kay, especially if you are looking for an anti-aging line.

PR samples provided for this post but all thoughts & opinions are my own!

5 Reasons to Choose the MSC Seaside as Your Next Cruise

As soon as we tell our friends & family that we are going on another cruise in September, their first question is always “Which ship?”. When we reply with “The MSC Seaside”, we typically see confused faces in response. “I’ve never heard of them”, they say. It’s true – North Americans tend to associate cruising with the more well-known lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, or Norwegian. However, while MSC is new to the North American market, they are not new to cruising. MSC is actually the 4th largest cruise line in the world, coming in after the aforementioned three lines.

MSC Seaside

MSC is a European cruise line that recently expanded its market to North America. While the MSC Divina has been sailing the Caribbean since 2013, the MSC Seaside is their first ship that was built specifically for the North American market. The MSC Seaside entered into service in December 2017 and currently sails from Miami, Florida to the caribbean.

One of my good friends was actually on the third sailing of the MSC Seaside in January. Initially (as with many new ships), there were a number of issues and many bad reviews. My friend didn’t recommend the ship to me but she wasn’t surprised when I told her about my plans to sail on the Seaside in September. I believe it is vital to give any cruise line a few months to work out the kinks and so I did my research & now I’m presenting to you the five reasons why we booked the MSC Seaside, despite the initial negative reviews.

Five Reasons To Book The MSC Seaside

1. The Architecture & Design

The look of a cruise ship is a major factor in whether or not I will book. In fact, the reason why I haven’t sailed Carnival yet is because I am generally not a fan of how their ships actually look. However, no one can deny the beauty of the MSC Seaside. The aft design was inspired by Miami condos and features an outside elevator with breathtaking views, as well as the stunning “Bridge of Sighs”, a glass-bottomed bridge on the 16th floor!

The inside features a stunning multi-story atrium with large interactive video screens, numerous bars, and the Insta-worthy Swarovski staircases. Known as the “Ship that follows the sun”, the MSC Seaside offers ample opportunities for guests to view the sun and sea, including a boardwalk promenade featuring restaurants and shops on deck 8.

2. The Price

Initially, we hadn’t planned to go on another cruise until our honeymoon. Cruising is quite expensive, especially when you consider airline tickets and hotels on top of the actual cruise fare. We planned to take a cheaper trip to an all-inclusive resort given our budget, however, we couldn’t turn down the price of this cruise! For what we would have paid for an all-inclusive resort, we are getting a 7-night cruise with unlimited drinks! Of all the cruises we have done and those we have booked for the future, this is by far the most affordable. I highly recommend checking out MSC if you want to cruise on a budget!

3. The Food

Food on cruise lines is a very subjective topic. And because I have yet to sail on the MSC Seaside, I cannot comment on the quality of the food itself yet, but I can tell you that I am very excited about it. I’ve heard that the pasta, bread, and pizza is to die for! Furthermore, the unlimited drink package also includes unlimited gelato. Oh, and don’t get me started on the coffee-based drinks! And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a chocolate bar. Consider me sold!

4. The Multicultural Experience

MSC is a European cruise line and therefore, many of the guests are located outside of North America. In fact, MSC doesn’t sailaway from Miami until late in the evening to allow European guests time to fly into Miami earlier in the day (which I don’t recommend doing). On the MSC Seaside, you will hear announcements in a variety of languages. You will also witness a magnitude of people from different countries and with different mannerisms. It’s a great opportunity to meet people outside of your culture & perhaps make new friends from a different part of the world.

5. The Music & Ambiance

This may sound like an odd reason to book a cruise but it’s an aspect that we are very excited about. From videos and Instastories that we’ve seen of the MSC Seaside, it seems that there is a lot of focus on EDM, or electronic dance music. Given that this is a European ship, I am not surprised, as EDM is quite prominent there. While there will be a number of bars with a variety of music onboard with something to suit everyone’s taste, I am looking forward to hearing more club music and less Jimmy Buffet on this ship.

I will definitely be writing a review after we actually sail on this ship but I am hoping it will exceed my expectations!

Have you been on the MSC Seaside? If not, what has been your favourite cruise ship?

All photos copywrighted to MSC Cruise Line and used from their Media Resources Image Bank.