Brand Focus: Gabriel Cosmetics & Zuzu Luxe

Gabriel and Zuzu Luxe are sister brands, and definitely well known worldwide.  I've already tried (and loved) their mascara, brow pencil, and liquid liner, and although I've always wanted to explore more, the price point in Canada is quite high. When I say high, I mean almost double the American pricing and it hardly ever goes on sale. I think it's amazing that their products are made in the USA, with the exception of their pencils which are made in Germany. But what I absolutely love most, is that they are vegan and free from the following:

• Coal Tar Derivatives or FD&C agents
• Parabens
• Soy
• Mineral Oil
• Peanuts & Tree Nuts
• Lanolin
• Talc
• Propylene Glycol
• Hydrogenated Oils
• Gluten
• Phthalates
• DBP
• Toluene
• Lead
• Formaldehyde
• Nano/Micro sized particles

You can read more about Gabriel/Zuzu Luxe here. 

I was given the opportunity to try out a few of their products and decided on the *Zuzu Luxe Dual Powder Foundation in D-10, *Zuzu Luxe Mascara in Onyx, *Zuzu Luxe Lipliner in Bounce, *Gabriel Lipliner in Berry, *Gabriel Moisturizing Liquid Foundation in Soft Beige, and *Gabriel Eye Primer in Neutral.

For ingredients, click here

Good eye primers are hard to come by, especially when you have really oily, deep set lids. Every brand boasts theirs as the best, but so far only the *Gabriel Eye Primer ($13.55 USD/2.5 g) has worked for me. It's extremely creamy, offers pretty good vein coverage, evens out the lids well, and keeps shadows from creasing for several hours. Not sure that it would last quite as long in the middle of a super hot Canadian summer day, when humidity takes over and you can barely breath, but I guess we'll find out in a few months. The neutral shade is slightly darker than pictured above and leans cool. On medium to dark skin tones, this could appear white on the lids. I've applied this primer with fingers and brushes, and much prefer the even application that a brush gives. The packaging is lovely, super small and sturdy, and great for travelling with. If you're looking for an eye primer, I highly recommend this one.

For ingredients, click here.

I'm beyond in love with the *Zuzu Luxe Dual Powder Foundation ($28.30 USD/9 g) and have used it every single time, without fail, since receiving it. It provides such beautiful coverage on its own and extra, flawless, coverage over top of my beloved Sappho Liquid Foundation in Leisha. It can sometimes cling to dry patches, although it's not often that I find my skin looking cakey or flaky when wearing this foundation and my skin tends to lean dry in the colder months. I don't want to jinx it but, it hasn't developed a crust on the top like most pressed powders do. You know, when you have to scrape the top layer in order to get the product to actually come off on your brush or sponge? So annoying. The shade is a tad light for my skin but is easily manageable. D-10 is described as Pale Ivory Skin/Pink Undertones, however, I don't find that it leans pink at all. I chose this shade prior to them revamping their site and could swear it was described as neutral, which I find it is. The compact is a bit bulky, but it's great for taking on the go because of how sturdy it is and the great sized mirror (which I've covered with the sponge). My only issue, being Canadian, is that I cannot find the damn refill pans ($21.25 USD/9 g). I've called 4 different stores within the GTA and nobody carries them. What's up with that Gabriel?? It is probably the best foundation that I've ever used, to date, but if I can't easily get my hands on a refill, I may need to find another powder :(:(:(.

For ingredients, click here.

I really wanted to love this *Gabriel Moisturizing Liquid Foundation ($28 USD/30 ml), like really wanted to love it. I didn't play with it much because it was way too pink for my warm/neutral skin tone, however, I did wear it once (around the house). It provided beautiful medium to full coverage, minimally clinged to dry patches, provided a dewy finish, and wore pretty well. I've swatched all of the available light to medium shades, of this foundation, and find that they're all cool toned, which is really disappointing. Hopefully they include a wider range of undertones at some point.

For Gabriel ingredients, click here. For Zuzu ingredients, click here.

I've never been a lipliner girl, until now. They really do make a difference in how your lipstick wears and helps define your lips, especially when wearing bolder shades. Both the *Gabriel Lipliner ($12 USD/1.13 g) in Berry and the *Zuzu Luxe Lipliner ($13.80 USD/1.13 g) in Bounce are stunning. Berry is described as a Pinkish Plum/Cool Blue Undertone and Bounce is described as a Deep Pinkish Plum/Cool, both are accurate descriptions. They're incredibly long wearing, pigmented, creamy, and just an absolute pleasure to use. I love wearing them on their own and under a lipstick or gloss. The only negative I have is that the caps don't stay on tightly, specifically the Gabriel one. Aside from that, I'm hooked and desperately want to pick up a few more (Innocence, Port, and Red).
Get it here: Gabriel, Pharmaca, and most health food stores (including Whole Foods, Goodness Me!, The Big Carrot, and Nature's Emporium). 
*Products provided for review consideration. All opinions are entirely my own.

Recipe: Easy Vegan & Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cups

If you follow me on Instagram, then you may have already seen and drooled over this picture. Peanut butter cups have been my favourite chocolate since I can remember, but store bought ones are usually loaded with a bunch of crap. Opting to make your own is great especially since it's so easy, you have control over what actually goes into them, and it's healthier (in moderation, of course). For the record, I made these for NYE and they were a hit. 

This recipe is completely customizable. Feel free to make any changes that you want and let me know what you changed up. Also, if you make these and post a picture to social media, tag me! I always love seeing what you guys try, whether beauty or food, based on my recommendations.

What you'll need:

• 283 g of chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life)
• 2 to 3 tablespoons of coconut oil
• approximately 1/2 cup of natural peanut butter (or whatever other nut/seed butter you like)
• vanilla to taste (I used about 1 tbsp)
• salt to taste 
• maple syrup to taste (I used about 4-5 tbsp)
• muffin tins and liners (about 12 to 15)

For the peanut butter filling:

Combine peanut butter, vanilla, maple syrup, and salt. Mix until well combined. Place in fridge until it hardens a bit, usually about 10 - 15 minutes. 

If you're using salted peanut butter, you could omit the salt. Since I don't measure anything out, start by adding in only a little sweetener of choice, salt, and vanilla, and taste it as you go along. You may want to add more or less of each ingredient to suit your taste buds. 

For the chocolate:

Combine chocolate chips and coconut oil. Stir frequently until smooth and melted.

To melt my chocolate I filled a pot with a bit of water, turned my stove top on low, and placed a stainless steel bowl over top of the pot. I then put the chocolate and coconut oil in. You're more than welcome to melt the chocolate however you like, of course.

To create the actual cups:

Line muffin tins with liners, then put 1 tablespoon (anymore and the ratio of chocolate to pb will be off) of melted chocolate in each. Place in freezer for about 7 minutes or until solid. Once solid, scoop as much filling as you'd like into each one, I used about a teaspoon, then pat it down leaving a tiny border around the edges (or don't! Whatever you like!). Cover with 1 - 2 tablespoons of melted chocolate* and place in freezer for 20+ minutes.

*If you'd like to top yours with anything, like I did, do it after putting melted chocolate over the peanut butter and before putting them in the freezer. I topped mine with coconut, cacao nibs, and toffee (not vegan but my boyfriend loves it).

And VOILA! These are so fun to make, you can definitely get your kids involved although you may need to double the ingredients as I sense they'll be eating more than helping. Also, I recommend storing these in the fridge as they taste so much better cold and will hold together better.

Bon appetit!

Glam Goes Green in Bolton

Hello lovelies! Today I am super excited to share with you my visit to Glam Goes Green in Bolton, Ontario (Canada). Some of you may already know Lisa, she's pretty active on social media and a serious advocate for natural products. With 9 women in her life being diagnosed with breast cancer, she knew it was time to change her diet and overall lifestyle. She opened up a green spa, Serenity on the Humber, a couple of years ago but realized that her passion was educating. Educating people on the Obscene 13, how it impacts their body and skin, and providing natural alternatives to replace their beauty and lifestyle products. She quickly put the spa on hold when the opportunity to open up a store presented itself, and I could not be happier for her. Lisa's store is small, cozy, product packed, and absolutely beautiful. She carries a variety of products from hair care to skin care, tea to chocolate, and first aid remedies. With brands like Corpa Flora, Pure Anada, Honeybee Gardens, Real Techniques, Red Apple Lipstick, Chocosol, 100% Pure, and many more, you're bound to find something for you.

Flowers, entrance, beautiful!

TEA! COFFEE! CLEARANCE!

UMMM..HEAVEN? To the left we got body moisturizers, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants and more. To the right we there's skin care, toothpaste, sunscreen, etc.

Okay but who else loves that damn little table? It is so cute! 

Chocolate and makeup, how can you go wrong? You can't!

Drool.

Is there such a thing as too much lipstick? Nope.

Action of the grand opening. Celine, from Corpa Flora doing demos (left), Lisa educating customers (middle), people shopping (middle), and more makeup (right)!

Lisa, owner of Glam Goes Green, and Celine, Founder and Creator of Corpa Flora.

Celine, Lisa, and moi! Excuse my entire self, I had been up since 7, went to work at the spa, then helped out (kinda) at GGG, and this was taken late at night.

Cute shop eh? If you can't make it to the shop, although I highly suggest you try if you're in the GTA or going to be near it, you can also shop online. Might I suggest the sale section?  Since the grand opening, Lisa has moved stuff within the shop around. She's also brought in Acure, which isn't available anywhere else in Canada, and it's selling like hot cakes! Keep your eyes peeled for a giveaway happening soon, on here, with Glam Goes Green. In the meantime, check out the website and let me know what you're dying to try most.  

Kelly's Bake Shoppe - Vegan & Gluten Free

I'm beyond excited about today's post! While I'm predominately a beauty blogger, my love for food runs deep. So deep, that my Instagram has more food (and dog) pictures than anything else. So when I saw that Kelly's Bake Shoppe was looking for bloggers, I quickly emailed them. I've been going to Kelly's for about a year now. I love their beautifully decorated and clean space, friendly staff, variety of offerings, and the fact that they're vegan, gluten and nut free. Does it get any better than that?? It does.

The outside of Kelly's. Beautiful right?
Picture courtesy of Kelly's.

Kelly's Bake Shoppe is located in Downtown Burlington, Ontario (Canada) and is run by a Mother and Daughter team with a passion for clean eating. Kelly Childs, Mother, and Erinn Weatherbie, Daughter, are health warriors. They believe in living a healthy lifestyle, full of whole foods that are chock full of nutrition for your body. That doesn't mean you have to skip dessert, you can have your cake and eat it too! Their Bake Shoppe goodies contain absolutely "No HONEY (we use Maple Syrup or Agave), no butter, no peanuts, no eggs, no milk, no cheese, NO gluten, no casein, no GMO’s, no artificial flavours and colours, no preservatives, no white flour, absolutely no junk or generally cheap refined ingredients (the things that are bad for you)". There are also many items that are soy free. Instead, they use the best of the best natural, organic ingredients (like pure vanilla beans and cacao) to bring you decadent desserts that even the pickiest eaters won't realize are good for them. If you're not sold yet, perhaps the fact that they've been awarded Best Cupcakes, Best Desserts, and Best Bakery in Burlington for both 2013 and 2014 will sway you. On top of all that, they also give back to the community. Every month, they provide a financial donation and host a Cupcake Day for the women and children of the Halton Women's Place. Halton Women's place is a safe haven for women, and their children, who have been abused. I love a business who gives back, don't you?

The beautiful Erinn (left) & Kelly (right) at Kelly's Bake Shoppe.
Picture courtesy of Kelly's.

 Disclaimer: This post may cause drooling, a sudden urge for sweets, a trip to Kelly's Bake Shoppe, and/or jealousy. You've been warned.

This is the part I think you're all most excited about, seeing what I had the opportunity to sample. Before that, I want to show you how the goods arrived. They arrived in a white paper bag with the Kelly's logo, and some leopard print tissue paper. Inside was a four pack of cupcakes, their signature pink box, and their daily menu. I friggen love how they have daily regular cupcakes, like chocolate and vanilla, and then they have fancy ones on certain days of the week. For example, on Tuesday they have a Mexican Chocolate cupcake, Wednesday they have a Cookies & Cream cupcake, Thursday a Lemon Raspberry cupcake, and so on.

In their beautiful, signature pink box were three cookies; World Peace Cookie, Snickerdoodle, and Chocolate Chip. One of my favourite things to get at Kelly's is their World Peace Cookie Sandwhich; two World Peace Cookies sandwiched between a faux (but delicious) vanilla buttercream frosting. Oh-my-goodness, if you ain't drooling then don't worry because I'm drooling enough for the both of us. Just keepin' it real...

The World Peace Cookie isn't that big but it's incredibly hearty and I guarantee you'll be completely satisfied after eating just one. If you plan on trying the sandwich, and eating it all at once, wear stretchy pants because it's a meal in itself. I've never really tried a Snickerdoodle anything before and wasn't sure what it's supposed to be like. It tasted like a cinnamon sugar cookie! Nom nom nom! The Chocolate Chip Cookie was honestly incredible! It has got to be one of the best chocolate chip cookies that I have ever had. It wasn't too sweet or overdone with chocolate chips, just perfection. All three were so soft, moist, and fresh.

Also in the box, was a Mile High Brownie. Keep scrolling to read more. Refrain from trying to reach through your computer screen.

Let's take a moment to admire that Mile High Brownie....*drool* Okay, it was insanely delicious!! As someone who's not a big fan of brownies, chocolate cake, or anything overly chocolatey, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this brownie. It was moist and rich, but the faux whipped cream cut the richness a bit, and the date caramel sauce gave it that extra oomph. Incredible and a must try for all. The Coconut Cupcake was delicious! I actually have a sick obsession with their Chocolate Coconut Cupcake, it's a problem. This one comes in at a close second. I believe it's a vanilla cupcake topped with buttercream and covered in coconut. The combination is to die for. Then there was Cookies & Cream. Ugh, I honestly wish I hadn't of shared half with my mom. It tasted exactly as I imagined, heaven. The Chocolate Cupcake and Red Velvet Cupcake weren't my favourites. Red Velvet was coloured using beets, which also contributed to its very unique flavour.   Kelly's Bake Shoppe proves that healthy doesn't have to be bland or boring, instead you can indulge without the guilt. Their stuff isn't overly sweet, just enough to satisfy that craving without feeling like you're missing out. I highly recommend visiting them and trying out some of my personal favourites; Chocolate Coconut Cupcake, Chocolate Chip Cookie, World Peace Cookie Sandwich, and the Mile High Brownie. Have you ever been to Kelly's Bake Shoppe? Let me know what some of your favourite menu items are or what you'd like to try most. *All items pictured in this post were provided for sampling. All opinions are entirely my own. As already mentioned, I've been visiting Kelly's Bake Shoppe for about a year and have paid for all the other goodies (not pictured here) myself.