Insta-Life / Insta-Beauty

Can you believe it's already August? I feel like time has just flown by. Since things were so busy at the beginning of summer (my trip to Hawaii, moving, work, and life in general), I'm really hoping to make the most of what's left. So while I'm relaxing this long weekend (Happy BC Day!), here's a recap of what I've been up to lately...

Early birthday present from my boyfriend: Biria CitiBike 700C Step-Through 7 Speed... just need to get a wicker basket!

A little something from Louis Vuitton: monogram vernis key pouch in Pomme D'Amour

Adding some fun to my drink with these heart-shaped ice cubes

Gorgeous trees during a hike at Lynn Valley in North Vancouver

Kamei Baru grand opening party

Warming up with some ramen on a cool summer night

Last month I also introduced a new "Insta-Beauty" round-up blog feature, and have another set of products that I've been experimenting with to share with you all.

Firstly, Revlon's #DareToWearBlue campaign presented the fun challenge of creating a bold blue eye look with the PhotoReady Primer + Shadow palette in Avant Garde plus a few other products. The Lash Potion mascara comes in some of the prettiest mascara packaging I've ever seen but unfortunately the formula is too wet to hold a curl in my straight Asian lashes. The PhotoReady Kajal Intense Eye Liner + Brightener pencils are double-ended so that you can line with the darker side and use the lighter side on your water line. I've been loving blue liner lately so I particularly like Blue Nile.

Schick recently introduced their new Hydro Silk Disposables, a disposable version of their popular Hydro Silk Razor (which I previously reviewed here). These razors are almost identical to the originals, featuring the same moisture-replenishing benefits and Water-Activated Moisturizing Serum, except they have the added bonus of convenience/portability. The next time I travel somewhere these will definitely be my razors of choice.

Another exciting nail polish launch is on its way this September from AVON as well. Urban Splatter will feature six sheer colours with matte black & white flecks that can be worn alone or over another nail polish. The bases are quite sheer so I prefer to layer these but they're an interesting take on the standard glitter polish. They actually remind me a lot of the Maybelline ColorShow Polka Dots collection I've been seeing a lot of lately.

As always, don't forget to follow me on Instagram if you're not doing so already! My username is @alison_elle.