Halloween Nails: AVON Nail Art Design Strips

Apparently October has been the month for nail appliqués (see here and here), but I just couldn't resist the opportunity to put together this Halloween mani using AVON's appropriately-themed nail art design strips.

They come in three different designs: Crazy For Candy, Orange You Scared, and All Webbed Out. My personal favourite is the candy corn though the spider ones do have little jewels which add some fun dimension. Each package retails for $12 CAD and contains 18 strips.

Application was incredibly easy; in fact, I think it was the easiest nail strip application I've had yet! Sometimes I struggle with filing off the excess but had absolutely no problems with these appliqués. They did, however, smell quite pungent when I first opened them but thankfully it wore off quickly.

I'm not really a fan of Halloween and haven't donned a costume in years so these nails are about as festive as I'm going to get. For those of you that do celebrate...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

OSiS+ Dust It

After my first foray into OSiS+ hair styling products with Refresh Dust, the next product on my to-try list was Dust It ($23.50 CAD), a mattifying powder texturizer.

Not many companies make powder texturizers so the concept may be new to some of you (as it was to me). Essentially, a powder texturizer is a dry powder that adds volume and texture to your hair. It may have some mattifying properties, as is the case with Dust It, but it isn't a dry shampoo, which is more for leaving your hair feeling clean/fresh between washes.

Dust It comes in a tiny shaker bottle with a twist-off lid that you tap gently, applying product to your roots. Next, you use your fingers to rub it in, lifting to create volume and running through the ends to create texture. The powder is white but very finely milled so it blends in even on dark hair.

Overall, I was pretty pleased with the amount of volume and texture I was able to get using this. It worked particularly well on my "bangs" which separate easily and tend to get greasy by the end of the day (note: I don't really have bangs but the front of my hair is side-parted in a way that resembles them). However, the powder did leave my hair feeling a little weird... kind of chalky and gummy. If that doesn't bother you then I do think this is a really cool product to try, especially if you have fine/limp hair that needs a little oomph. It will give you the look of teased hair without all the damage!

Bare Legs in October

I know, I've been over-wearing this hat ever since I got it (here and here, for example) but I never realized how versatile wool fedoras could be! I picked up this burgundy one last weekend and now I'm on the hunt for a camel one as well. What can I say? When I find something I like, I tend to think I need all the colours.

P.S. I think bare legs season is officially over in Vancouver despite what these pictures might have you believe. However, I'm kind of excited to bring out my fleece-lined tights again... they are so warm and comfy!

Dress: Urban Outfitters (here) / Cardigan: Zara (similar) / Hat: Holt Renfrew (similar)

Scarf: Fine Finds (gift from friend)  / Boots: Sam Edelman (here and in other colours)
Bag: ASOS (similar) (c/o) / Bracelet: mark. (c/o)