Friday 10: What's in your makeup bag?

In my experience, the perfectly packed travel makeup bag doesn’t have lot of products in it. It’s full of long wearing basics that are easy to apply and can take you from day to night. 

Today’s Friday 10 is a peek into what I recommend traveling with and why. I’ll also share the products I’m currently using and loving. 

The Basics

The key is to choose one product in each category that is versatile, works with the other products, and, most importantly, is something you love to use. Why else would you lug it around with you if you didn’t love wearing it? 

They should also be long-wearing and be able to take you from day to night no matter what you’re wearing. If you can find multitasking products  (i.e. a lip stain that doubles as a blush), it gets bonus gold stars! The goal is to make things easy. 

My favorite tutorial for this kind of beautiful everyday look is from Lisa Eldridge, an incredible makeup artist, called The Ultimate All Occasion Makeup Look For Everyone (link). I recommend checking out Lisa’s other tutorials if you love makeup or are looking to learn new skills and looks!

So with all of that in mind, here are the 10 products I pack:

  1. Foundation/Tinted Moisturizer
  2. Concealer
  3. Setting Powder
  4. Contour
  5. Blush
  6. Eyeshadow primer
  7. Eye palette 
  8. Mascara
  9. Lipstick
  10. Setting Spray 

My Picks

Just for reference, my skin tends to be dry and sensitive. I’m also very fair with yellow/neutral undertones. So it’s taken some time to find products that work for me, but they might not be perfect for you. If you have read my Friday 10 Long Flight Essentials and 3-1-1/TSA Bag Essentials posts, some things might look a little familiar. 

Foundation - Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Finland

This falls somewhere between a tinted moisturizer and foundation for me. I love how light it feels while still providing a decent amount of coverage. It also has SPF 30, which is a nice bonus. It’s a bit pricy but I don't think I’ll be persuaded to try anything else anytime soon. 

via L'Oreal | True Match Crayon Concealer | around $10 CAD 

via L'Oreal | True Match Crayon Concealer | around $10 CAD 

Concealer - L’Oreal True Match Crayon Concealer in W1-2-3

I picked this up on a whim and ended up really liking it. I have yet to find a concealer I absolutely love, but this does the job well without feeling heavy and sinking into the fine lines around my eyes. It also lasts a lot longer than most concealers I’ve used in the past. 

via my makeup bag | Top Cat Finishing Powder | $16.25 USD

via my makeup bag | Top Cat Finishing Powder | $16.25 USD

Setting Powder - Meow Cosmetics Top Cat Finishing Powder

A simple setting powder from Meow, an indie makeup company that specializes in mineral makeup. Top Cat works great as a finishing powder for me. It doesn’t set my sensitive skin off, and is cost effective, especially compared to some of the big names out there. Another more well-known option is the Nars HD Microfinish Powder ($39.00 CAD), but it can cause flashback in photos so I steer clear from it. 

I also like Meow's Equilibrium Powder ($13.95 USD) as a primer. It has a bit of lanolin in there, so it's soothing and help keeps dry skin happy while also mattifying it. Magic!

via Sephora | Nars Contour Blush | $46 CAD

via Sephora | Nars Contour Blush | $46 CAD

Contour - Nars Contour Blush in Olympia

A Sephora makeup artist recommended this to me for my engagement photo makeup. It quickly became a staple. I used to steer clear from too much contouring and highlighting because it’s easy to get to heavy-handed, especially with anything shimmery. I love that this is subtle and matte. It helps give me some extra oomph for that natural “no makeup” makeup look. 

Blush - Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Dollface

The only blush I use now. It’s long lasting, pigmented, and blends nicely. I’ve been using Dollface for a couple of years, but Tarte has a range of beautiful colors that suit a range of skintones. I might have to add a nice rose to my own collection soon. 

Another option is the Tarte Cheek Stain ($36 CAD). I’ve used this in the past and like it, too. It gets the multi-tasking gold star since you can use it on your lips. I just find that it tends to feel sticky and disappear quickly on me.

Eyeshadow Primer - Urban decay eyeshadow primer potion in eden

If you’re not using an eyeshadow primer, you need one. It helps prevent creasing and keeps your eye makeup looking beautiful all day. I love Urban Decay's Primer Potion and just recently tried it in Eden (listed as a tawny matte). I used to use the Original sheer version, but Eden does a better job of evening out my lids and creating a nice base for the shadow.

I've also heard lots of raves about Too Faced Shadow Insurance ($24 CAD).

eyeshadow palette - urban decay naked basics 

My new favourite palette. It's small, slim, and packed with everything I need. As the makeup artist at Sephora said, “this is your face, in a palette!” She also told me that there's a palette out there for everyone, it just takes a little time and testing. 

I love that the colors are neutral and matte, it makes it so easy to wear them on a daily basis. I even use one of the colors, Naked 2, for my brows. 

Another option is the Naked Basics 2 ($34 CAD), which looks darker and richer than the original. 

via CoverGirl | CoverGirl Clump Crusher | about $8 CAD

via CoverGirl | CoverGirl Clump Crusher | about $8 CAD

mascara - Cover girl clump crusher

I keep coming back to this mascara. It’s cheap and it does its job well—better than some of the high end brands I’ve tried. It gives my lashes volume, some length, and it never clumps! 

Sometimes I wear waterproof mascara for the plane ride, but I find the regular Clump Crusher is more than adequate. It's long lasting and doesn't flake off, but is still easy to remove.  

lipstick - sephora Cream Lip Stain in #10 Everlasting burgundy 

Realistically, I would take Clinque’s Almost Lipstick in Black Honey ($19 CAD) and the Sephora Cream Lip Stain. Black Honey is a perfect anytime lipstick for me because it’s moisturizing and buildable. It doesn’t last very long, though, so I have to reapply often.

The Sephora Cream Lip Stain, on the other hand lasts forever through just about anything. The Everlasting Burgundy color is gorgeous for fall and winter. I apply it lightly for the daytime and use a lip brush for a strong, bold evening look. It isn't drying on me, which is amazing for a lip stain.

So why not both?

Setting Spray - Skindinavia Bridal 

A couple of years ago I might have scoffed at a makeup setting spray, but I decided to order one recently for our engagement photos. It was love at first spray! This stuff works. It does as it promises: “helps keep makeup looking flawless and photo-ready [. . .] Absorbs quickly and lasts for up to 16 hours.” It’s worth having for those days you need your makeup to last as long as possible, which happens a lot when you’re traveling. 

You might be tempted to get Urban Decay’s All Nighter Long-Lasting Setting Spray ($36 CAD), but it’s manufactured by Skindinavia. After a lot of research, I found that most people preferred Skindinavia’s Bridal version to All Nighter. It’s the same price and, when I ordered, I got free shipping and travel sizes of their Primer Spray and Makeup Finishing Spray. 

So there you have it. My recommendations for a 10 item makeup bag. Let me know if you agree or disagree with my choices. Or leave me some of your own favourite product recommendations in the comments!

Hope you have a happy weekend!

The Good Girth Supper Club

On Saturday S and I drove down to Niagara and had dinner with my parents at the Good Earth Food and Wine Company, located in Beamsville in the beautiful Twenty Valley. They were having a Dia de los Muertos dinner for their monthly Good Girth Supper Club that piqued all of our interests.

A dark and spooky iPhone photo, but there is nothing spooky about this place.

A dark and spooky iPhone photo, but there is nothing spooky about this place.

We were warmly welcomed when we arrived. The rooms were decorated with vibrant bunting, ribbons on the chairs, and colorful tissue paper poms sticking out of brightly painted Corona bottles. The whole mood was festive.

We decided to sit on the patio. It was closed in and had a bunch of outdoor heaters to keep everyone toasty. Each chair had a blanket draped around the back, just in case you were still feeling chilly. I threw mine over my legs and was snug as a bug in a rug for the whole dinner. It was a really thoughtful touch. 

The meal was fantastic, the services was great, and the atmosphere was fun.

What we ate 

  • Green Chile & Pork Tamales with Salsa Verde and Salsa Blanco
  • Chile Rellenos with Beef, Queso Fresco, Ancho Chile Sauce, Mexican Rice and Fried Pinto Beans
  • A dessert trio including: Deep Fried Chile Chocolate Ice Cream, Churros & Dulce de Leche, and Tres Leches Cake

It really seemed like they offered something for everyone and included gluten-free and vegan options. Our other choices were Shrimp Tostadas, Savory Mexican Parfait, Fish Tacos, and Vegan Posole de Frijoles. We all ended up getting the same meal because tamales and chile rellenos are a family favorite. It's just too difficult to pass them up. 

Before I go any further, I have to say that I grew up eating exceptional New Mexican food. I started eating hot salsa with 3. And even though we moved from New Mexico when I was still knee-high to a grasshopper, my dad makes the authentic stuff himself.

So the bar for any kind of Mexican food is pretty darn high--whether its Old, New, Tex-Mex (heaven forbid), or any other variation. We tend to temper our expectations here in Canada, but we were all really impressed by this meal. No, it wasn't hot and spicy. At least not by our standards. But it was obviously made with care and attention to authentic Mexican recipes. The tamales, which are labor intensive when made right, tasted like the real thing. I could have eaten so many of them. The relleno was just delicious. And the beans and rice were spot on. 

The desserts were tasty, too!

Fried ice cream is an old favorite of mine, but I can't seem to find it anywhere anymore. So I was most excited to try the Deep Fried Chile Chocolate Ice Cream. I threw being dairy-free out the window for that alone and it was the only thing I was disappointed in. It was more of a deep fried ganache. Tasty, but not the true warm, crispy shell and cold, melty center I remember.

The Churros with Dulce de Leche and the Tres Leches Cake, on the other hand, were the unexpected stars for us. 

What we drank

We shared a bottle of Good Earth's 2013 Big Fork Red. It's a blend of 49% Merlot, 38% Pinot Noir, 9% Cabernet Franc and 4% Syrah. I found it fresh, light, and fruity with lots of berries. While I normally like a bigger, bolder red wine, it was good with our meal. I'd order it again. 

We also shared a French press pot of decaf coffee. I wouldn't normally comment on coffee, but I found it to be extra delicious. I believe the beans were from Vintage Roasters in Hamilton. I loved it enough that I looked them up this morning to see if we could get some here int Toronto. 

Practical Information for Visitors

If you are interested in going to one of the Good Girth Supper Clubs, they are held on the first Saturday of each month. The prix-fixe menu generally revolves around a seasonal theme and consists of 3 courses for $45. Beverages, of course, are extra. You can check out the monthly menu under their events page. It's easy to book online, but you will need a credit card to hold your reservation.  

The next dinner is on December 6th. The theme is Sinterklaas and the menu is European-inspired for the holiday season. I'll have the onion cake and the chicken schnitzel, please. Or maybe the pork loin. Mmm. 

The Good Earth does much more than just the supper club, though. We had a great lunch this past July, which I wrote a bit about here (there are more pictures, too!).

It is open daily for wine tastings (daily 11 am to 5 pm) and the bistro serves seasonal dishes from 11 am to 4 pm (5 pm on Sundays). They also have other events like cooking demos and classes. Check their events page for updated information about what's happening each month.

Friday 10: Haunted Hotels

Happy Halloween!

In honor of today and Monday's post about the spectre of Ivan the Red taunting me at Burg Bernstein, I've compiled a list of 9 other beautiful haunted hotels in Europe, the US and Canada.

Before we go any further, you should know that I didn't pick the creepiest hotels, like Karosta Prison Hotel in Latvia. From the website: "According to the prison's history, there are a lot of people who died in this place and most of them were shot in the head." I like a good scare and I'm a skeptic about the whole ghost thing, but. . . nope, nope nope! Not for me. Not on a bet.

I also skipped some of the most famous hotels, like The Stanley Hotel, which was made famous by The Shining. 

Instead, I picked places I would genuinely like to visit in areas with rich histories and lots to do. The whole haunted thing is just a bonus. 

Europe

#1 Hotel Burg Burnstein - Burgenland, Austria

There are 10 unique guest rooms in this beautiful Austrian castle that overlooks the lowlands. The castle has a long, storied history extending back to the 800s, changing hands multiple times between the Austrians and Hungarians thanks to its location in prime borderlands. Its most famous inhabitant, however, was László Almásy who was born in the castle and went on to inspire the title character of The English Patient. The castle has been passed down through the generations and the Almásy family continues to welcome guests to stay at the castle and explore Burgenland today. 

Haunts: Red Ivan, who is also known as Raging Wolf and Schlosshansl. According to this website he was a murderous 13th century knight who beat a bishop  to death and haunts the castle "by showing himself beside children's bed [. . .] He has been described with flaming red hair, a skirt at knee length and an evil laugh!" 

Caterina Frescobaldi (aka the White Lady) is the second ghost.  The story goes that she committed adultery so her husband had her buried alive in the 15th century. She appears in white and has an icy touch. People who stay in the Tantalouis or Vinzenz have the best chance of seeing her, apparently. 

#2 CHÂTEAU DE BRISSAC - LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE

Nestled into the Loire Valley, south of Angers, sits Château de Brissac, the tallest castle in France. It dates back to the 11th century, but was completely rebuilt in the 15th century. The first Lord of Brissac bought the castle in 1502 and it has been passed down from generation to generation since then. Today the 13th Count of Brissac opens the castle to tours. A few lucky guests can book nightly stays in one of its opulent rooms. 

Haunts: Legend has it that in the 15th century one of the castles owners, Jacques de Brézé quickly tired of his wife’s adulterous ways and murdered her and her lover. It is said that the lovers still haunt the castle. Moans can be heard in the night and the woman, dressed in green, wanders the halls, earning her the nickname La Dame Verte, or the Green Lady. 

#3 Ackergill Tower - Scottish Highlands

A dramatic 15th century seaside castle in the Scottish Highlands near Wick. Ackergill Tower is set on 3,000 acres and includes a restaurant, private beach and loch for fishing. There are 68 guest rooms and 5 guest cottages available for a unique and quiet country getaway. 

Haunts: The castle was owned by the Keith family in the 15th century. They had a history of feuding with the Gunn family, including murders and revenge murders. So the night before Helen Gunn’s wedding, Dugald Keith kidnapped her and held her in the tower. Helen tried to escape, but she fell to her death. She reportedly wanders the castle, appearing either as a green lady or in a red gown. 

#4 Parador de Jaén - Andalusia, Spain

Perched atop Santa Catalina Hill, Parador de Jaén commands attention and offers spectacular views of Jaén and the Andalusian countryside. The original fortress was built by the Arabs, but after Ferdinand III of Castile conquered it in 1246 the structure was rebuilt. The current iteration dates back to the 18th century and retains its Arab roots. In 1968 it became a Parador, one of the many beautiful and unique heritage building that Spain turned into hotels.

Haunts: Two ghosts are said to haunt this castle. One is of a young woman who supposedly died from heartbreak in Room 22. The second ghost is nicknamed Terrible Legarto, the Terrible Lizard, who died of hunger while imprisoned here. 

via Hotel Burchianti

via Hotel Burchianti

#5 Hotel Burchianti - Florence, Italy

Between Piazza Santa Maria Novella and the Duomo is Hotel Burchianti. It was first opened in 1919 by the Burchianti sisters, who welcomed a number of famous guests, from opera singers to poets, into their boarding house. There are just 11 rooms here, a few of which have beautifully restored frescoes. 

Haunts: For such a small space, there sure are a lot of ghosts roaming around. There are reports of a child skipping in the halls, a knitting woman, and a ghostly maid who continues her cleaning. The Fresco room is singled out as the most haunted room. Benito Mussolini may have stayed there and guests have reported everything from icy breath on their skin to pink-hued apparitions of a man.  

via The Langham Hotel

via The Langham Hotel

#6 The Langham Hotel - London, England

A 5-star hotel located in London’s West End, the Langham Hotel opened its doors in 1865. It has been welcoming high profile guests from royalty to celebrities ever since. You, too, can follow in the footsteps of the likes of Oscar Wilde and sleep in one of their luxurious rooms. Or, if that’s a little too rich for you, perhaps partake in afternoon tea at Palm Court, the “birthplace of Afternoon Tea.” 

Haunts: According to the HuffPo article “Room 333: The Most Haunted Hotel Room in London”, the list of ghosts that haunt Langham is extensive and Room 333 is especially hopping. There’s the ghost the likes to shake the bed. And the doctor who committed murder-suicide on his honeymoon. And, finally, the German prince who jumped to his death. Other ghosts have been seen elsewhere. Napoleon III apparently haunts the basement. A butler with holes in his socks, a footman with a powdered wig, and a man with a horrifying face wound have also been seen in the hallways.

USA

#7 The Battery Carriage House Inn - Charleston, South Carolina

The Battery Carriage House Inn is a bed and breakfast overlooking Charleston Harbor near Fort Sumter and Battery Park. The original house was built in 1843, but it was abandoned during the Civil War. It sustained damaged during the Siege of Charleston, which wreaked havoc on the city itself. After the war, a wealthy Yankee Colonel bought and refurbished it. Today visitors can stay in one of the 11 rooms and enjoy Southern hospitality, breakfast,  afternoon tea, and evening wine receptions. 

Haunts:  The Inn has fully embraced its ghosts and has a whole page dedicated to stories and sightings. Room 3 has had a little girl who died at the Inn tends to hang out on the porch and an apparent congregation of glowing spirits in the bathroom. In Room 10, the Gentleman Ghost tires to woo ladies by crawling into bed with them (how this is gentlemanly, I don’t know). Meanwhile, Room 8 has the most macabre sightings of a headless torso from the Civil War. 

#8 Captain Lindsey House Inn - Rockland, Maine

Built in 1835 as a home for its namesake, Captain George Lindsey, who first turned it into an inn and tavern two years later. Today the inn is appointed in a beautiful and welcoming “new nautical” style. Its located close to the harbor in Rockland’s historic district and makes a good base for exploring the Mid-Coast of Maine or partaking in the city’s annual Maine Lobster Festival. The Inn also partners with Stephen Taber to offer a sailing package. 

Haunts: A group of ghost "experts" declared that no less than 35 ghosts, including Captain Lindsey himself, haunted the building. 

Canada

#9 Fairmont Banff Springs - Banff, Alberta

An iconic luxury mountain resort within the confines of Banff National Park. The beauty of the stunning Canadian Rockies serve as the backdrop to this hotel’s long history. It all began when William Cornelius Van Horne, general manager of the Canadian Pacific Railway decided that a series of luxurious hotels along the railway would entice tourists travel the CPR. Construction began on the Banff Springs Hotel in 1887 and it opened on June 1, 1888. Van Horne’s vision was spot-on because Banff Springs, despite being destroyed by a fire in the 20s and undergoing many expansions and renovations, has remained a much-loved destination.

Haunts: A few spirits, it seems, haunt to halls of Banff Springs. There’s Sam, a bellman who promised to come back and haunt the hotel after he died (which happened in 1976). There’s also a ghost bride who is often seen dancing in the Cascade Ballroom. This year, the resort is even offering its own Heritage Ghost Tour  for guests who want to hear more about the hotel’s history, its spirits, and maybe—just maybe—experience one firsthand.

#10 The Algonquin Resort - St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick

The Algonquin Resort is another luxury Canadian hotel with deep roots. It first opened in 1889 and its award-winning golf course followed in 1894. Today golf and seaside luxury still draw its guests in. The location offers access to beautiful beaches, the Bay of Fundy, whale watching, the town of St. Andrew, and more. 

Haunts: Two women haunt the Algonquin. One is a fastidious former employee who has been known to rearrange tables. The second is a jilted bride who took her own life in Room 473 after being left at the alter. Like Banff Springs, The Algonquin is hosting a Ghost Walk through historic St. Andrews-by-the-Sea this year.

Would you stay at a haunted hotel? Have any good ghost stories from your travels? Let me know!

I hope you have a fun, candy-fueled Halloween and a wonderful weekend!