Colour: Niagara  /  Brand: NARS
Rating: 4/5  / Cost: $24 USD / Purchased from: Sephora

Niagara by NARS is one of the first lipsticks I purchased. The colour is really fresh and pretty (sort of a coral-pink with a slight nude to it). I feel it gives a cheerful warmth to my lips. It is also a satin lipstick, lightweight and scent-free. I usually apply it twice during an 8 hour work day. NARS is definitely one of my favourite brands when it comes to make-up, especially lip colour.
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Colour: Fuchsia Flash  / Brand: Smashbox
Rating: 5/5  / Cost: $19 USD  / Purchased from: Sephora

The Be Legendary Lipstick collection by Smashbox is definitely one of my favourite lipsticks on the market. I purchased Fuchsia Flash which is a stunning shade of bright pink. The colour is very vibrant, the lipstick is long-lasting (lasts me at least 8 hours of wear) and it feels like I’m wearing nothing on my lips. Plus it’s a matte lipstick which I love. Next on my list is to purchase Pink Petal which is another vibrant shade. If you’re a bit confused on which lip product to try first, Smashbox is my first recommendation.
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Colour: Rouge Artist Intense 37  / Brand: Make-up Forever
Rating: 3/5  /  Cost: $19 USD  /  Purchased from: Sephora

Rouge Artist Intense 37 is a satin, bright coral-pink lipstick from Make Up Forever. While I absolutely love the colour, I was slightly disappointed with the product. It has a bit of creamy frost which has a nice look to it. Plus I probably get about four hours of lipwear out of it before needing a touch-up. However, I found after some time, the lipstick is no longer a smooth look on my lips. It tends to bleed a bit. I’ve only worn it twice though so I’ll give it more of a chance.
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Colour: Nude Delight (700)  / Brand: Rimmel
Rating: 3.5/5  / Cost: $4.99 USD (or less)  /  Purchased from: Wal-Mart

If you’re looking for an affordable drug store make-up brand, number one on my list is Rimmel. Nude Delight is really smooth and provides a lot of moisture to my lips. Plus, it’s absolutely fantastic to mix with other lipsticks. If I’m looking to tone down a bright red or pink, I use a lip brush to blend in some Nude Delight. The colour lasts maybe 3 hours, but for a cheap alternative, Rimmel makes excellent products.
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Colour: Alarm  / Brand: Rimmel
Rating: 4/5  /  Cost: $4.99 USD (or less)  /  Purchased from: Wal-Mart

Red is of course a classic lipstick colour. It’s also one many women fear pulling off. I decided to finally face my fear and embrace red! But I was hesitant and decided to begin with a cheap brand in case I didn’t have the confidence to pull the colour off. I ended up purchasing Alarm by Rimmel. I adore this lipstick and highly recommend it to a first time red lipstick purchaser. It’s a rich colour and not TOO bright! Again it moisturizes and provides about four hours of wear before needing a re-apply. Now that I’ve conquered red lipstick, I will move on to a “higher” brand such as NARS or Chanel, but as a newbie lipstick wearer, Rimmel does give you your money’s worth.
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Colour: No. 19 Frivolous Pink (Rouge Volupte)  /  Brand: Yves Saint Laurent
Rating: 5/5  /  Cost: $34 USD  /  Purchased from: Holt Renfrew

So when the cost of this lipstick is converted to Canadian and you add tax, you get about 50 bucks. I know, 50 bucks for a lipstick is pretty ridiculous. This was a spur of the moment purchase. I was on my way to a Toronto Raptors game when buying lipstick from Holt Renfrew became a necessary task. *sigh* Nonetheless, this product is absolutely amazing (orgasmic!). The colour is so rich (a baby pink), the lipstick is extremely smooth, it lasts almost all day, and it feels like you’re wearing nothing. If you have cash to spend and want a quality lipstick brand, Yves Saint Laurent is definitely your pick.
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Colour: Smoulder  /  Brand: Boots No.7
Rating: 3/5   /  Cost: $9.99 USD  /  Purchased from: Shoppers Drug Mart

This lipstick was a random purchase. I never heard of the brand until I walked into Shoppers Drug Mart (think Walgreen’s if you’re American). It’s a glossy and creamy shade of red. I usually blend it with another red lipstick (Alarm by Rimmel in my case) to add a touch of gloss. I don’t have a strong opinion on this brand. It’s simply a-okay. I think it’s better as a blended colour opposed to wearing alone. I’m not a huge fan of glossy lips on their own but if you’re looking for a bit of a lipstick/lip gloss blend, this brand may be up your alley.
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Colour: Plaza Pink 145  /  Brand: Maybelline
Rating: 2.5/5   /  Cost: $7.99 USD (or less)  /  Purchased from: Shoppers Drug Mart

Plaza Pink is a mauve-pink shade from Maybelline. It’s a simple colour; nothing bright or fresh, but I like it for a bit of a natural pink colour to my lips. It has a cream finish and does provide some moisture. However, it’s not long lasting at all; maybe an hour or two.
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Colour: Lively  /  Brand: Tarte
Rating: 5/5  /  Cost: $24 USD  /  Purchased from: Sephora

Honestly, Lively by Tarte is one of the best lip products out there. It’s my number one go to lip colour. It’s a bright pink but not TOO bright. It’s extremely rich in colour, provides a great matte finish, and does it last! When I finish my workday after 8 hours, my lips are still bright with colour. This lipstick is worth every cent.
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Colour: Fuchsia Star  /  Brand: Dior
Rating: 5/5  /  Cost: $32 USD  /  Purchased from: Sephora

Now we’re talking lipstick! The Rouge Dior Lipcolor Collection is amazing! Fushia Star is a gorgeous bright shade of pink. This lipstick is flawless. Aside from being rich in colour and long-lasting, it feels extremely light on the lips! It really does nourish the lip. Again, if you have money to spend, Dior is a great pick for lipsticks.
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Well there you have it folks. My two cents on some great lip products. I strongly believe lipstick really accessorizes an outfit, gives women a boost of confidence, and is just plain fun! So go on, give those lips some colour!

Standing outside of the Panasonic Theatre in Toronto, ON after Potted Potter

Potted Potter: The Unauthorised Harry Potter Experience opened in Toronto at the Panasonic Theatre in February and I got a chance to check out the performance last month (March 10, 2012). Before seeing the play, I only knew two things about it. First, it was written and performed by two British guys: Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner. Second, the basic synopsis of the play was the seven Harry Potter books acted out in 70 ‘hilarious parody minutes’. These two tidbits left me clueless on what to expect from the show. But as a Harry Potter fan, I was excited and curious.

Finally the big night arrived. I attended the play with a friend; we ordered two butterbeers (kind of like a cream soda float…) and got in our seats, set for the show. Once it began, I spent the next hour and 10 minutes with a smile plastered on my face. The show is exactly what it promises to be: 70 hilarious parody minutes of Harry Potter. My thoughts? Cheesy yet genius. I was pleasantly surprised at the show and absolutely loved almost every moment of it. The two dudes, Dan and Jeff, give a fresh, unique and humourous approach to Harry Potter, including a colourful train representing Hogwarts Express, an audience interactive Quidditch match and an assortment of wigs (including a curly haired ginger do for cool Ron Weasley which I fell in love with).

Overall, I find the show to be fast-paced. Dan and Jeff work really well together, have great energy, capture the audience, and their wit is enchanting. I don’t want to give too much away but simply put, I highly recommend the show for all Potter heads out there.

Before you begin reading, let me warn you that this post will contain spoilers about the Pretty Little Liars Season 2 Finale. I strongly advise that you stop reading now if you do not wish to know the identity of “A” (oh, but do drop by again after you’ve seen the episode…).

Tonight one of life’s most pondering questions was answered. (No, not whether O.J. Simpson was guilty or how do they actually get the caramel in a Caramilk bar). Tonight on Pretty Little Liars (Season 2, Episode 25, umAsked), the identity of “A” was revealed. And…it’s Mona.

Before I share my thoughts, a quick recap of the episode. Basically, the girls are invited by “A” to the Rosewood Junior League Masquerade Ball. Before the ball, they end up at The Lost Woods as the Bates Motel where “Vivian Darkbloom” rented a room the night before she was murdered. Over scenes of a dark, rainy night, it appears “A” is in the room next door spying on the girls. Fast forward to the Masquerade Ball: following ‘surprise’ appearances by Caleb and Ezra, Spencer makes a fascinating discovery: Vivian was not at the motel hiding from “A”, but instead she was searching for “A”, and it hits Spencer that the room next to the one the girls and Alison had stayed in for a night was actually rented by someone (“A”!). Spencer, who normally does not tell Mona anything, decides now is the time for her and Mona to become best buddies. Batman and sidekick Mona travel to the motel and enter the rented room: BOOM! “A’s” lair is revealed: creepy dolls, newspaper clippings, and some freakish clown head fill the room. Now here’s the kicker. While snooping, Mona offers Spencer a piece of gum who politely declines until she sees the SAME gum wrapper in Alison’s diary which is in “A’s” lair. (Are you keeping up with me still?)

Spencer then decides to take Mona up on the gum offer. Mona races to her car to get the promised gum. BOOM #2. Mona’s back and somehow in 10 seconds has changed from her masquerade gown to black sweats, hoodie and all. Mona ends up whacking Spencer and fast forward to a scene of the two speeding down some deserted area. Spencer manages to get Aria and the girls on the phone who overhear her and Mona chatting and learn about their whereabouts. Minutes later, the remaining girls have caught up to Mona and Spencer. Mona has somehow trampled down the woods, but low and behold, she’s alive. However, she’s to have a personality disorder and placed in an institution (this is where Dr. Sullivan’s has magically returned after Toby apparently called her. She explains she disappeared because her son was threatened). ” In a voiceover, we hear Mona warn the girls that they are in a place exactly as “we wanted”. The episode ends with Mona receiving a visitor, where she says: “I did everything you asked me to””. And in case you’re wondering who it is that dies in this episode, there’s a brief scene near the end where it’s revealed that Maya is apparently dead.

Many questions remain unanswered: who killed Maya? Who is the “A” team? Who exactly killed Allison? Who was Jenna speaking with? Who was a mystery girl in a black swan dress? Who visited Mona at the end? And the one that really boggles my mind: how did Toby know where Dr. Sullivan was? (Did I miss something here??) And of course there are question marks around Garrett and Melissa.

My personal thoughts? Am I surprised? No. I suspected Mona was “A” quite a few episodes ago (the episode where they go back to when Jenna and Mona meet at a pool party gave me an inkling). However, I heard Mona was “A” in the Pretty Little Liars books and the producers would not be following the books; therefore I felt Mona was no longer “A”. Am I disappointed? Slightly. But then again, I feel I would have been a bit disappointed no matter what direction they went in. What I do know is I will definitely be watching when Pretty Little Liars returns. Catch the Season 3 premiere on Tuesday, June 5.