On Closure: The Ex Who Shall Never Be Named

Hey guys!

So this is going to be a follow up post from my last Update post here. My goal is to make this post as full of positivity and a lot less "rant-y" than my previous post on the matter. Plus, with Valentine's Day just around the corner, I figured this post is both therapeutic and helpful, since it's that time of year again and, arguably, the worst time of the year (whether you're single or not, let's be honest *shameless plug* read my Valentine's day post from 2014 to see why!)

Okay, moving on to the point of the post. Like most women, I have surrounded myself with friends and alcohol in an effort to console myself in light of recent events. During this important time, I decided that a 30-day no contact period would be the best way to handle the situation. Until I realized I was using my no contact period as a crutch. I was counting down the days until I could let myself talk to him again.

People, particularly those who have been broken up with by their SO, are under the impression that closure is needed before one can move on. But when the possibility of closure is impossible, or non-attainable, I feel like people get wrapped up in the idea that they need answers to move on. This is false.

I probably, at this point, understand very well the burning need for answers and the curiosity that eats away you. Thinking again and again that if you could just meet up one more time, the stars will realign and everything will be fine again. Well, that's false and I am not saying that from experience. I am saying this coming from a place of rationality and understanding. Try to empathize with the person who shattered your heart, try to see what they saw was wrong with your relationship, but you'll never get answers that way.

Dwell and grieve for as long as you need to, but pick up your head after and realize that brighter days are ahead. Even if those brighter days revolve purely around your next glass or six of cheap wine. Because sometimes in life, it's the little things that count and I believe in keeping hope alive no matter what. Whether you're swamped with school, heartbroken, or in a rut, realize that things will get better.

It doesn't get easier. You'll always love them, every little inconsequential thing might remind you of them, and there will be days that you feel like you can't breathe unless you have them back in your life. When that happens, take a deep breath, have a drink or two, and move on. Acceptance is a key part of the grieving process and it's often the part that is the hardest to achieve. But it's possible. Keep your chin up, embrace a new hobby or rediscover an old, surround yourself with people who love you, and let go of the past. Treasure the memories, look back fondly on the good times, but don't try to recreate them. You can't.

There's a quote that floats around the Internet that I see sometimes:

And I don't think nothing could ever be more true. My ex truly was my first love, even if I wasn't his, but to the next man in my life, I hope you do better than your predecessor because he left you a wreck to deal with. As if I wasn't enough of a wreck as it is! (That was my sad attempt at humour *hint hint* *nudge nudge*)

I've also come to a very enlightening conclusion which was this: It is not my responsibility to be the first one to reach out to him. Having been the person to break up with someone else on many occasions, I have always known that being the one to do the breaking up holds a certain amount of power. And with great power comes great responsibility. So, if your ex broke up with you and wanted to get back in touch, as the person responsible for the break up, it is on them to try to reach out first. They left a gem behind and when they realize your worth, you'll have already moved on.

Bottom line? Be kind. 

If they reach out and you're confident in your own feelings, reach back (in a friendly manner) and if you're not ready for that step, tell them that you're not ready to get back in touch, and when/if you ever are, you'll reach again and this time, the ball is in your court.I believe that if you emit positive energy, karma will be there for you. So simply be kind to one another. (Unless your ex is a crazy criminal, in which kindly but urgently call the cops, a lawyer, and get a restraining order).

I am making this promise to myself today: This is the last post I will make about my most recent fail of a relationship.

And in spirit of that promise, I will be posting a makeup review type thing next week! I'm going to try and make Wednesdays my blogging days.

I hope this post helped you and that my advice made some sense? If you guys have any suggestions or ways you get over a semi-serious/serious relationship, please leave it in the comments below or tweet me @aly_bean

Thank you so much for reading!

Love and Light,
A. Bean

Shameless Self Promotion!
IG: @aly.bean
Snapchat: alybean5

"Wow, You're So Exotic"

Hey guys!

So, I realize it's a bit ironic for me to do a rant-type post after just going on about self-improvement, but, like I said in my last post, old habits tend to die hard, and I am a very stubborn individual. Also old, so you know, old dogs and new tricks don't go together. But, I have justified this post in convincing myself it is for the greater good. Also, it just really, desperately needs to be addressed. I was going to do a video on this topic simply because my mouth moves faster than my fingers, as do my thoughts, but my background is kind of shady, and the whole video would be an hour long rant. This has the semblance of more structure, I think.

For those who don't know, I am biracial. My mom is Vietnamese, and my dad is Canadian (read: a whole mishmash of cultures where there is some percentage of Scandinavian and some percentage of Aboriginal and some percentage of Ukrainian. I think.) I only offer this information because it is pertinent to the discussion and gives me some amount of authority on the topic. Otherwise, my race shouldn't - and doesn't - really matter.

Since reaching adulthood and branching off into a world outside of my parents' circle of influence, I have been confronted more now than ever about my race. From questions like "What are you?" and "Where are you from?" they get more and more intrusive depending on the person asking them.
These are all usually asked before my name is even known or is usually the next question after "What's your name?" To go up to a person who looks, and I'm purposely being generic here, white, and ask them where they are from is laughable and ridiculous. Well, the same thing when I'm asked where I'm from. I am from Canada, I was born here. I have never permanently moved anywhere else - I had a two year stint in Ontario, if you recall from my earlier posts. I am a human being, that is what I am. More specifically, then, if that doesn't satisfy the question, I am a biologically female human being. Not a martian, surprise! I am exactly what you are, so when I am asked, "What are you" you can only imagine my shock, amusement, and annoyance. The other person's reaction is even more laughable when I answer that I am human and that I am Canadian.

People say"what are you" or "where are you from" as a means to be more politically correct, but what they don't realize is that to even ask the question damns them. I won't fault their curiosity, but at the same time, why does it matter what my race is? I am fully aware that I maybe don't look like a "typical" white girl (again I am being very general and loose with that term). I am also very self conscious of that fact and when it is pointed out to me, I feel even more awkward. Which I shouldn't. I am very proud of who I am and where my parents are from and I love my culture. Both of them.

Being mixed race is hard enough as it is - you feel like you don't belong anywhere - without having people interrogate you about it.

That lengthy backstory brings me to what I really wanted to discuss which is the use of the word "exotic" when referring to someone "not from here". For the purpose of this post, we will use "not from here" to refer to people who are not physically different (either in skin tone, hair texture, eye shape, etc.).
The other night while I was at work, near the end of my shift, a single middle aged gentleman(ish) walked in - he's clearly "from here" - and as I approached him, he asked about my hair texture (naturally curly) to which he seemed to enjoy - apparently he has a "thing" for curly haired gals (ew...) - and then asked about my race - again using the standard "where are you from" line - to which I replied as nicely as possible - because despite hating my job I still need my job - that my mother is from Vietnam and my dad is from here with some sort of Scandinavian background - hence my accursed curls. He widened his eyes in delight, ooohed and ahhhed over my race and proclaimed me "exotic".

PS - Dude, if you're reading this by some gross chance and sick twist of fate, I might work in a restaurant, but I still have a small miniscule shred of dignity left that I guard like a starving, rabid dog over a masticated bone. In other words, I don't want/need a sugar daddy. Yet. And when/if I do need one, I certainly won't be asking you to step up.

Upon being called exotic, I nearly threw up in my mouth. But, because I am great at my job, forced a tight lipped smile and proceeded to avoid eye contact and approaching his vicinity for the duration of my shift. I am not "exotic". I am not some imported rarity. I am a person, not a thing, and I think that is my biggest issue when I am faced with this question of race. I feel like a thing. An exotic thing that is there only to be admired and ooohed and ahhed over.
The problem with this is that I am reduced to being a thoughtless inanimate object. Which sort of sets back decades of feminist movements and advances. Hey, Emma Watson, speak up for the "exotic" people, too, okay?

When someone is reduced to being just "exotic" my ideas, dreams, pursuits, goals, and thoughts are irrelevant. Because I am exotic. I am like a Siberian Tiger placed in a zoo. Just there to be looked at and cared for and never free. I deserve to be more than caged. I deserve to be more than "exotic". Or a car. Cars are also described as exotic. I am, sadly, not a transformer.

This is a problem not just with strangers, but also in my sad pursuit of love. Boys only want me because I am exotic, men only want to creep on me, and I am left stranded in the middle, wanting neither. I deserve respect.

Not really, but you get the idea....

And that is something I thought was my right as a human being. But I guess in the eyes of mainstream "from here" society, all I will ever be is "exotic".

Love and Light,

A. Bean

PS - Leave your thoughts, comments, and experiences below! Am I alone in feeling this way? Have you ever been called exotic or has your race ever been questioned?

A Poor Start: First Post of 2016

Hey, guys!

        If you couldn't guess by the title of this post, it won't be as lighthearted and cheerful as my other ones. Following the New Year, my boyfriend and I parted ways. Having read my last "Life Update" post, I feel foolish now, but I won't delete it. Those memories will be memories that I will hold dear to my heart for a long time despite parting on less than amicable ways with my ex. I won't go into details, just know that it didn't end as well as I thought it would if we ever were to breakup. Also I always thought we would breakup face-to-face, but thankfully, Facebook is available to the cowards of the world (#stillnotbitteroranything).

Preach, girl, preach!

        Life, however, does have a funny way of introducing other things to occupy your mind. The passing of David Bowie and Alan Rickman in addition to some school drama all served one purpose: distraction. Not to say that I didn't grieve the loss of my supposedly perfectly imperfect relationship. I definitely did. For four days I wailed - not even cried, wailed - my heart out, my parents can attest to this, I'm pretty sure I scared them a little. And in the days following my initial grief, I'm still overcome by sadness, but I'm moving along.

Well, Carrie, it gets sucked up into a black hole called grief, and then
if you're lucky, it fades from an all consuming fire into a
small little ember. In other words, it never goes away completely.

I've gotten really into the whole "self-improvement" kick. It's a slow process, but at least I'm not as depressed. This week I've really made an effort to wear makeup again. I didn't wear a speck of it for a week, and I caught my reflection in the mirror while on a pity shopping spree with my friend at
Sephora. I'm glad I caught that reflection of myself - though I wasn't at the time. With my messy bun, bare face, and decidedly perma-sad expression, it really kicked me back into gear. I cry less and less everyday, and I've reconnected with my friends, whom I shamefully neglected during my relationship.
       It really taught me that no matter how perfect something or someone may seem, no amount of love or attention you give them will ever be enough if they don't love themselves.       Or if they loved themselves too much.

Amen, Elle.

       So to that conclusion, then, I've decided to take a step back, reevaluate, finish school, and focus on bettering myself. Admittedly, I did jump into my last relationship fast, and didn't really make myself or him wait or work for anything. Mainly because I was on an "I'm an empowered, modern 21st century woman, dammit, I can sleep with whoever" power trip. Which ended up being my biggest failure in the relationship and doesn't really set the right tone for the rest of our time together. Give me a tall, dark haired, tattooed, broad shouldered guy, and I'm pretty much weak at the knees and reduced to a giggling school girl.
      So, maybe 2016 didn't really start out the way I wanted it to, and maybe I no longer have a date to go see Deadpool, or Batman vs. Superman, or Aquaman, or anyone, really, to occupy my time with and spend the cold winter nights with, but I have me, and for the last 21 years, that has always been enough.

I am enough.

Love and Light,

A. Bean

PS - You're all enough.
PPS - Shoutout to my friends and family who dealt with my broken hearted sad self for the past two weeks and counting. You're the real MVP.

SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION!
Instagram!
Snapchat! @alybean5

On Halloween

Hi guys! It's that time of year again!

The time of year when we all gather round and decide which mask to don and display to the public. The time where girls decide to be ironic or sexy, cute or funny. The time where boys decide they can be muscular macho men or perverted old men. Whether you decide to be scary or funny or cute or sexy is up to you. The Halloween store is your oyster, so go be a pearl.

It's been debated and argued about over and over again on social media. Have costumes for girls/tweens/teens/women become too scandalous?

Truthfully, we know they are. Obviously kids should have the opportunity to be kids, but whether or not we allow them to be is another thing. Personally, I've always erred on the side of being cute on Halloween rather than sexy, simply because it is not in my nature to be overly sexual. That's not my personality.

Much scare

While we like to see Halloween as a time to hide who we really are, I think it's a time that people actually reveal who they really are. Barring the numerous murderous clowns, serial killer costumes, and zombie outfits. I'm assuming most of the population isn't running around with a serial killer-clown-zombie alter ego. But girls who are comfortable wearing thigh high fishnets and a tiny pouffy skirt when they're fourteen only prefaces to the kind of person they'll grow up to be. (Sorry, girls, you have a lot of growing up still do to.) I am all for body positivity and doing whatever makes you happy and being confident in yourself, but up in Canada, if you're wearing those tiny skirts and fishnets, that ain't fooling anyone.

Also, can we just talk about how expensive it is to buy those tiny costumes? For a mere handful of cheap fabric and itchy crinoline, you're looking at upwards of $60 CDN. Even Value Village won't sell you a "whole"(-ish) costume for less than $50 CDN if you want the whole thing. To piece it together by yourself would be a lot cheaper. It also involves a little work and creativity, but I think it's worth it in the end. Nobody wants to be a Karen:

Too many Mean Girls gifs? YOU DON'T EVEN GO HERE!

Parents, I'm not one myself, but please, if you don't want your little girl to dress like Regina, then don't fork over the money to buy them a costume you don't think is appropriate. My parents never failed to miss an opportunity to remind me that so long as they hold the purse strings, I'm pretty much putty in their hands. (Despite my many efforts to become an anarchist and resist authority - Sorry, Mom and Dad).

The only place where dressing "too sexy" is a a huge issue is when costumes are geared for girls under we'll say 15 cause after that, chances are peer pressure is a scary thing. Ultimately, I feel like parents have a huge impact on whether or not their child dresses "sexy". People can tout the body positivity speech all they want, but actions speak louder than words, so don't bash other women whose bodies may not suit the conventional notions of what it means to be "sexy". Let's all just support each other this year and not judge anyone for choosing the costumes they'll be sporting this year. Mind blowing, I know.

Just the other day, I was browsing around the Halloween store, looking for some inspiration for a sexier Captain America/American Dream Girl outfit when I noticed a little boy who was between 8-10, scrutinizing a sexy Snow White outfit. That was super weird. As soon as I began perusing down the aisle, he guiltily dropped the costume and ran to his mom. So, I think the impact of the "sexy" costume isn't just a thing that impacts females, but also males. Explore your sexuality however you want, but kids ought to have a chance to be kids and if that means hiding the sexy princess costumes and giving more clear boundaries, then why not?

Adults can be sexy, and kids don't have to be exposed to it. That's that. All in all friends, be safe,  do you, and have a happy halloween. 

Leave a comment or post a pic on what you're being for Halloween this year and don't forget to follow and share this blog if you like the content! 

XOXO

-A. Bean

This year, I'm being the American Dream Girl, and the BF is Captain America ;)

The First Day of School 2015

Hey guys!

I'd like to say that the first day of school is as magical and wondrous as it is on your first day of grade one.

When you walk through those doors filled with as much excitement and adventure as Nemo on his first day of school.

source: http://www.chasingmyextraordinary.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/First-Day-of-School-Gif.gif

Unfortunately it's not. It's more like two hoards all converging on the same battlefield.

Exhibit A: Third/Fourth Year Students

source: giphy.com

Exhibit B: First/Second Year Students

Source: giphy.com

Obviously the latter doesn't last for long as the semester/year progresses so by the time winter finals roll around and the year is over, every student looks like a hoard of stumbling zombies. #universitycommunity

My morning routine on the first day consisted of waking up at 4 AM to drive my boyfriend to work (it was as hellish as it sounds, luckily today is my last day of that nonsense), then driving back home (it was just after 6 AM by the time I got home) to sleep until about 7:30 AM before I was woken by my mom because I'd told her the wrong time for school that day. I thought class was at 9:30, not 11 - due to lack of sleep my days were a little messed up... no matter, I couldn't bring myself to fall asleep for a second time so I spent the morning scrolling through the social medias until I had to get ready.

The first class passed by seamlessly, I even (out of necessity) made a friend because of a group project we are forced to do, but no matter, a friend was made and that's all that counts! We even went to lunch together. I braved the LRT for the first time ever - and hated every second of it - avoided the evil parking cops and made it through the rest of my day without a hitch.

After that, I went to hang out with the boyfriend (we need to have another serious talk and I'm dreading every minute of bringing up the subject but more on that on a later date), spent the night with him since I had to drive him to work the next morning and did not want to wake up at 4 AM for the third time in a row. Staying the night allowed me to have a good night's sleep and have an extra hour of it! Yay! 

Primer: Pür Minerals Hydrating Primer (not my favourite but I'm out of my benefit Porefessional and too broke to buy another)

Foundation: Bourjois Healthy Mix (53) with L'Oreal TruMatch Lumi (N3)

Bronzer: Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer (Park Ave Princess)

Blush: Benefit Rockateur

Highlight: MAC Soft and Gentle

Brows: Urban Decay Naked Basics (Crave and Faint)

Mascara: Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara

Eyelids: Maybelline 24HR Color Tattoo (Barely Branded) - this went all over the lid; LORAC Pro Palette (Taupe) - this went in the crease and lower lashline

Eyeliner: Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Eyeliner (black) - Tightline and Waterline

Note: I neglected to do any winged liner like I usually do with my makeup in favour of a "fresh faced" look. It came out alright, but I find I feel very naked and self-conscious without my wings to hide behind. 

Top: Basic White T-shirt (H&M), Red Plaid shirt - left unbuttoned because you're cool (Kohl's)

Bottoms: Basic Black Leggings (H&M)

Jacket: Black leather jacket with gold detailing (Suzy Shier)

Shoes: Brown riding boots (No idea I got them last year while in the States)

Note: Literally every other girl was wearing the EXACT SAME THING just with a different colour plaid.

UPDATE: Life, Love, and More Part 1

Hey guys!

New school year means more updates! The summer is over and tons happened which I am happy to say have all been mostly good.

I moved, got kicked out twice (okay, voluntarily moved out, but I might as well have been kicked out...), got a second job, quit both jobs, had a crazy roommate, met a great guy, went camping, and moved back in with the parents.
It's been an eventful summer.

You could say it all started with a broken tire and a stranded me on the side of the road and a stranger stopping to help. If you hadn't guessed already, that stranger is now my current boyfriend. Probably my first (and hopefully only?) serious relationship ever.
I never really understood when people said they meet that one person and they know they met the one...but now I think I understand perfectly. Within minutes of talking with him I knew he was someone I would be proud to introduce to my family - and that means a lot since my family is pretty cutthroat as far as introductions go. To give you a better idea: my mother invented the resting bitchface and it's not even half as scary as her actual bitchface. Not that my mom is a bitch - she's pretty nice unless you make her angry, but that's fair if you ask me.

Anyway, that was in May.


Since then it was smooth sailing - so I thought - until August. The boyfriend and his sister got kicked out, he ended up homeless, then he got into a pretty bad motorcycle accident, during which I found out some less than admirable information about my newfound beau which led to a pretty intense discussion (I won't go into details - it's private and not something that I want immortalized on the Internet), after the accident, I got kicked out by my crazy roommate (more on that later), and moved back in with the parents. Shortly after that, the boyfriend and I went camping (as in tenting camping, NOT glamping or even trailer camping). Minutes after arriving, while we were setting up our home for the weekend, the truck was experiencing some mechanical difficulties which the boyfriend assured me were minor - plot spoiler: They definitely were not minor.

The next day, we drove Old Red down to the nearest reserve - which turned out to be on an Indian reservation - not really the safest spot to be in my opinion. I got hollered at twice and it was terrifying. After much struggle with the truck at the gas station, we decided to stop wasting the day and attempt the 20 minute trek back to our campground. The truck barely made it. As in it died just as we pulled onto the road that led down to our site. Luckily for us, it wasn't far away. Down a bumpy hill and there was our home. Trouble was, the lake was right behind our tent and a second too late on my part and Red and I would have ended up at the bottom of a 400ft lake reservoir. In case you didn't figure it out, I had to steer/break while the boyfriend pushed. Although the boyfriend assured me that he was tensed and prepared to snatch me outside of the vehicle should I fail to break hard enough.

I don't know when I knew I loved him, but I knew pretty early on that I did. Whether it was a simple text in the morning, afternoon, or night, or the way he'd look at me or hold me, I knew he was where I wanted to be. He told me once that he wanted to move to Scotland one day soon. What scared me wasn't that he would be leaving, what scared me was that I knew I would follow him despite my endless rants about girls dropping everything for guys they just met. It was terrifying, it was exhilarating, it was exciting. We talk about the future sometimes now. He has his shit together, so by next spring he wants to buy a house - an acreage to be exact - we joke about the city girl and the wholesome country boy often. It's one of my favourite jokes. I've always dreamed of a penthouse apartment in the middle of downtown. He's always dreamed of a sprawling acreage, far from city life. I don't think I would mind living on an acreage. Me a year ago would choke on that sentence...me a year ago would also choke on entertaining the idea of children. Me now still chokes on the latter...but less than I would have before. Which is infinitely scarier than knowing I would drop everything to move to Scotland because I've always wanted to go to Scotland let alone live there. Those are concerns for a later time, though.

Sometimes you meet people who change. Whether it's for better or worse, everyone you encounter should always teach you something. I have a feeling I have a lot to learn with him.

Makeup Bag Must Haves: Drugstore Edition

Hey guys!

Whether makeup is a completely foreign concept to you or you consider yourself pretty proficient, there's just somethings a girl needs to have in her makeup bag. Today's post is dedicated to anyone just starting out with makeup or are unsure of which products are absolute necessities to make up a flawless face. This edition is purely drugstore products because let's be honest not all of us can afford to drop $40+ on a foundation at Sephora or buy a $20 lipstick at MAC.

First of all, if you're looking into dabbling in makeup for the first time (no, playing in your mom's makeup doesn't count) then chances are, you're looking to fix one of the many skin problems that arise in preadolescence and that is acne, pimples, blemishes, discolouration, etc.
To fix these problems, I can tell you right now, avoid caking on the foundation. No amount of cake face is going to hide the blemishes, so put down the Covergirl bottle and sit down. The only way you're going to get rid of the pimples is to wash and moisturize that face. Since this won't help clear it up right away, I advise gravitating towards a BB Cream or tinted moisturizer to cure any redness on the face.

My recommendation: Dream Fresh BB Cream by Maybelline ($8 at Shoppers Drug Mart). If you're oily, or not a fan of Maybelline, the Covergirl Smoothers tinted moisturizer/BB Cream is a great alternative, so I've heard. If anyone's tried it, let me know your thoughts in the comments.
If you do want something more full coverage, the L'Oreal TruMatch foundations are awesome - only thing is. there's no pump, so you kind of have to work to get it out of the bottle.For concealer, if you feel you need it, the L'Oreal Lumi or Maybelline Dark circle eraser are great for dark circles or covering up any blemishes.

Next, I'm not sure how many tweens/teens start getting them brows done, but even if it's just cleaning up near that brow bone, don't forget the brows! They are everything when it comes to making a face. Since most people's brows tend to be lighter than their natural hair colour, I recommend purchasing a brow pencil a shade or two darker than your natural hair colour. I've got a brow pencil by Covergirl that seems to do the trick, and I think it's only $5-$6 at the drugstore. I've also recent;y picked up the Maybelline Define-a-Brow and it's a pretty good pencil, smooth, easy to put on, but kind of hard to crank out the tip because it's a retractable pencil as opposed to a regular pencil. What's your favourite drugstore brow pencil?
Beauty Tip: Make sure you buy two. Brows are lighter at the tip and darker at the tail, so to avoid looking like you drew those bad boys on with a sharpie, lightly fill in the tip with the lighter shade and then switch to the darker shade once you reach the arch. If it helps to define your brow shape, take the darker pencil and with feathery upwards strokes, line the lower portion of your brow from tip to tail.

Moving below the brow, once those have been cleanly filled in, we can focus on the eyes. Obviously, if you're going to school you're not going to go Glamazon and do a full on neutral smokey eye because most of us choose sleep over spending an extra 20 mins in the bathroom mirror perfecting our eye shadow. I have three products that I think are must haves, but, as with anything else, you can choose which ones you think are relevant to you.

The first product I want to mention is a cream eye shadow and it's been featured on my blog a few times already. It's the Maybelline 24hr Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze. I'm going on using this product for two years and no matter what eye shadow or palette I use, I always find myself falling in love with this bronze shade. It's quick and easy to apply (as long as you don't have long nails, then it gets a bit tricky). Literally only takes me two seconds to swipe and blend the product all over my eye lid for it to create an effortless "look I did try today" look.

To go along with that, every girl needs a good mascara and while the Maybelline ones are raved about, I stand by the L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Excess Mascara. Some people like the original Million Lashes in Carbon Black, but because I have yet to try that one, the Excess mascara is everything I want in a mascara. It lengthens and thickens and looks lovely without any eye liner necessary (I've gone out a few times with only this masacra, no liner, and it looks like I've got some falsies on. PS- I rarely go out without eyeliner, so this mascara is kind of a big deal.)
Lastly for eyes, and I'm mentioning this last because like I said above, after a few coats (or five - I don't mind the slight clump that goes along with this many coats) I don't feel the need for eyeliner, but the Maybelline Masterprecise is a great liquid liner option. It's a fine felt tip liner that makes winged eyes very easy. That being said, I love the Stila Stay All Day liner because it's waterproof, and I have yet to find a truly waterproof drugstore eye liner. So if you can, I recommend Stila, but I'd say the Maybelline Masterprecise is a pretty good dupe for it.

Since this is a makeup bag must haves, a girl's gotta have that blush. I feel like in every category I'm mentioning Maybelline, but honestly, the products I've tried from them are both affordable and really look beautiful. That being said, the Master Hi-Light powders are awesome. I love the lightest(?) shade which is a bronze-y rose colour. This I use to either contour lightly with or use on the highest points of my cheeks and then use either a rose gold toned blush or a rose blush to blend towards the apples (but never actually on the apples because we don't want to drag our faces down). If you're looking for Milani's iconic, raved about baked blushes but are having a hard time finding it at your local drugstore, look for it Loblaws or Superstore. I took a trip down their makeup aisle a few weeks ago and stumbled upon a section for Milani Cosmetics and got more than a little excited. Rose D'Oro is my favourite shade!

Lastly, lippies! Whether you're a lipstick, gloss, or balm girl, I've got a recommendation for your makeup bag and it all starts with a good lipstick!
I think everyday lipstick colours are okay to splurge on because duh, you'll be wearing them all day, all the time. I think three basic colours are a must have in every girl's makeup bag. First, you need a nude colour. I love MAC Myth, but if you don't want to splurge on a MAC lipstick the Maybelline Buffs lipstick collection are amazing! Blushing Beige is my favourite shade from that line.
Next, every girl needs a rocking red. The Hourglass Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in Icon lives up to it's name. It's an iconic red in my opinion and flatters everyone. It's a deep blue toned red as opposed to more orangey reds that are a little harder to pull off.
Finally, every girl needs an everyday pink shade. I recently picked up the new, limited edition Bite Beauty Deconstructed Rose lipstick line in Damask. It's a beautiful "your lips but better" shade. Bite lipsticks are all made from natural ingredients and the lipstick shade itself is akin to a MAC Creme Sheen lipstick, but can easily be layered if you want more colour pay off. L'Oreal Paris has a wonderful line of pinks to choose from and the formula is pretty amazing too.

If lipsticks aren't your thing, a lip balm is a must, and while the EOS lip balms are adorable, they are a little inconvenient to store, but easy to find in your purse. Don't forget to include your favourite lip balm in your makeup bag.

I hope this was semi-helpful for any makeup noobs out there. If not, feel free to let me know what your makeup bag must haves are whether they're drugstore or high end.

XOXO,

A. Bean