Jade Dallas - A Lifestyle Blog

The Ollie Quinn Experience

March 23, 2018

So if you follow me on social media you already know I own a lot of glasses… and I’ll probably keep getting more, because why not?! They’re an accessory I actually need, and wear every day. Having different frames is a great way to switch up my look or add a little pop to a simple outfit (plus they make me look smarter, right?).

Recently I had to pleasure of going into Ollie Quinn in Gastown to get the “Ollie Quinn experience”. As someone who chooses glasses online this was new to me! Like a traditional optical there was a ton of frames to try on, but the environment felt super relaxed and no one was pushing me to buy anything or up-sell me. The staff were so helpful, and even pulled a handful of frames that would suit me!

They have every kind of frame, and the price point is great! After trying on a bunch of glasses (and nearly buying some pretty dramatic ones) I settled on a pair of deep tortoise ones with the prettiest rose gold arm accent called Clemes!

Overall the experience was awesome, and I would highly recommend checking them out next time you’re downtown, or even browse their collection online!

If you want to see how I style these frames check out my Instagram page!

Until next time,

Weekend Wear With Montrose + George

March 4, 2018

Seeing as spring likes to take its time here in BC, I love anything with layers for this time of year. Cozy + light is the way to go! If you’ve followed along here, or on my Instagram you know that I’m a lover of simple + casual outfits so obviously I fell in love with these pieces from Montrose + George as soon as I saw them!

This outfit would be perfect for the weekend! I would wear it to go to the city or just hangout with my husband around the house! Its casual, and incredibly comfortable (seriously everything is so soft). It’s the perfect combination to transition into the warmer spring days – hopefully they come soon!

I love the look of this long, open front cardigan, it’s buttery soft, lightweight but still incredibly cozy. It also has cuffed sleeves and front pockets which is always a win in my books! This would look great with almost anything under it, but for myself I couldn’t resist pairing it with a crisp white t-shirt.

Then to add a little bit of extra flair I paired the cardigan and t-shirt with these distressed skinny jeans and leopard print slip on sneakers. I love adding a pop of colour or a fun pattern to mix up an otherwise neutral outfit (and I’m a sucker for anything leopard).

In addition to being perfect for day wear, this outfit would be super easy to transition to a date night outfit! Just swap the cardigan for a leather jacket and add some booties + a red lip!

Do dress up, or dress down on the weekend? Let me know in the comments!

Until Next Time,

*All of these pieces can be found at Montrose + George in Abbotsford BC!

*Photo Credit: Lori Swaan

Winter Favourites

February 6, 2018

Since we’re still in the midst of winter I figured it would be the perfect time to share some of my favourite makeup products of the season! I was lucky enough to be given a few new products for Christmas, and I also picked up a few things for myself.

1) Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Pepper: Okay, so for starters Bite Beauty is my favourite lipstick brand, everything they make is amazing. I especially love the Amuse Bouche lipsticks because they smell heavenly and they’re so moisturizing which is perfect for the winter. The shade is the prettiest dark nude and goes with any makeup!

2) MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Chili: I’ve been obsessed with warm/orangey tones so this was a must have for me. It’s a great alternative to the Tarte Quick dry Matte liquid lipstick in XOXO and because its a matte lipstick but not liquid its much less drying!

3) NUDESTIX What’s your matte Reds + Nudes: I bought this set from Sephora because I had been itching to try Nudestix and seriously they did not disappoint! These shades are so pretty, lightweight and long wearing. It’s also such a good deal! The products are nearly the same size as the full size (2.5 gram vs. the full size at 2.8g) at a fraction of the price. The set is 28$ CAD!

4) Fenty Beauty Foudation: I waited for soooooo long for this to get restocked, so when it did I jumped on it! I had heard the most amazing things about this and I have to agree. First off the colour match is spot on! The consistency is super thin and kind of watery which I love and it provides really nice coverage. The only downside is that its a matte foundation so I have to make sure I really moisturize beforehand.

5) Benefit Boi-ing Concealer: I actually loved this so much its empty! Its so hydrating and doesn’t crease under my eyes which is ideal (eye-deal.. see what I did there?). It’s a bit pricier in terms of the amount that you get, but to me it was well worth it!

6) NARS Laguna Bronzer: I got this in a points redemption and I can’t get enough. Something I’ve always loved about NARS powders is how smooth they are, and how well they sit on my skin. I’ve been using this along with my Hoola Lite for added depth + warmth. I’ll definitely be purchasing the full size when I run out.

7) Too Faced Hangover Primer: This is such a great primer – honestly I am so picky with primers because my skin breaks out so easily but I’ve had zero problems and it actually helps my makeup stay put and look great!

8) Tarte Cosmetics Tartelette Palette: I was given this for Christmas and I can’t get enough. I love Tarte as a brand, and these shadows are pigmented, smooth, blend well and smell like cake! Whats not to love?

Do you switch up or favour different products in different seasons? If so what have you been loving this winter? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time,

New Year, New Hair !

January 27, 2018

A new year always feels like a fresh start, or a new beginning. So why not feel your very best? Thats what I asked myself anyways.

When it comes to my hair I get pretty restless and love making changes – but that being said I’ve been trying to grow out my hair for the past year or so, and lets just be honest theres not much you can change while you’re growing your hair out!

I went down to Artel Salon in Vancouver to see Allie Routledge (@alliedoesgoodhair) to get a freshen up my look. The salon was super easy to find and seriously so cute! My whole experience was awesome – we listened to 80’s + 90’s guilty pleasures and chatted the whole time.

I opted to lighten up my balayage as well with bring the colour up a bit and freshen up my cut (bye bye dead ends!). Allie was so great with nailing down my vision and understanding what I really wanted out of my hair, which was so nice.

*Side note – how cute are the foils?! They’re pink!!!

BEFORE: Uneven ends + brassy tones

AFTER: fresh cut + lighter + cool/neutral tone

Allie brightened up my balayage and trimmed my hair without taking too much off! My hair feels so much healthier now and I am in love with the end result. If you’re looking for a new stylist I would highly recommend going to see her if you’re in the lower mainland! You can check out her instagram here + make sure to follow my instagram for an upcoming promotion!

Until next time,

Winter Skincare Routine

December 29, 2017

Seeing as winter is in full swing, and my skin is suffering I figured it would be the perfect time to share my winter skincare routine!

Typically in the morning I just rinse my face with water instead of washing it with cleanser, and at night I take off my makeup with Garnier’s micellar water, and then cleanse with my Marcelle Hyrda-C exfoliating cleanser.

After cleansing I follow up with my Breath of Fresh Air toner from Lush, and then my Vichy booster. Once that soaks into my skin I finish with my Marcelle Hydra-C moisturizer and eye cream!

If I’m having any breakouts I treat them with Grease Lightning from Lush, and put it on before my hydration booster.

My last must have for dry skin is the Boscia gel exfoliant. I honestly love this stuff so much! I’ve heard really mixed reviews but personally it’s my favourite. It gets rid of all of the dry/dead skin without being too harsh on my skin.

All of the products are linked here!

*For reference my skin is usually combination during the summer, and dry in the winter – but more recently my skin has gone to dry all the time. I have occasional hormonal breakouts and my skin is also fairly sensitive.

I hope that this helped you pick out some new products if you’re also dealing with super dry skin this season!

Until next time,

Fort Langley Photoshoot : Jaleesa Matteazzi Photography

December 6, 2017

Last weekend my husband and I had the pleasure of getting together with Jaleesa Matteazzi to take some couple photos in Fort Langley! We braved the chilly weather and I am so glad we did. I love the photos so much.

Jaleesa made shooting feel easy (which is amazing, because I always feel super awkward!), and captured the little in between moments which I love!

Here are some of my favourite shots from the photoshoot, and definitely check Jaleesa’s photography page here!

Until Next Time,

Microbladed Brows

November 20, 2017

As many of you know the new thing to do it have your eyebrows (lips or eyeliner) tattooed. The actual tattoo is unlike your typical one as it’s done with iron based pigments that will absorb into your body over time – thus fading your tattoo. But honestly when it comes to your face fading away is a lot better than lasting forever because lets face it, trends change, and we change!

This was my second time having my eyebrows microbladed, the first time I had some trouble with healing and the tattoo sadly did not last. That being said I was still up to try again. I came across Carolina’s instagram page and after seeing posts of other dark haired ladies with beautiful brows I had to send her a message + book!

In the initial appointment you get to chat about your brows and what you want, she then measures your face and outlines where she will add the hair strokes. Then you sit with numbing cream for around 20 minutes and then start! The process isn’t entirely painless, but she continues to numb you if you’re experiencing pain. As you can see in the photo below, I have basically no hair after my arch, she put a lot of strokes in the area so that it would match the density of my existing eyebrow hairs (this is also because my brow hairs are super dark where I have them). The bottom photo is right after my appointment, the next couple of days after your brows appear much darker and more defined, they then begin to flake off (sort of like dandruff) and they look a bit faded. This is normal. After a couple weeks they begin to get a bit darker and take their true colour!

Top: Before Tattoo | Bottom: After initial tattoo

Top: Before Tattoo | Middle: After initial appointment | Bottom: After touchup

I am so incredibly happy that I got them done, and I would really recommend investing in having your eyebrows tattooed if its something that bothers you or if you’re just looking to simplify your makeup routine!

You can check out her website here, and her instagram has a ton of great photos for reference.

You can also check out photos on my personal instagram page @jadedallasharms.

Would you consider having your eyebrows tattooed? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time,
J

Review : BITE BEAUTY The Lip Pencil

November 20, 2017

Earlier this month I received a package with 2 of the new BITE beauty lip pencils + 2 mini amuse bouche lipsticks. Talk about a dream come true! I am already such a huge fan of BITE products, I have a few matte lip crayons, a couple amuse bouche lipsticks, the agave lip mask and now the lip pencils! I love BITE for a few reasons, but my top two are that they use good for you ingredients and that they’re from Canada!

The two shades I was sent were 020 + 044, the first is a really pretty light nude, and the second is a deep burgundy/brown shade. They pair very nicely with the mini lipsticks in honeycomb and whiskey. The formula of the pencils is fantastic. They are very highly pigmented, and have great coverage but feel very light on the lips. They could definitely be worn on their own, but as I said the amuse bouche lipsticks pair really well.

I wore the shade 020 with the honeycomb lipstick, and it lasted about 6 hours without any noticeable fading. Keep in mind that I wasn’t eating any oily foods, but I did drink during that time. What I like most about these is that they don’t feel dry or dry out my lips, I can’t stand it when lip products dry out my lips and leave me looking all chapped and flaky. The other colour (044/whiskey) is honestly a bit dark for me (I am super pale), I can’t see myself wearing this day to day – however, it would be great for a really vampy look.

If you want to see how 020 + Honeycomb looks on, you can click here. There are also more photos on my personal instagram page, so feel free to check it out. These lip pencils are now available at Sephora, retailing at $20 CAD, and come in so many gorgeous nude shades. I will definitely be picking up a couple more shades!

Do you like wearing lip pencils? Let me know in the comments below!

Until Next time,

*I received these products complimentary from Influenster Canada for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own. #TheLipPencil #Influenster

Easy Slow Cooker Soup

November 20, 2017

Between being sick on and off for what feels like forever and the rainy weather we’ve been having I’ve been loving my slow cooker (more than usual). I wanted to share my go-to chicken noodle soup recipes for those still on the hunt for the one. I love this because it’s simple and you can modify the recipe easily to suit your personal taste!

Recipe:

6 cups of chicken broth

1.5 cups water

1/2 medium yellow onion diced

2 chicken breasts

3 large carrots chopped

3 celery stalks chopped

1/3 of a red pepper chopped

3 cloves of garlic minced (about a tbsp of the pre-minced kind)

1-2 cups of no-yolk egg noodles

Salt + Pepper to taste

Directions:

Place everything except the noodles in the slow cooker, put on low for 6 hours.
Once chicken is cooked, remove + shred
Place back into slow cooker with noodles – leave for 5-10 minutes (or until noodles are cooked)
Serve!

This makes around 6-8 servings, and the original recipe can be found here!

What is your go-to slow cooker meal? Let me know in the comments!!

Until next time,

My Top 4 Liquid Lipstick Brands

November 1, 2017

Liquid lipsticks have been trendy for the last few years and honestly, they are a favourite of mine. I love anything that lasts all day (or requires minimal touch ups) and is transfer proof. Unfortunately a lot of liquid lipsticks can be crazy drying, and even get a little clumpy looking if you have to touch up! Today I’m sharing with you my favourite brands to buy liquid lips from, why I love them and a little about their formulas!

1. Tarte Quick Dry Lip Paint: I’ve mentioned this a few times, so obviously you know I love it. The formula is really thin when applying, and it dries down completely within 30 seconds. This stuff is transfer proof, and really comfortable as far as liquid lips go! They have a great colour range, and I also love the applicator! It’s a doe foot with a slight curve which grabs the perfect amount of product. (Fave shades: XOXO and Delish, you’ll notice them on repeat in my instagram posts).

2. Sephora Collection Liquid Lips: The Sephora Collection liquid lipstick was one of the first liquid lipsticks I ever bought. The formula is a bit thicker than the Tarte, but feels extra comfortable and lasts forever; even when eating (unless you’re eating an oil salad dressing or something). They released a bunch of new colours recently and the price point is decent at $18. (Fave shades: Always Red + Blackberry! Theres a picture of me wearing blackberry here)

3. Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick: I feel like everyone knows that Kat Von D lipsticks are just awesome. The formula is super thin, which feels nice on the lips and the colours are amazing. I will say these can be a bit drying but overall I still reach for mine a lot! (Fave shades: Mother and Lolita – clearly Lolita lives in my purse… that packaging is worn).

4. Colourpop Ultra Matte Lipstick: I’ll be honest and tell you I only own 1 of these lipsticks but I am so impressed that I’m going to mention it. The formula is thicker, but not quite a mousse texture. The colour range is really impressive, and they wear really well. The only downside for me is that if you are touching it up it does become a bit thicker feeling which I don’t love. But overall for the price of $6 (USD) its well worth it! (Fave and only shade so far: Mama).

I hope this helped you choose a liquid lipstick if you don’t have one yet – and if you already have a collection let me know your favourite brands/colours!

Until next time,

Go-To Fall Look

October 27, 2017

The weather has finally cooled down, the leaves are changing and, I’ve been to the pumpkin patch three times already. Safe to say fall is in full swing! One of my favourite things about fall is being able to wear cozy clothing and layer on scarves + hats and of course sit at home on a rainy day with the fireplace on. Because I look forward to fall all year I wanted to share my go-to look with you!

I absolutely love the look of a more structured jacket over a cozy sweater, jeans and a pair of sneakers. This outfit is great because its comfortable, easy and looks put together yet effortless (and honestly it is). The neutral tones look great on pretty much everyone and you could always add a fun pop of colour with a handbag or scarf. I would wear this look pretty much anywhere: coffee with a friend, errands, even to work!

I chose my dark grey frames with this look because they’re neutral, but also a little different compared to the typical black frames. The sweater also adds a nice texture to the ensemble – I love the way it looks against the jeans and the softness of the jacket. It also elongates the legs by wearing it tucked into my jeans, and adds more interest to the outfit.

Shop my look:

What’s your go-to look for fall? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to follow along on Instagram!

Until next time,

Fall Favourites

October 21, 2017

It’s been a while, but I’m back to blogging! Life has felt really busy the last couple of months (I’m sure many of you can relate) so I’m excited to have some time to create blog content! Fall is here, rain and all, so I thought it would be fitting to share some of my beauty favourites this season.

1. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara: This is definitely an old favourite, I’ve repurchased it a few times and this time my husband picked one up for me (how sweet)! I know a lot of people don’t like the size of the brush but personally I really like it. It gives my lashes length + volume and doesn’t flake during the day or make my lashes feel brittle. My little secret is that I typically buy the mini size; I do this because its actually a better value, and I feel that the formula seems a bit drier in the mini tube which I like a lot better! You can pick this up at your local Sephora or online, the mini retails at $15 and the full size is $30.

2. Benefit Gimme Brow: This is a mini size as well and, I’m pretty sure I got it with my Sephora points. I’m fairy picky with brow gels but I have been loving this one! I usually opt for something clear but this dark brown colour works perfectly for me. What I love most is that it keeps the front of my brows looking nice and fluffy and lasts pretty much all day! You can pick this up at any Sephora (or online) or at a Shoppers Beauty Boutique if you live in Canada. It retails for $32.

3. Too Faced Hangover Primer: This product took me a while to love, I bought it because my HG primer was changed (saaaad) and I had heard good things. Initially I wasn’t impressed, but I gave it another go and it’s been amazing (this might just be because my skin has changed a lot recently, I used to be very oily and now I’m super dry). It makes my face feel super smooth and I definitely notice a difference in my foundation lasting through the day compared to no primer. Its also silicone free which I love! This one is $40 for the full size and, $18 for the mini.

4. Tartelette Flirt Mini Palette: I actually bought this very recently, BUT I love it so much. I had my eye on the new Tartelette Toasted palette (the warm tones are just amazing) but when I stumbled onto this I was sold! I don’t wear eyeshadow everyday so a mini palette is honestly just better for me. Tarte makes some of my favourite eyeshadows and it smells so good! Best part is it’s only $30 at Sephora!

5. Benefit Hoola Lite Bronzer: Okay. For real I don’t know why it took me so long to buy this. It’s the best bronzer ever for fair skin. I’ve had the hardest time finding bronzer/contour shades that aren’t too dark for me so this is a little life changing. It blends beautifully on the skin and can be built up and it has a really nice scent to it! I picked this up at Sephora for $38 but as I said before you can also purchase Benefit from a Shoppers beauty boutique.

6. Tarte Blush in Paaarty: I got this blush in the little birthday gift from Sephora and I seriously love it so much. In case you haven’t noticed, Tarte is already one of my favourite cosmetics brands and this blush is just such a pretty shade for fair skin. It looks natural and isn’t overwhelming at all. It has become an everyday makeup staple. It comes in a full size at Sephora as well for $38 if you couldn’t get it for your birthday gift!

7. Tarteist Quick Dry Lip Paint in Delish: I really love this formula because it’s transfer proof, I wear this (and other shades from the range) to work all the time because it lasts and doesn’t budge. It’s perfect for those days you don’t have time to check your lipstick + touch it up. I don’t find it too drying either and this colour has become a fast favourite. It’s such a pretty warm dark nude, perfect for everyday looks! I managed to snag a couple of these at Sephora while they were on sale for $14, but they usually retail for $24.

So that’s it! If you want to check out any of the products mentioned I’ve linked them all in the post. What have you been loving this fall? Let me know – I always love to try out new products!

Until Next Time,

Setting Goals

August 28, 2017

As I said before in my last post, this year as part of my back to work/school preparation I’m setting goals for myself. I’ve never been big on setting goals for the year because I always second guess myself, and focus on my failures. That being said, this year is going to be different (at least I hope so)! My goals are more so focused on my own well-being versus being focused on specific milestones.

If theres anything I’ve learned from the past year it’s that I’m not taking care of myself, and I’m putting myself under too much pressure. My anxiety has been at an all time high, and I’ve been getting sick for the last few months (non-stop). So this year I want to take time to put myself first, and really focus on my health and happiness.

Back to School Must Haves

August 17, 2017

September is right around the corner, and in the spirit of back to school I thought I would share some of my must haves to start the year off! For me September is a busy time of year, not only do I work at an elementary school, but I’m also taking classes so its back to work + school for me. The adjustment to get back into a routine can be a bit tricky, especially when I’ve been off for the last two months. There are a few things that help me get back into the groove of things – here are my back to school must haves:

Mr + Mrs

July 6, 2017

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of getting together with Steph Schulz (Steph Schulz Photography) to take some photos of my husband and I. We wandered around downtown Abbotsford + Old Hand to get some casual + candid shots.

I absolutely love how they turned out, so I thought I would share some of my favourites here on the blog!