Life As A Massage Student

Thursday, February 27, 2014



First of all, huge apology for not writing in more then a week! But I can explain...I'm a Massage Therapy student.

Last week was reading week (a week off school - a College and University students "March Break") so naturally you'd think that I would have tons and tons of time to blog! Instead I had a really nasty cold that just completely drained me, and I had to study for four exams that I had this week.

Being a Massage student is very rewarding because every night we have a student clinic where the public comes in and gets a massage for $30.00 - it is so great to have clients come in with some sort of pain and for us to be able to help them and relieve that pain in an hour and a half massage. Pretty great if you ask me!

The workload of being a MT student is pretty high - I can honestly say I don't remember the last time where I didn't have anything to study for. We just about always have exams, quizzes, or OSCE exams. OSCE exams are our practical exams where we go into our classroom with just a teacher as an examiner, a teacher as a client, and ourselves. We get handed a piece of paper explaining why our client came in - we have one minute to memorize this paper. Then we have 12 minutes to assess our client from the small information given, do several Orthopedic Tests, palpate their muscles of the area they came in complaining about and tell our examiner their attachment points. (ex: if they came in with sore low back pain, we then have to tell our examiner all the muscles within the low back). Now typed out it may not sound like much, but keep in mind we have twelve minutes to say all this! It is such a short amount of time when you're put under stress, you're shaking in your running shoes from nerves, and you may forget something because of how stressed/nervous you are!

Luckily, I completed one yesterday where my client had low back pain with sharp shooting pain that ended up being a disc herniation. Now on Friday I have one more OSCE midterm exam about treating a client with a specific case (ex: frozen shoulder, tendinitis, subluxation/dislocation, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, and many more!) and then I have 4 days where I don't need to study until my next exam!

There are many positives and negatives about being a Massage Therapy student, but it will definitely be a very rewarding job and I'm looking forward to graduating next year!

Again, so sorry for my absence on kyrasbeautybag and I hope you're all having a great week!

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Current Drugstore Picks

Monday, February 17, 2014


Sorry for the lack of posts, I'm battling a pretty nasty head cold right now and I haven't had the time to take any blog photos! Luckily I found this post idea hiding in my iPhoto from a few weeks ago.

As much as I do love a good spending spree at my local Sephora, there are some things that I just can't stop thinking about which are available at the drugstore.

Foundation: This is the CoverGirl & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Serum Foundation - long name, great results. This is definitely a foundation that I don't hear enough people rave about! It is hydrating, smoothing, has wonderful coverage, and has a beautiful natural to satin finish. There is a slight watermelon scent to it, which you can't smell once applied. This foundation can last up to 8 hours on my normal to combination skin without powder! Plus, the fact that it's easy to be found at the drugstore is a mega plus. Highly recommend looking into this foundation!

Mascara: I can't even tell you how many tubes of Maybelline Falsies Mascara I've gone through! I have naturally long and curled lashes, but this mascara really gives me lots of volume and I have gotten so many compliments on my lashes when I wear this particular mascara! Even two of my older male college professors asked me if I'm wearing false lashes - one of them even said "I'm sorry Kyra, I can't focus on your question, your lashes are so long!" Word. for. word.

Eyeliner: I've been using the same type of eyeliner for years, this is the L'Oreal The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner. With the small felt tip applicator, you're able to achieve a stunning thin flicked out eyeliner or you can build up the thickness to your desired amount. It's very black, lasts ALL day, and is the one I have repurchased several times.

Lips: There are so many lip products at the drugstore that I absolutely adore. The Revlon Lip Butters are a firm favourite of mine, in particular I love the shade Berry Smoothie. They are so moisturizing while giving a ton of colour to your lips. Berry Smoothie is a lovely shade that brings some colour back to my complexion while looking very natural enough to wear to school. The Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Blam Stain in Honey is a perfect every day shade to wear with incredible long lasting power due to the stain factor. I also love the Rimmel Apocolips Lip Lacquer in Aurora and Celestial for highly pigmented glossy lips. They also tend to stain your lips which is perfect as it can prolong the wear time of your selected colour. I'm not much of a lip gloss girl, but if I decide that day I want a lip shade without the commitment of a lipstick, I always reach for my CoverGirl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers in Cranberry Splash (pictured), Caramel Apple Splash, or Watermelon Splash. I find they have a lot of colour pay off, smell amazing, and don't feel too sticky on my lips.

Those are some of my current favourite drugstore items, what are your favourite items at the drugstore?

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Valentine's Day

Friday, February 14, 2014

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

Get Ready With Me videos are some of my favourite YouTube videos to watch, mainly because it's when you get to have a peek into someones daily makeup essentials!

If you follow my Instagram it'll come as no surprise what I used for my base! Although in my last blog post I said I will probably be using the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette, I actually went with the original as I wanted a more brown neutral eye with the pink toned red lip.

Let me know if you like it when I film these types of videos, and please subscribe to my channel! I do always seem to have issues uploading straight from iMovie onto YouTube where my lightening goes really dark and grey, although while editing and reviewing the video it's all nice and bright...I'm not sure what the problem is!

Have a wonderful and safe Valentine's Day everyone! xo


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Valentine's Day Pinks

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

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Dollface & Exposed

Monday, February 10, 2014


 I have spoken endless times about my deep love for these Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blushes in Dollface and Exposed. I first bought Dollface on my birthday trip to NYC in Novemeber, and then decided I loved it so much that I had to buy another. I settled on Exposed in December as these are the more popular shades from this blush line. I definitely plan on purchasing more as I have completely fallen in love!

Dollface is a beautiful pale baby pink shade that really brightens up your appearance and adds some life back if your foundation as made you look a little "flat". Exposed is described as a "nude" but I'd say it definitely has some pinky plum tones to it. This shade is wonderful for days where you want to have more natural makeup and decide to skip the bronzer.

Both of these blushes are so so smooth and very pigmented. They are incredibly finely milled which means that the lightest tap of your blush brush will easily pick up lots of product. I tried doing swatches several times but they just weren't looking as beautiful as the blushes deserved, but I'm 100% positive you will be able to find several swatches throughout the internet!

The packaging for all Tarte products is so darn cute! I love how the packaging for the blushes represents the colour that is inside, makes it very easy to know which blush you're reaching for when sorting through your collection. Also, the pattern in the blush is so pretty!

The blush title does say that it wears for 12 hours, personally I'd say Dollface wore a lot longer on me sitting around 10 hours where Exposed lasted around 8 before it had some fading. Overall though the Amazonian Clay does make the blushes last a long time! I can't say enough good things about these blushers.


Are you lusting after any Tarte blushes?

*ps - the day after writing this post and taking the photos..I went out and bought one more Tarte blush! Unlike anything I own, I will do a post on it soon. 

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Instagram

Saturday, February 8, 2014



Instagram is a very fun and interactive way to share photos with eachother. I created an Instragram account specifically for my blog when I started back in November. Of course because kyrasbeautybag is all about makeup, that is mainly what my profile is about as well!

I'll post photos such as "face of the day" pictures, lipsticks I'm loving, photos from my blog posts, and much more!

Please do follow my Instagram by clicking HERE and pressing follow, or by searching my profile at kyrasbeautybag on your mobile device or whatever you love to browse instagram at!

What is your Instagram?

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My MAC Eyeshadow Palette

Thursday, February 6, 2014

 Top Row L-R: Blanc Type, Vapour, Yogurt, Orb, Naked Lunch
Middle Row: All That Glitters, Wedge, Sable, Mulled Cider, Satin Taupe
Bottom Row: Mystery, Trax, Expensive Pink, Sumptuous Olive, Print


I have been thinking about doing this post for quite some time now, and to be honest in September I even filmed a YouTube video for it and then never uploaded it! I'm not 100% happy with my palette as I don't particularly enjoy the bottom row. Once I have more eyeshadows I will add in the other 15 pan slot that fits into the other side of this MAC Duo Palette and separate the shadows into neutrals and colours. 

I really do love MAC shadows as I find them so blend-able, pigmented, and decently priced! You can have any colour in mind and walk into your local MAC counter or store and I'm sure you will be able to find it! They have a huge shade range with several different finishes to meet your needs. Now onto my collection..

 Blanc Type: My first ever MAC purchase, along with another shadow in this post! This is actually my second pan of this beautiful matte shadow. As you can tell from the swatch above it is a very pale matte beige which is my perfect all over lid & highlight shade. I personally prefer matte highlights and this will forever be my go to!

Vapour: A beige with pink undertone and slight shimmer. This is part of MAC's velvet finishes. Beautiful to apply in the inner corner for a subtle bright eyed effect.

Yogurt: A matte pale pink, perfect for simple eye looks or for girly smokey eye days.

Orb: This satin eyeshadow is a soft peachy beige - that really can awaken your eyes. Can you tell I like my beige shades?!

Naked Lunch: An ever so popular MAC shadow that is a warm peachy pink beige with shimmer added to it. I was so excited to purchase this shade and mine has been a very hard shadow to work with! I'm not sure if I got a faulty one or if all Naked Lunch's (sounds funny!) are like this but mine isn't pigmented at all and it takes a LOT to get good amount of colour pay off. Is mine just a weirdo or has anyone else experienced that?


All That Glitters: A stunning peachy gold veluxe pearl shadow that is incredibly buttery smooth and highly pigmented. One swipe with your brush or finger and you have some beautiful shimmering eyelids! This is a wonderful "one wash" shadow on simple days. On days where I take more time with my eye makeup, one of my favourite combos includes ATG. I will apply Blanc Type all over the lid as a base and a highlight, Vapour on the inner portion of the lid, All That Glitters in the middle to the end of my eyelid, Sable on the outer corner and Wedge run through the crease.

Wedge: MAC describes this shade as a "matte beige taupe", which I would say it is less taupe and more light brown. This is a shade that is constantly being placed in my outer corner or in the crease as the perfect transition shade. It is definitely a must have shadow that every eyeshadow wearer should own! As mentioned I love applying this in the crease, but another very simple way to wear wedge is all over the lid with either Mystery or Mulled Cider (LE) in the outer V. I could probably go on listing ways I love wearing wedge, but maybe I'll save that for another post!

Sable: Oh my word. This is just a beautiful shadow that I have not worn enough since purchasing after Summer! A stunning bronzey golden plum with a lovely frost finish. Don't be scared now when I say frost! Your eyes won't be left looking like a disco ball but simply the perfect amount of shimmer. Looks stunning with bronzes, plums, golds...it really is so flexible! It looks so lovely paired with Trax or Satin Taupe. Another staple shadow I highly recommend. One of my favourite ways to wear it can be found HERE in video form!

Mulled Cider: This is the other shadow I bought during my first ever purchase at MAC. I remember it was in the Warm and Cozy collection, so sadly I do believe it is limited edition. This shadow is a medium to dark brown with *slight* hints of red to it. It has been compared to Swiss Chocolate with more of a satin finish.

Satin Taupe: Another MAC cult favourite! Described as a taupe with silver shimmer is basically spot on! It does have some plum tones to it as well which looks beautiful on brown, green or hazel eyes. A shadow I reach for constantly!


Mystery: A cool grey toned brown that is perfect for any brown smokey eyes or using it even as a liner! I love applying this to my lower lash line, focusing it on the outer half, to define my eyes a little more. As with all MAC shadows it is very smooth and easy to blend. I've heard several Make Up Artist's say that this is an essential in their kit!

Trax: A burgundy plum with gold shimmer that is the perfect addition for a Autumn inspired eye! On neutral eye days this is also what I love to use on my lower lash line to really make my brown eyes pop. Applied with Urban Decay's Half Baked and some lighter highlighting shades and you're set for a stunning evening out make up look.

Expensive Pink: A beautiful mixture of pink/coral/gold with shimmer that is a very unique shadow! I did an entire makeup tutorial HERE using this shadow. Slightly embarrassing video as I had some serious word vomit and just couldn't speak! Which now watching this video back...I think I'll wear this combo for Valentines Day!

Sumptuous Olive: The name says it all! A lovely olive shadow with gold shimmer. One of my favourite ways to wear this shadow is with Benefit Birthday Suit as my base, NARS Cyprus all over the lid, Sumptuous Olive in the outer corner with Wedge in the crease as a transition shade. I found THIS link that Temptalia did showing how multipurpose this shadow is! Do try some out :)

Print: A dark grey almost black shade that I truly hardly ever wear! It is a perfect shade if you're not wanting to go totally black with a smokey eye, I just hardly ever wear dark shadows that this does not receive enough love.

I do own a few more MAC shadows in the traditional pot form, but that's all for my palette!

If you want to see an AMAZING MAC Shadow collection do go see my friend Victoria's collection by clicking HERE

What are your must have MAC eyeshadows?

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Sharing The Love

Monday, February 3, 2014

Sharing The Love posts are some of my favourite ways to put the spotlight on some of my current favourite blogs. It is a wonderful way to let these bloggers know that they're appreciated, loved, and that they are doing a heck of a good job.

Firstly I would like to talk about the lovely Alexandra from The A Style - a fellow Canadian! When I first found Alexandra's beauty blog her lovely layout and beautiful writing really drew me in. I love a blog where it feels like they are really talking to me and we're having a friendly conversation - and Alexandra has definitely done that. I also really love how she will include some lifestyle posts, a wonderful way to connect to the readers. She is so lovely and I definitely recommend giving her blog a look and following her bloglovin' HERE.

The A Style





I wouldn't be able to do this post without including the wonderful Victoria from Victoria Beauty. This British based blogger was one of the first people I was able to interact with when I started my blog in November. She is someone that I have found so easy and enjoyable to chat with and I really trust her beauty and skincare reviews and recommendations. She has such beautiful and simple photography that makes me always want to buy whatever she's talking about. I swear Victoria could talk about a lamp and I'd want to buy it! You can follow her bloglovin' HERE and you won't regret it!

Victoria Beauty


Kelly from Second Hand Spring is one of my more recent finds. I have been constantly reading her blog for a little over a month now and I have completely fallen in love. She has the most wonderful manicures that I am so jealous of, amazing fashion sense with killer heels, and some wonderful DIY's. Kelly has been blogging since 2009 and has her writing down to a T where the reader can really connect with the blogger. She does some amazing weekly favourites that I always look forward too! I'll let you follow her bloglovin' HERE to find out the rest about this wonderful blog that always leaves me waiting for the next post!

SECONDHANDSPRING

Sophie from The Private Life Of A Girl is next up on my blog love list. Can we just focus for a minute about how esthetically pleasing her photography is? With products going form biggest to smallest - oh gosh it makes me happy every time! I love it! Sophie writes about beauty, lifestyle, fashion and skincare mainly. She always has wonderful book recommendations that I make sure to take note of. Her beauty reviews are always so wonderful and I love how she makes her beauty posts almost into written tutorials where I can just visualize how the products are being applied and everything! Please do follow Sophie on bloglovin' HERE and fall in love with her lovely posts.

PRIVATE LIFE OF A GIRL

Just like Victoria, there is one last blogger I couldn't not include. This is the wonderful Brittany from Life, Set Sail. The second I found her blog I instantly fell in love. Such beautiful photography and I really admire her writing styles and just her in general! She writes wonderful beauty reviews that make me instantly want to purchase that item (cue the UD Lipsticks!). I also really admire that her reviews are always straight to the point - something I wish I could do but I'm such a chatterbox! Brittany is so friendly and someone I have really come to trust. When it comes to a MAC question - she's your girl! Her bloglovin' link is HERE and if you ever feel the need for a blog layout change, she's got you covered as she has her own etsy shop!

Life, Set Sail
There are so many more bloggers that I have been loving and reading constantly, if I were to include them all this post would go on for ages! I hope you do look into the blogs mentioned above as they deserve it!

Hope you're all having a wonderful day!

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