Cosmania The Must Beauty Boutique to Visit in Amsterdam

During my amazing stay in wondrous Amsterdam, I was told by my housemate to visit her favourite beauty store Cosmania on a beautiful narrow street called Herenstraat filled with unique boutiques.
Following her advice I biked my way over to the Jordaan District(my favourite) where there is a new generation of occupants: artists, students and young entrepreneurs.

Entering Cosmania you automatically feel a sense of comfort, as you clearly see all the products displayed in a minimalistic and simplistic manner. Brands are separately displayed together on wooden selves with testers on the bottom. The front of the store mostly caters to hair and body products, then as you walk farther into the store it fazes into skin care and makeup. The modern feel of the boutique is accompanied by cool house music playing in the background.

A beautiful detail I love about this boutique is that because it caters to both women and men it has a unisex feel to it, so men, want to pick up something nice for yourself or your lady? Don't hesitate to head on in.

A little bit about Cosmania...

The creators of Cosmania, Marije Hoff and Marcel Dekker call themselves "self-confessed cosmaniacs".  A clearly charismatic team Marije and Marcel have a passion for foreign products, beauty, photography, design and fashion which is clearly displayed in their beautiful boutique.  Having years of big companies under their belt such as L' Oreal, Lancome, Biotherm and Oillily the two decided to embark on their own private cosmetic company that caters to both women and men that have a love for beautiful beauty brands. Starting out as an online store celebrating their 4th year, the boutique in Herenstraat has now been open for a year and a half.

I had the honour of meeting with one of the creators, Marcel. Speaking with Marcel was a pleasure as he told me about his and Marije's background and about combining their passions, fashion with cosmetics. As well as bringing international beauty brands to Dutch consumers with affordable pricing.

Myself with one of the founders Marcel

Cosmania carries beautiful, special and affordable international products that you can mostly only find in Cosmania. I love that their products have quality and integrity keeping with the brand's philosophy. With plans of expanding throughout Holland, Marcel gave me some very good tips about being an entrepreneur. Follow your passion, follow a business plan, REVISE the business plan and most importantly stay consistent!

This is defiantly a must visit store for all beauty lovers....

Here are a few of my favourite products from Cosmania:

Inglot Makeup

Korres Fig Body Butter

John Masters Organics Hair Products

If you are ever in Amsterdam, be sure to visit this wonderful store!

Beauty Monday: 5 Beauty Tools I......

 I actually got tagged on Instagram to to post about 5 Beauty Tools I... and thought this would make the perfect Beauty Monday post. As I haven't posted in a while (tons as happened/changed) so I'm getting back on track! Woohoo! Enjoy!

1. Beauty product I can't live without: Annabelle's Brow Pencil and Benefit's Gimme Brow are two product I can't live without! Brows frame your eye and help shape your face. They can make you look put together when your rushing out of the house or don't feel like doing much with your face that day. Early call times consist of shaping my brows with Annabelle's pencil and filling in with some Gimme Brow! 
2. Makeup item I will splurge on: This is more a beauty tool rather than makeup, I will splurge on brushes and I will splurge a lot. I believe that having the right tools makes all the difference with application, blending & execution. l admit I'm more of a brush addict that product addict, especially when it comes to my kit. 
3. Product(s) I travel with: To things I always toss in my purse & ALWAYS have with me wherever I go is my lip balm & Arbonne's Skin Conditioning Oil. My skin gets very dry during travel so having these two conditioning products for me is a must. Recently, popped into Kielh's and was curious to try  out their lip balm as I was running out. It has a lot of natural oils & vitamins , but the only thing I don't like is that the main ingredient is petrolatum (vaseline), for myself it does the trick but because of the petrolatum I wouldn't purchase it again. Arbonne's Skin Conditioning Oil is great cause it's tiny and goes a long way and doesn't leave your hands greasy but moisturized. Perfect for our dry Canadian winters!
4. Beauty Tool I Can't live without: I probably could but choose not too. After purchasing the Mini Beautyblenders for my kit I got my own. Just makes blending so much easier and faster underneath the eyes. So why not? And it's TINY barely takes up any space in your makeup bag!
5. Beauty product I normally don't buy: Would be bronzer....Seriously I don't, I always use it for my contour but somehow I always end up getting one from someone else or a freebie (YAY!) Also, because I only use it underneath my cheekbones it lasts me FOREVER! I do really like M.A.C's Bronzing Powder because even though it's undertone is orange, the pigmentation isn't as strong so it's real easy to get it looking like a shadow as opposed to an orange streak under your cheeks. *Less is more people*

Belated post

Why have I disappeared from this blog????????????

Because I am currently living in Amsterdam for the month of April, specifically till May 3rd. So before my departure from Toronto I was prepping as well as working pretty much everyday. Maybe had 3 days off for all of the past 4 months. Doing freelance makeup, The Brow House and keeping up with my fitness served me barely any time to blog and get inspired. Along with tax season.....don't get me started about that!

I know that's pretty rad right? So I've been here for a week taking it pretty easy, let's face it as much I love my job(s) I'm a nomads, love to travel and needed to experience new people and new places. So I've done all the touristy things and literally just roamed the city. Can I tell you something, I still haven't experienced mediocre food? Seriously, everything is so good. Not only that I live in the best damn area! Steps from the farmer's market, a walk away from a super cool coffee shop called Coffee and Coconuts (a featured blog on that later) and so close to the city centre you can smell it! (not literally, figuratively) Literally dream location for me! #manifestyourdreamlife

After a week of being here, I'm doing a couple of shoots this weekend, WOOHOO! Super psyched to be working with a talented team. And to be living out one of my many passions of doing makeup & hair.

I've had "me time", traveled, explored. I feel amazing, I even reconnect with a friend I haven't seen in 4 years! It's been amazing so far, I know it's only getting better!

Stay up to do follow my Instagram Nomadic Beauty, as I am always posting, not a an IG fan? That's ok you can follow me on Facebook Founder of Nomadic Beauty Blog and Services!

Sending Love & Hugs! Some awesome blogs coming up soon!
Nomadic Beauty

Beauty Monday: December Favourites

During December I've had some products really stood out! Here they are!

1.  My number ONE is Benefit's High Brow highlighting pencil. Great for highlighting right under your brow for some height as well as in the inner corner of your eyes to brighten up!

My number TWO is Urban Decay's Eye Primer is perfect for your holiday shimmers! Keeps your shadows in place all day & all night! If you feel like going a little bit more natural for a day, this is perfect to apply alone, along with some mascara.

My number THREE is Makeup Forever's Limited Edition Studio Kit, this is a fun one! I love this for the holidays! And you can totally rock these colours for January & February. It comes with some nice natural ones and some really nice fun ones! It even comes with a booklet of which colours to combine for makeup newbies!

These are my top 3 favourites for December! If you'd like to find out about my whole list of December Favourites check out my video here:

 

Fashion Thursdays: Stradivarius Winter Collection 2014

Totally digging the creative direction of this video for the 2014 Winter Collection! You generally don't think of the beach when you hear the word winter. Beautiful contrast by the cozy clothes on the beach paired with laid back music that reminds you of summer.

I'm totally loving the laissez-fair attitude with the hair and makeup. When not having to primp during the holidays we all love to be comfortable & cozy, especially once February rolls around. Right? Although I will admit some of those outfits are meant for warmer European winters, but they're still awesome for this in-between season in Canada between fall & winter! Also great for layering up! Which all Canadians know is the best trick to staying warm!

Take a look at this wonderful video created by Stradivarius :

"Stradivarius presents a nomadic and elegant winter collection with a touch of chic sophistication. A proposal that takes place in a white sand virgin beach and little vegetation that highlights the beauty of simple and refined lines of a young, fresh and trendy collection
One more season the tandem of photographers Bela Adler and Salvador Fresneda immortalize the beauty of the models Tess Hellfeuer and Ymre Stiekema, who repeat as campaign protagonists of a winter season full of white, modern and stylish feminine silhouettes." - Stradivarius

Fashion Thursdays: Classic Knits & Plaid

I just checked out Stradivarius(click on the link to view November's lookbook) and I am totally digging this lookbook for November. A mix of classic knits (MY FAV!) & plaid, which I would have personally never put together. But after skimming through this lookbook I feel like I will venture out into that plaid world! 

 Here are two of my favourite images from the lookbook! I love how the makeup is keeped pretty and simply with some eye contouring & cheek contouring with great brows and lip that just enhances her natural lip colour. Although the November lookbook is a bit more "rough" looking, the makeup balances it out!

Definitely looks like a comfy but fashionable transition into winter!

Nomadic Beauty

Something loveable about Stradivarius

First off, let's start off with how much I love their fashion videos. I love film & I love fashion! Stradivarius's videos give you the best of both worlds with their artistic angles paired with models sporting their latest collection. All this with the music they accompany it with? How could you not love their videos?

So I watch their videos for inspiration...and of course pleasure. But one thing that really inspires me is that include the different countries that their stores are in. Stradivarius was started in Madrid, Spain and is now in 57 countries around the world! They interview fashion bloggers from different countries (not just Spain) & show you cool places as well. 

I love to travel & I love diversity! This is one of many reason I've fallen for this company.

Here are a few examples of their videos.

Fashion Blogger from Berlin

Fashion Blogger from Amsterdam

Photographer & Fashion Blogger from Madrid

Blogger from Poland

Enjoy!

Nomadic Beauty

Wool Jacket...something to keep warm with!

I love that Stradivarious has come out with a REAL wool jacket! Now. I know it's just 40% wool, but seriously this stuff keep you nice & toasty! 

I love this jacket because it's perfect for everyday wear & wraps around you like a blanket with a big hood to protect you from the windy city. Going out later? No problem! Throw on a pair of booties & lipstick you're good to go! You'll be kept warm on your way home.

Perfect for November weather, a good medium between your fall and winter jacket. And too be honest if you layer up, you can probably sport this jacket during some of the warmer winter days. 

This jacket is perfect for that on-the-go girl.

Check them out at http://www.stradivarius.com/es/en/

Nomadic Beauty

Good Girl vs. Bad Girl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q22OAQtEFOQ&index=31&list=UU7mg-R8sonGRbOtLYEsy4EA

What I like in this video is their take on "good girl vs. bad girl" because in truth all of us has a bit of both, ying & yang.

Love that Stradivarious gave the conservative look a bit of edge by mixing textures like knit & leather (my favourite!) and pumping up the makeup to give it an editorial edge.
The texture of the hair was also played around with keeping it in the same style (big waves) but giving them a bit more texture for certain looks.

While wearing something conservative, your makeup & hair can be bad ass and vice virsa. Try it out! Play around with your wardrobe, play with your makeup & play with your hair. What's life without a bit of plaisir???

Travel? Europe? Coffee? Yes, please!

Are you traveling through Europe soon? Love checking out new cool places to hang out? I do! Especially cozy coffee shops where I can get my work done answering emails, writing and designing.

Stradivarius has made a cool video on a few cool takes of coffee shops like; you can go get your laundry done and meet up for brunch with friends. Check out this beautifully shot video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLlD7pCANmo&list=UU7mg-R8sonGRbOtLYEsy4EA