Sephora Spring Savings Event 2021 Must-Buys

April 15, 2021 No Comments

Beauty lovers, it’s that time of year! The semi-annual Sephora Savings Event is back with a spectacular spring sale featuring all the hottest—and trendiest!—beauty brands.

Here’s how it works: until Monday, April 19, you can score major discounts – 20% off for Rouge members, 15% off for VIBs, and 10% off for Insiders – using code OMGSPRING. Sephora Collection products are also on their own 30% off sale. 💸

With everything we’ve been through, you definitely deserve a fresh set of skincare, makeup and haircare products. Check out some beauty shelf inspiration below and prep your credit card for a fun shopping spree! (Hint: There are several brand new products from Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez, Too Faced and Canadian-born brand NUDESTIX ready for you to try!)

Music You Need to Hear from 2020 (Exposing My Spotify Wrapped!)

December 31, 2020 No Comments

Music You Need to Hear from 2020 blog post cover

Every December, Spotify signals the end of the year with personalized Wrapped playlists rounding up users’ most-streamed songs. Despite how well you may think you know your own music taste, Spotify’s data doesn’t lie! Surprises are always guaranteed—whether it’s a song you listened to for three days straight early in the year and have since forgot about, or you just didn’t realize how obsessed you were with an artist or album track.

Press play on my official Top Songs of 2020 playlist below, featuring 100 of the year’s best bops from Jessie Ware, Dua Lipa, Tame Impala, Chloe x Halle and more. I’ve loved having this on repeat as I reminisce on the past 12 months of music!

Now, for one of the most anticipated “Best Of” lists of the year, let’s break down the Top Albums of 2020!

My Top 10 Albums of 2020 (according to Spotify)

10. Rina Sawayama, ‘SAWAYAMA’

Most played track: “Comme Des Garçons (Like the Boys)”

9. Jessie Ware, ‘What’s Your Pleasure?’

Most played track: “In Your Eyes”

8. Sam Smith, ‘Love Goes’

Most played track: “Diamonds”

7. Sevdaliza, ‘Shabrang’

Most played tracks: “Darkest Hour,” “Oh My God”

6. Lady Gaga, ‘Chromatica’

Most played tracks: “Rain On Me” (with Ariana Grande), “Sour Candy” (with BLACKPINK)

5. The Weeknd, ‘After Hours’

Most played tracks: “Too Late,” “Blinding Lights,” “Alone Again”

4. Dua Lipa, ‘Future Nostalgia’

Most played tracks: “Levitating” (feat. Madonna and Missy Elliott) [The Blessed Madonna Remix] (Club Future Nostalgia exclusive), “That Kind Of Woman” (Jacques Lu Cont Remix) (Club Future Nostalgia exclusive), “Fever” (feat. Angèle)

3. Selena Gomez, ‘Rare’

Most played tracks: “A Sweeter Place” (feat. Kid Cudi), “Let Me Get Me,” “Look At Her Now,” “People You Know,” “Dance Again”

2. Tame Impala, ‘The Slow Rush’

Most played tracks: “Breathe Deeper,” “One More Year,” “Glimmer,” “It Might Be Time,” “Is It True”

1. Disclosure, ‘ENERGY’

Most played tracks: “Reverie” (feat. Common), “Expressing What Matters,” “Ecstasy,” “Etran” (feat. Etran Finatawa), “Lavender” (feat. Channel Tres), “Get Close,” “Who Knew?” (feat. Mick Jenkins), “Douha (Mali Mali)” (feat. Fatoumata Diawara), “ENERGY”

Despite the music I highlighted each month in my Favourites playlist, here are some statistically-proven takeaways from my 2020 streaming habits:

My most streamed album of the year was 2019’s ‘Bubba’ by Montreal DJ-producer Kaytranada. Evidently, I was very excited to see his live show in the spring (RIP 2020 concert season.)
I was a big fan of dance remixes—anything to lift my spirits during long work days and workouts!
My favourite artists, including The Weeknd, Lady Gaga and Sam Smith, did what had to be done, contributing to the soundtrack of the year. But I was also thrilled to discover new artists like Sevdaliza and Rina Sawayama with fresh sounds and stories and I can’t wait to see what they bring in 2021.

The Best of the Best Albums of 2020

You know a great album as soon as you hear it—when each song flawlessly blends into the next and you want to sing, scream, shout, dance, cry, etc. the whole way through.

As I look back on the incredible bodies of work we were gifted this year, I’d firmly rank ‘After Hours’ (The Weeknd), ‘What’s Your Pleasure?’ (Jessie Ware) and ‘The Slow Rush’ (Tame Impala) as my top 3 albums of 2020. 😍

This year may have been dark, but thanks to so many incredible artists, music was a bright spot for all of us. Can’t wait to start building my 2021 playlist! 🎶

Fashion, Favourites, Playlists

September Favourites

September 30, 2020 No Comments

Farewell summer and hello fall! To kick off this new season, browse through my latest fashion faves, beauty must-haves and playlist additions, plus preview what’s next in my reading pile. There are so many options here for pandemic-approved entertainment!

Fashion

* Leopard Print (and the Jilly Jacket 2.0) *

Jilly Jacket 2.0, Joe Fresh, $89 (currently unavailable online; in stock in select Canadian stores) // SIMILAR: Go-H20 Water-Resistant Narrow-Channel Puffer Jacket in Olive Leopard Print, Old Navy, $60 (sale); VERO MODA Cana Puffer Jacket in Leopard, The Bay, $49.99 (sale)

Leopard print has returned as one of the hottest looks of the season and I’m seeing it pop up in all sorts of styles — jeans, sweaters, cardigans… but nothing is cozier than an oversized, fit-for-fall puffer jacket! Canadian retailer Joe Fresh, with the help of West Coast influencer Jillian Harris, launched the “it” jacket of the season with this trendy, longline leopard print puffer (pictured above), dubbed the Jilly Jacket 2.0. Needless to say, I was in love at first sight — and it was so worth the fight to snag one online! In fact, demand for the jacket broke Joe Fresh’s website, with many customers trying for 7+ hours to get one of the limited quantities available. I’m still hearing reports of restocks at physical stores, so keep an eye out (or check out one of the similar jackets linked above!).

* Masks *

Assorted Styles, Old Navy, 5/$15 (great value!)

In case you’ve missed the headlines, the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is officially underway in many regions, including my home province of Ontario, Canada. To keep everyone safe, face masks will remain the must-have accessory for the fall/winter fashion season. Fortunately, there are now so many cute and comfortable styles that it’s tempting to buy one to match every look in my closet. I’m still a huge fan of Old Navy’s masks, which come in packs of 5 or 10 and are fit for the whole family with designs like tie dye, camo and plaid.

Beauty/Skincare

* Rare Beauty *

Fave products: With Gratitude Dewy Lip Balm in Blessed, Rare Beauty at Sephora, $21; Always An Optimist Illuminating Primer, Rare Beauty at Sephora, $18 (mini) or $34 (full)

Singer, actress and business powerhouse Selena Gomez did not disappoint with her highly-anticipated Rare Beauty line, which received great praise from fans and beauty influencers alike upon its launch earlier this month. I’m looking forward to trying more products from the collection but already love the lip balm, which is highly pigmented and moisturizing (so hard to find!), and the illuminating primer, which masks your pores while giving you a beautiful, lit-from-within glow.

* FAB Pharma BHA Acne Spot Treatment Gel 2% Salicylic Acid | First Aid Beauty *

Sephora, $34

Maskne be gone! This product from First Aid Beauty (a FAB brand, if I do say so myself!) has been a holy grail to stopping breakouts in their tracks, especially around my chin. My skin has always responded well to salicylic acid, so I was super happy to find this. When applying, remember a little goes a long way!

Books

While I catch up on my growing book pile, here are the next two reads on my list!

* My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg with Mary Hartnett and Wendy W. Williams *

Available from Indigo for $24.62 (sale)

Earlier this month, we lost an iconic voice for women’s rights, social justice and a better world following the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a beloved Supreme Court Justice (the second female to hold the title) and co-founder of the Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU. I remember wanting to read this book when it came out in 2018 and have since picked it up to learn more about Ruth’s inspiring upbringing and journey. Rest in power, RBG!

* The Meaning of Mariah Carey by Mariah Carey with Michaela Angela Davis *

Available from Indigo for $25 (sale)

Fresh out on bookshelves, Mariah Carey’s long-awaited memoir is Mariah unfiltered. Mariah goes deep into her childhood and shares behind the scenes secrets about her songs, struggles and survival, giving readers an incredible inside look at one of the industry’s biggest stars. Bonus: the 11-hour Audible audiobook is narrated by Mimi herself, with musical moments weaved in throughout the memoir. This may finally get me on the audiobook train!

Fashion, Favourites, Playlists, Reviews

January Favourites

January 31, 2020 No Comments

New year, new monthly series on the blog! In 2019, I shared my favourite tunes with you each month through groovy, curated playlists. There’s one for every mood and occasion, so I highly (and humbly) recommend you go back and listen to all 12 — your music library will thank me later.

This year, I’ll be highlighting a sampling of all my faves — fashion, beauty, books, music and movies & TV — with monthly Favourites lists. Let’s face it: If I’ve been hooked on a product/show/song for a month, I’m in for the long run. So, get out your Notes app and shopping list — the fun starts now!

Fashion

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Angela McLean ☻ (@angelaaaxo)

* Blanket Scarves *

SIMILAR: Aritzia, $88 // Aritzia, $29.99 (exact from Aldo, $20 sold out)

I have to be honest — I’m not much of a scarf person. I end up getting super hot super fast and they always give me a bump in the back of my hair. But my outlook on scarves quickly changed when I picked up my first blanket scarf. The one pictured above is from Aldo and it’s a BLESSING — no fuzzies shed, I get the right amount of warmth and it’s a super cute accessory. Even on a bitterly cold night, I can wear a short sleeve shirt under my winter jacket, put this scarf on top and I’m in a perfectly warm cocoon. It also becomes an office-appropriate blanket if I keep it draped around my shoulders. Winning all around.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Angela McLean ☻ (@angelaaaxo)

* Statement Booties *

SIMILAR (Buckle Booties): Topshop (The Bay), $190 (exact discontinued)

EXACT (Stud Booties) [NOT PICTURED]: Steve Madden, $129.98 on sale

I’ve written extensively about the power of a good pair of booties. The sound! The added height! I could go on and on. These Topshop buckle boots have been my precious babies for more than a year, so I’ve been devastated seeing them fall apart before my very eyes. 😿 While I look for the perfect replacement, I’m currently breaking in an edgy studded Steve Madden look that is easy to dress up or dress down. I just have to remind myself, no pain, no gain!

New Music Friday, Playlists

Playlist: September finds & faves

September 29, 2018 No Comments

Am I the only one that thinks September is one of the weirdest months? You fall back into a routine at school or work (and I’m a lady who likes routines), reconnect with friends you lost touch with in the summer and get to enjoy the last of the nice weather – all good things! But then things start getting real busy real fast, everyone’s trying to juggle all their responsibilities and, most annoyingly, you may need a jacket and shorts in the same day. (Seriously, this is the reason I get sick every fall.)

What I’m trying to say is that there is a reason this month’s ‘finds & faves’ playlist has several upbeat summer songs in addition to some colder tracks, both in tone and theme.

If you’re new to my blog, every month I share a playlist featuring my top new music finds and older releases that are back on repeat (or I’m just late to the party on discovering!). Clocking in at just under two hours, scroll down for September’s playlist and a few highlighted listens.

1 2 Next »

Skincare

Makeup

Haircare

My Top 10 Albums of 2020 (according to Spotify)

10. Rina Sawayama, ‘SAWAYAMA’

9. Jessie Ware, ‘What’s Your Pleasure?’

8. Sam Smith, ‘Love Goes’

7. Sevdaliza, ‘Shabrang’

6. Lady Gaga, ‘Chromatica’

5. The Weeknd, ‘After Hours’

4. Dua Lipa, ‘Future Nostalgia’

3. Selena Gomez, ‘Rare’

2. Tame Impala, ‘The Slow Rush’

1. Disclosure, ‘ENERGY’

Despite the music I highlighted each month in my Favourites playlist, here are some statistically-proven takeaways from my 2020 streaming habits:

The Best of the Best Albums of 2020

Fashion

* Leopard Print (and the Jilly Jacket 2.0) *

* Masks *

Beauty/Skincare

* Rare Beauty *

* FAB Pharma BHA Acne Spot Treatment Gel 2% Salicylic Acid | First Aid Beauty *

Books

While I catch up on my growing book pile, here are the next two reads on my list!

* My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg with Mary Hartnett and Wendy W. Williams *

* The Meaning of Mariah Carey by Mariah Carey with Michaela Angela Davis *

Fashion

* Blanket Scarves *

* Statement Booties *