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Happy 2013! And a look back at 2012

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Elaine

Happy 2013 everyone! I hope you had a wonderful New Years Eve whether it was partying all night long, hanging with friends and family or even if you didn’t make it til the countdown to midnight 😉

2012 was HUGE for Toronto Beauty Reviews and it’s all thanks to you – my friends, my family, my readers.

Here are some of my favourite moments of the year 🙂

1. I (finally!) met Kristen Ma of the Pure + Simple:

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Kristen is someone I really admire and we had been tweeting for the longest time so it was great to meet her in person at the launch of her line Holistic Vanity. We have since become friends and it’s been great getting to know the person behind the amazing company.

2. I joined the Blush Pretty team!

I had meant to blog about this big change in my life but when I finally realized that I didn’t do a post it seemed too late LOL!

I met Stephanie at one of her Beauty Boards. Again, Stephanie and I had been chatting on twitter and when we finally met in real life it was like we had known each other forever! We became really great friends and fast forward to the beginning of this year – Stephanie’s business has grown big time and she needed some help! So I stepped in to offering a helping hand. I love seeing Stephanie and the team in action. She is someone I look up to – she’s a great business person, positive, encouraging and motivating. Plus she’s a blast to work with! I CANNOT wait to see what 2013 holds for the fabulous Blush Pretty team!

3. Ashley joined Toronto Beauty Reviews!
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In April I asked Ashley if she would do me a favour and help me review a couple of products. She was so excited and enthusiastic I decided to see if she wanted to be a regular writer for Toronto Beauty Reviews. Thank goodness she said yes and she’s been such a help and a blessing to me and the blog. Thank you Ashley! 
4. I was part of the French Connection Canada Beauty Panel at ANTM Live.
french connection(4)
In May I REALLY stepped out of comfort zone and talked beauty with other beauty bloggers on the French Connection style stage. It was a really great experience even though I was so nervous about doing it. Thank you to all those who provided support in person and via messages – I really, really appreciated it (and needed it)!
4. A fun shopping + DIY event at the Design Her Co Studio.
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The lovely Dara opened up her new studio to me and my friends and readers for an amazing shopping + DIY afternoon! It was so great getting together to learn something and just having a lovely girls afternoon 🙂 I hope to do something like it again soon!
5. I was featured in iVillage.ca!

ivillagebeautyblogger
I felt so honoured to be featured in iVillage.ca’s “8 Canadian Bloggers You Need to Know” article. It’s so flattering to be recognized but also to be among some of favourite beauty bloggers many of whom I’m happy to call friends 🙂
6. Being invited to DesignHer Co on Breakfast Television and meeting Jennifer Valentyne.
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I was so happy for Dara that her amazing studio was being featured on Breakfast Television. It was such an amazing opportunity for her and I was so honoured to be asked to be a part of the day! I was so excited to meet Jennifer Valentyne since I watch the BT crew every morning.

What a great 2012 it’s been! I really hope Toronto Beauty Reviews can continue to grow in 2013. I do have something new and exciting in the works for the New Year! I’m nervous about it so I haven’t told many people but hopefully it will all work out 😉

Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much to everyone who takes the time to read and comment on this little blog of mine. Without you I’d have no motivation to continue. I wish each and every one of you a happy, healthy and successful 2013!

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13 thoughts on “Happy 2013! And a look back at 2012”

  1. Petite Adventures says:
    January 3, 2013 at 7:03 pm

    Congratulations on such a fantastic year! Happy New Year – all the best in 2013!

    Kate xo petite-adventures.blogspot.ca

    Reply
  2. phiphi says:
    January 3, 2013 at 4:59 pm

    what a fantastic year E!! 2013 will be epic for you, i know it!! congratulations on all of these wonderful achievements. i’m so happy to have found your blog!! xox P

    Reply
  3. TOBeautyReviews says:
    January 2, 2013 at 3:05 pm

    Thank you Christa! You had a huge 2012 too! I think 2013 will be big for both of us 😉

    Reply
  4. TOBeautyReviews says:
    January 2, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    LOL I BARELY made it to midnight 😛 Thank you so much Lisa, and let’s hope 2013 will allow us to finally cross paths 🙂

    Reply
  5. TOBeautyReviews says:
    January 2, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    Thanks so much Jessy! Yes 2013 shall be amazing for you as well!

    Reply
  6. TOBeautyReviews says:
    January 2, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    Thank YOU Ash! 🙂

    Reply
  7. TOBeautyReviews says:
    January 2, 2013 at 3:03 pm

    Thank you Sydney! And 2012 was definitely a great one for you and your family 🙂 We came *this close* to meeting this year too LOL! Hopefully one day soon 🙂

    Reply
  8. Christa says:
    January 2, 2013 at 10:59 am

    Congrats on a great 2012! I’m sure 2013 will bring you even more happiness and success! xo

    Reply
  9. Sweet Laundry says:
    January 2, 2013 at 9:47 am

    LOL. I take it you didn’t make it to midnight? I barely made it myself 🙂 What a great year for you and the blog. Congratulations and here’s to a fabulous 2013!

    Reply
  10. Jessy says:
    January 1, 2013 at 11:04 pm

    Looks like you had a fantastic 2012, Elaine. And here’s to even more memorable moments! Happy new year!

    Reply
  11. Ashley McKernan says:
    January 1, 2013 at 8:41 pm

    Thank you, Elaine!

    Reply
  12. Petite LG says:
    January 1, 2013 at 7:23 pm

    Looks like a fab year for you, Elaine =) Happy New Year to you and your family!

    Reply
  13. Tara says:
    January 1, 2013 at 5:28 pm

    Happy New Year Elaine!

    Reply

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Gang’s all here! 👯‍♀️ I truly love the Gang’s all here! 👯‍♀️

I truly love these @milkmakeup Cooling Water Jelly Tints and wear at least one daily on some combo of eyes, lips, and cheeks. The color payoff is 🤯, the longevity is 😍. They’ve got vegan collagen and aloe to plump and soothe skin. 

For an easy, juicy burst of color this summer, grab yours at @sephoracanada! 🌊

(And check out my blog to learn more about why I love multi-use products!) 

#torontobeautyreviews #milkmakeup #easymakeup #cleanbeauty #summerbeauty #sephoraca #jellytint
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See any of your fave spots here? What would your perfect Adventure Day look like? 

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Proud ☺️🌈 And loud, since I have the privi Proud ☺️🌈

And loud, since I have the privilege of being able to live my life openly, unlike so many of my 2SLGBTQIA+ peers. I’m a straight-passing cis white woman, so my queerness doesn’t threaten most people. 

So, with that advantage in mind, let me use this small platform to say to anyone who is listening:

Never forget that Pride started as a riot. 

That Pride is more than slapping a rainbow on something, jacking up the price, and saying “love is love” for four weeks out of the year. 

That true allyship involves action and accountability, 365. 

That trans women, two-spirit individuals, and queer folks of color are the heart and soul of our community. That they continue to show up, to fight, to love, and to lead while facing very real danger. That we owe so much to their courage. 

Never forget that queer folks have always been here. 

That you can’t erase us, ban us, or legislate us out of existence. 

That queerness is a part of nature. 

That it exists even when it’s no longer trendy or politically advantageous. 

That we notice and remember who speaks up and who is silent. 

That we contain multitudes. 

That we deserve safety, compassion, legal protections, love, joy, and a future - just like every other human. 

That not all of us are “out” and don’t need to be; that we will invite you in if and when we choose to, and if and when we feel safe to do so. 

That queer folks make the world better. 

And that, despite seemingly insurmountable odds, we’re going to be ok. 

Because resilience, creativity, collaboration, and resourcefulness are fundamental parts of who we are. 

So we’re not going anywhere. Get on board.

Happy Pride!

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Wearing:
@milkmakeup Hydro Grip Gel Tint in 2
@tower28beauty Swipe concealer in BU + GetSet Powder + OneLiner in Paint My Number
@aboutfacebeauty liquid eye shadow in Take a Trip
@ardellbeauty Bat Those Lashes in Enchantress*
@annabellecosmetics Free Spirit eyeliner* + Master Volume mascara*
#QuoBeauty Rainbow maker 
@makeupbymario MoistureGlow in Rosewood Glow

*gifted 

#torontobeautyreviews #pride2025 #queer  #2slgbtqia #mytbrfave #torontomakeup #tbrcontributors #torontoblogger #canadian
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If you have any questions, ask away! ⬇️

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For now, here’s a snap of my typical minimal makeup look. Takes 5 mins, tops! 🎨

@annabellecosmetics Master Volume mascara + Kohl matte eyeliner in charcoal* 
@tower28beauty Swipe concealer in BU + oneliner in Paint My Number + GetSet translucent powder 
@rarebeauty Flexible Lifting Brow Gel
@milkmakeup Sculpt Stick in Toasted + Cooling Water Jelly Tint in Splash 
@baileynelsonca August glasses 

*gifted products 

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Just some casual, everyday makeup 🙃🔷 Wearin Just some casual, everyday makeup 🙃🔷

Wearing @colourpopcosmetics Ultra Matte lip in Jellies and @annabellecosmetics Free Spirit eyeliner in Black*

*gifted 

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Looking for long-wear eyeshadow with colours that Looking for long-wear eyeshadow with colours that show off every hue of you? Check out @annabellecosmetics new Big Show Multi-Use Eyeshadow Pen! 🎨

✨ Canadian 🇨🇦
✨ Cruelty-free
✨ 12+ hr wear
✨ affordable ($10!!)

#ad #Annabellecosmetics, #AnnabelleUGCTeam #torontobeautyreviews #tbrcontributors #mytbrfave #natapr #canadianmakeup #crueltyfreebeauty #easymakeup
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@wellingtonfleur did an amazing job creating this custom bouquet! (And @adam__malek did an exceptional job picking things out!)
💙🩵🩶 Wearing: @hauslabs Triclone skin te 💙🩵🩶 

Wearing:
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@milkmakeup sculpt stick in Toasted 
@annabellecosmetics kohl eyeliner in black* + Sky Limit mascara*
@tower28beauty GetSet powder + OneLiner in Paint My Number (as blush)
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@lysbeautyofficial bronzer in motivate 
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*gifted products 

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Little pop of color to brighten the grey day 💚🖤

Wearing:
@annabellecosmetics Kohl eyeliner in Balsam Green*+ Sky Limit mascara* + Perfect Fit setting spray*
@colourpopcosmetics Just My Luck palette
@hauslabs Triclone Skin Tech concealer in 03
@milkmakeup sculpt stick in Toasted + cooling water jelly tint in Splash 
@rarebeauty lifting brow gel
@tower28beauty GetSet powder in translucent + Oneliner in Paint My Number 
@kjh.brand Hyper Shine Highlight kit in Lite Pink 

*gifted products 
#mytbrfave #torontobeautyreviews #tbrcontributors #beautyforeveryone #greeneyeshadow #easymakeup #makeupinspo
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6 - 🍝
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18 - 🍕

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Amanda and her team are extraordinary artists (and wonderful humans!) who give your flowers a new life and preserve memories. Every time I walk past this piece on my wall, my heart glows with flashbacks of my wedding day. 

If you have an important event that includes flowers, do yourself a favor and book with Parched to get them preserved. They accept flowers from across Canada, and have worked on blooms marking all occasions of life, from graduations, baby showers, weddings, and memorials. They can even create pendants using flower remnants! 

Bouquet: @coolgreenandshady 
Wedding photographer: @alexa.studios 
Wedding planner: @karinalemkeweddings 
Preservation artists: @parchedfloral 

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This was definitely a unique and fun experience during our vacation. And our skin felt soooooo soft after! 😍

#Beer #torontobeautyreviews #mytbrfave #tbrcontributors #prague #europetrip #tripideas #spaday 

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