Drew Barrymore's New Makeup Line - Flower

December 14, 2012, 1:39 am

≫ Next: Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes

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So Drew Barrymore is launching her own makeup line, which will be featured exclusively at Wal-Mart. Drew doesn't strike me as the average Wal-Mart shopper, but she is a supremely savvy businesswoman. I can't wait to see this in person, I have high hopes that they deliver on the promise of luxury content at mass-appeal prices. (Article at WWD.)

Image from WWD.

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Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes

December 15, 2012, 3:11 pm

≫ Next: Lorac Pro Palette

≪ Previous: Drew Barrymore's New Makeup Line - Flower

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Wow. I was writing this review and checking the usual sites for availability and...it was nowhere to be found. Like, NOWHERE. It had poofed right out of existence. I debated whether it was worth putting this up at all, considering, but it is an excellent palette and seems like one of those sleeper hits that ends being stalked on eBay in a few months. A few extra swatches out there for reference can't hurt, right? (If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you know I had planned on making this review one of three for alternatives to the Urban Decay Naked palette family. Ah well. Best laid plans.)

EDIT: Ah! Just called the Holt Renfrew in Montreal, and they still have it in stock. VICTORY. I know the Sephora in Pointe-Claire still had it as of last week. This is one that requires some in-person retailing if you want to track it down.

The Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes features twelve neutral-ish eyeshadows, half of them matte, the other half with shimmer. This is actually my first experience with Laura Mercier powder eyeshadows, and if it's indicative of the quality, then count me in for checking out future offerings.

I have to say, I really like the exterior packaging. It's fun and sophisticated, and not entirely what I think of when I think Laura Mercier, which tends to evoke more staid associations. Like Bobbi Brown, but more neutral. (I don't know why, since the only other LM item I have reviewed so far was the anything-but-yawn-worthy Caviar Stick.)

The real magic is on the inside however, with a selection of perfectly edited shades to suit most of your everyday needs. This palette isn't flashy, but it is The Little Black Dress of palettes, a passe-partout that will take you from workday to cocktails, dinner out to weekend in-and-about.

And then there is African Violet, which is just a stunner. Lavender, with golden shimmer. Need I say more?

I have heard that LM eyeshadows can have sheerer pigmentation (which is not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself), but I didn't find that was the case with these at all. All the shades applied with good to superb payoff. The shimmer shades are soft and buttery, not too dense, apply and blend very well.

The mattes are smooth and soft, which means they can kick up a bit of powder when you dip your brush in. It's better to go in with a light hand, blend and apply more as needed, or they can drop pigment down where you don't want it.

The wear on these was great: 8-10 hours easily over primer, some fading after 5 hours without primer, but no creasing.

Left side of the palette.

Right side of the palette.

Mix of natural and artificial light. Left to right, the top-row shimmers: Chocolate, African Violet, Sable, Guava, Cameo, Sunlit.

Mix of natural and artificial light. Left to right, the bottom-row mattes: Vanilla Nuts (not sheer, just exactly my skin tone), Plum Smoke, Cafe au Lait, Coffee Ground, Deep Night, Rich Coffee.

Availability: Couldn't find an online source anymore, but it is still available at some Holt Renfrew and Sephora locations. Price is 60$ CAD.

Pros: Exemplary range of neutral-ish shades and finishes, including excellent highlighters and liner options. Great pigmentation, easy to work with and blend. Truly a palette that answers most makeup needs.

Cons: Soft texture and pigmentation can lead to fallout on initial application, so a light hand is encouraged.

(I purchased this item from Sephora.)

Lorac Pro Palette

December 22, 2012, 1:41 pm

≫ Next: theBalm Nude'tude Eyeshadow Palette

≪ Previous: Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes

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Let me start this review by saying that I love Lorac palettes. I mean, LOVE THEM. When I worked at Sephora, I was notorious for trying to convert my co-workers to the wonder that is the Lorac palette - buttery-dense textures, great pigmentation, gorgeous neutrals. I've come to expect a lot from Lorac.

So how does the Pro Palette fare in comparison to the top-notch Snake Charmer and Croc palettes?

Comes with Behind the Scenes eye primer.

For the most part, the Pro Palette comes close to my expectations. I do think it has more in common with the holiday-release palettes rather than the the regular versions, though.

The palette has eight matte shades and eight shimmer shades, with a fair balance of highlight, medium and crease/liner appropriate colours. I think the tones are slightly more warm than cool, though very few that skew heavily in either direction. I think this is generally a very wearable palette that should suit a large number of complexions, and is actually more versatile than the Urban Decay Naked palettes - at least in theory. In practice, a couple of the shades are troublesome enough that they detract a bit from the versatility.

With flash.

Left side of palette.

Right side of palette.

The matte shades are a bit on the thin side, though still soft and pigmented. They actually apply very nicely and easily to the eyelid, but because of that thin texture they can sweep away easily so a light blending hand is advised. The lighter shades (White, Cream, Light Pink) are the ones that are problematic for me, as they come across powdery and need to be blended in order to lose that dry quality. Unfortunately, because of that thin texture, blending tends to sheer them out rather dramatically, making them useless for anything other than an eyebrow highlight.

The shimmer shades have a smoother, denser feel and generally great pigmentation. They have a similar tendency to overblend, so the same care is required. The only problematic shade for me was Champagne, which has glitter that tends to fall down. Gold, Pewter, Garnet and Deep Purple are my favourite shades, with intense payoff.

The wear time was really good. I had no problem with fading or creasing when I wore them over a primer, going through a full 10 hours before removing my makeup. Without primer, I got 7-8 hours before I noticed fading.

Top row, matte shades: White, Cream, Taupe, Lt. Pink, Mauve, Sable, Espresso, Black. Mix of indirect natural and artificial light.

Top row, matte shades: White, Cream, Taupe, Lt. Pink, Mauve, Sable, Espresso, Black. Mix of sunlight and artificial light.

Bottom row, shimmer shades: Nude, Champagne, Gold, Lt. Bronze, Pewter, Garnet, Deep Purple, Slate. Mix of indirect natural and artificial light.

Bottom row, shimmer shades: Nude, Champagne, Gold, Lt. Bronze, Pewter, Garnet, Deep Purple, Slate. Mix of sunlight and artificial light.

Availability: Online from Sephora, for 55$ CAD, and from Beauty.com for 42$ USD.

Pros: Really great range of colours, overall solid pigmentation, long-wearing, super-blendable. Works as either a starter set or as a base neutral palette.

Cons: Thin texture tends toward over-blending, which can both sheer the colour out and create an indistinct, muddied look - best to pat the pigment on and gently blend the edges. A couple of the lighter shades have a powdery texture, and will sheer out a lot.

(I purchased this from Beauty.com.)

theBalm Nude'tude Eyeshadow Palette

December 31, 2012, 7:27 pm

≫ Next: Burberry Spring/Summer 2013

≪ Previous: Lorac Pro Palette

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Can a girl have too many neutrals? Certainly - and with this being the third palette I'm reviewing for my "alternatives to Urban Decay's Naked palettes" series,  I think I may be reaching that saturation point. I'm a little desperate for something hot pink. Or teal. (Bare Minerals Remix collection, I'm eyeballing you.)

But if you are in the market for a neutral palette, the Nude'tude from theBalm is a lovely one to consider.

Much like Lorac, theBalm is one of those brands that seems to squeak by a little under the radar, through absolutely no fault of its own. The formulations are generally excellent, the packaging is super-cute, and the price point is very reasonable for a mid-range brand. (Extra points for being frequently featured on discount sites like Hautelook.)

I have several items from the line, and have been impressed with each one. If there's a stinker lurking about, I have yet to encounter it. While the Nude'tude is not quite as amazing as the three Shady Lady palettes I have, it is more excellent than not.

The packaging is right in line with the brand's tongue-in-cheek, vintage vibe. (If you're not particularly keen on staring at barely covered derrières, it is also available in a "clean" version.) Like the Lorac Pro palette, the packaging is slim and sleek, making this incredibly easy to toss into a purse or weekend bag, and the large mirror is a nice bonus.

With flash.

Left side.

Right side.

The shade range is not quite as varied as that in the Laura Mercier and Lorac palettes (and tends towards the warmer end) but it's more than adequate - four highlighters, four mid-tones, four crease/liner shades. 

The pigmentation and texture is not the same across the board. Sassy, Stubborn, Selfish, Snobby, Sultry, Sophisticated and Seductive have the signature pigmentation and smooth, rich texture that I associate with theBalm eyeshadows. They are soft to the touch, apply with great pay-off, and blend perfectly, without thinning out. They are an absolute dream to work with. (Stubborn on the lid and Sultry in the crease is a perfect no-fuss day look, by the way. Exactly the right balance of shimmer to brighten the eye and depth to add definition.)

Stand-offish is a teeny bit harder to work with. It comes on sheerer, and the shimmer verges on glitter, with some fall-down. 

As for Sexy, Serious, and Sleek - the pigmentation is less intense with these, so if you want to do a strong smoky eye, you will need to build these up. Their texture is drier than that of the other shades, which makes for less intense swatches.

In terms of application, however, the softer payoff and drier texture means that they are in some ways easier to work with, if what you want to do is to add depth to your eye look. They pick up easily on a brush, without excess powder, and they blend well. Smoking out the corner of your eye is as simple as a little wiggle and a couple of small sweeps. (A super intense black is amazing for creating a rich, smoky eye. It can be more bang than you need when all you want to do is take your eye makeup from workday to dinner out.) On their own, however, they tend to look faded and a little dull.

Silly is the one shade that I found actually problematic. Like a lot of matte-with-microglitter type shades, the glitter ended up migrating everywhere. If you're keen on the finish, a sticky base is essential.

Wear time was 8 hours, easy, over primer. Closer to 5-6 on bare eyes, with the lighter shades being the most vulnerable to fading.

Left side: Sassy, Stubborn, Selfish, Snobby, Stand-offish and Sultry. Natural light.

Left side: Sassy, Stubborn, Selfish, Snobby, Stand-offish and Sultry. Sunlight.

Right side: Sophisticated, Sexy, Serious, Seductive, Silly and Sleek. Natural light.

Right side: Sophisticated, Sexy, Serious, Seductive, Silly and Sleek. Sunlight.

Availability: At Nordstrom, currently sold out on theBalm website. Occasionally available from Hautelook. At some select Jean Coutu locations in Quebec. Price is 36$ USD.

Pros: Good range of light to dark shades, preponderance of superb textures, very easy to use, comparably inexpensive and a great value.

Cons: Skews to the warm end of the spectrum, the darker shades require building up for intensity, can look faded and dull when used on their own. A couple of the shades have glitter fall out.

(I purchased this item from Hautelook.)

Burberry Spring/Summer 2013

January 1, 2013, 8:10 am

≫ Next: Kat Von D Star-Crossed and Starstruck Palettes

≪ Previous: theBalm Nude'tude Eyeshadow Palette

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I'm a relative late-comer to Burberry Beauty, as my first items from the brand were acquired this Fall. I was so impressed, however, that I've been avidly awaiting their new releases for the Spring season. From these initial press pictures, I am thrilled with what's coming!

Picture courtesy of Burberry/Clarins Fragrance Group.

I especially appreciate that several of the items featured will be permanent additions to the line-up.

Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow in Gold Pearl no.26. 

Price 33$ CAD.

Burberry Light Glow in Coral Pink No.09 and Hydrangea Pink No.10. 

Price is 54$ CAD each.

Burberry Lip Glow in Mallow Pink No.19, Pink Sweet Pea No.20, Fondant Pink No.21, and Coral No.22. 

Price is 35$ CAD each.

      

    

In Canada, this collection will be exclusive to the Holt Renfrew locations in Vancouver and Toronto.

So what do you guys think? I currently don't own any Burberry lip glosses, so Fondant Pink and Pink Sweet Pea are first on my list. AND THOSE BLUSHES. Oh yes.

(All pictures courtesy of Burberry. NOTE: My original copy had mixed up Pink Sweet Pea and Fondant Pink.)

Kat Von D Star-Crossed and Starstruck Palettes

January 11, 2013, 1:43 pm

≫ Next: Resolutions and Best of 2012 Look Back

≪ Previous: Burberry Spring/Summer 2013

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Yeah. So I'm not going to go into my whole love the brand/hate the brand ambassador thing. KVD has some pretty awesome stuff in their line-up and it's no longer an argument I can have with myself as to whether I'll suck it up for this one last palette (ha!) or not.

That said, what is the deal with their palettes winding up in the Sale section of Sephora within milliseconds of debuting? I get that it's a co-brand, and the Sephora stuff is usually what defaults to Sale once the season is passed (as opposed to luxury brands, which take back the items from previous collections to offload in mysterious and geographically inconvenient - for most people - warehouse sales). And hey, it's always nice to pick up a sweet deal. I'm just annoyed that I keep getting these at full price, taking my time testing and reviewing them, and then seeing them marked-down and sold out a few weeks later. What the - !!

ANYWAYS.

For you, a review. It may or may not be useful, since these palettes are no longer on Sephora.com (though they likely still have them in-store, if the Fairview location is any indication).

These two lovelies are the the Star-Crossed and Starstruck Palettes:

Star-Crossed at the top, Starstruck on the bottom.

Star-Crossed at the top, Starstruck on the bottom.

After watching two seasons of Ink Master, I have to say that I do appreciate the artwork on the packaging a little more. Not everyone's cup, but then again, neither are tattoos. (I want a big back piece.  I am SO not a tattoo person, but after seeing how intricate and beautiful a tattoo can be when done by a true artist, I am very much taken by the idea of wearing a permanent Art Nouveau "painting".)

Star-Crossed on the left, Starstruck on the right.

These are obviously not all-purpose palettes, with a highlight/medium tone/crease sort of combination of shades. Rather, each one is a play on a theme - a cool, mysterious haze, or a burst of burnished light.

Star-Crossed.

Hyperballad, Scandinavian, Oceansize, Ville.

Hyberballad and Scandinavian are a gorgeous shimmery silver-grey and metallic taupe, respectively. They have the signature KVD texture - soft and dense, with easy payoff. Not the most inventive shades, however.

Oceansize is a sea blue, not quite teal or aqua, with teeny silver glitter dust.

Ville has a less melting texture than the other three, feeling a touch drier and thinner when pressed, but still incredibly pigmented for a purple.

Starstruck.

Fallen, Unrequited, Pagan Poetry, Hermit.

Fallen and Unrequited are like many metallic bronze shades - very pigmented, smooth like whipped butter, feeling more like a cream than a powder. They are also very similar to each other. I do wish KVD had opted for a deeper brown for Pagan Poetry. They are also, of course, incredibly dupable.

Unrequited is a brilliant yellow-gold with a crumblier texture, rolling up into bits during application. A difficult colour to use except as an accent.

Hermit is gorgeous metallic wine-red. Like Ville, it had a less creamy texture but is completely wonderful in both application and payoff. By far the standout shade in this palette.

Wear on these is about average for me - 4-5 hours without a primer for some fading, stretched to 7-8 hours with primer. Like several KVD shadows, they show a slight tendency to fall down a bit as the day goes on, but not to a degree that I wouldn't wear them.


Availability: In-store-only if you're shopping at Sephora, but they are also available via Amazon.com at full price, or more. They were 20$ USD/24$ CAD originally, but 17$ CAD on sale.

Pros: Gorgeous texture on all but one shade, strong colour-theme, excellent purple and red in each palette.

Cons: The neutral shades are more dupable, and Unrequited has a choppy texture.

(I purchased these items at Sephora.)

Resolutions and Best of 2012 Look Back

January 16, 2013, 11:55 am

≫ Next: Look Back at 2012: Best Blockbuster Palette - Smashbox Studio Pop Ultimate Palette

≪ Previous: Kat Von D Star-Crossed and Starstruck Palettes

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I've been procrastinating a tad on the resolutions thing. I do have a good excuse - retail hell. As some of you know, my "day" job is as a visual merchandiser. The hours are a bitch at the best of times, but in November-December, they are particularly heinous. Exhausted doesn't begin to cover how I felt at the end of last month. Suffice it to say I spent my New Year's Eve on the couch, napping. I was holding out until my week off to get back on top of things: cleaning the house, finishing up the last of the renovations, getting through the backlog of picture editing and post writing, and, of course, planning for how to do it all better this year.

I have some general organizational resolutions for my home and work, but as to the ones that pertain to this endeavour, they are as follows: 

1) Post more regularly. I've been averaging about one post a week, and my goal is to bring it to three a week. At the same time, I would like to upload one or two youtube videos a week.

2) Spend less per month on beauty items. I went way over budget in 2012, partly due to my own magpie inclinations, but also because I wanted to provide a lot of content for this blog. In reality, I didn't even get a chance to write about half the items I purchased (see resolution 1). I'm keeping a little notebook account of all the beauty items I buy, and I'm not allowing myself to exceed more than a certain amount per month (with May having triple the limit due to The Makeup Show). If I don't reach the limit in one month, I am allowing myself to carry it over into the next month.

3) Take more chances with different types of posts. At this point I'm fairly comfortable with the review format I have worked out, but I would like to expand and experiment this year.

Nothing too crazy, and that's the key to keeping to resolutions. Otherwise, it's setting yourself up for failure.

One of the types of post I'd like to do is a Look Back at 2012 series. Sort of like the Best of the Year posts that everyone has done (some absolutely brilliantly), but with one item or theme per post. Part of the appeal for me about this kind of series is that it will afford me the opportunity to discuss some items I didn't have a chance to write about at the time. Also, sometimes a product doesn't strike you as being particularly amazing until you have the clarity of time and greater context.

I hope that my plans for 2013 will add some fun and value to your lives, and I look forward to spending some more time with y'all!

Look Back at 2012: Best Blockbuster Palette - Smashbox Studio Pop Ultimate Palette

January 17, 2013, 8:05 pm

≫ Next: Tarte Achiote Color Collection

≪ Previous: Resolutions and Best of 2012 Look Back

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I have an obsession with palettes. (If you've seen my makeup collection video, this is old news.)

My former co-workers teased me anytime a new release made its way from the backroom to the floor displays (I was sure to have squirrelled one away under Staff Holds by then). Even my Estée Lauder and Chanel Sales Associates know me for it, excitedly whipping out the newest offering from their lines as soon as they see me coming.

I'm a sucker for palettes, but I hold them to a high standard. The smaller ones have an easier time of it, since a concise theme or superlative design can trump versatility and price. With the big "blockbuster" palettes, on the other hand, I expect the whole package: a full range of neutrals and gorgeous pops of colour, a compact and practical, if not beautiful, design, and a price that makes it a value too good to pass up.

The Smashbox Studio Pop Ultimate Palette is the Muhammad Ali of blockbuster palettes for 2012 - the one, the only. It was actually the very last one I acquired and tested in that year, and man, what a way to finish!

The eyeshadows look like they were placed a little cockeyed in the palette. When I inquired whether this was a common occurrence or just a one-off with mine, the folks at Smashbox assured me that it was an odd incidence and they very kindly offered to send me a new palette. I declined, since it doesn't in any way affect the quality of the shadows themselves. I plan on depotting the whole anyway, even though the packaging is very streamlined and practical considering the amount of product it contains.

Fancy tutorial cards.

Yeah. See all that in there? That's for 59$ USD (or about 70$ CAD). That's 45 eyeshadows, 6 blushes, 9 eyeliners and 6 glosses. Plus a mirror, some brushes and fancy tutorial cards (in French and English, no less!).

Even if you got it for just the eyeshadows, that's less than two dollars per shade. Which. Is. A. STEAL.

These aren't the watered-down version, as tends to be the case with blockbuster palettes. The quality of the eyeshadows ranged from good to excellent. All of the shades were pigmented, with the metallic and shimmer shades having intense payoff and a very dense, incredibly creamy texture. The matte shades were soft, silky, with a slightly drier feel and great payoff. The very darkest matte shades had okay payoff but kicked up some powder on application that called for a lighter hand and more careful blending. Overall most of the shades applied well to the skin, without turning muddy. The shades with micro glitter did have some sparkly fallout, but the glitter actually showed up well on the lid, compared to many shades of this kind that look amazing in the pan only to go pfft! when applied.

row 1: Champagne, Naked, Birch, Platinum, Cream

row 2: Peacock, Crisp, Suede, Fig, Ambient

row 3: Sumatra, Doe, Obsidian, Rapture, Sienna

row 4: Sand, Frost, Nectar, Breeze, Snow

row 5: Fawn, Framboise, Cinnamon Toast, Lavender, Cement

row 6: Spruce, Aubergine, Roast, Orchid, Harbor

row 7: Pastel, Opal, Fizz, Bliss, Oyster

row 8: Anchor, Drizzle, Take Two, Camel, Carnation

Ultramarine, Velvet, Blacktop, Pacific, ASAP

The bronzer and blush shades are fantastic - soft, smooth, nicely pigmented and super easy to blend and diffuse. The Soft Lights are more glittery (versus shimmery) than their "regular" versions in the full line, so I would recommend using a lighter hand than usual. These shades would best suit light-to-medium skin.

Sunkissed Matte Bronzer, Petunia Blush, Passion Blush

Prism Soft Lights, Warm Apricot Blush, Lens Soft Lights

(The set also comes with two brushes, which are not particularly noteworthy, though they are usable as lip brushes or to push eyeliner into the lashes. I used one to draw the eyeliner swatches.)

The cream eyeliners are not my favorite. They are nicely pigmented, and feature some really beautiful colors, but they tend to smudge throughout the day on me. However, they can be set by applying any of the myriad eyeshadows, so they remain a usable part of the palette, just not an item I would reach for on an individual basis. (I am a MUCH bigger fan of their Waterproof Shadow Liners, which stay on forever.)

Smoke, Gilt, Deep Purple, Taupe, Midnight Brown, Picasso, Fortune, Caviar, Ivy.

Still with me? Wait, THERE'S MORE.

Lipglosses. Non-waxy, hydrating, comfortable lip glosses. Light to medium in terms of coverage, though both Pomegranate and Bella can be built up to rich stains. They leave a nice, natural colour on the lips without an overly glossy finish.

Freeze, Pomegranate, Tea Rose, Lily, Bella, Gumdrop

Guys, this is a SERIOUS palette. It'll cover your workday, evening and weekend needs, and then some. Add in your base/concealer, mascara and maybe a lipliner, and you are good to go. I'm not surprised this is sold out pretty much everywhere (Sephora, Nordstrom, Ulta), but if you happen to stumble upon it at a physical location (I spied an errant box or two at my local Pharmaprix), pounce, I tell you. POUNCE.

If, on the other hand, you are living in a sadly Studio Pop-free world, or this is more product than you need, I suggest taking a look at the Studio Pop Eye Palette - a svelter version without any of the face or lip accoutrements.

So what about you? What stands out in your mind as the blockbuster palette of 2012?

(I purchased this item from Smashbox.com.)

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Tarte Achiote Color Collection

January 18, 2013, 2:28 pm

≫ Next: Blush Comparison: Tarte Achiote, Estée Lauder Wild Sunset, Nars Amour, Korres Peach, MAC Merrily

≪ Previous: Look Back at 2012: Best Blockbuster Palette - Smashbox Studio Pop Ultimate Palette

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Tarte had some absolutely amazing gifts sets out for the holiday season - most of which sold out in a blink. Thankfully, the Achiote Color Collection is still available, both on the Tarte website, and at Sephora.

Left to right: Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss, LipSurgence Lip Luster, Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush

Left to right: Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss, LipSurgence Lip Luster, Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush

How pretty is that? The pink and florals make me think of Spring. (And sitting here in the horrible, horrible minus 20 degree cold, I'll take any sign of Spring and clutch to it with the desperation of a drowning man.)

The magic ingredient in this set is a pigment derived from the seeds of the Achiote tree native to Brazil. I don't know what colour these natural pigments are, but as interpreted by Tarte, Achiote is a an absolutely gorgeous, deep coral pink that is exclusive to this set. Put that together with the top-notch Amazonian Clay blush formula and I was sold.

For a coral-lover like me, it takes a lot to be knocked back. I have enough coral blushes to stack up to my hip, but I was hard-pressed to find one that matched this beauty on all counts: colour, texture, and wear.

It has just enough pink to avoid leaning too orange on me, and the slightest sheen to have this natural dimension on the skin. It is INSANELY pigmented, yet sheers out to nothing but a whisper when used with a fluffy brush. And no matter how much you layer on, the super-fine texture keep it from ever looking caked-on or powdery. (Which is the signature Amazonina Clay formula.)

I would have gotten this set for the blush alone, but the lip products are lovely as well. The LipSurgence Lip Luster is at the top, the Maracuja Lip Gloss is at the bottom.

  

LipSurgence Natural Lip Luster

Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss

The Lip Luster is great - a nice, slightly shimmery warm pink that deepens my natural lip colour and feels nicely hydrating. With its glossier texture, it won't make it past a meal, but it's so easy to apply that this is hardly a bother.

The Maracuja Lip Gloss is more sheer, adding the smallest hint of pink and shine to my relatively pigmented lips. If you've ever tried the Stila Lip Glazes, this will feel very similar - sticky, but lighter. Though the colour payoff is minimal, this gloss does wear longer than the average. It is also scented with mint, which I enjoy. (Hey, combine that with a breath mint, and you can almost feel smoochable after a pasta supper.) I'm also not sure if this is due to the mint oil, but I feel like this did have a slight plumping effect on my lips, so...bonus?

Availability:  42$ USD on the Tarte website, and 54$ CAD at Sephora.

Pros: The blush is amazing - stunning color, incredible and workable payoff, long-wear, faultless texture. The Lip Luster is a no-fuss, flattering shade that hydrates as it wears.

Cons: The sticky texture and ultra-sheer colour of the Maracuja Lip Gloss may not be everyone's pleasure.

(I purchased this item from the Tarte website.)

Blush Comparison: Tarte Achiote, Estée Lauder Wild Sunset, Nars Amour, Korres Peach, MAC Merrily

January 19, 2013, 11:17 am

≫ Next: This week on Instagram...

≪ Previous: Tarte Achiote Color Collection

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As I mentioned in my Resolutions post, I'd like to expand on the review format I've become comfortable with over this past year. Inspired by Blooming Beauty's fantastic dupe/comparison swatches, I'm going to try to do more of those to go along with the reviews. Part of it is to be helpful to you guys (hopefully!) and the other part ties in with my other resolution, to keep myself more accountable to my budget. I feel like I probably have many (MANY) similar shades in my collection, and doing comparison swatches will possibly shame me into buying less redundant items.

Or possibly I will just pull a Pisces and get distracted by all the pretty colours and it will accomplish absolutely nothing whatsoever. Eh. Worth a try, right? 

Let's start with yesterday's Tarte Achiote Blush. I pulled out the shades from my collection that looked like they might be the closest, including two relatively new ones that will have forthcoming reviews. It was actually a little harder than anticipated to find good matches, since most of the coral blushes I own are lighter in tone.

Clockwise from top left: Tarte Achiote, Estée Lauder Wild Sunset, Korres Peach, MAC Merrily, Nars Amour

Left to right:MAC Merrily, Nars Amour, Tarte Achiote, Estée Lauder Wild Sunset, Korres Peach. Indirect natural light.

Left to right:MAC Merrily, Nars Amour, Tarte Achiote, Estée Lauder Wild Sunset, Korres Peach. Direct sunlight.

The closest match is probably the Nars Amour, which is just a touch deeper and leans ever so slightly to a muted rose. The finish is about equally matte, though the texture is less finely-milled.

The second closest is the Estée Lauder Wild Sunset, which is basically the same base colour, but with a slight golden shimmer, more visible in the sunlit swatch. It also has a softer, creamier texture.

MAC's Merrily (discontinued) is darker and more red-based, with golden shimmer. It is equally, if not more, pigmented, with that soft but dry texture characteristic of mineralized blushes.

Korres Peach looks similar enough in the pan, but it is applies with a lighter, pinker hue and a much stronger shimmer. The texture is very creamy, soft and densely packed.

So it looks like there are a couple of similar options if for some reason you have a hard time acquiring Achiote blush, though none of them have a really comparable texture or wear.

I hope this sort of post is helpful - let me know if you'd like more!

(All items were purchased by me.)

This week on Instagram...

January 19, 2013, 9:11 pm

≫ Next: Becca Radiant Skin Foundation and Shimmering Skin Perfector

≪ Previous: Blush Comparison: Tarte Achiote, Estée Lauder Wild Sunset, Nars Amour, Korres Peach, MAC Merrily

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It took me a while, but I've succumbed to the lure of Instagram. It's the filters. I blame the filters, and their soft-focus magic. I wish my actual life was half as pretty as the pictures purport it to be. (Note: If you follow me there, this post may be somewhat redundant.) 

This week has been a strange one, mostly focused on nesting activities, for lack of a better word. We acquired a new carpet, new curtains and a new coffee table, which spurred a frenzy of organizing and house styling. Or maybe a vacation from work left my merchandising muscles feeling underused? Either way, I ended up re-doing all my bookcases, including this one - which is where some select crockery and keep-worthy home decorating magazines now reside.

Speaking of crockery, I picked up these little gems at Home Sense. (The one near me is newly opened, and NO ONE goes there. Seriously, the week before Christmas, there may have been five people in the store at any given time. Which means you can actually find cool stuff without having to body-check the lady shopping next to you.)

I also felt compelled to give my bathroom a boost, to distract from the unfinished state (i.e.: the walls sadly in need of fresh paint, and the mirror that is still propped up on the wall after the old one abruptly - and alarmingly - fell off and crashed into a jillion pieces).

Of course,  I did have to work in some beauty-related organizing. I've mostly finished re-doing my vanity and beauty storage, and will be re-filming my collection video soon. (I've already posted pictures of some of the drawers. Let me know if you want a detailed pictorial on the blog to go along with the new video.) This is a quick look at the vanity.

And since one can never have enough storage, I pressed upon the kindness of my darling hubby to build me a second nail polish rack. And voila! A little wall of OPI.

So that's been my week. How was yours?

Becca Radiant Skin Foundation and Shimmering Skin Perfector

January 21, 2013, 3:23 pm

≫ Next: Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow - Trench and Midnight Brown

≪ Previous: This week on Instagram...

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I first encountered Becca as a brand at The Makeup Show a couple of years ago. The line had immediate appeal - a natural but polished aesthetic, focus on healthy, glowing skin and some of the sweetest people manning both the booth and the company. My budget at the time didn't stretch beyond a small sampling of their wares (a lipgloss), but I walked away with the the intention of getting some more items as soon as I could.

"As soon as I could" stretched until fairly recently, unfortunately. I heard that their UK distribution was closing down, and I thought that was a shame, as this is a brand that deserves more attention. Not everything they do is perfection (it seems like their eyeshadows have been hit-and-miss from what I've read) but they do excel at face products, which is what I splurged on when I placed my order. I ordered the Radiant Skin Satin-Finish Foundation in Buff, the Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal (and received a sample of the same in Topaz), and a couple of their renowned Beach Tints (which will be reviewed separately).

Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation in Buff

I originally planned on purchasing the Luminous Skin Foundation, which is what they are famous for, but it has the coverage level of a tinted moisturizer, which I wasn't really feeling at the time. Radiant Skin purports to have "medium buildable coverage" and a "lightweight radiant finish", which all sounded aces to me.

Picking out a foundation colour online is always a delight, but Becca did make it easy with good descriptions and swatches on the Sephora site, and a foundation finder on their own site. I went with Buff, which is just a touch too yellow-toned for me (more so in the swatch below than when actually applied) but otherwise very workable.

Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation in Buff

Part of what makes it workable is that this is not exactly a medium coverage foundation. I would say light at one coat, medium at two. You can build it without it looking cakey, but you need to do so carefully. I found I had the best results with a flat-type foundation brush, particularly the Contour Brush from Glamcor, which maximizes the coverage without leaving behind any streaking. When I used my favourite buffing brushes, the foundation picked up too much on skin texture and had a hard time applying smoothy.

The finish is interesting - it does indeed possess a radiant glow, yet unlike many satin-finish foundations, I found it dries very quickly and almost matte at first. It needs about thirty minutes to settle into the skin to achieve that luminosity, and continues looking more and more like skin as the day progressed. It doesn't settle into pores or move around, though for that first half hour it does pick up surface dryness. It lasts relatively well, with some breakdown around the corners of my nose at the 7-8 hour mark. (For what it's worth, my skin at the moment is combo/normal to dry, with visible pores on and around my nose.)

Overall, it actually reminded of the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation.

Now as for the Shimmering Skin Perfector - well, this is the be-all-end-all product in their range, to hear it told. It has achieved a certain cult status thanks in part to the exposure it received on the Pixiwoo YouTube channel. And after testing it, I have to agree with the accolades.

Large bottle: Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal Small tube: Shimmering Skin Perfector in Topaz

I debated between Pearl (which is more white-based) and Opal (which has a golden-peach hue) and opted for the latter because I tend to favour warming highlights. And it is beautiful. While it appears alarmingly opaque when first pumped out, it sheers out to the perfect shimmer, reflective and dewy, not sparkly. The peachy undertone isn't perceptible on my skin, it just allows the shimmer to blend in without looking stark.

It can be used straight to add a more focused shimmer, or it can be mixed into a foundation to add all-over glow. I would be very light-handed with the latter, because while this is a very refined shimmer, it does still pack a punch. You may end looking a little more Studio 54 than planned.

I didn't have a chance to wear Topaz, so I can't comment on it, though I imagine it would look fantastic on deeper skin tones than mine.

One caveat I have is that the pump bottle is sleek and elegant, but it pumps out more product than you probably need at one time. I also don't see the point of having an SPF in something that tends to be used in spots rather than all over.

Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal

Shimmering Skin Perfector in Topaz

And in keeping with my New Year's Resolutions, I wanted to add something to the review format. Instead of just swatches, a quick before-and-after application.



I kept this makeup very simple, mostly to demonstrate the two products reviewed.

Embryolisse Lait-Creme used as a moisturizer/primer.

I applied and blended the Radiant Skin Foundation with a Glamcor Contour Brush (which is best for achieving stronger coverage without the "stroke" marks of a tradition flat foundation brush), going over some areas with a dab more. I went without concealer to show the level of coverage. I did not apply powder so you can see the dewy finish.

For the blush, I used a Real Techniques Contour Brush to apply Becca Beach Tint in Watermelon (and applied the same to my lips using my pinkie). I applied the Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal to my browbone and the tops of my cheekbones with the Real Techniques Setting Brush.

For my eyes, I applied Burberry Trench all over the lid as a base using a MAC 239, and Burberry Midnight Brown very softly through my crease using an Inglot 6SS Crease Brush, and under my lower lash line using the MAC 239. For lashes, I used one coat of the Buxom Lash Mascara.

And for fun, the look under an Instagram filter, feeling all Monica Vitti.

Availability: The Radiant Skin Foundation is priced at 42$ USD on www.beccacosmetics.com, and 51$ CAD at www.sephora.com. The Shimmering Skin Perfector is 41$ USD and 50$ CAD at those same sites.

Pros: Radiant Skin is dewy, light-feeling, ideal for skin that doesn't need a ton of coverage but needs some extra luminosity. Shimmering Skin Perfector is concentrated glow in a bottle, sheerable to the most natural, healthy-skin effect.

Cons: The foundation does take a bit of time to settle, during which time it can pick up on dry texture. It is more light than medium in initial coverage, has to be built up with care. The only downside to the Perfector is the over-generous pump.

What do you guys think? Have you tried any Becca products? Are you, like me, hoping they continue to be a presence on the beauty scene?

(I purchased these items from the Becca website.)

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow - Trench and Midnight Brown

January 22, 2013, 4:43 pm

≫ Next: Marcelle BB Cream

≪ Previous: Becca Radiant Skin Foundation and Shimmering Skin Perfector

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Burberry!!

This post goes back a ways, as I purchased these back in October during my NYC trip. I've since acquired a few more during the Clarins warehouse sale, but these are indeed the ones That Started It All.

Behold, Burberry Sheer Eyeshadows in Trench and Midnight Brown:

You have to enjoy a brand that takes "high-end" seriously. I really dislike paying premium dollar for plastic, flimsy packaging, and there's no worry of that here - everything from the sturdy card stock used for the outer box, to the classic burberry check used on both the velvet sleeve and the heavy, metallic flip-top pan announces luxury in hushed, refined tones.

Sheer Eyeshadow in Midnight Brown.

Midnight Brown is a neutral medium brown with shimmer, the kind that can be used lightly as a wash, intensified for crease work, and smudged into the lashine for sophisticated definition. You no doubt have this shade somewhere in your stash - it IS a basic. But it's basic done exactly right.

Despite the name, there is nothing sheer about this shadow. It is beautifully pigmented, soft and rich in texture. It does kick up when you dip your brush in, so be gentle, but this applies super-smoothly and blends like a dream. Wear time is good, some fading after 6 hours without a primer, a workday and beyond with a primer.

Sheer Eyeshadow in Trench.

Trench is almost exactly the same shade as my NC 20-25 skin. On deeper skin, this would make a perfect browbone shade. On me, it's ideal as an all-over eyelid shade, neutralizing redness and darkness and subtly brightening the area.

It is a matte, but has the very slightest sheen to it to keep it from looking flat. It has a soft texture, not a hint of powderiness and goes on lighter and sheerer than Midnight Brown. It blends as well as Midnight Brown, though it can sheer out too easily. Again, not a unique shade, but one done right.

As you can see from the swatches, these guys make a good team, and indeed it's the combo I had on my eyes in the previous post.

Availability: At Nordstrom,  Burberry.ca and Holt Renfrew locations in Toronto and Vancouver. Price is 29$ USD and 30$ CAD.

Pros: Gorgeous, hefty packaging, lovely pigmentation, very blendable texture.

Cons: Trench can blend away to nothing, requiring care in application.

(I purchased these from Nordstrom.)

Marcelle BB Cream

January 23, 2013, 5:35 pm

≫ Next: Burberry Lip Cover Soft Satin Lipstick - Antique Rose and Rosewood

≪ Previous: Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow - Trench and Midnight Brown

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Bb creams. We've all heard the criticism by now: the Western versions are but sad bastardizations of the Asian original, and not worth the hoopla. Fair point, and I do think it odd to use the same name for something that is qualitatively different. The thing is, it's only smart to adapt a product to the target market, and I don't know how well the "real" deal would play to a demographic that demands invisible finish and a range of perfect skintone options. Somehow I don't see a product with a generally thick texture and extremely limited shade options being terribly successful.

That said, I've been disappointed by BB creams that are really nothing more than repackaged tinted moisturizers. Not that those are bad products in and of themselves, just that with the immediate buzz a new product garners, I which more brands would try their hand at creating something truly new and unique.

Like Marcelle did, with their Beauty Balm.

Not the usual background, because it's hella difficult to photograph white on white.

This is not a lightweight foundation, or a tinted moisturizer. It's a...tinted primer? Sort of? Make-your-skin-better cream thingie? I'm not entirely sure how to describe it, though I suppose the "skin enhancer" Marcelle calls it is spot-on.

In shade Light to Medium.

This will not cover a lot of skin sins - some redness, mild pigmentation, but not significant discolouration. What it will do is something akin to light photoshop blurring. Light will hit your face and bounce drunkenly away, diffusing those imperfections in its path. This only comes in three shades so far, but due to the sheerness, it should match up unless you fall into the very pale and deep range. (I'm perfect with the Light to Medium shade.)

The texture is creamy but lightweight, with a liquidy but slippy silicone feel. It applies best when massaged into the skin with your hands, not so much with brushes. Unlike a lot of other BB creams on the market, this doesn't feel greasy or moist at all - it dries quickly to a nearly matte finish that still allows for some natural radiance. It can be layered lightly for some extra coverage, but I wouldn't overdo it or it can start looking patchy.

It does appear to have some primer-like qualities, and if you wish you can layer on your foundation overtop. I found the best combination was actually with a powder foundation, like MAC Skinfinish or Cargo Blu-Ray.

Below is a before and after comparison on freshly washed and moisturized skin.

  

And on a different day, in different lighting.

The after picture is just the Marcelle BB on the skin, with the Guerlain Turandot palette, Lancome Definicils mascara and Tarte SmolderEyes in Gunmetal used on the eyes, and Burberry Antique Rose on the lips.

Overall, I like this for my no-fuss days.

And of course, the Instagram version. ;)

Availaibility: At Jean Coutu and Pharmaprix locations, as well as the Marcelle website (which does ship to the US). Price is 22.95$ CAD.

Pros: Very lightweight, matte finish that doesn't look dry, diffuses minor imperfections and fakes the look of better skin without adding visible texture. Can be layered with other base products for increased coverage.

Cons: Won't cover anything substantially, if that is what you need. Dry skin may not like the finish.

(I purchased this item from Pharmaprix.)

Burberry Lip Cover Soft Satin Lipstick - Antique Rose and Rosewood

January 24, 2013, 12:37 pm

≫ Next: Guerlain Écrin 4 Couleurs - Turandot

≪ Previous: Marcelle BB Cream

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My Burberry fixation continues...

I picked up a little bit of everything from the Burberry range during my first foray into the brand, to give it a fair test. I am inordinately pleased with the lipstick I chose (Lip Cover in Antique Rose), and even more so because the amazing SA threw in a mini sample of another shade (Rosewood) when she saw me hesitating over the right shade.

Adorbs, right??

For comparison, the regular lipstick is 3.8 grams, while the sample is 0.8 grams. That's about one-fifth the size, which is nicely generous.

Top: Antique Rose Lip Cover Bottom: Rosewood Lip Cover deluxe sample

Let me tell you, this is some pretty swanky packaging. As you may know from my previous Burberry post, I loathe paying top dollar for packaging that suggests anything but. No worries about that here - while the lipsticks don't come in those premium velvet pouches, they are packaged in the same metal casing that snaps closed with a magnetic closure. Fancy!

These are ridiculously creamy. Like the Häagen-Dazs of lipsticks, if you'll pardon the strained simile. They are so smooth to apply, with beautifully full pigmentation on the first pass. They feel hydrating on the lips, and though I can't say the long-term effect was equal to the sensation, they were not drying in the least. 

The finish is softly shiny that remains satiny as it dries, and the wear is very good, lasting until a meal but not past it. Then again, where's the displeasure in whipping out that gorgeous tube in order to re-apply?

One thing I do not enjoy is the scent - not floral, fruity or sweet, it smells like old-fashioned lipstick, or cold cream. Not gross, but not my preferred scent. It does dissipate after a while.

I am a little fanatical about nude pink lipsticks. It is the first shade that I will test from a new-to-me line, because I fell like it is the one shade every brand should get right. (Terribly self-centered of me, I know, since my ideal Nude Pink could by another lady's Washed-Out Corpse Pink.)

By "nude" I don't mean fleshtone, but rather the kind of muted pink that I wish my lips were naturally. It's the exact shade of pink that doesn't scream that you're wearing lipstick, but instantly perks u your face. Antique Rose falls squarely in that family of shades. I have some lip swatches below for you, but if you want to see a full-face picture, I'm wearing it at the bottom of this post.

Rosewood is a deeper, richer shade. Still very neutral and wearable, however, and another shade-type that I tend to gravitate to.

Availability: At Nordstrom for 30$ USD, and at select Holt Renfrew locations for 40$ CAD.

Pros: Sublimely creamy, opaque texture, very smooth application, fairly tenacious though not long-lasting finish. Slightly hydrating.

Cons: Creamy texture may feel too slick or heavy for some. Classic "lipstick" scent may be off-putting.

(I purchased Antique Rose at Nordstrom, and received Rosewood as a GWP.)

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Guerlain Écrin 4 Couleurs - Turandot

January 28, 2013, 6:26 pm

≫ Next: Almay Get Up and Grow Mascara

≪ Previous: Burberry Lip Cover Soft Satin Lipstick - Antique Rose and Rosewood

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I lusted after the Turandot palette like few others this Holiday season. I had already blown my budget for the season by more than I care to put down on record, and I was determined to not get sucked in by this one. Difficult for many reasons, including the fact that I tend to freakin' love Guerlain.

And then I saw it in person at the Bay, toward the end of December. And the SA said the magic words: "It's the last one."

My response was to hunch over it like Gollum. Possibly hiss at the other lady browsing the counter next to me.

I'm not embarrassed though, because despite rumours that this will be a permanent addition to the line-up this year, it is absolutely impossible to find at the moment. AND I HAVE ONE.

The packaging is no fancier than the usual Guerlain Écrin 4 Couleurs, but that's not damning it with faint praise. Like Burberry, Guerlain delivers on all fronts. You've got your weight, your bling factor, your luxury right here.

This palette is stunning. Strangely autumnal for a Holiday palette, perhaps, but the palette creates a burnished, smoky look that seems like exactly the kind of warm counterpoint one would need in midwinter.

The shades vary in texture and finish to some degree, which makes for a dynamic palette.

The soft gold on the left is almost metallic, with a soft, dense and rich texture that delivers wonderful payoff.

The redwood shade in the top middle has a matte finish with a soft sheen, and has a super smooth, silky-dry feel, and good pigmentation that applies even better on the eye.

The grey-brown shade on the right is in the same colour family as Moth Brown from MAC - a deep taupe that almost seems to have an undertone of plum, or at least enough warmth to play well with these other shades without being explicitly warm-toned. It has lovely shimmer, a buttery texture and excellent payoff.

The reddened-plum in the bottom middle is matte, with the same texture as the redwood shade and medium, buildable pigmentation that again works very well on the eye.

Mix of natural and artificial light.

Mix of artificial light sources.

Availaibility: None at the moment, unless you hit upon an errant one at a counter. The word is that it will be permanent, however. Price was 60$ CAD.

Pros: Glam packaging, and a well-executed palette that offers enough variety while still being tonally tight. The two matte shades are a smidge less pigmented, but not in a way that translates on application

Cons: Fairly dupable colours that may make the price tag attached cringe-worthy.

(I purchased this item from the Guerlain counter at The Bay.)

Almay Get Up and Grow Mascara

January 29, 2013, 10:57 am

≫ Next: Look Back at 2012: Best Makeup Sets - Tarte Holiday

≪ Previous: Guerlain Écrin 4 Couleurs - Turandot

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I love finding great drugstore mascaras. I have my favourites, and after seeing Emily from Beauty Broadcast shower Almay's Get Up and Grow with love, I was sure it would be joining the ranks.

Sadly, this is not the case.

In the tube, it looked promising. In the shade Blackest Black, with the kind of brush head that I generally favour - bushy but relatively narrow.

Upon application, I quickly learned that this was not the mascara for me. If I applied one coat carefully, with a straight sweeping motion and no wiggling, I found it was ok. It added some volume though not much length, and it was indeed very black.

With a second coat, however, it started clumping. Nice, if undramatic, lashes started going down the road to Tammy Faye Baker land. In keeping with Tammy's schtick, this mascara also smudged like crazy when I applied it to my lower lashes. 

I dunno. I think if you have sparse lashes, the way it coats may actually work for you and give you the effect of fuller lashes. For me though, this is a miss. 

Two coats, using sweeping motion.

Availability: Pharmprix and Jean Coutu and similar drugstores, as well as Ulta. Price can vary especially with coupons and discounts, generally between 8$ USD and 12$ CAD.

Pros: Very black. If you want something that will give you some immediate but not excessive volume with one coat, it's ok as long as you sweep. May be suitable for sparser lashes.

Cons: If you have fine but fuller lashes, this will likely clump and give you spider-leg lashes. Difficult to build volume this way, not much length either. No definition. Smudges easily.

(I purchased this from Ulta.)

Look Back at 2012: Best Makeup Sets - Tarte Holiday

January 30, 2013, 2:13 pm

≫ Next: Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal Eyeshadow - Barely Branded, Inked in Pink, Gold Rush

≪ Previous: Almay Get Up and Grow Mascara

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Tarte is well-known for doing really amazing sets and palettes, especially for the holidays. I've purchased several over the years, and I've developped preferences for what I like from them.

I'm generally less fond of the big, blockbuster type palette. You know, the ones that have multiple layers and drawers and wings that open up. For me, they just end being too bulky to store, and less usable than I'd like.

HOWEVER. The smallers sets and palettes are among my favourites. They offer great quality and quantity for the price, and you can tailor your choice among them to suit your needs. They also make for a great introduction to a product type, since you get a fair bit of variety. The Holiday 2012 sets were particularly excellent.

Fantastic Foursome 4-Piece Amazonian Clay Blush Enthusiast Set (35$ USD, value of 60$)

I'm a huge fan of the Amazonian Clay Blushes, so this sampler was a must. These are smaller versions of the regular blushes, 3.03 grams versus 5.6, so still more than half the size. The shades are exclusive to this set, which is somewhat unfortunate, as the highlighter is gorgeous.

These have the same formula as the regular blushes - seamless texture and great pigmentation. Fantastic is perhaps a touch too cool-toned for me to wear as is, but works nicely as a pop over a warmer blush. Magic is coral, and perfect, of course. Stellar has a shimmer finish, which is not common with these blushes, and has a somewhat creamier texture. It is, as I mentioned, a fantastic highlighter, very much in the Nars Albatross family. Stellar is perhaps tricker, as it is a shade that would be great for contouring, but the glitter defeats that. Most of the glitter actually brushes off, but I do think it works better as a very natural blush than as a contour.

Top: Fantastic, Stellar Bottom: Magic, Angelic

Clockwise from top: Angelic, Stellar, Fantatic, Magic

Left to right: Stellar, Angelic, Magic, Fantastic

5-Piece LipSurgence Collector’s Set (34$ USD, 120$ value)

Super easy, no fuss lip products. I've come to really enjoy the LipSurgence pencils, and this was a nice, neutral-focused selection. (They are not comparable to the Revlon Just Bitten, in that they are more of a gloss than a stain.) If they do a set like this next year, I do hope they include a matte lip tint, and perhaps more variety in the colour palette. A deep berry or red would be fun, and holiday-appropriate.

Bottom to top: Buff, Exotic, Escape, Elite, Sweet

Left to right:  Buff, Exotic, Elite, Escape, Sweet

6-Piece SmolderEYES and Skinny SmolderEYES Collector’s Set (39$ USD, 144$ value)

I loooooove the SmolderEYES formula (which I go into detail about in my post about last year's set). They are awesome as liners, eyeshadows and bases, and once set, they wear like iron. I can't vouch for the waterline wear, however, as I found these slightly irritated my eye when I tried wearing them there. On the lid and lashline however, all was gold.

As much as I enjoyed last year's set, I think this one knocks it out of the park. The shades are excellent - varied and very wearable, with not a glitter particle around. I am particularly fond of Gunmetal, an excellent taupe that makes for an easy lid colour or a subtle liner.

I also like that they included the Skinny version to test out. This guy applies almost too easily, with intense pigmentation on the first pass.

Top to bottom: Ash Violet, Rainforest Black, Gunmetal, Gold, Champagne, Onyx.

Top to bottom: Ash Violet, Rainforest Black, Gunmetal, Gold, Champagne, Onyx.

Left to right: Champagne, Gold, Gunmetal, Rainforest Black, Ash Violet, Onyx.

So what about you guys? Did you pick any of these sets up? Do you have any other picks from this past year?

(I purchased these items from Sephora and www.tartecosmetics.com.)

Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal Eyeshadow - Barely Branded, Inked in Pink, Gold Rush

February 1, 2013, 3:23 pm

≫ Next: Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfector - Rose Câlins

≪ Previous: Look Back at 2012: Best Makeup Sets - Tarte Holiday

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When the Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadows came out, I joined the beauty stampede without hesitation. Over the past year or so, I've acquired most of the regular line-up as well as several from limited collections, and I have yet to be disappointed. (I wisely passed on the purple shade that almost everyone was disenchanted with. What would I do without my fellow bloggers steering me right, I ask you??)

When I saw these Color Tattoo Metal Eyeshadows, I knew I had to grab a few.

Barely Branded is very similar to Barely Beige, so if you have that one you probably don't need to rush out for this one. 

Both Barely Branded and Inked in Pink have a high amount of shimmer, apply very smoothly and with great pigmentation. They can also be sheered out easily, and that is actually how I prefer to wear them. Dabbed softly on the lid, they give a glowy finish that is gorgeous by itself (sort of half angel/half surfer girl) and great as a base. When you apply a shadow with a less shimmery finish overtop, it gives an interesting dimensionality to the whole eye look.

I find the texture of these to be a slicker than that of my other Color Tattoos, and the resultant slip makes them a touch more vulnerable to moving about when worn alone. With either a primer underneath or with a shadow on top, the wear is extended to 10 hours with no problems. 

Gold Rush is definitely the odd one out. It's not just metallic - it has a gritty texture, as if filled with chunky glitter. Unlike any other Color Tattoos I own, it's a little difficult to apply as it tends to sort of roll up on itself when you try to blend it or get it more opaque. When worn all over the lid, it moves and creases within a few hours, and sheds some glitter fall-out. If you dab it lightly just in the centre of the lid or in the inner corner, it provides some nice glitz. 

left to right: Inked in Pink, Barely Branded, Gold Rush.

Availability: Most drugstores like Pharmaprix and Jean Coutu, though some of the displays are selling out of certain shades. Also available online at Ulta. Price ranges from 6.99$ USD to 9-10$ CAD. (I bought these on sale at 6.99$ CAD.)

Pros: Inked in Pink and Barely Branded have blendable, sheerable textures and lovely shimmer, and good wear that can be extended. Can also be used as bases to multi-dimensional effect under powder eyeshadow.

Cons:  The texture on Gold Rush makes layering and blending tricky, and the glitter fallout discourages full-on application.

(I purchased these from Jean Coutu.)

Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfector - Rose Câlins

February 3, 2013, 11:39 am

≫ Next: Lise Watier - Pastel Power Illuminating Beads

≪ Previous: Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal Eyeshadow - Barely Branded, Inked in Pink, Gold Rush

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For the past few years, Clarins has teamed with Rythme FM and Jean Coutu drugstores for a fundraising event called "Le Mois des Câlins de l’Hopital Sainte-Justine". The goal is to raise money for the Ste-Justine Pediatric Hospital of Montreal, so that they can continue to provide care and aid to children with rare and aggressive diseases.

To that end, Clarins has created a limited shade of their Instant Light Lip Perfector, to be sold exclusively at Jean Coutu's Quebec locations. This year's shade is called "Rose Câlins". (For the non-francophones, "câlins" translates as "hugs" or "cuddles".)

For every tube of gloss sold, Clarins and Jean Coutu will jointly donate 10$ to Ste-Justine Hospital. Considering that the selling price is 20$, that 10$ is not a token amount. It's a beauty splurge well worth considering, and I would urge you to give it a look if you're in a Jean Coutu (but do so soon, my local counter was down to their last batch and they didn't expect it to last the week).

I'm not going to do my usual review here, but I want to give you an idea of what to expect.

The Lip Perfector formula is both a gloss and a lip balm treatment. It provides a gorgeous shine and just a hint of creamy pink colour with tiny golden shimmer, and is wonderfully hydrating to the lips. This is actually the first Lip Perfector I have purchased (hey, it was a great reason to get it!) and I am really pleased with the softening effect.

My lips also appear to look a little fuller, both due to the gloss and the hydration as the little dry lines get filled out. It also has the most delicious vanilla scent.

Have any of you picked this one up? What do you think of it?

I have to say that I really respect a company (in this case, both Jean Coutu and Clarins) for making a substantial contribution to an organization that directly benefits people in our extended community.

(I purchased this item at Jean Coutu.)