Maggie Knows Makeup

Sometimes you really, desperately, want a beauty product to work. Not only because it was expensive, and not only because it looked so fabulous on the SA who sold it to you, but because you think the product is good - just not good for you.

That's my feeling about the Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Light Diffusing Foundation. It's taken me a few months to write this review because I've gone back to it several times, trying different application techniques and powder/primer combinations.

Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Light Diffusing Foundation (Cream) Beige Clair

Guerlain Parure de Lumiere in Beige Clair

The packaging, as with all things Guerlain, is pure elegant swank. The jar is heavy - enough to cause a concussion, should you ever feel compelled to throw it at anyone - and looks like it should be gracing some 40s era starlet's boudoir. You can rarely fault Guerlain's presentation, and their products at the very least look like they're worth the price tag.

Guerlain Parure de Lumiere in Beige Clair

Let me go back to my opening paragraph a bit by affirming that in many ways this is a good foundation. It has medium coverage, a beautiful semi-matte finish that still manages to be a wee bit luminous - what I would call a velvet finish - and a decadently rich cream texture that doesn't sit heavily on the skin.

It looks amazing skin-like when freshly applied, and photographs very well. Like many cream foundations, actually.

Blended in on the left, swatched on the right.

(I posted a picture of me wearing it in my Dior Birds of Paradise Palette review.)

Unfortunately it doesn't hold up on my skin. As the packaging indicates, this is a foundation that offers "moisture and comfort" despite the velvet finish. I found that this was evident over my oilier areas as the day wore on. The foundation started sinking into my pores or else beading up over them, and the skin over my cheeks started looking textured as it picked up sheen throughout the day.

I had some better results if prepped my skin with a pore-smoothing primer and spot moisturized only those areas that really needed it, and if sealed it off with an extremely lightweight but silica-based powder, like the MUFE HD, Mac Prep + Prime or the new Nars Light Reflecting Setting Powder, using a very light and focused hand. Even at that, it was really easy to over-powder and turn it dry-looking.

I found it was finicky to apply as well, with a tendency to turn cake-y and flaky if I used my usual brushes. Even the duo-fiber brush I love to use with my Graftobian Creme foundation didn't quite cut it, though it did better than the others. I had the best results using a combination of damp beauty-blender and my hands to press and pat it into my skin.

If you have oilier skin or skin with oily areas, this can end up being a really high-maintenance foundation. But if you have normal to somewhat dry skin with less obvious pores and if you prefer a semi-matte finish, this guy might be absolutely perfect for you.

Availability: At The Bay and select Pharmaprix/SDM stores, as well as Murale. Price is 67$ CAD. I'm not sure if it's available in the US, as I have yet to find it on any of the major department store sites.

Pros: Beautifully skin-like yet nevertheless offers medium coverage and a semi-matte finish that is still luminous and hydrating. Great option for drier skin types who want this kind of finish without sacrificing comfortable wear.

Cons: A little work needed to apply and blend out. Breaks down and emphasizes pores on oilier skin. But then again, it's not really made for that skin type.

(I purchased this item from Pharmpaprix.)

You know, I really need to give Smashbox more of my attention. It seems like every product I've tried from them as of late has been a winner, and yet it's one of my most consistently overlooked brands when I swing by Sephora.

Exhibit A (A for AWESOME): the Smashbox Heat Wave Eyeshadow Palette from this summer's collection.

Smashbox Heat Wave Eyeshadow Palette Summer 2013

Summery external plastic packaging and a practical, simple aesthetic for the palette casing itself. A trifle unassuming, right?

And inside? One row of warm, sunny shades in a mix of satin/matte and shimmer finishes, and a row of cooler toned neutrals, mostly shimmers. (And also a dual-ended brush, which is better than the usual palette add-in, but nothing special.)

This palette is so very good. I can't overstate it. The shimmers all have that soft, creamy texture that smooths on like butter. You just kind of want to keep patting the eyeshadow. Like a kitten. Because they are so soft, they kick up some debris, so go in with a gentle hand. Pigmentation is excellent for most, with the grey and the blue in the bottom row having slightly sheerer payoff, though building them up is not difficult.

The two matte/satin shades are equally soft, not chalky at all, with a similar creaminess. They have a very faint sheen, so they don't look flat on the skin. They feel a lot like the Inglot mattes. They applied beautifully and without any powderiness, and no problems adhering to the lid, though there was a bit of fallout during application. They wore well - no creasing and next to no fading - for 8-9 hours without a primer. For me, that's noteworthy.

The shades are really beautiful.

The top row has a light peach in a satin finish, a metallic bronze, a very pigmented light brown that makes for an excellent transition colour, a gilded pink-peach (similar to MAC's Expensive Pink, but warmer) and an antique gold that is so creamy it's kinda ridiculous.

The bottom row boasts a silvered pink champagne that is reminiscent of Stila's kitten, a dove grey and a slate blue shimmer, a lilac shimmer with an undertone of taupe, and a greyed brown that looks more matte in the pan, but actually has a low-level shimmer.

Smashbox Heat Wave Eyeshadow Palette Summer 2013 swatches

Top row.

Bottom row.

I love that this palette combines both warmer and cooler tones, but that they don't exist in isolation to each other. Combined in a variety of ways, you can have anything from the most simple, neutral eye to something sultry and smokey or colourful and vibrant. If you're looking for a cover-all-the-bases palette, the only shades missing are a pale highlight shade and a black or near black. For summer, though, I like these kind of tones when playing up burnished skin and taking advantage of that hazy evening light.

Availability: Available at Sephora, and certain Pharmaprix/SDM and Murale locations may still have it. Price is 54$ CAD, and 48$ USD.

Pros: Sleek packaging, and great arrangement of shade range. Very good pigmentation across the board, with soft, dense, creamy textures, including the matte-satin shades.

Cons: Soft texture translates into fall-out when picking up with a brush and some during application.

(Purchased this from Pharmaprix with my Optimum points.)

Wow, Stila is offering a week of pretty amazing Back to School promotions starting this Monday. They start with 35% off, and reduce the discount value every day until Friday, with 20%.

If you're planning on getting anything, start making your list now so that you can take advantage of the steepest discount come Monday! I have a feeling stuff will sell out fast.

No code is needed, apparently, and it doesn't apply to gift sets and sale items. It doesn't indicate anything about the free shipping for orders over 50$, so presumably that still applies?

Unfortunately they don't ship to Canada, but if you have a US buddy to co-order with, or you use a mail-forwarding service, this is a prime time to stock up on staples or splurge on those limited items you've been eyeing.

If I were to go back (waaaaayyyyy back) in time to the beginnings of my makeup ~~obsession~~ passion, Annabelle would be front and center. This Montreal native brand was the go-to for a lot of girls like me who started out wearing a little shimmer shadow surreptitiously swept on the eyelid. The budget-friendly price point held a lot of appeal as well. Fast-forward a couple of decades, and Annabelle is still completely awesome, and the Gleam eyeshadow remains one of my favourite highlighter shades.

They recently came out with a range of Eyeshadow Quads, and I was especially taken by the tester of Chai Chai Chai at the display. It swatched SO beautifully. It was also on sale for about 8$ - for 4 nice-sized eyeshadows. Um...it was basically begging to come home with me.

Does the packaging remind you of the Sephora Colorful Palettes? Minus one eyeshadow and about 20$, of course. And with significantly nicer textures and payoff than I've generally found in the Sephora versions. The plastic casing is simple and basic, and my palette did have a tendency of sticking, needing a bit of force to pop it open. I don't know if that's unusual though.

The shades all work well together and should look amazing with blue eyes. The light bronze is a nice crease shade, but also makes for a good base colour if you want to do a simple day look. The peachy orange is lovely for punching up a warm-toned look.

From bottom left corner, counter-clockwise through the palette.

Yep. Smooth, almost creamy, with excellent pigmentation - everything I would want from an eyeshadow, and for a decent price. All three shades have a similar shimmer finish. I had no issues applying these - no fallout, same pan-to-lid intensity and good wear overall. There was a bit of fading around the 8-9 hour mark, visible mostly around the base of the lashes, but no creasing.

I know that bronze shades, especially shimmery ones, tend to have the best payoff and textures across the board, so I'm not surprised this palette was selected to be the tester in the display. Seeing the great quality here, I'm very tempted to get at least a couple of the others in the series.

Availability: At most drugstores, as well as www.annabelle.ca. Suggested price is 10.95$ but can vary by store and sale pricing.

Pros: Great texture, fantastic payoff, easy blending and application. Colours work perfectly together. Very nice value for the amount and quality of the product.

Cons: Packaging is is a little hard to open for whatever reason.

(I purchased this item at Pharmaprix.)

TheLise Watier Tartantastique collection for Fall features some really dreamy, fairytale-appropriate items - none more so than the Tartan Magique Ombre Soufflé. (I may have made a sound resembling a squeak when I opened the jar. Ok, yes, I definitely did.)

It's ALL kinds of gorgeous.

Lise Watier Tartantastique Fall 2013 Ombre Soufflé Supreme in Tartan Magique

Tartan Magique is a deep teal, layered with fine golden iridescence, creating a wonderfully sparkly, dimensional look when applied to the eye. It's aethereal and beautiful, and the sort of thing I imagine an elven queen would be fond of.

The texture of the Ombre Soufflé range is interesting - basically a soft, squishy, whipped mousse that gives way easily and feels quite silicone-y to the touch. It actually reminds me a bit of the texture of the Flower Beauty Color Play Creme Shadows, though without the same degree of slip that made the latter so difficult to control, blend and build. I found this to apply easily, and sheer out and build up - to a point - without difficulty.

I found I needed a primer to make this last, however. Without one, it had all but disappeared from my crease area within 4 hours. With my Nars primer, it was still good after about 7 hours, but starting to look a little faded overall. Over a stickier cream base, like a paint pot, the intensity remained stronger throughout, with no fading or creasing past the 9 hour mark. This isn't a no-fuss product, but the effect is so pretty that it's worth the effort for me.

It may work also well as a base by itself for those with drier or otherwise less finicky lids. On mine I still had a bit of creasing when I used just the Ombre and a powder eyeshadow overtop, but none at all with a primer underneath the combo.

As a side benefit, the Ombre Soufflé also contain anti-oxidents and anti-aging ingredients, including Labrador Tea extract, so they do a bit of double-duty.

Lise Watier Tartantastique Fall 2013 Ombre Soufflé Supreme in Tartan Magique swatches

Regular swatch, and sheered out.

Slightly out of focus to capture the golden sparkle.

Availability: At The Bay and most Pharmaprix/SDM and Jean Coutu locations, as well as www.lisewatier.com. Price is 24$ CAD.

Pros: Beautiful shade with mesmerizing shimmer. Builds up and sheers out well, can be used as is or as a base. Has skin-care benefits.

Cons: Fades and creases within a few hours, at least on oily eyes like mine. Needs a primer for longevity, and a creamy textured base is best to maintain the intensity.

(This item was provided by the brand/PR, to be considered for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated.)

As part of my current quest to bump up my skincare regime, I'm testing creams and serums and masks (oh my), both from the drugstore and the higher-end counters. My awesome contact at Clarins contributed greatly to this endeavour by sending me two items from their newly revamped HydraQuench line - which has apparently been going like gangbusters since 2008. (While I have been complacently rubbing the same ole thing on my face.)

I have to admit I was a little wary of trying something that seemed to be geared towards dry skin. I have dry patches and my skin can look parched, but I have a much longer history of dealing with oil and acne. It honestly makes me a little fearful of trying new creams, due to the risk of breaking out and looking like a greaseball. However, I've had really good luck with the things I've been trying out, the HydraQuench products included.

I first tried the Clarins HydraQuench Cream-Mask. Like all the items in this line, it hydrates the skin while helping to rebuild and protect the natural moisture barrier of the skin.

This is not the type of mask that dries to a cracked-mud finish. It's a luxurious-feeling cream that can be applied anywhere you need a boost of hydration, and left on for 5 to 10 minutes. After that, it's supposed to be taken off with a toning lotion and cotton pads, but I preferred to rinse off the excess (what wasn't absorbed) with water.

I was really surprised to see that there was no residue left on my skin - no oil, no stickiness. My skin looked refreshed and smooth, and the flakiness on my cheeks was attenuated. I have to wonder if very dry skin would actually find this moisturizing enough, because it felt so appropriate for my combination skin. Then again, maybe rinsing with water removed too much of the product that was supposed to be left behind?

Regardless, it boosted the overall texture of my skin, but not in a way that felt like I had a applied a heavy cream. It also didn't, and has yet to, break me out. I feel like this is the kind of mask I could do on my cheeks once or twice a week, maybe more often during the winter months, to keep those areas in better balance with the rest of my face.

This does contain katafray bark extract, glycerin and my beloved sodium hyaluronate, which will do the immediate job of attracting and retaining water molecules, and would probably be maximized by the subsequent application of a moisturizer.

It also contains sorbier bud extract, which is supposed to aid in micro-circulation and presumably is partly what gives that "refreshed" look to the skin. The mask does tingle ever so slightly.

I also got to try the Clarins HydraQuench Cream.

This is a rich, glossy cream that also has an almost gel-like feel when rubbed in. I was very pleased (and surprised!) by how lightweight this felt on the skin, while still being quite hydrating. With heavier creams I usually mix them with a little floral water on the back of my hand before applying, in order to render them more texturally-appropriate for my skin. No need for that here - applied straight, the cream absorbed into my skin without leaving a trace behind. It also contains katafray and sorrier extracts, and hyaluronic acid, as well as pomegranate extract.

I really, really liked the feel and performance of this. I was sure it would be too much for my skin, but it absorbed so well and kept my skin feeling smooth, plump and flake-free all day.

Both of these are scented, which is part of the redesign on the line. Like the scent of most Clarins skincare, it's closer to the complexity of actual perfume than merely masking fragrance. The top note is a green apple accord, with a middle note of rose and a woodsy base. It's really subtle and pretty and I love it, but if you have sensitive skin you may want to do a patch test first.

These are some swatches to give you an idea of the textures.

Clarins HydraQuench Cream-Mask and HydraQuench Cream

Availability: Available at The Bay, various Pharmarix/SDM and Murale locations, as well as Nordstrom. The mask is 36$ CAD/35$ USD, and the cream is 49.50$ CAD/USD.

(These items were sent to me by the brand/PR, to consider for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated.)

Don't you love it when something is so brilliant, yet so simple, it's a wonder it wasn't done before? Such is the case with the Marcelle Waterproofing Mascara Topcoat, which I recently received as a sample.

Yes, you read that name right. A topcoat to apply over your very favourite mascara, to render it waterproof. You don't have to settle for a waterproof mascara you don't love, just because you want to weep at sad movies or dash about in the rain! You apply your beloved version as per usual, and then brush this overtop, and you can tear up and splash about as you wish!

Exciting! But...does it work?

Generally speaking, yes, absolutely. I tried this out over a mascara that I adore, but that tends to smudge (Pupa Vamp!, if you're curious). I wore the combo during a long evening out (with plenty of those laughed-so-hard-I-cried moments) and then splashed by face with a ton of water when I get home.

No smudging, the flaking, no mascara breakdown at all. The formula lived up to the claim - and then some, as I had to bust out the oil cleanser to get it all off.

I didn't find that it changed the overall look that my chosen mascara created - my lashes were full and defined, like I prefer - though it did make them harder to the touch, and maybe a bit glossier. Differences I can totally live with.

I do have a caveat, however, and that is the applicator/packaging. It's a regular mascara wand in a regular mascara tube, and there were two problems with that.

One, the liquid inside is, well, liquid. If you should happen to lie the tube on its side like I did, it will puddle right out. Not a big deal, as I'll know to stand it up or hold it from now on, but it's unexpected and could lead to some wasted product initially.

Two, the mascara-like applicator is not an ideal delivery system. Because the product is so liquid, it tends to stay at the base of the brush rather than on the bristles, which means you either have to wiggle it into the lashes, or go in with a lot of product on the brush in order to coat them properly. The former is not so easy when you've already got your full mascara coating on your lashes, and the latter can get goopy and deposit more product than you need.

To get the cleanest, most effective application, I drip out a tiny bit onto a metal palette and use a mascara fan brush to paint the topcoat on. No mess, no waste, no fuss. Ideally, I would love packaging that would facilitate this - say, an inkwell-type bottle and brush duo.

Availability: At most drugstores like Jean Coutu and Pharmaprix/SDM, as well as www.marcelle.com. Price is 16.95$ CAD.

Pros: Lives up to waterproofing claim, doesn't alter the look created by your mascara, can be combined with any mascara.

Cons: Packaging and applicator is not ideal for the product consistency.

(This item was provided by the brand/PR to be considered for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated.)

Not to put too fine a point on it....but Le Blush Crème de Chanel may indeed be the near-perfect cream blush.

The copy for this product promises:

"An innovative powder-cream formula offers an enticing new way to blush with sheer yet vibrant pigments for instant luminosity. The silky texture offers a long-wear satin finish—soft and comfortable for every skin type—and is simple to apply with fingertips or brush."

And much like Torrence Shipman and the mighty, mighty Toros. CHANEL BRINGS IT.

Chanel Le Blush Crème de Chanel - Révélation

Packaging-wise, there's nothing exceptional. You either love the elegant simplicity of Chanel exterior styling, or you think it's boring. I've always tended to fall on the side of "why am I paying so much for black casing??" but the more Chanel products I try, the more I appreciate the way it brings the actual product to the foreground.

And that product, in this case, is exceptional. I wasn't sure what to expect, as I bought this blush on a whim when I was vacationing in the US several weeks ago. I was very intrigued by the texture when I swatched it at the counter, however.

Despite billing itself as cream-powder, it's actually not quite either. As you can see from the close-up below, it almost looks like a powder blush when pristine, with no indication that it's an emolliant product. It's quite firm to the touch, yet immediately melts under the heat of your fingers. It feels silky and smooth going on.

As it is worked into the skin it does start transforming into a powder, but doesn't look powdery, if that makes any sense. It also doesn't become immovable and in fact remains blendable for several minutes, which makes it incredibly user-friendly. This isn't one where you apply and then have to madly buff away, hopping to get things even before it sets. It stays looking luminous on the skin, but not greasy - it truly has a seamless, undetectable finish.

The wear time is good - just shy of 8 hours on bare skin, about 10 hours over foundation with just a faint bit of fading. It doesn't end up looking either oily or cakey, but if you want something that is very longwearing, this is not it. Personally, I'll take the gorgeous finish and seamless look over 12 hours of perfect wear.

Révélation is a beautiful shade that should suit a lot of complexions from very fair to deeper mediums. I'm not sure how well it would show up on deeper skintones. The intensity can be varied due to how blendable and fine-textured it is - you can sheer it out or build up layers without it looking like you've slapped a ton of product on. The colour itself is a warm-toned, tulip pink that tends to look more coral-tinged as it is sheered out. It should play nicely on both warmer and cooler tones.

Chanel Le Blush Crème de Chanel Révélation swatches

Availability: This should be out in Canada momentarily, at The Bay and other Chanel counters. It's currently available from Nordstrom for our US friends. Price is 38$ USD.

Pros: Lightweight, silky cream-to-powder formula, is seamless on the skin. Incredibly comfortable. Luminous, natural finish that doesn't look greasy or dry. Blendable texture that lends itself to a longer "working" time, can be sheered out or layered easily. Beautiful, flattering colour.

Cons: If you prefer very long wear, this might fade a little too early for you.

(I purchased this item from Macy's.)

I've been meaning to try the Annabelle version of the ubiquitous lipstick pencil for a while now, so when these press samples popped up in my mailbox, I was delighted. The retro-feeling and autumn-ready shades were the proverbial cherry on top!

The Annabelle TwistUp Rretractable Lip Crayons already came in a broad range of shades, and the brand recently expanded with five new Vivid shades (Bazooka Pink, Fuchsianista, Plump It Up, Sorbet, Orange Pop), three Nudes (Naked, Romance, Havana), two reds (Monroe and Red Carpet) and two Bordeaux shades (Cherry and Vamp).

I was able to try Cherry, Monroe and Vamp.

Annabelle TwistUp Retractable Lipstick Crayon - Cherry, Monroe, Vamp

These are billed as lipstick and lipliner in one, with a hydrating formula and creamy, comfortable texture. They contain rapeseed oil and shea butter for their nourishing and repairing properties.

I found that these were indeed wonderfully hydrating, much more so than I expected from a lip crayon of this type. They felt creamier and richer going on that the more balmy-feeling Revlon Just Bitten pencils, with a more significant pigment punch. They are pretty close to opaque, with some degree of translucency - yet without any sheerness, if that makes any sense. Like incredibly rich stained glass, which completely masks the colour behind it, yet still allows the light to shine through. A neat effect.

I didn't have any bleeding with these, but because they are so creamy, I had to take a little care when using them as lipliner. The application was so smooth that it was almost too easy to go outside the lipline. That said, I really liked how precise I could be.

The wear on these was slightly longer than a regular creamy lipstick, but they are not long-wearing. They do leave a stain behind, though that might be particular to these red/deep shades.

These can be applied in various ways for different looks - straight on, dabbed on for a lighter effect, applied, blotted, reapplied for a deep stain.

Top to bottom: Cherry, Monroe, Vamp

The colours that were provided are just stunning.

Cherry is a medium-dark, blue-toned red, exactly the right shade for a Snow White effect with lighter skin. It had the strongest pigmentation of the three.

Annabelle TwistUp Retractable Lipstick Crayon Cherry

Monroe is evocative of its namesake. A bright, light red with a strong coral undertone. It's almost the lipstick version of OPI's So Hot It Berns nail polish. Beautifully retro and totally wearable. This was slightly sheerer.

Annabelle TwistUp Retractable Lipstick Crayon Monroe

Vamp is a deep muted burgundy, with a slight brown undertone. It's sexy, powerful, and ever so slightly 90s to me. This felt the most balmy, not quite as creamy, though the difference was minute.

Annabelle TwistUp Retractable Lipstick Crayon Vamp

Availability: At most drugstores, as well as www.annabelle.ca. Price is 9.95$ CAD.

Pros: Rich pigmentation, hydrating, creamy feeling, very smooth application. Convenient lipstick and lip pencil hybrid format.

Cons: Because of the creamy texture, a little patience is advised when it comes to using these as lipliner, and they are not as effective in terms of creating a barrier effect as a more dry-textured, matte lip pencil would be.

(These items were provided by the brand/PR to consider for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated.)

The Toronto International Film Festival is almost upon us (runs September 5th to 15th, for my fellow film buffs), and with it comes this incredibly classic, and yet totally modern collection of stellar nudes for lips and nails.

The L'Oréal Collection Privée is the official TIFF collection, and features matched pairs of lipsticks and nail polishes that are meant to evoke the particular essence of the following ladies: Eva Longoria, Doutzen Kroes, Freida Pinto and Jennifer Lopez.

L'Oréal Collection Privée (Official TIFF Festival Collection) - Nail Polish Eva Doutzen Freida J.Lo

Left to right: Eva's Nude, Doutzen's Nude, Freida's Nude, J. Lo's Nude

I'll have swatches and reviews for the lipsticks up shortly, but I wanted to start with the nail polishes. As you may have noticed, these come in the smaller-sized bottle, similar to the very limited topcoats that were available earlier this summer. If you go through nail polish like crazy, or if you fall in love with a particular shade, that might be an issue. On the other hand it's nice to have a polish size that you are actually likely to finish.

These also feature the same style of rounded but flat brush that is found in all the L'Oreal Colour Riche nail polishes. (Which I happen to love for my nail size and shape.)

Eva's Nude (Barely Golden): This is a rich, inky burgundy with an warm undertone of brown. It looks glossy even without a topcoat, and applies smoothly for such a vampy shade. It self-levels, and you could probably get away with one coat if you go a little thicker from the outset. I prefer two, however, for that saturated look. This was two coats.

L'Oreal TIFF Collection Privee Eva's Nude

Doutzen's Nude (Barely Pink): Surprisingly, this is my favourite out of the four! It's a pale, milky ballerina pink, with a fine shimmer throughout. Not quite as self-leveling as the other shades, and I had a small amount of streaking, but this was overall a lot easier to apply than many shades of this type. I think this looks best when worn opaque rather than sheer, two coats at least. This was three coats.

L'Oreal TIFF Collection Privee Doutzen's Nude

Freida's Nude (Barely Parma): One of those strange morphing shades that reads plum, mauve or brownish-taupe, depending on your light. It even has tones of slate in some lights. The lighting in this picture is a mix of daylight and artificial light, and it's closest to the way it usually looks. However, I am wearing it in this video, where it pulls much more taupe/grey. It's a stunner, self-leveling, and opaque at one coat. This is two, and the second was entirely unnecessary.

L'Oreal TIFF Collection Privee Freida's Nude

J. Lo's Nude (Barely Greige): One of those putty shades that is cool and effortlessly chic. And this one is truly effortless - it applies like a dream and really only needs one coat, though I did my usual two. This is the slim white t-shirt of nail polish shades - easy, flattering and best when not fussed with too much.

L'Oreal TIFF Collection Privee J. Lo's Nude

I think this is a well-edited collection, with a "nude" likely to appeal to you, no matter what your tastes. Again, I was surprised that the frothy, girly Doutzen shade is the one that stood out for me, despite Freida's being the sort that I'm usually drawn to.

Availability: Out now in Canada, and very limited. At most drugstores, including Jean Coutu and Pharmaprix/SDM. Price is 3.99$ CAD.

Pros: All but the pink shade were self-leveling and wearable with only one coat. Formula was creamy and easy to apply, and all the shades are distinct and flattering.

Cons: The bottle size might be too small if you discover a favourite. Doutzen is a bit streaky if you want to wear it sheer.

(These items were provided by the brand/PR to be considered for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated.)

How much do I love it when drugstore brands go big for a limited edition collection? THISMUCH.

You have to hand it to L'Oréal - for their TIFF collection, they didn't just slap together a few new shades, they essentially re-invented their Colour Riche lipsticks with limited, exclusive packaging and a formula that pays homage to the classic in its luxurious feel, but feels fresh and modern due to its finish.

Like the nail polishes I reviewed the other day, theL'Oréal Collection Privée TIFF Collection is inspired by several well-known actresses: Eva Longoria, Doutzen Kroes, Freida Pinto and Jennifer Lopez. Each lipstick bears the signature of the actress, as well as a unique logo stamp at the top of the tube that has a distinctive Art Deco feel.Very chic and vintage-feeling. The matte, soft-touch packaging of the tube is very different from the usual casing, and combined with the logo and the gold detailing, it feels like something that should be adorning a high-end department store counter. It's all very well done.

L'Oréal Collection Privée (Official TIFF Festival Collection) - Colour Riche Lipsticks

The lipsticks themselves are variations on the nude theme, even more so than the nail polishes - which would more appropriately be termed neutrals rather than nudes.

These are more sheer than the usual Colour Riche lipsticks, similar to the way the MAC Lustre finish looks and feels. They deliver medium pigmentation, allowing a fair bit of your natural lip colour to show through. This actually makes them more wearable than many nudes, which can look chalky or corpse-like if not the exact right shade. In comparison, these are far more forgiving to a variety of skin tones.

The formula is about as hydrating as the regular Colour Riche version, perhaps slightly more emollient initially, and wears for a shorter length of time. I got about 2 hours of wear before I felt the need to touch up.

Left to right: Eva, Doutzen, Freida, J. Lo

Top to bottom: Eva, Doutzen, Freida, J. Lo

Left to right: Eva, Doutzen, Freida, J. Lo

The Eva Nude (Barely Golden): A beautiful peachy nude, this is warm-toned and incredibly flattering to all but the coolest complexions. It's also the most opaque out of the four, with the creamiest finish.

L'Oréal Collection Privée (Official TIFF Festival Collection) Colour Riche Lipsticks Eva

The Eva Nude

The Doutzen Nude (Barely Pink): Very pale, almost icy pink, with the sheerest finish. It has a a strong 1960s vibe to me, but still feels modern, probably because of that translucent texture. I think this would look stunningly feminine on a very fair complexion. It might look too frosty on deeper tones.

L'Oréal Collection Privée (Official TIFF Festival Collection) Colour Riche Lipsticks Doutzen

The Doutzen Nude

The Freida Nude (Barely Parma): A light mauve with a faint beige undertone, and an even fainter lilac. It looked like it was going to be too dusky for me when I saw it in the tube, but it's actually the most flattering of the four on me. (Possibly because it's a slightly deeper version of my natural lip colour.) It's elegant and polished, but still easy to wear due to light, sheen-y finish.

L'Oréal Collection Privée (Official TIFF Festival Collection) Colour Riche Lipsticks Freida

The Freida Nude

The J. Lo Nude (Barely Greige): I don't know that I would call this Greige. It's not as beige-toned, and actually has a fair bit of warmth to it. I think this is the nude that would probably suit almost everyone, with just enough pink to keep the colour fresh, and enough depth to create that contrast that keeps a nude lip from draining the warmth and brightness from the complexion. Pretty, soft, extremely easy to wear, it's the ideal shade to have in your purse at all times.

L'Oréal Collection Privée (Official TIFF Festival Collection) Colour Riche Lipsticks J. Lo

The J. Lo Nude

And if you're curious, the ad featuring the actresses (and others) that inspired this collection:

Availability: Very limited, out in Canada at most drugstores now. Price is 10.99$ CAD.

Pros: Overall, I am really impressed by these lipsticks. The colours are all wearable and different enough from each other, despite the overall nude theme. They feel nice and creamy on the lips, and the packaging is beautiful.

Cons: If you prefer a more opaque formula or longer wear, these won't hit the mark for you. Doutzen is a little trickier to wear for deeper tones, unless you're rocking a Mod lip.

(These items were provided by the brand/PR to be considered for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated.)

A berry-toned lip is a classic for Fall, and Lise Watier offers up a couple of interesting variations on this theme with two of the lip products in their Tartantastique Collection.

The Haute Lumière High Shine Lip Gloss in the shade Spotlight, and the Rouge Sublime Lipstick in the shade Tartan are both new additions to their respective product categories, debuting with this collection but not limited edition.

Lise Watier Tartantastique Fall 2013 Collection Haute Lumière Lip Gloss in Spotlight and Rouge Sublime Lipstick in Tartan

The packaging is sleek and elegant, as per the rest of the Lise Watier brand, with nice metallic casing. I really like the squared-off tubes for the lip gloss.

A particular feature of the Haute Lumière Lip Gloss is that it actually comes equipped with a light in the cap that is automatically activated when you twist it open. A little gimmicky, but surprisingly useful if you ever have to touch up your gloss at night, especially in a car.

And how gorgeous is that sparkle in the lip gloss tube??? It looks like a duochrome nail polish. LOVE IT.

Lise Watier Tartantastique Fall 2013 Collection Haute Lumière Lip Gloss in Spotlight

Spotlight is a medium textured gloss, neither thick not overly thin, and it doesn't feel sticky on the lips. It has a relatively sheer base of violet-tinged mauve that looks more pink on my lips, and a golden shimmer throughout that looks subtle at first but becomes more apparent as the base colour settles on the lip.

It's a pretty gloss by itself, though less vibrant than it appears in the tube, but it's especially lovely when applied over a berry lipstick that amplifies the shade and allows the shimmer/sparkle to become more apparent. It wears about 2-3 hours on me before starting to fade down, though the sparkle hangs around longer and it does leave a faint stain behind.

I'm not as crazy about the wand applicator, which feels just a trifle too long and drags some of the product off as you swipe. Not a deal-breaker by any means, though. The scent is sweet and fruity, a little stronger than that of the lipstick.

Lise Watier Tartantastique Fall 2013 Collection Rouge Sublime Lipstick in Tartan

Tartan is a Rouge Sublime Lipstick, which are supposed to soften and hydrate your lips as you wear it. It definitely has an emolliant feel, and a medium level of pigmentation. It's glossy and lush on the lips, and does hydrate and make them more full-looking as a result.

This shade swatches with a bit of a warm undertone, but on my lips it's a soft, mauve-y berry shade. Very fall-appropriate, without being vampy. This is the kind of shade that just looks pretty and elegant no matter the social situation.

It lasts about 4 hours on average, and has a pleasant, faintly sweet/fruity scent.

Top to bottom: Spotlight and Tartan

Haute Lumiere High Shine Lip Gloss in Spotlight

Rouge Sublime Lipstick in Tartan

Availability: At Lise Watier counters at The Bay and most Pharmaprix/SDM locations, as well as Jean Coutu. Also at www.lisewatier.com, which does ship to the US as well. Price is 21$ CAD/USD for the lipstick and 22$ CAD/USD for the lip gloss.

Pros: Lipstick is hydrating and softening, very pleasant to wear, and the shade is passe-partout - appropriate for work or play. The lipgloss is surprisingly soft and pretty on its own, with a sparklier, more dynamic finish layered over a lipstick. It's a medium-weight, non tacky formula. The light feature is fun and functional.

Cons: The amazing colour visible in the lip gloss tube doesn't translate to the lip due to the product's sheerness. The applicator is a little too long for my personal liking, but YMMV.

(These items were provided by the brand/PR to be considered for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated.)

The Tartantastique Fall Collection from Lise Watier features a limited edition palette, but also introduced a new permanent palette to the current line-up of Quatuor Eyeshadow Quartets: Les Mauves.

I find the name a little puzzling, as the shades call to mind fields of heather and lilac trees rather than anything resembling mauve. It's an absolutely gorgeous palette of cream, blue-leaning violet, icy lilac and cool, bittersweet chocolate. Beautiful shades that call to mind dusk and the darkening days of autumn.

Lise Watier tartantastique Fall 2013 Collection - Quatuor Eyeshadow Quartet in Les Mauves

All the shades in this palette have an intensely creamy texture. When you rub your finger over them, there is absolutely no powder kick-back, and they feel totally luxurious. They have beautiful pigmentation, and apply and blend like a dream. I especially appreciate the texture of the cream shade, as it can be difficult to find a white or cream that doesn't go a bit powdery or chalky, unless it's also a frost.

The cream and brown have a relatively matte finish, but due to that lovely texture they look anything but flat when applied.

The blue-violet shade is perhaps the sheerest of the bunch, but that's only if you want to be picky. It has a soft, duochrome-y shimmer.

The lilac is the most shimmery - almost metallic, actually - of the four and reads warmer or cooler depending on the way the light hits it. If you're looking for a nice alternative to the usual mauve-taupe shimmer (AKA Satin Taupe and all her clones), this is a great option.

I love the inclusion of that cool-toned brown, which can work as a liner, to deepen the crease and to generally wear the violet shades in a more neutral fashion.

The wear time on these was good - 10 hours easy over primer, no creasing or fading.

Left to right: Swatched clockwise from top right corner of the palette.

I thought this palette might be similar to the Les Vins palette I reviewed previously, but overall it is cooler, with a broader range of finishes, and with a creamier, more pigmented texture. Colour-wise, I found the closest similarity to be between the blue-violet in this palette and the indigo blue in the Les Vins palette, which is swatched below for comparison.

Violet from Les Mauves on the left, indigo from Les Vins on the right.

Availability: At Lise Watier counters at Pharmparix/SDM, Jean Coutu, The Bay (including www.thebay.com), as well as from www.lisewatier.com. Price is 32$ CAD/USD.

Pros: Intensely creamy texture, excellent payoff, superior blendability and great wear. Nice balance of textures, and more vivid and neutral shades.

Cons: Aside from it being more cool-toned and perhaps a bit more difficult to wear on very warm complexions, I can't think of one.

(This item was provided by the brand/PR to be considered for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated.)

I love supporting Canadian-grown companies, especially indie brands. Bite Beauty is an easy one for me to love, as they generally do products with superior formulation and good-for-your-skin ingredients.

That said, I was a little taken aback when I opened up my box of the the Cashmere Lip Cream in the shade Port- the liquid inside appeared to be separating from the sides of the tube, and when I pulled out the wand applicator the consistency seemed oddly dried out. I was concerned that I had received a bad batch, and I attempted to contact the brand (by email and twitter) to see if the appearance of my item was unusual. I waited for about a week, but since I received no response, I'm going ahead with this review as is.

Aside from the issue stated above, I thought the packaging was both sleek and organic-feeling (at least insofar as the exterior packaging).

The Cashmere Lip Creams are supposed to have a much stronger pigment percentage - four times higher, in fact - and a creamy, buttery application that nevertheless becomes matte as the oils evaporate off.

Without a doubt, these are extremely pigmented. My concern about the dried-out texture of the wand was unfounded, as what was on it applied both smoothly, and with faultless payoff.

Despite the intense pigmentation, this didn't looked thick or like it was sitting on top of my lips, and it didn't bleed or collect in the lines of my lips. It felt comfortable on, though not quite the feather-light texture that the copy promises. I could definitely feel that I was wearing something.

The oils and butters are supposed to evaporate at different rates, creating that smooth application and eventual matte finish. It actually stayed looking creamy longer than I expected, and though it dried down, it stayed flexible and didn't turn crackly or parched. When I pressed my lips together I could still feel a touch of creaminess and after about 3 hours, and it didn't make it through my lunch the way long-wearing, truly matte finishes can. I actually don't mind that, as it overall felt a lot easier on the lips than that sort of finish.

I also really liked that I got lipstick level coverage, with the precision of a wand applicator. For a vibrant shade like this, it's a real time-saver to not need a lipliner or lip brush.

Speaking of colour, isn't it gorgeous?? Again, the copy states that this is a deep wine, but once on my lips it was more of a slightly blue-leaned medium-to-deep red. Rich and elegant, but not as dark as I expected. It's the near-perfect red shade for me, making my teeth white and my complexion brighter.

It has a very faint, naturally fruity fragrance that I find pleasant.

Availability: Exclusive to Sephora, for now. Price is 32$ CAD.

Pros: Incredible pigmentation, smooth and creamy texture, comfortable wear. Precise application with the wand, eliminating need for lipliner. No bleeding.

Cons: Average wear-length and general tenacity, whereas I expected more due to the state matte finish. And though this is not a reflection on the product as such, communication with the brand was non-existent, which I find a little off-putting when a brand uses social media and advertises a customer service email.

(I purchased this item from Sephora. This post is not sponsored or compensated.)

I've been tremendously fortunate this past month, on both a personal and professional level. What do they call the opposite of Mercury Retrograde? Because that's what it feels like. This month has abounded in great opportunities and new relationships, and knowing how cyclical these things are, I'm cherishing and enjoying these moments.

One such opportunity was the Beauty United blogger event in Toronto this past month. I joined 30 other beauty bloggers from across Canada at the Trump hotel for the reveal of a new media program from Procter and Gamble. The goal was to introduce us to the beauty brands under that company's umbrella, while giving us the chance to speak with the makeup artists and hair stylists that represent those brands nationally and internationally.

It was a really fun evening, and getting to see the Fall trends explained by the very people who helped to develop them was a beauty junkie's dream. (Getting to meet fellow bloggers and eat scrumptious desserts was an incredible side benefit!)

The main conference room, where we shmoozed and ~~gorged on~~ daintily partook of chocolate and wine. You may recognize the lovely ladies behind Liner, Glitter, Gloss and Perilously Pale in the midst of this huddle. ;)

As you can see, I beelined straight for the chocolate.

Some of the products that were out on display for us to play with and discuss with the different representatives.

Blond is, of course, ALWAYS a trend.

Some of the newer items from Cover Girl, including the Flame Out line and the new Clean foundation.

An expansion of the very successful Regenerist line from Oil of Olay, as well their version of the CC cream.

I didn't even know that Vidal Sassoon had a haircare line in drugstores, until I spoke to the incredibly nice rep (who it turns out was an ex-pat West Islander - small world!).

The most exciting part for me, I'll admit, was seeing the presentations from Denis Binet and Amelie Ducharme, the artistic directors for hair and makeup, respectively, for Montreal Fashion Week.

Denis is charming in the way only a Parisian man can be, telling us stories of his daughters as he explained his inspiration for the Big Hair, Don't Care look. Amelie was no less delightful, joking that Pat McGrath always gets her best ideas from her. They were both very generous with their time and knowledge.

Denis Binet, the stunning model representing one of the Fall 2013 trends, and Amelie Ducharme.

Two of the looks presented:

1) Sleek, severe, almost androgynous hair. Contoured cheeks, burgundy-toned smoky eyes, modern matte skin.

2) Big hair, with a defined shape in the front and party in the back. Perfected but restrained eye and a saturated wine-red lip. Textures remain matte, but still wearable and fresh.

I also received a bagful of product to test out and review, so the first of those reviews will be coming this week. :)

(Disclosure: I am a #BeautyUnited blogger. As part of my affiliation with this group, I receive products and special access to P&G events. The opinions on this blog are my own.)

Is it me, or have drugstore foundations been getting better and better over the last few years? I remember buying my first high-end product (a Bobbi Brown foundation) specifically because I couldn't find a good shade match or reasonably decent texture at the drugstore. Granted, that was about 20 years ago, so most drugstore makeup has improved dramatically in the interim, but I've been taken aback by how many drugstore foundations in particular I've found to be just plainly excellent.

I'm happy to add the new Cover Girl Clean Whipped Creme Foundation to that list.

Clean Whipped Creme Foundation in #320 Creamy Natural

It has a "modern" matte texture; the finish is indeed matte, but looks like clean, perfected skin texture rather than dry or powdery. Although it has a cream consistency, it's also incredibly lightweight and airy, and blends into skin flawlessly, leaving no perceptible trace and no tangible sensation, only a smoother appearance. For those who don't enjoy the way foundation feels on their face, then this is a great option.

I found the formulation to be exceedingly sophisticated, very similar to the way in which the Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation feels and interacts when applied. (And also similar to the equally budget-friendly L'Oréal Magic Nude Liquid Powder.) The difference being that it has that initially thicker, creamier consistency, which actually makes it easier to manipulate than a very liquid formulation.

The coverage is light to almost-medium with a second layer, but I would hesitate to build up too much past that point, as it does start looking more obvious and powdery. Like the two other foundations I've compared it to, I find it also does best on normal or slightly combination skin. If you have oiler skin, you'll notice some sheen after a few hours, like I did around my nose. I didn't find the foundation getting patchy, or emphasizing my pores, just looking dewier. A primer or mattifying powder would be enough to control that. For drier skin, you'll notice it will pick up on flakes and dry areas somewhat, though that effect does diminish substantially after an hour or so as the foundation settles. Minus the sheen aspect, the wear was great, lasting me 10 hours with no fading or breaking down.

As you can see, the shade number #320 matched me well, even though it was a randomly provided press sample.

As an aside, this foundation also has no discernible scent, which is a welcome change from previous Cover Girl foundations I've tried.

The foundation is blended out on the left, and swatched on the right.

I always enjoy a multi-tasking product, and the three shades available in the Cover Girl Clean Glow promise to do that by offering an ombré range of colours in each palette.

The one I have, in the shade #120 Spices, is specifically marketed as a bronzer as opposed to a blush. I think using it as such would largely depend on your skin tone. The shades range from a pale peach, a nectarine with a strong beige undertone, and a muted redwood. The two lighter shades actually make for a lovely peach blush that looks fresh and natural on my skintone, and would probably be especially flattering on a pale redhead.

The darkest shade is a bit too ruddy for me to wear as a blush, but works when applied to the high planes of my face to mimic the way my skin looks after I've caught some sun. I think for olive skin tones that look sallow in yellow-toned bronzers, this would work beautifully. It could also work as a contour if the traditional taupe makes you look like you have giant bruises instead of high cheekbones.

Clean Glow in #120 Spices

The packaging promises "lightweight, blendable matte colour", and I think that's accurate. The finish is matte, and the texture is silky-fine and firmly packed, dry and light without being chalky or powdery. It's also inherently quite sheer, though I was able to build up depth without it looking cakey on the skin due to that lightweight texture. (It's also what the model with the ponytail and burgundy eye look was wearing as a contour in this post.)

This is meant to create a natural look, blend in seamless and be relatively foolproof to apply, but if you prefer a dense, creamy texture and strong payoff, then this isn't for you. For deeper skin tones, it will probably be too light and sheer to have much effect.

It has no masking fragrance included, which actually results in a slightly odd smell if you sniff the pan directly, though it's not noticeable at all once applied.

Availability: Out in most drugstores now, including Jean Coutu and Pharmaprix/SDM. Also available on www.well.ca. Prices vary, though 8.99$ for each is the suggested price.

Pros: Both products have a very lightweight feel, and look natural and seamless on the skin. The foundation has a very sophisticated texture that looks like skin, only perfected, and it wears very well overall. The bronzer can be used as blush, bronzer and/or contour, depending on your skin tone.

Cons: Some shine and emphasis on flakiness with the foundation, depending on skin type. Unsuited for very oily or very dry skin. The bronzer is sheer, which makes it unsuited for darker skin or those who prefer more intensity.

(Disclosure: I am a #BeautyUnited blogger. As part of my affiliation with this group, I receive products and special access to P&G events. The opinions on this blog are my own.)

Some makeup items are so beautiful, they're almost magic. And like a lot of magic acts, these items can require a fair bit of backstage work to achieve that glorious on-stage effect. Such is the case with the Bonne Étoile Palette from the Dior Mystic Metallics Fall 2013 Collection, with its beautiful design and stunning colours.

Dior Mystic Metallics Collection Fall 2013 - Bonne Étoile Palette

If you know me, you know of my terrible, crushing weakness for all things Dior. When I saw the promo pictures for this collection, I drove my Dior counter SAs crazy with almost daily phone calls, and when I heard this palette was in stock, I literally raced over to the snag it (taking advantage of a Pharmaprix Optimum offer at the same time). I barely even bothered to test it in the store, which is, perhaps, why I was a little taken aback the first time I tried applying it.

The color range is just gorgeous, Fall-like without being stereotypical, and they work together brilliantly. The shades all swatched nicely on my arm, with beautiful shimmer and sparkle. Getting that same intensity to show up on my eyes was a different story.

The smoky olive green in the top left corner has good pigmentation, and an absolutely gorgeous golden sparkle that for the most part falls away upon application. And while the payoff is good in terms of opacity, something about the olive undertones is lost, and it winds up looking almost muddy. It works well enough to smoke out the look or to add depth, but I've found using it wet is the best way to maintain that olive tone. The golden sparkle is better retained this way as well, and it creates an incredible, burnished metal eye look.

The pale silvered taupe in the top right corner has the most metallic finish, and sheer-to-medium pigmentation. This is probably the most magical shade out of the group - applied with a natural-bristle brush, it gives a faint fairy-like sparkle. Applied dry with a flat synthetic brush, it creates a lovely metallic look that is nice on its own, but that has enough sheerness to layer nicely over another shade. Applied wet, it has an intense foil-like finish that is super high-impact.

The bronze shade in the middle has a similar texture and finish to the olive green, with the same issues. It looks less muddy, however, and makes for a very nice crease shade. I had similarly much more vibrant results using it wet.

The seafoam green shade in the bottom right corner is the sheerest, with a slightly powdery finish. It can be built up over a primer or base, but the effect will remain whimsical and delicate. I had the best application using a flat synthetic brush over my usual MAC 239.

The pewter-teal shade in the bottom left corner has a stronger shimmer and smoother, denser texture than the bronze or the olive. It has the truest-to-pan result, and used wet it is off the charts gorgeous.

Overall, I find the textures of this palette to be more powdery and less dense and creamy than I'm used to from Dior, and the colour payoff to be both less vibrant and more sheer than I expected from the swatches. The powderiness makes it difficult to pick up and pack on colour, though it makes blending easier. Without a primer, fading was obvious 5-6 hours in (with a primer, a solid 9 hours before I saw any fading.)

However, using the right tools and the right mediums, the results could be absolutely stunning. Applied dry and using natural-hair brushes, the effect is softer and hazier - still pretty, but far less dramatic that the look of the promo images and the palette itself suggests.

Availability: Still out at some Pharmaprix/SDM locations. Price is 62$ CAD.

Pros: Lovely design, beautiful shade range that doesn't skew too warm. Amazing metallic and sparkle finishes that vary from delicate and fey to intensely dramatic depending on application tools and medium.

Cons: Powdery texture makes it difficult to get the same intensity as in the pan, and some of the glitter gets lost along the way. Wear doesn't make it through a workday without a primer.

(I purchased this item.)

If I have to choose between an automatic pencil liner and one that needs to be sharpened, I will usually go with the one that needs to be sharpened. The automatic one might be more convenient, but I prefer having a pencil that I can bring to a point.

But Smashbox has eliminated this game of "Would You Rather..." with their new Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liners.

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner

These innovative liners boast a "sharpener" built into the cap. As you screw the cap back on, the liner inside the casing pushes up a bit, while the tip is reshaped by the interior of the cap. When you take the cap off again the next time you use it, you have a precise point once again.

That sounds brilliant, doesn't it? And in many ways it is. It eliminates the mess and fuss of using a separate sharpener, and since it's not actually sharpening anything, you're not wasting any product that would otherwise be sliced off by the blade. It doesn't come to quite enough of a fine point to replace a gel or liquid liner, as the copy claims, but it's more than adequate for general eyelining needs.

It's also quite waterproof and budge-proof. Once it dries down - which it does in about 30 seconds, so move quickly if you need to smudge - it's quite resolved to stay exactly where you put it. On my notoriously demanding eyelids, it lasted 9 hours with only slight fading on the inner top lid.

It also comes in a nice assortment of colours, from the basic black and nude to very vibrant teals, and the pigmentation is intense, and the application super smooth.

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner
Top to bottom: Raven, Bare, Violetta, Cabana

So what's the downside? Well, the thing that makes it work as well as it does is also what makes it impossible for me to use on my waterline. For a pencil to be remain soft enough to be molded into a point, it's likely to be too creamy to last when applied to the waterline. That's what I found to be true here, with barely an hour going by before the liner disappeared entirely. This was especially problematic with Bare, as I bought it for the sole purpose of lining the bottom waterline.

Their softness also makes lining the lower lashline a little difficult, as the tip can get caught up in the lashes and crumble around them, leaving a messy line behind. I had to take care to really get in under my lashes.

If you generally have good luck with liners staying in your waterline, you might get longer wear out of these than I did. In which case, you might unequivocally love them.

Availability: At Sephora stores and www.sephora.com, as well as certain Pharmaprix/SDM and Murale locations. Also at www.smashbox.com, which does ship to Canada. Price is 23$ CAD and 20$ USD.

Pros: Great shade range, self "sharpening", excellent pigmentation, generally budge-proof and waterproof.

Cons: Doesn't last in my waterline at all, but YMWV. Very soft texture can lead to crumbling during application when worked against the lashline.

(I purchased these items.)

I don't generally like posting about products that are hard to acquire in Canada, but this Project Runway collection from L'Oréal is SO awesome - I had to share it. Hopefully if you are traveling to the US in the near future, this might prove helpful to your own drugstore forays.

The overall collection is named Electric Fantasie, with four displays bearing distinct themes. Most of the items I picked came from the "Wise Mystic" display, which features strong jewel tones and plum/berry shades. The nail polish is from the "Seductive Tempress" set, which had burnished and nude tones.

L'Oréal Project Runway Fall 2013 Collection

The Mystic's Gaze Quad, The Mystic's Kiss Lipstick, The Mystic's Shine Le Gloss, The Temptress' Power Nail Polish

Studio Secrets Pressed Eyeshadow Quad in The Mystic's Gaze: I wasn't sure what to expect, honestly, because drugstore ranges usually fall short when it comes to saturated jewel tones like this.

Studio Secrets Pressed Eyeshadow Quad The Mystic's Gaze L'Oréal Project Runway Fall 2013 Collection

The violet shade is on the sheerer side, but builds up well, and has a soft, blendable texture. The green has richer colour and a similar texture. Both have a faint duochrome shimmer that gives them a nice glow when applied to the lid, and they pop beautifully when layered over a dark base. The navy shade is lovely - deeply pigmented and lightly shimmery. The texture is a bit powdery, so it does best over a base to maintain that richness. Otherwise it blends out really well as a crease shade.

The major disappointedment for me is the royal blue shade. It looks like Nars Outremer, and has the same issues of poor pigmentation, choppy blending incredibly patchy application. It's just a terrible shade, all the more so because the colour in the pan is so stunning.

Colour Riche Lipstick in The Mystic's Kiss and Le Gloss in The Mystic's Shine: I love both of these!

L'Oréal Project Runway Fall 2013 Collection Colour Riche Lipstick in The Mystic's Kiss and Le Gloss in The Mystic's Shine

The lipstick is actually a lot more wearable that the bullet colour would suggest, more of a deep berry than purple. The texture is creamy and slightly hydrating, and it applies very smoothly.

The lip gloss has a clear base with a ton of duochrome shimmer in violet-pink and lilac. In some lights it reads as pink sparkle, in others it's almost blindingly holographic. The texture is thicker and stickier than I prefer, but as I like to wear it layered over the lipstick just at the centre of the lip, it's not a major issue.

Colour Riche Lipstick in The Mystic's Kiss

L'Oréal Project Runway Fall 2013 Collection Le Gloss in The Mystic's Shine

Colour Riche Le Gloss in The Mystic's Shine

The Mystic's Shine layered over The Mystic's Kiss

Nail Color in The Tempress' Power: So. Freaking. Gorgeous. This is the "Get It, Get It Now" product from the collection.

This is definitely more of a layering colour, though if you're willing to do four coats like I did for the swatch, it's also beautiful worn as is. This polish is magical - tons and tons of fine duochrome shimmer in a sheer base. Shifting beautifully under the light, it's a mix of gold, peach, orange and chartreuse and even a bit of teal. I regret not getting a backup, because I suspect I will be wearing it layered over everything.

I'm not going to do the usual breakdown, as it's not readily available in Canada and prices vary wildly in the states, depending on region and drugstore chain you choose.

Is there anything you guys are eyeing or have already managed to get?

(I purchased all these items.)

To celebrate their 30th Anniversary, Shu Uemura recently released the Eye-conic collection, inspired by the creative liberation of the 60s and Shu Uemura's own standard-breaking artistry.

Vibrant pinks and corals are unexpected for a fall/winter collection, and I love that! They are perfectly in keeping with the Pucci vibe of this collection, and the matte texture is most definitely autumn-ready. The Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte range is available in six limited edition shades, three of which I have to show you.

Shu Uemura Eye-conic 30th Anniversary Fall Collection - Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte Lipstick (M beige 930, M pink 355, M pink 356)

Packaged in Shu's futuristic looking bullet, the formula of these is supposed to have equally advanced qualities, blending together a matte finish and intense pigment with a comfortable feeling on the lips.

In terms of application, this was probably the smoothest-feeling matte lipstick I've ever tried. A lot of mattes tend to feel a bit dry, or tug on the lips as you apply them. These were smoother than silk. They have a lot of slip, and really glide on. They're also very pigmented without feeling thick or heavy. They have some sheen initially, but dry down fully matte shortly after application.

They do remain feeling quite comfortable on the lips, not emollient by any means, but not drying on my lips (though I'm not prone to dry lips). As they are matte, they can emphasize texture and collect in the seams of the lip, which was especially evident with the beige shade. I had the best results dabbing the product in lightly after the initial swipe.

The wear on these was only a bit longer than regular lipstick - maybe 4-5 hours - and I didn't notice as much staining as I'm used to from matte-finish lipsticks.

M beige 930 is a slightly peach-leaning nude beige. If you're looking for that perfect "concealer lip" shade, this is probably it. Worn by itself, I don't find it particularly flattering on me, even with a smokier eye, as the combination of the colour and matte finish is too deadening. It is a good base to wear under a shimmery nude-pink gloss.

M pink 355 is vivid coral-pink. Despite the brightness, it's still super wearable. The shade is pure tropical vacation by way of the Rat Pack, but the matte finish keeps it edgy and modern.

M pink 356 is a hot Barbie pink. (No kidding, I'm pretty sure my Barbie had high heels exactly this shade.) This one is more 80s than 60s, but again, made sharp and clean with that matte finish and lightweight texture. If you'e not a red-lip lady, but you want to wear something with serious oomph, this is your shade.

Availability: Currently at www.shuuemura.ca, as well as certain Sephora locations. Price is 36$ CAD.

Pros: Great pigmentation, lightweight feeling, nice "slip" during application. Both pink shades are gorgeous. Matte finish is not overly dry.

Cons: Can emphasize texture and collect in the seams of the lip. Slick texture may not be appealing if you prefer the usual feel of a matte lipstick. Beige shade can go either way - deadening to certain skin tones, the perfect "concealer lip" shade otherwise.

(These items were sent to me by the brand/PR to consider for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated.)

Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Light Diffusing Foundation (Cream) - #02 Beige Clair

Smashbox Heat Wave Eyeshadow Palette Summer 2013

Stila Back to School Sale

Annabelle Quad (Quatuor) Eyeshadow - Chai Chai Chai

Lise Watier Tartantastique Fall 2013 - Ombre Soufflé Supreme in Tartan Magique

Clarins HydraQuench Cream-Mask and HydraQuench Cream

Marcelle Waterproofing Mascara Topcoat

Chanel Le Blush Crème de Chanel - #63 Révélation

Annabelle TwistUp Retractable Lipstick Crayon - Cherry, Monroe, Vamp

L'Oréal Collection Privée (Official TIFF Festival Collection) - Colour Riche Nail Polishes

L'Oréal Collection Privée (Official TIFF Festival Collection) - Colour Riche Lipsticks

Lise Watier Tartantastique Fall 2013 Collection - Haute Lumière Lip Gloss in Spotlight and Rouge Sublime Lipstick in Tartan

Lise Watier tartantastique Fall 2013 Collection - Quatuor Eyeshadow Quartet in Les Mauves

Bite Beauty Cashmere Lip Cream - Port

Beauty United Event in Toronto

Cover Girl Clean Whipped Creme Foundation in #320 Creamy Natural and Clean Glow Bronzer in #120 Spices

Dior Mystic Metallics Collection Fall 2013 - Bonne Étoile Palette

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner

L'Oréal Project Runway Fall 2013 Collection

Shu Uemura Eye-conic 30th Anniversary Fall Collection - Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte Lipstick (M beige 930, M pink 355, M pink 356)