Bite Beauty Best Bite Set

January 17, 2014, 10:50 am

≫ Next: Marcelle Double Precision Liquid Eyeliner Pen

≪ Previous: Pre-Holiday Haul - Part 1 (Sephora VIB and FF)

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Despite their generally non-existant customer service and one-sided social media presence, Bite Beauty puts out consistently good products. When I saw this little set - with the balance of good value and try-it-out variety - I jumped on it.

The packaging is cute, sturdy and travel friendly (should you feel the need to bring all four of the lip pencils with you at a given moment), with a very handy mirror to boot. It's also, of course, reusable for whatever else you'd like to carry neatly in your bag (personally I'll be using it for the twelve million bobby pins that inevitable find their way to the bottom of my purse).

The pencils themselves are a smaller version of the High Pigment Pencils, and are priced very favorably at 25$ USD for the set of four 0.05oz pencils (with the regular size coming in 24$ USD for 0.09oz). Essentially, you get four half-sized items for the price of one regular-sized item, which is both a good deal and a low-commitment way to test out a selection of shades. 

(If you can no longer find this set at your local Sephora - as it no longer seems to be available online - you can at least purchase the shades in the regular format.)

The texture of these is absolutely dreamy. They are intensely creamy and rich feeling when applied, and surprisingly hydrating for a lip pencil, particularly one that has a non-glossy finish. That creamy texture carries through the duration of the wear, so while they do dry down to a satin finish, they remain flexible. That translates to both a more comfortable wear, and a slight tendency to bleed, especially with the richer colors. 

They are also deeply pigmented, and appear opaque with the first swipe. That high pigment load is possibly what helps them adhere and last better, given their buttery texture. 

I also love the fact that they twist up, because, well, I'm lazy like that. And really, who wants to sharpen these things anyway?

Madeira, Cranberry, Rhubarb, Quince

Now onto the colors!

Madeira is a slightly warm-toned nude. It's lighter than my lips and marginally deeper than my skin tone, and once on it basically just blanks my lips out entirely for that ever-so-sexy zombie look. Not something I would ever wear on its own, but a good base for a pink-nude gloss. This is also the only one that picked up on dryness, caking up a bit.

Cranberry is a deep but vibrant red, just a touch cool-leaning. It is classic and sexy and totally gorgeous. And makes your teeth as white as can be.

Rhubarb is mauve-rose, with a slight brown undertone that makes it the Most Likely To Flatter of the bunch. It's not the attention-getter of the set, but it's by far the one I'll be reaching for most regularly.

Quince is a stunning fuchsia rose - grounded by the rose tone to keep it wearable as opposed to searing. Quince is super-confident, but not overbearing, and as such is a beautiful alternative to the classic red for a 'power' lip. It's also just a fun, flirty, fabulous color. (Alliteration for emphasis!)

So aside from the minor issues I had with Madeira, I am very impressed with the Best Bite Set, and all the more tempted to own ALL THEIR THINGS.

What about you guys? Have you tried any Bite items that you love (or loathe)?

(I purchased this item. This post is not sponsored or compensated, all opinions are my own.)

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Marcelle Double Precision Liquid Eyeliner Pen

January 19, 2014, 10:38 am

≫ Next: Michael Kors Lip Lacquer and Lip Luster - Bombshell, Siren, Muse

≪ Previous: Bite Beauty Best Bite Set

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I've recently become enamored of liquid liner and a cat-eye look. It immediately adds such incredible definition to the eye, with relatively little effort - assuming the flick comes easy to you. I admit it took me a loooooong time to get right, and on more than one occasion it still looks like something a toddler would sneer at.

But that's why I love pen liners - they smooth over liner ineptitude - and I was happy to give the Double Precision Liquid Eyeliner Pen from Marcelle a try when it was sent to me.

As is evident from the packaging, this pen has two separate ends, one with a thicker felt-style nib, and the other with a finer, pointed brush type applicator.

The thicker end creates a strong, intensely black line that has a patent shine upon application but dries to a more matte finish. The width, short point and firmness make it fantastic for creating a strong, graphic liner look.

The finer end is both more precise and more malleable, which serves it well for creating a slim line along the lashes, and for defining a neat point. It comes out a little less opaque than the thicker felt end, with a seemingly thinner consistency, though it can be layered up easily.

They can obviously be used independently of each other, but I personally prefer using them in conjunction to create an Angelina-style cat eye - very fine in the inner corner, thick in the outer corner and coming to a precise flick at the end. This pen makes it easy to achieve both that intense black depth and close-to-the-lash definition.

I didn't have any problems with it smudging or fading, though at about the 8-hour mark it did look a bit cracked at the outer corner of my eye - which is about average for most liquid liners on me.

Availability: On the Marcelle website, which offers free shipping to Canada for purchases over 25$ and to the US for purchases over 50$. Price is 14.95$ CAD.

Pros: Essentially a two-in-one product, with different effects and finishes that can be used independently or combined. Very intense pigmentation on the thicker end, great precision on the finer end.

Cons: The thiner end is a bit less saturated, which requires a couple of passes to achieve the same level of inkiness as the felt end.

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

Michael Kors Lip Lacquer and Lip Luster - Bombshell, Siren, Muse

January 20, 2014, 11:59 am

≫ Next: Clarins Opalescence Spring 2014 - Blush, Lipstick, Eyeshadow, Base

≪ Previous: Marcelle Double Precision Liquid Eyeliner Pen

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Michael Kors is a master of the Casual American Glam aesthetic - girl-next-door by way of the red carpet. His new makeup and fragrance collection taps into the different aspects of his signature style, and parses them out into three distinct styles: Sporty, Sexy, Glam. They wisely opted to hit the lucrative but mercurial cosmetics market with an edited line-up. When I saw the display, I was intrigued enough to pick up a few items.

Michael Kors has also had a long-time association with Estée Lauder (y'all know how I feel about EL), and it shows in the design. It's the MK brand, no doubt, but you can also feel the grande matriarch's influence as well. (And hell, it owes a nod in Tom Ford's direction as well, another EL-owned brand. I wouldn't be surprised if the coming Tory Burch line fits right in - a sibling trio of designer-branded luxury makeup.)

Clean-lined, simple, but not lacking in bling, the packaging proudly displays the Michael Kors label. It also feels surprisingly lightweight for a mid-priced, if aspirational, brand. That said, I do like it.

Lip Lacquer in Bombshell

The first item I tried is the Bombshell Lip Lacquer, from the Sexy line-up. A fuchsia colour (of course) with a teeny bit of shimmer, it applies demi-sheer, with a satin finish. It doesn't build to greater opacity very well, as it has a nice amount of slip that feels smooth when applied, but that doesn't lend itself well to building up layers. It ends up looking a bit patchy. Applied straight on or as a stain, it's quite lovely. If you're looking for intensity, this likely won't satisfy you, despite the vivid shade. On the other hand, if you want something that is both attention-getting but easy, then this is worth investigating.

Formula-wise, I don't think this stood out in any way. It's not particularly hydrating or drying, and the feel is fine, but nothing more. I was honestly expecting something more luxurious.

Bombshell Lip Lacquer

I also selected two lip glosses to try: Siren Lip Luster from the Sexy line, and Muse from the Sporty line.

top to bottom: Lip Lusters in Siren and Muse

top to bottom: Lip Lusters in Siren and Muse

Siren looks like a hot raspberry pink with gorgeous fuchsia shimmer. Unfortunately, a lot of that shimmer gets lost in translation. It swatches very similarly to the way it looks in the tube, but on the lips it looks a lot less impressive. It's quite glossy and juicy-looking when applied, and has a medium level of thickness and tackiness. Wear was average, 2-3 hours, with the glossiness fading throughout.

Siren Lip Luster

Muse is a soft, milky nude with pale pink shimmer. Shockingly, I liked this a lot more than Siren. While the shimmer also loses some oomph when applied to the lips, I also looked nicely nude and not chalky, and it didn't seep into lines like a lot of glosses in this kind of shade tend to do. Formula is the same as Siren's.

Muse Lip Luster

These are some arm swatches to give you an idea of how they look on their own. All of the lip products have a very faint, slightly sweet scent.

Bombshell, Siren, Muse

Availability: At The Bay and www.thebay.com. Price is 26$ CAD for both the Lip Lacquers and the Lip Lusters.

Pros: Packaging is clean yet glam, and is lightweight (good if you like to travel light). Bombshell has an easy-to-wear finish and texture. Muse is a great shade that avoids the pitfalls common to nude glosses.

Cons: Packaging is lightweight (bad if you want the heft to go with the brand name).  Siren's tube-to-lips colour and sparkle leaves something to be desired.

Not precisely a pro or con, but the generally average, unremarkable formulas are noteworthy in a higher-end brand seeking to enter the market.

(I purchased these items. This review is not sponsored or compensated. All opinions are my own.)

Clarins Opalescence Spring 2014 - Blush, Lipstick, Eyeshadow, Base

January 22, 2014, 11:42 am

≫ Next: OPI Gwen Stefani Collection - 4 In the Morning, I Sing In Color, Over And Over A-Gwen

≪ Previous: Michael Kors Lip Lacquer and Lip Luster - Bombshell, Siren, Muse

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The Clarins Opalescence Collection is probably one of the most delicately beautiful Spring 2014 collections out there. I am coveting the limited edition eye and face palettes with the passion of a thousand suns, and I will pick them up as soon as I can spot them.

The collection also features some new additions to the permanent line-up, as well as some all new products. They are as delightfully spring-like as the limited edition items in the collection, and while I did have a chance to test them out before my holidays down south, they are an even more welcome respite from the horrifying winter now that I am back.

The Multi-Blush Cream Blush is a cream-to-powder formula that contains a mix of Rose, Mimosa and Sunflower waxes to keep skin hydrated, and a "Light Optimizing Complex" to boost radiance.

Clarins Multi-Blush in 04 Rosewood

The Multi-Blush actually reminds me a lot of the Chanel cream blushes, with that ultra-lightweight texture, and non-powdery "powder" finish that resists looking too matte. (The Chanel is a touch creamier in the pan, and the Clarins goes one more sheerly.)

I wouldn't say the finish is radiant, but it looks very, very natural. As you can see from the swatches below, it blends beautifully into the skin, leaving behind no edges or discernible texture. I do find that it dries quickly, so while most cream blushes do very well when applied with fingers, this one definitely benefits from application and blending with a small, dense but fluffy brush, like the Real Techniques Contour Brush, or the MUFE 152 Medium Highlighter Brush.

It has an airy quality that makes it easy to sheer out for a delicate flush, but it can also be built up. Wear time is ok - about 5-6 hours before I noticed fading - but will need a touch-up if you want it to carry through the day. What's nice is that it doesn't seem to suffer when re-applied over powder product.

There are 4 shades available:

• 01 Peach 
• 02 Candy 
• 03 Grenadine 
• 04 Rosewood

I received it in the shade Rosewood, which is a lovely, slightly dusty rose that should suit most fair-to-medium complexions. It's a softly romantic, pretty shade that's perfect for spring. (I'll have to pick up the coral-leaning Candy for summer!)

Clarins Multi-Blush in 04 Rosewood - heavy and blended out

There are also three new additions to the Joli Rouge Perfect Shine Sheer Lipstick range:

• 19 Tropical Pink 
• 20 Coral Tulip 
• 21 Pink Orchid

These are meant to have a shiny, transparent finish, and a hydrating formula. I personally find them moisturizing, though with a thinner texture than most gloss/lipstick hybrids. The finish is translucent, but there is still enough pigment to markedly alter the colour of my lips - sort of a stained glass or cellophane effect.

The bullet is a weighty silver metal with an oval shape - which means precisely nothing, but I do appreciate the small ways in which a brand chooses to distinguish themselves from the pack. Like most Clarins lipsticks, it smells sweetly fruity, and not in a light handed way.

Clarins Joli Rouge Perfect Shine Sheer Lipstick in 21 Pink Orchid

I received the shade Pink Orchid, which is a shimmery warm pink, just this side of watermelon. It's fresh, juicy and spring/summer perfection.

Clarins Joli Rouge Perfect Shine Sheer Lipstick in 21 Pink Orchid

Clarins Joli Rouge Perfect Shine Sheer Lipstick in 21 Pink Orchid

If you've followed this blog, you know that I've bemoaned the reformulation of the Clarins single eyeshadows. The older version are deeply pigmented and buttery smooth. The new Ombre Minérale are a wet and dry formula, which didn't impress me upon initial swatting when it first debuted. I don't know if they've since tweaked the formula, or if this new shade somehow different (or my expectations have changed in the last year), but I actually really, really love this Ombre Minérale.

Applied dry, it is indeed sheerer, but it's not as dry as I remembered. It has a soft but dense, slightly creamy feel (though not as buttery smooth as the previous incarnation). The pigmentation is reasonable, and it blends very well, though I had to be careful with some shimmer fall-out. Applied wet, however, it was perfectly lovely. The payoff was stronger, and the shimmer took on a more metallic cast - and stayed in place without any problems. I'll stand corrected on this one. It might not be true love, but I can appreciate the flexibility a dual formula like this can offer.

The two new shades are:

• 17 Smoky Plum (Vibrant Light on the US site, for some reason)
• 04 Golden Rose

Clarins Ombre Minérale in 17 Smoky Plum

I received the shade Smoky Plum, which is very aptly named. It's a plummy silver-taupe (AKA The Most Perfect Colour Ever), with a ton of shimmer. Beautiful as soft wash (wear primer to control the fallout) or as part of a metallic smoky eye.

Clarins Ombre Minérale in 17 Smoky Plum

The last all-new item is the Instant Light Radiance Boosting Complexion Base. This promises to smooth, correct and illuminate the complexion with Katafray Bark extract and a a "High-Lumitech" Complex.

I don't know about complexes, Lumitech or otherwise, but this is essentially an ultra-smooth primer with a veil of colour-toning pigment and a demi-matte, naturally-luminous finish. It can be used under makeup as a primer, or by itself if you're one of the blessed few that don't need much in the way of face magic. It's not particularly hydrating by itself, though it does give a bit more of a boost than most regular primers.

The colour looks a little distressing when pumped out of the tube, but the texture is fine and applies very sheer. It's enough to blur certain tones while boosting others, but not enough to turn your face into, say, a pumpkin. (Which I may, perhaps, have been worried about when I saw the orange-peach blob I pumped out.) The texture and finish actually reminds me a bit of the CLarins BB Cream, albeit lighter and more liquid. It has that lightweight texture that disappears right into the skin (thanks, silicone!), leaving it simultaneously matte and radiant. It doesn't have any overt shimmer, so I don't know how it manages this feat. (I suspect witchcraft.)

It can be smoothed on with fingers or a foundation brush, all over the face or just in areas where the colour-toning action will be most beneficial. (Personally, I like applying it with the Glamcor Contour Brush.)

It comes in three shades, each meant to address a different concern and/or skin tone:

• 01 Rose – gives maximum radiance to all skin tones 
• 02 Champagne – corrects redness in fair complexions 
• 03 Peach – revives the radiance of tanned complexions

Instant Light Radiance Boosting Complexion Base in 03 Peach

Mine came in Peach, which, again, looked alarming to my hibernating paleness. Buffed in, however, it looked more warming than orange, and could conceivable be a good base for those of you who like to self-tan your body but not your face. If you have a medium, tan or olive complexion, however, this might be perfect. I suspect it would provide an especially nice boost if you tend to look more sallow and tired in the winter.

Instant Light Radiance Boosting Complexion Base in 03 Peach: buffed in, lightly blended, dollop

All in all, I'm quite pleased/impressed with these items from the Clarins Opalescence Collection. I can see myself getting a couple of the blushes, and I'd love to try the base in Champagne. Hopefully I'll have a chance to pick up the palettes as well, because Clarins does amazing blush/face palettes every year.
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What about you guys? Have you nabbed anything from this collection yet? Are there any other Spring items that you're already loving?

Availability: Mostly up on www.thebay.com and at The Bay, and in select Pharmaprix and Murale locations. Blushes are 30$ CAD, lipsticks are 27$ CAD, eyeshadows are 22$ CAD, bases are 37$ CAD.

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

OPI Gwen Stefani Collection - 4 In the Morning, I Sing In Color, Over And Over A-Gwen

January 25, 2014, 4:38 pm

≫ Next: Grammys 2014 and BeautyUnited Event

≪ Previous: Clarins Opalescence Spring 2014 - Blush, Lipstick, Eyeshadow, Base

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Did anyone realize back in the 90s that Gwen Stefani would turn out to be a fashion icon? All I knew was that she was MY icon, with her tough, sassy take on vintage glam. I wanted her bleached-out hair (chickened out and got a Rogue streak instead), her abs (yeah, dream on) and her sexy/sporty clothes (see: abs).

I suppose it's only natural that this collaboration between OPI and Gwen happened. Inspired by the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala's them of "Chaos: Punk to Couture"*, Suzi Weiss-Fischmann created this 7-piece collection to honour Gwen's influence on music, fashion and style.

It's also no surprise that the OPI Gwen Stefani collection reflects the icon's own vintage/edge style heritage, with a mix of classics and completely new, breakthrough textures.

*Still so very angry that I missed that exhibit by four days.

photo credit: OPI

One of the shades is a mirrored chrome that comes with a specific base coat: Push And Shove, and Lay Down That Base.

The other 6 are:

• Over and Over A-Gwen (signature red creme)
• Hey Baby (pink creme)
• I Sing In Color (blackened maroon creme)
• Love.Angel.Music.Baby (champagne gold satin)
• 4 In The Morning (charcoal satin) 
• In True Stefani Fashion (silver glitter)

I've included press pictures so you can see the caps they come with, as my samples had the regular caps.

 I was able to sample three of them, including one of the new satin textures (which actually looks and feels a little rubberized).

Over And Over A-Gwen, 4 In The Morning, I Sing In Color

4 In The Morning: A dark charcoal, with the teeniest shimmer and an almost green undertone that is only evident in certain lighting. In the shade, this is more of a flat (but soft) black, but in the light you can see some of that shimmer adding depth. I think the shimmer actually adds to the perception of the satin texture, as in the shade it looks entirely matte. It's a very neat shade/texture combo that looks both punk and sophisticated. 

Although they don't recommend adding topcoat, I did use it for the sake of testing. As expected, it makes the shimmer more obvious and is a beautiful colour, though it does lose  a lot of what makes it cool and different.

Application-wise, this took me a while to get right. It flows easily and evenly, but I tend to do my nails quickly, the coats staying wet in between layers. It took me a few tries to figure out that this did best with a very thin base coat, allowed to dry, and then a normal one over that. 

4 In The Morning (no topcoat, in lighting that shows the green undertone)

4 In The Morning (with topcoat)

I Sing In Color:  A classic blackened maroon vamp, this boasts one of the best formulas I've seen for a shade like this. No watery-ness, no pooling, just smooth, free-flowing, self-leveling perfection. And it is glossy, glossy, glossy. It's not unique, but it's a great example of a vamp shade done in a stellar formulation.

Two coats is good, but I did three here because I love saturating near-black shade like.

I Sing In Color

Over and Over A-Gwen: Another classic, done to perfection. This is a medium depth, ever so slightly cool red. It's actually darker than it appears in my pictures, which pull brighter.

OPI does incredible reds, but chances are you have something like this in your collection. It's darker and cooler than Color So Hot It Berns. It's similar to China Glaze Phat Santa, maybe a touch less cool (even though PS looks darker in the bottle).

The formula is, again, what sets the bar high: incredibly smooth, rich and self-leveling, with a lovely gloss finish. Two coats gives perfect pigmentation. If you don't have an excellent red (or you can't resist one that applies like butter) then this a choice pick.

Over and Over A-Gwen

I really, really want to try Love.Angel.Music.Baby, which my friend Eugenia swatched and reviewed over at Ommorphia's Beauty Bar. (Champagne glitter that feels like suede? IN.)

Are you guys grabbing anything from this collection?

Availability: At Trade Secrets and salons, as well as Nail Polish Canada. Suggested price is 10.95$ CAD.

(Items were provided by the brand/PR to be considered for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated. All opinions are my own.)

Grammys 2014 and BeautyUnited Event

January 27, 2014, 7:20 pm

≫ Next: Shu Uemura 6♡PRINCESS by Takashi Murakami Collection (Holiday 2013)

≪ Previous: OPI Gwen Stefani Collection - 4 In the Morning, I Sing In Color, Over And Over A-Gwen

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Last night I had the distinct pleasure of watching the Grammys in the swanky Thompson Hotel, courtesy of the lovely folks from BeautyUnited and PnG Beauty. I was surrounded by some of the most awesome Canadian beauty bloggers, including (though certainly not limited to) our host, the ever-effervescant Arianne of The Glitter Geek, Christa of Perilously Pale, Eugenia of Ommorpia's Beauty Bar, Ellie of My Beauty Box, Alexa of Stealing Beauty, Kristelle of Crystal Candy Makeup and Chloe of Fashion Red Fox. 

We noshed, we boozed we imbibed like the ladies we are, and we dished, both amongst ourselves and on twitter. If you were following along with us with the #musicglam hashtag, you may have been one of the lucky 6 winners of some stellar PnG Beauty prize packs. Otherwise, you were probably as fixated on the dresses and hair and performances as we were. 

My personal favourite looks were: Cyndi Lauper, who looked like her usual Technicolor, ageless pixie urchin self, Beyonce, who maybe an actual goddess, and Taylor Swift, who just looked perfectly pretty.

My favourite performances were: Pink, because she was SO awesome, she made everyone in a 50 foot radius that much more awesome simply by the sheer force of her awesomeness, and Macklemore, BECAUSE MACKLEMORE. Also, there was that whole thing where Queen Latifah married 33 couples. No big.

Photo credit: Bellasugar

Katy Perry, who is also a Cover Girl spokesperson, wore one of the most flattering looks - a fresh, pretty and modern take on a 50s debutante/ballerina. And MY GOD HER SKIN. I suspect someone has been making deals with a crossroads demon, because that skin is just unreal. Her look was created by MUA Jake Bailey.

Products used (all Cover Girl): 

Skin - Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream, mixed equal parts  CGsmoothers BBcream and TruBlend Liquid Foundation, TruMagic Sunkisser and Luminizer, COVERGIRL + Olay Pressed Powder.

Eyes - Bombshell Intensity Liner, Bombshell Volume Mascara, Bombshell Shine Shadow in Gold Goddess, Flamed Out Shadow Pot in Blazing White. COVERGIRL TruMagic Sunkisser and Luminizer.

Lips -  LipPerfection Lipstick in Heavenly

As part of the night, we were asked to pick the makeup and hair looks that we enjoyed the most. There was a lot of debate, but we settled on a combination of dark eyes, pastel lips and an unstructured take on the classic french chignon, inspired by the updo sported by Paris Hilton (NOT my fave, I preferred the similar and more touchable style worn by Sarah Hyland) and the makeup worn by Rita Ora (which I think looked fantastic).

Photo credit: Bellanaija

Paris went a little too "Dynasty" for me, but Sarah look feminine and chic and casually beautiful.

Photo credit: Popsugar

I love, love, LOVE the sparkly purple on Rita's eyes. 

These two trend looks was then re-interpreted by the consulting stylist and makeup artist for Pantene and Cover Girl:

Photo credit: Arthur Mola

Hair Look by Justin German, PANTENE PRO-V Consulting Stylist

First, prepare by washing hair with the new Pantene Pro-V Damage Detox Weekly Deep Cleanse Purifying Shampoo. Blow-dry with a round brush and pin in clips, like you would rollers – this will give you a great foundation for this updo. Set hair with Pantene Pro-V Stylers Anti-Humidity Mximum Hold Hairspray.

After a few minutes, remove clips and shake out curls. Spray in Pantene Advanced+ Keratin Repair KERAGLOSS Oil Mist to relax the look and build texture.

Now, part the hair in two sections. Start by collecting hair from temple to temple and pile it in a knot on top of your head. With the remaining hair, gather and put into a ponytail just below the crown. While the sides are tight to the head, they are not slick. We want an undone look! Backbrush the ponytail, while misting with hairspray.


Next, twist the ponytail downward and pin into the head all the way down. Finish by tucking in the ends with a few bobby pins at the nape of the neck. Undo the top section of hair and backbrush with a few spritzes of the Pro-V Stylers Anti-Humidity spray.

Then lift hair at the front, creating tons of volume, roll and pin into the top of the hair roll that was created with the bottom section of the hair – connecting the top and bottom into one.

For the final touch, using your fingertips, pull out a few pieces of hair from the front, lifting and spraying for even more volume and texture. Finish with a few sprays of KERAGLOSS for extra shine.

Justin makes it look so easy.

Princess pretty with a rocker edge.

Makeup Look by Amélie Ducharme, COVERGIRL Makeup Pro

To keep focus on the eyes, skin must look flawless. Create your base with COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation with a foundation brush. Even out any dark circles by applying COVERGIRL + Olay Eye Rehab CC Cream with a concealer brush. Apply in a triangular shape under the eye - from corner to corner and down toward the nose.

Next, lightly apply COVERGIRL Clean Sensitive Skin Pressed Powder under the eye to set concealer. Also apply on forehead, nose and chin for a natural yet matte skin finish.

With your finger, apply COVERGIRL Bombshell Shine Shadow in Ohh La Lilac all over the mobile lid up to the crease and along the bottom lashline with a flat shadow brush. Using a shadow brush, apply COVERGIRL Flamed Out Shadow Pot in Molten Black to the outside corner of the lid and then from the inside corner, blending toward the center of the eye, connecting both sides in the crease. To create dimension, apply the plum shadow from the COVERGIRL EyeEnhancer 4-Kit Shadow in Prom Queen to the middle of the lid, just below the crease.  Also, sweep this plum colour under the eye.

Then, rim the bottom of the eye, tighter to the lashline, with the Shadow Pot in Molten Black, blending slightly wider toward the outer corner of the eye.

Next, line the entire waterline with COVERGIRL LiquiLineBlast Eye Liner in Black Fire. To intensify the look, use this pencil to trace over the shadow on the outer corners of the eye and blend out and up using the sponge tip on the other end of the pencil. Using a shadow brush, connect the shadow from the top and bottom lids just beyond the outside corner, lifting up and out toward the temple, elongating the eye. The further out, the more dramatic the look!

Using COVERGIRL Bombshell Intensity Liner in Pitch Black Passion, trace along the upper lashline starting from the inner corner and creating a thicker line as you move to the outer corner extending just beyond the lash in an upward movement.

Coat lashes with COVERGIRL Bombshell Volume Mascara in Very Black. Start with multiple coats of Step 1 for extreme volume, then apply Step 2 for a pitch black glossy finish. Finish the eye look by applying the silver shade from the Prom Queen palette under the brow.

For this smoldering look, you want to create a thick, strong brow. Fill in brows with COVERGIRL Brow & EyeMakers Pencil one shade darker than your natural colour. To contour the face, use COVERGIRL Clean Glow Bronzer in Spices. Starting with the darkest shade of the palette, apply just under the cheek bone at the temple. As you move toward the apple of the cheek blend the middle and lightest shade.

Finally, prep lips by applying moisturizer topped with a thin layer of your foundation to cover any redness around the mouth. Then, fill in your pout with COVERGIRL LipPerfection in Yummy – a great pastel pink! For a more matte finish, apply a light dusting of Clean Pressed Powder.

Amélie smoking it out.

Eyes in progress.

All in all, it was a super fun night! Thank you again to BeautyUnited and PnG for making it possible. :)

So did you guys watch the show? What stood out for you?

(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.)

Shu Uemura 6♡PRINCESS by Takashi Murakami Collection (Holiday 2013)

January 28, 2014, 5:26 pm

≫ Next: Pantone Color of the Year "Radiant Orchid" - Selections from Lancome, YSL, Clarisonic and Giorgio Armani

≪ Previous: Grammys 2014 and BeautyUnited Event

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I had millions of baby lemmings when I saw the promo images for the 6Princess Collection by Takashi Murakami for Shu Uemura. Millions of them. I blessed the timing, as Shu was running a Friends and Family event at the same time, so I cackled with glee as I placed my order. Unfortunately, there was a snafu - my card was never charged, the order was never shipped, and by the time I thought to contact customer service, the goods I had ordered (or not) were gone. I wept bitterly into my cheerios for a week, and then - blessings from the blogging angels! A package landed on my doorstep.

A package containing these wondrous, gilded boxes of love.

The concept behind this collection comes out of a collaboration between  with 6♡PRINCESS, Takashi Murakami’s animation work, and Shu Uemura, with the theme being the “dual beauty” of the pink and black princess. "Every woman has pink side and black side in her, nice and naughty, innocent and sexy."

Takashi Murakami is an internationally renowned artist from Japan, who has worked with both traditional fine arts materials as well as in cinema and film. He is also the founder of the post-modern movement called SUPERFLAT, which draws from anime and Otaku sub-culture.

I love how the Shu Uemura collections have such deep and varied artistic roots, both in terms of Shu Uemura's own training, and the influence of the various collaborators. It just makes the products and even the packaging that much more special. Not your run-of-the-mill plastic black casing here.

As you can see...

Princess Fun-tasy Mini Brush Set and Black Jewel On Wing False Eyelashes

And onto the actual products...

Princess Fun-tasy Mini Brush Set

The Shu's Princess Fun-tasy Mini Brush Set is ridiculously cute! The pouch is a nice size, and unzips to reveal slotted holders for the brushes (which actually fit easily in two out of the four slots, so you can add other brushes - or tweezers or the like - for your travel needs) and a bigger slotted pouch for some something like a palette, powder...or something like kleenex or wipes.

The brushes included are very nice for travel-sized brushes. There is a blush brush (which I personally like for dabbing on powder rather than blush), a concealer-typ brush, a lip or detailer brush, and an eyeshadow brush. All of them are good quality - certainly better than any travel set of this size that I've tried before - but I would expect nothing less at this price. The blush brush is silky and just fluffy enough for powder touch-ups, though perhaps too compact for applying blush. It works well as a contour or highlight brush, even outside of travel purposes. The eyeshadow brush has bristles that are soft to the touch, but quite firmly packed. It's a good lay-down brush due to that firmness. It also smudges out a line, though it's not quite as soft as I would generally prefer for that purpose. Both the concealer and lip brushes work without a problem, and I like the lip brush for pin-point concealing.

The Black Jewel on Wing False Eyelashes (Premium Edition).

YEEESSSSSS.

I really can't even articulate how gorgeous these are. Utterly, deeply impractical, and probably never going to emerge from the box. Because they're 100$. (YES. I fell over too.) These are lashes that I will stare at, and pet, and sigh over for years, every time I need a reminder about the fantasy and whimsy that is integral to makeup and beauty.

(And I need to know the woman who will wear these, sans souci. Because I hyperventilate at the thought.)

Black Jewel on Wing False Eyelashes (Premium Edition)

GAH. I CAN'T EVEN.

Lasting Sift Gel Pencil and Lip and Cheek Fun-tasy

This collection also features  one of the classic Shu Lasting Soft Gel Pencils in Miraculous Purple, as well as a new product, the Lip and Cheek Fun-tasy, which is a lip and cheek tint. The shade shown here is Heroine Rose.

If you're not familiar with the Soft-Gel Pencils, they have a click-turn mechanism that brings the slim pencil up in increments, so it always has a relatively small point. The tight-fitting compartment also keeps the silicone in the product from drying, so the pencil always has a smooth application. It does dry fat, so if you want to smudge it out, I suggest working quickly. Once this sets, it SETS. I had a hard time getting the swatch off my arm with micellar water, and I do have to remove it with cleansing oil (the Shu one is best, not surprisingly!). I find the wear time on these excellent on my eyelid and in my lash line, but disappears from my waterline within a couple of hours.

Miraculous Purple is more of a plum shade on me, with a subtle shimmer throughout. It's a softer alternative to black or brown, and would look stunning with green eyes or hazel eyes. This particular shade appears to be sold out on-line, though it may still be available in stores. Otherwise, there is the Black Star version still available.

The Lip and Cheek Fun-tasy is a really awesome product (and I've coveting them since Lisa Eldridge mentioned them in one of her gift guide videos). With a dual function, it excels primarily as a blush. Creamy and rich feeling - not silicone-heavy- when you squeeze it from the tube, it applies and blends out like a dream. It does set relatively quickly, despite the creamy tactile feel. It looks completely textureless on the skin, and doesn't set to either a powder or dewy finish, just ever so slightly glowy.

Heroine Rose is the exact shade of my natural flush, so it's that much more natural looking on me. This is one of the few cream blushes that I like applying with my fingers as much as I do with a brush. Somehow it looks and feels more natural to do to that way.

Lasting Sift Gel Pencil in Miraculous Purple Lip and Cheek Fun-tasy in Heroine Rose

Applied as a lipstick, the finish is quite matte, and a bit drying by itself. I love the colour on me (the always flattering MLBB dusky rose/mauve shade), so I just wear it as a stain, with a dab of clear balm overtop.

Considering its versatility as both a blush and a lip product, and the perfect shade for my colouring, I feel like this one will be a staple in my travel bag going forward.

Lip and Cheek Fun-tasy in Heroine Rose

I'm sad I wasn't able to post my thoughts about this collection sooner, because it is really, really beautiful and down to its last bits online. (Though I suppose that means a lot of people loved it as much as I do, which is a good thing!)

Availability: Some items might still be available at select Shu Uemura counters at Holt Renfrew and certain Sephora locations. Also at www.shuuemura.ca. Prices are as follows: brush set is 69$ CAD, lashes are 100$, tint is 30$ CAD, pencil is 35$ CAD.

If you're one of the savvy ones that caught this one early, do share what you picked up!

(These products were provided by the brand/PR to be considered for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated. All opinions are my own.)

Pantone Color of the Year "Radiant Orchid" - Selections from Lancome, YSL, Clarisonic and Giorgio Armani

January 30, 2014, 1:42 pm

≫ Next: Nars Guy Bourdin Collections - Promiscuous and Fling Lip Sets, Combodia Eyeshadow, Goodbye Emmanuelle Lipstick

≪ Previous: Shu Uemura 6♡PRINCESS by Takashi Murakami Collection (Holiday 2013)

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If you're tracking the Sephora site as obsessively as I am, you know that the Pantone Color of the Year is "Radiant Orchid". While Sephora has an exclusive relationship with Pantone to create a cosmetics line-up featuring said colour, it's a trend that several beauty brands have taken to heart, pulling suggestions from their current line-up as well as planning new releases.

From the L'Oréal luxury brands, the following items have been chosen as representative of the trend.

From Lancome: 

• Color Design Eye Shadow Palette - Lavender Grace (54$ CAD)
• Vernis in Love - Violette Coquette  (16$ CAD) 
• Artliner 24H - Amethyst (37$ CAD)

All currently available at Lancome counters at Hudson's Bay, Murale, Pharmaprix/SDM and www.lancome.ca.

From YSL:

• Glossy Stain Rebel Nudes - Violine Out of Control (36$ CAD)

Available at YSL counters at Holt Renfrew, and select Hudson's Bay and Murale locations.

From Giorgio Armani:

• Rouge Ecstasy - Orchid (38$ CAD)

Available at GA counters at Holt Renfrew, and select Hudson's Bay and Sephora locations.

From Clarisonic, all new:

• Mia2 Hollywood Lights - Purple (175$ CAD)

Limited Edition. Available exclusively at Sephora and www.sephora.ca as of March 2014.

I looooooooove this shade. Orchid is such a gorgeous alternative to the usual pinks and pastels that usually dominate the Spring collections. It can be a challenging shade to wear, especially with skin tones that tend to the sallow, but when it's the right balance of pink and blue, it can be exquisite. Folks with green or hazel eyes in particular are going to do really well with this kind of colour.

Are you guys anticipating all the Radiant Orchid you can stand?

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Nars Guy Bourdin Collections - Promiscuous and Fling Lip Sets, Combodia Eyeshadow, Goodbye Emmanuelle Lipstick

January 31, 2014, 5:03 pm

≫ Next: Smashbox Valentine's Day Sale

≪ Previous: Pantone Color of the Year "Radiant Orchid" - Selections from Lancome, YSL, Clarisonic and Giorgio Armani

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Sometimes the days just get away from you. December was like that for me. (Also November. And, well, most of Januaury, but that was time lost to a much needed vacation.) As a result, I'm a little backlogged on posts.  >.<

This post for the few items I picked up from the Nars Guy Bourdin collection is one such straggler. Reviews have been out since the dawn of time for this collection, but since it is still available to purchase (from Murale) and it's entirely possible some folks are still on the fence, I figured adding my voice to the fray wouldn't hurt.

(Note: I'm well aware of the controversy regarding Guy Bourdin and his approach to women in both his personal life and in his art. Far smarter people than I have spoken with greater eloquence than I can manage on the problematic nature of that art, and whether we have a moral responsibility in consuming products that capitalize on it. My personal feelings aside, I've opted to purchase and consider these products on their own merits rather than by their association with the artist.)

These two are the only limited edition shades I picked up from the collection: Cinematic Eyeshadow in Cambodia, and Cinematic Lipstick in Goodbye Emmanuelle. None of the other individual items really spoke to me.

Nars Guy Bourdin Cinematic Eyeshadow in Cambodia and Lipstick in Goodbye Emmanuelle

Nars Guy Bourdin Cinematic Lipstick in Goodbye Emmanuelle

You know I had to get this. A softer, more pastel version of the fuchsias I'm drawn to, Goodbye Emmanuelle is an incredibly pure, cool-leaning medium-toned pink. It's also rich and creamy-looking, with a fair bit of sheen, and instantly opaque. I think I had a Barbie with high heels that were this exact shade.

Despite the sumptuous look, the texture is not particularly thick, but it does feel hydrating on the lips. It wears for an average length of time, and progressively loses some of that sheen. 

I'm not generally a fan of buying single eyeshadows at this price point (28$ CAD), but I was completely seduced by the colour and texture of the Cinematic Eyeshadow in Cambodia.

Nars Guy Bourdin Cinematic Eyeshadow in Cambodia

Cambodia is a gorgeous, incredibly pigmented red-bronze, with a frosted, almost metallic finish. It is dense and buttery, but also a little soft and almost crumbly. The payoff is amazing, but it's almost better when it's buffed in with a fluffier brush rather than patted on with a lay down brush.

In the pictures below, you can see the effect when applied straight on versus blended out.

One of the sets in this collection is the Fling Lip Set (55$ CAD, 49$ USD) - which is still available for purchase from Murale.

Nars Guy Bourdin Fling Lip Set

I have to admit the giant red lips alarmed me more than a little. Technically it's a hard plastic cosmetics case that can be used to store makeup or trinkets. In reality, it haunts my dreams, some weird Andy Warhol/Rocky Horror Picture Show mash-up that just gives me the jeebies.

The stuff inside, however, cannot be faulted. At 55$, that breaks down to 13.75$ per full-sized lipsticks and just slightly smaller lip pencil. (Regular prices are 30-32$.) Even considering the slightly smaller sizes of the pencils, that's still about half the price for each item! That's a really great way to try out four shades that are part of the regular collection.

Nars Guy Bourdin Fling Lip Set

Top: Lipstick in Roman Holiday and Damage Bottom: Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita, and Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Baroque

Left to right: Dolce Vita, Baroque, Roman Holiday, Damage

The lipsticks are both listed as having a "sheer" formulation, and that's very accurate. The finish is glossy, with enough tint to alter the colour of the lip but not enough to cover it. Wear time is a couple of hours at most, and these do feel more hydrating that the formulation of Goodbye Emmanuelle, though not balm-like.

Top to bottom: Nars Lipstick in Damage and Roman Holiday

Damage is described as a "sheer muted grape" but I would consider it more of a plum that appears more mauve on my lips.

Damage

Roman Holiday is described as "sheer delicate pastel pink", which is correct. It leans a bit cool when swatched on my skin, but picks up more warmth on my lips. Colors like this can sometimes look a little chalky, but I actually love the way this looks on me - a clean baby pink with no ashiness.

Roman Holiday

Left to right: Velvet Gloss in Baroque, Velvet Matte in Dolce Vita

Baroque is described as "raspberry sorbet". To me this has a much stronger reddish-brown undertone than I would expect from something called raspberry, though I would still place it in the plum family.
The texture is quite glossy, even a touch buttery, with a nice amount of slip. Lasting power is comparable to a lip gloss, though it does have a slight staining effect (possibly due to the shade) and a moderate level of sheerness.

Baroque

Dolce Vita is described as a "dusty rose". To me it's a warm-leaning, slightly peachy rose, strongly muted. It's a nice everyday shade, especially if you're looking for something a little deeper than a nude, with a warmer cast. The pigmentation is medium, meaning it can take a few swipes for full opacity.

I have to say I'm not wild about the texture. It's the kind of matte that can feel drying, and will pick up on flakiness. Definitely one that I need to wear over lip balm. Worn alone, it lasts several hours, though not through a meal.

Dolce Vita

Regarding the size - end even though they look smaller, some of that is due to the cap on the end extending the length rather than a substantial difference in size. Here is a comparison with a full-sized Satin Lip Pencil, which is 0.07 oz (or 2.2 grams), compared to the 'mini' sizes of .08oz (2.5 grams) for the Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil, and 0.06 oz (1.8 grams) for the Velvet Matte Lip Pencil. I don't have full-sized versions of these formulations, but the weights listed online are 0.09 oz for the Velvet Gloss and 0.086 oz for the Velvet Matte.

Size comparison.

I developped a MASSIVE lemming for the Promiscuous Lip Set after watching Ania's Sephora VIB Haul video. Of course, it was sold out on Sephora and everywhere else. I stalked it non-stop for days and when it finally popped up back in stock (for like, five minutes) I snagged it faster than you can say "Crazy Lipstick Hoarder".

I feel a little unkind even writing about it now, since it is completely sold out everywhere, but at least all the items contained within are permanently available, so the only you're missing is the packaging and the makeup bag. And of course the satisfaction of acquiring said shades for 50$ CAD (45$ USD) - 10$ per pencil! Weee! (And slightly less giddiness upon realizing  that one of them, Dolce Vita, is a repeat from the Fling set. But that's still 12.50$ per new pencil!)

Nars Guy Bourdin Promiscuous Lip Set

The packaging is also way less frightening to me, though still kinda tacky. What can I say, big blue lips just aren't my thing.

Nars Guy Bourdin Promiscuous Lip Set

The colours here include one Velvet Gloss (New Lover), with the others being Velvet Mattes - strangely, with somewhat varying degrees of matte-ness.

Left to right: Velvet Gloss in New Lover, Velvet Matte in Sex Machine, Dolve Vita, Never Say Never, Cruella

Left to right: New Lover, Dolce Vita (again), Cruella

New Lover is apparently a "gold infused strawberry pink". The gold is less obvious when applied, more of a faint shimmer. The base shade is muted pink with a slight peach undertone, and a sheer, glossy texture concordant with the Velvet Gloss formula. Lasting power is similar to Baroque's, though without the latter's staining effect.

New Lover

Cruella is described as a "scarlet red" and....yup. A true, medium-toned red, it's actually a touch deeper in real life than it photographed here. This is classic red, and one that applies beautifully. The formulation is, for some reason, creamier and more opaque than the other Velvet Matte lip pencils in this set. It will still pick up a bit on dryness, but it feels a lot smoother going on and needs no re-swiping to achieve colour saturation.

Cruella

Lasting power is fantastic. It didn't make it through a meal, leaving a lipliner ring where the oils in my meal didn't eat away the pigment. In the interest of accurate reviewing, I left the run in place to see how the remaining colour would last. (Classy - it's how I roll for you guys.) Shockingly, it made it through the rest of the night, a tooth-brushing, AND a full night of sleep! I assume that if I opt to subsist on a diet of air, Cruella will last forever. (Oh, how aptly named.)

As a note of caution: long-lasting and matte does NOT equal smudge proof.

Top to bottom: Sex Machine and Never Say Never

Sex Machine is described as "pink mauve" and on me this pulls very mauve, so cool-leaning and dusty that it looks almost grey.

I have to say that this one is NOT for me. The colour is singularly unflattering on me, but if you have a cooler complexion this might pick up more of that pink and look pretty. The texture, however, leaves something to be desired. Out of all the Velvet Mattes, this was the most drying, and emphasized all the texture in my lips, be it lines or dry patches.

Sex Machine

Never Say Never is described as a "lilac rose". When I see "lilac" I think pale purple, which...this is not. It is, however, a very lovely cool, raspberry-ish rose. It's super pretty and English Rose-esque, and I was equally pleased with the formula here.

It's softer, smoother and far more forgiving to any texture on the lips, though perhaps not as smooth as Cruella. Lasting power is good, several hours until eroding significantly during a meal.

Overall I am quite pleased with both the single items and the sets, as the latter are a really fantastic way of trying out a variety of colours and (to a lesser extent) finishes from the brand.

Did you guys nab anything from this collection? Was it love? Do you regret anything?

(I purchased all the items. This post is not sponsored or compensated, all opinions are my own.)

Smashbox Valentine's Day Sale

February 1, 2014, 6:55 am

≫ Next: Benefit POREfessional and POREfessional Agent Zero Shine

≪ Previous: Nars Guy Bourdin Collections - Promiscuous and Fling Lip Sets, Combodia Eyeshadow, Goodbye Emmanuelle Lipstick

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This one ends 02/02/2014 at midnight! And if you're Canadian, the price listed upon checkout includes all duties, taxes, shipping and handling fees. (On my last purchase of 78$, I paid 5$ for shipping and handling - which is the standard fee for Canadian orders - and 2.99$ for taxes and duties. It was delivered to me by Purolator.)

 

Benefit POREfessional and POREfessional Agent Zero Shine

February 3, 2014, 1:20 pm

≫ Next: Sonia Kashuk Couture 5-Piece Brush Set

≪ Previous: Smashbox Valentine's Day Sale

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I have pores. Everyone does, obviously, but some folks are more "blessed" than others. Mine aren't huge craters worthy of expeditions, but they're certainly more present than I'd like them to be, courtesy of teen acne and oil production that went into overdrive.

Enter Benefit's POREfessional. Once limited to a primer (or balm, as Benefit calls it) that promised to minimize the appearance of said pores, it is now joined by a shine reducing powder, the POREfessional Agent Zero Shine.

Like all things Benefit, these guys nail the kitschy-cute factor. (Whether that's an appealing aesthetic is, well, up to you.) What's more impressive is that the design for the POREfessional Agent Zero Shine is as clever and practical as it is adorable.

This is a loose powder packaged in a shaker-like tube, with a cap on the top and a hidden compartment on the bottom for a travel-sized kabuki brush. The top cap comes off to reveal the shaker perforations, which can be opened or closed with a twist.

As someone who prefers loose powder to pressed (less binders and oils being added to your face = less caking), I love the fact that this is a travel-friendly version. I don't have to worry about spills at all. The brush is a nice add-on, though I do find that's both a little small and a bit stiff to be a true replacement for a good powder brush. That said, it's a great thing to have when you need it, far more useful and ergonomic than the vast majority of brushes included with compacts.

In terms of performance, the POREfessional Agent Zero Shine takes the the promise of no-shine seriously. I took this powder with me to Barbados during my recent vacation and, let me tell you, I was more than impressed by how well it held up to the heat and humidity. When all the other ladies were forgoing face stuff for fear of the inevitable melt-down, I was gleefully spackle-ing myself like cheap drywall. My skin looked matte for a couple of hours after application, progressively taking on a satin finish as the sultry night went on. My makeup stayed intact throughout.

The texture is fine, lightweight and dry, making it a really great mattifying powder indeed. It doesn't cake up, and because it's a loose powder you can re-apply without it building up. The texture may be a too drying for some skin types, but I didn't notice this calling attention to my fine lines. I used it to set my concealer under my eyes, and it worked perfectly, without emphasizing any creasing.

It comes out as a light yellow powder, but it blends out without any perceptible tint on the skin - at least on my light-to-medium skin tone.

Now...what about those pesky pores? The back of the bottle indicates that this "pore perfecting" but truthfully I didn't notice a major difference in terms of minimizing the look of pores. Unlike some powders that boast a blurring effect, I think this one's strength really lies in its oil-control capacity. (Though presumably pores that aren't producing as much oil will also look less dilated.)

The POREfessional primer, on the other hand, works specifically at smoothing the appearance of pores. A beige-tinted silicone cream with an immediate silky-powdery dry down, it smooths the surface of the skin quite efficiently. I don't personally love it on areas that are showing age (I prefer a more hydrating primer with a lot of slip, designed for mature skin), but in the t-zone it's perfect. It fills in pores and creates a more matte surface, and helps foundation adhere and last better.

Availability: At Sephora, as well as select Murale and Pharmaprix locations. Price is 36$ CAD for each.

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

Sonia Kashuk Couture 5-Piece Brush Set

February 4, 2014, 2:05 pm

≫ Next: Benefit Lollitint Lip and Cheek Stain

≪ Previous: Benefit POREfessional and POREfessional Agent Zero Shine

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I'm not generally a makeup snob, as anyone who's ever vacationed with me in the States can attest. (I can locate any CVS, Walgreens or Rite-Aid within a mile, with freakishly mutant-like accuracy.) I will admit to being a bit of a brush snob, however. A really great quality brush is an investment, but I have yet to regret any high-end brush purchase I've made, whereas I can't say the same for some of the discount-brand brushes I've picked up over the years.

That said, I love my Real Techniques brushes, which are a steal, so I was looking forward to trying out the Sonia Kashuk ones, especially considering how much I adore her Eye On Neutral palette (reviewed here).

The Sonia Kashuk Couture 5-Piece Brush Set came out this past fall, and is still available at some Target locations. (Assuming your Target re-stocks the cosmetics department. Mine always look like they've been ransacked by hordes of makeup junkies.)

It's a pretty set, done up in a tropical floral print with silver caps on the bottoms and matte black ferrules.

First thing - this set sells for 16.99$ USD (possibly a smudge more in CAD, though generally the prices are comparable). That's about 3.40$ per brush. Assuming all the brushes are good, that is a phenomenal deal.

So the questions is: are they all great?

The powder brush is excellent. It's soft and fluffy, moderately dense, doesn't feel scratchy, picks up powder nicely and hasn't shed after several washes. It might be a little small for some preferences, but I do tend to prefer smaller brushes so it works for me. It also doubles well as a blush brush.

The foundation brush is where I deduct some points. It's ok, but the way the bristles were cut on the edge leaves them feeling a little prickly instead of smooth. This also isn't my kind of brush for applying foundation, as I find traditional flat brushes (be they rounded or square-cut like this) tend to leave a streakier finish that needs to be buffed in. (A flat brush needs to have exceptionally smooth, rounded edging to leave behind a texture-less finish.)

top to bottom: MAC 286 and Sonia Kashuk duo-fiber brush

The duo-fiber blending brush, on the other hand, is fabulous. It blends out eyeshadow beautifully, but I love it most of applying and buffing in concealer. The duo-fibers make it optimal for picking up and distributing just the right amount of product, so it essentially does all the work for you. It's a very close dupe for the MAC 286, with a slightly more pointed end and perhaps a touch firmer. It's also one-tenth the price of the MAC one, so...you know. That's a thing.

The eyeshadow brush is a full, very dense brush with soft but firmly packed fibers. It's good at packing on powder, and with the larger size it will do so quite quickly. You won't get as much precision as your would from a smaller, flatter lay down brush, but  I personally love it most for applying a brow bone highlight. It picks up the right amount of powder and is dense enough to blend that upper edge of transition colour.

The liner brush is definitely thicker than I'm used to, but will work if you prefer a stronger, more graphic liner look. I tried to use it for applying/smudging out powder shadow as a liner, and found it was a too rigid to use like that, particularly for soft eyeshadows that tend to powder up. It's definitely best for cream liners - or as a pinpoint concealer brush. I also had good luck using it to blend out lipliner, where that firmness worked in its favour.

So overall? One really excellent brush, two good ones, one that I preferred for several other functions than the intended one and one that didn't work for me. Considering I would pay double the price of the set  for the closest equivalent of the awesome duo-duo-fiber brush, 4 out of 5 still puts this set ahead.

Have you guys tried any of the Sonia Kashuk brushes? I only have one other, from years ago, but now I'll be checking out the rest of her line.

(Items were provided by the brand/PR to be considered for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated. All opinions are my own.)

Benefit Lollitint Lip and Cheek Stain

February 5, 2014, 1:24 pm

≫ Next: Lancôme French Ballerine Spring 2014 Collection - Highlighter Blush in Rose Ballerine

≪ Previous: Sonia Kashuk Couture 5-Piece Brush Set

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It is the year of the Radiant Orchid, and if you're a fan of pink-tone lilac, then you have offerings in spades.

One of the best ones is the Lollitint Lip and Cheek Stain from Benefit, which joins their already substantial stain line-up. With this one, Benefit took their usual cuteness factor and turned it up to eleven.

The packaging is girlie and pretty, the container a plummy bubblegum with a stylized pinwheel floral design. It's fresh and youthful and feminine - much like the colour it will bring to your cheeks and lips.

The texture is milkier than the classic Benetint, though still extremely liquid and sets to an ever-so-slightly luminous finish. It doesn't feel like anything to the touch, but it doesn't look matte or flat either.

Though the recommended application is using your fingers to quickly rub it in, I find I get the best application by using a brush that has already been used to apply foundation. I dab a bit on, and then blend out quickly. The formula of these tints is so lightweight that it melds completely with the skin, but you do have to be careful about edges. I find the "wet" brush helps to buff out those edges. The result is a completely natural, flushed from within look. And once this sets, it will absolutely not budge. You can go swimming, dancing, para-sailing, and your cheeks will remain as they were in the morning until you take your makeup off at night.

The colour itself is a stunner. A cool-toned pink with a strong lilac undertone, it seems like it might be difficult to pull off, especially for warmer complexions. On the contrary, I find it looks like beautiful, natural, flushed cheeks. The much-invoked (and in this case, perfectly apropos) came-in-from-the-ski-hill cheeks.

With pale skin, the effect is delicate and sublime. On medium, neutral skin, it looks bright and lovely. On deeper skin, I suspect it will look softly pink. On skin that tends to sallowness, it might have a brightening effect, or it might emphasize the yellow-green undertone - it's worth an application test if you can manage.

Like all of the Benefit tints, it can be used as a stain on the lips as well, where it dries to a matte finish. (If you're prone to dry lips, you may want to add a balm.) It can be dabbed on lightly, where the effect is more of a cool pink haze, or it can be layered up for a berry smoothie stain. I personally prefer using this as a cheek colour, because I don't love the taste, but if you're not picky it's a great double-duty product.

What about you guys - have you tried any of the other Benefit tints? Are you feeling the RO version?

Availability: At Sephora, select Murale and Pharmaprix/SDM locations. Price is 36$ CAD.

(Item was provided by the brand/pr to be considered for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated, opinions are my own.)

Lancôme French Ballerine Spring 2014 Collection - Highlighter Blush in Rose Ballerine

February 11, 2014, 6:04 pm

≫ Next: Cargo Let's Meet in Paris Palette

≪ Previous: Benefit Lollitint Lip and Cheek Stain

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I used to do ballet. I never made it to pointe and I was much too tall - even as a child - to pursue it seriously, but I remember those classes with a profound fondness. I still get a flutter of excitement when a dance movie comes on...and let's not even speak of the wondrous perfection that was the too-awesome-for-its-network Bunheads.

In short, I love ballet, and when I saw the original promo image for the Lancôme French Ballerine Spring 2014 collection, I may have actually gasped. 

photo credit: Lancôme

Lily Collins - invoking the essence of Audrey Hepburn - is sheer perfection as a modern-day yet hazily romantic ballerina. I'm not generally given to super-soft pinks and pastels, but all of a sudden I needed to have a piece of this collection.  

And then this beauty landed on my doorstep: the Highlighter Blush in Rose Ballerine.

There's no denying this is completely gorgeous. Lancôme does "feminine" and pretty" like George Clooney does "debonair". In other words, perfectly.

The mirrored compact, the lovely heft, the sweet bow, the classic rose bas-relief - it hits all the right notes.

The powder is silky and finely-milled, smooth to the touch but not so soft that it kicks up powder. It blends well and doesn't look remotely evident on the skin.

The shade is a light, seashell pink with no perceptible shimmer when applied to the skin, despite the way it reflects the light in the pan. It has more of a satin finish that still imparts the impression of a low-level glow.

The pigmentation is true-to-pan but not intense, so while it shows up as a delicate pink flush on my light skin tone, it may need to be built up a bit on medium or olive skin tones. (The light, fine texture allows a good level of build-up without textural issues, but because of the pastel hue, I suspect it will read ashy on deeper skin.)

Despite the name, it's not a highlighter per se, but more like a blush that has a skin-brightening undertone, and creates a subtle illumination as a result of the finish.

This is the kind of shade that obviously works well as part of a daintier makeup look, but it also begs to be paired with a more dramatic eye. Here I teamed it with the new spring eye palette from YSL (review coming soon!).

In short, it's almost as awesome as Bunheads. Which is high praise, indeed.

Availability: At The Bay, Holt Renfrew and select Pharmaprix/SDM locations. Price is 52$ CAD.

(This item was provided by the brand/PR to be considered for review. This post is not sponsored or compensated and all opinions are my own.)

Cargo Let's Meet in Paris Palette

February 12, 2014, 6:31 pm

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I'm a fan of neutral palettes. They're easy, no fuss, and usually a good value for the daily use you can get out of them.

And then sometimes a palette just grabs you by the throat and says "BUY ME. I'M HIGH MAINTENANCE AND YOU WILL LOVE EVERY FREAKING MINUTE."

The Cargo Cosmetics Let's Meet in Paris is such a palette.

The lush but still relatively classy exterior brocade of the packaging implies that this will be a nice palette for a night out, but in a somewhat traditional kind of way. Dinner and a movie, though probably the midnight showing.

Oh no. This is a palette that will take you to an underground speakeasy at 1am, discuss Rimbaud and then dance on tables for good measure.

This palette is intense, kind of crazy, a little hard to deal with but fascinating and layered and awesome all the same.

You have to know that this is not a stand-alone palette. There is not a matte among the shades here - even the ones that look matte-ish are actually loaded with micro glitter. If you want the safety net of transition colours and a cream highlighter, you will need to look elsewhere. Here it's all bling, all the time. You get deep frosts, and glitter-loaded mettalics and those afore-mentioned deceptively sparkly mattes.

Texturely, it varies quite a bit. Straight on shimmers and frosts like Baguette, Macaron, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Croissant and Creme Brûlée are the epitome of the (much) over-used "buttery", "creamy", "dense" and "pigmented". They make Urban Decay eyeshadows look like they're trying too hard.

The other half of the palette...well, you need a firm hand, a good primer and a mixing medium to really appreciate how awesome it. Versailles, Bonjour, Café, Madame, Bastille and Beret are all just as pigmented as the previous shades, but they have textures that vary from a bit powdery to downright crumbly. They swatch well, but when applied to the eyes they really need to be pressed on over a sticky base, and you are still likely to get a fair bit of glitter fall-out.

However, applied wet or mixed in a medium, they are STUNNING. Metallic, sparkly and hyper intense, they make for a killer jewel-toned smoky eye, the kind that only gets better as the night goes on and it starts getting less glitz and more rock.

Left to right: Macaron, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Baguette, Croissant. Versailles

Macaron is a champagne metallic, very dense and pigmented. Eiffel Tower is an old gold metallic, also very smooth and deep. Louvre is a pale steel metallic frost, intensely pigmented and creamy. Baguette is an ultra-smooth pale peach-beige shimmer. Croissant is a maroon-teal duo-chrome shimmer with fantastic pigmentation. Versailles is a deep green with a smoky undertone, loads of silver-aqua glitter and a very crumbly texture.

Left to right: Creme Brûlée, Bonjour, Café, Madame, Bastille, Beret

Beret is a rosy gold metallic, very intense in pigmentation. Bonjour is a dark brown shimmer with olive bronze glitter and a crumblier texture. Cafe is a soft brown matte with gold micro-glitter and is both pigmented and powdery. Madame is a satin eggplant with silver micro-glitter, and somewhat powdery upon application. Bastille is a smoky silver metallic with teeny silver flecks, the sheerest of the lot, though still pigmented. Beret is a charcoal satin-matte with silver micro-glitter, quite powdery.

And these are examples of the more troublesome shades applied wet: Beret and Versailles, and then Bonjour and Madame.

Essentially, the left side of the palette is near-to-perfect. Amazing payoff, superb texture, great blend-ability and very good wear. The right side is finicky, problematic and gorgeous on a whole other  level when applied wet.

It's up to you whether you want to deal with the bad to get the good awesome, but it might be somewhat moot as Cargo seems to be exiting Murale, which is the only place that carried it recently in Canada. The palette itself doesn't seem to be available on the Kohl's, Macy's or Ulta websites in the US, but it might still be in stores. It was 39$ US, and possibly around 42-45$ CAD. If anything, it might pop up on Hautelook as some Cargo items did recently.

(I purchased this item. This post is not sponsored or compensated, all opinions are my own.)

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Benefit Groovy Kind-a Love Makeup Kit

February 17, 2014, 4:36 pm

≫ Next: YSL Spring 2014 Collection - Rouge Volupté #34 Rose Asarine and Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stain #33 Bourgogne Artistique

≪ Previous: Cargo Let's Meet in Paris Palette

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If you're looking to get acquainted with a brand, a sample set or mini kit can be a low-risk and even economical way of trying out the biggest hits. Benefit is a master of this strategy, offering several different versions at Sephora.

I don't have any of the current ones available, but I thought I would analyze the concept and execution with The Beauty Groovy Kind-a Love Makeup Kit that was out just recently.

Exteriors first: this guy is all up in the kitschy retro-ness that is Benefit's calling card, with the vaguely psychedelic purple floral print of the metal container, as well as the romance novel worthy illustration on the lid. (I totally had a flashback to the Harlequin Presents books I used to buy for 25 cents from the used book store, back when I was 13.)

The kit also came with a cute little instructional booklet. It doesn't offer any revolutionary information or techniques, but if you're buying this kit as an introduction to makeup, then it's actually quite perfect.

The contents contained a nice variety of deluxe samples and full-sized products. The eyeshadows included two shades that are in Benefit's current line-up of Longwear Powder Eyeshadows - Guilty Pleasure (golden sand) and Kiss Me, I'm Tipsy (spiced brown). It also contained a mini duo of Dandelion and Gimme Fever, a large samples of The Porefessional primer, They're Real Mascara and the classic Benetint.

Let's take inspiration from my favourite blogger at the moment (Brightest Bulb in the Box - seriously, go read her, I'll wait) and do a value breakdown.

The kit itself retailed for 43$ CAD (and all listed prices will be in CAD).

Eyeshadows - two are in the current line, so I'll assume they're a comparable formula. The regular singles are 0.11 oz and retail for 24$. These are 0.04 oz each, which means a total weight of 0.16 oz. That means that the shadows alone are worth 34.90$, which is already about 81% of the total value of 43$. Qualitative value can be added for the fact that two of the shades are limited edition.

Porefessional - the regular 0.75 fl.oz tube retails for 36$, and the sample is 0.25 fl.oz, which means it's worth 12$. That brings up the total value to 46.90$, which already surpasses the retail price.

Blush duo - one one half (Dandelion) is currently in the regular line-up, but let's assume the same value of 36$ for 0.25 oz. The kit weight is 0.1 oz, so 14.40$. Total value is now at 61.30$.

Benetint - the regular tube is 36$ for 0.42 oz, so this little guy, coming in at 0.13 fl.oz, is worth 11.14$. Total is now 72.44$.

They're Real mascara - Sephora currently sells the exact same size contained in this kit (0.14 oz) for 12$. The actual value, compared to the full sized 0.3 oz at 29$, is 5.60$. (Which means the mini size is quite overpriced.) That boosts the total value of this kit to 78.04 - which is nearly double that of the actual cost. (Since we're all Math Fu here, let's put it exactly at 1.81 times as much.)

Purely from a cost-to-weight analysis, a kit like this is a pretty awesome deal, especially if it happens to contain items you'd like to try out.

All the deluxe samples have a really nice amount of product and are comparable to their full-sized counterparts. I already knew how I felt about both the Benetint and the Porefessional, but I was really glad to finally see what the fuss over They're Real was all about (in short: Holy Long Lashes, Batman!). A full review of that one will be forthcoming when I can get the full-sized version.

I also really liked the eyeshadows. They all have good to great pigmentation, and Shimmer Down is especially lovely, a lighter and slightly rosier version of Satin Taupe. Tickle My Ivory is that rare thing, a very pigmented and creamy smooth white-beige matte. Kiss Me, I'm Tipsy is the weakest of the four, having a drier texture and being more prone to powderiness, requiring a deft hand in blending. All have a decent wear-time, and hold well without creasing or fading on me for 9 hours with a primer.

 

I messed up the order in the side-by side pictures up there, but from lightest to darkest, they are as follows: Tickle My Ivory, Gilt-y Pleasure, Shimmer Down, Kiss Me, I'm Tipsy.

I liked the blush well enough, though Dandelion was bit too pale and a touch too powdery for me. Blended together with the shimmery pale plum of the Gimmer Fever side, however, it made for a really pretty warm rose tone that didn't come across as overly sparkly. The pigmentation was on the sheerer side.

Overall, I think a kit like this offers a great value. The box itself can also be re-purposed for storage if the other items are removed. (I wouldn't travel with a case like this, as it's impractical and bulky for that, nor would I bother to keep anything in it. I'm planning on de-potting the eyeshadows and blush, as well.)

Out of the ones available on Sephora at the moment, I think something like the Go TropiCORAL would be my pick to try out.

Have you guys tried any kits like this? Are you fans of the concept, or do you prefer purchasing full-sized products?

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

YSL Spring 2014 Collection - Rouge Volupté #34 Rose Asarine and Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stain #33 Bourgogne Artistique

February 20, 2014, 5:49 pm

≫ Next: YSL Spring 2014 Flower Crush Collection - Pivoine Crush Eyeshadow Palette

≪ Previous: Benefit Groovy Kind-a Love Makeup Kit

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Some makeup collections have you at first sight. Price, availability, previous reviews - it's all irrelevant in the face of the sheer perfection evident in that first preview picture. The Spring 2014 collection from YSL was like that for me. I saw the stunning packaging on the blush and eyeshadow palettes, and the vivid pinks and corals and deep burgundies of the shade range, and that was it. I was a goner - love at first sight.

And unlike some fast and easy loves that leave you crushed and disappointed when exposed to the cruel light of day, I found my affections had not been misplaced when I finally had a chance to sample some of the items in the collection.

The Rouge Volupté in #34 Rose Asarine and the Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stain in #33 Bourgogne Artistique rank especially high.

They are also, perhaps not coincidentally, some of the least stereotypically "Spring" shades I've seen this season. Pinks and corals are commonplace, but YSL takes the "crushed flowers" theme to a more luxurious realm. Flower petal shades yes, but these are hothouse blooms, vivid and bright and deep.

The Rouge Volupté in #34 Rose Asarine is an intense fusion of coral and hot pink, saturated and attention-getting. This is the kind of shade that demands either impeccable makeup or supreme confidence to pull off. You have to commit to wearing this shade, or it'll wear you.

But holy cow is it ever gorgeous.

The formula is class Rouge Volupté - very opaque, creamy to the point of slickness and hydrating. I know some people find this formula drying, but I've found the opposite to be true for me. On the other hand, it does pick up on flakiness like you wouldn't believe, so good exfoliation is key.

It has a rich, almost glossy finish when first applied, and dries down to a satin. Blotted down, it looks matte and loses none of the intensity. Wear time is good, going strong for 5-6 hours or until I eat, at which point it erodes on the interior of the lip. (If I don't specifically remove it, I still have some of the stain left over in the morning.)

It has a fairly strong, watermelon-candy scent.

The Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stain in #33 Bourgogne Artistique is the first deep shade I've tried from this product range (I've only owned a couple of nude and pink shades). I wasn't sure what to expect, as vampier tones can be difficult to pull off in a formulation like this.

I needn't have worried.

Applied as one coat, it pulls more cool-toned than it looks in the lip swatch above, closer to the shade in the tube. It looks pinkish burgundy, sort of like wine-stained lips. Although I like the colour at one coat, I find that it tends to seep into the lines of lips in an obvious way. At two coats, that ceases to be an issue.

With the second coat, it also deepens and warms to more of a cherry red. Although it becomes more intense due to both the opacity and darkness increasing, it also becomes less bright, more muted. Not quite a Fall lip, but definitely a richer tone. If this is meant to evoke crushed blooms, we'd be talking blood-red roses.

I have to mention the applicator here - it has a fantastic pointed tip combined with a nice, flat paddle shape. I can get both a precise edge and a quick fill with equal ease.

If you've never tried the Vernis à Lèvres/Glossy Stain formula, I recommend giving it a try next time you're at Sephora or Hudson's Bay. It really is singular, despite its very close drugstore cousin from l'Oréal. It's somewhere between a pigmented gloss and a liquid lipstick, with better wear than the former and more translucency than the latter. It also maintains that glossy finish throughout its formidable wear time (6 hours easy on me, unless I eat).

I do find the formula can take a little getting used to. It's not tacky at all, but compared to a lot of glosses that eventually seem to meld with the lip, I can always feel like I'm wearing gloss as long as I have this on. It's not uncomfortable or thick feeling, but it's unusual to be conscious of having something on your lips like that. I think part of that is because of the way it adheres to the lip, creating sort of a film that doesn't rub off or move around, but that remains glossy looking and feeling when I press my lips together. In comparison to the Volupté, I don't find this hydrating at all, and I do need to apply lip balm to my lips after wearing it for the day.

It also has a scent, which is more floral, though still a little sweet. (I personally prefer the scent of the Volupté, but it's not unpleasant.)

Availability: Both are priced at 39$ CAD and 35$ USD, and can be found at YSL counters at Hudson's Bay and Holt Renfrew. They can also be ordered from www.yslbeautyus.com if you're in the US.

Have you guys checked out this collection? If so, are you enjoying the more intense shades, or are you gravitating to something more traditionally pastel for your Spring looks?

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

YSL Spring 2014 Flower Crush Collection - Pivoine Crush Eyeshadow Palette

February 25, 2014, 6:38 pm

≫ Next: Sephora Divergent Makeup Collection Spring 2014 - Photos and Info

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Some eyeshadow palettes are the black skinny jeans of makeup - comfortable, easy to wear, and can be dressed up or down. The omnipresent neutral palette (whichever brand), for example.

And then you have the YSL Pivoine Crush Palette from the Spring 2014 Flower Crush Collection. This one is the the silk chiffon dress - absolutely gorgeous and a statement piece, but not exactly all-around or low-maintenance.

Not gonna lie - this palette is a stunner. As I mentioned in my review of some of the lip products from this collection, I pretty much had heart palpitations when I saw the promo images. In person, it only looks more beautiful. The packaging is substantially weighted, and the design is both glamorous and feminine: a mix of gold and magenta, and the abstracted floral motif interposed with the YSL logo.

What's inside is equally breathtaking...

Five beautiful shades, full of shimmery goodness.

The colour range is decidedly bloom-like, evoking the bright pinks, sherbet oranges and soft peaches of flower petals, with a shadowed plum-brown accent and the pale, sunshine-y gold. Like the lip products in the collection, it's decidedly more vivid than the usual Spring offerings, but just as apt if you think about the actual colours in nature that provided the inspiration.

One thing you have to know going into this palette is that the eyeshadows are sheer. That analogy to chiffon wasn't random - these apply as a soft veil of colour, shot through with a fine diamond sparkle. Applied dry, they actually feel powdery, and you're better off patting them on over a primer to get them to last (though the sparkle doesn't fall out, which is unusual).

If you want these to show up with greater intensity, you can always apply them over a creamy white base, but I don't think that really does this palette any justice.

To get the real wow factor out of Pivoine Crush, you have to go in with a little Fix+, or a mixing medium. (Or, you know, plain water.) This doesn't magically make the eyeshadows opaque, but it does deepen them and adds a beautiful, opalescent quality. The sparkle and the soft pigments blend together, and the effect shifts from glitter-dusted chiffon to shimmering, fairy-spun silk.

It's really, incredibly lovely - but it's also a very specific look, with a particular technique. Eyeshadows that start out very pigmented can be sheered out, after all, whereas those with soft pigmentation - even when used wet - are inherently more limited in terms of how they can be used. I always think of it as the difference between painting with watercolours versus acrylics. (I was trained in both, and when I was younger I always preferred the flexibility and ease of working with acrylics. Now I feel like I can better appreciate the precise technique and subtlety of watercolours.)

At this price point though, you really have to like both the look and the process involved, or you're likely to feel disappointed. (Unless you're just enthralled by the aesthetics of the palette. In which case - NO JUDGEMENT. Trust.)

Swatched dry.

Swatched wet.

I experimented with a few different applications, and this is the one I liked the most. I layered the pink and peach shades over my entire eye, using a wet application. I then blended the plum-brown shade in my crease, using a dry application for a softer finish. I went in quite high at the mid-point and inner area, since the dry application gave more of a shadowed look than a strong layer of colour. I then applied a bit of that shade wet, very lightly through the outer part of the crease to depend the colour. I then used the pale gold to highlight the inner corner of my eye, also using a wet application. I also smudged some of the plum-brown over a purple liner on my lower lash line.

I think the total look is layered, translucent and shimmery - but paired with a strong liner, it also works as something dramatic and evening appropriate.

This palette was sent to me, and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to test it out because upon initial swatching at the counter, I probably would have passed. Now that I've had the chance to experiment with it, I would buy it. It's too beautiful and unique for me to pass up, despite - or maybe because of - its finickier nature. (Though in all fairness, would I be equally enthralled with an equivalent palette that came in less delightful packaging? Possibly not, but part of the appeal of high-end makeup is the packaging.)

Availability: At select Hudson's Bay and Holt Renfrew locations, as well as at www.yslbeauty.com if you're in the US. Price is 74$ CAD and 58$ USD. (And I do think the price difference is painful to swallow. I really wish luxury brands would align their US-Canada prices more closely.)

Pros: The packaging is just sublime, and the colours are beautiful. The wet application creates a fairly unique, mother-of-pearl blend of shimmer and translucency. Colours blend easily, and there is surprisingly minimal sparkle fall-out when used dry, and none when used wet. Applied wet and over a primer, they last over 10 hours without creasing or fading.

Cons: Applied dry, the eyeshadows are sheer and somewhat powdery, and will fade and blend out too easily without a primer. If you prefer pigmented, buttery formulations, this will not be up your alley.

What's your feeling on special-occassion dress equivalents when it comes to makeup?

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

Sephora Divergent Makeup Collection Spring 2014 - Photos and Info

February 26, 2014, 1:36 pm

≫ Next: Cover Girl LipPerfection Lipcolor

≪ Previous: YSL Spring 2014 Flower Crush Collection - Pivoine Crush Eyeshadow Palette

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I haven't been this excited about a film/makeup collaboration since MAC Venomous Villains. Extra awesome is attached to this one because it was a book before it was a movie. (For those who don't know, I work a day job at a bookstore/gifting store as a visual merchandiser. Divergent was one of those books that got a ton of really intense love from the sales staff way before it ever hit the popular list. It was the kind of book that staff were devoutly pressing into customers' hands, assuring them that THEY HAD TO READ IT. And customers would inevitably come back three days later, asking WHERE IS THE SECOND BOOK, and cry bitter tears because it wasn't out yet.)

The Divergent collection will be coming out in March, as a limited and exclusive collection available at Sephora. Both the colours and the packaging will be inspired by the iconography and characters of the film, and the collection will feature some new and innovative formulas and textures.

Three pieces and sets are included in the collection:

Divergent Limited Edition Multi-Piece Collector’s Kit ($71.00 CAD - $59.50 USD)

With three limited edition eye shadow palettes, a cheek palette, and four lip glosses inspired by the traits of each Divergent faction, and a double-ended application brush, this multi-piece kit includes everything to define your inner self. For inspiration, three “Get-the-Look” cards are included and provide tips for creating different Divergent looks. 

Each of the three Eye Shadow Palettes contains four coordinating High Pigment Eye Shadows plus one High Gloss Transforming Eye Shadow to draw immediate attention to the eyes. The transformer shades impart a diamond illusion, shimmery, mirror-like reflection that is transparent when applied dry, and translucent when applied wet, showcasing fluid, twinkling particles that look like they are suspended in air. What’s more, you can mix and match the High Gloss Transforming Eye Shadows to give you a unique look every time by breaking apart the palette and swapping with another. Along with these 12 stunning shadows, the kit includes a Cheek Palette with two Long-Wear Blushes, Shimmering Bronzer and Radiant Glow Illuminator, four High Shine Lip Glosses and a Double-Ended Eye & Cheek Brush for flawless application.

Divergent Limited Edition Multi-Piece Collector’s Palette ($39.00 CAD - $32.50 USD) 

Portable but impactful, this limited edition palette contains three High Pigment Eye Shadows in versatile neutral shades: Candor Lace, Luminous Taupe, Envious Chocolate, one Long Wear Blush in Rosy Horizon, one Matte Bronzer in Compassionate Copper, and a High Shine Lip Gloss in Artistic Mauve.

Divergent Limited Edition 7-Piece Nail Art Kit ($33.00 CAD - $27.50 USD) 

This 7-piece set includes five Long-Wear Nail Lacquers, one High-Gloss Transforming Nail Lacquer and six Nail Water-Transfer Tattoos so you can proudly signal your Divergent allegiance on tips and toes. Create endless nail art looks by layering the unique High-Gloss Transforming Nail Lacquer over any shade to create an opalescent, shimmering finish, and then add one of the exclusive, easy-to-use Nail Water-Transfer Tattoos. Just cut the paper to any shape or size desired, add water, hold onto nail, and peel back for flawless application.

You obviously can't see me right now, but I am making grabby hands at everything here. I am especially tempted by the set, which seems like a really good price for all that's included, and I am intrigued by the High Gloss Transforming Eye Shadows. (I'm thinking something like the current Kat Von D holo lip gloss, but for the eyes?)

What do you think? Have you read the books or are you taking it as it comes as a makeup collection without getting invested in the story behind it?

(All images courtesy of press release.)

Cover Girl LipPerfection Lipcolor

March 6, 2014, 12:54 pm

≫ Next: Shu Uemura The Lightbulb Foundation and Sponge - 764 Medium Light Beige and 774 Light Beige

≪ Previous: Sephora Divergent Makeup Collection Spring 2014 - Photos and Info

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I may be dating myself writing this, but I remember a time when shopping for makeup at the drugstore was an exercise in futility and frustration. Eyeshadows were chalky and sheer, lipsticks were twelve shades of uninteresting, and you could forget about getting any kind of colour match with foundation if your skin wasn't some bizarre shade of pink-toned ecru.

I've always loved a bargain, but shopping for drugstore makeup these days is an actual pleasure in and of itself. Prices may have gone up, but so has the quality and selection.

And so I was very hopeful when it came time to test the stash of Cover Girl LipPerfection lipsticks I acquired via the Beauty United blogger program.

Overall, I was very pleased. I generally find them to be smooth to apply (no drag), nicely pigmented (medium on one swipe, opaque with two), and with a moderately creamy texture. They're not especially hydrating, but they are very comfortable to wear and don't dry my lips out in the slightest. (If you have very dry lips, however, you'll probably want to layer a balm underneath.) They have a satin finish - for the most part - and they lend themselves well to precise application.

The three lightest shades have a somewhat different texture, which a little more "slippy" and less opaque. They also somewhat emphasize the texture (cracks, lines, flaky areas) of my lips, and do best when applied over lip balm and patted on with a brush or finger, rather than applied straight from the tube.

The medium to deep shades have great lasting power, 4-6 hours with minor wear. Creme fades within a couple of hours, while Sweet and Yummy last somewhere in between, though Sweet has more of a staining effect. These lipsticks don't seem to contain a masking fragrance, which means they have a faintly waxy sort of scent. Not unpleasant, and not noticeable after a few minutes - and definitely a boon to those who are sensitive to added fragrance. (Personally, I'm always in for vanilla.)

I've roughly sorted the ones I have into a warm group and cool group, with both arm and lip swatches for comparison. 

Warm shades first:

Top to bottom: Seduce, Hot, Sweet, Creme

Left to right: Top to bottom: Seduce, Hot, Sweet, Creme

Seduce 307

Seduce is a gorgeous and classic true red, ever so slightly on the warm side. It lasts beautifully, and has one of the nicest textures overall.

Hot 305

Hot is a warmer, tomato red , bright and vivid. This has one of the creamier textures, and is one I suggest wearing with a lip liner to avoid any bleeding, if you're prone to that. It's a great alternative to a true orange if you want to wear the bold lip Spring trend, but remain somewhat horrified by orange.

Sweet 297

Sweet is a deep peach with an orange sherbet undertone. Like most shades that lean pastel, this can emphasize texture in the lips, but is fine if worn over lip balm (or lip balm and a lip liner combo to maintain some depth and opacity). This is very much a trend colour (and is featured in the Cover Girl/Pantene Spring/Summer 2014 video series here.)

Creme 256

Creme is a warm-tone beige nude, with a texture that was the least generous to any dryness or lines in my lips. I would dab this lightly on the lips in order to take down the natural cool-toned pink, and use it as a base for a nude gloss. 

And the cooler shades:

Top to bottom: Tempt, Eternal, Ravish, Tantalize, Bombshell, Yummy

Left to Right: Tempt, Eternal, Ravish, Tantalize, Bombshell, Yummy

Tempt 355

Tempt is a cool, cherry red with a strong pink undertone. Beautifully saturated and vivid, this is a great statement lip if you're torn between a classic red and a punchier fuchsia. 

Eternal 350

Eternal is a hot, raspberry-toned pink with a lovely creamy finish. As you can no doubt imagine by now, this is one of my favourites.

Ravish 308

Ravish is a plummy, dusky berry. This has one of the richer textures, and felt the most comfortable on. It had great lasting power and was very flattering on my skin tone. I can imagine this being a perfect work-friendly colour for a lot of people - classic, not trendy.

Tantalize 324

A cool, almost lilac-y mauve, I was surprised by how much I liked this colour on me. It actually has the same effect as a nude on other people - it looks natural, polished and subtly brightening, despite the strong cool cast.

Bombshell 327

Bombshell is a "soft" fuschia pink, bright but not jarring, and not so blue-toned as to be unkind to less than blindingly-white teeth. This also has the smoothest texture of them all.

Yummy 397

Yummy is a pastel pink, a little modish and 60s feeling. It can look chalky and a little unforgiving when applied straight on, but it's exactly the kind of shade that pairs well with a smoky eye (as per Rita Ora's look at the Grammys).

So overall? I'm really pleased with the the shade range and most of textures here, with some that I foresee being in heavy rotation this Spring and Summer. In terms of drugstore options, I'm glad to have the substantial selection of the full range at such an inexpensive price, especially when I'm craving a shot of something new, colour-wise.

Have you guys tried this line at all? What are your thoughts?

Availability: All major drugstores. Price varies, though I usually see them for between 8-11$ CAD. Well.ca has them for 9.99$ CAD.

(These items were provided by the brand/PR to be considered for review. 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.)