Category: Makeup Reviews


Sep
2016

Tarte Tarteist Metallic Shadows

categories: Makeup Collection, Makeup Reviews

tarte-tarteist-metallic-shadow-box
One of my favourite things about being a beauty blogger is trying new products that are destined to be instant classics and aren’t an eyeshadow palette. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good palette, but there’s something to be said for eyeshadow singles and the ability to put whatever shades you want together. Until now, I’ve only used Tarte shadows in a palette and most of them have been matte, which is my shadow preference. I’m really not a sparkly, glittery kind of girl so I tend to gravitate toward matte anything. But Tarte has just majorly stepped up their shadow game with Tarteist Metallic Shadows.
tarte-tarteist-metallic-shadow
With eleven shades that are all fairly neutral (so far), there’s a shadow that can fit into any look whether it’s day or night, dramatic or subtle. The packaging is pretty flimsy but you can pop the shadows out and put them in a magnetic palette. The star of these shadows is the formula. These are buttery and pigmented and shimmery but not glittery. They’re smooth and blendable and work really well together. I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of fallout but you’re definitely going to want to use a primer with these. The colours are pretty spectacular. I personally love Poker Face (silvery lilac) and Dame (dusty rose) but I really liked all five I tried. There are a couple others I have my eye on (Sinful, Speakeasy) and I’ll probably end up grabbing them.
tarte-tarteist-metallic-shadow-swatches
I love Tarte but it’s been a really long time since I was blown away with a new launch by them. This whole Tarteist line has been great but these shadows are the winners for me.


Sep
2016

Lipstick Queen Most Wanted

categories: Makeup Most Wanted, Makeup Reviews

lipstick-queen-most-wanted
Cult fave British lipstick company, Lipstick Queen is finally going to be really accessible in Canada. As of today, they’re officially at Murale and available on the Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutique site which means more Optimum Points for all the lipstick lovers! I’d only had a chance to try one Lipstick Queen lipstick in the past, so I was really excited when we received a package from them ahead of the launch. These are our Most Wanted Lipstick Queen shades.

Jungle Queen

lipstick-queen-jungle-queen

This is the shade I’d tried previously and I still love it a lot. It’s been two years since I first tried it and somewhere along the line it went missing so I was thrilled for a replacement. I actually wear a lot more lipstick now than I did then and this papaya-coral shade is really flattering on me. I’m still not wearing it with leopard print like it was intended but it’s a great summer shade and will transition really well into fall. I love that I can wear a super bright shade without drying out my lips.

Medieval
lipstick-queen-medieval
Speaking of going into fall, this sheer red is going to carry me way into winter. Inspired by medieval times when women used lemon juice to bring the red out in their lips, this red is going to look good on everyone. It feels almost like you’re wearing a tinted lip balm but with a touch more colour.

Hello Sailor
lipstick-queen-hello-sailor
Dark blue lipstick is definitely a trend right now but this lipstick isn’t actually dark blue. It’s a deep blackberry tint that makes your teeth look whiter. I’ve actually started using this one as a lip balm because it’s so moisturizing, gives me a hint of colour and won’t melt when it’s hot out.

Frog Prince
lipstick-queen-frog-prince
Frog Prince (and Hello Sailor) is one of the reasons I love Lipstick Queen, you just never know what to expect. Does this lipstick look green? Yes. Does it go on green? Not even a little. This is one of those colour adjusting lipsticks that turns into the best shade of rosy pink for your lips. It also turns into a stain, so you get colour for hours. Obviously the swatches below won’t be exactly the shade you’ll get on your lips but it’s a rough idea.

lipstick-queen-most-wanted-swatches
Jungle Queen, Medieval, Frog Prince, Hello Sailor

There are tons of other Lipstick Queen shades that we love (another post coming soon) and that we’d love to try (I need to get my hands on Black Lace Rabbit), and now that Canadians can get them at Murale it’ll be so much easier for everyone to discover their favourite shade as well.


Sep
2016

Weekend Getaway Makeup Most Wanted

categories: Bath And Body, Beauty Tools, Hair Reviews, Makeup Collection, Makeup Most Wanted, Makeup Reviews

When you are heading out of town with friends or maybe for a romantic weekend away, you don’t want to have to pack your whole arsenal of makeup. Here’s a little glimpse at some of the things I packed to hit the road for a weekend in Boston!

the-face-shop-mango-seed-cleansing-wipes

The Face Shop Mango Seed Cleansing Wipes – Everything about these wipes is moisturizing. I have been addicted to these wipes this summer because they are perfect no matter where the day takes you. The moisturizing wipes are perfect after a long day in the sun to dry out your face. They do leave a little bit of a residue, but it didn’t bother me most of the time. Everything feels nice and dewy.

travel-kit

Leonor Greyl Luxury Travel Kit – I hate going away and not being able to take my favourite shampoo and conditioner with me. This travel kit is really the next best thing. It comes with a shampoo, conditioning mask and oil. My first thought was, why do I want a hair mask while I’m on vacation? It’s nice because you can cheat and use it like a regular conditioner as well. When I was away recently I became hooked on the oil, which is perfect on wet or dry hair. You can find this luxe set for volume, dry hair or curly hair (or even just pick up the travel size oil solo), so you can get exactly what you need.

juara-candlenut-obsession-trio

Juara Candlenut Obsession Trio – Since you are in the shower, you also have to take care of that body. I don’t know what a candlenut is, but I can tell you I really am obsessed. This trio box has a Body Polish, Hydrating Shower Gel and Body Crème with this new scent. It’s got a mix of shea butter, coconut, and something musky underneath. It smells a bit like men’s soap. I can’t even describe it properly. All I know is it made this weekend away even better!

sephora-collection

Sephora Collection Look Color In The Eye Brush Capsule – I hate travelling with my regular brushes. I always get worried I will lose them, break them or otherwise ruin them while on the road. This little brush capsule is perfect to take instead. It has all of the eye brushes I could ever want. The pretty capsule keeps them clean and protected in my luggage.

mac-cosmetics-shes-a-model-eyeshadow-palette

Mac Cosmetics She’s A Model Eyeshadow Palette – Lately MAC has released some crazy, bold and beautiful colours, but that doesn’t always work for my real life. Enter this palette. While the eye shadows can be worn together in more daring ways, it’s also work appropriate. You can use the nice neutral tones for the office once you get back to reality. Then glam up your look with the sparkly silvers or better yet, the daring teal eye shadow. This collection also comes with some bright pink lipsticks and nail polishes, so there will be no shortage of colour when you enter the room.

essence-pure-nude-highlighter

Essence Pure Nude Highlighter – Get a little shimmer and shine with the new highlighter powder from essence. I’ve gotten really into powders this summer. The idea of wearing heavy foundation in the heat is just too much for my skin. This highlighter has been good to add back a little shine where I want. I think that highlighters are seriously under-used makeup, at least by me. I have been applying this highlighter on my cheeks above my cheek bones and nose for a little natural shine. Paired with my blush and bronzer, it gives me the natural glow you want, not the one you get on a humid summer day.


Sep
2016

Blinc Box Discovery Collection

categories: Makeup Reviews

blinc box discovery

I was pretty excited to open up the Blinc Box and see all of these new little products waiting for me. Blinc is known for having amazing mascara and other high quality eye makeup that doesn’t budge. This box includes Mascara Amplified, Eyebrow Mousse, Eyeshadow Primer and an Eyeliner Pencil.  I was a little disappointed in the mini-sizes, but it is perfect for trying out new things before jumping over my commitment phobia into full size.

If I am truthful with you, and I always am, I was a little underwhelmed by the Blinc products. It’s not that they aren’t good, they just are missing a bit of drama. I have never thought of myself as a mascara connoisseur, but this mascara is light. I always needed to apply multiple coats to get those dramatic lashes that I’m used to.

The one product that I am hooked on is the eyeliner pencil. It lives up to its name and promise of being smudge proof and waterproof. This little black liner isn’t going anywhere no matter what I threw at it over the course of a day.

Even though I wasn’t crazy about the Blinc box doesn’t mean you won’t discover your new favourite product. Anyone who loves that no makeup makeup look will probably be hooked on these. I am a girl looking for a little more drama.


Aug
2016

Mistura Beauty Solutions

categories: Makeup Collection, Makeup Reviews

Mistura Beauty Solutions

This month I’ve been trying out a few products from Ottawa-based makeup brand, Mistura Beauty Solutions. The really seem to be all about simplifying your beauty routine with their products. I think that’s an interesting idea, outside of just making women look great.

I started at the very top with their Ultimate 6-in1 Beauty Solutions box set. This kit includes a Vitamin E Lip Treatment, Retractable Beauty Brush, Luminada Illuminating Moisturizer and their trademark statement product the 6-in-1 Beauty Solution. I also tried their C-2-P Complexion Corrector and the Vivid Lash HD Mascara, but it’s the solution powder that I want to talk about now.

This powder is their big product. They were even on Dragon’s Den with it! This powder comes in one shade to help cover redness and perfect your skin, no matter what your tone is. Honestly, I am not going to lie to you… I didn’t see the difference. I tried using it with the moisturizer and brush that was included, but I really didn’t see any difference after applying it. I read the instructions. I tried my own brushes. I applied it over the Complexion Corrector. I actually tried using this powder almost every day for two weeks without seeing the results.

I wanted this to be my new secret weapon. I wanted this to be my own solution, but nothing.

I would love for Mistura to prove me wrong. I want to really get this product. I hope that they find this review. This almost bronze powder hasn’t made an impact on my skin… what am I doing wrong?


Aug
2016

Covergirl Makeup Most Wanted

categories: Makeup Most Wanted, Makeup Reviews

Sometimes it’s easy to forget about where your love for makeup started. I got back in touch with my roots with some new Covergirl products.

covergirl trublend face primer dry skin

First I tried the Covergirl Tru Blend Face Primer for Dry Skin. My initial reaction was to the smell. This primer smells bad. I’m not sure what the scent is, but it’s not really something that I want all over my face all day. It might sound weird, but I think it kind of smells like tobacco. It is a good primer, but it’s a bit too moisturizing for my skin. I prefer primers that are more mattifying. I might give this product another chance and go for the oily skin primer to see if the feel, and smell, is any different.

covergirl the super sizer mascara

To follow this up, I got two new Covergirl products from BzzAgent. I tried Covergirl’s The Super Sizer Fibers Mascara. I have to admit that I don’t understand the brush for this mascara. The bristles are so small that they barely exist. My long lashes want a long mascara brush to get in between and keep the separate. My lashes look fine after applying, but they aren’t super long. They tend to get clumped up easier.

covergirl clean matte bb cream

On the other hand, the Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream is amazing! I don’t know what took Covergirl so long to jump on the bb cream trend. I assume it’s that they were perfecting this product. Like I said before, I prefer mattifying face products. This bb cream gives my face good coverage without feeling heavy. I’ve been avoiding a lot of heavy moisturizers and foundations this hot summer, but Covergirl’s bb cream is great for even hot days.


Aug
2016

Fiona Stiles Beauty Most Wanted

categories: Makeup Collection, Makeup Reviews

Fiona Stiles Most Wanted
Fiona Stiles is a pretty well known celebrity makeup artist and this year she launched her eponymous makeup line. We got to try some of the products and these three really popped out for me. The hashtag that goes along with Fiona Stiles Beauty is #mistakefreemakeup and with these products, it’s definitely true. All three are extremely easy to use and very hard to mess up.
Ultimate Lash Icon Volumizing Mascara in Carbon Canyon
Fiona Stiles Ultimate Lash Icon
My biggest pet peeve with mascara is when they claim to give you tons of volume but it’s not dark enough to actually see it. With this mascara not only do I get a lot of volume but Carbon Canyon is super black, so I can definitely see it. I can get my lashes pretty big with Ultimate Lash Icon without getting clumpy. I do notice it can flake a little, but not enough that it makes a huge difference to me.
Soft Cheek Veil in Maiden Lane
Fiona Stiles Soft Cheek Veil Maiden Lane
Next to mascara, blush is my favourite type of makeup. I love when a blush is really pigmented going on and settles down the longer I wear it. This does exactly that. If I feel like the colour is too strong when I apply it, I just wait a minute and let it blend in and it ends up perfect. Maiden Lane is a really pretty neutral pink that leans a little peachy on me. I also appreciate that for a powder blush, it’s not super chalky.
Color Impact Satin Lip Crayon in Hester and Bonnie Brae
Fiona Stiles Color Impact Satin Lip Crayon
I might have been wearing matte liquid lipstick all summer but sometimes my lips need a break and I still want some easy colour on them. These lip crayons are perfect for that. Hester is a nude pink and Bonnie Brae is burgundy, both are extremely creamy and pigmented. These crayons feel substantial on your lips while they’re not great for colour transfer, unless you’re eating or drinking a lot they’ll last a decent amount of time. I’ve been wearing Hester quite a bit lately and will probably reach for Bonnie Brae more in the fall. These crayons also come in matte shades as well.

Fiona Stiles Swatches
Maiden Lane, Hester, Bonnie Brae


Jul
2016

Quo Stain’n Love Lip Gloss & Lip Velour

categories: Makeup Reviews

Quo lip stains

I love the colours of these little glosses, but no matter what I do they always leave me wanting more. On the brush Quo’s lip glosses are vibrant shades of pink and red. I am instantly drawn to the ‘Romanced’ pink colour.

When I put it on my lips, it doesn’t give full coverage. It always seems to apply unevenly. It doesn’t go on smoothly. Even though the word stain is right in the name, it doesn’t stain anything. The gloss wears off quickly, leaving me to reapply every few minutes so it seems.

Quo Lip Velour copy

My issue with the Lip Velour is similar. I love the colours, but this product just doesn’t have a lot of lasting power. In this case though, I am also not crazy about the brush too. It’s like a little lip brush, but very stiff.

I wanted to love these lip glosses and stains, but reapplying more than four times a day is my biggest pet peeve.


Jul
2016

Flower Outstretched Lengthening Mascara

categories: Makeup Reviews

flower mascara before

Before – I don’t know why my eyes are different sizes!

Make way for this new mascara that I am in love with! The brush looks weird, but just go with it. The longer brush side is for helping to lengthen and curl those lashes. I was as skeptical as you are. It really works though. For someone like me, who refuses to use an eyelash curler, this is the best product I can dream up. Then I just have to spin the wand around to add the dark black mascara. The formula is a bit thick, so you do need to be careful to avoid big clumps. Otherwise though, my lashes have looked amazing lately. The bonus is that Flower is also so affordable, so I don’t have to break the bank to look this good!

flower mascara

After – Boom! Look at that length!


Jul
2016

Clarins Summer 2016 Makeup

categories: Makeup Collection, Makeup Reviews

Clarins released a whole pile of new summer products that I am surprised to say, I am hooked on this season. I’ve never considered myself a huge fan of Clarins. I think that they have a reputation of being a bit older and more conservative, but this new round of products will make anyone smile. I don’t care how old you are.

clarins Bronzing & Blush Compact

My absolute favourite product in the Clarins makeup line is the Bronzing & Blush Compact. This oversized powder isn’t exactly what I would call compact. It’s large size makes it awkward to take on-the-go. I love this powder anyways. The four shades when blended together are the perfect summer shade for my skin. I get a beautiful bronze finish with a subtle shimmer that is suitable for day or night. I was torn on whether to put this in my favourites of the month or here, so know that it belongs in both places!

clarins Instant Light Lip Perfecting Base

Say hello to your new lipstick saver, the Instant Light Lip Perfecting Base! I put this little lip primer to the test with some of the lipsticks that are the worst culprits for disappearing after minutes. While it couldn’t beat them all, I noticed a huge difference in my reapply time. These lipsticks went from a one-hour affair to a full morning in style. I haven’t shared my new secret with anyone yet, so get it while it’s hot!

clarins_fix_make_up_30ml

The Fix’ Makeup-Up Spray has been my other secret weapon through summer’s hot spell. Forget losing my makeup to humidity and sweat. Thanks to a few sprays of this puppy my foundation, bronzer and blush looks just as good when I get home from work as when I left.

Clarins Hydraquench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase

I’ve been trying to jump on the serum bandwagon for a while, but have never found one that I like. The new Clarins Hydraquench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase has come the closest to making me a convert. I cannot express my love for how moisturizing it is. I actually think of it more as a moisturizer than a serum in my routine. It has a very faint smell and absorbs into my skin quickly leaving it feels newly hydrated. It is a bit tacky, but nothing that is troublesome. I have fairly oily skin, especially in the summer month, but this didn’t make me breakout at all. Bonus!!

065b5b5717834e7029a147944ed57a10 Waterproof Eyeshadow

At the bottom of my list is the Waterproof Eyeshadow. I’m not a fan of liquid or cream shadows, so this product didn’t stand a chance. I will always opt for a traditional powder and brush. I will admit that the metallic shades of eyeshadow are very cool. I might not have thought of them as summer shades, but they work perfectly with a bit of a tan.