Tag: lipstick

Smashbox Summer 2015

Smashbox Summer 2015
Smashbox have always been great with innovation (their Water Primer is carrying me through summer), so when they recently released three new products this summer, we had to try them. Smashbox introduced a matte version of their Be Legendary Lipstick (we received Femme Fatale), L.A. Lights Blendable Lip & Cheek Colour (Malibu Berry) and the Photo Angle Pure Pigment Gel Liner (Jet Black).
Smashbox Summer 2015 Open
I’ve been using Smashbox’s gel liner forever, it was the reason I got an eyeliner brush and it’s been my go to liner for years. It’s so easy to apply and it lasts for hours and hours, so I was really excited to try this version (no brush required!). I’ll start off with a warning, this is not for eyeliner beginners and it does take some practice to get the hang of. This isn’t a gel pencil like other liners, when you twist you get pure gel. Once you get the hang of how to drag it to get a smooth line, it’s the same pay off as the traditional gel liners. Huge wearability payoff, it won’t budge until you take it off.

Smashbox Summer 2015 Swatches
Jet Black, Femme Fatale, Malibu Berry

When I saw the lipstick and L.A. Lights shades I was sure they weren’t for me, luckily Smashbox surprised me again. The L.A. Lights in Malibu Berry was really flattering as a cream blush and was extremely blendable. It was slightly lighter as a lipstick but looked just as good. I love two in one products because you can just throw it in your purse or makeup bag and get a whole look with less stuff. It also looked pretty good as an eyeshadow.

I’m loving all these new matte lipstick formulas and Smashbox’s Be Legendary Lipstick in Femme Fatale Matte was no exception. While I probably won’t be wearing this shade much in summer, it’s perfect for fall and winter. I don’t wear a ton of plum lipsticks but this one is definitely sticking around. I got a perfect matte lipstick with crazy pigmentation and it didn’t dry out my lips.

Smashbox is one of my go to brands for a reason, I honestly can’t think of a time where I’ve been disappointed by one of their products and with this new lineup (of which I may have to get more shades), I don’t think it’ll be happening anytime soon.

Essence Cosmetics Summer Makeup

essence cosmetics makeup

With all of the expensive makeup on the market, sometimes it’s nice to play with colours that are affordable. I played with some of the new hues and products in the essence summer makeup collection:

3D Eyeshadow – If you’re anything like me, you are going to love these eyeshadows at first glance. What’s not to love? Each little container has two complimentary colours of eye shadow in a pretty wavy design. All of the colours have a hint of a metallic sheen to them. You will notice that when you apply them, it’s best to either use a wet brush or be prepared to layer. This shadow is so light. It makes it easy for playing around, but frustrating if you know what you are looking for and just want the colour to appear.

Lash Princess Volume Mascara – This pretty and curvy mascara is a great affordable option. The curvy brush is reminiscent of many other expensive mascaras, but for a fraction of the cost. The curves in the wand help you to get at smaller lashes.

Long Lasting Lipstick – Brighten up your lips for under $5 with this lipstick. I got hooked on the matte red to bring the glam!

2 In 1 Eyeliner Pen – This eyeliner is great because of how versatile it is. Take two of your favourite eyeliner pens and put them together to get this one product. The 2-In-1 Eyeliner Pen from essence has a marker at both ends in the same rich black. One is thin for getting a close tight line around your lids. The other end is XXL with a thick pen to get sexy cat’s eyes for a night on the town.

Lancôme Shine Lover Vibrant Shine Lipstick

Lancome Shine Lover Open
As far as I’m concerned when it comes to lipstick, the biggest thing I care about is how dry will it make my lips? My lips are dry enough on their own without adding lipstick that sucks out whatever moisture is left. Lancôme’s Shine Lover Vibrant Shine Lipstick is one of the few that actually adds moisture to my lips.

Shine Lover is almost like a balm-lipstick. The shades are pretty sheer but buildable and are so light you forget you’re wearing anything on your lips. I tried 314 Spontanee (a sheer coral pink) and 354 Inattendu (sheer rose). While the shades were nowhere near as shiny as I was expecting considering the name Shine Lover, they were so comfortable to wear and left my lips feeling hydrated and soft.

Lancome Shine Lover Swatches
314 Spontanee, 354 Inattendu

Shine Lover has a very slight rose scent that I almost didn’t notice but I definitely associate with Lancôme. The colour doesn’t last as long as I wish it did but since it’s so hydrating reapplying doesn’t cause any caking or issues.

Shine Lover is a great way to get a lipstick and a balm in one and a little colour along the way.

Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer

Clinique Pop Closed
I love a product that does double duty so I couldn’t wait to try Clinique’s new Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer. You can tell from the name that it’s a lipstick and primer in one but it also feels like there’s a lip balm added.
Clinique Pop Open
We got to try two shades, Fab Pop (a super light pink creme) and Poppy Pop (a mid-tone orange creme). Both shades had extreme pigmentation and were super creamy. The colour doesn’t quite live up to the eight hour claim and it’s not transfer-proof but I didn’t have to reapply nearly as often as I thought I would with a lipstick this creamy.
Clinique Pop SwatchesPoppy Pop is by far my favourite of the two shades I tried. Although I hate orange, it really does suit my skin tone and makes my eyes, well, pop. Fab Pop on the other hand just completely washed me out and showed every tiny line in my lips.

With the way Poppy Pop just brightens up my face I’m going to be using it a lot this summer and it makes it so easy to get the perfect summer lips in one step.

MAC Is Beautiful Collection

MAC Is Beauty
I both love and hate when MAC releases a limited edition collection. Love, because I always find something new to fall in love with. And hate, because I know it’s going away after a seriously limited run. MAC’s Is Beautiful collection is a perfect example. It’s already online and in stores but gone as of May 15. This collection is massive and has way too many things to list so here’s what we got.
MAC Is Beauty SwatchesSmall Eye Shadow in Wow Factor: This is called a medium lavender (satin) but even on my fair skin it’s more of a light. It’s really pretty though and perfect for spring.

Pro Longwear Fluidline in Siahi: I’ve been wearing a lot of dark blue eyeliner lately and this deep ocean blue is the perfect addition. It goes on so smoothly and lasts forever. I’m going to have to be stingy with this pot, but I know I’m going to use it a lot.

Lipstick in Pure Vanity: I didn’t think I would like this pale peach nude (lustre) as much as I do. It’s perfect for my fair skin tone and feels amazing and so comfortable.

Cremesheen Glass in Star Quality: I love the Cremesheen Glass way more than regular Lip Glass ever since I tried the holiday collection. Star Quality is called bright pink but it has a little coral tinge to it that’s so flattering on me and I love the lack of stickiness.

I wish Siahi and Star Quality were permanent members of the MAC collection but while I’m wearing them this spring, I can’t wait to see what MAC has coming for us next.

Makeup Most Wanted March 2015 – Alyssa’s Picks

March 2015
March is a weird month for me makeup wise. It’s still cold but technically spring so I always want to pull out my spring shades a little early. These are the products I couldn’t live without this month.
Smashbox Photo Finish Water Primer
Smashbox Photo Finish Water Primer
Smashbox is known for their amazing Photo Finish primers and the newest addition is just as amazing but so different. This water based primer is so refreshing to spritz on but does an amazing job of getting your skin ready for makeup. I like to let it sit a few minutes before I apply anything over it and I can’t wait to use it in the summer when the less stuff on my skin the better.
Make Up For Ever Mist And Fix Setting Spray
Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix
This is the first setting spray I’ve ever used that I’ve actually liked. I can literally feel it setting into my skin but once it’s dry I don’t notice it at all. Except hours later my makeup is the way I put it on.
Cargo Limited Edition Gel Lipstick in Soho
Cargo Limited Edition Gel Lipstick Soho
I love everything about this lipstick. From the packaging to the shade (a perfect neutral pink) to how it feels. This is one of the lightest lipsticks I’ve ever used. You get full coverage but it feels like butter.
Royal Apothic Scrubby in Marshmallow
Royal Apothic Scrubbie Marshmallow
I love a good lip scrub and this one gets the job done without being too harsh. Even though it’s called Marshmallow, the scent isn’t too sweet but just smells amazing. And it’s not drying on my lips.
Quo Face Palette in Contessa
Quo Face Palette Contessa
Part of the Quo Cosmetics spring line, Contessa is the perfect face kit for someone who’s a little more fair like I am. There’s a blush, a highlighter and a bronzer and they’re pretty generous sizes. The shades are perfect for me whether I want a little colour or want to do some contouring.

GOSH Forever Lip Shine

GOSH Forever Lip Shine
Lip Crayons are probably my favourite type of lipstick but there’s always something missing. Maybe the pigmentation is never really quite what I want it to be. Or they have a weird scent. With GOSH’s Forever Lip Shines, I finally have everything I want in a crayon. There’s no scent or flavour, there are numerous shades to pick from and the pigmentation is insane. The tip on these twist up crayons is slightly pointed so you can outline your lips and then fill them in.

GOSH Forever Lip Shine Swatch
L-R: Baby Baby, Love Story, Flirty Dreams, Magic Monday, Funky Friday, My Valentine

And just look at the colours in this swatch. These are all one swipe of colour. My favourite shade is Magic Monday, it’s the perfect bright coral for spring. Forever Lip Shine is definitely not transfer-proof but you don’t have to reapply constantly. They’re also not as shiny as you’d expect and leave you with almost a matte feel but they’re so comfortable that you basically forget you’re wearing lipstick.

GOSH has finally given me the lip crayon I’ve been waiting for.

Rimmel Provocalips 16HR Kissproof Lip Colour

Rimmel Provocalips
At one point or another we’ve all used those long wearing lipsticks with colour on one end and a clear balm on the other. But they used to be way too drying. Luckily makeup has changed and Rimmel’s Provocalips are just one of the new developments that gives us long wearing, transferproof lipstick that actually lasts and doesn’t leave our lips completely dried out. With ten shades to pick from Provocalips has you covered from subtle to dramatic.
Rimmel Provocalips Swatches
My favourite shades are Make Your Move and Play With Fire, but I liked all four shades we were sent. You put the colour on first, let it dry for a minute and then add the top coat. And you’ll definitely need to reapply the clear top coat to keep your lips hydrated. And that is where my problem came in.

These lipsticks leak. A lot. I left them lying on my counter among other makeup on their sides and when I went back for them everything surrounding them was covered. My counter, other makeup, my hands when I tried to pick them up. Since they’re waterproof, cleanup was not easy. So while I really like these lipsticks, I’m not willing to throw them in my purse to take with me since I now keep them upright at all times. Which means I can’t reapply the top coat when I’m out, so wearing them out really isn’t an option for me.

I’d love to find a way to fix the leaking issue because I would get a ton of wear out of these if I could take them with me.

Almay Smart Shade Butter Kiss Lipstick

Almay Smart Shade Butter Kiss - Mediums
I love when makeup collections are specifically suited to skin tones, I’m so fair I have a hard enough time finding the right shade half the time. Almay does a great job with their Smart Shade lines so I was really excited to try the newest edition, the Smart Shade Butter Kiss Lipsticks. They come in berry, pink, nude and red for light, light/medium and medium skin tones. I would normally head straight for the light shades but they sent us all of mediums. Luckily these lipsticks worked on me.
Almay Smart Shade Butter Kiss Medium Swatches
Almay really did a great job on the name of this lipstick because these definitely feel like butter. They are so smooth and creamy and a lot more pigmented than I was expecting, I thought they were going to be more like a tinted lip balm. The only drawback I found was that they were almost a little too creamy and didn’t always stay where I wanted them to, a primer is a definite must with these.

Even though the mediums worked well with my fair skin, I imagine someone with darker skin wouldn’t fare as well with the light shades. But if you’re having trouble finding a shade for your skin tone Almay just made your life a whole lot easier.

Laura Mercier Watercolour Clouds Spring ’15 Collection

Laura Mercier Watercolour Clouds Spring '15
Sometimes I don’t know what companies are thinking when they release seasonal collections because they don’t make sense at all. Laura Mercier’s Watercolour Clouds Spring ’15 collection isn’t one of those times. Everything about Watercolour Clouds makes perfect sense. The shades are soft, dreamy and most definitely for spring.
Watercolour Mist Eye And Cheek Palette
Laura Mercier Watercolour Mist Eye And Cheek Palette
If you want bold colour and high pigmentation, skip this palette. But if you want a soft wash of colour, this is perfect. With six eyeshadows and two cheek colours, there are multiple looks in this palette.

Laura Mercier Watercolour Mist Swatches
L-R Sunset, Earth, Mist, Fog, Storm, Wind, Purple Rain, Cloud

The cheek shades are actually the best contour shades I’ve found for my fair skin. I use Sunset for blush and Earth for contour and it looks completely natural.
Creme Smooth Lip Colour in Brigitte
This lipstick is so creamy and hydrating. Brigitte is a soft pink that’s just a little too close to my actual lip shade to really show up on me but the lipstick is so comfortable I’ll definitely be looking into other shades.
Laura Mercier Watercolour Clouds Spring '15 Lip Swatches
Paint Wash Liquid Lip Colour in Nude Rose
I love all these liquid lipsticks and I’m completely obsessed with Nude Rose. It’s subtle, matte and lasts for hours. I’ve been wearing this more than any other lip anything I have.