All posts by Chelle

Procrastination Beauty Blogger Tag

December 15, 2014Miscellaneous, TagsChelle

201412_procrastination1

I was surfing around for some beauty blogging tag to do since December has meant not only am I strapped for time (not that I’m complaining about having wonderful friends and family to hang out with, but dear GOD this month is an utter scheduling nightmare) but it also means I can’t take any pictures before or after work since the lighting is utter crap. Soooo I’m moderately amused by the title of this tag because while I haven’t been procrastinating exactly, I’ve just been struggling for time… so it kind of LOOKS like I’ve been procrastinating.

Still with me? Did that make a lick of sense?

No? Too bad, that’s my story and I’m sticking with it.

So please enjoy the “easy” content while I sort out the rest of my December. 😉

1. Name a beauty regimen that you rarely do?

Lord, I’m sure I have tons, but I’ll only name a couple: I don’t wash my face before going to bed (I remove my makeup with remover, but never wash it) and I only wear sunscreen on my face if I’m going to be covering my entire body (i.e., going for a long run during the summer, out to play sports, etc.)

2. Is washing your make-up brushes something that you do regularly?

Once a month? Maybe? This makes me think back to when I didn’t know you were supposed to wash makeup brushes, so I went about five or six years before I ever washed out my one and only MAC 275 brush. Yeah, it basically rinsed out black. Delicious!

3. How long will you last with chipped nail polish?

I used to care and changed it immediately (which was usually every two days), but nail polish is a fickle beast and I do NOT have an ounce of cares to give if my nail polish is chipped anymore. To be perfectly honest, I barely even wear it anymore.

4. How long will you put off buying/replacing a beauty product, even if you need it?

I don’t wait. Ever. If anything, I usually have a backup ready and waiting in the wings a good two months before I actually run out of the product I’m currently using.

Helping me out while I photograph products.

5. What is your worst beauty habit?

I’m sure this is going to gross people out. In fact, I’m grossed out that I do it… But I tweeze errant eyelashes if the mofos are just being absolute jerks and growing in the wrong direction. It’s not a daily thing (or I wouldn’t have any eyelashes left), but maybe once a month I’ll yank one or two out that are just not cooperating. (I know pulling out eyelashes due to stress/boredom is a condition, but this isn’t the same thing.)

6. Name something non-beauty related that you put off doing all the time?

Groceries. I hate doing groceries. Or laundry. Or cleaning.

I think I just hate chores in general.

7. When going out somewhere, do you leave getting ready to the last minute?

This is definitely something I do not do. I give myself plenty of time – usually TOO much time. As I’ve said before, I really enjoy getting ready, so I try to draw out the process as long as possible – much to the chagrin of my friends and family.

8. Can you commit to spending bans?

I have done, but not often. I often find that even if I go on a makeup spending ban, I usually find somewhere else to throw my money, so it’s kind of a moot point really. I either spend it on makeup, or something else. /shrug

Nemo’s working out how much I’m allowed to spend on makeup for the next year…

9. How organized are your make-up and nail polish collections?

My makeup is well organized and everything has its place, but my nail polish is kind of just… lined up… sort of? I mean it’s on a shelf, and it sits there, but it looks kind of messy.

And that’s it. I hope you’ve enjoyed the filler post complete with pictures of Nemo.

While I haven’t tagged anyone, I realize that we’re all struggling throughout December, so if you’d like to do this tag on your blog, please feel free!

Challenge Week: Too Faced Everything Nice

December 10, 2014Makeup, TutorialsToo FacedChelle

20141210_toofaced_everythingnice

I wasn’t going to buy this palette (which is what I try to tell myself about every palette that comes out). I thought it was too similar to last year’s Too Faced palette (both only available at Sephora), but I caved during the VIB sale and snagged it for 20% off the asking price. For what you get, 20 eyeshadows, two blushes, a bronzer, a highlighter and a sample size mascara, $54 CAD (discounted price) is nothing short of amazing.

When I got the palette, I opened it up alongside my “A few of my Favorite Things” palette and started doing shade comparisons. I’d say there’s about three duplicates, and even then most of the duplicates are highlight/pale shades which are a must for any palette, but the rest are all completely different from last year’s rendition. Because of the difference in the shades, I was *really* glad to have picked this up.

Anyway, on to the looks I created!

20141210_toofaced_everythingnice_look5-1

While this palette does pack a lot of colour variety, it’ll also appease those who are lovers of neutrals and browns.

20141210_toofaced_everythingnice_look5-2

Eyes

Shiny Happy on the inner tearduct.
Don’t Settle all over the lid.
Knockout on the outer corner and through the crease.
Dream On and Heaven on the brow.

On my lashes is Benefit‘s They’re Real mascara. I also used Chocolate Moon eyeshadow to line the upper lash line.

Rest of the Face

Bronzer: Chocolate Soleil
Blush: Sweet Pink
Highlighter: Inner Light
Lips: Wet n Wild 910D/Red Velvet

20141210_toofaced_everythingnice_look1-1

Fun with colours! The blue shade is one of the duplicates from last year’s palette – it’s fairly sheer so make sure you either use a similarly coloured base, or apply a LOT of layers of it.

20141210_toofaced_everythingnice_look1-2

Eyes

Head Over Heels on the inner half.
Live It Up on the outer half.
Totally Fetch through the crease.
Dream On on to highlight the brow.

I used Tarte‘s black gel liner to create the wing and applied Benefit They’re Real mascara to my lashes.

Rest of the Face

Foundation: CoverGirl CC Cream in 110 Classic Ivory
Bronzer: Chocolate Soleil
Blush: Sweet Pink
Highlighter: Inner Light
Lips: Soap & Glory Sexy Motherpucker in Raplumzel

20141210_toofaced_everythingnice_look2-1

I actually think this look makes me look slightly cracked out, but that might just be my eyeshadow colour placement. The shadows themselves are lovely… I just… chose poorly.

20141210_toofaced_everythingnice_look2-2

Eyes

Girly all over the lid.
Knockout in outer corner and crease.
Heaven on the brow bone.
(not actually numbered) Too Glam under the eye to line.

On my lashes is Benefit They’re Real mascara.

Rest of the Face

Bronzer: Chocolate Soleil
Blush: Papa Don’t Peach
Highlighter: Inner Light
Lips: Strawberry Malt

20141210_toofaced_everythingnice_look4-1

Christmas themed? Sorta? Gold for stars and green for evergreens? lol We were going to Toronto’s German Christmas Market that night and I wanted to look “festive”. And by festive, I mean I froze my butt off while trying to wear a jacket that was not warm enough.

20141210_toofaced_everythingnice_look4-2

Eyes

Honey Pot on the inner half of the lid.
Too Glam on the outer half of the lid.
Fawned of You through the crease.
Heaven and Dream On on the brow bone.

I used Kat Von D‘s Tattoo Liner in Trooper to create a very, VERY thin line on my upper lash line and then applied Benefit They’re Real mascara to my lashes.

Rest of the Face

Bronzer: NYC Fire Island Tan
Blush: MAC Sea Me, Hear Me
Highlighter: MAC Soft & Gentle
Lips: MAC Strawberry Malt

20141210_toofaced_everythingnice_look3-1

This looks turned into being all about the lashes (Younique Fiber Lashes… review coming later this month), but I like the soft effect I got on my lids as a quick “get out the door NOW!” look.

20141210_toofaced_everythingnice_look3-2

Eyes

After Hours all over the lid.
Be You on the outer half of the lid.
Dream On on the brow bone.

On my lashes is Benefit They’re Real mascara with Younique‘s 3D Fiber Lash mascara coated on twice.

Rest of the Face

Bronzer: Chocolate Soleil
Blush: Sweet Pink
Highlighter: Inner Light
Lips: Rimmel Apocalips in Celestial

Did you pick up this palette? What do you think of it? I know that Sephora’s site no longer seems to be carrying it anymore (sold out, I imagine) but I have seen it in physical Sephora stores within the last week, so if you want it, jump on it now!

Five Reds for Winter

December 8, 2014Makeup, SwatchesMAC, NYX, Revlon, Rimmel, Wet n WildChelle

201412_fiveredsforwinter1

Winter seems to be the season when everyone busts out a red lip. It was around Christmas (several years ago) when I finally got comfortable wearing red lips and I’ve not looked back. I’ve compiled a list of some of my favourites, with a bit of variety amongst the shades… but rest assured… these are all *red*.

All of the products listed in this post are readily accessible products (none of them are limited edition), so you should be able to find them if there’s something that draws you in.

The red that started it all – MAC‘s famous Russian Red! This was the first red lipstick I picked up, and it’s almost ruined me for all other reds! It’s matte, so it stays put without me having to worry about it too much, which is one of my chief concerns with bright or dark lip colours.

I’m wearing this without a lip liner here, but I usually pair Russian Red with MAC‘s Brick lip pencil to clean up the edges.

And for the softer side of ~~Sears~~ things, if you’re not used to wearing bright colours, here is NYX‘s Butter Gloss in Cherry Pie. Since it’s semi-sheer, it’ll ease you into wearing brighter colours. Half the battle with bright colours is getting used to seeing yourself wearing them. Once you get used to it, you’ll find it’s far less stressful to wear something “different” in public.

This gloss will look good on its own, but it also pairs nicely on top of top of a red lipstick as well. Since it’s a gloss though, it doesn’t have the same lasting power as a lipstick does.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic

While rooting through my reds, I re-discovered Revlon‘s Romantic balm stain. This stuff looks wayyyy better on the lips than I remember it being! It has enought pigment to look like a lipstick, but it’s got a beautiful amount of shine to it as well.

Also slightly sheer, and feels really lovely on the lips. This one is one of the easier reds – you can slap this one on without thinking about it too much.

This one kills me. I picked up Wet n Wild‘s 910D/Red Velvet lipstick on a whim because I thought it was another colour and holy CRAP – this is AMAZING. It’s also a matte shade, and it packs just as much of punch of colour as MAC‘s Russian Red does, although obviously a different shade.

And it’s cheap as chips too! I think it was something ridiculous like $2.

And for those of you who want to make an even bigger impact with your lips, this may do the trick. There’s nothing subtle about Rimmel‘s Apocalips in Big Bang. It’s a liquid lipstick which means you get insane pigmentation with amazing gloss. The glossy bit does die down after an hour or two, but you’ll still be left with beautiful pigmentation.

What’s not to love about that colour!

201412_fiveredsforwinter_lipstickonteeth

Now, since you’re wearing a red lip, you’ve got to be careful. Use a lip primer. Use a lip liner. Check your teeth and corners of your lips whenever you go to the bathroom. (Basically… use any reflective surface to cheek your mouth out, whenever you can.) Use the “put your thumb in your mouth, lock your lips around it and pull out” method to get as much lipstick off the inner ring of your lips. I tend to stick with the “swipe my tongue over my teeth” method, but it doesn’t get always get all of the product off.

When in doubt, mattes are better at staying put than anything remotely glossy. I’ve also had surprisingly good luck with liquid lipsticks too.

The after effects of all that lip swatching. I gotta say, I think I love this mixed up shade the most!

Fortune Cookie Soap – Winter Soap Box 2014

December 3, 2014Hauls, ReviewsFortune Cookie SoapChelle

201411_fcs1

Soap box time! I was excited to see Fortune Cookie Soap‘s winter theme of the year… and they’ve gone with products themed after National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, a movie I personally try to watch every Christmas.

Jelly of the Month Club – Official Member

As per usual, their graphic designs are spot on. Sometimes I wonder if I just enjoy FCS‘ creativity more than their products!

Shower Steamer in I Pledge Allegiance, Amen!

I don’t understand these products at all. They’re called “Shower Steamers” but they don’t actually cause any steam in my shower. Sure, they smell nice… but that’s about it. It doesn’t do anything for my skin and I sure don’t get any kind of a fog in my shower unless I turn the water on burningly hot and open the window to let in the -5 degree air.

This stuff was wonderful! The Christmas Bonus scented (yeah… they haven’t told us what it’s actually scented with… we’re supposed to guess) deep conditioner is pretty amazing. To me, it smells of peppermint candy canes, and on the hair it feels like a thick paste. My hair feels especially soft and pliable after using this, but it’s really the scent I’m in love with. I got two uses out of the little pot they sent us.

Oh boy. This THING. (Hydrate Me in Sparky) The item itself is lovely – it’s a moisturizer body butter type thing that melts into your hand as you apply it to your skin. And good lord the scent is delicious (vanilla pumpkin waffles – AMAZING)… BUT… and this is an *enormous* but (*insert Kim K joke here*)…

It’s just a FREAKING MESS. Who the hell wants to use a body butter that is going to turn your body RED? It gooped red all over my hand, onto my leg and then when I gave up trying to rub it into my skin (it tinted me pink), I ended up wiping it off on my towel… which is now stained. (I sure hope it comes out in the wash!) This product is completely *useless* because of the added colour on top of the body butter. Like seriously, did they not test this before sending it out? It’s completely ridiculous and *totally* impractical. Not to mention that it will stain anything you sit on afterwards (like my brand new white sofa…).

DISLIKE.

Edit: I posted about my problem on their Facebook page and they responded by saying that they’ve removed the green and red Hydrate Mes from their order and are sending out different ones. They asked me to contact customer service to “resolve the issue”. In the end they apologized and offered me 10% off my next purchase. I won’t be taking them up on that though since the cost to ship up to Canada is insane!

Now this was interesting. Whipped Soap? Never even heard of it. But the texture was moussy and slippery and it was a pleasure to use. The Fried Pussycat scent was also equally appealing. I wasn’t entirely sure HOW to use it, so I just plopped a bit on my hands and slathered it all over my body. It probably would’ve worked better on a washcloth.

More OCD Hand Sanitizer. Comes in every box, so I’m left to conclude that this is either the most popular product they sell (doubt it) or the cheapest to make (I’m going with that one). I’m over the hand sanitizers at this point – I’ve yet to finish the one I got in the spring soap box many moons ago!

This is glorious. So glorious that I want to eat it. Cuticle butter scented like egg nog? Holy god, be still my heart. Slippery, slimey, oily cuticle goodness. Hard to go wrong with this product! Just… try not to eat it.

Whipped Cream in Bend Over and I’ll Show You

I love their whipped cream, and I was especially happy to try out a scent that I wouldn’t normally gravitate towards. Bend Over & I’ll Show You is especially tart since it’s scented with cranberries and oranges, with pine, spruce and clove. It’s a weird mix, but I really like it!

Fortune Cookie Soap – Tis The Season To Be Mary

And the final product, usually the most interesting, was ultimately the most disappointing (even Sparky had some pizzazz to him). Compared to last quarter’s red sparkly soap, this was just… meh. It was supposedly scented with sweet almond and tobacco – to me it was just… soap.

And with this box, I’ve done an entire year of Fortune Cookie Soap’s soap boxes. I’ve decided to cancel my subscription just because subscription boxes just aren’t really cutting it for me lately. I cancelled Ipsy a while ago and decided I’d cancel FCS after a year as well. While it was a fun box, ultimately the cost was just a little “out there” for the products I was receiving (particularly since I had to pay international fees). Although I do have to say I’m a biiiit jealous since they just recently announced their spring soap box is going to be Alice in Wonderland themed…

November 2014 Favourites

December 1, 2014Favourites, MiscellaneousFemme Fatale, MAC, MaybellineChelle

201411_favourites

November is such an oddball month to me. All the excitement of October is over (Thanksgiving, Halloween, etc.) and I flat out REFUSE to start doing anything Christmas-related until December 1st. So November’s that month where there never seems to be a theme. But when I think back, I actually had an awesome time! I got to attend my first blogger event ever and met some really nice Toronto-area bloggers there. I attended my first IMATS and picked up plenty of new products. So for what is normally a “blah” month of the year, this November was actually pretty awesome!

However for makeup… I was really, really bland this month. With the shorter days, I find it strenuous to actually get out of bed when it’s still dark outside. And since I kept hitting that snooze button so many times, I was giving myself less and less time to do my makeup. So the end result is a lot of boring products got used and re-used this month. Maybe something will pique your interest though.

I bought MAC‘s Mystical cremesheen lipstick when the Alluring Aquatics collection came out this past summer because hello… have you SEEN the packaging? But the shade of the lipstick really didn’t fit into any kind of summer aesthetic for me. It came out a little too browny-pink and as far as summer colours go, that was a total no-go for me. But I held on to it because I figured I’d make use of it during the colder months. And I have! Throughout the last month I’ve defaulted to Mystical a lot. It’s an easy to wear shade that seems to match all my “blah” eyeshadow looks lately. And when I needed something “that just works”, this was the product for me.

The next two products were used in conjunction. As I said earlier, I was getting up later and later on workday mornings, hitting that snooze button a good 45 minutes longer than I should be. Maybelline‘s Color Tattoo in Barely Beige is a quick product to swipe onto my lids, followed up with…

some MAC Cork in the crease. I used to use Haux for that purpose, but I’ve since run through that pan so I’m moving on to my next “boring brown shade” in my collection. It’s not the most interesting of looks, but it’s quick, it’s easy and I know it works.

Now THESE are a different story. Femme Fatale‘s Catwalk lashes are anything but boring. These mink lashe are stunning and oh-so-comfortable to wear. There were a few evenings this past month where I got the chance to wear something a bit more interesting on my eyes (aka I had more time to do my makeup than the debacle I encounter every morning before work) and I always opted to wear the Catwalk lashes. Highly, highly recommend these.

How about you? How was your November? Since it’s officially December 1st today, I think I’ll stop being a Scrooge and actually put some Christmas decorations today!