Category Archives: Makeup

What’s On My Face – Volume 29

Makeup, Tutorials, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A few looks from November I had kicking around (!) on my harddrive, and a few from my recent vacation in Ottawa over the holidays. Enjoy!

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Hnnnnnnnng. I will never tire of Too Faced’s Melted Berry lipstick. I even like matching my eyeshadows to it!

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Eyes
(all Makeup Geek)

  1. Bleached Blonde all over the lid.
  2. Bitten on the outer half and through the crease.
  3. Vanilla Bean on the browbone.
  • Mascara: Benefit They’re Real
  • Liner: Tarte black gel liner

Rest of the Face

  • Foundation: Boots No7 Instant Radiance in Cool Vanilla mixed with Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in 51 Light Vanilla
  • Powder: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal
  • Bronzer: Tarte Park Avenue Princess
  • Blush: Tarte Dazzled
  • Lips: Too Faced Melted Berry

20141229_look2-inspiration

Anything cat-related on the internet and I’m all over it. And when I have an internet cat on my t-shirt? It just gets even better. I grabbed some inspiration from Nyan Cat here and went with it.

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I stuck to the blue and the red since that’s what stands out to me the most in that shirt. Plus I was doing brunch… it certainly didn’t call for a full rainbow!

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Eyes

  1. NYX Asphyxiation all over the lid.
  2. Makeup Geek Razzleberry in the outer corner and through the crease.
  3. Makeup Geek Creme Brule through the top of the crease.
  4. Too Faced White Chocolate on the brow bone.
  • Liner: Tarte black gel liner
  • Mascara: Estee Lauder Sumptuous Infinite Daring Length + Volume

Rest of the Face

  • Bronzer: NYC Fire Island Tan
  • Blush: MAC Gingerly
  • Highlighter: Too Faced Candlelight

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Playing around with the Laura Mercier Artist Palette for Eyes and Cheeks (2014). I will never not be astounded with the texture of her eyeshadows!

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Eyes
(all Laura Mercier)

  1. Pewter all over the lid.
  2. Deep Night in the outer corner and through the crease.
  3. Cashmere through the top of the crease.
  4. Vanilla Nuts on the brow bone.
  • Liner: Tarte black gel liner
  • Mascara: Benefit They’re Real

Rest of the Face

  • Bronzer: Revlon Bronzed  & Chic
  • Blush: Laura Mercier Rosegold Shimmer
  • Lips: Bite Fig

20141229_look5-1

20141229_look5-2No real theme for this one, I was just playing around with Makeup Geek eyeshadows I rarely used and came up with this look.

Eyes
(all Makeup Geek)

  1. Shimma Shimma all over the lid.
  2. Goddess on the outer half of the lid and lightly through the crease.
  3. Cocoa Bear in the outer corner.
  4. Vanilla Bean on the brow bone.

 

  • Liner: Tarte black gel liner
  • Mascara: Benefit They’re Real

Rest of the Face

  • Foundation: Boots No7 Instant Radiance in Cool Vanilla mixed with Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in 51 Light Vanilla
  • Powder: Hourglass Ambient Lighting in Ethereal
  • Bronzer: Tarte Park Avenue Princess
  • Blush: Tarte Darling

20141229_look1-1

A quick look that was mostly done just to try out Benefit‘s Push Up Liner (no review forthcoming on it, but my impression of it is pretty much “meh”. It’s okay, but it’s not better than a potted gel liner with a brush.).

20141229_look1-2

Eyes
(all Too Faced)

  1. Coquet on the inner half of the lid.
  2. Soiree on the outer half.
  3. Cream Colored Ponies on the brow bone.
  • Liner: Benefit Push Up
  • Mascara: Urban Decay Perversion

Rest of the Face

  • Bronzer: NYC Fire Island Tan
  • Blush: Hourglass Luminous Flush

Travel Makeup Bag: Christmas 2014

Makeup, Miscellaneous, Vacation, , , , , , , , , , ,

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It’s that time of the year again! I’m packing up shop and heading to Ottawa for the holidays this year. As I’m writing this, Toronto is awash in rain, rain and more rain. I’ve had enough of it – gimme some snow!

I’m hoping Ottawa is inundated with snow and I can get out to the mountains (which are larger than Toronto’s Blue Mountain mole hill) and snowboard. Lately it feels like I’m the only person who likes snow in this city. When you grow up in Ottawa, you kind of just learned to live with it I suppose. Since I now live and work in Toronto, I feel like everyone here hates the snow. It’s pretty clear the city hates it too because it sure as hell has no idea what to do when it snows. Snow tires? Hah no. Ploughing? Hah no. Wear appropriate clothing? Haaaaaahaha… No.

So anyway. I’m going to Ottawa. And here’s the makeup I’m bringing.

Makeup Geek Eyeshadows
Makeup Geek Eyeshadows

This year I gave up on on trying to figure out which pre-packaged palette to bring and instead opted for the Makeup Geek Z-palette I’ve put together over the last year or so. I usually (very sadly) default to neutrals on vacation just because it’s easy, but there’s a chance I’ll be meeting up with Kalyn and goddamn I am not showing up to meet that woman wearing neutrals. As everyone else has said… these shadows are phenomenal.

Tarte – Off The Cuff
Tarte – Off The Cuff

Easy one here! Last year’s holiday palette from Tarte has four blushes and a bronzer and it’s in super slim packaging. This has become my “go to” for taking with me to travel since it’s such a no brainer.

Boots No7 Instant Radiance in Cool Vanilla and Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in 51 Light Vanilla
Boots No7 Instant Radiance in Cool Vanilla and Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in 51 Light Vanilla

Neither of these colours match my skin tone right now, but I think they will if I mix them together. Boots No7 Instant Radiance Foundation in Cool Vanilla is slightly too dark and the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation in 51 Light Vanilla is too pale. I’m sure they’ll work out together somehow, I’ll just have to tweak the ratio a bit.

This is if I even wear foundation though. I hate the stuff really – it makes my skin itch and feel uncomfortable, but it looks soooo much better in pictures when I use it. I also like to put it on if I know I’m going to be out for a very brief period… that way I get to come home and wipe it all off. Stupid gunk.

Too Faced Melted Berry and Wet n Wild 910D/Red Velvet
Too Faced Melted Berry and Wet n Wild 910D/Red Velvet

Too Faced Melted lipsticks are forever in my heart, so I’m not going anywhere without one of them. Melted Berry has been ma jam lately, so that’s in the mix. And since it is Christmas after all, I’ve decided to sashay away from MAC‘s Russian Red for a while and use Wet n Wild‘s 910D/Red Velvet. It’s bright and more luminous, and I suddenly feel the need to be slightly electrifying with my lip colour.

201412_travelmakeupbag_christmas2014_femmefatalecatwalk

False lashes are mandatory celebratory wear for me so I’m bringing along my current favourites: Femme Fatale lashes in Catwalk.

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And lumped together are my potted products. I’m going risky and bringing only my Manhattan Eyeshadow Base. I say risky because I usually bring two primers to MAKE SURE nothing freaking moves on my eyelids, but this one seems to have been holding steady lately so Imma give it a shot. Tarte‘s gel liner is my current black liner staple (and I’m somewhat close to finishing it). And lastly, is Anastasia‘s Dipbrow Pomade in Blonde cuz without it I only have half-brows and that’s not a good look on anyone.

201412_travelmakeupbag_christmas2014_products

Last up are some randoms. I keep meaning to use Elizabeth Mott Tints & Sass because it’s a great “I’ve been outdoors in the cold” shade and it’ll double as a lipstain. I’ve also got a mini size of Benefit‘s concealer I want to try out(not that I ever wear concealer…) and Watts Up because that highlight is amazing. For mascara, I’ve got Benefit‘sThey’re Real and some Duo lash adhesive for my falsies.

I’m also a dumbass because I forgot to include some vitals that aren’t pictured. They are:

  1. MAC Prep + Prime for lips
  2. Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper
  3. And whatever lipbalm I grab on my way out the door.

C’est tout! What are you guys up to for the holiday season?

Challenge Week: Too Faced Everything Nice

Makeup, Tutorials

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!

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

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Eyes

  1. Shiny Happy on the inner tearduct.
  2. Don’t Settle all over the lid.
  3. Knockout on the outer corner and through the crease.
  4. 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

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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.

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Eyes

  1. Head Over Heels on the inner half.
  2. Live It Up on the outer half.
  3. Totally Fetch through the crease.
  4. 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

 

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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.

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Eyes

  1. Girly all over the lid.
  2. Knockout in outer corner and crease.
  3. Heaven on the brow bone.
  4. (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

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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.

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Eyes

  1. Honey Pot on the inner half of the lid.
  2. Too Glam on the outer half of the lid.
  3. Fawned of You through the crease.
  4. 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

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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.

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Eyes

  1. After Hours all over the lid.
  2. Be You on the outer half of the lid.
  3. 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

Makeup, Swatches, , , ,

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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.

MAC – Russian Red
MAC – Russian Red

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.

MAC – Russian Red
MAC – Russian Red

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.

NYX’s Butter Gloss in Cherry Pie
NYX’s Butter Gloss in Cherry Pie

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.

NYX’s Butter Gloss in Cherry Pie
NYX’s Butter Gloss in Cherry Pie

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
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.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic

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.

Wet n Wild 910D/Red Velvet
Wet n Wild 910D/Red Velvet

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.

Wet n Wild 910D/Red Velvet
Wet n Wild 910D/Red Velvet

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

Rimmel Apocalips in Big Bang
Rimmel Apocalips in Big Bang

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.

Rimmel Apocalips in Big Bang
Rimmel Apocalips in Big Bang

What’s not to love about that colour!

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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.

Swatched out lips
Swatched out lips

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