Category Archives: Makeup

Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight (Review & Swatches)

Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight

I’ve had this review sitting on the backburner since I took the product shots in January. Why? I don’t actually have a good reason for that other than that makeup never seems to cease being released and there’s always some other enormous launch out there to cover. And these Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops? They’ve been out for a while, so they’re kind old news, right?

Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight
Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight

But, I was recently reminded how epic these seemed to be when they were first released when I saw my friend Shawna of Spill the Beauty sporting the brand new Halo shade while we were at a beauty event. She looked amazing, and I was suddenly reminded of the fact that I had a sample size of their older Moonlight shade from a previous Sephora order.

Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight
Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight

I have a very mini, but generously portioned, size of the Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drop in Moonlight. It’s on the paler side of things in their range of shades. This is billed as “imparting a soft, silver glow”. Which you would NEVER KNOW from the colour selection item on the Sephora, or even by looking at the jar. I mean… we’re all agreed right? That looks rose gold? It’s not just me?

Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight - swatch
Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight – swatch

FAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK! In swatches, Moonlight is flat out blinding. This is shockingly bright – almost electric really. Silver? Almost. I do see more of a rose gold shade on the edges of the product where it curves around my arm. That center portion though? Full on silver goodness.

Wearing Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight
Wearing Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight

Despite the shocking swatch, it actually goes on the cheeks surprisingly softly. I suppose by most people’s standards a reflective surface isn’t soft, but given what the swatch looks like in comparison, this looks REALLY soft.

So while it LOOKS soft in these photos, I think, but it’s not really IRL. And that’s not a negative either. It’s an aggressive, but beautiful highlighter. Its reflectiveness was far surpassing my beloved BECCA highlighters and for the first time in a long time I found myself wondering “is this TOO much highlighter?” (Real talk: no, it’s not!)

Wearing Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight
Wearing Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight

Yes, it’s aggressive. Yes, it’s “loud”. And yes, it’s completely and utterly beautiful. It has an ethereal quality to it – that “I’m a fairy!” look that I’ve been searching for in a lot of products for a very long time (I’m looking at you Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal! *spits*).

I think we know I love this product by now, so let’s just chat about how to actually use it. I only used this as a cheekbone highlighter as I’m not interested in mixing it with my foundation. I found I liked it best when used with a medium sized duo fiber brush. I used the dropper to apply it to the back of my hand and then dabbed my brush in it. Wiped it off quite a few times on the back of my hand, and then applied it to my cheekbones. It’s not the easiest product to blend either, so start with very little and then build as it’s pretty easy to get harsh lines. (Try your finger maybe? I hadn’t thought to do it until I typed this review out.)

Is this worth your money? Look, no one can answer that question for you (for ANY makeup product on the market – we all have our limits) – these highlighters are insanely expensive ($52 CAD/$42 USD) and even I’m balking at that price tag. But after having used Moonlight and loving how it looks, I am 100% buying Halo… when it’s on sale.

The Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops can be purchased on sephora.ca for $52 CAD and on sephora.com for $42 USD.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Lit Powders (Review & Swatches)

MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Lit Powders

Relatively new on the market are the MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Lit Powders! They’re essentially a loose pigment type formula that come in predominantly subtle, neutral shades, but there are a few in the lot that really enticed me with their brightness.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Lit Powders
MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Lit Powders

The Star Lit Powders are an “ultra-fine shimmering powder that can be used to highlight your eyes, lips and cheeks. The micronized ingredient technology allows for ease of application that can be applied wet or dry, to customize coverage intensity and luminosity.”

MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Lit Powders
MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Lit Powders

I feel like packaging is always an inherent problem with loose pigment. MAKE UP FOR EVER tried to solve the “powder flying everywhere” problem by creating a sifter that’s big enough for your brush to fit in to, but small enough to keep the opening from being enormous. While it does work better than the usual pigment packaging with a huge open neck, I still don’t find myself in love with the delivery system. And honestly, I think that’s just going to be a problem with pigments in general – I really don’t think there is a way to make the packaging not suck. This is the best solution so far, but I’m still not over the moon about it.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Lit Powder swatches - 5 Frozen Purple & 19 Ultramarine
MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Lit Powder swatches – 5 Frozen Purple & 19 Ultramarine

The two colours I chose to try out are at very different ends of the scale. Shade #5, Frozen Purple, is a white base with a violet duochrome. It’s one of those shades that is near impossible for me to photograph correctly – but trust me when I say there is a definite purple hue when that pigment catches the light. Shade #19, Ultramarine, is an in-your-face electric deep blue. It can occasionally look matte in some lights, but there is some shimmer running through it.

Wearing MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Lit Powder in 5 Frozen Purple & 19 Ultramarine
Wearing MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Lit Powder in 5 Frozen Purple & 19 Ultramarine

Application was interesting on these. The powder is finely milled, but there is a weird sensation that feels similar to chalk. I don’t even really know how that works, but it’s there. It was more apparent on the purple shade and the end result was an interesting combo between matte and luminous (again, I have no idea how that works, but that was my impression of it!). The Ultramarine shade is hella pigmented and applied to the eyes beautifully. Go easy with this one as the colour is intense and it will spread easily!

One thing I need to point out is that I had inconsistent application on certain areas of my eye while using these products. In the end, I found I needed a sticky base to make sure the product adhered properly to my eyes when used dry. I think that may be as a result of the chalk-like texture I encountered. So keep that in mind if you’re going to be using these on your eyes!

As is my nature, I tried out some of the more “out there” shades in the range. There are a whole bunch of subtle white-gold, champagne and rose gold hues if you’re looking for something a bit more “wearable”!

The MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Lit Powders can be purchased at sephora.ca for $25 CAD each or on sephora.com for $21 USD.

The products featured in this post were sent to me for consideration. Post may contain affiliate links.

Swatch Sunday: Too Faced The Chocolate Shop

Too Faced The Chocolate Shop

I’m once again hitting you with some swatches from an item you can no longer get your hands on: the Too Faced Holiday 2016 The Chocolate Shop palette!

Too Faced The Chocolate Shop
Too Faced The Chocolate Shop

The lovely Zoë of Writing Whimsy knows how deep my Too Faced obsession runs so she sent me this palette when she was done reviewing it! It was such a lovely surprise since she saved me the cash of picking it up for myself! (My Too Faced hoarder status is getting a bit ridiculous…)

Too Faced The Chocolate Shop
Too Faced The Chocolate Shop

Too Faced The Chocolate Shop Swatches

Too Faced - Dessert's On Me
Too Faced – Dessert’s On Me
Too Faced - Indulge
Too Faced – Indulge
Too Faced - Cookie Dough
Too Faced – Cookie Dough
Too Faced - Raspberry Rose
Too Faced – Raspberry Rose
Too Faced - Sugared Raisin
Too Faced – Sugared Raisin
Too Faced - Guilt Free
Too Faced – Guilt Free
Too Faced - Glaze
Too Faced – Glaze
Too Faced - Gingerdoodle
Too Faced – Gingerdoodle
Too Faced - Chocaholic
Too Faced – Chocaholic
Too Faced - Cake Batter
Too Faced – Cake Batter
Too Faced - Butterscotch
Too Faced – Butterscotch
Too Faced - Toffee Crunch
Too Faced – Toffee Crunch
Too Faced - Lava Cake
Too Faced – Lava Cake
Too Faced - Banana Date
Too Faced – Banana Date
Too Faced - Honey Dip
Too Faced – Honey Dip
Too Faced - Pound Cake
Too Faced – Pound Cake
Too Faced - Sugar Bells
Too Faced – Sugar Bells
Too Faced - Mint Chip
Too Faced – Mint Chip
Too Faced - Jingle Berry
Too Faced – Jingle Berry
Too Faced - Huckleberry
Too Faced – Huckleberry
Too Faced - Inner Light
Too Faced – Inner Light
Too Faced - Chocolate Soleil
Too Faced – Chocolate Soleil
Too Faced - Chocolate Covered Strawberry
Too Faced – Chocolate Covered Strawberry

Mary Kay Spring 2017: Light, Reinvented (Review & Swatches)

Mary Kay Spring 2017: Light, Reinvented

Mary Kay‘s Spring 2017 collection took me by complete surprise. I was expecting something more along the lines of florals (as per last year) and instead I got a whole pile of bright, cheery and FUN colours! The collection is called “Light, Reinvented” and I’m really, really in love with that concept.

Mary Kay Spring 2017: Light, Reinvented - Glossy Lip Oils
Mary Kay Spring 2017: Light, Reinvented – Glossy Lip Oils

Just to get it out of the way, let’s talk about the product I didn’t love: the Mary Kay Glossy Lip Oils.

Infused with grapeseed oil, this glossy lip oil conditions lips by quenching them with moisture. This innovative lip oil provides a comfortable application with a non-sticky, luminous shine. In shades that range from sheer to pigmented, these glossy lip products deliver colour and shine while doubling as a moisturizer.

While I can’t say that the glossy lip oils feel overly uncomfortable on the lips, the thing I find the hardest to get over is the weird fruity but gooey scent. They’re kinda gelatinous and if you apply too much to your lips… well they just look like a pile of ooze.

Mary Kay Spring 2017: Light, Reinvented - Glossy Lip Oils - swatches
Mary Kay Spring 2017: Light, Reinvented – Glossy Lip Oils – swatches

In swatches, I have to say they look rather pretty, but these are just a pass for me.

Wearing Magenta Ray
Wearing Magenta Ray

Magenta Ray has the most pigment in the bunch and it’s definitely a beautiful colour.

Wearing Brilliant Violet
Wearing Brilliant Violet

Brilliant Violet is kind of patchy and sinks into my lip lines.

Wearing Sheer Pink
Wearing Sheer Pink

And Sheer Pink is just a milky, streaky mess.

Mary Kay Spring 2017: Light, Reinvented -Eye Color Palettes
Mary Kay Spring 2017: Light, Reinvented – Eye Color Palettes

Lip Oils aside, let’s talk about the good stuff! These Light, Reinvented Eye Color Palettes were a pleasant surprise.

Mary Kay Spring 2017: Light, Reinvented -Eye Color Palette in Glistening Horizon
Mary Kay Spring 2017: Light, Reinvented -Eye Color Palette in Glistening Horizon

Glistening Horizon is definitely my favourite quad out of the two: the colour combination is really, REALLY nice. The purple may swatch a little weakly but it did apply better to the eye. That deep blue shade as well as the shimmery pale cream are EXCELLENT!

Wearing Glistening Horizon
Wearing Glistening Horizon

On the eye, Glistening Horizon makes one hell of an impact. I honestly think my favourite shade in that quad is the palest champagne colour – it’s gorgeous!

Mary Kay Spring 2017: Light, Reinvented -Eye Color Palette in Sunlight
Mary Kay Spring 2017: Light, Reinvented -Eye Color Palette in Sunlight

The Sunlight Eye Color Palette is a little bit more powdery in texture when you compare it to Glistening Horizon. I do wish there was a bit more depth to this quad because you may be hard pressed to create a look without keeping it very, very mild. That being said, the pink is INCREDIBLY pigmented and the orange has absolutely beautiful shimmer thrown in.

Wearing Sunlight
Wearing Sunlight

On the eyes, the pink and the orange translate really well. (Although in hindsight since the pink has more pigment, I should’ve put the orange in the crease and the pink in the outer corner.) The pale peach is fine and versatile as a brow bone highlight on my complexion. The one that really doesn’t end up translating very well is the pale lavender which basically diffused itself so much that it’s no even apparent (it’s on my inner corner).

Mary Kay Spring 2017: Light, Reinvented Nail Lacquers
Mary Kay Spring 2017: Light, Reinvented Nail Lacquers (left to right: New Blue, Brilliant Violet, Luminous Mauve and Vivid Sunburst)

I’ve saved the absolute best for last: Now I get to talk about the limited edition Light, Reinvented nail lacquers. These are INCREDIBLE and are hands down my absolute favourite nail polishes right now. I’ve worn each shade at least once, and I’ve already started in on my second rotation of wearing them (currently sporting Brilliant Violet again). These are wonderfully pigmented cream polishes (two coats for full opacity) in absolutely breathtaking shades. I’ve got nothing bad to say about these, and in fact I’d encourage you to get your hands on these as quickly as possible before they sell out. The formula, the colours and the wear time are all absolutely incredible.

And seriously, I’ve been wearing them in practically ever video I’ve recorded lately:

Since I’m not an epic nail swatcher like my friend Kaitlyn is, please head over to this blog post of hers in order to see these gorgeous polishes swatched. (Seriously, go over there – not only to see these beautiful polishes in action, but also to see just how amazing her nails are!)

In Short

  • The Glossy Lip Oils are a pass in my book.
  • The Eye Color Palettes are a lot of fun, the Glistening Horizon one in particular.
  • The Light, Reinvented nail lacquers are what you need in your life RIGHT NOW. If you only get one product from this launch, make it the nail lacquers.
The products featured in this post were sent to me for consideration. Post may contain affiliate links.