Category Archives: Reviews

Holiday 2017: Too Faced Pretty Little Planner (Review & Looks)

Too Faced - Pretty Little Planner

If there’s one thing that Too Faced knows how to do with gusto, it’s holiday sets! I feel like every year there’s more and more being thrown at us… and you know what? I’m not ashamed to admit that I start getting excited for them around April! Thankfully, they actually launch them early (usually in September), so you’ve got plenty of time to ponder which ones are for you.

Too Faced - Pretty Little Planner
Too Faced – Pretty Little Planner

This particular set, Pretty Little Planner, is my favourite of their three major launches under their “Best Year Ever” holiday collection. The whole theme is centered around having an amazing year and the sets provide you with a planner (big or small, depending on which set you buy). I have to say, for me personally, I’m just not into the planner thing, so having it there does nothing for me and has no reflection on my review. (I’m a Google Calendar queen quite frankly – I have no time for this handwritten stuff!) For the sake of this post, I’ll give you a quick rundown of what the set comes with just so you’re armed with that information.

Too Faced - Pretty Little Planner
Too Faced – Pretty Little Planner

The Pretty Little Planner set comes housed in a faux leather zipcase with gold tassel. It’s not cheap feeling, and there is some heft to the planner. It’s really quite pretty if you’re into this kind of planner stuff.

Too Faced - Pretty Little Planner
Too Faced – Pretty Little Planner

Inside the case you’ll find the Best Year Ever palette and a deluxe sample size of their Better Than Sex mascara. There’s a small heart mirror, and a few side pockets – one of which houses the 2018 calendar/planner.

Comes with a 12 month calendar planner and a sticker set.
Comes with a 12 month calendar planner and a sticker set.

The planner is a basic month by month calendar view, and it comes with a sheet of stickers.

Too Faced Pretty Little Planner
Too Faced Pretty Little Planner

But I’m not here for the planner, am I? I’m into the shadows! (I’ve previously done a Swatch Sunday post, so please click on over to that for full swatch details.) Of all the holiday launches, this is the most pared down set, and honestly the one that gets me the most excited. This palette is chockful of gorgeous jewel tones that are actually a little bit different for the holidays. Usually we get dumped with a silver and a gold and a whole bunch of neutrals and brands call it a day. Not with this one! We’ve got a stunning peacock-blue-green with gold reflect (Break The Ice), an unreal cranberry (Dollhouse), a really punchy orange-gold (Good as Gold), and my favourite – a molten copper that spreads like a dream (Werkshop). There’s even two brow bone highlight shades – one matte (Good Girl) and one with a soft sheen (Why Not?). Seriously guys, this palette is an absolute beauty, and a welcome change from the more traditional colour pairings I’ve seen over the years.

Too Faced Pretty Little Planner Makeup Looks

  • Coffee First through the crease.
  • Dollhouse in the middle of the crease.
  • Werkshop on the lid.
  • Booville in the outer corner.
  • Rise and Shine on the inner corner.
  • Why Not? on the brow bone.

  • Coffee First through the crease.
  • Elfie Selfie on the lid.
  • Snooze U Lose on the outer corner.
  • Good Girl on the brow bone.

  • Coffee First through the crease.
  • Good As Gold on the lid.
  • Booville on the outer corner.
  • Good Girl on the brow bone.

Final Thoughts

As I mentioned upfront, the Too Faced Pretty Little Planner set is my favourite of their three main holiday releases in the Best Year Ever collection for 2017. I think this one has the best variety of shades in colours I wasn’t expecting, but was really, really pleased with. The colours apply and blend well, and none of them left me feeling disappointed with the quality. While the planner side of things isn’t for me, and doesn’t affect my review in any way, for those who are into it, it’s a nice little addition to this set for you.

In short? This is a good one, and I would say definitely pick it up if you’re into the shades!

The Too Faced Pretty Little Planner set is available at ulta.com for $42 USD.

The product featured in today's post was sent to me for consideration. Post contains affiliate links.

New Wet n Wild 10-Pan Palettes! (Review, Swatches, Comparisons & Looks)

Wet n Wild is one of those brands that, had you told me in the 90s, I would love in my 20s and 30s, I probably would’ve scoffed at you profusely. I very clearly remember buying a horrid pink lipstick that was basically the equivalent of a greasepaint stick in balm format when I was 12 years old and figuring that lipstick just wasn’t for me because of that ridiculous texture (of course, I had no concept of higher end makeup at the time either).

Fast forward to 2010 and Wet n Wild has rapidly become one of my most trusted drugstore brands. Their Photofocus foundation? Love it. Their Megalast Lipsticks? Love them. Their eyeshadow palettes? ALSO AMAZING! Their palettes were already so good that I was surprised that they decided to re-release and reformulate them.

BUT HOLY FRIGGING HELL YOU GUYS. It was worth the reformulation and the re-release because these are incredible!

Wet n Wild - Rosé in the Air
Wet n Wild – Rosé in the Air

Let’s start this off with a bang! With their relaunch, Wet n Wild has gone from an 8-pan format, to a 10-pan one, and with this change they’ve brought us some wonderfully needed transition shades. Rosé in the Air is the one I see most people talking about since it’s a dupe for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance palette.

Wet n Wild - Rosé in the Air - swatches
Wet n Wild – Rosé in the Air – swatches

Pigmentation on the Rosé in the Air palette is incredible – smooth, soft, tons of colour and easy to apply.

Wet n Wild - Rosé in the Air - eye look
Wet n Wild – Rosé in the Air – eye look

And on the eyes, it’s no different! Colour packed on just as easily as they did for swatches and blended out perfectly!

Rosé in the Air vs Modern Renaissance
Rosé in the Air vs Modern Renaissance

Samantha Jane was the first person I know of to point out the similarities between the new Rosé in the Air palette and ABH’s Modern Renaissance palette. In the pan, they’re uncannily similar. And in swatches?

Rosé in the Air vs Modern Renaissance - swatches
Rosé in the Air vs Modern Renaissance – swatches

Uh. Hi. Yes. Dead freaking dupe! Granted, the ABH palette does have four more shadows than the Wet n Wild one, but the general essence of the palette is absolutely there. It can definitely be said that the ABH shadows are smoother and creamier, but considering the $37 USD difference… well… you can decide where you’d like to put your money!

Wet n Wild - Not A Basic Peach
Wet n Wild – Not A Basic Peach

Although everyone is super excited about the Rosé in the Air palette, my favourite one is definitely this beautiful specimen! This is the Not A Basic Peach palette and it’s so visually appealing to me that it makes me sigh in pleasure. Warm, peachy tones with a shot of blue, a vibrant orange-gold and a raspberry shade that reflects gold??? I am allllll in for this one!

Wet n Wild - Not A Basic Peach - swatches
Wet n Wild – Not A Basic Peach – swatches

Even the brow bone and transition shades are incredibly pigmented! This is the kind of palette where every time you swatch it, you’re taken aback by just how good it is.

Wet n Wild - Not A Basic Peach - eye look
Wet n Wild – Not A Basic Peach – eye look

Out of this whole post, this was my favourite eye look that I created. The Not A Basic Peach palette speaks to me on a whole ‘nother level. I am so, SO glad they created this one!!!

Wet n Wild - Comfort Zone
Wet n Wild – Comfort Zone

With their revamp, Wet n Wild also relaunched one of their olduns – Comfort Zone. While the original Comfort Zone palette had always been an excellent palette, it really lacked in shadows that would help you make a cohesive eye look: namely – transition shades.

Wet n Wild - Comfort Zone - swatches
Wet n Wild – Comfort Zone – swatches

They’ve rectified that with this launch and the palette comes with two warm transitions shades – one lighter, one darker.

Wet n Wild - Comfort Zone - eye look
Wet n Wild – Comfort Zone – eye look

There’s a lot of variety in this palette, but instead of keeping it to the neutrals, I used that blue/brown shade all over the lid and deepened it up with the darkest shade in the outer corner. The transition shade helped define my upper crease and the pewter shade added a nice highlight to the inner corner of my eye.

Wet n Wild - Comfort Zone - old vs new
Wet n Wild – Comfort Zone – old vs new

For comparison’s sake, I pulled out my old Wet n Wild Comfort Zone palette (which I had attempted to declutter at one point, but everyone I knew already had it!). In just looking at the two palettes side by side, you can see how the matte brown shades help to ground the palette.

Wet n Wild - Comfort Zone - old vs new - swatches
Wet n Wild – Comfort Zone – old vs new – swatches

My double set of swatches on this didn’t turn out so well, mostly because I’m really not showing you just how blue/brown that pigment is in the new palette (rest assured that it is, it’s just my photography skills that need some help). There are practically no changes between the two palettes aside from the fact that the new palette has more pigmentation (plus the transition shades not pictured above).

Wet n Wild - Nude Awakening
Wet n Wild – Nude Awakening

And lastly, one for the neutral lovers out there. The Nude Awakening palette is a revamp of a palette they had that was long and thin before. It was okay, but not something I ever really played around with much because… hello… it’s neutral.

Wet n Wild - Nude Awakening - swatches
Wet n Wild – Nude Awakening – swatches

This revamp of the older palette is appreciated though – the colours are incredibly pigmented and far more enticing than I ever remember them being.

Wet n Wild - Nude Awakening - eye look
Wet n Wild – Nude Awakening – eye look

I kept it pretty simple for this one, but the colours, as with all of the other palettes, blended beautifully.

Final Thoughts

These Wet n Wild 10-pan palettes are incredible! Hands down… I really think this is the most exciting thing I’ve seen come out of the drugstore this year. To see a drugstore brand release such beautiful palettes with COLOUR and keep the prices low ($4.99 USD each)? I mean it’s actually almost kind of unreal! And it’s not like they skimped on quality either – these are blendable and pigmented, and even better than their previous palettes which were already great to begin with! I love the addition of the transition shades – it tells me that they’re listening to feedback and making changes where necessary.

If it wasn’t already clear, I love them immensely and I absolutely think you need these. ALL of these. And at $5 a palette, you are definitely getting the most pigmented, cheapest palettes you can find on the market. Well done Wet n Wild – you’ve got an absolute winning set of palettes on your hands!

The new Wet n Wild palettes are only slowly starting to be released right now, so you may have a bit of a hunt on your hands. As of right now, their web site has all 4 palettes available for $4.99 USD each, but you can expect them to trickle out to your regular retailer throughout the next few months.

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

Real Techniques – What’s New?!

New Real Techniques sets!

While I’m not really a brush person when it comes to makeup, there’s one thing I can say for sure, and it’s that I am a REAL TECHNIQUES person. Every time they have a new launch, or extension to their range, I AM THERE. And you know why? It’s because the quality is always consistent and I have yet to encounter a brush I don’t love. And? Their price tags are completely reasonable!

Real Techniques has a number of new launches lately that I wanted to cover – including some limited edition sets you may want to snag before they’re gone – so let’s hop right in.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge 4-pack and mini Expert Face Brush
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge 4-pack and mini Expert Face Brush

The number one most exciting launch for me is that they’re now selling the Miracle Complexion Sponges in a 4-pack. A chance to save some money on my number one used foundation sponge? Hell yes I’m into it! The Miracle Complexion Sponge is the *only* product I use to apply my foundation because it leaves me streak-free and looking airbrushed. The porosity of the sponge is perfect – it’s dense enough that it doesn’t soak up all of my foundation, but it’s also soft enough so that I can spread the foundation around evenly.

For those who like a traditional brush to apply their foundation, the Expert Face Brush is a good alternative to my beloved sponge. (If I’m out of sponges, I’m using this brush!) Just in time for the holidays, Real Techniques has launched a mini version that’s perfect as a stocking stuffer. While the size of the overall brush is smaller than your full size one, rest assured that the brush head is the same size – you’re really only getting a smaller handle.

Real Techniques Color Correcting Essentials Set - limited edition
Real Techniques Color Correcting Essentials Set – limited edition

Moving on to the limited edition sets, I’ve got two that are out for the holidays that fill me with utter joy. The set pictured above is their Color Correcting Essentials Set. The idea behind it is that you can use the brushes and mini sponges to help colour correct areas of your face with the appropriately coloured sponge and brush. Personally, I get the point behind the colours, but my main reason for loving this set is that the brushes are IDENTICAL to the deluxe crease brush! What a great way to pick up four extra crease brushes (and all with lovely coloured handles). I had thought that the price of this package would be a bit too pricey considering it’s four brushes and four sponges, but it retails for about $17.99 CAD/$19.99 USD which is a phenomenal price tag! I’ll likely only end up using the sponges for concealer every once in a blue moon, so for me this set was allll about those brushes!

Real Techniques Color and Contour Set - limited edition
Real Techniques Color and Contour Set – limited edition

ANOTHER exciting one – the Color and Contour Set! Number one, look at that freaking colour gradient on the handles! From copper orange to hot pink to purple? YESSSSS! And number two? This set has my beloved Multitask Brush which is the only brush I ever use to apply my bronzer. That brush is currently only available in another set (the Technique Essentials Kit) which I could repurchase so I have more than one brush, but it’s got a bunch of other brushes in there that I don’t necessarily need. So I was extremely happy to discover that this set has it in there!

This set also comes with the Multitask Cheek Brush (great for blush or highlighter), lip blur brush (an interesting one to me – I often see Sam of Pixiwoo – creator of this line – obliterating harsh lip lines since she doesn’t like the way it looks – so I can try that with this one), lip brush (great for lips, OR great for applying glitter to my lid!), miracle sculpting sponge (totally new to me) and a mirror. This set is a bit more pricey than the last one at $34.99 CAD/$24.99 USD, but you’re getting a lot of really good brushes in beautiful packaging so it’s well worth that price tag. Heck, that Multitask Brush is well worth the $35 alone!

Real Techniques is available at select Pharmasave, London Drugs, Pharma Choice, IDA Guardian, Value Drug Mart, Jean Coutu, Unipix and Familiprix stores in Canada. Looking to purchase online? Check out farleyco.ca for all your Real Techniques needs!

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

Mary Kay Gel Semi-Shine Lipsticks (Review & Swatches)

Gel Semi-Shine Lipsticks

With Mary Kay‘s successful launch of their Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick range in the second half of 2016, we’re seeing them launch yet another range of lipsticks: the Gel Semi-Shine Lipsticks!

Gel Semi-Shine Lipsticks
Gel Semi-Shine Lipsticks

The Gel Semi-Shine Lipsticks promise to:

  • Deliver radiant colour with luminous shine
  • Provide long-lasting wear without drying out lips
  • Cushion, feel-good formula delivers soft comfort
  • Highly pigmented shades provide intense, stay-true colour
Gel Semi-Shine Lipsticks
Gel Semi-Shine Lipsticks

And you know what? YES, THEY DO, to ALL of the above! It’s really nice to see a claim by a brand actually end up being what you personally experience with the product. These are incredibly comfortable, they never dried out my lips and they did still feel cushion-y on my lips after five hours of wear.

Gel Semi-Shine Lipstick Swatches - Group 1
Gel Semi-Shine Lipstick Swatches – Group 1

And the pigment? Oh yes,it’s definitely there!

Gel Semi-Shine Lipstick Swatches - Group 2
Gel Semi-Shine Lipstick Swatches – Group 2

The only shade that is even remotely sheer is Luminous Lilac, but that’s partially down to the paleness of the shade.

Mary Kay Gel Semi-Shine Lipstick Lip Swatches

Mary Kay - Naturally Buff
Mary Kay – Naturally Buff
Mary Kay - Rosewood
Mary Kay – Rosewood
Mary Kay - Love Me Pink
Mary Kay – Love Me Pink
Mary Kay - Red Smolder
Mary Kay – Red Smolder
Mary Kay - Raspberry Ice
Mary Kay – Raspberry Ice
Mary Kay - Spiced Ginger
Mary Kay – Spiced Ginger
Mary Kay - Haute Pink
Mary Kay – Haute Pink
Mary Kay - Sunset Peach
Mary Kay – Sunset Peach
Mary Kay - Scarlet Red
Mary Kay – Scarlet Red
Mary Kay - Luminous Lilac
Mary Kay – Luminous Lilac
Mary Kay - Apple Berry
Mary Kay – Apple Berry
Mary Kay - Berry Couture
Mary Kay – Berry Couture

Final Thoughts

The Mary Kay Gel Semi-Shine Lipsticks are super easy and comfortable to wear. For a lipstick range that’s labelled as a “semi-shine”, I was so surprised (and impressed) with just how much pigment is in these. I suppose I was expecting more of a translucent sheen on them, but heck no – they’re full on pigment with a hint of sheen. They fit nicely into the cream category of lipstick, but with a little bit of an amped up sheen (some of them even seem a bit metallic – but definitely not overdone).

Fundamentally though? These don’t feel any different than the Gel Semi-Matte Lipsticks they launched in 2016. If you look at my lip swatches from my 2016 post on the semi-mattes, the sheen is really not that different on both sets lipsticks. So for me, this is mostly just a shade extension launch, and if you loved the semi-mattes, you’ll lose these semi-shines because they feel and wear the exact same way!

The products featured in this post were sent to me for consideration.

essence Matt Matt Matt Lipgloss (Review & Swatches)

essence matt matt matt lipgloss

Sometimes I just don’t get the labelling on makeup products. For example, these essence Matt Matt Matt Longlasting Lipglosses. Matte + lipgloss? That’s not a thing. It CANNOT be a thing. By its nature, lipgloss is shiny, so therefore it cannot be matte. What a headscratcher.

essence matt matt matt lipgloss
essence matt matt matt lipgloss

Sooooo all that aside, essence says their matt matt matt lipglosses have a “creamy formula with a velvet matte finish”. Which is far more inline with what the product actually is! It’s a soft, moussey formula that has opaque coverage and smells absolutely wonderful. The smell is the first thing that hit me on these – it’s like cake batter and it is *glorious*!

essence matt matt matt lipgloss swatches - La Vie Est Bell, Beauty - Approved! and Girl Of Today
essence matt matt matt lipgloss swatches – La Vie Est Bell, Beauty – Approved! and Girl Of Today

Because of the moussey texture, you’re really getting opaque coverage with these “glosses” in one swipe. Despite the weird shape of the applicator (it’s kinda like an arrowhead), you do actually get precise lines and one pull of the product is enough to cover your lips in their entirety.

Wearing La Vie Est Belle
Wearing La Vie Est Belle

It’s funny, I always say this, but I am never drawn to these baby pink shades, and yet I think they look quite nice on me in photos. The shade is La Vie Est Belle, and it was the only shade out of the three that needed a little finessing to get it completely opaque (which is probably due to the colour tint).

Wearing Beauty - Approved!
Wearing Beauty – Approved!

Beauty – Approved! is one of those every day, my lips but better colours. Full coverage and beautiful!

Wearing Girl Of Today
Wearing Girl Of Today

A little bit more up my alley, Girl Of Today is a beautiful deep rose colour.

Final Thoughts

First off, these aren’t lipglosses and they’re never going to be lipglosses, so let’s stop right there with the “matte lipgloss” shenanigans because it just ain’t a thing. That aside…

These are a moussey, cream textured lipstick formula that will eventually dry down to a satin finish. They are definitely not transferproof, as they will move around a little bit on your lips (although I had no bleed out even without a lip primer!). They are quite comfortable to wear as the mousse formula is flexible and forgiving. They also aren’t tacky, in case anyone was wondering. I think that’s covered by it not being a lipgloss, but just wanted to point it out as well. I love the cake batter smell, but you won’t taste it very much on your own lips throughout the day. As for wear time… it’s okay, but not as long as the “longlasting” in the name would lead you to believe. Since these are more moussey, you’ll find you need to re-apply every three hours or so. I lost the bulk of the colour on the inner rim of my mouth, but the outsides stayed intact.

The essence matt matt matt lipglosses can be purchased on essencemakeup.com for $3.99 USD each.

The products featured in this post were sent to me for consideration.