Category Archives: Reviews

MAC Cosmetics Star Trek (Review, Swatches & Look)

July 27, 2016Makeup, Reviews, SwatchesMACChelle

MAC Star Trek

Guys… this is pretty exciting! Several months ago, we all found out that there was going to be a MAC x Star Trek collection, but details were (and still are) a bit scarce. The whole collection was premiered at San Diego Comic Con, but it doesn’t launch online till August 25th and in stores on September 1st.

The timing of this collection coincides not only with the movie that was just released, but also with Star Trek‘s 50th anniversary (which is the “50” you see emblazoned on the insignia). My husband and I have also been watching/rewatching all of the movies over from the beginning over the last year, so my interest in this collection is piqued even more than normal for a MAC collection!

All items in the collection feature the usual matte black MAC packaging, but they’re also layered with the silver insignia.

MAc Star Trek - even in the inside packaging matches! — MAc Star Trek – even in the inside packaging matches!

Even the interior design of the packaging matches!

MAC Star Trek - Pressed Pigment in Bird of Prey — MAC Star Trek – Pressed Pigment in Bird of Prey

On to the products! I’ve got a pressed pigment in Bird of Prey. At first glance, I thought this was a black with gold sparkle (the lighting in my office is bad, okay?) – but it is not! It’s a very, VERY deep green with a black base and some gold sparkle.

I’ve only used a few other pressed pigments by MAC before and they were ALL a disaster. We’re talking Fallout City, crumbling everywhere, etc. I can thankfully report that this pressed pigment behaved like none of the others. It felt smooth when I stuck my brush in it and applied to the lid nicely as well. Pigmentation is good, but you will need to apply a few layers to get full opacity.

MAC Star Trek - Pressed Pigment in Bird of Prey - swatch — MAC Star Trek – Pressed Pigment in Bird of Prey – swatch

MAC Star Trek - Frost Lipstick in LLAP — MAC Star Trek – Frost Lipstick in LLAP

The item that intrigued me the most was the lipstick in LLAP (Live Long and Prosper).

LLAP is a frost which is a finish I haven’t worn in years (I’m thinking back to the 90s and wearing MAC‘s Gel…).

As I was photographing this product, it finally clicked for me what this shade was. LLAP is a true rose gold FOR YOUR LIPS.

MAC Star Trek - Frost Lipstick in LLAP - swatch — MAC Star Trek – Frost Lipstick in LLAP – swatch

Swatching it confirmed the rose gold hues and I was so, so curious to see how it would look on my lips.

MAC Star Trek - Frost Lipstick in LLAP - lip swatch — MAC Star Trek – Frost Lipstick in LLAP – lip swatch

There are full shots of my face later in the post, but I was astonished with how oddly flattering I found this shade. I never thought I needed or wanted to wear a rose gold hue on my lips and certainly not in a frost finish lipstick… but you know what? I’m sold. I love this. I cannot wait to show LLAP some love and wear that bullet down!

MAC Star Trek - False Lashes in Wink of an Eye — MAC Star Trek – False Lashes in Wink of an Eye

That beautiful pair of lashes you see right there are called Wink of an Eye. I can’t seem to find these lashes on MAC‘s site, so they don’t seem to be a permanent product repackaged. These lashes have a thick band and are swept sideways which gives a bit of a cartoon-like slow lash wink to the outer corners of your eyes. I especially love how there are bright blue lashes in the mix with the usual black. It adds for quite a bit of intrigue when I looked back on my photos.

Sadly, I found the last band too thick and firm. It was causing the lashes to want to straighten out no matter how much (or how little) glue I used. I did wrap them around my makeup brush for a few minutes before applying them, but I would suggest that if you want to wear these for a long period of time, wrap them around your makeup brush handle, clamp it in place and let it stay that way overnight to put some solid curve into that stiff band.

MAC Star Trek - Superslick Liquid Eye Liner in On The Hunt — MAC Star Trek – Superslick Liquid Eye Liner in On The Hunt

MAC‘s usual Super Slick Liquid Eye Liner in On The Hunt has been repackaged for this collection.

I was unfamiliar with this formula, but I’m telling you now… this thing can last through anything. MAC‘s site says it’s a water-based, water-resistant liquid liner that’s quick and precise to apply. Yes to all of the above, but I have to say, this thing is MORE than water-resistant. I had one heck of an impressive time getting this off my eyes when I was done my look. Even rubbing the swatch off my arm proved its impressive longevity. Need something bulletproof for your eyes? Give this one a shot!

MAC Star Trek - Superslick Liquid Eye Liner in On The Hunt - swatch — MAC Star Trek – Superslick Liquid Eye Liner in On The Hunt – swatch

On The Hunt does have a bit of a sheen, so if you’re looking for something purely matte, this isn’t the one you’d want to pick up.

MAC Star Trek Look

This makeup look will be coming to my YouTube channel ~~tomorrow~~ – here it is! but for now, I hope the pictures will suffice! For those curious, I have Bird of Prey all over my lid, I created the wing with On The Hunt, I’m wearing the Wink of an Eye false lashes, and the LLAP lipstick is on my lips. 🙂

MAC Star Trek - up close — MAC Star Trek – up close

I also have an additional post on the Trip the Light Fantastic Powder in Strange New Worlds that’s just been posted!

So how about you? Are you excited for this MAC Star Trek collection? Let me know!

The products featured in this post were sent to me by PR for review.

tarte Rainforest of the Sea Drench Lip Splash Lipsticks (Review & Swatches)

July 20, 2016Makeup, Reviews, SwatchesTarteChelle

tarte Rainforest of the Sea Drench Lip Splash Lipsticks

Was there anyone out there that didn’t have their breath stolen by the tarte Rainforest of the Sea collection? I mean the packaging alone was enough to make me weak in the dang knees!

And the Drench Lip Splash Lipsticks are no exception! These lipsticks “saturate lips with creamy, full-coverage color and hydration with this long-wearing satin-matte lipstick. Featuring an array of bold and everyday shades, it’s powered by tarte’s Rainforest of the Sea™ antioxidant complex and natural, lip-loving oils and butters. This vibrant lip formula helps firm, treat, and protect your lips while providing intense hydration and hiding the appearance of fine lines.”

These feel HEAVENLY on the lips. I think I can actually say that these are the most comfortable matte lipsticks I have ever worn. They feel pillowy and soft. The colour blends into your lips without feeling stiff or dry. Since these are very, very soft in terms of formula, go very, very gently while applying them to your lips – sadly, I’ve already broken Mai Tai in half. 🙁 (Although this isn’t unexpected for me since I’m a lipstick murderer.)

tarte Rainforest of the Sea Drench Lip Splash Lipsticks - Skinny Dip, Happy & Mai Tai (swatched) — tarte Rainforest of the Sea Drench Lip Splash Lipsticks – Skinny Dip, Happy & Mai Tai (swatched)

The colours I have (Skinny Dip, Happy & Mai Tai) do a good job of showing you some of the colour range in this collection (12 shades total). There are more brights and even some vampy shades in the mix too!

Although I have nothing bad to say about the formula of these lipsticks (seriously – nothing! I’m in love with it!), I need to point out the one rather large flaw in this product: the packaging is absolute fucking garbage. Sure, the outside is gorgeous – I’m sooo down with that absolutely STUNNING purple to gold gradient effect happening on the case, but it feels really, REALLY flimsy. Out of the three lipsticks I tried, two of them fell apart as I was opening them for the first time! The lids are not glued to their inside packaging very well, so, as you can see in the shot above, the top popped off of Mai Tai, and the bottom half fell off of Happy. Sure, I can put them back together without much issue, but EVERY TIME I go to use the lipstick, I end up pulling off an end. So aggravating.

Also worth noting: these contain 0.085 ounces of product which is about 40% less than your average lipstick (for transparency, I compared this to NARS and Bite Beauty which are more expensive brands).

tarte Rainforest of the Sea Drench Lip Splash Lipstick Swatches

Skinny Dip is described as a white nude, but comes off as a soft pinky-peach on my lips. I found this one oddly flattering and has matched a lot of eye looks I’ve done over the last month or so. If you want to see it in action, I wore it during my recent Empties video on YouTube.

Happy is described a rose that shows up quite deep on my lips. Another really, really gorgeous shade.

But, the one that absolutely stole my heart is Mai Tai which is the orange of the lot. On me, it comes out as an orange with a hint of red and it is absolutely jawdropping. (This is also the bullet I broke… *sobs*)

Final Thoughts

Overall, I do *really* recommend this the tarte Drench Lip Splashes. I think the packaging is terrible and should definitely be revamped, but that’s not enough for me say that this product isn’t worth your money because the formula is unbelievably astounding. I think I can actually say that these are the most comfortable matte lipsticks I own. Period. As I’m typing this out I’m trying to think of something I own that’s more comfortable and I’m really drawing a blank. These actually *feel* hydrating and that’s something that can be a real struggle to say about matte lipsticks.

I like that the colour range is diverse enough to have a bunch of nudes, some brights and some vampy shades – there should be enough in there for everyone to find a shade they’re happy with. And yes, I do really want more of these now! I’m currently eyeing Bikini because it’s a pink coral… oh and Bonfire… and… and… 😉

The tarte Rainforest of the Sea Drench Lip Splash Lipsticks can be purchased on sephora.ca for $26 CAD or on sephora.com for $22 USD.

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

Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencils (Review & Swatches)

July 18, 2016Makeup, Reviews, SwatchesMake Up For EverChelle

201607_makeupforever_aquaxleyepencil1

I have suddenly found several of the Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencils in my posession, so I thought it was time to do a review! (I ended up with a couple from Gen Beauty, a few more a Make Up For Ever Backstage Workshop that Samantha Jane invited me out to and then a couple more that she gifted me!)

So, a few months ago, Make Up For Ever launched their Aqua XL Eye Pencils in a wide of array of shades (20, to be precise). They cover the bulk of the rainbow and to me they look like they’re rivaling the Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Crayons which has always been my go-to product for my waterline since it just doesn’t budge.

The “Aqua XL Eye Pencil Waterproof Liner‘s superior, long-lasting formula will not smudge, crease, or fade until you remove it. Its innovative formula blends intense, rich color with a super-gliding texture. This versatile liner’s smooth texture effortlessly glides onto lids without skipping or tugging while delivering intense, one-swipe color that lasts all day. Perfect for creating a tight line or smudging for a shadow effect, it features shades that range from everyday neutrals to bright pastel pops.”

The shades come in a variety of finishes, although I would say the bulk of them are matte although they do also have diamond, satiny, iridescent and metallic finishes just like their eyeshadow range.

Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencils in M-10, M-16, M-26, M-92, M-30, I-32 and M-22 - swatched — Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencils in M-10, M-16, M-26, M-92, M-30, I-32 and M-22 – swatched

You can see that aside from I-32, all of the shades are matte, which is definitely my preference in a liner! I’m particularly enamoured by the vibrant pastel shades in the center since it’s refreshing to see those shades in eye pencil format instead of just as eyeshadow.

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At the MUFE Backstage Workshop, we were instructed to produce a festival look that involved layering shades in order to produce a graphic liner look. It’s not supposed to be totally cohesive – more abstract and frivolous (for lack of a better term). I felt a little silly applying my liner this way, but when I took the shot above, I was astounded with just how neat it looked. I especially felt that the white really helped to pull it together.

201607_makeupforever_aquaxleyepencil_eye

Although the Backstage Workshop look was fun, the way I’ve mostly been wearing the Make Up For Ever Aqua XL liners is by applying them to my waterline. In the shot above I have I-32 on the outer half of my water line, and then M-92 on the inner half and I’ve blended them together to create a gradient. I was really, really surprised and impressed by how well this stayed on my waterline all day. I wore the aqua shade (M-30) in the office and it stayed put all day. I did touch up a tad at the outer corner since that’s where my eyes water, but really, that’s to be expected with any pencil for me (including the Marc Jacobs Highliner).

Final Thoughts

If you need a rock solid waterproof eyeliner, look no further than the Make Up For Ever Aqua XL. By industry standards, when something is labelled “waterproof”, it has to last THREE HOURS underwater (without any rubbing) and this one fits the bill! I love the shade range (although I would really like a red) and I’ve been having a lot of fun using these on my water line. They dry really solidly onto my water line – almost like it locks on and shellacs the area (I didn’t know how else to describe it) because if you touch the area with your finger it ends up feeling totally dry and yet it’s not irritating which is a huge blessing.

Also, removing these from your skin is no easy feat unless you’re using something oil based. Think that’s annoying? Think again, my friend! Cuz this means they are BUDGEPROOF! So in short… these are absolute winners. 🙂

The Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencils can be purchased on sephora.ca for $25 CAD each or on sephora.com for $21 USD.

Review: Lancome Juicy Shaker in Mint To Be

July 13, 2016Makeup, Reviews, SwatchesLancômeChelle

Lancome Juicy Shaker in Mint To Be

A few months ago I saw a whole pile of YouTubers talking about the Lancôme Juicy Shakers and couldn’t help but be intrigued. Lisa Eldridge had helped develop the Juicy Shakers and that woman can sell me on practically anything with all of her knowledge!

The Lancôme Juicy Shakers are a bi-phase formula which combines the active relief of nourishing oils with the revitalizing power of colour pigments. The product in its natural state will separate the pigment from the oil and you need to shake it like a cocktail shaker to mix the two pigments. It’s really cute, but you will look a bit loony tunes in your office building if you’re doing it (I speak from experience). Thankfully, the oil does stay mixed with the pigment for a good long while – I’d say about three hours or more.

To apply the Juicy Shaker, you twist the top off to reveal the spongy tip. The tip collects product from the well located in the middle of the shaker. It dispenses a decent amount of product, but I did find I was dipping back in quite a bit to add even more product to my lips.

Lancome Juicy Shakers have a spongy applicator

The spongy tip is SO WEIRD and yet SO NEAT all at the same. It’s super soft and pliable. It almost feels potentially too soft, like it could rip at any second. However, I’ve been using it frequently without any kind of tearing issue. I think the material is super flexible but study enough to hold up.

The Juicy Shakers come in a wide variety of colours that all smell different based on what their shade name is. I opted for the only really unique colour in the whole range – Mint To Be. The luminescent blue really spoke to me, although I knew the colour payoff would be practically non-existent. Sadly, this shade seems to be a US exclusive shade and I had to go through hoops to get it. (Seriously, my friend in Baltimore had it shipped to my in-laws in Wisconsin, who then drove it up here when they came to visit in June!)

As you can see, the Lancôme Juicy Shaker in Mint To Be is really just a sheer wash of light oil on my lips. It makes them look plumper, it feels hydrating, but it really doesn’t do much of anything else. I wouldn’t wear this over lipstick because I feel like the oil would breakdown the lipstick.

Mint To Be as a very slight mint scent – it is not overly pungent, and it definitely won’t freshen your breath as I’ve heard some people say!

Final Thoughts

The Juicy Shakers are an innovative and adorable lip oil, but aside from the packaging and shaking mechanism, there isn’t anything particularly unique about the formula of the oil itself. I do like that the price tag isn’t insane ($21 USD/$28 CAD) because I was really expecting it to cost a lot more because of the brand and unique packaging. Is this a necessary item in my collection? Absolutely not. Is it fun to have and use? Sure is!

The Lancôme Juicy Shakers can be purchased on macys.com for $21 USD (this is where I got the blue one!), or, if you’re Canadian like me and don’t have access to the US, you can order them on sephora.ca for $28 CAD.

Estee Lauder Summer 2016 (Review & Swatches)

July 11, 2016Makeup, Reviews, SwatchesEstee LauderChelle

Estee Lauder Summer 2016

Summer is in full swing here in Toronto (seriously, it feels like a million degrees ever single day here – please send us some rain!), and I’ve got some items from the Estee Lauder Summer 2016 collection to play with!

The Estee Lauder Summer Glow Eyeshadow Palette is a small, but hefty feeling compact. The hinge snaps shut with a solid “I’m closed” feeling (you know the one!) and it has a huge mirror on the inside as well.

The palette contains six eyeshadows, two of which are matte/satin, the others are all shimmers. I very, very much appreciate the fact that the cream and deep brown shades are the non-shimmers!

Estee Lauder Summer Glow Eyeshadow Palette - swatches — Estee Lauder Summer Glow Eyeshadow Palette – swatches

This kind of palette colour scheme is really not unexpected for summer, but it’s still really nice to see the gold and blue punch added to an otherwise neutral palette.

The Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Gelee Bronzer is a 1 ounce bottle of cream bronzer. You can use this to add colour to your foundation, or – do what I do – and use it as any regular bronzer to add targeted dimension and colour to your face.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Gelee Bronzer - heavy swatch — Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Gelee Bronzer – heavy swatch

That’s a very, VERY heavy swatch, but I wanted you to be able to see the texture. It’s not overly thick, but it’s definitely not a liquid either.

The Estee Lauder Lip & Cheek Glow in Sunburst is a 2-in-1 type product intended for both your lips and cheeks.

It’s a bit bulky in terms of packaging, but you are getting two items at once. The balm/traditional lipstick-looking side is fairly creamy (and smells amazing by the way), the gloss is easy to apply and looks beautiful on.

Estee Lauder Lip & Cheek Glow in Sunburst - swatches — Estee Lauder Lip & Cheek Glow in Sunburst – swatches

As it stands though, I prefer both sides of the product for the lips. I found the gold cast of the lipstick bullet oddly flattering (I had originally though it would pale me out too much) and the gloss with the specks of glitter in it is just beautiful. On the cheeks (I only tried the balm), it was a bit too tacky and never dried down completely.

Estee Lauder Summer 2016 Looks

For this look, I opted to use the more colourful shades in the eyeshadow palette (teal, gold, darker brown).

I also applied the Gelee Bronzer to the perimeter of my face, using a sculpting brush to blend it in. I used the Lip & Cheek Glow gloss on my lips, as well as the stick side where I usually apply my face highlighter on my cheekbones.

I applied the teal/blue all over the lid, the champagne rose through the crease, the darker brown through the outer corner and then through the crease and topped it off my highlighting my inner corner with the gold.

For my second look, I opted for more natural/bronzey tones. I skipped on foundation and instead used the Gelee Bronzer to warm up my skin in the usual bronzing places. I used the lipstick side of the Lip & Cheek Glow on my lips and LOVED the effect it gave them – kind of muted gold with a sheen.

I kept it really, really simple for the eyes. Shimmery bronze all over the lid, dark brown in the outer corner and the matte cream shade on my brow bone.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for something quick and easy with a simple spark of colour for the summer, I don’t think you can go wrong with the Summer Glow eyeshadow palette. They blended out nicely and wore well.
The Gelee Bronzer was a little bit of a miss for me because it’s a touch on the orange side and I discovered that I’m just not a fan of cream bronzers, I far prefer powders. However, if you need something to perk up your foundation with a bit of a tint, this would work wonders. I did also prefer using it on my bare skin instead of over foundation since I felt it blended better.
The Lip & Cheek Glow in Sunburst was an unexpected win. I love, love, LOVE the lipstick side of it – between the lovely smell (sweet, caramel-vanilla) and the way it looked on my lips… well, I was in love!

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