Beauty Bloggers Made Me Buy It

Makeup, , , ,

Soooooo…. This beauty blogging world that I’ve surrounded myself with over the last two years… it’s absolutely filled with talented bloggers who are unbelievable enablers. We’re all friends, so this entire post is said with love, but goddamn it you jerks, you make me spend money because everything looks so freaking good on you! *shakes fist*

Here’s a roundup of recent products that some of my blogging buddies have forced my hand into buying!

Guerlain Météorites - Flocons Enchantés
Guerlain Météorites – Flocons Enchantés
Guerlain Météorites - Flocons Enchantés
Guerlain Météorites – Flocons Enchantés
Clinique Cheek Pop in Cola Pop
Clinique Cheek Pop in Cola Pop
Colour Pop Ultra Mattes
Colour Pop Ultra Mattes
  • Product: Colour Pop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipsticks
  • Culprit: Kaitlyn of Kaitlyn Elizabeth Beauty
  • Blog Post That Did Me In: New In: ColourPop Cosmetics Ultra Matte Lips
  • My Reasons: I held off on ordering the Colour Pop Ultra Mattes when they were released but Kaitlyn was on that train so fast that it made my head spin. She not only got her order quickly but also got lip shots up within what… a day? Maybe two? Regardless, it was LIGHTNING fast. I ended up referring to her post a lot to help me decide between some shades that seemed very similar. I ended up getting Tulle and Trap based on her lip shots (*love* those colours) and although the formula isn’t quite what I love in a matte lip, I still got some awesome colours thanks to her post!
Colour Pop - Coconut
Colour Pop – Coconut
  • Product: Colour Pop Super Shock Shadow in Coconut
  • Culprit: Julie of Swatch and Review
  • Blog Post That Did Me In: Colourpop Super Shock Shadow Coconut review
  • My Reasons: Julie was wearing this when we went to the Charlotte Tilbury launch at Holt Renfrew, and it freaking BLEW ME AWAY. The colour and pigmentation were second to none… the colour just SCREAMED from her eyelids and I placed it in my next Colour Pop order immediately. Of course, like most new products, this has fallen to the back of my single eyeshadow drawer… but since I had to photograph it for this post it’s back into the front row again! I’m still not the biggest fan of the super shock formula (it’s just not brush friendly), but there’s no denying that colour!
NARS Multiple in Siam
NARS Multiple in Siam
  • Product: NARS Matte Multiple in Siam
  • Culprit: Oh hey look… JEN AGAIN
  • Blog Post That Did Me In: Vibrant Blush Week #1: NARS Matte Multiple in Siam
  • My Reasons: I’m not TOTALLY positive that was the right post that got me hooked on Siam, but I know for sure it was Jen that pushed me over the edge on this one. I ended up getting it for a discounted price from a Winners near Montreal. It’s such a gorgeous vibrant red-orange shade that I just could not resist it. (And Jen makes everything look amazing!)
Marcelle Liquid Dip-Pen in Blackest Black (~$7 CAD)
Marcelle Liquid Dip-Pen in Blackest Black
  • Product: Marcelle Liquid Dip-Pen Eyeliner
  • Culprit: Sarah of Workaday Beauty
  • Blog Post That Did Me In: Review: Marcelle Waterproof Liquid DIP-PEN Eyeliner 10H+
  • My Reasons: Sarah knew I was after a liquid eyeliner that was actually matte (and not glossy like most of them are), so she was excited to tell me about the Dip-Pens she’d discovered by Marcelle. And they’re waterproof to boot! In the end, the formula IS amazing, but I’m not in love with the brush which is a damn shame. But for those of you looking for a matte black, waterproof liner from the drugstore in Canada – you may want to look into this one!

That’s it for this roundup of people who make me spend my money! I may turn this into series every few months since I don’t doubt there’ll be even more enabling going on as time passes! I’d love to hear about who has made you buy what products and why!

Challenge Week: Smashbox Double Exposure

Makeup, Tutorials

201511_smashboxdoubleexposure1

The Smashbox Double Exposure palette features 14 shadows that can be used wet or dry. The idea is that you can create different looks with each shade depending on whether or not you add water. Typically, when you add water, it intensifies a shadow (be it a darker matte, more metallic, etc.), however, as a general rule, I find you don’t really need to add water to these shadows. They just work on their own! The pigment is incredible and really wowed me with how well they went on the lids and blended out. I did use a few shadows wet just to try it out, and I’ll point those out as we go. (Wet and dry swatches can be found here.)

Smashbox Double Exposure Makeup Looks

Smashbox Double Exposure - Look 1
Smashbox Double Exposure – Look 1

I gravitated towards the warm tones first (mostly on the right side of the palette) and I love how this one turned out – especially with the dark lips!

201511_smashboxdoubleexposure_look1.2

Eyes

  1. Flushed through the crease.
  2. Copper on the inner and outer thirds of the lid.
  3. Quartz applied wet to the middle of the lid.
  4. Veiled on the brow bone.

I coated my lashes with Smashbox Full Exposure mascara.

Face

  • Bronzer: MAC Refined Golden
  • Blush: Hourglass Mood Exposure
  • Highlighter: Becca Champagne Pop
  • Lips: Revlon Black Cherry
Smashbox Double Exposure - Look 2
Smashbox Double Exposure – Look 2

No real inspiration with this one – I just wanted to play around with some of the shadows I wouldn’t necessarily gravitate towards the most in a palette.

201511_smashboxdoubleexposure_look2.2

Eyes

  1. Peony on the lid.
  2. Temper in the outer corner.
  3. Mauve through the crease.
  4. Veiled on the brow bone

I applied Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara to my lashes.

Face

  • Foundation: Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in shade 51 Light Vanilla
  • Bronzer: Revlon Bronzed & Chic
  • And unfortunately I didn’t write down my blush or highlighter. Damn.
  • Lips: Too Faced Melted Fig
Smashbox Double Exposure - Look 3
Smashbox Double Exposure – Look 3

Now this is something I really love doing on my eyes. Adding in that warmer shade through the crease really adds some depth to an otherwise cool-toned look.

201511_smashboxdoubleexposure_look3.2

Eyes

  1. Silver on the lid.
  2. Espresso on the outer half of the lid.
  3. Noir to deepen up the outer corner.
  4. Blanc on the inner corner.
  5. Peony through the crease.
  6. Veiled to highlight the brow.

I created the wing with MAC‘s Dipdown fluidline and coated my lashes with Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara.

Face

  • Foundation: Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in shade 51 Light Vanilla
  • Bronzer: NYC Fire Island Tan
  • Blush: Clinique Cola Pop
  • Highlighter: MAC Soft & Gentle
  • Lips: Bite Beauty Kir Royale
Smashbox Double Exposure - Look 4
Smashbox Double Exposure – Look 4

I wanted something more dramatic for this look to show off that you can really go to town with this palette because it has an awesome black shadow in it. I created that sharp outer corner with a shadow shield – works wayyyy better than tape AND it has a bit of a curve to it that you can’t really see, but it looks a lot more natural that normal tape does (thanks for the tip Julie!). Sidenote: If you think my face is lit up weirdly – it is! I had to use a flash. /shudder

201511_smashboxdoubleexposure_look4.2

Eyes

  1. Mauve on the lid.
  2. Noir for the outer corner and to line the lower lash line.
  3. Flushed to blend out the crease.
  4. Blanc on the inner corner.
  5. Veiled on the brow bone.

I lined my lash line really thinly with Catrice‘s Dating Joe Black liquid liner, applied essence‘s get big! lashes waterproof mascara and then popped on a pair of Noir Fairy false lashes by House of Lashes. I tightlined both water lines with Marc Jacob‘s Highliner Gel Crayon in Blacquer.

Face

  • Foundation: Revlon Colorstay in 200 Nude and 220 Natural Beige mixed together
  • Bronzer: SST Cosmetics Sun Kissed
  • Blush: Hourglass Diffused Heat
  • Highlighter: Becca Champagne Pop
  • Lips: Rimmel Make Your Move
Smashbox Double Exposure - Look 5
Smashbox Double Exposure – Look 5

For my lash look, I *had* to use the incredibly dark blue shadow (Midnight) in the palette. This shadow may not look like much in the pan, but swatch it wet and you’ll be completely blown away.

201511_smashboxdoubleexposure_look5.2

Eyes

  1. Mauve through the crease.
  2. I first applied NYX‘s Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in  Black Bean all over the lid, blended it in with my finger, then applied Midnight on top (dry). I then wet my brush, dipped back into Midnight and applied it wet on the center on the lid. I also used Midnight (dry) to line my lower lash line.
  3. Blanc in the inner corner.
  4. Veiled on the brow bone.

I applied Make Up For Ever‘s Smoky Stretch mascara to my lashes.

Face

  • Bronzer: Joe Fresh Sand
  • Blush: MAC Warm Soul
  • Highlighter: Make Up For Ever Pro Sculpting Duo #1
  • Lips: Rimmel Apocalips in  Celestial

Have you used the Smashbox Double Exposure palette? Let me know what you think of it!

The product featured in this post was provided by PR for consideration.

Red Cheeks for Winter

Makeup, Reviews, Swatches, , , ,

201511_redcheeksforwinter1

During the cold months, one of my most beloved makeup tricks is to give myself the appearance that I’ve just come in from the cold. Few makeup things please me as much as the appearance of a red cheek in the winter! I don’t actually flush very pretty naturally from the cold air – in fact my face turns blotchy red and I get weird sun sports that appear out of nowhere. BUT, I have this vision of rosy red cheeks that make me look like I’ve been kissed by the cold air and that’s what I try to replicate with my makeup when the air temperature drops.

I’ve picked some of my favourite blushes that help me achieve that red cheek look. As with anything, if the colour intimidates you, try using it with a lighter hand!

Clinique - Cola Pop
Clinique – Cola Pop

With the dropping temperature here in Toronto, I’ve gone absolutely ham on this blush. Clinique‘s Cola Pop looks like NOBODY’s colour in the pan – in fact you’d expect it to just be an eyeshadow with that kind of dark pigmentation.

Wearing Cola Pop
Wearing Cola Pop

But on the cheeks this is freaking BOMB! On my NW20 skin, it goes on fairly rosy, but if you have a deeper skin tone you can definitely keep building this up. I’ve started pairing this with dark red lips and it’s a great way to help balance out the colour and make me not look washed out.

Tarte - Natural Beauty
Tarte – Natural Beauty

It took me a while to pick up Tarte‘s Natural Beauty. It was one of those products that sat in my Sephora Loves list for not just months, but years! And yet, it’s exactly the kind of colour I love to wear.

Wearing Natural Beauty
Wearing Natural Beauty

Because of Tarte‘s blush texture, this goes on my cheeks a little bit softer, so this is a good one for those of you wanting some of that red cheek look without looking like a clown.

Illamasqua - Tweak
Illamasqua – Tweak

A word of warning – Illamasqua‘s blushes are pigmented AF. In fact, the first time I wore this blush I applied way too much and kind of gasped in horror. I’ve since learned the error of my ways and barely touch my brush to the product now. That being said, Tweak is a phenomenal colour that feels rather akin to a “power colour” to me. (Forgive me, I hate that term, but I couldn’t figure out how else to express my affinity for this shade!)

Wearing Tweak
Wearing Tweak

Tweak is easily one of my favourite colours to apply to my cheeks. It gives me look and feel instantly alive. I love how it makes the apples of my cheeks pop and I just really feel good about myself when I’m wearing this colour.

Burberry - Poppy
Burberry – Poppy

Burberry‘s Lip & Cheek Bloom in Poppy has a mousse texture and can be used on the lips and cheeks. This item was my first foray into Burberry products and it jumped out at me because it was so dissimilar to the rest of their line. In general, Burberry is a beautifully classy line of makeup, so they don’t tend to have shocking colours. So when I saw this one I just gravitated towards it like a moth to a flame.

Wearing Poppy
Wearing Poppy

Due to the mousse texture, Poppy applies more like a cream. I find this to be more of a soft colour, so you’ll get more subtle red cheek glow with this one. (The shot above is with a few layers applied to my cheeks.)

Elizabeth Mott - Tints & Sass
Elizabeth Mott – Tints & Sass

The last one on my list is a liquid stain by Elizabeth Mott that I received in an Ipsy bag a while ago. Tints & Sass, although it’s a stain, does blend out quite easily on the cheek. I apply three dabs to my cheekbones and then blend it out with a stippling brush. Due to the staining nature of the product, I prefer to wear this one when I know I’m going to be outside a lot because even if I end up wiping most of it away, at least I’ll be left with a stain! (Bonus: It smells good too!)

Wearing Tints & Sass
Wearing Tints & Sass

On the cheeks Tints & Sass is glorious. I can get instant red cheeks without much fuss with this product and I appreciate that so, so much. I even brought this on vacation with me last year when I went back to Ottawa for Christmas!

Red cheek swatches
Red cheek swatches

And for comparison, here is each of them swatched side by side. You can see a few of them are quite close in colour, but they all have enough variety amongst them to keep me happy!

Red Cheeks for Winter!
Red Cheeks for Winter!

So how about you? Do you like red cheeks in the winter?

Swatch Sunday: Lise Watier Palette Expression

Makeup, Swatches

201511_lisewatier_paletteexpression1

Lise Watier‘s Palette Expression was a limited edition release for Spring 2015 (sold in stores between February and April 2015). It features mostly pastel shades with a few deeper colours.

Lise Watier Palette Expression
Lise Watier Palette Expression
Lise Watier Palette Expression
Lise Watier Palette Expression

Lise Watier Palette Expression Swatches

Lise Watier Palette Expression - Shade 1
Lise Watier Palette Expression – Shade 1
Lise Watier Palette Expression - Shade 2
Lise Watier Palette Expression – Shade 2
Lise Watier Palette Expression - Shade 3
Lise Watier Palette Expression – Shade 3
Lise Watier Palette Expression - Shade 4
Lise Watier Palette Expression – Shade 4
Lise Watier Palette Expression - Shade 5
Lise Watier Palette Expression – Shade 5

Skincare Saturday: skyn ICELAND Arctic Face Oil

Reviews, Skincare

201511_skyniceland_arcticfaceoil1

The older I get, the more I’ve learned to appreciate oil and what it can do for me. Particularly on the face! Sometimes a moisturizer, no matter how thick and nourishing, just isn’t enough to keep my face as hydrated as possible.

skyn ICELAND Arctic Face Oil
skyn ICELAND Arctic Face Oil

I’ve started using skyn ICELAND‘s Arctic Face Oil over the last few weeks. That sounds freaking amazing doesn’t it? ARCTIC. FACE. OIL. Like I’m suddenly splashing polar bear water on my face or gone skinny dipping beside some icebergs. (Just me?)

201511_skyniceland_arcticfaceoil2

I really couldn’t phrase this better myself, so here’s what skyn ICELAND has to say about their product:

Arctic Face Oil, composed of 99.9% Camelina Oil, is naturally sourced and cold-pressed to retain maximum nutrients. Extracted from the resilient Camelina Sativa plant, which thrives in sub-zero temperatures, it has a unique composition of 9 Essential Fatty Acids which enables it to survive in harsh weather. Most importantly, the Omega 3:6:9 ratio of this oil plays a critical role in normal skin function making this blend exceedingly curative and rejuvenating to skin. A natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, it also soothes, calms and protects skin.

skyn ICELAND Arctic Face Oil
skyn ICELAND Arctic Face Oil

The Arctic Face Oil comes in a 30ml/1 US fluid ounce glass bottle with a dropper top. This makes for fairly easy dispensing, although I will say that I feel the dropper only ever really gets 60% full. I basically use whatever I can squeeze into the dropper to cover my entire face whenever I’m wearing this product.

My Thoughts on the Arctic Face Oil

Although the scent of the oil isn’t enthralling (it’s not awful, just rather plainly oil-scented), this is a phenomenal way to infuse hydration into my face. I haven’t had to use it in conjunction with moisturizer because it’s THAT powerful. I tend to apply the Arctic Face Oil a few times a week after I’ve gotten home from work and taken my makeup off. I find this especially nice on days when I wore foundation and feel the need to rehydrate my skin. Although I have applied it before my makeup for the day and suffered no ill effects (for example, my makeup didn’t start sliding around my face even though I’d just applied oil to my face), I still prefer to apply it at night so it has more time to absorb into my skin without packing makeup on top of it.

I did find that although the oil didn’t sink completely into my skin immediately (which I honestly quite like), it also didn’t make me feel like a grease pit. It feels like your skin got plumped up from hydration. It’s a good feeling! So, if you’re looking for something to help soothe and heal your dried out skin this winter, skyn ICELAND‘s Arctic Face Oil may be something to consider. I know I’ll be using it constantly, that’s for sure!

This post features a product sample that was sent for consideration.