Something nude-ish for all your neutral lovers out there!
Eyes
MACRicepaper as the inner corner highlight and to highlight the brow.
MACAmber Lights all over the lid.
MACHandwritten on the outer third.
CoverGirl Clump Crusher mascara is on my lashes.
Rest of the Face
Bronzer: Hard Candy – Hula Hula
Blush: MAC – Warm Soul
The nude lips soooo do not work with this one!
Eyes
Makeup GeekMango Tango all over the lid.
Makeup GeekBitten on the outer half of the lid.
Makeup GeekCreme Brulee through the top of the crease.
MACShroom to highlight the brow.
TarteBlack gel liner to create the wing and CoverGirl‘s Clump Crusher mascara is on my lashes.
Rest of the Face
Bronzer: NYC – Fire Island Tan
Blush: Tarte – Charisma
Highlighter: MAC – Whisper of Gilt
Lips: essence – Nude Love
A fun dark one! As I’ve said before, I usually stay away from dark lid colours but when I do try it out I generally quite like the results!
Eyes
Urban DecayDarkside all over the lid.
Urban DecayBlackheart on the outer third of the lid.
Urban DecayNooner to blend out the crease.
Urban DecayStrange on the browbone.
Urban DecayDust to highlight the inner corner.
Rest of the Face
Bronzer: NYC – Fire Island Tan
Blush: Wet n Wild – Pearlescent Pink
Highlighter: MAC – Soft & Gentle
Lips: Maybelline – Maple Kiss
This one doesn’t come across as well in photos as I had hoped. Isn’t it strange how that can happen? I really love orangey-reds on my lids and this was one of the first few looks I ever did that really pushed me into using more and more fiery colours.
Eyes
MACGleam all over the lid.
MACCoppering on the outer half of the lid and heavily through the crease.
MACHandwritten in the very outer corner.
MACBlanc Type to highlight the brow.
CoverGirlClump Crusher mascara is on my lashes.
Rest of the Face
Bronzer: NYC – Fire Island Tan
Blush: Tarte – Charisma
Lips: NYX Butter Gloss – Cherry Cheesecake
I had been lamenting how much I seem to fail at makeup looks that involve gold, primarily because I tend to combine them with brown. Kalyn showed me that gold just seems to work way better with black, so I decided to give it a shot the next time I incorporated some gold shadow.
Eyes
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bold Gold all over the lid with Sleek‘s gold shadow from the Sunset palette layered on top.
I used a strip of tape on my outer lid to create the super sharp edge, then swept on Urban Decay‘s Blackout.
Makeup GeekCreme Brulee lightly through the crease to blend out the black.
MACBlanc Type to highlight the brow.
I tightlined my upper waterline with the Lord & BerryBlack eye pencil and applied Urban Decay‘s Perversion mascara on my lashes.
Rest of the Face
Foundation: Boots No7 Instant Radiance in Cool Vanilla
My empties bag has clearly since better days. Poor guy.
As per usual, makeup items first.
It’s a mascara graveyard here today. I had so many bite-sized mascara samples to use up and they got completely mauled throughout the last few months.
Anyway, back to the actual product. Benefit’s They’re Real is amazing. I’ve never given in to high end mascara hype because I don’t WANT to love the product. I really do not want to develop a habit of enjoying $30 mascara at all! However… My mom even thought I was wearing false lashes when I had this on. Having used this sample size, I have to say that there’s a high chance I’ll actually end up dishing out the money on this one in the future (once I run through all my deluxe mascara samples!).
Purchase? More than likely.
I used to love this mascara, but this time round the block L’Oreal‘s Voluminous Carbon Black mascara just didn’t cut it for me. I’ll leave it for a while and then revisit it in a year or so. Maybe.
Repurchase? Eventually.
A surprising favourite out of the bunch. MUFE’s Smoky Lash Extravagant builds up quite well and doesn’t clump. It dried up after a month or two though. I didn’t love it more than the Benefit one though.
Purchase? Unlikely.
No. Just no. Useless and dry.
Purchase? Hah. NO.
Love this. I’m one of the unfortunate people that NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base doesn’t actually work on its own to prevent creasing, but it does work in conjunction with Urban Decay‘s primer potion to kill all creasing so I love it for that reason. Word to the wise though, even when the wand pulls out nothing from the tube, cut that baby open and get out the remainder. There is MONTHS more product in there even after it feels empty.
Repurchase: Definitely.
Absolute favourite. Revlon’s Creme Brulee lip butter is my favourite nude lip. This is my second tube of the stuff and it’s one of the easiest lip shades to wear on my complexion.
Repurchase? More than likely.
*The* eyebrow shade for blondes. MAC‘s Omega has the right kind of grey tint to the powder that makes my eyebrows not look overly ridiculously blonde (not that I have much in the way of eyebrows to begin with). I loved this eyeshadow, but I’m currently plugging through my AnastasiaDipbrow Pomade to try something new because this eyeshadow lasted me longer than a year even with daily use!
Repurchase? Maybe eventually, but for now I’m having fun exploring other options.
Second… third maybe? tube of MAC’s Prep + Prime for lips. Fantastic for preventing lipsticks from bleeding outside my lipline.
Repurchase? Already have!
I didn’t notice Murad’s mattifier working especially well, but then I also noticed the expiry date was roughly four months prior to when I used it. Whoops. It also smelled like glue. Ew.
Purchase? No thanks.
Ohhhh yes. Barry M‘s Diamond Glitter nail polish had a lovely home on my toenails for about six months this past year. The bottle is dead empty now which is a shame since you can’t buy Barry M in Canada!
Repurchase? If I find myself in the UK again, I will *definitely* pick this one up!
I swear Quo is the only brand of nail polish remover I can ever find at the drugstore. I default to this because it’s there, it’s functional and it’s relatively cheap.
Repurchase? Yes, because I don’t know of anything better out there!
No shocker here. Neutrogena‘s makeup removing wipes are the only ones I use now. Definite preference to the hydrating ones.
Repurchase? For sho.
I’ve used several bottles of Neutrogena‘s makeup remover now and have another one cracked open. It doesn’t work as well on waterproof makeup as my Marcelle stuff did so I think I’ll be reverting back to the Marcelle one.
Repurchase? I have an open bottle, but aside from that I think I’m going to try something else out next time.
The foil packets of the lot.
MOR Hand Cream in Kale and Watercress smelled nice, but it’s a hand cream… Nothing amazing here.
Purchase? Pass.
Urban Decay‘s Anti-Aging Primer Potion is basically the same as the Original really. I didn’t notice it really having any anti-aging properties (I basically think that anything that claims that is utter hogwash really) so meh.
Purchase? I’ll just stick to the Original one I normally use.
FCS‘s whipped cream body butter is an awesome formula, however, their Captain’s Berried Booty scent was totally nauseating to me. It’s fruitloops and cardboard, basically.
Repurchase? Not in this scent!
Another FCS whipped cream. I liked their Tick Tock scent quite a bit. I have no idea how the scent relates to the Hunger Games, but anyway… it basically smells like clean laundry to me. Very detergent-y, but it doesn’t bother me.
Repurchase? I liked it, but not enough to repurchase it. There are other things I like more.
Sample size of Tree Hut‘s Coconut Lime Shea Body Butter. This was okay, but not amazing. The smell wasn’t really my cup of tea either.
Purchase? Nope.
This stuff isn’t fancy, or pretty, but oh man does it ever work. Dermal Therapy products are a godsend for anyone with incredibly dry skin. I get pretty scratchy elbows and ankles and this works miracles on them.
Repurchase? Definitely.
And this ganked up nasty jar is Dermal Therapy‘s Heel Care. The best thing EVER for heel cracks. This can repair the Grand-freaking-Canyon of heel cracks and make your heels look baby-butt smooth in the span of a week. I’m not kidding because I’ve seen it happen on me. (You’re welcome for that visual.)
Repurchase? Forever and a day.
Burt’s BeesAlmond & Milk Hand Cream smells nice, but it’s super thick and super greasy.
Repurchase? Nah.
One of my usual cleansers. I like how this one has a cool tingle on the skin. I do find your skin gets used to that tingly feeling though, so I tend to swap out my cleansers pretty frequently.
Repurchase? Definitely.
Snagged this from a friend who didn’t want to finish it up. Boots No7Beautiful Skin Foaming Cleanser is good but the scent is a little bizarre to me. This may be completely offputting to some, but it smelled faintly like cigarettes. Or like the afterburn of a cigarette. It truly wasn’t as gross as I’m making it sound, but there was that scent to it that was really hard to place.
Purchase? Maybe, if on sale.
FCS‘ first skincare item. I liked it at first, but the scent started to bother me over time. Nicely abrasive though.
Repurchase? Nah.
Another product I swiped from that same friend as before. Philosophy‘s Exfoliating wash smells terrible to me. Did not enjoy it at all.
Purchase? Nope.
Dr. Brandt‘s Microdermabrasion skin exfoliant was AMAZING. It completely cured me of a milium spot I had on my lower left eyelid. This stuff packs a hefty price tag, but I fortunately received this sample size in an Ipsy bag. If I had milia again in the future though, I would absolutely pick this up even at the full price.
Repurchase? If necessary due to skin problems, then absolutely yes!
A staple daily moisturizer for me. The packaging’s all messed up though. I normally get the Radiant one, but this one says Clear Complexion in English… but Radiant in French! What the hell? They’re normally two different types!
Repurchase? Definitely. I’m almost done another bottle in the bathroom already.
I wouldn’t normally post hair stuff, but this came in an Ipsy bag so I thought I’d mention it. This is nothing more than a hair conditioner. I don’t feel it did anything extra special to my hair, even when I left it on for a good ten minutes in the shower.
Repurchase? Nope.
PHEW! That’s a lot of garbage to get through. Looking at some of these products, I kind of wish I’d saved them for Kalyn’s Sample Killah month. Darn!
Colour me shocked… This group of looks has zero winged liner in it! :O
This one seemed to really play up my tan/slightly sunburned face. Pretty eye combo though.
Eyes
L’Oreal Infallible in Amber Rush all over the lid.
MACSushi Flower in the outer corner and through the crease.
Makeup GeekCreme Brulee through the top of the crease.
MACShroom on my browbone with BenefitThey’re Real mascara on my lashes.
Rest of the Face
Bronzer/Blush: NYCFire Island Tan bronzer
A simple one using one of NARS’ vibrant duos.
NARSMediteranee (lighter shade) all over the lid.
NARSMediteranee (orange shade) in the outer corner and through the crease.
Makeup GeekBurlesque in the very outer corner to darken it up.
MACBlanc Type on my browbone and BenefitThey’re Real mascara on my lashes.
This was to try out using shades that I wouldn’t normally think to pair together.
Eyes (all Makeup Geek)
Sea Mist all over the lid.
Burlesque in the outer corner and lightly on the outer lower lashline.
Creme Brulee through the top of the crease.
Shimma Shimma on the inner tearduct.
Vanilla Bean on my brow bone and MUFESmoky Lash Extravagant on my lashes.
Rest of the Face
Foundation: Boots No7 Instant Radiance foundation in Cool Vanilla
Bronzer: NYCFire Island Tan
Blush: MACSea Me, Hear Me
Lips: Bite BeautyFig
I did this one mostly to figure out what kind of look MAC’s Mystical lipstick would look good with since it’s more on the brown side than I had anticipated when I bought it.
Eyes (all MAC)
All That Glitters with Nylon on top all over the lid.
Shag on the outer half of the lid and through the crease.
Blanc Type on the browbone and MUFESmoky Lash Extravagant on my lashes.
Rest of the Face
Bronzer: NYCFire Island Tan
Blush: MACSea Me, Hear Me
Highlighter: MACWhisper of Gilt
Lips: MACMystical with RevlonSunset Peach gloss on top
Random smoky eye look.
Eyes (all Laura Mercier)
Bamboo all over the lid.
Violet Ink in the outer corner.
Plum Smoke through the top of the crease.
Vanilla Nuts on my browbone with BenefitThey’re Real mascara on my lashes.
Rest of the Face
Foundation: CoverGirl CC Cream in 110 Classic Ivory mixed with Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in 51 Light Vanilla
My dark but bright eyes look coupled with dead nude lips. Always a bit of an odd one to wear in the middle of the summer, but still a staple look I go to when I want to make an impact with my makeup.
Eyes
MACBlue Sorcery all over the lid. (I apply this with a damp brush to bring out the brightness of the shade.)
Urban DecayBlackout in the outer third of the lid and pulled through the crease. I also lined my lower lash line at the outer edge with this shade.
Makeup GeekCreme Brule at the top of the crease to blend everything out.
MACBlanc Type on the browbone and Benefit‘s They’re Real mascara on my lashes.
Rest of the Face
Foundation: Boots No7 Instant Radiance in Cool Vanilla
Bronzer: Joe FreshSand Bronzer
Blush: Wet n WildMellow Wine
Highlighter: MACSilver Dusk
Lips: Rimmel Apocalips in Nude Eclipse
Quick weekend look!
Eyes
MACGreensmoke all over the lid.
MACClub in the outer corner and through the crease.
MACBlanc Type on the browbone and BenefitThey’re Real on my lashes.
Rest of the Face
Bronzer: Physicians Formula Bronze Booster in Light/Medium
Blush: IllamasquaTweak
Love how this came out – especially the lip combination.
Eyes
MACVanilla pigment all over the lid.
MACCranberry on the outer half of the lid and blended up really high.
MACBlanc Type on the browbone, Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper to create the wing (significantly less thick than I normally make my wings) with Pür MineralsBig Look Waterproof mascara on my lashes.
Rest of the Face
Bronzer: NYCFire Island Tan
Blush: MACSea Me, Hear Me
Highlighter: MACVanillapigment
Lips: Revlon‘s Red Velvet lip butter with Creamsicle lip butter on top
I never get tired of Sleek‘s Bright Mattes palette. That and winged liner. So combine the two and you’ve got a very happy Chelle!
Sleek‘s Chill on the inner half.
Sleek‘s Dragonfly on the outer half.
MAC‘s Shroom on the browbone, Tarte‘s black gel liner to create the wing and Make Up For Ever‘s Smoky Lash Extravagant on my lashes.
This was an odd combination to throw together (in my book) but it came out okay-ish.
Eyes
L’OrealAmber Rush all over the lid.
Makeup GeekDirty Martini in the outer corner and through the crease.
Makeup GeekFuji at the top of the crease to fade out the darker green.
MACShroom on the brow bone and BenefitThey’re Real mascara on my lashes.
I don’t even remember what spring is anymore. Every year in Toronto it feels like we go from serious sub-zero temperatures and then all of a sudden it’s freaking scorching outside! As a nod to the ever increasing temperatures and my ever increasing desire to wear less makeup as I stay up later and wake up later (and have less and less time to get ready for work every morning), I ended up leaning more heavily towards lip products this month since my eye makeup was looking pretty bare a lot of the time.
First up is Nivea‘s Lip Butter in Caramel Cream Kiss. This has become my nightly lip balm. I’ve put a rather large dent in this from using it every night before I go to bed. It’s thick enough that it’ll last all night and I’ll often wake up the next morning with a thin layer still on my lips. It doesn’t smell quite like caramel to me, but it’s still buttery, sugary goodness!
If I had to define happiness in a shade of lipstick, Maybelline‘s Vivid Rose would be it. I bought this last summer and fell in love with it immediately. This is a bright, hot, deep neon pink that smells like creamy frosting and lasts a surprisingly long time on the lips given how rich it is. Seriously, this stuff stays surprisingly creamy on the lips for many hours after it’s been applied. If you pick up one thing from Maybelline‘s Vivids line, let Vivid Rose be the one!
This sad pot of lipstick is MAC‘s Hibiscus lipstick. Unfortunately, the bullet broke a long while ago and the only way to salvage the lipstick was to depot the whole thing into a small sample jar I had from MAC. This lipstick was from the Surf Baby collection in 2011 and because it’s de-tubed, I keep forgetting about it! It’s a cremesheen, which I don’t have the best of experiences with, but there’s no denying that colour! A bright, shiny coral, this one is loads of fun to wear. Unfortunately, MAC hasn’t re-released it in the past few years since its initial release, but if you ever spot this at a CCO or on a blog sale, definitely snatch it up!
Boots No7‘s Instant Radiance foundation in Cool Vanilla was too dark for me throughout the winter months, so I’ve only been able to recently bust it out and start using it again. And I, as per usual, had forgotten just how much I love this stuff. It blends in beautifully and it really does give a radiance to the skin that I never really expect from foundation, even when it’s called Instant Radiance! Love the pump too. I picked this up last year when I was in England, but I think Boots No7 brand is now sold at Target in Canada.
I’d just like to take this moment to give myself a massive pat on the back for finally figuring out how to use this properly! When I finally ran out of my MACOmega shadow, and had this waiting in the wings, I knew I had to buckle down and figure out how to use this product. Sweeping powder through your eyebrows is one thing, trying to actually put some kind of gel product there can be maddening! This has become my go-to brow look now. It’s a lot more in your face than I’m used to, and I’m not entirely sure the colour is quite pale enough for me, but I like the end result so I’ll keep going with this until they come out with a lighter shade than Blonde.
And just like that, there goes June! Tell me what you were loving this month