ColourPop Swatches: Ultra Matte Liquid Lips

A couple times a year I do a makeup declutter…getting rid of lipsticks that I don’t wear, have similar shades of or have expired (or at least smell like they have).  During this process, I did a bunch of swatches to help you decided if you are interested in any of the products I have tried out…including the products I kept and removed from my collection.

It will come as no shock that I have a TON of ColourPop lipsticks.  At the affordable cost, great quality, and wide selection of colours and formulas, it’s a fantastic brand.   Today’s blog features my current collection of ColourPop Ultra Matte Liquid lipsticks.  Many of these have become my go-to as a new mommy who loves to give her lil one hundreds of kisses (they are transfer proof!). 

As this is the third post I have done over the past couple years about this product line, I’ll save us all some time and not do the full list of “pros and cons” again.  Click here if you would like to see my full review with a couple additional colour swatches (which I have since decluttered).

SWATCH TIME!

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Ipsy Glam Bag Review and Swatches – June 2019

Loving makeup and wanting to try new products can get expensive!  So, a couple years ago I decided to sign up for Ipsy.  Ipsy is a $10 US / month (+shipping) subscription service that sends you a glam bag (small custom designed makeup bag) with 5 deluxe samples or full sized products every month, selected specially for you based on preferences you select in their survey.

It’s the perfect way to try new products without breaking the bank.   Plus, you get the excitement from the anticipation of receiving a shiny pink package in your mailbox each month.

They have also recently included the option to purchase up to 3 “add-on” products on the 2nd of the month from an assortment of deluxe sample size products at $3 each, to full-size products at $12 each.

Click here to learn more about Ipsy and subscribe now!

Here’s what I got in my June 2019 Ipsy Glam Bag:

(Note: In addition to individual product swatches, although they were not intended to go together, I’ve also included a makeup look using all the products at the end of the blog).

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ColourPop Swatches: Purple Supershock Shadows

Purple is universally flattering!  It looks beautiful on all skin tones and all eye colours….not to mention that it’s one of my two favourite colours (turquoise being the other….how 90’s of me!).

Anyone who has been following my blog knows that I LOVE ColourPop Supershock eyeshadows.  With their unique moussy formula, they are easy to apply, sparkly (well, many are), opaque, affordable, and have crazy lasting power!

My only issue with them is that they primarily sell online and regularly launch and discontinue colours…so sometimes it’s difficult to decide if a new shade is worth buying cause you can’t swatch or compare it.

So, I decided to start a series of posts swatching similar ColourPop products and shades.  I have an embarrassingly large collection of Colourpop items (at $5 US each, they are so affordable that it’s easy to just add another into your online basket…oy!).

Note: To avoid repeating myself from my last post, click here to check out my Pros and Cons of the ColourPop eyeshadows. 

Hopefully this post will help you decide what products are worth spending your money on.

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Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick

Since becoming a mommy, I have been feeling like dressing and doing my makeup a little more classically dainty and feminine (think less black tops with bronze eyeshadows and dark cat winged eyes and more flowy dresses with sparkly highlighter, peach and purple shadows).   BUT I realized that among all my MANY MANY lipsticks I didn’t have a neutral mid-tone pink to complete my look.  Time to go shopping! YAY!!!

I went to a nearby drugstore to checkout what’s new and treat myself.   I did no research – just wanted to go in, see what caught my eye and take a chance.  Other then colour, the other important factor was getting something that would not transfer and ideally lasted throughout the day, or as long as possible….(I kiss my little one all day, every day and would prefer him not covered in pink smudges ;)).

After perusing the different brands, I bought Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink liquid lipstick in the colour Lover.  The clean modern packaging caught my eye, there was a great selection of shades, and the term “ink” made me think that it would have staying power (good marketing!).

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Makeup in the Delivery Room

You see celebrities and bloggers all over social media looking stunning in their post baby delivery photos, so I thought….why can’t I?  And why don’t I write a blog to share my tips and discoveries…if I feel most like myself and beautiful with a touch of sparkle, why not glam up on the most important day of my life for a photo I will want to treasure forever.

I spent hours watching videos, reading blogs, and trying out long wearing sweat-proof makeup.  I packed a full bag of makeup – including primers, foundation, concealer, eyeshadow palette, eye liner, mascara, brush, bronzer, highlighter, lipstick and setting spray.

A week or two before my due date, I was suggested to start the delivery process early and got a supervised induction (my terminology).  I was told that, depending on the person, the whole process, including delivery, would likely take 24-48hrs.   So before driving to the hospital, I did my makeup and hair with all my makeup finds and headed to the hospital.

After the first 24hrs, there was no baby and I had only started early labour, so I decided to take a shower, freshen up, and reapplied my full face of makeup again (cause let’s be honest, no makeup is going to last and look lovely past 24hrs), threw on my purple sparkly wedding robe, and headband with a bow in my hair.

I was ready to have this baby and look good doing it!

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Holiday Makeup Tutorial (with eyeshadow swatches)

For today’s post, I wanted to share with you how I created my December 25th, 2016, makeup look.  When creating this look, I decided to use warm festive colours with a touch of sparkle. I spent the day and night with my family (we went to see a move and then had dinner and played games at my uncle and aunts house)  so I wanted to select products that last all day knowing that I wouldn’t have time for a mid-day touch up. 

To prime my face, I first I applied Sheer Transformation Creme by Ole Henriksen all over my face and neck and followed it with Hourglass Mineral Primer Veil on my face.  I then dabbed a bit of all Urban Decay Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Primer on the my eyelids and upwards toward my under eyebrows.

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5 Minute Makeup Routine

Let’s be honest, not everyone has 30+ minutes to put on their makeup every day.

I love the artistry of makeup, so I don’t mind getting up a little earlier and spending the extra time to achieve a certain look….that being said, I have the luxury of time…as I don’t have kids.

Mom’s are often so focused on taking care of their kids, that they forget the importance of doing things just for themselves.  Even just spending 5 minutes doing something, like applying makeup, that makes you feel good about yourself can make all the difference in your overall happiness and self-worth.

I’m definitely not saying that women “need” makeup to feel good, however, if you do enjoy putting on makeup and/or just like the way it makes you look….why should you have have to give that up when you have kids?  Well…you don’t with my 5 minute makeup routine.

I’d like to thank my friend Eva Shortt, the owner of Modern Mommy Events, for inspiring this blog!

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