*NEW* Colourpop Eyeshadows (Fall 2016)

Ok, I’ll admit it….like many of you, I’m addicted to Colourpop shadows!

With their many GORGEOUS shades, long lasting power, and affordable prices…how can I not be addicted???  Especially with their new line of stunning fall colours.

For those of you who have never tried a Colourpop shadow…here’s what you need to know:

Pros:

  • There is an amazing selection of vibrant colours in a variety of finishes including PearlizedMatteMetallicSatinGlitter Sheer, and Ultra-Metallic.
  • The shadows have a wet / moussy consistency and are easy to apply and blend (I suggest using your finger, a sponge tip brush, or synthetic brush).
  • The shadows have the longest lasting power of any shadow I have ever used and have no creasing or sparkle fallout.
  • They are super affordable at only $5 US / shadow pot.

Cons:

  • Some of the shadows dryout over time (after a couple months or faster if you don’t screen the cap on tight enough)
  • Sparkles may disapear if you blend the shadow with a brush
  • Not the best quality of packaging… 2 of my lids have cracked and the logo has been rubbed on many of my lids
  • You can’t try products in person (which means that I’ve purchased a couple that were very similar bronze/rose gold tones)

Swatch time!

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Kat Von D Tattoo Liner

One of the staples in my daily makeup look is a medium-thick jet black black liner.  I line my eyes on the top lashes from the inner corner to the outer, sometimes with a small wing.

For years, I used Mac’s Carbon eyeshadow with a small damp angled brush… but when I started blogging, I decided to start testing out some new products.

After hearing all the hype about the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, I caved and decided to try it out.

Product Description

img_3260“A liquid eyeliner with an innovative brush tip for effortless, precise application. Achieve eye perfection with this high-pigment, waterproof liner that stays put all day for a fade-, melt-, crack-, and run-resistant finish. The superfine and flexible brush tip glides across the lashline for incredibly fluid application, allowing you to create a variety of looks with ease. Unlike traditional felt tip liners, this brush tip will not fray.” (sephora.com)

My Pros & Cons

What’s great about this product?

  • It’s easy to apply.
  • The thin tip creates a precise line and perfect cateye wing.
  • It’s a true jet black colour.
  • The formula is very opaque so you only need one coat
  • It’s long wearing.  I fell a sleep with it once and when I woke up it was still almost perfect.

What could be improved?

  • There is a plastic-y / sheen finish.  As it was called “tattoo” I expected it to be more matte and natural looking (which I prefer).
  • If you push too hard with the tip, the product may bleed a bit…especially in the inner corner of my inner corner
  • One or twice I noticed that the bottom part of my winged liner flaked off.
  • Once the product has dried it feels a little stiff on the eyelid (when I blink, I can sometime feel a little tug)

Would I buy it again?

Would I recommend it to other?  Yes!  Would I buy it again? No.  Overall, it’s a wonderful product, I just prefer a matte finish.

Here’s the list of my favourite matte eyeliners:

What are your favourite eyeliners?  Have you tried the Kat Von D Tatoo Liner? If so, what do you think?

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(For full disclosure, please note that a couple of the links are shopstyle affiliate links. There are many retailers I could have linked for info on the same products, so I figured why not link ones that reward me for selecting them so I can buy more products to review for you!  I want to re-assure you that the featured products were not selected on that basis. )  

 

Urban Decay Vice Lipstick (Part 3+)

Saved the best for last!

Urban Decay recently launched 100 new Vice Lipsticks in a variety of different finishes comfort matte, sheer, cream…etc).

I discovered that Sephora had a special promotion giving out a FREE Urban Decay Lipstick 24-Shade Deluxe Sampler with any $25+ order.  So, I jumped on this opportunity to try them out and do some swatches for you!

Going to the store and looking at 100 different shades with several different finishes can be overwhelming, so my goal of this post is to help you decide which colours you may want to try out. 

(NOTE: I just found out that the Sephora promo is still going on.  To take advantage of it, use the code UDVICES)

 

As I mentioned in my Urban Decay Vice Lipstick Part 1 and Part 2 posts, I’ve decided to divide up my swatches into three posts (a) so this isn’t the longest post of all times (b) some of the colours left a stain so I didn’t want it to effect the swatches (c) to save my lips from swatch misery.

These are the samples that I was most excited about – the nude-ish section!   I liked so many of the colours in this section of the kit that picking my favourites was a tough endeavor.

Why the “+”?

img_3161After trying out all these lipsticks, I decided to visit my local drug store to see if there were any colours that I hadn’t swatched that were worth trying on.  I fell in love with the colour Trance and decided to purchase it (see swatch and description below). 

As I now own a real full Urban Decay Vice lipstick, I can finally show you what the actually packaging and tube look like (yay!).

The tube is very modern and “urban” looking (true to brand).  The dark grey metal top/lid looks like it has been hit with a hammer a couple times (not in a bad way lol!).  The only negative is that, because the lid covers 95% of the tube, it sometimes get’s stuck and I have to twist and pull hard to get it off, but this has only happened a couple times.  Over all, very unique and futuristic looking packaging.

It’s Swatch Time!

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Urban Decay Vice Lipstick (Part 2)

Swatches, swatches, I <3 swatches!

Recently, Urban Decay launched 100 new Vice Lipsticks in a variety of different finishes (comfort matte, sheer, cream…etc).

I discovered that Sephora had a special promotion giving out a FREE Urban Decay Lipstick 24-Shade Deluxe Sampler with any $25+ order.  So, I jumped on this opportunity to try them out and do some swatches for you!

Going to the store and looking at 100 different shades with several different finishes can be overwhelming, so my goal of this post is to help you decide which colours you may want to try out.

It’s Swatch Time!

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Ipsy Glam Bag – August 2016

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Loving makeup and wanting to try new products can get expensive!  So, last year, 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 the breaking the bank.   Plus, you get the excitement from the anticipation of receiving a shiny pink package in your mailbox each month.

Click here to learn more about Ipsy and subscribe now!

Here’s what I got this month:

The Bag

Product Description:  Illustrated by Ipsy founder Michelle Phan to inspire the beautiful dreamer in all of us.

My Review:  This bag is GORGEOUS!  I love the size, colours, and image.  It’s one of my favourite bags that I have received so far.


tarte cosmetics deluxe LipSurgence™ lip crème in wonder

Product Description:  This perfectly pretty poppy shade is infused with their famous maracuja oil for a standout softening and creamy feel. Easy-glide pencil tip makes applying just the right amount simple.  Jojoba seed oil, shea butter and vitamin E moisturize throughout the day, keeping lips looking youthful.

My Review:  I love this product!  The colour is a muted strawberry red (ie. a wearable everyday red) and smells a little minty.  It’s smooth, silky and the finish is a cross between a matte and creme.  The pointed tip also makes it a dream to apply.  I’m definitely going to be checking out the other colours soon! <3 <3 <3

Click here to learn more and checkout the complete selection of colours.


111SKIN Bio Cellulose Facial Treatment Mask

IMG_2238Product Description:  It feels like a second skin—adhering more closely than any mask we’ve ever tried to lock in moisture better.  500x finer fibers than tissue masks, which helps the ingredients penetrate deeper. Arbutin, a molecule that prevents the formation of melanin, brightens skin tone.  Centella Asiatica extract increases circulation and stimulates collagen production.

My Review:  Let me start off by saying that I’m not the biggest fan of sheet masks – primarily because I don’t like the feeling of them on my face.  I laughed at the product description “it feels like a second skin” because it literally feels like you are putting a second layer of skin on your face because of it’s texture (I know that sounds gross…but it’s true!).  On a positive note, I will say that it did mold nicely to my face and once I removed the mask, my face did feel softer, more moisturized, and didn’t leave my face feeling sticky, like many other sheet masks.  If you like sheet masks and have some money to spend, it is a very nice product.

Click here to learn more about this product. (note: the linked website is the cheapest price I found when converting to CDN$…it’s a pretty pricey product!).


NEUMA neuStyling smoothing crème®

IMG_2276Product Description:  The smoothest operator of them all. A unique blend of fruit and botanical extracts fight frizz and flyaways while protecting hair from heat.

  • Cut the stress, too. Phyto UV Shield™ prevents environmental damage.
  • Add some conditioning action—thanks to apricot kern oil and green tea.
  • No fade here. Phyto Colour Complex™ keeps color looking fresh.

My Review:  I quite like this product!  The formula is light (a combination between a gel and a cream), non-greasy, and smells similar to Aveda products (I couldn’t pin point the exact scent).  I noticed that my hair was softer, more manageable, had less fly-aways….and my natural waves looks more curly then usual.  Definitely a product that I would consider purchasing (once I get through all my other hair creams, of course).

Click here to learn more about this product.


Ciaté London Paint Pot in Dangerous Affair

IMG_2275Product Description: This cult-fave high-shine nail polish is fit for a queen.  It adds volume to your nail beds and the tapered precision brush allows for easy and more controlled application.

My Review:  To be honest, I was a little disappointed when I got this products after seeing that other Ipsy subscribers got it in a beautiful lilac shade (grass is always greener…right?). The colour I received is a darker red…it reminds me of the colour of blood (I’m sorry for being so  gross again, but that’s the first thing I thought of when I saw it).

That being said, it is great quality product – it was thick and opaque after two coats and lasted 4-5 days on my toes without chipping which is pretty decent.  My only teeny tiny negative is that the brush is a little wider then I like so it was more difficult to apply with precision.  Overall, great product…would I buy it/other colours? 50/50 – it’s a good quality product but there are others that I prefer because of the brush (like OPI).

Click here to learn more about this product.


Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics Neapolitan Palette

Product Description:  3 perfectly coordinated and shimmery fall shades that take the guesswork out of choosing which colors go together. Formulated with Gardenia Flower extract, which helps them last 8 hours. No phthalates, fragrance or parabens.

My Review:  These colours are beautiful and would look lovely on all eye colours!  I would describe the 3 shades as pearly champagne shimmer, pinky rose gold shimmer, and medium-dark cool toned brown light-shimmer.  Unfortunately, they aren’t as opaque as I like but they are build-able (as you can see on my hand swatches).    I am very happy that I received this mini palette but wouldn’t repurchase it as there are other brands with better colour payoff, based on this sample.

Click here to learn more about this product.


What did you get in your Ipsy bag?  I’d love to hear about your faves!

This is my second post about a subscription box/bag.  Let me know, in the comments section below, if you would like me to put up more posts like this.  I subscribe to a couple different boxes.  ?


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(For full disclosure, please note that a couple of the links are shopstyle affiliate links.  There are many retailers I could have linked for info on the same products, so I figured why not link ones that reward me for selecting them so I can buy more products to review for you!  That being said, I want to re-assume my readers that I’m 100% genuine & honest in my reviews and I did purchase this subscription with my own money.)

Urban Decay Vice Lipstick (Part 1)

 

Swatches, swatches, and more swatches!  Hooray!

Recently, Urban Decay launched 100 new Vice Lipsticks.  Yep – that’s right 100 shades with a variety of different finishes (comfort matte, sheer, cream…etc).

When I first saw them at my local Sephora, I was a little overwhelmed – SO MANY to pick from!  I couldn’t decide which one to try so I didn’t buy any (and my bank account thanked me…).

Shortly after, I found out that Sephora was giving out a FREE Urban Decay Lipstick 24-Shade Deluxe Sampler with any $25+ order.  I was in need of a new Beauty Blender, so I jumped on this opportunity to try them out and do some swatches for you!

FYI – just giving my marketing “two-cents”, I would have suggested launching them in batches.  Think Colourpop – they launch a new product every month or two – not only does it drive traffic to their site, but we buy more (we want to try one of the new products) it also adds excitement, continuing the buzz for a long time.  That being said, launching the sample pack was brilliant (and not just because I got one…)! 😉

Here’s what the sample pack looks like:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve decided to divide up my review & swatches into three posts.  Here’s why:

  1. So this isn’t the longest post of all times.
  2. Some of the colours left a stain so I didn’t want it to effect the swatches
  3. To save my lips from swatch misery (avoiding sore swollen lips and less attractive swatches…I learned the hard way after doing my ColourPop Lippie Review & Swatches)

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Happy National Lipstick Day

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Happy National Lipstick Day!

…and to all my Canadian readers, have an awesome long weekend and enjoy your stat holiday 🙂

I created the image just for fun but tried to incorporate different colours and brands to share the love!  As I know I will get questions, here are the lip products I’m wearing:

Top Row (Left to Right)

ColourPop Ultra Satin Lip in Cozy

LUSH Cosmetics Lipstick in Passionate

J.Cat Beauty’s Liptitude in Hikilicious

Middle Row (Left to Right)

Laura Mercier Paint Wash Liquid in Rosewood

NYX Cosmetics Butter Lipstick in Hunk

Urban Decay Vice Lipstick (Comfort Matte) in Disturbed

Bottom Row (Left to Right)

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Spritzer

Urban Decay Vice Lipstick (Creme) in Rock Steady

Ofra Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in Santa Monica

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(For full disclosure, please note that a couple of the links are shopstyle affiliate links.  The products were not selected on that basis.  There are many retailers I could have linked for info on the same products, so I figured why not link ones that reward me for selecting them (I can buy more products to review for you!.)  

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