maybelline

Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick

Aliza18eLeave a comment

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!).

Continue reading →

Pinterest test #3: Purple Pizzazz Tutorial

Aliza18eLeave a comment

I have been pinning eyeshadow looks and tutorials on Pinterest for YEARS but I realized that I haven’t actually tried any of the looks out…so, I’ve decided to challenge myself, by selecting my favourite pins to discover:

  1. If I can create this look with my existing makeup.
  2. If this look works well on my/a different eye shape and/or colour.
  3. How helpful the step by step images are (if any).
  4. What tips can I provide my readers to help you achieve this look.

Today’s challenge…

Sourced from:https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/20/e1/59/20e159da9b445d6c849e2eb43b75ea16.jpg
Sourced from: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/20/e1/59/20e159da9b445d6c849e2eb43b75ea16.jpg
 

No matter what skin tone or eye colour you have, purple is flattering on everyone!   That’s why I selected today’s challenge, which I have entitled “Purple Pizzazz”.

On a day-to-day basis, I do wear touches of purple to line my lower lashes or add a pop of colour on the outer eye corner…but nothing this intense.

So although I was confident that the colours would look lovely, the big question was “would this be wearable” or just something artistic to look at online…I’d never know unless I gave it shot – so I did!

Continue reading →

The Power of Makeup: Perception vs Reality

Aliza18e6 Comments

NikkiTutorials created an amazing youtube video called “The Power of Makeup” where she only applied makeup to half her face, showing the power that makeup can have to transform her face.

Her message in the video was that, although we shouldn’t rely on makeup to feel beautiful, there is nothing wrong with wearing alot of makeup, having fun with makeup, and it making you feel more fabulous.

Although I love Nikki’s message and will definitely put up a future post around “makeup shaming” and showing how my glammed up makeup can transform my face (stay tuned!), her video inspired me to take the idea in a different direction…

The Power of Makeup 

When I remove my eye makeup at night, I often make the comment, semi-jokingly, to my fiance “goodbye big eyes!”.

When I think of the words “Power of Makeup” – I think about the power makeup has to make me feel more beautiful.  I believe that most women wear makeup to feel more physically attractive by bringing out our favourite features, minimizing our “imperfections”, and adding a pop of colour to our faces.

That being said, there have been times when I felt beautiful after trying out a new fun vibrant eyeshadow look (like Spring Laguna) but worried that it wasn’t “work appropriate”……but then, to my surprised, no one at work noticed anything different.  Was it not as bright or different as I perceived?

As I am not a formally trained makeup artist, I’ve often question – is my daily makeup routine actually making as big of a physical difference as I think…or is it all in my head?  Because I know that I have applied a contour, do I see a much thinner face?  Do I only notice my eyes popping because I know that I applied jewel toned eye shadow?  When I don’t wear makeup, do my eyes actually look noticeably smaller?

So, I wanted to see side-by-side if my typical every day makeup routine actually made me look noticeably different / “more beautiful” or did I perceive a difference because I knew I had applied makeup?

The Result

Power of Makeup

Continue reading →

Tried & True: My Concealer Journey

Aliza18eLeave a comment

Dark circles, acne scars, or discolouration?  Foundation helps but sometimes you need a little extra coverage to feel your best.

Over the past 22 years, I’ve tried a variety of concealers depending on my needs at different stages of my life – liquids, creams and powders, medicated and cosmetic.  I’m definitely not a concealer expert, but I wanted to share my product journey with you in hopes that you can learn a little, laugh a little, and reflect on your makeup journey.

Before I start, I should mention that this blog is focused on products (vs. application).  I normally select concealers that are one or two shades lighter then my foundation.  If a product doesn’t come with a spongy tip, I dab it onto my skin with my middle or ring finger and then blend it in with a Beauty Blender.  For dark circles, I apply it in a half moon or triangular shape under my eyes and then blend it out. (Not mind blowing info…but more of an fyi).

In the beginning

acnomelAlthough it’s an acne medication cream, I have always considered Acnomel my very first concealer. When I was 11, I had a little acne so my mom bought it for me to help clear it up.   The product was tinted beige/tan, and I discovered that if I dabbed a super thin layer on my problem areas, it would cover them up.  So, although it wasn’t meant or marketed as a concealer, I used it daily to help treat and hide my acne (I went through MANY tubes …probably helped keep the company in business).

Does this make me look…orange?

When I began high school and started wearing makeup, I realized why Acnomel was not marketed as a concealer – once dry, it cracked, was cakey and sometimes had a slightly orange tint if I applied too much.  No one could see my zits, but they could see the dry, cakey, orange splotches all over my face.  Oy!

So, I went on a hunt to find a  new acne fighting concealer.  I wanted something that was easy to apply and blend, matched my olive skin tone, and helped clear my face.

Continue reading →

Review: Maybelline Master Contour Contouring Kit

Aliza18e10 Comments

IMG_9068[1]

“Master face contouring on the go with this all-in-one palette – contouring brush included.” (maybelline.ca)

While visiting my local Shoppers Drug Mart, I saw the new-ish Facestudio® Master Contour Contouring Kit (in the Maybelline New York section).  There were two palettes (1) Light to Medium (2) Medium to Deep.  Both included a contour/bronzer shade, blush, highlight, and small fluffy angled brush.

Needing a bronzer for contouring, I figured that for $12, “why not buy the palette?”.   I could have picked either of the two palettes, with my skin tone, but the warm peachy toned colours in the Medium to Deep one called my name, so that’s what I went for.

Continue reading →