15 steps, then a beauty blog

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in "Charm" + Giveaway

2012-05-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

I am super excited to write this post because not only is it about one of my favourite lip products at the moment, but there is also a giveaway where 10 of you will get the opportunity to win one as well :)

The product in question is the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain. Its name describes the product perfectly. It's a cute chubby pencil that offers the hydration of a lip balm while giving your lips a nice long lasting touch of colour. The colour that Revlon sent me is called Charm and it is the most beautiful soft muted peach.

These are not sticky at all and they have a satin finish, making them perfect for layering with a gloss - my favourite glosses to wear with Charm have been Revlon Colorburst Lip Gloss in "Bellini" or Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Creme in Creamsicle.

The staying power is great. This lasts about 3 hours on my lips which is more than most lip products I use! It has a slight minty scent and it has no taste. The texture is smooth and you simply twist it up to get more product as you're using it up.

I am so excited about these! As far as I know, they haven't been released in Canada yet - I haven't seen them at the drugstore and I've been looking, but I do know that some ladies in the USA have spotted them at their local Walgreens/CVS/Target stores so they will surely be making their way into more stores shortly. I will definitely let you know if I do see them (make sure you follow me on Twitter) and I'm excited to pick up more colours!

Here's the best part - 10 of you can win one! As with my previous Revlon giveaways, please comment to this post with your name and e-mail address. In about a week I will randomly select 10 winners and e-mail you to inquire about your mailing address. This giveaway is open worldwide.

Hope your weekend is a great one :)

Sandra

Wet Hair Look with Revlon

2012-05-18T02:00:00.003-04:00

This month's video is all about the ultimate "I'm lazy and it's so hot out" look.

Hair slicked back in a tight bun - I love to use those "spin pin" types of bobbi pins for that - a smidgeon of liner to define the eyes, a lightweight base and a slight rosy stain on the lips.

For my face I used Revlon PhotoReady Mousse Makeup. Shade 030 Nude was a perfect match for me (for reference, I am about a MAC NC25-30 at the moment).

The texture of this is very light and airy so it's suitable for the warmer months. A full pump dispenses a lot of product since it has a whipped texture so start light and build up if needed.

If you have normal/dry skin you can get away without powdering it throughout the day. The coverage is light, akin to a tinted moisturizer.

On the eyes I used a black Revlon Luxurious Color Smoky Crayon. This can be used all over the lid as a base for a dark smoky eye or as a liner (it has a little sharpener at the other end so you can keep the tip nice and sharp to use as a liner). I am using it as a liner for this look since in the summer time I like some definition to the lashline and a subtle smudged line does the trick.

For lips, the Revlon ColorStay Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm is nice for the summer because the stain part (the shade I use in the video is called Desire and it's a natural slightly rosy tint) lasts all day while the balm end keeps the lips hydrated. My lips are naturally quite pigmented so I'm interested in how the darker shades of these lip stains hold up! Desire lasted a good 4 hours on the lips and I never felt any dryness.

What's your low key summer look? What would you pair with a "wet" hairstyle?

Click here for more beauty tips!

Face of the day - May 17, 2012

2012-05-17T15:51:00.000-04:00

Another day, another face (featuring one of my favourite lip combinations as of late!)

Used another round of Clarins Liquid Bronze self tanner the night before. Summer "tan" is on its way :)

For face makeup I used NARS Tinted Moisturizer in the shade Alaska, MAC Earth to Earth blush - discontinued, from a mineralize blush collection a couple of years back.

On the lips I am wearing the new Revlon Kissable Balm Stain in the shade Charm (post on it to come... they are not out in Canada yet but a few people on Twitter have spotted them in the US already). Topped with my favourite gloss at the moment, Buxom Lip Creme in Creamsicle.

On the eyes I am wearing a sheer layer of NARS cream eyeshadow in "Mykonos" which is a beautiful colour but a pain to apply and has poor lasting power. Reformulate these, NARS!! In the outer corner I have a little bit of "Satin Taupe" eyeshadow by MAC and my eyeliner is MAC Kohl Power in "Raven". My mascara is Prestige My Blackest Lashes.

What are you wearing today?

Nail Polish Hoarding. So Hot Right Now.

2012-05-16T13:27:00.000-04:00

I may have posted my Spring/Summer 2012 Nail Polish Picks video yesterday but that doesn't stop me from going HAM at the drugstore (Shoppers Drug Mart, for all my Canadian ladies) when I saw a shiny new Essie collection on display. Throw in a Sally Hansen glitter for good measure.

Seriously though how amazing are these shades? From pink to yellow - Lights, Camera and Action. The Sally Hansen glitter is called "Ring a Ding" and it's glorious.

I heard that the yellow-orange shade "Action" is a pain to apply and I must agree... it's nowhere near as co-operative as the others and it does dry down darker. A great tip that I have to get it to show up true to colour is to use a white nail polish as a base (I'm sure that something like Butter London Nail Foundation could work too).

I find neon nail polishes like these to be the perfect way to incorporate this summer trend into your "wardrobe" without shelling out the money on neon clothes and accessories. I personally am not the most colourful dresser so for me a splash of neon on the nails paired with airy blush, white and beige clothes for summer sounds just right.

What's your take on the neon craze?

Face Of The Day, May 15 2012

2012-05-15T14:58:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I've done a FOTD post so here I go! I've been rather minimalistic these past few days. I'm slowly getting back into a semi-regular self tanning routine so I find that less makeup is usually better as the skin starts to get a bronzy glow. Mind you the bronzy glow is barely visible in these photos but hey... I'm starting small (I use the Clarins Liquid Bronze self tanner for the face).

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in shade 52 (trying to use this up!! It's OK but feels a bit too heavy for my liking... it also doesn't last that well on my oily skin).

I also used generous amounts of Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel to warm up the complexion. I used no blush because I wanted a brighter lip!

I set my makeup with Chanel Loose Powder (click here to read my review of it).

On the eyes I used a very thin and blended layer of Laura Mercier Burnished Copper. These metallic cream eyeshadows are so great. If you liked Constructivist by MAC, Burnished Copper is a slightly warmer, easier to work with option. It also has wonderful staying power and looks stunning by itself as well as with other eyeshadows. I'm contemplating purchasing another one of these soon! A little goes a long way and their packaging is more efficient than the MAC Paint Pots since it's more airtight and won't dry out as quickly.

For mascara I went back to an old favourite, Prestige My Blackest Lashes (which you can find at Rexall or London Drugs in Canada). No eyeliner on the top lash line, just some Stila Topaz eyeliner on the waterline.

On the lips I wore one of my favourite lipsticks - Impassioned by MAC. It's a gorgeous bright coral pink. The finish is Amplified so it can really pack a punch when applied straight from the tube. To tone it down, like I did today, I just dab it on the lips and rub it in with my fingers in order to create more of a stain. It lasts all day and is a bit more wearable.

I will be blogging a lot this week since I am off work and I am feeling super inspired, so stay tuned :)

Hope you're having a great week so far.

Sandra

Chanel Summer 2012 - Calypso & Holiday

2012-05-14T19:05:00.000-04:00

Leave it to Chanel to put a little spring in my step today!

I made a completely random and unexpected trip to the Chanel counter while on lunch break from work the other day (these hour long lunches can prove to be quite dangerous with the mall in close proximity) and in less than a minute I walked out with these two beauties -

I got the Chanel Glossimer in "Calypso" and the nail polish in "Holiday", both from the Summer 2012 collection.

Calypso now becomes my first ever Chanel Glossimer, believe it or not. I've always been tempted by them but the colour and subtle shimmer of this gloss had me hooked. No brand does lipgloss shimmer as beautiful as Chanel. The shimmer isn't chunky - it's multidimensional and subtle. It only really can be spotted shimmering in the sunlight (like a Cullen! ha)

So perfect for summer! The nail polish in "Holiday" isn't a remarkable colour by any means but the formula is great (which isn't always the case with Chanel polishes) and the colour was unique to my collection... a warm burnt orange perfect to go with the gloss!

Here's the gloss by itself on my lips. The formula is wonderful. It's not super opaque but it's buildable enough to wear by itself. Not sticky, feels hydrating and has nice lasting power on the lips.

If all Chanel Glossimers behave like this then I might be in some trouble :)

Hope your week is off to a great start.

PS: how good am I at being on a makeup buying ban? Epic fail.

In & Out - May 2012

2012-05-10T17:12:00.005-04:00

So while I have been majorly slacking from the beauty world (broken cars, work and a summer class have taken up my time), I did manage to enjoy/not enjoy some things:

- Made In Chelsea. I can't even express my love for this show... the music, the fashion, the cheesy Francis scenes (riding on a horse in Dubai scene LOL), and the cutie Jamie... LOVE! I use Google to find streams of the episodes because I'm that desperate.

- Peach lip products. Coral peach, pale peach, bright peach - I've been loving them all. Dior Addict Extreme in Saint Tropez (a Sephora exclusive shade) is particularly amazing. Goes on smoothly and has fantastic staying power.

A similar product that I've been obsessed with ever since I received it from Revlon has been the kissable balm stain in "Charm"... I will have a post on it to come but a few of my friends on Twitter have been tweeting about those things since they are currently available in the USA (haven't spotted them in Canada yet) and they are SO nice... much better than the lip butters, in my humble opinion :)

- live music! I went to 2 concerts on the weekend, going to another one today (M83, Lemonade, Neon Indian, Polica) and Radiohead in June. So so excited. It's nice to be back into going to shows after a few year hiatus.

- Burberry eyeshadows. HEAVEN on your eyes, I tell ya. Scooped up Midnight Brown last week after the intense enabling from my good friend Rachel and I have about 3 more on my wishlist. However, I am banning myself from buying makeup this month so I will let you know how that goes in about 3 weeks! In a weird way, bans give me satisfaction because it really makes me use up and enjoy what I already have while I make room for new exciting things.

- Beats by Dre headphones

- neon orange nail polish (!!!!! on my toes right now and it makes me so happy)

OUT

- people who constantly try to sell shiz on YouTube. I can't watch those shameless plug videos anymore, sorry. Just doesn't appeal to me. I appreciate people trying to earn a living from YouTube but sometimes it just seems desperate and not genuine, ya know? It's unfortunate.

- Rain. Clouds. Grandma Sandra complaining about the weather again...

- running out of arugula

- running out of Nutella

- having to save up for a new car *cries*

Hope your week is going better than mine!

Sandra

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Mascara

2012-05-02T01:59:00.000-04:00

A couple of months ago I reviewed Giorgio Armani's Eyes to Kill Excess mascara and the time has come for me to lay out the verdict of the original version of this mascara - Eyes To Kill.

First let me say that I think the name and packaging of these mascaras is fantastic. You can find Giorgio Armani products sold at places like Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus in the USA, or select Holt Renfrew department stores in Canada. Not sure where else in the world but I did see the brand at select Douglas stores when I was in Germany last summer. It's not a brand as readily available as other designer counterparts like Chanel or Dior.

Anyway, the Eyes To Kill mascara has had quite a few positive reviews so it had always been in the back of my mind to try. I have been using it for over 2 months now and while I do like it, it transfers on me... which means that I will not be repurchasing.

It's a shame since it really is a great product, I love the way the metal packaging feels - it's heavy and sturdy and easy to apply. The brush is a traditional bristle brush, which I like. Medium size so that it can get into the corners with ease.

It is a volumizing mascara. Not quite as lenghtening as the "Excess" version but it did give more thickness and the same amount of separation. It does offer more separation than Makeup Forever Smoky Lash, which is a "Holy Grail" mascara for me.

For some reason, and I'm not sure if it's just me, the formula of Eyes To Kill is more black than Eyes To Kill Excess.

left: one coat with Armani Eyes To Kill mascara

It holds a curl well throughout the day, but then again my lashes curl rather easily and I have never had an issue.

While it's a nice product it just didn't wow me and the fact that it transferred (keep in mind I do have oily eyelids and skin) is a dealbreaker for me.

For the $30 price point, YSL mascaras deliver more punch in my opinion... or I can stick with my beloved Smoky Lash and Prestige My Blackest Lashes :)

I hope your week is going well and until next time! I've been a crappy blogger last month but I am hoping to redeem myself in May. Stay tuned.

Sandra

Recent H&M Finds

2012-04-24T23:33:00.000-04:00

I've been scouring H&M this week and came out with 3 cute new things. They're all relatively new and should still be in store if you are interested:

Despite the wrinkles - it's my big turnoff about H&M, everything seems to look like it came out of a hole - this sleeveless blouse caught my eye because of the pretty lace detailing at the collar. Has a large pocket and it isn't too sheer. Me likey!

Next up I got some jewels - this ring was the only one on the shelf and in a size small, which wouldn't fit any of my fingers except above the knuckle of my middle finger which I though looked pretty interesting and cool.

Finally I satisfied my cravings for skulls (I was eyeing this Tom Binns bracelet but not really loving the price) so when I saw this little 3 ring set I picked it up - they look nice on their own or all stacked together on the index finger like some sort of badass cocktail ring... which probably make my finger green by the end of the day but I don't mind haha :)

Have you had any fun and affordable finds recently?

I'm always on the hunt for something new and interesting, and if it doesn't break the budget it's that much better!

Hope you're having a great week.

xox

Sandra

The Red Lip (with Revlon)

2012-04-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

I've been slowly getting more into bright lips recently. I'm slowly abandoning the pastures of neutral pinks and beiges for the more daring bright pinks and reds so I was thrilled when this week's video theme was to create a look featuring a red lip.

The lipstick, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in #725 "Love That Red", is absolutely gorgeous and a joy to apply. I love the brightness and slight sheen of it.

In the video I show a more polished way to wear it paired with the Revlon ColorStay Lipliner in "Red". The lipliner is more of a classic red shade so it tones down the brightness of the lipstick a bit and makes it into a more demure red lip. I love to wear the lipstick with or without liner though. I am wearing it alone, just dabbed with my fingers as a stain, in this outfit of the day video from last month.

Next is the rising star of the show - the Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer. The one I have is in shade 001. Shade 002 is the Color Correcting Primer that I featured in a previous post and is a lightly pink-toned primer that corrects sallowness in the face.

The Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer is slightly more rigid in texture, if that makes any sense. It feels less fluffy and whipped when it comes out of the tube and you only need a small amount to smooth over the entire face. It's on par with many other high end primers I have tried (NARS, MAC or Smashbox) and it doesn't feel greasy on the skin. A little goes a long way - if you apply too much of it, you might notice that it starts peeling off if you use too much.

leave it to my DSLR camera to uncover arm hairs I never knew I had

smooth and perfected!

One pump is usually enough to cover my entire T-zone and cheek areas. It definitely helps with the longevity of makeup (I still get oil breakthroughs but not as badly and the oil diffuses nicely) and pores are minimized. Definitely check it out next time you're in the market for a new primer. It's slightly better suited for oily skins than the coloured version, although that one does brighten up the face on those sallow days.

Last but not least - what completes any look: nail polish! In the video I am wearing a new shade of Revlon ColorStay Nail Enamel called "Bold Sangria". I know we are supposed to be rocking pastels and neons this spring and summer, but I still get in the mood for a dark vampy "wine-stained" purple.

opaque coverage in one coat

I have 10 of these nail enamels to give away, generously sponsored by Revlon, so if you are interested and would like to enter the draw, do so with your name and e-mail address below and in about a week I will randomly choose 10 winners, contact you and mail out your prizes!

Hope you enjoyed this look and happy Friday :)

Click here for more beauty tips!

xox

Sandra

NARS Tinted Moisturizer - Review and Application

2012-04-18T16:03:00.000-04:00

I've been using this product regularly for about a month now, and I have received so many questions about it since it's quite new to the market. I wanted to properly try it out for an extended period of time before I give it a review and here we are!

Name: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

My shade: Alaska (Light2)

SPF: 30 PA+++

What NARS claims: "Infused with lush, naturally derived ingredients, this lightweight tinted moisturizer immediately helps thirsty skin feel hydrated. It has been proven to help reduce the appearance of discoloration and dark spots caused by hyper pigmentation for a clearer and brighter complexion in just four weeks. Oil-free and luxurious, it obscures the appearance of lines, wrinkles, pores and other imperfections. SPF 30/ PA+++ adds a translucent veil of protection. "

Did I like it? Yes.

Would I stay loyal and repurchase once I use it up? Probably not.

Here's the thing... while it does live up to its claims to be lightweight and to immediately help thirsty skin feel hydrated (I do have combination/oily skin and I found this to be hydrating enough to use during the day without any additional moisturizer underneath) it did not do anything to help reduce the appearance of discolouration or hyper pigmentation. I did use it on a daily basis for just over 4 weeks. It costs $49 in Canada, $42 in the USA.

The finish of if is nice and natural. Not too matte, not too glowy, I guess I can say it's a satin finish.

It does apply a bit streaky with the fingers (needs some work to blend) but I like using it with a Sigma F80 brush and I find that I get the best results that way.

blended

Coverage: Light. I don't have a lot of tinted moisturizer experience (the only two that I had used previously were Dior HydraLife and Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint), but in terms of coverage the NARS Pure Radiance Tinted Moisturizer is on par with others. Doesn't offer any more or less coverage, although it is easier to work with than the Liz Earle and doesn't quite set as quickly as the Dior.

evens out the skin tone but still shows through some imperfections

The scent is very faint... slightly "lemony" and pleasant.

Lasting power - average. It doesn't matter if I powder or what I powder with, oils do break through within an hour and while they do diffuse nicely and create a radiant glow, by the end of the day there just isn't any coverage left, it would literally come off my face as I blotted any excess oils... so, not transfer-resistant at all. The NARS artist recommended that I use their NARS primer for oily skin (the one that is also supposed to reduce pores) - he gave me a sample of it and I used it with the tinted moisturizer but it didn't make any difference.

If you have normal/dry skin or a slightly oily T-zone, you might be a bit more over the moon about this than I am. Like I said, I do like it and I think it's a nice product. It hasn't broken me out and I do enjoy using it throughout the day, especially due to its good SPF. Maybe if it lived up to its claims of helping improve skin tone over time, I would be more thrilled.

I am going to continue using it and will definitely let you know if I see any improvements over a longer period of time. I haven't had any breakouts in a while so the marks that you see left behind in photos are relatively old so I can keep a good eye on them and see if they go down (I haven't changed anything in my skincare routine since I started using this, just so I can test out those claims).

OK, enough blabbing. I hope you found this review useful, and I do recommend you check it out and at least try it on/get a sample since as we all know, what works for me might not always work for you.

If your skin is oily, this won't impress you because of its poor staying power and diminishing coverage. It also does oxidize a slight bit on the skin after a few hours.

In conclusion, it is a good product and I don't regret buying it. If you're in the market for a new tinted moisturizer like I was, give it a shot. Just don't run out to get it (especially if you have like 3 other TMs on rotation) because it's not really that different from other TMs on the market... ya know what I mean?

Hope your week is going well and don't forget to check out my YouTube channel for a video that I did showing how I apply this product and a simple daytime look to go along with it.

Sandra

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye

2012-04-15T22:32:00.000-04:00

Oh, the dreaded under-eye area...

I was using my La Roche Posay Hydraphase eye gel morning and night and while that delivered the perfect amount of moisture to my under-eye area (and diminished those pesky fine lines of dehydration), I was still having troubles with dark circles and puffiness.

So off I went on the hunt for something new... and stopped at the Kiehl's counter. I was in the US at the time so I found Kiehl's at Saks Fifth Avenue. Other department stores like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus carry the range as well. Holt Renfrew in Canada also carries it. Or, if all else fails - the Kiehl's website is available for all your shopping needs and they have great service to Canada. My friend orders from them all the time and she was the one who pushed me to try something from their range.

I had heard rumblings about the eye cream with Avocado by Kiehl's, which many people love, but I hate greasy-feeling eye creams and after reading a few reviews I just knew it wouldn't work for me.

So, I chose the Midnight Recovery Eye - a treatment loaded with botanical extracts and all that good stuff that is to be used nightly and promises to help fight dark circles and puffiness. Exactly what I had been looking for.

I like the way Kiehl's packages their stuff - classic and to the point, no crazy bells and whistles. I also love the scent of this product, it's very soft and herbal. The texture of Midnight Recovery Eye is great, it's a light cream that sinks in immediately upon application leaving no greasy residue whatsoever. It just feels like the ingredients get in there and started working. It also works well layered with my La Roche Posay Hydraphase if I'm in need of an extra moisture boost.

When I wake up in the morning my eye area just looks and feels nicely refreshed. Puffiness is kept at bay. I don't think there is any one magical product out there that will completely diminish darkness under the eyes (a lot of under-eye darkness is hereditary and there's not much you san do about that), but it is nice when you buy a skincare product that doesn't disappoint.

Do I wake up in the morning looking like I just dropped out of a fairytale? No. But my under-eye area does look and feel a whole lot better since using this product.

So, if you are looking for something new to use overnight under the eyes give Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye a shot. If you have a super dry under-eye area you might want to either layer this with a more intense hydrating cream or look for something else because you might not like the texture of this. I love it though!

Current routine is using this nightly (sometimes with La Roche Posay Hydraphase on top if I need more hydration) and in the morning I use La Roche Posay Hydraphase by itself.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye retails for $36 US ($38 CAN).

Hope you're having a great end to your week. I am done exams this week so I'll be back full force soon :)

This Jacket...

2012-04-12T10:50:00.000-04:00

Just a warning that this is the dullest, most pointless blog post ever...

However, today as I was doing my daily dose of online "window-shopping" I came across this glorious little thing and I just had to share it with you all.

The price is slightly depressing, however the piece is badass.

Brand is called By Zoe, a French brand I am unfamiliar with.

I am never usually attracted to anything denim except for bottoms, but the way the denim is mixed with the tweed in this jacket just makes my heart sing.

I need to get my mixed texture jacket fix soon, if you remember not too long ago I was lusting for a leather sleeved one but I managed to endure life without it (so dramatic, eh) haha...

Are there any droolworthy items that you found this week?

x

If you close your eyes, it's a beautiful world (Outfit Of The Day)

2012-04-02T23:55:00.001-04:00

Not sure what I'm doing here, but I thought it looked cool so here I am, bobbing my head to the side and closing my eyes! It's proper spring weather here - crisp and sunny and it makes me happy!

Here is what I wore:

Makeup:

NARS Tinted Moisturizer (I am in the shade Alaska)... I have been getting a ton of questions about it and I promise a more thorough review will come once I use it a bit more. It claims to do all these fancy skin improvements (like fading hyperpigmentation) so I've gotta see if there is any truth to that! It is nice though. I wouldn't say I'm blown away by it or anything, but it is nice.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage concealer (shade SC-4) on any problem areas,

Burberry Tangerine blush,

Dior Amber Diamond as a highlight.

On the eyes I used Benefit "Where There's Smoke" eyeshadow all over the lid, and "Hot Stone" by Bobbi Brown in the crease. Eyeliner was MAC Kohl Power in "Raven", mascara was Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill.

On my lips I am wearing one of my favourite lip combinations as of late - Lancome "Bronzelle" lipliner, YSL "Lingerie Pink" lipstick (that liner makes that lipstick so much better and more wearable for me), and a touch of MAC Dazzleglass in "Baby Sparks" at the centre of the lips.

Outfit:

I have to apologize in advance that I have no idea what brand my shirt is. I got it in Arizona from a small local boutique by the ASU campus, and it cost around $30. The tag of it that said the brand ripped and fell off after numerous washes. I've worn this top a lot, I love it! You can find things along the same lines (this one from ASOS is pretty cute and would fit the outfit just as well).

Jeans are my newest clothing acquisition - coated black skinny jeans by J Brand. I had patiently been waiting for them to go on sale because I refused to pay full price for them. Every time I had seen them on a casual Olivia Palermo outfit it made me want them even more (although hers are probably the full on leather ones, not the coated haha). J Brand is my favourite brand for premium denim, by far. I find that they fit me the best. It's not a bargain brand but I buy jeans once or twice a year so it ends up being worth it for me.

Finishing up with my trusty ol' DV Dolce Vita "Wink" loafers. I wasn't able to find them online anymore, they seemed to have sold out since they were one of last year's models. However I found a similar pair by Steve Madden here if you are interested. They're more studded but they look really cool in person - I tried them on not that long ago :)

I hope your week is off to a good start!

xox

Sandra

Subtle Bronzy Look with Revlon

2012-04-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

This month I got the exciting opportunity to create a bronzy, glowy look with the help of some Revlon products:

The new Revlon PhotoReady Color Correcting Primer made my complexion smooth and it helped foundation glide on easily (I used the Bourjois Healthy Mix in the shade 52). Also, because of its slight pink tint, it helps neutralize any sallowness.

It fills in any lines or large pores and I found that I didn't need to use as much foundation while using this (I only used about half a pump of foundation for my whole face)

before primer

after primer - nice and smooth!

The primer is definitely on par with other higher end primers I have tried and much more wallet-friendly. If you can't live without your makeup primer, I think this one is worth a try. It's lightweight, oil free, paraben free and has no fragrance, making it perfect for sensitive skins as well.

left - Revlon PhotoReady Sculpting Blush Palette in Peach (mixed together)
right - Revlon Bronzer in shade 01 Natural Bronze

On the cheeks I combined Revlon Bronzer in the shade 01 "Natural Bronze" - which is a warm brown with a satin finish, good pigmentation and easy to blend. Unfortunately mine had a little accident but it's perfect for a soft sunkissed look. I do love my matte bronzers but sometimes a bronzer with a hint of sheen really lifts the complexion and fits the "sunkissed" bill a bit more accurately!

The sculpting blush palette in "Peach" is most suitable as a highlight. All three colours in the palette have shimmer, so I found that they worked best blended together and applied as a highlight on the top of the cheekbones. The shades are quite sheer so they are best layered on top of bronzer/blush.

Finally, my favourite of the bunch - Revlon PhotoReady Concealer. I am using the shade 002 Light, which is perfect for brightening the under-eye area. Now if you have any blue/green under tones, I suggest you use a corrector underneath to neutralize those tones, then glide on this concealer to lift and brighten. It glides on smoothly, has a medium coverage and is easy to blend. I set it with my usual powder - Benefit Powderflage - and it lasts all day.

I hope you enjoyed the little demo and make sure you check out the products next time you're perusing the aisles in search for new makeup!

Also if you won last month's Revlon giveaway your prize should be on its way, I mailed everything out this week. Congratulations to the 10 lucky ladies :)

Click here for more fun beauty tips.

Sandra

I've got my eye on...

2012-03-26T19:51:00.002-04:00

I haven't done a wishlist type post in a while, and things have slowly been piling up in my mind so what better thing than to share them with you? :)

I've got some items to use up and when I do, this is what I'm eyeing. I wanted to call this "Spring 2012 Wishlist" but there aren't really any exclusively spring items in here... I was rather underwhelmed by most spring makeup collections this year so hopefully the summer ones will be more enticing.

Anyway, here's what I am lusting for:

1. Guerlain "Les Fumes" eyeshadow quad (beautylookbook has great swatches of it!)
2. OPI "Ski Teal We Drop" nailpolish
3. Dior Rosy Glow Healthy Glow Awakening Blush (I don't think Dior could have given this a longer name, right? But it's preeeeeetty.)
4. Clarins Ever Matte foundation
5. Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia perfume
6. Miss Dior Cherie Blooming Bouquet perfume
7. YSL Faux Cils Shocking mascara

Just looking at these makes me happy!!

What are you lusting for this season?

Currently On My Nails...

2012-03-25T18:31:00.001-04:00

I got introduced to Laura Mercier nail polishes last December, when I kindly received one of their Fall 2011 collection polishes - called Twilight - and I instantly fell in love with the colour. I didn't even know that Laura Mercier makes nail polishes, since most of my exposure to the brand was from seeing it at Sephora, which only carries a limited selection of the range and never features the nail polishes. If you go to a counter at a department store, you will see the nail polishes in all their glory.

I don't think there is a permanent collection of colours. Instead, every season, a number of limited edition shades get released with a collection. I have two from the Spring 2012 "Tres Chic" collection - Oh La La and Cabana. Cabana I received back in December together with Twilight, and Oh La La I became obsessed with after seeing it featured on YouTube so I had to run on over (well, it was a long drive across to the USA) to Nordstrom and buy it.

This post is all about Cabana and its coral glory.

Didn't look like much in the bottle, and I had placed it in my nail polish box to hibernate over the few months after I received it. However, earlier this month, after seeing the Spring 2012 nail polishes in the Laura Mercier range featured on several blogs and YouTube channels, I busted out Cabana from its slumber and applied it to my nails.

O. M. G.

It's a beautiful, balanced shade of Coral. It doesn't lean too orange like Deborah Lippmann Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, nor does it get too neon/pink on ya. It's just subtle and beautiful, prefect for spring.

The formula is also great. I am wearing 2 coats of it, which go on smoothly with no streaking. The texture of the polish is somewhere in between cream and jelly, and it's what really prompted me to get the light pink shade in the collection as well.

It's quality nail polish. There are some other gorgeous shades in the collection as well but I passed on them since I had similar shades already. Sizzle is probably my next favourite out of the collection but I tried to restrain myself...

What are you wearing on your nails?

Current Ring Mix

2012-03-21T16:57:00.001-04:00

Keeping this post short and sweet.

This is what I've been wearing on my hands lately (give or take a few nailpolish changes):

Gold band by Gorjana, a brand that I just started getting into. They have some beautiful dainty gold pieces and I'm eyeing one of her initial necklaces next. Thick silver ring that I've had for years and years - got it on a family vacation to Croatia back in the 90's so it always reminds me of being little (apparently I had big hands as a child considering it still fits haha).

My sweater is by American Apparel and it looks questionable on the website but I promise you it's not as frumpy in real life :)

Dainty above the knuckle ring, which had been on my mind every since Laura (buynowbloglater) posted about a similar one. I got mine from this Etsy seller - she was lovely to deal with and it took about a week for me to receive my ring. She packaged it really cute too. Also, she makes her jewelry by hand in Vancouver! Always love supporting a fellow Canadian. She does have a little announcement that she is in the process of moving so ordering might take a bit longer than usual. However, if you search for "knot ring" online you will get many similar models. Mine is a size 3.5!

On my nails I am wearing A Oui Bit Of Red by OPI.

Hope your week is going well!

Until next time,

Sandra

Keep on glowin' (FOTD)

2012-03-20T21:51:00.001-04:00

Cheesy blog post titles aside, today I woke up feeling grim and dull. My regular foundation routine needed a little kick.

I sang the praises of Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector (in the colour Pearl) in a previous post and today I decided to mix it in with my foundation. I used one pump of Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector with 1.5 pumps of Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation (I am the shade 52) and applied it all on my face using the Sigma F80 brush. The results didn't last that long - only about 4 hours - since I have oily skin and it was quite warm outside... but it was so lovely while it lasted.

Here's my face of the day:

Foundation: Bourjois Healthy Mix #52 -- you cannot buy this in Canada, I got mine in a swap. Shoppers Drug Mart sells Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum which I also loved but it broke me out for some reason. I might try it again but I'm too scared at the moment haha. As mentioned, I mixed it with some Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in the colour Pearl. You can buy Becca cosmetics online here, I got mine at Duane Reade on Lexington Avenue in New York City.

For concealer I used the Dior Nude concealer, shade 2. It's wonderful, especially under the eyes. I bought it from Shoppers Drug Mart last time they had a bonus Optimum Points offer and it delivers. The Clinique Airbrush concealer is nice too but just not cutting it in terms of coverage since my under-eye circles have been bad lately.

On the cheeks I used a little bit of Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel (Bronze Universal), and Burberry Tangerine Blush, which I am slightly obsessed with at the moment.

I forgot to take an eyeshadow photo since I was so pleased with the "glow", but it was boring... just the usual hoopla of MAC Brule and Wedge eyeshadows and black eyeliner. Mascara was Armani Eyes To Kill.

Topped it all off with the Clarins Lip Perfector in shade 01 (the pink one) and that was my face of the day!

Hope your week is off to a great start.
xox

Sandra

PS: I will select the winners for the Revlon giveaway on the weekend, so you can enter to win in my Revlon Smoky Eyes post until Saturday, March 24.

Rose Gold Belt

2012-03-18T16:56:00.004-04:00

When I saw this beauty restocked on Shopbop a few days ago I couldn't resist. I posted some pictures as I was out and about yesterday and received a few questions regarding my belt so I figured it was worth a little post.

It's by a relatively new (to me) Australian brand called Nicholas. They have some beautiful pieces and this belt stole my heart when I saw it in a lookbook a few months ago. It had sold out until it recently got restocked so I had to have it.
For me, since I tend to buy a lot of "simple" pieces of clothing, something like this is a worthy investment. With it, you can revive any old tunic, shift dress, skirt, etc. and make a fresh new outfit!

Here are some photos (ruined by iPhone's questionable flash) of how I wore it on this particular night:

If you are interested, you can still find some here, available in cream and black. I have the black one in the size Small. It's meant to fit a 26" waist (the XS is 24"). I have a 25" waist so I sized up and it fits well. They have been restocking the different sizes but I am not sure for how long they will restock until they eventually sell out again! I am so happy to have this in my wardrobe and it will be featured in plenty of future outfits.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend :)

Sandra

Casual Smoky Eyes with Revlon

2012-03-16T08:59:00.000-04:00

I got the exciting opportunity to do a series of short demonstration videos featuring some new products by Revlon. I think it's such a fun take on showcasing new products - from the eye of a regular consumer such as myself and how I make the products work for me rather than a traditional professional makeup artist demonstration. This is the first instalment featuring one of my favourite makeup "staple" looks - the smoky eye.

By now from reading my blog you probably know that I am all about keeping it simple. I am just not patient nor skilled enough to pull out intricate eyeshadow looks. It's just not practical for me in my everyday life. However, I still like a bit of drama every once in a while so I think that this look can easily be pulled off for both daytime or nighttime. You could add some fake lashes for an extra kick and you're off into the sunset.

The Revlon PhotoReady Eye Primer + Brightener is a cool concept in the sense that it can be used both on the lid as an eyeshadow primer as well as provide some brightening under the eyes as well. It has a slight pink tint to it that can easily help neutralize blue under-eye circles if you need an extra boost under your concealer.

The texture is very smooth and silky and it comes in a twist-up pen. If your under-eye circles are mild you can easily get away just with using this. As an eyeshadow primer it works nicely at creating a nice and bright base - if you are super oily it might not do the trick at keeping creases away without a base shadow to set it on top.

I was really happy with the eyeshadow quad they sent me to check out - the Revlon ColorStay 16 Hour Eyeshadow in "Siren". The colours are stunning (you know I love my mauve taupes), they were pigmented and not super shimmery. They were so easy to use. In the video you can see that they weren't hard to blend out and apply at all. I mixed a touch of the lightest shade with the shimmery taupe on top of it all over the lid, the purply shade in the outer corner and in the crease, and the darkest shade (which has a matte finish) with a smudge brush as a liner.

My favourite shades were the purple (which reminds me of Chanel's Illusion D'ombre eyeshadow in Illusoire) and the taupey shade, which I initially thought was similar to Chanel Safari (blogged about here). However it's more of a cool toned version of it, which works perfectly with purples and grays and provides a nice contrast against warm brown eyes to really bring them out.

The Revlon PhotoReady 3D Volume mascara is also nice for subtle lash separation and volume. If you are a fan of Benefit They're Real or Chanel Inimitable, you will like this mascara. The wands are similar and the formula doesn't smudge all over the place by the end of the day.

Revlon also generously provided me with 10 of their PhotoReady Eye Primer + Brightener pens for me to give away to you. If you are interested in winning, please leave a comment below including your name and e-mail address. I will select 10 random winners and e-mail you to get your shipping information :)

--- EDIT: winners have been selected and contacted.

I hope you enjoyed this post and don't hesitate to check out these Revlon products next time you're perusing the aisles of the drugstore in search for something new!

Also, you can Click here for more fun beauty tips :)

Face of the day - soft spring daytime makeup.

2012-03-12T17:52:00.000-04:00

Despite losing an hour of sleep over the weekend (weirdly enough it always affects me more than any type of jetlag) I am so excited for the start of spring. I am sure plenty of you are sick of my constant weather rambles so this is good news for you - I love spring so I am not going to complain!!

Here's the makeup I wore today, featuring some items I've had on heavy rotation as of late:

Cheesy poses aside, I wore Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation in the shade B20. I love this stuff. I initially thought it was breaking me out but it seems that it was a false alarm... it's so easy to work with and the finish is semi-matte and very natural. I strongly suggest asking for a sample if you're interested. I asked for samples of this on two separate occasions since the first time it broke me out really badly (or so it seemed) and I finally decided to purchase it. I can do a more in depth review of it if you are interested!

I put links to some of the items in case you were interested in checking them out!

Under the eyes: Armani Master Corrector shade #1, Dior Nude Concealer shade #2, Benefit Powderflage

Cheeks: Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer, NARS Madly blush

I set everything with MAC Careblend powder - not sure how I feel about it yet so I'll keep you updated.

Lips: Dior Addict lipstick in Singuliere

Eyes: Burberry Pale Barley eyeshadow all over the lid (<3), Bobbi Brown Hot Stone in the outer corner

17 Liquid Liner and Armani Eyes To Kill Mascara (the regular version, also leaves me rather unimpressed).

I am SO in love with Pale Barley, it's so easy to work with and looks amazing even without a primer. I didn't wear a primer today, I am writing this post up a good 6 hours since applying my makeup and the eyeshadow is still kicking. Yay.

I hope the week is off to a great start for you!

Sandra

A Subtle Glow: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector (Pearl) vs. MAC Strobe Cream

2012-03-07T22:31:00.000-05:00

I got a great idea the other night on Twitter from one of my favourite bloggers, Tina from All The Vanity. She was inquiring about how my newly acquired Shimmering Skin Perfector by Becca (in the shade Pearl) compared to my previously loved liquid highlighter, MAC Strobe Cream. I ran out of MAC Strobe Cream, which is something that I always kept in my makeup drawer - saved for those dreary days when my skin feels dry and dull. I either apply products like these to the cheekbones under/over my foundation... or I mix it in with foundation for a bit more luminosity. MAC also makes a more liquidy version called Strobe Liquid, but I always preferred Strobe Cream because it was a bit more emollient and easy to distribute on the skin. Strobe Cream also contains antioxidant ingredients that benefit the skin.

Their textures were quite similar and both blended into the skin with the same amount of ease.

LEFT - Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector, RIGHT - MAC Strobe Cream

Main differences:

This was hard to capture accurately on camera but MAC Strobe Cream has more of a "mother of pearl" effect and colour... It can pull some subtle pink/blue tones in different lighting, which probably can look amazing on very pale or pink-undertoned skin. This property wasn't necessarily flattering on me when I had a bit of a tan (when I tan leaning towards yellow/olive undertones) so do keep that in mind if you're on that end of the colour spectrum.

Becca is more subtle. The lotion itself doesn't leave a white or pearly cast - even though it appears to do so on camera since I really had to pack it on to get it to show up! It simply delivers a soft glow to the skin without altering the colour underneath. It also contains SPF 25.

The pearliness of MAC Strobe Cream is so strong that it leaves a slight white cast if you try to use it on top of your foundation/blush. This is why I personally only ever used this under makeup or mixed with foundation.

I prefer the packaging of Becca - Strobe Cream can get quite messy and hard to get out of the tube when it's close to reaching the end of the tube. Strobe Liquid comes in a pump, but like I said, I just always preferred the Cream for some reason.

Price is also a big difference - they are both 50mL, but MAC retails for $18 while Becca is almost twice as pricy at $41. You need only a small bit of these types of products so I definitely think that a bottle of either can last you a year or more, even with regular use.

MAC Strobe Cream looks better on the decoltee area because of that extra sheen.

Ultimately they are both quite similar in the effect but after trying out the Becca I can definitely say that I prefer it. It's just a more subtle and refined highlight. It's probably the most natural highlighter I've ever tried. It does come in 3 different shades yet I think that Pearl can work on skin tones from the palest ivory to about a MAC NC40 or so.

You can find MAC, as always, on their website maccosmetics.com and you can find Becca at beccacosmetics.com - not sure if they ship to Canada, though. I got mine when I was in New York City at Duane Reade (on Lexington Avenue & 42nd St. if I remember correctly).

I hope this was useful in making your decision.
Ultimately if you are pink/cool toned and more pale I think that the pearly finish of the MAC Strobe Cream will be more flattering on you, and will also provide a more intense highlight.

The Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector is ideal if you just want a subtle natural glow. It doesn't look shimmery or glittery or have that duochrome pearl in it. It also still manages to shine through foundation (if you apply it underneath) better than the MAC Strobe Cream.

Keep an eye out for some Face of The Day posts featuring it pretty soon.

Ins, Outs, and some NYC highlights

2012-03-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

- that Sigma F80 brush. It has made applying foundation when in a rush such a joy, I tell ya.

- sunshine

- Etsy. I placed my first order today as I was laying in bed nursing a cold... there really isn't anything better than ordering new jewelry to make oneself feel better, is it? The experience was easy and both sellers were prompt and helpful. Post to follow once I receive my things.

- clearing out the makeup drawer. I am gearing up for a blog sale soon (aiming the end of this week) and I will be posting a preview of it on my Facebook page, so make sure you are tuned in and 'Like' the page if you are interested!

- NYC. It was a short trip, but a great first visit to a city with so much to offer. I spent some quality time with one of my cousins whom I don't usually get to see very often unless I travel back to Romania. He now works in Manhattan so this means more trips that way might be on the horizon :)

I also got to meet one of my favourite bloggers that I have known through here for ages - Dara aka BelleDuJourNYC. I remember we started making YouTube videos at around the same time, and we had both been blogging before that. She is so beautiful and fun to hang out with, it really was like catching up with an old friend. Some of the friendships and people I get to "know" through this process is one of the absolute best parts of blogging/tweeting/YouTube and makes it all such a great experience.

I did a fair bit of shopping, a couple of clothing items and accessories here and there - I wanted things that I couldn't buy easily where I live. So that meant diving into some Burberry makeup (and walking by the Tom Ford counter without looking twice), and smelling obscene amounts of perfumes by brands I had never heard of before. My favourite beauty buying spot was probably the Saks on Fifth Avenue. They had amazing selection and great, helpful staff. The Bergdorf Goodman beauty floor was also amazing but the staff was quite cold and loved sharing evil glares with everyone who walked past... which brings me to my one and only OUT!

OUT

- One of my all time pet peeves are rude/stuck up department store staff members. I could honestly write 287182 pages with mean jokes and complaints but come on, you work at a beauty counter - take that stick out of your ass and be friendly to your potential customers ;)

I was honestly shocked by the overall bad customer service experience I have had in NYC. You'd think with it being one of the shopping capitals of the world, they would be a bit more helpful. It took me about 30 minutes to get the attention of someone at Barney's when I wanted to try on some trousers. There were about 2 other customers and 5 sales associates on the entire floor. Unbelievable. All the SA's look like they've been plucked from an editorial but their attitudes left much to be desired. The Saks store on Fifth Avenue was the only one where the staff on all levels - shoes, beauty, clothing (I tested out all floors on purpose) - was kind, not pretentious, and helpful. I also got helped by one very kind and funny gentleman in the accessories department of Barney's - this is what I do, I find a nice person that I like, and that's where I take my business :)

It just bugs me when luxury retailers hire rude and pretentious staff. It's not always about hunting the big fish you can make the most commission off of.

Anyway, rant over - here are some snapshots from my long and painful daily walks:

PS: I was asked by the lovely Tanya Burr to share some of my recommendations for things to check out while there. Keep in mind that having only been there once, I am no expert, but this is what I enjoyed:

- Central Park, grab a coffee and walk through there. A peaceful retreat in the midst of the concrete jungle.

- Broadway... try to get tickets to a show! There are so many great ones out now, just don't go to the Spiderman one.

- Sprinkles cupcakes. Cute and delicious. There is only one location I believe, on Lexington Ave.

- DON'T go to the Sephora in Times Square. It's an anxiety attack waiting to happen. Opt for a more quiet one like the one on 5th Ave by the Rockefeller Center. The skating rink they have by there is so cute, and some great stores in the area like a big Anthropologie and J Crew. Try to avoid any shopping in Times Square in general, unless you don't mind huge crowds o_O

- I loved shopping for beauty and clothes at Saks on Fifth Avenue... the original Saks!

- Barney's on Madison Ave if you'd like to explore luxury goods... go up Madison Ave for more amazing boutiques

- the Meatpacking district is fun for going out

- dinner at Phillipe in the Upper East Side was fantastic (I also saw Lavo and Tao which are supposed to be good too... I've only been to Tao in Vegas and the food was phenomenal as well).

Things I didn't have time to see but I want to next time:
- the Met museum
- World Trade Center memorial

Hope you enjoyed this monster of a post and see you soon with a blog sale!!

The Life and Death of Bare Study Paint Pot

2012-02-28T21:34:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was a sad day in my makeup collection, friends. I have experienced my very first "MAC Paint Pot" failure. Paint Pots are amongst my favourite things that MAC makes. I own and regularly use 3, with one that I slightly preferred over the others... called Bare Study.

Bare Study is a pale champagne colour, perfect for those days when you're in a rush and want a bit of brightness on the eyelid. I apply it with my fingers, like I do with all of my similar potted types of eye products. Paint Pots don't stay completely creaseless on me throughout the day but I do get a good 6 hours of wear out of them.

However, last week, something strange happened. I wake up in my morning daze and having slept in, I wanted a quick and effortless eye brightening... so on to Bare Study I went!

I started applying it on my eyelids with my fingers as I usually do, yet it was NOT co-operating. It went chunky and patchy... a complete nightmare to blend.

a chunky and dry mess

It was in fact impossible to blend out. I had to remove it and just opt for something else. Unfortunately my product has dried out and has become useless to me, which is a shame since you can see from the first picture I took that I have about half a pot full of the product. (I have had it for roughly 2 years if I remember correctly).

I had heard of this happening to people with Paint Pots in the past but I always dismissed it - I always make sure I close the lid super tight after each use. Besides, my other Paint Pot in "Rubenesque" is about 6 months older than Bare Study and it isn't doing this.

It's a shame that these products don't last enough for them to be used up completely. Has anyone here every fully finished a MAC Paint Pot? Or have they all met their dry demise at about halfway through?