Blush Me Pretty

Lancome Grandiose Mascara Review

2014-09-01T17:27:00.001-04:00

* Product provided by influenster.com for testing and review. All opinions are my own.

Overall - 4/5
Lancome's Grandiose is the most exciting mascara innovation in a long time. The design is absolutely beautiful.
It's been such a long time since there was product I was really excited to try. Honestly, between my time at work dealing with cosmetic packaging and formulations, and testing and reviewing products on my personal time, I've kind been over makeup lately (sick of it). Then I saw ads for Lancome's Grandiose and heard buzz regarding its launch, and finally I was excited to write about makeup again! I'm all about product innovations and I think the design of this mascara is the best innovation in mascara packaging in a long time.

Lancome's Grandiose mascara is both romantic and luxurious to me. The design resembles a pretty rose in a vase and it reminds me so much of the enchanted rose in Beauty and the Beast (my favorite Disney Princess story of all time). The cap is transparent with a rose embedded in the center. The design features a swan neck wand for easy application, and the small brush grabs even the tiniest of lashes and coats them evenly from root to tip. The swan neck wand was extremely intuitive to use. Usually, I have a bit of trouble applying mascara to my left eye, but with this wand it was breeze. The bend really does help in application and fanning out the lashes.

Grandiose mascara applies very dark and you can do several coats without clumps. Above you can see my natural lashes, 1 coat of mascara (for a natural look), 2 coats, and 3 coats (for a dramatic look). This mascara doesn't hold a curl well for me, but it does a terrific job at adding length, separating, and defining my lashes. It also makes my lash line so dark, that I don't need to wear eye liner. Due to my crazy oily eyelids, I do find some smudging at around the 6 HR mark (can easily be wiped away). I believe a waterproof version will come out soon, so I can't wait to try it. I'm hoping to experience less smudging with the WP version, and also a formula that can hold a curl better. In addition, this mascara is very easy to remove (even if you layer it on crazy like I do).

I am absolutely in love with the innovative design and swan neck application wand. I believe Lancome (L'oreal) has a patent on the curved wand, but I really think that this feature will be something we can look forward to in other brands, in the future. So even if you don't love Lancome mascaras, be excited my friends! =]

Are you intrigued by Lancome's Grandiose mascara? Please share your thoughts with me below or connect with me via twitter or instagram. Also feel free to link me your reviews! Thanks for reading and stopping by.

Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation Review (120 and 123)

2014-07-15T00:40:00.000-04:00

Overall – 3/5
I use this all the time but I don't love it or hate it.
I’ve been using this foundation for years and time after time I’ve gone back to it even though the makeup junkie in me is yelling at me test out a different foundation. Makeup Forever’s HD Invisible Cover Foundation has definitely become my go to foundation over the years, but for reasons even I don't really know.

When I first picked this up, I was looking for a daily foundation that has decent coverage but still looks natural. Makeup Forever’s HD liquid seemed to fit the bill. The finish is semi matte and coverage is light to medium. It doesn't oxidize too much (though I’ve purchased some funk bottles where the foundation inside the bottle has completed oxidized - probably bad batches). Foundation comes in 26 shades with neutral and warm undertones. I have it in 2 shades, one for winter and one for summer.

1. Bare face (ahHhHhHH), 2. Foundation on left half 3. MUFE’s HD Foundation in N123 on entire face
It’s not the most long wearing foundation, and I definitely have to set it with powder if I want to get 4 plus hours of wear (for reference, I have combination skin to the extreme – either really dry or really oily). Also when my skin is really bad and freaking out, I find that this foundation isn't very flattering because it clings onto dry spots and acne. I mean most foundations will do this, but this one really clings!

You’d think I’d be in love with MUFE’s HD Invisible Cover because I’ve been using it for so long, have repurchased it many times, and even recommended to friends, but the truth is … I don’t. Really, it has become one of those no fuss no muss type products for me. I’ve grown comfortable with it, and that’s why I think I keep going back to it. MUFE’s HD liquid foundation is like that old pair of ripped jeans or that ex bf t shirt you just can’t seem to shake (Oh ya - I’m using that analogy haha). I think even when I find my HG foundation, I’ll probably still go back to this from time to time.

Is there a product you feel indifferent about, but still use all the time? Have you tried Makeup Forever’s HD Invisible Cover foundation? Share your thoughts with me by commenting below, or message me via twitter or Instagram.

I'm a Sample Killah!!

2014-07-07T23:07:00.000-04:00

Recently I came across this challenge hosted by Kalyn Lord of www.kalynlord.com . For the month of July, she’s challenging beauty junkies to use up as many samples and ‘foilies’ as possible. Now, you know that every makeup and beauty lover has a secret/not so secret stash of random samples. I’ve got a box or two! Though I’ve said to myself many times before that I would get to them, it just never happens. With this challenge I am hoping to get through at least half my stash by the end of this month. Am I being overly optimistic?

For more information about the Sample Killah challenge or to join, please see Kalyn’s original post http://www.kalynlord.com/sample-killah-2. There’s also a giveaway for participating so be sure to check it out!

Participants will be posting weekly updates on their twitter and instagram accounts #samplekillah. To follow my progress, don’t forget to subscribe to my instagram account @fanniediep.

#samplekillah on instagram!

Wish me luck, and to my fellow participants, happy killin’ ;)

Celebrating Summer and Getting Colorful with Revlon Rio Rush Collection!

2014-07-05T19:06:00.000-04:00

* Products provided by PR. All opinions are my own.

Revlon Rio Rush Collection for summer 2014 by Gucci Westman! Look at the colors! This collection was inspired by The Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro; considered the biggest festival in the world celebrating dance, color, and life. Revlon's Rio Rush collection features 2 new Colorstay 16 HR eye shadow palettes in Wild and Exotic, 1 new Creme Gel Eyeliner in Rio Blue, 3 new Super Lustrous Lipsticks in Carnival Spirit, Brazilian Tan, and Sultry Samba, and 4 limited edition Nail Enamels in Carioca Crush, Copa Sunset, Gold Goddess, and Oi Beautiful.

The eye shadows were what I was most excited about in this collection (which is funny because I hardly ever wear eye shadow anymore). Here's a quick look using Wild eye shadow palette (loving the orange), Rio Blue creme gel liner, and Brazilian Tan lipstick.

Also rocking Carioca Crush on the nails. I LOVE this color!

I think Gucci Westman did a good job with this collection. I was excited to use everything and all the colors reminded me of the fun summer festivals I love so much. The feel good energies when groups of people come to together to celebrate and have a good time is just amazing. I'm a big cheese ball sometimes I'm moved to tears from all the happiness and excitement. Hahaha I'm a loser I know!

Let's take a closer look at the products Revlon Canada sent me. I've included the suggested retail price (CAD) for reference and for those who might be interested.
Colorstay 16 HR Eye Shadow in Exotic $12.95 - Texture is little chalky.
Colorstay 16 HR Eye Shadow in Wild $12.95 - The highlight color is a little chalky but the rest them are fine and colors are pretty.
Creme Gel Eyeliner in Rio Blue $10.95 - Dark metallic blue color. Not quite opaque enough for my liking and was hard to get an even application but it stays put! Also not sure how I like the applicator... It was a little awkward to use.
Super Lustrous Lipstick in Brazilian Tan $9.50 - A light brown/nude shade that doesn't wash me out! (WaHhHhHH!??)
Super Lustrous Lipstick in Carnival Spirit $9.50 - Sheer orange shade. A wearable orange shade!
Nail Enamel in Carioca Crush $5.95 - Electric blue color. Love the color but it needs a top coat because it dulls quickly!
Nail Enamel in Gold Goddess $5.95 - Flakey gold polish. Looks pretty over darker colors.

Definitely enjoyed Revlon's Rio Rush collection. Are you enjoying your summer and rocking those vibrant colors this season? Let's keep in touch via Twitter and Instagram. Also if you enjoyed this post don't forget to share it and +1 via Google or bloglovin'.

Biotherm Aquasource Moisturizer, Deep Serum, and Nuit Review

2014-07-02T16:53:00.000-04:00

* Products provided by PR. All opinions are my own.

Initially I had doubts that Biotherm Aquasource products would be hydrating enough for my skin, because I've been heavily medicating it to clear up acne (causing it to be even more dry and sensitive than usual). I was so surprised by the results and how much I ended up liking these products! All Biotherm Aquasource products contain mannose and life plankton ingredients that boast the ability to improve skin quality and health, by boosting moisture and promoting skin regeneration. I've been using these products for a few months now and I have to say that my skin feels more hydrated and looks a lot smoother. All three products have a gel consistency and smell like oranges!

Overall - 4/5Biotherm Aquasource is a good daily moisturizer. Leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth and wears well under makeup. You only need a little bit for your entire face and applying too much can make you oily.

Overall - 3/5Biotherm Aquasource Deep Serum, has a more liquid consistency compared to the regular moisturizer and Nuit. It also contains pink light reflectors (- not very visible when applied). This serum can be worn under makeup but I notice I get oily rather quickly, so when I'm using makeup I tend to skip this.

Overall - 3/5Biotherm Aquasource Nuit is a night serum/jelly. When I use this, my skin is soft, smooth and plump the next morning!

I really like the Biotherm Aquasource moisturizer. The two serums are also good but I don’t think I need them both. I'm leaning towards Nuit just a little bit more, but honestly either one would be a good addition to your skin care regimen.

I recommend these products for people who have dry and perhaps combination skin. Be very careful not to use too much because these products can make you quite oily by midday. Not sure if I would recommend these to oily skin types.

Have you tried Biotherm Aquasource products? Share your thoughts with me below or via twitter or Instagram.

Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain Reviews (Parisian Passion, Shanghai Sizzle, and Milan Moment)

2014-06-09T03:49:00.000-04:00

* Products provided by PR. All opinions are my own.

Overall - 4/5
Feels like lip balm. Great color pay off. Nice packaging.

Man was I excited when I saw these bad boys at Revlon's Colorstay Celebration event a few weeks ago. They are now available in Canada (as of June 2014 - suggested retail $12.95 CAD), and come in 12 different shades. I have Parisian Passion, Shanghai Sizzle, and Milan Moment. Love the packaging, it's very clean and sleek. The shape of the applicator is nice, picks up the perfect amount of product. When you first apply Revlon's Colorstay Moisture Stain, it feels really cool and wet (sounds kind of gross, but there's no other way to describe it my friends). After it's had some time to sink in, the texture becomes smooth and creamy, much like a lip balm. It's not sticky like a lip gloss at all, even though it looks glossy upon the initial application. I usually apply the moisture stain, then quickly blot with some paper towel to achieve a matte finish (moisture stain doesn't stick or cling onto the paper towel). The staying power isn't bad and I find that these do stain my lips, even Milan Moment, the lightest of the shades I own. I get about 5 hours of wear and only really need to reapply after eating. Ooo almost forgot to mention, the scent isn't really noticeable when you have the moisture stains on, but I just took a whiff and it reminds of school glue, or like sweet musky coconuts or something.

Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in Parisian Passion. Parisian Passion is dark berry color but wears slightly on the red side on my pigmented lips. I actually wish this was a bit more plummy and purple on me.

Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in Shanghai Sizzle. Shanghai Sizzle is a bright orange red. Love this color for spring and summer!

Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in Milan Moment. I'm going to describe Milan Moment as a coral nude shade. I really didn't think I was going to like this one. When I found this in my swag bag at home, I was thinking 'Wah? Did I pick this shade?' Muahaha, now it's actually my favorite of the three. It's a lot less orange on, and it's just a really soft and pretty color. Love it.

I can't wait to pick up a few extra shades from this range! Have you tried Revlon's Colorstay Moisture Stains? As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts, share via Twitter, Instagram, or comment below!

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Perle Lipstick 110 Incandescent Orange Review

2014-04-09T18:37:00.002-04:00

Overall - 3/5
Beautiful lipstick bullet. Wearable orange color.

This lipstick has been in my stash forever. I haven't used it much because the color isn't something I would normally reach for, and the formula is kind of weird, but since orange lips are so trendy this spring, I decided to dust this off and really give it a chance. Now the spring trend is actually vibrant orange lips, and even though I'm known to rock them bold colors, when it comes to wearing orange lipstick, I'm opting for something a little lighter and little more wearable. YSL Volupte Perle lipstick in Incandescent Orange turned out to be perfect. It's a sheer orange lipstick, pink undertones, contains tiny flecks of gold glitter, and has a pearl/satin sheen finish. I have to admit, though the color and finish didn't appeal to me at first, it's really starting to grow on me.

So a big reason why I haven't used this lipstick, is because I hate the feeling of it when you first apply it. This is one of those lipsticks that just sits on your lips. It's got a super slick texture to it, and the glitters are extremely gritty and you can really feel it on your lips. It feels like I'm exfoliating my lips with glitter when I press my lips together. If you give it some time to sink in, the slickness of the lipstick does go away, and you don't notice the glitters as much but you still kind of feel them.

So what do you guys think of YSL Rouge Volupte Perle in Incandescent Orange? Should I take the plunge and get a crazy vibrant orange lippie?

3 Fake Lash Application Tips by Celebrity Makeup Artist Gina Brooke - Shu Uemura Master Class

2014-03-31T03:48:00.001-04:00

Last week I won a pair of tickets to attend a Shu Uemura master makeup class, with celebrity makeup artist and and beauty expert Gina Brooke. She did a great makeup demonstration with a lot of emphasis on prepping the skin for makeup and having good skin care. She shared a lot of makeup application tips but the ones I found most helpful were her tips for applying fake lashes!

3 Fake Lash Application Tips from Gina Brooke!

1. Single lashes should be placed between lashes and not on the eyelids
2. Apply single lashes on an angle not straight on
3. To link your natural lashes to your fake lashes, use an eyelash curler and just tap them together. Don't squeeze and don't apply mascara to your fake lashes

I know I have a pack or two of single lashes/lash clusters sitting around. I couldn't figure out how to apply them before but I can't wait to try them now.

On another note, the Shu Uemura lightbulb foundation and sponge looks pretty interesting and I really want to try it!

* Thank you Elaine (www.torontobeautyreviews.com) for the tickets!

Fake eyelashes are all the rage and I know people who wear them religiously! How often do you wear fake lashes?

Blossom x BKR Beauty Water Challenge!

2014-03-30T15:23:00.000-04:00

* BKR bottle provided by Blossom Lounge

Do you drink enough water everyday? In the month of March Blossom Lounge teamed up with 12 bloggers, myself included, provided us each with an adorable BKR bottle, and challenged us to drink 2.5 l (that's 5 bottles) of water every day for 30 days! The goal and point of this challenge was to drink our way to better skin and overall health. Since the beginning of this year I've been working on clearing up my skin and helping it heal, so you can imagine how eager and excited I was to do this.

Here's my deal. When I'm at home in front of the computer (or when I was at office), I'm pretty good with drinking water. I always have a cup and I'll sip on water all day long. With that said, on days I'm doing anything else (which is most days) whether it be a day out running errands, or at home just doing chores or something, sometimes I don't end up drinking any water at all. Not a drop. Terrible, I know! So how hard was it for me to suddenly start drinking 2.5 l of water a day? I have to admit, it was really hard! The first day or two I couldn't even get through 5 bottles but as I kept at it, it became easier and easier (- they say it takes 21 days to develop new habits).

So here is my experience and results. I still have acne. Drinking water ain't gonna clear that shiet up. However what I have noticed, is that overall my skin does look and feel better. The skin under my eyes especially is less dull and shallow, the area seems to be more plump and the skin more elastic and smooth. My mouth and lips don't feel dry like they used to as well, and thank goodness because I've been wearing tons of lipstick and I haven't had to deal with super chapped lips like I had before.

Even though I notice improvement in my skin, I'm actually more pleased with how I feel after starting this water challenge. For one, I actually know what it feels to be thirsty now, which I think is the funniest thing, but seriously! Before I started this challenge, I was so used to being dehydrated, I didn't really recognize the feeling of being thirsty. It just felt normal, I didn't know any better. Now I'm always like 'Uh dry, I need my wata!' Since drinking more water I also feel less groggy, I have more energy, and I'm in a better mood.

Another thing I noticed since starting this challenge, is how much juice I used to drink. So yummy but loaded with sugar and other stuff. I still have juice now but maybe just a small cup instead of a large glass or two like I did before!

At first I didn't know Blossom Lounge picked me to take part in this challenge and I didn't receive my BKR water bottle until March 7 (which is when I started my 30 days), so technically I still have a week to go while most of the other bloggers participating will be finishing up their 30 days this weekend. I will do a final post at the end of my 30 days to give you guys my final thoughts and results! In the mean time you may want to check out the experience and results of the other awesome ladies who took part in the Blossom Lounge x BKR Beauty Water Challenge. Check this Blossom Lounge blog post for more information and links!

#blossomxbkr on Instagram

Do you drink enough water everyday? Stay tuned for my tips on drinking more water and my final results!

Good Morning Products!

2014-03-18T13:42:00.000-04:00

How many products do you say good morning to? For a makeup and beauty junkie, I'm actually quite lazy and low maintenance, so I didn't think I used that many products in the morning, but man oh man the items sure do add up! I shower in the morning as well so that also adds a few items to the list! Let's take a look at my current morning products.

Shower gel - LUSH Olive Branch. I use this as a shampoo as well as a shower gel
Conditioner - (not pictured)
Bar of soap - Even though I have body wash and shower gels, I have to use bar soap. I just feel dirty if I don't.
Tooth paste - (not pictured)
Face wash - Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser
Face scrub - St.Ives Apricot Scrub
Medicated acne pads - Oxy pads for Sensitive skin
Acne Treatment - Clean and Clear Advantage Spot Treatment
Moisturizer - Pure+Simple Skin Drink
Eye cream - Benefit It's Potent!
Lipbalm - Epic Blend Cherry

I don't actually wear makeup everyday but when I do, my 'regular' makeup face is pretty simple and of course the products varies but I definitely use...
Primer
Foundation
Powder
Blush
Mascara
Lippie
Brow Pencil

So there you have it. I use 18 different products every morning! Yikes.

How many products do you use every morning?

Review - Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) Lip Tar Black Dahlia

2014-03-17T18:18:00.001-04:00

Overall - 3/5I've been dying to try OCC lip tars and finally grabbed a few at the OCC booth at IMATS last year. Even my friends went crazy for them. Among the colors I purchased was Black Dahlia a red black, oxblood color. I was really expecting a super dark vampy color that might be borderline scary, but I was surprised at how wearable it ended being. I do have a love hate relationship with it though.

Black Dahlia definitely didn't turn out as dark and black as I thought it would. The product seems to sink in and fade pretty fast and looks only dark on my lips upon application, then it fades to a dark cherry color (it can almost look purple sometimes). The finish is very glossy and only when I use a good amount does it stain my lips (which is disappointing because I really wanted this product to leave a stain - I don't know why I just had that expectation). For a lippie that has undertones of brown, it's not terrible at yellowing my eyes and teeth (brown lippies do that, so test and check that smile before you commit to a brown lipstick). Black dahlia was also surprisingly less opaque compared to the other shades I purchased, it's like a super pigmented lip gloss. You can wear a tiny amount for that stained look or build it up for a darker lip which is nice. I also love using OCC's Black Dahlia as a cheek stain!

This could easily be a 4/5 product for me, but the application is time consuming and not very forgiving at all! It bleeds and smears quite easily and I'm not the best at makeup application so it gets frustrating. Despite it being a pain to use, I still do really like Black Dahlia.

Have you tried OCC's Black Dahlia? What is darkest vampiest shade of lipstick you own and when do you rock it?

Embracing My Inner Vixen With Revlon

2014-03-14T13:01:00.000-04:00

* Products provided by PR. All opinions are my own.

Over a month ago for Valentine's Day, Revlon PR sent out a little survey to beauty bloggers to find our perfect date night look. We were then sent a cute Valentine's day package filled with Revlon products to help us achieve that perfect look for the special day. Well for me there was no big date on Valetine's this year, and unfortunately in the process of reorganizing my makeup, I set this lovely box aside and didn't rediscover it until yesterday. I pulled open the card that came with the package and at the top of the card it read, 'This Valentine's Day embrace your inner vixen!' It's no longer Valentine's Day but hey, I can embrace my inner vixen any day of the year I want! So let's do this.

I used Revlon's cream blush in Charmed, and layered the powder blush in Mauvelous over top as suggested, and finished the look with colorburst matte balm in Standout. Kept my eyes super simple because I had errands to run, and I didn't want to go too cray cray with the makeup. First impressions of these products... I liiiiiiike.

The illustration on the card is really pretty. On the inside it reads
'Vixen - You are a chick who knows what she wants and gets what she wants. You love to look hot and always be the center of your man's world. Your date look is very much the same, smoky eyes and sexy reds. Your confidence in yourself is your power, which makes your man blush with desire.'
This is funny to me and I try to be like 'nah, no way that's not me,' but I think my friends will read this and be like 'yep.'

So a quick rundown of the lovely products Revlon sent. I've also included the suggested retail price for anyone who might be interested.
Powder blush in Mauvelous $11.95
Very soft, and blendable.
Cream blush in Charmed $11.95
So pretty, Charmed is a medium rose color. I love that you can use a little bit for a sheer flush of color or you can build up the color for more intensity!
Colorburst in Enticing $9.95
Colorburst Matte Balm in Standout $9.95
Nail Enamel in 660 Divine $6.99

By the way, how awesome is Standout? Just a beautiful color and the fact that it's matte is awesome! I just can't get enough of this look and I think the products Revlon put together here are just perfect for me. I love bold and intense colors!

So I want to know what products you use to embrace your inner vixen! Comment below, twitter me, or better yet instagram me!

Review - Benefit They're Real Mascara

2014-02-20T06:17:00.000-05:00

* Product from Sparksessions Swag Bag.

Overall - 3/5
Intense black color and makes lashes look thick.
Benefit's They're Real mascara features a pineapple shaped, straight and stiff style silicon wand. The bristles, in two different lengths, are lined up side by side and spaced fairly far apart. This brush combined with a wet formula, really coated my lashes making them look thick, but I didn't notice any lengthening effects. The color is really black.

Wearing Benefit's They're Real Mascara in both pictures, just different angles. Notice the flakiness?
Everyone loves this mascara, but there were so many things about it that didn't work for me. The formula is really wet which causes my curled lashes to straighten out. The wand did a good job separating and defining, but I sometimes notice it left little clumps or balls of mascara on my lashes. The worst thing about this mascara is that it gets really flakey on me. I took these selfies after using my camera at home for a bit (photographing this mascara for this post haha). I have to admit that my eyes are quite sensitive and they get really watery which is why I tend to lean towards waterproof mascaras, which this is not. I have friends who use this mascara and it makes their lashes look really good, and a lot of beauty bloggers also really like this mascara.

Have you tried Benefit's They're Real mascara? How did you like it?

Review - Spectro Dry Skin Therapy Intense Rehydration Moisturizer

2014-02-19T17:05:00.000-05:00

* Product provided by PR for Review Considerations. Opinions are my own.

Overall - 5/5
I have terrible skin, there's no denying it, and during the winter months my skin gets even worst. The cold winter winds in Toronto, and crazy indoor heating makes my skin extremely dry, itchy, flakey, and for some reason I get way more breakouts. It doesn't help that I've been stressed out and getting random bouts of eczema flare ups. When I was offered the opportunity to try out some Spectro products from their Dry Skin Therapy line, I figured these products will be great for treating my skin when I have eczema. Funny enough, since receiving the moisturizer I haven't had any issues with my eczema, but I've been using it on my entire face and I can't believe I've held off using this product until just recently.

It's really hard to explain how painful it is to have bad skin. Not just the fact that it looks terrible, but for me my acne and dry skin is actually physically painful. Seriously itchy, flakey, red, tight, and everything just seems to make it breakout. Since using Spectro's Intense Rehydration moisturizer, my skin is definitely less irritated. I have to admit that I've neglected my skin quite a bit this winter, and because of that, it's been at its worst for a long time now. Even though my skin is still in horrible shape, dare I say, lately it's been looking a little smoother and feeling a little softer.

Let's take a look at the product. The Intense Rehydration moisturizer comes in a metal squeeze tube, and the texture of this stuff is really thick. Seriously thick! It's recommended that you use a generous amount and for better results to apply to the skin while it is still damp after cleansing. I just want to mention that this moisturizer doesn't really sink it. Well it does some what, but even after you've given it some time to sink in, you will definitely still notice that a 'barrier' is kind of left on your skin. After application my skin looks soft and is matte. To me the scent of this moisturizer is a little chemical smelling, but on the upside this moisturizer is irritant free, which means it doesn't contain unnecessary perfumes or colors.

A few things to note about this moisturizer... You can't wear makeup with it, you should try to avoid getting any of the product on your eyebrows and hairline because the moisturizer will stick your hairs together, rubbing it while it's still tacky on the skin will cause the moisturizer to flake and pill off (just put it on and leave it alone), and it's not recommended to use this with any topical medications (so only use this moisturizer between your topical med applications but not at the same time).

LEFT : This picture is for another Spectro product but I just wanted to show you guys how gross and dry my hands are.
RIGHT: This is after using Spectro Dry Skin Therapy Moisturizer. No more dry cracking skin.

This is definitely not your typical moisturizer, it really does protect and soothe your skin. I would especially recommend this product if your skin is going through a bad phase and just need a break from your other products (especially for us beauty bloggers testing so many different things all the time), or if you just need a good treatment moisturizer for very dry or irritated skin.

Have you tried Spectro Dry Skin Therapy?

Breakfast with Biotherm and Olivia Mew

2014-02-18T14:00:00.001-05:00

Quick post on breakfast with Biotherm and illustrator Olivia Mew!

I thought Valentine's Day would be uneventful this year, but to my surprise I was invited (along with other beauty bloggers) to attend breakfast with Biotherm and illustrator Olivia Mew. If you are unfamiliar with Olivia Mew's work, then you must check out her website www.oliviamew.com. I especially adore her Passive Aggressive Paper Co. products. At breakfast Olivia was on hand creating custom Valentine's day cards for us. They were super adorable and reminds me of her 'Us' card design which I love. For Valentine's this year Biotherm teamed up with Olivia, who designed 6 unique Valentine's day postcards for the brand. These cards were available in store and at Biotherm counters, and on the back of each card was a him or her product sample. Customers also had the opportunity to meet Olivia on Valentine's Day, to get their own custom Valentine's illustration done, at The Bay on Queen St.

In other exciting news, Leighton Meester is the new global brand ambassador for Biotherm! I have to admit I totally had a fangirl moment when I found out. Check out this commercial. We were told she's not wearing any face makeup... Talk about amazing skin.

Aquasource is Biotherm's star product which uses mannose and life plankton ingredients to help encourage skin regeneration, prevent moisture loss, and improve skin quality. These active ingredients are present in all of Biotherm's Aquasource products. Luckily for us, we all went home with a cute tote bag, also designed by Olivia, containing three products from Biotherm's Aquasource range. The original Aquasource Gel, the Deep Serum, and Nuit (which is a super hydrating jelly for the night time). I am still battling super dry winter skin so I'm excited to try out these products.

Have you tried Biotherm's Aquasource products?

Review - Tarte Off The Cuff / Amazonian 12 Hour Clay Blushes

2014-02-14T08:30:00.000-05:00

Overall - 4/5
Super soft, blendable, and pigmented. Lasts long.
This palette is totally last season and it's not even available anymore, so why am I still writing about Tarte's Off The Cuff Palette? I'm writing about it because this Amazonian Clay blush business is seriously amazing. All the blushes came super pigmented, very soft, and so incredibly easy to blend. You only need a small amount and a light hand is recommended. It's very easy to pick up too much product. I believe that Sephora often has mini samples of Tarte's Amazonian Clays for beauty insiders. I recommend you pick up a sample or try these blushes in store if you get a chance.

From the Off the Cuff Palette, Dazzled and Dollface are available for purchase on the Sephora website. Dazzled is my favorite of all the shades, it's a dusty rose, a little plummy. Dollface is my least favorite, a very powdery bubble gum pink, which I use mixed with some of the other colors but not alone as it looks weird on me (and when I say powdery, I'm strictly describing the color - texture is soft and blendable like all the other shades).

I really enjoy using these blushes, and I'm happy I got my hands on this palette when it was available over the holidays. Great value compared to getting singles and I'm hoping Tarte will come up with another cheek palette in the future. Maybe different packaging though... Something less glittery please!

Have you tried Tarte's Amazonian 12 Hour Clay Blushes? What are your thoughts and do you have any recommendations?

Review - Essence Stay Matt Lip Cream 04 Silky Red

2014-02-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

* Product provided by PR

Overall - 5/5
Absolutely love love this color and product. It stays on all day!
I honestly can't get enough of Essence's Stay Matt Lip Cream in Silky Red. The shade is a beautiful bright red, almost coral but not quite! The formula is absolutely amazing, creamy and matte. I put it on in the morning and it lasts all day long! I swear it's near perfect even after I have lunch and too many snacks in the afternoon. The best thing about Essence's Stay Matt Lip Cream is that it doesn't bleed or feather and the doe foot applicator makes it so easy to apply.

For the amazing color, ease of use, the fact that it's super affordable, I will definitely purchase Essence's Stay Matt Lip Cream in Silky Red when I run out. Amazing, I've been obsessed with this lippie.

Have you tried this? Any thoughts on liquid lipsticks and any recommendations?

Won a Blog Giveaway Hosted by Glamburger

2014-02-12T16:57:00.000-05:00

Woot woot won a blog giveaway hosted by Lynsee from Glamburger.us. Lynsee packed an old Birchbox with 45 items! A few full size items, but mostly sample packs from popular asian cosmetic brands. I absolutely love asian cosmetics and now I have a bunch of things to test out. Thank you Lynsee!

Check out the Glamburger blog for Lynsee's beauty and makeup reviews and recipes!

Review - Almay Smart Shade Mousse Makeup

2014-02-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

* Product provided by PR

At Spark Sessions a long while back, when I saw that Almay was still using 'smart shade' technology in their products, I was immediately intrigued and wanted to try Almay's Smart Shade Mousse Makeup. One of the first makeup products I ever purchased, as a young teenage girl, was Almay's Smart Shade Liquid foundation. I didn't quite believe in the smart shade technology back then, and I would say my opinion till this day remains the same, but with that said I don't think Almay's Smart Shade Mousse foundation is a total pass.

The product comes in a sturdy plastic pot that has a little protector seal that prevents the foundation from getting onto the lid. I wish that every cosmetic product, that comes in a jar, can have a similar seal (no more product getting stuck in the grooves of screw on caps). The texture of the foundation is actually quite thick. It's neither light or airy as the name 'mousse' would suggest. The Smart Shade Mousse makeup is available in 4 shades, but they all look fairly similar in the pot before it's applied to the skin. It's grey in color with tiny specks of black. When the product is rubbed into the skin, it changes from the grey, to which ever one of the 4 shades it's supposed to be (still not buying the whole smart shade business).

Before (left) and after (right).
Despite smart shade technology being a little gimmicky to me, I quite like Almay's Smart Shade Mousse makeup! This is definitely a light coverage foundation, I find it hard to build up because of its texture (you have to rub it in so you can't spot conceal areas you want more coverage). You have to blend it well into your skin or you can end up looking ashy or even orange after it has completed oxidized. I've been reaching for this item more often than my regular foundation, because it's so easy to blend into the skin. It doesn't cover acne spots and scars well at all, but it's still a great day to day, quick and on the go type product.

Any opinions on smart shade technology? Let me know what you think!

Review - Benefit Instant Brow Pencil Deep

2014-02-11T22:45:00.001-05:00

Overall - 4/5
I love this brow pencil. It's easy to use, and perfect for those who love that thicker more natural looking brow.
Benefit's Instant Brow Pencil in Deep is the perfect shade for brunettes. The formula is very creamy/waxy making it extremely blendable and easy to use, even for this eyebrow filling newbie. Each pencil comes with a spoolie on the other end, and that's for brushing and setting your eyebrows.

I have noticed that because the formula is quite creamy, the pencil dulls rather quickly. Would be nice if the product came in one of those twisties instead of a pencil that needs to be sharpened. I can't help but feel like I'm wasting the product every time I sharpen it!

Now here is a before and after of my brows using Benefit's Instant Brow Pencil in Deep. If this isn't a beauty blogger before and after fail, I don't know what is. HAHA I realize the difference is barely noticeable in these pictures, but I promise that in reality this product makes such a huge difference. I just couldn't seem to capture it in pictures.

For many years I neglected to fill in my eyebrows. The reason being that I already have fairly thick, and dark eyebrows. My experience was that powders and pencils made them too dark, and gels and waxes made my eyebrow hairs clump together and look oily. Finally a while back when I was checking out one of Benefit's Brow Bars (pop up at Sephora, Toronto Eaton Center), I was introduced to Benefit's Instant Brow Pencil, and now I always fill in my eyebrows. Nothing finishes off that bold lip look, like a set of strong yet natural looking eyebrows. Benefit's Instant Brow is great for filling in sparse areas, but I wouldn't recommend this product to those who really need to draw in their brows.

In terms of shape, I've been wearing my eyebrows on the thicker side, which prompts my guys friends to ask me why I don't pluck my eyebrows, but even so I prefer thicker eyebrows to skinnier ones. I have a natural frown and skinny eyebrows makes me look mean. That's not to say thin eyebrows will make everyone look like a meanie. Thinner and archier eyebrows are definitely more sexy and seductive.

Some final thoughts about eyebrows...
1. Your eyebrows are meant to be sisters not twins. Notice how the hairs grow differently and in different directions - trying too hard to make them 'look the same' can lead to over plucking. Depending on the hair growth, sometimes they just can't be 'fixed', so leave them alone!
2. Don't over pluck! Eventually they won't come back... Seriously. Oh and stay away from those X20 mirrors. Always groom your eyebrows in a well lit area and make sure you can see your entire face.
3. Consult a professional brow artist/esthetician regarding shape. You can also google 'eyebrow shaping' and learn how to map and shape your own brows.

Now I send you off with a silly selfie. It is mad painful for me trying to take selfies, but my sister told me to take a bunch of silly ones and it'll make the process better. I have to say that I agree.

Wear 'em thick or wear 'em thin. How do you like to wear your eyebrows?

Revlon Perfumerie Nail Polishes - Wild Violets and Bordeaux Swatches & First Impressions

2013-11-28T02:26:00.003-05:00

First heard of Revlon's Perfumerie Nail Polishes being available in Canada on Sparkled Beauty. Now I've never been a fan of scented polishes (I think it encourages people to sniff their polishes and that's just weird) but the bottles are so adorable I wanted to check them out anyways.

I went to two different Shoppers Drug Marts and finally found the display at the Eglinton and Brimley (Toronto, ON) location.

16 shades available. Fresh Linen, Powder Puff, African Tea Rose, Ginger Melon, China Flower, Bordeaux, Autumn Spice, Beachy, Spun Sugar, Italian Leather, Moonlit Woods, Surf Spray, Wintermint, Balsam Fir, Wild Violet and Espresso.

There is a good range of colors and finishes. Some had iridescent shimmers, some were metallic, and a few were cream formulations. I wanted to love these (they are so cute), but I own a lot of similar shades, and even though they different because they are scented and also limited edition, it just wasn't enough for me to go crazy on them. I decided on two, Wild Violets and Bordeaux.

Swatches and First Impressions

Wild Violets is a deep purple with super super fine red and blue iridescent shimmers. In the bottle, the shade looks a bit metallicy, but when swatched it just appears to be a really dark and in the light you can see some red and blue highlights.
Scent- Smells exactly like hair dye. When I was 16, I used to dye my hair every few weeks - red to purple, then purple back to red. It's been 10 years since I last dyed my hair, but let me tell you... That smell... Definitely not loving this scent. It's like toxic flowers.

Bordeaux is a pretty raspberry red color. I love this shade for the fall and it can also work really nice as a red for the holidays.
Scent- It smells fruity to me. My sister said it smells like red wine.

Here is another photo shot in natural lighting. More true to color than my artificial light setup that's for sure.

If the Revlon Perfumerie Nail Polishes come in more interesting shades, I will probably be all over this line because I think that the packaging is absolutely adorable! Will test and provide a full review on the shades I purchased at a later time.

Have you tried Revlon's Perfumerie nail polish range? Which is your favorite? Any opinions about scented nail polishes?

Spark Sessions 2013 Swag

2013-11-26T18:07:00.001-05:00

A little over a week ago I took the opportunity to attend Spark Sessions, the first Fashion and Beauty Blogging Conference of its kind, in Toronto. For me this was a chance to learn about the business of fashion and beauty blogging, and surround myself with people who are passionate about this craft (blogging), and creating online content.

Spark Sessions has definitely given me a lot to think about in terms of where I want to take my blog. I encourage you to check out the Spark Sessions website and also check out #sparksessions on twitter for more information and coverage.

Spark Sessions Swag Bag

Sponsor Almay also provided some goodies.
Got the opportunity to meet with Ruth and Rema from Benefit Cosmetics. Was super excited but more nervous than anything else. They were super nice though.

New Almay Softie eyeshadows!

More Almay Softie eyeshadows! They feel awesome.

I have no pictures of the event, but I totally didn't miss out on the opportunity to take pictures of these cupcakes at the after party.
-_____-'

My coverage of this event is next to none, but I really did enjoy Spark Sessions and look forward to attending it again next year.

Sephora VIB Haul - Tarte Off The Cuff and Benefit Instant Brow Pencil and Brow Bar

2013-11-18T00:18:00.001-05:00

The Sephora VIB sale happened about a week ago. Unfortunately IMATS Toronto 2013, happened at the same time and I had spent so much money at the show (See IMATS haul 2013), I really had to hold myself back at Sephora.

Benefit - Instant Brow Pencil in Deep
Tarte - Off The Cuff Blush Palette

My friend Christine and I hit up the Sephora store at the Toronto Eaton Center, and it just so happened that Benefit cosmetics was having a pop up Brow Bar at this location. We decided to take the opportunity, and get our eyebrows done with the experts. For those not familiar with Benefit Brow Bars, they basically offer brow waxing, plucking, tinting, and related services, but what's different about them, is that their staff members are all specialized in the art of eyebrow shaping. I've been slowly changing the shape of my eyebrows, so I was curious to see if I've been doing it correctly, or if my shape is just totally off. Luckily for me, the esthetician said that, I already had 'benefit brows' so I didn't need to do any waxing or reshaping. She then very nicely walked me through how to find my proper shape (where your brows should start, arch, and end), and also showed me how to shade in my eyebrows (which is so awesome, because I really didn't know how to before). She used the Instant Brow Pencil in Deep, which has a wax and powder formulation, and I was pretty much sold.

For those interested in visiting a Benefit Brow Bar, I believe they have a permanent setups in Sephora locations at Yorkdale Shopping Center, and Sherway Gardens. They might also be in some Shoppers Drug Mart locations.

The other item I grabbed was the Tarte Off The Cuff blush palette! Ever since I saw pictures of this bad boy on instagram, twitter, and blogs, I just knew I had to have it. I absolutely can not wait to try these blushes because I've heard so much about them.

November and December is my favorite time of year to shop for makeup. You get amazing value for so many different brands that offer seasonal palettes and kits. Which amazing holiday palette or kit, available at Sephora or drugstores, are you most excited about?

IMATS Toronto 2013 Haul and Experience

2013-11-13T00:59:00.001-05:00

IMATS Toronto 2013! This was my second time going to IMATS, and since this year it was held downtown at the Metro Convention Center, I decided to get tickets for both Saturday and Sunday. I tried my best to keep the misc spending to a minimum.

Day 1

First stop was to the Makeup Forever booth to get my HD foundations (just like last year - see post here). The MUFE booth was crazy busy. It's definitely one of the more popular booths at the show. We were waiting at least 15 minutes to checkout, and even though I submitted my order first, I was the last one from my group to get my stuff. Not a big deal, but just thought it was kind of weird (not necessarily first come first serve basis, so just get your order in).

While we were waiting at MUFE for our stuff, I ran over to the Kind of Magic booth, and got myself a bottle of Ben Nye's Banana Powder. I've heard so much about this product. When I went back to my friends and showed them the powder, they ran over to get themselves a bottle too ... And funny enough so did three other girls who overheard us talking about it! (Get a bunch of excited girls together and this is what happens haha.)

Classique Nails and Estheic was at IMATS again this year offering great deals on nail polishes and supplies. OPI was 6 for $30, Essie 6 for $20, and China Glaze 6 for $20. My friend and I decided to get 3 China Glaze polishes each and split the deal. I got Ride The Waves, Some like It Haute, and Aquadelic.

Next stop was Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. I think my friends and I spent the most time at this booth and had the most fun swatching and shopping. We love the lip tars! So much in fact, the next day I actually had to come back to this booth, to help my friend purchase more. I got Lydia, Stalker, Black Dahlia, Rhythm Box, and Strumpet. Also ran over to Crown Brushes to grab a small lip brush (C170SH-4) to use with these.

My last purchase of the day was this Eve Pearl dual salmon concealer in light/medium. I can't wait to use this concealer! I love watching Eve Pearl demo her products, and on Sunday I also heard her speak about her career and business at the main stage. I really admire her passion.

Don't wait until you're ready to do something, just do it! - Eve Pearl
Day 2
This was an impulsive purchase at the Beauty D booth. I've been avoiding the raccoon eye look by skipping eye cosmetics all together lately, but when I saw these Cailyn gel liners boast smudge proof and 24 hr wear, I was intrigued. It didn't help that another girl was saying that these liners are one of the best she's used. I caved in and got them. Went for the promo with my friend, which is why I have two. I am such a sucker. Haha.

At IMATS there are quite a few booths selling brushes. I was looking for something super dense and soft and found these kabuki style brushes at the Outer Beauty booth. I got the Pristine Kabuki set which comes with three brushes, domed kabuki, oval kabuki, and the ellipse kabuki.

My last purchase at IMATS was the Beauty So Clean cosmetics sanitizing spray (240 ml). I got this with my friend Christine, and Joyce from Sparkly Playground. These girls managed to haggle and split a promo... and get us a bunch of freebies. We all walked away with a large cosmetic sanitizing spray, a bottle of brush cleanser, a mini spray, and a bunch of wipes! Thanks ladies.

Let's assess the damage shall we?

Booth	Purchases and Prices	Retail Prices (for reference)
Makeup Forever	MUFE HD Foundation X 2 - $66	$98
Kind of Magic	Ben Nye Banana Powder (3oz) - $12	$12
Classique Nails & Esthetic Inc	China Glaze Nail Polish X 3 - $10	$18
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics	OCC Lip Tars X 5 - $62.50	$110
Crown Brushes	Lip Brush - $2.5	$2.5
Eve Pearl	Eve Pearl Dual Salmon Concealer - $25	$39
Beauty D	Cailyn Line-Fix Gel Eyeliner X 2 - $20	$42
Outer Beauty	Outer Beauty Pristine Kabuki Brush Set - $29	$39
Beauty So Clean	Beauty So Clean Cosmetic Sanitizer (250ml) - $18.83	$25

	Total Spent - $245.83	Total Retail - $385.50

Last year I spent $278.40 (see last year's haul here) and this year I spent $245.83. For reference I looked up some online retail prices for the items that I purchased. I think that if you are a makeup enthusiast, the show is worth checking out and I would recommend it. If you are only looking to score some deals then I would probably skip IMATS. There are only a few big cosmetic brands and the rest of the show mainly offers supplies, and related equipment for professional makeup artists. Just my two cents if you are debating whether or not to attend IMATS.

So like last year I wanted to meet other local beauty bloggers at IMATS Toronto, and once again failed miserably. I don't know what it is. Perhaps there's just way too many people, and the phone reception is always ridiculous at these kind of places, but I just couldn't be at the right place at the right time to see or meet anybody. There's always next year!

With that said, on Sunday I was able to meet one beauty blogger I've been stalking on social media for awhile now. Joyce from Sparkly Playground! Joyce thank you so much for hanging out and giving my friend and I insight to all of this beauty blogging business and more. It was great getting to know you and I'm glad my potty mouth didn't offend you! Picture stolen from Joyce's instagram.

All in all, I had a great time at IMATS Toronto 2013. Nothing like spending time with the girlfriends, chatting, browsing, and shopping. Thank you ladies for checking out IMATS with me this year.

Did you go to IMATS Toronto? I would love to see your haul and read about your experience! Please comment or link me to your post below!

Review - MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

2013-11-07T00:24:00.003-05:00

Overall - 4/5
Love it! The one item that is consistently featured in my FOTD product posts on Instagram because I use it all time.
MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish is a baked face powder that offers low coverage. It is not a translucent powder. The Natural line comes in 9 different shades and I have it in Light Plus and Medium. It offers very sheer coverage with a soft finish that's not too matte or too glowy. Using a sponge or facial puff, I love the Mineralize Skinfinish for setting foundation and concealer under my eyes, around my nose and on my laugh lines. For other parts of the face, I like to take a fluffy brush (not quite kabuki) and buff in circular motions. I've noticed that some finishing and setting powders can leave my face feeling tight and looking too matte, but MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish gives my skin that perfectly soft finish and doesn't feel cakey. I also wear it on its own on those lazy days where I don't care for the coverage but still want my face to look soft and matte. It's not a long wearing product but it continues to look nice throughout the day while it's still on. At the 6 hour mark I usually need to touch up my face (but I never actually do because I can't be bothered lol. That's why I would be much happier if this lasted 8 hours!).

I do notice that when I have really bad dry skin days, eczema flare ups, and breakouts, MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish can exaggerate the look of flakiness and acne spots, so this product is not well suited for those with dry skin or broken skin (just as most powders are not suited for dry skin types). This face powder is also a mineral makeup (hence the name) so if you are known to have bad reactions to mineral makeup, you should avoid this product.

MAC's Mineralise Skinfinish is a product that I consistently reach for. I always take it with me when I go out and I find that the compact is extremely sturdy and travel friendly, which I absolutely appreciate. Would be nice if it also comes with a little mirror but it doesn't (no big deal). I've been using my Mineralize skinfinish for almost a year now and I still have about 1/2 of it. When I do run out, I will likely repurchase.

Overview
Purchased from: IMATS Toronto 2012 - Also available at MAC stores and counters, and online at www.maccosmetics.com
Product: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
My Rating: 4/5
Repurchase: Most likely! Highly recommend this product.

What products are you currently using to set your concealers and foundations? What is your favorite tip for long lasting makeup?