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Revlon Colorburst Lipglosses in Peony and Bordeaux

I remember when Revlon came out with the Colorburst lipstick line. Everybody raved about them (including me, naturally!) but I didn’t hear much about the lipgloss formula when it came out later on. Just like the well-loved lipstick formula, the Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss (around $10) is worth talking about.

Revlon Colorburst Lipglosses in Peony and Bordeaux

The Revlon Colorburst lipglosses pack a great amount of pigment and shine. Peony is a gorgeous pinky-peach with gold sparkles, while Bordeaux is a stunning deep berry with barely there sparkle. Both colours, worn alone or atop lipstick, are very flattering. Stickiness factor here is zero. Not sticky at all, guys!

Revlon Colorburst Lipglosses in Peony

Revlon Colorburst Lipglosses in Bordeaux

Revlon Black Cherry Lipstick + Bordeaux Lipgloss

In my opinion, these are hidden gems at the drugstore. I’d say I love Bordeaux as much as my Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Fatale. Did I just compare a Revlon to a Chanel just now? Yes, yes I did.

Have you tried these? Do you have a favourite lipgloss from the drugstore?

Did you miss Part 1 of Lipglosses for a Lipgloss Snob Series? Check out my pick here.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2012. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Revlon | Tags: lipgloss, Lipglosses for a Lipgloss Snob, Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in Bordeaux, Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in Peony

MAC Lipstick in Crosswires

At the time, I was obsessed with finding a lipstick to match what Leighton Meester was wearing here. I thought Crosswires was the perfect candidate.

Source

When I first put this on, I actually thought it was too bright that it was unwearable. Who was that person? Now this is one of my most wearable lipsticks. Perfect for the warmer months, when I’ll be wearing a fresh face more often. O hai, Spring, are you coming soon?

MAC Crosswires Lipstick

Anyways.

So long story short: MAC Lipstick Crosswires was bright, and now it’s wearable. Do we get that?

The only thing I don’t like about this — now that I’ve tried a kajillion and a half lipsticks — is the formula. My lips don’t really agree with the Cremesheen formula. While they impart amazing amount of pigment, they tend to suck the moisture out of my lips. So I make sure to layer balm underneath, or a moisturizing gloss on top.

I thought I might as well do a full look with this, taking Leighton Meester’s fresh face as inspiration.

Get the Look

For the eyes, pat on a shimmery light beige (MAC All That Glitters) on the lid. Using a tapered crease brush, apply a warm matte brown (MAC Soft Brown) to the crease. Follow with a taupe brown (MAC Coquette) to the crease to create a natural-looking shadow. On the outer corner of the lid, apply a matte chocolate brown (MAKE UP FOR EVER #17 Espresso) to create depth. Line the upper lash line with black liquid or gel liner (YSL Shocking) and wing out slightly. Line the top waterline with a black pencil. Line the bottom lash line with a shimmery taupe brown gel liner (MAC Added Goodness Fluidline).

I decided to add a few short and medium Ardell lash flares to add more volume and length on the outer corners before I used mascara.

For the cheeks, apply a coral blush to the apples of the cheeks (Tarte Blissful). Add a luminous pink highlight on the top of the cheeks (Marcelle Pink Fusion).

For the lips, apply coral lipstick (MAC Crosswires) straight from the tube for maximum colour intensity.

Keep reading to see more pictures!

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Read the rest of Lipstick Bandits: The One That Started The Obsession. (58 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2012. | Permalink | 29 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Ardell, MAC, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Yves Saint Laurent | Tags: lipstick, lipstick bandits, MAC Crosswires lipstick, pink lips

What Is Canada’s Best Beauty Talent?

Rogers Media and L’Oréal Canada are partnering on a Canada-wide search for the nation’s best up-and-coming hair and makeup artists.  In each webisode, the final 12 aspiring hair and makeup experts will showcase their skills as they create looks to correspond with each week’s theme.

Tell Me About The Prizes!

One grand prize winner will win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Paris (!!!) to experience the prestigious world of L’Oréal. The lucky hair or makeup artist will receive a customized agenda tailored to his or her area of expertise, get a tour of the L’Oreal head offices, meet the experts, explore the affiliated flagship stores and salons, and more!

Secondary to the grand prize, each top hair and makeup artist will be featured in FLARE, HELLO! Canada and LOULOU  – whose editors will also review their portfolios, attend the Toronto International Film Festival with L’Oréal Paris, and create a beauty blog with Chatelaine.com.

Pretty sweet, right?

Rules and Eligibility

To be eligible to enter the competition, participants must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. For a complete list of rules, regulations and pre-registration forms, visit www.bestbeautytalent.com. Plus, follow @BeautyTalent on Twitter, using the hashtag #CBBT, and like their Facebook page for the latest updates, info and announcements.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2012. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Hair, L'Oreal, Makeup | Tags: contests

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Giorgio Armani Gloss d’Armani in Pink 508 – Blush

Thank goodness it’s not hard to like Giorgio Armani Gloss d’Armani in Pink 508 — Blush ($36).  It is easily the best lipgloss formula I’ve tried.

Giorgio Armani Gloss d’Armani in Pink 508 – Blush Swatch

Gloss d’Armani is so cozy to wear on the lips.  It is scent- and taste-free, has smooth glide and no stickiness.  Pink 508 — Blush is a sheer, milky pink with subtle gold pearl.  The gold pearl makes Pink 508 – Blush easy to wear on both warm and cool skin tones.

This lipgloss makes my lips look impossibly plump.  Instead of the usual round or square tube, Gloss d’Armani are packaged in sexy oval tubes.  That and the shiny “GA” make them luxuriously extraordinary.

Giorgio Armani Gloss d’Armani in Pink 508 – Blush  Swatch

Wearing Giorgio Armani Gloss d’Armani in Pink 508 – Blush

Look who isn’t happy to be in a photo…  Hi Scherbie.

Have you tried a Giorgio Armani Gloss d’Armani before?  Like it, or want to try it?  Stay tuned for part two for my next lipgloss pick.

Giorgio Armani Gloss d’Armani in Pink 508 – Blush will be available as part of the Giorgio Armani Spring 2012 collection, Luce — The Armani Light.  It will be sold starting in March exclusively at Holt Renfrew.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2012. | Permalink | 26 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Giorgio Armani, Makeup, Reviews, Spring 2012, Swatches | Tags: Giorgio Armani Luce The Armani Light, Giorgio Armani Pink 508 Blush, Giorgio Armani Spring 2012 collection, lipgloss

Get the Look

This look requires very minimal number of products, and I used all the products I received from YSL (reviewed here).

• YSL Vinyl Candy Palette
• YSL Rouge Volupté Perle in No 114 – Sparkling Fuchsia and No 115 – Shimmering Coral
• YSL Voile de Blush in No 2 – Coral Veil

For the eyes, start with a wash of matte light beige eyeshadow (MAC Brûlé) all over the lid all the way to the brow bone.  Pat the light pink (YSL Vinyl Candy palette) on the inner third of the lid and inner third of the lower lash line.  Follow with the lavender on the outer two thirds of the lid.  Start applying the blue shade along the outer half of the lash line and along the outer V. Build up the intensity of the blue by applying more layers and blending.  Line the top and bottom waterlines with a black pencil, and create a thick cat eye flick with a black liquid liner (Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner).

For the cheeks, apply a coral gel blush (YSL Voile de Blush in No 2 – Coral Veil) on the apples of the cheeks to add radiance.

For the lips, apply a sheer layer of coral (YSL Rouge Volupté Perle in No 115 – Shimmering Coral) or fuchsia (No 114 – Sparkling Fuchsia) to complete the look.

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Read the rest of I’m Ready to Party with Candy Brights from YSL Spring Look 2012 Collection. (418 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2012. | Permalink | 37 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Looks, Makeup, Spring 2012, Yves Saint Laurent | Tags: fotd

Lise Watier Aquarella Spring 2012 Collection brings us sheer pastels and rosy shades to mirror the flowers blooming in the spring.  The limited edition packaging features a flower in watercolour art which is just beautiful to look at.

Lise Watier Aquarella Spring 2012 Collection — Packaging

Aquarella Eyeshadow Quartet, Couleur Folle in Folie Pêche, Waterproof Eyeliner in Violet

Aquarella Eyeshadow Quartet, Waterproof Eyeliner in Violet, Couleur Folle in Folie Pêche — Swatches

The Aquarella Eyeshadow Quartet ($36, limited edition) is a mix of sheer pastel pink, blue, violet and yellow eyeshadows.  The eyeshadows are smooth, sparkly and mostly too cool-toned for my taste.  It was a bit of a letdown as I was really hoping for something more from the violet shade.  These eyeshadows are better suited for those who wear sheer washes of colour on their eyes.

The Couleur Folle Mineral Loose Powder Eyeshadow in Folie Pêche ($18, new permanent shade) is a rose gold shade that is more up my alley (and it’s totally gorgeous!).  The shade is divine for highlighting the eyes or cheeks, or even to turn into a lipgloss.

The Waterproof Eyeliner in Violet ($17, new permanent shade) is what I wanted the eyeshadow to be: bold and vibrant violet. Nothing bad to say about this really; it’s just lovely and very waterproof.

Aquarella Bronzing Powder Duo

As a little taste of summer (yay!), I love that we’re seeing a bronzer in this collection. The Aquarella Bronzing Powder Duo ($32, limited edition) is a blend of two powder tones: a lighter peachy shade, and a typical bronzer shade.  Both have fine shimmers that show up glowy rather than gigantic sparkles on your face.  The finish is subtle and the shade can definitely work across many skin tones.

Waterproof Lip Crayon in Rose Mauve, Rouge Gourmand Lipstick in Guimauve, Gloss Aquarella in Rose Aquarella

Waterproof Lip Crayon in Rose Mauve, Rouge Gourmand Lipstick in Guimauve, Gloss Aquarella in Rose Aquarella — Swatches

The Waterproof Lip Crayon in Rose Mauve ($16, new permanent shade) is exactly as the name suggests.  While some may find it boring, this is a lip shade that is universally flattering and pretty.  In my experience, Lise Watier Waterproof Lip Crayons are the absolute best in terms of texture and longevity.  True story: it lasted through a very greasy dim sum dinner, which in my opinion is the ultimate test for a lip liner.  I love this one, go try this or the 18 other shades if you haven’t had the chance yet!

Rouge Gourmand Lipstick in Guimauve ($19, new permanent shade) is a shade that compliments Rose Mauve very well.  The lipstick has a light fruity scent and provides plenty of moisture for winter-chapped lips.

Finally, finish off your spring pouty lips (right? ) with a gloss.  The Gloss Aquarella in Rose Aquarella ($20, limited edition) is a soft rose with mauve shimmers to emphasize your lips.  I like the non-sticky formula and the high shine finish.

My personal favourites from the collection are Couleur Folle Mineral Loose Powder Eyeshadow in Folie Pêche, Aquarella Bronzing Powder Duo, Waterproof Lip Crayon in Rose Mauve.  They are easier for me — who is tan and warm-toned — to pull off.  Cool pastel shades (lavenders, pinks, blues) look all sorts of wrong on my skin tone.  However, paler beauties will get more mileage out of the shades; check out my blogging friends Tracy @ Beauty Reflections and Perilously Pale‘s reviews for proof.

These products are available now at Lise Watier counters, Shoppers Drugmart and LiseWatier.com.  Did any products from the collection catch your eye?

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2012. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Lise Watier, Makeup, Reviews, Spring 2012, Swatches | Tags: bronzer, eyeliner, eyeshadow, lipgloss, lipliner, lipstick, palette, pigment

We’ve all heard about the MAKE UP FOR EVER HD foundation from beauty junkies all over the world. It has made a permanent home in many a girl’s foundation arsenal. Many makeup artists have it in their professional kit. Now I am here to tell you that, well, I believe in the hype. I adore this foundation.

I guessed my shade to be #128 Almond using MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Shade Finder, and I am glad to say that it is a great match. For reference, NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Barcelona is also a good match for my skin at the moment.

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit in #128 Almond — Swatches

The MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit ($89) really does make a difference with the performance of this foundation. The HD primer smooths out fine lines and big pores to prep the skin. I like that it doesn’t have that heavy silicone-y feel of other primers I’ve tried in the past. The foundation itself has a beautiful skin-like, semi-matte finish. It does an amazing job covering up any redness and evening out my skin tone, allowing me to walk around with really good looking skin. It doesn’t cover up everything; I have dark bumps on my upper lip area that I have developed from waxing (!!!) and they are still visible in my after photo. To finish off the base, the powder creates an angelic soft-focus effect to the skin. What’s not to like, eh? By the way, I took a photo with flash and the white powder was nowhere to be seen.

Here’s a before and after shot. In the before I wore brow powder, mascara and lipstick (absolute necessities for this kind of thing). That’s it. I did not wear under-eye concealer in either photos, which to be honest, I am really regretting. Anywho.

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit in #128 Almond — Before and After (click to enlarge)

On its own, I like the foundation applied with a brush instead of my fingers. With the latter method, I find myself using more product. I do have one problem with the foundation though: who the heck came out with the numbering system? It is totally all over the place and definitely needs work. May I suggest breaking them up into undertones, i.e., pink #1, #2, #3, yellows, olives, and so on?

Oh yeah, for those who are celebrating, Happy Lunar New Year! Of course, I had to use the new year — the Year of the Dragon — as an excuse to pull out the amazing Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Dragon ($42). In my opinion, it’s totally worth the kidney I sold to buy it. Why do I always get in some sort of trouble when I buy Chanel?

Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Dragon — Swatch

Wearing Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Dragon

Along with a little kitten eye flick (YSL Shocking liquid liner) and a little blush (Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed), my Year of the Dragon look is complete! Oh, and the rumours are true: the size of my smile is directly proportional to how much I love a lipstick. Can you tell I love Dragon?

Have a great week, pretties!

P.S. If you fancy being a model, don’t forget to enter the MAKE UP FOR EVER open casting call.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2012. | Permalink | 46 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Chanel, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Makeup, Reviews, Swatches | Tags: foundation, lipstick, powder, primer, red lips

My KORRES Nighttime Skincare Regimen

KORRES Wild Rose Face and Eye Serum

After cleansing my face, my first layer of hydration is KORRES Wild Rose Face and Eye Serum ($49) all over my face, under my eyes and all over my neck.  It is a nice, light serum that spreads easily and absorbs within a minute of application.  It has a beautiful sweet rose fragrance that makes it so irresistible to my nose.  I love that this one gives nice hydration; oily skin types can wear this one on its own without another moisturizer.  While I can’t confirm its claim to reduce the appearance of fine lines as I don’t currently have them, I have noticed that my skin looks brighter since I’ve started using it.

KORRES Quercetin and Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Night Cream

Before the serum absorbs completely, I follow up quickly with the KORRES Quercetin and Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Night Cream ($59).  It is rich and thick as a night cream should be.  You don’t have to worry about greasy with this one either, as it dries to a skin-like finish.  I fully recommend Quercetin and Oak Night Cream for all skin types — if, and this is a big if,  you can handle the scent.  It has a strong woody scent that may be off putting to some, but I am strangely drawn to it.  With the Quercetin and Oak Night Cream, my skin stays nourished all throughout the night and looks beautifully plump in the morning.  This is a good one, ladies!

KORRES Quercetin and Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Eye Cream

Now that I’m 25, I am noticing that the elasticity and hydration under my eyes are starting to go.  Wah!  Aside from being careful with makeup application, I use KORRES Quercetin and Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Eye Cream ($55) for both night and day.  Its texture is light and fluffy, but don’t let that fool you.  This is pretty potent stuff; the tiniest amount takes care of my undereyes.  Before this came into my life, I have been suffering from dryness on my undereyes that shows when I wore concealer.  Now, that is no longer an issue.  This is a must-have in my skincare regimen now and I am definitely buying it when I run out.  You need it.

Wild Rose Serum / Quercetin & Oak Night Cream / Quercetin & Oak Eye Cream

Natural Formulation

KORRES prides itself on making natural products that are free of petrolatum, parabens, phthalates and a lot of other potentially harmful ingredients.  I appreciate this about the KORRES brand; it is one of the cleanest brands you can pick up at Sephora or the drugstore.  However, note that they are formulated with fragrance/parfum, which may potentially irritate super sensitive types.

Full Ingredient Lists

KORRES products are available in Canada at select Shoppers Drug Mart and Sephora stores.

Contest Alert for Canadians!

This contest is now closed!  Thanks to everyone for entering!

Because you guys are totally awesome, KORRES has generously provided a skincare prize pack ($196 value!) to one lucky Canadian resident.  You will get all the products above, plus a KORRES Basil Lemon Body Butter.  Want to enter?  Follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below.

This contest is open to residents of Canada who are 18 years of age or over.  Winner will be chosen randomly and will be announced through the original blog post and Twitter.  Winner must contact me within 24 hours.  I reserve the right to pick another entry if the winner fails to contact me within this timeframe.

The contest ends on Saturday January 28, 2012 at 12:01 am EST.

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Read the rest of Beauty Resolution: Step Up My Anti-Aging Skincare Regimen with KORRES (+ A Giveaway!). (1,048 words)

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2012. | Permalink | 68 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Giveaways, KORRES, Reviews, Skincare | Tags: eye cream, face cream, green beauty, serum

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit

From MAKE UP FOR EVER:

So, who’s entering?  The casting call has just opened to Canadian residents, so get on it fellow Canucks!  Chances of winning are good!

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2012. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: MAKE UP FOR EVER, Makeup | Tags: announcements

Bright sheer colours make up this punchy spring collection, which is inspired by candy!  Who doesn’t like candy?

YSL Rouge Volupté Perle in No 114 – Sparkling Fuchsia and No 115 – Shimmering Coral

These are two of four limited edition Rouge Volupté Perle shades ($38).  The other are No 113 – Iridescent Burgundy and No 116 – Milky Pink.  They are glossy sheer lipsticks with a very slippery texture of a lip balm.  Both these shades are laced with gold pearl.  See more swatches at Best Things In Beauty.

YSL Vinyl Candy Palette

The gorgeous, limited edition Vinyl Candy Palette ($68) was inspired by sugar-coated rock candies.  The pigmentation of these eyeshadows is sheer-to-medium without a base (see swatches below), but easily buildable if opaque is what you’re looking for.  I had a bit of problem with the blackcurrant shade to apply evenly, but the rest of the shadows are very smooth.

YSL Voile de Blush in No 2 – Coral Veil

YSL Voile de Blush ($40) is a new, limited edition formula for the collection.  It is a sheer, water-based gel blush that adds a hint of colour and subtle sheen to the cheeks.  It is very lightly tinted that it barely shows up on my tan skin, so your mileage will vary depending on your skintone.  The blush is also available in No 1 – Carmine Veil and No 3 – Pink Veil.

YSL Rouge Volupté Perle in No 114 – Sparkling Fuchsia and No 115 – Shimmering Coral / YSL Voile de Blush in No 2 – Coral Veil Swatches

YSL Vinyl Candy Palette Swatches

I adore the the eye palette and the lipsticks in this collection.  I can’t wait to show you a look using the products.  What do you think?  Anything you want to take home?

YSL Spring Look 2012 is available in Canada as of February in Holt Renfrew and selected Bay and Murale stores.  The Vinyl Candy Palette is also available at selected Sephora boutiques.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2012. | Permalink | 29 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Makeup, Reviews, Sneak Peek, Spring 2012, Swatches, Yves Saint Laurent | Tags: blush, eyeshadow, lipstick, palette