While I’m in love with the look of bright brows, I don’t think it’s something I can pull off.  Yet.  Maybe?

While I was surprised to find that I liked the colour on me, I was frustrated with the overall lack of depth.  Next time around I may try to do a bit more shading and use a slightly different colour to help mask the black brows.

First time trying a bright brow and I actually dig the colour, but hate the lack of depth..

Brows

• NYX Jumbo Pencil / Milk
• Sugarpill Pressed Eyeshadow / Midori (head) & Afterparty (tail>

Eyes

• essence You Rock! eyeshadow base
• NYX Jumbo Pencil / Milk (inner corner & lid)
• Annabelle Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil / Acaidasiac (lower lash line)
• MAC Pigment / Naked Dark (brow bone)
• Sugarpill Pressed Eyeshadow / Tako (inner corner), Buttercupake (lid, lower lash line), Afterparty (outer corner, lower lash line, water line), Midori (crease, lower lash line)
• MAC Eye Shadow / Beautiful Iris (inner crease)
• Clinique Brush-On Cream Liner / True Black (upper lash line)/li>
• Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara / Jet Black (upper lashes)
• MAC Chromagraphic Pencil / High Def Cyan (lower water line)

Have you ever tried bright coloured brows?

CONGRATULATIONS!

Please remember to leave a comment on this post and be sure to use an e-mail address that I can contact you with. I will be asking for your mailing information, so that the package can be posted this week.

If I haven’t heard from you by 11:59:59pm on Wednesday May 16th, I will have to choose another winner.

I’d like to thank everyone for participating and be sure to stay tuned for the next giveaway coming up this Friday!

Afterparty is just the most gorgeous shade of blue, and even though I like it on everyone.. I really love how it pops brown eyes.  It also happens to layer beautifully over Poison Plum (love/hate), which creates an absolutely gorgeous indigo.. otherwise known as; you got it.. blurple!  LOL

Whatever you call it, blurple or indigo.. it's my new crush!

Brows

• MAC Eye Shadow / Suspicion
• Revlon Brow Fantasy Gel / Dark Brown

Eyes

• essence You Rock! eyeshadow base
• NYX Jumbo Pencil / Milk (inner corner, lid & crease)
• Annabelle Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil / In Mauve-tion (outer lower lash line)
• MAC Pigment / Naked Dark (brow bone), Mutiny (inner corner)
• Sugarpill Pressed Eyeshadow / Poison Plum (crease, outer lower lash line), Afterparty (lid, crease, lower lash line), Bulletproof (outer corner)
• MAC Eye Shadow / Beautiful Iris (inner crease)
• L’Oreal Lineur Intense / Carbon Black
• Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara / Jet Black (upper lashes)
• Clinique Lash Power Mascara / Black Onyx (lower lashes)
• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil / Perversion (upper water line)
• MAC Chromagraphic Pencil / High Def Cyan (lower water line)

What are your favourite eye shadows to layer?

These giveaways are meant to be short & sweet, as a way to give back to you. It’s no secret that I’ve been collecting makeup to give away, so it’s about time to give you all a chance to win some. Keep an eye open every Friday this month for a weekend giveaway featuring a fun makeup prize.

This week features a limited edition eye shadow palette from MAC. For those that collect or follow MAC’s collections, this was from the 2008 holiday collection Passions of Red. Interestingly enough, it’s colour palette has always reminded me more of spring; a mix of neutral shades with a few pops of colour.

MAC Devoted Poppy: 6 Classic Eyes

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment telling me your favourite spring lip colour. Check the Rafflecopter widget first (remember to let it load fully), and then check off additional entries that you choose to do.

Note: I do check all entries, so be sure you actually follow through with the entry or you will be disqualified.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MAC Matte Lipstick in Quick Sizzle

Category: lipstick

Product: MAC Matte Lipstick in Quick Sizzle

Price: $17.50 CAD

Special Features: limited edition (Shop MAC, Cook MAC)

Pros: colour payoff, longevity, pigmentation, smooth texture

Cons: it’s difficult to find

My Thoughts: This lipstick reminds me of a toned down version of last spring’s release of the very popular, very neon Candy Yum Yum.    A direct comparison will show that Quick Sizzle is a few shades deeper and with less of an obvious blue base.  Without a doubt this is a very bright pink, but while it approaches neon – it’s lacking that eye straining glow.

While this is a matte formula, it’s quite smooth.  It seems an entirely different texture to some of the permanent mattes, despite still having the correct finish.  Like most mattes it goes on best on well prepped lips, and chapped lips will result in a mess.. but it’s significantly more forgiving. The wear time is pretty good, attributed again to the fact that it’s a matte lipstick.  It’s been my experience that they tend to cling to lips better than glossier lipsticks.

..bold & matte, what's not to love?

I did notice that there is some staining as the colour fades.  If I’m not in the mood to reapply, I like to refresh it with a tinted balm or sheer gloss.  Thankfully, the staining is nothing serious, it’s easily removed from the lips with a wipe or some oil based makeup remover.

My only gripe about this lipstick is the fact that it’s limited.  In my mind, it would be a welcome addition to the permanent line.  It’s versatile enough to be worn softly or full on, both of which are gorgeous.

Recommend: Yes. It’s a fantastic formula and shade for those that love bold, matte lips.

Photo/Instagram Beauty Challenge

Here are the second half of the photos:

Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t have web based app for others to view your photos – but Webstagram is an alternative to that. You can connect with your IG information to interact with the photos, or just browse as a guest.

Are you participating in the May challenge? If so, be sure to let me know so I can check out your photos. #31daysofbeautymay

CONGRATULATIONS!

Please remember to leave a comment on this post and be sure to use an e-mail address that I can contact you with. I will be asking for your mailing information, so that the package can be posted this week.

If I haven’t heard from you by 11:59:59pm on Wednesday May 9th, I will have to choose another winner.

I’d like to thank everyone for participating and be sure to stay tuned for the next giveaway coming up this Friday!

If you’d like a full or quick review of any of these product, just let me know in the comments.

Five Faves / April 2012

Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait De Gloss in Insouciance
I have a love-hate relationship with this gloss. Everything about it is perfect. It’s glossy, but not obnoxiously so. There is a subtle infusion of the most finely milled glitter that you don’t really see, but adds fantastic dimension. The texture is smooth and cushy. The packaging is super luxe, with a nice heft and a satisfying click upon closing. Insouciance is a lovely nude on me, which is what irks me. I want more impact for the price point, but that said.. I have two; one to keep at home and one for my purse. Ahem.

~ $40 (@ Chanel counters)

Essence I Love Stage Eyeshadow Base
This little gem was a part of my gift bag from the essence launch party and it really surprised me.  My eyelids are notoriously oily and tend to make short work of most primers.  This drugstore find beats out plenty of more expensive alternatives (MAC Paint Pot & Too Faced Shadow Insurance I’m talking to you). It blends easily with a lovely texture that starts off creamy and dries down to a matte finish.  While I probably wouldn’t reach for this if I was aiming for more than 8 hours, it’s held up well thus far.

~ Most of their products are less than $5 (@ Shoppers Drug Mart)

Hard Candy Glamolauge Heavy Duty Concealer in Tan
Quite possibly the most pigmented concealer I’ve ever used.  Ever ever.  The little bit you think you need is way too much.  The pigmentation reminds me of OCC’s Lip Tars.  I love using it around my brows, under the eyes and any other highlighting.  I just wish they had a few darker colours.  Tan is workable at the moment, but as soon as I pick up my summer tan, I’ll have to put it away.

~ $7 (@ Walmart)

Lancome Les Ceillades Versatile Shadow Palette in Blondette Fatale
A limited edition item, this was launched in the fall of 2011 as part of the 29, Saint Honoré collection. This palette was part of my first major foray into Lancome at the same time I picked up Artliner liquid liner. While I immediately fell in love with the liner, this was tucked away before I got a chance to use it. As it turns out, I enjoy this too. It’s perfect for a subtle, neutral look that is both luminous and polished.

~ I don’t recall, but quads average $50-55 (@ Lancome counters)

Stila Natural Finish Oil-Free Makeup in ‘F’
Another product that sat unused for a time.  I picked this up at Winners at a steal of a price and it was only within the past few months that I fell in love.  The shade matches quite well, which for some reason I didn’t expect to find with Stila.  Ideally, it could have a bit more coverage – but I love it for work.  It polishes the skin without looking too heavy.

~ $12 (@ Winners)

I wanted something cute, but soft and understated. I actually kind of like this and may make this my go-to for day time meet ups. I was so tempted to throw on lashes though.. LOL.

What’s your favourite day time look?

Girls Day Out

• Marcelle BB Cream / Medium to Dark
• Revlon Colorstay Makeup / Toast
• Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer / Tan
• Make Up For Ever Duo Mat / 209
• MAC Pigment / Vanilla (highlight)
• Sephora + Pantone Universe Blush / Desert Flower & Coral (blush)
• Tarte Smooth Operator Finishing Powder / Bronze

Brows

• MAC Brows / Stud
• MAC Eye Shadow / Suspicion
• Maybelline Great Lash / Clear

Eyes

• Essence You Rock Eye Shadow Base
• MAC Pigment / Naked Dark (brow bone & transition), Vanilla (brow bone)
• MAC Eye Shadow / Gleam (inner corner & lid), Texture (crease), Handwritten (outer corner)
• Lancome Artliner / Noir
• Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara / Jet Black
• Clinique Lash Power Mascara / Black Onyx

Lips

• MAC Cremesheen Lipstick / Shy Girl

Keeping it very clean & simple..

Love the glow & the cheek colour..

These giveaways are meant to be short & sweet, with a little something for you. I’ve been collecting bits and pieces over the past while and figured it was about time to give you all a chance to win. Keep an eye open every Friday this month for a weekend giveaway featuring a fun makeup prize.

This week features a limited edition eye shadow palette from Marcelle. It was a part of the 2011 holiday Fantasia collection and it’s quite beautiful. This is one of those pieces that you don’t want to use because it’s just so gorgeous!

Marcelle Fantasia Eye Shadow Palette: Fairytale Mix

a Rafflecopter giveaway