My Beauty Box

Bite Beauty Lip Pencils in 020 and 040. Review and Swatches

2017-02-18T18:00:00.001-08:00

Bite Beauty recently launches their much anticipated Lip Pencils and I was lucky enough to get a chance to test them through Influencer. I received two of the new Lip Pencils in 020 and 044 and two mini lipsticks in Honeycomb and Whiskey.

The Lip Pencil 020 is a light, nude color that matches Honeycomb great as well as many other neutral lipsticks in my stash, making this lip pencil a daily staple since I it fell into my hands.

The Lip Pencil in 044 is a deep wine color with rich pigmentation that glides easily on the lips, making it easy to layer under my deeper red lipsticks.

I reviewed the Amouse Bouche lipsticks before and loved them so I was excited to try out the formula on the Lip Pencils and I wasn't disappointed; they are creamy and pigmented and glide on the lips comfortably while staying put for hours. The shade 020 is a fantastic every day shade that can be layered under all kinds of nude and brown lipsticks with different undertones and works great to help fake a plumper lip and making it look very natural. 044 is a rich berry shade and works great paired wine and burgundy lipstick that lean on the cooler side.

*Products provided for consideration. This does not influence my opinions or reviews

Elevate Your Season with Bulletproof

2016-12-21T19:17:00.003-08:00

The holidays are literally around the corner and I'll admit I've had a few mini panic attacks in between work, gym sessions, blogging and last minute prep for the fast approaching festive season. Adulting isn't easy!

If this past year had a soundtrack it you be Rihanna's "Work, Work, Work" because that's what dominated my year. Finding balance between a demanding job and having a life is challenging and like many, I feel like coffee is what jump-starts me every morning. Always in the search for ways to upgrade my life, I stumbled upon Dave Asprey and the whole Bulletproof philosophy and got hooked on the famous Bulletproof Coffee, a low toxin, high performance drink that's full of healthy fats to fuel me.
I like to start my day with a traditional Bulletproof coffee, I just blend freshly brewed The Mentalist coffee, Brain Octane Oil and unsalted grassfed butter in my Blendtec, the mix is a frothy, satisfying drink that gives me a steady boost of energy without any jitters or aggravating my anxiety. I've always had a love hate relationship with caffeine and every day felt like a gamble, trying to figure out the right amount and strength of coffee that will help give me a boost without sending me over the edge or triggering that dreadful anxiety that lurks around. I loved how different I felt having a blend of good quality coffee with a healthy dose of good quality fats, I feel energized but keep my cool, alert and focused thanks to the MCTs and full for hours, I no longer have to look for snacks all morning long, I can actually do my job.

Another way I LOVE my Bulletproof coffee is quickly becoming my favourite drink to reach for halfway through the day when I need a quick boost and have to get ready for a late workout. I will brew a small batch of coffee, add the usual Brain Octane Oil and unsalted grass fed butter along with a pinch of true cinnamon, dash of Himalayan salt, a sprinkle of raw cocoa, a scoop of protein and one of collagen. Not only is this drink ridiculously delicious but it helps give me the right amount of energy along with essential nutrients to help propel me through the day and a rewarding gym session.
The protein and collagen are essential for healthy skin, hair and nails, the MCTs are awesome for everything but especially skin and brain function, the cocoa and coffee are packed with antioxidants and cinnamon is great for supporting healthy blood sugar levels. I win!
What are your tricks and tips for surviving busy days and balancing it all?

*This post is sponsored. All opinions, images and products are my own.

Festive Holiday Chocolate Bark

2016-12-18T18:33:00.000-08:00

Christmas is a week away and I have never been less ready for it. This year was dominated by work for me and the holidays are no exception but like any smart lady I have a few aces up my sleeve and I wanted to share one with you today. My chocolate bark is not only healthy, but fun and delicious and makes for a fabulous dessert and a great last minute gift. I am a bit of a health freak so I'm always looking to come up with a delicious treat with a healthy spin. This bark features tons of healthy fats, antioxidants and superfoods and is sure to please the biggest chocolate snob.

The recipe is easy and fun to do, melting a good quality dark chocolate over a double boiler, folding in a good quality coconut oil and organic cocoa powder if you want to keep the bark dark and antioxidant rich and add a splash of organic vanilla.

The fun part is pouring the melted chocolate in a pan lined with baking sheet and decorating it with toppings. My favorite mixes are: pistachios, goji berries and Himalayan salt; hazelnuts, almonds and walnuts and splash of rum essence; cocoa nibs, nuts and coconut... have fun with it! Place tray in freezer or if you have a small fridge like mine, in the snow, and let the chocolate harden for about 10 minutes. Once the chocolate is set, cut it and wrap it up nicely and store it in a cool place. I like to keep mine in the freezer and over the holidays take it out as a treat, dessert or just give it away to loved ones and it never fails to impress.

Ronda Rousey - Pantene's Newest Brand Ambassador #StrongIsBeautiful

2016-12-07T17:12:00.001-08:00

I was never into MMA until I started listening to Joe Rogan's podcast religiously a few years ago and that's how I found out about Ronda Rousey. This chick is a total bad ass and became a household name in the fighting and MMA world and I instantly liked her, not just because of her many accomplishments but because she was a strong, beautiful woman I somehow identified with. I am not a fighter, as a matter of fact despite enjoying it tremendously I stopped going to my boxing classes because I couldn't bear to cut my long nails but boy, was I impressed seeing Ronda kick butt in fights and swooned over her jacked arms and impressive moves.

Today Pantene announced that Ronda Rousey is their new ambassador and that made so happy for so many reasons. As a beauty blogger that lives immersed in our "influencer" community I applaud Pantene for picking a woman that stands out. She's strong, she's fierce and unapologetic. She's different. She's like me.

As a young woman I struggled with an eating disorder for years. I was lucky enough to recover with the help of therapy and an amazing group of people that supported me. While and after recovery I started blogging and working out as a coping mechanism. Both activities kept my mind busy, helped me cope with depression, anxiety and self image issues and helped me grow into a stronger, better person. However, I still, to this day feel I don't totally fit in. I don't fit into society's feminine beauty ideal. I am built differently, I am a tall, broad shouldered girl, I am athletic and let's face it, with all the advances we have made we are still bombarded with unrealistic body images and most girls I see on social media don't look quite like me. I am happy to see the fitness trend growing but saddened to still see workout targeting women with phrases like "Trim Your Thighs" or"Slim Your Waist" in the title.

The reality is, for some women, such as myself, working out and lifting weights no matter how light will bulk us up because that's just how we're built. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've skipped the weight room many times in favor of running on the treadmill or doing elliptical because that's what will help me look more lean and not give me bulging thighs or jacked arms. While I am proud and happy to have a strong, able and healthy body I still have days where I just feel big and for some reason that makes me feel bad. I still fall victim to social media and social pressure, after a few minutes of scrolling through my Instagram feed filled with injected lips, big butts and "snatched" waists, sculpted cheeks and photoshopped selfies it's hard not to start feeling inadequate.

This past weeks I was reminded that social media can also be powerful and have a positive impact on our lives, we've seen the first Muslim CoverGirl Nura Afia and the first CoverBoy James Charles and today I was happy to see a powerful Ronda Rousey flaunt her beautiful hair and strong body in the new Pantene commercial. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and I am so glad to see strong, athletic women finally being celebrated. I'm gonna go pop in my Jillian Michaels DVD now, make myself a protein shake, hop in the shower and be proud to reach for my Pantene shampoo (and conditioner, and deep conditioner and then the Overnight Miracle because I'm a hair product junkie) and promise to never second guess my boyfriend when he tells me how great my jacked arms look.

*Disclaimer: I am part the P&G Beauty United program however the opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post was not sponsored. I just had to share how happy and excited I am to see brands embrace beautiful women of all shapes and sizes.

#ManiMonday: Ceramic Glaze in Applause and New KISS Nail Stickers

2016-12-05T18:24:00.003-08:00

Last week I got to attend a preview for Kiss Lashes and imPRESS nails with Gina Edwards and Marni Burton, both are STUNNING and so, so inspiring; one of the items I couldn't wait to play with were the Kiss nail accent stickers. These cute stickers are such an easy and fun way to add play up your manicure and I can't get enough of them. I originally just wanted to do an accent nail but got carried away and ended up embellishing almost every single nail because more is more.
The base of the nail is Ceramic Glaze in Applause, a stunning, rich, deep plum shade that goes so well with the gold and silver accents.

*Products provided for consideration. This does not influence my opinions or reviews

MAC x Mariah Carey

2016-11-23T20:35:00.001-08:00

Mariah Carey has dazzled us with her smash hits and timeless contributions to music for decades and now brings her impeccable glamour to an iconic makeup collection that’s all you’ll ever want. Here's the collection :

The Lipsticks

Get So OOC: shimmering brown (frost)	All I Want: champagne shimmer (frost)	Bit of Bubbly: soft pinky nude (cremesheen)
Dahhlinggg!: pinky peach (cremesheen)	MCizzle: cool peach (cremesheen)

SRP: $20.00 US/$23.50 CAD

The Lipglass

It’s Just Like Honey: tan shimmer	Rainbow Interlude: soft white shimmer
Little Miss Monroe: true gold shimmer	Dreamlover: dirty pink shimmer
(Online Only) Butterfly Bling: pink bronze shimmer

SRP: $18.50 US/$23.00 CAD

Pro Longwear Lip Pencil

So Dramatique: deep brown

New Ombré: cool peach

SRP: $22.00 US/$25.50 CAD

I’m that chick you like/Eye shadow

It's everything/Eye Shadow

SRP: $41.00 US/$43.50 CAD

Liquid Eyeliner

This Is My Night: rich brown-black

SRP: $22.00 US/$25.50 CAD

Lashes

05	36

Extra Dimension Skinfish

My Mini: warm gold shimmer

SRP $45.50 US/$52.50 CAD

Powder Blush

Sweet Sweet Fantasy: deep coral	You’ve Got Me Feeling: light candy pink

SRP: $24.00 US/$28.50 CAD

Loose Powder

Touch My Body: radiant gold shimmer

SRP: $39.50 US/$45.50 CAD

Brush

183 Buffer

SRP: $59.50 US/$70.50 CAD

239 Eye Shader

SRP: $28.50 US/$34.00 CAD

#ManiMonday: Lise Watier Arabesque Nail Polishes in Cerise Noire and Arabesque

2016-11-14T16:16:00.000-08:00

Today I have not one but two polishes from the new Lise Watier Arabesque holiday collection. Cerise Noire is a lovely cream burgundy with great pigmentation and wonderful opacity and shine. Arabesque is a stunning metallic silver with rose undertones that looks great and gets even better the more you built it. I was impressed with the quality of the polishes, I loved everything from the shades, the formula and the brush and the colors have a great shine and a nice gel like thickness that give the nail that gel like polished look and lasts for days.

Stay tuned for more reviews from what is so far my favourite holiday release of the year.

*Products provided for consideration. This does not influence my opinions or reviews

COVERGIRL TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette in Roses. Review and Swatches

2016-11-03T07:40:00.003-07:00

There are a lot of hidden gems at the drugstore but I've always had a hard time finding a really good eyeshadow palette on a budget. That is until I found the new Covergirl TruNaked Eyeshadow Palettes. Today I have the TruNaked Roses to share with you and despite liking the other ones the colour selection on this one was my favourite.

First, the formula on these eyeshadows is smooth and buttery and swatches beautifully. I found most drugstore palettes to feature stiff formulas and always had a hard time getting the colours to show up and blend but that is not the case with this palette. I did find the formula to differ from shade to shade, some of the mattes will kick up more product when touched with a brush while the shimmery shades go on creamy, the darker colors while beautiful work better smoked out, they can blend out beautifully and they won't pack that much punch that beginners won't be able to use them.
The shade range is stunning, and all colour tend to run cool and feature, as you've probably guessed, rose and red based shades which happen to be my go to shades for fall and winter. The shade range features neutrals, mattes, shimmers and darker, deeper reds which makes this palette versatile and easy to use. One work days it's sort of a one stop shop for me, I use one of the light shades as an all over base,one of the medium matte shades in the crease for some definition and if I have time I'll take one of the darker shades in my outer corner and smoke it out with a blending brush.
Overall, this palette is great and for the price you pay you get a lot of product and a nice variety of shades. The formula is one of the best at the drugstore in my opinion, the formula is great, the shade ranges across the board for all the TruNaked palettes are spot on and the packaging is simple and compact making it ideal for travel.

*Product provided for consideration. This does not influence my review or opinions.

Lise Watier Arabesque Palette: Isadora and Coppelia. Review and Swatches.

2016-10-23T19:49:00.001-07:00

Today I have the two eye shadow palettes from the Lise Watier's Arabesque Holiday 2016 collection to share with you.

The packaging is stunning and very appropriate for the festive season, white with golden detailing that give the products a special touch. Each palette encases five generous sized shadows embossed with a similar detail features on the packaging.

Isadora is the warm palette in the collection and it features five stunning shades. Across the board all shades are extremely creamy and buttery that tend to kick up quite a it a product given that the formula is so rich and pigmented. All shades swatched beautifully and tack a punch in the pigmentation department with the exception of the middle peacy shade which seems to have a quieter base but very apparent silver shimmer which makes me want to use this shade packed on the lid as a topper.

Coppelia is the cool palette in the collection and it also features five cool tuned shades.The formula is again very buttery and pigmented and swatches beautifully. The middle shade much like the warm palette has a soft bask with that lovely silver shimmer.

Overall I like the creamy, rich formula on these shadows, they are easy to blend and feel so luxurious to the touch while packing a punch in the pigmentation department. These shadows will benefit from a silicone based primer, something with a slip that will allow the formula to glide on nicely. The middle shades would work best with a tackier base and used as a topper shade as they don;t seem to have the same grip as the other shades and that strong shimmer needs to shine on all on its own. I can see these palettes as being great for the holiday season, they are festive and the color range is absolutely stunning, if enjoy rich, creamy, buttery shadows then you might want to run to your drugstore and snatch these one or both of these beauties.

Lise Watier Arabesque Holiday 2016 Sneak Peek

2016-10-23T19:25:00.000-07:00

Here's is a sneak peek at the Lise Watier Arabesque Holiday 2016 collection. I first discovered this collection about a month ago at the media preview and I was immediately drawn to it. The packaging is stunning, the gold detailing on the white packaging is absolutely beautiful and the whole range features some pretty promising products that I cannot wait to put to the test and review. If the swatches are any indication, this collection might be my favourite release of the season.
So, here is a first sneak peek at the collection. Stay tuned for reviews.

*Products provided for consideration. This does not influence my opinions or reviews

NYX Liquid Suedes. Review and Swatches

2016-10-19T21:39:00.002-07:00

The liquid lipstick trend isn't going anywhere and like any respectable beauty junkie I am a huge fan of this trend and am excited to see brands step up their game and come up with better formulas and a wider variety of colors. NYX has released its Liquid Suede range while ago, the brand is pretty accessible to most of us, here in Canada we've seen it pop up and establish itself in most drugstores across the country which makes me happy and excited to see a brand known for bold colors and great products at reasonable prices available to all.
I've only gotten my hands on the range Liquid Suedes late this summer and had a fair chance to play with them and put them to the test, so here's my experience with the liquid lipsticks.
The formula is relatively thin and moussey, the applicator is pretty great making it easy to line and fill in lips and get reasonably clean lines without having to reach for a pencil or brush. The formula is very comfortable on the lips and dries down to a comfortable matte finish quite fast. Most colors had decent pigmentation, one to two swipes proved more than enough to get full opacity. I did notice the lighter colors tended to look almost chalky once dried but this never bothered me nor did I find it took away from the color or overall effect. The formula were nicely across the board, I did not notice major feathering with any of the colors but the product does transfer quite easily and almost disappears completely when drinking and especially when eating. This is not a long wearing product by any means but it does layer nicely making touch ups relatively easy. I do recommend you bring along the lipstick you are wearing, it's pretty much guaranteed you'll need to touch up through the day which is the one downside of this formula.
My favourite part about this range has to be the incredible color variety. NYX is known for bold colors and they delivered with this release. The range features a wide variety of trendy maroons and browns, bold colors and my personal favourite, the stunning Jet Set, a deep blue that makes my heart flutter every time I put it on.
All in all, the formula is good has enough good points that I can overlook the poor longevity and wear. The colors are stunning, apply well and look great once on so carrying the tube of lipstick around for occasional touch ups is a small price to pay for a show stopping, comfortable lip.

Foiled Again

Respect the Pink

Run the World

Jet Set

Subversive Socialite

Club Hopper

Downtown Beauty

Oh, Put It On

Alien

*Products provided for consideration. This does not influence my opinions or reviews

Make Up For Ever #GlamtoGhoul Darling Deer

2016-10-18T19:24:00.000-07:00

About two weeks ago I was invited to the Make Up For Ever Pro Loft to get a live tutorial on a few looks the brand has partnered up with Sephora for Halloween.
I chose to recreate Darling Deer, a simple yet fun tutorial that requires products most of us have in their collection. For a look at the tutorial and products used click here.
Check out my take on Darling Deer and let me know which look you're going for this Halloween.

#ManiMonday: AVON Nailwear PRO+ in Decadence. Swatches and Review

2016-10-17T16:36:00.000-07:00

This nail polish is absolutely gorgeous and of the best metallic formulas I've ever tried. The color is absolutely stunning, a lovely metallic mauve with high shine and incredible longevity. I was surprised how much I enjoyed wearing it as I am generally not a fan of the metallic finish but there is just something about this color and how great the formula performs that I just love.

*Products provided for consideration. This does not influence my opinions or reviews

Cargo Eye Contour Eye Shadow Palette Swatches and Review

2016-10-06T07:21:00.002-07:00

The palette features 8 shadows partitioned into into cool shades, warm shades and a two base colors.
Starting with the column on the left which features 3 cool toned eyeshdaows, from the top, Cool Light is a soft nude, Cool Medium is a grey taupe and Cool Dark is a darkened eggplant. The first two shades are smooth and have a good pay off while the darkest shade is a little ore powdery and applies a tad patchy. The second column features three warm shades, from the top, Warm Light is a soft, light peach, Warm Medium is a warm taupe and Warm Dark is a warm brown. All shades have decent pigmentation and payoff and apply without any noticeable powder kick off.
Matte Base is a light matte nude that can be used to carve out a crease or clean up shadows, it is pigmented and blends well. Shimmer Base is very smooth and is the most blendable shade in the palette, it can be sheered out easily and features a soft shimmer that's barely detectable once blended out making this a great blending shade.
Overall this palette is pretty nice but nothing that blew me away. I like the fact that it's all matte, I enjoy the range of colors and the fact that it's all neutral. The palette is compact and travel friendly and has everything you need to do a basic, neutral look. I do wish the shadows were larger, I find the pans to be on the small side. While I like the formula and pigmentation on the shadows I don't think it's the best I've ever tried. I think most make-up junkies will already have several of the popular nude and neutral palettes in their stash and will find this palette not that impressive. If you are looking for a travel friendly compact palette and don't already own a few already then this palette might be interesting for you.

*Products provided for consideration. This does not influence my opinions or reviews

NYX Lid Lingerie Review and Swatches. Morning Sky and White Lace Romance

2016-09-29T05:54:00.002-07:00

NYX Lid Lingerie is a relatively new cream shadow range that came out this past summer. The formula on these is incredibly light and has almost a mousse like texture but still manages to pack a punch in the pigment department. While rich in color, I found the formula to be quite unique, it's a lot easier to work with and blend on the lid and can be a lot more forgiving that most cream shadows. I always found cream shadows intimidating because you need to work fast and can be finicky when it comes to blending or layering, most tend to crack or look and feel heavy the more product you play with but that is not the case with the Lid Lingerie shadows. The light formula is lovely to work with, you can sheer it our or pack on the color as you wish without it looking heavy or getting those dreaded cracks.

The shadow comes packaged in a tube that resembles most of their liquid lipsticks and features a basic doe foot applicator. The two shades I have both feature a a pearl finish to them White Lace Romance is a white with a pearl finish and Morning Sky is a metallic looking teal with gold shimmer. Both shadows are stunning and pack a ton of color and pigment in a single swipe. I`ve used both as all over shadows or, my preferred method, as toppers, especially the White Lace Romance. I found both shadows to be very long wearing, I`ve experienced minimal fading and virtually no transfer each time I`ve sported these shades.
All in all I like these shadows, I like the great punch of pigment they deliver and the formula really makes it fun to play with no matter how inexperienced you might be. I can`t wait to get my hands on more shades. Which ones are your favorites?
Here is a quick look I got with both shades, the eyeliner is NYX Vivid Brights eyeliner in Sapphire which is an insanely beautiful liner but more on that soon.

*Products provided for consideration. This does not influence my opinions or reviews

Demeter Customer Blend. Lavender, Sunshine and Wet Garden

2016-09-26T19:14:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been really getting into fragrances and experimenting with layering various products together to help create my own custom scents so I was pretty stocked when, as part of the Canadian Beauty Blogger network, I was sent a Demeter Kit that meant to be mixed and personalized.

The kit features three different fragrances and a spare, empty bottle, a funnel and a variety of stickers meant to decorate your own custom blend. The three fragrances I got were Sunshine, a warm sweet scent with a hint of vanilla, Lavender, a clean, fresh and soft lavender and Wet Garden and soft, earthy floral scent. The three mix surprisingly well together, the free spirit that I am I didn't really measure anything but rather just poured the three perfumes away little by little and mixed until I was content with the end result which to me, smells like a spring day. The warm notes of Sunshine hit you first, the warm vanilla pulls you in and is followed by the crisp Lavender and the fresh earthiness of the Wet Garden. The fragrance is light and soft and easy to wear, I find it perfect for a coffee run or just a casual work day, the mix is light and playful and proved to be quite a crowd pleaser among my coworkers. The downside is that like most cologne sprays these fragrances and blend fade quite quickly on my skin and have to be reapplied midday. The vanilla lingers behind nicely tho.

One thing is for sure, I am intrigued by Demeter and their clean yet amazing scents and I can't wait to get my hands on more scents from them. Any suggestions?

*Products provided for consideration. This does not influence my opinions or reviews

Make Up For Ever New Artist Rouge Lipsticks. Review and Swatches

2016-09-23T16:34:00.001-07:00

Make Up For Ever has recently relaunched their Artist Rouge range which features 45 shades and two finishes: a lustrous cream and a velvet matte. The lipsticks are supposed to pack a punch in the pigmentation department and they feature a nice range of oils and waxes to help nourish the lips and provide outstanding wear.

The packaging got a complete upgrade for this range, the lipstick cases are now all metallic and the cap covers the majority of the tube. The product definitely has a cool feel and look to it but I personally can't help but I can't say I am the biggest fan of that metal on metal feel and sound the tube has when putting on and removing the cap.
The first thing I noticed about the new formula is the fact that it doesn't smell as strong as the previous formula which is a great thing. I got the pleasure of getting a sneak peek at the new range at the Make Up For Ever HQs as well as played with the shades I was sent and across the board the formula is winning in my books.

The lipsticks are all nice and rich and creamy and the pigmentation is out of this world. The formula is creamy and not slippery, it has a stiffness to it which helps deliver that rich pigment while being incredibly luxurious feeling and creamy on the lips. While some lipsticks have that slippery feel to them which help carry the pigment but leaves them dry and flat on the lips, these lipsticks feature one of the most moisturizing formulas I have played with in a long time. They just feel right on the lips, they are comfortable and plumping and have a healthy sheen that add dimension and richness to the color. The cream formulas are, as you can imagine, the most hydrating, creamy and an absolute delight to wear. The wax in the formula helps fix the color and minimize feathering and bleeding while looking incredibly rich and luscious on the lips. The matte finish lipsticks have less of a shiny finish to them and less of that rich, moisturizing feel. I found the matte lipsticks go on with more of a sheen that gradually mattifies as you wear it. The formula feels smooth and slick on the lips and is one of the best matte traditional lipsticks that I've tried. The formula glides on the lips and never found it emphasized lines or felt dry, which is a common issue with matte formulas in general. I mean, if anyone can master a comfortable matte formula on a lipstick it would be Make Up For Ever.
Across the board the formula is outstanding and the pigmentation is spot on. In general, the lipsticks all wore incredibly well, the formula grabs on to the lips and stays put and the creaminess of the formulas make it an absolute pleasure to wear.
The color scheme is divided in Light, Medium, Tan and Dark, the shades are also divided in Nude, Red, Pink, Berry and Artistic.
I have six shades to share with you today (L-R):
C105 is a light nude with a cream finish
C211 is a mauvey pink with a cream finish
C506 is a deep berry and a cream finish
M402 is a warm red with a matte finish
M401 is a cool red with a matte finish
C603 is a dark blend of blue and green (to my eye) with a cream finish.
C603 has the trickiest formula, the pigment can be patchy and needs to be built, the formula is very moisturizing and rich which I found interferes with the pigment application and requires a bit more work when applying. All the other shades applied and performed spectacularly.

C105

C211

C506

M402

M401

C603

*Products provided for consideration. All reviews and opinions are my own

Lise Watier Portfolio Sculpting Trio Review and Swatches. Chic & Rustique Collection

2016-09-12T21:14:00.001-07:00

When I attended the Lise Watier fall launch earlier this summer I knew the Portfolio Sculpting Trio and I would be BFFs the minute I laid my eyes on it. Despite the fact that I've kept my make-up minimal this summer due to crazy, long work days and hot weather I actually forced myself to wear a full face of make-up several times just so I can play with this bad boy.

I absolutely love the packaging on this trio, the shadows are stacked making this so compact and travel friendly. The three shades featured are great, the top shade is a light, yellow toned powder great for setting concealer, baking or just illuminating, the middle a cool toned taupe shade perfect for shading and contouring while the last shade is a warm shade which can be used as a blush, contour or bronzer. All shades are matte, smooth and pigmented and blend incredibly well. I love the shades LW selected, they are versatile, unique and they just make sense. That middle shade is possibly the most amazing cool toned contour colour I have ever ran across. The trio can be used to chisel the face as well as the eyes, I've successfully used all shades as eyeshadows and I plan on his being my only face and eye palette I bring along with me on my next work trip in Toronto in a few weeks. All in all, this trio is a must have! The quality is there and everything about it from the packaging to the colour selection makes sense.
The powder can be applied dry as well as wet but I didn't really find the wet formula fun to work with nor did I find the shades flattering on the skin when used on the cheeks for my usual contouring.

DRY

WET

The collection also features the Double Contour & Blend Brush to help you chisel and contour your face to perfection. The dual sided brush features a full angled brush at one end and a small angled one at the other end. The larger brush is a little bit rounded and great for chiseling out those cheekbones. The bristles are soft enough that you can buff out and blend powders and the angled shape fits well into any crevices of the face that might need shading. The smaller brush at the other end is tightly packed and stiff and makes for a great nose contour or any other precision work. This brush is so smooth and blends so well, you never knew you needed it until you try it.

Pur Fully Charged Magnetic Mascara Review

2016-09-05T11:57:00.002-07:00

New day, new make-up technology, this time we have Pur's Fully Charged Magnetic Mascara Powered by Magnetic Technology! According to their description:"opposites attract with this anti-aging mascara that has a magnetic polymer matrix that wraps a positively charged elastic veil around each lash to instantly lift, separate and define each lash for long-lasting performance".What year is this?

The tube comes in a soft matte black that is pleasant to the touch, I love anything with that rubberized finish. The brush doesn't look like much, the bristles are not densely packed, but they do a great job at getting at the root of the lash and really depositing product all the way to the tip. The formula on this mascara is pretty bomb. It's nice and creamy and has kept its consistency for months (I've been putting it to the test for a while now). This mascara will give you crazy volume and indeed it does give you dramatic volume which I personally love. The mascara layers well and doesn't clump badly, you can easily brush out possible clumps with a clean spoolie. The lashes stay nice and lifted all day long and I've experienced no flaking or smudging with this mascara.

All in all I'm really digging this mascara. If you want drama and volume and black as the night lashes then you definitely want to check it out. I keep reaching for it whenever I want that false lash effect without the fake lashes, this mascara does drama well. It's great!

*Products provided for consideration. This does not influence my opinions or reviews

Stila Perfectly Poreless Putty Perfector Review

2016-08-26T18:23:00.000-07:00

These past weeks I've been overwhelmed by life in general and in between working long hours and trying to enjoy the beautiful weather I have been keeping my make-up minimal. I've had the Stila Perfectly Powerless Putty Perfector in my stash for a while but only started using it recently and it's quickly became a daily staple in my routine, much to my surprise. The product looks like a powder in the pan but has the most amazing creamy formula that goes on beautifully on the skin. On the face it goes on smooth and has a lovely finish that looks nothing like a powder, it blends into the skin flawlessly and imparts a soft glow while providing medium coverage helping blur imperfections while being pretty undetectable. I like how easy it is to use this product, I just swirl it all over the face and I feel like I'm waving a magic wand making all the little flaws disappear with a few swirls of the brush. The formula on this product is what makes so darn unique and I love everything about it from the effortless application to the flawless finish.

*Products provided for consideration. This does not influence my opinions or reviews

#ManiMonday: Quo by Orly Breathable Nail Polish in Feeling Free

2016-08-22T19:42:00.000-07:00

I'm back at it today with another shade from the new Quo by Orly Breathable nail polish line in Feeling Free, a gorgeous, bright purple. The formula on this polish is thick and pigmented, applies incredibly well and wears for days and days with no chips and minimal tipwear. The formula on these polishes is thicker than normal but it definitely lasts better than the average drugstore nail polish and has a lovely, thick, gel finish that looks great days after application.

*Products provided for consideration. This does not influence my opinions or reviews

Sale Alert: Frank and Oak Warehouse Sale Montreal Aug17 - Aug 21

2016-08-17T18:15:00.000-07:00

There are few things I love in life more than a good sale which is why I'm so excited to share that Montreal fashion brand Frank and Oak are hosting their warehouse sale this month from August 17th to the 21st. The event is brought to us by Style Democracy, a website you need to follow if you live in the Montreal and/or Toronto area and love good deals. The sale features tons of cool pieces for men at pretty incredible prices, the bf was so happy to stock up on shirts and blazers for work he didn't even mind the torrential rain we braved to get there. Although the sale only features menswear right now (ladies stay tuned for their upcoming releases) a few of the pieces are on the unisex side, I absolutely loved their rain jackets and casual shirts that I encouraged the man to get and plan to borrow from him the first chance I get.

Quo by Orly Breathable Nail Polish in Barely There. Swatches and Review

2016-08-01T19:52:00.002-07:00

Today I have a new release from QUO by Orly's line of Breathable nail polishes. The new formula claims to allow nails to "breathe" and features ingredients like Argan Oil, Vitamin B5 and Vitamin C to help promote healthy nail growth. The shade I have today is Barely There, a creamy white. The formula is nice and thick and goes on like a gel within two coats, the pigmentation was great which is impressive for a white polish. The polish went on smooth, all I got was a nice creamy white that looked even and had none of the usual streaks pastel and light shades tend to get. Very impressive. The formula on this polish (I am currently testing the other shades) wore very, very well with minimal chipping and tip wear and little loss in the shine department. All in all, a fantastic formula and the best shade of white I've tried so far.

*Products provided for consideration. This does not influence my opinions or reviews

PÜR Glow Together Jumbo Bronzer Review

2016-07-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

The new PÜR Glow Together Jumbo Bronzer is massive powder that features six different stripes of powder with different finishes and subtle variations in tan colors that are meant to be used individually or together to help you achieve that sun kissed glow. The compact is a sturdy plastic that has a luxe feel to it and it features a gigantic full size mirror inside.
Half the palette is matte with a soft satin finish and half features a very subtle shimmer. The formula across the palette is buttery and smooth and it applies very well to the skin, the softness of the powder makes it very blendable and natural looking. Given the size of the palette it's pretty easy to grab color from different parts of the palette, I like grabbing some of the satin shades to contour and warm up the face as they are a bit more neutral and cool toned while the lower part of the powder features warmer tones with a soft glow to them which I actually like to use as a blush. I like the formula on this powder so much that it's quickly become my go-to for quick make-up days. The colors are soft enough that they can be used with ease by any beginner or anyone in a hurry to warm up the face or add some definition. The colors are also pretty neutral, which in my opinion makes them so easy to use, there's very little orange or redness in it so I never had to worry about it looking unnatural.
All in all, this is pretty spectacular bronzer with a lovely formula and well thought out shades that quickly made it's way into my daily routine and that says a lot given the amount of absurd amount of bronzers I have in my stash.

*Products provided for consideration. This does not influence my opinions or reviews

PÜR Strobe/Highlighting Palettes in Moonlight Glow and Sun-Kissed Glow. Review and Swatches

2016-07-12T05:36:00.001-07:00

PÜR has been releasing some pretty amazing products this summer and their new Strobe/Highlighting Palettes ($34) intrigued me the moment I lied my eyes on them. The packaging is stunning, from the textured gold boxed the palettes comes packed in to the actual palettes which feature a glossy sturdy plastic compact with gold details. One opened you get a full size mirror and three generous pans of poured, cream highlighters. I have both palettes to share with you today: Moonlight Glow features lighter shades while Sun-Kissed Glow has more warm colors.

The formula is a silky cream that sort of dries down on application making it easy to tap and glide over other products. I found the best way to apply these products is with my fingers, the warmth can somehow melt and work the product better into the skin as well as picking it up from the pan. The formula is quite pigmented, a few taps of the product will give you a diffused glow that can be easily built. What makes this formula so nice to play with is the way it sits on top of the skin how beautifully in blends, you never have to fear it'll look powdery of too stark, you'll just glow!

The Sun-Kissed Glow Palette features a range of colors better suited for those with warmer and daker complexions. Aurora, the first shade on the left is a soft champagne highlight, Solar is a stunning peachy highlight and Dusk is a coppery bronze.

The Moonlight Glow Palette is better suited for those with paler skin. Going left to right. Twilight is the highlighter in the palette, a light pearly cream follower by Lunar, a pearly pink and Eclipse a bronzey pink.

L-R Sun-Kissed Glow (Aurora, Solar, Dusk) Moonlight Glow (Twilight, Lunar, Eclipse)

Sun-Kissed Glow

Moonlight Glow

I love the range of shadows in these palettes, I for one always love combining a few products when highlighting my face so having three shades in one palette is perfect. I also find layering and mixing the shades together can create even more options, making this palette so versatile. To my surprise I found myself to really enjoy the cream products and the finish they leave onto the skin, they can look so natural and are really the best product to use to get that glow-from-within look. These shades can almost refine your highlighting game and I for one, am ready to leave behind the ridiculous Instagram look with reflective beams of light shooting form my cheekbones that never look good in real life. All in all these palettes are definitely worth checking out and a pretty amazing value considering the generous size of three different shades you get for the money.

Here are the palettes in action

*Products provided for consideration. This does not influence my opinions or reviews