Saturday, July 28, 2012

African Violet FOTD

So it appears that I haven't done a purple FOTD yet on this here blog. SHOCKING!! Must be remedied immediately!!
Other than being my favourite colour, purple is also universally flattering and I've been told by various beauty industry insiders that it will be THE colour this Autumn.
I used the Stila In The Moment palette that I reviewed back in this post.

Products used:
Eyes:
  • Lise Watier Crayon Jumbo in Peche Melba as all over base;
  • Stila Instinct (top row first from left) all over lid;
  • Glance (top row middle) from middle of lid to outer corner;
  • Improvise (top row second from right) outer corner and crease;
  • Blend;
  • Improvise on outer half of lower lash line;
  • Tetra (Smudge Stick Waterproof Liner) on upper lash line;
Face:
  • Lise Watier Havana Baked Bronzer as contour;
  • The Body Shop Roseflower blush on apples of cheeks;

Lips:
  • Benefit Jing-a-ling lipstick;
  • Essence Candy Bar lipgloss
In other news, I have decided to run and join the circus:


and bake cookies:

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Lise Watier Summer Sunset collection for Summer 2012 FOTD

I am really really late with my review of this collection, but seeing as how both Summer and this collection only arrived on my doorstep 2 weeks ago, now is as good a time as any.
The Summer Sunset collection launched back in May of this year and consists of 2 new limited edition eyeshadow palettes in Tropical and Paradis ($38), a limited edition bronzing powder palette ($35), a new Duo Glam Rouge Infini lipstick duo in Rose Ombre Glam ($27), 3 limited edition Crystal Drops glosses in Tangerine, Dragon Fruit, and Smoothie ($18), 2 limited edition shades of nail polish in Tangerine and Dragon Fruit ($12.50), 3 new Jumbo Crayons in Peche Melba, Sunshine and Moonlight, Havana baked bronzer, 3-in-1 Miracle Primer in Bronze, Sun Smart Tinted Universal UV Shield, Gold Liquid Silk, and the limited edition Summer Sunset EDT.
Like most other Summer releases, Lise Watier's Summer Sunset collection is heavy on bronze and shimmer. The bronzing powder palette and the Havana baked bronzer offer similar effects - warmth with a golden sheen - so buy one or the other. I'm currently ridiculously tan and enjoy using them interchangeably as a bronzer and as a contour powder.
The eyeshadow and bronzing powder come in a colourful clam shell clutch which can be reused as a wallet.  The eyeshadows are very soft and finely milled, however, they are rather crumbly and nowhere near as pigmented or as buttery as the shadows found in their quads. They lasted a whole day over a Jumbo Crayon base.
I know some people find the Crystal Drops glosses to be too sheer but I love how glossy they made my lips and Tangerine was surprisingly pigmented on me!
Whilst I didn't particularly enjoy their Neiges EDT (it smells like highly perfumed soap on me), the Summer Sunset EDT definitely won me over as I'm a sucker for fresh florals.
I love the concept of a stain and lipstick in one package, however, the Duo Glam Rouge Infini lipstick duo was a severe disappointment. The stain part of it wasn't too bad, the lipstick part was just awful. The matte finish emphasised every single lip line and dry patch I had, and as if that wasn't enough, it also dried my lips out something terrible and shares the same weird liquorice taste as their Plumpissimo line.
Summer Sunset is available now at Lisewatier.com, Thebay.com, and in stores and online at Londondrugs.com

Products used: Crystal Drops Ultra-Shine Lip Gloss in TangerineSummer Sunset Bronzing PowderCrayon Jumbo in Peche MelbaHavana All Over Baked BronzerSummer Sunset Eyeshadow Palette in Tropical; Annabelle Smoothliner in Jade; MaxFactor 2000 Calorie mascara; NYX Concealer In A Jar; Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation; and GOSH Effects Powder in Bottle
Peche Melba as base. Tropical palette: light gold shadow from inner corner to middle of lid; green shadow from middle of lid to outer corner; blend dark brown shadow into crease. Line upper and lower lash line with Annabelle Jade, pat Gosh Bottle over Jade liner. Contour cheeks using Havana bronzer. Use peach and pink stripes from Summer Sunset Bronzing palette as blusher. Finish with Crystal Drops gloss.

Swatches of Summer Sunset eyeshadow palette in Tropical:

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Lush Emotional Brilliance preview

Lush recently invited us to the preview of Emotional Brilliance, their highly anticipated debut cosmetics line, at their newly renovated Robson Street store.
The collection officially launches on July 21 and consists of 13 lip colours ($22.95), 11 liquid liners ($22.95), 6 cream eyeshadows ($22.95), a mascara ($18.95), a bronzer ($18.95), a highlighter ($18.95) and a finishing powder ($18.95). All of the products in the collection are vegan, not tested on animals, and come in packaging that is 100% recyclable.
Newly renovated Lush @ Robson Street.
I brought along my new 40mm pancake lens for its first field trip. I actually like it a lot more than my nifty fifty! It's significantly sharper, faster and quieter than the fifty.
Emotional Brilliance swatches:
Eyes Right Mascara, Charisma Skin Tint, Feeling Younger Skin Tint, and Emotional Brilliance Translucent Powder:
I haven't been in Lush for a while (I've had to resort to ordering their bath products online as the shop's smells sometimes sets off my allergies), so I had no idea that they had added a perfume range!! I absolutely adored how Lust smelt! I have a soft spot for anything Jasmine scented and Lust was pure Jasmine in a bottle. I totally need to pick up a bottle sometime.
Meet Anthony and Dan, these two gentleman were in charge of mixing up batches of Ayesha fresh face masks for everyone to take home. We had a good chuckle about the effects of asparagus in your body. Apparently I have not yet matured beyond toilet humour.
The concept behind the Emotional Brilliance line is rather simple, it's essentially "mood ring makeup". Instead of following the latest colour trends, it's makeup that resonates with your mood and emotions. You spin the colour wheel and once it stops, you pick the first three colours on the wheel that appeal to you.
I ended up with Drive (purple), Lifted (yellow), and Motivation (turquoise). At my colour reading, I was told that Drive is my strength and what people immediately notice from me, I subconsciously seek to be Lifted (yes, especially from the 32,000 documents that need to be reviewed on my desk), and Motivation is what allow me to attain what I subconsciously need (procrastinate much?).
As all the names are rather innocuous and banal, Emily and I wondered what happens on days when we wake up feeling like ass. We suggested they to add colours called "Crap", "Annoyed", and "Cynical" to the line in the future.
 Swatches:

So far I have tested the liquid liner, the lipstick and the mascara. The liquid liner suffered some slight smudging in the inner corners, but other than that it lasted through a whole work day plus 2hrs of cardio. I don't find the lipstick moisturising per se, but it's not too drying either, the formula has quite a bit of slip and lasted around 3-4hours on me but did leave a stain. I really hope they will redesign the mascara packaging, the applicator is just too short and I feel like I'm going to poke my eyes out every time I use it. The formula is mediocre at best, it won't clump but it also won't add any length, volume or hold a curl.
Overall I find Emotional Brilliance to be a very nice collection and I hope they'll eventually expand the collection to include things like foundation and blusher. There is a good range of colours to appeal to everyone, pigmentation is most excellent, and the colour wheel game adds a bit of frivolous fun. At first I felt like the price point was a bit too high but you really do get a lot of product for the price - the glass bottles contain a whopping 9g of product. My vegan friends will also appreciate the addition of a new makeup range they can use.
Make sure to check out this collection and your local Lush store!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Kiehl's Richmond Centre Grand Opening

I was invited by Kiehl's Canada to attend the grand opening of their Richmond Centre store a few weeks back. Now normally I'm about as excited to go to Richmond as I am to go to the dentist but Kiehl's lured me with the promise of Photobooth and kisses from Mr. Bones. Thankfully I had a hot date in the form of Emily from Rites of Beauty.
All jokes aside, since being introduced to the brand a year ago, I've pretty much become a die hard Kiehl's fan. Heck, even my dog is a Kiehl's fan (btw did anyone else see his photo up on Kiehls Canada's Facebook page???!!). I've found a couple of Holy Grail products from them and we shall live happily ever after in our swamp.
The new store officially opened on June 23 and is located near the West end of Richmond Centre, next to La Senza, across from the Apple store. It has more floor space than their Metrotown store but retains their signature Warhol meets old world apothecary interior. As always, Mr. Bones, the crystal chandelier and the tribute motorbike each have their own spot on the floor.
Unfortunately we arrived a wee bit late and missed the video presentation, however, we were soon put into groups and given a (literally) hands-on introduction to some of their most popular products - all whilst plate after plate of decadent hor d'oeuvres were presented to us by attentive servers, as if we'd needed any urging!
We each received a personalised skin consultation. Donna recommended that I stick with the Ultra Facial Oil Free range which has been working well for me, but to switch my toner to their Calendula toner to target my redness and the Ultra Facial Oil Free gel to provide better oil control for the Summer. I've been using the gel for the last two weeks and I must say I have noticed less oil on me face!
Whilst others were getting their consultations, some of us made a bee-line for the Photobooth. What happens when a bunch of vain girls descend upon a Photobooth? Chaos and feathers. Four seconds is NOT enough for me to put on my best pose okay??!
I like to call the following set of photos "Shorties in heels".
And with a kiss to Mr. Bones, I bid the party adieu. Thank you Kiehls Canada for the wonderful evening! I wish you all the best in your newest enterprise! See you again soon!