Lip products – ommorphia beauty bar

The latest from Dior Beauty, Rouge Dior Baume (CAN $37.00, available in 14 shades), is a new breed of makeup: a beautiful melding of colour with breakthrough ingredients for intensely nourished lips. The star component here is Cristal Oil, a natural origin lip care ingredient developed at the Dior Laboratories which “forms an extra-fine yet generous film on the lips, revitalizes, protects, and radiates colour” (my review on the matching new Dior Contour Lip Liner shades will be forthcoming).

In the brand’s signature blue lacquered casing with the initials on the cap, the silhouette is leaner here, making Rouge Dior Baume highly portable, as well as so luxe & elegant-looking. Inspired by M. Dior’s beloved garden, this ‘bouquet’ of 14 shades offers translucent colour with the incredibly emollient feel of a balm, but yet lips never feel undressed. I could detect no real scent, and the actual feel upon wearing is almost transformative, as my lips feel smoother and plumper after the fact.

My lips, while not overly dry, do tend to experience flaking with several lip products – even if I’ve properly moisturized beforehand. Applying a regular lip balm before lipstick is not always the best option for me either, as it can make said lipstick then slide around the lips and/or completely not cover some areas. I’ve even experienced quite severe peeling issues with some tinted lip balms, but something about the ingredients in the Rouge Dior Baume formula, just totally works on me. Definitely on the steeper end of the price scale – if you consider these as simply balms (which they’re not), but worth every single penny if you’ve ever suffered from dry, peeling, or flaking lip colour from a regular lipstick. And shiny too, did I mention that?

Dior Rouge Baume | #128 Star, #468 Spring, #558 Lili & #688 Diorette

Dior Rouge Baume | #128 Star, #468 Spring, #558 Lili & #688 Diorette (ingredients – click to enlarge)

Dior Rouge Baume | #128 Star, #468 Spring, #558 Lili & #688 Diorette

arm swatches

Dior Rouge Baume | #128 Star

Dior Rouge Baume #128 Star (CAN $37.00) | The sheerest shade of the four, #128 Star will suit both warm and cool complexions due to the combination of pearly/pink/golden tones it holds. Ultra smooth (a touch thinner in texture than the rest, but with the most glide overall), there is absolutely no gritty feel as a result of its shimmer. Not surprisingly, staying power was the shortest of the four, although lips continue to feel well nourished long after all shimmery traces are gone.

Dior Rouge Baume | #128 Star

Dior Rouge Baume | #468 Spring

Dior Rouge Baume #468 Spring (CAN $37.00) | Bearing a medium thick texture that nevertheless glides effortlessly across the lips, #468 Spring is a pink hue with peachy/coral undertones for added warmth. Application is several degrees lighter than what appears in the tube, but even after most of the initial colour has faded, a light pinky stain remains behind. Non-sticky feeling and no settling into lip lines either, staying power was about 4 hours on average – surprisingly long for both a balm, as well as a lighter shade.

Dior Rouge Baume | #468 Spring

Dior Rouge Baume | #558 Lili

Dior Rouge Baume #558 Lili (CAN $37.00) | I expected #558 Lili to be an intense red once applied, but I was actually surprised to find that it held the sheerest payoff of the 3 deeper coloured shades, bearing more of a watered-down red rose hue (similar in texture to #128 Star, in fact but without the obvious shimmer). Creamy and buttery soft application, there’s a gorgeous “bitten-lips” stain left behind (which will make lips appear plumper as a result) once the colour has faded. Staying power was an impressive 5-6 hours, all things considered.

Dior Rouge Baume | #558 Lili

Dior Rouge Baume | #688 Diorette

Dior Rouge Baume #688 Diorette (CAN $37.00) | #688 Diorette is simply AMAZING – and I’m not usually a fan of vivid lip shades, let alone fuchsia leaning ones (which happens to be a colour group that’s hard for me to pull off). Bearing a similar texture to #468 Spring, this shade is also the most pigmented of the four shown and probably with the most luxurious feel once applied. Non-sticky and with no noticeable migration into surrounding lip lines, staying power blew me away – lasting easily 8 hours (that’s with eating & drinking included). Surprisingly, the next morning I could still see a faint tint of it on my lips. And this is a balm? WOW!

Dior Rouge Baume | #688 Diorette

I am beyond in love with these new Rouge Dior Baumes and after playing with the four shown today, absolutely cannot wait to add more to my collection. To choose a favourite amongst them is impossible, as each offers something unique; #128 Star fulfills my love of neutrals, #468 Spring provides a light touch of youthful colour, #558 Lili is the quintessential ‘my-lips-but-better’ kind of shade, while #688 Diorette is meant be noticed. Beyond that, what is even more impressive is the formula as it leaves my lips feeling extra soft, 100% hydrated, and actually better for having used them. Total win-win.

In Canada, these are available now exclusively through The Bay, and will be at all other Dior counters as of October 1st. For more info:

*Disclosure: Press samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

Filed under: beauty, Cosmetics, Dior, Lip balm, Lip products, Makeup Tagged: beauty, Dior, Dior Rouge Baume, lip balm, lip products, luckymag, makeup, product reviews, swatches

Along with the recently launched Rouge Dior Baume (reviewed here), Dior has released 3 new Couture Colour Contour Lip Pencils (CAN $30.00 each) that aim to provide long-lasting colour, as well as help maintain and intensify any lipstick shade or gloss that’s layered on top. Each pencil comes with its own sharpener – a convenient addition, as I prefer to NOT use one sharpener for all my pencils; this way it keeps the shavings, such as that of a darker hue, from staining lighter colours (and vice versa). The other end of the pencil holds a built in brush – again, very handy in blending the liner into your lipstick/gloss shade, as well as helping you avoid needing to carry a separate lip brush.

I found the Couture Colour pencils to be a little hard initially, in particular #468 Spring, but after warming them up between my fingers for a few seconds and lightly wearing down the point on a paper towel, the colour applied easier. Do not expect these pencils to glide across the skin the way others with a more emollient formula do; the best way to use these on a larger area -such as when applying to the entire lip – is by employing a swiping motion, leaving the tip for more precision work (i.e.: cupid’s bow and outlining the lips). Neither drying nor moisturizing, their longevity is beyond impressive: in the swatches below, you can see how even after being wiped off with a makeup remover-soaked pad, the colour is still very visible and relatively intact.

The beauty of these Couture Colour Contour Lip Pencils, is how they can work in either a supporting role (such as, lining lips to keep lipstick/lip gloss/lip balm from feathering or bleeding into surrounding lines), or by taking centre stage and being applied to the entire lip, then lightly dabbed with a clear balm or gloss for a bit of moisture & sheen. When worn in tandem with their matching Rouge Dior Baume shades, some wonderful things happen: not only is the balm’s colour amped up, but the staying power is then increased by several hours as well. Definitely win-win.

Natalie Portman for Dior, wearing Rouge Dior Baume #558 Lili

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #468 Spring, #558 Lili & #688 Diorette

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #468 Spring, #558 Lili & #688 Diorette, ingredients (click to enlarge)

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #468 Spring, #558 Lili & #688 Diorette (sharpener included with each pencil)

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #468 Spring, #558 Lili & #688 Diorette

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #468 Spring, #558 Lili & #688 Diorette (attached lip brushes)

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #468 Spring, #558 Lili & #688 Diorette

#468 Spring Couture Colour Lip Liner (CAN $30.00) | A salmon pink hue with coral undertones, warm leaning. Slightly harder in initial application than the other two shades, but becomes easier to apply with continued use. TIP: Apply #468 Spring all over the lips and then layer a sheer nude lipstick shade on top for a unique multi-dimensional effect.

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #468 Spring

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #468 Spring with Rouge Dior Baume #468 Spring

#558 Lili Couture Colour Lip Liner (CAN $30.00) | A dusky red hue (slightly more intense than its matching Rouge Dior Baume shade), with a relatively easy application. TIP: try applying a clear balm to lips first then lightly blotting it off, then follow by adding a light layer of #558 Lili all over for a juicy, bitten-lips effect that will also be incredibly long-lasting.

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #558 Lili

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #558 Lili with Rouge Dior Baume #558 Lili

#688 Diorette Couture Colour Lip Liner (CAN $30.00) | A gorgeous fuchsia hue that had the smoothest application of the three. Tip: #688 Diorette works amazingly well solo: applied to the entire lip with a bit of clear balm on top, turning it into a no-fuss pop of colour. Spectacular when used in conjunction with its matching Rouge Dior Baume (see swatches below).

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #688 Diorette

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #688 Diorette with Rouge Dior Baume #688 Diorette

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner with matching Rouge Dior Baume swatches

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner swatches

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner swatches after being wiped off

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #688 Diorette applied all over the lips

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #688 Diorette layered under Rouge Dior Baume #688 Diorette

Never the type to use lip pencils all that much, I have come around to their incredible usefulness over the past few years. Other than the ubiquitous lip lining factor, I love how these Dior Couture Colour Contour Lip Liner Pencils have provided me with new ways in using them – methods I never really thought of before for some bizarre reason. The most impressive part here, is definitely their staying power – the least impressive, the price. While on the steep side when compared to more mass-market brands (but definitely in line with other luxury brands), I doubt the quality will come close to what these offer and which to me, makes them well worth the investment.

Available now exclusively through The Bay (Canada), at all other Dior counters in October. Find more information via:

*Disclosure: Press samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

Filed under: beauty, Dior, Lip liner, Lip products Tagged: beauty, cosmetics, Dior, Dior Contour Lip Liner Pencils, lip liners, luckymag, makeup, product review, swatches

The Once… capsule collection recently released from British cult-fave brand Illamasqua (find my previous review here), also includes 2 Sheer Lip Glosses and I have Exquisite to show you today – a milky pink hue (the other is Opulent, a ‘rainbow beige’ shade). Perfectly in line with the faded romance theme of this entire collection, this pink shade – a traditionally girlie hue – is made modern and edgy by the contrast of [still soft] tones that it holds. Confused yet? Read on …

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss, Once… Collection

Illamasqua | Once… Collection

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss, ingredients

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss

Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss (US $24.00) | Described as ‘pink oyster’, Exquisite is an interesting mix of delicate petal pink and pearly hues filled with an ultra-fine pink shimmer (non-gritty) – all in a formula that is at once sheer AND somewhat opaque. Can be easily worn alone or layered over any other lip colour, making this a very versatile shade.

I’m not sure how Illamasqua managed to pull off all these contradictory factors, but it might be due to the underlying milky tone which appears to add good coverage to what would otherwise be considered a very light shade. The texture leans on the thicker side, but is non-sticky in feel and there’s a fruity-berry scent that I detect upon opening – which seems to disappear rather quickly (or perhaps I just stop smelling it), while any initial settling into lip lines smooths itself out within a few minutes of wearing. The brush is a little longer than I’m used to and I wasn’t all that keen on it at first, but after playing with this gloss for a while now, I’ve come to appreciate how easily it picks up the product from the tube, while the density and flexibility of the bristles makes application quick and effortless. Lasting power (not including eating/drinking) is pretty good, averaging about 3-4 hours before any significant fading, and even once the majority of shine wears away, your lips are still left with a light veil of colour – more of a sheen, really – and feel nicely hydrated overall.

Going through my collection of pale pink glosses, I was surprised to find that Exquisite has no match; the closest I own, is #191 Songe (LE) from the CHANEL Fall 2014 Collection – which bears the same shimmer, but is definitely more sheer and with a light grey base, and #542 AMC Lip Gloss from Inglot (now discontinued) which has a similar pink flash, but without the shimmer and milky factor (see comparison swatches at the end of the post).

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss, blurred to show the shimmer

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss, alternate view/lighting

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss, CHANEL #191 Songe (limited edition, Fall 2014) & Inglot #542 AMC Lip Gloss (discontinued)

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss, CHANEL #191 Songe (limited edition, Fall 2014) & Inglot #542 AMC Lip Gloss (discontinued) – alternate lighting

I make it no secret that I love pale lip hues and even though I tend to lean towards beige-y neutrals, I find myself attracted to pale pink shades as well; finding one that won’t clash with my colouring, however, is a whole other matter and thankfully, Exquisite seems to fit that bill perfectly. Neither too warm nor cool leaning, this is a shade that will work on everyone.

I’m so sad to hear that Illamasqua is phasing out their North American retail outlets, because this is a brand that deserves to be fully explored in person – and it feels like it only arrived on Canadian shores just yesterday. Still, they do offer international shipping (which I’ve heard from fellow bloggers, is quite good) and decent sales every so often (who doesn’t love a beauty sale?). You know what this means, right? Yup … travel plans!

Available now, find more information:

*Disclosure: Press sample provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

Filed under: beauty, Cosmetics, Illamasqua, limited edition, Lip Gloss, Lip products, Makeup Tagged: beauty, cosmetics, Illamasqua, Illamasqua Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss, Limited Edition, lip gloss, luckymag, makeup, product review, swatches

Question: what do you get when you cross a chemical engineer mom with 2 impossibly gorgeous teen daughters? Answer: why, makeup, of course. Introducing NUDESTIX™, a line of beauty pencils to help you achieve the ‘no makeup makeup’ look, or as the brand’s tagline says “go nude, but better”. With her daughters Ally & Taylor as muses, Jenny Frankel – a woman with over 20 years experience in the beauty industry (she was the creator behind M.A.C’s Lipglass), decided to streamline the everyday woman’s beauty routine. Observing how her daughters preferred minimal, neutral shades and used fingers instead of brushes for tools, evolved into a luxury beauty range comprised of portable ‘crayon’ style pencils (with the exception of their mascara, which comes in a usual format with a brush).

The collections consists of 2 types of eye pencils: the Magnetic Eye Color Pencils which come in 4 shades (Angel, Moon, Twilight, Night) – long wearing with a deep shine factor, 8 shades of Eye Pencils (Cream, Shimmer*, Stardust*, Golden*, Bronze*, Burnish* Pewter*, Smoke) – with all-in-one shadow, liner & highlighter properties for most hues (shades marked with * are soft metallics), 1 Mascara (in black), 8 shades of Concealer Pencil (from light to deep), and 8 shades of Lip + Cheek Pencils (Whisper, Love, Blush, Mystic, Ripe, Soul, Sin & Flesh) – that can be used just as effortlessly on the face as on the lips (you can also check out a few other shades, reviewed by Sabrina of The Beauty Look Book).

Each pencil (and the mascara) comes housed in an eco-friendly and reusable black tin that supports a full-sized mirror on the inner lid, an insert with easy & helpful instructions, as well as a total genius touch: a sharpener that not only fits snugly on one end of the pencil, but comes complete with its own cap to keep shavings (and messes) at bay (with the exception of the mascara that doesn’t need a sharpener *doh*). No more fighting with dull pencils when you’re on the go plus each unit has its own sharpener, so no sharing means no colours bleeding in to each other. Like I said, genius.

All NUDESTIX™ products are preservative and fragrance-free.

Ally & Taylor, the brain[children] behind NUDESTIX™

NUDESTIX™

NUDESTIX™ | Shimmer Eye Pencil, Angel Magnetic Eye Color Pencil & Love Lip + Cheek Pencil

NUDESTIX™

NUDESTIX™ | Open tin with insert

NUDESTIX™ | Inner cap holds a full-size mirror

NUDESTIX™ | Angel Magnetic Eye Color Pencil

NUDESTIX™ | Angel Magnetic Eye Color Pencil (ingredients list)

NUDESTIX™ | Angel Magnetic Eye Color Pencil + sharpener (included)

Angel Magnetic Eye Color Pencil (CAN $28.00) | A nude shimmer eye shadow with a warm peachy tint, in a waterproof pencil format. The texture is incredibly creamy and glides effortlessly along the skin, leaving behind a rich shimmery veil of colour that can be sheered out – although you do have to work quickly to do so, or layered for more depth & intensity. Once applied, you have just a couple of minutes to blend this out because once it sets, it’s there for the duration; a swatch test on my inner arm even lasted through showering. On my eyelids (prone to oiliness), I was able to wear Angel without any primer and experienced no visible creasing at all – a highly impressive feature of the staying power of this pencil. NOTE: You will need a dual-phase eye makeup remover to take this off (I swear by the one from Neutrogena).

NUDESTIX™ | Angel Magnetic Eye Color Pencil

NUDESTIX™ | Love Lip + Cheek Pencil

NUDESTIX™ | Love Lip + Cheek Pencil (ingredients list)

Love Lip + Cheek Pencil (CAN $28.00) | A petal pink hue without shimmer, in a highly emollient formula that can be worn either on the lips or cheeks. I love how easily this goes on and I experience no tugging or pulling in application, and even though this shade is just a touch too pale for my colouring, I am still able to pull it off for an easy daytime look. As a blush, I found it to be too sheer and it never really ‘set’ – especially on bare skin, unless I added a powder blusher on top for added longevity (which then defeats the purpose of using Love as a blush), although it did give a nice glow while it lasted. I had better luck wearing this shade over foundation, but again, the colour slides a bit too much to be built up. On the lips, this is an amazing pencil – soft, gliding and leaving a hydrated feel behind, with an average staying power of about 2.5 hours.

NUDESTIX™ | Love Lip + Cheek Pencil

NUDESTIX™ | Shimmer Eye Pencil

NUDESTIX™ | Shimmer Eye Pencil (ingredients list)

Shimmer Eye Pencil (CAN $28.00) | An eye shadow pencil in a champagne hue that has an excellent mix of both cool & warm tones, making it wearable for basically all complexions. The smudger that is built in to one end, is of an excellent quality and soft enough to help you blend this shadow with ease. Not as long wearing as the Magnetic Eye Color Pencils, you may find you need to apply primer first for added staying power (especially for those with oily lids), although I didn’t see noticeable creasing until a few hours in – and that’s without primer. As an eye shadow applied to the mobile lid, Shimmer gives my eyes a nice ‘wide-awake’ shine that’s not overly blingy – just add a quick swipe of mascara and the look is done. This shade also works beautifully as an inner eye or brow bone highlighter, as well as to accentuate the cupid’s bow and even along the tops of cheekbones, although the latter means a bit more work to blend it out seamlessly there.

NUDESTIX™ | Shimmer Eye Pencil

NUDESTIX™ | Shimmer Eye Pencil (smudger end)

NUDESTIX™ | Shimmer Eye Pencil

What can be easier than using a pencil to apply all your makeup needs? There are enough shade variances in the eye, lip/cheek & skin (concealer) pencils available, to accommodate basically all skin tones and colour preferences, and the pencil-cap sharpener is an addition that makes you wonder why no one has thought of this before. The quality of the 3 pencils I tried is amazing and I’m also a fan of all the little details that went into this entire range – from the reusable tin (perfect to store several of your NUDESTIX™ pencils in), to the simple & clean concept, making these pencils a truly on-the-go product. For anyone who’s a fan of a more minimal makeup look while still appearing ‘done’, I find the NUDESTIX range to be definitely worth looking – and investing – in. Personally, I’ll be checking out some of the darker hues available … there’s something very addictive about scribbling on one’s face, and it actually looking good!

Available through select Sephora stores (Canada & US), as well as Space.NK – Find more information via:

*Disclosure: Press samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

Filed under: beauty, Blush, Cosmetics, eyeshadow pencil, Lip gloss/pencil, Lip products, Makeup, NUDESTIX Tagged: beauty, eye pencil, lip pencil, luckymag, makeup, NUDESTIX, product review, swatches

Wrapping up my review of Urban Decay‘s Pulp Fiction Collection (find earlier reviews here & here), are the Revolution Lipstick and 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil, both in the shade Mrs. Mia Wallace – an intensely voluptuous shade of red, and definitely one that’s not for the weak-hearted. Seeing as how this year red lipstick, in all its unapologetic glory, is gearing up to reign supreme – and with the holidays around the corner, where a red lip is almost mandatory – this duo will ensure your lips get noticed. Dangerously, so.

Worth noting with this collection, is the packaging; the exteriors all bear the iconic Pulp Fiction logo and even the interiors have not been neglected, printed with a bullet-riddled/blood-splattered design, along with excerpts from the film. The lipstick case for Mrs. Mia Wallace has also been given a new look, now in a shimmery gunmetal finish instead of the usual pewter. It’s the little details like this, that always just get me.

Urban Decay | Mrs. Mia Wallace Revolution Lipstick & 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil

Urban Decay | Mrs. Mia Wallace Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay | Mrs. Mia Wallace Revolution Lipstick (ingredients list)

Urban Decay | Mrs. Mia Wallace Revolution Lipstick

Mrs. Mia Wallace Revolution Lipstick, Limited Edition (CAN $26.00) | A blue-based deep red hue in a formula that’s incredibly rich, highly pigmented and colour saturated, and somewhat dense – but still very easy to apply, bearing a luxurious shine at the finish. This is not a shade you can slap on in a jiffy; something this luxurious needs attention and a steady hand, but the end result is just oh-so-worth it. There are reds and then there are reds; Mrs. Mia Wallace is RED. As in blood red, vixen red, don’t mess with me red — oozing the perfect mixture of cool sophistication and a lush carnal sensuality. Relatively non scented, you need to take make sure that your lips are properly exfoliated beforehand, or risk this shade catching on any stray bits – definitely not a good look with something as saturated as this. The formula here is thicker than what I’m used to, and while not emollient, neither is it drying so that it’s still able to lay down smoothly. Staying power is like iron – I get easily 12 hours +, lasting well even through eating & drinking, leaving lips lightly stained when the majority of colour has finally worn off. Another bonus, is that unlike other lipsticks that are this densely pigmented, it does not dry your lips out by the end of the wearing and when worn in conjunction with the matching lip liner, you get the added benefit of no migration or bleeding into surrounding lip lines.

Urban Decay | Mrs. Mia Wallace Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay | Mrs. Mia Wallace Revolution Lipstick & 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil swatches

Urban Decay | Mrs. Mia Wallace Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay | Mrs. Mia Wallace 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil

Urban Decay | Mrs. Mia Wallace 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil (ingredients list)

Urban Decay | Mrs. Mia Wallace 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil

Mrs. Mia Wallace 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil, Limited Edition (CAN $24.00) | A creamy and waterproof formula lip pencil in the signature Mrs. Mia Wallace blood-red hue. I appreciate how the barrel of the pencil shows the colour you’re reaching for – makes it easier to find when fishing around a makeup bag (like I usually do). The texture is smooth without turning too soft, bearing just the right amount of ‘give’ for an effortlessly gliding application, but not so hard that it tugs or drags along the lips. Wear time is nothing short of phenomenal and I actually tried the waterproof test on my arm – it literally does not wash off, even through showering. Worn as a traditional liner, you get the added benefit of it performing ‘guard duty’, preventing your lipstick from feathering or bleeding out into surrounding lip lines. Another way to wear this liner, is applied all over the lips that have been prepped with a bit of balm first to make application even easier – as well as aiding in thinning the product out a touch – then topped with a gloss (either clear, or coloured) for extra shine and juiciness.

Urban Decay | Mrs. Mia Wallace 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil

Red lipstick and I haven’t always gotten along; that being said, I have an inordinately large collection of red lipsticks just the same – which I hardly ever wear – primarily because there is more effort involved (red is so NOT a swipe & go kind of colour), but even more importantly, I don’t like worrying about migrating/bleeding issues. Thankfully, there are options; one is in using a clear waxy pencil/liner such as No Bleeding Lips (previously reviewed here) that works phenomenally well at keeping everything in place, as well as not breaking the bank while doing so. Another even easier option, is in investing in a duo such as these two: colour that looks rich & luscious, and actually behaves – until you don’t want it to. Mrs. Mia Wallace would be proud.

These limited edition products are still available – find more information by visiting www.urbandecay.com

*Disclosure: Press samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

Following the huge success of the Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy range that launched in Fall 2013 (reviewed here and here), a product that marries lip colour with skincare and comfort – think of it as the lipstick version of a CC cream – three new and limited edition red shades have just been released. Inspired by richly hued precious spices from around the world, each lipstick bears a unique and lush tone – a veritable voyage of red.

Each Rouge Ecstasy lipstick comes in a cylindrical convex-shaped tube with the brand’s initials on the bottom portion, and which snaps firmly shut with a magnetic closure (I love this feature; caps stay in place with no fear of them coming off & disappearing into the bottoms of purses/makeup bags). Another instantly recognizable feature is the signature red hue of the outer casing – very Armani. There is a soft and pleasant floral scent to these lipsticks (rose, perhaps?) and the texture is what makes them unique: a slightly thick (but still quite easy to apply) ultra creamy formula that bears excellent pigmentation, and which literally glides across the lips, leaving a soft shine at the finish. The 3 hues featured today, are intensely colour saturated, which seems in contradition to the balm-like properties they offer, but nevertheless that’s exactly what they provide – super rich colour with an incredibly comfortable feel, that is quite long lasting and which leave lips feeling totally hydrated and nourished. Staying power on all: averaging 9-10 hours, less with eating & drinking.

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Rouge Ecstasy 404 Spice, 405 Sultan & 406 Orient (all limited edition)

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Rouge Ecstasy 404 Spice, 405 Sultan & 406 Orient (all limited edition), ingredients list

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Rouge Ecstasy 404 Spice, 405 Sultan & 406 Orient (all limited edition)

Rouge Ecstasy 404 Spice, Limited Edition (CAN $38.00) | A vivid crimson/carmine red hue and even though the base holds blueish undertones, this is a shade that will suit a wide range of skin complexions. One swipe gives amazing colour saturation, but 404 Spice can also be easily built up for even stronger impact. Leaves a deep rose light stain on the lips long after the majority of product has worn off.

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Rouge Ecstasy 404 Spice

Rouge Ecstasy 405 Sultan, Limited Edition (CAN $38.00) | A rich brick red hue that leans more warm than cool, and a wonderful compromise for those who don’t want an ‘in-your-face’ red, but still desire impact. By applying 1 swipe of 405 Sultan along the lips then pressing them together, you get a nice wash of colour – although this shade is super easy to build up for more intensity and depth of tone. Leaves a light coral/orange stain upon the lips long after majority of product has worn off.

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Rouge Ecstasy 405 Sultan

Rouge Ecstasy 406 Orient, Limited Edition (CAN $38.00) | A deep burgundy hue with blue undertones in the base. Obviously the darkest of the three shown, 406 Orient also displays hints of berry which lighten up the colour somewhat and give it a flirty side. The beauty of the Rouge Ecstasy formula, is that you can take a colour as highly concentrated as this, and sheer it out by simply applying one swipe then pressing lips together to spread it out – or alternately apply with your finger for more control. Leaves a light cerise stain behind long after the majority of product has worn off.

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Rouge Ecstasy 406 Orient

I’ve said it in previous posts, but it bears repeating: red lips are so totally IN this year. The intensity of this particular shade, however, can be daunting for many although you cannot deny how powerful, fierce, feminine, confident and sexy a red lip can make you feel. Giorgio Armani Beauty has been redefining red hues since the brand began, and what makes the Rouge Ecstasy range such a standout, in my opinion, is the formula. Price-wise, these lipsticks lean towards the steeper end of the scale, although getting such rich colour along with super hydration, makes them definitely worth a look.

Available now through Holt Renfrew and select Hudson’s Bay stores (Canada). Find more information via the website

*Disclosure: Press samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

There’s something about deep berry lip shades that just say ‘Fall’ to me, but with my colouring, it’s not always easy to pull them off. A highly pigmented lip gloss such as Lancôme’s Lip Lover in 362 Bordeaux Tempo, provides that intense colour I’m looking for in a lightweight yet highly moisturizing format, and with somewhat less commitment on my part, application-wise.

Lancôme Lip Lover | 362 Bordeaux Tempo

362 Bordeaux Tempo (CAN $29.00) | A rich oxblood hue with ultra fine shimmer that you can see in the tube, but which translates to the barest hint of shimmer once applied. This is a cooler leaning shade, but can still be worn equally well by those with warmer complexions (no need to fear it closing with your skin tone).

All Lip Lover tubes have a transparent panel so you can see the colour you’re getting, and bear a button in front for easy 1-click opening & closing and which also acts as a safety feature to prevent the cap from ever opening up on its own (and winding in the bottom of your purse/makeup bag/makeup drawer/etc). There is no discernible scent, and what little I do pick up, seems fairly neutral and pleasant. The wand is relatively short and bears a sponge applicator shaped flat on its sides (excellent for applying broader swipes of colour) and a rounded point at the tip for more precision work.

The formula is a mix of: balm, lipstick & gloss, with an ultra creamy and buttery soft texture that enables it to literally glide along the lips. The deep shade of 362 Bordeaux Tempo (as seen in the tube) applies initially slightly more translucent and at first swipe, you can clearly see its grape undertones. The shade is layer able to a certain degree, but don’t expect the opacity of a similarly coloured lipstick. Staying power is 2-pronged; when the majority of gloss has faded (around the 3.5 hour mark on me), I’m still left with colour on my lips along with a very quenched & moisturized feel. The secondary effect, is that the stain left behind in fact will most likely remain until removed – an impressive feature when considering that this is a gloss. Another bonus: with a colour this deep, I expected some feathering and bleeding into surrounding lip lines (which hit at about the 4-hour mark on me), and hardly noticeable overall.

Lancôme Lip Lover | 362 Bordeaux Tempo (1-click closure)

Lancôme Lip Lover | 362 Bordeaux Tempo

Lip gloss has come a long way from the Bonne Bell days of clear & flavoured roller-balls (anyone remember those?) and I must say that all brands have definitely stepped up their gloss game. The trend now is for this new type of format: basically, a liquid lip product that displays a high pigment level, is über-glossy as well as long-lasting, and delivers a highly moisturizing feel. Lancôme’s 362 Bordeaux Tempo scores high on all counts, and while not opaque per se, it still gives a gorgeous surge of colour – enough to satisfy most of my Fall lip cravings.

Available through all Lancôme counters nationwide , find more information here.

Press sample provided for my unbiased consideration

A few weeks ago, I was invited to take part in the YSL x Google Glass experience (you can read about it here) and while that in itself was pretty amazing, for a beauty aficionado like myself, seeing the YSL Spring 2015 Collection up close and personal, was an even bigger thrill. The latest innovation from YSL Beauté and the first of its kind in the beauty world, is Volupté Tint-In-Oil (CAN $35.00, available in 8 shades), a unique new lip oil that is infused with tint that provides all the nourishing benefits of a balm, but with the beautifying effects of colour.

Housed in sleek chrome tubes belted with the YSL ‘Cassandre’ logo (this band also displays the colour of each individual shade for your convenience), the contents are kept cocooned away from light in order to preserve their integrity. The ‘bouche à bouche’ diamond-shaped & angled applicator with its soft texture and mini-reservoir at the centre, has been designed to help dispense a perfect hit of product in one simple swipe, almost making it intuitive in terms of application ease – no mirror required. Adding to the sensorial experience, is a delicious mango scent (although it reminds me more of watermelon candies), which is so uplifting mood-wise.

According to the brand, there are two facets to this unique new formula:

COLOUR LINK INFUSER

Although oil and tint naturally repel each other, YSL Beauté has conceived of a way for opposites to attract – compelling these two ingredients to work effectively as one. COLOUR LINK INFUSER is an ultra-stabilizing technology developed by YSL Beauté for its ability to disperse and homogeneously solubilize colour particles in oil to create a hybrid formula. The colour pigments are captured within the oils to dispense an ever-evolving burst of liquid lip colour. The oils slowly disappear but the pop of colour stays true.

5 PRECIOUS OILS

Apricot Kernel Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil, Coriander Fruit Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Passion Flower Oil

The precious Passion Flower has been well-documented as having invaluable nutritive properties. Historically cultivated in the Majorelle Garden in Morocco (a place so dear to M. Yves saint Laurent’s heart and one of his prime sources of inspiration), this flower blooms only in daylight and fades by nightfall, waiting for the energizing light of the sun to come again.

Another interesting feature of the Volupté Tint-In-Oil, is the ‘bitten-lips/stain’ effect they leave behind, a colour that will be unique to each and every user. The colour tint that is parcelled within the oils, awakens on contact with the lips and then proceeds to interact the the lip tone, in effect creating one’s own bespoke colour finish. The tint itself evolves with the wearing, becoming more vibrant minutes after initial application, enhancing your lips with a natural glow.

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Volupté Tint-In-Oil

From start to finish, it’s LOVE; to begin with, the packaging is über-elegant and just begs to be taken out in public. The applicator truly is goof-proof and as the Tint-In-Oil formula is not colour saturated, you really don’t need a mirror for application (as well, the tint of each shade does not stain surrounding skin, in the event you ‘colour outside the lines’, so to speak). The magic begins immediately upon application, starting with a rich nourishing sensation of the oil upon the lips, a feeling that’s neither oily, too slick, or sticky – just ultra comfortable and hydrating, and one that seems to fill in lip lines as well (my lips are quite lined, and I was amazed to see how diminished said lines appear). Within a few minutes, you can see and feel a few other changes; there’s a slight tingling I sense which is not unpleasant for me (anyone with sensitivities, should definitely test these out at a counter first) and then the colour begins intensifying. Lasting power is on par for a gloss (I get between 2.5 – 3.5 hours), although that is also affected by food, drink, etc. and even when the glossiness has faded, I am still left with a slight stain on my lips (intensity of stain will vary with each individual shade), along with a completely hydrated feel.

N°2 Oh So Gold – the lightest of the 3 shown, warm-leaning with a light apricot tint and iridescent gold shimmer (non-gritty)

N°4 I Rose You – carnation pink, perfect mix of cool & warm undertones making it wearable by a broad range of skintones, iridescent pink shimmer

N°5 Cherry My Chérie – lush true pink, the most intense of the 3, leaves behind a hint of shimmer along with tint upon the lips. According to my press sheet, this is the ‘Star Shade’ of this collection, iridescent pink shimmer

“Volupté Tint-In-Oil is ultra-comfortable with a soothing feeling on the lips. It’s more like a liquid lip balm than a gloss or a stain. It creates volume and erases texture on the lips with a beautiful shine.

It’s great for people who might be afraid of colour, as it’s super natural. Balms, glosses and stains generally tend to achieve only one effect rather than several effects together. Volupté Tint-In-Oil perfectly combines colour, shine, and absolute comfort”

Lloyd Simmonds, Creative Director Makeup YSL Beauté

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Volupté Tint-In-Oil swatches

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Volupté Tint-In-Oil, swatches after 10 minutes of wear (*Please note that the above swatch at left should be N°2 and not N°1)

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Volupté Tint-In-Oil N°2 Oh So Gold swatch

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Volupté Tint-In-Oil N°4 I Rose You swatch

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Volupté Tint-In-Oil N°5 Cherry My Chérie swatch

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Volupté Tint-In-Oil N°5 Cherry My Chérie swatch after 10 minutes of wear

Mark my words, you’re going to start seeing all brands – from luxury to mass market – begin releasing their own version of YSL Beauté’s Volupté Tint-In-Oil, although I sincerely doubt anyone can match the utter gorgeousness seen here. In general, I enjoy the convenience of using lipgloss, but reapplication is a chore and more often than not, my lips wind up feeling parched after it’s worn off. That being said, I experience none of these issues with any of these Tint-In-Oil shades, although N°2 Oh So Gold only left a mere whisper of a stain to my lips – perfect for fans of a more natural looking mouth. As pink lip shades fall out of my comfort zone, I was stunned by how much I loved the look of N°5 Cherry My Cherie; both upon application, and again with the stain it left behind – reminded me of the way my lips would look after devouring a pink PopSicle. Come to think of it, one reason I used to love those treats, was exactly because of the way they stained my lips – early signs of a budding beauty fiend, perhaps?

How perfect are these for Valentine’s Day? Even the applicator seems to be in on the theme! ♥

Available now at Sephora, Sephora.ca and The Bay stores throughout Canada.

Press samples provided for my unbiased consideration

Long associated with all things slimy (or salads), oil is now the beauty industry’s latest “it” ingredient, but Clarins knew way before the rest of the pack, how truly amazing certain oils can be; over 60 years ago, the brand’s first products were in fact, face and body oils. Launched with the recent Garden Escape Spring 2015 Collection (the eye shadow palette reviewed here) the latest addition to their already impressive line of beauty care, is the Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil (CAN $23.00), a triple threat balm/regenerator/gloss lip product. And it smells so yummy.

Don’t let the orange colour fool you; this lip oil most definitely applies clear. Made with nourishing oils such as Hazelnut, Mirabelle and organic Jojoba, the sponge-foot applicator is also unique in that it is much wider shaped than traditional gloss applicators & curved for ease of use. The downside to a wider applicator, however, is that it doesn’t come out of the opening as easily; you need to exert a touch more pressure – nothing major, but it should be noted that by doing so, you may just end up dropping some product along the way. In other words, don’t manhandle the process.

The texture is at once fluid, velvety, and buttery although the viscosity is thick enough to know you’re not wearing a gloss – but it sure shines like one. I personally love the honey scent (which seems almond candy-like to my nose) and while I’m not usually a fan of flavoured lip products, I don’t mind the slight sweet taste here either. With regards to lasting power, it’s about on par for a clear lip gloss-like product and I get approximately 2-3 hours of wear, although the nourishing feel it imparts to the lips last much longer than that. Another bonus, is that this lip oil can also be layered over lipstick/lip pencil, but I wouldn’t recommend contaminating the applicator like that.

Living in a climate that wreaks total CHAOS on the lips (and the incredibly cold Winter we’ve been experiencing this year, has taken things up a few notches in the dry/peeling/cracking lips department) I am constantly on the hunt for lip products to help give back what nature (and indoor heating) has taken away. This new Comfort Oil certainly delivers in that category, while making for that perfect swipe-and-go gloss … great for those days when you don’t want to bother with colour. With regards to long-term benefits, I can say that it won’t be replacing my current Holy Grail lip treatment product (which happens to be Vaseline’s Lip Therapy in Cocoa Butter) but it does an acceptable job just the same. My only issue, is that I find that about 30 minutes into the wearing, my lips actually start to feel a little tight around the edges – a quick press and the product gets redistributed, which goes a long way in eliminating that sensation.

Clarins | Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil 01 Honey

Clarins | Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil 01 Honey, ingredients list

Clarins | Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil 01 Honey, applied

The advantages to the Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil, are several; nourishing ingredients, instant shine and a feel-good scent/taste. Considering the CAN $23.00 price point, it’s also well within the reach of most budgets, especially when you factor in that it’s a department store brand. A lip saviour, it definitely isn’t for me, but I do like the feel upon initial application and enjoy the fact that my lips feel quite hydrated once it has worn off. I still think it’s worth looking into all the same, as we all respond differently to products and this might just be the ONE you’ve been looking for. Personally, I wish all lip products had this scent – bonus points for that.

Available now at all Clarins counters across Canada. Find more information via clarins.ca

Press sample provided for my unbiased consideration

Of all the Summer beauty offerings I’ve seen thus far, Guerlain has somehow managed to perfectly capture the essence of the season with their Summer 2015 Colour Collection. Calling to mind azure skies, sun-bronzed limbs, and turquoise seas, the pieces feel fun and carefree; the brand’s signature Terracotta Bronzing Powder now sports a removable neoprene sleeve (aqua for the Blonde version, coral for the Brunette option) along with the heady beachy scent of its tiare flower-infused powder, while the lipstick pops up at the push of your thumb. For the first time, Guerlain introduces a waterproof cream eyeshadow formula with a unique new airy-light texture while nails get their vibe on with a shimmery new aqua hue.

Enjoy the following preview – individual reviews of all pieces forthcoming. Note that the entire Guerlain Summer 2015 Colour Collection is limited edition (while the Terracotta Bronzing Powders are permanent, the neoprene sleeves are limited).

Guardian Summer 2015 Collection | Terracotta 02 Natural – Blondes Bronzing Powder

Guardian Summer 2015 Collection | Rouge Automatique 603 Yellow It-Stick

Guardian Summer 2015 Collection | Summer Shadow in Blue Ocean

Guardian Summer 2015 Collection | Colour Lacquer in Blue Ocean

Press samples kindly provided for my unbiased consideration/post contains affiliate links

The latest release from Urban Decay is a collaboration with Jean-Michel Basquiat, one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. With packaging depicting his artwork and colours inspired by his works, the products feature brand new and exclusive shades and what’s more, all are absolutely wearable too. By the way, the 3 palettes (eyeshadows & blush) have an extra unique feature: they all have a ‘hook’ built into the back so you can hang them up. Now that’s what I call beauty truly imitating art.

Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960 – 1988), was a pioneer of the neo-impressionist movement that rebelled against the conceptual and minimalist art that dominated the 70s. By 17 he was selling his hand-painted postcards and T-shirts and by 20 he had already landed his first public exhibition. A dominant figure in the 80s art scene in NYC where he counted the likes of Andy Warhol and music icon Debbie Harry as his friends, Jean-Michel Basquiat’s work is still exhibited all over the world. His message was one that spoke out against social injustices, merging his passions and causes into his pieces that comprised of informal graffiti and mixed mediums/colours in unique and non-traditional ways. Personally, I’ve always been a huge fan of his work and still recall how saddened I was to hear of his death, knowing that yet another bright light had been extinguished in the art world.

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Untitled (Skull) 1981, Jean-Michel Basquiat

Untitled (Fallen Angel) 1981, Jean-Michel Basquiat

Urban Decay x Jean-Michel Basquiat, limited edition

Gold Griot Eyeshadow Palette (CAN $49.00) | This is the more neutral of the two palettes which also consists of eight brand new shades. All feature Urban Decay’s Pigment Infusion System™ that provides the formula with rich, blendable, and long-lasting colour. I was actually quite impressed with the quality of these hues and this palette has quickly become the one I reach for the most these days.

Enigma – neutral pale nude, matte
Levitation – warm pale nude, matte
Not for Sale – medium sienna, matte
Suckerpunch – warm brown, shimmer
Influence – brown satin with gold shimmer
BK – grey, satin matte
Pseudonym – deep navy, matte (full coverage only when dampened)
Crown – metallic gold

Tenant Eyeshadow Palette (CAN $49.00) | This palette consist of eight bright hues that are surprisingly wearable, especially considering the intensity of some of the shades. All blend beautifully and display excellent pigmentation (note that both Boom & Untitled can be slightly staining) and depending on how light or intense you apply them, can all be made to work for a casual look as well.

Studio – pale pink, matte
1960 – bright pink, matte
Neo – aubergine with micro shimmer (more evident when applied damp)
Les – charcoal black, satin matte
Graffiti – deep green, metallic
EXU – lime green, shimmer
Boom – deep aqua/teal, matte
Untitled – rich deep blue, matte

24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eye Pencils (CAN $25.00/each) | Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On pencils are some of my absolute faves; they’re all quite pigment-rich and literally glide along the skin buttery-smooth while also lasting like mad — even when worn along the waterline. The three shades of this collection not only work beautifully with both eyeshadow palettes, but can also be used underneath any of the eyeshadows for added depth of tone.

Anatomy – sienna, matte
Post Punk – neon lime/green with a hint of pearl
Vivid – bright teal, matte

Gallery Blush Palette (CAN $45.00) | Created with the brand’s Afterglow formula that’s said to deliver up to 8 hours of fade-proof wear, this palette contains 2 blush shades, a highlighter, as well as a bronzer. All display excellent pigmentation & blendability and when applied over primer/foundation, last beautifully without showing any signs of oxidation. The bronzer is said to be universal in tone, but it definitely leans warm but can still be made to work on those with cooler complexions; just go in with a light hand & blend, blend, blend.

X-Rated – medium pink, satin
Now’s the Time – gold/champagne, shimmer
Jawbone – medium bronze, satin matte
Noho – radiant berry, satin

Vice Lipstick (CAN $21.00/each) | Three new shades in the Vice range that were created exclusively for this collection, these all come with a replica of one of Basquiat’s works on the outer casing, and feature the brand’s proprietary Pigment Infusion System™ which provides long-lasting colour payoff along with a reach creamy feel. Bonus: unscented.

Exhibition – medium pink/purple (more like orchid to me), comfort matte
Abstract – nude taupe, cream
Epigram – neutral sienna, cream

It’s no secret that I’m passionate about beauty and while I can find something to love in pretty much every release that comes my way, some collections such as this Urban Decay x Jean-Michel Basquiat collaboration seems to have that little something extra. With the exception of a couple of eyeshadow shades that didn’t perform as I initially expected, I am impressed with every single item on all counts: pigmentation & performance. Having such inspired packaging doesn’t hurt the cause either…nor do the excellent price points. But beware: everything is limited edition, so unless you want to pay auction-house prices later on (eBay, I’m looking at you), better make your investment now.

Available at Sephora

Media samples kindly provided, all opinions are my own

Heads up my beauties, because there’s a new lipstick player in town and you’ll want to pay attention. Created by the Barillaro sisters (Maria & Vicki) right here in my hometown of beautiful Montréal, the concept behind TōN Cosmetics is simple yet positively genius: to decode the beauty world and help you find your perfect colour match. The breakout collection is centred around a ‘nude’ theme and as we all know, finding one’s neutral sweet spot is not always easy … until now, that is.

What makes this brand truly stand out for me (apart from the fact that I have a slight obsession with nude lippies and this collection totally sits in my wheelhouse), is many-sided; for starters, I love the fact that everything is made here in Canada. Secondly, you guys know I’m all about the details and that category hasn’t been overlooked here either. But above all, it always comes down to performance and this is where I’ve been impressed the most. A bonus feature is the quick test you can do on the website which will direct you to your perfect nude match; no more agonizing over which shade to go for!

Oh, and because I love sharing amazing new finds with you all, TōN Cosmetics has kindly provided a discount code for all my readers; simply enter OMMO20 at checkout and recieve 20% off the already amazing price of CAN $19.00/US $15.50 (each).

This promotion is available to Canadian and US residents only (and in case you’re wondering, I do NOT receive a cut — this is all for you guys!)

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The originality in packaging begins with the outer box and its unique hexagonal closure, followed by the pristine casing of each lipstick that’s capped with a [faux] jewel on top. Tell me you don’t want to pull these out in public just to show them off …

The formula is infused with hydrating ingredients such as Shea Butter and Vitamin E, as well as being free of formaldehydes and parabens, for a product that feels completely hydrating upon the lips. The fragrance is pleasant and light and reminds me of yummy chocolate (almost a softer version of the MAC classic scent), while the texture literally glides effortlessly along the lips, almost seeming to fill in lip lines as it goes. Most come in a cream finish which is actually opaque from the first swipe — and that includes the lightest shades (I know, right?) with a few displaying a soft shimmer that’s never frosty. As to staying power, colour me impressed once again, with the lightest shades giving you easily 3-4 hours of wear, while the darker hues lasting longer as well as fading to a light stain.

The Fair Group | I have a fair-medium complexion with a light golden undertone (I also tan easily), so it was with considerable surprise that I found I could wear basically all three of this group and not look washed out. What sorcery is this?

Cool 1 – neutralizes blue undertones, cream finish
Neutral 1 – balanced between pink & gold undertones, light shimmer finish
Warm 1 – peachy undertones, cream finish

The Medium Group | I knew going in that I would probably find a fave in the Medium Group; I didn’t expect to love all three. Hard. Do NOT ask me to pick a fave, because I can’t.

Cool 1 – pinkish hue to neutralize blue undertones, light shimmer finish
Neutral 1 – true & perfectly balanced nude, satin sheen finish
Warm 1 – beige undertone, cream finish

The Dark Group | Obviously all three of this group are rather deep against my skin tone, but they all have a neutrality about them that I love — not to mention making a perfect pairing against lighter eye makeup.

Cool 1 – berry beige undertone, cream finish
Neutral 1 – deep tan undertone, cream finish
Warm 1 – neutralizes peachy undertone, cream finish

Where beauty is concerned, my standards are high; where nude lipstick is concerned, my standards are even higher, since finding the right shade is quite the tricky beast. That said, I really appreciate how TōN Cosmetics takes the guesswork out of the equation with its quick test, thereby making it a breeze to find your match. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to try them all (hint: just use the promo code OMMO20 and go NUTS!)

Connect with TōN Cosmetics via Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest

Available online at www.toncosmetics.com

Many thanks to TōN Cosmetics for partnering to sponsor this post

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Urban Decay can be credited as the brand who made Naked part of every beauty lover’s vocabulary and with the upcoming launch of the Naked Heat Collection, things are about to get positively steamy (this collection is making it almost too easy to come up with titillating metaphors). Drawing on the latest colour trends, these hues may be inspired by rising temps, but can definitely be worn year-round with ease. Personally, I have not been able to stop reaching for this collection since the day it arrived … and I don’t intend to stop anytime soon, either.

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I admit it: packaging like this makes me very happy

Naked Heat Palette (CAN $66.00) | Inspired by two of the brand’s most recent popular shades, Bitter (Vice 4) and Extra Bitter (Naked Ultimate Basics), this palette comes housed in a banded tale with a fiery and almost holographic image on the lid (by the way, the outer box is gorgeous too) and holds 12 new warm-leaning shades in a fiery rendition of neutral. With a mix of matte, satin, and multi-tonal shimmer textures, along with colours that run from a light tan, scorching sienna, to moody deep brick, there are endless looks you can create that can take you from daytime appropriate all the way to evening. With the exception of Ashes that applies surprisingly lighter than what’s seen in the pan, all are stellar performers and last beautifully over primer, staying true without fading until removed.

Personally, I have been a fan of red, burgundy & copper eyeshadows for as long as I can remember and find these shades incredibly flattering for all complexions and eye hues, in particular for those with blue or green eyes (me) as it makes the colour truly pop.

Ounce – ivory shimmer
Chaser – light nude matte
Sauced – soft tan matte
Low Blow – camel matte
Lumbre – copper shimmer with gold pearl shift
He Devil – burnt red matte
Dirty Talk – metallic burnt red
Scorched – metallic deep red with gold micro shimmer
Cayenne – deep terracotta matte
En Fuego – burgundy matte
Ashes – deep reddish brown matte
Ember – deep metallic copper burgundy

24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil (CAN $25.00/each) | I’ve said it many times before but it bears repeating: these are some of the best eyeliner pencils out there. With a creamy texture that truly does glide along the delicate skin of the eye area, each is incredibly pigmented and lasts beautifully — even along the waterline. If planning on blending out for a smokier effect, just remember to work one eye at a time as once the colour sets, it’s pretty much there for the long haul.

On a side note, I have been wearing some form of red or burgundy at the waterline for years now, and it never fails to solicit a ton of positive comments. Depending on the rest of your makeup, the effect is one that really makes eyes the centre of attention.

Torch – true sienna
Alkaline – burgundy wine

Vice Lipstick (CAN $21.00/each) | A coordinating trio of lipsticks for this collection with new copper metallic outer casings and in the brand’s Vice Lipstick formula: highly pigmented, long-wearing, and with a plush creamy lip feel. I actually adore every single hue shown, and love how effortlessly each can be worn and by such a broad range of skin tones as well (regardless of the fact that these shades happen to be warm leaning). Note that both Heat and Scorched have ultra fine shimmery bits that may get left behind on the lips once the majority of colour has faded, but to be fair, that’s a nice look too (or maybe that’s just me ∗shrugs∗)

Heat – (Metallized) burnt red with gold pearl
Fuel – (Cream) warm peachy nude
Scorched – (Metallized) metallic copper/bronze

To recap: this is the collection you have been waiting for, and probably didn’t even know it. The Naked Heat palette is unbelievable and offers up such a huge variety of looks to create — and original too (forget about your everyday nudes/neutrals), that I’m actually finding it difficult to reach for anything else. The eyeliners? I’m already planning backups of both Torch and Alkaline, so enough said. As to the lipsticks, while I adore peachy/nude shades such as Fuel, my heart has been grabbed by both Heat and Scorched and I totally intend to wear them down (snicker). In other words, do NOT let this collection pass you by. You’ve been duly warned.

Available online – June 30, Sephora – July 12

Media samples kindly provided, all opinions my own

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To celebrate Canada’s 150th Birthday, MAC has created the Proud To Be Canadian Collection, three products with special edition packaging inspired by our nation’s flag. Originally launched in 1984 in a Toronto salon, MAC has since gone on to become one of the most loved brands the world over and is now sold in over 150 countries around the globe. A leader in promoting originality and fearless artistry, MAC is a brand that will always have a special place in my heart from the day it launched — and yes, my Canadian pride is most definitely showing.

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Proud To Be Canadian Tote (CAN $28.00) | Made of thick polyurethane with sturdy black vinyl straps and fabric-lined on the inside, this tote bag measures 15″ wide by 18″ high and bears a plaid design printed with a white maple leaf on one side and the brand’s name and year of birth on the other. How perfect is this tote for shopping and/or to take along to the beach … and all while stylishly showing one’s Canadian pride?

Proud To Be Canadian Makeup Bag (CAN $20.00/Exclusive to MAC Select members) | Made of the same material and sporting a matching design to the tote, this makeup bag is absolutely perfect for travel and is a good size to fit into a larger handbag. I have several makeup bags that I alternate between and while many previous MAC versions that I own lean on the smaller/narrower end of things, I find that this bag is suitable to hold both products and brushes without anything getting all squished up. Bonus: its exterior is so easily cleaned as well.

Proud To Be Canadian Matte Lipstick (CAN $21.00) | A true and almost iconic red hue that comes in a matte finish, but one which does not wind up looking flat or two-dimensional along the lips. Bearing the brand’s vanilla-candy scent, the texture is ultra creamy and with amazing pigmentation that applies opaquely from the very first swipe. As with other red lipsticks, a matching liner (I used MAC’s Cherry lip liner in the swatch photo below) is necessary to keep the colour in place and looking sharp, but for a more modern way to wear red, simply use your finger to swoosh the colour around the lips to create a more ‘stained’ type of effect. Staying power is excellent, even through eating and/or drinking.

It really makes me happy to see that MAC decided to honour its Canadian heritage with this capsule collection and while red lipstick is not exactly ground-breaking in the beauty world, it’s nevertheless still the most popular colour worldwide — and the shade I personally reach for when a special occasion comes up, or if I want to add some zing to my look. Empowering, sexy, dangerous, and totally statement-making, wearing red lipstick is a definite beauty commitment and the one shade which can instantly boost confidence like nobody’s business; I couldn’t think of a better way to display my Canadian pride than by wearing this hue. Happy 150th Birthday, CANADA ♥

Available now at MAC boutiques and online

Media samples kindly provided, all opinions are my own

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Building upon the success of their award-winning Noir Révélateur lipstick, Givenchy is set to drop L’Autre Noir Collection for fall 2017, an entire group of products centred around the theme of colour-changing cosmetics. Created with eosin which reacts to your own body’s pH levels, the colour revealed becomes unique to everyone. Now THAT’s what I like to call truly customizable makeup.

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While the collection may be labelled as ‘black’, the actual colour of all products is more in line with a deep dusky plum and while everything may look scary dark in the packaging, it is surprisingly very wearable. I kid you not.

Lip Liner N°12 Universel Noir Révélateur (CAN $35.00) | A dusty mauve hue with random ultra fine shimmer, this liner can be used on its own to fill in lips, under the matching lipgloss or lipstick to add extra staining power, or simply to line lips as per usual. The stain it leaves behind is actually created by your own body as it reacts with the eosin and therefore always looks natural.

Gloss Noir Révélateur (CAN $38.00) | A non-sticky gloss that lays down charcoal in hue and which then turns to anything from a rosy cherry to faded plum, as it quickly adapts to your body’s pH levels. The applicator is a small pointed brush with densely packed bristles but with enough flexibility to enable you to easily fill in lips. Can also be layered over liner or any other shade for even more colour combinations.

Liner Vinyl N°6 Rosy Black (CAN $39.00) | A liquid liner in a deep blackened plum hue with purple micro-sparkle. The narrow brush makes it easy to lay down a fine line or you can turn it slightly on its side for a wider application, while staying power is excellent without any fading or cracking/peeling off until removed. As with the rest of this collection, the colour will deepen to meet your body’s pH levels.

Blush Noir Révélateur (CAN $43.00) | A cream blush in an easy to use squeeze tube, with a colour that emerges as dirty mauve but which quickly evolves into a natural-looking flush once applied to the skin. The finish is neither powdery nor dewy but something else entirely, with a slight sheen to keep it from looking flat. Can also be layered under or over other blush shades for added depth, staying power and/or a unique new colour combo.

Ombre Couture Eyeshadow N°20 Rosy Black (CAN $32.00) | A cream to powder eyeshadow in a blackened plum hue with ultra fine purple shimmer. The texture is super creamy and easy to blend out and you can either wear it sheered out for a wash of colour or layered up for more intensity. Also wearable under other eye shadows for depth and extra staying power.

There’s something really cool about makeup with transformative powers, am I right? Givenchy has taken that colour-morphing philosophy and made it über-chic — along with über-wearable. Factor in that the textures are all amazing while the packaging makes you want to pull everything out just because, plus how unique everything is (something that’s becoming harder and harder to do in the world of beauty), makes this entire L’Autre Noir Collection totally splurge-worthy. Black is definitely the new black.

Available August 3 exclusively at Sephora

Media samples kindly provided, all opinions are my own

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Just when you thought that the matte liquid lip trend was tapering off, along comes NARS with their Powermatte Lip Pigment — 20 kick-ass & long-wearing shades (2 are exclusive to NARS online) in a revolutionary new formula that is actually … drumroll, please … comfortable to wear. Inspired by the rebellious mood of the rock & roll era (example: Bella Hadid channeling Joan Jett in the promo ad, below), the shades are outrageous in their impact but tempered with a featherweight feel. All this to say that you may as well ahead and set your credit card to ‘shop’ mode.

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Bella Hadid and Justin Gossman, the faces of this campaign — by François Nars

Powermatte Lip Pigment (CAN $34.00/each) | Housed in sleek rectangular tubes that bear a convenient cut-out window to view each shade (not to mention how this is a great way to monitor product usage), these come with a unique tapered paddle shaped doe-foot flocked applicator that not only picks up the perfect amount of product per swipe, but can be used to both deposit enough colour to cover lips entirely AND flipped along its narrower edge to line/reach smaller areas with ease.The formula is infused with liquified pigments that provide opaque coverage from the get-go, while the feel is so lightweight that you won’t be blamed if you’ve forgotten that you’re even wearing anything at all. The press release I received mentioned that these are instantly drying, but I found that it takes anywhere between 5-15 minutes (shade dependant) for the colour to become transfer-proof. Another feature is the brand’s Fluid Pigment Complex that this formula contains, which enables the product to retain enough flexibility to move with your lips, as opposed to drying out and flaking off and thus extending its lifespan even more.

As my lips are rather heavily lined (don’t even get me started), I tend to avoid matte liquid lippies as up until now, they all tended to emphasize everything I wanted kept under wraps PLUS they usually dry my lips out within 30 minutes of application. Not so with Powermatte; somehow the colour manages to keep my lips from becoming Sahara-dry, and my [lip] lines appear to be less noticeable. So, how exactly did NARS achieve this sorcery? Whatever — I’m just thrilled to have finally found a liquid lippie even I can wear!

Get It On – tan rose
American Woman – chestnut rose
Slow Ride – soft brown pink
Walk This Way – rose pink
Save The Queen – dusty mauve
Low Rider – bright peachy pink
Get Up Stand Up – bright pink coral
Give It Up – fuchsia
Warm Leatherette – rich berry pink

Light My Fire – vivid orange red
Don’t Stop – geranium
Starwoman – vivid blue red
Under My Thumb – burgundy
Done It Again – chocolate brown
London Calling – lilac pink
Wild Night – deep lilac
Rock With You – deep mulberry
Paint It Black – black

Just as I was about to start celebrating the return of the gloss era, NARS releases Powermatte Lip Pigment — and has effectively put a lock on the matte liquid lip genre. Then there’s the effortless application (good-proof, in fact), plus the intense saturation of each hue, and what you’re looking at is a bonafide winner. Not that I’m all that surprised, after all this is the same brand that elevated lipstick to new heights with the Audacious range (speaking of which, I’ll be showing you all the newness in that department very soon). As to the colours themselves, I have my usual faves (all the nudes), but have been surprised by a few others that I’m finding work so well with Summer (Light My Fire, Get Up Stand Up), but something tells me that with the exception of the black hue, I’ll be more playing with different combos of them all. Bravo, Nars #slowclap

Available at Sephora and online

Media samples kindly provided, all opinions are my own

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Fresh has recently added to their cult-fave range of Sugar Lip Treatments, and if you’ve yet to get on board, you’re in for an absolute ‘treat’. With creamy textures, yummy flavours, and ultra-nourishing properties, any one of these (or all of them, for that matter) will have you wanting to apply over & over again. Or maybe that’s just me …

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Back in early May, I was invited to meet with Fresh Co-founder Alina Roytberg, where she provided me with an in-depth breakdown of all the upcoming launches but more importantly, I was able to learn more about the brand from a more human perspective — in other words, her story of how & why she and husband Lev Glazman pioneered the use of sugar as a natural humectant in the beauty industry. Their product range began with a focus on lips because their thinking was that “you have to treat your lips the same way you treat your eyes … blending effective skincare ingredients with sublime textures for that delicate area”. I couldn’t agree more.

with Fresh Co-founder Alina Roytberg

An absolutely ‘fresh’ buffet laid out at the event

A preview of all the Fresh newness

Sugar Cream Lip Treatment (CAN $29.00/each) | Adding to the range (for a total of 6 now), these have been inspired by Co-founder Alina Roytberg’s love of painting & desserts; housed in metal ‘paint-like’ tubes, the formula calls to mind ethereal watercolour shades, while the creamy texture captures that of ‘whipped crème fraîche’ (I’m already salivating). Said to provide 6-hour moisture, you can wear them solo, over lipstick or Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment, or even under matte lippies for added slip and hydration. Key ingredients include:

Sugar – a natural humectant known to prevent moisture loss
Blend of Black Currant Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil & Avocado Oil – provides moisture and nourishment to soften and smooth the skin
Avocado Oil – a moisturizing & emollient oil that contains Vitamins D and E plus essential fatty acids
Grapeseed Oil – helps to smooth & soften, rich in antioxidants known to protect from damaging free radicals
Vitamin E – a powerful antioxidant that helps soothe, soften & protect the skin
Vitamin C – a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin

Baby – baby pink shimmer
Gilt – sheer golden shimmer
Pearl – sheer pearly shimmer

Sugar Candy Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 (CAN $29.00) | Inspired by mounds of frothy cotton candy at county fairs, Alina created this Sugar Candy Lip Treatment in a bright pink hue that’s flattering on all skin tones, along with the same nourishing feel as the rest in this range. Some key ingredients include:

Sugar – a natural humectant known to prevent moisture loss
Blend of Meadowfoam and Black Currant Seed Oils – helps to moisturize
Grapeseed Oil – helps to smooth & soften, rich in antioxidants known to protect from free radicals
Vitamins C & E – powerful antioxidants that help to protect the skin
Beeswax – known for its antioxidant properties, helps to soften the skin
Carnauba Wax – a natural wax that coats the leaves of the Brazilian Carnauba Palm, seals in moisture & acts as a protective barrier to help prevent dehydration

Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm (CAN $23.00) | Available early August, the brand’s newest and most decadent lip launch has got to be this balm that promises to deliver next-generation moisture — a whopping 24 hours of continuous hydration, no less. As if that weren’t enough, there’s the absolutely mouth-watering gourmand scent & taste: literally the yummiest caramel you’ve ever tried. Apart from adding light shine, this product also coats lips with a protective veil to seal in moisture and defend against dehydration all day long. Talk about a guilty pleasure! Key ingredients include:

Sugar – a natural humectant known to protect against moisture loss
Apricot Kernel Oil – helps to nourish and maintain elasticity
Black Currant Seed Oil – helps to protect and promote suppleness
Grapeseed Oil – helps to moisturize, soothe and soften
Vitamin E – for added protection

I am never without a lip balm/treatment of some kind; in fact, you can probably find at least 4 different varieties in my bag at any given time, and all because my lips become ridiculously moisture-depleted throughout the day. And that’s 365 days a year, mind you. So let’s just say that these products really grabbed my attention at the preview and I couldn’t wait to put them through the wringer. How did they fare? Love them all — the Sugar Lip Treatments for easy of use and the gorgeous shine they impart, the Sugar Candy Lip Treatment to act as a barrier under matte lippies, and while I’ve never been a fan of balm pots (somehow the product always manages to get under my nails), I’ll make an exception for the Sugar Lip Caramel because it smells, tastes, and feels as good as it looks. Best part: no carbs. Indulge away, my beauties.

Available at Sephora

Media samples kindly provided, all opinions are my own

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We may be in the heart of Summer, but that doesn’t mean that the beauty industry is in sync, which accounts for today’s post on Dior’s Metallics Collection for Fall 2017. Drawing inspiration from editorial beauty and the play of light makeup can produce, Peter Philips, Creative and Image Director for the brand, has created a collection for the season that’s filled with rich textures, opulent colours, and even a few innovations thrown in for good measure.

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5 Couleur Eyeshadow (CAN $72.00/each) | The iconic 5 Couleurs palettes come housed in the brand’s traditional deep blue lacquered compacts, with 2 new colour families for this collection — one warm leaning and the other cool, but both with a mix of textures to play with.

677 Hypnotize – silvered taupe (shimmer), pale gold (sheer glitter), rust/brick shimmer (centre), warm brown (glitter flecks), deep chocolate (matte, bottom right)
077 Magnetize – platinum (shimmer), sheer silver (glitter), frosted grey shimmer (centre), charcoal (glitter flecks), ebony (matte, bottom right))

677 Hypnotize

077 Magnetize

Diorshow Metalizer (CAN $32.00/each) | Inspired by professional makeup (4 other shades available, not shown here), this innovate product comes house in a squeeze nozzle tube and can be worn on both eyes or lips, using either brushes or fingers for application. On eyes, you can sheer it out for a wash of colour or layer it up using a flat synthetic brush to create a burnished high-shine metallic effect — just make sure to work one eye at a time as it is relatively quick drying. A dab at the centre of the lips can create an eye-catching ombré effect and while you can definitely play with wearing it on its own, I personally found that that way really emphasized my lip lines and felt somewhat drying (the deeper shade more so than the lighter one).

528 Platine Fusion – pink champagne
678 Bronze Tension – taupe bronze

Rouge Dior Lipstick (CAN $43.00/each) | Dior has added five new shades to the range (three not shown here), and if you’ve yet to try this formula, then you absolutely MUST get on board. With a buttercream-smooth application and lip feel, these are not only highly pigmented and long-lasting, but feel throughly moisturizing along the lips throughout the wearing. By the way, Dior’s iconic red N°999 has been given a reboot for this collection as well.

996 Eccentric – soft mauvey taupe with brownish undertones (and my new love)
999 Metallic – fiery orange red

The calendar says it’s Summer, although the crap weather we’ve had to date speaks otherwise (ugh), so talking about Fall is bittersweet for me — unless it’s about beauty. This latest collection from Dior is interesting; the new Metalizers are in a word: fun — they’re also super easy to use, especially if you want to make an impact with minimum fuss involved; a quick dab or swipe, and done. Boom. The eyeshadow quints have the most beautiful selection of colours, and while the 2 glitter shades in both apply much sheerer than expected, I actually prefer this finish to something chunkier and/or heavier, as it makes them eminently more wearable (you can always layer either over a matte shadow for a unique new twist). As to the lipsticks, both are presently contenders for the “my new favourites” category. How much do I like them? let’s just say that they’re wearing down at an alarmingly quick rate. In other words, backup-worthy.

Available August 2017 at all Dior counters nationwide

Media samples kindly provided, all opinions are my own

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It occurs to me that today’s post deals with 2 of my sweet spots: neutral eye shadow shades and lip balm – nothing groundbreaking, am I right? And yet, both the Matte ‘N Metal Eyeshadow Palette and Grayson Color Balm Lipstick have managed to capture my attention. Maybe it’s because I haven’t explored this brand in detail [yet], so I’m curious. Secondly, the shades in the palette are totally up my alley and the lip balm is definitely unique colour-wise. Lastly, I can’t resist anything with a Batman reference (Dick Grayson aka: Robin, Batman’s sidekick — who then went on to become Nightwing. Because I’m a sci-fi/supehero/comics nerd like that).

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Matte ‘N Metal Eye Shadow Palette (CAN $64.00) | Housed in a sturdy gold toned square plastic compact with a fun checkerboard pattern on the lid (which also has a large mirror on the inside, and no dinky brush which would only take up space), this palette contains 12 luxurious shades: 6 matte and 6 metallic. All are sized large enough that you can easily pick up the colour, regardless of brush size, and display minimal fall down during application. The mattes are richly pigmented and also make excellent transition shades, while the metallics have a shimmer that’s complex enough to make things interesting, but not to the point that they come off as blinding. The three lighter metallic hues (3rd row from the top) have a more subtle payoff than the deeper ones, making them versatile enough to be used either all over the eye or as inner corner highlight. Staying power over primer is quite good, staying put without fading throughout the wearing.

Matte:

Vintage – pale pink nude
Velvet – muted nude rose
Feathered – nude
Fringe – dusty rose
Suede – soft plum
Velour – tan

Metallic:

Bohemian – deep oyster
Retro – copper pink
Sequin – champagne
Smolder – dark bronze
Sizzle – rust
Flare – golden brown

Grayson Color Balm Lipstick (CAN $29) | I’m constantly on the hunt for effective lip balms and I have several I rotate through at any given time (there are probably 5 in my makeup bag right now). When I first opened this particular tube and saw the colour, I wasn’t sure what to make of it; grey hues have been trending for lips recently, but it’s the first time I come across a balm version in this shade. Surprise, surprise … it applies sheerly and what’s more, imparts a faint pearly sheen to lips, all while delivering a totally complementary cool-leaning colour behind. It also contains peppermint oil in the formula which lends a cooling sensation felt upon initial application, along with a fresh minty fragrance & taste. Finally, it feels very buttery and nourishing throughout the wearing and managed to leave lips feeling hydrated even after the slip has faded. Also available in 19 other shades.

So how many lip balms and neutral eyeshadow palettes does a girl really need? Well, if you’re anything like me, then the answer is embarrassingly high. What makes these 2 Stila products stand, is the fact that the eyeshadows are a good mix of both metallic and matte shades, providing plenty of options in one palette but the bottom line is that I really like the colours themselves. As to the lip balm, I prefer the convenience of a twist up tube (balm pots are not the most hygienic) and I really, really love this shade — not to mention how well it performs. So I’m thinking that I now need to explore more from this brand, no?

Available at Sephora

Media samples kindly provided, all opinions are my own

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Buxom has been around for some time now, although it’s a brand I’ve yet to explore — until now, that is, so naturally when these lippies came in I was excited to give them a shot. Forgetting for a moment the torture I put my lips through when working on a lot of swatches, I can’t resist a chubby stick…they’re just so cute, dammit.

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Plumpline Lip Liner (CAN $20.00/each) | Available in 20 shades, this is lip liner on steroids; its thicker-than-average size makes it versatile enough to use all over the lips in a lipstick-like fashion, but the beauty is that you can also sharpen it for precision work as a traditional lip liner. The other end has a small tapered brush that can be used for layering and/or blending in your lipstick on top. The texture is pretty stable and easy to use and while not exactly hydrating, it still has a relatively smooth feel along the lips that leaves a semi-matte finish behind (which can also work great to anchor lipstick). As to any plumping effect (apparently these contain some of the lip plumping ingredients found in some of the brand’s other lip products), I can’t say I noticed anything but if it’s there, I’m guessing it can’t hurt the cause. And just for fun, I even played with creating a light ombré effect using 2 of the shades (see centre swatch below).

Confidential – peachy nude
Dolly Danger – mauve
Hush Hush – cinnamon
Restricted – rose
Femme Fatale – blue pink
InfraRed – orange red
Espionage – blue red
Stakeout – blackberry

Shimmer Shock Lip Stick (CAN $23.00/each) | Available in 12 shades, these are actually gel lipsticks in a twist-up pencil format. The featherweight formula also includes light-releflecting pearls to help lips look fuller and more illuminated, along with plenty of shimmer for sparkle (with no gritty feel), while the texture is of the gliding variety and lays down effortlessly along the lips. Buttery feeling (but not heavy or greasy) they’re really goof-proof to use and can even be combined for customized colour, or layered over lipliner for extra staying power. The finish is surprisingly glossy with a few applying slightly sheer and others with deeper pigmentation, and keep in mind that there may be some shimmer spread upon removal.

Flasher – retro pink
Uncontrollable – illuminating peachy pink
Aftershock – raspberry spark
Va-Va-Voltage – fuchsia flash
Supercharged – glimmering grape
Fireball – flickering red
Thunderbolt – glitter eggplant

Not having tried everything the brand has to offer, I won’t be pronouncing judgement but as far as these lip liners and lipstick crayons go, my overall impression is that there’s something good here. Between the two, I prefer the Shimmer Shocks — primarily for ease of use, with Fireball, Uncontrollable and Va-Va-Voltage as early favourites, while Restricted, Dolly Danger, Espionage and InfraRed from the Plumplines as the shades I’m currently enjoying. With National Lipstick Day around the corner (July 29), maybe I’ll go crazy and sport a bunch of these at once … #becausewhynot

Available at Sephora

Media samples kindly provided, all opinions are my own

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Dior Rouge Baume | #128 Star, #468 Spring, #558 Lili & #688 Diorette

Dior | Contour Couture Colour Lip Liner #468 Spring, #558 Lili & #688 Diorette

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss, Once… Collection

NUDESTIX | Angel Magnetic Eye Color Pencil, Love Cheek + Lip Pencil, & Shimmer Eye Pencil

Urban Decay | Mrs. Mia Wallace 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil & Revolution Lipstick, Pulp Fiction Collection

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Rouge Ecstasy 404 Spice, 405 Sultan & 406 Orient (all Limited Edition)

LANCÔME | LIP LOVER #362 BORDEAUX TEMPO

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Volupté Tint-In-Oil

Clarins | Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil 01 Honey

Guerlain | Summer 2015 Colour Collection

Urban Decay x Jean-Michel Basquiat Collection

TōN Cosmetics · The Nudes

Urban Decay · The Naked Heat Collection

MAC · Proud To Be Canadian

Givenchy · L’Autre Noir A/W 2017 Collection, Limited Edition

NARS · Powermatte Lip Pigment

Fresh · New Sugar Lip Treatments

Dior · Metallics Fall 2017 Collection

Stila · Matte ‘N Metal Eye Shadow Palette & Grayson Color Balm Lipstick

Buxom · Plumpline Lip Liner & Shimmer Shock Lip Stick