Saturday, February 28, 2015

Dior Kingdom of Colours Cheek & Lip Glow For Spring 2015


This product may be part of the new Spring Kingdom of Colours collection but it is supposedly a permanent in the line. So the only rush in going out and buying it is that it looks so cool!



February 2015 Birchbox Unboxing








So this is my third birchbox and my 3rd and 4th Harvey Prince samples. That means more than 20% of my samples have come from this brand. Which would be obnoxious even if I enjoyed the brand, but seeing as I don't its simply angering. A bottle of shampoo and conditioner are two pieces of the box. Each tube is almost 75% empty and the mere 15ml volume gives each tube a value of $1,10.


The anti wrinkle scrub is not really in keeping with my beauty profile with birchbox nor is it something I am excited to try. That being said, its at least a new brand (the only product from a brand I have not previously gotten in my first two boxes) and it has a value of $3.38.


Now the lip stain from Cynthia Rowley is NOT a stain. Its at best a lacquer but more factually a pigmented gloss. If you go by the values of the box its a $10 value. They call the brand a Birchbox exclusive brand and price this at over $20. But this is a brand often found at TJ Maxx, Winners and other discount stores and when found there its $5.99-$7.99. So I will call this a $5 value and to be truthful, I think I am being over generous with that.

The Cindy-Lou Manizer is a great product to try (though again, not a new brand since I had a product in my first box) but its TINY. Like beyond tiny. It has a value of $1.74. And I actually am happy to try this product. Its the only product I am happy to try in the box.


That being said, its TINY. Did I mention TINY? Compared to a the cap from a soda pop bottle. And that makes it near impossible to comfortably get a highlighting brush in the cardboard packaging.



Overall, I really disliked this box. I know that was hard to tell from my review, but this is box number three and the only new brand I get to try is from an anti aging product. Yay me. The box costs $15 and has a value of $17.32 if you go with the insane value they give for the lipstain, and truthfully its more like a $10-$12 value. For a $15 box. So at BEST you are getting a $2 profit on your box if you LOVE every product.


If by some insane fluke this box makes you want to run out and get a bircbox, you can sign up here. I will try one more box and if it doesnt get better (though I cant see how it wont get at least a LITTLE better) I will cancel. 

Shine Lover Vibrant Shine Lipsticks For Lancome Spring 2015


These intrigue me. I have to say I am NOT digging the packaging at all though. Not a deal breaker when it comes to makeup, but certainly a disappointment. These will be out in March at Lancome counters and the price is $25USD so I am assuming about $28 here in Canada though that is merely a guess.

These are supposed to be a hybrid. A cross between a lipgloss and a lipstick. I am all bout sheer colour but find two big issues. The first is moisturizing or balm like usually translates in to very short wearing on the lips and a continuous need to reapply. The other issue I find is that I like sheer, but they can be so sheer they are either unseen on the lips, or look all the same on the lips. I like the feel and the tint of two of the four new balms benefit came out with last year but they smell like rose (worst smell on the planet in my very biased view) but find the other two near invisible on the lips. So I am left wondering if these are going to be more of the same.

My hope for these is that they will be similar in texture and maybe just a tad less of the opacity of the Revlon Lip Butters. Already online at Nordstrom, I hope to see some swatches and reviews before they show up here in the coming weeks! If you have tried these, or plan to, let me know your thoughts!






Friday, February 27, 2015

Deborah Lippmann Sweet Life


This shade is so outside of what I normally wear, but I must say, I freaking love it! So while I do not usually do nail of the days (I have very short nail beds and always feel like my nails are not worth looking at in nail of the days) I had to share this one with you!




My Sculpted Face From It Cosmetics


Sorry everyone, yes, its another contour palette. I guess its because I am so undecided and confused as to which palette to get. That being said, I quite like how light the light ones look in this stock photo, though I am sure its very different in real life.

Details
What is it: A universal naturally pretty contouring palette that gives you the power to bring out your most beautiful features, and even hide the ones you want to minimize. Whether you want to bring out your cheek bones, slenderize your nose or forehead, look more lifted, hide a double chin or simply learn how to embrace your unique features, this palette complete with detailed instruction guide will be your beauty best friend! 
Who is it for: Anyone who wants to bring out their most beautiful features, look instantly lifted, or look instantly thinner. Perfect for all skin tones, ages, face shapes and skin types. 
Why is it different: Developed with leading plastic surgeons, and using anti-aging ingredients, this sleek, easy-to-follow palette comes with a step-by-step Face Sculpting Chart for reference and four contouring shades designed to match all skin tones as well as two highlighting shades - one with a slight shimmer and one with a matte finish. It also includes a regular mirror, and a mirror that is five times amplified.

This palette I see on the Ulta website but not yet online at the Shopping Channel. If it comes to Canada shortly I may choose this one. Or I may find something else before then! BAH!!

Have you guys bought a contour kit yet? If so, which one did you choose?

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Too Faced Cocoa Contour Palette

Because the new rule on my blog seems to be that you can not go a day without showing a new contouring and or highlighting palette. This one is up at Sephora for $50. And this is one of the few I can totally give a pass on. 



What it is:An exclusive face contouring and highlighting kit to enhance and minimize facial features in just a few simple steps.

What it does:Look instantly slimmer, get lifted cheekbones, or sculpt your features like an A-list celebrity with the Too Faced Cocoa Contour Kit—only at Sephora. Perfect for wearing separately or blending together, this curated kit provides two essential sculpting shades, a matte highlighter, and a luminous light shade for a contoured look that stands out. Infused with the antioxidant-rich, cocoa complex, these powders layer together seamlessly and indulge you with a decadent chocolate scent. This kit features Too Faced's Contour Buki Brush for the most professional sculpting effect, and it includes its signature Glamour Guide with three contour looks to get you started.

This set contains: - 0.17 oz Highlighter shade in Light Cocoa
- 2 x 0.17 oz Sculpting shade in Medium Cocoa, Dark Cocoa
- 0.17 oz Contouring shade in Pop of Light
- Contour Buki Brush
- Signature Glamour Guide




Lipstick Queen Queen Bee Lipstick


“This is like a spa day for your lips – it really puts the ‘treat’ into treatment!” Poppy King Lipstick Queen Founder.


Oozing with nourishing ingredients to soothe, repair and hydrate your pout, Queen Bee is an unctuous lip treatment with a glamorous bronze gold finish. Enriched with Royal Jelly, which ensures lips remain super soft and plump, it also contains chamomile and sunflower extract to help soothe sore, chapped lips.
  • Nourishing lip treatment with a bronze gold finish
  • Royal Jelly, Chamomile and Sunflower Extract help soothe sore lips
  • Delicious honey fragrance
Available now on the Lipstick Queen website for $22!

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

The Concealer Palettes I Use For Contouring (As Budget As It Gets)

Now in general when I say or call something budget here on my blog, it usually means It Cosmetics, Julep or other brands that are to most people not budget but for me, a LOT cheaper than the Dior, Chanel, NARS and LMDB I normally gravitate towards. Well today by budget I mean under $10. Or even under $5 budget!


I picked both of these up in Aug of 2013, so about a year and a half ago but yet never did a review of them here. The second palette is still sold on Coastal Scents under their logo named the eclipse palette and no longer sells the first of the two. BH Cosmetics no longer sells either version of this. That being said, these are the basic cheap palettes they sell, just without the logos on them. And for the price, they are quite good!

Let me start with I do not think these are the most ideal for doing heavy or even medium CONCEALING. They are very creamy and light, but they really blend out almost too well to conceal much and if you try to build it up, it tends to get a bit cake-ey. BUT.... for contouring, I FREAKING LOVE THESE! Due to an error in shipping I accidentally got two of the bottom palette and that is good since I literally have used up an entire pot of the top right shade as well as the second from the right in the bottom row. I ended up throwing out the palette and going on to the second. I also had used up the entire green one though I only use it when I am out of my go to green concealers as its not the best green one. I much prefer the shiseido green foundation stick.

Now on to the swatches! Each set of swatches is one row starting with the top row, then the middle, then the bottom rows.









Now these palettes can be found easily on ebay for under $5 shipped, but if you would prefer to NOT shop on ebay and NOT deal with paypal, you can get them here for $10 shipped from the United States instead of China like the ones on ebay (tracking can be found when you log in to your account after purchasing). 

EDIT - it seems the first one has become hard to find on Tmart at all, and not so easy to find on ebay either! Maybe thats why Coastal Scents and BH Cosmetics sell no version of it anymore!

Apparently I do this when I am bored.......


So the other day I was quite bored and decided to swatch my lipsticks. I wasn't quite sure how to go about this, but that really didnt stop me. I basically went to my lipstick drawer and took the first 50 and swatched them on a piece of paper.

When done, I sprayed it with a facial setting spray hoping to set the lipsticks but they were still a tad smudgy so I took hairspray to the sheet and now they are not going anywhere.

I am not really sure what the purpose of this was, but for some reason I get satisfaction out of looking at this.





Is this insane? Has anyone else tried this?

Lipstick Queen Bete Noire Collection


“I was inspired by the dark sensuality within us all when creating these three beautiful takes on black cherry lips. They’re glamorous, intriguing and yet with no hint of goth about them thanks to the warm, blackberry tone of these dark, midnight shades. This seductive collection will bring drama and intensity to your lips so get ready to embrace your dark side!” Poppy King, Lipstick Queen Founder.
Embrace this season’s glamorous dark lip with BĂªte Noire, a super-flattering blackberry shade in three chic, flattering and seductive formulations. Possessed Sheer is a silky, wet formula for a mere crush of forest fruits on the lips. Enriched with anti-oxidant Vitamin E and nourishing moisturizing oils, this lipstick keeps lips soft, comfortable and hydrated. Next, discover this same shade in Possessed Intense’s rich, creamy and opaque formula which cloaks the lips with deep, powerful and enduring pigments while moisture-rich oils and waxes ensure lips remain super comfortable and soft. Finally, the metallic finish of Possessed Metal takes statement lips to the next level with its burnished and richly shimmered texture. Enhanced with Apricot Kernel Oil, it glides on effortlessly, dressing the lips with long-lasting and hydrating color.
  • Seductive blackberry shades
  • Three moisturizing and comfortable textures, all enriched with protective anti-oxidant Vitamin E
  • Iconic, flattering and versatile shades
  • Darkly glamorous yet still ultra-flattering




The trio is $40 and available now on the Lipstick Queen website!

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Le Duo Contour & Highlighter Stick For Lancome Spring 2015

Because every single brand on the planet is now making highlighting and contouring products, here is yet another. Not yet in Canada, it retails for $36 in the USA and seems to be up on pretty much every American department store website as well as the American Lancome site. 


Use this dual-ended stick to effortlessly and instantly enhance your favorite features. Use the contour shade to add definition and the highlighting shade to illuminate your face.

Available in 5 shades for all skin tones. Benefits:
- The lightweight texture is a unique powder-crème for contouring and a silky-crème for highlighting
- Easy application, even on the go in its sleek, portable packaging
- Both ends are designed to fit in narrow areas of the face like the nose and jawline for precision

Three different looks to add depth and definition where you want it:

- Chisel your cheeks: Beginning at the top of your ear, apply the contour following the line directly underneath your cheekbone. Use the highlighter in a half moon shape, starting at the top of your temple and following down the top of the cheekbone. Blend shades to create a faux glow and defined cheek bones.

- Sculpt your nose: Draw a line with the contour side of the stick down both sides of the nose. It's important to blend so it looks natural. To add more dimension or length, highlight down the bridge of the nose.

- Define your jaw: Contour along the jawline on both sides of the face, starting at the edge of the jaw toward the chin. Blend well for a softly defined jawline; add highlight to the chin to balance the sculpted jaw.





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