Thursday, January 30, 2014

Bessame Cosmetics - Review And Swatches


So this beautiful girl (Melinda) was walking around IMATS handing out cards for Besasme Cosmetics. I have to admit, I was not thrilled to see her. My girlfriend was going on and on about the brand, and I wasn't interested. I wanted to be, but nothing about the aesthetic spoke to me. I like modern and clean. Geometric and harsh lines. Bessame? Very vintage, old fashion looking, gold packaging. I hate gold. I just wasn't EXCITED about the brand, and because my girlfriend was SOOOOO excited about the brand, it made me feel like I was somehow missing something. So I just kind of hoped to "miss" the booth.

Thank goodness I didn't! You couldnt miss this 12 year old girl walking through IMATS. And so that brought us to the booth. By the way, I dont know if you can tell from the picture, but she seriously has the most AMAZING eyelashes I have ever seen. I almost thought they were false lashes at first (and that was with her NOT wearing ANYTHING on them). So jealousy aside.... back to the point.

The booth.



These lipsticks as you can see above have a gold bullet with the brand scrolled down the side. The cap is gold with a red pattern printed on them. They also each come in a velvet pouch as if it were a precious piece of jewelry. There is NOTHING wrong with the packaging. They pay attention to EVERY little detail. So much so you can't help but be impressed. I just personally don't like it. Just not my taste. But the execution is gorgeous.


The gift set below (a lipstick, liner and brush) retails for the same price as the above lipsticks. And as you can see, the packaging is different. I just picture a Japanese Geisha when I look at this packaging. I may be nuts, but its what comes to mind.



Another limited edition set, this time with a scarf. To bad the shade is a bright red. NOT a Shayna shade.


So as you can see, the detailing and packaging are gorgeous. And I really really dislike them. I wish I didn't. But you like what you like. Then I started testing. And it was love at first swipe. It doesn't matter that its not my aesthetic. I am so thankful Melinda was working the floor (and then the booth) and that L wanted to check them out and was so in love. I should know to just shut up and trust L. I really do. Which is why I went to the booth. But yes, these lipsticks are just so luxe feeling.


And this is what I bought. Only three, but the line is very heavy on the red shades, and I just am not such a red fan. But I got three gorgeous lipsticks. And at a price of $22 each, I must say they are worth the cost.


First up is the limited edition set in Champagne. The brush is teeny and I haven't tried it yet but it FEELS lovely. The lipstick comes in a velvet pouch just like the others do, though this one is black and lacks the elasticized top.


And this is the packaging. I must say, while I dont like it, I like it better than the gold and red packaging.


And the shades.


Now I must confess. I can NOT apply lip liner. I have a shaky hand, cant get one smooth looking line, and it always looks horrendous. So when I tried this out, I EXPECTED a big fat mess. And oh my goodness. It looked GOOD on my lips. It applied easier and smoother than any other liner I have ever tried. So much so that I actually WORE it out in public. I really only own the GOSH ones and two NYX ones at this point and while they are amazing formula wise, I just fail at the application. Not so with this one. What makes it different? I have NO FRICKEN CLUE! Maybe its just the perfect point? The GOSH ones dont drag, but they just dont apply like this. I wish I KNEW why this applied so much easier for me so I could explain it, but I can't. But if you are like me and are lip liner application challenged, this is the liner for you.


And here it is filled in with the lipstick. On the lips its a fantastic match. Not as much on the hand. Not sure why. But it looks great together on the lip.


And just the swatch below. As you can see, its an orange brown shade and its not my usual colour but its oh so flattering on. And a point worth mentioning, they also make a single lipstick called Champagne. Totally different colour. I don't know why they would do that, but its confusing. So be careful when choosing shades!



Dusty Rose was the one that jumped out at me the most and the one I HAD to have. Not my USUAL shade as its a bit darker and redder than I lean towards, but it may be my new favourite lipstick. A mid toned rose shade that looks almost like a berry. Its gorgeous.



 
And here is the swatch. Super pigmented, and creamy and smooth. I also must say, while I know it wont last long, the SHAPE of the lipstick itself is fantastic for application. I wish I could magically keep it this exact same shape through use!



Debutante Pink is frostier than I recall when purchasing. Its a purple leaning frosty pink..... almost a lavender? But still pink. I don't dislike this shade, but its my least favourite of the three.




Its also a little bit of a more......... not moisturizing, because they all are. But...... wetter consistency? Or thinner? Its hard to descirbe. It just feels a bit more..... this is going to sound crazy but it feels like it melts more into the lips?



And here are both pinks together.



One BIG thing to note is the scent. Its STRONG. And by strong, I mean hit you over the head with a two by four strong. Its a super sweet sugary vanilla. I don't dislike the scent, but it can get to be a bit much. And you definitely can't NOT notice it.

Now the bottom line here is if this type of packaging and look appeals to you, stop drop and run to the site to order a lipstick. The pigment and quality and details are amazing. And if you are like me and HATE the packaging, I still say run and pick up a colour to try. They are THAT great. Just know they have a super strong smell!

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Velour Lashes In Naughty Me

In Toronto back in November I kind of ignored the Velour Lashes booth. I will admit it. I have worn fake lashes a total of four times in my life, and each time was for a fashion show. Each time I also had the eyelashes put on by a makeup artist and NOT by me. 


So as you can guess, I am not at all a lash expert. I noticed these lashes mainly because a friend Margo was wearing them at a dinner the night after day one of IMATS and I was floored. They looked AMAZING on her. That got me talking to the girls at Velour lashes. I can honestly say I wasn't ignoring them anymore!


These are the naughty me style. They are 100% mink and they don't work like typical lashes. Typical lashes you apply, then put on mascara and such. These you dont. These you apply AFTER the mascara as a final step. And these can be worn about 20 times before replacing. These retail for 64.99 according to the website, but are currently on for $34.99.

So, since we have established my lack of expertise or experience wearing fake lashes, I was at a loss for how to properly review them. So instead called in the expert. My gorgeous cousin, we will call her M. M has been dancing since she was..... I dont think she has ever NOT danced, she pretty much was born dancing. She wears lashes on stage for every show and recital and since she dances competitively, well,  I call her the expert for a reason.


Now according to her these are "lightweight and easy to apply". The only drawback she notes is that the band the lashes lay on is black so you have to put eyeliner over top of the base of the lashes. With that in mind, I asked her if she prefers these or traditional lashes. And her response was a very fast one. These are better!


What I like best about these personally is how natural they look on her. I mean, yes, she is wearing fake lashes. But they don't SCREAM fake like many of them do.



At $34.99 thats less than $1.75 per application making these luxury lashes far less than the traditional "cheap" ones.

What do you guys think? Would you give these a try? I know M is getting another pair or two! And maybe I can have M give me a lesson or two on application so I can start rocking these! I think for the price, if you wear them occasionally these are the PERFECT ones to have sitting in your stash or kit!


Fantasy Of Flowers For Mac Spring 2014


So as you all know, I am not the biggest MAC fan. I think their products are merely OK, and the polishes can be downright horrid. I think its a combination of the 13,459 collections that come out each year along with the inconsistent quality. All you have to do is go to a website such as Temptalia's to note that the grades each products get can range from A+ through D quite regularly. I wish they would come out with fewer products and instead worry more about quality and consistency. That being said, I do get sucked in every once in awhile.

And having realized how far I have gone away from the roots of this blog being in nail poilsh, I am going to try to more consistently post the new polish releases from all brands across the board.


In this collection are four nail polishes:

  • Pep Pep Pep (peach nude cream)
  • Saint Germain (cool pink cream)
  • Girl Trouble (frosty pink super glitter)
and not pictured, 

  • SOIRÉE (forsty bronze gold sparkle)


Monday, January 27, 2014

The Julep Plié Wand - Reserve Your May Box NOW!

How about this for a maven sneak peek? Take a look at the MAY maven box! Assuming enough people sign up for it in the next 30 days! This to me looks like a kickstarter campaign, just not on kickstarter.


So what the hell is it/how does it work?


So, if you do want to reserve one, here are your options. But please all, I beg of you, don't all run out to buy the $10,000 option all at once! We dont want to crash the system!




Magnet? What Magnet?


From what I can gather its just a piece of metal like the magnetic spice container holders. In fact, I bet thats exactly what it is.





Lush Love Locket Bath Bomb Review & Demo

So for those of you that were wondering about the new limited edition Love Locket Bath Bomb for valentines day, here is a short review and demonstration of the bomb in action!

Julep Veronica, Sylvia, Darla, Florence and Catrina Swatches


So as mentioned, I am trying to post the backlog of photos I have taken and swatched in the process of changing over computers. The formula on all of these was nice, as the usual for Julep its on the thicker side, but not goopy. All are with two coats though many of these you could get away with one coat.














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