Summer Faves: Eyes

In the summer time I generally don't wear too much shadow for fear of having them smudge or crease on me. However, this season's stay put formulas give me reason to reach for the hottest summer hues!

1. Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion in Eden ($18 USD): The original UD primer is an absolute staple in my kit and when Eden came out I was definitely intrigued. A primer/shadow in one? Right up my alley. I received a sample to test out and decided to wear it alone as a shadow. 

Left side blended, right side not blended

On me, this "tawny matte hue" shows up more like a bone shade on me. A little goes a long way. With too much on, I felt it almost lightened my eye area too much making it look ashy against my skin tone. Definitely use sparingly. The primer does have a brightening affect as it lightens the eye area and reduces redness on the lids. Underneath a shadow, it is as long-wearing and crease-proof as the original. All in all, I prefer the original over Eden but it works great when a little amount is used.

2. M.A.C. To The Beach Shadow in Firecracker ($17.50 CAD): I know, this is so last 2 collections ago! M.A.C. is known for launching so many collections a month so even though this is the summer collection, it seems so passe! Nevertheless, Firecracker is still a must-have summer shade.

Firecracker is a warm, burnt orange-coral shade. The colour looks delish against bronzey skin. It's a bold shade but the warmth of the hue makes it so wearable for summer. Pair this with golds and bronze or smut it up with black khol rimmed eyes. Balance the shade with peachy, bronze or coral cheeks and a light gloss.

3. YSL Fard Lumiere Aquaresistant in Golden Sands ($35 CAD): Luxury in a pot. It's like sweeping real gold over your lids. I received Golden Sands to sample and fell in love with the high-shine shimmer. When I first opened it, I thought the shadow had a glitter finish. Thankfully, it doesn't but has strong shimmer pigments. For day, apply a small amount for a sheer luminous finish. To make it wearable for the office, mix with a matte shadow. But for night, layer the shimmer on! The more your layer, the more intense the pigment and shine. This light-weight, water-proof formula has a nice cooling effect and seriously does not budge. Sweat, swim, dance - this shadow isn't going anywhere!

4. Everyday Minerals Loose Pigment Shadow in Mall Punk ($2.50 USD): I don't usually gravitate towards loose pigment shadows but Mall Punk has become one of my everyday go-to shadows. It's actually a warmer pink in person and pretty much looks delicious when paired with peachy, bronze and pinks. This shade gives the eyes a luminous glow. I need about 2-3 layers until I'm happy with the intensity of the shade but when applied wet one swipe is all it takes. When applied with a primer, it lasts all day with no touch-ups! 

5. CARGO Cosmetics Color Eye Shadow Palette in Tahiti ($28 CAD/US): The price point of these gorgeous palettes are a steal! The Tahiti palette is definitely one to have this summer. These shades ranging from olive gold to bright teal are one of this season's hottest trends. I'll be honest, I haven't worn these colours in a while. But with my basic work wardrobe, I've been inspired to wear more colour! To make it more wearable for day, mix 2 shades together one lighter and one darker and smudge a little liner into the lash line. Since these shadows have a metallic finish, opt for a more matte blush and go for a creamy lip than high gloss. The shadows are highly pigmented and only took one swipe for the colour to show. The texture is velvety-smooth and doesn't budge. As a sucker for packaging, I adore all the different designs on each palette!

6. Milani INFINITE Liquid Liner in Infinite ($5.99 USD): Milani Cosmetics has definitely opened up my eyes to drugstore brands. I am in LOVE with these liners. The black shade is my go-to liner on brides when covering up falsies. Infinite is a bright ocean blue and is the perfect shade when you want just a pop of colour on the eyes. Whether you're a fan of bright colours or not you have to admit this shade is fieerrrce! Pair this with a neutral eye, peachy cheeks and lips this summer. I find the brush firm enough to work with but I'm also used to applying liner. If you have unsteady hands, I recommend using a thin angled brush. These liners are budge proof so after it sets it is hard to remove. Use a powder shadow in a similar shade as your guideline the apply the liner over top.

Have you tried these must-haves for the summer? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Want 'em?

Past Looks

Here are a few pics from 2 looks I did several weeks and months ago which never got their own blog entry. They didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped, so I guess I thought they weren't worth their own entry. It's a shame to let them go to waste though, so here's a little glimpse:

This is a look inspired by Chinese/Lunar New Year. (I really just wanted to use the red shadow in my Coastal Scents 88 Matte Palette. xD) I used the gold shade from my Stila Precious Pearl limited palette. I also used a bunch of Everyday Minerals loose pigments in various colors.
For my lips I used mark. Tintmarker in Siren (red) and Glow Baby Glow lipgloss in Smooches on top. It gave a very pigmented luscious red lip which I loved. :3 I packed my brush so full of the red pigment, it fell out all over my face.


This is a green smokey eye I did using my mark. Keep It Going gel/liner duos. I should do a review on these things because I love them! But more on that later. x3 I used the green in Iconic as a base on my lids and the brown liner from Exposure to line my top and bottom lashlines. Lots of mascara and voila! ;3
I took these in my bathroom in 90 degree heat/humidity with an ancient camera, so the pics aren't as... shall we say "crisp" as usual, lol. It looked really pretty in person though, I was pleased. ^^

I have my camera back again now so yay! I did another look a few nights ago and I love how it turned out. (I'll be posting pics soon.) Thanks for reading! :D

Summer Faves: Bronzers

You don't have to be "Jenny from the Block" to get that J-Lo bronzey glow. I am all for bronzers when it's done right (sorry Snooki!). There's just something about a summer tan that makes everyone look healthy, gorgeous and radiant! The key to a natural looking tan is to stick to bronzers that have a golden undertone rather than an orange base. You want to avoid the "Jersey" tan at all costs! Use a fluffy powder brush and apply bronzer on the forehead, cheeks, bridge of nose, and chin. 

Get gorgeous this summer with some of my favourite bronzers this season!

1. YSL Terre Saharienne in No. 2 Copper Sand ($60 CDN): This is pure luxury in a bronzer. The bronzer is formulated with the new "Sun Radiance" pigments which capture the light and diffuse a golden reflection in all directions (don't all bronzers do that?). What I love about this bronzer is that it imparts a natural glow to the skin rather than a shimmer. It blends amazingly onto the skin so no streaky tan lines! It's available in 3 shades: Sand (fair to medium skin tones), Copper Sand (med-dark to dark) and Golden Sand (medium to medium-dark). Copper Sand is my favourite. I get really dark in the summer so the warmth of the copper undertone enhances my tan nicely. The price tag is very steep so I'd only recommend if you are a YSL junkie or you feel like splurging on a bronzer ( a staple in my books). 

2. Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Bronzer ($39 USD): After being a fan of the Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder (you can read review here) I knew I would instantly love this bronzer. It gives all the same softening, luminous effects as the powder just with a lovely bronzey hue. It is designed to minimize the signs of aging over time while hydrating your skin. This one-shade suits all gives me the perfect tan, however, I'm not sure how it appears on darker skin tones so I would be interested to hear if anyone has tried it. The finish on the skin is more sheen than shimmer which I love. I found the packaging of the original powder very bulky but the bronzer comes in the same shaver-dispense design in a travel-friendly size. The price is still a bit steep for a bronzer but you can double as a shadow!

3. Everyday Minerals Hiking Everest in Heels Blush/Bronzer Duo ($12 USD): If you're looking for value in a bronzer then look no further. This vegan, all-natural line has quality products at affordable prices. Love the name of this bronzer duo. You not only can achieve a faux tan with this pressed powder but the other side is a peachy-coral blush. Gorgeous! At the moment, this is only available in the On The Reef, Coral Collection which is a definite must-have. For $34, you get a sweet collection of loose eye shadows, blushes, face powder, lippie and brushes with a reusable canvas tote included. 

4. Mary Kay LE Cooling Bronzing Stick ($25 CDN): There's all this buzz right now about Mary Kay's newest crop of products. This line has been around for ages but is slowly replacing the "granny" image to suit a much younger makeup-loving audience. The cooling sensation of this bronzing stick could not be more perfect for the hot steamy weather. It has the creamy texture of a cream but the staying power of a gel stain. The finish is high-shimmer which is perfect for highlighting the cheekbones and bridge of nose. Great for giving the skin a dewy finish. However, if you plan to use it as a blush prepare for lots of shine. If you have imperfect skin, I would stay clear as it will only accentuate blemishes. To tone done the shimmer and for extra staying power, dust a translucent powder over top. If you're in a hurry, swipe on the lids and lips! 

As for the price, I was actually surprised it is $25. I've never bought anything from Mary Kay in the past. If you love NARS The Multiple, this could be a cheaper dupe for South Beach. (Limited quantities while supplies last. Offer expires September 15, 2010.)

Have you tried these products? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Want 'em? 

Summer Faves: Lips

It's not officially summer but it sure feels like it! My usual staples for the summer season has always been punchy brights on the lips but lately I've been reaching for my more muted shades. The effect is still gorgeous, effortless beauty.

1. Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick in Secret ($30 USD): Everyone was raving about the new Rouge Coco's and being the makeup junkie that I am, I had to see what all the buzz was about. Back in April the lovely and fabulous beauty blogger, Michelle from Lipstick Rules, met up with me in her second home, Holt Renfrew. I was tempted to purchase Cambon (gorgeous) but since I had so many brights, wanted a subtle shade for everyday. Michelle excitedly suggested Mademoiselle, which is beautiful on her but I wasn't really feeling it on me.

Long story short, the sales lady suggested Secret, a peachy rosy-brown, and applied it with a nude lip liner and Galactic Glossimer which gave the most amazing shimmering effect (will have to save for another post). With many ohhs and ahhs from other Chanel fans, I purchased Secret and Galactic. However, when I got home and pulled it out of the box I wasn't too excited about it. I went a week later to exchange it for Perle but they were all out. Over a month later, I was curious to try Secret again on its own and I am in love! I think the nude lip liner made the shade look more muddy but on its own is divine. It's the perfect summer nude and goes great with bronzy skin and peach cheeks! The texture is ultra-moisturizing and the colour is long-lasting. Definitely a winner and I may have to pick up a few more shades!

2. Lancome Juicy Tubes 100% Natural Origin in Crazy Raspberry and Dot Apricot ($22 CDN): Juicy Tubes are a cult classic and the first glosses to come in a tube.  Lacome is celebrating its 10 year anniversary and has collaborated with renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, who has created 5 optimistic and colourful designs to customize this it-gloss. I absolutely adore the funky designs. Limited edition and if you're a die hard Juicy Tubes fan, a collectors item. 

The 100% Natural formula is made with shea butter and honey, leaving your lips hydrated and unbelievably smooth. These glosses are more for shine so if you're looking for more colour you won't find it with these sheer glosses. Crazy Raspberry has a tint of raspberry pink and Dot Apricot is a sheer apricot but looks more clear on my lips. These are fabulous for those days when you just want a glossy finish or layered over top of your favourite lipstick or lip stain.

3. M.A.C. To The Beach Tinted Lip Glass in Splashing ($16.50 CDN): I love the packaging of M.A.C.'s summer collection! In the past, I haven't really been a fan of the stickiness of the tinted lip glasses but the eye catching shades get me all the time. Splashing is the pink to wear this summer! This blue-toned pink with soft gold pearl makes it so versatile. Layer over top of a pink lipstick for intense pop, swipe over a peach lipstick for a peachy-pink finish (love pairing it with Chanel's Secret), and worn on its own gives just enough colour without looking overdone.

4 & 5. Balmshell Lip & Cheek Gel Stain in Tabloid Tammy and Lip Gloss in Curse of the Purse ($20 CDN): Balmshell hosted a blogger event a few months ago which I wasn't able to attend. But the awesome ladies at Balmshell reserved a sweet swag bag for me with my chosen products.

I love lip and cheek stains and was very excited to try out Balmshell's version. Tabloid Tammy is beautiful bronze, a shade I had yet to add to my collection of stains. I tested it out on my cheeks bare and with a tinted moisturizer. Unfortunately, the stain on the cheeks was a complete fail for me. I really wanted to love it but  found it blended horribly and looked splotchy on my cheeks. However, on the lips looked lovely especially with the gloss in Curse of the Purse, a sheer creamy peach, over top. The stain and gloss combo made for a long-lasting lip colour and gave my skin a warm toasty glow. The gloss on its own is pretty and subtle and looks amazing with a colourful or smokey eye.

6. Everyday Minerals Lippie in Enough Talk, Kiss Me! ($8 USD): If you're looking for an organic, vegan, and eco-friendly makeup line that is packed with pigment and affordable you will love the products from Everyday Minerals. This new lippie is included in the On The Reef, Coral Collection. This warm coral shade can be worn anytime of the day whether you're off to work or sunning on the beach. The balm-like finish keeps your lips feeling hydrated yet stains the lips for lasting colour. Add a gloss over top for a shimmering effect. The easy and portable twist-up tube is great for throwing in your tote or beach bag!

Stay tuned for more summer favourites! Have you tried any of these lippies? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Want 'em?

Desert Nomad

Hello again! :D It's been a while since I updated any new content, so I thought I'd post a look I did recently for fun. This was actually a few weeks ago but I've been lazy, lol. x3

I got a new shipment of mark. goodies that I really wanted to play with, so that's partially what this one was about. Here we go!

I wanted to do something Summery with aqua shadows. I started with NYX Milk Pencil (you know the one), followed by new mark. Shimmer Cream shadow in Cabana, a brilliant cobalt blue. I patted the cream onto my lid beginning at the outer corner and in to almost above my iris, applying quite heavily and hardly blending. I wanted the blue to be very pigmented. :)
Next I used about 3 or 4 different aqua shades from my CS 88 Matte Palette. (I don't remember which ones exactly, but most were near the top. I did use one bright cerulean blue from around the middle, too.) I carefully blended the shades around my lids, trying to preserve the variations of color. For a very light aqua shimmer on my lids, at inner corner, and also around my eye almost out to my cheekbone, I used my mark. i-mark in Heavenly as a highlighter. It created a very ethereal feel to my face. :3 On my browbone I used trusty Everyday Minerals shadow in Sparkle Beige to highlight.

I thought I'd add some gold to spice things up, so on my lower lashline I tried out my new mark. Get In Line gel liner shadow duo in Iconic. The shimmery gold gel was so soft and the color showed up really well! For a slight Cleopatra effect, I dragged the gold liner all the way up almost to the tail end of my eyebrow. I added a touch of shimmery gold to my lid using i-mark in Nomadic, lightly blending it with the aqua just above my crease and connecting it with the gold liner at the outer edge of my eye.
Keeping with my semi-Ancient Egyptian theme, I lined my upper and lower lashlines with the black gel liner from Get In Line in Entourage. It was SO SMOOTH and easy to apply, and stayed wet just long enough to get the shape I wanted. Then it dried to a completely matte and smudge-proof finish. (And when I say smudge-proof, I mean smudge-PROOF...)

I added false lashes to my upper lids and applied mascara to my lower lashes.

For a sunburned "I've been wandering the desert" effect, I used the original mark. Pro Glow bronzer, and a touch of Just Pinched gel blush in Cheeky. This was one of my new purchases, though it's not a new shade, but I'd been wanting it for a long time. I love it! It's an adorable baby pink color, very sheer but buildable and easy to apply. It gave me the sun-flushed look I wanted, though it's hard to see in the pictures. (I also used some on my lips.)
I teased my hair to make it look kind of wind-blown, lol. It was a fun look, turned out beautifully, and I enjoyed playing with my new products. I might do a review soon so keep watching! ;)
Just for fun, here's a pic I edited in Photoshop:

Thanks for reading! <3

Burgundy, Purple and Pink: Mineral Shadow

I decided to try out the mark. Eyemarker in Wine I got in my last order, but I just kept adding on and ended up with this sort of Burgundy/Purple/Pink look.

First I used some Urban Decay Primer Potion from my lashline to browbone. Then a bit of Sephora white eyeliner on the inner corner. The main event- mark. Eyemarker in Wine from lashline almost to the crease; this liner is softer and creamier than my others (maybe because it's new?) and went on easily. On the lid it looks burgundy (purpleish-red) and sort of metallic and a little shimmery. I used one of my little mark. eyeliner brushes to smudge it a bit and blend it up my lid, which wasn't as easy once it set after about a minute... these liners are super-stayproof! For extra color and shimmer, over the Eyemarker I brushed on Everyday Minerals blush in New Shoes (sparkly burgundy, more red-toned than the liner) and blended to crease.

Using a different liner brush, I brushed EM eyecolor in Net Surfing (medium sparkly purple) along 3/4 of my lower lashline. In my crease I used a light shimmery purple shade from my Coastal Scents 88 Matte Palette, not using much and blending well. Next I used a travel-sized mark. eyeshadow brush to apply EM eyecolor in Spin Cycle (light shimmery dusty pink) from crease to browbone and lightly all around the eye. After a little while, this color turned a little orangey on my skin, so I went back over the area between my crease and browbone with mark. i-mark in Cake, a very light shimmery pink. On my browbone and inner corner I used EM facecolor in Sparkle Beige, it makes a fabulous highlighter! Most of the brushes I use are travel-sized ones from mark.- they work just as well as full-sized brushes, and I like them because they're small so they're less clumsy than larger brushes. :3
I applied black liquid liner along my upper lashline and about 8 or 10 individual false lashes along the outer third of my top lashline. (I say "individual" but they're actually about 6-8 hairs in a little clump.) Lastly I used 2 coats of mark. Make It Big mascara in Raven (black) on my top and bottom lashes.

I didn't use my normal foundation so my skin is a bit weird, but I was mostly concentrating on the eyes anyway. x3 I contoured with EM Natural Reflections Medium Bronzer, (which I LOVE), and added some mark. Bronze Pro in the hollows of my cheeks for more drama. I used mark. blush in Cameo Glo, a matte muted rosey shade (shown here in the London FFI, top right corner) on the apples of my cheeks, and rubbed some light pink shimmer cream from the mark. It Kit on my cheekbones with my fingers as a highlighter. With my finger I patted a little Revlon Colorstay foundation onto my lips and topped it with mark. Pro Gloss in Sexy, but decided I needed more color so I used mark. Pro Gloss in Smashing.

This look was mostly experimentation; it was my first time really using individual lashes and loose pigments. I discovered that with these mineral shadows I really had to load the brush to get the colors as bright as I wanted, but once I figured that out I did fine. With more practice I hope the results will be better next time, hehe. It was fun though, and I love how the shadows turned out- so pearly and pretty! :3
Thanks for reading, I know this was long... my plan is to make some tutorial-type videos soon. ;)

Smokey Makeup

Last week, my sister and I had some fun with makeup. :3 I wanted to use the new It Kit I got from mark. so I used the colors to create a smokey look, which I've always wanted to try!

First I used my Sonia Kashuk concealer palette on and around my eyes and nose to even my skintone. Then I buffed mark. Powder Buff in Ivory all over my face. Next I smudged NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk from lashline to browbone, and Sephora white eyeliner at my inner corners and waterline.
Next I used a chubby shadow brush to spread Vanity, the shimmery blueish-gray shade in the kit, all over my lid. Then I used Ruffle, the shimmery vanilla shade, from my inner corner up and around my browbone, blending it a bit with the gray shade. Then I used a smudge of the matte dark gray shade called Amped in my crease, blending very well.
I lined my upper lashlines with mark. Eyemarker in Jet (black) and used a small eyeliner brush to blend the line. I decided I needed more dimension, so I got out my mark. Rebel Rose quad and used Corset, the dark shimmery gray, over the eyeliner, blending upwards to soften. I then used the pearly white shade called Rebel on my very inner corners and my browbone for more highlight.
I used Almay black liquid liner in my upper lashline, and added 3 coats of mark. Make It Big mascara in Raven, and a coat of Scandalash in Blacklash on my upper lashes. I don't usually put mascara or liner on my lower half, but for the smokey eye I did use some MIB mascara to emphasize my lashes. A little medium warm brown shadow from the CS 88 Matte palette smudged into my brows filled them out and completed my eye look.

On my skin I used Everyday Minerals Medium Bronzer to contour and add warmth to my look; I brushed the powder in the hollows of my cheeks, on my cheeks and temples, over my eyebrows, on my forehead by my hairline, down my nose, and along my jaw, neck and chest, making sure to blend very well. On top of that I blended some of the Pro Golden blush from the It Kit. It's very soft in texture, and very pigmented and sparkly. :)
On my cheeks/cheekbones I rubbed in some of the lightest pink shimmer cream from the kit with my fingers. It's very creamy and pearly and makes a nice highlighter with a little sheen. (What I really wanted for this look was mark.'s Just Pinched gel blush stick in Cheeky, a baby pink color. But I don't have that particular one, so I made do with what I had.)
On the apples of my cheeks for some extra color, I dusted on some of the peachy shimmery blush from the mark. Urban Neutrals Flip For It.
On shiny spots I patted on some mark. Powdermatic powder, which I love but I don't think they sell it anymore. :(

Finally, on my lips I patted on some Revlon Colorstay foundation with my finger to blot out the color, and then topped it with mark. Pro Gloss in Sexy and Glow Baby Glow in Peekaboo. Both are awesome colors for a neutral lip, which is perfect for a smokey eye!

I always thought a smokey eye would be hard to do, but this was surprisingly easy. I enjoyed using the It Kit; the only downside was I thought the gray shadows in the kit were a little chalky and powdery. The color payoff wasn't amazing, but I just used a bit more shadow to compensate. (It could also be because they're new...) The vanilla shade and the blush however are gorgeous!
All in all, I had fun with it and I like how it turned out! I don't normally do my makeup this heavy for going out, but I could see myself maybe doing this look for a special occasion or something. :)

Thanks so much for reading! :D