Sunday, May 25, 2014

Beauty Squared Round-Up - May 25, 2014

Hello lovelies!

Time again for our weekly round-up of beaut-astic links to inspire you and make you think.


  • Arianne AKA The Glitter Geek, test drives the Tria Beauty Hair Removal Laser 4X - a home hair removal system that uses lasers.
  • Annnd speaking of hair, but the stuff on your head that you want to keep, here are the best and worst hair styles for round faces.
  • A test drive of those new one-use nail polish pods from Sephora.
  • We've all over-tweezed our eyebrows at one point or another. Here are some tips on how to grow them back.
  • LOOK at this gorgeous coral-red lipstick. Wowza!
  • Worried about sun damage, now that summer has rolled around (in the northern hemisphere)? Here are some foods you can eat that might help you.
  • And since food isn't enough to protect you from sunburn and sun damage, here is a list of beauty editor approved sunscreens, in a range of price points.
  • A great round-up of celebrity-inspired make-up looks. It helps of course to resemble the celeb you're trying to mimic, but you may find your new favourite vlogger in this list too.
  • Haircare brands are starting to market hair products designed specifically for women who wear veils

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil 10L Copper Review and Swatches


This post features one of my favourite makeup products - Make Up For Ever's Aqua Eyes Eyeliner in 10L. The Aqua Eyes Eyeliners are part of MUFE's waterproof makeup liner which are truly budgeproof, even in the rain, even in humid conditions and even when swimming. 

I came across the the 10L liner at Sephora one day a few years ago and fell in love with the colour. It's not quite gold and it's not quite copper, it's a mix of the two. The shade is subtle enough but with the metallic shimmer, it's also got some oomph. I wear this on days when I want a natural look with a little extra something. 


The texture is creamy and smooth and the pigmentation is immediate. There's no need to go over and over to increase the effect.

Swatches! Lots of pretty swatches!






If you're looking for a long-lasting eyeliner, you can't do much better than the Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencils. I've worn 10L in the rain, on hot, sweaty and humid days in the city and while swimming. It does not smudge or budge one bit. It'd work really well for body art, I bet too. 

Have I talked about the colour yet? Spectacular. A beautiful blend of gold and copper that runs neutral, so it works for both warm and cool undertones and all eye colours. Specifically though, blue, brown and green eyes will pop with this colour. 

I absolutely adore this eyeliner pencil. I wear it all the time, as eyeliner just along my top lashline, all around my eyes and also as an eyeshadow. It works really well as a base. One thing that's neat about it is that if you apply it and then smudge it with your finger, or a Q-tip or a brush, you take away a lot of the metallic sheen. I do this if I want to work it into my lashline or smudge it up into my crease. I then go over it again to get the metallic sheen back. You have to work quickly since it sets quickly and it does not budge until you take it off with a good eye makeup remover, or with a cleansing oil. 

Grade: A

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

MAC Alluring Aquatic Extra Dimension Eye Shadows Review, Swatches and Photos

After a long hiatus from blogging I have a review for you featuring items from one of the most anticipated collections from summer 2014: MAC's Alluring Aquatic. This review is for the new, LE Extra Dimension eye shadows ($22.50 CA/$19.50 US). All photos taken in natural light on NC 35 skin.



From top clockwise: Sea Worship, Silver Sun, Fathoms Deep, Soul Serenade, 
Lorelei and Legendary Lure (center)


MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow: Lorelei, Sea Worship and Silver Sun


MAC Extra Dimension Eye Shadow: Soul Serenade, Legendary Lure and Fathoms Deep

Lorelei - described by MAC as a "golden beige", this is a shimmery, medium dark peachy beige. It reminds me of a more metallic, darker version of MAC Grain eye shadow.

Sea Worship - described by MAC as "tarnished olive", this is an antiqued gold that leans a bit olive but on my skin does not shout "green."

Silver Sun - aptly described by MAC as "mid-tone dirty sea foam green", this is a greyed out, pale sea foam that alternately looks more grey/silver or green depending on what angle you look at it.

Soul Serenade - described by MAC as "deep plum brown", this is a neutral, dark brown-grey taupe with fine sliver shimmer. On my skin I don't pick up any hints of plum.

Legendary Lure - described by MAC as "deep cerulean", this is a shimmery blackened forest green with fine silver shimmer. This is not, in any sense of the word "cerulean."

Soul Serenade - described by MAC as "deep blue", this is a shimmery, blackened grape purple with fine silver shimmer.It is a cooler toned purple but nowhere near "deep blue"!


Indirect sunlight: Lorelei, Sea Worship, Silver Sun, Soul Serenade, 
Legendary Lure and Fathoms Deep


Direct sunlight: Lorelei, Sea Worship, Silver Sun, Soul Serenade, 
Legendary Lure and Fathoms Deep


Despite the confusing colour descriptions given by MAC, these new ED eye shadows are all outstanding in terms of pigment, texture and finish. The texture in the pan is a bit powdery (as with all ED products), but they apply smoothly and blend well. In indirect light these shadows all have a smooth medium level shimmer/frost look which turns to fireworks type sparkle in direct sunlight. I think all the colours are very pretty, but my favourites have to be Sea Worship, Silver Sun and Legendary Lure. 

As well, the much talked about packaging with the faux water droplets is whimsical and very well executed. The tactile feel of the "water droplets" is really unique, and I appreciate that MAC has altered the pattern of droplets on every shade. This is one of the few times I have really been impressed by specialty packaging and I don't mind paying a bit extra for it! 

Although these are sold out online, the whole collection launches in-store tomorrow, so you can still get your fill!

Grade: A  (all shades)

J


Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Artdeco Glam Couture Eyeshadow in Blissful Taupe Review and Swatches



Artdeco is a German cosmetics brand available at select Shoppers Drug Marts in Canada. I picked up a few of their products recently. This is their Blissful Taupe eyeshadow from their Glam Couture collection.

The Glam Couture collection had six eyeshadows - shimmery, creamy powder textured, metallic nude shades. The look of the product is stunning, fanned out in a fan or seashell shape. 




The shadows are similar to MAC's Extra Dimension eyeshadows - a cream/powder texture. 

Blissful Taupe is a shimmering taupe shade, metallic and multi-dimensional. It has a creamy texture and is stunningly metallic. It goes on beautifully and blends well due to the creaminess of it. It has excellent pigmentation. Blissful Taupe is a stunning neutral, easy to wear on its own or as part of a look.





It wore very well over a primer for about eight hours at which time it began to fade oh-so-slightly. I didn't try it without a primer, since my eyelids are very oily and require a primer with every eyeshadow I've ever worn. 

This was the first Artdeco eyeshadow I have tried and I am very impressed.

Grade: A

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Beauty Squared Round-Up - May 18, 2014

Hello lovelies!

There's lots and lots to tell you about in this week's Round-Up.




Wednesday, May 7, 2014

MAC Alluring Aquatic Preview


M·A·C Alluring Aquatic
Available online  May 15th
Available in stores May 22, 2014 through July 3, 2014

Eyes take on a subtle radiance in tarnished olive, sea foam and darkened plum Extra Dimension Eye Shadow, lined with the pearlized black of Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner. Luminous Extra Dimension Blush gives cheeks a goddess glow and nails a glisten in aquatic chrome. Lipstick, Lipglass and Lip Pencil feature dark, mystical violets and ice-cold pearlized nudes. Limited-edition teal packaging, elegantly accented with sheer water droplets, leave you totally seduced by the sea. Bronzing primers and powders set sumer skin refreshingly aglow, as Extra Dimension Bronzer washes over the face with a subtle gleam and Bronzing Powder sculpts and highlights in gentle pearlized shades with a touch of shimmer. The MAC Alluring Aquatic Makeup Bag, out chic, teal clutch, is elegantly accented with sheer water droplets. Perfectly sized for all your necessities. A MAC store exclusive.



Bronzing Powder in Refined Golden
Finely spun golden with soft pearl.
$33.00 CDN/$27.50 US

Bronzing Powder in Golden
Muted golden tan-beige with shimmer
$33.00 CDN/$27.50 US

127 Split Fibre Face Brush
$42.00 CDN/$35.00 US

233 Split Fibre Eye Shadow Brush
$30.00 CDN/$25.00 US

Extra Dimension Blush in See Me, Hear Me
Beige pink
$32.00 CDN/$27.50 US

Extra Dimension Blush in Seduced At Sea
Mid-tone neutral plum
$32.00 CDN/$27.50 US

Extra Dimension Bronzer in Aphrodite's Shell
Golden bronze with a touch of fine shimmer
$38.50 CDN/$33 US

Extra Dimension Bronzer in Delphic
Soft brick tan with a touch of fine shimmer
$38.50 CDN/$33 US

Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Fathom's Deep
Deep blue
$22.50 CDN/$19.50 US

Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Legendary Lure
Deep cerulean
$22.50 CDN/$19.50 US

Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Lorelei
Golden beige
$22.50 CDN/$19.50 US

Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Sea Worship
Tarnished olive
$22.50 CDN/$19.50 US

Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Silver Sun
Mid-tone dirty sea foam green
$22.50 CDN/$19.50 US

Extra Dimension Eye Shadow in Soul Serenade
Deep plum brown
$22.50 CDN/$19.50 US

Lipglass in Clear Water
Sheer nude with multidimensional pearl
$20.00 CDN/$16.50 US

Lipglass in Modern Lure
Deep violet with pink pearl
$20.00 CDN/$16.50 US

Lipglass in Peachstock
Creamy true nude
$20.00 CDN/$16.50 US

Lipglass in Seducing Sound
Mid-tone plum bronze
$20.00 CDN/$16.50 US

Lipglass in Water Deities
Light bronzy pink
$20.00 CDN/$16.50 US

Lip Pencil in Half-Red
Soft burgundy
$20.00 CDN/$16.50 US

Lip Pencil in What Comes Naturally
Light nude
$20.00 CDN/$16.50 US

Lipstick in Enchanted One
Mid-tone neutral pink (matte)
$21.00 CDN/$17.50 US

Lipstick in Goddess of the Sea
Dark vibrant violet (cremesheen)
$21.00 CDN/$17.50 US

Lipstick in Mystical
Mid-tone creamy rose (cremesheen)
$21.00 CDN/$17.50 US

Lipstick in Pet Me, Please
Light, shimmering mauve (frost)
$21.00 CDN/$17.50 US

Lipstick in Siren Song
Sheer pale beige (lustre)
$21.00 CDN/$17.50 US


Nail Lacquer in Neptune
Tarnished gold
$21.00 CDN/$17.50 US

Nail Lacquer in Shimmerfish
Sparkling aluminum
$21.00 CDN/$17.50 US

Nail Lacquer in Submerged
Dark teal chrome
$21.00 CDN/$17.50 US

Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner in Black Line
Black with gold pearl
$21.00 CDN/$17.50 US

Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner in Black Swan
Black with pearl
$21.00 CDN/$17.50 US

Makeup Bag
$42.00 CDN/$35.00 US