Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Clinique Cheek Pop Review, Swatches and Photos

I'm in the process of getting ready for vacation which means deciding what makeup to bring with me. As I am a naturally inclined to over-pack, I make very stringent rules about how much makeup I can bring. My usual rule of thumb for blushes is to only bring two - a pink and a coral. While rifling through my stash I came across three blushes I recently acquired which I had not reviewed yet. All photos in natural light, swatches on NC 35 skin.




Clinique Cheek Pops (clockwise from left): Plum Pop, Berry Pop and Peach Pop

Clinique Cheek Pops ($24.00 CA, permanent) are "vibrant yet natural-looking cheek colour that looks virtually powderless." The pretty flower embossed blushes are housed in thick, sturdy lucite, but are small, compact and great for fitting into over stuffed makeup bags. There are four basic shades, of which I purchased three (I plan to get the fourth shade in the near future.) 


Clinique Cheek Pops: Berry Pop, Plum Pop and Peach Pop


Berry Pop - is a medium dark fuchsia which leans a little purple.

Plum Pop - is a medium dark cool pink.

Peach Pop - is a vibrant medium orange-toned coral.

All three blushes are definitely designed to add a "pop" of colour to the cheeks. The formula is silky smooth, highly pigmented and has a beautiful, naturally luminous satin finish. Buffing these blushes into the cheeks will help bring out the formulas glow. Wear time is excellent with these blushes getting a solid 8-10 hours without serious fading.

I think these are a great purchase as the price point, formula and pigmentation offer great value - a little of this product goes a long way! One thing I would like to see Clinique do is expand this range to include some lighter shades as the three blushes I reviewed are all fairly deep. I would love to see a lighter cotton candy pink and a pinker coral added to the mix.

Grade: A+

J




Monday, July 28, 2014

Wayne Goss has revolutionized my makeup routine!

I have a new makeup routine, you guys! It's not that I'm using new products, it's just that I've switched my techniques a little and it's made ALL THE DIFFERENCE! It's all due to Wayne Goss' YouTube channel. 

It's because of him that my makeup routine has, and I'm not kidding, totally changed. I've had a revelation! 

I've incorporated two of his techniques every day for the past few weeks, and now I need to share it with you. They're Wayne Goss certified and Cath-tested.

This first technique made me shake my head in disbelief. Apply powder BEFORE your other makeup? Apply liquids and creams over powder??? This goes against what I was taught as a makeup artist and really, common sense. 



But it works! It really does.

My skin is combination - oily in the t-zone and normal on the cheeks - but it's also summertime and it gets bloody humid in this city. My makeup melts off most days, even with a primer and touch-ups. This under-powdering makes a huge difference. It has literally changed my makeup routine. 

I think the key is to use a light layer of powder, because that way, there's not enough powder to affect the application of creams or liquids. I do apply powder to set my makeup, as I normally would, but it's not as much as I usually would. It's just not needed. 

My makeup lasts all day with minimal touch-up and almost no melting! Seriously, this is one of the best tips I've ever heard.

The second technique I've adopted is Wayne's 100% invisible makeup for a flawless, glowing look. This too requires no special products, just an adaption of my makeup routine. 



Basically, I do almost exactly what Wayne does in the video - after I prime my skin and let it settle for a few minutes, I do a layer of powder and then apply my contour powder, cream blush and liquid highlighter. Then I buff some foundation (lately I've been using MAC Pro Longwear concealer as foundation) into my skin. It softens the contour, blush and highlighter just enough to make it look natural. I also use less foundation than I used to since there's already contour, highlighter and blush over much of my face. I don't have to spend a lot of time blending out the blush and contour shades since they'll get buffed with my foundation brush later. 

I love how polished my makeup looks doing it this way. It's as if I've spent much longer than I do on it. Seriously, this is so easy and takes no extra time at all.

If either of these sounds like it might work for you, I highly recommend trying them out. And check out Wayne's YouTube channel. He's got some great tips, reviews and looks. 

If you do try them out, let us know! 

C.





Sunday, July 27, 2014

Beauty Squared Round-Up - July 27, 2014

Good morning and Happy Sunday! Hope all is well in your part of the world today! Here are the beauty links in this week's Round-Up. Let's go!


  • A no-makeup makeup look by Sephora. 
  • Elle Canada has a round-up of facial sunscreens for summer. 
  • 25 of the best beauty buy bargains for hair, skin and makeup, from Allure
  • One simple trick that may change your opinion about wearing bold lipstick colours. 
  • It's summer, so that means sweatproof beauty products and tips. Here's another list of beauty that should stand up to hot, humid days, featuring Tarte, MAC, Make Up For Ever, Maybelline and Living Proof. 
  • Before you attempt that maybe-too-good-to-be-true Pinterest beauty tip, read this

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Beauty Squared Round-Up for July 20, 2014

Good morning lovelies!

Here is our round-up for July 20. Lots of clickable beauty goodies for you this week!


  • Ten beauty tools that cost under $20 (US).
  • Some nifty tools for keeping your makeup brushes protected while washing them. 
  • Vaseline as a beauty product? Yes, click through to read about all the different ways you can use it!
  • Is the next new hot thing in beauty mushroom extract
  • Speaking of new ingredients in beauty products - Tracy of Beauty Reflections reviews one of Josie Maran Coconut Watercolour Eye Shadows.
  • Makeup artists have been bending mascara wands for years and years. Finally, the beauty brands have clued in. Lancome's Grandiose Mascara reviewed by Beauty Geeks.
  • Everyone's talking about winged liner these days, thanks to the release of Benefit's Push-Up Liner (the Beauty Squared review of it is here). Here's a step-by-step guide on how to get achieve that winged liner look. 
  • Good eyebrows are key to your face. Check out this photo and the links provided to help you find your perfect brows.  
  • British MUA Charlotte Tilbury tells us her favourite products for preventing makeup from melting off your face. 
  • WNBA point guard Skylar Diggins talks about her beauty regime in the NY Times
  • MUA Robert Jones talks about colour theory in relation to beauty in this lengthy but very informative video. 

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

MAC Studio Nail Lacquer Relaunched


MAC Studio Nail Lacquer combines luscious colour with four high-gloss finishes: cream, frost, pearl and glitter. Featuring a brand new formula, formulated without toluene, formaldehyde or DBP, Studio Nail Lacquer is fortified with conditioning vitamins E, C and B5, applying smoothly with a newly designed brush featuring flattened, streamlined fibres for effortless application. From trendy to timeless, and scorching to sweet, there's a shade for every mood.
Anti-Fashion Nail Lacquer
mid-tone dirty purple with pearl (frost)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Before Dawn Nail Lacquer
green grey (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Coffee Break Nail Lacquer
mid-tone cool taupe (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Delicate Nail Lacquer
pale sheer ballet pink (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Erogenous Nail Lacquer
light milky peach (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Flaming Rose Nail Lacquer
true red (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Formidable Nail Lacquer
teal green with pink multi-changing pearl (pearl)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Girl About Town Nail Lacquer
bright blue fuchsia (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Girl Trouble Nail Lacquer
super glitter pink (pearl)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Gold Pearl Liquid Pigment Nail Lacquer
sheer gold pearl transformer
$14 CDN/$12 US

Green Pearl Liquid Pigment Nail Lacquer
sheer green pearl transformer
$14 CDN/$12 US

Highlight Nail Lacquer
sheer blue pearl transformer
$14 CDN/$12 US

Impassioned Nail Lacquer
bright warm pink
$14 CDN/$12 US

Instant Crush Nail Lacquer
bright coral (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US


Matte Overlacquer Nail Lacquer
matte-effect top coat (matte)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Mean & Green Nail Lacquer
purple with teal multi-changing pearl (pearl)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Midnight Ocean Nail Lacquer
dark royal blue (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Midnight Sky Nail Lacquer
deep charcoal (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Midnight Storm Nail Lacquer
deep magenta (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Midnight Strata Nail Lacquer
dark violet (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Morange Nail Lacquer
bright cream orange (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Nocturnelle Nail Lacquer
rich true black (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Only In Florida Nail Lacquer
mid-tone orange coral (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Overlacquer Nail Lacquer
clear gel-like texture top coat
$14 CDN/$12 US

Pink Pearl Liquid Pigment Nail Lacquer
sheer pink pearl transformer
$14 CDN/$12 US

Quick Million Nail Lacquer
gold glitter with large particle pink glitter
$14 CDN/$12 US

Quiet Time Nail Lacquer
beige nude (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Rain of Flowers Nail Lacquer
deep violet with pink and blue pearl
$14 CDN/$12 US

Rebel Nail Lacquer
mid-tone rich plum (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Saint Germain Nail Lacquer
light cool pink (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Screaming Bright Nail Lacquer
super glitter gold (pearl)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Shadow Nail Lacquer
sheer blackening top coat
$14 CDN/$12 US

Shirelle Nail Lacquer
classic bright red (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Silver Dew Nail Lacquer
gold glitter base with multi-coloured large glitter
$14 CDN/$12 US

Skin Nail Lacquer
light peach beige
$14 CDN/$12 US

Snob Nail Lacquer
light neutral pink
$14 CDN/$12 US

Soiree Nail Lacquer
sparkly light bronze gold (pearl)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Sour Cherry Nail Lacquer
dark berry red (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Sunset Sky Nail Lacquer
mid-tone crimson (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Texturize Nail Lacquer
clear leather-effect top coat
$14 CDN/$12 US

Tropical Nail Lacquer
black with rainbow multi-pearl (glitter)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Underlacquer Nail Lacquer
gel-like texture base coat
$14 CDN/$12 US


Monday, July 14, 2014

MAC Nail Transformations Preview




MAC Nail Transformations

Fusing her unique background as a former forensic scientist with a striking and innovative design senses, Marian Newman brings her modern aesthetic to a collaboration with MAC, featuring a collection of nail lacquers and topcoats designed to give nails a stylish twist. Six glowing topcoats in Texturize, Shadow, Blue, Pink, Green and Gold will transform the look of your lacquers into totally new shades. 

Available on July 3, 2014 in North America. 

Gold Pearl Liquid Pigment Studio Nail Lacquer
sheer gold pearl transformer
$14 CDN/$12 US

Green Pearl Liquid Pigment Studio Nail Lacquer
sheer green pearl transformer
$14 CDN/$12 US

Highlight Studio Nail Lacquer
sheer blue pearl transformer
$14 CDN/$12 US

Pink Pearl Liquid Pigment Studio Nail Lacquer
sheer pink pearl transformer
$14 CDN/$12 US

Quiet Time Studio Nail Lacquer
beige nude (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Rebel Studio Nail Lacquer
mid-tone cream plum (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Shadow Studio Nail Lacquer
sheer blackening topcoat
$14 CDN/$12 US

Skin Studio Nail Lacquer
light peach beige (cream)
$14 CDN/$12 US

Texturize Studio Nail Lacquer
clear leather-effect topcoat
$14 CDN/$12 US