Review: ARTDECO Summer Miami Collection

When Summer rolls around I am all about bright colours and long-lasting formulation. This Summer, ARTDECO helps me turn up the heat with their new Miami Collection. With trendy eyeliners, waterproof mascaras, sensual lip colours, and colour-rich eye shadow sticks, the limited edition Miami Collection will make creating that sexy beach look effortless.

Today I will be reviewing the Glossy Lip Colour in 16 Glossy Pink Grapefruit and the Long-Lasting Eyeshadow Sticks in 08 Rich Girl and 34 Cruise Ship.

The Glossy Lip Colours come in a lip pencil format with the tip shaped like a lipstick bullet. This makes application effortless. The creamy texture glides on smooth and lasts for hours through drinking and eating. Lips are accentuated and voluminized in one stroke. Retractable, this stick never needs sharpening.

This pencil glides on leaving lips looking very glossy. I find the formula quite sticky on my lips, but I think that is what keeps it on for so long. I apply it at 7am and after breakfast, lunch, and a few coffees I can still see it lingering on my lips. After the glossiness wears off a slight stain is left behind. I really like that there is no scent to this product.

The Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeshadow Sticks apply smoothly, blend easily, and once set do not budge. They are a must have for creating the perfect colour-rich, Summer look. The long-lasting, silky texture combines colour richness with excellent crease-free wear. This retractable eyeshadow stick is perfume-free and mineral oil free.

Rich Girl is a beautiful pink toned champagne that is perfect for a wash of colour over the lid. For days when I'm running late, or just too lazy to get fancy with my makeup, this colour with some mascara gives me a effortlessly natural look.

Cruise Ship is a medium silvered purple that creates the most gorgeous smoky eye. Because of how easily these pencils blend, I can apply this colour, some liner and mascara and in 5 minutes I've got a look that looks like it took way longer to create.

Both of these shades set and last all day without creasing, but remove easily with makeup remover. These have really became a daily go-to product for me.

The ARTDECO Miami Collection launched in select Shoppers Drug Mart locations at the end of June 2014.

Prices for this collection are as follows:
Ceramic Nail Lacquer $10CDN
Glossy Lip Colour $17CDN
All in One Liquid Liner $23CDN
Long-Lasting Eyeshadow Stick $16CDN
All in One Mascara - Limited Edition $21CDN

Disclaimer: Product(s) in this post were provided for review purposes. Thoughts and opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Review: Revlon ColorStay Shadowlinks in Oyster, Blush, Gold, Taupe, Plum, Peacock, Periwinkle, & Cobalt

Customize your palette. Mix. Match. Click. Individual, interchangeable eyeshadows click together to create your own customized palette of possibilities. In 4 fabulous finishes, and 30 covetable, collectable shades.

Oyster, Blush, Gold, Taupe, Plum, Peacock, Periwinkle, Cobalt

New for 2014, Revlon has released individual eyeshadows that you can click together to create your own custom palette. I really like the concept of these shadows. There is always 1 shade in most drugstore palettes that I don’t like, so being able to pick and choose not only the colours, but the finishes as well, is a great perk.

 

These 1.4 gram shadows link together side by side, and click into place. The quality of the packaging is a bit cheap, but the shiny black case does look quite sleek. The downside of these shadows’ packaging is that when you link them together they are a bit difficult to open and close.

Oyster, Blush, Gold, Taupe, Plum, Peacock, Periwinkle, Cobalt

The quality of these shadows varies greatly. I find that the matte shades blend easier and offer better pigmentation. I find that the other shades are a bit sheer and chalky. Almost all of the shades I’ve tried are buildable for more colour payoff. 

With a primer I get about 4-5 hours of wear without creasing. However, by the end of the day most to all of the shadows I put on in the morning are gone. When layered with both a primer and a cream colour base I get longer wear time and less creasing. All of the swatches below are with no primer and 1-2 swipes of product.

Oyster, Blush, Gold

Taupe, Plum

Peacock, Periwinkle, Cobalt

Overall, if you are on a budget and looking for a customizable eyeshadow palette then these might be up your alley. There are some of these shadows that I know I will grab for frequently.

 
 Disclaimer: Product(s) in this post were provided for review purposes. Thoughts and opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Review: Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color in Ballerina Pink, Stone, Driftwood, French Roast, & Rosegold

Create simple or dramatic looks with these five fabulous neutral shades of Mary Kay Mineral Eye Colour. These long-lasting, fade-resistant shades look gorgeous on any skin tone and give you intense, crease-resistant colour in a single swipe.

Ballerina Pink, Stone, Rosegold, Driftwood, French Roast

Mary Kay has added 5 new shades to their Mineral Eye Color line for Summer 2014. These shadows offer long-lasting pigmentation that blends easily, and stays true to colour. Mary Kay Eye Colors are sold in 0.05oz rectangular pans for $8, and will fit into most freedom palettes. The formula is creamy and blendable, with no chalkiness or fallout. These mineral based shadows have the added benefits of Vitamin A, C, and E.

I like the small pan size and that they are sold individually, so you can mix and match to create your ideal palette. However, if you don't have a freedom palette then you will have to get one, or keep them in their original packaging. I actually prefer to just keep them in their original containers.

Ballerina Pink, Stone, Rosegold, Driftwood, French Roast

The pigmentation of these shadows are quite impressive. They blend effortlessly, and the colour payoff is amazing. These swatches were made with 1 to 2 swipes, and the formula was soft and creamy.

French Roast is a dark brown with gold shimmer.
Rosegold is more of a golden brown with a metallic finish. I was hoping for a true rosegold, but this is lacking the pink tone.
Driftwood is a medium matte brown. This colour is great for the crease, blending, contouring, or filling in my brows.
Stone is a matte grey that leans on the blue side. This colour is gorgeous and my favourite of the bunch.
Ballerina Pink is a light baby pink that almost blends into my skin and is unnoticeable. This is my least favourite of the bunch.

Ballerina Pink, Stone, Rosegold, Driftwood, French Roast

Overall, the quality of these shadows way outperform the price tag. What I like is that I get loose shadow pigmentation without the mess. I can definitely see myself picking up more of these shadows in the future.

Disclaimer: Product(s) in this post were provided for review purposes. Thoughts and opinions are 100% honest and my own.

May 2014 Ipsy "Fresh Picks" Glam Bag Review

May's Glam Bag is all about "crisp air, vibrant flowers, and fresh Glam Bag products! Getting our beauty to bloom all month long will be easy as lying in the warm grass and basking in the sunshine."

This month there were 26 possible products, and each subscriber received a combination of 5. I ended up receiving 4 full size products and 1 deluxe sample in my bag. Although the products I got were great sizes, and all things I will need in the upcoming Summer months; I can't say I am overly excited about this bag. I prefer to get more makeup in my Ipsy bags, and this month it was a lot of non-makeup items.

If you are interested in signing up for your own Ipsy bag click here. Ipsy costs $10USD or $14.95CDN per month.

First Impression - Influenster NYC Brand Box

NYC isn't a brand I normally give much attention too. Mixed within all of the other drugstore brands I find that it doesn't really scream "Hey! Over here, swatch me, buy me!". Influenster gave me the opportunity to try NYC in their first Canadian box, and I was super impressed with the quality. I ended up being chosen for an additional bonus NYC box, and I have to say these products rock!

Sun 'N' Bronze Bronzing Powder in 706 Hamptons Radiance

Value: $4.99
"Why not give your skin a new bronzed dimension all year around? New NYC Sun 'N' Bronze combines the best shades ever for that perfectly sun-kissed look. Choose the one that fits your skin colour. Being sexy and tanned has never been so easy. Just smooth it on your face and get the sunny glowing look!"

This bronzer is the perfect shade for my skin tone, however, I have been using it as a blush instead. There is a slight sheen and shimmer to this product that I don't like in a bronzer. This gives a beautiful glow to my face, and a little product goes a long way.

L-R: All colours combined, each individual colour.

IndividualEyes Custom Compact in 944 Smokey Charcoals

Value: $4.99
"Discover NYC New York Colour Individual Eyes Custom Compact, the all-in-one compact with everything you need for a complete eye look: primer, illuminator, applicator and complementing shadows. With your colours, specially coordinated to intensify and enhance your eye colour, you can create a look as individual as you are, make your eyes pop!"

These wouldn't be first choice colour wise, but I am impressed with the pigmentation of these shadows. The primer and illuminator are a bit oily in texture. I find that they leave a greasy residue that creases extremely quick. The shadows have only slight fallout, and they have a creamy, and soft texture. 

Shadows on top. Primer bottom left. Illuminator bottom right.

High Definition Liquid Eyeliner in 889 Extra Black

Value: $3.99
"The ultimate mistake-proof application! With NYC's High Definition Liquid Liner you can forget those messy traditional liquid formula's that require a steady hand. The chic, liquid pen delivers smooth, fast-drying results whether you want a super-thin modern line or a thick, full-blown retro cat-eye flick. And the formula is smudge-proof and long-lasting - up to 10 hours of wear! High glam with minimal effort. Uber-black perfection in an instant!"

I love liquid liner! For the price of this liner, the quality is pretty good. Compared to my favourite Kat Von D liner, the pigmentation is a bit sheer. I will need to layer this liner to make it opaque. I am going to have to play around to lean the best technique to use this liner. I'm not sure at this point if it is something I would repurchase.

City Proof Twistable Intense Lip Colour in Ballroom Blush

Value: $2.99
"Just twist, glide, and go! NYC New York Colour City Proof Twistable Intense Lip Colour is here to give your lips a modern and fresh touch. Treat yourself to intense colours for hours with its wide range of amazing shades. With its shiny, stay put finish, this lip colour will become your go-to for an instant twist of colour. You will love its beyond cool pen format for an easy application. Feel the touch of silk on your lips!"

Lip pencils are my go-to for lip products, so I was ecstatic when I saw this in the box. This pencil is crazy pigmented, and super creamy. It glides onto the lips, and really does last all day. You really don't need at lot of product, I tend to apply a little and blend it out using my fingertip. The only downside is that the formula is a bit waxy.

Matte Me Crazy! Mattifying Top Coat

Value: $1.99
"Want more mattitude!? Go from shiny to matte in express New York seconds! So easy! All it takes is one coat of our new NYC Matte Me Crazy Top Coat! A special control-flow brush dispenses just the right amount of product for perfect application. Match with any of your favourite NYC nail polish shades, from light sheer to daring! Be creative and play with texture! Everyone will be totally matte about you!"

I've never really been a fan of matte nail polish. I prefer intense shine. However, after using this top coat I think I have been converted. Matte nails look sleek, and help play down crazy nail polish to make it more work appropriate. What I really like about this polish is that it is only $1.99!

Overall, this bonus Influenster box has really changed my perceptions of the NYC brand. I will definitely be giving them more attention from now on. Out of all of these products, I would repurchase the bronzer, and lip pencil for sure. The eye shadows I would repurchase, just in a different colour.

What are your thoughts on NYC as a brand? What are your favourite products from their line?

  

Disclaimer: I received these products for free from Influenster, for being a Brand winner for the Maple VoxBox. All opinions are honest and 100% my own.

February 2014 "The Look of Love" Ipsy Review

For February, Ipsy brought us an assortment of products to achieve the look of love. My bag came complete with a cleanser to prep my skin, eye shadows to play up my green eyes, and flirty eyelashes to bat at my love. Once again Ipsy delivered an assortment of new brands and products for me to try, all in a convenient pink and leopard print makeup bag.

If you are interested in signing up for your own Ipsy bag, you can do so by clicking here. Each month, Ipsy will send you 5 full or sample size products in a cute fashion forward makeup bag; all for $10USD or $14.95CDN.

J.Cat Beauty Eyelashes in EL13

Value: $3.99
"Cause a ruckus as you bat your voluminous faux eyelashes! Take your pick from 30 styles that you won't be able to resist. Each includes an individual eyelash adhesive for endurance through a night on the town!"

These are the second pair of J.Cat lashes I have received through Ipsy. I gave the first pair to a friend and I might do the same with this pair. My eyelashes naturally look like falsies, so I don't really have a use for these. However, I do have a wedding next week, so I may use these then. 

Zoya Professional Lacquer in Dot

Value: $9.00
"Zoya nail polish in Dot can be best described as a full-coverage pink petal cream (originally released as Dot for fashion designer Zang Toi's SS14 Collection.)"

Of the two polishes available this month Dot wasn't my first choice, however, I am always happy to add another nail polish/Zoya to my collection. I found this polish to be somewhat sheer, with two coats being only slightly opaque. This polish is definitely going to be a 3 coater. The colour is very pretty, albeit somewhat boring, it is a very nice work appropriate pink polish. 

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser with Red Clay

Value: $5.11
"Ideal for oily/combination or problem-prone skin, or anyone looking for an extra deep cleanse. Cleanses and detoxifies the skin. Unclogs and minimizes pores. Balances the skin and controls oil production."

I was so happy to receive this sample! I have been seeing/hearing great things about this brand on YouTube. Missglamorazzi raves about this line, so I cant wait to try it. I have been breaking out like crazy lately, and have had excess oil production out the wazoo! Although this cleanser is on the pricier side, if it works wonders I may consider purchasing it. 

POP Beauty Plump Pout in Peony Petal

Value: $7.53
"This plumping put perfector combines the high-shine of a lacquered gloss with the long wear of a stain, and is packed full of lip-plumping peptides and avocado & jojoba oils. Lightweight, creamy texture immediately merges with lips and delivers intense glossy colour for an extremely long-lasting finish."

I haven't loved the POP Beauty products I've received from Ipsy in the past, but I am totally digging this gloss! The muted rose colour is perfect for any day and will compliment any makeup look. The product applies smoothly and provides full colour coverage, that lasts all day. I don't get that painful plumping feeling which is nice, but my lips do look fuller. I am not a fan of the scent but it's something I can get over.

Jesse's Girl 9-Pan Palette in The Eyes Have It

Value: $3.99
"Nine coordinating eye shadows in a sleek plastic case."

This is my first experience with Jesse's Girl cosmetics, and I am neither wowed nor a I disappointed. Although this isn't my first choice colour selection wise, it's nice to add some variation to one's collection. The darker colours in this palette were more impressive than the lighter shades for sure. Overall though, the quality of these shadows are lacking compared to other drugstore alternatives. I will use this palette in conjunction with other shadows, however, I cant say I will be grabbing for this consistently over other shadows in my collection. 

L: Jesse's Girl Palette - Swatched L-R/ R: POP Lip Plumper

Beauty Blender & Mini Cleanser

Value: ????
"The Beauty Blender is the ultimate makeup sponge applicator that lets you look like a movie star without the pricey services of a makeup artist."

It's hard to put a value on this bonus, but I think it is totally worth 1000 Ipsy points. I could never allow myself to dole out the money or one of these, so it's great to try it out for free. I believe this is a mini blender, but I'm not thinking that will affect the results. I'm going to use this when I use my makeup for the wedding next week, and see what sort of results I get.

Total Bag Value: $29.62 w/o Beauty Blender

Although this isn't the highest value bag, I received 3 full size and 2 deluxe sample products. Again, Ipsy proves why they are the bomb dot com of the beauty box world. All of these products will last a long time and give me enough product to test whether I would really purchase the full size.

September 2013 Ipsy Glam Bag Review

Of all the beauty box subscriptions I've tried, Ipsy has been my favourite. They consistently impress me, and supply me with new and interesting products to try. I also enjoy the size of the samples that Ipsy gives to its subscribers. I can really get a sense if I am going to like the product enough to buy the full size. If you would like to sign up for your own Ipsy bag you can do so by clicking here. If you sign up for Ipsy you will receive a mix of 5 full and sample size products, for only $10USD or $14.95CDN.

In September, we received 5 items plus a bonus sample of Michelle's new EM Cosmetics line. The sample of the palette provided us with enough to get one eye look, but I don't think it will give me a true inspiration of the quality of her products. I actually forgot to take a picture of it for this post. There isn't a lot of product on the card or I would have swatched them.

Freeman Paper Masks

I've really been into masks lately, so I was excited to see these in my bag. I get to try 3 different masks, which is nice because a mask that works for one person doesn't always work for someone else. The brightening mask looks the most intriguing, but unfortunately I am allergic to roses so I wont be able to try it. Right now my skin is so dry so I think that it will benefit greatly from the Blue Agave mask. These masks are fairly affordable so If I end up liking them I wont have to break the bank.

Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Mascara

The last few mascara samples I've gotten from Ipsy have been truly disappointing. The Pixi one was so bad and hard to wash off that I lost at least 5 lashes per eye every time I used it. This mascara on the other hand is simply amazing. It has dark black colour payoff that really makes my lashes look fuller, and makes them pop against my makeup. This mascara lengthens more than volumizes, and I am left with a natural, yet defined, fan of lashes. I would definitely consider buying the full size.

Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in Big Apple

I was so happy to receive this product because I absolutely loved the Cailyn eyeliner I got a few bags ago. Although the packaging is a little bulky, it is perfect for on the go, as it has a built in brush in the lid. I feel like this product is more of a stain then a balm. I found it somewhat drying on the lips, but it was extremely long lasting, and left a pretty pigmented stain to my lips after it wore away. The size of the brush comes in handy when trying to get a precise application. I can't wait to rock this colour all the way through Fall and Winter.

NYX Single Eyeshadow in Hot Crystal

I was looking forward to trying a NYX single eyeshadow because I've only ever used NYX palettes before, and I'm sure there is a quality variance. Although I am not happy with the colour I received, it does work well as a lid colour or inner eye highlight. Hot Crystal is a glittery, frosty, white shadow. I wont get much use out of this colour, but I now know that the quality of these shadows are much better then the shadows in NYX's palettes.

Starlooks Eyeliner in Obsidian

At first I was a little iffy about the quality of this liner. When I first swatched it (you will see below), there wasn't a lot of pigmentation. It took about 5 swipes to get the swatch that I did. However, after sharpening it slightly, it is like a completely different pencil. It is super pigmented, and creamy, and blends beautifully. The only downside is that because it is so creamy you need to set it with some black eyeshadow or it is smudge city on you eyelids. I'm really thinking of signing up for Starlooks Starbox based off this pencil alone.

Obsidian, Hot Crystal, Big Apple

Overall, I definitely think that the value is there with September's bag. I am happy with almost everything I received and cant wait to try other products from the brands that I received. Ipsy succeeded this month in delivering new and exciting products. Stay tuned for my October unboxing/review next week. I am trying to get caught up in time for Novembers box.

BA STAR Stardust Mineral Eye Shadow

Today I will be reviewing another product from BA STAR. Like all of the others, I received this as being part of Brand Backer. Brand Backer is a website that connects bloggers and companies. These mineral eye shadows are available in 9 different shades, that come with their signature glitter glue. Each combo costs $8.75, or if you buy 6 or more you get them at a discount price of $5.00. If you are interested in buying some of these mineral shadows for yourself, visit the website here.

Now I'm normally not a fan of loose eye shadows. They are messy, take so much time to work with, and can take quite a few layers to build up pigmentation, but this shadow is one I will be reaching for a lot.

Alone with no primer, this shadow is pretty sheer, just a wash of shimmery bronze. However, it really comes alive when you use it with the glitter glue base. I've come to realize that this glue is really more of a super primer, as it is not sticky at all. The shadow foils over the primer and becomes an opaque, gorgeous bronze. I can see myself using this by itself as a wash of colour over the lid, or in conjunction with some other shadows to create a smoky eye.

If you want to buy some of these shadows BA STAR has offered a 50% off code for all of my readers. Just enter BBDUST at the checkout. This code is valid through September 30th, 2013.

 Disclaimer: Products in this post were provided by PR in exchange for a review.

May Wantable Makeup Box

Hey ladies! Today I am bringing you another Wantable Makeup Box review. I last reviewed Wantable's subscription service in March, when they were still working on bringing their service to Canada. About two weeks ago they officially "soft launched" in Canada, and gave the first 1000 girls who signed up a free box. I still had to pay for shipping, duties, and taxes; so this box came to just under $15. If you would like to read all about Wantable, their subscription service, and past products, please refer to my first review HERE. This is a very extensive review, with a lot of pictures.

Unlike in March, where I kept my beauty profile very open, I re-did the survey so that I would get a more customized box. I asked for: eyeliner, blush, lip colour, nail polish, lash product, and eye shadow. I asked not to get: brows, highlighter, bronzer, and brushes. Looking back I wish I had asked for brushes and not lash products, but hindsight is 20/20.

This month I received 4 full size products, and one bonus product, with a retail value of $81. I am pleased with what I received, to a point. The colours are not really for me, and I don't know how much use I will get out of them, but it is always nice to try out new things.

I decided not to stay subscribed after this "free" month, because for $50 each month it is too much of a gamble. I would pay $15 a month for what I got, but in my mind I do not think it is worth it for $50. I would rather take that $50 and use it towards things I know I will like and use.

If you would like to sign up for Wantable I would love if you would use my referral link!

Now for a breakdown of the products I received.

Frownies Eye Gels

Retail Value: $0

"Anti-wrinkle treatment for puffy bags under the eyes contains powerful anti-oxidants that help protect your skin. With one 30 minute anti-aging treatment 100% of women testing Frownies eye gels saw a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and dark circles. The weight of the anti-wrinkle patch smooths the under eye area and protects the integrity of the acid mantle and skin. Frownies Eye Gels promote beauty and provide anti-oxidants to fight free radical damage. Natural ingredients help improve the appearance of the skin."

My Thoughts: I am not in the age bracket that needs to use products like this. I will probably give this to my mom to use. I am glad that it was an extra, freebie product and didn't count as one of my main products.

Rainbow Honey Nail Lacquer in Pinkie Promise

Retail Value: $10
"Pinkie Promise is a fun and shimmery pink base filled with hex and tinsel glitter in magenta, light blue, and gold - this polish calls for a party! Designed and made in the United States, always free of formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate, and with ingredients that have never been tested on animals."

My Thoughts: This polish is so me! And, I am really glad I got this one instead of the matte polishes other girls were. This polish looks like a unicorn threw up on my nails. I only needed two coats for it to adequately cover the nail. It is so eye catching, and would be great for a full manicure or accent nail. I may have to look into buying some more from this brand in the future.

Manna Kadar Blush in Tropicana

Retail Value: $19
"Our custom formulated blush offers a special light texture which glides on smoothly and evenly and provides the perfect amount of colour to give your face a health glow."

My Thoughts: This blush is so bright and pigmented! Swatches will be at the end of the post. It is really not a colour I would go for, if I was buying a blush for myself. Even lightly swatched and blended this blush is way bright. It will require a super light hand to apply. I don't know if this will look good with my skin tone, but I am definitely going to try it at least once.

FACE Stockholm Matte Shadow in Lemon

Retail Value: $20
"This gorgeous matte shadow is hyper-pigmented for long lasting colour and velvety smooth for superb blendability."

My Thoughts: I was initially turned off by this colour, but after swatching it, I have changed my mind. This shadow is soft and lightly pigmented. It doesn't really come off as yellow, but more of a beige/neutral tone. I think this will look nice as an all over wash of colour.

FACE Stockholm Luxe Lash

Retail Value: $32
"Lengthen and define with our unique precision Lash Lift mascara brush. The close-cropped bristles are precisely spaced and designed specifically to latch onto and coat each individual lash for maximum height."

My Thoughts: When I first opened this mascara I found it to be a little too creamy for a brand new mascara. I thought it had totally dried up. However, after using it, I noticed that it is just a drier formula. I am not in love with this mascara. First, because it is a brown mascara, and I only use black mascara. And second because it doesn't do much for my lashes.

Right: Manna Kadar Blush; Left: Face Stockholm Eyeshadow