Lined & Defined with Annabelle Cosmetics Stay Sharp Liner and Big Show Mascara

Back in July the Canadian Beauty Bloggers chose Annabelle to be our brand of the month. Annabelle Cosmetics kindly sent me some products to review during that month, however, due to receiving the products only a few weeks ago, testing time did not allow me to get the post up until now.

Honestly, Annabelle isn't a brand I normally gravitate towards at the drugstore. I'm not sure why, it's just always been like that. After taking some time to try these products, I'm happy to say that Annabelle is a brand that I'm going to be paying more attention to in the future.

The products I'm reviewing today will help keep your eyes lined and defined with innovative packaging, that keeps everything sharp and on point. Annabelle Cosmetics proudly introduces the very first to mass market self-sharpening liner with the New Stay Sharp Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner.

This new eyeliner comes equipped with the stay sharp twist-on cap which includes a sharpener. Every time the cap is twisted back on the pencil, the blades sharpen the tip to perfection and neatly keep the shavings in the cap. No fuss, no mess!

These eyeliners offer an easily blendable formula that lasts up to 12 hours, once it sets. And once they are set there is no smudging or transferring to any other part of your eye. This is a huge selling feature for me because my eyelids get extremely oily during the day. Because they are ophthalmologist tested, they are safe to use on the waterline.

Stay Sharp Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner

This product retails for $9.95 and comes in 6 different shades to help you create a multitude of looks. Today, I am reviewing the liner in Cappuccino, but it also comes in Go Black, Graphite, Ultraviolet, Midnight, and Forest.

Annabelle BIG SHOW Waterproof Mascara

Although, I don't normally purchase Annabelle cosmetics, this is a mascara that I have used before, and I've been a long time fan. The brush and formula really provide lots of length and volume to my lashes. The waterproof formula holds a curl well, and lasts all day without flaking or smudging.

I find this mascara a bit of a hassle to wash off at the end of the day, but that is just the nature of waterproof mascaras. I would definitely repurchase this in the non-waterproof formula in the future.

Overall, I am in love with both of these products and find myself reaching for them on a daily basis. Cappuccino defines my eyes without looking too harsh, and this mascara keeps my lashes full and flirty all day long. If you pick up anything new from the drugstore, definitely put these two items on your list.

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

Review: Revlon ColorStay Skinny Liquid Liner in Black Out & Mahogany Flame

These 0.1mm skinny tip liners provide bold, even colour in one stroke that lasts all day. They are easy to apply with mistake proof control.

Revlon has created more eyeliners for Summer 2014 with the Revlon ColorStay Skinny Liquid Liner. The felt, ultra-thin tipped liquid liner comes in four shades. Today I will be showcasing Black Out and Mahogany Flame.

I love liquid liner and have tried quite a few different ones, but this is by far the thinnest one I’ve ever used. The tip is a bit flimsy and requires some extra effort and time to get a perfect flawless application. For me this liner would perform better if the tip was a bit stiffer. Although with precise application it does produce an ultra thin line; if you are not careful the flimsiness of the brush can make product go everywhere and you are left with a thicker line, and a mess.

Black Out is a pure black, while Mahogany Flame is a gold flecked metallic brown. Both liners apply opaque in 1 coat, and last the majority of the day without wearing off or transferring to my eyelid. A major downside I had with these liners is that it takes a while to completely dry. Because I have semi-hooded eyelids, that means I have to keep my eyes shut until the formula dries or it gets all over the place. This is really not a step I have time for every morning.

Overall, I enjoy the final result of this liner, when I have the extra time to put into application. I just wish the tip was less flimsy and it took less time to dry. If you are new to liquid liner, I would steer clear of this product. I definitely feel that it is for the more advanced liquid liner users.

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

Review: Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in Amethyst, Jade & Sapphire

America’s #1 longwear eye liner glides on effortlessly for drama and definition. No matter what your day hold, the water-proof formula will keep you covered for up to 16 hours.

Amethyst – bright opalescent purple

Jade – forest green with slight shimmer

Sapphire – cobalt blue

 Available July 2014, Revlon has developed 4 new shades of their Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner – Amethyst, Jade, Sapphire, and Topaz. Today, I have a review and swatches of Amethyst, Jade, and Sapphire. 

I’ve been a long time lover of Revlon Colorstay face products, so I was excited to try these liners. They claim to give long lasting, bold colour, with a  built in smudger and sharpener. I wanted to love these; however, I only like them, well kind of like them. 

I found the formula to be very dry and colour payoff to be extremely sheer. I couldn’t twist the product up to far as it kept breaking during application. These hand swatches were 2-3 strokes – I’ve gotten better colour payoff from other liners with 1 stroke. 

I’ve tried all 3 on my eyes and with extra pressure and lots of layers Jade and Sapphire do start to look bolder; but Amethyst is just a disappointment as a liner. I did about 10 strokes or layers on my eyes a few days ago and you could still barely see it. Although, Amethyst doesn’t rock as a liner, it is great as an eyeshadow base. I apply it to my entire lid and blend slightly with my finger, then apply my purple shadows over top. I got no creasing or smudging for the entire day and got quite a few compliments on my makeup. 

Although I expected, and wanted, crazy pigmentation from these, I do like that they are sheer yet buildable, so that I can make the colours more everyday wearable. I also like the twist up packaging with built in sharpener. 

I looked up other reviews/swatches of these liners to see if everyone else was having the same problems as me, and no one else has. They rave about pigmentation and have beautiful, impressive swatches. Nothing but praises are in these reviews, and it makes me wonder if I got a bad batch.

Overall, if you want a wearable coloured liner that you don’t mind putting some time into to get a more pigmented line, then I would recommend these. If you want bright, bold colours in one stroke then pass on these. 

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

June 2014 Ipsy "Pretty in Paradise" Glam Bag

This month’s Ipsy bag was all about getting Pretty in Paradise. Warm white sand beaches or a café under a star filled night sky, being pretty in YOUR paradise is only a Glam Bag away. We picked products that are excellent for an extravagant getaway or a quintessential kit for a quick trip for some peace and quite. What paradise is on your bucket list?

My June Glam Bag came complete with 5 deluxe/full size products housed in a gorgeous Rebecca Minkoff designed makeup case. This has got to be my favourite makeup bag so far from Ipsy, and I already have it in my purse to hold my on the go makeup products. I absolutely adore everything I got in this month’s bag and can’t wait to use it all month. If you are interested in signing up for your own Glam Bag click here to sign up. Ipsy cost $10USD or $14.95CDN a month.

Be a Bombshell Lash Out Mascara

Sample Value – 9g/$15

A rich pigmented mascara with a lengthening formula that offers a multidimensional look.

I love getting this brand in my Ipsy bag and I have never been disappointed by anything I’ve received. This product is full size, and reasonable priced. The mascara wand looks somewhat plain, but I have high hopes for this product. I can’t wait to try this out!

NYX Butter Gloss in Éclair

Sample Value – 8mL/$4.99

Buttery soft and silky smooth, the scrumptious new NYX Butter Lip Gloss tastes as sweet as sugar cookies – and makes your lips look down right luscious. Swipe it on alone or over your favourite lipstick for creamy sheer to medium coverage that melts onto your lips and is never sticky.

Can there be a perfect lip gloss? Yes there can and NYX has created it with these Butter Glosses. These glosses go on smooth, last for hours, and provide immense moisture to the lips all without being sticky or slipping around the lips. It is the perfect consistency; just everything about it is perfect. I’m hooked and will be buying more of these in the near future.

Jesse’s Girl Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

Sample Value – 0.017oz/$6.99

This true black liquid liner creates a bold, precise, ultra-fine liner that’s both waterproof and smudge-proof. The unique calligraphy-style brush allows you to create lines as thin as one millimeter.

I love the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, and the brush of this liner looks identical and also provides the same pigmentation. I need to test out this liner a bit more, but I think I have found a cost effective dupe for my Holy Grail liquid liner.

Olehenriksen Truth-To-Go Wipes

Sample Value – 10 wipes/$9

Cleanse, brighten and hydrate your skin with out best-selling truth to go wipes. Our thick gentle cloths remove dirt and makeup in one easy step while imparting anti-aging anti-oxidants.

I could always use more cleansing wipes, and these came in a convenient travel size package. I’ve heard great things about the Olehenriksen products so I can’t wait to try these out. They are fairly expensive at $1 per wipe so I hope they work wonders.

Marc Anthony Dream Waves Beach Spray

Sample Value – 1.52oz/$3.18

Create natural, effortless, beach hair worn loose, soft, and wavy. It adds body and texture to straight, fine strands or pumps up the curl in already wavy hair.

First of all this product smells amazing! Like they captured the essence of the beach in a bottle, with a mixture or coconut, sunscreen, sand, and salt water. It is absolutely divine and regardless of whether this product worked or not I would spray it in my hair just for the scent.  The good thing is that this product actually works and makes my hair look textured but not crispy. I’ve tried it on damp and dry hair, and prefer the effect it creates on damp hair. It amplifies curls and waviness without weighing down my hair or making it greasy. I will be repurchasing this product all year round.

Overall, I am really impressed with the products I got in this months bag. They are all generous sized samples of products that I have never tried, but so far have proved to be ones I will repurchase. The total value of my June 2014 Glam Bag is $39.16.

Review: Mary Kay At Play Bold Fluid Eyeliner in The Real Teal, Gold Metal, Hello Violet, & Blue My Mind

Providing intense colour pay-off, these fun versatile shades add a pop of gorgeous for eyes that light up with high impact colour.

I like liquid liner because it gives me a bold, pigmented line that helps enhance my eye shape and make my lashes look fuller. During the week I usually wear black or brown liner to work, but on the weekend I love to experiment with more colourful options. These new May Kay At Play Bold Fluid Eyeliners will help you achieve some bright pops of colour.

These new liners retail for $12 per 0.11fl.oz, and come in 4 eye catching colours - Gold Metal, Blue My Mind, The Real Teal, and Hello Violet. These liners tote a flexible, pointed, sponge-like applicator. Although the shape and flexibility allow for thick or thin lines, I find it harder to work with compared to a marker type applicator.

The formula of these liners is very wet. I find when applying that the first layer is kind of sheer in the center of the line. If you can tell from the swatches the outsides are more pigmented than the center. I have to go back in with a second layer to make sure colour dispersion is even. The applicator picks up a bit too much product. The bottle stopper could be a bit smaller to catch more product. Once these eyeliners set they are there to stay. There is no fading or flaking. They remove easily with makeup remover.

The Real Teal and Gold Metal are pure metallic, Hello Violet is slightly metallic, and Blue My Mind is more of a cream. I found that the purple and blue were a bit sheer and required more layers to achieve an opaque line.

Overall, if you are looking for a bold, colourful, long-lasting liner then these are for you. These liners can be purchased at MaryKay.ca / MaryKay.com or from you neighbourhood MK Consultant.

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

Review: Essence Bloom Me Up! Limited Edition Collection

Delicate lace with floral patterns combined with fresh colours consisting of pink, apricot and lavender, Spring is going to be playful and romantic – and at the same time, it’s self-confident and totally cool, with these fashionable beauty-pieces. Your eyes, lips, face, and nails are sure to turn into absolute eye-catchers. 

As soon as I saw this collection I knew I needed to own most of it, if not all of it. I pretty much cleared out the display when I found it at Shoppers Drug Mart. I was interested in the pink lipstick, however, my stores didn't have it. I also wanted the lace nail decals, however, upon inspection realized that they wouldn't fit my nail shape.

There were 3 nail polishes in this collection, and I picked up all of them. Bright, fresh colours consisting of mint, lavender, and apricot are about to make a statement. The effects – sometimes pearly, sometimes plain – are sure to put you the mood for new nail styles. Long-lasting and with a high coverage, these pretty polishes will make your nails stand out from the crowd. 

All three polishes were opaque in 2 coats. They went on evenly, streak free, and there was no bubbling. Like other Essence polishes these were fast drying, and so beautiful on the nail! Lovely Lavender and Blooming Tender had a pearl finish, and Blow My Mint was a pure creme polish. All of these colours are perfect for Spring, and I cant wait to wear them all season long

Lovely Lavender

Blow My Mint

Blooming Tender

Rose It Up

The delicately pigmented powder in light beige gives your face and neckline a touch of shimmer. And thanks to the elaborate floral design on the surface, this powder is beautiful to look at too! 

I love Essence's Limited Edition Face Powders! They are always such high quality, and beautiful to look at. This Shimmer Powder has an embossed floral pattern that will eventually wear away. I almost don't want to use it because of how pretty it is. This gives a light pink/white sheer wash of shimmer to the face. I definitely wouldn't use this all over my face, but as a highlight on the cheekbones, it is gorgeous. 

Chasing Lacey

The blush stick offers fresh accents in pink and feels lovely and powdery on your skin. The twistable blush stick guarantees a simple and practical application and the colour becomes more intense with each layer. 

I am not normally one for cream cheek products,  mostly because I can never find a good application method that doesn't have me looking like a clown. This coral-pink blush goes on quite sheer so I'm pretty sure I will be able to make it work. The colour is so pretty and it blends easily onto the skin. The only downside I find to this product is that it is quite greasy, and it doesn't dry to a powder finish.

Bloomylicious

One end of the pen is especially for use on the inner lid to create a wide awake, open look. Applied underneath the eyebrow, this other end usually lifts the brow. 

This is the product I really wanted from this collection. This helps make my eyes look open and awake. The salmon/pink colour of the liner pencil looks less harsh and obvious as white. I haven't used the eyebrow pencil yet, as I normally don't use a pencil to highlight, but I cant wait to experiment with it.

L-R: Eyebrow Pencil, Eyeliner Pencil, Blush, Shimmer Powder

April 2014 Ipsy Glam Bag Review

It's that time of the month again! It's time for my Ipsy Glam Bag un-boxing and review. Ipsy has continued to wow me every month, and it is the beauty purchase I look forward to the most!

How It Works:
Each month subscribers will receive a Glam Bag with deluxe samples and full-sized beauty products customized to your beauty profile. All for only $10USD or $14.95CDN a month.
If you would like to use my referral link click here to join Ipsy. Thank you!

April's Theme:
Beauty Rocks: Life is a dance floor, so why not live it up, sing out loud, and shake them hips?! This month, we're celebrating our unique beauty to the sound of tunes and festivals that fill the spring air. So, whether you're chilling in a campground or spinning in a ballroom, all of your April "Beauty Rocks!" products will help your lovely look become a hit!

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant

Sample Value - $9.75
"The Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion gently sweeps away dead skin cells and softens skin texture, which enables better absorption of skincare products and helps diminish the appearance of fine lines, acne marks, and skin discolourations. A great at home alternative to professional clinical treatments. Safe for use on all skin types."


This is such an expensive scrub so it's nice to get such a generous sample. I found a previous microdermabrasion scrub that Ipsy sent out was too harsh for my skin, so only time will tell with this one. I have yet to try it because I have a few scrubs open already.

Demeter Roll on Perfume Oil in Jasmine

Sample Value - $10.00
"An exotic, sweet warm floral bouquet. Demeter's Jasmine is the experience of the living flowers picked on a beautiful Spring night. Wear alone or layer with your favourite Demeter Fragrance. With over 250 fragrances, the Demeter Fragrance Library is inspired by everyday objects and experiences."

I was really skeptical about this fragrance at first, but now having had a chance to smell it, I really like it. It is a subtle floral scent, that doesn't over-power. I cant see myself grabbing for this all the time, as a I prefer my floral scents to have a sweet/fruity aspect to them as well. However, I may bring this on vacation with me.

Rainbow Honey Nail Lacquer in Midnight Fountain

Sample Value - $5.00
"The central meeting place of our proverbial garden, Midnight Fountain brings it all together - full of shimmer, colour, and glitter, this colour stands out on its own and also pairs up well with the glitters and cremes in the Midnight Garden Collection."

I love Rainbow Honey! Their glitters always amaze me, and I am left with eye-catching, show-stopping nails all week. This polish is a navy blue jelly base, packed full with multi-sized glitter. You could definitely wear this on its own, but I cant wait to try it over top of a black polish.

Mary Kay At Play Jelly Lip Gloss in Teddy Bare

Sample Value - $10.00
"Turn up the volume with Mary Kay At Play colour! It's flirtatiously fun makeup you can remix-n-match to create your own colour playlist. The Mary Kay At Play Jelly Lip Gloss has a fun jelly texture that offers brilliant, intense shine with a sheer wash of colour."

This has got to be the worst lip gloss I have ever used! Firstly, the product is separated in the tube, so it kind of looks gross, and makes me question its expiration date. Next, the colour Teddy Bare is not a flattering neutral on me. It totally washes me out, and makes me look dead. And lastly, it is so freaking sticky! Like the stickiest gloss I have ever used, and it leaves such a sticky residue. Soap and water could not cut through the residue of this gloss, I had to take makeup remover to it. I will not be grabbing for this.

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide On Eye Pencil in Black Velvet

Sample Value - $15.00
"A must for smoky-eye fanatics: an ultra-plush version of UD's creamy, waterproof 24/7 formula. Create perfectly blended-out or rich, precise lines that are blacker-than-black."

I love me some UD eyeliners! They are the only ones that I can get to stay on my waterline for the whole day. I didn't really notice a difference between this liner and my regular 24/7 liner in Zero. This one definitely didn't smudge any easier or better. I actually found that this one set quite quickly, and once it was set it didn't budge. Like the Mary Kay gloss, soap and water was not enough to wash this swatch away, makeup remover was required.

Total Value of April's Bag - $49.75

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.