MAC Mariah Carey Collection

The MAC Mariah Carey Collection launched online on December 8th and will be in store December 15th to January 26th. I'm not sure if we will make it to January 26th however, as to be expected this collection is selling fast! If you'd like to see it in action check out my MACxMariahCarey First Impressions Video.
MAC is such an iconic brand, Mariah Carey is an iconic singer.. this #MACMariah collection only makes sense. I feel the packaging is totally reflective of Mariah Carey's glamorous and over the top style. She's always dripping in diamonds, a great smokey eye and a nude lip. Every item in this collection is something I can see her wearing. It may not be everyone's style, but that being said there are some great stand alone items that can be worn on a daily basis. The packaging itself is also very well made, there's not glitter fall out that is going to end up everywhere. 

MAC Mariah Carey It's Everything Eyeshadow Quad

MAC Mariah Carey It's Everything Eyeshadow Quad ($43.50CAD/$41 USD) is a cool toned palette with a pop of champagne. It's currently sold out on the website, but contrary to my info sheet it was listed for $33. I think this palette can be worn for day, night or a full on glam smokey eye! I normally don't reach for cooler toned palettes but I had a lot of fun playing around with this. Released my inner Mariah! Diamond Butterfly is a frost, definitely best used with the finger. You get some fallout but it is well worth the result. All of the shadows blended well and had good pigmentation, I'm so glad they are the classic MAC shadow formula.

MAC Mariah Carey It's Everything Eyeshadow Palette

MAC Mariah Carey It's Everything Eyeshadow Swatches

MAC Mariah Carey Sweet Sweet Fantasy Blush

MAC Mariah Carey Sweet Sweet Fantasy Blush ($28.50 CAD/$24 USD) this is described as a "deep coral". There is a slight golden shimmer when you look closely in the pan. That being said I don't think it really shows up on the skin, maybe a slight glow. I prefer a matte blush anyways. This is a blush I can see myself reaching for on the daily. I prefer a coral/peach blush over a pink on my NC43 skintone. This has lots of pigment, blends beautifully and no powder kick up. I haven't tried it yet, but I love the idea using this in the crease of my eye to warm up a look.

MAC Mariah Carey Sweet Sweet Fantasy Blush Swatch

MAC Mariah Carey This Is My Night Liquid Eyeliner

MAC Mariah Carey This is My Night Liquid Eye Liner ($21.50 CAD/$22USD) is described as a "rich brown-black" I don't often reach for liquid style eyeliner anymore, and never a brown shade but I enjoyed this. It did a great job gliding over the Diamond Butterfly eyeshadow which is slightly textured. I did a slight second layer but I probably could have gotten away with just one. I personally feel like Mariah Carey would probably rock black eyeliner, but maybe I am wrong and there's a reason this is a brown black! That being said, it's a great alternative to black, dries down matte, still adds lots of definition with a little warmth. 

MAC Mariah Carey Dreamlover Lipglass

MAC Mariah Carey Dreamlover Lipglass ($23 CAD/$18.50 USD) I LOVE the way this is described... "dirty pink shimmer".  Sounds like a shot you'd order at a bar, amazing! This is an essentially clear close, with a slight creaminess and a pink shimmer. On the lips it adds a ton of shine and "juiciness", I like that you can't feel the shimmer and see it just slightly. I love MAC Lipglasses, I know a lot of people find them sticky but to me that adds such great wear time and glossiness. This is something I'll wear over nude lipsticks.

MAC Mariah Carey Dreamlover Lipglass Swatch

MAC Mariah Carey Lipglass

MAC Mariah Carey 239 Eye Shader Brush

MAC Mariah Carey 239 Eye Shader Brush ($34 CAD/$28.50 US). I with they came out with a whole set of MACxMariah brushes, they'd make amazing vanity decor! I used this brush initially to apply Dream Butterfly because it's a stiff (but not too stiff) small brush. This is something I'll be reaching for to pack on lid shades, outer corner, lower lash line or a brow bone highlight.

MAC Mariah Carey 36 Lashes

MAC Mariah Carey 36 Lashes ($21.50CAD/$18USD) I can't really speak to these because I have not worn them yet. I have heard great things about MAC false lashes. Personally I just reach for 3 mascaras and load it all on. These are gorgeous though, wispy and flare out in the outer corners. 

MAC Mariah Carey It's Everything Palette

Wearing the MAC Marah Carey Collection

In the above photo I used MAC Extra Dimension Skin Finish in Beaming Blush to highlight, I've reviewed that here. If you are a MAC fan, Mariah fan or just like glitter - the MAC Mariah Carey collection is for you! Will you be picking anything up? 

*These products were provided for my review

Smashbox Holiday 2016: Smashbox Light It Up Gloss to Go Set

Smashbox Holiday 2016: Smashbox Light It Up Gloss to Go Set

Smashbox Holiday 2016 has to be one of my favourite designed collections this season! As much as I love and gravitate towards sparkly and gold, it is fun to see something different. Under the theme "Light it Up", everything comes in transparent neon pink-orange packaging. Smashbox collaborated with California "neon artist" Meryl Pataky who had the vision to make it look like it glows from within. I totally agree, it's so vibrant!  

Smashbox Light It Up Gloss to Go Set

The Smashbox Light It Up Gloss to Go Set can be found at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and Nordstrom. It contains 5 x 0.16oz Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Glosses for $31.00 CAD.  The full size retail for $25.00 CAD at .20oz, making this set an amazing value. 

Smashbox Holiday 2016 Lip Gloss Set 

I love that the packaging can be re-used. Christmas can feel so wasteful at times, but I cannot wait to put the container to use somewhere in my makeup collection! 

Smashbox Light It Up Lip Gloss Set

Out of all the available holiday sets, I always appreciate a lippie set. I never run through a full lip product, so this gives you the opportunity to try lots of shades and finishes! 

Smashbox Holiday 2016 Lip Gloss Swatches

These are true lip glosses, they have a good amount of pigment but nothing full on. They are great on their own or as a lipstick topper. They feel moisturizing but not sticky. You can get about 2/3 hours of wear without reapplying. Orange and Lilac are cream formulas. Bare, Fuchsia and Ruby all contain some shimmer - it is slightly gritty on the lips but nothing uncomfortable. When the colour wears away it will leave some shimmer particles on your lips. 

Smashbox Holiday 2016: Smashbox Light It Up Gloss to Go Set Swatches

I especially love Bare Light and Orange Light over nude lipsticks. Ruby Light is PERFECT for the holidays and Lilac is just such a cool shade, I have nothing like it. Fuchsia Light isn't a shade I would normally reach for. 

Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss Ruby Light

Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss Bare Light

Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss Fuchsia Light

Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss Lilac Light

Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss Orange Light

Overall I think this is an awesome set. You get lots of product, it's a great price and the packaging is reusable and cute. 

*This product was provided for my review.

Sephora Collection Glitter Happy Brush Set

Sephora Collection Glitter Happy Brush Set

The Sephora Collection Glitter Happy Brush Set is basically any makeup, sparkle and gold lovers dream! So pretty you barely want to touch it. Available on Sephora for $106 CAD, but as I'm writing this post it is on sale for $74, and has been for about a week. This is a cruelty-free set, not tested on animals. Always a plus! I mentioned this set in my Sephora Holiday Gift Guide on my YouTube Channel if you'd like to see more fun options. Sephora says "This brush set contains all the brushes you need to create any full-face look". 

Sephora Gold Glitter Brush Set

The base is solid, heavy and a transparent acrylic with TONS of gold glitter suspended in there. It feels very sturdy, by no means flimsy or cheap. I've actually reused the gold box that the brushes come in as well, there is a little glitter fallout from it but I've placed it on my vanity it's just as pretty as the brush base.

Sephora Glitter Happy Brush Set

There are holes along each level of the base that are meant for each of the 6 brushes. The Sephora Glitter Happy Brush Set contains a blush brush, powder brush, crease brush, precision concealer brush, allover shadow brush and lip brush. They feel light in your hand, but not too light - you can tell they are a quality make. The handles are gold and come to a point that is an opaque cream colour. The brushes themselves are a cream colour as well, and incredibly soft! 

Sephora Holiday 2016 Gold Brushes

My only issue with this set are the lip brush and precision concealer brush. They could both do the same job to me and it is a missed opportunity to add another useful brush. To get a "full-face look", I would really need an eye blending and or crease brush with some fluff to it. 

Overall, I think the Sephora Glitter Happy Brush Set would make an amazing gift. You don't even need to wrap it! It's something any beauty junkie would be happy to display on their vanity. 

*This item was provided for my review. 

Quo Holiday 2016 Luxury Lipstick Wardrobe Review and Swatches

Quo Holiday 2016 Luxury Lipstick Wardrobe 

Quo Holiday 2016 has launched! Available at Shoppers Drug Mart with products and price points for everyone. Today I wanted to focus in on the Quo Holiday 2016 Luxury Lipstick Wardrobe. 

Quo Holiday 2016 Luxury Lipstick Wardrobe 

The Quo Luxury Lipstick Wardrobe comes with 4 full size lipsticks and retails for $30. For the most part, the entirety of Quo Holiday 2016 comes packaged in burgundy boxes with hints of rose gold. This is also reflected in the packaging of the lipsticks. They have very sturdy, weighty feeling tubes - feels very high-end! Rose gold, with a silver inner tube. 

Quo Luxury Lipstick Wardrobe

The formula on these lipsticks is impressive! I didn't know what to expect. Sometimes lipsticks at the drugstore that come in holiday sets can be waxy and drying. That is not the case with the Quo Luxury Lipstick Wardrobe. First of all, the bullet itself has a great shape, makes for easy application. The formula is a creamy, demi-matte finish, perhaps full on matte, but does not leave your lips feeling dry. If you have particularly dry lips or dry patches a lip balm is always advised. They matte shades will highlight any issues you have on your lips.They have great wear time, and no shades applied patchy. 

Quo Holiday 2016 Lipsticks

Quo Holiday 2016 Lipstick Swatches

Quo Holiday 2016 Lipstick Orchid: Pastel pink-lavender 

Quo Holiday 2016 Lipstick Fig: Netural rose

Quo Holiday 2016 Lipstick Creme: Nude-beige

Quo Holiday 2016 Lipstick Raspberry Red: Red with pink undertones

Quo Holiday 2016 Lipstick Creme

Quo Holiday 2016 Lipstick Orchid

Quo Holiday 2016 Lipstick Fig

Quo Holiday 2016 Lipstick Raspberry Red

Overall, I think this is a really great set. The lipsticks look and feel luxurious and the formula is nice too! With drugstore prices always increasing, this set is essentially $7.50 a lipstick which is totally fair.
*These products were sent for my review. 

Reversa Acnex Purifying Solution Review + Reversa Skincare Giveaway

*Giveaway for $300 worth of Reversa Skincare for your skintype below! Open to Canadian residents only. 

If you've been with me for a while, you know that I have been using Reversa for a few years now. I reviewed the Reversa Solution for Acne Prone Skin last year if you are curious. It's a Canadian brand, which I am also so happy to support and test out. If you'd like more Canadian brands I have a Canadian Beauty Series on my YouTube Channel! The brand began in the 80s, and primarily focused on anti-aging skincare. Reversa was one of the first brands to include glycolic acid in its products. Glycolic acid is a skin penetrating AHA that will stimulate skin exfoliation (chemical exfoliation) and promote cell regeneration which will in turn leave you with better skin! More recently they've begun to release products for acne-prone skin, primarily adult acne.

For reference, I have oily and acne-prone skin. I have had acne for basically as long as I can remember. I believe grade 5 was when it all started, on my forehead. Then later it moved away from there and onto my nose and chin. Currently, at the age of 26 it is still working it's way onto my face but more so on my cheeks. Forehead is as clear as can be! I honestly still cannot believe it is something I still have do deal with, I thought it was a pre-pubescent thing, then a teen thing, then a young adult thing .. but turns out it is just a me thing!

The Reversa Acnex Purifying Solution retails for $29 CAD on their website or it can be found at Shoppers Drug Mart. You get lots of product in there, 200mL, and I love the ease of use top. You just flip open the top, push your cotton pad on top and it dispenses just enough product. It can be really easy to use too much and waste products like this when they are in other formats. Reversa Acnex Purifying Solution was made to tighten and unclog pores along with dry, eliminate and prevent future acne. If your skin is sensitive it is formulated without parabens, oils, perfumes and is alcohol free. It's not tested on animals either, that is always a plus in my books! 

When looking at the ingredient list, it's nice to see it is not a gigantic list. They seem to just put in what needs to be there, and nothing else. It's formulated with 2% salicylic acid (BHA) and 10% glycolic acid (AHA). The Reversa Acnex Purifying Solution is listed as having the "maximum concentration of salicylic and glycolic acids allowed in an over-the counter (OTC) product". 

My experience with this product has been great. I use this twice a day, after cleansing. Sometimes I get a slight tingle after application, but I love that - feels like it's doing something. It does not leave a residue on my skin, or leave it feeling dry or irritated. I have no problem using it under makeup either. It leaves my skin feeling, clean and fresh. My skin has been pretty agreeable lately in the way of acne, I mean I still get a random one pop up here and there but as for clusters of active breakouts, they are just about non-existent. After use I always follow up with an SPF, when using products that contain salicylic and glycolic acids your skin is reproducing and turning over cells and needs to be protected! Reversa makes a great one, the Reversa Radiance Cream with SPF 30. You don't want to spend all this time taking care of your skin, only to have it go to waste by skipping SPF!   

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This giveaway is sponsored by Reversa Canada

Tarte Kiss Bliss Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint & Crayon Set Swatches

Tarte Kiss Bliss Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint & Crayon Set 

The holidays are upon us, aka SO MANY HOLIDAY GIFT SETS. It's hard to know what is worth spending your money on. Tarte always releases a ton of options every holiday season, in varying price ranges and products. I've got a Sephora Gift Guide on my YouTube Channel if you'd like to see more. 

tarte Holiday 2016 Lip Kit

As a part of the tarte Holiday 2016 Collection, they've released their tarte Kiss Bliss Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint & Crayon Set. This retails at Sephora for $46 USD/$60 CAD. It's described on the Sephora website as "A 10-piece tarteist™ lip kit with two fan-favorite formulas in cleverly coordinating shades."

Tarte Kiss Bliss Swatches

In this collection you will get 5 deluxe minis of the tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paints and 5 deluxe mini tarteist Lip crayons. All formulated to be vegan and cruelty free without parabens and phthalates.

tarteist Lip Crayon Meme: Netural nude-beige 
tarteist Lip Crayon Rage: Rosey-mauve
tarteist Lip Crayon Queen: Midtone berry
tarteist Lip Crayon Thirsty: True red
tarteist Lip Crayon Vibes: Blackened plum

tarteist Lip Crayon Meme

I don't even know where to start with the tarteist Lip Crayons. These were such an incredible let down. Not only are they super dry in formula, they crack off when you attempt to apply them to you lips. The plan was to do lip swatches but they left my lips looking and feeling so dry.. Let me know if you have tried these, did you like? According to reviews on the Sephora website, the feeling is mutual.

tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint Fab: Netural nude-beige tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint Fomo: Rosey-mauvetarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint Inspo: Midtone berrytarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint Bae: True red 
tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint Chill: Blackened plum

Tarte Kiss Bliss Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint Swatches

I had much better luck with the tarteist Creamy Lip Paint. This is a mousse texture, that goes on matte. It does not apply liquid to matte like a typical liquid lipstick. I don't mind this, it makes them more comfortable to wear but not transferproof. I had no problems applying any of them with the exception of Chill, this was slightly patchy. The rest had a very consistent, even application. 

It's hard for me to recommend this set. The lip paints are great, but the liners are basically a throw away option. I'd recommend just buying 2 full size lip paints and putting a cute bow on them ;). 

*These products were sent for my review. 

Pur Love Your Selfie 2 Swatches + Review

Pur Love Your Selfie 2 Palette

The sequel to the Love Your Selfie Palette/Kit, Pur recently released the Pur Love Your Selfie 2. "A travel ready palette with everything you need for the perfect close-up". Retailing for $42 at Ulta and valued at $140! It comes complete with 8 eyeshadows, 3 face powders, a mascara, a lipgloss and lip pencil. 

Pur Love Your Selfie 2

I hadn't tried these first version of this palette but I am so glad I got my hands on this one. It's very rare I try an "all in one" palette and love it! Generally something is off, face products are too pale, lip products built in (I hate that) or it is just too bulky. The packaging is so pretty, although it may get dirty when travelling. The white and silver is so clean and chic. The palette also has a nice size mirror, if you are on the go a good mirror/lighting combo is tricky.

Pur Love Your Selfie 2 Lip Products

Pur Love Your Selfie 2 Lip Swatches

I'm really glad the lip products are not in pans in the palette, that is a huge pet peeve of mine. Not only does it make it hard to keep the powders and cream separate but then unless the palette is in your purse you cannot touch up! I'm not sure if the lip products are full size but they are far more than any deluxe size sample, and who ever finishes a lip product anyways?! The Pur Lipgloss in Silhouette is beautiful, I love a nudey-rose lip and this is just that. It also had great lasting power without being sticky. The Pur Lip Pencil in Focal Point is a slightly deeper rose with some more brown in it. A very comfortable matte formula, that wore well throughout the day.

Pur Fully Charged Mascara

Pur Fully Charged Mascara on Left

You also get a mini of the Pur Fully Charged Mascara. I really enjoy this a lot. Gives tons of volume and length without all the clumps. 

Pur Love Your Selfie 2 Swatches

The eyeshadows are what excite me the most. The texture and pigmentation are fantastic, but it is the colour selection that makes me swoon! It is different than your typical selection of neutrals, but it is still wearable with the ability to do something very mild and neutral or you can really amp it up. Megapixel and Paparazzi are my favourite, I have really been getting into olive greens lately, so glad it's been included in this palette. 

Pur Love Your Selfie 2 Face Swatches

Also included in the palette are 3 face powders. I am so incredibly happy that there isn't a pale pink blush in here. So many face palettes are ruined for me with that option, it just does nothing on my NC42/43 skin. Overexposed baking powder is a great option to set the undereye. I haven't tried baking with it, but it is a very smooth powder. Could be great to set your eye primer too if you have very oily lids like myself. Photogenic Blush, which is actually described as a "Rose Gold Illuminator". This is a really nice highlight that I think will work for a lot of skintones. It isn't a 'highlight that is brighter than your future', but it has great impact and can be built up if you want more glow. Lastly is Composition Blush which is described as a neutral bronzer. I personally think it leans more warm, but all I am happy about is that it works on my skin tone. Don't forget, you can use this on your eyes as a transition shade too! 

Pur Love Your Selfie 2 Look: Megapixel, Paparazzi, Pose and Composition Blush

Pur Love Your Selfie 2 Eye Look

The look I created makes use of many of the shadows, with the bronzer in the crease, along with all 3 face powders and the lip gloss.

Pur Love Your Selfie 2 Full Face Look

Overall, I think this palette is so functional and versatile without being bland! I cannot wait to play with this some more. I think this would be a great option for a gift too, or a gift to yourself ;) . 

*This product was sent for my review*