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Mary Kay Spring 2017 Nail Polish

Friday 24 February 2017
Mary Kay has released their Spring 2017 Collection, "Light, Reinvented". Included in this collection are four nail lacquers. In the past few years I have really strayed away from deeper nail colours, and rock pastels and brights the majority of the time - so a spring nail polish collection is super exciting! See my review of the Mary Kay Spring 2017 Lip Oils here.
There are four limited edition shades in the Mary Kay Spring 2017 Nail Polish launch, retailing for $10. All come in the classic Mary Kay nail polish bottle, which might I add has a fabulous brush. I'm atrocious at painting my nails, but they have a nice thick brush that makes for easy and clean application.

All 4 have a nice creamy formula, nothing too streaky. I did 2 coats, but you may be able to get away with one. With any polish I apply a strengthening base and fast dry, glossy top coat. I wore New Blue for about 4 days, I generally get chips after day 1 of wear it is just a matter of how bad or big the chips are. I had minimal wear around the tips which is fine with me, I like to switch up my polish often anyways.

Mary Kay New Blue Nail Polish
Mary Kay Brilliant Violet Nail Polish
Mary Kay Luminous Mauve Nail Polish
Mary Kay Vivid Sunburst Nail Polish

The Mary Kay Spring 2017 Nail Polishes are great, I mean I will always request more pastels but I am just addicted. If any of the colours appeal to you I recommend you grab it before it's gone!

*These products were sent for my review and some links are affiliate.

Burberry Liquid Lip Velvet Swatches and Review

Tuesday 21 February 2017
New to Burberry's beauty line are the Burberry Liquid Lip Velvets. In a sea of drying liquid lipstick formulas, these are a saviour! These retail for $34 USD/$38 CAD and come in 14 different shades. The range is quite versatile, a selection of nudes, pinks, reds and berries.
As to be expected, the Burberry Liquid Lip Velvets have gorgeous, sleek packaging. The top is a the deep chrome shade that embossed with the Burberry print, the tube itself is a thick frosted glass. The doe foot applicator allows for comfortable and easy application. It's formulated without parabens, sulfates, phthalates and lanolin. The texture is whipped, and applied matte from the start. This differs from a lot of other liquid lipsticks that go on liquid and dry down matte.
The Liquid Lip Velvets glide on smooth and can be applied lightly like a stain, full colour or blotted down to ensure for an even longer wear. There is some transfer, when drinking, kissing etc - but this is to be expected in a formula that is more moisturizing. I'm totally okay with that! It is nice to put on a lip product that has a sleek matte look but does not leave your lips feeling or looking dry.
You can get a full day wearing depending on what your up to out of this formula. The deeper shades will leave a stain, and the lighter shades will fade a little faster. That being said, if you add a lip liner and blot after application that will help with wear time. For me, I have no problem reapplying a formula like this because it is comfortable. It does not bunch up or look patchy on touch up.
Burberry Liquid Lip Velvet Dark Rosewood: Dusty, deepened rose
Burberry Liquid Lip Velvet Bright Plum: Deep, vibrant plum
I really enjoy these, and recommend. The formula is so comfortable, great wear time and good selection of shades. I also can't deny that the packaging isn't a huge draw, so luxe!

*These products were provided for my review, and some links are affiliate. 

Mary Kay Spring 2017 Glossy Lip Oils Review and Swatches

Friday 17 February 2017
Mary Kay's Spring 2017 Collection has arrived! Moisturized lips are in for Spring 2017 and I'm pretty darn happy about this - I love me a liquid lipstick but I'm really happy to see more liquified lipsticks and lip oils hitting the shelf. The Mary Kay Glossy Lip Oils are limited editing and retail for $19 each.
The Mary Kay Glossy Lip Oils "provide a comfortable, non-sticky application while achieving a rich and luminous shine." They come in three different shades, Magenta Ray, Sheer Pink and Brilliant Violet. They are somewhat build-able in the sense that they start quite sheer but can get more colour when you later. Some have more colour than others. They can't be built up to full colour, but with such a moisturizing and glossy formula I personally would rather it more on the sheer side.
They have been formulated with grape seed, avocado and jojoba oils to provide moisture and hydrate lips with continued wear. Again following the trends, they have a cushion applicator - which I really enjoy for this formula, it makes for easy application and you don't need anything to precise with the sheer formula. The wear time is not super long, which is to be expected. However the formula is somewhat thick (not super sticky, but also not totally un sticky) which helps it cling to your lips. The scent is sweet but nothing overpowering!
Mary Kay Glossy Lip Oil Magenta Ray
Mary Kay Glossy Lip Oil Sheer Pink
Mary Kay Glossy Lip Oil Brilliant Violet
On my skin tone, these shades are slightly too milky for what I personally go for. The milky colour can leave a streaky rather than smooth lip look. That being said, I love the glossy and moisturizing formula. Over a lipstick or lip liner they'd work better for me. I'd love there to be a more peachy nude shade in the line. Great for transitioning from winter to spring, to help heal any dry lip issues. This is the kind of item that is perfect to have in your purse to easily throw on.

*These products were sent for my review and some links are affiliate.

Dior Nude Air Luminizers Spring 2017

Wednesday 15 February 2017
The Diorskin Nude Air Lumizers have been a coveted item in Dior's line for some time now. In the Dior Spring 2017 Makeup Collection they have extended the collection. The Dior Nude Air Luminzers retail for $56 USD/ $68 CAD. If you'd like to see them in use, I tried both shades I have in a recent video on my YouTube Channel.
The highlights are pretty intense! Strobing, highlighting and glowing are all the rage right now and these will help you achieve that look. They have a very interesting formula, that is starting to get more popular. It is very, very densely packed, and even in the pan you can see the intense shine. If you want a more subdued (but still not that subdued) look going in with a more flully brush will diffuse the glow. I like using the Morphe R36 or Real Techniques Setting brush, this gives an intense glow but does not pick up too much product.
There is no glitter in this product, but a very intense shimmer. I think they look amazing on their high points of the face, and can be use on the eyes and body as well. I've put shade 004 on my shoulders and chest a few times. I really enjoy all 3 shades on my medium-dark skin tone, shade 002 surprised me for sure as it is not something I'd normally reach for. 001 is still my favourite.
When purchasing a Nude Air Luminizer Powder you get the compact and also a mini kabuki. For me, I don't love the kabuki to apply the luminizer but it is great for blending out and blotting. If you have perfect skin, like Bella Hadid one of Dior's brand ambassadors, you can probably throw on some illuminator with this brush and be good to go. For me, it' too densely packed.
Diorskin Nude Air Lumizer 001: Neutral champagne
Diorskin Nude Air Lumizer 002: Iridescent pink
Diorskin Nude Air Lumizer 004: Cool-toned light bronze
If you are looking for an intense glow, or just a very special product (because I mean look at that packaging!) I think these are great. Don't be scared by the swatch of 004, it looks so bizzare but I have worn it on my face and it does not come out looking ashy at all. As mentioned above, you can see it in action in a recent video on my channel about this Dior collection.


*These products were sent for my review, some links are affiliate.

Clarins 'The Essentials' Eyeshadow Palette Swatches and Review

Friday 10 February 2017

Clarins The Essentials Palette is a limited edition product, new to the line. It retails for $62 CAD and contains 10 shadows.


Something that makes this palette really special is the fact that it is sustainable. "This palette was created as a part of Clarins' initiative to minimize our environmental footprint". It is packaging was formulated to be reusable and with ingredients that were carefully selected. The active ingredient in the shadows are the achiote flower. This flower is also known as the "lipstick tree" which I think is adorable. It's colouring is used in many products including food. Clarins has also partnered with the Pur Project to help support Ashaninka Indians to develop agroforestry resources.


This palette reminds me of the Urban Decay Naked 3, which wasn't a huge win for me. The same can be said for this Essentials Palette from Clarins. It is totally a personal thing though - don't let my opinion sway you. Unless you too are a fan of warm shadows.


When I think "essentials" the shade selection available in this palette does not come to mind. The formula on the chunkier looking shades in the palette is a little odd, it wants to be foiled but isn't totally there. Best used with your fingers for sure. The mattes are great!


Another thing that turns me off is the packaging, I don't mind that it is a little chunkier, but the brown is blah. Especially considering the fun things they could have done with the flower inspiration.


I do however love that there are some innovative ingredients are partnerships behind the palette. I also liked the look I created with some of the deeper shades, but I still don't imagine myself reaching for this. 


*This product was sent for my review and some links are affiliate. 

Dior Lip Scrub Review

Wednesday 8 February 2017
Brand new from the Dior Spring 2017 Makeup Collection "Colour Gradation" is the Dior Lip Sugar Scrub. This Dior Lip Scrub retails for $33 USD/ $41 CAD, the same price as the Dior Addict Lip Glows. The packaging is quite similar as well, difference being the scrub has a more matte, frosted cover. If you'd like to see it in action I used it in a recent YouTube video on my channel.

"The latest from the Backstage Pros, Lip Sugar Scrub is an exfoliating and nourishing stick with grains of sugar that melt away, for incredibly softer lips and naturally rosified, as if metamorphosed."

The Dior Addict Lip Scrub has a light, sweet scent with a hint of colour. Very much a hint though, it's a toned down version of the original Dior Addict Lip Glow plus grains of sugar. That is what makes it unique in my opinion. Most lip scrubs are just that, a scrub. The Dior Lip Scrub is lighter on the sugar granular but makes up for it in balm, making it super friendly for on the go! I generally follow most lip scrubs up with a balm but this allows you to glide it on to the lips, you can massage it into the lips and then rub your lips together to  dissolve the sugar and leave your lips feeling hydrated, protected and soft. 

If you're a fan of the Dior Addict Lip Glow, you'll really love this. It especially comes in handy in these dry winter months. With drying liquid lipsticks going nowhere, I am happy to have this on hand! 

*This product was sent for my review and some links may be affiliate. 

Make Up For Ever High Precision Lip Pencil Swatches and Review

Monday 6 February 2017
Recently Make Up For Ever released a new lip product, the Make Up For Ever High Precision Lip Pencil. I became a huge fan of the Aqua Lip Liners a few years ago, the first high end lip liner I ever repurchased, and will continue to! 
The Make Up For Ever High Precision Lip Pencil retails for $18 USD/$22 CAD and there are 12 shades available. The precision lip pencils are a wood pencil that can be sharpened. "Discover the pencil that gives lips one of the most precise definition and perfect colour contouring imaginable. Created to merge with lipstick, this ultra-precise artist’s tool comes in 12 neutral tone-on-tone shades that blend in so perfectly that you can’t tell where the pencil ends and the lipstick begins."
By comparison the High Precision Lip Pencils are stiffer than the Aqua Lip Liners. At first I was unsure about this, but upon use I really enjoy them! They are just stiff enough for a very precise line. I would not recommend wearing them all over the lips, you'd need a balm over it to make it more comfortable. These are best for lining, over-lining, ombre or as a base under lipstick. Both pencils from Make Up For Ever are two totally different products, depending on what you're looking for. 

Make Up For Ever High Precision Lip Pencil 13 Nuts: Warm mid-brown 

Make Up For Ever High Precision Lip Pencil 20 Pink: Neutral mid-pink
Overall I think these are fabulous! If you are looking for a lip liner that will allow you to carve out your lips, over-line them or prevent lipstick bleeding these are just what you need. They have a great shade range of neutral, pinks and berries. Hopefully they will continue to expand the range! 

*The MUFE High Precision Lip Liners were sent for my review, and some links are affiliate. 

Covergirl So Lashy Mascara Review

Friday 3 February 2017

covergirl so lashy mascara canada

New to Covergirl's extensive line of mascaras is the Covergirl So Lashy! Mascara by BlastPRO. You should be able to find this at drugstores now. Sometimes with new products at the drugstore they can be in a separate display before they make it into the permanent one. It retails for around $12.99 and comes in 8 different shades! There's a variety of blacks, browns and their waterproof counterpart. If you'd like to see it in action, I'm wearing it in a recent video on my YouTube Channel
Covergirl claims that this mascara is made for anyone with short, sparse or straight lashes to create a bold and dark lash. It has a very unique brush with three "zones" that are all created to target lashes in a different way. The bristles themselves are a hard plastic. Upon purchasing, the brush is separate from the tube, I always love getting to dip into the tube for the first time myself! Just me? 
Covergirl So Lashy Mascara Review
Mascara is such a personal thing, a mascara that rocks my world may be a huge let down to you. Depends on lash length, curl, eye shape and just personal preference. I love to layer mascaras, generally something more volumizing and followed up by something lengthening. For me, this mascara doesn't really do either to the extent I would prefer. I have quite long and full lashes as is. I think that it definitely adds length, a darker colour and more definition. I also had no issues with flaking throughout the day. However I find the brush itself clunky and hard to work with. It isn't that it is a horrible product, I just have other mascaras that I love more! If you are looking for a Covergirl mascara recommendation I love the Lash Blast Fusion or Clump Crusher for my lower lash line. 
covergirl so lashy mascara before and after
Have you tried this mascara, what do you think? 

*This product was sent for my review. Some links are affiliate. 

Winter Survival from Beauty United!

Wednesday 1 February 2017

Since moving to Toronto I have noticed such a change in the winter air and what it has done to my skin and hair. Although Newfoundland is cold, it is definitely more on the wet side but Toronto is super dry. I was super excited when Beauty United sent along some items from their "Ultimate Winter Warrior Survival Kit".


My favourite product from the kit is the Olay Regenerist Luminous Overnight Mask. I mentioned this in my recent Winter Beauty Must Haves video on my YouTube channel. As someone with oily skin, keeping my skin hydrated without overdoing it is a bit tricky. When you have oily skin, if your skin is dehydrated it may end up overproducing oil while still leaving your skin under-hydrated. The Olay Gel Moisturizer/Overnight Mask is so perfect for my skin. It has a great gel texture that does not feel oily, greasy or heavy. You put it on at night like any other moisturizer, it absorbs quite quickly. Upon waking up my skin feels hydrated and soft. There is also a ton of product, 4.5 oz of product!

The Olay Eyes Illuminating Eye Cream is something I'm still on the fence about. I think it is lacking some of the hydration I prefer in an eye cream. To me, it is a great base under makeup, or for no makeup days as it has some light-reflecting pigments. It has a swirl of 2 different creams, both the eye cream and the light-reflection. If you are looking for something that is light, or as a base under concealers this is nice. For me, I love something thicker, I don't think I can undo the fine lines that have been developing under my eyes but I wanna slow them down at least!

The Olay Fresh Outlast Cooling White Strawberry and Mint Body Wash is super delightful! I've always been a fan of super sweet scented body products, but I have started getting into scents that are slightly more "mature". This is somewhere nice in-between, I think the addition of mint tones down any of the cloyingly sweet scent. As for the body wash itself, it has a great foamy texture and bubbles up really nicely. It leaves my skin feeling clean and soft, not overly moisturized but that could be said for just about any body wash.

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo and Conditioner is something I have used before. I loved it when it first launched, and Herbel Essence introduced a fresher look. I prefer the conditioner over the shampoo, but that can be said for just about any line because my hair is so dry! Both products in this line however feel creamy and moisturizing. The addition of coconut really adds something nice both for the health of my hair and it smells great too. 

Secret Outlast Xtend Clear Gel brings me back to my teen years. I used to love the clear gel formula because I have darker skin and many deodorants just look super chalky and white on my underarms. This formula is similar, goes on clear with a great fresh scent. I can't speak to it's claim of 48 hour protection but it did a good job in the run of a day! I personally don't gravitate towards gel formulas anymore, I prefer the clear solid. Depending on what you look for in a deodorant, this one does as it says. 

The Pantene Intensely Strong Repair Creme is a leave in conditioner formulated to sooth split ends and prevent future damage. This product contains grape seed extract and avocado oil which left my hair feeling soft. I use this straight out of the shower, before I go in with any styling or curl defining products. It does however also contain silicones and glycerin which can contribute to build up on your hair. Be sure to not go in too heavy with it, or use a clarifying shampoo every so often to prevent too much build up. 

Pantene's 3 Minute Miracle is something I have used before. I think this is my second tube now, and as you can see in the picture it is well used! I have mixed feelings about this product. I use it in the shower, leave it in as long as possible and it makes the brushing process on my dry curly hair, much easier! That being said, when I take a closer look at the ingredients I am not really seeing where any moisture or long term aid to my hair is coming from. I could just be missing it, as a I am not a master at reading labels - but nothing stands out as a recognizable good moisturizing ingredient for my hair. 

Let me know down below what are your winter must haves! 

*These products were sent for my review. Some links are affiliate.