Physician's Formula Butter Highlighter Review 

First Butter Bronzers, then Butter Blushes, only makes sense that Butter Highlights are to follow! I'm always super excited about any new drugstore highlights and the Physician's Formula Butter line has impressed me so I had high hopes. That being said, I need WAY MORE shades of the Butter Bronzer, but that's for another day. Let's chat Physician's Formula Butter Highlights. At this time I don't have information on the launch in Canada but stay tuned. See the highlighter in action in this YouTube Tutorial. 

Phycisian's Formula Butter Highlight Review 

The Physician's Butter Highlighters will retail for around $11 USD and come in 4 shades, with an exclusive online only 5th shade. The packaging is slightly different than the Butter Bronzers and Blushes, it has a screw off top so make sure you close it tightly. The formula is similar to that of Coloupop's original formula, this bizarre powder, cream, almost gel. I recommend using a more dense brush, or you can use your fingers. I prefer this to the Colourpop formula. 

Physicians Formula Butter Highlight Swatches

The swatches don't do these justice, these are, SO GOOD. Rival a high end glow, no glitter just a super intense wet look on the skin. I also appreciate that they come in several different shades and cater to more skintones better than the other lines that Physician's Formula puts out. Highly recommend you give these a try! 

*These products were sent for my review, links are affiliate. All opinions are my own. 

Becca Apres Ski Glow Face Palette

Becca Apres Ski Face Palette Review

Becca Apres Ski for Holiday 2017 is a beautiful collection, see the Apres Ski Eye Lights Palette Review. The Glow Face Palette is one of my favourite holiday launches this season. It's limited edition so if you want it, grab it! For the most part, holiday face palettes are a miss for me, the bronzer is always far too light. Not the case this time. See it in action in my Instagram Tutorial. 

Becca Palette Holiday 2017

The Becca Glow Face Palette retails for $54 USD and contains 6 face powders, 4 existing shades and 2 new shades. Overall, the quality of these powders is the same that can be expected from their single pans of products. Nothing worse than when brands release crap for the holidays knowing that people will buy it either way. The new shades to the palette are a Shimmering Skin Perfector in Icicle and Mineral Blush in Winter Berry. Although Icicle is a little lighter of a shade than I would normally go for it's a total fit for the holiday theme and a unique shade. Winter Berry is a great mid tone pink blush with a hint of berry, seems pretty universally flattering. The other shades all exist and are great, I especially love the Sunlit Bronzer, I have 2 of the singles and can't stop using them. 

Becca Glow Face Palette Swatches Holiday 2017

I think the Becca Apres Ski Face Palette for holiday 2017 could make a great gift, be it for yourself or someone else. I'm about an NC42 at MAC for shade reference, or Cafe in the Becca Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme. If you're any darker than me the bronzer may not work for you, I wish brands would release at least two versions of any face palette to make it more accessible. That being said, I love it for me. 

*This product was provided for my review, all opinions are my own. Links are affiliate. 

Maybelline Super Stay Foundation Swatch Comparisons

Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Foundation

 Maybelline recently launched (or re-launched) the Super Stay Foundation, I love drugstore foundation so I'm super excited about this! I thought it may be helpful to show you some swatch comparisons to other foundations that may help you figure out your shade. 

New Maybelline Super Stay Foundation Toffee 330

The Maybelline Super Stay Foundation retails for $15 on the Ulta website, contains 1 full fluid ounce and comes in 16 shades. It claims to be full coverage, long wearing and breathable. I wear an NC42 in MAC so the Maybelline Super Stay Foundation in 330 Toffee is slightly too dark, I've worn 330 in the Fit Me before but I would have preferred it be lighter. Once it comes to Canada I will pick up one that matches better. 

Maybelline Super Stay Foundation Swatches and Shade Comparison

As you can see it is pretty spot on the the Maybelline Fit Me in 330, yay! I hate when brands give new foundations the same name/shade number but they are different colours, makes it harder than it needs to be.

MAC Studio Fix NC42 
Estee Lauder Double Wear 4W2 
Maybelline Super Stay 330 Toffee 
Maybelline Fit Me 330 Toffee 
Revlon Colorstay 370 Toast 

*All opinions are my own, links are affiliate. 

NARS Wanted Palette Swatches #NARSissist

NARSissist Wanted Eyeshadow Palette Review

 This just in from NARS, the NARSissist Wanted Eyeshadow Palette. I just got this in my hands but I wanted to swatch in case you were curious. See the NARS Wanted Palette Tutorial on my Instagram. 

Wanted Palette NARS

The NARS Wanted Palette retails for $74 CAD (with a $352 value) and will be available Cyber Monday on Sephora.ca for one day only! It will then be back on December 4th for a Sephora.ca (in store on January 5th) and followed by January 12th at Hudson's Bay, Nordstrom, Murale and Shoppers Drug Mart.  Wow, that's a lot of launch info! 

NARS Wanted Eyeshadow Palette

The NARS Wanted Palette includes 4 matte shades, 4 shimmers, 2 satins, 1 metallic and 1 sparkle. As mentioned, I just got this palette so I haven't had much time to play but what I did notice was there are some very interesting textures! This is an "all new" formula to NARS and so far it feels good. I think the shade selection is interesting too, you could easily do something super natural and neutral or go incredibly smokey and metallic. Nice to see in such beautiful and compact packaging. 

NARS Wanted Palette Swatches

*This palette was sent for my review, all opinions are my own. Links are affiliate. 

Modern Renaissance Dupe - Wet n Wild Rose in the Air

Modern Renaissance Dupe - Wet n Wild Rose in the Air 

Wet n Wild has reformulated their Color Icon Eyeshadow palettes, there are some old favorites and new palettes in the mix. Including the Modern Renaissance Dupe, Wet n Wild Rose in the Air. It's pretty clear this palette was modelled after the ever so popular high end palette, but does it stack up? See my full review, swatches and demos in my Modern Renaissance Dupe Video. See the rest of the new Wet n Wild collection in my NEW Wet n Wild Launches/Swatch Video. 

Modern Renaissance Dupe Comparison

Here's the scoop, the Wet n Wild Rose in the Air palette launches online at www.wetnwildbeauty.com in December 2018 and in store the following weeks. If you are in Canada, the new collection will be in select Walmart, Rexall and on well.ca. The Wet n Wild Palette will retail for $4.99 USD/ $6.99 CAD. Wet n Wild Rose in the Air contains 10 shades, the ABH has 14 so as you may of gathered it isn't a 100% dupe, but let's chat about the shades that are comparable. Basically, it's incredibly similar. For me however, the most important thing is quality, it can be a great color but if it doesn't blend or last on my eyes, what's the point?! I'll keep this short, the pigmentation is great, the mattes are phenomenal, blendable and last well on my eyes with a primer. The shimmers aren't my fave, but the same can be said for the ABH. 

Wet n Wild Rose in the Air vs Modern Renaissance 

Overall, if you didn't want to splurge on the ABH (which I absolutely love) this is a great option! They aren't 100% the same, but unlike what I did I assume you won't be using one palette on each eye. You can totally achieve a very similar look to the ABH palette using WNW. I plan on using it as a travel palette instead of taking my ABH on the road. Super impressed! 

Wet n Wild Rose in the Air Anastasia Modern Renaissance Dupe

*The Wet n Wild Palette was sent for my review, all opinions are my own. 

The Balm Bonnie-Lou Manizer Swatches

The Balm Bonnie Lou-Manizer Review

I love The Balm Cosmetics, it's the first high end brand I believe I ever purchased from. I never really have the urge to buy everything from one particular brand but I really enjoy picking up just about everything they do. See the Bonnie-Lou Manizer highlight in action in this Instagram video. 

New Bonnie Lou Manizer Highlighter 

Their "Lou Manizers" are their highlights that have been out for some time. They are a super intense highlight that has been around since before super intense highlights were such a thing. These highlighters retail for $24 USD.  Anyways, Bonne-Lou Manizer is the latest addition to the bunch, and a welcomed addition. They had a pale champagne, blush pink, and bronze but a classic gold was what I was missing. 

Bonnie Loumanizer The Balm

The formula on the Lou Manizers is super soft, so be careful, they can break easily. On the skin they have almost a wet look, you can go super lightly with a fluffy brush or use something more dense to build intensity. There's no glitter, but a very intense shimmer. 

Bonnie Lou Manizer Swatches 

Overall, if you didn't already guess, I love this highlighter. I'm a little bias I guess because I love my Lou-Manizers and I'm so glad to have a gold in the mix. 

Bonnie Lou Manizer The Balm 

*This product was sent for my review, all opinions are my own. 

MAC Holiday 2017 Snow Ball Collection Swatches

MAC Holiday 2017 Canada

The holidays, MAC Cosmetics .. a match made in heaven. The MAC Snow Ball Collection launched recently is absolutely gorgeous. I mean, look at that packaging! If there's anything in this collection you want, grab it now. I'm at a little late getting my review up so some items have sold out. Not sure on a restock. 

MAC Happy Go Dazzingly Face Powder is described as a"gold with sparkle", I don't really see the sparkle, which I'm happy about. It's a densely packed powder, not overly powdery with a strong gold ton. It's a face powder, and not a highlight but it's also not a typical face powder if that makes sense? It's doesn't pack the same punch as something like Oh, Darling, but it has a nice glow, the swatches do not do it justice. 

MAC Holiday 2017 Face Powder

MAC Happy Go Dazzingly Holiday 2017

MAC Delicate Drift Extra Dimension Eyeshadow is STUNNING, such a beautiful pink shade with some serious golden shift. I think this could act as a nice highlight if you have a deeper skintone as well. There is a tiny bit of glitter running through but nothing too intense. You can use this shadow wet or dry, I prefer to apply it with my finger. 

MAC Snowball Collection Eyeshadow Delicate Drift

MAC Delicate Drift Swatch Snow Ball Collection

Something we can always count on from MAC is their lipsticks. They are also the perfect way to get an item from a collection if you like the packaging but don't want to break the bank. The MAC Elle Belle Lipstick is in an amplified formula which is one of the best in my opinion. It's full of colour, with a little sheen, can be blotted if you like a more matte look. 

MAC Snow Ball Collection Lipstick

MAC Elle Belle Lipstick Swatch Holiday 2017 

*These products were sent for my review, all opinions are my own. Links are affiliate. 

Easy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce with Fried Sage

Sauce 

1.5 cups Pumpkin Puree 

1.5 cups Soy Milk (or regular milk)

Heaping tbsp Salted Butter 

Half Medium Red Onion 

1 Tsp Minced Garlic 

2 tbsp Parmesan

Salt and pepper to taste 

Fresh Sage Leaves 

Fresh Fettuccini Noodles 

1. In a medium sauce pot, saute red onion (finely diced) in butter until slightly soft. 

2. Add garlic and continue to saute for 1 minute. 

3. Add pumpkin, milk and parmesan. For a thinner sauce, add water, I actually added a little more pumpkin and milk for more sauce! 

4. Fry sage on a medium heat in oil with salt. Turn half way, about a minute and a half each, until leaves get crispy. 

4. Add sauce to cooked fettuccini or pasta of choice, top with fried sage. 

  

Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Pumpkin Dressing

Inspo recipe: https://www.myrecipemagic.com/fall-harvest-salad-with-pumpkin-goddess-dressing-2501849668.html

Brussels 

900g Brussel Sprouts 

1 tbsp Maple Syrup

2 tbsp oil

less than 1/4  tsp Cinnamon 

Salt and pepper to taste 

Dressing

1/3 cup Puree Pumpkin 

1/3 cup Greek Yogurt 

1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar 

1 tbsp Maple Syrup + 1 tsp 

1 tsp Minced Garlic 

1 tsp oil 

1/2 tsp Salt 

1/4 tsp Dried Thyme 

Salt and pepper to taste 

Toppings

Gala Apples 

Dried Cranberries 

Walnuts 

1. Clean brussel sprouts, chop off bottoms and then half/quarter. Add remaining ingredients, place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 425 for around 25/30 minutes, until crispy and browned. 

2. Combine all dressing ingredients, thin out with water if you want a more thin consistency. 

3. Add dressing to brussels and top with apples, walnuts and dried cranberries. Would be amazing with goat cheese and/or bacon as well! 

Vegan Pumpkin Curry

Curry

1 Red Onion 

1 Tsp Garlic 

250g Mushroom

250g Spinach 

4 Roma Tomatoes 

1 Cup Pumpkin Puree 

2 Small Zucchini 

1/2 Large Can Chickpeas 

1 tbsp Curry Powder 

1/2 tsp Ground Ginger 

1/2 tsp Turmeric 

less than 1/4 tsp Cinnamon 

2 tsp Sirracha 

Coconut Milk 

Water 

Lime 

Basmati Rice 

1. Heat 1.5 tbsp oil in large pot on medium/high heat. Add curry powder, turmeric, ginger and cinnamon and continuously stir. Cook spices for about a minute, ensuring they do not burn. 

2. Add onion and a splash of water, cook until they begin to soften. Once soft, add sriracha (or cayenne, spice of choice) and garlic. Cook for 3 minutes, add more water if needed. 

3. Add zucchini, mushrooms and tomatoes. You can use any veg you want! 

4. Once vegetables have softened, add pureed pumpkin, canned coconut milk and chickpeas. Put on medium heat and let simmer for 15-25 minutes. The longer the better. 

5. Add in several large handfuls of spinach and let wilt. 

6. Serve over basmati rice with a wedge of lime. 

BECCA Eye Lights Palette Swatches

BECCA Apres Ski Eyeshadow Palette

The BECCA Eye Lights Palette launched recently at both Sephora and Ulta as a part of the BECCA Apres Ski Collection. It contains 7 eyeshadows, 5 shades inspired by their ever so popular highlighters and 2 that holiday inspired shades. 

BECCA Eye Lights Palette Review

The Becca Eye Lights Eyeshadow Palette retails for $54 CAD but is currently on sale for $35 CAD and the VIB sale is happening so that's an extra 20%! Oh, and don't forget ebates/ebates Canada for an extra 2.5% cash back.  

Becca Eye Lights Eyeshadow Palette Swatches

The packaging itself is gorgeous, not too "christmassy", more on the holiday/winter side which I appreciate. It's also not bulky like some holiday collections tend to go, it could be smaller but I like it. 

BECCA Eye Lights Palette Swatches

Overall, the quality of these shadows is nice, they aren't super powdery and have a nice soft texture. It's a holiday palette, so I see what they were going for but I always miss matte shades in palettes. Or if there aren't going to be mattes I would like to see a bigger variety in the shades, some of the lighter shades are quite similar. BUT, the shadows are super nice, if you like them I recommend grabbing this palette. 

*This was sent for my review, all opinions are my own. Links are affiliate. 

Dior Undercover Concealer Swatches

Dior Undercover Concealer Review

The Dior Undercover Concealer launched earlier this year as a complement to the ever so popular Forever Foundation. It comes in 10 shades and retails for $42 CAD at Sephora. If you'd like to see the concealer in action check out my Dior Fall 2017 Demo Video. 

Diorskin Forever Undercover Concealer Review

'Create full camouflage coverage in one stroke with Diorskin Forever Undercover Concealer. The hydrating liquid formula stays comfortable, and will not crease, crack, or settle into lines, providing full coverage with a fresh matte finish."

Dior Undercover Concealer Swatches

Diorskin Forever Undercover Concealer 31 Sand - light to medium, warm yellow undertone 
Diorskin Forever Undercover Concealer 40 Honey Beige - medium, neutral undertone

*These products were sent for my review, all opinions are my own. Links are affiliate. 

New Wet n Wild Comfort Zone Palette vs Old

Wet n Wild has always been known for their amazing eyeshadow so I was really excited to see that the Comfort Zone palette has gotten a makeover! That being said, I was also hoping the reformulation would be an improvement on an already great formula. They have also released several other palettes and new products which are in my Wet n Wild 2018 Collection video. 

The biggest and best change to the reformulated Wet n Wild Comfort Zone palette are those matte shades, hallelujah! It is what just about every drugstore eyeshadow palette lacks. So glad to see them in there, and they are great quality. Shade to shade everything has just about stayed the same, some slight discrepancies but nothing huge. 

To keep it simple, if you already own the original Comfort Zone you don't need to run out and get this new one, unless you love the original so much but it kills you so much there are no mattes and you don't want to grab for another palette. I do find the lighter shades slightly less creamy and pigmented in the new over the original but the darks are better in the new. They both wear well with a primer. 

*These products were sent for my review, all opinions are my own.