SOCIAL MEDIA

Becca Sunlit Bronzers Review

Friday 30 June 2017
The Becca Sunlit Bronzers launched about 2 months ago, and I was super excited! We all know Becca can make a killer highlight powder so I had high hopes for these bronzers. There are 5 shades in the range, which I really appreciate. There is going to be close to something for everyone. 
The Becca Sunlit Bronzers retail for $46 CAD at Sephora. They are formulated without parabens and sulphates and contain Becca's Shimmering Skin Perfector formula. This of course means they aren't matte, but they still have a beautiful shimmery formula that has no glitter chunks. Let's call it a sophisticated shimmer. 
Becca Sunlit Bronzer Ipanema Sun: "The medium auburn brown hue is inspired by the sun-drenched shores of Ipanema to give medium-to-dark skintones a healthy-looking, golden glow."

Becca Sunlit Bronzer Maui Nights: "Perfect for deep skintones, the ultra-rich, sienna-kissed bronzed color evokes the rich, warm glow of mesmerizing Maui."

*Some links are affiliate, all opinions are my own! 

Refresh your Eyes with Olay

Wednesday 28 June 2017
I'm 27, so that means eye cream is now a part of my life. I'm noticing fine lines and a lack of hydration. I've welcomed two new eye treatments into my regime from Olay and I've really been enjoying both! 
Olay Ultimate Eye Cream retails for around $26 depending on where you purchase it, should be available anywhere Olay is sold. It has 0.5 fl oz, which is quite a bit of product, especially considering how little you need. It's formulated to fight wrinkles, puffy eyes, and dark circles. It has peptides and vitamins to give it an added boost. It's listed as having colour correcting technology and an added touch of concealer. As a makeup junkie, this isn't really something I'd reach for as a makeup item. When I first saw it I thought it may be too pigmented but that's not the case, I even wear it at night. If you never wear makeup and just want the slightest boost, this could be an option. For me, I just love it as an eye cream! It leaves my skin feeling super hydrated, even the next morning. It has a super creamy texture, but nothing that feels heavy. 
Olay Deep Hydrating Eye Gel, similar to the Ultimate Eye Cream retails for around 0.5 fl oz and retails for around $26. This has a beautiful light gel texture, feels super cool to the touch. Great in the morning when your eyes are feeling puffy. The formula sinks into the skin very quickly but leaves it feeling supple. It contains Hyaluronic Acid which is amazing for hydrating the skin. The Hydrating Eye Gel is also formulated with peptides, Vitamin B5 and cucumber extract. 

Overall, if you were "eyeing" either of these options I highly recommend. They both are suitable to be worn under makeup or at night, I interchange them. 

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

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Bloom

Tuesday 27 June 2017
New to the Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb family is Flowerbomb Bloom. I've always loved the the original, it has such a deep, sexy scent but nothing too overpowering. Flowerbomb Bloom in my opinion is like the original but with slightly lighter, more fruity notes without being juvenile. 
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Bloom is described as "liquid airy note, juicy pomegranate, floral bouquet". Available now on Sephora, the 50mL retails for $120 CAD. Beautiful scent aside, the bottle is absolutely gorgeous. A welcome addition to any vanity. My bottle was customized at a launch event. 

*This product was sent for my review. Some links are affiliate, all opinions are my own! 

tarte Make Believe in Yourself Palette Swatches

Sunday 25 June 2017
Unicorns, unicorns, unicorns! The tarte Make Believe in Yourself Palette is one of the many recent launches from tarte Cosmetics. It was released with the unicorn inspired Make Believe in Yourself collection, if you like glitter or adorable things .. this is it. 
The tarte Make Believe in Yourself Palette retails for $52 CAD and contains 10 shadows and a cheek highlight. 9 of the 10 shadows are foiled with 1 matte. Personally, I would prefer at least one more matte, or none at all. 
The formula on the foiled shadows are gorgeous. They can be used wet or dry, I prefer to apply them with my finger. It clearly isn't the most versatile palette ever, but if you already have a selection of mattes/neutrals or are looking to dabble in foiled shadows this is a fabulous option. 

*This product was sent for my review. Some links are affiliate, all opinons are my own! 

MAC Proud to be Canadian Collection

Thursday 22 June 2017
 I like Canada, and I like makeup - what better way to celebrate than the Proud to be Canadian Collection! Available today in-store and at maccosmetics.ca

"M·A·C celebrates its birthplace, embracing 150 years of nationhood with a specially packaged Lipstick in truest red, plus a distinctive tote and makeup bag inspired by the Canadian flag. From our home-grown start in a Toronto salon in 1984 to sharing fearless artistry in over 150 countries around the world,
we’re as proud as ever to be Canadian."

MAC Proud to be Canadian Tote Bag - $28.00 CAD
MAC Proud to be Canadian Makeup Bag - $20.00 CAD(exclusively available to M∙A∙C SELECT members only)

MAC Proud to be Canadian Lipstick true red (matte)  - $21.00 CAD 
This lipstick is the PERFECT shade of red. Fan of Canada or not I think it could become a staple in any makeup collection.

*This product was provided for my review, some links are affiliate. 



The Best of essence Cosmetics

Wednesday 21 June 2017
essence Cosmetics has quickly become one of my favourite brands. I remember spotting it at Shoppers Drug Mart a few years ago and I was initially unsure of it. I think it was the gel liner and maybe a lip liner! Either way, I realized that I needed to try more. Years later, many of my staple products come from essence. It's a cruelty free brand if that is something you value. If you are curious to see more, you can see my essence Cosmetics video playlist on my YouTube channel. 

If you're planning on attending Gen Beauty this weekend in Toronto, be sure to stop by the essence booth. I'll be there too! There will be lots of great opportunities to check out what's new from them, and of course leave with some goodies. 
essence Cosmetics makes absolutely amazing mascaras, if you try anything from the line start there. Brand new to them is the essence Lash Princess Sculpted Volume Mascara . This is no different, tons of volume and length without being clumpy. Generally I like to wear 2 mascaras but this does a great job on it's own and builds nicely. It retails for just $4.99. 
Also new to the line, and my new OBSESSION is the essence Eyebrow Gel Color and Shape a brow pomade that retails for $3.99. The only downside is it comes in one shade, but I feel like if you have light brown hair to black hair you could potentially make it work. It is cool toned and buildable. My favourite thing about it is that it's buildable. Some brow pomades can be so hard to work with and thick but this is just so easy to work with. I have an amazing brow day everytime I use it! I also love it in combination with the essence Lash and Brow Gel Mascara . Retails for $2.99 and is a clear gel, not too sticky and doesn't leave my brows looking shiny or crunchy. 
A good eyeliner, that is easy to use and long lasting can be hard to find or hardly affordable. The essence Superfine Waterproof Eyeliner is a great option if you like a pen style, felt tip. Super black, long lasting and only $2.99 so when it's time to refresh it doesn't break the bank! 
The essence Glow Must Go On Bronzing and Highlighting Palette retails for $9.99. It contains 2 eyeshadows, a bronzer and highlight. The eyeshadows are nothing special, but the two face products are beautiful! I use them both as highlights and they give an amazing glow, with no glitter. Highlights at the drugstore are hard to find so this palette is a must have. 
The essence Matt Matt Matt lipsticks are a part of the Spring 2017 line, but luckily they are permanent. I have a full lip swatch video if you'd like to see them in action. Pink Up Your Life is one of my favourite shades, such a vibrant pink but still so wearable no matter the season. I highly recommend you pick up at least one shade, as always with essence the price is amazing, 3.99. 

If you're looking to try essence Cosmetics, it's available at Shoppers Drug Mart! 

*This post was sponsored by essence Cosmetics, all opinions are my own. Some links are affiliate. 

STELLAR Beauty Review. Limitless Foundation, Cosmic Blush, Infinite Lipstick and Cosmic Powder

Friday 9 June 2017
Stellar Beauty Sephora
Brand new at Sephora is STELLAR Beauty. Not only is this a Canadian brand it was formulated for medium skin tones. Sounds great to me! STELLAR Beauty was created by Monika Doel, she was born in India and grew up in Canada. For many years she struggled with finding the right shade to match her skin, especially working in TV this was an issue. See my full demo and review of this line on my YouTube Channel.

STELLAR Beauty is described as a "high-performance makeup that offers addictive colours and sensual textures for every skin tone". Although the line is made with medium skin tones in mind, lighter and deeper shades on each end of the spectrum are also included, her intention is to increase the selection even further.
STELLAR Beauty Foundation S14 + STELLAR Beauty Foundation S16
The STELLAR Limitless Foundation retails for $45 CAD and comes in an 22 different shades. It's described as being medium to full coverage, with a radiant finish and free of sulphates, parabens and phthalates. I wear STELLAR Limitless Foundation in S16. Keep in mind when you see the bottles in store they plastic distorts the shade inside, get a sample if you are unsure. I have oily skin and I feel like it held up well on me, I needed to blot but that is nothing new. It did not oxidize or wear away.
STELLAR Beauty Cosmic Blush Eclipse
The STELLAR Cosmic Blush retails for $30 CAD and comes in 3 different shades. It's described as a blush with an incandescent glimmer and a long wearing, natural-flush of colour that flatters every skintone. I think this is my favourite item I've tried, I have the STELLAR Cosmic Blush in Eclipse a "burnished coppery peach". I generally lean towards matte blushes but this is stunning, it has such a fresh look on the cheeks. A beautiful balance of flush and glow, no glitter. 
STELLAR Beauty Lipstick Dark Matter
The STELLAR Infinite Lipstick retails for $26 CAD and comes in 13 different satin shades and 1 metallic. It's described as long-wearing, rich in pigment and with a satin finish. I have the Stellar Infinite Lipstick in Dark Matter a "red brown neutral". Again, I love this! The formula is super comfortable, it has great wear time and full of pigment. 

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

Maybelline Inti-Matte Lipstick Swatches

Tuesday 6 June 2017
There's honestly not much to be said about the Maybelline Inti-Matte Lipsticks, they are amazing! They were released late last year and I cannot get enough of them. I think there is a shade for everyone. 
You should be able to find them at your local drugstore in the permanent display. They retail for around $9 to $13 depending on where you live. See my lip swatch video on my YouTube Channel
They Maybelline Inti Matte Nude Lipsticks formula is very in line with Maybelline's current line of lipsticks. They make some of the best, if not the best, lipsticks at the drugstore in my opinion. 
They have a creamy texture that is for the most part matte. I wouldn't say they are 100% matte, but that is more so in comparison to a liquid lipstick. This makes them more comfortable to wear, but they still last nicely on the lips. 

Maybelline Inti-Matte Lipstick Hot Sand
Maybelline Inti-Matte Lipstick Purely Nude
Maybelline Inti-Matte Lipstick Peach Buff
Maybelline Inti-Matte Lipstick Beige Babe
Maybelline Inti-Matte Lipstick Honey Pink
Maybelline Inti-Matte Lipstick Naked Coral
Maybelline Inti-Matte Lipstick Raw Chocolate
Maybelline Inti-Matte Lipstick Almond Rose 
Maybelline Inti-Matte Lipstick Toasted Truffle 
Maybelline Inti-Matte Lipstick Brown Blush

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

MAC Fruity Juicy Swatches

Sunday 4 June 2017
The MAC Fruity Juicy Collection launched mid May and it's the epitome of a summer collection. If you've yet to pick up anything from the collection you can find it here
The MAC Fruity Juicy Collection contains everything from lip products, to makeup bags. It is all in black packaging with a beautiful, bright, floral pattern. 
The most popular item in this collection is probably the MAC Fruity Juicy Pearlmatte Face Powder in Oh My Passion. Not hard to understand because it is so beautiful! 
In the swatch it doesn't look like much but on the skin and in person it has a beautiful glow and slight flush. For my NC 42 skintone it acts a a blush topper. 
The MAC Fruity Juicy Refined Golden is described as a "finely spun golden with a soft pearl". 
It has a satin finish, with some gold shimmer running through but nothing that is overly noticeable on the skin. It adds a nice glow without being overly shimmery. 
The MAC Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love at First Bite is described as a bright fuchsia in the amplified formula. 
It has a creamy feel with a slight sheen, but is full of pigment. If you are debating getting anything from the collection (besides the pearlmatte powder), I recommend a lipstick! 
The MAC Fruity Juicy Creamsheen Glass in Shake, Shake Shake is a "bright apricot orange". The creamsheen formula is somewhere in-between a lip glass and a creamsheen lipstick.
I personally don't get the lipstick comparison but I do love the formula! It has light pigmentation, but is somewhat buildable. It has a juicy, gel like finish. 

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

Covergirl Total Tease Mascara Review

Thursday 1 June 2017
The latest addition to the Covergirl mascara line is the Covergirl Total Tease Mascara! It's a part of their permanent line, will retail for around $10 and comes in a surprising 8 different shades. Various shades of black, brown, waterproof and blue. See this mascara in action on my Instagram
The Covergirl Total Tease Mascara is formulated to lengthen and thicken lashes with precise application. It has a hard bristle brush, with a tip at the end to allow for more targeted application on the inner and outer portions of the eye. 
I think this mascara lives up to it's claims! It does a little more for me on the lengthening side than volumizing but overall I'm satisfied with it. Works well on both the upper and lower lashes and does not clump. It also builds well, I like to layer up my mascara. I don't have issues with mascaras flaking and the Covergirl Total Tease Mascara keeps that streak going! 
*This product was sent for my review, some links are affiliate.