I’ve had my fair share of good and bad mascaras, and mascaras that claim to be waterproof but then smudges the moment a day gets hot and sweaty. I recently tried the awarded “Best Mascara under $20” from Elle Canada/Elle Quebec 2013 Grand Prix. Which is….Marcelle Xtension Plus Mascara! In addition to this mascara, I have also been using the newly launched Marcelle Waterproofing Mascara Topcoat. Is it as waterproof as a raincoat?
Face + Outfit of the Day: Theodora from Oz the Great and Powerful
I apologize for the huge delay in blogging. Cos and Effect started last week at The University of British Columbia. Cos and Effect is an annual convention that promotes cosplaying and alternative fashion. As I mentioned in a couple posts ago, my friend and I are were selling crafts at the Artist Alley. The past month and half, my friend and I were making polymer clay jewellery almost daily, and I was too exhausted to do anything else. When I went to the convention, I also dressed up as well, since what is going to a convention without a costume? On the first day, my friend and I dressed up as Theodora and Oz from Oz the Great and Powerful. [Read more…]
KIKO Vinyl Lips Liquid Lipstick in Rich Crimson
When I was shopping at the largest European mall in London, Westfield, my friend said that she had to go get some nail polish at KIKO MAKE UP MILANO. The nail polishes were £2.50 so both of us started to stock up. I noticed that Kiko’s cosmetics and skincare products were quite affordable. After browsing at the nail polish collection, I was looking at their Summer 2013 makeup collection. One of the products that intrigued me was the Vinyl Lips Liquid Lipstick. I don’t own any types of red in my lipstick/lip gloss collection, so I bought liquid lipstick on a whim. [Read more…]
CoverGirl Clean Glow Blusher in Peaches + What Should I Buy in London?
First things…I finally got a haircut! I pretty much look the same, but now I hope my hair doesn’t fall over my face when taking pictures! I was shopping at Walmart and came across a stand of CoverGirl Clean Glow Blushers. There were various colours such as “Roses,” and “spices,” and I settled with “Peaches (110).” The packaging is simple- just a plastic palm size case. The lid is fairly sturdy. It would’ve been great if there was a mirror, but for $7.96 for 12g of product. I wouldn’t expect too much fanciness, the point here is the product.
The blush is said to be a lightweight, blendable matte colour. There are three colours in the palette that can contour cheekbones- Peaches has a peachy-bronzer, a peach colour in the middle, and a lighter peach colour that can be used as a highlighter. I tried taking pictures in different lighting so you can gauge the colours. It is hard to take a swatch because these colours are very lightweight and not that pigmented.
The blusher is indeed lightweight, so much that I did have to use more product than usual with my other blushes, but it doesn’t feel cakey. However, if you pack on too much, it does cling on to dry patches of skin, so be sure to moisturize and prep before wearing the blush. This blush would be fantastic for oilier skin since it has a matte finish.
The blush does bring a soft flush to cheeks, as if you went running. The pigmentation is very light, so I use my brush to pack on the product densely.I like to swirl the bronze and the peach colours for the cheekbones, and then use the highlighter (light peach) colour alone.
I wore it for around 6 hours, and I still have a slight peach, bronze glow by the end of the day. This palette would be great for carrying around since it’s great for touch ups on the cheekbones throughout the day. Given the sheerness of the blush, it would show up better on fairer skin. It’s too bad that we can’t really swatch these in stores before purchasing.
If anyone has tried the other colours along the line, I’d love to hear what you think!
And… I’m off to London tomorrow! Do you have any suggestions on what kind of products I should buy there? 😀
Very tempted to splurge on a Burberry makeup product….and perhaps some Butter London nailpolishes..>_<
Face of the Day from Shiseido’s Makeup Class at The Bay
My friend had signed me up for Shiseido makeup seminar to go with her, but she ended up being out of town the day it was held at The Bay Richmond Center, so I went alone. It was a “No Makeup Makeup” seminar where some Shisiedo specialists taught you some basic makeup skills to looking natural. I never actually been to any sort of class before, I usually learn from self-experiment, blogs, and YouTube. Those who participated in the class also received a free book, a Translucent Powder and a Perfect Rouge lipstick. After the class I purchased the Lacquer Rouge in RD203.
In the beginning of the class we were matched with our foundation colour. In the class, we were given headbands and a personal set of tools (Q-tips, disposable lip brush, disposable mascara wand, etc) to use. The Shiseido trainer showed us the basics – primer, foundation (using the Shiseido foundation brush), concealer, blush, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick. Luckily, I did not need to fill in my eyebrows!
Basically, a trainer had a model and showed us how she applied the makeup on the model. Students are given supplies and makeup to use on themselves in front of a mirror. The class had approximately 10 people. During each step, other Shiseido specialists gave us the makeup to use.
The foundation I used was the Perfect Refining Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 in B20 (Natural Light Beige.) I thought it gave me quite a good airbrush finish to my skin when applied over their primer. The foundation wasn’t heavy and I noticed that most of my pores, especially on my cheek were covered. For the eyes, I used the Luminizing Sating Eye Color Trio of purple eyeshadow and brown eyeliner.
We also got a disposable mascara wand and they dipped it in their mascara to try. This is the only portion I have a complaint of. I never smelt a bad mascara until now. It was obviously expired because the mascara smelled of chemicals and age. I wish I spoke up but I didn’t.
The blush for contouring is their new blush- OR308 Starfish. It was finely milled and easy to blend on the skin. It looked similar to Nars Orgasm with it’s peach colour tone. I could see the natural sun kissed look it gave me. For the lips, I used the Lacquer Rouge in RD203, which is a nude -coral colour.
Really loved the clean look of my skin! However, I didn’t want to purchase it as I almost never use foundation. The only item I purchased (hooray for Bay giftcards!) was the Lacquer Rouge. It was very moisturizing and the Shiseido trainer said that it has powder so it doesn’t smudge. Addtionally, it is like a lipstick/lipgloss hybrid, but better lasting power. It had great pigmentation and moisturizing as well. I will do a full review soon! 🙂
As for joining the class, I got these two lovely freebies, a review on each one will also come after I try them!
The Lacquer Rouge in RD203.
I never use Shiseido makeup so this was something new! I cannot find Shiseido makeup in stores, but it seems like you can purchase it online at Sephora or at The Bay. I will do a full review on each item soon to let you know what I think! Have you tried Shiseido makeup before?