S/S 2013 Trends - Soft Mod at Marc Jacobs

image source: huffingtonpost.com

I would like to think it is that time of year where the birds are singing and daffodils are sprouting, but alas there is sludge on the pavement from last night's snowfall. *sigh*  So I decided to brighten my day by looking at makeup's spring trends.

New York Fashion Week's darling, Marc Jacobs, enlisted Francois Nars for the gentle mod/Edie Sedgwick look. He seems to be having a love affair with The Factory as evidence by his Andy Warhol makeup collection and now Edie. While mod can be sometimes difficult to pull off, Nars used softer and more subtle tones of grey/browns on some models. Keeping with the trends of strong brows, a boxed thick brow was implemented too. The overall impression is soft but graphic.

Use matte eye shadows to re-create/interpret this look. Nothing harsh....blend, blend, blend.
Products recommended:

• MAC e/s  Concrete, Copperplate, Coquette
• Burberry e/s Taupe Brown
• Revlon  ColorStay 16 hour Eye Shadow palette in Attitude or Addictive

Tell me what you think of S/S '13 trends.
xx Megs

Review: Rimmel's Wake Me Up Foundation

I have to say I was rather excited to hear Rimmel was finally blessing us with their much talked about Wake Me Up line of foundation, concealer and highlighters. I, of course, made a bee-line to their foundation. Let's see if it lives up to the accolades.

Pro's

So happy to see a freakin' pump -it's a small thing, but a nice thing. Easy to blend and gorgeous finish. I've used the Real Techniques Buffing Brush and a Beauty Blender, both work nicely. Most skin types can use this, except for the truly oily. This is a great winter foundation, as it brings life back into our lovely dull complexion. The price is decent for a mass product and I am sure it will go on sale too.

Con's
The colours. Why oh why can't they be a little more yellow toned? They lean too much on the neutral-pink side. Great for those who are cool, but not great for me. The fragrance, even though it is fresh, if you do not like perfumed bases, you will not like this one. Luckily it dissipates after a few seconds. So not much of a con...


Down and Dirty:
Price: $12.99 Cdn, price may vary
Finish: dewy
coverage: light to medium
Overall a great foundation.

What do you think of the new Rimmel products?
Take care,
xx Megs

Spring 2013 Pastel Aqua// Ginnifer Goodwin

I have become a BIG Ginnifer  Goodwin  style fan. She takes fashion/makeup chances and her skin is just flawless. Her milky white complexion lends itself to so many looks. However, her look at the Met Gala was one of my favourites, as it was stunning and so wearable.

Ginnifer Goodwin.

 Products Used:

Make Up For Ever eyeshadow in #150

Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Cherub

M.A.C Tinted Lipglass in Talk to me Softly (any baby pink colour will do)

M.A.C Opulash Optimum Black Mascara

Make Up For Ever Uplight #12

Clinique Airbrush Concealer Neutral Fair

Nars Larger than Life Eyeliner in Black

Revlon Colourstay Foundation in #150 Buff

Wake Me Up, Scandaleyes and Kate.. Oh my!

The Red Coats are coming, the Red Coats are coming....errr wait a second, that's wrong.... but not entirely. Thanks be to Jesus we are having a British Invasion of sorts. Finally, Rimmel has said enough to us Canadians waiting for their Wake Me Up Foundation, Kate Moss Matte Lipsticks and Scandaleyes Liners!!!! Ding Dong! Will we have to wait for months until we get Apocalips too? Oh first world problems......

Scandaleyes Waterproof Kajal Kohl liners:
Hero colours:
Nude and Taupe

Image Source: uk.rimmellondon.com

Lasting Finish Matte Lipsticks by Kate Moss
Hero colour:
107- dark, luscious burgundy

Image source: uk.rimmellondon.com

image source: uk.rimmellondon.com

 I cannot wait to get my little paws on these products. A review to follow ^_^ Have you tried them? Tell me what you think.
xo Megs

Shop and Share - MAC, NYX, Revlon, Daniel Sandler, Embryolisse

After the makeup madness of Christmas, *sigh* I really didn't think I needed anything else. Maybe "needed" isn't quite the word......I didn't think I would desire anything else for a while. Guess I was wrong ;)

 

Shop and Share (Haul) - YouTube video

MAC - All Woman palette - from the Strong Collection. Limited Edition
Palette refills:

• texture- medium caramel brown
• brown down (being discontinued)- dark warm brown
• mystery- cool tone dark brown
• swiss chocolate- medium warm brown
• soft brown- light caramel brown

Lipsticks- Plum Dandy (frost) purple plum with shots of metallic silver and gold, Dare You (Cream Sheen)-sexy, ruby red creamy and hydrating

Revlon Colourstay foundation 150 Buff. Brilliant foundation. Great coverage and satin finish

NYX  Bush Taupe- great for contour, cool grey, purplish taupe

Real Techniques Eye Brushes- high quality for good price. Synthetic and wonderful for application and blending

Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre- moisturiser for all skin types. Fantastic for cold weather

Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush Flush and Cherub- watery cream blushes. Flush -berry pink, Cherub- light pink. Very natural on the skin

Maybelline Eyestudio Cream Liner - Lovely, lovely liner. Comparable to MAC's fluidline and Bobbi Brown's Gel liner. 

Let me know if you have tried any of the aforementioned. Any recent discoveries?
xo Megs

Green Smokey Eye

Thanks for dropping by. Here is a little look I put together and a peek at my freckles ^_^

Products used: 

MAC e/s Humid, Club, Sumptuous Olive, Gold Mine

Nars Larger than life Long Wear Eyeliner Black

Maybelline The Falsies Mascara

 

Take care,
xx Megs

Canadian Beauty Brands

Looking at my makeup collection, it is heavily loaded in MAC's favour (still  Canadian???). I decided to look at other bits of my collection to see how much of it was from here. Afterwards, I felt it was time to give kudos to Canadian beauty companies and their products.

Canadian Brands

Cake Beauty - their hand cream and body lotion (Desserted Island) smell heavenly and work very well on the skin.  They absorb nicely = no greasy feel. Yay.

Cargo - cosmetic company, known for their HD makeup, mascaras and foundations. Personally, I enjoy their eyeshadows and Plant Love Lipsticks

Marcelle - one of Canada's drugstore skin and cosmetics companies. Their BB Cream is wonderful and my favourite out of all them on the market. 

Annabelle - great trendy based drugstore company. It offers palettes, great eyeliners and lipsticks.

Quo - Shoppers Drug Mart in house brand. It has improve its quality immensely. Known for its brushes, the brand also works with Orly for nail tools and nail varnish. 

Cover FX - this hardworking little company has made some great strides and products. I am partial to their Natural FX, Skin Prep serum and primer, and the original Cover FX cream foundation. Good for the skin and great coverage. 

Lise Watier - the madame of them all. Well known in Canada, Lise Watier has grown into a competitive company. I use the Portfolio and the Metamorfix (liquid transformer)

Ojon - this hair company has a loyal following. Their line helps with damaged, dry and chemically treated hair. Hard to keep on the shelves. I use the Rare Blend Oil.

M.A.C - everyone knows this company from Toronto. In the 90's, Estee Lauder bought them, but they still remain true to Canada. I have too many products to list. Eyeshadows, Lipsticks, Viva Glam and so much more. 

Other Canadian Companies include:

Neostrata 
Moroccan Oil
B. Kamins 
Fusion Makeup
Bite Beauty
Balmshell 
Joe Fresh
Lit Cosmetics
Face Atelier
Vasanti 
Yaby 
Beaute
Stellarti
The Ordinary
Deciem
Nude Stix


Do you think Canadian Cosmetic and Beauty companies have what it takes? What is your favourite Canadian Hero product?
Take care,
xo Megs

2012 Favourites

2012 Beauty Favourites Part 1

2012 Beauty Favourites Part 2 - Makeup

Relaxing on my sofa and waxing philosophical about 2012, I found myself making a list of things I want to accomplish and change for 2013.  For instance traveling more, spending more time with friends, and eating less Jelly Belly jelly beans. Then there is my love and some say passion/obsession for makeup and beauty.  In 2012, this has only further intensified with starting my blog and new products on the market. So, without further procrastination, here are my favourites for this past year.

Hair

Hair- Kevin Murphy Angel Wash and Rinse

Treatment- Kevin Murphy Young Again

Face

Sunscreen- SkinCeuticals Physical fusion UV Defense

Mask/Exfoliator- Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant

Eye Cream- Nuxe Nirvanesque Contour des Yeux
Serum - Day - Korres Wild Rose Face and Eye
Serum - Night - Estee Lauder Advnace Night Repair

Face Cleanser - Korres White Tea Cleanser and Bioderma Sensibio
Primer - Urban Decay Primer Potion, Smashbox Photofinish
Foundation - Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum
Blush - Lancome Cedar Rose, Chanel Pink Cloud, Claris Multi-Blush Litchi
Eyeshadow - Patina, Copperplate, Coquette, Shroom, Brule
Eyeliner -MAC Coffee
Brows - Sephora Lash and Brow Gel

Mascara - Opulash Optimum Black

Liquid Eye Liner- Physicians Formula

Lips

Lip stick- MAC Gleam, Clarins Pink Lilac

Lip Liner - MAC Subculture

Lip gloss- MAC Florabundance

Tools

Real techniques brushes

Brush Guards

Shu Uemura Lash Curler

Beauty Blender Sponge

What are your 2012 favourites? Anything the same?
Take care,
xo Megs

Favourite Drug Store Products

In Canada, some of our Drugstores actually have high end brands like Dior, Lancome, Shiseido and Guerlain, but no cheating here.....It is all about the mass brands, which have really improved their  quality

image source: revlon.ca

Revlon ColourStay 24hour Whipped Foundation. It goes on like butter and throughout the day, your skin looks better and better. I use my fingers to apply it. The colours go on a little light, so choose one shade darker. I wear Sand Beige (NC20).

image source: physiciansformula.com

Physicians Formula 2-in-1 Boosting Eyeliner +  Serum. A post devoted solely to this should tell you how much I love this product. I still love it. It glides across the eye and lasts over 12 hours.

Image source: bioderma.ca

Bioderma Sensibio Micellaire. This isn't a shock, as most people love love love this product. I will join the masses and put this on a pedestal too. It leaves my skin soft and takes off everything I throw at it.

          Similar products - La Roche Posay Physiologique Micellaire, Vichy Micellaire, RoC Micellaire

image source: revlon.ca

Revlon Lip Butters. I am late to the party on this one. Loads of colours, smooth and hydrating. For those who want something between lip gloss and lipstick, look no further.

          Similar products - Clinique Lip Butters, L'Oreal The Balm

Image source: maybelline.ca

Maybelline Eyestudio Cream Eyeliner. Absolutely great! Goes on so easily, pigmented and long lasting. Even the included brush is good.

          Similar products MAC's Fluidline and Bobbi Brown's Gel Eyeliner.

image source: superdrug.co.uk

Maybelline Falsies Mascara. If you can get past the fragrance and the gimmicky wand, this little mascara is lovely. Makes my lashes look fuller and longer. Keeps the curl.

Image source: rimmellondon.com/ca

Rimmel Kate Moss Lipsticks. well done! The texture, pigmentation and colours feel like a high end product. Now if one could only find them......

I know there is more out there and I am sure it will change. Let me know your favourite drugstore products.
xo Megs

Makeup Madness

Happy New Year!! I hope you all had a lovely holiday with your family and friends. I know I certainly did.

Okay, I knew when I landed in Toronto I was going to do some serious makeup shopping. It's not that where I reside doesn't have Sephora, Holt Renfrew or MAC, but Toronto just has more of it. Plus, I received tons of gift cards and I couldn't let them go to waste ;)

MAC Pro Store

I was almost giddy. I had my list and I was ready to get started.

Mineralize Blush $28 Cdn - Warm Soul- I am underwhelmed by this. I was happy it was more of a glow, but the colour shows too orange on me.
Lip Mix $18 Cdn- white and black
MAC Pro Powder Blush $21 Cdn- taupe for contour. Works perfectly for fair girls.
Pigments (glitter) $25 Cdn- reflects gold, reflects transparent teal
Paint stick $25 - Deep Brown- for contour. Blends easily and creamy. Love this for contour


Holt Renfrew

Chantecaille Just Skin (Bliss)- $82 Cdn. Pick up your jaws,  I know. It is lovely but it is a tinted moisturizer - nothing more. In Canada, the SPF 15 is covered, no DIN.  I will happily use it and Bliss is a good match. However,  I can only wear this in the winter, as I would look very greasy in the summer. Sheer coverage and "anti smog" claims. My problem is with the price tag, not the product.


Burberry - $33 Cdn for eye shadows, $54 Cdn for blush. rosewood, taupe brown, almond eyeshadow and tangerine blush
I have to say these products are luxurious and I adore Burberry's aesthetic. Burberry powders are finely milled and heavily scented. The eye shadows are sheer and blend beautifully. Same for the blush. Gorgeous but I feel I can find these colours and textures elsewhere for less.

Sephora at the Eaton Centre was a gong show- crazy busy but it had everything -Illamasqua, Shu Uemura, Becca, Armani, and oh so much more. The Make Up For Ever section was incredible, it contained pro products and it was set up as a makeup studio.
I have to say I was a little disappointed with Illamasqua. I wanted their skin base, but once I saw mineral oil in its ingredients, I had to leave it there.


I picked up the Shu Uemura UV Under Base Mousse in beige $46 Cdn. I love the lightness of it and it doesn't leave a grey/white hue behind.

 Thank you for reading and please comment.

xo Megs