Indie Makeup Companies

I feel there is a change in the cosmetics industry as of late. More and more indie cosmetics company have popped up and are succeeding. There is almost this ravenous desire for something new, unique and high quality.  There will always be L'Oreal and Estee Lauder, but hopefully the following companies with stay true to themselves and maintain their quality and quirkiness.

Lit Cosmetics - A great Canadian indie company that is finally receiving its due. Known for its glitters in every colour and four sizes ranging from #1 "sexy sophisticated", the smallest, to #4 "Diva", the largest. There are also four textures; shimmer, metallic, solid and electric. Jodi is effervescent and so lovely.

Yaby Cosmetics - Liz Yu, a respected Canadian makeup artist based in Toronto, made this cosmetic line containing everything you would need in a neat and travel- friendly package. Shadows are pigmented, foundations are fantastic and everything is so portable and affordable. Industry professionals such as Kim Greene, Kandi Johnson and Wayne Goss love her products.

Portland Black Lipstick Co. - Your alternative choice in lipstick, glitter and corpse makeup. With its Steampunk/NeoVictorian packaging and dark, gorgeous colours, it definitely appeals to my style.  Kim's lipsticks have smooth application, opaque coverage and are mineral based. It also sells smaller sizes at a reduced price, which allows for more than one application.

Lime Crime -  Unicorns do exist, and no they are not fat and grey and called Rhinos, they live through Lime Crime. Opaque lipsticks with cute packaging are what made them popular. Most  YouTube Beauty Gurus have at least one of these in their collection. Check out their Velvetines too.

SauceBox - Old English for "Rude, impudent, obnoxious",this sassy little company was started by a mother and daughter duo and self-proclaimed makeup addicts who believe every beauty needs to shine. Their Creme de la Creme palette and now the Etude palette, have gain in popularity amongst the YouTube beauty community. They also produce a black eyeshadow is suppose to be one of the most pigmented and truest blacks.

Sugar Pill - Bright and colourful eyeshadows and pigments, as well as, lashes and brushes. All of which are cruelty-free and mostly vegan. Shrinkle, or Amy, is the vibrant creator behind the line and has quickly become a cult favourite amongst the beauty community. You must try goldilux, bulletproof,and the cold chemistry palette.

Melt Cosmetics - The provocative company, consists of  two former M.A.C. makeup artists, one of whom is Rhianna's makeup artist. Lipsticks are bold, retro matte texture and finish with cool and edgy colours such as Bane (black), DGAF (royal blue) and 6six6 (deep vampy burgundy). These girls are talented and gorgeous.

Pretty Zombie Cosmetics - Liquid Lipsticks that dry matte with bold colours. They apply smoothly, and do not dry out the lips. Gorgeous, opaque colours include 3 Witches (dark purple), Black Cat (black), Zombettie (deep red). The vibe is definitely alternative pin up and I love it.

Other Indie Companies:

Makeup Monsters Cosmetics  http://www.makeupmonsters.net/

Jeffree Star Cosmetics http://jeffreestarcosmetics.com/

Fyrinnae - http://www.fyrinnae.com/

Glamour Doll Eyes - http://www.glamourdolleyes.com/

Geek Chic Cosmetics -http://www.geekchiccosmetics.com/ - Embrace your inner geek with cosmetics. This little gem of a company have  eyeshadow sets that pay homage to Star trek, Game of Thrones and Supernatural, just to name a few.

Shiro Cosmetic- http://shirocosmetics.com/s "Making nerds sparkle" big fan of GOT, they have a Seven Kingdoms Collection. Pretty damn cool.

Darling Girl Cosmetics - http://www.darlinggirlcosmetics.com/

Thanks for taking a closer look,
xo Megs

Portland Black Lipstick Company

 Portland Black Lipstick Company

I have become a little bored with the Drugstore and High End offerings. So I decided to look online and on Etsy for unique coloured lipsticks. Then I came across Portland Black Lipstick Co. With its Neo-victorian / Steampunk look, Portland Black Lipstick Company appeals to my alternative side. Mainly concentrating on its lipsticks, Portland Black offers a variety of distinct colours like Indigo Bridge (metallic deep black/blue), Chaiborg (metallic brown), The Purple Cloud (matte lavender) and Pewter Cauldron (duck tape grey). Whilst the colours are not for everyone, they are different and a nice break from the generic reds, nudes and corals. They are mineral based and come in a Chapstick-like tube. Personally, I prefer a lipstick bullet, but this is a minor issue.

The texture is creamy and smooth, no chalkiness and fairly opaque. Most of the lipsticks have either a metallic sheen or matte finish, so if you do not like frosts, you may not enjoy these. Additionally, frosts generally dry out my lips; however, these remained creamy. Furthermore, I am generally not a fan of mint added to my products, which these contain. However, it does not last long and does not make the lips tingle.

Full lipstick: my favourites too :)
Indigo Bridge - blackened metallic navy
Black Lagoon - blackened green with blue undertones
Pewter Cauldron - creamy duct tape grey
samples:
Artificial Amethyst - blackened metallic purple
Chaiborg- metallic silvery grey with soft a milky brown
Graey - creamy, milky light grey with blue undertones - the hardest to wear
The Purple Cloud - creamy, pastel lavender -nice but can make the teeth look yellow

Along with full size lipsticks, Portland Black offers samples, glitter and corpse makeup. I ordered two sample colours, Artificial Amethyst and Chaiborg. Kim was kind to include Graey, The Purple Cloud and a green glitter. Since I already familiar with the sample packaging, I wasn't surprised when a little baggy containing a sagittal slice of lipstick was delivered. It isn't the easiest to use, but nothing a lip brush can't fix.

Quick and Dirty:
Price: $12 for 0.15oz
Packaging: Tube, unique graphics
Customer Service: Great! When I emailed to follow up with the order, Kim quickly responded.
Shipping: To Canada, about 7 business days.

Cheers,
Megs

M.A.C. Alluring Aquatic

 

M.A.C., you little sea nymph. How dare you lure me with your siren song of metallic turquoise packaging.....damn you!! Ahhhh I digress. Packaging aside, this year's summer collection is just swimming (like that eh ;) )  Check out my latest video about it.

cheers Megs xo

Lime Crime

Lime Crime

Unicorns do exist.....thanks to Lime Crime. I couldn't help smile when I first saw this packaging. I pictured myself skipping with fairies and glitter, lots of glitter. Whilst some may find it juvenile and tacky, I think it's cute and unique. To me, the line is whimsical and creative. Mind you I still love my black and chrome.

Recently, I purchased seven shades of Lime Crime's Opaque Lipstick:

• Airborne Unicorn- mid tone bright purple. Good amount of pigmentation and very comfortable on the lips.
  
  
• Glamour 101 - brick deep red. Glamour 101 glides lovely on the lips  and is slightly sheerer then the others. Extremely wearable red and formulation. One of my favourites.
  
  
• Chinchilla - creamy grey with lavender tone. Chinchilla is my favourite as it is creamy, opaque and a unique colour.
  
• Styletto - black.  Satin formulation that needs more than one coat on the lips. Extremely comfortable to wear.
  
  
• Cosmo Pop - soft, creamy, milky orange. Cosmo Pop is more chalking and opaque, one just has to be careful not to go over the lips many times or patches may peek through.
  
• Coquette - peachy nude. Creamy and opaque. This is a great nude for most people.
  
  
• Poisonberry - deep bright purple blue undertones. It goes on smoothly and slightly sheer. Poisonberry stains the lips. Personally, I do not have a problem with that as it makes it last longer.

L-R Chinchilla, Styletto, Coquette, Poisonberry, Glamour 101, Cosmo POP, Airborne Unicorn

Most are creamy and opaque, with a satin finish without being dry. Additionally, these lovelies have a vanilla fragrance.

If you are looking for vegan lipstck and not tested on animals, then look no further than Lime Crime. In Canada, one can order them online from Limecrime.com 18.99 + shipping or nailpolishcanada.com $19.99 cdn

xo Megs

Spring/Summer 2014 Makeup Trends

Adjectives for 2014 Spring Summer makeup trends were easy to conjure: Macarons (sweet), Sexy, Simplistic,and Girlie.  Spring is fresh, clean and tranquil, and the makeup reflects this idea. I am looking forward to trying each of these looks.

Bright Matte Lips- especially in orange, pastel bubblegum pink, bright lavender
Bronzed skin - bronzed skin that is one or two levels deeper than one's skin tone- think Les Beiges by Chanel.
Black liner- winged, inner rims it all works this summer
Washes of colour - aqua, pink, lavender, chartreuse and white.

elle.com

allure.com

Michel Kors- telegraph.co.uk

Versace - vogue.co.uk

Rochas - allure.com

Burberry - vogue.co.uk

Thanks for stopping by.
Cheers Megs

Blue Cut Crease

The Cut Crease is a dramatic look that is generally accompanied by an equally dramatic winged eye. It requires blending, blending and patience.

Step 1: Draw a thin line above your natural crease. Pick a colour you desire, for this look I used Plumage - a dark teal. This line can be drawn with a eye pencil, cream liner or shadow.

Step 2: Smudge the top of the line upwards, to show a gradient effect and there needs to be a line of crisp demarcation. Also, blend outwards for a thick wing
Continue to add and blend to this line

Step 3: Underneath the brow bone, add a transition colour. I used a warm brown.

Step 4: Add a lid colour and use it to "cut" or make the crease sharp

Step 5: Drawn your wing liner- here I used an Eyeliner in Cyan.

Step 6: Place your brow highlight.

Step 7: Smudge under the bottom lashes and join it with the top lash corner.

Step 8: Use concealer to make the look crisper

Thanks for stopping by,
xo Megs

April Ipsy- Beauty Rocks

Finally, I have a beauty subscription. I decided on Ipsy and there are others I might look into. Here are my first impressions with this month's goodies.

Enjoy
xo Megs

Sephora VIB 15% Sale Haul

Twice a year beauty enthusiasts are able to enter Sephora's magical candy land of makeup and shop at a discount. Let me tell you, my list was made and as soon as the sale started, this girl was in the store. My excuse.....new spring colours.... oh who am I kidding? I don't really need an excuse.

Buxom
*True Hue Blush - Shangri-La -La Blush 5 g $30 Cdn

Kat Von D
*Rehab Elixir Primer 1oz $36 Cdn
*Everlasting Blush -Essex 7g $30 Cdn



NARS
*Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder $41 Cdn
*Contour Blush Olympia

Laura Mercier
*Second Skin Cheek Colour -Rose Bloom 3.6 g  $31 Cdn

Make Up For Ever
*Star Powder -# 940  0.09 oz $24 Cdn

Tell me what you purchased...
xo Megs

M.A.C. Patentpolish Lip Pencil

Love these new Patentpolish Lip Pencils from M.A.C. They are sheer, glossy, moisturising and easy to use. Anything that can be tossed in my bag and not need a mirror for application, gets an A+ from me. I gobbled up four colours :

Innocent - nude beige
Sultana-sheer grape
Spontaneous - plummy rose
Revved Up- peachy-pink coral

They are touted as a lip gloss in stick form and therefore, their lasting power is about the same as one. However, that doesn't put me off as I enjoy a good, non-sticky gloss for hotter months. They also have a twist up end and can be used for Back to MAC.

$24 Cdn Limited Edition available online, in freestanding stores and counters.

xo Megs

REVIEW: Lorac Pro Palette

There are so many palettes out there and with only a handful actually worth purchasing, I decided to do a review on one of the more popular assembled eye shadow offerings - the LORAC Pro Palette. I am not one to "ooooo ahhhh" over the popular palettes. I don't own the Naked 2, Naked 3

Haulin'- Kevyn Aucoin, Hourglass, M.A.C., and Drugstore!

I just can't help myself, I had to give in. Over the past couple of months,there have been some beautiful collections and wonderful new products. 

2013 Beauty

Happy New Year Lovelies.

I feel that New Year's Day, most people look back on the past year and reminisce. For me, it is about looking forward to the adventure that awaits. With that said, the year in beauty has forced me to be slightly nostalgic.

www.sephora.com

Toronto Makeup Finds

Since moving to Toronto, I have access to beauty products like never before. I haven't done as much damage as I thought - much restraint. With that said, "With much power (knowledge) comes much responsibility", so I feel it is my duty to share with you the vast number of fabulous makeup finds.

PIR- Praise Jesus Google Maps exists, or else I would not have found this little gem of a boutique. Tucked within Yorkville on a side street, contains a full hair salon and makeup store. Within it, contains niche products such as  Kevyn Aucoin, Eve Lom, Paula Dorf and Mario Badescu. 
http://www.pircosmetics.com/

R. Hiscott- Purveyor of theatrical makeup and wigs. Whilst its former digs was cluttered and cramped, the location on the Danforth is small but better laid out. They still provide incredible experience and knowledge with companies such as Mehron and Ben Nye. If you need Pros Aid or 1st degree, you can find it here.
 
Blur Makeup Room- Meeting the creator of Yaby cosmetics and the staff at this great little find, was a fantastic experience. I was able to purchase the ever elusive Embryolisse Creme Concentre as well as other lovely little products otherwise scarce; Yaby cosmetics, OCC, Graftobian, Bdellium tools, Lit Cosmetics, Stilazzi, Face Atelier and Kim Green line of bags.
Blur Makeup Room

Pacific Mall - It brought me back to my days in Korea. Love the stalls containing many health and beauty stores. Here is where I found true BB creams like my beloved Lioelle Waterdrop.

M.A.C. Pro Store- Before moving here, I visited this store whenever I was in Toronto. Love it and will always find a place in my heart for this one on Bloor Street West

Jealousy - Cute store on Queen Street West, where there are tons of Asian Beauty products but also Me, Me, Me line of cosmetics

Kryolan Makeup Store - Kryolan store with an Acadamey within the building. Knowledgeable staff and tons of products. Finally, found Z-palettes in Toronto!

Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutiques - the mega store is located in the Eaton Centre. It definitely received a make over. It is sleek and sexy, with lacquered black and stations intricately placed winding throughout the store. This has Darphin, Chanel, L'Occitane, Philosophy as well as the usual Biotherm, Clarins, Smashbox etc.