Brand Focus - Cover FX

#dropportunity

Cover FX started out in 2000, with products that were free of irritants, thus suitable for those with truly sensitive skin. Lee Graff, a co-founder and corrective makeup specialist working at Sunnybrook Hosptial, helped create a product that provides a wide range of colours that is full coverage, while still looking like skin.

In 2003, Cover FX launched in Shoppers Drug Mart. This is where I became involved with the brand in 2006. Beauty Boutiques allowed the public easy access to their Cover FX cream foundation, which helped those with vetilago, rosecea, acne scarring and other skin issues. From here, they expanded their line to include bronzers, blush, more foundations, lip products, primers (which is still one of the best serums/primers), powders, and brushes.  Honestly, their reputation, quality of product and vast colour selection made it a favourite among us makeup artists and our clients.  I have to say, when this company had schools, many of us clamored to go. Additionally, anytime I have freelanced for weddings, I have only used Natural FX as a foundation. It photographs beautifully while still providing coverage and allowing the skin to show through.

Finally, this little Canadian Company continued to grow and wound up in Sephora. It relaunched with new packaging and developed new products, but stayed true to its foundation and philosphy. Their primers are still amazing, as is their Natural FX foundation and illuminating setting powder.

As you can tell, I am a little biased and love this company.

My favourites:

Natural FX
Illuminating Setting Powder
Anti-Aging Primer (repackaged used to be their Serum/Primer)
Custom Cover Drops

You can find them at Shoppers Drug Mart
 www.coverfx.ca 

www.sephora.ca

GRWM: Smoky Eye Using Melt Dark Matter Stack

ColourPop - Taking Over

If you are into makeup as much as I am, you have heard of ColourPop. A cosmetics company that is building its reputation on affordable ($5.00 USD) and high end-feeling products. Additionally, it is savvy utilizing YouTube through collaborations with popular YouTube beauty personalities. Furthermore, the names are tongue in cheek (Get Lucky, Bull Chic,) the finishes and colours are bold and appeal to those with disposal income. Just to quickly add, the lippie stix have either matching or colour coordinating lip pencils. So if you have a black lipstick and are using your black eyeliner, you now can have a proper lip pencil.


Products:
Lippie Stix $5.00 usd (0.0357oz /1g) comparison: MAC lipsticks are 3g

• Matte
• glossy
• satin
• hyperglossy
• pearlized

Super Shock Eyeshadow + Pigments $5.00 usd (0.07oz)

• Metallic
• Matte
• Satin
• Ultra Metallic
• Pearlized
• Tie Dyed
• Pressed Pigment  

 Super Shock Cheek Blush $8.00 usd

• Matte
• Satin

I watch a lot of YouTube videos and unfortunately, as hard as I try, I do fall victim to hype and these are sooooooooo hyped online. Tentative, I purchased 5 items, two Lippie Stix - Cookie and Pitch and three Super Shock Eyeshadows - On the Rocks, La La, and 3.

The packaging is clean and white with holographic labeling with the lippie stix coming in a twist up stick and the shadows coming in a screw top pot. They also include a cute handwritten inspirational note, awwwww. Who cares, right? Let's move on to the product, which is what you want to know about. The eyeshadows are an interesting texture - kind of like Chanel's Illusion d'Ombre - in that it is a cream to powder formulation but then there is a bounce to ColourPop's shadows. They are best used with your fingers but can be easily blended with brushes.

Cookie - is a matte nude beige with peach undertones.
Application: smooth, easy and creamy.

Pitch - is a matte chocolate with warm undertones.
Application: smooth and creamy

On the Rocks -A warm bronze with pink and gold glitters. Metallic in finish with very little fall out.

La La - Metallic coppery brown with hints of pink. It's described as a "true rose gold". The pay off is intense with no creasing.

3 - A metallic cool bronze with silver glitter. Some fallout but no creasing.

Overall, the shadows, that I have tried, are fantastic. They blend well, do not crease and are intensely pigmented. The lipsticks are creamy and do not dry out the lips. Although, they say they are matte, there is some shine to them. I was so impressed I put in another order! They only issue is the shipping, the exchange rate and how they are mailed. Let me explain the latter, these little babies are fragile so packaging them in an envelope instead of a box as our neighbours to the south would receive them is perhaps taking a risk with the product, just sayin'.

Check out this company for awesome nudes, pinks, purples, dark, blacks, greens - you name it.
http://colourpop.com

Cheers,
xo Megs

P.S. I purchased more eyeshadows in Get Lucky, Fringe, Girly, So Quiche, Hammered and Smash. Also, more lipsticks in Bullchic, Skimpy, Creature, and Wet.

Marsala - Pantone 2015 Colour of the Year

Marsala  conjures the images of an earthy and full bodied wine. And according to Pantone, it is the new colour of the year. Past colours include last year's Radiant Orchid, 2013 Emerald,  2012 Tangerine Tango, 2011 Honeysuckle, and 2010 Turquoise.

The colour is beautiful and complimentary to many skin tones. Furthermore, to find a true Marsala is difficult -  images show wine, aubergines, burgundy, and brick red. However, this colour is more like a brown, plum, earthy deep rose - a "robust nude".  Personally, I love it for lips and cheeks. Eyeshadow might be a little more difficult, but it can be done. 

I decided to go through my own collection and surprisingly enough, I have quite a few items that will satisfy The Colour. They are not perfect but close enough.

Illamasqua :  Beg and Kiss blushes
Estee Lauder : Alluring Rose blush
MAC: Sea Me, Hear Me Blush
Tarte: Dazzled Blush
Make Up For Ever HD Cream Blush- 310 Rosewood
Bite Beauty: Musk Lipstick - medium brown, pink
MAC: Del Rio - deeper in colour, Amorous - medium plum/cranberry, Modesty- slightly pinky, Viva Glam III
Clarins: Earthy Pink

Other colours Sephora suggest:
Nars Blush - Outlaw
Kat Von D lipstick - Lolita
Urban Decay - Naked 3
Zoya - Marney

Cheers
xo Megs

IMATS - Toronto 2014

You know when you have been looking forward to something so much that your expectations are incredibly high? Well, I think that is what occurred when I attended my inaugural International Makeup Artists Trade Show (IMATS).

I woke up bright and early Saturday morning, put on my face and boarded the subway at 07:45.  I had my list products, which is a must as it will cut your time in lines.  First stop - Makeup Up For Ever, which appeared to be everyone's initial purchase, too. Thank goodness I had my list; however, the variety of product was disappointing . For instance, the gorgeous Artist Shadows only had maybe 1/3 of the colours from the range and none of the colours I wanted - Oh well. At least, I purchased my HD Foundation in N117, Cream Blush in 310, and two Aqua Lip Liners 01C and 22C. In total, the experience at MUFE took about 1 hour.

Make Up For Ever

Then I moved on to some other vendors. Honestly, I thought the space would be bigger with more vendors present. Morphe had huge lines as did Nigel's Beauty Emporium and MAC. From what I have been told and watched on YouTube Nigel's has had crazy sales on lashes but I wasn't even able to see what they had to offer. I did purchase some Beauty So Clean for my makeup and saw the amazingly beautiful Pixiwoo Sisters - Nick and Sam. Shit they are tall and gorgeous.

Overall, I am happy I went to  IMATS and pleased with my purchases. If you want to see some great talent and are patient, then I completely recommend it.

Cheers,
Megs

Makeup, Makeup, Makeup

Hi my lovelies, I know I have been absent for a little bit. Work has been busy and I decided to take a little vacation from work and makeup, which also included buying (I know, shocking).  Sometimes one needs to take time away and reassess. For me, I literally took inventory of my "collection". Additionally, I have fallen in love with something other than makeup <3

However, with the aforementioned said, Holiday Collections will soon arrive and I am looking forward to M.A.C's Heirloom Mix. With pearls and Cameos as a part of its campaign stills - it conjures rich, luxurious and ornate textures and colours.  The packaging appears to be black with a glitter inlay with cameos adorning the palettes.

available Oct 23 online in North America

 Urban Decay's annual Vice palette offers a decadent mix of mattes and shimmers. We have become accustomed to UD's quality shadows and I hope this remains true. 
$70 Cdn

image source: www.xsparkage.com

Kat Von D Star Studded Eyeshadow Book $66 Cdn,  includes a mix of vivids and neutrals. This little palette might be a nice introduction to Kat Von D. Her shadows are generally silky that includes textures of matte, shimmer, iridescent and satins. .

Tarte Bon Voyage set $71 Cdn. Tarte typically offers ridiculous value sets at Christmas. This year isn't any different. Valued at $508, this limited edition includes:
20 x 0.07 oz Amazonian clay eye shadows
 0.13 oz Deluxe lights, camera, lashes 4-in-1 mascara
 0.17 oz Limited-edition deluxe cheek stain in Muse (soft nude)
 0.27 oz LipSurgence lip gloss in Visionary (apricot)
 0.06 oz LipSurgence lip tint in Romantic (peachy nude)
 0.23 oz Deluxe maracuja oil
 0.07 oz Deluxe smooth operator Amazonian clay finishing powder
 Limited-edition collector’s travel bag
as per Sephora.ca

Mascaras

For those of us not blessed with long, lush lashes, mascara is that lovely little product that creates the curtains to our windows. Whether it be Bambi or Spider, to have longer and thicker lashes has always been coveted.Thank God for Eugene Rimmel and Helena Rubinstein.

History indicates that like most makeup,it was the Egyptians who started to use products on the eyes and face. They used concoctions of malachite, crocodile stool, galena, charcoal, honey and water. While aesthetically appealing, the dark lashes were to protect the soul and ward off evil spirits. 

My favourites:

M.A.C. Opulash Optimum Black - Teddy Bear brush for volume and a kaolin clay formula that is great for girls with oilier lids. It is a drier formula, think Dior Show without the crazy price.  I can wear this for over 12 hours without smudges, flakes or clumps. The problem with this and other volumizing formulas, is that it will dry out before 3 months.

Maybelline Lash Discovery - such a small brush for those tiny lashes, it gives more of a natural look.Unfortunately, I can't find the little bugger, so I think it is discontinued. Similar would be M.A.C. Extended Play Gigablack.

Cover Girl Clump Crusher - love this little one, as it has a curved brush and literally no clumps. The brush is plastic, which I generally do not like. However, this works really well for giving definition, and separation, while being clump free.

Tips:
- When taking mascara out of the tube, twist it out. Pumping it pumps oxygen into the tube and increases bacteria.
- Remove excess product either on the lip of the tube or wipe it on a tissue.
- Generally after 3 months, formulations will start to be ineffective and flake

Tell  me about your favourite mascaras
xo Megs

Trend - Liquid Lipsticks

If you are into makeup as yours truly, you would have noticed the trend in liquid lipsticks. They have been around in guises of stains, opaque glosses, long lasting and laquers. However, the newest round have produced opaque, matte and non-drying formulations. As someone who works over 12 hour days and cannot be bothered to touch up their makeup, the new formulations are perfect!

In previous blog posts, I mention Pretty Zombie Cosmetics and Kat Von D. Thus far, these guys are at the top of the matte liquid lipstick trend.






Lime Crime's Velvetines are suppose to be very similar to the aforementioned, but I have yet to try. However, I would love to get my hands on their matte chocolate colour in Salem, very witchy.

 

Among other companies creating matte liquid lipsticks are Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (no doe foot applicator), Stila, Essence (3 colours), NYX,  Hourglass (remains sticky), Sephora, MUA, Chi Chi, Australis and Too Faced

Pros: Long lasting, ease of application, smudge resistant, bold colours, 

Caveats: Eating something with oil, these puppies will transfer and disappear. Additionally, they wear in the middle of the lip first. With the exception of OCC, the lack of colours from each collection is unfortunate.

Cheers lovelies,
Megs

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