Filed In: Lip Gloss

Elizabeth Arden | Sunset Bronze Summer 2016 Collection, Limited Edition

June 10, 2016

For Summer 2016, Elizabeth Arden has released the Sunset Bronze Collection, a well-curated group with swoon-worthy packaging and a strong tropical vibe. I’ve stated often enough that this is a brand which flies under most people’s radar, but one quick swipe of any of these gorgeous pieces will have you convinced that there’s something here … something really special, in fact.

Elizabeth Arden | Sunset Bronze Summer 2016 Collection

01 Summer Seduction Prismatic Eye Shadow Palette (CAN $50.00) | Inspired by the flash of colours seen by the setting sun, this palette holds five complimentary shimmery hues to create looks that can easily take you from day to night. Key ingredients include:

Color Enriched Pigments – ultra fine pigments coated with waxes and polymers to act like a magnet to eyelids, providing a thin creamy veil of long-lasting colour
Mica Based Pearls – mineral pearls of mica and titanium dioxide reflect light and diffuse sparkle to create a multidimensional effect on eyes
Utrafine Powders – silica and mica minerals provide a smooth, silky application to help soften skin’s texture for an even application

The texture is incredibly smooth and feels almost creamy to the touch, which makes blending a total breeze. While not overly pigmented colour-wise, there’s still a good saturation of colour that makes it easy to create the perfect plum smokey eye with the shimmer giving off a gorgeous radiance (and no obnoxious sparkle). Staying power over primer is excellent, lasting until removed without any significant fading. The only thing I would change is to remove the space for the applicator and thus make the size of each eyeshadow larger – but that’s a design flaw I’ve seen with countless brands.

Elizabeth Arden | 01 Summer Seduction Prismatic Eye Shadow Palette

Elizabeth Arden | 01 Summer Seduction Prismatic Eye Shadow Palette swatches

01 Warm Bronze Prismatic Bronzing Powder (CAN $48.00) | One of my go-to bronzers is from this brand which dates back to a few years ago and that I still constantly reach for to this day; that being said, this year’s version (apparently there are actually 2, although only this shade was released in the Canadian market) is a warm-leaning tan hue that comes to prominence once the golden overspray is wiped off. The three complimentary hues in the pan are designed to be swirled together and provide skin with a sun-kissed radiance and multi-tonal effect. Key ingredients include:

Ultrafine Powders – silica and mica minerals provide a smooth , silky application to soften the sun’s texture creating a natural bronzed look
Illuminating Microlight Minerals – this blend of spherical silica and nylon acts as an optical diffuser to help blur imperfections, scatter light and soften the look of fine lines
Vitamin E – works to keep skin looking and feeling moisturized
Argan Oil – rich in beneficial fatty acids including Vitamin E, it helps skin to feel soft and nourished

The texture is incredibly fine milled and very buttery smooth to the touch, easily buffed into the skin for a seamless-looking sun kissed effect. I actually do wish the gold wasn’t an overspray, as I find no one does shimmery bronzers better than Elizabeth Arden, but for those who prefer a more luminous glow (not quite matte, but not too shimmery either), then this is spot-on perfect. The colour itself is cooler-leaning than I normally use but it surprisingly doesn’t clash against my skin (which is light-medium with a golden undertone) and will certainly suit those with cooler complexions even more. Staying power over foundation is easily 9+ hours without any oxidizing. I should mention that it also comes with an included demi-lune brush, although I personally would like to see it left out of the equation altogether since I prefer using my own brushes for application.

Elizabeth Arden | 01 Warm Bronze Prismatic Bronzing Powder

Elizabeth Arden | 01 Warm Bronze Prismatic Bronzing Powder swatches

01 Eclipse Prismatic Highlighter (CAN $34.50) | A cream highlighter in a conveniently portable chubby stick format, in a soft rose-gold shade that has an excellent balance of both cool and warm tones, making it suitable for a broad range of complexions. Key ingredients include:

Aloe Vera, Zinc PCA & Vitamin E – this cocktail of humectants provides a soft, moisturized skin feel
Mica Based Pearls – mineral pearls of mica and titanium dioxide reflect light and impart sparkle to create a multidimensional effect

Cream based highlighters are incredibly easy to work with, as you can blend them into the skin for that absolutely perfect ‘natural’ radiance and this one stands head and shoulders above several I’ve tried, by virtue of the fact that it manages to give glow without emphasizing pores. The texture is ridiculously creamy and feels somewhat cool to the touch upon initial application, a sensation which does dissipate fairly quickly after that. Not only gorgeous along the upper cheekbone area, this highlighter also works well under the brow bone, along the cupid’s bow, inner eye corner (you’ll need to use a small brush, obviously) and even along the décolleté. Staying power is surprisingly good even without primer or foundation underneath, but performance when applied over foundation becomes stellar.

Elizabeth Arden | 01 Eclipse Prismatic Highlighter

Elizabeth Arden | 01 Eclipse Prismatic Highlighter swatches

Prismatic Lip Gloss (CAN $25.00) | Three utterly DAZZLING lip glosses with what has to be the most complex shimmer I’ve ever seen in this format. The texture initially feels somewhat sticky but still lightweight, levelling out across lips in a very smooth way. There is a strong sugary-sweet scent that does fade quickly after application, but still worth noting for those with sensitivities. Key ingredients include:

Aloe Vera – this botanical soothes lips while providing comfort and a moisturized feel
Multidimensional Pearls – the pearls provide a prismatic effect and colour-changing capabilities created by light reflecting off the lips
Vitamins A, C & E – these environmental protectants help keep lips looking moisturized and healthy

The shade breakdown:

01 Moonlight Kiss – clear base with complex shimmer and a lavender reflect, cool leaning
02 Midnight Kiss – clear base with complex shimmer and a magenta reflect, both cool and warm leaning
03 Sunset Kiss – clear base with complex shimmer and a soft gold reflect, warm leaning

Considering that all three glosses come in a clear base, there is a surprisingly good amount of colour saturation and coverage, most likely due to the densely packed prismatic shimmer. Staying power is impressive for light shades such as these, with Midnight Kiss showing the most longevity and Moonlight Kiss packing the most eye-catching colour. Sunset Kiss is the best golden gloss I probably have in my collection, as the shade is soft without being too yellow-based, making it eminently wearable. Long after all traces of brilliance has faded, you will be left with shimmery bits along the lips (which are smooth laying and not gritty) and in the event you wipe off the gloss beforehand, be prepared for some shimmer spread as well.

Elizabeth Arden | Prismatic Lip Gloss

Elizabeth Arden | 01 Moonlight Kiss Prismatic Lip Gloss

Elizabeth Arden | 01 Moonlight Kiss Prismatic Lip Gloss swatch

Elizabeth Arden | 02 Midnight Kiss Prismatic Lip Gloss

Elizabeth Arden | 02 Midnight Kiss Prismatic Lip Gloss swatch

Elizabeth Arden | 03 Sunset Kiss Prismatic Lip Gloss

Elizabeth Arden | 03 Sunset Kiss Prismatic Lip Gloss swatch

What makes this collection stand out for me is the incredible quality and performance of each product. As someone who has a weakness for packaging details, the compacts of both the bronzer and eyeshadow palette do not disappoint and make you almost want to pull them out in public. In general, I’m not a fan of the makeup brushes some brands feel they need to include and that’s something I hope Elizabeth Arden phases out of their products, and while the fragrance of the lip glosses isn’t a deal-breaker for me, I would have preferred for them to be unscented – they’re already visually stunning and don’t need any more stimulation than that. Final verdict? A summer collection that’s most definitely worth your time to look into.

Kudos to my incredibly talented friend and Global Makeup Artist for Elizabeth Arden, Rebecca Restrepo, on creating another masterpiece collection!

Available now at The Bay & ElizabethArden.ca

Thanks to Elizabeth Arden for the tropical vibes/As always, all opinions are my own

Dior | Beige Sunrise Lip Maximizer, Milky Plum & Milky Pop for Summer 2016

June 6, 2016

For Summer 2016, the Dior Milky Dots Collection has not only brought whimsy and fun to the table, but has also introduced a new lip gloss formula: Dior Addict Milky Tint (available in six shades) meant to provide lips with a ‘refreshing wet effect‘ along with a soft wash of colour. Loaded with shine and filled with moisturizing ingredients, these glosses are said to give a ‘just-been-dipped-in-a-milkshake‘ kind of vibe … sounds like gloriously messy fun, doesn’t it? As a swipe-and-go gloss girl, I can tell you that the reality is a lot neater i.e.: no drips, and the perfect gloss to play with.

For the past few seasons, I have become somewhat obsessed with Dior’s Lip Maximizers and have actually wrung out every last luscious drop of each (a minor miracle when you factor in the amount of products I currently own), which speaks volumes about how amazing this formula is. The latest, Beige Sunrise, is no exception and is presently in constant rotation. Now if I can only convince Dior to take it off the limited edition list …

Also from this collection:

Dior | Beige Sunrise Lip Maximizer, Milky Plum & Milky Pop Summer 2016

Dior | Beige Sunrise Lip Maximizer, Milky Plum & Milky Pop Summer 2016 swatches

006 Beige Sunrise Lip Maximizer, limited edition (CAN $41.00) | Enriched with collagen that also contains a blend of hyaluronic acid and marine-based fillers, this formula not only gives off some high-wattage shine, but also serves to provide a slight ‘plumping effect’ to leave lips feeling totally moisturized both throughout and after wearing. The minty-vanilla scent is soothing and just my speed without being either obnoxious or overpowering, while the refined shimmer seen in the tube is of the subtle variety, although it still manages to provide an added overall depth of tone. This is not a product created for colour longevity, but it will give lips a long-lasting hydration boost while also serving to prep them for anything else you want to layer on top.

Dior | 006 Beige Sunrise Lip Maximizer

Dior | 006 Beige Sunrise Lip Maximizer swatch

Dior | Milky Tint Summer 2016

286 Milky Plum (CAN $43.00) | A soft pastel mauve hue that gives a subtle touch of cool-leaning colour to lips, although those with warmer-complexions can also wear this with ease. There’s an initial light ‘cooling’ effect that does dissipate fairly quickly, leaving behind a soft glassy shine. You can intensify the brilliance with multiple layers (wait a couple of minutes between each to make application easier), or even deepen the colour by using a lip liner all over lips first. Staying power is on par for a light shade, about 3-4 hours (excluding eating and/or drinking).

Dior | 286 Milky Plum

Dior | 286 Milky Plum swatch

376 Milky Pop (CAN $43.00) | A soft coral with a peachy-pink undertone and slightly deeper pigmentation than that of Milky Plum, giving this shade an edge re: colour staying power (also leaves a slight tint behind to lips). Luscious, juicy and the perfect accessory against a light tan, wouldn’t you agree? Not to mention how this is a totally goof-proof colour to apply.

Dior | 376 Milky Pop

Dior | 376 Milky Pop swatch

Second to balms, glosses are the lip products I tend to reach for the most and lucky for me (not to mention zillions of fans worldwide), Dior happens to make some of the best there are in both categories. As stated above, the Lip Maximizer formula is unbeatable for both care benefits with a hint of subtle colour (magically makes lips look incredible with every swipe) and Beige Sunrise is definitely on my Holy Grail list. The Dior Addict gloss formula is one that continues to reinvent itself, and this Summer’s Milky Pop version certainly earns a thumbs up as well, making it a gloss worth your time to investigate … and not only because I love saying “Milky Pop” which makes me think of lazy, heat-filled days #bringonglossysummer

Available at counters now – more info via www.dior.com

These lippie lovelies were kindly provided/As always, all opinions are my own

CHANEL | Stylo Yeux 817 Oasis, Le Volume Mascara 27 Mirage & Aqua Glossimer 610 Sahara, Summer 2016

May 12, 2016

CHANEL’s Summer 2016 Dans La Lumière De l’Été Collection steps away from the usual brights we see at this time of year and draws inspiration from the earth, with shades that emulate the shimmering light seen bouncing off sand and sky. Today’s post focuses on three other pieces from the collection that in truth, are also all you need for an effortless beauty look spent on a yacht. Or poolside. Perhaps even the beach. Anywhere you like, in fact.

Previously reviewed from this collection:

CHANEL Empreinte du Désert quad & Les Beiges Healthy Glow N°01

CHANEL | Dans la Lumière de l’Été Summer 2016 Collection

CHANEL | Aqua Glossimer Sahara, Stylo Yeux Oasis & Le Volume Mascara Mirage

817 Oasis Stylo Yeux Waterproof, limited edition (CAN $35.00) | An emerald green hue that’s filled with complex shimmer, in a retractible pencil format that keeps the contents hygienically safe and eliminates excess product waste. The texture is glidingly soft along the skin, which means there will be no pulling or tugging along that sensitive area, and you have about a minute to blend/smudge before it sets. The tone is much lighter when applied to the waterline, although it’s still quite visible (as seen in my mascara swatches below) and lasts quite well – a good 6 hours before you need to freshen it up.

The Stylo Yeux eyeliners from CHANEL have been some of my favourites for years and while there have been a few misses colour-wise, overall the formula is one of the best out there, with impressive staying power sweetening the deal.

CHANEL | 817 Oasis Stylo Yeux Waterproof Summer 2016

27 Mirage Le Volume de CHANEL Mascara, limited edition (CAN $41.00) | Housed in the brands signature black lacquered casing, this is a rich expresso brown mascara shade with a slight burgundy undertone (adds a unique depth) that aims to provide your lashes with mega volume. My mascara criteria are quite specific: I want the colour to be deep and stay true throughout the wearing, add lushness and volume, be flake & smudge-free, and easily removed at the end of the day. In this case, Mirage scores high on every single point and while I’ve tended to avoid brown mascara hues in the past (mainly because the colour isn’t usually deep enough to give me the intensity I’m looking for), I’ll make an exception here as this adds a softness you just can’t get with black, but still provides visible definition.

As a self-professed mascara fiend, I admit that from the day CHANEL launched their Le Volume Mascara, I have been a devoted fan and have repurchased more times than I can remember – it’s THAT good. The only downside is that in the past this mascara tended to dry out in the tube faster than I liked, although the last few iterations CHANEL has released appears to have resolved this issue. Good on them for listening!

CHANEL | 27 Mirage Le Volume de CHANEL Mascara Summer 2016

CHANEL | 27 Mirage Le Volume de CHANEL Mascara swatches

610 Sahara Aqua Glossimer, limited edition (CAN $36.00) | One of 6 limited edition shades released with this collection, this is a pale peachy hue that’s filled with CHANEL’s magical ultra fine & complex shimmer (non-gritty in feel and which lays down smoothly upon the lips). The formula on the Glossimer range is yet another CHANEL fave of mine (are you surprised?), as it is non-sticky and gives a beautiful brilliance to lips, leaving them feeling nourished long after all traces of colour have gone. The brush appears to have undergone a facelift, and now comes in a tapered paddle-like shape for an effortless application. Staying power is average for a shade this light – about 3 hours, although some shimmer seems to linger even after the glossy part has faded.

What I’ve always found interesting with CHANEL Glossimers, is that they evolve; upon first opening the tube, application appears to be somewhat miserly and you need to go back in a few times to get good coverage. Then by about the 3rd time you use the product, that is no longer is the case and you not only get much more gloss on the brush head per use, but application becomes a breeze basically with one swipe. CHANEL sorcery, I tell you.

CHANEL | 610 Sahara Aqua Glossimer Summer 2016

CHANEL | 610 Sahara Aqua Glossimer (brush detail)

CHANEL | 610 Sahara Aqua Glossimer Swatch

What’s not to love about any of the products shown here? An emerald green eyeliner that will not only look amazing against all eye colours, but will also withstand the Summer heat, a mascara that gives the fullness to lashes most of wish we were born with, and a lipgloss shade that adds a soft pop of colour and even the appearance of a fuller pout — every single item is a total winner (at least, for me) and worth your time to look into once the collection hits counters. Just don’t be surprised if you wind up getting a few more of the pieces while there.

Available at The Bay May 29th and on June 14th at all other CHANEL counters

A huge thank you to CHANEL for providing these lovelies/As always, all opinions are my own

Lancôme | Juicy Shaker

May 5, 2016

Lancôme has just taken the lip gloss game to a whole new level with the launch of Juicy Shaker Pigment Infused Bi-Phase Lip Oil (CAN $28.00/available in 9 shades). A unique way of dressing your lips with splashes of colour, these are made with five nourishing oils (Peach Kernel Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Apricot Oil, Cranberry Oil and Muscat Rose Oil) to provide maximum hydration and comfort, needing to be shaken prior to application (think of them as mini cocktail shakers) to thoroughly combine the oils with the pigment. Another novelty is the delivery system which is via a pillow-soft tapered cushion; instead of the traditional brush and/or doe-foot applicator, this is a chubby inverted triangle that you dab along your lips. Sounds like fun, am I right? They totally are. Another bonus? They’re non-sticky.

Last week I was invited to the Lancôme Juicy Shaker media launch held at the l’Oréal Canadian headquarters based here in my hometown of Montréal. The intimate gathering was a colourful venue filled with [virgin] cocktails to match the shades (side note: the name of each Juicy Shaker gives you an idea of its fruity scent), yummy cake (which I totally forgot to get a photo of before it was sliced into…sigh), pulsating beats, and confetti galore. We also got a preview of Lancôme’s new Cushion Blushes (review coming soon) that I’m absolutely dying to try #cushionobsessed Oh yeah, included in the gift bag was the adorable mini cocktail shaker shown in my photos – I can’t even.

Lancôme | Juicy Shaker (before shaking to combine)

Lancôme | Juicy Shaker (after shaking to combine)

Lancôme | Juicy Shaker swatches

142 Freedom of Peach (CAN $28.00) | A soft peach shade with incredibly subtle shimmer (the type that’s not readily visible, but which still adds a touch of depth and hints of sparkle) in an accompanying peachy-fruity fragrance. For those with sensitivities, it’s worth noting that this scent seems to dissipate fairly quickly (or perhaps I just don’t pick it up within a couple of minutes of application). The lighter of the two shown, Freedom of Peach will deposit a sheer veil of colour with the first dab/swipe and can be built up slightly to provide a touch more colour, but don’t expect a deep opacity. You can also create an ombré lip with these glosses by applying one layer all over, then dabbing more along the centre of the lips and increasing that as desired. Longevity with this shade is about 2 hours (without factoring in eating/drinking) and it leaves behind a very light stain to go with the moisturized feel.

Lancôme | 142 Freedom of Peach Juicy Shaker (cushion applicator)

Lancôme | 142 Freedom of Peach Juicy Shaker swatch

301 Meli Melon (CAN $28.00) | A sweet rose coral hue that has ultra fine silver shimmer complete with an accompanying fragrance that brings me right back to high school and the watermelon candies that were all the rage at the time (which I still love to this day). The darker of the two, Meli Melon is easier to create a more visibly defined ombré lip effect. You can also layer several Juicy Shaker shades together (think of this as the beauty version of a fruit smoothie) or apply them over a lip liner for more depth of colour and staying power. Longevity here is a little longer, going easily 3+ hours and leaves a soft rose stain behind.

Lancôme | 301 Meli Melon Juicy Shaker (cushion applicator)

Lancôme | 301 Meli Melon Juicy Shaker swatch

INGREDIENTS: Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Dimethicone, Alcohol, Mica, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Prunus Persica Kernel Oil / Peach Kernel Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Isododecane, Sodium Saccharin, Alumina, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil / Sweet Almond Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propyl Gallate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ci 15850 / Red 7, Ci 15985 / Yellow 6 Lake, Ci 45410 / Red 28 Lake, Benzyl Alcohol, Fragrance

There’s something addictive about cushion technology and just when I thought this format would be relegated only to face products, along come the Juicy Shakers to stir things up. The feel of this applicator needs to be tried in person to understand the full effect; so velvety and incredibly soft, that you’ll find yourself reaching to reapply even when you don’t need to. The scent is fresh and lighthearted and absolutely perfect for the warmer weather upon us. Even the shaking-to-combine-everything-together part is fun, not to mention a little loud — but that’s all part of the experience. As Mr. Bond famously said, “shaken, not stirred”…that’s all you need to know about these little lovelies.

PS: Mother’s Day is this Sunday — perfect time to ‘shake’ up mom’s beauty wardrobe with one of these little cuties!

The Juicy Shaker range has already begun arriving at Lancôme counters nationwide (The Bay, Sephora, select Shopper’s/Pharmaprix stores), find more information via www.lancome.ca

Product samples kindly provided for my unbiased consideration

NARS | Under Cover Summer 2016 Colour Collection

April 16, 2016

Picture a glamorous photo shoot along the shores of the French Riviera; the sun is blazing, the cameras are buzzing away, people driving by stop to stare … now take all that imagery and turn it into NARS’ Under Cover Summer 2016 Colour Collection, a limited edition group of beauty products that are loaded with lush colour, rich textures and packaging illustrated by Greek-born (yay!) contemporary artist Konstantin Kakanias, each item a witty behind-the-scenes snapshot that most definitely sets the tone for the treasures inside.

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