Filed In: Lip Gloss

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Lip Fever Collection – Passion Pinks

From the brand that has elevated colour saturation to a whole new level, MAKE UP FOR EVER has recently launched the Lip Fever Collection – Passion Pink, a trio of limited edition products from their highly coveted ‘lip repertoire‘ of products. If you’re a bit pink-phobic like I am, then you really owe it to yourself to give these a look as I can pretty much guarantee you’ll fall in love with at least one. Maybe two. Possible all three, even.

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Lip Fever Collection – Passion Pinks

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Lip Fever Collection – Passion Pinks, swatches

920 Flushed Cherry Artist Lip Balm (CAN $25.00) | First up, is this lip balm made with Polyglyceride Esters in the formula that “provide a buttery, gliding effect with triple benefits by adding colour, comfort & shine“. Housed in a retractible chubby stick format, this is a cool-leaning baby pink hue that actually does glide across the lips, leaving behind a soft flush of colour coupled with high shine. Wear time colour-wise is about 2.5 hours, not factoring in eating and/or drinking (which is about what you’d expect from a shade this light), but the nourishing feel it provides lips extends long past after all colour has gone.

MAKE UP FOR EVER | 920 Flushed Cherry Artist Lip Balm

MAKE UP FOR EVER | 920 Flushed Cherry Artist Lip Balm swatch

921 Rosewood Pink Artist Lip Blush (CAN $25.00) | Inspired by the ‘soft texture of a powdered blush’, this has a 3-powder complex in the formula comprised of “Silica, Synthetic Mica and Polymers” for a lush, yet intense matte colour payoff. Housed in a retractible chubby stick format as well, this is a universally flattering shade of what I call ‘antiqued rose’ that applies smoothly along the lips without any pulling or tugging, depositing a healthy dose of pigment even by the first stroke. The matte finish still has the barest hint of a sheen, keeping it from appearing flat or one-dimensional, and wear time is quite impressive – easily lasting 6+ hours and leaving a light stain behind once the majority of colour has worn off.

MAKE UP FOR EVER | 921 Rosewood Pink Artist Lip Blush

MAKE UP FOR EVER | 921 Rosewood Pink Artist Lip Blush swatch

922 Electric Fuchsia Artist Acrylip (CAN $28.00) | Electric is putting it mildly; this is HIGH VOLTAGE colour (and yes, it totally deserves caps) that literally stuns your visual sense from the very first swipe. Inspired by acrylic paints used by artists, the Synthetic Mica in the formula boost saturation, while Silica Gel adds intense colour in a non-sticky format. Lightweight in feel but incredibly pigment-drenched, lips are fully covered from the get-go, leaving behind a shine and über long-lasting finish (I stopped counting after 9 hours; even with drinking and eating, there was still plenty of colour left over).

MAKE UP FOR EVER | 922 Electric Fuchsia Artist Acrylip

MAKE UP FOR EVER | 922 Electric Fuchsia Artist Acrylip swatch

As much as my inner princess longs for it, pink is not a shade I usually turn to; mainly because it doesn’t always agree with my light-medium skin tone, but every so often the right shade, or in this case, ‘shades’ come along. Having heavily lined lips, lip balms are my saviour and I usually have several on hand, and while those little Vaseline pots are a Godsend, sometimes I want a bit of colour mixed in with the soothing effect; enter Flushed Cherry, with it’s Barbie-girl pinkness. I love the look of matte lips, but the moisture-sucking factor can be off-putting, which is why the smooth texture of Rosewood Pink has earned it a spot in my makeup bag (TIP: I use the balm first to act as a barrier against any ensuing dryness). My initial thought on applying Electric Fuchsia? HOT TAMALE!!!! That one packs some serious pink power, and yet…I’m really, really loving it! This is a no-holds-barred lip colour that may be way out of my comfort zone, but it makes me happy. I’m going with that.

The MAKE UP FOR EVER Lip Fever Passion Pink Collection is available exclusively at Sephora for a limited time. Find more information on the brand via www.makeupforever.ca

Product samples kindly provided by MAKE UP FOR EVER for my unbiased consideration

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MAC | Future MAC Collection

April 5, 2016

The next generation of Mineralize products from MAC is here; introducing Future MAC, a collection created with hyper-luminous pigments and inspired by the five elements. With textures that go on incredibly smooth and never chalky, now is the best time for you to discover this mineral based range of products – then prepare to be impressed, much like I was.

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Dior | Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss

February 17, 2016

For Spring 2016, Dior has unveiled the latest generation of their Ultra-Gloss formula (18 shades/CAN $42.00), created for today’s woman who wants mega-watt shine, but without the sticky mess a gloss can leave behind.

This new version is made unique by several factors:

filled with hyaluronic acid spheres for a natural hydra-plumping volume effect
mirror-shine stretch oils to provide a featherweight film & spectacular glossy effect
crystal-coloured pigments for even more vibrant colour

Available in 18 shades, there are 3 finishes to choose from:

Sparkling (pearly shimmer)
Watery (syrupy varnish effect)
Iridescent (light-changing effect)

The applicator is a small dense brush with just enough flexibility that enables it to glide easily along the lips, but not so floppy that it splays out too much – which is a point in its favour, as this light rigidity allows for a precision application. But it’s the texture that really sets this breed of gloss apart from the rest; so lightweight and non-sticky in feel, that you literally forget you’re wearing anything at all. And the brilliance of the shine, did I mention that? It’s like painting a layer of the glossiest vinyl across your lips. Wear time will depend on several things; the intensity of colour (with the darkest and more vivid shades outlasting their lighter counterparts) and whether or not any eating and/or drinking is involved. I didn’t notice any staining – not even with the two deepest shades shown here, and I love the hydrated feel they impart to my lips which continues long after all the glossiness has faded. BONUS: all these shades look equally beautiful whether worn individually, or layered over a matching lipstick shade for even more depth.

Something to note is that the shimmery bits, while not gritty in feel, might still be left behind along the lips even after the glossy part has gone – but it’s minimal at best and actually works to give lips a little bit of shine. Also, you might want to be careful with removal in order to avoid any fine shimmer spread along the surrounding skin – again, this is something easily taken care of with a second pass of your remover.

Dior | Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss

Dior | Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss (cap detail)

Dior | Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss (applicators)

Dior | Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss swatches

Dior | Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss swatches (alternate light)

343 Spring Ball Ultra-Gloss | A warm toned nude pink hue filled with incredibly fine silver and prismatic shimmer (non-gritty in feel). Will make a perfect shade to wear with a smokey eye.

Dior | 343 Spring Ball Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss swatch

553 Princess Ultra-Gloss | An icy ballerina pink hue that’s filled with very fine pink & silver shimmer, and while cooler-toned, it will nevertheless suit all skin tones across the board (basically because the base is sheer enough to let some of your natural lip colour through).

Dior | 553 Princess Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss swatch

629 Mirrored Ultra-Gloss | A warm toned peachy bronze hue filled with finely ground coppery and golden shimmer (and therefore more suited for those with warmer undertones in their complexion).

Dior | 629 Mirrored Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss swatch

643 Everdior Ultra-Gloss | A warmer-toned lush red hue with silver, gold and bronze fine shimmer – an excellent shade for those who love the impact of a red lip, but not the commitment of that much colour saturation.

Dior | 643 Everdior Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss swatch

765 Ultradior Ultra-Gloss | A cooler leaning fuchsia pink hue that’s filled with pink and silver shimmery bits, suitable for a wide range of skin tones but will highly compliment those with cool undertones. That being said, this is one of the few shades in this particular colour family that I’m able to successfully pull off against my warm toned light-medium skin.

Dior | 765 Ultradior Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss swatch

At heart, I’m a gloss girl – but I’m guessing that constantly being pressed for time (and quite possibly my inherent laziness) might have something to do with that. What’s easier than swiping on some colour along your lips to revive your look? As well, lately my ‘Spidey-sense‘ has been tingling and telling me that über-brilliant & super-sparkly lippies are in line for a comeback – perhaps in counter balance to all the matte trends happening now? Having seen glossed puckers all over the runways, it appears that we’re in for an 80’s revival. As someone who lived through the 80’s (and the 70’s, for that matter), I’m very happy to see these Dior Addict Ultra-Glosses bringing back those glory glossy days – and even more thrilled that the jarring excesses of that decade have been left far, far behind.

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss will be available on counters as of March 2016 (The Bay, Sephora, Holt Renfrew)

Press samples kindly sent by the Dior team for my unbiased consideration

Givenchy | Gelée d’Interdit, Gloss Interdit & Mister Intense Black Mascara Top Coat

January 8, 2016

There’s a reason why American icon Audrey Hepburn adored French couturier Hubert de Givenchy, and it has everything to do with his sublime and elegantly understated designs. Carrying that attention to detail forward into colour cosmetics, this is a brand that continues to impress me with their innovation and formulations, not to mention their beautiful array of products.

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YSL Beauté | Glossy Stain Pop Water & Glossy Stain Plump Up

January 4, 2016

Once January hits, all bets are off and I jump headfirst into Spring mode (can you tell that I am so NOT a cold-weather girl?) and something about these YSL Glossy Stain Pop Water shades puts me in mind of flowers and warmer temps. The third iteration in the brand’s Glossy Stain family, these are sheerer versions of the YSL cult-fave glosses, but no less impactful as a result. Joining the gang is the Glossy Stain Plump-Up, a product that is meant to not only give some volume, but looks just as beautiful on the lips. I call that a win-win.

The details: a lightweight formula in a translucent and almost jelly-like finish with a high-shine factor (according to the brand, it’s formulated with ‘water brilliance‘) meant to provide up to 10 hours of hydration. The fruity fragrance to these shades seems quite evident upon initial application, although that appears to dissipate quickly and becomes a non-issue. These are non-sticky glosses and even through drinking and eating, the shine still manages to live on – albeit in a less intense format than initial application – with a soft-tacky feel (of the good variety) that needs just a quick press of the lips to keep the look & colour going. Even after the product has worn off, you’re still left with a light stain along the lips, with the deeper hues offering obviously more colour. Each Glossy Stain Pop Water is also layerable; I just recommend waiting about 20 seconds or so between layers for a smoother and slightly more opaque finish, and they can even be applied over a matching lipstick or lip pencil shade for a longer-lasting effect and deeper colour impact.

The applicator: the slanted bevelled spade-shape with its tiny plush bristles makes mirror-free application a breeze, gliding comfortably along the contours of the lips, while the width of the applicator means it will pick up and deposit enough product for single swipe coverage, although you can also layer it with ease.

There are 2 more shades available (in Canada), not shown: Glossy Stain 207 Juicy Peach and Glossy Stain 208 Wet Nude.

YSL Beauté | Glossy Stain Pop Water & Glossy Stain Plump-Up

YSL Beauté | Glossy Stain Pop Water & Glossy Stain Plump-Up (applicator)

YSL Beauté | Glossy Stain Pop Water & Glossy Stain Plump-Up

Glossy Stain 200 Rose Nu Plump-Up (CAN $38.00) | Created to give an ‘instant push-up effect‘, this is a non-sticky clear gloss lip product with the barest whisper of a rose/nude tint. There is an immediate lip-tingling feel upon application which lasts about 30 seconds or so, but dissipates quickly after that (or I just don’t feel it any more). This is the first ‘lasting fuller lips effect‘ Glossy Stain from YSL and is said to provide up to 6 hours of lasting shine, although that drops significantly after eating and/or drinking. Wonderfully hydrating, my lips continue to feel moisturized long after all traces are gone, and I find that it makes a great prep for any other lip product I want to layer on top. Fragranced with the usual fruity-ish YSL Glossy Stain scent (which becomes undetectable soon after application) – it’s worth mentioning for those with sensitivities. Bonus: looks equally gorgeous worn solo, as it provides just enough colour to lips to give the illusion of mega lushness (not to mention acting as a perfect foil to a smokey eye).

YSL Beauté | Glossy Stain 200 Rose Nu Plump-Up

YSL Beauté | Glossy Stain 200 Rose Nu Plump-Up swatch

Glossy Stain 201 Dewy Red (CAN $38.00) | Watermelon-pink red hue, cool leaning but can still be worn by all complexions across the board.

YSL Beauté | Glossy Stain 201 Dewy Red

YSL Beauté | Glossy Stain 201 Dewy Red swatch

Glossy Stain 202 Rouge Splash (CAN $38.00) | Tomato red hue with orange undercurrents, warm leaning.

YSL Beauté | Glossy Stain 202 Rouge Splash

YSL Beauté | Glossy Stain 202 Rouge Splash swatch

Glossy Stain 203 Eau de Corail (CAN $38.00) | Coral-tinged pink hue, perfectly balanced to be worn with equal ease by both cool and warm skin tones.

YSL Beauté | Glossy Stain 203 Eau de Corail

YSL Beauté | Glossy Stain 203 Eau de Corail swatch

Glossy Stain 204 Onde Rose (CAN $38.00) | Deep rose hue with a slight blue-red undertone, cooler leaning and perfectly suited for fair complexions (might clash against yellower or darker skin tones).

YSL Beauté | Glossy Stain 204 Onde Rose

YSL Beauté | Glossy Stain 204 Onde Rose swatch

Glossy Stain 205 Pink Rain (CAN $38.00) | Buttery soft pink hue, cool leaning but works surprisingly well against warmer skin tones as well (this one is pure LOVE).

YSL Beauté | Glossy Stain 205 Pink Rain

YSL Beauté | Glossy Stain 205 Pink Rain swatch

Glossy Stain 206 Misty Pink (CAN $38.00) | Magenta pink hue, cooler leaning in tone but will definitely work on most complexions in the spectrum.

YSL Beauté | Glossy Stain 206 Misty Pink

YSL Beauté | Glossy Stain 206 Misty Pink swatch

Tending to favour glosses over lipstick for obvious reasons (less precision work involved. I can be lazy that way), it should be stated that not all glosses are made equal and if there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s a lip product that makes you want to wipe it right off seconds after application. Not so with these Glossy Stain Pop Water (how much fun is is to say “Pop Water”?!), as they apply in a goof-proof way (the applicator literally does all the work for you), shine like mad, hydrate AND are so lightweight, you basically forget you have anything on (your lips, that is). With regards to the Glossy Stain Plump-Up, I confess to never having been a fan of anything that makes my lips feel like I’ve dipped them in Cayenne pepper (even though I adore spicy foods), but something about this one I can definitely live with and what’s more, I actually see an effect, slight though it may be. Thankfully, these are all part of the permanent lineup – go and get your Spring on, I say!

YSL Glossy Stain Pop Water and Glossy Stain Plump Up are available through The Bay & thebay.com, Sephora & sephora.com, Holt Renfrew and Nordstrom stores across Canada. Find more information via www.yslbeautyus.com