Filed In: Makeup

Charlotte Tilbury · Legendary Lashes Mascara, Legendary Brows, & Hot Lips in Kim K.W. and Very Victoria

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When I think of Charlotte Tilbury and her eponymous beauty range, I expect nothing less than full-on glam and in that regard, she never, ever disappoints. Today’s I’m exploring how to beautify my lashes & brows with her Legendary Lashes Mascara and Legendary Brows Gel, and I’ve said often enough that neutrals are my comfort zone, so here’s to Kim K.W & Very Victoria Hot Lips – both nudes with sass that fit right smack into my wheelhouse.

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CT New Hot Lips, Legendary Brows & Lashes

CT Kim KW & Very Victoria Hot Lips

Charlotte Tilbury may be known as the queen of glamorous makeup and happens to work with some of the biggest celebrities today, but I applaud her for also wanting to do some good with her products and bring awareness to worthwhile causes. For example, during the first two months of release (July & August), $2.00 of the sale price of each Hot Lips shade was donated to Women for Women International, a charity that empowers women to rebuild their confidence after enduring major difficulties – nothing more awesome than beauty with a cause.

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CT Kim KW & Very Victoria Hot Lips swatches

CT Kim KW Hot Lips macro & swatch

Kim K.W  K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipstick (CAN $38.00) | A cool toned and white-based pale nude pink shade that I can definitely see Kim Kardashian West wearing. Made in the brand’s original K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Fallen From The Lipstick Tree™ formula, the texture is creamy and smooth upon application, leaving a buttery soft feel behind along with a light glossy sheen. There’s some initial patchiness and settling into lip lines, but that appears to level out to a more even tone with the wearing. Staying power is around 4-5 hours without eating and/or drinking, which is about what I expected from a  shade this light.

With the light golden undertones in my complexion, pulling off that pale nude pout is tricky at best. That said, something about the coolness of Kim K.W does happen to work with my skin tone but it’s still just a fraction too light for me, although I can totally see it as being the perfect shade for creating that Bardot-sex-kitten look (paired with heavy black liner, maybe?).

 

CT Very Victoria Hot Lips macro & swatch

Very Victoria Matte Revolution lipstick (CAN $38.00)| Inspired by Victoria Beckham, this is a soft nude shade with a mauve-taupe undertone in the base. Made in the brand’s matte formula (although a far cry from the traditional flat type of matte; think more satin/velvet), the texture is actually ridiculous easy to work with and glides effortlessly along the lips, leaving a nourishing feel behind.

On another note, I do believe I have now found my perfect nude lippie. The fact that it also comes tinged with a hint of Victoria’s über-cool chicness, only sweetens the deal further.

 

CT Legendary Lashes Mascara

Black Vinyl Legendary Lashes Mascara (CAN $38.00) | With flirty eyes printed on the tube and the signature rose-gold casing, this mascara was created to give you major va-va-voom lashes. Inspired by red carpet beauties, the formula contains:

  • Marine Glycogen – a hair tonic known for stimulating the hair follicle and increasing keratin production
  • Tamanu Oil – with known regenerative properties to protect, nourish and strengthen lashes
  • A blend of waxes – to give lash hairs flexibility, length and texture in a weightless feel
  • Carbon Black Pigment – for maximum colour
  • Multi-Bristle brush – varying sizes ensure the brush will grab & coat each hair

The first time I tried it out, I wasn’t sure if the volume factor was anything special plus I did notice smudging within an hour of application. The second & third times I tried it out was a whole other story: you see, once a little bit of oxygen gets into the tube (which is inevitable since you need to open it to remove the brush), the formula starts to thicken a bit — which is exactly how I like it, and I haven’t seen any smudges since either. Staying power is great and looks on point until removal, the latter which is easily done by using a dual-phase product for the job.

CT Legendary Lashes Mascara macro & swatches

 

CT Legendary Brows

Legendary Brows in Linda (CAN $30.00) | A coloured gel available in 3 tinted and 1 clear shade to help fill in, shape, and sculpt your brows. Housed in the brand’s signature rose-gold metal casing, the Micro-Fine Miracle Precision brush is actually teeny-tiny and one of the most defined I’ve seen for the job. Several years in the making, the formula includes:

  • volumizing Magic Elasticizing Wax
  • nourishing Vitamin E
  • strengthening Castor Oil
  • natural pigments to lift and tint

Back when I was a teen and ridiculously thin brows were a trend, I plucked mine as well not realizing that at one point, the hairs would stop growing back. Needing to add back what I [stupidly] took away, my preferred tool is primarily a brow pencil. I now include a light coating of Legendary Brows to add some volume and depth, which in turn provides natural-looking hold.

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CT Legendary Bros macro

CT Legendary Brows Linda swatches

 

It’s a simple equation: if you’re in a hurry (or just not the fussy type with your makeup), and are looking for a polished yet ‘natural’ look, then all you really need is mascara, some brow gel to add definition and a swipe of a neutral lip shade, and BOOM — done. Both the Legendary Lashes & Legendary Brows have been getting quite a workout from me, as they’re not only effectively easy to use, but provide results as well. As to the lipsticks, I have fallen madly for Very Victoria (Kim K.W isn’t quite there yet, but I’m working on it).

Available through select retailers and online

CT New Hot Lips, Legendary Brows & Lashes closer

Press samples/As always, all opinions are my own

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MAKE UP FOR EVER · Lip Fever – Explosive Orange Lip Collection & Excessive Lash Mascara

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A range originally created by a makeup artist Dany Sanz for the industry, MAKE UP FOR EVER has gone on to carve a name for itself as producing some of the most innovative and pigment-rich products available today. Following along in the success of their last Pink Fever Lip Collection (previously reviewed), the latest in the series is the Explosive Orange Lip Collection, which is built around an orange theme (duh, lol) and offers choices from this vibrant shade that everyone can easily wear; if a neutral-lover like myself can fall for these hues, then anyone can. Also new from the brand is Excessive Lash Mascara and being somewhat obsessed with lashes, I’m so happy to say the name definitely fits the bill.

For all previous reviews on this brand, click this MAKE UP FOR EVER tag

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Sensual Coral Artist Lip Balm (CAN $25.00) | A stick-format lip balm with an ultra-soft texture and semi-sheer colour payoff. Providing a light touch of colour as well as a hydrating feel to lips, the convenient twist-up style of this pencil makes it not only portable but a perfect swipe-and-go type of product.

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Flammable Tangerine Artist Lip Blush (CAN $25.00) | A matte lip shade in a deep orange hue in a twist-up jumbo pencil format. The texture upon application is super smooth which makes for an effortless glide along the lips, while the long-lasting formula will be there for the duration, leaving a stain behind when the majority of colour finally fades.

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Juiced Up Pumpkin Artist Acrylip (CAN $29.00) | I don’t even know where to begin with this; incredible colour saturation from the first swipe, this is more like a liquid lip shade but in mega-concentrated form. The flocked applicator makes it easy to reach all areas of the lips, while the colour deposited goes on über-smoothly and leaves a vinyl-like gloss behind. Super long wearing.

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MAKE UP FOR EVER · Lip Fever – Explosive Orange Collection swatches

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Excessive Lash Arresting Volume Mascara (CAN $31.00) | A deep-black volumizing mascara with a small brush designed by makeup artists to specifically reach and coat every lash. The buildable formula goes on easily and stays clump and smudge-free throughout the wearing, while the brush not only defines each lash but helps in adding a nice lift as well.

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Orange is definitely the LAST shade I would ever reach for so when this lippie collection arrived, to say there was much eye-rolling on my part wouldn’t exactly be a lie. So imagine my utter surprise at finding out that I actually really liked the way each of these lippies looks [on me] – especially the crazy vivid Artist Acrylip … who would have thought?As to mascaras, I’m the first to admit that my standards are high and this is the first mascara from this brand that I’m truly loving, giving me the full & lush fringe I prefer, lasts intact throughout the wearing, and removes easy-peasy at the end of the day. The only warning here is that while the mascara is permanent, do be advised that the lip products are all limited edition. I know, I know.

Available at Sephora

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PR samples/As always, all opinions are my own

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Stila · Star Light, Star Bright Highlighting Palette

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While I love adding a touch of radiance to my makeup all year long, something about the holidays makes wearing a highlighter almost mandatory, no? Thankfully, the Star Light, Star Bright Highlighting Palette from Stila is one that even the most shimmer-phobic will embrace with open arms. Cue the angelic chorus …

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Star Light, Star Bright Highlighting Palette, limited edition (CAN $51.00) | The texture of these highlighting shades is pretty extraordinary, bearing a [fun] bouncy feel when you touch them with a fingertip. Using either fingers or a brush for application, each shade is infused with ultrafine light-reflecting particles and provides either major wattage by building the colour up, or dialled down to a more diffused glow when blended out. Regardless of application choice, the common denominator is the fact that the feel upon the skin is completely weightless. Staying power (over foundation) depends on how much is applied, but expect to get a good 8 hours wear.

  • Transcendence – opalescent pink
  • Kitten – shimmering nude pink (cult-fave shade)
  • Bronze – sun kissed radiance

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There’s several reasons why you’ll want to check this palette out; for starters, there’s the choice of colours conveniently housed in one compact. Then there’s the excellent price point to sweeten the deal. But the real reason you’ll want to indulge is for the unique texture and how beautifully all three look upon the skin, regardless of complexion. If there’s one downside, it’s the fact that the Star Light, Star Bright palette is limited edition — something THIS awesome should be permanent. Stila, sure hope you’re reading this.

PS: also makes THE perfect gift for any highlighter fans on your Christmas list #subtlehint

Available at Sephora 

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PR sample/As always, all opinions are my own

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Bare Minerals · Be Beautiful Ready Face and Eye Palette

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I’ve only recently begun exploring the Bare Minerals range, and if the skincare products I’ve tried to date have impressed me (more on that coming in future posts), this palette was an unexpected — and totally pleasant — surprise. The Be Beautiful Ready™ Face and Eye Palette holds pretty much everything you’ll need for a completed look (barring foundation & mascara) and what makes it even more unique? Everything has a matte texture, but not the flat light-absorbing kind; think more radiant-matte and you’ll get a better idea.

 

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Be Beautiful Ready™ face and Eye Palette (CAN $58.00/value of $162.00) | This all-matte limited edition palette features products for both face and eyes in a travel friendly compact. The case is made of a rigid plastic that closely mimics metal and has an oversized mirror on the inner lid, along with a secure snap closure.

The shades for the face are all well sized and spaced apart enough that they’re easy to get to with a variety of brushes. The blushes all boast an 8-hour buildable colour along with skin-nourishing properties, and while the Finishing Powder appears somewhat yellow leaning in the pan, it applies fairly sheerly — just don’t be thrown by its chalky texture, since it can still be easily buffed into the skin for an nice setting touch.

The four neutral-leaning eyeshadows all have intense saturation and an almost creamy texture, with pigment-packed colour that’s stated to last up to 12 hours; that said, I still recommend applying primer first for the best wear (especially if you have oily lids like I do).

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  • Presence – parchment (actually this is an eyeshadow shade, but can double as a matte highlighter as well)
  • Promise – palest mauve/white
  • Finishing Powder – neutral flesh tone
  • Golden Gate Matte – dusky rose
  • Inner Beauty – ballerina pink
  • Faux Tan Matte – soft mid-sheer tan

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  • Graceful – dirty lavender
  • Exhale – taupe
  • Beautiful – dusty rose
  • Confident – deepest aubergine

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I love shimmer, I really do … but matte shades are my sweet spot. For starters, I find that as I’ve gotten older, matte is much more flattering for me to wear, although I won’t say no to a little pop of shine here and there. The blushes in this palette apply sheerer than what’s seen in the pan — not an issue since the colour can easily be deepened. The pigmentation and effortless blendability of the eyeshadows makes them all winners, not to mention how flattering they’ll be on a wide range of skin tones. Final verdict? An excellent value palette and definitely worth looking into (or picking up as a Christmas gift, perhaps?)

Available at Sephora

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PR Sample/As always, all opinions are my own

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MAKE UP FOR EVER · Pro Light Fusion Highlighters

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When MAKE UP FOR EVER launched their Pro Sculpting Duos last year, fans of the brand went absolutely wild for the highlighter segment in each pan and begged for single versions; their cry was masterfully answered in the form of these newly released Pro Light Fusion Highlighters (CAN $48.00/each).

Available in 01 Rose Gold (for light to medium skin tones) and 02 Gold (for medium to dark skin tones), these unique highlighters each have an ultra-high concentration of emollients generated by a ‘Gellifying System’ technology in the formula that creates a luminous creamy powder gel-like texture. Synthetic mica are added to help reflect light for major radiance, while synthetic spherical powders provide staying power and a soft-focus effect.

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Highlighters are not going away anytime soon, and I for one am glad. That said, not all highlighters are made equal and even though I’ve tried more than my share of fails, I’m happy to say that both Pro Light Fusion shades pass the test with flying colours (so to speak). Application is literally effortless as this unique texture seems to fuse beautifully with the skin without overly emphasizing pores, and even seems to get better with the wearing as it warms up with one’s natural oils. This gossamer-light powder is virtually impossible to overdo, although those inclined can certainly dial up the wattage by layering it on. The best part can be summed up like this: they’re permanent. Thanks for listening, MAKE UP FOR EVER.

Available at Sephora

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PR sample/As always, all opinions are my own

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