Filed In: Makeup

NARS x Sarah Moon Collection · Eyeshadow Duos, Kohliners & Eyelashes, Holiday 2016

October 27, 2016

The first thing that struck me about the NARS x Sarah Moon Collection, were the hauntingly beautiful images on the packaging – it’s details like that which get me every single time. But as we all know by now, it’s the actual products that count and on that score, this collection totally delivers. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say that the outside is important to me too …

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Dior · Splendor 2016 Collection Diorific Mat Lipstick & Golden Diorific Lipstick

October 26, 2016

The last few holiday collections have seen Dior put out lipsticks that come with this glam golden packaging (like luxe mini barbells, no?) and this year’s crop for the Splendor 2016 Collection also includes new matte versions. Laced with a healthy dose of creaminess in the formula for an absolutely comfortable feel, the four shades I was kindly sent to test hit all the right notes for me: quality, performance & visually appealing. In other words, totally display-worthy.

Previously reviewed from this collection:

Dior Splendor 2016 Collection · Diorific & Diorific Mat Lipsticks

Housed in luxurious ribbed gold casings that have a nice heft to them, I recieved four out of the five limited edition shades created for this collection and have had fun playing with them over the last few weeks. When I first opened up Golden, much “ooh-ing & ahhh-ing” ensued, as I happen to have a personal weakness for shades that have a subtle bling like this. As to the matte hues, surprisingly none of them are actual mattes in the sense that they don’t come to that flat, light-absorbing type finish; think more along the lines of velvet/satin, and you’ll get a better idea. One thing the matte shades all have in common, is an extremely comfortable feel and good pigmentation. Regarding wear time, duration will depend on the shade chosen, with the deeper hue lasting the longest as well as leaving a light stain behind.

CAN $46.00/each

065 Golden | warm yellow/nude gold with very fine complex shimmer. Can be worn alone for a subtle touch of glamour or layered over other lipsticks.

560 Ravissement Diorific Mat | soft rose hue with a good mix of both cool and warm undertones to make it wearable across a broad range of skin tones.

440 Charm Diorific Mat | a warm leaning peachy nude shade (but can still be made to work against cooler skin tones) which leaves a nice natural-looking flush to lips.

880 Fascination Diorific Mat | a lush mulberry hue that makes an elegant statement and manages to look edgy at the same time. Can also be blotted down to a lighter stain.

Dior Splendor 2016 Collection · Diorific & Diorific Mat Lipsticks

There just something about pulling out a luxurious little tube of lipstick like this that makes one feel so sophisticated, wouldn’t you agree? Maybe it’s just me … At the end of the day, it’s results that count and if I were to pick favourites here, then my vote goes to the two extremes: Golden, for its sheer yet impactful wash of colour, and Fascination for being at once vampy & killer sexy. TIP: how about any one of these shades as THE most luxurious stocking stuffer ever? Right?

Available at The Bay, Sephora & select Dior counters

Press samples/As always, all opinions are my own

MAC · Light Festival Eye Shadow x 9

October 25, 2016

Paying homage to divine Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, the Diwali Festival of Lights is celebrated yearly (this year it begins on October 30) with a gathering of friends, family, light, colour, sharing of sweets and numerous fireworks. MAC’s Light Festival Eye Shadow x 9 honours this tradition with the release of a limited edition palette of 9 mini shadows, complete with a rainbow of wearable colour to help you channel your own inner goddess.

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NARS · Isadora & Impudique Blushes, Moon Matte Lipsticks, Sarah Moon Collection Holiday 2016

October 24, 2016

Apart from the obvious (makeup), something that I never fail to appreciate from NARS is the uniquely original collaborations that often come with new releases, collaborations that frequently introduce me to new artists. The latest Sarah Moon Collection for Holiday 2016 is a perfect example of that, with colours and textures inspired by classic cinematography with its richly saturated and lush colour palette, coupled with the dream-like quality of Sarah Moon’s work.

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Victoria Beckham x Estée Lauder · Eye Palette

October 21, 2016

Nothing make me happier, than having all the elements that I love in a beauty collection all come together so perfectly, such as with this Eye Palette from the smash-hit Victoria Beckham x Estée Lauder Collection. Being a detail-oriented person, it means a lot when a brand doesn’t skimp — especially when you factor in an accompanying steep price, and thankfully the sublimeness (new word alert) of this palette meets and exceeds all expectations.

Previously reviewed from this collection:

Modern Mercury Highlighter, Primer, Lipstick, Eye Foil & Eye Ink

Victoria Beckham x Estée Lauder · Eye Palette

Victoria Beckham x Estée Lauder Eye Palette (CAN $115.00) | The compact itself has a nice & hefty feel (which I adore) and comes with fluted black leather detailing on the lid plus a large mirror on the inner portion silkscreened with the VB name, as well as a retro-glam style brass snap closure. The palette holds six jewel-like shimmery eyeshadow shades, but not of the glitter chunky type; think more complex and refined. The texture of each hue is in Estée Lauder’s baked gelée format that gives them an almost creamy feel to the touch (you really notice it by running your fingers across their surface), but which comes to a powder finish. Pigmentation-wise, all six are RIDICULOUS; so colour-saturated that you won’t need to apply them with a dampened brush to see serious payoff, with all displaying an exceptional blendability as well. Staying power (over primer) is bang on, staying true until removed: zero fading. The shade breakdown:

Fired Sapphire – metallic blue with turquoise hints
Blonde Cumin – soft gold-tinged beige
Metal Saffron – warm golden metallic honey/taupe
Burnished Sage – metallic forest green
Grey Amber – smoky charcoal grey, nearly black
Black Nutmeg – shimmering copper brown

Victoria Beckham x Estée Lauder · Eye Palette

Victoria Beckham x Estée Lauder · Eye Palette swatches

Victoria Beckham x Estée Lauder · Eye Palette

The collector in me is ecstatic, but the beauty geek in me is even more thrilled with this Victoria Beckham x Estée Lauder Eye Palette. The very epitome of what a luxury fall eyeshadow palette should be, I’m also loving the exotic-sounding and spice-inspired names of each hue. Even without any matte shades amongst the six, I’m still able to ground the colours and make them work for both day and night looks — it all comes down to the combinations used and how layered I want to go. The biggest shocker for me, is that this palette is still available online so get your credit card out & RUN don’t walk to pick it up (so to speak), and enjoy.

What have you lovelies picked up from this collection? Let me know!

Available at The Bay