Guerlain | Cils d’Enfer – Maxi Lash So Volume! 01 Noir

Founded in 1828, Guerlain is one of the oldest and most respected brands in the beauty industry – a brand that also consistently produces up-to-the-minute cosmetics utilizing the latest technological & scientific breakthroughs, without ever losing sight of its venerable history or compromising on its world-renown quality. The latest such product to join the lineup, is the upcoming Cils d’Enfer – Maxi Lash So Volume! Volume Creating, Curl Sculpting Mascara (CAN $34.00/launching April 1st) and the mascara fiend in me couldn’t be happier, as this is the one beauty product I can become quite obsessive about.

Guerlain | Cils d’Enfer – Maxi Lash So Volume! Mascara 01 Noir

Guerlain | Cils d’Enfer – Maxi Lash So Volume! Mascara 01 Noir (ingredients list)

Guerlain | Cils d’Enfer – Maxi Lash So Volume! Mascara 01 Noir

Cils d’Enfer – Maxi Lash So Volume! Mascara 01 Noir | Housed in an easy t0 hold & manipulate black lacquered case with a golden band along the length, embossed with the brand’s name on one side, this is a deep black mascara that is meant to provide major volume as well as serious curl hold to the lashes. Unlike other mascaras that have a rubbery/chemical scent, Maxi Lash So Volume! has a lovely rose fragrance – although that becomes unnoticeable upon application, but still worth noting for those with sensitivities. The relatively slim-profile brush bears tiny nylon spikes instead of traditional bristles, and is meant to grip lashes securely while enabling you to get as close to the roots as possible for product placement.

My criteria for what makes a great mascara are that it must:

provide volume
add length
not flake, smudge, smear, or leave ‘crescent moon shadows’ under the eyes
be removed fairly easily at the end of the day without excessive tugging on my lashes

As I usually buy black mascara, I also want it to be the darkest, most deepest black hue possible (forget Fifty Shades of Grey; there’s about a billion shades of black). Curl-enhancing has never been on my priority list, as my lashes have a fairly decent curl on their own and since I always use a lash curler prior to mascara application anyway, that last point is moot (at least for me). In the past, how my mascara was scented was never an issue, but having a pleasant fragrance is a welcome bonus nonetheless.

I have been testing Maxi Lash So Volume! for a few weeks now, and am happy to report that it has easily met all my requirements. I tend to prefer bristles to nylon/rubber brush heads, but the downside to bristles is that they have the potential for smears, especially if the head is oversized. The little ‘barbs’ of this mascara brush have excellent gripping properties – or what I like to call “the burr effect”; I remember taking my Golden Retriever, Jagger, for walks through the woods, only to return home and find he had all these burrs stuck to his fur – which would then take me HOURS to remove, swearing all the while. Happily, you only get the positive aspects of this effect with Maxi Lash So Volume!, i.e.: the last-coating part … and none of the swearing. As far as colour goes, this is an exceptionally lush and intense black hue, while the formula is on the wet side, meaning it has a tendency to clump slightly (nothing that a lash-combing can’t solve), but again, I don’t have an issue with clumps – as long as they’re not blobs – since they can also give the illusion of extra fullness to lashes. Staying power is excellent, without any of the above-stated flakes, smears, or smudges, without any crunchy feel to the lashes either. While not water-proof, you will need a dual-phase makeup remover to effectively take all traces off.

{bare lashes}

Guerlain | Cils d’Enfer – Maxi Lash So Volume! Mascara 01 Noir (1 coat)

Guerlain | Cils d’Enfer – Maxi Lash So Volume! Mascara 01 Noir (2 coats)

Mascara is the one product I refuse to comprise on; either it meets my requirements, or it’s gone. Guerlain’s Maxi Lash So Volume! has passed all my criteria with flying colours and has now earned itself a permanent spot in my beauty arsenal – and even with the steep price tag (which is actually comparable to other luxury brand mascaras), I find it’s well worth the investment, especially if you want the best for your lashes. Highly, highly recommend.

Available as of April 1st at all Guerlain counters across Canada. Find more information on the brand via guerlain.com

Kindly provided by Guerlain for my unbiased consideration

Real Techniques | Makeup Brushes (Face)

March 3, 2015

Press samples provided for my unbiased consideration

Launched in 2011 from YouTube Makeup gurus (and sisters) Samantha & Nicola Chapman, the Real Techniques® range of makeup brushes were created to merge well-crafted, functional beauty tools at a wallet-friendly price point. Made of synthetic (and thus cruelty-free) bristles that are all hand-cut, combined with sturdy aluminum handles that bear a rubberized grip on the end, this range has quickly reached cult-status from makeup artists and consumers alike and with good reason: they deliver.

Confession: I’m somewhat obsessed with makeup brushes. The following is a true excerpt:

Me: I need to go makeup brush shopping
Husband: Why? Don’t you have enough brushes already?
Me: ∗glares at him∗ No. You need more than 1 brush, you know
Husband: Why? You only have 1 face

Hysterical.

In fact, I’ve always been a bit of a beauty snob and if asked, I would always recommend getting top-tier makeup brushes over the drugstore variety (it’s a question of quality), but after having heard so much about the Real Techniques® brushes, along with their creation and frequent use by both Sam & Nic, two women in the beauty industry whose skills I highly respect, it only fuelled my curiosity to try them out for myself – having recently been sent basically the entire collection from the Canadian distributor of the brand, I have since been putting them through their paces with rigorous testing and have decided to break my reviews into a few parts, in order to be thorough.

From what I’ve seen thus far, the hype is fully justified. Read on!

Real Techniques® | Powder, Expert Face, Foundation, & Concealer Brushes

Powder Brush (CAN $12.49) | Can be used to apply all powders and even mineral foundation. The rounded head is packed with ultra-soft rounded bristles that are able to pick up an even amount of product for all over distribution. This brush has an excellent density – neither too thick nor too floppy/sparse, which makes applying face powder effortless. Can also be used for bronzer

Available at: London Drugs, Uniprix, Rexall Pharma Plus, select Familiprix, Lawton Drugs, Pharmasave

Real Techniques® | Powder Brush

Expert Face Brush (CAN $9.99) | A broad short-bristled and dense-headed brush for application and blending of cream and liquid foundation, although this multi-tasker can do so much more than that. Almost kabuki-like in feel, this brush is one I’ve seen the Chapman sisters use most consistently in their videos (and which was the brush I was most curious to try) and I can understand why they turn to it so often. The texture is ultra-soft against the skin, and this brush does an amazing job of working your foundation into the skin for a perfectly flawless finish. Can also be used to help blend/blur any demarcation lines from contouring or blush to create a seamless finish.

Available at: London Drugs, Uniprix, Rexall Pharma Plus, select Familiprix, Lawton Drugs, Pharmasave

Real Techniques® | Expert Face Brush

Foundation Brush (CAN $8.99) | A firm yet soft-bristled brush for liquid foundation application, that is angled to help you build coverage. Frequently, paddle-style foundation brushes can leave streaks upon the skin and requires some effort to smooth them out, but the density of this brush minimizes any marks, while the slanted tip is useful for getting into any nooks & crannies of the face. Can also be used with cream contouring products to help ‘map’ out proper product placement.

Available at: London Drugs, Uniprix, Rexall Pharma Plus, select Familiprix, Lawtons Drugs, Pharmasave

Real Techniques® | Foundation Brush

Concealer Brush (CAN $10.69) | Newly added to the range, this is a slightly thinner and smaller version of the Foundation Brush, with a similar angle and feel to the bristles. Made for application of liquid or cream concealers, this brush can also be used for strategic placement of liquid or cream highlighter on the high planes of the face. Even though concealer and I are NOT friends (thankfully I don’t suffer from dark circles that need camouflage, as concealers have a tendency to emphasize any fine lines under my eyes. Age…ugh), I find that this brush does an effective job of not only applying concealer, but then helping to merge it seamlessly into my foundation. One trick I’ve found (through trial & error) of making concealer actually work on me, is by using the flat part of this brush to ‘pat’ product into the skin to give a more natural finish, as opposed to the usual back & forth wiper motion that makes product settle into lines instead.

Available at: London Drugs, Uniprix, Rexall Pharma Plus, select Familiprix, Lawtons Drugs, Pharmasave

Real Techniques® | Concealer Brush

Core Collection (CAN $23.99) | This set includes 4 full-sized brushes (Buffing, Contour, Pointed Foundation and Detailer) as well as a nylon case that can convert to a stand.

Available at: Walmart, London Drugs, Uniprix, Rexall Pharma Plus, select Familiprix, Lawtons Drugs, Peoples Drug Mart, Pharmasave Value Drug Mart

Real Techniques® | Core Collection

Buffing Brush | As the name implies, this brush is meant to be used after foundation and face powder are applied, to buff the products into the skin for a seamless finish. While not as densely packed as the Expert Face Brush nor as large in diameter & length as the Powder Brush, the Buffing Brush is one of those brushes that you never knew you needed until you start using it – and then you cannot ever do without. Also excellent to help meld contour or bronzer products onto the skin.

Real Techniques® | Buffing Brush

Contour Brush | An oval brush with velvety bristles and enough flexibility to allow for ease of application, with a ‘soft’ firmness to enable placement control. This brush is narrow enough for effortless contouring application, but can just as easily be used for highlighting as well (upper cheekbones, bridge of the nose, cupids bow, even decolété). I’ve also found that one of the most effective uses for this brush, is for applying face powder over concealer by using a light tapping motion to set both in place (this step minimizes the look of concealer which can sometimes collect in lines around the eyes).

Real Techniques® | Contour Brush

Pointed Foundation Brush | A flat paddle-style foundation brush with soft yet firm bristles, and a tapered tip to enable foundation application in small or tricky/curved areas of the face. The size of this brush makes it simply too small for all-over foundation application, but it is quite useful for those with tinier features or to simply ensure your product reaches all areas in an even manner (think: hairline, ears, above & between the brows). Can also do double duty as a concealer brush or for patting foundation/concealer over blemishes.

Real Techniques® | Pointed Foundation Brush

Detailer Brush | A small-headed tapered brush that can be used to apply concealer to blemishes/problem areas of the skin (its small size means you won’t be flooding the surrounding skin with excess product). Versatile for use as a lip brush, the bristles have enough rigidity for precise colour placement/lining, but are soft enough that they won’t tug on the sensitive skin of the lips.

Real Techniques® | Detailer Brush

Makeup brushes are a major passion of mine, and I continue to add to my arsenal every chance I get. Of course, the downside to having a large brush collection, is that there’s more of them to clean – but it’s a small price to pay for beauty tools that help make one’s makeup application a joy. These Real Techniques® brushes have all exceeded my expectations, and there are several that I reach for quite often: the Expert Face Brush to provide that skin-to-skin texture, the Powder Brush for quick & even face powder/bronzer application, the Contour Brush for effortless product placement, and the Buffing Brush for a flawless finishing touch. The only area I haven’t tested these brushes out yet, is in how they react to a washing (although thus far, shedding doesn’t seem to be an issue – bonus points for that), but will make sure to update with that info.

Find more information on the brand by visiting realtechniques.com

CHANEL | Arabesque Harmonies Lèvres, La Perle de CHANEL Collection

March 2, 2015

Press sample provided for my unbiased consideration

CHANEL’s Arabesque Harmonie Lèvres (Limited Edition, CAN $75.00) released as part of the La Perle de CHANEL Collection, is a grouping of 5 complementary lip shades in one convenient compact. Inspired by the beauty of the ballet, these 5 rose-hued lip shades (2 glosses, 3 lipsticks) can be worn individually or mixed & matched to create plenty of interesting and personalized layering combinations.

Other items from La Perle de CHANEL Collection previously reviewed, include:

CHANEL | Arabesque Harmonie Lèvres, La Perle de CHANEL Collection

Arabesque Harmonie Lèvres, Limited Edition | A selection of five lip shades in one palette, consisting of 2 glosses (the lightest hues) and 3 lipsticks. The compact bears a large mirror on the inner lid (convenient for on-the-go touch ups) and includes 2 dual-ended & slant-headed lip brushes that are surprisingly well made, enabling you to apply each shade with ease. Fragranced with CHANEL’s signature rose scent (relatively undetectable when applied) it’s still worth noting for those with sensitivities.

Both glosses are non-sticky in feel and come in a slightly thicker formula than what you’d typically find in the brand’s tube glosses, bearing CHANEL’s patented extra-fine shimmer that feels ultra-smooth upon the lips. With regards to staying power, the glosses wear typically about 2-3 hours on me and always leave my lips feeling well nourished. The three lipstick shades need a bit of work initially to build up the colour (most noticeable when the palette is new, not an issue with continued use) and are unique in that the colour seems to almost intensify once applied (or so it appears to me), becoming fully pigmented upon the lips and with a finish that is less than a gloss, but more than satin. I’m able to get between 5-6 hours wear out of the lipstick shades, with a light stain left behind on the lips once the majority of colour has worn off and a well hydrated sensation upon the lips throughout the wearing, as well as after the colour has faded.

Arabesque 1 – pale peach-tinted pink gloss with a ultra-fine silver shimmer (non-gritty)
Arabesque 2 – warm rose gloss with fine sparser silver shimmer (non-gritty)
Arabesque 3 – true rose-pink, warm leaning, pigmented, no shimmer, gloss/satin finish
Arabesque 4 – bright pink, cooler-leaning, pigmented, no shimmer, gloss/satin finish
Arabesque 5 – rosewood pink, both cool & warm leaning, ultra-fine shimmer (detectable more in the pan than on the lips), lighter pigmentation, gloss/satin finish

In the past, I’ve tended to pass on lip palettes for a variety of reasons, whether that was because not all shades drew me in, or the fact that they have the potential to become rather messy with use. That being said, there is something so lovely about Arabesque, that resisting its allure becomes pointless. Factor in that every shade is easily wearable by a wide variety of complexions and the excellent texture of each individual colour, and you have a winner. Another advantage to Arabesque, is in its versatility; rather than carrying around a bevy of lip products, these five hues can literally take you from day/work to evening with just a quick change-up. To round things off, there’s the numerous layering possibilities of these shades, where creating a unique customized lip colour is basically in the palm of your had.

CHANEL | Arabesque Harmonie Lèvres, La Perle de CHANEL Collection

CHANEL | Arabesque 1 swatch Harmonie Lèvres

CHANEL | Arabesque 2 swatch Harmonie Lèvres

CHANEL | Arabesque 3 swatch Harmonie Lèvres

CHANEL | Arabesque 4 swatch Harmonie Lèvres

CHANEL | Arabesque 5 swatch Harmonie Lèvres

CHANEL | Arabesque 1 & 5 swatch Harmonie Lèvres

CHANEL | Arabesque 2 & 4 swatch Harmonie Lèvres

CHANEL | Arabesque Harmonie Lèvres swatches (in sunlight)

CHANEL | Arabesque Harmonie Lèvres swatches (alternate lighting)

I don’t own many lip palettes (apart from 1 from MAC, I actually own 3 from CHANEL that were released about 20 years ago – and they have surprisingly lasted rancid-free to now), and I confess to being skeptical about Arabesque at first – both in terms of usefulness and suitability. I’m so happy to to say that every shade I apply impresses me, both in terms of feel and how it appears against my skin tone. There’s something fresh and modern about these rose hues, and they add a gorgeous brightness to my completed makeup look (at least, the lipstick shades do – the glosses have their own unique brilliant beauty), while the layering possibilities make this one of the most versatile pieces you can own in your beauty arsenal. The only downside, is the steep price, although you might say that it’s offset by getting 5 totally wearable shades in 1 compact. Regardless, I’m absolutely loving these colours (and I never wear pink/rose hues, so that says it all).

Available now for a limited time. Find more information via chanel.com

YSL Beauté | La Laque Couture 58 Nuit Blanche & 59 Nuit Noire

February 27, 2015

Shimmering like sequins upon the nails, La Laque Couture 58 Nuit Blanche and 59 Nuit Noire (CAN $27.00/Limited Edition), part of the Yves Saint Laurent Beauté Désir de Jour Collection for Spring 2015 (Lumière de Jour Palette previously reviewed), draw their inspiration from the duality found within each woman, although the complex nature of each shade seems to blur that line even more. Feminine charm, rebel spirit or a little bit of both?

Note that each bottle has a removable outer cap with the inner cap ridged for ease of use. The brush is well proportioned to pick up the right amount of product, while the bristles have an excellent flexibility and splay, making the whole application process relatively goof-proof. Newly reformulated, all La Laque Couture polishes now include Rose Oil to help strengthen the nails.

YSL Beauté | La Laque Couture 58 Nuit Blanche & 59 Nuit Noire

La Laque Couture 58 Nuit Blanche | A clear base filled with ultra-fine prismatic glitter as well as irregularly shaped mylar flakes. The formula falls on the thick side although still makes for an easy application, enabling the polish to stay exactly where placed without any pooling or migrating into surrounding skin.

Worn alone, there’s decent coverage with 2 coats (especially on shorter nails – there will still be visible nail line apparent on longer nails) giving off an icy, snowflake-like effect with an absolutely gorgeous iridescence. Layering Nuit Blanche – in particular over a dark shade – will bring out its twilight nature, displaying more of a blue/purple flash (as seen in the last swatches). Relatively smooth to the touch with a layer of top coat, be prepared for a bit of glitter dispersal upon removal (easily cleaned up with a second pass of your remover). Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

YSL Beauté | La Laque Couture 58 Nuit Blanche

La Laque Couture 59 Nuit Noire | A semi-sheer charcoal base that is filled with fine black and silver glitter pieces in a formula that is somewhat thinner than that of Nuit Blanche. There is a good amount of glitter per brushstroke – no ‘fishing’ required, and while dark, you’ll still see a light translucency upon the nails even with two coats, which I actually prefer as it keeps the look fresh & modern this way. Another unique feature of Nuit Noire, is the light moiré pattern that almost appears to be under the glitter but still at the surface level of the polish – elusive, mysterious and hard to capture in pictures, but you can just barely see it here. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

With 1 coat of Nuit Blanche layered over 2 coats of Nuit Noire (as on the last three swatches shown below), you achieve what I call ‘accidental galaxy nails’. This combination looks even more spectacular in person, as you can clearly appreciate every single nuance and prismatic flash. The depth of tone achieved from layering these two, is nothing short of hypnotic to behold – I need to stop here, because I’ve run out of superlatives. No more words for the love (also, this combo is smooth to the touch with a layer of top coat).

YSL Beauté | La Laque Couture 59 Nuit Noire

YSL Beauté | La Laque Couture 58 Nuit Blanche over 59 Nuit Noire

Black & White – a theme that transcends time and fashion, and yet YSL Beauté manages to reinvent these two standard shades with the addition of glitter and flakes. Nuit Blanche is one of those lacquers that will leave you mesmerized simply holding the bottle in your hand (the snow globe effect), and I guarantee that you’ll want to layer it over EVERYTHING just to see the colour shift it gives. Nuit Noire has a quieter presence, until the light catches on the glitter pieces and just like that, it morphs into something elegant and feral at the same time. Verdict? Both are just spectacular and so well worth picking up.

Available at Yves Saint Laurent Beauté counters across Canada (Holt Renfrew, The Bay)

Press samples provided for my unbiased consideration

CHANEL | Les 4 Ombres 248 Tissé Rhapsodie

February 26, 2015

Channeling the ballet with its airy grace, 248 Tissé Rhapsodie (CAN $64.00, Limited Edition) from CHANEL’s La Perle de CHANEL Collection (Crescendo Blush and Mysterio Illusion d’Ombre previously reviewed) is a quartet of ethereal shades meant to evoke movement in dance. This eyeshadow palette is not without its grittier side as well, with that one unexpected & complex earthy shade lurking in the corner, playing counterpart to the three pastels.

CHANEL | Les 4 Ombres 248 Tissé Rhapsodie

248 Tissé Rhapsodie | Inspired by the threads of CHANEL’s iconic tweed fabric, each hue in Tissé Rhapsodie displays undercurrents of a complex shimmer. The reformulated texture applies buttery-soft with hardly any powdery kickback upon swirling a brush through the four shades, and as these are in the brand’s baked format, they also have the ability to be applied with a dampened brush for stronger depth of tone and intensity. Each CHANEL eyeshadow quad typically includes 2 shades for colour, 1 highlighting hue, and 1 deeper contrast hue. The breakdown:

Upper left – tutu pink shade that leans slightly cool but can be easily worn by warmer skin tones as well, well pigmented for such a pale hue
Upper right – lavender tinged white with pinkish undertones, good pigmentation, can also double as a unique cheek highlighter
Lower left – shadowy purple, somewhat muted when applied dry but which comes to vivid life with a dampened brush
Lower right – intricate bronze/khaki hue with excellent pigmentation, regardless of whether applied dry or damp

What at first may appear as a rather weak range of shades, Tissé Rhapsodie holds several surprises; I was not prepared to see how pigmented the two lighter colours apply, and surprised that the purple didn’t display more depth when worn dry (although applying it damp makes up for that, plus it serves as a beautiful crease shade – almost casting the perfect shadow-like effect). The darkest tone seemed out of place nestled amongst the three pastels, and yet serves to ground them all and gives this palette a much-needed edge to balance the sugary-sweetness of the others.

CHANEL | Les 4 Ombres 248 Tissé Rhapsodie

CHANEL | Les 4 Ombres 248 Tissé Rhapsodie, with flash

CHANEL | Les 4 Ombres 248 Tissé Rhapsodie, swatched dry

CHANEL | Les 4 Ombres 248 Tissé Rhapsodie, swatched damp

The Tissé Rhapsodie eyeshadow quad is a study in contrasts, playing light against dark but in a totally non-traditional way … which just works. Unless you’re going for an editorial look, pink and purple hues can be a little difficult to pull off but the intricacy of the three pale hues of this palette, make them much more user-friendly. That dark shade, however, is unbelievable and CHANEL needs to release it as a single (permanent) part of their range. For me, Tissé Rhapsodie is a winner – and not because I always wanted to be a ballerina, either.

Available now but limited edition. I picked mine up at The Bay (Canada).