Giorgio Armani Beauty | Lip Maestro #634 Burgundy

The release of the Giorgio Armani Beauty Orient Excess 2014 Holiday Collection also included two new shades in the Lip Maestro formula, #414 Blood Red and #634 Burgundy, shown in this post (previous reviews of this collection can be found here and here). Said to impart ‘intensely matte “couture” lips’, I would have to say that this is more of a liquid lipstick formula that has serious staying power along with unbelievable colour saturation – but definitely not matte, by my definition. Did I mention that it’s also damn, damn sexy?

Lip Maestro #634 Burgundy (CAN $38.00) | While every brand – from high end to mass market – have released some type of their own version of liquid lip formula (I hesitate to call this group a gloss, but neither does it fall in the traditional lipstick category – so liquid lip, it is), I confess that Giorgio Armani Beauty was not only one of the first (if not THE first) to introduce this format to the world, but went on to perfect it as well. And let’s face it: no one – but NO ONE – does red lips as divinely as this brand.

The Lip Maestro format is one that is incredibly pigmented yet completely lightweight in feel, as the gel formula bears no “white” in the base, leaving nothing but pure colour on the lips, without any waxy or sticky feel. The angled and slightly tapered sponge-tip applicator has been uniquely designed to deposit the right amount of product per stroke, while the tip works beautifully on more detailed areas of the lips (cupid’s bow, corners), allowing for more precision work. There is a very, very light & slightly floral scent that I detect (but only by bringing the applicator right up to my nose) that seems to dissipate rather quickly upon application. The tube is clear which is a huge plus, as you can monitor the amount of product remaining – so much easier than having to guess whether you’re running out or not.

With regards to application, it really doesn’t get easier than this; one swipe of the brush yields enough product to fully cover the lips, while a second swipe simply intensifies the tone. As stated above, the feel is so lightweight, that if you didn’t know better (which obviously you do, considering the colour ∗duh∗), you’d swear you’re not wearing anything at all. The description calls this a “matte” lip product, but I find that it’s more a plush velvet finish instead – nowhere near the reflective finish of a gloss, and definitely far from the light absorbing properties of a true matte lip shade – the finish here falls somewhere in between, leaving lips drenched in colour, with a radiant sheen. Oddly enough, with a name like #634 Burgundy, I expected something significantly deeper in colour, and yet what I see is more of a true red with just the right combination of orange and blue tones in the base, making this shade workable on a wide variety of complexions, but definitely not burgundy (although I’m not complaining, as I absolutely love this red, regardless of the name). Staying power is impressive, lasting easily 9 hours (even through light eating & drinking, although some reapplication will be needed at this point), and even when some product starts to wear off, I find that a quick press of the lips is all that’s needed to re-distribute and revive the colour. On the bonus side, I experience absolutely no migration or bleeding into surrounding lip lines (although you do need to be aware of any colour getting on your teeth during initial application).

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Lip Maestro #634 Burgundy

For years now, I have stayed true to my comfort zone of neutral lip colours, but the past few weeks have seem me leaning more and more towards a brighter, crimson pout. The issues with wearing a red lip, however, is A) finding the right hue to suit your skin tone, and B) finding a product that will not only last, but also avoid leaving that dreaded red “ring” behind upon the lips. This #634 Burgundy Lip Maestro shade manages to accomplish both with ease, while being spot-on with what I’ve been noticing as a return to a more glamorous look – and with a shade as siren-sexy as this, you can certainly count on being noticed. Come-hither looks, optional.

Available now through Giorgio Armani Beauty counters – visit www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com for more brand info.

Press sample provided for my unbiased consideration

Dior Spring 2015 | #294 Lady, #660 Glory & Éclosion Blossoming Top Coat

January 9, 2015

Despite the brutally cold weather we’ve been experiencing lately, a harbinger of the warmer weather ahead, comes in the form of Spring beauty offerings that have just begun trickling onto counters. The Dior Kingdom of Colours Collection Spring 2015 nail lacquers presents an encapsulated version of the collection’s main theme: neutral vs vivid, with a dash of whimsy thrown in via the new Éclosion Blossoming Top Coat.

The two colour shades of this collection are in Dior’s Gel Shine format which is incredibly glossy on its own and really makes adding a top coat superfluous, although I did apply one for my swatch photos here (although it’s totally not needed for a full mani/pedi. Seriously). The brush of Dior lacquers is one of my favourites of all brands – if not THE favourite – with its slightly chiselled and bevelled head of dense hairs, that splay perfectly when placed upon the nail, depositing the colour exactly where you want it to with a minimum amount of effort.

Note that both #294 Lady & #660 Glory bear Dior’s famous ‘secret shimmer’ in the base -incredibly fine particles that are relatively undetectable to the naked eye, but which are seen in direct sunlight or with flash – and definitely add a nice overall depth of tone to each hue.

#294 Lady, limited edition (CAN $28.00) | A filtered nude/petal pink shade that has a softly muted appearance upon the nails, with just enough colour to keep it from coming off as flat or boring. Interestingly enough, nude shades are some of the hardest colours to wear, as the wrong undertone can violently clash with one’s skin tone, but Dior has managed to infuse the right amount of both cool & warm hues into #294 Lady, as to render it wearable by basically everyone. The formula here was another surprise, displaying an amazing pigmentation for a shade in this colour family – laying down easily and in a self-levelling way, with no patchiness in evidence, not even at the first coat. The resulting finish is nothing short of ridiculously glossy and spot-on perfect. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Option 2: Two coats of Éclosion Blossoming Top Coat were added over #294 Lady, in order to make all the confetti bits stands out

Option 3: Adding a matte top coat not only makes the pieces of Éclosion Blossoming Top Coat stand out, but gives a more urban feel to this look, adding a crisp edginess.

Dior Kingdom of Colour Spring 2015 | #294 Lady

#001 Éclosion Blossoming Top Coat, limited edition (CAN $29.00) | This is a veritable confetti glitter party, albeit on the more subtle side due to the softer colour of all its pieces. Suspended in a clear base, Éclosion Blossoming Top Coat is composed of: white, lemon yellow, baby blue, blush pink and pale green glitter particles in bar as well as small hexagonal form. Each dip of the brush yields a fair amount of pieces per swipe, although some nudging into place of the bar glitter may be necessary along the nail free edges. I am not usually a fan of glitter, in particular the multi-variety type (yes, I am an unashamedly self-professed colour purist) and may even have done some eye-rolling when I first looked at this shade; however, once applied I was surprised to find that I ∗gasp∗ actually liked it. Adding a matte coat on top, may have even made me love it – and I’m not sure why – but there you go.

Note that the natural finish of Éclosion Blossoming Top Coat is very glossy on its own, but does have a bit of bumpiness due to the glitter pieces – easily remedied with a layer of a thickish top coat to smooth everything down.

Dior Kingdom of Colours Spring 2015 | #294 Lady & #001 Éclosion

Dior Kingdom of Colours Spring 2015 | #294 Lady & #001 Éclosion, matte

#660 Glory, limited edition (CAN $28.00) | A searingly vivid poppy/amaranth hue in a crème/jelly hybrid formula that defines perfection: self-levelling, a mirror-like glossy finish, and such intense colour saturation that you can easily get away with 1 coat for full coverage – especially on shorter nails. Depending on the angle, at times #660 Glory veers close to neon territory, but without quite going over, making it a bright yet sophisticated (read that as: modern) way to wear such a vivid colour. Bonus: non-staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Option 2: One Coat of Éclosion Blossoming Top Coat applied on top. Due to the colourful nature of #660 Glory, this is all you need for effect – any more would be overkill.

Option 3: Once again, adding a matte top coat emphasizes every bit of glitter and while interesting, I’m not as drawn to this combo as the previous one ∗shrugs∗ – definitely unique, though.

Dior Kingdom of Colours Spring 2015 | #660 Glory

Dior Kingdom of Colours Spring 2015 | #660 Glory & #001 Éclosion

Even though there are only three nail lacquers in the Kingdom of Colours Collection, there is still enough to appeal to basically everyone: #294 Lady for the neutral lovers, #660 Glory for fans of brighter colour, and Éclosion Blossoming Top Coat for glitter/nail art fiends. I personally love the look of #294 Lady on its own worn as a full mani and will definitely be sporting #660 Glory as a Spring/Summer pedi shade (heat…need some heat), with Éclosion Blossoming Top Coat making an occasional appearance just to keep things interesting (to repeat: I am a colour purist by nature). One last word: if you haven’t tried Dior polishes yet, you are seriously missing out on one of the best formulas & brush out there (still worth it, even with the $1.00 price hike per bottle – don’t think I didn’t notice, Dior).

Launching January 15th on all Dior counters nation-wide. Visit www.dior.com for more brand info.

Press samples provided for my unbiased consideration

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Wildly Gold Palette

January 5, 2015

The holidays usually showcase a queen’s ransom of new beauty collections, and while many are geared specifically for the season, there are others that seem to naturally rise above and transcend the occasion; case in point is the limited edition Wildly Gold Complete Make-Up Palette (Can$100.00) from Yves Saint Laurent Beauté that was released as part of the Holiday 2014 Collection. Let’s break this little gem down, shall we?

To begin with, this stunning compact is roughly the size of an iPhone 5 and comes bound in black leather which bears a leopard pattern down the middle along with the brand’s ‘Cassandra‘ logo, all stamped in gold. The closure is magnetic and also includes the added protection of a slim elastic ‘belt’ to hold it securely fastened, with a black satin tassel that trails down the corner for a final luxe touch.

The contents of the Wildly Gold Palette include 3 dedicated eyeshadow shades in tones of gold, bronze, and black, with a silvery hue that does double duty as either eyeshadow or highlighter. There are two lip shades in pan form, one from the Rouge Volupté range that applies more sheer, and the other from the Rouge Pur Couture line with its more saturated format. The blush is of a well proportioned size and is conveniently located on the end, making it easy to access as well as work with. The bottom of the palette holds three brushes: 1 sponge-tipped applicator, 1 lip brush and a small blush brush, and while I don’t usually like the dinky brushes that come in palettes, I appreciate their inclusion here, as it really does turn this into an ‘on-the-go’ type of product – no need to carry around any extra brushes for touch-ups.

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Wildly Gold Palette

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Wild Gold Palette

Eyeshadows, from the left:

Silver satin shimmer – ultra finely milled, sheer application that give a subtle but visible glow, pale pink hue in the base for added warmth & brightness
Gold shimmer – fine gold base hue with visibly larger gold shimmer particles throughout, sheer application with a much better opacity achieved when applied damp
Bronze satin shimmer – ultra finely milled with a complex shimmer, brown based, smooth application and a good level of pigmentation
Black satin shimmer – velvety texture with a unique blueish finely milled shimmer that appears somewhat prismatic, the base hue leans more charcoal that black but can be easily built up for a deeper intensity

Applied with a dry brush, the two lighter shades of the Wildly Gold Palette lean rather sheer and have much more obvious sparkle, while the two deeper hues display significantly more colour that can be quickly built up for more depth and saturation. The silvery hue works beautifully as a highlighter, especially when worn on the high planes of the face, while the gold shade looks amazing along the inner eye corner or when pressed over another base shade for a dash of extra oomph. Both the bronze and black hues are gorgeous to work with, especially for a smokey eye look, as they offer effortless blending and last incredibly long, in particularly when worn over primer. Applying any one of these shades with a dampened brush not only adds depth and intensity, but brings out every bit of their complex shimmers and significantly boosts their staying power, although you lose the option of then blending them out.

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Wildly Gold Palette, eyeshadow swatches (dry)

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Wildly Gold Palette, eyeshadow swatches (damp)

The lip shades, top: Rouge Volupté Sheer Candy, bottom: Rouge Pur Couture Fuchsia.

Rouge Volupté Sheer Candy – glossy sheer cotton-candy pink
Rouge Pur Couture Fuchsia – glossy semi-opaque hot pink

The two lip shades of the Wildly Gold Palette seem to look almost identical in their respective pans, but a quick swatch proves how different they are. The top shade – Rouge Volupté Sheer Candy – applies much more sheerly and is of an obvious lighter hue, while the bottom shade – Rouge Pur Couture Fuchsia – applies with a deeper opacity from the first swipe and is significantly more vivid. What these two lip products have in common, is a non-sticky texture, a high gloss factor, a somewhat fruity scent (which dissipates quickly after application, but still worth noting for those with sensitivities), the stain they leave behind upon the lips once the initial colour has faded, and how totally hydrated your lips feel throughout their wearing (as well as after). Staying power is naturally less with the lighter hue – approx. 2.5 – 3 hours, and improved with the deeper shade – easily 5 hours plus.

arm swatch

Rouge Volute Sheer Candy

Rouge Pur Couture Fuchsia

The blush shade is a soft ballerina pink with an incredibly fine-ground silvery/pearl shimmer in the base that provides a gorgeous lustre to the skin, while the powder is very finely-milled and seems to melt into the skin when applied. I experience absolutely no powdery kickback when swirling my brush through the pan, and while this shade falls on the light side, it still bears a good amount of pigment that enables you to build it up easily, if desired. Interestingly enough, while this shade may appear more obviously cooler-leaning, I have no problem getting it to work with my warmer skin tone and will even go so far as to say that it gives my complexion a nice overall boost. Something to note: for those with darker skin tones, this blush will look simply amazing worn as a highlighter & sheered out along the high planes of the face (cheekbones, temples, cupid’s bow).

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Wildly Gold Palette, blush swatches

As someone who has stated several times that I’m not a fan of multi-product makeup palettes, I seem to have an incredibly attraction to them just the same – especially when they look as stunning as the Wildly Gold Palette does, not to mention perform as well. Admittedly, I am a sucker for fine detail, but if the contents fall short of my ~~rather high~~ expectations, it becomes a deal-breaker for me. Luckily, that’s not the case here. I love how slim this compact is (but which nevertheless still manages to hold a good amount of product) and with its exterior of such fierce beauty, it can easily pass for an evening clutch – a very, very clever touch and one that no one will ever guess holds makeup. Call it the beauty world’s version of animal magnetism.

Still available now at select Yves Saint Laurent Beauté counters, visit www.yslbeautyus.com for more brand information

Product sample provided for my unbiased consideration

Urban Decay | Naked On The Run

January 3, 2015

Following in the footsteps of Urban Decay’s wildly successful Naked series, the brand has recently released Naked On The Run (CAN $54.00)- a limited edition palette which contains the essentials (minus foundation) needed to create a variety of looks, and all in a travel-sized format … that may require a slightly larger than average makeup bag to hold it, however.

There are several reasons why the Naked On The Run palette is a huge hit for me; to begin with, it’s priced extremely well, especially when you consider all that it comes with. The exterior casing of the compact is well crafted & strong (I’m not a fan of flimsy cardboard containers), with a gorgeous tortoisehsell-like design on the cover that can appear either more green or amber, depending on the angle and lighting. There is a full-sized mirror on the inner lid, and it closes securely with a magnetic clasp.

The fact that the Sesso Lipgloss (which is a full-sized version, I might add) comes in its own separate container, is something I consider is a huge plus as well, since palettes that hold lip/cream products alongside powdered ones, tend to have quite a bit of cross-contamination – something that is totally avoided in this case and which therefore keeps the integrity of all shades hygienic and intact.

The 5 eyeshadows of this palette, are in a word: superb. From the selection of totally wearable shades (which will suit a broad spectrum of skin tones) to the quality & pigmentation, Urban Decay has created something really special. Even the eyeliner is impressive, with its rich hue that veers close enough to black for drama, but with just the right amount of tint for a bit of colour – and I really do hope that it ends up becoming part of the permanent lineup.

Looking at the bronzer and blush in their respective pans had me a little skeptical as to whether they would suit my complexion, but once again I was happily surprised to find how well each shade complimented my skin tone. There’s even a highlighter, and in a shade that has just the right amount of colour in its base to work well with a large variety of skin tones, as well as a finely ground shimmer that will provide a beautiful glow and not anything overt or glittery. Lastly, the travel-sized tube of the Perversion mascara (previously reviewed here), is of a relatively good size and quantity, while the mascara itself bears an excellent formulation – as well as being one of the deepest black shades I’ve come across.

Urban Decay | Naked On The Run

Urban Decay | Naked On The Run, all products watched (except mascara)

Urban Decay | Naked On The Run

Dive – rose gold, shimmer
Fix – camel/tan, matte
Resist – rich taupe, shimmer
Dare – milk chocolate, satin matte
Stun – bronze, golden shimmer

Each shade is beautifully pigmented and applies well, with very little powdery kickback upon swirling my brushes through the pans. Their velvety texture (even the ones with more obvious shimmer) also provides excellent blending capabilities, and worn over primer, staying power is easily 9-10 hours before any fading.

Urban Decay | Naked On The Run, eyeshadow swatches

Bronzer – warm toned, slight orange tint in the base, satin matte
Blush – cool toned, barbie pink with peach hints in the base, light overall sheen

The bronzer shade leans more warm than cool (those with very fair complexions might find it a bit difficult to work with), and there’s a unique satin-like finish to this shade, which adds a beautiful overall luminosity, and prevents it from looking flat upon the skin.

The blush shade is a study in contradictions; what appears to be a blue-based and cooler leaning hue, also seems to bear a shot of peach in the base, helping this shade work equally well on warmer (as in more yellow-based) complexions, while its finely-milled shimmer gives just the right touch of glow to the skin.

Urban Decay | Naked On The Run, Bronzer swatch

Urban Decay | Naked On The Run, Blush swatch

5050 | An oyster coloured highlighter that leans rather warm, but one that will also suit fairer/cooler complexions with equal ease. This is more of subtle-type of highlighter, making it perfect for those who wish to softly spotlight the high points of the face (upper cheekbones, cupid’s bow, temples), without coming off as overly ‘glowy’.

Urban Decay | Naked On The Run, 5050 swatch

Stag 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil (travel size) | Deepest brown with eggplant/ruby hints in the base that add warmth and extra dimension. As with other 24/7 Glide-On pencils I’ve tried from Urban Decay, the application here is smoothly applying and velvety in feel, and you never need fear it tugging or pulling along the sensitive skin around the eyes. Once applied, you also have the option of blending it out for a smokey look – although once the colour sets, you can forget about trying to move it in any way: it wears like iron, and will stay put until removed (which will require an oil-based remover, at that).

Urban Decay | Naked On The Run, Stag swatched

Perversion Mascara (travel size) | Intense black shade – originally reviewed here. The quality of the mascara here is comparable to the full-sized version, with the only difference being the size/girth of the brush head – slightly narrower and shorter in the palette version, but which manages to work in its favour as this mascara is quite rich and the reduction in brush head size provides an easier application with less chance of any accidental smudges … all without sacrificing any of the original’s quality.

Urban Decay | Naked On The Run, Perversion Mascara brush head comparisons

Sesso Naked Lipgloss (full size) | Warm rose hue with ultra-fine pink shimmer, in a non-sticky formula that applies semi-sheer, but still provides enough colour to give a plush & natural overall tint to lips. There is a slight plastic-like scent that I detect upon initial application, but which seems to dissipate upon the wearing – still worth mentioning for anyone with sensitivities. Lasting power is about average 2.5 – 3 hours, leaving a hydrated and nourished feeling behind upon the lips, once the colour has faded. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but I also feel a slight cooling sensation upon first applying this gloss (which I experienced more distinctly on my arm swatch, than on the lips).

Urban Decay | Naked On The Run, Sesso swatched

For me, everything about the Naked On The Run palette is a huge hit and I have found myself reaching for it over and over again since the day it arrived, creating a variety of day (read: easy), as well as more dramatic evening looks. The only downside I can find, is the bulky size of the palette itself, although even that flaw is offset by the quality (which is quite sturdy, in fact) and well crafted details of the packaging (that PATTERN). I just wish that this palette wasn’t limited edition, because when products are this good, they need to be available year round – so much easier than stockpiling palette boxes, no? Urban Decay, I sure hope you’re listening.

Available now through www.urbandecay.com and Sephora.

Press sample provided for my unbiased consideration

L’Oréal Paris | Collection Exclusive Pure Reds by Colour Riche

December 27, 2014

L’Oréal Paris has recently launched six new limited edition lipsticks and coordinating nail lacquers, the Collection Exclusive Pure Reds by Colour Riche. Varying in tone and finishes – from vibrant to sultry, creamy to shimmery, these nail polish shades (CAN $3.99) may be part of a capsule collection, but manage to represent the red spectrum rather well … and will in all likelihood sell out at the same hyper-speed as its predecessors, the Collection Privée Exclusive Nudes (see previews reviews here, here and here).

PS: a belated Merry Christmas to all!

L’Oréal Paris | Collection Exclusive Pure Reds

Doutzen’s Pure Red | A tomato red crème hue in an amazing (albeit thinner-flowing than the rest swatched here) formula, bearing an excellent flow & density, applying in a self-levelling way, and leaving behind a high gloss finish. Bonus: non-staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

JLo’s Pure Red | A rich ruby hue with an ultra fine magenta shimmer in yet another amazing formula: perfect saturation of colour, density and flow. The shimmer is not as visible to the naked eye when seen indoors/deeper light, but sunlight and/or direct light really makes it come alive – almost appearing as though it’s simmering at the surface level of the nails. Just gorgeous. At turns sexy, playful, vampy, and sophisticated, the best part is that it’s non-staining upon removal as well. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Eva’s Pure Red | A warm-leaning brick red hue bearing ultra fine magenta/fuchsia shimmer that may be subtle, but comes alive when seen in direct light/sunlight. Falling in a self-levelling way and finishing with a high gloss, the formula here feels thicker than the rest, but is still non-staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Freida’s Pure Red | A cool-leaning intense garnet hue (blue based) with and ultra fine magenta shimmer in the base that is not only the most visible of the six – regardless of the light you view it in – but that manages to leave behind the most unique moiré effect upon the nails (it’s actually quite mesmerizing). There’s a slight level of staining here, but that’s easily remedied by doubling up on your base coat first. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Blake’s Pure Red | (kind of a stretch calling this red, but I’ll let it go …) The only other crème hue of this collection, this is more of a deeply luxurious eggplant hue that defines perfection: full opacity with just one coat, excellent flow & density, self-levelling, über-glossy at the finish, and totally non-staining upon removal. As far as darker shades go, it doesn’t get better – or easier – than this. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Laetitia’s Pure Red | A stunning & vampy deep berry hue with ultra fine magenta/silver shimmer in the base, that will suit both cool and warm skin tones equally. I feel like I’m repeating myself, but once again the formula here is as stellar as the rest; this blackened red hue almost applies itself (not really, but it’s THAT easy) and has the advantage of being non-staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

In my opinion, nothing makes a statement – and draws attention to – one’s nails, quite like red (apparently men are most attracted to red on a woman’s nails; just thought I’d throw that in. No particular reason why). I’ve been seeing the trend moving towards this timeless colour for some time now, and it appears every brand from every price point has gotten the same memo, if the plethora of reds being released is anything to judge by. What makes these Collection Exclusive Pure Reds stand out for me, starts with their wallet-friendly prices, their smaller size (seriously: who ever finishes a full-sized bottle anyway?), and the fact that even though there are only six colours to choose from, you can still find a red to suit your skin tone. Plus, they’re all damn sexy.

Available now for a limited time, find more information by visiting www.lorealparis.ca