Tag Archives: cosmetics
The Loop Duty Free Montréal The Joy of Giving
If you plan on travelling for the holidays (or any time, really) and find yourself at Montréal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, I highly recommend you make it a point to stop at The Loop Duty Free Montréal. For starters, it’s a one-stop shopping mecca of all things beauty (cosmetics, skincare, suncare, bodycare, haircare & fragrance … not to mention everything else the store offers, but that’s for another post) and sweetening the pot even further are the prices: easily 20% less than downtown retailers, with the exception of MAC at 15% less and … no tax. So basically, the price listed is the price you pay; I can’t even begin to express how happy the no tax part makes me.
Right now, The Loop is running their ‘Joy of Giving’ campaign with tons of amazing new products and collections having just arrived in-store; from a vast array of fragrance options (prepare to be blown away by the choices), limited edition boxed sets, unique palettes & original pieces, to the most adorable fragrance minis you’ve ever seen — you’re guaranteed to find that perfect little treat for yourself. After all, you’ve been good all year, am I right? BONUS: you can also pre-order online from The Loop’s website; this way all you have to do is show up & pay — your purchases will be waiting for you!
Follow along to stay “in The Loop” as I explore everything this amazing store has to offer!
Where’s Waldo, beauty edition
These are seriously the happiest bottles EVER
I’m addicted to fragrance minis and now I want all of these sets so badly …
Like macaron lip balms, minus the guilt
So many irresistible Victoria’s Secret goodies
Many thanks to The Loop for partnering to sponsor this post/As always, all opinions are my own
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Benefit · Christmas 2016 Sets
So here’s the thing; I’m really not a fan of Winter, but the cold weather also means Christmas, and I absolutely adore all the traditional trappings of this holiday. Add to that the fact that here in Montréal the weather has still be amazing (read that as no snow) so the last thing I want to think about is prepping for Christmas, but my organizational side loves the idea of planning in advance. See what I mean? A conundrum [of sorts]. Which brings me to the trio of Christmas Sets from Benefit I’m showing here today … see how I worked that in?
Every year at this time, Benefit releases several fun Christmas collections that are curated with a mix of their most-loved products — in both full & mini sizes — housed in the retro-kitschy packaging the brand has become known for. This year’s crop comes in reusable tins that are bound to put a smile of the face of whoever’s on the receiving end … and that’s before one even gets to the goodies on the inside!
Kissy Missy (CAN $34.00) | This “FULL-y equipped lip kit” includes mini sizes of both Lollitint and Benetint, along with mini sizes of the brand new They’re Real! Double The Lip in Revved-Up Red and Pink Thrills. All this is sure to get your pucker mistletoe-ready!
Dolly Darling (CAN $49.00) | This set includes a Roller Lash Mascara along with cult-fave bronzer in Hoola — both full sized — as well as medium size versions of both The Porefessional and Gimme Brow; so basically all you need to get that no-makeup-makeup look in a flash.
Girls Gone Wow! (CAN $58.00) | The largest of the three sets shown, this includes full sizes of both They’re Real! Mascara and Gimme Brow, along with a medium-sized tube of Porefessional and mini versions of both Benetint and They’re Real! Tinted Primer.
What’s awesome about these Christmas Sets (and by the way, there are several more to choose from in case you’re wondering), is that it takes some of the guesswork out of what to give the beauty fan on your list. They’re also a great way for your recipient (or yourself) to try several of the brand’s most-loved products, but at a way more affordable price than if you were to purchase them separately. Then there’s the tins themselves … how cute are they?
Available at Sephora & online
PRsamples/As always, all opinions are my own
MAC · Spellbinder Shadow
From early promo shots, I wasn’t sure what to make of MAC’s Spellbinder Shadows; what exactly were they? Turns out that the bottom of each little glass pot is magnetized and according to the press info, the powders’ “black ionized pigments are magnetically charged, fusing the loose powder together so it magically maintains its form and dimension”. And magical they are; you can press your finger to their surface and even swoosh it around, yet the shape seems to gather itself back together again. What kind of sorcery is this? ∗cue eerie music∗
For all previous reviews on this brand, click & scroll through this MAC tab
This promo shot: I so want to try and recreate the eye look shown
Spellbinder Shadow (CAN $26.00/each) | The container for these shadows is unlike anything I’ve previously seen from MAC; made of glass with a good heft to each (likely due to the magnet in the base), there’s a very luxe feel to them. The texture of the powder is totally unique as well; upon removing the inner seal, you’re confronted with what can only be described as a lush tapestry of colour but closer inspection reveals that the powder itself is actually a little ‘flaky’ (best way I can describe it). When worn dry, the effect is slightly watered down and even though the colour can be deepened with a bit of layering, applying these over a base such as a Paint Pot (see second swatch below) is the best way to go. Then, it’s all about that mega IMPACT — and lots of it. Staying power (over primer + base) is amazing, with the colour looking rich and vibrant throughout and hardly any fading.
- Dynamically Charged – taupey cool bronze
- Cosmic Clash – deep green
- Blue Karma – soft greyed teal
- Retrograde – greyed black
Forgetting for a second how utterly cool these Spellbinder Shadows are (and what about that name, am I right?) I’m all about the effect they provide. Giving off enough shimmer without being ridiculously over the top, you can’t go wrong with any of the 8 shades from the range. In fact, I’ve already got my eye on a few more that I absolutely need to have. Ok, maybe need is a touch excessive … but it’s pretty much true [she says without regret].
If you’ve picked any of these up, drop me a line to let me know what you think!
Available at The Bay, MAC Boutiques and online
PR samples/As always, all opinions are my own
Urban Decay · Naked Illuminated Trio Shimmering Powder
Urban Decay wants you to get your glow on (and on, and on, and…you get the picture) and has just made it even easier with the release of the limited edition Naked Illuminated Trio. Complimenting the armada of Nakedness that the brand has become known for, these are not highlighter shades for the shimmer-phobic; think of the effect instead as being about faking it, and faking it well.
Previously reviewed Urban Decay highlighters:
Naked Illuminated Trio, limited edition (CAN $49.00) | Housed in a cardboard box with a magnetic closure and full-sized mirror on the inner lid, there’s also a dual ended brush included with the set. The formula is baked on a terracotta disc for 24 hours then finished by hand; this results in a powder that not only holds a high level of shimmer, but will “provide the colour payoff of a loose powder, the convenience of a pressed powder, and the feel of silk”. The shade breakdown:
- Pyrite – gold-champagne
- Oasis – marbled frosted taupe
- Twilight – iridescent pink
The size of each shade is more than decent enough to work with, and while there may powdery kickback upon swirling a brush across their surfaces, any fall down is easily eliminated by simply tapping excess off your brush first first. Of the three hues, Pyrite displays the smoothest application with Twilight a close second, but Oasis definitely leans more along the chalky side. One option is to try buffing it in thoroughly, but you’ll take away pretty much most of its glow that way; instead, try using it on other areas apart from the face such as the collarbone, décolleté, shins – this way you get to not only use the shade, but add a nice touch of holiday sparkle to skin.
Urban Decay · Naked Illuminated Trio Shimmering Powder swatches
I wanted to see how this trio compared to previous released UD singles, although I couldn’t find anything close to Oasis. The swatch below shows that Lit is warm leaning like Pyrite, but with more of a coppery undertone and even though Aura appears very similar to Twilight, it doesn’t apply as pigmented.
Urban Decay · Naked Illuminated Trio Shimmering Powder & comparison swatches
If shimmer is your thing, then go ahead and dive head-first into this Naked Illuminated Trio. Another bonus for highlighter fans, is that you also happen to get three distinct hues all in one conveniently sized palette plus with a good-sized brush. Well priced, especially when you consider you’re getting three shades in total, I think this is yet another example of a thoughtful gift for the beauty fan on your list. If on the other hand, subtlety is your style, you’ll probably want to keep on looking (although I hear that loads of shimmer can be such naughty fun …)
Available at Sephora and online
Press sample/As always, all opinions are my own
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NARS x Sarah Moon Collection Holiday 2016, Gift Sets pt. 2
Leaving [what I believe] is the best for last, I’m wrapping up the colossal NARS x Sarah Moon Holiday 2016 Collection with these three gift sets — major points scored for them having some of the most exquisite package I’ve seen to date. I’ve said often enough that I’m a sucker for details, and when that’s coupled with some pretty awesome products, it becomes one (or three) of the sweetest deals ever.
