Currently Obsessed: MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Liner Liquid Eyeliner

I was going through a beauty dilemma back in the end of 2015. I just could't find a good eyeliner that would stay put on me. That's when my Make Up For Ever fairy introduced me to the Aqua Liner Liquid Eyeliner ($27.00 CAN). I'm in LOVE!

Ugh.. Where do I start. This stuff is literally smudge-proof!

The colour that I got is 13 Mat Black - matte black

What makes this product so amazing: 

It can withstand life! Tears, water- It's budge proof!

To remove:
I use a few methods: Make up wipes, q-tip with liquid make up remover or a cleansing balm.

The tip:
Foam-tip applicator for precise application. Great for beginners or pros!

Random amazing facts: 
This liner is apart of Make Up For Ever's Aqua collection created for the Parisian Aquatic Ballet. Yes..Aquatic Ballet. That's not even the crazy part.. These products were tested under water for 5 hours. Also fragrance free and ophthalmologist tested.

What else do you need to know to convince you that this is what you need in your life?

Marc Jacobs Beauty- Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara

This hands down was the BEST PR package I have ever gotten in my life.

Randomly a black box with Marc Jacobs Beauty showed up at my door. 

To my surprise when I opened it- it played a video from Marc Jacobs with a compartment holding a black mascara.

The video was a story about Marc watching his mother apply mascara and the techniques that she used. Which gave birth to the idea for the Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara ($33.00 CAN).

Now this mascara is amazing! 

Definitely one of the best ones that I have tried in while. 

Just look at this brush!

Rich voluminous mascara that gives you the look of wearing falsies.

I'd recommend that you do around three strokes throughout your lashes to get the best effect.

 I'm just in love with really dark formulas. This mascara contains Flash Volume Complex™. It helps to create fullness, length and smudge-proof lashes. Also it's free of: Parabens, Phthalates and Sulfates.

Have you tried this mascara yet?

Have you tried Softlips?

I can not leave the house without lip balm. Due to the cold Canadian weather- they're a must have. I was sent over some new products from  Softlips®. I remember back in high school when Softlips® were the go-to lip balms. Now they're back and better than ever!

Two types: Luxe & Cube


Softlips® LUXE ($4.67 CAN)

What I really like about the packaging is that it's clear-
so you will always know how much product is left.

Available in:

Creamy Coconut

Silky Shea

Softlips CUBE ($4.99 CAN) 

Comes in a glass-like cube design. 

The packaging isn't bulky and can easily be thrown in your purse.

Available in:

Berry Bliss

Fresh Mint

Peach Mango

Vanilla Bean

Cube & Luxe: 5 in 1 lip care

A lot of dead skin on your lips right now? 

Shea butter will be your best friend. It hydrates and restores your lips back to normal.

Lips splitting due to the cold weather? 

The vitamins A, C & E are going to put antioxidants into your lip and replenish any damage.

SPF 15 is definitely needed if you're going out outside. Just because you put it on your face you cannot forget your lips.

I like the fact that the application is smooth. I hate waxy lip balms! Also the "scent/fragrance" is very pleasant. If you're crazy like me you could even layer scents to get a customized concoction that works for you.

Real Techniques 2016 Brushes

It feels great to start 2016 with some new brushes in my collection! 

I've always been a fan of the Real Techniques line. 

High quality brushes at affordable prices. 

Check out what I received: Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (10.49 CAN)

I'm obsessed with sponges! I wet them and apply my foundation for the dewy/barely there look.

This is very unique- multi-functional sponge.

 With a dabbing motion use the rounded sides to blend out large areas of the face- Cheeks, forehead..etc. 

Use the flat edge for the contours on your face- Eyes and nose.

Real Techniques dual-fiber Stippling Brush (12.99 CAN).

A secret weapon to looking airbrushed with out the airbrushing machine is a good stippling brush.

The bristles are ultra-plush and 100% cruelty-free.

Might I also add that the bristles are hand-cut!

How crazy is that? 

The last brush is Real Techniques Concealer Brush (10.99 CAN). 

I won't lie- I prefer a sponge for concealer but it's always to have a good angle-cut brush on hand.

This brush can be used with liquid or cream products.

For a full list of where these brushes are sold: Real Techniques Canada

Revlon Colorstay 2 in 1 Compact Makeup & Concealer-SWATCH

I'm excited new foundations are on the market. Dark/Deep toned girls like me are getting more options! This new combo is from Revlon. This is their Revlon Colorstay 2 in 1 Compact Makeup & Concealer (19.99 CAN). 

Packaging:

• Black plastic packaging with concealer built in. 
• Very unique concept because I'm always misplacing my concealer. 
• Convenient to have everything all in on place.

Under the foundation there is a black tear shaped sponge and a mirror.

Finish:

• 12 blendable shades to choose from.
• The formula is a "demi-matte".
• Definitely a medium-heavy coverage foundation- so it wouldn't be hard to build up coverage.

400 Caramel swatch

Foundation on the top

Concealer on the bottom.

Caramel is not my colour- So I can't test the wearability and sweat proof claims.
**I'm going to try to get my hands on the darkest colour and report back soon**

Have you tried this foundation yet?

Does Benefit Cosmetics lollitint work on brown skin? Pictures + Swatches

Tints are the perfect product to use for every season. 

It's long lasting and requires low maintenance.
I recently received Benefit Cosmetics lollitint ($36.00 CAN) in the mail and decided to give it a try. 

Our candy-orchid tint treats lips & cheeks to a “pop” of dreamy sweetness. It’s the flirtiest flush you can get from a bottle…and its smudge-proof, smooch-proof color lasts from A.M. to P.M. Talk about stain power.

"Sometimes you need to try something before you knock it."
This is my advice for 2014. Not just with makeup. It applies to food and overall life.
I seen this colour and never expected it to show up on my skin tone. It was milky and orchid.
Not I took usual colour I would gravitate towards.
Guess what?!?
I Tried it and loved it!

How to Apply:

Brush three strokes on the apple of your cheek and blend quickly with fingertips. Repeat on other side. Dab on lips & blend. For extra delicious color, repeat!

As a bride to be, this is the perfect product you have with you throughout your journey. 

Especially when you want to take your look can go to the next level!

ELLE Canada: Beauty Box

Look what I got in the mail! 

The ELLE Canada Beauty Box!

This box was full of must haves for Fall 2013.

In my box:

• Cover girl Clump Crush Mascara (I recently finished mine- Good to get a fresh bottle)
• Pantene Expert Collection Shampoo and Conditioner sample
• Coupon for a shaver + products
• Crest 3D white Strips sample - Two hour express
• Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Resolution Complex sample

Want to be considered for future boxes? 

Registration is open now for their Spring 2014 box!

Don't be left out! Sign up now for your chance to be selected: http://ellecan.ca/19hWy6I

Also check out their largest issue ever in-stores now! With Katy Perry on the cover.

The October issue of ELLE Canada is available for the special price of $2.99.

Guest Post: discoveriesofself Sleek Original Palette Swatches

I've always been a lover of Sleek!

I love the fact that it's not only super affordable but it caters for a wide range of skin tones 

as well as carrying high pigmentation with its products.

I already own a few Sleek eyeshadow palettes however I hadn't brought one in a while so I decided to pick up The Original palette by Sleek.

This is a great palette for those of us who love a simply smokey eye for any occasion!

The palette contains 11 shimmer eyeshadow and 1 matte black eyeshadow.

The shimmer eyeshadows are beautifully soft and pigmented and how up well on my skin tone.

The swatches below were taken without any primer being added and without flash in natural daylight.

The top row of eyeshadows are fabulous for a great night out look, 

you can really have fun with these colours.

The bottom row were what I call more of 'highlight' colours, as gorgeous as they are they can appear slightly ashy on a skin tone such as mine, however for inner eye highlights these colours would work absolutely fine.

I decided to create two looks with this palette (one using colours from the top row and another from the bottom) for the sake of this post to test out their pigmentation and I can safely say that I was very impressed.

I used a Maybelline colour tattoo underneath the purple eyeshadow to ensure that the colours pop but to be perfectly honest it wasn't necessary, the purple was so vibrant!

The copper eyeshadow was equally as beautiful, I didn't use a base with this, only a thin layer of Too Faced Shadow Insurance primer, as you can see the colour pay off is top notch!

I don't really have a con for this palette, if I was to be very picky I would say the range of colours included in one palette may not be to everybody's taste but for the price and colour pay off I'm sure this can be forgiven.

Guest post by discoveriesofself

Givenchy Le Rouge Lipsticks Swatches

Once you get a hold of an amazing high end lipstick- you wonder how you could have used anything else!

This was my first time trying a lipstick from Givenchy. I had no idea what to expect!

Let's start out with the Givenchy Le Rouge ($38.00)  packaging.
Gorgeous!

The lipstick is encased in a real leather packaging with silver accents.

These lipsticks are semi-matte.
It's the perfect mix of a satin and matte lipstick.
Sooo creamy and moisturizing.

Left to right: 203 Rose Dentelle, 306 Carmin Escarpin & Brun Cachemire

This lipstick-as-accessory delivers intense colors and a semi-mat finish all in one stroke. 

Swatches:

Which lipstick is your favourite?

It Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush Butters

Lip butters are really popular right now. They provide hydration, shine and with a tinted finish. 

Check out these Vitality Lip Flush Butters from It Cosmetics ($20.00 US).

Pillow (Nude)

Darling (Pink)

In Love (Berry)

The truly innovative formula contains ingredients such as plum oil, cherry oil, shea butter, aloe, and jojoba that all work together to treat, hydrate, condition, and nourish your lips, minimizing the appearance of lip lines and wrinkles. Plus, Vitality Lip Flush Lipstick Butters are packed with antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E, acai, green tea, and white tea that provide protection from wrinkle-causing free radicals. 

Since I have pigmented lips, I never reach for a lip butter for colour. I use them more for moisturizing lips when dry. The formula is light but silky. 

One of the common misconceptions about lip butters is that are that they are suppose to be vivid like lipsticks when in actuality they are sheer. In the swatch below, I swiped the lipsticks three times. That is not now it appears on my lips (my lips are darker than my wrist) but I wanted to give you all an idea of the consistency. They are very glossy and smooth.

These were swatched three times.

In Love (Berry)

Darling (Pink)

Pillow (Nude)

I should also add that these glosses are paraben-free!

Are you a fan of lip butters?