Showing posts with label urbandecay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label urbandecay. Show all posts

Guest Review: Urban Decay Star Dust Shadows


Urban Decay Star Dust Shadows ($20 USD): I was really excited to have the chance to test out Urban Decay's Stardust Shadows. To my surprise these shadows weren't pigmented at all, but UD does describe these shadows as "sheer wash of colour topped with teeny bits of sparkle...". While the packaging with its squeeze to open concept was uber cool and innovative, I was just not impressed with how sheer the colour was. I found these shadows not only lacked pigment but also had too much glitter and created fall out all over my cheeks - a definite pet peeve.

On a scale of 1 (being the least color) to 5 (being the most color) the pigmentation of Space Cowboy a simple beige color was about 2, Moon Spoon a silver shade was a 3, Diamond dog a grey/brown was the least pigmented so it was a 1 and Void a dark pewter was the most pigmented at a 4.




What I liked:
- The super cool and unique packaging.

What I disliked:
- The lack of pigment
- The glitter
- The amount of fallout

Overall, these shadows were a disappointment for me and did not live up to UD's top notch quality. I don't see myself reaching for these shadows at all even though I tried hard to love them. Sorry Urban Decay, you fell short with me on these Stardust shadows!

[Editor's note: To intensify the pigment use a cream shadow or use with a damp brush. This will also prevent fall-off. If using dry, use a firm shadow brush and pat onto your eyes rather than sweeping back and forth. This will help pack on more colour and will give less fall-off. If you like a glittery finish, mix with a transforming liquid for a sparkly eye liner!]

Have you tried these shadows? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Want 'em? 


About Farah


"Mama Far" as she is called amongst her fellow Toronto beauty bloggers, is a talented makeup artist and founder of beauty blog, Faces By Farah. She is utterly sweet, warm and has the most gorgeous long hair! Be sure to check out her blog for great product reviews, beauty tips and her Sunday posts "You Go Girl/Boy!" where she features a must-know personality in the beauty, fashion and entertainment industry! Thank you Farah for your review! Stay tuned for more reviews from her!

Read Full Article...

Beauty News: Urban Decay Comes To Shoppers Drug Mart!



Calling all Urban Decay fans! Makeup Junkie got word that Urban Decay will now be available at Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutiques - we're still waiting to hear in how many locations across Canada.

The grand opening will take place on January 22, 2010 and UD International Makeup Artist and Worldwide Sales Director, Eric Jimenez, will be there showcasing the line's newest spring products! The NEW Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows will also be available there before anyone else gets it!

What: Shoppers Drug Mart Urban Decay Grand Opening: Spring Preview
When: January 22 - walk ins from 10-12
Appointments only from 12-6 (45 min each)
January 23 - 12-6 (by appointment only)
Where: Shoppers Drug Mart
3100 Garden Street, Whitby, ON  L1R 2G8
To Book: 905-430-6967

If you're in the Durham region or feel like taking a little trip out East you should definitely stop by to get your hands on the coveted Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows!



Read Full Article...

Spring Beauty Trend: Let Those Eyes Shine!

Give your eyes something to flutter about this Spring! Spring shadows are all about barely-there-shimmers to bright fun hues in sheer washes of colour. Put away the matte shadows this season because it's time to make those eyes shine!

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Flyin' Down To.., Samba-dy Loves Me, and Sippin' n Dippin' ($22 CDN): Crease-free, wear-resistant shadow is exactly what you need as the tempterature starts to rise (please rise soon!). I love Benefit's Cream Shadow/Liners and this season the three shimmery shades did not disappoint. L-R: Flyin' Down To... is a pretty orchid shimmer, a lovely choice to enhance hazel or green eyes. I've fallen in love this season with Samba-dy Loves Me, so appropriately named. The soft champagne-gold shimmer is such a great everyday neutral that brightens up the eye instantly. This is one colour that looks great with any shade of lip colour! Sippin' n Dippin' a metallic gold with peach undertones. If you have a lot of yellow in your skin already I would stay clear as it will make you look more sallow. Or else mix it with a contrasting shade to counteract.

Stila Precious Pearl Palette ($40 USD): Stila knows how to make a gal happy! Pretty makeup and pearls will make any girl feel fabulous. The lovely mother of pearl compact features six silky smooth iridescent eye shadows all infused with genuine crushed pearl. Pearl minimizes fine lines and leaves your skin looking youthful and radiant. It also contains healthy minerals and proteins which nourish the skin leaving it smooth and soft. All shades are highly pigmented and can be combined with one another for endless looks. The shadow colours are absolutely gorgeous and absolutely a must-have for Spring!

Urban Decay Cream Shadow in Whipped, Weeds, and Moonshine ($17 USD): If you're an Urban Decay fan then these gel-based cream shadows will be one to add to the list of faves! These weightless, silicone-based shadows will not budge all day and provide rich, blendable colour. Whipped is a golden-peach with gold micro-glitter. Weeds is a vibrant olive green with silver glitter. Moonshine is a pale silver with silver glitter. I also love the tube packaging and wand applicator. So transportable and easy to apply in a pinch! The only one drawback for me: I found the glitter finish a little strong for day and had to wipe off most of it which ended up all over my cheeks. If you're young and love glitter then you'll love it but if you're almost knockin' on 30 (ahem) save the glitter for the evening.

Have you tried these eye shadows? Love 'em? Hate 'em?

Read Full Article...

Holiday Look: Statement Lips


Ring in the New Year in a bold way! Nothing makes a statement like a kiss-me-red pout. Whether it's a siren red or a deep burgundy, there is a shade and texture for every gal!

1. Stila Paint Your Pout Red - The Talking Palette ($45 USD): Where would a makeup junkie be without Stila's fabulous talking palettes? With a press of the button and step-by-step instructions, all makeup newbies will be able to achieve the perfect red pout! This handy palette contains a lip primer, 3 red lip colour shades, and a lip brush! Custom blend for the perfect shade or wear each on their own. Dab on the lips as a stain for the day and layer on thicker for bold night time lips. I love how long-lasting the lip colours are and the primer helps prevent bleeding and feathering. Just throw this compact palette in your favourite clutch for touch-ups before the clock strikes 12!


2. Urban Decay Lipstick in Gash ($22 USD): It may not be the prettiest name but Gash is a sexy blood red! I LOVE this lipstick! This full-coverage lipstick with sheen goes on rich and smooth. I always get compliments when I wear this lipstick. It's a lovely deep shade and looks amazing with a gold or bronze eye. The packaging is just another fabulous element to these lipsticks. The tubes are made from purple metal and pierced with a mini gunmetal dagger which is used to twist the lipstick up and down. Embossed in the actual lipstick is the Urban Decay logo and a little dagger. Every eye will be drawn to this lipstick and your lips!


3. Tarte Berry Couture Rise and Shine Berrylicious Lipstain ($35 USD): If you're worried about your lip colour leaving its mark, stick to a lipstain that will last you sip after sip or smooch after smooch! This has been one of my go-to lippies for a day of shopping or a holiday party. I just love the deep wine stain it leaves on my lips. The berry lip plumping gloss is a perfect compliment but I like to use the shimmering deep mauve gloss from Tarte's Purse Your Lips over it instead. My lips can't handle the stinging sensation of a plumping gloss! Give your cheeks the same berrylicious flush as your lips with the Cheek Stain! The combo together looks so pretty and polished. The best part of Tarte products are that they are all natural so you can feel good about slicking these lovelies on!


4. Face Atelier Lip Glaze in Shiraz ($20 CAD): Still unsure if a bold lip is for you? Go shiny and sheer in a beautiful deep burgundy like Shiraz. Face Atelier Lip Glazes are super shiny like glass with a moisturizing finish. The frosted slanted tube makes the application a breeze! The colour is sheer but still noticeable. I found the gloss lasted for a while and left a nice stain on my lips after the shine had worn off. To prevent a gloss from bleeding, I like to use an invisible lip liner!

For tips on how to wear red lips check out our Makeup Junkie Holiday Makeup 101: Red Lips post!

Read Full Article...

Makeup Junkie Urban Decay Set Winner!

Many apologizes again for the late announcement - I was having some problems with my laptop but all seems good again! The winner of the 2 Urban Decay Best of Urban Sets are:

Kerry!!

Congratulations! You will be contacted via email for your mailing address. Makeup Junkie hopes you enjoy this wonderful beauty prize! Again, we thank you to everyone that left a comment! I wish everyone could win but we promise there will be more chances in the New Year for more prizes!!

Read Full Article...

Makeup Junkie "Best In Bath & Body 2008" Survey Winner!

Many apologizes again for the late announcement of the Stila and Bobbi Brown beauty prize winner! I did not realize the survey was scheduled to close at midnight and we still had readers filling out the survey. Well, without further ado the winner of the Best In Bath & Body 2008 survey is:

Denise!!


Congratulations!! We hope you will enjoy this amazing beauty prize! Makeup Junkie is a fan of both Bobbi Brown and Stila and we know you will be too!

Thank you again to everyone that has participated! We wish we could send prizes to everyone but if you weren't a contest winner we have one more prize to give away! We will be giving away Urban Decay's Best of Urban Set in Baked and Spandex! All you have to do is leave a comment with your email address saying you want it! Easy right? Winner will be announced Wednesday, December 17 at 12 pm! Good luck!

Read Full Article...

Makeup Junkie Holiday Gift Guide 2008: The Gift of Pretty Palettes!


Ready-made palettes take the guess work out of deciding what colours to match with what. Sometimes a girl just doesn't have time go through the beauty stash to create a look. Palettes are definitely convenient and offer a variety of fun looks!

Every woman should own a basic black dress, a basic blazer, and basic black pants. The ultimate basic every woman should have is Bobbi Brown's Basics Eye Palette ($52 CAD)! Love, love, love this palette! I've used this lil' lovely palette for bridal work, business events, and for nights that call for a serious smoky eye.


L-R: Navajo, Cement, Heather Mauve Shimmer Wash, and Mahogany. For a simple day look, apply Navajo all over, Cement on the lid, Heather Mauve Shimmer in the inner corner, and Mahogany as a liner. Want to bump it up a bit? Swipe Navajo all over, Cement in the crease for a subtle contour, Heather Mauve Shimmer on the lid and inner corner, and smudge Mahogany in the lash line and outer crease. For some night time drama, swipe Mahogany all over lid, into crease, and bottom lash line. Add Heather Mauve Shimmer to the inner crease and corner. Top off with loads of mascara! You can also use Cement or Mahogany as brow powders depending on your hair colour.

Another absolute basic must-have is Bobbi Brown's Basic Lip Palette ($52 CAD)! Can't decide if it's a lip gloss or lipstick day? Wear both! Swipe on a lipstick and a shiny gloss on top or wear each individually. The handy mirror and lip brush make it easy for quick touch-ups.

L-R: Posey Shimmer Lip Gloss, Naked Lip Gloss, Brownie Lip Color, Rum Raisin Lip Color. Universally flattering shades that can take you from subtle to dramatic. This palette is the perfect compliment to the Basic Eye Palette. The glosses have sheer colour and a non-sticky texture. The lipsticks go on creamy and the colour is highly pigmented and long-lasting. I love using Posey to highlight the lips! You can't go wrong with a few basics!

Additional Bobbi Brown Holiday sets:

Lip and Eye Palette: This limited-edition, double-decker palette includes new and exclusive shades of high-shimmer Metallic Eye Shadow and comfortable, long-wearing Creamy Lip Color. Comes with a Mini Eye Shadow Brush and Mini Lip Brush with cap.

Lip Gloss Trio: Tucked inside a golden copper faux-leather case you'll find three beautiful shades of gloss: a medium, golden pink; a pale glittering pink; and a pink beige with golden shimmer.

Moon Rock and Night Sky Long-wear Eye Palette: This celestial-inspired palette includes two NEW and exclusive Long-Wear Cream Shadows - the warm Gold Drop and the steely Mineral Dust - to impart a pretty shimmer to lids, Long-Wear Gel Eyeliners in Espresso Ink and the NEW, exclusive Black Topaz to beautifully define eyes.

Velvet Plum Eye Palette: The perfect day-to-night palette with everything you need to create two different eye looks. Includes a dual-ended Mini Eye Shadow/ Eye Liner Brush for professional application.

Tube Tint Sets: Our signature Tube Tints Set includes Lip Tint SPF 15 and Shimmer Lip Tint SPF 15 in four shades that flatter all complexions.

Metallic Eye Shadow: Add a festive touch to your look this season with Bobbi's limited-edition shades of Metallic Eye Shadow, featured in the Party Collection.

Glitter Lip Gloss ($25 CAD): Featured in the Party Collection. Infused with light-reflecting flecks of glitter, this gloss gives lips a high-shine and high shimmer look that's perfect for any party and evening soiree. Stay tuned for my review!

Copper Diamond Cosmetic Bag with Brushes: When space is premium, downsize with the Copper Diamond Cosmetic Bag featuring four Mini Brushes - Blush, Eye Shadow, Ultra Fine Eyeliner and Lip (with protective cap).

Glitter Lip Balm: A mix of pearl and glitter pigments make lips glisten as it moisturizes and comforts. Comes in a convenient mirrored flip top compact. Available in three shades, including new Pink Crystal featured in the latest Copper Diamond Look for Holiday.

Copper Diamond Beauty Kit: Bobbi's iconic accessory, updated for the holidays in golden copper faux-leather. This structured, multi-tiered case is sized to hold makeup and skincare essentials.

Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick ($50 CAD): Featured in "W" Magazine (Nov 2008). Sparkle this season with Bobbi's NEW Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick Compact. Five gorgeous shades — candlelight, gold, copper, beige and sand — work together to give skin a warm golden copper glow. Stay tuned for my review!

I love this concept of Stila's talking palettes! Stila Surprise and Shine - Record A Message Talking Gift Palette ($40 USD) has a great little microphone where you can record a special message! It's such a sweet little surprise for anyone. I had my lil' guy say "I love you mommy" and every time I use it I hit play just to hear his adorable voice. It's also perfect if you're traveling - you can keep that special someone close by with the hit of a button!

Packaged with a chic little ribbon, this limited edition palette includes (L-R): Nude (base - warm ivory), Wheat (lid- pearlescent beige), Espresso (liner - shimmering grey brown, and Peony (warm nude). Stila shadows are fabulous!! The textures are velvety-soft and the pigments are gorgeous! You can play around with the shades and customize to your beauty style. I love Peony Convertible Color for lips and cheeks. It's the perfect neutral. On lips, I like to add Stila Lip Glaze in Grapefruit for some yummy shine. Add a personal touch to gift-giving this Holiday!

Looking for a gift fit for a Makeup Junkie? Urban Decay's Book of Shadows ($45 USD) is the perfect gift! One of my favourites of the season, this palette comes complete with 16 eyeshadows, 8 best-sellers and 8 exclusive new shades only found in this palette! The 2 premium brushes will help you swipe on shadows like a dream and the travel size Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion will keep those shadows from creasing or fading! Urban Decay is a brand known for its cutting-edge trendy designs. You can expect a visual treat of 3D pop up UD graphics and a handy mirror so you can apply your makeup anywhere! I will have to pick up the normal size Eye Primer Potion! My shadows stay put all day, no creasing, no fading, and no smudging!

This was a hit with the ladies at the Chick Advisor Shop Crawl after-party where I did mini make-overs! The variety of colours suit any skin tone. The shadows are rich and blend smoothly onto the skin. There's a shade for every mood your in. My favourite? All of them! A must for Urban Decay junkies or an Urban Decay virgins!

Top Row: Goddess, Shattered, Absinthe, Protest, Shakedown, Roach, and Scandal
Middle Row: Best-seller Midnight Cowboy, Best-seller Baked, Smog, Sidecar, Gridlock, Perversion, and Last Call
Bottom Row: Grifter and Mayhem

Know a gal that enjoys the luxuries of a princess in one little box? Benefit Primpcess - Glamorous Eye Primping Kit ($38 CAD) is all a girl needs to get primped up and glamorous! Kit includes: boi-ing 02 concealer, creaseless cream shadow/liner in r.s.v.p., 3 powder shadows: for contouring, accenting & lining, BADgal mini mascara, eye bright instant eye brightener, brushes galore & a beauty lesson.

Top Row: Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in R.S.V.P., Beige shadow, Sparkling Pink Shadow, and Dark Brown Shadow
Bottom Row: boi-ing Concealer #2 and Eye Bright Instant Eye Brightner

Love Benefit's line of Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liners! R.S.V.P. is a sparkling champagne that you can apply all over as a base or use to highlight in key areas for a radiant look. The kit comes complete with a mini beauty lesson for accenting, contouring and lining the eyes with these velvety shadows. I like using the boi-ing Concealer #2 to even out the skin tone on my eyes but it's a little to light for my under eye. To make it work, I used the concealer first then applied a natural foundation over top. I've used the Eye Brightner before and I got an allergic reaction from it. I didn't use it but I've heard it works well for other women! It's the perfect little box for that glamorous girl-on-the-go!

Additional Benefit Holiday sets:

24k Sexy Gold Set ($36 CAD): With a golden embossed clutch, a sheer gold 24k lipstick & a complementing, golden loose powder to adorn her eyes & cheekbones... this gift is the ultimate status symbol! Limited edition.

Peace, Love, & Glossiness ($30 CAD): What gal wouldn't want not one gloss... but SIX glosses? These are our most coveted colors all in one special set. Perfect for the gal who changes her gloss as often as she changes her mood! Stay tuned for reviews!

Best of Benefit: Sexy Stash: Sexy stash includes Benefit's sassiest faves: thrrrob, our pulse-racing pink face powder, that gal, our brightening face primer & BADgal lash, our lavish black mascara for sexy lashes.

Best of Benefit: Beauty Uppers: These little uppers: dandelion, our brightening face powder, benetint, our rose-tinted lip & cheek stain, & you rebel lite, a defiantly different tinted moisturizer, are all wrapped & ready to go!

Being a beauty addict doesn't mean you have to have makeup scattered everywhere! Beauty Addicts brand of cosmetics provides sleek, chic, and convenient compacts for those addicts who want a simpler life. The Express Eye Shadow Quad ($35 USD) is an essential palette of beige, rose-golds, bronze and browns for casual elegance.

This palette includes a base shade, accenting colour, lid shade and liner. The colours suit any skin tone and work for a variety of beauty looks. Shadows are highly pigmented and long-lasting. Excellent palette to dress up your prettiest holiday outfit!

Compliment those eyes with the ExpressLips Quad ($28 USD)! ExpressLips is a dazzling combination of luscious textures infused with shea butter, aloe vera, Vitamin E, and a hint of wild berry essence. Layer over one another or wear on its own.

These shades of beige, rose golds, and browns will keep your lips shimmering! Textures are smooth and non-sticky. A holiday essential for gals who want subtle elegance!

Read Full Article...

Makeup Junkie Holiday Gift Guide 2008: The Gift of Rockin' Eyes!


There'll be no waiting in line for you this Holiday with Urban Decay 24/7 Travel Size Set in VIP ($29 USD)! This rockin' eye liner set includes Urban Decay's best-selling bright and tropical hues. 24/7 liners are ultra smooth, creamy and water-proof. They glide on the lids like a dream and stay put all day! The pigments are unbelievably rich and the metallic finish makes those peepers shine! These versatile liners can define the eyes with a subtle shimmering neutral shadow or applied all across the lid layered underneath a shadow for staying power and intensity.

L-R: Lucky (brilliant deep copper), Electric (bright aquamarine), Covet (peacock green), Lust (plush purple), and #1 best-selling black pencil, Zero (zealous black). All 5 liners are gorgeous and will make those eyes pop! So get your party-on and shake it into the wee hours of the morning this Holiday!

Additional Urban Decay Holiday sets:

Book of Shadows Palette ($45 USD): A palette of sixteen eye shadows: eight best-sellers and eight exclusive new shades found only in this palette. This is the largest palette Urban Decay has ever offered! Also includes 3D pop-ups, two premium brushes, and a travel size of the best-selling Eyeshadow Primer Potion. Stay tuned for my review!

Luxury Lipstick Cap ($15 USD): Urban Decay's Limited Edition Deluxe Lipstick Cap is a swanky alternative to your standard Urban Decay Lipstick Cap. This lipstick cap is definitely eye candy and a collector's item! Made of an incredibly durable material, Zamac, the Deluxe Lipstick Cap is designed to last for years! Stay tuned for my review!

Eyeshadow Vault + 6 Best-selling Eye Shadows ($96 USD): The gorgeous palette features Urban Decay artwork of metallic purple flourishes, hearts and skulls flowing from a pistol. The silky black cover is easy to clean and snaps tight with a magnetic closure. Flip it open to reveal a gigantic mirror — perfect for a tabletop makeover. Give it as a gift, or keep it for yourself. Fill up the other 10 slots with UD Shadows already in your collection. Includes:
- Goddess (glittering midnight blue)
- Uzi (metallic silver sparkle)
- Last Call (plum)
- Midnight Cowboy (pink champagne with glitter)
- Mildew (deep metallic green)
- Half Baked (subtle, lustrous bronze)

24/7 Travel Size Set of 5 - Velvet Rope ($29 USD): The Velvet Rope set features Yeyo (metallic white), 1999 (plum with teeny gold glitter), the #1 best-selling black Eye Pencil, Zero (zealous black), Bourbon (brown with teeny gold glitter), and Stash (dark green/gold).

Best of Urban Set ($32 USD): This set includes Baked Heavy Metal Glitter Liner (bronze), Half Baked Eyeshadow (subtle, lustrous bronze), Bourbon 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil (brown with teeny gold glitter), Eyeshadow Primer Potion (ultra-sheer nude eye base).

Urban Essentials ($39 USD): The eyeshadow colors are Goddess Eyeshadow (midnight blue with lots of electric-blue microglitter) and Midnight Cowboy Eyeshadow (subtle golden-beige with gold glitter). This set is the only place to get the oversized bottle of Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

Sustainable Shadow Box ($39 USD): A set of ten dynamic eyeshadows, an eyeshadow brush, and a travel-size bottle of Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

Your eyes will be inked in perfection with Stila's Eyes & Shine Smudge Pot Trio Gel Eyeliner ($32 USD)! These are for sure a must-have in my kit! The trio includes Stila's top-selling Smudge Pot shades in Black, Bronze and Gray plus a travel-size liner brush.

Each shade gives you a sultry, smoked, and smudged finish. Works amazingly layered underneath powder shadows for more depth and lasting-power and looks lovely winged out for a glamorous finish. This gel formula glides on like butta' and blends beautifully. A must for die-hard smudgy liner fans!

Additional Stila Holiday Sets:

Stila Blockbuster Set ($150 USD): A set that contains 21 classic Stila products.

Shine On Gift of Glaze ($28 USD): Vanilla (pearly nude), Brown Sugar (shimmering golden nude), Raisin (New! shimmering golden plum), Grapefruit (frosted pink), Apricot (melon nectarine), Gumdrop (New! vibrant pink). Stay tuned for my review!

Step Out And Shine - Color Collection and Clutch ($50 USD): A Sephora-exclusive color collection packed in a stylish clutch that includes the new Pomegranate Crush Lip and Cheek Stain!

Surprise and Shine - Record A Message Talking Gift Palette ($40 USD): This gift palette features a complete look - three eyeshadows and a lip and cheek color, and also lets you record a personal message. Stay tuned for my review!

Puurfect Eyes - The Talking Palette ($45 USD): A four-pan palette that features everything you need to create the perfect cat eye.

Cargo's Boogie Nights Eye Pencil Set $18 USD (mind drifting...Dirk Diggler...Mark Wahlberg...drool...) will bring back those disco nights! It is a dazzling set of 5 pencils encased in a sleek cigarette case great for on-the-go application. These shining liners have little flecks of glitter to make your eyes stand out. I don't usually like glitter liners because I find the glitter rough and falls onto my cheeks, but these pint-size liners do the opposite. The glitter flecks are very fine and the pencil glides on smoothly.

The colours are fabulously sparkly and fun! All 5 shades will suit any skin tone and any festive mood you're in!

Additional Cargo Holiday Sets:

Holiday Nights Collection ($25 USD): This set features Holiday Nights Eye Shadow Quad, Blush, Boogie Nights™ Eye Pencil as well as Face & Body Sparkle.

Read Full Article...

Makeup Obsession: Creamy, Waterproof Eyeliner Pencils


I always had a hard time working with pencil eyeliners. Often, the line would end up too thick, uneven and tugged like crazy on my poor, delicate eyelids. For the longest time, I stuck to gel liners and liquid liners, finding that they gave me more control and had much more colour payoff. About a year or two ago, I was looking for a bright blue eyeliner to pair with a bronze eye and on a whim, decided to go with those shiny new Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils. I heard the formulation allowed the pencil do to just what the name suggested- glide on smoothly. Even better, it was supposedly waterproof. I was still skeptical, but Electric was the exact colour I was looking for, so it was worth a try. When the little, bright teal pencil arrived, I tried it on immediately and fell in love.



I later found out that Make Up For Ever offers a similar type of pencil. Like the Urban Decay pencil, it had this super smooth consistency that allows it to glide on your eyelid like butter. The colour payoff is amazing and true to its claim, it actually is waterproof and lasts all day. A few of those found a home in my beauty arsenal. These miracle eyeliners reunited me with pencil eyeliners, allowing us to put our differences aside and start what would be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.


The only downside of the Urban Decay and Make Up For Ever eyeliners were the price. At $16 US/$18 CDN a pop, they did not make my wallet happy. Thankfully, the great goddess Sephora heard my concerns and it wasn't long before Sephora Flashy Liners made their way into Sephora stores across North America. In 10 gorgeous shades, no less! The Flashy Liners, only $8 US/$10 CDN each, work just as beautifully as their more expensive counterparts at almost half the price! Flashy Blue is rather similar to Urban Decay's Electric and Flashy Copper and Flashy Brown look gorgeous on tanned skin. I own 8 of the 10 available colours and love every one of them.

Read Full Article...

Adventures of a Makeup Junkie: When Packing Your Entire Stash is not an Option (Part Three)


This is the final installment of the three part beauty trilogy about my quest to bring only one medium sized makeup bag full of product with me on a five week trip away from home (and away from my makeup stash!) The quest was not an easy one, but I managed to slay my indecisiveness and select my makeup must-haves for the next five weeks. You already know my picks for eyes and lips, here are my necessities for the face.

1 Blush and 1 Bronzer
Mascaraholic picks: Cargo Bronzer in Medium ($26 CAD) and Cargo Blush in The Big Easy ($26 CAD) The idea of using the same colour blush everyday will be a hard one to get accustomed to, but I only have so much space! The Big Easy is a flattering peachy pink that gives you the right amount of glow and Cargo's famed Bronzer in Medium provides a sun-kissed look without being muddy or orange like most bronzers. Hate shimmer? Cargo offers a matte version that looks just as great!

Foundation, Concealers & Face Powders
Mascaraholic picks: Everyday Minerals Foundation ($12 US), Everyday Minerals Mint Concealer ($8 US) & MUFE High Definition Microfinish Powder ($32 CAD) Everyday Minerals Intensive Foundation in Light Neutral is my perfect summer foundation. Liquid foundations either melt off or clog my pores in the summer and Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup was way too shiny and made me itchy. Everyday Minerals provides me with great coverage, lasts pretty well on my oily summer skin and best of all, doesn't break me out! Plus, mineral makeup has built-in sun protection because the titanium dioxide defends skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays. Still, that's no excuse to skip your daily sunscreen, especially if you're going to be out in the sun all day! The Mint concealer, worn under the foundation, masks the redness on my nose and cheeks without making me look like a martian. MUFE's Microfinish Powder keeps shine at bay and provides a lovely, soft focus finish!

Primers & Etc.
Mascaraholic picks: Urban Decay Primer Potion ($18 CAD), Tarte Clean Slate ($38 CAD) and Korres Watermelon Sunscreen Face Cream SPF 30 ($40 CAD) Does the eyeshadow you apply every morning fall victim to oily lids and crease like no tomorrow within an hour? Then you and I have something in common, my friend. Urban Decay Primer Potion saved my eyes from looking like an oily, gross mess! It keeps my eyeshadow from creasing, makes the colours more vibrant and helps eyeshadow last all day! Tarte Clean Slate does the same thing for my face (almost). The clear primer smooths out my skin and makes my pores less noticeable, plus it helps with mattifying and making my mineral makeup last longer. And the most important product of all, sunscreen. I wear it religiously and refuse to leave the house without it. I tried a sample of Korres' sunscreen in Sephora's Sun Safety kit last year and loved it so much that I bought a full size tube. It doesn't make me too shiny and it doesn't break me out. Smells great too! (If you don't want to spend $40 on the sunscreen, I just noticed that the Summer Essentials Kit has a full size sunscreen plus a cooling gel and body scrub for $28.21 CAD! Seems like a way better deal, huh?)

Now that I've shared my picks for eyes, lips and face, what do you think? Am I overdoing it? Am I underdoing it?

Read Full Article...

Adventures of a Makeup Junkie: When Packing Your Entire Stash isn't an Option (Part One)


There comes a point in every makeup junkie's life where they have to spend some time away from their beauty arsenal. Packing for a vacation or an extended trip away from home is never an easy task. Most women have a hard time deciding what clothes to bring. Me? I can't decide which products to bring! Next week, I'll be hopping on a plane and flying away to study in another glorious part of Canada for five whole weeks. Picking out a handful of products for a one or two week trip, while difficult, is manageable. But how am I supposed to know what I'll be in the mood for three weeks from now? Four weeks from now? Looking through my stash, I'm met with a plethora of options, with each lipstick, shadow and blush screaming "Take me! Take me with you!" and while I hate for any of my makeup products to feel unloved and ignored, taking them all with me simply isn't possible (unless my airline changes their policy to allow three checked suitcases).

My challenge? Fitting everything I need into one, medium sized makeup bag. There are numerous things I need to take into account - I'll need to have appropriate colours for both day and night-time looks, items must be summer-friendly and be able to stand up to hot, humid weather (products with SPF are plus) and lastly, I want to incorporate some fun, summer trends into my everyday look. I went deep into my beauty closet and after an hour of deliberation, I emerged with my final choices for my trip. I only picked what I considered to be absolute necessities (and every makeup junkie has quite a few!)

This adventure in beauty will be a trilogy. Up first are my picks for eye makeup. Coming soon to this very blog will be the lip products followed by cheek and face products that made the cut.

2 Eyeshadow Palettes: Colours and Neutrals
Mascaraholic picks: Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box ($43 CAD) and MAC Eyeshadows in Ricepaper, Goldmine, Woodwinked and Mulch ($16.50 CAD each)
The Urban Decay palette is chock full of beautiful, pigmented colours. If you bring an eyeliner brush, the brighter shades double as eyeliner which is perfect for giving a neutral eye a pop of colour. The MAC shadows (which I keep in a quad) work together to make a beautiful gold or bronze neutral eye. Increase the intensity of Mulch in the crease and outer corner of the eyes for a smokey eye that you can wear in the evening. Ricepaper and Scratch (from the Urban Decay Palette) look great on the inner corners of the eye, especially on mornings after a late night of studying (or partying).

3 Eyeliners: Black and Peachy-Nude
Mascaraholic picks:
Stila Smudge Pot in Black ($25 CAD), MUFE Aqua Eyes in Mat Black 0L ($18.50 CAD) and Tarte Rest Assured Brightening Wand ($25 CAD)
I love colourful eyeliner as much as the next beauty junkie, but on this trip, my Urban Decay palette has me covered. I use the Smudge Pot, which is a gel liner similar to MAC's Fluidliners to line my eyes and MUFE's Aqua Eyes is the only liner I have encountered that stays put on my lower and upper waterline. Tarte's Brightening Wand is my secret to looking wide awake at early morning lectures. On one end is a peachy nude eyeliner that looks much more natural than white eyeliner for lining your lower waterline. The other end holds a creamy pink highlighter for dabbing on the inner corner of your eyes. I prefer to use it on my cheeks for a well-rested glow.

1 Mascara:
Black
Mascaraholic picks: Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! ($26 CAD)
I cannot rave enough about this mascara. It provides me with lush, thick, glossy lashes and it never clumps or flakes. Last year, Tarte had a waterproof version of this and I really wish I bought more than one tube because it was fantastic and perfect for the summer. However, the original is still fabulous. I tend to alternate between two to three mascaras at any given time (after all, I am a mascaraholic) and Light, Camera, Lashes is the sole mascara that I always have in rotation. That's how much I love it.

What are your vacation necessities? Would you bring more eye products? Less?

Read Full Article...
Related Posts with Thumbnails
My Zimbio