TopShop Lipstick in Macaroon

Hey guys!

I read quite a number of blogs on a daily basis and a few of those are UK based bloggers have raved about TopShop makeup so when a friend and I went to downtown Toronto, I made it a point for us to stop by their store. As a self confessed lipstick lover, I immediately went to their makeup stand and started swatching their lip colours. I picked up two lipsticks and am sharing one of them in this post...

Favourite Look of the Week: Taupe-y Grey

I honestly haven't given much attention to the shadow "verve" from my UD Naked 2 palette so I decided to wear it when I had a girls' day with a friend. I always seem to use the same shades and do not experiment with other shades as much. Will have to do more exploring with my palettes!

For this look I used the following:

Too Faced Shadow Insurance to prime my lids

Maybelline Color Tattoo in "Too Cool" as a base

"Verve" from UD Naked 2 all over the lid

"Tease" from UD Naked 2 in the crease

"Busted" from UD Naked 2 for outer third of the lid

L'Oreal Extra Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner for lash line and water line

CoverGirl Natureluxe Mousse Mascara 

What eye looks have you been wearing lately?

Nail Of The Week: Essie Mink Muffs

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For this week's nails I am wearing one of Essie's classic shades, Mink Muffs. I would describe Mink Muffs as a glossy chocolate brown with a hint of taupe. This shade is a prime example why Essie is my favourite nail polish brand because of its rich, creamy and glossy finish. I am wearing 2 coats of the polish for the pictures in this post.

What are you wearing for this week?

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Recent Empties Vol. 3

Hey guys!

I feel like it's been a long time since I've written a "Recent Empties" post! It always seem to take me a while to use up a product which is kind of weird to me as I tend to use the same products on a daily basis. Anyways, here are the products I've used up!

Lush Herbalism Cleanser Review

Hey guys!

Today I'm sharing with you guys the first facial cleanser I have tried from Lush Cosmetics! I have written time and time again that I have acne prone skin and was in the quest of finding the products that would suit and help my skin in fighting acne especially the winter time. Did Herbalism work for me? Let's read on...

Nail Of The Week: Blue Swirlies

Hey guys!

For this week's nails I decided to create a summer inspired design as summer is fast approaching. I have said many times before that I love winter and snow but right now I'm looking forward to the coming months because that means a vacation. These past couple of weeks have just been stressful and kind of exhausting so I really can't wait for a vacation. Anyways, I used Essie's Turquoise and Caicos as the base and Nicole by Opi's Khloe Had a Little Lam-Lam for the design with the use of Konad's m65 nail plate.

What do you have on your nails for this week?

Origins 'Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask To Rescue Problem Skin' Review

Hey guys!

I have written before that because of the changing weather in my area, my skin has been acting up and breaking out badly. Thankfully, my skin has finally adjusted to the freezing weather and my acne is under control (with the occasional mini bumps here and there) and I credit this mask in helping improve my skin. So for today's post, I am sharing my thoughts on this mask!

MAC Archie's Girls Lipstick in Daddy's Little Girl Review and Swatches

Hey guys!

Today I'm sharing with you one of MAC's newest lipsticks from the Archie's Girls Collection in the shade Daddy's Little Girl. I remember reading the Archie Comics when I was younger and being fond of the whole gang. Anyways, this is the first limited edition lipstick I purchased with the special packaging which makes it all the more fun and exciting for me. The packaging is Valentine appropriate with the white background, Archie in between Betty and Veronica (swooning over him) and the little hearts. 

Daddy's Little Girl is officially described as "mid-tone pink purple" from the MAC website. This shade is quite opaque with satin finish which is not my favourite because this type of finish sort of flakes on me, but I can deal with as I adore the colour! When I was looking at swatches online, I thought this would be more of a fuchsia shade but in actuality is a blue based purple with some pink. 

Here is an arm and lip swatch

Overall: This is a great alternative to fuchsia shades for a little bit of uniqueness that the plum-my purple provides. Satin finishes kind of flakes on my lips so I make sure that I moisturize well before wearing them. Daddy's Little Girl wore for about 5 hours on my lips before needing re-application and left a little bit of stain after removal.

Price: $18.00
Place to buy: MAC Cosmetics

Nail of the Week: Simple Heart Nail Art for Valentine's Day

For this week's nails I decided to create just a simple heart design to celebrate Valentine's Day using my Konad Nail Stamp kit. I used Sally Hansen in Cherry Charisma as a base for the design and used Sally Hansen white polish for the stamped design.

What are you wearing this week?

MAC Matte Lipstick in Russian Red Review and Swatches

Hey guys!

Since Valentine's Day is in a few days I though I might share with you a red lipstick that you can wear while celebrating the occasion. MAC Russian Red is my all time favourite red colour that I wear most often during special occasions.

Russian Red is officially described as "intense bluish red" and is one of MAC's classic lipstick colours. The pigmentation for this shade is really opaque and intense that stays on for long hours. This shade has blue undertones so it can help the teeth appear whiter, which is a plus! Russian Red has a matte finish so it can dry out the lips a little bit but not overly drying that it's uncomfortable to wear.

Here is an arm and lip swatch

Overall: I highly recommend this classic red lipstick from MAC for different skin tones as it's not too bright, too dark. This lipstick lasted a good 5 hours on me before I made minor touch ups. It should be noted though that because of the matte formula, this lipstick can stain even after removal.

Price: $18.00

Place to buy: MAC Cosmetics

February 2013's Topbox

Hey guys!

Today I'm sharing with you the contents for this month's Topbox. A few weeks ago, Topbox has given it's subscribers a chance to choose whether they want to receive a Prive Box (from Benefit Cosmetics, Lippy Girl, or Miracle 10) or a regular box. Since I am in love with Benefit, it was a no-brainer and I had chosen their Prive Box. Let's take a look at the items I received!

Nail of the Week: Soft Pink Hearts

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Here is a simple nail art idea for the upcoming Valentine's Day that I thought to share with you guys. I used Essie's Ballet Slippers for the base, added a layer of Wet n Wild's Hallucinate and topped 2 hearts per nail using Kleancolor's Twinkly Love.

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What do you have on your nails this week?

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in R.S.V.P. Review and Swatches

And my love for Benefit Cosmetics continues.....

Today I have for you a review of the Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in R.S.V.P. that I recently bought that quickly became a part of my go-to make routine. Let's take a look....

Favourite Look of the Week Vol. 6

Hey guys!

I feel like it's been a while since I posted a favourite look in this blog so here's the look that I've been wearing this week. I'm trying to be more creative and have been experimenting with using more than one "all over the lid" colour and see which will work. Here's the look I came up with using my Naked 2 palette.

For this look I used the following:

Too Faced Shadow Insurance - prime the lid

"Chopper" from Naked 2 - inner third of the lid

"Half-Baked from Naked 2 - middle third of the lid

"Blackout" from Naked 2 - outer third of the lid
"Naked" from Naked 1 - crease

Wet n Wild Megalast Retractable Eyeliner in Blackest Black - upper lash line and waterline

Maybelline The Colossal Volum Express Cat Eyes - mascara

What eye looks have you been wearing lately?

Nail of the Week: Argyle Nail Stamp Art

Hey guys!

How is your week going?
It's been a gloomy couple of days here in my neck of the woods with snow and freezing rain which is kind of depressing. Anyways, for this week I decided to use my Konad Stamping Kit and chose this argyle print design. I used Klean Color in Concrete Grey as the base and the Konad white polish for the design.

What do you have on your nails this week?

Lush 'Cosmetic Warrior' Fresh Face Mask Review

Hey guys!

I'm sorry I was sort of MIA last week, it was such a busy week with my work and personal life so I didn't have time to write but I'm back with a review.

The change from warm to cold (even freezing sometimes) weather has been hard on my skin that caused major breakouts prompting me to take a look at my skin care routine which has been working steadily during the warmer months but has not adjusted on the colder months. I decided to change up my skin care routine from being chemically filled to being more organic and visited a Lush store. Once at the store, I learned that the brand is offering varied products from moisturizers to facial cleansers and the ones that caught my eye are their fresh face masks. I was recommended by an employee to try out their Herbalism Facial Cleanser and Cosmetic Warrior Fresh Face Mask as they promise to help troubled skin. This post is my experience with Cosmetic Warrior...

MAC Matte Lipstick in Pink Pigeon Review, Swatches and Photos

Hey guys!

Today, I have yet another MAC lipstick to share with you. I've had Pink Pigeon for almost a year now since the Iris Apfel Collection came out but never featured it in my blog because it's limited edition. This shade was re-promoted in the Strength Collection so I thought to share my thoughts about this lipstick.

Pink Pigeon is officially described as "bright cleanest pink" in the MAC website. I would say that this is a bright magenta but not over the top, "in your face" bright. I love that this is a bold yet wearable pink that can be worn during a bright and sunny day. This lipstick is a matte finish but has a smooth texture, opaque in one swipe and comfortable to wear.

Here is an arm and lip swatch

This lipstick lasted for about 5 hours (with eating and drinking) before needing re-application. Also, it can stain even after removal.

Price: $18.00 CAD
Place to buy: MAC Cosmetics

MAC Matte Lipstick in Party Parrot Review, Photos, Swatches and Comparison

Hey guys!

I am so excited to write a post for this lipstick because I feel like it's a long time coming! I have been lusting for MAC Lipstick in Party Parrot ever since the Iris Apfel Collection last year but I sadly missed out on it, so when it was re-promoted in the Strength Collection I knew I had to snatch it right away.

MAC Party Parrot is officially described as a "bright red pink" with a matte finish. Looking at the lipstick tube itself and the swatch below, this shade looks like a neon and very intense.

Since Party Parrot and Impassioned are always touted as dupes I thought I'd do a comparison of the two lipsticks. The one on the left is Party Parrot and the one on the right is Impassioned. From the swatches below, any difference is hardly noticeable except for the finish. Party Parrot is a matte finish while Impassioned is an amplified creme (somewhat glossy) finish. Also, Party Parrot is a true neon while Impassioned is almost a neon.

MAC Party Parrot and MAC Impassioned

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Price: $18.00 CAD

Place to buy: MAC Cosmetics

Nail of the Week: China Glaze Get Carried Away

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Hey guys!

For this week's nails I am wearing a polish from China Glaze's Cirque Du Soleil Collection, Get Carried Away over a Sally Hansen's Black Out polish. Get Carried Away is a sheer black with small black and silver glitter, black and orange hex glitter, and black bar glitter. I put a layer of Sally Hansen polish in Black Out to achieve opacity of the base and see the glitters more clearly. 

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What do you have on your nails this week?

January 2013's Topbox

Hey guys!

For today's post I am sharing with you the contents of my Topbox, January 2013 edition. For those who are new to Topbox, it is a Canadian monthly subscription which costs $12.00 plus tax, that provides 4 - 5 high end beauty products. For this month's box, all the products included are from Clinique. Let's check it out!

MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Apres Chic Review, Photos and Swatches

Hey guys!

Today I have with you one of the lipsticks included in MAC's Apres Chic Collection, the shade Apres Chic. This lipstick caught my eye when I was browsing swatches of the collection from a blog and just adored the uniqueness of it without being over the top.

MAC Apres Chic is officially described as "pinky brick red" with a cremesheen formula which means it's very build-able. This shade is a warm, medium-toned pinkish orange-red which sounds complex but is actually a very wearable red. 

Here is an arm and lip swatch

 As with any other MAC lipsticks I own, this wore for about 3 - 4 hours before needing re-application. Also, either a hot pink or red lip liner can be worn underneath to change the lipstick's undertone for different looks.

Price: $18.00 CAD

Place to buy: MAC Cosmetics 

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Stereo Rose Review, Photos, Swatches and Comparison

Hey guys!

For today's post, I would like to share with you one of MAC's most hyped up cheek products, the Mineralize SkinFinish in Stereo Rose. Read on to read my thoughts

Nail of the Week: Sally Hansen Brisk Blue

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Hey guys!

For this week's nails I am wearing Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri Polish in Brisk Blue with a simple nail art by stamping. This polish shade caught my eye when I was at the drugstore with how vibrant and bright this sky blue colour is in the bottle. This is one of my first polishes from the Insta-Dri line and would most likely not be my last as I'm really liking this formula. I only painted one coat for these swatches with the use of their wide brush and it dried quickly.

What do you have on your nails for this week?

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