If there’s one collaboration this year that is getting major hype, it’s the Maybelline x Gigi Hadid one.

Okay, maybe that’s not true, I can think of a number of collabs that everyone was freaking out about (cough Jaclyn Hill x Morphe). Anyways, in the mainstream beauty world, the Gigi Hadid x Maybelline collaboration has everyone on the edge of their seat waiting for it to hit stores and pick up some products.

Officially launching in stores on December 5 (it was available for presale on Amazon.ca and Walmart.ca as of November 17), this collection consists of nine items designed by international supermodel and spokesperson Gigi Hadid.  Hadid split the collection into two looks based on her hometown, LA, and her current city of residence, New York, for two distinctly different makeup styles.

New York Glam embodies the edgy, urban glam of the concrete jungle, and LA Glow reflects the effortless, relaxed California lifestyle. The collection consists of two mascaras (Fiber and Wing), a liquid liner, two pencil liners, two eyeshadow palettes, two tinted primers, two liquid highlights, two brushes, and six lipsticks. I know that she also has some master palettes which house a variety of different products, but I’m not sure if those are available here in Canada.

The packaging on each product is distinct to this limited edition collection. It’s a millennial pink package with her name and handwriting in gold and white. To be honest, when I first saw it it reminded me of the KKW Beauty stuff, as it’s pretty much identical. Copycat aside, I love this packaging, it looks very high end and I’m excited to store it in my makeup collection as it’s so luxe.

So first up are the star products of the collection, the eyeshadow palettes and brushes.  I’m gonna say right off the bat, I really do love everything in this collection. It’s all so pigmented and creamy that it’s tough to think it’s a drugstore brand.

Available in either warm or cool, the two palettes (C$16.99 each) are inspired by Hadid’s classic go-to natural eye look. Each palette contains five natural, glitter and matte shades.  New York Glam is the cooler of the palettes, the one with pinks, purples, and shimmery silver neutral colours. LA Glow has some warmer shades in copper, pinks, and mauves. Both palettes are incredibly pigmented and creamy. You only need to tap your brush into the palettes to get major colour payoff.

Speaking of brushes (C$12.99 each), she came out with two for this collection (not sure if Maybelline even does brushes in general). The eye contour brush is the angled one that is narrow, so you can contour your eyelid crease. To be honest, I’m not a fan of this shape for contouring as I prefer more for a fluffier brush. Instead, I use this one for undereye colour and brow highlight. The other brush is a normal shadow brush, which I really like. Both of them have that rose gold/millennial pink casing and are uber soft.

To finish off the eyes, Hadid did an assortment of eyeliners. The Gigi Lasting Drama Liner (C$12.99 each) comes in either black or nude. Since these are a gel formula they are incredibly creamy, and the colour glides on with even the lightest touch (seriously, I’m so impressed with this formula).  Use the black to line your upper lash line and the nude for the waterline.  The black is also great to smudge out since it’s so creamy and plush.

If liquid is more your thing, the Gigi Master Precise Liner (C$12.99) is the perfect black liner to create a sharp cat eye.  I actually used this liner in the photos below and was incredibly impressed with it. The tip is very pointy so it helps to create a precise line and it stays on and doesn’t smudge or wear away. To finish up, apply a couple coats of the Gigi Fiber mascara (C$14.99), which I absolutely love.  First curl your lashes, then apply a coat of the mascara, then a coat of the fibres, then lock it in with another coat of mascara for a false lashes effect. I’m a huge fan of fibre mascaras in general, so I was super pumped when I saw this product.

For the face, she has released two tinted primers (C$12.99 each), one in light medium and the other in medium deep. Since I’m clearly light medium, I used that in the photo below and was actually surprised with how well this worked on my face. It is tinted, so if you aren’t a big makeup girl, then this is really all you need. I’ve been using it with just some powder over top (and concealer of course), and have found that I get really nice coverage. Maybelline also recommends the medium deep formula for a naturally contoured effect. Just apply it on your forehead, below your cheekbones, and the bridge of your nose to create some depth.

Finally, there’s two Gigi Strobe Liquids in warm and cool (C$14.99 each). These are a liquid highlight that I like to use layered underneath a powder highlighter. They aren’t the most show-stopping highlight I’ve tried, but if you’re looking for a nice glow then these are a nice option.

The collection also has another mascara, as well as six ColorSensational matte lipsticks, four of which I received (I’ll be doing a separate post on those). Like I said earlier in this post, I’m incredibly impressed with the selection and pigmentation on all the products in here. The only thing I would change would be that contour brush, but again, I definitely found a way to use it aside from actually contouring.

I know these products are currently available for preorder on Amazon.ca and Walmart.ca. You can also find them on Ulta’s site, however, everything I looked up was sold out. Since Maybelline is widely distributed at drugstores nationwide, I don’t think it will be too hard to find these products, although if you have your eyes on certain items, you may want to snatch them up right away.

Will you be picking up any items from the Maybelline x Gigi Hadid collection?

Also, don’t forget to enter my Body Shop 24 Days of Beauty advent calendar giveaway!

Please note, products provided by PR. All opinions are my own.

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Since I’m Jewish I always get major FOMO during the holiday season. When I tell people I love Christmas, they always get confused and say, “wait, but you don’t celebrate it…”. True, but that doesn’t mean I can’t love the music and the lights, and pretty much everything else about the holiday (don’t get me wrong, I love Hanukkah too, but since Christmas is so in your face everywhere you go, it’s kinda hard to ignore it).

Anyways, I’ve always gotten jealous that I never got one of those cute advent calendars that count down the days until Christmas with chocolate. Not sure what this has to do with the actual holiday itself, but it’s such a gimmicky thing that I would totally be down for. Well my friends, 2017 is my year.

The Body Shop was kind enough to send me their 24 Days of Beauty advent calendar (C$69, with a value of C$154) to help me prepare for all the holiday parties. There are a few different advent calendars that The Body Shop is offering up this year, but this one contains winter skincare, seasonal scents, makeup, and more.

Each day opens up to a different Body Shop mini product, whether that be one of their body butters, an eyeliner, a bar of soap, or a lip balm (plus other surprises!).  Even better, each panel contains a challenge for the day, and the proceeds from each advent calendar goes towards International Alert, a London-based non-profit charity that focuses on peace-building activities.

Now I don’t want to completely show you what’s in the calendar, since one lucky reader will be winning one for themselves (don’t want to ruin the surprise!).  To enter, you must be Canadian and over the age of majority in your province or territory. Contest closes on November 29, 2017!  Enter via the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please note, this post is sponsored by The Body Shop, however I did not receive any compensation aside from the sample product. All opinions are my own.

Well guys, it’s happened. We are full-fledged into the holiday season. This past weekend I hit up the shopping malls and the decorations were out and the holiday music was playing through the speakers.  I know there are tons of people who hate shopping malls during this time of year, but I personally love it! There’s nothing like getting in the holiday mood than a mall for me.

One of the first things I check out when I hit up the stores? The holiday collections!  Now, for nails, the holidays means lots of pale pinks, reds, and glitter! Sally Hansen’s new Miracle Gel Winter in New York collection embodies all these colour choices.

This collection, as part of their Miracle Gel line, has five shades, all of which are different shades of pinks and reds. Miracle Gel is a two-step system and is an at-home gel manicure with no light needed. First you apply two or three coats of Miracle Gel colour to each nail (no base coat needed!), then apply one coat of the Miracle Gel Activator Top Coat to seal it in. The polish is cured by natural light so there’s no need for a UV or LED lamp. Because of the formula, you may notice that you get a longer wear on the polish before it starts to chip or peel. These also retail for a little more than a normal polish at C$11.95 each.

Anyways, back to the collection… I really like the colour choices in this collection since they are so festive and romantic. I always love pale baby pinks and there is a stunning one in here (Regal Rose, which has a subtle silver glitter). Terra Coppa is a festive glittery rose gold which would be perfect on a regular mani or accent nail, and Mauve-olous is a beautiful neutral colour in a creme formula that is perfect to transition from day to night. As for the reds, Can’t Beet Royalty is a beet-coloured creme, and Red-y Set, Run is the best shimmery red to rock on Christmas morning.

* Can’t Beet Royalty

I really think Sally Hansen did a good job in colour choice for this collection. Since pale pinks and red really transcend any season you can totally rock these later on into next year as well.

Will you be picking up any colours from the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Winter in New York collection?

Please note, polishes provided by PR. All opinions are my own.

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• The easy gel mani: Sally Hansen Instagel strips 
• Fast and dry: Poshe Top Coat