Maybelline is pulling out all the stops this month.
The drugstore beauty brand is releasing basically every product you can think of as part of their spring 2016 collection. In addition, they are also coming out with new items to add to the Maybelline family as well, such as a makeup primer spray, eyeshadow primer, contour kit, and liquid matte lipsticks.
I received a full box of new Maybelline goodies before Christmas, and with all the items here, there was enough products to do a full face of makeup (well everything except for a concealer). New to the lineup is new formulations on fan favourites, as well as popular products that are now making their way into the drugstore scene.
Dream Velvet Soft-Matte Hydrating Foundation is their first gel-whipped foundation. Dream Velvet whips a fresh gel into a velvet-soft texture. Complexion is perfected and smoothed with a soft-matte finish, while skin stays hydrated for 12 hours. Available in 12 shades.
Maybelline also released a Dream Blender, which is a sponge similar to the Beauty Blender. Unfortunately I didn’t receive that guy to try out with the foundation, but this product does blend quite nicely. Definitely a daytime foundation.
Master Contour Palette by FaceStudio includes a blush, bronzer, and highlight. I believe this is Maybelline’s first contouring kit, which adds structure to your cheekbones with a matte bronzer, a blush to add some colour to the cheeks, and a highlight to add value to pronounced points on the face. This kit (available in two shades) retails for SRP C$15.99.
Master Fix by FaceStudio Wear-Boosting Setting Spray is a weightless translucent formula that locks in makeup with an invisible layer that guarantees no melt-down or colour fade, with no retouching. This is the second drugstore makeup setting spray that I know of and I’m so glad that brands are finally coming out with their own affordable versions. This retails for SRP C$15.99.
The Rock Nudes palette is the newest palette in their nude eyeshadow collection. This one delivers the same versatile range of shades perfected by the original and Blushed Nudes favourites, with 12 new hues from matte to glitters. Retails for SRP C$17.99.
Brow Drama Pomade Crayon is a unique product that delivers a creamy, waterproof formula in a portable, easy-to-use chubby stick. This innovative crayon shapes, fills, and fixes all at once. Available in three shades for C$11.99.
Lash Sensational Luscious Mascara has a fanned reservoir brush that captures every lash and fans them to extremity. The conditioning formula has a blend of saffron, rose hip, and argan oil to offer unexpected care to your smokey eye. Retails for an SRP of C$10.99.
Master Precise Skinny 1.8 MM Gel Liner Pencil is the first precise-tip liner pencil featuring a long-wear gel formula. The automatic tip provides an intense glide and smooth colour payoff with waterproof wear. Available in three shades, Defining Black, Sharp Brown, and Refined Charcoal for SRP C$11.99 each.
Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil in Nude is the sixth shade in the range, promising the same easy glide and long wear as its sisters. This shade is a must, as it’s perfect for the waterline, opening up the eye area. Retails for SRP C$11.99.
EyeStudio Color Tattoo 24HR Concentrated Crayon is a fan favourite in a new formulation! This chubby stick is portable and practical, but packs a punch of colour with tattoo-like tenacity. Available in 10 shades with double-coated pigments in every swipe to provide an intense result with a smooth cream base for application. SRP of C$8.99.
Master Prime 24Hour Shadow Maximizing Base contains a colour-grip formula to hold pigments in place, making any shadow a 24-hour formula. Retails for SRP C$10.99 and is the first eyeshadow primer that I know of that brand has released.
Vivid Matte Liquid Lipsticks is a line of 10 liquid lipsticks that dry matte. You may have seen these already all over Instagram; they pack a punch of colour and stay on for hours. They also aren’t as dry as other liquid lipsticks on the market.
As you can see, there is no shortage of new products in the Maybelline spring 2016 line. In fact, there’s enough products to create a whole face. I couldn’t wait to dive in and start playing so I put a number of these to the test. Keep reading..
1. Starting with foundation, I applied the Dream Velvet Soft-Matte Hydrating Foundation in Porcelain Ivory with a foundation brush, making sure to buff it into my skin.
2. Next, with the Colour Tattoo 24Hour Concentrated Crayon in Creamy Chocolate, apply that all over the lid area, and then with your fingers, blend it out.
3. Technically I did this step before, but I forgot to take a photo (I pulled a different photo). To fill in the brows I used Brow Drama Crayon Pomade in Light Brown.
4. With the Rock Nudes palette, I grabbed the sparkly greyish gold colour on the bottom row with a flat shader brush and applied it on the lid area,
5. With a fluffy crease brush, I grabbed the matte dark grey colour right above it and blended it in the crease to smoke it out.
6. With the matte white, I applied this to my brow bone.
7. For liner, I used the Master Precise Skinny Liner in brown to my upper lash line.
8. Curl your lashes and then apply a couple coats of Lash Sensational Luscious Full Fan Effect mascara. Then, grab that dark matte grey colour and apply it to the lower lash line. Using the Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Liner in Soft Nude, apply this to your waterline and then apply mascara to your lower lashes.
9. Next I applied my concealer, which isn’t new, but I kept it in the family with the Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Concealer. To finish up the face, I used the Master Contour Kit in Light to Medium to contour, add blush and highlight.
10. For the lips I kept it light and nude with the Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick in Nude Flush.
11. To complete the look, I sprayed the Master Fix by Face Studio Wear-Boosting Setting Spray.
With so many new releases, I think that Maybelline was very ambitious this season. There are a few products I love and a few I just don’t get. The brow pomade being one of them. The product is nice and creamy, but the crayon is so thick. When I do my brows, I like using something that is thin and precise, basically the opposite of a crayon. Plus, the crayon is only good when it’s sharp, and since it’s a twist up, it will get dull quite fast. I think you would be better off using it with an angled liner that you swipe on the product, as opposed to just applying it directly from the stick.
Another product I would skip is the MasterPrecise Skinny Liner. When I first opened this product and twisted it up, the end actually ended up breaking off. This does give you amazing colour payoff and is smooth, but it’s just so small, this would be the ideal size for a brow pencil, not so much as a liner.
Other than those two, I was impressed with a number of products. I have always been a huge fan of their Color Tattoos, so when I saw the crayon formulas, I got very excited, as I found the pots to dry out quite fast, plus I hate getting product on my fingers. These you can just apply directly onto the eyes, no brush is needed.
I also really enjoyed the new Master Prime 24Hour Shadow Maximizing Base, which I didn’t use in this post, but I have used it for days when I’m just applying my makeup. This is coloured in the tube, but applies as a sheer neutral colour, perfect for any shade. I can’t think of too many drugstore eyeshadow primers, so this one is a must.
As for products that are part of existing collections, the foundation is alright. It’s definitely more of a daytime foundation as it has a medium-to-light coverage. It felt nice on the face and although it looks quite light in the photos, that colour did suit my skin nicely in real life. The new Lash Sensational mascara is another hit. I’ve always liked this line in general and this new one really does give you long, luscious lashes.
As for the other new products, like the contour kits and the makeup setting spray, I think these are both great products for the drugstore. I’m not picky about setting sprays in general, but at this price point, you really can’t go wrong. The contour kit was nice to use, I feel like the bronzer could be a bit more pigmented, as well, I would have liked a banana powder thrown in to add light to the face (in addition to the highlight).
There are a number of products in here that I definitely think are worth picking up. As I mentioned earlier, the Vivid Matte Liquid Lipsticks have been all over social media, and with good reason. These give you incredible colour in one swipe, and they really do last a long time. Also, they are quite comfortable on the lips and not as drying as other brands.
If you need new makeup for spring, now is the time to hit the drugstore cause Maybelline has you covered.
Will you be picking up any new Maybelline products?
Please note, products provided by PR. All opinions are my own.
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Three more months until spring. Yes, I’m counting down the days.
The sun may be staying out longer, but my skin is just getting drier. Although this winter hasn’t been as bad as past Winnipeg winters (thanks el nino!), my skin is still taking a beating. Skincare is important year round, but adding moisture to those precious pores is incredibly important during the harsh, cold winter months.
Although I do have a few favourite skincare routines and brands, I’m lucky that I get to try out loads of different things. As long as it doesn’t break me out, I’m usually satisfied. Skincare is fickle as there’s always the hottest, newest thing on the market. Anti-aging, blemish reducing, pore minimizing, you name it, it’s out there. The prices for these products also vary as greatly as the benefits they give you. Here’s the thing though, you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to have fantastic skin. Just because it costs $50 doesn’t mean that it would work for you.
I’ve had luck with loads of skincare, but I have two in mind that are different price points, but both deliver great results.
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream is an anti-aging cream, which visibly reduces the appearance of lines, boosts hydration & brightness. This guy retails for $33.98 for 48 grams at Walmart Canada (often goes on sale though, or P&G offers coupons). This is probably my favourite drugstore moisturizer as it left my skin nice and smooth, and best of all, clear. If you’re wondering why a 27 year old would use a anti-aging cream, it’s preventative. You want to stop the anti-aging early before it happens.
The moisturizer I’m currently using is the Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Creme, which can be found at Sephora. I only apply this at night (I use The Body Shop Oils of Life for day) and it’s an advanced cream that retexturizes while hydrating. The potent glycolic, lactic, and multi-fruit AHAs enveloped in nourishing primrose oil and shea butter visibly reduce wrinkles and retexturizes skin, so you wake up to dramatically softer, smoother, younger-looking skin. This moisturizer retails for C$62 for 1.7 ounces at Sephora.
In addition to a moisturizer, an eye cream is my other must-have for skincare. From the same brands, Olay offers the Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Eye Cream and Lash Serum Duo. Unfortunately this product has been discontinued, but I’ve always been a fan of it and I’m sure you can still find it at your favourite drugstore.
This double-ended product has a hydrating eye cream on one end with a nourishing lash serum on the other to give you the appearance of instantly thicker lashes, smoother lids, and softer fine lines and wrinkles in the eye area in just one week. Currently you can find it online at London Drugs on sale for C$17.99 (a bargain considering the regular price is $32.99!).
Right now I am using the Ole Henriksen Ultimate Lift Eye Creme (C$52), which is a multitasking hydrating eye cream that helps to restore firmness and diminish the look of lines and wrinkles. This eye cream is infused with a bio-peptide and hyaluronic acid complex, which leaves the eye area looking for lifted and refreshing.
Finally, and kind of related to skincare, if you’re not a foundation girl, but prefer the sheerness and skin benefits of a BB cream, there’s two products I highly recommend.
On the affordable spectrum, the Olay Total Effects 7 CC Cream is my favourite drugstore CC/BB cream. This guy colours, corrects, moisturizes, gives you an SPF, and reduces the appearance of your pores all in one step. Apply a small amount to your face for a sheer, but good coverage, plus loads of other benefits. I love wearing this during the summer months or for days when I want to wear very minimal, natural makeup. Although this is a drugstore product, it’s still quite pricey, but it’s on sale right now at Walmart Canada for C$19.97.
My new favourite BB cream is the which is a sheer-to-medium BB water with a liquid-silk texture that delivers multiple benefits in just one drop. The oil-free formulation has a built-in primer water technology that creates a liquid silk-consistency to glide easily onto your face and moves with the skin. This product is perfect for the outdoors as it has SPF 30 and is available in eight shades, which is rare for a BB cream (usually there’s one or two shades to choose from). You can find it at Sephora for C$50.
As I’m typing this I’m literally slathering on the hand cream cause my skin has been so dry. Good skincare is important year round, not just in the winter months, but make sure you take preventative measures to keep your face looking fresh, regardless of the price.
What’s your favourite skincare products?
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It’s finally here.
Every year there is one collection I look forward to the most: the Sephora + Pantone Universe Color of the Year collection.
For those not in the know, every year Pantone, the world’s colour authority, releases the Color of the Year, which is a shade decided by colour influences. Pantone’s colour experts comb the world, including looking at industries such as the entertainment industry and films in production, traveling art collections, and new artists, fashion, all areas of designs, popular travel destinations, as well as new lifestyles, play styles, and socio-economic conditions. The Color of Year, in turn, influences product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home furnishings, industrial design, product packaging and graphic design. Past colours include Marsala (2015), Radiant Orchid (2014), Emerald (2013), Tangerine Tango (2012), and the list goes on.
For the first time ever, Pantone actually chose two shades, which are meant to blend together. Pantone 15-3919 Serenity and Pantone 13-1520 Rose Quartz are a harmonious pairing of inviting shades that embody a mindset of tranquility and inner peace. Serenity comforts with a calming effect, bringing feelings of respite and relaxation even in turbulent times. Rose Quartz is a persuasive, yet gentle tone that conveys compassion and a sense of composure.
For the past few years, to complement to the Color of Year, Sephora teams up with Pantone Universe and releases a collection based on the star shade, as well as accompanying shades that are colour pairings. Usually the collections are quite vast, however, for this year, Sephora chose to keep it small with lipsticks (in each colour), and eyeshadow palette, and a set of glosses.
The Color of the Year Layer Lipstick (Rose Quartz) is a rich, velvety, hydrating lipstick that packs a punch of colour. The Color of the Year Matte Lipstick (aka Serenity – the blue) is meant to be mixed with the pink shade to provide a punch of colour.
Both lipsticks, sold separately for C$23 each, are incredibly opaque, and to be honest, aren’t that wearable on their own. Although I’ve always been a fan of – as I like to call it, “whore pink” or baby pink shades – this one is next level, almost on the cusp of a white pink shade, which will take a lot of thought into wearing it properly. Same with the blue shade. They are both quite bold, and although they aren’t as bad mixed together (keep reading to see how I did it), it’s a shame that they aren’t sold as a set, as neither are really wearable for everyday (or really, for most nights out, unless you have pastel hair). For photos though, they’re great. If you are looking for a good Instagram lipstick, pick these up.
The Modern Watercolors Eyes Palette (C$49) is a palette of 24 shimmer and matte eyeshadow shades. Of course you have Rose Quartz and Serenity, but they also threw in the colour pairings. According to Pantone, the pairing of Rose Quartz and Serenity bring calm and relaxation. This combo joins easily with other mid-tones, including greens and purples, browns and all shades of yellow and pink. You can also throw in silver or hot brights for more splash.
This palette is definitely perfect for spring since there are tons of pastels, as well as bright shades. The colours do go on a bit chalky, which is disappointing as I’ve used many other Sephora-brand palettes that give better quality shadows. This one will be pretty on your makeup table (it features a watercolour case), but if you are looking for wearable, quality shadows, I would skip it.
Finally, the Modern Watercolors Lip Gloss Set (C$35) contains six pastel lip glosses in Rose Quartz, Serenity, as well as complementary colours in Cantaloupe, Fox Glove, Pale Banana, and Sunlit Allium. These do apply quite sheer, so don’t be scared of the colours (no, the yellow won’t look yellow on your lips). These also feature sunflower seed wax and vitamin E for deep hydration and conditioning.
Both Rose Quartz and Serenity are definitely spring shades, as they both as pastels. I wanted to figure out a way to rock these lipsticks, so I went with a light grey on the eye and let the lips do the talking.
1. Fill in your brows then lay down a neutral eyeshadow primer (I used MAC Paint Pot in Nubile). Then, with a fluffy crease brush, lightly dab it into 16-2624 (Lantana – the coral orange) and apply it into your crease.
2. With a blending brush (I use MAC 217) and the colour 17-4111 (Citadel), apply this into your crease to darken it up.
3. With a shadow brush and 16-3802 (Ash), apply this to your lids.
4. With that same brush and 13-4201 (Oyster Mushroom, a shimmer grey), apply that over the matte grey you just applied to the lids.
5. Curl your lashes and apply mascara. I used Revlon Ultra Volume mascara.
6. With a combination of 16-3802 (the matte grey we first applied on the lids) and 17-411 (the shimmery navy we applied in the crease), apply this along your lower lash line. Then apply mascara to your lower lashes. For the inner corner highlight, I applied 11-0105 (Antique White), which I also put along the brow bone.
7. For the lips, first apply the Color of the Year Matte Lipstick (Serenity) to the inner corners of the lips. I actually first applied it all over the lips then took a tissue and wiped away the middle. After, with the Color of the Year Layer Lipstick (Rose Quartz), apply this to the centres of the lips, lightly blending it with the blue in the inner corner with your fingers for that ombre effect.
8. Since it was quite bright, I toned it down a bit with the Sunlit Allium gloss (the purple shade).
Overall, although I always love when Sephora releases these collections, and this one is definitely pretty to look at, it’s not the most wearable. The glosses and shadows are meant to be watercolour, so they are very sheer, and to be honest, nicer to look at than to wear. The quality of the lipsticks are amazing, but the colours aren’t the most flattering or wearable. With that being said, both lipsticks and the eyeshadow palette is currently sold out online. Also, according to Sephora.ca, these are online exclusives, which I find odd, since these collections tend to be quite popular. If you are interested in any of these items, check your local store for availability.
I think Pantone hit it on the head when they said that Rose Quartz and Serenity embody a sense of tranquility, as they are beautiful colours to look at, but when it comes to makeup (especially lip shades), they aren’t the most wearable, which is fine since I’ve always found these collections to be more like collector items than actually items you would wear everyday. If you’re like me and always look forward to this collection, these are a must. They are also incredibly Instragram-worthy :P.
Will you pick up any items from the Sephora + Pantone Universe Color of the Year 2016 collection?
Please note, I was send this product by PR. All opinions are my own.
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1. Starting with foundation, I applied the Dream Velvet Soft-Matte Hydrating Foundation in Porcelain Ivory with a foundation brush, making sure to buff it into my skin.
