Red lipsticks… the bain of my existence.
I can’t even begin to tell you how many red lipsticks have graced me with their presence in my years of blogging. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against red, but I just don’t gravitate towards it (I’m always worried it’s smudged or on my teeth). Okay, well sometimes I do, and truthfully, whenever I choose to sport it, I always get a ton of compliments since there’s something about red that is so magical. It’s eye-catching, it’s sexy, and it’s bold. It’s almost like a confidence booster and whenever i wear it I definitely feel my spirit lifting up.
If you are a red lipstick fan, then you’ll love Dior Beauty’s new Rouge Ultra Care lipsticks. These lipsticks, available in both a lipstick and liquid lipstick formula, is the brand’s first weightless-wear lipsticks that are infused with skincare and flower oil to nourish lips both in real-time and over time.
Available in 21 shades for the lipstick and 25 shades for the liquid version, this lipstick promises up to 12 hours of wear with pigmented colour that feels weightless on the lips. The formula includes camelina oil to hydrate, almond oil to soothe, and shea butter to moisturize.
The brand sent me two shades each of the lipsticks and liquid lipsticks to try out and the first thing I noticed was the beautiful red packaging. When you open the lipsticks, they feature CD written on the tops in white, which is actually infused with camelina oil and a derivative of natural-origin jojoba to hydrate and moisturize lips. The lipsticks are a pearly matte finish, whereas the liquid lip colours come in a satin or matte finish depending on the shade.
Both products glided on the lips and delivered pigmented colour with one application. They both retail for C$49 each and come in a variety of shades (mostly on the darker and red spectrums).
So which formula would I choose? I really loved the applicator on the liquid versions but I think I would actually go with the lipsticks themselves since the liquid version doesn’t dry down matte. I did find I had to reapply it throughout the night (it did stay pigmented but after eating and drinking it definitely needed a bit of a touch up as the colour was looking a little dull).
I really love how Dior came up with a moisturizing lipstick as I’m always on the hunt for something that gives me amazing colour but also nourishes my lips as well. I think the formula on these are really great and definitely recommend checking them out. Here’s hoping they come out with more shades soon (like some nudes!).
What do you look for in a lipstick?
Please note, products sent by PR. All opinions are my own.
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It’s crazy to think that Kat Von D Beauty has been around for so long and didn’t release a mascara until this year.
I guess they were just perfecting the formula or something since their debut mascara product, Go Big or Go Home (C$30), just came out a couple months ago. This mascara is an extreme-volume vegan mascara that is powered by plant-based fats.
Housed in a rather thick container in the brand’s signature black shade, this mascara features a thick wand with wavy fibre bristles to catch and coat each lash for voluminous eyelashes that look thick and fluffy. In true Kat Von D style, it only comes in their Trooper Black shade, which is a high-pigmented black, guaranteed to give you stand-out lashes.
Since the formula is vegan, it contains olive and sunflower oils instead of the usual beeswax which is often found in mascara formulas. I actually like the formula, and truthfully, you won’t notice a difference between this one and your other non-vegan mascaras.
So my thoughts on the mascara? I think it does an okay job. I definitely have other mascaras that I prefer to this one, but I do find the wand to be a little large for my liking. I like smaller ones that allow me to coat through each and every lash. I find with bigger wands it’s tougher to really get to the base of the lashes. This one isn’t too bad and I actually found it a little more impressive than I thought it would be.
If you are looking for a vegan mascara then I think this would be an amazing option to look in to. The brand also is featuring this mascara in a few of their holiday sets, so now would be great time to grab it (and get some bonus items for a little more!).
Do you use vegan makeup products?
Please note, I received this product from PR. All opinions are my own.
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When it comes to makeup, sometimes the superstars in your collection are the items that are the most invisible.
Gone are the days of the basic makeup routine. Everyday my personal routine looks like this: primer, foundation, concealer, setting powder, eyeshadow primer, eyeshadow, mascara, sometimes eyeliner, bronzer, blush, highlight, setting spray… And that’s on a quick day.
You may not think you need a primer, setting powder, or setting spray, but having used these products for years and years now, they really are the all-stars in my makeup routine. These items help smooth out skin, set your cream products, and overall help your makeup last longer.
When it comes to primers, powders, and setting sprays, you definitely don’t need to spend an arm and a leg for a good product, but lately I’ve been digging some of these more higher-end items to help my makeup look just as flawless morning to night.
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer
Great makeup starts at the base.
The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer (C$68) is definitely one of the most expensive primers in my collection, but it really helps my skin glow.
This primer, which melts into your skin, helps hydrate and blur the look of imperfections to prep your skin for a flawless application. In case you aren’t familiar with why you need a primer, think of it this way: these primers work the same way as a nail polish base coat or an actual paint primer; they help to smooth out skin for the perfect foundation application.
This particular primer is perfect for the cold-weather months we have coming up since it will keep your skin hydrated all day long thanks to the shea butter, rice bran, and glycerin.
Now I know what you’re thinking, do you really need a $68 primer? An item that you don’t even see on the skin. The answer is of course no. But, I will say that this primer leaves skin looking and feeling amazing and if you’re looking for a treat, then I would make the investment and pick this up. You won’t be disappointed.
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Poreless Finish Airbrush Powder and Illumination Compact Powder
I’ve been using multiple forms of IT Cosmetics’ Bye Bye line of products for years now but I don’t think I have tried their powders… until now.
The Bye Bye Pores Poreless Finish powders come in a variety of formulas, but we are going to start first with the loose version, the Airbrush Powder (C$40). This powder is a loose translucent setting powder that minimizes the look of pores and reduces shine on the skin. Apply it over your cream foundation and concealer products to smooth the look of your skin and protect against free-radical damage which can cause skin inflammation and aging. The formula includes silk, collagen (to support skin elasticity for a youthful-looking appearance), and antioxidants.
I have tried this product as both a setting powder and baking and think that it works better for just setting your makeup. When I used it to bake my products I found that it did settle and left a little bit of white behind when I went to brush it off, so I wouldn’t recommend using it in that method. As a setting powder though, I think it does a wonderful job and you cause either use the puff it comes with, your brush, or a beauty sponge to apply it.
Now we all know that loose setting powders tend to get everywhere (especially when you travel with them), so if you are more of a compact person, then take a look at the Bye Bye Pores Illumination Powder (C$40).
This pressed powder not only sets your makeup, but it’s infused with their Drop of Light technology to give the look of glowing skin. The formula also contains silk and collagen to smooth out skin and provide a youthful-looking appearance.
Since this powder is also translucent it’s perfect for just about any skin tone. The illumination isn’t too dramatic, just subtle enough to give you that “lit from within” glow.
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
I think Urban Decay’s All Nighter Setting Spray was the very first setting spray I ever used.
Now that was way back in probably 2011 or 2012, when setting sprays were just becoming a thing and Urban Decay was one of few brands actually offering them. Since that time, it’s seems like most makeup brands have come out with their own setting sprays and since I get to try so many different products, I haven’t gone back to the original.. until now.
Now available in an extra-large bottle (C$50), this iconic setting spray locks in makeup all night (or day) long. Once you are done your makeup routine, shake the bottle up and then spray it in an X and T motion to set your makeup for up to 16 hours. The formula is vegan and dispenses the product in an ultra-fine mist, which you wouldn’t think would be a big deal, but having tried so many setting sprays over the year, this is definitely something that makes a difference in how I enjoy the product.
Of course there are so many primers, powders, and setting sprays out there right now, at all different price points. I think these items do a really great job and if you are looking into treating yourself a little, I would take a look at picking these up. Don’t forget, makeup starts at the base, so it helps a little to have these items be the unseen heroes behind your makeup routine.
What’s your favourite primer, setting powder, and setting spray?
Please note, products supplied by PR. All opinions are my own.
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