I always love trying out new eyeshadow palettes.
I get excited about a lot of makeup items, but eyeshadow palettes are different. They feature numerous shades, different themes, and a variety of options to wear it. It’s not like a foundation or lipstick where once you try it you get a good idea of how it works, with a palette, there are infinite ways to wear it.
Anyways, you can imagine my excitement when I got the new Lancome Monsieur Big Metallic & Matte Eyeshadow Palette, which is a huge heart-shaped palette that opens up to 12 eyeshadows. This Polly Pocket-esque palette features three different looks that you can put together or mix and match for a variety of different ways to wear it.
The shade range in here definitely leans more towards the romantic side, with lots of neutrals, pinks, and browns. I tend to gravitate towards those shades anyways, so I was excited to see a whole palette devoted to them.
Although Lancome split up the looks to make it easy for you (they also included notes of how to wear the colours), I tend to mix and match when I’ve used this palette and even layered some colours together. Since you get a variety of different finishes in here, it’s a nice versatile palette to have in your collection.
As for the quality of the shadows, they are are pigmented and have a long wearing power and won’t crease on you as you wear them. I’ve always been a fan of Lancome’s formula (I actually went to them for my grad makeup so many years ago), so I knew this palette would be hit.
I’m actually surprised that this came out now since the shade range and the fact that it’s a giant pink heart leans more towards a Valentine’s Day theme, but if you’re looking for a great date night palette, this would be a good one to pick up.
What shades do you like when you look for new palettes?
Please note, products sent by PR. All opinions are my own.
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Today’s post definitely has some nostalgia.
I used to be a YSL Beauty die hard. Back when I started this blog I was a huge fan of YSL’s Rouge Volupte lipsticks, then my love for their Shocking mascara and Touche Eclait became so real that I would drop ridiculous amounts of money on their product in bulk since we didn’t have a counter here in Winnipeg.
Fast-forward a few years and my local Sephora now carries YSL and my makeup collection has grown from a Caboodle carrying case to a whole IKEA dresser full of products. Although I’ve tried many lipsticks over the years since I purchased my first YSl Rouge Volupte, the brand and those lipsticks still remain near and dear to my heart.
Anyways, this leads to me to today’s post when I received a box of goodies from L’oreal’s luxury brands and one of the items in there were the new YSL Beauty Water Stain Lip Stain (C$49). These lip stains are a water-enriched, lightweight stain that delivers pigmented colour with a glossy texture and a comfortable wear.
Available in 15 different shades, the brand graciously sent me six shades to try out, all in bright colours of reds and oranges. This product is actually 40 per cent water and contains gliding oils to provide hydration and comfort on the lips.
Now I’m not actually a big fan of lip stains since I prefer a more traditional lipstick as opposed to something that makes my lips look like I just ate a popsicle, but these do give off a different vibe that other ones I have tried. For instance, although it’s definitely a stain and it’s for sure made of water, it doesn’t feel as thin as other stains I have tried. To me it’s more of a lipstick/stain hybrid. It’s also not impossible to remove and doesn’t leave behind that – for a lack of a better word – stained look on the lips. Also, for something that does give off a glossy look, it’s also not that sticky… I mean if you’re walking outside and it’s windy, your hair will stick to it, but just wearing it you won’t notice that your lips stick together.
As mentioned, I did receive six different shades of reds and oranges, and truthfully, I didn’t notice a huge difference between the colours. I get that these were summer colours but I wish that the brand would have chosen a variety of different shades to send out (I know, beggars can’t be choosers and I’m honoured that they sent me these to begin with). I will also note that I did have to reapply these often throughout the day (after eating and drinking) since they tend to wear out and you’re left with the colour around the lip area but faded in the middle.
Overall, coming from a girl that doesn’t like stains, I actually didn’t mind these. You can tell these are a more high-end product and that it’s different from the other YSL Beauty products I have tried. I would love to give these a try in some of their lighter shades as I would definitely get more wear from them as opposed to the red or coral, but hey, it’s always good to have some options in your beauty collection just in case I feel like going bold one day.
Are you a fan of lip stains?
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Without a good bronzer, did you summer skin actually happen?
Okay, so obviously in theory most of us get a great tan (I don’t, but bless self tanners!), but a great bronzer will help define your features and add a nice sun-kissed look to your skin.
I have a ton of different bronzers in my collection in all formulas and price points, and honestly, I can never get enough of this beauty product. Bronzers are so multifunctional and definitely a must in anyone’s collection. Best of all, you really don’t have to break the bank when picking one up as there are so many ones out there to choose from.
I recently got in two new ones and since they are different price points, I wanted to show you that just because it’s expensive doesn’t mean that it might outperform its drugstore counterpart.
Marc Jacobs Beauty O!Mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan
This giant bronzer from Marc Jacobs Beauty recently joined the O!Mega family, but this time in a coconut scent!
Limited-edition in two shades, this oversized bronzer (C$65) delivers micro-fine, jet-milled powder that blends seamlessly into your skin for a matte finish and a “I just spent all day in the sun” kind of look. The original O!Mega bronzer came in a black compact with one shade, whereas this one has two to choose from in a noticeable white compact. There’s two shades to choose from as well, Tan-Tastic (a more neutral bronze), as well as Tantalize (a warm deep bronze).
I got Tan-Tastic and absolutely love this bronzer. It leaves a nice natural finish on the skin, so it looks like the sun graced my skin as opposed to an actual bronzer. This particular palette also has a light coconut fragrance to it, so it instantly puts you in a summer mood as soon as you open it.
Compared to other more luxury bronzers I’ve tried lately (the Fenty bronzer and the Dior DiorSkin one), I do feel like this gives off more colour and although it’s pricey, you do get a lot of product (although I will note that some of the reviewers on Sephora are saying it’s actually hollow between the product and pan). I think that the shade Tan-Tastic, which is the one I got, would suit a number of skin tones and I love how natural it looks on the skin. It really does give you the perfect amount of coverage on the first try and if you want to build it up, that’s totally doable as well.
NYX Cosmetics California Beamin’ Face and Body Bronzer
On the other side of the spectrum is the new NYX Cosmetics California Beamin’ Face & Body Bronzer. This giant bronzer (I don’t know what it is about bronzers and brands making them XL) is available in six different shades and features a satin finish.
This bronzer also goes on nicely, although I will note that you may want to apply it with a little bit of a lighter hand since I found that it does a really great job at dispensing the product (although to be fair, I was sent the shade The OC, which is on the darker side).
This bronzer delivers the perfect contour of sun-kissed glow, and at only C$13.99 (on sale right now for C$6.99!), you’re getting great value with this one (especially since it’s so big!). I will note though that this does have a hint of shimmer in it, so if you are looking for something more matte, I would look elsewhere.
So if I had to choose one over the other? I do think that the Marc Jacobs Beauty one gives you a more natural-looking glow, but the price point between them is different that if you’re looking for something more affordable, the NYX California Beamin’ is a great contender.
Please note, products provided by PR. All opinions are my own.
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