Magnefique! Essie RepStyle collection

From shatter to nail stickers to magnets to even liquid sand, beauty brands are transforming the way we wear our polishes.  I absolutely loved OPI’s Black Shatter when it came out because it was so fun to play around with, same with the Sally Hansen nail strips, where you can get fun patterns without the effort.

I have yet to get into the magnet phase because, truth be told, I’ve never really been a fan of the effect.  It seemed really cool in theory, you paint your nails, hold a magnet over top, then it transforms before your eyes! Except, I’ve never really liked the pattern it creates.

Essie has been on a roll with their collections recently and their new one, RepStyle, is something a little different.  A play on words, RepStyle is all about using the magnet to create a fun, snakeskin effect (reptile, repstyle, get it?).  I don’t like the wavy pattern that most magnetic polishes create, however, this one intrigued me because I’ll never say no to animal print.

I tried the colours RepStyle, a hypnotic desert bronze;  and Snake, Rattle and Roll, a venomous, oxidized silver.  There are also four more colours:

  • Crocadilly – a croc hunter green
  • Little Boa Peep – copperhead titanium
  • Snake It Up – a pewter pave python
  • sssssexy – a striking, scintillating sanguine

The process is simple.  Start with a base coat, then apply two coats of the polish, then hold the magnet over the polish.  Sounds simple right?  Well unfortunately, I found that it didn’t work more often than not.  Maybe I’m not doing it right, or maybe there was something wrong with the formulation, I don’t know because only some nails had the pattern then others didn’t.

RepStyle

I followed the instructions, painted one coat on each nail, then after a second coat I would hold the magnet over my nail for five seconds, then move onto the next finger and repeat.  I would even try holding the magnet a little farther away or right over the nail (which actually got polish on the magnet because my nail would accidentally hit it).  At one point, I even knocked over the polish bottle and got the stuff on my pajamas.   Not going to lie, it was a bit of a messy process.

When the effect does work, it’s really beautiful and almost looks a little holographic even.  I’ve tried it three times now and every time it’s hit or miss.

Snake, Rattle and Roll

Essie: wicked collection in theory but maybe a little more direction is needed on how to actually use it (like a QR code you can put on the bottle that you scan with your smartphone taking you to a YouTube video), or maybe it should have been tested out a few more times before it was released to the public.  Regardless though, both colours that I tried were beautiful on their own without the effect, however, for the extra few dollars you are paying for the product, I would expect it to work a little better.

Have you tried any colours from Essie’s RepStyle collection?  What were your thoughts?

Please note, I was sent these products for review purposes, however, all opinions are my honest own :).

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The Holiday Collection: Make Up For Ever All Eyes On You set

Makeup collections and palettes are definitely the best bet when it comes to getting the best bang for your buck, especially around the holiday season.  I mean you can’t just buy someone a $30 mascara and call it a gift; you have to throw in a few items to make it a set.

Pro brand Make Up For Ever released their All Eyes On You set recently for the holiday season that comes with essentials and some of my favourite items.

The set includes:

  • HD High Definition Powder Microfinish Powder
  • Aqua Eye Waterproof Eyeliner in 0L (matte black)
  • Aqua Eye Waterproof Eyeliner in 21L (grey)
  • Smoky Lash Extra Black Mascara
  • Aqua Cream waterproof cream colour in #16

I have a few of these items already, and in fact, the only product I haven’t tried was the MUFE Smoky Lash mascara.  Both the HD Microfinish Powder (which lasts forever) and Aqua Eyes eyeliner are some of my fave products, so if you are looking for something for a makeup junkie, this is it.

From top to bottom: MUFE Aqua Eyes eyeliner in 21L, MUFE Aqua Eyes eyeliner in 0L, Aqua Cream in #16

MUFE Smoky Lash wand

This set may be missing some other essential items for eyes like eyeshadow, but you can actually do a lot of different looks with what it comes with; anything from day to night.  For some extra help on what to do, the back of the box includes a handy step-by-step guide for those completely lost.

The Aqua Cream colour that the set comes with looks pink in the jar, but it’s actually quite sheer once applied. As a result, it’s a really pretty highlight colour.  I love Aqua Creams because they are just so creamy to work with and they are waterproof, so you know that the product isn’t going to budge.

I decided to create a few different looks using this set just to show how versatile it is.

Daytime look – I often like to just keep my makeup simple for the daytime.  Throw on a cream eyeshadow with a heavy winged liner and some mascara and I’m out the door.

Lips: MAC Naughty Saute with Victoria's Secret Slick Shine gloss in Secret Crush over top

1. After you apply your foundation and concealer, tap some of the Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder into the lid of the container and using a powder brush, sweep this all over your face, setting your makeup.

2. Using the Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream #16, apply this all over the lid area and into the inner corner of your eyes.  You can use a brush to apply this, I just used my finger.

3. With the Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes liner in 0L (matte black), line your upper lash line winging it out.  I did a thicker line because I wanted a cat eye effect.

4. With the Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes liner in 21L (grey), line your lower lash line, connecting it to your upper lash line at the outer corners of your eyes.  Also, don’t apply this near your inner corner because we want to still see the Aqua Cream we applied there; it gives the illusion of a brighter eye.

5. Curl your lashes and apply two coats of Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash mascara.

Nighttime look – This look is soft enough to be worn during the day and if you really want to darken it up, use the black eyeliner instead of the grey one to smoke out of the colour.  For added oomph, pop on some falsies for a super flirty look!

1. After you apply your foundation and concealer, grab the Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder and tap some into the lid. Using a powder brush, sweep the product all over the face, setting your face makeup.

2. With Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Cream in #16, apply this all over the lid area, into the crease, and under the brow bone. This is acting as both a highlight and a primer.

3. With Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Eyes eyeliner in 21L (the grey colour), apply this along your upper lash line and all over the lid area. Don’t go too crazy!

4. With a flat-shader brush, smoke out the colour blending it upwards and sheering out the colour.

5. With a fluffy crease brush, even out the colour in the crease area.

6. Using the same grey pencil, apply this along your lower lash line, about halfway. Then using either a pencil brush or your finger (I used my finger), blend it out, softening the colour.

7. With Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes liner in 0L (matte black), line your waterline and then along your upper lash line, slightly winging it out.  I also applied this in my tightline.

8. Curl your lashes and apply two coats of Make Up For Ever’s Smoky Lash in black.

Cheeks: NARS Madly. Lips: MAC Innocence, Beware! and Smashbox Illume lipgloss

This set is perfect for those who are either getting into makeup or who are starting to really invest in their collections.  This set includes two liners, a mascara, a setting powder, and a primer/cream eyeshadow, so a few must-have items get knocked off the list.  I would also get this for anyone who just loves Make Up For Ever or wants to try out the brand – you get a good sampler of some of their cult products.  If you are in need of a new mascara and eyeliner anyways, I would pick this up (MUFE Aqua Eyes liners run for $20 and the Smoky Lash for $25, so for $20 more you can get these extra products).

The set retails for C$65 at Sephora, however, if you were to buy all these items separately it would cost C$109, so you are saving some considerable money with this set (the eyeliners alone cost C$20 each).

The products this set comes with are staples that should be in everyone’s makeup collection, and just the fact that they are Make Up For Ever makes it all the much better because you are getting the quality factor, as well as the fact that these products really do work and are just so amazing.  I swear by their eyeliners, they are just so creamy to apply, same with the aqua creams, both of which are waterproof. I already own the HD Microfinish Powder in the larger size and haven’t even used half of it yet (I bought it in August 2011) and I use it probably six out of the seven days of the week.  This was my first time using Smoky Lash and so far I like it; I love how my lashes don’t feel clumping or stiff, they are still soft and flexible.

Kudos Make Up For Ever on an “eye-catching” set!

Is the Make Up For Ever All Eyes On You set on your holiday list?

Please note, I was sent this set for review purposes.  All opinions are my own.

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Topbox November 2012

Well, this was the first time in a while that I haven’t spoiled the surprise of this month’s Topbox by looking up reviews ahead of time.

This month’s box only contained four items, but they are all by good brands and decent products.

Here’s what I got:

  • China Glaze nail polish in I Herd That from the On Safari Collection 2012 (full size – $10)
  • Cuccio Naturale Butter Blend – 9.24 grams (240 grams retails for $18.95)
  • Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes in 01 Matte Black – 0.7 grams (full size retails for $20)
  • Roberto Cavalli eau de parfum – 5 ml (full size 50 ml retails for $80 and 75 ml for $105)


Like I said earlier, there wasn’t that much this month in terms of quantity, but they are quality samples. I would rather I got less products that I can use than a bunch of products which I wouldn’t use.  With that being said, I’m so over the perfume samples.  Please Topbox, enough!  I have enough of my own perfumes to get through, nevermind the sample bottles I have hoarded in my room.

As for the other samples, the nail polish is really pretty and gold glitter is perfect for the holidays.  I use the MUFE Aqua Eyes black liner on a daily basis so I was glad to get this sample as I’ll use it as a back up. As for the body butter, with the weather getting cooler and dryer, my hands have been crazy chapped so it was a nice relief to lather this on.

Overall I enjoyed November and can’t wait for the next one!

Did you receive this month’s Topbox? What did you get?

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