Raving About: Kat Von D Tattoo Eyeliner

I have been toying with eyeliners for a good 15 years.  Some smudge, some flake, some "bleed".  Some are okay, some are good, and some are great! I can't conceive the total tally of eyeliners that I have tried..it is a large quantity, I assure you. In all 15 years of experimenting and experience, I have not ever found one that was truly precise, pigmented and absolutely perfect...until now.

The name is well suited to the beautiful precision and pigment this liner packs. one test swatch on the back of the hand demonstrates the absolute prestige and skillful application of this liner.  The most masterful calligraphers could use this liner "pen" to perfectly craft their work.  Seriously...this stuff deserves major kudos.

I have small eyes and lids, and I find it difficult to find a liner that truly allows me to apply a perfectly thin, elongated, winged or thick line...without smudging, burning, flaking or "bleeding".  Even my liner brushes seem imperfect compared to this all-in-one awesome.  It's application tip is devised of highquality, smooth tiny brush "hairs, and the liquid it is perfectly saturated in has the perfect balance of viscosity and pigment.  If you are a fan of gel liners...get ready to set them aside and forever give your heart to Kat Von D's Tattoo Liner.

xo

                                                                         

Review: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

As I mentioned in my Dewy Winter Foundation Routine post, I've always loved, and preferred MAC concealers, but this product from NARS is breaking that mould.  It has a beautifully light and creamy texture, it is hydrating, and it delivers all of the multi skin benefiting and firming it boasts on the website.  I have fine creases under my eyes, and it is incredibly difficult to find a concealer that isn't "cakey", dry, too thick or sits and emphasizes fine creases and dry skin.

Upon application, you can feel the hydrating effects, and this benefits perfectly precise blending of the product before it sets.  It has a well balanced consistency, delivering fantastic coverage any way you use it. I use it under my eyes, to cover blemishes, and to highlight my facial features for natural looking daytime makeup.  It blends flawlessly with my foundation, and sets in a beautiful satin finish, delivering beautiful natural radiance.

                                                        

The name of this product says it all. I LOVE this and it has now replaced my beloved MAC mineralize concealer.  I paid $30 CAD @ sephora.


Xo

First Impression: New Maybelline Volum'Express "The Rocket" Mascara!

There was once a time that I had such long, thick lashes, they would always bat against my sunglasses...and I would trim them! I know, I know, and trust me I have smacked my self for you! Now I gaze at the lashes of my young daughters with envy.

Because I lack magazine worthy lashes, Mascara is the one artesian tool that I use pretty much daily.  I've paid mere dollars, and I've also paid absurd amounts towards the promise of lush lashes.
No matter what the cost, some clump, some crust, some burn, and some cause ugly raccoon eyes after only a few hours of wear..even if they boast "long wear", and "Waterproof"!
Because of all of that,I am constantly on the lookout for a good product. That is what lead me to pick up this product while at the drugstore running errands.

I was immediately drawn to the colours and the packaging (I'm a sucker for all things pretty, and for marketing) of Maybelline Volum'Express "The Rocket " Mascara. It boasts an efficient brush that delivers 8x the volume in one coat, and clump free preciseness. It has a firm core of the brush, with flexible silicone bristles.

I tore into the packaging and tried it for the first time ever ( you can watch that and my initial first impression here^^^^^^^ ).

Immediately I saw length, definition and the volume that it boasts.  There are no clumps, it doesn't burn my eyes, so far there is no under eye fallout AND I feel that I have lashes worthy of comparing to my daughters.  The only thing I dislike is the stoutness of the brush itself. I have small eyes and stubborn lashes so I find that using stout brushes gives me an almost clumsy application.

All in all though,this mascara is my new favourite, and tops my Makeup Forever "smokey lash".  I paid $ 8.99 CAD at my local drug store.  If you are looking for a new mascara to tuck into your daily makeup bag-I recommend giving this one a try!

'til next time,

Xo

Get Ready With Me!: Dewy Winter Foundation Routine and Natural Daytime L...

Hello lovelies!

I'm beginning to feel more comfortable with filming and editing YouTube videos, and based on the spike in traffic on my latest post, I filmed a "get ready with me" video!  It's a natural look I created using my winter dewy skin favorites and neutral shades from my elf palette.  It is not a tutorial, but I may get around to creating one in the coming days.

Follow the link above, and be sure to check out my YouTube channel often for updates (subscribe!)


Xo

Dewy Winter Foundation Routine!

Seasons come and go, and so should your skin care and makeup regimens. I have combination skin, but I find that as I am aging, it is very dry in the cold northern winters we experience year after year.  In the heat of summer, I find that it is more oily, and thus, I can not use the same products on my face all year round.

This is my current winter foundation routine, some products are new, and some I have been using for a while and absolutely love the quality of all of them. You can purchase them all from Sephora, and I highly recommend getting a skin colourIQ done while you are there!  Its so innovative and you are sure to find your perfect match in foundation as it colour codes your skin tone via photo technology.  You are presented with a few perfect matches and it saves the info on your Beauty Insider card! Great for when your skin tone adjusts in these winter months, or when you tan (self or otherwise).

    Left to right in order of application on a freshly cleansed and toned face:
  1) Josie Maran Argan Oil (light), 2) Caudalie Intense Moisture (sample pot), 3) Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Repair Eye Serum 4) Laura Mercier Foundation Primer (Radiance) 5) Clinique Even Better Makeup (shade 02 Fair) 6) NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (shade light 2 vanilla)

1) This oil is absolutely heavenly on the skin!  I have been using various oils on my face since autumn (Vitamin e and coconut) and I love the moisture and nourishing glow that they give.  This Argan oil in particular is a new favourite, and I will definitely be keeping it in stock. It absorbs almost instantly, immediately delivering a healthy, moisturized glow with no "sheen" or greasy residue.  There is no scent at all, so it is suitable for sensitive skin types. Paraben-free, natural ingredients, scent-free, gluten-free, vegan, and cruelty-free!

2)  The moisture this packs is indeed intense, and it is perfect for the harsh Canadian winter days we are facing this month (it's -42 with the windchill here today!).  The constant harsh changes skin goes through from bitter cold, to dry heat in the home can severly dry out even the most supple skin. I was introduced to this @ Sephora, and I love the natural scent it has, cool feeling it gives upon application, and the moisture it delivers all day.  Because it is so intense, I do not use it all of the time, only when I know I will be in and out for the day.  It is a great moisture barrier.

3) This eye serum is delightfully light, and packs bonus "pearlescent" radiance.  It absorbs well and leaves my eyes feeling refreshed and pampered.  I use this morning and night.

4) I have 2 holy grail primers that I love using, and this one is like a combination of the two!  It moisturizes, primes the skin in a lovely light application and gives a beautiful rose/gold radiance.  I use this everyday under my foundation for added glow, and also on its own for the days I'm just running errands or taking my oldest daughter to school. Love, love LOVE this product!

5)I have always been in love with Clinique's "Even Better" foundation with SPF 15. It is my go-to foundation for the drier months, I love the glow it gives to my skin and the complexion aiding benefits it packs. The added SPF protects skin from harsh wintery UV rays, and allows me to use a moisturiser that I love (with out that SPF smell).

6) I've always loved, and preferred MAC concealers, but this product from NARS is breaking that mould.  It is a beautifully light and creamy texture, hydrating, and delivers all of the multi skin benefiting and firming it boasts on the website.  I have fine creases under my eyes, and it is incredibly difficult to find a concealer that isn't "cakey", dry, too thick or sits and emphasizes fine creases and dry skin.  LOVE this and it has now replaced my beloved MAC mineralize concealer.

If you are interested in a tutorial on how I apply and blend the listed products, comment below and I may film a video on that in the next few days and have it up on myYouTube channel.

xo

Fresh Start, and Brief Update on YouTube!

Happy new year! 

I don't have much time to write this evening, but I did manage to upload a video on my YouTube channel(watch it here http://youtu.be/_b9LTc_7k-g)  breifly explaining my absence, and new life events over the last few weeks. 

I have two fresh blog posts coming up tomorrow, and will be up

dating both this blog and my YouTube uploads weekly !

Wishing you all a wealth of happiness, health and prosperity for 2014!

Xo