Canadian Beauty

Lancome ReDefines Mascara and Eyeliner

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Henna

People always ask me how to apply liquid eyeliner, and I always say “practice, practice, practice!” because the truth is that I’ve watched dozens of videos of famous makeup artists and Instagrammers applying eyeliner, and I don’t do it their way. I do it my own way and it seems to come out fine but I’ve practiced lots and that’s the only way to really get a steady hand so apply a nice clean line.

Nevertheless, Lancome has tried to make it even easier to apply liquid eyeliner by rethinking the wand applicator. The Grandiose Liner ($40) has a wand that pivots in the middle so that you can apply eyeliner more intuitively. You can bend it 35 degrees to adapt to your own eye shape and apply a perfect line. I think the super-thin tip helps me more than anything, and the tip also has the perfect amount of bend so that you can create a cat eye with the eyeliner just so.

The formula is gentle and smooth and it doesn’t flake or smudge throughout the day. It stays put and washes off when you need it to, which is perfect if you have oily eyelids like I do.

Pair it with the Grandiose Extreme Mascara ($36) which also lets you apply in different ways, and has a super long-lasting finish that doesn’t flake or smudge throughout the day.

Both the Grandiose Extreme Mascara and the Grandiose Liquid Liner come in lots of colours – brown, blue, and purple in addition to the original black – which lets you play with your look. I have the mascara in blue, and although it looks really bright out of the tube, it actually dries to almost-black which makes it easy to wear during the day. I like the eyeliner in brown because it’s not as harsh as a regular black liner.

Both are available at Lancome counters now.

Posted in Spring 2017 | Tagged Lancome | Leave a comment

New Video: Nars Wildfire Collection!

Posted on January 13, 2017 by Henna

Happy Friday, everyone!

The Nars Wildfire Collection is new for Spring 2017 and features colour for the eyes, and more subdued tones for the lips. It’s a contrast to the light, pretty, floral-inspired makeup that we usually see this time of year, but it’s still on-trend – especially since aqua and teal shades of eyeshadow are back in style.

My favourite products are the Thessalonique eye palette, because it has two colours that are quite wearable – an icy vanilla base, and a silver-infused taupe/violet. I found that the silver glitter seemed to make it a little difficult to blend, but like most glittery shadows, this is best applied by tapping it on to your lid with your finger-tips.

The other shadow duo is called Chiang Mai Duo and is a contrast of shimmering sea blue and copper.

The Bumpy Ride powder blush is also something that I’m finding myself reaching for again and again. It’s a shimmery coral colour that’s lighter than what I usually wear, but is great for brightening up any collection.

The Asphalt Jungle Lip Gloss is described as a shimmering sangria, and the Aragon Lip gloss is described as red chestnut. There’s also the Kiss Me Stupid Lipstick (burnt sienna) and the Breaking Free Lipstick (coral). I love the shimmering lipgloss – it’s a deeper colour than I normally wear but it’s good for a more formal look.

Check out the full video if you’d like to see more swatches and such!

The collection is available right now at Sephora and Sephora.ca, and will be available at all other Nars retailers February 2017.

Posted in Spring 2017 | Tagged Nars, Picture of my makeup, Swatches, Video, Youtube | Leave a comment

New Make Up For Ever High Precision Lip Pencil

Posted on January 12, 2017 by Henna

Make Up For Ever has the Aqualip lip pencil, which glides on to your lips and then sets to a waterproof finish, but now they have a more traditional lip pencil as well which is called the High Precision Lip Pencil. Available in a range of natural, completely wearable colours, this lip pencil is perfect for those people who want a natural lip under their lipstick.

My favourite is #20 which is a pretty bright pink – my lips but much better. I use it to line my lips and then fill them in. It’s a dry matte formula which make it sometimes difficult to put on very dry lips, but it lasts through breakfast, so that it’s still on when I go to work, so that makes it worth wearing daily.

This is a lip pencil that you need to sharpen, and that means that you can bring it to an exact point, hence the name high precision. You can really get a fine line with this lip pencil, so if that’s how you’re going to use it then it will work well!

$22 at Sephora.

Posted in Spring 2017 | Tagged Lip Pencil, Make Up For Ever | Leave a comment

Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Henna

You will have seen a lack of reviews on the popular cushion makeup that’s come out in recent years. You can find it at Sephora, the drugstore, or the department store, in the form of a usually watery foundation that’s housed in a compact with a built in cushion. You tap the cushion and then apply foundation on your skin. Because the formula is so watery, the foundation applies smoothly and looks like skin. Honestly, I’ve been sent some samples but can’t seem to find a perfect match for my skin tone.

Until now.

Welcome Estee Lauder’s answer to cushion makeup – a Cushion Stick instead of a compact, available in their Double Wear Nude formula, which is the antithesis of cakey long-wearing makeup of the past.

Because this Cushion Stick comes in 15 shades, I was able to get the perfect match to my skin – it’s so good that it doesn’t even look like I’m wearing makeup and I can even apply it only on areas that I want covered (typically under my eyes). The formula is weightless but not watery. You take the cap off the tube, and then twist the bottom up until the foundation comes through on to the cushion. It applies like a cream, and you can blend it into your skin using the cushion, or apply in dabs and then blend using the tool of your choice – I use my fingertips. If you The makeup is radiant because it actually reflects light just like skin would – I powder on top to make it wear a bit longer, then go on my way. At the end of the day, my foundation is still on my face, so I’m happy with the wear.

If you’re worried about continually using the cushion to apply the foundation, you can twist it off, wash and dry it, and then twist it back on. I only use it to dot the foundation on to my skin, so I’m not too worried about it being very dirty.

This foundation really works if you want natural-looking foundation without too much coverage – I like it so much that I’m almost done my tube.

Pick it up at Sephora or Estee Lauder counters or online. $46.

Posted in Fall 2016 | Tagged Estee Lauder | Leave a comment

Live Clean’s Fresh Face Hero Products

Posted on January 10, 2017 by Henna

If you’re looking to change your routine to something that’s more plant-based and yet affordable, then check out Live Clean’s Fresh Face line (available at drug stores and mass merchandisers). I’ve been using their Fresh Face Daily Foaming Cleanser and the Soothing Daily Moisturizer, and both seem perfect for people with combination or oily skin.

The Foaming Cleanser is truly something of a hero product – it dispenses as a foam but glides on almost like a gel, melting makeup and washing off clean but not drying. I love rubbing it on my skin because of the amount of slip it has.

The Soothing Daily Moisturizer is light and easy to use. It absorbs almost instantly and makes skin touchably soft. I wouldn’t use it on anyone who has dry or even normal skin – in the cold winter months, you might find that this isn’t nourishing enough for your skin, but because I have oily skin, it worked quite well for me, because I could apply makeup afterwards and my skin felt smooth and comfortable.

Sometimes, basic is best.

Posted in Moisturizers | Tagged Cleanser, Live Clean, Moisturizer | Leave a comment

Dermablend Professional Comes to Canada

Posted on January 8, 2017 by Henna

If you’re looking for full-coverage foundations and more specialized coverage products – think acne scars or hyperpigmentation – then there’s a way to going above what’s just available at your local Sephora. Dermablend – a professional makeup artist’s secret – is finally available in Canada. The brand was created by an American dermatologist who saw a need for more heavy but wearable camouflage products. The foundations and concealers are available in a large range of colours that are skin-true. There are yellow-based shades available in the line, which is important these days, and a finely-milled setting powder that works for anyone and everyone.

Truth be told, even though I normally don’t use a setting powder (it’s something I save for special occassions), I’m now a fan of this one. It’s very finely milled and makes my skin look completely matte! It doesn’t stay matte throughout the day but that’s because I sweat and have very oily skin – but at least my mornings are shine free and the matte effect is quite natural looking and almost highlighting but without any glitter or shimmer. The powder also comes in a cool beige shade and a saffron shade (which would be for darker skin tones) but the universal shade works for everyone and actually looks natural.

I’m also using their Liquid Concealer which already is a hit with me because I love concealers with wand applicators. It makes it easy for me to dot on a little or a lot, and this one is so pigmented, that I actually blend it out with a bit of moisturizer to make it look even more natural. It works well at covering under-eye circles, but is also easy to dot on to blemishes. Let it set and then blend with a brush and you’ll have coverage for the whole day. The concealer comes in five colours and has a natural matte finish.

Why not start the new year with skin that really looks flawless? Find your shade at Dermablend.ca or check out the line at Shoppers Drug Mart!

Posted in Fall 2016 | Tagged Dermablend, Foundation | 2 Comments

Splurge or Save: Rose Face Masks

Posted on January 8, 2017 by Henna

Truly, the face mask trend sees no sign of fading, and as someone who’s been using masks for the past twenty years, I’m glad that they’re finally in the main stream. One of my fondest memories is hosting girls night in nights where my guests try on different masks and sort through makeup and just chat.

One of the most luxurious masks that I’ve come across is Fresh’s Rose Face Mask, which has actual rose petals in it and smells absolutely divine. (Below is a travel size tub of it – the full-sized tub is much larger.)

You can see that the mask looks like a gel with bits of petals in it. It’s a glycerine base, which turns out to be not that special – glycerine is readily available at the drugstore, but it’s quite stick on its own so one would never apply it directly to one’s skin. However, it’s great at attracting moisture to the skin which is why it’s normally used in moisturizers. Having it in a mask that you wipe off is great because the moisturizing properties seem to stay with the skin and make it touchable and soft if it’s dry. It’s also something that’s fresh and suitable for all skin types.

Now, the mask above retails for $75 for 100ml. Meanwhile, The Body Shop has a British Rose Fresh Plumping Mask which is similar, rose petals, lovely smell, and all. Theirs is $28 for 75ml and is very similar. If you’re into masks and want something moisturizing and relaxing aromatherapy-wise in your collection, then I suggest you take a trip to The Body Shop.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged Fresh, The Body Shop | Leave a comment

OPI Infinite Shine Iconic Shades

Posted on January 2, 2017 by Henna

…so, I went away for the holidays and I was SO done with everything. The blog wasn’t acting the way it should, I deleted a bunch of things accidentally and then had to bring them back… and well, it was just too much and I was going away anyway, so I thought I’d give myself a break. And now I’m back, and it feels so good to be back! I feel tired, sore, but still refreshed.

I’ve started sorting through packages and product, and I’ve got to tell you about the OPI Infinite Shine Iconic Shades – these are some of OPI’s most well-loved shades that are now available in the Infinite Shine formula. There’s You Don’t Know Jacques, Dulce de Leche, and Alpine Snow, Lincoln Park After Dark, Russian Navy, and lots of others that you have for sure used or heard about.

The natural-looking colour above is Dulce de Leche, then Lincoln Park After Dark, then Strawberry Margherita, Cajun Shrimp, and You Don’t Know Jacques. Finish is great for all of them – good coverage with one coat, and great coverage with two. Wears for atleast 5 days with no chips and 7 days sometimes.

The collection features 30 permanent shades that will be available in September. You can check out all the colours on the OPI website. This collection retails for $12.50 each ($16.95 CAN) and will be available at professional salons, Beauty Brands, beautybrands.com, Chatters, Dillard’s, Regis, ULTA Beauty and ulta.com.

Posted in Fall 2016 | Tagged Infinite Shine, nail polish, Nails, OPI | Leave a comment

Reviews of a Couple Beautycounter Face Products

Posted on December 19, 2016 by Henna

As the weather gets cooler, a lot cooler, I’ve turned to more heavy-duty moisturizers to keep my skin feeling and looking its best. I’m trying out the Beautycounter Soothing Face Oil ($78) and the Beautycounter Nourishing Day Cream ($52). Both are proposed to be gentler and safer on the skin because they don’t contain mineral oils, parabens, and other possibly dangerous ingredients.

I have to say that the Nourishing Day Cream feels pretty basic. It’s a light cream that absorbs pretty quickly into my skin and leaves it balanced.

Check out the ingredients:

Aqua/Water/Eau, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*,Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract*, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil*, Bisabolol, Sorbitan Olivate, Panthenol,Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum,Maltodextrin, Xylitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.

*Organic/Biologique

They look great, with the inclusion of Aleo Juice, Glycerin, and coconut oil – which I personally love putting on my face. There’s a light lavender scent in the cream and that’s nice (my skin isn’t sensitive to scents). Because the cream is pretty light, it would work on all skin types.

If you have more dry skin, then add a layer of the Soothing Face Oil before you moisturize.

Here are the ingredients:

Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil*, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Oil, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Oil, Citrus Sinensis Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Oil.
*Organic/Biologique

Again, nice ingredient list, and this oil smells absolutely amazing. I definitely got whiffs of the rosehip and some citrus in it. If you use the right amount of oil for your skin type, you shouldn’t have greasy skin. Start with just a couple of drops, see how your skin absorbs it and then add more. If you’re doing this in the morning before you run out the door, then try adding more or less the next day. Alternately, apply the oil in the evening and see how your skin does with it and adjust accordingly while you’re at home.

You can add moisturizer on top of the oil, or mix the moisturizer and the oil together. Another option is to mix a bit of concealer into the oil and spread that on your skin! I prefer just using the oil, and then moisturizer on top, followed by foundation. Works pretty well at keeping my skin flaking due to using glycolic acid or retinols at night.

You can get Beautycounter products online. Are you using facial oils at this time of year?

Posted in Moisturizers | Tagged Beautycounter, Facial oil, Moisturizers | Leave a comment

Current Makeup and Sothy’s Latest Collection

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Henna

On Insta, I sometimes share what makeup I’m using, and although I posted this picture a week ago, it’s still totally accurate! I still use the NYX blush palette to do my blush, and the Rodial contour powder, which I wrote about just a little while ago. My other two mainstays are from the French brand, Sothy’s. I’ve checked out their winter collection and I’m never letting go of the jumbo eyebrow crayon and the eyeshadow palette – both of which are in the picture below.

Here’s a picture of the full collection from the brand.

This collection has so many great products, including the lip liner and matching chubby lipstick. They are both matte, and have intense pigment paired with amazing staying power. If you like doing a bold lip (and I love it during the holidays), then these are for you.

The eyeshadow quad is easily a favourite. It features neutral colours in light and dark shades so the palette works for day or night. I also love that there’s a matte brown which is perfect to use as an eyeliner or in the crease. This is a palette where you really can use all the colours together.

The chubby eyebrow pencil became a favourite because it’s a wax pencil that actually tames your brows as it adds colour. Lots of eyebrow pencils say that they have waxes in them, but this is more of a tinted wax rather than a pencil with wax as one of the ingredients. See what I mean?

You can pick up this gorgeous collection at spas across Canada.

Posted in More Than Beauty | Tagged Holiday 2016, Sothys | Leave a comment