Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots Swatch

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Henna

Maybelline Color Show Polka DotI love special effect top coats because they make it so easy to do special effects on your nails! So when I saw the new Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots nail polish, I had to try it.

I gotta say that the Color Show is not my favourite polish (read my review here) and although I love the effect of the polka dots, I was reminded why I don’t love this polish because it kept chipping!

I applied the Color Show in Drops of Jade which is a sheer aqua with black and white polka dot effect bits in it. Actually, all the colours of this polka dot effect polish have black and white glitter bits with sheer coloured bases.

Because the polish is sheer, I applied it over Dior’s mint shade that came in their Samba duo for summer 2013 (check out the rest of Dior’s Birds of Paradise collection).

Here is the mint without the top coat:

Dior Samba mint

And then with:

Maybelline Color Show Drops of Jade swatch

Yes, by the time I applied the swatch a few days had passed and the mint green was already chipping on its own. I love that the polka dot polish kind of disguised the chips.

Maybelline Color Show Polka Dot polish comes in 5 colours: Clearly Spotted (clear with black and white chunks), Dotty (orange with black and white chunks), Drops of Jade (emerald with black and white chunks), Blue Marks the Spot (blue with black and white chunks), and Pretty in Polka (magenta with black and white chunks).

At $3.99 per polish, it’s worth it to experiment with them – they will probably last longer if you use a good top coat!

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Wild For Bees by Jenny Bird

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Henna

Jenny Bird Burts Bees braceletIf you’re looking for the perfect new piece of “arm candy” look no further.

Canadian jewelry designer Jenny Bird has partnered with Burt’s Bees to design a limited-edition bracelet that’s only available this month. 100% of the proceeds of the sales go to the non-profit organization Pollinator Partnership Canada which helps conserve bee health.

Besides getting a pretty bracelet with a side of altruism, here’s why you should care about the bees:

– by being pollinators, bees help produce over $1.2 billion worth of food crops annually in Canada alone.
– in Canada, Honeybee hives have suffered declines of over 30% each winter.
– they make 1/3 of our nutritious food

Pick up your Jenny Bird bracelet at www.jenny-bird.com or www.burtsbees.ca.

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Coming June 18: RiRi Loves MAC Summer

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Henna

MAC Rihanna SummerThis is an exclusively online collection – and if you missed your chance to pick up the Riri Woo lipstick that came out with the last MAC x Rihanna collection, then this is your chance to get it now.

Here’s what’s on offer this time – and the bronzer/blush combo? Genius!

LIPSTICK
RiRi Woo matte cool red (retro matte)
RiRi Boy matte vivid lavender (retro matte)
Heaux matte berry (retro matte)

Suggested Retail Price $15.00 US/$18.00 CDN

POWDER BLUSH DUO
Hibiscus Kiss cool coral blush and matte neutral bronze duo
Suggested Retail Price $26.00 US/$30.00 CDN

LUSTRE DROP
Barbados Girl rose gold bronzer
Suggested Retail Price $20.00 US/$24.00 CDN

Available online only starting June 18th. Everything is limited edition.

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Vaseline Spray and Go Moisturizer Review

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Henna

Moisturizing in the summer is essential, but it can also seem to be a bit of a chore because of the heat and because we’re all so much busier. Who has the time to rub in lotions and body butters?
Vaseline Spray and Go Moisturizer
So when I saw commercials for Vaseline Spray and Go Moisturizer, I had to try it.

This is truly a cool new innovative product. It’s a moisturizer that comes in a continuous spray can so you can spray on a light layer that absorbs quickly so that you can get dressed and be on your way.

Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer is available in three formulas that are similar to the three different kinds of body moisturizers in the Vaseline range:

– Dry Skin
– Aloe Fresh
– Cocoa Radiant

To be quite honest, aside from the scent, I couldn’t really tell the difference between the three different versions of the moisturizer. All three are exceptionally light and almost watery in their formulations. That’s what makes them so easy to apply and helps them absorb into your skin quickly. If you’re looking for intense moisturizing, I wouldn’t look to these, but if you want a light refreshing summer moisturizer, that’s especially great to use as an after-sun soother, then look no further.

$6.99, available in drug, mass and grocery stores nationwide.

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Summer Saviour from Joico

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Henna

Kids I am still surprised that some people haven’t bought into the whole “dry shampoo” business.  A friend of mine gets her hair done weekly and her biggest gripe is that she can’t get her hairstyle to last longer.  Does she use dry shampoo?  “I don’t know, I’ve thought about it…” she says, “do they actually work?”

Yes, yes they do!

Dry shampoos have microfine hair powders that absorb oil.  Because they’re so finely milled, you don’t see them in your hair (even if your hair is almost black, like mine), and because they absorb oil, you don’t even feel them in your hair.  It’s pretty cool, and almost every drugstore and salon line has a dry shampoo.
Joico instant refresh dry shampoo

Joico Instant Refresh Dry Shampoo is fairly new to the market, and it’s pretty great – possibly one of the best that I’ve tried because it’s nearly impossible to overdo.

It is fast drying, nicely scented, and contains aluminum starch which isn’t white in colour, so you don’t see it in your hair.  The dry shampoo also contains opal which ads shine to your hair, and peptides to help strengthen and nourish the hair.  This dry shampoo even contains ingredients to help you heat style your hair, so you can use your flat iron to prolong that salon blow-out two days later.

The huge can is just $19.95 which means that although it’s a salon brand it’s not going to break the bank, and even if you use it weekly, it’ll last forever. Available at select professional salons across Canada. Check www.Joico.com/salon for salons near you.

 

 

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Make Up For Ever Aqua Summer 2013

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Henna

Make Up For Ever Aqua SummerThis summer, Make Up For Ever is launching new colours in their popular Aqua line of products.  The products are all long-wearing (even without primers) and waterproof.  They are perfect for the summer because they look as amazing at the beach as on a night out on the town.

Aqua Rouge

Aqua Rouge is the full coverage long-wear lip cream that is completely smudge-proof and very long lasting.  It comes with a clear gloss which you can wear if you want a glossy finish to your lips.

Aqua Rouge is probably my favourite long-wear lipstick.  It is super pigmented that you only need one coat which means that you’ll get very even wear.  I tried #16 which is a very vibrant colour and it just lasted and lasted for a long time.  I had to reapply only after eating something greasy, and that’s obviously because any kind of oil will break down the formula – don’t use your favourite lip balm on this because the effect won’t be good.  Even then, I found that the Aqua Rouge left a bit of a stain on my lips which I loved.  Reapplication almost wasn’t necessary, but of course, I went ahead and did it anyway.  If you have a day with pictures, this is the product to wear, because it feels comfortable on the lips and will last through a lot of smiles.

There are five new Aqua Rouge colours: #16 Fuschia, #19 Pomegranate Pink, #20 Baby Pink, #17 Bright Coral, and #18 Coral.

To go with the Aqua Rouge is the Aqua Lip lip liners.  The two new shades are #19 Pomegranate Pink, and #20 Baby Pink.

Then there’s Aqua Cream which is the smudge-proof cream eyeshadow.  The shades are: #52 Pearly Green Lagoon, #53 Pearly Pastel Green, and #54 Pearly Mauve.

And to go with the cream shadows is Aqua Eyes eyeliner.  It doesn’t run or smudge so it’s perfect all year round, not just for the summer.  The two shades are #25L Matte Brown, and #52L Pearly Green Lagoon.

Available at Sephora stores, Sephora.ca and at Make Up For Ever Boutiques.

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Pierre Hardy for Nars Nail Polishes

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Henna

Pierre Hardy for Nars nail polishesThis summer, we’re loving some of the polishes that are part of the Pierre Hardy for Nars collection.  The iconic shoe designer has made his name because of his prints, and the entire makeup collection harkens back to that.  Thus, the nail polishes come in pairs and are sold in boxes like shoes.  The pairs can be worn alone, together, or used to create your very own print-like designs just like the graphic ones on Hardy’s shoes.

As can be expected with Nars, the polishes are richly pigmented and look amazing with just two simple coats.

The duos are:

Ethno Run (Orange and Navy)

Ethno Run

 

Sharplines (Peach/Burgundy)

sharplines

 

Vertebra (Coral/Dusty Rose) (*Note: the “dusty rose” looks more like a rosy beige)

Vertebra

 

Easy Walking (Rose Gold/Camel) (*Note, Nars says that this is a Rose Gold, but I really found it to be more of a light bronze metallic.)

Easy Walking

 

Sharks (Yellow/Lavender)

Sharks

 

Venemous (Gunmetal/Black)

Venemous

$32 per duo available on NarsCosmetics.ca.  

 

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New From MAC: All About Orange

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Henna

MAC All About Orange CollectionAvailable yesterday online, and in stores from June 6-22 is MAC’s All About Orange collection which hits on the coral and orange craze that is sweeping makeup counters this summer.  We’ve seen oranges and corals in bits and pieces in summers past, but I think MAC brings it all together by featuring a collection that focusses on just that colour.  If you’ve been looking for the perfect shade of coral lipstick or blush then you’ll find what you’ve been searching for in this collection, because there’s an entire range of shades so that there’s something for everyone (well, almost… you’ll see what I mean).  The collection spans from peaches to corals to bright tangerine in a variety of finishes.  The cherry on top is the eyeshadow quad – not made up of orange (thank goodness!) but of greys which go with everything!

I love that there are tons of lipstick colours to choose from and they come in a variety of finishes, but I do wish that the Cremesheen Glass wasn’t just available in frosted colours.  It would have been nice to see a few cream finishes which is what I love the Cremesheen Glasses for!  I also wish that all the blushes weren’t satin finishes.  It would have been nice to see atleast one matte – shimmer is the one thing you can always add in yourself, especially when it comes to a blush or bronzer.  Still, the saving grace is that the Satin finish is not overly shimmery.  It just has a beautiful finish that makes skin look like it’s glowing.

Here’s what you’ll see in the collection:

Lipstick:

Razzledazzler light cream peach (lustre)
Sweet & Sour soft peach cream (cremesheen)
Tangerine Dream warm orange cream (lustre)
Flamingo light milky bright coral (lustre)
Sushi Kiss mid-tone coral cream (satin)
Tart & Trendy bright neutral orange cream (lustre)
Neon Orange bright clean orange (amplified)

SRP $15.00 US/$18.00 CDN

Cremesheen Glass: 

Double Happiness frosted light nude (cremesheen)
Imperial Light frosted light peach (cremesheen)
Rising Sun frosted bright orange (cremesheen)

SRP $20.00 US/$23.00 CDN

Eyeshadow x 4 – Rainy Season

Arctic Grey frosted mid-tone gray (lustre)
Courtly Grey matte cool gray (matte)
Typographic asphalt black (matte)
Rainy Season light warm gray frost (satin)

SRP $40.00 US/$47.50 CDN 

Powder Blush

Honey Jasmine soft warm coral (satin)
Royal Sunset soft cool peach (satin)
Immortal Flower bright peach (satin)

SRP $21.00 US/$25.00 CDN

Nail Lacquer

Ke Ai soft pink frost (frost)
Sweet Pop peach cream (cream)
Fiestaware mid-tone orange coral (cream)
Morange bright cream orange (cream)

SRP $16.00 US/$19.00 CDN

I haven’t been able to check out the collection yet, but I’ll definitely update when it comes out on counters.  Are you interested in trying anything from this collection?

 

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Givenchy Gentlemen Only Perfume Review

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Henna

I guess it’s the impending Father’s Day date that’s making me think of doing more reviews of men’s products, but it’s also the fact that there are some pretty spectacular ones that have come my way recently.

Givenchy Gentlemen OnlyOne of those is Givenchy’s new perfume, Gentlemen Only which smells so different than the majority of men’s fragrances out there.  Some how, most of those smell the same to me, and this one seems to really stand out.  In fact, I love it so much that I would even consider wearing it myself.

The official notes are: Green Mandarin, Pink Pepper, Nutmeg, Birch Leaf, Cedar Wood Texas, Heart Of Patchouli, Vetiver, Incense.

At first sniff, I didn’t get a lot of the mandarin, pepper, or nutmeg, and this seemed to go right to the heart of the scent which is a woody patchouli incense.  The vetiver keeps it super fresh and light-smelling while the woodsiness keep it grounded.  This is an amazing scent with reasonable longevity.  $67 at The Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Sephora.

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A Note on Sunscreen

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Henna

coppertone sunscreensI wanted to post this before it gets super warm and you all go out on a hunt for the best sunscreen.  Although there are some amazing high-end sunscreens out there, the truth is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get sunscreen.  In fact, I recommend getting it from the drugstore so that you can apply without worrying about how much it’s costing you!

To that end, check out Coppertone Sport sunscreens, and I’m especially loving the Coppertone Sport line this year.  The sunscreens are waterproof and sweatproof, so it won’t run when it gets really hot outside.  The formula basically sticks to your skin and comes off only after a long time in the water or an actual shower.  Of course, you’d still want to apply every hour or so to avoid getting sunburned, but atleast you can enjoy yourself for that hour.

I’ve tried the Coppertone Sport suncreens (for the face and for the body), the Mousse, and the Spray and all over them are non-greasy and don’t leave a whitish tint on the skin, which means that they’re perfect for everyone and you’re going to look great in your summer pictures.

All of the above are $11.99 for a full-sized bottle, so there’s no excuse to use sunscreen like it’s going out of style this summer!

 

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