VIVA GLAM RIHANNA LIPSTICK AND LIPGLASS SWATCHES AND THOUGHTS

So the final instalment of the Rihanna and MAC collaboration concludes with the Viva Glam collection. Rihanna joins a line of other celebs that has teamed with MAC to create a Viva Glam lipstick in support of the MAC AIDS Foundation which has raised millions to help fund AIDS research. This lipstick comes with a matching lip glass in a vintage red/burgundy shade with a frost finish. The formula is quite different from Rihanna's other lipsticks through MAC which is usually a matte and retro matte finish which I personally prefer, especially in a red shade. It is not a colour I would usually go for as it reminds me of the reds my mother used to wear in the eighties but it is a wearable shade for all skin tones. 




The Rihanna X MAC collaboration is a winner when it comes on to the packaging and this one is also special. It is a dusty matte texture that I wish would match the texture of the lipstick as well



Lipglass



Lipstick Only

Lipstick and lipglass combo



NARS NARSISSIST EYESHADOW PALETTE

 Nars has been releasing a line of palettes they dub Narsissist palettes that consists of their most popular line of products arranged in a palette form, but none caught my attention more than the Narsissist eyeshadow palette. The palette consists of 15 of their eyeshadows arranged in a neat, sleek palette that Nars is known for. These palettes were put together for their more devoted fans but I think the ones that will be tranformed to narsissists are new consumers who never owned any of their products who can purchase their most known products in a palette for a more economical price. As for Nars eyeshadows, they usually come in singles for about $28 for 0.07 oz but comes in this palette at $79 for 0.03 oz X 15 so a very big steal. Plus, if you prefer your eyeshadows in a palette as oppose to singles, this palette is sure to win you over. The colours are mostly neutrals with a combination of both matte and shimmer shades that can go from day to night. 

The palette is not sold out online at narscosmetics.com but will be available in stores on Feb. 1. 





With Flash

Without Flash

The colours were swatched at two swipes over Nars Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
With Flash

All About Eve, Madrague, Fez, Bali, Coconut Grove
Madrague #1, Nepal, Ashes to Ashes, Brousse #2, Mekong
Belissima #1, lhasa, Bad Behaviour, Dogon #2, Pandora

Without Flash



MAC PLUMAGE AND STEAMY MAKEUP TUTORIAL

So this is a super quick tutorial from my Top 5 Winter Fragrances video. I recorded so I just wanted to share it with you guys. In this video I show how to blend just one eyeshadow in the crease and create a smokey eye by using just one eyeshadow. Blending is key in this tutorial so I hope you guys get inspired. 









FIRST LOOK: KEVYN AUCOIN COSMETICS

Kevyn Aucoin was a makeup genius whose work in the eighties still speak to us today in this generation.  In his work with Revlon in the early eighties, Kevyn Aucoin would change foundation colours from the usual pink/beige bases to the yellow undertones that would suit women with different skin tones. Through this collaboration, at just the age of 21, we would see a revolution in the brands lack luster sales and a change in how the makeup industry view skin tones from the fairs to the deep dark. We owe so much about the state of the makeup industry today to this man who passed away in 2002. His work lives on through his products and books he has written which is still being used to teach fundamentals in makeup classes today.

This is a first impressions look at some of his core products purchased at Nordstrom. 

The Iconic Eye Set, The Sensual Skin Enhancer, The Precision Brow Pencil


The actual packaging of the products was OK, just the average box with not much standout features except for small tabs that makes it easy to open. The lettering is gold but would be so much more luxurious if at least the name was perforated or raised. Once out of the box, i.e. the eyeshadow set, the packaging felt a bit more luxurious with a press and open feature however once the outer box is removed the little bag didn't have a name on it (huh?!).   Everything felt sturdy but nothing to be wow about. It works

The Iconic Eye Set is exclusive to Nordstrom
Comes with 3 shadows, Candlelight Highlighter, Medium Bronzer, full sized eye pencil and a small angled brush
Price: $60USD or $68CDN
 
Close Up of The Iconic Eye Set
 This palette comes with a small block of their popular highlighter called The Candlelight Highlighter. It was not available in store at the time but if you would like to test a few of their products before committing to getting the full size and paying the full size price, this palette is perfect. It also comes with a small block of the medium Bronzer which is another industry fav. 

Swatches From Top: Candlelight Highlighter, Medium Bronzer, 3 Eye Shadows in order of how they are in palette


The eye pencil is one of my fav products in the eye set. It is soft but not waxy and extremely smooth. It gives off a really matte deep dark black which is perfect for smudging on the lid or in the water line. Only flaw is that it is not as long lasting as a gel pencil would be. I still haven't tested the longevity but after I swatched it and rubbed over it a while later, it did smudge. 

The Precision Brow Pencil
Price: $26USD or $29.83CDN

I was really disappointed with the packaging of the brow pencil. Once out of the box, it does not have a cover to cover the product end of the pencil which is unhygienic even though it can be wound down. The texture is hard which is perfect for the brows because you can build the colour from light to really dark if desired.

The Sensual Skin Enhancer
Price: $48USD or $55.07CDN

The Sensual Skin Enhancer is the star of the whole line. It is widely used to brighten and highlight and is known for its concentrated, super pigmented quality. It comes in a very small container 0.63oz but because you need so little, will last a very long time. 

Stay tuned for a full product demonstration coming soon.


MY TOP FIVE WINTER FRAGRANCES

This is a video I wanted to do for a really long time. Well, since before Christmas so not that long. Fragrance is something that I enjoy and like but I do know that a lot of people are allergic to strong fragrances which these definitely are. They are not your light and airy scent but can be toned down to give just hints instead of full on scents. If you like floral fragrances, you are going to love these. I hope you guys enjoy :))


From Clockwise: Gucci Guilty, Prada Candy, Giorgio Armani Aqua di Gioia, Calvin Klein Euphoria, Thierry Mugler Angel


TOP 10 BEAUTY LOOKS FROM THE GOLDEN GLOBES 2014

Don't you just love award season?  The makeup, the hair, the dresses, the jewellery and the anticipation of the winners is such a welcome change from the thick heavy winter coats we see everyday in the middle of winter. As always, I have compiled my top ten beauty looks from this year's show and I must say I was disappointed by the somberness and sameness of most of the looks but was delighted to see the ones that went outside the norm and tried something different and dare I say edgy for the Golden Globes. 

Kaley Cuoco's golden emerald smokey cat eye had me in awe

Kerry Washington brought drama in the eyes with a sparkly grey smokey eyes and nude lips

Jennifer Lawrence defies all status quo going from drama on both the eyes and lips

Lupita Nyong'o made a splash with a classic flawless base, winged liner and red lips

Hayden Panettiere went from smokey dark rimmed eyes with pale pink lips

Sandra Bullock's deep petal lips, full lashes and side pony was a gorgeous combo

Reese Witherspoon's bronzed smokey eyes looked gorgeous agains her skin

Allison Williams' sparkly silver, grey and black eye combo was just gorgeous

Jessica Chastain was simply breathtaking! Flawless
Sarah Hyland brought innocence a la neutral makeup and milkmaid braids 

GOLDEN PINK AND DEEP PURPLE MAKEUP LOOK

So this is the look from my foundation, contour and highlight video. Hope you guys enjoy!









Eyes:
Brow bone: Ricepaper
Primer: Painterly Paintpot
Crease: Cork, Swiss Chocolate & Embark (All MAC)
Lid: L'Oreal Infallible shadow in Forever Pink
Tear Duct: L'Oreal Infallible shadow in Hourglass Beige
Eye Liner: Ben Nye Cake Liner & MAC Fix Plus
Eyeliner: MAC Prolongwear Eyeliner in Definedly Black

Lips: Chestnut lip liner, Bad Girl Riri lipstick, OCC Liptar in Hush and MAC lipglass in Oh My Darling

Info on other products used is in other video