Showcasing all of my current Fall favourites.
Read MoreProducts I Can't Live Without
Although I love to switch up my makeup daily, there are always those products that I find myself reaching for more often than the others. I love trying new things and experimenting, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't have my tried and true favourites! Without further ado, here are the products I can't live without.
1. Georgio Armani "Eyes To Kill" Mascara - $37
I thoroughly enjoy splurging on beauty products, but in all honesty, mascara is not usually something I splurge on. This is due to the fact that I always seem to go back to my Covergirl Lashblast (in the large orange tube) no matter how much I spent on a different tube. But then, Eyes to Kill came along and changed everything. This is an extremely volumizing mascara, but not so much that it makes your lashes clump together. I have average length lashes, so I am normally skipping over the lengthening mascaras and searching for the volumizing ones. I discovered this through MakeupByTiffanyD on YouTube, and since then I trust every one of her recommendations. If you are also a fan of the Covergirl Lashblast and are looking for that extra bump in the mascara department, you must give this a try!
2. Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer - $34
I received a sample of this from an order I made online from Sephora, and it sat in my makeup storage for months before I tried it. I remember reaching for it on a lazy day because I didn't want to waste my "good" makeup on a day where I didn't care what it looked like. Little did I know, I would end up LOVING this foundation the minute I applied it. When you screw off the top of the bottle, it opens up to an attached sponge applicator. I personally am not a fan of these, so I use the applicator to place the product on the back of my hand then apply it to my face with a Beauty Blender. This foundation is definitely full coverage, even though Clinique described it as "light". I love this for days where I know I'll be busy all day, because I know it won't budge or fade. Because of it's full coverage nature, you only need a small amount to complete your entire face. I especially love this foundation because of it's neutral undertone. I find it is difficult to find ones that don't pull too pink or yellow on me. This product most definitely surprised me, and is very underrated in my eyes!
3. Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade - $23
This is a smude-proof, waterproof pomade that serves as an all in one brow product. I used to just use a pencil to fill in the sparse areas of my brows, but I have since been converted to this. On my left eyebrow, I have two large scars that I always fill in. The pencil I used to use would fade after a few hours, defeating the purpose of trying to cover it in the first place. I would've been better off just leaving it! Now, my brow game is back. You can swim, sweat, sleep... it won't move. Another aspect I love about this is the shade. I love how all of Anastasia's brow products have an ash tone to them -- it makes the product look so much more natural than other warm toned brow products I have witnessed. I use Anastasia's #12 brush to apply this, as it was recommended by the girls at Sephora. They have a large shade range, so there is sure to be one to match everyone!
4. MAC Pro Sculpting Cream in Accentuate - $27
Before I go off an a tangent saying how amazing this product is, I will warn you, it was limited edition and isn't available in store or online at this moment.. I know, heartbreaking. BUT, MAC often repromotes products so there is still a strong possibility this this will come back. This cream based product is what I use if I want a very strong highlighted look under my eyes and on my cheekbones. If we're being completely honest, I call it my Kim Kardashian cream. Yep, ask my friends, this is true. This has a very bright white color with a pink undertone that can be sheered out for a more natural look, although I can be guilty of going a tad overboard in the highlighting department -- to each their own, I suppose! Ill apply this on top of my foundation with my ring finger, and set it with a translucent powder to ensure it won't slide around. I've had this for almost two years now, and I'm just starting to see the bottom of the pan. Just goes to show that a little goes a long way.
5. MAC Pro Longwear Concealer - $25
MAC describes this as a lightweight, fluid concealer that provides medium to full coverage with a comfortable, matte finish. On me, this concealer will last all day without budging, which is a quality I appreciate. I will sometimes use this on my under eye area, but will more often use it for blemishes. When I first bought a bottle, I was a little taken back by how small it was. I didn't think it would last very long but was proven wrong after having this bottle for over a year, and using it every day, too! I love how pigmented this is, and how you only need a very small amount to do the job.
6. MAC Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul - $32
This lightweight, sheer blush adds a very warm, peachy glow to the skin and can also double up as a soft bronzer. A quality I appreciate about this is how it is extremely easy to blend, which is characteristic of their entire line of Mineralize products. This blush will pair well with any skin tone, as it isn't too dark or too light -- I love it in the Summer when I am a lot darker, and equally love it in the Winter when I have less colour to my skin. It's subtle shimmer gives a beautiful sheen without showing up too glittery. I wear this almost everyday, as it compliments any makeup look. This is a blush I recommend to anyone, and is a perfect starter for those of you who don't wear makeup very often.
7. Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit - $52
It seems like every makeup brand is coming out with their own version of a contour kit these days, but this one right here is the original pioneer. The OG, if you will. This palette comes with three shades -- three for highlighting, and three for contouring. The three highlighting shades are Vanilla, Banana, and Sand, and the contouring shades are Java, Fawn, and Havana. This formula is very blendable and will last the entire day. My favourite highlighting shade in the set is Banana. It is a soft yellow that adds brightness to the face, making you look more awake and refreshed. I also love setting my under-eye area with this. A perk about this palette is that the individual pans pop out, allowing you to just repurchase single shades -- this is perfect if you are someone who runs through certain ones faster than others. This palette is available to purchase at Sephora, but the refills must be purchased through Anastasia.com. I have tried Kat Von D's version, one by MAKEPFOREVER, and one by Australis; this one still takes the cake by a landslide.
8. Christian Dior Creme de Rose Lip Balm -$33
Creme de Rose is a lip balm that smoothes, re-plumps, and hydrates your lips for hours. I know it seems crazy to spend $33 on a lip balm, but I have truly never tried anything like it. It has an extremely luxurious feel and a light rose scent that lingers. As you can tell by the pictures above, this lip balm is very well-loved. It is scratched, cracked on the side, and still has sand in the small crevices on the lid from a trip to the beach. If that doesn't tell you how much I love it, then I don't know what will! I have tried Rosebud Salve from Sephora which is similar, but this has a thicker texture and leaves my lips feeling much more hydrated. This really is one of my favourite lip products of all time!
Thank you all for taking the time to read today, and please let me know some of your all time favourite beauty products. I'm always up to try something new!
Brittany x
Top 10 MAC Lipsticks
It goes without question that MAC has some serious talent in the lipstick department. When walking into my local MAC counter, I become immediately mesmerized by the lipstick display, complete with every shade you could possibly imagine. Even for a seasoned shopper such as myself, staring at this display can quickly become overwhelming and make you completely forget the reason you came to the store in the first place. Red lipstick isn't just red lipstick anymore. It's red with blue undertones, red with shimmer, brick red, vampy red, red with warm undertones.. you get the picture.
For me, I often turn to blogs and youtube videos to find the best of the best. This post will feature my most loved, used, and abused MAC lipsticks. But first, a little product info:
All MAC lipsticks have a light vanilla scent, which I happen to love. But, I know there are people out there who dread having any sort of scent on their face. If that's you, these might not be your favourite. However I will say that the scent is light enough that even those who dislike most scents, will most likely enjoy these. All MAC lipsticks are priced at $20 CDN, and come in a variety of shades and finishes. There are a total of seven different finishes, one of which you will see listed at the bottom of each tube:
- Amplified: cream finish with high-pigment colour
- Cremesheen: high-shine finish
- Frost: shimmer finish
- Lustre: semi-gloss finish
- Matte: matte finish (obvi)
- Retro Matte: VERY matte finish
- Satin: semi-matte finish
My favourites are the Matte and Satin finishes! But now for the fun part, let's talk about my top 10 holy grail shades.
1. HONEYLOVE
Honeylove is part of MAC's permanent range. It is a light beige shade with rose undertones, and has a matte finish. As you can see from the picture, Honeylove is one of my all time favourites. I had always been on the hunt for the perfect nude lip, and when I found this, I was in heaven. It isn't too cool or too warm, making it easy to wear on virtually any skin tone. It also isn't too light. No girl likes to look like they are wearing foundation on their lips.. Eek! If you've ever seen me in pictures with a nude lip, it was probably this one.
2. VELVET TEDDY
If you are a fan of the dark nude "Kylie Jenner Lip", this is the perfect shade for you. I actually went to my MAC counter and asked for just that. A shade that was similar to what Kylie Jenner had been wearing, and I must say, she nailed it! Velvet Teddy is a deep beige shade with a matte finish that leans a little on the warmer side. If I am wanting a nude lip with a little bit of a darker edge, this is what I'll grab. I do think that Honeylove and Velvet Teddy have their similarities, so I swatched them below to tell the difference! You can see that Velvet Teddy is just a tad darker.
* If you are wanting extra definition and more of an edge, try Velvet Teddy with Whirl liner underneath - amazing.
Velvet Teddy (top), Honeylove (bottom)
3. VIVA GLAM V
Viva Glam lipsticks are part of a special permanent collection in MAC stores. Every cent from each lipstick sold is donated to the MAC AIDS fund; a charity dedicated in funding AIDS research. It feels good knowing that you are supporting a great cause with the purchase of these lipsticks. Viva Glam V is a sheer neutral pink shade with a lustre finish. This is a great lipstick to keep in your purse on the go, as it will match any makeup look. This shade brings out your natural lip colour while adding that extra something; the perfect "my lips, but better" lipstick. I like how it is sheer, and adds just a subtle hint of colour.
4. SPIRIT
Spirit is one of my favourite shades to wear at night when I'm not feeling anything bright. It is a darkened beige-brown with a satin finish. Instead of the classic dark red lip for Fall and Winter, I find myself gravitating to this more often than not. Because of its neutral undertone, it compliments all skin tones. It is comfortable, long wearing, and fades nicely without gathering in the corners. A brown lipstick may seem odd or scary to try, but I highly encourage it as you just might surprise yourself!
5. AMOROUS
Amorous is a cool-toned plum shade with a satin finish. I love this shade as it is dark without being harsh, making it appropriate for daytime wear. The texture of this satin finish lipstick is quite smooth upon application, but not so smooth that it migrates around my lips. Every time I wear this, someone is sure to ask what lipstick I'm wearing. When I say it's Amorous, people are usually surprised as it isn't a very popular shade! If you are looking for something that makes a strong impact without being too harsh, give Amorous a try.
6. LADY DANGER
If "regular red" isn't cutting it for you, this is your colour. Lady Danger is a very bright tangerine red with a matte finish. I first saw this shade worn on a girl last summer when I was in Montana for a vacation, and had to literally run down the street after she passed me to ask what was on her lips - it looked amazing on her. I must say, it looked rather intimidating and I had second thoughts about it as the associate showed it to me at my local MAC store. But after some convincing, I decided to buy it anyway. I didn't regret that decision for a second, as this quickly became one of my most worn lipsticks. Its texture is a little more dry than the other matte lipsticks I own, but with that comes great staying power. If you're looking for a fierce new colour that makes a statement, start the car. Lady Danger is waiting.
7. HEROINE
Heroine is not for the faint of heart. It is an electric cool-toned purple with a matte finish. It applies very smooth and is highly pigmented. I bought this one because I kept seeing it everywhere online, and eventually caved. When this shade fist came out, it was limited edition, an became part of MAC's permanent range in 2014. This is one of those lipsticks that automatically puts you in a good mood when applying it -- its just THAT fun. I love to wear this on days when I keep my makeup very neutral and light and want to put all the focus on my lips. Because of the fact that it is so cool-toned, it even makes your teeth appear whiter. BONUS!
8. GIRL ABOUT TOWN
This is my very first MAC lipstick I ever purchased, so naturally, it holds a special place in my heart. Girl About Town is a bright cool-toned fuchsia with an amplified finish. It is a true Barbie pink that is fun and eye-catching - perfect for a night out. It is comfortable to wear, applies easily, and lasts the distance. I always wonder how MAC comes up with names for their products, and "Girl About Town" certainly fuels that curiosity. I've seen this shade worn on all skin tones and hair colours, and I can honestly say it looks great on everyone.
9. REBEL
Rebel is another one of my earliest MAC purchases. The first thing that I'm going to point out about this product is, if you look at the lipstick in the tube and think it's too dark, don't fret. It goes on much lighter! I often use Beet liner under this to make it last even longer without smudging. Rebel is a deep berry shade with a satin finish, and is perfect for the girl who wants to try a dark lip but is maybe a little reluctant. It is a nice transition shade that can be sheered out for a lighter look, or built up for a bold berry lip.
10. TRIBALIST
Tribalist was released as a part of the Heirloom Mix collection last October. Even though it is a limited edition shade, it is still my go to when I want a dark vampy lip. It is a very dark red with an amplified finish that goes on very, very smooth. Out of all the amplified finishes that I own, this one is by far the smoothest and glossiest. If you are looking for something similar to this in MAC's permanent range, try Sin! I will be very sad when this tube comes to an end, as I won't be able to repurchase it due to it being limited edition. Here's to hoping MAC will repromote it in a future collection!
I hope this post was a fun read for all of you fellow MAC lovers, and I would love to know some of your favourites for me to try in the future!
Brittany x
Battle of the Highlighters: Powder Edition
I picked my top four favourite highlighters from my collection to bring you battle of the highlighters. Why you ask? Why not is my answer.
I wanted to talk about them a little more in depth to possibly help those of you in the market to purchase a new one (or first, yay!).
First up, we have a pressed shimmering skin perfector by Becca, in the shade Opal. It is described as "ultrafine luminescent pearls that absorb, reflect, and refract light so your natural radiance is never lost." This powder is indeed ultrafine, and loaded with shimmer - not to be confused with glitter.
Opal by Becca - $46
I especially love this one in the summer when I have more of a tan. I find in the winter months that it is almost too dark for my complexion, giving my skin an almost muddy appearance. However, when I have more colour to my skin, this is the one I gravitate towards. It lasts for at least 8 hours, and gives the strong highlighted look that I love.
Next in the lineup, we have a mineralize skinfinish by MAC in the shade soft and gentle. This one is well-loved, as you can see from my photo below. It is described as "a luxorious power with 77-mineral complex that adds highlights to the face and body." This is one of MAC's best sellers, and for good reason.
Soft and Gentle by MAC - $37
Soft and gentle is a neutral tan shade with a silver sheen, and can be worn with all skin tones. It is finely milled, but not quite as fine and smooth as Becca's shimmering skin perfectors. When applied with a light hand, this can give the most beautiful glow. I recommend this one to the girl who is just adventuring into the highlighting world and wants something that will pair well with any makeup look.
Hot Sensation by MAC is next in the mix, which is part of their beauty powder range. This is described as a "sheer pale peach highlighter" , but I personally think it leans a lot more pink. On me, it has more of a brightening effect than it does a true highlighting effect. It is very finely milled, and soft without being powdery.
Hot sensation by MAC - $31
I love this one when I'm wanting to create the Kim Kardashian style highlight. By that I mean adding more brightness instead of shimmer. Hot sensation might not be your pick if you have a darker skin tone, as it may look more ashy. This would be a perfect pick for the girl with a light to medium skin tone, or for someone who is concerned about fine lines. Sometimes, shimmer can settle into fine lines and actually make them appear more drastic than they actually are. If that is the case for you, stick to a highlight with less shimmer, like this one!
Last but not last, a cult favourite. Albatross by NARS. This was one of my first purchases when initially diving into the beauty world, and I don't regret it!
Albatross by NARS - $37
Albatross gives a sheer light golden sheen, and must be applied with a light hand unless you plan on being mistaken for a walking disco ball. I am all for a strong highlight, but not so much for glitter on the face. When applied properly with a fan brush, for example, this highlight can truly give you the most perfect sun kissed glow. Its golden undertones match well with warmer skin tones. Another way I like to use this is to layer over a blush to give an overall sheen to the face. This highlighter is perfect for someone who wants something versatile, or something that makes a statement.
Below are swatches of the highlighters in natural light.
soft and gentle, albatross, hot sensation, opal
I wish you the best of luck in your future highlighting endeavours!
Brittany x
Rimmel London x Pout App
When Rimmel London calls, you answer.
For roughly the past year, Pout App has made me a part of their Ambassador program. This means that I get to partner with Pout to receive new and trendy items, and tell them what I think! The creators of the app (Laura and Riley) are as sweet as can be, and I feel privileged that they even thought to ask me to be a part of this program.
Recently, they contacted me and asked if I would like to receive new festival inspired goodies from Rimmel London Canada, and OF COURSE I obliged. Here is what they sent me:
(complete with flowers from the bf, of course)
1. Stay Matte touch-up powder -- this is an old favorite of mine, and was stoked to see it in the package!
2. (3) Kate Moss Nude Collection Lipsticks in the shades 01, 42, and 45
3. (2) OH MY GLOSS lip glosses in the shades 500 "ooh la la" and 800 "crystal clear"
4. (2) Nail Polishes from the recent collaboration with Rita Ora (hot pink and orange)
5. Exaggerate Smoke N' Shine gel eyeliner in the shade 002 "Copper Bling"
6. Moisture Renew lipstick in the shade 450 "Berry Rich"
7. Lift Me Up Mascara in 001 "Black"
8. Lasting Finish face primer
9. Stay Matte Foundation in 200 "Soft Beige"
10. Brow This Way brow gel in 002 "Medium Brown"
I have only had these products for about a week now, and am currently in the middle of formulating some reviews. I will be sure to post as soon as I have some thorough opinions formed -- so far, so great!
Thanks for reading,
Brittany x