MAC 187SH Duo Fibre Brush

Purchase: $50.50 @ M.A.C. Cosmetics

The picture shown is the regular, long handled brush but I received the short handle version in a MAC brush set. I LOVE this brush! I have been using it for my foundation lately and it works wonders. I use it with a stippling motion, meaning, I put foundation on the back of my hand, lightly tap the brush in to the product and then continue tapping it all over my face. I do NOT swipe it back and forth/in circles etc. I only lightly tap it ALL over my face and it gives me GREAT coverage with very little product! Amazing! It even covers up the redness left by my acne scars, truly amazing! I love this brush and got it at such a good price in a brush kit so I would suggest waiting until you can get the short handle version for a lot less. I most definitely recommend this brush to EVERYONE! It is very easy to use and saves you $$ on product costs and you don't get a caky look that you might get from uneven product application and/or the use of concealer. 

M.A.C. SE219 Eye Pencil Brush

Purchase: $29.50 @ M.A.C. Cosmetics

I love this brush! I recently purchased the SE219 (which is a version with a smaller handle that comes in a package of a few brushes) and it works amazingly! The bristles are fairly soft so they don't scratch your face. I also have a Lise Watier one and the bristles are too stiff so there is a lot of fall out. However, with this brush, you can even blend the product in so it is definitely a multi use brush. Also, you can use it to smudge colour for a smokey eye effect. I would definitely recommend this brush to everyone! However, since the regular sized one is so expensive I would recommend finding this in a gift pack of 3-5 different brushes like I did! Good luck!

Don't forget to sign up for my February Contest!

M.A.C. 252SE Brush Review

Purchase: $ 36.50 @ M.A.C. for the full sized 252 Brush
Softness: 3 out of 10

I personally feel that this brush is a little too big for my liking. I use it to apply the shadow all over my lid and for blending. Also, the brush was extremely stiff and left my eye pink and sore after I used it for blending. I actually purchased this SE brush in a gift pack for a great price but I assume the full sized one is about the same. If I had a choice I would not buy this brush again nor would I pay the full price for the full sized one.

What do you use your 252 Brush for? How do you like it? Please share your experiences here!

Don't forget to follow this blog in order to win my February Contest!

New Toys and Give Away Product!??

Check out my new toys!

And possible give away item: 

Green purse (comes with long handle)

I am so excited to try these things out and let you guys know how good they are! I am interested to see the difference between SE brushes and regular brushes. I have been wanting both the stippling brush and angled brush for awhile and getting the whole package was a way better deal!

Make sure to check out this month's CONTEST! 

Happy Boxing Day Shopping Everyone!

I sure hope everyone's holiday was filled with family, friends and lots of fun! In the next couple of days I am going to do a quick video blog of the amazing haul of makeup I received this Xmas! Such a lucky girl I am!

Today I have two things for you, a product review and a dupe warning!

The Dupes:

MAC's Zangy vs. MACs Electric Eel
They are both a bright blue colour and are almost exactly the same! Zany is SLIGHTLY lighter than Electric Eel but you won't need both so make sure not to go overboard on Boxing day!

Product Review:

Price: Aprox $20 @ Sephora

Removing Power: 9.5 out of 10

Product application: 7 out of 10

Product removal: 3 out of 10

Packaging: 5 out of 10

I know that it says 'rinse-off' on the very front of the bottle but I am not the only one who could not read the light white writing on the clear packaging! This formula works GREAT! In fact, it works even better than my Lancome eye-makeup remover... HOWEVER, you have to RINSE this off which can be very inconvenient if someone else is in the bathroom and you have all your makeup supplies/vanity in another room. Also, if you forget, it tends to burn your eyes! A friend of mine and I were discussing yesterday how it burned and then I went to Sephora and a woman working their told us we had to rinse if off.... way to read the bottle ladies. So, if you purchase this, make sure to rinse it off or it might cause all the area around your eye to burn. I especially noticed this when I put on my eye moisturizer...  There is also a Clinique no-rinse formula in a purple bottle that might be a better choice than this but I have yet to try it out. 

And don't forget to enter our December Contest for a chance to win a FULL SIZED ROC 3 in 1 toner/eyemakup remover/cleanser! The entire package is worth up to $50 in samples and full sized products!

Happy Shopping Ladies and Gents! 

xox

M.A.C. Cosmetics Prep + Prime Loose Powder

Price: $27.00
Purchase: M.A.C. online

Rating: 6.5 out of 10

This is no miracle product but it does help a with shine a bit. Although it is called 'prep and prime' it is actually meant to be put on AFTER foundation and/or powder. However, I feel that putting on foundation, plus a face powder, plus this powder, is a bit much to put on your face. Especially if you are worrying about breaking out or looking cakey. I do like to use this product alone though, especially if I just put a little moisturizer on and then put the powder on after to keep my face from getting greasy--it definitely works better without having foundation/powder on first. Basically, the more product you put on your face the more likely it is to smudge off... often I will have foundation primer on, foundation, and a setting powder so adding the prime and prep is a LOT of stuff. If you are going to try this product, I suggest using it either just over moisturizer, or use it instead of a translucent or coloured pressed/loose powder. If you use it directly after your foundation it keeps a mattified look for longer!

MAC 217 Blending Brush

Purchase: $27 @ M.A.C.

An amazing brush! You can do so much with this! First, you can use it as a flat brush to apply colour all over the lid. Then, you can put it in your crease/outside corner of the eye to blend in a darker colour for an accent.... the bristles are pretty stiff so the colour goes on really thick! If you are blending, make sure to have very little colour on the brush and just blend blend blend! The make up artist at M.A.C. SWORE by this brush! Also, I have found that a lot of online beauty bloggers use this brush.... So I would say this is a MUST HAVE BRUSH if you are looking to have just a few key tools in your kit!

M.A.C. Lipstick/gloss

Hey there!
So I am not sure how many of you have the same problem as me, but when I put on lip stick it always looks like the colour is 'out of the lines' and when I wipe it away, it looks like I missed a spot!

Anyways, I found a nice nude lipstick combo that I wanted to share with you guys!

The colour is a sort of a wine/nude colour.



Price: $17.50 CA each
First I start with Lustre Lipstick in To Pamper and than layer with Lipglass in Spree.

It looks great! Feel free to stop in at your local M.A.C. shop and sample the lip duo!

Todays topic: Everyday Eyeware

Lancome Bi-Facial Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover 125mL
Its claims:
- for sensitive eyes
- removes waterproof mascara

Purchase: $34 at London Drugs
Oiliness: 7 out of 10 (10 being the most oily)
Greasiness: 2 out of 10 (10 being the greasiest)
Remover Quality: 7 out of 10
Frequency of use: Every Day
Duration of use: at least a year

So far this is my eye makeup remover of choice. On the web page it says it is 'non oily' but in my opinion it is still very sleek and leaves some oily film on my skin. However, the film does dry fairly quickly but be sure to make sure it is all off before applying eye makeup. You have to shake it before each use because there is two parts oil to one part active ingredients. It does take off most eye makeup except I have one very tough mascara it refuses to take off in even two separate tries (Once at night and once in the morning). It usually takes a total of 2-5 to take off stubborn mascara. If anyone has some suggestions on a better eye makeup remover I am all ears!


Tarte 4 day stay lash stain

Purchase: Sephora.com
Staying power: 7 out of 10
Colour: 10 out of 10
Volume building: 5 out of 10
Lengthening: 4 out of 10

This is the 'stubborn mascara' I spoke about in the above post. If I wash it off at night with my normal face cleaner and eye makeup remover at both night and day, it usually comes off. I personally don't like this mascara because I hate the feeling of clumps on my eyelashes left over from the night before. I am also a contact wearer and it irritated my eyes a bit the next morning.


M.A.C. Cosmetics Eye Shadow

Purchase: $17.50 at maccosmetics.ca
Staying power: 9 out of 10
Colour Intensity: 9 out of 10

In order to achieve the deepest colour, like most eyeshadows, you need to layer the eyeshadow. This eyeshadow is the best eyeshadow I have tested. You can use it with both your finger or brushes. I personally feel that in order to achieve the darkest tint of the eyeshadow using your finger works best. The oils from your finger (although they should be clean before you use them on your eyes) mixes with the shadow and makes for a deeper colour. I even have yellow and it goes on fairly opaque with just one application!

Over the years....

Over the years I have spent so much time and money on buying beauty products that I thought I should start sharing my favorite and least favorite products with the public.

I am 25 years old with fair skin. I tan easily and have sensitive-acne prone skin. My complexion is fairly oily and I break out mostly around my T-zone and mouth.

Now that you know my skin type, you can more easily decide if my product reviews are right for you.

Today's Product Reviews:


Vichy Normaderm Pro Mat Hydrant ultra-matifiant SPF 15 30mL

Purchase: $30 London Drugs (on sale now for 25% off)
How long used: 3 days
Moisturizing Effect: 7 out of 10
Mattifying Effect: 10 out of 10
Staying Power: All Day
Frequency of use: Every Morning
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Ensulizole 1.8%


So far this is my favorite matifying lotion! My skin seems to stay oil-free all day even with foundation/cover up on! I will keep everyone posted but so far this is my #1 matifying moisturizer! PLUS it even has SPF 15 which is a MUST HAVE EVERY DAY to keep your skin healthy, and melanoma free! Also!! London Drugs often has sales on Vichy products! Currently they have Vichy for 25% off! So make sure to check your local LD for great deals on all Vichy products.
Update May 8th: I love this stuff!I just went for a walk in the sun on a hot day and my skin is still shine free! Amazing! Something I forgot to mention before though, is that the moisturizer does not get rid of the stubborn flakes I have on my nose :( For this, I suggest a stronger moisturizer that I will talk about later on in the week!


M.A.C. Cosmetics Paint Pot

Purchase: $20 at maccosmetics.ca
Staying Power: 9 out of 10 (Must use eye-makeup remover to get this product off and often takes a few tries. I suggest soaking your cotton pad in the eye makeup remover and holding it on the eye for a minute or so before gently patting the makeup away)
Colour intensity: 10 out of 10 (I only used black, however)
Consistency: medium-thick

I use the black paint pot as an eyeliner. I use a thin brow brush as an eyeliner brush as I find the teeny-tiny paint brushes (normally used as eyeshadow brushes) to be too flimsy. I LOVE this as eye liner! However, this stuff dries out easily/quickly so make sure to close the lid TIGHTLY after every use. The consistency is very thick so it is easy to work with (not too thin/watery). I would definitely suggest this as an Eyeliner, however, I have never bought a coloured one and used it as an eyeshadow.