Monthly Archives: November 2010

Marcelle Power Volume Mascara: Finally, a Washable Mascara that Holds a Curl!

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Marcelle Power Volume Mascara

When a product contains the word “power” in its name, you better believe I expect a heckuvalot (new word) from it.  When Marcelle Power Volume Mascara ($11.95) (power and volume!) arrived at my doorstep, I expected another mascara that promises too much and barely delivers.  But of course, I was secretly praying to the makeup gods to let me love it! :P

Marcelle Power Volume Mascara wand

Marcelle Power Volume Mascara reminds me a lot of an old drugstore favourite — L’Oreal Voluminous.  It is thick and a little bit on the dry side, so it is kinda tricky to layer it and get a clump-free application.  The wand is big and very dense, which leads to my other problem with the mascara: the brush picks up a lot of product straight out of the tube.  It helps to have some tissue nearby to wipe off any excess.

In terms of how it performs, it is definitely on par with L’Oreal Voluminous.  Annoyingly, volumizing formulas do not look as good in macro (close up) shots as they do in person.  This mascara gives my lashes a pretty, doll-like appearance.  My lashes remain soft and crunch-free when I wear it.  This is not a mascara that separates and defines the lashes; even with careful maneuvering, you will get small clumps of lashes to give them that “fat lash” appearance.

Marcelle Power Volume Mascara gets top marks for its weightlessness.  Most volumizing mascaras weigh down my sad Asian lashes and I end up losing my curl.  Such is not the case with this.  See below for evidence. ;)

While I do get minimal flaking with this (especially when I put on too much), it wears without any smudging and washes off easily with my face wash.  All-in-all, I think Marcelle created a winner here.  I think it is an excellent mascara formula with huge potential, but they made a poor choice for a brush wand.  Instead I’d love to see a spiky rubber brush to help define the lashes.  The thick formula would still keep the lashes nice and fat, and the brush can comb out the extra clumps.  Hope you’re reading, Marcelle! ;)  Rating: B+.

A Love Letter to MAC Brun Eyeshadow.

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MAC Brun Eyeshadow

Dear Brun,

We’ve only known each other for three weeks, so I hope what I’m about to say doesn’t scare you off.

I think I’m in love with you.

We hit it off right from the start.  Maybe it’s your cool, dark, and handsome face that I was drawn to. You are not just any other boring brown; you are complex, and smoldering, and sexy.

MAC Brun Eyeshadow

My other ex-makeup staples are jealous of all the attention you’ve been getting lately.  I even ditched my MAC Eye Brows pencil for you.  I just don’t think you understand — this is a huge deal for a brow pencil kinda girl.  I left and told him that you fulfill my brow needs in ways that he just can’t.  We just fit together so naturally. :)

Wearing MAC Brun Eyeshadow on brows (from Gryffindor Inspired FOTD)

MAC Brun Eyeshadow Swatch

You are a jack of all trades, too.  You’re awesome as a deep crease shade or an eyeliner.  You are amazingly blendable and pigmented — never chalky — unlike other mattes that I’ve dealt with in the past.  Oh!  I know now why you look so familiar: you are Coquette’s deeper, warmer brother.

MAC Coquette Eyeshadow (left) / MAC Brun Eyeshadow (right)

Thank you, Brun, for coming into my life. :)  I just know we will have a long lasting relationship together.

Love,
Arianne

Have You Met Brun Yet?

If you haven’t, girl, you don’t know what you’re missing! ;)

MAC Spring Trends: Because Some People Just Do Not Like Winter.

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Brrrr. Can you feel that?  The temps are starting to dip on this side of the world, and some people just do not like it.  (I happen to like it because snow equals awesome snowboarding for me, but you know, to each her own.)  So let’s forget old man Winter for several minutes and talk about Spring Trends, shall we?

I got a chance to drop in on a Master Class in MAC Pro on Queen Street, where MAC makeup artists Jane McKay and Ricky Boudreau gave us a sneak peek on makeup and beauty trends for the Spring season.  It’s only about 7 months away, and it won’t kill you to be on trend when Spring arrives, amirite ladies? ;)

Jane McKay and Ricky Boudreau

4 Spring Trends that You Need to Know (and Love Very Very Much)

#1 — Pop Classic

What’s Spring without big bold pops of colour?  This trend is all about the classic shapes like cat eye, or rounded smoky eyes with a twist: steer clear of the boring, “safe” shades, and go wild with colour!

#2 — Ice Dream

Ladies, get ready to immerse yourselves in lovely pastels.  Embrace pastels and mirror the pretty flowers in bloom.  Because pastels can look washed out (or weird on medium to dark complexions like mine), make them more interesting by mixing shimmery colours with matte shades.

#3 — Raw-Fined

You’ve seen it before, and you’ll see it over and over again, because clean skin — or what we call the “no makeup” look — is going to be in style for. ever.  It looks simple, but the no makeup look takes some time and skill to perfect.  Remember, as I’ve said on the blog before, good complexion work is worth perfecting.

#4 — Terra-Copper

This one is my favourite, because it’s all about the brrrrronze and golds and coppers!  I love this trend because golds are uber flattering on everybody.  It is very glam, very sexy sexy.

Jane McKay’s Take on Pop Classic

Jane took the elongated cat eye and updated it with this electric pop of blue all over the eye lids.  Instead of taming down the lips, a bright orange (a complementary colour) completes this look that is perfect for those who love to be front and centre.

The model is wearing:

  • Eyes: Dipdown Fluidline (base), Freshwater Eyeshadow (lid and lower lash line), Soba Eyeshadow (crease), Silver Dusk + Golden Bronze Iridescent Powders (inner corner), Typographic Eyeshadow (outer corner), Blues Kohl (waterline), Half of #33 Lashes, Lash Mixing Medium + a blue pigment as mascara
  • Face: Studio Sculpt Foundation (worn sheerly down the middle of the face), MSF Natural in Medium Dark (to contour cheeks and forehead)
  • Lips: Morange Lipstick, a clear gloss (down the middle)

Terra-Copper Ricky Boudreau Style

This look is all about the glossy golden bronze eye and skin with a mannequin-like finish.  This look is crazy dramatic and I totally fell in love.

The model is wearing:

  • Eyes: Indianwood Paint Pot (base up to the brows), Mineralized Eyeshadow (highlights — centre of lid, brows, inner corner), Typographic + Embark Eyeshadows (smudged into upper and lower lash lines), Amber Lights Eyeshadow (lower lash line), False Lashes Mascara, NC15/NC20 Chromagraphic Pencil (waterline), Shine Mixing Medium (centre of lid)
  • Face: Fix+, Care Blends Essential Oils, Mineralize Foundation + Naked Dark Pigment (all-over base), Midtone Sepia Cream Colour Base (cheek contour)
  • Lips: Museum Bronze pigment mixed with a clear lip gloss

3 Pro Tips to Update Your Makeup Skills

#1 — Think Outside the Bristles

Jane used the 224 Eyeshadow Blending Brush to powder the T-zone and around the nose.  If you powder in specific areas of your face instead of all over, your makeup will more modern and youthful.

#2 — Smudge your Eyeliner on the Lower Lashline

Smudged eyeliner on the lower lash line is more flattering than a solid line.  It gives that soft smoky effect in a snap.  Just make sure the under eye circles are concealed well.

#3 — Contour the Temples to Highlight Your Pretty Peepers

If you’re already used to contouring your cheekbones, why not take your brush to your temples too.  This not only slims a wide forehead (check!), but also draws the attention to your lovely eyes.

A Dash of Makeup Geekery

Ricky is a fan of the 138 Tapered Face Brush ($62.50) not only because it’s an awesome face brush, but also because it makes a great microphone.  LOL I like that! :)

He also used this powder, which I believe is the Pro Set Powder in Gold, all over the model’s neck and décolletage.

I am totally obsessed with this, and I’m going back next week when the budget allows for it.  Here I am modelling it all over my arms.  Holy shimmer Batman!

Which Spring Trend are You Most Excited to Wear?

Will rock these looks during the long Winter months?  Besides the golds and coppers, I think I am most likely to wear the bright pops of colour.  There’s nothing like a brights to make my grey/black Winter uniform a little bit interesting. :)