Spring Trends: Pantone Fashion Colour Report Spring 2013

April 16, 2013 | 5 Responses

Pantone Spring 2013

Presenting all the pretty colours that are in for spring! What a happy, fun post to put together. I had to run out and buy something yellow because — can you believe it? — I had none. What shade are you most excited to wear this season? I’m all about the Dusk Blue and African Violet. Enjoy all the eye candy, and don’t forget to leave me tips on how you wear these colours.

Pantone Spring 2013 Emerald Grayed Jade Tender Shoots Lemon Zest

Pantone Spring 2013 Emerald Grayed Jade Tender Shoots Lemon Zest Swatches

Emerald: Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner in Emerald ($10.95 at drugstores / used here)
Grayed Jade: Essence Quattro Eyeshadow in 06 Rock Angel ($3.99 at drugstores)
Tender Shoots: MAC Eyeshadow in Swimming (CAD $14.50 / US $12 for a refill pan at MAC stores and counters)
Lemon Zest: Annabelle Studio Pigment in LOL (around $8 at drugstores)

Pantone Spring 2013 Dusk and Monaco Blues and African Violet

Pantone Spring 2013 Dusk and Monaco Blues and African Violet Swatches

Dusk Blue: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Periwinkle ($26 at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and Sears); Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 008 Light Blue ($5.99 at drugstores)
Monaco Blue: MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream in #20 ($26 at Sephora); Lancôme Artliner in 400 Azure ($37 in counters May 2013)
African Violet: Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes in 09 Lavish Lilac ($19 at Sephora and Clinique counters); Mary Kay Cream Eye Color in Violet Storm ($16 at online)

Pantone Spring 2013 Linen Poppy Red and Nectarine

Pantone Spring 2013 Linen Poppy Red and Nectarine Swatches

Linen: Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Bikini-tini ($24 at Sephora); Marcelle Velvety Eye Shadow + Primer in Primer Rose ($15.95 at drugstores); Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 005 Nude ($5.99 at drugstores).
Poppy Red: Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick in 110 ($7.99 at drugstores)
Nectarine: shu uemura rouge unlimited supreme shine in ob dream orange ($36 at Holt Renfrew and online); MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Natural in #N40 ($22 at Sephora)

Lipstick Bandits: Vampy Lips

November 19, 2012 | 44 Responses

I looooove this round of the Lipstick Bandits collaborations, as I myself adore a good vampy lip. I could’ve picked a few different lip products for this look, but there is one lipstick that has blown me away in terms of pigment, look and longevity. MAKE UP FOR EVER 9 Burgundy Aqua Rouge ($27) is my pick and you’ll see why!

MAKE UP FOR EVER 9 Burgundy Aqua Rouge

The MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Rouge is a magical two-step liquid lipstick formula. One end contains opaque matte colour with a doe foot applicator, and the other has a short stiff brush applicator for the gloss. A glossy long-wearing lip product sounds contradictory, right? But this stuff lasts and lasts! Unless you eat a greasy, juicy burger (which I did!) you wouldn’t need to touch up your lip colour. And even then, my lip line stayed perfectly crisp, and I only had to touch up inside the lip lines.

MAKE UP FOR EVER 9 Burgundy Aqua Rouge

I love that 9 Burgundy has no hint of berry, and instead leans more deep blood red. That, to me, is the perfect definition of a vampy lipstick. You would never believe this is a swipe-and-go shade because it is dark and glossy, until you try it yourself.

Wearing MAKE UP FOR EVER 9 Burgundy Aqua Rouge

With Scherbie!
Also wearing: Chanel Notorious as face contour, MUFE Brown-Black Eyebrow Corrector, shu uemura prestigious bordeaux (rosy brown eyeshadow), shu uemura orange & pistachio (darkest 2 shades)

Read on to read about the other Lipstick Bandits’ vampy lipstick picks.

Click here to read about the other Lipstick Bandits’ vampy lipstick picks.

Inspired By Victoria’s Secret Glowing & Angelic Makeup

October 22, 2012 | 30 Responses

When it comes to makeup looks, I appear to be experimental here on the blog (check out all my looks here). However, on a day-to-day basis, I actually wear the same simple makeup. I wear a toned down version of this Victoria’s Secret runway look — from 2008, I think, but I could be wrong. I have been wearing a lot of the same products: MAKE UP FOR EVER #2 Sculpting Kit to contour, MAC Supercontinental Blush on the cheeks, a mix of Le Métier de Beauté Crème Caramel Lip Creme and Revlon Sunbaked Colorburst Lip Gloss.

The Victoria’s Secret look is actually very easy to do. It’s a simple formula, really: contoured cheeks, glowing bronzed skin, glossy pink lips, and a pearly champagne highlight on the eyes. Follow along to see how I created this look.

Get the Look

For the eyes, fill in the eyebrows with a taupe grey eyeshadow (MAC Brun and Coquette). Highlight the brows and inner corners with a pearly champagne (from CARGO Vienna quad). Apply a pearly beige (MAC All That Glitters) all over the lid. Use a matte taupe (MAC Coquette) to lightly contour the crease with a fluffy blending brush (MAC 217). Take the same eyeshadow with an eyeliner brush and run it along the lower lash line. Next, tap the fluffy blending brush lightly into a matte reddish brown (Mary Kay Sienna / review) and apply to the outer V and blend well. Line the lower lash line with the same eyeshadow.

Apply a thin winged eyeliner on the top lash line (Maybelline Master Precise Ink Pen Eyeliner), and then apply mascara. I opted to wear a natural set of false lashes (Ardell 109) to pump up the flirt factor.

For the skin, after an illuminating primer (Laura Mercier Radiance Primer / review), foundation and concealer, brush on bronzer (Guerlain 03 Brunettes Terracotta Light / review) on the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. Sculpt the cheeks and temples with a contour powder (MAKE UP FOR EVER #2 Sculpting Kit). Apply a shimmery highlight on the apples of the cheeks (MAC Pro Gold Studio Finish Face Powder / review). Then I layered a glowing pink blush (MAC Supercontinental / review) on the apples of the cheeks.