Lipstick Bandits: The One That Started The Obsession.

February 20, 2012 | 32 Responses

MAC Lipstick in Crosswires ($17.50) was one of the first to join my small lipstick army a couple of years ago. I truly believe it was my gateway drug to brighter, bolder lipstick (like OMG Impassioned!).

MAC Lipstick in Crosswires

At the time, I was obsessed with finding a lipstick to match what Leighton Meester was wearing here. I thought Crosswires was the perfect candidate.

Source

When I first put this on, I actually thought it was too bright that it was unwearable. Who was that person? Now this is one of my most wearable lipsticks. Perfect for the warmer months, when I’ll be wearing a fresh face more often. O hai, Spring, are you coming soon?

MAC Crosswires Lipstick

Anyways.

So long story short: MAC Lipstick Crosswires was bright, and now it’s wearable. Do we get that?

The only thing I don’t like about this — now that I’ve tried a kajillion and a half lipsticks — is the formula. My lips don’t really agree with the Cremesheen formula. While they impart amazing amount of pigment, they tend to suck the moisture out of my lips. So I make sure to layer balm underneath, or a moisturizing gloss on top.

I thought I might as well do a full look with this, taking Leighton Meester’s fresh face as inspiration.

Get the Look

For the eyes, pat on a shimmery light beige (MAC All That Glitters) on the lid. Using a tapered crease brush, apply a warm matte brown (MAC Soft Brown) to the crease. Follow with a taupe brown (MAC Coquette) to the crease to create a natural-looking shadow. On the outer corner of the lid, apply a matte chocolate brown (MAKE UP FOR EVER #17 Espresso) to create depth. Line the upper lash line with black liquid or gel liner (YSL Shocking) and wing out slightly. Line the top waterline with a black pencil. Line the bottom lash line with a shimmery taupe brown gel liner (MAC Added Goodness Fluidline).

I decided to add a few short and medium Ardell lash flares to add more volume and length on the outer corners before I used mascara.

For the cheeks, apply a coral blush to the apples of the cheeks (Tarte Blissful). Add a luminous pink highlight on the top of the cheeks (Marcelle Pink Fusion).

For the lips, apply coral lipstick (MAC Crosswires) straight from the tube for maximum colour intensity.

Keep reading to see more pictures!

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I’m Ready to Party with Candy Brights from YSL Spring Look 2012 Collection.

January 30, 2012 | 39 Responses

It was a late Sunday morning. I was still in my favourite pj’s (the blue one with the polar bears). It was during my last load of laundry when I thought, hey, I gotta put on some bright makeup. Why the hell not? I like to put on more adventurous looks when I know I can wash it off in the shower later, just in case it goes really bad. I remembered that I haven’t showed a look using the YSL Spring 2012 Collection, so here it finally is. I like how this one turned out actually — not too loud and dare I say, quite wearable.

Get the Look

This look requires very minimal number of products, and I used all the products I received from YSL (reviewed here).

YSL Vinyl Candy Palette
YSL Rouge Volupté Perle in No 114 – Sparkling Fuchsia and No 115 – Shimmering Coral
YSL Voile de Blush in No 2 – Coral Veil

For the eyes, start with a wash of matte light beige eyeshadow (MAC Brûlé) all over the lid all the way to the brow bone. Pat the light pink (YSL Vinyl Candy palette) on the inner third of the lid and inner third of the lower lash line. Follow with the lavender on the outer two thirds of the lid. Start applying the blue shade along the outer half of the lash line and along the outer V. Build up the intensity of the blue by applying more layers and blending. Line the top and bottom waterlines with a black pencil, and create a thick cat eye flick with a black liquid liner (Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner).

For the cheeks, apply a coral gel blush (YSL Voile de Blush in No 2 – Coral Veil) on the apples of the cheeks to add radiance.

For the lips, apply a sheer layer of coral (YSL Rouge Volupté Perle in No 115 – Shimmering Coral) or fuchsia (No 114 – Sparkling Fuchsia) to complete the look.

Click here to see more pictures!

Sneak Peek: YSL Spring Look 2012

January 11, 2012 | 29 Responses

The best thing about being in the middle of winter is the launch of many Spring collections that are bursting with hope (of warm days ahead) and colour. Here’s a look at some items from YSL Spring Look 2012.

Bright sheer colours make up this punchy spring collection, which is inspired by candy! Who doesn’t like candy?

YSL Rouge Volupté Perle in No 114 – Sparkling Fuchsia and No 115 – Shimmering Coral

These are two of four limited edition Rouge Volupté Perle shades ($38). The other are No 113 – Iridescent Burgundy and No 116 – Milky Pink. They are glossy sheer lipsticks with a very slippery texture of a lip balm. Both these shades are laced with gold pearl. See more swatches at Best Things In Beauty.

YSL Vinyl Candy Palette

The gorgeous, limited edition Vinyl Candy Palette ($68) was inspired by sugar-coated rock candies. The pigmentation of these eyeshadows is sheer-to-medium without a base (see swatches below), but easily buildable if opaque is what you’re looking for. I had a bit of problem with the blackcurrant shade to apply evenly, but the rest of the shadows are very smooth.

YSL Voile de Blush in No 2 – Coral Veil

YSL Voile de Blush ($40) is a new, limited edition formula for the collection. It is a sheer, water-based gel blush that adds a hint of colour and subtle sheen to the cheeks. It is very lightly tinted that it barely shows up on my tan skin, so your mileage will vary depending on your skintone. The blush is also available in No 1 – Carmine Veil and No 3 – Pink Veil.

YSL Rouge Volupté Perle in No 114 – Sparkling Fuchsia and No 115 – Shimmering Coral / YSL Voile de Blush in No 2 – Coral Veil Swatches

YSL Vinyl Candy Palette Swatches

I adore the the eye palette and the lipsticks in this collection. I can’t wait to show you a look using the products. What do you think? Anything you want to take home?

YSL Spring Look 2012 is available in Canada as of February in Holt Renfrew and selected Bay and Murale stores. The Vinyl Candy Palette is also available at selected Sephora boutiques.