You Big Flirt! Ralph Lauren The Big Pony Fragrance Collection For Women essie Sensual Set #2 Review, Photos, Swatches

This spring, Ralph Lauren and essie are getting on board the matchy-matchy train! The two big brands have created four limited edition fragrance and nail sets available now in Canada. The sets come in two formats:

  • 30 ml fragrance, 50g body mist & essie nail polish ($47 exclusively at Jean Coutu in Quebec) — the one I’m showing here!
  • 50 ml fragrance & essie nail polish ($67 available at The Bay and Sears)

I received set #2 for the Sensual Woman. She’s pink, flirty and 100% fabulous. :)

Appealing to the sensuality in every woman, #2 carries a sensual fragrance that could only be bottled in pink. Accessorize the feminine hue with a few criss-cross lines, reminiscent of laced ribbons.

Big Pony Fragrance Collection Essie Set 2

essie Polish in #2 Pink is a fuchsia creme. I found this to be on the thick side. One coat gives great coverage, but I decided to go with two to cover some uneven spots. Inspired by the nail art created by nail art Rita Remark created for the collection (more on that later!), I tried my hand at nail art myself: polka dots!

Big Pony Fragrance Collection Essie Set 2 Wearing Nail Polish
My lipstick

I paired Pink #2 with a red, essie Polish in A-List. Cute, no? I think it perfectly suits the sensual woman this set represents.

Big Pony Fragrance Collection Essie Set 2 Nail Polish Swatch

When one is a beauty blogger and not specifically a nail blogger, she must improvise on how to show off the nails in a non-macro setting. Watch and learn. Clockwise from top left: “The runway model”, “The fake laugh”, “The come hither, not to be confused with the finger”, “The oops I did it again!”

Unleash your inner geek, girls! Life’s too short to be cool. Just have fun with it. :)

Ralph Lauren Essie 2 outtakes

Keep reading to see more photos!

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Leave Your (Under Eye) Baggage Behind: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Review, Photos, Swatches

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer launched with a big bang in early March, so I hightailed it to my NARS counter to pick up my shade. This concealer has been getting exceptional reviews from the beauty community; it is loved by both makeup enthusiasts and artists alike.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Custard 1

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (CDN $30 / US $28 at NARS counters and online) is the brand’s new line of lightweight concealer “enriched with hydrating, multi-action skincare benefits and light diffusing technology.” The ten shades target imperfections, fine lines and signs of fatigue and “create a softer, smoother complexion.” These promise to be crease-proof and long wearing.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Custard 2

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Custard 3
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard

My under eye shade is Custard (yellow tone for light to medium complexion). The light-reflecting properties in Radiant Creamy Concealer works amazingly well under the eyes to counteract my dark purple circles. This shade is lighter than my foundation shade, and doubles as a natural highlight without crossing into Kardashian concealer territory. If I were to use this anywhere else on my face, I’ll need a darker shade than Custard.

I make sure that my under eye area is well moisturized (this eye cream by Biotherm rocks!) before applying this concealer. Even though it is creamy, I didn’t find it to be moisturizing at all. This sticks to dry spots on the inner corners of my eyes.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Before and After 2
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Before and After

I found a really excellent guide for concealing under eye baggage on Maskcara via Pinterest. The photo below demonstrates where I applied this concealer. I highlight beyond the baggage area in an inverted triangle to lift it, not emphasize it. Apply down the centre of the nose to create a subtle illusion of a thinner nose without the use of dark contouring creams or powders.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Application Diagram
Application guide: Build in light layers and blend over these areas for a lifted look.

Wearing NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

The thing I most like about NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer: it doesn’t look like anything on, yet the brightening effect is apparent. It creates a well-rested youthful look. I look 17 again. I wouldn’t be surprised if I get carded while wearing NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. ;) It lasts an entire work day on me with minimal fading, but the convenient packaging and applicator makes it easy for me to touch up any faded areas after work.

Wearing NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer 1

This has already replaced two of my under eye favourites: MAC Prep+Prime Highlighter and MAC Pro Longwear Concealer. That’s huge, you guys. This is so easy to use and it saves me time in the morning. :)

Great news to sensitive skin types: this is paraben-free, alcohol free, synthetic fragrance free and non-comedogenic. Look good and feel great! Have you tried NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer? What are your thoughts on its formula and performance?

Back To Brights: MAC Fashion Sets Ablaze and Silly Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches

While they are still hot and available on the Canadian website (shop here – not an affiliate link, so feel free to buy all the things!), I want to share my thoughts and swatches of the new MAC Fashion Sets Collection.

MAC Fashion Sets 1

I received two lipstick shades (CDN $18 / US $15 each) from the collection:

  • Ablaze is a bright creamy coral, in a Matte formula.
  • Silly is a bright milky pink, in a Matte formula.

MAC’s Matte formula, if you’re not familiar with it, brings a lot of pigmentation, but also applies very dry. This is a heavy lip formula that you’ll either love or hate. I happen to love matte brights, so I can deal with it. This formula also wears a long time, but keep the lip balm on hand when your lips start to feel parched.

MAC Fashion Sets 2

Coral lipsticks have a permanent place in my heart, and I am in love with Ablaze. What a beautiful coral! It is not straight up orange, and it’s not neon either. It’s bright but easy to wear. I failed to find a dupe for it in my collection. I thought for sure that Joe Fresh Poppy would be a dead-on dupe, but it leans more orange than Ablaze. MAC Lady Danger is a lot darker in tone and more saturated.

MAC Fashion Sets Ablaze Comparison Swatches
Joe Fresh Poppy / MAC AblazeMAC Lady Danger

MAC Fashion Sets Ablaze Lipstick

Wearing MAC Fashion Sets Ablaze Lipstick 1

Wearing MAC Fashion Sets Ablaze Lipstick 2
Happiness… is what I feel when I wear Ablaze.

Silly is a light Barbie pink. This is pretty hard for me to pull off. I don’t have a dupe for this in my collection either. Hourglass Ballet looks like the right tone, but in a glossy formula. Joe Fresh Fuchsia is a darker.

MAC Fashion Sets Silly Comparison Swatches
Hourglass Ballet / MAC Silly / Joe Fresh Fuchsia

MAC Fashion Sets Silly Lipstick

Wearing MAC Fashion Sets Silly Lipstick 1

Wearing MAC Fashion Sets Silly Lipstick 2
It’s hard not to feel like Nicki Minaj with Silly lipstick on. :P

MAC Fashion Sets Collection is available in North America April 4, 2013 at all M·A·C locations, 1.800.588.0070 and www.maccosmetics.com. The collection is available internationally on May 2013 at all M·A·C locations, 1.800.588.0070 and www.maccosmetics.com.

Are you planning to buy anything from the collection? Any standout shades and products? :)