Category Archives: Looks

Lipstick Bandits Do Coral Lips (Whatever Coral Actually Means).

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Most of the lipstick bandits were at a loss when it came to picking a coral lipstick. What is coral, anyway? It can be used to describe a mix of red, pink and orange. Now that the calendar says it’s officially spring — even though Toronto weather is still definitely winter — there’s no better time to lighten and brighten our lipstick picks! Let’s collectively take out our favourite coral shades, shall we?

My pick just arrived at my doorstep three days ago, from YSL Summer 2013 Collection, coming out in May 2013. I give you Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres in N° 31 Corail Alla Prima ($36).

YSL Glossy Stain 31 Corail Alla Prima

N° 31 Corail Alla Prima is a fresh reddish coral that just screams summer. It just begs to be worn with a bronzed and radiant complexion. Lately I’ve been drawn to wearing glossy lips, but regular lipglosses aren’t really ideal for cold and windy rainy days. The YSL Glossy Stain formula has a stickiness factor of zero. I apply three layers of this to get fully glossy lips and maximum colour intensity.

YSL Glossy Stain 31 Corail Alla Prima applicator

YSL Glossy Stain 31 Corail Alla Prima Swatch
YSL N° 31 Corail Alla Prima swatch (3 layers)

Wearing YSL Glossy Stain 31 Corail Alla Prima 1

I know this formula promises to be long-wearing, but on me, it doesn’t deliver any more longevity than my standard cream lipsticks. I’m okay with that, as I love the glossy finish and punchy shades these come in. They do layer exceptionally well, so touch ups are a breeze.

  Wearing YSL Glossy Stain 31 Corail Alla Prima 2

Products Used

Face and Cheeks

MAC Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in Medium Dark (as foundation)
NARS Radiant Creamy Foundation in Custard (under eyes)
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light (all over to blur pores)
MAC Mineralize SkinFinish in Lightscapade (on cheeks)
Guerlain Terracotta Light Powder in 03 Brunettes (all over high points of face)

Eyes

Revlon PhotoReady Primer + Shadow Palette in Metropolitan
YSL Dessin du Regard Waterproof Pencil in 1 Black Ink
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill mascara

Lips

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres in N° 31 Corail Alla Prima

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres in N° 31 Corail Alla Prima is available in May with the rest of the collection at Holt Renfrew, selected Bay, Murale, and Sephora stores. It is one of two new permanent shades; the other is N° 20 Rouge Enamel.

Want to see more of the Lipstick Bandits? Check out the rest of our picks…

Click here to read more!

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

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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 Ablaze / MAC 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? :)

FASHION Magazine Beauty Panel: Day To Night

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This week on FASHION Magazine Beauty Panel, we were asked how to transition our hair and makeup from day to night, and here’s how I answered.

Beauty Panel Glitter Geek Day to Night Teaser
Behold, my magical changing face. Is that the same person up there?

Find out how I go from a polished daytime look to a sultry evening look using some of my favourite products. I am really in love with  Clinique Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tints for Eyes, shown here in Lavish Lilac). I have been wearing them as a sheer wash all over the lids and they last all day without a primer. Maybelline Colour Whisper Lipsticks are new from the brand, and this shade, Pin Up Peach, creates beautiful, juicy lips and brightens my complexion. Love love love. Check out previous reviews of some products I used:

Daytime Makeup

Nighttime Makeup

Glitter Geek Products Used

TGIF! Are you planning on transitioning your day makeup to night today? How do you switch up your look for a night out?