Category Archives: Spring 2012

Watercolour Pastels Rule in Lise Watier Aquarella Spring 2012 Collection.

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Lise Watier Aquarella Spring 2012 Collection

Lise Watier Aquarella Spring 2012 Collection brings us sheer pastels and rosy shades to mirror the flowers blooming in the spring.  The limited edition packaging features a flower in watercolour art which is just beautiful to look at.


Lise Watier Aquarella Spring 2012 Collection — Packaging


Aquarella Eyeshadow Quartet, Couleur Folle in Folie Pêche, Waterproof Eyeliner in Violet


Aquarella Eyeshadow Quartet, Waterproof Eyeliner in Violet, Couleur Folle in Folie Pêche — Swatches

The Aquarella Eyeshadow Quartet ($36, limited edition) is a mix of sheer pastel pink, blue, violet and yellow eyeshadows.  The eyeshadows are smooth, sparkly and mostly too cool-toned for my taste.  It was a bit of a letdown as I was really hoping for something more from the violet shade.  These eyeshadows are better suited for those who wear sheer washes of colour on their eyes.

The Couleur Folle Mineral Loose Powder Eyeshadow in Folie Pêche ($18, new permanent shade) is a rose gold shade that is more up my alley (and it’s totally gorgeous!).  The shade is divine for highlighting the eyes or cheeks, or even to turn into a lipgloss.

The Waterproof Eyeliner in Violet ($17, new permanent shade) is what I wanted the eyeshadow to be: bold and vibrant violet. Nothing bad to say about this really; it’s just lovely and very waterproof.


Aquarella Bronzing Powder Duo

As a little taste of summer (yay!), I love that we’re seeing a bronzer in this collection. The Aquarella Bronzing Powder Duo ($32, limited edition) is a blend of two powder tones: a lighter peachy shade, and a typical bronzer shade.  Both have fine shimmers that show up glowy rather than gigantic sparkles on your face.  The finish is subtle and the shade can definitely work across many skin tones.


Waterproof Lip Crayon in Rose Mauve, Rouge Gourmand Lipstick in Guimauve, Gloss Aquarella in Rose Aquarella


Waterproof Lip Crayon in Rose Mauve, Rouge Gourmand Lipstick in Guimauve, Gloss Aquarella in Rose Aquarella — Swatches

The Waterproof Lip Crayon in Rose Mauve ($16, new permanent shade) is exactly as the name suggests.  While some may find it boring, this is a lip shade that is universally flattering and pretty.  In my experience, Lise Watier Waterproof Lip Crayons are the absolute best in terms of texture and longevity.  True story: it lasted through a very greasy dim sum dinner, which in my opinion is the ultimate test for a lip liner.  I love this one, go try this or the 18 other shades if you haven’t had the chance yet!

Rouge Gourmand Lipstick in Guimauve ($19, new permanent shade) is a shade that compliments Rose Mauve very well.  The lipstick has a light fruity scent and provides plenty of moisture for winter-chapped lips.

Finally, finish off your spring pouty lips (right? :P ) with a gloss.  The Gloss Aquarella in Rose Aquarella ($20, limited edition) is a soft rose with mauve shimmers to emphasize your lips.  I like the non-sticky formula and the high shine finish.

My personal favourites from the collection are Couleur Folle Mineral Loose Powder Eyeshadow in Folie Pêche, Aquarella Bronzing Powder Duo, Waterproof Lip Crayon in Rose Mauve.  They are easier for me — who is tan and warm-toned — to pull off.  Cool pastel shades (lavenders, pinks, blues) look all sorts of wrong on my skin tone.  However, paler beauties will get more mileage out of the shades; check out my blogging friends Tracy @ Beauty Reflections and Perilously Pale‘s reviews for proof. :)

These products are available now at Lise Watier counters, Shoppers Drugmart and LiseWatier.com.  Did any products from the collection catch your eye?

Sneak Peek: YSL Spring Look 2012

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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.

Annabelle and Marcelle Beauty Premiere Party Rocks Toronto!

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Last week, I went to the much anticipated Beauty Premiere party being hosted by two of my favourite Canadian brands: Annabelle and Marcelle.  The party was held at the uber swanky Thompson Hotel Rooftop.  Check out the view!

The view from the Thompson Hotel rooftop

The venue was packed!  Of course, almost everyone from the Toronto Beauty Bloggers community came out to mingle. :)  I got a little carried away chatting that I didn’t get to snap too many photos, but I have enough to share with you.

Beauty Premiere introduced several exciting new products from the brands.  They had booths set up and a member of their team talked to us about the innovations and benefits of each product.  The makeup and skincare products below will be available by Spring 2012.

Marcelle Renforcils Waterproof Eye Make-up Remover

Marcelle Renforcils Waterproof Eye Make-up Remover is a gel make-up remover with micellar water.  Think about it like this: it’s our beloved Marcelle Essentials Purity Soothing Cleansing Water in gel form.  Not only will it pack the same make-up removing power, but it also contains ingredients that fortify your eyelashes to prevent fallout.  Great idea, no?

Marcelle Xtension Plus Mascara

Marcelle is coming out with a new mascara called Xtension Plus.  It promises to provide extra length and curl.  Apparently it’ll be as good — if not better — than the Power Volume mascara in terms of curling power, so I am very excited about this one!  I received it in my swag bag so I’ll definitely review it after I’ve played with it for a while.

Marcelle BB Cream

Pardon the awful picture quality — the lighting conditions were clearly not something my Canon G11 can handle.  Anyway, what’s big and cool in Asia is now slowly coming to Canada.  What am I talking about?  The super popular BB Cream is supposed to provide a lot of good-for-your-skin ingredients while offering a little bit of coverage to even out your skintone.  Available in two shades: Light-to-Medium and Medium-to-Dark.

Marcelle Gene Youth Skincare

A trio of day cream, night cream and eye cream, they are also coming out with Marcelle Gene Youth Skincare. Unfortunately I don’t have anything to say about these guys because it got too loud in the party and I couldn’t hear anything! Sorry. :S

Annabelle Smudge Paints

The Annabelle Smudge Paints aren’t new, but because they are awesome, they deserve to be shown off in the party.  These are gel liners or cream eyeshadow bases, and they have great staying power.

Annabelle Glitterama Liquid Eyeliner

Eight new colours of Annabelle Glitterama Liquid Eyeliners are coming out as well.

I had a great chat with the lady at the Glitterama booth, but I didn’t get her name!  I was telling her the fact that I try both high- and low-end brands for my blog, and many times I’ve been impressed with how well Annabelle and Marcelle products stack up against the expensive brands.  She told me that they know that, and their marketing team knows that.  I wish more people knew, though.  Every time I recommend the brands to someone who’s not into beauty, they said they haven’t even tried anything from these brands.  But slowly but surely, I think we beauty bloggers are getting that word out! :)

Annabelle Big Show Lipglosses

The Annabelle Big Show Lipglosses are sheer, high-shine, unscented, non-sticky lipglosses.  They feel really nice and moisturizing on the lips.  Oh and, we even had the opportunity to create our own shade. :) !!!

Annabelle Big Show Lipgloss Mixing Station

Annabelle Big Show Lipgloss Mixing Station — with gorgeous Robyn of Fashionista 514!

My favourite guy that night — Mr. Lipgloss Scientist Dude, who by the way, gave me some photography tips as well.

O hai.  This is my lipgloss.  I don’t know what to call it yet, but for some reason “Seduction” keeps popping up.  Haha.

Makeup platter

There were servers who were walking around with hors d’oeuvres, and others who were walking around with platters of makeup.  Yes, eyeshadows, eyeliners, and other makeup free for all!  I’m pretty sure I saw this scene before in my sweet sweet dreams.

Keep reading to see more pictures!

Click to see more pictures!