Watercolour Pastels Rule in Lise Watier Aquarella Spring 2012 Collection.

January 28, 2012 | 7 Responses

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? ) 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?

Disclosure: Products were provided by manufacturer for editorial consideration only. For more information, see my Editorial and Advertising Policy.

Welcome the Year of the Dragon with MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit and Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque.

January 23, 2012 | 44 Responses

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MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit in #128 Almond

We’ve all heard about the MAKE UP FOR EVER HD foundation from beauty junkies all over the world. It has made a permanent home in many a girl’s foundation arsenal. Many makeup artists have it in their professional kit. Now I am here to tell you that, well, I believe in the hype. I adore this foundation.

I guessed my shade to be #128 Almond using MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Shade Finder, and I am glad to say that it is a great match. For reference, NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Barcelona is also a good match for my skin at the moment.

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit in #128 Almond — Swatches

The MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit ($89) really does make a difference with the performance of this foundation. The HD primer smooths out fine lines and big pores to prep the skin. I like that it doesn’t have that heavy silicone-y feel of other primers I’ve tried in the past. The foundation itself has a beautiful skin-like, semi-matte finish. It does an amazing job covering up any redness and evening out my skin tone, allowing me to walk around with really good looking skin. It doesn’t cover up everything; I have dark bumps on my upper lip area that I have developed from waxing (!!!) and they are still visible in my after photo. To finish off the base, the powder creates an angelic soft-focus effect to the skin. What’s not to like, eh? By the way, I took a photo with flash and the white powder was nowhere to be seen.

Here’s a before and after shot. In the before I wore brow powder, mascara and lipstick (absolute necessities for this kind of thing). That’s it. I did not wear under-eye concealer in either photos, which to be honest, I am really regretting. Anywho.

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit in #128 Almond — Before and After (click to enlarge)

On its own, I like the foundation applied with a brush instead of my fingers. With the latter method, I find myself using more product. I do have one problem with the foundation though: who the heck came out with the numbering system? It is totally all over the place and definitely needs work. May I suggest breaking them up into undertones, i.e., pink #1, #2, #3, yellows, olives, and so on?

Oh yeah, for those who are celebrating, Happy Lunar New Year! Of course, I had to use the new year — the Year of the Dragon — as an excuse to pull out the amazing Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Dragon ($42). In my opinion, it’s totally worth the kidney I sold to buy it. Why do I always get in some sort of trouble when I buy Chanel?

Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Dragon — Swatch

Wearing Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Dragon

Along with a little kitten eye flick (YSL Shocking liquid liner) and a little blush (Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed), my Year of the Dragon look is complete! Oh, and the rumours are true: the size of my smile is directly proportional to how much I love a lipstick. Can you tell I love Dragon?

Have a great week, pretties!

P.S. If you fancy being a model, don’t forget to enter the MAKE UP FOR EVER open casting call.

Disclosure: Product was provided by manufacturer for editorial consideration only. For more information, see my Editorial and Advertising Policy.

Beauty Resolution: Step Up My Anti-Aging Skincare Regimen with KORRES (+ A Giveaway!).

January 16, 2012 | 68 Responses

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I don’t make yearly resolutions, but I think beauty resolutions are important. For every year that that comes and goes, and the farther away I get from age 20 (that’s 5 years now, ohnoes!), the more important my anti-aging regimen becomes. Last year I started using serums, heavier creams, regular masks and oils at night. This year I’m starting fresh with some natural, anti-aging products I received from KORRES.

My KORRES Nighttime Skincare Regimen

KORRES Wild Rose Face and Eye Serum

After cleansing my face, my first layer of hydration is KORRES Wild Rose Face and Eye Serum ($49) all over my face, under my eyes and all over my neck. It is a nice, light serum that spreads easily and absorbs within a minute of application. It has a beautiful sweet rose fragrance that makes it so irresistible to my nose. I love that this one gives nice hydration; oily skin types can wear this one on its own without another moisturizer. While I can’t confirm its claim to reduce the appearance of fine lines as I don’t currently have them, I have noticed that my skin looks brighter since I’ve started using it.

KORRES Quercetin and Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Night Cream

Before the serum absorbs completely, I follow up quickly with the KORRES Quercetin and Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Night Cream ($59). It is rich and thick as a night cream should be. You don’t have to worry about greasy with this one either, as it dries to a skin-like finish. I fully recommend Quercetin and Oak Night Cream for all skin types — if, and this is a big if, you can handle the scent. It has a strong woody scent that may be off putting to some, but I am strangely drawn to it. With the Quercetin and Oak Night Cream, my skin stays nourished all throughout the night and looks beautifully plump in the morning. This is a good one, ladies!

KORRES Quercetin and Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Eye Cream

Now that I’m 25, I am noticing that the elasticity and hydration under my eyes are starting to go. Wah! Aside from being careful with makeup application, I use KORRES Quercetin and Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Eye Cream ($55) for both night and day. Its texture is light and fluffy, but don’t let that fool you. This is pretty potent stuff; the tiniest amount takes care of my undereyes. Before this came into my life, I have been suffering from dryness on my undereyes that shows when I wore concealer. Now, that is no longer an issue. This is a must-have in my skincare regimen now and I am definitely buying it when I run out. You need it.

Wild Rose Serum / Quercetin & Oak Night Cream / Quercetin & Oak Eye Cream

Natural Formulation

KORRES prides itself on making natural products that are free of petrolatum, parabens, phthalates and a lot of other potentially harmful ingredients. I appreciate this about the KORRES brand; it is one of the cleanest brands you can pick up at Sephora or the drugstore. However, note that they are formulated with fragrance/parfum, which may potentially irritate super sensitive types.

Full Ingredient Lists

KORRES Wild Rose Face and Eye Serum Ingredients: Water (eau), Hamamelis Virginiana Flower Water, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, PEG-32, Panthenol, Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Phospholipids, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Fragrance (parfum), Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, PEG-8, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Phytic Acid, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycine, Sorbitol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Alcohol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Pyrus Cydonia Fruit Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1 , Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbic Acid Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract.

KORRES Quercetin and Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Night Cream: Water (eau), Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Triheptanoin, Behenyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Beeswax (Cire D’abeille), Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Lecithin, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose , Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Galactoarabinan , Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Fragrance (parfum), Serine, Arginine, PCA, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Alanine, Disodium EDTA, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Threonine, Sodium Gluceptate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols, Glyceryl Oleate, Quercetin Caprylate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Lactic Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Mourera Fluviatilis Extract, Quercus Robur Bark Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract.

KORRES Quercetin and Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Eye Cream: Aqua/Water/Eau, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triheptanoin, Sucrose Stearate, Glycerin, Decurrens/Jojoba/Sunflower Seed Wax/Polyglycerol-3 Esters, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Hydrogenated C12-18 Triglycerides, Sucrose Distearate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Distarch Phosphate, Sucrose, Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Pulp Extract, Alanine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Arginine, Benzyl Alcohol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Ehtylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium ( Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Mourera Fluviatilis Extract, Parfum (Fragrance), Pca, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Seed Extract, Quercetin Caprylate, Quercus Robur Bark Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis, (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Salicylic Acid, Serine, Sodium Dihydrogen Phosphate, Sodium Gluceptate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sunflower Seed Oil Sorbitol Esters, Threonine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum.

KORRES products are available in Canada at select Shoppers Drug Mart and Sephora stores.

Contest Alert for Canadians!

This contest is now closed! Thanks to everyone for entering!

Because you guys are totally awesome, KORRES has generously provided a skincare prize pack ($196 value!) to one lucky Canadian resident. You will get all the products above, plus a KORRES Basil Lemon Body Butter. Want to enter? Follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below.

This contest is open to residents of Canada who are 18 years of age or over. Winner will be chosen randomly and will be announced through the original blog post and Twitter. Winner must contact me within 24 hours. I reserve the right to pick another entry if the winner fails to contact me within this timeframe.

The contest ends on Saturday January 28, 2012 at 12:01 am EST.

Click here to keep reading and enter the giveaway!