• 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.

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!

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.

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.

Keep reading to see more photos!

The Ralph Laurent Pink #2 fragrance is “a floriental fruity with the key ingredients of cranberry & tonka mousse.” It’s a light, fresh fragrance that is perfect for the warm summer months, when you don’t want to smell like you’re wearing a perfume at all. I don’t usually wear fruity scents, but the floriental notes in this balances the fragrance nicely so you don’t walk around smelling like sweet fruit. Glitter Geek likes!

Just grin and spray it on. Just don’t eat it like I did in this photo. I should’ve closed my mouth, LOL!

Aim lower, Geeks! Not at your face!

For these limited edition collections, Rita Remark, lead nail artist for essie Canada, created four nail looks to go with the personality of each Big Pony set. Which one is your favourite?

Special edition bags and inspired nail looks for the Big Pony Collection

I’m biased, but I like #2 the best! Here’s a tutorial Rita Remark did at FASHION magazine, highlighting the nail look for the #2 set!

If pink isn’t your thing, you will definitely find something you love in the three other sets: Sporty (Blue #1), Free-Spirited (Yellow #3) and Stylish (Purple #4). What’s your Big Pony Fragrance personality?

In the evening, shu uemura ultime8 sublime beauty cleansing oil ($98 for 450ml online and at Holt Renfrew) takes off almost all my makeup in 30 seconds. The oil is so soothing and effective, and it’s been a staple in my bathroom since fall last year. As you can see, it is well loved. I then do a milk cleanser: Holistic Vanity Damage Care Rejuvenating Rosewater Cleanser ($30 for 100ml online and in Pure + simple spas). It’s so gentle and takes off the last bits of makeup while also soothing skin with rosewater and tamanu oil. All other cleansers really irritate my skin right now, so I really appreciate the soothing feeling I get from this rosewater cleanser. In the shower, I am nothing without Live Clean (baby) Soothing Relief Foaming Wash ($6.99 for 265ml at Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstores, Real Atlantic Superstores, Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix and Walmart). I am obsessed with the soft baby smell of the entire line, so much so that I’m convinced that I am, in fact, just a giant baby. Also deserving of an honourable mention is Live Clean (baby) & Mommy Bath and Massage Oil ($6.99 for 126ml), which is enriched with lavender, chamomile and aloe that feels incredibly moisturizing on the skin. The entire Live Clean (baby) line is of course petroleum-, paraben- and phthalate-free, because you wouldn’t want that stuff on your baby, am I right?

Every time the founders of Pure + simple come out with a new line, I do a little happy dance. Minimalist Face Lift Serum ($99.95 online and in Pure + simple spas) is from their latest anti-aging skincare line, and it is fantastic! It is a liquid, much like Pure + simple collagen elastin serum, and I use it to give my moisturizers a boost. This regenerates damaged skin with Vitamin F (linoleic acid, linolenic acid) as well as reduces inflammation and sensitivity. There are two moisturizers that have been saving my sensitive skin since the winter. First, SkinCeuticals Redness Neutralizer ($78 for 50ml, in dispensing doctors, medical spas and high-end spas. List of locations at www.skinceuticals.com/canada) is actually made to prevent redness associated with rosacea. This alcohol-, fragrance-, paraben- and silicone-free formula is gentle and hydrates nicely without any stinging, which is usually a problem for me this time of year. Also, I bought La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra ($31 for 40ml online, and in pharmacies) at the drugstore when my skin was really at its worst in the winter. I still use it now during allergies season, because like the SkinCeuticals, I don’t get any stinging from this and it thoroughly hydrates my skin without being too greasy or heavy for daytime. In the evening, my eyelids become pretty raw from constantly rubbing all day, and Bobbi Brown EXTRA Eye Repair Cream (CDN $80 / US $69 for 15ml online, Sephora and Holt Renfrew) is heaven sent, you guys. This is a heavy, greasy balm so I wouldn’t recommend it under makeup, but for nighttime it is perfect. Again, it’s important to point out that I experience no stinging from this product.

Do you suffer from seasonal allergies? How do you switch up your skincare regimen for the season?

I am totally blushing! Okay, so I’m also wearing a bit of blush and cheek highlight. But I digress.

Did you find me through Elle Canada? Welcome! Come say hello. What are your makeup and beauty  must-have products? Oh, and here’s that emerald eyeliner tutorial that Elle mentioned; it’s one of my favourites!

Do check out what Elle Canada has to say about all 8 bloggers in the article. I personally follow all of them religiously, and I know you’ll love them, too.

Givenchy Le Rouge 102 Beige Plume and 301 Magnolia Organza

Givenchy Le Rouge (CDN $38 / US $36, exclusively at Sephora) is a modern semi-matte lipstick. It is silky, lightweight and reflects light to bring dimension to the lips. Both shades I tried are packed with pigment so they cover the lips in one swipe. This is the best semi-matte formula I’ve ever tried. Its velvety texture is something I would liken to Giorgio Armani’s Maestro Foundation. It doesn’t migrate out of my lip lines after I apply; it just sets to a beautiful silky, almost powder-like finish. This lipstick is longer lasting than most of my lipsticks. It may or may not have outlasted a McDonald’s combo of quarter pounder with cheese and french fries. Ahem.

Givenchy Le Rouge — Packaging

Givenchy did not only make a great makeup product here, but they also cased the bullets in hefty, soft leather and chrome covers. Meow! So sexy. If the packaging was fugly I probably would still want to buy all the lipsticks! anyway.

Givenchy Le Rouge 102 Beige Plume

102 Beige Plume is peachy brown. On me, it is a warm nude colour that is a safe bet for the office. It’s sweet and demure, and so perfect.

Givenchy Le Rouge 102 Beige Plume Swatch

Wearing Givenchy Le Rouge 102 Beige Plume

301 Magnolia Organza is a vibrant reddish pink. It’s hard not to feel a little bit sassy with this one on. Work it, baby!

Givenchy Le Rouge 301 Magnolia Organza

Keep reading to see swatches and full face photos!

Givenchy Le Rouge 301 Magnolia Organza Swatch

Wearing Givenchy Le Rouge 301 Magnolia Organza

Givenchy Le Rouge 102 Beige Plume and 301 Magnolia Organza Swatches

At $38 a piece, Givenchy Le Rouge is definitely a luxury product, but one I’d bet most of you will love. This is pretty much holy grail material right here. Have you tried Givenchy Le Rouge? What are your thoughts on the formula?

As we are finally transitioning into spring season, it’s time to look at what lies ahead for Summer 2013 makeup collections. Surprise surprise! Radiant, bronzed skin is in at Giorgio Armani, Bobbi Brown, MAC, Laura Mercier and Clarins. The most surprising collection — or I really should say shocking — is Chanel. This atypical Chanel collection brings vibrant colours inspired by butterfly wings, including four brightly coloured mascaras (blue, aqua, lime and yellow). My favourite visuals and collections — I can’t choose just one! — are from Dior and YSL. The beauty blogger world is all abuzz about the Dior Nude Tan Paradise Blush and Bronzer Duos. I’ve only started to discover the items from YSL’s Marrakesh-inspired collection, but I fall in love with each new product as I apply it for the first time. The coral glossy stain I used here is a must-see! NARS and Revlon will make colour junkies very happy with all the punchy colours their little hearts desire.

What new collection and/or product release are you most excited about for this summer? I’d love to hear it and maybe, build the wishlist!

Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick in 4.5 Warm Natural / Corrector in Peach

The Foundation Stick in Warm Natural has strong golden undertones, and so it warms up and brightens my complexion nicely. It’s a great match for my skin because I am on the yellow side of the spectrum. It’s been a while since I have used a cream foundation, and so I can certainly tell that this feels heavier than the lightweight liquid foundations I’ve tried of late. It is an incredibly versatile formula; it can be sheered out by using a wet sponge (I used a damp Beauty Blender) or can be applied as a creamy full-coverage concealer. It’s no wonder that Bobbi Brown recommends it for everyone’s purse. It lasts an exceptionally long time, easily wearing through a normal work day.

The Corrector in Peach is fantastic for cancelling out darkness under my eyes and around my mouth. This is a hard but creamy formula (say what?!), and needs to be set with a powder in order to stay in place. I think it is the perfect base for a concealer. I know my favourite under eye concealer, NARS Radiant Creamy, will look even more radiant on top of Peach Corrector.

Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick in 4.5 Warm Natural / Corrector in Peach swatches

So the first thing I do is draw a warrior mask on my face with the Bobbi Foundation Stick. You can also pick up product from the tube on to your brush, but this is how I use it with a Beauty Blender sponge. I concentrate around the nose, mouth, and cheeks area where I need the most coverage.

I’m a warrior. RAWR!

Once that’s blended, I dot the product on areas that need more coverage (blemishes and redness). I pat that in with my finger.

I then apply the Corrector in Peach under and the corners of my eyes.

Keep reading to see the before and after photos!

Naked face / Wearing Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick in 4.5 Warm Natural + Peach Corrector

The Foundation Stick doesn’t set on the skin and feels tacky after application, so a light dusting of powder is definitely recommended. You can see that my skin looks very dewy with the Foundation Stick and Corrector alone.

Without powder / With Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light (review)

I know it’s not meant to be a setting powder, but I love to set my makeup with Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light all over my face for a little extra sumthin’ sumthin’. I think these products go so well together, don’t you think?

Me? Wearing makeup? Nah.

Have you tried these Bobbi Brown best sellers? What do you think of them?

Source: The Frisky

Total FML moment, right? Last week while fixing my uneven eyeliner, I found an effective and really simple fix.

Uneven eyeliner

Here’s our starting point. The liner on the right side is drooping and not as lifted. You wanna fix that; it’s not cute.

So everyone and their mother already knows and loves the awesome Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution for sensitive skin. There’s also her sister Bioderma Sébium H2O ($22, in drugstores) for combination/oily skin, which is what I’m using today.

I like you, Bioderma Sébium H2O.

Next: Q-tips, right? Wrong. I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time using Q-tips for precise makeup removal. It’s just messy to me. The cotton soaks up a lot of makeup remover, ruining my makeup more than actually fixing it. Plus, there’s no precision!

Q-tips. In the words of Grumpy Cat: NO.

Keep reading to find out how I fixed my eyeliner!

I like you, too, angled eyeliner brush.

If you’re a makeup brush fanatic you probably have an extra (clean) angled eyeliner brush in your drawer somewhere. Go ahead and pick it up. An angled liner brush provides the precision and control we want for this clean-up job. It’ll remove a crisp line of makeup in a flash.

Just use the pump from the micelle solution, and wipe most of it off on a paper towel. You want it to be damp and not dripping wet. Then apply the cleansing solution along the excess liner.

Redraw the line, and smize.

I love me a crisp cat eye. Mrrrowww.

“Did somebody say cat eye? I got your cat eye right here, miss!”

What’s your tried-and-true tip for getting a perfectly even cat eye?

Source: pantone.com

Presenting all the pretty colours that are in for spring! What a happy, fun post to put together. I had to run out and buy something yellow because — can you believe it? — I had none. What shade are you most excited to wear this season? I’m all about the Dusk Blue and African Violet. Enjoy all the eye candy, and don’t forget to leave me tips on how you wear these colours.

Emerald: Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner in Emerald ($10.95 at drugstores / used here)
Grayed Jade: Essence Quattro Eyeshadow in 06 Rock Angel ($3.99 at drugstores)
Tender Shoots: MAC Eyeshadow in Swimming (CAD $14.50 / US $12 for a refill pan at MAC stores and counters)
Lemon Zest: Annabelle Studio Pigment in LOL (around $8 at drugstores)

Dusk Blue: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Periwinkle ($26 at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and Sears); Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 008 Light Blue ($5.99 at drugstores)
Monaco Blue: MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream in #20 ($26 at Sephora); Lancôme Artliner in 400 Azure ($37 in counters May 2013)
African Violet: Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes in 09 Lavish Lilac ($19 at Sephora and Clinique counters); Mary Kay Cream Eye Color in Violet Storm ($16 at online)

Linen: Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Bikini-tini ($24 at Sephora); Marcelle Velvety Eye Shadow + Primer in Primer Rose ($15.95 at drugstores); Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 005 Nude ($5.99 at drugstores).
Poppy Red: Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick in 110 ($7.99 at drugstores)
Nectarine: shu uemura rouge unlimited supreme shine in ob dream orange ($36 at Holt Renfrew and online); MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Natural in #N40 ($22 at Sephora)

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).

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 N° 31 Corail Alla Prima swatch (3 layers)

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.

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…

• Beauty Reflections
• BellaChique‎
• ChloeAsh‎
• Eye Heart It
• Getting Cheeky
• Makeup Morsels
• Messy Wands
• Mostly Sunny‎
• Musing on Beauty
• My Funny Valentine
• My Women Stuff
• theNotice: a beauty blog‎

And check out my past Lipstick Bandit posts by clicking here!

Oh a girl sure can dream!

I don’t think I’ll be taking advantage of the sale this time around, but if money was no object I would get:

• a new floral spring fragrance (Tocca Graciella);
• my favourite under eye concealer, but in a shade for the rest of my face (NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger);
• a teeth whitening kit (Glo Brilliant Personal Teeth Whitening Device);
• a new foundation brush (Shiseido Foundation Brush); and
• an eye serum (Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Repair Eye Serum).

Holy crap! Look at the damage!

And in case you don’t know about the sale: Sephora beauty insiders get 15% discount with code CHIC, April 12 – 21. VIBs get one extra day (up to April 22) with code VIBCHIC.

Are you buying anything from the sale? I want to know what you’re getting (or already got).