YSL Arty Stone Collection for Spring 2013: Crème de Blush and Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Reviews, Photos, Swatches

February 21, 2013 | 18 Responses

YSL Arty Stone Spring 2013 Collection Creme de BLush
Crème de Blush in Nº 7 Red Agate / Nº 8 Baby Doll / Nº 9 Rose Quartz

Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres in Nº 27 Pêche Cerra-Colla

So… I kinda took a while with these (sorry!). I’m getting the rest of the collection in one shot with reviews and swatches-slash-Geeks-face-fest! Hope you enjoy the ride.

First up, there are three new shades of YSL Crème de Blush ($52). Nº 7 Red Agate is rose pink. Nº 8 Baby Doll is brownish red. Nº 9 Rose Quartz is light yellow-toned pink. Below are very heavy swatches so you can see the colour, and also the mousse-like texture of these blushes. These cream blushes dry down to a velvety powder finish.

YSL Creme de Blush swatches spring 2013
Crème de Blush in Nº 7 Red Agate / Nº 8 Baby Doll / Nº 9 Rose Quartz — heavy swatches

In a pinch, I use my fingers with these blushes, but I find that synthetic brushes work better. I really like Real Techniques Contour brush from the Core Collection ($27.99 at FarleyCo and Walmart in Canada!) with these. Brushes let you apply the product in even, thin layers, and build the product on the skin if you need to. With my fingers, sometimes it gets to thick and ends up looking thick and patchy. When applied correctly these blushes produce believable radiant, blushing skin.

Nº 7 Red Agate is bright rose pink. I think this will be flattering on every skin tone.

YSL Creme de Blush 7 pot
Crème de Blush in Nº 7 Red Agate

YSL Creme de Blush 7
Wearing Crème de Blush in Nº 7 Red Agate

Keep reading for more pictures and swatches!

Click here to see more pictures and swatches!

Youthful, Natural and Effortless Makeup with Hourglass Illume Crème-To-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset

January 21, 2013 | 19 Responses

I love drawing on a bold lip, cat or smokey eyes (or sometimes, both). However, my favourite look on me is natural, clean and effortless like this no-makeup contoured look.

I came across this photo by Nicolas Méphane on Pinterest and decided to recreate the makeup. I have been using Hourglass Illume Crème-To-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset ($46 at Sephora) everyday to achieve the look in seconds.

Hourglass Illume Crème To Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset 1
Hourglass Illume Crème-To-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset

Sunset contains a sheer rose and sheer bronze creme products that dry to a velvety finish. Although the name suggests that both colours are bronzer products, the rose shade is essentially a blush. The typical bronzer side is a warm brown that is deep enough to bronze my medium-to-tan skin tone (about MAC NC35-37). Both colours are sheer and can be built up to the desired intensity. And boy to these blend beautifully onto the skin! They create the illusion of healthy sun kissed skin and I am obsessed.

Hourglass Illume Crème To Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset swatches
Hourglass Illume Crème-To-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset — swatches

Not only do these look good on the skin, but they also contain no parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, or phthalates. The wax-free and oil-free formula lasts all day long on my skin. Sure it’s expensive, but it is a luxury brand/product. You are getting a lot of product for your money here and the finish is just marvellous.

Hourglass Illume Crème To Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset 2
Hourglass Illume Crème-To-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset

I like to apply the products with a synthetic brush; my Real Techniques Contour Brush from the Core Collection ($27.99, now available to Canadians at Farleyco!) does wonderfully. I start by blending the bronze side along the contours of my cheeks, temples, sides of the nose, jawline and hairline. I then grab the rose side and apply below the apples of the cheeks. This creates the appearance of youthful and more contoured cheekbones. Yup. You’re welcome.

Wearing Hourglass Illume Crème-To-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset

Other Products Used

Face
Laura Mercier Primer in Radiance
MAKE UP FOR EVER Face & Body Foundation in a custom blended shade
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC35
YSL Touche Éclat in 2

Eyes
Mary Kay Mineral Eye Colours in Sienna, Cinnabar, Espresso on contour and bottom lid (review)
Mary Kay Mineral Eye Colour in Coal on upper lash line (review)
MAC Eyeshadows in Coquette and Brun on brows (review)
Cargo Vienna palette champagne shade on lid and highlight
YSL Long-Lasting Waterproof Eye Pencil in 1 Black Ink on upper waterline
Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara on top lashes only (review)

Lips
Maybelline Baby Lips in Coral Crush

Celebrating Fall Colours with Elizabeth Arden Fall 2012 Collection

December 6, 2012 | 10 Responses

Yes, I know, the post is a little late and the only colours in Toronto we see these days are brown and grey… but whatevs. Just humour me.

Elizabeth Arden was one of those brands that I associated with more mature women and never paid attention to. I don’t read a lot about Elizabeth Arden on the beauty blogosphere either. I was given the opportunity to test drive the products from their Fall 2012 collection and I must say, I’m pleasantly surprised!

Elizabeth Arden Fall 2012 Collection

My favourite product from the collection is the Ceramide Cream Blush in Nectar ($24). It’s a beautiful rosy peach shade that is flatters most skin tones and brightens the complexion. The blush is very pigmented, so a little bit is all you need. The texture is perfect, too; it blends easily and dries to a non-sticky, luminous finish.

Ceramide Ultra Lipstick in Mulberry ($22.50) is a creamy berry-burgundy with gold shimmer. The shade to me is a bit old-fashioned, and not really my cup of tea. Nothing bad to say about the formula: it provides even colour and melts on to the lips without dragging and irritating chapped lips.

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Cream Blush in Nectar / Ceramide Ultra Lipstick in Mulberry

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Cream Blush in Nectar / Ceramide Ultra Lipstick in Mulberry – swatches

High Shine Sparkling Lip Gloss in Sparkling Ruby ($15) is a spiced red lipgloss with gold micro-shimmer. I mentioned before that I’m a lipgloss snob, but this is actually really nice. It’s non-sticky, non-goopy, unscented, and a beautiful high shine gloss for that Victoria’s Secret pout.

Another product that I really fell in love with is the Smooth Line Lip Pencil in Crimson ($18). It is a creamy brick red lip liner that has a lip brush on the opposite end for feathering in the product on to the lips. Love the gorgeous texture of this one, and I’d even wear it sans lipstick and just a little bit of Crimson gloss on top.

Elizabeth Arden High Shine Sparkling Lip Gloss in Sparkling Ruby / Smooth Line Lip Pencil in Crimson

Elizabeth Arden High Shine Sparkling Lip Gloss in Sparkling Ruby / Smooth Line Lip Pencil in Crimson – swatches

For eyes, the collection has this Beautiful Color Eye Shadow Duo in Heathered Plums ($28.50), a duo of a shimmery purple taupe and a matte deep burgundy. It’s pretty, eh? The texture of the eyeshadows are smooth and sheer. Perfect for someone who wants an effortless and fool proof smokey eye. It’s so easy: pop the shimmery taupe all over the lid up to the crease, then smudge the burgundy along the lash line and blend into the taupe.

Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Eye Shadow Duo in Heathered Plums

Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Eye Shadow Duo in Heathered Plums – swatches

Elizabeth Arden Fall Glam Look by Rebecca Restrepo

While some of the colours aren’t what I’d usually wear, there’s a lesson learned here: the textures of all the products are on point. I am really impressed by the creaminess of the products, and I’d be curious to look at the rest of the Elizabeth Arden line to find shades that I do like to wear. Don’t judge a book by its cover, kids.