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.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2012. | Permalink | 29 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Makeup, Reviews, Sneak Peek, Spring 2012, Swatches, Yves Saint Laurent | Tags: blush, eyeshadow, lipstick, palette

Out of the many products that I tried this year, here are the 9 that have stolen my heart forever (in no particular order).  Links lead to the products’ corresponding reviews.

Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora is the first Dior makeup I ever bought, and is still my favourite bronzer to this day. Let’s hope they come out with another great one next summer. (Limited Edition for Summer 2011)

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush gets a lot of rave reviews and for good reason. I recently added Exposed to my stash and my friends agree that it is a universally flattering blush.

MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in Bright Forecast is my first line of defence against under eye circles every. single. day. It is life changing.

Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara is my favourite mascara of the year. I recommend it to everyone.

Lise Watier Wet & Dry Eyeshadow Quad in Équinoxe + Métamorfix Liquid Transformer was the best makeup palette/set I tried this year. The colours and performance are unparalleled. (Limited Edition for Fall 2011)

Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani in Rouge 406 is a beautiful red lipstick and the formula is divine. I try a lot of lipsticks and think that the Rouge d’Armani is one of the best. I must try more colours next year. (Limited Edition for Fall 2011)

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil is one product I can’t stop raving about. What can I say; I just love it so much!  This one isn’t new; it’s a classic that I got to finally try this year.

Velour Lashes in You Complete Me gives me Bambi eyes. That is all.

THANN Jasmine Blossom Set is a staple in my bathroom. I just can’t get enough.

What are your favourite beauty products of 2011?

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 13 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Annabelle, Dior, Giorgio Armani, Lise Watier, MAC, Makeup, NUXE, Skincare, Tarte, THANN, Velour Lashes | Tags: blush, body oil, body wash, bronzer, concealer, false lashes, favourites, lipstick, lotion, mascara

Forget neutrals and golds for the holidays, shu uemura’s idea of holiday makeup is bold hues with lots of sparkle. There is nothing safe or classic about this holiday collection called rouge et bleu, a collaboration with movie director Wong Kar Wai.  By the way, the inspiration of the collection is a short film called ‘Mask’, and will be released on October 18.  For now, you can watch the trailer on the shu uemura website.

burning in water ($85) is one of two beautiful eye and cheek palettes in the collection. It contains four eyeshadows, two blushes, one double ended sponge applicator and one double ended brushes.  Both the powders and creams are very smooth and give excellent colour payoff.

shu uemura burning in water palette

The cover of the palette is a cool hologram of the eye makeup from the promo images.  Here’s a short video since it was difficult to photograph:

shu uemura burning in water palette – cover artwork

Cool, eh?  Now, how about some swatches?

shu uemura burning in water palette swatches (natural light, no flash)

shu uemura burning in water palette swatches (with flash)

Delicious, right?  As much as I love all these colours though, I wish they switched up the texture with a matte eyeshadow shade.

shu uemura burning in water palette

The cream cheek colour reminds me of Giorgio Armani’s cream blushes; they blend easily and dry to a powder finish.  The powder cheek colour is a light beige with slight shimmer, which would make a stunning cheek highlight.  I do wish the cheek colours come in bigger pans so I can fit a blush brush in there.

shu uemura burning in water palette – box

Is It Too Bold For Holiday, Or Just Right?

What do you think? Do you tend to favour the safe classics of golds and reds for holiday collections, or do you like the bright colours from this palette?

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 20 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Holiday 2011, Makeup, Reviews, shu uemura, Swatches | Tags: blush, eyeshadow

Did I make you wait long enough?  Have a look at some swatches at items from Giorgio Armani Jacquard Collection.  Close up photos of the products can be found here.

Blushing Fabric in 6, Quatuor Eye Palette in 1, Rouge d’Armani in 406

Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric in 6 ($70) is a warm brown cream-to-powder blush.  This blush has a very slippery feel and is a dream to blend into the skin.  This particular colour is incredibly pigmented; the blended swatch below has 1/3 the amount of the concentrated swatch on the left.  It lasts all day on the cheeks.  Those with cool skin tones may have a hard time pulling off a shade like this, but warmer skin tones will wear it beautifully for a natural bronze-y blush.

Blushing Fabric in 6 swatches

Giorgio Armani Jacquard Quatuor Eye Palette in 1 ($45) includes a light olive, a cool sea green, a forest green, and a deep purple.  The three lighter shades are shimmery, while the purple is matte.  They are very pigmented even when swatched dry, but they are definitely more vibrant when applied wet.  All the colours are universally flattering and are well coordinated.

Quatuor Eye Palette in 1 swatches (dry)

Quatuor Eye Palette in 1 swatches (wet)

Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani in 406 ($38) is a rich pink-y red with a beautiful sheen to it.  I think it might even have silver shimmer laced in it. The formula is absolutely phenomenal.  It is super creamy, saturated and melts on to the lips without any dragging.  I recommend a liner to keep it from slipping around on the lips too much.  Love love love this!

Rouge d’Armani in 406 swatch

Rouge d’Armani in 406 lip swatch

Watch out for a look using these products in the next week.  For now, what do you think of the collection so far?  Are you going to buy, or pass on it?

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 26 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Fall 2011, Giorgio Armani, Makeup, Reviews, Swatches | Tags: blush, lipstick, palette, red lips

I don’t know if I’ll receive major stink eye for mentioning the dreaded F-word here, but the Giorgio Armani Beauty Fall 2011 Jacquard Collection is breathtaking.  It will be available in August exclusively at Holt Renfrew.

For now, here’s a sneak peek at some of the products from this collection:

• Quatuor Eye Palettes ($70).  Two textured eyeshadow palettes with four shades each: an eyeshadow duo, a highlighter and a deeper shade.
• Blushing Fabric ($45).  Silky smooth cream blush in two shades, a camel and Scarlatto.
• Rouge d’Armani ($38). Limited edition lipsticks in glowing nudes (beige, rose beige, mauve pink) and a classic red, Scarlatto.

Blushing Fabric, Quatuor Eye Palette, Rouge d’Armani

Blushing Fabric in 6, Quatuor Eye Palette in 1, Rouge d’Armani in 406

Blushing Fabric in 6, Quatuor Eye Palette in 1

Quatuor Eye Palette in 1, Rouge d’Armani in 406

Rouge d’Armani in 406

 What do you think?  Did your heart say yes?  I haven’t had a chance to play with them just yet, so check back for swatches and reviews in the next couple of weeks.  I am most excited about — surprise, surprise — the Rouge d’Armani lipstick.  That red lipstick has my name written all over it.  Who’s with me?

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 29 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Fall 2011, Giorgio Armani, Makeup, Sneak Peek | Tags: blush, eyeshadow, lipstick

It’s not often that a product gets a re-post in my blog, so if it does, you know that I have found true love. I wrote about Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow in Aurora almost two months ago, and since then our love has flourished into a beautiful thing.  Yes, I’m still talking about a bronzer.

Brand new Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora, from May 2011

This isn’t a case of love at first sight, unlike many of my luxury brand buys (this Chanel blush for example, needs to get more sweet lovin’ from me).  We’ve been seeing each other everyday, and what we have is real.  Here is Aurora now, in all his thoroughly loved glory.

Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora, July 2011

Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora, July 2011

Now that I have an early summer tan (NC40-ish), I still wear Aurora all over the high points of my face for a subtle glow and highlight.  Because it has a dip in the pan now after a short time, I’m wondering if I should get a backup.  It scares me to think that I might hit pan this year.

Do You Have Any Recent Buys That Have Quickly Made Your Holy Grail of Products?

Please, pretty please, let me know.  I’d hate to miss out on a good thing.

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 26 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Dior, Makeup, Reviews | Tags: blush, bronzer, holy grail, summer

Now that summer is in full swing (yay!), my makeup regimen is simpler.  On most days I ditch the eye makeup (save for mascara) altogether.  Instead of putting the emphasis on the eyes, I like to play up the golden tan I get during these hot sunny months.  My bronzer gets a lot of face time (literally) and so does Vasanti Micronized Silky Blush in Andes ($15).

Vasanti Micronized Silky Blush in Andes

Andes is a gorgeous shimmery apricot blush.  It’ll wear nicely on the lightest of skin tones as well as beauties with deeper skin.  If you have a problem with overpacking on your summer vacation — and who doesn’t? — this is a good one to stash in your bag.  It’ll be your blush and bronzer in one.

Vasanti Micronized Silky Blush in Andes

Just like their eyeshadow, Vasanti’s blush is silky smooth and finely milled.  It adds a nice radiance to the skin instead of imparting a sparkly mess.  It’s the same size (3.2 g / 11 oz) and price as the eyeshadow as well.  If you have a lot of pink in your skin, don’t be scared of this colour; you might be pleasantly surprised.  The neutral tones in this blush counteracts the orange, but it’s not too dark that it’ll look dirty on your skin.  If you’re new to blush, this is also a good starter blush to avoid getting that clown-y feeling.

Vasanti Micronized Silky Blush in Andes Swatches (day light without flash / with flash)

Wearing Vasanti Micronized Silky Blush in Andes

Do You Simplify Your Makeup Regimen in the Summer?

In this week alone, I noticed that I only wore 6 products on average: powder foundation, concealer, bronzer, mascara, brows, lipstick. That’s pretty low maintenance for me! I think one of the reasons is that I’d rather be outside than spend time getting ready inside. Are you with me?

How about you? Do you simplify your makeup when it’s hot outside?

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 16 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Makeup, Reviews, Swatches, Vasanti | Tags: blush, summer

Some things that come to mind when I think of summer:

1. Hot sun and blue skies.
2. Backyard barbecues.
3. Ice cream.
4. Beaches.
5. Bronzers.
6. Backyard barbecues.

Pardon me while I wipe the drool off my face.

Anyway.

It’s that time of the year again, when new collections are now rolling out to makeup counters, and they always bring out the best for summer.  Summer collections always strike a chord with me.  I’m a huge fan of the carefree sun-kissed look because it is — as my friends from the Bay Area would say — hella sexy.  Speaking of which, isn’t Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora ($48) just ooze pure sexiness?

Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora

Aurora’s basket weave pattern of golden brown and pinky peach powders creates the most flattering lit from within effect on the skin.  It’s something that I haven’t seen from other bronzers I’ve used in the past.  It has the most sophisticated glow; you won’t see any chunky shimmer on your face from Dior Aurora.

Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora (close up)

The bronzer comes with a velvet pouch with a pocket for a soft small brush (seen in the first photo).  I’m so happy to say that the brush is actually pretty good!  However, I still prefer to use a tapered face brush similar to MAC 138 to apply it on my temples, chin and cheeks.  Then, I wear more on my cheeks using my blush brush.

Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora (close up)

Since my Dior counter mini-spree (yes, there will be more coming up!), I have used my Aurora bronzer almost everyday and sometimes without any blush.  I think that makes it a must-have, don’t you think?

Wearing Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora (all over, no blush)

Just Because It’s Caturday…

Scherbie!

Other makeup I’m wearing: UD Toasted all over lid, MAC Soft Brown in crease, MAC Brun on outer corner, UD Sin on inner corner, UD Bourbon liner. On the lips, I’m wearing Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Phoenix.

Have you hugged your cat today?

What’s Your Favourite Summer 2011 Makeup Collection?

I really think that Dior hit it out of the park with this collection.  The two new bronzers are outstanding.  I think NARS also has a great collection out.  Their Dogon eyeshadow duo and Carthage (hot pink) lipstick kinda make me crazy!

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 37 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Dior, Makeup, Reviews, Swatches | Tags: blush, bronzer, Scherbatsky

I adore a good blush. My collection is not quite as massive as Tracy’s, but it’s of a good size.  I can tell you now that none of my powder blushes are as good as this: the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush ($33).

A little background on my skin: it’s oily.  Very oily.  My powder blushes — even the NARS ones — don’t stand a chance on my cheeks when I wear them all day.  My skin makes the stuff melt off after just a few hours of applying them.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Blissful

Wearing Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Blissful

When I bought Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Blissful, my life totally changed.  Colours now appear brighter.  Food is more delicious.  The sky is even bluer.  You get the point, this stuff is the bomb.com.

Why is it awesome?  First, I just love that Tarte is a natural line.  The pigmentation of the blush is out of this world.  The finish is so natural; it is neither totally matte nor shimmery.  Aaaaaand today, it lasted through the sticky, thunder-storming day we had in Toronto.  Hallelujah!

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface

Wearing Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface

So, to sum up, here’s the lesson of the day:  yes, you need this.  I don’t know how I lived before this touched my cheeks.  Seriously holy grail material.

What’s Your Favourite Long-Wearing Powder Blush?

Go ahead, try me! Your favourite long-wearing powder blush against Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush. Do you dare try?

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 33 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Makeup, Reviews, Swatches, Tarte | Tags: blush, green beauty, holy grail

It’s that time of the year again when makeup companies come out with their latest and greatest bronzers! Lancaster Kaleidoscope Illuminating Powder ($39, at Shoppers Drugmart and Murale) is a beautiful, huge pan of lilac, pink, peach and bronze powders.

Lancaster Kaleidoscope Illuminating Powder

Lancaster Kaleidoscope Illuminating Powder

Kaleidoscope is big enough (8 whopping cm diameter!) that you can use the colours separately; the peach and pink would make a beautiful blush and cheek highlight, respectively. For a quick face, I just swirl my powder brush around, and the combination is a warm peach bronze that is neither shimmery nor matte. The finish on the skin is very natural and skin-like. It’s perfect for faking a good complexion when you’re feeling kinda blah. Do you feel the same way? When my skin is looking dull, I always turn to bronzer for a quick pick-me-up.

Lancaster Kaleidoscope Illuminating Powder Swatches (lilac — barely visible, pink, deep bronze, golden bronze, peach, and blended)

As for the shade, I think it’s a good choice for those with warmer skin tones. Try before you buy if you are pale and have a lot of pink in your skin, as it may look more orange on you. It’s pretty hard to overapply because the bronzer applies sheer and builds very well, so layer on as much as your little heart pleases.

Lancaster Kaleidoscope Illuminating Powder — Size comparison to Scherbie’s head

Wearing Lancaster Kaleidoscope Illuminating Powder (all over, no blush)

Wearing Lancaster Kaleidoscope Illuminating Powder (all over, no blush)

Besides the gorgeous colour, I have to point out that the bronzer smells so fresh in the pan and I always get a warm fuzzy feeling when I catch a whiff of it.  Is that weird?   It doesn’t smell like anything once it’s on, but the fresh smell is always a bonus in my books.  It is a lot of money to spend $39, but it is very big (20g / twice the size of a MAC Bronzing Powder!).  If you have a pressing need for a lot of bronzer, like say, you are the makeup artist for the cast of Jersey Shore, then it is a very good deal.   Otherwise, even though it is pretty, it’ll just take up a lot of space in your potentially cluttered vanity table.  Am I right? :)

Are You A Bronzer Fan, Or Do You Embrace Your Paleness?

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you’ll know how much I love my bronzers (and self-tanners!). Are you a fan as well, or has Jersey Shore scared you away from bronzers for life?

© Arianne for Glitter Geek, 2011. | Permalink | 15 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Categories: Lancaster, Makeup, Reviews, Swatches | Tags: blush, bronzer, Scherbatsky