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.

Sneak Peek: YSL Spring Look 2012

January 11, 2012 | 29 Responses

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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.

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

Beauty Is Pain: Marcelle Lux Eye Dust Review and Swatches.

December 14, 2011 | 36 Responses

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Marcelle Lux Eye Dust ($11.95) loose pigments are gorgeous; there’s no doubt about that. However, opening the packaging of these delicious morsels of eyeshadows reminds me of the lyrics to a Bon Jovi song:

Love hurts, love scars, love wounds, and harms
Any heart not tough or strong enough
To take a lot of pain, take a lot of pain
Love is like a cloud, holds a lot of rain
Love hurts, ooh love hurts.

Dear Marcelle Lux Eye Dust: Y U no easy to open?

A lot of “ow!” and split thumbnails later, I finally managed to open all of these suckers. They come in a flip top lid, which makes them less messy than the regular sifter packaging, but man oh man are they a pain in the ass!

Now that it’s off my chest, let’s all hold gather around, hold hands and admire the beauties. I swatched these dry without a base, and you can already see how incredibly smooth and pigmented they are.

Marcele Lux Eye Dust in Illusion, Vegas, Bronze Millionaire

Marcele Lux Eye Dust in Mermaid, Element, Supersonic, High Voltage

Illusion, Mermaid and Supersonic have a slight pearl finish. Vegas, Bronze Millionaire, Element and High Voltage (my favourite!) are full-on metallic shades that are perfect for holiday party season. It also comes in Ocean (teal), Go-Violet (violet) and Fantasia (fuchsia), which you can win in my giveaway (ends at midnight)! All of them are paraben-, oil- and talc-free.

Who’s in the mood for creative loose pigment photos? Just try to look at them and tell me you’re not making grabby hand gestures at your computer screen.

Illusion, Vegas, Bronze Millionaire, Mermaid, Element, Supersonic, High Voltage

Here’s a tissue to wipe that drool of your face.

Vegas, Bronze Millionaire, Mermaid, Element, Supersonic, High Voltage

Illusion, Vegas, Bronze Millionaire, Mermaid, Element, Supersonic, High Voltage

Loose Eyeshadows Are Annoying But So.Freaking.Gorgeous. Discuss.

Who’s with me? Do you like loose eyeshadows? Who makes your favourite pigments?

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