Be A Snow Bunny With Benefit Feelin’ Dandy Lip & Cheek Kit.

November 25, 2012 | 25 Responses

Because I live in a country when the winter season is seemingly never ending, I had to find a way to love winter. Several years ago, I took up snowboarding and loved it. While the cold winter wind on the mountain slopes isn’t exactly comfortable, there’s no denying that the fresh pink cheeks I get from it is, well, pretty damn cute.

Wearing Benefit Feelin’ Dandy Lip & Cheek Kit

That’s me (one of the many times I was on my butt that day in Mt. Tremblant).

For those of you who are afraid of the cold or allergic to nature (I’m not judging) but still want that snow bunny glow, Benefit Feelin’ Dandy Lip & Cheek Kit ($32 at Sephora) might be for you. It includes:

PosieTint (4 ml) — pink lip & cheek stain
High Beam (4 ml) — liquid face luminizer
Dandelion (3 g) — blush
Ultra Plush Dandelion (6.5 ml) — lipgloss

Benefit Feelin’ Dandy Lip & Cheek Kit

Benefit Feelin’ Dandy Lip & Cheek Kit

The kit also comes with a mirror and a tear-off tips-and-tricks sheet if you’re not familiar with the products.

Benefit Feelin’ Dandy Lip & Cheek Kit

I already love PosieTint for years before this set came into my life. If you get over the fact that it looks like Pepto Bismol, this pink is perfect for perking up a dull complexion. High Beam is fantastic for highlighting the tops of the cheekbones with its micro-shimmer. I’m surprised that High Beam works well even on my darker skin tone. Dandelion is a very light pink that tones down the effect of PosieTint when layered. It applies sheerly and because it’s so light, it’s not my first choice for a blush on myself. It’s a great blush for a pale person, though! The Ultra Plush Dandelion lipgloss is also sheer with some shimmer, and the formula is wonderful: glides on almost like an oil that hugs the lips, and isn’t at all sticky. The only thing I hate about it is the smell; it smells like candy. I think it’s caramel candy? I just can’t stand it.

Benefit Feelin’ Dandy swatches: PosieTint, High Beam, Dandelion, Ultra Plush Dandelion

In the photos below I am wearing PosieTint on my cheeks and lips; Dandelion on my cheeks on top of PosieTint; High Beam along the tops of my cheekbones, down the centre of the nose, brow bones and cupids bow; Ultra Plush Dandelion lipgloss on the lips.

Wearing Benefit Feelin’ Dandy Lip & Cheek Kit

Despite the sweet lipgloss smell, I highly recommend this set. It provides such great value for $32. Perfect for gifting!

Lip Twinsies: Lipstick Rules and Glitter Geek Wear MAC Russian Red Lipstick + Chanel Fatale Lipgloss

June 11, 2012 | 37 Responses

Wearing MAC Russian Red Lipstick + Chanel Fatale Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss

I’m so excited to bring you this collaboration with Lipstick Rules!

When I Back-to-MAC’d for MAC Russian Red Lipstick ($17.50) a few weeks ago, I got inspired. I fell in love with its rich matte red colour, but I learned from the Fashion Sets collection that it looks so much more incredible lacquered with a lipgloss. I also knew that there was no way in hell I will ever buy a MAC Lipglass ever again (so painfully sticky!), but I wanted to give this matchy-matchy trend a go. I already had Chanel Fatale Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss ($37) in my lip product drawer, so I thought, why not layer the two?

MAC Russian Red Lipstick, Chanel Fatale Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss

Fatale is darker and warmer than Russian Red. The two creates a true red that is slightly lighter and warmer than the infamous Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque (far right swatch).

MAC Russian Red, Chanel Fatale, Russian Red + Fatale, Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

MAC Russian Red + Chanel Fatale Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss

This summer, I’d wear this to glam up a bronzy eye and complexion. I call it Hollywood Poolside Glam. Dipping in the pool: not recommended. Looking cute in a wide floppy hat sipping mojitos (with a straw): totally encouraged.

Wearing MAC Russian Red + Chanel Fatale Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss

Also wearing: L’Oreal Gleaming Bronze Infallible Eyeshadow, L’Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes in Black Lacquer, Guerlain 02 Brunettes Bronzer

For the love of red lips, Michelle is also wearing this combo today over at Lipstick Rules. Check out her post here! We encourage you to try out this lip combo if you have similar colours in your stash! How would you wear it?

Giorgio Armani Summer 2012: Luxury Edition Écailles Eye Palette, Gloss d’Armani 512 Red Andradite Reviews, Photos, Swatches

May 21, 2012 | 20 Responses

Giorgio Armani Luxury Edition Écailles Eye Palette, Gloss d’Armani in 512 Red Andradite

Nothing like hot weather to get me excited about summer makeup collections again. Giorgio Armani’s inspiration for this collection is the Mediterranean sea, mirroring its turquoise to deep blue hues in the collection’s limited edition Luxury Eyeshadow Palette in Écailles ($150 / luxury edition, $70 / classic edition). The luxury edition comes with this gloooooorious mother of pearl packaging. No one does luxury packaging like Giorgio Armani in my opinion.

Giorgio Armani Luxury Edition Écailles Eye Palette

The palette consists of deep teal, royal blue, turquoise and white shades. The deeper shades have a satin-y finish that do not swatch very well on my arms, but translate much better when applied on my eyes. Your mileage may vary depending on whether you wear eyeshadow primer or not (I always do). They do layer well though, so keep that in mind. The pearly turquoise shade brings the best pigmentation and smoothness. The pearly white shade is just awful: chunky and chalky with all sort of fallout problems.

Giorgio Armani Luxury Edition Écailles Eye Palette

I really really love how the three sea shades play with each other though. They layer beautifully, creating depth and bringing out the nuances in each shade. They blend into each other seamlessly, making this palette so easy and fool-proof. If you, like me, are a fan of blues and teals, this is a quad that you shouldn’t miss!

Giorgio Armani Luxury Edition Écailles Eye Palette Swatches

Here we have a Gloss d’Armani in 512 Red Andradite ($38). You’ll know from this review how much I adore my Gloss d’Armanis). 512 Red Andradite is an interesting shade; light red berry isn’t a typical summer shade, more of a fall shade perhaps. To me, it is a late summer night shade. It applies semi-sheerly on the lips, darkening my natural lip colour.

Giorgio Armani Gloss d’Armani in 512 Red Andradite

Again, I can’t say enough good things about the formula: non-sticky but stays for a long time. It thickens on the lips slightly after it is applied, smoothing out lip lines and giving the illusion of plump lips. I am in love with it.

Giorgio Armani Gloss d’Armani in 512 Red Andradite Swatch

Wearing Giorgio Armani Luxury Edition Écailles Eye Palette, Gloss d’Armani in 512 Red Andradite

If pressed to choose between the two, I’d say you can’t go wrong with the Gloss d’Armani. One bad shade in a good eyeshadow quad ruins it for me, but the three remaining shades are gorgeous. What do you think? Have you picked up anything from the collection? Make sure to check out the new Eyes To Kill eyeshadows ($42 each) from this collection over at Bloomin’ Beauty. The entire collection is now available in Holt Renfrew stores across Canada.