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Showing posts with label burt's bees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label burt's bees. Show all posts

Makeup 101: New Year's Eve Makeup That Will Last

Happy New Year! I raise my glass to the end of 2010! What a year it has been for myself and pretty much everyone I know. 2010 was full of crazy bumps but despite it all, I've come out with a much clearer head. I've failed, succeeded, but above all learned from each and every one of those significant moments in my life. I'm excited for 2011 for more reasons than one and can't wait to get this party started!


Sorry peeps, this was the best close-up photo I could get of myself. This was taken on Christmas Eve close to the end of the night, but figured if you want makeup that will ring you into the new year then you'll want to read up on the long-wearing products I used!

Star Products: 


Top Left: Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in Steel #2 ($26 CAD):  You want a shadow that won't budge? MUFE's Aqua Creams are a dream! I used this as the base of my shadow, on the lid, inner corner, and lower lash line. I wanted a warm, charcoal-silver smokey eye with a hint of shimmer. Steel is a gorgeous silver with an almost taupe undertone. I prefer this over a true silver as it looks too cool on my warm skin tone. The Aqua Creams are budge-proof and set pretty quickly. They apply really easy onto the skin but you have to blend it really quickly. The finishes are pretty shimmery, but when paired with a matte shadow the shimmer is toned down. It would be great if matte shades were introduced to the line - fingers crossed!

Top Right: M.A.C. Eye Shadow in Print ($17.50 CAD) This one is an oldie but a goody! Print is one of my beloved true greys. I find some greys either have too much blue or too much black. It's not quite a matte but has a more satin finish. I applied this close to the top and bottom lash line, outer lid, and crease. M.A.C. as always delivers on amazing pigment, doesn't crease or fade, and blends so easily. 

Middle: Sephora Favourites The Little Black Eye Liner Kit ($36 USD): Like an LBD, every woman should own at least one black eye liner. This set includes 7 of Sephora's most essential black eye liners plus an eye brush from the following brands: 
  • 0.02 oz Smashbox Limitless Eye Liner in Onyx
  • 0.07oz Tarte EmphasEYES Waterproof Clay ShadowLiner in Black
  • 0.005 oz Tarte EmphasEYES Inner Eye Rim Pencil in Black
  • 0.02 oz Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero
  • 0.06oz Sephora Collection Jumbo Eye Liner in Grey
  • 0.003 oz Hourglass Calligraphy Liquid Eye Liner in Ebony
  • 0.025 oz Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes in Black
  • Smashbox Eye Liner Brush 
For this look I reached for one of my favourite liners, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Zero. I didn't want an obvious line so I lined underneath my top lash line, smudged it close into my lash line, and along my waterline. To make the liner last in the waterline, line, wait for it to set, then line again. I have more reviews to come from this kit! 

Bottom: Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Tiger Lily ($7.99 CAD): My night started out with NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Bangkok and Orgasm Gloss, but as the night wore on it was my Burt's Bees Tinted Lip balm in Tiger Lily (not pictured) that my dry lips longed for and is the lippie shown on myself. I have been using this non-stop ever since I received it and I can't wait to snatch all of them up! Sadly, we'll have to wait until February 2011 to purchase these. 

It comes in six shades: Honeysuckle (nude), Tiger Lily (peach-nude), Pink Blossom (soft pink), Hibiscus (rosy pink), Rose (red) and Red Dahlia (wine). It's 100% natural and is made from natural botanical flower waxes (ylang-ylang and jasmine), Shea Butter, Vitamin E and Beeswax. I adore the pear scent. It's a nice change from the common minty and vanilla flavours of so many other lip products out there. The packaging is simple and true to the Burt's Bee's line, but I love that they didn't go with their traditional yellow honeycomb packaging. The lip balm comes encased in a lovely cardboard tube package which I just love! The texture is super smooth and will help keep your lips moisturized all night long. For a sheer tint, you definitely see colour on the lips. Tiger Lily was the perfect peachy-nude for my smokey eye.

To check out another great review visit this site

Complete List of Products: 

Skin: 
Embroylisse Moisturizer
MUFE HD Primer Perfection
Face Atelier Ultra Foundation #7
Tarte Mineral Powder
Benefit Erase Paste in #3 (under eyes)

Cheeks:
Smashbox Halo Bronzer (all over and as a contour)
NARS Douceur Blush on cheeks

Eyes: 
Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer
MUFE Aqua Cream #2 Steel
M.A.C. Print Eye Shadow
UD 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero
New Maybelline Mascara (Review to come but I think I'm actually loving it!)

Lips: 
First half of the night: NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Bangkok and Orgasm Gloss
Second half: Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Tiger Lily (available February 2011)

For New Year's definitely amp it up by adding more shimmer or a glittery silver liner. Add a pair of falsies to make your peepers stand out more.

What do you think of this look? What's on your look book for New Year's?

I hope everyone has a safe and an amazing New Year! Thank you to all my readers, friends, and family that have been through it all with me. I cherish your love and support more than you will ever know. I won't bore you with any NY resolutions because we've heard them all. Wishing you all much love, happiness and success for 2011! Cheers!

Products were sent for editorial consideration with the exception of M.A.C. Print. I really love all these products.

Beauty Reviews: Drugstore Brands vs. High End Brands

I've been asked a few times why I rarely recommend or review any drugstore brand cosmetics. I'll be honest - as a make-up artist I'm used to sticking with high end brands but that doesn't mean I think less of drugstore cosmetics. The drugstore is where I began my love affair with make-up and I still continue to buy a mascara or two here and there. Brands like Revlon, L'oreal, Maybelline, and Max Factor have gone above and beyond changing their formulations and packaging to match those of their higher end competitors. If you're looking to buy quality make-up on a tight budget, here are some recommendations and make-up artist favourites.

1. Foundations: "L'oreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup, and Cover Girl's Queen Collection Oil Free Liquid Makeup for darker skin tones

2. Tinted Moisturizers: Quo's Skin Tint SPF 15 and Wet n Wild Ultimate Sheer Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15

3. Concealers: MAX Factor's Erase Secret Coverup, Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Under Eye Concealer

4. Loose Powder: Revlon's Bare It All Lustrous Powder, Cover Girl's TruBlend Powder with Minerals

5. Pressed Powder: Physician's Formula Powders (they come in many types to suit your needs), L'oreal True Match Super Blendable Powder

6. Corrective Products (rosacea, blemish and scar marks): Physician's Formula, Quo's Bags Away or Colour Corrector Camouflage

7. Blush (powder, cream, or stain): Quo, L'oreal, Cover Girl's Cheekers Blush, Revlon's Limited Edition Pinch Me cheek stain, Wet n' Wild Twist Up Blush Sticks, Revlon's Cream Blush

8. Eyeshadows (powder, cream, liquid): Revlon's Limited Edition Diamond Lust, Revlon's Illuminance Cream Eyeshadow, Revlon's
ColorStay 12 Hour Eyeshadow Quad
, Cover Girl's Queen Collection for darker skin tones, MAX Factor MAXeye Shadows, Quo Stay Put Cream Eye Colour

9. Eyeliners (pencil, liquid, cream): NYC Liquid Eyeliner, NYC's "Miss Sparkle" Highlighter Pencil, Physician's Formula's Eye Definer Felt Tip Eye Marker, Cover Girl's CG Smoothers Eyeliner

10. Mascara:
Natural - Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
Volume - Maybelline Volum Express Turbo Boost Waterproof
Lengthening - L'oreal's Lash Out Mascara

11. Lipstick: L'oreal's Colour Riche, Cover Girl TruShine Lip Color for a sheer finish, Cover Girl's Queen Collection for darker skin tones, Wet n Wild Precious Metals

12. Lip Gloss:
High shine/sheer colour - Wet n Wild's Glassy Gloss Lip Gel, L'oreal's ColourJuice Gloss, Maybelline's Shiny-licious Lip Gloss ,

Plumping - Wet n Wild's Mega Plump Lip Gloss, Physicians Formula's Plump Potion Needle-Free Lip Plumping Cocktail

Shimmery Liquid Colour - Revlon's Super Lustrous Lip Gloss, Bonnebell's Lip LITES

Darker Skin Tones - Cover Girl's Queen Collection

Stain: Revlon's Limited Edition Just Bitten Lip Stain

13. Tinted Lip Balms: Bonnebell's Lip LITES Glossy Tints, Wet n Wild's Pout Protector SPF 15, Burt's Bees Lip Shimmers

14. Lip Balms: Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil, Neutrogena's Lip Moisturizer SPF 15, Aveeno's Intense Relief Medicated Therapy, any of the original Bonnebell Lip Smackers for yummy scents, Wet n Wild Jumbo Juicy Lip Balm

15. Lip Liners: Wet n Wild Creme Lip Liner Pencils, Cover Girl's Queen Collection for darker skin tones

16. Bronzers: Physicians Formula has a variety of bronzers to choose from, NYC Bronzing Face Gel, Bonnebell's Gel Bronze, L'oreal Glam Bronze Bronzing Powder

17. Highlighters and Body Shimmers: Revlon's Limited Edition Bare it All Lustrous Lotion, Wet n Wild's Mega Pump Shimmer

18. Multi-Purpose Products for Eyes, Lips, Cheeks: Wet n Wild's 3-of-a-Kind Twist Up Stick, Wet n Wild MegaGlo Face Illuminator, Physicians Formula's Bronze Gems Matte & Bright Bronzer, Highlighter & Eye Shadow

Tools: Quo has an assortment of tools, Revlon has a variety of tweezers and eye lash curlers

Brushes: Quo brushes are a favourite among make-up artists because they're affordable and quality brushes, buy Sonia Kashuk brushes if you're in the US, affordable and high quality. Her make-up line is also wonderful.

That wraps up my drugstore brand favourites! I hope this was helpful and I'd love to hear what your favourites are! Happy shopping!

*Quo is only sold in Canada at your local Shoppers Drug Mart. All other brands you can find at your local drugstore.