Five Things (to Try): Winter Essentials

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Being as clueless as I am with photography, I’ve been rather pleased with my efforts as of late – so I’m not going to ruin that by taking dodgy photos simply because sunlight is not on my side. My apologies for using the general pictures I found available on the internet. It’s been some time since I’ve done any of these posts including my product loves and recommendations on a specific theme and it’s definitely been a trying time, being just so cold and snowy as of late so it’s rather appropriate. And it’s high time for me to share some of my winter weather favourites!

Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia ($2.99)

You might be aware that regardless of the season that I’m someone with dry and chapped lips problem but I’m sure as many of you have experienced yourself, I’ve experienced the dryness and irritation magnified with the subzero temperatures, blizzards and the like; this affordable balm is a fabulous antidote or fixer. The formula is kind of greasy, with loads of shea butter and mineral oil to latch onto the dry patches and soothe them immediately and can leave a milky cast that is less than flattering and not ideal for use before lipstick application. I tend to have issues with fragranced lip balms irritating my lips but this one does not in the slightest – and more impressively I actually love the warm vanilla scent.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask ($29) | review

In the same vein, harsher winters like we experience in eastern Canada leads to increased facial dehydration and seems to bring on the dry patches, even if you don’t classify yourself as someone with particularly dry skin as I tend to. I think a nice way to combat this dryness and increased dehydration is to add a more intensive moisturizing treatment at nighttime at the very least a few times per week. For me this overnight hydrating mask fits the bill, with a thick shea-butter-based texture that works to soothe the skin and more dramatically adding intense hydration, while still remaining lightweight and fast-absorbing on the skin. The only negative of this product is the added fragrance and essential oils so if I’m experiencing more severe irritation or sensitivity, I will go for the The Body Shop Aloe Protective Restoring Mask.

Pixi Beauty Correction Concentrate in Brightening Peach ($12)

There’s something about winter that tends to amplify just how tired you – your eyes specifically – look and any sort of dryness in the general area and this creamy but corrective formula works nicely to mask deep dark circles while still blending seamlessly into skin regardless of its condition. Although its irritating that the affordable concealer only comes in one brightening shade, it’s rather impressive just how comparable it is to higher end correctors such as the Bobbi Brown Corrector that I adore.

MAC Studio Careblend Pressed Powder ($31) | review

Most of us likely are no stranger to the idea of switching up our products seasonally but I doubt that many of us have considered switching out the setting powder in our routines. Even if you’re drier skinned as I am, a bit of setting powder can be nice to add longevity and cancel out any sort of subtle unsightly shine but when you’re on the drier side of things, there isn’t anything attractive about the dry powdery look that traditional formulas can contain. Regardless of where you fall on the oil production spectrum, I would recommend trying out this non-powdery powder because it does everything that a powder should do without making you look completely matte and flat or emphasizing any sort of dryness. While the powder is not translucent, I would not expect much coverage from the product – I would consider it to have light coverage at most.

Becca Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle in Raspberry/Opal ($33) | review

In the dead of winter, my cheeks can get rather dry – they are and have always been the area of my face the most prone to dryness – and my skin gets incredibly pale, drained and dull so I’m expecting an awful lot out of a blush — something with a smooth formula that glides over less than ideal skin and that adds that instant glow. An excellent one is this foolproof mousse-y formula with the muted berry tint and that champagne glow that makes the skin instantly look less dead.

What are your current seasonal staples?
Maggie, x.

 

Essie Nail Lacquer in On a Silver Platter

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I have to start this post with an odd to my lovely friend, Lauren, and I promise this ode is related at the very least tangentially to the content of this post. Even though I harass her just about every time that I see her, I love her dearly for reading my blog from the beginning with actual interest and letting me talk her ear off about all things beauty willingly. She’s my nail-polish obsessed friend – her stash might be more impressive than my collection of blushes – and she definitely inspired me to get into painting my nails and has gifted me a number of polishes that I adore dearly. Most of all, today on the snowy but wet Wednesday, she indulged me with a fanatical nail polish chat today with genuine enthusiasm that distracted me from just how blaaargh I was feeling. Last week, she jokingly (kind-of?) informed me that the blog was lacking on the nail polish front and here I am, beginning to remedy that to the best of my ability.

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I’m not a glitter girl in the slightest, putting it into the hated pile as I associate it with ridiculously girly blingy and frou-frou-ness but I bloody love the Essie Nail Lacquer in On a Silver Platter ($9-10) and the effortlessly edgy vibe it has. It has a slightly sheer tarnished silver base with reflective gold shimmer running throughout and cobalt glitter chunks. I really enjoy the unique multidimensional reflectiveness and texture of this nail lacquer “effect”. Believe me, my description is making it sound much less exciting than it is but in truth, it’s a complicated colour so it’s not a breeze to describe. In two coats, the polish is semi-opaque with a pigmented enough base that no additional polish is required underneath. The formula dries extremely fast but unfortunately chips easily in chunks within a day regardless of my base coat and top coat attempts. Also, the chips tend to cover at least a third of the nail so its much more noticeable than your usual small chips around the tips of your nails.

I have two random tidbits to leave you with: it’s one of the six polishes from Essie’s ‘Encrusted’ collection and the polish has been on my nails for one day in the pictures. Oh and despite my irritation with how quickly this chips, I think its a good ‘un.

What’s on your nails at the moment?
Maggie, x.

The Review: DiorSkin Star Studio Makeup

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I’ve been declaring my borderline obsessive love for the Diorskin Star Studio Makeup since succumbing to the allure of the new and hyped-up foundation in October and have been promising a review for almost as long. I’ve raved about the “spectacularly brightening” foundation that’s infused with SPF 30 with the PA++ designation, supposedly providing “weightless perfection” countless times by now so its about time for a full-on review. But there’s no way of getting around my favorable opinion of this foundation – it’s among my top foundations of all time and I’m a foundation-obsessed kind of girl.

Dior describes this foundation as inspired by the professional illumination techniques in the studio, enhanced by the makeup artist and designed to re-create the “spectacular and perfecting light of Dior’s studios”. In a more particular way, its characterized as a brightening foundation with a weightless fluid texture, providing a more visibly even and bright complexion – with the aid of hollow silica beads and light-filter pigments – and supposedly “the complexion is purified and more dazzling” due to anti light-trap ingredients. I definitely see the skin-brightening, illuminating and to a certain degree, the perfecting properties of the foundation but I’m slightly skeptical of the light-filter pigments but that’s rather inconsequential; the latter claim about purifying and dazzling the complexion cracks me up with its audacity as there are not any ingredients that would do this inside the foundation and that its questionable that any ingredients in the formula could transform skin in some way, beyond appearances. What I love about this foundation is its lightweight fluid texture that is impressively formulated without drying and irritating alcohols, its medium to medium-full coverage that does not mask the skin but keeps everything luminous and brightened, the fact that it lasts a ridiculous amount of time and that it’s fantastic on my dry and uneven skin. The formula is hydrating in itself and it does not highlight dry patches in the slightest and beyond that is flattering on those areas, especially considering the coverage and longevity of the formula.

The foundation has an impressive shade range, suiting fair – but perhaps not porcelain-fair – to deep skin tones with the 20 shade offering that includes a good number of different undertones but in Sephora and Shopper’s Drugmart stores near me, the different shade variations in the first shade range (011, 012, 013) seem to be absent. The foundation contains the average 30 mLs or one fluid ounce and retails for $50 dollars in both the United States and Canada, coming housed in a luxe glass bottle with a pump. I’m wearing the shade 020 Light Beige, but it’s not an ideal match for me in depth at the moment, as I’m at my fairest in the dead of winter but it works when blended into my pale neck even now because the slightly golden-leaning beige undertones are spot on. 010 Ivory is a paler shade that I’ve found available nearly everywhere, but it runs a bit too pink for my skin but I suspect 011 Creme with yellow undertones or 013 Dune with peachy undertones would be my optimal match. In my shade at least, the foundation looks darker in the bottle than it applies and I would say it matches around an NC20/NW15 to maybe a NC25/NW20 ish, suiting skin tones that are slightly fair but nothing resembling porcelain.

before | after
before | after

The foundation both feels and appeals remarkably skin-like despite the coverage and longevity it has, camouflaging texture and discolouration remarkably well. Although it lasts well over 12 hours without any sort of fading, it develops some considerable shine even on my dry skin with a somewhat normal t-zone after a few hours without setting powder; it has considerable longevity but not astounding oil-control. I would suspect that the lack of oil-control and the serious glow it develops is a function of the seriously hydrating texture of the foundation and absence of oil-absorbing ingredients like drying alcohols, so I don’t think its necessarily a weakness of the formula. With that being said, anyone except the driest of the driest skin will have to set this foundation with powder and perhaps touch up with powder once during the day. I would say its suitable for combination skin seeking some hydration and glow – with a healthy dusting of powder on oilier places – and anyone on the dry skin spectrum. I’ve used this with good success with some moderate flaking on my forehead but I haven’t tested it with a seriously Sahara dry overall complexion – I’m pleased to report my skincare routine has saved me from this fate.

the full face featuring a touch of powder in the t-zone | the face untouched 12 hours later minus lipstick
the full face featuring a touch of powder in the t-zone | the face untouched 12 hours later minus lipstick

Oh, and on the sunscreen note, its an Octinoxate and Titanium Dioxide blend, a mixture of both mineral and ‘chemical’ sunscreens and even on my chemical-SPF-sensitive skin, – and incredibly so at that – my skin does not feel or look irritated upon application. It’s broad-protection sunscreen by the way and it despite the higher SPF, there is definitely no flash photography issue. Again, I emphasize that it can appear a bit shiny without the aid of powdering and by shiny, I mean more pronounced than it is in real life.

 

the face 12 hours later with flash
the face 12 hours later with flash

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 5.99%; Titanium Dioxide 3.50%. Inactive Ingredients: Water, Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide (Nano), Glycerin, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Bellis Perennis (Daisy) Flower Extract, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Barium Sulfate, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Glyceryl Undecyl Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Parfum (Fragrance), Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Lecithin, Tromethamine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Carbonate, BHT, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Linalool, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Palmitic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Citronellol, Sodium Phosphate, Spilanthes Acmella Flower Extract, Magnesium Hydroxide, Tocopherol. May Contain: Bismuth Oxychloride, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide.

Have you tried this foundation? I’d also love to hear your current favourite foundation!
Maggie, x.

The Essential: Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Moisturizing Stick

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The condition of my lips cannot be described as anything but slightly mangled and disastrous; regardless of care and all that jazz, my lips are extremely sensitive, chapped, dry and all kinds of uneven. While I have not found a miracle balm to cure all ills, I’m pleased to report that I’ll fallen in love with this balm that not only does not irritate my lips – you wouldn’t believe how irritated my lips get from the most seemingly benign formulas – but even more than that provides nice soothing moisture on the lips without feeling heavy or leaving any sort of cast or wonky texture. The Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Moisturising Stick Stick ($9) is all kinds of awesome, coming in an easy, practical and hygienic chapstick form and containing nourishing ingredients like shea butter, oils galore and honey and none of those aesthetically-pleasing ingredients like copious amounts of fragrance, alcohol, menthol and the like. It may not be ideal for some, but I appreciate that this lightweight but very hydrating balm is suitable for daily wear even under makeup but does not contain SPF – I really tend to have sensitivity issues with sunscreen found in lip products. Being in a stick form, it doesn’t contain the greatest amount of product, amounting to 4 grams.

I was tempted to leave this post at the previous paragraph which would be impressively concise slash short and sweet for someone as wordy as me but let me paint the picture of how this balm came into my life. It was the end of August, with my third year of university in the near future and I was at the mall with my friends. Frustrated with the condition of my lips, despite many attempts to cure them, I had decided that I wanted to try the traditional Nuxe Reve de Miel pot lip balm that so many bloggers that I adore tremendously had declared their love for and as luck would have it, I was without lip balm and my lips felt like they were going to fall off. I scampered into the larger Shopper’s Drugmart and headed into the section with the like French brands, ready to shell out $17 dollars and then I realized that the cult-favourite formula was sold out. How rude. I was disturbingly enraged until I spotted the less expensive more traditional stick formula and convinced myself that it was worth a try and would be easier to justify to myself as a purchase. As soon as it was paid for, I aggressively applied the balm and things were instantly better, both on the moisture and sensitivity front. Maybe 4-5 months later, I’ve still held onto that little guy and have been enjoying the results and believe it or not, I’ve made a major dent in the stick. Pointless ramble over.

DSC_0236DSC_0241What’s your favourite lip balm?
Maggie, x.

*affiliate link used above

Weekly Medley #50/51

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Believe it or not, I have discovered something positive about my consistent tardiness in putting these kind of posts – wanna hear what that is? When I’m writing these weekly posts far after I’m supposed to, I don’t have to have deep inward contemplations over what tense to use while describing the week because it’s far gone. This is about as positive as I’ll ever get and you would be correct to detect my genuine sarcasm and generally misunderstood sense of humor. Well, for the first time in ages, I stayed home from class today, feeling like I was drowning in the ocean that is my cold-filled respiratory system, unable to move and like a large animal was pounding my skull. I’m pleased to report that things have made a turn for the better and I’m able to do something as productive as actually write a post, but actual coherency is out of the question so I’m returning to point form format.

1. The cold slash tired slash dying of winter skin essentials… These are a few of the products of the skincare variety that I’ve relied heavily upon in the last two weeks, not just because of the coughing-cold sense but because we’ve been having some serious dry, windy, snowy and generally freezing weather. I’m kind of ready to declare my love for the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Masque, the Caudalie Vinosource Overnight Recovery Oil and the Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Moisturizing Stick.
2. The standard other loves… I won’t bore you by prattling on about my love of caffeine – particularly lattes – yet again but it could not be neglected in my show of non-beauty loves. I’m also ridiculously thrilled to have the deliciously musky Bath & Body Works Flannel Candle in my life again, even though they only brought the mini sizes back with their big sale. I know what candle I’ll be buying in the larger size next fall – unless they are actually irrational and do not bring back the heavenly candle. These are what have got me through the frustratingly long weeks.
3. Some general blogging musings… While I have not been able to produce the five weekly posts that I have often unrealistically set as a goal for myself – although I certainly wish I could -, I have been pleased with the quality of the posts that I’ve put out lately. More specifically I’m pleased with some of my recent photography attempts especially when you put the winter sunlight issue into consideration.
4. The lipstick that I’ve dreamed about… It would not be out of the question to doubt my sanity after reading this but regardless, have at it: Ever since falling in love with the gorgeous rosy peach NARS Audacious Lipstick in Brigitte at my local Sephora but finding out that the shade was not in stock, I’ve been thinking longingly about it incessantly and I might have had a nightmare where I was chasing the lipstick and it remained out of reach. I have some pretty creative dreams but combining my beauty obsessiveness with the usual running out of time dream might have to take the cake.
I hope your January has been a tad more interesting and eventful than mine?
Maggie, x.

Five Things: Disappointing Purchases

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More often than not – at least when you’re beauty product addicted and purchase them frequently like I do- I find myself regretting a lot of the products I purchase in the end, feeling disappointed after I purchased them. These products aren’t generally overtly bad because I tend to do my research beforehand and report back if a product is an actual nightmare but these products that I just wish I hadn’t gone for remain untalked about. I plan on remedying that now, inspired by Tijan Serena‘s recent video that I enjoyed tremendously.

(1) Physician’s Formula Happy-Booster Blush in Rose ($15.99)

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While neither the standard pinky hue or the sheer-but-buildable pigmentation of this blush are particularly spectacular, its real downfall is the lack of longevity the product has on me. In my experience, I don’t have to worry about blush or any other face product lasting on my skin for a good 7-8 hours without even beginning to fade but this rather expensive drugstore offering seems to disappear by the second hour. I know that many bloggers and youtubers whose opinions I trust enjoy this classic drugstore product despite its dodgy pheremone marketing; it simply does not work with my particular skin.

(2) MAC Powder Blush in Springsheen ($21/26)

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The thing with this one is that there’s absolutely nothing to fault with the formula of this peachy coral blush with that ever-popular illuminizing gold sheen running throughout. I bought it back in tenth grade, I believe, as my first coral blush ever and I just don’t love it nearly as much as many of my other 637 coral blushes- I’m only kind of joking about how many I own.

(3) Annabelle Waterproof Lip Liner in Bordeaux ($6.95)

I really should have tried Annabelle before I did, aside from the fact that they are an actual Canadian cosmetics brand – they have simply impressed me with their products that I’ve tried particularly their standard lip liner in Demure. Given my love for their neutral lip liner offering and my more recent interest in lip liners, I figured that I would expand my collection into these vampier shades to wear with the lipsticks I’m enjoying. Now I realize that I should have been wary the moment that I realize that the liner was marketed as waterproof because of just how naturally dry my lips are and how disastrously these dry liners tend to stick to all patches in my lips in an unflattering way, but regardless, I screwed up with this one because it’s so unflattering and clingy that it cannot be covered up with lip products on the top. I don’t doubt that this lasts for hours and hours and it could very well work nicely for outlining the lips but I don’t like that kind of maintenance so I’m a filling in the lips kind of girl.

(4) Maybelline The Nudes Palette ($14.99)

I’ve had the 12-pan neutral palette from the drugstore for a good few months now and believe it or not, I’ve been thinking about writing a post on it for ages but my lukewarm thoughts and general indecisiveness have kept me from doing so thus far. The shades are by no means bad, but only a  few shades have that really good pigmentation and texture that I would compare to higher end brands and the colours are by no means unique so I don’t feel that this is adding to a lack in my neutral palette collection. I’m saying that the colours aren’t unique and I don’t think they are the most amazing drugstore shades but I do enjoy a few of the colours, particularly the matte greyish taupes and I have found a look or two that I enjoy with the palette. If this was under ten dollars, I would probably have no qualms about discussing it favourably but considering the price, I’m just not reaching for it adequately, for good reason.

(5) Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in 070 Cherry Tart ($9)

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I believe I actually said favourable things about this sheerer cherry lightweight lipstick in late 2013 but now that I’ve explored similar formulas of balmy lipsticks, I’ve realized that the cult-favourite formula is neither impressive on the pigmentation or the hydrating balmy front and this one is one of the sheerer offerings and I have to say that I find the shimmer annoying and irritating on my lips. I know that I’m one of the very few that do not adore the lip butters but I promise my thoughts are genuine here; I just have extremely finicky lips.

Do you have any product disappointments to contribute?
Maggie, x.

New Year Stash Shopping

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Unless you’re one of the blessed few that manage to get by and not compulsively by loads of products in each makeup category, I’m sure you can benefit from a look through your mass of makeup every few months to pull out some new products that you haven’t been using and bring them into the daily rotation. Early in the new year, it seems about time for another edition…

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L’Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara ($14-15)

Some months back, I was in a mascara buying mood and I was interested in both the tubing mascaras – because of the supposed ease of removal with warm water – and a lash primer, so when I spotted this two-in-one formula, I gave it a go because it ticket all of the boxes. Unfortunately, I was not particular impressed with the slightly wet lengthening and defining formula, already having pretty nice long and curled lashes, nor did I find it particularly simple to remove. I pulled this mascara out today, looking for something different and after months have passed and the formula has dried out some, I have enjoyed the increased volume and drama that the formula provides along with the impressive lengthening and overall natural separated effect. The length of my lashes are kind of ridiculous with this on them, in the best way possible.

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Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer in 010 Ivory ($7-8)

Late in 2013 and in the early days of 2014, I was enjoying this highlighting concealer for its thin texture, brightening effect and surprisingly opaque in coverage but after discovering more colour-correcting formulas for counteracting undereye darkness, I turned away from this one. However, lately I’ve been enjoying this rather pale toned concealer to underneath my eyes to brighten/cover things up along to any kind of discolouration and to highlight some areas slightly if I’m so inclined.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in 100 Ivory ($9-13)

It may very well be a stretch to say that this affordable foundation was ever out of my rotation completely, which shouldn’t be surprising because I’ve raved about it countless times and for ages, I have considered it to be among my top few very favourite foundations – and if you’ve been around here for some time, I’m sure you’re well aware of how fanatical I get about foundations. Erm, getting to the point now. I hadn’t been reaching for this foundation often within the last three or four months but upon grabbing this foundation on an early morning in my zombie state, I’m back into this one. I love how good of a match the moderately fair yellow-tinged-beige-leaning foundation is on my fairer winter skin, how hydrating and comfortable it is even on these -20 degree snowy days and how it gives luminosity to my skin while still covering anything that needs to be covered. I honestly do not know how I haven’t gone through a bottle yet.

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Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette ($67)

To be honest, I never keep this luxurious palette far away from my daily makeup stash, as it’s lovely and I paid more than one should on it, but in recent months when I’ve been in such a rush with my everyday makeup routine, I haven’t been taking the time to apply such subtle powders. I’ve been either not making the effort to highlight or even set my face, or I’ve gone with slightly less fine powders that get more impact with less effort. In recent days, though, I dug out this palette, wanting to find a subtle bronzer that would suit my fairer skin and I have fallen back in love. Note: the state of my Dim Light makes me want to cry.

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NARS Orgasm Powder Blush ($35)

Despite not reaching for the cult-favourite pinky coral blush – with that illuminating golden shimmer running throughout – on a regular basis for over six months, I would still have to list this glowy blush as among my absolute favourites for its instant brightening effect. However, I have gotten up the courage to face (on record) that I’ve neglected such a beauty and I’ve already begun the process of remedying that fact. I feel like I might be one of the few that believe that this shade is worth the hype but if your colouring is anything like mine and you have similar blush preferences to me, I would highly recommend giving it a go, pronto.

I’m beginning to realize that this post was on the lengthy side with perhaps not the most interesting content, – but what else is new? Have you rediscovered anything in your stash lately?
Maggie, x.

 

The Review: NYX Butter Lipstick in Licorice

DSC_0202DSC_0206DSC_0210Beauty-wise, one of my greatest irritations of living in Canada is just how long it can take for drugstore products to emerge here after they have come to the US and Nyx is perhaps the worst drugstore brand for this in my experience – I’m not even getting into the ridiculous price inflation between here and the States. After checking my local drugstores that sell Nyx and Target ever since these creamy lipsticks were launched in January of last year, I finally spotted them right before Christmas at my Target and I couldn’t resist picking up the NYX Butter Lipstick in Licorice ($8.99 CDN), the darkest shade in the range. It’s definitely a vampy shade, leaning on the bordeaux side of things, a blackened berry sort of shade with a bit of red to it that makes it easier for me to wear than more plum-based shades.

As the formula promises, the lipstick is (somewhat) hydrating with a creamy texture and a satin or cream finish; the texture is lightweight, the pigment is impressively opaque and I would agree with the claim that it is longwearing. However, because this lipstick is so creamy, it has to remain on the lips without eating or drinking for a while to set on the lips, or it will just rub off because of their texture – after that, it will stain the lips and last through some eating and drinking for five hours or so. As a word of caution, I’m not certain that this formula would be long-wearing or as pigmented in a paler shade, especially considering that I’ve heard mixed things about the lighter shades in the line. In this colour, Licorice, though I feel confident to say that the lipstick reminds me of MAC Amplified Creme lipsticks in the best possible way. The formula is flattering and suitable to wear even on chapped lips with some drier patches going on and it feels pleasingly balmy on the lips.

There’s no way of getting around the truth that this is quite the bold statement colour, but I will emphasize that it’s not the most frightening of these vampy options and that my favourite way to wear this shade is in the daytime with a lower key outfit and subdued makeup rather than in the evening as a general rule. It’s lovely for nights out and all that jazz, though – I just tend to be too messy of an eater for most lipsticks to have a chance to last if there’s any sort of food available…

DSC_1392Have you tried any of the NYX Butter Lipsticks?
Maggie, x.

Another Weekday Wishlist

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With the first month of 2015 passing by with great speed, I figured it was time for another wishlist…

 

  • NARS Audacious Lipstick in Brigitte ($37)

This has to be the least unexpected item in this list, as everyone and their pet iguana has raved about the formula and sleek magnetic packaging of these pricy – even for NARS – lipsticks and I’ve mentioned my interest in the ‘nude rose’ shade before, but after I tried on this shade of the lipstick at Sephora yesterday and fell in love, I knew it could not be resisted. The only thing that stopped me from grabbing it and leaving the store was the fact that the shade appeared to be sold out, much to my disappointment. It has a nice cream finish, is moisturizing and flattering and wore for an impressive time, staining the lips with its flattering rosy tone.

  • Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Taupe ($23)

This gel-pomade formula brow product has also had a great deal of buzz since appearing on the market and I included it in my last wishlist post, but even though I haven’t gone and picked up the product yet, despite enjoying my sample of it tremendously and not wanting to run out of it. I enjoy the very ashy colour and even though I would be expected to go with a darker shade, I’ve been enjoying this to control my crazy brows while giving them so shape without necessarily having to go insane or unnatural in the slightest. This is another product that I shall indulge in.

  • Paula’s Choice Resist C15 Super Booster ($48)

With my interest in skincare in the last couple of months – and more plausibly – I’ve been wanting to try out a serum that would be gentle, effective and most of all be relatively inexpensive and affordable and I’ve been wanting to venture out of using an oil product during that stage as a substitute. This nicely formulated potent Vitamin C product appears to tick off all of the boxes, formulated with zero irritants and many soothing ingredients outside of the wonder antioxidant that promises to even skin-tone, protect against environmental damage, brighten and smooth the skin.

  • Mink Pink Um Yay Sweater ($78)

If you know me in real life you might be aware of three things: that I live for these kinds of comfy slouchy sweaters, I absolutely love these kinds of word-graphic tees and such and that I find myself often saying ‘yay’ in my usual flat monotone-come-sarcastic voice. This is quite expensive but I’ve seen it in passing a few times and have gazed at it longingly. Note: the image is taken from shopvandevort.com

  • Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Liberte ($39)

I’m suddenly realizing that I should have prefaced this post with the warning that I would be writing on and on about the expensive lip products that I’m lusting after because I’m currently in a lip-product addicted state, tending towards the expensive. You may know that I tried my first Chanel lip product last week, the Rouge Double Intensite in Darling Pink and since I’ve had such an amazing experience with that formula, my interest has peaked in other Chanel formulas. The lipstick in question has a sheerer balm-like texture in a muted peach-tinged coral hue that will be nice to transition into those seasons that actually involve seeing the sun looming ahead.

What items are on your wishlist currently?
Maggie, x.

Weekly Medley #49

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My, my, has time flown by … since I started writing these posts last January, in the most unbelievable way – but I digress. Back on Monday, I headed back into classes and began the winter semester, emerging myself back into that whole life completely. I’m exhausted and it’s sort of ridiculous that I’ve only been back a full week but in some ways it feels like I did not actually have a holiday break in the first place. It has been one of those week that manages to both feel like the longest and shortest ones ever. When you’re exhausted in the mornings (and afternoons too to be completely honest), time feels like its frozen and its hard to believe that only an hour has passed when it feels like an eternity that you have to endure three more times that day, but in terms of being a productive human being and accomplish your designated tasks, time seemed to slip between my fingers. Another common feature of my week was just how cold and how typically Canadian it has been this week, with temperatures going between freezing and -20 plus a generous windchill. We might have had a mild December around these parts, but now winter has definitely hit us full force. I should have taken notice of this when I referred to a -2 degree day as nice weather in conversation without even a hint of sarcasm.

I’m actually quite a fan of the cold weather, as I tend to get perpetually overheated, can tolerate low temperatures surprisingly well and kind of adore that whole cozy feeling, but the unpleasant side effects are certainly there – the perpetual skin dryness, having to leave extra-early in the morning, the need for gloves etc. and generally questionable road conditions. Going with that whole cozy theme, I have been enjoying lazing around in my room underneath my covers, or under a blanket when I’m not just casually hanging out in bed with the gloriously relaxing Target Be Peaceful Jar Candle($12.49) burning in the background. The soy candle is not overwhelming in the slightest in the way that some other candles can be and has been a much appreciated Christmas gift from the mother as the lavender and eucalyptus scent is just so relaxing, calming and mellowing.

On Thursday, I finally managed to post my Top Fourteen Products of 2014 and it was kind of ridiculously laborious, even by my standards. As I’ve mentioned before, I spent eons debating which products deserved to be included in the post but even outside of that, I had this sort of block against writing it in full so I wrote it bit by bit in chunks, beginning on Monday. Long ramble aside, I’m very pleased with how it turned out and have not questioned any of my choices – as of yet. The weekend brought a nice dose of rest and pure relaxation and also spending money on two things. The first happened on Friday, when I was strolling around town and suddenly found myself surrounded by Chanel makeup and at the cash with my second Chanel product ever, the Chanel Rouge Double Intensite Ultra Wear Lip Colour in 57 Darling Pink ($39)  In my defense, I had received Christmas money and I could not resist the good feeling that comes from retail therapy-ing your sorrows away even in the smallest of doses. I’m pleased yet mildly terrified to report that the stain gloss duo somehow is the most ridiculously long-wearing lip product ever while being pleasantly silky to apply and not particularly drying or irritating on the lips whatsoever. I’m stopping myself before I dedicate a couple of paragraphs to my newfound lip product love even before I’ve had it for three days. The second thing I spent money on was movie tickets – something I rarely do – and on Saturday, I dragged my migraine-afflicted but out of bed to attend Exodus: Gods and Kings with two of my long-time close friends. Believe it or not, it was worth the money and I actually found myself enjoying the length biblical biopic even outside the amazingly beautiful ancient scenery. I’ll give you a warning about the movie, though: don’t expect it to be anything faith-affirming.

How was your week?

Maggie, x.