MAKE UP FOR EVER ***NEW SUMMER*** AQUA ROUGE LIQUID LIP COLOR

I want to start this blog by saying THANK YOU to MAKE UP FOR EVER for taking a chance on a newer blogger such as MakeUp'Asylum and sending me one of their lovely products from PR for review and consideration.

This review will be on the AQUA ROUGE water proof liquid lip color from the AQUA SUMMER 2013 collection. Which is now available at Sephora online and in stores and MAKE UP FOR EVER Boutiques.

I have mentioned in a previous post that I am a fan of orange makeup in general and this product is just that #17 BRIGHT ORANGE.

This summer line of five new colors are super saturated and meant to last. This is a dual ended product, one end is the highly pigmented color and the other is a clear non-tacky top coat for added dimension and shine.

 

 

 

 

This orange color is so amazing the intensity of it is incomparable to anything else I have ever tried. This literally seems like a paint color for your lips. If you ever want a lip gloss that literally doesn't budge and looks like what you see in magazine ads that we all wish we could achieve in real life then this is it.

 

The other qualities of this product that I like is the beautiful smell. Also the clear top coat gives a seal affect on the lips locking in the color for non-stop wear ability. I applied a bit of the top coat to my hand and it feels like a perfectly primed surface with just enough smooth slip. I imagine as stated by MAKE UP FOR EVER that it is due in part to the " high molecular weight polymers and volatile oils." It feels so nice I would even like something like this top coat created as a hand oil, it makes your skin and lips feel super smooth.

I don't see any feathering on the edge of my lip and it really is kiss and smudge proof because I used my husband as my guinea pig, thank you honey;).

 

So what can I say this is my first experience with Make Up For Ever and hopefully it won't be my last. I am sold on the quality of this product and see why many people love this brand.

 

The other 4 shades available are #16 Fuschia, #19 Pomegranate, #20 Baby Pink, #18 Coral. Each tube is double ended with 2x 2.5ml of product and is $29 Cad or $24 U.S

 

 

I would also like to try the "Aqua Cream's" and "Aqua Eye's" I adore intense bold color payoff. The BRIGHTER the better.

 

Don't hesitate try one of the AQUA SUMMER products soon

your face will thank-you

 

I can't wait to try this lip color when I go swimming, I'll look as good going in as when I get back out. MUAH XXXXX

 

SHOP NOW AT A LOCATION NEAR YOU OR ONLINE AT

WWW.MAKEUPFOREVER.CA

OR

WWW.MAKEUPFOREVER.COM

AND ALSO

WWW.SEPHORA.COM

 

 

ENJOY THE DAY EVERYONE AND

 

STAY BEAUTIFUL XO

 

 

Disclosure: I was not paid for my views or opinions in this review and all statements made are my own. The product was sent to me as a courtesy for consideration.

 

 

 

Essence cosmetic's "The Unsung Hero"

Hi everyone,

Well the sun is shining and the temperature is at least above 0 so I am happy.
How is the weather where you are????

Any way today I thought I would touch base on a brand that I feel does not get enough recognition here in Canada anyway and probably should as they have some great products to discover.

Essence cosmetics is a European brand of makeup that is sold in over 60 countries, yet they have only just reached Canada as of late and the only store I have located their products is my local "Shoppers Drug Mart".
The thing I noticed is that it's not a very big display and it's just shoved to the very back of the store where you probably wouldn't even pass it.
My problem with this is that here are affordable cosmetics for anyone and everyone and especially younger girls just getting into makeup and instead its cast to the side because stores like Shoppers are to busy trying to up sell you on the bigger name brands in the cosmetic section so that the cosmeticians can meet the demand and make their bonuses.

So after that miner rant lets get started

First on deck  today is Essence single pan mono eye shadow's offered in approx. 24 amazing colours. I feel that these are decently pigmented and yes they do have fall out, but lets get over fall out as I hear and read so many people complain about it all the time.
I went with the following colours 02 DANCE ALL NIGHT sparkle, 03 STAR LIGHT sparkle, 55 SHRIMP ME UP shimmer, 58 CAPPUCCINO, PLEASE! shimmer.
Even though it says sparkle for two of the colours I chose I would not say its some crazy chunky sparkle that's to over the top as you will see in the swatch.
These are all really great colours the shrimp me up looks amazing on and will easily be a go to for summer shadow.
These products are made in Poland are 0.08oz/2.5g and cost about $2 each. GREAT BUY

           Top left going clockwise: Cappuccino, please!, Shrimp me up, Dance all night, Starlight

                      From left cappuccino, please!, dance all night, Starlight & Shrimp me up

To me this is good pigmentation considering that is a one swipe finger swatch. Obviously very build able colour. The pics below is just to give you a closer look at the colours individually

Moving right a long is a small but super practical palette that I  just adore as its all the colours that I prefer to use on a daily basis this is called SUN CLUB glamour to go eyeshadow. 8 gorgeous colours in a small portable palette.
I like every colour and find them even more pigmented then the single pan colours and all have a shimmer base. The palette is 02 LONG BEACH.

The swatches are the top 4 colours in the palette and then the bottom 4 everything going left to right.

This palette is 0.26oz/7.5g and was only $5 amazing.

 

Now who doesn't love fine glitter, if you don't ya must be crazy, some people feel its to much or looks to much like a young girls thing, but I personally don't care. Call me the glitter queen cause I LOVE it. So that being said Essence brought out a limited edition line for "BREAKING DAWN PT2" and I will be showing you a couple of products from this line. One being loose glitter, this one is safe for eyes and body. Its called "A PIECE OF FOREVER" and is a fine milled gold sparkle.

This as you can see came in a small pigment jar 0.09oz/2.8g and because it was limited edition and sadly did not get much notice all the "Breaking Dawn" products got reduced and I snagged this lovely glitter for $1.50. There were 4 glitters to choose from.

 

That being said the next product is also limited edition and thank goodness I bought two because this ended up becoming a fave product of mine. That is the Breaking Dawn shimmer powder compact 01 BELLA'S SECRET such a luminous powder that reflects light beautifully and can be used all over face or to highlight brow or cheek bones.

Excellent amount of product 0.38oz/11g a little goes a long way and a staggering $2 each ****BARGAIN ALERT****lol. There was also a very red blush in the same sized compact that I thought was a little much for my taste.

 

Then I scored a lovely lip gloss in an unusual color like a dark grape and kind of smells that way to. It has a fine blueish (if that's even a word)/purple fine sparkle in it. I was a little unsure about this when I bought it but when I put it on I was amazed. What a sensual gloss, just the right amount of colour, super soft on the lips with no tackiness. This shade is called ALICE HAD A VISION. I truly wish these products were still available because I probably would have bought more and it would be nice if you all had the chance to try them too. There are people selling these products on Ebay but the prices are obscene. There was one other bright red gloss in this line that I did not buy.

                                 Again this was on clearance for $2, 0.13oz/4ml
                                 The swatch is done on paper as the colour showed up better

Then I bought two lipsticks one from the regular line and the other from the Breaking Dawn. In the regular line there is about 16 different shades to choose from and I went with 01 FROSTED. I had been on the hunt for a very light pink colour, but did not want to spend a lot in case I did not like it on myself, so I went with this because the lipsticks are around $2. Well it turned out well and I do like it and many other pink lipsticks now as I expand my makeup collection.
As for the Breaking Dawn lipstick it is the most insane shimmery gold and I could not wait to get this on my lips. This shade was also called "a piece of forever" like the gold glitter. The packaging for the breaking dawn lipstick was a big hit for me as well. Got that lipstick for $2

The only thing I find a little bit of a downfall with the lipsticks is they don't have good staying power. Ironically if you look at the amount of product in the tube it doesn't look like a lot, but its actually the same amount as say an NYX lipstick its just most lipsticks are longer and more slender so it seems like your getting more when in fact your not. This was the only lipstick offered in this line

 

Hope your all enjoying the detailed photo's of everything, I never realized how daunting taking pictures of makeup can actually be, so that people can get a really good look at the item.

 

Last but not least two Breaking Dawn nail polishes that I think were the deal of the day when I got this lot. One is a deep purple glitter polish and the other is gold to match with the lipstick above. Both lovely colors and surprise I got them on clearance for .99 each. Yes they are full size at 0.33fl oz/10ml. Oddly enough I have never worn the purple yet except for the swatch picture, but have worn the gold a handful of times.

 

The nail polish came in four colours but these were the only two left

 

I will also add that they did have glitter eyeliner but after doing a swatch in store I was less then impressed with that product and did not purchase any.

 

In the end I got some great deals, yet they weren't very creative with names for all the limited edition products, but ah what the heck its the colour that matters not the name. At those prices it could have been called "Garbage" for all I care and I still would have bought it.

 

So if you happen upon a display of Essence products in your makeup adventures don't hesitate to try something it will be well worth the few dollars.

 

BEAUTY IS A STATE OF MIND, SO STAY BEAUTIFUL

 

 

 

 

Hard Candy top ten palettes and more in review

Happy week-end everyone,

               My very first experience with Hard Candy was many a moon ago when I was a teenager and Hard Candy was just emerging with their brand, and it all started with a little nail polish called "SKY". What also made the product unique was the fun little ring around the cap of the bottle.
Now flash forward almost twenty years later and now the brand is more then holding their own. With everything from makeup, accessories and a fashion line. The bonus is you can find these products in Canada and the United States at many Walmart stores so it makes it more accessible to everyone.

So my review today will consist of Hard Candy cosmetics I have had for a while and then taking a look at their most recent offerings the new "Top Ten Palettes".

So lets go.....

First up is the "GLAMOFLAUGE" heavy duty concealer my pick was light, but there are 5 shades all together. What a fantastic product. If you want coverage for redness, blemishes and under eye darkness this will be your new go to product if you haven't tried it already. I have now been using this for about a year and probably will never use another concealer again. It comes simply packaged in a small squeeze tube and I either apply with my finger to a small foundation brush. You need very little of this product and I will stress that about this and one other Hard Candy product shortly. I appreciate lightness around my eyes and this is a great base before applying eye shadow as well. I paid about $5.50 for this item and it was worth every penny. I like that fact that Hard Candy has made their products so affordable so that people like myself still get to enjoy great cosmetics too.

Concealer comes in a 20g/0.71oz tube for easy application and the perfect size for any makeup bag.
The pics above show the product package and application on the skin in shade "Light"

Next up is "GLOW ALL THE WAY" I LOVE this product come the summer it is an awesome bronzer that a first looks so scary when you squeeze it out only to discover a little goes a long way and if used correctly will give you the most beautiful sun kissed look. This product also is a gradual self tanner and I have gotten many compliments when I use it about how radiant my skin appears. The package claims it is infused with 24k gold which I am sure is what helps to reflect the light so beautifully off the skin. Glow all the way comes in a very generous 76.5g/2.7oz tube and is a mere $9. The packaging is also attractive and can quickly be thrown in your summer tote when your on the go. My pick was "Tropical Tan" but they also offer "Glamazon Bronze" and "Super Tanner" all are lovely shades you just have to find what works for you. I find because its such a good deal of product I often apply this bronzer to my arms and chest as well for all over radiance.

Moving along next is "GINORMOUS LASH" volumizing mascara in the colour "Stash". This is a bronzy gold colour. I think I paid about $6 for it and again a lot of bang for your buck at 12.6g/0.44oz. I did not see a lot of results with this mascara. I did not feel it met its claim nor was I truly happy with the colour payoff. It took many applications to be at all noticeable. However who am I to complain I just like a lot of impact when it comes to eye makeup.

 And yes I did swatch the mascara on the back of my hand, hey whatever works.

However I am going to complain some more as I am infamous for this. I also bought the single pan baked eyeshadow called "Meteor-Eyes" in the colour 277 Lunar Eclipse and I was excited to try this because it had a lot of gold chunky glitter which I for one love, but not all people do. Then upon application I noticed it goes on with a very dark base which is almost black and I imagine the idea was for the gold fleck to show up better (oddly the swatch doesn't show it that way), but unless you are doing a small amount along your lash line or a more dramatic smoke out look this to me is over kill. I don't use this item often. Offered in 3.15g/0.11oz for around $5.

Moving down the face now to one of my favorite things is LIPS. I only own two lip glosses by Hard Candy. One is a Glossaholic with large glitter in the colour 371 FAIRY and the other is their Plumping Serum volumizing lip gloss in colour 150 GIRL NEXT DOOR.
Lets start with Glossaholic very big tube, lots of product and LOTS of sparkle. I find the only down fall is because it is chunky sparkle you can feel it on your lips a lot and this particular gloss does feel tacky on the lips. However if your going out day or night and want to dress up your lips like a birthday cake then this is the gloss for you. 10.8g/0.38oz for about $5 in 10 over the top choices.

Then we have my favorite all around lip gloss "Plumping Serum" that I often reach for when I want a gentle wash of colour and shine across my lips and I love the super smooth feel of this gloss not tacky at all. You do feel a slight tingle when first applied and I feel my lips seem a bit fuller after having worn it. Actually even if its not really doing much plumping I don't care because its just a good gloss regardless. 2.7g/0.10oz for about $6 in 12 scrumptious shades to choose from.

Providing that my closest store actually decides to stock it I also plan on trying out the new "All Glossed Up" chubby lip pencils (Orange you Sweet) would be my first choice. They retail for about $5 and "Lip Def" lip gloss (midnight strole) would be my pick. The colour choices in this line are a little more edgy and I like that and sell for $6.


So finally here we are to wrap up this very long blog. Here is the moment of truth about the new "TOP TEN PALETTES"

The anticipation for these palettes was killing me and I actually got the employee at Walmart to go in the stock room to get them out as the display is still not up and running yet. So I purchased 3 of the 5 new palettes. I chose "GREEN WITH ENVY" "NATURALLY GORGEOUS" AND "PINKING OF YOU"
So when I got them home I tried them by swatching them all along my arm just to get a first impression. I noticed right away they have quite a bit of fall out and that they are very powdery. That was a bit unsettling. Then I noticed with "pinking of you" there are about 4 shades that hardly differ at all when swatched on the skin. So the next day I actually did a full eye application using "green with envy" and used the lightest shade in the "pinking of you" palette as my highlighter and I was pretty happy with the results and did get a compliment when I went out that day.
So in the end I see it this way some shades may not have extreme colour pay off and there is significant fall out while applying, but it wears well and as long as your eyes are getting noticed I guess its all good especially for only $6 each 13g/0.4oz. I also will say I am a sucker for cute, pretty or sexy packaging and these palettes have a neat fabric lacey over lay along the bottom of the lids with colours to match the palette shades. Also every palette has a mirror and two applicators included. They are smaller palettes so they make for easy travel.

The last picture is actually swatches of all the colours from all three palettes which I opted to do on heavy weight paper as I feel it showed up well.

I can see myself continuing to use these palettes often and will buy the other two "feelin blue" and "Smoke out" you can never have to many eyedshadows as I see it.

So that's it for today and even though it was long I hope you found this review insightful.
Leave me a comment or any questions you may have about anything I mentioned today.

Also pop on over to www.hardcandy.com to see their full line of products which can be purchased online or at a Walmart store near you.