theNotice: a beauty blog

What they are: Cozzette S-line brushes, in S125, S135, and S175.

The S125 ($30)

This one’s supposed to be a blush/powder brush, and it’s definitely my favourite of all of the Cozzette brushes. It’s ridiculously soft, but the bristles are still dense and firm — not very like an Ecotools brush, to be honest. The large handle is weighted gorgeously, and the brush feels luxe and is easy to use.

Good for: applying powder, bronzer, face powder, and pigmented blushers (it’s perfect for getting just a tiny bit of product, but you do lose a bit of control as the head is quite large).

Compare it to: MAC 150, maybe? I think it’s even larger, actually!

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I’m a huge fan of theatre makeup — for everyday use. (Yes, I really did just say that.) I’m not sure how many of you have done theatre before, but those of you who have surely remember days of gross, slimy, caked-on makeup!

Thing is, it doesn’t have to be like that. Theatre makeup can work amazingly for day looks, too – you just have to really work the products in and sheer them out. The trick is using as little as possible; theatre makeup is made to be super pigmented, which means that for everyday uses, you can work the products into a feels-like-nothing state and still get great payoff. If you ask me, theatre makeup puts high-end pigmentation to shame… and it does it at drugstore prices!

Lovely “life-appropriate” theatre makeup out of the Ben Nye catalogue 

Clockwise from top left: Dusty Rose Creme Rouge, Raspberry Creme Rouge, Ultra Fair Creme Foundation, Ultralight Highlight. 

The entire highlight range: (if you’re interested in Ben Nye products, I highly recommend flipping through their online catalogue — it’s quite extensive!)

These were definitely my favourites of the bunch, which is saying a lot! You need so little product to get a gorgeous, unbelievably natural flush, and it lasts all day long. We used these two Creme Rouges extensively on-set, and I kid you not, both of them translate just as beautifully and boldly on NC55 skin as they do on NW10 skin.

Top: Dusty Rose, Raspberry

Bottom circle: the two blended together and blended out. Lovely, non? 

More things to note: these are the softest, creamiest creme blushers I’ve ever found, making them optimal for blending different shades together. Plus, they won’t dry out on you, and are an amazing $5 each! I kind of scare myself by saying this, but… I’d pick up a Ben Nye Creme Rouge over a Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge any day.

Another tip: try applying pigmented cream blushes with a duo-fibre stippling brush or a foundation brush for a flawless, seamless finish.

The rest of the creme blush range: (I have my eye on Red, of course, as well as Carnation Pink. And everything else.)

Catalogue photos via Ben Nye.

Check back later today for a review of Ben Nye’s foundation… which comes in over 50 different shades!

Marcelle Vita-Lip gloss in Angelica

Okay, so this line is kind of… awesome. It took me ages to get the review up, however, because Angelica is so darn hard to photograph! (She’s a lovely light pink, but what makes her interesting is that she has red reflects as well as silver ones.) This is the third time I’ve tried to take shots, and the only time that it’s worked. I mean, the photos always look “fine,” but they haven’t captured how special the shade is — until now!

(No, but seriously. I’ve had this for at least six to ten months with every intention of reviewing it.)

Anyhow. Here’s everything you need to know:

• The Vita-Lip line runs at about $11 for 14ml, which is entirely in line with the mid-range niche that Marcelle lies in — and entirely worth it, if you ask me.
• The glosses are quite sheer, but they don’t try to trick you into expecting anything else: they’re described as having a “sheer, non-sticky formula.” I know I’m ridiculous, but I just love it when product descriptions actually describe the product!
• And on that point? No stickiness here!
• They don’t plump, but I do find them to be on the moisturizing side, for a gloss. I of course still need lip balm at night, but I can go through an entire nine-hour day just using a Vita-Lip without lip balm underneath and be just fine. Win!
• One last, very important thing: they’re totally scent-free. Marcelle, have I ever mentioned how much I adore you?

The verdict? If you can’t tell, I definitely love these, and would certainly recommend them! I didn’t notice any plumping over the long term, but as long as you’re not expecting (a) high pigment, or (b) major plumping, I can’t see how on earth these would disappoint!

Marcelle Minerals eyeshadow in Halo and Terra

Just some photos and descriptions ;) Check out a review of the shadows here!

Halo is a “halo-ish” gold-yellow, and Terra, an earthy red-brown. Both are very aptly named, if I may say so myself!

Just as promised — a fall 2010 preview from The Body Shop! Don’t lie, I know you ladies are just as jazzed about this collection as I am ;) Remember, the collection launches on July 6th, so mark the date on your calenders! EDIT: seems the collection was pushed back! You should be able to find these gorgeous products in-stores starting August 9th.

I don’t understand why I keep having high expectations for kajals. It’s just — dumb. Really, really dumb. I try them, I hate them, I find a new one and start the cycle again…


Anyhow. I wasn’t thrilled with these, clearly. Are they gorgeous? Yes. Pigmented? Totally. Well priced? Absolutely! However, even over primer, these melt off my lids like nobody’s business. (And don’t even get me started on the waterline!)

I’d recommend these if…

• You’ve been wanting to try a kajal, but don’t want to spend a fortune. At $10 a pop, if you do happen to buy one and not abso-freaking-lutely love it, it’s not the end of the world.
• You’re looking for a creamy, highly pigmented kajal eyeliner that comes not just in black (Charcoal,) but also in silver (Steel) and green (Evergreen.)
• You want a way to create a super-fast smokey eye. These go on and smoke out like a dream — ten seconds and (ta-da!) instant smoldering.
• Liners don’t tend to melt off your lids. (Trust me, these kajals aren’t the only ones who have for me.)

But not if…

• You’re looking for something stay-put and long-wearing.

One last thing? The packaging is quite deceptive: it looks cheap, but somehow, it hasn’t forgotten the important points. The lids “click” into place at the base of the tube and stay there, and the tops (below) feature a coloured Body Shop logo to let you know which liner you’ve picked up. Clever!

Okay, so here’s where fall starts looking up.

The Autumn Leaves compacts are not only gorgeous in the pan, but they’re also brilliantly pigmented, soft, and smooth… everything a girl could ask for! I can buff on some of my Berry compact in the morning and be good for the day (none of this “gone by lunchtime” nonsense.) If you plan to wear it through breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an evening concert, you’ll need to buff some more on around dessert — but for a normal day, you’ll be fine. Berry is a great shade, and while I thought initially it would be too warm for my cool-toned skin, it actually works just gorgeously.

The one drawback is the $21 price tag, and I can’t say much to make that seem any less. However, these are quite pigmented, and aren’t exactly scrawny! I don’t have a size for you in terms of grams, but as you can see in the photographs, these are fall from tiny.

I’d recommend these if…

• You’re looking for a higly pigmented, gorgeous-in-the-pan cheek colour
• You want something with sleek, secure, well-built packaging
• You want your cheeks to match your mind — ethical and non-smelly!

But not if…

• Yah, I’m drawing a blank. I suppose I wouldn’t recommend these if you’re looking for cheap makeup that’ll wear off really quickly? 

I think the Smoke and Fire collection is wonderful! Of course, I’m excited for autumn collections every year — but moreso this year than any other. We’re seeing a focus on (as usual,) a smokey, sexy eye, but also on a strong cheek, something that definitely feeds right into my blush addiction. (Has anyone else seen photos of those new Joues Contrastes? Whew! *fans self*)


If you thought I’d leave you without swatches, though, you’ve officially gone crazy due to the heat of summer!