theNotice

FaceFront Ouro Fino Artistic Pigments: review and swatches

March 16, 2011

15 Comments

What they are: FaceFront Cosmetics Artistic Pigments in Shadow Keeper, Retro-Robotic Violeta (how much do you love that name??!), Nylon Garden, and Amarela.

About the brand: I’ve read a few negative commentaries about FaceFront’s business practices, and I just wanted to say a few things before starting the review. Firstly, I am not trying to disregard the opinions of bloggers who have had issues with the brand in the past. With any brand, each person’s experiences will vary, and at all times, I’m simply trying to express my own – that’s all any of us really can do!

Personally, I think FaceFront has a lot to offer. The products that I’ve tried so far are stellar, I love the packaging, and all communication that I’ve had with the brand has been A+. If this changes, I will let you know the second it does, but until then, everything honestly does seem to be on the up and up since the line has come under new ownership!

The shades:

Amarela: hello, yellow! Amarela is a super-vivid matte yellow with a few shimmer particles worked in… if that makes any sense at all. I love it. I love it I love it I love it.
Nylon Garden: okay, the photo of this on the FaceFront website is completely off, so trust our photos instead ;) I’ve honestly never seen anything like this; it’s gold, it’s yellow, it’s green… it’s gorgeous. Gorgeous.
Retro-Robotic Violeta: a bright red-violet that can flash a little cool for that extra “oomph.”
Shadow Keeper: imagine if Korres Plum had a blackened base, rather than a browned one. That’s what this would be. They call it a “deep, sophisticated amethyst;” I call it lovely. The best part is that we can both be right about this one.

Swatched dry, no base; indirect sunlight.

A few more fun facts: Not only are these paraben-, silicone-, bismuth-, and scent-free, they’re also cruelty-free, approved for use all over the face (not just the lids), and vegan. Plus, as if that wasn’t already enough, they’re made in the USA and contain a whopping 5g of product for $15.50!

(For comparison’s sake, MAC shadows contain 1.5 g for $17.50 CAD, and their pigments contain 4.5 g for $23.50 CAD).

Swatched wet, no base; indirect sunlight.

The verdict? Despite the mid-range price and loose-powder form, I think these are 110% worthwhile. In over three years of beauty blogging (!!!) I’ve seen a lot of different colours and trends, but these managed to surprise me with their pigmentation and shade intricacy – something a collection hasn’t done in a very, very long time. If we had a theNotice™ seal of approval, these would get it.

(But we don’t.)

(But we should.)

Swatched wet, no base; different angle.

P.S. I’m not finished cutting the photos for the cheek and lip products yet, but I’ll have them up soon! They’re pretty fab, too ;) Oh, and be sure to check back tomorrow for an Ouro Fino EOTD.

Tags: /Eyes, FaceFront, Indie brands, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches

15 Comments

Hair Flairs: tinsel for your hair! (Part one of two reviews)

March 15, 2011

Rae Chen

18 Comments

As some of you noticed last week, I spent a bit of time running around wearing Hair Flairs‘ gold hair tinsel.

(Yes. I just said hair tinsel.)

I haven’t finished testing out the product yet, but I wanted to split this review into two parts. Why? Erm, pretty much just because I’m really impatient, and these are too exciting to stay stashed away in my Alex for weeks on end before being run as a feature on theNotice!

Hair Flares makes tinsel in 22 different colours – I hope I counted that right – varying from Glow in the Dark, to Sparkle Light Pink, to Sparkle Kaleidoscope, to Sparkle Jet Black. The selection is honestly enormous, and as if there weren’t already enough choices, they also make “Hair Crystalz” (it kills me to add a “z” onto that word) and Feathers (which, I’ll admit, are a little too weird for me.)

I suppose I should start off with a few disclaimers…

Women will literally stop you and ask “what on Earth you have in your hair,” even if you’re complete strangers.
This is always followed immediately by one of two things: “oh my god, I love it,” and/or “oh my god, that is so cool.”
(True fact. I counted. Over a span of 36 hours, seven out of seven friends and strangers agreed.)
They will also sometimes ask to touch it.
If you’re planning on tying these in all on your little lonesome, you may want to rethink your decision – they are really hard to tie in on your own!
When properly tied in, though, these strands last 2-6 weeks. Be prepared to have devastatingly awesome hair until this time elapses.

A couple more fun facts: no heat is required to attach these (feel free to check out the tutorial on the Hair Flairs site if you’re interested), though you can still use hot tools when wearing them. It’s nice to know that they won’t melt into your hair, yeah? Oh, and a package of 100 strands will only run you $11 for a hundred 36″ strands, if you plan on tying them in yourself.

The verdict? I’m still undecided on my final thoughts, which is why there will be a part two. I absolutely adore the effect that these impart, but I’d like to let you know just how long they do last when tied in properly – and I’ll need another few weeks before I’m able to do that ;)

Stay tuned for the next post, which will include wear time, more photos, and close-ups of a few of the shades!

Tags: /Hair, Product Photos

18 Comments

I’ve got my Tiger-Eye on this Annabelle 4Show Eyeshadow Quad

March 14, 2011

Rae Chen

12 Comments

What it is: Annabelle 4Show eyeshadow quad in Tiger-Eye

Why Tiger-Eye? I was sent three 4Show shadows, and I’m not sure yet if I’m going to review or give away the other two. To be honest, the look of the other two isn’t exactly dazzling me in person (despite the gorgeous press release images), so they’re still sealed up. This one caught my eye, though, with its gold-flecked black – I knew I had to swatch it, stat!

Annabelle Tiger-Eye 4Show, swatched dry on unprimed skin.

Annabelle Tiger-Eye 4Show, swatched wet on unprimed skin.

The breakdown: I find that the formula for these varies quite a bit, so I wanted to do a sort of mini-review for each one. Here we go, then…

Ivory: Easily the most disappointing of the four, this shade gives a very ethereal glow – think “ivory/pink duochrome.” However, it really lacks pigment, even when used wet. Good in theory, but not in execution.
Burnt red: A warm orange-red; decently pigmented but not terribly exciting.
Copper: Also quite warm; a well-pigmented cross between orange and gold. While I don’t care for it, I’ll admit that I haven’t anything quite like it!
Black: This is just such a cool shade, and it did live up (well, it came very close) to my expectations! The gold flecks visible in the pan are maintained when the product is swatched, and I just think it’s mindblowingly awesome.

The verdict? I really like the theory behind this quad (gold flecked shadows, duochrome finishes) and I would love to see more products based on these ideas in the future, but I just wasn’t blown away by this one. At just barely under $10, I’d save your money for an Annabelle Mono eyeshadow or three instead- those are just lovely!

(If you do see a quad that you really like the look of, though, go for it – I think one of the problems was that none of the combinations really “call to me,” you know?)

Tags: /Annabelle, Canadian beauty, Eyes, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Spring/Summer 2011

12 Comments

Deborah Lippmann: pinks and lavenders

March 13, 2011

Rae Chen

2 Comments

In the spread: PYT (pinked coral), Shape of my Heart (blushed lavender), Purple Rain (frosted lilac).
View the nudes {here}.

P.S. Back on track! Expect normal posting to resume this week ;)

Tags: /Nails

2 Comments

That in which I am burnt out

March 10, 2011

Rae Chen

8 Comments

Like a sad, lonely candle with no wick left to light…

Okay, moment over. I actually have tons of ~~cool products~~ supremely awesome new stuff to share with you (I’m starting to think that I will never see the top of my ALEX again), but I need a day to rest my brain! So in the meantime, here are a few fun photos of upcoming excitement:

Stay tuned! xoxo

Tags: /Product Photos

8 Comments

A gilded cotton candy makeup look

March 9, 2011

Rae Chen

29 Comments

I wanted to share a look with the 42 matte palette that we reviewed yesterday, so here’s one in blue and violet.

I’m actually quite unhappy with how this look turned out (it looked bold in real life, but now I’m feeling the need for brow powder and more blusher!) but I thought I’d share it anyways – after all, it does show off the pigmentation of the palette quite well, and that’s what it was intended to do. Perhaps our bold-shadow-lovers will like this look a bit more than I do!

Additional photos and details…

Tags: /4. Makeup looks, Eyes, Makeup looks: colour

29 Comments

Keira Knightly is a dream in Chanel

March 8, 2011

Rae Chen

8 Comments

Now that’s how it’s done, Dior.

via

Tags: /Fragrance

8 Comments

A 42 palette that makes us go “OMG”

March 8, 2011

Rae Chen

11 Comments

What it is: OMG Beauty Shop 42 Color Double Stack Matte Shadow & Blush palette, $24.95

The shop: Okay, so before anyone points it out ~~a bazillion million times~~, yes, this is one of “those” palettes, and yes, you can pick one up from a number of different shops. (Whew! It’s like a weight has been lifted off my chest.)

Anyhow, in the nature of full disclosure (yes, we always disclose in reviews), there are two reasons why I’m running this review for OMG in particular:

They’re the shop that generously sent in samples for review, so quite frankly it would be bad business not to mention them :P
Despite the somewhat technically-malnourished site, I’ve had a great experience with them so far. They’re Canadian, package their items to the best of their ability, and gosh darn it, they seem like good people!

The shadows

Alright, alright, so on to the review that you’ve all been waiting for. There are a lot of things to say about this palette; some good and some bad!

In general, I feel like these shadows work best when used to compliment a look – but not necessarily to create it. They can be a bit chalky (especially when used dry), and while they’re very pigmented, most of them are simply not as intense as, say, Make Up For Ever’s mattes. However, I have a habit of layering mattes with other shades to alter or intensify the colour, and this palette is perfect for that, with such a range of bright, bold shades.

top: dry over clear primer // middle: dry, no base // bottom: dry over UDPP Sin // indirect sunlight

top: dry, no base // bottom: wet, no base // artificial light

The blushers Read more

Tags: /Cheeks, Eyes, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches

11 Comments

An extended look at Miss Dior Cherie, with Natalie Portman

March 7, 2011

Rae Chen

7 Comments

I know a lot of us weren’t exactly thrilled about Natalie Portman replacing Maryna Linchuk as the face of Miss Dior Cherie, but I have to say – after going over a few more images, I’m liking her quite a bit more. (And of course, the adorable new micro-site doesn’t hurt.)

Portman is a different Miss Dior than I’m used to, of course, but to be honest… if I wasn’t already so attached to the Linchuk campaign, I’d probably actually quite like this one!

What do you think of Natalie Portman for Miss Dior Cherie? Please share in the comments – I would love to hear if the film and additional images have changed some of your minds!

Tags: /Dior, Fragrance

7 Comments

Posts you may have missed 05/03/11

March 5, 2011

Rae Chen