Follow:

    The end of the second reich

    Remember, way back in October, when I told you ladies I would be trying and reviewing a new Marcelle line? Well… I finally finished those reviews!

    (Y’know. Not like I procrastinated it or anything.)


    I do want to give you a “final breakdown” of this line, because it’s the only one I’ve ever tried to go steady with! Normally, I’m all over the place with skincare — a lotion from one company, cleanser from another, no toner at all…


    … which you totally didn’t need to know. USE ALL YOUR SKINCARE STEPS. Cleanse. Moisturise. Tone. Use night creams and eye creams and foot creams and belly creams. Feel the peer pressure. Do it.

    But I digress. On to the minireviews, behind the cut! (As well as links to full reviews) I do think that there are some items in this line worth checking out, but at the same time, I wouldn’t use it exclusively — if you’re doing that, the line on the whole is only as strong as its weakest link, after all!

    Try: oil-free moisturizing regulating lotion
    Buy: clarifying lotion, purifying foaming cleanser
    Pass: blemish control




    The moisturizer:
    Due to its scent, I’m not actively using the AC-Solution moisturizer. However, if you like the scent, go get head checked out or are anosmic to it for some strange, unexplainable reason, I would definitely recommend it! It feels amazing on my skin, and helps (to a degree) in keeping the oilies away.

    The toner:
    I’m not using this one either — but it has nothing to do with how much I liked it or disliked it! Rather, I stopped using it because I’m lazy, and my oilier-skinned sister has taken to using [my bottle of] this every day. We both find it helps keep a slick t-zone at bay, so props for that ;)


    The cleanser:
    This is the one I’m still using on a regular basis. I love the packaging — very easy to use, and the thickness of the foam is great. This may be nothing to write epic novels about, but in terms of finding a utilitarian, paraben-free, fairly-non-drying foam cleanser? It’s a winner.

    The spot treatment:
    This was the one item that I just flat-out didn’t like. Though cute, the packaging got pretty messy pretty fast, and I don’t find it’s effective in treating acne. I’d pass on this one, unless you find salicylic acid really helps your skin.



    Overall, I think this is a pretty solid skincare line — but it’s not going to solve your problems if you have major acne, and it won’t overwhelm you with cuteness or fun scents. If you’re looking for a no-frills regimen to keep fairly-normal skin in good condition, I would check this out! (Except that spot treatment. It was kinda a bummer.)

    The price point is a touch high for the drugstore, but I’ve always grouped Marcelle with the mid-range products anyways (and it does perform at that level, so I have no qualms with doing so.) Plus, even if it is a touch expensive, it seems to be on sale 300/365 days per year anyways.

    Share:

    A smelly solution

    Alternate title: the review in which I couldn’t pick a photo SO I USED THEM ALL.

    What it is: Marcelle‘s AC-Solution moisturizer

    To start us off… the bad: the second I squeezed out my first drop of moisturizer, it was undeniable. This lotion comes with a sour, pungent scent that engulfs your face and sticks around — it is honestly the most unappetizing-smelling skincare product that I’ve ever tried. (And this includes the sulpher-based ones!) I can’t help but wonder, though, if my tube has simply gone bad, or if my nose is particularly sensitive to this scent, because I haven’t read a single other review complaining about it! 


    But if we keep going, we get to the good: I can’t find a single other problem with this lotion. Not a single one! It’s very light, soaking quickly into my skin and leaving it feeling (and looking) like velvet. At the same time, though, it provides a good amount of moisture (more than Olay Complete; less than German Nivea,) and doesn’t add to my oiliness during the day. I found that, when I was using this in conjunction with the AC-Solution toner, my t-zone felt less oily than normal. Not a huge amount, but certainly enough that I feel the need to mention it!

    The verdict? Try to smell this one before buying, because if the scent doesn’t bother you… it might just be your Holy Grail moisturizer. I’d recommend this to people less scent-sensitive than I, who have slightly-dry to slightly-oily skin and are looking for a basic, no-feel lotion. (And hey, as a bonus, you get awesome packaging! I just love the sleek, white, matte-finish tube. Mock me all you want, but I always fumble with little lotion caps — this one? Perfection.)

    Share:

    New at… Bergdorf’s

    I’m dying to sample these!




    Okay, so the one on the right is actually from Barneys — but I wanted to point out the similarity! Do I feel a microtrend coming on? I mean, the idea is nothing new, but still…



    Two interesting-looking tidbits from Clinique (did you know they had a higher-end “CX” line?! Because I didn’t.)



     And, finally, this adorable little collection:

    Share:

    Another two days of haphazard posting

    It looks like the One Act Festival will be taking up just a bit more time, so I leave you today with two blush swatches instead of a “real” post. I’m in love with Senna on the whole, but I must say, the cheek products are simply gorgeous! (You’ve already seen these on theNotice before; the most recent feature was a Faded Rose cheek.) They’re quite pigmented, a dream to blend, and very soft


    Meet… Vionnet (which is, unfortunately, in the process of being discontinued! This does have one advantage, though: sale pricing.)


    Meet… Faded Rose (they lie; this is totally NOT new. It’s simply a reintroduction of an old, discontinued shade! It also happens to be less peachy than the swatch in real life — in fact, it’s my favourite nude.)
     
    Share:

    A violet and turquoise EOTD

    Hurrah, it’s something other than neutrals! And, okay, so maybe it’s not a full face, but points for effort, right?


    I personally loved this look. It was super-easy, and the effect was just gorgeous in real life!




    For more photos, a product listing, and a how-to, go behind the cut!

    How-to:

    Begin by priming your eye area. Once your primer of choice has set, blend a medium to dark blue over the outer 4/5 of your lid (Annabelle Blue Hue.) Using a fluffy brush (217,) add a vibrant violet (MUFE 92) to the outer half of your lid, concentrating the colour in the outer V and creating a winged shape, rather than an oval one. Clean your brush off or switch brushes to apply a shimmery pink (Marcelle Minerals Rose Satin) to your inner V, and blend out the violet using a pinked-salmon shadow (Lancome Floralesque.)


    Using a black liquid liner or a gel liner (Lancome Artliner,) create a thin line along your upper lashes and create a fine wing. For a bit of added depth, use an angled liner brush to pull a shimmery plum shadow (Aura Science Black Plum) overtop this line. Finally, foil a bright turquoise (Annabelle Blue Hue trio) along your lower lashline and add a fine line of white (NYX Milk) between the violet and turquoise shadows for definition.


    Finish with a coat of mascara on your top lashes and glittery liner (Annabelle Plutonium) overtop your turquoise shadow once it has set!



    Some more photos:
    (I love the focus in the second photo — enlarge it and look at the glitter to see what I mean!)

    What this would look like without the turquoise:
    Also, I found out a super cool thing about Annabelle’s Glitterama liners — they peel off like false lash glue! I am greatly amused.

    Products used:

    Lancome Artliner, Noir
    Annabelle Glitterama liner, Plutonium
    NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil, Milk
    Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes liner, Black 0L


    Aura Science shadow, Black Plum
    Make Up For Ever shadow, 92
    Annabelle eyeshadow trio, Blue Hue
    Lancome eyeshadow, Floralesque
    Marcelle Minerals eyeshadow, Rose Satin

    Share:

    Lip Balmmin’ for a good cause

    So everyone’s favourite lip balm brand got together with Disneynature and produced some new packaging to promote the upcoming Oceans film. Confusing and random, right?

    However — I wanted to mention it anyways, because a) as random as it is, it’s still pretty cool, b) now would be a great time to try or stock up on Burt’s, and c) Burt’s Bees will donate $1 per Disneynature lip balm sold (up to $10 000) to the Nature Conservatory in Canada, so you could justify your purchase quite easily.


    “But it’s for charity!” (Not to mention, they’re only about $4 each.)


    [On that note, I’ve been thinking of picking up a Viva Glam lipstick for just this reason. “It’s really $16 to charity, not $16 on a lipstick!” Darn straight.]

    Anyhow, I will leave you now with an unbelievably thrilling and surprisingly hardcore trailer. Go buy some lipbalm!

    Share:

    New at… Barneys

    This list may be short (just two items,) but I couldn’t help but post it all the same!


    Violet blush, ladies. I love it, so perhaps now that it’s gone mainstream, you’ll give it a try as well? (Seriously, do!! And let me know how it goes; I’m dying to know if anyone else is into it too.)

    And the most hardcore sunscreen container ever:

    Share:

    Where I’ve been for the past two weeks

    • Detailing full-back scars
    • Throwing on ten-second bruises (and making wax paper appliques to do so)
    • Creating a “hollow eye” effect
    • Punching people in the face Crafting black eyes
    • The basics: contour, foundation, shadow, blush, hilights, lips, powder, brows, liner, lashes, and hair
    • NOT EATING DINNER
    • Blending a crapload of foundations
    • “Disinfect[ing] to protect”! (Yes this is a shoutout to my makeup crew, because I know for a fact some of them will be reading this post. I love you guys; thank you so much for helping out! ♥ )

    In short… I’ll hopefully have more time for you guys in the near future. (I warn you now, though, that my finals are coming up shortly as yet another distraction from theNotice.) I’m so sorry that I haven’t any photos for you, but I barely had enough time to finish up one cast as the next one came in, much less to stop and photograph everything!! Hopefully, some of my friends will be posting photos — I really want to show you guys the makeup for The Locksmith. Not only was the makeup the most fun (re: the first three bullet points from the list,) they were a small cast (of three) and probably my favourite overall to work with.


    (Shhh! Don’t tell anyone that.)

    Share:

    TMI Time: Boobies!

    I’m sorry about the title, I couldn’t help myself! There is a twelve-year-old boy in all of us. (Yes, even us girls.) We haven’t done TMI Time or YOU Fridays in ages, and while this isn’t a total revival of either, I missed doing it!

    Call them what you want — boobs are boobs. (Or knockers, hooters, breasts, and if I am not mistaken, “lady lumps.” Now excuse me while I leave to pretend I didn’t type that.)


    Here’s a little copy/paste questionnaire for the comments!

    1. Actual size…and desired size:
    3. Love them? Hate them?
    Reason:
    4. Is one of them larger:

    Here are my answers!

    1. Actual size… and desired size: 34A/34B. I’m proportional, but a little more “oomph” would be nice! I’m not so desperate as to get implants, though ;)
    3. Love them? Hate them? Love them. Sometimes.
    Reason: They’re fine, but let’s be honest: there are times where you just wish that women did! not! have! breasts! For instance, when you’re going for a run, or attempting to lie face-down on a hard floor. (I’m not sure when you would ever be doing the latter. “Get down! My pressurized spray foundation is about to explode!”)
    4. Is one of them larger: Yep. I freaked the hell out at first, but apparently this is totally normal! It’s the left one that’s a tiny bit larger — did you know that your left side of your body actually tends to be bigger? They don’t really know why, but they’re guessing it has to do with your heart and chambers and yadda yadda yadda.

    That’s all for today :) Feel free to add any other questions or complaints (or raves, I guess, but don’t blame me for any awkwardness that ensues) about yours in the comments, as well as your survey answers!!

    Share: