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Fitglow Beauty review: Vita-Active Foundation, Bliss Oil, Good Gloss, and Vita-Set Powder

January 25, 2017

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The products: Fitglow Beauty Vita-Active Foundation in VF1, Vita-Set Powder, Good Gloss in Cherry, and Bliss Oil

What happens when a Canadian fitness fanatic with rosacea decides to design an entire range of organic, cruelty-free products? Well… Fitglow Beauty happens, that’s what.

How pretty is the Fitglow Vita-Active foundation packaging?

Fitglow Beauty Vita-Active Foundation ($59 USD) and Vita-Set Powder ($69 USD)

To start us off, here’s one product that I had high hopes for that totally delivered. The Fitglow Beauty Vita-Active Foundation ($59 USD) is, in a word, excellent. It reminds me a lot of my Make Up For Ever Water Blend foundation (VF1 is very close in shade to Make Up For Ever’s Y225), with its light coverage and comfortable finish. The results aren’t quite as seamless–Vita-Blend is more of a thin fluid and less of a wet gel–but I’d still be very comfortable recommending Vita-Active as a cruelty-free alternative to Water Blend.

VF1 is just slightly too dark and yellow for me, but it blends into the skin so seamlessly that it still looks natural. I’ve been wearing it almost daily since it arrived, and for a 95% organic formula, it’s extremely impressive. Heck, it’s so good that even if it was full of chemicals, I’d still be a fan.

Fitglow Beauty Vita-Active Foundation in VF1 swatch: blended, unblended (indirect sunlight)

Fitglow Beauty Vita-Active Foundation review / Vita-Set Powder added on right

I do, however, take a bit of an issue with the brand’s matching Vita-Set Powder ($69 USD). It’s the only Fitglow Beauty product that I haven’t liked so far, and honestly, it makes me far more agitated than it should.

It’s a good product, but it’s not a great one. I found the Vita-Set Powder to be very yellow and pigmented, and it visibly muddies up my fair complexion. You can see it in the before and after photos here; it makes my skin look darker and more yellow than the foundation alone.

But while we’re at it (I’m so sorry, Fitglow!), can we talk about that price tag??? I mean, it’s awesome that the Vita-Set formula touts glacial marine clay and niacinamide (my fave cosmetic ingredient), but that pricing is way out of line. This powder is TINY, and it’s not as finely-milled as it could be. This powder is gritty to the touch, and you can really feel the difference when you’re applying it.

With a few tweaks (less pigment, more finely-milled ingredients, and an adjusted price tag), I think the Vita-Set Powder could be pretty great.

Fitglow Beauty Good Gloss in Cherry ($26 USD)

The Fitglow Beauty Good Gloss in Cherry ($26 USD) feels like a bit of a throwback to natural gloss formulas of days gone by. It’s extremely sheer, smooth, and shimmer-free, with a hydrating formula and zero tackiness.

My lips have been really dry this winter, so I’ve been enjoying my Good Gloss. Its ingredient list is really refreshing (considering how much lipstick I undoubtedly eat in the course of the week), and I love that it adds moisture to the lips with jojoba oil, coconut oil, and shea butter. When I put this on, my lips actually feel more moisturized than they were, which is awesome.

Fitglow Beauty Vita-Set Powder swatch (blended, then heavily), Fitglow Beauty Good Gloss in Cherry

Fitglow Beauty Bliss Oil ($74 USD)

I’ve saved the best for last, and folks… this is the best. The Fitglow Beauty Bliss Oil ($74 USD) is a beautiful, luxurious oil that’s scented with locally-harvested lavender. I can’t stand synthetic or highly-processed lavender fragrances, but this stuff is gorgeous.

Fitglow Beauty Bliss Oil review. Oh, and me – hiiii!

“Bliss” is the perfect name for this product, because my skin was a mess before I found it. Formulated with macadamia and avocado oils, Bliss Oil is the most nourishing oil I currently own. It leaves my skin feeling hydrated without feeling heavy, and it smells simply divine.

(Did you want me to say “simply blissful?” Because I can, but you’ll have to ask very nicely for it.)

Fitglow’s Bliss Oil pretty heavy-duty stuff, though, so I would recommend it primarily for those with ageing or dry skin. Check it out if you have skin struggles that are similar to my own – it’s very glowy and perfect for someone with eczema.

The verdict?

I love getting to check out small(er) Canadian beauty brands, and Fitglow is one that deserves all of the attention it’s been getting. It’s a cruelty-free brand that labels each product with easy to read symbols about each product’s “free of” list, vegan status, and percent organic ingredients, and the packaging for the entire range is really lovely.

I would give the Fitglow Vita-Set Powder a pass, but I honestly loved the rest of these products. The oil and foundation are deserving of an almost cultish following, and I’m looking forward to seeing more from Fitglow in the coming year!

Availability: Fitglow Beauty products can be found online at Fitglow Beauty, Rodale’s, and Ecodiva. All permanent products.

Tags: /Base, Company Review, Grouped reviews, Indie brands, Lips, Moisturizers, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Silicone-free, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare

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Lise Watier Rouge Intense Suprême Lipstick review, swatches, photos

January 23, 2017

Rae Chen

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The product: Lise Watier Rouge Intense Suprême (Rouge à Lèvres Intense) Lipstick – all shades

This Spring, Lise Watier introduces an entirely new range of lipsticks: the Lise Watier Rouge Intense Suprême lipsticks.

A far cry from the mattes, velvets, and liquid lipsticks that inundate the market today, the Rouge Intense Suprême range is the full-opacity sister of the sheer Rouge Fondant Suprêmes that won a 2016 ELLE Beauty Grand Prix award.

The promise: The Rouge Intense Suprême lipsticks promise “rich, intense colour in one swipe” with “incredible hold” and a “hydrating and nourishing” texture. I kinda love that these don’t guarantee X-hour wear, because let’s be honest: products never make it as long as they say they will.

The Suprêmes are packaged in magnetic cases (which is pretty darn classy) and are infused with Lise Watier’s Labrador Tea extract.

Lise Watier Rouge Intense Suprême Lipstick review – Kelly

Lise Watier Rouge Intense Suprême Lipstick review – Jasmine

The formula: You guys, I love this formula. I wanted to like the Rouge Fondant Suprêmes, but these — these practically hypnotize you into doing their bidding.

The Rouge Intense Suprême lipsticks feel comforting and glossy, and they have a delicious fruity-tea scent that makes me smile every time. They’re intensely pigmented, and glossiness of the finish endures. Even two or three hours after I apply these, they feel comfortable and emollient, and I can rub my lips together without moving the colour or getting stuck on the finish.

(Resentful? Who, me?)

Lise Watier Rouge Intense Suprême Lipstick swatch – Kelly

Lise Watier Rouge Intense Suprême Lipstick swatch – Jasmine

I can comfortably wear these for a good 4+ hours, and the colour wears away evenly throughout the entire lip. At the end of four-ish hours, I need to reapply or add lip balm, but I don’t look like I’ve been eating grapes or living in the ’90s or something.

The buttery formula doesn’t slip around, and it doesn’t catch on lip lines or dry patches. For someone who lives as an eternally-parched cactus, these lipsticks are simply perfect.

The shades: I was lucky enough to be sent all 15 of these new, permanent shades, and I gotta tell you… they are all pretty fab. First, there are the nudes: Clara, Maya, Charlize, Kim, and Daphne. I’ve been getting a lot of wear out of Kim, which is a little more metallic than the rest of the range but looks just gorgeous on.

Lise Watier Rouge Intense Suprême Lipstick swatches, L-R: Clara, Maya, Charlize, Kim, and Daphne

Then, there are the pinks. Arielle, Olivia, Kelly, Zoe, and Suzan range from a ballet pink (Arielle) to a blinding tomato-red (Suzan, which is definitely going to my Auntie Sue the next time I see her; her bright red lips were basically an icon of my childhood). Of the pinks, Zoe and Suzan are notable for being particularly opaque and creamy.

Finally, there are the big, bold shades. Jade, Jasmine, Mary, Brooklyn, and Caroline are where the Lise Watier Rouge Intense Suprême lipsitcks really shine. If you’re looking for colour that’s literally opaque in one swipe and wears away with soft-focus berry stains instead of rings of colour, these are what you’re looking for.

Lise Watier Rouge Intense Suprême Lipstick swatches, L-R: Arielle, Olivia, Kelly, Zoe, and Suzan

These bolds are so comfortable, and they’re quite flattering. Caroline is patchier than the rest, but overall, they perform very well. I went with Jasmine for my wear test, and it lasted without a single sign of wear right up until I had to eat dinner–which, admittedly, was only about a 3-hour span. (Am I the only one who exists in a constant state of “oh god, feed me, I am starving,” when I have a cold?)

The last five shades I swatched (“the bolds”) pack such a punch of pigment that my arm was stained, I kid you not, for more than four days. They couldn’t be rubbed, scrubbed, or oil-cleansed away.

All fifteen of these shades save for Jade, Suzan, and Caroline contain imperceptible microshimmer to give additional depth of colour.

Lise Watier Rouge Intense Suprême Lipstick swatches, L-R: Jade, Jasmine, Mary, Brooklyn, and Caroline

The verdict?

For a mid-range lipstick, these are expensive at $27 CAD. But you know what? For once in my life, I’m recommending them with NO reservations.

The Lise Watier Rouge Intense Suprême Lipsticks are excellent in every way. They’re very pigmented, they don’t shift around on the lips, they smell amazing, they’re hydrating… I could go on forever. These are the best example of a glossy, opaque lipstick that I’ve tried yet, and I’ve been wearing them daily since they arrived.

Buy one. Hell, buy three. You won’t be disappointed.

Availability: $27 CAD at Lise Watier (Can/US), Shopper’s Drug Mart, London Drugs, and more. Permanent as of Spring 2017.

Tags: /Canadian beauty, Holy Grail, Indie brands, Lips, Lise Watier, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Spring/Summer 2017

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Marcelle Velvet Gel Spring 2017 review, swatches, photos

January 18, 2017

Rae Chen

7 Comments

Marcelle Buff Nude lipliner, Rosy Nude Velvet Gel Lipstick

Also wearing: Fitglow Beauty Vita-Active Foundation in VF1, Marcelle Kohl Eyeliner in Mother of Pearl and Chocolate, Annabelle Supernova Mascara

The products: Marcelle Velvet Gel Rouge Xpression Lipstick, Waterproof Lipliner, and Waterproof Eyeliner; Marcelle Kohl Eyeliner

This spring is all about gel-textured mattes (hello, eyeliner revolution of 2006), and I’m feelin’ it. As much as I love how comfortable and wearable lipglosses and sheer lipsticks are, the occasional heavy matte is just gorgeous – enough so that I’ll make my lips put up with it a few times each month, comfort be damned.

Marcelle Rouge Xpression Velvet Gel Lipsticks and Velvet Gel Lipliners ($11.95 CAD each)

For me, the highlight of these launches is the new Marcelle Velvet Gel Rouge Xpression Lipsticks. They’re a five-piece collection with Karine Vanesse, and they rock.

Marcelle (whom I love, but who tend to fudge their copy) promises that these lipsticks will deliver extreme colour, smooth glide, and an ultra-lightweight feel… none of which I particularly agree with. BUT I still think these (and their corresponding velvet gel lipliners) are pretty great!

Marcelle Velvet Gel Rouge Xpression Lipstick review

Marcelle Velvet Gel “Buff Nude” Lipliner + Velvet Gel “Rosy Nude” Rouge Xpression Lipstick swatch

The Velvet Gel Rouge Xpression Lipstick formula has a matte finish and medium opacity that’s reminiscent of the Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Lipsticks that I reviewed recently. The formula feels heavy and comfortable, and with the liners underneath, the resulting lip is extremely matte.

I feel like matte lipsticks reinvent themselves every 5 years, and this gel trend is just the newest iteration. First there were the powdery mattes, then the silicone-y ones; now, there are the sticky velvets. Like the Rouge Artists, the Marcelle Velvet Gel formula shows wear after only two hours, and it feels really comfortable–until your lips feel suddenly parched and tight, 8 hours later.

Buff Nude + Rosy Nude lip

Marcelle Velvet Gel Waterproof Lipliner review + Universal Anti-Feathering Lip Liner ($9.95 CAD)

My favourite shade of the Velvet Gels is Buff Nude – a gorgeous, putty-brown pink. The lipliners in this collection pack a lot of pigment while the lipsticks are medium-sheer, so for a natural-looking lipstick, I like Rosy Nude… and for lips that look big and plush, I like to layer my Buff Nude lipliner with the Rosy Nude lipstick.

If you decide to dip into this collection (it’s a lot cheaper than buying a Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist + a lipliner, for sure), I would definitely recommend that combo!

Swatches, eyeliners, & more »

Tags: /Canadian beauty, Eyes, Grouped reviews, Indie brands, Lips, Marcelle, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Spring/Summer 2017

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Vixen Maverick VixSkin silicone dildo review, photos

January 16, 2017

Rae Chen

10 Comments

The product: Vixen Creations VixSkin Maverick dildo

It’s been a while since my last sex toy review, so I thought I’d shake things up a little and do something a little out of the ordinary–for theNotice, at least. I tend to focus on non-realistic vibrators, but today, I’m reviewing a toy that’s both startlingly realistic and shockingly large.

I know that realistic toys aren’t everyones cup of tea, so this review can be found under the cut. For those who venture on, I promise to pack this review with as many bad jokes as I can!

Images NSFW. Read more »

Tags: /Product Photos, Product Review, Sex, Vixen Creations

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Pai Avocado & Jojoba, Echium & Macadamia Day Cream reviews, photos

January 12, 2017

Rae Chen

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The products: Pai Skincare Avocado & Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream and Echium & Macadamia Replenishing Day Cream

This winter is the first that Tunakitten and I are spending in our current apartment, and keeping my skin hydrated has been a struggle. No matter how much water I drink or how much Pai Rosehip Oil I apply, my face feels eternally parched with the forced air heating system that runs throughout the building.

Don’t get me wrong — I’m a huge fan of being this toasty warm at all times. But I miss having a humidifier built right into the heating, and so does my skin!

Pai Skincare Avocado & Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream ($60 CAD)

I turned to Pai to solve my skincare struggles, and I’ll tell you this right off the bat: neither one of these products was hydrating enough for me. But my skin is so finicky right now that NONE of the ~~twenty~~ six zillion moisturizers that I currently own are doing the job, so take my hydration levels into consideration as you read this review.

Pai’s Avocado & Jojoba Day Cream is made for dry, dehydrated, and dry, sensitive skin. It contains organic avocado and jojoba oil in addition to a number of vitamins (A, D, and E) and omega fatty acids, so for those with lightly dry skin (aka not my skin), it’s a good option.

The Hydrating Day Cream has a light formula that rapidly sinks into the skin to leave it feeling silky. I think it’s best for normal to dry skin, or skin that gets a little dry and sensitive during the winter.

Pai Skincare Echium & Macadamia Replenishing Day Cream ($78 CAD)

I wasn’t sure which of these two creams would be more hydrating, but Pai offered to send over both so I could find out on my own. It was fascinating to get to try two different dry skin moisturizers from the same brand at the same time, and I’ve been excited to share my results!

Of the two, I found Pai’s Echium & Macadamia Day Cream to be more hydrating. It’s designed to target mature skin and very dry, sensitive skin, and you can feel the difference in the formula. The Replenishing Day Cream is heavier and more comforting than the Hydrating Day Cream, and I find myself reaching for it far more often.

The verdict?

I love the clean, soft-touch formulas of these two moisturizers, and both offer benefits of their own. Neither was hydrating enough for my skin, even with the addition of a face oil, so I would recommend them primarily for skin that sometimes looks dull or flakey — not chronic dryness or eczema.

If you’re trying to choose between the two, here’s my advice. Opt for the Avocado & Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream for normal skin that gets dry in the winter, and the Echium & Macadamia Day Cream for skin that’s a little dry to very dry all year round.

Availability: Pai is available online, at The Detox Market, and through Beauty Bay and Look Fantastic.

Tags: /Indie brands, Moisturizers, Pai Skincare, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Silicone-free moisturizers and serums, Skincare

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Thank you for tolerating my mess… | 2017 resolutions

January 9, 2017

Rae Chen

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theNotice is undergoing a little bit of construction, so please excuse the mess over the next few days! There are a couple of kinks that need to be ironed out in the new layout while it’s live, so you guys are seeing the not-quite-final version.

I’m working on fixing the “suggested post” width in the full-sized desktop mode as well as adding comment buttons on the bottom of each post, but if you encounter any other issues, please let me know in the comments.

Spent all of last year dreaming about returning to this beautiful door…

My resolution for 2017

One of the most meaningful things that I read in 2016 was, surprisingly enough, a comic. It’s by Yao Xiao, a Chinese-born New York artist, and it can be viewed in full here.

As someone who has lived with depression and anxiety my entire life, this comic spoke volumes to me. I’m trying my best to be mindful about when I say “thank you” vs “sorry” this year, from the ground up — including little things like saying hey, thanks for bearing with me while I put the finishing touches on this layout. I really appreciate it!

Hopefully, forming habits with the little things will eventually influence my more meaningful conversations, too — like saying thanks for listening instead of “sorry I cried on your cat again, I know he is afraid of water.”

—

PS: What do you think of the new layout?? It’s the first one that I’ve ever purchased instead of built, and I LOVE it.

Tags: /About theNotice, Ramblings

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Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Trans-foam, Skinfood Black Sugar Honey reviews | Take Good Care

January 5, 2017

Rae Chen

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The products: Skinfood Black Sugar Honey Mask Wash Off, Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Trans-Foam Clay Trio, and CosRx Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask

Last month, I was introduced to a new Canadian shop specializing in Korean skincare. Based out of Toronto and run by a total sweetheart named Shana Kim and her husband, Take Good Care features handpicked items brought straight from Korea for the North American consumer.

Opening up a Take Good Care parcel feels like opening up a gift from a friend. Not only do they contain some top-notch skincare products, but they also come packed full of Asian candies — and that’s pretty much a reason in and of itself to order.

Skinfood Black Sugar Honey Mask Wash Off ($16 CAD)

When I posted my Holiday Survival Guide in December, I mentioned this mask and promised a follow-up. It was scheduled for later this month, but after using the mask for a third, fourth, and fifth time, I knew I had to fast-track my post.

My skin has been really dry and flakey this winter, so I’ve been turning to the Skinfood Black Sugar Honey Mask on a weekly basis to keep it in check. Full of Brazilian black sugar, macadamia oil, lanolin, and honey, this Korean skincare mask is both hydrating and exfoliating — which is exactly what my skin needs right now.

A 15-minute session with this wash-off mask leaves my skin feeling so soft that I literally end up petting my face. It makes that big of a difference.

Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Trans-Foam Clay Trio ($39 CAD for all 3)

I’m endlessly fascinated by foam-textured products, so I popped on a thin layer of moisturizing pink Trans-Foam Clay (moisturizing pink for me; balancing green for him) last night and settled in for the recommended 3-5 minutes to mask. I took the time to think about downloading Stardew Valley, which I just found out is available for Macs — the wait for Animal Crossing on iOS is killing me.

The Dermaclear Trans-Foam masks a multipurpose products made for multi-masking, so Dr. Jart+ makes three, which can be purchased as a set. There’s a moisturizing pink mask, a refreshing green mask, and a calming white mask, and all three turn into foaming cleansers when rinsed off.

They’re a gentler mask than the sugar scrub, and while I like them, I don’t find the results to be as drastic. In place of a cleanser, they’d be good daily or every-other-day products.

CosRx Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask ($20 CAD)

My parcel also included the CosRx Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask, which I wasn’t able to test as it contains silicones. However, it’s definitely cool enough to deserve a mention — this mask/moisturizer is made with 85% propolis extract, and has a thin, gel texture.

Bee propolis is supposed to be excellent for sensitive or irritated skin, so check it out if that sounds like you!

The verdict?

Overall, I’m happy with the pricing and customer service at Take Good Care, and I really liked the selection they offer. Yes, you can get some of their items for cheaper on Amazon, but pricing is on par or less than what you’d see at proper storefronts like Sephora or Birchbox.

The Take Good Care site lists full ingredients (YESSS!!) and directions for each product, so it really is Korean skincare made easy — easier, even, than most mass-market stuff.

Availability: All three of these masks are available at TakeGoodCare.ca. Use code NOTICE15 for 15% off (no expiry!)

Tags: /Canadian beauty, Company Review, Grouped reviews, Indie brands, Other, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Silicone-free, Skincare, Travel

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All about Tunakitten: My rescue cat love story

January 2, 2017

Rae Chen

26 Comments

Gary Tuna: Outdoor Kitten

Known aliases: Belly, Kitten-Kitten, Mister, Monster, Mr. Kitten, Notter, Tuna, Tunakitten

This is my cat, Tuna. And this is our story so far.

I know that everyone feels strongly about their pets, but you know what? I love reading rescue stories (Natalie’s comes to mind as a particular favourite), so I’m sharing ours, too.

I met Tuna a year ago on January 2nd, 2016, on my way to look after our neighbour’s cats. I made the fatal mistake of feeding him (little known fact: cats are actually gremlins), and that was that.

He’s been a constant in my life since then. On January 1st, I was milling about listlessly without a pet; on the 2nd, I had a cat that waited in the garage all day for me to come home and cried whenever he was alone. So that month, I did the only thing I could do, and my partner and I took him to the pound to adopt him.

I have no idea what happened to Tunakitten’s original family, but they left him out in Edmonton’s -30 degree cold to fend for himself. We found him neutered but not chipped, and so poorly socialized that the pound labelled him as unfit for adoption. The only reason we were able to take him home was that we were the ones who brought him in.

Tuna is turning 3(ish) this year. He’s such a good cat in some ways: he doesn’t break stuff or pee on things, and he’s so good about using his scratchers. He loves hiding under the bed and sitting right behind my chair so he can gently paw at me when he gets bored, and he’s chatty and adorable at all times.

But he’s a tough cat to care for in other ways, too. He gets frustrated easily, and he’s full of odd fears.

For instance: he gets anxiety about sitting people. If you’re sitting and you’re not paying attention to him, he’ll comfort-purr and then bite. He’s claustrophobic, afraid of tapioca pearls (no one knows why), and super not-a-fan of the wind. He hates the wind.

He’s wary of black socks but not white ones, will eat anything that stays still for long enough, and loves carbs so unbeliiiiievably much that he will steal them off of your utensil. Imagine eating breakfast and having a stealth ninja steal a Mini Wheat out of your bowl and flee with it.

Unlike most cats, he’s surprisingly cool with the vacuum and refuses to sit in boxes unless he can fit completely upright in them. He’s a fast learner – so far, he knows how to sit, wait, and pretend to be a butternut squash. He’s learning the commands for “bed,” “floor,” and “paw.” He’s great with the litter box but refuses to cover his poop, and if we’re out of the house, he’ll wait for us to get home before he can go.

I don’t know. I think it’s a comfort thing.

He loves spinach, tomatoes, chicken, and anything containing dairy, and (hilariously) his favourite fish is tuna. I’m pretty sure that he’s convinced the toaster is actually a carb dispenser made just for him.

When I started taking Tuna outside, I learned two things: one, he’s terrified of elevators, and two, he trusts us.

It took a long, long time, and our relationship still isn’t perfect. We have to spend a lot of time together in order to keep his aggression down, and it’s a struggle every day. But, at the end of it all… He got the constant food source that he so desperately wanted, and I got a little terror who trusts me so much that he runs to me when he’s scared.

I think we both did pretty okay.

Tags: /7. Other, Ramblings, Tunakitten

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Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Lipstick swatches, review, photos

December 29, 2016

Rae Chen

17 Comments

The product: Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Lipsticks in C105 Grege Beige, C211 Rose Wood, M401 Hot Red by Icona Pop, C502 Taupe Violet, C506 Dark Purple, C603 Midnight Blue by Icona Pop

When I first opened up this box of Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Lipsticks, I thought immediately of New Year’s Eve. (Well, once I was done swooning, of course.) These bold shades are the perfect pairing for a night out, and what night is bigger than New Year’s?

They’re great on their own, but for even more of a statement lip, top them with a glittery gloss or loose shimmer!

The formula: The Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist formula is thick, creamy, and opaque. They’re VERY high coverage, and most of the cream colours are packed with so much pigment that they wear like soft mattes.

Overall, these lipsticks are heavy but extremely comfortable, with a hydrating finish. The mattes in particular are very well done – just look at the way that red glows!

The new Rouge Artist lipsticks contain 25% more pigments than the old Rouge Artist Intense formula, and reportedly wear for 8 to 10 hours for the cream and matte finishes – which I wasn’t able to achieve. I saw <4 hours of wear out of these cream formulas with noticeable fading at 1-2 hours; by hour 5, all that was left was a ring around my lipline.

I know: super classy.

The best Rouge Artist lipsticks

The best of the bunch: C105 Grege Beige, C211 Rose Wood, M401 Hot Red by Icona Pop.

Like with many bold lipsticks, the Rouge Artist lipsticks vary by shade. These three are glorious: opaque in one swipe, easy to work with, and just the right texture not to move around once applied.

Grege Beige is a nude best suited for medium skintones, and Rose Wood is a somber medium-rose that was right up my alley. Both feature a tacky, heavy cream formula that feels hydrating but not slick.

Hot Red is a breathtaking super-matte bright red. It’s the kind of shade that almost seems like it’s breaking your eyes (yesss!), but it doesn’t feel heavy or chalky in the least.

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist lipstick swatches / TOP: C105 Grege Beige, C211 Rose Wood / MIDDLE: M401 Hot Red (LE), C502 Taupe Violet / BOTTOM: C506 Dark Purple, C603 Midnight Blue (LE)

The good Rouge Artist lipsticks

Shades that wore alright: C502 Taupe Violet, C603 Midnight Blue by Icona Pop.

These two were great, but definitely harder to work with. They weren’t as opaque as Grege Beige and Rose Wood, and they suffered as a result. I couldn’t get perfect coverage with either, but they were opaque enough to pass. If these were human beings, they’d be the kind that you loved – but wouldn’t bring home to your parents.

Seriously, though: how gloriously odd are these shades??

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist in C603 Midnight Blue by Icona Pop review, swatches

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist lipstick swatches: C105 Grege Beige, C211 Rose Wood, M401 Hot Red (LE), C502 Taupe Violet, C506 Dark Purple, and C603 Midnight Blue (LE).

The Rouge Artist shade to skip

What to skip: C506 Dark Purple.

Dark Purple was, honesty, a mess. It’s slicker and more sheer than the rest, which makes it slide around and cling to dry patches. Even when I swatched it on my arm, it was obvious how different the texture was to the other cream lipsticks.

I would love to see a reformulated version of this, because it really is a great shade–just poorly executed. (I guess its people-equivalent would be that person in your Econ class who sits at the front and asks lots of annoying questions, but never reads the textbook and has to drop the class after midterms?)

The verdict?

Overall, I enjoyed these lipsticks, but they weren’t perfect. They’re beautiful and high-coverage, with an interesting, artistic shade range. I would have liked to see the full 8-hour wear as promised (I need to touch up after 2 hours, which is unusual for me), but they’re comfortable and opaque enough that I’m willing to make the trade.

There are 45 shades of Rouge Artist lipsticks. I recommend skipping slipperier cream finishes like C506 Dark Purple and snapping up stunners like M401 Hot Red immediately — I’m really hoping M401 will be added to the permanent range!

Availability:$22 USD/$27 CAD at Sephora; permanent. The Icona Pop shades are limited edition as of Aug 2016.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Fall/Winter 2016, Lips, Make Up For Ever / MUFE, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches

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Lustworthy: Face masks | The Gift Guide

December 24, 2016

Rae Chen

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This holiday season, I’m featuring the most enticing items from my Gift Guide in a column simply titled “Lustworthy.” Tune in every Saturday from now until Christmas for your weekly dose!

For the very last holiday instalment of Lustworthy, I have two products that are both luxe and practical: face masks. Because they need to be carefully applied and left to sit, face masks are one of the most enjoyable beauty luxuries, and they can really help perk up a holiday complexion, too.

Whether you’ve indulged in too many sweets or the dry air is getting to you, these face masks will help you balance out your complexion should you so desire. (But you already look beautiful as it is!)

Featured here: the Shangpree Silver Premium “Rubber” Mask ($20 USD from Peach & Lily) and the all-natural BHA Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask ($58 USD/$77 CAD).

What’s on your wish list this week?

Tags: /Holiday 2016, New This Week (& etc), The Gift Guide

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