theNotice

Seven out-of-the-box drugstore nail picks

June 13, 2014

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I haven’t covered a lot of nail-related beauty recently, so here’s a bit of catch-up: seven drugstore nail picks that all fall beyond the regular scope of “nail polish”.

Skip below the graphic to read more about these unique-but-accessible finds!

Nail HQ Base Coat ($7.99 CAD)

Base coats are base coats, but this newly launched one by Nail HQ describes itself as a “unique rubberized base coat” with a “sticky cushioned finish” to prep the nail for polish. Does it work? I’ll be testing it out this summer to find out!

Nail HQ Ridge Filler ($9.99 CAD)

Like the brand’s base coat, this ridge filler is available at Pharmasave, select drugstores, and farleyco.ca. It’s designed for weak, damaged nails, and is made to cover up & conceal ridges while conditioning the nail. It’s not a nail strengthener or hardener, though — Nail HQ also makes those, but they’re separate treatments.

Sally Hansen Instagel Strips in Sss-Snakeyes ($15.95 CAD)

Sally Hansen, available at most drug and grocery stores across Canada, makes two different kind of nail strips: these, and the ones below. A little more expensive than the non-gel version, the Instagel Strips are UV-cured, last up to two weeks, and come with a gel coat in the box. (Mini LED lamp must be purchased separately.) Think of them as an at-home gel manicure for the unsteady-handed.

Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat Textured Nail Colour in Wool Lite, Fuzzy Fantasy, Tight Knit, and Peach Fuzz

Sally Hansen Fuzzy Coat Textured Nail Colour in Wool Lite and Fuzzy Fantasy ($7.95 CAD)

Okay, I’ll fess up: I’m extra super not a fan of these Fuzzy Coat polishes. Like crackle-finish and “caviar” manicures, I think they look weird, and left exposed, they catch and pull on everything.

That said, they’re also pretty darn unique, and they’re formulated well — the small strips of “fuzz” haven’t curved or warped at all in the year that I’ve been sitting on these.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips in Whoopsy Daisy ($9.95 CAD)

If you don’t have a nail lamp at home (I don’t!), Sally Hansen’s Salon Effects polish strips will probably be a better buy for you. They launched last year in eight different prints (and have since added more shades), with a simple peel-and-stick application. no drying time, and no DBP, toluene, or formaldehyde.

Maybelline Colour Show Polka Dots Nail Lacquer swatches: Drops of Jade, Clearly Spotted, Pretty In Polka, Blue Marks the Spot

Maybelline Colour Show Polka Dots Nail Lacquer in Clearly Spotted ($3.99 CAD)

Launched alongside a set of metallic duochrome nail lacquers last year, the Maybelline Colour Show Polka Dots range includes five “spotted’ shades in a translucent base. The brand describes it as “high-fashion meets high-art,” but I see it more as indie-meets-drugstore — a spinoff of the e-tailer trend of duochromes & textural overlays, made accessible to more than just nail fanatics and bloggers.

imPRESS Press-On Manicure by Broadway Nails in Night Fever and Vamp It Up ($10.99 CAD)

These are new to the market this month (find them at Walmart, London Drugs, and Pharmasave), and offer a peel-and-press false nail that lasts up to one week. I wasn’t a fan of most of the designs, but Vamp It Up is pretty cute — a far cry from the classic French manicure falsies, it’s a pop-art, comic-book design done in neons.

Tags: /Maybelline, Nails, Product Photos, Product snapshots, Sally Hansen, The Edit

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Clinique Chubby Stick swatches, review: Hazelnut, Blush, Tomato, Orange, & more!

June 11, 2014

Rae Chen

24 Comments

The product: Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm

↳ in 09 Heaping Hazelnut, 10 Bountiful Blush, 11 Two Ton Tomato, 12 Oversized Orange, 13 Mighty Mimosa, 14 Curvy Candy, 15 Pudgy Peony, and 16 Voluptuous Violet

I love Clinique’s Chubby Stick range. I talk about them all the time; I carry them around in my bag like they’re the keys to my house, I own all of the lip shades except maybe three or four of them.

I haven’t, however, had the chance to post swatches of many of them yet. So: here are eight more Clinique Chubby Sticks. I hope you enjoy.

A recap of the formula: The classic Clinique Chubby Stick formula is comfortable and sheer, and wears for about 2-3 hours on my lips. The twist-up pencil packaging and no-mirror opacity makes them easy to throw into your handbag and apply on the go, and the large shade range literally has something for everybody.

All of the Chubby Sticks are taste- and scent-free, and get a lot of flack for being really sheer — but it’s important to remember that they’re marketed as a lip balm, not a lipstick. The Chubby Stick Intense formula offers full opacity, while the original formula varies from almost completely-sheer to medium-opaque depending on the shade.

Swatched L-R: 09 Heaping Hazelnut, 10 Bountiful Blush, 11 Two Ton Tomato, 12 Oversized Orange, 13 Mighty Mimosa, 14 Curvy Candy, 15 Pudgy Peony, and 16 Voluptuous Violet

The shades: Heaping Hazelnut is a sheer, warm nude with a hint of shimmer. Bountiful Blush is a pinky-brown with medium opacity and a subtly frosty finish (I bet it would make a gorgeous nude on a darker skintone). Two Ton Tomato is a sheer, bright strawberry-orange. Oversized Orange is a super-sheer orange with a hint of gold shimmer (pinker, less shimmery, and way more sheer than Mega Melon).

Mighty Mimosa is a sheer soft pink with very subtle shimmer. Curvy Candy is also sheer with subtle shimmer, but is a cooler-toned pink. Both are a little more pigmented than Whoppin’ Watermelon, which is shimmer-free. Pudgy Peony is a bright blue-pink; it’s also sheer, but appears more pigmented due to how vivid the shade is. Voluptuous Violet is a super-sheer subdued violet — it is the sheerest shade in the entire range, but adds a really pretty, wearable violet veil to the lips.

Clinique Chubby Stick swatches, L-R: Heaping Hazelnut, Bountiful Blush, Two Ton Tomato, Oversized Orange, Mighty Mimosa, Curvy Candy, Pudgy Peony, ad Voluptuous Violet

The verdict?

As someone who loves low-maintenance products, I love the comfortable Chubby Stick formula and super-cute packaging. These Chubby Sticks (released initially in 2012) tend to be a little more pigmented than the original eight shades, and more of these shades contain a small amount of natural-looking shimmer.

My must-have Chubby Stick shades are Whoppin’ Watermelon (for everyday), Mega Melon (for the summer), Super Strawberry (for more pigment), and Voluptuous Violet (for a really sheer wash of cool-toned pigment). For those looking for a bright, sheer lip, I would also recommend Pudgy Peony.

Availability: $17 USD/$19 CAD at Nordstrom, Sephora, and Clinique counters.

More Chubby Sticks & individual product shots »

Tags: Clinique Chubby Sticks/Clinique, Grouped reviews, Lips, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches

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Burt’s Bees Hydrating Lip Balm with Coconut and Pear review, photos

June 9, 2014

Rae Chen

23 Comments

The product: Burt’s Bees Hydrating Lip Balm with Coconut and Pear

Coming this month to Burt’s Bees is a new beeswax-based lip balm. During June–aka Pollinator Month–100% of the proceeds of this all-natural lip balm will go to Burt’s Bees’ WILD FOR BEES campaign, which celebrates its third year this month.

In partnership with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, this money will go toward expanding the WILD FOR BEES bee hotel initiative across Canada. The initiative hopes to have 100 bee hotels open across Canada by 2015, designed with bees in mind by SUSTAINABLE.TO Architecture + Building. These “bee hotels” will help provide the dwindling bee population with a safe space to rest in the summer (and hide in the winter).

The formula: The Burt’s Bees Hydrating Lip Balm with Coconut and Pear formula feels light and slippery, and feels more hydrating than Burts’ other spinoff formulas right off the bat.

That said — for my super-dry lips, this formula just doesn’t cut it. It hydrates while it lasts, but I need to re-apply within 1-2 hours or my lips feel parched; however, if other drugstore or scented Burt’s Bees balms work for you, this one definitely will as well. (You’ll probably find it a little more hydrating than the others, even!)

The scent: Flavour-free, the coconut really predominates in this blend. If you take a close sniff, though, you can smell a bit of pear-y fruitiness in the undertones, which becomes much more apparent as the coconut scent fades. It’s a really lovely scent blend, especially for the summer!

The ingredients: (Which, might I add, I’m really impressed with.)

Sunflower Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Natural Flavor, Castor Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Lanolin, Pear Fruit Extract, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopherol, Soybean Oil, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Canola Oil, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol.

The verdict?

Burt’s Bees may make tons of other products nowadays (their iconic cuticle butter and excellent peppermint foot cream come to mind), but I will always think they do lips best. This new Coconut & Pear lip balm is comfortable and hydrating, and though the hydration doesn’t last for me, I think it’ll be a big hit for most — especially with those who like the tropical smell of coconut.

Availability: $3.59 USD/$4.89 CAD at burtsbees.ca, pollinatorpartnership.ca, and in stores at The Fairmont Store at the Fairmont Royal York this June. Launching July 2014 nationwide.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Burt's Bees, Lips, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Spring/Summer 2014

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Makeup Geek brushes, Dior Addict It-Lash, and the perfect mom-concealer | 07/06/14 Link Love

June 7, 2014

Rae Chen

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It’s a polish photo-fest over on Makeup Morsels this week. Check out these bright new launches from Morgan Taylor, just in time for summer.

This week at theNotice, a Clarisonic skeptic gives the Mia 2 a try. Come see how it’s going so far!

Phyrra tells all about the Makeup Geek Makeup Brushes! Find out which ones she loves and which ones to skip!

Where big is beautiful – Addicted to Beauty checks out the elephant, yes, elephant beauty pageant.

Jenn from Spiced Beauty shows you her favourite summer collection from the Body Shop! Do you like Early-Harvest Raspberry?

MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection is a gorgeous summer collection with the packaging that makes FabDiva20 so excited! Check out her collection haul!

Pammy Blogs Beauty has found the perfect concealer to help her tired Mommy-of-an-infant eyes: Laura Mercier’s New High Coverage Concealer!

Beauty Reflections is reliving the 80s with Dior Addict It-Lash Mascara in Blue!

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Beauty Crazed is giving away a naughty little Agent Provocateur Fatale set – including the fragrance – so get in on the action and win it!

Have you checked out Sophie’s Remington 5 in 1 epilator giveaway over on her blog? Head over to Makeupwonderland now and enter!

Tags: /BBLL (link roundups)

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theBalm timeBalm review, swatches – Lighter Than Light, Light, Light/Medium | My staple silicone-free concealer

June 5, 2014

Rae Chen

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The product: theBalm timeBalm Anti-Wrinkle Concealer in Lighter Than Light, Light, and Light/Medium

You see timeBalm all the time on theNotice. Every tutorial, every makeup look, every shade comparison — they all (or almost all) have one secret ingredient in common: timeBalm. It’s my old standby; the only silicone-free concealer I’ve tried so far that runs light enough for my skin.

A couple weeks ago, I finished off an entire pot of this concealer, right down to the last smudge. It took me five and a half years (during which time my timeBalm somehow managed not to go off at all), but as someone who has literally never finished off a makeup product before — it was a pretty big deal for me.

L-R: theBalm timeBalm concealer in Lighter Than Light, Light, and Light/Medium

The formula: The beeswax-based timeBalm concealer is free of silicones, parabens, and fragrances, and enriched with Vitamins A, E, and C to help combat the signs of ageing. theBalm says it’s so good for your skin that you can wear it to sleep, and while I absolutely would not recommend this, I have admittedly done it once or twice (by accident!) with no harm done.

theBalm timeBalm Anti-Ageing Concealer Ingredients: click to view

Tridecyl Trimellitate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Talc, Diethylhexyl Adipate, Isoeicosane, Carnauba Wax, Beeswax, Octyldodecanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, C18-36 Acid Glycol Ester, Panthenol, Tribehenin, Ceresin, Lauroyl Lysine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Linoleic Acid, Soybean Sterols, Phospholipids, Silica, Propyl Gallate, Soybean Oil.

+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77007.

theBalm timeBalm in Lighter Than Light

theBalm timeBalm in Light

theBalm timeBalm in Light/Medium

The texture & wear (aka “what makes timeBalm so great”): I really love the timeBalm formula because, for a consumer product, it resembles theatre makeup quite closely. It’s a wonderfully creamy, high-coverage product, and works well for both concealing acne and covering dark circles (though it does struggle a bit with extremely dry patches and pronounced wrinkles). Because the formula blends out so beautifully, I use my timeBalm as both a foundation and a spot concealer, similarly to how something like the Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer ($48 USD) would be used — but at a fraction of the cost.

I have extremely dry skin, and though timeBalm does catch on my really rough patches (I’ve yet to find anything that doesn’t), I get all day wear out of it as long as I follow up with powder. This includes morning-to-evening coverage of blemishes–I layer timeBalm with a mineral powder to cover up scars and acne–which is quite the feat!

theBalm timeBalm concealer comparison swatches – Lighter Than Light, Light, Light/Medium

The shades: Lighter Than Light is yellower than MAC Studio Fix Concealer in NW15. It’s similar to NC20, but pinker, and its warm undertones run more peach than orange, unlike NC20. Light is similar to MAC NW20 but just a hair darker, and runs a touch more yellow-orange than pink-peach. If you match NW20, timeBalm in Light will definitely work for you. If you match MAC NW25, Light will by way too fair for you.

I can’t for the life of me find my pot of Light/Medium (and I literally searched for three hours yesterday), but if memory serves me right, it’s darker than Light and NW20 but not as dark or orange as NW25 — the NW20-NW25 shade jump seems particularly large to my eye for some reason. I’m pretty sure Light/Medium is a little more olive and more orange/saturated (but with less peach and pink) than Lighter Than Light and Light, too.

The verdict?

I really, really love timeBalm. It’s the only makeup product I’ve ever used up & re-purchased, and though I’m always on the lookout for something better (something that magically hides dry patches, perhaps), I’ve yet to find anything else that meets my criteria.

I use theBalm’s timeBalm concealer as both a concealer and a foundation, and it pulls off everything from spot concealing to sheer coverage without breaking a sweat. It’s also scent-free and silicone-free, and comes in seven shades.

Availability: $18 USD at Nordstrom; in Canada, you can find theBalm at many Rexall locations. timeBalm is also available in cream foundation and liquid forms, though I haven’t had the chance to try either!

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Base, Grouped reviews, Holy Grail, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Silicone-free, TheBalm

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Lancome Urban Ballet Baume in Love swatches, photos, review

June 3, 2014

Rae Chen

15 Comments

The product: Lancôme Baume in Love in 110 Urban Ballet

Lancôme’s Baume in Love won an Allure Best of Beauty award last year. But get this: it won for best sheer lipstick. The thing literally has “balm” in its name, and it won as a lipstick. I honestly don’t even understand how that happened.

Anyhow — the winning shade (this one; Urban Ballet) is still available, as are seven other shades at Nordstrom. And so, without further adieu: may I please introduce the classiest, brightest lip balm you’ll ever have the pleasure of owning.

The formula: With these balms, Lancôme promises to “saturate lips with comfort” and moisture, with a lasting stain of colour. But, while I like the way its light, oil-based formula feels, I have to say — they didn’t do so great on the moisture front, and the stain isn’t too noticeable on the lips.

For a tinted lip balm, the Baume in Love formula feels pretty standard. It isn’t as hydrating as, say, Fresh’s, but it’s also way less gross and melty — it holds its shape elegantly, even in the heat, and seems rather “moisture neutral” on my lips. It has a very light scent that fades quickly.

I need to re-apply this balm in a decidedly not long-lasting two hours, but — it’s not exactly a trial to reapply, you know? I’d expect three, maybe four hours at least from a lipstick or gloss, but a couple of hours from a balm (while it doesn’t live up to its claims) is pretty much par for the course.

Lancôme Baume in Love in Urban Ballet – swatched on lips (one swipe)

Lancôme “Urban Ballet” Baume in Love

Lancôme Baume in Love in Urban Ballet

The colour: On the other hand, where this balm clearly earns its keep is that gorgeous, “neon-translucent” pigmentation — their words, not mine, and wonderfully accurate. The fluoro-pink Urban Ballet is eye-searingly bright, yet it reads on the lips like nothing more than a balm.

As an extremely sheer bright, Urban Ballet is exactly what one would hope for. It makes the lips look soft and plush, as if you’re wearing nothing but clear lip balm and just happen to have perfectly flushed lips. This pink is a little darker and more vivid than my natural lip shade, and it brightens my complexion in seconds while still running totally under the radar.

The verdict?

It’s a splurge, but if you want to treat yourself with something luxe but super low maintenance (am I the only one who gets stressed out by those gorgeous, full-coverage reds?), this really is the way to go. Everything about the Baume in Love range is so Lancôme; elegant but vivid in a very Parisian way. I can’t speak toward the other shades, but Urban Ballet will suit literally any complexion to add a bit of instant brightness.

On a budget, the Maybelline Baby Lips Neons ($3.99 USD) lip balms will offer a similar sort of neon-sheerness — but they’re a very different experience, and feature a chunky sort of electric-fun vibe in contrast to Lancôme’s refined feeling of spontaneous-luxury.

Availability: $26 USD/$30 CAD at Nordstrom (8 shades) and Lancôme counters throughout Canada (which carry just this shade, I believe!)

Tags: /Lancome, Lips, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Spring/Summer 2013

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Clarisonic x theNotice: Taking the Mia 2 for a test drive

May 29, 2014

Rae Chen

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The Clarisonic Mia 2 in Ipanema

When beauty bloggers talk skin care products, the one skin care gadget you’re guaranteed to hear about is the Clarisonic. I’ve been reading rave reviews about the skin care line since its launch in 2004, but to be honest, I never really thought it was for me.

With my sensitive skin and barely-there skin care routine, I’m not exactly who you’d think of as a prime candidate for a tool like this one. But when Clarisonic asked me if I was willing to try out a Mia 2 for seven days and report back, I had to accept the challenge – in the name of science, of course.

The Clarisonic Sensitive Brush Head (I’d recommend buying the Delicate one for sensitive skin!)

As it turns out, the Clarisonic isn’t really what I thought it would be: it’s better. The Mia 2 fits comfortably into my hands, and like the rest of the Clarisonic line, it works on sonic technology rather than rotating brush heads – which, given the name, I really should have guessed. According to the brand, their unique sonic cleansing technology produces over 300 movements a second and uses the flexing action created between the outer and inner brushes to remove impurities from deep within the pores for clear, glowing skin.

I have seen the cleansing light

It’s this sonic action that not only gets the pores really, really clean (which is why so many people with acne-prone or oily skin swear by their Clarisonic), but also preps the skin, making face serums, anti aging creams and tinted moisturizers more effective. This is what I’ll mainly be testing: up close, my skin has flaky patches and can be paper-rough, so I’m hoping my results will include softer, more glowing skin.

The pLink charger, attached

The Mia 2 comes in a number of colours – this one is Ipanema – and charges with a cute, magnetic “pLink” charger. It’s waterproof and has two speed settings for normal and sensitive skin. The Mia 2 can be used morning and night on a wet face with any type of cleanser, foaming or milk, and holds a charge for 20 to 30 uses.

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This post was sponsored by Clarisonic in association with Elle Canada. All of the opinions in this post are my own — I can now be found happily cleansing my face most nights, chirruping “pLink!” like an excited squirrel whenever the urge takes me.

Tags: sponsored/Acne, Clarisonic, Cleansing, Product Photos, Skincare, Tools

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Mika for Shu: Cleansing Oils in POREfinist, Whitefficient, and Anti/Oxi reviews, photos | Summer 2014

May 27, 2014

Rae Chen

10 Comments

The products: mika for shu shu uemura skin purifier cleansing oils (450 ml/14.2 fl. oz.)

↳ POREfinist (anti-shine/pink), whitefficient (brightening/blue), and Anti/Oxi (anti-dullness/green)

Available this spring from Shu Uemura is the Mika for Shu collection, which features artwork by photographer and director Mika Ninagawa. It’s her third collection with Shu Uemura (the other two launched in 2008 and 2011), and this time, she highlights the line’s iconic false eyelashes and lipsticks, telling a tale with images of butterflies and the idea of a “wonderland fairy tale adventure.”

In addition to these three, the Shu Uemura ultime8 cleansing oil (reviewed here) is also available in limited edition Mika for Shu packaging ($98 CAD).

POREfinist anti-shine fresh cleansing oil ($82 CAD/regular packaging)

I’ve always referred to Shu’s cleansing oils by their colours rather than their names — the latter tend to be quite lengthy, and can be rather confusing. The pink POREfinist/Fresh cleansing oil is made to be the most lightweight of the Shu Uemura Skin Purifiers, and as such, it’s ideal for normal to oily and acne-prone skin.

mika for shu uemura POREfinist skin purifier cleansing oil

This pink cleansing oil is formulated with cinnamon bark extract to regulate oil production and remove blackheads, and features a bright, floral scent wrapped in Mika’s “Melting Sweet Dream” artwork. Of all of the Shu Uemura cleansing oils, this is definitely one of my favourite fragrances.

The shu uemura Porefinist Anti-Shine Fresh Cleansing Oil ingredients (copied from the back of the box — for some reason, the ingredients on the site don’t line up.)

View the ingredients

Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-6 Dicrapate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Phenoxyethanol, Polybutene, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Tocopherol, Squalane, Simmondsia Chinesis Oil, Methoxypropanediol, Carthamus Tinctorius Oil, Caprylol Salicylic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Capryloyl Glycine, Sarcosine, Prunus Cerasus Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylancium Extract, Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract, Parfum.

mika for shu uemura “melting sweet dream” artwork

whitefficient clear brightening gentle cleansing oil ($92 CAD/regular packaging)

Detailed with Mika Ninagawa’s “Curiosity” print, which was created around the idea of an enchanted carnival, the blue Whitefficient cleansing oil smells quite fresh — it reminds me of a clean-smelling men’s cologne, actually, and is my second-favourite cleansing oil in terms of scent (behind the pink POREfinist, above).

mika for shu uemura Whitefficient skin purifier cleansing oil

While I’m not a fan of whitening products (as I’m sure you all know), the specifications of this one actually focus on brightening, not whitening. Again, the Whitefficient formula is made to feel lightweight, and removes dead skin cells to remedy a dull complexion.

However, this formula also features whitening ceramides, white algae, vitamin C, and prune extract to prevent melanin accumulation in the dermis — which is great for brightening and evening out the complexion, but hopefully won’t perpetuate the “whiter is better!” idea too strongly.

The shu uemura Whitefficient Clear Brightening Gentle Cleansing Oil ingredients:

View the ingredients

Paraffinum Liquidum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Isohexadecane, Peg-20 Glyceryl, Triisostearate, Aqua, Tocopheryl, Acetate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Isopropyl Myristate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Benzyl Salicylate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Sodium Ydroxide, 2-Oleamido-1, 3-Octadecanediol, Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Vaccinum Myrtillus Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract, Acer Saccharnum Extract, Parfum.

mika for shu uemura “curiosity” artwork

anti/oxi skin refining anti-dullness cleansing oil ($92 CAD/regular packaging)

The last cleansing oil I have to share with you today is Shu’s Anti/Oxi formulation, in Mika’s “Singing Forest” imagery. I already have a full review of the Anti/Oxi cleansing oil up here, but in short: tinted green and made to combat pollution, it smells the earthiest of all of Shu’s oils.

Keep reading! »

Tags: shu uemura cleansing oil/Cleansing, Cleansing oils, Grouped reviews, Other, Other, Product Photos, Product Review, shu uemura, Silicone-free, Skincare, Spring/Summer 2014

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The perect nude, fresh face essentials, and summer giveaways| 24/05/14 Link Love

May 24, 2014

Rae Chen

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Ever wonder how many products a beauty blogger uses in one day? Find out in Phyrra’s Makeup Wars Beauty Diary!

Jenn from Spiced Beauty show you her favourite quick and easy makeup removal method! Do you use any of these?

Nude nails are notoriously difficult to pull off…unless you happen to find the perfect shade. Discover one such tasteful option over at Makeup Morsels.

How do you feel about brightening and whitening products? Come add your voice to theNotice’s discussion about the new Moisture White Shiso range by The Body Shop.

Want Summer ready skin? Check out a few of Sophie’s fresh face essentials at Makeup Wonderland!

Is change good when it comes to the reformulation of NARS Lip Glosses? Check out Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed’s swatches and decide for yourself!

What would summer be like without some dewy glimmer? Beauty Info Zone shares the beautiful Beauty Addicts GlimmerSheers for your drooling pleasure.

Beauty Reflections shows us the really NEATSephora Collection Double Down Brush Set!

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Have you ever wanted to try Mally Beauty? Now is your chance! Head on over to Pammy Blogs Beauty to check out her review and enter her giveaway!!

Tags: /BBLL (link roundups)

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Lise Watier Eden Tropical reviews, swatches: Hydra Kiss Colour Balm, Blush Crème Satin, Ombre Soufflé | Summer 2014

May 22, 2014

Rae Chen

8 Comments

The products: Lise Watier Hydra Kiss Colour Balm in Rose Eden, Ombre Soufflé Suprême in Sortilège, and Blush Crème Satin in Rose Eden

I’m trying to prioritize a little now that I’m back from hiatus, so today, I’ve hand-picked three items from Lise Watier’s Eden Tropical collection to review first. These three items are my favourites from the range; the best of the best, the absolute crème de la crème.

I hope you love them as much as I do.

Lise Watier Hydra Kiss Colour Balm in Rose Eden ($22 CAD)

The Lise Watier team lists the Hydra Kiss Colour Balm as their favourite product from this collection, and I have to say — I can see why. The Hydra Kiss Colour Balm has the most beautiful texture; sheer and wonderfully smooth. It’s slick without being too slick, and feels hydrating with just the right amount of shine.

Rose Eden is a beauty all on its own, though — this balm is also available in Coral Paradise, but I’m telling you now, snap up Rose Eden before it’s gone. It’s that wonderful, soft-but-bright sort of lip colour that is so hard to find; a flattering medium-pink with a lovely milkiness to the shade. The balm does have a faint, off-putting fruity scent, but it fades quickly enough.

Lise Watier Hydra Kiss Colour Balm ingredients:

Show the ingredients

Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Isostearyl Isostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Polybutene, Octyldodecanol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Polyethylene, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Candelilla Wax, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cera Microcristallina Microcrystalline Wax, Ozokerite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Flavor, Parfum.

+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Red 6, Red 7 Lake, Iron Oxide, Yellow 6 Lake, Anise Alcohol.

Swatched L-R: Lise Watier Hydra Kiss Colour Balm in Rose Eden, Ombre Soufflé Suprême in Sortilège, and Blush Crème Satin in Rose Eden

Lise Watier Ombre Soufflé Suprême in Sortilège ($24 CAD)

Like all of those other wonderful, not-powder-not-creme eyeshadows, the Lise Watier Ombre Soufflé Suprême range touts a moist, loose formula. It’s a powder, but it’s held together with springy, cloud-like moisture — and not only do all of the shades in the range feel wet, but the high amount of shimmer in the formula almost makes them look wet, too.

Sortilège is a beautifully complex brown, a little darker than most mid-toned shades. Its shimmer is riveting, capturing everything from pink to lime green and, of course, gold — the neutral/cool brown paired with the gold highlights should make it wearable on most. Honestly, Sortilège (French for spell, as in: magic!) is a little like looking into the universe itself… if the universe was made of equal parts “chocolate” and “pretty”.

Sorgilège is a new permanent addition to the Ombre Soufflé Suprême line, alongside Prune Astral (a darkened plum), Tinker Bell (a soft, mossy green), and Wonderland (a bright yellow gold).

Lise Watier Ombre Soufflé Suprême ingredients:

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Isododecane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysilicone-11, Petrolatum, Butyl Acrylate/Hydroxypropyldimethicone Acrylate Copolymer, Talc, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Ledum Groenlandicum Extract.

+/- Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica, Alumium Hydroxide, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Iron Oxides, Carmine, Ferric Ferrocyanide, Aluminium Powder.

Swatched L-R: Lise Watier Hydra Kiss Colour Balm in Rose Eden, Ombre Soufflé Suprême in Sortilège, and Blush Crème Satin in Rose Eden

Lise Watier Blush Crème Satin in Rose Eden ($24 CAD)

Finally, to complete this trio of seriously beautiful products, a bit of cheek love. The Lise Watier Blush Crème Satin formula is new to the line, packaged in very solid-feeling glass and plastic — none of that flimsy business. Larger than the line’s cream eyeshadows, the blush is silicone-based, which both makes me wary of it and makes me want to touch it all the time.

In the Blush Crème Satin formula, Rose Eden is blindingly bright — the kind of bright that never captures quite right on camera, and almost makes you want to put sunglasses on in real life. And, you guys, it’s beautiful, blending out to the softest, prettiest pink with no more than a flick of the wrist. It’s unbelievably easy to work with, blending like velvet to a powdery, second-skin finish and layering just as easily.

The Blush Crème Satin is also available in Coral Paradise, a much more subdued shade — a sort of coral-nude, warmer and more natural than Rose Eden.

Lise Watier Blush Crème Satin ingredients:

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Propanediol Dicaprylate, Dimethicone/Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Beeswax, Silica, Carnauba Wax, Candelilla Wax, Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides, Polyglyceryl-6-Polyricinoleate, Tocopherol.

+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Iron Oxides, Red 6, Red 7, Red 28 Lake, Red 40 Lake.

Swatched L-R: Lise Watier Hydra Kiss Colour Balm in Rose Eden, Ombre Soufflé Suprême in Sortilège, and Blush Crème Satin in Rose Eden

The verdict?

BUY ALL THE THINGS.

I have literally never said that in a post before, but you guys — these are my highlights from Lise Watier’s summer launches. These are only the best of the very best, and I love them all (rather a lot). The jumbo lip pencil is beautifully fresh while still being elegant, the blush formula is literally the easiest one to work with that I have ever tried, and the eyeshadow — that’s just pretty. Really, really pretty.

Availability: the Hydra Kiss Colour Balms ($22 CAD) and Blush Crème Satin blushes ($24 CAD) are both limited edition until July, and I would absolutely recommend them both in Rose Eden if you can pull off pinks. The Sortilège Ombre Soufflé is permanent ($24 CAD), so you could wait for a sale (if you have that kind of restraint), and it would definitely suit warmer skintones better than the other two.

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Tags: /Cheeks, Eyes, Grouped reviews, Lips, Lise Watier, Product Photos, Product Review, Product Swatches, Spring/Summer 2014

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