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    Clarins Palette Eclat Face Blush & Powder review, swatches, photos | Clarins Rouge Eclat, Spring 2013

    Clarins Palette Eclat - Rouge Eclat Spring 2013 face palette

    The product: Clarins Palette Eclat Face Blush & Powder

    I’m not always the best at reviewing things right when they come out, and the Face & Blush Powder in the Clarins Rouge Eclat collection was no exception.

    That said, the tardiness is entirely my own issue — it says nothing (nothing!) about the product itself.

    Clarins Rouge Eclat Face & Blush Powder review

    Like many of Clarins’ other limited edition face powders, the Palette Eclat is a gorgeously intricate pressed powder marketed as a “Face & Blush Powder” — that is, you can use it sheerly over your entire complexion, or focus the product on the cheeks as a highlighter, bronzer, or blush (depending on your skintone) with a denser brush.

    Because I’m quite pale, I tend to use face-and-blush duos just on my cheeks, as warm blushers — you can see it used as a contouring blush in:

    (If you have a medium-deep complexion, Karen’s review on this blush at MABB is a can’t-miss!)

    Clarins Palette Eclat review, swatches

    Clarins Palette Eclat swatches: more pink vs. just beige.

    I’m in love with the scent of this season’s Clarins powder (it’s very noticeable, for a face powder; exquisitely blended powder and violets), but it’s definitely not the only thing to be smitten with. The matte finish blends in seamlessly with the skin, and the strips of colour are insanely pigmented — I thought they’d be an overspray, but they go right down & really influence the tone of the powder.

    With a focus on the coloured strips, you’ll get an intense pink cheek, with a little bit of a yellow/orange lean; with only the solid beige, you’ll get a soft, natural peach.

    Clarins Palette Eclat hand swatches

    Clarins Palette Eclat Face Blush & Powder swatches: just beige / just pink / whole pan

    Clarins Palette Eclat individual swatches

    Clarins Rouge Eclat collection Face Blush & Powder swatches

    Here’s the stunner, though: with a swipe across the whole pan, you’ll see a gorgeous peachy pink. (Imagine what would happen if you took a drop of fluorescent hibiscus pigment and diluted it with 10 drops of neutral-warm skin tones… and then add an extra five points for awesome.)

    (FOR AWESOME.)

    Clarins face powder review - Palette Eclat

    The verdict?

    If I could give a verdict as, “eeeee!”, I totally would. I am crazy about this powder — the price is reasonable for what you’re getting; the pigmentation and versatility are gorgeous; the design and scent are perfection. 

    I find it hard to write reviews for products wherein I literally cannot find a single bad thing to say about the product (because there’s a dearth of such products, not because they’re hard to write), but… well, this is one of the few. You need this. 

    Get it at:Nordstrom; Clarins counters. $35 USD/$40 CAD.

    P.S.: See all of our Clarins Palette Eclat features here!

    Keep reading! »

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    Vibrant blue eyeliner & bright white highlights | Just Cavalli/Lise Watier SS13

    !Into the blue

    At long last: an actual post!

    I’m not usually the biggest fan of blue, but the new Lise Watier Dramatique Intense Extra Smooth Liner in Bleu ($20 CAD) is definitely swaying me in its favour.

    !Just Cavalli SS13 makeup

    Paired with the Lise Watier Ombre Soufflé Suprême in Magie Blanche and Dramatique Intense 3D Volume Mascara in Noir (both also new for the spring), this look is based off of Benjamin Puckey’s SS13 Just Cavalli show, where MAC Marine Ultra Chromaline Eyeliner was applied in contrast to a pearly white pigment.

    The effect (at least, on the models) was gorgeous: bright-eyed, intense, and flattering on literally any eye shape.

    Read the full tutorial here on She Said Beauty.

    !Just Cavalli SS13 backstage MAC

    (via)

    I’m still not that crazy about Emerald, so the abundance of blue we’ve been seeing? Pretty great, if you ask me. Lise’s Bleu in particular really caught my eye, and I can honestly say that it is by far the most stunning eyeliner I own. In person, the colour is complex, vivid, and saturated in a way that my other liners just aren’t — it’s definitely not another boring blue.

    This look used two other products I’m pretty pleased with, as well: the L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening Mist (whose super-fine mist makes it my current go-to for dewy skin), and the gorgeously-fragranced Clarins Palette Eclat (which I’ve featured in a couple other posts, but still haven’t reviewed — sorry!)

    I don’t know. It’s soft, basic, easy; I’m kinda fond.

    !Lise Watier Dramatique Bleu liner : Just Cavalli makeup

    !Lise Watier SS13 vivid marine eyeliner

    Keep reading! »

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    The BaByliss Pro Perfect Curl: details, cost, & thoughts

    MAGIC.

    But also: terrifying. Can you imagine how damaging a malfunction could be? D:

    BaByliss Perfect Curl 2

    A description of the product:

    Featuring revolutionary new patented technology; this breath-takingly innovative styler is unbelievably simple and quick to use, creating beautiful results in no time. It will leave you and your clients speechless.

    Gentle, quick and easy, hair is automatically drawn into the ceramic curl chamber where it is softly held and heated from all directions. The hair is not put under any tension and it takes just seconds to form a perfect curl. It even has an audio beep indicator to remind you exactly when to release the hair. Experiment with the different settings to create a variety of looks from tight, more defined curls to softer loose waves. With 3 temperature settings, 3 timer settings and the option to select the curl direction, the artistic control is in your hands.

    From longer lengths to shorter styles, no matter what the hair type, the Perfect Curl will create shiny, long-lasting curls, every time. (via)

    BaByliss Perfect Curl

    The BaByliss Pro Perfect Curl will retail for £120.00 + VAT (about $218 USD) at Aston & Fincher, Capital Hair & Beauty, and Salon Services, and can produce loose waves, soft waves, or defined curls, at 190°C, 210°C or 230°C, depending on your hair type.

    Cool, right? It’s not for me (I feel like this would take longer than my eight-minute flatiron curls; also, $218 literally, like, 15 times the price of a basic Conair curling iron), but it’s definitely a very interesting, innovative product.

    I haven’t read any reviews yet, but I’ll be keeping an eye out! Hit us up in the comments if you’ve seen this one in real life ;)

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    The Giorgio Armani Acqua for Life Campaign (2013) | World Water Day

    Armani Acqua for Life - Gioia

    As you might have read on Friday, the 22nd was this year’s World Water Day — a day created by the United Nations to bring attention to the increasing demand for freshwater, one of the world’s (very) limited resources.

    The Giorgio Armani Acqua for Life Campaign approaches World Water Day from a different angle, though, and one that I think is immensely worthwhile. In conjunction with Green Cross International, the campaign aims to set up long-term equipment in communities across Ghana and Bolivia to allow access to the natural water reservoirs deep underground, bringing water to the areas where it’s needed on a more permanent basis.

    Giorgio Armani Acqua for Life 2013 for Her

    A bit of background

    800 million people worldwide live without access to clean drinking water, and every day, 4000 children die because of it. These figures are incredibly stark, and while the Acqua for Life campaign is barely a drop in the barrel in contrast with these figures, well — even a small impact can be a worthwhile one.

    In 2012, the equipment built through Acqua for Life campaign collected 52 million litres of drinking water, and will last 15 years.

    Giorgio Armani Acqua for Life Campaign

    How you can be part of the Acqua for Life Campaign

    For 2013’s Acqua for Life campaign (which launched on Friday), Armani has released their Acqua di Gio and Acqua di Gioia fragrances in limited-edition boxes — keep an eye out for that Acqua For Life Blue. The pricing and fragrance stay the same, but Armani will donate 100L of safe drinking water to children in need and their communities for each bottle sold.

    Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia fragrance EdP

    In addition to that, though, for every “like” the Giorgio Armani Fragrances Canada Facebook page gets before April 1st, they’ll donate an additional 50 litres of safe drinking water. It’s an easy way to help out the cause, even if you don’t care for either of the Acqua fragrances — and you don’t even have to leave the house to do it.

    Keep reading! »

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    The Biotherm Bottle a Day Challenge | World Water Day

    Biotherm - The Bottle a Day challenge

    World Water Day isn’t something that I’ve noticed in past, but it is absolutely on the forefront of my mind this year. Thanks to Biotherm (and Armani… more on that later today), I’ve read some really interesting material this past week, and it’s been quite an eye-opener.

    For those of you who don’t know (I didn’t!), World Water Day was created by the UN to raise awareness about the increasing demand for freshwater — and, of course, promote environmentally responsible water use.

    Blue, green, and grey water 630

    from Biotherm Canada – click to enlarge

    Like other skincare companies, Biotherm’s #1 raw material is water. So, for World Water Day this year, they’ve created a really interesting campaign: The Bottle a Day Challenge.

    The challenge asks consumers to fill a bottle with water (the super-cool glass bottle photographed here holds 500ml) and use only this amount for their nighttime beauty routine — washing up, cleansing your face, brushing your teeth, etc.

    Biotherm bottleaday

    Biotherm World Water Day 2013

    I apologize for not being able to find the time to write up this post earlier in the week, but all told, I don’t think it makes too much of a difference — after all, the challenge isn’t any less poignent now that the week is over, and I still urge you to give it a try.

    Could you get through your nightly skincare routine with just 500ml of water? I would love to read about your experience with the challenge.

    Feel free to tweet me at @theNotice to share your thoughts on the challenge (@BiothermCanada suggests using the hashtag #BottleaDay), or let me know how it went for you in the comments!

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    Giovanni 2chic Ultra-Moist Collection (Avocado & Olive Oil). Because… green?

    Givovanni Avocado & Olive Oil styling products

    With the March Sephora + Pantone Emerald launch (not to mention, this past St. Patrick’s Day) on my mind, I’ve found myself thinking rather a lot about green recently.

    Like, a lot. When you take into consideration the fact that I don’t even like green, it’s kind of a problem. 

    Giovanni 2chic Ultra-Moist haircare collection

    Anyhow: I haven’t tried out the Giovanni 2chic Ultra-Moist Collection yet, but it’s very green! Made for dry, damaged hair and normal to dry skin (there are a few body products in the range, too), I thought I’d share this avocado-and-olive-based collection with you today.

    No particular reason why; I was just really pleased with this particular shade of green today. Better than feeling blue!

    Giovanni avacado moisture hair mask

    The Ultra-Moist Dual Action Protective Leave-In Spray

    To: give a flexible, polished finish; protect hair from heat-styling; and add moisturizing, shiny, supple control. 4 fl oz.

    Aqua (Purified Water), Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5), Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Fragrance, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, *Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, *Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, *Litchi (Lychee) Chinensis Fruit Extract, *Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, *Chenopodium Quinoa Flower/Leaf Extract, *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, *Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil.

    *USDA Certified Organic

    Giovanni leave-in spray for dry, damaged hair

    The Ultra-Moist Deep Deep Moisture Hair Mask

    To: revitalize over-processed hair, with adorable green beads of avocado oil for extra moisture. (I think it’s hilarious and charming that this isn’t just deep… it’s deep deep. 5 fl oz.

    Keep reading! »

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    YSL Tie and Dye La Laque Couture | On Our Radar

    YSL La Laque Couture Tie and Dye

    I’m not really sure what’s going on here, and I think it’ll probably turn out to be very ill-advised, but: intrigue! Suspense! Potentially terror!

    What YSL has to say about the Tie and Dye La Laque Couture nail varnishes:

    “Inspired by the Couture Tie & Dye, YSL nail lacquer plays colour in gradation effect just like a sophisticated total look. The coloured base is covered by a “pop coat”for a sugary glossy result. Top Coat can also  be used alone for a “sheer” glittery result on the nails.”

    YSL Tie and Dye nail polish 02

    I’d like to see reviews for this one: if the concept works, it’s bound to be very cool, but I feel like we’re more likely to just end up with a lot of awkward swatches instead.

    $25 USD & limited edition, in four shades. Get it.

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    A Sephora + Pantone Makeup Look: Emerald (2013) // St. Patrick’s Day Makeup

    Pantone is totally just screwing with us

    I’m all about multi-tasking when it comes to posts, so  I couldn’t miss this chance to share a green look with you: not only is it totally appropriate for St. Patrick’s Day, but it features Pantone’s 2013 Colour of the Year, Emerald.

    Don’t miss this post on SSB for the full tutorial!

    Emerald eye makeup tutorial - Sephora + Pantone

    I kind of hate Pantone’s 17-5641 Emerald, to be totally honest, but I’m sucking it up for the time being. It’s not that I don’t love greens–I love a deep forest green, and I’m currently smitten with this grey-green polish–it’s just this green.

    The Sephora + Pantone Universe Emerald collection is undoubtedly gorgeous on some, but I just feel like it looks a little obnoxious on my skintone, you know? A little too bright, a little too blue.

    Emerald eye makeup look

    Sephora + Pantone Universe Emerald Color of the Year 2013 collection

    Bright lids & light lips

    I don’t often opt for a brighter version of something, but I really preferred this one — as gorgeous as the red lip was, I liked the vibrance of the monotone lid & shimmery, mid-toned lip.

    Sephora + Pantone Universe Color of the Year makeup look - Emerald 2013

    I layered the Sephora + Pantone Prismatic Shadow Block and Lightspeed Glitter Dust (both in Emerald) to get this eye, and I have to say: not really feeling either product.

    The Shadow Block in particular really grated on my nerves; for a Sephora cream eyeshadow (two things I’ve come to expect a lot from), I thought it went on rather patchy and oily, and creased like a terror.

    A darker lid & bold lip

    Green smokey eye makeup tutorial

    Keep reading! »

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    Clinique Chubby Stick Intense: review, swatches, & overall thoughts | Part 2/2

    Jumbo lip pencil colour balm review - Clinique Chubby Stick Intense

    The product: Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm

     in 01 Curviest Caramel, 02 Chunkiest Chili, 03 Mightiest Maraschino, 04 Heftiest Hibiscus, 05 Plushest Punch, 06 Roomiest Rose, 07 Broadest Berry, and 08 Grandest Grape.

    Psst: before you start in on this one, have you read our Chubby Stick Intense posts with full-face swatches & shade name mockery coverage?

    Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Fall 2012 review

    The formula

    Now, the shades and packaging of these are super-cute (of course), but what actually has me head over heels for them is the formula.

    Rich, moisturizing, and shockingly pigmented, the Intenses apply with buildable colour and settle well into the lips — I find the colour “sets” once applied, going on a little slippery but wearing with more of a satin-gloss finish (and without any colour displacement!) after 5-10 minutes.

    (Ingredients behind the cut.)

    Clinique Chubby Stick Intense review

    Clinique Chubby Stick tinted lip color balm review

    The wear

    I do find the formula of these varies a bit by shade, but not enough that I’d recommend some wholeheartedly and others not at all. Chunkiest Chili is a little gritty, for instance, and Grandest Grape is a little more slippery — I prefer a drier formula, which I found in Curviest Caramel, Heftiest Hibiscus, and Plushest Punch. (The latter two have much more opaque colour).

    Clinique Chubby Stick Intense shade range

    On the whole, however, the Clinique Chubby Stick Intenses last much longer than the original Chubby Sticks, starting off glossier and wearing into more of a stain, visually. I don’t find they really stain the lips, though — a bonus, if you want to be able to switch between colours through the day.

    I would put the wear time of these at 3-5 hours; I can make it to five with most of these as long as I’m not eating or drinking (or talking a lot), but I prefer to touch up around the three hour mark for more even colour and added moisture.

    The shades

    Clinique Chubby Stick Intense review swatches

    Clinique Chubby Stick Intense swatches – hover for shade name labels

    I’ve been getting the most wear out of 01 Curviest Caramel, a cream-finish natural lip shade with the perfect yellow-pink balance. It pairs well with both everyday makeup and a smokey eye (the sign of a truly great nude!) 02 Chunkiest Chili, on the other hand, gets almost no love; the the silver glitter adds a frosty finish to this understated, reddish base.

    Next,03 Mightiest Maraschino is a bright, shimmer-free red leaning more strawberry than vamp — perfect for both a lively holiday lip and a carefree summer pout. The real showstopper here, though, is 04 Heftiest Hibiscus. I hate most orange hues, but the pink-touched tangerine-hibiscus hues coming off on this one are so undeniable that I can’t help but pull it out again & again.

    Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Color Balm swatches

    Clinique Chubby Stick Intenses, swatched L-R: 01 Curviest Caramel,  02 Chunkiest Chili, 03 Mightiest Maraschino, 04 Heftiest Hibiscus, 05 Plushest Punch, 06 Roomiest Rose, 07 Broadest Berry, 08 Grandest Grape

    I think 05 Plushest Punch is going to fly off the shelves; a bright bold pink, it’s a vibrant shade that’s still easy to pull off, grabbing attention without verging on “obnoxious”. 06 Roomiest Rose is more subdued; darker, but still bright, it’s shot through with subtle shimmer that gives lovely depth (minus the frostiness of Chunkiest Chili).

    For a much more subdued (but still very noticeable) shade, 07 Broadest Berry is the Curviest Caramel version of a lip with colour: with brownish berry undertones, it’s very wearable, but still gives a lovely, defined lip.

    Finally, I found 08 Grandest Grape to be a little slippery at first (though, like the others, it does settle into the lips!), but it’s absolutely lovely — still very wearable; more of a crushed-berry stain than a theatrically purple lipstick.

    Don’t miss this post for full-face & lip swatches of the Intense lineup!

    Clinique Chubby Stick Intense packaging - twist-up pencil

    Tinted lip color balm - full coverage - review

    The verdict?

    The press materials for the Chubby Stick Intenses promise “the perfect marriage between a moisturizing lip balm and a full coverage lip colour,” and I think they absolutely deliver. Silly names aside, the shade range offers a gorgeous mix of brights with a couple great “everyday” shades to fall back on, and the formula is both intensely comfortable and high-impact.

    (What, did you seriously think I was going to make it through this entire review without using the word “intense”?)

    A few other things I love about these: the twist-up packaging (no product is lost to sharpening) and the scent-free, paraben-free formula.

    Availability: $16 USD/$19 CAD at Clinique (US), SephoraNordstrom, & Clinique counters.

    Additional photos, ingredients, & more »

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