FOTD: Everyday Makeup from Revlon

The kind folks at Revlon sent over some new products for me to play with a while back and the combination really makes for the perfect fuss-free everyday makeup. Not only that but a lot are from the ColorStay collection which is super long-wearing.

There's nothing easier than a creme eye shadow if you want to put something on fast and the ColorStay Crème Eye Shadow in Creme Brulee is the type of shade you can wear with pretty much everything. It's a shimmering champagne that on my slightly tan skin tone gives just the slightest hint of colour. Since it's budge-proof, it could also double as a base for powder shadows if you feel so inclined. The packaging comes with a little brush in the lid although I personally prefer to apply creme eye shadows with my fingers. I finished my eyes with the ColorStay Eyeliner in Black (not my fave -- I find the texture really hard and the colour doesn't go on smooth at all) and Volumazing Mascara in Blackened Brown (this is an average mascara but I didn't think it was particularly volumizing on my straight, sparse lashes).

On my face, I'm wearing the ColorStay Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin in Medium Beige. Love that there's a formulation for my skin type! The foundation isn't cakey although it doesn't stay perfectly matte on me, especially on the t-zone (always my problem area). Likely due to the SPF 15, there's also unfortunately a bit of flashback. I took my FOTD photo with my ring light and I swear it makes the foundation look a lot lighter than it does in person, so that's something to consider if you're wearing this one out at night. To create a bit of dimension, I used the Galaxy Dream Holographic Highlighting Palette which I have previously reviewed.

My favourite product of the bunch is what I'm wearing on my lips: the Revlon Kiss Cushion Lip Tint in Pink IRL. It's soooo nice! I originally thought it was going to be like a Lancome Juicy Shaker but those are a lot more sheer and glossy. This product has a sort of creamy formulation that feels hydrating on the lips and the colour payoff is great. This particular shade is a perfect everyday lip colour. I also love the sponge tip applicator and that fact that it smells like vanilla - yum!

FOTD: Stila "Vivid Labradorite"

Stila's Vivid & Vibrant Collection came out this Fall and features some really pretty jewel tones. In the midst of beautiful sapphires and jades, however, I was drawn to the shade Vivid Labradorite, which is a cool metallic grey... perfect for creating a smokey eye for any holiday parties you might have coming up.

The shade comes in a few products, including an Eyeshadow Duo and the two I received from a media preview a while back: Shimmer & Glow Eye Shadow and Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner. I've never really been a fan of liquid eye shadow but the Shimmer & Glow is actually quite a nice product. The doe foot applicator delivers concentrated pigment that feels like nothing on the lids and you don't have to deal with any fallout like you would with a powder. It dries to a non-transferable finish, but if you work fast you can easily use your finger to blend it in or with another colour. The Smudge Stick glides on smoothly but I wouldn't say it's long-wearing despite being waterproof... ironically, it smudges considerably after a long day.

For my "Vivid Labradorite" makeup look I wanted to use a few other Stila products I've been excited about, namely the Heaven's Hue Highlighter in the cult classic shade, Kitten. This shimmery nude is the palest of pink and is a perfect complement to the Kitten Eye Shadow that I ran along my bottom lashes.

On my lips, I'm wearing the Stay All Day Lipstick in Fia, described by Stila as a "neutral nude." I'm pretty tan from my honeymoon (more on that coming soon but you can see some preview pictures on my Instagram) so on me it runs more brown and kind of makes me feel like I'm living in the 90s. While I prefer more traditional lipsticks, Stila's formula has always been a favourite. It's pigmented and although it dries a creamy matte, it doesn't feel drying or uncomfortable.

P.S. Can you believe it's already December and Christmas is basically a few weeks away? This year has just flown by!!

FOTD: Revlon Photoready Insta-Filter Foundation & Exactify Liquid Liner

You may have seen the ads and articles promoting the graphic eyeliner trend as the hot new makeup look of the season. I'm personally unsure about it off-the-runway, but if you're wanting to try it out for yourself, Revlon's new Exactify Wheel Tip Liquid Liner is aimed at making it easy as pie. The applicator reminds me of a tiny pizza cutter and proved difficult to work with for my standard thick cat eye (would be good if you're making a thin line that you don't need to build up). The formula applies super wet so you have to make sure not to blink and get it everywhere but when it dries, it does become smudge-proof. I'm not sold on this liner but it certainly has a specific target demographic.

In addition to the liner, Revlon sent over some products to help me achieve a "Minimalist Graphic Goddess" FOTD. The focus is on simplicity -- effortless skin with an accentuated graphic glaze.

As a base, I used the new Revlon Photoready Insta-Filter Foundation which comes in a sponge tip applicator. I hate sponge tip applicators... there's really no way of keeping them clean when they are attached to the product and overall it just seems unsanitary. The sponge does apply the product really well since it's a bit like a Beauty Blender but, ugh, how am I supposed to clean it?? It's a shame too because I really like this foundation. It's not too heavy, coverage is nice, and the finish really does give the skin a soft filter effect.

I filled in my brows with Anastasia Brow Wiz and then topped them with the ColorStay Brow Mousse. If you have sparse brows like I do, there's no way of using this brow mousse alone because it won't fill them in. The applicator is also super finicky... you twist the base of the brush to dispense the mousse (it gets pushed through the brush tip) but you have to be careful not to dispense too much or you'll end up with globs of product.

On my lashes, I'm wearing the Mega Multiplier Mascara. I've heard this mascara is pretty hit or miss with some people loving it and others really hating it. I'm neutral; it worked fine for me and I do like the brush.

On my lips, I'm wearing Super Lustrous Lipstick in Pink in the Afternoon. Aside from the foundation (minus the sponge applicator), this was my favourite product. You can't go wrong with a good lipstick and I like both the colour and formula of this one. The Super Lustrous Lipstick is classic Revlon and there's good reason for it.

Lastly, gotta have a mani to match! I'm wearing the Nail Enamel in Copper Penny which was an easy two-coater.

Overall, it's nice that Revlon is trying to innovate with their products and offer more as a drugstore line but, for the most part, the innovations were a big fail to me (built-in sponge tip foundation applicator, wheel tip liner, twisty brush brow mousse). However, the product formulations themselves are good for the most part and you can't go wrong with classic Revlon in terms of quality and price.

FOTD: Stila Matte 'N Metal Eye Shadow Palette

I love a good summer collection and Stila has some great new offerings I think people will really be into, including the Matte 'N Metal Eye Shadow Palette, Heaven's Hue Highlighter, and Color Balm Lipstick.

First up, the palette! I'm never one to say "no" to a good palette and I was pretty excited about this one. It comes housed in Stila's signature gold plastic packaging with a full-size mirror on the inside. The idea behind the shades is that you can mix and match however you want... maybe you want an all matte look, maybe you want an all metallic look, or maybe you want both!

If you're stuck, the shades are also arranged in coordinated order: three columns (top to bottom instead of by row) of four shadows for three different looks. The first look is a cool toned pewter, the second is a pink rose gold, and the third is a golden bronze. My swatches below are based on the three columns going from left to right.

The shades in the Matte 'N Metal Palette are right up my alley -- a mix of neutral mattes and some "metals" for a pop. However, as you can see from the swatches, not all the shadows apply that well. Some of the mattes are quite chalky, especially the lighter ones like Vintage, Velvet, and Feathered. The metallics are also patchy in the lighter shades, although they're a bit more forgiving since they can be easily blended.

Despite the disappointing swatches, I actually didn't have that much trouble once mixing the shades together for a makeup look though.

On my eyes, I'm wearing the four eye shadows from the middle column of the Matte 'N Metal Palette (with Sizzle smudged on as the bottom liner) which is the rose gold theme. I did my typical cat eye with my Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper and topped it off with some Ardell Faux Mink false lashes (which are, by the way, super comfortable and lightweight).

On my face, I kept things glowy with the new Stila Heaven's Hue Highlighter in Bronze. The texture is really similar to Stila's Perfectly Poreless Putty Perfector. It's bouncy, lightweight, and blends in really easily. It's definitely going to be a staple in my makeup arsenal this summer.

On my lips, I'm wearing Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Misty which is a pale barely there pink. Honestly, it's more a lip balm than a lipstick in this shade but I like it since it keeps my lips moisturized and is made with yummy peppermint oils.

Pixi Beauty is back in Canada!

Canadians may remember our short-lived access to Pixi Beauty before all the Target stores closed down... well, the brand is finally back and this time you can find it nationwide at Shoppers Drug Mart. I never got a chance to try their products before so when I attended the Pixi Beauty Vancouver Launch Party last month and came home with all sorts of goodies, I couldn't wait to put them to the test.

The brand's lineup seems mostly focused on skincare, though there is makeup as well (more on that below). Glow Tonic (250 mL/$38 CAD) is one of their star offerings (I was lucky enough to receive a personalized bottle!) and exfoliates without any alcohol to dry out your skin. I have also really been loving the Vitamin Wakeup Mist ($20 CAD) which is made with orange blossom and citrus extracts. I spritz it on my face throughout the day to feel more refreshed.

As a sucker for packaging, I think Pixi Beauty's green-themed packaging is super cute and seems to fit well with the brand's philosophy of incorporating botanicals and other beneficial ingredients into its products. You also don't really see this colour too often (except maybe old school Clinique), which makes it more unique. I checked out Pixi Beauty's new display at my local Shoppers Drug Mart and it was definitely very eye-catching.

I decided to put together a FOTD using products I received from the Vancouver Launch Party and the result was something totally natural and wearable. If you like fuss-free makeup with a focus on skincare, Pixi Beauty has a lot to offer.

On my face, I started with a layer of the Flawless & Poreless Primer ($30 CAD). It applied nicely although I prefer the more mattifying properties my Make Up For Ever Step 1 Ski  Equalizer Mattifying Primer (used here). In this case, you'll see that I was going for a more dewy look anyway with the H2O Skintint ($34 CAD). The result is a "no makeup" effect with a lot of hydration and a natural glow.

On my eyes, I used the Mesmerizing Mineral Palette in Mineral Contour ($16 CAD), which was perfect for a neutral-loving girl like me. For mineral shadows, they are surprisingly pigmented and I didn't even use them wet! The Endless Silky Eye Pen ($16 CAD) is a long-wearing gel pencil that applied like a dream and I skipped mascara, using the Black Lacquer Lash Primer ($20 CAD) alone instead. With any mascara layered on top, I'm sure lashes will just pop.

On my lips, I'm wearing the Mattelustre Lipstick in Rose Naturelle ($16 CAD). I love the colour although I thought it would be more matte than it is. Apparently it's meant to have an "adjustable finish" and to get it matte, you can blot it with your fingers.

I honestly really like everything that I've tried so far and am looking forward to experimenting more with the brand. The slightly higher price point initially surprised me (most of the skincare is in the $20-35 CAD range) but I've noticed a lot of drugstore products aren't even really that cheap anymore, so these prices are probably pretty standard. Plus, with Pixi Beauty, at least you are getting quality and cute packaging in one.

FOTD: Romantic But Understated Makeup for Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! In the past, I've done themed nail art but this year I wanted to pull together a romantic but understated pink-based makeup look which turned out just perfect for date night.

On my face, I'm wearing bareMinerals BAREPRO Performance Wear Powder Foundation in Aspen 04 which packs all the goodness of mineral makeup into a pressed compact for easy of use and portability. I applied it using the accompanying bareMinerals BAREPRO Core Coverage Brush and I like that the foundation provides enough coverage to even out my skin tone without looking cakey. For a neutral cheek, I am wearing Burberry Light Glow Earthy Blush 07 and Benefit Watt's Up! highlighter on my cheekbones.

On my eyes, I opted for a matte look using colours from my Urban Decay Naked3 Palette (seen here). I applied Limit at the base, Strange to highlight, blended Nooner and Darkside into the crease, and smudged Burnout along my bottom lashes.  Next, I created a small winged liner look with my go-to Kat Von D Ink Liner in Trooper before applying ESQIDO lashes in Lash Named Desire (ESQIDO's new Companion Long Lasting Bond eyelash glue is amazing, by the way). My eyebrows are a mix of Anastasia Brow Wiz topped with brow powder from local Vancouver business, Bombay Brow Bar.

Lastly, I lined my lips with MAKE UP FOR EVER High Precision Lip Pencil in #10 (seen here) and topped it with bareMinerals Gen Nude Matte Liquid Lip Colour in "Frenemy". If you haven't tried bareMinerals liquid lipstick line yet, I highly recommend it. All the colours are super wearable and so pretty!

FOTD: Teeez Cosmetics Fashion Vendetta Collection

I was recently sent a number of products from Teeez Cosmetics, a European makeup brand hailing from the Netherlands. Inspired by global runway trends, Teeez releases four new fashion-inspired collections every year with its latest one being the Fashion Vendetta Collection.

The first thing I noticed when I opened up my package was obviously the packaging. I mean, we all know I'm a sucker for packaging and there is no denying that these products are seriously gorgeous.

While the compacts are made with a typical shiny plastic, the lip products feature a more nubby matte feel (think NARS) which makes my tactile-loving self unable to stop touching them. Hmm... does that sound a little creepy?

The Fashion Vendetta Collection also features three different types of lip products to choose from depending on your favourite finish: Material Girl (creamy and hydrating), Read My Lips (satin matte), and Serial Lip Stain (a true matte).

I couldn't wait to play with everything so pulled together an easy but glowy makeup look. On my eyes, I am wearing the To Die For Eyeshadow Quad in "Cinnamon Revolution" which is truly the perfect set of neutrals. These shadows have a harder texture which left me a little concerned that they wouldn't apply well but, once on, you can see that they are actually quite pigmented.

Since I'm not a big fan of looking shiny I rarely wear highlighters, but I couldn't resist the Style Addict Highlighter in "Berlin Sunrise". It's a lightweight cream with micro pearlized pigments so the result really does leave you with a nice radiant glow.

To finish off, I went with the Serial Lip Stain in "Faux Pas". If you like matte opaque lip colours, you need to try this lip stain! Although I could feel it drying on my lips after application (you know that kind of tightening feeling you get with matte lip products?), it actually was very comfortable once on and I didn't feel like my lips were too dry throughout the day. 

In Canada, Teeez Cosmetics are available exclusively at select Hudson's Bay stores and thebay.com.

FOTD: Kiss New York Professional Cosmetics & Natural Flourish Blooming Lash

Aside from Makeup Revolution, one of the other hot new launches I got to preview at the London Drugs Beauty Event (#LDBeauty) a few months ago was Kiss New York Professional Cosmetics. If the logo looks familiar to you, you might recognize it from the company's popular lineup of false nails and false lashes; and now they've released a line of makeup as well!

I received a selection of products to play with and decided to create a full face look since I haven't done one in a while.

On my eyes, I am wearing the Single Eyeshadow in "Insomnia" which is a shimmery copper shade. Kiss Pro Cosmetics offers a staggering array of single eyeshadows (literally every colour of the rainbow) and I was really impressed with the pigmentation and formula. Next, I used the Top Brow Sculpting Brow Pencil to shape my brows and then filled them in with the Top Brow Fine Precision Brow Pencil. The Fine Precision Brow Pencil is the closest dupe I have found to my fave Anastasia Brow Wiz and at half the price!

To add some dimension to my face, I used the Contour Kit in "Light". It features a highlighter, bronzer, and contour shade and also comes with a free brush. This kit is probably a little too light for my summer tan but a great option if you're on the paler side.

On my lips, I applied the Moisture Tattoo Lip Stain in "Pink Punk". In the tube it looks like it's going to be creamy so I was surprised once it was finally on. The result is a glossy pout that dries down to a natural-looking pink stain with wear.

To finish off the look, I decided to experiment with some falsies I received last week at the Kiss Fall/ Holiday 2016 Preview. This Fall, Kiss is launching a line called Natural Flourish Blooming Lash. All the lashes in this collection feature a 3-level variation on a single lash band to mimic the way lashes normally grow and create a more multi-dimensional look from the side when worn. Each package comes with adhesive and they do feel quite light and comfy on. I'm wearing the style "Jasmine."

Find Kiss New York Professional Cosmetics at London Drugs.

Stila Perfect Me, Perfect Hue Lip & Cheek Palette in Tan/Deep

Stila Cosmetics recently launched their fun new Perfect Me, Perfect Hue Lip & Cheek Palettes and I'm betting these are going to be super hot sellers this summer. After all, who doesn't love an easy-to-use palette?

There are four to choose from based on skin tone (Fair/Light, Light/Medium, Medium/Tan, and Tan/Deep), each curated for a harmonious look. For something more natural, pick the palette that matches your skin tone. For something more dramatic, pick a palette deeper than your skin tone. I personally like more dramatic eye makeup so it worked out great that I received the palette in Tan/Deep from a press preview a few weeks ago.

The square palette comes in Stila's new signature gold packaging. It's lightweight but still feels sturdy and fits really nicely in the palm of your hand. Inside each palette you'll find five eye shadows and two blushes.

The Tan/Deep palette features the most vibrant of all the shades available since it's obviously intended for darker skin tones. It includes: Imaginative (base), Brilliant (highlight), Flirty (crease), Adventurous (lid), Mesmerizing (liner), Vibrant (blush), and Witty (blush).

Stila's Colour True pigments are triple milled for exceptional saturation and vividness. I was very impressed with the formula of both the eyeshadows and blushes... you really don't need a base (although I still prefer one). I used all of the eyeshadows for the FOTD below according to the guide on the back of the palette, as well as Vibrant blush. As you can see, it's quite a copper-based look (largely due to Adventurous on the lid) but still works with my lighter skin tone regardless.

For makeup junkies, I think it'll be hard to resist wanting to collect all four of these palettes! At an SRP of $51 they are a bit pricy but totally justifiable since you're getting a full eye & cheek look in one.

In Canada, you can find these at Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale, and beautyBOUTIQUE.ca.

FOTD: Annabelle Smokey Nudes Eyeshadow Palette

Annabelle Cosmetics had a bunch of new releases last Fall (I know, I'm super late on this... bad beauty blogger...) including the Smokey Nudes Eyeshadow Palette, a new drugstore entry in the neutral palette game. There can never be enough of these, can there?

Smokey Nudes features 10 shadows in a range of warm and cool tones from light to dark, clearly aimed for maximum versatility. The texture is on the dry and powdery side, but this makes it easy to blend. I found the pigmentation to be decent though the shadows are not opaque enough if you're looking for a very dramatic effect. However, retailing for only $12.95 CAD, this is a great offering if you want a starter palette of neutral shades without the pricing of an Urban Decay Naked Palette.

In addition to Smokey Nudes, Annabelle released some other eye products that I was pretty excited to try out. The Instaglam Kajal is a 2-in-1 with a thick felt tip liner on one end and a twist-up kajal for the waterline on the other end.

And then there were the brow products! The Stay Sharp Long Wearing Brow Liner is a waterproof brow pencil with a twist (literally). The innovative cap sharpens the retractable pencil every time the cap is twisted back on and somehow keeps the shavings in there too. For a cheaper alternative to the Anastasia Brow Wiz (my current HG eyebrow pencil), the Skinny Brow Liner is quite impressive. The actual product is almost identical to the Brow Wiz, although the brow shaping comb at the end is kind of useless (the Brow Wiz has a spooly which is much more effective).

I used all of these products for the above FOTD and was able to achieve a very wearable neutral eye look (basically what I wear on the daily). Overall, I'd say these are some good drugstore alternatives to more pricier options, and from a lovely Canadian company to boot!

FOTD: Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation

After this look garnered so many compliments, I have become slightly more comfortable with the whole red lip thing (also, not gonna lie, but every time I think about wearing red lipstick, I totally sing that line from Taylor Swift's "Style" in my head). So, since red lips and black liner are makeup bag staples, I decided to do a simple but classic FOTD featuring some products I was sent from MAKE UP FOR EVER.

You may recall my feature of MUFE's new Ultra HD Foundation from the summer, but did you know there's also an Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation? The Ultra HD Foundation line is specially formulated to be undetectable even under 4K digital technology and while the stick foundations don't come in as many shades as the liquid version, the selection is still very good. I found the formulation a little on the thick side with a fuller coverage that blended well into my skin, and I was also impressed at how good the colour match was. However, this is definitely formulated for those with normal to dry skin because I found it way too much for my oily/combination skin. Even with powder on top, I was a greasy mess after an hour. Yuck. Hopefully MUFE comes out with a demi-matte or matte version for those of us who prefer those finishes.

To complete the look, I used the Aqua Eyes Liner in Matte Black and Smoky Extravagant Mascara. The liner is a rich, dark black that doesn't smudge but I did find the texture a bit hard and not as creamy as I like (there was some tugging upon application). The mascara has a great cone-shaped brush for precision application and the formula is good. I'm picky with mascaras since many don't work for me but I have no complaints about this one!

When you're doing a bold lip, a good lip liner is key to lock in the colour and keep it looking vibrant throughout the day. The Aqua Lip Waterproof Lipliner in True Red definitely delivers in this respect. It's super pigmented and stayed on, even when my lipstick (Rouge Artist Intense in Moulin Rouge) wore off after eating.

FOTD: Pur Minerals Love Your Selfie Palette & Air Perfection CC Cushion Foundation

I am a sucker for a good makeup palette (who isn't?) and the Pur Minerals Love Your Selfie is ranking at the top of my favourites right now. It, along with the new Air Perfection CC Cushion Foundation, was my first introduction to the Pur Minerals and I love both products a ton.

Love Your Selfie comes housed in cardboard packaging with a huge mirror (complete with #PURselfie printed at the bottom). The stars of the palette are 8 limited edition eyeshadows: Exposure (a matte yellow-cream), Fade (a matte flesh tone), Filter (a shimmery light brown), Photobomb (a purple-brown with flecks of shimmer), Flash (a peachy gold), Capture (a matte light taupe), Sepia (a matte reddish brown), and Closeup (a matte black). They are all incredibly pigmented, buttery soft, and apply like a dream.

This palette is perfect for travelling because it has almost everything you need for a complete look inside. For contour or a sunkissed glow, there is the Mineral Glow and if you want a subtle highlight, the Afterglow Illuminating Powder gives the illusion of a dewy complexion. Savvy Blush is a matte rose colour which will suit pretty much any skin tone.

To finish off, the Pur Minerals best-selling Big Look Mascara is a nice formula that thankfully does not cause my stick straight lashes to droop, and Chateau Kisses Lip Plumping Lipgloss in Exposed is a great "my lips but better" with high shine but none of the stickiness. I don't wear gloss very often but I found this very comfortable on and actually got a ton of compliments on it. Plus, it smells really good, like vanilla candy.

If you're stumped on what look to do, Love Your Selfie also comes with a handy instructional card that explains how to create a photo-friendly daytime look (Earlybird) and photo-friendly nighttime look (Slumber).

I wanted some drama, so for today's FOTD I opted for Slumber even though I totally ended up wearing this makeup to work. I started with Filter all over the lid, Exposure as a brow bone highlight, Closeup along the crease, Photobomb on the outer and inner corners, and Sepia along the lower lash line. Next, I applied Afterglow Illuminating Powder to highlight and topped with Savvy Blush on the apples of my cheeks before finishing up with the Big Look Mascara and the Lip Gloss in Exposed.

To get the perfect base, I used the Air Perfection CC Cushion Foundation applied with Liquid Chisel Brush. Similar to the Stila Eye Liner I recently reviewed, the Air Perfection CC Cushion Foundation features the cushion technology that has been popular in Asia for a number of years. The compact comes with a sponge but I prefer to use a brush... either way, it not messy at all (there is a closable lid that separates the sponge from the product) and is an easy way to apply liquid foundation.

The formula is mousse-like and very light with sheer to medium coverage. It's not matte but not dewy, and as you'll note from the "CC" in its name, is made with ingredients that are supposed to have additional benefits for your skin. These include Vitamin B3 to soothe irritation, Sodium Hyaluronate to plump and soften the look of lines, Mango Seed Oil to moisturize, and Sea Buckthorn Oil with its anti-aging amino acids and vitamins. Overall, I really like the foundation even though it does not deliver my preferred matte finish because it feels nice on and doesn't leave my face looking like an oily, greasy mess at the end of the day. In fact, my raves about this foundation apparently worked, because one of my friends is now using it based solely on my recommendation!

Find Pur Minerals exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Stila Fall 2015 Modern Goddess Collection

The Modern Goddess Collection is Stila's Fall 2015 release and, to be completely honest, I find it a bit surprising (and not necessarily in a good way). I am used to seasonal collections with a lot of colour, a range of eye shadows, and at least a lip product of some sort. Modern Goddess has absolutely none of that. Instead, the focus is on flawless bronzed skin, with the only colour coming in the form of a liquid eye liner.

That liquid eye liner is the Got Inked Cushion Eye Liner, which comes in 6 shades, with the most stunning of those shades being Amethyst Ink. It's a deep purple with a very slight metallic shimmer. The formula is long-wearing but does require a some layering since I found it sheerer than I would have liked.

What's most innovative about this liner, however, is that it uses the cushion technology that some of you might remember from the Asian cushion foundations that have been popular for years. The dispenser is a cushion-y sponge saturated in product, so when you press your brush into it you get just the right amount. I recommend using the accompanying La Quill Precision Eye Liner Brush, which is perfect for getting a thick cat eye.

Along with the cushion eye liner, Stila has also introduced its new Perfectly Poreless Putty Perfector. Blending a traditional pressed powder with a cream foundation, the result is a texture unlike any I have ever felt before. It's so hard to describe but think of something slightly wetter than a pressed powder that has a "bouncy" feel. The coverage is pretty good and feels lightweight. However, I think this product is better suited to normal/dry skin since I noticed my skin getting shiny not long after application. That means an additional powder is necessary for us combination/oily skin girls, which essentially negates the 2-in-1 benefits of this product. All in all, I love the feel and the innovation, but I don't love the Perfectly Poreless Putty Perfector -- on me, anyway.

What I do love is the Wonder Brush for Face & Body. In fact, it appears my two favourite products from the Modern Goddess Collection are the brushes. The Wonder Brush feels nice and weighty, and is ergonomically designed to fit into your hand. The synthetic bristles are short and dense, and it can be used with all kinds of products, from powders to liquids and creams. It is also great for bronzing and contouring with something like the Stay All Day Contouring Bronzer, a matte-satin powder that can be used to sculpt and shape both the face and body.

The last two products in the Modern Goddess Collection are for the lashes. My first foray into fiber lashes was very recent (see here), so I was interested in seeing how the Lash Stunner Extreme Lash Primer stacked up. Instead of just being fibers, these are fibers in a brown cream, so you get some colour at the same time. The brown is still lighter than my naturally black lashes so I probably wouldn't wear this alone.

On top, I layered the HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara. A blend of soft, malleable waxes, this mascara is supposed to make lashes look fuller and bigger. While it does do that, like most mascaras I encounter, it did not hold a curl at all. If you have straight Asian lashes, I do not recommend this because the formula will weigh your lashes down. I had to re-curl after application which I hate doing since it often results in accidentally yanking out precious lashes.

Above, I'm wearing all of the products in Modern Goddess, which I received from a media preview last month. But see what I mean about this being kind of a weird collection? There's hardly any colour apart from the eye liner. I know collections don't necessarily need to cater to the creation of entire FOTDs, but why are there no lip products? I'm actually wearing the lip combination from this post, in case you were wondering, because the entire look, plain as it is, did not look complete with bare lips. 

Final thoughts: Stila has introduced some interesting products which I'm sure fans will love, especially if you like new formulas and packaging, but this is simply not a cohesive collection. It might have made more sense to simply roll out the new products without lumping them together.

Grey Hair + New MAKE UP FOR EVER Releases (Ultra HD Foundation & Pro Bronze Fusion)

First things first -- surprise, I have grey hair! I have been trying to achieve this silver/grey look for a while now (you may recall my most recent attempt), and I'm so happy my stylist and I were finally able to reach my "goal" hair. Unfortunately, silver/grey hair is incredibly difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to maintain (you need to tone it every couple weeks, be careful about over-washing, etc.) so this will sadly be a short-lived look for me. 

Secondly, MAKE UP FOR EVER has been killing it with their releases this year so I wanted to put together an entire look featuring their products, including some exciting new ones. 

In particular, the new Ultra HD Foundation is the company's latest innovation and an update to their iconic HD Foundation. The formula is meant to be so seamless it can't be detected by cameras, many of which are starting to feature new 4K technology for extreme detail and clarity. The foundation comes in a staggering 40 shades but even if you're a bit off in picking the right shade for your skin tone, they  do blend really well. I find the consistency much more watery than I am used to and the coverage is sheer to medium with a finish that is neither dewy not matte. If you like lightweight foundations, this is a great option but I don't think this will be an everyday foundation for me as I have oily skin and prefer a heavier matte look. If your skin tends to get oily, this also doesn't have any mattifying properties (although it is oil-free). I personally like to wear MUFE's Step 1 Skin Equalizer Mattifying Primer underneath, which is currently my go-to primer.

To add some colour to this makeup look, I applied a blend of Pro Bronze Fusion, MUFE's new bronzer line, in Sand (20M) and Cinnamon (25I). This bronzer has a unique gel-powder formulation and a wavy surface pattern specially designed for optimal powder pick-up. I typically use a MAC 187 Duo Fibre brush to apply my blush and bronzer but that won't work for this product since it's not a dry powder. Instead, a dense kabuki brush like the 136 Pro Bronze Kabuki Brush is perfect for picking up and depositing colour precisely.

I wanted to add a bit of drama to my eyes so I opted for a layered cat eye featuring the Aqua Matic Waterproof Glide-On Eye Shadows in Diamond Light Turquoise (D-21) and Matte Black (M-11). The sharp points make it easy to get a precise line and I love that there is a built-in sharpener in the bottom of the pencil. These shadows are incredibly pigmented and don't budge at all. They were actually a bit difficult to remove but thankfully nothing a little cleansing oil can't help with.

On my lips, I'm wearing the Aquarouge Waterproof Liquid Lip Color in Cool Candy Pink (21). I usually don't like long-wearing stain/balm combos but this product is definitely an exception. The pink colour is applied with a doe-foot applicator and it didn't feel tight as it dried like a lot of other similar products I've tried. The best part, however, is the clear gloss that goes on top. It's super shiny and not sticky at all, making for a really comfortable wear. I wore this lip all day and it held up really well so I was very impressed.

Burberry Beauty FOTD: Neutral Makeup & Red Lips, plus My Burberry EDT

Burberry Beauty is quickly becoming one of my favourite cosmetics lines -- to the surprise of no one, I'm sure. Since my last Burberry FOTD was on the girly pink/purple side, this time I wanted to do something a bit more classic, keeping in line with the brand's clean and low-fuss philosophy.

On my face, I am wearing the Velvet Foundation in Trench No. 206, which I posted my thoughts about here. On my cheeks, I am wearing Light Glow Natural Blush in Earthy Blush No. 07. Being a matte taupe, I wasn't sure how this would look on my skin since these types of shades can end up looking muddy. Turns out I really like it! It's more neutral that I typically wear but gives a nice subtle contour.

For my eyes, I kept things very simple with a basic wash of Eye Colour in Tea Rose No. 200. Pinks can be a hard to wear sometimes but this one thankfully does not make me look like I'm dead or like I have pink eye. On my brows, I am wearing the Effortless Brow Definer in Sepia No. 2. It's a brow powder in pencil form that also has a bit of a waxy texture. I personally prefer a thinner pencil like the Anastasia Brow Wiz because it allows me to fill in the sparser areas of my brows with very small strokes. However, this Burberry one is a great pick if you only need a bit of definition and some taming.

With all my makeup looking quite neutral, I wanted to go bolder with my lips. This meant a wash of Burberry Kisses in Military Red No. 109, a bold red. You may have noticed that I almost never wear red lipstick. While so many people can pull it off, it's not really "me"... I much prefer my pinks and corals. However, the Burberry Kisses line is great because it applies on the sheerer side and can be built up for a more opaque, glossy colour.

For an additional pop of colour, I love the Iconic Colour Nail Polish in Imperial Blue No. 429 which is currently rivalling one of my other favourite blue polishes (AVON Gel Finish in Royal Vendetta). The formula on Burberry's polishes is really nice: creamy and more on the thick side so you don't need to layer on too many coats.

In the below picture, I'm also holding a bottle of the new My Burberry Eau de Toilette. I featured the Eau de Parfum version of this scent a few months ago but the EDT is a new release that's a bit lighter and brighter than the EDP. The overall essence is still the same, however, with its heady floral notes that were inspired by the iconic Burberry trench coat.

Burberry Beauty is available exclusively at The Bay in Richmond Centre. My Burberry EDT can also be found at The Bay, Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Murale.