MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Nude Creme Liquid Lipsticks

You can't go wrong with a classic nude lip... it's the perfect complement to a "no makeup makeup" look or to pair with a bold eye. And now, thanks to the pros at MAKE UP FOR EVER, it's easier than ever to find your perfect nude with the new Artist Nude Creme liquid lipsticks. The line of shades was designed specially to match a wide range of skin tones. After all, what looks like a nude lip on me probably won't look the same on you!

I was very impressed with the range which really is quite inclusive... not just a bunch of lipsticks designed for pale skin. However, you don't need to stick to a classic nude that matches your skin tone if you don't want to -- the shades are all really nice and wearable.

MUFE sent me a couple to try out and I picked 01 (Uncovered), the lightest shade, and 09 (Pure), which is really targeted towards a darker skin tone. For reference in the swatches below, I am a little tan right now since it's summer and probably around a MAC NC25.

Make Up  For Ever Artist Nude Creme in 01 (Uncovered)

Make Up For Ever Artist Nude Creme in 09 (Pure)

I found the darker shade, 09 Pure, transferred rather easily and got on my teeth which was not a problem with the lighter shade, 01 Uncovered. I do think this can easily be fixed next time I wear it by using a lipliner and a two step blotting application process. Personally, however, I will probably get the most use out of 01 Uncovered since I tend to gravitate towards light peachy shades.

Conclusion: the Artist Nude Creme lipsticks are sooooo nice. They are extremely pigmented and opaque with a creamy, satin finish. Although they aren't glossy, there is a bit of a shine and they feel hydrating on the lips. At $25 CAN, I'd say these are in line with the type of quality you can expect from MUFE as well. Find the whole lineup at Sephora.

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!

Drugstore Highlighters You Need Right Now

Brands like BECCA have made a name for themselves in the highlighter world but the truth is, you can find some real gems at more affordable prices from tried-and-true drugstore brands like Revlon and CoverGirl too. I received these two palettes from the London Drugs #LDBeauty event I attended a few months back and if you can't live without that glow, you need to check them out!

Revlon Galaxy Dream Holographic Highlighting Palette | CoverGirl TruBlend Super Stunner Palette

The CoverGirl TruBlend Super Stunner Palette in "It's Lit" ($12.99 CAD) features three different highlighting powders that you can use alone or together for either a natural or dramatic look. This particular palette is targeted towards fair/light skin tones (there is another one called "Glowing Up" for medium/dark skin tones). My skin is more on the medium side so these shades are a little light for me but I can still make them work, especially during the Winter months when I don't have a tan.

Side note: is anyone else loving the CoverGirl rebrand? The logo and packaging are much more minimalist and I think they look great.

If you're a fan of texture like I am, you will probably love this CoverGirl palette. The powder feels buttery soft (is there anything more satisfying?), which makes for easy blending. The finishes also vary depending on the look you're going for; the far left is more of a subtle sheen whereas the far right one is for when you want that glitter bomb look without giant flecks of glitter all over the place. In my opinion, it's a nice and simple everyday palette.

For more experienced highlighter queens who want to go beyond your "basic" highlight, the Revlon Galaxy Dream Holographic Highlighting Palette ($19.99 CAD) is the one for you. I honestly didn't know what to expect when I first opened the packaging because on its face, the shades look pretty flat and bland in the pan. Was I ever wrong... 

Once swatched, I was totally shocked to see these highlighters come to life. Despite looking chalky, they were surprisingly blendable. Plus, they are made with duo chrome pearls for a multi-faceted, prismatic glow. Each shade looks a little different depending on which way you're facing in the light... the effect is truly incredible. The green-toned one seems like it might be hard to use on the daily, but if you're into the whole mermaid/unicorn look, these highlighters will get you there fast.

Find both of these palettes at your local drugstore and online at London Drugs.

Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Last-Minute Shoppers: Drugstore Beauty Finds

Just as this gift guide is kind of last-minute (sorry guys, 2018 has just been such a crazy year for me), I'm sure some of you may be scrambling for last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers. If you've got a beauty lover on your list, look no further than your local drugstore for these fun finds. If you're in Western Canada, most of these can be found at London Drugs!

Makeup Brushes. I particularly love Real Techniques and EcoTools because they are great quality at an affordable price. The Real Techniques Mini Multitask Brush ($8.99 CAD) could easily be thrown into a purse for on-the-go touch-ups while something like the EcoTools Start the Day Beautifully Kit ($18.99 CAD) features brushes for a full face and comes in a useful storage tray. If your giftee is more of a makeup sponge girl, the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge ($10.49 CAD) is a nice alternative to the much more expensive Beauty Blender.

False Lashes. Maybe not for everybody but if you've got a lash lover on your list, look for MesmorEyes, available as singles ($5.99 CAD) or trios ($12.99 CAD). This brand stands apart from your basic lash brand because theirs are designed specifically for your eye shape. Find the perfect fit for almond, hooded, round, and monolid eyes!

Face Masks. Single-use masks from Montagne Jeunesse like the 7th Heaven Pink Guava Peel-Off Mask ($1.99 CAD) are always a hit. Multi-use tubes, such as the new KISS NY Professional 24K Gold Peel-Off Mask ($6.99 CAD), are also a good pick for avid maskers.

Nail Polish. I like the idea of a colour/top coat duo like this festive red (Cherry Delightful) from Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure ($9.99 CAD). OG readers of my blog will know these polishes were among the first to kickstart my now insane nail polish collection (check out this post from way back in 2010).

Mascara. It's a makeup must-have that needs to be replaced every 3 months... every girl could use a backup! For something a bit fancy, there's the new L'Oreal Unlimited Mascara ($16.99 CAD) which has a two-position wand (straight or bent), but you can't go wrong with a classic like CoverGirl LashBlast ($9.99 CAD). The new Active version is supposed to be sweat-resistant and smudge-resistant, making it perfect for workouts.

Lipstick/Lipgloss. I feel like one can never have enough lip products, be it lip balm, lipstick, or lipgloss. CoverGirl has revamped their Colorlicious Lipsticks, now called the Exhibitionist Cream Lipstick ($10.99 CAD), with sleek new packaging and 48 different shades to pick from. I'm also obsessed with the super holographic Almay Goddess Gloss ($10.99 CAD) which can be layered over lipstick or worn on its own.

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!!

MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Foundation

I have tried a few other foundations from MAKE UP FOR EVER (here and here) and each time my comments were the same: they didn't work for my oily/combination skin nor my preference for matte finish makeup. When I received the Matte Velvet Skin ($48 CAD) in the mail this summer, it seemed like the MUFE gods were finally answering my foundation prayers. But did it live up to the hype?

Short answer: sort of. I'll explain.

The Matte Velvet Skin foundation is a reformulation of MUFE's previous matte offering. It features FLEXI-FIT, the brand's exclusive technology for skin comfort and breathability. MUFE claims the new formula resists cracking so you won't look cakey and maintains a velvety finish for up to 24-hours (supposedly it's waterproof as well). It also comes in 40 shades which offers incredible choice for hard-to-match skin tones. 

I really like the texture of this foundation; it's not watery but not too thick either. I find it blends easily and is very buildable. The picture below was taken just after applying the foundation. As you can see, the coverage is medium to heavy (which for me means creating a flawless base but doesn't completely camouflage my freckles) and can be built up without looking unnatural. It also doesn't really feel like I'm wearing heavy foundation so I'd say the claims about Matte Velvet Skin being comfortable are pretty accurate and thankfully I haven't experienced any breakouts due to use.

Unfortunately, where I think this foundation falls apart is wearability. I've worn it to a workout and it didn't separate or melt off. However, for some reason, and I don't know if it's just my skin, but this simply doesn't stay matte... which for me, is kind of the whole point of using a matte foundation. I have tried primer underneath and topping it off with the MUFE Ultra HD Powder, as recommended by the pros, but am constantly blotting my nose throughout the day (where the foundation seems to have the worst time sticking). 

I note that the foundation does seem to remain velvety on the rest of my face but if you suffer from an oily T-zone like me I'd say be aware that this foundation probably will not stay matte "all day." I would recommend this for people with normal over oily/combination skin like mine. 

Wedding Hair & Makeup Trial: How To Prepare and What to Expect

There are lots of things to be excited about when you're planning a wedding but for a beauty blogger like me, coming up with my wedding look was one of my most anticipated. I'm obviously not a Kardashian so getting professional hair and makeup is a pretty rare occurrence, and it's always fun to see what you'll end up looking like when you hand over the reins to someone else. Since I just had my hair & makeup trial, I thought I'd share some of the things I learned!

1. Research, research, research

If you decide to go the professional route, a lot of research is involved in picking the right makeup artist/hair stylist for you. I knew that I wanted someone who could do both (two birds with one stone) and they had to be able to offer services for an entire bridal party plus my mom. I obtained a list of recommended HMUA from my wedding planner, did my own research for any additional ones I'd read good reviews about, and e-mailed them all for quotes. After comparing quotes, I narrowed down my choices and checked out their work on Instagram to see who might be a good fit. Some brides may want a more natural look or prefer someone who works with a particular ethnicity often (e.g. makeup for Asian features). I ended up choosing Jayna Marie Makeup + Hair because she's won lots of awards, had great reviews, and I liked her work.

2. Pinterest is your friend

Once I picked my wedding theme/decor and found my dress, I already had a pretty specific vision of how I wanted my hair and makeup to look. I very rarely wear my hair up so I knew I needed a style that would allow most/all of it to be down. I also love bold eye looks and neutral lips but wanted to play off of my dress and wedding accent colours in the makeup shades. My wedding theme is "west coast greenery" so I purchased a custom greenery comb from Oh! Dina Millinery and combed Pinterest for ideas on how to incorporate greenery into a hairstyle. I also decided that I wanted a gold based smokey eye and found some examples that I liked.

Sources: left // right

3. Bring everything to your trial

For my trial, I purposely wore white on top so I'd at least know how the hair and makeup looked against white clothing (when I got home I did change into something a little fancier so I could get the full effect). I also brought all my accessories with me: my greenery hair comb, the earrings I'm planning on wearing, and hair extensions to add volume to my thin hair.

4. Be flexible

After meeting Jayna and talking about my vision, I let her get to work. It's important to trust the professional! Jayna ended up changing the hairstyle slightly from what I originally asked for (everything to the side) because my hair isn't super long and it wouldn't have looked as good. She did show me how it would look that way and left it up to me to decide what I'll end up going with. She also really amped up the lashes (they are double layered and basically triple the length of my natural lashes) which was a pretty huge shock for me when I looked in the mirror for the first time... it's a lot of look but I kind of like it!

5. Check the wear time and take pictures

After you're all fancied up, it's important to test the wear time on your makeup. You want it to really last since your wedding day is long. A lot of people recommend having your trial on the day of your engagement shoot or for your bridal shower so you can really get your bang for your buck, which I think is a great idea. If you have your dress, try it on to get a preview of how you'll look on your wedding day or wear it to an alterations appointment. I didn't really have that luxury due to timing but I did make note of how shiny I got, anything I want to change, and will bring that feedback to Jayna. I also took pictures when I got home to see how the makeup looked outside of Jayna's fancy studio lights.

It's so crazy to think that my wedding is just a few weeks away... I hope this post was helpful for any other brides-to-be. Stay tuned for the final look!

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.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Color Shadow

I feel like I can't keep up with MAKE UP FOR EVER's new launches sometimes... the brand is constantly innovating and building on its products, making beloved staples better and better. For example, the Artist Shadow collection, first introduced back in 2014, has just been relaunched as the Artist Color Shadow.

With 121 shades and 5 different finishes (matte, metallic, diamond, satin, and iridescent), the refillable pans are now rectangular instead of round to fit into revamped packaging that looks a little sleeker this time around.

As always, in addition to its large offering of shades, customization is key to this line, meaning you can pick and choose your eye shadows to create your own palette. It is actually more cost-effective to go with a bigger palette too; a single is $24 CAD, a duo is $37 CAD, a trio is $50 CAD, a quad is $63 CAD, and a six is $77 CAD (for a $134 value).

I have really been feeling a more pink-based eye look lately after rediscovering my love for my Urban Decay Naked3 Palette so I wanted to pick some similar shades from the Artist Color collection to try out. I went with M546 (a matte dark purple taupe) and S542 (a satin pinky clay).

The texture on these shadows is really soft and blendable although I did need to layer a bit to get enough pigmentation for the above swatches. It seems to be less of a problem when actually creating an eye look although I felt M546 could have been darker based on its description. S542 is very pretty neutral that makes an excellent brow highlight.

Overall, the quality is what we've all come to expect from MUFE and highly recommended for both professional make up artists and makeup aficionados alike!

Stocking Stuffers for Beauty Lovers

Can you believe Christmas is in less than a month?! I've been working hard to get all my holiday shopping done early and thought I'd share some stocking stuffer ideas for any beauty lovers on your gift list this year.

Being by Sanctuary Spa is a new bath & body line from the UK catered towards millennials. Edgy messaging and unique scents are their M.O. with this Chilli Mango & Tonka Bean Body Mist being one of my faves. Find this in-store at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Next up, these Real Techniques Mini Miracle Complexion Sponges are super cute and perfect for travel or those on-the-go. Find this in-store at London Drugs.

Face masks also make great stocking stuffers and this 7th Heaven Charcoal Peel-Off Face Mask is a fun take on the traditional peel-off mask featuring pressed birch leaf, crushed witch hazel, and activated charcoal. Find this in-store at London Drugs.

If you're looking for some pre-made gift sets, Stila has released some really nice ones this season. The Play it Cool Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick Set comes with three deluxe sizes of their beloved matte liquid lipsticks: Baci (nude pink), Patina (dusty rose), and Bacca (raspberry).

For those who are more into defined eye looks, the Stila Big Shots Set comes with full-sizes of their Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner & HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara. I've been a devoted Kat Von D Ink Liner user for years but this summer I received a sample of Stila's liner from a Sephora order and I think I'm going to make the switch -- it's so good!

Lastly, while not quite a beauty product, everyone could use a Saje Peppermint Halo Headache Remedy rollerball. I keep one of these in my desk at work for when I feel a headache coming on.

Make Up For Ever Artist Face Color in B206 and B314

A few months ago, MAKE UP FOR EVER introduced its latest innovation in colour and customization: the Artist Face Color. Similar to the Artist Shadow line, Artist Face Color is a line of highlighters, sculpting powders, and blushes that come in magnetized refill pans which you can pop into either a single ($31 CAD for 1 refill + 1 palette), duo ($44 CAD for 2 refills + 1 palette) or a triple ($56 CAD for 3 refills + 1 palette).

The palette (for the duo and triple) is MUFE's standard design that we've seen on other products like the Ultra HD Pressed Powder, for example. It features a large mirror and a very strong magnet so you'll never have to worry about your refill pans falling out. 

I love the concept behind this release because it allows you to truly customize how you want your palette. You could have an entire highlighter palette or create the ultimate highlighter + sculpting power + blush combination. In total, there are 34 shades to choose from in a range of matte, shimmer, and pearl finishes. For ease of reference, highlighter shades are denoted by an H-#, sculpting powders by S-#, and blushes by B-#.

L-R: Artist Face Color in B206 and B314

Since I'm a blush fiend, I obviously went for a blush duo when MUFE offered me the opportunity to test these out. B206 is a matte which is described as a peachy pink. In the pan this sounds about right but an initial swatch looked like a cooler pale pink. However, once I blended it into my skin it did get warmer and appeared true to its description. B314 is a shimmer tangerine which is a lot more bold but very pretty.

Both blushes are highly pigmented and easily blendable. The textures are so nice as well... very soft and finely milled. If you're on the hunt for a new face colour (or two, or maybe even three), definitely check these out!

Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer

Last month, I had the great fortune of attending a fun yacht party (#dropitlikeitsyacht) hosted by Smashbox in celebration of its new Photo Finish Primerizer and was gifted one to take home and try for myself.

Harkening back to to the true early days of this blog with these posts from 2010, 2012, and 2013, you'll see that I've been a longtime user of the iconic Smashbox Photo Finish Primer. I love the way it smoothes pores and creates an overall flawless base for any foundation.

The new Primerizer adds something different to the Photo Finish line. While I personally love a matte look, many people really love having dewy/glowy skin since it tends to look more youthful and fresh. This product is made with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide and injects your skin with intense hydration to prep your skin for foundation. And, of course, you can skip moisturizer since this is a primer + moisturizer in one!

At $42 CAD for 30 mL bottle, Primerizer does seem a bit pricey but you only need 1-2 pumps for full coverage and a little does go a long way. The product has a milky, slightly tacky texture but once you rub it into the skin, it's dries fairly quickly and isn't sticky to touch. My skin feels very plump and hydrated afterwards, and is perfectly prepped for locking in my makeup.

With colder weather coming up, I would definitely recommend this for your seasonal product switch-up, especially if your skin is on the dry side.

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.

Dermablend Professional Intense PowderCamo Foundation

I first read about Dermablend Professional in a magazine article many years ago. In it, the writer expounded on the products' amazing ability to cover up almost anything -- from varicose veins to birthmarks and tattoos. At the time, I remember thinking that I didn't have much use for such heavy coverage makeup but as it turns out, the line has a bit of something for everyone including those of us with more general skin concerns. It's also recently become available throughout Canada (there's a rather large display at my local Shoppers Drug Mart).

Since my main concern is dealing with uneven skin tone and covering the occasional freckle or two, the INTENSE PowderCamo Medium to Full Coverage Powder Foundation is a good pick for me. This one comes in a round matte black compact with a mirror and separated section for the applicator sponge. The Loose Setting Powder locks in the foundation, mattifying skin and leaving it with an all-over flawless effect. I should note that the powder comes with a weird overly puffy puff that I did away with in favour of a large powder brush. The instructions do say that you use the puff to apply powder then a separate brush to whisk the excess away. Dermablend Professional also has its own Long Wear Makeup Remover which easily removes long lasting makeup such as waterproof mascara, lip stains, and face/body foundations.

I spent a lot of time in the sun this past weekend as I was up at the cabin boating and stand up paddle boarding so I ended up slightly sunburnt despite my liberal application of sunscreen. As you can see below (left), my nose and cheeks got the worst of it. I also have quite a few more freckles than usual.

I applied the Dermablend Professional INTENSE PowderCamo in Toast all over and then topped it with the Loose Setting Powder in Cool Beige. The result is a pretty crazy, isn't it? All my redness is camouflaged... thanks to makeup alone. There's no photoshop here at all!

Dermablend claims that the PowderCamo foundation is buildable but not cakey or masky. It's definitely buildable and doesn't feel heavy on, but I personally think too much layering does result in almost "too perfect"-looking skin. I know I'm a big fan of matte makeup but this is more full coverage than I'm used to. I also found my skin fully greased up at the end of the day (common since I do have oily/combination skin) so powder touchups would be a necessity. For me, I don't think this will be an everyday foundation, but more a special occasion one... perhaps just for photographs when I need to look totally and completely flawless.

Find your perfect Dermablend Professional shade here.

MAKE UP FOR EVER New Releases: Ultra HD & Artist Liquid Matte

MAKE UP FOR EVER has been churning out quite a few new releases this year and, as always, they showcase the professional MUA-level quality we've all come to expect from the brand while still remaining totally wearable for us regular folks who don't have to worry about actually being camera-ready on the daily.

One of my most popular MUFE reviews, for some unknown reason, is of their HD Pressed Powder which came out back in 2014. For 2017, they've revamped the powder to make it compatible with 4K technology and changed the packaging as well. Instead of the round plastic compact, the new Ultra HD Microfinishing Pressed Powder comes housed in a square matte metal compact, similar to the packaging of my Andreja Pejić Eyeshadow Palette (but thankfully with a mirror). There is no sponge applicator included; MUFE recommends that this be applied with their Artisan Brush #160 so it's not exactly the most travel-friendly. I personally apply this right after I do my makeup in the morning and then touch up with my MAC Blot Powder for any shine that surfaces in the day since the finish is only semi-matte.

The powder is finely milled and the texture is extremely smooth. Seriously, it feels so nice to the touch but means you'll have to be careful about over-applying so you don't get too cakey. The overall result is a blurring effect to any pores and lines without depositing any colour. However, one warning: if you over-apply, flash photography might make your skin look whiter than a ghost. In fact, you might recall that I expressed some concerns in my last review about the Translucent (1) powder possibly not being suitable for all skin tones (although apparently it is). MUFE appears to have since addressed that issue with the release of two new pressed powder shades -- Banana (2) to finish a medium complexion and Peach (3) to finish a tan complexion, but I can't confirm if flashback is an issue with either as I haven't tried them.

Another addition to the Ultra HD line are the Skin and Lip Boosters. "What on earth is a booster?" you may be thinking. Well, they are basically intensely hydrating serums for your face and lips that are applied before any other product to improve their ability to hold makeup. I was sent the Lip Booster in 00 (Clear) to try out and it works great as a prepping lip mask (apply then wipe off excess product), especially before a matte lipstick. It doesn't really have a discernible scent and instantly adds hydration to dry lips.

Speaking of matte lipstick... if you are a fan, you really need to check out the new Artist Liquid Matte line. It seems like every brand these days has some form of matte liquid lipstick but I think these MUFE ones are my faves.

L-R:  Artist Liquid Matte in 101, 103, 107

The shade range is pretty limited as of right now (there are only six shades and most of them nudes) but since I'm a huge neutral-lover, most of them appealed to me. Above, I've swatched 101 (Cream Beige), 103 (Warm Beige), and 107 (Neutral Beige). Give me all the beige!!

These liquid lipsticks combine a true matte finish with intense pigmentation, though somehow remain pretty comfortable on the lips. They are also incredibly long-wearing... I had to really scrub to get my swatches off my arm although it was a lot easier when removing from my lips at the end of the day.