April and May were big months of joy, change and adaptation as we welcomed the newest member of our family Amelia, so I didn't have much time to review my beauty buys and post in May. Things have gotten a little bit easier and I had a minute to blog so I've reviewed them all below for this month, enjoy!
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Base and Top Coat
During a recent trip to Sephora, I was on the hunt for a top coat that mimicked a gel mani - Something glossy and thick that didn't need an LED light to cure when I came across this product at the irresistible checkout maze of goodies. It consists of a two step base and top coat that is supposed to deliver "a gel mani without the damage." I tried it on my toes and was pleased with the smooth application and relatively quick dry time, and so far has held up well to wear (It's been almost 2 weeks chip free!)
Sephora, $28
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel
As a follow up to the previous Deborah Lippmann purchase, I tried Sally Hansen's miracle gel coat and I love it! It really does give a thick and glossy coating to regular polish, mimicking gel. The only problem is it doesn't dry fast at all so you need to use a quick dry top coat to finish everything off.
Shoppers Drug Mart, $16
Kat Von D Shade and Light Palette
The contour rage is still going strong and one palette that's been getting a lot of attention lately is this one from Kat Von D (the tattoo artist turned makeup designer). I have the Anastasia contour kit, as well as various matte bronzers, but I really do like this palette the best for a couple of reasons. First, the colours are great. There is a cool grey brown that is perfect for contouring my skin tone, and a yellow that highlights beautifully. But better than the shades is the pigment! Best I've used thus far. It's an expensive palette but worth it for what you get.
Sephora, $55
Cover Girl Ready, Set, Gorgeous! Foundation
This oil-free foundation promises "a shine free look that lasts all day" and I must say it delivered! It went on and blended really nicely and after hours of wear my skin was noticeably less shiny than usual. The only complaint I have with this (and buying any drugstore foundation) is the guessing game when it comes to choosing the right shade, as generally the testers are long gone and you're left to pick one and hope for the best.
Shoppers Drug Mart, $7.99 (on sale)
Sephora Oil Gel Lipstick Remover
We all have that lipstick - that super bright and bold colour we just LOVE to wear, but hate at the same time for it will stain your lips for days! I came across this on sale at Sephora.com and figured I would tack it onto my order. After applying my most pigmented, staining red lipstick I gave my lips a swipe of this remover and was pleased to find it took off not only the lipstick but the residual stain that usually lingers till next morning's breakfast. If it's still available at Sephora.com I say give it a try!
sephora.com, $5
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar Set
I'd seen this product many times while shopping at Sephora and finally decided to give it a try. I expected a long lasting finish but was disappointed to find it wore off after just an hour or two. I found the finish to be greasier than expected as the package advertises a matte finish, so I need to play around with it again and try it without the included primer and hopefully will have a better experience with it.
Sephora, $23
Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow
As we all know I am brow obsessed, and I've wanted to try this product for a while. It's waterproof and applied similarly to my fave, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow pomade (with an angle brush). I ordered online so took a guess with the colour and chose "Ash" and I couldn't be happier with it. You only need the tiniest amount and it blends so nicely on your brows to give a really natural finish, or can be built up for a darker more dramatic brow. And it really is waterproof! Look good even in the pool!
makeupforever.com, $24
Make Up For Ever Step1 Skin Equalizer
I have large pores. It's unfortunate but there's not much I can do about it. I do have a skin care routine that helps (more on that in a later blog post), but mainly I try to find products that will help minimize them. The Step1 Skin Equalizer series of primers is new to the MUFE family, and each one helps with a common skin complaint. There are eight in total and they do things like mattify, correct colour, and smooth the skin... I ordered #2 "Smoothing". Although it didn't completely fill in my pores like I had hoped, I really like the texture of this primer, and it did make my skin smoother than foundation alone.
makeupforever.com, $43
Make Up For Ever Mist + Fix (30ml)
A good setting spray will do for your makeup what hairspray does for your hair... keep it in place! I love Urban Decay's setting spray, and have tried L'Oreal's version (meh), so was very interested to see for myself how well mist+fix worked. I give it two lipstick darling thumbs up! It worked just as well as the Urban Decay version to keep my makeup in place.
makeupforever.com, $14
Has anyone tried any of these products? I'd love to hear what you thought of them! Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
- Lianne xo
