a new little lipstick darling.

Hello beauties! I know most of you come here to find makeup tips or reviews on the latest beauty products, but this post will have a more personal focus. On Saturday April 18th at 12:13 am, my husband and I welcomed a beautiful baby girl into our lives. Amelia Marie Mascia was born and our lives were changed forever! You never realize how much love your heart can hold until you meet your baby, and it just explodes with love and admiration. My free time is a little more scarce lately and I haven't been able to post as much, but once we are into the groove of things I will be back with regular posts and reviews... In the meantime here is a photo of our little darling!

xo

Lianne 

new website!

Hello beauties! I am so excited to officially announce the launch of my new website! It contains all kinds of lovely information about myself and my services, and will be updated regularly with portfolio pictures and videos of what I've been working on lately. 

www.liannemascia.com

Please take a moment to check it out, and feel free to share! xo

march beauty buys!

March has come to a close and with the start of April comes my review of last month's beauty buys!


Ardell "Wispies" Lashes

I've long been a fan of Ardell's "Demi Wispies" and while in Sally beauty this month I decided to really live a little and pick up the FULL SIZE wispies! So glad I did they are beautiful! But then again aren't all lashes?

Sally Beauty, $4.99

e.l.f Baked Eyeshadow Palette

This was a Winners beauty find and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't expect much from a discount makeup brand in terms of color payoff, but it's not bad! Not amazing, but for $12 I just really layer it on with a primer and it works. I got colour "Texas" which is a nice mix of champagne, gold, and pink metallics.

Winners, $12.99

MAC Lipstick in "Pure Zen"

Another nude lippie purchase and I love it! It's the perfect mix of a brown-nude and peach-nude, and of course has all the pigment, staying power, and creaminess of amazing MAC lipsticks!

maccosmetics.com, $19

SensatioNail Nail Shield

Ok, when I saw this product mentioned on SensatioNail's Instagram I had to do a double-take. I absolutely LOVE my gel mani, but removal? I'd rather die. I don't have the patience to sit and delicately foil wrap each nail with acetone, and then wait helpless for 20 minutes while it s-l-o-w-l-y dissolves last week's gel. Their website promises that "this quick and easy 2-in-1 solution protects nails and removes gel in seconds using an exclusive peel-off technology", so I rushed to Shoppers to pick it up and went to work on a new Easter mani.
The Verdict: First off, there is no way to get this 'sticker' perfectly smooth so you are left with a base coat that may have tiny air bubbles. Part of the allure of the gel mani is the super smooth and glossy finished product. Second, it took FOREVER to attempt a perfect application on one nail, never mind all 10. I managed to get 2 nails done after about 10 minutes and then gave up. I don't have time for that. I will say that those nails have held up to wear and tear a little better than the rest, but what good is it if the application looks bumpy? I know every nail bed is different, and mine are curvier than average which probably affected how smooth it went on, but just the time it took to apply them was enough to disappoint me.

Shoppers Drug Mart, $9.99


L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara

I currently use L'Oreal's "Voluminous" mascara in my professional kit, as I love the formula and the blackest-black colour, so when I heard another beauty blogger swear by L'Oreal's Telescopic, I figured I would give it a try. While the super thin brush does a good job at separating my lashes, it doesn't lengthen anymore than my fave Lancome mascara, and I find it flakes a little more than I would like. Not overly impressed!

Shoppers Drug Mart, $7.99 (on sale)

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It was a relatively slow month in terms of makeup shopping as I prepare for baby M, but I promise the next few months will still have reviews, tips and daily looks despite my foray into baby land!

spring cleaning - makeup bag edition.

Happy first day of SPRING! I am beyond excited that winter is behind us and we have sun and warm weather to look forward to! This time of year is usually reserved for cleaning your windows, your closets... but what about your makeup bag? Cleaning out your makeup bag is important in keeping things fresh and (you looking your best), and what better time than Spring to give your makeup bag an update. Out with the old and in with the new!

Here is a handy chart from makeup.com that outlines the lifespan of our beloved cosmetics. If it's past the recommended keep time (or you can't remember when you bought it... i'm looking at you lipgloss with the name worn off) it's time to replace it.

Some of these dates are a guideline, but keep in mind - powder products tend to be safer to keep longer than two years, but mascara is a must-replace every three months due to the sensitive nature of our eyes and the perfect conditions for bacteria to build up in the tube. Here's a tip to help you remember: when you open your new mascara take a marker and write the date of opening on the package and keep this in your makeup bag or drawer, or if you're tech-savvy, set a reminder on your smartphone for 3 months from the purchase date to buy a new one!



Who regularly cleans out their makeup bag? Let me know in the comments below! 

february beauty buys!

Finally it's March! And among the arrival of SPRING (we're seriously dying a slow, snow-covered death here in Ontario), this also means it's time to review last month's beauty buys!

L'Oreal Infallible Makeup Extender Setting Spray

A makeup setting spray was an usual drugstore find, as I've only seen the luxury beauty brands offering them, so when I spotted this one from L'Oreal I thought I would give it a try. I am going to give it another chance, but I can't say I was overly impressed the first time I used it. It's mist isn't "super-fine" as it claims, and I was shiny a couple hours later. For everyday use, it might do the trick, but I still prefer Urban Decay's All-Nighter setting spray for bridal, special events, and all-day/night wear. Considering this one is $17 (not that cheap for drugstore), I would probably just recommend splurging on the Urban Decay one.

Shoppers Drug Mart, $16.99

Marcelle BB Cream

An old favourite! I recommend this BB cream to everyone. It has just the right amount of coverage to make your skin look like it's naturally flawless when you don't want to wear a lot of makeup, plus it has all the benefits of a BB cream... and if you get the 'anti-aging' one it has sunscreen for an added bonus! 

Shoppers Drug Mart, $22.95

NYX Baked Blush + Illuminator

I saw this product in a tutorial and wanted to give it a try, and managed to get these on sale at Target's liquidation sale. Colours are "Sugar Mama" (coral) and "Spanish Rose" (pink). They are baked and have a shimmery finish, which is nice if you want a highlighted look. For a drugstore brand, I was impressed with the pigmentation, and finish.

Target, $10.99 (on sale for $7.69)

St. Tropez Self-Tan Bronzing Mousse

A celeb-favourite! An easy to use self-tanning mousse that gives you a rich bronze colour. Good for maintaining your vacation tan, or for pretending you don't like in such a desolate and depressing climate.  Recommeded for use with the tan applicator mitt. 

Sephora, $38 

Sally Hershberger Supreme Lift Root Spray

This was a re-purchase for me, I've used this product for a while as it really does give volume and body to your hair when sprayed on roots before blow-drying. And I love the hot pink packaging!

Shoppers Drug Mart, $12.99

L'Oreal Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick by Colour Riche in "Nude Ballet" 

I'm a sucker for nude lipsticks/glosses/pencils, I legit probably have about 15-20... So what's one more? This was another Target Liquidation find, and something that's been on my radar since I read Kim Kardashian wore this at her last wedding. It's a really pretty colour, not too light, but still considered nude, and has a lot of pigment. It creates a natural look and lasted quite a while! I will definitely try other colours of this product.

Target, $8.99 (on sale for $6.29) 

Beauty Blender Solid Cleanser

A lot of my beauties don't use/understand/know about the beauty blender (foundation sponge that creates a flawless finish!), and that's a blog post in itself, but I recently picked up the solid cleanser for beauty blenders because I was sick of using lathery shampoo that took forever to rinse out. 5 stars for this product!!! If you own a beauty blender I advise you to fork over the $20 for this cleanser - you will not be disappointed. It took every trace of makeup off my BB and rinsed clean in just a couple minutes. 

Sephora, $20

Stila Eyes are the Window Eyeshadow Palette in "Mind"

I love this palette!! The colours are beautiful, the pigment is amazing, and they are all matte finishes which I am obsessed with lately. Don't get me wrong I love a good shimmer shadow, but mattes are so versatile and create a modern, clean, youthful eye look. Every colour you need to create a natural to smoky-eye look is here, and as a bonus it's formulated without parabens and sulphates. If anyone wants to see swatches, let me know in the comments! 

The Beauty Boutique, $60

Rimmel Wonder'lash Mascara

I picked this mascara up after reading a review of new drugstore products to try, and I've used it a few times with mixed feelings. Initially I liked the first application, but have changed my mind in subsequent applications. I like the applicator wand and formula (it contains argon oil), but it didn't volumize (is that a word?) my lashes as much as I would have liked; it's more of a separating and lengthening formula. To be honest, I feel like every mascara that is sold at the drugstore is manufactured in a massive warehouse from the same formula, and then sent to different lines for different brand packaging. THEY ALL DO THE SAME THING. Just a thought I have from time to time.

Shoppers Drug Mart, $8.99 (on sale!)

Maybelline Fit Me Matte+Poreless Foundation

I have combination skin and large pores, so anytime a product claims to mattify and minimize pores I'm all over it. I liked this foundation's coverage and finish, but after a couple hours I was no less shiny than usual. I wouldn't say this is a breakthrough in mattifying foundation, but it's worth picking up if you are looking for a good drugstore foundation. 

Shoppers Drug Mart, $6.99 (on sale!)

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If you have used any of these products I'd love to know your thoughts in the comments!

Lianne

how I fill in my brows + 5 brow products to try

I love brows! Strong brows, shaped brows... There's no doubt bold brows are the newest hot accessory, and are so important to the overall look of the face. I get a lot of questions and comments on my brows, so I figured I would film a short video showing how I fill my brows in using my favourite product of the moment, Anastasia Beverly Hills' Dipbrow Pomade in Dark Brown (available at Sephora).

HOW-TO:

Using a small angle brush, dip into pomade and take a small amount of product on your brush (a little goes a long way with this stuff!) Spread it around on the back of your hand to warm it up and evenly disperse it on the brush. Using small strokes, apply to your brow sparingly with the aim to build up a natural looking eyebrow. Use a little more product on the arch and tail and less on the head of the brow (to avoid the angry "Uncle-Leo" look). Continuously brush through with a spooly brush to shape brows and disperse the product. 

(I'm dreaming of spring in Paris, hence the music!)

If you're not into the pomade, and feeling major regret for past plucking, here are four other products with my stamp of approval to help you fake it.

1. Make Up For Ever Eyebrow Pencil 

This pencil delivers a precise line, while the highly pigmented formula delivers long lasting hold. $23, sephora.ca

2. Annabelle InstaGlam Brow Design + Fix 

This marker plus brush allows for precise and even application. Double-duty bonus points: There’s colour on one side and a natural-hold gel on the other! $13, annabelle.ca

3. Benefit Gimme Brow 

This unique gel contains volumizing fibres that really creates an enhanced brow effect. It's a must-try! $26, benefitcosmetics.com

4. NARS Brow Perfector 

Great for creating a really natural defined brow and comes in a unique range of shades. Longer lasting than a pencil. $27, murale.ca

beach beauty must-haves... what to pack if you're heading south.

I just returned home from a sunny vacay in the Bahamas (snow and -30 degree weather welcomed me with open arms - why do we live here again?) and it inspired me to write a post on beauty essentials for your suitcase. Read on if you're heading south for spring break!

1. sunscreen 

This is a must. Ideally SPF 30, but at the very least 15! There is nothing beautiful about wrinkles and age spots, or worse, skin cancer. Have no fear bronze-loving beauties, you will still tan with sunscreen, just won't be experiencing the damage that UVA and UVB rays do to unprotected skin.

LD Pick:Ombrelle Complete Sunscreen Lotion, $20 [I scored mine at Winners for $10!]

2. body lotion

After a day in the drying sun and chlorine-filled pool, you'll want to nourish and hydrate your skin, and what better way to do that than with a really good moisturizer. Bonus points if it contains shimmer elements to really make your tan pop!

LD Pick: Biotherm After Sun Oligo-Thermal Sparkle Cream, $37

3. bronzer/highlight

Bronzing and highlighting products are great for giving your skin a radiant, luminous finish, and for the start of your vacation, bronzer can help you fake it before you make it! The Too Faced bronzer I love combines the natural, therapeutic effects of real cocoa powder with their signature bronzing pigments, creating a unique matte bronzer that neutralizes red, and evens out and enhances all skin tones.

LD Pick: Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder, $30 [smells like chocolate!]  //  MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in "Lightscapade", $37

4. bb cream

The last thing you want to do on vacation is wear a lot of heavy foundation [or spend lots of time in the bathroom getting ready!] so packing a BB cream is a must. This easy to use product smooths skin and evens out skin tone in a flags, with just the right amount of coverage. Finish with a bronzer to give yourself that 'au natural', flawless skin that's perfect for the resort.

LD Pick: Marcelle BB Cream, $23

5. waterproof mascara

At the beach, or for those humid nights, waterproof mascara will stay put [no mascara smudges!]

LD Pick: Lancome Hypnose Waterproof Custom Volume Mascara, $31

6. a bright lipstick

If you choose to pack no other element of makeup on your vacation, pack a bright lipstick. In a vibrant pink, or punchy coral, it gives your face a pop of colour while still remaining fresh and natural.

LD Pick: Maybelline Colour Sensational Vivid Lipstick in "Fuchsia Flash", $8

7. spf lip balm

Don't forget about your lips in the sun - they can experience the same damage the rest of your skin does! And anyone who has burned their lips knows how painful it can be. Make sure to pack a lip balm with SPF and reapply often.

LD Pick: Blistex Ultra Protection SPF 30 Lip Balm, $4 

8. nourishing face cream

Even though you've just protected the delicate skin on your face with sunscreen all day (Right? Right??), you should still rehydrate at night with a light face cream that won't weigh you down [and doesn't contain retinoids that make your skin sensitive in the sun].

LD Pick: Nivea Aqua Effect Moisturizing Night Care, $12

And before you go... Don't forget about a bright mani/pedi, and some self-tanner for a head start on that J-Lo glow!

Bon Voyage Beauties!!!