First Impressions: Gerard Cosmetics Color Your Smile Lip Glosses

It has been a minute since my last post (sorry) but I have been seeing these lip glosses all over blogs and YouTube so I thought it would be a good idea to get my hands on a few and try them out for myself. They had a great deal where you got 5 lip glosses for the price of 3 but I couldn't get all of the shades I was interested in so I also got the Jaclyn Hill duo. I went a little overboard but I wanted to get enough colors to get a good idea of the quality, pigmentation and the lasting power of the glosses across the board. What is so interesting with these glosses is that they are supposed to be formulated in a way that each shade you purchase will make your teeth appear whiter, and who doesn's want that? Well,  here are all the colors I purchased.

(left to right: nude, butter cream, coral craze, rose hill, candy apple, pouty princess, and jewel)

Over all: they are quite a sticky formula. If you like Mac lipglasses then you will like these. They also drag a little on the lips when applying but while these aren't great points, it does mean that they have good staying power. I wore the rose hill gloss shopping and it lasted for hours and I didnt even have anything underneath it, which was impressive. I also like the amount of pigment in the lighter shades I picked up, which means you can wear them over a lipstick/lip pencil or by themselves. Two of the darker shades (candy apple, pouty princess and jewel) did not have the high pigmentation like the rest and were actually disappointing, but more about that when I discuss the individual colors. For packaging, I love the fact that it has a mirror along the side and there is an LED light in the cap that turns on once you twist the cap off, making it perfect for a night out.

Nude

As a whole I like this lip gloss. I find the color goes a little orange on me and can look a little coraly but I have been reaching for it often. I find it is best paired over a lip liner such as MACs Dervish or Strip Down which makes the color more rich and helps it to last even longer on the lips.

Butter Cream

This shade is one of my favourites and it was developed by a YouTube sensation Jaclyn Hill who is gorgeous and amazing by the way. But she worked with Whitening Lightning to develop this shade and it is the perfect pinky nude color. Everyone used to rave about NARS lip gloss in Turkish Delight but it has nothing on this shade. Its been in my purse since I bought it because it is so versatile.

Coral Craze

Surprisingly I have been less into coral as a lip color as of late and so I was not wowed by this color. I think it is pretty, but it isnt my favorite and I find it accentuates any dryness or lines on your lips which is never flattering, so exfoliate before applying this color. The way I wear this color is actually to layer it over a nude lipstick such as MAC's Myth to give a hint of coral without it being too bright. 

Candy Apple

Now this color looks quite blotchy in the lip swatch but it isnt this bad in person (perks of photographing in HD). This is one of the colors that is not as richly pigmented so while it can be worn by itself for a sheet wash of red on the lips, it is best layered over a red lipstick.

Rose Hill

I'm loving your work Miss Jaclyn. This is my hands down favorite color of all the colors. It is a perfect rosy pink color that just enhances your natural lip color and will be flattering on everybody. Between this color and Butter Cream, Jaclyn has proven herself to have an amazing eye for lip colors and I am looking forward to her collaborating with this company again. 

Pouty Princess

I have to say, when I first swatched this color I immediately thought of the 90's when frosted lips were all the rage. On the lips however, it does not look as frosty as I expected and that is a good thing. It is a decent color don't get me wrong, but it isn't one I reach for often.

Jewel

Jewel photographs similar to Candy Apple; it looks blotchy in the photograph but it doesn't look bad in person. I think this will be a great color for fall and layered over a deep/vampy lipstick, I think it will be amazing.

If you are interested in purchasing these lipsticks you can find them here, and the 5 lip gloss deal is still up as of when this post goes up. If you don't want to order these lip glosses online you can find a similar concept from Lise Watier with respect to the packaging and LED light. 

My Every Day Makeup

I have always loved makeup that looks polished but not over done. I believe a fresh youthful and lit from within look is the most flattering on all women, and is the number one look I chose for myself. Plus who has an hour in the morning to get ready? I certainly don't; especially since I am a sleepaholic :) and have been since I was a kid. I am one of those girls who showers at night so she can sleep in that extra 30 minutes so my morning makeup routine has to be quick and simple but makes me look put together. 

Products: 

• DiorSkin Nude BB Creme
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light
• Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 hour Blush in Dollface
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion 
• Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Emerveille
• Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Eye Pencil in 0L Black
• Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Genius Waterproof Topcoat
• MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Peach Blossom
• Dior Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet 

To start, I apply the Diorskin Nude BB Creme which is ofcourse in the lightest shade since I am so pale. I love this product because it is versatile with its application and coverage. Apply with the fingers for a sheer coverage or apply with a dense foundation brush such as the Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki brush for medium coverage for those days when your skin is less than perfect. While I have tried and liked many BB creams, this one has surpassed all others and is the only one that I have actually repurchased. It is now a staple in my makeup bag and I foresee it being there for a long time. 
For powder, I have been loving the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in dim light. These powders are amazing! Each powder is formulated to give your skin the effect of being in which ever lighting it is named after. So for example, this powder makes my skin appear to be under a dim light with all its benefits. While it does have a sheen/shimmer to the powder itself, I find that you cannot notice it when applied to the skin. It is the perfect product to replicate the natural radiance and lit from within luminosity we all strive for. I have a feeling more of these powders will be appearing in my collection soon. 
I do not often bronze my face since I am so naturally pale. It tends to look more artificial on my skin than others since I cannot get any natural color from the sun other than lobster red or freckles. So I normally skip this step all together. Instead, I go straight for blush. Since I have applied a luminous finishing powder, I usually opt for a matte blush. The one I am currently loving is the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 hour Blush in Dollface. Here I have the miniature version of the blush. It is a universal pale pink that is flattering on all skin tones and looks very natural. It also does literally last all day. If you are not a fan of pink blushes, the Tarte blush in Exposed is also lovely.

Once the face is finished, next come the eyes. It is very important to prime the eyelids, especially if you are out for the day. I use the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion which is a cult beauty product. This stuff really does prevent eyeshadow creasing for hours and increases the vibrancy of any color you apply to the lid. The only issue I have with this product is that my eyes are prone to watering and the salt in my tears actually reacts with the product and can irritate the eyelid skin. Although this does not happen often, it's annoying when it does. But since I have yet to find a better product, it is something I am willing to deal with. 
Next comes the eyeshadow, which is the Chanel Illusion D'Ombre eyeshadow in Emerveille. This is such an easy eyeshadow to apply since it works best when applied with your finger. One or two coats of this on the lid then blended into the crease and a little on the lower lash line and you are good to go. It is the most gorgeous peachy pink with gold shimmer that is perfect for a natural look but adds that something extra, and is the perfect color for blue or green eyes to really make them pop. 
For liner, I love the Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes eyeliner in black. It is legit budge-proof and waterproof so I love using this product in the waterline and tight-lining my upper lash line. It brings emphasis to your eyes and makes your lashes look beautifully thick without having to apply eyeliner to the eyelid which can look unnatural if your not careful. 
For mascara, I have been IN LOVE with the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara. It separates, volumizes, and lengthens every one of my lashes, making it look like I have to die for lashes. The trick to getting the best result is to actually remove most of the product from the wand before applying it, either by scraping it off in the tube or running the wand over a paper towel. That is actually one of the best tricks I have learned when applying mascara. But since the Tarte mascara is not waterproof, although it does appear to be water resistant, I have to use a waterproof clear top coat which is from Anastasia Beverly Hills. For those of your with watery eyes like me, this will become your new best friend and holy grail product. Apply over any mascara and you will never have to worry about your mascara running or smudging all through the day and night. It really is a fantastic product. 

With the eyes completed we are in the home stretch. Now all you need is a good lipstick or gloss and a few spritzes of your favorite/signature scent. 
For lips I love the MAC Cremesheen lipstick in the shade Peach Blossom. It is the perfect nude/peach that is a gorgeous natural lip color. Perfect for everyday. 
For perfume, I recently purchased the Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet fragrance, which will soon be featured in a haul. It is a light, fresh and floral scent that will uplift your mood as soon as you apply it. When you first smell it on one of those fragrance cards, it comes across overly floral but once it is on the skin, it transforms into this perfect fresh scent with a hint of floral notes. It really is a magical everyday scent and it has taken its place as number one on my dresser as of late. 

So here is the completed look. I am here with my friend Krissi who is also a blogger. You should check her out at http://beautybykaybee.blogspot.ca/. 

Until next time, 

Lippies: Current Top 10 Favorite Lipsticks

Until the last few years I was a self professed lip gloss girl and did not wear lipstick very often. Now, I can't get enough! The amazing colors, finishes and the packaging just sucks me in every time. While my lipstick collection is growing, there are 10 (plus 1) that I reach for the most and here they are:

One of the most beautifully packaged lipstick is from YSL. Here I have the Volupte Sheer Candy lipstick in #2 which is a beautiful sheer wash of color that is perfect for spring/summer and those days where you don't want to worry about a mirror. Next is the Rouge Volupte Shine lipstick in #2 which is a gorgeous berry color that is my go-to not so vampy berry lip color. And lastly is the Rouge Volupte Shine lipstick in #15 which is a perfect peachy/pink/coral color that is my new obsession.

This specific formula of YSL lipstick actually had to grow on me. I purchased one a while ago on recommendation of YouTube beauty guru Elle Fowler but the texture was just so slippery that I actually returned it. But once I figured out how to use it properly, it has become my favorite formula.

MAC is one of the most classic lipstick brands and no lipstick favorites post would be complete without at least one. Luckly I have 4. First is the cremesheen formula in Peach Blossom which is my every day lip color and my most used MAC lipstick. My bright lip is the MAC cremesheen in Crosswires which is the perfect bright and vibrant pink/coral color. My signature red is the cremesheen formula in Dare You, the perfect red color that has a touch of sparkle to it and makes your teeth look white. Win win. And lastly is the satin formula in Captive, my favorite vampy statement lip.

The last 4 are from different brands. First is my first and only Chanel lipstick in the color Secret. I used to use the Revlon lipbutter in creme brule with the Dior lipgloss in 256 to get the exact color of this one lipstick. Now I only need this one product and I get the perfect pinky nude color. Next is the Michael Kors lipstick in Diva which is a great sheer nude. On the far right is the Smashbox lipstick in Vivid Violet. Lately a huge lip trend has been a purple lip and this is my perfect purple lip color. And lastly in front is the Too Faced melted lipstick in Melted Peony, a beautiful matte pink color that has become my go-to pink lip.

And here are the swatches of all 11 of my favorite lipsticks. From left to right it is Volupte Sheer Candy lipstick in #2, Rouge Volupte Shine lipstick in #15, Rouge Volupte Shine lipstick in #2, MAC Cremesheen in Peach Blossom, MAC Cremesheen in Crosswires, MAC Cremesheen in Dare You, MAC Satin in Captive, Chanel lipstick in Secret, Michael Kors lipstick in Diva, Smashbox lipstick in Vivid Violet and Too Faced melted lipstick in Melted Peony. 

Until next time, 

 

Diary of a Dry Skined Girl: Current Skin Care Regime

Lets start off with an overview of my skin. It is dry/dehydrated, has texture problems, and is prone to a lot of redness. I believe that the main culprit for these problems is the fact that a lot of my blood vessels are very close to the skin and so when my face gets red it heats up and moisture is essentially forced out of my skin. Because it is so prone to redness and it is so pale, it is also very sensitive and so can become irritated and inflamed easily. As a result, I have to be very selective and careful about what I use in my skincare regime. So if you have dry, sensitive and/or redness prone skin here are the products I use that work for me and may work for you as well. 

The Cleaning Team:

- The Body Shop Camoile Silky Cleansing Oil

The first step of any skin care regime at the end of the day is to take off all your makeup. I love this cleansing oil because it removes makeup like a dream and really calms the skin. If you don't wear makeup during the day you can skip this step.

- No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Balm 

 Now that the makeup is off its time to cleans the skin. I like this cleanser because it is a cleansing balm which does not strip the skin of its moisture like gel or foaming cleansers can do. It is also gentle enough to use to take off any residual eye makeup left over.

- Clarins Extra-Comfort Cleansing Cream 

 This cleansing balm just spells luxury to me. While the newly packaged formula smells better than this one, it is heaven for my skin and it is my go-to gentle deep cleanser and the one I use when my skin is having a freak-out moment.

- Michael Todd Avocado and Mango Hydrating Facial Mask

When my face needs that little extra attention in the moisture department I apply this moisture mask. It smells so delicious (but does not taste good, which sadly I was silly enough to try) and really relaxes. After removing it with a damp facecloth my skin feels moisturized and refreshed. 

- Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

While I do not suffer from very many pimples and other blemishes, I do get the odd one or two every now and then. To clear up my complexion when this happens I use this mask as a spot treatment and leave it on for about 15-20 minutes then remove with a damp facecloth. If I find I have some major blackheads going on this is also a good treatment. 

You might have noticed that I did not include a toner in my regime. I do use one but I have not found my favorite yet and so I bounce between the Michael Todd Cranberry Antioxidant toner, The Body Shop's Vitamin C Facial Mist and samples I get to try and find the best fit for my skin. I also tried the Clarins exfoliating toner and that was an unfortunate disaster as it broke my skin out and caused it to become inflamed. So as I don't have one that I would whole heatedly recommend, I have left it blank.

 The Moisture Team:

 

- Loreal Youth Code Texture Perfector Serum Concentrate

This stuff is totally worth the hype. After only 2 weeks of using this product consistently I saw a very noticeable difference in the texture of my skin, especially along my jaw area. It has been a staple in my skin care ever since.

- Indeed Laboratories Hydraluron 

I love love love this product. If I had to chose between my two favorite serums it would be this one. Hydraluronic acid  holds 1000x its weight in water and when applied under a moisturizer, it binds the moisture to the skin's surface so that it can be absorbed into the skin as fully as possible. The next morning after using this product I saw a dramatic difference in my skin's moisture which makes it a holy grail of mine and will forever be a part of my skin care regime.

- Clarins HydraQuench Cream 

All I have to say is that this cream is simply perfection for those who suffer from dry skin. It comes in 3 different textures: gel, cream and cream rich. I use the cream which is targeted towards those with normal to dry skin and I love it. Its not too rich to make my skin feel greasy when applied in the morning but it is thick enough to provide enough moisture to my dry skin. Love it. 

- Origins Ginzing Energy Boosting Moisturizer

In the morning I tend to use this moisturizer because of its light gel texture and while it does not have the moisture factor the Clarins cream does, it helps with improving the radiance of my skin. It also sinks in really quickly which is a bonus on those rushed mornings. 

- Origins Ginzing Refreshing Eye Cream

And lastly comes the eye cream, although technically you should apply this before applying your moisturizer. I have been loving this eye cream from Origins lately. It has light-reflecting properties and a pink tone which camouflages my dark circles and it has helped with the bags under my eyes as well. I typically only use this in the day time but I have not found the perfect night time eye cream as of yet and I am currently testing out some samples I received so once I have found the one, I will update you. 

Hopefully this will help those of you with dry/sensitive skin. I would love to hear about your favorite products to please leave a comment with yours. 

Until next time

Its Haul Time - New MakeupGeek Blushes

For those of you who are as addicted to YouTube as I am, you may have encountered the fabulous Marlena who is the founder of MakeupGeek. Her story is a hope for all of us blogging or making videos; she started a YouTube channel and eventually started her own makeup company called MakeupGeek. She sells eye shadows, pigments, lipsticks and now brushes and blushes. The day the blushes became available I put quite a large order (for me) in for 7 blushes, two eye shadows and a brush.

Today I will be reviewing and providing swatches for the blushes I purchased. And can we just take a moment and appreciate how gorgeous these colors are? 

From left to right the colors are: Infatuation, Honey Moon, Romance, Bliss, Head Over Heels, Secret Admirer, and Hanky Panky. These blushes retail for $9.99 US each and shipping to Canada is less than $9 which is an awesome deal.

 

For a general review, I believe the pigmentation is on point and the texture is so buttery. I love how you can sheer the color out for a light wash on the cheeks or build it up for a bold pop of color. I love every color I purchased except honey moon to be honest. While it is a good topper to make a matte blush sparkle a little bit, on its own it just looks like a wash of glitter which is not my style. But other than that one blush, I am extremely happy with my purchase.

Here are some swatches and up close photographs of each of the seven blushes. Perk of being so dang pale is that they swatch true to color on my skin :-P

Infatuation

This color is a warm terracotta brown shade that looks amazing as a contour for fair complexions. 

 

Bliss 

The truest peach shade I have found so far and I have been loving this on a light or no makeup makeup day.

Romance 

This color reminds me of NARS's blush in Orgasm but it is not as chunky in texture and has a bit more pink in it. Loving this for summer right now.

Head Over Heels

This bubble gum pink has a great sheen without being glittery and really gives a lit from within look to the complexion.

 Honey Moon

Not my favorite blush and because of the straight up glitter in the product, I use it only as a topper for a matte blush.

 Secret Admirer

While this looks a little scary in the pan, I find this shade really wearable and I am so excited to wear this in fall. Perfect fall blush color right here.

 Hanky Panky

I have been loving this mid-tone pink when I want a pop of color on the cheeks. It gives such a healthy color to the complexion and can be easily blended out for a softer effect. Loving it.

 Swatches side-by-side (Infatuation, Honey Moon, Romance, Bliss, Head Over Heels, Secret Admirer, Hanky Panky):

This is how they look in a MAC palette with no inset. Unfortunately they are not compatible with the MAC blush inserts. They are slightly smaller in size and thinner than MAC blushes and do not have a magnet on the bottom of the pan so I had to attach magnet tape to them to store them in a palette. I would recommend investing in a Z palette if you are thinking of purchasing these blushes in the pan form. 

So overall I am extremely happy with this purchase and will be acquiring the rest of the colors over time; and as of this moment they are my favorite blushes in my collection, even over MAC, Tarte, and NARS.

Until next time

To A New Beginning

Hello friends,

 

I thought to start off I should make a post telling you a little about myself and what I want this blog to be - with all narcissism aside of course :p. As you might be able to tell, I like to be light hearted and a little corny with my jokes since this is not just an information forum but also a form of entertainment. With that in mind, my goal is to give you my honest opinion of all things beautiful in my life. If I love it, you will hear about it. If I hate it, you will hear about it; you get the picture.

 

After I sold my soul to the makeup gods almost 5 years ago with my first MAC purchase, I have become just a tad bit obsessed. With my unhealthy collection of beauty products and my degree in biology (the cool stuff like cells biology and genetics, not ecology) and my recent experience in retail beauty, I believe I can give you a comprehensive opinion of new and existing products. But as always, it is only my opinion and if you know anything about the beauty community you will know that everyone is different. So if I disagree with you, tough cookies? No, if I disagree with you or you disagree with me, that's awesome because makeup is about a personal choice and preference and I would love to hear your opinion and view on products. So let's start a discussion about adding a dash of beauty to all of our lives.

 

Love,

Ashley