SEPHORA HAUL.. FINALL¥

It feels likes AGES since I've done a Sephora haul. And to be honest, I only purchased four of the items here – the other two: one a gift, and the other a PR sample. But I felt compelled to share them as well because they have quickly become favourites. 

The product that drove me to Sephora in the first place is the Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade in Soft Brown ($23). Since beginning my quest for Sienna Miller Golden Globes hair (only two more sessions to go) I've felt that the shade Medium Brown is too dark. So, since I love how long-lasting, easy to use and versatile this pomade is I simply purchased the appropriate shade. I was kind of obsessed with Sienna's entire look this night, and also wanted to find a lip shade similar to the one she wore. I've been dying to own the Bite Beauty Matte Créme Lip Crayon in Glacé for quite some time now, and since it's only a few shades darker than Sienna's I picked it up. The formula of the Matte Créme Lip Crayon is like no other, which why I also purchased the shade Cognac, a dark brown. And my love for them shows. This week it's Glacé whose been most loved in my collection, especially when topped with my Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in Amy –which my friend Teresa from What T Loves bought me. I'm sure you can guess why :).

THE SWATCHES

L-R: Bite Beauty Glacé & Cognac, and Buxom Amy.

The final two products are ones that I've been told such good things about, and after using each this week I understand why. The Phyto Phytopolléine Botanical Scalp Treatment ($50) is AH-mazing, as long as you're into the herbal thing. A friend was asking me why we use treatments on our hair and not our scalps when the hair is dead and the scalp is feeding new growth. I couldn't answer. So when I heard about this treatment I knew I had to try it. It seemed daunting at first but to apply it you simply divide hair into four sections and apply directly, and only, to the scalp, massaging it in as you go. It's meant to work as a pre-shampoo serum, so you apply it 20 minutes before your shower and shampoo as normal – and trust, the scent washes out immediately. I'll continue this treatment once to twice a week and should notice results in 2 months. I just want to add some shine... hmph. The final product is the Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix[*] ($34), a makeup setting spray that is said to extend the wear time of your makeup to 12 hours. All I know is that it gets me through the work day and that's enough for me. But be sure to hold your hand far away from your face. I thought the mist would be similar to the Caudalie Beauty Elixir, however it was not and almost had my mascara running the first day I tested it.

Are any of these products on your wishlist?

AM¥     XO

[*]This item has been sent to THE PRETT¥ VAIN for purpose of review. All views expressed reflect my own opinion on the product. For additional information please see the Disclaimer.

FACE OF THE DAY . MINIMALIST FT. A STRONG BROW + LIP

A new year and a new me – transforming into a woman who is going to be bold with her choices at the vanity and beyond. Bold choice number one: matte skin, heavy brows and a dark lip with minimal to no eye makeup. I saw this look on a girl working at an Urban Outfitters on Queen St., always ahead of the trend, and was taken back by how striking it was. Her face was a pale canvas and the only thing the artist had painted was eyebrows and lips – I loved it. But the old me would never dare to try a bold look like that – it was shockingly beautiful and demanded attention. But why not demand attention? So today I step outside of my comfort zone to re-create the look that had me in awe.

There are two key products for this look, a gel brow product and a deep aubergine lip product. Application must be meticulous, which means finding the right tools and beginning with a primed, perfected base. I shaped my brows using an angled brush and a tiny amount of the Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade in Medium Brown. This pomade is heavily pigmented, can easily create defined lines and won’t budge all day, making it my go-to brow product for every look. Once you’re happy with your brow shape, simply give them a quick brush upwards with a brow gel and move onto the lips. For me, a deep aubergine lip can be created using a single product, the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Train Bleu. This is a staple for beauty junkie’s everywhere, and is a favourite of Beyoncé’s – the colour is perfection, housed in a pencil so it’s easy to apply, and it’s long wearing. The final look falls somewhere between 80’s grunge and eclectic chic, setting you apart from the rest.

Products Used: Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, Marc Jacobs Beauty Marvelous Mousse Transformative OilFree Foundation, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit, Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, Urban Decay Original Primer Potion, Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade, Benefit Gimme Brows, No Bleeding Lips Secret Lip Liner, and NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Train Bleu. 

AM¥     XO

E¥EBROW GAME STRONG FT. DIPBROW & BROWDRAMA

I've long considered my eyebrow game strong. I refuse to leave the house without them looking perfectly sculpted and bold, and on the off chance that I forget, I spend countless hours trying to understand why I look 'weird' until it finally clicks; I forgot to do my brows. Having said that, you can probably understand why I have such a hard time saying no when a new brow product is released – It's an addiction. My current routine has my eyebrow game on point, and features two products that are relatively new to the brow scene; the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade ($23) and the Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara ($9). For a while I had simply been using an eyeshadow to fill in my eyebrows, MAC Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Charcoal Brown to be specific. But as simple as using a powder product was, I sometimes felt that the end result looked chalky and would smudge after a few hours, regardless of whether a primer was used. And don't get me started on the aesthetic catastrophe that occurs when I try to pencil them in – definite Chola vibes. A waterproof-pomade with a creamy, gel consistency, like DipBrow seemed like the game-changer I was desperately looking for. 

After watching countless Instagram videos I knew I needed to make the purchase, and numerous wishlist later I finally did. I will admit that it took some time and patience before I determined what the perfect amount of product to use was, but now I'm a pro, which means I have total control over my look – but the bold side of life is much more fun. And DipBrow makes the bold side so simple and clean (like neat); it glides on smoothly, stays put all day long, and tames even my most stubborn brow hairs. I don't even need a brow mascara afterwards, but I'm obsessive, which is where Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara in Deep Brown comes in. Having never seen a brow mascara in the drugstore that wasn't 'clear', I was dying to find out if this one would live up to my favourites; Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow and Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel. Unfortunately it didn't fair well. While the shape of the brush is very cool, dubbed the Sculpting Ball Brush, the product barely sculpts or fills, and my brows hardly felt secure in place. But since I love to load the products on, I haven't minded using it alongside DipBrow  although I'm completely unsure of whether it is enhancing my brow routine or not. One product that does enhance my routine, and I should kick myself in the ass on the days I don't do it, is working a bit of Venus from the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette along my brow bone as a highlight – instantly freshens my look and makes me look alive.

What products keep your eyebrow game strong?

AM¥     XO