MONTHL¥ FAVOURITES . MARCH EDITION

Each month I encounter a handful of products that I cannot seem to get enough of. Ultimately by the end of the month these products are viewed as 'mandatory' and would inflict some serious mental damage if they went missing.

MAKEUP

I've slowly started to come out of my makeup funk this month (must be the weather), and have recently been experimenting with neutral lips, bold eyes, and ever-glowing skin. Since I'm still reppin' that vampire complexion the Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer for Radiance in Blue ($43) has kept my skin radiant and on point all month long. I've used this primer two ways: a) all over my skin for an angelic, Dita Von Teese inspired complexion, and b) as a spot highlighter to bring radiance to the high points of my face – both of which reveal luminous results. For eyes I've been introduced to two basics this month that in my opinion no woman should ever go without: the new Roller Lash Mascara by Benefit ($29) and the Brow Gel by Eyeko ($24). The Roller Lash Mascara creates lashes for days that truly form, and hold the curl, while the Eyeko Brow Gel tames brows of any shade with ease. For lips I've been rotating between two lippies: the YSL Volupté Tint-In-Oil in Oh My Gold ($35) and Bite Beauty's Matte Créme Lip Pencil in Glacé ($28). Both shades are rather neutral, however each offers infinitely different results. Glacé creates a Kylie Jenner inspired lip with a matte finish, while Oh My Gold adds a beautiful sheen and provides a comfortable texture and feel. Finally for colour, the Essie Nail Polish in Garden Variety ($9), a new shade for Spring that has yet to leave my toes! This is a great pop of colour for the girl constantly in black and white.      

MISC.

Last month I spoke of my love for the Algenist Complete Renewal Eye Balm ($81), and that love has yet to fade away. This eye balm uses Alguronic Acid to fight visible signs of aging, while hydrating and soothing the eye area to reduce puffiness and dark circles. I was also introduced to the Phyto Phytodéfrisant Botanical Straightening Balm ($29), a straight-haired girls saviour. This heat-activated balm is formulated with ferula, horseradish and sage, which hydrates, softens and protects unruly hair, prepping it for a smooth, manageable look. My hair instantly looks and feels more polished and  extends my style for days, minimizing my need to wash and refresh my hair. Plus, the straightening effects increase with extended use. 

What products were you obsessed with this month?

AM¥      XO

ALL ABOUT THAT BASE . GLOWING SKIN

This season the runways were riddled with fresh-faced beauties rocking luminous skin, barely-there makeup, man-made freckles, and slicked back hair. I fell especially hard for the makeup looks seen on the models in the Erin Fetherson, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Donna Karan runway shows – each model looked ethereal, angelic, and naïve with a hint of sophistication. 

I've always admired those who are able to rock the minimal makeup look on a daily basis – it says a lot about a persons confidence and priorities. And at the age of 25, I finally feel that my skin has an even texture and tone, and remains blemish-free long enough that I'm able to ditch the heavy makeup for the majority of my work days. I always begin my foundation routine with a primer and I've currently been loving the Make Up For Ever Skin Equalizer Nourishing Primer[*], which contains hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate, giving an even texture and feel to my skin. Plus, the velvety-rich formula melts into my skin quickly and truly extends the wear of my foundation, which for a luminous look is, of course, the Estée Lauder Double-Wear All-Day Glow BB Moisture Makeup[*]. This BB cream is spectacular in terms of it's wear-time, radiance, and coverage, and never feels heavy or suffocating on my skin. To hide the darkness below my eyes I paint the YSL Touche Éclat in the shape of an inverted triangle and then blend it out with my Real Techniques brush. In order to maintain the glow of this foundation I've decided to skip powder completely, and instead add extra radiance using a cream product, the Make Up For Ever Skin Equalizer Radiance Primer in Blue. By tapping this primer into the inner corners of my eye, as well as the high portions of my face I instantly amp up the luminosity of my look, giving my complexion a fresh-glow. To finish off the look I've lightly filled in my brows using the Victoria Jackson Taupe Brow Pencil, and curled my lashes for a wide-awake look using the Benefit Roller Lash Mascara. Now simply top with a light spritz of the Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix and rest assured that your minimal makeup look will keep glowing all day long. 

How do you achieve glowing skin?

AM¥      XO

MAKE UP FOR EVER . STEP 1 SKIN EQUALIZER

This year Make Up For Ever has done a complete overhaul of their primer line-up to release the next generation of primers, the Step 1 Skin Equalizers ($43). Included in this launch are ten specially designed primers to balance skin's texture and tone, each formulated with the Equalizer Complex to triple the power of your foundation. The Equalizer Complex features Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate and firm, Vederine to help skin appear more even, and Acti Tensor 3D, which helps to smooth the skin for long-lasting makeup coverage.

The Step 1 Skin Equalizers have been broken up into two categories: five for texture and five to correct tone. The idea is to mix and match these primers in order to create a skin prepping duo that is perfectly tailored to your texture and tone concerns. Now I don't mean to brag, but my skin texture is rather normal, and therefore I went with the Nourishing Base[*], which moisturizes and provides comfort while extending the wear time of your foundation. It truly does create a flawless base for makeup application, and I've even noticed a decrease in the size of my pores after I apply it. The true skin concern I struggle with is radiance. But thankfully this launch features five radiance-boosting primers, each designed with a specific skin tone in mind. I went with the Radiant Primer in Blue[*], which is best suited for light skin tones, however I've now come to realize that the Radiant Primer in Pink is without a doubt a better fit. That being said I love the fact that I can use the Blue version as a highlighter to accentuate the high points of my face. But I'd truly advise against using this primer for your entire face unless you have the complexion of Evan Rachel Wood or wish to resemble a cold blue corpse. 

I had never previously thought to use multiple primers to achieve a flawless base before, but given the number of skin concerns and skin tones in the world it makes perfect sense to tailor and customize your base.

Do you use multiple primers?

AM¥     XO

[*]The items featured in this post have 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.

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.

MAKE UP FOR EVER X 50 SHADES OF GREY . DESIRE ME CHEEK KIT

By now I'm sure we've all seen Fifty Shades of Grey – hell, even some of my guy friends have gone. I was lucky enough to catch a pre-screening held by Make Up For Ever last Wednesday, and even got my hands on their Desire Me Cheek Kit[*]($56), curated with Victoria Dawn, head of makeup for the movie. I didn't find the movie all that amazing – truly there was no story, however Jamie Dornan looked all kids of great, and I did appreciate the makeup. I have since fallen madly in love with the Make Up For Ever x Fifty Shades of Grey Collection. Swoon. Each time I test out a new kit from this collection I am surprised by how stunning, pigmented, and versatile it is.

This is especially true of the Desire Me Cheek Kit, a two piece set featuring three Artist Shadow Blushes and a travel-sized Precision Blush Brush 150, all held within a velvet pouch. The blushes include shades:

• I-526 – a pearl beige with slight pink undertones and an iridescent finish.
• I-808 – described as an english pink with an iridescent finish.
• S-748 – a bright coral with a satin finish. 

Each shade is intensely pigmented, and therefore requires a light hand for application – just look at the swatches below!! This is where the travel-sized Precision Blush Brush 150 proves to be the hidden star of this kit, as it delivers the perfect amount of colour every time. I've owned quite a few of the Artisan Brushes by Make Up For Ever and have truly enjoyed every one of them. I'm sure that when I update my brush kit later this year I'll be purchasing quite a few of them. That said, having these smaller versions in my collection is great, especially for traveling.

I'm hopeful that I can finally track down one of the larger pro pans that Make Up For Ever sells so that I can condense my collection into one palette. Although this kit was created for the cheeks, I will definitely be using the bright coral shade, S-748, to jump on the bright eyeshadow bandwagon come spring. Just another reason this palette is so incredible. If you haven't check out the Make Up For Ever x Fifty Shades of Grey Collection yet I highly suggest you do, and the Desire Me Cheek Kit is the perfect place to start. Especially for those who already love the Artist Shadows.

THE SWATCHES

Swatched L-R . I-526, I-808, and S-748

Did you hit the theatre for Fifty Shades Of Grey this weekend?

AM¥      XO

[*]The item in this post 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.

VALENTINES LOOK . MAKE UP FOR EVER . GIVE IN TO ME KIT

My loathe for Valentine's Day stems back quite a few years. To be truthful I can't recall ever celebrating the hallmark holiday, despite having a boyfriend/man friend in my life for the past decade.  But my strong feelings against Valentines didn't stop me from creating a soft and romantic look for the day with the new Make Up For Ever x 50 Shades Of Grey Give In To Me Kit [*]($90). I did a complete review on the kit earlier this week, seen here, and even got to attend a pre-screening of the movie. It was a great night with a lot of ooh's and ahh's every time Jamie Dornan shed an article of clothing, but to be honest the movie itself had no plot and I probably wouldn't spend money to see it. However, I was inspired by Anastasia Steele's humble, 'girl next door' makeup seen in the movie and decided to create this ethereal look for Valentines using the Give In To Me Kit. 

After applying my typical base of makeup I began creating a neutral eye look with underlying pink and lavender tones. I swept the lightest shade, I-514, all over the lid to create a shimmering base then to add depth to the eye I worked small amounts of the taupe grey, S-556, and continued blending to create a shadow in the crease. I then took a shader brush with the metallic copper brown shade, ME-612, and packed this shadow onto the lid to add warmth. I finished the eyes with the Graphic Eyeliner along the upper lash line, followed by 3 coats of the Smoky Extravaganza Mascara. For the lips I simply layered the products in this kit: the Rouge Artist Natural Lipstick in N4 and the Lab Shine Lip Gloss in D14. I love how simple this lip is from afar but how dazzling it becomes up close thanks to the gold shimmer seen in the lip gloss. Definitely a look I will be re-creating in the future. 

THE KIT

What style are you wearing this Valentine's Day? Romantic or Sexy?

AM¥     XO

[*]The items in this post have 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.

MAKE UP FOR EVER X 50 SHADES OF GREY . GIVE IN TO ME

It's finally here. This week marks the release of the movie we've all been dying to see... 50 Shades Of Grey. I never read the book, nor do I have any desire to, but the idea that Jamie Dornan could potentially pull a tampon out of a girl on screen means I'll be going to the theatre this weekend – alas, that'll never happen. But I do truly plan to see it, and in between the shots of Jamie Dornan and his room of sex, I'll be admiring Dakota Johnson's makeup, which was created by Victoria Dawn, Head Of Makeup for the film, who consistently reached for Make Up For Ever. Now, Make Up For Ever wants to take you backstage with a limited-edition collection inspired by the movie, including a cheek set, two lip sets and an entire makeup kit.

I got my hands on the Make Up For Ever Give In To Me Makeup Kit [*]($90 CAD) early last week and have not only been loving the five products it contains, but also their ability to transform my look from natural, to sultry to sophisticated. The products are housed in a a keepsake box, which even includes a secret compartment with a key – although I've never read the book something tells me that Christian Grey would house some toys of his own in there. Not sure that the average consumer is interested in a keepsake box that says "Mr. Grey will see you now", but we'll leave that debate for another time. It's the products inside that are of interest to me, and they include:

• 4 x 0.08 Artist Shadow Palette in shades I-514, ME-612, S-556, I-625 
• 0.03 oz Graphic Eyeliner 
• 0.16 oz Smoky Extravagant Mascara 
• 0.12 oz Rouge Artist Natural Lipstick in N4 
• 0.09 oz Lab Shine Lip Gloss in D14

THE E¥ES

This kit is all about creating enchanting, and intoxicating eyes. With the help of the earthy Artist Shadow Palette, Graphic Eyeliner and Smoky Extravagant Mascara, one can easily create a variety of looks that can readily be transformed from day to night. The eyeshadow palette contains four shades – I-514, an iridescent pink ivory, ME-612 a metallic silver brown, S-556, a satin taupe grey, and I-625 a limited edition iridescent khaki taupe shadow. There's also a pamphlet accompanying the kit, which features step-by-step guides to create three different looks from the movie. But my absolute favourite way of wearing this travel-friendly palette is quite simple; I-514 swept across the lid and onto the brow bone, S-556 and I-625 blended into the crease, and ME-612 smudged along the lower lashline. Add a small cat-eye with the Graphic Eyeliner, and make the most of your lashes with the Smoky Extravagant Mascara, and you're good to go. 

Artist Shadows Swatched L-R – I-514, ME-612, S-556, & I-625. 

THE LIPS

The lip products tell the softer side of the 50 Shades Of Grey romance – there is an innocence seen in the shades and finishes of the Rouge Artist Natural Lipstick in N4 and the Lab Shine Lip Gloss in D14. This combination is verging on the ideal 'Girl Next Door' lip, but with a slightly more demure undertone. The Rouge Artist Natural Lipstick in N4 is described as a pink beige, but given my skin tone it appears slightly more salmon when applied. It wears nicely on the lips, feels comfortable and imparts a luminous finish. It's a beautiful shade, although I prefer it when the Lab Shine Lip Gloss in D14 is layered over top. There is something about the gold shimmer, seen in this indian pink gloss that makes anything underneath look spectacular – even bare lips. 

Swatched L-R – Lipstick in N4 & Lip Gloss in D14

Will you be seeing the movie, or trying any of Make Up For Ever's 50 Shades Of Grey inspired kits?

AM¥     XO

*]The items in this post have 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.

6 THINGS . HOW TO ACCENTUATE ¥OUR E¥ES

I've found myself lost in another's eyes more than once. It happens quite frequently to be honest. No matter the colour, there is something of interest residing inside them – a freckle, a sense of pain, or even a kindness. I've also found myself wondering what their view is like, if they see the same colours and shades, what they've endured and will continue to endure, how many tears have been shed... the list goes on. There is a magic within ones eyes that no other body part can reveal – a true sense of soul.

I've been blessed with an eye colour that even I cannot pin point – it lies somewhere between blue and green, with a dark outer ring enclosing the iris, and at times a bright yellow hue surrounding the pupil. They are without a doubt my favourite facial feature, and as such I like to accentuate them whenever possible. This is rather simple – frame them with perfected brows, add depth with matte brown shadows, and make them pop using liner and mascara. The tricks may be old, but the result is truly 'eye-catching'.

I begin by sculpting my brows with the Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow in Medium Brown. This pomade is a must for any beauty junkie – it applies smoothly, creating a distinct and defined shape that doesn't budge all day. Two other products that everyone should own are the Urban Decay Primer Potion and Naked Basics Palette. The primer is necessary as it ensures my shadows apply with ease, appear vibrant and pigmented, and will not crease or fade throughout the day. I sweep a wash of W.O.S., from the Naked Basics Palette, all over my lid to even out my skin tone before adding depth to the crease using a mixture of Naked2 and Faint on a fluffy brush. I finish with a hint of Venus, the only shimmering shade in the palette, along the brow bone and the inner corner. I then further define my eyes with the Make Up For Ever Ink Liner[*] along the upper lash line, and smudge the Make Up For Ever AquaMatic in Satiny Warm Brown[*] along the lower lash line – this shade is great for you blue-eyed beauties. To complete the look I apply a fiber mascara, like the Too Face Better Than False Lashes Mascara, to add an excessive amount of length, instantly creating 'notice me lashes'. This look is one of my favourites because it can be worn on a daily basis without appearing to heavy for work, and can be transformed for a night out by simply adding a bold lip.

How do you accentuate your eyes?

AM¥     XO

[*]Some of the items in this post have 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.

MAKE UP FOR EVER . INK LINER . MATTE LIQUID E¥ELINER

Make Up For Ever's latest release of liquid liners deliver the ultimate crisp jet black line and have inspired me to explore my inner artist with this fun graphic cat eye. I got my hands on the Make Up For Ever Ink Liner[*] just over a week ago and have had a blast playing around with it ever since. This liquid liner not only boasts a fun ergonomic shape, which looks ultra-chic on your vanity, but also features a calligraphy pen tip to deliver intense, super-matte, quick-drying black lines with even the lightest stroke. I am by no means a makeup artist, and still struggle to ensure that each cat eye is symmetrical so I appreciate that this liner makes that task a little bit easier. And the matte finish is so unique. 

The other release from Make Up For Ever is their new Graphic Liner, an all-in-one pen liner that is ideal for anyone, from beginners to experienced pros. This liner looks awesome as well, but I simply prefer the easy-handing of the Ink Liner, which is more similar to my former love, the Lancôme Artliner Precision Point Eyeliner.

What liquid eyeliner do you get down with?

AM¥     XO

[*]The items in this post have 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.

SEVEN TO TRY . FOR WIDE AWAKE E¥ES

We've all been there. Partied a little two hard and woken up with big black bags under our eyes – not a good look. This weekend I have a few events that will require me to stay up past my typical 10:30pm bed time, so I've compiled a kit of seven products to ensure I look bright-eyed come morning – yes, I'm that much of a grandma.

The first savior for tired eyes is a product that is entirely new to me, and contains dragon's blood... you heard me, dragon's blood. The Rodial Dragon's Blood Eye Masks[*] use bio-cellulose technology and dragon's blood [a natural plant extract] to intensely hydrate and plump the under eye region. Much needed for those of us who forget to guzzle water before bed after a night of drinking. I further hydrate this delicate area with my most-loved Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado – the unique formula applies as a cream but quickly transforms, giving a water-like feel as you massage it in. Now to the makeup, the most compelling way to fake that you've had a full 8 hours of sleep. My go-to for concealing under the eyes is my Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque – I've been using it for years now as it instantly hides dark circles and never creases, which can accentuate my naturally puffy eyes. What a lot of people don't recognize is that it's equally as important to colour correct your eyelids as well, and my mom has got me hooked on Benefit's Lemon-Aid for this. The soft-yellow shade corrects redness that may occur if you 'forgot' to wash your makeup off – I say 'forgot' because I often know that I should wash my face and simply choose sleep instead. The next step is to line the waterline with a nude eye liner – this will make your eyes appear larger without having the stark effect that a white pencil can have. I love the Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Liner in Nude because the creamy formula ensures I'm not tugging at my eyes. I then pop a bit of my Stila Smudge Crayon in Kitten in the inner corners and blend with my ring finger – the pearl champagne shade has an instant brightening effect and can double as a brow bone highlight. The final step is mascara, and lots of it. I received a sample of the Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara[*] in the Double Exposure Palette and have been obsessed with it ever since. The thick brush is similar to Make Up For Ever's Smoky Lash, which was formerly my HG mascara, creating thick bold lashes, without clumps. And if all that fails... well, you're most likely a zombie and should just throw on some sunglasses.

What are your go-to products for the day after a sleepless night?

AM¥     XO

[*]Some of the items in this post have 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.  

THE GAME CHANGERS OF 2014

My views on beauty, blogging and life have changed a lot over the course of 2014. As most of you have probably already noticed I've been the most indecisive person, with everything from the blog to love. I changed the name of my site then reverted back to THE PRETT¥ VAIN within a week, stopped blogging entirely for two months and was absolutely stunned that you all stuck by my side.  I'm entering 2015 with a much clearer mind, and a focus on the aesthetic I've been sharing with you over the past few weeks. But 2014 wasn't a complete rollercoaster ride – there were a number of products that stuck with me through thick and thin, along with a handful of new releases that completely changed my beauty game.

SKIN

At the age of 25 I finally cemented a skincare regime that I've grown to love. My focus this year truly was on my skin – ensuring it looked flawless without an ounce of makeup. And while I'm not completely there, I'm pretty damn close. I owe that perfected skin to one product in particular, the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. This serum is highly concentrated with Viniferine, which helped to reduce the appearance of dark spots caused from those pesky period pimples I get around that time of the month. It also improved my skins overall radiance, giving me a fresh and bright complexion. I also enhanced my complexion through the use of face masks, which I tried by the hoards. Two of my absolute favourites were the Boscia Luminizing Black Mask and the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask. They both give my skin an instant pick me up when it's looking dull or I've partied a little too hard.

Complete reviews can be found here: luminizing black mask, pumpkin enzyme mask

MAKEUP

For makeup I kept things classic and polished with a focus on finding the perfect foundation – and I somehow ended up with three I can't live without. I was hooked to the Make Up For Ever Face & Body Liquid Makeup all spring/summer thanks to it's lightweight, long-lasting formula, and fall/winter has been all about the Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream, which came as a complete shock to me – you can see my full review here. The final foundation I've been addicted to is the Marc Jacobs Beauty Marvelous Mousse Transformative OilFree Foundation – nothing perfects my skin like it, unfortunately it's matte finish has a drying effect on my already dry skin meaning I can only wear it once or twice a week.

The rest of my look has maintained an ease and simplicity that I've really come to enjoy. I've developed a stronger brow game thanks to the Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade, a quick 2-minute Mary-Kate Olsen eye thanks to the Make Up For Ever Aqua Matic in Diamond Golden Grey and Satiny Warm Brown, and found the perfect everyday lip colour in MAC's Lipstick in Lipblossom. And although I'm not entirely sure whether it's appropriate to include in this years game changers, as I know it's going to be a sell-out for 2015, the Smashbox Double Exposure Palette has given me everything I could ever want in an eyeshadow palette and more. Fourteen shadows that transform to twenty-eight with the simple addition of water! I could say more... or you can read my full review of it, seen here.   

HAIR

My hair game was turned upside down this year when I decided to chop it all off – and with the chop went my incessant need for hair products. But there were three products that made my life a little easier and my hair a little sleeker. For starters I gave myself a weekly hair routine – a deep cleanse with the Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo to rid my locks of any excess product, followed with the Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coco Masque to help restore it's moisture. On days when I decided to blow-dry and heat-style my hair I turned to the Living Proof Prime Style Extender. It is simply the best at keeping frizz at bay, smoothing ends and extending your style – an absolute must have for, well, anyone with hair. I can't decide whether I'll be growing or trimming for 2015, but these products will most definitely stick with me.

ETC

Sometimes the etc is the most important part, completely pulling a look/vibe together – and that couldn't be more true for these three stunners. First, an innovation in self tanning that has kept my pins bronzed and my shimmer level high, the St. Tropez Self Tan Luxe Dry Oil. I've spoke a lot about the Karora Express Bronzing Mousse, but this luxe oil is great for overnight use when you want to wake up to glowing, 'post-vacation' skin, and has been my go-to before parties – you can tan as you dance, and the shimmer makes your skin look radiant from a distance. The other ever important etc is your signature scent. I've been drawn to sensual, dark, verging on too masculine perfumes this year, and topping my charts are: Nirvana Black by Elizabeth and James and Atelier Cologne in Vanille Insensée Cologne Absolue. Both fragrances offer a different vibe, while still containing my favourite notes, vanilla and wood.

Safe to say I've allowed the minimalistic, 'homie' side of me come out in full effect this year.

What are some of the products that changed your beauty game in 2014?

SHOP MY FAVOURITES

AM¥     XO

MAKE UP FOR EVER . ARTIST SHADOW in MILK TEA + MILK TOFFEE

Thirty years in the beauty industry calls for a celebration, and MAKE UP FOR EVER chose to do so by paying tribute to the product that made the brand world famous, their Artist Shadows. Dany Sanz, Creative & Artistic Director for MUFE has been working on this release for 3 years, revolutionizing the Artist Shadow with a breakthrough formula based on Pigment Atomization and Water-Blend Technology – for those scientifically inept, it translates to a shadow that delivers the most concentrated pigment on the market (88%), while enabling the utmost blendability and even texture. With 210 shades available, consisting of Matte, Satin, Metal, Iridescent and Diamond finishes, it seems most of us will struggle with what shades to purchase rather than whether to purchase at all. The shadows can be purchased individually for $24(CAD), or can be customized to create a two- or three-pan palette, which retails for $39(CAD) and $50(CAD), respectively. Hopefully MUFE will make their larger pan pro-palettes (ten & eighteen-pan) more accessible to the masses, since they are currently only available at boutiques and I know beauty addicts like myself would fawn over them. But for now my two-pan palette complete with the neutral shades Milk Tea (M-536) and Milk Toffee (S-706) will simply have to suffice. 

The first thing I noticed about these shadows was their immense size – we're talking the size of those chocolate loonies, which no one ever buys but when they are around they last for maybe 30 seconds. My point being, these shadows are LARGE (0.07oz). And you know what? I am perfectly content with their size since they truly do perform like a dream – I mean, just look at those swatches, intense colour payoff and visibly blendable. Milk Tea (M-536) is a great crease colour for everyday wear as it has a matte finish and is only a few shades darker than my natural skin tone. I've been using it to add depth to my crease, especially on days when I am wearing a bold lip and want my eyes to stand out without looking too heavy – I've been loving a natural eye lately. Milk Toffee (S-706) is a much more versatile shade with a satin finish – it's even considered a powder blush on Sephora, which I am definitely going to try out. But for now my favourite way to wear this shade is smudged around the upper and lower lashline – once again giving me that effortlessly chic, just rolled out of bed, Mary-Kate Olsen kind of style.

These shadows are absolutely incredible to work with and are a product worth collecting. Only 208 shades left – gotta catch 'em all. To customize your own palette simply click here. 

AMY     XO

MAKE UP FOR EVER • AQUAMATIC in IRIDESCENT TURQUOISE

Wearing colour on my lids is something I typically shy away from; I’m much more experimental when it comes to lipstick or blush. But when the newest member to MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Aqua range, Aqua Matic, arrived on my desk I couldn’t help but step out of my comfort zone with a Turquoise Cat Eye. Iridescent Turquoise makes for a beautiful and unexpected cat eye this fall, which I paired with MAKE UP FOR EVER's Aqua Eyes Liner in Matte Black to line the waterlines, and a simple pink lip courtesy of Kim K's favourite combination MAC Lipstick in Angel & NARS Lip Gloss in Turkish Delight.

Aqua Matic ($25 CAD) is a creamy eye pencil that is 'available in 10 shades from neutral to vibrant with satin, metallic, diamond or iridescent finishes'. These new pencils promise to 'offer crease-proof, high-intensity color, with a lightweight finish', and they don't let you down. With my Urban Decay Primer Potion as a base the new Aqua Matic Eye Shadow Pencil lasted the entire evening (7+ hrs) and then was easily removed with my cleanser at night. And I loved how simple the pencil was to use; the entire look took me less than 10 minutes to create and the pencil includes a sharpener so you can always get a precise line. I can't wait to pick up the shade Satiny Warm Brown, but I'll be using it slightly messier than Iridescent Turquoise by smudging it all around the lid -- inspired by Mary Kate Olsen, of course. Chic in seconds.

What shade is on your radar?

AM¥     XO