TESTING TESTING . DRUGSTORE LIP PRODUCTS

Drugstore lip products have come a long way since the Bonne Bell Lip Smackers & Glosses I used to collect by the dozens as a lil babe. Nowadays, it feels as though I can barely keep up with the new drugstore releases for lips, let alone face, eyes and skincare. But this year there are two stand out lip products that are absolute must haves, hailing from the drugstore: the Rimmel Provocalips ($10) and Annabelle Lipsies ($5).  

The Rimmel Provocalips[*] are a new kissproof lip colour, which in my opinion resemble the Make Up For Ever Aqua Rouge lipsticks in both their formulation and swatch, and boast up to 16 hours of wear. While a lot of the the time claims like this one are simply an exaggeration, the Rimmel Provocalips will do just that – lasting 16 hours without fading or transferring. The product is dual-ended, featuring a long-wear liquid lipstick on one end, and a high-shine gloss on the other. The duo provides an intense colour that boasts a beautiful shine thanks to the gloss, however I often wear the shades sans gloss to acheive a matte finish. 

I've got my hands on the shades Skinny Dipping, Pucker Up and Heart Breaker. Pucker Up, a beautiful baby pink packed with golden shimmer, is without a doubt my favourite shade – most likely due to the fact that I've been dreaming of Spring and envision myself wearing this shade daily. Whereas Skinny Dipping, a light brown, and Heart Breaker, a deep wine red with a hint of brown, will be better suited for my more demure looks. Now if only packaging was slightly more sophisticated – think a clear tube for the gloss. 

THE SWATCHES

L-R // Rimmel Provocalips in Skinny Dipping, Pucker Up & Heart Breaker.

The Annabelle Lipsies[*] are a completely different breed of lip product compared to the Rimmel Provocalips – their goal: hydration with a hint of colour. The lighter shades are perfectly suited for a day at the beach as long as they are layered atop a lip balm with SPF – they add a subtle, glossy finish and are packed with incredibly moisturizing ingredients. The brighter colours provide a surprisingly pigmented swatch, making them a staple in my purse for days of running errands. However, given their junior packaging I'm whether I truly want anyone to see me applying them – yes, I am that much of snob. 

The two shades I've been testing are Lychee and Cherry, which both feature bright, fruity aromas unique to the fruit they are named after – making them the perfect way to welcome Spring. Lychee is a great everyday nude with a subtle golden shimmer that appears thanks to the glossy finish, while Cherry is a bright cherry red that provides a subtle stain as it wears. They, of course, aren't the most long-lasting lip balm I've tested but their twist-up design, and hydrating properties help me look past this small flaw. 

THE SWATCHES

L-R // Annabelle Lipsies in Lychee & Cherry

What's the last lip product you tested from the drugstore?

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.

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.  

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