NAILS . ESSIE . SPRING 2015 COLLECTION

When you live in a country that experiences all four seasons you're bound to have a beacon for Spring – a sign that indicates the cold, bundled-up days have almost past. For a beauty blogger that beacon is the anticipated release of the year's Spring nail polish collections. And the collection destined to rule them all this Spring is the Essie Flowerista Collection. 'Whether the look is futuristic minimalism or nouveau bohemian, the name of the game is flower power. The Spring 2015 Collection is in full bloom, celebrating the fresh perspectives and energetic nature of the spring season.'

This collection brings added excitement as it marks the first collaboration with designer Rebecca Minkoff, who is joining Essie as their Global Colour Designer. Together, Minkoff and Essie have created a collection consisting of six polishes, three brights and three neutrals, for a refreshing twist to the typical floral-inspired collection. I was enamoured with all six shades when I saw the release on Nail Polish Canada, but it was Garden Variety and Petal Pushers that came home with me in the end. I presume that Garden Variety will be the only brightly-coloured polish making its way into my polish collection this spring given my current addiction to neutrals. The deep, creamy teal blue polish had me at first swatch and has left me day dreaming of outfits to pair it with ever since. Petal Pushers on the other hand is a shade I'm much more comfortable and familiar with. Described as a cool rain slate, this shade will undoubtedly become a go-to of mine year round and will work wonders when incorporated into nail art designs – especially when paired with Garden Variety. 

What are your thoughts on Essie's Spring Collection?

AM¥     XO

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.

¥VES SAINT LAURENT . VOLUPTÉ TINT-IN-OIL . OH M¥ GOLD

The historical cold temperatures we've experienced this week have taken a serious toll on my lips – it feels slightly suicidal to wear anything other than lip balm for fear of further chapping and discomfort. In hopes of mending my dry lips I set off to Sephora this past weekend in search of the Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil. I've heard so many rave reviews about this luxury lip oil, but given my luck it was of course sold out. 

After speaking with a few of the staff members about alternative options I was pointed in the direction of the YSL Volupté Tint-In-Oil ($35), a revolutionary new lip tint, which is suspended in a deep conditioning oil. I had a blast swatching these lip products – all eight shades apply as a transparent, clear oil and gradually produce a tint once they hit the skin. Too cool! I ended up purchasing the shade Oh My Gold, a beautiful, yet subtle pink that is packed with gold shimmer. It's a great shade for every day wear as it truly enhances your natural lip colour without overpowering the rest of your makeup. Plus, the YSL Volupté Tint-In-Oil lip products of course feel decadent and comfortable on the lips given that they've been formulated with apricot kernel oil, coriander fruit oil, jojoba seed oil, and possiflora edulis seed oil. I also have a major crush on the exclusive applicator this product features, which easily forms to lips to ensure the most precise application every time. At this point I'm completely unsure how I'm going to summon enough will power to control myself from purchasing the seven remaining shades. Send help. :|

THE SWATCH

Have you tried the YSL Volupté Tint-In-Oil?

AM¥     XO

ARBONNE . FOR THE SUN OF IT . BRONZING KIT

Arbonne celebrated 35 successful years in business this past January with the release of three limited edition products, which will remain available for the entirety of 2015. Since 1980, Arbonne has focused on developing products that combine the very best of emerging science and nature. The limited edition 35th Anniversary products "demonstrate our continuing commitment to re-evaluating our products to find ways that we can update formulas to deliver best-selling products, with enhancements that new research brings us,” said Michael D’Arminio, Arbonne Sr. VP and Chief Creative Officer.

The release includes the RE9 Advanced Intense Hydration Overnight Mask ($81), RE9 Advanced Instant Wrinkle Filler ($53) and For the Sun of It Illuminating Bronzer & Kabuki Brush Set ($56). I recently reviewed the RE9 Advanced Intense Hydration Overnight Mask, which can be seen here, but today is all about the For the Sun of It Illuminating Bronzer & Kabuki Brush Set[*].

The For the Sun of It Illuminating Bronzer & Kabuki Brush Set includes just that, a universal bronzer paired with a luxuriously soft kabuki brush for seamless application. The bronzer is a beautiful shade, especially for those with paler skin tones, and features a matte, soft-lit effect through the use of Optilight Technology. It's also loaded with Arbonne age-defying botanicals, such as algae extract and plant-derived hyaluronic acid to hydrate, smooth and soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I personally enjoy it because it's a 'healthy' alternative to my long time love NARS Laguna, and the shade is actually better suited for my skin tone. Plus the Optilight Technology truly does provide a luminous effect to my skin without the addition of shimmer, meaning I can use it regardless of where I'm headed. It's a real shame that this bronzing duo will only be around for a limited time. I guess I better stock up! 

Arbonne products are vegan, formulated without gluten, dermatologist-tested and allergy-tested. All products can be purchased through their extensive network of Independent Consultants, or online at www.arbonne.ca.

Do you own any Arbonne makeup products?

AM¥     XO

[*]The item featured 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.

MAC VIVA GLAM . MILE¥ C¥RUS LIPSTICK & LIP GLASS

MAC Cosmetics latest Viva Glam spokeswoman is the one and only Miley Cyrus – and the release of her bright pink duo couldn't have come at a better time with Valentine's Day lurking around the corner. I've always been a fan of Miley, especially since her recent shift to the twerking, drug-loving, superstar she is today. She isn't afraid to speak her mind on the use of marijuana, and at the end of the day she doesn't care about what anyone else thinks about her life. I can totally respect that and I've always been a huge supporter of MAC's Viva Glam program, which donates all proceeds to help those living with HIV/AIDS – so obviously I needed these new additions.

The Viva Glam x Miley Cyrus Lipstick ($16) is a stunning hot pink shade with a glossy finish, featuring the signers signature on the inside of the bullet. I originally was only going to purchase the lipgloss because swatches of the lipstick revealed a shade that simply seemed to 'barbie'-esque for my style. However, in person there is a subtle orange undertone to this lipstick that makes it a must for spring/summer. The lipstick can be worn solo or paired with the Viva Glam x Miley Cyrus Lip Glass ($18), which is described as a hot pink with sparkling pearl shimmer, also featuring the signers signature, this time found on the tube. When swatched the hot pink tone is muted quite significantly, revealing a barely there pink with loads of glitter. I almost enjoy the lipgloss better when it is layered over a nude lipstick than it's hot pink companion. This is one of the more fun Viva Glam releases we've seen come from MAC, so I'm hopeful that Miley Cyrus will be collaborating with them again in the future.     

THE SWATCHES

What do you think of this collaboration?

AM¥     XO

COLOURPOP . LIPPIE STIX . FROM BOUND TO BULLCHIC

Temptalia has introduced the world to a number of indie beauty brands over the years, and the latest brand is one that I personally won't soon be forgetting. With highly pigmented eye shadows, lip liners and lipsticks, featured at prices that compete with the drugstore, ColourPop has certainly found a way to start 2015 with a bang. My current addiction? Their Lippie Stix, a twist-up lipstick available in three finishes and a bevy of intriguing shades – plus they're only $5... yes, you heard me. That's the beauty of ColourPop, everything they sell is $5. I immediately gravitated towards five shades – Bound, Wet, Creature, Feminist and Bull Chic. I decided that this was a good way to introduce myself to the brand as the shades covered all three finishes, allowing me to judge their individual texture and quality. Each shade is incredibly pigmented, applying with ease and wearing comfortably for 5+ hours. Although there is something slightly off with the scent, but thankfully it dissipates quite quickly.

Bound is the perfect light pink nude and features a glossy finish, making it quite comfortable to wear. It's the shade I'm seen wearing in the Accentuating Eyes post I shared a few days ago. It delivered such a beautiful glossy sheen to my lips that day that I became instantly obsessed. The remaining shades are significantly less wearable, but arguably more fun. Wet is a taupe gunmetal with a pearlized, slightly metallic finish – my perfect summer shade. I can envision wearing it with tanned skin, a white dress, azure blue aviators and an absurd amount of rings. Creature is not quite what I expected in person, but remains beautiful non the less. ColourPop describes it as a 'deepened, blackened, burgundy red', while I view it as a bright blackened cherry. Creature along with Feminist and Bull Chic feature a matte finish, meaning they deliver the longest lasting power, even leaving a stain once removed from the lips. Feminist is the picture perfect black purple – it is so striking when applied, especially with a minimal eye, while Bull Chic is about as black and unwearable as it gets. I'm not sure where I'll have the courage to wear this.. but it has been fun to play around with at home thus far.

I'll definitely be exploring a few more shades from the brand. Right now I've got my eyes on Go Fish, Lumière, Brink and Pitch.

THE SWATCHES

L - R // Bound, Wet, Creature, Feminist, Bull Chic

Have you heard about ColourPop Cosmetics yet? Share your swatches & reviews below :)

AM¥     XO

NARS . MATTE VELVET LIP PENCIL IN TRAIN BLEU

Last week I debuted a look that was entirely new to me – strong brows and lips with absolutely no mascara, seen here. While the look may have been completely out of my comfort zone the deep aubergine lip was not, and a lot of people seemed to gravitate towards the shade that I used, NARS Matte Velvet Lip Pencil in Train Bleu. But the truth is that while the shade looks stunning from far away, up close it can appear patchy, clinging to the dry bits on my lips.

Don't get me wrong, I still absolutely adore this product – it's long wearing, pigmented and delivers a beautiful matte finish. But there's just something slightly off about it, as you can see in the below swatch. I'm never one to give up on a product, especially when I've had such high hopes for it, so I figured that today I would share how I prep and perfect my lips before applying Train Bleu. The first and most important step is to get rid of any flakes, and my favourite products to accomplish this are Lush's Lip Scrubs – I have three different flavours to correspond with whatever mood I'm in that day; salty, sweet or minty. I typically do this right after I wash my face in the morning, followed by an intensely hydrating lip product, like my Josie Maran Argan Lip Treatment. Leaving this on while I style my hair and put on my makeup means I'm maximizing the nourishment I receive from the argan oil infused balm. Once the rest of my makeup is complete I use a tissue to wipe of any excess balm before I add my deep lip. I apply Train Bleu straight from the pencil, but let's be honest I'm not a makeup artist so my technique is not always perfect, which is why it's necessary for me to touch up the edges with concealer – my go-to, the Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque. Despite my lips looking their most perfect at this point the struggle is still not over. Being a matte pencil I do find my lips become dry after 3 hours of wear, which is why I always carry a lip balm with me to make things a little more comfortable. The Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment is great since it doesn't impart a high shine finish and I can easily tap it on with my fingertips without disrupting the colour. 

THE SWATCH
*I didn't complete these steps for the swatch as I wanted to show Train Bleu in it's natural form*

This is a true labour of love, and to be honest I'd rather a simpler product that delivers the same matte shade. So please suggest some of your favourites in the comment section below!

AM¥     XO

ESSIE . CASHMERE MATTE COLLECTION + SWATCHES

I've had one hell of a time trying to track down the latest Essie polish release, the Cashmere Matte Collection, after it almost instantly sold out online. But luckily my local Shopper's Drug Mart had just received them and the sales associate was kind enough to scour through the newly delivered shipment to find the four shades I had my eyes set on from the get-go: Wrap Me Up, All Eyes On Nudes, Comfy In Cashmere and Just Stitched. The collection is totally unique, with a satin-matte finish that dries quickly, leaving a suede-like texture – and two of the polishes feature a pearlized matte finish that is beyond gorgeous.

All of the polishes are on the thicker side and therefore a little tricky to apply, requiring three thin coats for the best results. But if you've got patience the pay off is totally worth it. Wrap Me Up is a beautiful soft white with the slightest bit of pink – it's romantic and totally office worthy if you're looking to avoid a stark white. The other nude in the collection, All Eyes On Nudes, is a camel-toned polish that looks so luxurious when paired with gold accessories. I'm just hopeful that it will still look as chic when summer comes around and I have a tan as some polishes can look muddled when there isn't enough contrast between your skin tone and the polish. Next up is the darkest polish I went for, Comfy In Cashmere, a taupe polish filled with a blue iridescence that can be seen at all angles. Out of all the polishes in this range this one was by far the easiest to work with and was some-what self-leveling. The final polish, Just Stitched, is also filled with a blue iridescent shimmer but the finish is a little more subtle. I usually steer clear of baby pink polishes, but the pearlized matte finish and subtle iridescence make it a must have.

There are two more shades available from the collection, Coat Couture and Spun In Luxe, however I simply didn't gravitate towards them – too dark, too matte, too something... just not my style.

THE SWATCHES

Swatched in Natural Light . Wrap Me Up, All Eyes On Nudes, Comfy In Cashmere, and Just Stitched

Have you spotted these polishes yet? What shade is your favourite?

AM¥     XO

BEEN TRILL? NAH, JUST ILL

Five days into the new year and I've already been MIA. I wish that I could pretend it was because I got caught up with the merriment of the occasion and the 'newness', but sadly that's not the case. I've been down, out, and back to momma bears for a little TLC to help battle the horrid flu I had caught. Thankfully with a bit of motherly love, a lot of liquids and an absurdly long Keeping Up With The Kardashians marathon I've made it out alive. But there are a few beauty products that were absolute life-savers when it came to coping with this virus, and they definitely deserve an honorable mention – I mean we've basically been bff's the past week. 

The flu has this nasty habit of draining every last ounce of moisture from your body. I've been combating this issue two ways: drinking lots of water/tea/anything fluid, and restoring my skin with moisture-packed products. For tea I've been turning to cold 911, one of the loose leaf tea's found in my David's Tea David's Top 12 gift set – it's caffeine free and packed with peppermint, juniper, and citrus to soothe. I'm not going to pretend that it was the cure, but it certainly made my throat feel more comfortable and was delicious to sip on while watching those Kardashian girls – plus the lack of caffeine meant I could sip at all hours. I was also, at all hours (and on repeat), applying cream to my poor red nose, layering lip balm on my chapped lips, and replenishing my hands from over-washing. For my nose I turned to the Aveeno Fresh Essentials Hydrating Night Cream, being the thickest cream in my vanity I knew it would work wonders – when applied it stung slightly, but also instantly rid my nose of flakes. My lips were healed with my favourite lip balm, the Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm, which also provided an intense minty scent that worked nearly as well as Vicks VapoRub at clearing my sinuses. And the Royal Apothic Hand Cream in Holland Park remained my go-to after washing my hands, which I did incessantly. There is absolutely nothing worse than feeling dry and chapped, so it has been essential to have these 'flu-saviors' within arms length all week.

I also found myself bored, which lead to frequent showers. But who can blame me? Nothing feels better than lingering in the shower, letting the hot steam open your airways. Which also gave me ample time to treat my hair with my Bumble and Bumble Créme de Coco Masque – a hair mask I can't seem to shut up about. I may have looked worse for wear but my hair was soft and full of shine. I also cured my boredom with a stellar hour of removing my shellac manicure (note the sarcasm), followed by a full at-home manicure featuring Shine For Me, a new shade released by OPI for their 50 Shades Of Grey Collection. This polish is so unexpectedly beautiful – a shimmering silver base with small blue and purple hex glitter. I may not have read the novel, however I'm sure if I had I'd be telling you that this polish makes me wet... Too far?

I wouldn't wish this illness on anyone, not even an enemy, but it seems to be spreading quickly so be prepared! 

What helps you get past the flu?

AM¥     XO

GLITTER OVERDOSE . MY FAVOURITE GLITZY POLISHES

Deck the nails with lots of glitter fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la. That's how the song goes... right? Christmas is only 10 days away and if you don't have glitter coursing through your veins then I only have one question – WHAT IS YOUR LIFE? I've been on a glitter binge for the duration of December with no end in sight – it's coating my floors, my skin and of course my nails. So today I bring you 10 glitter polishes that even glitter queen and Christmas songstress, Mariah Carey, needs in her vanity.

Topping the make-shift polish tree is the Kinetics Nail Polish in Splatter It! – the perfect polish for the artsy type. I've worn this polish over every shade of grey imaginable, yet still nothing can compare to the impact it gives when layered over a simple white. A more obtainable version of this polish is the Formula X Xpolsive Top Coat in Chaotic – available from Sephora. The next layer features three favourites from Essie's Luxe Effects Line – Shine Of The Times, As Gold As It Gets, and Set In Stones. It's almost a sin to consider yourself a beauty blogger without owning the entire Luxe Effects line-up, but if you must only choose three effects then these are it. The subtlety of the Shine Of The Times and As Gold As It Gets make easy work of transforming a basic polish to an extraordinary one, while Set In Stones looks beautiful as a gradient below the cuticle. The third layer shares four of the most exquisite OPI limited edition glitters [in my opinion] – Muppets World Tour, Which Is Witch?, Wonderous Star and When Moneky's Fly. I love the way each polish features various forms of glitter and subtle holographic details ensuring that your nails are the star of any party you attend this holiday season. The final two polishes, and most recent addition to my collection, hail from Julep's Diamond Mystery Box – Sky and Chantel. There is something so lavish about the diamond shaped glitter and holographic elements seen in these top coats. I love layering Sky over a shimmering royal blue like Austen, and Chantel over a deep aubergine, such as Nic.

THE SWATCHES

Swatched left to right // Julep – Chantel, Sky, OPI – When Monkeys Fly!, Wonderous Star, Which Is Witch?, Muppets World Tour, Essie – Set In Stones, As Gold As It Gets, Shine Of The Times and Kinetics Nail Polish – Splatter It!

I so dearly wish that these glitters were more widely available, but hopefully this post helped inspire you to add a little glitz to your manicure this week! We could all use a bit more sparkle.

What is your go-to glitter polish?

AM¥     XO

SMASHBOX . DOUBLE EXPOSURE PALETTE

Few palettes have caught my attention since the Urban Decay Naked palette frenzy. Being a neutral lover I found that I had no need to explore other shadow palettes, I had everything I could ever need with the Naked lineup. Or so I thought...

Meet my recent love, the Smashbox Double Exposure Palette ($60). This eyeshadow palette is quite possibly the best palette of all time – although many would argue that it's predecessor the Full Exposure Palette cannot be beat.  It's a 14-shadow palette, who's shades transform in one of four ways with the addition of water – get a deeper shade, turn up the vibrancy, transform it to a metallic or amp up the sparkle. This is all facilitated by coated pigments that give a multi-dimensional effect when wet. You can use the shades completely dry, wet or mix and match the finishes. The possibilities truly are endless. The palette comes with a dual-ended brush – the domed side absorbs just the right about of water for the most impactful color, while the angled side creates a precise line when wet, or smoky diffused line when dry. A lot of my experiences with brushes included in eyeshadow palettes end in heartbreak, but Smashbox ensures this isn't the case – the brush worked well both wet and dry and delivered a pigmented swatch with minimal fall out. And to finish off every look the Double Exposure Palette also features a deluxe-sized sample of the Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara. I love this mascara, the formula is very build-able, delivering thick, long lashes without clumping or smudging. A definite repurchase for me.

As you can see, this palette is certainly not one-noted – even before the shades 'transform with water' you can see colour diversity that far surpasses the Naked palettes. Smashbox was genius to pair neutral classics with nodes of navy, purple, and rose – a beauty obsessive's delight. I am guilty of being [slightly more than] obsessed with the Double Exposure palette – hell I've begun day dreaming of looks that I can create with it. For day I stick to the right hand side of the palette – I apply Flushed all over the lid, deepen the crease with a mixture of Fig & Espresso and highlight the inner tear duct with Quartz. To add interest to this look I like to use the angled brush wet and smudge the shade Copper along the lower lash line – this adds an unexpected metallic sheen and aids in brightening the eye. For night looks my brush finds the cool, deeper shadows found on the left hand side of the palette – I begin with a wash of Silver all over the lid, deepen the crease, creating a stylized V in the outer corner with Haze and Noir and highlight the inner tear duct and brow bone with Blanc. Once satisfied I add some water to the domed edge of the brush and pack the shade Silver onto the eyelid again in order to enhance the metallic finish and then use the angled brush dipped into water to smudge the shade Midnight along the lower lash line. All this and my experimentation continues. Not a palette to be missed, I say.

The palette is currently available from Sephora, and will be available at Murale February 2015. 

Have you set your sights on the Double Exposure palette?

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. 

MAC COSMETICS . KEEPSAKES/BEIGE E¥ES E¥ESHADOW PALETTE

Earlier this week I expressed my deep love for the MAC Viva Glamourous Lip Palette from their holiday collection [post seen here]. Well, I also bought one other palette from the Keepsakes Collection and unfortunately, while the packaging was beautiful the product itself wasn't all that. The MAC Beige Eyes Eyeshadow Palette ($47.50) is an 8-pan palette with warm-toned, neutral shades. It looks beautiful, inside and out. The black glitter somehow reads chic, and the cameo reminds me of my Mom. But the beads decorating the edges are rubber, meaning they are easily going to break off with the way I treat me belongings :|. The palette itself is also extremely small – each shadow is only 0.014oz, while they were 0.14oz the two previous years. 

In terms of looking good on the inside, the shadows themselves present nicely in the pan – the shades work together well and there are a variety of finishes. Unfortunately they just don't live up to their pan glory – the majority of them are chalky and difficult to work with, and the first shade wouldn't even swatch on my arm. 

THE SHADES

Her Mistress – a 'soft pastel egg' with a matte finish. This shade did not even swatch on my arm.

Sweet Sovereign –  a 'frosty gold champagne' with a lustre finish. This was one of the better shades, and I'm sure that it would look stunning with the Chanel Illusion D'Ombre LongWear Luminous Eyeshadow in Emmervielle as a base. 

Faire Maiden – a 'bright coppering gold' with a lustre finish. Another one of the decent shades, but it too definitely needs a colour base or primer. 

Tempting -– a 'sinfully rich coco' with a luster finish. This is my favourite shade from the palette and thankfully it performs well too. And lucky for me it's part of the permanent range. 

Omega – a 'soft muted beige taupe'. with a matte finish. Known as the 'brow shade' for blonde/light brunette girls everywhere, also part of the permanent range.

Quintessential  – a 'dirty olive' with a frost finish. I kind of love this shadow – it gives off the 'wet' look, without the use of vaseline and the olive undertones are stunning.

Mystery – a 'muted plum brown' with a satin finish. A dreaded shadow – bad colour payoff and not blendable. 

Night Whisper – a 'rich black brown' with a velet finish, albeit not so rich. Again this shadow had horrible pigmentation and was so difficult to work with. 

So although the packaging is beautiful and alluring, I would advise you to stay clear of this bad seed. There are far better palettes to purchase!

AM¥     XO

MAC COSMETICS . KEEPSAKES VIVA GLAMOUROUS LIP PALETTE

When you catch word that your favourite cosmetics company is dropping a lip palette featuring 6 iconic colours you don't own, and every cent goes towards helping those with HIV/AIDS, you know you gotta pre-order it. The launch of the Keepsakes Viva Glamorous Lip Palette ($48) marks the first time MAC Cosmetics have released a palette featuring all 6 of the Viva Glam lipsticks. The shades are gorgeous, ranging from an outspoken matte red to a pearlized plum, and include:

• Viva Glam I Lipstick - Intense brownish blue-red (Matte)
• Viva Glam II Lipstick - Muted pink beige with shimmer (Satin)
• Viva Glam III Lipstick - Muted brownish plum (Matte)
• Viva Glam IV Lipstick - Neutral pink with pearl (Lustre)
• Viva Glam V Lipstick - Midtone rose with gold pearl (Frost)
• Viva Glam VI Lipstick - Terracotta plum with pearl (Lustre)

I had high hopes for this palette and it certainly did not disappoint; the shades are highly pigmented, swatch true to pan (swatched above I to VI), and there is a variety of finishes. I also love that I will no longer be considered the crazy lipstick lady with hoards of lipstick tubes in her purse – clearly this palette solves ALL my issues. But choosing a favourite seems next to impossible. The ferocity of Viva Glam I is everything to me today, but I also get a little woozy when I think about how perfectly girl-next-door Viva Glam V is. I guess that simply goes to show you that there is a lipstick for (nearly) every look and every girl in this palette. 

The Viva Glamorous Lip Palette launched in stores Oct 23rd and there are still quantities left online. If you are at all interested in this palette, I highly suggest picking one up ASAP. They won't last long, proceeds go to a great cause, and this palette is seriously iconic. What are you waiting for?

AM¥     XO