China Glaze Holiday 2010 Swatches

Though there were plenty of shades from the China Glaze Holiday 2010 collection that I wanted, I only picked up 2.


Sugar Plums, Little Drummer Boy


Little Drummer Boy
A gorgeous navy shade. 2 coats.


Sugar Plums
This is a beautiful plum shimmer with subtle sparkles throughout. I'm obsessed with colours like this right now for both the nails and the lips!

Both of these applied wonderfully in 2 coats.

Did you pick up anything from the China Glaze Holiday 2010 collection?

IMATS Toronto 2010 Haul!

Here it is, my haul from IMATS!


I did the most damage at Make Up For Ever. I am disappointed that they weren't selling their eye shadows individually, I had made a list of all the ones I wanted to get. Instead, they were selling 4 different premade palettes of 10 eye shadows. I ended up getting one of them. A few colours were shadows on my list but unfortunately, the famous #92 wasn't included in the palette I picked. I also got their HD Foundation, an HD Primer (the green one), a Rouge Artist Intense lipstick and 2 Aqua Creams.



My next stop was the Face Atelier booth. I knew I had to pick up some of their Ultra Foundation, I've been hearing rave reviews about it for ages. I also bought the Ultra Sheer in Champagne - this seems like a similar product to MAC Strobe Cream, it'll be great to give some extra glow and highlight. The Ultra Camouflage Duet, Ultra Loose Powder and #4 foundation brush also came home with me.



I've been wanting to try Embryolisse products for ages and was excited to visit their booth and pick up some products. I got the popular Lait-Creme Concentre, Rich Moisturising Cream, Exfoliating Care Cream and Smoothing Eye Contour Care.


Look at all the samples they gave with my purchase!



My one unexpected purchase of the day was from the Stila booth. When I heard they were giving 40% off their products, I couldn't resist picking up the #33 One Step Complexion Brush.

So far, I've used the Embroylisse Lait-Creme Concentre and Face Atelier Ultra Foundation a few times and really like them so far, but will wait until I've been using them a bit longer to give a review.

I went to IMATS with a mental list of all the brands I wanted to purchase things from, and I pretty much stuck to my list. I am kicking myself for not getting some OCC Lip Tars though. I tried to convince myself that I didn't need any, but the more swatches I see of all the gorgeous colours, the more I wish I would have picked some up! There's always next year, or maybe I'll cave and order a couple from the website at some point.

Stay tuned for reviews of some of these products coming up!

IMATS Recap!

Last weekend was the International Makeup Artist Trade Show in Toronto. I attended on Saturday. It was my first year going, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. I did hear that Make Up For Ever was going to be 40% off so I decided it was a good idea to get there early and hopefully avoid crazy crowds.


I got there right at opening and as you can see, it was still quite crowded. I even made up a list of what I wanted to get before going in hopes of being in and out of there quickly. I was disappointed to find out that they were not selling their eye shadows individually, only in pre picked palettes of 10.

I ran into Enrica pretty soon after I arrived and we browsed the booths together until it was time for Kandee Johnson's Q&A session. We were hoping to run into some other Toronto Beauty Bloggers there, but it was hard to find anyone because it was so crowded. We were lucky to get the last couple of seats available.


YouTube Guru Kandee Johnson

Kandee spoke about how she got started and answered audience questions about things ranging from getting into the industry, to air brushing and she gave makeup tips and tricks along the way.

Next, we went to a MAC presentation by Nadine Luke.






Nadine is MAC's Director of Makeup Artistry. She's the artist that did the famous Pamela Anderson Viva Glam ad campaign. She talked about the Fall and Winter trends, and also demonstrated some techniques on a model.

There was an Alice in Wonderland themed student competition and awards show going on, and I was able to get pictures of many of the entries.












The winner!

It's absolutely amazing how great everyone looked!


Body painting


Enrica with one of the fabulous models.

I had so much fun, I'm already looking forward to next year.

Stay tuned for my IMATS haul post!

MAC Dare To Wear Haul

On Saturday, I met up with Naomi for a lunch date at Fresh. Love it there! It was great to catch up with her.

Of course afterwards, we headed over to the MAC Pro store. We checked out the new Dare To Wear collection, and I did end up buying some a couple of the shadows from the collection. I got Shock-A-Holic and Louder, Please. I also wanted to get the Gimme That lipglass, but they were sold out.

I picked up a few things that weren't a part of the collection as well - Aqualine Liquidlast Liner, and Vegas Volt and Impassioned lipsticks. All of those had been on my wishlist for a while.




A closer look at the lipsticks - Vegas Volt, Impassioned

I had Free To Be from when it was previously released with the Liberty of London collection, so it's in special packaging. Though it was re-released with both of these collections, it was originally released in the Free To Be quad with the Naturally Eccentric collection in 2005. It is now a part of the permanent collection and can be purchased at any time.


I was trying to take pictures of the 3 shadows together, and one of my kitties wanted to take a closer look at them.


Free To Be, Louder, Please, Shock-A-Holic


Free To Be
A matte coral colour. Beautiful in the pan, but a little hard to work with. Not the greatest colour payoff, but it is buildable. A good base helps, especially something like Coral Crepe or Perky paint pot.


Louder, Please
A gorgeous bright fuchsia colour with a matte finish. I don't have anything like this in my collection. It's weird, I'm not usually drawn to such colours but I couldn't resist this one. It applies and blends well, especially for a matte finish. I'm looking forward to experimenting with this one.


Shock-A-Holic
This is a deep purple. It's listed as a matte, but it does have a very fine red shimmer to it. The shimmer isn't really noticable when applied though. Shock-A-Holic was the colour that I had most wanted to get from this collection. I think it'll make a great crease colour with a wide variety of shadows.


Shock-A-Holic, Louder, Please, Free to Be

Did you buy anything from this collection?

Essie Turquoise & Caicos

Essie Turquoise & Caicos

Essie released their Resort collection back in May, and I immediately knew I had to get this colour. It's gorgeous! It doesn't have the greatest application, the consistency is a bit thin, but I was able to get opaque coverage in 3 coats.

Every single time I've worn this polish, I've received compliments. Even my male dentist commented on it! This is definitely one of my summer faves.

Do you have any recent favorite nail polishes? What's your favorite colour to wear for summer?

Weekend MAC Haul

On Saturday, I met up with Jill and Naomi for a trip to the MAC Pro store.



From the permanent line, I got Paradisco, Haux, Coral and Parfait Amour pro pans and Fascinating eye kohl.

I was excited to get some things from the new To the Beach collection. They were already sold out of a few things I wanted to get - Marine Life High-Light Powder and Temperature Rising lip pencil. I was also thinking of getting the Scorcher nail polish, but that was gone too and the collection had only been out at the pro store for a couple of days at that point. I guess I better hurry up and get the other things I want once the collection launches tomorrow!

I picked up Hipness blush, Rosemary & Thyme and Float on By eye kohls, and Firecracker, Sweet & Punchy and Sand & Sun eye shadows. Look out for a post with more pics and swatches of my To the Beach haul soon!

Zoya Charla Swatch

I recently bought my very first Zoya nail polish, in the colour Charla. Charla came out with the newly released Sparkle collection. I believe there were 6 polishes in the collection.


Zoya Charla
In real life, there is a lot more green and gold sparkle, but I couldn't properly capture it in a picture. I am so in love, Charla is such a gorgeous colour! I've read on other blogs that people are saying they need up to 4 coats to be opaque, but that wasn't the case for me, it looked great in 2 coats when I applied it. Another bonus is that this wasn't hard to remove like I thought it might be because of the glitter look to it, but it's very fine glitter.

I am definitely happy with my first Zoya and look forward to adding some new colours to my collection in the future!

Did you pick up any of the polishes from the Sparkle collection? Do you have any favorite Zoya colours?

MAC Studio Moisture Tint SPF15

After reading some great reviews of MAC Studio Moisture Tint SPF15, I decided to purchase it to see how I liked it. Here's what the MAC website has to say about it:
"A light, tinted moisturizer with SPF 15 and other skin-nourishing ingredients. An easy one-step finish specially suited for the season, this sheer tint provides just enough coverage to even out the skintone while creating a flawless protected, softly moisturized finish."



When I went to MAC to buy this, I figured I would just match myself and picked Medium. When I told the MA what I wanted, she told me I should buy Medium Dark, so I went home with that. I tried it out and it was too dark, and made me look slightly orange. I of course went back and exchanged for the Medium, which was a great match. I'm a NC25 for reference. Side note: what is up with me always getting matched darker than I am when at MAC? It's happened a few times. Does this happen to anyone else?

I'm really happy with this product. It applies very smoothly and gives the light coverage I'm looking for. It's very natural looking and it doesn't feel like I'm wearing anything. I have dry skin and don't think this would give enough moisture on its own, so I do use my regular moisturizer before this, and let it sink in for a while. I then apply primer and follow with Studio Moisture Tint SPF15. The primer helps to minimize the appearance of my pores and my skin is a lot more even after applying everything. I set with powder, and I'm good to go! The SPF15 in it is a nice bonus.

Have you tried MAC Studio Moisture Tint SPF15? Do you have a favorite tinted moisturizer?

My New Favorite Eyeliner Brush

I got my first fluidline years ago, when MAC had just released fluidlines. Up until recently, I've been using the MAC 209 brush to apply them. I occasionally switch it up and use a small angled brush.

That's all changed... I've found a new love. Let me introduce you to my Quo bent eyeliner brush.





It has a fine tip that gives a firm and precise application of product. I can't believe how easy it is to apply eyeliner with this! I think it would be great for those starting out too, it makes things almost fool proof.

For those of you who haven't heard of Quo, they are a Canadian brand available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores. If you're in the US, Sonia Kashuk makes a similar brush, and I'm sure you could find something similar in other brands as well.

I really love Quo brushes in general and have a bunch of them. They're a great deal, especially if you are able to snag them during one of their 40% off sales they have every so often.

What is your favorite brush to apply fluidlines/gel eye liners?

MAC Art Supplies Greasepaint Sticks Review

Greasepaint sticks have come out in a couple of previous collections from last year, but I missed out on them because I was behaving and was on a super low buy all of last year. When I heard there were a bunch of new colours being launched with the Art Supplies collection, I was excited to get the chance to pick some up this time around.

Here's what the MAC website says about Greasepaint Sticks:
"A smooth and creamy black eye crayon with an opalescent sparkle finish specially formulated for maximum drama. Easily provides ultra-high-level coverage. Versatile. Use as a soft but intense liner or blend out to create a smoke-like shadow. Long-wearing. Transfer and water-resistant. Limited edition."

I wasn't sure how much I'd like them, so I only picked up 2 to start out with. I got Below Ground and Dirty.


Below Ground, Dirty


Dirty, Below Ground


They all come with a sharpener on the end.

These remind me of shadesticks, but creamier and easier to apply. I find with shadesticks, they can sometimes tug at the lid, but that isn't the case with these. I played around with both colours over the weekend and let me tell you, I am in love! Greasepaint sticks make it so easy to create and amazing smokey eye! I just apply over my lid and blend out into my crease. I find it's easiest to blend really well and create the shape you will want with your eye shadow, and then apply your shadow and you're pretty much done. The way I blended everything out, I didn't even really need to use a crease colour, just a highlight and it looked fab.

I really like Below Ground, it will work for a subtle smokey eye, or even just a neutral every day look depending on what you put over it.

I like these so much that I am very tempted to go back for more. I'm thinking Charred Mauve and Zinc Zone. Brown, Now and Uniformly Blue are really pretty too...

As much as I liked the Pearlglides that came out with Art Supplies, I tried to convince myself that I don't really need them and won't use those colours on a regular basis. Undercurrent is a really gorgeous colour though.

I wasn't too interested in the Lipstain Markers. They don't seem to be getting great reviews and I already have a million lip products! There are a few colours I thought were nice though, especially Stylesetter.

Did you get anything from this collection? What do you think of Greasepaint Sticks?

5 March Favorites

MAC Hypnotizing eye shadow - This eye shadow came out with the Love Lace collection in December, and I can't believe I almost didn't buy it! I was trying to convince myself it was close enough to Shale that I didn't need it, but that didn't last long when I saw how much people were raving about it. Yes, I can be swayed by hype at times, but I am glad in this case. It's different enough from Shale, which is a long time favorite of mine. I've been all about purple eye shadows lately and this is very wearable either with a daytime look, or along with darker shades for a smokey eye. LOVE!

MAC So Sweet, So Easy Cremeblend blush - This came out with the Lillyland collection in January. I don't wear much makeup to work but this is perfect to give just a natural touch of colour to my cheeks when the rest of my face is relatively bare. I love the formulas of cremeblend blushes too, so smooth and easy to apply and blend. I usually just apply with my fingers.

MAC Rave Pearlglide - Although it first came out with the Love That Look collection last Fall, I only got my hands on this recently along with a few of the other colours from that collection. Rage is a gorgeous dark purple with subtle purple sparkles throughout. It offers great colour payoff and it's long lasting. I'm definitely a fan of pearlglides!

OPI Jade is the New Black - Who would have thought I would end up liking green nail polish as much as I like this? The formula is amazing, it applies like a dream and it's no wonder that this is the colour that was most talked about from the OPI Hong Kong collection.

MAC Shell Pearl Beauty Powder - I'm so glad I dug this out of my makeup drawer to do swatches for my Liberty of London collection post. I got Shell Pearl some years ago when it was first released with the Sundressing collection and it had been sitting neglected for some time. Ever since swatching it for its re-release with the Liberty of London collection, I have been inspired to use it. It gives a nice glow, and it's great to apply over blush or to highlight certain areas of my face.

Do you have any favorites this month?

OPI Purple With a Purpose

OPI Purple With a Purpose
Even though my first instinct was to use one of my pastel polishes for my Easter mani, I'm glad I picked this. It's a nice change and a bit brighter than all the pastels I've been sporting lately, and it still reminds me a bit of Easter somehow.

I've applied 2 easy coats and had no application problems at all.

Hope you all had a good weekend! I spent mine relaxing and eating Easter chocolate, yum!

Balmshell Party in Toronto

On Wednesday night, I was lucky enough to be invited to a blogger party held by Balmshell in their Toronto office.


Girls Night Out Wines was one of the sponsors, so there was plenty of wine and there were also cosmos to drink served in cute pink cups.




Yummy cookies and cupcakes were provided by Adjoa from Pretty Sweet Boutique.


Here are the lovely Balmshell girls, so friendly and all around awesome!


We were given swag bags as we were leaving and got to go home with a gloss and cheek/lip stain of our choice. I picked Confessions of a Call Girl gloss and Blackmail Betty stain. Reviews and swatches coming soon!

It was nice getting to see some familliar faces as well as meeting some new people. Thanks so much to Balmshell for putting this on, I had such a great time!

China Glaze Channelesque vs. Sephora by OPI Metro Chic

This now discontinued China Glaze polish has been getting a bit of attention lately, and I can definitely understand why.


China Glaze Channelesque
It's a beautiful dark grey-mauve colour that applies smoothly and perfectly opaque in 2 coats.

If you don't already have it, this may be a bit hard to find because of the fact it's discontinued. Luckily, Sephora by OPI Metro Chic is a great dupe.


Sephora By OPI Metro Chic, China Glaze Channelesque


(top to bottom)
Channelesque, Metro Chic, Channelesque, Metro Chic

You can see that they're quite similar. Channelesque leans a bit more mauve, and Metro Chic more grey. Love them both!

Do you have either of these?

OPI Miami Beet

Miami Beet came out with the OPI South Beach collection about a year ago. I only picked this up recently though. I am glad I was able to find it, I had been wanting it for a while.


OPI Miami Beet
It's a gorgeous dark creme colour that is actually a couple of shades darker in person than I was able to capture in pictures. Application was a breeze, very smooth. This is 2 coats here.

I hope you are all having a great weekend!