Purchased & Reviewed: Nudestix Matte Lip & Cheek Pencil

I’m usually all oooh’s and aaaah’s when it comes to my reviews because let’s face it – my choices are almost always impeccable. [Not so humble brag].

It was a ominous day from the get-go. Let me set the scene – crows squaking, a bite in the air, a cool sinister departure from the otherwise sunny and cheerful week… Ok not really but I’m doing all I can to take the blame off myself and put it on the shitty weather that come to think of it, is completely inaccurate. 

I was looking to add to my collection of nudes. Not those nudes, ain’t nobody need to see those priceless artifacts. I’ve never used Nudestix even because I’ve been on a Marc Jacobs kick since the debut of his lipsticks but the trial in store looked so good I figured why the hell not?

Here’s a real life story as to why you shouldn’t always trust love at first sight. 

Packaging: The pen itself comes in a sleek-ish black tin with a lift top case. I was pretty impressed to find a sharpener with it as well, most pencils leave you to your own devices so I thought it was handy to include a personal sharpie. 

Product: I was fooled by the Mayfair halo Sephora’s mirrors created around me during the initial meet and greet. The texture seemed unlike a typical matte – it was smoother and applied without any pulling or tugging. The description on Sephora’s site claims it’s a non drying , smudge-proof, non feathering matte lipstick, liner & cheek blush in one. The shade I picked was Entice (a soft fleshy nude with light orange undertones). It seemed flattering and worked with the rest of my makeup so I gave it a little kiss and took it home with me. 

Wearability: This is where it all went wrong for me. I usually condition my lips before bed and once again when I wake up so I can’t blame the product on shoddy routine. I applied it without any other liner and/or lip combination and thinking it would do me right, left without any qualms. An hour later my lips felt dry and cakey and all I was contemplating rubbing it off completely and going at naturale or ripping my lips off in frustration. Au naturale won and in all honesty – I hardly ever go sans lipstick (I feel that my lips succumb to dryness without a shield from the elements), but dire circumstances led to dire decisions. Anyway the point is that it was insanely dry and cakey, although the descriptions boast otherwise and I was disappointed and hurt by something I thought was going to treat me right. 

Price: CDN $28 was attractive but not worth having to deal with a sub par product. Thankfully I was able to take advantage of Sephora’s empathetic refund/exchange policy and opted for a matte from the new Marc Jacobs Lip Cremés (which I’ve posted on in the past to rave reviews complete with dripping saliva).

Verdict: A resounding no from me. It was my first heartbreak with a lip product since Kat Von D’s Studded Kiss lipstick and it brought back some pretty unsavoury memories so..my short lived romance with Nudestix could be attributed to poor chemistry, bad application or a defective product but the end result was the same – we were doomed from the start. 

Purchased & Reviewed: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Luminous Blush in Tigerlily

It’s been a while since I’ve published a purchase post but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been making them 24/7 all around town. What better way to get back to it than by reviewing a Becca product? They’re hotter than me running around a mall with 13 different shopping bags. Shall we?

Packaging: Compact, snap to close circular shell, akin to most Becca powders & blushes. I was a little surprised at the smaller size of this particular product (I guess I’m used to the larger highlighters. The only aspect I can’t get comfortable with is the outer shell of Becca compacts – the material picks up a lot of makeup transfer and are hard to keep clean unless you’re Lysol wiping on the daily. Minor.

Product: Ever since Champagne Pop and the Champagne Glow palette – I have been sold on all things Becca. I had no idea who Jaclyn Hill was nor do I watch her videos but I knew that the highlighter palette she conjured up with the brand was straight out of the golden gates and the rest is history. Anyway, back to the product – it’s sublime, perfect, the ideal blush, the holy grail if you must. The pigment, the shimmer, the multi-dimensional matte/glow effect and the staying power – 10’s across the board. I have not one complaint.

Colour: This is my favourite shade out of all the Shimmering Skin Perfectors. I love me a nice orange especially for my skin tone. This particular shade is a medium orange with red undertones. The gold flecked finish is what’s making makeup hoarders lose their shit. The colour is build-able but I find that a little goes a long way (also depends on which kind of brush you’re using). The end result for me is semi opaque, medium orange and gold glow that’s the focal point of my face. I blend in a little highlighter and add a nude-y lip and have pretty much secured my go-to face for the rest of the summer.

Wearability: All over town. If you use a light hand you can wear it alone for a little pop of colour or if you got your Go – Go – Gadget Sephora hands on you can add it to a matte blush of your choice and up the force shield. I myself wear it as a blush alone over my contour and the colour pay off is more than enough…intense even. I find that I like this particular shade better with a nude/light lip because the orange/red undertones are a little too #ootn for a daytime look.

Verdict: You have to have at least one Becca product to experience what the hype is all about. Whether it’s the blush, the highlighter, or the new eyeshadow palette – the hype is legitimate. These blushes have staying power, nice pigmentation and allows you to build it up to create either a flushed peach look or one that mimics the Snapchat filter of that cute trans. You hold the power.

(Photo above was taken au natural).

Try it for yourself here.

Friday Favourites: Weekend Edition

Since I haven’t posted a “favourites” post in over a month, you should grab a glass of wine, your credit card, and a cozy blanket. This is a humdinger.

Favourite Hair Product

Lush Solid Shampoo in Karma Komba 

I’ve been using Lush shampoo bars for the last 6 months now and don’t plan on switching it up anytime soon. They last forever, require a small rub for the biggest lather, and they smell amazing in the tin and on your hair. This one contains patchouli oil, pine and lemongrass oil (among others) and the Karma fragrance is heavenly. All their shampoo bars leave my hair feeling really clean and soft so unless you hate clean and fragrant hair you have no excuse because they come in like, 20 different scents.

Favourite Skincare Product

L’Occitane Weekend en Provence Almond Discovery Set 

I got this little set in my stocking for Christmas and was thrilled because my almond supple skin oil was half empty (half empty is enough to give me anxiety). The set contains Almond Shower Oil (which is heavenly in the shower), Almond Milk Concentrate (body lotion for post shower), and Almond Delicious Hands (perfect for a luxurious travel lotion). The smell is divine, definitely something to try if you’re looking for a trial pampering session.

Favourite Scent

Jo Malone Mimosa & Cardamom 

I know I’ve mentioned it before but honest to sh*t this smell is one of the softest, elegant, musky and sweet scents I’ve ever worn. Mimosa, spiced cardamom, tonka and sandalwood, powdery heliotrope (which is so intense with each spray) and Damask rose. I cannot emphasize how cozy and dignified this particular scent is. Jo Malone is a scientist. I was gifted it for Christmas and a day hasn’t gone by since I’ve worn it.

Favorite Gift 

Diptyque Holiday Coloured Glass Trio

I not so subtly hinted to my sister all November long that I would drop to the floor in a dramatic and hugely fraudulent fainting spell if I didn’t welcome this set into my life. She shut me up. This limited edition Diptyque candle trio gives Diptyque cult followers life. Me. It gives me life. The set includes Sapin (pine tree scent with mingling notes of mandarin orange), Liquidamber (amber from a tree with red leaves, mixed with cinnamon, nutmeg and muscovado sugar – which I honestly know nothing about but love), Oliban (woodsy and sweet). I’ll be melting these (I have a handy little candle warmer because there’s no way I’m even remotely comfortable burning 80 dollar candles) all year long. I usually save my muskier and woodsier candles for rainy and overcast days when I’m settled indoors with my pyjamas. The rest are for warmer sunnier days when I’m settled indoors with my pyjamas. (Just keeping it real).

Favourite Wardrobe Item

Wildfox Let’s Stay Home Sweater 

I was eyeing this cozy sweater since the day it was introduced but it fell off the radar somehow (the shame). How thrilled was I to find it under the tree this year? Thrilled AF. (Sorry) It’s deliciously cozy, easy to style with a pair of jeans or a skirt and can be thrown over pretty much any set of pyjamas for the utmost at-home comfort. And the saying speaks for itself. If people came with a tagline, this would be mine.

Favourite Wishlist Purchase

Aquazzura Wild Thing Sandals

The Christmas sprites picked me this season and it’s not because I’m their most vocal spokesperson – it’s because I’ve been long-thirsting for these heels right here. I would search my favourite online haunts and never make it to “purchase” because my size was almost always disappointingly sold out. Until now bitches. That last size 37.5 is mine. All mine. Bless you Forward by Elyse Walker. May you always be blessed with abundant stock. The open toe suede fringe, the delicate straps, the 4″ yet comfortable heel. Nothing short of perfection. I’ve never been so pleased with giving away my money. (PS: They’re in limited stock at most online boutiques right now – you’re welcome).

Favorite Pastime

Colouring 

I’m fully aware that this is a so-called trend these days but I’m been going HAM with colouring since 83. Fine, I just recently picked it up again but it’s always been within me yearning to come out and show ya’ll what fine tipped markers were made for. I picked this gem up at Chapters Indigo (along with The Time Chamber by Daria Song). I try and sneak in some colouring time during my hours allocated to TV each evening, also I find that when I colour during the Hawks games I’m less likely to jump up from the couch threatening bodily harm to the opposing team when something goes awry.

Favorite Makeup Product

Anastasia Illuminator in Starlight

I kept forgetting that Macy’s carried Anastasia’s full makeup line (most of the time) so this time there was no way I was going to walk past without stopping in to check for her insanely popular highlighters. I chose this shade (an iridescent white gold) because, let’s be honest – I have pretty much every other shade possible. This was a little brighter than the rest, a little more YouTube guru, and a lot more Khloe Kardashian – AKA – this glow is not from within (even though the site boasts that it’s meant to give off that result). I’m going to do a full review but I will say for now that this shade is nice for adding a real sheen, like full on glamazon glow. You can be heavy handed (like me without natural light during application) or go easy with a fan brush (to add a bit of radiance). 

Favourite Treat

Soft Peaks Ice Cream

I know it’s the dead of Winter but I rarely get a chance to indulge in Soft Peaks ice cream. Although, I can hardly call it indulging since it’s organic, all natural, low in fat and calories, with just a tiny little smudge of sweetness. When I dive face first into their churning tub – that’s when we can call it indulging.

Happy Weekend

xo

It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas: Holiday Gift Guide for the Fashionista

This is my first installment for the Holiday Gift Guide series. Who doesn’t like a guide to help them out with the pickiest receivers? I’m the type of person who will accept pretty much anything and then write a 10 page thank you letter expressing my utmost gratitude – but that’s just me. I’ve included a wide price range so whether you’re buying on a budget, or rollin in hundos, my picks are with you in mind. I’m starting out with the toughest of them all – gifts for the fashion maven. It’s hard to please a self proclaimed shopaholic but these gif tables will do it for just about anybody (unless she already has like, 2 of each thing, which in that case, b*tch better be giving to charity this season). Anyways, fashionista, stay at home hermit, techie and Secret Santa – check out the first of them all.

Tis the season of giving, among other much more important tenets, so if you’re stumped – you’re welcome.

*Each photo is clickable and will send you directly to the item you’re drooling over gifting.

Happy Shopping

Burberry Giant Check Scarf

Soludos Jason Polan x Soludos Wink Smoking Slipper Espadrilles

Elizabeth & James Croc Embossed Cynnie Wallet on a Chain

Wildfox Sleep Mask

Smythson Busy Bee Notebook

Kolloquial I Wanna Shoop Tote

White & Warren Cashmere Rib Trim Gloves

Anine Bing Charlie Boots

Markus Lupfet Gnome Sequin Natalie Jumper

Adidas Superstar Sneaker

Saint Laurent Monogram Credit Card Case

Chloe Marcie Cross Body Bag

 

Nasty Gal Rockefeller Collar Necklace

Tory Burch Aberdeen Fur Lined Slipper

The Reformation Brixton Coat

Hermes Silk Scarf

Fendi Fur Handbag Charm

Burberry Tech Leather Globes

Anthropologie Felted Zafira Turtleneck

Wilfred Montpellier Sweater

Wilfred Free Gail Dress

Wildfox Classic PJ Set

Elizabeth & James Vago Ring

Color Me Good by Kate Moss Coloring Book

The LDRS Fuzzy Coat

Marc Jacobs Heart Notebook

Veda Calf Hair Bootie

Superga Wool Sneaker

Where’s Karl Book

Catbird Threadbare Rings

Tales from The Back Row Book

Vince Melange Basic Sweatpants

Nasty Gal x Nila Anthony So Catty Crossbody Bag

Rebecca Minkoff Little Lottie Coin Purse

Jonathan Adler Muse d’or Candle

Bag-All Weekend Getaway Set

MinkPink Head In The Stars Legging

Markus Lupfer Sequin Fox Face Beanie

 

 

Friday Favorites: Weekend Edition

Favorite Purchase

Along with the rest of the fashion obsessed world – I’m in love with the mini bag. The nano. The tiny tote. Whatever. I want to pinch it’s leathery cheeks and kiss it’s little handles. I recently added to this collection of little midget bags with a Balenciaga Giant 12 Red Mini City bag. Or Lil Red, as I like to call it. Hand stitched handles, a removable strap, top zip closure with gold metal hardware. This is my favorite style Balenciaga handbag – the leather is durable and insanely soft but it still retains its shape because of the firm outer frame. And it’s red. I didn’t match it to the season whatsoever.

Favorite Product

I recently went browsing for a good leave – in conditioner type styling product. Sideways rain, misty rain, fat droplets of rain…neither are welcome but they invite themselves up anyway. The girls @ Obadiah Salon in Bellevue have instilled in me, a love for Oribe’. This leave-in conditioner is luxe (for the price and the brand – I’d expect nothing less). It’s light and moisturizing yet dissolves quickly – almost like a serum. I find that creams feel a little heavier but this stuff is airy and smooth. It really tamed my dry curls and although I’m a little stingy on the application, a little is all you need to make it happen. The added heat protection, and glossy shine is awesome so I can now justify the price. I went with the smaller tube as a trial but will definitely upgrade to a larger size now that I know the benefits are legit.

Favorite Scent

Jo Malone’s Mimosa & Cardamom is a little cloud of mimosa, spicy, warm cardamom, sandalwood, and Damask rose. Really, there’s not one Jo Malone fragrance that I have turned away from, so I’m not surprised at my love affair with this new scent. It actually reminds me of talcum powder, it’s a soft scent – perfect for the winter months.

Favorite Read

The Bookseller by Cynthia Swanson – this book actually left me perplexed but it didn’t keep me from putting it down. It follows the parallel life of a young Denver woman in 1960’s who co-owns a bookshop with her girlfriend. While she’s a simple, single, independent girl in one life, she’s a glam housewife in the other – caring for her husband and triplets. It goes back and forth between each world until she comes to a realization as to which world she actually inhabits. It infiltrated my sleep so it will yours.

Favorite Photo

Anyone who has a relationship with their bed linens can appreciate this photo by Alyssa Monks. Paintings to be exact. The perfect rumple, the creases in fresh linen, silly sheets and a light, fluffy down duvet. zzzzz.

Favorite Look

My style muse Maja Wyh is yet to fail me. Even the most ridiculous looking pieces look perfectly paired on this little sprite. Full fauxs, layers, and a Kate Moss/Jagger edge.

Here are the links to the products/purchases:

Balenciaga

Oribe‘

Jo Malone

Happy Weekend

xo