REVIEW: Wet 'n' Wild - Heather Silk

I'm a big fan of the Wet 'n' Wild eyeshadow trios, so naturally, I've been curious of their blushes for a while.
I couldn't ever bring myself to purchase them in Canada though, because their price point is quite high relative to US prices (double to US prices, plus our sales tax is much higher)!

Anyway, I finally picked two up when I was at a CVS.  One of which was the famous Heather Silk.

Colour:
Matte mauve pink, no shimmer

Scent:
None

PROS:
- super cheap ($2.99 USD)
- great colour selection
- crazy pigmentation (the above swatch was two swipes blended)
- a dupe for many high end blushes
- clear packaging (you can see the colour without opening it)

CONS:
- contains parabens
- application isn't very even
- crappy brush (but for $3, what do you expect)
- shatters very easily

Overall, these blushes are of amazing quality for their price point.

- M

Japonesque 9-Pocket Brush Case

When I was away for 4 weeks, I felt like my Real Techniques brush holder (came with my Core Collection) wasn't quite cutting it... so, I picked up this Japonesque 9-pocket brush holder at the local Ulta for $13 USD.

The brush holder is a tri-fold envelope with velcro closure.

The main reason why the RT brush holder wasn't cutting it for me was because it didn't have any sort of protective overlap over the brush tops when closed -- You never know how clean is a hotel, and plus, who knows how close hotel housekeeping is to your brushes!

If you're like me and only uses/travels with 3-4 brushes, then this brush holder is perfect for you.

• lightweight
• folds to a small, flat clutch size
• easy to clean vinyl
• room for 9 brushes (I put my eyeliners and eyebrow pencils in them too!)
• big zipped pocket (for mascara, bobby pins, hair ties, etc.)

I'm loving this brush holder... and what a steal at $13!

- M

Sephora 100 Point Reward: Givenchy Le Rouge 103 Brun Créateur

Sephora has been stepping up on their 100 point rewards!

Givenchy released a new lipstick:  Le Rouge.
It's supposed to be a semi-matte lipstick, with leather packaging.

Seeing how it retails for $36 CAD, I like how the Givenchy PR team decided to give these little mini-me's out to the biggest makeup fanatics (Sephora shoppers).

Often time, samples look or feel like crap... even the most high end ones.
I appreciate it when brands take the time to actually use samples as their supposed purpose -- to generate interest and buzz.

Everything about this sample is top notch.

This semi-matte box (how fitting) slides open to expose branded tissue paper, wrapped around the lipstick.

Beautiful embossing.

Seeing Brun make me cringe...

... but I was pleasantly surprised.

It's actually this very nice, burnt orange brown.

Go get it soon!

- M

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 027 Juicy Papaya (Summer 2013)

In March, I was seeing the new Lip Butter Summer 2013 colours pop up on blogs.  My interest was definitely sparked as the colours are more up my alley than their existing lineup of colours.  I think the released colours are more universally flattering, too.

Anyway, when I was in Chicago, I made my first trip to Ulta!
There, I saw three of the four colours:  Juicy Papaya, Sorbet, and Wild Watermelon.  I didn't see Pink Lemonade.

I ended up selecting Juicy Papaya.  This sort of pink coral is my thing, haha.

L:  heavy swatch; R:  single swipe

Texture:
smooth; buttery lip balm

Smell:
none

Pigmentation:
sheer; shine

Colour:
light coral pink

Verdict:
I really like it.  If you have pigmented lips, like me, then the colour payoff obviously isn't as pink as swatched above.  On my mauve pink lips, the colour is definitely visible, but is more of a medium coral orange.  Amy's (theprettyvain) swatch of Juicy Papaya is actually pretty true to how it looks on my lips (appears a smidge more pink on me).

Apparently, these colours are not limited edition colours, and will be added to permanent line.  So, no rush... though, I'm sure they'll sell quickly.

- M

April 2013 Topbox (Elizabeth Arden Privé Box)

This is super delayed as I was on a 4-week business trip.

As previously mentioned in my March 2013 Topbox post, this April 2013 Topbox is my final one.

It was a decent box, containing:

• Prevage anti-aging + intensive repair daily serum
  I have no interest in it, so I gave that to my mom.
• flawless finish sponge-on cream makeup in vanilla
  I'm going to try and use the foundation as a corrector or concealer.
• beautiful color lash enhancing mascara
  I will be giving the mascara a go once I finish my current mascara tube.
• all gone eye and lip makeup remover
  Most happy about receiving this, because I don't own any waterproof makeup remover.

What box did you receive?

Did you receive anything different?

- M

HAUL: Chicago, USA

I was on a business trip in Chicago, USA for the last four weeks, but that didn't stop me from hauling/hoarding.

• Boots Botanics hot cloth cleansing balm $8.49
• Ardell 110 black lashes $3.99
• Dr. Bronner's pure castile soap in peppermint $4.99
• Real Techniques expert face brush $8.99
• Real Techniques blush brush $8.99
  (my review)
• Givenchy Le Rouge lipstick in brun (Sephora 100 perk)
• Philosophy Purity cleanser (Sephora 100 perk)
• Lancome visionnaire (Sephora 100 perk)
• Burberry lip mist in camelia pink $30
• Burberry sheer eye shadow in antique rose $29
• Caudalie beauty elixir $18
• Covergirl lashblast fusion in blackest black water resistant $6.11 each
• Bioré face and nose strip combo pack $11
• Wet n Wild blush in berry shimmer $2.99
• Wet n Wild blush in heather silk $2.99
• Maybelline baby lips in melon mania $3.99
• Revlon lip butter in juicy papaya $5.68
• Revlon creme super lustrous lipstick in coralberry $5.30
• L'Oréal colour riche in blushing sequin $7.86
  (R's review)
• L'Oréal colour riche in violet chiffon $7.86
  (R's review)

Individual reviews will come... eventually.

- M

Gilchrist & Soames BeeKind

December 28-30, 2012, the boy and I went to Portland, Oregon for a short (and tax-free) trip.  In the corresponding haul post, I mentioned that our hotel gave these as their complimentary toiletries:

• Gilchrist & Soames BeeKind Shampoo
• Gilchrist & Soames BeeKind Conditioner
• Gilchrist & Soames BeeKind Shower Gel
• Gilchrist & Soames BeeKind Body Lotion
• Gilchrist & Soames BeeKind Skincare Bar

Burberry Body Eau de parfum

I know that perfume aficiandos such as The Non-Blonde and Katie Puckrik (not to mention, the Daisy-obsessed M) do not approve of this scent. Their criticism is understandable: mainstream, simple, generic, overly soapy-clean, and geared towards olfactorally (yes, my word-creation) inexperienced teenagers. But gosh darn it, I like it.