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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

ZOYA (Zoya Feel Collection for Winter 2011) Nail Polish Haul


I’m all about neutral polishes so when Zoya’s winter collection, “Feel” came out last year, I was all over it, particularly “Kennedy”. One of my favourite polishes is Essie’s “Topless and Barefoot” and Kennedy reminds my of a lilac version of that so I had to get it.
 


I picked up the more neutral shades and skipped on the blue ones (Megan, Carey and Kristen).

I have never tried any of Zoya’s polishes so it was a giant leap to have hauled four at once but I needed over a certain amount to get free shipping so that was an automatic excuse to haul three additional polishes just to get Kennedy. I chose Brenna because I didn't have any other particular shades in mind and Brenna was a safe, manicure-kind of colour.


XO Nicole

Monday, February 27, 2012

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Creamsicle Photos, Review and Swatches

 Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter - Creamsicle

Creamsicle was one of the lip butters I have had my eye on from all the swatches I've seen but as we all know, swatches do not always appear as they seem, especially on the lips because of the difference in pigmentation so I was a bit skeptical of what this would actually look like on my lips. I was quite worried that it might be too sheer, too orange and/or too pale! When I went to go pick one up to try, this did not even have this in stock so I went with my other choice, Creme Brulée. Thankfully, I was ordering some products online and needed something else for free shipping so I threw this in the cart, and boy, I am glad I did! Upon the first application, it instantly became my favourite lip butter and I knew it would be coming everywhere with me.

The formula is very smooth and almost creamy when applied. It is also buildable so I am sure that I can definitely make this super nude if I wanted to! I love this because it mutes/tones down my super pigmented  lips! And the fact that this is a lipbalm-based kind of formula, it's not over the top for settings like school and work. You get the colour payoff but at the same time, it's not like something that would make someone think, "giiiirl, calm down on the lip products' in places where crazy makeup can make you feel and look out of place. I keep this baby with me in my backpack for a good pick me up!

Check out my blog post on my nude lipsticks/lip product collection for a swatch of Creamsicle here.

 Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter - Creamsicle

 Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter - Creamsicle

 Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter - Creamsicle

XO Nicole

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Bare Escentuals Sample



I thought this was the cutest thing ever so naturally, I took pictures of it and of course, it's going on the blog post. My sister actually finally purchased the full size product but she has yet to use it and well, I just need to try this for myself. The mini kabuki brush is the cutest thing ever. It is perfect to throw in your makeup bag for touch-ups too!



XO Nicole

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Sephora (feat. Urban Decay NAKED2, NARS, Vera Wang) Haul

Sephora Haul
When I heard that Urban Decay's Naked2 was back in stock on Sephora.com, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. I just couldn't wait for later Feburary (when Naked2 comes to stores such as SDM and Murale) and plus, with Sephora lowering the free shipping minimum for Canadian orders from $125 to $75, I just could not say no! Along with the palette, I made a really hard decision on choosing NARS' Douceur blush over Tarte's Exposed. P.S. The Vera Wang perfume was purchased individually on a separate occasion but I decided to appropriately add it to this haul.

Urban Decay Naked2
Urban Decay: Naked2 - Even though when I was still justifying purchasing the original Naked palette, I said that that would be the only palette I've ever really need but when they announced this glorious sequel palette, all vows went out the window and there was no doubt in my mind that I would not pick this up.

NARS Blush - Douceur
NARS Blush: Douceur - I feel in love with this blush after seeing Michele (youtube: Michele1218) talk about it and compare it with NYX's Raisin (which I also purchased via her influence) and Tarte's Exposed. All those three blushes mentioned are all shades that I am currently obsessing over. I decided this over Exposed because I felt like Exposed looked more pink in the swatches. My pink blush days are long gone and I've jumped on the neutral-mauvey-brown blush bandwagon. I think the reason is mostly the fact that it can easily act as a contour as well (which I am desperately needing nowadays).

Vera Wang - Princess
Vera Wang - Princess: I've always thought this bottle was way too girly for me but this isn't the first time I was a hypocrite because regardless, I even made one of my graphics project on this product! Aside from the packaging (which I have now grown to love), I love the scent too. It's not too girly or florally.

The Samples

XO Nicole

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Sephora ♥ Canada Minibag Palette Photos, Swatches and Review

Sorry that this post is long overdue, granted that this palette was limited addition from way last year but I had taken the pictures at that time and have swatched it since I've been using this palette a lot!

Sephora ♥ Canada Minibag Palette

These shades are very versatile and neutral that I can always easily grab this palette on an everyday basis. This is perfect for school, but I have to say that you do get what you pay for. There is not much product (as you can already see), and the shadows are not pigmented and are quite powdery with a lot of fallout. I do love this palette for the packaging and colour selections, as well as the availability of the included blush (which is very nice) and four different lip glosses (which I have not used as I am not a big fan of palette-bonus lip glosses but again, the shades look very wearable).

Sephora ♥ Canada Minibag Palette

Sephora ♥ Canada Minibag Palette
Sephora ♥ Canada Minibag Palette

XO Nicole

Read more:
New Stuff: Sephora ♥ Canada Minibag Palette

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Feburary 2011 TopBox

"For only $10 a month, you will receive a Topbox with 4 carefully selected, indulgent, beauty products" - Topbox.ca
February TopBox



I've taken a break from the beauty subscription services but when I heard of TopBox, I just couldn't pass it up. Even when I ordered this back in November, all of the boxes were sold out and the earliest one was for February - clearly, TopBox is in high demand! So this is my first TopBox and while I am not impressed, I am not disappointed either. The shampoo, even though it is quite a large size, is not appropriate for me since I have never coloured my hair! The eyeshadow, however, which is indeed the personalized item, is in the right colour scheme for me (compared to the purple shadows I saw some people receive). I also do love the YSL samples since YSL is a very high-end brand and it is nice to try some of their best-sellers before dropping your whole wallet for one mascara.


Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Full Shimmer Illuminating Shampoo

Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Full Shimmer Illuminating Shampoo

Lillypilly Kakadu Plum Hand & Body Creme

Pari Beauty Eye Shadow

Pari Beauty Eye Shadow

YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat

XO Nicole

Saturday, February 18, 2012

L'Oreal HiP Studio Secrets Professional High Drama Volumizing Mascara Review


A new mascara has been added to my daily mascara regime, which initially consisted of
Dior DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum & Primer, Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous and Planter's Mascara Power Lash. I wasn't satisfied with this combination as I felt I was still lacking on volume so I fished this out of my mascara stash. This school semester does not need me looking my best, since all my classes are consecutive so I did not need anything heavy duty.


I also hadn't noticed that the mascara that I purchased was in "Blue Black" as opposed to "Black". Now reading the reviews on this mascara, one of the highly appreciative characteristic is the intense pigmentation - well, I guess it amakes sense for it to be because this is what the mascara is advertised as: intense pigmentation. I agree that this mascara lives up to this claim because even with my "Blue Black" mascara, it is a very blue black that you cannot even tell that I am applying a coloured mascara. Therefore, if you are on the hunt for such blue black mascara, I don't recommend this mascara for you - it just looks black!

As for the lashes themselves, this mascara definitely gives good volume, such that it clumps your lashes - but in a good way. The brush is very dense so it can grab on to the short lashes you missed and coat them well.

Overall, I enjoy this mascara although I would probably not repurchase it again, in blue black or black. The fact that it is not waterproof turns me away a bit because I do get smudging throughout the day - it's minimal but I prefer going the safer route and keeping all my mascaras waterproof.

XO Nicole

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Benefit, Smashbox, NARS, Haul


I finally hauled some "essentials".

eyelash curler by Shu Uemura - I cannot say how much this is worth the investment! Being the biggest eyelash junkie, I cannot believe I've lived so long without this baby.

Smashbox 21 Arched Liner Brush - Because I have very little lid space and the normal angle brushes can be a bit too thick, I wanted an arched liner brush like this to give me more precision.

Benefit Cosmetics 10 - Highlighter is one of the makeup items that I own the least of just because I have combination skin and I usually do not need the extra glowiness but I haven't tried any of Benefit's boxed powders yet so I thought this would be great in my collection as one side is bronzer.

Smashbox Lash Revival Treatment & Conditioner - I've only tried drugstore "lash serums" so I thought I'd give this a try as it came with something for the lash line and the lashes itself.

NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder - I only wear matte bronzers so when I decided to switch it up, I've went for the most popular and hyped about bronzer!

Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer - Love this! This gives great coverage. I got this in the shade "light".

XO Nicole