REVIEW: First Aid Beauty Coconut Water Cream

Hello, lovelies!

I recently received a sample of First Aid Beauty’s Coconut Water Cream. I was eager to integrate a new moisturizer into my skincare routine to gauge how it helped my dry skin. First Aid Beauty’s Coconut Water Cream is lightweight, and acts as a moisturizer or primer.

The Packaging

I adore how fun and whimsical this packaging is! The cream comes in a lightweight, travel-friendly jar that features a striped design with pops of pink, silver and white. The jar bears the First Aid Beauty logo and has a bright pink cover.

The Cream

The cream has a lightweight, balmy texture. It absorbs instantly into the skin without leaving any residue, and it is oil-free. The cream is translucent and airy. My skin feels soft, moisturized and refreshed once I apply the product. One aspect that I particularly enjoy is that the cream retains the texture of a primer when it dries into the skin, making it perfect to wear underneath makeup!

How to use it 

First Aid Beauty’s Coconut Water Cream is ideal to use morning or night as part of your skincare routine. Apply it evenly over clean skin. The moisturizer can be worn underneath makeup or alone.

If you’re looking for a lightweight moisturizer to introduce into your springtime makeup routine, I’d recommend First Aid Beauty’s Coconut Water Cream! The lightweight moisturizer refreshes the skin without feeling heavy or dense. This product is part of Sephora’s Hello FAB Coconut line that also includes a Priming Moisturizer, and Jelly Mask. Each jar retails for $42 at Sephora.

REVIEW: Coloured Raine Queen of Hearts Eyeshadow Palette

Hello, lovelies!

I collaborated with Coloured Raine Cosmetics a few months ago. They graciously sent me the Queen of Hearts Eyeshadow palette. This palette quickly became a staple in my collection – it is affordable, pigmented, and has a fantastic range of shades. If you’re interested in finding new indie makeup brands, keep on reading!

The Packaging

The packaging is stunning. The outside of the palette features a matte black cover with the brand logo embossed on it. Inside the palette are fourteen pans of eyeshadow plus a large mirror. The inside packaging features a fun, metallic gold material. The palette is lightweight and travel friendly, though the shape is slightly longer than other palettes I own.

The Formula

This palette features an array of eyeshadow formulas. Each shade is pigmented, buttery, and smooth. The matte shades are pigmented, non-chalky, and blend well. Each metallic shade has a foiled appearance. The frosted shades are pigmented and creamy.

The Shades

This palette contains 12 shades, in a mixture of matte, metallic, and frosted finishes. The shades contained within the palette include:

• Crown – Bright white-gold
• Royal Highness – Metallic taupe brown
• Your Majesty – Metallic golden copper
• Princess – Matte dusty rose
• Empress – Matte burnt orange
• Queen Mother – Frosted dark plum
• Heir – Matte light beige
• Royal Perogative – Matte medium brown
• Noblewoman – Frosted cranberry
• Ladyship – Matte dark berry with cooler undertones
• Duchess – Matte dark brown with yellow undertones
• Dethrone – Metallic deep brown

The Wear

These eyeshadows last for hours when applied to the lid! The formula does not crease, fade, or falter throughout the day. I’ve observed no patchiness or flaking with these eyeshadows.

If you’re looking for an affordable, indie makeup brand I highly recommend Coloured Raine. Every product is inexpensive and high-quality. The Queen of Hearts Eyeshadow Palette retails for $44 on Coloured Raine’s official website. As of March 26, 2020 it is on sale for $28.

REVIEW: Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink

Hello, lovelies!

For the past few years, I have been on a never-ending hunt to find the perfect liquid lipstick. Most formulas that I’ve tried have either been too drying, not long-wearing, or crumbly. I know that the lipsticks I’m blogging about today are not new, but they are the best liquid lipstick formulas I’ve ever worn. And the best part? They’re drugstore! I recently discovered Maybelline’s SuperStay Matte Ink Lipstick line and let me tell you, they are ink-credible!

The Packaging

The packaging is sophisticated and fun. The tube has a unique square shape that features a white top that bears the Maybelline logo. The tube itself displays the colour contained within. It is lightweight and travel-friendly. The most interesting part of the packaging is the applicator – it is tear-drop shaped which allows for precise, mess-free application.

The Formula and Wear

This lipstick claims to be a 16-hour, long-wear lipstick and it absolutely lives up to the claim. Once applied to the lips, these lipsticks are smudge-proof for hours. They do not flake, feather, or falter with eating, drinking, or sleeping. The formula dries down to a matte but glossy finish. The lipstick has the wear of a matte lipstick but it still feels creamy and has tact on the lips.

The Shades Maybelline’s SuperStay Matte Ink is available in a range of 10 versatile shades:

• Loyalist – Pale nude
• Dreamer – Pale pastel pink
• Lover – Dusty rose
• Pioneer – Blue-based red
• Heroine – Bright orange-red
• Romantic – Neon pink
• Creator – Bright violet
• Believer – Eggplant purple
• Escapist – Oxblood brown
• Explorer – Navy blue
• Originator – Deep purple
• Composer – Maroon
• Founder – Dark pink
• Ground Breaker – Burnt orange with red undertone
• Dancer – Vibrant red

Maybelline’s SuperStay Matte Ink is an incredibly long-wearing liquid lipstick that comes in a variety of shades from pale nudes to vibrant berry. If you are looking for a lipstick that will not budge for the day, I’d highly recommend this one! To demonstrate the incredible longevity of this liquid lipstick, I’ve worn it in the shower to test it and it did not budge. Maybelline’s SuperStay Matte Ink varies in price between drugstores, but it is available from Maybelline’s official website for $11.99 or $9.99 at most other retailers including Walmart.

REVIEW: Urban Decay Primer Potion

Hello, lovelies!

I feel like I’m the last makeup enthusiast on the planet to try the cult-classic Primer Potion from Urban Decay. I switched the brand of primer I use on a whim last month, and I have not looked back. This product truly lives up to its claim of indestructible eyeshadow that lasts all day!

The Packaging

The primer comes in a sleek and lightweight tube. The tube bears the Urban Decay logo and has a pale purple, golden, or copper colour depending on the type of primer that you purchase. The cap features a long, flat applicator that is soft and bendable to coat the entire eyelid with product. I love that this product is travel-friendly and easy to use.

The Formula

I adore this formula! It is silky-smooth, dries quickly, and brings out my eyeshadow’s true pigment. Urban Decay’s primer is formulated with polymer technology that preps the eyelids for all-day wear and covers imperfections.

The Wear

My eyeshadow is brighter, pigmented, and long-lasting after I apply it on top of this primer. Eyeshadow does not fade or crease throughout the day. I’ve tested this eyeshadow primer while wearing both powder and cream formulas, and it has enhanced the wear of my eyeshadow with ease!

The Shades

Recently, Urban Decay released new varieties of the primer. It is now available in four varieties:

• Original
• Sin – Subtle pale nude shimmer
• Eden – Matte nude
• Caffeine – Rich warm brown matte

Urban Decay’s cult-classic Eyeshadow Primer Potion is a staple in my makeup kit. It effortlessly extends the wear of my eyeshadow for a crease-free look. Each tube of Urban Decay’s Primer Potion retails for $32 at Sephora.

REVIEW: Huda Beauty New Nude Eyeshadow Palette

Hello, lovelies!

Huda Beauty released a beautiful new eyeshadow palette last year. The New Nude Eyeshadow Palette is the perfect palette to create versatile nude eyeshadow looks with pops of glitter and sparkle. I adore the neutral, yet colourful, combination of shades within this palette and how the shadows can quickly transform my look from day to night!

The Packaging

The packaging of this palette is beautiful and sophisticated. The outside of the palette features a graphic of Huda Kattan’s eyes along with a monochromatic eyeshadow look. I love that the light colours used on the palette – a combination of baby pink, light beige, and peach are reminiscent of the shadows within. The palette bears the ‘Huda Beauty’ logo, features a large mirror and contains 18 shades.

The Eyeshadows

Each eyeshadow is pigmented and blends easily. The palette contains a unique mixture of versatile duo-chrome, matte, glitter, and pressed pigment finishes. I wear these shadows for 10-12 hours without experiencing any fallout. I blend the matte shadows with a brush and apply the duo-chrome and pressed pearl shadows with my finger for maximum colour payoff. The pure glitter shadows apply best with a glitter glue.

The Shades

Huda Beauty’s New Nude Eyeshadow Palette contains 18 shadows:

• Bare – Matte cream
• Crave – Multi-reflective pink champagne
• Play – Matte peach
• Fantasy – Multi-reflective rose
• Love Bite – Matte purple with a pink undertone
• Spanked – Matte cranberry
• Lace – Matte pale pink
• Daydream – Multi-reflective pale pink with silver undertone
• Tickle – Matte salmon
• Excite – Deep red glitter
• Infatuated – Golden copper glitter
• Kinky – Metallic cranberry
• Concealed – Creamy concealer base
• Secret – Matte burnt orange with pink base
• Tease – Matte taupe
• Raw – Matte warm rose
• Charmed – Multi-reflective rose gold
• Teddy – Matte warm caramel

Huda Beauty’s New Nude Eyeshadow Palette is versatile, eye-catching and sophisticated. It offers a combination of shadow finishes to create an array of eye looks. The palette retails for $85 at Sephora.

REVIEW: Bite Beauty Crystal Creme Lip Crayon

Hello, lovelies!

I adore Bite Beauty. I recently bought a Crystal  Creme Shimmer Lip Crayon from Sephora and instantly enjoyed the lightweight, creamy formula that differs from the drying matte lipsticks I usually wear. Bite Beauty’s Crystal Creme Shimmer Lip Crayon is the newest addition to the brand’s range of lip crayons. Instead of a matte formula, this crayon features a fun shimmer formula that delivers sheer colour for the spring season!

The Packaging

The lip crayon comes in a sleek, matte black tube with the Bite Beauty logo embossed on it. It is lightweight and portable. The crayon itself has a precision tip for easy application. The crayon twists upward when the bottom of the tube is twisted, but it is not self-sharpening.

The Lip Crayon

I love the creamy texture of the lip crayon! It glides onto the lips and is highly pigmented. The lip crayon feels weightless when applied to the lips, and dries down to a translucent finish. I adore that this product doesn’t fade or feather with extended wear. The product dries down to a soft-focus finish that appears blurred and chic.

The Formula 

The formula is nourishing and soft. The texture feels lightweight and comfortable. As with other Bite Beauty products, this lip crayon is formulated without parabens or sulfates. The lip crayon is water-resistant and feels smooth and hydrating on the lips. Each crayon has a pearly undertone.

The Shades

Bite Beauty’s Crystal Creme Shimmer Lip Crayon is available in a range of 10 shades. Each shade has a shimmer finish. I adore the fun, whimsical names of each of these lip crayons!

• Rose Glace – Shimmering peachy pink with rose pearl
• Candied Guava – Shimmering apricot with gold pearl
• Mauve Marzipan – Shimmering mauve with magenta pearl
• Fuchsia Frosting – Shimmering hot pink with electric fuchsia pearl
• Cherry On Top – Shimmering warm red with red pearl
• Violet Icing – Shimmering lavender with silver and violet pearl
• Grape Glaze – Shimmering violet with iridescent pearl
• Cocoa Crush – Shimmering bronze with bronze pearl
• Molten Chocolate – Shimmering cocoa plum with maroon pearl

Bite Beauty’s Matte Creme Lip Crayon is a great product if you like a creamier lipstick formula. It is lightweight and feels delightful on the lips. Though it is not long-wearing, the formula is one that I favour when I’m looking for a lightweight, creamier product! Bite Beauty’s Matte Creme Lip Crayon retails for $28 at Sephora

REVIEW: Sephora Collection Eye Brush Set

Hello, lovelies!

I bought a new eyeshadow brush set a few months ago and wanted to test the brushes for a while before reviewing the set. The set I bought contains 4 lightweight, multipurpose brushes.

The Packaging

The brushes are packaged in a standard clear plastic box. The packaging of this product is unremarkable, but I do like how sleek and travel-friendly each brush is. The brushes have slim, matte handles in various shades of pink.

What is it?

This brush set contains four brushes to apply eyeshadow and eyeliner:

• Crease brush
• All-over shadow brush
• Smudge brush
• Liner brush

The Brushes

The quality of this brush set is surprising, given the small size of each brush. The bristles are soft, pliable and smooth on the eyelid. Each brush is small, but the size makes them ideal for precisely applying and blending eyeshadow.

Tips for using each brush

I typically use each brush for a specific type of eye makeup. The liner brush has a flat, slanted tip to apply eyeliner. I use the fluffier smudge brush to blend shadow into my lid and crease. I mainly use the all-over shadow brush to apply shades to my lid and brow bone. The smudge brush is ideal for layering darker shadows on the outer corner of my eye.

Sephora Collection Eye Brush sets are perfect if you are looking for brushes that are smaller, light and easy to use. The 4-piece set retails for $20 at Sephora.

REVIEW: Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Lipstick

Hello, lovelies!

For the past few years, I have been on a never-ending hunt to find the perfect liquid lipstick. Most formulas that I’ve tried have either been too drying, not long-wearing, or crumbly. I know that the lipsticks I’m blogging about today are not new, but they are the best liquid lipstick formulas I’ve ever worn. And the best part? They’re drugstore! I recently discovered Maybelline’s SuperStay Matte Ink Lipstick line and let me tell you, they are ink-credible! 

The Packaging 

The packaging is sophisticated and fun. The tube has a unique square shape that features a white top that bears the Maybelline logo. The tube itself displays the colour contained within. It is lightweight and travel-friendly. The most interesting part of the packaging is the applicator – it is tear-drop shaped which allows for precise, mess-free application.

The Formula and Wear 

This lipstick claims to be a 16-hour, long-wear lipstick and it absolutely lives up to the claim. Once applied to the lips, these lipsticks are smudge-proof for hours. They do not flake, feather, or falter with eating, drinking, or sleeping. The formula dries down to a matte but glossy finish. The lipstick has the wear of a matte lipstick but it still feels creamy and has tact on the lips.

The Shades

Maybelline’s SuperStay Matte Ink is available in a range of 10 versatile shades:

• Loyalist – Pale nude
• Dreamer – Pale pastel pink
• Lover – Dusty rose
• Pioneer – Blue-based red
• Heroine – Bright orange-red
• Romantic – Neon pink
• Creator – Bright violet
• Believer – Eggplant purple
• Escapist – Oxblood brown
• Explorer – Navy blue
• Originator – Deep purple
• Composer – Maroon
• Founder – Dark pink
• Ground Breaker – Burnt orange with red undertone
• Dancer – Vibrant red

Maybelline’s SuperStay Matte Ink is an incredibly long-wearing liquid lipstick that comes in a variety of shades from pale nudes to vibrant berry. If you are looking for a lipstick that will not budge for the day, I’d highly recommend this one! To demonstrate the incredible longevity of this liquid lipstick, I’ve worn it in the shower to test it and it did not budge. Maybelline’s SuperStay Matte Ink varies in price between drugstores, but it is available from Maybelline’s official website for $11.99 or $9.99 at most other retailers including Walmart.

 

REVIEW: Dior Rouge Liquid Lipstick

Hello, lovelies!

I am consistently searching for new brands of liquid lipstick to test. I received samples of Dior Rouge Liquid Lipstick and I was intrigued to find out how the brand’s first liquid lipstick formula stacked up to other formulas I adore. Dior’s liquid lipstick comes in a range of beautiful colours. The shades I received in the sampler drew me in.

The Packaging 

The full-sized lipsticks come in sleek, elegant packages. The lipstick container is matte black with a transparent panel that reveals the colour within. I enjoy the square, blunt shape of the lipstick container because it is sturdy. This lipstick features a doe-foot applicator to precisely line the lips.

The Formula 

Dior’s liquid lipstick comes in three different finishes: Matte, metallic, and satin. I’ve tried both the matte and satin finishes. Both lipstick formulas are smooth, non-drying, and transfer-resistant. The formula is highly-pigmented. Once applied to the lips, the colour dries down completely and is lightweight.

The Colours 

I’ve tried samples of four shades in the collection:

• 999 – Matte red
• Hectic – Matte deep purple
• Fury – Matte rosewood
• Fab – Satin oxblood-red

Each colour I’ve tested is pigmented and opaque. The matte shades lasted longer on my lips than the satin shade. There are 25 other shades in the collection:

• Reckless – Matte orangey-beige
• Crush – Matte hot pink
• Impulsive – Matte coral pink
• Shock – Matte magenta
• Hypnotic – Matte dark pink
• Chic – Matte beige
• Savage – Matte raspberry-pink
• Lively – Matte dusty pink
• Jungle – Matte light brown
• Mysterious – Matte brownish-pink
• Dressed To – Matte reddish-brown
• Black – Matte black
• Delicate – Satin light brown
• Frenetic – Satin raspberry pink
• Impetious – Satin pink
• Versatile – Satin strawberry-red
• Miss – Satin pink-coral
• Fab – Satin reddish-black with shimmer
• Rock ‘n’ Metal – Metallic rusty red
• Spicy – Metallic hot pink
• Scandalous – Metallic brown
• Poison Metal – Metallic red-plum
• Hologram – Metallic silver
• Vibrant – Metallic rose-gold

The Wear 

Both the satin and matte shades wear comfortably on the lips. Once I apply the shade to my lips, they wear for 4-5 hours without fading. One aspect I adore about these lipsticks is that I only require one swipe of the lipstick to achieve full-coverage. The colour doesn’t bleed on my lips, but it does transfer while eating or drinking.

These lipsticks are perfect if you are looking for a comfortable, long-wearing lipstick. The metallic finishes are beautiful and richly pigmented. Dior Rouge Liquid Lipstick retails for $43 on Sephora’s website.

REVIEW: Natasha Denona Sunrise Eyeshadow Palette

Hello, lovelies!

When Natasha Denona released photos of the new Sunrise Eyeshadow Palette, I knew it would be a beautiful eyeshadow palette. The palette’s combination of sunny yellows, mulberry, and sparkling lavender shades is unlike any colour combination I’ve encountered. This is the first Natasha Denona product I’ve bought – because of the brand’s high price point – and this gorgeous eyeshadow palette did not disappoint!

The Packaging 

I adore the packaging of this palette! The outside of the palette is a gorgeous orange-red colour that is hard plastic and shiny. It bears the Natasha Denona logo and the name of the palette. Inside the palette, there is a large mirror and the eyeshadow pans. Each eyeshadow is nested into a matte black background that makes the shades pop!

The Eyeshadows 

The eyeshadow quality is incredible. Each eyeshadow is soft and creamy, but there is no fallout present from any of the shades. The matte shades are pigmented, buildable and blend very easily. Each shimmer shade is pigmented, bright and shiny. Both types of shadows can be applied with a brush, but I prefer applying the shimmer shades with a fingertip to intensify the pigment.

The Wear 

Each shade is pigmented, smooth, and long-wearing. There is no fallout from any of the shades in this palette. Each matte eyeshadow blends easily, and the shimmers apply bright and pigmented with a brush or fingertip. When I complete an eye look with this palette, the shades remain vibrant and pigmented for up to 12 hours!

The Shades 

Sunrise contains 15 shades in a range of matte, duo-chrome, and metallic finishes. Each shade is as follows:

• Poppy – Metallic crimson bronze
• Citrine – Matte yellow
• Phlox – Metallic burnt crimson
• Awakening – Lavender duo-chrome
• Laurel – Metallic peachy champagne
• Aster – Duo-chrome mauve violet
• Glory – Matte hot pink
• Azalea – Pink copper duo-chrome
• Morgan – Matte pastel peach
• Agate – Metallic champagne with an apricot undertone
• Clove – Matte maroon
• Carnelian – Matte bright orange
• Jasper – Matte bright terracotta
• Morning – Matte light apricot
• Day Spring – Bronze metallic with a nude undertone

Natasha Denona’s Sunrise Palette offers a dazzling array of bright, sunny eyeshadow shades. The palette is versatile to create both day and night looks with an impressive combination of matte and metallic eyeshadows. This palette retails for $86 at Sephora.