4 notes ()
Makeup, nail polish, and other shiny happy things from a girl in Vancouver.
FOLLOW
I love how L’Oreal Tangerine Crush looks on my skin tone. (Sally Hansen Peachy Breeze on middle finger to test shade similarity) (Taken with Instagram)
L’Oreal Colour Riche Violet Vixen • Sinful Colors Snow Me White • Mash-24
Awkward note: My nails grow out really fast; I took this photo 4-5 days after actually doing it, so the gap between the polish and my cuticles is rather large :x
I ordered the MASH 2012 nail stamping set (inexplicably no longer listed on Amazon, but is available on eBay) back in December but I haven’t actually tried any of the plates until now! The design smudged a bit on my ring finger after applying Seche Vite top coat but I’m rather happy with how it turned out. It has a home decor vibe to it; I want a pillow or something in this print, haha. I would definitely stamp this again on top of a green or blue for a fresh spring look.
Violet Vixen is a very red-leaning violet or berry. The brush on this polish takes some getting used to: it’s not as dense as other nail polish brushes → doesn’t hold a lot of polish in the brush → wiping the brush against the bottle sides tends to be an unnecessary step.
I tried using Sinful Colors Snow Me White on my right hand (shown) for stamping this time rather than Konad White. The Konad White Special Polish results in a brighter, bolder white, but I think the thick, goopiness of it makes it more prone to smudging when applying your top coat. I don’t think it is a huge difference unless you’re comparing the two side-by-side, so the Sinful Colors works pretty well if you don’t want to get the Konad White.
This week, I’m taking a break from Wishlist Wednesday to post a review for a new(ish) product that you might’ve been wondering about :3
L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes mascara started popping up recently just a few weeks ago in drugstores around Vancouver while ads of Eva Longoria batting some serious lashes were airing on TV. In its first week or two Shoppers Drug Mart had this mascara on sale for about $9 (from ~$14) so ~of course~ I had to pick it up.
The beauty advisor (who was wearing Million Lashes at the time, by the way) said that 635 Blackest Black was more dramatic and more of a “false lashes” look, while Black was more natural. (It also comes in Brown.) Since my super-straight, super-fine lashes need all the help they can get, I opted for Blackest Black. If your lashes are naturally fuller then Blackest Black might be too heavy for an everyday look.
What the packaging says:
It didn’t exactly deliver on all counts, but I feel like it got pretty close.
Okay, so before this I always just used my facial moisturizer for my undereye skin. What prompted me to buy a product to use exclusively for this area?
1. I hadn’t been treating it too well—there was an eye makeup remover-less period where I was rubbing and pulllling a lot on my skin when I’m removing my eye makeup
2. (possibly related to #1) I flipped because I noticed a huuuuge line under each of my eyes
3. I’m wearing more makeup and more frequently than before, and I’m noticing that sometimes the skin under my eyes can get flaky and dry even during summer. So my facial moisturizer is just fine for the rest of my face, but my undereyes are drier and therefore need more moisture
I chose this particular product based on its airtight packaging and the positive reviews on MakeupAlley. I’ve always felt that moisturizers specifically marketed for the eye area are a marketing ploy to sell you the same formula and charge more money for less product; my original plan was to find a super moisturizing face cream to use for my undereyes. But I compared it to what I felt was the closest facial moisturizer equivalent (Skin Genesis Daily Treatment Serum Concentrate, I think) and noticed that there were differences, such as the Eye Serum containing no fragrance and that sodium hyaluronate was much lower on the ingredients list—though I admit I have no idea what the significance of the latter is. So after some hemming and hawwing I just figured to roll with it, that’s how I ended up with this product.
I know that was kind of long and rambly, thanks for following along so far.
The packaging and inserts are all about two ingredients: Pro-Xylane, which is stated to be able to penetrate the layers of the skin, and hydrating and strengthening Hyaluronic Acid. It claims to diminish the appearance of dark circles and puffiness, as well as moisturize and reduce fine lines. Included in the box is a sample of L’Oreal Skin Genesis Serum Concentrate and a $5 off coupon for a Skin Genesis product.
I kind of feel like a noob or something making this post about my first trip ever to Murale, because this store has been in Vancouver since fall of last year. I had no idea this chain of cosmetic retail stores existed until I read up about a freshly-opened Murale in West Edmonton Mall on theNotice, much less that there was one in Oakridge Mall.
When I told Jenelle about this store and how it takes Shoppers Optimum Points (most likely affiliated with Shoppers Drug Mart), we decided to definitely make a trip out of it. I found some brands that Sephora doesn’t carry, and some they do but I have not found in the Metrotown or Pacific Centre locations, which is what most of these pictures are about.
Like Stila! This was actually the first time I had seen Stila products in person, even though I have wanted to try this brand for a while.
I think I’m in love with the Stila Smudge Sticks ($27 CAD), especially Koi, a lovely true gold. From left to right are Lionfish, Purple Tang, Moray, Stingray, Peacock, Koi, and Silverdollar. They are a bit pricy though.
Check out this delicious haul my darling Jenelle brought back from the States! I briefly considered never buying drugstore makeup in Canada again, because everything was apparently ridiculously cheap and our neighbours have such awesome sales.
Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 70 with Helioplex (one of the best sunblocks ever!), Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama eyeliner in Eggplant, Maybelline Eye Studio Color Plush quads in Taupe Temptress and Mad For Mauve, L’Oreal HiP Jelly Balm in Succulent, eos lip balm in Honeysuckle Honeydew
We are totally soulmates; I cant believe that even though I hadn’t asked for anything, 4 out of these 6 items are ones that I was really coveting (2 in exactly the colour I wanted!). I was waiting for a big Shoppers sale to pick up Mad for Mauve and Eggplant, and I was so happy in the pants for the Jelly Balm because I haven’t seen them in Canada.
I think my exact text when she told me she picked up the gel eyeliner was, “I fucking love you forever. Seriously.” Buying this girl dinner next time we go out, for sure <3
