Annabelle Big Show Lip Shine in Beam and custom colours!

Everybody wants different things. In the same way some like high-coverage foundations while others prefer a more natural finish, some love sheer shine on the lips while others prefer boom fully-fledged matte lips. The Annabelle Big Show Lip Shines ($9.95) are definitely on the sheer side of things. I received two custom colours (without names - but for now let's be blunt about it and call them pink and orange) and as well as the shade Beam (a pinky nude). 

Annabelle Big Show Lip Shines in "pink", "orange", and Beam

The GOOD: The Annabelle Big Show Lip Shines are perfect if you want a subtle sheen of colour over your lips. The product also works well as a layering gloss to add a little shiny somethin'-somethin' to your average lipstick. So much shine with a tiny bit of sparkle in the mix. The texture reminds me of the Almay Liquid Lip Balms except with slightly less slip and more thickness. It's smooth, non-sticky, and just the right thickness so that the product glides flawlessly over the lips. 

The BAD: As with most glosses, the product isn't long-lasting on the lips. Wear-time ranges around an hour or two depending on how often you eat or drink. Despite the short wear-time, these glosses are moisturizing enough that it's just like applying a balm. 

Overall, what you see in the tube is definitely not what you get, but if you're sheer, moisturizing shine then this is perfect for you. Personally, I think these lightweight, natural-looking glosses are perfect for the summer weather and have been my go-to on the daily. 

Are you a lipstick or gloss kind of gal? 

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Revlon Rio Rush Collection Summer 2014 Overview - Lipsticks, Polishes & Eye Shadow Quads

Summer's all about the brights and colours but for some reason I've been sticking to neutral and boring. What landed in my mailbox this week was a little tropical inspiration - the Revlon Rio Rush Collection by Gucci Westman for Summer 2014. The collection includes 3 lipsticks, 2 eyeshadow quads, 4 polishes, and a creme eyeliner.  

I'm at home for the weekend and I've realized how much I miss my white background and studio lighting. I haven't fully formed thoughts about the products in the collection but no doubt, Revlon has put out some gorgeous products for this Summer. 

I couldn't resist snapping a bunch of product photos so here they are. Full reviews will follow along this week! :) 

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipsticks ($9.50) in Sultry Samba, Brazilian Tan and Carnival Spirit

Revlon ColorStay 16 Hour Eye Shadow ($12.95) in Exotic and Wild

Revlon Nail Enamel  ($5.95) in Copa Sunset, Carioca Crush and Copa Sunset

Is there such thing as a makeup-gasm? Because this collection is just so stunning. I imagine travelling to Rio would be equally, if not more, stunning than some makeup. But I'll settle for the time being. 

 The Revlon Rio Rush Collection by Gucci Westman is available at drugstores in Canada as of May 2014

What do you think of the Revlon Rio Rush Collection ?

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Rimmel Scandaleyes Thick and Thin & Micro Eyeliner

More often than not, I feel like winged eyeliner is the bane of my existence. It's the single step in my 10-minute beauty routine that takes 5 minutes too long. The 5 minutes typically consists of (1) applying winged liner (2) realizing my eyes look uneven (3) removing attempt #1 (4) re-applying the liner (5) realizing that the wing is too dramatic for daytime (4) removing attempt #2 (5) settling for a non-existent thin line because winged liner is stressing me out. Life is rough, I know. 

Rimmel proposes two solutions -  (1) the Rimmel Scandaleyes Thick & Thin Eyeliner and (2) the Rimmel Scandaleyes Micro Eyeliner (~$6). Both make promises of 24H waterproof, smudgeproof intensity. The difference between the two is that the Thick & Thin has a slanted tip and the Micro features a fine tip for artistic lines. 

Unfortunately, neither the Rimmel Thick and Thin nor the Rimmel Micro Eyeliner is the solution to all my winged liner woes. It lasts all day... though I haven't tested the waterproof claims just yet. Unfortunately, the liquid liner in both products is not as black or intense as I'd like. Furthermore, they're a bit watery and thin, so the product bleeds into the skin. So, although both applicators on both liners have the potential to create beautifully sharp and precise lines, the bleeding of the formula erases all that is awesome about the applicators. 

Good thing winged liner isn't the only way I like to define my eyes. The Micro Eyeliner is great for getting in-between the lashes for the no-liner eyeliner look, even with the bleeding. Unfortunately, that's the extent of my usage with this product. 

Do you have any winged liner secrets? Please share! 

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Revisiting the Revlon Shadowlinks in Greige, Taupe, Eggplant & Java

Back in Fall 2013, the Revlon Shadowlinks were released. I reviewed the colours Cobalt and Lemon (see my initial thoughts here). Through the Revlon Selects program, I received 4 more shades to test out. The Revlon Shadowlinks in Greige, Taupe, Eggplant, and Java landed on my desk and I thought I'd see if my feelings towards these shadows have changed. 

For one, the packaging is cool. The product comes individually (~$3.99 each), you choose the colours you want, then, you can click them together to create a customized palette. The shadows come in 3 different finishes - pearl (shimmer), satin (slight shimmery sheen), and matte (no shimmer). 

Greige is a grey-beige taupe (matte), Taupe is a... you guessed it...taupe (satin), Eggplant is a deep amethyst purple (satin), and Java is a deep, warm brown (pearl). I chose colours that I typically gravitate towards - simple neutrals and darker pops of colour. 

The texture of the shadows is neither rock hard nor buttery smooth. While I like the colours in the pan and when heavily swatched (left), the product is sheer and not easily buildable on the eyelids and when blended (right). The shadows aren't terrible, but you'll need to pack the product on top of a good primer in order to get colour payoff true to the pan. 

On one hand, you can easily customize your own palette with tons of brights and neutrals in a variety of finishes. On the other, the product doesn't deliver in terms of pigmentation. 

Would you sacrifice quality for variety? Or variety for quality? 

I received these items as a member of Revlon Selects. Opinions are my own.

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CoverGirl LipPerfection Lipsticks in Delicious, Ravish, Bombshell Explosion, Eternal, Hot Passion, and Seduce

There is something to be said about having “a lipstick for every occasion”. Loved by the likes of Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and P!nk, the CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick line ($9.99) has a lipstick shade in every colour, for every woman, for every occasion. From pastel purples to orangey reds, I’ll give you a gazillion dollars if you can’t find something that suits you. 

There are 6 colour ranges for a total of 51 lipstick shades - the Bombshell Collection, Runway Shades, Pinks to Roses, Lilacs/Mauves/Burgundies, Nudes/Corals/Reds, and Browns. 

The CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipsticks are your classic formulation - less sheer or balm-like and more creamy and opaque. What I love about these lipsticks is that they’re consistent. The lightest colour I’ve tried is equally as pigmented and smooth as something that might appear to be more bold and robust in the tube. Furthermore, they all have an artificial scent that I can’t put my finger on. It doesn’t linger but it’s detectable upon application. The lipstick is neither moisturizing nor drying, which makes for better lasting power and more colour without making my lips peel. The Lip Perfections have a creamy finish with a glossy sheen that can easily be blotted away with a tissue to create a matte lip, if desired.

Staying power is decent at 3 to 5 hours. The lipsticks don’t bleed but do transfer when eating/drinking/kissing, so be warned.  Also noteworthy is the shape of the bullet. It comes to a precise point that’s perfect shaping the edges of your cupids bow, no lip brush required.  

323 Delicious (the flattering pastel)

308 Ravish (my lips but better)

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327 Bombshell Explosion (KABOOM)

350 Eternal (the introduction-to-dark-lips pink)

305 Hot Passion (the fiery orange-red)

307 Seduce (the “I'm feeling sexy today”)

All in all, it’s hard to find a flaw in the CoverGirl Lip Perfection lipsticks. I've been trying a multitude of colours out over the past six months, and I'm really enjoying the formulation. If you're looking for the traditional, no-frills lipstick formulation, these ones are for you. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like each colour I wear gives off an entirely different look from the next. Perhaps that’s why it’s necessary to own 50 different lipsticks. J

Have you tried the CoverGirl LipPerfection Lipsticks? 

Press samples featured. I am a #beautyunited blogger and receive special access to events, product samples, etc. Lips and opinions are my own. 

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Marcelle 2-in-1 Retractable Eyeliner in Purpurite

Purple is my favourite colour. Unfortunately, incorporating a pop of purple into the daily makeup routine isn’t the easiest of tasks. Indeed, purple lip colours (i.e. Revlon Matte Balm in Shameless and CoverGirl Lip Perfection in Delicious) are amazing, as is a lilac smoky eye. But neither is particularly wearable on the daily. The solution? Purple eyeliner all day every day.  It’s not as dark as black, nor is it as boring as brown or as flashy as turquoise. For purple liner, the Marcelle 2-in-1 Retractable Eyeliner in Purpurite ($10.95) is the way to go.

New for Spring 2014, the Marcelle 2-in-1 Retractable Eyeliner in Purpurite is a dark purple pencil liner. It’s called 2-in-1 for the define (liner) and smudge (sponge) characteristics. I think 3-in-1 would be more appropriate (for define, smudge AND sharpen), as it includes a nifty detachable sharpener underneath the smudge sponge.

Purpurite is mid-spectrum in terms of creaminess/waxiness. It’s not the richest, smoothest liner that I’ve tried but it doesn’t tug at my lids and provides just the right amount of product in one swipe. I find that a lack of creaminess actually makes for longer lasting eyeliner. This is, in fact, the case when it comes to Marcelle’s. The product claims 12-hour hold, but I'd say that it’s more like 10 on my oily lids for both the upper and lower lash lines (which is still pretty awesome).

Around the blogosphere, I've heard that purple is one of those colours that complement brown eyes. Marcelle’s 2-in-1 Retractable Eyeliner in Purpurite is on point for this particular usage and makes my eyes feel spring-time pretty.

Do you wear coloured eyeliner?

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Rimmel Stay Blushed Liquid Cheek Tint in Pop of Pink and Sunkissed Cherry

Blush-gasm. For the love of blush, I have been graced with the opportunity to review the Rimmel Stay Blushed Liquid Cheek Tints ($5.99). Through my blogging endeavours, I received two colours - 001 Pop of Pink and 004 Sunkissed Cherry. In addition, the Rimmel Stay Blushed Liquid Cheek Tints also come in the colours 002 Touch of Berry, 003 Peach Flush, and 005 Apricot Glow. If it's any indication of how much I enjoy these, I'll have you know that I want them all. 

The packaging of the liquid cheek tint is a little boring but I'm kind of digging the squeeze tube. Despite the lack of finesse with the white plastic, it's quite hygienic. Unless you can somehow fit your germ-ridden fingers or brush into the little hole of the tube, you're golden and practically germ-free. 

The colour of the Rimmel Stay Blushed Liquid Cheek Tints. One word. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. I mean, check out that pigmentation. The photo shown above was was only the tiniest squeeze of the tube. Pop of Pink is a bright, warm pink while Sunkissed Cherry is somewhat more "natural" for a slightly deeper brown-toned flush. 

Not only that, it blends out like a dream into the skin. Despite looking harsh when swatched, a little blending or stippling goes a long way. The texture feels light, almost "whipped" into smoothness. On the skin, the cheek tint feels slightly wet, but the product eventually dries down to a natural matte finish and lasts all day long. The product claims are along the lines of "stays on your face for 24H". I don't doubt it, but I cherish my beauty rest dearly, so I haven't gotten the opportunity to test that out. 

001 Pop of Pink

004 Sunkissed Cherry

I typically apply this blush in one of two ways. I squeeze as little as possible onto the back of my hand then (1) swirl the product around with the Make Up For Ever Artisan 148 Blending Brush and stipple the product onto the apples of my cheek or (2) pat my fingers onto the back of my hand to ensure that I don't pick up to much product, then pat the products on my cheeks. 

As far as I'm aware, all colours in the Rimmel Stay Blushed Cheek Tint range are shimmer-free, which makes for a wearable, natural flush. All in all, this product is a big, fat, blushing YES. Great pigmentation, long-lasting, and a lightweight formulation - if you're a blush lover (and even if you're not), this one's for you. (What I mean is that blush is for everyone...!) 

Have you tried the Rimmel Stay Blushed Cheek Tints? 

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