Category Archives: Tutorials

Mary Kay Summer 2016 (Review, Swatches & Look)

Mary Kay Summer 2016

Mary Kay‘s got a bunch of new products out for Summer 2016, so I grabbed some of them and put together a look alongside some quick reviews. Let’s get into it:

Mary Kay Mineral Eye Colour Bundle ($76 with compact)
Mary Kay Mineral Eye Colour Bundle ($76 with compact)

The most eyecatching item was easily the Rose Gold Compact Mini ($22 if bought unfilled).

Mary Kay Mineral Eye Colour Bundle - Sweet Cream, Spun Silk, Moonstone, Rosegold, Driftwood & Espresso
Mary Kay Mineral Eye Colour Bundle – Sweet Cream, Spun Silk, Moonstone, Rosegold, Driftwood & Espresso

If you purchase the full compact with shadows, you’re looking at $76 CAD ($54 CAD without the compact). It comes with six shadows in your standard neutral shades. This is the kind of compact absolutely anyone can grab and create an easy day-to-day/work look.

Mary Kay Mineral Eye Colour Bundle - Sweet Cream, Spun Silk, Moonstone, Rosegold, Driftwood & Espresso - swatches
Mary Kay Mineral Eye Colour Bundle – Sweet Cream, Spun Silk, Moonstone, Rosegold, Driftwood & Espresso – swatches

The colours swatched well, and are quite pretty (if not fairly standard fare), but they were really, REALLY powdery in the pan. They applied well, but the kickup in the pan is INTENSE, so be sure to bang your brush off hard before you apply this to you lids!

Mary Kay Beauty That Counts - Hearts Together Lipstick
Mary Kay Beauty That Counts – Hearts Together Lipstick ($18 CAD)

Also out is a limited edition Beauty That Counts “Hearts Together” lipstick. From May 16, 2016 onwards, $1 of the sale of each lipstick will support the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation in its efforts to support women living with cancer and to help end violence against women by providing grants to women’s shelters and community outreach programs.

Mary Kay Beauty That Counts - Hearts Together Lipstick - swatch
Mary Kay Beauty That Counts – Hearts Together Lipstick – swatch

Hearts Together is a labelled as a “soft pink creme lipstick”, but I’d say it veers more towards a sheer-shine lipstick with a glossy cool pink hue.

Mary Kay Perfecting Concealer ($17.50 CAD)
Mary Kay Perfecting Concealer ($17.50 CAD)

Okay guys… deep breath. DEEP BREATH. I loathe reviewing concealers because I just don’t use them. Why, you ask? Because every freaking concealer creases on me. Or looks crepey under my eyes. Basically, they all look like absolute garbage, so I can’t be bothered to use them.

….UNTIL NOW. I don’t know what the heck is in this thing except for magic. PURE FREAKING MAGIC. I put this on my undereyes and it not only brightened the area, but it also didn’t budge. It didn’t crease. It didn’t look crepe-y. I am totally and completely floored.

Mary Kay Perfecting Concealer in Light Ivory & Deep Ivory - swatches
Mary Kay Perfecting Concealer in Light Ivory & Deep Ivory – swatches

The shades featured above are the ones that are most likely to match my skintone so they’re the ones I’ve swatched. As it turns out, I used Deep Ivory under my eyes and it was slightly lighter than my skintone, so it helped to brighten up the area.

Mary Kay Summer 2016 Look

Mary Kay Summer 2016 Look
Mary Kay Summer 2016 Look

In these shots I’m wearing the eyeshadow palette on my eyes, the Lash Intensity mascara (which I forgot to photograph – I am so sorry!), the Perfecting Concealer in Deep Ivory under my eyes and the Hearts Together lipstick.

Mary Kay Summer 2016 Look
Mary Kay Summer 2016 Look
Mary Kay Summer 2016 Look - Eye Closeup
Mary Kay Summer 2016 Look – Eye Closeup
  • Rosegold on the lid.
  • Espresso on the outer corner and on the outer lower lash line.
  • Driftwood through the crease.
  • Sweet Cream on my brow bone.
  • Moonstone on the inner corner.
Mary Kay Summer 2016 Look - Eye Closeup
Mary Kay Summer 2016 Look – Eye Closeup

Final Thoughts

I wasn’t totally blown away by this collection as there are a few misses in the lot. (Overall, I found the Spring launch a lot more up my alley.) Of the products I used here, I think the eyeshadow palette is a miss for me. The eyeshadows, while lovely on the lids, are intensely powdery and I think the price point is unreasonable when other brands are putting out more shadows for a cheaper price point. (And it’s odd too, because the rest of the Mary Kay line is not unreasonably priced, so I have no idea why these shadows are so expensive. I also feel they’re inferior quality to the ones I tried last quarter from the spring line.)

The lipstick was perfectly adequate, and completely comfortable to wear. My only reservation is that it’s just not a shade I’d wear with any kind of regularity. If you love it though, get it – it’s comfortable and easy to wear!

All that to say… the complete and absolute winner out of this whole lot were the Perfecting Concealers. I can’t even begin to explain my excitement for this product! AT LONG LAST, I can finally wear undereye concealer without having to WORRY about it. I’d long since given up thinking I could wear undereye concealer just because no other brand has ever worked for me. I am so excited that the Mary Kay ones took me by complete surprise because I absolutely love them!

The products featured in this post were sent to me for consideration.

Challenge Week: Too Faced Sweet Peach

Too Faced Sweet Peach palette

I almost feel like posting a Challenge Week for the Too Faced Sweet Peach palette is torture at this point for some people. The hype was so real for this palette and it looks like they really didn’t have enough stock ordered for this limited edition release. I know some lucky people like myself were able to get their hands on it, but if you waited for an in store launch it seems like stock was hit and miss depending on which location you checked. I know downtown Toronto Sephoras were lucky to receive even just 2-3 palettes, but obviously that’s not enough to sustain rabid makeup lovers! Online stock has been out for WEEKS, but you may get lucky and find it in a physical store. It’s baaaaack! It’s $59 CAD at sephora.ca or $49 USD on sephora.com

REGARDLESS, I know some people got their hands on this beautiful palette and I wanted to do a Challenge Week regardless. I personally love the palette and I’m very happy to have it in my collection. If you’d like to see swatches, please see my previous Sweet Peach palette swatch post.

On to the looks!

Too Faced Sweet Peach Makeup Looks

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Oddly, the first look I created with this palette had nothing at all to do with peach tones. I reached right for the darker shades in the palette!201605_toofaced_sweetpeach_look1.2

Eyes

  1. Puree in the upper crease.
  2. Bless Her Heart on the lid.
  3. Talk Derby To Me on the outer half of the lid.
  4. White Peach on the brow bone.

I applied Maybelline‘s Lash Sensation Luscious Full Fan Effect mascara to my lashes.

Face

  • Foundation: Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in 52 Vanilla
  • Bronzer: Joe Fresh Sand
  • Blush: MAC Gingerly
  • Highlighter: Too Faced Candlelight Warm Glow
  • Lips: MAC Mineralize Glass in The Zone

201605_toofaced_sweetpeach_look2.1

The second look I created was for my Sweet Peach palette tutorial look on YouTube.  For this one I wanted something definitively peachy while still showing off the versatility of this palette.

201605_toofaced_sweetpeach_look2.2

Eyes

  1. Georgia through the top of the crease.
  2. Candied Peach through the crease.
  3. Luscious on the lid.
  4. Summer Yum on the outer half of the lid.
  5. Tempting on the outer corner.
  6. White Peach on my brow bone.

I created a wing with the Wet N Wild Pro Line Felt Tip Eyeliner in Black, coated my lashes with Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara and applied a pair of Bombshell lashes by House of Lashes.

Face

  • Primer: Make Up For Ever Step 1 Pink Primer
  • Foundation: Maybelline Dream Velvet foundation in 10 Porcelain Ivory
  • Bronzer: Too Faced Endless Summer
  • Blush:  Tarte Charisma
  • Highlighter: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle
  • Lips: Too Faced La Creme in Bon Bon with Clinique Pop Glaze in Melon Drop Pop on top

201605_toofaced_sweetpeach_look3.1

I wanted EVEN MORE peach out of this palette, so I just went ham with the bright, warm shades!

201605_toofaced_sweetpeach_look3.2

Eyes

  1. Georgia through the top of the crease.
  2. Candied Peach through the crease.
  3. Bellini on the lid.
  4. Peach Pit on the outer half of the lid.
  5. Nectar on the inner corner.
  6. White Peach on the brow bone.

I created the wing with Kat Von D‘s Tattoo Liner in Trooper, applied Maybelline‘s Lash Sensational Luscious Full Fan Effect mascara to my lashes and poped on a pair of Au Naturale lashes by House of Lashes.

Face

  • Foundation: BECCA Aqua Luminous Perfecting foundation in Fair
  • Bronzer: Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer
  • Blush: Smashbox Culver City Coral (Rich Coral)
  • Highlighter: Too Faced Candlelight Warm Glow
  • Lips: MAC Hibiscus

201605_toofaced_sweetpeach_look4.1

So we all know this palette is about peach tones, but there IS a lot of versatility for more neutral coloured looks. For this one, I wanted to wear a fairly neutral eye look with a bright lip.

201605_toofaced_sweetpeach_look4.2

Eyes

  1. Peaches n Cream through the top of the crease.
  2. Nectar on the lid and in the inner corner.
  3. Caramelized on the outer corner.
  4. Deletectable on the outer corner and lower lash line.

I added some of MAC‘s Reflect Bronze glitter on the inner part of my lower lash line, then lined my lashes and created a wing with QUO‘s Art of Lining Micro Tip in Brown. I coated my lashes with Maybelline‘s Lash Sensational Luscious Full Fan Effect mascara and put on a pair of Au Naturale lashes by House of Lashes.

Face

  • Foundation: MUFE Ultra HD in Y225 (stick formula)
  • Bronzer: Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer
  • Blush: Milani Coral Cove
  • Highlighter: Anastasia Beverly Hills Mimosa
  • Lips: Anastasia Beverly Hills Retro Coral

201605_toofaced_sweetpeach_look5.1

Alright, last look! I was getting a bit stumped on how to show versatility for this palette because I really just wanted to keep reaching for the peach shades. I’ve said it before, but I am not generally one to apply darker shimmery colours on the lid… and yet I ALWAYS love how it turns out! (I think, for me, I like more of a contrast between a paler lid and a dark crease.) This combination turned out to be ridiculously simple and yet quite striking.

201605_toofaced_sweetpeach_look5.2

Eyes

  1. Peaches n Cream through the crease.
  2. Cobbler on the lid.
  3. Delectable on the outer half of the lid.
  4. White Peach on the bone

I’m wearing Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Full Fan Effect mascara on my lashes.

Face

  • Foundation: Revlon Colorstay liquid in 150 Buff and 200 Nude mixed together
  • Bronzer: Too Faced Ross and Rachel bronzer
  • Blush: essence Autumn Peach 
  • Highlighter: Too Faced Candlelight Warm Glow
  • Lips: Sephora Collection Rouge Balm in Enchanting Blush with Subtle Peony on top

What’s On My Face – Volume 46

More looks! A few of these are looks from some videos I’ve done, there’s a guest post in there, etc.


201604_womfvol45_look1_1

This is my FAVOURITE makeup look. I wear it every year on my birthday because the colours are exactly what I love about makeup! This was early days for a makeup tutorial on my channel, but the video can be found here.201604_womfvol45_look1_2

Eyes

  1. Makeup Geek Creme Brulee
  2. Inglot AMC Shine 15
  3. Inglot Matte 382
  4. MAC Blanc Type

On my lower lash line, I applied a little of Too Faced Glitter Glue and then tapped on Lit Cosmetics California Soul glitter on top.

To create the wing I used MAC‘s Blacktrack fluidline and coated my lashes with Make Up For Ever‘s Smoky Stretch mascara. I added some House of Lashes Noir Fairy false lashes in black.

Face

  • Primer: Smashbox Photofinish Primer
  • Foundation:  Revlon Colorstay in 200 Nude
  • Bronzer: Revlon Photoready bronzer in Bronzed & Chic
  • Blush: Bobbi Brown Apricot blush
  • Highlighter: BECCA Champagne Pop
  • Lips: Benefit Coralista plushgloss

201604_womfvol45_look2_1

I didn’t really have a theme for this look, other than that I wanted to use white liquid liner in some way. No video tutorial, but I wore it in an Empties video!

201604_womfvol45_look2_2

Eyes

  • Makeup Geek Shore Thing
  • Makeup Geek Shark Bait
  • Makeup Geek Sugar Rush
  • Makeup Geek Vanilla Bean

I created the wing with Kat Von D‘s Ink Liner in Neruda and coated my lashes with Laura Geller Glam Lash mascara.

Face

  • Foundation: Revlon Colorstay in 200 Nude and 150 Buff mixed together
  • Bronzer: Joe Fresh Sand 
  • Blush: Illamasqua Hussy
  • Highlighter: BECCA Pearl Pressed
  • Lips: Annabelle Big Show Lip Lacquer in Adore Simply

201604_womfvol45_look3_1

This one is kind of sad because I didn’t write down exactly what shadows I use from the Kat Von D Mi Vida Loca Remix palette but it was the more orangey shades. I also used Makeup Geek‘s Prism on the inner corner and applied Laura Geller Glam Lash mascara to my lashes. For lips, I’m wearing Catrice Feeling Feline.


This look was one I loved creating for Ivory Avenue a few months ago. The stipulation was GREEN. And green I did!

Eyes
I first covered my lid with NYX’s Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Milk, patted it out, then:

  1. MAC Cork at the top of the crease.
  2. Urban Decay Freak all over the lid.
  3. Urban Decay Fringe on the outer half of the lid.
  4. Urban Decay Thrash on the inner corner.
  5. Urban Decay Chaos along the lower lash line.
  6. MAC Blanc Type on the brow bone.

I created the wing with Make Up For Ever’s Ink Liner and tightlined both water lines with Marc Jacobs’ Highliner Gel Crayon in Blacquer. I applied Make Up For Ever Smoky Stretch mascara to my lashes and popped on a pair of House of Lashes Noir Fairy falsies.

Face


201604_womfvol45_look5_1

This look was for a St. Patrick’s Day video tutorial!

201604_womfvol45_look5_2

Eyes
I first used NYX‘s Eyeshadow Pencil in Black Bean as a base, then (and shoot, I really messed up the numbers for this): MAC Cork through the crease (where 4 is), then MAC Print all over the lid (marked by 2). I added Naked Cosmetics IV-05 to the inner corner (3) and then popped some glitter glue on the center of my lid (1) and patted Lit Cosmetics Mary Jane glitter on top. MAC Blanc Type (unmarked) is on my brow bone.

Added the same glitter to my lower lash line, lined my water line with Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Crayon in Blaquer and created a wing with Kat Von D‘s Tattoo Liner in Trooper. I applied Laura Geller Glam Lash mascara to my lashes and then popped on a pair of Noir Fairy lashes by House of Lashes.

Face

  • Primer: Make Up For Ever Step 1 Hydrating Primer
  • Foundation: Maybelline Dream Velvet foundation in 10 Porcelain Ivory
  • Bronzer: The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in 01 Light Matte 
  • Blush: BECCA Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle in Guava/Moonstone
  • Highlighter: MAC Whisper of Gilt
  • Lips: essence Sheer & Shine lipstick in All About Cupcake