Yves Rocher Folk Passion Collection

Winter collections always centers around glitter and rich hues. I for one, wouldn't have it any other way. I much prefer dark shades to pastels. Always have.

Let's start with nails (my current beauty obsession). The Folk Passion collection includes 5 mini bottles: 3 creamy shades and 2 glitter top coats. The cream lacquers are 2-coaters when wearing them alone. You can get away with one coat if you topped them with a top coat. Truly a fun little "kit" to have on hand!

Sequined Rose Glitter, Prussian Red, Peacock Blue, Slate Blue and Silver Shine Glitter

My favourite combination is Peacock Blue topped with Silver Shine Glitter (pic below). Perfect party nails! And quick...one coat of Peacock Blue, one coat of Silver Shine Glitter and you are good to go! If you follow me on Instagram (you totally should!), you've seen this NOTD shot already.

#NOTD Peacock Blue & Silver Shine Glitter

Next, lippies: Prussian Red and Dark Purple. If you love sheer, moisturizing lipsticks that apply like a balm, you will love Dark Purple (don't worry, it looks dark in the tube but transfers much lighter on the lips because of its sheer formula). Red Prussian, on the other hand, has a creamy pigmented formula and applies like a dream. Its finish reminds me of the MAC Cremesheen lipsticks. I did experience bleeding when I wore this one, but a clear lip liner solves the problem.

Dark Purple, Prussian Red

Swatches: Sparkling Gloss - Silver, Sparkling Silver eyeliner, Dark Purple, Prussian Red, 

Moving on to the eyes! Meet the Yves Rocher Folk Passion Khol Duos: Stormy Blue & Peacock Blue and Mandarin & Smokey Grey. Creamy smooth and nicely pigmented. 
The Mandarin & Smokey Grey pencil is a really unique pencil. Soft orange with a slightly frosty finish on one side and a deep creamy charcoal grey on the other. Finally something different! Have you ever seen a winter collection that includes an orange eyeliner before...? I love to use it on the inner 1/3 of my top and lower lash line.

Next in the eye makeup category are the Eye Pencils in Deep Charcoal and Ancient Mauve. These are your standard jumbo eye pencil that you can use as a shadow, a liner or a base. I love that they are multiuse and I do enjoy them as liner and shadow...as a base, not so much. I did experience creasing. Definitely apply your UDPP under these babies. Dark Charcoal is gorgeous for a smoky eye; it's a dark grey shade infused with silver shimmers (see pic above). So pretty!

Because no winter collection is totally complete without a little bit of frosting (yeah, I said frosting...every time I use this expression, I think of Kate Hudson in "How to lose a guy in ten days"), the collection also includes a sparkling gloss and silver eyeliner. The silver eyeliner is one of my favourite items from this collection. It's not just chunky silver glitter in a clear base. It's actually a silver base packed with silver shimmer. 

The last item I have to show you is the Yves Rocher Folk Passion Pearly Water in Silver. What it is: a water-like gel loaded with fine silver and transparent shimmer/glitter. The result: the most perfect fairy dust glow! I love to use it on shoulders and legs. I have a gold version of this as well (not from this collection) that I took on the cruise with me last year. I just love these. They feel cool on the skin when you apply them and you can even use them in your hair.

Although this collection is Limited Editon, it's still available online at http://www.yvesrocher.ca/

Like what you see? Hurry, before they are gone!

Hello 2014...and new beauty resolutions

I haven't updated the blog in a while so I though I would do a quick post about new year resolutions.

At first, I wasn't even sure I should make any...the eternal question right? To resolution or to NOT resolution. But I figured, without going to extremes, there are things that I could work on and benefit from. But, I made myself a promise...not to take on crazy resolutions that I know deep down I just won't keep (like eating better or cutting out caffeine...who I am kidding? No way I could give up my java and pastries and junk).

After a brainstorming session, here is my list of 2014 resolutions:

- Get more beauty sleep! I am a night owl, have always been (was very handy when my kids were younger and not sleeping through the night, or when I was in college/uni...Nowadays? Not working as well). So, this year I will TRY to get at least 6-7 hours of sleep a night on week days. Reasonable, yes? Plus, getting my beauty sleep will help with resolution #2, which is...

- Take better care of my skin! And to achieve this, I now have this baby to give my skin the royal treatment. Thanks Mary Kay Canada! I simply love my new Skinvigorate Cleansing Brush! Who knew that I would have to deal with breakouts and wrinkles at once...gotta love being a woman!

- Wear red lips more often. My favourite red? Diva by MAC. This one has been in my stash for years now. Everytime I run out, I repurchase. This is my 5th tube.

[Source: Pinterest]

- Concentrate on the positive. I have two teenagers, which means there is always drama in my house...or, as I like to say, "never a dull moment"! Add to that the daily load that life brings your way... I am not quite sure how...maybe a daily gratitude journal? Loving this one I found on etsy!

[Source:  Etsy]

Or maybe I will use the blog and share on the weekly the good things that happen during the week. We shall see...how should I go about it? Would you like to get a glimpse of my crazy life each week? 

- Finally, DARE more...makeup/style wise, but also in general when it comes to life. Get out of my comfort zone...after all that is where all the fun is at apparently. ;O)

Have you taken any new year resolutions? If so, what are they?

    XO

Les tendances de l'automne signées Yves Rocher.

Cet été, Yves Rocher nous présentait de nouvelles ombres crème ultra-longue tenue 12H waterproof aux nuances ultra-intenses pour un regard tendance bling qui fait classe (voyez-vous ce beau vert turquoise/émeraude!? Allo, Couleur de l'année Pantone!). 

Source: yvesrocher.ca

Bleu Frais- Mercure - Prune - Nude - Bronze - Brun Foncé - Turquoise - Bleu Mauve - Mauve

Et bien cet automne, la tendance ''intense'' continue avec de nouvelles additions à sa gamme Couleurs Nature (et un CONCOURS...continuez de lire, ça promet!); des nuances punchées et ultra-longue tenue et un nouveau mascara effet recourbe-cils à brosse réservoir innovatrice. 

En premier, parlons couleurs (parce que la purple junkie que je suis est aux anges!). Je ne sais pas si vous suivez les défilés des Semaines de la Mode (les "Fashion Weeks"), mais une des couleurs phares sur les podiums automne-hiver 2013 fût le violet (merci Pantone!). 

Quelle fût donc ma joie quand j'ai réalisé que la nouvelle collection automne 2013 en comprend plusieurs! *insérez petit cri de joie* 

Mono Poudres Couleurs Intenses

Cet automne, la gamme fait peu neuve avec 36 nouvelles teintes modulables (et trois finis, dont un mat...yay!) et une toute nouvelle formule (avec extrait de riz) plus intense et onctueuse promettant une tenue de 8H. Bien entendu, j'ai fait le test. Résultat: sans primer, j'obtiens 6h avant que la couleur ne commence à s'estomper (mais j'ai la peau mixte et les paupières qui vont avec!) 

Nuancier Végétal

Brun cendré mat #103 - Rose Nude #21

Violet pop mat #121 - je LOVE!

Mascara Volume Vertige

Associe une Brosse Réservoir© qui délivre la dose optimale de texture pour maximiser le volume, et une formule enrichie d'un extrait végétal fixant (l'Élémi) pour une courbe de cils de l'enfer et un effet vertigineux. Sur papier, le concept semble très prometteur! Comme la brosse contient un réservoir (le petit espace vide au centre qui se gorge de mascara quand on le sort du tube), nul besoin de replonger le produit dans le tube de mascara pour faire le deuxième oeil. On tourne simplement la brosse pour accéder à l'autre coté du réservoir et voilà! Ça parait gadget un brin, mais en fait je trouve l'idée géniale puisqu'elle minimise le besoin replonger la brosse dans le tube (donc moins d'air entre dans le tube à chaque application, ce qui veut dire aussi moins de bactéries). 

Petite parenthèse!

À NOTER À VOTRE AGENDA chères beauty addicts - Ce mois-ci ce sont Les Journées Maquillage chez Yves Rocher. Pendant 21 jours (du 4 au 24 septembre), en se présentant à une des boutiques Yves Rocher, vous pouvez recevoir un mini-makeover (un des 4 looks de l'image ci-dessous) et ce, GRATUITEMENT! Psst...libre à celles ayant reçu un petit makeover d'aller ensuite le partager sur leur compte Instagram @yvesrochercanada.  ;) 

Durant cet évènement, les amoureuses de vernis pourront aussi profiter du Bar à Ongles où seront offertes gratuitement manucures express avec leur tout nouveau applicateur à ongles, le Nail Doter - le 1er accessoire de #nailart signé Yves Rocher.

C'est tout simplement un Dotting Tool en acier inoxydable à 2 pointes pour faire 2 tailles de points.

Parlons maintenant du CONCOURS !

À partir du 4 septembre, il y a également de l'action sur leur page Facebook (Facebook Yves Rocher Canada); un CONCOURS pour courir la chance de gagner chaque semaine un panier cadeau d’une valeur de 275$, comprenant les nouveautés maquillage de l’automne! N'oubliez pas de participer!

Connaissez-vous les produits Yves Rocher? Si vous allez faire un tour en boutique durant le mois de septembre, revenez me parler de votre expérience en me laissant un commentaire. Qui dirait non à un makeover gratuit?!

**Les nouveautés Yves Rocher automne 2013 sont disponibles dès maintenant dans tous les magasins Yves Rocher ou via leur site web www.yvesrocher.ca 

Maybelline Color Show Nail Lacquer Holographic Collection

Yes, I know...I've been a bad blogger...but, my mommy duties have me on the softball field nearly every night since May. Not even kidding. Which means less no time for blogging. Hence why I am showing you these a few weeks later than planned. Oops.

This summer, Maybelline launched two new Color Show collections: Holographic and Polka Dots (which will be featured in an upcoming post). There's been so much hype about these since the first few teases, that I couldn't wait to see what the fuss was all about.

Holographic nail polish lovers will rejoice...or not. Let me explain. The only thing really holo about them, is the silver holo band on the cap (can you see on the pic above?). The description of the collection on Maybelline Canada's website says that the "nail effects shift from shade to shade depending on the angle". To me it sounds like these were meant to be duochromes...yes? Nonetheless, they are totally worth checking out. They go on easily with minimum brush strokes. The formula does spread evenly on the nail, leaving it with a nice, smooth appearance.  

Blue Blaze, Alluring Rose, Mystic Green, Lavendar Lustre, Bold Gold

My nails are in really bad shape these days (tried to do a few nail swatches and I think I will pass....my softball mommy hands are not that cute to look at right now after yet, another tournament) so I am re-directing you to this link for pretty nail swatches of all the Holographic shades. 

Lavendar Lustre is the one I liked the least out of the 4 I have. My favorite one is Blue Blaze. If you follow me on Instagram, you have seen this shot already (shown 3 coats).

Maybelline Color Show in Blue Blaze 

Overall for me, this is a fun collection to add to your polish box if you love metallics. If not, I'd say skip! 
And definitely SKIP  if what you are looking for are holographics...although the band on the cap is kinda pretty to look at... 

Did you buy any nail polishes from this line? What did you think?

The "holographic" collection is available for $3.99 each wherever Maybelline products are sold.  
*PR samples.

Vote for Nail Polish Canada to Win Best E-Tailer!

Big news! My most favorite Canadian nail polish online store has made it to the finals of Canada Post's E-Commerce Innovations Awards. Can I get a woot woot!? I have purchased quite a few polishes from them already so when I received an e-mail from Joy asking if I could share a press release with my readers, I was more than happy to help!

See, they need our votes to win the coveted title of Consumer Champion, which is the best e-commerce company in Canada. And, as a thank you, they're offering prizes for those who vote for them and 2 huge prizes (24 bottles of Enchanted nail polish and a $1000 shopping spree on their website) if they win the contest! Check out the details below and don't forget to vote guys!

For immediate release:

Nail Polish Canada (almost) the best e-tailer in Canada

NailPolishCanada.com is close to being named the best e-commerce company in Canada as part of Canada Post’s E-Commerce Awards and needs your help.

NailPolishCanada.com was selected as a finalist for best e-tailers in Canada by a panel of judges including executives at Facebook and Google (So yes Dad, nail polish is a “thing”!).

As for who will be crowned the Consumer Champion it now comes down to a vote

“It’s been thrilling to work with so many great customers and bloggers over the past few years. So thank-you all for building NailPolishCanada.com into a company worthy of such an honor. Sam even teared up a little bit as he wrote this sentence pretending to be me.” - Nikki, VP Glitter.

To encourage everybody to show their support and vote, NailPolishCanada.com is offering up to $2000 in prizes!

How it works

Vote for NPC

You can vote every day. Voting runs from August 28th to September 20th 12:00PM.

You must record your vote to enter & win at Nail Polish Canada’s vote page here.

Voting & prizes are open to Canadian and U.S. residents.

Daily Draw

There is a daily thank-you draw for everybody who voted that day for awesome prizes!

Bonus: If Nail Polish Canada Wins the Vote

This is the kicker, if NailPolishCanada.com wins Consumer Champion then we’re having a huge giveaway with two winners!

Grand Prize #1: 24 bottles of Enchanted Nail Polish

Grand Prize #2: $1000 shopping spree at Nail Polish Canada

Both prizes are awarded separately and every day you voted for us as Consumer Champion is one entry to win.

Prizes are only open to Canadian and U.S. residents. Seehttp://www.nailpolishcanada.com/vote for full details.

For further info please contact joy@nailpolishcanada.com  (she's very nice...I swear!) 

Maybelline Color Tattoo Pure Pigments Review and Swatches

Good news pigment lovers! Maybelline has expanded its Color Tattoo line and introduced the Color Tattoo Pure Pigments for summer 2013 (is that cheering I hear?!). 

I have been a huge fan of Maybelline Color Tattoo cream eyeshadows since day 1 (which are amazeballs! Truly one of my makeup bag must-have. I have already repurchased Bad to the Bronze, my favourite of the bunch...so far! Just bought three of the new LE summer shades....stay tuned for swatches), so I couldn't wait to see if these pigments truly were Color Tattoo line worthy. 

First, let's take a look at what the Maybelline's website tells us:

Double-dipped pigments create intense eyeshadow colour intensity. Superior staying power (up to 24 hr), for crease-proof wear all day long. Explosive pure pigments in a crease-proof formula.

Wear time : Granted, I always take off my makeup at night, so I can't really comment on their 24 hr claim, but happy to report that they do last 10hr + (all day wear for me) worn with eye primer or over a Color Tattoo cream eyeshadow. 

Formula : Pigmentation rocks for most shades. A shame that the line didn't include more matte shades (I think the only semi-matte shade is the royal blue one called Brash Blue). Some shades are rather sheer (for example, there is nothing potent about Potent Purple worn on its own, and Buff & Tuff is just chunky glitter in a very sheer nude shade), but for the most part, pigmentation is great and colours are fun and vibrant. 

I did play around with them a lot before writing this and, even though the sheerness of a few had left me bummed out, I was happy to see that they looked a lot better over a cream eyeshadow or applied wet vs dry (HUGE difference in colour payoff!).

On to swatches! I have received 4 for review and bought 2 more shades.

From left to right: Never Fade Jade #5, Wild Gold #25 , Black Mystery #30, Breaking Bronze #35, Buff & Tuff #60, Potent Purple #15.

Finger swatches - how stunning is the emerald shimmer (hello Pantone colour of the year!) in the shade Black Mystery!!?? LOVE!

Verdict:


Even though not all shades wowed me (I'd skip Buff & Tuff), I still think these are definitely worth adding to your makeup bag if you love pigments (Never Fade Jade will be a definite must for Fall, you can even use it as a liner with a little bit of mixing medium). At the budget friendly price of $8.99 CAD, these are a great bang for your buck.


Have you bought any of the Maybelline Color Tattoo Pure Pigments? Which ones are your favourites?

xox

Mary Kay for MEN - Introducing MKMen

Yes, you have read that right. Mary Kay is not just for the ladies anymore. They now have a skincare line for men: MKMen. So you can tell the Mr. that he no longer has to hide the fact that he uses your skin care products (c'mon, we all know they DO it), and that he can now proudly display proof that he takes care of his skin the way REAL men do. With men-approved packaging that they won't be ashamed to carry around on a business trip!

For summer 2013, Mary Kay introduced MKMen. A line of skin care for guys. Really, it was about time! If our skin ages, theirs do too! What is wrong with a guy who takes care of his skin? C'mon people, the sun affects everyone the same way...not just women.

Here's what Mary Kay has to offer for the guy in your life:

MKMen facial hydrator sunscreen SPF30
I can't say it enough...sunscreen is so important...every day...year round. Believe me, what you do today, your skin will thank you for tomorrow.

-lightweight
-10 hour protection
-multitasking : hydrates, contains age-fighting benefits and protects with its SPF 30
-contains antioxydants to fight free-radicals from the environment, which cau contribute to wrinkles and fine lines
-oil and fragrance free

SRP $27.00

MKMen Advanced eye cream

Although we do love the fine lines around their eyes caused by smiling too much (among other things... ;)), prevention is key. Even for the guys!

-Bye bye signs of stress, fatigue and sun damage

-lightweight, oil-free

-hydrates the eye contour area

-Dramatically minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

SRP $28.00

For the golfer, you can also get the MKMen products in a Golfer's gift set

The set includes the above two products, plus a MKMen anti-aging face bar and a set of custom MKMen golf balls. Because, we all know how much your golfer loves his balls! ;)

SRP $66.00

The line also includes a Moisturizer sunscreen SPF 25 (broad spectrum), a shave foam and a cooling after-shave gel. 

Is your man just as bad as you are when it comes to fragrances (I know mine is), then this kit might be the perfect gift, or addition to his collection:

Mary Kay Limited Edition Men's Fragrance Travel Collection

The set contains 5 fragrances in the black/gold 50th anniversary packaging (one for each day of the workweek?):

-True OriginalTM Cologne Spray

-ML High IntensityTM Cologne Spray

-Velocity for Him Cologne

-Domain Cologne Spray

-Tribute for Men Spray Cologne (my guys' favorite...it's already empty). 

I do love this kit. It offers a nice mix of scents (from mild to bolder) and is a fun way to try out the different scents MK has to offer. 

SRP $40.00

The MKMen line and Limited Edition Men's Fragrance Gift Set are available now through your independant Mary Kay Canada Rep or online at http://www.marykay.ca