Make Up For Ever HD Powder Review

This is the infamous white powder that has been creating a big fuss due to celebrities being photographed with white powder on their face.

(eg. The beautiful Angelia Jolie... personally this doesn't mar her beauty at all!)

   

This is a pure silica powder product that was originally designed for HD filming (and that it works great for that!) by blurring all the little imperfections that show up so well on HD film. It however was not designed for flash photography, which leads to that ghastly white flashback.

All that information is super important for the industry MUA, as its use really depends on the job. Those working on TV/film love this, those doing editorial photography not so much.

For the non-MUA consumer however, what does this information translate to?

To start with, the same principle applies. If you are going to an event where flash photography is happening (ie. special event/wedding guest), I would just avoid this.  Yes there are ways to cut that flashback down with setting spray or by just using a super light hand, but why have that nagging "what if it flashes back" in the back of your head when there are sooooooo many other great powders out there that don't do this?! (ie. "traditional" pigment powders)

If you're being HD filmed (which is rare if not never for the average person), and at the same time not being photographed, then go ahead this will be great!

What about in person day to day? It does blur imperfections and keep oil at bay, however many other traditional powders does this just as well.

Overall, MUAs need to have this product in their kit (especially in TV/film) but I would suggest that for everyday looks for the consumer, to just stick to the good old traditional powders (there was nothing wrong with them before...why change a good thing!). 

How do you feel about these HD powders? Feel free to disagree with me and let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Too Faced 3-Way Eye Liner Review

This is actually more of an "empties" review since I've had this about a year now and it's dried up! This liner was considered very "innovative" when it first came out as it's unique, as you see, it's got a 3-pronged tip and was advertised to be great for tightlining (lining the base of the lashes). It recommends you wiggle the tip between the lashes and dot the skin right at the root.

First off, the formula. It's quite smudgeproof once set when swatched. Unfortunately my oily lids outdid themselves and managed to smudge this by end of the day when I wear it. If you don't have oily lids though, this is gonna be as smudgeproof for you as it gets without going into a waterproof formula.

The color as you can see is black with a slight sheen. It's not the most black I've ever used, but black enough.

Finally, the 3-prong idea...sounded great in theory...but in reality when I used it to "dot" in between my lashes, I looked very odd...like there were black dots drawn on my ash line...unnatural black dots that did not translate to thicker lashes.  So I ended up using this like any old pen liner. For that it did the job! Though so would have a regular pen liner...

Overall, now that I'm done with this...I will not repurchase.

Have you tried this? What did you think?

Tom Ford Eye Color Quad - Cognac Sable

Oh Tom Ford...why did it take you so long to come to Canada... 

Ok, so it's been here a little over 6 months now, but I'm finally reviewing my first Tom Ford purchase because I was undecided whether it was worth the money and thus whether or not to recommend it. 

Tom Ford's cosmetic line landed in Holt Renfrew in Toronto in October 2013, and when I finally got around to checking out the counter downtown a month later, it was already packed and busy and limited edition products were all sold out. So I ended up buying another "oldie but goodie", which is an eyeshadow quad that has been much talked and blogged about.

As with most luxe cosmetics, a velvety pouch is a must...

One thing I do have to credit Tom Ford for, is the packaging. It's very simple, yet sophisticated, not at all overly done, just simply...nice.

It is also one of the most reflective cases I've seen, now you get to see what camera I use for all my photos :)

Opening view of Cognac Sable... it comes with a protective plastic film. I was surprised that the little sponges also came with a little blending brush. This could be very useful when travelling if I've forgotten my brushes...

Here's a closeup... The upper right coppery-shimmer shade is gorgeous on the lid to glam up your look. The other 3 work great for an everyday natural eye or the darkest shade can be smoked out for a night out.

The shadows perform effortlessly with minimal fallout (the copper-shimmer shade does have a bit of fallout, so pat it on rather than "brush" it on). 

There's so many swatches already of this palette on various blogs that I won't bother adding to what's already out there. This post is just adding my opinion to the masses, that my wallet now hates me because I am in love with ridiculously expensive cosmetics! This bugger costs $85 CDN and is the most expensive eyeshadow quad I've ever bought, beating the Dior and Armani by about $20...and I want more...sigh... maybe I need to enter cosmetic rehab soon...

So...is it worth it? To be honest, I like the "feeling" of using this product more than the actual performance. Don't get me wrong, the performance is great, but I'm not sure that it out-performs Dior or Armani shadows at ~$20 less. The packaging is certainly better... so in the end, if you care about that "feeling" or the packaging, go for it you're gonna love it! If not, and your main focus is on shadow performance and value...then you will probably want to stick with other options (especially if you're starting out as an MUA, this is not kit-friendly due to price alone...unless you plan on having celebrity clients perhaps =P).

 

What's the most expensive color cosmetic you've ever bought?

Lancome Gloss in Love - Pink Pampille

 

 A short post today... sharing the lip gloss I have been loving recently by Lancome. The whole "in love" collection has been out for a couple years or more now, but I'm just discovering it in the last few months (I'm always a bit late on these things...).

One interesting thing about the packaging is the "click" button you see above. Instead of twisting and opening the tube, one just presses the button to release the wand. Innovative but sometimes without thinking I end up twisting the wand in my bleary-eyed mornings, and getting frustrated at why the darn cap is not coming off until I realize I'm supposed to press the button, argh!

 

 The applicator tip is also bent, which is unusual.  I use the caved-in side for my lower lips and the back side for my uppers.

As you can see, this shade is quite sheer, and adds a nice soft pinky tone to any underlying lip color.

The formula is very moisturizing, and doesn't feel too tacky or sticky on the lips. It also makes my lips look nice and plump without being overly shimmery.

Overall, I LOVE this! 

What has been your favorite lipgloss recently? Share with me in the comments!

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer Oil Free Review

My go-to primer at the moment has been something my hubby got for me as a gift (on recommendation from Sephora staff when they found him looking lost...I'm touched he tried though!). 

I had put off buying this since it seemed expensive ($60 eeps) and I have lots of other primers in stock (Smashbox, MUFE, Benefit etc.), though I had always heard good things about it.

Well...those good things I heard are true...

 

This is a silicone-y feeling primer much like Smashbox, but somehow also seems to soak into the skin and smooth it rather than just sit smoothly on top like Smashbox. It comes out as a white lotion, which you have to be careful not to use too much or it will leave a white cast if you had planned on using this alone. I have been using this under foundations and BB creams, and it helps both to have a smoother application and last longer without creasing/sliding around. It also doesn't have any weird or noxious scent. When used alone I find it blurs my pores and lines.

Overall, if you don't mind the price tag, I highly recommend it!

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow Palette #6

 I splurge on eyeshadows once in awhile...and this one was definitely a splurge...

GA's eyeshadow packaging is not as heavy and luxe as Tom Ford, but it's definitely unique despite the light weight plastic. 

 

I chose #6 because it was the most "natural" and I thought I could get the most use out of it, whether for everyday looks or using the darker shades for a smokey eye on an outing. 

This palette comes with two matte shades (bottom) and two light shimmery/satins, one is more warm toned and one is cool toned. I use the top shade for highlighting my inner corners, and the other for a sheer wash over the entire lid.

The 3rd shade I use as a contour while the darkest I either use to line my lashes or to further define the outer "V" when I'm putting on a heavier eye. 

 

Underneath the shadows are the two sponge applicators, which I have not been using (I prefer brushes or my fingers). Likely I will use them when traveling as it just makes it more convenient rather than having to wash brushes. 

As for overall performance, I am pleasantly surprised by how smooth and easily blendable these shadows are. They apply very evenly and I have yet to struggle with blotchy or chalky application. Other than Tom Ford, they are by far the smoothest eyeshadows I've tried thus far.  I have tried these with primer and without. They don't crease on me even without primer, however using a primer does help make the colors pop a bit more as I have quite dark eyelids naturally.

I'll definitely be getting a lot of use out of this palette, which makes me sort of think I have justified the price tag... =P 

What's your most recent splurge item? Share with me in the comments!

Face Atelier Cake Eye Liner and Transforming Gel Review

I've forever on the look out for the perfect eyeliner since my lids smudge easily, and recently I came upon these cake liners by Face Atelier. 

These might look like eyeshadows but are formulated quite differently.  For example, FA eyeshadows have these base ingredients: MICA, ISOEICOSANE, POLYISOBUTENE, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA

Cake liner however, has these base ingredients: TALC, IRON OXIDES, PEG-SM, LAURETH-4, SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE, CALCIUM SILICATE, ISOPROPYL PALMITATE, LANOLIN OIL, PHENOXYETHANOL, METHYLPARABEN, PROPULPARABEN

They're certainly not meant to be used as eyeshadow (and will not blend properly like an eyeshadow), but rather are made to be activated by a liquid (usually an "activator" the same company makes; some will say water can be used but I recommend sticking with the official "activator" due to ingredients that will help with stability of the product on the skin). 

Face Atelier makes this "activator" called Transforming Gel. It makes these cake liners into an opaque liquid which can then be applied with the brush of your choice (I prefer push liners but any eye liner brush will do). This particular product can also be used to make any glitter/shimmer powders into a paste that can be applied as eyeshadow, or one can use it to transform an eyeshadow into a liquid brow product. 

Transforming gel ingredients: WATER, GLYCERIN, GLYCERYL POLYACRYLATE, CUCUMIS SATIVUS (CUCUMBER) FRUIT EXTRACT, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, AESCULUS HIPPOCAST-ANUM (HORSE CHESTNUT) EXTRACT, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA, PANTHENOL, TETRASODIUM EDTA, IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAM

(*see, not just water right...)

So how does the transforming gel + cake liner combo actually perform...

The paste comes out looking like something between a liquid and gel liner. It lasts all day without fading. Unfortunately I do get a bit of smudging on my lower lid after a few hours if I tightline, but it's only a small amount. I'm ok with this as I've tried many much worse liners that smudge horribly (=> panda eyes). So this small amount I can deal with (just gotta remember to check the mirror after a few hours into my day).

The best thing about the cake liner though, is I will never have to concern myself with expiry dates/bacteria growth like with liquid liners, nor with the product drying out like with gel liners. It dries back down to the hard pan product after use and bacteria does not grow on these hard surfaces.

Overall, it has not hit HG status but is one of the better eyeliners I've used. It is certainly kit worthy (personal or work) for ease of use, sanitation, and long-lasting-ness!  (it's Friday, the day to make up new words...)

Have you tried any cake liners before? Which are your favorite? Share with me in the comments I'd love to try them out.

*Disclosure: none, I have no affiliation with this company and I bought these products myself.