Review: New from Rephr (Holidays 2018)*


For those who know me, will know that I am a huge make-up brush fan. I have so many different types, ranging from different price points, from mass produced ones to beautiful ones hand-crafted by Japanese artisans that I bought when I was in Tokyo many years ago which were quite the investment. 

A few months ago, I was introduced to the brand Rephr, by my friend Bo from the beauty community as he had helped to create their first set of brushes (seen below with the all black handle). I had purchased three of them to try them out and of course, to support the brand, and I was recently provided with the opportunity to test out their brand new creations, set for release for the Holiday Season. If you keep on reading below, then you will see a special surprise I have for my readers (it's a good one, so stay tuned!). 

Review & Demo: Zoya Z-Wide Brush vs. Zoya Regular Brush*


Zoya Fans rejoice! They have recently launched a brand new product which will make your nail polish application even more effortless. Introducing, the Z-Wide Brush! It has 60% more brisels than the regular classic precision brush and has curved/tapered edges to make for more efficient and distribution of polish on your nails. When you look at your nails you will see that your nail bed and cuticle area do not form a 90 degree angle up to your nail, so the curved edge really helps to apply the product right to the edge without having to be overly cautious. I can quickly and in almost half the time just do my entire hand and I don't have to focus as hard to "stay within the lines" if you know what I mean. 

These brushes retail for $2 USD each and fits all existing 0.5oz nail polish bottles so it is super easy for you to make the switch!

To truly see the brush in motion, I did a quick video for you to demonstrate how quickly it takes - mind you yes, I did speed up the application part 8x but you can see how many less strokes it takes with the Z-wide brush as compared to the regular brush which held less product in its bristles, required me to dip into the bottle of polish more frequently and required more strokes to cover the nail. On the second coat, you can see that the Z-Wide brush just glided on, requiring 1-2 strokes per nail, while with the regular brush it still required 3-5 strokes depending on the nail itself.



I am already a huge fan of Zoya, I have written about them countless of times here on the blog, and being a fan of the polish itself, I am now SO happy they came out with the wider brush - it really just completes the package and honestly makes for the perfect brand of polish for me!

Until next time, XO - M.

*products were sent to me for consideration, all opinions are my own.

Review, Swatch and Tutorial: Laura Mercier - Nights Out Eye Shadow Palette (Holiday 2018)*


This week's Makeup Monday Post features two of Laura Mercier's Holiday 2018 items - the Nights Out Eye Shadow Palette as well as the Pret-A-Powder Limited Edition Powder and Puff in Translucent Medium Deep. My main focus will definitely be on this beautiful eyeshadow palette that is really multifunctional in terms of application - with an assortment of mattes and shimmers as well as neutral to bold colors, you are able to create either a very natural look, or something a bit more smokey and dramatic. With the color scheme of this palette, you can even create a smokey eye with neutral tones as opposed to having to using dark tones. This is a great palette for that make-up lover in your life just because it is so versatile! If you're interested in seeing what this palette is capable of, then just keep on reading below! I have them swatched on my hand and I have also created three separate looks for you.

Brand New Product Intro and Details: CeraVe - Baby Collection*


I have been trying out and including CeraVe skincare products for a while now and have previously reviewed them on the blog - if you're interested in reading them, you can click the link here. When they graciously sent over their newest items for me to try and I saw that they were baby products, I was absolutely ecstatic! The collection includes a Wash & ShampooMoisturizing Lotion as well as a Healing Ointment and the most thoughtful part of this was that they also sent along a musical hedgehog for Baby E to play with! This hedgehog is designed by Quebec designer Abricotine

As always, true to their brand promise - these baby products are approved by the national society of eczema and formulated without parabens, sulphates, fragrances or gluten. 

Review & Swatch: Buxom - After Dark Collection (Holiday 2018)*


BUXOM really delivered this Holiday Season and launched a variety of kits to satisfy a beauty lover's dream. Whether it is you love their balms, glosses, or want a chance to try out a variety of products then this is a great chance. I have previously mentioned here on the blog before, that I just love the sets that come out during the Holidays because it is a perfect chance to try out products from your favorite brands at relatively the same price point (if not just a bit more), but you get the chance to try out more items in a deluxe size. I know myself that I never completely finish a product so these sets are PERFECT for me. 

Now, back to the reason for this post! :) I have been graciously sent two of the sets from this year's Holiday After Dark Collection from BUXOM - the Party Girl Pout set - $37cad as well as Black Tie Tease - $48cad. For swatches, then keep on reading below!


Review, Swatch and Tutorial: Urban Decay - Elements Palette*


Just in time for the Holidays, Urban Decay has launched its newest baby, the Elements Palette, which retails for $65 cad and contains 19 never seen before shades. The collection also includes the Travel-Size Elements Space Powder for Face and Body, which retails for $15 cad - it makes for a great add-on this Holiday season since you can dust this beautiful golden finely milled shimmer on the body. If you're going to any parties this Holiday, brush this on your shoulders, legs and decolletage to achieve that radiant glow.

I have all the shadows swatched for you below, and have created 3 make-up looks for you using the palette. If you're interested in seeing them, then keep on reading below!

Review and Swatch: Mary Kay Chromafusion*


Mary Kay has recently launched a HUGE collection of products known as Chromafusion, which has 12 hours of stay true color for the eyes and face. These colors are said to last through anything you put it through - whether it may be a workout or hot weather. It is Dermatologist and Ophthalmologist tested for skin irritancy and allergies, so it is suitable for those with sensitivities or for those who wear contacts as well. The colors claim to stay as pigmented as you first put them on, and has no fallout.

Review: Design.Me Hair - Quickie.ME Dry Shampoo and Foam*


Design.Me Hair has developed some brand new products to add to their existing roster - introducing the brand new Dry Shampoo Sprays (for Blonde/Pastel Hair & Darker/Brunettes) as well as a Dry Shampoo Foam, retailing for approx $22 cad each - these are great to use a dry shampoo for combating that second day oily hair, or for me what I have been using the sprays for is actually as just a hair refresher. Nothing bothers me more than having washed my hair, styled it to go out for a meal or run errands and it ends up smelling less than fresh. I spray the brunette one in my hair when I get home, tousle it a bit and it helps deodorize and refresh! I have previously tried the Puff.Me spray from Design.Me before and I wrote about it in this post if you're interested, if you're looking for a great texturizing volume spray that isn't housed in an aerosol container than you may consider looking at that.

Review and Tutorial: SUVA Beauty - Block Party Palette*


I have previously reviewed the Moisture Matte Liquid Lipsticks before on the blog, if you're interested in reading it, then click here. When I was graciously sent the liquid lipsticks to test out, the amazing team at SUVA also sent me their famous Block Party Palette to play with as well. What I really liked about this palette was the fact that I was able to experiment and test out my creative side. For those who know me, will know that I naturally gravitate towards a neutral eye, even my more dramatic looks feature more neutral tones but smoked out.


As this palette has launched a while back, I am sure that you can find swatches of the palette online if you needed to, as well as on their site. They are true to color, swatch perfectly with one swipe to deliver pigmented color and their mattes are buttery and not patchy and their shimmers are beautiful and foiled looking.

Below I have created five different looks for you to see just how this palette can be used - whether it is to just add a subtle pop of color to the lid, or to go bold and dramatic. Just an FYI: The first photo on the left hand of the first row, is actually the same look as the last photo on the bottom row to the right.

If you're interested in seeing what shades I have used in the below looks, then just keep on reading:
From Left to Right: 
Left: see description on bottom row, left photo.
Middle: Milkshake on the inner half with Flash Mob layered on top and Popsicle on the Outer V.
Right: same with the above look but to add more color I added Lemonade to the inner third corner and dabbed Nachos on the middle of the lid as an accent color.

From Left to Right:
Left: Drunk Love on the inner half of the lid and Mix Tape on the outer half
Middle: Drunk Love on the inner Third, Popsicle in the middle and Dancing Shoes on the outer V
Right: Lemonade on the inner third, Mix Tape on the outer V with Boombox on the outer Corner pulling through to the upper inner corner to encase the yellow in the center and finally Dancing Shoes is used on the waterline to darken the look and smoke it out.

Until next time, XO - M.

*product was sent to me for review, all opinions are my own.

Review: Vichy - Dercos Desi-Solutions*


Vichy Canada introduces their brand new range called Dercos Densi-Solutions, which is aimed at those who have experienced or is experiencing loss of hair mass. I for one, know that this is so applicable to me as I am currently post-partum. This topic touches so many people, in all age groups so I hope that this blog post will be able to introduce you to something that could potentially help you in the long run. These products could help those of you who have noticed that your hair seems to not be covering your scalp as much as it did before, it is weaker than it used to be or that it is less thick/dense as it used to be, for me I really notice this especially when my hair is in a ponytail, it seems to be 3/4 of its width and it's so defeating. Below I will provide more information on the three different products in the range, so if you're interested in learning more than keep on reading.

Giveaway: Live Clean Body Care Products*


I have been a big fan of Live Clean products as mentioned on the blog several times in the last year or so, I used them during my pregnancy and now use it with my baby boy. My husband also enjoys their products as well and we use them as much as possible in our household - from handwashes to haircare and body products. I have partnered up with Live Clean for another giveaway - this time with body products - three body washes and three body lotions. If you're interested in learning more about the giveaway, and about the brand and prize, then keep on reading below.

Event Re-cap, Review & Swatch: NARS Holiday 2018*


NARS Holiday collections are always beautiful and worth the splurge in my honest opinion. I was fortunate enough to be invited to their recent Holiday 2018 Launch/Preview event in Toronto and I had to say yes and go! It was my first event ever since being pregnant/having my baby so I dolled up and head on down with my other blogger girlfriend. I have some photos of the event at the bottom of the blog to share with you. This year's collection is edgy with their spiked bold packaging which I adore, but honestly their makeup is even better. The collection contains cheek and shadow palettes, lip sets, duo sets of lipsticks, blushes, highlighters and bronzers and single powermatte lip lusters in limited edition shades. I was lucky enough to be sent a few items so if you're interested then keep on reading below as I have them swatched and reviewed for you!

Clarins - Joli Rouge Lipstick Formulations and Swatches*


Clarins has recently added a new formulation to their existing Joli Rouge line, which is the Joli Rouge Velvet, a true matte lipstick that is hydrating on the lips and has a velvet finish. The lipstick glides on seamlessly onto the lips and provides a opaque color delivery with no patchiness in one swipe. This lipstick formulation is marked with a V after the lipstick color number and it retails for $29 cad each. 

The other two formulations are the Joli Rouge and Joli Rouge Brilliant, which is priced as the same as the matte formulation. The Joli Rouge is a hydrating lipstick that is a satin finish and offers a opaque color deposit on the lips. It contains Salicornia extra and mango oil to hydrate the lips. The Joli Rouge Brilliant (marked by an S after the color number) offers a more sheer to medium finish compared to the previously mentioned Joli Rouge formulation. It contains fine micro pearls that are not visible to the eyes, it just gives a more light reflect to the lip to make it look a little fuller in my opinion.

The Joli Rouge and Joli Rouge Brilliant are quite similar in the photo,  the main different is that the Joli Rouge Brilliant is a bit more sheer to medium buildable coverage,  and the Joli Rouge is just a true opaque satin finish.


In the above swatches, which formulation is your favorite? I love them all and the Velvet one especially is one of the most comfortable matte lipsticks I have worn to date so I definitely want it n more colors!

Until next time, XO - M.

*products were sent to me for review, all opinions are my own