Review & Swatch: OPI - Muse of Milan (Fall 2020)*


The weather in Toronto has definitely signalled that Fall weather is to come, the nights are cooler, mornings are crisp and it's the perfect time to transition into the Fall wardrobe - bring out the leggings, sweaters and scarves. OPI has graciously sent me their Fall 2020 collection for review and swatching and these colors just really and truly sum up what you would expect for Fall with its variety of tones. 


There are 12 shades in total in a variety of formulations, cream, metallic, glitter and I am LIVING for them all. This time I was sent two variations to try, their Infinite Shine (in silver cap bottles) and their Classic Lacquer (black cap bottles). Keep scrolling to see all these swatched as well as a brief description of the colors/shades, it is also important to note that I used two coats for each swatch.

Have Your Panettone and Eat It Too - pumpkin orange cream 
Fall-ing for Milan - bronze nude polish with copper gold-hued shimmer
This Color Hits All The High Notes - light blue polish with pearlescent hues
My Italian Is A Little Rusty - chestnut earth tones

Galleria Vittorio Violet - pearl-like amethyst purple
Addio Bad Nails, Ciao Great Nails - pale lavender with darker purple shimmer
Suzi Talks With Her Hands - slate grey cream polish
Duomo Days, Isola Nights - cream based, denim blue

OPI Nails the Runway - granite grey shimmer with copper and blue toned shimmer reflect
Drama At La Scala - cream based dark teal
Complimentary Wine - rich burgundy - almost jelly like in formulation
Leonardo's Model Color - multi-dimensional purple glitter

Of all the polishes swatched, I have so many favorites - I think I love them all to be honest but if I was really forced to choose, they'd be:
- Have Your Panettone and Eat It Too
- Fall-ing for Milan
- Galleria Vittorio Violet
- Addio Bad Nails, Ciao Great Nails
- Suzi Talks With Her Hands 
- OPI Nails the Runway 
- Leonardo's Model Color

What are some of the shades you're loving? 

Until next time, XO - M.

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

Review: My introduction to Antipodes Skincare*


I was recently introduced to some skincare items from Antipodes to try out and after learning about the company's values I was even more excited to try these products out. 

"Antipodes® is a Scientific Green Beauty™ company from New Zealand that uses pollution-free, results-driven native New Zealand ingredients in its award-winning plant-powered vegan beauty™ and certified organic premium skincare range.Founder and CEO Elizabeth Barbalich has a background in science and innovation so understands how to bridge the gap between natural and prestige formulations - by using only those products made from sustainable healthy ingredients with skin-enhancing properties that pass robust scientific testing."

In addition to the above stated views on the ingredients and products, they have a fantastic view on their packaging of products as well. They are committed to repurposing, reusing and recycling which includes using recyclable boxes and paper in your shipment. The cardboard is made with 100% biodegradable cardboard derived from sustainable forests and all printing is done with 100% eco ink from vegetables. 

With a company that has such strong values on maintaining their integrity in their ingredients as well as reducing their ecological footprints, what isn't there to love and admire about this company? 


Below are the items that were sent for my review, and my thoughts on them are there as well:
This natural anti-ageing night cream helps to stimulate collagen production thereby helping you to gradually repair your skin as you sleep. Having 100% pure avocado oil, it replenishes essential Fatty Acids and  Vitamin A & C. In addition, it is enriched with Calendula Oil derived from Marigold Petals which has healing and repairing properties. Active Manuka Honey soothes the skin while providing moixture and the antioxidant rich Vinanza Grape helps to neutralize free radical damage and improving elasticity, firmness and preventing moisture loss. The cream has a light scent of Ylang Ylang, Jasmin and Sandalwood to helps to relax you as yo drift off to sleep. 

Perfect for dry and damaged skin, this is a rich yet light-weight and quickly absorbing oil that is organic and vegan. While they say that this is for the face, I sometimes mix it with a lotion to apply on the arms, hands and legs. The nutrient-rich avocado oil is grown in New Zealand and is blended with pure rosehip and macadamia oil. It has a subtle fragrance of sweet orange, ylang ylang and jasmine petal and is suitable for all skintypes. 

One of their popular items, this is a rich in texture but yet light-weight upon application cream. It is very soothing when applied and contains Kiwifruit, rich in Vitamin C which helps to brighten and reduce the appearance of fine-lines while moisturizing at the same time. This item is fragrance free and is suitable for all skintypes. Fun fact: One jar of this eye cream is sold every 60 seconds on average - wow! 

If you're interested in trying out some Antipodes products , they are available for purchase at The BayWell.ca and Amazon.

Items I'm excited to try out in the future include:

Until next tine, XO - M.

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

Review and Swatch: Zoya - Luscious Collection (Fall 2020)*


The fall collection from Zoya, Luscious, contains 12 polishes in what can be described as true fall tones of neutrals, earthy tones and a few splashes of berry shades. There are a variety of formulations in this collection, cream, microshimmer, shimmer, duo-chrome and metallic and as always I have these babies all swatched for you below. 



Bentley - royal eggplant purple (cream)
Lisa - deep garnet red (cream)
Sharon - wild berry (cream)
Teresa - berry toned purple with pink micro-shimmer (micro-shimmer)
Tommy - blue toned slate grey (cream)
Patrice - neutral mauve/blush tone with golden shimmer (shimmer)
Tasha - dark brown metallic (metallic)
Andrea - cool-toned duo-chrome that has a purple/green shift (duo-chrome)
Mel - forest olive green (cream)
Lou - spruce blue tone with a tint of green (cream)
Wanda - cool toned bubble gum pink with golden shimmer (shimmer)
Soleil - copper metallic (metallic)

All the shades swatched are with two coats of polish.

My favorite shades from this collection are: Andrea, Mel and Patrice as they are unique and I have not seen them yet or own them in my current collection.

What are some of your favorites? 

Until next time, XO - M.

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