NEW Diorshow Plum N Volume Mascara & On Stage Liner

Next weekend I’ve organized a girl’s trip to Niagara Falls and we plan to hit the casino, enjoy drinks on the patio and maybe do some shopping. In my travel bag you’ll find a couple Dior On Stage Liners ($35.00 ea) and the blue Plump ‘N’ Volume Mascara ($37.00) for a pop of fun summer color.

These must-have pigments make it easy to create trendy looks and unleash your inner artist. With the flick of a felt tip pen and a coat of sensational color, you can achieve cool graphic lines and long eccentric lashes.

The Liquid Liners have a flexible tip drenched in smooth, high-intensity matte color that doesn’t skip or fade. The thin point makes it easy to draw sharp wings for the perfect cat eye and you can shape, extend and widen your lines with one fluid motion. I love the fast-drying formula. It stays put the minute you apply it and the fluidity provides ultimate control for neatness and precision.

When drawing intricate lines or patterns try to make corrections quickly because once dry, the pigment does not budge! The color lasts all day and even withstands heat, humidity, perspiration and runny eyes so feel free to cry at that romantic comedy.

Dior’s mascaras are my favorites and these waterproof shades are daring and bright. The spindly brush enhances the fabulous formula by grabbing each hair, separating, extending and thickening to create that coveted flasies effect. Squeeze the tube to load the wand with exactly the right amount of pigment and pump up the volume with no clumping.

These limited-edition shades are vibrant and versatile. Coat just the tips or use different colors on the upper and lower lashes. The mascara is also available in coral and purple at Dior counters nationwide.

Dior Addict Lacquer Plump Review & Swatches + NEW Limited-Edition Lacquer Sticks

While touring Asia a few weeks ago I saw posters of Dior’s new Lacquer Plump Lip Color on billboards all over China and Thailand. It is no surprise that these bold, summery shades are quickly becoming a cult favorite with women all over the world – the formula is light, refreshing and long-wear.

The radiant pigment shapes, smooths and plumps your pout with a nourishing blend of hibiscus extract and hyaluronic acid. The oil-water emulsion feels cool, hydrating and comfortable as the vibrant color glides across the skin - increasing moisture levels up to 78%. The lacquer applies lightweight, bright, and sheer so you can layer for more coverage or let it dry like an ink and stain your lips a beautiful bold hue.

Once set, the color and shine fuse into an airy film making lips appear voluminous and juicy. Use the foam applicator to blend, outline, eliminate streaks and amplify intensity. The lush liquid melts in for up to 8 hours of cushiony wear.

There are 2 finishes available – pure color and sparkle for a boost of radiance. I love the metallic, shimmery effect but the glitter tends to scatter as the color fades and the particles cling to the skin making removal a bit tedious. There are 19 flattering shades to choose from including nude, coral, peach, red, burgundy and violet. The lacquers retail for $43.00 each and the packaging is gorgeous!

I also received a few limited-edition Lacquer Sticks ($43.00) in pretty seasonal shades. Rising Star is a shimmery bronze that looks sexy on sunkissed skin, while Star Girl is a sheer glittering lavender with blue flecks. If you prefer something bright and dramatic, Studio is a vibrant orange with a blaze of golden glitter – perfect for romantic summer nights. The luscious formula has the color and shine of a lacquer with the comfort and hydration of a balm so I always keep one in my purse.

When you’re in the mood for something simple, light and moisturizing, try the limited-edition Dior Addict Lipstick in Nude Chill ($43.00). The color payoff is sheer and soft with a luxuriously creamy texture that envelops lips in comforting oils and luminous mirror-like shine. The hydra-gel core instantly alleviates dry skin and prevents chapping for a smooth, youthful finish.

Swatches (Bottom to top): Lacquer Plump - 868 J'adior, 677 Disco Dior, 648 Dior Pulse and 347 Dior Freak. Dior Lacquer Sticks - 202 Star Girl, 647 Studio and 627 Rising Star. Dior Addict Lipstick - Nude Chill.

Dior is available at The Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, beautyboutique.ca Holt Renfrew and Dior Counters nationwide.

Dior Cool Wave Summer 2018 Makeup Collection - Review & Swatches

Last week while I was lounging by the pool in Thailand and touring the magnificent gardens in Singapore, my makeup looked fabulous! Dior’s Cool Wave Collection is what summer dreams are made of - featuring bright aquatic blues, fiery sunset coral, warm bronze and golden hues that transition from neutral to sultry.

These brilliant pigments are perfect for tropical beach destinations, summer soirees and drinks with the girls. The vibrant, creamy shadows apply effortlessly with splashes of energetic color that melts into sunkissed skin. 

The Cool Down Shadow Palette ($73.00) reminds me of the blue lagoons in Phuket and snorkeling in the cool ocean waves. The scintillating blues range from bright and sparkling, refreshing silver and dramatic navy for beautiful contrast, definition and smokiness. The velvety texture is smooth, buildable and non-creasing for excellent coverage and versatility.  

Heat Up ($73.00) contains a smoldering selection of deep bronze and radiant gold that effortlessly enhance your summer glow. I also use the shimmery finish to luminize my cheekbones and boost my complexion. The blazing coral adds a distinct pop of color to the lids, crease or lower lash line and makes a fabulous summer blush. These silky shadows layer well for optimal intensity that lasts all day but the lightest shade in both palettes are sheer glittery overlays. 

When the weather is warm and humid, treat your lips to cool, hydrating color with the new Dior Addict Lip Tattoos ($37.00). These pigments are like a drink of water for parched skin and the liquid-y finish enhances the natural color of your lips to create a lightweight, natural flush. The tints are soft, sheer and simple but they make my pout look plump and juicy – like I just ate a delicious Popsicle that stained my lips a wonderful color. The supple finish fuses with the skin for up to 10 hours of smudge-proof wear.

(Watermelon & Cranberry)

On long summer nights the Dior Cooling Sticks ($41.00) are a true ally for tired eyes, instantly toning the eyelids so you look more awake. The creamy formula is loaded with moisturizing water and solid color for a bright, luminous finish that makes your eyes appear big, bright and beautiful. Use them to highlight the brow bone, lash line, inner corner of the eye and even the Cupid's bow to take your look to the next level.

(Gold Splash & Fresh Pink)

When it comes to summer manis and pedis I usually wear the brightest shades I can find. The Rouge Dior Vernis ($34.00) in the color Pow is a bold creamsicle orange with pearly shimmer that catches the light. The formula has a fluid texture that is easy to work with for opaque coverage in 2 coats.

This collection is available at Dior Counters nationwide including The Bay, Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and Holt Renfrew.

Dior Makeup Essentials: Eye Reviver Backstage Pros Illuminating Neutrals Eye Palette, Flash Luminizer & Brow Styler

We all have a stash of makeup that we rely on to create quick, trendy looks with minimal effort so today’s post features a few essentials from Dior including subtle shadow, bold lipstick and of course well-groomed brows.

The Eye Reviver Palette ($72.00) consists of cool, neutral tones with an array of iridescent satins and matte finishes that are office appropriate and easy to wear. The creamy black liner accentuates the eyes while the deep aubergine-brown creates definition in the crease and smokiness under the lash line. The other shades are silky, non-creasing and sheer for simple elegance. I usually wear bright, dramatic color but the refined hues in this palette are very functional.

To transform your look from day to night, simply add a bold lipstick for contrast. The Rouge Dior Lipsticks ($43.00) in Poison (deep purple) and Absolute (classic bombshell red) go well with the simple shades in the Reviver Palette and the velvety matte texture is saturated and supple. The rich, creamy color makes lips appear incredibly luscious and the long-wear formula provides lightweight moisture for comfort and dryness relief. 

The Dior Flash Luminizer Radiance Booster Pens ($52.00) rejuvenate dull skin by brightening and creating a dewy glow. Use them illuminate facial shadows, revive tired eyes, conceal dark circles, hide blemishes and soften the look of fine lines. The hydrating fluid is dispenses directly onto the brush for easy application and seamless blending. There are about 8 shades available but choose wisely based on your needs. Some colors have a shimmery highlighting effect with multidimensional sheen while others have a creamy concealer/liquid makeup formula with no shimmer.

The Dior Addict Lacquer Stick ($43.00) in the shade Sulfurous is a gorgeous plum red that I’ve been wearing almost every day. The nourishing formula combines the intensity of a lacquer with the moisture of a hydrating lipstick and the buttery color glides on effortlessly, drenching lips in luscious shine. The balm-like texture is light, supple and juicy creating natural plumpness. 

We can’t talk about essentials without covering brow products because I never leave home without perfecting my arches. The Brow Styler ($36.00) and Bold Brow Mascara ($34.00) are the only products I need to line, shape and fill. The thin retractable pencils create sharp, defined lines and the deep shades are dark enough for my jet black hair. Use them to thicken sparse areas and brush on more color with the mascara for fullness and definition.

These products are available at Dior counters nationwide including The Bay and Sephora

Dior Precious Rocks Holiday Collection Review

Dior has captured the essence of the holiday season with scintillating ruby tones, prismatic brilliance and refined glamour. The artistic packaging is very Hollywood chic - featuring sophisticated shapes and reflective gold embellishments that resemble stylish ornaments.

Uncapping the beautiful Diorific Khôl Lipstick ($46.00) is a magical experience and as you pull it out of your handbag, the unique shape and vivid color is mesmerizing.

There are 5 trendy shades available and Bold Amethyst is the deepest, most seductive hue – perfect for creating dramatic intrigue and rich, vampy looks. The color transmits like smoky midnight plum with a powdery matte finish that hugs the lip contour to amplify definition and fullness. For neatness and precision, the pointed bullet design lines, shapes and accentuates with no feathering. The ultra-pigmented, long-wear formula last for hours and the lush texture is light, moisturizing and softening – infused with nourishing butters.

The Diorific Vernis Nail Enamel ($34.00) is the prettiest polish I’ve seen – very unique and high fashion. Grenat is an irresistible bright fuchsia that looks ravishing at holiday parties and Ruby is a shimmery, multidimensional pink. The lacquer is vibrant, long-wear and smooth with a creamy formula that applies opaque and glossy for professional results.

The Diorific Matte Fluid Lip & Cheek Color ($47.00) makes me excited to celebrate Christmas so I can wear it to all my events. The velvety formula drenches lips in saturated color with a luxurious matte finish that looks femininely striking. Blend it onto the cheeks for a soft, faded flush – similar to the effect you get after being out in the cold, when skin appears healthy and naturally rosy.

The applicator is small but effective and the ruby-pink applies full-coverage and lacquer-like.

This limited edition collection also includes beautiful eye shadow palettes and all of these gorgeous items make incredible gifts! The holiday makeup is available at Dior counters nationwide.

Dior Rouge Liquid Lip Stain & Rouge Dior Double Rouge - Matte Metal Lipstick Review

When you shimmy into your little black dress and slip on your favorite pair of sexy pumps, the perfect finishing touch is a powerful lipstick and an intoxicating fragrance. Bold, feminine lip color is elegant and seductive which is why the Director of Dior Makeup has created the new Liquid Lip Stains and Matte Metal Lipsticks.

The stains are encased in chic, slender tubes with an elongated window that reveals the color within. There are 29 intense shades and 3 distinct finishes - Matte, Electric Metal and Pop Satin. To “push the limits, experiment and shock people a bit” there are also 4 extreme shades including a dramatic Black Matte, Oxblood (rich chocolate brown), Fab Satin (deep sensual plum) and Hologram (a multidimensional cyber silver) that can also be worn as a top coat.

Left to right: 828 Dressed To Matte, 574 Lively Matte, 442 Impetuous Satin and 515 Scandalous Metal.

The featherweight pigments produce highly saturated, vibrant color that glides on smoothly for ultimate dispersion that lasts up to 12 hours. A nourishing blend oils and lush gelling agents provide a creamy, moisturizing texture to keep lips healthy, supple and comfortable. I like that the rich formula deposits the perfect dose of pure color that molds to my lip contour to create shape, volume and definition without feathering.

The applicator is quite standard and small enough to get right into the corners to create sharp, neat lines. The pigment is so light that it feels like you’re applying a gloss but the effect is strikingly vivid - similar to a lacquer. The Lip Stains retail for $43.00 each at Dior Counters nationwide and a few exclusive shades are available at Sephora.

The Double Rouge Matte Metal Lipsticks ($43.00) fuses two popular trends to deliver a gorgeous ombré effect. The matte outer ring combines with the metallic core to create a sophisticated finish and the optical illusion of volume. The shades are expertly matched and balanced for the perfect color contrast. The highlight catches the light to create a luminous sheen and the deeper shade boldly accentuates. Below I have Poison Purple (with a shimmery golden pink core) and Dressed to Kill (burgundy-wine with a brilliant gold center).

Once you get the hang of applying the color, it is quite simple to create a mesmerizing ombré lip. I start off by touching the center shade to the middle of my lips and then using the pointed edges to fill in the outer perimeter with the matte shade. If you swipe both colors together, the darker shade may cover the highlight to create one solid color or a mosaic wash of light and dark. It also helps if you wipe off the metallic core after each use to keep the colors separated as they do tend to smear together. The luxurious formula is light, silky and highly pigmented – offering versatile coverage, hydration and optimum coverage.

After your makeup is done and you are dressed-to-impress, a flattering fragrance is a must! Miss Dior is described as “a perfume that smells like love” with a stirring composition that is elegant yet rebellious. The bottle adds the perfect touch of femininity to your vanity with thick structured glass and a playful silver bow.

Miss Dior is a mix of seduction, high-fashion, style and refinement. The scent is constructed of honeyed Damascena Rose, sparkling Blood Orange, Mandarin and Bergamot contrasted by a sultry base of Pink Peppercorn and Guyanese Rosewood. These robust ingredients blend to form a wonderful aroma that is ideal for day wear or an evening out. You can smell the freshness mingled with light sweetness and deep complexity - creating the perfect balance. The 100 ml bottle featured here retails for $165.00 and the fragrance is available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora and Dior Counters nationwide.

Dior Addict Lip Tattoo Review & NEW 5 Color Eye Shadow Palette

The new Dior Lip Tattoos may have been inspired by the trends and techniques of experts backstage at the hottest runway shows but the durable pigments are also perfect for modern woman tackling their hectic schedules with style.

This new generation of ink provides an ephemeral lip tattoo in a variety of trendy colors ranging from pale nude, universal cherry and bubbly gum pink with luminous finishes. Once applied the formula (which is 50% water) evaporates leaving behind vibrant color and a nourishing dose of emollients that provide light moisture, softness and a refreshing hint of menthol. The texture is so weightless that it doesn’t feel like lipstick at all and the tinted ink transparently fuses with the lips to boost their natural color.

Because of the moisturizing blend of water and oil, the liquid glides on cool and soothing with a juicy wash of color. The more you apply, the longer it takes to dry, but once it does the effect is similar to a pretty stain. The red is most vivid but all of the shades start out quite sheer and can be slightly enhanced for more saturation. Although they aren’t full-coverage, the tints accentuate the lips and provide brightness and comfort with little transfer. I don’t quite get a full 10 hours of wear but they do hold up well and fade nicely. The Lip Tattoos retail for $36.00 each and are available exclusively at Nordstrom.

The Dior 5 Color Eye Shadow Palettes are classic and the new color collections have been reinvented to deliver stronger pigment and richer effects. 357 Electrify has a unique intermingling of color designed to play up the eyes with silky summer hues. The shimmery pink with peachy undertones contrasts beautifully with the range of glistening blues while the silver adds a sheer wash of glittery sparkle to the areas you’d like to enhance. Although I still recommend a good primer to amp-up the pigment, I definitely notice an improvement in color pay-off and the texture is incredibly smooth, lightweight and satiny with no creasing. The palette retails for $72.00 available at Sephora and all other Dior retailers.

I love glamorous lashes but I don’t usually have the time or patience to glue on flasies. When it comes to mascara, it seems like there is a new product launched every week so it takes a lot to impress me and most of the time I don’t even review them. That being said, the Diordshow Pump’N’ Volume Mascara is fabulous! Instead of a traditional brush (which all seem to do the same thing), this one has short, spindly bristles that grab each hair to effectively lengthen and thicken. Squeezing the flexible outer tube makes the high-density formula ideally fluid so the brush receives a load of product to generously coat the hairs without clumping. The effect is thick, voluminous lashes that look stunning! The mascara retails for $37.00 

Dior Addict Lacquer Stick Review

Dior is a trendsetter when it comes to revolutionizing style and the new Lacquer Sticks are effortlessly chic. Inspired by fearless young women who like to experiment with makeup, this unique lipstick-lacquer hybrid combines rich pigment, comfort and liquid shine in one easy to use formula.

Available in 18 show-stopping shades the lacquers are sheathed in elegant plum tubes and the slender sticks are perfect for maneuvering around the lip contour.

The texture is smooth and ultra hydrating with a blend of 5 lightweight, nourishing oils chosen for their radiance boosting abilities. The vibrant color glides across the lips with a fondant-like effect and melts to form a lush, reflective finish. The brightest and deepest shades seem to emit the most color payoff and each lacquer is 44% more transparent than a classic lipstick resulting in sheer to full coverage with the versatility to be enhanced or blurred.

The striking pureness of the richest hues is definitely comparable to a lacquer but the finish is light and moist, similar to a balm with the vividness of a lip cream. The luminosity creates a beautiful, volumizing sheen and the spectrum showcases the coolest trends of the season including: pastel, neon, classic and wild.

With normal wear the lacquers hold up for a few hours but like most lip products they transfer during meals and fade with direct contact. Even as the color wears away, the formula continues to condition dry skin and keep your pout supple with no stickiness. Reapplication is easy and you can adjust the intensity to suit your needs.

The Lacquer Sticks retail for $43.00 each available at Dior counters nationwide including Sephora and Hudson’s Bay.

Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette Review

It's almost time to put away the winter clothes and break out your spring wardrobe so today I'm exploring seasonal trends with the elegant 5 Couleurs Shadow Palettes from Dior. What initially caught my attention (aside from the stylish puffed fabric design with intricate stitching) are the expertly coordinated color combinations. Each flattering collection is designed around the signature shade in the center with the versatility to create 2 stunning looks: light and neutral or sultry and sophisticated.

The finely milled, silky formula is lightweight, radiant and soft for sheer to medium coverage and the intensity can be enhanced by layering over primer. The top pigments in each palette are ideal for sexy day looks while the bottom shades create dramatic smoky effects perfect for a night out. The shimmery finish is refined and soft for mild luminosity that isn’t glittery or overdone and each shadow applies effortlessly with little to no fallout.  

Carré Bleu is my personal favorite because I love the balance of icy blues and grey tones against the deep navy which can also be used to sculpt, define and accentuate the lash line. The vivid contrast and cool color scheme is beautiful on all skin tones.

For sophisticated subtlety, the Montaigne Palette combines beige, peach and cream shadows with smoldering bronze. The colors may be sheer and reserved but they enhance the eyes just enough for everyday elegance and with a streak of sharp black liner, the effect is quite exquisite!

The 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palettes retail for $72.00 each at Dior counters nationwide including Sephora and Hudson’s Bay.