Lise Watier Limited-Edition Stardust Collection | Holiday 2019

I’ve been using Lise Watier’s gorgeous fall makeup since receiving it in September and the holiday collection is just as stunning!

Stardust is everything you’d imagine Christmas to be – glamorous, sparkly, shimmery and elegant.

The compacts are decorated with cascading glitter - designed to resemble changing constellations in the night sky.

The Eye Shadow Palette ($55.00) contains 9 velvety shades with amazing color payoff and 3 finishes – metallic, matte and satin. Lise Watier’s pigments are always creamy, high quality and easy to apply with no creasing or fading. The color glides on rich, luminous and full-coverage for effortless blending and dazzling effects. These cool, frosty shades are flattering on all skin tones.

The Blush Powder Duo ($30.00) is almost too pretty to use! I love the 3 tone effect but the outer shade is quite faint. To achieve even coverage and decent color payoff, swirl your brush around the center. The star has an iridescent coral finish that is more prominent than the color surrounding it. Once you’ve picked up enough powder, layer and customize the coverage. The texture is light and silky with a hint of shimmer.

The Universal Lip Balm ($26.00) seems to be a staple in the holiday collection. Don’t let the deep purple scare you. The color shows up as a natural pink that enhances the tone of your lips. I actually like the flecks of glitter. They don’t feel rough or look messy and the pop of radiance is beautiful. The paraben-free formula is enriched with vitamin E to soften, protect and hydrate.

Is it really Christmas without mesmerizing highlighter? The Stardust Powder Duo ($38.00) creates a sheer, shimmery glow with an icy champagne finish that is perfect for winter. You’ll love the buildable coverage and lustrous candlelight sheen.

The Liquid Glitter Eye Shadow ($28.00 ea) is great for dramatic looks. Use them as a top coat or apply a saturated layer for opaque coverage. Once dry, the liquid stays put all night with a bright metallic finish worthy of the red carpet. Wear the bronzy gold with jet black winged liner and matte red lipstick to make a bold holiday statement.

I love when brands create innovative products and the Haute Lumiere High Shine Lip Gloss ($25.00) will literally light up your night. When you twist the cap, the tube is illuminated so the clear sparkly gloss glows like a star. There is also a mirror on the side for reapplying in dim light. Layer the moisturizing gloss over lipstick or apply on bare lips for a glistening effect. The formula is non-sticky and long-lasting.

Lise Watier is available Shoppers Drug Mart, department store counters (including The Bay) and online at lisewatier.ca.

Lise Watier X Fashion Makeup Collection: Review and Swatches

The holiday season is right around the corner so I’ve started shopping and planning my makeup looks for glam parties and events.

This year Lise Watier teamed up with Fashion Magazine to create 3 trendy palettes that are perfect for gift-giving season and inspired by the elements: fire, water and air. They retail for $59.00 each or you can get all 3 in a chic gift box for $150.00.

The beauty books have large mirrors and simple instructions for creating well coordinated looks (in case you need a little help). You also get 4 shadows, 1 blush, 1 highlighter and 2 iconic lip colors (Rouge Intense Supreme and Rouge-Fondant Supreme) suitable for all complexions.

Winds Of Liberty is great for fall. It contains smokey plums and a gorgeous pink orchid that compliments the purple undertones beautifully. This look is soft, seductive and feminine, especially when paired with the dewy plum-red lipstick and shimmery champagne highlighter.

The shadows apply velvety smooth for consistent coverage with minimal fallout, and the rich color lasts all day with no creasing or fading. You'll love the versatile finishes. They range from matte, satin and metallic for excellent illumination, contrast and depth.

Go With The Flow is perfect for Christmas parties. It contains a creamy gold highlighter and vibrant jewel-tone aqua that makes the eyes pop. I just wish there was a deeper blush and a matte shade to match the greens.

The sheer pink lipsticks balance the bright shadows and deep olive tones wonderfully!

I’ve also been testing the Annabelle V.I.P Lipsticks ($9.95 ea) infused with moringa butter, vitamin E and guava perfume. There are 3 finishes available: lustrous, matte and metallic.

My favorite hue (Fab 777, 3^rd from the top) broke in half as soon as I swatched it but the others remained intact. Most of the shades are ultra sheer and don't show up the way you'd expect. Gambler (2^nd from the bottom) looks like deep plum infused with a galaxy of stars but it is actually clear glitter. Monte Carlo (2^nd from the top) looks like a simple overlay but applies creamy and well pigmented – very similar to gold highlighter.

The lightweight formula melts in like a nourishing, tinted balm and hydrates dry skin on cold winter days.

Annabelle Cosmetics is available at drugstores nationwide and Lise Watier is available at Shoppers Drug Mart, department store counters (including The Bay) and online at lisewatier.ca.

Lise Watier Limited Edition Romance Sauvage Collection | Fall 2019

I hate to break it to you but summer is almost over. I don’t know what happened to June, July or August but they flew by in a blur of vacations, patio parties and fun festivals.

The evenings are getting cooler, kids have gone back to school and Starbucks has reintroduced their Pumpkin Spice Latte. I even saw Halloween decorations at the mall a couple weeks ago.

Autumn is my favorite month for many reasons but one thing that always excites me is the makeup. Deep sultry colors are back and I’m kicking things off with Lise Watier’s Romance Sauvage Collection.

These colors are inspired by danger, daring adventure and taking risks for love. Fashionistas will appreciate the stylish snake skin casing with pops of bright teal.

The Romance Sauvage Eye Shadow Palette ($60.00) is gorgeous! In fact, it may be one of my favorite palettes the brand has ever created. It contains 10 seductive shades that complement each other perfectly and look amazing on all skin tones.

The mattes are incredibly soft, smooth, buttery and blendable while the metallics are velvety, rich, dramatic and long-lasting.

The pigment glides on vibrantly with intense color payoff and excellent durability. I always use primer so I didn’t experience any creasing or fading and the formula is paraben-free.

The Blush Duo ($36.00) is embossed with the same pretty pattern as the outer packaging and comes with 2 “universal” shades designed to illuminate, lift and sculpt. Unfortunately the pink is too subtle and the deeper hue lacks pigmentation, I can barely see it on my skin. If you layer heavily it might work but the color isn’t prominent.

Lise Watier makes amazing lipstick and the Baiser Metal Mattes ($28.00 ea) are now available in sexy autumn shades. Toxic Kiss is a stunning combination of mauve, pink and wine with a lightweight finish that dries down into a long-wear lacquer. The metallic effect is luminous and bold without being sparkly or gritty and the color applies highly saturated in one swipe.

If you’re looking for pretty shadows suitable for travel and every occasion, check out the Dress Code Solos ($24.00 ea). There are 20 scintillating shades to choose from and each one comes with an applicator and small mirror.

These high quality pigments are similar to the shadows in the Sauvage palette – smooth, silky and buildable. They are available in matte, shimmer and metallic finishes that range from neutrals to jewel tones.

Lise Watier is available at Shoppers Drug Mart, departments stores (including The Bay) and online at lisewatier.ca.

Lise Watier K-Beauty Skincare | 4-Step Cleansing Routine

When it comes to developing an efficient skincare routine, Korean women are showing the world how it’s done. K-Beauty is a trendy ideology based on health, hydration, cleansing and brightening. The objective is to achieve a clear, flawless complexion that needs no concealer or corrector.

To enhance your daily regimen, Lise Watier has teamed up with a laboratory in Korea to create a 4-step beauty ritual that purifies and balances. The products are enriched with highly concentrated natural ingredients and conditioning emollients that extract bacteria and prevent blemishes.

Step 1: Deep Cleanse

The Deep Cleansing Oil ($35.00) gently dissolves dirt and makeup with a moisturizing blend of sweet almond oil, avocado, coconut, babassu and macadamia. As you massage the lush oil into your skin, it loosens foundation, waterproof formulas and stubborn pigments while nourishing, soothing and softening. Add water to emulsify and transform the cleanser into a light milk that rinses away product build-up.

Step 2: Cleanse

Double-cleansing is a great way to detoxify your pores and prevent breakouts. The first lather breaks down excess sebum produced during the day and removes the oil/fillers in makeup, moisturizer and sunscreen. Once that barrier is disintegrated, you can effectively eliminate pollutants and bacteria lodged in the deeper dermal layers.

The Cooling Foam Cleanser ($26.00) is a satin cream that transforms into rich foam upon contact with water. It contains oat, elm, artichoke extract and menthol to leave skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated. The formula is not particularly hydrating but it lathers well and removes all traces of makeup residue and dirt to enhance the absorption of cream and serum.

Step 3: Exfoliate

Most dermatologists recommend exfoliation 2-3 times per week but due to sensitivity I can only perform this step once a week.

This paraben-free formula ($26.00) is infused with fragrant rose petals that heal and moisturize while sugar crystals gently remove dead skin, smooth roughness and improve tone, radiance and clarity. The base is thick and slightly sticky so it works best on damp skin. Even though the granules are quite substantial, they are non-abrasive and suitable for all skin types.

After cleansing and exfoliating, my skin feels soft, smooth, renewed and purged of all blemish-causing debris.

Step 4: Tone

The Soothing Rose Petal Gel Toner ($26.00) is my favorite product in the line. It refreshes, protects, calms irritation and removes toxins without parabens or drying alcohols. Unlike most toners, the rich gel is dense and hydrating rather than liquid-y so it traps dirt and pollutants on the face, neck and décolletage to revive your natural glow (no need to rinse).

On busy workdays I don’t always have time for a 4 step cleansing routine so I adjust the process to suit my schedule and skin. Sometimes I leave out step one and three and other times I only need step two.

Lise Watier is available at shoppers Drug Mart, department stores (including The Bay) and online at lisewatier.ca

Lise Watier Holiday 2018 Neiges Collection

Lise Watier always adds a touch of elegance and glamour to the holiday season and this year the festive collection features an iridescent highlighter, luminous lipsticks and shimmery shadows that are perfect for a night out.

The Neige Highlight Powder ($45.00) resembles a beautiful snowflake encased in a sparkly silver palette. The smooth, creamy texture glides on consistently with no scatter or chunky particles so it doesn't flake or settle into fine lines. Use the soft pink, golden taupe and champagne to glaze the cheeks in frosty shimmer and awaken dull skin. On deep complexions, the silvery undertones may appear a tad white but they can be balanced with the center shade.

The Neiges Face and Corsage Brush ($32.00) has a glittery handle and luxurious tapered bristles that feel soft, dense and durable. The very tip is great for contouring and the flat surface is ideal for patting on powders, blending blush and sweeping on highlight.

I have several of the Lise Watier Dress Code 5-Color Eye Shadow Palettes ($39.00) and they never cease to impress. This brilliant motif is cool and wintery with soft pops of shimmery mauve, champagne taupe and mossy brown. The formula is incredibly rich and velvety with intense color payoff and excellent longevity.

When investing in a lip palette, it is best to chose something functional and small enough for travel. The Neiges Dress Code 5-Color Lip Compact ($29.00) contains lightweight universal shades with a supple moisturizing finish. I like that the palette slips into my evening bag and comes with 2 small applicator brushes for touch-ups on-the-go. The deep wine-red can be layered for more saturation but the other shades are sheer and glossy – pretty but not very pigmented.

If you prefer traditional lipstick, the Lip Fondant Collection has gained some buttery new shades. These beauties are part of the spring 2019 line-up but the silky neutrals compliment all skin tones and the bold berry looks great with the holiday shadows. Even in extreme cold, the hydrating formula keeps lips soft, smooth and chap-free with a lustrous finish loaded with tea extract and healing antioxidants. They also smell fantastic!

Lise Watier will also be releasing new Waterproof Lip Crayons ($23.00 ea) this spring and the existing collection is stunning! The shade selection is extensive so I can always find a match and the creamy texture fills in the entire lip.

This summer I attended a media event for the Toronto International Film Festival and the makeup artist from Lise Watier retouched my blush and glamed-up my pout with the Baiser Metal Matte Lipstick ($28.00) in Fatal Kiss. It was love at first swatch and I am still obsessed with the high-coverage glittering color that applies as a rich cream and sets like a stain. These show-stopping shades make my pout look red-carpet ready!

If you really want to wow your guests this Christmas, accentuate your eyes the new Ombre Soufflé Supreme Eye Shadows ($27.00). The texture is surprisingly bouncy, soft and mousse-like but they transform into silky powders with remarkable luminosity. Don’t bother with a brush, you’ll have much more control smoothing the color out with your finger. I expected some mess but application is quite neat with minimal lid to crease transfer.

Lise Watier is available at Shoppers Drug Mart, department store counters including The Bay and online at lisewatier.ca.

Lise Watier Dress Code 5-Color Eye Shadow Palette Review

Ready or not the holiday season is almost here and soon everything will be covered in tinsel, bows and glitter. I love fall/winter trends, makeup and decor, especially when the colors are versatile and stylish.

Lise Watier’s Dress Code Palettes ($39.00 each) are sophisticated, easy to use and available in 7 stunning color combinations that are tailored to create custom looks. Whether you want to glow like a golden goddess or rock out with a smokey eye, there is something for every skin tone and occasion.

The two palettes I chose are perfect for autumn afternoons, holiday events, work and everyday wear. Pink Corsage contains an irresistible garnet, brilliant champagne, radiant silver, charcoal and snowy ivory. No matter how you choose to wear them, the velvety colors enhance your eyes with stunning contrast, highlight and definition.

The soft saturated pigment glides on effortlessly and transform from a smooth cream to a rich powder with no creasing, fading or scattering. As soon as you touch the silky shadows you will fall in love! The texture is luxurious and long-lasting with incredible hold and smoldering intensity.

Prune-a-Porter is my go-to when I’m in the mood for a simple look. The colors are not as vivid as Pink Corsage but I like blending the deep purple, light pink and mauve. For something more glamorous, layer the shimmery grey on your lids, contour the crease with a splash of plum and accentuate with jet black liner. Both palettes are great for travel and transition from day to night.

The Aqua Terra Blush Duo ($36.00) has two universal shades that can be worn individually, blended or layered to customize coverage. I mostly use the bottom color because the pink is a bit faint. The silky lightweight power applies seamlessly without embellishing lines or skin texture.

Lise Watier is available at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart and online at lisewatier.com

Lise Watier Stylo Haute Couleur High Coverage Lip Lacquer - Review & Swatches

Some brands create amazing products that are often overshadowed by popular trends and fads. Lise Watier’s lipsticks, gloss, stains and lacquers don’t get the recognition they deserve for such impeccable quality and rich color. The pigments are stylish, vibrant and comfortable with sophisticated packaging and luscious textures.

The Lacquers are available in 9 brilliant hues that compliment all skin stones. When you first use the pen, click the button several times to push the pigment down into the applicator (this may take a while so don’t give up!). The slanted tip helps distribute the color and outline the lip contour for smooth, even coverage and decent longevity.

I love how effortless, creamy and wearable these pigments are. I can gloss-up on-the-go without using a mirror and if your matte lipstick starts drying out, top it off with a layer of lacquer for instant juiciness and supple hydration.

The formula is lightweight, non-sticky and moist with a high-shine, voluptuous finish. Some shades are a tad sheer (but quite buildable) while others offer intense color payoff and dramatic vibrancy. No matter which color you choose, the lacquers have incredible luminosity with the versatility to take your look to the next level.

With autumn just around the corner, these sexy shades will compliment your fall wardrobe perfectly!

Lise Watier is available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Jean Coutu, London Drugs, Hudson's Bay and online at lisewatier.com.

Lise Watier Fall 2018 Haute Nature Collection: Review & Swatches

The sun is out, the birds are chirping and there is a cool breeze blowing through the trees. This is my first autumn post of the year and I’m excited to transition my makeup and embrace warm, sultry shades. (Goodbye humidity and hello fluffy scarves...I can’t wait!)

The Haute Nature Collection is packaged in elegant bronze casing splashed with a beautiful floral motif designed to look like a painting.

The Eye Shadow Palette ($48.00) combines the perfect balance of seductive neutrals and cool smokey tones to take your look from day to night. The colors are effortlessly chic and the velvety texture is ultra pigmented to deliver bold saturation and buildable coverage. Although they may look soft and neutral, the beautiful gold and deep bronze have a hint of shimmer to accentuate the eyes and add a pop of scintillating highlight. Lise Watier frequently releases understated palettes that are much more than they appear! The creamy color glides on smooth and consistent with no creasing or fading and the matte ivory looks great on the brow bone.

To amp-up these alluring shadows, use the Intense Waterproof Eyeliner ($24.00) on the lower and upper lash line. The burnt burgundy is trendy for fall and adds dramatic definition to make the eyes appear larger. The buttery pigment glides on evenly with no skipping, smudging or dragging and lasts all day! (Too bad it isn't retractable). 

The combination of gold shadow and red lips is very red carpet glam. For a night out gloss-up with the Gourmand Glow Hydrating Lip Balm ($23.00) with a hint of glistening shine. The sheer plum-wine compliments all complexions with a hydrating formula that keeps lips soft and comfortable. 

The Haute Nature Blush Trio ($35.00) illuminates, lifts and sculpts with three universal shades. The color payoff is quite faint so I mainly use it to highlight. More pigmentation would have been nice but the silky powder brightens dull skin for a natural glow.

Lise Watier is available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Jean Coutu, London Drugs, Hudson’s Bay and online at lisewatier.com.

Lise Watier Spring 2018 Urban Velocity Makeup Collection

While browsing the makeup isle at your local department store, you may notice that spring is finally in the air. This year’s theme is all about radiant shimmer and a combination of soft hues intertwined with pops of daring color. Lise Watier’s Limited-Edition Spring Collection may seem small but the intricate patterns and wearable pigments instantly draw you in.

The Urban Velocity Baked Eye Shadow Trio ($44.00) is sultry and luminous, featuring 3 gorgeous pigments that you will want to wear all the time. I couldn’t wait to swatch the deep garnet-plum (my favorite) and the velvety gold is my go-to shade for creating quick, effortless looks. These shadows are ultra-silky and luxuriously creamy with pearlescent pigments that provide a beautiful iridescent finish. The color payoff is buildable and concentrated for easy application and longevity plus there is little fall-out and no creasing. This palette is great for travel and the colors look good on everyone! You can also sweep the silver or gold onto the cheekbones for a beautiful highlight.

The Urban Velocity Marble Lipstick ($25.00) resembles a work of art with a blend of two trendy colors. I was excited to see how each shade would transfer onto the lips and hoped for a multi-colored effect. Unfortunately the plum overpowers the pink swirls completely but the formula is infused with nourishing Shea Butter to quench parched skin and keep lips soft and supple. I wouldn’t really classify this as “lipstick” because the finish and texture is similar to tinted balm with a faint wash of neutral color. If you layer generously, the purple darkens even more and compliments the garnet-plum shadow.

The Baked Blush ($34.00) has the same swirl motif as the lipstick but the predominate shade is coral-pink. The pigmentation is soft so you may need a few swipes to enhance the vibrancy but the color flatters all complexions and the silky texture blends seamlessly.  

The Rouge Fondant Supreme Lipsticks ($27.00 ea) are not part of the Urban Velocity Collection but they do complement the color scheme. Chloe and Amelia are both neutrals with sheer pigmentation, sensational shine and an antioxidant-rich formula that protects and conditions. Labrador Tea and soothing emollients make lips feel plush, hydrated and smooth with no stickiness. These “lipsticks” are also similar to tinted balms in terms of texture and color payoff with a lightweight, comfortable finish.

Lise Watier is available at Hudson’s Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sears, London Drugs, Jean Coutu and online at lisewatier.ca.