Avon Cashmere Complexion Long Wear Foundation Review

This summer has been hot, muggy and humid – it’s the kind of weather that melts your makeup and has you cranking up the AC.

These days we all have to wear face masks to stop the spread of COVID, but showing up to a meeting with smeared lipstick and patchy foundation (what I like to call mask face) is not a good look.

On a quest to find a new long lasting matte formula, I discovered Avon Cashmere Complexion ($35). This breathable, flexible pigment is vegan, water resistant, non-GMO, and free of fragrance, parabens, sulfates and phthalates. It provides 24 hours of comfortable wear with a full-coverage, natural finish that blurs the look of pores and fine lines. For hydration and nourishment, they’ve added antioxidants, botanical extracts, artichoke and butterfly lavender.

The doe foot applicator allows you to swipe the foundation onto your skin and touch-up problem areas with precision. I like the rich consistency and smooth finish. It is easy to blend and tends to stay put all day with no shine or slick oils. The color is buildable but I wouldn’t classify it as “full-coverage.” I still need a bit of concealer to create a flawless finish.

There are 30 shades available with a variety of undertones for most complexions. I chose a few colors in the medium range and my best match is Tiramisu.

Is Cashmere Complexion the best foundation I’ve ever used? – probably not, but it is suitable for daily wear and does not irritate my skin or feel heavy. I reach for it on casual weekends, workout days and non-formal occasions. It may also be good for travel since it does not contain common irritants.

If you need a bit more coverage for discoloration, acne or blemishes, try the Cashmere Complexion Long Wear Concealer ($18.99). The creamy pigment evens skin tone and corrects dark circles with minimal creasing.

Interested in trying Avon’s new foundation? Head to avon.ca.  

Avon True Color Nourishing Lipstick Review | NEW Shades

Over the years I’ve accumulated a lot of Avon lipsticks and I love giving them as gifts. This beautiful collection has something for all ages, seasons and occasions no matter what your style.

Most ladies in my family have already found their signature shade (mine is Hot Plum) and for just $10.00 each, you can experiment with trendy color that keeps your lips in tip-top shape.

Avon has recently released 12 addictive new shades that range from deep burgundy, berry, magenta, bright coral, rose, bombshell red and nude. The undertones are beautifully balanced to compliment a wide variety of skin tones and the formula is infused with jojoba oil and marine collagen to plump, soften and smooth fine lines.

Because the texture is so satiny, the pigments glide on effortlessly with a pop of voluptuous shine. Even when my lips feel dry, chapped and in no mood for lipstick, the supple color drenches my pout in luscious moisture that alleviates discomfort.

In the red and burgundy zone (from left to right) you have: Red Delicious, Black Cherry, Cognac Riche and Blood Orange. These pretty hues remind me of autumn and they are great for everyday wear.

Application is ridiculously easy (it literally takes seconds), but if you crave definition, Avon also makes creamy lip liners ($9.00 ea) that prevent feathering and prolong wear.

The pink - plum spectrum is my personal fave. 

Fresh Fig, Dragon Fruit Blush and Concord Grape.

Saturation is versatile, vibrant and buildable (sheer to medium coverage) but like most glossy finishes, the color transfers easily. I usually reapply a few times throughout the day (depending on how much I eat or drink) but each coat makes my pout feel plush and healthy – similar to a healing lip balm.

If you’re going for a fresh-faced look, try Toasted Cashew or Raspberry Rose.

The spreadable consistency makes it easy to mix and match. Layer your favorite bright with your favorite medium or deep tone and see what custom color you create!

Feeling the spring vibes? Brighten your complexion with Persimmon Pink. Some shades leave behind a pretty stain that can be removed with a good cleanser.

These fabulous lippies are available online at avon.ca

Avon Beauty Essentials & Fall Trends

Avon is always creating fabulous products to keep you organized, hydrated and looking your best, so today I’ll be sharing delightful new goodies that pamper and beautify.

The Heavenly Hydration Collection infused with Mediterranean Olive Oil is an indulgent new scent that delights the senses for an invigorating spa experience. Start with the fragrant Body Scrub ($12.00) with refreshing notes of sandalwood to exfoliate dead cells and leave skin feeling velvety smooth. The decadent Body Cream ($12.00) envelops you in rich, silky moisture that instantly soothes and softens dry skin and the spa-inspired Dry Oil Body Spray ($12.00) hydrates with a non-greasy, cooling sheen.

The Planet Spa Cosmetic Bag ($20.00) is a trendy way to carry your beauty essentials and the straw-like texture and stylish print reminds me of the tropics.

Recently Avon has designed another Beauty Tool Organizer ($15.00) that keeps your vanity clutter-free and your everyday products neatly stowed. The flexible, soft plastic stretches and molds so you can slip in your favorite gloss, mascara, liners, grooming tools and lipstick for easy access. 

Beauty boxes are a huge success and a great way to try new products. Avon has recently introduced the A Box (Fall Beauty Trend: Divine Wine Edition) which includes 5 full-size products that were handpicked to create a complete seasonal look for $49.00. The box contains: True Color Glimmersticks Eyeliner in Sugar Plum, Avon True Color Lipstick in Vamp, Big & Daring Volume Mascara, Avon True Color Eye Shadow Quad in Romantic Mauves and True Color Pro+ Nail Enamel in Midnight Plum.

I love the deep, vampy lipstick included in the box but if you want something lighter and just as sultry - the shade Power Plum ($10.00) is also gorgeous! The formula glides on creamy and smooth to keep lips supple, comfortable and hydrated for hours and they look fabulous with my autumn wardrobe.

The polish is also very trendy – blackened plum with hints of purple shining through as light illuminates the glossy finish. 

I like to pair the pigments in the A Box with the new Cream Blush in Mandarin Glow ($10.00). This shade accentuates my complexion and helps balance deep colors.

The only item in the box that could have used a little more fall-glam and vibrancy is the Romantic Mauves Shadow Palette. The top shades are a bit too neutral for my taste.

To clean your brushes (a task most of us dread), Avon has created a neat little gizmo that removes powder pigments from bristles so you can switch between various shades. The sponge is dry and does not contain water, chemicals or cleanser. You simply rub your brushes over the surface to remove product residue and it rinses clean with warm water and soap so you can reuse it. The Brush Cleaner in a Tin retails for $12.00.

Any cleanser that dispenses as a rich foamy lather already does half the work for you! The new Skin So Soft Oil Infused Body Wash ($11.00 ea) enriched with Vitamin E and a nourishing blend of signature oils (Jojoba, Argan, Sunflower, and Macadamia) gently whisks away dirt and impurities to leave you feeling revitalized and nourished. The fragrance is fantastic and the non-drying formula is perfect for summer, fall and winter!

Avon is available online at avon.ca and through independent consultants

Avon True Color Lip Crayon Review

If you want to lighten your lip color for summer and take a break from your beloved mattes, Avon’s Lip Crayons are soft, simple and hydrating. There are 12 shades available ranging from neutral to bright for all skin tones.

The crayons are a good size for quick application with no sharpening required and they come in two finishes – glitter and sheer. If you prefer more vibrancy, the glitter formula delivers fuller coverage with pretty light reflecting sparkle but expect to see some scattered particles stuck to your lips as the color wears away. I like that the pigments glide on creamy and hold up well with general wear.

The sheer formula isn’t as creamy and initially it takes a few swipes before the color begins to glide smoothly and melt onto the lips. Unlike the glitters, these shades are a bit difficult to enhance and require several layers for a prominent level of brightness. The Fairest Nude is flesh tone but I love how it balances bold eye makeup with a subtle hint of shine. The most vivid crayon (featured here) is Reddy For Me, the glistening ruby red with pink sparkle is lovely!

Left to right: Mauve Model, Just Rosy, Pink Premier, Reddy For Me and Fairest Nude

The effect of these pigments is similar to tinted balm with a comfortable texture and supple hydration. Infused with Vitamin E and Shea Butter, they help soften and soothe while providing some dryness relief. Although I wasn’t blown away by the saturation and consistency, the crayons come in handy when you want something basic and moisturizing. They retail for $10.00 each and Avon is available online at avon.ca and through independent consultants. 

Avon True Color Nourishing Lipstick Review

If you follow me on social media you probably know that I’m obsessed with Avon’s Matte Lipstick but if you prefer a satin finish with a hint of cushiony shine, the Nourishing formula is beautiful!

The shade selection is fabulous so no matter what your style you’ll find an array of complexion flattering hues and maybe even some all-time faves! These lipsticks are light, vibrant and very easy to wear for women of all ages so they make great gifts and with Mother’s Day coming up it’s a good time to stock up.

The formula glides on effortlessly with no drag and saturates lips in bright, trendy pigment with buildable coverage. The radiant effect makes lips appear a bit plush and pouty and they keep skin hydrated and smooth with decent staying power. I like the fruity scent and you don’t need a liner for neatness since the color doesn’t bleed.

In the red spectrum some of my favorites (left to right) are Berry Sangria, Playful Rose, Ruby Kisses and Truffle which is actually from the Beyond Color Collection containing SPF 15. These shades have gorgeous undertones suitable for all skin tones and I enjoy blending different hues to lighten or deepen the color. These tones are great for all seasons and the smooth texture drenches parched lips in creamy comfort

In the pink and orange range I love Spring Lilac, Cherry Blossom and Mellow Melon which are perfect for summer. Sometimes the glossy consistency does require a few well placed layers for even coverage but they keep lips soft and supple.

When you’re in the mood for something soft and neutral, Pink Peony is a great choice.

Left to right: Peony Blush, Ruby Kiss, Cherry Blossom, Truffle, Playful Rose, Berry Sangria, Spring Lilac and Mellow Melon

The lipsticks retail for just $10.00 each at avon.ca or through independent consultants. To check out the stunning matte shades click HERE.

Avon Makeup Artist Palette Review

Over the years Avon has released many beautiful pigments but when you name a color collection the “Makeup Artist Palette” expectations are high. 

Although the packaging is unassuming and simple, the spectrum of color inside is very impressive!

The palette includes 30 eye shadows, 1 contour, 2 highlights, 3 blushes, 5 lip glosses, applicators and a large mirror. The shade selection is stunning with a beautiful range of deep smoky blues, vivid greens, bronze, copper, black, grey, purple, brown, nude, gold, silver, cream and more! There isn’t one shade in here that I don’t like and the contrast of solid mattes and dazzling shimmer allows you to create countless looks.

In terms of basic artistry you get fabulous lid colors, transition hues, crease contours and highlights with the versatility to go deep and smoldering or bright, bold and neutral. Overall the pigmentation varies slightly by shade and finish but for the most part the shadows are highly saturated and buildable. The shimmers have amazing color pay-off with a silky smooth texture that glides on effortlessly and appears radiant. The mattes are creamy, soft and easy to blend while the few glittery hues are soft and sheer. (To intensify the shadows apply over primer)

The quality of the formula is very good and if you ask me these are some of the best eye shadows Avon has released to date (excluding the mark brand) which is still my fave!

Below I've swatched a few shadows to demonstrate vibrancy. Compared to some of the higher-end palettes Iv'e tested recently, many of these pigments are comparable, especially the gold and champagne hues.

I wish the color palette above had the same formula as the shadows but they aren't as impressive. The matte bronzer is not really deep enough for contouring but with only one shade to handle this task catering to every skin tone is impossible. The silver and pink highlights are mild, shimmery and sheer but they still provide a faint natural glow. The blushes are probably the only downside to this collection because they are sheer to the point of non-existence. I was not able to generate any color from them which is unfortunate since the shades are nice. Despite this shortcoming I still think the palette is totally worth it for the eye shadows alone!

The glosses are very creamy and hydrating with luminous finishes and just enough sheer pigmentation to produce a pretty tint.

Although I don’t think the gloss, blush and bronzer is a high selling point, the eye shadows are beautiful and ideal for professional or personal use. The palette retails for $30.00 and is currently on sale for $24.00 at avon.ca.

Avon True Color 8-in-1 Eye Shadow Palette Review

I love eye shadow palettes that are great for travel with enough shades to create several trendy looks. I’ve been considering Avon's 8-in-1 compacts for a while now because the color selection is well rounded and highly wearable plus the range includes pigments that are soft and subtle, warm, cool, deep and smokey for the versatility to go from day to night.

The first color collection called Not So Neutral includes my favorite go-to shades for everyday wear. It has a nice range of bright hues, mid tones and champagne gold (which looks great on everyone), paired with a matte cream, beige (great for transitioning color in the crease), warm brown, black and silver.

I wasn’t sure if the pigmentation would be top-notch but surprisingly most of the shadows are quite vivid with the exception of a few faint hues.They can easily go from sheer to medium and in some cases full-coverage with a little layering. There is also a nice mix of shimmer and matte, although the shimmer isn’t very sparkly or bold which is good if you want to explore the milder side of this particular effect. Overall the colors aren't as velvety or rich as I usually prefer but they blend well and tend to stay put.

Although the texture isn’t ultra silky it is smooth enough for easy application without chalkiness or fall-out. I recommend using a good primer underneath to enhance the sheer pigments, increase overall intensity and prolong wear but they standout, match well and look good.

The Plum Essentials Palette is great for those who prefer cool, subtle tones. There is a pastel pink, light lilac, silver, cream, matte brown and two deep hues - purple and slivery-green.

Starry Nights is great when you want to amp up the glam for a night out and create deep smokey looks. I love the combination of matte and shimmery navy plus you also get a nice bronze, grey-blue, lilac, silver, beige and a frosty hue that makes a nice highlight.

To demonstrate the color pay-off, I swatched some of my favorite shades over primer.

The compacts are simple yet efficient so if you are looking for a few affordable quick-look, travel palettes these definitely come in handy and retail for $15.00 ea.

Avon has also released a cute tool to help keep your brushes spick and span. Simply slip your fingers into the little silicone sleeve and use the bristles and ridges to work up a disinfecting lather to loosen and abolish product residue. The brush cleaner retails for just $8.00 and is small enough to fit in a makeup bag.

You can find these great products at avon.ca or order through an independent consultant 

Avon Makeup Design Palette Review

If you have a lot of people to shop for and you don’t want to break the bank this holiday then Avon has a great selection of affordable gifts to choose from. For the beauty lovers on your list who want to dapple in pretty color the Makeup Design Eye Shadow Palette contains almost everything you need to create a range of awesome looks including 21 eye shadows, 6 lip glosses, 3 blushes, 1 bronzer and 1 instruction booklet.

The versatile shades are very trendy and ideal for many complexions from light to dark and everything in-between. I love the beautiful jewel tones and the flattering everyday shades which includes nude, bronze, earth, gold, peach and petal- a pretty purple-pink. You also have the option of creating deep smokey looks with the ebony, midnight and navy hues as well as shimmery party looks with aluminum silver, grape, glittery teal and copper.

The pigmentation is not as intense or bold as the shadows from mark which you can also find on Avon’s website but they can be enhanced with layering and a good primer. There are also a few matte hues which is always more versatile and although the shadows aren’t fierce the texture is silky smooth with very little fallout despite some shades being embedded with glittery particles.

The blush is actually my favorite thing about the palette, the bronze and plum hues warm up the skin and highlight with a hint of shimmer while the rose and peach hues add radiant color to brighten the complexion and they are't too loud so you won't end up with that clown effect.

The lip glosses have a nice creamy texture for juicy color and a hint of plumping shine. The formula is also quite moisturizing although the palette didn’t come with any applicators which makes it difficult to re-apply on the go.

The instruction manual is a good idea for beginners but it isn’t extensive so you will have to look elsewhere for most of your inspiration. Overall this is a decent palette if you want to experiment with color but the quality isn’t quite there for professional, high-impact results. If you are looking for beautiful shadows with great pigmentation on Avon's website check out my last review on mark's Dream Sequins Palette by clicking HERE.

The palette retails for $30.00 and you can pick it up at avon.ca or through independent consultants.