Quo Cosmetics Fall 2018 Collection

Autumn is the perfect season to experiment with bold color and create seductive runway inspired looks. This year Quo’s collection features smokey shadows, matte lips and subtle pops of shimmer. They’ve also included a luxurious gold brush set that will be the envy of all your friends.

The Lunar Eye Shadow Palette ($20.00) contains soft neutrals and dark mattes to create both classic and playful looks. Blend the deeper hues for a dramatic effect and use the shimmers to brighten and highlight. The texture is silky and soft with buildable saturation and versatile coverage. I wish the colors were more vivid but the compact is travel-friendly and the large mirror is great for application. 

The Sweet Magnolia Face Palette ($18.00) has sleek packaging and comes with 2 highlighters, 1 blush and 1 bronzer. The deeper highlight is soft, lightweight and radiant for a natural glow but I’m not crazy about the bronzer. The pigmentation is faint and monotone so the color doesn't really enhance, define or sculpt. Fair complexions might have better luck with these shades.

The Face Palette doesn't work for me but the Matte Lipsticks ($14.00 ea) are to die for! Seduce is a peachy coral hue that looks amazing on all skin tones, Addict is a pink tinged burgundy that I can’t get enough of and Date Night (my favorite) is an irresistible brick red that makes your pout smolder. The texture is rich and velvety for smooth creamy glide and buildable lightweight coverage (you definitely need these in your life).

If you you’re looking for the perfect holiday gift for makeup lovers, don’t miss out on the new Brush Set ($55.00). It comes with a powder brush, blush brush, foundation brush, all over shadow brush, and concealer brush (almost everything you need for full-face application). The sophisticated gold handles, incredible craftsmanship and soft fluffy bristles are impressive but I was even more ecstatic about the stand!

The brushes stick to a magnetized bar so you can store and display them on your vanity. Standing them upright also prevents germs and makeup from transferring between brushes and keeps the bristles in their original shape so they last longer. 

This collection is available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Avon True Color Lipstick Review | NEW Shades & Fall Trends

Scattered around my work desk, tucked in my vanity and stuffed in almost every purse I own you will find a beautiful variety of Avon True Color Lipsticks ($10.00 ea). The collection has an incredible range of affordable moisturizing pigments in almost every trendy shade you can imagine so today I’m featuring enticing new hues and a few fall classics.

When the temperature drops you won't have to worry about dry chapped lips. The supple formula is infused with jojoba oil, vitamin E, collagen and conditioning wax to seal in moisture and keep skin soft all day. There are 3 pretty finishes to choose from: creamy satin with sheer to medium coverage, velvety matte with bold saturation and radiant shimmer.

Left to right: Marvelous Mocha, Toasted Rose, Tender Kiss, Wild Ginger, Buttered Rum, Perfect Red, Wild Cherry, Red Supreme, Crush, Cherry Jubilee, Vamp, Berry Berry Nice, Sangria, Wine With Everything, Hot Pink and Hot Plum.

I’ve already started wearing my cute ankle boots, billowing scarves and stylish leather jacket so the shades below are perfect for my autumn wardrobe. There is a sultry red for every skin tone and the seductive wine or vampy purple are great for a night out. My favorite is Wild Cherry – a beautiful combination of deep pink, red and berry. Buttered Rum is a must this season and Cherry Jubilee is a bestseller that looks amazing on everyone!

Left to right: Buttered Rum, Perfect Red, Wild Cherry (matte), Red Supreme (matte), Crush, Cherry Jubilee and Vamp.

When I’m in the mood for something flirty and fun, I drench my pout in these beauties. The bright pink, berry and purple tones are always a good choice and the lightweight color glides on effortlessly with no drag or bleeding. I can’t get enough of Hot Plum. It was my signature shade all summer.

Berry Berry Nice, Sangria, Wine With Everything, Hot Pink, Hot Plum (matte)

If you prefer long-wear lipstick I recommend the matte finish because it lasts longer with less transfer. The satiny True Color Nourishing Lipsticks provide a hint of luminous shine but they aren’t as durable so you may need to reapply more frequently.

Nudes are always popular and if you aren’t ready to retire the bright corals, these two orange-y hues may be just what you’re looking for.

Wild Ginger, Tender Kiss, Toasted Rose and Marvelous Mocha (matte)

This amazing collection is available online at avon.ca

Avon Harvest Treasures Body Care Collection

Yesterday I devoured my first pumpkin spice latte and all was right with the world. So what if I prematurely decided to wear a warm knit sweater that made me sweat off some makeup. I was determined to get into the spirit whether my eyebrows stayed on or not and I’ve already started planning a Halloween party with the girls.

Another way to embrace the season is by layering on delicious scents and Avon’s new limited-edition bath and body collection will leave you smelling decadent and delightful! The range includes Pumpkin Soufflé, Salted Caramel Apple and Autumn Berry Twist formulated with premium fragrance oil.

The sets are great for gifting and the pretty packaging captures everything that makes fall so delicious! 

Pumpkins don’t really have a distinct aroma (not one you’d want to wear) so Avon has added whipped caramel, coconut and vanilla to the Pumpkin Soufflé. After lathering up with the luscious body wash my entire bathroom smells amazing (you won’t want bath time to end) and the foaming bubbles rinse away dirt, oil and impurities. After a warm shower, moisturize with the rich non-greasy body cream to prevent dryness and spritz on the sweet body spray to prolong the irresistible fragrance.

While indulging in a little self-pampering don’t forget to stock-up on seasonal candles ($19.99). I tricked my hubby into thinking I was baking a scrumptious dessert when I lit the Spiced Pumpkin Waffle Candle (he forgave me). This yummy scent makes your home feel cozy and inviting plus Avon’s candles have decorative prints that compliment your decor and lids to shield the wax from dust.

I love all things fun and fruity so I also tried the Autumn Berry Twist Collection. This juicy blend contains ripened blackberries, tart pomegranate and a twist of warm amber spice. I use the body mist to freshen up my bedroom and give the air a tangy sweetness as I curl up with a cup of hot cocoa and a good book.

These products retail for $12.00 each at avon.ca

Fall 2018 Lipstick Trends

This summer I was totally rocking the bright corals and hot pinks but with autumn just around the corner, it is finally time to break out the deep sultry shades.

Matte finishes and neutral pigments are still two of the hottest lip trends, so you can’t go wrong with L’Oreal’s Infallible Paints. These warm browns remind me of changing leaves and the creamy color is saturated and buildable for smooth even coverage with a hint of moisture. The nude collection includes a variety of complexion flattering shades for just $12.99 each.

If you prefer traditional lipstick, L’Oreal’s Color Riche Matte-Jestic ($8.96) is a dark purple-y wine that is perfect for pumpkin spice weather. When applied sparingly, the pigment appears more berry-toned but when layered generously, the finish is dark and vampy with enough hydration to keep lips comfy. L’Oreal is available at drugstores nationwide.

When the temperature drops I can finally start wearing my fluffy sweaters and stylish scarves but cold air can cause chapped skin that makes lipstick look terrible. To keep your pout in tip-top shape, try the moisturizing balms from Winy Lux. The brand is well known for their adorable pill shaped tubes and the formula keeps lips soft and smooth. 

If you really want to dazzle, the Glimmer Balm ($18.00) provides a light layer of galactic shimmer with a faint pop of pink. The glitter is refined and minimal so it never looks chunky or overdone and I love the pretty snowflake effect.

The bestselling Flower Balm Lip Stain ($18.00) is embedded with a real chrysanthemum and the ingredients react with your body’s natural pH to create a unique shade of pink that looks different on everyone! The coconut scent is delectable and the lustrous finish provides a healthy sheen. Winky Lux is available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora and sephora.ca.

Gloss lovers will go crazy for Avon’s True Color Lip Glow loaded with chia seed and rose hip oil for soft, supple skin. The new shades are paraben-free and available in 3 finishes: cream, frost and radiant shimmer which is great for the holiday season. The sheer color can be enhanced for more vibrancy and you can pick these up at avon.ca for just $10.00 each.

Lipstick Queen is dedicated to helping you find the perfect color for your complexion and the rich formulas are creamy and bold. Beserk Berry ($25.00) has an unusual grey undertone swirled with a splash of pink to create an awesome two-toned effect that looks different every time you apply it! Nothing But The Truth ($24.00) is a pretty beige formulated with natural waxes, oils, antioxidants and Vitamin E to keep lips smooth and nourished with vinyl-like shine. Lipstick Queen is available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Nordstrom, Ulta Beauty and online at lipstickqueen.com.

Tōn Cosmetics Lipstick Review

Today I am featuring a brand that is completely new to me (which is rare since I’ve tried just about everything). This was my first experience testing Tōn Cosmetics and I’m quite impressed! For a lipstick lover, this collection is a dream come true! There is no eye shadow, blush, mascara or liner on the website, but what you will discover is a range of stunning color designed to compliment your unique complexion and style.

For those who have difficulty choosing a flattering shade of lipstick, Tōn is here to help. No more harsh undertones or washed-out neutrals. Simply take the test and be introduced to your lip color soul mate! The brand has developed 9 variations of each shade to ensure the best match. You will also notice that each color category (nude, red and pink) is divided into 2 subcategories (fair, medium, deep) and (cool, neutral, warm).

Each velvety shade is expertly crafted but the online test might need more work. My results were: medium complexion with a warm undertone (which sounds about right) but my matches were yellow undertones - orange, coral and brown. I didn’t really care for the lipsticks that were recommended and the nude was way too light. The second time, I adjusted one of my answers and the test chose favorable shades. There are not enough complexion options (photos of real women with varying skin tones may be more effective) and some questions were a bit difficult to answer. For example: “When you wear a white top, how does your skin look?” ...I never really noticed. Other questions are a bit vague - “what colors suit you best - pastels or brights?” I would have selected deep/sultry tones like plum, garnet, wine or burgundy (if that had been an option).

I decided to browse the collection and select the most eye-catching shades. Below (from left to right) I chose: Red Dark Cool 2, Pink Dark Neutral 3, Red Fair Cool 2, Pink Dark Warm 3 and Pink Dark Cool 3. I wish the lipsticks had cute, memorable names instead of classifications because if someone asks what I’m wearing, I probably won’t know.

My favorite thing about the formula is the lush, lightweight texture that glides on silky with buildable saturation and excellent coverage. The pigment feels smooth, comfortable, moist and hydrating with a hint of satiny shine that makes my lips appear voluptuous. It would be nice to have a few matte options but these gorgeous shades are perfect for all seasons and they seem to enhance my complexion and eye makeup.

Infused with nourishing shea butter and vitamin E oil, the rich pigments pamper and heal dry skin for a soft, healthy finish. They are also cruelty free with no parabens.

I wore the purple/pink lipstick (below) to a VIP Beauty Lounge yesterday and Steve Kassajikian (the global Makeup Artist for Urban Decay) loved it! So did everyone else :)

Considering the variety of wearable colors, most women will have no problem finding a signature shade in this collection. The lipsticks retail for $19.00 each and Tōn Cosmetics is available online at toncosmetics.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.