Marcelle Velvet Gel Liquid Lip Color | Review & Swatches

Today many people will be celebrating Halloween and right after the costumes are put away and the pumpkins are composted, everyone will be preparing for the holiday season. I’ve already attended a few Christmassy events and with many more to come I will definitely need an arsenal of vivid lip color that can withstand cocktails, sweets and late night treats.

The new Velvet Gel Lipsticks ($12.95) by Marcelle are available in a variety of trendy shades that range from neutral to bright. On cold days the lush pigment locks in moisture to keep lips smooth, nourished and protected with a blend of healing oils, antioxidants and vitamins. The formula is also hypoallergenic, fragrance free and gluten free making it safe for sensitive skin.

Shades (left to right): Coral Pink, Rosy Nude, Lotus Pink, Velour Red and Vivid Plum

I wanted festive colors so I chose some of the brightest hues in the collection. The pigment glides on smooth and creamy for excellent color payoff, buildable coverage and rich intensity. 

Use the point of the drop-shaped applicator to outline and define the lip contour for precision and neatness. The semi-matte finish makes lips appear plump and dramatic with no stickiness.

The saturation is incredible and I love the lightweight supple texture. Skin feels soft, hydrated and comfortable but the color is not transfer proof so you will need to reapply after eating or drinking. Despite not having the durability I was looking for, the ink-like vibrancy and advanced skincare benefits are important qualities in a good lipstick.

Marcelle is available at drugstores nationwide including Shoppers Drug Mart and online at marcelle.com.  

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.

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.