NEW Mary Kay Unlimited Lip Gloss | Review & Swatches

Now that face masks are mandatory in public spaces, I’ve been wearing no-fuss, lightweight lip color that is moisturizing, comfortable and easy to reapply. In the heat and humidity I prefer simple gloss with a pop vibrancy – something I can whip out between meetings to perk up my complexion as I make my way around the city.

Mary Kay’s new Unlimited Gloss ($18 ea) is available in 14 high-shine, hydrating shades that range from nude, pink, red, and deep purple. They also come in three finishes – cream, pearl and shimmer.

Although the pigments are sheer, you can add a couple extra layers to enhance the color. The glistening wet effect makes lips appear plump, smooth, full and alluring.

It takes a lot for lip gloss to impress me but I absolutely love the cushiony formula – it is super plush and juicy! It feels like a silky lip treatment – hydrating and nourishing without any stickiness or drag.

The doe foot applicator is much more flexible than your average wand. It glides around the lip contour with ease – filling in edges and corners.

Now let’s talk more about shade selection because there are quite a few neutrals.

In the nude category most of the glosses have a pink or flesh tone base so there is something for all complexions. (My neutral match is Unique Mauve).

(My favorite shades will be marked with a star*)

Left to right: Fancy Nancy (shimmer), Pink Ballerina (pearl), *Unique Mauve (cream), Nude Blush (cream) and *Sheer Illusion (pink-gold shimmer).

I like the creams and iridescent pearls but a couple of the shimmers (particularly Fancy Nancy and Beach Bronze) are a tad difficult to remove (glitter particles are always a pain in the butt).

I wish there were more bright hues because they tend to be my favorite, especially during the summer.

Despite the sheer coverage, these shades are bold and vibrant.

*Evening Berry (pearl), *Berry Delight (pearl), *Iconic Red (cream), *Pink Fusion (Cream)

There is also a range of brown neutrals to choose from. The bronze (Copper Aura) and shimmery gold (Beach Bronze) are quite similar (I don’t think we needed both) but chocolaty colors are always trendy in autumn and they look beautiful on deep skin tones.

Copper Aura (shimmer), Beach Bronze (shimmer), Soft Nude (pearl), *Tawny Nude (cream) and Chocolate Nude (cream).

If you’re looking for amazing go-to gloss, you should definitely try these.

MK has also released new Cream Blush Duo Sticks and Foil Eye Shadows. The blush packaging is perfect for travel and the colors are beautiful.

Mauve and Shimmer provides contour, color and definition all-in-one. The pigment is deep (suitable for medium to dark skin tones) and the gold highlighter is stunning! It glides on soft, lightweight and creamy with a natural, seamless finish that lasts all day. Pink and Glimmer has a touch of mauve with a light gold highlighter. It might look best on fair to medium complexions.

The Foil Shadows are bright and dramatic with a dazzling finish and smooth velvety texture. The particles are not chunky or messy but I still recommend using a tacky base or glitter primer immediately before application so the pigment adheres well, stays put and remains vibrant. 

Mary Kay is available online at marykay.ca and through independent consultants.

Mary Kay Spring 2020 Collection

We’ve all had a pretty unusual summer but as the city begins to recuperate from the pandemic, it is finally time for beauty junkies everywhere to break out their new makeup.

We might not be able to attend parties or go to the theater just yet, but we can enjoy provincial parks and do a little shopping.

Mary Kay’s Spring Collection reminds me of what the season is all about – bright pouty lips, shimmery shadow and deep earthy bronzers that transform us into glowing goddesses.

The Semi-Matte Gel Lipsticks ($21) are available in a variety of gorgeous shades but these four are brand new! The silky, nourishing formula delivers the perfect amount of lightweight, vibrant color in a single swipe and keeps lips hydrated for hours. My favorite is Red Stileto because it looks amazing with gold shadow and dramatic winged liner. I love the intense, full-coverage saturation and creamy, no-fuss application.

The Limited-Edition Unearthed Illuminating Bronzers ($22 ea) have a warm base and glow-inducing highlighter to create a multidimensional finish. For sunkissed radiance, sweep the powder just below the cheekbones or all over the face to accentuate and define.

The bronzers look beautiful in the Limited-Edition Unearthed Magnetic Palette – sold separately for $21.

On hot summer days, liquid eye shadow stays exactly where you put it and Mary Kay’s luminous new shades are packed with pigment. They look fabulous with or without a base but I use the MK waterproof primer ($18.00) to smooth the area and prolong wear.

After blending your crease shades to perfection, use the doe foot applicator to layer the liquid onto your lids and wait for it to dry before finishing your look with eyeliner and mascara.

If you prefer pressed pigment, check out the Chromafusion singles ($9 each) and customize your own refillable palette!

I never leave home without applying sultry black liner. It makes my eyes appear larger and improves the overall look of my eye shadow. Recently I’ve been using Mary Kay’s Waterproof Pen ($20) with intense black pigment. It is perfect for precise, neat lines and the no-drip felt tip is easy to use.

Don’t forget to accentuate your lashes with a few coats of mascara. I like to layer Lash Love Fanorama ($21) with Lash Love Waterproof ($21). Individually they provide a natural effect (not very voluminous or dramatic) but together they elongate and thicken.

I’m somewhat of a lip balm addict (I have tubes stashed everywhere) so it’s no surprise that I love Mary Kay’s Intuitive pH Balm ($21) and part of the proceeds to go charity. When you swipe on the creamy color (berry and translucent), the reactive ingredients adjust to the color of your lips creating a unique hue. On me the clear balm became a natural pink and the berry deepens into a sheer juicy blackberry. The hydrating formula keeps lips soft, smooth and healthy with a pop of plumping radiance.

Don’t forget to pamper your skin after spending time outdoors (your makeup won’t look as good if you don’t). I recommend the Microdermabrasion Plus Set ($60) which comes with an advanced exfoliator to remove dead cells and a Pore Minimizing Serum to smooth skin texture and reduce redness.

For more information visit marykay.ca or contact an independent consultant.

Mary Kay TimeWise Matte 3D Foundation Review

2019 is shaping up to be a good year for foundation. I’ve found a few formulas that work wonders for my complexion and today I’m sharing another fantastic product from Mary Kay.

I love when brands mix skincare into their pigment because on workdays I tend to wear makeup for at least 8 hours and up to 20 hours while traveling overseas. Due to my busy schedule, I am always looking for products that don't clog pores, look oily or cause breakouts, and Mary Kay’s new Matte Foundation checks all the boxes.

The Age Minimize 3D Complex ($28.00) is available in 28 shades that contain encapsulated resveratrol, vitamin B3, age defying peptides and antioxidants that strengthen collagen and elastin, fight free radicals, improve the look of wrinkles, brighten uneven skin tone and protect against environmental damage. The formula is suitable for combination, oily and sensitive skin.

I have not tried any of the previous MK foundations but I am quite impressed by the lightweight, smooth finish. Keep in mind that the appearance of your makeup (flawless or uneven) is directly related to the health of your skin so results may vary.

The color does not crease, flake or settle into fine lines and the liquidy texture blends seamlessly for a natural finish – much better than thick creams.

At first the coverage seemed a bit sparse but I didn't have trouble finding a match (Bronze is my preferred shade). The second time I used a bit more product and concealed everything I wanted to hide. Throughout the day I didn’t need any touch-ups and there was no greasy build-up or oxidization – the color appeared even with no harsh undertones.

If you have very dry skin, the matte effect may not be ideal this season. To change the finish, layer the foundation over a supple moisturizer or try mixing in a drop of facial oil for more dewiness. All I do is pat on a bit of setting powder and it lasts all day. I prefer a shine-free finish because my skin tends to produce sebum as the day wears on.

The anti-humidity and sweat resistant properties are great for long summer days and I’ve even tested it while working out with no major mishaps.

I always use primer to achieve the most flawless finish possible but TimeWise makes my skin look great – no complaints. I can customize the coverage for any occasion and it does not clog pores or cause irritation no matter how long I wear it.

A damp beauty blender seems to works better than a makeup brush but application is quick and consistent. I’m not sure about the 3D effect (didn’t notice any difference) but the small tubes are ideal for travel.

Mary Kay is available online at marykay.ca

Mary Kay Limited-Edition Fall 2017 Color Collection Review & NEW TimeWise Vitamin C Activating Squares

When simple elegance collides with sultry glamour you get Mary Kay’s radiant new fall collection – a scintillating array of smoky grey, deep berry, rich blue and soft mauve. The eye-catching shadows, polish and lipstick, create trendy looks that accentuate your beauty and compliment your autumn wardrobe.

If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you probably know how smitten I am with the pairing of blue and grey. This color combo creates the most seductive, red carpet smoky eye and I like that Mary Kay has included a smoldering navy (bordering on black) to deepen the crease and smudge under the lower lash line for more drama. The cool tones contrast beautifully with the dark hues to create depth, and the ultra-silky texture is easy to enhance and blend. The pigmentation is excellent – you can go as bold as you dare or sheer and sophisticated with no creasing. Using a good primer helps accentuate the color so it really pops and add some false lashes for a night out.

The Rose Nudes Palette features soft pink-mauves and shimmery aubergine hues that apply velvety smooth with excellent color payoff. Again – I love how the deep shades mix with the neutrals to help sculpt and shape the eyes. These pigments look lovely on all skin tones and when matched with a lush berry lipstick, the effect is mesmerizing! The limited-edition shadow palettes retail for $27.00 with magnetic backing.

There are only 2 lipsticks in the fall collection but they were chosen wisely. With the vividness and intensity of the smoky palette, I use the neutral lipstick (Rose Blush) which has a pink undertone that compliments a wide variety of skin tones. The creamy texture applies full-coverage and balances the deep shadows so they don’t appear too harsh. The softer shadows go well with the wine lipstick - (Mulberry Muse). It applies sheer but still quite bold and hydrating to keeps lips supple and chap-fee. The lipsticks retail for $19.00 each.

The lacquer is available in 3 shades: Violet Silk (my personal fave), Rose Blush (which matches well with the Rose Nudes Shadow Palette) and Pink Escape with a pearly white base. The creamy texture and shiny finish looks very rich and professional but I was hoping for a splash of deep red or burgundy – something a little fiery for fall. The polish retails for $10.00 each.

Mary Kay has also launched some new skincare including the first ever Vitamin C Activating Squares. I’ve been incorporating this powerful vitamin in my skincare routine for years but if you haven’t heard, the benefits include: anti-aging results, antioxidants, even skin tone, correction of UV damage and discoloration (including blemishes, age spots and hyperpigmentation), hydration and enhanced radiance. Since most Vitamin C loses potency and degrades when exposed to air, light or water - Mary Kay has created a powerful patch that provides a fresh dose whenever you need it.

To use - simply place the square in the palm of your hand, cover with 3-4 drops of water, mix until dissolved and add your favorite serum to create a supercharged beauty elixir! I blend my square with the Mary Kay Tone Correcting Serum ($48.00) which restores skin’s natural glow for a more flawless complexion. The Vitamin C Squares are perfect for travel and retail for $30.00 per pack.

Mary Kay Cosmetics is available online at marykay.ca and through independent consultants.