Urban Decay Lo-Fi Lip Mousse – Review & Swatches

Nothing makes me happier than pretty new lipstick... except for maybe pizza, shoes and traveling. When I received the new Lo-Fi Lip Mouse from Urban Decay my first thought was – OMG these shades are stunning! If you’re looking for recommendations I can’t help you. There is way too much gorgeousness to choose favorites and each scintillating shade is totally wearable no matter what your skin tone.

I love that the brand decided to package each color individually instead of popping them all in one bulky palette that you’d never want to carry around. Each compact has a mirror and easily slips in your purse without melting or breaking on hot summer days.

They also come with a small applicator that reminds me of the old school eye shadow sponges people used before brushes and blending became popular. It slides out automatically when you open the lid but seems to absorb a lot of pigment before depositing it on the lips. The lush texture is velvety and whipped to perfection but extraction is a bit tricky so you really have to dig in to pick up enough color. The size and shape of the applicator is not the greatest for coverage and blending but the end result is totally worth it!

AMPLIFY

The color payoff is muted, sheer and buildable so it takes a few layers to really enhance the pigmentation. The mousse is not full-coverage but the soft-focus, blurred effect and powdery matte finish looks effortless and sexy. Get creative by applying one shade around the outer edges of the lip contour and a deeper hue in the center for an ombré gradient. 

HALO

BOOM

FREQUENCY

For a just bitten look, tap it on with your finger or apply generously for a vivid stain. Once set, the color holds up for hours so you can make-out, stuff your face or party all night with minimal transfer.

FADE

Unfortunately it’s true what they say - “all good things must come to an end” but the mousse does so gradually (over several hours) and fades evenly so it never looks patchy. The waterproof pigment feels light as air for a “barely there effect” but there isn’t much hydration so remember to exfoliate and moisturize the night before. To revive the color and alleviate dry skin you can always layer on some gloss but my lips remain relatively smooth and chap-free.

NOISE

WAVELENGTH

The formula may not provide much suppleness but it adheres well without slipping, sliding or smudging and there is no need for liner or meticulous precision. You can also pat them on your cheeks to create pretty, long-wear blush that matches your pout.

ECHO

Urban Decay is available at freestanding stores, Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart, and online at urbandecay.ca. Don't forget to sign up for the Beauty Junkies Rewards Program to earn and redeem points.

Clarins Water Lip Stain Review

July 7th was international Kissing Day (yes, that’s really a thing) so to celebrate the occasion I tested the new Clarins Water Lip Stains. These sassy pigments resist up to 300 smooches so you pucker-up and plant one on him without worrying about lip prints, fading or smudging.

The unique formula is 77% water so it feels like a refreshing sorbet with a blend of organic raspberry and calming aloe vera to prevent dehydration. Layer it lightly for a soft flush or amp-up the intensity for a bold finish. Once dry, the matte stain is almost undetectable, creating a bare lip effect that feels comfortable and extremely lightweight. The sheer vividness instantly perks-up a dull complexion and as the pigment fades, it begins to look more natural so lips appear healthy and plump. Clarins also added their anti-pollution complex to protect your pout from external aggressors – great for battling city smog and mid-day traffic.

The small brush applicator wasn’t my favorite at first but once you start blending, the color fuses to the skin like a tattoo, leaving behind a juicy long-wear tint that does not transfer. They also withstand eating, drinking and humidity which is perfect for a night out.

Application Tips

*For best results, avoid using lip balm underneath as anything slippery can affect adhesion.
*Expect some streaks while brushing on the stain and purse your lips to distribute the pigment evenly.
*Allow the color to dry between each coat and layer to achieve the desired saturation.

The mouth-watering flavors smell like ripe berries, delicious candy and popsicle (who wouldn’t love that!?) FYI, they also taste pretty darn good...just saying.

For more moisture, top-up the stains with the Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil ($25.00) and transform the finish into a shiny gloss. These nourishing lippies are my go-to for travel and they help me survive Canadian winters. The rich blend of jojoba, raspberry and hazelnut oils keep lips supple, smooth and chap-free plus they lock-in hydration for hours without stickiness.

The Water Lip Stains retail for $25.00 each at Clarins counters nationwide and online at clarins.ca.

Urban Decay Backtalk Palette – Review & Swatches

Summer is the time to let go of inhibitions, check a few goals off your bucket list and slip into that sexy sun dress you’ve been dying to wear. If you’re looking for a multipurpose palette that can go from formal to fun you should definitely get your hands on Urban Decay’s latest creation.

Backtalk is the kind of palette you will want to take on vacation to create effortless looks and slip in your tote for romantic weekend getaways. It is perfect for daily wear and stunning on all skin tones.

This portable palette has a unique structural design that forms a mini vanity! Pop it open to reveal a row of gorgeous eye shadows alongside 2 must-have blushes and 2 radiant highlighters. Each side is divided by a double-sided removable mirror and when you’re done creating your masterpiece, the whole thing folds-up (pretty neat).

The shadows are luxuriously silky, highly pigmented, buildable, non-creasing and long-lasting. When applied over UD’s Primer Potion, the colors stand-out vividly and blend easily with bold saturation. My favourite shade is Attitude - a dusty rose with a pop of metallic brilliance but there is enough variety to create both neutral effects and dramatic intensity. The only thing I would add is another matte crease shade in deep burgundy or dark brown but I can always turn to my Naked Heat Palette for backup. You also get a nice brow highlight and a couple pretty transition shades to help pull your entire look together.

The Blushes instantly revive dull skin and the rich, velvety texture blends seamlessly! Cheap Shot is a gorgeous pink-mauve that provides a natural flush and Double Take is a soft coral that looks amazing on sunkissed skin. The two highlighters pair well with the blush and the smooth, lightweight shimmer instantly brightens the face for a lustrous bombshell glow.

The Palette retails for $59.00. Urban Decay is available at freestanding stores, Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart, and online at urbandecay.ca. Don`t forget to sign up for the Beauty Junkies Rewards Program to earn and redeem points.

Too Faced Glitter Pop! Peel-Off Eyeliner Review

Spring showers have brought warmer temperatures and the onset of summer! Here in Toronto we only have a few short months to enjoy the season and I plan on taking full advantage. An easy way to glam-up your makeup for an evening out is by adding a touch of brilliant sparkle and the Too Faced Glitter Pop Liners are easy to use, multidimensional and dazzling!

The liners are available in a variety of fun shades with multi-color shimmer that makes your eyes stand out. To apply the glitter, thoroughly coat the brush and apply 3-4 layers in short feathery strokes to create a solid line. 

An easier method is to start with pencil or liquid liner and go over the line with glitter until you've intensified the color.

You can also layer the glitter over eye shadow for a dramatic finish. Once dry, the liner stays put all day until you are ready to peel it off and it removes easily with no scatter or fallout.

My favorite shades are Kitty Glitter (pink with blue and silver) and Lucky Bitch (radiant gold) but you can always mix and match to create your own cool effects.

The Liners retail for $20.00 each and Too Faced is available at Sephora and online at toofaced.com.