Urban Decay Vice Lipstick Vintage Capsule Collection: Review & Swatches

When your favorite lipstick is discontinued it can be very disappointing so to celebrate their twentieth anniversary Urban Decay has resurrected nine shades you thought you’d never see again! The Vice Vintage Capsule Collection has the perfect mix of old school and modern luxury with pops of bold color, interesting finishes and a ton of pizzazz!

The collection includes the coveted shades UD junkies have been pleading for over the years and the flashy line-up takes you back to the 90’s when funky shades were totally fashionable. These bold beauties come in cream, sheer, metallic and shimmer finishes with an eclectic mix of colors including black, gold, blue, lavender and burgundy.

The Vintage lipsticks are absolutely dazzling but they can be quite intimidating to those who find unusual color a bit daunting. Although I love traditional hues like red and pink, this daring collection pushes boundaries and increases our options with unique possibilities.

Shades from left to right: Plague (sheer bright purple with shimmer), UV-B (sheer vibrant blue with shimmer), Oil Slick (very sheer black), Asphyxia (sheer lavender with blue micro-glitter), Smog (bright full-coverage, metallic gold), Bruise (sheer deep burgundy with shiny finish), Pallor (sheer frosted lavender with grey shift), Frostbite (sheer deep blue with multicolored glitter) and Roach (metallic full-coverage bronze).

There are no mattes in the collection and when it comes to color pay-off, most are sheer with a couple shades building to medium and full-coverage with heavy layering. Overall I expected more opaqueness from the finishes but the vividness makes up for the sheerer saturation and the colors appear less harsh and more wearable.

The gold and bronze hues apply the best with glitzy finishes that remind me of the holiday season. Bruise (the burgundy shade) is very trendy for fall and was most requested among UD fans.

The lipsticks all have a creamy, smooth, lightweight texture that allows for effortless glide and the shimmer/glitter isn’t chunky or discernible. On the lips they all feel quite hydrating and comfortable plus the glistening shine adds an extra touch of radiance!

I’m not in love with the sheer black because the subtle tint did nothing to bring out the richness of the hue and it looks more like a translucent grey with inconsistent coverage. I’m not really sure that black lips will ever be acceptable with the exception of Halloween but when done right it can be very edgy!

The purples and bright blue look intense but are actually quite light, bright and beautiful! Once applied and paired with the right shadows, many of these shades are flattering and easier to pull off than you might think.

The Vintage Lipsticks won’t be around forever so if want to grab a beloved shade or spice-up your collection, act quickly! The lipsticks retail for $21.00 each and are available at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart, sephora.ca and urbandecay.ca.

NEW UD Beauty Junkies Rewards Program! 

When you join the new UD Beauty Junkies Rewards Program every purchase made at urbandecay.ca or freestanding stores earns you points that are redeemable for special rewards! As points accumulate ($20 and $30 rewards) you can use them to buy the products you crave. Membership also includes special access to limited edition items, promotions, gifts and more! For program details click HERE. 

Quo 2016 Holiday Collection: Luxury Lipstick Wardrobe and Cosmetics Pull-Crackers!

It's November! Which means its time to get an early start on your Christmas shopping and this year Quo has a beautiful array of gifts to make gift giving easy. Since the holiday collection is very extensive, I will be showcasing a few sets over the next several weeks to help you choose the perfect items for friends and family.

There is something traditional and exciting about seeing a pull-cracker sticking out of your stocking on Christmas morning and the simple joy of popping it open to reveal the surprise brings out the kid in all of us. The Hidden treasures Cosmetics Crackers come three per box for $18.00 (just $6 per gift!). Each cute little package contains an eye shadow duo and mini lip gloss.

The eye shadow compacts include a light shade paired with a deeper hue and both have sheer, subtle finishes. With a good primer I was able to achieve coverage bordering on medium saturation but the effect can be soft and pretty when applied well. The pigments aren't rich or intense but they are usable for quick looks and the texture is light and smooth. 

The other crackers include deep brown and champagne + brown and cream duos. Without some sort of base or primer for adhesion, the colors are susceptible to transfer or fading and heavier layering may be required. 

The glosses are simple, sheer and neutral which anyone can wear. I would have liked a bit more color for the season but for shine and moisture they work. The great thing about these cute pull-crackers is that you can add a few more goodies to them before gifting and I think there is just enough space for a couple small makeup items and a candy treat!

For the lipstick lovers on your list, the Luxury Lipstick Wardrobe includes 4 matte shades ranging from nude, soft pink, plum and bright red. The packaging is very elegant and the color pay-off varies from sheer, medium and full coverage with the bright red and plum appearing most vivid.

The lightweight, creamy formula enriched with mango butter is smooth and conditioning for supple comfort and no feathering. Although I may not get much wear from the sheer nude, the shades are quite pretty and using a lipstick primer helps minimize transfer. This set retails for $30.00.

The Quo Holiday Collection is available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart

Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics Eye Shadow Palette Review

When it comes to eye shadow many of us enjoy bright bold hues, shimmers, glitters and flashy metallics but every girl needs a set of basics in her collection. When you have the fundamentals you can highlight, blend, sculpt, shape and transition like an artist and the shades in the new Naked Ultimate Basics Palette helps bring everything together for optimum cohesiveness and professional results.  

The palette has a sleek, sturdy gold case with large mirror and double-ended brush plus you get 12 all-new must-have neutrals!

When it comes to shade selection this palettes has a lot of great options ranging from soft tones, mid range hues and deep contour colors with cool and warm undertones. Every shadow has a nice matte finish which is preferable when using these particular shades and they are quite buildable which provides versatility.

Although the top row may have one too many cream shadows for my taste, there is still a well rounded array including: jet black, reddish-brown, burnt orange, grey, taupe, two neutral mid-tone browns and more!

The rich, buttery texture has the perfect hint of creaminess for seamless blending and the pigmentation is highly saturated with the ability to layer full-coverage should you choose to showcase their full potential. I also like that you can achieve a nice fade on the darker shadows for smokey effects and I had no problem with creasing or fading.

If you are looking for a great collection of neutrals to compliment a wide variety of palettes in your collection this one is great quality and very useable. It retails for $68.00 At Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart, sephora.ca and urbandecay.ca.

NEW UD Beauty Junkies Rewards Program! 

When you join the new UD Beauty Junkies Rewards Program every purchase made at urbandecay.ca or freestanding stores earns you points that are redeemable for special rewards! As points accumulate ($20 and $30 rewards) you can use them to buy the products you crave. Membership also includes special access to limited edition items, promotions, gifts and more! For program details click HERE. 

Korres Winter Skincare: Golden Krocus Elixir & Castanea Arcadia Day Cream Review

If you’re thinking this is going to be another routine skincare review raving about  new products that I love then you’re sort-of right. I am going to give these amazing items the attention they deserve but there is nothing ordinary about them. Korres is definitely one of my favorite brands due to the visible improvements in my complexion and the superior level of moisture I get from the creams. They also use some of the best ingredients on the planet and harness their potency effectively for amazing results.

It may be true what they say about good things coming in small packages because the Castanea Arcadia Wrinkle Rewind Day Cream is a dry skin savior! Castanea Arcadia refers to the chestnut tree leaf extract from Greece’s Arcadian Forrest which has never been used in cosmetics until now! This powerful ingredient has amazing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits along with regenerative properties that penetrate deeply to repair wrinkles and enhance elasticity. Along with hyaluronic acid the formula is enriched with a nourishing blend of sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, honeysuckle and other extracts to deeply moisturize and soften for fresh, polished looking skin.

Although the cream is lush and quite rich, it is non-greasy, lightweight and void of petrolatum, mineral oil, silicone and parabens. Upon application my skin feels instantly reinvigorated, replenished, smooth and extremely supple plus the scent is amazing! If you are looking for a fabulous moisturizer for all skin types I highly recommend trying this one. It retails for $65.00.

The first time I tested the Golden Krocus Ageless Saffron Elixir I knew I had to have it! If you’ve ever purchased saffron or used it in a recipe you may be aware that it is the most expensive spice on earth and is even more expensive than gold! The saffron used in this powerful serum blooms once per year in the Greek town of Kozani which is known for the highest quality of saffron in the world! Because the spice is picked fresh, the powerful antioxidants are at their maximum levels and when combined with peptides and amino acids they strengthen skin’s resistance to daily damage. The ultra silky, lightweight elixir is beautifully fragranced and helps fight all signs of aging including wrinkles, lines and sagging. I’ve also noticed that it helps correct imperfections so that my complexion appears even and the subtle infusion of shimmer creates a radiant glow. I usually layer a few drops of elixir under the moisturizer to boost the reparative benefits and create a wonderful night mask. It retails for $130.00.

Korres can be found at Shoppers Drug Mart and beautyboutique.ca

Bon Vital B Spa Body Butter Review: For Fall-Winter Skincare

I know many people love warm summer weather but I prefer the crispness of fall and winter. I look forward to the end of heat-wave season, hair frizzing humidity, and melting makeup and eagerly welcome cool fall days. The good thing about this time of year is warm comfy clothes, holiday cheer and hibernating under fluffy blankets by the fire. The bad involves dry, flaky, irritated skin.

After emerging from a warm shower on a cold night there is nothing better than slathering your body in lush, conditioning body butter and slipping on your coziest pair of pajamas. B Spa by Bon Vital helps prevent dehydrated, rough, peeling skin with a selection of luscious butters that deeply moisturize.

These delicious smelling products are used by massage therapists and luxury spas and now you can get the same professional results of polished, youthful skin right at home!

There are three mesmerizing fragrances to choose from, each selected for its unique aroma therapy benefits and free of parabens, sulfates and phthalates. Enriched with cocoa butter, shea butter and sunflower oil, the creams penetrate deeply to nourish, sooth and revitalize for hours of dryness relief.

Lavender and Rosemary is sweetly perfumed and quite robust with a creamy, yogurt-like aroma. Although the lavender-herb scent is not very apparent, it does remind me of a spa. The stronger perfume notes seem to dissipate with application and fade gradually with wear.

The Pomegranate and Acai Berry Blend is my favorite! The jar is bursting with the scrumptious scent of fresh, juicy fruit and there is no underlying perfume aroma.

Pink Grapefruit has an invigorating citrus scent that smells delicious and awakens the senses!

The formula is thick, rich and smooth yet very lightweight and fast absorbing - everything a good body butter should be. They drench my skin in layers of supple, rejuvenating moisture for soft, resilient, silky skin all day and the lavish texture works wonders on dry hands, feet, knees and elbows that often require a little more attention. Each jar retails for $11.99 available at Shoppers Drug Mart. You can visit the website by clicking HERE.

Urban Decay Full Spectrum Eye Shadow Palette Review

When it comes to vibrant, show-stopping color few do it better than Urban Decay which is why the brand is one of the trendiest on the market! Today it’s time to kick-it-up a notch and get really colorful with the amazing Full Spectrum Palette! This bold, mesmerizing collection features 21 iconic shades (the most in any UD Palette) that will inspire you to create stunning looks and get really creative.

I love the sleek black packaging with flashy jewel emblem and it comes with a large mirror and double-ended brush.

The palette is organized by color family for a rainbow of ombré trios that range from pinks, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, purples and a wildcard row consisting of white and black. If you are looking for an all-inclusive palette for rich, vivid color this is a fabulous collection! You get all the basic primary colors plus a scintillating variation in stunning shimmers, radiant metallics, silky mattes and even a touch of glitter with deep, bright and smokey finishes!

Each shades makes its own bold statement mixed, matched or worn alone and you can always pair them with neutral palettes in your collection to help define, transition and highlight.

The color pay-off is decent but it does vary by shade. Some shadows such as Jones, Seize, Calavera, Sketch, Metamorphosis and Goldmine are quite sheer, sparse and a bit inconsistent so heavy layering may be required to intensify them to their full-potential. Minx, Hatter, Delirious, Blindsided, Platonic and Hundred are all bold and highly saturated. Not all of these shades require a base but I highly recommend the Urban Decay Primer Potion (my all time fave) to enhance application, longevity and vividness. If you like mixing sheer and high-impact pigments then you may like this type of versatility but I prefer pure, intense color throughout.

I managed to swatch most of the palette on my forearm using a primer to enhance the color.

The consistency also varies from smooth and buttery, to silky and textured and there are only 3 matte finishes with very mild shimmer. Overall the shade variation allows me to create many awesome looks so I find it very useable. Full Spectrum retails for $80.00 and is available at Sephora, sephora.ca, Urban Decay freestanding stores, urbandecay.ca and Shoppers Drug Mart.

Caravelle New York 2016 Fall Watch Collection

Tis the season to trade-in floral prints and soft pastels for rich hues, cozy fabric and a little bling! Since we are in the midst of vibrant fall color, Caravelle has released a dazzling array of new accessories to help transition your wardrobe.

The stunning gold watch below with multi-color, handset crystals is my absolute favorite! In fact I think this is one of the most beautiful watches on the market and it definitely gets a lot of attention. Although I've been wearing this glittery beauty all year, autumn calls for something dark and icy.

To compliment my fall wardrobe I chose this gorgeous black watch with dazzling crystals from Caravelle’s new collection. The style and color combination is quite captivating, especially if you love dark colors and diamond embellishment.

This jaw-dropping watch is expertly crafted with the perfect balance of playful elegance and trendy flare. The woven black band is sleek and modern with a shiny finish that accentuates the classic pattern. As we approach the holiday season, the mesmerizing shimmer adds a glamorous touch and it's true what they say - black does go with everything!

Around the large face you will find a ring of small black crystals which create an exquisite frame for the beauty within. Inside there are 60 handset, translucent silver crystals and layers of multidimensional prisms that reflect light and sparkle brilliantly!

If you look closely, you will notice that the overlapping, intricate design of the crystals and prisms resembles shards of diamond to create a unique, multifaceted texture. The shiny silver dials are a bit difficult to see against the busy backdrop but I wear watches to make a fashion statement so this doesn’t bother me.

If you are on the hunt for an extraordinary piece of jewelry for yourself or a loved one, I highly recommend this distinctive collection. This design is also available in pink and deep blue. The black watch retails for $175.00 (product code 45L160) and the gold crystal watch retails for $140.00 (product code 44L184). Visit the website by clicking HERE.

Matrix Biolage R.A.W. Hair Care Review

Many of us strive to live a healthy, active lifestyle. We eat right, invest in skincare, get our beauty sleep and workout, so the products we use should reflect those values. Think of the new Biolage R.A.W collection as a nourishing, healing smoothie for your hair! The products are 95% natural with no sulfates, parabens, silicones or artificial colorants and the formula is 99% biodegradable.

Now you’re probably thinking that anything this natural might not be as effective for cleansing and conditioning but you’d be completely wrong! The shampoo is made of plant-based surfactants, natural thickeners and emollients while the conditioner contains fatty amines, natural oils, clay and waxes which cleanse, soften, shine and rehabilitate damaged strands for salon quality results.

There are 3 collections to choose including: Nourish (for dry, dull hair), Recover (for stressed, sensitized hair) and Uplift (for fine, flat hair). Each range utilizes a special blend of unique ingredients that target specific concerns and rejuvenate your tresses from root to tip!

Today I will be reviewing the Recover line which is great for hair exposed to environmental stress, repeated heat styling and harmful chemicals including dye. Using these nutrient-rich products is like having a hair makeover to undo external damage, dryness, brittleness, breakage, split-ends and roughness. The shampoo is infused with yucca, goji berry (which is a super food) and coconut which creates a delicious, sweet scent reminiscent of a ripe berry cocktail! Although it is void of all harsh soaps and drying sulfates, the formula lathers into a light foam that cleanses very well and removes build-up, excess oil and follicle blocking gunk that may cause dandruff and flaking. After 2 shampoos my hair and scalp feel fresh, revitalized and squeaky clean and the amazing aroma envelops you in a bubble of fruity bliss!  

The conditioner looks like a scrumptious strawberry smoothie and smells like fresh herbs and yummy ginger which I assume is really the coriander oil. Don’t let the spice infusion scare you off, the aroma is very light, healthy and fresh with a nice balance of kaolin clay and soybean. The creamy consistency reinforces moisture to restore, soften, smooth, shine, strengthen and thicken. The formula is able to tame my long, thick, natural curls without weighing them down or causing limpness and I can comb it through for even distribution and loads of silky hydration. After conditioning, my hair feels bouncy, manageable and resilient and I experience no scalp or skin irritation.

If you are looking for natural, non-damaging, eco-friendly hair care I highly recommend trying Biolage R.A.W. The shampoo and conditioner retail for $25.00 each at a variety of salons. To find a retailer near you click HERE and visit the website at biolage.matrixcanada.ca.

Shiseido Rouge Rouge Lipstick Review

There is nothing more timeless and classic than a gorgeous red lipstick and if you’ve already found your signature shade you understand how bold, fearless and confident it can make you feel. The color red energizes the spirit, engages the senses and boosts energy which is why it signifies luck and fortune in some cultures. Because red is an important element in all Shiseido’s global product lines, they have recently launched the Rouge Rouge Collection - a beautiful spectrum of red hues in various finishes, undertones and intensities.

There are 16 shades ranging from subtle, vibrant, deep and bright so it's easy to find a color that compliments your complexion, style and mood.

The new formula is rich and luxuriously creamy for superior glide and loads of vivid, high-impact color that accentuates the lip contour. The nourishing, lightweight oils also provide alluring luster and the smooth, comfortable texture adheres well to prevent bleeding, feathering and transfer for hours of wear.

I chose Bloodstone - an intense red-brown with flecks of brilliant gold for gorgeous illumination. This shade is very unique and I can also detect hints of bronze and glistening garnet. The golden tones create a natural highlight on the inner lip for a trendy gradient effect.

Rouge Rum Punch is a red violent that blends beautifully to create a deep plum that is perfect for fall!

The lipsticks retail for $35.00 ea and are available at: Hudson’s Bay, Sears, Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale, London Drugs, Rexall, Nordstrom, sephora.ca and shiseido.ca.

Coach New York Eau De Parfum Review

When I was a teenager just starting to embrace the trend of designer handbags, Coach was one of the first high-end brands that caught my eye. Their simple emblem, clean designs and classic style was appealing and my first $600.00 purse was so well made that I used it for years. This year Coach is celebrating their 75th anniversary with the launch of a timeless new fragrance inspired by the energetic, urban ambiance of New York. The scent evokes the brand's elegance and heritage with a fresh, modern twist on femininity.  

The bottle is simple yet sophisticated, etched with the iconic emblem Coach fans have come to know and love including gold embellishments and black leather tag reminiscent of their famous bags. I like the sleek design but there is no cap which would have been handy for storage.

Although this is my first Coach fragrance the scent is very familiar. It reminds me of the trendy, youthful perfumes I grew up wearing and I think its chic simplicity will appeal to a wide variety of women regardless of age. The pump on my bottle is a bit stiff and instead of distributing a light mist, it comes out quite strong and direct which means a little more vigilance when spraying.

The fragrance opens with juicy raspberry, pink pepper and sparkling pear followed by heart notes of Turkish rose, smooth suede, gardenia and sandalwood which symbolizes the brand’s popular leather accessories. The base notes include: musk and sandalwood which balance the sweeter notes for refinement and depth. The scent is light, mildly sweet, vibrant musky and beautiful!

Coach Eau De Parfum is a fabulous everyday fragrance and as it fades and mingles with my body chemistry it softens and smells even more alluring and sexy. Because you can wear it all day, every day anyone can pull it off and it makes a great gift!

The 90 ml bottle featured here retails for $115.00 and is available at Hudson’s Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sears, Jean Coutu and Murale.