Review: Fresh Sugar Treasures

*I purchased this product with my own money*

Fresh Sugar Treasures

This gift set contains 6 mini Sugar Lip Treatments (0.08oz each) and 1 mini Sugar Shine Lip Treatment (0.1oz). The Sephora website claims that this set has a value of $90 when in fact the value turns out to be $94. That makes this gift set a steal especially when you consider that you are receiving a variety of shades.

Left to right: Cherry, Rosé, Berry

Left to right: Passion, Honey, Petal

Sugar Shine Lip Treatment

Left to right: Cherry, Rosé, Berry, Passion, Honey, Petal in direct light (top) and with flash (bottom)

Sugar Shine Lip Treatment

Bare Lips

Cherry in direct light (left) and with flash (right)

Rosé in direct light (left) and with flash (right)

Berry in direct light (left) and with flash (right)

Passion in direct light (left) and with flash (right)

Honey in direct light (left) and with flash (right)

Petal in direct light (left) and with flash (right)

Sugar Shine Lip Treatment in direct light (left) and with flash (right)

I decided to purchase this because I ran out of my other mini Rosé and I really wanted to try Petal and Fresh's newest addition, Cherry. After trying them all I think Passion is my favourite. The gloss isn't anything too special, I like using it on the centre of my bottom lip when I wear lipstick. I will say that it isn't sticky which is a big plus but overall it's something you can skip. For a more detailed review check out my review on the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Rosé.

Overall: This is a great option for those who want to try out several shades or are already Fresh fans. If you dislike the feeling of something a bit thick on your lips and the taste/scent of lemon don't get this.

This product can be purchased at Sephora for $58.

Summer Favourites 2013

Since we're already into summer I thought I would do a summer favourites post because I've changed up some things to deal with the humidity. So let's get onto it.

wet n wild blush in Pearlescent Pink
(Left: No flash     Right: Flash)

This is a great blush for summer. It's a lovely pink with a bit of peach and some shimmer.

MAC lustre lipstick in See Sheer
(Left: No flash     Right: Flash)

I just got this lipstick a few weeks ago and I love it! It's a grapefruit/coral pink that is perfect for the summer months.

Ombrelle face stick SPF 60

I've just recently started wearing a separate sunscreen on my face all because I found this product. I dislike normal facial sunscreens because they make my eyes burn and my skin SUPER oily. This will probably end up being a year-round favourite because it does neither of those.

wet n wild Comfort Zone eyeshadow palette

These bronzy and green shades look lovely in the summer and will transition well into fall.

Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray

I use this before I powder my face to keep my makeup on longer in the hot sun.

Garnier BB Cream for Combination to Oily skin in Light/Medium

I use this sparingly (because it's slightly too dark for my skin) and manage to get decent coverage and a matte finish.

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Radiant

My new favourite undereye concealer! I have dark circles and this is a concealer that doesn't crease or look cakey on me while managing to have great coverage.

Boscia Pink Peppermint Blotting Linens

I got this for Christmas and I never really used them much but oily skin + humidity do not go well together. I now use these everyday to keep my makeup looking fresh throughout the day.

Maybelline the Rocket Volum' Express Waterproof formula in Black

Great mascara for length and volume. This is almost a pain to take off at night but it's worth not having to worry about my mascara running during the day.

Those are my summer favourites for 2013. I'm sure you'll be hearing a lot more about these products in months to come :) 

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Review: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Adore

*I purchased this product with my own money*

Adore

Adore is a lovely deep red that applies sheerly. This is one of my favourite everyday lip products for the fall and winter months. I have reviewed another Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in the shade Honey. 

Left: one swipe and multiple swipes     Right: one swipe and  multiple swipes  with balm rubbed off after 10 minutes

Bottom of the packaging

The staining power is quite good as it usually requires makeup remover at the end of the day. As the day goes on the leftover stain can be a bit uneven but I don't usually have a problem with this as I reapply after meals or every few hours. I find these balm stains to be quite moisturizing even during winter. This has a minty scent/taste that wears off after a while. 

Right after application.

Left: 4 hours after application     Right: before application

It is important to have smooth lips before application to avoid an unattractive stain.

Overall: This balm stain has great staying power and is relatively low maintenance. The colour is lovely. I recommend this product and will repurchase when I run out (probably in a few years if it's still available).

This product can be purchased at drugstores and some supermarkets for varying prices (I paid around $8 at Shoppers Drug Mart)

Review: MAC Lustreglass in Pinkarat

*I received this product for free through the Back to MAC program*

Looking a little worse for wear

With flash

This product has a brush applicator which is my favourite type for a lip gloss. This gloss is a lovely pink shade with gold glitter. The glitter can be quite gritty but since this is a lustreglass formula that is understandable.

Left: sunlight     Right: shade

Bottom of tube

Lips.

As with all MAC lipglasses, Pinkarat is very sticky and thick. Because of that, this product wears for several hours. Pinkarat is quite sheer but it looks wonderful layered over a lipstick.

Overall: I would not repurchase this product. It is nice and I do use it but it's not unique enough to pay full price.

This product can be purchased at MAC stores, counters, and online.

Review: Benefit Blush in Dandelion

*I purchased this product with my own money*

Photo from www.benefitcosmetics.com

The packaging is beautiful but it is quite bulky. After having it for a few years I finally decided to depot it.

Dandelion

Left: one swipe and multiple swipes (flash)     Right: one swipe and multiple swipes (no flash)

Dandelion is a lovely pale peachy pink with a hint of gold shimmer. The shimmer is subtle and doesn't settle into pores. It is decently pigmented so I don't have to worry about using a light or heavy hand to apply it.

Left: flash     Right: no flash

This blush lasts me throughout the day without having to reapply or touch it up. When I first got Dandelion it had a faint rose scent only in the package which faded away eventually. While this product isn't on the cheap side, its subtlety and radiance make up for it.

Overall: A great blush that brightens up the complexion and lasts all day. I will be repurchasing this whenever mine runs out (which won't be any time soon).

This product can be purchased at the Benefit Website, Benefit Cosmetics counters, Sephora, and some Shopper Drug Mart locations for $36.

Review: L'Oréal La Couleur Infallible Eyeshadow in Sahara Treasure

*I purchased this product with my own money*

Sahara Treasure

The packaging is a bit finicky, it comes with a black stopper to keep the pigment pressed. However, I do like that I can see the colour without having to open the package.

Left: on bare skin     Right: on top of Urban Decay Primer Potion

This eyeshadow has amazing pigmentation and is very long lasting. These swatches stayed on my arm for at least 12 hours without any significant wear. The UDPP made the eyeshadow last until the next morning. I found that Sahara Treasure applies best with a clean finger. 

Eye half-closed

Eye open!

The only other eyeshadow I'm wearing is Urban Decay's Foxy to hide any veins. What I love most about Sahara Treasure is that I can get away without using a crease colour because it is so dimensional. I usually use this eyeshadow when I'm in a rush since it is easy to work with.

Overall: I recommend this product and I will repurchase it. Everyone needs a nicely pigmented metallic eyeshadow that doesn't look powdery and can be worn alone.

This product can be purchased at drugstores and some supermarkets for varying prices (I paid around $8 at Rexall)

What I'm Wearing: OPI Nail Polish in "Sheer" Your Toys!

*I purchased this product with my own money*

"Sheer" Your Toys! (shade)

Indirect sunlight

Direct sunlight

This shade was released in the Holiday 2008 Collection. I picked it up at Winners a few years ago because it's such a nice lilac-grey colour. "Sheer" Your Toys! isn't sheer at all as I only needed two coats to achieve full opacity. This is one of my favourite nail polishes for the end of winter and beginning of spring.

Review: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Rosé

*I received this product for free as my Sephora birthday gift in 2012*

This is the mini version.

SPF 15

The packaging is unlike that of any lip balm I've ever used. It feels like such a treat every time I take this product out of my bag to use it.

Left: one swipe     Right: several swipes

This balm has amazing staying power because it is a thick consistency. It definitely sits on top of my lips. The pigmentation is quite build-able but I prefer the look of one swipe on my lips. All of the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments have a lemony scent/taste (not reminiscent of cleaning products, I swear) that doesn't really fade. 

Lips.

This balm gives my lips a slight rose tint which looks natural. The colour in this picture looks similar to the Maybelline Baby Lips in Coral Crush but is completely different in person (more pink and less shiny).

Overall: I love this product! It's very expensive so I don't think I'd be able to justify purchasing it even though I don't need a lot of product to achieve the look I want. If you don't like thick lip products or a lemon scent this just isn't for you.

This product can be purchased at Sephora for $26.

Review: Maybelline Baby Lips in Coral Crush

*I purchased this product with my own money*

Limited edition shade for spring

The packaging feels cheap but it closes and turns easily. The colours stand out which I don't like because orange and yellow aren't my favourites.

Left: one swipe     Right: several swipes

The staying power is typical of a lip balm. However, it doesn't feel like the product wears off. Instead it feels like it's absorbed by my lips. I wore Baby Lips a lot this winter because of that. This balm has an orangey scent/taste which doesn't really fade.

Lips

This was the best picture I could get. The balm doesn't come off as overly orange which is nice. This is actually my first coral lip product and I'm glad it is bold. A sheer balm is a great way to introduce yourself to a new colour.

Overall: I really like this product for its colour and moisturizing properties. I will continue to purchase Baby Lips.

This product can be purchased at drugstores and some supermarkets for varying prices (I paid around $4 at Wal-Mart)