Highlighter Addicts Rejoice! MAKE UP FOR EVER Has Released The Pro Light Fusion And It is Literally #Goals! Review + Swatches

I've got some exciting news for all the highlighter addicts out there! MAKE UP FOR EVER has taken their cult classic highlighter from the Pro Sculpting Duo and released it on its own own! Like many fans of the Pro Sculpting Duo, I found myself running out of the highlight shade before I finished the contour shade. Now, instead of having to buy a whole new duo, you can buy the highlighter separately!

The new Pro Light Fusion is available in the same two shades from the Pro Sculpting Duo, 01 Golden Pink and 02 Golden.  It comes in a 9 gram, mirrored compact and retails for $48 which is a great price for the amount of product you get, not to mention the quality. Oh, and it's also worth noting that this formula is talc-free!

Before I get into my review, let's just take a moment to admire the beauty that is the Pro Light Fusion. Just look at those ripples of rose gold goodness outdoors in natural sunlight!

Now that I've shown you how beautiful it looks in the compact, it's time to see some swatches. The following were taken indoors, with natural lighting. As you can see, it is indeed undetectable unless you layer it on.

MAKE UP FOR EVER's Pro Light Fusion highlighter in Golden Pink is seriously one of the most gorgeous rose gold highlighters I've ever used. It's got the perfect mix of gold and pink to suit light-to-medium complexions regardless of undertone. As you can see below, it suits my light, warm toned complexion very well.

I usually have a hard time pulling off pink highlighters (they end up looking like blush) but since this is pink and gold it works.

Photo taken indoors with natural lighting

The silky, gel-powder feels incredibly good on the skin and it blends like a dream. You can apply it with a light hand for a subtle radiance or layer it on for that glazed donut look. Even when applied heavy-handed, it still looks good and it doesn't cake up.

Another very important thing to note is that it sits on top of pores and reflects light away from them. There is literally nothing worse than having your highlighter sink into your pores, drawing attention to them..

The only downside to the Pro Light Fusion is that it doesn't wear for that long if it's not set with a setting spray. Without a setting spray, I only got a few hours of wear. If you're the type of person who can't be bothered with touching up your makeup, I highly recommend you seal it with a setting spray. Otherwise your glow will start to fade throughout the day.

Verdict? Buy it! This highlighter is absolutely stunning and is so incredibly versatile. Whether you like to shine bright like a diamond or prefer that lit from within glow, this luminizer will deliver the results you desire. Just remember to set it with a setting spray to make that ethereal glow last!

MAKE UP FOR EVER's Pro Light Fusion is available in two shades, both in store and online at Sephora and retails for $48 CAD.

Have you tried the Pro Light Fusion? What is your current favourite highlighter? I'd love to hear your thoughts below!

*A press sample was sent to me for my consideration. As always, all opinions are my own!

Clarins Palette 4 Couleurs In 03 Brown | Review + Swatches

When it comes to makeup, I typically default to nude eyes and a bold lip. It's a classic look that I'm comfortable with. But one of the biggest joys of makeup is pushing boundaries. I've decided to play up my eyes with deeper colours, the timeless smokey eye and the cut crease looks that are everywhere on Instagram.

Admittedly, I'm not overly comfortable wearing deep, intense eye looks. Instead of diving into discomfort, or giving up entirely, I've decided to gradually work myself up to it. I've been experimenting with Clarins Palette 4 Couleurs in 03 brown and I have to say, it's pushed me closer to my makeup goals!

Available in 3 different shade choices (01 Nude, 02 Rosewood and 03 Brown) the Clarins Palette 4 Couleurs does not disappoint! These versatile palettes come in a variety of finishes (matte, satin and pearl) and can be used dry for a natural look or wet for an intense look. Either way you choose to wear them, they provide intense pigmentation that is very blendable, with minimal fallout. They are dermatologically and opthamololigically tested and offer skin improving ingredients.

As I've recently hit a milestone birthday, I've started to notice subtle changes in my skin, mainly to my eye area. Textural changes. It's not noticeable until I apply eye shadow, mainly shimmery or metallic finishes. Primer or not, it's there. For some reason, these eye shadows don't highlight it (thank god). I'm not sure why, but I'm not complaining!

When applied dry, these eye shadows looked classic and natural. They applied evenly and blended like a dream. To be honest, this palette out performed so many cult classics in the pigment/blending area. I found it incredibly easy to transition shades, from lid to crease to brow bone, my shadow and blending looked almost professional.

It is important to mention that the lightest shade doesn't show up well without primer. As you can see in my swatches, it's practically nonexistent.  When worn on my lids with a primer, it does indeed show up. Without a primer, it just blends into my skin.  I think a lot of that has to do with my skin tone. I feel like it would show up better on someone with darker skin. Just a thought 😉

Applying it wet took a little more finesse. The shades were much deeper and very intense, although still very blendable. I did find it to settle into my crease when wet whereas it didn't when applied dry. 

Once set (I always set my makeup with setting spray) my eyes looked great all day. I did find that when I applied the shadows wet they looked better at the end of the night opposed to when they were applied dry. This is due to the the added intensity you get when you use them wet.

Verdict? This palette is worth it in every way! The shades are beautiful, blendable and truly a delight to wear. I highly recommend Clarins Palette 4 Couleurs for fall!

You can find these palettes at The Hudson's Bay Clarins counter and online at www.clarins.ca for $43

Have you tried any of the Palette 4 Couleurs? Is there an eye shadow palette you're crushing on? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

*I received this palette as a gift. As always, all opinions are my own!

Contouring Made Easy With Lancôme's Teint Idole Ultrawear Foundation Stick | Review + Swatches

Today's post is all about contouring made easy. Although contouring in and of itself is fairly easy, finding the right products and techniques make a world of difference.

To me, contouring is all about accentuating the features you have and playing with light and shadow.  I'm not a fan of harsh contouring and overly noticeable lines. Some of you might be, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, It's just my personal preference for my face. 

My contour routine consists of three steps that I do after I apply my foundation. The first is to apply my contour shade to my forehead just below my hairline, the sides of my nose, hollows of my cheeks and along my jawline. I then apply a matte highlight to the center of my forehead, along the bridge of my nose through to my cupids bow, under my eyes and just below my cheek contour to my jawline. I then blend, blend and blend some more until there are no visible lines. After I'm done blending I apply a shimmery highlighter to the top of my cheeks and the bridge of my nose.

Up until recently I've only ever used powder products to do my contouring. Mainly due to the fact that I have combination skin and most cream products slide off of my face midday. I was recently given the opportunity to try the latest foundation from Lancôme which just so happens to come in stick form. I was sent my preferred contour shade which is 2 shades deeper than my foundation shade and let me tell you, I was beyond excited to step out of my comfort zone!

The Lancôme Teint Idole stick is a cream to powder type foundation. It is available in 20 shades and can be used as a foundation, concealer, contour or highlight. It is said to be transfer proof, long wearing and it also contains an SPF of 21.

As I mentioned earlier, I received my preferred contour shade which is 410 Bisque W. It is just the right amount of warm without being too yellow. Since I have only used it to contour, I can't say for sure how transfer resistant it is.  I did find it to be long wearing, lasting me the whole day into the evening. The finish is matte which I prefer for contouring as well as foundation. Dewy finishes just don't go well with my combo skin..

410 Bisque W heavily swatched in natural, indoor light

Compared to powder contouring, this was way easier to apply and blend. I learned early on that a little goes a long way and the best way not to over do it is to use the edge opposed to dead on.  I used a medium sized oval brush to blend it out (side to side for forehead, upwards on cheeks and downwards on my jawline).  Minimal effort was needed to blend it out which makes this stick perfect for rushed mornings.

As you can see in the picture below, the result is subtle definition. My face looks slightly chiselled without harsh lines and it looks very natural. This is my kind of contour!

You can find Lancôme's Teint Idole Foundation stick at Sephora, The Hudson's Bay and at select Shoppers Drug Marts for around $50 a tube.


*I received this foundation for free as part of Chick Advisor's Product Review Club. As always, all opinions are my own!

MAKE UP FOR EVER's Artist Rouge Line | Reviews + Swatches #MYARTISTROUGE

I'm sure you've noticed that MAKE UP FOR EVER has released some very innovative products this year. From the new Water Blend foundation to the Artist Rouge lipstick line, MAKE UP FOR EVER has had social media buzzing. Today I'm sharing a photo heavy review of 6 of the Artist Rouge lipsticks. Before I get into my review, this is what MAKE UP FOR EVER has to say about the collection.

"MAKE UP FOR EVER's Artist Rouge line is a new, expertly curated lipstick collection offered in 45 show-stopping shades. Packaged in new signature casing, the lipstick is available in two simple, but beautiful finishes - 31 lustrous creams and 14 velvety mattes. Artist Rouge offers highly pigmented colour with spectacular wear, and a non-feathering, non-drying, nourishing feel for endless comfort."

The first thing that caught my eye was the new packaging. The lipstick is encased in a gorgeous black bullet that opens to showcase a silver toned tube stamped MAKE UP FOR EVER. The lipstick has the perfect tear-drop shape to ensure precise lines which makes lining the lips easy. With the bolder shades (C603, C506 and M401) I found that the use of a lipstick brush was the best way to get crisp edges. When you wear a red, berry or blue lip, it needs to be applied as perfectly as possible to look the best!

Both the creams and the mattes apply smoothly and with the exception of C603, one swipe is all it takes to achieve opaque coverage. I found that with C603 I needed to swipe a second time to get full, even coverage. The formula indeed feels creamy and comfortable. I was able to get a few hours of wear with these lipsticks without any feathering or fading. I did find them to transfer a bit, but that is to be expected when eating or drinking.

I took the photos below in the same spot, back to back so that you could get a true feel for the shades. I'm not using any primer on my lips nor did I use a brush.

C603

C506

M401

C502

C211

C105

Out of the six shades I received I'm definitely partial to C506 and C211. I'm really loving the berry tones for fall and C506 is gorgeous. C211 is my current go to nude for day-to-day or when I want to play up my eyes. Honestly, I love them all, although I don't know how often I'll be wearing C603. I'm just not that comfortable with blue lipstick. Yet...

You can find Artist Rouge lipstick in stores and online at Sephora for $27 CAD

Have you tried any of the Artist Rouge lipsticks? How do you feel about blue lipstick? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

*I received this box as a gift, all opinions are my own!

Shiseido's Rouge Rouge Line | Review + Swatches

Can you believe it's October already? I for one am excited for warm days, cool nights and all things pumpkin! As the temperature drops and the leaves change colour, so does our makeup. Eye looks get deeper and lipsticks gets bolder.

One of the biggest trends this fall is a red statement lip which I wrote about here. Anyone who knows me knows that red lips are my thing so obviously I'm beyond excited for this trend! Red lipstick is my neutral lip colour and I've always been a firm believer that everyone can rock a red lip.  Shiseido shares my opinion and has released a gorgeous new line of lipsticks aptly named Rouge Rouge. This collection created by Dick Page (Artistic Director for Shiseido's makeup) boasts an impressive range of red based lipsticks for all skin tones. With 16 shades to choose from, there truly is a red for everyone!

RD504 Rouge Rum Punch

The formula combines optimal pigments (basic red and blending red) and light technologies (vivid, strong and diffused red) that work differently to offer vividness, intense colour and prevent dullness. They're also infused with S Hyaluronic Acid Complex and S Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing  DE EX for rich moisture and smoothness. They also claim to be fade resistant and long wearing.

I have the shade RD504 Rouge Rum Punch* and it is such a perfect red for fall! It has a berry feel to it and it's not too light nor too dark. It has a shiny, almost glossy finish and it indeed feels very hydrating. I've gotten a solid 4 hours out of it before it needed a touch up (no primer or liner). I've worn it when my lips have been dry and it didn't feather as much as I was expecting it too. It's definitely a good idea to exfoliate and moisturize before application though because the shine will accentuate any dry patches on your lips.

The packaging is great too. It's in a very sleek looking bullet that has magnets to keep it closed tightly. Aside from being extremely practical, the click it makes when shut is incredibly satisfying.

There really is a lot to love when it comes to these lipsticks and I plan on picking up a few more. If you would like to try a red but aren't very comfortable this line is a great place to start!

You can find these lipsticks at the Hudson's Bay, Sephora and https://www.shiseido.ca/

Are you a fan of red lipstick? Let me know your thoughts below 💕

*I received this lipstick in a gift bag courtesy of Dave Lackie. As always, my opinions are my own!