Incoming! Dior Rouge Liquid & Double Rouge ~ Review + Swatches

Peter Philips (Creative and Image Director for Dior Makeup) has revamped Dior's Iconic Dior Rouge lipstick in a big huge way and it's everything you've dreamed of and more! Meet Dior Rouge Liquid Lipstain and Dior Double Rouge 😍

"Laced with featherweight pigments that produce intense, vibrant colour that lasts up to 12 hours. Dior's first liquid lipstick is the next generation of liquid lipstick. A combination of wax, moisturizing oils, and setting agents make for a seamless, second-skin finish in one swipe."

Dior Rouge Liquid Lipstain ($43 CAD) is available in 29 shades (3 of which are Sephora exclusives) and three finishes (Rock Matte, Pop Satin and Electric Metal). Each shade boasts high impact colour, staying power and comfort. Optimum pigment dispersion reinforces colour intensity and each finish is formulated as follows:

- Matte effect: 2 to 7% pigments

- Satin effect: 1 to 3% pigments + 4 to 7% iridescence

- Metallic effect: 17 to 20% iridescence

When it comes to luxury packaging, Dior takes the cake. The sleek, navy tube has a vertical window that allows you to quickly view the shade as well as product usage. The wand is comfortable to hold and the doe foot applicator is by far the best I've ever used. There's a bowl shaped reservoir that holds just the right amount of lipstick and the tapered doe foot shape allows for precision lining and filling of the lips.

I have three shades (one from each finish category) and they are all very similar in formulation. They're definitely liquid lipstick, not a lipstain as the name suggests. It's important to note that they don't dry down completely which means that they will transfer. Having said that, they can hold their own when it comes to drinking and light snacking.

375 Spicy Metal is a stunning pink lipstick with a high-shine, metallic finish. It feels light on my lips and wears similar to a satin lipstick. Out of the three finishes I've tried, this one is the most pigmented, opaque and dries down the most (aka less transfer).

427 Delicate Satin is a light, peachy brown lipstick with a beautiful satin finish. It's incredibly comfortable to wear and gives off that 'my lips but better look'. From first application to end of the evening, this lipstick feels (and looks!) great.

424 Hypnotic Matte is a light, beige-brown nude with a pink undertone. It applies evenly, opaque and doesn't crack on my lips. It feels hydrating initially, but after extended wear it starts to feel a bit dry. Having said that, I don't feel the need to bathe in lip balm after wearing it.

Dior's Double Rouge ($43 CAD) is a dual-textured lipstick that has a highly pigmented matte outer ring with a metallic core. The concept is that the matte and metallic lipstick combine upon application to create a subtle ombré effect and an optical illusion of volume. It took up to 16 attempts to find the perfect balance for certain shades and 4 months to adjust the formula and perfect each stick.

Peter Philips created 4 colour families: fun and sophisticated reds, cheerful corals, electric purple pinks, and nudes. It's important to note that Double Rouge will not be available at Sephora.

Double Rouge is enclosed in the traditional Dior bullet packaging which is absolutely gorgeous. I was expecting these lipsticks to have a stark contrast when applied but thankfully they don't - the ombré effect is quite subtle and pretty. If you don't align the matte outer ring with the edges of your lips you won't get the ombré effect. Both of the shades I have feel very luxurious and comfortable on my lips.

429 Coup de Chic has a matte, rosy-nude outer ring with a soft pink mettalic inner core. When applied, the two combine to create a pinkish nude shade with a pearlescent finish. This shade is very light and feminine - I love it!

590 Dressed to Kill has a deep, matte burgundy outer ring with a champagne hued metallic core. When applied, the two combine to create a stunning wine red shade with a satin finish. I did find that when I tried to accentuate the ombré effect my lips looked a bit patchy as you can see in the photo. I had much better results when I forgo trying to ombré and just blended the two shades together.

You can find Dior's Double Rouge at Hudson's Bay, Beauty BOUTIQUE and Nordstrom or online at thebay.com and beautyBOUTIQUE.ca


You can find Dior's Rouge Liquid at Sephora, Hudson's Bay, Beauty BOUTIQUE and Nordstrom. Also available online at thebay.com, beautyBOUTIQUE.ca and sephora.com




*Press samples were generously provided for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own.

St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Face Lotion ~ Review

One of the hardest areas to (self) tan is my face. The majority of products are meant for body only and those that I've used on my face in the past have led to some pretty unreliable results or serious breakouts. Since I've had such luck with St. Tropez body products (review here and here), I thought I should give their facial products a try too!

"For the most iconic, natural, and healthy-looking tan, this lightweight, classic face lotion hydrates without blocking pores for a radiant golden glow. It’s streak-free, easy to apply, quick-drying, and non-sticky. The non-greasy formula creates a soft, smooth finish that’s perfect as a makeup base. Plus, it has no self tan smell, yet features a new mood-boosting fragrance. " /source/

St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Face Lotion (50ml, $39) is formulated without parabens, sulfates or phthalates. It's tinted to ensure an easy application and it doesn't smell like DHA. It can be worn alone or under makeup as a base.

I decided to apply it before bedtime to give it some time to work it's magic. It was very easy to apply thanks to the colour guide and it dried to a satin-matte finish very quickly. When I woke up my face had a radiant glow with a hint of colour. Unfortunately, my face was still at least 3 shades lighter than my body. I decided to apply it again.

The second application gave me a bit more colour but that quickly disappeared in the evening when I washed my face. I applied it a third time, went to bed and woke up to the slightest hint of colour. Not wanting to throw in the towel just yet, I decided to get creative.

Since I was having such great results with St. Tropez's Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse (review here) , I figured why not mix that into the facial lotion? I added one dollop of mousse to the lotion, mixed and applied it to my face. I immediately noticed a difference! My face appeared much darker right after application and when I awoke in the morning, my face appeared much more tan.

The tan on my face doesn't last nearly as long as my body due to daily exfoliation, face masks and oil cleansing. In order to keep my glow, I have to apply St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Face Lotion daily and every few days add in some of the Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse.

In my humble opinion, this facial lotion is better geared towards those who like a subtle tan or those looking to prolong their tan. If you want to look like you've spent a few weeks in the tropics, then it's not for you.



You can find St. Tropez products You can find St Tropez at Shoppers Drug Mart & beautyBOUTIQUE.ca, Murale, London Drugs & londondrugs.com, Hudson's Bay & thebay.com, Uniprix and Nordstrom



*This post features press samples sent to me for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own!

St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse

Summer might be coming to an end, but I'm not ready to say bye to my tan just yet. Even though I've been religiously applying sunscreen, I still managed to get a tan and I plan on keeping it!

St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse (120ml, $54) is a lightweight, easy-to-apply at home tanning mousse that self-adjusts to create a custom tan. It's formulated without parabens, sulfates and phtalates.

"For an iconic, natural, and healthy-looking tan, this newly formulated, lightweight classic mousse tailors to your individual skin tone, for that longest-lasting tan in one application. It’s streak-free, easy to apply, quick-drying, non-sticky with no transfer, and ultra-hydrating. Plus, it has no self tan smell, yet features a new mood-boosting fragrance. " /source/ 

St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse is tinted to ensure even application. Although It doesn't smell like DHA when first applied, it's slightly noticeable a few hours after application.

I found it very easy to apply with a tanning mitt and my results were definitely streak-free.  I found that two full compressions of the pump was enough to cover each area of my body (2 for my calves, 2 per thigh, etc). It dries quickly so I was able to dress almost immediately after application.

You're not supposed to get wet for at least 4-8 hours after application so I applied it before bedtime. I found that one application gave me a light, natural looking tan but I'm all about being extra (and really bronzed!) so I decided to apply it again. 

After rinsing my body with water only, I applied a second coat staying away from problem areas (ankles, knees, wrists and elbows). I left it on the whole day and night. When I woke up I was much darker! My upper body was super dark due to the fact that I already had a natural tan. My legs weren't quite as dark as my upper body, so I went ahead and redid them. Although they don't completely match my upper torso, they're close enough!

I've had my tan on for just over a week and it still looks amazing! To help prolong it, I gently exfoliate every few days and moisturize with St. Tropez Gradual Tan Classic Everyday Body Lotion (review on that here).

Tomorrow I'll be sharing how I tan my face with St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Face Lotion so stay tuned for that!

You can find St. Tropez products You can find St Tropez at Shoppers Drug Mart & beautyBOUTIQUE.ca, Murale, London Drugs & londondrugs.com, Hudson's Bay & thebay.com, Uniprix and Nordstrom



*This post features press samples sent to me for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own!

Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow ~ Comex Copper

Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow, older sister of the crowd favourite Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow, is an insanely beautiful foil-finish eyeshadow that will glam up any eye look.

"Create metal eyes that mesmerize with our Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow, a striking cream-to-powder shadow with a multidimensional metallic finish. Inspired by the runway, our one-of-a-kind formula is packed with rock-and-roll sparkle to achieve a variety of effects, from a light wash of shimmer to an opaque metallic finish. It also comes with a mini Stay All Day® Liquid Eye Primer & handy mixing tray... simply prime, combine and shine!" /source/ 

Each Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow ($42) comes in a kit that includes (almost) everything you need to create beautiful foiled eye looks. In the kit you receive 1 shadow, 2 mixing plates and a mini Stay All Day Liquid Eye Primer. The only thing that's missing is a little spatula to remove the shadow from the pan. I usually use my nail or the end of a brush.

To make the shadow useable, simply add a dab of shadow, drop of primer and mix. The consistency depends on the ratio of shadow to primer you use; I find it ends up more liquid-y. As you mix it, you will notice varying sizes of foiled glitter.

I like to apply it with my finger or an angled eye liner brush. I'm sure a sponge tip applicator would work well too. It glides on easily and dries fairly quickly. Sometimes it will crease but it usually doesn't. It wears well and the fallout is minimal and to be expected - it's heavy on the glitter!

Although the price seems steep, the amount of shadow you use is so minimal, it will last quite a long time. I can foresee myself running out of the primer before the shadow.  I suspect that you could use Inglot's Duraline as a mixing medium if needed.

You can find Stila's Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow in-store at Beauty BOUTIQUE and online at beautyBOUTIQUE.ca

Have you tried Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow? Are you a fan of foiled eyeshadow? Let's chat in the comment section below 👇

*This post features press samples sent to me for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own.

Givenchy's Noir Interdit ~ A truly Innovative Mascara

As beautiful as false lashes are, they just aren't practical for daily use (for me at least). That's where good great mascara comes in.

Givenchy recently released Noir Interdit and It's unlike any mascara I've ever tried.  First of all the packaging - it's sleek, luxurious and totally glam. The tube has some weight to it, but it's still comfortable to hold and use.

One of the first things that I noticed about this mascara was that it smells - really good! I've never used a  mascara that had a discernible scent and I must admit, I love it! Now if that's not enough to pique your interest, meet the wand.

No, it's not broken. The comb swivels 90° to help lift, separate and lengthen eyelashes. Although it looks awkward to use, it's totally not!

Once you remove the wand from the tube you gently push the head of the brush against the tube and voila, you have your curved brush. Starting at the base of your lashes, zig-zag the comb up through your lashes. The unique wand combined with the formula creates a lash extension effect with buildable volume and no clumps. To build volume, rotate the comb to the standard position and comb through as you would with any traditional mascara.

I'm not wearing any eyeliner or eyeshadow (just a touch of concealer) in the before and after photos so that you can see the true effects of Noir Interdit. I took these photos the very first time I used the mascara.

My lashes nearly doubled in length with just one coat and I didn't experience any clumping. The Noir Interdit formula is easy to work with (not thick and not too thin) and it holds a curl for the whole day. If your lashes are straight like mine, I'd recommend using an eyelash curler prior to using this mascara (or any mascara).

In the photo I focused on building length since this mascara is marketed as a lengthening mascara. In subsequent uses I experimented with adding volume and I was able to add quite a bit by rotating the wand and applying a second coat.

I didn't experience any flaking or smudging wearing Noir Interdit and removal was fairly easy. Honestly, I'm impressed by Givenchy's Noir Interdit. If you love luxury beauty and long lashes as much as I do, than this mascara is totally for you!

You can purchase Givenchy's Noir Interdit in-store at Sephora and online at sephora.com for $38

*This post contains press samples

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Liquified Lipstick ~ Review + Swatches

Liquid lipstick is by far my favourite type of lipstick so when I heard that Bite Beauty was releasing a liquified version of their lipstick, I knew I had to have it!

Luckily for me (and my wallet) Influenster was kind enough to send me three complimentary shades to review plus the Line & Define Lip Primer. I received Flambé (red), Éclair (pink) and Demi Glacé (brown).

"The liquid lip gets redefined with this handcrafted, moisture-rich, high-pigment formula. Bite Beauty’s most nourishing lipstick, Amuse Bouche, gets liquified, while offering rich, high-impact color and a creamy, comfortable application that glides on with unprecedented precision. Created by hand in small batches, Amuse Bouche Liquified Lipstick is made with natural monoi butter and coconut oil, which melts at the temperature of your lips to glide on for ultimate wear and a satiny finish. With 12 modern, wearable shades you’ve never seen from Bite Beauty, this collection gives everyday lip color an unexpected twist." /source/

Amuse Bouche Liquified Lipstick is super moisturizing and wears comfortably. The demi-glaze finish is very flattering and lends to the hydrating feel of this lipstick. It's important to note that it's long wearing but not transfer proof; if you eat or drink it will come off.

Éclair and Flambé were the most pigmented and applied the most evenly and opaque for me. I found Demi Glacé a bit tricky to apply and at times appeared patchy. I'm not a huge fan of the shade either as it's just too dark for my taste. As far as wear goes, they last longer than a bullet style lipstick but not as long as a liquid matte. After 3 or 4 hours I need to touch up.   

I also received Bite Beauty's Line & Define Lip Primer in this VoxBox. It looks very similar to their Crème Lip Crayon in size (review here) and it has a hint of mint in it which I love. It feels so hydrating and it smooths my lips out leaving them perfectly primed for lipstick.

You can find these and other products from Bite Beauty exclusively at Sephora and sephora.com

*I received these products complimentary for testing and review purposes but all opinions are my own. If you're not a member of Influenster yet and would like to join, feel free to use my referral link

Saint + Sinner ~ #TheResurrectionIsReal ~ Review

Are you a Saint or Sinner? Perhaps a little bit of both? We all possess a level of duality and Kat Von D really tapped into this with her Saint + Sinner fragrances. Originally released in 2009, these perfumes were quite popular and became highly coveted when production of the perfumes stopped. Kat Von D decided to revamp and bring back these fragrances last month much to the delight of her fans.

Influenster was kind enough to send me complimentary samples of each to try and although I love them both, I'm definitely more of a Sinner 😈

"Meet Sinner—dark, sultry, and empowering, this enticing fragrance sweetens a bouquet of jasmine and orange blossom with notes of vanilla, mandarin, and Mirabelle plum. Spicy cinnamon envelops white florals at the heart of the fragrance, while base notes of vetiver, patchouli, and wood form the deeper, darker nuances. Experience confidence in a bottle; Sinner is the fragrant embodiment of the edgy, unapologetic, and outspoken Kat Von D we know and love." /source/ 

Sinner falls into the warm & spicy fragrance family with key notes of patchouli, wood and cinnamon. This scent is truly powerful. It evokes a deep sense of power and seduction - something I love in a fragrance. Sinner has quickly become a favourite of mine, however, I am a little disappointed by the lasting power of it. I found that it started to fade very quickly, practically disappearing in a few short hours. For the price tag, I expected it to wear for longer than it does.

"Meet Saint—soft, alluring, and dreamy, this gourmand fragrance sweetens a bouquet of jasmine and tiaré flower with notes of mandarin, caramel, and sparkling Mirabelle plum. Vanilla, sandalwood, and creamy musk build to the romance of the perfume, imparting a warmth that reminds Kat of falling in love for the very first time. Saint is a poetic exploration of the lesser-known, softer side of Kat Von D." /source/ 

Saint falls into the floral fragrance family with key notes of vanilla, musk and jasmine. I love the softness and sweetness of this scent. It's truly a feminine fragrance. I like to wear Saint during the day while running errands. I do find that it lasts slightly longer on my skin than Sinner, but not by much. Again, for the price I would expect it to wear longer.

You can also layer Saint + Sinner. I tried this a few times but wasn't really a fan of wearing them together. I feel like Sinner was barely detectable. I definitely prefer wearing them separately.

You can find Kat Von D's Saint + Sinner eau de parfums both in-store and online at sephora.com

Have you tried these fragrances? Are you more of a Saint or are you a Sinner? Lets chat in the comment section below 👇

*I received deluxe samples of these fragrances courtesy of Influenster but all opinions are my own.

**If you're not a member of Influenster yet, I highly recommend you join. Feel free to use my referral link www.influenster.com/r/1074768