MAKE UP FOR EVER's Artist Face Color ~ Review + Swatches

It's no secret that MAKE UP FOR EVER is one of my favourite brands. Not only are their products consistently high quality, they're available in a vast array of shades to suit all skin tones and preferences. So whether you're very fair or deep, a novice or a pro, you can create beautiful looks with their products.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Face Color is a unique collection of pressed face powders available in a whopping 34 shades. The shades are divided into three categories: Highlight, Blush and Sculp. These pressed powders are sold individually in a magnetized pan that can then be put into a magnetic palette.

MAKE UP FOR EVER sells three different empty, magnetic Artist Face Color Palettes (mono, duo or trio) to house them in. If you're an artist or a makeup enthusiast (or hoarder, no shame in that game 😉) you could opt to put them in a larger, magnetic palette.

I was recently sent the 3 pan (trio) palette with the shades H106 , B304 , and S112. First of all, the shadows are packaged really well! They come inside of a plastic holder in a cardboard box. A lot of magnetized shadow pans come in sleeves that end up getting crushed during shipping - I can't see that happening with these. The empty Artist Face Color palette is sturdy and the magnetic bottom is very strong. What I love most about the empty palette, is the tiny indent above where the shadow sits. It allows you to place an instrument in to remove the pan without gouging the shadow - totally genius!

I love shimmery, golden highlighters so I was drawn to H106 the moment I laid eyes on it. And let me tell you, it does not disappoint! This highlighter is creamy and the pigment is intense. I find it easy to blend and layer, so it can be as subtle or bold as I'd like. It also wears beautifully for the whole day which is a major selling factor for me.

When it comes to blush, peach tones are my favourite. B304 is everything I look for in a peach blush. It has the perfect coral hue that adds brightness, dimension and a natural glow to my complexion. This shade applies so beautifully and delicately, although it can certainly be built up. It gets bonus points for doubling as an eyeshadow!

I love to contour, but have a hard time finding the right shade. Most contour shades just look off on me (too orange, muddy or dark). S112 adds just the right amount of shadow without looking harsh or fake. If you fall into the fair to light skin tone category, this will likely be the contour shade for you. For reference, I'm naturally quite light - I wear Y225 in UItra HD (review on that can be found here). I really appreciate that this shade applies true to what you see in the pan and not muddy or orange.

There's a lot to love about Artist Face Color. From the large pan size to the quality of the powders, MAKE UP FOR EVER really nailed it with this range 🙌

MAKE UP FOR EVER's Artist Face Color is available exclusively at Sephora. When you purchase 2 or more shades + an empty palette, you receive a discount. If you buy 2 shades and a duo palette, you receive a $16 CAD discount. If you purchase 3 shades + a trio palette, you receive a $33 CAD discount. I highly recommend taking advantage of this discount, as it significantly lowers the overall price.

Have you tried Artist Face Color yet? What shades call out to you? Let's chat in the comment section below 👇

*Press samples were generously provided for editorial consideration, but all opinions are my own!

Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask

Disclaimer: I received this product free for review, but all opinions are my own!

Neutrogena has recently released a brand new, chemical-free acne treatment mask. It's mess free, easy to use and gentle on the skin.

The Light Therapy Acne Mask uses LED lights to treat and prevent acne while being incredibly gentle on skin. There are 12 Blue LED lights and 9 Red LED lights that work in tandem to reduce acne causing bacteria and to calm inflammation.

Blue LED

Acne causing bacteria (P . acnes) generate molecules called porphyrins that are sensitive to light. When they absorb the wavelength of blue light from the mask they produce free radicals which damage their own cell membranes - literally causing to self-destruct!

Red LED Light

Another element of acne is inflammation. Red light works to reduce inflammation and has been shown in vitro to reduce hyperkeratinization (pore clogging).

Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask is super gentle and easy to use. This mask would be perfect for anyone with sensitive or dry skin because there are no chemical irritants. It's also great for those who want to avoid harsh chemicals in their skincare.

Although the Light Therapy Acne Mask looks heavy, I can assure you it isn't! It weighs less than a pound and it sits comfortably on the face supported by a sunglass style frame. The mask has amber coloured lenses to minimize glare during the treatment.

Each Light Therapy Acne Mask comes with an Activator that gives you 30 ten-minute treatments. It requires 4AA batteries and they are included with the kit. To begin your treatment, you simply plug the mask into the Activator and place it on your face. To start your session, press down on the power button for one second. Once your treatment is over, the mask turns itself off. Pretty simple right!?

I love that the Activator has a counter that lets you know how many treatments remain; what I don't love is how much waste it produces. Neutrogena recommends using this daily which means that you would need to replace the Activator once a month (probably the batteries too). I would rather bypass the Activator altogether or at least have the option to buy an Activator with more sessions on it. Having said that, Neutrogena is partnering with Stericycle to recycle their Activators which makes it slightly better.

As far as results go, I would say that it helps. I don't suffer from serious breakouts so I don't know how well it would work for them. I also use other acne treatments (glycolic + salicylic acid) so it's hard for me to pinpoint exactly what's working the best. My opinion is it's everything combined! 

All in all, I think this is a great new product that's worth looking into.

You can find this and other Neutrogena products in Canada at most mass retailers such as Walmart and Shoppers Drug Mart.

*This post was powered by BrandBacker

Sothys Paris Fall-Winter Makeup Collection ~ Review + Swatches

Sothys Paris is a new-to-me Parisian brand that is exclusively available in spas. I've been testing out their fall makeup collection, and I have to admit, I'm quite impressed! This collection features the essentials (eyeshadow, blush, lipstick and nail polish) and there were a few stand out items for me.

The Smoky Eye Duo ($48.50) is a contour eye pencil set available in two shades - Zinc Grey and Plum. The pencils are pigmented, creamy, blendable and effortless to apply. I applied them without primer and they stayed put the whole day without any creasing. Amazing!

The Velvet Effect Lipstick ($35.95) is a beautiful classic red. The packaging is understated, however, the lipstick is embossed with Sothys which makes it look very chic. It also comes in a cute velvet pouch which adds a nice touch. The lipstick applies smoothly and has opaque coverage with two swipes. It has a velvet feel and a matte finish that stays put on my lips for around 3-4 hours before I need to touch it up (sooner if I eat) and it's non-drying.

The Nail Lacquer ($18.50) is a show-stopping red that matches the Velvet Effect Lipstick perfectly. It's easy to apply and opaque - one coat is doable, but two coats looks best. I found it to dry rather quickly and it has a beautiful high-shine finish. What impressed me most about this nail polish is how durable it is and how long it lasts.

I typically don't get much more than a day out of polish before it starts to chip - my hands go through a lot in a day (kids, dishes, cleaning, etc). With Sothys Nail Lacquer, I was able to go 2 (almost 3) days before it started to wear off. That might not sound like a long time, but for me it is. I highly recommend this nail polish!

Sothys Paris is available in Institute and Spas throughout Canada. To find a location closest to you, call this toll-free number 1-800-361-3004

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

Meet YSL Beauty's Newest Ambassador: Adam Levine

Happy Thanksgiving beauties! Just a little PSA to let you know that, as of today, Adam Levine becomes a beauty ambassador for Yves Saint Laurent's newest masculine fragrance, Y.

I personally feel that Adam Levine is a perfect fit for YSL as his unique and raw image aligns perfectly with the brand.

FOUGERES ARE AMONG THE MOST PREVALENT

FAMILIES IN MASCULINE FRAGRANCE. A TOUCH

GREEN, A TOUCH WOODY AND TOPPED WITH A

SOFT BALSAMIC SWEETNESS, Y OFFERS A BOLD

NEW TAKE ON THE TRADITIONAL FOUGERE.

CREATED BY LEGENDARY PERFUMER DOMINIQUE

Y is available Canada wide at Hudson's Bay, Sephora and Nordstrom both in-store and online

Givenchy's Dahlia Divin Eau de Parfum Nude

Dahlia Divin Eau de Parfum Nude is an extension of the already successful Dahlia Divin franchise. It's described as a floral, fruity musky that caresses your body like a second skin.

Top notes: Orange Blossom Tea, Apricot Pulp

Heart: Sambac Jasmine, Rose, Osmanthas

Base: White Woods, White Musk

“Like a rough diamond, this new fragrance was chiselled from a thousand facets to express
the radiant femininity of the woman wearing it. First, orange blossom tea sweeps you up in its
fresh, crystalline tones and sparkling purity. Then a tinge of fruity sweetness comes in, velvety yet
zesty, from juicy apricot pulp. The ethereal floral heart is exalted by precious petals of sambac
jasmine and rose, enhanced by an osmanthus note of apricotty, almost animal, leather. Base notes
of blond woods radiate while carnal white musks envelop the skin in a soft, silky trail, like the
promise of a last caress.”

 - Creator François Demachy

The Muse: Candice Swanepoel

Dahlia Divin Eau de Parfum Nude is a complex yet light and subtle fragrance. With wear you notice all of it's notes, each one as beautiful as the last. It starts off quite fruity then transitions into a floral before ending up on the musky side. I find that I can get 3 to 4 hours of noticeable wear out of a spritz.

Dahlia Divin Eau de Parfum Nude's lightness evokes a feeling of a second skin by working with your natural chemistry. I love how it's noticeable yet subtle - perfect for environments where heavy scents are frowned upon. This is an incredibly feminine fragrance that won't overpower the senses.

The bottle itself is incredibly stunning and I love how the perfume is tinted a peachy nude to resemble bare skin. The white gold thread on the bottleneck screams haute couture and adds to the overall beauty of the bottle.

I highly recommend giving this gorgeous fragrance a sniff the next time you're at the mall, you wont be disappointed!


Dahlia Divin Eau de Parfum Nude is available at Sephora, Hudson's Bay and Beauty Boutique.

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