Dior Glow Addict Collection ~ Spring 2018

Hello beauties! Although it certainly doesn't feel like it, spring is around the corner! Today I'm sharing my thoughts on some items from Dior's spring makeup collection. Next week, I'll be sharing my first impressions on new Dior skincare (you definitely don't want to miss that 😉)

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a weakness for eyeshadow - especially pretty, embossed shadow. Dior knows how to create beautiful palettes and that's a problem for me. Why? Because I don't end up using it. No I'm not joking, and I know it sounds silly. Fortunately for you (and me too), I was recently gifted the new 5 Couleurs Glow Addict Palette in 887 Thrill to review, so I had to use it. Before I begin my review, let's just admire the beauty of this palette 😍

The Glow Addict Edition: 5 Couleurs - Spring Look 2018 Limited Edition High Fidelity Colors & Effects Eyeshadow Palette ($73) is available in 2 variations, 667 Flirt (greyish pastel) and 887 Thrill (pinky brights). Both are stunning, and feature a Dior embossed centre as well as Gorgeous detailing on the shadows. As always, these palettes include foam applicators and a small brush.

no primer, swatched by finger

887 Thrill is beautiful beyond words! The shades work well together, and you can create day looks as well as night looks with ease. Each shade has a gorgeous shimmer to it that gives off a glowing appearance. You can build and blend them easily, to be as subtle or as dramatic as you like. My only issue is that this palette is limited edition - It should be a part of the regular lineup of 5 Couleurs!

You can't have a Glow Addict Collection without a banging highlighter, so naturally we need to talk about the Diorskin Nude Air Luminizer Powders. Available in two shades, 001 Holo Pink & 002 Holo Gold, these are what (highlighter) dreams are made of!

Diorskin Nude Air Luminizer Powder in 001 Holo Pink ($75) is not for the faint of heart. The name says it all; this highlighter is holographic! It catches the light and bounces it in such a unique and pretty way. It goes on creamy, smooth and intense. You can blend it out, but you can't really make it subtle (especially if you plan on spending any time outdoors). If you like your highlight poppin' then you need this. Just look at how direct sunlight bounces off of it...

If you've never had the pleasure of trying Dior Lip Glow, you need to go out and do that. Like now.

Dior Lip Glow ($41) was born in 2009 and combines the benefit of a slightly coloured ink, with the comfort of a balm. They're the perfect balance of lip care and makeup - plus they're so simple to apply, you don't even need a mirror! This season we see new shades and effects to suit the needs of women (and men!) worldwide. Before I get into the new finishes, let's talk a bit about the formula.

The Colour Reviver technology reacts to the PH level of the lips, to create a customized pink flush. The formula is concentrated in mango butter to provide optimal hydration for up to 24hrs. You can wear it on its own as a tinted balm or under lipstick as a hydrating base. Lip Glow has been the balm of choice for years. Did you know that one is sold every 3 seconds around the world?

Dior Lip Glow sees the addition of 10 new shades, as well as matte and holographic finishes.

"By playing around with the formula in the laboratory we found that we could create a Lip Glow with a  Matte Glow finish. It's a tinted balm with a blurring effect that enhances lips without giving the impression you're wearing makeup" Peter Philips

As a matte lipstick lover, I have to admit that I was (still am) stupid excited for this (matte) Lip Glow. I have the shade 102 Matte Raspberry and it's amazing. It reacts with my PH and turns a deep, almost berry, pink. It feels just as comfortable as the regular Lip Glow and it looks natural - I'm obsessed!

The holographic Lip Glows are phenomenal. Unlike the dewy and matte Lip Glows, these do look like makeup on. And you know what? That's totally fine! They have the most stunning iridescent finish that reflects light to bring about a shimmering radiance. The best part is that they're wearable - the holographic finish isn't over the top which means you could totally wear these to work. 

I can't recommend Dior's Lip Glow enough. If you only pick up one thing from the collection, let it be a Lip Glow - you won't be disappointed!

You can find these products in-store and online at thebay.com , sephora.com , Nordstrom and Dior Counters worldwide.

*Press samples were generously provided for editiorial consideration. As always, all opinions are my own.

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!