Mani Monday: Dermelect Unscripted

dermelect unscripted

Hi guys! Two Mani Monday’s in a row? Look at me go! This week I have Dermelect Unscripted on my nails. I previously posted about this in my August Ipsy Glam Bag. It’s a beautiful violet-pink shade and is infused with peptides to strengthen weak nails. This 5-free formula also claims to stand up to chips and splitting “like armour”. I’m looking forward to seeing how long this lasts!

While the shade is beautiful on it’s own, I really wanted to add a glitter accent to give it a little something extra. For my glitter accent I added in OPI Divine Swine from the 2011 Muppet’s Christmas Collection. That collection is usually my go-to for glitter accents because they really did a fantastic job with them. I loved that collection so much that I actually own every shade from it!

Products Used:

OPI Chip Skip
OPI Nail Envy Original (1 coat)
Dermelect Unscripted (1 coat)
OPI Divine Swine (1 coat on ring fingers only)
Glisten & Glow HK Girl Top Coat (1 coat)

Yes, you read that correctly, ONE COAT of Dermelect Unscripted! Amazing! I was extra impressed since I was in a rush when I did this manicure so the minimal coats greatly helped out my dry time. I’m really impressed so far, so I’ll be sure to update you on the wear-time in next week’s Mani Monday! In addition, the formula of the polish was also a nice consistency so it applied quite smoothly and neatly.

What do you have on your nails today? Let me know in the comments down below!

xoxo,

Robyn

You can also find me here…

YouTube | Bloglovin | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

e.l.f. Smoked to Perfection

e.l.f. Smoked to Perfection

Hi guys! I posted the other day about my September Ipsy Glam Bag and in it, I received the e.l.f. Smoked to Perfection Palette so I thought today I would create a look using it! This also works well since the Canadian Beauty Blogger’s Brand of the Month for September is e.l.f.! For this look, I simply used the directions on the back of the palette to create the look that e.l.f. suggests doing. This palette is designed for beginners so the shadows are sheer and buildable to make it easy to create a look without going overboard. At the end of this post I’ll summarize my thoughts on this palette!

e.l.f. Smoked to Perfection

e.l.f. Smoked to Perfection e.l.f. Smoked to Perfection

Products Used:

Primer: Nivea Post Shave Balm in Sensitive
Foundation: L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation in Classic Ivory
Concealer: Too Faced Born This Way Concealer in Very Fair
Powder: Maybelline Matte + Poreless Translucent Powder
Blush: e.l.f. Blush Palette in Light (bottom left shade)
Bronzer: Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer
Highlight: Too Faced Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder Duo in Rosy Glow (both shades mixed)
Eyes: Urban Decay Primer Potion (original). e.l.f. Smoked to Perfection (see photo below for details). Smashbox Rated-X Mascara (lashes).
Brows: L’Oreal Brow Artist Shaper in Blonde and Essence Make Me Brow in Blondy Brows
Lips: NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned

e.l.f. Smoked to Perfection

1. Apply base shade all over lid 2. Add lid shade to the centre of the lid 3. Blend the crease shade into your crease 4. Apply the liner shade on the lower lash line and smudge out 5. Add highlight shade to inner corner and brow bone

After using this palette, I definitely think it is indeed foolproof. The shadows blend nicely and are sheer enough that you don’t add too much too quickly. They are buildable so you can control the amount of pigment you are using. The highlight shade is a bit chunky, but other than that, the shadows were great to work with. I never comment on longevity as I find my eye shadow all wears the same since I always use the Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion (original) on my lids as a first step.

In summary, if you’re looking at dabbling with creating a smoky eye, or if you’re looking for an inexpensive palette to add to your collection, I highly recommend the e.l.f. Smoked to Perfection palette! It retails for about $8.00 CAD (their website lists it as $6 USD so I did a rough conversion).

Have you tried e.l.f.? What are some of your favourite e.l.f. products? Let me know in the comments down below! And be sure to check out what e.l.f. products the other Canadian Beauty Bloggers are writing about? I’ve got links to their posts below!

xoxo,

Robyn

You can also find me here…

YouTube | Bloglovin | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

[inlinkz_linkup id=659898 mode=1]

 

Ipsy Glam Bag: September

ipsy-september-2016

Hi guys! It’s time to “unbox” my September Ipsy Glam Bag! It’s always exciting to see what they have sent me each month and I always enjoy sharing it on the blog. Usually about once I month I also post Hits and Misses from my previous Ipsy bags, I’m due for one soon so keep an eye out for that! The bag for this month is cute as usual, I always love seeing what the bag design will be each month.

September Ipsy Glam Bag

ipsy-glam-bag-september-2016

tre’Stique | Mini Highlight Stick in Maldives Luminescent

trestique-mini-highlight-stick-maldives-luminescent

At first when I saw this item in my September Ipsy Glam Bag, I was a bit annoyed. I’ve said it many times that I don’t like cream or liquid highlighters. However, it’s a pretty white gold shade which I like and the Ipsy website describes it as the perfect base for a powder highlight. That’s probably the only way I would use it, so I’ll give it a shot! I never pass up wearing TWO highlighters.

trestique-mini-highlight-stick-maldives-luminescent-swatch

Too Faced | Lip Injection Extreme

too-faced-lip-injection-extreme

I’ve never really been one to purchase or use lip plumpers, so this is at least unique to my makeup collection. I’ve never really thought about plumping my lips to be honest, but I’ll give it a try! I heard this one is a bit on the painful side so wish me luck!

Eva NYC | Forget Me Knot Dry Conditioner

eva-nye-forget-me-knot-dry-conditioner

I love using dry shampoos so the idea of a dry conditioner has me intrigued. This spray is said to be lightweight and will leave your hair soft, shiny and frizz-free. I like the soft and frizz-free part, but usually I’m using a dry shampoo to get rid of shine, so we will see how this goes!

Ulta3 | Nail Colour in Sizzling Red

ulta3-nail-colour-sizzling-red

I received a red nail polish in my June Ipsy Glam Bag so to see another one in my September Ipsy Glam Bag is a bit disappointing. Also, I very rarely wear red nail polishes. However, the Ipsy website says it is a one-coater, cruelty-free and long-lasting, so we will see how it performs! I still have to try out the nail polish I received last month, but I’ll do a Mani Monday for this one too at some point!

e.l.f. Clay Eyeshadow Palette in Smoked to Perfection

elf-cosmetics-smoked-to-perfection

Ipsy calls this palette “practically error proof” as it swipes on sheer and is buildable. That makes me feel a bit better about the swatches! It did swatch smoothly so I can see these shadows being blendable, but it does lack some pigment. This seems like a perfect little eye shadow palette for a beginner, especially one who is experimenting with smoky looks. The colours are gorgeous though and it claims to be long-lasting. The shimmery shades were a bit chunky when swatched.

elf-cosmetics-smoked-to-perfection-swatches

Well, that is what I got in my September Ipsy Glam Bag! Do you subscribe to Ipsy? Let me know what you got in your September Ipsy Glam Bag in the comments down below!

xoxo,

Robyn

You can also find me here…

YouTube | Bloglovin | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

 

 

Ipsy Glam Bag: August

Ipsy-Glam-Bag-August-2016

Hi guys! I feel like I just got/wrote about my July Ipsy Glam Bag, but I suppose that is because it was delayed due to the potential Canada Post strike. So, much to my surprise, my August Ipsy Glam Bag arrived today! I don’t want to discourage you from reading this post, but I have to say upfront, this is the most underwhelming Ipsy Glam Bag I’ve received to date. I’ve loved and raved about this one but when I opened it and I just felt “meh” about the contents. Now, that’s not to say that I don’t like anything in it or want to try them, there just wasn’t anything super exciting in it. The actual bag itself is really cool though, it was designed by Michelle Phan who is the founder of Ipsy.

Ipsy-Glam-Bag-August-2016-1

Dermelect | “ME” Peptide Infused Nail Lacquer in the shade Unscripted

Dermelect-Nail-Lacquer-Unscripted

I’m starting with this item as it intrigues me the most. This is a 5-free nail polish that infused with peptides to strengthen weak nails. It also claims to stand up to chips and splitting “like armour”. It’s a violet-pink shade which I quite like and off the top of my head, I’m not sure that I own anything similar! I’ll need to feature this in an upcoming Mani Monday so that we can chat about the formula and how it applies.

Sally’s Box | Secret Garden Ampoule Masks

Sally's-Box-Ampoule-Mask-Set

These sheet masks are an interesting concept. They come with a serum to use first so that you get a “double shot” of hydration. I got two masks, there is an olive oil mask to nourish skin and in turn lessen the appearance of fine lines. The second is a camellia oil mask to provide a radiant glow. They also claim that their microfibres in the mask deliver serum to your skin quicker and deeper. I don’t usually purchase sheet masks so I appreciate receiving them in an Ipsy bag.

Lord & Berry | 20100 MaxiMatte Crayon Lipstick in the shade Intimacy

Lord&Berry-Intimacy-Swatch

I do love lipsticks, in particular matte ones so this product is a good pick for me. However, the shade, while it is very pretty, just isn’t jumping out at me. I feel like I have other similar shades. I’ll have to try it on the lips to see if that changes my mind. This subtle pink shade is supposed to go with everything and be perfect for summer and fall. I guess my mind just goes to brights for summer and nudey-browns for fall. Anyways, the matte formula is said to be moisturizing and softening so that it does not dry out your lips. As well, it is supposed to be long-lasting as well.

It Haircare | 12-in-One Amazing Serum

It-Haircare-12-in-One-Amazing-Serum

This is a hair serum made with twelve, yes, twelve, exotic oils to de-frizz, hydrate and add shine to your hair. The formula claims to be non-sticky to add a bit of a light hold and body to your hair. Silk Amino Acids are in this product to repair and strengthen over-processed hair. Sunflower seed extract is another ingredient in this product which thickens strands. I don’t really use serums, but my hair is frizzy, so maybe this will end up being a win?

NYX | Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator in Gleam

NYX-Liquid-Illumintator-Gleam-Swatch

I don’t really use liquid illuminators, and this ones shade just doesn’t appeal to me. It’s quite dark, warm and peachy. The other option they were sending out was a light pink which would have suited my skin tone better. I really can’t see myself using this shade so I’ll probably pass this along to a friend who isn’t as fair as I am. Anyways, this is a blendable liquid highlight that can be used in a multitude of ways.

Okay, so that was my Ipsy Glam Bag for the month of August! Hopefully my September bag is a little more exciting! Did you receive an Ipsy Glam Bag this month? Let’s chat about what you got in the comments down below!

xoxo,

Robyn

You can also find me here…

YouTube | Bloglovin | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

 

Ipsy: Hits & Misses, Vol 2

Ipsy-Hits-&-Misses

Hi guys! Not too long ago I wrote a post called Ipsy: Hits & Misses where I went over some of the items I’ve received so far from my Ipsy subscription. Through this post I did a few mini reviews and went over which items worked for me and which didn’t. It seemed quite well-received so I’m back with volume two!

theBalm | Mr. Write (Now) Eyeliner in Jac B. Bronze

The-Balm-Mr-Write-Now-Jac-B-Bronze

This is a beautiful bronzy/gold eyeliner and while I do enjoy it, I don’t wear it all that much. It has great pigmentation and it does wear quite well! I just wish I wore it more, I just never think to wear a bronze eye liner. I do like the way it looks on me though.

Verdict? Hit (but I need to use it more!)

Luxie | 231 Small Tapered Blending Brush

Luxie-231-Small-Tapered-Blending-Brush

This is a great blending brush for eye shadow that I’ve enjoyed using for my crease or for blending a shade into the outer-v. This brush is also a stunning light pink shade and features soft synthetic bristles.

Verdict? Hit! Continue reading

Ipsy Glam Bag: July

Ipsy-Glam-Bag-July-2016

Hi guys! Another Ipsy Glam Bag has arrived and it’s time to go over what I received this month! July’s bag was delayed due to the potential Canada Post Labour Dispute but it did finally arrive last week. This month’s bag’s theme is Hot Summer Nights.

Glam Bag Contents:

Ipsy-Glam-Bag-July-2016-1

Too Faced | HangoverRX Replenishing Face Primer

Too-Faced-HangoverRX-Replenishing-Face-Primer

I love receiving items from a brand that I’m already in love with! Particularly when it is a product that I haven’t tried yet. I’ve heard so much about the HangoverRX primer but haven’t taken the plunge to buy it. This is partially due to the fact that it’s marketed to people with dry skin (I’m oily) and also the fact that I’m in love with using Nivea Post Shave Balm as a primer. I am looking forward to trying this though… it claims your skin will have the appearance of a full night’s rest and I know my skin could use that! I’ll keep you posted on how this works out!

Thrive Cosmetics | Infinity Waterproof Eyeliner

Thrive-Cosmetics-Eyeliner

This is another item that I’m really excited to try! This is an eyeliner that claims to be high-pigmented and have 24-hour staying power. I would never, ever wear an eyeliner for 24 hours but, I am curious to see if it will indeed last a full day… particularly, in my waterline. I was even more excited because I thought the eyeliner would be the same colour as the packaging (which as you know, I’ve been eyeing up a MUFE eyeliner in a similar colour) but alas, it is black. But, I use black eyeliner so, it’s still useful. This product swatched really nicely so I’m optimistic on it’s performance. Continue reading

Ipsy Hits & Misses

Ipsy-Hits-and-Misses.jpg

Hi guys! I thought it would be fun to revisit some of the items I’ve received from Ipsy over the past few months. Generally I give a first impression of everything when I post my “unboxing” but today I’m going to go back and chat about some of the items that I’ve used that were hits and some that were misses for me. I have lots that I could talk about, but I’ve narrowed it down to six for today. There will be more posts like this one, so stay tuned! Most of the items I’m talking about today were in more recent Ipsy Glam Bags but I do have items from my first few which will be in my next post of this series!

Tarte | Lipsurgence Lip Cream in Wonder

Tarte-LipSurgence-Wonder.jpg

This is a beautiful pinky red lip crayon that provides full pigmentation but is also moisturizing. It’s super easy to apply since it is a crayon applicator and it’s great for throwing on before you run out the door. I raved about this in my June Favourites so my verdict on this one should be easy to predict…

Verdict? Hit! Continue reading

Ipsy Glam Bag: June

Ipsy-Glam-Bag-June-2016.jpg

Hi guys! It’s time for another Ipsy Glam Bag! I have really been enjoying subscribing to Ipsy. At first I wasn’t sure about subscription services because I figured, for what I spend on it a year, I could buy something full-sized from Sephora which I would probably use/enjoy more. However, while I still do kind of think that because I don’t always use all my samples up, I think they are great for trying new brands/products! I love waiting to see what kind of items they have sent me and I’ve got a lot of winners so far! You can check out my other Ipsy Glam Bags here!

While my eye is still not completely healed, I decided to film my Ipsy bag anyways because it is feeling significantly better today and is much less red. I keep saying I’m going to “film my next Ipsy Glam Bag” and then something happens which causes me to have to write the post instead, but this time, eye-be-damned, I’m filming! At least my eye is much less sensitive to sunlight today, I think I will actually be able to leave the house in daylight! If you didn’t read my last post, I talked about what happened to my eye and you can find that post here! I haven’t filmed in awhile so I am a bit rusty so it is very short but I’ll get back into the swing of things!

Continue reading

Ipsy Glam Bag: May

Ipsy-Glam-Bag-SmashBox-XRated-Pacifica-Natural-Mineral-Coconut-Eye-Shadow-Trio.jpg

Hi guys! Another one of my Ipsy bags has arrived and once again they have sent me exciting goodies to play with. Hopefully this is my last written Ipsy post for awhile and I can go back to filming soon. I was going to film this weekend but I had two additional dogs and a bunny staying with me for the long weekend.

Let’s dive into what I got this month…

P1020878.jpg

Épicé International | Hydrating Mask

This hydrating mask uses Kaolin Clay to absorb the oils and impurities in your skin without stripping your skin’s moisture. I can’t wait to put this mask on my face and try it out! The size of the sample is nice too because I think I’ll get a few uses out of it to see if it truly makes a difference.

Pacifica | Natural Mineral Coconut Eye Shadow Trio

This eye shadow trio is gluten-free, vegan and cruelty-free. These eyeshadows weren’t as pigmented when I swatched them as I thought they would be, but I’m looking forward to trying them out on my eyes. Continue reading