FOTD Friday | Smoky Green Eyes with Dior Diorshow 5 Couleurs Designer Eyeshadow Palette in Khaki Design Review & Swatches

I really miss doing makeup looks and definitely need to come up with a better way of doing them with my work schedule. I am not a morning person, but I really should do them for work since I normally have to get semi-dolled up anyway. When it comes to reviewing eyeshadow palettes, I love incorporating them into a whole makeup look mainly because I find it fun and also because I like to show how the shades can be paired off with the right cheek and lip shades. Whenever I wear a “coloured” eyeshadow, it always feels like a big deal. If I’m not wearing neutrals, I feel like the whole world is staring at me. Green shadows like those in Dior’s new Diorshow 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette in Khaki Design* ($69.00 CDN) are sort of neutral for me. Maybe it’s because green is still a shade of “nature’', but I often feel like I need to be wearing the right outfit colours for green to work. Then again, I wore coral in the shots below so what do I know?

MAKEUP LOOK | Charlotte Tilbury Transforms Me Into “The Rebel” #CBBLovesTilbury

She’s here. In Canada. And beauty lovers everywhere are lining up as of today in Holt’s on Bloor Street, Toronto. Charlotte Tilbury has long been one of those coveted UK brands that you watched YTubers like Zoella rave about and hoped that one day you yourself would have just a taste. Well, not only is the brand launching in Toronto today, but will also be coming to Holt’s in Vancouver the week of July 6th! To celebrate, myself and 9 other Canadian Beauty Bloggers are answering Charlotte’s questions of “Who Do I Want to be Today?” by recreating one of her 10 signature looks. I’m actually very tame day to day, but this virtual space is my playground and I almost always wanted to be a bit of a rebel with colour, but still look fairly feminine.

Today, I am “The Rebel”.

MAKEUP LOOK | Lise Watier Summer 2015 Rivages Collection Eyeshadow Palette and Bronzing Powder Review & Swatches

Last month we all squealed at the release of a STUNNING summer collection from Lise Watier and my only regret is waiting so long to share it with you all! The Rivages Collection features nine new products, a few of which I will be using in my makeup look today. My main focus though? That limited edition droolworthy eyeshadow palette and beautiful bronzer all inspired by summer days at the beach, hot sand and a refreshing ocean breeze!

MAKEUP LOOK “Blue Goddess” | Dior Tie Dye Collection 5 Couleur Eyeshadow Palette in Contraste Horizon Review & Swatches

I know it’s very 80s, but I adore blue eyeshadow because I think you really CAN wear it in a pretty way! Reminiscent of the ocean and sandy beaches, the Dior 5 Couleur Eyeshadow Palette in #556 Contraste Horizon* ($62.00 CDN) is one of the prettiest summer palettes to wear thanks to that pop of magical blue. It might not make a lot of sense when you first see the colours in the palette, but when I decided to feature the blue on my lids, the other colours logically fell into place. I feel like all of us would be happier with more blue eyeshadow in the world.
 

MAKEUP LOOK “Neutral and Pink” | Dior Tie Dye Collection 5 Couleur Eyeshadow Palette in Ambre Nuit Review & Swatches

It is finally time to dive right into the heart of the Dior Tie Dye Collection – eyeshadows and blushes and lipsticks, OH MY! It was hard to figure out where to even start, but I love seeing how a look can come together using all the pieces. I was on my way out to see Cirque du Soleil’s Varekai, but the hubby made me promise not to LOOK like a circus performer and seeing as how marriage is all about compromise, I delved into the 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette in #746 Ambre Nuit*($62.00 CDN) with its more neutral shades inspired by hints of bronzed amber and sand.

MAKEUP LOOK | #NYCBeautyPro Honours Andy Warhol and the Pop Art Movement

Leave it up to the NYC Beauty Pro team to push me to my limits as always, but truth be told I love having a challenge every month because there are so many looks and techniques to try in the makeup world that narrowing it down helps incredibly. This month is all about getting inspired by the one and only Andy Warhol who is best known for leading the Pop Art movement. Pop Art is all about contrasting, bold colours and what immediately jumped into my mind was a picture of Marilyn Monroe (here) done in classic Pop Art style. Now, I am missing those incredible blonde locks that make this picture as iconic as it is, but what NYC did provide was a bright lip and a green shadow stick. Let the games begin!

MAKEUP LOOK | Burberry Complete Eye Palette in No.12 “Nude Blush” Review & Swatches

Sigh…Burberry. I feel I almost have to whisper it to capture its reverence. The Burberry colour collection is a fairly new one to me as I am more familiar with this brand for its watches and iconic trenchcoats. Oftentimes with fashion houses that create makeup lines, there is a disconnect between the two, but you won’t find that here with the Burberry Beauty Spring Collection. The Burberry story is evident from the packaging all the way down to the textures and colour palettes. What I love about the Burberry colour collection is how “at home” I feel as every palette and shade is classic and iconic. Eyeshadow palettes have become a new obsession of mine and when I had the opportunity to choose a Complete Eye Palette during the Burberry boutique opening in Richmond Centre in March, I knew I wanted something dramatic, but classic. The No.12 Nude Blush Complete Eye Palette*($64.00 CDN) is a quartet of four richly pigmented shades that have been customized with a luminizing base highlighter, two medium shades for shape and one for lining.   

MAKEUP LOOK | Elizabeth Arden Sunkissed Pearls Cream Eye Shadow Stylo in Bronze Pearl, Freshwater Pearl and Blue Pearl Review & Swatches

I feel like there are a lot of Spring collections that are totally wearable for summer with the Elizabeth Arden Sunkissed Pearls Color Collection being no exception. The collection consists of a Sunkissed Pearls Bronzer and Highlighter ($48.00 CDN), a Lip Gloss Trio ($28.00 CDN) and a trio of Cream Eye Shadow Stylos* ($26.00 CDN/each) inspired by the mysterious colour tones of the sea and a little bit of shimmery iridescence.

I have a thing for eye shadows in stick form as they make my mornings MUCH faster so when I saw this collection, I immediately gravitated to the eye shadows. I mean, I know I must have literally a thousand bronze shadows, but these were just too awesome to walk away from! With jojoba oil and aloe allowing for a comfortable formula, these two ingredients also soothe and soften the eye area for easy application.

MAKEUP | Mary Kay Paradise Calling Collection Whipped Eye Color in Tiki Hut and Seafoam Review with Swatches

The Paradise Calling Collection from Mary Kay feels so much more like a summer collection to me than one for spring with product names like “Tiki Hut” and “Tropical Mandarin”. There were a few things in the collection that really caught my eye, but the Whipped Eye Colors in Tiki Hut* ($18.00 CDN) and Seafoam* caught my attention because I just wanted to touch them because they look just as tempting as fresh snow in their little pots! Promising to be lightweight and easily blendable, these cream shadows can be as sheer or as opaque as you would like.

MAKEUP LOOK | Makeup for Mom with the Wet n Wild Coloricon Comfort Zone Palette & Mega Last Liquid Lip Color

I keep thinking that “Mother’s Day” makeup must mean “makeup for the mature face”, but as I turn 32 this year “Makeup for Mom” could easily be makeup for me…scary thought! There won’t be any babies on Cosmetic Proof anytime soon, but I do have many friends who are young parents. I know that when I think there’s not enough time in a day, adding a child to the mix must cut that time in half so mothers everywhere, I applaud you! For my Mother’s Day inspired look, I went with efficiency with a bit of sex appeal. Yes, I said it.
 

MAKEUP LOOK | Shu Uemura shu:palette 16 Shades of Nude Review & Swatches

Nothing sets our hearts a flutter like a neutrals palette. Am I right? Ever since the eyeshadow palettes from the Brave Beauty collection, I have eagerly awaited more glorious colours and formulations from Shu Uemura so I was NOT expecting the shu:palette 16 Shades of Nude*($105 CDN)! I was expecting even more bright colors to grace my eyelids, but you know what? If any brand should have a neutrals palette, it should be shu! The shu:palette contains 16 nude shades in six different finishes that have been specifically chosen to compliment Asian skin tones and define Asian eyes. The blend of light, medium and dark shades allow for a 3-step gradation technique that brings a natural dimension to the Asian eye. Yes, we Asians do not have the largest of eyes. I am grateful for what little double eyelids I have, but often wish I had more surface area to work with.

MAKEUP LOOK | “Strawberry Chocolate”-Inspired with Guerlain Écrin 1 Couleur Long Lasting Eyeshadow Silky Powder in Pink Pong Review & Swatches

When it comes to playing with makeup, I love going with “wild” colours because they are so much more fun to look at in photos and on camera. Sometimes when I have a neutral colour, I think that I will just bore you all with my “mundane, everyday look”, but the other day I realized that I ALWAYS wear neutrals when I’m working or out for lunch with girls (unless everyone is a beauty blogger, then you can bring out whatever colours you’re “testing” for the week and everyone will understand).

Just released a few days ago, Guerlain Écrin 1 Couleur Long Lasting Eyeshadow Silky Powder ($36.00 CDN) is best described as a “soft and sensorial” powder that glides easily over the eyelid for a beautifully even film of colour. I received a lab sample of the colour Pink Pong* and didn’t think I could make this shade work since metallic finishes never seem to work for me, but I started thinking about dessert, then fruit which led to this…

MAKEUP LOOK | MAC Cosmetics Bao Bao Wan Veluxe Pearl Fusion Shadow Review & Swatches

MAC,  you need to stop with these limited edition releases. There is a reason why I never used to even peruse the MAC counters because of releases like the MAC Toledo Collection, Cinderella and now Bao Bao Wan. Bao Bao Wan is HUGE in Asia which is why this collection jumped out at me right away because I’m Asian hence the colours MUST work for me, right? The Bao Bao Wan collection has some stunning lipsticks and nail lacquers, but today we’re going to feast our eyes on the Veluxe Pearl Fusion Shadow*($52.50 CDN), that is all shimmer baby! I had fun with this one fo sho!

MAKEUP LOOK | Clarins Ombre Matte Cream to Powder Matte Eyeshadow in #01 Nude Beige & #04 Rosewood Review with Swatches

I just realized that I basically did four nail posts in a row. This is why I really should have planned last week out a little more carefully, but I was going on beauty instinct which apparently was all about nails. To get back to our regularly scheduled programming, in addition to the Garden Escape Palette (review) and Lip Comfort Oils (review), Clarins also sent along their Ombre Matte Cream to Powder Eyeshadows in Nude Beige*($24.00 CDN) and Rosewood*. Although I wouldn’t quite characterize these eyeshadows as your typical cream shadows, they do have a unique and highly blendable texture that makes them a great option for a quick and easy neutral eye!

MAKEUP LOOK | Lise Watier Limited Edition Expression Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches

Nothing makes me happier than playing with a fresh new set of eyeshadow shades. Seeing all the shades lined up like a little colour army brings me nothing but utter joy. Every Lise Watier collection has something that I cannot get enough of and when it comes to the Spring 2015 Expression Collection, it is the Expression Eyeshadow Palette*($42 CDN) featuring five bright shades ranging from matte to shimmery to iridescent. This collection is all about being your own inner artist and unleashing that hidden creativity. I don’t consider myself to be an overly creative person thanks to my Grade 8 art teacher never giving me more than a C+, but palettes like this make me forget about that 13 year old girl that believed she could do no better.

       

MAKEUP | SEPHORA Collection Look Color in the Eye Brush Capsule Review

The Sephora house collection used to be something I didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to since there are SO MANY other brands to look at in every Sephora store. It’s incredibly overwhelming and only once I started being in the Sephora environment more did I realize how many incredibly cool gadgets and gizmos the Sephora Collection had. Rose gold has yet to be a passing trend so for the Spring season, Sephora has released a number of new items including the uber cute travel-sized Look Color in the Eye Brush Capsule*($28.00 CDN). This has both spring appropriate candy pastel coloured brush handles and comes with a rose gold-coloured case and ferrules.

MAKEUP LOOK | Clarins Spring 2015 Collection Limited Edition Garden Escape 6 Colour Eye Palette Review & Swatches

When I got the opportunity to preview Clarins’ Spring 2015 Colour Collection last November, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect in terms of colours. When I think of Clarins, I think of wearable colour. My first coloured eyeshadow was a purple one from Clarins and even though it looked just shocking in the pan, it came out safe enough for the office. The new limited edition Garden Escape Palette*($44.00 CDN) is the perfect example of “wearable colour” with six fresh Spring shades ranging from pearly white and pink hues to spring greens and a neutral taupe.  

EYELASH REVIEW | Femme Fatale Designer Lashes in A Girl’s Best Friend and a Mermaid Inspired Makeup Look

Last week I shared my love of false lashes with the “well-worth the price” Femme Fatale lashes in Femme Fatales (review). This time I went a little more wild and decided to push my personal colour envelope by doing a mermaid-inspired makeup look to compliment these bejewelled mink falsies!

MAKEUP REVIEW & LOOK | Karl Lagerfeld for Shu Uemura Shupette Collection Swatches and Eye-Need-Shu Trio “Parisienne Chic” (Blue) Makeup Look

I LOVE CATS. I think it’s because it terms of personality I am like a cat. I come to you when I want attention and I like to be on my own or with one or two other cats errr…people whenever I feel like being social. I feel like I’m just as big of a bitch as most cats and I love that as humans, we let these furry, little companions rule our lives and hearts.

As many of you know, I recently lost a big, white furry companion of my own so the holiday release of the Shu Uemura Shupette Collection by Karl Lagerfeld was bittersweet. I was going to include Yoshi in my photos, but the holidays got away from me as did Yoshi…so this look is dedicated to him. The Shupette collection is named after Karl Lagerfeld’s own cat named Choupette and is COMPLETELY cat-themed. Cat lovers rejoice!

EYELASH REVIEW | Femme Fatale Designer Lashes in Femme Fatales

For those of you that have been following my foray into makeup looks, you will know that I recently started incorporating false lashes into my FOTDs. They are still an incredible challenge for me to use, but I just LOVE how transformative they can be. I feel like when I put lashes on, I go from “zero to hero” which no mascara can do. There are varying levels of quality when it comes to lashes with mink being the creme of the crop (so I’ve heard). I have never used or even touched mink lashes until now!