Lupus and a Lippy Featuring Maybelline's Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Colour

Happy World Lupus Day!

Every May 10th, all of us lupus survivors around the world, try to spread awareness in the hope of giving lupus a face. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system doesn't differentiate between healthy tissue and sick, so its attacks everything, leaving the  area attacked weaker.  As you know if  you've read my blog before, (and if not, welcome!)  I have had lupus for over a decade, but I didn't get diagnosed until three years ago.  It's tricky to diagnose, since it mimics so many other diseases and there is no single test that confirms it.  There are also many different types of lupus, such as discoid, which affects the skin only.  Rock star, and really hot dude, Seal has discoid lupus.  (No, they aren't tribal scars!)  I have SLE, (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) which affects the whole body.

Let's get to the fun stuff!!!!

The colour for lupus awareness is purple, so I thought I'd blend my love for a bold lip with some awareness fun!

Since my lips are super dry, the matte lip trend is a tough one for me.  Mattes usually look flat and dry on my lips, and are really uncomfortable.  I have, however, found a couple of exceptions to that,  and they're by Maybelline!  I talk about the Creamy Mattes, which I love, here, so I thought I'd try the Colour Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Colours.  I heard some great things, and since I had luck with the lipstick, why not?

 

 

 

The Vivid Mattes are a velvety smooth, marvellously pigmented cream in a sleek rectangular tube, with a really well done doe-foot applicator.  I don't usually worry about a doe-foot, kind of figured that you've seen one you've seen them all, but nope.  Not true. The applicator is slightly elongated and the edge is more defined, which gives a cleaner application.  With softer colours, you can fudge it a bit, but with something this dark, it makes a huge difference!

 

The formula, according to the Maybelline webpage, is "infused with pure-pigments for high impact colour", and does it ever deliver!  The colour payoff is outstanding.  The shade pictured above is "Possessed Plum".  It's a rich blackened plum, which is ideal for spring/summer's dark and edgy        lip trend.  It was all over the Met Gala, and I find it such a breath of fresh air!  I love coral and hot pink, but this thrills me to bits :)  There was a bit of patchiness on application, since it's a darker shade, but after giving it a second swipe, that was taken care of.  I did a quick pass with some lip balm before I started, since I had no idea if my lips would freak out as soon as the lip colour was on, but my lips were happy chappies after application!  I didn't feel dry or cakey at all.  The formula does have a soft floral scent, not unlike the Elixirs, and I felt a touch of tingling, but it was pleasant to wear.  The finish is more of a soft-semi-matte, almost satiny.  I find that a much more appealing finish anyways.  a dry, chalky matte lip is wonderful if you're 18, but it doesn't always translate into the grown-up world.  I'm an awful judge of wear time, nothing lasts long on me. I need to have hydrated, comfortable lips at all times, so if I get a few hours out of something I'm good, and that's what I got from this.  Once the colour starts to wear, it leaves a great berry-tinted stain behind that I just swiped some non-shiny lip balm over.  TaDa!  Gorge new lips!

 

 

 

It's safe to say I'm a fan!  I can't wait to pick up some more of the ten, (yes ten!), shades!

 

Are you guys familiar with Courtney from "La Belle Sirene"?  If not, you need to be!  Courtney is a lifestyle/beauty/fashion blogger with spectacular style.  Her blog is girly, pretty and elegant and the fact that she's ridiculously beautiful doesn't hurt, either!  She is also, like myself, a Lupus Survivor!  (We totally need a better name.  Lupus Lovelies?  Leave it with me...)  She faces her illness with grace and positivity.  We all hope to face each day in that way.  It's not always easy, but it's what we do. 

 

Lupus is frightening!  It's often passed off as hypochondria, or else met with complete panic.  The truth is there are lots of us out there, and we all have differing degrees of disability.  The ten year survival rate for lupus patients has risen from 40 percent in the 90's to 60-80 percent now.  It's not good enough!  To learn more, or find out how to donate for a cure, check out lupusontario.org.

 

Have you tried the Vivid Matte Liquids yet?  Let me know what you think, and if you have any questions about living with lupus, ask away, Kids!!!!!

 

Donna Xoxo

 

 

 



A Face Full of Spring Feat. Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipstick and Bouncy Blush

The sun is shining and we could not be happier!  The temperature has actually above zero, and the days are getting longer. 

Holy Hell did we earn this!

This face feels like spring to me, thanks to the Creamy Matte Lipstick and Dream Bouncy Blush from Maybelline.

Let's discuss the lip first, shall we?  The ColourSensational Creamy Matte Lipstick is a collection of shades that are literally a creamy matte!  The texture is buttery and smooth while the finish is an opaque, velvety matte.  The comfort comes from a blend of three different oils.  It feels incredibly creamy, and the matte finish is really modern.  The colour is rich, and full.  The formula contains mattifying cream and pure pigments. The wear time was great too!  I got about five hours the first time I tried it, which is a lot for me, since I'm Larry the Lipstick eater.  Not something I'm proud of.  Maybelline ColourSensational has been killing it in the lipstick department for the last few years.  Each shade extension has been on trend and each has performed beautifully!  If you haven't read my post on the Vivids Collection, you should!  The shade I'm wearing is "Faint for Fuchsia".  It's a gorgeous vivid pink that is saturated and rich.  The matte finish keeps it from looking overly girly.  This hue can come across as too sweet, but this feels grown-up and currant.  The Creamy Mattes come in eight shades.

On my cheeks is the Dream Bouncy Blush in Fresh Pink.  When they say bouncy, they're not kidding!  In the pan, the blush feels soft and springy!  Like Jello and pudding had a really pretty baby!  The powder-gel formula applies softly and smoothly.  The best way to apply this is either using fingers, or a stippling brush.  It melts into the skin leaving a sheer, healthy glow.  If it's too sheer, keep in mind that it's easily buildable for a deeper flush.  There is a shimmer, but it doesn't come across as too shimmery on the cheek, just leaves a glowy radiance.  The wear time on some people has been a little on the short side, but it is easily re-applied throughout the day.  No pilling!  It can also be layered under a powder blush for some more oomph!  I have personally had no problem with wear, but I haven't left the house for more than a few hours since 2014.  My life is a riot. These blushes come in 10 shades.

I've missed you guys so much for the last few months!  The truth is, it's been a while since I've felt up to writing at all.  My focus hasn't been spectacular, and I just haven't felt pretty.  My skin lost it's mind and my hair started  to fall out, so I ended up  just saying Eff it, and shaving my head!  It was liberating!  I've learned to be so much more comfortable in my own skin.  My skin and eyes became extremely sensitive and dry like the Sahara. Because of that, I was makeup free entirely since November until very recently.  I've had to get used to going out sans makeup.  I miss colour on my face like crazy, but it's freeing to just slather on the sunscreen and go! 

The worst of it seems to be over, however.  A few more months of chemo, some surgery and by end of May, I'll be a whole new woman!  It's really exciting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

What are you most looking forward to wearing this Spring?  Which shades are you excited to try?

Donna Xoxo

Summer Cheeks With Maybelline New York

To me, the perfect summer cheek is dewy and softly sculpted.  Since I don't get too tanned, I always like to have a bit of bronzer and blush to give me a healthy glow.
Usually I reach for a powder bronzer, but with my skin being all wonky lately I found myself in dire need of a cream version.
I happened to be in Shoppers for, razors or something like that, when the Maybelline New York Face Studio Master Glaze Blush and Bronzer Sticks caught my eye.  I had been talking to someone about them and she said they were worth a look, so I grabbed one.
I'm really glad I did!

I fell in love with the Dream Bouncy Blush last year, and let me tell you, these two little beauties make for an outstanding duo!
The Master Glaze is a sheer, buildable cream in stick form.  The texture is comfortable due to the inclusion of shea butter, and the finish is a pretty pearlescence.  The application is easy-peasy too!  Swipe and blend, that's it!
The shade I picked up is called Subtle Bronze.  It's a limited edition shade from the Bleached Neons Collection, but there is a permanent shade in the collection that's close.  I love the way it blends under the cheekbone and around the jawline for a soft contour.  It's also very pretty worn on the cheek alone!
The Dream Bouncy Blushes are the most irresistible pans of colour!  The texture is airy and frothy feeling with a wonderful satiny finish on the skin.  Again, the colour is quite sheer, but it builds well.  The cheek is left with a lovely luminescence for some dimension rather than shimmer particles or glitter.
Candy Coral is a fun, bright orangey coral that wears well on most skin tones.  It's just the most ideal summer shade!  I can't wait to get my paws on a few more going into fall!

Both of these beauties can be applied with fingers, or a sponge, but, I find the best thing to use is a brush.  Either a flat blending brush, or a duo-fibre brush works beautifully.  I'm in love with the brushes from Sonia Kashuk, which I discuss here.  The quality of these brushes are phenomenal, especially for the price!
Earlier this week I had the pleasure of writing a post for Elaine of Toronto Beauty Reviews on my Summer Essentials, and Man Alive, was it hard to narrow it down!  I am absolutely going to add this blush/bronzer combo to the list!
What do summer cheeks mean to you?

Donna Xoxo

Pretty Pastels From Maybelline and L'Oreal

Happy Easter Boys and Girls!
I hope everyone has lots of chocolate, lots of family and lots of happiness this weekend!
I'm hanging out with Annie, eating too many Easter Cream Eggs, and chillin', which works for me!

 

 

Since the day they came out, I was dying to get my hands on Maybelline's Colour Sensation Colour Elixir Liquid Lip Balm.  I was intrigued by the formula, as I am such a lip balm junkie!  Had to see if it was as hydrating as they claim, right?

It kind of is!

 

The Colour Elixir's are a hybrid of lipstick, gloss, and balm.  They contain a trio of concentrates which contribute shine, colour, and an ultra-cushiony feel.  The applicator is a wide doe-foot, and the smooth angora of the applicator brings a lovely luxe component to the product! 

The balm has a vanilla scent, that has a touch of mint to my nose.  It also feels a bit minty on the lip which makes it a little tingly.  The texture is soft and squishy, and I got about two and a half  hours wear from it.  This was while drinking tea and eating a chocolate chip cookie!  (Man, I have the worst willpower!) 

 The colour I have is Captivating Carnation.  It's a pretty warm pink, which is quite sheer.  The darker shades may be more pigmented.  If I'm honest, I don't love the colour on me.  I wish I had picked up the coral, or the caramel.  Next time!

The shade of the L'Oreal Colour Riche Nail Colour, however, is spectacular!

The L'Oreal Nail Colour is a richly pigmented, smooth polish, which wears exceptionally well!  I'm quite rough on my nails, but I got four days wear from this polish before it chipped badly.  The application couldn't have been easier either.  The brush is dense with a nice curve at the edges, and a flatter shape.  It glides nicely over the nail, and since it's not too thick it didn't spread all over my little nail beds!  I did about three coats to get a streak free finish.  That's the nature of a creamy shade, though.  I always need an extra coat when I'm using a shade without shimmer.  Streaks stress me out!

The colour I'm wearing above is from this springs "Trend Setter" collection, and it's called Royalty Reinvented.  What a lovely violety-lavender shade!  It screams spring, and sunshine, and freshness to me!

These colours are the perfect Easter pastels, aren't they?

Have you guys tried Maybelline's Colour Elixirs yet?  What did you think?

 

Donna Xoxo

 

 

 

 



Soft And Pretty Radiant Orchid Eyes! Some Lancome Love

I always find this time of year can be a little awkward as far as makeup goes.  I'm sooooo over winter, but I still have to wear boots and heavy sweaters.  I just cant rock a turquoise eye look and a furry boot at the same time! 
I really want to though!
Instead, I'm going to do something soft and pretty.  Thank you Radiant Orchid!
Along with Pantone's exclamation of this year's colour, came a myriad of purple shades!
Just in time!

 

 

I started with Lancôme's Brightening Palette in Lavender Grace.  I applied the base colour all over, and the shimmery lilac shade on the lid.  For a contour, I used Lancôme's Colour Design Zip Me Up since I wanted something with some warmth to the shade.  I went back to the palette for the liner.  It's a really pretty violet which I applied close to the lash lines just to anchor the whole look.  A little definition, not drama, is what I'm after!

I did a sheer rosey blush, and a soft hilight for a glowy finish to the skin.  I used L'Oreal's new Extraordinaire liquid lipstick in Purple Prelude for a sheer mauve stain on the lips.  I really like the new hybrid formula lip gloss\balms that are hitting the shelves these days!  I'll be talking about this in a post soon.  I have to get a Maybelline Elixir in my arsenal first so I can make a more informed discussion.  (I'm so full of it, I just want one, really!  Whatever gets me through the day!)

 

Just to switch it up a bit, I added some bubblegum pink shadow to the lid, and changed the lip to a sheer petal pink.  The shadow is Lancôme Colour Design in Makeover and the lipstick is Benefit Hydra-Smooth Lip Colour in Air Kiss.  Pretty too, non?



Ladies, if you haven't used Lancôme shadows, you have to do it immediately!  They have such a great formula!  The texture is smooth with an ah-may-zing colour payoff.  The price point is only a bit higher than a MAC shadow, and the texture is worlds apart.  It's really worth it to take a look next time you need a shadow.

What do you guys do to cheer yourselves up when winter feels like it will never end?

And, yes, I'm having my hair coloured this weekend.  The grey is out of control!  It's terrifying how little brown is left under all the red!  Next time you see me, I'll be my fiery redheaded self again.

 

Donna Xoxo



Donna's Top Five! My Go-To Lipsticks for Every Occasion.

Happy National Lipstick Day!

I just found out that July 29th is National Lipstick Day and this makes me soooooo happy!  I love the idea of a whole day devoted to lipstick. 

Not gloss, not balm. Good old fashioned lipstick!

I love the feel of a lipstick. I love the way it looks, the way it glides on the lips. I love the sense of glamour and how it seems like I'm complete once its on!  

Just the act of putting it on feels sexy and Old-Hollywood to me!

Here are my Fave Five lipsticks. (In no particular order)

1- Maybelline Colour Sensational Vivids in Shocking Coral. A pretty pink toned coral That's fun to wear. I did a post on this one not too long ago!  Worth a revisit!

2- Lancôme Colour Design in Desert Bloom. This rosey shade is a great neutral for days when you want a soft lip, but not a nude, especially if you have a good amount of pigment in your lips like I do. 

3- Avon Anew Youth Awakening Lipstick in Bordeaux. A gorgeous creamy burgundy. Gives a great fullness to the look of the lip. 

4- Lancôme Colour Design in Red Stiletto. Everybody needs a great red, and this one more than fits the bill!  It's a blue toned shade that works with most skin tones. Elegant beyond belief!

5- Lancôme Colour Fever in Fuschia Fever. This magenta is an attention getter!  

What are your fave lippies?

Donna Xoxo

Maybelline Vivids Lipstick Collection. Neon Coral Goodness!

 You may have heard, but I looooovvvveee lipstick.
 Lurve it!
The brighter, richer, or deeper the shade, the better!
Maybelline's new Color Sensational Vivids line fits that bill and then some!
They have released eight shades in this collection, which are all over the bright, neon trend. The formula has new pigments which give a brighter colour payoff, and honey nectar has been added for comfort and moisture.
Naturally, I ran out the door and bought one!
Shocking Coral found it's way into my hot little hand.
 It sells for $10.99ish most places.  I lucked out and got mine for $8.00 on sale.
This lippy applied comfortably, and opaquely.  The shade of coral is on the pinker side, but really flattering!  The texture is soft without sacrificing wear-time.  I go through lipstick like nobodies business.  I drink tons of water, and my lips are extremely dry, so not much lasts for more than an hour.  This one was comfortable for about two and a half before I had to reapply anything!  Which was awesome!
It didn't migrate outside the lipline too badly, and I really liked the staining effect it left behind. 
Did I mention that the packaging is ADORABLE!  Really pretty!
I'm planning on buying Shocking Coral a little lippy sister or two ASAP!
Have you guys tried the new Vivids yet?  What do you think?
 I'd love to know!

Donna Xoxo