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

Revlon ColourBurst Matte And Laquer Balms

I'm kind of in love with the soft makeup trend!
If the Fall 2014 runways are any indicator, it's not going anywhere for the rest of the year. It's been showing everywhere so far.
This is where Revlon comes in.  Glowing skin and strong brows are the perfect backdrop to a fresh lip!

A year or two ago, Revlon launched the Just Bitten Balm Stain Crayon.  It was such a great product, that it inspired some additions to the line.
Welcome to the world of ColourBurst Matte Balm and Laquer Balm!
Both formulas have a "Triple Butter Complex", which is a combination of shea, mango and coconut butters for a super hydrating and smooth feel on the lip.  The Laquer Balms have a high-shine semi-opaque finish to them.  The Matte Balms have a velvety appearance that is quite opaque.  The Laquer does feel more moisturising than the Matte, as you would expect, but they both do feel quite good on.
Each formula comes in ten shades that co-ordinate with it's counter-part.  Start with the Matte, add the Laquer, and you get a lovely intense colour!
I have been lucky enough to have been given two of each formula in two of the best lip trends of this year.  A set of nude, and a set of orange shades.

The shade on the left is the Matte Balm in Audacious, on the right is the Laquer in Tease.

 

The shade on the left is the Matte Balm in Complex, on the right is the Laquer in Ingenue.

 

Two of the best looks from the Academy Awards on Saturday had lip looks which were similar to two of these balms.  The Matte Balm in Complex was very similar to Olivia Wilde's mod peachy-nude matte lip.  Lupita Nyong'o had a gorgeous shiny coral orange lip, which looks close to the Laquer Balm in Tease.  Both are hot trends right now!

Has anyone tried these balms yet?  Love them as much as I do?

Who had the best Oscar look?

So much pretty!

 

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