Tag Archives: beauty review

I’ve had an amazing run with concealer lately, loving the last few new concealers I’ve tried (to the point of getting multiples!). When Urban Decay announced they were releasing All Nighter Waterproof Full-Coverage Concealer, inspired by their cult favourite All Nighter Liquid Foundation, I knew I wanted to try it. I have never tried their All Nighter Foundation, so I don’t necessarily have that to compare it to, but waterproof, 24 hour wear to last through all the troublemaking a night can bring?? Providing matte coverage that lasts all day and night?? Get me a tube of All Nighter Concealer!

UD promises that All Nighter Concealer is ultra-pigmented and blendable, drying to a matte, stay-put finish that not only controls shine but also hides dark circles. It even promises to cover tattoos! The formula features light-diffusing pigments to blur flaws with a soft-focus effect, without settling into fine lines. Urban Decay recommends pairing All Nighter Concealer with their All Nighter Liquid Foundation or Naked Skin Liquid Makeup for high coverage as needed. And to make sure everyone can enjoy All Nighter Concealer, it comes in 14 shades that range from pale to deep.

Urban Decay’s recommended application: there is no need to build up coverage, instead, apply a very small amount of product, after foundation, and tap, tap, tap it into skin with either a finger or a brush.

So, just how did it fare?

First off, can we talk about the tube? What a beautiful (and beautiful-to-photograph!!), intricate metal-effect bottle! (I’m partial to all of UD’s gunmetal packaging, though…) The concealer has an angled paddle wand applicator within its cap, and because of that, travels nicely. That always gets bonus points from me. The wand applicator provides a generous amount of product, which is amazing for large areas. I found that I could dab on a drop of product, then pat it out to cover the area I was working on. All Nighter really is pigmented, so a little goes a long way.

Let’s talk about the finish. The product seems to dry quickly, which made me slightly nervous the first time I used it. I quickly realized though that I was still able to blend All Nighter without issue, and without leaving behind telltale outlines of heavy concealer. It is a matte-finish product, and will dry and set if you don’t work quickly, but not so quick that I had difficulty finishing my coverage. With it being matte, I was also concerned about it settling into my fine lines (let’s face it, I’m not 20, not matter what *I* think! lol). I’ve had challenges with heavy concealers in the past and have mostly stayed away from anything overly drying. I found All Nighter finishes looking dry, but not cakey, and though there was some slight settling, it did not cake deeply into lines or crows feet. (I used it both alone and over foundation, and added a dab of eye cream when I patted it under my eyes. I found the eye cream helps to make the product even more blendable – a nice touch for the delicate eye area!) All Nighter is also excellent as a base for your eyeshadow; my eye makeup did not budge until I washed it off!

Urban Decay recommends choosing your shade by testing the product on skin, letting it dry completely to see the true colour, and going with the lighter shade if you’re in between two colours. Here are the 14 shades:

I will say that the product dries a touch darker than in the bottle, and I personally found some of the gaps between shades a little large. For example, the jump from Fair or even Light Warm to Light-Neutral was at least a couple of shades, while Light-Warm is a steadier climb. With my slightly tan olive skin tone I could go between Light Warm or Med-Light Neutral. What I love to do is use two shades of concealer for different parts of my face; for example, while going maybe half a shade lighter under the eyes, I like a full shade lighter for my eyelid, and true-to-skintone on my face. With two tubes, I can achieve multiple hues for all my coverage needs. All Nighter Concealer blends out so nicely at its edges that you can even skip foundation, and just apply concealer where you need it (as I often do on ‘low-makeup’ days). And the wear was amazing for me. It stayed right where I applied it, did not budge, kept my eyeshadow from creasing or fading, and came off beautifully when it was time to wash my makeup off at night. I used both an oil-to-milk cleanser (seen here) as well as a face wash; both times the makeup came off beautifully.

The one thing I did not test was All Nighter’s waterproof coverage, but I can promise you that based on its wear so far, I’ll be taking it on my next vacation!

Available now wherever Urban Decay is sold, including Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and Urban Decay ($35 Cdn).

What’s your favourite Urban Decay foundation or concealer?

~xo

If you liked this post, please take a moment to ‘like’ this post and/or comment! I love to read what you think.

(Products were provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)

Vita Liberata Trystal Pressed Minerals & a Giveaway!

February 21, 2018

Beauty, Giveaway, Obsessed, Skincare, Vita Liberata

8 Comments

Vita Liberata is the current go-to brand for all things safe tan (read: self-tan). I’ve been obsessing over this brand since discovering their Trystal Minerals Self-Tanning loose powder (which I must restock!), and more recently, their incredible Ten Minute Tan and Body Blur – both reviewed here. Ten Minute Tan launched early last year and really delivers what it promises, a medium-coloured tan in 10 minutes. (Read my review for more!)

Today I wanted to tell you about the Trystal Pressed Minerals Powder, a gorgeous bronzer that you can take with you wherever you go. Described as a super-sheer face colour that applies and settles like skin, this on-the-go matte bronzer can be used to contour the face or as an all-over bronzer. Much like its sister loose powder, when used over a moisturizer or foundation, the organic DHA within the powder activates and will lead to a subtle tan that will last up to five days.

I’ve already shared that I love the loose powder version of Vita Liberata’s Trystal Minerals, and this Pressed Powder does not disappoint. The pressed powder provides a slightly more controlled application than a loose powder, with less opportunity for the powder to fall/waste. With a couple of swipes with a kabuki brush, it easily builds up to provide the desired bronzed look, or, with a stiffer brush, the desired contoured look. I love pressed powders due to the fact that they travel much easier than loose powders, and I love that the quality of this powder is very similar to its loose version. It applies smoothly, without streaking, for a gorgeous golden glow – without sparkle for those of you looking for a matte bronze! And what’s better than a bronzer that, with continued use, will leave you with a hint of a tan? Amazing side-effect if you ask me!

Trystal Pressed Minerals swatched on my arm (left) & blended out slightly (right)

And now for the giveaway!

I’ve partnered with Vita Liberata to bring you the chance to win some of my favourite products from them! One winner will receive: One Ten Minute Tan, one Body Blur, and one Trystal Pressed Powder! Prize value is approximately $150.

How to enter: Leave a comment on this blog post telling me your favourite way to self-tan!
Additional chance to win! Head over to my Instagram page and find the Vita Liberata contest post, and follow the directions there!

Contest rules: Contest open to Canadian residents (sorry international friends. Though if you have a Canadian address, you can enter), 13 years of age or older. Contest ends on March 4, 2018 at 11:59 pm ET. All entries will be verified. Winner will be announced on my Instagram stories on Monday, March 5, 2018 and will have 48 hours to claim their prize!

Vita Liberata luxury at-home tanning solutions are available exclusively at Sephora stores and at sephora.ca. Learn more about Vita Liberata at VitaLiberataCanada.com!

So what’s your favourite way to self-tan?

~xo

(Products were provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)

Diorskin Forever 2017

September 19, 2017

Beauty, Dior, Obsessed

2 Comments

For this season, Dior has composed a new facet for Diorskin Forever foundation and goes even further in long-wear complexion perfection, fulfilling women’s expectations in terms of texture and skin finish, from the most luminous, to extreme matte.

Diorskin_Forever_Collection

According to Peter Philips, Creative and Image Director for Dior Makeup, correction, wear, colour and matteness are the essential foundations of all perfecting makeup.

With the Perfect Makeup Extreme Control Compact, Dior creates an extra-matte complexion that stays vibrant and shine-free from morning to night, even in extreme conditions. Containing Smart Blotting Powders ™, a mesh of incredibly fine mattifying mineral powders, this compact promises to bend seamlessly with the skin, deliver perfect matte correction with lightweight comfort. Available in 12 shades. ($70 Cdn)

Diorskin_Perfect_Makeup_Compacts

My thoughts: Usually preferring compact/pressed powder foundations for on-the-go, I was super-excited to try Dior’s new Forever compact! Having already tested the Diorskin Forever Fluid foundation, I had high expectations when starting to use this compact…

Not at all “foundation-like,” the Forever powder is extremely finely-milled, applying lightly and evenly. In areas where I wanted a little more coverage, I was able to build up the powder; however, in my opinion, it does not build up to a cakey or 100% opacity finish. I found the powder to blend and almost disappear into your skin, providing a soft, blurred finish to the skin. I used this powder over Diorskin Forever Undercover concealer, and it provided the perfect amount of coverage. I did not feel like I was wearing anything throughout the day, and found myself touching up my t-zone only once to return it to a matte finish.

Pros for me:

lightweight compact, easy to travel with
matte, blurry finish to the skin
seamless and great finish even over Forever Fluid foundation or Undercover Concealer
beautiful-feeling soft powder

Cons:

definitely not heavy coverage, if that’s what you’re seeking
lightly-scented, for anyone averse to scent
on the expensive side

See below for swatches.

As a finishing touch that leaves no room for unexpectedly jeopardizing the perfect complexion, Diorskin Forever Undercover Concealer adds indispensable correction. Promising to provide instant camouflage for imperfections, water resistance and 8-hour wear, this highly-concentrated concealer was designed to adapt to all Forever foundations. It can be used after the Fluid or the Cushion, applied locally to imperfections or as a genius contouring concealer to add highlight or sculpt. Available in 10 shades that cover the full range of skin tones. ($42 Cdn)

Diorskin_Forever_Concealer_Compact

My thoughts on this concealer:

I thought that Dior’s FixIt 2-in-1 Prime & Conceal was my favourite concealer from Dior until Diorskin Forever Undercover came along. This concealer is magic! Where do I start… application with the wand is easy to control, even for the smallest of corrections. The product applies in a cream, and blends beautifully based on the amount of coverage you are seeking. When I was looking for heavier correction in an area, I would pat rather than spread the product, or reapply a dot of concealer. This concealer also dries on the quicker side, then sets and does not budge. In addition to concealing and correcting, I used it as a base on my eyelids, and my eyeshadow stayed put for the entire day without a single crease. In my swatches below you can see how nearly invisible the product is when blended out, even when the colour is too light for my skin (see 021 Linen). I have absolutely nothing negative to say about this product – I love it!!

Diorskin_Forever_swatches1

Promising a luminous matte finish for 16 hours, Diorskin Forever Perfect Makeup Everlasting Wear Foundation brings with it flawless correction and comfort for all-day wear. Throughout the day, the complexion remains smooth and the skin is more beautiful. The non-oily emulsion provides SPF 35 coverage to not only correct the skin, but protect it from the harmful elements of UVA/UVB rays. Available in 24 shades. ($64 Cdn)

My thoughts?

I have used quite a few Dior foundations over the years, and have loved both Diorskin Airflash and Dior Capture Totale Serum de Teint. While each of those have their perfecting qualities, Diorskin Forever Fluid Foundation is IT if you’re looking for a matte, but non-drying finish. Applying and blending easily, this foundation is very buildable so I start lightly then add to areas that may need more coverage. Like its concealer sibling, the foundation dries to a beautiful finish, almost not needing the usual dusting of powder because it dries matte. The foundation has lasted all day for me, without feeling gross or cakey as foundations sometimes can… the only thing I will say is that I did touch up my t-zone once or twice with the Forever compact on hot, humid days. Overall, I definitely recommend this foundation and hope you love it as much as me!

Diorskin_Forever_Foundation_Swatch_041

Also available is the Diorskin Forever & Ever Wear Primer ($60 Cdn).

Diorskin Forever is now available at Dior Counters nationwide, including at TheBay.com, Sephora and Holt Renfrew.

What is your favourite Dior foundation and concealer?

~xo

If you liked this post, please take a moment to ‘like’ this post and/or comment! I love to read what you think.

(Products were provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)

Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette Review

August 24, 2017

Beauty, Urban Decay

2 Comments

Urban Decay recently launched their latest (and probably HOTTEST) Naked Palette, Naked Heat, to much fanfare. Naked Heat dropped at the beginning of July, just in time to add some sizzle to your summer!

UD Naked Heat Palette

I wanted to use the palette, play with it and wear it, before writing my review, even though I absolutely adore Urban Decay eyeshadow palettes (I have yet to find one that disappoints). An “auburn-inspired, warm, steamy, sultry set of colors” as per UD, Naked Heat is filled with 12 new shades ranging from warm champagne and taupe, to burnt sienna, brick red and even a blackened copper. There is literally something in here for every – single – skin – tone! And right on trend, too, what with the burst of warm-toned, rusty palettes of late.

UD Naked Heat Palette1

Another thing of beauty with this gorgeous palette is the range of looks you can create. I loved using my Naked Heat palette for a simple swipe of one or two shades for a soft daytime look, to playing with intensity of various smoky eye looks from soft and warm, to a deep, blackened metallic. And don’t let the Heat fool you. I feel like this palette is a perfect transition from the sweltering summer months into fall’s crisp leaf-changing golden and rust hues.

Below I have swatches in both daylight and sunlight:

Naked Heat swatches in shade

Look at these metallics glow in sunlight!

Naked Heat swatches in sunlight

As I’ve come to expect from Urban Decay, the shadows are buttery and creamy, super-finely milled, and rich and densely pigmented. I will warn you that there is a touch of fall-out when using the Urban Decay dual-ended brush provided in the palette; however, I did not find this to be the case with any of my other eyeshadow brushes. A simple tap of the UD brush before application will minimize shadow falling, and a good base (like UD’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion) with help you get serious wear and longevity. The eyeshadows, especially the mid- to deeper shades, are highly buildable, allowing subtle colour for even the shyest eye makeup-wearer among us, to cayenne-pepper intensity for the big Heat lovers.

My favourite tip? I love applying the metallics with a slightly dampened stiff shadow brush for an incredible WOW effect and to seriously amp up the shine!

What’s your favourite way to wear Naked Heat? Did you have a chance to snag this beautiful palette?

The UD Naked Heat Palette ($66 Cdn) is now available at urbandecay.ca, sephora.ca and Beauty Boutique by Shoppers Drug Mart.

Oh, and if you hurry, you may still be able to snag one of three Limited Edition Heat Collection Vice Lipsticks: Fuel (a warm, peachy nude), Heat (a metallic rust), and Scorched (a shimmering copper), as well as two new 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils: Alkaline (a deep burgundy) and Torch (a burnt cayenne) on urbandecay.ca!!

~xo

If you liked this post, please take a moment to ‘like’ this post and/or comment!

(Products were provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)

Dior Glowing Gardens – Spring 2016

February 15, 2016

Beauty, Dior, Dior Vernis, Nailpolish, Obsessed

OPI’s The Venice Collection Pictures & Swatches!

November 14, 2015

Nailpolish, OPI

ESCAPE TO ITALY
WITH THE VENICE COLLECTION BY OPI

THINK: Romantic color inspired by Baroque period decadence

WHAT THEY ARE: New lacquers and gels that pay homage to one of the world’s most beautiful cities. The leading nail professional and color experts at OPI have created a collection this Fall/Winter 2015 that captures the essence of one of Europe’s most romantic ancient capitals. A city of opulent pleasures, lavish artwork, and breathtaking Baroque architecture, for centuries Venice has inspired artists and composers to create works of timeless beauty. The world’s number one salon brand has created its own tribute to the famed “Queen of the Adriatic” with the all new Venice Collection. Featuring 15 new lacquer shades with matching GelColor to evoke the sumptuous elegance and grandiose splendor of the floating city, the OPI Venice Collection brings the alluring spirit of Venice to life anywhere.

OPI Co-Founder & Brand Ambassador Suzi Weiss-Fischmann explains, “Dreaming of Venice calls to mind people- watching in the piazza, sipping champagne in a gondola, or enjoying a gelato in an outdoor café as you stroll and float through this extraordinary city. So we created a collection of romantic reds, decadent blues, striking corals, dreamy pastels, elegant nudes, dramatic darks, and luxurious metallics that celebrate this vision of over-the-top indulgence.” This bold and elegant collection will introduce 12 new shades to the permanent OPI color family, and three limited edition offerings to ignite and renew your passion for color with a touch of Italian seduction.

The Complete Venice Collection Includes:

Venice by OPI Nail Lacquers ($4.75 salon, $9.50 retail) ($5.95 CAN salon, $11.50 CAN retail): Enjoy 15 shades of on-trend color that puts Venice at your fingertips. Available as part of the permanent OPI color offerings in lush melon A Great Opera-tunity, persimmon crème It’s a Piazza Cake, shimmery copper Worth a Pretty Penne, coffee cream Tiramisu for Two, ravishing red Amore at the Grand Canal, red shimmer Gimme a Lido Kiss, opaque crème Be There in a Prosecco, pale gray I Cannoli Wear OPI, icy-sweet Gelato on My Mind, pastel lilac Purple Palazzo Pants, bold eggplant O Suzi Mio, luscious black My Gondola or Yours?. Catch these three LIMITED EDITION shades of bold aquamarine Venice the Party?, glittering gold Baroque…But Still Shopping, and deep navy St. Mark’s the Spot.
Venice by OPI GelColors (salon price $15.99): Enjoy the same 15 Venice Collection lacquer colors in long wearing, durable OPI GelColor: A Great Opera-tunity, It’s a Piazza Cake, Worth a Pretty Penne, Tiramisu for Two, Amore at the Grand Canal, Gimme a Lido Kiss, Be There in a Prosecco, I Cannoli Wear OPI, Gelato on My Mind, Purple Palazzo Pants, O Suzi Mio, My Gondola or Yours?, and the LIMITED EDITION shades of Venice the Party?, Baroque…But Still Shopping, and St. Mark’s the Spot.

I have to say, OPI’s preview boxes of the Venice Collection were adorable, with an Italian theme including a gold masquerade mask, Dean & Deluca tiramisu caramels along with some Ferrero Rochers to tantalize your taste buds.

How cute was this box??

(If you noticed that the two reds on the left look the same, you have a great eye. 🙂 My box is missing Amore at the Grand Canal, instead having two Gimme a Lido Kiss {probably the cutest name ever!}. Now I want just a “lido kiss…”)

Now for a few swatches of some of my very favourites from this collection!

Two immediate standouts for me (as you can see from the above photo of the Venice Collection box where I had displayed the two bottles) were I Cannoli Wear OPI and the sweet Gelato on My Mind. I mean… I LOVE these two shades! Of course I had no choice but to combine them into one of my favourite looks, an easy sponge gradient. Seriously though, how stunning are they together?

Daylight

Artificial light

Another standout, and sure to be a hit for years to come, the pink-leaning nude Tiramisu for Two… truly a colour for divinity:

Direct sunlight

Indirect natural light – Drooling yet??

The beauty of the Venice Collection continues with A Great Opera-tunity, a pale salmon that makes for a darker nude.

To learn more about OPI visit http://www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter and Instagram and become a Facebook fan!

Which of the Venice Collection shades are your favourites?

~xo

If you liked this post, please take a moment to ‘like’ this post and/or comment! I love to read what you think.

(Products were provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)

—The Obsessed

The Obsessions and musings of a product junkie…

Archive

Tag Archives: beauty review

Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet Dior Roller-Pearl

Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Full-Coverage Concealer

Vita Liberata Trystal Pressed Minerals & a Giveaway!

And now for the giveaway!

Diorskin Forever 2017

Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette Review

Dior Glowing Gardens – Spring 2016

OPI’s The Venice Collection Pictures & Swatches!

ESCAPE TO ITALY
WITH THE VENICE COLLECTION BY OPI

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ESCAPE TO ITALY WITH THE VENICE COLLECTION BY OPI

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ESCAPE TO ITALY
WITH THE VENICE COLLECTION BY OPI