New Revlon Lip Butters!

Okay guys, I am unreasonably excited about this.  Revlon has released four new shades of their super-popular Lip Butters and I've managed to get my paws on three of them.  

From left to right: (063) Wild Watermelon, (053) Sorbet, (047) Pink Lemonade

Missing: Juicy Papaya

Wild Watermelon

A bright red-pink

Sorbet

slightly blue-toned fuchsia 

Pink Lemonade

A sheer, creamy light pink

As usual, the Lip Butters are hydrating, glossy, and easy to apply.  All three colours are going to be so gorgeous for spring and summer- if you read my Coral Lips Post you probably know I'm really into bright, fun lip colours lately!

If I come across Juicy Papaya I will definitely pick it up (I just can't help myself) and put up some swatches.

I hope you're all having a great long weekend!

Kendall

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Trend to Try: Coral Lips

Coral lips are without a doubt my favourite trend for spring.  It's not often that a trend is so universally flattering but thanks to the wide range of products available, from pink to red to orange tones, there's a shade of coral that suits just about everyone.

This post is just going to cover drugstore options so if you're a little afraid of rockin' the coral look, you've got some cheaper options to try.  I'm currently coveting a few higher end brands (cough YSL cough) but those will have to wait.

 Back L-R : Maybelline Baby Lips in Coral Crush, Revlon Lipstick in Siren, Revlon Lip Butter in Tutti Fruiti, Maybelline The Vivids Lipstick in Shocking Coral, Revlon Balm Stain in Rendezvous, 

Front L-R: Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain in Flame, L'Oreal Aqua Lip Lacquer in Coral Tattoo

Swatches in the order listed above (top to bottom)

I've been told that there are three colours that look good on everyone: aqua, ivory, and coral.  Trying a coral lip can be a bit intimidating at first, especially if you decide to go heavily towards the pink toned (Eg Maybelline Shocking Coral) or the orange (Revlon Lipstick in Siren) but they are actually surprisingly flattering- and did I  mention one of the biggest trends for spring?

I've talked about all of these lip products in previous posts, particularly my Lipstick Alternatives Post and  Makeup on the Cheap so if you'd like to hear about the specific products, I'd recommend checking those out.  I did mention quite a few lipstick alternatives because I find that when you're trying a bolder trend, sometimes it's nice to have the flexibility of a gloss or a more sheer lipstick.

 Revlon Lipstick in Siren

L'Oreal Aqua Lip Lacquer in Coral Tattoo

Revlon Lip Butter in Tutti Fruiti

Once again, sorry for the picture quality but you can probably see that on the lip, these products all look much more natural than you might think.  If you want to see a picture of me trying out Maybelline's Shocking Coral, check out my last Monday's Face.

A Few Tips:
If you are very pale or have ashy skin, you might find neon corals a bit more difficult to work with (especially towards the very pink or very orange tones).  A more subtle way to work this trend is by taking the colour on your finger or a brush and working it into your lips, rather than using the tube.  You'll get more of a "flush of colour".

I've been doing a bit of research (aka flipping through magazines and other beauty blogs) and it looks like MAC Morange is going to be one of the biggest colours this summer.  I am biding my time until I can get it through Back to MAC but once I do, I'll let you know! I've also heard that Revlon's Siren is a dupe for Morange so I'll try to do a comparison in the future.

I think this is a really fun and flattering trend for spring and I hope you give it a try! I honestly never thought I would be an orange/coral lips fan but I've been sporting them every day this week.
If you do try this look, let me know how you like it, or let me know what your favourite orange/coral lip products are in the comments!
Kendall
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Drugstore BB Creams

BB Creams have been on the market in North America for a quite a while now, but I'd never really been too keen. I tried one when they first became big and it really didn't impress me.  But now that summer is coming and I'm looking for easy, one-step products with lighter coverage, I thought I'd give them another shot.

This post is just going to cover a few of the drugstore brands although I'm dying to try out Dior and Clarins' offerings (if anyone has, I'd love to hear about it).

I originally was going to do a comparison between Revlon and Maybelline but I recently got a sample of Garnier's BB Cream as well so I'll talk about all three.

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm

The first one I tried was by Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm and to be honest, I don't love it.  I believe it was only available in three shades (of which I bought the lightest) so it's unsurprising that it is much too dark, even in the summer.  It now comes in five shades so the colour range is probably a bit more suitable. I also found that throughout the day it oxidized, making it even more orange. As for finish, I found it quite oily and the coverage wasn't really great either.  I do like that it has SPF 30 but other than that, I don't think it's anything to write home about.

Revlon Photoready BB Cream

On to Revlon Photoready BB Cream which I showed you all in my last Haul. I bought it in the shade 010 Light and the colour match is great.  I find most Revlon products are able to match my skin very well (something for my pale friends to remember).  The coverage is pretty sheer but buildable: it actually does something to your skin.  I find most days a layer of this plus a bit of powder on my t-zone is great coverage.  It also has SPF 30 and a thicker formula than Maybelline's, meaning a little goes a long way.  It also lasts well.  I have a lot of love for this product.

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector for Combination/Oily Skin

Finally, we have Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector for Combination/Oily Skin in Light. I was hesitant to buy this one because I read a lot of reviews saying the original formula was quite oily.  Although my skin is dry/combination, I have a weird paranoia of looking shiny so I try to stay away from products with a lot of oil.  When I got a sample of their oil-free formula, I was excited to give it a try.  First of all, it goes on beautifully. It has a matte, velvety finish that almost feels like you aren't wearing any makeup at all.  I also dries quickly and I definitely wouldn't think you'd need a powder to set it.  All-in-all, I think it's a lovely product but unfortunately (and unsurprisingly) it is a bit too dark.  I believe they just released a lighter shade in the original formula so hopefully they will for the oil-free as well.  I will probably purchase a full-sized version of this in the summer because if it weren't for the colour-match issue, it would probably be my favourite.  The coverage is perfect and it makes your skin look flawless but still natural.  Sigh

Top: Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm

Bottom: Revlon Photoready BB Cream

From the tubes

 Top: Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm

Bottom: Revlon Photoready BB Cream

Slightly blended to show consistency 

 Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector for Combination/Oily Skin

I hope this review has been helpful! I have yet to try L'Oreal, Covergirl or Rimmel's BB Cream so I'll be on the lookout for that. They're making them faster than I can buy them! If there are any other products you'd like me to review, or if you've tried any of these ones, I'd love to hear what you think!

Kendall

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Monday's Face #2: New Hair and Product-Testing

Happy Monday!

I wasn't originally planning on doing a Monday's face post today but I was ended up testing a few products, so this is going to be a sort of teaser for some of the posts I'll have up this week.

I also changed my hair and was kind of in the mood to show my internet friends! I got a heavy side-fringe cut in, which doesn't seem like a big change but it's literally taken me years to make this decision.  Fun fact about me- I am probably the least decisive person on the planet.

Today was really a catch-up day for me.  I only had one class so I used the rest of my day to play around with products and have one of the toughest workouts I've done in a long time.

This is my face

This is it.  I'm using my sample of Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector (Combination to Oily Skin) in Light and Maybelline The Vivids in (870) Shocking Coral.  

I don't really know why I chose to make this post when I'm only wearing two products but I thought the look was super summery and the bright lipstick made me happy. Plus it's a big step for me that I was able to leave the house without mascara, eyeliner, etc. I'm trying to get more comfortable with using fewer products in time for summer.

I'm talking about both of these products in later posts this week so stay tuned for that! I can tell you now though that they both lasted pretty well through my workout, so both products get points for that.

Remember to check back this week because I'll be talking about Drugstore BB Creams and coral lipstick!

Kendall

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Tangle Teaser Dupe in Canada??

As an unruly hair-sufferer, I am super excited about this post.  I'm sure you've all heard of the Tangle Teaser and its fantastic de-tangling abilities but if you're like me and have been having an impossible time finding yourself one, Goody has the answer. It's called the TangleFix and appears to be pretty darn similar to the Tangle Teaser.  I found mine at Walmart and I'm sure it will be widely available in Canada soon if it isn't already.

As for function, I obviously can't compare it to the Tangle Teaser, but based on what I've heard, it seems to do the same thing.  I picked this up last week and have run it through the full range of tests: straightened hair, naturally curly, curled with an iron and sprayed, and even wet and damp hair.  After basically using it every time I styled my hair, I've fallen in love.  

I typically dread brushing my curly hair out before I wash it because it's both painful and time-consuming, but the TangleFix gets through it much faster.  It doesn't make brushing completely painless but it really helps on that front too.

The TangleFix doesn't come in quite as many fancy colours and patterns as the Tangle Teaser and when I bought mine, all they had was silver but they do have a line of prettier ones that I found on their website (you can check that out here).

All in all, for those of us that aren't fortunate to live somewhere the Tangle Teaser is sold, this is a godsend.

If you want more tips for curly hair, you can read my Curly Hair Problems post here

I hope you're all having a lovely Saturday!

Kendall

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Sunday Nail Lovin' #2

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I thought I'd do a pretty quick post on some nail colours I've been loving for spring but I'm a little disappointed in myself that I haven't got any green to show you. Hopefully these cheerful colours will make up for that.  If you read my last Nail Colour post, you'll probably notice that I bought the two colours I had been lusting after....  I have no self-control.

L-R: Essie: Tour de Finance, Tart Deco, Butler Please

I really don't have too much to say about these except that they make me happy.  I'm basically just loving everything bright for spring. 

Nicole by OPI All Kendall-ed Up, Sally Hansen Barracuda (360)

I know this probably sounds a bit ridiculous but I just couldn't resist buying a colour with my name in the title.  It's your fairly standard fuchsia but a great pop of colour.  I finally found Barracuda, a milky blue that I think is so light and pretty.  Almost like a more blue version of Essie's Mint Candy Apple (which I also picked up recently because it's stunning but I think we've all heard plenty about that).

On my nails now: OPI Axxium in Lucky Lucky Lavender with Essence Colour & Go in Space Queen on my ring finger.  Essence products just sort of popped up out of nowhere (unless I've just been oblivious until now) but I've been seeing a lot of them in Canadian fashion magazines and I think they have a nice, affordable range of products.

Finally, the colour I'm lusting after this week is Essie's Peach Daiquiri. It's a super bright red-peach-pink hybrid that is going to be beautiful for summer- especially with a tan.  I hunted for this baby yesterday but no luck.  Maybe I should take it as a sign that I don't need to add to my hoard just yet.

On another note, I'm really enjoying your comments and feedback- it makes me so happy to know some of my posts are actually being read!  As usual, I'm always eager to check out your blogs as well!

I hope you're all enjoying this super-festive day!

(And I'm sorry about the exclamation point overload)

Kendall

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Products I've Used Up

To mark this lovely Saturday, I thought I'd show you all some nice empty containers.  Beautiful, I know.

I've been exercising my hoarding tendencies by hanging on to a couple empty containers to remind myself to either get around to making this post or re-purchasing a few of them.  I'm not the best at throwing things out.

Makeup

From L-R: Makeup Forever HD Foundation in 110, Makeup Forever HD Primer in 1, Boots No7 Lash Adapt Mascara, NYC Liquid Liner

Now my feelings for the Makeup Forever foundation have reeeaaaally ebbed and flowed.  When I first bought it, I thought it was my HG foundation.  I bought it in early fall, when I still had the lingerings of a tan and winter dryness hadn't caused any flakiness or dry patches (gorgeous I know). If your skin isn't too dry, this foundation really is beautiful.  So beautiful that when I had almost used up my first bottle, I bought a second (it took almost a year to use up).  Now however, my new bottle has barely been used in the few months since I bought it.  Even though I have it in the lightest shade available, at the moment it's looking a tiny bit too dark and orange, not to mention it is clinging to dry patches and making it look cakey.  Which is pretty much the opposite of what this foundation is supposed to do.  Maybe I've just become more picky, and I'm sure I'll get more use in later spring and in summer but right now I'm kind of regretting re-purchasing.  Right now, there are other foundations that I'm loving waaaay more.

Now after that novel I just wrote about Makeup Forever foundation, I have nothing but good things to say about their primer.  It's super light, has never caused any problems with my sensitive skin and it's great at neutralizing redness (which I have a good deal of). I have also re-purchased this and probably will continue to do so. I know it's not really as much of a cult favourite as, say, Smashbox Photofinish or Benefit Porefossional but I just don't enjoy the way they feel on my skin (and break me out).

Boots Lash Adapt Mascara is my favourite mascara ever.  Unfortunately, I have no way of getting it in Canada though.  I picked it up while in London about two years ago, fell in love and suffered withdrawal when I finally ran out. Lucky for me though, I got to spend a bit of time in London again last summer and during that time I bought a ton of it so I still have some left.  This doesn't seem to be a super popular mascara amongst beauty bloggers but I think it does everything. It lengthens, separates, and provides great volume. Not to mention, you can layer it like nobody's business.  If anybody knows of a way I could somehow get this product in Canada (online, in-store, whatever) I would be so grateful.

I'm not going to spend a lot of time talking about my NYC Liquid Liner because I've already had a little love-fest about it before.  It's a pretty basic liner but the colour payoff is great and I love the brush applicator.

Hair

Redken Smooth Lock Intensive Rinse out Treatment is something I'm on the fence about.  I'd heard great things about it so I was expecting great results.  I did find that my hair was softer after using it (if I'd kept it in my hair for about 20 minutes) but I don't think it made my hair look less damage or protect against future damage.  Overall, it's a nice product, but I'll probably try a few other hair treatments before I re-purchase.

Oscar Blandi Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray is the best dry shampoo ever.  I find spray dry shampoos either run out super fast (like 2-3 uses which really gets my goat) or make my hair feel sticky, tangled and disgusting.  However this one does exactly what I dry shampoo should.  It absorbs oil, adds body, and doesn't make my hair feel like it's full of gunk.  I've been experimenting with other brands as this one is quite expensive but I'll probably end up going back to it as it's also lasted longer than the others I've tried.

I talked about Moroccan Oil Light in my Curly Hair Problems post and it is basically a staple in my haircare routine.  It leaves hair smooth and smelling great, plus it was designed to cut down on blow-dry time.  I will definitely be re-purchasing.

You've probably noticed I also have an empty mini bottle of Bioderma but really, it's Bioderma.  It's awesome.  I showed you all in my last I Was Bad post that I managed to pick up more of this, so I'm quite a happy little camper.

I hope you're all having an awesome Saturday and that this post was somewhat helpful to anyone wanting to try any of these products.

Kendall

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