REVIEW: L'Oreal Color Riche Intense Lipstick in Pink Carat 383

It's been quite a while since I've purchased a L'Oreal lipstick....even longer since I've purchased anything from the Color Riche line.

I do remember my mom used to love this line because it was quite moisturizing and of course, I'd "borrow" a tube to try out.

During the last L'Oreal warehouse sale, the "Intense" label on this tube of Color Riche called out to me. The color looked to be a coral-pink with shimmer. If it looked as good as it did in the tube, it'd be a great color for the summertime.

That "Intense" sticker is great advertising idea. If I saw similar words like "Bright" or "Pop of Color" or "Bold" I'd totally cave and buy a few tubes, too!

I really like how the label at the bottom is a similar color and even finish (shimmery) as the actual lipstick. Of course, it'd be even better if the top of the lid was clear (like the Revlon lipsticks!) so you can see the actual lipstick but this is better than nothing and also quite cute.

This particular lipstick is as moisturizing as I remember the Color Riche line being. It's more hydrating and feels lighter on the lips than Revlon's Super Lustrous but not as much as Revlon's lip butters.

The color itself is a coral pink with gold shimmer. There is minute grittiness to the texture due to the shimmer but I think you would only notice this if you are really sensitive to such things. I am NC35 and on my skin it's a very easy color to wear, although not particularly interesting.

I have no problems with the texture or staying power of the lipstick (lasts approx. 2-3 hours, which to me is a long time for a moisturizing lip product) but I'm sorely disappointed by the "Intense" claim. The swatch you see above is actually from swiping the lipstick back and forth with a heavy hand 3-4 times. A single swipe would give you a sheer application, not unlike the Color Riche Lip Balms or some of the lighter shades from the Revlon Lip Butter line.

I was expecting something more along the type of bright summer lipcolors the likes of NARS, MAC, and Urban Decay excel at.

So all in all this lipstick is just....okay. It's nothing special and I think this is going back to mom, who likes this line and thinks hot pink lips are a little cuckoo.

L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick is available at drugstores and discount department stores for $10-12CDN although it goes on sale regularly for $7-8CDN.

REVIEW: L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black

This mascara was on clearance at my local Rexall for $4.00. I wasn't looking for a new mascara but at that price, I had to try out the curious mace-like applicator.

According to L'Oreal, the Telescopic Explosion mascara lengthens, thickens, and separates every lash. The spherical brush reaches 100% of lashes, even tiny corner and lower lashes, from every angle. The formula is smooth and wears all day without clumping, smudging or flaking. It is ophthalmologist and allergy tested, suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

There is a regular Telescopic mascara which has the classic brush-style wand but the "Explosion" version comes with this spiky round applicator. Both are supposed to be lengthening but the idea is that the Explosion is better for those hard to reach lashes.

Telescopic Explosion itself also comes in two versions - regular in a red and black tube and waterproof in a blue and black tube. The waterproof version is currently only available in Blackest Black as seen below.

For mascaras, I always, always, always purchase the waterproof and darkest color available. I find even the best "curling" mascara does not hold a curl on my fine straight lashes unless waterproof.





The formula itself is sealed in a tube with the brand new brush beside it. Some people say this is more hygienic and also ensures the product is "fresh" out of the packaging. I'm not sure that's really true. It just seems like an extra plastic cap thrown into the waste basket. But it does give you the advantage of seeing the actual applicator before purchasing.

I can sometimes tell by looking at the applicator if it will work for my lashes or not so if you're the same, this type of packaging is helpful.



The tube is a little wonky. I'm not sure if I got a lemon but as you can see from the photo above, the brush cap doesn't really align with the tube once screwed on. Not a big deal but you can tell this isn't quality packaging.



Tell me that doesn't look like a mace?!



No wonder guys sometimes think we're crazy. This is like playing Dungeons & Dragons with your face!

At least brand new, it's still in a pretty bright blue color....but after a dip into the mascara tube, this bad boy comes out looking like a mini weapon. I feel like at this point, a mini Cyclops needs to appear and come welding it at my lashes





The applicator takes a little getting used to. The connection between the black and blue parts of the applicator bends slightly. I'm not sure if this was intentional (to allow the "mace" to wisp through your lashes) or not. Instead of assertive strokes of the applicator along your lashes, you sort of have to make little mini strokes. I find it takes a way a little of your control on the applicator and thus, am not a fan.

So how did it hold up to its lengthening, separating, and thickening claims? It really did give me incredibly long lashes even without any fibre in the formula. It also thickening and separated my lashes....but separated by clumping several lashes together! The formula was quite dry and clumped a lot. Because of its lengthening and "separating" qualities, this was made more obvious on my lashes. I could see little clumps of mascara along the length of several lashes.

As for smudge-proof and waterproof? Yes, definitely. I wore this mascara for about 12 hours and it has very minor smudging on the outer half of my lower lash line. It was quite difficult to remove, similar to the Maybelline Falsies waterproof version and it actually came off in flakes and little clumps.

Although not advertised, it is excellent at holding a curl. Again, I find waterproof formulas do this better overall but it's in line with the Falsies. Much better than the classic L'oreal Voluminous and Covergirl Exact lines in their waterproof versions.

Overall, this is a great deal at $4.00 but would I buy it again at any other price? No. The dry clumpy formula detracts from its lengthening and lasting abilities.

The L'oreal Telescopic Explosion mascara is available at drugstores, discount department stores, and Well.ca. It retails for approx. $11-14CDN but can often be found on sale for $8-10CDN.

EMPTIES 2: December 2011

I felt such a sense of accomplishment after my first EMPTIES post in November that I immediately started looking forwards to the next month.

Then other things got in the way and now I find myself at the end of January doing my December round up. Please forgive me!

On a more positive note...I'm going to give myself a little pat on the shoulder for completing yet another handful of products. Granted, I was a little out of control with the beauty purchases in December but hey, at least I put a little (microscopic) dent in my collection, right?

DECEMBER EMPTIES LIST:
Daisy by Marc Jacobs EDT 100ml/3.4oz size
Balea Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover
Feria Conditioner (from hair-dye kit)
Nioxin 4 Conditioner for Fine/Thinning Chemically Treated Hair 500ml size
Bath and Body Works Body Lotion Preview Size
Sample spray vial of Chloe by Chloe EDP
Revlon Nail Polish in Coral Me Wild
MAC Nail Polish in Gee Whiz

TALLY:
Total Empties: 8
Full Sized Empties: 3
Sample Sized Empties: 3
Expired: 2
Others: 0



Nioxin 4 Conditioner for Fine/Thinning Chemically Treated Hair - I first came across this line when I purchased the scalp treatment. It's a foaming liquid that you apply at the roots. I noticed a difference after usage so I decided to buy the conditioner and shampoo. Unfortunately, either the shampoo/conditioner isn't as concentrated as the serum or my hair has built up an immunity to it. It took a LONG time to get through all 500ml of this (this is the bulk size) but now I can finally move on!

Sample of Chloe by Chloe EDP - I absolutely love this smell. It is so distinct and different. So feminine but with a slight kick. According to Sephora, "top notes of pink peony, freesia, and lychee embody subtle freshness. At the heart, midnotes of magnolia flower, lily of the valley, and rose rise to sublimated femininity. A base of velvety elegance comes to fruition through cedarwood, amber, and honey." Doesn't that sound amazing?! I'm definitely going to buy a larger size of this. I was delighted to see that Sephora offers a rollerball version as I've come to realize I'd never get through even a 30ml bottle of anything, with the perfume collection I've now amassed.



Daisy by Marc Jacobs - My mother-in-law purchased this for my birthday over two years ago. Perfume is a risky gift. Fortunately, she totally got me. This is my daily perfume and I may have veered off course every once in a while but I never went longer than a week without a few sprays of Daisy. It's sweet but not cloying, fresh but not green (ew grass smells!), light but not fleeing. It doesn't last as long as I would like it to but honestly, I have yet to find a perfume that lasts all day without having an overly strong initial spray. This Christmas she gave me another bottle! I don't know HOW she knew but I had literally JUST finished it a few days earlier. It's kind of crazy how I actually managed to finish an entire 100ml size bottle. HOLY MOLY!!

Balea Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover - This is by Shopper's house brand and comes in a bottle almost identical to it's L'Oreal counterpart. I've tried the L'Oreal one and find that this one works just as well. However, the price is about the same (one or the other is always on sale and ends up around $7-8). So far with eye makeup remover, I've just go with whatever is on sale when I need another bottle.

Feria Conditioner (from hair-dye kit) - I used to love this and it was one of the reasons I bought the Feria kit instead of other brands. The tube is also so generous, I could use it for quite a few washes. However, this time it didn't seem to be as moisturizing as it used it. It came out of the tube a little drier and pasty than I remember it.



Revlon Nail Polish in Coral Me Wild - I love this color. It's a bright pink coral and seriously so much fun for the summer! Love it on my fingers and toes. Looks great with silver or gold sandals and jewelry. Unfortunately, it dried up and polish thinner didn't help.

MAC Nail Polish in Gee Whiz - Again, another one of my favourites. Unfortunately it too dried up. I've given up on polish thinner....it never goes back to exact how the polish was, brand new. Not to worry, I have another brand new bottle waiting to be opened!

Bath and Body Works Preview Size Body Lotion in Into The Wild Passion Primitive - Everytime B&BW comes out with a new scent, they offer these 59ml preview bottles for just a $1! They're usually either at the front of the store as part of the new scent display or by the cash. I always pick one up as they're a wonderful size for anywhere and it's a great way to try a new scent without committing. Usually by the time I'm finished a bottle, I'm ready to try something new so this is a great deal all around.

So there you are! My round up for December 2011. January 2012's pile is quite pathetic but expect a post in the next week or so anyway. It's alright, a slow but steady start but I am confident I'll pick up speak as the months go by!

REVIEW: L'Oreal Voluminous False Lashes Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black

It does exist!!! The proof is in the photos below!!! Believe it!! It's not a lie!!

I glimpsed this mascara on a small display at Wal-Mart a while back. I've had great success with the Maybelline Falsies series which uses a fibre formula, so this held promise. We were in a rush so I decided to pick it up later. Well, that became a month long search because it was nowhere to be found! All my usual go-to's for drugstore finds - Shopper's Drug Mart, Rexall, Wal-Mart didn't have this particular mascara!

I told my husband about this mascara and he decided it was just in my imagination. It didn't exist. Seriously, I was starting to believe it myself.

But then I started seeing commercials for Voluminous False Lahes mascara featuring Gwen Stefani and knew this was the one I'd glimpse! Same week a Shoppers's flyer featured the mascara at $6.99

It still took me a couple locations before I found it. All I could think was, this better be good because otherwise, it would be like pining away for some cute guy you got a glimpse at only to realize he's a huge douchebag when you finally meet!







If this mascara seems familiar, it is. It's also called Lash Architect 4D and I believe it goes by that name in Europe and Asia (at least from a quick Google search). Here's a photo of it:


image via Google search

Why did they rename it Voluminous False Lashes mascara here? I wonder if it's because the Voluminous name is more recognizable here? Or is it that we just like our plain speak? Architect is too fancy for these parts, False Lashes says it like it is.







I used to like the Voluminous line before I saw the light. Then came along some of Maybelline's recent releases (Colossal, Falsies, One by One) and they were out the door like old news. I thought Voluminous mascaras gave the most volume, length, and curl powder but they didn't even compare. The promise of a "lash sculpting fibre formula" in this latest version made me eager to give it another try.

I'm not sure why it's a two-tone brush because I don't see any blue peaking through. I think it's also a little misleading because the rendering makes it looks like this mascara has thick spikey rubber bristles (similar to Maybelline One by One, Covergirl Last Blast, or Benefit They're Real brushes). But the bristles on this brush are what I can only describe as a "regular" mascara, just shorter and bound in a different shape.

Here are some comparisons to the Original Voluminous mascara in Black.









You can see that the wand is longer and the brush is thinner/shorter. I really like this for fine lashes and monolid eyes as it allows the brush to deposit product on each lash without the bristles creeping through and stippling your lids.

The Blackest Black is also slightly darker than the Voluminous's "Black".

This mascara applies light coats but adds length due to the fibres. It's more subtle than Maybelline's Falsies Black Drama and does not clump. Unlike the Falsies which starts clumping after a couple coats and can't really go much more than that, you can apply several coats of this and still be okay.

However, just because it layers well does not mean it's buildable. This mascara is for day-time use. It layers, but does not build volume. It's more skinny skyscraper than solid brick house.

The curling power is decent. By the end of a long day, my curl is more subtle, but definitely still there. Staying power is excellent. I guess because of the thinner coats, it's less prone to rubbing or flaking.

What I really like? It adds length and ends in a subtle curl, perfect for everyday use. The formula provides a natural look. It's a clean and easy application due to the short bristles.

What I don't like is the dry and light formula that does not provide much volume. Would I buy this mascara again? No. I would use up this tube and enjoy using it but I know there's better mascaras out there that provide a better combination of volume, curl, length, and staying power.

My lengthy search for this elusive mascara was not a waste though. I will enjoy using it for a light office look and now I can stop searching!

Say Yes To Summer

We lost Spring somewhere in the shuffle between Winter and Summer. But who am I to complain?

Summer means sun and pretty outfits and no less important, a new pile of goodies to primp myself. Old favorites and new found loves find their way into the makeup pouch marked "essentials".

What would I do without you, Cargo Dark Neutrals palette? This palette also comes in Bronze, Smokey Gray, Warm Neutral, and Dark Neutral for only $34CDN (well worth the price!!). If space was limited, I would bring this palette as my one eye makeup product. The dark brown is perfect for brows or as a soft eyeliner and you can work through the shades to go from a natural work look to a smokier evening look. They also work for contouring the face in a pinch.

I buy shades of blue because they look so pretty in the bottle but I always end up wearing shades of pink and coral. My favourites are MAC Gee Whiz, a dark berry pink creme and this semi-translucent and high gloss coral , OPI Big Hair...Big Nails. Top it off with a new holy grail - Color Club's Vivid Color Intensifying top coat. This thing drys my manicure so fast, is super glossy, and makes my polish last a LOT longer than without. But since summer is an excuse to be lazy, half the time my nails are bare. No lie, the Revlon Crazy Shine Nail Buffer glosses up my nails so much it looks like I have a coat of clear nailpolish on. This green side buffs the nails and the other side shines. It's quite fun to use, too! Squeaks as you polish.

Ahh, now we're onto a classic - Nars Orgasm blush. I can't see this not working on every skin tone out there. In the winter I often use a dusty rose like Bobbi Brown's Desert Rose but in the summer, this blush gives a natural blush with just enough of a summer shimmer. A lot of blushes are way too shimmery and result in the sweaty-cheeks effect (ew!) but it is so fine in this blush.

My face is already tanned right now but the Cargo Water Resistant Bronzer in Medium provides natural contouring. It does double oily-face duty with the water resistance and matte texture. And you can't even feel it on the face, it's so finely milled.

Bath and Body Works is always having those Buy 3 Get 3 Free deals and I am shamed to admit that I own enough scented body lotion to last an entire extended family a lifetime! I thought I'd reach more for the tropical mango or passionfruit ones but I've been using Cucumber Melon Body Lotion non-stop for the past week. I love love love this fresh cool scent whereas sometimes those sweet summery scents smell as if they would feel sticky!

I won't mention the the Bobbi Brown tinted moisturizer as the review was a few posts ago so we'll skip over to eyes. Maybelline Falsies Waterproof Mascara, where have you been all my life?! This is the first time since I began wearing mascara that my eyelashes have been so thick and curled until I take it off. Yes, curled liked it was done 5 minutes ago when really it was 1 day ago! (Yes, I sometimes go to sleep with my makeup on). I used my beloved L'Oreal Voluminous mascara again and it's going to stay the Ex. Granted, Falsies gets clumpy and dries easily but I'd buy a new one every month if I had to!

The L'Oreal Line Intense liquid eyeliner isn't waterproof (which is usually a no-no for me) but it is very black and the long tip felt applicator is so easy to use. It's great for dabbing between eyelashes to give the illusion of volume. I still prefer using a liner brush and brown eyeshadow for my brows but the powdery Bobbi Brown brow pencil is so easy to use, I keep it in my purse for touch ups or if I'm running late (too bad for those who have to see me without my "brows" on. Not a pretty sight.)

And we've finally arrived at the lips. These are the two lipglosses in my bag at all times. I love the minty fresh feeling and the pretty purple color of the Cover Girl Amazemint Wetslicks in Plum Crazy. Never thought I could wear a color like this but it actually looks quite amazing (pun?). The gloss seems more like a liquid lipstick as it has absolutely non of the stickiness of gloss but still has opaque coverage. The Lancome Color Fever Lip Gloss in Rouge Magnificence looks intimidating in the tube but it's actually a sheer red with a lovely rose scent. Think your-lips-but-better-with-an-oompf!

I think you've read enough of my ramblings for now so I'm signing off. Would love to hear about your summer must-haves, too!

Because You're Worth It

It's no fun because down all the time. Especially with Spring just around the corner! I wanted to follow up yesterday's Negative Nancy post about overpriced cosmetics, with a writeup on the products I think are worth their price.

You'll notice the products I chose are no where near the prices of the items mentioned yesterday. Once you're over a certain price point, I feel like you're just paying for the hype. Until I see it in a science journal, I'm not going to believe it's worth $500 for a eye cream because of "secret space-technology"!

Disclaimer: This is just the experience of my complicated combination drama-queen skin so don't take it as the end all, be all.



♥ Nioxin 4 System for Fine/Thinning Chemically Treated Hair I inherited very fine and thin hair from my father. Coupled with years of dying black hair bright red, blond, etc., my hair is nothing to smile about. I have tried many volume and conditioning treatments and the only thing they do is gunk up my hair. To be honest, I'm not 100% sold on the shampoo and conditioner in the kit, yet but the Scalp Treatment works. It's a foam you pump near your roots and brush in (I like to massage it into my scalp instead). After a couple weeks, it seemed like my hair was falling out less and thus fuller. There is a number for every type of hair, from Natural but Fine/Thinning to Chemically Enhanced and Thick/Coarse.

♥ L'Oreal Lash Boosting Serum
If you want to grow your lashes, this absolutely works! Just dab it along the lash line nightly. For me, it took about two weeks to notice a difference. For now, it doesn't seem to make my lashes thicker but it has definitely grown in length. There's also a mascara from the same line which I have not tried yet. Ardell makes a lash serum, too at about half the price. However, I found their formula very irritating when it accidently gets into the eye.

♥ L'Oreal Visible Lift Serum Absolute Foundation
I was on the lookout for a new foundation a few months ago and ready to splurge on the high end brands like Armani and Dior. My problem is more with the colors than the formulas. I usually stay away from drugstore brands as they're hard to try out and often times too pink but I kept seeing this product hyped by people with similar skin color. It was indeed a perfect color match but even better is the amazing staying power. I don't know if the lift serum also works as a primer but this baby stays on all day and provides excellent coverage.

♥ Urban Decay 24-7 Glide On Eye Pencils
These are not really a secret. Urban Decay makes amazing eyeliner colors but where they stand out is in the ability to glide on like a gel but stay on like a regular pencil, if not better. I love Bourbon, a shimmery dark brown and Oil Slick, which is black with silver glitter. They're $18 a pop but there's currently a 15 year anniversary set of 15 pencils and a sharpener for $92. I doubt you'll need to purchase another eyeliner for quite a while!

♥ Persagel 10
This thing is INSANE! I've only seen 5% in Canada but in the US you can get 10% at any drugstore. The extra 5% makes a big difference. It's a small tube but a little goes a long way. This thing literally burns the acne off your face. Sounds horrific but it works. Very drying but did I mention it works?!

♥ Redken All Soft Shampoo & Conditioner
I love the smell of Redken All Soft. It's like a creamy coconut. Mmm. Not only that, it really does make your hair very soft. There is a few other items that are part of the All Soft line including a deep conditioner. I find the regular conditioner already very moisturizing but in the dead of winter, the former is a godsend. As with the rest of the Redken line(I've pretty much tried all of them...even the Fresh Curls line I got on sale!) this does not leave my hair feeling heavy.

♥ GHD Classic 1" Styler
My Asian hair is relatively straight but unlike some lucky girls, it's not perfectly straight. I would call it lazy hair. It doesn't want to hold a curl but it doesn't want to just lie flat. The GHD styler is solidly built, heats up in seconds, and can straighten my hair with a single pull down it's length unlike some cheaper versions. It's also very gentle despite the temperature of the ceramic plates and my hair has never fried. There is also a 30min auto-off feature and international voltage for you jetsetters. The CHI straightener also has great reviews but there seems to be complaints that it likes to break right after the warranty period. Might be one to look into if budget is a concern, though.

You may also want to check out this post I did on my winter essentials. All are items I think are worth repurchasing, too.

Everyday Essentials

When I first started my new-ish job in May, I put on a full face of makeup everyday. That went from 60 back down to 0 very quickly. I used to arrive at work for 11AM but now that I have normal-people hours, I'm way too rushed in the mornings to cake it all on.

However, I still have my 5-minute morning routine so I look somewhat presentable before my morning Starbucks run!

Here are my everyday staples. I put them on in phases as I run around the apartment getting ready.....Step 1: Smear on the face cream > Step 2: Check email > Step 3: Fill in eyebrows > Step 4: Start breakfast > Step 5: Apply pore minimizer > Step 5: Drink coffee and so on... You get the point!


♥ L'Oreal Original Voluminous Lash Mascara in Blackest Black Nothing else high or low holds a curl and gives my Asian lashes volume like this particular formula. Only the Original formula of this mascara works for me.

♥ Clinique Pore Minimzer Refining Lotion Bought this product and didn't use it for the longest time (sorry, photo is actually of the T-Zone Control which looks very similar in packaging). Rediscovered it and realized it works very well as a mattifier/primer for my oily t-zone.

♥ Cargo OneBase Foundation and Concealer in One in B025 or B03 Bought two tubes at 50% off when Sephora stopped carrying the brand this summer. I wish I'd bought the whole store out! Love the natural looking medium coverage and easy-use sponge tip applicator. Great idea for traveling.

♥ Angled Eyeliner Brush Really any angled eyeliner brush and matte brown eyeshadow does the trick for me as long as they make my brows look like they exist!

♥ MAC Lip Gelee in Moistly Couldn't find an exact picture but think Benetint in a gloss. The perfect pinch of color and moisture for my lips.

♥ Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm Once again, Original formula wins! I love the smell and the tingly feeling on my lips. Plus, it really soothes the lips without stickiness or shine. Great for under lipsticks.

♥ Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler Under holy grail for thin Asian lashes that don't want to hold a curl. This curler actually curls all my lashes naturally!

♥ MAC Moisturelush Cream Love the smell of this cream. It doesn't claim to do anything special aside from moisturize and boy does it do that! Really helps during my daily (and recently very below freezing) walks to work.

♥ Annabelle Liquid Eyeliner in Black I love felt tip liquid liners. I hate
hate hate the thin brushes. I apply this between my upper eyelashes and just under the upper lash line to give the illusion of fuller lashes. Try it! A natural but noticeable different instantly!

I definitely don't discriminate between high and low cosmetics. I just buy what appeals to me packaging wise or what I've read good reviews on.

If I'm on the fence about a product, my first stop is Makeupalley.com for reviews. Women of all ages, coloring, skin conditions, and preferences review pretty much every product found in your local drugstore, department store, or Sephora. As for swatches of colored cosmetics? Nothing beats the good ol' Google image search.

The essentials change every once in a while. Foundation colors and skincare change between summer and winter. Throughout the year, I'll change up the roster as I fall in and out of love with products.