Favourites - February and March 2013

So I'm combining February and March into one favourites post because I was out of town for most of February and since I was trying to pack light, I didn't really get to experiment very much. I did pick up several beauty products, however, and I have been posting about these, but I do have some favourites that I have been using in the time that I have been back in town. 

• Youngblood Ultimate Concealer in Fair - this mini compact is perfect for carrying in my purse for touch-ups during the day. The product itself is very creamy and provides a nice level of coverage.

• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light - this is a soft, warm pale yellow powder that I use as a setting powder. I find that it really smooths out my skin and minimizes the redness.

• Sephora Microsmooth Blush Duo in Tea Rose Tickle - a very pretty blush duo with a dusty rose and a paler highlighting shade. I blend the two shades together and then brush a bit more of the highlighter on the tops of my cheeks. 

• Burberry Lip Cover Soft Satin Lipstick in no. 27 Tulip Pink - this is my first Burberry makeup purchase and it is very nice. The formula is smooth, fairly long-wearing and this colour in particular is gorgeous. 

• Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette - I love my original Urban Decay Naked Palette and use it all the time, but Naked 2 is not something that I pull out all that often. I decided to try to use this more this month, and I've really been liking it. The specific eye that I have been doing is like this:

• Crease - Tease
• Lid - Verve
• Outer V and blending into crease - Pistol
• Outer V - Blackout
• Highlight - Foxy

This is a much more cool-toned eye look than I am used to. I normally try to incorporate       some warm tones, at least for blending so this is something different that I am really liking at   this moment.

So those are my favourites for now. I'm looking forward to trying new things as well as using up old products in April.

Thanks for reading!

Brand I'm Loving - It Cosmetics

It Cosmetics is a brand I heard about a couple of years ago on The Shopping Channel. At first I wasn't too interested because they didn't have many products in their line and the main item they seemed to be promoting at the time was a face contouring palette, and I had never really thought that contouring was that important. Well, that was then. Now, I contour almost everyday, and definitely see the value. But it seems like the premise behind this line of cosmetics is to put out high quality items that do a specific job. They took their time and released products as they were ready to. Now, the line is quite large, and everytime they are on The Shopping Channel, it seems like they bring something new and great. 

Here are some of my favourite items from the line.

In the above picture is the Vitality Lip Flush collection. I bought the whole set that they put out at the holidays. They look like a lipstick, but they stain your lips, while making them look glossy and feel hydrated at the same time. These are amazing.

Also pictured, Bye Bye Pores HD Finishing Powder, Bye Bye Pores Bronzer, Eye Shadow Trio in Pretty in Plum, Hello Lashes Mascara, Brow Power, and Brow Power Lift.

From left to right (both above and below in swatches): Je Ne Sais Quoi, Damsel, Pure Joy, Love Story, Pretty Woman.

In the above, Celebration Foundation in Fair, Vitality Face Disc, and Vitality Cheek Stain in Matte Sweet Apple.

The Celebration Foundation can be worn as a full-coverage powder foundation. This is how I use it. Of course, it can also be used lightly, layered over a liquid or cream foundation. This is my second compact, and it really is worth trying if you like powder foundations. 

Within the Vitality Face Disc, there is a matte bronzer, a highlighter, and a peachy pink blush. All of the colours are gorgeous. I've already repurchased the matte bronzer and the highlighter in individual compacts because I enjoyed using them so much. The highlighter really gives a pretty glow and isn't too sparkly. You can get either a subtle glow, or a more obvious shine, depending on what you prefer.

These are some of my most-reached for products. They just do exactly what they are supposed to. 

I recently purchased the new liquid foundation in the line, but have yet to try it. I'll probably post a review of that in the future.

Let me know if you enjoy the It Cosmetics line!

Thanks for reading!

MAC Archie's Girls - What I Got! (Part 1)

Admittedly, I'm not the most obsessed MAC lover out there. I do think they make some great products, however, I've only recently started purchasing them on a regular basis. However, when I heard they were putting out a collection based on the Archie comic books, I got quite excited and started stalking the MAC forums and website to learn more and to be able to log on at the precise time the collection was released in order to not miss out on the items that I wanted the most. Yes, I take my makeup collection extremely seriously. Anyways, I received my package in the mail last night and I wanted to share the items that are making me extra happy!

From Betty's Collection:

• Betty Lipstick in Girl Next Door

This lipstick is quite pale and frosty. It highlights dry lips, so be sure to exfoliate / moisturize before wearing. I didn't love it at first, but I actually like it layered with a gloss. I've been pairing it with MAC Going Casual Cremesheen Glass from the holiday set that MAC put out this past holiday season.

From Veronica's Collection:

• Veronica's Lipstick in Daddy's Little Girl

Daddy's Little Girl is a beautiful bright, fuchsia pink. I actually really love this colour. It's not something I would wear to work, but it would be great for evening. If I blot after applying and then use a gloss I find it can be more daytime appropriate.

From Archie's Girls Collection:

• Archie's Girls Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner in Petrol Blue
• Archie's Girls Pearlmatte Face Powder in Flatter Me
• Archie's Girls Pearlmatte Face Powder in Veronica's Blush

This pencil is a gorgeous deep navy with shimmer in it. When applied on the eye, it doesn't show obvious sparkle, though. Unfortunately, this picture does it absolutely no justice. I need a better camera. I used this on my upper lashline, paired with my Lorac Unzipped Palette - I'll probably be posting this look soon, so stay tuned.

These face powders are probably my favourite items in the whole collection. They are just so beautiful. I wear them as blushes and both just bring such a pretty glow to the face. They aren't really shimmery, so I think using as a blush is quite nice.

From Archie's Girls Exclusives (Online only collection):

• Young Hearts Mirror - this is really cute. I probably won't keep this in my makeup bag though - it seems like it would get dirty really quickly.

After seeing some swatches posted on Temptalia's blog, I did go back and place a second order, so stay tuned for Part 2!

Thanks for reading!