Face of the Day and a Review: Purple Lux

First, I want to say thank you to the lovely ladies at Marcelle for sending me a package of goodies. There is nothing more fun than experimenting with new products! Marcelle, a Canadian cosmetic and skincare line, has released some fun LUX Metallic and Diamond Eyeliners that are going to be perfect for the upcoming holiday season.

These liquid eyeliners have a transparent base that is infused with glitter and reflects. Initial application offers enough colour pay off for a light and fun everyday look. The colour is buildable in thin layers, but I prefer layering it over a like-coloured or black eyeliner to add a little extra impact. The applicator is very fine and easy to control for precise application. The product applies quite wet and takes a minute or two to dry, but once it settles it lasts for hours.

from left to right: Lux Metallic Ultraviolet, Lux Metallic Jade, Lux Diamond Pure Gold (there is one more called Cobalt Blue that looks amazing!)

Face of the Day

Products Used

Face
Revlon Colourstay Foundation
MAC Studio Finish Concealer
MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural to set foundation
MAC Breath of Plum Blush

Eyes
MAC Painterly Paint Pot
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Black Bean as colour base
Annabelle Mono Eye Shadow in Ultraviolet all over lid
MAC Fashion Groupie Eye Shadow in crease and outer corner
MAC Look at the Eyes as brow bone highlight
GOSH Velvet Touch Purple Stain Eye Liner smudged lightly under lower lashline
Marcelle Lux Metallic Liquid Eyeliner in Ultra Violet (courtesy of Marcelle cosmetics)
Marcelle Power Volume Mascara (courtesy of Marcelle cosmetics-great mascara!)


Lips
Marcelle Rouge Xpression lipstick in Obsession dabbed on with finger to achieve a light stain

Hair Makeover-All in Good Fun

Confession: I have never dyed my hair. Ever. Yes, I know-shock! horror! Imagine, a beauty blogger who has never dyed her hair. There are several reasons for this:

1. Pure unadulterated fear.
2. Fear (once again) of the unknown: Will it look good? What colour will work for me? Do I use a box or go to a salon? What happens if at all goes awry? Will it be dry and damaged?
3. Fear of my father: This one is meant in jest. I don't actually fear my father, but seeing the look on his face every time I threaten to dye my hair is fun. Which brings me to my next point,
4. Pride: I am the only one in my family who has this colour hair. Everyone else has been blessed with black glossy hair but I am the light sheep of the flock. Since I was in high school and began entertaining the idea of blonde highlights (ala Rachel Green from FRIENDS), everyone in my family would lament about what a shame it would be to hide my unique colour. 
5. $$: Do I really want to be bothered with maintaining a colour or re-dyeing to achieve uniformity?
6. My hair changes naturally in the sun. My hair colour is not flat; in fact, in the sun a plethora of natural (mostly auburn, light brown, and hazelnut) highlights shine through. In the summer it naturally lightens to a shade lighter. My colour has darkened naturally since my high school days, but I attribute that to not getting outdoors as often. Just a theory. 

I may be adventuresome with my makeup, but getting my hair cut always leads to heart palpitations and anxiety. So when I want to be slightly risky and wild without the consequence, I meander over to the Hollywood Hair Virtual Makeover and play around with hairstyles from the outrageous to the refined. And now, to lighten the mood, here are the results of their most popular celebrity hairstyles (laughing is encouraged):

Blonde

For nostalgic purposes, "The Rachel" (aka Jennifer Aniston)

Blake Lively

Amanda Seyfried

Ashley Greene

Brunette

Kristen Stewart (aka "Bella Swan"...I still hate Twilight)

Jessica Szhor

Lea Michele

Mila Kunis

Red (the IT colour for autumn...just not it for me)

Christina Hendricks

Debra Messing

Julia Roberts

Jennifer Gardner

This site is great fun, especially if you get a group of girlfriends together for a laugh. Also, if you are looking for a bridal or special event "do," try a few on without the stylist fee!

Fall Fashion Under $50

Autumn is my favourite season, so I am usually more tempted by the Fall trends more than any other season. I firmly believe that depleting your bank account is not necessary to stay on trend, especially in a season that puts forth luxurious silhouettes and textiles.

Here is a collective haul of some pieces that I have acquired over the past few months in anticipation for autumn. None of these pieces exceeds $50 and all will transition well into winter.

Smart Set http://www.smartset.ca/

Smart Set is having their Fall preview "Buy 1, Get 2nd 50% off" promotion for the month of September. This season they are following the ladylike and military trends:

Winners http://winners.ca/en/index.asp

The Canadian version of discount chain stores such as TJ Maxx and Marshalls, Winners is always an excellent place to find fashionable designer pieces at affordable and reasonable prices.

Michael Kors

Steve Madden

Urban Expressions

Jessica Simpson

Big Chill Vintage

Sweet Romeo

RD Style 

Ann Marino

White House/Black Market http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/home.jsp

One of the stores I always go to when I am in the US, White House/Black Market can be a little pricey but their sales (and outlet store) have great deals. Their style is very chic and classic.

Little White House (Langley, BC) http://www.littlewhitehousefort.com/

Forever 21


Usually Forever21 is a miss for me (aside from accessories). I find that there clothes are made quite small and don't accommodate fuller figures very well (they only go up to large, and their sizing makes it the equivalent of a medium in most stores). The style seems a little too trendy and youth directed, but I did find this lovely vintage looking cardigan that I love to pair with dark wash jeans.

What are your must-have items for Fall?

Review: Betty Hula-Honest and Natural Beauty

I was introduced to the Betty Hula skin care range by The British Beauty Blogger in mid-August and had since been dying to try out their products. Anything that claims natural and fair trade ingredients draws me in, so you can imagine my delight when I was contacted by the lovely people over at Betty Hula asking if I would like to sample some of their products. YES PLEASE!

Considering that these products are from the UK, I was astonished by how quickly they arrived in Canada. I had gone away on holidays for a week and found this package awaiting my return home. That means from the time I was offered samples to their actual arrival took 10 days-a postage miracle! Inside of my goody-bag I found samples of the Kiwi and Lime Shea Butter Moisturizing Cream and The Secret Anti-Ageing Oil.

All of Betty Hula's products are handcrafted and safe for all skin types (a relief to my problematic skin). The core ingredients are Grade A Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter, and Vitamin E. The exotic scents and packaging are inspired by Hawaii and I must say that their inspiration is perfectly executed. I love everything about the packaging from the beautiful script and tropical colours, to the adorable likeness of a hula  girl. The moment I popped the lid on my Kiwi and Lime Moisturizer I was immediately transported back to my childhood vacations in Maui, playing in the surf amidst fruit trees by day and dinning at the luaus at twilight.

The products live up to their claims of luxurious textures and natural benefits. The moisturizing cream is thick (yet not heavy), smoothly whipped, and non-greasy. It absorbs seamlessly into the skin and leaves behind perfectly moisturized and nourished skin. The scent lingers for hours and awakens the senses. This product has become a permanent feature in my night-time and post-bath ritual, which just means that I am going to have to order full sizes of all three scents (Champagne and Spice, Kiwi and Lime, Rum and Blackcurrant).

I must admit that I was initially mystified with what I should do with the anti-ageing oil as I am not yet at the stage of life where this is a major concern for me. I experimentally applied the oil to my hands, elbows and knees and immediately began noticing renewed hydration and smoothness to dried and patchy areas. The oil is thin and light, which makes it easy to blend into the skin. Like the moisturizer, it is not at all greasy and gives skin a healthy glow.

I am in love with these product range! I highly suggest it to anyone looking for delicious moisturizers that can ease your mind with "traditional values with a contemporary twist."

Leslie Tyler Liplicious Gloss

I have admitted in the past that I am not a great lover of lip glosses-mainly because of the sticky factor-and very few glosses pass my lips' approval. I am always willing to give new products a chance but can come to conclusions whether or not I like the product quite quickly.

Last month I was contacted by TLK Fusion, asking if I would like to sample and review a new product line from Leslie Tyler Fink, a Houstonian socialite who will be starring in a reality housewife show. In the past, Leslie has trained Chanel makeup artists and has put her knowledge in the industry into developing a large lip gloss collection. Her lip glosses have been worn by celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Leanne Rhymes, and Julianne Hough.

I have been testing these lip glosses for just over two weeks and have developed a solid opinion.

The Packaging

When I first ripped open the envelope I thought that I had been sent the wrong package-"Why did they send me Juicy Couture?" But then I realized that the gold script on the pouch read Flirty Goddess Couture not Juicy Couture. I am not sure if this case is a part of the product line, or simply a part of PR packaging, but it is blatantly "inspired" by Juicy Couture's handbags. Some people may love this, others may not. I tend to fall in with the latter rather than the former, simply because I like unique and inventive packaging, not recycled ideas.

The packaging of the lip gloss tubes is fairly streamlined and uninspiring, aside from the puckered lips inserted between Leslie and Tyler. Each tube has a doe-foot applicator (my favourite), and a funnel in the mouth of the tube so that you do not overload the applicator with too much product. Each container holds .25oz of product, which is a lot compared to other companies that are in the same price range ($17.00/per tube). 

The Gloss 

I was pleasantly surprised by the colour payoff of these glosses. I would classify them as semi-opaque cream glosses (similar to MAC's Creamsheen glass). They have a thick and smooth consistency, and stickiness in kept to a minimum (wohoo!). My lips felt quite moisturized after wearing these glosses.

I was sent two light shades (Pouty Pink and Mint Baby Doll) and two mid-tone shades (Cosmo Pink and Spell Bound). Considering my partiality to red and berry colours, I am quite fond of the two darker shades- the lighter shades were too pastel for my taste. The lighter shades seemed to have a white pigment base with layered colour on top. I think that Pouty Pink in particular would be lovely on women with darker skin tones looking for a fresh of colour for everyday. I kept in mind that I was sent only a sampling of the extensive colour range, and after perusing the product site, some other rich colours caught my eye.

One of the shades I was sent, has a distinct mint scent that I found refreshing. Usually products that are mint scented claim to be lip enhancing, but this one didn't tingle or pucker my lips.

No Flash

Top to Bottom: Pouty Pink, Mint Baby Doll, Cosmo Pink, Spellbound

With Flash

My Conclusions
The product itself is an adult approach to lip gloss (high on the shine, light on the sparkle), but the packaging is a little juvenile. I can see that the branding was going for a luxe and Hollywood persona, but I would have preferred something more sophisticated and luxurious. I do like this product a lot and will probably look into some of the other colours in the range. 

Getting Personal Part 1

Ever since I started my beauty channel on YouTube (and consequently, this blog), the #1 question I have received is:

"What does the 'BB' in your screen name stand for?"

The consensus was that it stood for "Beauty Blog", but I am sorry to say you are mistaken. Everything about my online moniker-PerfectlyImpefectBB-is very much a tongue-in-cheek approach to a blog commenting on an industry that strives for perfection. I am a perfectionist that has come to terms with the fact that it is my imperfections that allow me to be unique. This is the approach that I take with my blog-embrace your imperfections and highlight the aspects that make you unique. I see myself as a beauty commentator, not guru by any means. I am humbled that people want to read about my opinions and suggestions.

Which brings me back to the "BB." Initially, I wanted it stand for "Beauty and Books" (representing my two topic specific blogs); but, it actually stands for "Beauty and Brains," dispelling the old prejudice that women interested in beauty in fashion are all fluff and no substance. Growing up, some tactless individuals would sometimes refer to my sister as "the beauty" and to bookwork me as "the brains"-highly offensive to both of us as my sister is an extremely intelligent business woman and I don't go around cracking mirrors ;) But thankfully, our wonderful parents taught us that a woman's true beauty lies in her heart, soul, and mind-a lesson that I hope to pass on to all the young women in my realm of influence.

If you have any other questions you would like me to answer, please post them below for the next edition of Getting Personal.

PS Yes, those are her real eyelashes! Aren't they divine? Once a stranger tugged on them because she didn't believe Rebekah when she said they weren't fake.

Makeup Forever Brings Us The Moulin Rouge

I was supposed to be returning something. No purchases were to be made. So how did I walk out with yet another red lipstick? Blame it all on Makeup Forever's glamorous and vampy collaboration with the Moulin Rouge. And when Dany Sanz creates such beautiful and vivid visual promotions, who could resist?

I was able to exercise whatever little self-control I had left and only purchased the lipstick (which carries the moniker of the collection). The lipstick is a special edition addition to Makeup Forever's new Rouge Artist Intense Line. These lipsticks are densely pigmented (50% more pigments than an average lipstick), smooth, opaque, and extremely long wearing. They tend to apply a little thick, so a light hand in application is best. You can achieve at least 5 hours (if not more) of full colour intensity before the lipstick begins to fade. Even as the colour fades, it leaves behind a lovely stain to your lips so you are never left with clownish residue around the outer perimeters.

Moulin Rouge is a bold and brazen cool toned red. Not for the faint hearted, it is certainly a statement colour. All purchases for this colour before September 15th will be included in the Kiss For a Cause campaign. $1 from every purchase will benefit the Beauty Bus Foundation-providing in-home beauty treatments to terminally and chronically ill patients and their caregivers.

Fall Trend Preview: My Favourite Red and Berry Lipsticks

Inspiration from Fall Campaigns:

Here are my favourite reds, burgundies, and berries for fall. Colours are not exact representations but the closest my camera could capture them: