Beauty Link Love for 22/10/11

Polish Insomniac shows off her favorite manicure to date!

Can you believe that Fall is already here! Check out Spiced Beauty's favorite red fall lipsticks!

Midnight Violets gives us the low-down on some of the great nude palettes available at the moment - comparison included!

Being bored watching Loxy play Shooty-Town led Gouldylox to this helpful discovery. It'll all make sense and help your super-short nailed ladies look amazing when you click here.

Want big Bambi lashes? Amy Antoinette reviews Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara.

Miss Beauty Nerd features a lovely blusher from Iman for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Get full lashes that last throughout the day with L'Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara, as reviewed by My Lips But Better.

Being an international jet-setter just became a little easier. See how on the Perfectly Imperfect Beauty Blog.

Phyrra shares her Hacks! Cheats for blending eye shadows.

Krasey Beauty has the scoop on the new, the awesome, Urban Decay Midnight Emergency Kit!

K from Beautifully Addicted To gives you her opinion on MAC's Purple Majesty nail polish.

Kajal Couture reveals whether the $35 Boscia Black Mask is better than a $2 face mask.

Anita compares the new Mac Lighstcapade MSF with the old, prettier version over at Pleasureflush.

--- theNotice is still celebrating it's four-year blogiversary! Enter Rae's Pink Giveaway now, and keep your eyes peeled for something big on the 24th ;)

Sweet, Sultry, or Sophisticated? Trish McEvoy's Fragrance Wardrobe Will Clothe You in Decadence

When it comes to fragrances, one size does not fit all. A woman's scent is something intricate and personal that is very hard to replicate because of our unique body chemistry. Instead of creating a range of perfumes for a prototypical women, Trish McEvoy has ingeniously designed a collection based our a woman's moods. 

Each unique scent contains precious and natural essences that will evoke a woman's personality and mood. These fragrances can be worn as bold separates or intricate layer,s making them the perfect accessory in all situations. Trish has made it possible to express our individuality through scent, one of the greatest contributors to memory recall. Be unforgettable and irresistible!   

Black Rose Oud: Glamourous. A heart of prized Black Baccara Rose and precious Oud oils surrounded by vibrant florals, exotic spices and sensual woods

No. 3 Snowdrop & Crystal Flowers: Graceful. This scent is evoked by a blend of white narcissus, snowdrop flowers and crystal musk.

No. 4 Gardenia Musk: Romantic. A warm musk mixed with the heady summer-night scent of gardenia

Sexy 4 Gardenia: Passionate. The heady, irresistible scent of gardenia is infused with notes of musk, honeysuckle, exotic Neroli orange peels, and sultry Tuberose.

No.6 Mandarin and Ginger Lily: Flirty. An energetic, vivacious mic of tang and light floral scents.

No. 9 Blackberry and Vanilla Musk: Sassy. An irresistibly inviting blend of sweet blackberries  and vanilla mixed with warm aromas of musk and white rose.

Sexy 9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk: Seductive. The deliciousness of No. 9 infused with the rich, commanding sensuality of Amazon lilies, patchouli and amber. 

No. 10 Lavender Spice: Mysterious. Inhale the captivating aroma of French lavender and glowing amber invigorated by hints of exotic spices.

No. 11 White Iris: Sexy. An alluring, feminine blend of honeysuckle, white iris and Bulgarian rose host sophisticated undertones of jasmine and sandalwood.

Trish: Sensual. A passionate mixture of musk, almond flowers, black lotus and Tonka beans with seductive notes of white amber cashmere musk, and Indian sandalwood. 

Precious Oud: Exotic. An intoxicating blend of sought-after Oud essence infused with incense, patchouli, natural sandalwood, rose, musk and amber.   

Personal Favourites: Black Rose Oud, Sexy 9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk

**Disclosure: Samples provided by Trish McEvoy for editorial purposes**

This Baby Is Never Leaving My Purse: Travalo Refillable Perfume Atomizer

I am all for airport security and keeping our skies safe. But sometimes, after being packed in to a confined space for hours, a girl (and quite a few men) need a scent refresher. No longer being able to cart around my favourite fragrance in my carry-on meant that freshening up was infinitely delayed by awaiting my bag's tumbling arrival down the carousel. A time or two I found a smashed perfume bottle caused by the brutes, er, baggage handlers, unceremoniously hurling my luggage unto the conveyer belt. 

Well darlin' times are a-changin'! Rollerballs have made travelling with your favourite perfume a little easier, however those suckers are prone to cracking and aren't available in every scent. Enter my newest beauty obsession: Travalo's Refillable Perfume Atomizer.

 

Features

• 50 full sprays of your favourite fragrance
• aircraft approve
• pressure regulating system so it won't crack in an airplane's cabin or baggage hold
• 98% recyclable
• no glass parts = no shattering 
• operational guarantee (10 years)
• refill in seconds without a funnel or a mess

How It Works: 5 Easy Steps

Step 1: Choose your fragrance

2) Remove the spritzer top

3) Position the Travalo hole over the spritzer

4) Pump the perfume until your Travalo is full

 5) Spray and be on your sweet smelling way

For all my Canadians, I have spotted the Travalo at Shoppers Drug Mart but it can also be purchased online in an assortment of colours. 

Grade: A++

**Disclosure: Product provided by Travalo for editorial purposes**

Stila for Costco?!!

Shopping for bulk groceries has just gotten a little more interesting, at least across the border in the US. While on one of my day trips to Seattle, I made a detour at Costco for my beloved pumpkin nut pancake mix and walked away with two Stila value kits. From Costco! Yes. COSTCO. 

Each kit was $20 and included:

• tri-coloured eyeshadow palette
• coordinating Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye liner eyeliner
• shimmer eye pen

The eyeshadows are good but seem to be a little inconsistent with Stila's usual quality. The shimmer eye pens are great for highlighting the inner corner for a night out, but not really wearable for daily use. The winner of these kits is the eye liner, which usually retails at $20 on its own. 

Endless Summer Set-Warm

Endless Summer Set-Cool 

Grade: B+

Battle of the Lashes: Lash Loves and Duds

The past two months I have been testing 4 mascaras to find the perfect one before the holiday season springs up on me. Some have been great, and others not so much. Click on the mascaras listed below to see my reviews. 

1. Annabelle Le BigShow Mascara
2. Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes
3. Maybelline Falsies Volume Express Flared
4. Benefit They're Real

Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara

Have you ever been envious of Chucky's wide eyed peepers? Maybe not. Truthfully, dolls eyes (particularly the ones that blinked) always creeped me out as a child, but I am sure that this idea will appeal to many women. 

 A new, unique, cone-shaped brush provides an extremely smooth and clean application, precisely defining even your hard-to-reach corners and lower lashes. Combined with the exclusively developed FiberShine^TM formula, it sculpts, curls and loads each lash for the ultimate shiny lash fringe. Lift and thicken every single lash without weighing it down. Push up your lashes for your most flirty, wide open eye look.

I love the precision of the nylon conical brush! It separates each lash and gives them impressive length. My one complaint about the wand is that product tends to accumulate at the base of the brush, so be sure to wipe off on the tube before applying to avoid a mess. 

I wouldn't classify this as a particularly dramatic or volumizing formula, but the effect is certainly an open eyed and long lashed romantic look. The consistency is more thin and wet than other Hypnose formulas which makes it ideal for layering on its own or with your favourite thickening mascara. There is absolutely no clumping or flaking and this formula wears for at least 6 hours. When the tube it first opened there is a heavy scent of roses which may be irritating to some people, but I kind of like. 

Grade: B+

Maybelline Falsies Volume Express Flared

If you loved the original Maybelline Falsies, then you are going to adore its Flared sister.

 The brush is very unique, if not initially a little confounding: "Which side do I use for what?!" The side that curves out is what gives the lashes a "flared affect." It easily positions lashes in a splayed out fan giving the look of flirty and fluttery lashes. The side that curves inward curls lashes and adds all the volume, especially at the roots. No matter which side you use, the brush head contours perfectly to your lashbed allowing optimal results. 

The formula appears to be extremely similar if not identical to the original Falsies Volume Express. It is almost impossible to get this formula to clump so you can add layer upon layer of the inky blackness for the utmost drama. The only downside of this formula is that it flakes after a few hours. It is not heavy flaking, but an late afternoon touch-up underneath the eyes is usually necessary. 

Grade: A-

Benefit They're Real Maccara

They may be real, but they aren't great. I had high expectations for this mascara after seeing the ingenious brush, but unfortunately that is where my love for this mascara ends. 

The brush is genius. I actually cleaned it off and tried it with another mascara that I love and the results were unparalleled when compared to how it works with the Benefit formula. It is a hybrid between Cover Girl Lash Blast and Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes. The short bristles work fantastically for separating and lengthening the lashes while the bulbous tip gets right into the roots to lift and curl each lash. The key is to use the wand horizontally and vertically, so applying your mascara requires a bit of a time commitment. 

Unfortunately this mascara loses big points on formula. I hate crimped spider leg lashes, and that is exactly the effect I get. I think the problem is that the consistency is too thick for layering. The first coat looks promising and you could stop there, but it doesn't give the breathtaking result that the marketing promises. After the second coat fibrous clumping is noticeable and lashes require a comb through. This formula is best for curling and lengthening, but volumizing is not one of its attributes. 

Grade: C+

Annabelle Le BigShow Mascara

 Annabelle Le BigShow mascara is a BIG DEAL. The forerunner of my Battle of the Lashes project, this mascara is a must if you are looking for bold eyes this holiday season. 

The brush and bristles make all the difference with this product. A medium sized brush head with a plethora of mid-length bristles ensures that each lash is evenly coated and separated. The tapered tip facilitates application to the small lashes in the inner corner of the eye and the lower lashline. The brush isn't that flexible, which I prefer because it feels more solid and quality. 

The formula is an opaque jet block that leaves lashes looking glossy and healthy when it dries. The major selling point of this mascara is the amount of volume you can achieve after two coats. Usually volumizing mascaras skimp on the length, but the bristles make sure that you are coated to the tips, thus adding length.

The product can be layered without clumping or the dreaded spider effect so that you are left with a heavy curtain of lashes. The product holds curl very well, but it doesn't add curl, so that is something to consider if you have straighter lashes.  The wear time is exceptional-all day without flaking, smudging or running. 

Grade: A


**Disclosure: Product provided for review purposes**

Beauty Link Love for 08/10/11

Phyrra disseminates this month's Independent Spotlight about the darkly delightful Distorria and Detrivore Cosmetics!

Love all things Urban Decay? Check out their 15th anniversary palette, at Krasey Beauty!

Excited for October 31st? Musicalhouses shows you her Halloween cobweb nails and her Halloween red and black eye look!

Do you have all you need to complete your fall nail wardrobe? Polish Insomniac breaks down the FingerPaints Fall Fashionista Collection.

A beauty junkie in London shares what's in her travel make-up bag.

The Beauty Spot goes for a very untraditional Disney inspired look!

Mehak from Peachesandblush has over fifty MAC lipsticks swatched on her blog. Which one do you love?

Benefit Cosmetics is launching a false lash range, and Addicted to Beauty can't decide which of the 9 styles she likes most.

Jonesing to buy loads of new makeup without the wallet to back up your wants? Gouldylox suggests checking out this 27 piece kit that is actually worth it.

Miss Beauty Nerd discovers three new lip balms almost good enough to eat (as her kitten will attest)!

Looking for silicone-free hair products? Tracy at Beauty Reflections finds a great silicone-free hair serum, PHYTO Phytokératine Serum!

Sherrie from Mirror, Mirror On The Wall Reviews Elemis's New Melting Cleansing Gel.
-- Fleurissante is giving away Chanel Le Vernis Graphite. Will you be the lucky winner?

 
theNotice: a beauty blog just turned four - and Rae's hosting four colour-coded week-long giveaways to celebrate.

Check out this week's nude giveaway to win five tubes of her favourite lipstick formula!

Anita is celebrating 200,000 pageviews by giving away a gorgeous Laura Geller blush over at Pleasureflush!

September 2011 Beauty Favourites

In the spirit of Thanksgiving (which is Monday for us Canadians), I am giving thanks for some exceptional products over the month of September. 

Foundation
-Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation
-Vichy Dermablend Foundation
-Face Atelier Ultra Foundation


Blush
-Face Atelier Facade (review to come)
-Stila Custom Color Blush in Coral (review to come)


Eye Products
-Chanel Illusion D'ombres (review to come)
-Stila Longwear Eye Liners
-Buxom Stay There Cream Eye Shadow (review to come)
-Lise Watier Equinoxe Quad
-Loreal Coleur Infallible Eye Shadows
-Hard Candy Stroke of Genius Liner
-Annabelle Smoothie Eye Pencils (review to come)
-Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Shadow Pencils (review to come)


Lip Products
-Lise Watier Rouge Plumpissimo in Nude Love
-Dior Addict Lipstick in Parisian Chic


Mascaras
-Annabelle Le BigShow Mascara (review to come)
-Lancome Doll Eyes (review to come)


Fragrance
-Trish McEvoy Blackberry and Vanilla Musk (review to come)


Skin Care
-Caudalie Premier Cru Eye Cream
-Clean and Clear Persa Gel 5
-Eminence Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer(review to come)
-Eminence Clear Skin Probiotic Masque (review to come)

Lancôme Ambassadress Kate Winslet & the Golden Hat Foundation

Cover Girl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm Is Not The Bomb

I'll be completely honest-the only reason I wanted to try this product is because Taylor Swift looked so lovely in the advertisement. Marketing: 1, Lydia: 0.

There are just too many great coloured balm products out there for this product to really be a market contender. Even in its price range, there are lip products that are superior on all fronts.

 (Grenache, Thistle, Hibiscus, Peony)

What I Liked
-SPF 15
-Not sticky
-A decent amount of colour for a natural looking lip stain, although it does apply patch at first
-pretty sheen

What I Didn't Like
-Not very soft or emollient so application requires more pressure for even coating
-Claims to be very hydrating, but I found it just sat on the lips surface
-Poor wear time (2 hours if you don't go near liquids)
-Cheap plastic packaging
-For a "natural" product, the scent was quite artificial

Grade: C+