Monday, 30 May 2016

Memorial Day Beauty Sales 2016


  • Elcie Cosmetics Free shipping on all orders using code ELCIEFREESHIPPING
  • Impressions Vanity 20% off Hollywood Vanity Mirrors, Vanity Tables & Chairs, Acrylic Makeup Organizers, Mini Makeup Mirrors & more
  • Nailhur Buy one get one free using code BOGO
  • Paula's Choice 20% off + Free Shipping using code PRBHA16
  • Sigma Beauty 20% off using code MEMORIAL20 (May 30th 2016) Free Shipping on $50 US Orders & $150 for International orders 
  • Tarte Cosmetics (ships to US & Canada) 30% off using code FRIENDS & Free Shipping on $40 US Orders & $75 CAD orders (May 27th to May 30th)


  • Zahra Beauty Store 25% sitewide excluding limited edition products + free US shipping on orders $60+ using code MEMORIAL16




May Favorites 2016

Here are my May Favorites. All of them are beauty products except one, which is a browser extension by CouponMate.
 
FTC: Sponsored by CouponMate. I only recommend products or services that I like and I choose very selectively which brands I like to work with. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission guidelines concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising.

    Saturday, 21 May 2016

    Sephora VIB Rouge Welcome Kit/Renewal Gift 2016

    This year's VIB Rouge Renewal Gift/Welcome Kit includes a deluxe size NARS Blush in shade Goulue (full size sold online for VIB Rouge).
     

    New VIB Rouge members get Welcome Kits that come with the red VIB Rouge Card and Beauty Studio All-Access Pass (unlimited free makeovers at the Beauty Studio). 
     
    I recently renewed mine, so I only got the mini NARS blush and a little booklet in English and French explaining the benefits of VIB Rouge. 
    The deluxe size NARS Blush in shade Goulue has shimmer finish.
    Here's how it compares to a full size NARS blush:

    I love this shade! Here's a swatch on my arm:
    I also wore it in my latest haul video and also showed the kit:
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    Welcome Kit/Renewal Gift 2015
    Click here to read my blog post on last year's renewal gift that I got.
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    VIB Rouge Benefits  
    • Free shipping
    • Unlimited free makeovers at the Beauty Studio
    • First access to special products and offers
    • VIB Rouge-exclusive events
    • Private Concierge: 1-855-ROUGE33 
    Check out my video for more information on Sephora Rewards program and what benefits VIB Rouge members have:

    Tuesday, 17 May 2016

    Generation Beauty Toronto Vlog & Experience

    I went to Toronto with my sister and Shaini for Ipsy Generation Beauty. We reached Toronto on Friday and checked in at Delta Chelsea Hotel, which was near Toronto Metro Convention Centre (cab ride was about $8-10 each way). We got there in time for early registration (5 PM - 7 PM) and got our badges.   
    After that, we went to 360 Restaurant at CN Tower and had a great time there. The food and service were good. We even had access to the observation deck.
    Kylie Cosmetics lipstick Candy K & MAC Soar
    On Saturday, it was day 1 of Gen Beauty. I wore this Fashion Nova demure jacket and on the lips, I wore MAC Soar lip liner and MAC Mehr Lipstick
    We got there 15 minutes before it started and there was already a huge lineup. We weren't able to get to Too Faced or Make Up For Ever because lines were closed, so our first stop was at Benefit. They gave us a deluxe sample of Hoola bronzer, which I have tried before and it doesn't work for my skin tone. They also had a display of their new brow collection that will be launching soon.
    Smashbox was giving out their primer and they also had ring lights, so we took some photos there.
    Our last stop that day was at NYX and they were giving out their lip palettes.
    There was also Ipsy Cocktail Party on Satuday at The Fifth Social Club. I got to meet so many beauty creators and made new friends! I also got to vlog with most of them and seriously they're just amazing!! 
    I also met Christen Dominique and she is the sweetest!! I'm so glad I got to meet her. She just made the whole experience even better. Love her!! 

    For Day 2 of Gen Beauty, I wore Stila Liquid Lipstick Aria and it lasted me throughout the whole day.

    I got to meet Christen Dominique once again at Make Up For Ever.  
    Also at Make Up Forever, we had the lovely makeup artist, Dannica, apply the liner on us. We got to choose artist shadows and liner. 

    Too Faced was giving out their new Born This Way concealers, which haven't been launched yet.

    I met Shelly, founder of Sahi Cosmetics on Saturday but we got to see her again on Sunday. I'm so excited to try out her liquid lipsticks that will be launching end of this month. 
    And that was the end of Gen Beauty. We had so much fun but we were so tired. I became sick the next day, so instead of posting my haul video Wednesday, I should have it up Friday.

    Also check out my haul/experience video:



    Friday, 13 May 2016

    April/May Beauty Haul 2016

    Influenster - I received the following products from Influenster to test them out:
    Beauty UnitedI also received the following P&G products from Beauty United as PR samples:

    Thursday, 12 May 2016

    April Beauty Favorites 2016

    Generation Beauty Toronto 2016

    This is the first time Ipsy Generation Beauty is happening in Toronto (it's their first International event). I went to the one in LA in January 2016 and I had so much fun! I also attended the cocktail party for beauty creators. I'm so glad they have one in Canada because I don't have to worry about customs. I got stopped 3 times last time because I declared the products I brought with me and they had hard time believe it was mostly makeup. I was about to get checked but then I gave the guy the list of products that I'm bringing and told him how I calculated it. He finally believed me and let me go. 

    When? May 14 11 AM - 5 PM and May 15 11 AM - 3 PM 
    Where? Toronto Convention Centre (222 Bremner Blvd South Building)
    Brands: Too Faced, NYX, Smashbox, Make Up For Ever, Benefit, Luxie, Tarte, etc. Click here for list of brands that will be attending. All of these presents will have their own booths, where you can buy makeup at discounted prices and/or get a sample of their products. They're quite generous!!  
    Stylists attending: Chrisspy, Christine Dominique, Desi Perkins, LustreLux, Sonjdradeluxe, and more.    
    Early Registration: You can go register early on Friday May 13 from 5-7 pm at Metro Toronto Convention Center, South Building, Level 600. 
    Swag Bag: Everyone who attends the event gets a swag bag filled with products over $200 
    I also have Gen Beauty Haul Video on my channel:

    Saturday, 7 May 2016

    Huda Beauty Lip Pencils Review & Swatches

    Huda Beauty Lip Contour Matte Lip Pencils are now available on Sephora website (US & Canada). Each pencil retails for $19 USD ($25.50 CAD) and contains 0.042 oz. I got 6 shades: TrendsetterIconTrophy WifeVideo StarCheerleader and Famous.
    Check out my video for lip swatches:
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    Shades 
    There are 9 shades: 
    1. Bombshell - subtle pinkish nude
    2. Cheerleader -  muted red
    3. Famous - burgundy
    4. Gossip Gurl - everyday cute pink
    5. Icon - classy peachy pink
    6. Trendsetter - brown nude
    7. Trophy Wife rosewood
    8. Video Star - shout out pink red
    9. Vixen deep brown 
    Here are 6 shades swatched on my arm (TrendsetterIconTrophy WifeVideo StarCheerleader and Famous).


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    Brown Nude






    I wasn't sure if I should get this because I thought it wouldn't work well with my skin tone but surprisingly it complements my skin tone. It also shows up well on my pigmented lips but my sister applied concealer and it looked amazing!!
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    Peachy Pink




    I like this one especially for daytime or everyday look.
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    Rosewood





    I love this shade!! It complements my skin tone (I'm around NC40-NC42 in MAC).
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    Shout Out Pink Red





    This bright pink is definitely one of my favorite shades surprisingly!! It's perfect for spring/summer. I'm already obsessed with it.
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    Muted Red
    This red liner is also one of my favorites! It looks so nice applied all over the lips and I think this will complement a lot of skin tones.
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    Burgundy
    This is my least favorite. I like using it to line my lips but not to fill them in. I noticed it was harder to apply than the others. I wouldn't use this on its own but instead I would apply it all over my lips or line them and then go in with a lipstick.
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    Application Tips
    • Prep your lips - Exfoliate lips and apply a lip balm. Then, remove excess with tissue paper (that way your lips won't end up looking too glossy). I noticed that it was so much easier to apply these pencils with lip balm.
    • Apply concealer for a batter color payoff
    • Line lips and then fill them in with the shade. Another thing you can do is contour your lips by lining them with a darker shade and then filling them in with a light liner or lipstick.
    Screenshot taken from my video
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    Review
    • Finish: Matte
    • Application: All of the shades I tried are great to line lips. They glide on so easily but sometimes I had hard time filling in my lips especially if I didn't apply any lip balm.
    • Wear time: I tested out Trophy Wife for about 8 hours without touching up and it looked great for 4-5 hours but then I ate and that's when it started to fade. It completely faded away by end of the day.
      Pros    
      • Matte - If you apply without any lip balm, these are completely matte but I just can't wear them without lip balm, so that's why you might notice some shine in my swatches. 
      • Creamy 
      • Pigmented
      • Minimal Transfer 
      • Long wearing   
      Cons 
      • Drying: I noticed it dries out my lips and feels slightly uncomfortable on the lips. I just wanted to apply lip balm all over it or a lipstick that's moisturizing. 

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      Shade Reference: MAC NC42, Indian/Pakistani/Brown skin/tan skin