Lip Stash by Hue: The Warmer Reds

Hi, everyone! While I'm generally as productive with the blog as I'd like to be, one area in which I need to improve is follow-through. I'm a master of promising a post or starting a series and then letting things trickle off. If you followed my blog during the Spring, you'll know that I started a Lip Stash by Hue series, in which I divided my lip product collection into colour families and featured each in an individual post. I just could not let this series die, so I'm back with another installment! I've already featured the Bright Pinks, the Purples, the Pinky Corals, the Nudes, the Neutral/Cool Reds, the Peaches, the Browns, the Oranges, the Muted Reds, and the Mauves, and now it's time for the warmer reds! Ranging from sheer rosy reds to full-on near-oranges, all of these lipsticks add some serious warmth and glam! 

Here are the more sheer, neutral-warm red lip colours in my stash: 

Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Wild Watermelon

Chantecaille Lip Chic in Amaryllis

YSL Rouge Volupte Sheer Candy in Luscious Cherry

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic

And here are the more saturated, warmer reds in my collection: 

Daniel Sandler Micro-Bubble Lipstick in Micro Red

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Personne ne Rouge

MAC Lustre Lipstick in Lady Bug

NARS Semi-Matte Lipstick in Heat Wave

MAC Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger

Here are the lipsticks all lined up, followed by swatches of each on my inner arm (MAC NC15 skin tone), in the same order:

Click to enlarge

And finally, each of my warmer reds in the context of a completed makeup look!

Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter in Wild Watermelon

Chantecaille Lip Chic in Amaryllis

YSL Rouge Volupte Sheer Candy in Luscious Cherry

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic

Daniel Sandler Micro-Bubble Lipstick in Micro Red

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Personne ne Rouge

MAC Lustre Lipstick in Lady Bug

NARS Semi-Matte Lipstick in Heatwave
(Sorry this one is blurry; hopefully you can still make out the shade and finish!)

MAC Matte  Lipstick in Lady Danger

Given this group of lipsticks, it's hard to write a summary that highlights only a few- they all are lovely! As for the sheer options, Amaryllis, Luscious Cherry, and Romantic are all beautifully hydrating, easy-to-wear reds that make lips look lush and full. Daniel Sandler Micro Red and NARS Heat Wave are both high-voltage reds that are totally underrated and Personne ne Rouge is my go-to no fuss red- it wears so well and doesn't dry my lips. Finally, Lady Danger really is the ultimate retro '40s screen siren red. It makes me feel fabulous! Of newer acquisitions, ColourPop Succulent Ultra Matte and Clique Lippie Stix would also fall into this category. I really can't get enough of orange reds! 

Do you like warm, orange-toned red lipsticks? What's your favourite? Did I tempt you with any here?

Look out for more Lip Stash by Hue posts coming soon (I promise)!

Thanks for dropping by! xo

My First-Ever Muji Haul!

Hi, everyone! When I heard that Muji was opening a shop here in Toronto, I was instantly excited. This Japanese chain of minimalist, functional, affordable housewares was well known to me, as every popular blogger seemed to store their makeup stash in Muji's sleek acrylic drawers and travel with their cosmetics bags. I was drawn to the sleek aesthetic and the wallet-friendly price tags as well as the opportunity to tap into my deep love of organizing! When Muji first opened its doors in Toronto, the stores was a zoo. I'd pass it on the way home from work, see the crowds, and decide to pass on by. But earlier this week my friend and I were on our way to grab some ramen, when a fairly tranquil-looking Muji store grabbed our attention.My friend left the shop with a sensible purchase of a new notebook and a couple new coloured pens. My haul was a bit more extensive, yet, arguable, also incredibly practical and well curated. Here's a peek at what I picked up: 

Lately I have been using the Quo Luxury Cotton Squares from Shoppers Drug Mart, but I was just coming to the end of a bag. Given the great price ($5.50 CAD), I thought I'd give Muji's Cut Cotton version a go!

I'm totally smitten with the chic, minimal packaging of Muji's skin care range, as well as with the quality ingredients included, especially for the price. I'm about to finish of a tin of my much-loved Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter, so thought I'd try a mini size of Muji's Mild Cleansing Oil ($6.50 CAD) to see how it stacks up.

These are the acrylic drawers that have made Muji famous in the blogosphere. I have similar storage in my bathroom at the moment, but it is completely overflowing. I thought the addition of these 3-Drawer Acrylic Cubby Boxes ($22 CAD) would take care of that excess in a sleek and compact way. Plus, the design is so easy on the eyes!

Yes, that is Darth Vader in the reflection :)

These plastic Makeup Boxes ($6 CAD each) or not quite as sleek and cool-looking, but I thought they would be absolutely perfect for storing my lipsticks. As we all know, my lipstick stash is a bit out of control, and is rather scattered around several areas of my apartment at the moment. I figured that these two containers would fit my collection quite well and finally give them a unified, tidy home! 

Although delayed, my first proper visit to Muji was a total success and a lot of fun. I'm not typically someone who gets ultra jazzed about housewares, but the variety of products offered (many of them rather adorable), the unique aesthetic, and gentle price tags could seriously having me lurk in the shop for hours. Luckily, our tummies were hungry for ramen at the time, so I left before doing any more damage!

Gratuitous kitty shot :)

Have you ever tried anything from Muji? Do you like shopping for household items? How do you store your makeup?

Thanks for dropping by! xo

Life Recently: Holding Onto Summer

Hi, everyone! With late August rolling in, I find myself desperately grasping onto Summer. It's a strange phenomenon, as I'm an Autumn girl through and through. I much prefer the crisp breezes, colourful leaves, and cozy sweaters. The heat and humidity of Summer typically leave me sweaty and cranky and seeking the comforts of air conditioned spaces. Despite this, there remains a pit in my stomach when I think about the arrival of September. Maybe it's because I've been an eternal student (this is the first time in 28 years I will not be returning to school in September. Whoa.) or maybe it's because Summer, in all of its hot, soupy glory, can still present magical, sunny days that just cannot be re-created at any other time of year. 

While I live for the hustle and bustle of Toronto's downtown core, I am lucky enough to live just a few blocks south of the chaos, on the shoes of Lake Ontario. This past Sunday I embarked on a solitary afternoon along the waterfront and it provided all of the peace, warmth, and vitamin D I was craving. Armed with a book, a huge bottle of water, and my biggest vintage sunglasses, I took to the boardwalk and soaked it all in! 

For the first portion of the afternoon, I sat by the water in front of Harbourfront Centre, watching the boats and reading, with the CN tower at my back. It really was idyllic, despite the throngs of tourists lining up for cruises and gathering around street magicians. There was an Iranian cultural festival going on at Harbourfront that day, so I also got to stop and watch some folk dancing that was absolutely beautiful! 

Then I strolled a little bit further west to HTO beach, which is a small but perfectly summery little plot of sand adorned with cheery yellow umbrellas. I plopped down in a Muskoka chair, dug my toes in the sand, cradled my book, and watched the pirate ships (yes, pirate ships!) sail by. 

Even though I walked away with a bit of a sunburn (SPF is important, guys!), my afternoon by the water showcased the beauty of Summer in the city and gave me a reason to hold onto the season with all of my might. I am beyond lucky to live so close to these sights (literally, a 5-minute walk) and Summer truly is the season when my neighbourhood is at its finest. So although I still look forward to the fresh, cool breezes of Fall, they can wait their turn while I soak up the sun a little longer :)

Are you a fan of Summer? What have been your favourite summery activities lately?

Thanks for dropping by! xo

Look of the Day: Frenchie Coconuts

Hi, everyone! Sometimes I just want to channel my inner Mimi and pair red lipstick with blue eyeshadow. Yes, it's a tricky combination to pull off (unless clown face is your goal), but with a light hand and a few neutral touches, I think it can look quite lovely! As with my last few posts, I've used my brand new ColourPop goodies to make this look happen. 

For the eyes, I started by applying ColourPop's Super Shock Highlighter in Highly Waisted all over the lid, blending up to the brow, for some glow. I then painted Super Shock Shadow in Coconut (the most beautiful teal blue) on the outer half of the lids, blending up and out. To ground the look (thus, hopefully, preventing the dreaded clown face), I applied Inglot Eye Shadow #357 (a matte mid-tone brown) to the crease. For some glimmer, I pushed some of ColourPop Fringe along the lower lash line, and to finish, I reached for a bronze eyeliner (Urban Decay 24/7 in Bourbon) and two coats of black  mascara.

On the cheeks, I paired ColourPop Super Shock Blush in JellyFish (one of my new favourites) with Super Shock Highlighter in Highly Waisted for a luminous flush. I also warmed up the skin a bit with Essence Beach Cruisers Bronzing Powder in Life's A Beach, to make the look feel extra summery. 

Last, but definitely not least, I created a vivid pinky red lip with the help of ColourPop Lippie Stix in Frenchie (an ultra-saturated neon rose) and OCC's Colour Cosmetic Pencil in Anime. The result was a slightly ombre lip that also channeled the summery vibe perfectly. 

The Breakdown:

Foundation: YSL Fusion Ink Foundation in BR20 Pinky Beige
Concealer: Cle de Peau Concealer in Ivory
Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte Long-Wearing Pressed Powder in 011 Creamy Natural  (on t-zone) and Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light (lightly all over)
Bronzer: Essence Beach Cruisers Bronzing Powder in Life's a Beach
Blush: ColourPop Super Shock Blush in JellyFish
Highlighter: ColourPop Super Shock Highlighter in Highly Waisted

Brows: Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Taupe and Tinted Brow Gel in Caramel
Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion Original formula
Eye Shadows: ColourPop Super Shock Shadows in Coconut (on outer half of the lid, blended up to the crease) and Fringe (along lower lash line), Super Shock Highlighter in Highly Waisted (on inner half of lid), Inglot Eye Shadow in #357 (to add some neutral definition to the crease), and The Body Shop Colour Crush Shadow in Oh, Honey (on brow bone and inner corners)
Eyeliner: Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Bourbon
Mascara: The HotShop Long Lash Mascara (from the Born Pretty Store)

Lipstick: ColourPop Lippie Stix in Frenchie
Lipliner: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Colour Cosmetic Pencil in Anime
 

And a few more shots of the look:

While I'm sure the majority of you will not rush out to try this blue/red combo, hopefully I've shown that with a few gentle touches, unlikely colour pairings can work quite nicely! If you're going to reach for blue eye shadow, ColourPop Coconut is a fabulous option because it can be worn full-on or quite sheer and Lippie Stix in Frenchie really is a vibrant lip lover's dream. Hence, I'm smitten :)

What are your favourite unexpected colour combinations? What are your most-loved goodies from ColourPop?

Have a wonderful week! xo

Look of the Day: My Clique's Game Face

Hi, everyone! Given the extensive size of my haul, it's no surprise that the ColourPop Looks of the Day continue! We all know I love a bold lip, and sometimes nothing hits the spot quite like a vivid, retro, orange red lip. Tones like this make me feel instantly glamorous and ColourPop Lippie Stix in Clique is no exception. Paired with a warm, metallic smokey eye, I got to channel one part '40s screen siren and one part Studio 54 regular. Now that's a combo I can work with! 

On the eyes, the star of the show is ColourPop Super Shock Shadow in Game Face. I packed this warm metallic copper all over the lids for some serious impact. To add depth to the look, I swept Super Shock Shadow in On the Rocks along the crease and dotted Heat to the inner corners of the eyes. I also ran Game Face along my bottom lash line for some extra smoke. I finished things off with black winged liner and lots of black mascara for further drama.

I added some glow to my face with ColourPop's Super Shock Highlighter in Highly Waisted and created a warm flush with Super Shock Blush in Fruit Stand. As I said above, the lips were all about ColourPop Lippie Stix in Clique. It's the most gorgeous saturated matte orange red that leaves lips looking full and dramatic. Plus, it doesn't leave things feeling dry or sticky. Bonus! 

The Breakdown:

Foundation: Revlon ColourStay Whipped Creme Makeup in Buff
Concealer: Inglot Under Eye Concealer #95 (on dark circles) and Cle de Peau Concealer in Ivory (on redness and blemishes)
Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte Long-Wearing Pressed Powder in 011 Creamy Natural  (on t-zone) and Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light (lightly all over)
Blush: ColourPop Super Shock Blush in Fruit Stand
Highlighter: ColourPop Super Shock Highlighter in Highly Waisted

Brows: Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Taupe and Tinted Brow Gel in Caramel
Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion Original formula
Eye Shadows: ColourPop Super Shock Shadows in Game Face (packed heavily over the lid and along lower lash line), On the Rocks (in the crease), and Heat (on inner corners), The Body Shop Colour Crush Shadow in Oh, Honey (on brow bone and inner corners)
Eyeliner: Annabelle StaySharp Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner in Go Black
Mascara: The HotShop Long Lash Mascara (from the Born Pretty Store)

Lipstick: ColourPop Lippie Stix in Clique

 

And a few more shots of the look:

I wore this look yesterday for a stroll around Yorkville here in Toronto. A bit dramatic for a trip to Whole Foods? Probably so, but I felt utterly fabulous whilst perusing the natural skin care and purchasing overpriced kombucha ;)

I hope you've been enjoying the ColourPop Looks of the Day so far! Look out for even more in the coming days.

Have a fantastic weekend! xo

Look of the Day: My Bae is Hot

Hi, everyone! My last ColourPop Look of the Day featured some lovely neutral tones from the makeup brand, while today's is decidedly more colourful. I sported this look a few days ago: it was the weekend, it was damn hot outside, and I was meeting up with some blogger friends for brunch. What better time to get a bit vibrant!? In the end, I chose to tone down the lip before leaving the house (eating eggs florentine in a hot pink lip might not have been cute), but as a bolder, editorial look, I'm really happy with how this version turned out! 

I started by applying ColourPop Super Shock Shadow in Heat (a cheery orange yellow with a satin finish) on the inner half of my lids, blending up to the crease. That brightened things up instantly! For some contrast, I applied Super Shock Shadow in Bae (an eggplant with blue and gold shimmer) on the outer half of my lids, blending it into Heat. To ground the look slightly, I applied a soft touch of On the Rocks (my new favourite shimmery brown) in the crease. Finally, for a pop of colour, I swept Coconut (a bold ocean blue) along my lower lash lines.

For a highlight, I reached for ColourPop Super Shock Highlighter in Highly Waisted, which is a unique, yet completely flattering yellow-pinky-beige shade. On the cheeks, I opted for Super Shock Blush in Fruit Stand, a vivid matte coral orange.

To paint the lips, I first applied Ultra Matte lip colour in Bumble, a neutral tone that ended up being deeper and more red than anticipated. As this didn't quite mesh with the eyes, I topped Bumble with Lippie Stix in Julep, a cheery pinky coral. The coral tones of Julep created a tropical feel to the lips, which complemented the eyes quite well! 

The Breakdown:

Foundation: Revlon ColourStay Whipped Creme Makeup in Buff
Concealer: Inglot Under Eye Concealer #95 (on dark circles) and Cle de Peau Concealer in Ivory (on redness and blemishes)
Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte Long-Wearing Pressed Powder in 011 Creamy Natural  (on t-zone) and Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light (lightly all over)
Blush: ColourPop Super Shock Blush in Fruit Stand
Highlighter: ColourPop Super Shock Highlighter in Highly Waisted

Brows: Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Taupe and Tinted Brow Gel in Caramel
Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion Original formula
Eye Shadows: ColourPop Super Shock Shadows in Bae (on outer corners and crease), Heat (on inner corners of the eye), On the Rocks (in the crease), and Coconut (along lower lash line), The Body Shop Colour Crush Shadow in Oh, Honey (on brow bone and inner corners)
Eyeliner: Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Bourbon
Mascara: BeneFit They're Real

Lipstick: ColourPop Ultra Matte in Bumble topped with Lippie Stix in Julep

 

And a few more shots of the look:

While this definitely was not an everyday makeup sort of look, I sure had fun playing with all that colour! Heat is an incredibly brightening, bold shade that is unlike anything else in my stash, and its partner here, Bae, is equally as unique, yet flattering. Fruit Stand is an incredibly beautiful matte blush that can be worn intensely, or with a softer touch, as I did here. I'm excited to use Bumble Ultra Matte with other makeup looks, but for this makeup, Julep and its coral beauty saved the day! 

Have you been playing with any vibrant colours lately? Are any of the products I used in this look calling your name? Thanks for stopping by! xo

Look of the Day: On the Brink, On the Rocks

Hi, everyone! If you saw my latest post, you'll know that I recently gave into my pent-up ColourPop lust and placed a pretty epic order. Every single product I ordered was love at first swatch and I've had even more fun putting my new items to good use. While the majority of shades I selected are quite bold and colourful, there were a few neutrals among them and those are the colours I delved into first. Yes, ColourPop can be work appropriate! 

While this look is somewhat unassuming, I can say that I'm completely in love with every single ColourPop item that went into it. First off, the eyes. Super Shock Shadow in On the Rocks is one of the most flattering browns I've used. It is a warm chocolate tone with gold and violet shimmer that give it a beautiful multidimensionality while still remaining perfectly neutral. I applied it to the outer corners and crease of the eyes, and paired it with Super Shock Shadow in Fringe on the inner corners. Fringe is a magical pale beige that adds instant glimmer and glow to the eyes and pairs with On the Rocks wonderfully. 

For the cheeks, I started by sweeping Super Shock Highlighter in Highly Waisted on the tops of my cheekbones. It's such a unique highlight shade- it has a yellow base with golden and pink shimmer throughout- while it looks slightly garish in the pan, it translates very nicely on the skin. As for the blush- ah, the blush!- I opted for Super Shock Blush in Jelly Fish. It is a shimmery coral red that imparts the most flattering, luminous flush on the cheeks. Summery heaven! 

The final touch of ColourPop was the LippieStix in Brink. Everything about this lipstick is perfection. It's a unique mix of brown and plum with soft peachy pink undertones that make it incredibly wearable. At first swipe, I knew Brink was one of the best neutral lipsticks I'd ever tried. I know it will get tons of use. 

The Breakdown:

Foundation: Revlon ColourStay Whipped Creme Makeup in Buff
Concealer: Inglot Under Eye Concealer #95 (on dark circles) and Cle de Peau Concealer in Ivory (on redness and blemishes)
Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte Long-Wearing Pressed Powder in 011 Creamy Natural  (on t-zone) and Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light (lightly all over)
Blush: ColourPop Super Shock Blush in Jelly Fish
Highlighter: ColourPop Super Shock Highlighter in Highly Waisted

Brows: Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Taupe and Tinted Brow Gel in Caramel
Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion Original formula
Eye Shadows: ColourPop Super Shock Shadows in On the Rocks (on outer corner and crease of the eye) and Fringe (on inner corners and brow bone)
Eyeliner: Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Bourbon
Mascara: BeneFit They're Real

Lipstick: ColourPop Lippie Stix in Brink 

And a few more shots of the look:

There's not much more to say here, as this post has been one giant gush-fest, but in case you didn't catch my drift, ColourPop On the Rocks, Fringe, Highly Waisted, Jelly Fish, and Brink are all beyond top-notch! If you're looking for a neutral look with a unique twist, any of these shades will do you well!

Look out for more Looks of the Day featuring my new ColourPop goodies in the days to come! :)