Review: GLEAM by Melanie Mills

Happy Monday, lovelies!  So a while ago, I received a couple of products from Melanie Mills, former head makeup artist of Dancing with the Stars!

These glosses are super-hydrating with a high-gloss finish.  The wear a little sticky (which you all know I LOVE), and they are fully opaque.  They leave behind the most amazing stain, so I like to apply Uncontrollable and Up Against the Wall straight from the applicator, then blend out with my fingers.  I apply Naked with the applicator and try not to blot because I adore a glossy nude lip. These are also scented; the fragrance is reminiscent of MAC lipglasses.

Uncontrollable: It's a bright, blue-based fuschia -- it leans a little mauve.  I can see this being a little cool for some very warm-skinned people, but this colour is right up my alley.

Up Against the Wall: Blood-red with just enough blue and brown to suit everyone.  I can 

Naked: This is a corally, brown-based nude.  I usually have a hard time finding nude colours that work on me (i.e., don't make me look dead or my teeth look yellow), and this one fits the bill perfectly.

Here's my thing about this line of lipgloss: this is a perfectly edited collection, which is extremely rare.  Another line that I find to be similarly well edited are the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushes.  I kind of sort of really really love that there's one red, one coral, one fuschia, one raspberry and one nude and one of everything else.  There's certainly a side to me that loves that MAC and Inglot do 12 slightly different shades of taupe, but consumers just get overwhelmed if you give them too many choices. Kudos to Melanie for her forethought.

She also sent me her signature product: Body Radiance!  These bring the nicest sheen to the body, as evidenced by the DWTS clips I YouTubed.  I've tried to DIY this myself before, by adding shimmer powder into a body lotion, but that always ends up a) looking patchy or b) all over my clothes.  These shimmers are waterproof and transfer-proof.  In other words, a godsend.

I received two colours out of four -- Light Gold (left) and Rose Gold (right).  I thought Light Gold would be nicer on my olive skin, but I actually think Rose Gold looks much more natural.  These feel amazing and would make a great body lotion on their own.  I'm hoarding mine for an evening beach party so I can look all candle-lit and glowy!  If you grab one of the darker colours, it's the easiest way to fake a tan for a day.

All these products can be purchased directly from her site.  Lip Radiances retail $24 USD for 0.176 fl oz and Body Radiances range from $15 to $40, depending on the size.  Melanie's also got a book coming out, and it's rumoured to be the next Making Faces!  Can't wait, and I'll let you know if I hear anything about it!

Haul: Estee Lauder/MAC Warehouse Sale

Last weekend, Tod and I went to the Estee Lauder warehouse sale in Markham.  A few things...

1. Accessibility: It's in the middle of surrounded-by-farmland nowhere.
2. Prices: Some things were amazingly discounted.  Others, not so much.  Also, $/unit was a little wonky and I'll get into that in the haircare section.
3. Inventory: They don't have everything.  They have a bunch of past collections, so this would be the chance to pick up limited edition item you may have missed out on.  There are also a ton of pro products which are hard to come by if you don't live near a pro store.  They have some normal store items, but not too many.  Skincare was curiously absent.  There was some, but unless you're seriously into Origins or the Clinique Poreless line, there wasn't much. There were also lots of DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger and Estee Lauder fragrances.
4. Insane shopper syndrome: When you first get in, you'll feel this irrepressible urge to charge tables and purchase.  Try not to.  Go in with a plan/idea of what you want.
5. How it works:  There are tables with a sample of each product that they carry and a number that identifies it.  You write down the numbers of things that you want and bring them to the stock people.  Kind of like a 1930s grocery store.  At each table they put your purchases into a bag and seal it for you -- you can't purchase anything that's not been bagged.  If you want to return one of the items ib your bag, you need to go to the returns table and have them repackage everything, but that doesn't take long.  It's easiest to get everything you might want and take a few minutes at the end to prune the excess and return it all at once.
6. Was it worth it?  Yes. 
7. Colours: Not all shades are available in foundations/powders/concealers.  I also recommend that you get yourself matched before you go to the sale.

I think the way to do this is to identify what you're missing from your collection, or what you've been lemming for a really long time.  For example, I know that I'm severely lacking in MAC brushes, and I figured this would be a great opportunity to get some.  I also wanted to pick up some Lustre drops, try Bobbi Brown concealer, and possibly pick up a Skinfinish Natural, because I've never tried one before.

Very few things on my extensive list were actually available, but it helped me kind of stay within the category.  Of course I still strayed from the list, but I can only imagine what I would have done with less mental preparation.  Another thing about having a  list of things you want is that you can scan the tables for those items and get them first.  This also makes the shopping process go a lot faster -- I got through all three rooms in 45 minutes.  Tod took a little longer and that's when I found myself finding picking up things I didn't necessarily want/need.

Brushes:  I was trying to photograph these all in one shot, but they wouldn't lie flat properly so I decided to show them individually.

Makeup

MAC Gold Pro Pigment ($12), MAC Bare Study Paint Pot ($12)

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Peach ($9), Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Warm Beige ($9)

Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara in Black ($12)

Clinique High Impact Mascara in Black ($12)

Lumecin Overnight Brightening Gluco-Protein Treatment ($18)

Hair

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray ($10)

Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coco Masque ($20)

Note:  I also got the Creme de Coco shampoo (1L) and conditioner in four 2oz travel bottles. 

Here's the thing -- they were selling 8 oz bottles of conditioner for $18 and 2 oz bottles for $4 each.

Wasteful, but more economical for me ;-)

Brushes

I would have done this in one photo, but they wouldn't lay flat.  Naughty brushes.

I can't remember how much each brush cost, but they ranged from $10 - $20.  This giant buffer below was $30 though.  They also had some limited 187s that were $50, but I'd rather a normal-looking one if I have to pay the retail price anyway.

MAC 179

MAC 194

MAC 205

MAC 225

MAC 231

MAC 272

MAC 311

MAC 184

Review: Missha BB Boomer

I used Missha's BB Boomer in this FOTW (will soon update the rotation!) and I'm so in love with it.  Firstly, I've never tried a BB cream, despite my Asian heritage, and I had no idea there were BB cream primers.  Question: Aren't BB creams supposed to be miracle products that act on their own and need no support whatsoever?  Just saying.

I adore this product its beautiful highlighting ability.  As you can see in the promo photo, there's a pearly opalescence that makes for an extremely sheer, these-are-my-real-cheekbones highlight.  I take a tiny dab of this, rub it between my fingers and tap it onto my cheeks before/after foundation, depending on how much cheekbone I want.  Now, I've never tried BECCA's shimmering skin perfector, but this is what I think it's supposed to look like.  I've heard some people say that this is too glittery for daytime, but the glitter doesn't manifest itself that way on me.  It's just the most natural, dewy "glow" people keep raving over.  I think this may have replaced Mary Lou-Manizer and High Beam.  Actually, I just realized I never wore highlighter on a regular basis before.  This is my inaugural daily highlight.

I also use this as a moisturizer, and holy cracker, does this make my skin feel soft.  It also makes my skin look more finished, if that makes sense?  I've never been one for illuminating/dewy/glowy/Twilight-sparkly foundations since I have rather combination-oily skin, but this makes me rethink all that.  It covers absolutely nothing, yet I feel as though I can go bare faced with this moisturizer on.  It's probably just wishful thinking.

Details
Price: I got it for free when I purchased my BB cream.  A quick Amazon search tells me you can get a 40 mL for $7 but it retails for $25.
Product: It doesn't specify an SPF on it (or maybe it does, but I can't read Korean), but people claim that it's sunblocking.  I don't like to use sunscreen after because it ruins this other-worldly softness it gives my skin, but I probably should, just in case.
Availability:  I got mine from a Korean grocer on Bloor, just west of Christie.  It's underground and they also sell Missha Perfect Cover.
Wear: I don't use it as a primer so I can't comment

I think I'm going to put some on right now.

Kryolan: First Impressions, Swatches, Review

ZOMG.

I'm tempted to say I'll never buy another shadow again, but we all know that's a huge lie.  However, if there's anything in the world that could convince, it's the combination of both Naked palettes and this baby right here.

Introducing...the Kryolan 18 Bold Colours Palette V2: Fashion.

Review: Jack Black vs. My Favourite Night Balm

I consistently mistake one for the other.

My Favourite Night Balm was something I bought on a whim because I'd been lusting after Jack Black for so long.  Apparently they've been available at Sephora this entire time.  I think I've used both on and off for two months now.

In one corner...

Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm

Price: $9 CAD

Volume: .25 oz

Scent: Vanilla and Lavender

I love that this ultra-moisturizing lipbalm has SPF 25, is in no way sticky and absorbs really quickly.  But not in that I-didn't-put-anything-on way, in that whoa-that-asborbed-quickly way.  LOVE.  This is great to wear alone or for any lip prep.  I usually put this on before bed and once in the morning and I don't feel any need to apply more often. Occasionally I do, but only because it feels so damn good.

And in the other...

C.O. Bigelow My Favourite Night Balm

Price: $7 CAD

Volume: 0.34 oz

Scent: none on the label, but smells like something vanilla-y or sugary.

This is the most high-gloss lip balm I've ever tried.  It reminds me of my long-lost love, Dior Addict Ultra Gloss in 001; neither of them really sink into your lips.  Rather, they sit on top and give your lips the most beautiful lacquered finish.  It's moisturizing, but it feels more like it's sealing in the existing moisture in your lips rather than adding any at all.  This is meant for use at night, so there's no SPF.

Verdict?  As an actual lip balm, I prefer Jack Black's version.  I always forget to use sun protection on my lips and it's the one part of my face that gets oddly rough.  Apparently that means your lips are sunburned.  Bottom line, Jack Black ekes out a little more moisture than C.O. Bigelow's version.  However, I do recommend My Favourite Night Balm for high-shine lip looks.  I've been using it for shiny nude lip days, but I don't really use it for moisture at night because I find it gets all over my pillowcases.

Any other lip balms I desperately need to try?

On my Vanity: Brushes

I need to put this out there:  brushes are my straight up kryptonite-candy-to-a-superkid weakness.

I don't use every single one of these brushes on myself -- these are also the brushes I reach for most often when I do tutorials and looks on other people, etc.

Why do I keep getting Naked?

Better question: how can you not get Naked2?


First Impressions:

• The way the Shoppers Drug Mart announced it before the release was: "Naked 1 is warm, Naked 2 is cool."  It makes sense -- Naked2 leans a lot more silvery and purple -- but there are a few colours here and there that are warmer than in the original palette
• This new palette has a lot less colour variation.  Not in the sense that you're getting the same colour over and over, but you don't get a lot of very light or very dark colours (except the black).

Double-ended brush

L: Naked2, R: Naked1

Top: Naked1, Bottom: Naked2

Top: Naked1, Bottom: Naked2

Swatches

Foxy, Half Baked, Bootycall, Chopper

Tease, Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol

Verve, YDK, Busted, Blackout

Price: This palette retails for $60 CAD -- about $10 more than the original.  Of course, if you really want to make your skin crawl, it's only $50 USD.  That's right.  However, I did get mine on a 20x Optimum points event (my American friends, it's a drugstore points-collecting craze that's taken us Canadians over), so technically it was cheaper than buying it across the border.  That's what I'm telling myself.

Quality: The shadow quality is just as good as the last one -- shimmers in Naked2 are just as creamy as in Naked1, and mattes are characteristically less pigmented, but not bad compared to others that I've tried.  I do wish the payoff was more consistent among the shades, but the only one I'm particularly disappointed with is Foxy.  I'm not quite sure who this colour would work on, but I'll play around with it and let you know.

Packaging:  It's exactly the same size as the old Naked, which pleases me to no end and I have no idea why!  This one comes in a metal box, kind of like those pencil cases you get in Japanese stationery stores.  The velvet case on my Naked1 hasn't gotten too dirty yet, but I can see people liking the fact that they can wipe this one down.  The mirror is also much larger, taking up the entire inside of the lid.

Extras:  I haven't bothered to try the lipgloss yet, simply because it looks like a neutral enough colour that it likely won't show up on anyone's lips.  Tod tried it and she really doesn't like the minty, plumping feeling that you get from it.  The double-ended brush is a nice touch, but it makes me wish I'd gotten the original Naked palette during its first run when they released it with a double-ended eyeliner.  Imagine, all your eye needs in two compact cases!  Except mascara.

In my teaser post yesterday, I showed you the following photo.  These are the most similar colours in the palettes.

Each pair of swatches: Naked1 on the right, Naked2 on the left

1. Smog and Snakebite aren't actually dupes for each other.  Smog is much more gold and Snakebite is darker/browner
2. Sidecar is a little less orange and much less glittery than YDK, but otherwise these colours are quite close if you apply YDK sparingly.
3. Contrary to this whole Naked1=warm and Naked2=cool thing, Virgin is slightly cooler than Bootycall.  I wouldn't call Bootycall warm though -- it's more neutral than anything.
4. True to our warm/cool theory, Hustle is a slightly warmer version of Busted.

So, Naked 1 or Naked 2? 

Get Naked 1 if...

•  If you like to do lots of different looks -- the shade range will help you create a different eye each time you use it
• You look better in warm-toned shadows.  I.e., if your favourite eyeshadow from MAC is Amber Lights, Woodwinked, Soft Brown or Mulch, get this one.

Get Naked 2 if...

• If you don't like to experiment with your look but would like to have a few colour scheme options
• You look better in cool-toned shadows. I.e., if your favourite MAC eyeshadows include Patina, Satin Taupe, Club and Smut.

Or if you're like me: get both.  You won't regret it.