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Beauty Vixen

2018 has wrapped up and we are into a new year. I thought I would give a roundup of my favourite items from this past year. I honestly have loved a lot more than just what I am listing, but this was what I thought was all I could blog about in a year-end roundup.
Smashbox Primer Oil:
 I have had this one a long time, but this year I really learned to love it. I started mixing it into my foundations and it has really helped with my skin not looking flakey when applied. I also got the NYX version, which I must say I like exactly the same amount, I am just trying to use this one up first.

ELF Hydrating Booster Drops:
I picked these up a few months ago and it has been amazing how fast I have used them up. I add a bit of this serum/gel into my foundation and it makes it so much more hydrating and my skin plumper. For a value brand, I have been really impressed with it.

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Coconut Water Primer Stick:
I picked this up at the same time I got the booster drops, and I instantly fell in love. I really wanted to try the Milk stick that is similar but didn't want to pay the price. This was about $10 so I couldn't resist. It applies watery and smooth while instantly cooling the skin. I find it works well as a light primer
L'oreal Lumi Glotion*:
 I have this in a Fair Glow and Medium Glow, both are great but Fair Glow is my favourite. I mentioned it in my summer favourites and it still stands. I love to apply it before my foundation for more of a glow (but not too much of one). It looks quite nice on my skin.

L'oreal Lumi Glow Amour Boosting Drops:
I also have this one in two shades, Golden Hour and Daybreak. Daybreak is the lighter and more pinky shade and it works really well on my skin. I add a small amount to my cheekbones, above the lip or wherever else I want some highlight and it does a great job. I like to add it sometimes under my foundation really get it to look more toned down.
Joe Fresh Cushion Lipstick:
I picked this up on sale while Joe Fresh was exiting Shoppers Drug Mart. I got the shade Tulip which is really pretty deep mauve shade. It has a sponge applicator and gives that powder finish to your lips that so many brands are loving right now (Buxom, NYX, etc).
Dermalogica Barrier Defense Booster*:
My skin has been so dry this year! All year! It has been frustrating as all hell. I have to thank this serum for helping me at least keep my skin calm. I will say it took me 3 months to realize the grey bottom is soft and you can press it to release the product. I had been shaking it out before that.

L'oreal Revitalift Cicacream*:
I don't know what to say about this, but it is a day and night cream that my skin has really been liking. I don't need much and it is a great anti-ageing and hydrating formula.

Acure Argan Oil*:
I only have a few pumps of this left, which should show how much I adore it. It works so darn well. There is just something about this oil's texture that works so well on my skin. Plus there is a pump, which makes using any oil mess free.
ELF Prismatic Highlighting Duo:
I picked this up in Mermaid Tail. One side is a peachy pink highlight and the other a blue tone. Both are very iridescent and microfine in their shimmer, which is exactly what I want in a highlighter (no chunky shimmer, that is the way to go). It builds well so you can go light to strong without much effort. Every single time I wear it I get compliments. I love to wear the peach on my eyes for a lazy makeup day.

Before this, I was not sold on blue or peach highlighters, and now I hooked.
Revlon Galaxy Dream*:
This palette features four shades of holographic highlighters. The shades in the palette are pink, green, purple and silver. I really appreciate the size of the pans (quite big), the shade varieties and the fact it is so finely milled (once again no glittery shimmer bits). All the shades work really well on my skin and add a nice pop of highlight, but they also can be mixed together which I really enjoy too.

Urban Decay Naked Piette Heat Palette:
I picked this up at Sephora when they had their spring sale, and I was really glad I did. with 6 matte shades, I get a lot of use out of it since I don't really wear any other shadow finishes to work. They are all burnt orange/red shades that I think blend out well. I actually wish I never picked up the Naked heat palette because I use this one more and it is completely redundant now.

Nars Hot Escape Eye and Cheek Palette:
I picked this one up during the Nordstrom anniversary sale (as well as a bunch of other things I probably didn't need). I really love the shadows in it as well as the highlighter and blush. I have gotten so much wear out of it that I just had to mention it.

Do you have any products that stand out as favourites for you from 2018?

* denotes products that were sent to me for review purposes; all views and opinions are my own.
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Every once and a while, Sephora releases a Sephora Favourites 'Give Me Some Lip" set. Last year there was great nude lip set, this year they are doing it again.

Filled with full size and minis of various nude shades, this set is a great way to try out a bunch of new lip products at a great price.

It costs $33.00 Cad and has a value of $103.00, it has 2 full sized and 4 minis in it.
The set contains:
- 1.55 g (mini) Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Honeycomb (beige nude)  
- 1.55 g (mini) Buxom Full-On Lip Cream in White Russian (nude) 
- 0.25 g (full sized) Estée Edit The Barest Contour lip Liner in 05 In The Buff (satin nude) 
- 1.7 g (mini)  Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Lip Crème in 246 Slow Burn (creamy nude rose) 
- 2.3 mL(Mini) Too Faced Cosmetics Melted Matte Liquified Matte Long Wear Lipstick in Queen B (matte soft mauve) 
- 3.4 g (full sized) Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in 1993 Comfort Matte (medium brown)
Urban Decay's 1993 and Estee Edit liner in The Buff work perfectly together making it great that you get a full size of each (less chance of running out of one). They are both mid range brown shades.

Bite has won me over in the last few years with their lipsticks, I already had Honeycomb as a mini from their xmas Perfect Bite Set so this one is going away until I finish the other. I can say it has quickly become my go to nude. 

Buxom provides this years lip gloss option with White Russian. I also have this from a past set too. I seem to have never reached for this one, so I am going to give it more of a go now. It is a more opaque lip gloss that has a pinky nudeness to it. I find it can really create lines on your lips when it settles.

Marc Jacobs' Slow Burn is a rosy nude. I have two other mini MJ lipsticks but never wear them, maybe this one I will get more wear out of.

Too Faced's Queen B provides the long-wearing matte gloss in this set. I actually really am liking the Melted Matte line, so I am glad to try out another one. This nude runs more mauve then the rest.
Overall I am liking this set. I get to try out some new products for a great price (UD lipsticks run $21). I think it is worth checking out if you are in the market for some new nude shades in your life.

What do you think of the set?

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Ever since I coloured my hair purple (yeah for purple hair), I've been wearing more purple. It seems to naturally look good on me, and now it just happens to play up the purple on my hair, so why the not?
Since purple and lavender shades look just about good on every skin tone, I thought I would share with you some of the purple lip items I've been loving and show off some of my lipstick collection. 

I am going to show you the tube/sticks and then swatches below.  If there happens to be a blog review about any colour already on here, I will make the name of the shade link to it.

Lipsticks
Left to right in both photos: 
Joe Fresh Baie Sauvage (cream), Stila Gemma (colour lip balm stick), Bite Barberry (matte creme), Bite Mauvember (luminous creme), Buxom Swinger (cream), Cover Girl Vixen Violet (long lasting cream-gel), Maybelline Violet Vixen (opaque cream)
Left to right for both photos, all are from Mac:
heroine (matte), plumful (luster), Evening Rendezvous (matte), Plum Princess (matte), Rebel (satin).
Cubbie Sticks:
Left to right in both photos:
Bite Aubergine (matte creme) Wet n Wild LieLac (matte), Revlon Darling (gloss stain), Revlon Shameless (matte balm)
Glosses and Stains:
left to right for both photos:
Stila Fuchsia Vinyl (long lasting gloss), Joe Fresh Baie Sauvage (long wear liquid lipstick), L'oreal Berry Persistent (stain gloss), Wet n Wild That's My Jam (gloss), Buxom Pucker Up (gloss), Hard Candy Wisteria (matte gloss), Revlon Parisian (stain), NYX Sugar Cookie (gloss), Urban Decay Bittersweet (gloss), Almay Just Plum (gloss).
So there you have it, my purple lipstick and gloss collection.  Some of these items have been discontinued or were limited edition, but it is still a great look at how one colour can vary so much.

Do you have any favourite purple items in your collection?


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Last month the annual Sephora VIB sale was on, meaning I got to save 20% on my order. 
I obviously went overboard and got way too many items.

Mars Virtual Domination Cheek Palette:
This baby has 4 Nars blushes and a big Laguna Bronzer.

Clinique Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry:
This mini was a 100 point perk I redeemed. So far I am really liking it.
Still Merry and Bright Makeup Set:
This set has a limited edition Convertible Colour in Tulip, lip glaze in Glalmour and a liner in Purple Tang. It also comes with a jewelled headband.

BareMinerals Bare Skin Perfecting Face Brush:
This baby has an indent in the centre (almost like a donut) where you place your foundation and then buff it into the skin. I am really loving the effect if gives my skin.
Marc Jacobs Fragrance Daisy Mini Duo:
These were only $18 so with the 20% off I said why not. I also got a set for a xmas gift for a friend.
Tarte Pigment of Imagination Deluxe Cheek Set:
This set was $12 what a steal. I just had to have it. I really like their blushes lately.
Clarisonic Sensitive Skin Double Replacement Pack:
I just got a Clarisonic from Chickadivsor so I thought it was a good time to get replacement heads as I will need them eventually. 
Urban Decay De-Slick Double Shot:
It has two minis if the de-slick setting spray. I figured I needed some more setting spray and it was a good price.
Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Lip:
This has some pretty lip sticks and glosses. Some are pretty tiny though (0.02 oz of Marc Jacobs or 0.05 oz of bite...eek). But it was only $30 before the sale so it is a good way of trying out some new lip products.
Urban Decay Pulp Fiction Mrs. Mia Wallace Palette:
I have this, I reviewed this, I loved this...it was $18 plus 20% off ...so I got a back up. Don't judge me.
Benefit 3 Scoops O' Sexy:
This set has 3 full sized lip balms and 3 mini cheek and lip tints. I love Benefit so I had to have it. Each lip balm retails for $22 and the whole set is regularly $50 so even before the sale discount it was a good deal. Shoppers Drug Mart has a similar one with just two of the sets, its called Sweet Temptations and has Lolli tint and Benetint in it for $30 (slightly better value).
Clinique Take the Day off Cleansing Balm:
I love cleansing balms and use The Body Shops a lot. So I got this one, only to return it.
Buxom Too Hot To Handle:
This was a 500 point perk I redeemed. It has a bronzer, lip gloss, lipstick, eye liner and mascara all in mini sizes. I am loving the purple lip shades.
Ok so that is it. I spent way to much, then went nuts again on Black Friday with the $12 deals. 
Did you grab anything exciting at the Sephora Vib Sale?

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November is here and so is neutral season. In honour of neutral/nude/naked season I've decided to dedicate the whole month to neutrals.

That's right, the blog is going to look pretty fall by the end of the month (just like all the trees).
Below is a list of all the products I hope to either review or do a FOTD with (maybe both). At the end of the month I'll update the list with the links to the posts.

Drug Store:
  • L'oreal Paris Colour Riche in 203 Perpetual Nude Quad
  • Sonia Kashuk Eye Couture Eye Palette - Eye On Neutral 02
  • Essence All About...Eyeshadow Palette 01 All About Nude
  • Essence All About...Eyeshadow Palette 03 All About Sunset
  • Essence How to Nude Eyes Makeup Box
  • Wet n Wild Comfort Zone Palette
  • Wet n Wild Color Icon Trio in Silent Treatment 
  • Wet n Wild Color Icon Trio in Sweet as Candy
  • Wet n Wild Color Icon Trio in Walking on Eggshells
  • Annabelle Quad in Chai Chai Chai
  • Maybelline the Nudes Palette
  • Maybelline Color Tattoos Leather in Deep Forest
  • Maybelline Color Tattoos Leather in Creamy Beige
  • Annabelle TwistUp Lipstick in Nude of Fame
High End:
  • Tarte Away Oui Go Set
  • Too Faced Sugar and Spice Palette
  • Urban Decay Naked Palette
  • Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette
  • Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette
  • Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 Palette
  • Smashbox Full Exposure Tavel Palette
Oh my this already looks like I won't succeed ....wish me luck.

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With this year marking the twentieth anniversary of the release of the film, we decided to commemorate the occasion the UD way—with an ultra limited-edition “PULP FICTION” collaboration. Our inspiration? None other than the cool (and completely badass) Mrs. Mia Wallace. -urbandecay.com

I doubt I could express this collection any better than what is above. This is a collection that I just had to have after seeing rave reviews on both Liner and Glitter and Gloss and Canadian Fashionista's sites. Needless to say I have not been disappointed with my choices, the palette and the lipstick.
Recreate Mrs. Mia Wallace’s dark, edgy look with this palette from our ultra limited-edition “PULP FICTION” collection. This collection has everything you need to recreate Mia’s dark, edgy look from the film, including this limited-edition palette. It contains five shades of Eyeshadow (three are brand new!). -urbandecay.com
I must say that these shadows are super soft and buttery, no sign of chalkiness at all. They have quickly have become some of my favourite UD shadows.

I find if you touch them with any brush, lots and lots of product will loosen up on the quad, more so than with any other UD palette I own. I think that has to do with most of the shades being matte. But they aren't chalky, they are creamy, blendible heaven,
Recreate Mrs. Mia Wallace’s dark, edgy look with this creamy, badass, blood-red Revolution Lipstick, part of our ultra limited-edition “PULP FICTION” collection. Like every shade of Revolution Lipstick, this shade features our Pigment Infusion System for insane color payoff with creamy shine. This shade comes in a limited-edition, jet-black version of our lipstick case.  -urbandecay.com
 
First off I love the black packaging. Such a silly thing to love, I know, but it has waves and ridges and is slightly heavy and black, it just screams "take me home". Then inside is a very luxurious blood red lipstick that beacons to be worn. If you can't tell I like this lipstick, and guess what it likes me. It is just the perfect shade of red for my skin tone.
Mrs. Mia Wallace Revolution Lipstick
It goes on smooth and looks divine on, but I would recommend using a lip brush, the shade of it in the tube is just too clumsy for direct application (or at least in my case).

While I wanted the matching liner, I just could not justify the cost of it. Annabelle's Flame lipliner is a perfect match, so I plan on using that with it in the future.
Left to right: Mrs. Mia Wallace lipstick (blood-red lipstick), Righteous (light cream matte), Tyranny (warm brown matte), Vengeance (deep taupe-brown matte-satin),  Anger (black satin w/slight tonal sparkle) and Furious (white satin).
Now, Mrs. Mia Wallace in the movie doesn't portray a mid 90's style but more a mid 60's style. Strangly enough when I put these shadows on I instantly feel like I'm in the mid 90's again. While I love to be trendy, and nothing in makeup is more trendy right now than 90's makeup, I certainly would not intentionally try to pull of a 90's look. I am no 14 any more like I was when this movie was out, and feel quite foolish wearing a look like that. There was a time and place for that in my life, and for me it was 1994 not 2014.

That being said I still don't know what makes this palette so 90's to me. Maybe it is the fact that is mainly matte browns. I just don't know. Maybe it is because I used pencil liner instead of liquid. Still not sure. I seriously used to wear matte brown shadows with pencil liner and nude lips all the time from 1994 until 1998 so maybe that is it. 

So bellow is a FOTD I did using a matte cheek and brown cream lip with the palette. A look far to familiar to my youthful days, and as such I just feel uncomfortable wearing.

After that a look that feels much more current to me, the cheeks with a  bit of shimmer and the lips in the UD Mrs. Mia Wallace lip colour.

FOTD #1 Matte Nude Cheeks and Lips
Products used:
Eyeshadows and brows: Urband Decay Pulp Fiction Palette
Eyeliner: Cargo High Pigment Pencil in Black
Mascara: L'oreal Miss Manga in Black
Foundation: Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in 51
Powder: Mac Select Sheer / Loose in NC 15
Blush: Cargo Tenerife Beach Blush
Lips and Cream Blush: Stila Peony
FOTD #2 Mrs. Mia Wallace on The Lips With Shimmer on The Cheeks
Same Products as above but with the addition of:
Lips: Urban Decay Mrs. Mia Wallace Lipstick
Cheeks and Highlights: Revlon Highlighting palette in Rose Glow
Brow Gel: Essence Lash and Brow Clear Mascara
Ok so there you go, I love the shadows and this lipstick, they are fantastic!

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Jill Oliver-Fox is a Toronto based beauty blogger with a love for beauty, food, and pets. She began the blog in 2009 and hasn't stopped since. To read more about Jill and the Blog, click here.

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