As school is starting soon, I have been trying very hard not to spend what little money I have left! Which means...dun dun dun...Drugstore haulin'! To be honest, I never really shopped at the department store, so..it isn't a big change! BUT onto the goods! My local Rexall Pharmaplus expanded their NYX line...I actually gasped when I saw it, i was SOO EXCITED! Especially because ordering things online to Canada is always tricky business, then there is shipping, duty, blah blah blah! So I picked up some NYX goodies..and will no doubt be going back for some more!

Left to Right: NYC Lip Sliders tinted lip balm in "Sugar Rush", NYX Trio TS19 (barely there, champagne, and root beer), NYX jumbo eye pencils in 'Cottage Cheese' and 'French Fries'

First off, I love love love the tinted lip balm from NYC (NYC, NYX...tres similar, n'est pas!?). It is something I never would have bought...ever! But I was watching a video on youtube here and she raved about it, and I just love her (Emily Noel) so for $2.99-- I thought why not!! It is a beautiful sheer berry/red colour that 'tints' the lips, and is SO moisturizing...plus they smell like candy :)!

I also LOVE NYX EYESHADOWS! From someone who can't justify buying up all MAC/high end brands...NYX hits the spot! The pictures do it no justice, but the shadows are smooth, blendable, highly pigmented and..oh...GORGEOUS!

The trio is amazing for neutral toned eyes with a hit of drama, all shades are shimmery and beautiful. Barely There is a light shimmery gold, Champagne is a peachy-coppery colour, and Rootbeer is a grey-brown shimmer.

L-R: Barely there, Champagne, Rootbeer

Next are the Jumbo eyepencils...which I ADORE! They are a creamy, highly pigmented gorgeous pencil, best used underneath eyeshadow to intensify the colour! ***Best used on top of a primer, as these are creamy and will crease, especially if you have oily lids!***

French Fries looks nothing like french fries...! I think they were just hungry at NYX headquarters..nonetheless it's a beautiful shimmery copper brown colour, and Cottage Cheese is a frosty white shade!

Top To Bottom: NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils in French Fries and Cottage Cheese, NYC tinted lip balm in 'Sugar Rush', NYX Trio TS19: Barely There, Champagne, Root Beer *swatched on top of cottage cheese eye pencil*

Hope everyone is enjoying the last bit of summer, take care!

XOXO

My first foray into the 'proper' brush world were with POSH brushes, which I purchased at Rexall Pharmaplus here in Canada! The entire line is priced moderately, with the most expensive brush (i believe) being the kabuki, which is around $18.99 (compare to $50+ of higher end brushes!).The review will look at all the brushes I personally own (i think there are a few I don't have ;) )

Over all thoughts:

• I love the sleek red brush handles, and black ferrules


• affordable--the mini set was under $15 for 4 double ended brushes, Kabuki for under $20, and the duo-brush sets are around $8, with individual brushes from 8-12$ depending on where you buy them from! (I noticed the prices on their website are more than what I paid at the drugstore!)
  


• most of the brushes are soft, and easy to wash, others are a little scratchy (some of the blending brushes, the crease brushes)
  


• the travel kits are great, super tiny, compact and effective!


• great brand to try if you are looking for options from the drugstore (and you live near a drugstore that carries it!)


• Also available at www.poshbrushes.com

POSH Mini Travel Kit for the Face available at Rexall Pharmaplus or the Posh website

I bought this set for around 13$ I believe! It includes: mini powder brush, mini foundation brush Double ended: angle crease brush/ smokey brush, concealer brush/small detail brush, angled eyebrow brush/eyeliner brush

Pros:

• I love the angled eyebrow brush, it is stiff and allows me to put down a decent amount of colour where I need it!
• Concealer brush is soft and great for applying creamy products
• I love the smudge brush and detailed concealer brushes (top parts of the 2nd and 3rd brushes in the picture)--I use them for putting on or smudging eyeliner
  
• angled crease brush is good for crease work, but beware it is a bit scratchy!!
  

Cons:

• foundation brush is very soft--but this makes it hard to get a good flawless application..i suppose in an emergency it's workable!
• powder brush doesn't deposit even application, can be difficult and streaky
• angled crease brush is a bit scratchy :(

POSH Concealer Brush Duo

Pros:

• these are amazingly soft, yet stiff enough to get a good amount of product on the brush
• the bristles allow product to be cleaned off easily
• Allow for good coverage of concealer to be applied to the face
  
• around 8$ for both!                                                     
  

No cons that I can think of!

POSH Crease Brush Set

Pros:

• I absolutely LOVE these brushes, while they aren't super soft, the larger brush is amazing for applying colour in the crease
• the small brush is amazing for detailed crease work, for blending out small sections, or going underneath the lash line

Cons:

• the large brush may be too large for smaller eyes
• a bit on the scratchy side, but tolerable

POSH large Kabuki Brush

Pros:

• This is the most amazingly soft brush I have ever used..i seriously just love rubbing it on my face (TMI i know, I know!)
• Amazing for applying heavy or light coverage of powder products
• Buffs products into the skin for a natural finish
• comes with a hard, faux leather case to protect your little gem
  
• Did I mention how soft it was??
• Cheaper than many other kabuki brushes!

Cons:

• Still pretty pricey for a drugstore brush, but well worth it!
• difficult to clean this baby, because it has so many densely packed bristles, it takes a while to thoroughly clean it!

POSH retractable kabuki brush

Pros

• soft, dense bristles
• retractable for travel
  
• applies product over large areas at a time!
  

Cons

• I personally don't like this brush...it wasn't as soft as the big kabuki, and the product got all gross and caked in the retractable part--not very sanitary at all!!
• hard to clean

In a nutshell:

• great value if you get them at the drugstore, plus the convenience of buying from a drugstore!
• some brushes are scratchy!! The ANGLED BLUSH BRUSH which is white in colour, and angled, is apparently very scratchy and sheds a lot!
• I love the crease brushes, the concealer brushes, and the kabuki!
  

It is VERY true that brushes make a huge difference--but even more importantly is knowing where to invest, whether or not to invest, and what exactly it is your looking for! This series of posts will focus on all the brushes I have tried, and all the brushes other people have tried and loved (based on cumulative reviews, and whatnot!). Not only that..but i will discuss my favourite ways to clean my brushes (very important) and how I store them (also very important!). But first...what's all the fuss about?

1) Natural Vs. Synthetic: High end brushes (like many MAC brushes) tend to be made with natural hair (AKA goat, mink, and other animal hair) which is thought to be the best product for picking up powders, as they *grab* onto the product, and allow for better application. For cream products, though, synthetic bristles are best, because they don't suck up any of the product! Many synthetic brushes are make with man-made Taklon and are cruelty-free! Most brushes say on the package if they are synthetic or natural, and it is possible to go with all synthetic brushes that still work well!

2) Save or Splurge?

Sephora Brand Professionnel Platinum Blush Brush #49

For me, personally..I don't own any MAC brushes! While I have heard they are amazing, for me, it's just too pricey to spend $30-$50 on each brush! They do have sets during holidays and some limited edition collections, usually these retail for around $50, and while they aren't as durable as the full size brushes--they are great for beginners! If you do splurge, MAC has a great reputation for brushes and each one is hand crafted to specific guidelines...

Popular Mac Brushes

• Brush to get for a flawless face: MAC #187
  
• 

  187 Duo Fibre Brush

  $42.00 at M·A·C

  A large full circular brush used for lightweight application and blending of face powder or pigments. Use to create soft layers or add textures. Made from a soft blend of goat and synthetic fibres.

  
  
• For Blending Eyeshadow: MAC #224 or #217
  

M·A·C 224 Tapered Blending Brush

$28.00 by M·A·C at Nordstrom

For controlled eye shadow application. This brush has soft fibers which taper to form a medium size dome shape. M·A·C professional brushes are hand-sculpted and assembled using the finest quality materials. They feature birch, linden and ramin wood handles, nickel-plated brass ferrules.

• Winner of Allure magazine's 'Best of Beauty' Award.
• By M·A·C.

• For Angled Eyeliner: MAC #266 (angled eyeliner brush, but there are many other cheaper options, like my fave from Ecotools!)

Eco Tools Bamboo Angled Eyeliner Brush

• For eyeshadow placement: MAC #239 (a flat shader brush, perfect for packing on that colour!)
  

239 Eye Shader Brush

$24.50 at M·A·C

Essentially...If you have the money, by all means, start off with some high end, great quality brushes, remember...these are an investment! With proper care, good brushes can last many, many years!! If your like me, though, and haven't branched out yet, the next few posts will be showing you more affordable options of brushes, so stay tuned!!

So, unless you are the luckiest-mother-lovin'-human being around..chances are there are those times when your foundation is *not quite* the perfect match for you! Either you find out when you see pictures of your ghost white face and brown body, or your orange face in the mirror in your car...WHILE your driving (DOH!). Either way...I'll share with you some things I have found out!

Candidate #1 Gel Bronze... Mr. Bronze, meet the world, World--Gel Bronze! So this little gem of goodness is about 5$ and can be found where Bonnebelle products are sold! I have the 'golden tan' colour, but i believe there is a darker one. What this is, essentially, is a gel bronzer..(surprised, aren't you!?) BUT what I use it for...

True story. So, what you do is take your foundation (or mine, for the sake of the picture) and mix in a dollop of the Gel Bronze. I usually do this on the back of my (freshly cleansed) hand, and then mix it together with a Q-tip. If you need a much darker foundation,use more gel bronze, and less if the opposite is true. You can tell after mixing it if the colour on your hand is too dark! Et Voila, un nouveau foundation that matches your summer skin!

Candidate #2: Highlighter can be used to add an ethereal luminous glow when mixed into your foundation! Best kinds? Liquid is probably easiest with liquid foundations, and can be mixed on the back of your hand as well. There are so many great highlighters on the market, MAC Strobe cream, Benefit's High Beam (pictured), Faces 'Metalliglow' (really great stuff!), MAC lustre drops, etc.

Candidate #3: Moisturizer can be mixed with foundation to make..dun dun dun...TINTED MOISTURIZER! You create the amount of coverage you need--the more moisturizer mixed in, the sheerer the application will be! Giving you just a wash of colour to even things out a bit, or give you a good base to start off with!

Good luck, and I hope these tips can help you! Who knows, maybe you can give a previously condemned foundation a second shot??

Usually, when you eat food, it enters through your face...I mean, unless you do it differently--maybe I have been approaching the situation wrong! Anyway, have you ever thought about food FOR your face? Me either! I have already told you about makeupalley.com which is an AMAZING website full of *REAL* product reviews by people like you and me! Seriously, I go on so many times a day it's insane! *coughs* Anyway...I heard amazing things about Weleda's Skin Food, that when I found it at my local Rexall Pharmaplus for $ 17 CDN (expensive, i thought) I couldn't resist finding out what the hype was all about!

What is it?: A very *very* thick cream that is meant for chapped, dry or rough skin anywhere on the body

Why is it "Food"?: The ingredients are pretty amazing: Water, sunflower seed oil (has essential fatty acids and vitamin E), lanolin, sweet almond oil, alcohol (not-so-amazing..haha), beeswax, and other various extracts, and what have you

How do you use it?: Okay, so on Makeup Alley, lots of users use this on their face..I feel unless your skin is severely dry-- I'd be cautious! Also, it is very greasy, so I'd use it at night! I did try that for the past week, but because the cream is so THICK it *pulled* at the sensitive skin on my face! Not cute. SO instead I use it on my hands, and my FEET! It's amazing for feet!

What did other people say?:Out of 342 people, 82% loved it and would repurchase. Now that's pretty damn good! Many of the reviews said that it was a great night cream that helped even out their skin, others say it's best for dry feet and elbows/other dry areas! Essentially, most of the reviews have nothing but good things to say, noting that the product absorbs easily and others love the smell. It's a very citrusy, natural smell. I wasn't fond of it at first, I prefer NO smell, or a light sweet smell, but it is kind of soothing:)

Where to Buy: I saw some people talk about getting it at Target in the US! And in Canada, try Rexall Pharmaplus!

All in all, I had been searching for a good deep moisturizing cream, and I rather like this one. It's way more than I would EVER pay for a hand cream, but I have a feeling I will repurchase this one! The size I got was 2.5 ounces, so I hope it lasts a while!

If your the kind of person who loves loose eyeshadows, super sparkly eyes, or extreme metallic finish...you will love the Annabelle 'Pigment Dust's" which are a generous sized loose shimmery eyeshadow, that when applied wet (or using a mixing medium of your choice) have a liquid metallic-y finish! I recommend applying these either wet, or with a very sticky base (think eyeliners, cream shadows, primers, etc) because the colour pay off is WAY better that way!

Where to Buy: Wal-Mart, Shopper's Drugmart, Rexall, Fortino's

Price: Suggested Retail is $7.25

Colour Selection: Chiffon (pale gold), Azure (bright aqua blue), Limelight (golden olive), Solar (golden orange), Golden Pink, Cool Mint

Pros: Great color pay-off, very versatile (use them dry to get a sheer sparkle, or wet for crazy bold eyes!), affordable, easily available in Canadian drugstores, grocery stores, etc.

Cons: I would love to see more colours, but actually...perhaps they have answered this...keep ready to find out what's coming for Annabelle!

These are the ones I own, personally! Silver Spoon was Limited Edition at Christmas!

*Swatched on top of liquid highlighter from Red Earth*

**Limited Edition Pigment Dusts from the summer collection a few years back...keep in mind Annabelle always has cute LE products, so pick 'em up when you see 'em!**

More colours, you say?? Well, well, well... Look's like Annabelle is releasing a NEW line of pigment's called "Studio Pigments" set to launch at Shopper's Drugmart on August 16th for $8.50 CDN.

Wanna see!??! Joy from Make-up Junkie has all the swatches!

Happy make-up-ing everyone!

XOXO

You have *maybe--possibly--potentially* heard me rave about Annabelle's Smudgeliners and Smoothliners (eye pencils) and I also forgot to mention how many other gems the brand has! So the next few posts will be reviewing the products I have, love, and use from Annabelle!!!

First up... the eye liners of course! I absolutely love the eyeliners! Namely, the "Smudgeliners" and "Smoothliners" which I believe are newer to the line than the kohl pencils (those are hit and miss with me, the black one is good, but I found the white to be very very chalky and pulled on the lid).

*What's the difference?* I wondered that too, the difference is that...Smudgeliners come with a smudger at the end, and are a lot less creamy, but still long lasting with good colour pay-off. The smoothliners are just that, creamy, cheaper than the smudgeliners, and are a waterproof formula!

Price: I bought the Smoothliner's for $4.97 CDN at Wal-Mart, and the Smudgeliner's are at Wal-Mart for $7.27 CDN (i think) although both are more expensive elsewhere...I was so happy they had these at Wal-Mart

Where to Buy: Wal-Mart has them the cheapest, but the line is also available at Fortino's, Shopper's Drugmart, Rexall/Pharmaplus stores, and I'm sure more!

Colour Selection in Smudgeliners: Ohmygoth! (pictured--Black), Rich Chocolate, Wired, Electric Sapphire, Purple Storm, Cyber Jungle, Armour (pictured) is not on the website yet! Don't know why!--go to the website for swatches and product info!!!

Colour Selection in Smoothliners: Black (pictured), Bronze, Brownie(pictured), Gunmetal, Jade (dark green) and Meteorite (deep navy)

Pros: Very pigmented, smooth, and the smoothliners are WAY creamier than the smudgeliners! Smoothliners are also waterproof (I don't know about water, but I wear them to the gym and they work great!!!!) Also, these are the ONLY eye liners I will wear on my waterline...or anywhere. LOVE them!

Cons: I can't think of any...widely available, great price! Maybe more colour selection! Yeah, that's it...do you hear me Annabelle Gods?!?

Top to Bottom: Annabelle Smudgeliner in "Armour", Smudgeliner in "OhmyGoth!", Smoothliner in Brownie, Smoothliner in Black

**swatched on bare hand, with a base, these colours can have better payoff and longer lasting power!! AKA Urban Decay Primer Potion= they will not budge ;)**

If you live near the GTA (greater Toronto area) than I am sure you are well aware that our summer has been non-existent..Yes, I realize *MY* name is Summer, yet I can assure you, I made all the calls I could and that weather man would not BUDGE! Anyway, regardless of where you live, I am sure that you are more than aware of the influx of Fall Collections...be it Fashion Week, or cosmetics collections..let's take a look!

MAC: Make-up Art Cosmetics Collection, Release Date: August 20th 2009 (my birthday!)

image via temptalia.com

This collection includes:

• 4 lipglasses (pictured)
  
• 5 lipsticks
• 3 quads
• 6 individual eyeshadows
• 2 blushers
• 5 eyeliners
  
• 4 pigments, 4 glitters
• 1 'gloss texture' The colours from this collection are very interesting, with an array of deep purples, violets, oranges, blues--- all in all, a very 'Fall' type collection! For FULL details, product photo's of all products and the colour story, please check out Temptalia.com's Post
  

More Cosmetics Collections? Here are links to some major eye candy...err...literally!

• MAC's Holiday Kits compliments of Temptalia
  
• Bobbi Brown Fall Collection compliments of Temptalia
• Estee Lauder Sensuous Gold For Fall, from the Daily Cookie
• NARS Fall Collection from Cinnamon Kitten
• Christian Siriano (love him!) does Victoria's Secret--guess where the inspiration is? EGYPT!
• New from Philosophy--see the muse!
• Stunning new items from Urban Decay via Temptalia!
  

What to expect for Fall '09? Black. Lots of different textures and finishes of black!

Also... MATTE NAIL POLISH! Weird right...

• Michelle from All Laquered Up shows us OPI's Matte Collection..
  
• ALU (All Laquered Up) shows us Zoya's Matte Velvet..
• Orly will also be going matte...check it out at ALU!

So, let's you and I channel our inner dark Victorian Temptress, dress up in lace, mattify our nails and kohl our eyes whilst wearing the cutest velvet booties in the world!!! I'm. So. Ready.

These are two beauty gems that I try not to use often, because I never want to be without them!

Definately two of my favourite glosses (yeah, it's sort of a big deal!!). Anna Sui (to me) doesn't get a whole lot of press, at least in my area! But the Sears where I live carries Anna Sui, and the set up is just gorgeous! Very feminine, with black plastic rose accessories and accents, big vanities, just glamourous!! Here are two lipglosses: #603 (bright fuscia with glitter) and #700 (pale gold with gold glitter)

Pro's:

• beautiful rose scent
• glitter is beautiful, but not overdone
• adorable packaging
  
• super pigmented and thick
• not overly sticky
  

Cons:

• they may be difficult to find, Canadians take a look at your Sears beauty department!
• the gloss can "goop" out of the packaging if your not careful!
• not for those who detest the scent of rose (i actually usually hate rose scents!! but I can't smell it once it's on my lips, and I've grown to like it!)
  
• department store prices (boo) and retails for around 20$ CDN each (i believe!!!)

L-R: #700 and #603

In.love. Tell me these aren't gorgeous!!! No, wait, don't! In a nutshell: these are amazing glosses, a bit higher end price wise, but I got them as gifts and absolutely adore them! Give it a go at an Anna Sui counter near you!

PS. Thanks Momma ;)!

Yet another little goody I picked up from Winners, Urban Decay "Best of Urban" gift set in "Spandex" retail price quoted at 34.99, Winners price: $9.99 CDN!

This was super exciting (to me!) because it has:

-a cute little UD Primer Potion

-a mini 24/7 pencil

-Heavy Metal Glitter Liner in "Spandex"

-an eyeshadow in "Uzi"! (The shadow alone is 20$ at Sephora, so I snatched this up right quick!)

Pros:

• super cheap
• fun sparkly colours for night time!
• the teeny-tiny primer is great for travel
• the UD pencil liner in "zero" is a nice blendable smudgy black, and can be worn any time
• the price!!! $10 CDN is great for these little gems, especially if you LOVE glitter!

Cons

• the eyeshadow is SUPER glittery, and with glitter, it has a tendency to fall out everywhere AKA you end up with a sparkly mother-lovin' face! SO if you do venture into glitter (which after seeing Katy Perry's vid for "Waking Up in Vegas" who DOESN'T!? haha) use a very creamy/sticky base (like a smooth eyeliner or a primer of some sort) so that you minimize fall out!
  
• **TIP** Use a "pat-pat" motion with glitter eyeshadows and products, NOT a "swiping" motion with your brush, swiping makes the glitter go everywhere, but patting it helps it stick to the base better!

Let us have a look-see at some swatches, shall we?

Left to right: Heavy Metal Liner in "Spandex", "Uzi" eyeshadow, and 24/7 Liner in "Zero"

Additional thoughts: i like the glitter liner! I think that the applicator is nice and easy to use (a thin brush) and it will look GREAT layered on top of black eye liner! All in all, I'm pretty easily pleased...but like it...Oh, and that Katy Perry song is stuck in my head!!! *hums*

Have a great day everyone! XoXo