April favourites

1. Marcelle Vita-Lip Plumping Gloss in Rio Rose: doesn't really plump, but it's highly shiny.
2. Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara in Very Black: my current HG mascara, but for how long? LOL. Read my review here.
3. mark. Mist Opportunity Multi-Tasking Refresher Kiwi/Grapefruit: I'm not a fan of face mists, but I want to use this one up, so I use it as a toner.
4. Annabelle Galaxy Eyeshadow Palette in Shooting Star: it's an amazingly pigmented eyeshadow palette but sadly, it was LE. If I knew that, I would have grabbed more colors! See my FOTD using it here.
5. Avon Bascis Extra Hydration Face Cream: this cream totally saved my dry face! It's greasy, but it works! Read my review here.
6. Annabelle Mineral Pigment Dust in Myth:my favorite shades among the new Mineral pigment Dust. Read my review here.
7. Annabelle Mineral Powder Blush - Au Naturel: my first experience with a mineral blush. Read my review here.
8. Annabelle Mineral Powder Bronzer - Terra: my first experience with a mineral bronzer. Read my review here.

NOTW + OOTDs + Wal-Mart haul

I had a calm week-end, as always. Saturday night, I went to Sara's house to have breakfast with her and some friends (we wanted to have a real breakfast in the morning but Sara couldn't, so we did it at night instead!) We ate eggs, toasts, bacon, beans, breakfast potatoes and breakfast sausages, and we drank smoothies. Yummy!

Friday and Sunday, I relaxed outside all day as it was warm and sunny. I read, painted my nails. Sunday, I ended the day by taking a bubble bath. I noticed that my father bought plain yogurt at the grocery store, but nobody eats plain yogurt in the family... I figured out it was a mistake so I decided to do a face mask with it. I will do a post about it soon!

Here, take a look at the bad sunburn I got on Friday (and a previous of the yogurt mask):

But not only did I got a sunburn, I also tanned a little - and I never tan usually!

Can you see the tan lines where my tee-shirt sleeves would hit? LOL.

For my NOTW, I searched through my mother's stash and discover a silvery nail polish without label. I used three coats to achieve the opacity I wanted as it contains more glitters than color:

with flash

without flash

I also painted my toenails with Annabelle Nail Enamel, but I have no idea of the name of the shade because my mother removed the label on the cap.

I'm really due for an at-home pedicure LOL.

I can't believe it snowed yesterday! And it was around 3°C... X_X

 Balou was almost begging to go play outside as he loves the snow so much, but he would have been all wet and dirty... Poor baby!

At least I let him go pee after his dinner =P

I shaved my legs during the weekend to be ready for shorts Monday, but although the day started warm and sunny, it ended breezy and cold. I wore sandals to school, but I'm glad I had pants and a vest on! As it was freezing and snowing Tuesday, I decided to wear my super warm leggings with boots (not sandals, this time LOL).

top: L'Aubainerie Entrepôt

cami: Stitches

leggings: eBay

boots: Giant Tiger

I also got my coupons by P&G and webSaver.ca in the mail yesterday.

What interested me the most was the $1 and $3 off any Clairol hair dyes (my favourite is Nice 'n Easy, and it's currently on sale for $5.98 at Wal-Mart) and the $1 off L'Oréal Go 360° Clean (I'm obsessed by the Scrublet!). 

If you don't know P&G brandSaver and webSaver.ca, you should definitely take a look. Sadly, the coupons are available to Canadian residents only.

So today I went to Wal-Mart to use some of those coupons before they expire (on June 21th, if I remember well?):

I got:

Clairol Nice 'n Easy in 123 Nautral Soft Black (left) and 131 Rich Dark Brown (right): I was a little lost because the look of the packaging was changed, but I figured out there wasn,t much of a difference between these two shades, so I decided to give a try to Soft Black for the first time.

123 Natural Soft Black (left), 131 Rich Dark Brown (right) 

with flash

123 Natural Soft Black (left), 131 Rich Dark Brown (right) 

without flash

Can you see a difference? I can't! (Please don't mind the red on the box on the left, it was a pink post-it reflected on the box)

Bonus pack of Pond's Dry Skin Cream (left) and Pond's Cold Cream (right): I actually cheated a little... We had the choice between three bonus packages: x2 Cold Cream, x2 Dry Skin Cream or x2 Deep Cleansing and Make-Up Remover, but as I haven't tried any Pond's cream before, I didn't wanted to buy two of the same product... so I ripped open two packages and exchanged products, and the cashier didn't notice LOL. I'm a real bad girl, I know =P But I'm happy because I've been looking for a cream cleanser for a long time now, and I also have dry skin, so I hope that Dry Skin Cream will works!

Topcrop Sun Crunch for Rat/Mouse: I usually buy the one for Hamster/Gerbil since it seems to contains more interesting things for my rat and my gerbil, but it was out of stock (as always).

Iams ProActive Health for Large Breed: We are supposed to feed the doggie wether ProActive Health Active Maturity Large Breed (because he is almost 11 years old) or ProActive Health Weight Control Large Breed (because the veterinarian says he is slightly overweight), but they are harder to find. Today, it's because the Active Maturity Large Breed was out of stock, and the Weight Control Large Breed wasn't on sale (the one I bought was a little less than $10 off). And anyway, Balou has been eating this one all his life.

This morning, I woke up to this:

Stupid snow! It's almost May! Go away!

I wore a scarf to go to school this morning, but when I came home around 1:00 PM, it was a little sunny and around 12°C. And look at the forecast for Friday to Wednesday:

(click to enlarge)

At least we will have some sun! Yey!

Here's my OOTD:

Barefoot! You can see my red toes (=

top: Stitches

cami: Jean Bleu

skinny jeans: Sirens

Balou loves the snow so much that he didn't wanted to stay inside! I let him go play in the little leftovers of snow. But the thing is, he didn't want to stay outside alone xD

I'm sorry, I chose the "compact" option by mistake, which lowers the quality to allow the video to be sent by email -_- I also tried not to talk because I hate my voice on camera xD Oh and I stopped the camera because Balou was about to poo LOL.

Oh yeah, and I have a little something coming up for you soon! Stay tuned! It's a surprise =P

Review: Annabelle Mineral Powder Bronzer

Terra

Price: $13.50 for 0.08 OZ / 2.5 g

The claims:

For a bronzed complexion that is free from the sun’s harmful effects! Especially formulated for sensitive skins, the Annabelle Mineral collection is perfect for creating a pure and healthy complexion without compromising your health. Offered in a shade reminiscent of naturally sun kissed glowing skin. Its texture is so light you’ll forget you’re wearing anything!

How to use:

Using a Kabuki brush (available in limited edition only) specially designed to be used with mineral powders, simply apply to the apples of your cheeks to get that natural, glowing sun kissed look! The A-12 blush brush is another excellent option for applying bronzing powder.

Ingredients: MICA BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE IRON OXIDES TITANIUM DIOXIDE

Pros:

• highly pigmented
• contains very subtle shimmers for the perfect radiance
• delivers the perfect coverage as it's easily buildable
• great packaging for a drugstore product (it doesn't look cheap)
• light, finely milled
  

Cons:

• only one shade available
• as it is so pigmented, it's easy to overdo it
• expensive!

What I think:
I'm still relatively new to mineral makeup, but so far, I'm loving it. This bronzer gives a natural glow to my face, but even if at first I thought the color was a little dark for my skintone, it's easily buildable, so it's not a problem. As it's so pigmented, I like that you don't need a lot of product to achieve the perfect look (however, it's easy to overdo it). However, I would have personally opted for a lighter shade, but there's only one available.

Terra

Recommend? yes

Rating: ★★★★★

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review purposes, and the fact that it was free absolutely does not influence my opinion.

Review: Annabelle Mineral Powder Blush

Au Naturel

Price: $13.50 for 0.08 OZ / 2.5 g

The claims:

A softly subtle blush for a radiant and natural looking complexion. Available in three beauty enhancing shades each more luminous that the other. Formulated to help shape your features subtly yet efficiently.

How to use:

Use a Kabuki brush (available in limited edition only) specially designed to be used with mineral powders. Or apply with the A-12 blush brush. Choose among three skin perfect shades to create the look you want. The lightest shade can be used to create the look of a blushing ingénue while the darkest shade can be used to create a more dramatic yet natural effect. Sweep blush using light upward strokes over the apples of your cheeks, then blend into temples.

Blush may also be swept over shoulders and/or cleavage to create a subtle yet luminous glow.

Ingredients: MICA BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE TITANIUM DIOXIDE IRON OXIDES CARMINE

Pros:

• highly pigmented
• contains very subtle shimmers for the perfect radiance
• delivers the perfect coverage as it's easily buildable
• great packaging for a drugstore product (it doesn't look cheap)
• light, finely milled

Cons:

• as it is so pigmented, it's easy to overdo it
• expensive!

What I think:
I'm still relatively new to mineral makeup, but so far, I'm loving it. This blush gives a natural glow to my face, and the color is perfect for my skintone. As it's so pigmented, I like that you don't need a lot of product to achieve the perfect look (howver, it's easy to overdo it).

left to right: Sugar Rush, Hush, Au Naturel

Recommend? yes

Rating: ★★★★★

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review purposes, and the fact that it was free absolutely does not influence my opinion.

Review: Annabelle Mineral Pigment Dust

picture from annabellecosmetics.com

Some times ago, Annabelle launched their first mineral makeup products, and I had the chance to try and review them.

The Annabelle Mineral Collection consists of:

• Mineral Pigment Dust (7 shades)
• Mineral Powder Foundation (4 shades)
• Mineral Powder Blush (3 shades)
• Mineral Powder Bronzer (1 shade) 

I will do a review on each of those products (except the Powder Foundation as I wasn't really interested in trying it because I simply don't wear foundation) in three separate posts.

 

Annabelle Mineral Pigment Dust 

left to right: Violet Vibe, Solar and Myth

Yes, you are right, I already did a review on the Annabelle Pigment Dusts, but they have been re-launched as the Mineral pigment Dusts. The main difference is that the new formulas are paraben free, so you must mix the powder with water in a separate container. Do not use a damp applicator in the new pots since they are devoid of preservatives. But not only did they go mioneral, they also benefited from a shade update.

Price: $8.50 for 0.08 oz / 2.5 g

The claims:

Let there be light! These highly pigmented loose eye shadows are made with fine pearl particules and minerals to create incredible shine and shimmer.
Use just a little for a more subtle effect or apply wet in a bold stroke for incredible luminescence. Available in convenient and fuss-free compacts, they contain the most beautiful shades. Be as mild or as wild as you wish!

How to use:

Pigment powders can be used two ways: dry or wet. To apply dry, simply sweep across the eyelid or dot on specific areas to create an iridescent effect. Use either your fingers or the Annabelle A-8 Small Shader Brush.

When mixed with water, it transforms into a rich-coloured liquid liner with remarkable stay-on power. Simply mix a little Pigment Dust with a few drops of water in a small container and apply directly to skin. Use as a dramatic eyeshadow or a dazzling eyeliner. Use the Annabelle A-14 Angled Brush to trace a fine line just above the upper lashes. You'll be amazed at its long lasting colour.

Ingredients: MICA, SILICA, SORBIC ACID MAY CONTAIN: TITANIUM DIOXIDE, BRONZE POWDER, IRON OXIDES, MANGANESE VIOLET, ULTRAMARINES, FERRIC FERROCYANIDE, CARMINE, ALUMINUM POWDER

Pros:

• highly pigmented
• easily buildable
• true to the color in the compact
• doesn't fall all over my face
• stay put all day long, with or without primer!
• color stays true all day long

Cons:

• I find the compacts are little hard to open (too thight)
• the hole in the compact is a little too small even for my smaller brush
• could be too shimmery for some (but not me!)

What I think:
I'm going to repeat myself here, but I can't rave enough about these pigments. I find it so hard to find eyeshadows that are true to what they look like in the compact, that are pigmented and that last all day long... but these do it all! They are perfect to me. They make me want to throw away all of my other eyeshadows xD The only thing is even when I use my smaller brush to apply these pigments, the hole in the compact is a little too small, so the best way to use these pigments would be to unscrew the compact, just like that:

Solar

You can see some FOTDs I made with these pigments here (Myth and Violet Vibe).

 Violet Vibe

Solar

Myth

left to right: Myth, Solar and Violet Vibe

left to right: Solar, Golden Pink, Azur, Prism, Myth, Violet Vibe, Eco-Chic

Recommend? yes

Rating: ★★★★★

Disclaimer: These products were sent to me for review purposes, and the fact that they were free absolutely does not influence my opinion.