Tag | I ♥ Drugstore Makeup

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I have never been a huge fan of tag for some reasons, but I am actually really getting into them and now, I just can't get enough! Let's be honest here; they are pretty easy posts to write, but most importantly, they are fun to do, and to read! I found this tag on Evelyn's blog (which is one of my favorite, by the way!) and since I happen to prefer drugstore makeup to high end products, I thought it wouls be super interesting to do it!

1. What is your favourite drugstore make-up brand?

I would probably say Revlon since it's one of the only cruelty-free drugstore makeup brands that is of high quality at an affordable price, even though I have not tried a lot of their products besides their lipsticks, lipglosses, lip butters and nail polishes.

2. What are your favourite face, cheek and lip products?

Face - I never wore foundation on a daily basis but I am a big fan of Marcelle BB Cream which buffs imperfections without feeling like a mask. I am also still in love with 

Annabelle Zebra Bronzing Pressed Powder which is the perfect bronzer for a natural healthy glow on fair skin!

Cheeks - My favorites are Hard Candy Fox in a Box in Spicy & Sweet and Annabelle Mineral Powder Blush in Au Naturel since they are both greatly pigmented and of high quality for the price. NYX and Milani also makes great drugstore blushes.

Lips - Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Primrose which is a close dupe to the limited-edition MAC Lazy Day Lipstick*, and also a gorgeous wearable pale pink. I have also been impress by NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in La La - amazingly pigmented, great smell and genius applicator!

3. Least favourite product?

Probably Maybelline Great Lash Mascara* - did absolutely nothing for my lashes.

4. What is the best make-up bargain?

Does nail polish count as makeup? If yes, Barry M Nail Paints, definitely - amazing selection of opaque shades that take so long to chip at such a cheap price!

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5. What is your favorite underdog product? (Something you love that often gets overlooked?)

I would say store brands in general - most products are exact dupe at a fraction of the price, it's crazy and absolutely worth a look!

6. A drugstore product that is overpriced?

L'Oréal and Physicians Formula makeup products in general, for my personal budget.

7. What is the best drugstore dupe?

For me, it is probably Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Primrose for MAC Lazy Day Lipstick*, as mentioned earlier.

8. Drugstore product that is not worth the hype?

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters, definitely! I am a bit ashamed to admit that the only reason why I finally caved in and bought Cupcake is because this product was getting so much rave on the blogosphere, but I quickly realized that it really has nothing special! It is not moisturizing enough for my dry lips to allow me to skip lipbalm, and it is not as opaque as a lipstick - I just can't justify the price!

*Please note that these products are NOT cruelty-free

Project Pan Them All | August Empties

I received this no name Cranberry & Pear Cream Bath in a gift basket from Wal-Mart for Christmas some times ago if I'm right and of course, it was super cheap and did nothing in the bath. It smells good but it does not last, just like the cheap foam.

I have had this Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner in Onyx* since forever it seems! I don't wear eyeliner on a daily basis but this one is great, it's really black, it does not smudge and it lasts quite some times. Of course, I won't repurchase it since it's from Maybelline, which tests on animals.

Earthen InstantPeel is a product that will probably never cease to amaze me - it's really super easy to use and I still think it's truly awesome to be able to actually see the peels of dead skin, it's like a proof that the product is working. I have never seen something like this before! This product is great for dry and sensitive skin as it didn't leave my face irritated or even drier. I could feel my skin being softer and smoother. The only things I dislike about this product is the price and the packaging. At $10 an application, it can be getting quite pricey!

Although I was pleased with the flavour Fresh Mint Blast of Scope Dual-Blast Mouthwash, I honestly can't say it's the most freshening and long-lasting mouthwash I have tried - I do prefer Scope Outlast.

In the summer, I'm all for a light yet moisturizing body lotion, and ATTITUDE Skin Relief & Relaxing Body Lotion is just that! It is lightweight altough I have to be careful not to apply too much product because it tends to takes some time to be absorbed into the skin. It doesn't seem to be completely able to calm my itchy skin - damn you, eczema! - and my skin doesn't stay moisturized for long, but still, I guess I can do with it in the warmer months. It has a pleasant relaxing fresh scent though! 

I was super excited when I spotted Noxzema The Original Deep Cleansing Cream with Eycalyptus Oil in a dollar store for only $2 when it costs around $9 at the drugstore as I had heard so much rave about it. I love cleansers that leaves your skin feeling fresh and squeaky clean, and I didn't know a cream cleanser could achieve it! Since this one contains menthol, you can really feel that your skin is refreshed and it will smell great for some times after washing it with this product. The downside to this product is that I can't use it morning and night or my dry skin will get even drier.

*This product is NOT cruelty-free

FOTN | The road is long, we carry on, try to have fun in the meantime

I went clubbing with some friends at Pub Ste-Thérèse some times ago (hence the brown hair, lack of bangs and pasty white skin) and even though it has been years since the last time I stepped foot in this place, it was fun, but the DJ sucked big times! They were supposed to close the place for one week to renovate everything - and I really hope they "renovated" the DJ as well... kidding.

Wet n Wild Coloricon Brow & Eye Liner - Taupe (brows) | Avon True Color Eyeshadow Single - Night Sky* (smudged on top and lower lashline) | Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner - Onyx* (smudged on upper and lower lashline) | Annabelle Studio Mono Eyeshadow - B-Ray (outer corner) | Annabelle Studio Mono Eyeshadow - Graffiti (crease) | Annabelle Glitterama Liquid Eyeliner - Funshine (upper lashline) | L'Oréal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes - Black*

Benefit The POREfessional | Avon Healthy Makeup Mousse Foundation - Natural Beige* | Marcelle Concealer Palette - Universal Beige | Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Pressed Bronzer - Medium to Dark | MAC Surf, Baby! Cheek Powder - My Paradise*

* These products are NOT cruelty-free

Lyrics are from Born To Die, by Lana Del Rey

FOTD & OOTD | À la vie, à la mort on va s'aimer encore (Geneviève & Robin's Wedding)

The gorgeous bride and groom

Last Saturday, my friend and I celebrated our friends Geneviève and Robin's wedding. I have known Gen since elementary school and she and Robin met through my boyfriend and I, and I know Gen was dreaming of this wedding for such a long time! It was awesome to be with them for this very special celebration.

Beautiful tables setup and yummy cupcakes

Of course, between my hairdresser appointment in the morning (more details in an upcoming post) and everything else, I absolutely forgot to take proper pictures of my makeup and outfit, as always! Here is a quick breakdown anyway.

Hard Candy Fox in a Box - Spicy & Sweet | 100% Pure Cocoa Pigmented Bronzer - Brown Sugar | MAC Cremesheen Lipstick - Creme Cup (not pictured)*

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye - Neutral Medium | Too Faced Natural Eye | Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner - Onyx (upper lashline, waterline and lower lashline)* | Avon True Color Eyeshadow Single - Night Sky (crease and outer corner)* | Annabelle Glitterama Liquid Eyeliner - Plutonium | Marcelle Extension Plus Mascara | It Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Brow Pencil

Babyliss Pro Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron | Shielo VOLUME Flexible Design Hair Spray

Dress - Winners | Heels - Glo Women's Jayden Patent Platform Pump - K-Mart | Tan - St Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse 'Dark' 

Nail polish - Julep Nail Vernis 'Whitney' and Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer 'Shake Your Groove Thing'

*These products are NOT cruelty-free

We arrived at the church a little before the wedding to be able to do a quick photoshoot. 

Acting silly (as always!) and dancing with the bride

It was a beautiful day and we had tons of fun! Congratulations again Geneviève and Robin, I wish you lifelong happiness!

Lyrics are from On va s'aimer encore, by Vincent Vallières, a singer from Quebec. Title translation: "In life, in death we will still love each other".

#GlossyPartyMTL - Get GLOSSY with GLOSSYBOX‏ Event

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend the first GLOSSYBOX event for media and GLOSSY ambassadors since its launch in Canada, along with a few fellow bloggers such as my friends Josianne and Isanielle. I finally had the opportunity to meet face to face with Sanya, Kristelle and Ellie, and I also met some interesting bloggers from Montreal, such as The Green Geekette and Marie Frédérique.

Josy, Izzy, Sanya and me

But first, let's start with a little FOTN and OOTN, shall we?

Benefit The POREfessional | Marcelle Concealer Palette in Universal Beige | 100% Pure Cocoa Pigmented Bronzer in Brown Sugar | Milani Baked Powder Blush - Luminoso | Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick - Primrose

 theBalm Time Balm Concealer - Light | Wet N Wild Color Icon Palette - Lust | Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner - Onyx (upper lashline, waterline and lower lashline)* | Marcelle Power Volume Mascara | Wet n Wild Coloricon Brow & Eye Liner - Taupe

*Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner is NOT cruelty-free

Tints of Nature Conditioning Permanent Colour in 2N Natural Darkest Brown | Babyliss Pro Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron | Shielo VOLUME Flexible Design Hair Spray

Dress - Winners | Blazer - Suzy Shier | Heels - Glo Women's Jayden Patent Platform Pump - K-Mart | Nail polish - Julep Nail Vernis 'Alyson' | Tan - St Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse 'Dark'

We enjoyed a luxurious night of pampering at Victoria Park Spa, which included a variety of beauty bars such as makeup bar, braid bar and even candy bar! We had tons of fun at the Bioré photo booth and we even had our photo taken in a life-size GLOSSYBOX!

Delicious cupcakes and sparkling wine

Beauty Bar and Candy Bar

Izzy enjoying the braid bar

Of course, keeping true to the GLOSSYBOX way, there was tons of giveaways from brands such as Marc Anthony, Bioré, imPRESS Press-on Manicure, Kiss, John Frieda, Algemarin and more - not to mention that every guest left with their very own gigantic swag bag, complete with the May GLOSSYBOX! I almost could not believe it!

Izzy and I with our - amazingly heavy! - bags (image: Être Radieuse)

So many goodies! As for the May GLOSSYBOX... the content will be unveiled in an upcoming post!

Big thanks go to GLOSSYBOX Canada and Tracey Brooke PR for putting together such an amazing event!

FOTD + OOTD: & in another life I would be your girl, we keep all our promises, be us against the world

Well, this post is sooooo late as these are a FOTD and a OOTD I put together to work at the clothing store... because I stopped working there around Christmas time!

Face

Benefit The POREfessional*

Sheer Cover Mineral Foundation FPS 15 - Bisque*

OLAY Regenerist Eye Touch of Concealer Eye Regenerating Cream*

Annabelle Rippled Sand Bronzer - Bali Bronze

Milani Baked Powder Blush - Dolce Pink

Eyes

L'Oréal Voluminous Carbon Black*

Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quad - Natural Smokes*

Lips

NYX Round Lipstick - Tea Rose

Green tank - Sirens | Cardigan - San Francisco | Belt - Giant Tiger | Pants - borrowed from my mother | Key necklace - Etsy 

* These products are NOT cruelty-free

Lyrics are from The One That Got Away, from Katy Perry

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD VIP Event

Last Thursday, I was extremely fortunate to be invited by the very lovely Josianne from Être Radieuse to the MAKE UP FOR EVER HD VIP Event in their Pro Loft in Montreal! As a total newbie to MUFE, I didn't even know they had an office in Montreal!

Let's start with my FOTN:

Face

CoverGirl CG Smoothers All Day Hydrating Make-Up - Classic Ivory*

theBalm Time Balm Concealer - Light

Marcelle Concealer Palette in Universal Beige

NYC Translucent Loose Face Powder*

100% Cocoa Pigmented Bronzer - Brown Sugar

Annabelle Mineral Powder Blush - Au Naturel

Eyes

Marcelle Power Volume Mascara

Wet n Wild Coloricon Brow & Eye Liner - Taupe
Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner - Onyx (upper lashline, waterline and smudged on lower lashline)* 

Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quad - Natural Smokes*

Lips

MAC Cremesheen Lipstick - Creme Cup

Hair

Clairol Nice 'N Easy 123 Natural Soft Black*
TS-2 Conical Barrel Style Stick Clipless Curling Iron
Alberto Weather Resistant Hairspray Mega Hold Finish

*These products are NOT cruelty-free

I had a hard time choosing what to wear but because it was relatively warm outside for the month of February, I finally went for a dress and jacket, just because I love this combo so much - and OK, because that dress is a little too revealing!

Dress - LoveMode | Cropped jacket - H&M | Purse - MAC Tartan Tale | Dove necklace - gift from my godmother | Nails - OPI Rainbow Connection

I arrived at the Pro Loft half an hour late (of course!) because 1. I totally forgot to print the VIP invitation, 2. my desktop computer (connected to the printer) would not start, 3. the printer would not let me print the invitation from my netbook, 4. I lost the internet connection (thank you, sh*tty Videotron!) when I wanted to double check the itinary one last time (at least, I had wrote it down already) and write down Josianne's cell number in case I got lost (of course, I forgot to do this sooner!) buuuuuut, despite all of this and thanks to the gods of makeup, the HD seminar had not started yet and at least, I was not the only one who was late! Phiew!

Despite having heard about HD makeup on the blogosphere, I did not really know what it was, so I appreciated the seminar and the demo the lovely Joëlle showed on the pretty model Stéphanie. I learned quite a few tips and trick indeed - did you know their HD Blush could be applied not only on the cheeks but also on the lips, as eyeshadow and even as tinted mascara? Also, for a more natural application, you can mix it with foundation.

We were served champagne and hors d'oeuvres all night long and there was even a candy bar - Josy and I did not go crazy... what, who said doggy bags?

(images: Être Radieuse)
It was great seeing Josy again, I already miss her!

The guests also enjoyed 40% off on all MAKE UP FOR EVER products, a special price that is normally reserved for the professionals! I did not purchase anything but yes, I was really tempted by this HD Blush that was around $10 after the discount...

(images: Être Radieuse)
I also met two of Josy's lovely friends, Laurie and Isanielle

Of course, we were not sent home empty-handed! Each guests received a super pretty little gift package including very generous sample size samples of three HD products: the very popular Microfinish Powder, Elixir Instant Radiance and Hydration Serum and Cream Blush in the shade #4 Fresh Pink. I will be sure to write a complete post about these products!

A huge thank you to Josianne for bringing me to such a nice event and to the MAKE UP FOR EVER team from Montreal!

FOTD + OOTD: & the games you play, you would always win, always win

Since some of you requested more work FOTD and OOTD posts, so here is another! It's a very simple look I put together for a 3 hours shift.

Face

L'Oréal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base*

Sheer Cover Mineral Foundation FPS 15 - Bisque*

OLAY Regenerist Eye Touch of Concealer Eye Regenerating Cream*

Marcelle Horizon Bronzing Pressed Powder - Heat Wave

Annabelle Blossom Blush - Peachy

Eyes

Rimmel Lycra Lash Extender - Black* (absolutely hate this!)

ELF Eyelid primer - Champagne

Wet n Wild Coloricon Brow & Eye Liner - Taupe (brows)

Annabelle Smudge Paint - Muddy (smudged all over lid)
Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner - Onyx* (smudged on lower lashline)

Lips

ELF Hypershine Gloss - Berry Cherry

White tank - Forever21 | Cardigan - gift | Pants - borrowed from my mother | Key necklace - Etsy 

* These products are NOT cruelty-free

Lyrics are from Set Fire To The Rain, by Adele