Dec Ipsy Glambag, ColourPop, winter haircare & best matte nudes

December's Ipsy Glambag was full of products that are appropriate for the season that I've been enjoying greatly. I'm not sure if it's luck, if the refinements from my quiz-taking are effective or if my monthly curator cares so much, but I feel like my monthly Ipsy bags have been getting better since I signed up. This month's offerings seemed to read my mind, sending me a perfect combination of skincare and makeup that is ideal for this time of year. 
For my winter-dry face, this Deep Moisture Mask by Clark's Botanicals has become habit-forming. I find myself applying a light layer of this thick, ultra-emollient balm after cleansing in the evenings and wear it to bed to wake up with smooth, nourished skin. It can also be used as an intensive facial mask that you wash off but my parched skin isn't bothered if I leave the rich cream on indefinitely.
The Spa Sensuals Intensive Repair Hand Cream by Peter Lamas is a powerful moisturizer full of quality ingredients to provide lasting hydration, desperately needed in these colder months. It has a light citrus scent that fades away leaving skin softer and smoother.
I was ecstatic to receive what appears to be a full size of Pacifica's Power of Love Natural Lipstick in the shade Tender Heart, a beautiful, pale warm nude that shows as a coral nude on my skin tone, but would be a gorgeous tawny nude with fairer skin colouring. It feels very light on the lips and delivers matte, opaque, almost satiny colour with no glossiness, and has a long-wearing texture that doesn't make my lips dry up and flake, which I assume is due to a judiciously short and all-natural list of ingredients. The bonus is that Pacifica products are vegan and cruelty-free, and this line is readily accessible for me to swatch and sample at local premium health food stores. I'm surprised by how comfortable and durable this lipcolour is through a day's wear, and feel that it rivals the best matte lip products currently on the market.
Any day I get a product by Tarte Cosmetics in the mail is a good day. December's Ipsy bag contained a deluxe sample of Tarte's Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder, a finely-milled translucent setting powder, housed in a handy stoppered jar that is ideal for my travel makeup kit. This powder is basically an invisible shield to set your liquid and cream face products for long wear and the clay mattifies and blurs pores and oily patches throughout the day with a natural, non-irritating formula.
The final December Ipsy offering was this wonderful Crown Brush Brow Duo C413 tool, an item I actually ordered a week prior from e.l.f. but was thrilled to receive almost magically in my Glambag! A firm slanted brush on one end, perfect for powder or cream brow products since it helps create realistic hair-like brush strokes precisely, with a diminutive spoolie on the other end to brush brow hairs into perfect position. I am absolutely satisfied with my Ipsy subscription so far, I think any fan of beauty products would love it.

I redeemed my accrued Ipsy points for an aptly named face product, the Amazing Concealer by Amazing Cosmetics in the shade Tan Golden. I was incredulous that my preferred shade would be the one on offer, so I jumped at the chance to give this spendy product a try. This thick cream concealer is intensely full-coverage and the tiniest dot spreads out to provide fully opaque but blendable colour. I could immediately see why this concealer has such a rabid fan following ever since it launched despite the steep price, since it is such an effective staple beauty product.

I finally succumbed to the siren call of ColourPop Cosmetics and placed an order online as a get well gift to myself, taking advantage of seasonal promotions I bought this seasonal Lippie-To-Go Trippin Mini Kit that contains a gorgeous sampling of 5 Lippie Stix with a matching Lippie Pencil on the other end, both products I've been desperate to try. They vary in finish and come in an array of glossy, matte and satin formulas. I am completely smitten with these products; the colours are tenacious and feel great on my lips. Every shade is richly-pigmented and the creamy liners glide on and keep your application precise and in place for hours. I'm so pleased with this lip set since I feel like it gave me a generous sampling of great products, discounted from already phenomenal prices. It is also relevant to note that my ColourPop package, ordered at the start of online holiday shopping madness, arrived at my doorstep within 3 days of my order, definitely the quickest shipment to Canada ever!

Loving this @colourpopcosmetics mini-lippie in Bossy from the Trippin holday lip kit #makeup #cosmetics #lipstick #colourpop #redlips

A photo posted by Monica Ghosh (@point_1) on Jan 4, 2016 at 3:52pm PST

Please stare at this stunning eyeshadow for as long as you need, go ahead, I have the time. Named Bill, this seemingly-demure matte neutral greige with a lavender undertone Super Shock Shadow is a crease-blending powerhouse that I'm obsessed with. The bouncy texture of this shadow delivers a cool gel/mousse type product that turns to a smoothly blendable powder when applied to the skin. The shade you see here is a unique, cool-toned light brown that looks more pink or more brown depending on your skin shade. Either way, it is a delight to apply and wear and is definitely a gateway shadow, caveat emptor!

Now let's take a look at another lovely transition shade for darker skin, this time by Milani Cosmetics. This Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow in Bella Cappuccino 03 has a satin matte finish and is a gorgeous shade to define the crease, blend with other shadows or all over the lid for a quick neutral look. For $8.99 at the Real Canadian Superstore here on the Wet Coast of Canada, this is a quality find at a drugstore price.

While at the Milani display, this Color Statement Moisture Matte Lipstick in Matte Naked 61 jumped out at me, so I had to buy it, and I'm so glad I did. It is a matte long-lasting lipstick that isn't indelible but still wears for hours. What it lacks in permanence, it makes up for by not drying lips out and not creating a flaky mess, especially at the perimeter of the inner lip where things can get awkward with a patchier product. This warm dark nude is completely natural on my lips but may appear as a warm bronze on fair skin. For $6.99 at Real Canadian Superstore, this is a great beauty deal!

One final matte eyeshadow I picked up as a daily crease and contour shade is by NYX, this single pot of their Nude Matte Shadow in the shade Dance the Tides. This smooth shadow is completely matte but not overly powdery and definitely not chalky. It is well-pigmented and blends easily with other shadows, so it works to warm up almost any makeup look. For just $8.99CAD at London Drugs, this is a wonderful addition to my makeup drawer.

Hair too suffers from winter's drying cycle of hot and cold, so I went back to an old favourite miracle product that I always repurchase, this Terax Crema Original Moisturizing Daily Conditioner. Many years ago, I heard a woman rave on and on about it when she found it in a store we were in, and I watched her buy three tubes at once. Intrigued, I tried a travel size of their classic Crema conditioner and I've been a faithful customer ever since. I don't necessarily use it every time I wash my hair, partly since it's expensive and hard to find, and partly since it is quite rich. However, due to my recent dry hair trauma, I am using it more than once a week and my hair has never been softer. This is absolutely the best hair conditioner I have ever used, and I have almost always had some on hand no matter where I am, for those times when being able to detangle my hair is something I care about. I've seen it over the years at higher-end beauty shops and salons, but I acquired my recent tube online at Amazon for less about $24CAD which was a huge convenience at a shockingly good price.




Since I now shampoo my long hair less than ever, the time between washings has become a thing. Impressed with almost all things argan as far as haircare is concerned, I picked up a bottle of Marc Anthony's Argan Oil Dry Styling Oil. The oil's spicy-musk scent wears off soon enough with a super-fine mist that gently coats the hair without being greasy or heavy. I use it only on my dryest ends and it keeps it hair silky and tangle-free for days. It makes hair a bit slippery so keep it away from areas where you want volume or if you're going to try an updo or braids. However, if you're planning to do anything with heat, the protective qualities of this product will reduce damage and look shinylicious! For $10CAD at Shoppers Drug Mart, this is an affordable and effective haircare find.

And now for one of my favourite recent haircare purchases, this is the Moroccan Oil Dry Shampoo for Dark Tones, which I picked up from the non-descript salon at the nearest mall. To my delight, they had a travel size for $11CAD, so I went ahead and grabbed it. Had I known how great it is, I would have also bought a full size can because this stuff is the best. Without hesitation, this is the best dry shampoo I've tried, for several reasons. First is the fact that it is dark, so I don't have to worry about that grey-white spray that I get from every other dry shampoo. Next is the smell, earthy and natural, but still like a high-end salon product, it's delightfully scented but not overly perfumed. Finally of course, is how well it works to banish greasy areas and add volume to hair's roots without any weight or residue. If you have dark hair and see this exact product when you are out and about, pick it up and you won't be disappointed.

December beauty finds and deals I loved

Happy New Year dear reader, I've missed you and this little space! I'm sorry I was absent for the last month but I'm happy to say I'm recovering from hip surgery and have enjoyed trying out so many products over the last few weeks, so stay tuned for a whole heap of reviews and recommendations in the next little while!

Let's start with this NYX Micro Brow Pencil which I picked up in the shade Espresso for just $11.99 at London Drugs. Even though I have tan-olive skin and naturally black hair and brows, since I have lighter hair colouring in at the moment and it's the middle of winter so I'm the fairest I'll be all year, I opted for this shade instead of the darkest one for a natural brow that doesn't look harsh. All the raves you've heard about this affordable dupe for the Anastasia brow pencil are true, it has an ideal consistency with a thin-leaded, twist-up tip that makes fixing up your brows effortless. I also found that the texture of the product had just enough control that I skipped brow gel and just used the built-in spoolie on the opposite end to set the hairs in place and that was that. As for staying power, this product was impeccable. One of my abiding makeup fears is absent-mindedly wiping brow colour all over my face, but I don't worry about that with this product.

Another exceptional NYX product is this HD Concealer which I picked up in the shade CW05 Medium, a creamy rich warm-toned concealer, with just enough orange to neutralize my dark under-eye circles and brighten discolorations, which makes for perfect foundation application. Once locked into place with setting powder, it did not crease or highlight any wrinkles. It felt so light it was virtually imperceptible on my skin while still delivering great coverage. Did I mention it was only $7.99 CAD at London Drugs? This is my new favourite concealer, after what feels like an eternal search.

This stunning little holiday set was only $15 from Sephora! It contains three deluxe samples of Tarte's most popular products, their Maracuja Oil, Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara and Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Fanciful. I've been using the oil on my face every day and find it to be very light and hydrating, without leaving a greasy film that sits on top of my skin. It has no smell, which makes it unique among facial oils I'm currently using, so I find that I prefer it in the mornings after cleansing, over all my other moisturizers. The blush is a universally flattering, warm peach matte blush that is easy to blend and not overly powdery. Finally, this very popular mascara does a decent job of darkening and defining lashes, with minimal smudging through daily wear. All in all, this is a lovely set!

If you really want to get me going, ask me about tubing my lashes. No matter what else I try, I always come back to my long-adored blinc tubing mascara. Yes it is expensive, but on the one hand, it's something I'm going to be applying right next to my eyeballs, so I want to be sure the ingredients and production and top-quality. On the other hand, it's an almost daily staple necessity for me and my tiny Asian lashes, so I want it to be consistently safe and effective. I know there are those who pooh-pooh mascara formulas that tube, but for me, it's the only thing that works. Over the last decade, I've faithfully purchased this mascara even when it meant embarking on a beauty scavenger hunt when it was hard to find, from the time it was sold under a different brand name (formerly Kiss Me). This is honestly the only beauty product I have hoarded. Needless to say, when I saw that Sephora had a travel duo on sale for $15, I ran to my local store to get one. This Lash Discovery Duo contained a Lash Primer and their classic Mascara in Black. I even love the little tin that housed these two little gems. Since this mascara is luxury-priced at $30 per tube, I'm always choked to throw out a tube that's gone past the best before date. I'm also horrified to note that they do not carry this product in my favourite dark blue shade, which subtly makes eyes look whiter and brighter without being noticeable. Makes me wish I had stockpiled a couple more tubes when I had the chance, but I'm relieved to note that salons and specialty makeup stores everywhere carry this line for beautyholics in the know.

My recent medical journey has wrought unforeseen havoc on my skin, all of it. I'll get to my facial skin woes in an upcoming post, but suffice it to say that I feel more reptile than human most days in my skin. I've got dry flaking issues on my legs, elbows that could plane a doorway, rough parched patches on my feet... arrrrrgh! 
So I picked up this deliciously-scented Bright and Bubbly gift set by Soap & Glory from the nearby Shoppers Drug Mart for $20 CAD and I LOVE every product in this cheerful box. It contains Clean on Me Creamy Clarifying Shower Gel, Scrub of Your Life Smoothing Body Scrub, Hand Food Hydrating Hand Cream, and a jar of The Righteous Butter Body Butter along with a cute pink shower puff.
Though highly-scented, I really enjoy using this set. The cleanser lathers up and doesn't strip skin's moisture while the body scrub gets to work on dry and ashy elbows, knees and ankles. The body scrub is thick and creamy so it doesn't disappear before it has a chance to do its job. Both leave my bathroom smelling divine. The hand cream is excellent since it does not leave hands greasy and slippery, while providing lasting hydration that I can still feel even after I wash my hands. The body butter has earned its loyal fans, who love the rich formula that soothes dry itchy skin with a delicious scent that's not overpowering. I'm looking forward to trying out some of the makeup from this line, especially after having such a positive first experience.

Finally, this Caviar Anti-Aging Transformation Trio travel hair set by Alterna has been amazing. The last month saw my parched hair almost turn into one giant rat's nest, I was like the Weeknd's hair twin, and actually wondered if I was going to need to cut the tangled mess off if it was beyond repair but this Replenishing Moisture Shampoo and Replenishing Moisture Conditioner came to my rescue. Combined with the Caviar CC Cream 10-in-1 Leave-In Hair Protector, my hair was detangled and silky smooth and hydrated for days. This luxury set was recently available at Sephora during their Black Friday sale for only $13, but I'm so impressed with the effectiveness of this set that I'll be buying the full size of the shampoo and maybe the conditioner once these travel sizes are done. If your hair is dryer than dry, give this line a try.

November ipsy Glam Bag reviewed

November's ipsy Glam Bag contained the five deluxe sample sized products you see above. I finally got my hands on this trèStiQue Lip Crayon in Chile Red, a vibrant red lipstick that's easy to apply and ultra-portable. This light and creamy formula glides onto lips and feels weightless but delivers vibrant, opaque colour with one swipe. I'm now extra curious about the rest of this line and may give one of the sets a try. They look so convenient and foolproof, my curiosity is piqued.
Behind it is Smashbox's Full Exposure Mascara in Black, a popular product from this professional quality line that has always specialized in makeup that photographs particularly well. This mascara formulation is appreciated by many for being a solid all-around performer in both lengthening and thickening categories, with minimal flaking or smudging. The large size of the brush applicator means it takes only few quick flicks to achieve long-wearing, dramatic lashes.
The shimmery taupe single eyeshadow you see is by INSPR Beauty, a newer line out of L.A. with a luxurious feel and gorgeous colour payoff. Darker women often struggle with shimmer eyeshadows showing up a different shade than expected, sometimes with messy fallout on areas of the face that can highlight all the wrong things, or can just look childishly glittery and cheap. I've found that the key is how finely milled your glitter particles are, and this goes for shimmer lip and face products as well. I'm happy to report that this velvety eyeshadow in this cool neutral shade named Carnival smooths a metallic sheen onto the lid with the first sweep, no primer needed. The shadow stayed in place all day, and brings an eye-brightening but still subtle bit of sheen to any makeup look, especially as a final overlay in the very centre of the lower lid, just before liner and mascara are applied.
Back to the world's ongoing love affair with Korean beauty, my Glam Bag included a sweet little tester of Jelly Pong Pong's Liquid Gossamer luminizing lotion. I've had mixed success with liquid highlighters, but this watery, ultra-fine, almost pearl-like sheen is easy to apply without disturbing makeup underneath and gives the subtle, non-sparkly highlight glow that I was hoping for when I tried the Hourglass powder on my face. As with other ipsy samples, I'm thrilled to have a diminutive liquid highlighter for my travel makeup kit, something I was at a loss to find anywhere else.
Last of the November set is this terrific deep moisturizing conditioner by top Brazilian hair line Novex, the Brazilian Keratin Deep Conditioning Treatment. Used after shampooing, it is applied to damp hair and can be left in for a few minutes for daily conditioning or for up to 15 or more for seriously deep rehydration. This thick cream conditioner is full of vitamin E, keratin and natural oils, and although I wasn't sure about using conditioner from a jar instead of a bottle, it's really not an issue - in fact, I felt like I even had more control than usual over how much product I was applying. The smell is not my favourite thing in the world, but it thankfully doesn't linger, leaving hair super-shiny and soft.  Products like this are why I love ipsy, since I doubt I would ever have heard of or tried it if it hadn't arrived on my doorstep. Thanks again ipsy!

M.A.C. Macnificent Me! favs & reviews

And just like that, after many years away trying any and every other brand of cosmetics, now that I am excited by and wearing makeup again, I've come back to M.A.C. Cosmetics like a prodigal child. M.A.C. was the first brand of makeup that I can remember being really fanatical about, in the early years of the company when the difficulty in acquiring it added to the cachet of owning it. Favourite shades and product information was traded in hushed tones by those with beauty knowledge and a generous spirit. In the intervening years, M.A.C. has taught new makeup artists and beauty lovers what to expect from professional-quality cosmetics and has never stopped being at the forefront of fashion and new formulations.

The decadent haul you see above is a present from my darling friend Nics, who knows how much I love to give and receive beauty products in the mail, and this time she really blew my mind! The package included flawless products like the inky-matte Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel in Blacktrack, which is deep, darkest black; once applied, it sets for the day without flaking or smudging. It is a yardstick by which other liners are compared in the beauty industry since it is a staple product across the globe, thanks to their dynamic colour selection and the great performance of this liner, which for as long as I can remember, has been one of the best available.

The Haute & Naughty Lash Mascara in Black is a clever bit of packaging that allows you to use either the pink or the glittery purple wand option, for subtle daytime definition or an all-out full-glam application that is thick and dramatic, your choice depending on which colour cap you unscrew. The different apertures allow more or less product to remain on the generously-sized brush bristles, but I will be using mostly the pink option since I prefer more subtle and precise application. I've been annoyed by many mascara formulas that I've tested but find this version to be long-wearing and non-irritating to my eyes.

Next up, a few lines to rave about this Macnificent Me! Eyeshadow X9 palette which contains every desirable, wearable eyeshadow colour I want in one small but efficient palette. Shades include: Macnificent Me!, Quiet Type, Dance in the Dark, Fabulous DNA, Pleasing to the Eye, Sable, Frankly Frosty, In My Element and Cool Complement. When I first glanced at the colours chosen, I thought they were nice and fine and maybe a little boring, but once I started using them I realized they have created a standout winner in my opinion. This is because the transitional eyeshadows in this palette are the best I've ever used, with 3 of the matte shades now acting as my everyday shadow base, blending and transitioning shadows and I'm not sure how I ever got along without them, they are that good. The other shades are perfect to define, highlight and line my eyes, so basically M.A.C. has created my ideal eyeshadow palette but I didn't even know it when I first looked at it! The soft, almost creamy texture of these shadows make them a joy to apply and blend, plus the incredible performance of these shadows have kept M.A.C. at the top of the beauty world for years.

I saved the best for last with this cohort of gorgeous lip products that are my favourite cosmetics of all right now. I'll admit to a heartfelt nostalgia for the original M.A.C. lipstick bullet with the mild vanilla scent that I associate with the brand. Some of you may know that I am currently obsessed with the almost-concealer-nude lips that are popular again, which match perfectly with dramatic eye looks for evening or just on their own with a bit of mascara and blush for a super-fast everyday no-makeup look, since they won't bleed or wear off as noticeably as darker shades which require mindful maintenance.

I was almost delirious with happiness as I opened the lipstick package to reveal the most perfect shade, M.A.C. Satin Lipstick in Fleshpot. Oh-em-gee, I've been carrying on about light nude lips for weeks if not months now, so leave it to MAC Cosmetics to remind errybody why they run this game. The light, flesh tone and creamy, no-sparkle, highly-pigmented formula will win you over in a single swipe. Using a liberal amount of dark brown/burgundy lipliner in successive layers, darker women will rock this lipcolour, which on fairer skin is perfect on its own. M.A.C. lipsticks are also a reminder of when I first fell in love with makeup artistry, when M.A.C. cosmetics were new and rare in the beauty world. I'm back in love with M.A.C. lippies and it feels like coming home.

Always on the cutting edge of new products and formulas, M.A.C. often seems to produce the best iteration of whatever is hot right now on the beauty scene. Case in point are these creamy, fool-proof PatentPolish Lip Pencils, which I received in shades Make Me Proud (a neutral rose nude, the darker of the two pictured above) and It's Really Me (a perfect greigey-nude that I wear daily). I wasn't sure about these chunky lip crayons at first glance, but again, one swipe and I was in love. The texture is like the best lip balm ever, with enough opaque colour to not require anything but a light hand with a darker liner, it has a hint of shine without any glitter. This lip product glides on and feels so hydrating and creamy that I reapply it several times per day just to comfort my lips. Absolutely this is my favourite cosmetic product in my entire collection at the moment, who would have guessed?

Lastly is this M.A.C. Vamplify Lipgloss in shade Anything But Demure, and I am serious when I say that this lipgloss is among the best you can buy. From texture to wear, this is the perfect gloss for all my favourite nude lip looks. Not overly sticky and longer-wearing than I expected, it's a far cry from the original Lipglass that I used to own years ago. The luxurious feel of this product extends from the newfangled applicator tip to the well-pigmented formula that seems to last much longer than other glosses, available in a decent range of fashion-forward, universally flattering shades.

M.A.C.'s beauty game is clearly stronger than ever, well-deserving of their loyal customer base, trusted by MUAs since forever with good reason. Go get you some!

Harvey Prince Organics - smells good, feels good, ethically sound

 
After a few weeks of indecision, I went ahead and placed my first order with Harvey Prince Organics. I received a full-sized pump-dispenser bottle of their Ageless Body Cream and am now hooked on this line. The Ageless scent has quickly grown on me, and I wear this body cream every day; I've become obsessed with the clean, fruity, faintly floral-but-not-overpowering scent. But what really sold me on this cream is how incredibly soft it makes my skin (which I can still feel hydrating my skin almost a day later!), and I completely love it. I have no time for lotions that sink in and leave problem bits like elbows, hands, knees and feet dry and flaky shortly after application. Not so for this thick, rich body cream, which is keeping my skin soft and comfortable this winter, hydrating and protecting from the drying effects of the cold outside and overheated interiors, while somehow not being overly greasy or sticky. This is a very satisfying body care product that I am going to repurchase.

I'm always glad when my favourite brands offer travel and sample sizes of their products, so I can try items before buying a full-sized container. When I really like a product, I quickly stash the small version in my travel toiletries bag, and seek out the full-sized product right away. That's why I am delighted that Harvey Prince has several of their fragrance, bath and body care samples in deluxe-sized sets that allows me to try out a wide variety of products. The hair and body products I ordered are in the scent Hello. It smells crisp and bright at first and later on settles down nicely to slightly musky notes that linger sweetly. It's a very pleasantly wearable scent that is subtle enough for daytime and work settings without being cloying.

The Sea Salt Texturizing Mist is fantastic! I've found several beachy hair sprays to be overly drying on my long hair, or just ineffective. This spray added just enough texture control without the stiffness of hairspray or mousse, and allows hair at the roots to hold a bit of teasing for subtle volume and a bit of messiness that looks fresh and effortless. I am almost certain to order a large bottle of this product very shortly.

Finally, I received an array of scent vials that are barely visible in the photo above, in behind the larger products. I received samples of Ageless (clean, fruity, subtly floral), Eau So Divine (clean, bright and fresh), Cherie Blossom (a sweeter floral blend), Sincerely (slightly woodsy, mildly spicy), Hello (crisp, bright and faintly musky) and Petaly Noir (musky, floral and sweet). Each scent changes with the wearer's personal body chemistry, transforming into a personal scent experience that silently communicates with those around you. Since I am generally sensitive (or averse) to many perfumed products, naturally-sourced, carefully blended scents are all I now wear and having an entire line to discover that is vegan and cruelty-free is delightful.

The brand's story is endearing and knowing that all the products are made without toxic chemicals is wonderful - they are even mindful of pregnant mothers when devising their formulas. The line was in the media when I first heard of them, with the coverage focused on claims that the scents can make wearers appear thinner, younger, friendlier or even make you lose weight! But all of that hype cannot detract from a well-balanced perfume that doesn't give me a headache and isn't offensively strong.

Once I finally decided on what products I wanted to order, they arrived in a few short days, surprisingly rapid delivery time to Canada, all undamaged in the packaging. My first experience with Harvey Prince Organics has been very positive and after several weeks of using the products, I am pleasantly satisfied with everything I've ordered from them. With the gift-giving season upon us, this is a more thoughtful, original option for the beauty and scent lover on your list for holiday presents this year.

a trio of beauty bargains I love right now

Here we are mid-November and I am still not over my nude to putty-grey lip mania. After mucking about and being generally dissatisfied with my lipcolour options, I decided to get my sh!t together and set out to pick up a true chocolate brown lipliner, one that does not lean towards red or pinkness, and although I expected to buy the classic M.A.C. Cosmetics Lip Pencil in Chestnut, I detoured to this Prestige Waterproof Lipliner in shade LW-26 Cocoa and am so glad I did! The waterproof formula of this creamy pencil does not prevent it from blending effortlessly on top or below my lipstick, and the deep chocolate shade did not make my lipstick pink at all. My aim in buying a quality brown lipliner is to use it as my blending workhorse for light lip colours that I desperately love and want to wear but will show up as weird and chalky on my lips without 2-3 layers of dark, well-blended liner for definition. But I generally do both - over and under - after moisturizing my lips lightly while applying the rest of my regimen (lips are always last of course), I lightly line my lips using careful feather-strokes with this pencil and quickly smear on my first layer of lipstick before the liner has a chance to set. I am careful not to overline my lips with this first layer since I am not going for an East L.A. in the early-90s 'Mi Vida Loca' look. I rub my lips together blending the first layers of lipliner and lipstick until the liner is a barely noticeable ombre effect. Then I draw a stronger line with the pencil and apply a second layer of lipstick which is now more opaque but has a faint border that prevents me from being mistaken for Tyrone Biggums.

my fav nude lip combo this autumn bit.ly/1MQwMx0 @prestige_us @nyxcanada @nyxcosmetics @londondrugs #beauty #makeup #bblogger

A photo posted by Monica Ghosh (@point_1) on Nov 17, 2015 at 2:17pm PST

This is how I am able to wear and enjoy the pale and nude lipsticks that are perfect to pair with dramatic eye looks or on natural and no-makeup days when I only want a bit of moisturizing and to even out my lips, most especially in this transitional season of autumn to winter when chapping and redness are the norm.

Back to this liner: now that I like this formula so much, I'm asking myself why on earth was I using non-waterproof liner on my lips? As with eyeliner, it's the only other place where precision application and staying power of well-defined colour application are the difference between looking put-together or being a pasty white-lipped mess. So what I'm really trying to say is: this Prestige Waterproof Lipliner right here is a game-changer for me. I use it pretty much every day with all my favourite nude lipsticks and I love it since it allows me to wear shades that are otherwise too light for my skintone. I believe that Prestige Cosmetics in an unsung hero(ine?) of beauty bargains, with some of the lowest prices at the drugstore, plus the brand regularly goes on sale which brings the cost down even more. At $5.99 each currently on sale at London Drugs, I'm eager to go pick up another, this time in the shade Mocha.

Next up is one of my all-around favourite makeup lines, NYX Cosmetics, who have now fully expanded into Canada with the opening of their first stand-alone store in Toronto and the long-awaited launch of a dedicated 'dot.ca' vendor site for Canadian beauty lovers (a nuance that is overlooked by online saleswonks at their peril). However, since I live several time zones away from Tee-Oh and value my time and effort, I am happy that NYX is available at several locations that are in my usual trajectory so I can see and test some of the products before I purchase. London Drugs in particular really came through for me recently when the Beauty Consultant at the location near me, phoned me to say that a product that is sold out absolutely everywhere in BC's Lower Mainland had come into the store in limited supply and one of the few that arrived were put aside for me at the cosmetics counter. I had given them my contact info to be notified when they became available a couple of months ago and promptly forgot about it. This value-added service impressed me and added to the cachet to my new acquisition for its rarity.

But I'll get to that right after a few words about this caramel nude NYX High Voltage Lipstick in the shade HVLS 13 - STONE, which leans towards beige or even 'greige' and I am obsessed with pairing it with the lipliner detailed above. After falling in love with this product in a vivid violet hue, already I knew that I love the wear and feel of this lipstick. Since it's in a natural light shade and is a creamy stick instead of a liquid lipstick tube, it doesn't wear off leaving a patchy inner lip line, but it needs to be reapplied after eating and drinking. It's not that this product is transfer-proof, it isn't. What it does do is impart lovely, moisturizing colour that lasts much longer than conventional creamy tube lipsticks. At only $8.99, it's a true beauty bargain.

I would like you to join me in welcoming this elusive NYX Wonder Stick that I finally got my hands on in the shade Deep to my collection. It is a double-ended cream contouring product that is easy to apply, tidy and ideal for travel. The smartly rounded darker end smooths on depth and shadow while the pointed highlight end helps to place the product precisely and brings light to those areas. I really appreciate how well-thought-out I find this contour stick, and I definitely prefer this format to any flat palette into which a brush, sponge or finger will be smushed prior to application. This format is easier to keep hygienic as well; a good wipe, a spray of isopropyl alcohol, another wipe and voilà, germophobes rejoice! I'm happy to report that both the contour and highlight shades look very natural with my skintone and blend beautifully with zero shimmer. They are effective on their own or as a base for powder contouring if you want a more dramatic, very durable makeup look. This Wonder Stick is unscented and non-irritating, even after several hours on my sensitive skin. Now that winter is truly upon us, I prefer creams to powders on my extra-dry skin and have been enjoying using this with just a final light dusting of translucent powder to set. At only $13.99, this is another instant favourite from NYX Cosmetics.

October ipsy glam bag & more Shu

My ipsy October GlamBag arrived a bit later than usual but I didn't mind at all since it was a crazy-hectic month in my world, and I was once again the delighted recipient of five bonus-sized beauty samples.

Let's start with the brow pencil, Korean beauty brand Touch in Sol's Mini Browza Super Proof Gel Brow Pencil in the shade Mink Wink. It is everything I want in a brow pencil, with a built-in spoolie on the opposite end for ultimate convenience. This product gives my dark brows a shaded effect, perfect whenever I want nearly imperceptible brow definition that is subtle enough for daytime or any natural look. Unbelievable bonus: this brow pencil is indelible, full stop. I am, admittedly, new to the brow game, and I've struggled to remember not to wipe my brow colour all over my face, especially if the product dries and makes me think I have itchy eyebrows. It's why I've never enjoyed most products like brow gels or pomades. Well this little gel pencil is a clever blend of the two formats; it draws colour on exactly where you want it with no mess or fallout, and provides just enough control of the brow hairs without ever becoming flaky and uncomfortable. I had my eye on a couple of other brow pencils but this one by Touch in Sol has won me over.

Next up is my favourite of the lot, Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long Lasting Lipstick in the shade Committed, by one of my long-favourite lines, The Balm. I was absolutely not prepared to fall in love with this lipstick the minute I applied it, but that's exactly what happened. The shade seemed uninspiring in the tube, but once applied, I was in perfect-nude-lip heaven. I almost never like the scent of lip products, but somehow this one is beyond enjoyable, its downright addictive - described as vanilla-mint, it reminds me of mint chocolate chip ice cream and I am so surprised at how much I love it. This is the only long-lasting liquid lipstick I've tried that is truly moisturizing and still comfortable after hours on my lips. Applying a second layer gave the lipcolour more impact and added to the staying power. It also did not wear off in that chunky, obvious way that plagues these liquid lipsticks, but that may also be due to how closely this shade matches my natural lip colour. While this product does not last as long as other brands' versions that I've tried, I prefer the feel and formula of this one better than any of the others so thank you to The Balm for creating another beauty must-have.

Another cosmetics line I've been jonesing to try is IT Cosmetics after seeing so many positive products reviews online, so I was thrilled to find a sample of their Hello Lashes Mascara in my GlamBag this month. It is described as a 5-in-1 product meant to work as mascara, primer, growth serum, tint and lash curler with the coolest brush that end in a tiny bristle ball for extra precision. Since it's a small-sized mascara, I'll be saving it for my travel makeup bag which saves space and is hygienic.

My GlamBag included a lovely cleanser, Hey Honey's Come Clean Propolis & Minerals Facial Scrub. It's terrifically important to draw any makeup residue that can build up on the delicate skin of the face, but with extra-sensitive skin, I struggle to find the right balance between exfolation and irritation. This scrub had me won over before I even opened the package, since I am beyond obsessed with honey, it is my sweetener of choice and I use it in my tea and cooking daily. Next, was learning that the exfoliating particles in the scrub are not noxious to living creatures but dissolve as they do their job on your face. Also thankfully absent are parabens and SLS, both completely unnecessary in a facial scrub in my opinion. The result is beautifully soft, clean but hydrated skin with zero irritation, another great find from ipsy.

Finally, a perfume by a stellar Canadian brand named Aromachology, their Exotic & Spicy Eau de Parfum. This line has earned a well-deserved fan following for their customizable blends that allow you to choose your favourite scent notes to create your ideal perfume. My first whiff of the generous sample vial was downright off-putting, and I put it away for several days. However, after the recent transition here on the Wet Coast to decidedly winter temperatures, something urged me to give this strange perfume a try. As hoped, the notes changed when they came into contact with my skin and what once seemed like dissonant notes that confused my nose in the bottle, now were harmonious and pleasant in reaction to my body's chemistry. It was a vivid reminder of how critical it is to try a scent on the skin and over several hours to assess if it is right for you, and that sniffing a scent in the bottle (or sprayed onto a test strip) is a completely ineffective way to choose a scented product.

One dynamic that I had not considered when I signed up with ipsy is that this service provides me with a steady but manageable stream of beauty products that actually do save me time and money. When the brow pencil I had on my shopping list ended up in my GlamBag, I crossed it off my list; I now have a fantastic new makeup item to use and I didn't have to lift a finger. The same thing happened the month before when I received the most perfect nail polish in a dark burgundy shade that is just what I wanted this autumn.
Perhaps it's the luck of the newly-subscribed, but I have thoroughly enjoyed every product I've been sent so far. I appreciate getting both skincare and makeup products in the GlamBags, and although some subscribers have not been as pleased as me with their monthly products, I took my time when filling out the first questionnaire that customizes my GlamBags, as well as completing the monthly feedback questions about products I've received which all help to ensure more GlamBag satisfaction.


Finally, I placed a diminutive order at Shu Uemura and was delighted to receive my Haute Street Drawing Pencil in the shade M violet. The stunning dark purple liner glides on with ease and once set, creates a truly waterproof line that doesn't smudge at all. I would be more surprised but this is the consistent level of quality I have come to expect from this venerated Japanese beauty and skincare line. A bit of searching online led me to a promo code that resulted in three bonus gifts that made me deliriously happy: a sample size of POREfinist Anti-shine Fresh Cleansing Oil (I adore these as they are ideal for travel), a gorgeous travel lip brush, and finally, a sample of the Laque Supreme Lip and Cheek Color in the shade RD01 (pictured below), a beautiful bright coral-pink/red hue that's totally flattering on both lips and cheeks. I was trepid when I first opened the package and saw it was in a colour I would never have chosen for myself. I applied some anyways, curious about the feel and formula and a minute later answered a videochat from my BFF, whose very first comment was about my gorgeous lip colour. Once again, all of the products from this line have been completely impressive and in my opinion are worth the cost if judiciously chosen and bonuses are included.

A photo posted by Monica Ghosh (@point_1) on Oct 16, 2015 at 4:11pm PDT