MAC Velvetease Lip Pencil in Lover's Lane, Just Add Romance, Anything Goes, and Just My Type

A couple weeks ago, MAC launched a new product called Velvetease Lip Pencil, which is described as "a lip product that delivers the vivid colour impact of a lipstick with the ease of a mechanical pencil... no sharpener required. Rich and matte, with a smooth, clean finish." There is a total of 12 shades, all of which will be added to the permanent range. Each Velvetease Lip Pencil is housed in a black mechanical crayon barrel with a shade-matched top, contains 1.5 grams of product, and retails for $24. As these are a different formulation with a different price point, they are not redeemable in the Back to MAC recycling program.
Lover's Lane, Just Add Romance, Anything Goes, and Just My Type
Lover's Lane, Just Add Romance, Anything Goes, and Just My Type

Lover's Lane is a medium-dark vibrant reddened orange in a velvet-matte finish. This is a new and permanent shade. It has a soft and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is lighter than Lady Danger, brighter than So Chaud, and darker and more matte than Morange.

Just Add Romance is a medium-dark vibrant cool-toned red in a velvet-matte finish. This is a new and permanent shade. It has a soft and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is slightly warmer than Ruby Woo, lighter than Russian Red, and warmer than MAC Red.

Anything Goes is a medium-dark vibrant cool-toned fuchsia red in a velvet-matte finish. This is a new and permanent shade. It has a soft and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is more red than All Fired Up, more matte than MAC Red, and more pink than Ruby Woo.

Just My Type is a medium-dark vibrant cool-toned fuchsia pink in a velvet-matte finish. This is a new and permanent shade. It has a soft and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is darker and warmer than Pink Pigeon, lighter and warmer than Flat Out Fabulous, and cooler and more pink than All Fired Up.

I'm a big fan of these! The formula is soft and smooth, but it's not overly thick or creamy, and they glide on beautifully without tugging or skipping. I find them to be a little creamier than MAC's regular matte lipsticks, so they don't seem to be as drying (though I do not find these hydrating, nor are they touted to be). As with matte finish lipsticks, I do recommend exfoliating lips beforehand because some of the shades (particularly the lighter ones) can emphasize lip texture over time. These are comfortable to wear and have a wear-time of about four to five hours for the lighter shades and six to eight hours for the darker shades. They start off as being more of a velvet-matte finish (like the formula name implies) so there is a slight sheen initially, but they definitely dry down to a matte finish. My only complaint is in the range of shades; I wish that they had released a bigger variety than include four reds. (Where is the berry and the plum and the burgundy and the nude that isn't like pasty concealer or a straight-up brown?) And while I don't think these necessarily replace lip pencils, you can definitely get more precision with these than a regular lipstick, so these are great for people who don't want the hassle of using a lip pencil with their lipstick, or have thinner lips, or just want more precision in their lipsticks. The best part about these is that they are mechanical! No wasting product, no wasting money buying a goddamn sharpener specifically for this product (ahem, NARS)... 

MAC Velvetease Lip Pencil in Frolic, Oh Honey, Aim to Please, and Reddy to Go

A couple weeks ago, MAC launched a new product called Velvetease Lip Pencil, which is described as "a lip product that delivers the vivid colour impact of a lipstick with the ease of a mechanical pencil... no sharpener required. Rich and matte, with a smooth, clean finish." There is a total of 12 shades, all of which will be added to the permanent range. Each Velvetease Lip Pencil is housed in a black mechanical crayon barrel with a shade-matched top, contains 1.5 grams of product, and retails for $24. As these are a different formulation with a different price point, they are not redeemable in the Back to MAC recycling program.
Frolic, Oh Honey, Aim to Please, and Reddy to Go
Frolic, Oh Honey, Aim to Please, and Reddy to Go

Frolic is a light-medium warm peachy pink in a velvet-matte finish. This is a new and permanent shade. It has a soft and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is brighter and more pink than Kinda Sexy, lighter and more peach than Please Me, and more muted than Runway Hit.

Oh Honey is a medium warm tan brown in a velvet-matte finish. This is a new and permanent shade. It has a soft and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is darker and warmer than Velvet Teddy, more golden than Spirit, and slightly less peach than Taupe.

Aim to Please is a medium muted pink-mauve in a velvet-matte finish. This is a new and permanent shade. It has a soft and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is more muted and more brown than Twig, darker and more pink than Taupe, and lighter and more muted than Del Rio.  

Reddy to Go is a medium-dark warm brick red in a velvet-matte finish. This is a new and permanent shade. It has a soft and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is brighter than Viva Glam I, warmer than Russian Red, and darker and warmer than Ruby Woo.

I'm a big fan of these! The formula is soft and smooth, but it's not overly thick or creamy, and they glide on beautifully without tugging or skipping. I find them to be a little creamier than MAC's regular matte lipsticks, so they don't seem to be as drying (though I do not find these hydrating, nor are they touted to be). As with matte finish lipsticks, I do recommend exfoliating lips beforehand because some of the shades (particularly the lighter ones) can emphasize lip texture over time. These are comfortable to wear and have a wear-time of about four to five hours for the lighter shades and six to eight hours for the darker shades. They start off as being more of a velvet-matte finish (like the formula name implies) so there is a slight sheen initially, but they definitely dry down to a matte finish. My only complaint is in the range of shades; I wish that they had released a bigger variety than include four reds. (Where is the berry and the plum and the burgundy and the nude that isn't like pasty concealer or a straight-up brown?) And while I don't think these necessarily replace lip pencils, you can definitely get more precision with these than a regular lipstick, so these are great for people who don't want the hassle of using a lip pencil with their lipstick, or have thinner lips, or just want more precision in their lipsticks. The best part about these is that they are mechanical! No wasting product, no wasting money buying a goddamn sharpener specifically for this product (ahem, NARS)... 

Urban Decay UD | Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette

In late November, Urban Decay released an eyeshadow palette that was created in collaboration with singer-songwriter and fashion designer, Gwen Stefani. This is the first make-up collaboration that Gwen Stefani has done, which is both surprising and exciting because Stefani has been a beauty and fashion icon for well over two decades. Urban Decay partnered with Gwen "to create her ultimate eyeshadow collection. From her 15 can't-live-without shades to the super-luxe case, Gwen designed and developed her perfect palette. [They] spent hours at Gwen's house, talking make-up and working closely with her on every detail. [They] crafted the shadows with Gwen filling a void by creating the exact shades she always wished she had in her collection... With an insane range of neutrals and a few jewel tones to mix things up, this is Gwen's go-to kit to achieve her most iconic looks." 

Gwen collaborated with Urban Decay "on every detail of this palette... right down to the case, which was inspired by her love of black-and-white graphic prints and antique gold accents. She also handpicked most of the shade names, which are based on her songs. There's even a nod to the No Doubt song "Magic's in the Makeup" on the palette's huge mirror." As with all of Urban Decay's eyeshadows, each shade in this palette features their "Pigment Infusion System, the proprietary blend of ingredients that gives every shade its velvety texture, rich colour, serious staying power, and blendability." Of the 15 shades included in this palette, 12 shades are new and three are from Urban Decay's existing shadow collection. Each UD | Gwen Stefani eyeshadow palette is packaged in an antique gold mirrored rectangular case featuring a black-and-white graphic design and a "UD | Gwen Stefani" brushed metal tag on the lid. It is available at all Sephora locations, as well as on both Sephora and Urban Decay websites. Each palette contains a total of 21 grams of product, and retails for $70 CAD.
Blonde, Bathwater, Skimp, Steady, and Punk

Blonde is a pale warm beige with pink iridescence in a frost finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is brighter and warmer than Urban Decay Virgin, lighter and more pinked than MAC Shroom, darker and less frosted than MAC Dazzlelight, lighter than Make Up For Ever I514 Pink Ivory, and more shimmery than NARS Andromeda.
Bathwater is a light warm champagne gold with gold shimmer-sheen in a frost finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is more gold than Urban Decay Vanilla, lighter than MAC Ricepaper, darker and more muted than MAC Nylon, lighter than Make Up For Ever ME512 Golden Beige, and slightly more shimmery than Anastasia Beverly Hills Legend.
Skimp is a light warm peachy beige with a soft shimmer-sheen in a satin finish. This is a permanent shade in the Naked2 Basics palette. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is darker and less shimmery than Urban Decay Virgin, more peach than Urban Decay Foxy, more peach than MAC Brule, more shimmery than MAC Orb, and more peach and more shimmery than Makeup Geek Vanilla Bean.
Steady is a medium muted warm rosy copper in a metallic finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is warmer and more copper than Urban Decay Scratch, more pink than MAC All That Glitters, much lighter and more muted than MAC Mythology, and lighter and more pink than Makeup Geek Cosmopolitan. 

Punk is a dark reddened brown in a matte finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is similar to MAC Embark, darker than MAC Handwritten, darker than Anastasia Beverly Hills Deep Plum, darker and more reddened than Makeup Geek Vintage, and less reddened than Makeup Geek Cherry Cola.

Baby, Anaheim, Stark, Zone, and Serious

Baby is a light-medium cool rosy beige in a metallic finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is warmer and pinker than Urban Decay Midnight Cowboy, darker and more pink than Urban Decay Sin, darker and more pink than MAC Naked Lunch, darker and cooler than Makeup Geek Starry Eyed, and cooler and less brown than Anastasia Beverly Hills Pink Champagne.
Anaheim is a medium muted cool taupe-brown in a matte finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is more brown than Urban Decay Tease, darker and cooler than MAC Kid, darker and warmer than MAC Omega, darker than Makeup Geek Barcelona Beach, cooler than Makeup Geek Hipster, and darker and warmer than Make Up For Ever M540 Gray Beige.
Stark is a light-medium warm peachy beige in a matte finish. This is a permanent shade in the Naked2 Basics palette. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is darker and more matte than Urban Decay Virgin, darker and more peach than Urban Decay Foxy, darker than MAC Orb, more peach than MAC Kid, and more brown than Makeup Geek Beaches & Cream.
Zone is a medium-dark warm yellow-toned brown in a matte finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is more yellow-toned than Urban Decay Secret Service, darker than Urban Decay Primal, similar to MAC Espresso, less orange than MAC Saddle, and more yellow-toned than Makeup Geek Latte.

Serious is a dark warm charcoal grey-taupe in a matte finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is slightly warmer than Urban Decay Undone, warmer than MAC Print, darker and warmer than Makeup Geek Concrete Jungle, warmer than Make Up For Ever M106 Slate, and more grey than Make Up For Ever M620 Gray Brown.

Pop, Harajuku, Danger, 1987, and Blackout

Pop is a light warm peachy beige with sparkle in a metallic finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is more sparkly than MAC Jest, brighter and more sparkly than MAC Naked Lunch, slightly less pink than Makeup Geek In the Spotlight, more peach than Ardency Inn Sunday, and lighter and more metallic than Make Up For Ever I524 Pinky Beige.
Harajuku is a medium cool cotton candy pink with sparkle in a metallic finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is cooler than MAC Swish, brighter and cooler than MAC Da Bling, brighter than MAC Pinkluxe #1, slightly more muted and more sparkly than Make Up For Ever I864 Baby Pink, and slightly cooler than Make Up For Ever ME866 Frosted Pink.
Danger is a medium-dark royal blue in a frosted finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is darker than MAC Freshwater, brighter than MAC Deep Truth, more metallic than Makeup Geek Boo Berry, less purple-toned than Anastasia Beverly Hills Star Cobalt, and lighter and brighter than Make Up For Ever I220 Sapphire.
1987 is a light-medium warm yellow gold in a metallic finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is lighter and cooler than MAC Goldmine, similar to MAC Gorgeous Gold, much more metallic than Makeup Geek Yellow Brick Road, lighter and cooler than Makeup Geek Gold Digger, and darker than NARS Goldfinger.

Blackout is a deep dark carbon black in a matte finish. This is a permanent shade. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is darker than MAC Carbon, more matte than Make Up For Ever S102 Onyx, slightly cooler than Anastasia Beverly Hills Noir, slightly cooler than Sugarpill Bulletproof, and more matte than Makeup Geek Corrupt.

The UD | Gwen Stefani palette is definitely geared more towards fair to medium-dark skintones — it'll be harder to tell the nuances between some of the shades on darker complexions — but it is very reflective of Gwen's style. Keep in mind that this palette was curated by Gwen to "create her ultimate eyeshadow collection" and to "achieve her most iconic looks," so it's not going to be for everybody, and it wasn't designed to be. If you look at Gwen Stefani's makeup looks over the years, she definitely favours a neutral eye with a bright red lip, so I think the jewel tones are meant to be more reflective of the various hairstyles she's had during her career (she rocks platinum blonde hair for the most part, but she had pink hair during No Doubt's Return of Saturn era and blue hair at the end of the Tragic Kingdom era, both of which became iconic). The brighter tones might look out of place here, but they're fun and easy to incorporate into the neutral shades, and give the palette a little more interest overall. That having been said, these are shades we've seen many times before — especially from Urban Decay, who popularized the neutral palettes — and I think if you have the majority of UD's Naked or Naked Basics palettes, you don't really need this one. But if you like the shades and are looking for a great neutral palette (or you just love Gwen Stefani!), this is definitely one to look at — the quality is there, and the value is fantastic.

Makeup and Beauty Blog: Monday Poll, Vol. 354

This week's Monday Poll:

1. Did you get any beauty loot for the holidays this year? Most of the beauty loot I got for the holidays was from myself. I think when you work in the beauty industry, no one likes getting you beauty products because they think you have everything (I don't need anything, to be fair, but I always want more). As mentioned, I got the Urban Decay Vice4 eyeshadow palette, but I also ordered a ton of stuff from MAC, including eight of the new Velvetease Pencils, six of the new Huggable Glasses, two lipsticks and the blush duo from Ellie Goulding, the Dita Von Teese lipstick, plus the Beauty Powder, Iridescent Powder, and a few Foiled Shadows from Faerie Whispers. (I also ordered 12 of the new Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolours today.) A few weeks ago, I ordered a bunch of the new eyeshadows from Anastasia Beverly Hills and had it shipped to my brother's apartment in NYC, except he forgot to bring it with him when he came back for Christmas, so I haven't gotten them yet. My friend Chelsea did, however, get me the new Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons Palette for Christmas, which I'm very excited about.
   
   
2. What are three things you do every morning without fail? Brush my teeth, wash my face, and moisturize. Also: make coffee and have a cigarette. I am evil until I get my caffeine and nicotine. Seriously, don't even talk to me.
   
   
3. How do you feel about wearing white liner on the water line? Not for me. I'm generally not a huge fan of putting anything on my water line. If I'm doing a really intense smoky eye, I'll line half my water line with carbon black pencil, but that's it. I find that blending eyeshadow underneath the lash line is much more effective in making eyes look bigger.
   
   
4. What’s something that helps you concentrate? Coffee, a cigarette, or silence. Also, taking a shower.
   
   
5. Mascara or false lashes? Mascara, always. I apply false lashes on my clients all the time, but on myself, it's extremely rare. I think I've had falsies on like, three times in my whole life. 

Sunday Video Love: Should've Been Us

I've been listening to a lot of pop music recently (like, seriously, One Direction and Justin Bieber and Demi Lovato and shit — I don't know what's happened to me, but pop is just really good right now), but one artist that has really stood out to me is Tori Kelly. Just pure, raw talent. Beautiful and humble, too. She should've won American Idol and made it big years ago.

Saturday Nine: Happy Holidays!

This week's Saturday Nine:

1. As you can see, Sam loved giving her annual wish list to Santa. Yet some children are reluctant to climb into Jolly Old St. Nick's lap. Did you enjoy the tradition or were you shy? Or did you by pass it altogether — either because you wrote him a letter or because your family didn't celebrate Christmas? I think we visited Santa at the mall at least once or twice to take photos with him (though if you asked me where those photos are now, I wouldn't be able to tell you). I was probably shy about it, though, 'cause that was the kind of kid I was (I was scared of fictional characters come to life — you should've seen me meeting Minnie Mouse at Disney World when I was 4; I was bawling in every photo and my parents thought it was hilarious). I think I wrote him a couple letters, too, now that I think about it. Never wrote me back, the bastard. And then I stopped believing in Santa shortly after that, 'cause I found out my mom was doing all the work.
   
   
2. Are you currently on the Naughty or Nice list? How did you get there? I guess Nice? I mean, I haven't done anything particularly bad this year. Just working my ass off, really. I'm also just nice to people. And I like to think I'm generous. And I try to volunteer when I can... Also, Santa is really judgemental.
   
   
3. Did you ship any gifts to friends and family this year? If so, which one traveled the farthest? Nope. Honestly, my friends and family don't really do gifts anymore. I mean, I had a White Elephant gift exchange at work (I ended up with a candle and a body mist and hand sanitizer from Bath & Body Works, so no complaints), but the rest of my family just give me money and my friends and I give each other time (which just gets more and more valuable as we get older).
   
   
4. Did you buy yourself a gift this year? Yep, the Urban Decay Vice4 palette that I got on sale for $36 from $70 during Sephora's "VIB Rouge First Access" on their "Sale on Sale." The palette was originally reduced to $45, and then I got an extra 20% discount on top of that. I ordered it on the 23rd, and it was delivered to my doorstep by the 24th, just in time for Christmas.
   
   
5. What's your favourite holiday-themed movie? Elf. And Home Alone (both 1 and 2).
   
   
6. Thinking of movies, Christmas is lucrative for Hollywood. Have you ever gone to a movie theatre on Christmas Day? Yes, but this was probably a decade ago, so I don't remember what movie it was.
   
   
7. Have you ever suffered an embarrassing moment at the company Christmas party? Nah. I think I've only ever been to two company Christmas parties, and I usually just stuff my face and then leave. See, when you don't drink or dance, embarrassing moments are less likely to happen.
   
   
8. What's your favourite beverage in cold weather? I love apple cider and white hot chocolate from Second Cup, but weirdly enough, I haven't had either of them this year.
   
   
9. Share a memory from last Christmas. Nothing crazy. Went over to my aunt and uncle's and had a massive Christmas dinner with family. So basically the same thing that happened this year.

Friday Five: Todayish

This week's Friday Five:

1. When were you last up on the house top? I assume this means the roof. And my answer would be never. I have never lived in a house where the windows opened far enough to get on to the roof. And even then, the windows all had screens on them. Also, my dad was always the one to put Christmas lights up on our old house, so I never had a reason to climb up there.
   
   
2. What's a cookie you dislike? Generally, ones with dried fruits in them. Like, I quite enjoy oatmeal cookies, but I don't like oatmeal raisin cookies. I don't want to say I hate them, but I never choose them. Unless that's all there is and I'm really hungry.
   
   
3. How many people named Carol (or Carole) do you know? One, but we're not very close.
   
   
4. How much snow have you got on the roof? None. It's a green Christmas here.
   
   
5. Whose lap did you last sit on, and who last sat on yours? Probably an ex-boyfriend. And probably a cat.
   

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Christmas!

MAC Dita Von Teese: Von Teese Lipstick

This month, MAC released a lipstick in collaboration with American burlesque dancer, model and costume designer, Dita Von Teese, to celebrate the launch of her new book, Your Beauty Mark. The lipstick is new and limited edition, and is an online-exclusive item. Each lipstick is housed in a special edition glossy black tube with Dita Von Teese's name written in red script on the side; the lipstick bullet itself is also embossed with her name. The exterior box packaging features a photo of Dita Von Teese wearing the lipstick, as well as her name in red printed on the side. As with all MAC lipsticks, it is vanilla-scented but has no discernible taste. Each lipstick contains 3 grams of product, and retails for $21.50. 
Von Teese
Von Teese
Von Teese

Von Teese is a medium-dark warm tomato red in a Matte finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is lighter and warmer than Russian Red, warmer and creamier than Ruby Woo, lighter and brighter than Viva Glam I, warmer and more matte than MAC Red, and more opaque and more matte than Lady Bug.

Believe it or not, Von Teese is actually one of the more unique red lipsticks that MAC has come out with, and surprisingly different than any of the matte reds in the permanent range. It's definitely in the warm red category (which is actually surprising in itself, because it seems like Dita Von Teese usually favours cooler, cherry reds), but not veering into orange territory. I find that MAC usually comes out with reds that are cool-toned (e.g. Russian Red, Ruby Woo, MAC Red), or totally orange-based (e.g. Lady Danger, Dangerous, Viva Glam Miley Cyrus 2), or not matte (e.g. Lady Bug, Cockney, Brave Red), so in a company that has seemingly launched dozens (hundreds?) of red lipsticks, Von Teese somehow manages to be worth getting — that is, if you're looking for a matte, warm-toned red. The formula is in-line with MAC's new matte shades; it glides on smoothly and lightly creamy with rich, opaque colour pay-off and a velvet-matte finish (versus Retro Matte, which is the flattest and driest of all matte finishes). Von Teese is an online-exclusive product, however, so if you have your heart set on getting it, I would make a list of other items to get so you're not paying for shipping on one item. That having been said, it was smart to launch this in December — it's the perfect holiday red.

Makeup and Beauty Blog: Monday Poll, Vol. 353

This week's Monday Poll:

1. Other than a hair brush (or comb), the hair styling tools I use most often are…? I'm not big into doing my hair, but I use my hair dryer and my GHD hair straightener everyday. (I have the old limited edition baby pink one that helped support Breast Cancer Now; there's a new model now, if you're interested!)
   
   
2. If I could give myself a little advice today, I'd say… Be more responsible with your money. 
   
   
3. What was the last thing you baked? These red velvet cupcakes with Janetta, almost three years ago.
   
   
   
4. What's something you'd try doing if you knew you couldn't fail? Run a marathon.
   
   
5. I absolutely live for… Makeup. It's what I live and breathe.

Sunday Video Love: Winter Wonderland / Here Comes Santa Claus

Trying to get into the holiday spirit.

Saturday Nine: Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

This week's Saturday Nine:

(Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.)

1. According to a marketing research firm, this song is both one of the most played and most hated songs of the season. Do you like it? What? There's no way that this is one of the most played songs of the season. I'd never heard of it until this post. I can, however, believe that it is the most hated song of the season. Because I actually listened to it, and it is truly god-awful.
   
   
2. In this song, Grandma's troubles start when she drinks too much eggnog. Do you like eggnog? I never got into it. I mean, my family never bought eggnog for us during the holidays (I don't think a lot of Asians even know about eggnog, to be honest), so it was never a tradition, and the only time I've ever had it, I wasn't fond of the texture or the flavour. I've had an eggnog latte from Second Cup, which was okay, but I wouldn't order it again. So, basically... no.
   
   
3. In the song, Grandpa recovers from losing Grandma by drinking beer and playing cards with Cousin Mel. Will you be celebrating the holidays with cousins? I will be on Christmas Day, 'cause we're going to my aunt's for dinner.
   
   
4. When did you most recently drink a beer? Was it in a bottle, a can or a glass? I probably had a sip of someone's beer a few months ago (just to taste it, because I never order my own beer). And it was in a glass.
   
   
5. The lyrics refer to "pudding of fig." In "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," the carolers demand figgy pudding. Yet despite its popularity in holiday songs, Sam has never tasted fig pudding. Have you? Nope. I don't think you can even find it here. I think it was only popular in the UK.
   
   
6. Thinking of holiday sweets, would you prefer a gingerbread cookie or slice of pumpkin pie? Pumpkin pie. Nothing against gingerbread cookies, but I will always pick pie.
   
   
7. This song was recorded by a duo named Elmo & Patsy. It occurs to Sam that she has never met anyone named Elmo. How about you? Any Elmos in your life? Only the one on Sesame Street.
   
   
8. Do you need snow to get "into the spirit?" Yeah, I think so. It hasn't properly snowed here yet, which I don't mind because driving in the snow is a bitch and I have to drive a lot more these days... but I mean, winter in Canada means snow. It doesn't really feel like it's going to be Christmas in six days.
   
   
9. Random question: Are you going to get/have you gotten a flu shot this year? I should because I see so many people on a daily basis (and I get pretty up close and personal with them because hi, I do makeup for a living), but I always forget about it. So... probably not.

Friday Five: Know-How

This week's Friday Five:

1. What's something you know how to do beneath the hood of a car? Fill my windshield wiper fluid. And boost a car with jumper cables.
   
   
2. What's something you know how to fold a piece of paper into? Cranes, lilies, lotus flowers, and stars. I loved origami when I was younger. Like, I was that kid who read Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes and proceeded to fold a thousand paper cranes. I'd string the cranes and hang them from my windows. I'd also make jars of paper stars, and put green pipe cleaners through paper lilies and have vases of huge bouquets. My childhood room was filled with origami.
   
   
3. What's something you know how to do in the outdoors? Um, does smoking count?
   
   
4. What's something you know how to do with a length of rope? Tie it. Play Cat's Cradle. Or if it's long enough, play jump rope.
   
   
5. What's something you know how to do with a deck of cards? Shuffle them (I do a good riffle shuffle). Deal them. Play them.

MAC Ellie Goulding: Without Your Love and Only You Lipsticks

Today, MAC will be launching their collaboration collection with English singer-songwriter, Ellie Goulding: "The powerhouse pop goddess brings her blonde, bold spirit to MAC in a collaboration that's as mesmerizing as her music. Inspired by the light and dark dichotomy so present in her artwork and as a performer, Ellie's thoughtfully curated collection emulates her two signature looks: effortless au naturel by day, and breathtaking bombshell by night." The collection consists of 18 products, of which seven are new and limited edition, one is a re-promote, and ten are permanent. Ellie Goulding sees the launch of two new and limited edition shades of lipstick. Each lipstick is housed in a special edition glossy black tube with Ellie Goulding's name and logo in rose gold on the side; the lipstick bullet itself is also embossed with her logo. Each lipstick contains 3 grams of product, and retails for $21. 
Without Your Love and Only You
Without Your Love and Only You

Without Your Love is a light-medium warm seashell pink in a Cremesheen finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has low-medium pigmentation and semi-sheer colour pay-off. It is more pink than Peach Blossom, warmer than Lovelorn, cooler and more pink than Nippon, and cooler and more muted than Go For Girlie Patentpolish Lip Pencil.

Only You is a medium warm grapefruit pink in a Cremesheen finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has medium pigmentation and semi-opaque colour pay-off. It is slightly more coral and less pearlized than Lipblossum, darker than Peach Blossom, darker and more pink than Shy Shine, and more coral than Giddy.

Like the blush duo, the two lipstick shades from Ellie Goulding are definitely reflective of her natural, fresh-faced make-up style rather than this season's trends. Both are technically warm-toned but neither of them lean too yellow or orange, so they should work on all complexions. These shades will show up better on fair to medium skintones; they will appear almost clear on those with darker skintones. They are both semi-sheer MLBB shades, so they're the type of lipsticks that you can put on without a mirror — great for those who want soft, low-maintenance lip colours — and will work well all year round. The Cremesheen finish gives a bit of hydration, too, so they won't feel drying. That having been said, there are tons of dupes within MAC's permanent range for both of these shades, so unless you're a MAC collector or a massive Ellie Goulding fan, these are probably skippable.

MAC Ellie Goulding: I'll Hold My Breath Powder Blush Duo

Tomorrow, MAC will be launching their collaboration collection with English singer-songwriter, Ellie Goulding: "The powerhouse pop goddess brings her blonde, bold spirit to MAC in a collaboration that's as mesmerizing as her music. Inspired by the light and dark dichotomy so present in her artwork and as a performer, Ellie's thoughtfully curated collection emulates her two signature looks: effortless au naturel by day, and breathtaking bombshell by night." The collection consists of 18 products, of which seven are new and limited edition, one is a re-promote, and ten are permanent. Ellie Goulding sees the launch of one new and limited edition Powder Blush Duo "that combines two shades of colour for cheeks and face." It is housed in a special edition glossy black mirrored compact with Ellie Goulding's name and logo in rose gold on the lid; the powder itself is also embossed with her logo. Each Powder Blush Duo contains 10 grams of product, and retails for $33.50. 
I'll Hold My Breath
I'll Hold My Breath

I'll Hold My Breath #1 is a medium warm bronze with a soft golden shimmer-sheen. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is lighter and more golden than Bronze Bronzing Powder, less shimmery than Refined Golden Bronzing Powder, more shimmery than Dark Golden Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, and more golden and more shimmery than Dark Tan Mineralize Skinfinish Natural.

I'll Hold My Breath #2 is a medium warm brightened pinked coral in a satin finish. This is a new and limited edition shade. It has a soft and finely-milled texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It can be layered and blended out easily. It is lighter than Fleur Power, warmer and more coral than Lovecloud, lighter and pinker than Fleeting Romance, and more matte than Peachykeen.

Both shades in this duo are soft, silky, and finely-milled, with great pigmentation and minimal powder kick-back. They both blend out easily, but also layer really well without looking muddy or cakey. It's definitely reminiscent of Hibiscus Kiss that came out with Rihanna's summer collection two years ago, but they're not dupes — I'll Hold My Breath is softer, lighter, and more muted. The bronzer shade is soft and provides a natural warmth and glow to the skin, and the blush adds a pop of colour without being too bright or gaudy; I can definitely see them being workhorse shades for many. The duo is actually a nice reprieve from all the dark, moody colours we've been seeing this season, and should work for all ages because neither shade emphasizes skin texture. Though it is a warm-leaning palette, the shades aren't too yellow or orange that they shouldn't work on cool complexions as well. I'm not going to say that this blush duo is a must-have, as there are pretty good dupes of both shades within MAC's permanent range, but the shades here are very wearable and definitely reflective of Goulding's natural, fresh-faced make-up style.

Bite Beauty Mauvember Luminous Crème Lipstick

Last month, Bite Beauty created a lipstick in partnership with the Movember Foundation, which works to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancers during the month of November. Bite Beauty founder, Susanne Langmuir, was inspired by her own father's winning battle with prostate cancer, and "wanted a fun, easy and meaningful way for women, also known as Mo Sistas, to support the men in their lives facing health issues." Thus, the shade Mauvember was created in Bite Beauty's Luminous Crème Lipstick formula, which is described as "a lush, long-lasting, moisture-rich lip colour... [that] delivers super antioxidant resveratrol, which fights free radicals with potent long-term anti-aging benefits." As with all of Bite Beauty's products, Mauvember is "free of synthetics, polybutenes, and petroleum byproducts and made exclusively with lip nurturing food-grade ingredients that are healthy enough to eat." It has a light berry scent, but no discernible taste. Each Mauvember lipstick is packaged in a dark grey rubberized tube featuring a slanted tip lid, contains 4.35 grams of product, and retails for $28. Mauvember is exclusive to Canada; it never appeared to be available online, but it should still be available at most Sephora locations.
Mauvember
Mauvember

Mauvember is a medium muted cool mauve-pink with a natural sheen in a cream finish. This is a permanent shade. It has a soft and creamy texture, and goes on smoothly and evenly. It has high pigmentation and opaque colour pay-off. It is more muted than Bite Beauty Violet, darker and more muted than MAC Up the Amp, lighter and more purple than MAC Amorous, darker and more pink than NARS Dominique, lighter and much more muted than Too Faced Melted Violet, and darker and more muted than Clinique Grape Pop.

I have lots of Bite Beauty's Matte Crème Lip Crayons and High Pigment Pencils (both of which received a lot of hype last year), but this is actually my first official Luminous Crème Lipstick. The formula itself is ultra-smooth; it's creamy but not thick or slippery, and it's immediately hydrating (a seriously welcome reprieve to all the drying matte lipsticks I've been wearing this season). Over time, it never feels drying and remains very comfortable to wear. The colour itself is rich and pigmented, and wears well for about four hours before starting to fade. I've seen this shade worn on multiple skintones and it seems to look different on everybody, but it's surprisingly flattering on all complexions (it will be darker and more muted on lighter skintones, and lighter and brighter on darker skintones). It's definitely one of the more wearable purple shades I've seen on the market, so if you're a fan of purple or mauve lipsticks, this is definitely one to check out — and 100% of the proceeds from each Mauvember lipstick will go directly to The Movember Foundation, the leading global organization committed to changing the face of men's health.  

Makeup and Beauty Blog: Monday Poll, Vol. 352

This week's Monday Poll:

1. Do you like to plan your makeup looks beforehand, or do you just wing it? On a day-to-day basis, I just wing it. But there's usually a product that I work my look around. Like, if I really want to use a specific lipstick, then I'll use eyeshadows and blush that compliment that shade. The only times I plan my makeup beforehand is if I'm working an event or going to an event.
   
   
2. Wide-legged trouser pants: a do or a don't? I think they can look really polished and sleek, but on me, it's a definite don't because I'm short. They make me look stumpy, even if I wear heels. But if you're tall and skinny, then yeah, for sure it's a do.
   
   
3. When you text, do you use punctuation? Yes. Unless my text only consists of emojis.
   
   
4. How old were you when you discovered that Santa isn't real? I think around 5 or 6. First of all, my presents were always left at the end of my bed rather than under the tree. That was already suspicious. But then I realized that the handwriting on the gift tags looked exactly like my mom's. So I confronted her about it and she finally admitted it. I was quite scandalized.
   
   
5. What's a makeup tool in your arsenal that you currently need to replace? At the moment, nothing. I got a new Shu Uemura eyelash curler last month, which was the only thing that I needed to replace.

Friday Favourites: Vol. 2

Happy Friday, y'all! Here, my most recent favourites:

Shu Uemura x Maison Kitsuné Gold Eyelash Curler — Still the best eyelash curler I have ever used; it's an industry essential for a reason. The flatter curve fits every eye shape so it gets all of your lashes in the clamp and creates a curl that holds all day. This gold-plated version with the Maison Kitsuné fox logo chain tag (it doesn't really help or hinder the curler, it's just a cute accessory) is the same price as the original, but I'm not allergic to this one like I am the original nickel-plated one. Plus, it looks fancy.

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask — Totally thought this one was gonna be another overpriced, overhyped beauty product, but it really does work wonders on ultra-dry, flaky lips. It's thick and tacky and expensive (it's a $30 lip balm), but I use this as an overnight lip repair, and in the morning, my lips really are smoother and more moisturized. Like, I can wear a MAC Retro Matte lipstick and my lips don't feel like they're torn to shreds by the end of the day. Also, it smells like a vanilla-chocolate ice cream cone, which is always a plus in my books.

Bite Beauty Mauvember Luminous Crème Lipstick — A most gorgeous muted mauve-pink that, despite its name, you can wear all year round. It flatters all skintones with all undertones, and it's a nice pop of colour without being too bright. The formula is smooth, creamy, hydrating, and pigmented. Plus, proceeds go to the Movember Foundation, which helps raise awareness of prostate cancer. It's not November anymore, but this lipstick —  a Canada-exclusive shade — is still available in Sephora stores. A must-have for any purple lipstick lover.

Diptyque Eau Duelle Eau de Parfum — The perfect fragrance on cold winter days. It's a smoky, spicy vanilla scent that is somehow comforting but also downright sexy. I'm not typically a fan of vanilla or smoky or spicy perfumes, but this one just blew me away. And it's an addictive scent, too; I just wanna smell myself all day long.

MAC Fluidline Pen in Retro Black — My new ride-or-die liquid liner. It has the ease of use and ink flow of the Stila Stay All Day, but the flexible foam tip applicator of the Lancôme Artliner (it was my all-time favourite liner but I became allergic to it) that makes it perfect for winged liner. And it's cheaper, too.

Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Gloss Lip Lacquer in 318 Pretty Thing — Smooth, creamy, non-sticky, hydrating, comfortable to wear, with medium-to-full colour pay-off and a light sweet mint scent. It has a flexible foam applicator that hugs the lips for optimal lip coverage, and it's glossy. I know it seems redundant to say that, but I find a lot of glosses lose their brilliance or shine within an hour, maybe even less, and this one stays glossy. Pretty Thing is a universally-flattering light-medium muted rosy beige that works on all skintones and looks fantastic on its own and on top of lipstick. 

A-England Nail Varnish in Spirit of the Moors — I'm into blues for nails right now, and A-England really hit the mark with this one. It's a vibrant cobalt blue that stands out from all the dark, moody shades that are so popular for this time of year, but it's not in-your-face or tacky. It has a beautiful holographic micro-shimmer that keeps it more interesting than traditional creams but remains classy. It has that perfect fluid consistency and intense pigmentation that A-England is known for, and it somehow makes hands look brighter and cleaner, too.

L'Occitane en Provence Shea Butter Hand Cream — I sanitize and wash my hands so often that my skin gets seriously dry and cracked (and sometimes with cuts). Add to that hand eczema, and I've pretty much tried all the hand creams out there. And this is still the one I keep coming back to. Nothing deeply hydrates like this one. It's on the thicker side so I use it for overnight repair, but in the morning, my hands are baby soft. And it smells faintly of baby powder, too (which I quite like, and find rather comforting). A winter must-have for me.

Grimes' Art Angels — One of the catchiest, danciest, and quirkiest records I've listened to in a long time, and definitely one of my favourite releases this year. It's not gonna be for everyone, but it sounds like nothing else and it's a really impressive electro-pop album, especially since Claire Boucher (a.k.a. Grimes) not only sings, but also writes and produces all of her own music. I've found myself playing this almost everyday because it puts me in such a good mood. Favourite songs include "Kill V. Maim," "Easily," "Pin," "REALiTi," and "World Princess, Pt. II."

Orange is the New Black — Yeah, I'm just getting into it now. And I may have watched all of Season 1 in two days. 

Tealish Toasty Almond Herbal Dessert Tea — Vanilla, almond, apple, and cinnamon spice. Add a dash of milk and a bit of sugar. Especially good in the winter. Makes me feel all warm and cozy and shit.

Aldo Arielle Ankle Boots — They're cute, they go with everything, and they are ultra-comfortable. They're made with supple, flexible leather, and have the most perfect heel height that gives just the right amount of lift that makes your legs look slimmer and longer but also help with posture. Seriously, I can stand for ten hours in them. And speed-walk through a mall. Best part is, I got them on sale. I may need to get another pair just in case I wear these ones into the ground.

What are your most recent favourites? 

Friday Five: Alignment

This week's Friday Five:

1. In Dungeons and Dragons, you are asked to select an alignment: Do you favour lawfulness or chaos? Are you on the side of good or evil? Your answers define your alignment: Lawful Good, Lawful Neutral, Lawful Evil, Neutral Good, (true) Neutral, Neutral Evil, Chaotic Good, Chaotic Neutral, and Chaotic Evil. Which are you? Neutral to Neutral Good, I think. I'm not into anarchy, but I don't always abide by the law. I do, however, like to think I'm more good than evil. I mean, I don't intentionally try to harm anybody. And I volunteered last week! That's gotta count for something...
   
   
2. In Veronica Roth's Divergent, set in a post-apocalyptic utopian society, citizens choose factions based on competence and values. The Dauntless are the brave, the Amity are the peaceful, the Erudite are the intelligent, the Abnegation are the selfless, and the Candor are the honest. Which faction would you test most competent for, and which would you choose strictly on your values? I would probably test most competent for the Erudite... But I think I'd choose Amity. They just seem the most easygoing and cheerful and positive. I'm definitely not ballsy enough to be in Dauntless, Abnegation just seems boring as fuck, and the Candor are just full of douche bags.
   
   
3. You've probably answered this before, but answer it again. In J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, students are sorted into houses based (primarily) on character. Gryffindor values courage, Hufflepuff values loyalty, Ravenclaw values cleverness, and Slytherin values ambition. Which are you, and which is the most recent love of your life? I think I'd be in Hufflepuff. Again, I'm not particularly brave, so Gryffindor's out; I like to think I'm fairly intelligent, but Ravenclaws seem too snobby; and though I have quiet ambition, I don't think I'm cunning enough to be in Slytherin. I haven't had a "love" in a while, but I think the last person I was in love with would also be in Hufflepuff.
   
   
4. In the late 1970s, a Saturday morning cartoon called Laff-A-Lympics pitted characters from different Hanna-Barbera programs in a Battle of the Network Stars kind of weekly competition. The Scoobie Doobies were captained by Scooby-Doo and made up of then-current Hanna-Barbera characters, including the entire Scooby-Doo gang, Dynomutt, Captain Caveman, Speedy Buggy, and Hong Kong Phooey. The Yogi Yahooeys were captained by Yogi Bear and made up of characters from the 50s and 60s Hanna-Barbera programs, including Huckleberry Hound, Augie Doggy (and Doggie Daddy), Quickdraw McGraw, and Grape Ape. The Really Rottens were the villains, captained by an original character named Mumbly and made up of original bad-guy characters who cheated at every opportunity. Which team do you belong to? And if you remember the program, which team did you cheer for? I was born in the '80s, so I obviously don't remember the program (actually, I'd never heard of it until now), but I think I'd pick the Scoobie Doobies, because I don't like Yogi Bear and I don't like cheaters. Plus, the entire Scooby-Doo gang is in it.
   
   
5. In the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering, players draw mana (energy) from any of five different lands, resulting in different magical abilities. The Plains generate white magic (healing, order, protection, light), the Forests generate green magic (growth, strength, life, ferocity), the Islands generate blue magic (deceit, logic, illusion, knowledge, manipulation), the Mountains generate red magic (fury, passion, freedom, impulse, fire), and the Swamps generate black magic (death, ambition, darkness). From which lands do you generate your power, and which tend to rub you the wrong way? I think I generate my power from the Forests, and I think the Islands would be the most likely to rub me the wrong way.

Pick-Ups & Deliveries: November 2015

Ah, November. It's the month of my biggest hauls for several reasons. One, the Sephora VIB sale. Two, my birthday. Three, Black Friday (and all the other pre-holiday sales). Four, I am a shopaholic. Let's just get into it, shall we?

Lush The Comforter Shower Cream, Beautiful Shower Gel, and Santa's Belly Shower Jelly
Lush Baked Alaska and Snowcake Soaps
Last month's haul actually began at Lush, a brand that I had successfully banned myself from for nearly a year. I just had too many products from there that I couldn't use up before they expired, so I put myself on a ban until I used up a good portion of my hoard. I still haven't gone through my stash completely, but I did make a pretty good dent (I only have bath bombs and bubble bars left, but as I don't take baths, I have decided I will give them away), so I decided to allow myself to go into the store. There's just something about Lush during the holidays that is irresistible, and I wanted to see what new goodies they had for the season. And thus, I picked up two new shower gels, one in The Comforter (which smells exactly like these blackcurrant candies I used to eat as a kid) and one in Beautiful (which smells like peaches — definitely my new favourite scent from them), plus the new Shower Jelly in Santa's Belly (which smells exactly like my favourite So White bath bomb, the most perfect fresh apple scent) and two bars of soap in Baked Alaska (it smells like my beloved citrusy Snow Globe soap which was discontinued) and Snowcake (which smells like vanilla and almonds, or marzipan, and is one of my seasonal favourites from Lush). And now I am putting myself on a Lush ban once again until I use these items up.

Marc Jacobs No. 15 The Shape Contour and Blush Brush
Burberry Light Glow Natural Blush in Tangerine Blush
Too Faced La Creme Color Drenched Lip Cream in Pink Chocolate, Sweet Maple, and Spice Spice Baby
Urban Decay UD Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette
Can I just say, I got some awesome birthday presents this year? My friend Suzie managed to get me the highly sought-after Marc Jacobs No. 15 The Shape brush that I'd been eyeing (I don't often care for brushes from any of the brands carried at Sephora, but I really wanted this one and it was sold out everywhere); my friend Viv gifted me my first ever Burberry Light Glow Blush in Tangerine Blush No. 06, a gorgeous soft tawny peach shade that is totally up my alley; my friends Chelsea and Adrian picked up three shades of my favourite Too Faced La Crème lipsticks in MLBB shades that had been on my wishlist, as well as Urban Decay's limited edition Gwen Stefani eyeshadow palette that they knew I had been lemming hard over (they both work at Sephora, so when the palette went up for sale online for the one-day VIB preview, they snatched one up for me); and my friend Austin got me a gift card for Holt Renfrew that I haven't redeemed yet but intend on using on some Charlotte Tilbury. (Or Tom Ford. I haven't decided yet.)

Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Powder in Candlelight and Starlight
Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick in Retsina, Cava, Musk, and Mauvember
Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Lip Lacquer in 312 Sugar Sugar, 318 Pretty Thing, and 326 Pink Flamingo
Of course, the Sephora VIB sale happened as well. And we all know I go a little overboard during this time. Even more so than the February one, because the November sale offers 20% off instead of 15%, and because I get birthday money from my family members which further enables my Sephora addiction. First things first, I finally got myself the Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powders in both Candlelight and Starlight. No, I didn't need both, nor do I need anymore highlighters, but they are beautiful. However, I also refuse to pay full price for them (they are $53 each). So when the opportunity came up to get 20% off of them, I snatched them up, no questions asked. I then picked up several Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipsticks; I love the formula but have never bought any of the permanent shades. I'm really into nudes and MLBB shades right now, so after some major swatching, I decided on Retsina, Cava, and Musk, which, yes, are different enough from each other to merit buying all three. My friend Chelsea also surprised me with their limited edition Mauvember lipstick for my birthday; it's a gorgeous medium muted pinky mauve that Bite Beauty released in partnership with the Movember Foundation, and is a Canada-exclusive shade. And to round out the lip category, I also bought some new lip glosses. No one was more surprised by this than me. It started out with me wearing a matte lipstick and adding some gloss to give my lips more moisture because they felt like sandpaper. And then I looked at my lips in the mirror and was like, "Damn, my lips look fuckin' amazing!" So yeah, I started wearing gloss again. I decided to get three shades of the new Marc Jacobs Enamored glosses, 'cause the formula is fantastic: smooth, creamy, non-sticky, and semi-opaque with ultra-high shine and a subtle sweet peppermint scent.

Viseart Eyeshadow Palette in 07 Cool Mattes
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara, Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Classico Mascara, Ardency Inn Modster Easy Ride Supercharged Liquid Liner, Urban Decay Brow Beater in Taupe, and Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Medium Brown
And that leads me to eye products. I decided to get another Viseart eyeshadow palette because I love the other three that I have (honestly, they've become my favourite eyeshadows of all time, which is saying a lot). I especially love the Neutral Mattes palette, but it's mostly warm shades, so I decided to get the new Cool Mattes palette to round them out. I've found that Viseart's matte shades are especially noteworthy — they're ultra-pigmented but blend like a dream, and there's no powdery kickback or fallout at all. They're just gorgeous, gorgeous eyeshadows; expensive for a pre-filled palette but worth every penny. I also picked up two mascaras I've never tried before but have heard amazing things about: Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 and Armani's Eyes to Kill (I have tried Eyes to Kill Excess, which I liked but found a little too clumpy for my liking — and I like a bit of clump in my mascaras — so I think this will fare better). I love my Urban Decay Perversion, but you know, I just wanna try something new. I've been interested in trying out new liquid eyeliners as well because I'm in a bit of a rut (there are a lot that I like, but none of them are my ride-or-dies — I used to love the Lancôme one, but I think I've become allergic to it because it leaves an angry red rash on my eyelids), so I also picked Ardency Inn's liquid liner, as well as two new eyebrow pencils: the new Brow Beater from Urban Decay, and another Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Brown (I have Taupe, which was a bit too ashy, and Soft Brown, which is a bit too dark, so this is in the middle).

Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream and Clarisonic Sensitive Skin Replacement Brush Heads
Boscia Sake Treatment Water and Black Charcoal Blotting Linens
Finally, I got some essentials: a new tube of Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream, which besides smelling awesome (like lemon cupcakes) is also super-hydrating and non-greasy so I like to use it at work (I love the L'Occitane hand cream because it's more repairing, but I only use it at home because it takes a lot longer to absorb); a new brush head replacement twin pack for my Clarisonic because I've had the same brush for over a year now (yeah, I'm gross like that); and a couple of packs of my favourite Boscia Black Charcoal Blotting Linens, which I still think are the best oil-absorbing sheets on the market today (also, these ones smell really good). The only skincare item I got is the new Boscia Sake Treatment Water. I've gotten really into "essences" lately (which is that step after cleanser and toner, but before serums and moisturizers) and have been loving May Coop's Raw Sauce, so when I read the reviews for the Boscia one, I was immediately interested in it. It's totally not necessary ('cause, really, who needs a five-step skincare regimen?), but I have found it to make my skin extra soft and hydrated and smooth (could be a coincidence, but I've been getting a lot of compliments on my skin lately), so I think this might become essential for me, at least in the winter months.

Shu Uemura Shu:Palette Pressed Eyeshadow Palette
Maison Kitsuné for Shu Uemura Party Mixer Glitz Nail Enamel in Plum Glitz and Indigo Glitz, and Curious Eye-Opening Premium Curler Eyelash Curler
I thought I was done with all my cosmetics shopping after the Sephora VIB sale, but I was clearly mistaken. Because that's when I got an e-mail for Shu Uemura's VIP sale, which they have every year in November (right around the same time as Sephora's VIB sale, actually, so I don't think it's a coincidence), and offer 25% off everything from their website. I did not need one damn thing, of course, but I couldn't resist because I am a fucking makeup junkie. So I finally picked up the highly-lauded, overly-hyped Shu:Palette, which was created to "re-define 'nude' to perfectly blend in with Asian skin tones and eye shapes." I was like, "Well, I'm Asian. I have eyes. I need this." So that was that. And of course, I had to get something from the Maison Kitsuné collaboration 'cause it's so goddamn cute, so I picked up both of the nail enamels in Plum Glitz (a reddened plum with magenta and gold micro-shimmer) and Indigo Glitz (a dark navy with blue, teal, and copper micro-shimmer), and the gold eye lash curler because I had to replace my old one, anyway (I get a new one every year because Shu Uemura doesn't sell the rubber pads on their own), and this one is made with 24K plated gold. I think I'm allergic to their original one, actually, because I always get these little eczema patches where the curler touches my face, and this one doesn't do that, so I think the original has nickel in it. Either way, they're the same price. And this one is gold.

MAC Fluidline Pen in Retro Black, Indelibly Blue, Privet, and Vintage Brown
China Glaze Cheers Collection: Coal Hands, Warm Heart; Brand Spankin' New Year; Don't Get Elfed Up; I Soiree I Didn't Do It; Break the Ice; and Bring on the Bubbly
TokyoMilk Dark Excess No. 28 Shea Butter Handcreme
I thought November would be the month where I would make no purchases from MAC, but again, I was mistaken. On Black Friday, they did a one-day preview release of their new Fluidline Pen (it is now available online for purchase), so I bought all four shades (black, navy, teal green, and dark cool brown). And they are stunning. It is similar to the Stila one in the ease of use and the flow of ink, but I find I can manipulate the nib more and the ink is more matte. This one might actually become my ride-or-die. I will test it further and report back. Lastly, I bought some new nail polish. I don't buy a lot of China Glaze (I think the last shade I bought was like, four years ago?), but their Cheers collection for Holiday 2015 is gorgeous. I was looking at swatches online and got my six favourite shades. And because I accumulated a shit load of points on Nail Polish Canada, I redeemed them for a tube of TokyoMilk's Dark Excess No. 28 Shea Butter Handcreme. It reminds me of a really old house with creaky hardwood floors and wood-paneled walls that has just been cleaned (it has notes of amber resin, oak bark, blood orange, and patchouli)... but in a good, non-creepy, non-haunting way. I really like the darker, more gothic aesthetic of TokyoMilk, but I wouldn't personally spend $26 on their hand creams (they are made by Margot Elena, who also does Lollia and Love & Toast) which smell good and have fantastic packaging, but I don't find particularly soothing or repairing or hydrating as other brands like L'Occitane, Bliss, or Caudalie, which all have similar price points. So I wait until I have enough points to redeem for it, because you should always redeem your points on the shit you'd never pay for with your own money.

Zara Lace Jacket and Zipped Crepe Blazer
Zara Combined Lace Top and Draped Top
I did actually buy non-cosmetic items, too, you know. I recently switched positions at work so I thought it would be a good opportunity to update my wardrobe. Normally, I'd shop at Aritzia, especially since they were having their big Black Friday sale... but nothing really caught my eye, and their prices, even on sale, are still pretty steep. So I hopped over to the Zara website to see what they have. It's the weirdest thing, because I never shop at Zara (I think I bought a coat from them like, five years ago), and the things I bought weren't on sale, either. But I realized that they have a great variety of styles and trends and are really quite affordable. Not like, H&M or Forever 21 affordable, but like, half-the-price-of-Aritzia affordable. I hate going into Zara stores because they're always packed and their displays are always a mess and there's always a massive line-up for the dressing rooms, but I don't know why the hell I never shopped there online before, especially for black clothing, 'cause they have a great selection plus free exchanges or returns in store. Anyway, I bought two new jackets, a couple of silky tops, and a couple of their body shaping leggings (which actually make my butt look quite good). I also took the opportunity to look for some shoes from Aldo during their Black Friday sale, and ended up getting the Arielle booties for $69.99 from $130, the Umalen booties for $62.99 from $130, and the Amela boots for $62.99 from $120. I'm tempted to grab a couple more pairs of boots because it really is a ridiculously good sale...

Pitch Perfect 2, iZombie: The Complete First Season, Bitten: The Complete First and Second Seasons, and Orange is the New Black: Seasons 1 and 2
Last, but not least, I picked up some DVDs. Weird, right? I've been so into reading that I haven't properly watched TV in well over a year, whether it's through streaming, downloading, or Netflix (which I don't even have). But Amazon was having their Black Friday sale, and I was like, "Eh, there's no harm in just browsing." I saw that Pitch Perfect 2 was on sale for 70% off, so I added that to my cart... and then I noticed that iZombie (developed by Veronica Mars creator, Rob Thomas) was 50% off, so I added that... and then I saw that Seasons 1 and 2 of Orange is the New Black were on sale for 70% off, so I got those, too... and Seasons 1 and 2 of Bitten were also on sale for 60% off... And now I have enough television shows to last me the next year. 
What did you get during the Sephora VIB sale? Did you get any good deals during Black Friday?