Infused with Platinum

Going beyond a BB Cream, DD is an all-in-one tinted cream that not only corrects but really protects your skin from external aggressors. With its platinum-infused formula, Marcelle’s DD Cream reinforces skin’s natural defenses and improves the overall appearance of skin by reducing impurities. Its powerful ingredients make it a fearsome shield against environmental aggressors such as pollution, stresses, and UVB rays. With SPF 25.

10 IN 1 MULT I-BENEFITS
Tightens pores
Visibly improves skin texture
Evens and smoothes the look of skin
Promotes removal of skin impurities
Offers immediate and long-term hydrating benefits
Protects skin from environmental stressors
Helps prevent signs of aging
Soothes and calms dry/damaged skin
Provides anti-dull radiant complexion

Quite some claims right? I do think the DD cream does all that is says it will do. It is bascially all I have been using this month. I am not sure about 'tightening' pores but it certainly makes my pores look smaller and smoother. As well any redness is significantly toned down when I use this cream. Plus my skin has felt more hydrated since using the DD cream. Now, I am not a scientist so I cannot attest to the benefits of platinum but my thoughts are that there can't really be that much in this cream or the price would be super crazy, right?

I do use an additional moisturizer with this. I have uber dry skin so I needs me some more moisture on my face. Plus I select one that has a more broader SPF coverage since the Marcelle DD cream only protects against UVB rays. Last year, I sunburnt the left side of my face driving home so I am more careful making sure I have a lot more SPF coverage nowadays.

The packaging is chic and I do like the pump applicator. The only con is the packaging is opaque so you can't see how much product is left.

Marcelle DD Cream

You can see how well the DD cream blends out. At first I thought it would be too yellow but it does adjust to suit your skin colour.
 

before                                                                                after

In the before picture, you can see how red my cheeks and nose are. All I have on in this pic is lip balm and moisturizer. My skin is really dry so additional moisture is a must. If you have oilier skin, I think you can get away with just using the DD cream.
In the after picture,that redness is clearly toned done. My skin looks more even. Coverage is light but it does smooth out my pores and really evens out my skin tone. All I need is concealer under my eyes and a dusting of powder over top.
  

All done! Ready for the day. Marcelle DD Cream, MAC Prolongwear concealer NW20 under eyes, MAC MSF Medium all over face

HI there Makeupnuts, I has a sad. My Olympus camera has decided to be difficult this week. It developed a dark spot on what has to be the sensor. I am so bummed. Stupid blogger problems, right?

If it is feasible, I will take it in to get cleaned. Poooooo! So until I figure a way around the dark spot of doom, I will have to use my little point and shoot. I hadn’t used it a long time so it is charging right now.

So I did take a couple for spot free pictures of recent manicures I have been sporting.

First is one of my favorites: China Glaze For Audrey and Cult Nails Fetish as an accent nail. I also used Maybelline Colorshow Polka Dots Clearly Spotted on my index finder and a recent Topbox item – Kinetic Splatter It! on my thumb. 

Kinetic Splatter It! has various black and white glitters but it also has black bars mixed in. Maybelline ColorShow is pretty nice for a drug store black and white glitter. It has a good amount of black and white glitter. 

This second mani is two Nicole by Opi pink polishes, Don’t Over Pink It (light pink) and City Pretty Rose (blue toned pink) and the Maybelline ColorShow Polka Dots Clearly Spotted

I do love me some black and white glitters and these are probably the two I like best so far in my lil' collection. They both apply really well. No digging around in the bottle to get some glitter. I picked up Clearly Spotted (Walmart $3.49ish) this past winter, I am just finally gettting to use it. Kinetic Splatter It! ($9) came in my April Topbox. 

Hopefull I get my camera figured out this week! 

I opted for the regular May Topbox. I was waffling between getting Benefit Brow Tint prive box or the regular Topbox. I am happy with my choice for this month though. I can grab the Brow Tint at Shoppers next month maybe.
 

So what was in the cute little purple bag?
 

Lancôme Hypnôse Lashes in 01 So Black!    deluxe sample

Some mascara, a little Benefit and polish; not a bad box bag this month Topbox. Not bad at all.

Topbox is a Canadian beauty sample subscription service. Sign up to receive 4 beauty samples each month for $12 at Topbox.ca.

So I thought this would be the perfect time to test out my Annabelle Lipsies Fruity Lip Balm. I picked up Fruit Punch, a pretty pink, the weekend before. 
 

On the display (from April):

Lipsies displays began popping up in Shopper Drug Marts in April, originally retailing for $4.99. My Shoppers already had them in a discount bin last week for $3.49. There was only a few Fruit Punches and a couple Grape flavors left. So I grabbed a Fruit Punch. I am pretty sure these are limited edition. 
 

These Lipsies are packaged in a plastic retractable crayon. Nothing too exciting but still very useable. Fruit Punch gave me a nice wash of glossy pink. The glossiness only lasted for about a 1/2 hour but the actual colour lasted for about 2 hours until I drank something, then it was pretty much gone. Well it was mostly on my coffee cup but that is lip balms for you. 
 

So if you are looking for hydrating lip balm with a slight wash of colour and don’t have dry lips, I say pick up an Annabelle Lipsies Fruit Lip Balm.

Did you pick up a Annabelle Lipsies Fruity Lip Balm? What were your thoughts?

May 2014 Ipsy Glam Bag

 Bonjour Makeupnuts! Today is Ipsy Day!

This month’s theme is Fresh Picks. The bag is a soft canvas with a green leafy print on it.  At first when I opened it, I was uninspired. But as I explored the products further, I realized I really can use some of them so my frown turned upside down. The majority of the products are all natural so I am assuming that is what Ipsy meant by Fresh Picks. I am all for that. 
 

Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask $12 @eva-nyc.com

Jersey Shore Sun Sans Tan Anti-aging Sunscreen  $40 @jerseyshoresun.com

Pacifica Mineral Eyeshadow Duo in Moonbeam & Unicorn   @pacificaperfume.com

While I wasn’t totally thrilled when I first opened my Ipsy bag, I am pleasantly pleased with these products. I guess I have come to expect to find mostly makeup in my Ipsy bags. It not like I don’t have enough makeup already!

What are your thoughts on the May Ipsy Glam Bag? Love it? Hate it? Meh?

Anyhow I am back and today I was going to talk about my April favorites but I noticed my favs didn’t really change. I am still in love with the Lorac Pro Palette. Boring much? So I thought I would share my favorite foundation brushes with you.

I have three main brushes that I like using. I have multiples of these as I only use them for about two to three uses then I grab a clean one. And since I am lazy, I need have multiples so I only have to wash my brushes every two weeks. All of these brushes are synthetic. I find the synthetic bristles are much better at applying foundation.
 

The brush most reached for though is my Coastal Scents Bionic Flat Top Kabuki brush ($6.95). I have three of these. The densely packed synthetic bristles make for a perfect everyday foundation brush; liquid or powder. If I just want to cover up with a CC cream and some powder, this is the brush I use to apply my powder. It is just a great overall face brush. When I travel, this is the brush that gets packed. If you’re looking for an alternative to the pricier flat top kabuki brushes that most YouTubers rave about, I think this is a good option. 
 

I find each of these brushes are pretty sturdy and haven't had any problems with the ferules coming loose nor have I had any shedding issues. I have had these brushes for at least a year or more and they are still in great shape, albeit a bit stained (thank you ColorStay). I do wash my brushes every two weeks, only using them each for a couple uses. In between uses, I wipe them off on a tissue and then spray clean with my Quo brush cleaner. 

Coastal Scents usually have sales on their brushes periodically. I got mine for 50% off. Shipping to Canada is usually around $8- $10 when just buying brushes. Add a palette and it goes up about $4-5 more. They have a handy shipping calculator to aid in pricing out the shipping costs. When I got my CS brushes shipping was a lot cheaper then. :(

What foundation brushes do you love? Leave me a comment. I am always on the lookout for great brushes  #brushwhore!

What Marcelle says about their Luxe Gloss Crème: 

For luscious high-shine lips!

An extension to the Lux Gloss line, the Lux Gloss Crème delivers semi-sheer colors in a pure creamy finish. Its non-sticky, hydrating formula feels pleasant and comfortable on the lips. Easy to wear, the Lux Gloss Crème gives your lips that wet shiny look to make them look fuller and plumper. Available in 7 trendy shades. You will want them all!

My Thoughts:

Hi Makeupnuts. Today I am sharing with you my first impression of the CoverGirl Bombshell Volume mascara. I received this in the Elle Beauty Box last week.

I was really interested to try out this 2 step mascara. I usually use mascara combos just to get more length and some extra Va va voom.

Does it do it? Give me some Va va voom? Or at least some Voom? Read on...

Here is what the Bombshell Volume wands look like: 

Side one is similar to the regular LashBlast mascara with the short rubber bristles. The formula is like the LashBlast formula. You can add multiple coats of this side.

Side two is a regular tapered bristle brush. I found the formula on this side a bit more liquidy but it dried super fast. This is the Intensify side. You are only supposed to add one coat to lock in that intense, dark, all day finish. This is also the side that is hard to remove. Whatever is in there is waterproof. 
 

bare lashes

one coat using Side 1

second coat using Side 2

I found the Bombshell Volume pretty longwearing. I think the longest I have worn it for was nine hours. My lashes felt a bit crunchy throughout the day but I didn’t notice any smudging or flaking. Side 1 gave me volume and Side 2 did give me a bit more length but it really darkened up my lashes to give the appearance of additional volume. You only need to apply one coat of side 2. I did try to add 2 coats and I ended up with super clumpy lashes. I didn't notice my lashes drooping during the day. Some thicker formulas tend to make my lashes droop during the day. This kept the curl during the day.

The packaging is massive. Has there been a larger mascara tube before? You could use this as a weapon in pinch. Initially I had some difficulty maneuvering the wand around on my left eye (as I am right handed) because it was so large. But after a few applications I am now used to it so that isn't much of an issue anymore. 

Now comes the only real complaint I have about this mascara. It is hard to get off. Like seriously hard. Like I applied 3 coats of waterproof mascara hard. I had to let my oil makeup remover sit on my eye for 30 seconds before wiping off the mascara. Then doing it again to get it completely off.

Pros:

Cons:

Overall I like how the Bombshell Volume by LashBlast mascara looks and how long it wears but I am hesitant to use it daily as it is really hard to remove. I think for those long days where you need to have big lashes, this will do the job!

Have you tried the CoverGirl Bombshell Volume mascara yet? What were your thoughts?