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For years, MAKE UP FOR EVER is known to be at the forefront in their colour cosmetics, particularly their eyeshadows.  So to celebrate the brand's 30th anniversary, they released the range MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Shadows (CA $24 / US $21).


3 years of developments, 88% concentrated pigment, 210 eyeshadows and 5 different finishes—these numbers represented how truly amazing this new range of eyeshadows are.  It took MAKE UP FOR EVER Creative and Artistic Director, Dany Sanz to create this current formula.  They're said to deliver up to 88% concentrated pigment in their eyeshadows, which is the highest in the market (the average on the market is way below this number).  These highly pigmented eyeshadows are available in 210 shades in 5 different finishes—Matte, Satin, Metal, Iridescent, and Diamond.

It all sounds good on paper, but how does it live up to its name?

Well, spoiler alert, it's freaking awesome.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Shadows Take Pigmentation to a Whole New Level

October 21, 2014 • , , , , , , , • 68 comments
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Halloween is only two weeks away, everybody is getting pumped: from kids who just want to go trick or treating, to adults who really want to win the best couple costume contest.  My ideal Halloween evening, though, is to sit back, relax, watch a couple of horror movie, and have a bubble bath with LUSH Halloween Bath Treats.

While I'm no longer a little girl getting excited for free candies, I still want my treat, the grown up way... maybe not so grown up because these LUSH Halloween products are seriously adorable.

LUSH Halloween Products Smell So Good That You Wanna Trick Or Treat at Their Store

October 17, 2014 • , , , , , • 52 comments
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bold-eyebrows-drugstore-maybelline-brow-drama

In a world where every beauty guru is obsessed with Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz and Benefit Gimme Brow (which are both fab btw), some may feel a bit lost when they try to spend less than $25 on a brow product or two.

I'd like to think there is always a more affordable way to do most things, including taming your eyebrows.  Here's what I used:

Bold Eyebrows On a Budget | Maybelline EyeStudio Brow Drama & L'Oréal Paris Super Liner Brow Artist

October 14, 2014 • , , , , , , , , , , • 18 comments
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Dior-5-Couleurs-Eyeshadow-Palettes

Happy Thanksgiving to all you Canadians out there!  Hopefully you get to spend some time with your family during this long weekend... And maybe stuffed by the stuffed turkey... get it?

While I didn't have a family-full weekend, I did manage to spend some quality time with my beau (he is family too).  And I didn't forget about the two person feast: we got a rotisserie chicken and I am making some kale salad, some mash, a main with squash and quinoa for tonight :D.

Another thing that I didn't forget is Thanksgiving makeup!  The day that I'm obliged to wear cranberry eyeshadow, and that's what I did.  I pull out my Dior 5-Couleurs Couture Colours & Effects Eyeshadow Palette in Trafalgar (CA $61 / US $60) for this occasion.

Dior 5-Couleurs Eyeshadow Palettes Are Better Than Ever & Also Perfect for Thanksgiving

October 13, 2014 • , , , , , , , , , , , • 18 comments
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benefit-majorette-booster-blush

You know what makes me happy?  Makeup, yes!  Blush, hey yes!  (Good mood, check).  You should see my blusher collection.... Maybe it's too embarrassing to show, but my point is, I love a good cheek colour.  And we know that is something Benefit Cosmetics does really well.  As I expected, their new Benefit Majorette Booster Blush (CA $36 / US $28) didn't disappoint.

Benefit Majorette Booster Blush Pumps Up Your Cheeks & Your Mood | Review

October 9, 2014 • , , , , , , • 25 comments
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This past Sunday, I was invited to check out what's in store now at Target for Halloween.  We went to one of thew newest store in Toronto at The Stockyards.  Inside the store, they specially decorated a picture worthy zone for bloggers to find out what they could do with decors available at Target.  Let's see...

#TargetTrickOrTweet Halloween Event @ The Stockyards | Photo Diary

October 8, 2014 • , , , • 19 comments
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shu uemura brave beauty eye palettes

How would you categorize your day to day makeup?  For me, it has definitely become more neutral in the past few years.  I rarely do bold looks nowadays, part of it is because of my work, and part of it is just I'm kind of scared of it.

I remember when I first started with makeup, when I got a collection of colourful eyeshadows, I would always play around with different looks.  It seems like my brave self has taken a deep hibernation.

"be brave, there is no need for hesitation, beauty is where you find it", Kakuyasu Uchide—shu uemuera International Artistic Director.

shu uemura Brave Beauty Eye Palettes Give You the Courage to Be Bold

October 7, 2014 • , , , , , , , , , • 23 comments
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Image from LORACCosmetics.com

Gosh, where do I even begin the excitement.  Well, I guess it started with that we can't track down LORAC in Canadian stores any more!  I pretty much gave up in seeing LORAC Pro Palette 1 & 2 unless I go to the states and find an Ulta or Kohl's.

LORAC Mega Pro Palette is available for sale tomorrow!

October 6, 2014 • , , , , • 15 comments
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Dior Vernis Gel Shine and Long Wear Nail Lacquer for Fall 2014

Eeny meeny miny moe, which nail polish do I want to wear the most?

Hmmm... here I am, staring at these new Dior Vernis Gel Shine and Long Wear Nail Lacquer (CA $26 / US $25) for Fall 2014, wondering which beautiful shade I should wear this week.  Well, let's see..

Dior Vernis Fall 2014, 5 Very Different Shades... Decisions, Decisions

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Hopefully you're not tired of all the adoration I have given to the new, limited edition, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette.  It is a great gift for any makeup enthusiast.  So, I'm giving one away here on my blog so someone can adore it with me!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is opened internationally!  Yay!  It's opened now until October 31, 11:59PM EST.  For more detailed rules, check out the Rafflecopter widget above.


Good Luck!


x Rica


Giveaway: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette

October 3, 2014 • , , , , • 116 comments
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hourglass-ambient-lighting-blush-palette

Every year, there's at least one beauty releases that would capture my heart.  And I fell fast and hard for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette (CA $67 / US $58).

One of the perks of being a beauty junkie who shops at Sephora way too much is the VIB Rouge status.  Ya, thanks to that (I guess thanks to me!?), I was able to snag the much anticipated blush palette early.  And now it's available for everyone to purchase!  HUZZAH!


Oh man, I have been lusting after this palette for months ever since a sneak peek picture popped up on the Internet.  It's lovely that they included 2 permanent shades from the original Ambient Lighting Blush range, Luminous Flush and Mood Exposure, because the original shades are highly praised.  That's not to say I don't like the limited edition shade Incandescent Electra because I do, so very much.
  • Luminous Flush is described a champagne rose but it looks more to me like a warm pink with a luminous sheen.
  • Incandescent Electra is a peachy pink colour with shimmery finish.
  • Mood Exposure is a rosy plum with soft sheen.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette has captured my heart and many others | Review

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Sometimes you gotta keep things interesting, especially with makeup.  So I have been changing things with my routine to make sure my products get some love.  Okay, maybe I gave out too much love because the list is quite long this month.


I think you already know about my oily skin complex and what I would do to try to stop the shine on my forehead.  That's right, I'm still loving Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 15 (CA $60 / US $52) and Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide (CA $59 / US $48).  You can read about my favourite primers here and my favourite foundations here.

For my vampire dark circles, seriously it's bad, I turn to Marc Jacobs Remedy Concealer Pen in Wake Up Call (CA $47 / US $39) to cover them up.  This concealer is light and liquid-y in texture but it stays in place.  My lazy self has turned to the BeautyBlender (CA $26 / US $19.95) to apply foundation and concealer, because it's the fastest and easiest way to do so.

To set, the Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder (CA $40 / US $34) has been so great for prolonging the wear of my base makeup.  It's super smooth and it won't look too powdery.

In My Makeup Bag Lately | September 2014

October 2, 2014 • , , , , , , , , , , , , • 12 comments
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It has come and gone, but it's back again!  That's right.  The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette (CA $67 / US $58) is back in stock once again on Sephora.  This time it's available to everyone!  So hurry, get yourself one if you have been wanting one, before it goes out of stock again!

I have been playing with mine for a week now.  Click to continue for some sneak peek before the review :)

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette Sneak Peek & It's Back in Stock!

October 1, 2014 • , , , , • 3 comments
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