It's my study time again, so I've fallen into a makeup routine (or rutine) lately... I vow to change my it up starting today, but not before I give it the spotlight it deserves because these products have been amazing to me.

Shu Uemura wanted women "to enjoy make-up more freely" and have fun playing with colours.  With that in mind, the brand has created a new line of eyeliners called Drawing Pencils that are inspired by their own Aterlier's professional palette.  These pencils feature a soft blend able formula that allows you to mix and match, draw and blend, while also provide a great colour payoff.  There are in total of 21 shades and 4 textures (matte, pearl, metallic, glitter).

If that person is anyone like me, who jumps on most of the beauty bandwagons, chances are they already have a lot of things available out there.  But no beauty enthusiast can say no to a pretty palette and here're a few favourites that would impress the important him/her.

Going to the International Makeup Artist Trade Show (IMATS) in Toronto has become a tradition for me.  For those you don't know what IMATS is, it is a trade show for makeup artist and industry but it's open to public.  Vendors at show will showcase their services and products, usually be at a discount.  IMATS also have seminars where makeup pros provide education and demonstrations to show goers.

It is indeed a makeup enthusiasts heaven where you can get industry discount and also learn more about the makeup industry.  For my first IMATS, I was completely overwhelmed and got "I-have-to-get-everything" mentality.  This year, I browse around, learning about new products brands have to offer and look at the makeup work of artists of different booths.  Their work of art is truly amazing and I admire their creativity.

One major mission that I always have is to shop for what I want/need.  This year is no different.  I met up with Jessica, Stacey and Steph again to get our shopping done.  Here's what I got...

Maybelline Color Whispers

"I love tinted lip colour. I love moisturizing lip product", I screamed and shouted and let it all out...

Sorry for the bad pun, but if you know me, you know I love a good tinted lip balm or any easy-to-apply lip colour with moisturizing properties.  So Maybelline Color Whisper seems right up my alley.  The Color Whisper range has 20 different colours.  Here are the 5 colours that I have...

From L to R: #15 Some Like It Taupe, #25 Lust For Blush #55 One Size Fits Pearl, #60 #Petal Rebel, #85 Berry Ready

From L to R: #15 Some Like It Taupe, #25 Lust For Blush #55 One Size Fits Pearl, #60 #Petal Rebel, #85 Berry Ready

Maybelline describes the Color Whisper range as "Pure color pigments suspended in a weightless gel. No heavy waxes or oils. Soft, sexy gel-color."  I have to agree with how light it feels.  While it doesn't really feel like weightless, it definitely does not have a masking feeling or a vaseline feeling on your lips.  It's easy to apply because I can just apply right from the tube without worrying about it looking weird, well, except the bolder shades.

Last week I did a recap on the Revlon 2013 Product Launch and I mentioned that there is one secret product that I can't talk about until after April 15.  Well, now it's pass that, so here we go!

Emma Stone is the face for this mascara, an she's wearing Blak

Revlon Lash Potion Mascara display at the launch

Lash Potion Mascara in Blackened Brown

On April 14, the night of the MTV Video Awards, Revlon revealed its latest innovation in front of millions of viewers on TV.  Available at your local drugstore in May 2013, Revlon Lash Potion is the newest mascara by its Grow Luscious line.  It promises to provide "spell-binding volume and super natural length from the very first application".  Its magic lies within the brush and the formula.  Revlon describes the was as the "Illusionist Wand" that coat lashes with their "formula of strengthening proteins" that gives maximum volume and clump-free length.  They also say that the formula of the mascara "conditions and moisturizes so lashes are less brittle".

What are your beauty wishes?  Nice manicured nails at all times?  Fuller glossy Lips?  Flawless complexion with radiance?  Long and luscious lashes?

On the last day of Toronto Fashion Week, there was one more fashion show happened outside of the tents.  It was the Lucian Matis's Monochromatic Collection.  I had the opportunity to go backstage and chat with the Revlon Nail Expert Leeanne Colley and Gucci Westman Lead Assistant Mimi Imanishi.  First let's talk about the nail looks:



The above nail tips were hand painted by Leeanne Colley and her team for the show. Going with the Monochromatic theme, Leeanne came up with the charcoal black and vanilla nail designs for the show.  In the Monochromatic Collection, Lucian played with textures like leather as oppose to prints like his other collections.  Therefore, Leeanne wanted to create texture on the nails to compliment the collection.  Leeanne said  “I created a combination of sharp geometrical lines to complement Lucian’s monochromatic look. The whites in the collection are winter whites, soft and creamy not stark. I’ve combined them with a rich charcoal gray and strong black accents.”

I'm digging the porcelain shade

The leather-like finish is actually sponged on by using 1 layer of Revlon Nail Enamel in Iconic (a charcoal grey), 1 layer of Timeless (light grey), and finally another layer of Iconic and sponge it to give the texture.  After the center part, they used acentone to clean up the sides.  To create that creamy vanilla ice cream colour, Leeanne used a layer of Revlon ColorStay Longwear Nail Enamel in Porcelain (vanilla cream), a layer of Revlon Top Speed Fast Dry Nail Enamel in Spirit (white), and then another layber of Porcelain to finish it up.  Here's the end results

Model is photoready even pre-makeup... life's not fair... =P

To compliment the boxiness in the clothing of the Monochromatic Collection, Leeanne also created some outlined mani.  She used the fine tip of Revlon Nail Art Expressionist in Night & Degas (the black one) to outline the nails.  She said everything is hand-drawn, talk about skills.



Leeanne was so down to earth and enthusiastic, I got to chat with her more about nails.  I asked her to give us some tips on at home manicure.  She said the key is how you hold the brush.  When you take the brush out from the bottle, you could brush one side of the brush along the side of the bottle, so that only one side has nail polish on it.  Then you would place your brush on the center of your nail and push it towards the cuticle, then brush it back to the tip of the nails.  This way, you can avoid having too much nail polishes on the cuticles and avoid smudges.  I also asked if she has some tip for nail art because I struggle with my right hand all the time.  She said start with the hand that you have the most trouble with.  It made so much sense, because if you were to start on your easy hand, by the time you're done, you will be tired and frustrated, and don't want to do the second hand.  But if you start with the trouble hand, then when you're done, you know your easy hand is gonna be easy, and you will be able to go through with it :D.