The tale of an oily skin gal continues...

So I got my primers sorted out.  While I have tried a lot of foundations that worked great in terms of coverage and finish, most are just lacking in the longevity department.  Now I really need them to work with me, not just for those 15 hour days.  But for crying out loud, you gotta be able to last till 5PM, is that too much to ask for?  Apparently so, at least up till last year.

It seems like the Goddess of Staying Power is on my side this year.  I managed to find, not one, not two, not three, but four foundations that offers great wear for oily skin.  YES!

Yves Saint Laurent Fusion Ink Foundation SPF18 (CA $64 / US $40)

I have always fancy a foundation with a matte finish, a smooth matte.  The problem is, there is none out there that won't cling onto dry spot.  Somehow they manage to find a dry spot on my oily face.  And most of them are just thick and heavy.  No, not this foundation.

YSL says that this foundation "feels like feather, stays like ink".  This description is pretty damn accurate.  It is a true matte but it doesn't feel like anything.  I like the medium and buildable coverage that it gives.  It hides just enough to look natural.  The matte finish & the coverage actually last for an 8 hour work day.

I won't say I was shine-less throughout the day (nothing a little blotting paper can't handle), but I was definitely way less oily.  I was used to see shine 4 hours in but not with this bad boy (or girl); it keeps me matte for over 5 hours, it's very impressive.

The only thing though, it has a pretty noticeable scent when you put it on.  It goes away, and I don't notice it after I blended the foundation out, but some people might be sensitive to it.

I have a love-hate relationship with nail art.  I love it because it looks so pretty on my nails when others do it for me.  I hate it because I suck at it.  But every now and then I still like to test my ability.  This week I played with the new Revlon Nail Art Shiny Matte (CA $8.95).

The Revlon Nail Art Shiny Matte is new to the drugstore this year.  It is probably the most unique combination I have seen.  Again it is dual-ended and it has a matte base coat with a regular nail polish brush and a shiny metallic colour with skinny nail art brush.  It is designed to be used together, but you can also mix and match with other Shiny Mattes to come up with your own combo.  I really love how simple it is to get some unique nail art with this product.  You don't need some complicated design to get a unique results, try using a mix of lines.


Tortoise Shell is my favourite out of the two because of the combination of matte burgundy and metallic golden taupe.  To get an opaque colour, I would apply two coats.




Emerald Suede has a matte pink colour on one side and a emerald metallic nail art side.  This matte pink colour is a bit harder to handle than the burgundy colour on Tortoise Shell.  Two coats of it will be pigmented enough.


I would highly recommend the Revlon Nail Art Shiny Matte because they're truly unique to me.  I am very interested in other shades, so I'm gonna be on a look out of sale :).

Until next time,


x Rica


*Disclosure: Products mentioned in this post were provided to The Office Chic for review consideration.  As always, all the opinions expressed here are my own and are in no way influenced by any advertiser, affiliate, public relations firm or brands.

Thought we were out of the Polar Vortex but it hits again.  It was -20 ~ -30 degree Celsius over here in Canada.  Since I'm not getting a southern island escape, I've got helped from Revlon Nail Art Sun Candy to try to bring some Sunshine in my life.

Remember when we all fell head over heels for the Revlon by Marchesa Nail Art 3D Jewel Appliqués?  This dream collaboration has done it again and this time for something that could last more permanently, beauty tools! I got a chance to preview some of the items before the holidays at Tips Nail Bar (that was recently moved and the new location was fabulous!). There were cookies, hors d'oeuvres, nail polishes, manicures, sketch artist, and of course, the Revlon by Marchesa Beauty Tools

The Evening Opulence is the Holiday Collection created by Revlon Global Artistic Director Gucci Westman.  She said "I pictured a luxurious and polished woman, who looks to makeup to accessorize and enhance her look using bursts of colour".

From L to R: Elusive, Rich, Adorned, Muse

This collection includes very vibrant colours and interesting nail shades that look perfect for evening night out.  Here are a few of the products from the collection:

• Revlon ColorBurst Ligloss in Adorned ($10.50): a shimmery fuchsia with very opaque coverage.
• Revlon Nail Enamel in Elusive and Rich ($5.95): Elusive is matte black with green glitter; Rich is a gunmetal shimmery shade.
• Revlon PhotoReady Primer, Shadow+Sparkle in Muse ($12.95): it contains a primer, 3 eyeshadows with a "sparkle topcoat" shade

Do you dare to wear blue?  I do.  In fact one of my favourite ways to wear blue eyeshadow is a blue smoky eyes.  So when Revlon asked if I would like to take on their "Dare to Wear Blue" challenge, I immediately know I want to get some inspiration from my go-to blue eyeshadow look!

Revlon by Marchesa Nail Art 3D Jewel Appliqués in Gilded Mosaic Jewelry from Bauble Bar & J.Crew Factory

A little while ago, I blogged about the nail art collaboration between Revlon and Marchesa.  Now I got quick sneak peek of the Revlon by Marchesa Nail Art 3D Jewel Appliqués (US $9.99 / CA $8.95).  I can't tell you how excited I am to try them out, but I'm going to hold it off until I get my macro lens so it will do the detail on these appliqués justice.  Meanwhile, let's take a first look at 6 out of the 8 Nail Art 3D Jewel Appliqués, along with some jewelry pairings that I put together.

Revlon by Marchesa Nail Art 3D Jewel Appliqués

Marchesa co-founders Keren Craig and Georgina Chapman

“Fashion and beauty are about self-expression and experimentation, and taking a creative approach to your personal style. Nails have become the ultimate accessory, so we are so excited to translate our signature Marchesa design motifs into a collection of 3D Jewel Nail Appliqués for our first collection with Revlon.” - Keren Craig, Marchesa Co-Founder.

This Fall, Revlon collaborated with Marchesa to release a line of Nail Art inspired by her dresses: Revlon by Marchesa Nail Art 3D Jewel Appliqués™ .  Available in 8 different brilliant designs, these 3D Jewel Nail Appliqués feature opulent colours, elaborate prints, and luxurious metallics like the Marchesa dresses.

Marchesa Runway

Revlon by Marchesa Nail Art 3D Jewel Appliqués Top Row, L to R: 24K Brocade, Beaded Couture, Crown Jewels, Evening Garnet Bottom L to R: Guilded Mosaic, Jewel Noir, Royal Burgundy, Silk Rosette

Revlon by Marchesa Nail Art 3D Jewel Appliqués in Crown Jewel

Did you know the first day of Summer in 2013 is June 21?  While Summer is still two weeks away from now, Summer launches have already (or very soon-to-be) arrived at drugstores and beauty counters.  Let's look at some of the drugstore new launches coming up in Summer 2013!

Maybelline New York

L to R: Maybelline The Falsies Big Eyes Mascara, Master Smoky Shadow-Pencil, Master Duo Eyeliner, Color Tattoo Pure Pigments x3

• Maybelline The Falsies Big Eyes Mascara* (available in June 2013, CA$10.99), which is a total indication of you-should-really-check-it-out. 
• ColorTattoo Pure Pigments (available in June 2013, CA$8.99) comes in 9 colours, I, of course went for the neutrals
• Master Smokey by Eye Studio* (available in June 2013, CA$9.99) comes in 5 different colours, so it'll be easy for you to find one to match the classic smokey eyes that you want to go for.
• Master Duo by Eye Studio (available now) gives you control in getting a thin or thick glossy line.

What else is there?  Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots and Holographics nail polishes!  Their Color Show line is so affordable (I have seen as low as $2.49) that you can't go wrong with trying out their fun shades.

How did we get to Mother's Day already?  I never know what to get my mom because for the past few big holidays, whatever I got her she made me go return it.  She just doesn't like me spending money on her, especially when it's not something she picked out herself.  This year, instead of the usual dinner that we have, I'm going to try something different - DIY at-home pamper... and then dinner lol.  Here are the steps I'm taking...

Step 1 — Facials

From L to R: Eucerin DermatoCLEAN Mild Cleansing Lotion and Bioderma Sensibio Solution Micellaire

Let's start with cleansing by using the Eucerin DermatoCLEAN Mild Cleansing Lotion* and just to be safe, we'll use the Bioderma Sensibio Solution Micellaire to cleanse once more..

From L to R: Montagne Jeunesse Dead Sea Mud Spa Mask, Beauty Diary Peruvian Sunflower Mask, and REN Skincare Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask

There are 3 masks that I'm using for deep cleansing, moisturizing, and radiance enhancing.  These include the new Montagne Jeunesse Dead Sea Mud Spa Mask*, Beauty Diary Peruvian Sunflower Mask, and REN Skincare Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask.  I'm hoping after all 3 masks my mom is going to look glowing!

Revlon Nail Enamel From L to R: Cobalt, Topaz, Rose Gold, Tanzanite

During the Revlon 2013 Product Launch event, we spotted their Chroma Chameleon collection.  It is now out in the counter and I see some shades are flying out of the shelf fast.  The Chroma Chameleon collection consists of 8 jewel tone duo-chrome nail polishes.  I have four of them here to share with you.

Revlon Lash Potion Volume + Length Mascara by Grow Luscious (CA $9.95) is one of the latest offerings from Revlon.  I have been itching to try it but I waited until I saw that a lot of people want to know more about it, I know I had to review it.  Long story short, I love it (as you know it made it to my Spring/April favourites).  For those of you who likes the long story (and see the before and after), here we go!

Spring/March-to-April 2013 Favourites!

It has been so long since I have done a post on my favourite products at the moment, so since I did discover some goodies in the past few months, I thought I'd share what they are!

First up, face makeup.  Since the weather has been nicer lately, I've been reaching for my dear friend — Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Ultra Light Skin Perfecting Makeup in B20.

Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Ultra Light Skin Perfecting Makeup in B20

I think I've mentioned it a couple times in the past, and it's safe to say that it's probably one of my all time favourite because it's the only bottle of foundation that I am finishing up.  It gives a skin-looking finish while providing good medium coverage (for me anyway) with a subtle satin finish.  It is moisturizing yet light-weight, and it does a quite decent job staying put on my oily skin.

Since Summer is coming up, I have been changing it up with my blushers.  I was obsessed with Benefit Box O' Powder in Hervana for the entire winter, but recently, I have using her older sister, Bella Bamba, pretty much exclusively.

Benefit Bella Bamba Box O' Powder

It is a watermelon colour with fine gold glitter.  The shimmer is very subtle and it gives your cheeks a very nice healthy glow.  It is also very pigmented, so I usually take a stippling brush like MAC 187 to apply it or I will use a blush brush like MAC 168 to lightly dab into the powder and pounce it on my cheeks.

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?

TGIF!!! Over the Easter long weekend, I've done some shopping.  I know it's not sale season, but I managed to find some great deals here and there!

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.

My nails have been naked for almost a month.  When I see other beauty bloggers, friends, and coworkers with amazing mani, my nails feel extra naked.  Yes, naked, I think that's the right word to use when I haven't worn nail polish for an entire month.  So during a recent trip to Wal-Mart, like yesterday, I got two nail polishes to try out - Maybelline ColorShow Nail Lacquer in Denim Dash and Revlon Colorstay Longwear Nail Enamel in Passionate Pink.  Both are formulas that I had not tried out before.  When I got home, I immediately tested the Revlon one out, and I fell in love.

Revlon Colorstay Longwear Nail Enamel in 050 Passionate Pink

The colour is what drew me in in the first place.  It is a pretty basic hot pink, which looks even more vibrant on the nails.  To be honest, it is not an uber special colour and I'm pretty sure I have something similar, maybe not exactly the same.  But I don't usually wear this bright of a pink, so I'm surprised that I even got this.  I am really loving this colour right now and I'm sure I'll get a lot of wear out of this polish for the rest of the Summer!

Drugstore products have been wowing us for a while (lol).  As you can see on my blog I have been talking about a variety of drugstore rave, like Maybelline Color Tattoo and L'Oreal Infallible Color.  Now it's time for something more obvious - Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter.

From L to R: Revlon Lip Butter Cupcake, Sweet Tart, Lollipop