Mansa Fashion

Tag: makeup

  • too faced: hangover replenishing face primer (review)

    too faced: hangover replenishing face primer (review)

    It was several months back that the Back to School Beauty Bundle was posted here on the creation of beauty is art. The mini backpack included all sorts of makeup and skin care items…and even a mini Ariana Grande perfume! Over the last little while, these beauty products have been put to the test. That means it is time to start sharing some reviews. This one is dedicated to the Hangover Replenishing Face Primer from Too Faced. This is a brand that I am very familiar with. I have tried all sorts of products from Too Faced over the years and tend to like their cute themes and colours. That being said, this face primer was new to me. Find out how it performs and if a full-sized version will be added to my Sephora cart in the future.

    The version of the Hangover Replenishing Face Primer in the beauty set has 20 mL of product and the full-sized version has 40 mL, so there was a good amount of product included in the sample. The down side is that according to the Sephora website, it costs $57 CDN for the full-sized version of the primer. So…what is the product actually supposed to do? It is described as a “replenishing face primer that hydrates, smooths, and brightens for a dewy, healthy-looking complexion.” This is one of the rare times when all of the product claims seem to be met. At least in my experience with the product. This liquid primer goes on clear and instantly makes my skin feel more hydrated. After about thirty seconds or so, it starts to have a tackier finish, which is ideal for applying foundation. I really love the Hangover Replenishing Face Primer. It works well with my dry skin, makes makeup application smoother, and the product even smells good. It really checked off all the boxes for me. I have a few Sephora gift cards in my wallet (thanks to generous Christmas gifts from loved ones) and I want to use them to purchase a full-sized version of this primer. Though the price is really high…this is ideal for my skin type. Until I can find something that works as well and is more affordable, this is something that I would like to splurge on from time to time. It really wowed!

    Have you tried the Hangover Replenishing Face Primer from Too Faced? What primer do you like to use?

  • review: my little pony themed makeup (lost in the clouds palette)

    review: my little pony themed makeup (lost in the clouds palette)

    Themed beauty releases will always be my weakness. Especially ones that are nostalgic. It was several months back that I saw the My Little Pony inspired Lost in the Clouds Shadow and Face Palette from Beauty Creations. Since then, it has been used over and over again. Curious about the colour story? Keep reading for a full review and two different makeup looks.

    How adorable is this packaging? The theme and inspiration is out of this world amazing. I remember having lots of My Little Pony stuff when I was a kid. There were lots of little ponies in my home as well as a play castle and even cassette tapes. (I still have the Christmas cassette tape and listen to it each holiday season.) Clearly, I am still a kid at heart, because this My Little Pony themed makeup thrills me. I love the classic illustrations, the rainbow and clouds that are inside the palette, and that sky blue colour. The names of the eyeshadows and face products are on theme as well…especially the eyeshadow 80s Child!

    As for the colour story, it is very My Little Pony themed. There are five eyeshadows on the upper row and three face products on the bottom row. The eyeshadows have three mattes (lilac, baby pink, and a light brown) and two shimmers (metallic and lilac). The face products include a bronzer, blush, and highlight. Though the colour story is well thought out and well themed, the actual performance is a little uneven. The matte eyeshadows are nice, but since the actual colours are so light, they do not necessarily have a bold impact. The shadows either need to really be built up or only used as an accent. The shimmer eyeshadows are fabulous but perform more as a topper than a standalone eyeshadow. On the other hand, the face products are very pigmented. These perform really well and are the standout items in the themed Shadow and Face Palette.

    The two makeup looks above are somewhat similar due to the limited colours in the palette, but I did my best to show off the two shimmer shades. For the first look, the bronzer (Ponyville) was used as a base on the eyelid and then the metallic shimmer (Magical Stride) was applied on top. The blush (Dance Away) and highlight (Starshine) finished off the look. The second makeup look focused on the purple colours, but still brought in a bit of depth. The lilac shade (Blossom) was applied all over the lid and then the lilac shift glitter (Sky Cloud) was added on top. To add a little depth, the bronzer was applied in the outer corner and then it was all blended out with the light brown (80s Child). I used the bronzer on the cheeks and wore it as a blush, because it is a bit too dark for me to wear as a bronzer. I like the sparkle and shine that this palette offers, but do wish that the eyeshadows were a little bit bolder. The face products are definitely the standouts. I absolutely adore that gorgeous blush!

    What do you think of this My Little Pony themed release? Do you like themed beauty products?

  • FOTD and mini review: valentine’s day makeup look

    FOTD and mini review: valentine’s day makeup look

    Happy Valentine’s Day! This is a day that is all about love…and chocolate. However you are celebrating, my hope is that you will have a wonderful time enjoying all of the holiday festivities. Maybe someone you care about will send flowers to you at work or maybe a friend will give you a sweet card. Or perhaps you will treat yourself to a nice meal and your favourite movie. There are so many ways to share love today. Be sure to shower yourself and others with love and kindness. I always love to celebrate Valentine’s Day with some themed makeup. On that note, here is a #FOTD and a mini lipstick review.

    Mini Review: Oulac Infinity Moisture Shine Lipstick in Sparkle Sensation. This lipstick is from a brand that I had not heard of previously. Based on a review of their website, Oulac Cosmetics seems to offer a lot of really dazzling beauty items. I was gifted this sparkly pink lipstick over the holidays and immediately knew it would be ideally suited to a Valentine’s Day makeup look. When applied, the Sparkle Sensation lipstick is just as sparkly and fabulous as it appears to be in the tube. This is one of the most unique lip products that I have tried. The finish is gorgeous and it is shockingly comfortable to wear. Whenever I am looking to make a statement with my lipstick, this will be the one to reach for. Want to see it in action? Here is my Valentine’s Day inspired makeup look. This #FOTD is all about bright pink colours and a contrast between matte and shimmer.

    To create the #FOTD above, there were a handful of products used. On the eyes was the Grease x Revolution eyeshadow palette in It’s The Word. That eyeshadow palette has a lot of really beautiful colours, including some matte pink shadows. I started by applying the matte white on the inner portion of the lid, then then medium pink on the rest, and the deeper matte pink shadow through the crease. The deeper matte pink shadow was also applied along the lower lash line. On the cheeks was the Grease x Revolution Rizzo Cream Blush. Then the Oulac Cosmetics glittery lipstick was worn on the lips. I love the matte eye look and the way it contrasts with all of that sparkle and shine on the lips. (I mean, how incredible is that glittery lipstick? I am obsessed with the finish.) All in all, this was a really fun makeup look to create – and is definitely well suited to the holiday.
    How will you celebrate Valentine’s Day this year? What do you think of this sparkly lipstick?

  • review: morphe rose to fame artistry palette

    review: morphe rose to fame artistry palette

    One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to use more of what I have and to purchase less, especially when it comes to beauty products. Though this is not necessarily easy to do (since new products are always tempting and because loved ones often gift me different items to put to use) it is something that I am attempting at any rate. That means there will be some reviews on the creation of beauty is art. in the next little while dedicated to products that have been in my collection for a bit, but have not yet been formally reviewed on the blog. One such example is the Rose to Fame Artistry Palette from Morphe. This is something that I purchased at Sephora many, many, many months ago and have been using on and off ever since.

    There were three different Rich and Foiled Artistry Palettes to choose from: Gold Seeker, Going Platinum, and Rose to Fame. Since I have a weakness for rose gold colours and warm neutrals, it was the Rose to Fame version that stood out to me. Truth be told, it was that center shade in the palette that really stood out to me. According to the brand, it is a “debut foil-effect Molten Metal Eyeshadow” that can be used dry or wet for a different finish. There are nine eyeshadows in total, with a combination of mattes and shimmers – that that molten metal eyeshadow in the center. I like that there is a nice amount of variety and that it is possible to create a dazzling but neutral eyeshadow look. Something that I like about this eyeshadow palette is that there is a disposable little instruction sheet inside to explain how to use the molten metal eyeshadow either wet or dry. It states that it can be used dry for a creamy effect or wet for an enhanced liquid effect. Having used the center shade both ways, it is certainly more dramatic when applied wet. It has that bold liquid metal look (similar to what the Makeup by Mario Master Metallics Eyeshadow Palette offered) as opposed to appearing like a fairly standard shimmer.

    Clearly, the center eyeshadow is a standout in this Morphe eyeshadow palette. As for the rest of the shadows? Some are more impressive than others. The matte shades perform well and blend nicely and Aristocratic Aura (dark chocolate brown) is a real standout. The shimmers are a little more uneven. For example, Nepo Beige-y is pretty and has a nice amount of sparkle, but not a lot of colour. It is more of a topper than something that would be worn alone. The other shimmers are more impressive, especially Budding Fortune, which has lots of shimmer and colour. Generally speaking, my preference is for shimmery eyeshadows to not only offer shimmer, but colour payoff as well. I believe in an eyeshadow that can do it all! Overall, the Rose to Fame Artistry Palette from Morphe is decent. The molten metal eyeshadow is fabulous and there is a nice combination of matte and shimmer to choose from. However, it would be nice if the shimmers all performed equally in terms of colour payoff.

    Have you tried any of the Rich and Foiled Artistry Palettes

  • nyx: up to snow good color palette (review)

    nyx: up to snow good color palette (review)

    It is almost impossible for me to resist a holiday themed eyeshadow palette. Though it has happened a time or two…it requires a lot of inner strength to walk away from something festive and fun. Here is an example of a time that I was unable (or willing) to walk away from a themed release. At the end of the summer season, my mom and I went to the CNE for the day and did a bit of looking around. There were all sorts of booths and stalls selling various odds and ends. I found some Funko Pops for my collection and even a few products from NYX. The Up To Snow Good Color Palette is something that I have been using for the last several months, but it is only now that I have gotten around to writing a full review. This particular eyeshadow palette was sold at a steep discount because it was a limited edition item. Ready to take a look inside? Here is a review and a makeup look.

    This small eyeshadow palette has six different shadows and some light theming. The design on the outside and inside features a couple of winter charm bracelets, with “charms” in the shape of boots, snowflakes, and holly. There is a light purple colour inside and outside with some silver details and lettering. The names of the eyeshadows are also themed. Some examples? Stockings Stuffed and Spirits Bright. Though this is a simple release with basic cardboard packaging…it is still holiday inspired.

    Up To Snow Good has a combination of matte shades and sparkly shadows. There are three mattes: Stockings Stuffed (chocolate brown), Icy Behavior (medium brown), and Spirits Bright (deep purple). There are also three shimmery shades: Slay Bells (mint green glitter), Suited Up (purple glitter), and Vixen N Glitzen (navy and purple shimmer). I like that there is a variety in terms of the finishes and that there are wintery shades that are a little less expected. The purples, browns, and blues make it possible to create something colourful but still suited for a winter wonderland. As for the quality, the matte eyeshadows are nicely pigmented and blend well. The shimmers are dazzling and fun…but are best when layered over one of the matte eyeshadows in the palette. The makeup look above focused on all of the purple colours in the Up To Snow Good Color Palette, but the mint green glitter is my favourite eyeshadow overall. I like to add it onto various makeup looks for extra sparkle.

    All in all, this Up To Snow Good Color Palette from NYX really wowed. It is compact in size, but still offers lots of variety and some really wonderful colours. Of course, the holiday theme is a fun bonus and added to the overall experience.

    What are your favourite drugstore makeup brands? Do you like to use holiday inspired makeup items?

  • my favourite winter blush: color fuse blush (haus labs by lady gaga)

    my favourite winter blush: color fuse blush (haus labs by lady gaga)

    How is the month of January treating you so far? Mine has had some ups and downs. The ups? Making excellent progress on many of my writing and personal goals. The downs? I am currently sick with something or another. There has been lots of coughing, sneezing, and all the rest. I am looking forward to feeling better soon. (Though this sickness has allowed me to watch an excessive amount of television. I suppose that is the bright side of it all.) In better news…it is time to focus on my current favourite winter blush. I have been using the Color Fuse Blush from Haus Labs by Lady Gaga for the last couple of months. Though I have been intrigued by the brand before, this was the first Haus Labs product added to my makeup collection.

    There are a few different colour options in the Color Fuse Blush line from Haus Labs. Though all looked beautiful, it was this cool pink colour, in the shade Dragon Fruit Daze, that stood out from the others. There is something about a bright pink blush during the cold winter months that makes me smile. This bold colour pairs well with neutral and more colourful makeup looks.

    The product packaging is simple but special. It has rounded edges and a soft pink cover with the Haus Labs logo imprinted. There is a mirror inside and the Haus Labs logo printed in the blush. Though this is a small product, there are some nice little details. That being said, this is a costly little item at a whopping $44 CDN. It is certainly a splurge rather than a must have.

    As for the product quality, the texture is smooth and this applies nicely. The colour is boldly pigmented and really makes an impact. The bright pink colour is a welcome addition to my makeup collection. I just adore the cool pink tone and how easy this is to use. Despite this being a favourite and something that I am reaching for often…I wouldn’t say the quality is any more impressive than other more affordable brands. The product quality is good, but is pretty similar to some other brands that I have tried over the years. It is definitely possible to find a blush that works well for a whole lot less. The strength of the Haus Labs blushes have more to do with the bold, bright, and unique colour options. There are some really fun ones. Overall, my experience with the Color Fuse Blush in Dragon Fruit Daze has been positive. This blush colour pairs well with all sorts of winter makeup looks. The cost of the Haus Labs by Lady Gaga items is on the higher end for me, but this product is still a winner.

    Have you tried anything from Haus Labs by Lady Gaga?

  • review: laneige holiday sets (divine lip duo and midnight minis)

    review: laneige holiday sets (divine lip duo and midnight minis)

    Some brands stand out. Laneige falls into that category as far as I am concerned. Their Lip Sleeping Mask has been a lifesaver on many occasions, especially during the cold and dry winter months. Each holiday season, the brand releases different sets with popular products, and I was fortunate enough to be gifted two of them: the Divine Lip Duo and the Midnight Minis.

    Laneige Divine Lip Duo. The first Laneige set that I received over the holidays was the Divine Lip Duo, which includes the Lip Glowy Balm and Lip Sleeping Mask. The balm is in the scent Candy Cane and the mask is in the scent Peppermint. Both of these products are ideal for this time of year, thanks to the cool minty scent. The Peppermint Lip Sleeping Mask is 0.28 oz, so there is a decent amount of product and the smell is fabulous. Like the other masks, this is thick, creamy, and ultra hydrating. The Candy Cane Lip Glowy Balm is easy to use on the go and is also thick and hydrating. The mint scents are refreshing and ideal for the winter season. Another bonus? This set (as well as the Midnight Minis set) came with two Laneige samples. That was such a nice surprise and a fun way to test out some of their products outside of lip care. The samples were the Cream Skin Toner and Moisturizer and Water Bank Cream Moisturizer. Since the brand does hydration so well, it is nice to test out these extras.

    Laneige Midnight Minis. The other seasonal release that I received from the brand is the Midnight Minis set. This is something that the brand tends to release semi-regularly, though the scents vary from year to year. which included scents like Mango, Mint Choco, Vanilla, Berry, and Gummy Bear. This time around, there is Berry, Gummy Bear, Mango, Watermelon Pop, and Peach Iced Tea. I love that there are some old favourites (the Gummy Bear one is a standout) as well as some different offerings (like Watermelon Pop and Peach Iced Tea). All of these Lip Sleeping Mask scents are fabulous and there is 0.10 oz of product for each. There is also a small little spatula to make application mess free. Out of the new scents, my favourite is the Watermelon Pop. I love the two colours on the packaging and the fresh smell. These masks will definitely come in handy over the next several months. I am grateful to have so many wonderful items.

    Have you tried any of the Laneige products? Which scent is your favourite?

  • holiday makeup look and review: revolution x the grinch palette

    holiday makeup look and review: revolution x the grinch palette

    There are many different versions of The Grinch at this point. Beyond the actual book, there is the classic animated version from 1966, the live action version from 2000, and the more modern animated version that was released in 2018 . All of them are memorable and have wonderful elements. My favourite will always be the classic animated version, but there is room in my heart for them all. Truth be told, I love The Grinch and have a little Whoville Village and a Grinch topper on my Christmas tree. It just wouldn’t be the holiday season without that beloved green character. When I came across a fuzzy green eyeshadow palette from Revolution, it was added to my cart before I even bothered to look at the price. I mean, it was a fuzzy green Grinch themed eyeshadow palette. A need!

    Talk about a cute and festive eyeshadow palette. This Mean One Eyeshadow Palette from the Revolution x The Grinch collection knows how to stand out. The front of the palette is green and fuzzy (similar to my live action How The Grinch Stole Christmas DVD case) and has Revolution x The Grinch stitched on in red. It might be slightly impractical, as it is bound to become less than pristine over time, but it sure is adorable. I am doing my best not to spill any foundation or other products on it so it can look fuzzy and fun for as long as possible. On the inside, the palette is just as themed. There is a removable sheet that says: “Restring Grinch Face,” there are classic Grinch inspired illustrations around the mirror, and there are even little characters pressed into some of the shadows. All of the eyeshadow names are themed as well. It is clear that a lot of thought was put into the packaging and design. The fuzzy green, the drawings, and the eyeshadows names make this memorable.

    As for the colour story? This screams Christmas. Normally during the holiday season, reds, greens, and purples are popular. (Along with golds and other warm metallic shades.) The Mean One Eyeshadow Palette delivers on the holiday colours with several shades of green, red, and purple to enjoy. This is the ultimate eyeshadow palette for a Christmas lover who wants to embrace colourful makeup looks. Though browns, golds, and other neutrals will always have a special place in my heart…it is hard to resist all of this festive goodness. I love the colours that were included in the palette and the fact that there are different finishes. There are mattes, shimmers, and even chunkier glitter shades. This compact release has variety!

    Since this is a Grinch inspired eyeshadow palette, the look that I created made good use of the greens. The lightest matte green, Mr. Grinch, was applied to the inner portion of the lid and then the matte green, Loathe Entirely, was applied to the remainder. The dark shimmery green, The…The…The…, was added through the crease for some contrast. 5:30 Jazzercise (a chunky and creamy kind of green glitter) was added for a dramatic and glittery makeup look. A bit of the golden-green shimmer, I’m Feeling!, was added to the inner corner for a little extra shimmer. I love that the different finishes all perform well and work together to create fun and festive makeup looks. Though the green shadows are the standouts, the rich reds also pair well with the shimmers, and the purples are perfection. There is so much to love about this eyeshadow palette.

    The Mean One Eyeshadow Palette from the Revolution x The Grinch collection has been making this season bright. I love the theme, design, and colour story. I also love the finishes and overall quality. This palette meets my holiday makeup needs.

    What do you think of this eyeshadow palette? Which version of The Grinch is your favourite?

  • katseye inspired makeup look (yoonchae)

    katseye inspired makeup look (yoonchae)

    When the Netflix show, “Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE” was released at the end of August, it unlocked a full blown musical obsession. The Soft Is Strong EP has been in constant rotation in my home ever since. While I am impatiently waiting for new music from the band (outside of the odd theme song and holiday cover)…I continue to follow KATSEYE on social media platforms. Though I am likely much older than most of their fans (the actual members of the band are between the ages of seventeen and twenty two) there is no denying how talented the band is. I love the catchy songs and the impressive choreography. As mentioned, I do follow KATSEYE on social media and several months back, there was a makeup look from Yoonchae that caught my eye. I loved the light purple eyeshadow and the bold blush. So, I decided to try to recreate the look.

    As soon as I saw the makeup look (pictured above)…I made sure to take screenshots. I just knew that I wanted to try to create something similar. What stood out to me was the lilac eyeshadow in the inner corner, the winged liner, the heavy blush, and berry lip colour. The whole look was gorgeous. And so, I pulled out different products from my collection that might do the trick. For the purple eyeshadow, the Revolution x Friends Eyeshadow Palette immediately came to mind. For the blush, the berry toned colour from the JoyBright Beauty Box was chosen. On the lips was a NYX gloss, though the colour match was not exactly what I hoped it would be. Turns out, despite all of the lip products in my collection, I don’t have anything quite the same as the colour worn by Yoonchae. Though the lilac eyeshadow is the standout, there was also a neutral shade on the eyes.

    The end result certainly looks inspired by KATSEYE, but it did not match as well as I had hoped it would. As always, my preference is to be a heavy handed with eyeliner (and that is unlikely to change) so I think a brown liner might have better mimicked the softness of the original makeup look. Though the purple shadow that I used was a bit bolder than what was pictured in the Yoonchae version, it was fun to play with colour in a different way. The look was a lot of fun. I went with a heavy blush and looked for something berry coloured on the lips. Unfortunately, the lip product that I had was a bit brighter and more on the pink side. Though this makeup look didn’t turn out exactly the way that I envisioned…it was still fun to do something a bit different, step outside of my comfort zone, and feel inspired. It is hard to go wrong with purple eyeshadow!
    Even when a makeup look does not turn out as imagined, it can still be a lot of fun. For me, makeup is all about expressing something and enjoying the process. So, in that sense, it was a success, even if I still prefer the Yoonchae version.

    Are you a fan of KATSEYE? What makeup looks have been inspiring you lately?

  • twilight week: colourpop collection (eyeshadow palette)

    twilight week: colourpop collection (eyeshadow palette)

    It has arrived…the end of this Twilight inspired theme week. Thanks to the generosity of my friend, there have been all sorts of Twilight x ColourPop items reviewed here on the creation of beauty is art. over the last several days. That includes eyeliners, highlighters, lip oils, and body shimmers. The grand finale? The Twilight Eyeshadow Palette. It is no secret that eyeshadows make me happy. I love expressing myself with different colours and finishes. How does this particular palette perform? And how does it compare to other ColourPop palettes? Here is everything you need to know about this themed release.

    The packaging makes me smile every single time I look at the Twilight Eyeshadow Palette. The outer sleeve is foggy and muted, but the palette itself has more of those cool greens and blues with lots of sparkle. On the inside, there is a picture of Bella and Edward with one of the most iconic quotes from the series: So the lion fell in love with the lamb. The eyeshadow names are also well themed, with names like Immortal, Ice Cold, Say It Out Loud, Impossibly Fast, The Cullens, and Lion & Lamb.

    As for the colour story, this is sheer perfection. The eyeshadow palette perfectly captures all of those Twilight-esque colours. There are cool toned blues, browns, and greens, as well as metallic and glitter shades. There is so much to work with here. The glitters are especially exciting (you can see the shade Edward in action in this post) and remind me of the ones in the Sailor Moon palette that I have. Both Edward and Immortal have a creamier kind of feel and are downright dazzling. The shimmers are also winners. I love shimmery cool tones in general and Irresistible is fabulous for a quick and easy one-shadow look. Though the glitters and shimmers are outstanding, I wanted to highlight some of the matte eyeshadows in this particular post.

    The matte eyeshadows included in the Twilight Eyeshadow Palette are incredible. These are nicely pigmented and are so different from the others in my collection. A lot of the cool toned shadows that I own are either brown or grey…so these cool blues and greens were a welcome addition. I especially love the matte denim blue shade, Irrevocably, and the matte dusty green shade, Seventeen. I have been incorporating those into lots of different makeup look lately. The cool toned browns are wonderful for blending out or adding a little extra depth. The matte shades are just as thrilling as the shimmers. A rare feat!

    It has been fun creating different makeup looks with the Twilight x ColourPop collection. As I end this theme week post, I want to say thank you again to my friend for her thoughtfulness. These posts would not have been possible without her generosity!
    What do you think of this eyeshadow palette? Do you like cool toned shadows?