BEST IN BEAUTY | APRIL 2015

---

Hey guys! Today I’m sharing April’s most loved beauty products. Overall, I was into cooler tones (which is strange for me!). Since I have warm colouring and green eyes, I tend to favour warm colours on both the eyes and lips — last month I gravitated towards purples and cooler neutrals overall. I also played around with lots of different eye looks, eyeliner and eyeshadow. Let’s chat beauty!

---

1. Laura Mercier Eye Art Artist’s Palette

C $70.00

I’ve eyed this palette since it originally launched back in 2013, but it sold out everywhere before I could get my hands on it (and it was limited edition!). During Sephora’s recent VIB sale as I was skimming over the new inventory, I saw this on the website and I couldn’t believe it was back. So I grabbed it at a 15% discount! I’ve been loving the African Violet shade in the palette ever since, it’s such a unique colour — a warm lavender purple with golden shimmer. Overall this palette leans toward the purple end of the spectrum, but there are lots of fantastic warm and cool neutrals here as well that are just a bit different than the norm. This palette is pricier when compared to other high end palettes from Urban Decay or Kat Von D that offer a similar amount of shades, but the quality is amazing — not a dud shade in the palette. Each shadow is pigmented, ultra smooth, buttery and easy to work with. You can create a variety of looks with this palette; purple toned, neutral, natural, dramatic and smokey. All of these colours are flattering on my skintone and complimentary to my eye colour. I couldn’t be happier about this palette!

I’m wearing Vanilla Nuts under the brow bone, Fresco in the crease, African Violet all over the lid, Truffle in the outer V, Sparkling Dew in the inner corner, and Espresso Bean as eyeliner.

---

2. Yves Saint Laurent Volupté Tint-In-Oil in Orange Crush

C $35.00

Yep — I’m officially obsessed with these Tint-In-Oils! I grabbed Orange Crush during the Sephora VIB Sale and I really love it — it’s a sheer, slightly orange coral oil that leaves a vivid coral pink stain behind. Like the Tint-In-Oil in Oh My Gold that I’ve mentioned previously, the colour develops over time and kind of melts into your lips. In comparison, Orange Crush is deeper than Oh My Gold and packs a lot more pigment. I love these for their hydration, ease of use, and beautiful, cushiony texture on the lips. Orange Crush is a gorgeous lip product for spring and summer — it makes your lips look juicy and healthy with a fun pop of colour, in an easy to wear shade. Yes, these Tint-In-Oils are expensive, but if you’re looking to treat yourself (or someone else, they would make a great gift) definitely pick one up — I’ve been recommending them to everyone, and they love them just as much as I do!

I’m wearing Yves Saint Laurent Volupté Tint-In-Oil in Orange Crush on my lips.

---

3. Sonia Kashuk’s Lip Definer in Pink Whisper

US $5.99

If there’s one lip product I think every woman should own, it’s lipliner in a shade that mimics the natural colour of their lips. You can use it to enhance the shape of your lips and add definition without looking overdone, and you can wear it with literally every lipstick /gloss colour. Sonia Kashuk’s Lip Definer in Pink Whisper is the closest shade to my natural lip colour I’ve ever found, and I’ve been wearing it with everything this month, especially the nudes and YSL Tint-in-Oil’s I’ve been loving. I was never into lip liner, but now I feel like I can’t apply other lip products without it — it makes such a huge difference to the appearance of your lips! What I like to do is outline my lips right on the edge of my natural lip line, overdrawing slightly to make them look a bit fuller, and then feather the colour inwards, into my natural lip colour. Afterwards I apply my lipstick or gloss overtop and the lipliner underneath gives some extra definition. I’ve mentioned one of Sonia Kashuk’s Lip Definer’s previously, and I love this formula — glides on smoothly, doesn’t bleed, and wears all day.

I’m wearing the Sonia Kashuk Lip Definer in Pink Whisper above, with YSL’s Tint-In-Oil in Oh My Gold over top.

---

4. IT Cosmetics CC+ Anti-Aging Ombre Radiance Bronzer with Luxe Mega Fan Brush

C $39.50

This bronzer the perfect hybrid of shades to add definition, warm up the skin, and add a natural radiance — plus the brush that it comes with is nothing short of heavenly! It Cosmetics brushes are the softest I’ve ever felt. On The Shopping Channel’s website currently you can purchase these products as a duo for the cost of the bronzer alone, it’s amazing value — essentially you’re getting the brush for free, which retails at $38.00. The bronzer is ombred — at the bottom of the pan; a rich brown shade which is nice for contouring and sculpting the face, then a mid-toned shimmery bronze shade in the middle which I use for warming up the skin.  At the very top of the compact; an intensely pigmented and almost metallic shade which I use as a highlighter (with the Luxe Mega Fan Brush) — it combines champagne, golden and bronze tones. It Cosmetics products contain anti-aging ingredients that help to treat and nourish the skin and they’re always well formulated and long wearing. If you’re looking for an all-in-one contouring, bronzing and highlighting product for the spring and summer, this is a great one!

I’m wearing the bottom shade to add definition, the middle shade to add warmth, and the highlighter on the high points of my face.

---

5. Zoeva GRAPHIC EYES + Eyeliner in Nude Reflection

US $7.50

Zoeva eyeliners are my favourite pencil eyeliners on the market. The formula is soft, creamy, and glides easily onto the lids or waterline with intense colour — you have about 30 seconds to work with it or smudge it out before it sets to a completely waterproof finish. I’ve swatched this on my hand and it’s stayed on all day — through work, lots of hand washing, cooking, and even hot yoga. At night, I remove it with jojoba oil — and that’s the only way this stuff is coming off your eyes, with an oil-based makeup remover! The Nude Reflection shade is a champagne beige with crystal shimmer running throughout. I like to wear it on my waterline and lower lash line when I want a bit of subtle definition without anything too dark or smoky. It’s a beautiful, brightening shade on the waterline, and smudged beneath on the lower lash line it adds a nice shadow. You could also use these eyeliners as a waterproof base for eyeshadows (or eyeshadows alone), just draw them onto your lids and then blend them out with a synthetic brush.

I’m wearing Zoeva GRAPHIC EYES + Eyeliner in Nude Reflection on my waterline and smudged under my lower lashline.

---

6. Wet n Wild Mega Liner Liquid Eyeliner in Black

C $3.49

This is a fantastic, inexpensive matte black liquid eyeliner — and I mean matte. I love a good winged liner, and previously I had used Kat Von D’s Tatoo Liner (which I really liked), but it dries to a satin finish, not a totally matte one, which I prefer. This eyeliner is easy to use and it’s the blackest eyeliner I’ve ever seen. I love the brush; it’s a very fine, long brush with natural hair bristles (which I prefer to felt tip). The bristles are flexible, making it easy for the brush to move over the curves of your lid to create a smooth line. This eyeliner wears well, does exactly what it claims and stays put as long as you’re not sweaty or getting wet — keep in mind that it’s not waterproof.

I’m wearing a thin line of Wet n Wild’s Mega Liner Liquid Eyeliner in Black on my upper lashline.

---

7. Tool Science Mini Styler HD

C $24.99

Ladies (or gents), if you’ve got bangs or face framing layers, pick up this tiny hair straightener from Sally Beauty. It will make your life so much easier! This mini flat iron heats up super quick and glides through my bangs easily without snags or lines. It’s amazing for touch ups, or if you just need to straighten your bangs and a few pieces around your face. It works so much better in the bangs than a regular size straightener, I wish I would have discovered it sooner. To give you some perspective, the blades are about 3 inches long and half an inch wide. It’s also great for travel!

I used the Tool Science Mini Styler HD to straighten my bangs.

---

8. BITE Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick in Fig

C $15.00

In my 6 Fresh Spring Lip Colours post, I mentioned that the BITE Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick duo in Tangerine / Lingonberry were some of my go-to shades for Spring. This month I’ve been really into BITE products in general and have worn a lot of soft nude lips, which this duo is perfect for. Specifically I’ve been getting a lot of wear out of Fig, a nude pink shade that goes particularly well with the cooler toned eye looks I’ve been wearing this month. It has just enough colour to still be in the nude category without making you look dead (kind of like your lips, but better). I love BITE’s Luminous Crème formula; it’s one of my favourites from any brand and price point — ultra smooth with great colour payoff (and actually good for your lips!). If you’re looking for easy nudes that will be flattering on almost any skintone, this duo is a great option. Plus, they’re super travel friendly and perfect shades to keep in your bag.

I’m wearing BITE Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick in Fig on my lips.

---

9. ‘REPLICA’ Beach Walk | Maison Martin Margiela

C $30.00 – $115.00

When Sephora started carrying this line of niche scents last year I was so intrigued by the concept. Each scent aims to replicate a specific moment in time — this one in particular replicates a warm summer day on a sandy beach on the French Riviera, circa 1972 — it’s like summer in a bottle! A beautiful, carefree, radiant fragrance that instantly reminds me of happy summer days — a warm breeze, salt water, and even a touch of sunscreen. The lasting power of this scent is exceptional, it wears for at least 8 hours and changes and develops over it’s wear time. On the initial dry down the lemon and pepper notes really come through, but as it wears throughout the day it becomes softer and more coconut based. Plus, we all know I’m a sucker for packaging and I love this 100% cotton label and cool typography.

{From Sephora.com}

Notes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Lemon, Ylang Ylang, Coconut Milk, Heliotrope, Musk, Cedarwood, Benzoin.
Style: Pure. Deep. Blissful.

‘REPLICA’ Beach Walk fragrance by Maison Martin Margiela.

---

10. Colourpop SuperShock Shadow in Fringe

US $5.00

Colourpop is a cool new brand that emerged out of LA in 2014. The concept behind the brand is that all eyeshadows and lip products are just $5 — yes you read that right — and they come in tons of colours! I ordered a bunch of Lippie Stix, Pencils and Shadows around the holidays, and was instantly blown away by the quality of these products. I think that Colourpop is a great example of a brand that does their homework, listens to the market and gives their customers exactly what they’re looking for. These eyeshadows are an amazing value, and the shades are to die for. They’re unlike anything else I’ve ever used — when you dip your finger into them for the first time they feel like a mouse / cream product, but immediately dry down to a powder finish once applied to the skin. They’re bulletproof on the eyes — I’ve worn them well over 14 hours with absolutely no fading, creasing or smudging. Fringe is a metallic champagne with golden tones and lots of little micro shimmer throughout, an easy shade to wear with almost any eye look. I plan to do a Brand Spotlight post focusing on Colourpop and highlighting all of my favourite products — so if you’re thinking about ordering anything from the brand and want some other recommendations, stay tuned!

I’m wearing Colourpop SuperShock Shadow in Fringe on my inner and middle upper lid.

---

Did you guys pick anything up at the Sephora VIB sale? What have you been loving this month? Anytime you want to chat beauty, just leave a comment for me! And, if you try any of my favourite products, let me know how you like them.

---

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored, and contains my genuine thoughts and recommendations. JustineCelina uses affiliate and referral links, which allow me to receive a small commission when you make a purchase through one of my links. Your purchases help to support JustineCelina.com!