As we get closer to the end of the year, lots of "Best Buys" and "Top picks" lists are starting to make the rounds. I always find these lists interesting because it's a great way to discover new products or to see what's winning the hearts of beauty gals. It's also interesting to note the differences between winners chosen by the industry, by magazines and by consumers.
The September issue of Shape magazine features their top picks in beauty. For the full list of winners, please check out the magazine, but in the meantime, here are a few of their picks:
- Anti-Aging: Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller ($23 USD)
- Body Firming: Bliss FatGirlScrub ($38 USD)
- Lip Colour: MAC Cremesheen Glass Lip Gloss ($18 USD)
- Foundation: Revlon PhotoReady Makeup SPF 20 ($14 USD)
- Shampoo and Conditioner: Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair ($24 USD)
- Mood-Boosting Fragrance: Kim Kardashian Eau de Parfum ($35 USD for 1 oz)
- Nails - Best Colour: Essie Nail Polish in Angora Cardi ($8 USD)
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Product Review: Lise Watier Feline Eyeliner HD
Reviewer: Cinnamon KittenBrand: Lise Watier
Name: : Feline Eyeliner HD
Size: 1.2 nl / 0.04 US fl oz
Price: $17.00 CAD
Launched this month, Lise Watier's Feline Eyeliner is a long-wear liquid eyeliner with a soft, skinny tip that provides an ultra smooth, mistake-proof and precise lining. Thanks to its capillary this liquid liner offers a continuous and regular colour-pay-off for an even, fine contour with just one stroke.
Its water-based ink dries quickly and holds color in place for an incomparably long time: no transfer, no fading. Dermatologically and ophtalmologically tested.
I usually don't like using liquid liner because I just don't have the steadiest of hands and liquid liners never go on well. So trying out Lise Water's new liquid liner was made easier because of it's marker-like application. I have tried liquid liner pens in the past, but haven't had much luck finding one that I liked.
To Purr About:
- without primer, this liquid liner stays on really well
- with primer, it's unmoveable - no smudging
- comes off easily with eye makeup remover (no pulling)
- easier to use than most other liquid liners I've tried
- ultra black colour stays strong after a day's wear
Claws Out:
- takes some practice to use
Final Comments:
This is my favourite liquid liner pen. The tip is ultra sharp so you can get a nice clean line and upsweep. But it's also soft so it didn't irritate my eye (I've tried ones in the past that were super sharp and seemed to scratch my eyelid). It stays put and very black all day long. Very little smudging or transfer and it dries super quickly. But, even with all it's staying power, it comes off very easily with eye-makeup remover, so you won't be tugging or pulling your skin, trying to remove this product.
It still takes some practice to get a nice, even line, but I've definitely been using this liner more often than other liquid liners I've tried in the past.
Rating (out of 5):
Disclosure: A free sample of this product was received by Cinnamon Kitten
image: press kit
Saturday, September 25, 2010
NEW Product Collection: Essie 2010 Fall Collection
Brand: essiePrice: approx. $8 USD
The Essie Fall 2010 collection has 6 lovely, dark and lush shades.
Shades available:
- In Stitches: cheeky blush pink
- Limited Addiction: racy garnet red
- Sew Psyched: cashmere-soft sage pewter
- Merino Cool: sensuous autumn mulberry
- Velvet Voyeur: intense chocolate amethyst
- Little Brown Dress: beguiling black coffee
Available starting September 2010.
image: press release
Monday, September 20, 2010
Cinnamon Kitten's latest contest winners
Just a quick congratulations to the latest Cinnamon Kitten giveaway winners:
Skintimate gift basket
Congratulations to Huguette from New Brunswick, Canada who won the Skintimate gift basket, valued at $80 CAD, which included a super-soft pink sweater robe, Skintimate Moisturizing Cream Shave Extra Gentle with Vitamin E, Skintimate Moisturizing Cream Shave Dry Skin with Olive Butter and Schick Quattro for Women razors with dual conditioning strips with aloe and vitamin E.
The basket has already been put to practical use in Huguette's bathroom, turning into a lovely towel basket!
MD Merricone Cold Plasma
Congratulations to Isabella from British Columbia, Canada who won a jar of Perricone Cold Plasma, value $150 USD.
I've lined up some more fabulous prizes to give away here on Cinnamon Kitten, including:
- lip balms from Prairie Dawn Natural Lip Balm
- Eyedews Under Eye Treatment
- a virtual consultation with John Frieda Canadian Creative Consultant, Alain Larivée and a hair care fit basket from John Frieda
Watch for these giveaways in the coming month!
Skintimate gift basket
Congratulations to Huguette from New Brunswick, Canada who won the Skintimate gift basket, valued at $80 CAD, which included a super-soft pink sweater robe, Skintimate Moisturizing Cream Shave Extra Gentle with Vitamin E, Skintimate Moisturizing Cream Shave Dry Skin with Olive Butter and Schick Quattro for Women razors with dual conditioning strips with aloe and vitamin E.
The basket has already been put to practical use in Huguette's bathroom, turning into a lovely towel basket!
MD Merricone Cold Plasma
Congratulations to Isabella from British Columbia, Canada who won a jar of Perricone Cold Plasma, value $150 USD.
I've lined up some more fabulous prizes to give away here on Cinnamon Kitten, including:
- lip balms from Prairie Dawn Natural Lip Balm
- Eyedews Under Eye Treatment
- a virtual consultation with John Frieda Canadian Creative Consultant, Alain Larivée and a hair care fit basket from John Frieda
Watch for these giveaways in the coming month!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Prolonging the Urban Decay
I have a love/hate relationship with the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. While I absolutely LOVE the staying power of the primer and have yet to find a better product to help keep my eyeliner and eyeshadow in place, I hate the packaging.
The cute "genie bottle" packaging has a lot of curves to the design, which for anyone who's ever used the product, it means the primer is very difficult (read: impossible) to get out.
In recent years, they re-designed the wand so that instead of a straight applicator, the tip of the applicator is "bent", which, in theory, meant that you could be able to reach into the fat curvy parts and get more product out.
A few weeks ago, I reached the "end" of my bottle of primer, and for another week, did my best to scrape out any remaining product that I could with the applicator wand. After a few final days with next to nothing coming out, I cracked open the package (a messy process in itself) and managed to get out GOBS more primer, which I sealed up in a a little bottle. If you plan on doing this yourself, have something ready to store it in - the primer dries up really quickly when exposed to air.
Since I use very little primer each day, the amount that I salvaged after I couldn't get any more out the usual way is probably enough to last me a few more months! (I'm going to see exactly how much longer the extra primer I dug out lasts me)
So, beauty gals - what do you think? Should Urban Decay forego the cute bottle and come up with something that doesn't make us waste so much product (and spend more money) or is that part of their scheme? It seems like a total waste to me.
Have you used the UD Primer potion? Do you crack it open like I do? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Friday, September 17, 2010
NEW Product: NARS Pure Matte Lipstick
Brand: NARS
Name: Pure Matte Lipstick
Size: n/a
Price: $25 USD
Finally, making its debut on September 1st, NARS Cosmetics introduces its Pure Matte Lipstick!
The newest edition to the NARS lip collection, the Pure Matte lipstick has a rich texture that glides on effortlessly, without drag, cakiness or resistance. In contrast to make other long-wearing, matte lipsticks, this one promises not to dry out your lips. Rich in antioxidants, including Vitamin E and Acai Oil, as well as containing Wild Mango Butter, Pure Matte nourishes and conditions lips.
Available in 6 deeply pigmented colors:
- Volga: deep aubergine
- Bangkok: soft rose
- Tonkin cinnamon plum
- Terre De Feu: black cherry
- Tashkent: nude beige
- Vesuvio: full-bodied red
image: press release
Name: Pure Matte Lipstick
Size: n/a
Price: $25 USD
Finally, making its debut on September 1st, NARS Cosmetics introduces its Pure Matte Lipstick!
The newest edition to the NARS lip collection, the Pure Matte lipstick has a rich texture that glides on effortlessly, without drag, cakiness or resistance. In contrast to make other long-wearing, matte lipsticks, this one promises not to dry out your lips. Rich in antioxidants, including Vitamin E and Acai Oil, as well as containing Wild Mango Butter, Pure Matte nourishes and conditions lips.
Available in 6 deeply pigmented colors:
- Volga: deep aubergine
- Bangkok: soft rose
- Tonkin cinnamon plum
- Terre De Feu: black cherry
- Tashkent: nude beige
- Vesuvio: full-bodied red
image: press release
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Welcome to our latest reviewer!
As regular readers of this blog know, most of the product reviews here are done by myself (Cinnamon Kitten) and my sister, Suziesaurus. We also get reviews from time to time from Guinea Husband (my husband) and ShellySuperstar.
I'd like to welcome another contributor to the group - Annabella!
Annabella is an American who went to England to study at the London College of Fashion for makeup artistry and ended up staying - she's been living there for 14 years.
From Annabella: "I've been obsessed with exfoliation and bath/body products from a young age. I'm always on a quest to find the roughest scrub possible and I especially love scrubs that have sand, salt, crushed minerals or anything that resembles aggregate. I'm also currently loving any face masks that contain volcanic mud. My favourites brands are Molton Brown, Dead Sea Magik, Hei Poa, and Aesop to name a few."
She runs a great blog that focuses on Skin Scrubs (a beauty product that I've re-discovered lately and fallen in love with) and has some pretty amazing reviews on some great scrubs.
I'm extremely happy to announce that she'll be sharing some of her scrub reviews here on Cinnamon Kitten! Welcome Annabella!
I'd like to welcome another contributor to the group - Annabella!
Annabella is an American who went to England to study at the London College of Fashion for makeup artistry and ended up staying - she's been living there for 14 years.
From Annabella: "I've been obsessed with exfoliation and bath/body products from a young age. I'm always on a quest to find the roughest scrub possible and I especially love scrubs that have sand, salt, crushed minerals or anything that resembles aggregate. I'm also currently loving any face masks that contain volcanic mud. My favourites brands are Molton Brown, Dead Sea Magik, Hei Poa, and Aesop to name a few."
She runs a great blog that focuses on Skin Scrubs (a beauty product that I've re-discovered lately and fallen in love with) and has some pretty amazing reviews on some great scrubs.
I'm extremely happy to announce that she'll be sharing some of her scrub reviews here on Cinnamon Kitten! Welcome Annabella!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Estee Lauder Bonus Time at Holt Renfrew
Canadians - It's Estee Lauder Bonus Time!
Retailer: Holt Renfrew
Minimum amount you need to spend: $55.00 CAD (before taxes)
Duration: Sept. 10-19, 2010
What You Get:
- Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex, 5mL (deluxe supply)
- Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex, 15mL (ultra deluxe supply)
- Estée Lauder Signature Eyeshadow Exclusive Compact
- Bronze Goddess Soft-Matte Bronzer
- Estée Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick in Tender Rose
- 4 makeup brushes
- fashion tote
image: e-flyer
Retailer: Holt Renfrew
Minimum amount you need to spend: $55.00 CAD (before taxes)
Duration: Sept. 10-19, 2010
What You Get:
- Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex, 5mL (deluxe supply)
- Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex, 15mL (ultra deluxe supply)
- Estée Lauder Signature Eyeshadow Exclusive Compact
- Bronze Goddess Soft-Matte Bronzer
- Estée Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick in Tender Rose
- 4 makeup brushes
- fashion tote
image: e-flyer
Sunday, September 12, 2010
NEW Product Collection: MAC Fabulous Felines
Wow, how can a blog called Cinnamon KITTEN ignore MAC's latest collection - "Fabulous Felines"?!
There are THREE different sub-collections in the Fabulous Felines Collection and I'm in love with all of them. Which Kitten are you??? I must admit, that I almost fainted to find out that one of the collections is inspired by my favourite breed of cat - the Russian Blue. LOVELY.
BURMESE BEAUTY - A rich teak-olive colour collection for lips, cheeks and eyes that celebrates the well-cared-for, and exalts in her high-borne right to be spoiled.
LEOPARD LUXE - Looks for lips, cheeks and eyes in a tawny, exotic creme-golden colour palette that betrays both sensual vulnerability and spectacular power.
PALACE PEDIGREED - A collection of regal blues, plush greys and polished silver for lips, cheeks and eyes as haughty as its finely-favoured feline inspiration - the emerald-eyed, sable-riche Russian Blue.
Pigment, 4.5 g / 0.15 US oz, $23.50 CAD
A highly concentrated loose colour powder that contains ingredients to help it adhere to the skin. Create a subtle wash of colour or an intense effect. Does not streak or cake. Easy to blend and long-lasting.
BURMESE BEAUTY:
- Antique Green (frost): turquoise green with green pearl
- Gold Stroke (frost): high frotsed tarnished gold
LEOPARD LUXE:
- Old Gold (frost): high frosted tarnished gold
- Lithe (frost): warm nude with gold pearl
PALACE PEDIGREED:
- Mauvement (frost): cool taupe with gold pearl
- Bloodline (frost): dark dirty browned purple
Eye-shadow x4, $43 CAD
BURMESE BEAUTY:
The well-bred browns, pale yellow and gold of this Eye Shadow quad reflect the pedigreed and sophisticated beauty of the Burmese. Features an irresistible limited-edition mix of Prized, Skintone 2, Burmese Beauty and Showstopper.
LEOPARD LUXE:
With camel, brown, gold, muted orange and a deliciously warm frosted black, this quad of Eye Shadow both purrs and roars...With limited edition shades of Wild by Nature, Style Predator, Notoriety, and Furiously Fabulous, all it needs is a high-style muse...You?
PALACE PEDIGREED:
A quad of Eye Shadows as cool and aristocratic as a true fabulously feline Russian Blue: the mauve/pink/grey and berry tones of Courtly, Palace Pedigreed, Quite Spoiled and Russian Blue. Limited edition.
Mineralize Blush, 3.5 g / 0.11 US oz, $25.00 CAD
Baked minerals refined into a powder formula to provide exceptionally sheer and lightweight application. Colour builds lightly, layer after layer, without heavy coverage. Veils and enhances the cheekbones with a luminous, pearlized shimmer.
BURMESE BEAUTY:
- The Soft Meow
LEOPARD LUXE:
- Utterly Game
PALACE PEDIGREED:
- Pet Me
Superslick Liquid Eye Liner, 1.8 ml / 0.06 US fl oz, $21 CAD
A liquid liner so slick it almost describes itself. Water-based, water resistant, quick and precise to apply. Dries in 15 seconds to provide a sleek, longwearing, wet-look, no-smudge line. The superior no-fuss, no-wobble application lies in the "magic tip" of the easy-to-control dip-stick applicator.
BURMESE BEAUTY:
- Desires & Devices: sparkling dark green
- Defiantly Feline: chocolate brown with soft pearl
- Treat Me Nice: emerald green with soft pearl
LEOPARD LUXE:
- Pure Show: bright yellow gold pearl
- Marked for Glamour: midtone grey with soft pearl
- On the Hunt: true black
PALACE PEDIGREED
- Nocturnal: bright silver pearl
- Smoky Heir: dark blue violet with soft pearl
- Signature Blue: dark navy with soft pearl
Lipstick, 3 g / 0.1 US oz, $17.50 CAD
Colour plus texture for the lips.
BURMESE BEAUTY:
- Liquid Lurex (dazzle): tarnished golden
- Pet Me, Please (frost): frosted light dirty mauve
- Kittenish (cremesheen): deep red berry
- To Pamper: creamy midtown taupe
LEOPARD LUXE:
- Out-Minxed (glaze): light yellow gold
- The Prowl (lustre): creamy dark chocolate
- Drive Me Wild (cremesheen): midtone warm coral with gold pearl
- Powerful: midtone bronze with dazzle multi-pearl
PALACE PEDIGREED
- Aristo-Cat (frost): midtone frosted purple mauve
- Cunning (frost): dark berry
- Of Royalty (cremesheen): light creamy blue pink
- Superior (dazzle): sheer lavender pink with dazzle pink pearl
Tinted Lipglass, 4.8 g / 0.17 US oz, $17.50 CAD
A unique lip gloss that can create a high gloss, glass-like finish or a subtle sheen. Designed to be worn on its own, over Lip Pencil or Lipstick, Tinted Lipglass is the perfect product for creating shine that lasts. It's pigmented, very shiny and can impart subtle or dramatic colour. It contains Jojoba Oil to help soften and condition the lips. Tinted Lipglass is packaged in a convenient bottle with a sponge tip applicator that provides a quick, smooth, even application.
BURMESE BEAUTY:
- Spree: pink champagned taupe
- Jealous: light dirty green with pearl
- Fancy Cat: dark dirty brown with pearl
LEOPARD LUXE:
- A Quiet Roar: pale white gold
- Schemer: midtone yellow camel with red and gold pearl
- Wildly Refined: midtone coral with gold pearl
PALACE PEDIGREED
- Best of Breed: light dirty blue with pearl
- Lap of Luxury: dark eggplant with pearl
- Docile: dirty lavender with pearl
Cremestick Liner, 0.25 g / 0.009 US oz
A creamy, highly pigmented, retractable lip liner. Lightweight and smooth to apply: very long-lasting. Use as outline or as a "fill." Helps prevent feathering and bleeding.
BURMESE BEAUTY:
- Velvetella
LEOPARD LUXE:
- Creamola
PALACE PEDIGREED:
- Beurre
image: maccosmetics.com
There are THREE different sub-collections in the Fabulous Felines Collection and I'm in love with all of them. Which Kitten are you??? I must admit, that I almost fainted to find out that one of the collections is inspired by my favourite breed of cat - the Russian Blue. LOVELY.
BURMESE BEAUTY - A rich teak-olive colour collection for lips, cheeks and eyes that celebrates the well-cared-for, and exalts in her high-borne right to be spoiled.
LEOPARD LUXE - Looks for lips, cheeks and eyes in a tawny, exotic creme-golden colour palette that betrays both sensual vulnerability and spectacular power.
PALACE PEDIGREED - A collection of regal blues, plush greys and polished silver for lips, cheeks and eyes as haughty as its finely-favoured feline inspiration - the emerald-eyed, sable-riche Russian Blue.
Pigment, 4.5 g / 0.15 US oz, $23.50 CAD
A highly concentrated loose colour powder that contains ingredients to help it adhere to the skin. Create a subtle wash of colour or an intense effect. Does not streak or cake. Easy to blend and long-lasting.
BURMESE BEAUTY:
- Antique Green (frost): turquoise green with green pearl
- Gold Stroke (frost): high frotsed tarnished gold
LEOPARD LUXE:
- Old Gold (frost): high frosted tarnished gold
- Lithe (frost): warm nude with gold pearl
PALACE PEDIGREED:
- Mauvement (frost): cool taupe with gold pearl
- Bloodline (frost): dark dirty browned purple
Eye-shadow x4, $43 CAD
BURMESE BEAUTY:
The well-bred browns, pale yellow and gold of this Eye Shadow quad reflect the pedigreed and sophisticated beauty of the Burmese. Features an irresistible limited-edition mix of Prized, Skintone 2, Burmese Beauty and Showstopper.
LEOPARD LUXE:
With camel, brown, gold, muted orange and a deliciously warm frosted black, this quad of Eye Shadow both purrs and roars...With limited edition shades of Wild by Nature, Style Predator, Notoriety, and Furiously Fabulous, all it needs is a high-style muse...You?
PALACE PEDIGREED:
A quad of Eye Shadows as cool and aristocratic as a true fabulously feline Russian Blue: the mauve/pink/grey and berry tones of Courtly, Palace Pedigreed, Quite Spoiled and Russian Blue. Limited edition.
Mineralize Blush, 3.5 g / 0.11 US oz, $25.00 CAD
Baked minerals refined into a powder formula to provide exceptionally sheer and lightweight application. Colour builds lightly, layer after layer, without heavy coverage. Veils and enhances the cheekbones with a luminous, pearlized shimmer.
BURMESE BEAUTY:
- The Soft Meow
LEOPARD LUXE:
- Utterly Game
PALACE PEDIGREED:
- Pet Me
Superslick Liquid Eye Liner, 1.8 ml / 0.06 US fl oz, $21 CAD
A liquid liner so slick it almost describes itself. Water-based, water resistant, quick and precise to apply. Dries in 15 seconds to provide a sleek, longwearing, wet-look, no-smudge line. The superior no-fuss, no-wobble application lies in the "magic tip" of the easy-to-control dip-stick applicator.
BURMESE BEAUTY:
- Desires & Devices: sparkling dark green
- Defiantly Feline: chocolate brown with soft pearl
- Treat Me Nice: emerald green with soft pearl
LEOPARD LUXE:
- Pure Show: bright yellow gold pearl
- Marked for Glamour: midtone grey with soft pearl
- On the Hunt: true black
PALACE PEDIGREED
- Nocturnal: bright silver pearl
- Smoky Heir: dark blue violet with soft pearl
- Signature Blue: dark navy with soft pearl
Lipstick, 3 g / 0.1 US oz, $17.50 CAD
Colour plus texture for the lips.
BURMESE BEAUTY:
- Liquid Lurex (dazzle): tarnished golden
- Pet Me, Please (frost): frosted light dirty mauve
- Kittenish (cremesheen): deep red berry
- To Pamper: creamy midtown taupe
LEOPARD LUXE:
- Out-Minxed (glaze): light yellow gold
- The Prowl (lustre): creamy dark chocolate
- Drive Me Wild (cremesheen): midtone warm coral with gold pearl
- Powerful: midtone bronze with dazzle multi-pearl
PALACE PEDIGREED
- Aristo-Cat (frost): midtone frosted purple mauve
- Cunning (frost): dark berry
- Of Royalty (cremesheen): light creamy blue pink
- Superior (dazzle): sheer lavender pink with dazzle pink pearl
Tinted Lipglass, 4.8 g / 0.17 US oz, $17.50 CAD
A unique lip gloss that can create a high gloss, glass-like finish or a subtle sheen. Designed to be worn on its own, over Lip Pencil or Lipstick, Tinted Lipglass is the perfect product for creating shine that lasts. It's pigmented, very shiny and can impart subtle or dramatic colour. It contains Jojoba Oil to help soften and condition the lips. Tinted Lipglass is packaged in a convenient bottle with a sponge tip applicator that provides a quick, smooth, even application.
BURMESE BEAUTY:
- Spree: pink champagned taupe
- Jealous: light dirty green with pearl
- Fancy Cat: dark dirty brown with pearl
LEOPARD LUXE:
- A Quiet Roar: pale white gold
- Schemer: midtone yellow camel with red and gold pearl
- Wildly Refined: midtone coral with gold pearl
PALACE PEDIGREED
- Best of Breed: light dirty blue with pearl
- Lap of Luxury: dark eggplant with pearl
- Docile: dirty lavender with pearl
Cremestick Liner, 0.25 g / 0.009 US oz
A creamy, highly pigmented, retractable lip liner. Lightweight and smooth to apply: very long-lasting. Use as outline or as a "fill." Helps prevent feathering and bleeding.
BURMESE BEAUTY:
- Velvetella
LEOPARD LUXE:
- Creamola
PALACE PEDIGREED:
- Beurre
image: maccosmetics.com
Friday, September 10, 2010
Clinique Bonus Time at The Bay
Canadians - It's Clinique Bonus Time!
image: e-flyer
Retailer: The Bay
Duration: September 14 - October 2, 2010
Minimum amount you need to spend: $26.50 CAD (before taxes)
What You Get:
- High Impact Mascara in Black
What You Get:
- High Impact Mascara in Black
- High Impact Lip Colour SPF 15 in Extreme Pink
- Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad
- All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage
- Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
- 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula
- cosmetics bag
image: e-flyer
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