Fall Favourites

I'm finally getting into the swing of things and embracing fall to its fullest potential. And by that I, of course, am talking about switching out my corals and bright pinks for some fall beauty favourites (both new and rediscovered!) Here are some of my fall must-haves this season:

Sally Hansen Insta-dri nail polish in 370 Show Steel-er

I've never really delved into greys in my beauty routine before, but it has been really speaking to me lately. In general I tend to stay away from cool-toned anything because I just don't think it compliments my skin tone as well as the warmer hues. But this shade of grey polish is not too blue or dark on me. I just love it!

OPI nail lacquer in Got The Blues for Red

What's fall without a collection of rich burgundies and oxblood? This OPI polish is a classic. It's so rich and deep yet vibrant. This is one I will continue to repurchase again and again.

Annabelle blushon in Rosebud

This was part of the spring collection from this year, but I haven't whipped it out 'til now because re: cool-tones = not my thing. Or so I thought! Just goes to show you how our pre-conceived notions could be wrong and everything is worth a try. I am IN LOVE with this blush for fall. For some reason, it gives me the perfect pink flush to compliment my rotation of lip products. Maybe because I'm starting to get paler so the peaches and corals that made me look perfectly sunkissed in the summer and complimented my orange and pink lipsticks, aren't working so well now.

ELF blush palette in Dark

This is a new product for me and it is not disappointing. I picked this palette up in the states in August and the hues are perfect for fall. They have the same versatile combo of warm-toned, cool-toned and neutral blushes as the Light version of this palette, but they are much deeper and richer. I especially love the blush on the right bottom corner. It's such a beautiful berry colour that appears much lighter on your cheeks than how it looks in the pan. It reminds me of the beautiful flush you get when you've been walking outside in the cold.

NYX matte lipstick in Alabama

Another new addition to my collection is this gorgeous burgundy matte lipstick. I had been on the hunt for a burgundy that was more brown-based than purple or pink and not too dark. It took me a while to find the perfect shade, as I can be quite picky about these things. But this lippy does not disappoint. It's just a little vampy without being over the top. My only criticism is the packaging. It's a bit flimsy for my tastes but for a drugstore lipstick, I really can't complain!

Kat Von D everlasting liquid lipstick in Lolita

This is also a new product for me, and honestly, the biggest surprise of the season, in a season of quite a few surprise loves. I know the deep purple/grey 90s colour is all the rage this year, but I have never been a huge fan of that tone of lipstick. It just feels so muddy and gothy to me. But this shade from Kat Von D seems to have just enough brown and pink in it that I'm kinda diggin' it. And it's not too dark either, which can look a bit grungy in my opinion. I can see why this lipstick is so popular!

NYX prismatic shadow in Jaded

Olive and army greens scream fall to me, but instead of a boring matte, a shimmery shade of eye shadow can add so much interest to a look. Just check out this NYX shadow I picked up recently. In the pan, it looks like a true army green shimmer but in a particular light, it can read more blue or grey. A smokey green eye with a nude lip is one of my favourite looks for fall!

L'oreal infallible eye shadow in Goldmine

And lastly, this is a new discovery for me as well. I had never been into gold eyeshadows before but I am in love with this pigment from L'oreal. It's the perfect lid colour for a classic brown smokey eye and goes with all the shades of red lipstick you could possibly have. These shadows from L'oreal have a crazy amount of pigment and shimmer to them. A must-have, in my opinion!

                                                   

Coral Bride

Marcelle Double Precision Liquid Eyeliner Pen in Intense Black

Maybelline Great Lash waterproof mascara in Very Black

Ardell human hair falsies in 116

NYX Auto Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown

NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder in Black/Gray

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in Soft Beige

Jane Iredale Amazing Base Loose Mineral Powder in Bisque

NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Red Cheeks

Milani Baked Powder Blush in Corallina

Benefit Watts Up higlighter in Soft Focus

Maybelline Colour Sensation lipstick in Vibrant Mandarin

NYX Butter Gloss in Cherry Cheesecake

This look is all about them rosy cheeks and pink pucker. It's neon sweet. I've been particularly obsessed with coral these days and I think this look would make a positively radiant bride. I find that pinks don't necessarily translate as beautifully on film as they do in real life however. Maybe it's the camera, but I really wanted more of a colourful effect with this look. It would depend on the dress too of course. 

What do you guys think of this sweet and simple bridal makeup?

                                                                            

Favourite Spring + Summer Lipsticks

I thought I'd share some of my favourite lipsticks for spring and summer. I'm all about bright pinks, corals and red. A positively delightful bouquet of colours!

As a quick note, I just wanted to add something I didn't notice when I filmed this quick video. I bought three NYX Round Lipsticks (Eros, Fire and Frappuccino) and have noticed a soapy taste to Eros and Fire. Frappuccino is quite odor-free, so it's a little weird (maybe it has something to do with the red dyes they use?) Anyway, it's very, very subtle and some people might not notice it and I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt and see if it bothered me when I wore it and unfortunately, it does. I don't really like lipsticks that have strong smell or taste and the fact that it's soap makes it worse. I'm so sad because Eros is such a beautiful colour, but I really can't stand the taste. 

I just thought I'd add a little footnote of warning in case anyone is interested in purchasing these!

What are you sporting on your pucker this summer?
                                                                 

Getting A Bit Lippy

Hey Frockers, back when BOF was in its infancy, I posted about some of my go-to lipsticks and I thought it was about time to update you on some of the new additions to my lipstick collection! Some I like more than others, but they all have their advantages and a place in my little lipstick drawer.

Forgive the flaky lips, I did all the swatches at once (not a good idea)! My lips were burning a bit afterwards...

Rimmel Moisture Renew in Nude Delight

I discovered this little gem a couple of years ago and what I like about it is that it's a little bit peachy so it looks really really good on warmer skin tones like mine. A lot of neutral or cooler toned nude lipsticks look terrible on me. The formula's decently moisturizing and I also like to use this shade to layer with other lipsticks to get a nice customizable shade.


Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Dolce

This is a darker toned nude that I wear occasionally that's a bit more on the brown side. What's tricky about this one is the gold flecks in the lipstick can make your lips look kind of metallic. Also, since it is an "all-day" formula, it can get a bit drying so I recommend putting a bit of balm on top, but the staying power is pretty decent.


Annabelle Stay Sharp Lip Liner in Nude

This is new addition to my collection and I have to say, I LOVE the colour and I use it as a lipstick. It's kind of like the Rimmel Nude Delight in that the colour is very light but doesn't wash my lips out. It's the perfect everyday nude shade for my light to medium skin tone with a warm yellowish undertone. It's supposed to be super long-lasting and when I swatched it on my hand, I had a really hard time rubbing it off. On your lips though, you'll have to reapply once in a while, like after eating, but the staying power is pretty decent. The downside is that it's super super drying. I have a hard time even running the liner across my lips cause it's so dry. I recommend applying balm before using this one.


Make Up Forever Rouge Artist Natural in N9

This is more of a deep rosy colour that really just serves to enhance your natural smile. It's not exactly moisturizing, but it's not matte, and the sheerer formula adds just a hint of colour. I usually reach for this one on days when I'm going for a "no makeup" look and just want a touch more colour on my lips than their natural colour.

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate in 06

This is a nice bright blue-toned pink for those hot summer soirees. It's an amazing pop of colour in anyone's makeup look and although I don't tend to go for cooler toned lipsticks, I find this one works quite well on me. The formula is decently moisturizing, although I don't think the line is meant to be a moisturizing lipstick. And the staying power isn't the best, but it's not the worst either. It's a classic bright pink for anyone's collection.


ELF Moisturizing Lipstick in Coral Cutie

This is a warmer-toned bright pink, really just a classic coral. Honestly, the formula could be better. It's very sheer, you have to really layer on the colour to get the right effect. But I find that the more I layer, the more it accents the dry flakes in my lips. It does look moist on the lips, but I feel like it's more due to the formula being kind of oily. Still, I love this colour for spring!


Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Tesoro

This is an amazing bright orange-red shade that gives you a really matte finish that's smudge-proof. The colour is definitely the winning feature of this lipstick because I have to say, it's not my favourite "all-day" formula. And the colour tends to still rub off nearer the inside of my lips, which gives that unsightly harsh line of lipstick that suddenly just turns into skin. It's not an impossible problem, you just have to reapply periodically, but I also find the lipstick sometimes clumps and gathers into annoying little flakes of colour/skin in the same area. And I can't help but pick at it. Points for the amazing colour and pigmentation, but there's a new kid in town that I think has usurped this one as my new go-to, long-lasting red...


L'Oreal Infallible Lipstick in Infallible Red 

I have just discovered this new lipstick by L'Oreal and it is the best "all-day" formula BY FAR. It doesn't clump or flake and I can literally go all day without a single reapplication. It's so hard to get it off at the end of the day, but I consider that to be a pro and not a con! And where other all-day lipsticks tend to be a bit drying, this one comes with a top coat that's sheer and really just adds a bit of moisture to your lips. And the colour is extremely bright and pigmented which is a major plus for me when it comes to red lipsticks. This is definitely a new favourite for me!

Marcelle Rouge Xpressions Cream Lipstick in Amour

I wasn't sure what to expect from this one, but it's a really nice classic red that will probably enter my regular rotation. It's very creamy and moisturizing, the colour is nicely pigmented and although you do need to reapply a bit after eating, it's a really nice kind of everyday bright, neutral to slightly warmer red that would probably work on most skin tones.

Annabelle Twistup Lipstick Crayon in Cherry

This is a perfect deep red colour, great for fall and winter. It's not quite maroon, not quite bright red. The formula seems to dry out pretty fast and it gets a little more difficult to apply after you've had the crayon for a while, but the colour is lovely! Definitely my go-to wine shade for fall.

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Fiery


This is another nice deeper red that I would probably reach for if I needed more staying power. It's not bad in terms of colour, texture or staying power and it may not stand out as much as some other shades for me, but it's a good lipstick to keep around.

Rimmel Lasting Finish in Bordeaux 

This is a nice deep maroon colour, essential for any bold collection of lipsticks! I love this one in particular because there's still a hint of red and it's less purple than other oxblood shades, making it less goth and more chic. And it's also buildable, if you do want it to appear darker with less red, you can just add another layer or two and practically get a different colour!

So there you have it, Frockers! I hope my little review helps y'all in your own personal lip-wear quests. Let me know what you guys think of these colours, or share some of your own favourites, cause I'm always looking to add to the collection! This is one addiction I don't care to squash...

                                                                    

Marcelle + Annabelle Makeup Review

Happy Monday everyone! Bouquet of Frocks is excited to share with you our recent collaboration with Canadian cosmetics lines Marcelle and Annabelle. They recently sent us a bunch of goodies for us to sample and let me say, we were pleasantly surprised by many of the products. And because we love makeup that much, we decided to make a video review for you guys! Hope you enjoy!

Products on Debbie:

-Annabelle CC Colour Control Pressed Powder in Light/Medium

-Marcelle Cream Blush in Raspberry

-Annabelle Trio Eyeshadow in Quartz

-Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner in Midnight Black

-Marcelle Fortifying & Lengthening Mascara  

-Annabelle Twistup Retractable Lipstick Crayon in Vamp

-Marcelle Lux Gloss in Rouge Veloute

Products on Jackie:

-Marcelle Ideal Skin Perfector 

-Marcelle Eye Shadow Duo in Cherry Blossom

-Marcelle Dip-Pen Liquid Eyeliner in Blackest Black

-Marcelle Fortifying & Lengthening Mascara  

-Annabelle Twistup Retractable Lipstick Crayon in Romance and Divine

Other products:

-Annabelle Trio Eyeshadow in Haute Chocolate

-Marcelle Kajal Kohl Eyeliner in Blackest Black

-Annabelle Instaglam Eyeliner + Mascara Touch-Up in Abyss

-Marcelle Fortifying & Lengthening Mascara  

-Annabelle Twistup Retractable Lipstick Crayon in Kinky Pink, Cherry, Kiss

You can also learn more about Annabelle and Marcelle here: 

http://www.annabelle.ca/

http://www.marcelle.com/

***CALLING ALL FROCKERS***

We are in the running for Made In Blog's Best Blog Awards in two different categories: Fashion and Beauty.

If you've enjoyed our blog, please take a moment to vote for us by November 26th 2014. You can vote once in each category by clicking on the icons below.

Tropical Dream

I was inspired recently by a pair of lia sophia earrings (called "Flamenco" no less) to go a little bit tropical, a little bit wild and a little bit electric in terms of a makeup look. And I'm loving it! There's nothing more fun in the summer than packing on tons of colours, whether it's your hair, your clothes, your makeup or your salad! Here's a quick how-to:

Prime your lids and dust a nude/beige base shadow all over before applying colour. Start with a really bright emerald green (shimmery or matte, I went with shimmer) and cover your entire lid going passed your outer lashes by just a bit. Follow with a bright royal blue (can be shimmery or matte, I went with matte) just on the outer half of your lid on top of the green. I also dabbed on a bit of a navy blue with sparkles on top but just a touch. Don't worry about it being messy at this stage, you just need to get the colour on there.

If this is as crazy as you're feeling, you can start blending the blue with the green where they meet and blending out the edges so they aren't as harsh and call it day. Or you can keep going and also line your lower lash line with the same colours (green on the inner half and blue on the outer half) and dab a bit of light green shimmery shadow on the inside corner of your eyes as a highlighter. This is where I stopped for my look, but if you're really feeling like standing out, finish with some black liner on your upper and lower lash line and a few coats of mascara before topping off the earring-inspired look with a bright fuchsia lip colour.

lia sophia earrings
Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Fuchsia Fusion
Sephora Collection Medium Shopping Bag Makeup Palette
                                                         

e.l.f. Moisturizing Lipstick and Shimmer Gloss Review

I have a serious makeup addiction. Lip stuff especially. It's truly an illness....a fabulous illness, but an illness nonetheless! Elf is one of my favourite budget brands and I recently purchased a few of their moisturizing lipsticks from their Studio line and their shimmer gloss. I thought I'd share my impressions with you guys and show some swatches since it's pretty hard to come by Elf stuff in Canada.

Lipsticks: Cheeky, Wink Pink, Ravishing Rose, Velvet Rope
Glosses: they don't have names

LIPSTICK PROS
- They are quite moisturizing (all day moisture!)
- They have some great colours + the best tomato red I've tried out of all the drug store brands!
- They have decent pigmentation and staying power
- They cost only $3 each online (or $4 at Target Canada)

LIPSTICK CONS
- The online swatches aren't super accurate

GLOSS PROS
- They smell yummy!
- If you're going for a natural look, these would be good
- It was only $5 for 4 colours

GLOSS CONS
- They aren't very pigmented
- They feel kind of like a gooey balm, not really a gloss

So as I say in the video, I would definitely recommend the lipsticks but not so much the glosses unless you want a super natural look, which you could also get from a tinted lip balm. If you're looking to purchase online, www.eyeslipsface.com often has sales up to 50% of or free shipping deals, so check often! Not that you really need to justify spending the money. It's really worth it for the lipsticks!
                                                                       

Bouquet of Bloopers Take One

I was filming another video for you Frockers and while I was editing it, I realized...well I realized a lot of things. Number 1, I make a lot of weird faces when I talk. We'll call it charming and leave it at that. Number 2, I have a real potty mouth sometimes...and number three, I LOVE MAKING BLOOPER REELS!

I thought I'd share this with you guys before I post the real video (an e.l.f. moisturizing lipstick and shimmer gloss review). I actually like this one better.

                             
Happy Wednesday Frockers!        
                                                                        

Things I'm Looking Forward To This Spring...

... besides the sun, the flowers and not feeling like I'm trekking Mount Everest on my way to the metro station. 

Bronzy Lids

Clinique eyeshadow in At Dusk Super Shimmer

I fell in love with this look in the fall and I'm excited to see it lining the catwalks this spring as well! Not only does it work for all eye colours, but it's just a fun way to add some oomph to your peepers without going too extreme. All neutral eye shadows are flattering, but adding that bronze shimmer just kicks it up a notch. Just dust on the powder, blend and finish with some black liner.

The Classy Bar Necklace

Forever 21 necklace

Don't get me wrong, I adore a good statement necklace as much as the next girl, but sometimes clean, simple and minimalist is best. Enter this must-have piece that really goes with anything and will probably be a staple in your wardrobe for many seasons to come. Wear it to the office on Friday, the party on Saturday and the market on Sunday. This piece does it all!

Floral Hair Accents

Aldo headbands

Ok this one is just a no-brainer, but I'm happy to see that others are embracing one of my go-to year-round themes. My love of all things floral is no secret, but if you're not quite comfortable with the whole garden nymph look and want a more subtle way to introduce this motif into your do, try smaller buds, simple hair clips instead of a full band, paler colours if you're a blond or darker colours for brunette.

A Tangerine Pucker

L'Oréal Paris Color Riche lipcolour in Volcanic

Yves Rocher gloss in R301

I love me some bright lipstick and orange has become the new red to fear. Just like picking a red that will make you feel like a vixen, it's all about trial and error. If you're not really into the pylon orange, opt for a nice coral or a sheerer formula. And try both glosses and lipsticks to find what works best on you. Just remember: there's almost nothing you can't pull off with a bit of confidence!

Hang on Frockers...Spring is almost here!
                                                                       

What's In Your Purse?

Sheaffer fountain pen
Rhoda notebook
Concordia University alumni business card case
Lesportsac "first aid" kit (filled with bandaids, lady products and medicine)
fresh Sugar lip treatment
The Face Shop lip palette
iPhone with BOF case
wallet from Seoul
bobby pins and hair tie
thrifted cateye sunnies
thrifted handbag
                                                                          

The Retro One-Piece of My Dreams

Photos by Kyler Kelly

As you will all come to know, Modcloth is one of my favourite shops, especially for all things retro. And as I mentioned in an earlier post (Just Beachy), I'm not really into the tiny string bikinis. Enter this amazing Esther Williams number from Modcloth that just hugs, drapes and pulls in all the right places.

Swoon.

Forget those triangle bikini tops, I have never felt so fetching in swimwear!