Burberry Kisses Lipstick - #77 Blush

Press sample.

What's better than one makeup miracle? TWO makeup miracles. In this case, Burberry is finally available to Canadian buyers via the (relatively) accessible Hudson's Bay website (and presumably certain retail locations), and, almost more importantly for many people, the newest addition to their makeup line is completely fragrance free. (Even if you're not personally that bothered with scented makeup, it's definitely a know skin irritant so kudos to them for removing that issue. Here's hoping they continue with the trend.)

But onto the actual product.

The Burberry Kisses Hydrating Lip Colour (36$ CAD) claims to feature a weightless gel texture, with a buildable formula and 6 hours of wear and hydration. I think it hits most of those marks square on.

There's some fancy ingredient chatter in the copy as well, regarding "shiny polymers" and "tea, lavender, and rosehip", which all sounds very nice, but won't mean much if they don't nail the actual performance piece of the formulation.

In terms of the weightless and buildable claim, Burberry aces it. The gel formula delivers on an extremely lightweight feeling on the lips, and the lipstick just glides without getting stuck in lip wrinkles. It doesn't have the smoothing or plumping qualities of its more buttery brethren, but it sits so light and seamless on the lips that it truly feels like you're wearing nothing at all. With one swipe, the pigment is even but slightly translucent, and deeper on the second swipe. It doesn't have the full-on opacity of a rich matte, but it's definitely buildable coverage. The finish is a soft satin shine that looks natural and pretty, without being overly glossy or goopy.

Hydration claims for lipsticks tend to be a bit overwrought, and I would say it's no different here. I don't get balm-level hydration, that's for sure, but this is a comfortable lipstick to wear. I can't test the 6-hour claim adequately, since I'm not likely to pass up eating for that long, but I didn't notice any significant fading or weird wearing away from application to my next meal. It just kind of settles on the lips and hangs out, doing its thing, until you realize a few hours later that your lipstick still look nice, if less shiny.

I don't know if this is a truly unique formula, but to be honest I don't think I've come across anything with this kind of gel texture that wears this well. If you're looking for something easy to wear for the summer (and the buttery-type lipsticks feel too heavy or goopy) but that still looks polished, this may be worth checking out.

And the packing is, as always, Burberry perfection. Elegant and weighty, with those little details (Burberry checks, magnetic closure) that make the price tag a little less outrageous.

I was able to try the shade #77 Blush, which is a perfectly polished, office-appropriate, but still totally pretty, rose.

For a better look at how this lipstick looks IRL, I'm wearing it in the Ardency Inn review post.

So are you guys excited about Burberry finally being available at Hudson's Bay? I am, but I'm even more hopeful that this means HB is FINALLY going to step up their beauty department and online shopping experience to be competitive with Nordstrom and Saks.

(This item was provided by the brand. This post is not sponsored or compensated.)

Burberry Lip Cover Soft Satin Lipstick - Antique Rose and Rosewood

My Burberry fixation continues...

I picked up a little bit of everything from the Burberry range during my first foray into the brand, to give it a fair test. I am inordinately pleased with the lipstick I chose (Lip Cover in Antique Rose), and even more so because the amazing SA threw in a mini sample of another shade (Rosewood) when she saw me hesitating over the right shade.

Adorbs, right??

For comparison, the regular lipstick is 3.8 grams, while the sample is 0.8 grams. That's about one-fifth the size, which is nicely generous.

Top: Antique Rose Lip Cover
Bottom: Rosewood Lip Cover deluxe sample

Let me tell you, this is some pretty swanky packaging. As you may know from my previous Burberry post, I loathe paying top dollar for packaging that suggests anything but. No worries about that here - while the lipsticks don't come in those premium velvet pouches, they are packaged in the same metal casing that snaps closed with a magnetic closure. Fancy!

These are ridiculously creamy. Like the Häagen-Dazs of lipsticks, if you'll pardon the strained simile. They are so smooth to apply, with beautifully full pigmentation on the first pass. They feel hydrating on the lips, and though I can't say the long-term effect was equal to the sensation, they were not drying in the least. 

The finish is softly shiny that remains satiny as it dries, and the wear is very good, lasting until a meal but not past it. Then again, where's the displeasure in whipping out that gorgeous tube in order to re-apply?

One thing I do not enjoy is the scent - not floral, fruity or sweet, it smells like old-fashioned lipstick, or cold cream. It does dissipate, but it takes a while.

I am a little fanatical about nude pink lipsticks. It is the first shade that I will test from a new-to-me line, because I fell like it is the one shade every brand should get right. (Terribly self-centered of me, I know, since my ideal Nude Pink could by another lady's Washed-Out Corpse Pink.)

By "nude" I don't mean fleshtone, but rather the kind of muted pink that I wish my lips were naturally. It's the exact shade of pink that doesn't scream that you're wearing lipstick, but instantly perks u your face. Antique Rose falls squarely in that family of shades. I have some lip swatches below for you, but if you want to see a full-face picture, I'm wearing it at the bottom of this post.

Rosewood is a deeper, richer shade. Still very neutral and wearable, however, and another shade-type that I tend to gravitate to.

Availability: At Nordstrom for 30$ USD, and at select Holt Renfrew locations for 40$ CAD.

Pros: Sublimely creamy, opaque texture, very smooth application, fairly tenacious though not long-lasting finish. Slightly hydrating.

Cons: Creamy texture may feel too slick or heavy for some. Classic "lipstick" scent may be off-putting.

(I purchased Antique Rose at Nordstrom, and received Rosewood as a GWP.)

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow - Trench and Midnight Brown

Burberry!!

This post goes back a ways, as I purchased these back in October during my NYC trip. I've since acquired a few more during the Clarins warehouse sale, but these are indeed the ones That Started It All.

Behold, Burberry Sheer Eyeshadows in Trench and Midnight Brown:

You have to enjoy a brand that takes "high-end" seriously. I really dislike paying premium dollar for plastic, flimsy packaging, and there's no worry of that here - everything from the sturdy card stock used for the outer box, to the classic burberry check used on both the velvet sleeve and the heavy, metallic flip-top pan announces luxury in hushed, refined tones.

Sheer Eyeshadow in Midnight Brown.

Midnight Brown is a neutral medium brown with shimmer, the kind that can be used lightly as a wash, intensified for crease work, and smudged into the lashine for sophisticated definition. You no doubt have this shade somewhere in your stash - it IS a basic. But it's basic done exactly right.

Despite the name, there is nothing sheer about this shadow. It is beautifully pigmented, soft and rich in texture. It does kick up when you dip your brush in, so be gentle, but this applies super-smoothly and blends like a dream. Wear time is good, some fading after 6 hours without a primer, a workday and beyond with a primer.

Sheer Eyeshadow in Trench.

Trench is almost exactly the same shade as my NC 20-25 skin. On deeper skin, this would make a perfect browbone shade. On me, it's ideal as an all-over eyelid shade, neutralizing redness and darkness and subtly brightening the area.

It is a matte, but has the very slightest sheen to it to keep it from looking flat. It has a soft texture, not a hint of powderiness and goes on lighter and sheerer than Midnight Brown. It blends as well as Midnight Brown, though it can sheer out too easily. Again, not a unique shade, but one done right.

As you can see from the swatches, these guys make a good team, and indeed it's the combo I had on my eyes in the previous post.

Availability: At Nordstrom,  Burberry.ca and Holt Renfrew locations in Toronto and Vancouver. Price is 29$ USD and 30$ CAD.

Pros: Gorgeous, hefty packaging, lovely pigmentation, very blendable texture.

Cons: Trench can blend away to nothing, requiring care in application.

(I purchased these from Nordstrom.)

Becca Radiant Skin Foundation and Shimmering Skin Perfector

I first encountered Becca as a brand at The Makeup Show a couple of years ago. The line had immediate appeal - a natural but polished aesthetic, focus on healthy, glowing skin and some of the sweetest people manning both the booth and the company. My budget at the time didn't stretch beyond a small sampling of their wares (a lipgloss), but I walked away with the the intention of getting some more items as soon as I could.

"As soon as I could" stretched until fairly recently, unfortunately. I heard that their UK distribution was closing down, and I thought that was a shame, as this is a brand that deserves more attention. Not everything they do is perfection (it seems like their eyeshadows have been hit-and-miss from what I've read) but they do excel at face products, which is what I splurged on when I placed my order. I ordered the Radiant Skin Satin-Finish Foundation in Buff, the Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal (and received a sample of the same in Topaz), and a couple of their renowned Beach Tints (which will be reviewed separately).

Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation in Buff

I originally planned on purchasing the Luminous Skin Foundation, which is what they are famous for, but it has the coverage level of a tinted moisturizer, which I wasn't really feeling at the time. Radiant Skin purports to have "medium buildable coverage" and a "lightweight radiant finish", which all sounded aces to me.

Picking out a foundation colour online is always a delight, but Becca did make it easy with good descriptions and swatches on the Sephora site, and a foundation finder on their own site. I went with Buff, which is just a touch too yellow-toned for me (more so in the swatch below than when actually applied) but otherwise very workable.

Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation in Buff

Part of what makes it workable is that this is not exactly a medium coverage foundation. I would say light at one coat, medium at two. You can build it without it looking cakey, but you need to do so carefully. I found I had the best results with a flat-type foundation brush, particularly the Contour Brush from Glamcor, which maximizes the coverage without leaving behind any streaking. When I used my favourite buffing brushes, the foundation picked up too much on skin texture and had a hard time applying smoothy.

The finish is interesting - it does indeed possess a radiant glow, yet unlike many satin-finish foundations, I found it dries very quickly and almost matte at first. It needs about thirty minutes to settle into the skin to achieve that luminosity, and continues looking more and more like skin as the day progressed. It doesn't settle into pores or move around, though for that first half hour it does pick up surface dryness. It lasts relatively well, with some breakdown around the corners of my nose at the 7-8 hour mark. (For what it's worth, my skin at the moment is combo/normal to dry, with visible pores on and around my nose.)

Overall, it actually reminded of the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation.

Now as for the Shimmering Skin Perfector - well, this is the be-all-end-all product in their range, to hear it told. It has achieved a certain cult status thanks in part to the exposure it received on the Pixiwoo YouTube channel. And after testing it, I have to agree with the accolades.

Large bottle: Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal
Small tube: Shimmering Skin Perfector in Topaz

I debated between Pearl (which is more white-based) and Opal (which has a golden-peach hue) and opted for the latter because I tend to favour warming highlights. And it is beautiful. While it appears alarmingly opaque when first pumped out, it sheers out to the perfect shimmer, reflective and dewy, not sparkly. The peachy undertone isn't perceptible on my skin, it just allows the shimmer to blend in without looking stark.

It can be used straight to add a more focused shimmer, or it can be mixed into a foundation to add all-over glow. I would be very light-handed with the latter, because while this is a very refined shimmer, it does still pack a punch. You may end looking a little more Studio 54 than planned.

I didn't have a chance to wear Topaz, so I can't comment on it, though I imagine it would look fantastic on deeper skin tones than mine.

One caveat I have is that the pump bottle is sleek and elegant, but it pumps out more product than you probably need at one time. I also don't see the point of having an SPF in something that tends to be used in spots rather than all over.

Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal

Shimmering Skin Perfector in Topaz

And in keeping with my New Year's Resolutions, I wanted to add something to the review format. Instead of just swatches, a quick before-and-after application.

I kept this makeup very simple, mostly to demonstrate the two products reviewed.

Embryolisse Lait-Creme used as a moisturizer/primer.

I applied and blended the Radiant Skin Foundation with a Glamcor Contour Brush (which is best for achieving stronger coverage without the "stroke" marks of a tradition flat foundation brush), going over some areas with a dab more. I went without concealer to show the level of coverage. I did not apply powder.

For the blush, I used a Real Techniques Contour Brush to apply Becca Beach Tint in Watermelon (and applied the same to my lips using my pinkie). I applied the Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal to my browbone and the tops of my cheekbones with the Real Techniques Setting Brush.

For my eyes, I applied Burberry Trench all over the lid as a base using a MAC 239, and Burberry Midnight Brown very softly through my crease using an Inglot 6SS Crease Brush, and under my lower lash line using the MAC 239. For lashes, I used one coat of the Buxom Lash Mascara.

And for fun, the look under an Instagram filter, feeling all Monica Vitti.

Availability: The Radiant Skin Foundation is priced at 42$ USD on www.beccacosmetics.com, and 51$ CAD at www.sephora.com. The Shimmering Skin Perfector is 41$ USD and 50$ CAD at those same sites.

Pros: Radiant Skin is dewy, light-feeling, ideal for skin that doesn't need a ton of coverage but needs some extra luminosity. Shimmering Skin Perfector is concentrated glow in a bottle, sheerable to the most natural, healthy-skin effect.

Cons: The foundation does take a bit of time to settle, during which time it can pick up on dry texture. It is more light than medium in initial coverage, has to be built up with care. The only downside to the Perfector is the over-generous pump.

What do you guys think? Have you tried any Becca products? Are you, like me, hoping they continue to be a presence on the beauty scene?

(I purchased these items from the Becca website.)

Burberry Spring/Summer 2013

I'm a relative late-comer to Burberry Beauty, as my first items from the brand were acquired this Fall. I was so impressed, however, that I've been avidly awaiting their new releases for the Spring season. From these initial press pictures, I am thrilled with what's coming!

Picture courtesy of Burberry/Clarins Fragrance Group.

I especially appreciate that several of the items featured will be permanent additions to the line-up.

Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow in Gold Pearl no.26. 

Price 33$ CAD.

Burberry Light Glow in Coral Pink No.09 and Hydrangea Pink No.10. 

Price is 54$ CAD each.

Burberry Lip Glow in Mallow Pink No.19, Pink Sweet Pea No.20, Fondant Pink No.21, and Coral No.22. 

Price is 35$ CAD each.

      

    

In Canada, this collection will be exclusive to the Holt Renfrew locations in Vancouver and Toronto.

So what do you guys think? I currently don't own any Burberry lip glosses, so Fondant Pink and Pink Sweet Pea are first on my list. AND THOSE BLUSHES. Oh yes.

(All pictures courtesy of Burberry. NOTE: My original copy had mixed up Pink Sweet Pea and Fondant Pink.)

Burberry Haul at the Clarins Warehouse Sale

 Montreal has its flaws (political corruption, insane construction, blistering winters), but it more than steps up when it comes to warehouse sales. For beauty brands, we get l'Oréal, Guerlain (assuming you are willing to brave the 3 hour line), Clarins, Lise Watier and Annabelle/Marcelle.

The Clarins sale isn't my favourite, since it tends to be heavy on the skincare and fragrance, light on the makeup. (See my review from the Spring sale here.) That's why I nearly fell over when I saw what they had at this last Fall sale - namely, Burberry Beauty.

Oh yes. Much flailing ensued. They didn't have a ton from the range: four foundations, two of the bronzers, a handful of eyeshadows, about a dozen lipsticks, one eyeliner and a sad blonde mascara that no one even looked at. Still, I found it hard to parse out what I truly wanted from what I felt like I should get, based on the price alone. I'll admit that my restraint was not based on moral fortitude, but on the fact that I already splurged a bit at the Nordstrom counter when I was Stateside last month. (Reviews for those items forthcoming!)

I ended up getting Sheer Eyeshadow in Midnight Blue and Midnight Plum, Lip Cover in Blush, Cameo and Deep Burgundy. No reviews, as I have not worn them yet, but I thought you might like to see  some pictures and quick swatches?

Midnight Plum and Midnight Blue

Midnight Blue and Midnight Plum. Natural and artificial light.

Midnight Blue and Midnight Plum. Artificial light.

Blush.

Cameo, Blush, Dark Burgundy.

Cameo, Blush, Dark Burgundy. Natural and artificial light.

Cameo, Blus, Dark Burgundy. Artificial light.

I gotta say, Burberry makes a great first impression. The quality is obvious from the start, just in the feel of these. The packaging is incredibly elegant and swanky, with the Burberry check and the magnetic closures.

I can't locate my receipt, but I remember the eyeshadows being 15$, and the lipsticks were either 15$ or 20$. I just checked the pricing on the Burberry Canada site, and it is 30$ for the Sheer Eyeshadows, 40$ for the Lip Covers. 

So...next year? Anyone willing to brave the lines?