Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Spring Beauty Review: Spring Neutrals With Some New Faves!

(WARNING: A lengthy but informative post if I do say so myself!)
I know, this season isn't about the neutrals. You want to see bright, bold and shocking right? As I mentioned in past posts, my makeup can be quite boring for a makeup artist. I love a neutral eye because it works for day and you can wear it with a bright lip. No matter what the trends, my neutrals are a staple and never go out of style!


I'm quite old school when it comes to makeup. I love learning new techniques, but I've always steered clear of airbrush makeup. I've always found that the products I use and my makeup technique has a similar effect to airbrushing. I've also heard from other makeup artists that airbrushing really isn't that much faster than doing it manually.

The beauty world was all abuzz when TEMPTU's Airbrush Makeup System was made available to consumers in Sephora. I was intrigued but not enough to buy it. So, when I got the chance to test it out I definitely jumped on the chance.

The basic Airbrush System is $225 USD. Depending on the bundle that you get the prices range. I was sent the System and Face Kit Airbrush Makeup System, a complete set with the airbrush, compressor, 2 foundations, one blush, one highlighter, and DVD instructional video for $345 USD. My foundation match was Warm Beige which matched me with Soft Peach Blush and Gold Highlighter. The pods range from $30 USD to $55 USD (2 foundations come in a package). With daily use the foundation lasts for a month or more and the blush and highlighter for 2 months or more.


This is me wearing the complete system plus other products I'll be featuring in this post. Overall, the system was really easy to use. You can adjust the dial for more or less product. For sheer coverage, you have to hold farther away and for fuller coverage you can apply closer to the face. To make it smooth and blended, you have to apply in a circular motion. I couldn't really tell if my face was being covered when I held the airbrush farther away so I decided to go in closer. The above picture are the results. I found the finish to be really flawless and well blended. On areas like my eyes and under eyes, I did have to blend with my fingers a bit. It felt weightless on the skin and lasted all day long, no fading or sliding. It also applies beautifully over a primer. Warm Beige also matched me really well but I imagine once summer hits I'll have to get a darker shade.

The Soft Peach blush applied really sheer so it took a few layers to get my desired intensity. No matter how strong I went, the blush always looked blended and never left any harsh lines. The Gold Highlighter gave my cheekbones a gorgeous glow that didn't leave me looking overly shiny. Overall, I'm really hooked and think I may convert to airbrushing at least for foundations. However, it seems a bit much for me to apply if I'm just running some errands, but for a night out or a wedding I will definitely be using. The kit itself is really light-weight and easy to transport. Now I want to actually try doing this on one of my clients! Any volunteers? LOL Hopefully I'll get the same effects.


M.A.C.'s Greasepaint Stick in French Quarter ($21 CAD, LE) isn't new for Spring - it's actually from the Venomous Villain collection - but it's new for me this season! During a taping of a special Blogger episode of CityLine, each audience member was given CityLine's makeup artist, Tracy Peart's, favourite makeup products. Ever since that show, I've been using it whenever I get the chance. I'm so in love with this pencil/shadestick and wish it wasn't a LE. I'm wearing it underneath my shadow in the above picture but here is a closer swatch.


It's a gorgeous black-brown with a gold pearl finish. It glides on easily and blends out to the most perfect smokey eye. You can also wear it as an eyeliner but if you want an easy smokey eye all you need is this stick. It's long-wearing and didn't smear on me which was a surprise.


I have a love/hate relationship with NARS' spring shadow trio in Calanque ($45 USD). The top shade is a gold infused platinum with silver flecks, middle shade is a light matte caramel, and the bottom shade is a rich antique bronze infused with gold. In the photo of myself, I used the middle shade as a base and on my brow bone. I was actually surprised at how light it applied on my skin because in the palette itself it appears much darker. I don't find the finish matte at all and has a more pearl/frost finish. I like using it to highlight the eyes. I love the darkest shade and applied this over top of French Quarter, on the bottom lash line and into the crease. The top shade is a question mark. It's too glittery for my liking and has a lot of fall-out. I think this would have been better as a duo as the middle and bottom shades are very wearable. For the price, you're better off finding a dupe in a duo or single shadow. However, I do find myself reaching for this palette quite frequently and I just recently used it during a bridal trial!

When it comes to fake lashes, I have my favourites and know what works. I was really impressed with the style and make of Revlon's fake lashes. In the photo, I'm wearing Revlon's Fantasy Lengths in Intensifying ($6 CAD). It's a nice blend of feathery volume and length. To make it look more natural on my eye shape, I cut the lashes in half and applied only to the outer corner. I also applied the lashes underneath my lash line rather than on top. I learned this technique back when I was working at M.A.C. - the lash line is less visible and looks more like your natural lashes. Since I was going out (I can't remember for what), I didn't take a chance with the glue and used my go-to Duo. I'll have to do a separate review on Revlon's glue.


These two lippies are from M.A.C.'s Quite Cute Collection available this Thursday April 7! I don't usually use a lip liner on myself unless it's a bright or bold lip, but for the sake of testing the pencil Naked Lip Pencil ($15.50 CAD) was part of the lippie of the day.


My smokey eye is what I consider a "subtle" smokey eye. It's not overly dramatic so I could have went for more colour on the lips, but I wanted to keep the look easy and effortless especially for day. Naked is described as a light neutral. It's a bright peachy shade which looked pretty stark against my skin tone. To tone it down, M.A.C.'s Plushglass in Fashion Fanatic, a creamy pale pink worked perfectly. On its own, Fashion Fanatic is pretty much clear on my lips, but when you pair it over a pink or peach lipstick the pink tones really come out. I haven't worn a Plushglass in a while and back in the day I could have sworn it had a minty tingling effect. I'm probably wrong but that's the reason I stopped wearing it. I actually love the way it feels on the lips - it's moisturizing and just hugs the lips not to mention plumps 'em up! The lippie I'm really lemming for from the collection is Candy Yum-Yum, a matte neon pink but seriously - how many bright pink lippies can a girl have?? Never enough right?!

What is your look for Spring? Are you a neutral girl or like to mix it up once in a while? Have you tried any of these products? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Want 'em?

Products were sent for editorial consideration and I truly love them!

17 comments:

Unknown said...

Very pretty, i like it!

NancyPower said...

I have been testing the Temptu system as well! I am still working on my final thoughts. I love the ease of use for personal use for sure.

Did you find any makeup meltdown at the end of the day?? I didn't the first couple of times, but when I wore it for 16 hrs the other day I really sow some separation in the product on my face! Going to give it another long day test just to make sure it wasn't my skincare!

Make-up Junkie said...

@Ev - thank you!

Make-up Junkie said...

@Nancy - No I didn't notice any separation at all. Did you shake the product before you used it? Overall my skin is generally good so that's why I'd like to try it on someone else to see if the results are the same. Maybe let your skincare set a few minutes before applying - were you using a primer as well? Keep me posted!

NancyPower said...

I did let it set and did use a primer... this was the 1st time I had the issue but it was also the 1st time I had the product on for so long! I did shake it as usual so I have no idea. That's why I'm going to try it again on a long day just to see! I have very oily skin so it is a good test for any foundation! haha

Make-up Junkie said...

@Nancy - True - I don't think I had it on for 16 hrs lol. I think you I had it on for the most 13 hours but it still held up really good. I would never guess that you have oily skin! You do a good job of mattifying it! Yah, I'm curious to try it on someone else and see what the results are - will have to do an update post!

Arianne said...

Joy! You look so good -- so sultry and airbrushed! Love it. Great look.

You already know my look for spring. I'm all about my bright lips. Every now and then I'll wear bright eyeliner, but today I actually wore a brown smoky eye similar to what you're wearing here. What can I say, I have makeup ADD.

Ella Pretty Blog said...

The temptu really gives such an airbrushed finish - your blush looks amazing!

The false eyelash trick sounds a bit painful - so you glue the lashes to your upper waterline? The effect is really beautiful though - your lashes look so long and natural.

Janalyn said...

Ive been wanting an airbrush system for soooo long now! It looks amazing!

Make-up Junkie said...

@Arianne - Spanx lady! I should try it on you to see if I get the same results! LOL I like the term "makeup ADD". Love the bright lips and it looks beautiful on you!

Make-up Junkie said...

@Ella - Thank you - I was really impressed with how blended the blush was. For the lashes it may sound painful but you actually do the same application as you would on top. You would apply it right to the base of the lash like you would on top not on the waterline. The glue won't stick on there. It takes getting used to but it's easier for me to apply it this way on myself!

Make-up Junkie said...

@Janalyn - it's a great airbrush system! It's an investment so I would recommend asking someone to try it on you at the store before buying ;)

Janalyn said...

I just missed the Sephora sale =( I was thinking about the Luminess Air ones because they look so cute! but I couldnt really find reliable reviews for it

Unknown said...

Both hands up to be a volunteer here!!! As you know my biggest issue is my makeup sliding by the end of the day. If this works as well as it claims I might even invest in one!

Jennifer from Toronto - Spiced Beauty said...

you're gorgeous!

Make-up Junkie said...

@Elaine A - One day I'll have to try it on you! It might be a tad dark but at least you can test how long it lasts. :)

Make-up Junkie said...

@Jenn - aww shucks! Right back at 'cha lovely lady!