Makeup Obsession: Creamy, Waterproof Eyeliner Pencils

I always had a hard time working with pencil eyeliners. Often, the line would end up too thick, uneven and tugged like crazy on my poor, delicate eyelids. For the longest time, I stuck to gel liners and liquid liners, finding that they gave me more control and had much more colour payoff. About a year or two ago, I was looking for a bright blue eyeliner to pair with a bronze eye and on a whim, decided to go with those shiny new Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils. I heard the formulation allowed the pencil do to just what the name suggested- glide on smoothly. Even better, it was supposedly waterproof. I was still skeptical, but Electric was the exact colour I was looking for, so it was worth a try. When the little, bright teal pencil arrived, I tried it on immediately and fell in love.



I later found out that Make Up For Ever offers a similar type of pencil. Like the Urban Decay pencil, it had this super smooth consistency that allows it to glide on your eyelid like butter. The colour payoff is amazing and true to its claim, it actually is waterproof and lasts all day. A few of those found a home in my beauty arsenal. These miracle eyeliners reunited me with pencil eyeliners, allowing us to put our differences aside and start what would be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.


The only downside of the Urban Decay and Make Up For Ever eyeliners were the price. At $16 US/$18 CDN a pop, they did not make my wallet happy. Thankfully, the great goddess Sephora heard my concerns and it wasn't long before Sephora Flashy Liners made their way into Sephora stores across North America. In 10 gorgeous shades, no less! The Flashy Liners, only $8 US/$10 CDN each, work just as beautifully as their more expensive counterparts at almost half the price! Flashy Blue is rather similar to Urban Decay's Electric and Flashy Copper and Flashy Brown look gorgeous on tanned skin. I own 8 of the 10 available colours and love every one of them.

Beauty Icon of the Month: Classic Beauty Minka Kelly

Minka Kelly, 28, stars in the underrated NBC show, Friday Night Lights. On screen, she plays a high school cheerleader who has to deal with the life-changing fallout of her boyfriend's football injury in a small Texan town where football is a religion. Off screen, she's a red carpet starlet who never fails to look polished and classy. She may be one of the lesser known beauty icons featured on this site and I'll be the first to admit that she's not the most adventurous beauty-wise, but who can hate the girl for looking fresh and demure?

What I love about Minka's beauty style is that she never looks overdone. She brings the right amount of attention to each feature, with flattering, subtle tones. Skin flattering colours and just the right amount of mascara (and okay, false lashes) serve to accentuate her gorgeous brown eyes.

To keep things in balance, she often goes with a neutral lip and peachy, glowing cheeks.

For those of you who have to tone down your makeup or keep to neutral tones for the office, take note from Minka.

She manages to combine feminine and pretty in a way that seems effortless. Whether she's rocking long, wavy locks or a more glamorous up-do, she has a classic look that never goes out of style.

Adventures of a Makeup Junkie: When Packing Your Entire Stash is not an Option (Part Three)

This is the final installment of the three part beauty trilogy about my quest to bring only one medium sized makeup bag full of product with me on a five week trip away from home (and away from my makeup stash!) The quest was not an easy one, but I managed to slay my indecisiveness and select my makeup must-haves for the next five weeks. You already know my picks for eyes and lips, here are my necessities for the face.

1 Blush and 1 Bronzer Mascaraholic picks: Cargo Bronzer in Medium ($26 CAD) and Cargo Blush in The Big Easy ($26 CAD) The idea of using the same colour blush everyday will be a hard one to get accustomed to, but I only have so much space! The Big Easy is a flattering peachy pink that gives you the right amount of glow and Cargo's famed Bronzer in Medium provides a sun-kissed look without being muddy or orange like most bronzers. Hate shimmer? Cargo offers a matte version that looks just as great!

Foundation, Concealers & Face Powders Mascaraholic picks: Everyday Minerals Foundation ($12 US), Everyday Minerals Mint Concealer ($8 US) & MUFE High Definition Microfinish Powder ($32 CAD) Everyday Minerals Intensive Foundation in Light Neutral is my perfect summer foundation. Liquid foundations either melt off or clog my pores in the summer and Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup was way too shiny and made me itchy. Everyday Minerals provides me with great coverage, lasts pretty well on my oily summer skin and best of all, doesn't break me out! Plus, mineral makeup has built-in sun protection because the titanium dioxide defends skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays. Still, that's no excuse to skip your daily sunscreen, especially if you're going to be out in the sun all day! The Mint concealer, worn under the foundation, masks the redness on my nose and cheeks without making me look like a martian. MUFE's Microfinish Powder keeps shine at bay and provides a lovely, soft focus finish!

Primers & Etc. Mascaraholic picks: Urban Decay Primer Potion ($18 CAD), Tarte Clean Slate ($38 CAD) and Korres Watermelon Sunscreen Face Cream SPF 30 ($40 CAD) Does the eyeshadow you apply every morning fall victim to oily lids and crease like no tomorrow within an hour? Then you and I have something in common, my friend. Urban Decay Primer Potion saved my eyes from looking like an oily, gross mess! It keeps my eyeshadow from creasing, makes the colours more vibrant and helps eyeshadow last all day! Tarte Clean Slate does the same thing for my face (almost). The clear primer smooths out my skin and makes my pores less noticeable, plus it helps with mattifying and making my mineral makeup last longer. And the most important product of all, sunscreen. I wear it religiously and refuse to leave the house without it. I tried a sample of Korres' sunscreen in Sephora's Sun Safety kit last year and loved it so much that I bought a full size tube. It doesn't make me too shiny and it doesn't break me out. Smells great too! (If you don't want to spend $40 on the sunscreen, I just noticed that the Summer Essentials Kit has a full size sunscreen plus a cooling gel and body scrub for $28.21 CAD! Seems like a way better deal, huh?)

Now that I've shared my picks for eyes, lips and face, what do you think? Am I overdoing it? Am I underdoing it?

Visual Fix: Cool Heat

When I first saw this image in Elle, the eyeshadows from MAC's recently released Cool Heat collection came to mind. I love how the dark colours accented with blues, greens and aqua contrast with the warm and sandy beach. The summer months are typically about bright colours or variations of bronze which makes this photo an interesting change from what we're used to seeing. You can view the rest of the photoshoot at elle.com.

Adventures of a Makeup Junkie: When Packing Your Entire Stash isn't an Option (Part One)

There comes a point in every makeup junkie's life where they have to spend some time away from their beauty arsenal. Packing for a vacation or an extended trip away from home is never an easy task. Most women have a hard time deciding what clothes to bring. Me? I can't decide which products to bring! Next week, I'll be hopping on a plane and flying away to study in another glorious part of Canada for five whole weeks. Picking out a handful of products for a one or two week trip, while difficult, is manageable. But how am I supposed to know what I'll be in the mood for three weeks from now? Four weeks from now? Looking through my stash, I'm met with a plethora of options, with each lipstick, shadow and blush screaming "Take me! Take me with you!" and while I hate for any of my makeup products to feel unloved and ignored, taking them all with me simply isn't possible (unless my airline changes their policy to allow three checked suitcases).

My challenge? Fitting everything I need into one, medium sized makeup bag. There are numerous things I need to take into account - I'll need to have appropriate colours for both day and night-time looks, items must be summer-friendly and be able to stand up to hot, humid weather (products with SPF are plus) and lastly, I want to incorporate some fun, summer trends into my everyday look. I went deep into my beauty closet and after an hour of deliberation, I emerged with my final choices for my trip. I only picked what I considered to be absolute necessities (and every makeup junkie has quite a few!)

This adventure in beauty will be a trilogy. Up first are my picks for eye makeup. Coming soon to this very blog will be the lip products followed by cheek and face products that made the cut.

2 Eyeshadow Palettes: Colours and Neutrals
Mascaraholic picks: Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box ($43 CAD) and MAC Eyeshadows in Ricepaper, Goldmine, Woodwinked and Mulch ($16.50 CAD each)
The Urban Decay palette is chock full of beautiful, pigmented colours. If you bring an eyeliner brush, the brighter shades double as eyeliner which is perfect for giving a neutral eye a pop of colour. The MAC shadows (which I keep in a quad) work together to make a beautiful gold or bronze neutral eye. Increase the intensity of Mulch in the crease and outer corner of the eyes for a smokey eye that you can wear in the evening. Ricepaper and Scratch (from the Urban Decay Palette) look great on the inner corners of the eye, especially on mornings after a late night of studying (or partying).

3 Eyeliners: Black and Peachy-Nude
Mascaraholic picks: Stila Smudge Pot in Black ($25 CAD), MUFE Aqua Eyes in Mat Black 0L ($18.50 CAD) and Tarte Rest Assured Brightening Wand ($25 CAD)
I love colourful eyeliner as much as the next beauty junkie, but on this trip, my Urban Decay palette has me covered. I use the Smudge Pot, which is a gel liner similar to MAC's Fluidliners to line my eyes and MUFE's Aqua Eyes is the only liner I have encountered that stays put on my lower and upper waterline. Tarte's Brightening Wand is my secret to looking wide awake at early morning lectures. On one end is a peachy nude eyeliner that looks much more natural than white eyeliner for lining your lower waterline. The other end holds a creamy pink highlighter for dabbing on the inner corner of your eyes. I prefer to use it on my cheeks for a well-rested glow.

1 Mascara: Black
Mascaraholic picks: Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! ($26 CAD)
I cannot rave enough about this mascara. It provides me with lush, thick, glossy lashes and it never clumps or flakes. Last year, Tarte had a waterproof version of this and I really wish I bought more than one tube because it was fantastic and perfect for the summer. However, the original is still fabulous. I tend to alternate between two to three mascaras at any given time (after all, I am a mascaraholic) and Light, Camera, Lashes is the sole mascara that I always have in rotation. That's how much I love it.

What are your vacation necessities? Would you bring more eye products? Less?

Meet The Writers!

I'm excited to announce three new writers to the Makeup Junkie team! All three are as equally obsessed with makeup as I am so it was the perfect fit. I owe it to the readers to have fresh new content everyday. We hope you enjoy the new additions and keep coming back for more!

Ell began her makeup career at a young age, being surrounded by it through years of dancing competitively. She immersed herself in makeup becoming fascinated by its endless possibilities. After learning as much as she could on her own, Ell enrolled into the makeup program at Seneca College in Toronto to build on her skills and truly hone her art. Immediately following that she worked with numerous freelance artists and was a resident makeup artist for salons. Ell has worked in the makeup industry for over 6 years, providing her skill and talent to one of the biggest makeup companies in the world. Ell has worked on numerous fashion shows including Fashion Cares, Brown Shoes, and others throughout the city. Ell also provides her services for photo shoots and weddings working with fine talent and creative geniuses. Ell continues to work in the industry and draws her ideas and inspiration from everything around her. You can never stop learning and growing when it comes to makeup. The minute you think you have mastered everything is when you truly haven’t learned a thing at all.

Fun Facts:

I’m a makeup junkie because... makeup doesn’t judge you! It never gets too tight on you and it doesn’t matter how much you’ve indulged in that chocolate cheesecake, it will still fit!!!

Gloss Girl or Lipstick Lady?

I’m a gloss girl but not just one gloss, it must be at least two for optimal shine and patent leather lips!

One beauty product you absolutely can not live without?

I can't live without my foundation- what else is out there that will even out my skin and make me look flawless! I know you were all assuming I would say mascara or bronzer- but come on, really, can you really live without your foundation?!!? I know I can’t.

If you could be a muse who would it be for?

I would be both Billy B’s and Roberto Cavalli’s muse- Great clothes and a great face.

Chocolate or sex?

Definitely sex, however it must be immediately followed by chocolate- immediately.

What makes you smile?

Women who have their makeup on before entering their vehicle make me smile. Sunshine. Women who wear blush; they are the ones who truly understand the power of the cheeks. And of course sunshine…. Did I mention sunshine? And great shoes on sale.

Shiv enjoys socializing with her girlfriends, spending time with her family and trying out different cuisines with her wonderful boyfriend. She currently works full time for a TV network in marketing/advertising and part-time at Sephora. Shiv is also a freelance makeup artist for weddings and fashion shows.

Fun Facts:

I'm a makeup junkie because... I love all things to do with beauty. I started my makeup obsession when I was 10, spending hours at Shoppers trying on different products. My first makeup purchase was Revlon lipstick in Coffee Bean (don't ask how I remember that!). I love how makeup can take you from drab to fab in a matter of minutes.

Gloss girl or lipstick lady?

I'm definitely a gloss girl, I carry 6 in my purse, leave 2 on my desk at work and have a gazillion in my drawers at home.

One beauty product you absolutely can not live without?

I absolutely cannot live without my Carmex lip balm, it does wonders for dry, chapped lips.

If you could be a muse who would it be for?

Definitely Jay Manual. He's got a great personality and I love his style. He always does a fabulous job enhancing a woman's beauty and it's even better that he's from the GTA!

Chocolate or sex?

Hmm, this is a tough one but I think I would choose chocolate because I can get it whenever I want it, lol.

What makes you smile?

Lots of things make me smile, but as an artist the biggest satisfaction I get is seeing a bride completely happy with the way she looks. I love being part of her big day.

Mascaraholic is a 22-year-old university student living in the beautiful city of Toronto, Ontario with a love for books and all things beauty. While she is always busy with classes, essays and work, she refuses to subscribe to the belief that all work and no play make her a dull girl! A touch of highlighter on the cheeks, some peachy-pink liner on the lower waterline and a tiny bit of shimmer on the inner corners of my eyes and she looks rather radiant while working, thank you very much! Mascaraholic loves trying new products and experimenting with the newest beauty tips and trends. Most importantly, she loves giving recommendations and writing reviews!

Fun Facts:

I'm a makeup junkie because... makeup is my creative outlet. With different shades, textures and finishes, the combinations you can come up with are endless. I love playing up neutral, daytime looks with a tiny splash of colour just to keep things interesting. It's one of the things that makes being a girl fun and some days, all you need is the right shade of lipstick to make you feel like you can take on the world.

Gloss girl or lipstick lady?

Both! I wear lipstick more often during the fall and winter and I prefer gloss during the spring and summer seasons, but my new favourite thing to do is layer them together.

One beauty product you can't live without?

Mascara! It's the one product I never leave the house without. Two coats and I look bright-eyed and awake!

If you could be a muse who would it be for?

Maureen Kelly of Tarte Cosmetics. I'm a huge fan of her line and I would love to inspire some products that are both practical and pretty.
Chocolate or sex?

Chocolate. More specifically, Lindt 85% Cacao dark chocolate. It's indulgence #2 (after makeup!).

What makes you smile?

Autumn in Toronto. I love everything about the season! My favourite thing to do is walk through local parks toward the end of September and the first week of October. The scenery is stunning.