Velour Mink Lashes

I've never been a fan of lashes, until this past summer of 2017. I discovered that eyelash extensions were booming and you can get them done at every corner salon, and even privately in lash artist's homes! I also found out that they could be done for less than $200 (which was my initial thought of what eyelash extensions cost). So I did extensions for about 2 months, I tried 3 different lash artists and ultimately I did not have good experiences. I don't know if it is just my super straight lashes, but I had a hard time with them (I'm planning to write about this soon!).

I began using daily false strip lashes instead from the drugstore, and then I was asked to test out these 3 lashes from Velour Lashes. Perfect timing! I know Velour is an expensive lash brand, with lashes ranging from $34 and upwards, but I have never tried any high-end lashes so I was definitely curious to see how worth it they were.

I chose 3 different styles of lashes, but they are all mink hair. They come in super fancy boxes with a container inside, which I think is a bit wasteful, but it definitely feels luxurious. The lashes that I chose all have an invisible band, I prefer it because I think it gives a more natural look.

Velour Mink Lashes in Serendipity

Velour Mink Lashes in Strip Down

Velour Mink Lashes in Skin to Skin

I honestly have no idea why I chose lashes that all sound the same. I had a hard time remembering which pair was which: Serendipity, Strip Down, Skin to Skin? Velour you're killing me here!

The first pair, Serendipity is my favourite. I have smaller hooded eyes so the other two, even when cut to size, are still a little large for my eyes. Skin to Skin looks a little ridiculous on me I can't even wear that one.

First I wanted to mention the Velour Lash Adhesive ($15 CAD). I think it is fairly priced, but I didn't find it holding these lashes on. I found that these lashes were a little thicker, and so the glue was not able to hold the shape on my eyes. I think the glue would be alright for thinner, lighter, drugstore lashes, but it was definitely struggling to hold these.

I use the Velour Too Easy Lash Applicator ($28 CAD) to apply the lashes on my eye, and to clamp the lashes to my natural lashes so it blends them together. I do not use the comb side for anything really. I love the lash applicator and it makes the application process a heck of a lot easier.

Now onto the lashes:

The lashes themselves are great. I have used a single pair about 4 times already and they are holding up nicely. I'm seeing a few strands begin to fall out but I am hoping they will last at least quite a bit longer. Honestly, it'd be nice to see these last at least 30 uses due to the high price you pay for them, but I don't see that happening. I won't say it can't happen, I'm sure if you are the type to take great care of them, they will last. But for myself, I get a little irritated when trying to remove my lashes and I will go to the ends of earth to remove them (heh).

They are strong and I can definitely see the difference between drugstore or cheap no-name brand lashes that I've used in the past. The band is thick and doesn't seem like it will fall apart anytime soon.

Wearing Velour Mink Lashes in Serendipity (all photos)

All in all, I'd definitely splurge on a pair of these and I now understand why people do. They look awesome and for a special night or night out, I'd say they're worth it. I wore Serendipity to a friend's birthday and to my own birthday, and I would definitely purchase a pair for my next birthday! They do last more than one use, so if only being used for special occasions you can probably get away with only purchasing two pairs a year or so. I won't stop purchasing more affordable false lashes (like drugstore, Ardell, Kiss), but I also think it's fine to splurge on a pair of two of these! Shop Velour Lashes at Sephora, or on their official website here.

These products were received as press samples. This article is not sponsored but may contain affiliate links.

Marc Jacobs Object of Desire Face & Eye Palette Review

Marc Jacobs Object of Desire Face & Eye Palette is a limited edition palette for the holidays. It comes in a gorgeous gold clutch-like casing with a black tassel zipper! The packaging is so gorgeous I didn't even want to use it at first! I'm so glad I did, as this is the first time I've tried makeup by Marc Jacobs and I am so surprised at the quality and pigmentation..

The palette comes with a large Perfect Tan Bronzer (Tantric), blush (Exhibitionist), and luminizer (Make a Sheen) for the face. The rest of the 6 shades to the right are eyeshadow shades. They might look a little colourful but I found them to be very neutral.. definitely colours I could wear on a regular basis.

The packaging itself is gorgeous, again, but the zippered clutch itself is pretty bulky and a little bit of a burden to fit in a makeup bag (meaning, -> it doesn't fit in a regular makeup bag.. but it will fit in a large overnight makeup case, if that makes things better). I think the only real solution if you don't like the packaging is to depot each pan. I've never really done it but I'm sure I would do it eventually when I get tired of lugging this around!

Tantric (Perfect Tan Bronzer), Exhibitionist (Blush), Make a Sheen (Luminizer), Eyeshadows: Lights On, Candlelight, Dimmer, Violet Hour, Twilight, In The Dark 

O!Mega Perfect Tan Bronzer: Tantric (Warm)

Blush: Exhibitionist (Peachy Rose)

Luminizer: Make a Sheen (Cool Gold Shimmer)

Eyeshadows:

Lights On (beige shimmer)

Candlelight (golden shimmer)

Dimmer (matte light tan)

Violet Hour (matte lavender mauve)

Twilight (satin deep plum)

In the Dark (deep brown shimmer)

The palette is super pigmented, I wasn't disappointed with any shade! The blush is probably the only shade I won't be using often because I just don't typically wear blush. I surprisingly was able to create an eyeshadow look using basically all of the shadows (see below)! I'm not usually able to do that but the colours worked together so well in this palette.

Swatches above were done on top of concealer.

Wearing Marc Jacobs Object of Desire Face & Eye Palette: Tantric Bronzer on the cheeks, Make a Sheen Luminizer on cheekbones.

(Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lovesick on the lips)

Wearing Marc Jacobs Plush Eyeshadows: Candelight, Dimmer, Violet Hour, Twilight, In The Dark

(Kat Von D Tattoo Liner on upper lashline)

I incorporated just about every shadow in the palette (on the eyes for this look! Violet Hour all over the lid, Twilight in the crease, In The Dark in the corner of the crease only, and to add some shimmer Candelight on the inner part of my lids. I used Dimmer to help blend out Violet Hour and add some definition.

Overall I am so happy using this palette! The eyeshadows are so easy to work with, very blendable, and the face products quite impressed me too! This is such an amazing gift and I would totally be satisfied with this for Christmas! The downside is that Marc Jacobs makeup is a little pricey, so this palette is going for $86 CAD right now at Sephora stores and online. 

This product was received for consideration. All opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by any affiliates. 

Make Up For Ever Andreja Pejic Artist Shadow Palette

Be Bold. Be Unexpected. Be You.

This gorgeous limited edition eyeshadow palette is one of two to kick off the "Be Bold. Be Unexpected. Be You" campaign in collaboration with actress/fashion blogger Jamie Chung, transgender fashion model Andreja Pejic, and makeup artist Melanie Inglessis. The campaign aims to promote individuality and self-expression. 

The palette I have here includes 4 colours carefully chosen out of 200 by Andreja Pejic. I am simply in love with the neutral mauve-brown shades chosen because they are easy to wear on a daily basis and super easy to blend.

The box has a fun look to it and features 4 creative looks created by Melanie Inglessis on model Andreja Pejic. The actual casing of the palette is a little tin box that snaps closed. It is quite simple, a little boring, but it is magnetic and the shadows are interchangeable.

The 4 shadows included in the Andreja Pejic Palette are I-526, I-662, I-544, D-652. The shadows themselves are not limited edition but being able to buy them in a quad palette for $56 ($111 value). Make Up For Ever doesn't name their shadows on the packaging (hate this) but they do on their website. So I did a little research and included the shadow names below as well.

L to R, Top to Bottom: I-526 (Pearl Beige), I-662 (Amber Brown), I-544 (Pink Granite), D-652 (Celestial Earth)

I  = Iridescent Finish
D = Diamond Finish

I've tried Make Up For Ever's Matte Shadows before but I find these 2 finishes a lot easier to blend. They are as smooth as butter and of course the pigmentation doesn't disappoint. They work together so well and I've included 2 looks below using the shadows.

Discover the campaign hashtag #BeMakeUpForEver and express what a bold and unexpected look means to you. (Tip: Check out @JamieJChung Instagram to enter to win a custom palette + $500 worth of MUFE products). Unfortunately, I believe the Andreja Pejic Palette just recently sold out online, but it hopefully can be found in stores. The Andreja and Jamie Chung palettes are limited stock and retailing for $56 CAD in Sephora stores and online.

This product was received for consideration. All opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by any affiliates. 

Make Up For Ever Graphic Liner Review

Make Up For Ever recently introduced two new liners; the Graphic Liner ($29 cad) and the Ink Liner ($27). Both similarly priced, but with slightly different finishes and applicators. I chose to test out the Graphic Liner, because it was catered towards both beginners and pros. 

To be honest, I haven't ever tried a high-end (or, Sephora) brand liquid liner so I didn't have much to compare it to. I'm a huge fan of gel liners, and after testing this out I do have a few likes and dislikes about it.

The Graphic Liner has a super-fine felt tip. I have tried a few drugstore liquid liners and this is probably the finest tip I've used. The finish is glossy,  a 'glossy plastic finish' to be exact.

Make Up For Ever Graphic Liner: I believe I took the bottom picture first, and thickened the line a bit and took the top photo.

I actually found it quite difficult to use on my lids. The tip is so fine and it is a bit intimidating! I am clearly not the eyeliner expert, and I feel I have much better control with a gel liner. I did find this liquid liner hard to control because it is constantly pumping product to the tip. There is no "push to activate liner" or "dip your brush into this pot over here" so it took me some skill to make a decent line. I also didn't like the smell. It has a marker scent to it and it is a bit bothersome to me when applying. The scent does not linger and is gone after you close the cap, of course.

Although the fine tip is so intimidating, I liked that I could make the eyeliner as thin or as thick as I wanted. It took concentration, but I was able to make such a thin line in my inner corners, something that us hooded eyelid girls struggle with. There was no smudging, and it does not come off when ran under water but if you rub it under water... say goodbye to your eyeliner.

Above are some lines I made with the Graphic Liner felt tip. You can see how thin the line can get. I took a long hot shower and rubbed the lower half of my swatch and the liner came right off. However, I was impressed with the staying power of the rest that I didn't rub, it was only faded but still on pretty well. 

Pros:

- Very precise tip

- Staying power is decent

- Once it sets, it isn't going anywhere

- Dries super quickly

- Strong, opaque colour

- No smudging

Cons:

- Might be difficult for beginners, difficult to control for a shaky hand... ha..

- Fine tip is intimidating 

- The scent

- Not waterproof, will come off under water if you rub or wipe it. However if not rubbed, it will dry again once out of water and won't budge again.

It works much better when making long, quick, confident strokes. Any hesitation will definitely show. I'd say this liner is not for beginners, and more suitable for those who are a bit more experienced with liquid liner. Would be an excellent combination to use this over a gel liner for beginners or those with a shaky hand.

Overall, I wouldn't purchase this liner once I finish with this one. I would however, like to try the Ink Liner because I feel I might see a bit more control with that one because you are able to dip the brush into the pot, rather than this which is more of a free-flowing tip. Find it here* at Sephora, for $29 CAD.

This product was received for consideration. All opinions stated are my own and are not influenced by any affiliates.