Sparkled Beauty

It has been a while since I post a haul, so this was overdue eh? Let's get to it!

Real Techniques was not new at Winners, but I found those new individual brushes that I haven't had, so I grabbed 2.

Here are the Retractable bronzer brush (orange), $14.99 (comparable at $20) and Retractable kabuki brush (pink), $8.99 (comparable at $12).

I was a little concerned seeing the retractable kabubi not as wide/ fluffy but reviews said it was more of a travel version of the Expert face brush, which I liked. Do I need both of these brushes?

Across the street at Marshalls, I got 2 Elf 100 eyeshadow palettes on clearance for $4 - $5 each (reg. $12.99 - $14.99, comparable at $20). Love this price point a lot better :)

I think the black version is still on Elf website for $10, and the white version said "Class of 2014" on it and had more matte shades.

I loved the few marble shades that both palettes had. I know once on the eyes, the marble effect won't be visible, but they are pretty to look at.

I did place an order with Sephora 20% F&F (thanks E for getting me the code) mainly for First Aid Beauty Cheers to Fab Skin set, reg. $60 ($125 value).

Sets are awesome with undeniable savings, not a bad way to be introduced to a brand either.

The set includes:
- Face cleanser (2oz, reg. $12)
- Facial Radiance pads (28's, reg. $14)
- Ultra Repair cream (6oz, reg. $35)
- Ultra Repair Lip therapy (0.5oz, reg. $15)
- Eye Duty Triple remedy (0.34oz, reg. $45).

I wanted the eye cream for forever. With the set, after 20% off, it's like I bought the eye cream and paid $3 for the other 4 items. Even though we Canadians pay 25% more than Americans ($48), I won't complain :)

Other items I grabbed while I was at it:
- Benefit Cheeky Sweet Spot Box O' Blushes (reg. $43)
Another great valued set, and my boxed blush stash is almost complete now
- Urban Decay Anarchy Face case (available on the sale page for $23 for a split second)
- And lastly, the Hourglass Ambient blush palette (reg. $67), no explanation needed right?

I still have a few items in the cart, pending another order and kept adding things in/ taking things out. Still have about 2 days to decide. What have you been getting?

I was killing time at Superstore before my gym class and saw a few L'Oreal products on clearance for 50% off.

That were the whole lines of Magic Nude liquid powders, Infallible lip, and Colour Caresse stains, etc., not just selected shades. I don't know if the lines are being revamped or replaced.

I picked up the Magic Nude liquid powder in True Beige, around $8. I am not sure if this is my shade though.

Also grabbed a Joe Fresh Waterproof eyeshadow pencil in Taupe to try as it was 20% off this week (reg. $8). The sticker on the cap said 8 hrs, sounds promising huh?

Lastly, I thought I should include the OPI appearance at Dollarama, if you miss my Weekly Flyer deal update.


The 2 shades I got were Girl Color (a sheer pink jelly with beautiful green shimmer) and Stir-fried Eggplant (dark plum with multi-coloured shimmers). These are rebottled shades so you won't be able to find them in OPI listing, but that does not bother me. Have fun browsing your Dollarama for more.

A small update for Maybelline creamy matte lipsticks: my Target had 3x8 slots (still empty at the time), with a price sticker of $8.99. This might mean we only get 8 shades in the line (3 tubes each) and sadly confirm a reader's comment about not seeing Divine Wine and Craving Coral at her Walmart.

This look was a lot of fun to do, as I was testing out many new products at once.

I used EcoTools Skin Perfecting brush with my tinted moisturizer (Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Tone Correcting moisturizer SPF15 in Light to Medium) and primer (Marcelle DD cream SPF25 in Medium to Dark).

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponge works perfectly with CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 foundation SPF20 in 957 Golden Tan, It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eyes full coverage concealer in Neutral Medium and LA Girl Pro Conceal HD concealer in Pure Beige.

Also featuring Annabelle Spring products I have been wearing a lot of - TwistUp Retractable eyeshadow crayon in Taupe all over lids (no base), layered in the crease for intensity, and lip liner in Hot Pink.

Love it when I can use one tool for different products, save me bunch of time. And it feels great having so many Spring products on my face. Now the weather just needs to catch up with this makeup trend lol.

Other products used:
- Make Up For Ever HD Second Skin cream blush in #510 Raspberry
- Marcelle Xtension Plus + Pro Lash Growth Complex mascara in Black
- Avon SuperShock gel eye liner pencil in Plumful in the middle of lower lash line only
Copying this way of lining the eyes from a runway look I saw on twitter. The original work only placed a colourful dot on the lower lash line, instead of a whole line across
- Wet n Wild ColorIcon brow & eye liner in Dark Brown.

It is dangerously sunny outside right now. I said "dangerously" as it was below 0 this morning when I left the house.

Easter egg hunts will be cold for lots of kids around here, but they probably wouldn't mind it. It's the parents standing around waiting who will be suffering this temperature :)

If you are not egg hunting this weekend, what will you be up to? Not used to this "extra long weekend" business at all, I don't know what to do with myself all of a sudden lol.

Sleeping in? Hunting for half price chocolate at Shoppers after Easter maybe? Online shopping is also always tempting, too easy to do and too hard to resist. I need a new hobby!

You might have heard a lot about Real Techniques new products for 2014, and they finally hit Canadian market!

A PR package arrived at SB HQ with two of the most anticipated items - the Miracle Complexion sponge and the Silicone eyeliner brush. Excitement overload!

I am happy to see Nic has joined Sam to develop this new line of products for Real Techniques (their picture together is now on the packaging). The brand started out with Sam's pure efforts, and now with both the pixiwoo sisters, we can definitely expect more creative products like these.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponge has been talked about so much everywhere we look :) And yes, it is a great product, with distinct features, to create a flawless finish with your foundation and/or concealer.

Here it is nestled comfortable in the plastic cradle that comes with the packaging.

Like most of its predecessors, this orange sponge has rounded sides for large areas of the face and precision tip for blemishes and imperfections. And we have seen these features work so well in the past.

What sets the sponge apart is the flat edge for the contours around the eyes and nose.

For comparison, the Beauty Blender sponge (CAD26 or 2/CAD34) does not have the flat edge and the Sephora Sculptor sponge (CAD16) does not have the precision tip.

We have seen how well those flat top kabuki brushes do. I have taken full advantage of the flat edge in this sponge and have no doubt it would earn itself a HG status too.

When I see how fluffy and big Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponge became when wet, I couldn't help getting my Beauty Blender wet to compare the size. So here they are side by side, both wet.

Real Techniques sponge is slightly longer and less rounded, easier to hold, in my opinion.

And needless to say, with a $9.99 price tag, Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponge is easily a must have for lots of us. The Beauty Blender is great in its own right, just not as budget friendly.

Another product that peaked people's interest when it came out in the US is Real Techniques Silicone eyeliner brush, $8.99.

Sam and Nic's intention for this brush is smooth and precise application with liquid or cream eyeliner. The silicone bristles grab the product well but requires more of it than with a regular liner brush. Cleaning afterward is a breeze though, simply a swipe of a makeup wipe would do.

Application is, however, not as easy as it looks, at least to me.

Sam's tip (printed on the box) is to apply product to the length of the brush instead of the tip, angle the brush sideways (parallel to the eye line) to apply product.

That makes sense, as the tip is very fine and pointed. But even with using the side, I could not manage to make sharp lines with this brush. Maybe it is my poor skill with eyeliners, but the bristles are just not firm enough for me to have any control over them.

Proof in the swatches here. Real Techniques Silicone eyeliner brush on the left and a regular angled liner brush in the middle with the same gel liner, in comparison with Milani Eye Tech Extreme liquid eyeliner in Blackest Black on the right.

I would say if you are a master in handling liner brushes, this would be a fun brush to try. If you are new to lining your eyes, I would stick with a liquid liner or the traditional liner brushes.

Also new at Real Techniques in 2014 are Retractable bronzer brush $19.99, Retractable kabuki brush $12.99 and Retractable lip brush $8.99.

Real Techniques is available at Lawtons, London Drugs, Walmart, selected Pharmasale and Familiprix and online at Farleyco.

Halifax had a way to ring in the NY, I tell you. We are having -29 (-20F) wind chill right now and expect a blizzard tonight. How exciting!

Let's talk brushes, to be more exciting lol. I received some Real Techniques individual brushes for review, and they have been so fun to use. If you haven't got yourself some since last time I told you they had arrived in Canada, here is my review :)

From L-R: Expert face brush, foundation brush, stippling brush and shading brush. These individual brushes all have taklon bristles, soft and non-scratchy. The quality we see in the brush sets still stand for single brushes, yay!

As with any bunch of products, I do like one brush more than the other a tiny bit, but enjoy them all, for different purposes.

First up, with an orange handle, is the famous Expert face brush, retails around $10.

Meant to be used to apply and blend cream/ liquid foundation, the brush has firmer bristles than most. It is quite dense but not to the extend of Sigma F80, and not as wide either. It is compact and effective.

I used the Expert face brush for both foundation and concealer and it did a really good job. Despite the compact size, it did not take long to do the whole face. All the raves are proven to be true :) The flat end of the handle helps the brush stand on the counter, and on my makeup counter it stands, my favorite Real Techniques brush for the face. The box it comes with will be great for travel too.

Also with an orange handle is the Foundation brush, $9. It is flat and angled, I assume to reach hard to reach areas on the face.

Personally, I did not use the brush with foundation but bronzer, to contour. I turn it on the flat and thin side and deposit bronzer on, then swipe it up and down to blend. Since this is also a compact brush, detailed work suits it. With a bit of patience, I could get a subtle contour going on, which is not something I do often :)

The duo-fiber Stippling brush, $10, with a pink handle, can be used with all types of makeup but I chose it for my cream blushes.

The size of it is perfect for the cheek area, and the bristles distribute cream products like a dream. The blushes look natural and not overly done. Stipple stipple blend and you are done!

Lastly, the Shading brush for your eyes, $7, with purple handle, is a tiny little brush with dome shaped bristles. It is best for applying the crease colour, and because it is not pointy like a pencil brush, I use it to blend the colour out as well, on both the crease and the lower lash line. Fast and easy!

It has the same flat end on the handle like other brushes but because it is small and thin, it does not stand well by itself but it does not bother me.

Glad to have them all in my stash now. Real Techniques brushes are available at Walmart, Lawtons, London Drugs, sometimes at Winners, and online at Farleyco. Note: Canada will soon have Real Techniques Miracle sponge as well, yay!

Stay tuned for a giveaway :)

It is the last few days of my vacation, I am just popping in to let you guys know about a good deal on Real Techniques brushes for Atlantic Canada.

By now, you all know about Real Techniques being available in Canada. The sets, to be exact!

Since my last review of the Eyes Starter kit, individual brushes have arrived at Lawtons in their full glory. I don't know if I yelled from the rooftop enough, so here is a little reminder for my Maritime readers that you now have those brushes at your fingertips. And even better is that Real Techniques is 30% off right now. No better time to stock up, but hurry as the flyer is only good until tomorrow, December 24.

Selections would include the famous Expert face brush (pictured), 2-in-1 kabuki brush, blush brush, shading brush, fine liner brush, etc. No makeup sponges at the moment yet, but we can hope :) Note that not all locations carry the brand, please check before heading out.

For readers from other parts of Canada, I spotted a few Real Techniques individual brushes at Winners for pretty good price ($7 - $9) a few weeks ago. You can grab them off Farleyco website too.

Have fun shopping and happy holidays! :)

With all the buzz about Real Techniques brushes' arrival at Canadian Walmart, I figure I should get this review up fast, you know, to help you with buying decisions :)

This is the Eyes Starter kit sent to me by Farleyco, the brand's distributor in Canada. I already reviewed the Travel Essentials kit back in 2011, so check that out too :)

Without repeating myself too much from the 2011 review, I'd say that the packaging is nice and simple, the blue colour scheme is for eye brushes.

The kit includes:
- Deluxe crease brush: meant for contouring
- Base shadow brush: to apply a wash of color on the eyes
- Accent brush: for precision detailing, spotlighting, highlighting, and smudging
- Pixel-point eyeliner brush: quite firm and thin, with tapered tip
- Brow brush: angled cut, thicker and a bit wider than a regular angled liner brush.

All brushes have Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman carved on the ferrules, and the name of the brush too. That comes in handy for those who are new with using makeup brushes.

Accompanying the brushes is the sturdy padded case which can double up as a stand on your working surface/ makeup vanity. With a velcro snap to close, an elastic band with strong hold across the case on the inside and a clear plastic insert to keep the brushes in place. Double protection.

The eye brushes are substantially smaller than others in the line, I figured individual shots would not show much in details and went with group shots instead.

Check out the closeup on the tips. I lined up the brushes at the other end, so they are pretty much at the same length, relatively.

The deluxe crease brush is definitely the most fluffy and dense among these. Its round tip prompts me to use it to put highlight on brow bones or contour the side of my nose. If you have lots of working space on the eyelids (which I don't), it could work as a blending brush too.

Compared to the domed shadow brush from the Travel Essentials kit, the brush head is bigger and more round.

The base shadow brush is a fine crease brush, for me. It is a lot more flat and tapered, great for detail work in the crease.

The accent brush is tiny and quite stiff, best for smudging eyeliners on the lower lash line.

The pixel-point eyeliner brush is wider than the brush that comes in a regular liquid liner tube. It is firm but gives under pressure, best for medium (not fine) lines.

And the brow brush, like I said, is thicker and wider than most brow brushes I have used. The size makes filling in the brows a lot faster, I just need to go a little slower near the edges to make sharp lines.

To conclude, this kit is a fun combination of eye brushes for extra work around the eyes. If you are collecting Real Techniques brushes, these five brushes would be a good item to get. But if you are starting a brush collection, go for the basic brushes first before indulging in these.

At the moment, Walmart is the only retailer that carries Real Techniques brushes in 3 sets (including the one in this post, as pictured), $18.97 each. For individual brushes outside a kit, you can get them from Farleyco website for now. Prices range from $6.50 - $12.49.

Hopefully Walmart will decide to carry these singles too, in very near future.

Here it is, a perk from my US trip, one of the most talked about products that us Canadians want to get our hands on: Real Techniques brushes by Samantha Chapman of pixiwoo.

I was able to get this Travel Essentials set from Ulta, reg. $15.99, with a 20% off coupon that they had on their site at the time. Often enough, Ulta has the $3.50 off $10 purchase coupons, helps you save a bit of $.

I also wanted the Core Collection set but it was out of stock in both visits I managed to make to the store :( Hence, this is the only review from the brand, for now.

This set comes with 3 brushes:
- Essential foundation brush (orange)
- Multi-task brush (pink)
- Domed shadow brush (blue) and
- Brush case,
Housed in a sturdy clear plastic packaging.

If you haven't noticed, Real Techniques brushes are colour coded - orange is for your base, pink is for your finish and blue is for your eyes. Convenient and fun, isn't it?

The elastic band to hold the brushes on the case is quite strong, also there is a plastic insert placed at the bottom of the brushes to hold them in place. Your brushes won't be going anywhere outside the case, let me tell you.

The case is made of a strong padded material that won't bend easily except for the slot where it is supposed to bend (to turn itself into a brush stand). A nice thing to have.

Here are the brushes side by side, just to give you an idea of their sizes. The bristles are synthetic taklon, hand cut and 100% cruelty free, FYI. They are soft but give a firm hold at the same time, help the deposition of products. I didn't see any fall outs while using or washing them. No particular smell on the brushes either.

The ferrules are made of aluminum, so they are light weight, balanced with the weight that the wooden end of the handles add on. The brushes feel comfortable in my hand. I also like the fact that the ferrules are extended longer down the handle than most brushes.

Here are the brushes, in their own spotlights:

The Essential foundation brush is meant for liquid foundation or concealer. And I use it for just that. The bristles are firm enough to spread the product evenly without scratching my face. However, I found it a little smaller than I would like for foundation, takes a little long to cover my whole face. It works better for concealer, to my taste.


The Multi-task brush does a decent job with my finishing powder, powder blushes and highlights, whatever I might need it for in a particular day. I wouldn't use it for cream blushes though, even when it is a synthetic brush, as it is a little too soft for that.

The Domed shadow brush is medium sized, works well in padding colours on my lids and even blending them out a bit at the edges. I still need a blending/ crease brush with it to complete a look but it does well what it is meant to do.

So, all in all, this is a good little nifty brush set to travel with you, for basic makeup needs. I would love to see Real Techniques come out with bigger sets in the future, as 3 brushes won't be enough for me. But they have done things right with this set, and I hope to get more next time I'm around an Ulta.

There are online tutorials by Sam on Real Techniques website, quite helpful to get your started. The site also mentions a seller for those of you who don't live in the US: Love Makeup, from the UK. I can't comment on their shipping cost or whether they ship to your country, as I simply don't know the details - but they are working on that. There is hope, lol.