brushes

Surratt Artistique Cheek Brush – Review and Comparison

~ stashy ~ 60 Comments

I mentioned in my Holy Grail Beauty Products post that I haven’t done many brush reviews so it’s time to remedy that. After quite a delayed gratification (I first spied this brush in May of 2016, when Polished and Inspired came to Toronto for a visit and we pawed at this at Sephora), I was thrilled to add this delightful brush to my collection. You’ve seen glamour shots of it already, but here’s more:

I started using this brush as soon as I bought it in late November – after washing it first – and I want to share my impressions of it here.

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Bésame Long Hair Finishing Powder Brush

~ stashy ~ 39 Comments

I mentioned the Bésame Long Hair Finishing Powder Brush as one of my favourites at the end of last year. Finally, I’m posting my review of this odd looking brush:
I bought this during the Fall VIB Sale from Sephora last year, it costs $62 CAD / $50 USD.

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PP12: NYX Powder Blush in Taupe PB11

~ stashy ~ 60 Comments

Happy Halloween! I hope you get sufficiently spooked today and also eat enough candies for a nice sugar high. 😛
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Today’s Project Pan item is the NYX Powder Blush in Taupe #PB11:
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It was not by accident that this item is featured today – if you’re in a pinch for ghoulish looking hollowed out cheeks for a costume, perhaps a contouring shade like this could help! 😉

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Nars Kabuki Ita Brush and AliExpress Dupe

~ stashy ~ 64 Comments

Finally, the post that many of you requested when I received my AliExpress order back in March. Here’s the comparison between the Nars Kabuki Ita Brush and the cheaper knock-off alternative. 😉
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• Nars Kabuki Ita Brush – C$70 (Sephora) Note: I paid around C$60 for mine about 5 years ago – shocking to see how the price has jumped.
• “Professionals Brand Kabuki Ita No 21 makeup brush” – C$2.74 (AliExpress)

(can you tell which one is which from the photo above?)

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New to Me: Teeez Cosmetics

~ stashy ~ 56 Comments

I heard about Teeez Cosmetics being available at Hudson’s Bay from Jodi of A Brash Attitude a couple of weeks ago. Then I happen to walk by the Beauty Underground section in the Bay downtown and saw the new counter that has been set up (sadly, it replaced the Anna Sui counter! 😦 AS is still available at select Beauty Boutiques at Shoppers though). Although the counter is quite sparse looking right now, the eye catching packaging of the Teeez Cosmetics products more than makes up for it. I had a nice chat with the SA and I ended up getting these items:
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Aren’t they so fun? When I first saw the packaging, I thought they looked like a mix of Urban Decay and Benefit Cosmetics.

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AliExpress Brush Dupes: MAC Oval 6

~ stashy ~ 53 Comments

I bought a bunch of brushes off AliExpress on January 30th and have been patiently waiting for them to be delivered for the past couple of months.  Finally, the packages started trickling in mid-March and I received my final parcel last week.  Here is the Real Techniques Bold Metals set:
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And here are the “dupes” next to the real thing:
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Overall? I’m REALLY impressed with what I received! 😀  Today I’ll review and compare the MAC Oval 6 brush dupe.

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Project Focus 10: Smashbox Double Exposure Palette

~ stashy ~ 51 Comments

We made it! It’s the final product review for Project Focus 10!  All of us are reviewing eye shadow palettes today so be sure to check out everyone’s posts – links at the bottom of the post.
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I got the Smashbox Double Exposure Palette last November during Shoppers Drug Mart Optimum Points redemption event:
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So it was “free” but it normally retails for $45 CAD.

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MAC Masterclass Oval 6 Brush

~ stashy ~ 66 Comments

I was so excited in January when I finally got my grubby hands on this brush!
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The MAC Masterclass Oval 6 brush had been out of stock for over a year, no exaggeration!  It retails for $51 CAD (ouch).

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I bought a few things off AliExpress…

~ stashy ~ 62 Comments

Happy Groundhog Day! I think it’s going to be an early Spring this year!

Out of sheer curiosity, I placed orders for some makeup accessories off AliExpress:
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This cost me only $13.97 for all 7 brushes! 😮 (all prices are in Canadian dollars)  I’ve been wanting to try the Real Techniques Bold Metals brushes for a while now, but at $35 for just the Flat Contour brush, I couldn’t justify the purchase.  It would have cost me $205 before taxes for all 7 brushes from the Bold Metals collection. I mean, aren’t RT brushes meant to be a cheaper alternative?

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Paul & Joe Beauté Loot

~ stashy ~ 45 Comments

I’m trying to come up with post titles that don’t involve the word “haul”… it’s getting a bit repetitive. But repetitive doesn’t necessarily mean boring, right? 😉  Today I bring you some Paul & Joe Beauté loot:
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This was spurred on by a gift I received from my friend at Christmas:
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Le Bal Masque Set in 001 Oh! Carnival!
After receiving this present, I was compelled to go to the nearest Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) that carries the Paul & Joe line, and upon laying eyes on the glory of their display, lost my mind, blacked out for a bit, only waking up to find myself thrusting my credit card at the cashier. It was all my friend’s fault! 😛

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