Makeup By Meggy: Milani

Showing posts with label Milani. Show all posts

Drugstore Dupes

I've gone through my makeup collection and complied a short list of drugstore items that I believe are dupes for high end brands.

Bronzer

NYC Sunny vs. Tarte Park Avenue Princess

NYC Sunny Bronzer retails for $3 and Tarte Park Avenue Princess Bronzer comes as part of a contour palette that retails for $41. These two bronzers are very similar. Both are matte, slightly orange, pigmented and blend well. The NYC bronzer is more powdery than the Tarte alternative and the Tarte bronzer last longer and claims it's waterproof, but I think for the price The NYC bronzer is definietly worth it.

Blush

Milani Luminoso vs. Benefit CORALista

Milani's Luminoso Blush retails for $8.50 and Benefit's CORALista retails for $36. Although not exact dupes these two blushes leave a very similar look to the cheeks. A shimmery coral colour that is perfect for summer. The Milani blush is a little more coral while the Benefit blush is slightly lighter in colour. Both have a lot of golden shimmer throughout. Luminoso's formula is baked so it is a bit drier and slightly more powdery in consistency. If you can't afford to shell out for a Benefit blush I highly suggest you try Milani.

Eyeliner

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil vs. Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal

Rimmel's eyeliners retail for $7 and the Urban Decay liners retail for $24. I have talked about Rimmel's Scandaleyes liners being a dupe for Urban Decay's 24/7 liners many times before on my blog. Although Urban Decay has a much wider shade selection, the formula's of the liners are very similar. They're waterproof, pigmented, creamy and long-lasting but you can still smudge them out before they set. The two similar shades I used as an example are Roach from Urban Decay and 03 Brown from Rimmel.

A Cheap Alternative

The Wet & Wild Palette retails for about $4 while the Lorac Pro 2 Palette retails for $42. These two eyeshadow palettes aren't really a dupe but they are very similar. The Wet & Wild Palette doesn't contain any matte shades and has half the selection of shades as the Lorac Pro 2 palette but there are some dupes between the two. I really love both these palettes. The shadow quality of each palette is very impressive.

Wet & Wild Comfort Zone

Lorac Pro 2

Top - W&W Brown Definer vs. Lorac Cocoa, W&W Browbone vs. Lorac Beige

Bottom Left - W&W Eyelid vs. Lorac Rose, W&W Crease vs. Lorac Mocha, W&W Green Crease vs. Lorac Jade

Do you know of any good dupes?

My Huge Chicago Haul and First Impressions

I recently traveled to Chicago and took advantage of lower priced cosmetics as well as Ulta (an American Makeup store). I ended up dropping a lot of money at several stores including Sephora, Walgreens and Ulta. This is the result of my shopping spree...

Eyes

Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette

I have lots of neutral palettes but it was the the mix of matte and shimmer shadows in this palette that really caught my attention. There's everything you need for a full look. I've really been loving the colours Silk Teddy, Push-Up and Cashmere Bunny. These shadows are really buttery and pigmented and the packaging is really cute. I'll do a full review eventually.

itCosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette

I've had this palette on my wishlist for a long time. I think it is so unique and versatile. All the shades are matte but it includes a transforming pearl shade that can turn any shadow to a shimmer. It also isn't just a basic neutral palette, there are lots of purples and pinks which you don't normally find in matte. I was also beyond impressed with the texture of these matte shadows. A full review is to come.

Lorac Pro Palette 2

I was so happy to get my hands on this newly released palette. It is really incredible! These are considered cooler shades than the original Pro Palette but there are also more than just neutral colours included. Navy and Plum are unique and beautiful matte's while Jade is a very wearable shimmery green. I've also found that Chrome is very similar to M.A.C's Satin Taupe. I've been staring at this palette imagining the possibilities for days. It is just a beautiful palette. I will have looks and a review coming soon.

Sephora Crayon Jumbo in 04 Taupe

Jordana Fabu Liner in 01 Black

Brows

Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Brown

I have fallen in love with this product since I got it . I think it has done so much to improve the look of my eyebrows. The colour match is great and I love the spooly at the end for brushing through my brows.

Milani Brow Tint Pen in 01 Natural Taupe

I was intrigued with this brow pen. I've only ever used a pencil or powder. Although the colour match isn't perfect I was pleased with it especially how long lasting it is.

Cheeks

Urban Decay Naked Flushed - Native

Urban Decay is one of my favourite brands so I just had to get my hands on their new cheek palette. The one I got is just perfect for my pale skin. The matte blush is gorgeous when used with a light hand, the highlight is beautiful and the bronzer is neither to orange or muddy but it has a tiny bit of shimmer. I love the colours and it seems perfect for travel. My only complaint would be that it can be a little powdery.

Milani Baked Blush in 05 Luminoso

I love Milani's Baked Blushed and I've heard so many people talk about Luminoso so I thought it was time I picked it up. All the hype is worth it. This blush is gorgeous. It's not to shimmery it gives your skin the perfect healthy glow.

Lips

Maybelline Color Elixir in 10 Celestial Coral, Nyx Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee, Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream in Antwerp, Maybelline Color Sensational The Buffs in 915 Blushing Beige

Bite Lychee and Musk

EOS Lemon Drop with SPF 15

Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream Kiss

Nivea is my all time favourite brand for lip balm. This one in particular smells so unbelievably amazing.

Face

Rimmel Match Perfection in 120 Ivory

I've only used this foundation a few times so I don't have a fully formed opinion on it yet but so far I love it. I love Rimmel's Wake Me Up Foundation and I have been dying to try this one but I couldn't seem to find it in Canada. It blends well, it's medium coverage and leaves my skin with a slightly dewy finish. Rimmel's foundations also smell really good.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

I had been wanting to try a sponge to apply foundation instead of a brush. The Beauty Blender is very expensive and I didn't know if I would like applying my foundation with a brush so I though I would start with the cheaper Real Techniques version. I love Real Techniques as a brand and I heard good things about their sponge. So far it seems very good.

Nails

H&M Nail Polish in Baby Blue

Hair

Tangle Teezer

This is a miracle product. I have extremely tangley hair and this just brushes through it like a dream. I found it at Urban Outfitters but if you can get your hands on one, I think it is a lifesaver for anyone with hair that likes to tangle.

Oh Canada!

Getting International Brands at Canadian Drugstores

In honour of Canada Day I thought I make a post about where to find some popular International Brands at Canadian drugstores. There are the typical drugstore brands than you can find just about anywhere. This includes Revlon, L'Oreal, Maybelline, Covergirl, Rimmel, Physicians Formula, Almay and N.Y.C. I will not be discussing these brands. There are also popular Canadian brands such as Annabelle, Marcelle, Quo and Joe Fresh. I will not be discussing these brands either as most of these brands are widely available in Canada. The brands I will be focusing on are usually hard to find in Canada as not many stores carry the brand. To save you a trip down south or overseas to collect some makeup, I thought I'd compile of a list of where some popular international brands can be found in Canada.

*Disclaimer the brands I'm listing may not apply to all branches of stores. Depending on where in Canada you live these brands may be carried in other stores. My information is based on Central Canadian Stores.