Brand Focus: Gabriel Cosmetics & Zuzu Luxe

Gabriel and Zuzu Luxe are sister brands, and definitely well known worldwide.  I've already tried (and loved) their mascara, brow pencil, and liquid liner, and although I've always wanted to explore more, the price point in Canada is quite high. When I say high, I mean almost double the American pricing and it hardly ever goes on sale. I think it's amazing that their products are made in the USA, with the exception of their pencils which are made in Germany. But what I absolutely love most, is that they are vegan and free from the following:

• Coal Tar Derivatives or FD&C agents
• Parabens
• Soy
• Mineral Oil
• Peanuts & Tree Nuts
• Lanolin
• Talc
• Propylene Glycol
• Hydrogenated Oils
• Gluten
• Phthalates
• DBP
• Toluene
• Lead
• Formaldehyde
• Nano/Micro sized particles

You can read more about Gabriel/Zuzu Luxe here. 

I was given the opportunity to try out a few of their products and decided on the *Zuzu Luxe Dual Powder Foundation in D-10, *Zuzu Luxe Mascara in Onyx, *Zuzu Luxe Lipliner in Bounce, *Gabriel Lipliner in Berry, *Gabriel Moisturizing Liquid Foundation in Soft Beige, and *Gabriel Eye Primer in Neutral.

For ingredients, click here

Good eye primers are hard to come by, especially when you have really oily, deep set lids. Every brand boasts theirs as the best, but so far only the *Gabriel Eye Primer ($13.55 USD/2.5 g) has worked for me. It's extremely creamy, offers pretty good vein coverage, evens out the lids well, and keeps shadows from creasing for several hours. Not sure that it would last quite as long in the middle of a super hot Canadian summer day, when humidity takes over and you can barely breath, but I guess we'll find out in a few months. The neutral shade is slightly darker than pictured above and leans cool. On medium to dark skin tones, this could appear white on the lids. I've applied this primer with fingers and brushes, and much prefer the even application that a brush gives. The packaging is lovely, super small and sturdy, and great for travelling with. If you're looking for an eye primer, I highly recommend this one.

For ingredients, click here.

I'm beyond in love with the *Zuzu Luxe Dual Powder Foundation ($28.30 USD/9 g) and have used it every single time, without fail, since receiving it. It provides such beautiful coverage on its own and extra, flawless, coverage over top of my beloved Sappho Liquid Foundation in Leisha. It can sometimes cling to dry patches, although it's not often that I find my skin looking cakey or flaky when wearing this foundation and my skin tends to lean dry in the colder months. I don't want to jinx it but, it hasn't developed a crust on the top like most pressed powders do. You know, when you have to scrape the top layer in order to get the product to actually come off on your brush or sponge? So annoying. The shade is a tad light for my skin but is easily manageable. D-10 is described as Pale Ivory Skin/Pink Undertones, however, I don't find that it leans pink at all. I chose this shade prior to them revamping their site and could swear it was described as neutral, which I find it is. The compact is a bit bulky, but it's great for taking on the go because of how sturdy it is and the great sized mirror (which I've covered with the sponge). My only issue, being Canadian, is that I cannot find the damn refill pans ($21.25 USD/9 g). I've called 4 different stores within the GTA and nobody carries them. What's up with that Gabriel?? It is probably the best foundation that I've ever used, to date, but if I can't easily get my hands on a refill, I may need to find another powder :(:(:(.

For ingredients, click here.

I really wanted to love this *Gabriel Moisturizing Liquid Foundation ($28 USD/30 ml), like really wanted to love it. I didn't play with it much because it was way too pink for my warm/neutral skin tone, however, I did wear it once (around the house). It provided beautiful medium to full coverage, minimally clinged to dry patches, provided a dewy finish, and wore pretty well. I've swatched all of the available light to medium shades, of this foundation, and find that they're all cool toned, which is really disappointing. Hopefully they include a wider range of undertones at some point.

For Gabriel ingredients, click here. For Zuzu ingredients, click here.

I've never been a lipliner girl, until now. They really do make a difference in how your lipstick wears and helps define your lips, especially when wearing bolder shades. Both the *Gabriel Lipliner ($12 USD/1.13 g) in Berry and the *Zuzu Luxe Lipliner ($13.80 USD/1.13 g) in Bounce are stunning. Berry is described as a Pinkish Plum/Cool Blue Undertone and Bounce is described as a Deep Pinkish Plum/Cool, both are accurate descriptions. They're incredibly long wearing, pigmented, creamy, and just an absolute pleasure to use. I love wearing them on their own and under a lipstick or gloss. The only negative I have is that the caps don't stay on tightly, specifically the Gabriel one. Aside from that, I'm hooked and desperately want to pick up a few more (Innocence, Port, and Red).
Get it here: Gabriel, Pharmaca, and most health food stores (including Whole Foods, Goodness Me!, The Big Carrot, and Nature's Emporium). 
*Products provided for review consideration. All opinions are entirely my own.

May 2013 Faves!

I skipped out on doing an April faves post because I was finishing up some products and really had nothing exciting or new worth mentioning. This month, however, I have a few honourable mentions.

DIY Clay mask - I do have a post on my mask concoction, however, I've been changing it up a bit. Instead of using toner to mix the clays and honey, I sometimes used (and still use) Raw ACV (apple cider vinegar) and pass on the neem. Either way, I was using this mask at least 3 times a week to help draw out impurities from the heavy, HD and waterproof makeup that we were using in the makeup course I took.

Honey - With all the makeup and washing my face so frequently last month, I loved applying honey every other morning on my face and just leaving it on for 10 - 30 minutes.

Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil - review here - Such a beautiful, beautiful oil! It smells lovely, feels lovely, hydrates lovely, it's just lovely and I've been really enjoying it.

Bee 23 Hotty Body Balm - review here - I stand by my bees knees comment, it's amazing. I was using the Weleda body oil all over, but decided to use it on the bits that need firming and this balm everywhere else. Moisturizes like a dream!

Weleda Skin Food - review here - I carry this in my bag at all times, in case you couldn't tell by how banged up it looks. Wonderful for dry patches on your body and face. A definite love and must have of mine.

Pure+Simple Face Colour in Glow - review here - Shocking right? Love this blush so, so much. If you follow me on Twitter, then you know mine actually shattered. P+S were kind enough to send me a new one but, I've been using my broken one because there's no way I'm tossing that baby out.

Ilia Lip Conditioner in Arabian Knights - review to come - I do have a review coming, promise! This is the most beautiful and perfect berry shade. I reached for it all of May..well..since I got it really!

Gabriel Brow Pencil in Russet - review to come - This is my first natural brow pencil and it's great. My brows are pretty dark but I hate using a dark brown pencil because I don't want them to appear darker, just fuller. This taupe-ish shade is perfect and so natural looking.

Olie Biologique 004 Hydrating Oil - review to come - I got sent this to try out and while it's basically Argan Oil, which I can't use on my face, it has been amazing in my hair. I apply it on dry hair to smooth away any frizz and keep my ends conditioned. Oh and it smells lovely!

What did you love in May?