The Canadian Edit: First Impressions

 Shall we take a moment here to appreciate the beauty of makeup from the other side of the pond? I'm pretty sure I heard angels singing when I unwrapped these beauties. You'll have heard me talk about Daphne a lot here, but actually, she's one part of a trio, it's just the other part lives over-the-seas in Canada, (where they drink the blood of trees). I am of course talking about the one and only Vanessa (side note: if you haven't already you definitely need to check out Vanessa's blog, we don't call her the Queen of Blush for no reason! Plus her photography is just drool-worthy!). Now it was my birthday last month and Daphne's is approaching, and Vanessa very kindly sent us a joint birthday package of Canadian goodies. 

First off, I should point out that Vanessa FAR too kindly included her Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer for me, since it's my favourite primer and she didn't get on with it, but Daphne is currently holding it hostage from me! This was so kind of her though, I'm getting to the end of mine and was dreading repurchasing! She also popped in the Urban Decay Anti Ageing Primer Potion, which I am looking forward to trying since I love the Original Primer Potion (I'm not too offended that it's anti-ageing either, since she's older!). 

The Milani Baked Powder Blush in Luminoso has been on my wishlist for a really long time, so I was so excited to find it nestled in the package! And my my my, it didn't disappoint! The shade is like nothing else in my collection, it's a perfect peach shade with golden shimmer. It's probably the lightest blush I own but it's downright gorgeous and suits my skintone to a tee. The formula is fantastic too, I wore it all day yesterday and it was still perfect by bedtime. Not one for those who aren't a fan of shimmer, you definitely want to skip highlighter with this one! 

I guess I should have expected lots of blush products from the Queen of Blush! I recently tried the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush and fell in love, so I was thrilled to get the Tarte Cheek Stain in Tipsy. This is a totally unique product, I haven't ever tried or seen anything quite like this. It's kind of like a giant wind up stick cream blush, and the payoff is really sheer, meaning it's super easy to wear and very natural. I will report back when I've tried it out a bit more but so far, I love it!

One more blush, the Wet and Wild Colour Icon Blusher in Pearlescent Pink. I've never tried ANYTHING by Wet and Wild (I know, shock horror), so to see so much of the brand here! Anyway, this blush is a gorgeous warm pink with a hint of shimmer, the formula is soft and just pigmented enough (not so much that it's easy to go heavy handed, but enough that it won't take much to get the perfect blush). I can't wait to try this out properly! There was also a single eyeshadow, the  Wet and Wild Colour Icon Eyeshadow in Brulee a matte cream shade, bound to come in handy since the only shades I have similar are nestled in giant palettes! The formula is, of course, infallible. 

Onto the palettes then! First up the Walking on Eggshells Palette, is one I've lusted after for a while! There's a gorgeous shimmery cream highlight, a warm shimmery brown crease shade and a champagne shimmery shade for all over. Definitely a super wearable, everyday palette, that you can turn to when you want an eye look to rely on. 

The brightest of the trio is the I'm Getting Sunburned Palette, home to a gorgeous pearlescent rose shade, a deep brown shimmering crease shade, and a gorgeous golden brown shade. I can't wait to try this palette, it's something a little brighter than I'm used to but still really quite wearable. Stay tuned! 

And lastly, the palette that's stolen my heart, the Silent Treatment Palette, a pretty pink champagne shimmer, an almost-black brown somewhat reminiscent of Blackheart in the Naked 3 Palette, and the most perfect shimmering taupe I've ever seen. I can tell you now that I will use this palette to death! All these palettes have impeccable formulas, they wear really well and are still perfectly intact at the end of the day! So impressed!

I believe the culprit of the eye-watering delivery fee for Vanessa was the inclusion of the Peach Bellini Bath and Bodyworks Candle. *angels singing*. I have wanted to try a Bath and Bodyworks candle for like MY ENTIRE LIFE so I nearly cried when I saw this. Peach is my favourite scent in the world so it couldn't be more perfect. The scent throw of this candle is amazing, you don't even need to light it, and I think I'm in love! 

Also in the package was an assortment of tea, and a couple of samples, I'll let you know how they turn out.

Basically, Vanessa is the best friend ever, if you're reading this, thank you and I love you! 

Have you tried any of these products?