Katy Kat Matte Lipstick Review

Those of you who follow me on Instagram know that yesterday I was trying out Covergirl's new matte lipstick formula, a collaboration with Katy Perry!

As per Covergirl's website, the Katy Kat Matte Lipstick is described as a "Demi-Matte Lipstick" that is "Velvety Soft and Luscious-Feeling". They also claim that the lipstick delivers a matte feel without being flat or dry.

I found the product at my local Zehrs in the cosmetics aisle, priced at roughly $9 each. There are 11 shades in the lipstick line, with two pinky nudes, two purply nudes, a coral, one bright fuchsia and one slightly darker magenta, a crimson red, a lavender, a darker purple, and a black. With the exceptions of the pinks, reds, blacks, and lavender, all the shades have a more muted tone to them - they aren't quite the in your face true brights like you would expect from Urban Decay. 

I swatched most of them in store and ended up purchasing Cat Call, which is a bright pink that reminds me a lot of BITE Amuse Bouche in Pickled Ginger or Radish.

Katy Kat Matte in Cat Call

 I'll evaluate the lipstick based on 5 categories: Application & Feel, Wear, Comfort, Longevity, and Packaging. 

Application & Feel

The product went on quite smoothly. It wasn't draggy and didn't pull at my lips or skip, like some mattes (looking at you, Urban Decay...) It has a standard bullet shape with a sharp tip for precision. I found it easy to apply precisely, and any mistakes came off with a quick swipe of a tissue. 

I actually agree with the majority of the product description - the lipstick did feel good going on. It was surprisingly moisturizing, and I didn't feel like my lips were dried out at all. It definitely is a demi-matte and not a true matte, as there was minimal sheen to my lips after applying the product. However, rubbing my lips together didn't cause the lipstick to pill or crumble, and there was enough slip that the product was comfortable. The lipstick feels like its 3/4 lipstick and 1/4 chapstick. I was happy! 

I should also mention that these are scented, because I know that may be a factor for some. It's a generic sweet/candy scent, but its not noticeable AT ALL when you're wearing it. I actually had to bring the bullet to my nose to notice. 

Wear

I was really, really impressed by how well this lipstick wore. Usually when I'm out and about I tend to avoid standard bullet lipsticks - I hate how they leave prints on glasses, can smear, and can wind up on other parts of your face and clothing (especially if you're a klutz, like me.) I also don't love re-applying on the go. BUT. These were great! I set out to run some errands and had a 3 hour drive while wearing them. So the lipstick went through heat, sweat, coffee, straws, and a Tim Horton's breakfast sandwich. It coped well! 

There was no bleeding or feathering, it mostly stayed where I put it. Straws were no problem - it didn't fade at all. Coffee cups were another story - there was a definite, distinct lip print and a fade of my lipstick. BUT, I didn't need to reapply, and there was a pleasant staining effect left over. My lips never felt dry or cracked, and it was lightly moisturizing.

The ultimate test was my panini at lunch, which necessitated complete reapplication. But, it lasted for about 5 hours and 2 coffees without me having to do so!

Swatches in different lighting. Top is several swipes, bottom is one swipe.

Comfort

I've already mentioned this, but these are VERY comfortable to wear. No drag, but also not much slip, and not drying. 10/10.

Longevity

Again, I've already mentioned it - but these lasted through harsh conditions for about 5 hours. I wouldn't expect it to last through a dinner where you're constantly sipping cocktails and then eating an entree, but through a coffee date, out running errands, or a light lunch these would definitely be fine. And, re-application was easy, so no worries there. 

Packaging

Some people don't care about packaging, just about the product inside - but its a big deal for me. I care about the way a beauty product feels in my hand. The Katy Kate Mattes come in a square tube, with a white matte plastic case and a clear base showing the colour. They're very light, especially in comparison to my lipsticks from Bite, NARS, or Lancome. I wouldn't say the packaging feels particularly luxe, but this is a $9 lipstick we're talking about. For the price point, I would say that the packing is great.

There were two things that make me nervous. First, the matte packaging is prone to staining. When swatching the lipsticks in store, I got a little of the orangey-coral on my hands. It immediately transferred to the cap of the lipstick and was impossible to get off. I foresee this picking up eyeshadow, glitter, and foundation in the future for sure. The second issue was thankfully not with the lipstick I purchased, but with one of the testers - when I was taking the cap off, the entire lipstick bullet detached from the based and got stuck in the cap. So use these with a bit of care!

Packaging. See the smudges?!?

Overall...

I don't love the rest of the colours in the range, but I could see myself purchasing one or two more. They're very affordable, and the quality is great for the price. I really am a fan of this collab between Katy and Covergirl! They were comfortable, cute, and felt great wearing them. I would definitely recommend picking these up if you want some fun colours for summer, or even something neutral to wear to the office!

Beat the Heat Part 3: Setting Sprays!

So first off, what is a setting spray?? Setting sprays are the last thing you put on when you've completed your beautiful face of makeup. A setting spray is a clear mist that serves to fix and flatten the layers of base makeup, blush, highlighter, eyeshadow, and lipstick. I don't usually bother with setting spray if I'm not wearing foundation and blush, but for a full face it's a must.

There are loads of different setting sprays out there, and you have to find the one (or ones) that work for you! I'll discuss some common ones that are available, and give you more detailed reviews of the ones that are my favourites.

Pictured here from left to right are some of the most popular setting sprays out there. MAC Prep + Prime Fix +, Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Marine Boosting Mix, and Urban Decay All Nighter.

Fix + retails for $26 for 3.4 oz,  the Tarte retails for $30 for 2.5 oz, and All Nighter for $38 for 4 oz.

If we bring that to a dollar per ounce value, Fix + is $7.64/oz, Tarte is $12/oz, and All Nighter is $9.5/oz. Technically speaking, MAC is the best value.

HOWEVER. In my use, I've found that all three of these work differently.

MAC Prep + Prime Fix +
I love the packaging of this product. Instead of a cap, you rotate the top to unlock the spray, much like you would on new hand soap. I'm a fan because when I'm traveling, I find that the spray is less likely to rotate itself and then leak compared to something with a traditional spray nozzle and a cap.

The consistency of Fix + is quite liquid, and "watery" compared to Tarte, though similar to the UD. I don't find that it tends to "set" my makeup as well as some others - on the occasions I've worn it, I haven't seen any better longevity out of my makeup.

However, this product is great for a few things - namely, wet application of eyeshadows or other products. It does especially well for foiling metallic shadows - I recommend trying it with any of the shimmers in Naked 3 from Urban Decay, particularly Dust. Dust is beautiful when foiled, and it really cuts down on the fallout!

How to use Fix + to Foil: Pick up a lot of shadow on your brush - don't be shy! You've decided to foil, so you're going for it anyways. Once you have your brush, hold it away from the rest of your makeup and gently spray the brush tip with Fix + once or twice. Apply quickly afterwards, patting the shadow onto your lid. This can work for highlighters or blushes as well, if you want to be SUPER shiny!

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Marine Boosting Mist
I LOVE this setting spray! It's a slightly more recent purchase, as this is a new line for Tarte. It has a MUCH stickier texture than other sprays I've used in the past, including UD and Fix +. You definitely notice this locking down your makeup and creating a barrier between your face and the elements. It really feels like a sealer. However, that doesn't make it unpleasant on the skin! The product description says you can use this as a primer, setting spray, or just a facial refresher. I have tried using it as a primer, and it does work- though I'm not sure you get the same even coverage you would when applying a traditional primer by hand.

This spray is also the only one of the three mentioned here that is scented. It has a relatively strong, but light, citrus scent. I really love it, but if you're turned off by scented makeup you might want to avoid this.

My one peeve with this product is how it comes out of the bottle. Because it is a thicker and stickier product, I feel like you have to spray more to cover your whole face, and sometimes it feels like droplets as opposed to a fine "mist". But I won't complain about longevity..My makeup lasts through EVERYTHING with this! I wore it in both the Jays post and the Last post about base makeup.

UD All Nighter
This is a classic setting spray, and the first one I recommend to people looking. It has a decent dollar to ounce value, you get a TON of product, and it works really well. All Nighter serves to both flatten the layers of your makeup together and preserve its longevity - all night! It has a similar liquid texture to Fix + and is not "sticky" like Tarte. I do find that this one doesn't work quite as well as Tarte, and I tend to get a little breakdown of my foundation in especially oily areas of my face like my nose. But it handles sweat or rain like a champ!

I also love the coverage you get with one or two sprays - the spray comes out of the bottle really nicely and doesn't feel like a squirt gun, which the Tarte spray can at times.

UD also has several other sprays in this line - De-Slick, which is an oil prevention/mattifying spray, and a Vitamin B6 Infused Complexion Prep Spray. I have a mini of De-Slick and I find it works similarly to All-Nighter, but I've never tired the B6 spray. Should I? You decide!

What are your favourite sprays? Is there anything I missed? Let me know in the comments!

Beat The Heat Part 2: Choose Your Foundation Wisely!

In my last post I talked about the importance of a good base for preserving your makeup through sweat, heat, and a long day. However, that's only step one!

It's also important to think about two other things: your foundation and your setting spray. Foundation goes over your base and blends with concealer to make your skin look smooth, youthful, and unblemished. I gotta say though - for me, foundation is optional. During the summer I often choose to go without foundation - sometimes I hate feeling like I have so much on my face, especially if I'm going to be walking around a lot in the sun. On those days, I tend to match an eye and lip look with a good sunscreen!

I'll stress this first - SUN CARE IS SO IMPORTANT! We all know the risks of cancer that come with continuous exposure to UVA and UVB rays. Even if you avoid that, think about your skin long term. Prolonged sun exposure without sunscreen (or a great hat!) can dry out your skin and accelerate the process of wrinkling and discolouration. So if you can't find a sunscreen with a high SPF that plays nicely with your foundation - skip it!

For the record, I recommend Vichy Ideal Soleil in SPF 60. It sinks in great, doesn't leave me greasy, and doesn't have an oily or white cast. I don't generally use it under foundation though, and sunscreens/makeup that claims to have SPF is another post.

So, foundation. Choosing the right foundation for your skin and the time of year is important. I have a few that I go back and forth on. On the left and right are my Laura Mercier Silk Creme Oil Free Photo Edition foundations ($58 CAD/1oz). I have two because I find that after the summer, as my tan fades, I tend to follow a slow transition from dark to light. So one is a darker shade and one is a bit lighter - being able to mix them or use them on their own suits me really well as my summer tan fades.

In the middle is my Urban Decay Naked Skin in shade 3.5 ($47 CAD/1oz). I LOVE this foundation for summer! It was an impulse buy a little while ago because I needed something unexpectedly. Yep, I had a foundation emergency... It's a little darker, meant for my tanned skin only. I used it to cover up a sunburn. Remember kids...if you're wearing sunglasses, remember to re-sunscreen your nose frequently. I made that mistake.

So, to compare and contrast the two - the LM is heavier coverage, and its better for my drier skin in the winter. I find it breaks down on my nose a little easier if I'm having an oily day, and I always make sure to carry a powder with me for touch ups. It's medium-full coverage, and good for people with combination skin. I also tend to break out when I'm stressed (during the school year, hello..) and it does a great job with the angry red blemishes. I also tend to be oily in my T-zone and dry on my cheeks, normal around my eyes. A little goes a long way, and I apply it with my fingers and blend out with a beauty blender. I would not recommend a brush for this foundation.

The UD foundation is medium - light coverage. It's better for hot days and seems to barrel through any oiliness without breaking down as much. I find that I tend to get a dewier look with this after a few hours, but it refuses to budge in the heat, esp. after a setting spray. Again, I apply with my fingers and blend out with a beauty blender. Combined with the naked concealer, this foundation is a dream to wear!

This is after ~5 hours of wear in humid weather at a friend's bbq. Still have great coverage, not too shiny, and I like to think I look darn flawless!

Though I gotta say, I probably owe a lot of that to my primer and setting spray.

Alas, this post is getting long - so I think setting spray will have to be part 3, probably tomorrow. I'll also post something about the products used in this look, as its easy and wore well in the heat.

That's it for today. Wishing y'all a happy Saturday!

Let's Talk Bases.

 If you're one of the (many) people who've asked me "what the hell is primer", or as one of my friends recently texted, "...I've never heard of any of the products and don't know the difference between primer and a concealer...But yay!!" then this is the post for you.

What exactly is "Base Makeup"? What does it do? Which ones do you use? These are questions that I get a lot, especially when it's a hot day and people want to know how my makeup hasn't melted off my face.

Other than prayer, the answer is....PRIMER! (And setting spray. But that's another post.)

Base makeup refers to the products you use to create a "base" for the makeup you're going to wear that day. It generally includes primer, concealer, foundation, and setting powder. Some people include setting spray, but I don't - I consider that a finishing product.

Some of my faves!

In the photo I have eye primers, concealer, a pore filler, and primer.

Eye Primer: Pictured are Too Faced Glitter Glue and Too Faced Shadow Insurance. Eye primers create a tacky base for eye shadow, and help prevent your eyelids from becoming oily and breaking down your eyeshadow. They're typically either a nude or transparent colour, though some come in a champagne or sparkly base for added effect. You spent all that time picking colours and blending, right? Don't want all that work to go to waste in an hour! Other popular brands include the Urban Decay Primer Potion (which I love and can't recommend enough), and a great drugstore option is from Wet and Wild. NARS also has an eye primer, though its a little too expensive for me.

There are also different types. Glitter Glue provides a stickier base for shadows that have loose or micro glitters, which need a little more help to adhere to the eye than a regular shadow.

I can't recommend eye primers enough. They really improve the longevity of ANY eye look!

Face Primer: Pictured here is the Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer. The goal of a foundation primer is to a) fill in pores and wrinkles so you have a smooth canvas for your foundation and b) help moisturize your skin and create a barrier between your skin and any oils it produces that will break down your foundation and give it that melting-off-your-face look. This Smashbox primer is silicon based, which gives it a smooth lubricated feel. You can also get primers that act more like a cream and may be water based, like Mineral Veil from Hourglass (another great product!)

It's a good idea to check the ingredients of your foundation and primer to make sure they match. Water based foundations won't always play nicely with a silicon based primer, and vice versa. Though it does depend on your skin type - do what works best for you!


Pore Filler: I have HUGE pores on my nose and chin, and I find that the Smashbox doesn't quite cover it, so I use Benefit's Porefessional. It does a great job of filling in the pores on my nose and chin, giving me a smooth base. I also find the scent pleasant, though that may be a dealbreaker if you find yourself sensitive to scents.

So now you've prepped your base and have a smooth canvas. What next?

So I've JUST put on concealer, and no blending yet.

Time for concealer!

My favourite is Urban Decay Naked Skin. Concealer comes in many shapes and sizes - you can buy different it in green, yellow, purple, salmon, beige, and many other colours to deal with redness, purple bags, brown spots, discolouration...I use one a little lighter than my foundation to cover minor acne and redness, and the massive under-eye bags I have from being a chronically exhausted law student.

Other products I use include Benefit Boi-ing, Benefit Erase Paste, and Makeup Forever Ultra HD. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is another oft recommended brand, but I can't personally speak to its efficacy. I generally blend my concealer out with a Beauty Blender before putting on foundation. If you're having a great skin day, you can also use concealer only -just ensure to blend it well into your surrounding skin.

There you go! Now you can do your foundation and the rest of your makeup - and you're off to the races!

I'm happy to answer any questions in the comments! Look for my next post... on my routine and the order I use to do my makeup!

First Post - My Jays Look!

So I'm betting that at least a few of you saw a fan look I did for a Toronto Blue Jays game on Friday! I was super excited about the game and love customizing my makeup to various events, and this was a fun way to use the colourful shadows I have that I can't usually justify.

I was so excited to wear this!

There's the final look - on Thursday I posted two different choices on my instagram (@hb2h) and sent out a photo on snap chat as well. People said that the colours on this look were truer to the Jays, and I think they were right.

So let's talk about what I'm wearing!

Primers: Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer (cheeks, forehead, chin), Benefit Porefessional (Nose, Chin, Between eyebrows), and Too Faced Glitter Glue Primer on my eyelids. It was hot. I knew I was going to need help.

Foundation: Naked Skin by Urban Decay in 3.5
Concealer: Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer, also by Urban Decay, in Medium Light Neutral

Naked Skin is a new foundation that I've been trying out. I had a makeup emergency the other day (realized that I had tanned, and as a result, foundation I had brought didn't match... Thank goodness for 24 hour Shopper's Drugmarts here in Canada!)

The weather was blisteringly hot and incredibly humid, so I was curious to see how the foundation would last. It ended up performing well! I'll review it more deeply in another post. The concealer is new as well. I've been using one from MUFE and Benefit Erase Paste, but I've found that this tends to crease the least! Again, look for a future post about concealers.

Lipstick: Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick in Rose Matter
- I know there's been some controversy surrounding this brand lately. I won't say anything about it, but I will say that I adore this formula for liquid lipstick. It's comfortable, doesn't make my lips feel like the desert, and wears really well through eating, drinking, and sweating.

EYES! Let's get a better look, shall we?

Eyeshadow:
The white and silver on my inner lid is a combination of shades from the Urban Decay Electric and Kat Von D Mi Vida Loca Remix palettes. The shimmery white on the inner area of my lid is a mixture of KVD Lyric, Skulls, and UD Revolt. Revolt gives it the silver glitter.

The blue on the outside corner and up into my crease is UD Chaos, which I always think of as the Cookie Monster shade.

The same colours were used along my lower lid, to match the upper.

I also used a Makeup Forever Aqua Liner pencil (now discontinued) in black to sightline along my upper lash line.

I also realized that in my rush to be ready, I had totally forgotten mascara. But hey. Sometimes you can't get it all done, right?

Blush: Tarte Bling It On Holiday 2015 Palette in Beaming, which I find to be a slightly less glittery alternative to NARS Orgasm. It's blended out a little in these photos, but I didn't feel so washed out.

Highlight: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector, Pressed, in Opal.


So for any other Torontonians - you'll know that Friday was crazy humid with the threatening thunderstorms.The Go Train was hot, the dome was hot, it was hot everywhere. I felt damp and oily all the time. So how did my makeup last through a whole day?

Well...

I guess we're doing pretty good. Lipstick is gone (thanks, giant burrito and Icee... Foundation is pretty intact everywhere except forehead.. (hats, right?)

Nose looking a little shiny, and eye makeup smudged a little.

What about my eyelids...

Ok. Not great, but not bad either. There was definitely some serious creasing when I got home - but I was really, really sweaty. And blinking a lot. Thankfully not too noticeable with open eyes.

All in all, the game was great. And I think my makeup was too!

Send me a shoutout if you want a tutorial on this look! And don't forget to follow @hb2h on Facebook and Instagram!

Welcome!

Welcome! This is a new, Canadian, makeup and beauty blog, Hiking Boots to High Heels! 

I'll start by introducing myself. My name is Jen. I'm a student in professional school, hoping to work in a corporate environment. But that's just my day job. When I'm not studying or applying for grownup jobs, I'm out doing a myriad of other things for fun - I've always said I'm half princess and half tomboy, hence the blog's name.

You can find me out on the water in my Kayak, training for distance running, out on my bike, or helping my family around the house with DIY projects. I love photography, my vegetable garden, cooking, and baking. I'll probably be posting about my baking from time to time, just to make you hungry. 

On the side I foster animals for the local humane society, and hope to be getting some kittens soon! So expect a frequent dose of cute and cuddly in with the lipstick and liner. 

I can't wait to get started. On the blog we'll be covering everything from skin care to gala looks, every day corporate and no makeup-makeup to after work drinks. We'll probably talk about sun protection, how you can transition your look from day to night, and makeup removal - an important part of the process I wouldn't want to leave out!

Come on in and hang out. We have comfy chairs, cats, and homemade cookies. I can't wait to meet you!