Cult Status: Lipstick Edition

Nothing finishes a look off better than a cool swipe of lipstick. From bold reds to vibrant pastels, you can change your look from professional office-wear to happy-hour drinks after work with just one portable tool. The lipstick has been the must-have weapon for ladies to carry in their makeup bags since the beginning of time. There a so many lip products out there, though, that it can be dizzying trying to navigate shelves among shelves of creamy lipbutters and glossy stains. Luckily, a select few have risen from the sea of glossy pinks and reds to deem elite cult status.

Chanel Rouge Allure 

Luminous Intense Lip Color in Incandescente, $35- www.chanel.com 

Like the name suggests, this lipstick literally lights up your face. The luminous shine paired with the vibrant red color add instant moisture and glam. If you are to have only one lipstick ever, choose this one.

Estée Lauder 

All Day Lipstick in Frosted Apricot, $23 www.thebay.com

This lipstick has been around for generations - and for good reasons. They have not and will not discontinue this shade in fear of creating a worldwide freak-out. I don't know how, but it goes with literally everything and works on every skin tone.

Clinique

Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, $19 www.thebay.com

My personal favorite. The name can seem a bit scary (I mean, black lips are only meant for Halloween, right?) but the tint is sheer enough that it simply intensifies your natural lip color. Thus meaning this also looks perfect on any and every skin tone. Want to go bolder? Simply swipe on a few more layers, or fill your lips with a lip liner beforehand. The possibilities are endless.

Revlon

Colorburst Lip Butter in Sorbet, $7, drugstores

You really can't go wrong with this price. I have this in almost every color. I especially love the sorbet for a nice pop of color in the spring and summer seasons. It goes on smooth like a lip gloss but adds vibrant color like a lipstick. It really is the best of both worlds, and my bank account does not complain. Total win!

Dior

Rouge Dior in 999, $36, www.sephora.com

This is luxury at its finest. Dior's best seller goes on super smooth and satiny, adding quite a punchy hue. 999 was actually the first color ever released by Dior. They have issued about 1500 since (most probably come and gone), but this one is still around and for good reason. 

Givenchy play intense : Review

'Givenchy - play intense' is one of my favourite men's Eau de toilette's that I am eager to repurchase. Being a lover of colognes and perfumes,  I have a small library of fragrances that I am determined to use before repurchasing this , though the itch is hard to resist scratching!

Play Intense is the brother to it's predecessor 'Givenchy play' , a more fresh and light version. This takes the notes of the original Givenchy Play and , ( as the name suggests) , made the notes more deeper, richer, and well..... intense!

The fragrance notes include : 

Bergamot

 Amyris

 Mandarin Orange

 Pink pepper

 Coffee

Tonka bean 

Vetyver 

Patchouli.

Coffee is a strong fragrance note that can easily be distinguished in fragrances , as well as tonka bean. The note of tonka bean can be found in David beckhams - intamately yours and the ever famous Jean Paul Gaultier - Le male. To me , the two notes of coffee and tonka bean are prominent in this fragrance and mix together to create a hot drink concoction of their own. The mix of tonka bean and coffee give this rich caramel note or a sweet cappuccino scent. It's very warming on the skin by being sweet and has a spicy undertone to the sweetness from the pink pepper.  I would say this scent leans towards the gourmand end of the fragrance house. 

I find it difficult to detect any of the floral notes with exception to perhaps patchouli that subtly gives a more earthy and dirty tone to the sweetness. The mandarin is more recognisable in the original Givenchy play though difficult to detect at all in this fragrance.

The projection on this fragrance is strong which will definitely get you noticed. The scent is long lasting and lingers on the skin around 6-8 hours , perfect for night outs where you want the security of your fragrance lasting through all those killer dance moves on the dance floor. It's certainly a night time fragrance due to it's heavy accords , perfect for warming up the air on autumn and winter nights. 

The strength of the fragrance means you don't need to use many sprays or the need to top it up throughout the day , meaning it makes makes better value for money as you're using less fragrance than one that you having to constantly apply.

The bottle design 

My only pet peeve with this fragrance is the bottle design. I can see where Givenchy has gone with the design, making it appear like an MP3 player to target towards the younger market and for a more modern approach. Despite it's youthful and playful design , it looks short from being tacky and I wonder if this may discourage a mature man from taking a sniff. It has a rubberised curved sprayer that's easy to use , and is visible through the plastic lid. At first glance the entire bottle appears black but when you shine it into daylight , you can actually see the glass bottle is indigo and only the lid is black. It would have looked more aesthetically pleasing if the same colour was continued through it's design.

Conclusion

Overall a great sweet and spicy compliment getter, with good projection and better longevity. I wouldn't recommend it for those who aren't a fan of gourmands. I hear this is constantly being compared to Rochas - Rochas man though unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity to smell it and find any similarities.  

I would love to hear your opinions on Givenchy- play intense? What's your favourite gourmand fragrance? 

All the best , Harry 

@favemagazine

@themintapple

Express NOW OPEN at Bayshore Shopping Centre

Photo taken by Tina Picard

The day has finally come! We here at Fave were lucky enough to have been invited to the grand opening ceremony for the new Express store at Bayshore. The red tape has officially been cut and you can now shop til you drop (and receive 40% off your purchase while you're at it)!

This is the first Express in Ottawa and they definitely fill a void in the style scene.

Photo taken by Tina Picard

I was able to get a sneak peek of what's in store this morning. For spring, Express is all about the white-out look and festival style for the ladies (I'm looking at you, Coachella) and brights and mixed patterns for the guys.  I was also really digging their awesome accessories!

Here is a little preview of what you'll find in-store:

Maxi dresses should never go out of style. I could live in this! These dresses would look great with a nice denim jacket on cooler days.

I'm in love with this fringe-tastic boho bag. This screams outdoor music festival and I'm probably going to go back to buy this for Bluesfest.

All of Express' watches are made by Fossil which explains why they are all so gorgeous. These pastel bangles were so cute. I can see them beig stacked with a bunch of fun bracelets for a sweet arm party look.

The men's watches are all about the go big or go home principle. I especially liked the big faces matched with the leather strap for a casual yet functional look.

For the men, these shorts scream summer weekends on the boat. They would look fantastic paired with a great pair of Sperry boat shoes.

There is certainly no shortage of plaid and gingham over at Express. It is such a great classic look, you really can't go wrong!

Even the ties come in endless varieties of plaid.

Photo taken by Tina Picard

There's definitely no escaping the color trend, men. Every hue under the rainbow can be found here. I was pleasantly surprised with the fun, fresh looks available for both the men and ladies. I don't know about you, but this makes me extremely excited that spring is finally here! 

Congratulations are in order for Express on their grand opening. I definitely have my eye on a few pieces and will be coming back soon to do a spring wardrobe refresh!