Canadian Spotlight: Annabelle Cosmetics
By Tamara, Local Contributor – Canada
Tamara lives in southwestern Ontario, where she works in a multi-disciplinary physical rehabilitation clinic. When she’s not there, you’ll find her at the local cosmetic counters or freelancing as a makeup artist.
She rediscovered makeup in her early twenties, and since then, she’s become immersed in the beauty community. Tamara loves the idea of sharing information with others who share her beauty interests. After being an observer for some time, she started her own beauty blog. She has learned so much and had an amazing time since starting, and she considers herself lucky to have two jobs she adores.
Annabelle Smoothie Eye Shadow Pencils
Canadian Spotlight: Annabelle Cosmetics
Annabelle is a brand that has been around for quite some time. The line was first launched in August of 1967 by Morrie Cohen, a Montreal businessman. Known as “the house of colors,” the have always offered a wide range of color cosmetics, makeup accessories, and nail polish to consumers. (Though sadly, in 2004, the line of nail polishes was discontinued!) The company was named after Mr. Cohen’s mother-in-law, Anabel. The name Anabel, was modified to Annabelle to give a bilingual twist to the Canadian brand.
My top three products from Annabelle are…
Le Big Show Mascara ($9.95 CDN): I’ve had a drugstore favourite for mascara for a long time, but Le Big Show took over a few months ago. This is an absolutely fantastic mascara that gives length, volume and an intensely black colour payoff.
Smoothie Eye Shadow Pencil ($8.95 CDN) As someone with eyelids oily enough to eat through many popular bases, these over-sized pencils really impressed me with their longevity. They can be worn on their own or layered under shadows. I frequently use Melonade (mid-tone peachy pink) or Cocoaloco (rich chocolate brown) with some mascara for a quick low-key look, and Licoriche is perfect for smokey eyes.
Hush Mineral Powder Blush ($10.50 CDN): Amazing colour payoff, smooth application and good wear time are all hallmarks of a great cheek colour and Hush has them all. This was my first experience with a mineral blush and it was a pleasant surprise to find a mineral product at the drugstore that showed up on my skin tone.
Annabelle is widely available across Canada in a number of box-stores, drugstores and supermarkets. U.S. customers are able to make telephone purchases, but only for those products permanent to the line.
See more photos!
Annabelle Smoothie Eye Shadow Pencils
Annabelle Smoothie Eye Shadow Pencils
Annabelle Hush Mineral Powder Blush
Annabelle Hush Mineral Powder Blush
Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara
No mascara
Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara – two coats
I love the shadow pencils, but how do you sharpen them?!
Big side of a sharpening block. Most cosmetic sharpeners have two sizes.
Oooh the eyeshadow pencils look like good dupes for Urban Decay’s shadow pencils. And that mascara is amazing!! Holy cow love it!!
They really are good dupes to the UD ones I have. I actually like these more.
That’s what I thought! I wonder how they compare to UD’s shadow pencils?
Good thing I’m visiting Canada next week. I can pick up a few things!
Those shadow pencils look amazing!
I have to have that mascara.
I love Anabelle. If anything comes out in store, I always ask does Annabelle have an equivalent because I know many times I’m going to get the same quality as higher end brands for the same price! Their eyeshadows are awesome and are dupes for so many MAC shades (esp. the LE ones).
I would love to try that mascara!!! How could I buy it??? I did not see an option to buy at the website 🙁
Sadly, Annabelle is only available in stores for the most part. Though there is a phone number you can call, but I’m not sure what the shipping charges are.
Holy macaroons! I need that mascara!
that mascara! omg
absolutely LOVE ANNABELLE COSMETICS!! bet drugstore cosmetics!
best*
Oooh I’m so trying that purple shadow pencil 🙂 Do they stay put after you put them on or do they still smudge out?
And I LOVE Annabelle hype liquid eyeliner! Just as good as the MAC or MUFE ones but for 1/3 of the price. I wish they had more colours where I live.
They can be smudged..but once they set, they won’t move. I love that.
I’ve been using Le Big Show, and it’s not perfect but it is the best I’ve used in a while for sure. I usually remove excess before applying and then brush through with a clean brush. I might have to try fiddling around with how I use it though.
I do quite like the brand. The face makeup, not so much, but the eye makeup works really well. I haven’t tried the lipsticks yet, but I found the lip liners and glosses to not have my favourite consistencies. I remember last year (or the year before?) I won a contest and received all the mineral pigment dusts, the mineral foundation, and the blush. I was really sad that they discontinued Limelight though, since it was my favourite green 🙁 I’m just thankful I still have a lot of my old packaging left of it!
You forgot their AMAZING lip liners!!! I’ve been devoted to their lip liners since
I was in high school 🙂
Yay! Finally some recognition for Annabelle! My favourite of theirs is the Haute Chocolat eyeshadow trio. It really got me into matte shadows; it’s so perfect for everyday. But how I really want to look into le big show!
Nice products…but if I buy it from the U.S., I am sure the shipping cost will cost more than the product itself. By then it will cost as mucha as Chanel and the likes.
The mascara is amazing!!
Oooo. These look awesome! I`m gonna have to find someone to ship me some. :]
I’m dying to try those pencils! I’d like to check out the mascara, too. Maybe I’ll put in a phone order sometime.
Man, I definitely have to try this mascara…
I have 4 of those eyeshadow pencils and they’re pretty good. I like to use light shades as an all-over base and darker shades as thick liner on my upper lash line. Some colours are difficult to smudge because my eyelids tend to be on the dry side, though. As far as ingredients go, they are the same as UD eyeshadow pencils, except maybe for the last one depending on the shades.
The Annabelle smooth liner pencils are my HG eyeliners; never have I ever used such a smooth, pigmented eyeliner, even the UD 24/7 pencils don’t live up to these!
There are three things I love about this brand:
– The availability, as I can get them at any drugstores.
– The affordability, not to mention they hold crazy warehouse sales every half a year.
– The pigmentation. I own a vampy red lipstick, a liquid eyeliner and a single eye shadow that I use to define my brow. Pigment-wise, I’m pleased for what I purchased.
However, to me they are less than impressive considering the texture, the finish, the longevity and the ease of application. Since I already expect the quality of the products, I don’t turn to them unless the color factor amazes me.