Skincare empties (September 2019)

September 8, 2019September 8, 2019 Kim1 Comment

Keeping empty containers may seem like a silly thing to do but I have good reasons for saving them. I can’t post dedicated reviews on every possible thing I try so I tend to collect them for a bi annual post like this. I enjoy watching people review their empties because it gives me a good indication of whether they would repurchase having used up all the product.

Skincare, especially, is something that you (generally) can’t form an instant opinion on so having some more information after its entire use is more helpful than a first impression (compared to someone just rubbing it on their hand in a haul). As usual, I’m going to be breezing through (well I’ll try my best to) each of them, otherwise this will be very long.

DHC Deep cleansing oil

Cost: $20 AUD from yesstyle.com

This cleansing oil is a cult classic and one that I had always wanted to try. When I saw that Yesstyle had in this cute Alice in Wonderland packaging in a smaller bottle, I was sold. I can see why it’s a popular product, the consistency is in the middle, not too thick and not too thin. I can massage it easily around my face and it does a great job in melting down my makeup. I always follow with a second cleanser but after I use this oil, my face already feels clean and moisturised with no sticky residue. The main ingredient is organic olive oil.

Would definitely repurchase the larger pump style size in future.

IUNIK – Calendula complete cleansing oil

Cost: AU $24.81 from ebay *

iUNIK is a brand that focusses on natural ingredients so I thought I’d give this a try. Calendula has recently appeared in a number of skincare products across different brands. It’s extract can serve as an antiseptic to soothe and heal wounds and it’s also great for collagen stimulation. This cleanser contains a bunch of oils, the main ones being sunflower and canola oil. This performed fine, melted makeup well enough and didn’t leave a film on my skin but what I struggled with was the scent. This outright smelt like cooking oil with a hint of floral. So if you don’t like strong scents in your cleansing oil I would give this a pass.

Would not repurchase.

NEOGEN – Real fresh foam – Green Tea

Cost: $15.58 USD, from bbcosmetic.com

This is already a repurchase and is my HG cleanser. I love its subtle scent and they way that it foams. The texture is soft but holds it’s shape so it’s easy to dispense and apply. It doesn’t strip my skin even though its ph of 7 is a bit on the higher side. This product is also sold in other “flavours” but I love this green tea version so much I haven’t dared to deviate. This one definitely deserves its own post and I will get to it once I get another. So it’s a definite repurchase for me. Myer (department store in Australia) also now sells Neogen so it’s much more accessible which is awesome.

ORIGINS – Make A Difference Plus Rejuvenating Treatment

Cost: $70 AUD, 50ml, purchased from mecca.com.au

This is ultimately a moisturiser despite its fancy long name and I was attracted to it because of its star ingredients which included Rose of Jericho, Lychee and Watermelon. These ingredients appear in all their Make a difference products and are great for hydration. I have combo/dehydrated skin and it was summer at the time so I needed something lightweight and non greasy. This is oil free so it seemed fitting. I actually really liked this moisturiser, it was rich enough to properly moisturise and hydrate but light enough for me not to feel it or mess with my makeup. It has a cream gel consistency so it was perfect for me since I don’t really like just gels in moisturiser form. I need a little bit more even in summer. It has a slight fresh citrus smell which I was ok with. Would repurchase.

GO-TO Face Hero

Cost: This was part of the Tiny Stuff set which was $39 from gotoskincare.com.

I like to support Aussie brands and I had liked everything I had read about this brand. It was founded by Zoe Foster-Blake and I resonated with her beliefs that skincare should be simple and fun. The aesthetics of the packaging and products appealed to me, always a sucker for pastels, so I thought why not give it a go. This sampler pack of their popular products was a cost effective way to try it. This oil was the first thing I tried and was the product that I was most interested in. It has a tonne of oils in it and is easily absorbable into the skin. It’s quite rich but lightweight at the same time. The scent of this oil is particularly strong, it’s derived naturally from the ingredients, but man it’s strong. It isn’t unpleasant but bad enough for me to not look forward to using it though I did finish it. It’s a shame because I did like everything else about it. I definitely favour my Marula Oil from Drunk Elephant over this any day. Will not repurchase.

Drunk Elephant – B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel

Cost: $35 as part of the Rise and Glow set from mecca.com.au

I didn’t like this the first time that I tried it because I tried to use it as a moisturiser. For my skin type, this definitely wouldn’t be enough. When I started to use it as a mixer to my acids, it became magical. Drunk Elephant’s products are designed to be mixed into one another and I chose to mix it with their Framboos Glycolic Night Serum at first. I’ve also mixed it in with my Paula’s Choice Azelaic Acid Booster and it really helps to make the product go further as well as improve spreadability.

Will definitely repurchase the full size once I’m done with my current hyaluronic acid serum.

Sunday Riley – Good Genes

Cost: Came in a The Flash Fix mini pack with their clay cleanser $24 GBP from cultbeauty.com

Sunday Riley has since reformulated Good Genes to use Glycolic Acid instead of Lactic Acid. I finished the old version and haven’t tried the new so I can’t compare the two. There was so much hype around this and the claims were that you would see brighter and more radiant skin, less wrinkles within a very short period of time, 3mins in fact! My skin never felt quite comfortable after application. I found it a bit hard to spread it around and I felt like I needed to use quite a bit to cover my face. The smell was a big turn off actually. I like the smell of lemongrass but this was way too strong and also had a chemical smell mixed in too which I didn’t like at all. Buying the full size of this is a big investment that I for one will not be making. The brand itself is a turn off altogether based on that drama with making their employees post fake reviews on Sephora…no deal. Won’t be repurchasing anything from their line again.

The Ordinary – Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

Cost: $12.90 from adorebeauty.com.au

This was first foray into hyaluronic acid (HA) and one of my first products from the brand. HA is pretty popular at the moment, it’s everywhere from skincare to makeup. The consistency is on the thick side and my face felt tacky after application. I usually used it at night so I would normally follow with an oil or moisturiser so I didn’t mind the tackiness so much. But it wasn’t my favourite. I have since used other HA serums/toners which I’ve liked much better which don’t do that so I won’t be repurchasing this.

MUJI – Cleansing milk

Cost: $15 AUD (I think) from MUJI (in store)

I love both foaming and milk cleansers equally and everything about this cleanser was positive. It contains peach and apricot extracts, has a very subtle fruity scent, packaging is basic but easy to use with the pump. The texture isn’t as runny as milk so it’s easy to dispense and massage onto the skin. It rinses off easily and leaves my face feeling fresh and clean, not stripped. This product contains parabens but that doesn’t bother me. As long as the product is effective and works for me, that’s all I care about. Muji sells most of their skincare in different sizes so if you’re curious but not wanting to commit to a full size, there are mini sizes available too. Best of all, their skincare is very affordable, similar to drugstore prices. They also have an amazing cleansing oil which I adore. They don’t seem to sell skincare online though which is a bummer. Worth checking out if you have store near you.

Will definitely be repurchasing this one.

Ok so that’s it for my empties and product roundup. I need to do them more regularly so that these posts don’t get ridiculously long each time!

What products have you finished recently? Do you tend to repurchase the same things or do you like trying new products out? Let me know!

Please note: links in this post marked with an * are affiliate links. They provide me with a small commission, if you should choose to use them for a purchase, without any extra cost to you

[Review] Quick roundup of luxury lip and cheek tints – YSL, Edward Bess and Giorgio Armani

July 14, 2019 KimLeave a comment

View this post on Instagram

A quick roundup of three luxury lip and cheek tint products. Everyone loves a good multi tasker! . In order from best to worst: . 1. @yslbeauty Babydoll Kiss & Blush – shade 4 – Creamy whipped texture making it easy to apply, works well in both lips and cheeks, good lasting power on the cheeks, around 7-8hrs. . 2. @armanibeauty Neo Nude A-Blush – shade 51 – Texture is thin but is solid enough to easily apply. Very little comes out at a time so you will need to layer it. Lasting power isn't too bad, around 4-5 hours on the cheeks. . 3. @edwardbess Water Colorist – shade nude spice – Texture is very watery and doesn't provide much pigmentation. It has the 'lip tint' scent which I despise and looks awful on my dry lips. Since colour payoff is poor I can't vouch for it's long lasting claims. #review #beauty #blogger #luxurymakeup #blush #lipandcheektint #multitasker #makeup #cosmetics #ysl #edwardbess #giorgioarmani #lips #cheeks

A post shared by Kim (@kimmiidoll_kim) on Jul 14, 2019 at 12:48am PDT

[Review] MISSHA – Velvet Like Color Stick (Line Friends Edition) – Retro Movie, Key Light and Sepia Filter

June 30, 2019June 30, 2019 KimLeave a comment

Line Friends are a group of cute cartoon characters made popular from an asian messaging app. They are commonly found on merchandise, stickers and Missha have regularly used some of the characters on their beauty products.

My favourite character is Brown who is a salty looking bear who wears a constant frown. He has a sister named Choco and it is she who is used on the packaging of the Velvet Like Color Sticks. She’s just as cute and I’m not afraid to admit that I bought them mostly for the adorable packaging. I bought a blush (#Retro Movie), contour (#Sepia Filter) and a highlighter (#Key Light) so if you’d like to hear more about them please keep on reading 🙂

Product Description

from yesstyle.com

Creamy blush stick glides on effortlessly, leaving a high color payoff and velvety finish. Blended with mango seed and avocado butters to nourish skin. Cap is furnished with a three-dimensional figurine of Brown’s younger sister Choco.

Cost

$11.49 AUD from yesstyle.com *. Available in 5 shades. Prices fluctuate constantly on Yesstyle so keep an eye out for their sales.

Packaging

The color sticks are packaged in a sturdy plastic tube with its shade covering the whole container. The cutest part is that Choco is on the lid of each one. As well as being 3D, she is made of rubber and has a soft matte feel. It feels more expensive that is is and well made, very similar to Nudestix’s cheek stick packaging. Some of Nudestix products are made in Korea which is very interesting and since I have a fair bit of their collection, a review is coming very soon!

MISSHA - Velvet Like Color Stick (Line Friends Edition) - Retro Movie, Key Light and Sepia Filter — MISSHA – Velvet Like Color Stick (Line Friends Edition) – Retro Movie, Key Light and Sepia Filter

How to apply

I have used this product only on my cheeks, forehead and cheekbones but I’m sure like any multi use stick, you can also use it on your eyes and lips.

I usually swipe the product directly onto my face and blend with a small duo fibre brush. The Real Techniques Stippling brush is an excellent one but you can use any brush that can blend cream products. Fingers work too and I especially like using fingers to apply the highlighter.

For the contour stick (Sepia Filter)

I swipe it in the areas I normally bronze/contour which are the sides of my forehead, under my cheekbones and under my chin. I use the brush to blend it all in and it’s effortless.

For the blush stick (Retro Movie)

I dab the blush onto the apples of cheeks a couple of times and use the brush to blend it across my cheek. I’ve used my fingers to blend too but I prefer using a brush because it stretches the product a little further and is a breeze to blend in.

For the highlighter (Key Light)

I tap my index finger on top of the highlight and dab it onto my cheekbones. I don’t use a brush because I want a subtle sheen and doing it this way is perfect because you only need a small amount.

Performance

Just like the name implies, all three sticks dry down to a velvet finish which means that they are not sticky or need to be set down with powder. This helps with longevity and they last all day (9hrs) on me which is impressive. I do have combo skin (dry cheeks and kinda oily t-zone) so please keep that in mind. Pretty sure that they will last very well once powdered too if you have oily skin.

I didn’t expect much pigment since k-beauty isn’t well known for that but I was proven wrong. There is definitely strong colour payoff (as shown in the swatches) with all three of these sticks and layering them works well too.

MISSHA - Velvet Like Color Stick (Line Friends Edition)
Heavy and untidy swatches (sorry!) - Left to right: Key Light, Retro Movie and Sepia Filter. — MISSHA – Velvet Like Color Stick (Line Friends Edition)
Heavy and untidy swatches (sorry!) – Left to right: Key Light, Retro Movie and Sepia Filter.

Consistency

The texture is creamy and smooth but not so emollient that it will slip and slide around your face. They glide on easily making it easy to apply directly to the face. It has never lifted my base products which is a huge plus.

Scent

It doesn’t really have a scent but if you really sniff it you can smell the mango seed butter which is quite nice. This definitely doesn’t translate once on the face.

MISSHA - Velvet Like Color Stick (Line Friends Edition) — MISSHA – Velvet Like Color Stick (Line Friends Edition)

Final thoughts

Rating: 4/5 (really liked it!)

As you can already tell by the rating, I really like these products. As well as having cute packaging the products themselves are decent. I didn’t give it 5 stars because if you blend them too much, they can blend away, in particular the blush. This can be remedied by layering more but it means you need to use more product. The contour has a nice tone to it but isn’t warm enough to use as a true bronzer so sometimes I need to apply a powder bronzer on top in order to get the bronzed effect. The highlighter is my favourite out of the three. It looks very light/white in the swatch but once blended it is so beautiful! It provides a glossy sheen which is my favourite type of effect. The shimmer isn’t noticeable once applied and little does go a long way with it. It rivals a lot of high-end highlighters that I own.

If you are looking for affordable cream cheek products I would highly recommend this line. They perform very similarly to Nudestix cheek products and have great lasting power. Or even if you just love Line Friends and cute packaging, you won’t be disappointed with these. Let me know if you’ve tried them or if you have any other Line Friends beauty recommendations.

Please note: links in this post marked with an * are affiliate links. They provide me with a small commission, if you should choose to use them for a purchase, without any extra cost to you 🙂

Skincare declutter – June 2019 – Drunk Elephant, J.One, Blithe, Thankyou Farmer, Sorocci + more!

June 3, 2019June 3, 2019 KimLeave a comment

When you buy a product you always hope that it works for you and your skin. So when it doesn’t, it is a little sad but at least you tried it out and gave it a good go. Some of these products were pretty hyped up so just like anything, I needed to try them out for myself.

If you enjoy any of the products that I’ll be talking about, that is truly awesome but unfortunately these did not work for me for reasons I will get into.

Blithe – Pressed Serum Tundra Chaga

This serum/moisturiser hybrid is full of tundra chaga mushroom extract which is known for hydration and providing nourishment. I’ve never tried skincare with any type of mushroom before so this intrigued me. It has a pudding texture and is brown in colour so it’s not the most pleasant texture to look at but I gave it a go anyway.

Ingredients

From sephora.com.au

* Chaga Mushroom Extract minimises the look of fine lines and the appearance of rough skin. * Fermented Olive Oil locks in hydration without heaviness. * Fermented Argan Oil softens and hydrates * Meadowfoam Seed Oil nurtures and energises skin. Inonotus Obliquus (Mushroom) Extract 60%, Water, Glycerin, Diglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Polyurethane-39, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Sparassis Crispa Extract, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyacrylate-13, C12-16 Alcohols, Caramel, Palmitic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Dipropylene Glycol, Methyldihydrojasmonate.

I thought this could be a 2 in one product to use in the morning since I’m always in a mad rush so anything to expedite getting ready is a god send. I used about half of this jar for a few months in fact and I just felt like it didn’t do much to my skin. I have combo skin so this didn’t work well enough as a moisturiser and I felt like it just acted like a heavier weight serum. My biggest gripe however is probably the thing that makes it unique. It’s texture is pudding like and you need a spatula to use the product and to effectively get a decent amount. It ended up being not worth the effort for such little reward.

Price

$67 AUD for 50ml from Sephora

Thank You Farmer – True Water Light Gel Cream

Ingredients

From iherb.com

Water, glycerin, cyclopentasiloxane, ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, niacinamide, betaine, squalane, pentylene glycol, piper methysticum leaf/root/stem extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, portulaca oleracea extract, pueraria thunbergiana root extract, glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract, paeonia lactiflora root extract, cnidium officinale root extract, ulmus davidiana root extract, amaranthus caudatus seed extract, soluble collagen, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, sodium hyaluronate, hydrogenated lecithin, 1,2-hexanediol, trehalose, panthenol, polyacrylamide, butylene glycol, inositol, c13-14 isoparaffin, ethylhexylglycerin, disodium edta, laureth-7, xanthan gum, fragrance, ci 15985, ci 17200.

I like the texture of this moisturiser, it’s nice and light. It also has a pretty peach colour to it. It is easily absorbed into the skin and it gives it a dewy effect which I tend to go for in winter.

What I didn’t like about it was the fragrance. It was just way too perfumy for my liking. I don’t mind scents too much especially in makeup but in a moisturiser, something that is really close to my skin, nope no way. I know that fragrance is right down the bottom but it’s so strong that it could’ve been right up the top of the list. The scent is the fresh kind of perfume but not pleasant to me nonetheless. I’d also hate to think about the effects its having on my skin. I gave it to my husband to use and he actually broke out from it.

Price

$41 AUD from lilacandberries.com (don’t think their store exists anymore)

Drunk Elephant – Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream

Ingredients

From mecca.com

Water, Ethoxydiglycol, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Laureth-23, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Algae Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Ferment Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Juice Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica (Indian Gooseberry) Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Tocopherol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Acetyl Glucosamine, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Glutamylamidoethyl Imidazole, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tetrahydro Curcuminoids, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Glycine, Sucrose, Maltodextrin, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 60.

When everyone was gushing about this moisturiser, about how wonderful it was, I knew I had to try this cutely named product. Whipped cream? You would imagine that to be light and airy and fluffy.

But no, it’s texture isn’t that creamy, a little bit stiffer that the average cream moisturiser in fact. Gothamista was the only one who didn’t much care for it, said that the cream felt matte and drying and I would agree with her 100%. I bought this in a mini set, it came with something else at the time. My skin did not feel moisturised after application, which defeats the purpose of using it. I preferred to use my Marula oil from the brand for moisturisation (would highly recommend it!). There is also a slight scent which reminds me of dusty rooms which I don’t favour as well. Dry skinned influencers swore by this, opinions by which I’m now very skeptical about.

Price

This is a mini and came in a set with something else, it was from Mecca. Can’t remember the price.

J.One – Jelly Pack

Ingredients

from Sephora.com

Water, Polysorbate 80, PEG-150 Disterate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Rosemary Leaf Water, Chamomile Flower Water, Yeast/Fermented black tea extract, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Nuphar Luteum Flower Extract, Sea Daffodil Flower Extract, Glycerin, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Hylauronic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Sucrose Distearate, Cyclopentasilxane, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-8, Hydroxyethylcelluclose, Potassium Sorbate Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, PVP, Fullerene, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodum Benzoate, Citric Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid.

This was probably the most hyped up skincare at the time when my interest in k-beauty started. It sounded like a miracle product, a morning mask, makeup primer, full of anti ageing antioxidants.

I was always confused as to what order I would apply this. Before or after sunscreen? If it’s a mask then surely it would be before but if its a primer then it would be after then? The ladies at Glow recipe confirmed that it should be applied before sunscreen. I’ve tried it both ways and I dislike both ways.

The application method is seemingly difficult too. You rub it into your face and then tap/pat to absorb. J.One has a video on how she applies it. I mean it doesn’t sound that hard but it takes a bit longer than your usual primer. The finish is incredibly tacky which would grip makeup very well but if your next layer is sunscreen, well, yeah I don’t know. Also if you try it the other way, with sunscreen first, I feel like its just a bit much and sometimes it makes my foundation pill. I don’t agree with it’s hydrating claims either, I feel like it makes my skin feel tight.

Price

$30 from ebay.com

Soroci – Rice Embryo Moisturising Acqua Cream

Ingredients

From Amazon.com

Purified Water, Betaine, Adenosine, Y-Oryzanol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Algae Extract, Apricot Kernel Extract, Licorice Root Extract, Elm Bark Extract, Propolis Extract, Fragrance

Rice bran is well known for brightening as well as licorice root. I’m a sucker for anything containing licorice which was why this appealed to me. It is light in texture, has good packaging but the fragrance was strong and the finish was too dewy for my liking. I felt like it made my t-zone extra oily which is the last thing I needed. Probably a better one for dry skin peeps who aren’t sensitive to fragrance.

Price

$21 AUD from stylestory.com

The Ordinary – Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%

Ingredients

from theordinary.com

Propanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin

I haven’t had much luck with vitamin C, in particular Ascorbic acid, it just doesn’t tend to agree with my skin. Since I have some pigmentation which I’m always looking to fade, when I saw that this also had Alpha Arbutin, which is naturally derived from hydroquinone, I was interested.

I used this all over as well as targeted spots but it was a bit too oily and I felt like it made my skin uncomfortable. After continued use, I felt like it was causing small bumps to form on my skin. This may be considered purging but whatever is was, I couldn’t stand it.

Price

9.17 GBP from cultbeauty.com

Mecca Cosmetica – To save face superscreen SPF50

Ingredients

from mecca.com.au

7% W/W OCTOCRYLENE, 3% W/W OXYBENZONE, 2.5% W/W BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE, 2% W/W PHENYLBENZIMIDAZOLE SULFONIC ACID. PRESERVATIVES: PHENOXYETHANOL, BENZYL ALCOHOL.

I found the texture of this to be too matte. It made my foundation or primer pill at times or made my skin look super dry and crusty. My chin is the biggest test (its bipolar oily and dry but mostly dry) and it looked horrid whenever I wore this sunscreen. Granted I didn’t pay for it since I received it as a deluxe sample. I had high hopes for this because Mecca is really accessible for me but instead of being elegant in texture like some of my favourite korean sunscreens, it was a flop.

Price

Received in a mecca beauty loop box but retails between $18 and $40 at Mecca Cosmetica

shu uemura – POREraser CC UV under base mousse

I bought this when I was still very new to beauty. The mousse spray can packaging is gimmicky and the product actually sucks. It’s supposed to fill in pores and be a flawless base for foundation. I thought it would be cool since it seemed to be a primer and sunscreen in one. I bought the beige one, it’s supposed to be good for discolouration and redness. The texture of this is fluffy being a mousse when you first dispense it, but on the skin, it’s hard to spread around. You have to use a fair bit to cover the face and it feels drying to me, as if all aspects of hydration has been sucked up. It does not fill in pores at all, it actually does nothing particularly good for my skin or makeup application.

Price

I think it was around $50 AUD from the shu uemura store.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for hanging in there and I hope you enjoyed my rants! In all seriousness, skincare is all about trial and error, it can’t all work out and finding out is part of the fun.

Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products, always happy to answer any questions you may have too.

[Review] Chanel – Les Beiges Water Fresh Tint (Eau De Teint)

June 2, 2019June 2, 2019 KimLeave a comment

Chanel’s Les Beiges Summer 2019 collection recently landed in Australia and while I would have loved to grab the whole lot, there was one product that I had been lusting over for months.

The Water fresh tint is so unique and really stood out from the masses of like-foundation. Chanel’s website suggests that you can use this in three ways, as a primer, alone or as a touch up product. The concept and it’s texture were intriguing so if you want to know my thoughts on this product please keep on reading.

Claims

From chanel.com

The first CHANEL complexion tint featuring pigment micro-droplets that deliver a water-fresh sensation and a radiant, healthy-looking glow.
Created with patented MicroFluidic technology, the lightweight gel texture bursts with ultra-pure ingredients for a bare-skin effect with eight hours of hydration and comfort. Skin feels refreshed and energized.

Texture

The texture of this tint is something else. It has a gel consistency and is transparent so you can really see the pigments suspended in it.

How to apply

Chanel recommends to pump some (I use two pumps at a time) on the back of your hand and then to use a brush to break the pigments up to mesh with the gel. Once mixed, you then apply it with the brush. The brush provided is fine but is a bit on the small side. If you have similar flat top brushes then they will be ok too. I generally just swirl it around my face and because it’s so lightweight, it’s so quick and easy to do. I sometimes use another pump or two just to adequately cover my face. The burst of coolness on application is really refreshing and would be amazing in summer (it’s almost Winter here). I’ve also applied it using my fingers and that works nicely too.

Chanel Les Beiges Water Fresh Tint – texture once the pigments are mixed up.

Coverage

This is a tint so there is little to no coverage. I will describe it as sheer coverage at best. It does a really good job of evening out my skintone and giving me a hydrated and luminous skin effect without any heaviness and cakiness. There is 75% water in this formula as well as tamarind seed extract which helps with hydration, resulting in that natural and healthy glow. I would normally use concealer if I want to cover up any old acne scars or pigmentation as I would do with any other foundation. I would rather let my natural skin show through and spot conceal any troubled areas.

Packaging

It comes in a frosted plastic bottle with a pump which is both elegant and practical. Included is a small buffing brush which probably more useful for touchups but works fine nether less.

Chanel Les Beiges Water Fresh Tint – frosted plastic cylinder with a pump

Chanel Les Beiges Water Fresh Tint – buffing brush which is included. It’s bristles are soft but dense enough to distribute the product evenly

Shade

I bought the shade Medium. It might look scary dark in the bottle but when swatched, it looks more normal. I’m an NC30 and this shade suits me fine.

There are 6 shades available from Light to Deep. This doesn’t sound like enough in hindsight but because the formula is so sheer, there is a lot of give around the shades. I recommend that you go in store if possible and swatch it just to be certain since it is pretty pricey.

Lasting power

I only wear this as a standalone base product and powder my t-zone where I get a bit oily during the day. I didn’t have high hopes for longevity but surprisingly it holds up for a whole work day (8-9 hours) and I can still see traces it on my face when I go to remove it which is much later (around 10-12 hrs). It wears very well and fades evenly without patching off like some foundations. All the while my face doesn’t feel dry at all, very much hydrated in fact which I really appreciate especially with the cold winds we’ve been experiencing in Sydney.

Cost

$109 AUD from Myer. Included is a small brush and is 30ml.

Final thoughts

Rating: 5/5 (Love this, will always need it in my beauty arsenal!)

I genuinely love this product, it’s the perfect base to throw on quickly without having to worry about it fading or caking off. It’s ideal for people who like a natural and fresh look. Glass skin is all the rage (born from Korean skincare) and I can confidently say that it can be achieved with this product. This is the look I generally like to go for day to day. The cooling effect when it touches your skin is just very unique to me and really wakes me up in the morning which is a great bonus! The only downside is the price and since I need to use at least 3-4 pumps each time, it wouldn’t last as long as regular foundations. If you’ve been curious about it, I would go get a sample or try it at your local Chanel counter.

[Review] Innisfree – Smart Drawing Blusher

March 3, 2019March 3, 2019 Kim3 Comments

I would consider myself a blush fanatic. Ok a blush and foundation fanatic. These are the two constants in my makeup routine and definite must haves for me. Since I’m currently riding the cream blush train and had been curious about Glossier’s Cloud Paints, I picked this blusher up from eBay. It is sold in 5 colours and I picked it up in shade #04 Dried Rose.

Claims

from yesstyle.com

Cream blush gives cheeks a vivid dash of color while hydrating skin
Lightly adheres to skin for vivid and rosy cheeks with a non-sticky satin finish
User-friendly brush applicator allows for foolproof and precise application

Price

$12.23 AUD from eBay (roseroseshop)*

Packaging

The packaging looks like a paint tube. I like its aesthetics and it reminds me of the packaging of the Glossier Cloud Paints. The colour on the outside represents the shade and the combination of coral and white feels similar to the cloud paint in Dusk.

The brush tip, although it can get unruly after squeezing the product out, makes applying easy. You’ll still need to use fingers or a brush to blend it into the skin.

Innisfree - Smart Drawing Blusher - #04 Dried Rose - Brush tip — Innisfree – Smart Drawing Blusher – #04 Dried Rose – Brush tip can get a bit messy

Performance

This product once squeezed and applied to the cheeks, is easy to blend with a brush or fingers. It’s consistency is thick enough so it stays put after it is painted on. The issue I have with it is that it tends to blend away so I need a couple of layers for it to show up on my skin tone (NC30). Because it’s so subtle on me, it’s hard to judge it’s longevity because it doesn’t look like much in the first place.

Innisfree - Smart Drawing Blusher - #04 Dried Rose
Freshly swatched photo. Vibrancy fades once blended and has dried down. — Innisfree – Smart Drawing Blusher – #04 Dried Rose
Freshly swatched photo. Vibrancy fades once blended and has dried down.

The good news is, that even with the amount that I have to use, the finish isn’t sticky or tacky. I would agree with the claims of it drying down to a satin finish. This product also has an SPF 26 PA ++ which is quite rare for a blush. Since Koreans are generally very serious about sun protection (and we all should be), I’m not too surprised by this.

Final thoughts

I haven’t tried any of the Cloud Paints because we can’t get Glossier here in Australia but judging from reviews, they are quite pigmented and a little goes a long way. This Smart Drawing Blusher is the opposite, subtle and I need a lot for it to even show up.

This blusher does have the potential to be a nice product. I do like its formula and brush tip, but I think I’m too dark to be able to reap its benefits. When I wear blush, I actually want some colour to show, so this disappointed on that front.

If you have a fair to light skin tone, this might work for you. But if you’re any darker than that, I would give this a miss. There’s a red shade in #05 Shy Camellia Flower that could be more vibrant but I won’t be getting it.

Still lusting over the Cloud Paints so if you know of any dupes, please let me know!

Please note: links in this post marked with an * are affiliate links. They provide me with a small commission, if you should choose to use them for a purchase, without any extra cost to you 🙂

[Review] Chanel Spring/Summer 2019 Collection: vision d’Asie l’art du détail + Le Blanc 2019

February 17, 2019February 17, 2019 Kim4 Comments

I’m fairly new to makeup from Chanel. I’m not a collector, I just tend to gravitate to whatever catches my eye. This new SS19 collection release did grab my attention, it even made me buy things which are normally out of my comfort zone. Lucia Pica is global creative make-up and colour director for Chanel and this collection was inspired from her trip to Japan and South Korea.

From chanel.com

Lucia Pica draws inspiration from the radiant and subtle contrasts seen during her trip through Asia, where she explored the cities, streets and markets. Captivated by the beauty of everyday details, she creates an intense range of makeup with green, blue, gold, ivory and fuchsia shades. A luminous collection.

There were so many things that I wanted from this collection but I thought it be more sensible to just pick up the limited edition items first. For information on the whole collection, see Chanel’s website SS19 page here.

I picked up two things, the les 9 ombres in Edition N°2 #Quintessence and Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour in #71 Nuance.

les 9 ombres in Edition N°2 #Quintessence

les 9 ombres in ÉDITION N°2 QUINTESSENCE

This 9 pan eyeshadow palette is the hero of the collection. Edition 1 was released last year and that had more pastel, lighter tones. Edition 2 is quite the opposite and really reflects her inspiration of colours from Asia.

les 9 ombres in Edition N°2 #Quintessence – Swatched over primer. Some of the shades didn’t swatch so well but perform better on the eye.

At first I didn’t think the colours were cohesive enough. They were also colours that I didn’t have and don’t normally wear. I have discovered since that you can use it either way, the neutral colours for an everyday look or the deeper colours for a bolder look for the evening or more editorial looks. There are intense mattes which can be built up and lovely high shine shimmering satin formulas in this palette which compliment the mattes nicely. The SA Michael (in Myer City, very helpful and lovely) applied the teal shadow in my outer corners and filled the inner part with the gold shimmer, so simple and looked gorgeous. Even though the colour story didn’t speak to me immediately, I have really loved playing with the colours and really glad that I picked it up.

A couple of looks I came up with. Please excuse my otherwise bare face and bad lighting. I’m also not skilled with taking selfies of any kind.
Left: Used the light taupe matte shade to set Lorac Primer, applied the red matte shade all over and darkened the lashline and outer edge with the matte brown.
Right: Used the light taupe matte shade to set Lorac Primer, applied the teal blue all over and darkened the lashline and outer edge with the dark blue

Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour in #71 Nuance

This is the first Chanel lipstick that I own and I was curious about the “luminous matte” formula. I would describe the formula as being a creamy matte. It does have a slight sheen to the finish but it’s not glossy or obvious, more of a satin finish. After watching a Chanel video where Aimee Cheng-Bradshaw, applied Nuance paired with a bold eye, I knew I needed to get my hands on it. Nuance is a warm peachy nude shade and is the perfect nude for me without looking like concealer on my lips because of the warm undertone. It also compliments my warm complexion nicely. It’s staying power isn’t great since it is a bullet lipstick but it feels comfortable to wear which is what matters more to me. There is another shade in this collection, #73 Imperial which is a lovely mid tone red.

There’s a couple of other items which I want to pick up from this collection, which are permanent. They are the BAUME ESSENTIEL Multi-Use Glow Stick in Sculpting, which is a subtle cream highlighter stick and the Ombre première Longwear Cream Eyeshadow in #840 Patine Bronze.

From their Le Blanc 2019 collection I picked up the Les Tissages de Chanel Blush Duo in Tweed Beige. The SA applied this on my cheeks in store and I fell hard for the shade. It’s such a lovely rosy beige shade. If Hourglass’ Brilliant Nude and Nars’ Madly had a baby, then this would blush duo would be the result.

I think the shade is unique and can double up as a bronzer and blush on the cheeks. The tweed effect of gold shimmer runs through it which luckily is just overspray. If you like a sparkly mess then you’ll like the gold shimmer. I prefer the natural luminous flush of colour so once the overspray is removed, it’s perfect. This blush duo isn’t a new product but this shade is part of their new release. There is also another new shade in this collection as well in Tweed Pink which is a bit too bright for my taste. Chicprofile.com has a great post on the collection here.

The last thing I picked up from this mini Chanel haul was the Inimitable mascara. This is permanent and part of their regular collection. I bought the original one, non waterproof one. It also comes in Intense and Waterproof variations. It has a small rubber brush which seperates my lashes really well. It’s average in terms of volumising and lengthening, you’ll need a couple of coats to get some definition.

It smudges a little bit by the end of the day but it’s not too bad. Doesn’t flake at all. It’s good but I probably wouldn’t buy this again. The Hourglass caution mascara has the same claims but is cheaper and doesn’t smudge.

Chanel is available in Australia from Myer and David Jones department stores.

Have you picked up anything from Chanel’s latest 2019 collections? Let me know in the comments!

Skincare favourites of 2018

January 14, 2019January 14, 2019 Kim2 Comments

There were plenty of great skincare finds in 2018 making it hard to be selective. I don’t use all of these products everyday but they were (and still are) my absolute go-to products in the last year.

Cleanser – Muji Oil Cleanser

I’ve only tried two products from their skin care line and would definitely want to try more. I love the simple aesthetics and the effectiveness of their products. One stand out was their Oil Cleanser. There are two types, sensitive and normal. I have the normal one. It’s texture isn’t too runny and because I keep buying the travel size, it comes in a flip cap bottle and is relatively mess free to use. It is rich but emollient enough to easily rub on my face and rinses off completely clean. It even removes mascara and eyeliner really well. I always follow with a second cleanse anyway. It’s pretty affordable and the full size comes in a pump so will definitely buy that when I’ve run out.

Purchased from Muji.

Exfoliant – Neogen Dermalogy Bio Peel Gauze Peeling

Neogen Dermalogy Bio Peel Gauze Peeling – Green Tea

I’m currently on my second jar as I can’t get enough of it. I have the green tea version and have also tried the lemon which is a better option for brightening. I like both but prefer the lemon because of it’s fresh scent.

This is a great option for a lazy person like me. Each gauze pad is already soaked in a cocktail of ingredients such as green tea, glycerin, glycolic and lactic acid. It’s a chemical and physical exfoliant in the one little pad. All you need to do to use it is, rub the more textured side all over the face and then repeat with the smoother quilted side to fully sloth of all remnants of dead skin. Then you rinse it all off with warm water and you’re left with smooth, clear skin. Each pad is single use only so remember to toss it out after each use.

I use this around 1-2 times a week.

Purchased from ebay*

Toner – Hanskin Real Complexion Hyaluron Skin Essence

This toner is filled with sodium hyaluronate and is hydrating without leaving any residue. The absorption rate is phenomenal which is great for a person like me who doesn’t like to wait between layers.

The texture is viscose without being too thick. It’s a good one for layering because it has a little body to it. After cleansing I pour a few drops into my palm and press it onto my skin. I have dehydrated skin so it’s like I’m giving my skin a big drink of water each time. It is marketed as an essence but you can use it in whatever step feels right for you. I rarely use essence every morning so if it’s a two in one, then it’s a nice bonus 🙂

Purchased from yesstyle.com*

Serum – The Ordinary Advanced Retinoid 2%

This was the first product I tried from the brand, based on recommendations from Renee (Gothamista) on Youtube. Being a total novice, I wanted to start slow and this turned out to be perfect. I apply it in the evening after toner or essence. It has a milky viscosity and I only use 3-4 drops each time. It absorbs really quickly and best of all, it never irritated my skin. I don’t have obvious signs of ageing so I can’t tell you if it helped with wrinkles. It did, however, smooth out my skin’s texture and helped normalize my cheek area because I tend to get unevenness there. It’s also supposed to help with acne and pigmentation but I didn’t really see much of a difference in the 6 months I used it for.

It’s now been re-labelled as Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion with the same ingredients. I haven’t tried this yet but hopefully it is exactly the same because I will be definitely buying this again. I’m using their Retinol 0.2% in Squalene at the moment and I find that it’s too oily in texture so not enjoying it.

Purchased from Adore Beauty.

Face oil – Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate and Glow Oil

I’ve used up a travel size of this oil, bought it from eBay before my local Sephora ended up stocking it (finally!). It feels lightweight, has a nice subtle scent and hydrates the skin with just enough dew. It’s moisturising too so most days during the warmer months, I will skip moisturiser. It doesn’t leave an oily residue which I love and sits well under makeup. Gives the skin a nice subtle hydrated glow. It has surpassed my love for Drunk Elephant’s Marula Oil (reviewed here), something I thought couldn’t possibly happen.

Purchased travel size from eBay * and full size from Sephora.

Eye cream – Belif Peat Miracle Revital Eye Cream

This eye cream has the characteristics of being perfection. It is easily absorbable, rich yet lightweight, doesn’t leave a residue and doesn’t give me milia. I don’t have obvious lines around my eyes but the skin in that area definitely isn’t as taut as they used to be. This cream hydrated and moisturises without causing any sensitivity to my eyes. The small jar is only 25ml but has lasted me a year and still going strong.

I didn’t know what Peat was and I’m always skeptical when “miracle” is used in a product’s name. It’s a big reason why I don’t try La Mer because their “miracle broth” sounds like a load of crock. Peat is basically dead, decomposed plant residue (sounds gross) but because it originates from moors, bogs and old glaciers, it is rich in minerals and antioxidants, hence it is considered a powerhouse ingredient for anti ageing. Whatever it is, it’s effective and I like it.

Purchased from yesstyle.com*

Sunscreen – Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence SPF50+/PA++++

This sunscreen is fairly new to me but I have used it long enough to fall deeply in love with it. It’s a chemical sunscreen loaded with hydrating, moisturising and brightening ingredients such as Niacinamide, Adenosine, Panthenol , Beta-Glucan and Sea Buckthorn Oil.

It has zero white cast and has the texture of a light moisturiser, hence it’s name “soft and airy”. I have combo skin so I substitute my morning moisturiser with this and it is enough for my skin. It sits well under makeup too which is a plus.

Purchased from eBay *

Other – COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch

This super popular product needs no introduction. I wrote a full review here. They are hydrocolloid patches and when applied to active breakouts, either dramatically flatten the pimple or bring it to a head so it can heal quicker. I used so many of these little bad boys last year especially during the bout of acne I suddenly got around my jawline. The worst thing to do is touch active pimples so with these patches on them, it prevented me from contaminating them with my fingers. I think they make a huge difference so will probably keep buying them for as long as I keep getting acne.

Purchased from yesstyle.com*

Well that’s it! You may have noticed that I didn’t include a moisturiser, essence or masks in my favourites. I’ve used some decent products but nothing that has really stood out.

What skincare product(s) could you not live without in 2018? Do let me know as I’m always looking for recommendations.

Please note: links in this post marked with an * are affiliate links. They provide me with a small commission, if you should choose to use them for a purchase, without any extra cost to you 🙂

[Mini review] Make up brush cleaners – Daiso, Clean Apothecary, Dr Bronner

January 6, 2019January 6, 2019 KimLeave a comment

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These are three of the handful of brush cleaners I have tried last year. I know that you can use a bar of soap but not sure how good that is for the bristles, especially for natural haired brushes 🖌️ . Daiso Makeup brush cleaner – This is very cheap but I find that it isn't effective in cleaning. It's very liquidity, foams up very slightly and doesn't do much else. Maybe for eyeshadow brushes, it would be fine but I need it to work on all my brushes and it falls short. I use it with my Real Techniques brush cleaning mat. I pour a bit of the cleaner onto the mat and add a little water. I find that I need to use so much in order to see any effectiveness at all ✖️ . Clean Apothecary Brush Shampoo – This cleaner is extremely effective and makes cleaning brushes a breeze. All you do is wet your brush and swirl it in the balm in the container. Then you rinse it with warm water. It's a bit pricey and I need to order it from @beautylish each time but I think it's worth it. It's very portable as well since it's a balm. It comes in a few scents, I've loved Grapefruit and about to try Lemon 🍋 . Dr Bronner's Pure Castile Soap – This was a recent find thanks to Aussie YouTuber @nikkiajoy. This is some sort of chameleon soap, has 18 different uses including for the body. It's very effective for cleaning brushes and is more cost effective than the Clean Apothecary shampoo. It is very liquidity. Like Nikki's demonstration, I pour a few drops into a small bowl and I add a bit of water to it. I then wet the brush and dab it into the bowl and instantly you can see the colour coming off the bristles. I then massage it against my Real Techniques brush cleaning mat to ensure it's completely clean before rinsing it with water for the final time. I have it in Green Tea and the scent is nice, isn't strong. This is a more economical option if you're at home and not in a hurry 🏃‍♀️ . What's your favourite brush cleaner or method for cleaning makeup brushes? #brushcleaner #makeup #brushes #sanitize #brushcare #beauty #beautyblogger #daiso @drbronner #cleanapothecary #beautylish

A post shared by Kim (@kimmiidoll_kim) on Jan 4, 2019 at 11:49pm PST

Makeup favourites of 2018

January 2, 2019January 3, 2019 KimLeave a comment

2018 involved a swift expansion of my makeup collection because I went a bit bonkers with experimentation. I grew to love playing with and wearing eyeshadow and discovered a bunch of awesome products from different asian and western brands.

It was hard to pick one product from each category but I decided to pick them on the basis of what I used the most in 2018 and what I would use if I was in a rush that didn’t require much time and thought.

Foundation

I had to break this down into two sub categories since I enjoy using both cushion and normal liquid foundations and have tested many last year.

Cushion Foundation: COSRX Clear Fit Blemish Cushion

COSRX Clear Fit Blemish Cushion - SPF47 PA++ — COSRX Clear Fit Blemish Cushion – SPF47 PA++, Mochi like cushion.

This cushion provides amazing coverage (med-high) and I love the mochi cushion. It allows the puff to pick up an even amount of the foundation, resulting in using less. It doesn’t cake and shade #27 is pretty perfect for me. It contains centella asiatica, tea tree oil, adenosine and madecassoside so it’s a better option for times when I am battling breakouts.

Reviewed here

Purchased from yesstyle.com*

Liquid Foundation: MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof

Pictured right – MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation

I haven’t reviewed this on my blog yet but it was the foundation my MUA used on my wedding day. That was almost two years ago and I have loved in since. It provides buildable full coverage that you can sheer out if you prefer. I apply it with a kabuki brush for fuller coverage and I sometimes go over it with a clean damp beauty blender, just to mesh it all in. It’s matte but not a flat matte. It is definitely waterproof, I sweat heaps in summer and it has lasted. I’m in the shade #NC35.

Purchased from MAC.

Concealer

The Saem – Cover Perfection Tip Concealer SPF28 PA++

This was an easy choice, it provides the best full coverage, is cheap and it has SPF. It also comes in a few shades which is great for a korean brand.

Reviewed here

Purchased from yesstyle.com*.

Setting Powder

It Cosmetics – Bye Bye Pores Poreless Finish Airbrush Powder

This loose powder, although it’s messy to use, really does make me look poreless. It doesn’t feel heavy and doesn’t cake on top of foundation. I apply the smallest amount anyway because it’s all I need. I do press it into my pores with my Wayne Goss Air Brush and have also used a makeup puff and both methods work well. It mattifies without drying out my skin and is translucent. Great for the sweaty humid weather here in Sydney.

Purchased from Beautylish.com

Bronzer

I have liked cream bronzers too but since they require a bit more time to apply I didn’t include any for this category. I also didn’t love any cream bronzers enough to include it.

Becca – Sunlit Bronzer

This bronzer is smooth and easy to apply. The payoff is sheer and buildable and the shade, Capri Coast, really compliments my skin tone. Because it isn’t matte, it adds a healthy dimension to the face. It looks shimmery in the pan but it doesn’t translate once applied on the face. Really lovely option for those who are after a healthy and warm complexion.

Purchased from Beautylish.com

Blush

Hourglass – Ambient Lighting Blush

This was my first taste of the amazing quality which are Hourglass blushes. The shade Diffused Heat was rated highly by Temptalia and I very much agree. It is so easy to blend and the color payoff is amazing. The marbling is so beautiful, making it a joy to look at and use. This shade is a peachy pink on me and gives me a healthy looking flush and really compliments my complexion.

Purchased from Mecca.

Honourable cream blush mention goes to the RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Shade #Illusive. I carry this in my gym bag and gives such a healthy flush to the cheeks. Reviewed here.

Highlighter

This was the year of discovery for highlighters for me. Two years ago I didn’t even wear any bronzer or highlighter, just blush, how things have changed 🙂

NARS – Highlighting Powder

My absolute favourite has to to be the NARS Highlighting powder in shade Fort De France, a newish release from NARS last year. It is so finely milled, so it never looks powdery or cakey and doesn’t emphasise any texture. There is no shimmer whatsoever, just imparts a wonderful sheen. The colour is also perfect for my skin tone. If you are after a natural looking glow without looking like a tin man or disco ball, this one would be for you.

Purchased from Mecca.

A couple of honorable mentions for cream highlighters. The Son and Park Cube Highlighter and the RMS Beauty Living Luminizer were two highlighters I enjoyed using throughout the year but I didn’t favour them enough over the NARS highlighter.

Eyeshadow

Last year was also the year of eyeshadows for me. I’m still not the most creative and experimental mainly because I’m lazy. It was really hard to pick just one eyeshadow palette…

Urban Decay – Born to Run Eyeshadow Palette

This palette is the most versatile, easy to use and colour payoff is just amazing. It has so many shades across such a good variety of spectrums that you’ll be hard pressed to not find a colour that you were after. The formula is also beginner friendly, both matte and shimmer shades blend and layer very easily. This palette can also take you from day to night, simple looks to smoky looks can be achieved which makes it the best all rounder palette in my opinion. Their Naked palettes have kind of bored me, never interested me enough to pick up but this got my attention right away. Has not disappointed me yet, love!

Purchased at Mecca.

Eyeliner

Also had to break this into two sub categories, as there were two standouts last year.

Clio Waterproof Pen Liner Kill Black

After using a couple of tubes of the Macqueen liquid liner (reviewed here), I thought it was time to branch out. The Clio Pen liner is so popular among the masses so I had to try it. I got it in Kill Black and it’s pretty darn good. It’s definitely waterproof, smudge proof and the pen applicator is brush-like and easy to use and control. I hate the stiff actual pen applicators since they catch on my lids and wreak havoc. It’s very similar to my beloved Macqueen liner but I feel like the product keeps longer, as in doesn’t dry out as quickly.

Purchased from yesstyle.com*

Shu Uemura Lasting Soft Gel Pencil Eyeliner

It’s been a hard task, trying to find a pencil eyeliner that doesn’t smudge on my hooded eyes. I have oily eyelids so I need something to stay put and not give me panda eyes by midday. Have tried many korean and western eye pencils and none have really passed this test. I bought this Shu Uemura eye pencil on a whim (#Dark brown) and it’s been a reliable friend ever since. It has a very precise tip and while it isn’t overly creamy, it’s creamy enough to glide over the lid without catching on anything. I don’t tightline (it’s very uncomfortable) and don’t apply it to my waterline either so I can’t speak for when it is applied in those areas but I can say that when I apply it over my lid, it never smudges. I don’t use it to create a wing or anything, I use it when I need a little definition, usually when I wear eyeshadow. Otherwise eyeliner is a step I’m happy to skip if I’m going to work or am in a massive rush.

If you have any recommendations for a reliable smudge proof eye pencil, please let me know because I’m always on the lookout for more affordable options.

Purchased from yesstyle.com*

Lipstick

I only have one pair of lips but I have accumulated so many this year. I have my favourite lipsticks in different formulas, mainly from NARS and MAC but the one I have chosen is the most versatile and no brainer option.

Dior Backstage: Dior Addict Lip Glow

This hybrid formula which Dior describes as a cross between makeup and skincare blew my mind. I thought it was just another overpriced, overhyped product but boy was I mistaken. There are three formulas, matte, original glow and holographic glow and I can only speak for the original formula.

Dior Addict Lip Glow – LTR- Coral, Berry, Pink

It contains mango butter so it’s quite hydrating and moisturising, best of all this feeling lasts, even through a meal. It gives a nice hint of color, contributed by a reaction to your body’s chemistry, as it uses Color Reviver technology to do this. This means that each colour will look different on everyone, pretty cool aye? It also leaves a sheen, making the lips look healthy, imparting them with a glow (true to its name). I can easily reapply without a mirror during the day which is the main reason I love it. It makes me look more alive without all the fuss of a normal lipstick. I have three shades, #berry, #pink #coral and I love coral the most.

Mascara

There were some great finds for mascara last year, some of them I’ve reviewed here.

Hourglass – Caution Extreme Lash Mascara

I don’t normally repurchase mascara because I enjoy testing out different ones and because of it’s short life span, you can easily do this.

This Caution mascara is definitely one that I will repurchase. It’s absolutely bullet proof thus making it very reliable. I have played basketball with this, have had my face squished in a massage and it’s lasted all day each time. I always curl my lashes beforehand but this gives the most fluttery and lengthening effect. It does give a little volume as well and also does a good job with lifting and separation of the lashes. So it pretty much does it all, without smudging and flaking.

Skincare favourites of 2018 to follow shortly!

Please note: links in this post marked with an * are affiliate links. They provide me with a small commission, if you should choose to use them for a purchase, without any extra cost to you 🙂