Category: Makeup

What’s that smell?! Skincare and makeup which smell bad (to me)

Kim2 Comments

During my journey of trying new products, I have come to know what I like and what I don’t like in products. One of the things I despise is if a product has an overpowering and unpleasant scent, whether it be by added fragrance or naturally derived. I wouldn’t say that I’m super sensitive to scents but if something smells bad, I’m not going to keep using it, regardless of how effective it is.

The following products I have ceased to use because of this. Just because I don’t like the smell of these things, doesn’t mean that the product is awful. If you like any of the products I am listing, please don’t take it personally as in the end it’s all just skincare and makeup! I also won’t be going into too much detail about the product since I don’t like them. Ok let’s go!

I’m Pro Ampoule Pad – Wish Formula

smell01

What is it?

It’s a cotton pad soaked in ampoule containing ascorbic acid as well as other antioxidants which help with brightening. The texture of the pad is supposed to provide a gentle exfoliation as well.

Ingredients – (cosdna analysis)

It smells like…

Soy sauce. I mean I love eating soy sauce but I don’t want it in my pores. I don’t know if I got a bad batch or what. After some quick googling, it looks like some people have experienced a funky smell as well but they haven’t described it to be specifically like soy sauce. I don’t understand the expiry since it’s in Korean and both dates have passed already. If it is indeed expired, I am thoroughly annoyed since this is from an actual k-beauty store. I really didn’t pay any attention to how it performed since I couldn’t get past the smell. My husband has also used it and the smell lingered even after he had applied moisturiser.

Price: $4.90 AUD each from boniik.com

Pop Blush – The Face Shop

smell06

What is it?

A powder blush which I bought in the shade Neutral Pop.

It smells like…

Chemicals. Straight up chemicals which doesn’t dissipate after application. It isn’t very pigmented and feels dusty when I apply it to my cheeks. A big dud on performance and smell. Cute packaging though, the flower imprint and packaging is similar to Clinique’s Cheek Pop blushes.

Price: $8.99 AUD from eBay *

Ultra Moisturising Sun Cream – Kicho

smell05.jpg

What is it?

A chemical and physical sunscreen which contains lots of plant extracts in a moisturising formula.

Ingredients – (cosdna analysis)

smell04.jpg

It smells like…

Apples and something else in a brand I will be be speaking about next. The scent has been described as “delicate” and “fresh” but I don’t find it to be either. Fragrance is the third last ingredient but it might have been in the top three because I found it to be strong. The sunscreen itself applied nicely. It was moisturising and sunk in quite well. But you could still smell it after application. I also didn’t like this sunscreen because it made my face itch a bit whenever I sweated. It gets pretty humid in Sydney so it’s normal for me to sweat and I didn’t enjoy feeling further discomfort ,and I knew it was from this because I tested it a few times just to be sure.

Price: $42 AUD from lilacandberries.com

Huxley essence and oil trio – Secret of the Sahara Light and More, Essence like oil and Essence grab water

smell03

What is it?

Serums, each with their own characteristics. The Light and More is an oil, Essence like oil is a thick essence and the Essence Grab water is a hydrating serum.

Ingredients: cosdna analysis below

Light and More
Essence like oil
Essence Grab Water

It smells like…

The scent of Huxley products has been described as a “fresh rose bush” but I have never smelt a rose bush quite like this one. The star ingredient in their products is the prickly pear which is a cactus. I have no idea what this smells like. The scent is very strong and perfumed, gives me a headache. The products I have in the trial sizes were duds in performance. The dropper is useless, doesn’t dispense the serums properly. My skin doesn’t feel any different after application. But my opinion around this is probably masked by the smell. I actually didn’t even bother using the oil. I also just noticed that alcohol is pretty high on the list for all three products. Alcohol in an oil is a bit odd.

Huxley is atheistically pleasing, there is no denying that but that’s where it ends for me.  Pretty glad that I bought these mini sizes as a taster, I would’ve been pretty annoyed if I was stuck with a full sized bottle of any of these.

Price: $35 AUD from nudieglow.com (they have updated the pack since with a fourth serum)

Black Soybean Milk Pudding Sleeping Pack – Botanic Farm

img_20180610_193501.jpg

What is it?

A sleeping pack which contains fermented black soybeans as well as milk protein and cacao extract. This pack is supposed to help brighten, hydrate and help with signs of ageing.

Ingredients – from sokoglam.com

Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Betaine, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrolyzed collagen, Lactobacillus/ soybean Ferment Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Monascus Extract, Milk Protein, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Glycerin, Urea, PEG-240/ HDI Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/ Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Aminomethyl propanol, Sodium Polyacrylate, PVM/ma copolymer, Maltodextrin, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol

IMG_20180610_193525

It smells like…

It has been described as smelling like chocolates, delicious enough to eat…well I beg to differ. It smells like a biscuit or something, but not in a good way. It’s hard to describe it, all I know is that I don’t like it. It’s not as unpleasant as some of the other things I’ve spoken about but still not great. The product itself actually stings my face upon application and makes my face feel like it’s suffocating. The stinging does subside but by this time, I’m already stressed and my face is left smelling like a weird biscuit. Stressing out before bed is not something I enjoy doing. I have used and currently use acids in my routine and none of these have compared to the stinging and distress I experienced with this sleeping pack.

Price: $30 AUD from eBay *

Amazonian butter lipstick – Tarte

smell02.jpg

What is it?

A hydrating lipstick in a creamy formula. It contains amazonian butters.

It smells like…

Mint. Very minty and I hate minty lip products. It contains heaps of ingredients, one of which is peppermint oil. I bought the shade Park Ave Princess and it’s way too light for my lips. The packaging is pretty and I like the idea of it but the smell is a big no no. I can’t even tell you how it performs since I’ve only tried it twice and have removed it momentarily each time. I’ve tried other lipsticks from Tarte including their Color splash hydrating type and I really love that one!

Price: $24 AUD from tartecosmetics.com

Hi fi shine ultra cushion lipgloss – Urban Decay

smell051.jpg

What is it?

A comfortable lipgloss which is supposed to plump and hydrate the lips.

It smells like…

Mint. Here we go again. Peppermint oil strikes again. I received this mini size in a Mecca Beauty Loop box and while I like the colour, I hate the smell. It makes my lips tingle, I guess that’s when the plumping effect is happening. But I can’t stand the minty smell. Can’t get past it and don’t particularly want bigger lips anyway. I’m all about comfort and this does not feel comfortable at all. It’s probably a big reason why I haven’t found a favourite lip gloss yet.

Price: Free – Part of beauty box (Mecca member benefits)

Final thoughts

As mentioned at the start, if you enjoy any of these products and don’t mind their scents, then that’s awesome. I enjoy other stuff from the brands I mentioned (except for the Face Shop and Botanic Farm since it’s the first product I’ve tried from the brand), so I’m not dismissing the brand at all, just these particular products 😦  They didn’t work for me and I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone.

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 🙂

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The tale of two mascaras: Dejavu Fiberwig Ultra Long Mascara & Isehan Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara

Kim2 Comments

This is the first product I have tried from either brand. Dejavu and Isehan Kiss Me are both Japanese brands. After hearing Gothamista rave about the Fiberwig mascara in a video last year, I knew I had to try it. I stumbled across the Heroine Make mascara while reading some blog posts. The brand has loads of different types of mascaras in their range, I bought a couple and this Long and Curl mascara was one of them.

I’m very particular about mascara and there certain things I look for whenever I try them out. For reference I have combo skin, oily t-zone with dry cheeks so I especially need for it to NOT smudge or migrate. I also have straight and short asian lashes which need a lot of help.

If you’re interested in my experience with both these products, please keep on reading.

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 🙂

Dejavu Fiberwig Ultra Long Mascara

mascara-red

Price:

$20.95 AUD from cosmeticsnow.com.au

Claims: 

from cosmeticsnow.com.au

  • A newly improved intensely lengthening mascara.
  • Developed with Eyelash Film Technology that coats individual lashes in a smooth film.
  • Features a smudge-free clump-free formula that incredibly lengthens lashes.
  • Boasts an ultra-long brush that reaches at the roots of lashes for thorough application.
  • Extends lashes to a long natural & separated “false lash” finish.
  • Keeps any sebum & sweat away from lashes for a clean perfect result.
  • Can be easily removed by lukewarm water with no damage to lashes.

My criteria:

I got very excited when I read the claims. It promises a lot and who doesn’t want super long lashes without having to actually wear falsies (which I hate).

Below are qualities which I usually look for in mascara and how this mascara stacks up to them:

  • Smudge-proof – Yes
  • Lengthening – Yes
  • Volumising – No
  • Curling- No
  • Waterproof – Yes
  • Flaking – No

Would I recommend?

No, I wouldn’t recommend this mascara 😦 It was quite dry when I opened it which is uncommon for a brand new mascara. It had some wetness to it but not all that much. The brush was a bit large so it wasn’t the easiest to coat my little lashes. I didn’t see any significant lengthening, even after two coats. I always curl my lashes beforehand so while it did lift my lashes and did lengthen them a bit, it wasn’t enough for me. I know that it didn’t promise to provide any volume but that’s what I look for as well. I bought it in black and for some reason, it didn’t seem very pigmented.

Overall it was an ordinary mascara, nothing special about it. If you are looking for something that will give you subtle lengthening which is smudge-proof and waterproof, maybe you will like this.

Isehan Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara

heroine

Price:

$14.40 from ebay.com *

Claims:

from yesstyle.com

Waterproof mascara coats eyelashes thoroughly for a volumizing effect that truly mesmerizes.
Curl lasts all day and does not smudge. Use lash curler before applying, and apply an extra coat for maximum effect.

My criteria:

The claims boast significant volumizing, curling as well as lasting all day. No mention of lengthening although it’s called “Long and Curl”. Below is how it fared against my requirements:

  • Smudge-proof – Yes
  • Lengthening – Yes
  • Volumising – Yes
  • Waterproof – Yes
  • Flaking – No

Would I recommend?

Yes I highly recommend this mascara 😀

The result is quite amazing. It does it all, provides volume, curl and really lengthens my lashes. Best of all, it last all day without smudging or flaking. I get a wide eyed look after just one application. It’s also easy to remove with an oil cleanser even though it claims to be super waterproof. It’s also affordable which is a great bonus. I bought it in black and the colour really translated onto my lashes which I really liked. I look forward to trying out the other one I bought, which was the Curl and Volume version.

If you’re looking for all these qualities in a mascara, I would recommend trying this out. Definitely one which I will be repurchasing in the future.

If you have any mascara recommendations, please let me know in the comments.

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Mecca Beauty Loop Box – Level 3 – April 2018

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If you live outside of Australia or New Zealand, you may not know about Mecca. Mecca is a beauty store based in various locations around Australia and New Zealand. I would best describe them to be equivalent to Sephora. As well as selling their own house brands, Mecca Max and Mecca Cosmetica, the range of brands (both makeup and skincare) housed within Mecca is HUGE. High end brands like Urban Decay, Hourglass, Too Faced, Tatcha, Nars, Smashbox, just to name a few. There are more Mecca stores around Sydney compared to Sephora. It’s always easy to get good service at Mecca too which is a key differentiator, not only compared to Sephora, but to other brand counters in department stores like Myer and David Jones. Sometimes you are really hard pressed to get any service at all which is a bit of a letdown 😦

Anyway, Mecca has a loyalty program called the Beauty Loop and depending on how much you spend a year, you are placed in a particular level. It’s free to join and points are earned with every purchase. Along with a great host of other member benefits (free makeovers, sneak peak with brand new releases etc), the main treat I look forward to the most, is the release of Mecca Beauty Loop boxes each quarter.

This box is complimentary and is available for a short window. I picked mine up yesterday (Friday) after getting the email on Thursday.  Since I’m a Level 3 member, this quarters box contains four items and the curation theme is “a luminous complexion”. Very excited to share the contents of this box with you. Something to note is that all the items in this box are in travel sizes.

This isn’t going to be a review on each product since I just got them. I will just be showing you what is in the L3 beauty loop box in this quarter. Also, this post is not sponsored whatsoever.

Products in the box

  1. Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment (7.5ml)

    Description: (from mecca.com.au)

    Clarify and polish skin to reveal a glowing, fresh-from-the-Clinic complexion. Microbeads and Fruit Enzymes are intended to clean pores, while salicylic acid is formulated to balance hydration, without over-drying.

    Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
    Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

  2. Bare Minerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Fusion – (7.5 ml)

    Description: (from mecca.com.au)

    The first of its kind, SkinLongevity combines the weightlessness and absorption of an essence with the efficacy and potency of a serum for the ultimate hybrid formulation. Fine lines and wrinkles are softened, moisture is restored and skin is adorned with a youthful radiance.

    Bare Minerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Fusion
    Bare Minerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Fusion

  3. Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick – Champagne Flash (1.4g)

    Description: (from mecca.com.au)

    Create an instant flash of glow with these cream highlighter sticks in a smooth, weightless texture designed to give you an instant seamless highlight.

    Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick - Champagne Flash
    Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick – Champagne Flash

  4. Urban Decay HI-FI Shine Ultra Cushion Lipgloss – Naked (1.0ml)

    Description: (from mecca.com.au)

    Prepare your pout for high shine without the sticky finish. These ultra-shiny plumping glosses glide over the lips with precise ease, delivering long-lasting, bold shine.

    Urban Decay HI-FI Shine Ultra Cushion Lipgloss - Naked
    Urban Decay HI-FI Shine Ultra Cushion Lipgloss – Naked

If you are eligible for a beauty box this quarter, I would encourage you to get to your nearest Mecca asap before they run out!!! These boxes are such a great way to try different beauty products without breaking the bank 🙂 Well technically I have already broken the bank in order to be eligible but meh, details :/

I’ll be reviewing the products once I’ve used them for awhile so stay tuned!

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Etude House – Disappointing products

KimLeave a comment

Etude House products are generally quite affordable, comparable to drug store prices and the brand is massive in Korea.

I’ve purchased a few of their skincare and makeup products and just like with any beauty line, they haven’t all worked out for me. It’s not all grim as I will be talking about the ones I do enjoy in a later post.

Today I will be talking about three items which just didn’t work out for me personally. If you happen to love any of them, I applaud you because for the life of me, I couldn’t get any of them to work.

Berry Delicious Cream Blusher #OR201

Berry Delicious Cream Blusher #OR201
Berry Delicious Cream Blusher #OR201

What is it?

From Etude house’s website:
This is a moist strawberry coloured cream blusher that flushes cheeks for a lovely look.

Why it didn’t work out for me:

Its texture isn’t creamy, its almost like a pressed powder. It feels slightly oily and almost velvet when I touch it with my fingers. Kind of hard to explain.

Along with the strange texture there is hardly any pigment to it. I have tried using the air puff (provided) and no matter how much I pat the puff onto the blush cake, the colour just doesn’t show up on my skin tone. I’m a NC30 for reference. Tried to apply it with my fingers and no such luck either. I’m sure that if I took the time to layer 5 layers on, something might show up but who can be bothered doing that?!

Berry Delicious Cream Blusher #OR201
Poor pigment, so poor swatch. Had to go in hard for this to show up :/

Another criticism would be the smell, smells strongly of peaches and chemicals.

Etude House has loads of other blush options to choose from so I would try something else instead. If you are my skin colour or darker, I wouldn’t recommend this product.

Price: $11.50 AUD from jolse.com

Dr Mascara Fixer – Perfect Lash

Dr Mascara Fixer
Dr Mascara Fixer, couldn’t get it to stand up by itself or lay down properly for the shot. Just an overall disaster.

What is it?

From Etude house’s website:
This transparent fixing gel mascara offers perfect curl / volume / waterproof fix in any environment and climate. Infused with Black Food extracts to condition lashes.

Why it didn’t work out for me:

I bought this when I first got into korean makeup and didn’t know any better. I saw a video where Gothamista used it and it made a substantial difference to the curl on her lashes. I think this fixer comes in two types, I may not have bought the same one as hers.

Anyway I used this fixer before I applied my regular black mascara. My biggest gripe is that it leaves white clumps on my lashes. The white clumps shouldn’t be an issue because I am overlaying another mascara over it. But no, my black mascara isn’t able to fully cover the white bits. On the lashes where it can, it paints over the clumps making it even more clumpy and spidery looking. All of this is minus any volume or curling action on my lashes. I bought this product hoping that it was clear and I could use it without applying mascara. Turns out I can’t use it either way.

I wouldn’t even bother with a lash primer anymore (bit gimmicky), I’ll just use my trusty Shu Uemura eyelash curler as I always have. The mascara which I have been using from Heroine Make is a rockstar on its own, more on that next time!

Price: $7.55 AUD from eBay *

Oh m’eye line eyeliner – Black

eh_04

What is it?

From Etude house’s website:
This highly pigmented, smudge-proof liquid liner goes on smoothly for precise application and creates strong, beautiful lines that last.

Why it didn’t work out for me:

It’s pigmented, but it’s also very wet. There is too much product on the brush when you extract it from the tube. When I try to draw any type of line, the line bleeds straight away and it looks blobby (refer to the swatch for what I mean by this). I’ve tried using both small strokes and large strokes and to no avail. It’s a streaky and blobby hell. After doing some googling, I discovered that other people have also had a tricky time with application.

Oh m'eye line eyeliner - Black
Blobby mess – Oh m’eye line eyeliner – Black

The tiny brush is a bit too flexible and small for my liking, making it even harder to get a straight line. I’ve never been able to get this to work so I can’t comment on wear time or if it smudges. I’m no MUA, but I know how to apply eyeliner on myself. Eyeliner is a product which I am extremely picky with since I have hooded eyes and semi-oily lids. I’ve tried more bad ones than good ones and I would put this in the very bad category. For my HG, check out this post on the Macqueen liquid liner.

Price: $8.95 AUD from eBay *

Final thoughts

I hope this has been of help to anyone who has been curious about these products.
Again, I need to stress that if you happen to like any of them, I’m glad to hear it. It’s just a bummer that I couldn’t get them to work for me.

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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 🙂

 

 

 

 

Cushion foundations which were too light for me!

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If you are NC30 or darker, save your money and do not buy the following cushion foundations in these particular shades! Disclaimer: These cushions aren't bad they are just too light for my skin tone so I can't use them 😑 1️⃣ Laneige BB Cushion Pore Control #23 (strong fragrance) 2️⃣ The Face Shop Anti Darkening Cushion (I have the Hoody Ryan edition) #203 3️⃣ Moonshot Micro Cushion #301 (the pink balm is way better and the colour #301 is a better match for some reason) 4️⃣ Aprilskin Magic Snow Cushion #23 I have since ruled out any cushions in the #23 shade. I generally look for shades #25 or #27 and found a few that I really love that match me pretty perfectly 💞 Check out my blog meandmymirror.com for the full scoop. #kbeauty #k-beauty #beautyblogger #korean #asianbeauty #cushionfoundation #cushions #shades #makeup #foundation #minireview

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For cushions which have worked for my skin tone and which I would 100% recommend, pop over to this post 🙂

[Review] Bobbi Brown – Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation

KimLeave a comment

I recently hauled a few things from Bobbi Brown this year and it included this liquid foundation. Up until this point I had only tried one other thing from this brand, her pressed powder foundation, which was ages ago.

After seeing an interview with Bobbi herself and hearing her philosophy around minimal and natural looking makeup, I was intrigued to try more of her products. The models on the website had such fresh and modern looks that I knew I needed to try some products.

“Women want to look and feel exactly like themselves, only prettier and more confident,” – Bobbi Brown, 1991

I have been using the foundation for a couple of weeks now so I thought it was time to share my thoughts on it.

Claims: from bobbibrown.com.au

A 16-hour wear, full coverage foundation with a natural, multidimensional matte finish that’s comfortable, breathable and weightless.

Finish:

I generally enjoy a demi-matte leaning to dewy/radiant finish since I use korean cushion foundations. What made me gravitate to this particular foundation was that even though it had a matte finish, it was described as natural matte, skin-like and weightless. I feel like the claims are true, it feels lightweight on the skin and it doesn’t give me a flat matte or dry look. It contains marine sugar cane which is known for balancing your skin’s oils as well as glycerin, which is an humectant that helps to retain moisture, keeping your skin hydrated and comfortable. I would disagree from the claims that it is full coverage though because its more like a medium. Maybe if you went heavy with a brush it could be buildable to full. I feel like since it sets so quickly, building it up might cause some caking. I haven’t tried it yet though so let me know if you’ve tried to build it up.

Shade:

I had been matched at David Jones (Australian department store) but it was off. The sales assistant wasn’t overly enthused to begin with and applied Golden Natural 4.75, which ended up being too golden borderline orange for my NC30-35 skin tone. I hate department store lighting because its generally not realistic as well as getting mediocre service. So instead of purchasing that day, I gave it some thought and bought it online. I settled on Warm Natural 4.5 (warm undertone). It suits me a lot better than Golden Natural but still isn’t quite an exact match. Natural Tan 4.25 (neutral/olive undertone) might have been more suitable but this still works for me.

Bobbi Brown - Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation - Warm Natural
Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation – Warm Natural

Application:

I usually prep my skin really well with a few steps (cleanse, tone, essence, moisturise) and apply this after sunscreen and primer. I’ve used three methods of application, fingers, damp beauty sponge and buffing brush. Since I tend to like more of a lightweight application, I tend to like using a damp sponge the most. I use two pumps for my face and an extra half a pump for my neck. The consistency is a bit thick but I can still easily spread it around my face and blend it in with the sponge without an hassles. If you like heavier coverage, a buffing brush works well too. It sets quickly too so you need to be quick or apply sections of the face at a time.

Lasting power:

I dust powder on my t-zone since my skin is combination and it last for around 8 hours if its not too humid. Some oil does come through in the afternoon around 3 or 4pm but not enough to cause me blot or worry about it too much. If I use setting spray in the center of the face, this doesn’t happen.

I don’t think its completely transfer and sweat proof though because some of it comes off when I tap my tissue to absorb any sweat. The foundation is recommended for normal to oily skin types and I would agree with that. For oily skin types, I would powder the whole face and use setting spray for extra insurance especially if you live in humid climates.

Price:

I purchased it from bobbibrown.com.au for $70 AUD. When you buy online, depending on how much you spend, you get some complimentary goodies with your purchase. I received my products within a few days, beautifully boxed and packaged. I have bought something else from the David Jones counter and didn’t receive anything else besides mediocre service.

Final thoughts:

I really like this foundation. It is reliable in terms of wear time and the colour match, even though its not 100%, its pretty close. I like how my skin looks, it has decent coverage but still looks like skin. I could probably even get away with not powdering in autumn/winter since it sets quite quickly.

If you are looking to try a foundation from this brand and have normal – oily skin, I would recommend this product.

I’ll be writing some more posts on the other products I bought from Bobbi Brown as well so if you’re interested to see more, keep an eye out for more reviews.

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Korean cushion foundations for light to medium skin tones

Kim11 Comments

 

Cushion foundations were something I had really wanted to try when I started my k-beauty obsession last year. I was intrigued with the concept of foundation which could actually help your skin since they are usually infused with notable ingredients as well as fairly decent sun protection. There was a slight problem though, the hunt wasn’t as easy as I had thought it would be.

I’m aware that korean foundations are targeted to koreans (who are very fair) so I’m not complaining about that. I just struggled to find a shade which suited me online. For the record, I’m an NC30, light to medium skin tone with yellow/neutral undertones. After a few misses, I have however, managed to find a few which I totally love. Most of these products are in the shades #25 or #27 as I have given up on trying #23. Hopefully this helps anyone out there who are a bit on the “darker” side like me.

I won’t be going into too much detail about each one because this post will be ages long. If you want a more in depth review on any of these cushions, please let me know in the comments.

I will include some swatches on my arm but they aren’t very good since its kinda difficult to get a good swatch from a cushion. Had some issues with my lighting as well so bear with me. Anywho, enough chatter, let’s get on with this review!

Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion

Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion
Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion

Claims:  Source: https://us.sulwhasoo.com/perfecting-cushion

A cushion foundation that creates flawless-looking skin with a healthy, radiating glow

This cushion includes a moisturizing blend of apricot seed and Korean herbs, and creates a flawless radiant glow.

Covers spots and signs of wrinkles using a special watercolor method which disperses color into water instead of oil.

A film-fixing polymer forms a perfectly seamless layer for beautiful makeup that lasts up to 12 hours.

Shade: #25 Deep Beige (matches me perfectly)
Color range: 6 colours, up to #33
Lasting power: 8hrs
Why I love it: Satin or demi-matte finish making my skin look healthy. It never looks greasy on my combo skin. Its long lasting and has medium coverage. I usually set my t-zone with powder. Its a quick cushion to apply since the colour matches so well making it a good everyday cushion.
Cost: $46.06 USD from ibuybeauti.com. Includes 1 refill

sulwhasoo perfecting cushion
sulwhasoo perfecting cushion

YSL Fusion Ink Cushion Foundation/Le Cushion Encre De Peau

YSL Fusion Ink Cushion Foundation/Le Cushion Encre De Peau
YSL Fusion Ink Cushion Foundation/Le Cushion Encre De Peau

 

 

Claims: Source: https://www.yslbeauty.co.uk/makeup/complexion/foundation/fusion-ink-cushion-foundation/WW-20550YSL.html

For a radiant, smoother looking complexion on the go, use our latest innovation NEW Fusion Ink Cushion Foundation. The medium-coverage foundation can be used alone or as a top-up product for skin that looks luminous all day.

Shade: #50 medium tan, neutral undertone (matches me perfectly)
Color range: 6 colours, up to #60
Staying power: 8hrs
Why I love it: This gives me a nice luminous finish, making my skin look almost pore less and non greasy. You don’t need to apply highlighter on top of this one. Its long lasting and has medium coverage. I usually set it with powder on my t-zone. Lots of reviewers have raved about this one being their HG cushion and I would have to agree with that claim. It is special and I only use it on special occasions since its quite expensive. You may be wondering why I’m including this as a Korean cushion when its YSL, the reason being is that its actually made in Korea.
Cost: $89 AUD from myer.com.au. No refill.

YSL Fusion Ink Cushion Foundation
YSL Fusion Ink Cushion Foundation

Moonshot Face Perfection Balm Cushion

Moonshot Face Perfection Balm Cushion
Moonshot Face Perfection Balm Cushion

Claims: Source https://boniik.com/face-perfection-balm-cushion-refill.html

Balm foundation cushion that melts into the skin high coverage cushion foundation provides moisture and healthy glowing skin finish.

Shade: #301 sand beige (matches me 95%)
Color range: 3 colours, #301 is the darkest.
Staying power: 8hrs
Why I love it: This cushion has the best coverage of this bunch. High coverage and gives you a creamy and glowy finish. The cushion has a netting cover which makes it easy to get a good amount on the puff. This one definitely needs setting with powder especially if you have oily skin. With a light hand, you can pull off natural looking coverage with this. Since the colour match isn’t 100%, I usually go in with some bronzer. I have also tried their black micro cushion which was too light even though it was #301 too. That was a miss for me, this pink one was much better in terms of finish/coverage/colour.
Cost: $37.80 AUD from https://boniik.com (got it on sale). Includes 1 refill.

Moonshot Face Perfection Balm Cushion
Moonshot Face Perfection Balm Cushion

Pony Effect Everlasting Cushion Foundation

Pony Effect Everlasting Cushion Foundation
Pony Effect Everlasting Cushion Foundation

Claims: Source https://www.yesstyle.com/en/memebox-pony-effect-everlasting-cushion-foundation-spf50-pa-with-refill/info.html/pid.1062712815

Cushion foundation provides light buildable coverage to conceal uneven skin tone and light blemishes, culminating in a dewy finish. SPF 50+ PA+++ provides maximum sun protection.

Shade: Sand (matches me 95%)
Color range: 7 colours, Sand is the darkest.
Staying power: 5hrs
Why I love it: I actually don’t love this one. I like that it has medium coverage and its dewy (borderline shiny) finish but my only gripe is that I can feel it on my skin. It feels like a weightier formula which drier skin types might enjoy. I feel like for my combo skin, I would enjoy it more in the cooler months.
Cost: $30.68 USD ebay – roseroseshop. Includes 1 refill.

Pony Effect Everlasting Cushion Foundation
Pony Effect Everlasting Cushion Foundation

Hera UV Mist Cushion

Hera UV Mist Cushion
Hera UV Mist Cushion

Claims: Source https://www.yesstyle.com/en/hera-uv-mist-cushion-nude-with-refill-spf34-pa-25-amber-15g-15g/info.html/pid.1050466779?cpid=1050466778

Light texture completes transparent and bright complexion at the same time and protects against rays.

Shade: #25 Amber (matches me 100%)
Color range: 4 colours, Amber is the darkest.
Staying power: 6hrs
Why I love it:  This cushion is a no brainer for me. It has light coverage and the finish is more on the satin/demi-matte side. It gives me a bright and healthy looking glow. Staying power isn’t as long on my skin, I would say 6 hours and I usually set my t-zone with powder. I alternate between this and the Sulwhasoo cushion on the daily.
Cost: $34.75 USD – https://cosmetic-love.com/. Includes 1 refill.

Hera UV Mist Cushion
Hera UV Mist Cushion

Final thoughts

I love the idea of cushion foundations so I’m really glad that I’ve found some which I really enjoy. Cushion foundations are made to be applied with its puff, using a patting motion, which I find is quick and easy. People who chuck them out aren’t getting the most of their “cushion foundation experience”. The puffs can also be washed (I use my oil cleanser) and reused. They supposedly are anti-microbial so you don’t HAVE to wash them after each use, just regularly will do. I usually buy a pack of puffs and alternate them anyway which is why some of the cushions had Gudetama puffs.

I realise that some of the cushions that I have mentioned are quite pricey but it just seemed like the higher end companies were more accomodating with their shade range.  I know western brands such as Wet and Wild, Maybelline and Loreal have produced their own versions too but I haven’t tried them out yet. Laneige also has a good shade range for their cushions but the one I have tried, their Pore Control BB cushion, was a miss for me (too matte and too light #23). Missha and Etude House also have a good shade range for their cushions too. A review on the Missha Magic Cushion will be coming soon!

Let me know if you have tried any of the foundations I have mentioned and your experience, I would love to know!

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Nars Man Ray Les Amoureux Audacious Lipstick Coffret #8459

[Mini haul] Mecca 2017 Holiday new releases! Limited edition Hourglass and Nars

Kim1 Comment

Today was a monumental day (9/11/17). It was the day where Mecca released a massive holiday collection from loads (and loads) of brands. I had this day marked in my calendar so of course I had to rush over there during my lunch break.

If you live outside of Australia and New Zealand, Mecca is a beauty powerhouse, like Sephora. They sell loads of beauty products (makeup and skincare). Brands such as Nars, Hourglass, Too Faced, Smashbox, La Mer, Drunk Elephant + many more. They also have their own house brands as well, much like Sephora.

I bought two products, one which I have been lusting over for months (we get stuff so much later than the US and UK) and the other which I’ve just discovered and knew I hadtohaveit!

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit – Volume 3

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit - Volume 3
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit – Volume 3

I have been lusting over this palette for months now. Ever since it was first released in the US, I just knew I had to have it. Until this purchase I only owned one Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light which I love. I realise that this same powder is also in this palette but I don’t mind since I am already a fan of it. This palette contains 3 existing best selling powders, two new blush shades as well as a new strobing shade. It cost $117 AUD.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit - Volume 3
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit – Volume 3

Ambient® Lighting Powders
– Diffused Light
– Dim Light

Ambient® Strobe Lighting Powder
– Hypnotic Strobe Light (NEW)

Ambient® Lighting Bronzer
– Luminous Bronze Light

Ambient® Lighting Blush
– Surreal Halo (NEW)
– Pure Effect (NEW)

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit - Volume 3
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit – Volume 3

The sales assistant applied a couple of powders to my face, Dim Light all over and Surreal Halo to my cheeks and in my crease. I loved this blush so much!

Can’t wait to try the rest of it! It looks like a great one for travelling too. Detailed review to follow shortly.

Nars Man Ray Les Amoureux Audacious Lipstick Coffret #8459 (nude)

Nars Man Ray Les Amoureux Audacious Lipstick Coffret #8459
Nars Man Ray Les Amoureux Audacious Lipstick Coffret #8459

This holiday makeup collection was inspired by photographer Man Ray which makes the packaging very unique and “old worldly”.

There were two sets to choose from, this nude one in Les Amoureux and Noire Et Blanche which contains shades that are more on the red side of the spectrum.

Nars Man Ray Les Amoureux Audacious Lipstick Coffret #8459
Nars Man Ray Les Amoureux Audacious Lipstick Coffret #8459

I love nudes and I love the colors contained in this collection (Ady, Ardon, Jane, Barbara). I haven’t owned any Audacious lipsticks yet  but I have swatched them in the past in store and they feel really nice. At $49 AUD a pop, its pretty steep. Being able to own four great colors for $80 AUD is good value in my eyes. Mind you they aren’t full sized but they aren’t tiny either like the Boys and Girls Lipsticks from Tom Ford 😦
I have not gone through an entire tube of lipstick either so this works well for me.

The nicest surprise about this product was the round globe it came in. Its made of heavy duty plastic with the four lipsticks perfectly housed in a matching black round base.

Nars Man Ray Les Amoureux Audacious Lipstick Coffret #8459 - Packaging
Nars Man Ray Les Amoureux Audacious Lipstick Coffret #8459 – Packaging

The lipsticks are laid out with Nars spelt out which was pretty cool. Very sleek.

Nars Man Ray Les Amoureux Audacious Lipstick Coffret #8459 - Packaging
Nars Man Ray Les Amoureux Audacious Lipstick Coffret #8459 – Packaging

Swatches and detailed review to follow shortly!

If you haven’t had a chance to check out these Mecca’s new releases, I would highly recommend that you do! Its not everyday that so many brands drop so many new products.

Let me know what you have picked up or are planning on picking up from the holiday collection!

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[Review] Liquid eyeliner: Korean vs American

Kim2 Comments

Today I will be reviewing two liquid eyeliners which I think are good dupes. The American eyeliner is the Tattoo Liner from Kat Von D and the Korean eyeliner is Waterproof Pen Liner from Macqueen New York. 

Macqueen New York products are made in Korea so I don’t know what “New York” represents in their name. There isn’t a whole lot of information or background on the company online.

Kat Von D is an American tattoo artist who created her own makeup line. Her products are exclusively sold at Sephora.

Ease of application and longevity is what I generally look for in liners. Since I have hooded eyes, eyeliners and mascaras tend to smudge on me. I think I have found my HG liner! Keep reading to find out which one it is.

The claims

Both liners claim to be waterproof and budge proof, lasting all day.

Tattoo liner – From sephora.com.au

Achieve eye perfection with this high-pigment, waterproof liner that stays put all day for a fade-, melt-, crack-, and run-resistant finish. The superfine and flexible brush tip glides across the lashline for incredibly fluid application, allowing you to create a variety of looks with ease. Unlike traditional felt tip liners, this brush tip will not fray.

Waterproof Pen Liner – From Yesstyle.com

Keeps a long-lasting vivid line without smearing for a whole day.
Create a line from beginning to end along the lash line. Fine-tipped eyeliner makes it easy to contour and control eye definition. The waterproof liquid formula creates thin, smooth strokes that can be layered for more emphasis.

Costs

Macqueen liner – $6.19 AUD from yesstyle.com
Tattoo liner – $28 AUD from sephora.com.au

Similarities

Both liners have the same brush tip which is awesome for precision lining around the lid. Great for creating wings.

They look exactly the same here.

eyeliner-tips

Both are black and the colour and pigmentation looks exactly the same. The left is Macqueen and on the right is Kat Von D. Please excuse the wobbly Macqueen swatch.

eyeliner-swatches.jpg

Application on the lids is exactly the same. You need to shake them both a couple of times before applying.

Really easy to draw a line with no bleeding and opaque in just one go.
I don’t line my waterline so I can’t tell you how easy or difficult it would be.

Both are waterproof and smudge proof.

Both have matte finishes.

Differences

With all the similarities you might be wondering what differs between the two. And its the staying power.

The Macqueen liner lasts all day on me. By the end of the day I can still see it on my eyes.

However, the Tattoo liner does not last all day. It fades throughout and by the end of the day, it’s completely gone!

I had swatched both liners on my hand for one of the photos. Its only been a couple of hours and I can already see the Tattoo liner fading slightly. I have slightly oily lids so the fading is more apparent when I have it on my eyes.

Final thoughts

Since they are similar in many ways I would consider them to be good dupes for one another. But like all dupes, not everything is exactly the same.

I love the Macqueen liner. Its so budget friendly and fulfils all the requirements I have from a liquid liner. It’s opaque, easy to use and budge proof. Though it still is easily removed using my oil cleanser.

Rating: 5/5 (holy grail!)

I tried out the Tattoo liner maybe a year before I dabbled in k-beauty so that was my first love. I even repurchased it once more (a full size) since I had liked the travel size one so much. The issue with it fading on my lids is minor in my opinion as you can easily touch up but I prefer not to. It’s also more than 4x the price of the Macqueen.

Rating: 4/5 (really liked it)

What’s your favourite budge proof liquid liner? Have you tried these out yet?

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[Review] Shu Uemura The Lightbulb Essence Foundation SPF 45 PA+++

KimLeave a comment

Today I will be reviewing a foundation from Shu Uemura. It is the Lightbulb Essence foundation. Its also referred to as the “essential-oil-foundation”.
It’s a new release from the Japanese cosmetics line. This foundation launched in Australia in August 2017.

I’m a sucker for anything with the word “essence” in it and always on the look out for makeup which contains skin care benefits. The infusion of essential oils, lavender oil, geranium oil, ginger oil, camellia seed oil (my fave!) and rice nuka oil, drew me in. These oils both contribute to hydration as well as in creating a healthy (not greasy) glow.
Its supposed to be feel like skin care so its good for sensitive skin. It also contains SPF 45+++ which is also handy but I still layer sunscreen underneath it.

Cost

I bought this for $85 AUD at Shu Umera in QVB Sydney.

Colour

I bought shade #564 medium light sand. I was tossing between this and #764 medium light beige (their most popular shade I was told). Both shades look fairly similar on my skin, but opted for the #564 because the undertone leaned more neutral (only ever so slightly). For reference I am a NC30 in MAC and #23 or #25 (depending on the brand) in Korean foundation. My undertone is neutral.

Consistency

It’s very liquidity, has a watery consistency. If you let it sit on your hand long enough, it will run right down! It reminds me of Koh Gen Do’s Maifanshi Acqua foundation which I have in the shade #123 (half a shade too light for me).

shuumera-foundation-2

Scent

It smells pleasant, like lavender aromatherapy and moisturiser. The smell isn’t offensive (to me) and dissipates on application.

Application

A con on this product is the dropper applicator. I guess since its supposed to mimic skincare that’s why they did it like this. It can get messy very quickly.

Shake the bottle a few times to mix the oil back into the foundation as it tends to float to the top. To disperse the product, you press on the button on the top. It has a pretty nifty seal, the button only pops up when you open the bottle, which is cool so you know when its completely shut properly.

shuumera-foundation-3

I normally drop a couple of drops on the back of my hand and use a classic beauty blender, as well as reputable dupes, to apply it to my face. A little goes a long way because its watery. It spreads easily and since I don’t enjoy caking on makeup, one layer is enough. I have tried it with a buffing brush but felt like it just moved the product around. The sales assistant applied the littlest amount and pat it in with a dry disposable sponge. It looked good then too, hence why I bought it. But using a damp beauty blender is quicker and I prefer it. Oh and I also tried it with the Lightbulb sponge (mine did not come with it) and I hated the sponge because its so stiff even when dampened.

Coverage

Light coverage, buildable to medium.

Finish

It is in between satin and dewy, natural would be the best descriptor. I have combo/dehydrated skin with a slightly oily t-zone and it doesn’t look greasy on me. I agree with the claims that it does create a nice healthy glow. I wouldn’t recommend this to super oily skinned people because of its glowiness. For anyone who generally layers a facial oil during your morning skincare routine, you probably won’t need to do that when you wear this foundation. Unless you have super dry skin and really need to.

Wear time

I have worn this foundation on and off since I purchased it and I can safely say that it lasts all day (around 8 hours) if I powder. It doesn’t seem to set entirely and due to this I would recommend applying a light dusting of powder over it if you want it to last. I will test it out without powder and update this post. I also tested this in winter so will also report back on wear time in summer.

Final thoughts

Rating: 4/5 (really liked it)

Would definitely repurchase. Deducting one star because of the crappy dropper applicator.

It felt light and comfortable on my skin. It brightened up my complexion and gave it a healthy glow. It looked natural and would be ideal for those light makeup days which is generally the norm for me. The fact that it contains essential oils sped up my skincare routine in the morning which is always a plus!

The fact that you need to use so little of it also compensates (in my mind) for the luxury price tag.

Highly recommend that you try it in store as the colours are very similar and since its pretty pricey its probably a good idea to.

Have you tried this foundation? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

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