I’ve tried and reviewed quite a few cushion foundations in the past year or so and always still keen to try more. More lines are releasing more shades, which is really good to see, so they are more accessible for different skin tones.
I really liked Sulwhasoo’s Perfecting Cushion (reviewed here), so when people started talking about the Intense version, I was intrigued. It took me awhile to pick this up since it was very expensive and I was procrastinating for the most part.
I’ve used my first cushion (it comes with a refill) until the point where I’ve had to flip it over (if you’re an avid cushion user, you can relate I’m sure), so if you’re interested in hearing my thoughts on this cushion, please keep on reading 🙂
An anti-aging cushion that helps your skin look firmer and younger with a healthy glow.
The precious Red Pine extract in Sulwhasoo’s Timetreasure line delivers powerful anti-aging benefits for firmer-looking skin.
This cushion features anti-oxidizing properties of plum blossom extract and help your skin look healthy and youthful.
Created with Sulwhasoo’s unique technology, Radiance Pearl Powder Complex helps provide your skin a bright and radiant glow.
As I’m in my mid thirties, anything with anti ageing and firming claims would peak my interest. I didn’t know the benefits of red pine at first, there’s a heap of information on their website on how it’s sourced and it’s anti-aging properties.
Red Pine, a symbol of longevity, is known to live a thousand years. Sulwhasoo discovered Red Pine’s anti-aging component De-aging Active (DAA), which is found in a minuscule amount deep inside Red Pine leaves.
I haven’t used any skincare from their Timetreasure line, because it’s crazy expensive, so it’s a great to see that Sulwhasoo have added their premium ingredients into this cushion. It makes buying it a little more justifiable.
Korean cushions are renowned to have a glowy finish and this is no different. It does make my skin look glowy and healthy, true to it’s claims.
There is a slight scent, smells a bit “foundationy”, but it’s not strong and not the least bit offensive. The smell dissipates once it’s applied anyway.
Packaging:
The sponge cushion is housed in a typical cushion case but the packaging is what differentiates, making it pretty special. The gold edging and the shell-like cover with dark brown hues, gives it a premium feel. The base of the case is matte black. It feels sturdy and expensive.
#25 Deep Beige (matches me perfectly). This shade leans yellow/warm so perfect for my skin tone.
Color range:
7 colours, up to #33.
Seven shades designed to give you a more natural and healthy-looking skin tone, with both pink undertones for a youthful glow or yellow undertones to help neutralize dullness.
Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Intense – Shade #25 Deep Beige
Lasting power:
Around 8hrs with powder. If you have dry skin, you probably won’t need to powder.
Coverage:
Light to medium, buildable. I always use an airpuff for application.
As mentioned, the finish of this cushion is glowy, the coverage is buildable to a solid medium and I really like that it (like most korean cushions) is infused with skincare, specifically in the anti ageing category.
If you have any imperfections that you want to cover, you will need to use concealer and powder over those spots as well, just like with any other medium coverage foundation. Speaking of powdering, with my combo skin, I generally just powder the t-zone. I haven’t worn this in the Aussie summer yet so not sure how well it would last in sweltering temps but it lasted well during autumn and winter for me.
So did this live up to my expectations and should you rush out and buy it? It’s a really good cushion and I really like it for all the reasons I’ve mentioned. Even though it does come with a refill, it is still quite expensive and this is where I don’t know if it’s really worth it. I already have a comprehensive skin care routine so having skin care in makeup is a nice plus but it isn’t a must for me. This would be very comparable to the YSL Fusion Ink Cushion Foundation (reviewed here) in terms of finish, price and wear time. But the YSL cushion is even more expensive because you don’t even get a refill. I would buy this again over the YSL.
I would say, that if you are a fan of cushion foundations, and you want to try a Sulwhasoo cushion and you like a glowy finish to your base, I would say that you wouldn’t be disappointed with this one. The Perfecting cushion has more of a satin finish and has slightly better coverage and is a bit cheaper so it’s just a matter of preference.
Have you tried this cushion yet? Let me know if you have any questions, more than happy to help 🙂
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 🙂
I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect concealer for a long time. I’ve tried so many different types, from different finishes, different colours and tones to different coverages. I use concealer for two purposes, to cover under eye darkness and to conceal blemishes, especially PIH (Post inflammatory hyper pigmentation) left behind by acne, as well as sun spots.
I’m happy to use two different types to maximum effectiveness for each purpose. I fell hard for Bare Minerals Serum Concealer early on, for under eye brightening, would highly recommend. I also really needed a high coverage concealer to cover my dark acne scars. Many concealers have failed this requirement for me. Till now.
The Saem’s cover perfection tip concealer has over 1500 positive reviews on yesstyle.com and is generally always on sale. It is available in 5 shades, which is pretty good, especially for a Korean brand. It also has SPF28 PA++ which is also rare to see in concealers.
If you haven’t already guessed, I really like this concealer! Please keep on reading if you would like to know exactly what makes it the ONE for me 🙂
Product claims
from yesstyle.com
Cover spots and blemishes on skin with this Cover Perfection Tip Concealer. The lightweight formula adheres lightly but perfectly for a flawless look. Infused with oxygen complex and glacier water to keep skin moisturized, and reflective powder to give skin that natural, healthy glow. SPF 28 PA++ sun protection.
The Saem – Cover Perfection Tip Concealer
Cost
$6 for 6.5g (usually on sale so you can get it for less) from yesstyle.com *.
This list of ingredients represents all options or variants of this product. Actual ingredients in a given product option may vary from this list. Ingredients subject to change at manufacturer’s discretion. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, please refer to product packaging.
Packaging
The concealer has a doe foot applicator which common with many liquid concealers in a tube. The doe foot makes it easy to apply but the wand gets messy very quickly. A lot of product comes out which oozes out after you close the cap so I need to wipe around it each time. I keep my concealers in a tray and it seems like a lot of the ones with this type of packaging has this leakage problem.
Doe foot applicator, you can see that the wand gets pretty messy.
Consistency
It isn’t runny and it isn’t thick, I would best describe it as creamy. Whether you apply it directly onto your face or on your hand, you won’t need to worry about making a mess.
I have two shades. Left is the Contour shade (matches my complexion) and on the right is #02 Rich Beige.
Scent
It smells a bit florally if you really sniff it but it’s not strong or bad at all.
How to use
I use the shade named #Contour Beige for spot concealment and #02 Rich Beige for brightening my under eyes. #Contour Beige, when blended in, matches my skintone (NC30-NC35) very well.
I used to dot the tip directly onto my blemishes. Then I either used my fingertip or a small flat brush to blend it in. I found this technique to look too heavy because I’ll end up using more product than I needed. So I kind of put this concealer aside and forgot about it.
Now, I have a technique which works way better. I apply a small amount onto to the back of my hand. Then using a small flat concealer brush, I take a bit of the concealer the tip of the brush and pat it onto the spot I need concealing. I gradually do this until I am satisfied with the coverage, then, still using the tip of the brush, I soften the edges around the blemish so it looks seamless.
This is the flat concealer brush that I use to spot conceal. Don’t know what brand it is but there’s a tonne of brushes which look like this out there.
For highlighting, I use #02 Rich Beige. I dot it using the wand underneath my eyes, a dot in the centre of my forehead just above my brows and on my cupids bow. I then use a damp blender sponge, I use the small ones from Real Techniques, and gently pat it in.
To ensure maximum wear I always set both methods with powder.
Coverage
I would classify this as a full coverage concealer. This concealer can be used with a light hand to highlight or a heavier hand to conceal. I have tried western brand concealers which claim to be full coverage and they barely cover any of my dark scars. I’ve even attempted colour correct then concealing with these and they all fell short. This, however, is hydrating and provides excellent coverage without any cakiness. This concealer is also long wearing and doesn’t seperate on the skin.
Final thoughts
Rating: 5/5 (love it, holy grail status!)
There are so many pros to this concealer. It’s affordable, has SPF, hydrating, light, long wearing and best of all, it conceals extremely well. The only cons are how messy it gets with the wands and the fact that they need to have more shades so everyone can enjoy this incredible product!
Since this concealer serves both of my requirements very well, I won’t be repurchasing the Bare Minerals Serum Concealer. It costs $30AUD and while I like it, this Saem concealer can do the same job at a fraction of the cost. A little bit goes a long way so even though it may seem like you don’t get much, it does last if you use it sparingly (which is the most effective method for me anyway).
I can’t recommend this concealer enough. I can definitely see why this is such a popular product and would highly, highly recommend it!
Keen to try more products from this popular Korean brand. They source their natural ingredients from around the world. They have a tonne of makeup and skincare in their lines. If you have any recommendations, 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 🙂
I’ve always had a soft spot for blush. It is the one makeup product (in my opinion) that can turn you from looking half asleep and zombie-like to fresh, healthy and awake. Just a bit of colour on the cheeks can make a world of difference to how you look and feel.
I’ve always used powder blush because it’s quick and I’m lazy. Since watching (way too) many Lisa Eldridge videos I have been recently dabbling in cream and liquid blushes. She’s an MUA, Creative Director of Lancome AND still finds time to posts educational makeup videos on Youtube. She’s all about natural makeup looks and letting natural beauty shine through over caking and masking the face. So she knows her stuff. When she said that cream and liquid blush looks more natural because it looks one with the skin, I knew I needed to grab some! I do have a few from different brands but today I will talking about the Cheektone cream blushes from Tony Moly. I picked up two colours, Pinky Coral and Mood Rose.
If you are interested in knowing more about this product and what I thought of it, please keep on reading 🙂
It’s a cream blush which is long lasting and can also be used as cream shadow or lip colour.
Tony Moly – Cheektone Single Blusher #Pinky Coral
Packaging
Tony Moly are known for their cute packaging. The packaging is what actually caught my eye with this product. It’s actually more modern and clean looking than cute, with its almost Pantone type of vibe. The case is made of plastic.
Tony Moly – Cheektone Single Blusher #Mood Rose
How to use
I have only used this on my cheeks but it sounds like a multitasker, just like the RMS Lip2Cheek products (reviewed here), where it can also be used on the eyes and lips.
I’ve experimented with a couple of ways to apply this and I’ve found that using a small duo fibre brush is the best way. I dab my brush into the pan a couple of times then I dab it onto my cheeks, just to where I normally apply powder blush. The more you work the product into the skin, the more blended and natural looking it will be. Build up the level of intensity until it is right for you. I’ve found that cream blush takes a bit more time to apply than powder since you can’t just slap it on but it’s worth the effort.
Tony Moly – Cheektone Single Blusher Left to Right – Mood Rose and Pinky Coral. They are heavy swatches, once blended it will look more natural
Performance
The product claims to be long lasting and I would agree. I have dry cheeks so I don’t set my cheeks, just spritz it with Fix + usually. This also helps to further melt the blush into my skin so it looks like one. It lasts on my skin for around 8 hours.
Even when I was doing swatches for this post, I found that it was still visible on my wrist after using an oil cleanser. It never stains my cheeks after double cleansing so don’t worry about that! Just keep in mind that it would be more difficult to remove compared to powder blushes.
Tony Moly – Cheektone Single Blusher – it leaves a slight stain even after I used an oil cleanser.
Consistency
The texture is creamy and emollient. I thought it would be harder because they don’t appear to be shiny like the Lip2Cheek. It’s easy to pick up the blush on a brush or fingers and is easy to spread around to blend onto the face.
Scent
There is a slight scent that smells like makeup. I know it’s a poor description but its not bad or anything, just that there is a scent.
Final thoughts
Rating: 4/5 (really liked it!)
I really like the aesthetics of the packaging and best of all the product itself is great and performs well. I like both colours but if I had to pick, Mood Rose would be my recommendation. Both colours are creamy, easy to apply, doesn’t have an obnoxious smell and gives great payoff. I’ve tried a couple of korean powder blushes and they seemed to lack in the payoff department so I’m pleasantly surprised that these are so pigmented.
They are affordable and comparable to western cream blushes from brands such as Stila and Bobbi Brown. If you’ve been curious about trying cream blushes, I would highly recommend you to give these a go.
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 🙂
RMS beauty was founded by Rose Marie Swift. She is a renowned makeup artist who after having health problems due to toxic ingredients in makeup wanted to find to find a healthier approach to beauty.
Her line is organic and the primary ingredient she likes to use is coconut oil. In an interview with Wendy Rowe (also a makeup artist) in the Beauty Truth, Rose Marie Swift describes the benefits of coconut oil:
This natural antioxidant is 100% organic, raw and unrefined, aiding in its protective powers against free radical damage—otherwise known as premature ageing. Coconut oil contains high levels of lauric acid, which has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, making it suitable for even the most blemish-prone skin.
Please note that not just any store-bought oil is equal to ours. RMS Beauty is superior over most coconut oils.
Since being first intrigued by the famous Living Luminizer, I have since added some more RMS products to my little collection. The aesthetics of the brand is clean, modern and minimalistic which resonates with the brand’s purpose of simple beauty.
If you’ve been interested in trying out products from this brand, please keep on reading.
Living Luminizer
What is it?
From rmsbeauty.com:
This formula is the ultimate illuminator for creating a sensuous, sheer, luminous glow. An ultra sheer, glowing, luminizer with a translucent, satin-pearl finish. This highlighter works great on all skin tones, making this a must have beauty product.
Ingredients (from mecca.com.au)
*Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, *Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), *Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, and may contain [+/- Titanium Dioxide CI77891, Mica CI 77019] * CERTIFIED ORGANIC
Application
Best to apply with clean fingers. I swirl my index finger in the pot to get the product out, then I lightly pat it onto my cheekbones or wherever I normally apply highlighter. If you have oily skin, you may want to set it lightly with translucent powder. This is also a multi-use product, you can also use it on your eyelids as well as lips.
RMS Beauty – Living Luminizer
Packaging and size
The balm is housed in a frosted glass pot with a white lid. It feels weighty and sturdy. There is 4.82g/.17oz of product which doesn’t seem like much but it will last you a very long time since you only need a small amount.
RMS Beauty – Living Luminizer – It’s hard to see the swatch but I can assure you that it looks much better on the face!
Price:
$55.00 AUD (from Mecca)
My thoughts
Rating: 5/5 (love it, HG status!)
This is one of my favourite highlighters in my collection. It was the very first product I had bought from the brand and I love the effect it gives me. It can be built up, from subtle lit-from-within look to a strong glossy glow which still looks natural. Since it’s a cream product, it’s usually criminal to apply cream over powder but you can with this product. It doesn’t mess with the foundation or powder underneath if you use the soft patting technique with your finger. I don’t normally set it with powder because I have combo skin with dry U zone. I usually just set my face with a setting spray like Fix+. This helps to melt the highlighter into all the other layers on the face. It generally lasts around 6 hours and because it looks like one with the skin, the fading isn’t noticeable.
Would highly recommend if you are looking for a natural looking highlight. If you’re like me and you hate chunky glitters or frost in your highlight, you’ll like this! On the RMS beauty website it says this can be used by all skin tones. I don’t think it’s a universal shade (but I also could be wrong) but I think that this highlighter is best suited to fair-to-light-medium skin tones because it has a slightly pale pearly sheen to it. If you are medium-deep, you may want to try out the Magic Luminizer which has a more of a champagne tone to it. On rmsbeauty.com there are also two more variations, Peach and Champagne Rose Luminizers.
Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive
RMS Beauty – Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive
What is it?
From mecca.com:
Fusing a blend of nourishing oils and pure mineral pigments, this creamy emollient can be used on the lips and cheeks for a subtle tint of colour.
I apply this the same way as with the Luminizer, with my fingers. I swirl my index finger in the pot and use this and my middle finger to pat it onto my cheeks, slowly building it up to the desired level of opacity. When applying it onto my lips or eyelids, I use my index finger. It’s also buildable and dries down nicely. You could use a small duo fibre brush as well.
RMS Beauty – Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive
Packaging and size
Same size and packaging as the Luminizer, 4.82g/0.17oz of product. I really like the frosted look of the weighted pot.
Price:
$52.00 AUD (from Mecca)
RMS Beauty – Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive – this was swatched quite strongly, once blended in, the colour looks much less intense.
My thoughts
Rating: 4/5 (really like it!)
I love anything that I can use for more than one purpose, largely because I’m lazy. I really like the texture of it and how I have some play time before it dries down. Since I have light-medium skin, the shade Illusive works nicely on the cheeks, eyes and lips. Because of its nourishing ingredients, it leaves my cheeks looking fresh and hydrated. It isn’t long lasting on the lips (nothing ever is on my lips!), bit longer on the eyes (3-4 hours) and the longest (6 hours) on the cheeks. Even though it’s not that long lasting, it tends to fade evenly which is a plus.
With any cream product, it always takes a bit more time in application, but the payoff is always more natural and worth it. Since I don’t always have too much time in the mornings, I generally opt for powders and use this on the weekends.
Definitely recommend this, it’s great for touchups and to just throw in the handbag. I’ll be looking to add more shades of Lip2Cheek to my collection since I’m hooked 🙂 Promise and Paradise look divine!
Tinted Un Powder – Shade #2-3
Tinted Un Powder – Shade #2-3
What is it?
From mecca.com:
This tinted powder contains light reflective particles that work to minimise the look of pores, soften the skin and absorb excess oil. Providing subtle coverage to the skin, the powder can be used to set liquid foundation or be worn with ‘Un Cover-Up’.
Talc, silicone, perfume and paraben free.
Ingredients (from mecca.com)
T2-3: Silica, Iron Oxides: CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77500
Application
Like with all loose powders, I tip some into the cap then swirl a powder brush into it. I then tap off the excess on the side of the cap and lightly press it onto my face. I stupidly threw the puff it came with away so using a brush works best for me.
Tinted Un Powder – Shade #2-3 – the powder is very finely milled, there’s some on the cap.
Packaging and size
Clear plastic tub with white lid and has 9g/0.32oz of product. Smaller more compact than other loose powders I own such as the famed Laura Mercier Translucent Powder.
Price
$49.00 AUD from Mecca
My thoughts
Rating: 4/5 (really like it!)
This powder does what it says it does. It sets my foundation nicely and the 2-3 shade matches my skin tone perfectly. The powder is so finely milled which makes application a breeze. It never looks cakey and just melts into the skin, leaving my face with a healthy glow. It does minimise the pores around my nose and controls oil in my t-zone for around 8 hours.
It’s not something I reach for everyday since it’s a loose powder and takes a bit more time to apply then a pressed powder. As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m quite time poor in the mornings but I do like to use this whenever I remember to.
Would definitely recommend this powder because it doesn’t have talc like most powders and performs just as well or even better than most powders I have tried.
Wild With Desire Lipstick – Shade #Brain teaser
What is it?
From rmsbeauty.com:
This luxurious natural satin-finish lipstick is enriched with the signature rms beauty oil. Rich and powerful in anti-oxidants, this lipstick offers ultimate hydration and maximum color pay-off.
Ingredients (from rmsbeauty.com)
*Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Cera Alba (Beeswax)(Cire d’abeille), Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Kaolin, *Candelilla Cera (Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax) (Cire de candelilla), Hydrogenated Castor Oil, *Cera Carnauba (Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax) (Cire de carnauba), *Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Tocopherol, Isostearyl Palmitate, *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, *Hypericum Perforatum Extract, *Equisetum Arvense Extract, *Calendula Officinalis Extract, *Hemidesmus Indicus Root Extract, *Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Leaf Extract, *Withania Somnifera Root Powder, *Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Leaf Extract, *Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Propanediol, Pentylene glycol, *Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Propylene Carbonate, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, **Mauritia Flexuosa (Buriti) Fruit Oil. May Contain [-/+]: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Red 28 (CI 45410), Mica, Blue 1 (CI 42090), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 (CI 15850), Red 40 (CI 16035), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Yellow 6 (CI 15985).
* CERTIFIED ORGANIC ** WILDCRAFTED
Application
I apply it directly from the bullet onto my lips. Because it’s formula is a bit stiff, I tend to dab it onto my lips rather than using a swiping motion.
Wild With Desire Lipstick – Shade #Brain teaser
Packaging and size
The lipstick is housed in a sleek, silver tube. There is a slight weight to it and like her other products, has a clean and modern aesthetic to it. It contains 4.5g/0.15oz of product. The cap is very secure and gives a satisfying click when you close it.
Price:
$41.00 AUD (from Mecca)
Wild With Desire Lipstick – Shade #Brain teaser – swatch is using only one (wonky) swipe!
My thoughts
I love the formula of this lipstick. It’s a satin formula which is comfortable to wear and I love the shade Brainteaser. It is a soft peachy pink brown (more peach than pink on me), which is generally the type of colour that I’m usually drawn to. I can’t speak for its lasting power because not many lipsticks last on me after my morning coffee. I like how it contains nourishing ingredients such as shea butter and oils as well as antioxidants like turmeric and liquorice root. Quite rare to even get antioxidants in a lip product, let alone in an actual opaque lipstick.
I would highly recommend this for people who are looking for a lipstick which has nourishing ingredients as well as great colour payoff. Definitely will be purchasing more shades, the shade “Rapture” is calling my name!
Where can I buy it?
If you’re in Australia, you can purchase RMS Beauty from Mecca Cosmetica (mecca.com.au), Beautylish (beautylish.com) as well as from the brand’s website (rmsbeauty.com).
I purchased these products myself from Mecca Cosmetica and Beautylish.
Final thoughts
Nothing from this range has disappointed me so far and I’m excited to try more from the brand. Taking care of your skin shouldn’t just stop at skincare. If there are cleaner options which perform just well or better, I will definitely take it! The products might seem expensive for their quantity but because a little does go a long way, especially with the potted products, you won’t be hitting pan for a long while.
Since coconut oil is a key ingredient in a lot of the cream products, I was a bit wary since I’ve heard that it is or can be comedogenic to certain skin types. I actually had nothing to worry about because I never broke out from it. For reference I have combo skin/oily t-zone/prone to hormonal acne. There is also no scent in any of the products which is a plus because I hate most scents in makeup. The products are also a joy to use, both in application and aesthetics. The un-cover up concealer, eye polish and raw coconut cream cleanser are definitely on my wishlist!
Let me know if you’ve tried any products from RMS beauty and which has been your favourite 🙂
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 🙂
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.
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.
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
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?!
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, 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!
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.
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.
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.
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 🙂
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.
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
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.
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!
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
YSL Fusion Ink Cushion Foundation/Le Cushion Encre De Peau
YSL Fusion Ink Cushion Foundation/Le Cushion Encre De Peau
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
me and my mirror 