Showing posts with label bobbi brown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bobbi brown. Show all posts

Friday, July 31, 2015

June and July Favourites

I was actually worried that I wasn't going to have a lot of favourites this time around, which is ridiculous considering I'm already doing this on a bi-monthly basis. The last two weeks, however, have given me great opportunities to try out some of the things I've been neglecting a bit in my collection. I'm really excited to share these with you so read on!


Jouer Matte Moisture Tint (Shade: Nude)

I got this in my Big May Haul as I wanted a base that didn't require powder to set but wasn't drying on the skin. I also wanted to try tinted moisturizers considering that my Fairydrops Candybar BB Cream is running low ;___; This is a cult-favourite and rightly so as it is not only ticks all the boxes for what I wanted, but it is also pigmented enough to cover redness and looks like skin. I also love how this worked when I had oily skin and now when I have dry skin due to acne medications. Highly recommended!

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation (Shade: 3.5 Warm Beige)

Yes, you read that right! I have been very vocal about my dislike for this foundation on my blog, but I could never throw it out because of the price. Now that the condition of my skin has gotten better (greatly reduced oiliness, greatly lessened acne, smoother skin texture), this foundation works so well! I've also come to appreciate the freshness it imparts now that I'm no longer a greaseball. I've concluded that this is a good foundation if you've already got pretty okay normal to dry skin to start with. Also super long-lasting now!

Real Techniques Contour Brush

I've been very dissatisfied with my current powder brush and decided to try this brush for my powder on a whim, and it's amazing! I love that it gives me a lot of control and allows me to pinpoint exactly where I want my powder to be. The tapered edge also helps in depositing a good amount of product that doesn't make the face too powdery.

Too Cool for School Art Class by Rodin Createur du Contour + BYS Synthetic Blending Brush

I've been attempting to learn how to contour this month, but could never get it right when I used the RT Contour Brush or the Expert Face Brush. I tried adapting Karima from Shameless Fripperies' technique where she uses a blending brush to really get into the hollows, and found that it worked perfectly! The blending brush works so well as it gets the colour right where I want, but also helps in blending. Great way for me to repurpose this brush!

The TCFS Contour Powder is great for beginners as it isn't too pigmented but still builds and blends very easily. I use the darkest mixed with the middle shade for a very subtly defined cheekbones for the daytime. The colour is also great if you're NC25 or lower with slight yellow undertones, as it doesn't look too ashy or muddy on the skin. Expect a review on this soon!

Bioderma Atoderm Restorative Lip Treatment

Ever since taking medication for my acne, my lips have been really chapped and have peeled off pretty much everywhere. I've found that none of my lip balms worked, so I was recommended this by my doctor. I do need to apply an initial thick layer, but it has been the only one to restore my lips back to a normal, non-peeling state. It is quite pricey which is the only downside, but otherwise, a really great product!

Blogging Notebook from Artbox

I've forgotten exactly when I acquired this (maybe 1 or 2 months ago) but I love that it allows me to be more organized with my blog. It has also saved me from a lot of writers' block and creativity block  because it motivates me to really sit down and think about what I want to write. I also love that it isn't lined so I can write and draw (not that I'm any good, but in case I need to) freely. Plus, the cover design is very me. :D

That's it for my bi-monthly favourites! I hope you all enjoyed reading this rather lengthy post. If you have any favourites that you've loved for the past two months, don't hesitate to share that with me below!

Friday, February 06, 2015

Skin Care and Make-Up Regrets #1

It is with great displeasure that I write this post because of two reasons: first is that I don't really want to talk about products negatively, especially those that have worked so well on others. It is very possible that it just wasn't made for me, you know? Second is that thinking about all these things again just makes me wish I could trade it in for cash. Sigh, oh well. You need to experience the bad to know what's good right? Life similarities aside, here are some of the products I wish I could cash in (lol)!


Lioele Water Drop BB Cream

I've already made a review of this here but I regret this for so many reasons that I won't go into, lest this turn into a lengthy rant. This just did not live up to the hype and was the exact opposite of all its claims. I was determined to find a Korean BB Cream that actually worked and matched my skin tone (the best in terms of formulation and finish that I've tried being the Skin Food Mushroom BB Cream back when I was in high school). It's sad because the product itself is a lot at 50mL, and had it worked it would have lasted me a long time. 

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15 PA+

Where do I even begin with this foundation? I bought this for its claims of a skin-like finish that's invisible to the eye, the longevity of it, as well as the light to medium coverage. I got none of the above! It settled into pores I never knew I had, lasted 3 (3!!!) hours on my face even with primer and setting powder no matter what method of application, left my face looking like an oil slick, and was more of sheer to light. It was so bad I've become so paranoid about the bases I'm eyeing to purchase. This is the purchase I regret the most among all because it was the most expensive! I wish it worked for me because it does leave a nice glow when freshly applied, and is a perfect colour match.

Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner (Brown)

Unlike the previous two products I don't think this is a bad formula at all. In fact, its an amazing gel liner that lasts and doesn't melt and smudge all over my face throughout the day. I regret it because I never have the time and patience to put this on, save for photo shoots which happen once in a blue moon. I wish I could swap it for another Clio Kill Brown Brush Liner since pen liners in general are much more portable and don't bring with it the hassle that gel liners in pots have.

3 Concept Eyes Lip Lacquer (Bonbon)

I bought this after seeing it in one of Jen's videos. The colour looked so pretty on her and I wanted to try something from 3 Concept Eyes so bad! The product is pretty good in terms of packaging and colour range, but falls short in formulation. It is so drying on the lips and the colour was so wrong for me! It made me look dead and washed out, which is sad because it looked great on other people. I wish they'd reformulate them to be more like the Sephora Cream Lip Stains I've read so much about, which have amazing pigmentation and lasting power but are not drying.

Skin Food Egg White Pore Foam

It took a while for me to admit I didn't like this because I had such a great experience with other Skin Food Cleansers like the Tea Tree Cleansing Foam and their bestselling Black Sugar Scrub Foam. This one just left my skin feeling tight and too squeaky without the complete clean-ness, leading to the overproduction of sebum and eventually pimples! It didn't really clean out my pores either or make them appear smaller, even after I've used this religiously. Sad miss from one of my favourite Korean brands!

Etude House Wonder Pore Freshener (Not in photo)

If you read most posts in my blog, you'll know I've mentioned this a lot of times and how it has turned my skin oily! It claims to leave skin smoother, cleaner, with less visible pores and all that jazz but in the long run it just dried my skin out and made me look like a tomato. I suspect its the alcohol content and other harsh ingredients but I'm glad to have it out of my life. I'm considering this my last Etude House skin care purchase because none of those I've tried ever worked for me. I'll stick to their primer and Play 101 Pencils instead!

So there you have it! I'll admit it feels good to finally get all of this off my chest and put it in one big post. I don't think I'll be doing a frequent post of this, maybe twice a year or every year? If you guys have tried any of these products, or have beauty products you regret purchasing, leave me a comment below!

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Friday, December 05, 2014

Stolen From Mom Tag

If there was anyone who has been quite a big influence on me in terms of beauty, it is my mother. I've watched her put on make-up in a moving car flawlessly for years and I can say that the colours she uses to this day have greatly influenced some of the colours I prefer (especially in lipsticks).

I was tagged by Alex from The Red Eyeliner to do this tag (who also made it btw) because we used to talk about some of the make-up we've "stolen" (rather, taken and then eventually given) from our moms and how that has influenced us in terms of make-up.


For the sake of this tag, I wanted to include a few hair and nail things as well as I "borrow" a lot of those from her as well. I also added another question which will be marked accordingly. So here are my answers to the new 'Stolen from Mom' tag!

1. What is your favourite "stolen" piece?
Cure Natural Aqua Gel & Christian Dior Effets Blush Trio in 802 Expression Rose (Discontinued)


I've lusted over the Cure Natural Aqua Gel ever since I saw BubzBeauty use it years ago. I mentioned it a few times to my mom whenever we passed by Beauty Bar, and she eventually came home with a bottle. I have claimed it as my own since and as you can see, finished the entire bottle! I'm not sure if she ever got to use it as well but she's been very happy with her Laneige Multi Cleanser which I introduced her to 3 years ago.

The Dior trio is an interesting one because it was something that my mother also "stole" from her mother, which I eventually took. My grandmother was definitely more into makeup than she was (probably the same level as I am right now) and she had four drawers full of luxury make-up items. My mother used to use this on me during school events up until I was a pre-teen. I just keep it for sentimental reasons now, and I'll definitely be sad when I have to throw it out.

2. Do you have something of hers that she doesn't know you have taken?
Aveeno Pure Renewal Dry Shampoo


I wanted to try this to see if it would be better than the Etude House Oh My God! Dry Shampoo that I hoarded from Seoul, and it is nothing close! It's sticky, makes my hair feel greasy, and is just a 100% fail in terms of dry shampoo. It's sad because it comes in a really big size, and would have been amazing had it worked.

3. What item have you taken that you have not used?
Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Wild Rose (Limited Edition)


This is the one constant thing in my collection, yet I have never bothered to use it. I'm not sure as to why despite the beautiful colours and the lovely glow it gives. I wasn't even aware that this was limited edition until I tried searching for it online to check the price. One of the main reasons that I don't use it (I think) is that I do not have a brush to apply it. I do want to try using it as an eyeshadow in the mean time!

4. Is there something you have been meaning to return?
Revlon Colorstay Soft & Smooth Lipcolor in Creamy Coral (Discontinued)


This was a birthday gift from me to my mother years ago, and was my attempt to get her on the coral lips trend that just came out at the time. I apologize for the stock picture, but this lipstick has not only been long returned, but it has seen better days and has been thrown away. This just means that I have returned this lipstick because I didn't really like the colour on me, and it was far too drying on my lips. I don't think my mother liked the colour very much either as she never really used it as much as her other lipsticks. 

5. Are there things in your collection that you think she wants to steal?
Lioele Auto Eyebrow Pencil #3 & Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette


My mom has definitely noticed the sudden increase in my make-up collection and out of all, she has stolen this pencil the most. She just ran out of her eyebrow pencil at the time and she loved the idea of the pencil having a spoolie at the other end. 

My Naked 2 Palette is another thing I've seen her inspect and open a few times when she'd visit my room. I know she's into browns and shimmery eyeshadows so I have an inkling that she really likes this palette. The only two reasons I can think of as to why she hasn't taken the palette for herself is that it's too big to fit in her make-up bag, and it has the word 'Naked' printed in the front. 

*6. Is there anything you want to snag from her current collection?
Too Faced Boudoir Eyes Soft & Sexy Shadow Collection


I was originally going to get her the Naked Basics Palette for Mother's Day (as I was in Singapore at the time) but I decided to get her this palette instead as I thought she would like the colour selection better (and it has more 'Innocent Mom-Friendly' names). She doesn't use this often, probably because she doesn't have a brush for it. Sometimes I want to take it for myself (or "borrow" it) because of the lovely shade selection; I especially love Voulez-Vouz, Sugar Walls, and Lap Dance (oops).

7. Do you have a makeup memory with your mom that you want to share?

It's a fairly recent memory, but I had to put on eye make-up for my mother for a wedding she had to attend. Her eyesight isn't as sharp anymore, so I had to fix her eyeliner so the lines were thick and crisp. Somehow it brought me back to all the times she had to do my make-up for an event. I definitely wouldn't mind doing her make-up from now on because she has better features to work with than I do!

8. Who do you want to tag?

I am tagging Shari of The Misty Mom and Tari of Tari in the Morning (who should get started on blogging soon, too!). I also tag all of you guys, so please feel free to leave comments and link your posts of this tag below!

I hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I did reminiscing and laughing about my answers. Until my next post!

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Friday, May 23, 2014

Singapore 2014 Makeup Haul

Compared to my Seoul 2014 Haul, this was a little more planned out. I initially thought of just getting the Naked 2 palette (which I've wanted for years) and a lip balm my friend recommended, but after stepping foot into Sephora a few times...I couldn't resist. (/__\)

As I previously mentioned, I've been rebuilding my make-up collection and thought it would be a good opportunity to purchase some of the products I've been eyeing for a while. Needless to say I don't regret anything I bought!

Also stopped by Lioele in Bugis to get their Water Drop BB Cream and Artist Auto Eyebrow Pencil that I wasn't able to get in Seoul.

From top to bottom, L to R

1. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15 PA+ in 3.5 Warm Beige | 2. Lioele Artist Auto Eyebrow Pencil in #3 | 3. Etude House Minnie Kissing Lips in #1: Minnie Red | 4. Fresh Sugar Advanced Lip Therapy Lip Treatment | 5. Clio Kill Brown Waterproof Brush Liner and O'Tank Volume Mascara | 6. Lioele Water Drop BB Cream | 7. Nars Light Reflecting Setting Powder - Pressed | 8. Benefit Porefect Hideaway Set (includes: a. Benefit Porefessional Primer and b. Benefit Fakeup Concealer in 02 Medium) | 9. Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette | 10. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (Original)

Stay tuned for reviews in the future!