August Favourites

Hi, everyone!

August was definitely the quickest but the hardest month for me in terms of uni work, so I'm pretty glad its over! I definitely didn't forget to put new things in my make-up routine as well as use some that have been lost and found, and I wanted to share these with you. I definitely don't have as much favourites as last month, but everything included here has been used on an almost daily basis.

1028 Visual Therapy Brownie Eyes Palette

I got this as a gift from a friend around a month ago and every time I've worn it, I've gotten compliments on how pretty the eyeshadows look! They're excellent quality - almost on par with the eyeshadows from my Naked 2 Palette, easy to blend and work with, and have minimal fall out. Great starting product from Taiwanese make-up for me! Expect a first impressions/review soon.

Lioele Water Drop BB Cream

I bought this in Singapore and I loved it when I used it during my stay, then hated it for a long period of time for reasons including 'Too light of a coverage for my taste', 'Weird consistency', 'Messy application', 'Streaky' but now with less breakouts and more knowledge on how to apply it, I've grown to appreciate it and I've been wearing it more this month than my Fairydrops BB Cream as I find this lasts longer without sinking into my pores when it fades (take note that I wear makeup for at least 8 hours a day because of uni). It can be a tiny bit too white if I apply too much but I can get away with it. Now I get the appeal of lighter coverage with a slightly dewy finish!

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

I've been using it since I got it, but it has really helped when I used my Lioele BB Cream. It makes everything less streaky and definitely more flawless looking rather than using my fingers alone to apply. I used this to really buff in and blend my BB Cream after dotting it and roughly (meaning in a non-precise manner, not that I tugged on my skin!) spreading it. It also helps blending the BB cream down my neck and my jawline. Can't wait to use this with my future foundation purchases!

It's Skin Baby Face Jelly Tint (01 Tomato Red)

I misplaced this for a good two to three weeks and was so happy when it turned up. I only add a little bit and I find that it makes my lips look less dead by adding a hint of red. You can definitely build it up though I prefer not to, and I've tried it to create the famous lip gradient look and it turned out beautifully! Also it has a very pleasant smell and doesn't taste gross (not that I eat it or anything :p) which is a plus.

Urban Decay Primer Potion

This has been reviewed probably a thousand times but I've grown to really appreciate what it does for my eye make-up! Eyeshadow tends to crease on me because of the fold of my eyelids (if that makes sense) and this has helped to erase that and to make the colour of my eyeshadow more vibrant and long-lasting. Easy to see why this is such a revolutionary product!

And there you have it! I hope you guys have a great September and if you have any favourites from last month, feel free to share them below! Until my next post!

Friday, September 05, 2014

August Favourites

By Pauline Read More

July Favourites

Hey, everyone!

I'm back to share with you some of my favourites for the month of July. I've been really getting back into make-up and introducing a few more steps to my routine. The sudden change in weather from hot and humid to (slightly) cool and rainy has definitely taken its toll on my skin, giving me the opportunity to try more skin care products and test just how good my make-up products are. So let's get started!

Clio Kill Brown Brush Liner

I wanted to get back into wearing liquid liners so I tried this brush out at the beginning of the month. It's so easy to draw a thin, precise line and when I layer two coats (if this makes sense) it stays on my eyes all day (with eyeshadow primer of course) but it is also easy to clean with a regular cleanser. I've been really loving it this month but I'm not sure if I would repurchase this as I've been eyeing the Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner for a while now, but if that fails I'm definitely going back to this!

Real Techniques Shading Brush

Got this along with two other brushes in my last mini haul. Honestly speaking, I never thought I would love this brush as much as I do now. It's great for what I intended it to do, which was apply both powder and cream eyeshadows, but it's also a really good blending brush for both matte and shimmer eyeshadows. It's an almost perfect shape for my eyelids (as most brushes I've seen are too big) and has sneaked into my daily routine.

Fairydrops Candybar BB Cream

I know I've already written a very lengthy review of this here, but I have come to appreciate it a lot this month now that I got to compare it to my Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation and Lioele Water Drop BB Cream. It dries quickly, has good coverage (enough to cover most of my redness), and lasts for hours while still looking great at the end of the day. I could say I found the BB Cream and I will be repurchasing this when I run out. Highly recommended if you can find it!

Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Primer Essence

I've also written a very lengthy review about this here and while I could still go on and on about how much I love this primer, I will spare you another lengthy ramble. It's translucent, creates an even surface, makes pores appear smaller, prolongs base makeup wear, and gives a slight dewy finish.  It doesn't have too much silicone which I have come to appreciate. Perfect to pair with BB Creams!

Innisfree Green Tea Moisture Essence

I loved this during my trip to South Korea last April because it saved my skin from the dry wind, but I've grown to love it again because it is very hydrating, not very oily, and it reduces the redness in my face (caused frequently by the Etude House Wonder Pore Freshener, I'm afraid) to nearly none! I'm not sure if its because of the green tea and its known anti-inflammatory properties, but I love this essence and I'm so glad to have bought a back up! This has also helped a lot in calming my breakouts which makes it even more awesome.

Missha Super Aqua Relief Eye Cream

The skin under my eyes is really dry but my Laneige eye cream is too thick and appears too oily for daytime use. I tried this out from my sister's stash (not like she uses it much anyway) and it is light enough but still hydrating to be used for the day. I'm definitely going to purchase one for myself!

And there you have it! If you have any questions about products that I've mentioned or want to share your favourites for July, feel free to leave a comment below! Also don't forget to follow me on Twitter if you haven't!

'Till my next post!

Friday, August 01, 2014

July Favourites

By Pauline Read More

Real Techniques Mini Haul

Hello, everyone!

I just wanted to share with you a mini haul of a few make-up brushes I purchased recently. I did want to feature them in two batches since one arrived before the other two, but since they are from the same brand, I figured I would group them together. This will also serve as my first impressions post since I've never owned a Real Techniques brush before.

Real Techniques Powder Brush

A friend of mine from uni (who has already graduated :c) was kind enough to buy this for my friends and I when she went to the US. This was the first brush I got and funnily enough, I bought this before my Nars Translucent Powder. It was through searching for reviews on this brush that I was swayed into purchasing more from Real Techniques, especially after reading comparisons with Sigma brushes, which was my original option.

As this was the first brush I received, I was very excited to feel it (as people always comment on how soft the bristles are) and see what all the fuss is about, and needless to say, I was very impressed. I thought I would have to put up with the scratchy feeling I get from most brushes but with this, I guess not! It is also very fluffy and dense, and after my first wash (I like to pre-wash my new brushes prior to use) it did not bleed or shed at all! The shape of the handle makes for a very good grip as well. 

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

I was initially inclined to purchase the Sigma F80 but I've read that the people who have owned that brush switched over to the Expert Face Brush. Since it was much cheaper but still of high quality, I figured it would be a better deal. I ordered this with the shading brush from Sumwear Co (thank you again!)

The bristles were much shorter than I expected (then again, I was looking at close up pictures) and this gives it more stiffness and control. The brush in itself is very dense, and makes applying foundation so much easier. This has given me a much better look at what the coverage of my Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation is actually like. Also the finish it gives is much more natural than when I use my fingers. 

Real Techniques Eye Shading Brush

I was choosing between this and the MAC 239 which is perfect for my eye shape however, I wasn't too inclined to spend so much on an eye brush just yet. Also, I wanted to practice first before buying any expensive make-up brushes. I'm not a make-up artist, after all, so I don't really need professional brushes.

This is my only eyeshadow brush at the moment (aside from the dual ended brush that came with my Naked 2 Palette) and it is tiny! Perhaps it's because I'm used to the size of the powder brush, but until now I can't get over how small it is. It's a bit fluffier than I expected, making it useful for blending aside from application. It picks up a good amount of pigment (much more than my Etude House brush from years ago!) and is easy to use. Recommended for beginners at eye makeup.

All in all, I am very pleased with the quality of these brushes so far. I can't wait to add them to my daily routine, and I'll let you all know how they perform in the long run soon.

What about you guys? Have you tried Real Techniques? Let me know in the comments below!

And by the way, go follow me on Twitter if you'd like, my username is catpacking_blog!

Friday, July 18, 2014

Real Techniques Mini Haul

By Pauline Read More