Subtle 40's Makeup - Rachel McAdams Inspired

I thought I'd so something a bit different today and show you a make-up look I tried to translate on myself. Its not something I normally do, since I usually just watch a ton of YouTube videos and mix and match whatever I think is pretty. I really like the outcome though and I'm really excited to share it with all of you! This is actually a collaboration with Alex from The Red Eyeliner, so if you'd like to see her look click this!

Now when you think of 40s makeup, its usually characterised by soft bedroom eyes, prominent brow bones, defined cheekbones, velvet skin, and of course a matte red lip. While I have not done that look yet (and I will eventually - feel free to bug me for a post!), I thought I'd share a more wearable 40s look that I could add to my limited arsenal of daily makeup looks. 

The look that I went for is this one from The Notebook. It was set in the forties and had less of the Hollywood look and more of a casual one. I would like to clarify at this point that I'm not trying to look like Rachel McAdams! I could try but we won't really get anywhere. I'm more after her makeup, which looks very lovely in this photo below.

This has three distinct features: velvety skin, pinky peach cheeks, and a wine red stain on the lips. You see none of the bedroom eyes or defined cheekbones in this one. I absolutely love how it still reads fresh without dewiness, which is something I'm not always fond of. Here are the products I used below.

Base: Etude House Pore Ever Pore Primer Essence, Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation (123), Innisfree No Sebum Loose Powder*
Cheeks: NYX Powder Blush (Pinched)
Eyes: Urban Decay Primer Potion, Too Faced Natural Matte Palette, Fairydrops Platinum or Scandal Queen Waterproof Mascara, Lioele Auto Eyebrow Pencil (3)
Lips: Covergirl Queen Collection Lipstick (Tawny Port)*
*Alex's Products

I did my routine as usual (primer + foundation) and left my eyebrows alone as they're naturally quite full anyway. I focused more on the eyes by doing a bit of crease definition. I did this by sweeping Heaven all over the lid up until the brow bone, and then lining my socket lightly with Cashmere Bunny. After mascara, I then powdered to get rid of all shine (yes, all shine). Final step was to add 1 light layer of the lipstick, rubbing it in slightly to create a stained effect.

Yes, shame on me for not bringing the appropriate lip colour! The closest I have in my collection is currently the NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Mandore. That one has slightly less brown tones, but one light layer will look identical. Any more than one layer results to a more autumnal look. 

You couldn't see the eye makeup on Rachel, but I did do a tiny bit of defining through the crease. It just adds a bit of definition and shadow without going in the cut-crease direction of the 60s.

This is the finished look! In hindsight, I would have contoured just a tiny bit because my face is too round for my liking, but I do like the output nonetheless. Alex and I had tons of fun hanging out and taking pictures with our respective looks and we hope you like them, too!

P.S. There was a 70s look but due to lighting issues, we didn't push through with it. I don't think any of us are ready to see that yet!

Friday, July 24, 2015

Subtle 40's Makeup - Rachel McAdams Inspired

By Pauline Read More

COMPARISON: Lioele Auto Eyebrow Pencil vs K-Palette Real Lasting 2 Way Eyebrow Pencil

Since I've been making more of an effort in doing my brows, I figured it would be a good opportunity to talk about the two brow products I have so far. Having black hair really limits my choices in obtaining a natural brow look, so finding a pencil in the perfect shade is quite a challenge. These two are really great finds for me and I thought I'd put them side by side to see how they fare.

Functionality

Both of these are dual-ended, though what is on the ends differs from one another. The Lioele pencil has a triangle-shaped pencil on one end, and a spoolie on the other. The K-Palette pencil has a thinner pencil on one end and a sponge tip with powder on the other. Like I said in my review for K-Palette, this pencil would have been perfect had they incorporated a spoolie much like the packaging for the Tarte Brow Architect. Because of this I find that I reach for the Lioele more just because of the spoolie, but depending on your needs, you can like either pencil.

Pigmentation

The Lioele pencil is definitely the one with lesser pigment of the two, thought I would not necessarily label this to be a bad thing. I find this allows beginners more control in adding small amounts of product to the brows without immediately depositing a large amount of colour. At the same time, because of the shape, you can fill your eyebrows in faster, so this would be good if you were in a hurry and wanted a slightly more natural look.

Both ends of the K-Palette pencil are quite pigmented, and is a little more brown than the Lioele. This is great for those who have a little more experience in doing their brows, wherein they can physically draw on brow-like hairs in sparse areas. The powder is also great for lazy days or for days when you're in a hurry, because you can easily cover sparseness or fill in your brows without looking too drawn in.

Durability

I will warn you now - the K-Palette pencil will break when you drop it. This is obviously because the pencil itself is so thin, so I would exercise caution whenever leaving this on flat surfaces. The Lioele pencil is much thicker and hasn't broken on me yet despite dropping it (not deliberately!) a few times.

The packaging of the Lioele, due to the price, is much flimsier and cheaper. The lids don't shut tight and often fall off in my make-up bag. I don't mind this since I haven't lost it yet, but it makes me wonder why they couldn't make it a little more secure. -_-

The K-Palette pencil closes tightly. The pencil end always closes shut and never falls off. The powder end is much more secure as it is a twist cap, and I often forget this when I am using it. This is great as I know I will never lose the cap in my bag, which has happened to me a few times. ('-_-)

Lasting Power

The K-Palette pencil wins this by a long shot. I've read that this claims to be waterproof and I do find that to be quite true. It is sweat proof and won't rub off if ever you do accidentally touch your brows, so this works better on hotter days or when you will be wearing make-up for long periods of time.

For the Lioele pencil, the only way that this will stay on all day is with a brow gel. You can get maybe 4-5 hours of wear, but best to set with a brow gel so that the pencil and your brow hairs stay in place the entire day.

Price and Availability

I purchased the Lioele pencil in Singapore more than a year ago (see my Singapore haul) for 12.90 SGD (around 450 PHP or 10 USD) which is pretty cheap compared to other brow pencils. This is a lot harder to find though as they don't even have an offline store in Seoul!

The K-Palette pencil is a little pricier, but still affordable considering its classified under Japanese drugstore makeup. I got it at Beauty Bar for 795 PHP which is close to double the Lioele pencil, but I know I'm getting a little more value for money (except for the breakable pencil part). You can also get K-Palette at Rustans Shangrila, so its a little more widely available than the Lioele pencil.

Summary:

Lioele Auto Eyebrow Pencil (#3)
(+) Easy to work with, more control, more afforable, more durable
(+/-) Not as pigmented so its easier to work with
(-) Caps don't lock securely, packaging feels flimsy, not long lasting, hard to find

Recommended for: beginners at filling in brows

K-Palette Real Lasting 2 Way Eyebrow Pencil (#3 Gray Brown)
(+) More pigmented, allows more precision, secure caps, sweatproof, waterproof, widely available
(+/-) Somewhat reasonably priced
(-) Breakable pencil, no spoolie

Recommended for: brow enthusiasts / experienced brow artists

For me the K-Palette Real Lasting 2 Way Eyebrow Pencil wins, but only by a few points. I really hate how breakable the pencil is and the fact that there is no spoolie. Otherwise it would have been the perfect brow product!

I would still recommend the Lioele Auto Eyebrow Pencil though as it is really nice for beginners and is very affordable, if you can find it. There are a lot of similar pencils by other Korean brands like Etude House and The Face Shop among others, so you can definitely check those brands out, too!

What about you guys - what are your favourite brow products? Have you tried any of these pencils before? Leave me a few recommendations and comments below!

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Friday, June 19, 2015

COMPARISON: Lioele Auto Eyebrow Pencil vs K-Palette Real Lasting 2 Way Eyebrow Pencil

By Pauline Read More

Baguio May 2015 Travel Make-Up Bag

Surprise! I have not done a post like this ever, but I took some decent pictures of the make-up I brought to my last trip, and I thought I'd show you what I brought with me! You'll be seeing a lot of new things as well as old. If I'm being honest, I brought a bit too much. I rationalized while packing that I liked having options, but found that I had a small time frame to do my makeup and wanted to go with one look anyway.

Missing: Clio Kill Brown Waterproof Brush Liner

Base: Benefit Porefessional + Jouer Matte Moisture Tint (Nude) + Maybelline Master Conceal (Light-Medium) + Benefit Watts Up!

This has been my go-to base since I got the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint. It's not as heavy as using foundation (though my Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation is pretty lightweight) and it requires less upkeep. Having a primer plus a matte tinted moisturizer made my base last for a good 8+ hours which is great by my standards. And if you noticed, yes I didn't bring powder!

Color: NYX Powder Blush (Pinched) / Milani Baked Blush (Bella Rosa)

I'm the kind of person that matches their blush to their lip colour because I find that it looks more put together. I also wanted to have options, but found it unnecessary for this trip because I didn't bother wearing a blush at all. I'll definitely still bring two blushes for future trips - hopefully I'll have time to do my make-up then!

Eyes & Brows: Urban Decay Primer Potion + Too Faced Natural Matte Palette + Clio Kill Brown Waterproof Brush Liner + Fairydrops Platinum Waterproof Mascara + Lioele Auto Eyebrow Pencil

Since I didn't have a lot of time, I didn't do eyeliner no matter how much I wanted to :( I also just brushed through my brows since I just threaded them at the time. I did, however, put on eyeshadow  because I was testing out the TF palette. Also, I cannot go without mascara, which saddens me because I don't have any back-ups for my Fairydrops Mascara :(

Lips: Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate (05) / NYX Butter Gloss (Strawberry Parfait) / MAC See Sheer

I originally just brought the Rimmel and MAC lipsticks because those were the ones I couldn't decide on when packing. The NYX gloss joined the line up because it was the only lip product I owned that didn't dry out the edges of my lips if used alone. I ended up using See Sheer the entire trip because I needed the warmth on my face and because it goes really well with the NYX blush. 

It surprises me how this all fit in my make-up bag. One thing I learned when packing make-up which I want to share with you is try not to bring as much as me haha! On a more serious note, it seems better to bring products that don't require brushes if you can, just to save on space.

What about you guys - what are the things you have to bring when traveling? Any tips you'd like to share?

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Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Baguio May 2015 Travel Make-Up Bag

By Pauline Read More

Products of the Day: February to March 2015

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share with you some of the products I've been using lately for uni or for when I go out with friends. Honestly, a lot of the time its rather the same, and you'll see which make-up items I can't forego no matter what. Sadly, no FOTD yet (I know, I know, I should show my face sometime) but for those of you who like looking at pictures of scattered make-up products (I know I do), this will be the post for you! I talk more about each product so feel free to keep reading below!

These were more or less what I used the most in February. For my base I've stuck with the Benefit Porefessional-Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation-Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer-Benefit Watt's Up combination, but only when I have time on my hands. The result is a smooth, bright, healthy-looking face even if I don't feel that way. I've been switching around eye primers, which is why I've been trying the Too Faced Shadow Insurance. More on this soon! Of course I had to go with a Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow for an easy swipe and go look (this one is in My Two Cents). I've really grown to appreciate the Clio Kill Brown Waterproof Brush Liner which I got in my Singapore 2014 Haul. It's still going strong, though knowing how paranoid I am about things running out, I need to get a back-up soon. My consistent mascara of choice is the Fairydrops Platinum Mascara, which is probably the best all-rounder I've encountered. Finally, I've loved the look of the NYX Butter Gloss in Strawberry Parfait for a moisturizing gloss - definitely getting more from this range!

Later in February and last week, I've appreciated the appeal of a lighter base, which is why I fell back on the Lioele Water Drop BB Cream. I usually do my eye make-up in the car whenever I went for this look (with much difficulty, mind you) but it was enough for me to look like I made a lot of effort, even when I haven't. A fail-safe wash of colour for me will always be the Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit, which I talk about in most of my posts...oops.

These products are for the days when I thought I had a lot of time, but took too long to do my base and had to rush everything else. Fun fact: it takes me a good 15 minutes to do base make-up. Time just seems to fly by whenever I do! And since I'm starting to slowly get into lip products (I have the lip product queens Summer and Alex to thank (or not) for that) I tried out this Tony Moly Petite Bunny Gloss Bar that my friend Ena got for me in October. Balmy but leaves a really nice tint - the range is great for those who like bright colours!

Finally, these are the products I've been wearing for the past two weeks. Yes, I do have two BB Creams, but I use more of the Lioele and mix a tiny, tiny bit of the Fairydrops Candybar BB Cream to give a little more coverage. I've also been using the It's Skin Babyface Jelly Tint in #1 which is a sheer but very brightening red. The tint gets stronger after a few applications and it never fails to make me look more awake. Now I see why lip products are such a big deal. Next stop - lip butters!

And there you have it! As you can see, base is very, very important to me. I'll go without every other product but base products. I hope this was interesting for you as it was for me to write. Also look forward to a few new series' in a few months - possibly a top 10 and a few things related to travel? Stick around and wait for my next few posts!

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Saturday, March 14, 2015

Products of the Day: February to March 2015

By Pauline Read More

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, February 06, 2015

Skin Care and Make-Up Regrets #1

By Pauline Read More

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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1. Cure Natural Aqua Gel

2. Too Faced Boudoir Eyes Soft & Sexy Shadow Collection

3. OPI Nail Lacquer in Dimsum Plum

4. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Wild Rose (Limited Edition)

5. Orly Mini Nail Lacquer in Gumdrop

6. OPI 'Muppets Most Wanted' Lacquers in Miss Piggy's Big Number, I Love Applause, Kermit Me to Speak, and Chillin' Like a Villain (Limited Edition)

7. Christian Dior Effets Blush Trio in 802 Expression Rose (Discontinued)

8. Body and Face Thairapy Morocco Argan Oil

9. Aveeno Pure Renewal Dry Shampoo (Sulfate-Free)

Friday, December 05, 2014

Stolen From Mom Tag

By Pauline Read More

November Favourites

Hey everyone!

It has been a whirlwind of a month but I acquired a lot of new things that I hope to share with you soon! It was back to school for me so I tried to keep my routine fairly simple and easy to do, and I tried my best to keep my skin in the best condition possible as well to combat all the stress and late nights sleeping. Here are my favourites for this month!

Fairydrops Candybar BB Cream

A repeat of one of my July Favourites, but it just goes to show how good it is! It's that one base product I go to when I need coverage but still my skin to look like skin. The weather is getting drier so I've been using this with my Too Cool for School Marshmallow Puff and it helps making the BB cream much more seamless and natural!

Fairydrops Platinum Waterproof Mascara + Shu Uemura Lash Curler

I first used this for my first day back at uni (after 2 months without mascara) and this was love at first...wiggle (since you wiggle the mascara wand through your lashes? haha). Together with my lash curler, they are an unbeatable tag team for curled, voluminous, longer, natural-looking lashes that last all day without any fall out or smudging. This is possibly one of the best mascaras I have tried, and I'm curious to see how other famed mascaras such as the Maybelline The Falsies, Covergirl Lash Blast, and Benefit's They're Real match up.

Benefit Watt's Up Highlighter

I've been using this lately and while I like putting it at the highest point of my cheeks, I really love it as an inner corner highlight! The formula is a cream type that is easy to blend and looks very natural that you can never tell its there, even if I point it out. You also don't need a lot of product which is good news for me!

Lioele Auto Eyebrow Pencil #3

I finally had my eyebrows fixed (as they've been needing it for months...) and I've finally come to embrace my eyebrows as they are, rather than wishing I had thinner ones. I've been using this to fill in the very little gaps along with the spoolie on the other side to keep my brows looking neat. Recommended for people who have black hair!

Nature Republic Snail Solution 70 Eye Cream

I ran out of my Laneige Water Bank Eye Gel a long time ago and needed something that was hydrating, but had either brightening, depuffing, or anti-aging benefits. This one had 3 out of 4 and is also good for stressed skin, which is my current skin condition. My dark circles have been looking less apparent and it became easier for me to apply my under eye concealer. So far so good for this, but I'll definitely make a review for you guys in the coming months!

And there you go! If you guys have tried any of these, or have favourites of your own, feel free to share them with me below! I'd also love to hear about any recommendations you have so I can try them for myself :)

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Friday, November 28, 2014

November Favourites

By Pauline Read More

REVIEW: Lioele Water Drop BB Cream SPF 27 PA++

Hey, guys!

I'm back with a review of a base I used a lot last month over my holy grail Fairydrops BB Cream, just to change things up a little. I included it in my August Favourites and my 5 Products for Minimal Make-Up so I thought it was worth reviewing.

Honestly, I had a strong love/hate relationship with the Lioele Water Drop BB Cream. When I first used it when I was in Singapore, I thought it was okay; it was a little lighter coverage than my Fairydrops one but not completely sheer. Afterwards I used in when I came back home maybe a week or two later, and it was so sheer - no coverage at all! What's worse was that it emphasised all the pores that were never even visible, which is why I stayed away from it for more than a month. 

Eventually I decided to give it another try and it worked much better than all the other times I've tried it: pores weren't emphasised, wasn't too light for my skin, had light coverage that was buildable to medium. TL;DR it ended up working out for me, but I do have to say that because of that experience, the performance of the BB Cream is very inconsistent. 

The high point of this is that its very lightweight that I always forget that I have this on, because it feels so comfortable on the skin. It also leaves a very refreshing feeling when you apply it, much like you just washed your face. This is one of the claims of the product so it was good to know that it actually lived up to it.

It gives a satin finish that turns dewy as the day progresses, which I've been loving as it looks so natural and a little more flawless-looking. Coverage-wise, it more of light: enough to cover most redness and even out skin tone, but still needs concealer. I don't really mind this because I like concealer anyway.  I can definitely build it up to medium without it looking cakey but I just keep it to the light-medium range.

Now, I did say that I had a love/hate relationship with this and that definitely still exists, but to a minimal degree. It's more like a it's-pretty-good/hate relationship now. I'll try not to rant (emphasis on try) but I will be very critical because I expected a lot from this BB Cream.

First of all, I hate the packaging. I know that hate is a strong word to use but I really, really don't like it. Since the BB Cream has a runny consistency, even the lightest squeeze or tilting of the nozzle onto the back of your hand will dispense more product than you actually need. I've wasted so much product because of this, which upsets me a lot because this wasn't exactly cheap. I honestly think a pump would be much more efficient so hopefully they look into that. 

Another is that it contains SPF which has its good point - no need for sunblock (unless you really want to). The major downside is that it does leave a white cast (though much less than all the BB Creams with SPF that I've tried) so it wouldn't be best for flash photography. 

Also, it only comes in one shade. I read reviews saying that this would be good for people with skin tones ranging from NC30-35 but that claim cannot be more wrong! I would say this is more for the lighter side of the NC25-NC30 spectrum maybe even NC20-25, as it isn't a perfect colour match on me. It's definitely slightly lighter - probably because of the SPF - but I can still get away with it. 

It definitely did not come cheap, too. I bought it for 35 SGD which is about P1225 for 50mL. For the amount of product I get, it's definitely not bad, but considering that I expected more, it's definitely pricey. It's also hard to find except online, as Lioele doesn't even have a physical store in Seoul. 

I guess I felt compelled to write a review because so many people were raving about this and while they had valid points, the praise was too much. I guess I could say this was over-hyped. This is a good product and I have definitely tried much worse, but it's just not as good as I expected it to be. There is a possibility that I got a less than stellar batch, but I'm not sure I'm willing to buy one again any time soon to test that claim.

Summary:

(+) Lightweight

(+) 50mL of product

(+) Not cakey

(+/-) Light to medium coverage

(+/-) Contains SPF

(-) Not perfect colour match

(-) Hard to find; online only

(-) Inconsistent performance

(-) Dispenser wastes product

(-) Only one shade

Rating: 6/10

Repurchase? No.

Friday, September 26, 2014

REVIEW: Lioele Water Drop BB Cream SPF 27 PA++

By Pauline Read More

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

BEAUTY: 5 Products, Minimal Make-up

Years before I used to watch makeup gurus on YouTube and think that "The more product on your face, the better" and after two or more unpleasant experiences with a caked face, I decided that I was going to 1.) Do my own make-up and 2.) Make it look as natural as possible. If you can't have something done right, you better do it yourself, yes?

Because of the climate of where I live, minimal make-up is a must. I admit I'm also very lazy in the morning (I know only a handful of people that aren't) so I want a routine that's fast but still allows me to look a little more put together while looking natural. I used to just go to school with primer and a BB cream earlier this year but after two hauls, I've added a few more products.

Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Primer Essence

I've already made a review for this product here, but I do like using primer for everyday just so I wouldn't have to worry about my BB Cream fading or looking too dewy throughout the day. It also helps to even out my pores so my BB cream doesn't settle there.

Lioele Water Drop BB Cream

For everyday minimal makeup, a BB cream is a must in my opinion. It gives me quite a bit of coverage, while still having benefits for the skin. I switch this up with my Fairydrops BB Cream when I want more coverage, but otherwise this does just fine. It does have a slight cooling effect when applied, which I really like.

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in 'Birthday Suit'

This was included in my 'World Famous Neutrals - Most Glamorous Nudes Ever' boxed set from Benefit. I've already used it a few times and there is barely any dent on the product. I use it for a hint of color on my lids and even without primer, it lasts for hours without creasing or fading.

Clio Kill Brown Brush Liner in 02 Brown

This is easily the best brush liner I've tried. It gives off a vibrant brown color and because of its thin shape, its easy to make a thin line even if its been years since I used a brush liner. Picked brown over the famous Kill Black because it appears more natural.

Fresh Sugar Advanced Lip Treatment SPF 15

Admittedly the most expensive lip balm I have purchased to date, but it is easily the best one I own. It keeps my lips moisturised for a good three to four hours and even after it has worn off, I find my lips to be very soft and smooth, rather than dry and chapped.

There you have it! I admit I do add one or two products more but this is mostly what I do whenever I go out shopping or with friends for lunch. What about you? What are your 5 products for minimal make-up?

Friday, June 20, 2014

BEAUTY: 5 Products, Minimal Make-up

By Pauline Read More

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!

Friday, May 23, 2014

Singapore 2014 Makeup Haul

By Pauline Read More