Showing posts with label real techniques. Show all posts
Showing posts with label real techniques. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

‘Tis the Season to be SEPHORA Glammin’

The holidays are finally upon us, and I'm sure by this time you're set to attend Christmas party or two, may it be with a group of friends you haven't seen for a long time, or with people at the office. Imo, these parties are a great way to experiment and try out bolder, more done-up make-up looks versus the easy, everyday base-mascara-lip balm combo. 


I've finally started wearing my red lipsticks outside the house so I'm more than happy to share a look that I would actually wear out without feeling too self-conscious. It features a warm, golden eye and your signature festive red lip. You can never go wrong with this combination as its classy, elegant, but definitely do-able! 

This is actually very similar to the look I wore last Saturday when I saw my friends. We ate Korean BBQ to our hearts content - this is our only requirement to have fun, really (maybe Soju). 




Here's a complete collage of all the products I want for this look. More than a year ago this would have been impossible, but with Sephora PH its finally a possibility to get great quality makeup easily!


Base 

I wanted the base to be very skin-like but in a more perfected way. Its how I normally wear my base and I honestly like that it isn't overly perfect that it screams 'caked makeup!'. There is never a season for that!

This calls for primer with a certain amount of silicone to allow foundation to glide on better and to make the skin look smoother. I opted for the Benefit Porefessional mixed with a bit of my moisturizer, but for drier skins I'd recommend the Becca Backlight Primer.

I used one of my older favourites, the Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation (Shade 123) to get a skin-like finish. It lasts well on my oily skin but its definitely luminous enough for anyone with slightly drier skin to mine. I find that it also doesn't give any flashback, making it great for photos which you'll surely have a lot of for your parties!

Pair with a high coverage concealer to cover any spots, an illuminating, light-reflective concealer for any darkness around the eyes and face, and finish with powder if needed to make the base last through the day or night! Feel free to also use a setting spray to make the base almost indelible.

Eyes

Eye primer is essential for this look to have your eye make-up last all day. Its also very humid here in the Philippines even during December, so primer cannot be skipped. I used my ever-reliable Too Faced Shadow Insurance (don't mind the older packaging of mine in the picture above!).



To the star of the show - the Zoeva Cocoa Blends Palette. Ever since I ordered this in June from Sephora PH, I've used this for 98% of my eye looks (2% trying to wean myself off the palette didn't work in the slightest). I did a gold eye with a hint of cranberry at the outer corners (featuring Pure Ganache, Substitute for Love, Freshly Toasted, Beans are White, and Warm Notes), which is still festive without looking too predictable. Don't forget to add an inner corner highlight!


Its insane how long my lashes look in this shot. Also, I really went skinny with this liner!

Go as minimal or as bold with the eyeliner as you please! I opted for a thin line as I find this more flattering on my eye shape. It also allows the eyeshadow to stand out more without forgetting to define the eyes. Good example for this would be the Eyeko Skinny Liquid Liner, which will let you modify the thinness or thickness of the line depending on your preference. Don't forget a waterproof mascara to keep your eyes fallout and smudge-free!


Cheeks and Lips

The eyes are on the warmer side so any warm neutral blush would do. A little peachy-ness wouldn't hurt, so a shade like the Too Faced Love Flush in Baby Love would do nicely, as the shade brings a lot of life to the face without competing with the eyes and lips, which are the main focal points of this look. 

Go overboard with the highlighter, I'm serious! Now and New Year's Eve might be the only time during the year that you can do so. I personally skip highlighter due to my oily skin producing its own sheen for me, but something the like famous Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector would be ideal.

If you're seeking a bit of definition, don't forget to contour! I personally just used a taupe matte eyeshadow, but I have been very curious about the Cover FX Contour Kit for a while now. Maybe you'll see it here in the future as a gift to myself? Teehee!

And finally for the lips, any red lipstick will do! You can go as orangey red, classic red, or dark red, whatever your heart desires. There are no set rules for the holidays! A great holiday red in my humble opinion would be the cult classic Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 01 Always Red. You can never go wrong with a shade like this!

Tools


Never forget that great make-up can also be achieved with good tools! I love using the BeautyBlender but you can use a buffing brush like the one from Real Techniques in their Core Collection as well. I also love my Zoeva Brushes (namely the Luxe Sheer Cheek and the Luxe Petit Crease brush) that I got in my Sephora PH haul as they are not only amazing quality, but apply product and blend quickly.

And that's it for me! I hope you enjoyed this post and the rare pictures of my face. Portrait shots are a lot of work for me, especially with the sudden onslaught of gloomy weather. Hope it (the weather, not my self-portraits, haha!) doesn't ruin your holiday parties!




What are you wearing to your holiday parties? I'd love to see pictures down in the comments section!

Shop more make-up products on Sephora PH here!

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, January 30, 2015

January Favourites

My first favourites post of the year!

This month has been great in terms of beauty discoveries (definitely not uni-related discoveries ugh) and I'm so happy to be able to talk about them with you! I purchased most of these in my Christmas Haul last year and I have not been disappointed by those that I added to my regular rotation. I've finally come to terms that I no longer have dry skin (cries) so I had to make a few adjustments with the products I use.




Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation

I started using this starting Christmas time and I've slowly fallen in love with it! As I keep mentioning my first foundation experience with the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation was horrible, and this foundation did exactly what I expected the BB one to do and more! I use two pumps and it covers what I need covering (except acne marks, I still use concealer for that), is still on my face after a good 8 hours, and gives this beautiful, luminous glow that I have not seen in any of the bases I've tried. I'm so happy with this foundation! Will definitely do a review soon!

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

This works extremely well with the KGD Foundation in applying and blending it on my face. It easily takes away streak marks and makes everything look seamless, and is great at buffing foundation into the skin as well. I preferred sponges initially, but just for the KGD Foundation, I have to use this.

NARS Translucent Crystal Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder

I've already mentioned this in my favourites from my October Favourites, but I've started using it again as it not only adds luminosity, but also makes my base makeup last a bit longer. I've already hit pan on it so now I'm trying to take the product from the sides to even it out. It feels silky on the skin and sets makeup well. It lacks a bit in the oil control department, so I think the loose version would be better for that.

Kiehls Calendula Deep Cleansing Foam

I got a sample when I bought the Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate and I did not expect to like it as much as I did! The smell isn't my cup of tea but I love how it leaves my skin feeling clean minus the squeaky, tight feeling as most (if not all) of the cleansers I've tried usually do. It also helped reduce the oil on my face a tiny bit, and less sebum means less pimples! I couldn't resist purchasing the full-sized bottle and at 230mL and only using half a pump per wash, I think this will last me a long time.

Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate

Being Kiehls' bestselling product as well as a favourite in the beauty community, there hasn't been anything that hasn't been said about this already. I love that it doesn't aggravate my acne, absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a greasy mess, how 3 drops is enough for my face, and the lovely brightness it adds to my skin the next day. I look forward to my night routine just for this product!

There you have it! I hope that the start of 2015 has been great so far and if not, lets hope the next 11 months are going to be better! If you have any favourites this month or have used any of these products before, feel free to leave a comment below!

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Wednesday, December 31, 2014

2014 Favourites


Hey everyone!

I won't be having a favourites for this month in favour of the ultimate favourites post - my 2014  Favourites! This is a special kind of favourites as it also includes my favourite travel experience from this past year as well. Not going to lie, this was a pretty difficult year for me in terms of everything, but it was easily the most eventful. Restarting this blog was definitely a big part of my year, and I hope to continue being more active and sharing all these experiences and products with all of you!


Fairydrops Candybar BB Cream (Review here)

I've said this before, but this is by far the best BB cream I have ever tried. No grey cast, great colour match, lightweight, light to medium coverage, and photo-friendly! This makes me look like I have healthy, almost flawless skin, which is definitely not the case. The shade range and packaging definitely need some improvement, but I have been so happy with this overall and would highly recommend it!


Innisfree Volcanic Pore Clay Mask (Review here)

I used to use it twice a week when I first got it, but I like it better as a once a week treatment on Sunday nights to clarify my pores after wearing make-up almost the whole week. It also helps calm my acne though I don't use it as a spot treatment anymore. It also reduces the redness on my face, which is always a huge plus for me. It's easy to see why this sells so well!


Real Techniques Shading Brush

This wins as my favourite brush this year as it is the one that I didn't expect to work as well as it did. It works well to pack on colour as well as to blend harsh edges away no matter what type of eyeshadow. It also allows me a lot of control because of its small size. All in all, it's a really great multi-purpose first eyeshadow brush!


Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow (Birthday Suit, My Two Cents)

These two have been my go-to for an easy wash of colour on lazy days, as well as bases to make similar colours sitting on top more vibrant. I also like how you can't find similar colours of these in the famous Maybelline Color Tattoo range, which convinces me to purchase the full-sized versions when I run out...which won't happen soon as I'm not even halfway through the tiny pots!


Laneige Water Bank Essence EX

This is the newest one among all my favourites, but it is the one that has made all the difference to my rough, dehydrated skin. It does exactly as it claimed - to smoothen skin and add moisture. I also like how quickly it absorbs into the skin without leaving an icky oily feeling unlike other moisturizers. I think I found another skin care staple!


Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Primer Essence (Review here)

I like how this adds enough moisture and has just the right amount of silicone to make the application of whatever base I apply on top smoother without making me feel like I have a film over my face as most primers tend to do. I'm happy with the price tag as well despite its availability (rather, lack of) in most Etude House branches I go to. Highly recommended for people with drier skin!


Too Cool for School Marshmallow Puff (Review here)

I was in denial for a long time on choosing this sponge over my make-up brushes, but this gives the most flawless, skin-like finish, especially when paired with cream products like my NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer! It also helps my base products to separate less when worn for a long time.  This combined with my Fairydrops BB Cream and NARS Concealer make for a (seemingly) good skin day. Another unexpected favourite, and it won't break your bank as much as the original Beauty Blender would!

Best Travel Experience


Singapore

I already consider myself lucky to have traveled overseas more than once this year, but what made my Singapore May 2014 trip better was that I got to visit a friend I hadn't seen in a long time, and experienced planning and paying for a trip all on my own. This was more of a vacation for me than my Seoul trip was, as I didn't have to stress over the itinerary and making sure my parents weren't lost. It was nice to go at your own pace and do what you wanted to do for a change. In a way, it was a semi-independent trip that I won't forget for a lifetime.

And there you have it! Feel free to share with me your own favourites for this year down in the comments below. I'd like to thank everyone who has made this year what it was, especially you guys! Here's to a happier, better 2015!


1. Laneige Water Bank Essence_EX
2. Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Primer Essence
3. Fairydrops Candybar BB Cream
4. Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
5. Too Cool for School Marshmallow Puff
6. Real Techniques Shading Brush
7. Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow


Friday, September 05, 2014

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, August 01, 2014

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, July 18, 2014

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!

Tuesday, June 03, 2014

Birthday Wishlist

With my birthday coming up, I thought I'd share some products that have been high on my list of things to buy. In a way it is like my birthday wish list, though I know I would have to be very lucky to receive these as a gift. Well, that's exactly why it is called a wish list, right?


1. Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard

I have been searching for a good concealer for years, even during high school. I have acne-prone skin and all of my breakouts have left me to deal with so many acne scars that take so long to heal. I've read tons of reviews on this particular concealer and it seems to be everything I'm looking for - very pigmented but not drying, while also giving skin care benefits.

2. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

I've been wanting a brush to apply my Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation (SPF 15) but I wasn't too willing to shell out enough for a Sigma F80 brush like I thought I was. This brush is both affordable but also of high quality, and also claims to give the kind of finish I want for my foundation. 

3. Fairydrops Platinum Waterproof Mascara

This particular line of products is what Fairydrops is known for. It claims to give the best mascara application due to its unique wand shape. My friend in uni raved about Fairydrops mascaras for quite some time, and after reading further reviews I was convinced to get one of my own!

4. Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait

I never really paid attention to the hype around these lip butters, but after assessing my make-up collection, I did realise that I wanted a hydrating lip product for everyday use. I chose the colour Peach Parfait as it looked quite natural from swatches, but I'm also willing to try out Red Velvet, Cherry Tart, and Macaroon.

5. MAC Eyeshadow in Espresso

While I am very happy with my Naked 2 palette, I thought I needed a versatile matte brown eyeshadow that I can also use to set my brown brush liner and gel liner. I haven't seen this for myself yet, but I am choosing between this and Ground Brown.

So that's it for my birthday wish list! I know that there is an obvious lack of skin care products, but I'm quite happy with the ones I have now. I also wanted to add a few wide angle and standard lenses I've been eyeing, but I know that it will be a very, very long time before I can get one of those.

Do you guys have a birthday wish list? Let me know what you'd want for your birthday in the comments!