Finding your perfect foundation

Hey gals and guys!

In the past few weeks I've been asked a lot of questions about what foundations do I used for everyday light makeup and for more heavy night out makeup. I have a small foundation collection but I can still give you guys some tips on what to look for in foundations.

(L to R: Rimmel Wake Me Up - Ivory (100), Revlon 24hr Colorstay - Buff (150), Bourjois Healthy Mix - Vanilla (52), Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel Serum - Vanilla (52), Make Up For Ever HD - Marble (117) Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream - Light Beige (32)) Pic below: Opposite order. 

What to look for in a foundation? I'll be using these examples above to help you find yourself the perfect foundation!

Skin Tone & Undertone

When I was first looking for foundations, I wasn't actually aware that it wasn't just the colour of your skin that helped you colour match - it was greatly to do with your undertone. Generally, there are three undertones that will help you identify which colour would match you: warm, cool and olive undertones. These can also refer to pink, yellow and neutral undertones. Four of the five foundations above have warm undertones as I have a yellow skin tone. The first foundation is definitely a cool, pinkish undertone which didn't match with my skin whatsoever. Besides that it was light and I could possibly get away with it, I just looked really washed out and ghost-like - it didn't give me that golden glow like my Bourjois Foundation gives me. I find it really important to know what your skin tone and undertone is, so that you don't end up spending loads of money especially on high end products ending up with a pink or too yellow face!

Skin Type

In general, there are four skin types:

• Dry - Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundations, Revlon Colorstay, Rimmel Wake Me Up
• Normal - Bourjois Healthy Mix, Revlon Colorstay
• Combination - Revlon Colorstay for Combination Skin
• Oily - Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream, Make Up For Ever HD Foundation

This is not to say that you can't have dry skin in winter and oily skin in the summer - it is just a key that could help you pick the right foundation formula. For dry skin I would recommend a more dewy formula because it helps hydrate your skin during the day while being able to cover up your imperfections on the skin. The Bourjois Healthy Mix foundations are probably my favourite for hydration because you can really feel the formula blending with your skin and doesn't feel drying at all after I have applied it. Also, some foundations like the Revlon Colorstay have specific categories for their foundations, such as my one which is for normal/dry skin again helping your skin breathe even with foundation on. For those with more pinkish undertones I would recommend Rimmel's Wake Me Up because it is very moisturising, almost to the point of too oily but if you have really dry skin this should definitely hydrate it. For more oily/combination skin, it's better to look for mattifying formulas such as the Bourjois 123 CC Cream because it helps control the oil on your skin and kind of 'soaks it up'. The Bourjois one isn't the best example because it is only semi-matte, so it gives you a dewy but mattified look at the same time. Not many drugstores do have matte foundations, but there are great powders that help set and mattify your foundations such as Rimmel's Stay Matte Powder, Australis Fresh and Flawless Powder and NYX HD translucent setting powders. When I come across a good matte foundation for oily skin I will definitely update you guys on it!

Coverage & Longevity

The coverage you are looking for is important as well because you might not want to look caked up during the day but at night you need that extra coverage. Or even you've chosen a really lightweight foundation that doesn't last long for the night but is decent for daytime.

• Light - Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream
• Medium - Revlon Colorstay
• Medium-Heavy - Rimmel Wake Me Up (especially to 'wake you up' - it can be quite a heavy formula), Make Up For Ever HD Foundation
• Heavy - N/A I don't have any good examples of this
• Buildable - Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundations (can go from very light everyday coverage to a medium-heavy coverage for the night out)

• Doesn't last very long - Bourjois 123 CC Cream
• Average lasting - Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundations, Rimmel Wake Me Up 
• long-lasting - MUFE HD, Revlon Colorstay

High End Vs. Drugstore

The only high end foundation I own is MUFE so I can't really give a substantial comparison between high end and low end but I'll give it a go! Particularly comparing MUFE and Rimmel, because I find that Revlon and Bourjois have excellent quality foundations, there is a big difference on formula. The Rimmel foundation is quite thick and doesn't apply evenly on the skin. The MUFE foundation is great because it can be a thick formula but it blends out beautifully and takes a short amount of time to blend into the skin. Rimmel's formula seems to sit on the surface of the skin rather than blending in for a more natural look. In terms of colour selection, MUFE and other brands like MAC really have a great range - they cater for different skin tones and undertones. Especially Bourjois and Rimmel, they have a very small colour selection. The Healthy Mix only have 3-5 (which are mostly yellow tone) depending on which country they're in, and the Rimmel one has about 7-8 but are mostly pinkish tone. Estee Lauder's Double Wear Foundation has all three undertones. Obviously the price of high end is usually quite steep ranging from $50-$100, and if you get the wrong colour you would've wasted a lot of money! Drugstore foundations in Australia can range from $10-$30 which would be better for those on a budget. 

My all time favourite goes to:

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in 52

This foundation is just perfect for me. I have normal skin but it gets quite dry in the winter so the dewy formula is very hydrating. The coverage is build able so I can use it on a quick shopping errand or build it up to medium coverage for those messy nights out. Also, it actually is the perfect colour for me because it is for yellow-tone light (not fair) skin tones so it doesn't make my face look too white. I went to a MAC counter the other day to get colour matched and the retail assistant even said that I have the correct foundation colour on. This was my first ever foundation and I still love it to this day and will continue repurchasing it forever! The fruity smell just also makes it feel like you're putting something fresh on your face. This is definitely my HG!

Thanks for reading and hope this helps you find the perfect foundation for whatever use it is! Feel free to comment on what your HG foundations are :) 

Product Listings and Locations

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation 52 - priceline.com.au, $32.00, asos.com/au, $19.61

Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel Serum 52 - priceline.com.au, $32.00, asos.com/au, $19.61

Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream 32 - priceline.com.au, $25.00, asos.com/au, $19.61

MUFE HD Foundation 117 - Make Up Forever US Website, $55.00

Revlon Colorstay normal/dry Foundation 150 - priceline.com.au, $34.95

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation 100 - priceline.com.au, $19.95, asos.com/au, $16.67

Toodles,

Janie :)

First Impressions on Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette and Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette

Happy Uni-break everyone! :)

Today's post will be my first impressions on Too Faced Chocolate Bar and Urban Decay's Naked 3 palette. I received these by my beloved friends for my birthday, and I haven't had time to really test it out. These are my first high end eyeshadows so I'm super duper excited! Previously I have used drugstore brands such as Physician's Formula, Maybelline Colour Tattoos, various palettes by chichi cosmetics  Crown 88 Neutral Palette which I loved, but I dropped it and now most of the colours are smashed :( I'm not very good at using eyeshadows but these seem like they'll help a lot! 

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette

(Swatches of colours: L to R)

What I like:

• These colours compliment each other well, there is a good mixture of matte and shimmery colours. Previously I have used the Chi Chi cosmetics eyeshadows and they are all so shimmery which makes it hard for everyday use. There are 5 matte shades that are neutral and can be used as the base.
• Most of the shimmery colours are very well pigmented and could easily be swatched. The texture is buttery and feels nice on the lids. I love the range of colours as well, going from a darker maroon red to the violet colours. It is very versatile for achieving many looks
• IT SMELLS LIKE CHOCOLATE... and tastes sweet too. Unique to Too Faced, this chocolate bar drew its inspiration from one of its other products, the Chocolate Soleil Bronzer.Funny story: when I received this at my dinner, my friends actually tasted the eyeshadows to see if they tasted like chocolate. They were sweet but didn't taste like chocolate unfortunately. Also one of my friends said that each shadow should taste like its name (not a bad idea). 
• I really love the fact that all the names are types of sweets which just makes the palette so much more authentic and unique. 
• The magnetic, slim packaging is great for travel and storage. You're not afraid of it breaking or anything like that - another problem that I have with Chi Chi eyeshadow palettes. The fact that it is a chocolate bar just makes it all the more tempting to get it.
• There is a mirror, which again great for travelling and anything on the go. 

Some issues I had:

• The colours are all very nice but for a palette that costed $68.95, I would've expected the base colours to be more pigmented. If you can see in the swatches, the second colour (white chocolate) is hardly visible. The fact that the shadow area is bigger than the other ones show that it should be the one used the most. I am disappointed in some of the colours such as this and strawberry bon bon (well I guess the matte colours). The colour pay off isn't great and it just doesn't show up on the lids at all. What is the point of having a lot of matte colours without them actually showing up on the lids. They really need to change the formula for matte colours especially in this palette. I've seen other smaller palettes with highly pigmented matte colours. 
• This is a minor issue, but the lid goes all the way down, so when you are applying makeup you need to physically hold up the mirror. (I know, first world problems) but it is quite annoying to be flopping around the mirror. I tend to just use the bigger mirror i have at home while applying this eyeshadow. 
• Another minor problem - it didn't come with anything complementary. The naked palette came with a double sided brush and sample primers. For $68.95, you'd expect at least one perk!
• Whilst the colours all feel nice on the lids, I feel like the colours when they are swatched do not look the same on the lids - maybe its just me though. 

Overall Verdict:

3.5/5

•  The mixture of neutral colours are great and you could definitely do a lot of looks from this but for the price I was really hoping for the texture and colour pay off to be just a bit better. I also own the Too Faced Romantic Palette and all the colours are ALL velvety, not just the shimmery ones. They need to work on their matte colours like I said.
• I am happy owning this palette because it does have a great range of neutral colours but in terms of texture I would definitely go for the Naked Palettes as I will review below. 

Urban Decay's Naked 3 Palette

 (Swatches: L to R on the palette above)

What I like:

• This is truly a gorgeous palette - I love how Urban Decay has certain colour schemes for their palettes. The Naked 3 is a rose-gold based palette ranging from lighter pink tones to the darker ones, and then finally the more brown colours. Unlike the Chocolate Bar which has a range of neutrals, this palette mostly has the pinks and browns. This is good because I can use the two palettes tougher and have more range of colours. I don't know about the other urban decay palettes, but this one also contains matte shades, with the first colour which is a base like Too Faced Milk Chocolate colour (although this one is much more pigmented as you can see)
• The texture of this palette is unbeatable. The shadows are all so buttery and apply so effortlessly onto the lids. Even though it has matte shades, I feel like Urban Decay has also made these colours buttery and more pigmented unlike Too Faced Chocolate Bar.
• The packaging is also really nice, I love the long rectangles of colours because it looks so neat in the packaging. It is also a metal frame but with plastic on the inside. It is not a metal snap lock but a plastic-key lock kind of thing. The mirror is bigger than Too Faced Chocolate Bar and has hinges so you can see yourself easier. Even though it is a bit thicker, I find that it is still quite compact and feels a bit sturdier with its metal exterior and plastic interior. 
• It comes with extras! The Naked 1 and 2 came with one brush with only one end, but they're combined the two for Naked 3 which is the best of both worlds! In the box you also get 4 sample primers ranging from normal skin to anti-aging formulas. 

Some Issues that I had:

• Like I said, there is a rose-gold colour scheme which means that these shadows obviously won't match everything that you're wearing so it is a bit limited. e.g. you are wearing all blue - the pinks won't really match up with it. 
• Some of the colours wash me out - maybe because I'm asian and have some pink undertones. I usually have to match the colours with the darker brown ones to accentuate my eyes more. 
• No other real issues here, just the palette is targeted for those who do want a particular colour scheme - it is less versatile than the Chocolate Bar

Overall Verdict:

4/5

• This is a beautiful palette that you can just stare at all day without using it. The colours are all so pigmented and velvety which is what you would expend from a high end eyeshadow palette.
• If you already own naked 1 and 2, or any other neutrals you should definitely go for this palette as it gives you the rose-gold colour scheme that is unique to Urban Decay. 
• If you don't own any eyeshadows yet I will hold out on this one because it is quite expensive, not available in Australia and is not as versatile for everyday looks like the Chocolate Bar.
• Overall, I am very impressed and as I have never owned a Naked Palette, this is a good first impression of it.

Products Listings and Prices

Too Faced Chocolate Bar - $68.95 @ meccacosmetica.com.au (available online and in stores)
Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette - $80 @ beautybay.com.au (only available online, not available at stores in Australia)


Thanks for reading the blog guys! Really appreciate it and I hope that they continue to help you with your makeup :) Also you can comment on your opinions about them below!

Toodles,
Janie

Review: ELF Blushes and Face of Australia Contour Kit as dupes for Nars blush and bronzers

Hi everyone :)

Happy long weekend! Hope everyone is enjoying themselves on the road (not that you should be reading this and driving!) or snuggled up in bed with some studying for finals to do (like me D:). This surely will lighten up your day!

Today's post will be on dupes that I found for Nars Orgasm blush and Nars Laguna Bronzer. Retailing at $45 and $55 respectively, some of us find it very hard to believe that a product could be so good for us to empty our pockets. The products that I am going to compare are all under $10. Let's see if there really is a difference.

The Blushes: 

(Top to Bottom: Nars Blush in Orgasm, ELF Blush in Tickled Pink, ELF Blush in Candid Coral)

Nars Blush in Orgasm 

Pigmentation & Colour pay off

• As you can see in the picture, the colour is a very pretty pink-coral with small specks of shimmer. Before I bought this blush, I read that it was a colour that suited all different skin tones (i.e. a universal blush colour)
• And boy were they right. I've seen this colour on really fair skin to those with more tanned skin, and they look equally as nice. On fairer girls it gives a nice, pink-flush (I wouldn't call it natural but close to it) and on darker girls, the shimmer gives them a nice and healthy glow. 
• When I first used this brush, the colour was very pigmented. I just needed to swipe a bit on and it would show up on my face. However, lately it seems that the blush has dried up a bit and the shimmer specks show up more than the actual colour. For $45 I would think that this is quite unreasonable - the colour of the product should be consistent. It actually took me the same amount of swipes to get the colour on my arm as the ELF ones.

Texture:

• Nars blushes are famous for feeling so silky and feels just heavenly soft on your face. There are no flaky bits and it is definitely not drying on your face at all. It really does just brush on effortlessly and doesn't feel powdery at all.

Longevity/Lasting power

• This baby has amazing staying power. When I set my foundation with the NYX finishing powder, this blush stays on pretty much all night. 
• That's really what you want from a high-end blush - staying power. If the colour is beautiful and very unique, but the staying power isn't as great then the product isn't really worth it in my opinion. 
• I would say it lasts about 5-6 hours with a good primer, lasting foundation and a setting powder. For those who complain that blush never stays as well, you really need to prep your face for it to last for a long time!

Packaging

• It is a rubbery/plastic compact that is easy to grip and doesn't feel fragile. You feel like it is very unlikely to break if you were to drop it. 
• The rubbery texture does make the compact prone to dust or powders sticking to it. It's really hard to clean off and it comes back again so I don't even bother. You can see it from the packaging above. I would say that once it gets dusty, it does lose its 'premium' feel but I'm not too fussed about that
• Inside there is a small full-sized mirror which is great for doing makeup on the go. 

ELF Blush in Candid Coral & ELF Blush in Tickled Pink

Pigmentation and Colour Pay off

• Last week I went to Kmart to pick up the ELF's Blush and Bronzer Duo St Lucia but they were sold out again :( So I decided to do my research and found that these were everyone's two favourite blush colours
• The colours are very similar in the compact but when they are swatched, but they're actually quite different. As you can see, Tickled Pink is a similar colour to Nars Orgasm Blush but it has less shimmer and more of a peachy pink. For everyday use, I would prefer the ELF's blush because it is closer to my own 'blushed' cheek colour. (Apparently this colour is similar to Nars Deep Throat Blush - haven't got my hands on this one yet but i'll be sure to update you guys!)
• Many people say that Candid Coral is a dupe for the Nars Orgasm Blush but I don't really think so. The Nars blush is definitely more pink, whilst this one is a peachy-coral colour. There is definitely more shimmer in this colour compared to Tickled Pink, which makes it a great highlighter as well. 
• I guess if you mixed the ELF colours together it would look a bit like Nars Orgasm (if you wanted to go to all that trouble :P)

Texture

• These ELF blushes definitely don't feel as silky and smooth as Nars blushes. They often feel powdery and needs to be blended out. In saying that, once it is blended the texture on the face feels just as nice as Nars.

Longevity/Lasting Power

• This is probably the downfall of ELF blushes. Whilst the colours are great and very natural (my favourite look!), they tend to fade very quickly. I would give them tops about 3 hours and then you probably won't see it on your face anymore.
• The powdery texture is probably to blame here. It takes so long to blend, yet it comes off very easily. Sad face here :( 

Packaging

• As you can see above, the compacts look very similar - Elf was probably copying Nars design hehe. 
• Whereas Nars Blushes and Bronzers are in a rubbery/plastic compact, ELF blushes are just in a plastic case which feels a lot less sturdy and will probably break if you use drop it too much. 
• Inside, we only get half a mirror which is pretty uncomfortable for travel when you want to see how it looks on your whole face. 
• However, I do like the plastic window that tells which colour the blush is. I know for sure that if I get more Nars blushes I will have to always look at the back to see what colour I'm getting. A win for ELF here. 

Verdict 

I would recommend investing in the high-end blushes, especially with the great colour range that Nars has. The cheaper alternatives are good for everyday natural looks, but if you really want something that defines your cheeks and gives them definition opt for Nars blushes like Orgasm.

The Bronzers: 

(Top to Bottom: Face of Australia Illuminator (Glamazon Compact), Face of Australia Matte Contouring Bronzer (Glamazon Compact), Nars Bronzer in Laguna)

Nars Bronzer in Laguna

Pigmentation & Colour pay off

• This is the perfect colour for natural contouring. It is a nice golden medium brown that isn't too muddy and isn't too orange. It has a bit of shimmer in it which should not scare anyone away! The shimmer is to a minimum and does give your face a nice supermodel glow. 
• Recently the colour has gotten a bit orange, well it is just orange on my plain face without any foundation. I don't recommend contouring your face without having a foundation base first because it just looks muddy and doesn't blend well with your skin. 
• This colour is also great for an all over nice and healthy glow bronzer. I usually use it when my face is too pasty and this bronzer doesn't make my face look too orange at all!
• It really is a multi-tasker bronzer, both for light/natural contouring and all over the face. 

Texture

• I find that this bronzer is even silkier than the Nars blush purely because there aren't shimmer specks in it. The shimmer powder is very fine, so it makes the bronzer highly blendable for the skin. Absolutely love the smooth application!

Longevity/Lasting power

• I love how brands such as Nars keeps their products consistent. As a duo with the blush, the Laguna Bronzer has great staying power. Again, I would apply this at the beginning of the night and by the end of it, it would still be there!
• As with the blush, you guys really have to prep you face before and after using blush and bronzers to make sure that they do stay for longer. Invest in a good primer and setting powder. it will really make all the difference.

Packaging

• Similar to the blush packaging, it is rubbery but shock-absorbent I guess. I could drop it on the floor a thousand times without worrying if it broke. It is very light as well so it doesn't weigh down your bag. 
• The compact in this is bigger which I think is great for bronzers. Sometimes it is used for all-over-the-face bronzing, so it gives you a bigger pan to sweep your brush on and to apply on your face. 
• Also this means the mirror is a fair bit bigger than the blushes which is awesome! I use this mirror for application of any other makeup because I can usually see my whole face. It doesn't obstruct my view at all. 

Face of Australia Glamazon Contour and Highlight Kit in Leopardess 

Pigmentation & Colour pay off

• I bought this contour kit because every Australian beauty Instagrammer has it in all of their pictures so I HAD to have it. 
• Despite the Laguna Bronzer being amazing, I wanted to find cheaper alternatives if I were to hit the pan. The bronzer in this kit is actually a bit darker than Laguna and more matte. 
• I actually quite like this bronzer because it is matte so your cheeks look more defined - it looks a bit more clean-cut when contouring. 
• This product is actually more pigmented than the Nars bronzer which means a little goes a long way. If you use too much it will become muddy especially because it is more of a chocolate brown colour than golden dark honey colours like Nars and Benefit's Hoola Bronzer. I am quite fair so I do have to be very careful
• Since this is a contour kit you can obviously not use this as an all over bronzer because the result will not be pretty
• My favourite thing about this compact is the highlighter. It is so gorgeous and pigmented. I've never used a powder highlighter/illuminator so I can't really compare to others. It is not to shimmery and sits perfectly above my blush and bronzer. Again, you only need a sweep of this product. Do not use too much or you'll end up looking like a disco ball. 

Texture

• I like that both of these colours are quite silky unlike the powdery texture of the ELF blushes. For $10 you can't really complain! It does take a bit more effort to blend into your skin but again for a product that is about 5 times cheaper, I wouldn't be too fussed.

Longevity/Lasting power

• Unlike the ELF blushes which were quite powdery and lacked blendability, this contour kit is very pigmented and blends relatively well into the skin.
• This product lasts about 34 hours - if I do not randomly rub my face and it comes off. A bit less than the Nars bronzer. If you were wearing this in the day, I would recommend carrying the compact along for touch ups.

Packaging

• Out of all of these products, this is definitely my favourite compact! First of all the lid is leopard print, how sick is that! I'm pretty sure that is what really got me in all those instagram pictures. 
• the packaging is completely plastic with a glossy shine, which is different to the matte-ness of the other cases. It is a little flimsy and I would be scared to drop it, but the hinges and lock of the compact is very sturdy.
• It also contains a full sized mirror which I love. Not many drugstore brands have a nice full sized mirror, especially those matte powders. It is also great that this is both a bronzer and illuminator in one which makes it easier to carry around than my Nars Laguna. 
• As my first ever Face of Australia product, I am very impressed. Definitely going to look out for more cheap gems

Verdict

Whilst Nars Laguna Bronzer is my HG and my go to every time, after I bought this FOA one I have been reaching for that one a bit more. As I said I love the illuminator/bronzer duo which just makes it easier for doing my makeup while travelling on the train etc. I still love the Laguna bronzer as a multitasker and for the colour pay off, but the FOA contour kit is slowly winning over my heart. Jokes aside, I am really loving this contour kit - and it is great for beginners because of the price and the duo. Would highly recommend!


Product listing and locations

Nars Blush in Orgasm - $45 @ MeccaMaxima and MeccaCosmetica stores, and www.meccacosmetica.com.au
Nars Bronzer in Laguna - $55 @ MeccaMaxima and MeccaCosmetica stores,www.meccacosmetica.com.au
ELF Blush in Tickled Pink - $8 @ participating Kmart stores, kmart.com.au, and $3.21 @ au.iherb.com
ELF Blush in Candid Coral - $8 @ participating Kmart stores, kmart.com.au, and $3.21 @ au.iherb.com
Face of Australia Glamazon Contour and Highlighter Kit in Leopardess - $9.95 @ Big W stores, and www.bigw.com.au

A rather long post but I wanted to give you guys a detailed post on whether high-end brand and HG products are really worth your money. Usually they are, but there are also some hidden gems that we look passed straight away because of their dirt-cheap prices. I would definitely recommend doing more research on alternatives that may save you all the money and disappointment if you were to hate the high end product. Hope this helped everyone!

Tune in for the next post on my beautiful eyeshadow palettes that my friends bought for me for my birthday! Exciting! (yes, Toofaced Chocolate Bar is included. Does it actually taste like chocolate?! You'll find out in my next post!)

Toodles,

Janie xoxo

Favourite Makeup Brushes

Hi everyone :D

Long time no post. Finally on a friday and Saturdayy I am free to take pictures in the sunlight because I'm finally home in the mornings. I've recently bought new brushes and decided do a post on my favourite ones so far. Enjoy! :)

                                         

(From L to R: ELF Studio Line Powder Brush, Ecotools Tapered Blush Brush, Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki Brush, Real Techniques Contour Brush, Real Techniques Setting Brush, Sigma E35 Tapered Blending Brush, Sigma E55 Eye Shading Brush.)

Ecotools Tapered Blush Brush

Why I love

• I've been looking for a blush brush that doesn't just deposit the powder onto your cheeks, but one that does so in a controlled and angular way. 
• The tapered design allows you to have precision for applying blush, especially if you are going to contour your face later. It gives you the line for application of bronzer later. 
• The brush is so, so, so soft. You would think that such a soft brush wouldn't be able to pick up powder, but it does so effortlessly. Some blush brushes that I've used in the past just waste my products because when I apply it to my face, there's hardly any powder - most of it had fallen off. 
• This brush is eco-friendly, and its products are biodegradable - great for all you people out there trying to save our world and the environment!
• The sleek design and long handle is great for comfortability when applying blush. This is definitely my go-to brush for blush!

Cons?

• With the tapered design, I thought it would be a little bit more precise - but in saying that this is a blush brush not a contour brush.
• No more that I can think of. 

Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki Brush

Why I love 

• I really cannot tell you how amazing this brush is until you've tried it for yourself. A few weeks ago I stumbled on the website redefiningbeauty.com.au, and they are authorised resellers for Sigma brushes in Australia. The brushes that I ordered arrived in just 2 days, amazing service. 
• If you have trouble blending foundation into your face, this is definitely the brush for you. Previously I have used my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, which is good in that it applies well on the skin - but since it is more rounded at the top, it is harder to blend without getting those horrid streaks on your face. I also use the Real Techniques Buffing Brush in the Core Collection, which was good too but I still had to rub off the streaks with my hand.
• The Sigma brush, however, blends any type of foundation effortlessly. I don't know how I've lived without it before. 
• The flat top of the brush is very soft but packed quite densely. It picks up liquid foundation well and distributes all the product on your skin flawlessly, unlike the real techniques brushes where the liquid kind of gets stuck in the bristles and doesn't go on the skin. 
• Definitely my HG foundation brush. 

Cons

• Like most Sigma brushes, the shedding is pretty bad. I find that with the Kabuki Brush, some of the bristles were uneven so I had to cut it off. The shedding hasn't been too bad so far but I will give an update on it after I give my brushes a good wash. 

Real Techniques Contour Brush

Why I love

• I have yet to find a really good contour brush (I have my eyes on that new Nars one but it is so goddamn expensive!), but this one will do! 
• Like all Real Techniques brushes, this brush is super duper soft and picks up the bronzing powder really well. It is quite small so you can be more precise when contouring your face. 
• It is multi-purpose, so you can use it for blushes and highlighters as well - it not a tapered design, but it is pretty accurate. 
• The handle is pretty sleek so there is good grip when you are contouring or putting blush on your face.

Cons

• Like I said, this brush isn't the best contour brush but it is not too bad. What I don't like about this brush is that it puts too much bronzer in the places that I usually start with on my face. It doesn't blend out the bronzer as well as it should. 
• I usually have to use another brush to blend out the bronzer so it doesn't look like I have a muddy face.

Real Techniques Setting Brush

Why I love

• Another Real Techniques Brush, and this one really has no flaws! At first I was wondering why so many people were raving about this brush. It seemed like your typical mini setting brush for powders underneath your eyes.
• Little did I know that this brush was absolutely perfect for liquid concealers! It is very fluffy like the contour brush so I thought it would only be good for powders. 
• I usually dot the concealer on my dark circles and redness around my nose. With this brush, I swiftly blend in the concealer and it looks flawless, almost like a HD effect. 
• Before this brush I used my fingertips usually, and it would never blend properly into the skin - only on the surface which looked quite noticeable. This brush has saved my life for concealing! 
• And of course, you can use this brush with powders such as the NYX HD finishing powder for under eyes to set your concealer as well. 
• Very handy and multi-purpose! Love this. 

Cons

• None! Everyone needs this brush in their collection!

 Sigma E55 Eye Shading Brush

Why I love

• This was one of the brushes that I bought on redefining beauty because I did not own any brushes that were simply to deposit eyeshadow all over the lid. I have a few cheap ones that seem to pick up a lot of product but by the time it gets to my lids it just falls off. 
• The eye shading brush is so densely packed as well as being really soft. It picks up my ChiChi cosmetic eyeshadows really well! Since it is very soft, it doesn't feel scratchy on the skin of the lid at all. You guys should really invest in buying good quality and soft eye brushes because scratchy brushes will really irritate that area of the skin.
• Overall, excellent basic brush for applying shadow your whole lid!

Cons

• I guess it's not multi purpose, but overall nothing to really complain here.

Sigma E35 Tapered Blending Brush

Why I love

• I have been looking everywhere for a great blending brush, because it is very important for your eye makeup collection! Without a good blending brush, trust your eyeshadows to look muddy and have a splattered 90s feel all over your lid.
• Previously, I have been using the Crown double ended blending and pencil brush duo. They are great but quite scratchy and causes irritation to my eyes. This brush is again very very soft and a bit more tapered that my Crown one.
• There is also the Tapered Blending E40 but I heard that one sheds a lot, and I haven't had the same problem with this brush.
• This brush blends effortlessly, and makes it easier to create that gradient look for your eyeshadows which gives more the eyes more depth and dimension

Cons

• The brush is a little bit big for my eyes - I kind of wish I bought the small tapered blending brush instead.
• It blends well but I have kind of give it more room, or it will blend to the outside of my eyelid. 

E.L.F. Studio Line Powder Brush

Why I love 

• This was one of my first brushes every, along with my ELF Small Stippling Brush. I have had this for about a year and a half now, and it has not shed and has stayed in shape ever since I got it. 
• Recommended by a friend, she said that this brush was really soft and picked up powders very well. I have used it for powders ever since then and it has been great. 
• I think I really have a thing for flat top brushes, because I just feel that they mould to your face better when you are using them. 
• The bristles and the actual head of the brush is a perfect size, as it distributes the powder evenly over your face, not causing any big patches. 
• Overall it is just really soft and I feel privileged to use such a heavenly feeling brush over my face! It has made me love setting my makeup the favourite part of my routine. 

Cons

• Since it's only about $8, the handle is quite flimsy and the glue is not as secure as my other brushes. I would recommend buying a few of these just in case the handle does fall off! KMART sell ELF products in Australia now!

Product listing and locations:

Ecotools Tapered Blush Brush - $7.58 @ http://au.iherb.com/EcoTools, or $16.99 @ priceline.com.au

Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki Brush - $25.00 @ redefiningbeauty.com.au.

Real Techniques Contour Brush (part of Core Collection) - $19.53 @ http://au.iherb.com/Real-Techniques-by-Samantha-Chapman or $44.99 @ priceline.com.au

Real Techniques Setting Brush (Single) - $8.68 @ http://au.iherb.com/Real-Techniques-by-Samantha-Chapman or $14.99 @ priceline.com.au

Sigma E55 Eyeshading Brush - $14.00 @ redefiningbeauty.com.au

Sigma E35 Tapered Blending Brush - $14.00 @ redefiningbeauty.com.au

E.L.F. Studio Line Powder Brush - $3.26 @ http://au.iherb.com/E-L-F-Cosmetics, or $8.00 @ participating Kmart Stores, or $8.00 @ elfcosmetics.com.au

Have a great weekend guys! Hope this helps you with what brushes to buy for your brush collection! 

Janie xoxo

Tutorial: Easy casual evening look

Hi guys and galz!

Hope you all had a great Easter long weekend! I certainly did :) All that chocolate and family feasting has got me all kinds of happy. Anyways, in some of my instagram posts you guys have commented on really enjoying my evening makeup and it has taken be about a full day to upload this on youtube so I hope you're not disappointed! I went for a simple look that doesn't require too much caking, contouring or whatever.

Products Listing & Prices in order of appearance:

Loreal Maguique Transforming Smoothing Primer - priceline.com.au, $29.95 r.r.p.
Bourjois Healthy Mix Gel Serum Foundation in Vanilla (52) - priceline.com.au, $32.00 r.r.p.
OR asos.com/au - $19.95 (depending on availability)
Chanel Correcteur Perfection Concealer (10) - myer.com.au/davidjones.com.au, prices are varied.
Real Techniques Core Collection Brushes (includes contour and buffing brush) - priceline.com.au, $44.95.
Real Techniques Setting Brush - priceline.com.au, $14.99.
Nars Bronzer in Laguna - meccacosmetica.com.au, $55.00.
Nars Blush in Orgasm - meccacosmetica.com.au, $45.00.
Maybelline's Eye Studio Master Shap Brow Pencil in Deep Brown - priceline.com.au, $11.50.
Miscellaneous Crown Brushes - available at IMATS, $1.99-$4.99.
Shu Umera Eyelash Curler - davidjones.com.au, $40.00.
Maybelline's Full 'N Soft Hydrofuge Mascara - priceline.com.au, $14.95.
Crown Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette - available at IMATS, $29.95.
Chi Chi Cosmetics Oasis Eyeshadow Palette - myer.com.au/target.com.au, $22.95.
Chi Chi Cosmetics Nudes Eyeshadow Palette - myer.com.au/target.com.au, $22.95.
ELF - Mineral Eyeshadow Primer - kmart.com.au, $8.00.
Nyx Butter Gloss in Creme Brûlée - target.com.au, $19.95.
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent (001), priceline.com.au, $12.95.

Have a lovely week ahead!

Janie

March Favourites

Hi guys and girls!

As you've all been anticipating, I will be showing you my favourites from the last month. Some are old and some are new, but all of them are amazing in what they do (hehe, a bit of rhyming for you). 

Chanel Correcteur Perfection Liquid Concealer in Beige Clair (10)

Why I love this: 

• I've been trying to find a concealer that hides my dark circles and is long lasting. My dark circles are pretty bad to the point where some days I look like I got punched in the face (LOL)
• Drugstore products from Maybelline are okay, but they don't last long nor do they really colour correct
• This product has a yellow undertone which is the best for covering dark circles. I love the creamy texture of this concealer, the consistency is not too thin or too thick. It blends in beautifully using the Real Techniques Setting Brush. 
• Even though it's not as long lasting as I hoped it'd be, the fact that it can even cover my dark circles is already amazing. It feels great under my foundation and does not have creases under the eye whatsoever
• Pricing wise, this is probably not the cheapest product you'll buy, but I highly recommend this of those who have dark circles and are sick of the lack of blendability of drugstore products. 
• Also, the product is 7.5ml which means it lasts for more than a year. 

NYX Butter glosses (Creme Brûlée, sounds delicious!)

Why I love this:

• This is a pink-nude opaque gloss that is good for everyday use. I have been looking everywhere for a nice pink-nude that didn't wash out. Being Asian by skin is quite yellow yet my lips are a pinkish colour and when I wear normal nudes, I just look like I don't have any lips at all! Or I look very sick.
• As you may know I love, love, love the butter gloss in Meringue which is a cute barbie pink that is opaque so it doesn't look too over the top. 
• Overall, the texture of these glosses is awesome! It is not sticky at all and the formula is not too thick on the lips either. As it is a gloss, the product is not very long lasting, especially if you go out for dinner so you'll need to keep reapplying. 
• The applicator is like any other, and very easy to use on the lips. Some of you might not like the cotton candy-like smell of the gloss but I love it! 
• It is awesome to match this nude gloss with a smokey eye for a less extravagant event

Real Techniques Setting Brush (ah-maz-ing)

Why I love this:

• The setting brush is one of the newer products that i've just purchased. At priceline at the moment they are on special, 20% off!
• I've got a few real techniques brushes that I bought in the 'expert face' set, and I love how they're all so versatile for use with blush, bronzer, powder and liquid foundation.
• Recently, I've been in need of a smaller brush especially for the application of concealer. The small, flat foundation brush of real techniques was quite good but it was too stick to blend the concealer in under the eye. And it kept poking me in the eye which was not pleasant at all!
• Reading other makeup blogs, people have raved on about this small setting brush which is a multi-tasker. 
• So far, I have used this brush to blend my Chanel Concealer and I am in love! It just blends the product in flawlessly, just like the expert face brush by Real Techniques for my foundation.
• Also I've used this brush to blend in my Benefit Watts up highlighter under my eyebrows and nose bridge. It blends really well and can get into the tighter places.
• This really is a multi-tasker!

Sukin Sensitive Moisturiser 

Why I love this: 

• Sorry for the blurry picture, but my camera just wouldn't focus! Anyways, lots of people have asked me how I keep my skin so clear and whether I have a skincare routine. 
• Honestly, I have normal/combination skin which doesn't really break out or get very dry. I am one of the luckier ones, but I know many out there who are struggling to manage their breakouts and what not. 
• However, this is not to say that I don't take care of my skin either - especially if I want to keep it youthful for when I'm older. Moisturiser is a key player in keeping your skin hydrated throughout the day, as well as helping to keep your skin firm rather than saggy. 
• I use Sukin's Facial Moisturiser in sensitive, for those days where I have quite dry skin in winter. This product is affordable and doesn't contain chemicals that you see in other products. This product is paraben free which means that it is free of preservatives that may be harmful to our skin especially if it builds up day after day. 
• The product has a very light scent that doesn't bother me at all, and the consistency is easy to blend out into your skin - you can leave the house without a thick layer of white on your skin!
• Out of all the moisturisers I've used, this actually keeps my skin smooth throughout the day and feels so light. It's formula is also good for a primer since it is a bit thick but very blend able into the skin.

Maybelline's Colossal Volume Express Cat Eye 

Why I love this:

• I bought this mascara because it supposedly gives a 'cat eye' look, especially winging out on the outer corners of the eye. Being very devoted to my full 'n soft Maybelline mascara, I only used this product after my application of my holy grail mascara.
• Recently my Full 'N Soft mascara has become very dry and flaky. I'm a bit skeptical that the r.r.p. of the product at priceline has gone down from $18 to $14. I'm sad to say, but I think that the formula has changed to obviously something cheaper that dries out much quicker.
• One night while I was testing out some makeup, I used this as the first layer to my mascara and it was really amazing! The formula is quite thin like the Full 'N Soft so it doesn't clump up and very build able. The brush is quite stiff, unlike Full 'N Soft so it can catch onto almost every lash with just one swipe. Also, since it is a curling mascara it holds the curls very well and doesn't feel heavy on the lashes. 
• This very curved brush allows you to apply it on the outer corners of your eyelashes very easily so those smaller lashes also gets some mascara. 
• Like the Full 'N Soft it is also very volumisinig but gives more of a dramatic look than the everyday look of FNS. Overall, I am really loving this as an alternative to my holy grail! I hope they change the formula back because I am sad now!

Revlon's Colorburst Lipgloss in 012 Orchid

Why I love this:

• Unlike the NYX butter glosses, Revlon's Colorburst Lipgloss has a more shimmery finish on the lips. 
• Both products have similar textures, where they are not very sticky and feel very light. This colour is one of my favourites because it is a very light purply pink which is flattering on more asian skin tones. 
• The applicator is flatter than the NYX butter gloss which means the product is applied more evenly but also it is a bit more messy because it isn't as precise on the lipline. This doesn't really phase me because I love the product!
• The gloss is actually more visible than the butter gloss which is more opaque, meaning you have to apply more. This product reminds me of the colorburst butter lipsticks in the Revlon line as well, but in a bottled gloss form which can be more convenient if you don't want to look too over the top with makeup. Especially on those uni days where you are dressed more casually. 
• Overall, I like this product mainly because of the colour and that the gloss has no artificial or alcoholic smell which I know is very off-putting for some people. I definitely recommend this gloss and the butter glosses when you want to be more subtle with your makeup look and don't want to have to go through the routine of applying lipstick. 

Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipstick in Pink Cognito (820) - Shine formula

Why I love this:

• As you can see, I'm having an obsessions with cute, light pinks and pink nudes! Since I don't want to be mainly using glosses everyday because they are inconvenient because you have to reapply, I did need a nude pink lipstick. 
• Like I've mentioned before, the true nude colours just wash me out so badly and they try to cover up my pink lips which just makes it look even worse!
• When I was in Singapore, where Revlon's products are literally half the price in Australia I picked up this baby. It is in the Shine category of super lustrous lipsticks, and even though it is quite shiny, the product more so shows colour onto your lips. I personally don't like shine or shimmer but like the colorburst lip glosses too, Revlon balances out colour and shine perfectly.
• This product is quite opaque and you do need to apply layer after layer for the colour to show, but since the colour is so nice how can I resist! This is honestly just a back up for me, for when my true love of a nude pink in lipstick form comes, but i'm not minding this cheaper option at all!
• With my recent purchase of the NYX butter gloss in Creme Brûlée, I've used these two as a pink-nude combo and they compliment each other perfectly. I would highly recommend buying these two together. 

Maybelline's Superstay Lipliner (040 Red)

 Why I love this:

• Last but not least! My new favourite red which I've given a preview on Facebook and Instagram. As you wish I will be reviewing this new red which I am absolutely in love with. 
• At first I didn't think much of this product, especially since it's new and Maybelline don't have the best lip products. I bought this on a whim because Revlon's Colorstay Lipliner was just too darn expensive. 
• Unlike the Rose Nude version of this lipliner like I've written about in my previous post (New products), this lipliner is actually creamy and is very pigmented and vibrant. The nude one is just too chalky and hard to actually show up colour on my lips.
• As I was doing my makeup for a wedding, I applied this lipliner on the outer line of my lips. I didn't realise how creamy this product really was, so I inside my lipline as well. The colour turned out so nicely and it was more of a sultry red than my usually orangey-reds. Since this product is also 24 hr, it is very long lasting and it is not sticky and doesn't go on your teeth like all the other red lipsticks! 
• I highly recommend this product because it is so vibrant, long lasting and also isn't drying on the lips at all. Especially since it's in the form of a mechanical pen, it is also very precise so you won't have to wipe off all the ugly red smudges that ruin your whole makeup! (it has happened to me many times).
• There isn't a lot of the product for everyday use of this product so you should probably wait for it to go on sale again to stock up!

Also a hint for using your old things for makeup storage. Last time you will remember I used my old document organiser to store my makeup and this time I bring you the Nude by Nature brushes stand!

Funnily this cylindrical container that came with my Nude Kabuki Brush and Illuminator fits all of my brushes so snuggly. Today I was going to go out and buy a brush holder but luckily I found use in this baby. To save money on the not so basic essentials but people say are essential, try to find things that you already have at home! Things such as document organisers, pencil holders, old pencil cases, your mum's old handbags or clutches are all great in storing your brushes and makeup for home use or for on the go. Don't waste your money when you might have what you're looking for right at home.

Prices and Locations

1. Chanel's Correcteur Perfection Liquid Concealer in Beige Clair (10) - Available at Myer, myer.com.au (Prices may vary)
2. Maybelline's Colossal Volume Express Cat Eye - Available at Priceine, priceline.com.au ($19.95) - offers: 15% off entire range
3. Maybelline's Super Stay 24 hour Lipliner in Red (040) - Available at Priceine, priceline.com.au ($19.95) - offers: 15% off entire range
4. NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brûlée - Available at Target, target.com.au ($9.95)
5. Real Techniques Setting Brush - Available at Priceine, priceline.com.au ($14.99) - offers: 20% off entire range
6. Revlon's Colorburst Lipgloss in Orchid (012) - Available at Priceine, priceline.com.au ($21.95) - offers: Buy 1 get 1 free off entire lip range
7. Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipstick in Pink Cognito (820) - Available at Priceine, priceline.com.au ($21.95) - offers: Buy 1 get 1 free off entire lip range
8. Sukin's Facial Moisturiser (Sensitive) - Available at Priceine, priceline.com.au ($9.95)

Toodles!

Have a great week ahead and share some thoughts about your recent purchases, or recommendations in the comment box below!

Janie