A Cup of Beauty: January 2011

Sunday, January 30, 2011

A HUGE Thank You To: Sydney H

YAAAY! I got another award.

Thank you Sydney H from Treat and Treasures for the lovely gesture.

Much appreciated =)

Peace

Saturday, January 29, 2011

When the idea of primers came out, I thought they were just the cosmetic industry’s way of making more money.. So for the longest time, I did not use a primer.. And even today, I don’t use a primer every single time I wear foundation..

Ok so let us begin...

Korres Vitamn E Face Primer – This is a silicone free primer which is the second thing that attracted me to the product after it being from Korres of course.. The texture is not too light but not too thick either.. It's very moisturizing.. And that is one of the reasons why I use this primer the most, now that my skin is very dehydrated.. It gives a nice dewy (not oily) finish.. Your face looks healthy..

Does it help the makeup last longer? I think so.. It also did help my full coverage foundations (e.g. Estee Lauder Double Wear) slide on better and not cake on my face.. I did find that during the day however, my foundation did crease a little bit around my mouth on the laugh lines.. But that could just be the foundation..

Would I repurchase? For sure.. I’ve heard too many stories about silicon based primers that broke so many people out badly and my skin does not need any more breakouts.. This didn’t break me out and it gives that extra needed moisture to my combination dehydrated skin.

THEFACESHOP FleBeaute Collagenic Make-up Base – 02 Shimmering White – Now I know the name “Shimmering White” might make a lot of people run the other way.. But this is a lovely moisturizing face primer that gives a beautiful glow to your skin.. Swatched on your hands this looks too shimmery but on your face you can barely notice the shimmers.. I would say that this is similar to MAC’s Strobe Cream.. So if the MAC one breaks you out, definitely check this one out.. The good thing about THEFACESHOP products in general is that they use many natural ingredients that feed your skin all that good stuff.

I mix this with Korres Face Primer sometimes when I’m using foundations that have become slightly darker on my skin.

Does it help the makeup last longer? I don’t think it makes my foundation last longer but it does help give my face that beautiful glow.

Would I repurchase? I don’t think I will repurchase straight away.. But I probably will come back to it in the future..

Benefit That Gal Brightening Face Primer – This is pink in colour.. It does brighten your face giving it a hint of pink which is not my thing.. But that’s all it does.. Some people just use this as a highlighter..

Does it help the makeup last longer? Not at all.

Would I repurchase? Nope

i.d. bareVitamins Skin rev-er upper – This is the bareminerals primer that comes in their starter kit in case you didn’t know.. I haven’t used this a lot to be honest coz the smell of it just put me off.. It’s very light and liquidy in texture and it did go nicely with my bareminerals foundation which is the only foundation I tried it with..

Does it help the makeup last longer? It helped my bareminerals foundation go on smoother.

Would I repurchase? Never

Benefit POREfessional – Now this is not exactly a primer.. It is marketed as a balm to minimize the appearance of pores. And it does just that.. I like this product.. EnKoreMakeup shows a demonstration of how to use this product which totally sold me.. So I’ll let him do all the talking =P

Does it help the makeup last longer? It helps blur out my pores but doesn’t last all day. You have to reapply during the day.

Would I repurchase? Yes. If I haven’t found anything better.

And that is it on primers.

Verdict - My Favourite Primer is:

Korres Vitamn E Face Primer

What are some of your favourite primers?

Friday, January 28, 2011

Beauty of a Different Kind: The Curious Nomad

This post is not about beauty in terms of makeup or skincare.. This post is about beauty of a different kind..

The name itself The Curious Nomad is so intriguing.. The work of this young photographer is truly remarkable.. I'm not gonna sit here and try to explain the unique work of The Curious Nomad as I probably won't do her justice.. So you be the judge and check out her work here

Peace

My Bronzer Collection

Here's my collection of bronzers and a brief review on each one...

Top Row - L-R: Soleil Tan De Chanel (Bronze Universal); Korres Monoi Oil Bronzer - 02 Sunglow Warmth; Benefit Hoola
Middle Row - L-R: Sephora Blush Me Twice!; Benefit One Hot Minute; Pout Bronzer Duo - Sunkissed & Sun Blushed
Bottom Row - L-R: Guerlain Terracotta Blush & Sun - 01 Sun Light; Bare MineralsWarmth; Nyx Rouge Cream Blush - CB10 Golden; Orlane Bronzing Pressed Powder - Terre 07

Ok so let us begin with the famous..

Soleil Tan De Chanel - I hesitated a lot before throwing my money on this product. I went to sephora and asked them to scoop out a sample for me and they did! Which was awesome! And which is the reason why the product in the pot looks odd (I poured my sample in it).

So on to the review.. I'm not gonna go into the price and packaging..

Product: Sooooo smooth and blends soooo easily onto the skin.. It literally melts on your skin giving you that natural warmth.. It's also good for those who like soft contouring.. I use this with Illamasqua's blush brush which is amaaazing as it does not shed like MAC's brushes.. I've tried applying with MAC's 188 + 187 but felt that Illamasqua's blush brush worked best for this product..

Staying Power: Hmmm I'm not so sure.. It might slightly melt of but that could be coz of the humid weather I live and plus my combination skin..

Shade: It comes in one shade only which I think suits most skin tones except perhaps very dark ones.

Would I buy this again? Hell to the Yah! It's truely lovely.

The next three bronzers are ones that I use often for each one has their purporse...

L-R: Korres Monoi Oil Bronzer - 02 Sunglow Warmth; Benefit One Hot Minute; Benefit Hoola

Korres Monoi Oil Bronzer - This bronzer is one of the many reasons why I love Korres so much. It has bit of an orange undertone but it does not make you look like one.. Unlike my other bronzers, I feel that this gives me a brightening warmth if that makes sense.. Meaning it doesn't just add that I've-been-in-the-sun-all-day look but it also brightens my face making me look fresh.. I wear this on days when I wanna just look natural and effortless.

Another thing I love about this bronzer is the fact that it has natural ingredients which feed and hydrate your skin.

Would I buy this again? I would for sure.

Benefit One Hot Minute - This is a loose bronzing powder and it comes with a fan brush.. It's rose bronze so this is a good product for those who are too afraid to use bronzer.. It has tiny shimmers that don't show up on your face but still give you that lovely glow.. I use this when I don't want that overly bronzed look.. Just a nice rosey bronze.

Would I buy this again? Hmmm probably not coz I'd like to try other bronzers out there.

Benefit Hoola - This is a matt bronzer with NO orange undertones which makes it a perfect product for contouring.. Also comes with a brush.. This bronzer is dangerous.. As it can look pretty muddy if not used with a light hand and the right amount.. It could be the reason why many people get turned off bronzers in general.. So although it's a really good product you gotta be reallly careful with it.

Would I buy this again? Also for the sake of trying something else.. I probably wouldn't repurchase straight away but I know I'll come back to it some day (hahaha that rhymes =P).

The list goes on...

L-R: Guerlain Terracotta Blush & Sun - 01 Sun Light; Bare MineralsWarmth; Nyx Rouge Cream Blush - CB10 Golden

Guerlain Terracotta Blush & Sun - I have had this for such a long time and I love it but I use it in occasions as it is very shimmery. In the swatch above this looks very pinky but on your cheeks it gives that beautiful shimmery bronze so don't be fooled by the swatch.. It is the only guerlain product I own.. I tried their other bronzers in the store but felt that they had too much orange going on.

Would I buy this again? I would. And I do reccomend everyone to check it out and try on their cheeks before walking away from it.. It's very flattering.

Bare MineralsWarmth - I literally panicked when I opened my BareMinerals starter kit and saw this product.. But once I put it on my face with the smallest amount and the lightest hand, I was so pleased with it. I keep forgetting about this product but every time I pull it out and dust it on my face, I'm must say, I'm impressed with it all over again.. And to my surprise, many very fair bloggers also use this and it looks wonderful on them.

Would I buy this again? Yes I would.

Nyx Golden Rouge Cream Blush - I'm really into cream blushes at the moment and when I came across Nyx cream blushes they were such a pleasant surprise. When I swatched this on my hand in the store I fell in love.. It is a beige pink blush with gold shimmer that is not so overpowering.. This goes on very sheer and I don't find that it gets too dark when I build it up.. I use this under my matt or not so shimmery bronzers to give them that lasting power and that gorgeous shimmer.

Would I buy this again? As lovely as it is, I won't repurchase because as I said the colour doesn't really build up.

And finally.. My neglected unrepurchasable bronzers..

L-R: Pout Bronzer Duo - Sunkissed & Sun Blushed; Orlane Bronzing Pressed Powder - Terre 07; Sephora Blush Me Twice!

Pout Bronzer Duo - Sunkissed & Sun Blushed - I got this as a gift and I really liked it at first but then found that it was just too goldy looking on my cheeks. It might work well as highlighter.

Orlane Bronzing Pressed Powder - I got this a veeery long time ago.. It's a nice product overall but too orangey.

Sephora Blush Me Twice - Now this isn't a bad product at all.. I only stopped using it coz I bought better bronzers. This is a good duo for those who like to travel light. The bronzer in this duo is actually pretty nice and gives a beautiful summery glow. Maybe this won't be so negleted after all.

And that is it for now my lovelies.. Hope this was helpful.. Do let me know what your favourite bronzers are..

Peace

A BIG Thank You To MSodapop

It may not be such a big deal but I just got my first ever blog award and I only have 1 post!!!!!

The award is

A HUUUUGE thank you to MSodapop for the kind gesture and encouragement..

Means a lot.. Thanks hun =)

GUIDELINES:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.

2. Tell us 7 things about yourself.

3. Award 15 recently discovered new bloggers.

4. Contact these bloggers and let them know they've received the award(s).

7 THINGS ABOUT MYSELF

1. I adore my nephew

2.I love Ice Cream

3. I love stormy nights
4. I love traveling and would love to see the whole world

5. I was worried about starting this blog coz I honestly didn't think anyone would read it

6. I think love at first sight is rubbish

7. I believe that the most important things in life are Faith, Integrity and Hope

THE NEW DISCOVERED BLOGERS THAT I HAND THIS AWARD TO ARE:

(I'm just gonna hand this to 3 bloggers)

1. things4her

2. wehaveit43

3. The Curious Nomad

You all really deserve this award..

Can't wait to see what you have to offer =)

Peace

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Some of my Favourite Things

Hey

So here are just few of my favourite things at the moment..

Primer

Korres Vitamin E Face Primer

Foundation

I use sooo many foundations but I am still on the hunt for my HG foundation..

I guess one of my favourites at this moment would have to be Annayake Antiageing Cream Foundation SPF 15 - 55 Sable

Tinted Moisturizer

Korres Ginger & Vitamins Foundation spf 10 (Yes I realise that this is a foudnation but it's light enough to be a tinted moisutrizer and I use as one)

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 in Medium