Illamasqua Dixie & Rude Cream Blushes

I can never have enough of Illamasqua.. It's a brand that I reckon by far beats MAC blushes and lipsticks..

Dixie and Rude are new to my blush collection.. But I have fallen in love with them instantly...

Product

- Creamy but light formula.. Almost emollient like

- Very easy to blend

- Very pigmented as all their blushes are so you'll only need a little bit

- No shimmer

- Gives a beautiful dewy look to your cheeks

- Lasts all day

- Makes a great base for other powder blushes by intensifying any poorly pigmented powder blushes

How I Apply It

- I dab my MAC 188 brush on the product and blend away at the my cheeks

Who Will Enjoy This?

- Anyone who is looking for a long lasting cream blush

- Anyone who likes a dewy yet not overly dewy look

- Anyone who is looking for a cream base for their powder blushes

Who Won't Enjoy This?

- Those who aren't really into cream blushes

My Final Thoughts: Amazing amazing products.. My favourite cream blushes by far.. And I can see this lasting me a long time..

Would I Re-Purchase? Hell to the Yah!

Are you a fan of cream blushes?

Have you tried any Illamasqua Cream Blushes?

MAC Sable Eye Shadow

Don't you just love it when your impulse buys turn out to be one of your favourite makeup items?

I'm not a huge eye shadow wearer to be honest.. But when I do wear it, I normally go for a soft look.. Which is why I tend to reach for my MAC Sable Eye Shadow a lot..

Shade Description

- I would say that the shade is a frosty silvery purple brown.. That's the best I could do to describe Sable =P

Application

- This applies sheerly which makes it a great day shade for those who are not too keen on wearing an eye shadow for work..

- It is easily buildable that you can create a smokey look with it too..

A huge thank you to my girl for modelling for me again.. Love you boo!

Here's How it Compares to MAC Satin Taupe & Mulch Eye Shadows



Satin Taupe: Silvery/Grey with a hint of Purple; Mulch: Bronzy Brown



My Final Thought: I love this shade for everyday.. It's so easy to wear and goes with every look I create whether I wanna go for pink, coral or bronze cheeks.. Mulch is my all time favourite MAC shade and since I added this to my collection, this is slowly creeping up next to Mulch..

Have you tried Sable? What's your go-to MAC eye shadow?

Skincare Product: Dior Capture Totale One Essential Skin Boosting Serum

I love serums.. I love the whole concept of them and I have to always have two different serums in my skincare routine..

I have never looked into Dior's skincare line before.. But I have read so many great things about the Dior Capture Totale One Essential Skin Boosting Serum.. And since I was in need of a serum at that time, I thought I'd go ahead and give this a try.. 

This 30ml bottle lasted me about two and half months.. Almost three I would say.. Which is great as I can honestly say that I gave it time to work..

What is One Essential & What Does it Do?

- It's an anti-ageing correction booster so it helps your other products work better

- It eliminates the toxins that weaken the cells and block cellular regeneration thus it detoxifies your skin as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles

- Corrects and brightens your complexion

Product

- Very light-weight and runny

- Blends in and gets absorbed easily

- Leaves a slightly sticky feeling

How I Used it

- I applied two pumps every morning and night and gently massaged it into my face and neck

Has it Changed my Skin?

- Not so much to be honest

- It felt alright on my skin

- I did feel that the products I applied afterwards worked a little better

- It didn't do much in terms of brightening my skin

- No changes in my fine lines

My Final Thoughts: I don't regret buying this product.. I'm glad I've tried it but I just don't feel that it changed my skin much at all.. And for the price it was, I expected a lot more..

Would I Repurchase It? Definitely Not

Have you tried the Dior One Essential Serum?

What's your favourite face serum?

Beauty of a Different Kind: Surviving Through Imperfections

The beautiful Lauren Rose and I were talking on twitter the other day about how we sometimes take the small things for granted and when we realize that we have, it's too late.. And it got me thinking about some things in life..

There isn't anyone who at some point have gone through some kind of pain..



Photography & Words by: Delyteful Speaks

Despite its flaws
It still grows
Never pauses
To think about what it was
The imperfections it holds
Are only nature’s laws
Never giving up on it’s cause
It’s surviving the hardest flaws
So come on everybody give a round of applause

Never compare your pain and sorrow with others.. Never judge their pain or level of it..

Because everyone is fighting a Harder Battle.. And God only gives us as much as we can take.. If He didn't think that you were Strong Enough to pull through it and come out of it, He wouldn't have put you through it at all..

Keep your head up always.. Never Victimize yourself or feel Sorry for yourself..

And One Day, you'll look back and smile at the person you have become because of all the Pain you've gone through..

Ain't nothing more beautiful than Gratitude & Appreciation =)

200 Followers Giveaway!

Can't believe I've reached 200 followers already! I'm so grateful for everyone's support.. Thank you guys SO much!!

So, this giveaway is bigger than the previous one..

I'll Be Giving Away:

1. Dior 5-Eyeshadow Palette - 754 Rosy Tan (review)

2- Illamasqua Lipstick of  Your Choice! (review)

3- Kiehl's Tinted Moisturizer in Your Shade (review)

RULES:

1- Must be a Follower

2- Leave your e-mail address in the comment

And that's it.. It's as easy as that =)

Winner will be selected through random.org

This giveaway is open internationally until 29 June 2011, Wednesday 

All the best my lovelies!

And thanks again for everything! Much appreciated =)

Peace

xoxo

TAG: Top 10 Award

I was tagged my the sweetest girl I've met through blogging.. The lovely Danielle of Bloomin' Beauty I really enjoy reading her blog and you should totally check it out..

The Rules

 

1) Link back to the person who tagged you

 

2) Nominate 10 other bloggers

 

3) List your 10 favorite beauty products 

 

 

 

I Nominate the Lovely Ladies of:

 

1. Makeup and Macaroons

2. Gorgeous M.E

3. Adrienne Adores

4.  Prettyinthedesert

5. Make up by Thess

6. Jessica French Fashion & Beauty

7. The Dollhouse Diary

8. Makeup Look

9. Beauty Reflections

10. P.S. It's Vida

 

 

 

Top Ten Beauty Products of All Time

 

Now this ain't easy coz my favourites change all time coz my skin changes and seasons change etc. But here I go anyway..

 

 

1. Nuxe Lip Balm - I've mentioned this a few times in my blog. I just really love this lip balm because it hydrates my lips while giving it a matte look and that makes it the perfect base for lipstick

 

2. Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Powder SPF10 - I love this powder.. Hands down the best powder I've tried.. It sets my foundation flawlessly and never looks cakey.. I love applying this with a face puff  

3. Chanel Soleil de Tan - The perfect bronzer.. Gives a subtle glowy warmth.. Althought it's a bronzer, it still gives a beautiful natural glow to my complexion

4. Illamasqua Lover Powder Blush - The perfect bright peach with the loveliest formula

5. MAC Vigin Isle Cremeblend - Makes any peachy blush or bronzer more intense and glowy! 

6. Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palette #754 Rosy Tan - This has all the perfect shades for me.. This is the only palette I've come across where I actually use all shades..

7. Kanebo Sensai 38c (Seperating & Lengthening) Mascara - The best mascara I've tried.. This makes my lashes look crazy long and thick! Love it!

8. Viva Glam Cyndi - Simply Gorgeous and goes with every look..

9. Shiseido Eyelash Curler - I love the way this makes my lashes look.. Naturally curled and makes me look more awake! 

10. Lush Lemony Flutter - I love everything about this.. The formula, the smell, the way it makes my feet and hands feel.. It's just amazing..

 

And that's it! I'm sure you've heard me mention these a lot in my blog =P

 

 

Peace

xoxo

 

Products You Just Don't Really Need

Ok let me begin by saying this is just my opinion and just because I don't think that some things are necessary, it doesn't mean that I haven't fallen for the marketing tricks some companies use to wheel us into buying their unneeded products..

So lets begin..

1. A Gazillion Brushes 

Do we seriously need to have a special brush just to apply the eye shadow and another one just to blend it out? Seems like an obvious way for the company to make more $.. I bet most of us have brushes that they've barely touched..

2. Eye/Lip Primer 

Ok when I say an Eye Primer, I mean one that people use just so they can cover up their veins not one where they need to control their oils.. Just use a concealer people.. You don't need to buy a concealer looking "eye primer"..

And a Lip Primer? Seriously? When did that hit market? Again.. just use your concealer..

3. Too many Eyeshadow Palettes

Yes it's nice to have different eyeshadow palettes from different brands, but chances are some many shades will be neglected and you'll probably have duplicates of the same shade and that is just such a waste.. Try to look for an eyeshadow palette that has all the colours you will use and don't get another similar palette just because a "Beauty Guru" loves it or just because you love one shade in that palette..

4. Lip Scrub

Ok I admit, I own one but I don't even know why I bought it.. It's such a waste of money.. My tooth brush gives me the same results..

What other things can you guys think of that are some company's ways of making more money?

TAG: What I'm Using Right Now

I've been tagged by the lovely Maya from pretty things. She asked me to do this and I just couldn't refuse.. So here I go...

SHAMPOO

Lush Rehab Shampoo

Great shampoo for all hair types.. I feel that it really does make my hair feel so clean..

Also, I'll be repurchasing

Big Shampoo

Which makes my hair feel super bouncy and light.. 

CONDITIONER

A conditioner I only get from the Hair Dresser I go to. They don't sell it anywhere else. Forgot what it's called. It's not well-known at all.. But I love it.. It smells nice

STYLING PRODUCTS

None. But after washing my hair, I use Lush's R&B Hair moisturizer which has done wonders for my damaged hair (review)

SHOWER GEL

I prefer soaps.. I use Lush's Buffy soap which I adooore! It's scrubs gently while provides amazing moisture to the skin (review)

But when I wanna deep clean, I use Mario Badescu A.H.A Botanical Body Soap

BODY MOISTURIZER

I love body lotions.. I use Bath & Body Works Twilight Body Butter

It smells divine!

Neal Yard's Remedies Wild Rose Body Exilir

This keeps my skin soft all day.. But I won't re-purchase.. Not worth the price

CLEANSER

Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash (review) 

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish

Love the smell of this and how my skin feels afterwards, but not sure if I'd re-purchase this again yet..  

 TONER

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic

I like that it's Alcohol-Free

FACE MOISTURIZER - MORNING

Korres Wild Rose 24hr Moisturizer (review) 

FACE MOISTURIZER - EVENING 

Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturizer.. 

It's alright.. Wouldn't repurchase..  

EXFOLIATOR

Clarisonic (review) 

Philosphy Microdelivery Peel (review)

DEODORANT

Rexona Cotton Anti-Perspirant Dry Stick Deodorant

My younger sister introduced me to this and it works wonders in our hot humid weather

FAKE TAN

Nope. Never

PRIMER 

Mostly nothing.. But if I do use, I'll use the

Benefit Porefessional (review)

Korres Silicone-Free Face Primer (review)

FOUNDATION 

Because I have too many foundations, I like to wear something different everyday.. But I find myself reaching for the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation (review)

FOUNDATION BRUSH 

I used to use the Sigma F80 but found that my fingers do a much better job..

CONCEALER

MAC Studio Finish Concealer SPF35 (review)

For brightening my under eye area, I use the Pixi Corrector (review)

POWDER

Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Powder SPF10 (review)

BLUSHER

Now this is a tough one coz y'all know how much I love blush..

I'd say Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Lover (review)

Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Dixie

This is an amaazing coral! Stays on all day and is so easy to blend..

Burberry Powder Blush in Russet (review)

MAC Virgin Isle (review)

BRONZER

Chanel Soleil de Tan (review)

Dior Sunset Glow Powder (review) 

Korres Monoi Oil Bronzer - 02 Sunglow Warmth (review)

HIGHLIGHTER

Dior Amber Diamond & MAC Hush Cream Color Base (review)

EYESHADOW BASE

I don't usually wear an eyeshadow base, but if I do, I wear

Makeup Forever Aqua Cream #13

Benefit Creaseless Shadow in Flatter Me

EYESHADOWS

MAC Mulch & Sable

Dior 5-Palette Eyeshadow - 754 Rosy Tan (review)

 EYELINER

Bobbi Brown Gel Liner in Black Ink

 Illamasqua Precision Ink in Abyss

CURLER

Shisiedo Eyelash Curler (review)

MASCARA

Kanebo Sensai 38c (Seperating & Lengthening) (review)

Makeup Forever Smokey Lash

 

LIPSTICK 

MAC Viva Glam Cyndi

Clinique Chubby Stick in Chunky Cherry (review)

LIPGLOSS 

Chanel Glossimer in Nakkar

This is quiet sheer with a hint of pinky coral.. Love the fomula

Illamasqua Intense Lip Gloss in Move & Frenzy

Love these glosses.. Long-lasting & opaque

NAIL COLOUR

Nail station Wow Factor & Zest de Citron

 

Again thank you Maya  for tagging me =)

Not Loved Enough: Lush's Lemony Flutter

People tend to neglect their feet but taking care of your feet says a lot about the person you are and it's just so important for hygienic reasons.. A good foot cream is so important for me.. I've always been on the hunt for a foot cream that is rich enough to get rid of any dryness in my feet making them super soft..

And so one day I went to Lush and found what I've been searching for..

Product

- Thick and buttery

- Melts on your skin once you rub it

- Gets rid of any dryness in my feet

- Softens my cuticles and making my hands look polished

- Smells AMAZING.. A lemony scent which I personally love

- Hydrates and slightly lightens elbows & knees because of the lemon properties in it

- Includes natural ingredients like Organic Lemon Infusion, Shea Butter, Cold Pressed Avocado Oil, Castor Oil and so on

Who Will Like This?

- Anyone who is seeking soft feet

- Anyone who has dry & dark elbow and knees

- Anyone who loves a lemon scent

Who Won't Like this?

- No one

My Final Thoughts: This is a definite staple in my collection.. I will continue buying this for the rest of my life (not an exaggeration).. I have also converted my sisters and my mum, who used to use Vaseline for her feet, to this product.. I apply it at night then I put on cotton socks and I wake up with soft hydrated feet! This worked wonders for my sister's very dry elbows and knees too..

Would I Re-Purchase? Yes sir!

Have you tried Lemony Flutter? What foot cream do you use?

Comparison: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua & Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation

I feel that everyone is always on the hunt for a good foundation and many enjoy reading about them.. I know I do..

So the newest foundation to my large collection is the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation (Review).. I really like this product and it reminded me so much of my Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation which I had very much enjoyed last summer..

Although these reminded me of each other.. They are still very much different.. Here's how:

	Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation	Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation
1	Water-Based	Water-Resistant
2	Slightly Thick Formula	Very Runny Formula
3	Light to Medium Coverage	Medium to Full Coverage
4	Semi-Matte Finish	Matte Finish
5	SPF 15	SPF 30 PA++ or SPF 42 PA++
6	Need to VERY Shake Well	Need to Shake Well
7	Long-Lasting	Long-Lasting
8	Might Transfer a Little Bit	Transfer Resistant
9	Available in 9 Shades	Available in 7 Shades

 

 

Swatch

Verdict

- Both are very nice foundations that are great for summer..

- The Shiseido one would be much better for the summer because of it's high SPF and because it's water-resistant..

- The Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua is for those who want something with less coverage..

- For those who liked the light-weight formula of the Chanel Aqua but didn't like the coverage, the Shiseido one would be perfect for you because it feels just as light-weight on the skin..

- If you really enjoyed the Chanel Aqua but it broke you out, try the Shisiedo Sun Protection Liquid Foundation..

So despite their similarities, these two foundations are very much different..

Hope this helped you a little bit & if there's anything else I might've missed, please let me know =)

Peace

xoxo