Dolce & Gabbana Bronzer, Blush & Lipstick

When I first came across Dolce & Gabbana cosmetics I was intrigued and attracted to the packaging and the counter set up and all that.. But after I swatched a few of their products.. I fell in love.. The quality was beyond what I expected.. Their products are such high quality I couldn't just walk away from them without treating myself to a few things...

 

So here are my D&G loves...

 

 

Review: Clarins Everlasting Foundation SPF15

I'm always on the look out for a foundation that will give me everything my skin needs to get that flawless finish.. So I'm always experimenting with different foundations.. And this time, I decided to try my luck with Clarins...

 

 

Review: Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick

If there's anything that Bobbi Brown does, it's that she delivers! Yes, I may have dissed her corrector & creamy concealer, which I did like but hated how it creased on me, I still think that Bobbi has a lot of great products to offer.. And her foundation stick is just that... great!

Product

- Creamy

- Blends beautifully

- Medium coverage

- Luminous finish

- MUST apply powder on top as it can get a bit greasy during the day

- Not very light-weight... It does feel like you're wearing foundaiton

- Good lasting power

- Photographs well
- Not much product for the price you're paying

- Travel friendly

Applicaiton

- I like applying this from the stick straight to my face then blend it out with my Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki Brush as it gives more coverage that way

Who Would Like This?

- People with Dry skin.. Combination skin types can get away with wearing this as well 

- Anyone who is looking for an easy way of applying foundation

- Anyone who is looking for a foundation that gives a beautiful finish to the skin as well as photograph well

- Those who love a dewy finish

Who Wouldn't Like This?

- People with VERY oily skin as it can feel a bit greasy

- Anyone who prefers a Matte finish

My Final Thoughts: I find that this is one of those foundations that look better after 15-30mins of wearing it when it really melts on the skin and gives it that beautifully glowy look.. Everytime I wear it, my sister asks me what I have on! Only issue I have with this is that it can feel a bit heavy on the skin.. But a great foundation to have for sure!

Would I Re-Purchase? Yes.

Have you tried the Bobbi Brown Stick Foundation or any other stick foundation before?

Smooth Poreless Skin.. For Now..

I'm always on the lookout for something to help hide pores as I know nothing out there can actually make them completely disappear.. So I decided to give Clarins a go and see what they have to offer my pores...

Product

- Mousse-like thick formula which can feel a bit heavy if too much is applied

- Blurs pores beautifully

- Helps foundation from not creasing around the mouth and eye areas

- Long-lasting

- A little goes a long way

Application

- You have to pat the product on.. No rubbing

- Use a small amount at a time and work in sections

Who Will Like This?

- Anyone who has large pores or lines/wrinkles they want to hide

- Anyone who is looking for a flawless foundation finish

- Anyone who wants to prevent their foundation from creasing around their mouth (laugh lines)

Who Won't Like This?

- Anyone who doesn't have visible pores

- Anyone who doesn't like anything that feels a bit heavy on the skin

- Anyone who is looking for something to actually minimize their pores permanently.. The Clarins Instant Smooth is a primer not a skincare product

How Does it Compare to Benefit's POREfesionnal?

- I find that the Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch more long lasting and is more effective in terms of reducing pore size

My Final Thoughts: I love how my foundation looks when I apply the Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch.. It blurs out my pores and makes them look almost invisible.. I only use this on special occasions as it can feel a bit heavy if worn everyday..  

Would I Re-Purchase? Yes.

Have you tried the Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch?

What primer do you use to hide your pores?

Dolce & Gabbana "the animalier" Bronzer

This is my first ever Dolce & Gabbana bronzer and I'm in love!

Gorgeous right?!

Well, I'm not a fan of animal prints at all, which was why I wasn't too upset that the print was an over-spray =P

So after I brushed the over-spray away with the brush it came with, I was about to enjoy the product!

Product

- Very Soft, Smooth & Finely Milled

- Not too orangey at all

- Gives the most natural warmth glow without looking like you're wearing too much of a bronzer

- For contouring, this is very subtle which I love

- Has tiny gold shimmers that don't show up on the skin much at all

- Limited Edition

Who Would Like This?

- Anyone who is afraid of wearing bronzer as it is natural looking

- My Fair-Skinned chicas

Who Wouldn't Like This?

- Anyone who isn't willing to pay SO much for a bronzer - It's way too pricey but I just couldn't resist!

My Final Thoughts: Although it's pricey, the fact that it gives me a natural bronzed look without looking like I'm wearing a bronzer had me because that makes it the perfect bronzer for contouring! It blends really well and is a great all year round bronzer.. 

Have you tried any D&G products?

Skincare Product: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

Dermalogica is one of the few skin care brands that I truly trust. Their products almost always impress me, and the Daily Microfoliant is no different..

I used to use this a long time ago but I don't know why it has been neglected.. When I started using it again, I remembered why I used to love it so much!

Product

- Rice Powder form

- Gentle exfoliator

- Has a funny smell

Application

- You add the powder to the palm of your hands and add some water to it to create a paste

- Then work it on a damp face for one minute

Results

- Instant smoothness and brightness!

My Final Thoughts: I wouldn't use this everyday as it can sensitize the skin.. I would limit the usage to 3-4 times a week.. I still use my Philosophy Microdelivery Peel for when I want a more abrasive exfoliation.. But this is honestly, the only exfoliator I've used that gives me instant brightness after usage.. Love this product heaps.. A must-have for sure!

Have you tried this Daily Microfoliant?

Review: Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

I've been wanting to try this foundation for so long after reading and watching so many great reviews on it! It sounded so promising and when my sister got it for me from Europe, I was super excited to try it..

However, to my surprise.. This foundation was.. a disappointment...

Product

- Blends ok not great.. You do have to work a little hard with it

- Medium coverage

- A little goes a long way

- Not luminous as promises.. Gives an almost Matte Finish

- Sits in my pores

- Can look drying

- Smells funny.. Has a little chemically scent

Application

- Fingers: Didn't give the flawless finish people were raving about & made me look a little dry

- Sigma F80 Brush, Beauty Blender & MAC 187 Duo-Fibre Brush: Made the foundation sit in my pores

I have tried everything to make this foundation work but it just never sat right on my skin the way my other foundations did.. Guess it's not for my skin type? (Normal to Dry at the moment).. Also, it never gave me that Luminous Silky finish it promises to provide.. 

I really wanted to love this but I guess it's just not for me..

Have you tried the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation?

How do you apply it?

Do you love it?





Review: Beauty Blender.. Should You Take The Plunge?

Now when I first received this as a gift at an event, I was SO excited!! I've been wanting to try this out for the longest time but they don't sell the Beauty Blender here in the United Arab Emirates..

I just couldn't wait to try it!!

This is what the Beauty Blender looks like wet

My First Attempt: I bust out my Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation (review) and applied it with the Beauty Blender..

Result? Disappointment! It was nothing special at all.. I was like That's it?! That's what the fuss is all about?! But I didn't give up.. I tried it again the next day and still wasn't great.. So I neglected it.. And decided to continue using my hands or my MAC 187 brush..

My Second Attempt: It wasn't until just recently when I re-discovered my Chanel Mat Lumiere and my Estee Lauder Double Wear Light foundations, that I decided to give my Beauty Blender another chance..

Results? AMAZING! Honestly.. If you've been reading my blog long enough, you'd know that I'm not one to give in to hypes that easily.. But this sponge is truly amazing with the right kind of foundation..

Product:

- Must be used wet.. It expands when wet

- Very soft, squishy and just so fluffffy! =P

- Gives a beautiful smooth finish..

- Blends the foundation really well.. No streaks, no accentuated pores which many foundations tend to give me.. This makes sure that the foundation is placed nicely on the skin..

- Gives any heavy foundation (medium/full coverage foundations), a very light-weight feel on the skin

Application

- I apply a little bit of the foundation on the bottom of the wet sponge and dab it on my face working in sections.. Of course I add more as I move to each part of my face..

My Final Thoughts: This is a great tool to have.. I've been using it everyday with my foundation.. However, it did not work well with my Chanel Aqua for some reason.. So you have to make sure that you're using the right foundation with it.. It usually works best with heavier foundations..

Is it a Must-Have? I'd say it's nice to have but you don't NEED it.. It's lovely and I'm enjoying it heaps, but I do think it's still over-hyped for what it is.. The MAC 187 and the Sigma F80 both give lovely finishes too.. But I'm glad I've tried the Beauty Blender..

Dupes? I know that there are some similar shaped sponges that work the same way but are much cheaper.. Like the:

Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge

& 

Cosmopolitan Blend Perfection Sponge

So I suggest you try those out first before taking the plunge on the Beauty Blender and see how you like the idea of applying your foundation with a sponge..

As for the

Sephora Precision Sponge

It is NOTHING like the Beauty Blender.. It's stiff and just doesn't give the same effect AT ALL.. So don't waste your money on it..

Would Re-Purchase? Hmmm I might.. Still deciding..

Have you tried the Beauty Blender?

Is it worth it in your opinion?

Yet Another Blush Combo for the Summer!

If you've read my review on the Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric in #4 here, you'd know that although I really liked the formula and the colour of it, the fact that it applied sheerly (but buildable) did not impress me much.. However, now I have found a way to make that sheerness work for me beautifully..

Here's how...

First: I apply the GA #4 using my MAC 187 Brush

Second: Dust Illamasqua Powder Blush in Lover on top

The GA #4 turns Lover in to a deepened bronzy peach rather than the bright peach it is.. And it looks so flattering for the summer time!

Now most of you know how much I adore my Illamasqua Lover blush.. I found that it works sooo great with so many blushes (see how I used it in another combination here) and the fact that it's super smooth and blends effortlessly makes it one of my all-time favourite blushes!

Have you tried been combining your blushes to get that right shade?

The Blush That Took Me By Surprise!

The first thing I do when I visit a makeup counter is look at their blushes.. And it is not rare that I instantly fall in love with one.. But the reason this blush took me by surprise is because it's from Clarins.. Now don't get me wrong.. I really like clarins heaps.. Love their products, but I rarely ever look at the their makeup.. But walking past their counter one day, this blush was just calling my name! 

Product

- Not very smooth

- Applies sheerly but is buildable

- Very tiny shimmers that give a beautiful sheen finish

- Blends well

My Final Thoughts: I fell in love with the colour of this blush as soon as I laid eyes on it.. And it even looks just as pretty on the cheeks! The colour is so lovely and vibrant and it's my first ever Clarins blush.. Only thing I don't like about this product is that fact that it's not as smooth as my other blushes.. But still a great blush and I'm so glad I have it!

Have you tried any Clarins blushes?

Review: Korres Liquid Lipstick #22 Rasberry

Korres Liquid Lipstick.. Just the name itself is intriguing.. This is my first lipgloss from Korres and I need me some mooore of this!

Product

- Very cooling light water-based formula

- Feels like you're literally applying water to your lips

- Antioxidant

- Applies sheerly but colour is buildable

- Contains: Raspberry & Pomegranate extracts

- Claims to smooth lines and glide on with the creamy texture of a lip gloss and has the long-lasting, vibrant finish of a lipstick

Who Will Like This

- Anyone who likes to control the amount of colour in their lip glosses

- Anyone who is looking for a lip gloss that feeds your lips

Who Won't Like This

- Those who prefer more opaque lip glosses

- Those who don't like lip glosses to begin with

My Final Thoughts: Korres Liquid Lipsticks are coming close to my Chanel Glossimiers which are my favourite lip glosses.. I love the cooling effect it has when I apply it and I absolutely love the light yet pigmented formula.. But I don't find it long-lasting as it claims to be..

Would I Re-Purchase? For sure

What are your favourite Lip Glosses?

Have you tired Korres Glosses?

Possessions: Cream Eye Shadows

Since it's summer, cream products work so well as they're stay put better than powder eye shadows...

Here's my cream eye shadows collection...

So starting with the top row...

Makeup Forever Aqua Cream #13 - Lovely bright champaign shade with peach undertones but sets quickly so you gotta work fast with it.. I use this as an eye shadow but you can also use it as a highlighter..

Consistency: Light and smooth but can look patchy if you don't work fast with it

Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Enigma - I got this as a gift from my girl SJ and I really enjoy this product.. It makes a great eye shadow base.. However, I mostly use this for my under eye area and it eliminates my dark circles wonderfully.. Paler skin tones can also use this as a blush..

Consistency: Buttery smooth and blends so beautifully

MAC Constructivist Paint Pot - This is my first and only paint pot from MAC and I love this shade.. It looks dark but with a light hand, you can totally make this sheer.. It has tiny gold shimmers that aren't extremely obvious on the lids.. I wear this alone on the lids and on the lower lash line and it gives me such a lovely bronzey eye look..

Consistency: Not super smooth.. Has sort of like a dry smoothness texture if that makes sense.. Which why it can look a little patchy if you don't work fast with it..

Benefit Creaseless Cream/Liner Shadow in Flatter Me - I never wear pinks on my eye lids but love this shade! It’s so flattering and when sheered out it just gives a beautiful hint of colour to your lids.. Great for everyday..

Consistency: Smooth and easy to apply but can look blotchy

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Eye Shadow in #6 Nola - This is the weirdest eye shadow formula I have come across.. It’s like a pressed pigment.. You do get a little fall out but nothing too crazy.. The shade is so unique.. It’s a bronzed khaki and I have never seen anything like it.. Looks amazing when worn sheerly as it gives that beautiful shimmery wet look to your eyes..

Consistency: Buttery smooth and blends like a dream!

Benefit Creaseless Cream/Liner Shadow in Birthday Suit - I thought that is would be so similar to the MUFE #13 Aqua cream but that one a bright champaign and this is more muted.. Gives your lids a hint of colour.. Makes a great eye shadow base..

Consistency: Again, lovely but high risk of patchiness

Julie Hewitt Shimmy in Cleo - I did write a review on this here.. It’s a nice very sheer bronze that is super easy to wear..

Consistency - Almost like a shimmery hard gel that melts on your skin and blends nicely..

NARS Cream Shadow in Mykonos - This is a muted plum.. I was kinda disappointed in this.. The shade is nice but is not long lasting on me at all when worn alone so I tend to wear Benefit’s Flatter Me first then this on top when I wanna rock a plummy eye look..

Consistency - Slippery and blends well

Bobbie Brown in Black Pearl - This is the most glittery of them all.. And I’m talking chunks of glitter.. Great for the night time..  It is a great sheer shade.. And is the most long lasting out of all of them.. But the glitter in it is very dominating..

Consistency - You gotta really work your brush in pot to get the product out and it does not blend easily because of the amount of glitter in it

And Voila!

What are some of your favourite Cream Eye Shadows?

Clarins Gives You More Than Just a Lip Balm

When Clarins came out with the Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector, I thought "Yah ok whatever.. Another hyped product".. And I ignored it for the longest time.. Until my lips started getting super dry and flaky which ain't pretty at all.. I thought I don't want just a lip balm.. I want something that could really hydrate my lips while adding a hint of colour.. 

And so I went to Clarins and thought I'd try their Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in shade 01 Rose Shimmer.. And was really amazed at the consistency of it, the hydration and the smell! And decided to just go ahead and get it coz it was too lovely on my lips for me to just walk by it..

Product

- Sheer nude pink colour

- Super hydrating

- Non-sticky

- Glossy finish

- Extremely subtle shimmer that does not show at all on the lips

- Smells and tastes like cotton candy

- Contains: Extracts of Shea Butter, Wild Mango, Derivatives of Vitamins A & E all which repair, soften and protect against free radicals

Who Will Like This

- Anyone who is looking for long lasting lip hydration

- Anyone who wants to add that little bit of colour to their lips while treating them

- Anyone who loves a sweet sugary scent

Who Won't Like This

- Anyone who doesn't like "nude" lips
- Anyone who prefers a lip balm that contains SPF

My Final Thoughts: This feels lovely on the lips.. And it keeps my lips hydrated all day without looking boring because of the hint of colour it adds.. I love love the way it smells.. Reminds me of my childhood.. I'm not a huge fan of nude lips, so I do wear a lipstick underneath it just for added colour..

Would I Re-Purchase? Yes!

Have you tried Clarins Lip Perfector?

Review: Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow No.09 Rosewood

After purchasing my first ever Burberry product, I couldn't help but go back and see what else Burberry cosmetics has to offer..

They didn't have any samples of their foundations so I couldn't try those.. But I was really impressed by the colour selection of their eye shadows.. Very pretty shades.. And in the end, after much swatching and blending, I settled for No.09 Rosewood..

Product

- Velvety and smooth texture

- Applies sheerly but is surely buildable

- Has a beautiful sheen finish

- Non-glittery

Swatches

Burberry Rosewood is a metallic violet/lilac shade and blended out it gives a beautiful subtle sheen with a hint of colour..

MAC Satin Taupe is has more brown to it..

My Final Thoughts: The more I try out Burberry products, the more I'm impressed.. Love this shade.. Such a beautiful soft colour that looks amazing with a winged eyeliner.. This will definitely not be the last Burberry eye shadow I purchase..

Have you tried any Burberry Cosmetics?

Review: Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric #4

Although expensive, the quality of Giorgio Armani Makeup is amazing.. Their Foundations, Powders, Blushes, Eyes To Kill Eye Shadows are all so beautiful.. So when GA came out with the Fabric Second Skin line, I just had to try it.. And being a blush junkie, I of course went straight to the blushes and picked up #4...

Product

- Gel/Silicone consistency which I find is best applied with fingers
- Very smooth and light
- Blends well
- Applies sheerly but is buildable
- Non-streaky or blotchy
- Matte finish
- Shade 4 is a dark reddish bronze

My Final Thoughts: This is a lovely product.. Very velvety and smooth.. But I wouldn't say it is a must-have.. The fact that it applies sheerly might be good for some, but I like my blushes to pop.. So I have to apply a few layers to get the colour the way I like it..

Have you tried any Giorgio Armani Products?

Illamasqua Pigments: Furore & Ore

Ok seriously when I came across these two pigments, I nearly cried.. Ok that's too dramatic.. But you know what I mean..

I got Furore & Ore a long time ago but I have completelly forgotten about them.. And I don't know how that happened because they're just way too gorgeous to be ignored..

Product

- Super light and smooth

- Blends like a dream

Thanks to my lil sis @spookz for modelling for me ;)

Furore

- No chunky glitters

- So finely milled

- It can be used as both eyeshadow and a highlighter

Ore

- Has some glitters

- Gives a kind of glossy look to your lids

My Final Thoughts: These pigments are truly stunning! They're so buttery smooth and they just look amazing on.. If you're near an Illamasqua counter, you gotta check these out and I assure you, you'll fall in love!

Have you tired an Illamasqua Pigments?

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?