Author: Carina

Concerning Primers: A review of the BECCA Resurfacing Primer + some thoughts

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Face primers are one of the hardest beauty products to review, in my opinion. After trying a plethora of them, I know what my favorite one is (I’ll get to that later), and yet the lure of trying another one is just so strong. Primers often promise a) longer wear for makeup, b) oil-control and mattification, and c) magical pore disappearance. The BECCA Resurfacing Primer “smooths skin to create the perfect complexion.” It is a “velvety matte lotion that helps control unwanted shine and reduce the appearance of pores.” The lotion itself is opaque white, similar to Hourglass Veil Mineral, but the BECCA Resurfacing Primer has a lot less slip and is a bit thicker/harder to work into the skin. Here it is, under the BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector (Opal) and the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder (Ethereal Light), in natural light (left) and indoor light (right): It’s a mattifying primer minimizes the appearance of lines and pores. Because I used a super luminous base, though, I think it defeated the purpose. (Sorry about that!) I …

3 Product Face: An Experiment

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I first saw the 3 Product Face on Shari’s blog, but prior to that, I did a 4 Product Face. I think that we do these challenges to prove to everyone that we CAN SO live with the bare minimum, we just want a bit of fun! Then again, it could just be that so many people right now are in way too much of a hurry. Anyway, this is what I came up with. Initially, I wanted to use eyeshadow or a liner, but I opted for a base instead. As much as I love this Graymelin CC Base Cream*, I think I made a mistake! You’ll see why in a bit. Instead of eyeliner, I opted to use mascara. Everyone yammers on about how that and a bold lip are all you need to look polished so I wanted to test that theory with the Le Métier de Beauté Anamorphic Lash Mascara, which I don’t reach for for volume… but one that I feel most comfortable wearing. Then, for lips, I have MAC’s …

Stash Shopping No. 9 & The Product Directory

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I haven’t done these in a while, but I have been wanting to use some of my “forgotten” products. This week, I will be focusing my attention towards my MAC palette which has 15 eyeshadows and 3 blushes—more than plenty to get me through the week. As for lip colors, I want to use my Tom Ford lipstick in Flamingo, and my Addiction lipsticks, namely Gold Fish, Strong Woman, and Lady of the Lake, all of which need some more love, I think. I’ve also slowly been trying to not be lazy and use up some of my less-loved face primers—The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser and y.e.t. Cosmetics Fill It Up Primer. Just because I have way too many primers right now to not be using them. I hate wasting product also, and The Body Shop is on its last legs, so I figured I’d help it out and just use it up already. Anyway, I also wanted to post two short announcements. First, you can still donate towards relief aid for the …

Autumn Blush Picks

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I don’t usually discriminate makeup as seasonal only, but from time to time, I get swept up by the vibe of various holidays that my makeup just follows suit. Here are some blushes that I’ve been tending to reach for lately. L-R: Addiction Cheek Stick (Tea Rose), Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush (Exposed), MAC Extra Dimension Blush (Fiery Impact), NARS Blush (Sin), Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush (Blushing Bride), BECCA Beach Tint (Raspberry), Addiction Cheek Stick (Suspicious) I tend to go neutral (to pair with a vampy lip) or with plums and berries if I want to wear a nude or neutral lip. I’ve been laying off the corals and pinks right now, but I can’t say for sure if that’s due to the seasonal changes. What blushes have you reaching for lately? Is it seasonally inspired? Do share!

Sample Stash Sunday: Burberry Beauty Sheer Luminous Fluid Foundation in Trench No. 4

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Here’s an exciting thing I have come across, in my sample exploits—the Burberry Beauty Sheer Luminous Fluid Foundation. I have it in Trench No. 4, which is surprisingly a good match for me. It seems like it anyway; I was surprised since I just got this as a Sephora sample. Product Description: “Formula: A sheer and light cream fluid. A gelled structure for optimum light diffusion. Benefits: A subtle finish and natural glow that illuminate the skin. The skin feels beautifully bare, supple and comfortable. Protection: Hydrating formula. Contains UV filters to protect from damaging environmental exposure.” Right off the bat—I love this foundation. I applied it below over a primer (Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer) and topped it off with a finishing powder (Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light), but this foundation is a) weightless, b) easy to apply and blend with fingers, and c) provides decent coverage for a sheer foundation. I was surprised at how hard it was to spread out, though, given that it’s a sheer and “fluid” foundation. The formula, …

Nosy Beauty Vol. 17: Natalie

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Yay, it’s back! Did you miss Nosy Beauty? I sure did! If you’re new, Nosy Beauty is a series on this blog where I pry into the makeup bag lives of different people. Lucky for me, they oblige. 🙂 This week, we have Natalie! She is currently a student and she is definitely one of the bloggers whose posts I look forward to. Aside from posting reviews, she does FOTDs quite often and is adventurous with her makeup—something I certainly wasn’t when I was still in school. You can check out her blog here. This is natural makeup for me. It’s definitely not a no-makeup makeup look—you can see colour, but it’s nothing overwhelming. I believe makeup should be fun, and should be something that you play with. I like the way it can change an entire look or outfit. Your makeup is your most powerful and versatile accessory – it’s easy to change up a look with just a different lipstick, or using the same quad of eyeshadows differently. I also like to think …

Stashed & Forgotten: Rouge Bunny Rouge Colour Burst Lipstick in Whim of Mine

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Hello, I’m unveiling a new series here called “Stashed & Forgotten,” in which I post a review about products I have never spoken about at least 6 months after purchase. In the spotlight right now is a lipstick from Rouge Bunny Rouge called Whim of Mine. I don’t actually get why it has taken me this long to review it (I hauled it back in February), and why I don’t use it that much. Well, why I didn’t use it that much, anyway. After uncovering it again, I kind of feel like wearing it all the time. Whim of Mine is a peachier MLBB—or, My Lips But Better—shade. It looks quite boring in the tube, but it comes alive when applied. The formula of the Colour Burst Lipstick is quite creamy and opaque. It reminds me of the formula of the MAC Satin lipsticks, but there is quite a lot of slip and a tad bit less opacity and thickness. The application is a breeze, and it actually really feels comfortable to wear. Again, I …