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Oslo Cosmetics Review Part I feat. Vela, Lyra, Carinae, Doradus, and A Song of Ice and Fire

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My general impression of Oslo Cosmetics has been great so far. I think a mineral shadow’s quality is obviously good if you’ve been reaching for them more than your more convenient eyeshadows, which has been the case for me.

Here are a few looks using some of my new shadows. I’ll make a part two soon, even though I’ve covered most of the colors here anyway.

Vela & Lyra
Oslo P1 - Vela, Lyra - Face

Vela looks scary dark in the pot, but it’s actually really lovely on the lid. It’s a green-blue duochrome that translates onto the lid as a brown with a green-blue sheen, depending on the light. It’s great for a daytime smoky eye. Lyra was just used to smudge under the lower lash line here. It’s a blackened plum/orchid but the purple-y parts don’t really show up unless you pack it on. I’ll have a look in part two of this review that will feature Lyra more as a lid color.

Oslo P1 - Vela, Lyra - Eyes

Doradus & A Song of Ice and Fire
Oslo P1 - ASoIaF, Doradus - Face

Doradus is a color that also looks quite dark in the tub, but it is actually a great lid color, too. A Song of Ice and Fire is one of the most beautiful colors I have ever seen—a deep, blackened purple with blue sparks—but the sparks don’t really translate well when worn. I think if I did it as a lid color, it would be more obvious.

Oslo P1 - ASoIaF, Doradus

Here’s A Song of Ice and Fire as a (messy) liner:

Oslo P1 - ASoIaF - Eyes

Carinae
Oslo Cosmetics - Carina Blush - Face 1

Carinae is a beautiful pinky-gold that supposedly has a slight green shift to it. I can see it, but not really a lot if you know what I mean. It’s a pretty all-over lid color that looks fairly natural.

Carinae and A Song of Ice and Fire over LUSH Cream Shadow in Sophisticated
Carinae and ASoIaF over Sophisticated

Here, I wore Carinae on the inner 2/3 of the eye, with A Song of Ice and Fire on the outer corner and blended out. I lined my upper lash line with the Urban Decay liner in Ultraviolet, which turns out to have a bit of fall-out/smudging problems. This is the first time I wore a cream shadow under the shadows, instead of the usual neutral eye base or primer.

Carinae and ASoIaF over Sophisticated - Eyes

So far, I’m really, really, really happy with my purchases. So far, it is my favorite texture of loose eyeshadows because I feel like its clumpy formulation makes it a) less likely to have fall-out, and b) makes it a bit creamier and easy to blend. Stay tuned for part 2, where I take a better look at Lyra (again), Pyxis, Ara, Noctem, Orphicus, and Equinox.

Oslo Cosmetics is vegan and cruelty-free.

Verikos Collagen Tightening Cream*

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Verikos Hydrolized Collagen - Box

The Verikos Collagen Tightening Cream is a pretty interesting skincare product that I am super attracted to. Without the bells and whistles—or starfish and snail mucus—just your hydrolized collagen. Collagen is the selling point of this product; rightly so because collagen is a main component of skin connective tissue that takes up 70% of the skin and up to 90% in the dermis, on average. It’s known for moisture retention and elasticity control.

The Verikos Collagen Tightening Cream is:
— an anti-wrinkle functional cream
— 5 free formula for sensitive skin type
— nutritious and elastic skin care

It “creates a moisture barrier on dry skin and the adenosine and collagen strengthen the skin barrier for hydrated and firm skin.” Aside from being perfect for dry skin, I appreciate how this product aims to have long-term effects by strengthening the skin barrier instead of just treating the dryness, for immediate relief. It contains amino acids for skin nutrition, too, helping peptide and adenosine enhance the collagen matrix in the skin. In effect, the skin becomes healthier and firmer over time.

Verikos - Hydrolized Collagen

It’s actually a really good moisturizer to leave on your face overnight since it’s decently moisturizing but not uncomfortably heavy on your skin. From what the descriptors sounds like, I was expecting something more heavy duty but this was just a pleasant layer of moisturizer on your face that is pretty easy to ignore. That makes me think that this may be suitable for day time use, under makeup, but I haven’t tested that out yet.

There’s a light, fresh scent to it that’s not too bothersome or overwhelming. I prefer the scent of the BRTC Eye Vitalizer Cream, but this was alright, too. I’ll post more information as I progress with usage… but as for now, I’m quite enjoying it a lot!

Don’t forget to visit the other bntgirls: Kine, Joanne, Rini Cesillia, Alene, and Mariana! 🙂

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* Items provided by BNTNews. All opinions are my own and 100% honest.

What’s in a name? Oslo Cosmetics Blush in Carina

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Oslo Cosmetics - Carina Blush - Oslo

It’s no secret that I get suckered into buying things because of what they are named. In this case, an eyeshadow named Carinae caught my eye first. Then I found this blush by Oslo Cosmetics named Carina, for reasons that are pretty obvious. I’m not normally a bright neon makeup kind of girl, but I couldn’t pass it up.

Oslo Cosmetics is a vegan and cruelty-free indie makeup company based in Columbus, Ohio. As I mentioned in my first haul/swatch post for the brand, a woman named Joyce K. started Oslo and mixes and makes all the colors. I wanted to try the eyeshadows from Oslo, especially, since they are pretty unique. Most mineral makeup is made up of loose pigments and minerals that are mostly fine. The ones by Oslo are kind of lumpy, due to added binders that actually make them really creamy to apply.

Oslo Cosmetics - Carina Blush - Swatch

The blushes, however, are similar to the traditional texture of mineral makeup. Carina is a “bright, cosmic matte red-orange blush,” which looks really scary in the pot. Though it is pigmented, it is quite hard to overapply and pretty easy to blend out, if used with a great blush brush.

Oslo Cosmetics - Carina Blush - Face 1

On the face, it can be pretty subtle. I don’t know if I’m imagining it or if I’m super-observant but on the right side (screen) of my face, you can see a slight blush and a hint of just how bright Carina is. I think it’s a pretty effect.

When I first encountered this blush color with my name, I was a bit confused with the color selection. I know there are a million different Carinas in the world, but I did not resonate with this orange at all. However, I remembered that Carina, a constellation, is “several million times brighter than the sun,” and so I got it.

Anyway, I’m pretty impressed with this and the rest of my Oslo Cosmetics purchases so far. It’s a great brand to look into, if you want to venture into indie makeup brands or mineral makeup. Their colors are PHENOMENAL, and I can see her vision for collections and such very clearly.

Looking forward to my next Oslo Cosmetics order, though I don’t know how far away from now that is. 🙂 I’m still playing around with the shadows, but so far, I’ve worn them for three consecutive days.

Oslo Cosmetics is available online. The blushes are $7 for 10g.

Oslo Cosmetics is vegan and cruelty-free.

5 Ways to Wear a Vampy Lip & a Review feat. 3CE Lip Color in Vamp*

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Stylenanda 3CE Lip Color in Vamp

One of the items from the November bntgirls box is the Stylenanda 3CE Lip Color in a very autumnal shade, Vamp. Let’s get packaging out of the way… I am in love with the semi-matte, black, square tube (almost the same as Tom Ford lipsticks, which are just a little shorter) and the clean design with the brand on just one side of the packaging. I love the box as well; I don’t know what it is about it! I don’t normally keep boxes but I just might for this one.

Stylenanda 3CE Lip Color in Vamp - Tube

Described as a cool and mysterious bloody burgundy, Vamp seems to have a cool edge to it that makes it a more modern shade of red. It’s still red, but it’s not the same red that you saw your mom wear when you were growing up. The woman who’d wear this red doesn’t seem like the kind of woman who’d clutch her pearls in distress. Or something. You get the idea.

Stylenanda 3CE Lip Color in Vamp - Swatch

These lipsticks have a beautiful texture, which I guess is a good thing considering these come at $19.71 a pop. It’s a satin that goes on really smoothly, with a great amount of pigment and, weirdly enough, great precision, too. I didn’t need to use a lip liner for this and I got a great line, straight from the bullet.

The combination of a Strong Brow & a Matte Lip is the first thing that came to mind when I saw this color. It’s such a statement shade already that you don’t really need to do much anymore, but I think that full brows will help anchor the look, especially if you don’t have much else on your face.

3CE Lip Color - Vamp - Strong Brow

On another note, my eye shape is driving me nuts! Even my eyebrows are uneven. Moving on…

Kine paired her matte lip with smoky eyes, so check her look out. I’ve opted to wear a neutral look with a matte stain. For a deep matte, apply the lip color and dab a bit away with tissue. Apply the shade again and dab. Instant vampy matte!

Another way is to wear it under gloss. It’s not vastly different from the previous method, but if you have a light or super sparkly or frosty gloss with nuances that needs to be shown off under a darker base. Here, I’ve worn it under the Le Métier de Beauté Lip Crème in Crème de la Crème and MAC Lipglass in Flight of Fancy.

3CE Vamp - Matte, Glossy
Left: Matte, Right: Glossy

I’ve also used this as a light, juicy stain in my Radiant Orchid EOTD by patting it lightly over a milky balm (i.e. Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine):

EOTD - Radiant Orchid

Last but not the least, a method that I rarely implement—Gradient Lips. I have a tendency to appear corpse-like with this technique, you see. My solution is to keep everything else simple but choose another feature to highlight so that the focus is split between the gradient lip and the other feature of choice. For this look, I opted for a really bold liner look.

Gradient Lip - 3CE Vamp 2

To achieve gradient lips, just cover your lips with concealer—at least the outer part—and then fill in the insides with the lip color of choice. Use a lip brush to blend the lip color outward, towards the edges of the mouth, and into the concealer ring. I think this is way too light for me (it has to make your lip color close to your skin color), but you get the idea.

Gradient Lip - 3CE Vamp

I honestly think that the bold liner frames the face and anchors the severe look of gradient lips, which can at times look severe. What do you think? Do you wear this type of gradient lip?

Anyway, suffice to say, I love this lipstick as well as the shade. I’ve always gotten on more with vampy colors than reds! Here are some of my favorite lip products that reminded me of Vamp:

Stylenanda 3CE Lip Color in Vamp - Swatches, Comparison
L-R: YSL Rouge Personnel Multi-finish lipstick in 23, Snoe Beauty Rouge Deluxe Lipstick in Plum Crazy, 3CE Lip Color in Vamp, Addiction by Ayako Lipstick in Lady of the Lake

If you ever wanted to try anything from Stylenanda’s 3 Concept Eyes cosmetics line, I can vouch for the awesome quality of both the lip color and the eyeshadow singles. Vamp is available here.

Don’t forget to visit the other bntgirls: Kine, Joanne, Rini Cesillia, Alene, and Mariana! 🙂

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* Items provided by BNTNews. All opinions are my own and 100% honest.

EOTD: Radiant Orchid

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Pantone recently released its Color of the Year for 2014, which is Radiant Orchid:

radiant_orchid_HomeSlider_Final
Image from Pantone

It’s a really, really pretty color, so of course I had to try and make it into an eye look. I used some shadows from the Oslo Cosmetics purchases I received last week namely, Pyxis and Lyra. Those were basically the only shadows I used but I’ll break down the look a bit more later.

EOTD - Radiant Orchid

For cheeks, I used Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Flush and shu uemura blush in soft mauve M225. For my base, I used the Maybelline Clear Smooth BB White in 02 Natural*, set with bareMinerals Mineral Veil. For lips, I have Stylenanda 3CE Lip Color in Vamp* over the Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine.

EOTD - Radiant Orchid - Eyes1

I’m testing out this eyebrow pen I just got, the Graymelin Seven Tattoo Eyebrow in Dark Brown* with a review coming right up! As for the eyes, I laid down my base (MAC Paint Pot in Painterly) and applied Oslo Cosmetics’ Pyxis on the inner 2/3 of the eye. I really packed on Lyra on the outer third of the eye and then smudged the same color onto the lower lashl ine. I lined the upper lash line with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Crave. For mascara, I layered on Maybelline The HyperCurl and Fairy Drops Volume Burst.

EOTD - Radiant Orchid - Eyes2

I’m working on a comprehensive review of the Oslo Cosmetics shadows I got, but so far, I really really really love them. Perhaps to the point of obsession. But that’s another story.

How do you plan on wearing Radiant Orchid next year? 🙂

Unboxing: BDJ Box (December 2013)*

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Hey everyone, here’s a quick unboxing post of the BDJ Box for December. It’s another brand-centric offering from BDJ. This time, the spotlight is on Max Factor. It has quite a bit of makeup items in it that you can try extensively, which is always nice. The theme for this week’s box is Stand Out Like a Star. Max Factor is known as “the makeup of makeup artists,” and this box has a lot of items geared to making you feel like a Hollywood celebrity.

BDJ Box - December

Most of the items are sample-sized, with the exception of the Creme Puff, which is a compact powder. Here’s a rundown of the items that came with the BDJ Box:

  • Creme Puff Pressed Powder in Medium Beige — “all-in-one compact powder originally made for movie stars.” I haven’t tried it on my face, but holy wow this is heavily scented! (21g, Php 575)
  • Earth Spirit Eyeshadow — this is a really pretty golden color that’s perfect for all over the lid. Makeup artists use it for eyeliner, too, according to my information card. sample (3g, Php 445)
  • Kohl Pencil in Black — this claims to be a creamy, easy-to-apply, and long-wearing kohl. sample (1.2g, Php 425)
  • Masterpiece Max Mascara — use for big, bold and dramatically volumized lashes without the clumps. “400% more volume versus bare lashes” is a lofty claim that I intend to prove or disprove. sample (7.2ml, Php 695)
  • Colour Collection Lipstick in English Rose — lipstick for locked-in moisture, and long-lasting lip color that feels good on the lips. Color is quite nice but appears to have a frost or pearly finish. sample (3.5g, Php 595)
  • Glossfinity Nail Polish in Noisette — glossy nails that lasts. Not a nail person, but pretty excited to try it out. sample (10ml, Php 245)
  • BONUS ITEM: Facefinity All Day Flawless 3-in-1 Foundation in Beige 55 and Golden 75 — this is a pretty cool concept because it is a primer, a concealer, and foundation all in one! sample, sachet (30ml, Php 925)

I’m planning on whipping up a look using most of the products soon, and will be rolling out reviews on some of these items in the near future. 🙂 Although, I have to say that I appreciate whoever put this box together. Despite many of the items being sample-sized, I see this box as a travel-friendly kit since it covers a lot of bases and gives you an almost-full face of makeup.

To get your own BDJ Box, visit www.bdjbox.com.

* PR Sample. All views and opinions are honest and my own. Max Factor is not cruelty-free.

Verikos Aloe Calming Oil*

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Verikos Aloe Calming Oil

The Verikos Aloe Calming Oil* was actually the first item from the bntgirls November box that I pulled out first. It has a very earthy, organic look to it and I’m a sucker for aloe and clean design. There are also a small number of ingredients in this, so I know that it’s not full of crap at least. Sarie actually asked for this, if I didn’t end up enjoying it, but I actually really liked it. So I kept it for now.

The Aloe Calming Oil “raises skin that is under stress by an outside hazardous article, moistly and comfortably.” I’m taking that to mean that this face oil is a moisturizer for stressed skin. Aloe is actually known to be soothing and moisturizing as well. Like my usual experience with aloe, it does not really give my dry skin enough moisture. I have been using it at my desk—I work from home and don’t usually wear makeup if I don’t have to, unless I’m testing stuff out—and also under a heavier moisturizer at night. It sinks in really quickly and doesn’t leave a sticky residue.

Even though it is quite light, I think it’s a good organic moisturizer. So, if you’re looking for something more lightweight for day time wear. Kine and Alene actually tried this out with eczema and the Aloe Calming Oil relieved the irritation well.

Verikos Aloe Calming Oil - Security

I really appreciate how it has a safety seal to indicate whether or not the bottle has been opened! In terms of packaging, the dropper-style is efficient to dispense the correct amount of this runny oil, i.e. 1-2 drops.

Overall, I’ve been enjoying using the Verikos Aloe Calming Oil, and I think I would actually repurchase this if I ran out and if I could.

Don’t forget to visit the other bntgirls: Kine, Joanne, Rini Cesillia, Alene, and Mariana! 🙂

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Visit BNTNews for the latest Korean news and trends
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* Items provided by BNTNews. All opinions are my own and 100% honest.