All posts filed under: Reviews

Le Métier de Beauté True Colour Eye Shadows in Corinthian, Midnight Sky & Noir

Published by

Here is a trio of proof of my weak moment: Le Métier de Beauté True Colour Eye Shadows in Corinthian, Midnight Sky and Noir. I’ve been looking for Corinthian for a loooong time, but it’s always on backorder at their online sellers, so that never happened. It’s a very lovely shimmery taupe that seems to lean a little rosy, at least to me. Here is Corinthian by itself + liquid liner + mascara: P.S. My bangs are the worst right now. Corinthian has been one of the most popular shades in Le Métier de Beauté’s eyeshadow line. It’s a beautiful taupe that’s quite easy to wear, suits a lot of skintones, and is just all-around gorgeous. It’s one of those perfect shades for a one-shadow eye look. Excuse the general messiness of the area (and myself haha), but here’s a Photobooth picture I took that, I feel, demonstrates how pretty Corinthian is. It’s super pigmented and easy to blend, like you would expect from Le Métier de Beauté. No wonder it’s such a popular shade …

Le Métier de Beauté Hydra-Crème Lipsticks

Published by

A few months ago, Le Métier de Beauté launched their new lipstick range, the Hydra-Crème Lipstick. Reportedly, it took about 3 years to formulate and perfect. They already have an existing range of lipsticks called the Colour Core Moisture Stain Lipsticks, but these new ones are reportedly super creamy and hydrating, with full opaque coverage in a single layer. I got my first taste of the Hydra-Crème Lipsticks with the first month of the Le Métier de Beauté Beauty Vault VIP box, in which they included a “secret, mystery lipstick” encased in the regular Colour Core Moisture Stain lipstick packaging, shipped out with no name. It was a beautiful red called “Signature/Signature Red,” as we later learn soon enough. Here are a few pictures, but I’ve reviewed it here. The formula was fantastic, truly one of the creamiest matte lipsticks I’ve ever encountered. Fast forward to today, and I have in my hands two fairly nude shades from the line, Cashmere and Sahara. To differentiate this range from the original LMdB lipsticks, they’ve switched up …

Quickie: Ellana Minerals Makeup Brush Cleaner*

Published by

Here’s a quick post on what is easily becoming one of my favorite makeup “tools,” the Ellana Minerals Makeup Brush Cleaner.* I got this from the generous people at Ellana Minerals, during their brand re-launch. A little backstory: I’ve used up my last spot cleaner, but haven’t been on the prowl for a replacement, so I’ve been deep cleaning my brushes every once in a while. I noticed some of my brushes—particularly the MAC 217—were feeling dry and some of the hair would break off. I assumed it was the alcohol in the other brush cleaner, so I stopped using it, but then it would be such a hassle to deep clean all the brushes every time they got dirty. So this is kind of a godsend for me. The first thing I noticed was that there was no “cooling effect” that alcohol-based spot cleaners have. I checked out the ingredients, and lo—there was no alcohol… But what did they use to clean the brushes and disinfect them? Here are the ingredients of this product: …

Drugstore Finds: Maybelline Clear Smooth All In One Shine-Free Cake Powder*

Published by

This product’s name is a mouthful, first of all. I got the Maybelline Clear Smooth All in One Shine-Free Cake Powder* from a BDJ Box last month, and I got the color Sand Beige, which is a pretty great match for me (at least, my skin-tone pre-beach tan). It might look a little off in the finger-swatch below… … but it blends out quite nicely: The texture is pretty nice, I have no real complaints. I don’t use these types of powders usually, since my skin is pretty dry and just occasionally oily. Maybelline had a lot of claims for this product, including the following: Shine Control — blend of water and sebum repellent powders keep skin matte and wonderfully fresh throughout the wear. High UV Protection — SPF 25, among the highest in sun protection shields from skin darkening and PA++ for added protection Instant Brightening — Infused with pro Vitamin C, it instantly makes skin look brighter and more natural Imperfections Blends Away — Ultra fine powders and coated pigments effortlessly cover spots …

Stashed & Forgotten: MAC Powder Blush in Springsheen

Published by

Another forgotten item in my stash, a gorgeous peachy pink blush: MAC Springsheen. Let’s face it—I bought this, highly influenced by its name. I was looking for a few blushes to try out since I’ve never gotten around to trying blushes from MAC. I know it looks familiar—Springsheen looks quite close to the ubiquitous NARS blush, Orgasm. While they are very similar, Orgasm is a little pinker and a touch more golden. I like this blush because it is light enough to use as a highlighter, but also adds some color when/if you need it to be a blush. This is also pretty perfect as a companion to other blushes, if you’re into mixing shades and textures. It’s a “Sheertone Shimmer,” which I’m assuming means that it has a bit of shimmer to it. You never really actually see the gold flecks on your face, though, which I find pretty awesome. If you enjoy the color, I’ll be honest… it shows up better on fairer skin. On my medium (here, even recently-tanned) skin, it just …

Ellana Minerals Lip & Cheek Gel in Amethyst*

Published by

One of the things I was very lucky to try out from Ellana Minerals is their Lip & Cheek Gel* which I got in Amethyst. It comes in this weird pump packaging that always spells trouble for controlling the amount of product you squeeze out. The liquid is quite runny for a gel, though it doesn’t necessarily drip or run like a liquid would. Amethyst, though pretty plummy and purple in the bottle, registers like a really warm red. I was a bit surprised, since this looks more like a “ruby” than an amethyst. The texture is quite weird. And like I said, “runny for a gel.” Here’s what happened when I tried to spread out that dot. Like most multi-purpose products, the Lip & Cheek Gel works better as one product and not as both—in this case, it is better for me as a cheek product. Amethyst gives me a pretty, natural flush on the cheeks as thought I’d been working out. On the lips, though, it’s a bit too much of a warm …

Ellana Minerals Loose Mineral Powder Foundation and Let’s Make it Last Makeup Primer*

Published by

I usually wait a while and use a product several times before putting up a review, but I wanted to do a medyo first impressions post on the Ellana Minerals Loose Mineral Powder Foundation* and the Ellana Minerals Make It Last Makeup Primer* both of which I got from the Ellana Minerals relaunch last November 19. I’m actually pretty impressed with the primer. It is a clear, gel-like substance, but it goes on velvet-y soft when you smooth it over your face. Texturally, it’s closest to the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, among all of the primers I own, and from what I have experienced personally. Product Description: “Our new blend of makeup primer to make your makeup last longer, instantly smoothens your skin. Oil-free, mattifies completely, smoothens fine lines, and enhances your complexion. Now with Allantoin & Moroccan Argan Oil for cell regeneration and moisturizers. Fragrance-free, Paraben-free, Mineral oil-free” So far, I’ve found that it lives up to its claims. The dispenser is quite nice, with the packaging close to Snoe’s Emu.Tox. The foundation is …