All posts filed under: Reviews

Quickie: Canmake Powder Cheeks in PW05*

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The Canmake Powder Cheeks* is a powder blush that is probably always in the shadow of Canmake favorite, the Cream Cheek. As a fan of the cream formula, I had high hopes for this product. Recipients of the November BDJ Box got a chance to try this, since it was included in that month’s box. PW05 is a super pale peach shade with a smattering of very fine golden shimmer. You can see here that it is quite pale and borders on dangerously ashy territory on my recently tanned skin. Swiped on the cheeks, though, it’s quite nice. Because of the shimmer, it lends a pretty, subtly warm sheen to the skin. It certainly isn’t the most pigmented blush on the market right now, but it’s something that’s easy to wear and pull off. The texture is silky and quite buttery, but it’s not a soft blush. Compared to the Cream Cheek, it is definitely not as pigmented. Here I am wearing the Canmake Cream Cheek in CL01, which is one of their shimmer-free jelly-ish …

Swatchfest: Le Métier de Beauté Kaleidoscope Eye Kit in Gravité

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I guess it’s safe to say that I broke my ban a few weeks. In the worst way. I’m paying for it—figuratively and literally—but for now, I shall enjoy my third eye kaleidoscope to date. I think that’s a pretty good exercise of self-control, given my intense love for these. Anyway, I got Gravité, which was offered exclusively as a GWP (!) on their official website when you spend a certain amount of money. This was the first kaleidoscope I’ve owned that I fully appreciate the concept behind the couches de couleur technique—layering each tier over the other for a beautiful, complex effect. The shades of Gravité are as follows: — Nova: effervescent tan for warmth — Solar: gilded saffron for femininity — Levity: patina brass for contrast — Dark Matter: jewel-toned aubergine for depth Usually, the layers are warm-cool-hot-cold, so I’m not sure what’s going on here, since it seems largely warm-toned, but like I said, I love the overall effect. Swatched, L-R: Nova, Solar, Levity, Dark Matter, 1-4 layered I mean, check out …

Stashed & Forgotten: Hourglass Femme Rouge in Fresco

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Another edition of Stashed & Forgotten, in which I take a look back at some of the products I’ve glossed over after getting them, since I get so distracted by new and shiny things. The Hourglass Femme Rouge is “a lustrous, long-lasting and refillable cream lipstick that hydrates and softens lips. The silky, richly pigmented formula defines and shapes the lips as it moisturizes for a plush cushiony effect.” Product Description — Light as air formula immediately hydrates and softens lips for a luxurious feel and subtle shine — Unique blend provides excellent skin-smoothing, moisture-enhancing and restorative properties — Super antioxidant Vitamin E conditions and treats lips — Long-lasting and refillable with lipstick cartridges sold separately — Free of parabens, phthalates and sulfates I got this impulsively, when I was putting together my order from Zuneta, way back when it was still alive. This is actually my introduction to Hourglass as a brand! The lipstick cartridge is very pretty, with a substantial weight to it. I love the cover, too, which sort of just slides …

Hakuhodo Brush Update: An Overview

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It was love at first touch at the sole Hakuhodo counter in all of Osaka. It was crowded when we got there, and all of the brushes I listed down to purchase weren’t available, except for one: the H601, which is a portable retractable powder brush. It wasn’t high up on my list of priorities, but it was so bleeping soft. It’s been six months since then, and I’ve finally decided to jump the gun and just buy the damn brushes, since I know I’m going to buy them eventually anyway. I was initially looking at Sigma brushes, but then I knew that I’d just be purchasing those to fill a gap that I would actually like to be filled ASAP. The gap is Hakuhodo-shape, predictably. While looking at the brushes, I considered getting one of the sets, since they cost less than individual brushes. But, like I said in a previous post, I ended up just choosing some of the brushes that seemed would fit my makeup “style” and routine the best, since you …

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 …

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, …