Review/Swatches: BOURJOIS PARIS Little Round Pots of Parisian Charm

I was browsing my local Priceline and stumbled upon this set individual eyeshadows by BOURJOIS. Individually they are $20 but all 3 was $25.

All these eyeshadows are mineral eyeshadows with a pearlescent finish. The set comes in a chocolate brown (74),  champagne beige (08) and pearly white (90). Each can be used individually or combined together to do a nice nude look. The colours in set son't have chunky glitter which I like. I especially like the white eyeshadow as it can be used as a highlighter. These are so smooth, blendable and well pigmented. 

Swatches on each finger

L-R: 74, 08, 90.

Blended out

Blended out but more and on my paler arm

Pros:

Smooth

Blendable

Pigmented

Each pot has a lot of product

Cons:

More expensive compared to other drug store products

Bulky container

Weird placement of applicator

NARS blush: Desire review

I've been accumulating matte blushes lately. My latest one is one by NARS in Desire.

I would describe the colour as a barbie pink bordering neon. The colour is a bit darker than the photo in real life. At first I was very surprised by the colour, but when I applied some it looked very natural.

I've applied some on my outer cheek bones. The camera has washed away some colour. I applied a tiny dab...that's how good the colour pay-off is. 

Pros

Highly pigmented 

Smooth

Easy to blend and build up

Cons

Packaging gets dirty easily

Expensive...but a little does go a long way

MAC haul from target - update

I have some good news for my fellow Aussie beauty junkies. Target now has MAC make up at comparable prices to America. These were released last Thursday, 9th August. I managed to pick up some items before they were all snatched up.

L-R: Eyeshadow in Rule ($19), Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NC20 ($29.95), Sheertone Blush in Pink Swoon and Breath of Plum ($24 each). 

Not too long ago I made a post about MAC being available at Target. However, it has come to my attention that these products may be slightly different to the ones available at MAC counters. Initially when I brought these home, I did a quick swatch of each product and they were a bit chalky and not very pigmented. I've not bought MAC powder based makeup before, only lipsticks from their counters while holidaying overseas, therefore it would be hard to compare with their legitimate counterparts. However, compared to my NARS blush, the quality of the MAC from Target is no where near my NARS blush. I'll be returning the blushes and eyeshadow but not the foundation because I lost the receipt for that transaction. Usually I do my research before buying but I guess the prices and the fact that it was stocked in Target, a large 'trustworthy' company, got me too excited. 

Just wanted to thank Denise for alerting and confirming my suspicions =)

UPDATE!!

Products were confirmed fake. Lucky I've refunded mine.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/target-sued-by-us-giant-for-selling-fake-cosmetics-20120907-25iq2.html

Mini Review: CHANEL Vitalumiere Eclat Comfort Radiance Compact Makeup

I finished my Za compact foundation and I could not get a refill to replace it because I bought it in Hong Kong. So I searched online for a good compact powder foundation and I stumbled upon CHANEL. Not good for the wallet but the packaging is just divine. I got mine in B30. I'm a MAC NC20/Revlon Colorstay 150 Buff.

Comes with a sponge and brush. Brush is kinda useless as powder goes everywhere, and it's wasting the powder!! So I use the sponge to apply.

Such a shame the logo will disappear after a few uses. But I did buy it for a reason and it's not gonna just sit pretty on my vanity. I use this to set my foundation or when I'm lazy, I just use this by itself to even out my complexion. Its got decent coverage.

I'd say it's a teeny bit darker than my normal shade but that's alright since my skin tone has slightly darkened. The powder is so fine and feels like silk against my skin. I've used it several times now and it does not clog my pores or cause me to break out. My old Za foundation did give me the odd spots now and then. 

Pros:

some SPF: SPF10

very fine powder

easy to apply

can be used on its own for light coverage

pretty packaging

good for dry skin

doesn't look cakey

Cons:

brush is useless

expensive (can vary from $55 - $100 depending where you get it)

not much product (13g)

I'd definitely buy this again.....if I had money. This was only one off to try a CHANEL foundation and I don't think it performs like a million times better than other products. If I had plenty of disposable income I'd make a repetitive purchase. I think other product around the $20 mark would be just as comparable to this. 

NARS Gilda Blush Review

My first NARS blush. I wanted a matte blush because all my current blushes had shimmer in it. Gilda is described as "a perfect coral with hints of red." I think this blush suits all skin tones. Pigmentation is like WOW!! I gently swept my blush brush over it and patted some on both cheeks. There was more than enough to cover another face. Blends beautifully. Not a big fan of the rubber casing. Lots of other reviewer comment on the casing as getting dirty easily and it's definitely true. I think I'm starting to grow an addiction. 

For reference, I'm a BUFF in Revlon Colorstay/ MAC NC20

Any other colours that anyone recommends for light Asian skintones?

Autumn Cleaning

Since it's Easter break I have some time to do a bit of cleaning. I'm throwing out all the old/expired/used up products I have. Trust me some of theses thing are over 5 years old! I'm a hoarder but I've been slowly getting better over the years. My new years resolution was to use up anything I had, then I was allowed to buy a new one. These are all the beauty related things I'm throwing out. I'll do a mini review on some of the items.

L-R: Kiehl's Acai Damage Correcting Moisturiser, Skin79 Gold BB cream, Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream in 21, L'Oreal Derma Genesis Pore Minimising Moisturiser, Kiehl's Acai Damage Protecting Toning Mist

Kiehl's Moisturiser: Initial use of this product was good but as months went along it started to sting my skin so i stop using it. I ended up using it as an expensive hand cream. 

Skin 79 BB Cream: I'm on to a second bottle now. I don't like the grey cast it has but it eventually oxidises overtime to better suit your skin tone. I do get some break outs on the odd occasions. 

Missha BB Cream: This BB cream is really good as well. Not as grey as the Skin79 one. It's not as moisturising as the Skin79 one but it works well overall. I like that it has a higher spf so it's better on sunny days out. 

L'Oreal moisturiser: I quite like this moturiser. Good for dry skin. I did notice that my pores were minimised but I didn't like the smell!

Kiehl's toning mist: HATE this! I'm throwing it out and the bottle is 95% full. It stung my skin. 

L-R: (All Mascaras) Maybelline sky high curves waterproof, Benefit get bent, Maybelline Great Lash in Royal Blue, Lancome Hypnose waterproof, Lancome Fatale, Lancome Hypnose, Dolly Wink liquid eyeliner. 

I'm throwing out the Maybelline mascaras because they are over 5 years old! The Benefit mascara came free with a magazine I bought years ago, I did try it back then, it was a curling mascara but didn't really hold a curl well. 

Lancome Hypnose Waterproof: Great volumising mascara and holds a curl well. It does smudge slightly. Hard to remove =(

Lancome Fatale: A tri-comb mascara that's meant to volumise dramatically. This was very clumpy and weighed my lashed down a lot. I think it was discontinued long ago, it wasn't available for very long either. Did not really like this one much. 

Lancome Hypnose: One of my favourite high end mascaras. Hypnose volumises my lashes well and makes them more noticeable. However, it smudges and weighs down a curl. I've purchased this several times but I've used better mascaras for less than half of this one. 

Dolly Wink eyeliner: I get great control with this liquid liner, lines come out really thin but it sometimes rubs off for me because I have extremely oily eyelids. I'm currently onto a second one though in the hot pink packaging because it was only $1 extra with the Dolly Wink Mascara.

I'm also throwing these primers out, I bought them 3 years ago in Hong Kong. The Kate one performs better than the Shiseido dramatical eyes. However, with the popularity off false lashes now there is not need for primer, plus it's a more lengthy process applying these.

Looks like I've thrown away a lot of mascaras but they were all bought over a 5 year period. I've also got some un-opened ones waiting to be used and some half used ones. 

L-R: (All unopened) Canmake Gokubuto, Dolly Wink Long mascara, Ettusais BI-TA-BA volume mascara

L-R: (Half Used) Kiss Me Long and Curl mascara, Deja Vu Fibre Wig, Canmake Gokunobi. 

Canmake Gokubuto: This one is my second one, I got introduced to this when my friend from Japan sent it in a package, great overall mascara (it's a volumising mascara), washes off easily with warm water. One of my favourites.

Kiss Me Long and Curl: Gives great definition to lashes and holds a curl well but it's so hard to remove!

Deja Vu Fibre Wig: Noticeable fibres but this one does not wow me at all. Little definition, literally no lengthening and fibres get into my eyes!! (Irritating =( ) Does not live up to its hype.

Canmake Gokunobi: Similar to Fibre wig, there are noticable fibres but it doesn't really lengthen, only defines an does not hold a curl.

Enjoy your Easter everyone, let me know if you wan't any more opinions of some of the things =)

GlossyBox Australia Valentines Box

I recently signed up to GlossyBox Australia because there was a special on GroupOn for roughly $7 a box. Normally they are $14.95 but at $7 delivered I couldn't resist.

The delivery box is nice. I got this roughly a week after I made the order.

The actual GlossyBox. This is the February Valentines special, hence why it's hot pink.

Comes nicely packages with a pamphlet explaining the products.

What I received L-R: Palmer's Skin Theraphy Oil with Rosehip, Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm, Star and Rose Floral Wonderland Emergency Nail Files, PROACTIV Deep Cleansing Wash, Face Of Australia Mineral Lip Shine.

Thoughts:

I got really excited when I saw this package when I arrived home. Packaging wise everything is fantastic and the cross grain bow is gorgeous (I'm a sucker for packaging). However, when I saw the contents I was underwhelmed. I especially did not like the scent of the Face of Australia Mineral Lip Shine, it smells horrible and extremely artificial and chemically. I've yet to try the other products so I'll post an update when I've used some of the products. All in all I'm okay with everything considering the price I paid for all the things I got. I've got another coupon so I'll see how March's box goes. 

Growing List

In 2 weeks I'll be heading to the Philippines and Hong Kong. I want to take advantage of the strong dollar and stock up on some things that have been in my mind. The list is only going to grow, much to the dismay of my bank account and bf...

NARS Turkish Delight

NARS Orgasm Blush

NARS is double the price in Australia compared to the US, yet we are on par =(

MAC Russian Red Lipstick

MAC Creme D Nude Lipstick

MAC is around $35 here yet $14.50 in the US

Does anyone know any good shopping destinations in Hong Kong?

Dove Foaming Makeup Remover Review

I first saw Dove Foaming Makeup Remover in the October 2009 issue of ViVi magazine. It was a detailed advertorial which explained how the product works and how to use it. Although I can't read Japanese =( I could understand the Ad from all the pictures. I love that in Japanese mags there are always detailed step by step explanations of things.

I had no idea how to get my hands on this product as I thought it was a Japan exclusive item, so I forgot about it. However, the other day on my lunch break I was browsing through Priceline (Aussie drug and makeup store) and stumbled upon the yellow bottle (Can't believe they have it in Australia!!), it's quite hard to miss considering the majority of the Dove range is white with blue accents. I bought it because Priceline had 20% off all Dove products, also I'm running out of my Lancome Bi-facil makeup remover and sometimes I dislike using cleansing oil especially at the end of a long night out because I always cleanse after I use cleaning oil. Too tired!! >.< 

 I researched the product further and found this on the Dove website 

Alarmingly, nearly 75% of women will sleep with their make up on at least once this week, even though most of us know it’s bad for our skin. The reason? It’s a hassle to remove and we can’t be bothered. As a result, we suffer through rough skin, stinging eyes and even make-up stains on our pillows.

What makes this product unique is that the yellow liquid transform into a light fine foam when you pump it out (possibly from the pump mechanism - I've seen this kind of idea before in the Clean and Clear foaming facial). The foam makes it easy to spread the product all over the face and dissolve makeup. It claims to remove waterproof mascara and other heavy makeup easily. 

How to Use:

1. Pump 3 pumps of the product onto hand

2. Apply to wet or dry face and work the lather in circular motions (same procedure as cleansing the face)

3. Work the product over closed eyes gently

4. Rinse off

5. For Best results (according to Dove) after removing makeup with the foaming makeup remover, wash face with Dove Beauty Moisture facial cleanser. I used my everyday cleanser instead but this step can be skipped.

It's better if you use the product with dry hands and dry face. 

Verdict: 

I really like this remover! =) It's easy to use and quick. Really good when you've just arrived home from a long night out and can't be bother to spend a lot of time removing makeup. Also you don't need to use cotton pads! It removed my BB cream easily and my skin was squeaky clean. However, I had to spend more time trying to remove my mascara. Also it didn't leave my skin overly dry. Overall it's a great product and I think I would repurchased =]

Pros:

Easy to use

Don't have to spend too much time trying to remove eye makeup and face makeup 

Quick

Affordable (Got mine for $8.79 AUD, RRP is around $10)

Easy to find (Priceline and most chemists/drug stores would stock Dove products)

Cons:

Need to spend more time trying to remove mascara

Best Buys of 2010 and some regretted buys

2010 is the year I got girlier, lol =p 

Following are the best purchases I made in 2010:

Skincare

Cleanser: HadaLabo Gokujyun foaming cleanser

Misc: SK-II facial treatment essence

Eye Cream: SK-II Signs Eye Cream

Moisturiser: Vitacreme B12

Make Up

Powder: Jill Stuart Smooth Silk Powder Foundation in 202 Ivory

Blush: Canmake Cheek Gradation in 05 Peach Stripe

Lipgloss: Canmake Nudy Glow in 06 Peach Milk

Base: Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream in no. 21 Bright Beige

Lancome Hypnose use to be my HG mascara - best for volumising mascara but sometimes smudges =(

It has now been replaced by Canmake Gokubuto which does not volumise as much as Hypnose. On a plus side it doesn't smudge and washes off easily

Body

Lush Dream Cream - easily melts into body and moisturises well

Hair Care

Moroccanoil - great for dry ends

Yanagiya  Prexceed Tsubaki Spray - I use this after I wash my hair for nourishment

Absolutely love Shiseido Tsubaki Head Spa Range, makes my hair very soft, moisturised and nourished. Also makes it stronger =]

Regretted Buys

SANA Soya Milk Arbutin Toner - Did not do much for me =/

Kose Cosmagic Sweet Deco Cheek - hard to apply and not worth the money

What have been your best purchases or regretted buys?

Kose Cosmagic Sweet Deco Cheek, Peach Pink Review

Kose's Cosmagic Sweet Deco Cheek has been heavily featured in popular Gyaru magazine Popteen. 

I got mine from my BonjourHK haul. I chose 02 Peach Pink but there is 01 Strawberry Pink available as well. 

Comes with blush, lid, brush and novel feathery applicator which I think is kinda useless as it doesn't really pick up the blush well.

There are instructions that come with the packaging on the different ways to apply the blush.

The heart shaped template is attached to the packaging which needs to be cut off. Took me a while to locate it -_-"

The heart is a creme blush, the bottom two colours are powdered blush. The lightest pink is a good highlighter. 

• To apply the creme blush simply use fingertips to melt the blush and pat it along the cheeks
• Then begin to evenly spread out onto cheek bones
• Use the darker pink powder to seal in the creme blush and apply it around the cheeks to create dimension
• Highlight nose and upper cheek area 

The lid is quite thick adding unnecessary bulk and weight to your handbag if you carry it around, otherwise it's super cute and girly and makes it look like a crystal

Swatches on paper

Left to right: Creme blush (love heart), dark pink powder, light pink powder (highlighter)

Swatched on arm

Left to right: Creme blush (love heart), dark pink powder, light pink powder (highlighter)

This is what it looks like on me. On camera the colours are kinda washed out, it looks a bit pinker in person. However, this blush definitely gives you the cute pink cheeks that most gyaru gals have. 

In my honest opinion this blush is kinda hard and awkward to apply. The blush brush supplied is rubbish. I used a normal blusher brush to apply the powder and it's hard to pick up the individual colours. Also the highlighter powder is much much easier to pick up and usually gets swiped along the way when aiming for the darker pink blush powder. The creme blush doesn't melt too easily on the finger tips. 

I don't think I would re-purchase this as there are many other blushes on the market around the same price but much easier to apply. Canmake creme blush is definitely better than the creme blush in this one and is a third of the price of this. 

Pros: 

Good pigmentation

Gives nice pink blushy cheeks

The lightest pink colour is a very good highlighter

Achieves the Gyaru look

Cons:

 Hard and awkward to apply

Hard to get outside of Asia

So many varied prices online

Bulky if carrying around in makeup pouch

The brushes supplied aren't good

Creme blush not too fantastic