September Favorites!

OMG It's now October!! ( Sorry, I know everybody says so, but I have to say this. lol ). So,summer holiday is over! :'((( and the winter semester of university has just begun :'(((.. 

But anywaaaaaay, there are always excited things ahead! I am excited for winter, and also for christmas!! I can't wait until they open the Christmas Market , and all the store windows having christmas decoration! Christmas is the best time of the year!! 

Okay, now to the products I've been loving last month.. 

1. Tony Moly Dear Me Pure Cotton BB Cream - I've been neglecting my  Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream ever since I got this. This is really good BB Cream and also less ashy than Missha. One important thing, is that it has high SPF which I looooove because I am tad scared of exposing my skin to the sun. :$
2. Maybelline FIT ME Concealer - I am lucky that I don't really have problem with under eye area, or acne scars that I have to cover. But as university life begins ( in combination with working part time ), I do have lack of sleep. So concealer is needed now T.T.. I don't have a lot of concealer, so I only use what I have. Fortunately, this works just fine for me.
3. Mememe Shimmer Stacks in Pink Zest - I have a lot of blushes but I've been wearing this shimmer stacks often since I got this on August. It gives a nice sheen-satin finish on my cheeks and I feel like glowing when wearing this blush.
4. Kiko Creamy Lipstick #399 - This is just the perfect lipstick for everyday. It's not too pink nor too red. It also has creamy matte finish, just the right amount to wear to work or uni. It also stays on a long time.
5. Paul & Joe Pressed Powder Duo Compact - I bought this because I thought this would make a great highlighter, and I was right. Because this duo compact has 2 part, one matte and the other one with shimmer. So I use the matte one on daily basis and the shimmery one on special ocassion when I want more 'shine'.
6. Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara - Perfect for bottom lashes. The brush is tiny so it's easy to use. It doesn't smudge. It's affordable. Nice nice!
7. Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara - I recently reviewed about this on my blog. I've almost used this up because I use this every single day.
8. Essence Black Pencil Eye liner - This one is really affordable,and relactable ( which I love because I hate sharpening eye liner ), it's tiny so it's easy to use. It doesn't smudge at all. The texture is soft enough to be used on the water line . It's perfect for a 1,99€ product.

So, that's all the products I've been loving and using a lot last month. I didn't really buy a lot of new make up since drugstore make up is a little bit boring at the moment. And I am also saving it for holiday collection which is on the way now. I know I'm gonna spend a lot more on high end cosmetics the next months because all the holiday collections look sooooooo nice on the ads.

Do you already have a crush on some holiday collections? 

Love,

Pam

Max Factor 2000 Calorie Dramatic Volume Mascara

I got this mascara inside my DM Box in July ( or August , sorry I forgot. lol ) but haven't used it until around 2 weeks ago. Max Factor is a drugstore brand here in Germany, but it's more on the higher price level together with L'oreal and Maybelline. 

The mascara comes in a black straight tube, nothing fancy about the packaging. The wand is thick and quite fluffy and voluminous but I don't find it hard to use on my fine lashes.

*Max Factor 2000 calorie on the upper lashes and Clinique Bottom Lash on lower lashes*

The mascara has a thick and wet consistency which I like because it's easier to apply on my super fine and short asian lashes. It doesn't clump and separates my lashes really well. This mascara gives my lashes volume and holds its curl. It also elongates my lashes and makes it visible which normally doesn't happen. lol.

All I need is 2 coats and I am ready to go without my false lashes. Even though it's quite expensive for drugstore mascara ( 8,99€ ), I will buy it again once I run out with this one.

Love,

Pam

Glitterazzi

I received NYX Glitter Cream Palette and Jumbo Pencil inside my September's Douglas Box of Beauty. I was really excited to try the glitter cream palette and expected it to be great, because usually NYX products aren't dissapointing. I am already familiar with the Jumbo Pencil since I have it in Milk, and I think the quality is okay.

When I first saw the glitter palette, I was happy because all the glitter's shades look wearable and pretty, until I saw on the back side of the case that it's not intended to be used around the eye area. So where should I apply the glitter? -______-" 

I got the jumbo pencil in color black bean. It's a matte black color. The consistency is soft and creamy. The pigmentation is also great. NYX Jumbo Pencil is no question a good product especially for the price. One thing I don't really like is that the pencil isn't relactable. I just think it's not practical. 

Back to the glitter cream palette, this is how it looked like after I did some swatches. It was so messy and flakey. The glitters just sat on the top of the vaseline ( I don't know if it's really vaseline, but the cream feels like vaseline ). When I swatched it, the glitters just got everywhere. Since it's written on the packaging that it's not intended to be used around eye area, I didn't try to apply it on my lids. So I can't say much about the staying power or if it creases on my lids. 

It's such a pitty that the glitters don't work because the colors are pretty.. I would love to use it on my lids, on the top of eye shadow or as eye liner. Unfortunately they aren't intended to do so. T.T

I'm happy I didn't have to pay for this ( Okay, I pay for the subscription, but it's not like I 'directly' buy it. Hope you understand what I meant. lol ) , otherwise I would be more dissapointed.

Fortunately the jumbo pencil is good.

Love,

Pam

Catrice Multi Colour Blush - Gone With The Wind

I sometimes wonder why I keep buying things I don't need. When it comes to blushes ( and [maybe...] lipsticks ) , I have enough of them in my vanity for at least 5 years supply. But I keep buying more and more of them especially when they have pretty and cute packaging or if they're limited edition.

'Gone With The Wind' is part of Catrice Hollywood Fabulous 40ties collection that is limited edition. The blush comes in a clear see-through acrylic case with flower print on the lid. The packaging is typical Catrice limited edition's blushes. The packaging is convenient for swiping my fluffy blush brush and simple yet practical without built in mirror or cheap mini brush.

The blush consists of dusty rosewood color as base with white and red maroon flakes all over it. Once swatched, it turns out to pretty pinkish apricot color. The blush has satin finish and looks radiant and glowy on the cheeks. 

The staying power is great, it usually takes me over 6 hours before requiring touch up. 

'Gone With The Wind' retails for 3,95€ and we get 8,5gr of product. For the price,GWTW is really a great blush and definitely worth every penny.

Love,

Pam

Shiseido Lacquer Rouge

Shiseido currently launched their new lipstick range called Lacquer Rouge. According to Shiseido, Lacquer Rouge is basically a rich liquid lipstick that leaves your lips as smooth as lacquer. Shiseido came up with a line of 8 bold and vibrant shades ( They have 8 shades in US and Europe. They have 12 shades in Asia ). 

The Lipstick comes in a typical black shiseido packaging. It has a sponge applicator like a lip gloss. I don't have something to complain about the packaging. I like the simplicity of it, and the sponge is good too. It picks up enough product so I don't have to dip it a couple times.

I took shade #305 Nymph and #404 Disco. After reading some reviews and googling for swatches, I actually wanted to buy only Nymph, but as I tried both on, I failed and took Disco too. I sometimes wonder why I am so impulsive. ( surprise surprise! )

Anyway, the lipsticks are great in quality. They have great pigmentation, nice consistency, and good staying power. I love how they give a glossy-matte finish ( I created the glossy-matte word. Sorry I don't know how to describe it. lol ). It looks like you are wearing a matte lipstick and then layering it with a lip gloss. 

They feel comfortable on lips, but a little bit sticky. They hydrate my lips well, so they are good friends to my dry lips. The staying power is good, nothing really special about it. The glossy effect dissapears after 30 -40 minutes but the rest stay for good 3-4 hours.

I don't notice any scent from the lipsticks,so I guess they are not scented.

Nymph in real life is less pinky than in this picture. You can see a better look on pictures below.

Disco in real life is just as bright as seen on this picture

Overall,I like the lacquer rouge and I think they are worth the price (They retail for 24€).  I think I'm going to use up Nymph soon because it is really suitable for daily basis. It's just the perfect nude color. It's not too pale but also not too pink. I've been wearing it really often to work.

Disco in other hand, is part of fuschia family which I am not really keen of wearing ( Now, please don't ask me why I bought it. I am questioning myself too ). It is really a pretty shade but I won't be wearing it as often as I wear Nymph.

Love,

Pam

Please Meet My New Love

How much money would you spend for a lipstick? I personally don't really have a number in my head, but I tend to spend less on one single lip product , compare to foundation or blush for example. 

But when I visited Burberry Make Up counter at Harrods to try their new velvet finish foundation, I fell in love with the lipsticks. ( I fell in love with the foundation too, and regret that I didn't buy it straight away. Now I'm back in Berlin and I have to wait until next month until the Burberry Make Up counter in Lafayette gets the velvet finish foundation T.T )

*Please mind my chunky banana finger*

The packaging of the lipstick is AMAZING. I think among other high end brands like YSL, Chanel, Dior, Tom Ford etc etc , Burberry has the most beautiful yet shopisticated packaging, IMHO.

The lipstick comes in a metal packaging with the famous Burberry Nova pattern printed or embossed or whatever all over the bullet. The metal is definitely not cheap metal or anything and it also has a magnetic closure. The lipstick itself has Burberry Nova pattern all over it. Super pretty.

*How it looks like right after the application. Photo taken with flashed camera*

*How the color looks like 7 hours ( YES!! 7 hours ) after application, include eating, drinking, and blabbering about how great the lipstick is.Photo taken under natural day light.*

Now to the quality, I must say this lipstick is amazing to the max. The texture is creamy but perfectly creamy so it is not slippery or difficult to apply ( You know some creamy lipsticks are so creamy they are difficult to apply ). The pigmentation is amazing, and the staying power is unbelievable. I have YSL Glossy stain which also has great staying power. But after 4-5 hours the color fades away and leaves you only with a hint of stain. But this lipstick, even after 7 hours doesn't really fade. It is still there on your lips, looking just fabulous as at the first second you applied it. 

I took the lip cover ( Burberry has 2 different range of lipsticks ; Lip cover and Lip mist . Lip cover has more pigmentation than Lip mist ) shade #20-Hibiscus. Hibiscus is a deep red with a slight of magenta hint. It is a wearable version of vampy lips and perfect for fall and winter.

One thing I 'slightly' don't like about this lipstick is that it has really strong floral scent that lingers on. I know a lot of people have been complaining about the strong scent, but since I don't really have problem with scented make up, so I can glady ignore it ;)

This lipstick retails at 23GBP or 26€. Compare to Dior, Chanel,YSL, or Tom Ford lipsticks, this one from Burberry is a little cheaper. But the quality is beyond the price. Love love love.

Love,

Pam

MUA Undressed Eye Shadow Palette

MUA currently ( okay, maybe not currently. It was like 2-3 months ago ) launched a new eye shadow palette called Undressed. I've been following their fansite on facebook and witnessed it when they revealed the colors in the palette one by one. When they finally revealed all the colors, a lot of people ( including me, of course. haha ) realized that MUA is trying to create a dupe of Urban Decay Naked Palette. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind having a more affordable alternative since I only have the Naked2 and don't have the original Naked Palette.

As I visited Superdrug on my trip to London, I finally got my hands on this palette. It retails for 4 GBP and you get 12 eye shadows and 9,6gr of product in total. The eye shadows come in a  black plastic case with transparant lid, which looks cheap, but it IS cheap so don't complain! :P

As you can see on the pictures above, these eye shadows are AMAZING. They have amazing color selection, amazing pigmentation, amazing texture, amazing price, simply amazing. I don't know what to complain now, which is weird because I usually a really complaining person :P.

My fave colors on this palette are #4 and #9. I love them because they can be worn alone so you can def go low maintenance with this palette. But for you, high maintenance ladies out there ( I sometimes am too, no worries ), you can also def create a dramatic or smokey look with this palette.

And here is the look I created with this palette:

Long story short, I can only recommend this palette. As long as I know, MUA does ship worldwide and the shipping cost is affordable too, so don't hesitate and go to their website HERE. ( Btw, they do have nice blushes too. :P )

Disclaimer : No no, I am not working in the marketing or PR department at MUA office. I am just really loving this palette and I think this palette deserves the affection.

Love,

Pam

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

I know fuschia is not really my cup of tea but I sometimes don't know why I keep buying fuschia lipstick even though I don't really like how the color looks like on my lips. #firstworldproblem.
Revlon recently launched a new lip product called just bitten lip balm stain. The lip stain supposes to have the texture and consistency of a lip balm but an effect like a lip stain. Sounds promising, right?

Since I am always curious to try products that get so much attention, I finally bought this lip balm stain even though after swatching all shades available at Boots and Superdrug , I didn't really find a color I like. 

The shade #20  is what I like the most among the other not really likeable shades I swatched.

The lip balm stain comes in a 'pen' form that looks extremely similar to Clinique Chubby Stick.

*How the color looks like right after application, photo taken with flashed camera*

The product itself does match the description. It feels like a lip balm but it has the effect of lip stain. The pigmentation is great and the staying power is good. The color does get darker with times just like the other lip stains. 

It feels comfortable on my lips but it has a strong minty scent and it stings a bit like lip plumper.

*How it looks like after 3-4 hours after application, include drinking, snacking and blabbering. Photo taken without flashed camera ( and don't mind the Rimmel Foundi watermark)*

As much as I wanted to love this product, I just can't. I am not saying this is a bad product, but this is just not for me. It's not about the fuschia color, but also the formulation and the strong minty scent and the tingling sensation that make me not reaching for this really often.

Love,

Pam

Essence Cherry Blossom Mini Haul

Essence is currently having a limited edition called Cherry Blossom Girl. It is inspired by the cherry blossom flowers. I kinda like the concept though I think it's a bit late since now the auntumn is coming. This LE would have done better if it was launched in spring, IMHO. 

Anyway, this LE contains a shimmering body powder, a duo blush, 2 lip pencils, 1 eye shadow quad, 4 nail polishes, 2 thin and thick eye liners, 1 highlighter pen and 1 paper eye lashes. I actually wanted to take the shimmering powder and the lip pencils too, but there wasn't a tester for the powder and I read a lot of not so good reviews about the lip pencils so I decided to leave them and take the duo blush, paper lashes and the thin-thick eye liner in black.

The blush comes in a round case which has see through lid. It is not the most beatiful packaging but I know it was made that way because they want to show the beautiful flowers pattern on the blush. It doesn't come with   a mirror or a mini brush which I am keen of.

The blush itself belongs to the orange-coral family. I personally love the shade and I like how it turns out on my cheeks. But, the blush is pressed too hard, it's so difficult to swatch it with my fingers and get some color. At first I thought this wasn't going to work, but when I brushed my blush brush over it, it worked just fine. It does get a little dusty with a brush, but I'm okay with it. The pigmentation is mediocre, but it means you don't have to be really careful on the application.

The blush costs 2,99€ and you get 9gr of product. A generous amount, right?

The 2nd thing I bought is the 2in1 eye liner. It has 2 sides, one has thick pen and the other one has thin pen. I bought this eye liner pen because I had huge expectation this would be great alternative for my all time beloved Essence Waterproof Liqud Eye liner. 

But, after swatching it, I realized this is an absolute No Go for the eyes. It's written on the body of the pen that this eye liner could discolour your skin or your contact lense. I swatched it on my hands and it was extremely pigmented, it felt more like a permanent marker. It was also really hard to remove. I tried to remove it with Balea and Lancome waterproof eye make up remover but it didn't work. I washed it with running water and soap plus powerful rubbing but the stain was still there. I finally tried nail polish remover, and it finally removed the black stain but still like only 98% of it. 

I can't imagine removing this from my eyes with nail polish remover. No thank you.

I haven't tried the paper lashes ( and I honestly don't know if I would ever get any chance to use it. lol ) so I can't say much about it.

Overall, I think this LE is rather dissapointing. Even though I kinda like the blush but it isnt groundbreaking. And the eye liner is an absolute No Go.

Love,

Pam