Tipsy

It's been awhile since I feel in love with blushes. After my encounter with Burberry blushes, I had not yet found a blush that performs better or even as good as the Burberry ones.

I've heard a lot about Tarte Amazonian blushes and I've been wanting to try them since forever.. So I asked a friend who was travelling to NYC to get me one Tarte blush. I wanted Blissful but it was sold out everywhere so I opted for Tipsy.

Tipsy retails for $26 with 5,6gr of product. In € it is around 18€ which is cheaper than MAC at €24/6gr of product.

The blush comes in a very nice sturdy case. Each case represents the blush inside in color. I like the packaging but it is not the most convenient for touch up because it doesn't have mini brush with it so we always have to carry separate brush.

Tipsy is a beautiful peachy coral shade. The color is so flattering against my complexion, giving me a fresh healthy glow. I saw a lot of people say it's a bit shimmery but I see no shimmer at all. It does has satin finish but not shimmery. The color is similar to Burberry blossom blush but Blossom is more orange.

The first time I applied this blush, I was very impressed with the quality of it. The blush's texture is a dream. It is very smooth, finely milled, with very minimal fallout. The pigmentation is perfect. It is not overly pigmented that you have to be extremely careful. It is just the right amount of pigmentation needed for the perfect flushed looking cheeks. You can of course layer it for more color if you prefer so. And it blends effortlessly,unlike the NARS blushes which I find very difficult to blend.  The blush has a beautiful embossed on it which looks so pretty. I don't notice any strong scent, but it does smell a tad powdery.

About the staying power, it claims to last 12 hour and I can confirm that . I did a test where I applied the blush at 8 am and even at 9pm it was still visible on the cheeks. Of course not as bright as freshly applied but it does have fairly long staying power.

I am overall very pleased with the quality of the blush. I didn't expect much as I was recently very disappointed with NARS blushes. But this one really impressed me and I wish I got more shades T.T

Have you tried Tarte blushes?

Love,

Pam

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Make Up

I usually stay away from any mattifying foundation in fall/winter and prefer something that offers dewy and glowy finish. Alison from Amarixe rave a lot about this foundation from Neutrogena and a lot of people say it is comparable to NARS sheer glow foundation.

So after I did some online research, I decided to get mine in shade #30-Buff. ( Neutrogena make up line is not available in Germany, but a friend of mine got it for me from the US ). Fortunately, Buff is the perfect match for my complexion. I love the fact that it is not yellow toned and more on the neutral with a bit of pinkish undertone.

First of all, let's talk about the bottle. Why do foundations that are sold for the US market tend to have no pump?? Is it that difficult to put a pump, dear cosmetic brands??? The first time I used it, it spilled all over my dressing table. The fact that the hole is big ( bigger than my massive thumb ) and the liquid and runny consistency make it difficult to dispense the product. Definitely not recommended when you're in hurry or traveling. 

BEFORE

AFTER

This pict is not photoshoped

Aside of the packaging, I actually like the foundation. The texture is nice and it doesn't set right away once it is applied so you have time to really blend the foundation. I use my flat top buffing brush to apply it, but damp beauty blender works fine as well. The coverage is light to medium but it is not very buildable as it tends to get a bit 'cakey' and thick and mask like if you apply too many products.

The finish is just like the name advised , healthy and radiant looking. It does even out my complexion and covers imperfections. But the oil control isn't the best. I need to blot more often than usual, so blotting paper is a must companion when you're wearing this foundation. I try my best to avoid blotting powder as I don't want to pack more products to the skin.

The staying power in other hand is fairly long. It stays on the whole day when combined with good primer and good setting powder on the Tzone area. I also like the fact that it has SPF 20 and antioxidant ingredients. It doesn't break me out either.

However, people with very oily skin might find it a bit too glowy and people with very dry skin should be a bit careful as it can accentuate dry patches a little bit. 

Overall, this is a very good drugstore foundation if you have normal-combination skin. 

Love,

Pam

Recent Favorites

Hi guys!!

It's been awhile since the last time I wrote something a bit chatty here. How's life so far? Mine has been so hectic I sometimes feel it is fast forwarded. I barely have time to catch my breath. I am now at my last theory semester at Uni, it means my schedule this semester is hell on earth, combined with work and personal life, I have to really sneak little time for myself. I can't believe it is november, how??? Now I can't wait for christmas! christmas season is my fave season ever ( followed by chinese new year, because of the hong paos! lol ). I can't wait to slowly buying christmas gifts for people I love and for myself of course! woo hoo.

When I'm under stress, I tend to 'reward' myself with shopping. So I've been trying a lot of new things this past few months. Here are some of my recent favorites :

• Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Blissful - My latest candidate to win the best blush , competing tightly with my much loved Burberry blushes. Review coming soon. 
• It Cosmetics bye bye redness - I can't imagine my make up life without this product now. It is a Godsend for people dealing with redness. It provides such a flawless base , making the life of foundation easier.
• Josie Maran 100% Argan Oil - My saviour for the dry and cold autumn/winter weather. My skin has improved and been in a good condition after I mix 2 drops of this oil with my night cream. Love
• L'oreal Magique Nude Foundation - I think, this foundation is the best drugstore foundation I have ever encountered so far, winning over my previous HG ; Bourjois healthy mix serum foundation. 
• Essence Sun Kissed Eyeshadow Souffle - I bought it without any expectation but it is slowly becoming my most reach eyeshadow. The color is lovely and the texture is so pleasant to wear. I wish I had back ups. 
• EOS Lip balm in Strawberry - I finally got my hands on this very hyped lip balm and I love it! It is def worth the hype. I love the fact that it is not a slippery lip balm but more on the 'waxy' side. It makes a very nice base for matte lipsticks or just normal lipsticks. And they smell yummy!
• Dolce and Gabbana Perfect Luminous Foundation - My recent high end foundation purchase, love it at first sight when the BA applied it to my face and I still love it now. The staying power is great and it photographs well. I tried to use it only on special occasions so I won't get use to the effect.
• Crabtree and Evelyne Body Spray in Rosewater - It smells just like the name advised ; rosewater. I love how simple it smells. No complicated base-heart-or top notes just plain rosewater smell. It is perfect for everyday from uni to work. It doesn't stay long but I bought the small bottle so I can always carry it inside my bag.

Despite how busy I am, I always try to find time for blogging. Blogging is my sweet little escape from the stressful and demanding life. Reading your comments, sharing about the same passion like I do , makes me happy and excited. How about you?? Do you find blogging relaxing as well?

Love,

Pam

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil

As summer is finally over and it is officially fall here, the weather is cold and dry which is not good, even for my combination-oily skin. I remember last winter when my skin got terribly dry and patchy ( never ever happened to me before, but when it was -15'C even the oiliest skin would suffer ) and no cream was rich enough to keep my skin moisturized and hydrated. 

I have tried several face oils ( from Caudalie, Clarins, and The Body Shop ) but they were not what I was looking for. I've seen a lot of people raving about argan oil, esp the one from Josie Maran, and this post from sleepandwater just made my decision clear.

I got mine in the small 15ml size for $14 from Sephora US ( a friend of mine kindly brought it for me to Germany ). I love the small little bottle and the fact that it comes with pipet so it is easy to dispense the product. For now, I only apply it at night. I mix 2 drops of the oil with my night cream and apply it all over my face.

The oil has rich texture and it does feel oily, though my skin drinks it effortlessly I'm still not sure whether it would work under make up. My guess, it would be slightly too greasy. 

The oil itself is wonderful. I can feel the effect even on the 1st day. My skin feels supple, healthy and fresh. 

I've been using it every night the past month and my skin is in a good condition now. Well, it could be not this oil alone, as I have new skin care routine this past 2-3 months but I really feel the effect / difference after using the oil.

The oil works wonder as cuticle oil as well. I always have dry-rough cuticles no matter how often I put hand cream on. But this oil does help

I am overall very happy with this oil. It is now part of my night routine staple. Too bad it is not available to buy in Germany. T.T But if you have any chance to try this one, give it a try.

Love,
Pam

Clio Gelpresso Waterproof Gel Liner

I recently did a beauty swap with lovely Sharlynn from Theblackmentosbeautybox and it was so fun that we decided to do it again for christmas! :-D

I specially asked her to get me Clio eyeliners as my first impression with it was very good and she got me 3 shades! 

Look at the packaging! so holographic and fun!

#1 Beige Shine is a pearly beige shade, perfect for highlighting the inner corner of the eyes or highlighting the lower lash line, creating the aegyo sal effect which has been very popular in Asia.

#13 Bloody Sweet is a shimmery peachy pink. I also love to use it as inner corner highlighter.

#7 Golden Black is a black with golden shimmers. I only have matte black before so this one is a good alternative and I love it!

Clio eyeliners have soft and creamy texture but not extremely creamy that they smear everywhere. They don't tug on the lids and soft enough for the inner corner. They are waterproof which I confirm but they are not very smudge proof I'd say. But for pencil eyeliners, they have pretty decent quality. The price is not very cheap as they retail for ca. SGD18 ( ca. 11€ ), still a drugstore price but more on the higher end of drugstore. 

What i like the most is that they don't irritate my eyes and I have sensitive eyes so it's not easy to find Good Eyeliners.

Have you tried Clio Eyeliners?

Love,
Pam