My Makeup Reviews

Review: Biovalley Virgin Coconut & Milk Protein Conditioner

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:32:00 +0000

I am very crazy about coconuts in every form and shape... I use them in the curry, desserts and snacks. I like to gulp down fresh coconut juice on a hot day. And I also use coconut milk to deep condition my hair and coconut oil to remove makeup too. Sometimes, I even use coconut husks in my son's art and craft projects. Coconuts are just like salt and pepper in my daily life.

Couple of weeks ago, while walking past an aisle in Tesco, my mobile phone rang and I had to stop pushing the trolley to answer the call. While doing all that, my eyes scanned around all the goods surrounded me and stopped on some bottles with pictures of coconuts. Naturally, I picked up one bottle just to see what it was. To my surprise, it was a bottle of hair conditioner made of virgin coconut oil! After hanging up the phone, I stood there checking out the products from this Biovalley brand for about half an hour even though there were only few products!

I decided that I had to grab a bottle to try...

Counter Display at Tesco

Biovalley products were hidden on the lowest shelf among all the Made-In-Malaysia products... It's part of One Malaysia promotion. You can't even find it in the shampoo section!

Biovalley Virgin Coconut & Milk Protein Conditioner

Product Description:

Biovalley’s Virgin Coconut Oil & Milk Protein Conditioner is a concentrated blend of VCO extracts that help to repair brittle, dry and damaged hair. Enriched with Therapeutic Oil and Cow’s Milk extract to provide nutrients and promotes hair growth. This unique formula will help soften, moisturizes and strengthen your hair roots. Keeps your hair smooth, shiny and healthy. - EasyPha-max

Put to Test:

The direction is simple enough. This was what's printed on the label:

Apply Biovalley VCO conditioner after shampooing your hair. Massage gently, leave for 1 minute, and rinse thoroughly. VCO prevents hair fall. Encourage frequent usage after shampoo.

And so that was what I did. As there was no Virgin Coconut Oil & Milk Protein Shampoo at where I shopped, I had to use what I had at home. I can't even recall which shampoo I used in my first trail. But let me tell you that I was amazed by the silky smooth hair I had immediately after using this conditioner! It's almost identical as after I deep conditioned my hair with coconut milk.

I tried it once, twice, three times and I was hooked. I started using it every time I washed my hair. Now, I normally don't use any hair conditioner but rely on my usual coconut milk hair soak weekly (provided that I am not too lazy...) which has helped my hair strong and healthy with almost no split ends up to this day. But this new found conditioner has changed my routine. I really like how easy to use it to achieve soft and bouncy hair all the time. It is now here to stay as I am calling it a HG!

There is quite a strong scent in this product. It's not a straight coconut smell. I think it's the combination of all the essential oils and the fragrance. Not that unbearable for me but just very noticeable. Luckily the scent wears away as I rinse the conditioner off.

Packaging/Price:

Price: 13.90MYR (or $4.08USD only when converted...)

Content: 300ml

Value: Totally worth every single penny! It's the best commercial hair conditioner I have ever tried, honest to God!

This conditioner comes in a soft squeezable bottle. It's a rather small bottle comparing to those huge family size bottles with a pump that I normally buy. It has a flip open cap with a sizable hole for dispensing the cream. Quite a user-friendly design with a very detailed label. (Excellent!) The compact and convenient packaging design makes it travel friendly.

Unfortunately, Biovalley only carries one size for all its hair/body products. There is no option of getting a bigger bottle. You get what you see!

My Verdict:

I am still loving my coconut milk hair soak routine. It's a more troublesome procedure but it gives my hair a very much needed boost. But on the days that I don't use the soak, this conditioner comes very handy. It's an one-minute job in the shower and I am all set to go. What more can I ask for? If you pay attention to the pictures, you'd notice that the conditioner also has milk protien and contains no SLS, paraben, and no colours, and it is not tested on animals... I can't vouch on what's said as I am not a scientist. (I don't even know what's SLS!) All I know is this conditioner makes my hair extra soft and guarantees not to have dry and rough hair anymore. And at such a lower price I really have to shout out so all the local girls could give it a try.

The only problem is it's not easy to find this brand even it's a Malaysian product! I realize that it's not sold in the big pharmacy chains such as Guardiens and Wastons. I have also checked supermarkets such as Cold Storage and Jusco but so far, Tesco is the only place I know and it doesn't even have the shampoo. (Well, it does carry the strawberry yogurt shampoo but I am looking for the coconut oil version!) And the only place I found this product online is on Easy Pha-max site, which carries it under Rejuvenating set 05 for 62.20MYR (2 conditioner & 1 shampoo). I don't shop around much so I might have missed out some places where they carry Easy Pha-max products...

If any of you spot Biovallley products, please let me know as I really want to try that coconut shampoo! Thanks! :)

Ingredients:

My Colouring:

Make Up For Ever Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, High Definition Foundation #125, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer Bare Radiance, Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation #774

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn' t medium

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Review/Swatch/FOTD: I Nuovi Facescape Skin Illuminating Powder Peaches & Cream

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:09:00 +0000

This is the last item that I promised to review for I Nuovi since June. I am glad I finally made it this far. There have been great products, average ones and not so good items. From my limited experience with this brand, I'd say its lipsticks and eye shadows are the best among the lot I tried. And I have to admit that I was really surprised and impressed by its lipstick quality and colour selection. They are some of the best lipsticks I have tried - velvety creamy, moisturising, well pigmented, and reasonable priced. The eye shadows are very pigmented, true to their colours, no creasing and lasting on lids. However, my personal preference for eye shadow palettes stops me from getting singles like those... I hope I Nuovi creates palettes in the future as I definitely will look into them.

This Facescape skin Illuminating Powder was another product I asked for exchange to review. (I am on run of cheek products if you have noticed...) I didn't know what to expect other than that it is a compact duo with a highlighter and a cheek colour in one.

I Nuovi Facescape Skin Illuminating Powder Peaches & Cream

Product Description:

Your beauty solution to easy definition and contouring. This velvety smooth powder contains special light-reflecting pigments that glide onto the face to enhance facial structure and contours, while concealing facial imperfections and lines. Use to highlight or give the skin an instant bronze glow.

• Two-in-one colour pan
• Treated talc with silicium balls for velvet smooth feel
• Long lasting and light
• Use for highlight, bronzing or contouring the face

How to use: Swirl brush across colour pan to pick up both shades to use as bronzer or face highlighter that instantly add a luminous natural glow to the skin. Alternatively, use the colours on their own as a blusher, bronzer or to highlight and contour as you desire. - I Nuovi

When I opened it up, the colours inside didn't look much like what's shown on the stock photo. I was not sure if this light peach (almost a hint of pink) could work on me. I also thought the cream looked a bit yellow and started to worry about its being too light and bright for my skin tone. I was like, "Should I touch it at all? And could I exchange it again if the colours aren't right?"

Put to Test:

I thought long and hard and decided to go ahead. I didn't want to exchange for another shade/product again as it's too troublesome (and too rude.) So here are the swatches I got.

Swatches

Awfully light, weren't they? Now I was really worried that they wouldn't show on me at all! I quickly tried the colours on my cheeks. What a relief! They did show and I could see the colour differences!

To my surprise that the pale yellow highlighter was rather golden! It gave an obvious gleaming light golden sheen on my cheeks. Wow! That was totally unexpected. A colour so light would have been so pigmented and powerful. Please look at this FOTD with Cream on. It's seriously a bit too much on me. Without flashlight, taken under natural overcast daylight and yet you can see how my skin sparkled! I didn't like this effect much, to be honest. This product should have been illuminating my skin instead of accentuating pores!

FOTD - Cream on cheekbones

Note: I've only got a new digital camera and not used to its functions yet. Therefore, the colours have been slightly off (towards yellow). I am still learning to handle this new gadget...

Show me those pores!

And if you had noticed, the light golden sheen wasn't evenly distributed either. Not sure if it's to do with its powdery character or just my poor application to be blamed. Either way, I know that it's a no go to use Cream as a highlighter for me. Not a very complimenting shade.

Peaches, wasn't that peach on me but showed some pink too. It kind of reminded me of BeneFit Georgia for some reason. So I compared the two products naturally. Hmm, BeneFit Georgia turned out to be a true peach, equally as light coloured but less shimmery. Both BeneFit Georgia and I Nuovi Facescape Peaches were obvious more face powders than blushes for me as they aren't very pigmented in nature. In comparison, I Nuovi Peaches looked a bit nicer than Georgia on me . I think it could be the slight pink in Peaches that makes the difference???

FOTD - with both Peaches & Cream

NOTE: This was taken with my old digital camera so the colouring is more accurate.

Strangely enough, when used both colours together, either blended or Cream on top of Peaches, this compact Illuminating Powder worked its magic. And there was no longer the scary looking pores and gleaming golden sheen! The two powders had be married to be happy!

Packaging/Price:

Price: 86MYR (at Parkson Grand One Utama) but 92MYR (at SASA stores)/USD $36.50

Content: 10g.

Value: It's above average for the amount. I am not sure if I'd spend that much on this powder judging from its performance.

I think the packaging is only average. The plastic compact has a build-in mirror but no brush included. (But if there was a brush, it would need a separate storage as the compact is quite powdery...)

My Verdict:

I am disappointed in its rather pigmented golden highlighter. I believe a highlighter should be less pigmented. I am equally disappointed in its peach blush, which isn't pigmented enough and has to be layered on. Well, the two should have been reversed!

Oddly enough, when applied two colours together, the Illuminating Powder works quite well. Yes, the blush has to be piled on and the highlighter has to be dealt lightly but the overall effect has been lovely. I admit that the powder is working well for me in a strange way... As a result, I gave away my BeneFit Georgia in the last Giveaway and keep this weird powder instead... You may be thinking that I am nuts!

Lastly, I am also not too happy with its powdery texture. Yes, it's all soft and smooth and with good lasting power and etc. But I just have a problem with the flying powder messing up the palette.

Yup, you've noticed that I am quite a complaining bitch, too!

Ingredients:

My Colouring:

Make Up For Ever Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, High Definition Foundation #125, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer Bare Radiance, Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation #774

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Review/Swatch/FOTD/Comparison: Clarins Nude Inspiration Double Palette - Face & Blush Duo, Nude Inspiration Collection, Autumn 2009

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:41:00 +0000

Local Clarins invited me along with other beauty bloggers to the launch of this collection some time back. As usual, the timing was totally off for me. (I am probably the only active beauty blogger in Kaula Lumpur who is married with a child and lots of family responsibilities... *_*) The person in charge even tried to meet me at another location but still, the timing was bad as I had to pick up my son from school. Therefore, I thank her offering and decided to see this collection on my own term at my regular boutique in Curve...

I should have made that trip! Why? I later found out through other blogs that this palette, the only item that I bought from the entire collection was given out free to all the bloggers who attended the event!!! Oh My God! And I paid good dollars for it! (I believe other girls also received a lipstick or something else too!) OK, I am sulking now... Why or why she didn't tell me that I was getting this long waited lemming as a gift???!!! If anyone deserved anything free from local Clarins, it should have been me as I believe I am the blogger using the most Clarins products around here... (**I hope I am wrong about the freebies...)

Sigh... That's just the story of my life, always missing out fun beauty events. But then again, I wouldn't have wished for free makeup in exchange of the time with my son at all. No way!

Anyway, couple of readers pointed out this palette is NOT available in the USA but it seems like the rest of the world is getting it. Once again, I want to emphasize that I absolutely hate cosmetics giants doing exclusives. I can still accept limited editions as there are things that we probably will buy one and just move on. But it is just so unfair that some products are only available in certain countries but the rest of the consumers have to go on a hunt. If a makeup company can afford to open up business around the world, it is only fair for all the countries that carry its brand offer the same products! (Of course, there are exceptions when (if) there are restrictions of laws & regulations in different countries...)

Enough of rants. Let me get on with my own business!

Clarins Nude Inspiration Double Palette - Face & Blush Duo, Limited Edition,
Nude Inspiration Collection, Autumn, 2009

Product Description:

The compact powder palette is decorated with a wheat field motif and the blush palette with ears of wheat. The subtle, soft shades are inspired by nature and enhance the natural colours of the face. The ultra-fine, silky textures cover the complexion in a featherlight veil.

A handy palette for both morning make-up and touch-ups during the day. Easy to slip into an evening bag. The compact powder evens and sets make-up while the complementary blush palette shades can be blended together or applied alone. - Clarin UK

Overall View
(The following three pictures were taken with the compact untouched.)

The Powder
The golden part was just an overspray

The Blush Duo
You can see there are shimmers interlaced in both shades.

Put to Test:

What I did was to swipe off the golden overspray before trying out the colours. (I tested all the colours with and without the golden overspray in the boutique and realized that the golden shimmers were better off left without.) What showed underneath in the upper decker were 3 powder colours. (My biggest concern was the darkest honey of the wheat. Fortunately, it was only a small area and the colour wasn't that dark either.)

The lower decker housed 2 lightly shimmery blush colours - one light peach and one bronze brown. Once the overspray on the wheat swept off, it showed the same colour of the bronze brown. The faint shimmers on both blushes were not overspray and stayed true throughout. I am all for lightly shimmered warm blushes so these were an instant love.

I swatched the sample compact in the store and took a picture to show you in the previous post. However, I didn't think the lighting in the store helped much with the coloring. Therefore, I did it again at home under natural overcast daylight without turning flashlight on. Hopefully, the two swatch pictures below show more accurate colours...

Swatches - Powder

See how much I have used the powder!

Swatches - Blush Duo

Notice you can depot the upper decker easily by pushing a pin into that hole? You can replace it with another compact powder. The problem is - Clarins doesn't make many refills this size and shape yet! (Well, please correct me if I am wrong. This was what the girl at the boutique told me anyway... She said she didn't have anything to fill that up. LOL!)

FOTD - only using the powder

FOTD - Using both powder & the blush

The powder works really well for my colouring and it is very finely milled and soft to the touch even though it is slightly powdery. (And maybe that's why I am using it up rather fast?) The powder keeps foundation and concealer really well too. I haven't seen much shine (sheen) on me when I used it. I have to give it an A+ for oil controlling even though it was not an expected effect.

The shimmery blush duo is very nice too. The texture is not as powdery as the powder above. I feel they are consistent with the texture of the regular Clarins Powder Blushes - Firm and pigmented. :) The light peach reminds me of Chanel Joues Contraste #82 Reflex but not as coral nor nearly as shimmery.

What a shame as I thought it might have been the dupe of that. (I have come to the conclusion that it's super difficult to find dupes for Chanel Joues Contraste Blushes after so many attempts...)

For what it's worth, this blush duo offers really natural blushed from within colour on my cheeks when mixed the two shades lightly with a large powder brush. It fits right into the Nude collection perfectly. The colours are long lasting as well. I haven't done any touch-ups on any occasions.

Packaging/Price:

Price: 160MYR/€28 (about the same when converted)

Content: 2 x 9g. / 2 x 0.3 oz.

Value: Decent amount for both powder and blushes. It may appear to be expensive with its price tag but it is totally worth it for what it offers!

The packaging is the same shape and design of Clarins Powder Blush and Colour Quartets for Eyes but it's thicker because there are two deckers. I like how Clarins synchronizes its powder compacts. This is very convenient for organization.

However, there is something short. It doesn't offer any brushes at all. It would have been perfect, if there was a third compartment with a compact powder brush! Wishful thinking, eh?

My Verdict:

I have been incorporating this compact in my daily routine. It has become clear to me that it's a very useful multi-functional product and may soon turn into a HG. I am even considering carrying it to Sydney with me. I am not one who packs the whole makeup cabinet when travelling, let alone when I move! Therefore, it shows how much I adore this compact and its ability (possibility) to be used regularly.

There is overspray on the compact but only small areas and it's best not to have those golden shimmers anyway. The colors really work well with my complexion, despite of my initial worries. There are products that give you that polished smart look that you just have to reach for them again and again and this compact duo is exactly that for me.

If you have access to this compact duo, please do try it in person. I have the feeling that the blush duo works for most warm skin tones. However, please make sure that colours of the powder work for you too before jumping the queue. I wouldn't recommend purchasing this compact blindly off the Net. After all, you don't want to buy something that's only half useful despite of my high praises and it's being exclusive and limited. :)

So now the next question for me is, "To back up, or not to back up?"

Ingredients:

My Colouring:

Make Up For Ever Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, High Definition Foundation #125, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer Bare Radiance, Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation #774

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Question/Makeup Application: Covering up brown spots

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:21:00 +0000

Question: (Snipped) I write to you because I don't know what makeup to use for my problem, and hope so much that you can help me. As you, I have clear skin and obvious brown spots under my eyes, perhaps slightly darker than yours. I have tried the laser but the situation is gotten worse. For this I have tried with the corrective makeup, but I have still not found one good solution in order to hide the spots.

I have noticed that you are the best in the art of camouflage: could you please advise to me what your preferred beauty routine is in order to hide the spots? (Snipped)

Wow! Now I am the best in the art of camouflage???!!! Thank you! That's such a high compliment but I really don't think I am that good at it yet... Honestly, I am always looking for that perfect product to hide those stubborn brown spots on my prominent cheekbones, despite of my accepting their existence slowly. I still don't like them one bit but I know they are here to stay regardless. Therefore, I just have to learn to live with them.

Again, I want to stress that I had consulted with a couple of dermatologists. From what I gathered, the brown spots on my cheeks were caused by 1st. sunbathing without much protection during my younger days and 2nd. drug induced allergy (esp. birth control pills) in later days.

As a result, I am not a good candidate for such laser surgery which may worsen the problem or not be able to remove the deeply rooted spots. And the areas that's been lazered would be more sensitive to (any) light afterwards and thus making them even darker (faster)...

One doctor offered me some lightening medication (not regular drugstore whitening products) but the medication even lightened up the skin around the spots and made them even more obvious! I stopped the medication immediately and went back to my usual camouflage routine.

I have to admit that concealer is the most important makeup item in my daily cover-up job!

There are the products that I currently use as concealers for brown spots:

Make Up For Ever Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4 Flesh

Skin Food Banana Concealer Stick #2

Lumiere Skin & Beauty Bar Creamy Concealer Medium

Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation #774

It's very difficult for me to pick out the best or the favourite. They each have their strength and weakness. However, I have to say that I am leaning toward the idea of using Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation #774 on the spots and lightly puffing the spots or the entire face with either a loose powder (for day to day use) or Make Up For Ever Duo Mat 202 (for more coverage).

I have to be very honest with you that I don't have a fixed routine that I followed exactly everyday. Some times I use a stronger concealer and more foundation, other times just the sunscreen and a concelaer without other makeup.

However, I away make sure that my liquid foundation goes on my face before the concealer and setting powder. But if a powder foundation is used, it has to go on after the concealer. It is also vital to match the concealer to our face skin tone as closely as possible, just like you would with a foundation or tinted moisturiser. And please blend the edges of the concealer into the surrounding (uncovered) skin as well as possible. Even if the concealer isn't able to cover up the spots 100%, the result will not be as bad as looking like a painted mannequin! That often has something to do with one who picks a lighter shade than how she really is hoping to cover up more... Well, less is more, even for concealer! I'd rather have some visible spots than looking so perfectly done.

I will tell you that none of the products above can cover up 100% of the brown spots on my face even though the spots aren't that dark and the products offer great coverage. These are just makeup and will wear off eventually anyway.

These days, I pay a lot more attention on sunscreen than makeup itself after the stupid action I did to myself when I was younger. I will always have sunscreen on my face before any makeup procedure. I also make sure this sunscreen issue is dealt with properly with the people I love, too.

I apologize for not being able to provide more specific directions and lack of tutorials to support what I said. I hope it helps you somewhat.

My Colouring:

Make Up For Ever Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, High Definition Foundation #125, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer Bare Radiance, Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation #774

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Happy Halloween!

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:54:00 +0000

We had a potluck Halloween party at a neighbour's house. My sister-in-law was the brainchild behind this fun party this year. I must say she did a great job. I made 2 big pizzas - one was bacon with pineapple and olives and the other had chicken sausages and mushrooms. I didn't take pictures of those pizzas but you can see a slice on my son's plate! :)

I also made baked pasta with minced chicken and a pumpkin pie. I was so busy cooking that I ran out of time to do my own makeup! (I had to help out with couple of kids' makeup too.) I ended up throwing some makeup on my face in about 2 minutes! I was going to be a cat or something in the first place...

Anyway, my 6-year-old son was also busy decorating a 13 sq. ft. spider web and helping out other chores. He refused to have any makeup on him but he did wear 10 bloody fingers (not in the pictures as he took his fingers off while decorating the spider web and spiders. And he also took them off again because he wanted to eat! I think he only put them back on when he went to trick or treat...) His bandaged arms and legs and blood stained t-shirt didn't help him look much of a mummy but it was what he did for himself so I thought it was a good job. :)

Pasticcio Macaronia

I only used 1/4 cup of white wine and shared the rest of the wine with my sister-in-law and another neighbour even before the party started. My son joked that we were bad alcoholics. Then he said, "But what are alcoholics"? HAHAHAHA. Kids!

PS: You can spot the bottle in the picture below and please click on any of the pictures to get a better view, if you wish.

Pumpkin Pie

This was made with a fresh organic pumpkin and hardly any sugar too. But... I had to put in a cup of cream... So much for diet!!! LOL

The mummy said he was blinded by the flashlight...

He was having fun pulling and dragging the 13sq. ft. spider web and he made 20 smiling spiders to go with it. But he was not smiling in this picture at all. (I believe he was munching some pizza...)

I did manage to scare a few fairies and bunnies with this crappy makeshift makeup. :) I used some dye on my teeth, trying to age them but in the end, they looked more like dirty teeth than anything else because I drank some strong coffee! *_*

The kids went trick or treating after dark and all went home happily with their little pumpkin buskets full of sweet candies!

Happy Halloween!

Make Up For Ever Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, High Definition Foundation #125, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer Bare Radiance, Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation #774

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Swatch/Thoughts/Comparison: Clarins Nude Inspiration Collection, Autumn 2009

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:25:00 +0000

Clarins Nude Inspiration - Autumn 2009

I am aware that Clarins has released its Festive Collection: Palazzo d'Oro Collection which is full of delicious golden stuff from the stock photos I have seen.

But wait... I am still doing the Autumn lot! *_* Yup, yours truly is late (again!) How could I not to be late? There are always so many new things to check out and review and it takes time to do this properly... (It takes a long time for me to do it properly!) Sometimes I think cosmetics companies are too aggressive in releasing new products. They should have given us time to digest and breathe! Quantity isn't (nearly) as important equality, you know.

Anyway, I have been to my faithful Clarins boutique for this collection a couple of times. My craze over this lot diminished after I tried the products in person. Yes, some new items were very nice and interesting but they were by no means necessary for this makeup addict.

I have swatched most stuff for you and I hope this post helps your decision on this collection. However, I still believe it's best to try products in person, if possible. :)

Eyebrow Kit "Pro" Palette

Click on the picture to see details.

This is a new permanent item for Clarins and I think it's right to be not a limited edtion as this is a brow kit and may become a staple item for some.

According to Clarins, this palette is "Perfect for both beginners and pros, this palette includes 3 shades to make-up, shape and even eyebrows, a wax to fix them and a beige eyeshadow to enhance beautiful eyes. A double applicator, eyebrow brush and mini-tweezers complete the kit."

I did try it in the store but I didn't think I need 3 colours (???!!!) for my brows or another beige eye shadow. The girl tried to convenience that I could also use the 3 brow colours as eye shadows to create a smoky look. Hmm, those colours did remind me of the 3 favourite Make Up For Ever Eye Shadow colours from the Essential Eyes Palette. But the colour payoff from this Clarins Brow Kit is way inferior in comparison. I am not least surprised though as these are meant for the brows!

The small double applicator and eyebrow brush were quite nice and firm for application. However, I couldn't handle the mini-tweezers well because of my medication condition of trigger fingers. It would have been redundant for me... Therefore, this palette was a pass for me. It's not a limited edition so there is no danger of not being about to score one even if I change my mind eventually... :)

Make Up For Ever Essential Eyes Palette

Swatches

Nude Inspiration Face & Blush Duo Compact

I thought it over long and hard before I purchased this compact. It had been a great lemming since I spotted this collection online. However, when I tested it in person, I wasn't so sure about the golden overspray on the upper face powder. I had to try it out a few times before I believed that the powder colours from the upper compact could work for me (after the overspray was completely swept off.) I will review this product in another post but I can tell you that it's a love for now. :)

Swatches

Joli Rouge

I didn't get all the colours as some were not in the boutique I visited. The two missing colours are 727 Gold Plum and 728 Fig Brown. The sales assistant did say that those may come in later. However, I have not seen them till this day. I will definitely update those swatches, if I get to try them out eventually. (She did say those are not my colours as they are dark and brown... Hmm...)

Well, Joli Rouge isn't my favourite Clarins lipstick texture/finish. (Joli Rouge Brillant is!) It's not that Joli Rouge isn't good enough. It's because I prefer a touch of shimmers and sparkles on my lips and Joli Rouge Brillant is all that for me. :)

Swatches

Some New Mono Eye Shadow
NOTE: The eye shadow colours on the display were not very accurate due to the lights. Please refer to my swatches intead.

There are not just 3 new colours. There should be also 16 Frost pink, 17 Gray (not too sure if these 2 are new), 20 Dark plum, 21 Beige sunshine, 23 Silvery green (very interested in this colour), and 24 Cocoa (very sure these 4 are new!) The colours mentioned were not available in the store (yet) so I didn't have a chance to swatch them.

I am shocked that I haven't reviewed Clarins Mono Eye Shadows other than that 15 Iris Blue (Limited Edition, Spring 2009)! I really thought I did as I have had that 06 Jungle Green for the longest time and it's definitely a love, if you ask me. I have made a note to review Clarins Mono Eye Shadow as a whole soon.

Colour Quartet Eyeshadow 110 Nudes

Click on the picture to see details.

I love Clarins Colour Quartet For Eyes like no others but when I saw how the swatches of 110 Nudes showed on me, I was very disappointed. The colours were super sheer and unpigmented! And the colours on my skin looked rather different from how they were on the display counter. Maybe it was the lighting to be blamed, eh? Whatever... I wouldn't spend a dime on such a sheer nude palette! So what it's just right for this Nude Collection???!!!

I guess that's it. I hope I haven't missed out much...

My Colouring:

Make Up For Ever Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, High Definition Foundation #125, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer Bare Radiance, Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation #774

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Review/FOTD/Comparison: I Nuovi FIXIT Professional Makeup Fixative vs. Make Up For Ever Eye Seal

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:04:00 +0000

Many of you know that I have been testing some products for I Nuovi. This is one of the products I asked for exchange (as some stuff the company sent wouldn't be of any use for me.) I wanted to try FIXIT as I love using a sealant with powder eye shadows to make liquid eyeliners. (I am a klutz with pencil eyeliners so liquid version is what I go for. However, liquid eyeliners normally don't offer many colours other than basic ones. Therefore, a sealant is a must in my stash so I can create whatever eyeliner colours I want!)

From what I read on I Nuovi site, FIXIT seems to be the same kind of product as my HG Make Up For Ever Eye Seal. I wanted to see how the two products compare as it would be great to have an alternative or to find a new HG! Well, I have tested this for a few months. (Yes, it's that long!) So here is the review, finally!

I Nuovi FIXIT Professional Makeup Fixative

Product Description:

No mess, no fuss, the perfect solution for anchoring eye and face makeup. FixIt is a professional makeup fixative in a clear, lightweight and quick-drying formula. Composed of Chamomile water, this quick dry formula is non-sticky and oil free. Use with Colours D27, Dust or Glitteratti

• Oil Free, Alcohol Free Makeup Fixative
• Quick Drying And Light Weight
• Formulated With Chamomile Water - I Nuovi

Put to Test:

I have made a collage to show how FIXIT and Eye Seal work. As I mainly use a sealant to make liquid eyeliners, it was exactly how I have been utilizing FIXIT since I received it.

You can see that FIXIT is a gel-like (thicker) liquid while Eye Seal is strictly running like water. Both are transparent. I find using more eye shadows with FIXIT as the thick liquid dries faster than the watery Eye Seal.

It is easier to remove FITXIT than Eye Seal. They can't be removed completely with tap water alone, no matter how hard I rub my skin. However, they can be removed (rather easily) with coconut oil (or extra virgin olive oil) in my case. And it requires less effort (& also less oil) to remove FIXIT than Eye Seal. You can see how the two compared from the picture below. Some Eye Seal residues were still visible. (They were removed completely with a second application of coconut oil in the end.)

I apologize for 2 dirty looking bottles in this collage. I kept them so you can see how one may mess up with the packaging. Some eye shadow powder from Make Up For Ever Diamond Shadow 307 stained FIXIT bottle during the test. But it's not something to worry about as those spots were removed with water at ease. :)

On the contrary, the stains on Eye Seal bottle were age old. They were left there from various application accidents. I had to use oil to remove them in the end. Not a tough job but a troublesome one. And Eye Seal tends to seal (no punt intended) the cap and the bottle, if you don't use it often. The trick to make it open and close smoothly is to constantly open and close the bottle. A rolling stone gathers no moss, eh? LOL

As for performance, Eye Seal deepens the intensity of the colours to a large degree while FIXIT doesn't alter the originals much. FIXIT works just well as Eye Seal when it comes to waterproof a powder product. And its lasting power is equally amazing as Eye Seal.

The colour of this Star Powder didn't intensify with FIXIT.

You can see how well the eyeliner survived. My longest record was 14 hours I believe...

Packaging/Price:

Price: 43MYR/$16USD (vs. Make Up For Ever Eye Seal: 90MYR/$20USD.)

Content: 15ml (vs. Make Up For Ever Eye Seal: 12ml/0.40 fl. oz.)

Value: I think it's more than reasonable for what it offers.

I am so used to see brands carrying products from a different source than its origin and this is one good example. (Please refer to the picture above.) I guess globalization has got to do with this phenomenon. :) Anyway, that's only minor but I have to point it out in case of confusing (of getting a fake product.) I mean, mine wouldn't be a fake since it was sent over by the company! :)

The packaging is the replica of Make Up For Ever Eye Seal. It's just slightly different in size. The opening is a tad larger in diameter compared to Eye Seal. Fortunately, this bigger hole doesn't cause leakage like that of Eye Seal as FIXIT is more gel like (as oppose to the running liquid of Eye Seal.) I actually think there is a need for a larger opening or else it may cause a problem for dispensing such thick liquid. In comparison, I think I Nuovi FIXIT packaging is the superior version of Make Up For Ever Eye Seal.

My Verdict:

The applications for FIXIT and Eye Seal may be slight different due to the nature of the liquids. The performance is about equal, depending on what you look for in a sealant.

It is less messy and easier to remove with FIXIT. However, you get more precise result (i.e. more prominent eyeliners) and intensified pigmentation with Eye Seal. If you want a natural, no surprise result, FIXIT is the one. If you prefer more drama, try Eye Seal instead. I am saying, "Go for it!", if you wish to try out a sealant. This is a cheaper version of Eye Seal, regardless overseas or domestic shoppers. But you do have to take into account that you may use more of FIXIT than Eye Seal for each application since it dries up a lot faster. I guess practice is the key!

Ingredients:

My Colouring:

Make Up For Ever Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, High Definition Foundation #125, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer Bare Radiance, Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation #774

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

FOTD/Makeup Application/Comparison/Update: Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation #774

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 07:10:00 +0000

I decided to carry out more tests on Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation #774 as I really liked it. I wanted to know what's the best way to utilize it. Should I use a powder on the top? Leave it alone? As a concealer? I thought it's best to do all the tests properly and see how the results were.

Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation #774 alone

Break Down:

Face: Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation #774

Cheeks: BeneFit CORALista

Eyes: Maybelline Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Black, Stila Mandarin Mist Trio, Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara, Make Up For Ever Eyebrow Corrector 3

Lips: BeneFit Silky-Finish Lipstick Swoonderful

For this FOTD, I didn't even bother with a primer. Just smeared the stick foundation on the face and spread it out. I added an extra coat (to dupe as a concealer) on the brown spots and undereye areas. I didn't set the parts used as a concealer with a powder either. All I did was just jointing the edges with my fingers so there was no gap in between.

The main test for this was to see its lasting power. Many a time a concealer conceals well but wears off fast. I am happy to report that from the time I put on the makeup at about 6am till I had it removed at about 6pm, the foundation still survive well. I could see more spots, of course, but those areas looked still opaque and acceptable. Therefore, thumbs up for this stick foundation should you wish to use it as a concealer. The coverage is good if you layer it on the more damaged areas. :)

Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation #774 with Make Up For Ever Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream (#4 Flesh), & Clarins Loose Powder #01

Break Down:

Face: Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation #774, Make Up For Ever Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream (#4 Flesh), Clarins Loose Powder #01

Cheeks: Stila Mandarin Mist Cheek Duo

Eyes: Make Up For Ever Lift Conceaer #3, Maybelline Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Black, Make Up For Ever Diamond Shadow 306 312, Make Up For Ever Waterproof Lengthening Mascara

Lips: Shiseido The Makeup Sheer Gloss Lipstick S2 Clear Orange

For this FOTD, I used Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation strictly as a foundation. I topped it up with Make Up For Ever Full Cover on the blemishes. I left the undereye areas to Make Up For Ever Lift to work its magic. As I used separate concealer, I dusted Clarins Loose Powder #01 to finish up the canvas.

Now, that's the problem started... I believe you can see the film of whitish powder in the picture above, especially on my nose! And I reckon it's way too matte and mannequin like for me, don't you? Ah, I think it's a failed FOTD. Too plastic!

I just couldn't deal with this powdery look so there was only one thing left for me to do - using Laura Mercier Secret Finish to give the matte face some zing!

When I first got the sample of Laura Mercier Secret Finish, I thought it could only be used as a Primer as I had no idea how it worked over a powder. I thought it would mess up with the makeup on my face. Well, I was dead wrong! It really did work over a powder.

What I did was to put some on my palm, rub the cream, and pat it over the entire face lightly. One should never, ever spread it on a finished look or else it streaks and you have a cry baby look for certain!

So I dashed out of the door with the whole lot on and it lasted a whole day! Glowing all over instead of powdery and cakey! :)

My Verdict:

Remember this test FOTD with only Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation #774 in the previous post? Most people agreed that I could go by this foundation alone for a no makeup look. And after gone through many tests, some even with primers such as Make Up For Ever High Definition Primer and Make Up For Ever UV Prime SPF50/UV+++, I now finally declare that I have found another HG foundation. And it actually performs the best when not have anything else! (PS: The primers didn't help much and I looked about the same as wearing the foundation alone. Therefore, I don't want to bore you with another FOTD!)

There is no doubt that I can have it fixed with Laura Mericer Secrect Finish, should I want a longer lasting concealer and a powder over the foundation. But why would I want extra stuff on my face when I can live without?

As a result, I have updated My Colouring list below because of the new findings. In the mean time, I have also removed Pupa Triple Action Powder Foundation SPF20 #02 from the list as mine has been used up and I have no intention to repurchase it in the future. Why? Well, this Pupa foundation is not readily available even in Kuala Lumpur. I will not hunt for a skin basic product or buy it off shore. It's just not practical by my book. It's a shame as that is also a very good product.

Anyway, I hope the FOTDs in this post help you deciding on this new foundation.

My Colouring:

Make Up For Ever Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, High Definition Foundation #125, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer Bare Radiance, Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation #774

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Review/Swatch/FOTD/Comparison: Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:36:00 +0000

UPDATE 22/10/2009: Reader Helena posted this reply, "i can give you a bit of insight into the shu numbering system as i do work as a part-time BA for shu foundations starting with 5 have more pink. 7 is more neutral but leans towards yellow. 9 is the one with strong yellow tones. I am about NC20 and i use nobara in 974. I do have face architect in 784 but that is a bit fair for me, but looks alright when it oxidizes." Thanks a lot!

I went to Shu Boutique in One Utama to swatch the shades of this new foundation for a reader. I ended up getting one for myself because I liked its stick concept and how the cream felt on my skin.

As this foundation just arrived at that outlet the day before, some of the testers weren't there yet and the colour I got #784 happened to be the one without a tester. Well, I didn't want to get it but the sales assistant insisted that was the right shade for me as she thought I had more pink than yellow. (I was formerly tested #774 under a different foundation. And she said #774 was yellow and darker for my skin tone. Hmm... I wasn't so sure. I kept telling her that she was wrong and etc...) She said if it wasn't the right colour, I could bring it back and exchange for the other one, my old colour #774. Mind you, there is no makeup return/exchange policy here in Malaysia. She was just doing me a big favour. I believe she really believed that I was #784, lighter and pink...

Confused much with the numbers already? That's Shu Uemura for you! It has the most scientific numbering system only for the people who work for Shu Uemura to understand!

So she said, odd numbers are yellow and even numbers are pink...???

And here is more...

The lower the MIDDLE digit is, the darker the foundation is and #5 is the separating point.

HUH? Just what on earth was that supposed to mean? Allow me to explain it to you with the swatches I took. You can see very well that all colour with a #5 or below in the middle digit are much darker. The rest are lighter. (But I am not sure if anyone could detect the pink/yellow with your naked eyes... *_*)

Oh, and since the store didn't have testers for #784 and #974, I took pictures of the actual products instead. If I wanted to swatch that #974, I had to buy it first!

Swatches

I am done with the numbers. Let's proceed with its review...

Product Description:

A new stick version of shu uemura's cult favorite, Nobara Cream Foundation, formulated to give the instant high coverage of a concealer with the smooth glide of a foundation. - Shu Uemura USA

From the short description above, I realized that this is an old foundation in a new outfit. So I set to search the Net for the old style, hoping to do some comparison since I haven't bought a Shu foundation for years and never paid much attention to what's what...

It turned out the old Nobara Cream Foundation is not on the Shu USA (discontinued I believe or never sold there?) but it is still on Shu Malaysia and is sold for 100MYR, cheaper than 140MYR for the stick version.

Since I have never used the old version, I checked out its reviews online. To my utter surprise, there was only one written by retail_therapy... (Or it's just I wasn't good at search?) Nevertheless, she compared both the new and old (sort of). If you are interested, please click here. (By the way, she prefers the old compact form.)

Fortunately, my search also let me to this the most excellent video review on YouTube by gossmakeupartist. (I am hooked by his other reviews too! :P) I like how the old compacts are able to be interlocked to form one big palette. :) And I agree with everything he said about the application, finish, and coverage. You must check it out!

Shu Uemura Nobara Foundation Review (as used in Twilight the Movie)

So now you see the differences between the new stick and the old compact. I am going to test it for you now... :)

Put to Test:

Like I said, #784 was too pale and pink for me. When I first put it on, I had the shock of my life. I looked like a Kabuki dancer! I wasn't sure if I should go out of my bathroom with that on at all.

So I stayed in my room working on other stuff for a while to see if the colour changed. Luck was with me, it oxidised to a pretty good match after about 30 minutes. I had shown this following FOTD on Makeup Alley to ask if it looked all right on me and most reaction was good. However, some did point out that it was slightly too pink for me. Hmm... Based on that remark, I took this #784 back to the store to try it on with #774 together. (Why didn't I think of it doing so when I paid for it that day? I could have just done that... Silly me.)

Wearing #784 - Picture taken after worn for 3 hours or so...

Honestly, I really thought it wasn't that a bad match after it's oxidized. However, I still wanted to know if #774 was a better shade for me.

At the store, I put both shades on side by side and it was so obvious that #774 was the right colour! Unfortunately, I left my trusted camera at home so I don't have a picture proof...

But this was how I looked when I tested it at home.

Wearing #784 - Picture taken immediately after the foundation's applied... And my face remained the same colour throughout. Weird. Thought I'd look darker as #784 did oxidize...

This foundation offers great coverage. It can go from very sheer to quite heavy. I applied about the same amount in both tests. I'd say both FOTDs are of medium coverage for my tolerance. I can't put on more than what's shown or else I'd look too flawless and fake!

I purposely wore it without anything underneath the test of #774. And I was happy how well it covers up the brown spots on my cheeks. I know you can still see some of the brown spots, but this was the foundation alone. I thought I could pass with it alone for a NO makeup look eh?

There are total 13 shades offered on Shu USA. Malaysia only carries 8 colours (shown above) We don't have #504, #524, #584, #934, and #964. I think the range of the colours is good, compared to the old compact version, (if you look at the video clip provided.)

I LOVE the texture! Its a solid cream in a stick but spread out easily like butter on my face. (By the way, I am a finger person when it comes to cream/liquid foundation.) It turns into quite a matte finish on me because I have dry skin. I am sure it is semi (less) matte on combination and oily skin. The sales assistant was right. I didn't need any setting powder at all as the finish is somewhat powdery. Well, unless I top it up with a concealer and want to have the concealer set.

The lasting power is good. My face remains matte the whole day and no oil nor shiny sheen shown. But please bear in mind that most foundations don't slip off easily from my dry face...

Packaging/Price:

Price: 140MYR / $42USD (about equal when converted)

Content: 11g. / 0.32 oz.

Value: Excellent value for the good quality and the amount. But if you want more value, try to score the old compact type as that offers 15g. and costs less.

One of the reason why I was drawn to this foundation is its stick design. I had a major disappointment with Shiseido The Makeup Stick Foundation because of the soapy fragrance and the colour match. (I was tested O20 in Shiseido but it turned out to be too light when applied. I believe I swapped away that stick...) Therefore, I am very excited to finally find a stick foundation that I can use. I think it's most convenient for traveling especially now that I am moving soon.

My Verdict:

This is an excellent foundation by my book. Good coverage from sheer to heavy, photographs well, many shades to choose from, convenient portable stick packaging. The price may be slightly steep. But for what it offers, I think it's way worth it.

Shu may have a mind-bugging number system but once you find the right colour, it's all positive from there.

Ingredients:

My Colouring:

MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, High Definition Foundation #125, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer Bare Radiance

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Urgent Update: New Winner for Mysterious Items Giveaway

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:35:00 +0000

UPDATE 25/October/2009: Winner Hafiza has received the big box yesterday. It turned out that she is from Malaysia! Silly me, I should have known from her Malay name. :P

I didn't know the local courier deliver service charges a bomb to deliver a box just few states away. Hmm, now I think that international parcel service is not too expensive in comparison! Maybe I should consider custom purchase from here when I move to Sudney, eh?

Kate of Japan (the original winner) finally contacted me and I will send her fabulous consolation prize out soon! :)

I apologize for this outcome but I had to choose another winner since the person I chose wasn't qualified as she didn't have a traceable e-mail address. I should have checked it out properly before I decided on the winner. I had to do this to be fair for all as I also deleted a couple of entries that came in after the deadline...

(Girl, if you contact me eventually, I still have a consolation prize for you. :P)

The new winner is Hafiza (though I don't know where you are yet!):

who said...

Your review on Organic Aid Cleansing Foam is the most helpful to me. It was my HG product for its ability to clean my face well and leave it very moisturize. But I never paid attention to the manufacturing/expiration date of the product. Or the company itself! *shame on me*

Your effort on finding out information about the product and company is very much appreciated!

You have truly opened my eyes on the importance of inspecting such informations before using ANY products! (snipped)

You were the runner-up when I was choosing the winner. I thought it was rather drastic for your decision in stopping a HG product due to my post... I do hope you have found another HG. I will contact you via the e-mail you provided. I hope I find a winner this time! *_*

My Colouring:

MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, High Definition Foundation #125, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer Bare Radiance

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Giveaway: Mysterious Items Winner

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Urgent Update 21/October/2009: I have chosen a new winner, please read here. I apologize for the disappointment.

I thank you all for participating Mysterious Items Giveaway. I enjoyed reading all the replies. I have read them no less than 5 times! They really gave me a better idea on how to further improve my reviews in the future. I don't think I'll have as much budge on makeup when I move to Sydney because makeup is way too expensive there. However, I promise you all that I'd do my best. And perhaps, I'd write other stuff than beauty products reviews instead when I am down under. Who knows? Maybe I'd find more interesting stuff!

Anyway, The lucky winner is:

Super Toad aka Mochi Mama (Kate/Tokyo)

who said...

(Snipped) Like you, I have no patience for things that don't work, and love to share about things that actually do work (probably because there are so few). Your blog helps me cut to the chase and avoid all the pitfalls out there in the form of cosmetic counters and sales pitches. Based on your review of Chanel Joues Contraste blush, as well as your kind response to my follow up inquiry I now have a blush that actually works and doesn't make me look like some Kabuki actor. Also most recently based on your reviews of the concealers I decided to try out the Makeupforever Extreme Camouflage and so far so good. I think the most fabulous thing about your reviews are the photos, photos under various lighting (I often wondered why people didn't pay attention to this more because even though you can look great under your soft bathroom light, you can end up looking like a caked on streetwalker in the sun), and for example the follow up you provide concerning the products. Your review of Lumiere concealer's clay like consistency after two months of use (and two months after your initial post) is what impressed me most. (Snipped)

Thank you so much for your kind words, Kate. I am glad my blog has helped you and your paying attention to my updates impressed me the most. Not many people bother about updates but I really do think they are important as I tend to change my mind about things after a while... And ditto on the lighting! I was taking pictures under indoor tungsten yellow lights until I realized that I wasn't that dark and had to change the time and location when I take pictures. I felt bad that I may have mislead readers with my older reviews... *_*

Congratulations, Kate. These are just some of the items you will get. I also added in some new eye shadow brushes and other stuff. The H2O+ Face Oasis™ Hydrating Treatment (Oil-Free) was the item I bought for this Giveaway. It was an item I tested for H20+ but later became a HG for me! I hope it works for you too. Now, please send me your physical address to my gmail account so I can have the box sent!

All packed to go!

Review/Swatch/FOTD: I Inuovi Ivoluxe Lipstick ( Moisturising Intense Colour for Lips) Colour - Dew

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:26:00 +0000

I was asked to test some products for I Nuovi couple of months ago. And Ivoluxe Lipstick Dew was part of the deal. It turned out to be such a wonderful lipstick that sent me to the counter FOUR times just so I could score more shades. (Unfortunately, I never saw any sales assistant whenever I was there because I went in the morning and the promoter didn't come early! The workers at Parkson Grand, One Utama tried to get the lipsticks for me but apparently the promoter brought the keys with her. Therefore, I couldn't get my hands on more shades up till now!)

Imagine that! I am so tied up with my many projects at the moment and still wanted to sneak out to get some lipsticks! That says a lot about these lipsticks for sure...

I Nuovi Ivoluxe Lipstick - Moisturizing Intense Colour For Lips

Product Description:

Plump up your lips for a seductively full and luscious look with Ivoluxe lipstick. Intense and wet shine colours with 3D lip plumping complex glide onto lips like silk for a full and glossy effect. With nourishing Evening Primrose Oil, Squalane and Sweet Almond Oil.

Why It's Hot:

• 3D Lip Plumping Action
• Velvet Smooth Application
• Co-polymer Technology For Long Lasting Colour
• Moisturizing Botanical Base
• Wet Shine Look
• With Squalane, Sweet Almond and Evening Primrose Oil - I Nuovi

Put to Test:

Swatches

I swatched all the shades on the counter at Parkson Grand, One Utama New Wing. Many of them were repeated shades, However, I just did the swatches according to the display orders as I didn't want to miss out any shades by accident. Please take into consideration that the lighting in the store isn't the most ideal so the colours on my swatch picture may be off.

After I checked the shades sold on I Nuovi site, I realized that there were no Sizzle 08630 and Jujubee 08634 at the counter I went. I am not sure if those 2 shades are available in other outlets in Malaysia.

Colour: Dew

FOTD

The colour is wonderful and the texture has even more to shout about! When it comes to lip products, it's the texture that matters the most in my opinion. This lipsticks is so moisturising and smooth that I was in shock as I honestly didn't expect it to be good. But it turned out to be excellent! There are not many lipstick lines with such buttery even texture and yet retain the pigmentation. Of all the colours I've tried, I didn't find many with extra glitters or shimmers. Just soft, creamy, lustre vivid colour but not overly shiny. I want to sing its praises!

Packaging/Price:

Price: 55MYR/$21USD

Content: 3.5g.

Value: It's worth every single cent! Dew is such a lovely lipstick that it sent me to the counter 4 times so that I could try out other colours!

The lipstick comes in a simple down-to-earth packaging. Nothing luxurious but a straight forward light weight matte aluminum (I think) tube. It may even look cheap for some considering the price tag. It's seriously something that you can't judge a product by its appearance. But hey, at least the matte packaging finish won't attract fingerprints. :P

My Verdict:

If your requirements for a good lipstick are moisturising, smooth on the lips, gliding on easily, loads shades to choose from, beautiful shine but not overly shimmery, nice pigmentation but not imprinted into lips and with good staying power, you really have to try these lipsticks. I am telling you that I have found another HG product. I wouldn't have gone to the counter so many times to get more shades if otherwise... They are totally comparable to my HG lipsticks - YSL Rouge Pure Shine Lipsticks (which is only more shimmery and sparkling in comparison.) Not to mention that YSL costs a lot more!

What was given me to test by a cosmetics company turned into a shopping (chasing) rampage. Therefore, you know how I love this product. No one from I Nuovi asked me to go swatching all those shades. No one asked me to buy more colours, either. I just did. Why? Because they totally worth the effort. And I have found a close replacement for my HG Shiseido Sheer Gloss Lipstick 02 Clear Orange (discontinued) in I Nuovi Ivoluxe Lipstick Apricot. I must get my hands on that on my next trip to the mall!

These lipsticks are some of the best products I have tried, seriously. As for me, I will find a time when I can go shopping in the later hours and get that Apricot and maybe also Poppy for my dear mother-in-law. :P

Ingredients:

Giveaway: Mysterious Items - opens to all readers

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:49:00 +0000

The Giveaway contest is over. Thanks for participating. The winner is Hafiza!

Many of you know that I am at the final stage of a major house renovation project and that I am going to move Sydney for a year in January, if everything goes well...

I have been thinking about my makeup stash that I don't plan to bring to Sydney with me. I have also asked opinions on Makeup Alley but most people told me to keep them all for the period as it's just one year!

I decided not to keep some of them as I might not want to use them again when I return since I am always trying new stuff. So what's the best thing to do? I am giving them away to one of my readers!

As I have too much going on right now, I could only comply them all into one gift box and off they all go. Therefore, I will only pick one person. And this time, please tell me which review on my blog has helped you the most and why? Please reply to this post only.

You do NOT have to be a follower nor subscribe to my blog and you can remain anonymous too as I don't wish to attract readership by Giveaways. But please make sure that you have a traceable e-mail so I can contact you. This Giveaway is open to all readers, no matter where you are. :) The closing time is 8pm Sunday 18, October, 2009 (Malaysian Time). The winner will be announced on 8pm Tuesday (Malaysian Time).

There will be at least one brand new full sized HG skin care item of mine (which I just purchased purposely for this Giveaway.) However, please bear in mind that most items are used/tested. If you have a problem with used makeup products, please do NOT join this contest as I'd rather them go to a home where they will be appreciated and utilized. Thanks!

Good luck!

My Colouring:

MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, High Definition Foundation #125, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer Bare Radiance

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Question: Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation, H20+ Ingredients, NC30/40, Expiration Date, Perfect Eyeliner, Skin Reaction

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:36:00 +0000

I have been incorporating a few questions in some posts previously but still, I have quite a few pending and it's high time for me to do a complied post of them. Some of the questions are rather old and I apologize for my late response. I have been tied up with my house renovation project (forever!) and don't have much spare time checking out makeup or shopping leisurely... *_*

Question: (Snipped) I just want to ask you if you can do some swatches of the shu uemura foundation because the store is too far away from where I live! The one I'd like to buy is the Nobara cream color stick but even if you could manage to swatch the other foundations it would be so so useful for me! (Snipped)

Ah, I wanted to check out this new foundation stick myself, too. And the boutique in One Utama just brought it in yesterday! Therefore, when I went there for errands this morning, I had a peek at the product and here are the swatches for you! I am normally not this efficient. :)

Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation

As there were no testers for 784 and 974, I took pictures of the actual products instead. There should be 10 colours in total but we don't have 584 and 964 in Malaysia. Shu Uemura has a weird numbering system that only people work for Shu understand. Duh! I got a lesson at the boutique but I'd save it for later... It's a headache just thinking about it.

I really liked this foundation so I bought 784 home! Since there was no tester of my shade, the sales assistant said that I could return it if the color's not right. (What happened when I went swatching for my reader???!!! LOL) Wait for my review of it, OK?

Question: (Snipped) I'm lemming this moisturiser! But I cant find the Full ingredients list for this and my skin is super sensitive and acne prone so I must know the ingredients before using anything for the face. Do you happen to still have the box/packaging to take a pic of the ingredients list? (Snipped) I went onto the HK H20+ website and saw a different version of the moisturiser. I dont know whether its new packaging or reformulated product ( I dont read Chinese). (Snipped)

I finally went to H2O+ counter to get this picture. I know many of you have waited for quite some time. Sorry! I chatted with the sales assistant and she wasn't aware if there is a new packaging/formula. It's still the same product that I tested and later bought a back-up. I couldn't find that Chinese site so I don't know how the new one looks like. Anyone???!!!

H2O+ Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment (Oil-Free) Ingredients

Question: (Snipped) would you recommend EL Gilded Rose marbleized shimmer powder for someone who's NC35/40? (Snipped) would you mind to compare it with Dior Amber Diamond shimmer powder pls? (Snipped)

I'd say the Estee Lauder Rose Marbleized Shimmer Powder is going to be fabulous on you! I have to use it lightly as I am lighter. (I was told that I am about MAC NC25 or so...) Therefore, this will definitely work for you. However, please forget about Dior Amber Diamond Shimmer Powder as it would be just shimmer on you without showing much colour... I gave up on that colour myself eventually. *_*

Question: (Snipped) i bought a vit.e oil 35000 iu (colonial dames) yesterday and the date at the bottom of the bottle is 060504. so, for how long can i use that product? when is the expiry dates for it? (Snipped)

(Please read the UPDATE below!) I know the date means June/05/2004 for sure. However, even if it's the production date, it's a 5-year-old product before you use it! I'd be worried about such an old bottle. But if the colour of the oil didn't change its colour, it could be still OK. Having said that, I still strongly suggest you bringing it back for a newer bottle, if possible. I am a worrywart when it comes to use-by-date.

PS: I said June instead of May because this is an American product and in the US, it goes by MM/DD/YY instead of DD/MM/YY.

UPDATE: This reader wrote to Colonial Dames customer services (info@colonialdames.com) and got this answer, "The shelf life for this product is five years and the bottle you have was produced May 4, 2006."

So I checked my current bottle and it is printed as 060509 so does it mean it was made on May 9, 2006? I think all dates/labels should have had a unified method!

Question: (Snipped) im forever searching for my HG eyeliner, (liquid, pencil , whichever) you see i have oily lids, and everything even the revlon colourstay eyeliner smudges a bit! *sigh* hence why ive given up on pencil eyeliners. anyway, i read your review on the mac liquid last liner, and you said that it comes off pretty easily, im just curious on how easily it comes off, do you have to use an eyemake up remover? or can you just take it off in the shower? you see im looking for an eyeliner that lasts without giving me panda eyes, and one that comes off with just warm water. lol ... if i find an eyeliner like that it would be like finding gold. do you have and recs? (Snipped)

I apologize for leaving that piece of information out of my review. However, it's no secret that I use coconut oil to remove eye makeup. MAC Liquidlast Liners can't be removed completely with just warm water. You must have an eye makeup remover.

I also can't use pencil eyeliner but for different reasons. If you ask me, I will always recommend my HG Maybelline Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner. Unfortunately, that eyeliner is fast disappearing from this planet. *_* I am also looking for an alternative myself. For the time being, I am using a more complicated method - mixing powder eye shadows with Make Up For Ever Eye Seal. It's not convenient but it works for waterproofing eye shadows to be used as eyeliners. However, neither method can be removed completely with warm water in the shower! I welcome my readers to share your experiences with us. If there is such a product out there, I'd like to try it myself too! Thanks!

Question: (Snipped) is there any problem if i use coconut milk mixed with henna as a musk for my hair, cos i use henna every week end. (Snipped)

I have never used henna myself so I am not sure how it reacts when mixed with coconut milk. However, since coconut milk is a natural and mild product, I don't see why you can't try mixing it with henna, especially it's for the hair, not the skin? :P I do encourage you to try it and report back to see how it works as I am curious about it myself. :)

Question: (Snipped) I am pretty frustrated with my skin recently. I have these small red bumps on my right cheek at the end of the day after I remove my makeup and wash my face. I can not identify what is causing it. What I use: Dior Powder foundation ( mineral one), Chanel JC blush, and Chanel Mat Lumeire compact for touch up. Which product do you think it is causing my skin to have these little bumps? (Snipped)

First of all, I am not medically trained so I can't diagnose your problem. I suggest you seeking professional help if the problem is becoming worse. I do think you ought to stop using all those suspected products immediately till your skin is healed.

The Dior Mineral Powder Foundation you mentioned in the question got me curious. As you didn't state its name and I wasn't aware that Dior has a mineral foundation, I had to dig around. Here was what I found:

First, I believe this Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Fresh Powder Makeup SPF 10 is the mineral powder foundation you are using. (Feel free to correct me anytime!) Second, Which Chanel Mat Lumiere Compact did you refer to as I have discovered quite a few products with Mat Lumiere in their names? However, I couldn't find an item listed under powder (since you said it's for touch up?)

All of which I know are foundations. There are Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF 10, Chanel Mat Lumiere Extreme SPF 20/PA+++ and Chanel Mat Lumiere.(Maybe even more???!!!) Ah, I am totally confused. (Please state the product names clearly for us. OK? Thanks!)

Nevertheless, I have included the ingredients of all of the products mentioned above for my readers. Perhaps some of you could share your experiences or opinions with us? If not, these ingredient lists will also serve as a reference, too. :)

Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Fresh Powder Makeup SPF 10:

Active Ingredients Titanium Dioxide 5.53%
Other Ingredients: Boron Nitride, Aqua, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Menthoxypropanediol, Sodium Chloride, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Cross polymer, Silica, Alumina, Parfum, MagnesiumAspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Rhodochrosite Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Citrate, Bytylphenyl Methylpropional, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Sericin, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, BHT, Sorbic Acid, Mica, CI 77492-CI 77499 Iron Oxides, CI 77163 Bismuth Oxychloride, CI77891 Titanium Dioxide, CI 77007 Ultramarines, CI77510 Ferric Ferrocyanide, CI73360 Red 30 Lake (source)

Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush:

TALC, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), BENTONITE, ZEA MAYS (CORN) STARCH, SODIUM METHYLPARABEN [+/-(MAY CONATIN) CI 15850 (RED 7 LAKE), CI 15880 (RED 34 LAKE), CI 75470 (CARMINE), CI 77007 (ULTRAMARINES), CI 77163 (BISMUTH OXYCHORIDE) CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77510 (FERRIC FERROCYANIDE), CI 77742 (MANGANESE VIOLET), CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE), MICA]

Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF 10 (reviews):

Talc • Boron Nitride • Dimethicone • Silica • CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide • Octyldodecyl Lactate • Caprylyl Methicone • Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate • Isopropyl Isostearate • Lauryl Lactate • Bis Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone/IPDI Copolymer Ethylcarbamate • Potassium Sorbate • Zinc Stearate • Methylparaben • Propylparaben • Polyisoprene • Zinc Oxide • Tetradibutyl Pentaerithrityl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate(+/-)CI 77019/Mica • CI 77491/CI 77492/CI 77499/Iron Oxides (source)

Chanel Mat Lumiere Extreme SPF 20/PA+++ (in Chinese):

talc, titanium dioxide, silica, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, boron nitride, caprylyl methicone, dimethiconol fluoroalcohol dilinoleic acid, zinc stearate, potassium sorbate, methylparaben, propylparaben, polyperfluoromethyllisopropyl ether, bis-hydroxyethoxypropyl dimethicone/ipdi copolymer ethylcarbamate, propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, magnesium aluminum silicate, lilium candidum bulb extract, pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, prunus persica (peach) fruit extract, hydroxyethylcellulose, nigella sativa seed oil, bht, cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) seed oil, phospholipids (source)

Chanel Mat Lumiere (review):

Aqua, Isododecane, Titianium dioxide, Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Talc, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polyethylacrylate, Steric Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Alumina, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methylparaben, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Propylparaben, Alcohol, Peg-8, Tocopherol, Aliminium Hydroxide, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Denatonium Benzoate.
[+/- (May contain) CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 77891 (Titanium dioxide), Mica] (source)

My Colouring:

MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, High Definition Foundation #125, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer Bare Radiance

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Comparison/Swatch/FOTD: I Nuovi Undercover Under-eye Dark Circle Corrector 3Y vs. Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer #3 Neutral Beige

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:56:00 +0000

This is the sequel to my previous post on I Nuovi Undercover Under-eye Dark Circle Corrector 3Y. I thought it was necessary to compare I Nuovi Undercover with Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer properly as Lift has been part of my makeup routine for years. It's only natural that I compare this new comer with an old love to see if it wins over?

But first, I want to show you more Undercover swatches. Undercover offers 4 shades and this picture shows all other than 2Y, the lightest shade, which was not available at the counter I visited, unfortunately. As I took the picture in the store under tungsten lights, the colour may be off. But from what I can see, the colours are quite close to the real shades.

I Nuovi Undercover Under-eye Dark Circle Corrector

I think Y stands for yellow and N for neutral? If it's incorrect, please correct me. Thanks.

I Nuovi Undercover Under-eye Dark Circle Corrector 3Y

vs.

Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer #3 Neutral Beige

Colours:

As you can see that the colours are very different. Lift is lighter and more neutral but Undercover is quite yellow and darker. However, if you look closely enough, the outer edges of both colours on the last picture did blend into my skin tone rather well. Is this even possible? They are totally different colours but equally blendable and both match my skin colour quite well. Either my skin tone is weird or??? I can't understand this at all. I can only show you that both products work well with my colour. Go figure!

There are 4 colours for Undercover and 5 for Lift. Both don't offer many choices but I found many under-eye concealers offer about the same amount. Maybe there are just not many shades of dark circles to begin with??? LOL. Anyway, I do think they both should have created more shades.

You may argue that Undercover seemed to appear a bit more yellow compared to my skin tone. Well, it's because I squeezed a tad too much so it's a bit thick. Just wait till you see this picture below:

EOTD

The complete FOTD

Don't be alarmed by the brown spot next to my nose. It was the dent made by my sunglasses when I drove my son to school earlier! :P

I really don't see any colour matching issue with either Lift or Undercover. This picture was taken under natural daylight without flash on. I think that Undercover illuminates my skin tone slightly better than Lift. You can see the part with Undercover more glowing in comparison. But still, like I said in the previous post, Undercover doesn't cover the puffiness completely and it shows in this picture too.

But does Lift cover up the puffiness better than Undercover? I'd say NO. (I did a reverse experiment to see if there is any difference as my right eye has a bigger puff than the left. It turned out both Lift and Undercover produced about the same result.)

Texture:

As far as I can see, both products are equally runny and feel just about the same. They are both buildable from sheer to thick coverage. Neither cause any creasing problem on my under-eye area. Neither accentuate fine lines nor cake up foundation and powder. But they both don't cover up puffiness and fine line completely either. They are euqlly lasting as well.

Packaging/Price:

I've indicated in the collage on the left that both products are about the same price with Make Up For Ever Lift having slight more in content. The packaging is the same too and it is the most hygienic and convenient design for a concealer in my opinion.

I have taken a picture of the opening hole of both tubes in this following picture. You can see that Undercover is probably only slightly bigger in diameter (or just the same to my naked eyes...) But why Undercover tends to dispense more cream since they are both having runny cream? Well, I believe it's to do with the tube materials. The plastic tube for Undercover is softer but a lot harder for Lift. Thus, I tend to release more cream when using Undercover but not Lift. However, this problem is solved once I am used to its tube. I just need to squeeze it a bit lighter!

PS: The price of Lift in Malaysian Ringgit is old. It could be more expensive now.

My Verdict:

I think they are about the same in all aspects. I have found a true competition for my beloved Lift concealer (which I stopped using once Full Cover was released. I returned to use it after I started having under-eye puffs in more recent years.)

Both Undercover and Lift can't conceal blemishes well. I think they should both be regarded as UNDER-EYE concealer ONLY. If so, then you now have 2 excellent choices to choose from.

My Colouring:

MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, High Definition Foundation #125, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer Bare Radiance

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Review/Swatch/FOTD: I Nuovi Undercover Under-eye Dark Circle Corrector 3Y

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:41:00 +0000

I have been using this tube regularly since I received it from I Nuovi. I couldn't write a review because I don't have very dark under-eye circles despite of constantly lacking of sleep. I am just one of the few luckier ones I guess.

Thus, it took me a long time to get into this review. Please take into consideration that I am not a very good candidate for such products but I have tried my best after putting this on day in and day out. :)

I will do a follow-up post comparing I Nuovi Undercover 3Y with Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer #3 Neutral Beige in a separate post. This post would have been too long otherwise.

I Nuovi Uundercover Under-eye Dark Circle Corrector 3Y

Product Description:

Under-eye concealer with a unique lipo-siliconic formula that effectively banishes shadows and dark circles while it treats. Using technologically advanced elastomer to achieve ‘stretchable’ coverage that moves with your skin, Undercover does not sink into lines nor cake with time. Buildable coverage and lightweight feel gives skin a luminous and natural finish. Enriched with skin conditioning Black Tea extract and Squalane.

How to use: Apply UNDERCOVER to under-eye with gentle tapping motion, or with the help of a Undereye Concealor Brush. Carefully blend in the edges of the application with the skin to avoid a visible hard line. Set with powder. May also be used to conceal other facial imperfections. - I Nuovi Cosmetics

Put to Test:

The first thing I did was comparing its color with my HG Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer #3. The biggest difference upon testing was the colours. Lift was a lot paler than Undercover, which was really yellow. I thought I was given the wrong colour!

Fortunately, once spread out evenly, the colour of the yellow cream blended into my skin rather well. I wonder why and how???!!! I recalled I Nuovi's liquid foundation was also very yellow so I returned it to the company thinking that I wouldn't be able to test it because it was a wrong colour for me. Well, I am not so sure about that now... Perhaps it was just the character of I Nuovi face basic products? I'll have to pay another trip to the counter to test all the colours again when I have a bit more time I guess.

Testing with flashlight on

When I first uploaded this picture, many people told me that I didn't have much darkness to cover up to begin with. I was sure I had since I haven't had enough sleep for ages (average 4 hours a day!) and I could see the black shadows under my eyes myself. I wonder if it was the flashlight doing its tricks again?

Testing with flashlight off

Therefore, I did another testing without the flashlight on and showed the colour of the cream before it's spread out so you can see how yellow the cream was. And I realized that I had more puffy issue than dark shadows... Oh, and please ignore the weeds on my lids. I was only testing the concealer. *_*

If you look closely enough, you can see the difference after the concealer and powder's applied, especially on the eye with the bigger puff. I do think the concealer covers up my dark circles well, judging from the pictures above.

Here are three FOTD examples with this concealer on. I have tried it so many times that almost all my recent FOTD had it on! Click here (only if you want to see more) as I think the followings are sufficient enough for the time being...

You can still see some traces of puffiness in this picture. However, it's really not that bad compared to my bare face.

You can definitely spot the fine lines on this picture when I smiled. :( I know this was a close-up and taken with macro setting. I know I also have to take my age into account but it's still not a happy sight. Maybe I should stop smiling at the camera, eh? *_* Nevertheless, I can see the puffiness was reduced by a great degree and the dark circles were no longer there! And the yellow concealer blended into my foundation very well as there was no trace of edges at all. :)

PS: I did try this concealer on my brown spots. Let me just say it failed to do its tricks totally and I had to use another concealer on the spots. Therefore, I don't have any FOTD to show you...

Packaging/Price:

Price: 60MYR (locally) / 23USD (online)

Content: 10gm.

Value: Good news for local shoppers as it covers up dark circles well and the price is not bad. And most of all, this product is easily accessible in many retailers. It is, however, slightly above average for overseas customers but, hey, you have to take into consideration that you are importing in a product! *_*

The packaging design is exactly what I like - a concealed, squeezable tube. However, since the cream is a bit runny, it dispenses a little too much sometimes. I'd recommend releasing it with a very light hand.

My Verdict:

I think this is a decent product based on its performance on me. I like its blending ability, non-creasing quality and long lasting power, though it can't cover up puffiness and fine lines completely and won't work on blemishes (like my brown spots). It's a shame that this product only offers 4 shades and if not mistaken, 3 are yellow based and 1 neutral. I recommend those with heavy yellow under tone to look into it as you may just find what you need. But like I said, your millage may vary as I don't have very dark circles to be begin with...

Ingredients:

Purified Water, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Stearate, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Caprylyl Dimethicone Ethoxyglucoside, Sodium Chloride, Cetyl Dimethicone, Squalane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolyer, Methylparabem, Potassium Sorbate, Propylparaben, Sorbitol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Laureth-4, Tocopherol, Saccharomyces/Xylinum Black Tea Ferment, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hexylene Glycol, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Urea, Dextrin, Alanine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Colourants.

My Colouring:

MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, High Definition Foundation #125, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Pupa Professionals Triple Action Powder Foundation #02

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, jet black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Swatch/Thoughts/Question: Dior Smoky Jazz 001, Jazz Club Collection, Fall 2009

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:13:00 +0000

I was not going to talk about this product as it was sold out very fast here. In fact, I was at my usual counter on the day before this collection was launched and there was only one palette left by then. However, I was more interested in the Purple Jazz 002 at that time as purple is my favourite colour for eyes... By the time I went back to the same counter again the next day when the collection was launched, the last Smoky Jazz 001 was grabbed by a customer right before my eyes! She didn't even want me to just have a peek into her possession! Hello! I just asked to look at it, not to touch it!

Many weeks passed and I ventured to a different mall. To my surprise, I saw this collection well alive at that counter and occupied the center spot! Well, it turned out that this collection is still at almost Dior counters here in town... So I tried the palette property and got to grab some pictures at the counter as the sales assistant there was more friendly. :)

A reader wrote to me recently about this palette as she has no access to Purple Jazz 002 which is (or was) not widely available. What she wrote got me thinking about this Smoky Jazz 001 again and I decided to write about it. I hope it's not too late for you.

Dior Smoky Jazz 001, Jazz Club Collection, Fall 2009

Counter Display

Swatches

Product Description:

The limited-edition Jazz Club Couture Eye Palette features Dior's signature silver toggle on a black patent clutch, the must-have accessory for the season. Inside, 4 eyeshadows, a brow-shaping powder, and a cream-to-powder eyeliner, in a perfectly coordinated Smoky Jazz harmony. - Dior

Thoughts:

This is a complete palette for eyes. It includes a cream to powder liner, an eyebrow colour, 3 eye shadows, and a top coat (which I consider simply a highlighting eye shadow.) The colours are on the light side, especially the eyebrow shade. However, the cream liner is a rich dark matte smoky gray (almost black). Therefore, the whole palette should work for most light skin tones with light brow colours.

However, if you use eye shadows as brow colours, then this palette will even work with darker skin tones as now there are more colours to play with. I do think this palette can be used many ways other than how Dior designed it to be. I bet you can even use the dark cream liner as an eye base to bring out the intensity of those light eye shadow colours!

My biggest complaint though, is that the colours are all very common, easily duped and rather boring neutral. However, these ordinary colours are positively foolproof in creating an attractive earthy smoky look. And you'd be very safe too. You know how smoky eyes can go to the extreme? That's probably MAC for you but not the old classic Dior. Dior is hardly ever dangerous...

As expected, the texture of the products is refine and soft but on the slightly powdery side, very typical of Dior. Be aware of the powder gets onto the cream to powder liner. That's the major problem with the packaging when powder and cream products are mixed in one. Luckily this cream liner becomes powdery when dries so it might not be as bad as I think...

The packaging is an adorable clutch but the material of that clutch looks rather cheap as it's made of glossy, fingerprint-trapping plastic (PVC?) I like the brushes as they look useful enough. And from my experience, Dior applicators/brushes in palettes are of good quality.

My Verdict:

It didn't get my money because there are too many ordinary colours in this palette. Nevertheless, it's a palette for makeup collectors or for someone who wants a convenient complete eye palette. If counting individual colours, then $65USD is quite an bargain, provided you love neutrals, love Dior, love smoky eye palettes...

My Colouring:

MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, High Definition Foundation #125, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Pupa Professionals Triple Action Powder Foundation #02

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, jet black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Review/Skin Care/Thoughts: Organic Aid Cleansing Foam

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:58:00 +0000

It took me so long to get to this review as I had many unanswered questions about it. Believe it or not, I have used up the entire tube and chucked it to the bin! I guess I finally can provide some evaluation of this cleanser. Please read on.

Organic Aid Cleansing Foam

Product Description:

Vitamin E, a natural Antioxidant for protection against the harmful effects of UV rays from the sun.

* Nourishing and is gentle to your skin.
* Leave your skin clean, silky soft and fresh after each wash.
* Never tested on animals.
* Biodegradable

Instructions: Squeeze 1/2 inch onto palm. Work up a good lather with water. Gently massage foam onto face. Finally rinse off with water. - taken from the back of the tube.

Put to Test:

Initially, I really liked this cleanser as it's sufficient enough to remove all traces of face makeup and it kept my face supple and soft. But the curious me wanted to learn more about this product so I set to check it out on the net.

As I couldn't find this particular item on Organic Aid (or anywhere else), I wrote to the site for more information. To my greatest surprise, this was the reply:

"Unfortunately, we no longer handle the customer service or ordering processes for Organic Aid. They still have our contact information on their website, but I suspect the website is out of date and perhaps not maintained, as we have not handled their processing for over 2 years, but they still show our information on their website.

We receive many calls about their company, but we have no knowledge of where they have moved to, or even if the product is still being manufactured.

We wish you good luck in your search.

-Virginia at JFC Sales

JFC Sales-Sales -Support-Solutions"

And ever since I posted this product on My Skincare Routine Updated, all the replies I have gotten about it had been the same - it's not found in the USA, even though it's made in USA. However, this brand and its products are well alive in Malaysia...

So my question was, "When was THIS tube made in the USA?"

I double checked the tube but there was no indication of the manufacturing/expiration date although there was a number - 18212 engraved on the top. However, there was a sticker with Nov/09 printed on (by its local Malaysian distributor) which I didn't notice at first... I guess I should have checked it properly before I bought it! By the time I used up the tube, it's already end of September/09!

Nothing was wrong with the product being so close to its expiration date but it was alarming to know that I had bought something possibly very old to wash my cherished face with! Though my skin had no reactions to the cleanser throughout the whole time I used it, there was something odd about the cleanser. Please have a look at the collage below.

This collage was taken when the tube was just purchased. The cream gradually lost its foamy character as time passed by. By the time I used up the tube, I didn't observe much foam left. I wonder what's the problem???!!!

Was I paranoid? Over-reacting? I don't know... But how could a cleanser change its texture so drastically? I can understand when a powder eye shadow hardens because I use it wet with water or a sealant. But this is a cleanser trapped in a tube the whole time. Why on earth did it change its texture? Hmm, I began to suspect its expiration date and it's possibly no longer sold in the USA and wonder if we got all the leftover supplies???!!!

Packaging/Price:

Price: About 20 (something) MYR. I can't recall the exact price! But it was a cheap drugstore product.

Content: 4 0z. / 110 g.

Value: I honestly don't know what to make of it. Cheap and does what it claims but the disappearing foam got me worried.

I like the tube but I don't like the cap that has to be screwed close and open. I would have liked it even more if it had a flip-up cap instead.

My Verdict:

Well, I can't deny the ability of this cleanser as it delivers what it claims. It cleanses the face and makeup thoroughly and it doesn't irritate my skin. It also seals the moisture in so my face is soft and bouncy.

But, I am having a second thought about the product's availability in few months or a year's time. And the slow changing of the texture from very foamy to almost none is getting on my nerve. Most of all, it's not being carried by its US (domestic) distributor for so long and none of my US readers have ever spotted it in their local drugstores...

I wonder if this is just another case of my formally beloved Crocs Shoes, which may be bankrupt (news here) now and the shoes we have here are could be sold while stock last only? (Please correct me if I am wrong the Crocs Shoes news. I am not an expert on that! But I noticed the quality deteriorates over the years and I have switched to Clark Shoes for the longest time...) Well, that's totally side tracked...

In conclusion, I can't make a verdict on Organic Aid Cleansing Foam at all even after I used up a tube. It's a mysterious product to me. And since I have so many doubts, I have removed it from my routine. There are a lot more good products out there than buying something that I have so much concern about. Is this a good product? Worth the bucks? Please judge it yourself as I am biased towards it.

This post is full of question marks and not really a review. Like I said, I don't know what to make of it!!! I get a headache just thinking about it... I don't even know why I bothered to use it up... I feel like a complete nincompoop!

Ingredients:

My Colouring:

MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, High Definition Foundation #125, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Pupa Professionals Triple Action Powder Foundation #02

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, jet black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Review/Swatch/FOTD: YSL Limited Edition Palette Y, Collector Palette for the Complexion, Fall Look 2009

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:53:00 +0000

Product Description:

YSL's New Limited Edition Palette Y for the Complexion is inspired by YSL Fashion. It features the Y initial "stitched" into the powder, to give this must-have collector the allure of a true handbag accessory. Both a blush and a powder, this palette instantly highlights all skin tones. Mix both shades with a brush and apply all over the face for a transparent, even finish. The brown shade can be applied alone as a blush or in tiny dots on the forehead and chin. - YSL

Put to Test:

YSL Limited Edition Palette Y, Collector Palette for the Complexion,

Fall Look 2009

Swatches

You can see that dark colour isn't really a brown. It's turned orange brick on my skin. I am not sure it's meant to be so or it only happens on me? But I am glad it's not a straight brown as I don't look good with brown on my face. I do like the mixed colour a lot.

The camera didn't catch the muted shimmers from the dark colour but there are some very faint shimmers, provided if you look up close. I guess it's meant to give glowing effect. The light beige cream is a total matte. Both are warm, nothing cool.

The texture is soft and creamy. Its powder is finely milled. No powder flying around but neither is it hard. Good lasting power too. Excellent quality.

FOTD

The camera didn't catch as much colour as I liked it. In reality, it's a lot more pigmented and I have to dust it on my cheeks lightly.

Packaging/Price:

Price: $62USD
Content: 0.31 oz. / 9 g.
Value: It's a YSL so I expected the price to be high. But is it worth that much? I guess not as there are tons of cheaper alternatives out there. The colours are just too easily duped. Nothing special other than that trademarked Y.

As this is a limited edition YSL palette, it is housed in the reflective golden metal compact with YSL engraved on the cover. Once again, it's something I never appreciate as the material used happily collects fingerprints even if it looks classy. There is no built-in compartment for the brush inside the compact. YSL does provide a velvet black pouch to store both the compact and the brush. However, I find it inconvenient to carry the palette in this manner as the pouch is very tight for both items to be squeezed into and pulled out... The lazy me prefers leaving that brush with the box and store them away...

At least its mini powder fan brush is made of decent materials. I find the bristles very soft and the handle is easy to to handle with my small hands.

My Verdict:

Texture is always the first criteria I look at in an item and YSL lives up to its name with this palette. However, the colours aren't outstanding and can be easily duped. The packaging has couple of loopholes. Personally, I don't think it deserves that $62USD tag. It's most definitely a collector's item because of the Y but for someone like me laying her hands on all makeup, it's a waste. Maybe it's just me as I have been trying a lot of face powder recently. *_*

Ingredients:

TALC . SYNTHETIC WAX . ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE . PTFE . NYLON-12 . POLYQUATERNIUM-61 . MAGNESIUM STEARATE . TITANIUM DIOXIDE . OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE . DIMETHICONE . SODIUM HYALURONATE . PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRAISOSTEARATE . LAUROYL LYSINE . TOCOPHERYL ACETATE . POLYVINYLALCOHOL CROSSPOLYMER . AQUA (WATER) . AGAR . LAURYL METHACRYLATE/GLYCOL DIMETHACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER . ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE . CETRIMONIUM BROMIDE . METHYLPARABEN . GLYCERIN . POLYDODECANAMIDEAMINIUM TRIAZADIPHENYLETHENESULFONATE . SQUALANE . DICAPRYLYL ETHER . CASSIA ANGUSTIFOLIA SEED POLYSACCHARIDE . GELLAN GUM . POLYGLYCERYL-2 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE.[+/- MAY CONTAIN : CI 77019 (MICA) . CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE) . CI 77491 (IRON OXIDE) . CI 77492 (IRON OXIDE) . SILICA . CI 77499 (IRON OXIDE) . CI 15850 (RED 7). ] "8YT07-1 "

My Colouring:

MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, High Definition Foundation #125, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Pupa Professionals Triple Action Powder Foundation #02

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, jet black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Reveiw/Swatch/FOTD: Make Up For Ever Scuplting Kit #2 Neutral Light

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:08:00 +0000

When I got my T. LeClerc Sunflower Pressed Powder, I thought I could skip Make Up For Ever Sculpting Kit, which I had been thinking about for the years! The reasons why I didn't think I needed a real sculpting kit were:

1. T. LeClerc compact was gigantic (I doubt I can ever use it up...)
2. it's very useful with 2 perfect colours for my skin tone (HG colours are the best right?)
3. Make Up For Ever compact was also huge. (I didn't want to get another huge palette...)
4. Contouring is a difficult technique for me. (What if I can't use it properly?)

Well, I didn't know Make Up For Ever revamped its Sculpting Kits!!! And it's a lot smaller (& cuter) now... So you know what happened, the moment I saw the new Kit, I had to try it out. There was no escape for me this time... Aftering playing with all 4 Kits available, I picked up #2 Neutral Light as its 2 shades seemed to be the best match for my colouring.

Make Up For Ever Sculpting Kit #2 Neutral Light

Product Description:

What it is:
A kit featuring complementary powders, dark and light, that helps contour, sculpt, and correct the face structure.

What it does:
Make Up For Ever Sculpting Kit allows you to sculpt, contour, and correct your face shape with a micronized powder that is easy to apply and blend. It can be used on all skintones and is non-drying and dermatologist tested. - Sephora

Put to Test:

As usual, I searched for reviews on this product first. Oddly enough, I couldn't find any independent ones other than those posted on Sephora and the 3 on Makeup Alley. Weird, I thought this was a popular product? Oh, well, I will be another guinea pig then.

First thing first, I am awfully new in contouring and am still very bad at it. What I have done so far was the practice work based on reading other blogs and what the makeup artist at Make Up For Ever taught me. Therefore, please take a grain of salt from the result as I am sure if you are used to sculpt your face with something, you'd do a far better job than me!

Now that's settled, please have a look at the swatches of 2 colours in #2 Neutral Light.

Swatches

To be honest, I was worried about the Medium Neurtral Brown when I first saw this Kit. I wasn't sure if such a dark colour worked for my skin tone. The makeup artist at Make Up For Ever said it had to be this dark to work its magic as this was made for contouring and highlighting, not to match the skin tone.

Therefore, I followed the instruction to apply the brown in the hollows of my cheeks, sides of my nose, and the far left/right corners of my jaw line. And I also used the cream on all protruding points on my face as well.

I have to tell you that my first attempt was awful!!! I used too much brown and ended up reapplying my entire makeup as I just couldn't stand the two brown patches in the center of my cheeks! Can you imagine that?

I didn't give up though. I practiced and practiced and this was the result. Like I said, I am still trying to make this Kit work right for me. Do comment and suggest if you have something to say! You know how critical I am! So say what you have to say! :)

FOTD

For some reason, different angles and light directions make my face look rather different. In the following pictures, you can see my chubbier cheeks, sunken cheeks and even lines to show an older me! I really need to get the Kit working right for me. I know it can work but my skills aren't there yet. Tips please! *_*

Colours and application aside, the texture is buttery soft! It's almost creamy in a way. I wonder why Make Up For Ever didn't make Duo Mat Powder Foundation this refine? Well, Duo Mat is already lovely and smooth ( and my HG too!) but this Sculpting Kit is something else. It's just incredibly smooth and blendable and very long lasting.

Packaging/Price:

Price: 145MYR/$45USD

Content: 2 x 5.5g. / 2 x 0.17 oz.

Prepare for the shock! The original bulky version was double the size and weight of the new small and handy compact! And the price (at least locally) is cheaper by 5MYR!!! I know there are some old compacts left at our local counters but it may be difficult to score those cheaper giants in other countries. If you find this kit helpful and want to get the big ones to make your money worth, do it soon while stock lasts! PS: Reader simplicity mentioned that the old version isn't as smooth as the new one. I overlooked that and will go back to check out the ingredients to see if it's reformulated. Hopefully, there is still one left for me to compare! *_*

Value: Quite expensive for the downsized version. Unless used properly & carefully, it will be redundant and a waste of money. Otherwise, it's really an excellent kit for problematic cheeks as I have seen professionals working miraculously with it. In short, your millage may vary.

The new compact is small enough for my hand.

The Sculpting Kit is designed for depotting.

The new pan size, though a lot smaller, is still bigger than regular Make Up For Ever Eye Shadows & Powder Blushes. Thus, the pans will not fit into those pre-cut eye shadow blush palettes (3, 4, 6,10, 12, 24 and 30 holes). The Sculpting Kit can only be stored in the new empty palette due to its bigger size. The new empty palette is not available in Malaysia (yet) nor is it sold on Sephora.

But frat not, you can always buy a cheaper alternative if you have the need to depot the Kit. After all, it's just one big empty palette (with the logo Make Up For Ever printed on and you have to pay more!)

Personally, I reckon the Kit is just perfectly fine sitting in its small light weight plastic compact. Unless you are in the makeup industry, I doubt you need more than one Kit!

My Verdict:

This is definitely a nice little Kit to own. With a bit of practice and use it sparingly, it will enhance the definition of the face for sure. It requires some practice to make it work and patient is the key. The 4 variations offered should be sufficient enough for all skin tones as they are for sculpting.

The only complaint I have is its higher price with less content now. I would think such a small compact should have cost less than its predecessor.

Ingredients:

My Colouring:

MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, High Definition Foundation #125, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Pupa Professionals Triple Action Powder Foundation #02

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, jet black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Review/FOTD/Swatch/Comparison: Estee Lauder Pure Color Multi-Shimmer Gloss 01 Rose Gold Limited Edition from Sensuous Gold Collection 2009

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:28:00 +0000

Estee Lauder Pure Color Multi-Shimmer Gloss 01 Rose Gold,
Limited Edition, Sensuous Gold Collection 2009

Product Description:

Precious hues blend together to create 3-in-1 shimmer effects for lips.

Creates a dimensional shine as the shades blend into a single gorgeous gleam.

From the Sensuous Gold Fall Color 2009 collection. - Estee Lauder

Put to Test:

I had tried one Estee Lauder lipstick before and liked the texture a lot. But, I totally forgot to review it before I gave it back to my mother-in-law as I thought the colour suits her far better than me... (The major problem with having too much makeup...) Well, it's too late now so I won't be following up with the review of that lipstick. But I can assure you that its best selling point was the smooth texture and very moisturizing for my dry lips.

Anyway, that's part of the reason why I decided to venture into Estee Lauder lip glosses this time. And the three colours in one tube looked very interesting on the site as well. With some Paypal credits left in my account, I added this Rose Gold Lip Gloss on when I placed the order for Gilded Rose Marbleized Shimmer Powder from the same collection. :)

Close-up

My first impression was its beautiful 3 layers of colours. I was really scared when I drew the wand out of the tube as I worried the colours would be mixed up and I couldn't see the individual shades again. Well, I am glad that I can still see each colour till today! Maybe the colours haven't been mixed up enough as I never dare to turn the ward around inside the tube. I just pull it out straight...

The next thing I noticed was how sticky the gloss was!!! It reminded me of the super sticky Make Up For Ever Super Glosses. However, as Pure Color Rose Gold comes with a wand, it draws out a lot more gloss in comparing with Super Glosses which are stored in squeezable tubes. Therefore, on the application mechanism, Rose Gold isn't nearly as good as Super Glosses because it tends to release too much gloss than needed.

The mixed colours, however, was really charming! I could see why it's named Rose Gold after it went onto my lips. I recalled that Parisb (My Women Stuff) said lip colours were most accurate on fingertips but not quite so for this one. It showed up very differently on my fingertip and lips.

I believe this is because there are 3 colours stored in a tube. And I draw out different amount of each colours thus the result has never been the same! How fascinating! I really like this unpredictable effect. The subtle difference each time make me want to use it more often. Hey, I bet the mixed colour will be even more interesting, if I dare to swirl the wand in the tube, eh? Hmm, should I risk the possibility of losing the 3 distinguishing layers? Dilemma!

Here is one FOTD. You can see how different it looks comparing to the swatch on my fingertip when I drew it out of the tube the very first time. :)

FOTD

And it wears really well too! The stickiness helps the gloss stays put unless I eat or drink. Otherwise, no reapplications needed for hours. And did I mention it moisturises my lips so well that I don't need any lip balm???!!!

There is a noticeable vanilla scent but it doesn't bother me much. (I think it is vanilla anyway...)

Packaging/Price:

Price: $18USD
Content: 2 fl. oz. / 6 ml.
Value: Good value for the quality

I enjoying pulling out the wand to see what magic colour it creates. However, I'd appreciate it more if it comes with a brush instead. The transparent tube with the classic golden cap is elegant though. Decent, non-bulky size for traveling. :)

My Verdict:

This is one purchase that makes me happy because the fun of playing with the colour never seizes amazes me. The ultra stickiness is a learned love relationship but its moisturising effect makes up to it. The wand tends to pull out too much gloss so I am giving that a thumb down. The price is reasonable. Over all, it is a decent product. Though it's sold out on Estee Lauder, you can still score one in the stores or Nordstrom online. :P

Ingredients:

My Colouring:

MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, High Definition Foundation #125, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Pupa Professionals Triple Action Powder Foundation #02

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, jet black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Giveaway: I Nuovi Metallogy Eyeshadows Winners

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:03:00 +0000

Thank you all for participating the I Nuovi Metallogy Eyeshadow Giveaway.

It was certainly the most time-consuming and mind-bogging task I'd ever done since I started blogging! I had to narrow the winners down from 24, 12, 9, 6, then finally 3, judging only from what you wrote.

The winners are:

maan84 who said: (Snipped) Since you're comparing them with Shu Uemuras e/s they must be good! I absolutely love e/s that both have excellent pigmentation and are extremely long lasting. That sounds like a winning combination to me!When it comes to makeup, I'm always interesting in trying new brands and finding new favorites!

invie who said: I am loving Silver, Tin and Gold. Very obvious colors but It is so hard to find the perfect Silver and Gold. (Snipped)

Mary in Wonder who said: (Snipped) Shimmery shadows with good color payoff! And they cost less than several high-end brands with worse color payoff! Very promising! (Snipped)

Congratulations!!!!

Lucky winners, please contact me at mymakeupreviews@gmail.com with your mailing details as soon as possible so I can have the prizes arranged. :)

As it's a week long Ramadan holiday here in Malaysia at the moment, I Nuovi won't be able to send your chosen eye shadows to me till next week (I think). And I have to repack them for each of you. Therefore, please be patient with the slow process.

For those who didn't win this contest, please wait for my next Giveaway. I promise this will not be the last one. It was nerve breaking for me as it's my very first Giveaway but it surely was a fun experience!

My Colouring:

MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, High Definition Foundation #125, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Pupa Professionals Triple Action Powder Foundation #02

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, jet black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Review/FOTD/Swatch/Comparison: Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc Orchid Mosaic from Dreamy Collection 2008 vs. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compacts

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:34:00 +0000

I started getting into Laura Mercier some time last year and I have been raving about this brand (mostly). I only started getting into its coloured makeup after many successful experiences with its face basic makeup. I think I am still considered as a newbie in Laura Mercier.

I've only acquired Orchid Mosaic Palette a few months back even though it was released back in 2008. Fortunately, it is not a limited edition and still readily available in stores or online so my review is valid. :) Please read on to see if it's up to your alley.

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc Orchid Mosaic,

from Dreamy Collection 2008

Close-up

Orchid Mosaic includes: deep plum (top), mauve (right), rose pink (left) & sheer champagne pink (bottom)

Product Description:

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc is a unique baked formula that applies effortlessly while brightening the eyes, cheeks & body with a hint of natural colour & light.

* Contains light-reflecting properties that blend together to give the skin a healthy all-over glow
* Modern wearable pearl leaves the skin gleaming without being too frosty or metallic
* Layer over Bronzing Gel or Tinted Moisturizer for a natural sheen - Laura Mercier

Put to Test:

This palette reminds me of Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks instantly because of the name and its functions. But once tried, it puts Bobbi Brown's to shame instantly. For the record, these two palettes are the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks I tried.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact Bronze & Peony

I considered Bobbi Brown's inferior because they contain way too much shimmer. My Limited Edition Peony was probably the most coloured (pigmented) Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks that's ever created and yet it's still more shimmers than colours. They were too shimmery as highlighters. However, if I used them as blushes, they didn't show much colours either unless I layered the colours over and again. But then again, I'd end up with loads of shimmers on my cheeks. Believe it or not, I thought (& still think) those were best as eye shadows. Yup, that was how I utilized my two palettes till I found them better deserving homes...

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc Orchid Mosaic is one step above because it maintains its pigmented colours and shimmery effect at the same time. Neither stands out from the other, which makes it easier to apply. And I must say that the result is never over the top. Please look at my various FOTD examples below.

Used as a highlight with 2 Make Up For Ever Powder Blushes (#112 & #133). The picture was taken under strong tungsten yellow lights with flashlight on. Please bear in mind that my cheeks didn't look nearly as shimmery as how the picture shows. It was a glowing effect that a true highlighter should be.

Used as a cheek colour alone. Again, the picture was taken under strong tungsten yellow lights with flashlight on.

This is a better picture as it was taken under natural daylight but still had the fill-in flashlight on. You can see it's a glowing pale plum on me when used as a blush. You won't see much shimmer (unless you pile the colour on.)

The following two pictures are the most recent and the best FOTD to show the colours and shimmers together. It's taken under natural daylight without flashlight on. It's as good as you see me in person. Need I say more? I think it's a lovely colour and finish for my colouring. :)

I don't think the shimmers accentuate the pores. Further more, I feel the pearls in the shimmer bloc helps reflect the lights so the blemish (brow spots) on my cheeks were disguised even better. I love how my cheeks glow and at the same time show the healthy light pinkish plum. It's not often I can wear a plum highlighter/blush as I am neutral to warm. This is most definitely a plus.

Swatches

I believe you can see how fine the finish is on my arm. The compact is firm but not hard and the powder comes off easily and feels like cornstarch smooth. I remember how hard those Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks felt when I used them. It was tough to get colours off them. Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc Orchid Mosaic is not powdery either. Up till now, the 4 triangles still maintains their colours and shapes without mixed up even though I always swirl my brushes on the palette. I don't recall I'd ever used an individual colour other than swatching. :)

Packaging/Price:

Price: $38USD (exactly the same as Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks)
Content: 0.21 oz./6.0g
Value: Great value for what it offers.

This palette has the same packaging design as all other Laura Mercier Palettes. I think Laura Mercier synchronizes its products so it's easier to organize. It's simple and elegant and very Laura Mercier. (Please refer to the picture above for reference.) However, there is not a brush included in the palette. It's a bit cheap/cheat for a high end product, I think...

My Verdict:

This is a fabulous product for my colouring. If you are similar and want to try out a coloured highlighter, this is a start. If you already like Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks, I think you'd appreciate this even more. I am already looking into other colours. Golden and Peach Mosaics are high on my list.

Lastly, this is a visual tour for the entire Luara Mercier Dreamy Collection if you missed out on it like I did...

Laura Mercier Dreamy Collection @ Central World Bangkok by ozonetvonnet

Ingredients:

My Colouring:

MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, High Definition Foundation #125, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Pupa Professionals Triple Action Powder Foundation #02

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, jet black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Giveaway: I Nuovi Metallogy Eyeshadows - opens to all readers

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:24:00 +0000

Giveaway is close. Thanks for participating.

I Nuovi contacted me after reading my review on its Metallogy Eyeshadow Pewter. They wanted to offer a contest giveaway for my readers. I had to think long and hard as I have never done a giveaway before. I had to ask them how a giveaway runs as I tend to skip other blogger’ giveaway posts... *_*

They offered some guidelines. And I decided to do it the easiest way...

I Nuovi Metallogy Eyeshadow - Counter Display

Click on the picture to see its details.

Swatches

Click on the picture to see its details.

What you need to do:

Go to I Nuovi website and choose 3 of your favourite colours. Come back to reply to this post ONLY to state why you should be chosen.

You must have a traceable e-mail address or a blog link so I can contact you. (The e-mail address can be the form of mymakeupreviews at gmail dot com.)

You don’t have to be a follower/subscriber to join this contest as I don’t want to attract followers by doing Giveaways. And this contest is opened to all readers, no matter where you are. :)

I Nuovi is offering 3 readers with 3 Metallogy Eyeshadows each this time. The closing time is 8pm Sunday, 20th, September, 2009 (Malaysian time).

The winners will be announced on my blog on Tuesday, 22nd, September, 2009 (Malaysian time).

Good luck!

My Colouring:

MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, High Definition Foundation #125, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Pupa Professionals Triple Action Powder Foundation #02

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, jet black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

Review/FOTD/Comparison: Make Up For Ever UV Prime SPF50/PA+++

mymakeupreviews@gmail.com (jojoba (My Makeup Reviews)) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:58:00 +0000

Make Up For Ever UV Prime SPF50/PA+++

Product Description:

What it is:
A foundation primer with an SPF 50 PA +++.

What it does:
MAKE UP FOR EVER UV Prime SPF 50/PA +++ creates a silky smooth canvas by minimizing pores and fine lines and also by protecting the skin against UVA and UVB rays. - Sephora

Put to Test:

The white cream is not as running as its sister product Make Up For Ever HD Primer that I have been using & calling HG. I guess it's because this has SPF so it's more like the consistency of a Sunscreen. I find myself spending more time spreading the cream properly in comparison. It takes little time to dry though. Therefore, if you have very dry skin, this may be a problem.

Due to its high SPF, I can see white cast immediately after the makeup's on but it dies off soon enough so I don't worry about it. Sometimes the white cast wears off even before I finish applying makeup. :)

The Primer does a very good job in preparing the skin for makeup. It makes the texture of my skin a lot smoother that it seems to provide some coverage. I find the best combination for me is just the Primer, a Concealer (for blemish), either/or not a Tinted Moisturizer and a Setting Powder. A foundation tends to make me look like wearing too much on my face. I have done a few FOTD with different combinations. Please have a look.

On Bare Face

As you can see the Primer offers a bit of coverage or evens out the skin texture really well. All I needed was a decent concealer to cover up the stubborn brown spots and I was set to go. How cool was that???!!! :)

With Skin Food Banana Stick Concealer 2 & YSL Semi-Loose Powder 2

I didn't blend the concealer properly so you can spot some white patches on my right cheek. It was fixed after the pictures were taken. Nevertheless, you can see that I don't really need a Tinted Moisturiser or Foundation when I use the primer.

Please click on the picture to see its details.

With Lumiere Creamy Concealer Medium & Clarins Loose Powder 01

I tried a different concealer and loose powder to see how the Primer worked. Again, it's sufficient enough without the aide of a foundation. And I did blend the concealer properly this time. :)

With Make Up For Ever Full Cover 4 & YSL Semi-Loose Powder 2

So I tried another concealer and YSL Loose Powder again. I confirmed that the Primer preps the skin texture so well that I can go out just with a concealer and looser powder, no matter which combination!

With Lumiere Creamy Concealer Medium, Make Up For Ever Duo Mat 202, Compact Shine On 5

Now you can see the Primer is good but on the matte side so when it met Duo Mat, it didn't do very well on me even though I added Compact Shine On on the top as I have dry skin. The face looked painted too.

With Make Up For Ever Full Cover 4 & Pupa Professionals Triple Action Powder Foundation 02

Again, another powder foundation made my skin very matte and painted. But this wasn't as bad as when I used Duo Mat. Anyway, by now, I knew to avoid powder foundation when I use this Primer because of its mattifying power.

With Make Up For Ever Lift Foundation 2 & Skin Food Banana Stick Concealer 2, Clarins Loose Powder 01

Even thought Lift Foundation has a character of a Tinted Moisturiser, it is still a bit too much when used with this Primer. It's not a bad finish, nevertheless as my skin didn't look liked being painted. But it still showed a foundation.

With Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser Bare Radiance & Skin Food Banana Stick Concealer 2, Clarins Loose Powder 01

I think this Tinted Moisturiser has become a HG canvas for me. It went well with any Primer I tried recently. It gave the glow without adding much coverage. Just very natural from the get go.

Packaging/Price:

Price: 132MYR/$30USD
Content: 30 ml/ 1 fl/ oz.
Value: Worth every single penny, provided if your skin isn't too dry and use it properly.

This product comes in a small flat squeezable tube. The dispensing hole is a big too big so sometimes I squeeze too much. Used carefully, it will last a while. I had to get used to not to overdo it.

My Verdict:

The UV Prime is dryer than HD Primer, offers better texture/coverage and high SPF and PA, last longer as well in comparison. One thing worth mentioning is that my face looks better as hours go by with this Primer on, no matter which combination shown above. Maybe UV Prime just needs sometime to work its magic... Whatever it is, I love that effect! My face looked very natural and glowing than how it shows in all the pictures above, seriously. Not sure if the perspiration helped easing the dryness???!!! Well, whatever it is, it's something worth looking into if you have problem with makeup wearing off and looking patchy. How many products have you used that actually works better as it goes?

The SPF is a nice addition and it doesn't really make my face awfully white even with flashlight photographs. I have been using this and ignore my HG HD Primer (both #0 Natural & #2 Mauve). HD Primer is good but UV Prime is great!

Ingredients:

Please click on the picture for its details.

My Colouring:

MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, High Definition Foundation #125, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Pupa Professionals Triple Action Powder Foundation #02

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, jet black hair, medium pigmented lips.

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.