SOCIAL MEDIA

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Beauty Empties #15 ♡ ColourPop, ABH, Chanel, Drunk Elephant, Origin, Kiehl's, Narciso Rodriguez, The Good Vitamin Co. + More!

It's been a long time since I last posted my beauty empties and during this time I have finished up a lot of products, including makeup, skincare and my favorite perfume.


First up is my absolute favorite brow products of all time, the COLOURPOP BROW BOSS PENCIL, which has been mentioned in almost all of my beauty empties posts. This is an amazing product if you like natural brows that last all day.


ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS BROW WIZ is like an expensive version of the ColourPop Precision Brow Pencil, which I also use sometimes, but it can be a bit heavy. I like that it glides on smoothly and application is so easy.


CHANEL STYLO SOURCILS WATERPROOF DEFINING LONGWEAR EYEBROW PENCIL (omg, such a long name!!!) was recommended to me when I last visited the Chanel boutique at Britomart. I like the slanted tip as it is very easy to shape and line the brows. I love that it gives a natural looking coverage and it is long wearing as well. The lady also recommended a brow gel (Chanel Le Gel Sourcils Longwear Eyebrow Gel) to go with this brow pencil and I absolutely love the combination! Both are expensive, but totally worth it.


After years of trying different cleansers from different brands and pricing ranges, I have come to realized that supermarket branded products are actually better than the expensive ones we buy in these beauty stores. I have been using the DRUNK ELEPHANT BESTE NO. 9 JELLY CLEANSER for months and I am so glad that I finally emptied the tube! This cleanser says to be perfect for sensitive skin and the gentle formula claims to rinses away without an ounce of residue, leaving skin clean and soft. Okay, I am not mad because this actually does what it says, but I just feel like it's not worth the price spent, because any cleanser can leave skin clean and soft, right?!


GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON GLOW JELLY SHEET MASK is also a product that I am not a big fan of, haha. This is my second time using this sheet mask and upon application I thought "it's quite refreshing and it's actually not that bad this time", but it ends up in disappointment again. I had difficulty trying to keep the mask on as it kept sliding down. It's a watermelon sheet mask but it doesn't smell watermelon. My face felt dry and sticky after the removable of the mask and the serum just don't seem to absorb into my skin at all. 


MECCA COSMETICA MULTI-PURPOSE PLUMPING BALM is amazing! I use it as a primer and it can be used as a daily moisturizer as well. The formula is hydrating and it leaves my skin looking plump and healthy, not oily at all. I also really like the packaging, it comes in a tube with a pump which is easy to dispense the product. My makeup looks flawless and wears all day (12 hours) whenever I use this product.


I have already re-purchased the WET N WILD COVER ALL FACE PRIMER many many times and I will continued to recommend this primer to anyone with oily skin! This one is really affordable and it does the job better than others that you spent $$$ on. It minimize pores, brightens complexion and even skin tone. Makeup applies smoothly and it is really good at controlling oily face.


ORIGINS ORIGINAL SKIN MATTE MOISTURISER WITH WILLOWHERB is literally the BEST moisturizer that I have tried, in recent year. I am currently on my second tub and I would definitely recommends to anyone with oily skin. This is a total life saver, it is very good at oil control, it keeps makeup looking fresh throughout the day and I wear this on days without makeup as well, it just keeps my face completely shine free without looking dull.


I have finally finished my KIEHL'S ULTRA FACIAL OIL-FREE GEL CREAM and I actually like this product, but I am not sure if I will re-purchase, only because Kiehl's is expensive in NZ. This gel cream was recommended to me when I was looking for a lightweight moisturizer suitable for oily skin. I like that the gel texture feels quite cooling and refreshing upon application and that the cream keeps my face hydrated throughout the night. 


I am also glad that I have finally emptied the KIEHL'S CREAMY EYE TREATMENT WITH AVOCADO as I have had this for a very long time. This was actually purchased a few years ago after reading all the rave reviews online. I like the creamy texture and the non-greasy formula is easy to spread. I see that my concealers doesn't crease much under my eye area after using this eye cream for awhile. It's quite moisturizing and I really like it. 


I got a travel sized KAT VON D LOCK-IT SETTING POWDER to try and I thought that it's an amazing product. This powder is finely milled, it goes nice on the skin, I use it to bake and it leaves my makeup looking flawless, but I find that if I touch-up during the day, it turns my face cakey. 


COLOURPOP NO FILTER LOOSE SETTING POWDER is another powder products that I have been loving lately. I use the translucent and although the powder is not finely milled like the KVD, when I use this to bake, it also makes my skin looks flawless. It has a lightweight texture that keeps my makeup in place all day, and I was able to touch-up during the day without turning my face cakey.


MAC X CHRIS CHANGE PREP + PRIME TRANSPARENT FINISHING PRESSED POWDER used to be my favorite until it forms a hard top layer on the powder and from my research, I found that it's cause by oil transfer from skin to tool then onto the powder. The top layer can be scrapped off but it's just a hassle having to scrap it every time before use. Otherwise this is a really good powder for setting an oily face. 


I get compliments every time I wear the NARCISO RODRIGUEZ FOR HER FLEUR MUSC PERFUME and it has definitely become 'my scent'. I absolutely love this perfume, I love everything from the sweet smell of roses to the pink packaging and this one wears all day on me, the smell lingers on my clothes for a few days as well. Just no word to describe how much I love this! 


Last but not least, I want to share with you a non makeup and skincare related product, but a vitamin that I have been taking lately which works a wonders. Me being a non believer of vitamins pills or chewy thought that you can get enough vitamin by eating lots of fruits and veges, so I was really skeptical about this product when I was shopping for one. 

As you know, I have been getting my nails done with gel or acrylic for years and years now and my own nails is really damaged. I find it very hard to grow my nails as they're just chipping all the time and tearing by the nail bed. My hair has been falling pretty badly as well and there were time my middle parted line was going bald... That's when I thought I had to do something!

I went to the chemist and I was recommended THE GOOD VITAMIN CO. GOOD BIOTIN FOR SKIN HAIR NAILS. I have already emptied one bottle and now I am on my second bottle and I thought this really works! On days that I am not wearing makeup at all, I get complimented on how glowy my skin looks lately. I see an obvious growth on my nails as I am wearing fake press-on nails at the moment and I see the little gap just by taking this vitamin for two weeks. My hair seems fuller these days, there is less fall outs and overall it seem to work really well!

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Anastasia Beverly Hills Norvina Eyeshadow Palette ♡ Review & Swatches


Today I am sharing with you my thoughts and swatches of the ABH Norvina Palette.

This palette was released in 2018 and I only get to try it out recently when ABH becomes available at Mecca. I was actually deciding between the Norvina Palette and the Modern Renaissance, and I end up choosing Norvina because the shades all looks more natural and princess-ish.

I have been using the Norvina Palette for over a months now, I use it everyday, I love it, but there's a few things that ticked me off as well... and I wondered if people are experiencing the same things?

image NORVINA image

Norvina is the daughter of the founder of Anastasia Beverly Hills, and this eyeshadow palette was created and named after her.

I have been following Norvina on Twitter for a very long time and I admire her styles. Her purple hair looks gorgeous and I love her makeup looks.

image ABH NORVINA PALETTE image

Norvina says she has always wanted to create a palette that embodies her spirit, she described herself as a dreamer at heart who gets lost in her own fantasy world daily... (aren't we all?!).

The Norvina Palette features 14 shades ranging from bold and bright mattes to soft pastel metallics.

It comes in a purple velvet-like packaging which feels soft and nice to grip onto, but it gets dirty so easily and it's almost impossible to wipe it completely clean because of its' velvet material.

The palette comes with a double-ended brush which I use sometimes, I am not a huge fan of it because the bristles feels a little harsh on me.

It also comes with a big mirror which is great for travelling.




image SHADES & PIGMENTATION image

The overall pigmentation of The Norvina Palette is amazing, most of the shades are very opaque and some of the metallic shades are literally jam-packed with shimmers; but a few of the metallics are quite patchy and the shimmers are quite chunky.

I love the shades included in this palette, the overall look gives you that whimsical feel. I use Base (matte eggshell, I use it as a base color), Incense (matte dusty terra-cotta, I use it as the outer corner) and Rose Gold (metallic rosewood, I use that as a topper) a lot and I love the formula, it's so soft and creamy, but it has A LOT of fall outs. The palette literally goes all dusty as soon as I dip in my eyeshadow brush and that really annoys me.



image OVERALL THOUGHTS image

The Norvina Palette is the most beautiful eyeshadow palette at first glance, the shades included are so gorgeous and the pigmentation is amazing; but a month later, I kind of feel like, I spent $86 on this palette and I only use three shades.

I have been loving shimmer eyeshadow toppers and some of the metallics in this palettes are not as pigmented which would be perfect if using as a topper, unfortunately, the shimmers are either too chunky and or they applies patchy. 

The packaging, I absolutely adore the velvet-like feel and the purple looks unicorn-ish, but as mentioned earlier, this type of materials attracts dirts so easily and it's really hard to keep it clean.

The formula is also amazing, it's very soft and smooth, it's easily to blend and the eyeshadows stays on for hours. The only thing I dislike is, as mentioned, the fall outs and the pan becoming all dusty after one dip into the palette, If I tap off the excess and apply on the eyes, I find that they are hardly any fall outs, but it's just the pan being all dusty is what really get on my nerves.

Sunday, January 17, 2016

BEAUTYLISH Lucky Bag 2016 ♡ First Impression

Beautylish Lucky Bag 2016 is inspired by the Japanese New Year tradition of fukubukuro (mystery bag), the lucky bag is USD $75.00 and the bag is worth over USD $150.00 of full sized products. 

Today I will be sharing with you what beauty products I have received in my 2016 Beautylish Lucky Bag. I have received my parcel earlier this week and the things that I have received are either limited edition products that I was too late to get my hands on or they're products that I have been eyeing up for a long time but didn't buy because it's too expensive. I feel so thankful that I got a very lucky bag, as soon as I opened my parcel, I was literally screaming inside with excitement. 

 Beautylish Lucky Bag 2016
  Beautylish Lucky Bag 2016
  Beautylish Lucky Bag 2016

Beautylish Lucky Bag 2016 comes packaged in a medium sized box with layered and layered of gift wrapping tissue papers and the products itself is wrapped in bubble wraps for extra protection to avoid damaged during shipment.

I placed my pre-order of the lucky bag on 27 December 2015, it was shipped on 04 January 2016 and I received my parcel on 13 January 2016. It took less than ten days to arrived.

  Beautylish Lucky Bag 2016

In my Beautylish Lucky Bag I have received...

Anastasia Beverly Hills Self-Made Eye Shadow Palette
Anastasia Beverly Hills Self-Made Eye Shadow Palette

Anastasia Beverly Hills Self-Made Palette | USD $35.00 is a limited edition intense coloured eye shadow palette that features fourteen shades ranging from a neutral beige to a galaxy black.

I have wanted this palette for a very long time, but every time I looked online, it is always out of stock. I love the colour combination of the palette, you have the everyday neutrals, the smokey black and a few other fun colours. The texture of these eye shadows are very soft and creamy, they blends beautifully and the colours has a "one-swipe" pigmentation. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Self-Made Eye Shadow Palette

Buttery - beige with an ultra-matte finish
Blossom - lilac pink with a metallic finish
Blush - light beige with a duo chrome pink finish
Witchy - khaki gray with a sparkle finish
Self-Made - deep bronze with a satin finish
Metallic Plum - dark pun with a metallic finish
Pink Champagne - rose gold with a titanium finish

Anastasia Beverly Hills Self-Made Eye Shadow Palette

Hot Chocolate - rich coca brown with an ultra-matte finish
Spirit Rock - galaxy black with a sparkle finish
Isla - sea foam green with a duo chrome gold finish
Sherbert - ultra-light peach with a velvet finish
Hot & Cold - a rum brown with a metallic finish
Treasure - ultra-light champagne with a metallic finish
Deep Purple - an amethyst purple with a titanium finish

Bioderma Sensibio H2O

Bioderma Sensibio H2O 100ml | USD $6.95 is a non-rinse micellar cleanser and makeup remover specially formulated for sensitive, normal to dry skin types. It can also remove waterproof face and eye makeup. It is fragrance-free, alcohol-free, paraben-free and it claims to clear up irritated skin and produces a feeling of instant freshness.

I have had a bad experience with the Garnier Cleansing Micellar Water and since then on I try to avoid micellar water as much as I can. Although a lot of people has recommended me to try Bioderma, I didn't think it was good enough for me to spend any money on a product that I know I would not use.

I am actually glad that the Bioderma Sensibio H2O was included in my lucky bag. At the moment I am only judging on the product by its name, it could be an amazing product that I will end up loving, or it could be a product that I will use and don't feel to find it to be a big deal.

It Cosmetics Hello Lashes Clinically Proven 5-in-1 Mascara

It Cosmetics Hello Lashes Clinically Proven 5-in-1 Mascara | USD 24.00 is one of ten top seller from the brand. The mascara claims to delivery a most dramatic and full lashes look, with rich black pigment that last all day and never flakes or fades. The mascara brush claims to lengthens, curls and separates lashes and it is designed to reach every lash either in the inner or outer corner.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured - Moonstone
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured - Moonstone

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured | USD $38.00 is a pigment-rich, creamy highlighter that provides high colour payoff with soft and sophisticated shimmer.

I got the colour Moonstone and it is described as a pale gold. I already own Moonstone in the pressed powder version, so I was very glad that I got the creme one instead.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured - Moonstone
Kevyn Aucoin The Matte Bronzing veil - Desert Nights
Kevyn Aucoin The Matte Bronzing Veil - Desert Nights

Last but not least...

Kevyn Aucoin The Matte Bronzing Veil | USD $56.00 is described as a silky, ultra-fine powder that adds a bronzed glow to skin. It is lightweight and buildable with a matte finish that has a velvety texture, it can be used to bronze skin and sculpt the face.

This bronzer has two shades and I received Desert Nights, the darker one; it is described as a matte deep warm bronze. The colour is a little too orangey on me and I wish that I got the lighter shade. The texture is soft and easy to blend, the colour is not too pigmented, I feel like it has just the right amount of pigmentation.

Kevyn Aucoin The Matte Bronzing Veil - Desert Nights
Wayne Goss Brush 05

Wayne Goss Brush 05 | USD $20.00 is designed as the perfect little brush for any small areas such as lower and upper lash line, it can also be used as a lip brush.

I have heard amazing things about the Wayne Goss makeup brushes, people says its quality and design is top notch, but the prices is too much, so I never thought that I would have a chance to try any of these brushes from Wayne Goss.

Overall, I feel so lucky to have received a bag full of products that I like and know that I would use. I have seen other people's unboxing of their 2016 Beautylish Lucky Bag, there's lucky bags and there's unlucky bags, some people received Charlotte Tilbury eyeshadow quads which I am totally jealous of and some people received Jeffree Star liquid lipsticks which I am so thankful that I didn't receive one.

Beautylish Lucky Bag 2016 was USD $75.00, plus ten dollars for shipping to New Zealand; in total the bag cost USD $85.00 and the total cost of the products I have received is USD $179.95!

What is in your 2016 Beautylish Lucky Bag?
share with me in the comments

Friday, February 13, 2015

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit ♥ Swatches

My first time ordering from Anastasia Beverly Hills is very impressive, my package arrived within a week since placing my order and my package was marked as a gift with a total value at $1.00 to avoid custom fees. All the products were packaged nicely and nothing came broken.

With such amazing customer service, you know I am definitely going back. I was just browsing on the Anastasia Beverly Hills website last night, I was actually on there to see if the liquid lipstick in Pure Hollywood is back in-stock; but as soon as I opened its web page, I spot the Contour Book (RRP $150), I added it to my shopping cart, then I asked myself "DO I REALLY NEED THIS??". Obviously the answer is NO! 

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Book is perfect for a professional MUA (makeup artist) as it contains 29 shades of contouring and highlighting powders, it would be very useful when working on clients with different skin tones. So, I obviously don't need this because I am not a makeup artist, but I do wish to have it in my collection because... Well, it's 'Super Limited Edition'.

Anyway, I didn't end up going through with my Contour Book order last night, I thought I should maybe try the Contour Kit first and today I would love to show you all a full arm swatch of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Palette. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit
Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit features three highlighting powders and three contouring powders, they are described as the perfect shades for sculpting and defining your features.

There are three shades of palettes available, 'Light to Medium', 'Medium to Tan' or 'Tan to Deep'.

I am still a learner when it comes to the whole contouring thing and I must say Shannon Harris' (shaaanxo) "How to Contour & Highlight" video really helps. I have the original palette (Light to Medium) and the Banana powder in it have me drool over every single time!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit

image TOP ROW
Vanilla - a pale cream with a matte finish
Banna - a light yellow with a matte finish
Sand - a shimmer champagne with no glitters

image BOTTOM ROW
Java - a warm brown with a matte finish
Fawn - a cool brown with a matte finish
Havana - a bronzey brown with a matte finish

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit
Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit

All six contouring and highlighting powders included in the Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit is refillable, above picture is an example of the powder half-removed from the palette, and the picture way above shows the information on the sticker at the back of each refill pan.

These powders can be purchase individually, so if you were wanting just the Banana powder, you can purchase just that and stick it in your Z palette.

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit is small and handy, I have always thought that it's huge; I am not sure where this idea came from, but I have expected it to be a very big palette. I was actually glad when I saw the size of this, the size of the contour kit is just a bit smaller than a MAC custom 6 x blush palette.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit swatches

Contouring has became such a big thing in 2015, everyone is suggesting you need the Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit in your life; but I personally think, it's not a must-have product if you aren't into the whole contouring thing. I don't actually need this, but I got it because everyone has it haha.

I have tested this palette a bit when I received it in the mail, I love the Banana powder and I am thinking of replacing my Ben Nye Banana Powder with this. The texture of each powder is velvety soft, very creamy, non drying and not chalky at all.

This is retail at USD $40 per palette on the Anastasia Beverly Hills website, postage price was just under $20 for international packages and they arrive within a week.

Overall, I am glad to be able to finally try the contour kit everyone is talking about. In-depth review may come in the future if I can achieve the perfect contour look. We will see ;)

Do you have the Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit? 

What are your thoughts on this palette?



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