Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
KiuKiu 10/6/2008 9:04:00 PM
What can I say that is different from what everyone else is saying? Not much. I sound like a broken record but this makes my eye makeup more vibrant and keeps it on all day. I must admit I'm not crazy about the packaging though. But for such a great product, I don't mind. I just "depotted" it into a jar. Some people said that the product will dry out but we'll see. Hope it doesn't! ***UPDATE*** I was very dissapointed at how fast this stuff dries up in the jar. Now the product is so thick, it goes on looking very blotchy. I am tired of the packaging originally and in a jar, so I am going to try Too Faced Shadow Insurance. ***UPDATE***I ended up buying another one of this. I've come to appreciate the applicator and I think this time I will pull out the stopper after it seems like it is done but I will not depot. This is perfect during the summer, when it is humid outside, and when I'm doing sports, etc. because TFSI creases under these situations. However, I still love my TFSI, because UDPP dries out my eyelids when it is winter or when the weather is dry.
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Makeup Brushes -NARS - Small Dome Brush 12
KiuKiu 5/4/2008 5:20:00 PM
*Picture Included*
I would never have bought this brush if it was not "perfect". For such a small brush, $27 is really expensive. Still, I ended up buying it because it was just made for me. Even though I am Asian, I still often enjoy wearing the look where the crease color is darker than the lid color. Normal crease brushes made this hard because they were just too big. Brushes such as the MAC 219 are too precise for me because I do not always have the time to blend after applying a harsh line. I needed something that was small and would let me blend as I went and this was perfect. It is like a regular crease brush in its shape and its flexibility, but much smaller making it perfect for my crease. When I found this brush, I just had to buy it despite the price. I figure if it is so perfect, $27 is not bad considering that I am hoping that this will last me a lifetime. I’ve had this brush for a while now and it is still super soft and silky and the shape has stayed the same. Surprisingly enough, I have experienced NO shedding whatsoever. I am thrilled to say that this is the first and only brush that I have that has yet to shed! And I hope it never does. This is truly an amazing brush and a must-have for me. I do not regret buying it one bit and if I ever lose it, I will definitely buy another one. This brush is just too perfect!
***Update***HG
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Stila - #19 All Over Shimmer Powder Brush
KiuKiu 5/4/2008 5:04:00 PM
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I got this brush as a gift, or else I would never have gotten it. It's not a must-have for me, so I would never have fished out $26 for it. However, now that I have it, I must admit it is a really nice brush. It is perfect for applying highlighter on the cheekbone and the packaging is really rather pretty. The bristles are really soft and silky and I have experienced no fallout, so it is really good quality. I'm glad to have this as a new addition to my brush collection.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -MAC - Emote [DISCONTINUED]
KiuKiu 5/4/2008 4:38:00 PM
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This is a perfect contour blush that I use everytime I put on makeup. It is a matte taupe in color, which is much better than the Bobbi Brown bronzer that I used to use (it looked weird becuase it was orangey). It makes a really big difference, but only if I compare the two sides of my face, one with contour, the other without. Once I have it on my both sides, the contouring becomes invisible because you're not supposed to "see" the contouring; that would just be ugly. It shapes my face so seamlessly, only I know that it is on. It's really unfortunate that this was LE, becuase it is really an amazing product. When this runs out, I will be buying the sculpting powder from the MAC Pro store; hopefully I will like that just as much as Emote.
***UPDATE***I was on vacation in Los Angeles and I picked up a backup at the CCO in Cabazon Outlet. It seems I won't be trying the sculpting powder for a while longer!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Unlisted Brand - Posh Brushes
KiuKiu 3/23/2008 8:27:00 PM
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Currently, in terms of cosmetics, I have set my priorities on makeup so I need to save when it comes to brushes. However, I still want them to be of a decent quality. Posh brushes fit my criteria quite nicely! I have a total of seven of their brushes and I paid no more than $5 for any of them. They are all quite soft, and most of them do not shed. However, I would not say that they are silky, it's just that they aren't scratchy. They aren't the best quality, but for the price, I cannot complain. But right now, I like them. But in the future, when I have a bit more money to spend, I will buy more expensive brushes that are silkier in texture. Still, I really recommend these to people on a budget.
Eyeliner Duo- I found these unrealistic for lining the upper lid, especially the bigger one. I cannot see how the big one is used for lining at all, if anything, it should be a concealer brush. However, I use it to apply eye primer on my upper lid. As for the smaller brush, I use it like a lip brush at home.
All-Over Eyeshadow Brush- This is quite a big brush that I use for all-over eyeshadow. However, I believe that others may use it for highlighting the brow bone. It unfortunately sheds quite a bit so I do not really recommend it.
Crease Duo- I use the smaller brush on my outer-v becuase it allows for really concentrated color. It can also be used to apply shadow underneath the eye. I use the bigger brush to blend my eyeshadow and it is excellent for that.
Angled Eyeshadow Brush- I use this to highlight the bridge, but of course that wasn't the usage the manufacturer intended it for. This one sheds quite a bit too, especially when I first bought it, so I would not recommend this either.
Angled Blush/Contour Brush- This is my favorite brush of the lot. It is the softest of my brushes and borders on being silky. It is even silkier than my MAC 116! It also almost never sheds which is wonderful.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Bare Escentuals - Flawless Application Face Brush
KiuKiu 3/23/2008 1:31:00 AM
I got this as a gift in a set. I have had this brush for about a year, and unlike some other reviewers, mine has not shed more than maybe four bristles. It also has not lost its shape, which impresses me considering the many complaints this brush suffers. I do not know whether or not I should consider myself lucky for getting this one brush that so happens not to shed amongst many others that do. However, I still would not repurchase this brush if I ever need to because it is not soft enough for my liking. But right now, I will continue to use it. ***UPDATE*** I decided to try adding hair conditioner to my brush cleansing regimen and I am so glad I did! Now, the brush is really soft for the first few days after I wash it (it gets more prickly as the days go). What I do is after washing this brush with brush cleanser and water, I cover the tips with a lot of conditioner and let it sit for a minute. After I rinse and air-dry the brush, it is nice, fluffy, and soft. And the bristles continue to stay put, so I guess I have one of the exceptional ones according to all the rest of the reviews. My rating is now going from a 3 to a 4! ***UPDATE*** After getting the MAC 116, I realized how prickly this actually was. I actually lost this one and honestly, I do not miss it in the least!
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Loose Powders -NARS - Loose Powder
KiuKiu 3/21/2008 10:02:00 PM
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How should I put this? I absolutely LOVE this powder. The powder is really finely milled and is matte, but not fake. It sets my makeup, does not dry out my dry cheeks and keeps the shine from my nose. It may seem pricey at first (I was contemplating using Everyday Minerals Foundation as a loose powder), but after comparing the price per gram, NARS is a lot cheaper! Also, I understand how people might think the packaging for this stuff is messy, but I've found a way to make it really neat! In the inside, there is an indent (see pic), so that is how the loose powder gets everywhere. It is also really stupid of NARS to make a puff that does not even fit inside the case! So what I did was I took the puff from my previous powder and just stuck it in the NARS case! At first, I thought the puff would make it so that the lid would not close properly, but I was wrong! Even though the puff was thicker than the indent in the container, I was able to put on the lid with surprising ease! So now, I get no mess! However, there is one thing that I found odd when I first bought this. When I opened it for the first time, inside was a net that was supported with a cardboard frame in addition to the regular plastic sifter with holes. I did not know what to do with the net, but I did not want to throw it away, so I just stuck it inside with the powder where it would not bother me but I still would not have to throw it away. As for the color, Beach is perfect for me. It is really yellow so it really blends into my Asian skin and it looks really natural. I think this might just be HG!
the lid:
the container:
the powder:
11 out of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -NARS - Beach
KiuKiu 3/21/2008 10:00:00 PM
*Pictures Included*
How should I put this? I absolutely LOVE this powder. The powder is really finely milled and is matte, but not fake looking. It sets my makeup, does not dry out my dry cheeks and keeps the shine from my nose. It may seem pricey at first (I was contemplating using Everyday Minerals Foundation as a loose powder), but after comparing the price per gram, NARS is a lot cheaper! Also, I understand how people might think the packaging for this stuff is messy, but I've found a way to make it really neat! In the inside, there is an indent (see pic), so that is how the loose powder gets everywhere. It is also really stupid of NARS to make a puff that does not even fit inside the case! So what I did was I took the puff from my previous powder and just stuck it in the NARS case! At first, I thought the puff would make it so that the lid would not close properly, but I was wrong! Even though the puff was thicker than the indent in the container, I was able to put on the lid with surprising ease! So now, I get no mess! However, there is one thing that I found odd when I first bought this. When I opened it for the first time, inside was a net that was supported with a cardboard frame in addition to the regular plastic sifter with holes. I did not know what to do with the net, but I did not want to throw it away, so I just stuck it inside with the powder where it would not bother me but I still would not have to throw it away. As for the color, this is perfect for me. It is really yellow so it really blends into my Asian skin and it looks really natural. I think this might just be HG!
the lid:
the container:
the powder:
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Clue
KiuKiu 2/10/2008 2:10:00 PM
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I bought this after my interest in MAC eyeshadows was renewed when a friend gave me Moth Brown as a present (see my review for that and you'll know what I mean). Clue is nothing like Moth Brown. Clue has no purple undertones and is seriously lighter. Moth Brown is smokey whereas Clue is a nice neutral. It is a gray with a hint of taupe, which is what makes it unique. In terms of quality, however, I find I like Moth Brown better. Clue is less pigmented and "harder" in texture, though it is still blendable. Even so, it is a nice eyeshadow and I do not regret buying it.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Moth Brown
KiuKiu 2/10/2008 1:48:00 PM
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Until now, I always was under the impression that MAC eyeshadows are horrible. When I first got into makeup, one of the first brands I tried was MAC; the company is so big that it is quite natural for a newbie to gravitate towards it. Also, I knew about MUA from the start (it was this site that got me into makeup), so I knew the concept of blending, etc already, and I heard a lot of raves of MAC shadows. However, I was utterly dissapointed in everything I tried, inculding the eyeshadows which I found chalky and impossible to blend. I did not even look at MAC for the next year. But then the Antiquitease came, and I fell in love with the pigments and brushes (the brushes were not part of the collection). I instantly forgave MAC and decided not to boycott the company. Earlier this year, a friend sent me this eyeshadow as a gift. Though I was wary about the quality, I knew I had nothing to lose if I tried this. And I am so glad I did! I do not know what it is, but Moth Brown is way smoother than the MAC eyeshadows I remember from a year ago. I wouldn't say that MAC eyeshadows are now my favorite, but I must admit that, based on this eyeshadow, they are quite nice. Moth Brown is a dark, smokey taupe with a lot of purple-grey undertones. It is very unique and very flattering on me. And becuase of this, I am now willing to try more MAC eyeshadows!
***UPDATE***MAC is now probably my 3rd favorite brand. I do not know what I was thinking when I first got into makeup!
8 out of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Shiseido - MAQuillAGE Face Brush
KiuKiu 2/10/2008 1:27:00 PM
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I love this brush. I believe it was around $10, and it was perfect for my purposes! I believe this would be great as a contouring brush, but I use it to brush away exess powder off my face, because a traditional powder brush is too big for me. Since I like putting on everything after applying eye makeup, I need to be quite precise around my eye/ nose area. A powder brush would never run down my nose without picking up some of my eyeshadow! This brush fits in a case, which keeps in rather thin. Even without the case, it is not nearly as big and poofy as a powder brush. The brush itself is of good quality. The hairs are not the softest in the world, but they are quite nice and not prickly at all. I only experienced shedding during the initial washing, when I lost about 4 bristles. But then again, I usually experience shedding when I wash new brushes for the first time. And best of all, the bristles of this brush are pink! They're so cute, I love them!
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Blush -NARS - Desire
KiuKiu 2/9/2008 11:07:00 PM
*Picture Included (swatch coming)*
This is my second NARS blush and I am as in love with this one as my other one. It’s really smooth and perfectly pigmented. It is absolutely luxurious to apply! Desire is a matte pale pink that is quite bright. It really does give a Snow White affect, and I absolutely love the look! Because the blush is pale, it is very brightening and not “rosy” at all. Unless if it is really over-applied, it is a really refreshing blush that is subtle, but the effect is significant and absolutely wakens me up!
6 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Sephora - Short Handle Crease Eyeshadow Brush
KiuKiu 2/9/2008 11:03:00 PM
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I had bought this on impulse and when I brought it home, I had no idea what to do with it. I did not feel like returning it, for I got it on sale for $5 and I had a feeling that I’d find a good way to use it someday. For the next few months, I played with it, experimenting what it could do well and what it could not do well. This brush is very versatile; it is good at almost everything but until recently, I couldn’t find what it was GREAT at. Good thing I noted that xsparkage on youtube used the 219 to brighten up the inner corners of her eyes. Since the 219 is similar to this brush, I decided to try it. And it was perfect! With this brush, I’m able to apply the eyeshadow in half a second and the effect is perfect! I’m so glad I decided to keep this brush!
***UPDATE*** I also use this to highlight the browbone now. It is officially a must-have for me!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Shiseido - MAQuillAGE Cheek Color in RS314
KiuKiu 2/9/2008 10:52:00 PM
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This is a warm, rosy blush with gold shimmer. I really like the quality of this, it’s nicely pigmented and applies really smooth. The packaging is really simplistic but cute. It’s clear, plastic, and drawer-like; simple and chic. I love MAQuillAGE packaging a lot. Unfortunately for me, I like my blushes completely matte so I gave this to my mom, who absolutely loves it. That is why I said I will buy it again; because I will, only for my mom and not for myself.
***UPDATE***I've come to love shimmery (and matte) blushes so I sometimes borrow this from my mom :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Shiseido - Majolica Majorca Powder Blush
KiuKiu 2/9/2008 10:36:00 PM
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The blushes are quite nice. They’re nicely pigmented and OR211 and PK333 both have a nice satiny finish with a little amount of shimmer. If anything, I’d say they’re glowy. However, RD255 is very shimmery. It is a really pretty peachy pink, but it is way to shimmery for my taste. In general, I like blushes that are completely matte, so the satiny shimmer of the other two were already pushing it for me. RD255 is above and beyond, and I know that I will never wear it. However, this is just a personal taste and does not contribute to the quality. The quality is pretty good, and really good for a blush that cost me about $9 each. I’m just not a fan of shimmery cheeks, but if I was to choose my favorite, I’d say it is PK333.
***UPDATE***I've come to like shimmery blushes as well as matte ones, so I'm going to say I will buy this again! Because in the end, these are really quite lovely and great quality, especially for the price!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No