Brows -Chanel - Sculpting Brow Pencil
feveragnes 7/27/2012 1:15:00 PM
I LOVE this - easy to use, natural, super soft texture, can draw the whole eyebrow within 20 seconds. I'm using 20 Blond Cendre, which is a soft brown colour that slightly leans taupe. I had always used a small angled brush to apply taupe brown eyeshadow/ eyebrow powder to fill up my brows - until I realized my eyebrows were too short, especially when I wingout my eyeliner for the cateye look. Using a brush to lengthen the brows is no easy task, and I completely failed - I didn't know how to draw the angle, and it ended up in a mess. I went straight to Chanel to get an eyebrow pencil so as to help myself lengthen the brows, and the beauty advisor used the colour 20 Blond Cendre (only available in certain areas? 'Cause it's not on the US website) and she drew a staight, natural brow in no time. The brow brush at the other end of the pencil is very useful, it softens the whole brow and I use it to slightly erase the end of the brow if I don't like how it looks. The staying power is decent too. The straight eyebrows just give me a more structured face (overly high arch will age our faces anyway) and I love the texture so much. The packaging comes with a sharpener, which is thoughtful. I need to sharpen it so as to draw the end more precisely. And extra point given to the beauty advisor who has taught me so well (I could never learn to draw eyebows on videos or magazines, 'cause everyone has a different face!) dastically changed my way of doing my eyebrows. She taught me how to draw on MY OWN eyebrows, and it works well. Texture: 5/5 buttery soft, not waxy, easy to apply Function: 5/5 natural, can soften it with the brow brush, Longetivity: 4.5/5 6-7 hours and it starts to fade Pigmentation/Colour: 5/5 I have black hair with brown highlights, and the pencil colour is not too dark for me Price: 4/5 €20.5 with the pencil, brow brush and sharpener Overall: 4.7/5
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Powder -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Deep
feveragnes 7/27/2012 12:08:00 PM
I generally am a big fan of MAC MSFs, but not this one in Deep. I was tanned and I used MSF in Medium Dark on my NC30 skin, and I use MSF in Deep to contour my cheeks. It is 2 tones darker than Medium Dark, but sadlly it is of a completely DIFFERENT colour tone. It is not bronzed/beige/golden, but yellow. It is descibed as 'caramel brown' on the MAC website and they're right. It looks very unnatural on my skin, and doesn't fit into anyone's skintone because even darker skintones are not that yellowish! The finish is alright, not the best among the range, a little bit cakey and the powder is quite loose (compared to other MSFs I own). But I don't use it at all now as the colour is just a complete turn-off on my skin, and other people's faces I've worked with. Texture: 4/5 Function: 2/5 Pigmentation/ Colour: 1/5 a total disappointment in this category, too yellowish on all skintones, doesn't work as a bronzer or settling powder, very unnatural on tanned skin Packaging: 4/5 Price: 3/5 €25.5 for 7g in Hong Kong, but I don't consider it a good price because it's not practical Overall: 2.8/5
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Pressed Powders -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - Medium Dark
feveragnes 7/27/2012 11:56:00 AM
MSF in Medium Dark works for so many people. When I apply makeup on other faces, most of the girls and boys fall into this colour (we have Chinese, Nepalese and Indians!). When used dry, it provides light coveage and the finish is not cakey nor dull. I use it all over my face when I'm tanned (NC 30 in summer), and use it as a bronzer when I'm paler (NC20-25). It is finely milled, and it does not dry up nor emphasize the flakiness of my problematic dry skin, and it looks so smooth when applied wet! Use a stippling brush, you can get sheer results. As a bronzer, it doesn't quite show up even on my NC 20 (even I apply heavily) so I much prefer NARS Laguna for contouring. All in all, it's a great poduct that I have hit pan, and I have seen it working wonders for many Asian skintones. Great great colour to work with! Texture: 5/5 very fine powder, does not dry up my skin, not cakey Function: 4.5/5 light to medium coveage (dry/wet application), even skin tones Pigmentation/Colour: 5/5 Packaging: 4/5 Price: 4.5/5 €25.5 for 7g in Hong Kong, can be used every day Overall: 4.6/5
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Bronzers -NARS - Laguna
feveragnes 7/22/2012 11:39:00 AM
NARS Laguna a brown-based shimmery bronzer, and I have to say it is the most natural bronzer I've used. It is non-orangey, light on my light-medium skin tone (NC 20-25) and easy to blend. I use this to contour my cheekbones so create a more sculpted face. You may wonder if the shimmer is too much, but I hardly notice any of it on my face. It gives a very sheen and healthy glow to my face, and never can I achieve this glow by a matte bronzer. Among all bronzers I own, Laguna has the sheerest texture and it is of a true brown colour, not too warm nor too cool. Nars blush Zen is a little more red with dirty pink undertones and it is matte, and is more difficult to blend. It looks equally natural when applied and it is buttery soft. As for MAC Mineralize Skin Finish (in Dark), it leans yellow and it is matte. It can make your face look a bit dull and muddy because the colour is caramel. The powder is not as fine as NARS's products, but you can use a wet brush/sponge to apply it to achieve a smooth, even finish. I tend to use the colour in Medium Dark on others all over their faces and it just looks creamy. (hit pan!) Generally speaking, I think Zen is a nice nude blush if you want a barely-there makeup look, and MAC MSF Dark is too yellow as a bronzer. However, you may get MAC MSF Medium Dark/ Medium and use it as a settling powder. Laguna would be my choice for contouring! Texture: 5/5 very smooth, sheen, contains fine shimmer that gives a subtle glow to my face Function: 4.5/5 true brown-based colour, non-orangey, not very long-lasting but acceptable Application: 5/5 easy to blend, buildable Packaging: 4.5/5 the rubber case attracts lots of dust Price: 3.5/5 €30 for 8g is quite pricey but hey it's NARS Overall: 4.5/5 Say meow to me on: Miss Kwong: From Catwalk to Classroom
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - 188 Small Duo Fibre Face brush
feveragnes 7/3/2012 9:48:00 AM
Made by natural hair (black) and synthetic fibres (white), MAC 188 is suitable for applying emoillent, creamy and powdery products. It's the smaller sister of the loved MAC 187, with a flat top you can use with circular motions. Swirling it with creamy/powder blushes onto the apples of the cheeks provide light weight application, and so it is great for pigmented blushes like NARS Gilda and MAC Fleur Power. However, beware that since it softens up all colours, applying nude blushes may take up extra time. I suggest sticking to the typical blush brush MAC 116 or any other brushes of your choice if you wish more colour to show up. The bristles are soft, but this brush does shed a bit, but nothing too annoying. A stippling brush is always perfect for creating soft layers and this is the brush for your apple or hollow of your cheeks. If you use it for building up your foundation, it takes up too much time and effort, yet using it to blend concealers is amazing as it can get into the nooks and crannies, and it gives a lighter coverage than MAC 130 which is denser. At the price of €31, it is certainly an expensive investment, but as long as you take care of it, it will last you for quite some years. But is it a must-have? I doubt. There are many other options out there costing a lot less (name Real Techniques Stippling Brush), and many other brushes by other names can do the same thing. Bristles: 3.5/5 (shed a bit) Shape: 5/5 Versatility: 5/5 (Applying blush, blending concealer, contouring and so on, with liquid, creamy and powder products) Application: 4/5 (creates soft layers by dipping colours on but it takes extra time for less pigmented blushes) Price: 3/5 Overall: 4.1/5 For more makeup and beauty products reviews: Miss Kwong: From Catwalk to Classroom
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - #130 Short Duo Fibre Brush
feveragnes 6/29/2012 11:27:00 AM
MAC 130 Duo Fibre Brush is a brush with dense bristles to apply and blend creamy and powdery products. I tend to use it to blend out concealers under my eye as its size is perfect for the area. The coverage is full and natural, yet does not take up as much product comparing to using a traditional foudation brush. It is easy to just stipple it on my skin and no irritation has been caused so far. Blushes and bronzers can also be applied with this if the products are not so pigmented, and the colours are sealed properly on my skin. It gives precise application and does not shed. If you like the 187, you'll also love 130 for smaller area application , it's just 130 is much more densely packed and so it's easy to apply too much sometimes. It's very expensive for such a small brush but I think it's worth it and I reach for it every single day, replacing my MAC 195 concealer brush which is a bit too small to blend concealers to cover my dark eye circles and freckles. One more plus is that it's so easy to wash and dry - much better than traditonal foundation brushes which pack up so much foundation and it can never be 100% washed off. Bristles: 4.5/5 shape: 5/5 versatility: 5/5 application: 4.5/5 price: 4/5 Overall: 4.5/5
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Masks -L'Occitane - Immortelle Cream Mask
feveragnes 6/22/2012 12:15:00 AM
Pros: It is the HG product for my sensitive, dry skin with eczema. I have used many other hydrating face mask but nothing works quite like Immortelle Cream Mask. Under cold weather, my skin becomes flaky and every 2 weeks I have eczema. I put this on every day and it sooths my red bumpy rashes and gives nice hydration to my skin. I cannot imagine living without Immortelle Cream Mask as it is a mild medicine for my problematic skin. I remember in Korea it was snowing in April, and with all the snow hitting my face it was immeidately irritated. I went to the hotspring and put on Immortelle Cream Mask and all my friends saw how the itchy rashes disappeared gradually. Now in summer I still use it twice per week. If you look at the price, you may frown but in fact the amount is enormous and a little goes a long way. I have used it every day in winter and after half a year the jar is still halfway filled. Cons: There's a scent (something like honey) in this product and it might irritate the skin of some people, but not for me. I'd prefer the packaging to be a tube rather than the existing jar as it'd be more hygenic. Texture: 5 Function: 5+ Application: 5 Packaging: 4 Price: 4 Overall: 4.6
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Primer/ Corrector -Bare Escentuals - Prime Time
feveragnes 6/21/2012 11:51:00 PM
Pros: This primer does its job well - it sooths my skin, is very soft and light, and provides a smooth, seamless surface for my foundation to be built on my face. It contains silicone but it doesn't irritate my super sensitive skin, and gives me a silky soft face as if I haven't put on any primer. I love the packaging because with the pump it's very hygenic. The container is really tiny, but with a little primer you can blend all over the face. I'd recommend you to go and get it if you have dry/ combination skin! Also, as it's not water-based and it contains no oil, it will no expire, like all Bare Minerals products. Cons: I don't have much oil so I cannot review much on the oil control aspect, but I think it does not keep my foundation stay longer than before - meaning that I still need touchups after 7-8 hours in humid weather. Well I'm not complaining, 8 hours is more than enough, but i guess it just won't drastically change the makeup routine of ladies with oily skin. Texture: 5/5 Function: 4.5/5 Packaging: 5/5 Application: 5/5 Price: 4/5 Overall: 4.7/5
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Treatments -Clinique - Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle and UV Damage Corrector
feveragnes 6/21/2012 11:26:00 PM
I use this to replace my serum and after 3 weeks I find my skin much softer. I have very sensitive dehydrated skin and Clinique Laser Focus is gentle but very effective in correcting my uneven skintone. It doesn't irritate my skin and it moisturizes my skin really well. My lines under my eyes gradually are a bit less obvious too. I'm so in love with this treatment and it's not pricy at all for its function! I think if you're in your 30s, it will be an HG product for slightly dry, mature skin. For mature skin of 40/50-year-old ladies, something more dramatic needs to be done to remedy the damage and this laser focus might be too mild. Texture: 5 Function: 5 Packaging: 5 Application: 5 Price: 4 Overall: 4.8
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Loose Powders -Bare Escentuals - Mineral Veil spf 25
feveragnes 6/15/2012 9:57:00 AM
I use this for touch-ups because of its SPF 25. This does not contain bismuth, which is an ingredient that people say will make faces itch. That's why I gave up my Bare Minerals Foundation 2 times after using it. This is alright for my face, sometimes I don't know if I read too many reviews about BE or I had nightmares of its foundation, my skin itches a bit when I wear this mineral veil. I hope it's just my illusion. The Mineral Veil powder is very fine and it controls oil well. It can make my flaky dry skin even worse, but it suits people with combination skin. Wearing it makes my skin feel really soft and velvety, as if I have put on a really good base/ foundation. I think it is not expensive and there're not many mineral powders with SPF 25 out there, so it definitely has an edge. Texture: 4/5 velvety, but a bit dry Function: 5/5 controls oil, SPF 25 Application: 3.5/5 seriously their brushes suck, I prefer my MAC brushes, and I need to remove loads of excess when I dap my brush on it and thus I waste quite a lot of it every time. Packaging: 4/5 good with the lock to prevent spills, but still some powders are stuck inside Price: 4.5/5 Overall: 4.2
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Powder -Bobbi Brown - Skin Foundation Mineral Makeup SPF 15
feveragnes 6/15/2012 9:42:00 AM
My go-to mineral makeup powder! I normally use 2 way cakes for touchups, but they look too unnatural and cakey on my dry sensitive skin. The Bobbi Brown Mineral Powder is very fine, soft, blendable and does not dry out my skin like Bare Minerals do (and Bare Minerals foundation makes me itch) and I much prefer the Bobbi Brown one. I'm a NC 25 and am using light to medium tone - I use a MAC 187 to apply it to give a sheer coverage. I wouldn't say the colour matches me perfectly, but as it's quite translucent it doesn't matter that much. I love the texture so so much, just feels like Soufflé. Not cakey, does not suck in my fine lines and is longlasting, not to mention the SPF 15 is great for touchups to protect my delicate skin. I don't wear it alone as it doesn't provide enough coverage, but it's perfect for setting and fixing makeup. Texture: 5/5 Function: 5/5 Application: 4.5/5 You need a good brush for sheer coverage Packaging: 4/5 I only opened 2 holes so the powder won't scatter like crazy, but still, it's very fine powder so it could be messy Price: 3.8/5 It costs me €36 in Hong Kong, but it's worth the price Overall: 4.46
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Cleansers -Bioderma - Sensibio H2O (aka Crealine H20 Solution micellaire)
feveragnes 6/15/2012 9:29:00 AM
I love this product so much. I have very sensitive skin (Eczema) and I need a gentle makeup remover that doesnt irritate and dry out my skin. Bioderma Sensibio H2O is very gentle yet it has great cleasing power, and my skin feels moisturized and soft after removing my makeup. It removes face makeup thoroughly, but not waterproof mascara. It costs € 200 for 500ML in Hong Kong, not really expensive but the amount used everytime is HUGE. Another downside of it is it requires me to use cotton pads to cleanse my face, and I use up more than 20 pads every day. And it doesn't smell nice, like some kind of smell in hospital/ laboratory. I recommend it to everyone who suffers from Eczema like I do! Texture: 5/5 Function: 5/5 Application: 3/5 Packaging: 5/5 Price: 4/5 Overall: 4.4
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Concealers -MAC - Studio Finish Concealer
feveragnes 6/13/2012 10:42:00 AM
The creamy concealer is a bit dry for my dry skin, but it works really well to cover pimples. It has great staying power as it's quite sticky, and it has great coverage. The SPF 35 is a plus point, and I hope that C25 is not always sold out... (so I am using NW 20 now which is quite white and pink for my NC 25). It doesn't work as an eye concealer as it's hard to blend and can dry out my undereye area. Choose Select cover up or other liquid concealer for that. 1 year has passed and I have used it on every other day and hardly have I used up half of it. Good value for money! Texture: 4/5 semi-creamy texture, long staying power Function: 4/5 only for face, not eyes Application: 3/5 difficult to blend Packaging: 5/5 I love the plastic container much more than the glass one Price: 4.5/5 good value fr money, last very long Overall: 4.1
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Powder -MAC - Lightful Powder Foundation
feveragnes 6/13/2012 10:31:00 AM
MAC lightful compact is easy to use, buildable with medium, coverage. I have dry and sensitive skin, but its powder doesn't make my skin look flaky. The powder is really fine and it feels luxurious to wear it because of how silky it is. However, if I use a sponge, I look quite unnatural in it with a chalky face. It lasts for a few months as I normally use it for touch-ups because applying it like a foundation does not work for my dry skin. The SPF 25 is a plus point - great for touch-ups! Texture: 4/5 smooth to apply, very fine powder. I never expect a 2-way cake can achieve an airbrushed look, so it's fine for me. Function: 4/5 SPF 25, nice for touch-ups, medium coverage Application: 4/5 buildable, easy to blend, but sometimes I feel it's too thick to wear Packaging: 4/5 I broke the cake when 1/3 left..it's easy to break. but the case in silver is really lovely with a sponge in another compartment. Price: 3.5/5 $32 Euro for refill - a bit expensive comparing to other MAC compacts Overall: 3.9/5
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Treatments (Eye) -Origins - Starting Over Age erasing eye cream with Mimosa
feveragnes 6/13/2012 10:14:00 AM
This eyecream claims to reduce fine lines and prevent aging, but I see it no more than a basic moisturizer. The good thing is that it doesn't irritate my eyes, does hydrate my undereye area and is easy to blend and absorb. However, I have finished half of the jar but don't see my lines improving. You may consider buying this if you look for a not-so-expensive eyecream to moisturize your skin but don't expect it to be a real treatment. Texture: 5/5 soft, easy to absorb, moisturizing Function: 3/5 doesn't really reduce lines and puffiness Application: 4/5 Packaging: 3/5 easy for bacteria to grow within the jar Price: 4.5/5 not expensive, a jar can last for a few months Overall: 3.9/5
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