Review: Revlon ColorStay Moisture Stain

So I actually snagged these new Revlon Moisture Stains when I saw it at ONE Duane Reade. Went round looking for it when I finally spotted it. 

These come in 12 shades and I picked up only two since they are so new. I picked up 010 (LA Exclusive) and 025 (Cannes Crush)

Packaging

The cubish packaging is really cute and if all lipsticks come in fixed cubes like these, storing would be so much easier. The colors are displayed on the outside itself so it's pretty easy to pick out the colors you want. It has a bent doe-foot applicator which makes applying really easy as well. 

Product

This supposedly 'drench lips in wet color', contains Vitamin E and Aloe and is not sticky. I would agree with the shine. This leaves a very even shine throughout and it doesn't dry out my lips. However, I am not exactly sure of long wear. It doesn't really last..at all. And it does stain a little but not as much as say, Revlon Balm stain. As for opacity, it is rather buildable and coverage is pretty high after 2 coats. 

Swatches

Aren't the colors quite pretty? Quite sad I didn't pick up the rest of the colors. Not that I needed them...but. 

Application

As you can see, the gloss settles into fine lines and my lips have been so dry since coming back from the states. So be sure to load on the lip balm before applying, but I noticed that once you give it a little time, the stain kinda fills the lines nicely and you don't see them at all. I'm not sure if my lips were sensitive or because I prepped them with a medicated lip balm beforehand but they left a weird, tingly sensation on my lips.

Comparison

The first comparison I thought of was Maybelline Color Elixer. I tried that out as well and honestly, I prefer this for its brighter summer-y colors and cuter packaging. I personally feel that the color opacity is higher and I like the feel of it more on my lips. Comparing it to Revlon Balm Stain, Revlon works better as a stain and the former works really well as a pretty lipstick/gloss. I think the both would really go well together 

Verdict

I think these are cute and pretty for summer. They are easy to apply and have great color-payoff. They deserve a try if you're looking for some bright colors this summer!

Quick Summary

The Awesome:

- Great color payoff

- Cute packaging

- Non-drying

- Wide range of fun colors 

The Average

- Not as long wearing as it claims

- Not much of a stain

Let us know if you tried it and if you love it!

Love,

Pea

Review: Maybelline Pumped Up! Colossal Volum' Express Mascara

hi guys! Sorry I have been missing for a while. 

I'm here for a rally quick review.

I picked up this mascara at the drugstore recently and this is my first time trying it out. 

Packaging: 

I love the packaging cause it's PIIIIINK. 

The mascara brush is love. I'm not sure if you can see it here but it's bristles are not the usual ones you get. The bristles are...sharper and thinner. This separates my lashes and gave it length and my lashes are super fluttery! The odd shape of the brush is to supposedly provide allow more product to be pumped on to the brush and allow more volume (I'm not quite sure) but I honestly love the bristles.

Comparison: 

If I were to compare this with my other Maybelline mascara - The Falsies Volum' Express, the main difference would be the brush shape. The Falsies has a curved brush which is great for getting all the lashes at the root. The Falsies brush also allow more product to be dispensed on the lash to give more volume, I am expecting awesome results if I used the Falsies at my roots and then the Colossal for my middle to end section to give me the fluttery lashes I want.

Verdict: 

This is two coats of the mascara and I honestly love it. It holds my curls and gives me very pretty lashes!

Quick summary:

The Awesome: 

- sharper bristles for fluttery lashes 

- no clumping (but I only use two coats so I won't know what it will look like with more)

- holds my curls 

- the awesome length 

The Average 

- would like more volume 

Ok being back here is awesome. I love this mascara and I hope you would too if you try! 

Love,

Pea 

Flo's May Favourites 2014!

Hello! Here to share my favourites for the month of May :) This month, I've been spending more time researching and testing out skincare products more than make up. I have also been frequently reaching back to a few make-up gems that I've loved for a long time. Here goes:

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ 

1. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

This is a brand that I've been wanting to try for a few months already! Actually I didn't really know which product to start with and I was at Sephora one day and decided to just yolo pick this up cuz it was pretty cheap (S$19 for 2.0 oz). It written that I can use this from head to toe, so I thought why not? 

That period, I was still battling with leftover dry patch from my breakout and this proved itself to be super moisturising and useful to tackle that problem! My skin is not dry anymore. One more thing that I really like is the texture. It's not too watery or too sticky, yet your skin feels moisturised. Two thumbs up for that! I also use this as a hand cream when my palms feel dry :)

I'm totally going back to Sephora to see if I can try other products from this brand. Might wanna try the facial cleanser and the oatmeal mask ^.^

2. Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins

This is another product that I've been researching on. Because of my whole forehead issue, I haven't used a proper moisturiser in my skincare routine since last Dec! That's been like 6 months? And I thought because my skin is super oily anyway, I don't need to compensate with a moisturiser. 

Boyyyyy I was so wrong! My skin is super dry on the surface and it was driving me nuts! So I slowly injected moisturiser back into my regime, starting with the FAB Ultra Repair Cream day and night. When I felt that my skin was ready, I added this into my night routine and I've really been enjoying this product :)

The smell is kinda funny.. Like a little orange-y smell. The texture is superrrr thick and creamy. That's why it is meant to be used only at night I guess. But I had my own reservations cuz the reviews online were pretty mixed. I'm glad that my skin didn't have any bad reactions to this and actually, when I wake up in the morning my skin feels very moisturised instead of just a layer of my own oil. 

3. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation in Classic Ivory

I admit I've been neglecting this foundation since Pea got it for me from the States last year. Haha. This was another product that I've been dying to get my hands on since the youtubers raved about it eons ago. One thing about this foundation is that... It is not transfer resistant. That's why I am always kinda hesitant to use it cause it comes off very easily. 

However, the good thing is that, it smells so so so good. It is also very light on the skin and pretty moisturising. I mix this with my Estee Lauder DW foundation sometimes when I feel that it alone is too dry for my skin. The colour of this foundation is a little more to the pink side, so it evens out my skin tone when I mix it with my DW foundation since that one is a little too yellow for my liking.

4. L'oreal Infallible Shadows in Amber Rush, Hourglass Beige, Sahara Treasure

If I had to choose one favourite single shadow on the market.. This would definitely be one of the top 3!!!! I love love love the L'oreal Infallible Shadows. I wish they have all the colours in the world for this. I already own 9... A very alarming number and the most I have for single shadows. It is super shimmery, super buttery, super easy to put on the eyelids.. I can use a single colour and it is enough because it is just. that. awesome. So convenient. I like glitters and sparkles and shimmers, so this is right up my alley. Definitely not made for those who are afraid of shimmers hahaha.

This month, I've been reaching out very frequently to these 3 colours:

1. Sahara Treasure was a very old colour and one of the first few that was available in Singapore. I was dying to get my hands on these babies maybe close to 3 years ago and I searched for it in every Watsons/Guardian/everywhere that carried L'oreal products! Managed to find 3 colours and this stays as one of my favourite colours till date. 

2. Hourglass Beige came in later with the rest of the colours that are still available now. It is hands down my favourite highlight colour. Super pretty on the inner corner of the eyelids. I might be a little too obsessed with this colour, haha. 

3. Amber Rush was one of the colours I was praying for L'oreal to bring in to Singapore... But to no avail. Lol. So, I ordered it off Drugstore.com and really, no regrets!!! Such a pretty coral colour....... Brings tears to my eyes.

5. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Istanbul, Milan

Another oldie but a goodie :) I've loved this Soft Matte Lip Cream since I got my hands on them very very long time ago. Hahaha. I don't even think there was Sephora then! I got these from a local distributor a few years back and recently, I've been over-using the colour Istanbul cause it's the lip colour that can match any make-up I'm using. A true MLBB! 

I also really like the effect these lip cream give. It is matte but not drying, the colour lasts throughout the day, and the colour just suits my skin tone. Every time I want to get more, I will still pick out these two colours -_- So I always end up not getting any!!!! I might wanna get a deep red/berry colour if I chance upon it though :)

6. Innisfree Eco Nail Color Pro

This is a new addition to my nail polish collection. Never used Innisfree nail polishes before but they are so cheap ($4 per bottle), I picked up 5 colours and these 3 were the Pro versions. Another 2 were normal nail polishes I guess cuz the brush that came with those are... not as good as these! The brushes of the these taller bottles are wide and super easy to control. I also love the colour range of the polishes.. I had a hard time picking the colours!!! I get an opaque colour with two layers :) They dry very quickly as well. Hehe, really loving them.

That's all for my favourites for the month of May! Hope you've discovered as much new and old gems as I did. Have you tried any of the products above? Let us know what you think :)

♡,

Flo

Review: Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Hi everyone! I’ll be doing a little review about the Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation. 

If you are into make-up, I’m sure you’ve heard about this foundation. With the crazy weather in Singapore and my ultra oily skin, I’m always on the search for a long-lasting foundation that can last me the whole day (at least 12 hours). I’ve been waiting for the right moment to get this foundation after hearing so much about it on youtube and I finally got it :D

Got myself swatched and the lady swatched me the colour 1W1 Bone. 

Packaging

It comes in a matte bottle which I really appreciate. I love the combination of gold in it, but it doesn’t come with any pumps. I know it’s kinda unhygienic and intolerable to some, but to me, it’s okay as long as the product works. I usually just pour out a small amount on the back of my hands before applying it on my face. If you really want a pump, I heard some MAC pumps are suitable for this.

Swatches

The lighting in the Estee Lauder cosmetics boutique is like bright white fluorescent colour I could see all my pores and blemishes, so it should be a good colour for me. True enough, I love the colour match! Initially I was quite hesitant cause I find that it’s really quite difficult to swatch me since my colour is neither here nor there. Like, I might look like the lightest but sometimes I’m not? Yet sometimes even the lightest colour is too dark for me… -_-'' And Sephora’s lighting is totally nonsensical. 

Application

Fingers: I always use my fingers the first time for any product cause I feel that it’s the best way I can work with the foundation as the warmth of my fingers will help maximize the coverage and the wear. It looks very nice on the skin, coverage is medium-full, but I quickly noticed that it accentuates my dry patches. Once it was set, it literally didn’t budge. It dries very quickly too so it’s best to work one area at a time. Throughout the day it was pretty much okay, and lasted well till night.

Brush: I’ve been using a brush ever since then to sheer out the coverage as I felt that with fingers the coverage was a little too full for everyday wear. I use a really small amount of foundation, maybe around a 10cent coin and I dot it around the area before blending it in with the brush. Remember to work with the foundation quickly as it dries fast.

Beauty Blender: I recently purchased this and it has been a dream to work with! I make sure it is damp with water cause apparently that's the best state it will work in. I just dab a little of the product and work area by area with bouncing movement to make sure that it's well blended. I really think the dampness of the beauty blender actually helps a lot with the blending cause on its own, the foundation dries super quickly!!

However I feel that since it dries so quickly and is non-transferable, it accentuates dry patches and it might not be suitable for people with dry skin. I thought of using a heavy moisturiser before applying the foundation but it turned out even.. more cakey with the moisturiser underneath. I felt so gross the whole day. I’ve heard other people saying a heavy moisturiser works for them but it definitely did not work for my skin!

Comparison

I went out the whole day.. with a visit to the zoo (imagine the buckets of sweat), a shower (not touching my face haha), and a short afternoon nap. It was still pretty okay at the end of the day, even though I could tell that some came off with all the blotting, my face was still pretty evenly covered.

Verdict

Overall, I really like this foundation! I’d definitely be repurchasing this cause any foundation that can last in Singapore weather for a full 10 hours is really a worthy HG foundation. I also feel that the price is very justifiable and not too expensive. I’ve tried more expensive foundations that did not even do half of what this foundation did for me.

Quick Summary

The great:

• Works very well with oily-combination skin
• Doesn't oxidise throughout the day
• Doesn't give off white cast with flash photography
• Covers flawlessly with medium-full build-able coverage
• A pretty wide range of colours available
• Transfer resistant and lasts for at least 10 hours of wear

The not-so-great:

• Accentuates dry patches and dry spots
• Sets and dries way too quickly - within the first minute of applying
• Not suitable for dry skin

The Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation retails at S$56 at Sephora and Estee Lauder counters for 1 Fl.Oz worth of product.

Have you tried this foundation? Let us know how you feel!

xx,
Flo