Hello Sephora!

Sephora is finally making it's way to Sydney!! It was announced a few weeks ago that Sephora will takeover the current Esprit store on Pitt Street and be open by Christmas (construction's is already happening!!). This has been a long time coming and I am SO ridiculously excited!  Here's a review on a Sephora product in honour of the occasion :)  

Sephora's Contour Eye Pencil 12HR Wear

Sephora Countour Eye Pencil 12HR Wear

L-R: #4 Surfer Babe; #24 Surfer Babe

I own #4 Starry Sky and #24 Surfer Babe. These waterproof eyeliners contain 0.04oz of product and retail for US$10. However I bought mine in Bangkok for 480 baht (from what I remember...) which translates to about US$15 or AU$16. Australia's notorious for make-up mark-ups so I think when Sephora opens in Sydney, it'd sit closer to $15+ mark.

But these are fabulous eyeliners and I think they're well worth their cost! They give intense colour and are buttery soft, but still go the distance on oily lids. 

#4 Starry Sky

L-R: Flash; No Flash

#4 Starry Sky is intense glittery grey. It's actually rather similar to Smashbox's Shadow Liner in Chrome that I previously reviewed here. It has the same complexity with flashes of blue peeking through, but it's a touch lighter, leaning more towards silver-grey than dark-grey. 

Here's a comparison with Smashbox's Shadow liner.

L-R: Sephora Starry Sky; Smashbox Chrome

#24 Surfer Babe

L-R: Flash; No Flash

Deep teal is my all time favourite colour and I think this eyeliner really captures the intensity that I adore. The swatch above was taken near the side of the my wrist and it looks a bit strange in the photo but the colour is even more stunning and eye catching in person! This vibrant blue-green is marked as a shimmer but the particles are so fine that it looks more pearlescent on the lids. 

Not only are the colours beautiful, they are extremely long lasting if you give them a few seconds to set! I can easily wear these from day to night because they don't budge. Look at the same swatches from above after a very firm swipe with a make-up wipe!

Verdict?
Colour/Pigmentation: Good. Gorgeous, vibrant, multidimensional colour. Intensity is very buildable.
Lasting Power: Good. If you let it set first (just a few seconds!), it will stay waterproof, last the distance and wont transfer. Surfer Babe lasts better than Starry Sky.
Formula: Average. Goes on buttery smooth with no crumbling or unevenness. However, because it's so buttery smooth, it does wear down very quickly and it's difficult to get a fine line. 
Packaging: Good. Standard eyeliner packaging. Easy to sharpen. Love how the colour at the end of the pencil is very true to colour.
Final thoughts:  I just want every single shade in this range! I really, really hope that they bring the 10 piece collections to Sydney! 9/10

I am so ridiculously excited about the arrival of Sephora!

xoxo
Have a glorious day!

Battle of the Blurs

Garnier Perfect Blur vs. L'oreal Miracle Blur

Blur creams are the latest beauty trend taking over the shelves. From high end to drugstore, every other brand seems to have a blurring product out there.

So what are they? They are beauty products that use new optical/light technology to 'blur' your skin and improve the appearance of pores, wrinkles and really any other imperfections you may have. Not all of them call themselves primers, but that's what they essentially are - new and improved, next generation primers.

Two extremely popular offerings that have recently hit Australian drugstore are the Garnier 5 Sec Perfect Blur and L'oreal Revitalift Magic Blur. These are sold everywhere, from local pharmacies to supermarkets, but they are so popular that they are often sold out. The natural question that follows then is, are they worth they hype? And if so, which brand is better?

I've previously done a brief review on the Miracle Blur and I think it's pretty obvious that I'm a fan of blur creams. But with this post now, I thought I'd see how the Perfect Blur stacks up against the Miracle Blur. I'll be considering three elements - price, packaging and the product performance. 

Round One - Price:

Here is a price breakdown based on the Australian standard retail price.

• Garnier Perfect Blur contains 22ml and retails for $16.99 (i.e. $0.77 per ml)
• L'oreal Magic Blur contains 30ml and retails for $24.99 (i.e. $0.83 per ml)

As you can see, Garnier's Perfect Blur is better priced on a per ml basis and offers better overall value

Winner: Garnier Perfect Blur

Round Two - Packaging:

For me, there are two things to consider when looking at a product's packaging - its aesthetics and its practicality.

Overall, I found the Perfect Blur to be more aesthetically pleasing. It looks bright and fresh and very much in line with what the Garnier brand often tries to represent. I cannot say that this is how my ideal blur primer would look like, but I definitely prefer it over the Magic Blur.

I have two issues with the Magic Blur. Firstly, while the matte tube seems fitting considering the 'blur' factor, there's just too much blank, red space on the front and the matte finish just makes it look dull and cheap. Secondly, the shape of the tube reminds me of the competition. Garnier already has two popular products (Pure A moisturiser and Oil Free BB Cream) that come in an identical tube and every time I see the Magic Blur, I just think Garnier!

I also found the Perfect Blur to be more practical and easy to use. The Magic Blur tube is simply too big. Even though it contains more product, it definitely doesn't warrant a tube this size. Not only does it mislead the consumer about how much product they get, it's also frustrating because the half empty tube makes it hard to squeeze out the product. It feels empty quickly and then you are forced to use both hands to get the product out. 

The Perfect Blur comes in a much more compact, convenient and travel friendly size. And it doesn't mislead the consumer about the amount of product they get!

Winner: Garnier Perfect Blur

Round Three: Product Performance

So first and foremost, do the products do as they claim? 

That's a resounding yes for both products. When applied, they both make a noticeable difference and imperfections definitely look blurred. 

Hopefully the photos below give you a better idea of how the products look by themselves and when applied. They both have a similar consistency and appearance but the Magic Blur feels a bit denser between your fingers. 

L-R: Magic Blur; Perfect Blur

L-R: Magic Blur; Perfect Blur (blended)

Now which product performs better?

To really get an idea of how the two blur creams compare, I went for a few days with Perfect Blur on one side of my face and Magic Blur on the other. I even alternated the sides that they were on so the results were more fair. 

After about a week, I noticed that Garnier's Perfect Blur consistently performed better. It gave a much better overall appearance and controlled oil more effectively.

If you look at the photo below, the Perfect Blur on the right has a slightly more pink tinge and when applied on the skin, it seems to do a bit of colour correction. My complexion always looked brighter and better on the Perfect Blur side. 

L-R: Magic Blur; Perfect Blur

Garnier's Perfect Blur was also much better at controlling oil throughout the day. I have quite oily skin and even after 5 hours of wear, the Garnier side only ever had a small 5 cent sized oily patch next to my nose. My make-up lasted better and I really enjoyed not having to blot/touch up my make-up. 

In contrast, the Magic Blur left both my cheeks and forehead very oily after the same amount time. However, it must be noted that the L'oreal website never actually calls it a primer and just tells you to apply after moisturiser. This suggests that it's one of those blur creams that require you to follow up with a primer. When I tried that, I got much better results. But at the end of the day, I want to be able to use my blur cream as a primer as well. The mornings are busy enough and I don't see the point of having blur cream as a separate step when there are products that do both at once!

Winner: Garnier Perfect Blur

Final Thoughts

I know this sounds like I dislike L'oreal's Magic Blur but I don't. After reading/watching reviews online, I actually preferred it and didn't by the Perfect Blur because I was waiting for the arrival of the Magic Blur. And when I finally got it, I really enjoyed it! I liked how it made my skin look and the lack of oil control on its own wasn't an issue because the need to blot/touch-up my make-up wasn't anything new. But my good experience with Magic Blur made me curious about Perfect Blur and the rest was history.

Garnier's Perfect Blur blows L'oreal's Magic Blur right out of the water and it's definitely the one I will be repurchasing!


OVERALL WINNER: Garnier 5 Sec Perfect Blur

xoxo
See you next time my lovelies!

Smashing Shadow Liner

Smashbox Waterproof Shadow Liner to Go in Chrome

Chrome; 2.67g/0.094oz ($29.95@ Kit Cosmetics)

This is a two-in-one eyeshadow and eyeliner, with a built-in smudger on one end. This can be applied thickly or smudged out, making it a very versatile product that's perfect for creating smoky looks of different intensities. There are 6 shades in this range and I own the colour Chrome. 

Chrome is a shimmery, dark grey and under the right lighting, a bit of stunning blue comes through. Here are some swatches showing how different applications of the shadow liner looks. The left image is without flash, while the right image is with flash. 

L-R: Chrome built up, Chrome in one layer, Chrome smudged out

It's just so gorgeous and eye catching! And apart from the fascinating colour, this also truly stays put and does not budge. Once it sets, nothing is going to remove it except for oil based make-up removers. 

Here's the same swatch after a few rounds with a makeup remover wipe. As you can see, not a lot has changed!

No flash

And here it is after some aggressive scratching. Unfortunately I accidentally deleted the no-flash image and in the photo below, the colour's actually a bit washed out by the flash. But you can still see how I mainly just managed to irritate my skin.

Flash

I love this. It's a bit hard to smudge so I don't often use it as an eyeshadow but it's great as an eyeliner. You wont get precision out of this but you will get intense colour that practically glues itself to your eyelids. Chrome is perfect for nights out. It's sweatproof and waterproof and a great, eye-catching alternative to the more traditional black. 

Smashbox Waterproof Shadow Liner to Go in Chrome

Verdict?
Colour/Pigmentation: Good. Gorgeous multidimensional colour. Shimmery too.  
Lasting Power: Good. Definitely waterproof. I have oily eyelids but this still stays put and doesn't transfer (even when I run my finger over it!). 
Formula: Average. Applies smoothly and evenly without any crumbling. But it's a bit difficult to blend given its excellent waterproof qualities. You must work quickly and putting a primer underneath helps.
Packaging: Good. I love my chunky pencil/crayon products so this is right up my alley. Easy to grip. Convenient smudger at the end. Lid of the eyeliner also fits on the other end like a marker.  
Final thoughts:  This is completely budgeproof and the colour just has so much depth to it! The only slight concern is that the actual product inside the pencil can break and fall out. But I popped the section back in and it still works fine. 8.5/10

xoxo
Thanks for reading! 

Vibrant Varnishes

Outgoing: Bare Naked

#200 Bare Naked

This nude polish did a great job. I paired it with a base and top coat and it didn't start to chip until five days in. Just look at the photo below. This is how it looked after nine days and while it clearly chipped, it held up very well overall. The fact that my thumb, index and ring fingers all escaped unscathed suggests that its claim to last for up to 10 days rings true. 

L-R: (After 9 days) No flash; Flash

I'm very careless with my nails. Especially when washing dishes! I can definitely see someone who's more careful with their hands and nails managing to get a full, 10 days wear out of this. 

Verdict?
Colour: Good. Wearable, flattering nude. Stays pretty shiny. However the range may be difficult to find since it's discontinued.
Lasting Power: Good. Five days with no chipping. Nine days with minimal chipping.  With a bit of care (and a topcoat), this should last the advertised 10 days.
Formula: Good. Great consistency, easy to apply, goes on smooth, and dries quickly. No problem with the product itself drying up either.
Packaging: Average. Shape is a bit bulky and hard to grip. Glass seems excessively thick. Good sized flat brush though. 
Final Thoughts: Great overall. It's not a 'wow' polish but it's a good, dependable nude that will go the distance. 8/10

Incoming: Wine to Five

#190 Wine to Five, 11ml/0.37 fl.oz. ($6.95*) 

It took a really long time for me to pick out a new colour. I couldn't decide and when I finally applied Wine to Five I immediately wanted to change my mind! It just looked too dark and I realised what I really wanted was a pastel to go with the gorgeous, sunny days we've been having.

It's rather frustrating but that's all on me and not the polish! Wine to Five is a gorgeous, deep wine red that changes appearance depending on the lighting. It's a very captivating shade of red! Like the rest of Covergirl's Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Polish range, the formula's also great and easy to apply. I did have to be extra careful to keep it strictly on my nails, since the deep colour does stain your skin, but it was nothing nail polish remover couldn't fix. Despite being not quite what I had in mind, it's still a beautiful and classy red. I'll definitely be pulling this out a lot in winter!

L-R: No flash; Flash

In the photo above I have a base coat, two layers of polish and a top coat. The camera really captures how the colour changes. I've got high hopes for this one so let's hope it doesn't disappoint!

*Currently $4.17 @ Priceline where there's a 40% off Covergirl sale until Monday, 28th April.

xoxo
Have a fabulous day!

Blooming Blushes

Sleek Blush #926 Rose Gold

Sleek Blush Packaging (Front)

Sleek Blush Packaging (Back)

Sleek #926 Rose Gold, 8g/0.27oz ($6.99)

Rose Gold is a gorgeous, pinky-coral blush that will suit most skin tones. It is quite shimmery and has micro particles of gold glitter running through it. Undoubtedly, some people will find the shimmer factor off putting but with a light hand they could easily use Rose Gold as a highlighter instead. 

Just check out the photo below! The camera's flash really shows how illuminating it can be. Personally, the micro-glitter isn't an issue for me. On my medium, warm skin tone, the gold particles just add a nice glow and push this blush a bit more to the coral side. 

Here are some swatches so you get an even better idea of what the product is like. 

This is from two passes over the product.

L-R: No flash, Flash

This is the blush really built up. You can see everything intensifies, even the glow! 

L-R: No flash, Flash

Verdict?
Colour/Pigmentation: Good. Gorgeous colour. Suits a lot of skin tones and very easy to wear. No chunks of glitter but the shimmer may still be too much for some. 
Lasting Power: Good. Despite my oily skin, I can still get a standard, 9-5 day's wear. Colour fades a little by the afternoon but the shimmery highlight stays put. 
Blendability: Good. Silky, finely milled and very easy to blend. Doesn't emphasise pores unless it's really built up and the highlight becomes too much.
Packaging: Good. Sleek! Mirror takes up one whole side, compact, sturdy and very travel friendly. However, base is a bit thin so it may be difficult to open. 
Final thoughts:  I love it! Whether you wear it on its own or layer it over a matte blush, it's always gorgeous! Considering the quality of the product and the amount that you get, $6.99 is a steal! Unless you're strictly devoted to matte blushes, everyone should have this in their make-up collection! 9.5/10

xoxo
Bye beautiful people!!

Bargain Nail Polish Haul

Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Polish

L-R: Go-go Mango, Tickled Pink, Grapevine, Lav-endure, and Vio-last

These nail polishes are fantastic and I really love them. They're gorgeous colours, easy to apply and long lasting. Check out my earlier post on shade 285 Mint Mojito here. 

I was extremely excited when I saw a $5 off Covergirl sale in the latest K-Mart catologue. Considering that these normally retail for $6.75 there, they are an absolute steal after the discount!  I simply had to get more even though I still have a few of these that are unopened. I mean...I'll get to them eventually right??

I purchased #245 Go-Go Mango, #165 Tickled Pink, #310 Grapevine, #145 Lav-endure and #300 Vio-last. Please note that the colours are actually brighter than what the above photo is showing. Most of these are summery colours but that's mainly because I already own the darker shades. I'll still make these work this autumn/winter and at the very least they can be accent colours. 

In total, I saved $25 and bought these 5 babies for only $8.75. 

Definitely swing by your closest K-Mart asap to check these out. They may not have a sale tag on the display but if you scan them they will show up as $1.75 each. This sale ends on the 20th April 2014.

xoxo
Happy shopping!

Vibrant Varnishes

Outgoing: Pacific Blue

420 Pacific Blue ($6.95)

This was fantastic! With a topcoat, the colour stayed vibrant and it lasted a good 8 days before it started to chip. I think even without a topcoat, this would still do quite well on its own. I didn't end up adding a topcoat on my left hand until 2 days after and everything still stayed perfect. 

This is how it looks after 10 days. It has lost a bit of its glossiness but it's still a bright blue and the chipping only occurred at the tips.

L-R:  No flash, Flash

Verdict?
Colour: Good. Gorgeous shade of blue that's unique and very eye catching. Someone always comments on it! But use a base coat because it can stain your nails. 
Lasting Power: Good. Easily lasts 8 days when a topcoat's used. Colour doesn't fade.  
Formula: Good. Great consistency, easy to apply, goes on smooth, and dries quickly. No problem with the product itself drying up either.
Packaging: Good. Easy to grip shape, great flat brush, and gorgeous dark steel coloured lid. 
Final Thoughts: Love it! Ticks all the rights boxes and more! This not-so-typical blue is a definite must-have. 10/10

Incoming: Bare Naked

200 Bare Naked ($3.00)

I wanted something more understated and feminine this time around so here's Rimmel's Lasting Finish Pro in 200 Bare Naked. This line is discontinued in Australia but I found this in a $3 discount basket at Chemist Warehouse so keep an eye out! Bare Naked is a slightly shimmery, nude beige-pink that suits most skin tones. It's extremely easy to apply and wear. It wont show up if you accidentally stray from your nails and it will match any outfit. It has a good sized, flat brush and it goes on smoothly with no streaks. All in all I really like this. It's especially perfect for when I'm in a rush.

L-R: No flash, Flash

In the photo above I have a base coat, two layers of polish and a top coat. It did well the last time I wore it but I don't think it survived the full 10 days like the bottle says. Let's see how it goes this time!

xoxo
Have a fabulous weekend!

Not A Fan Of...

Rimmel Scandaleyes Flex Mascara

Black, 12ml ($16.95)

This is going to be quick because I know with 100% certainty that this mascara is not for me. As someone with straight lashes that stubbornly point down, the word 'flex' should have set off warning signals and sent me running in the opposite direction. I need a mascara to freeze curled lashes in place, not add lycra flexibility! 

Since this mascara isn't waterproof, I only ever use it as a second coat (over lashes that have already been curled and set with a layer of waterproof mascara). It does a good job darkening and thickening my lashes but unfortunately, it does an even better job making my lashes droop. No matter how curled my lashes are, if I add this on top, they will immediately go back to pointing down. It's so frustrating! 

Apart from failing to hold a curl, another issue is the massive brush it comes with. Hopefully the photo below gives you some idea of how big it is. It makes it difficult to reach the shorter lashes in the corners of your eyes and things can get messy really quickly.  No matter how large your eyes are, I just don't think anyone needs a brush this size! 

This mascara is only for someone who has naturally curled lashes and just wants to add a little oomph. It'll add volume without making your lashes look or feel stiff and it wont cause clumping. If that's not you, I strongly recommend giving this a miss.

Summary

Positives:

• Adds volume
• Lashes stay soft 
• No clumping

Negatives:

• Absolutely DOES NOT hold a curl
• Easily smudges 
• Slight flaking
• Massive brush

xoxo

Have a beautiful day!

Vibrant Varnishes

Outgoing: Diva Coral

09 Diva Coral ($5.95)

There's not much to say, the pictures below speak for themselves. The left image was taken on day two and the right image on day five. There is NO staying power. It will chip and keep on chipping. 

L-R: Diva Coral after 2 days, Diva Coral after 5 days

Verdict?
Colour: Average. Still slightly streaky with two
coats but it's a pretty, poppy colour and it doesn't stain.
Lasting Power: Poor. Chipped the very next day and just consistently got worse! Most damage was at the tips. 
Formula: Good. It's a good consistency (slightly on the thinner side), quick and easy to apply, goes on smooth and dries fairly quickly.
Packaging: Good. Cute. The brush is a bit small but it's perfectly understandable since it is a mini bottle. 
Final Thoughts: I can't recommend this. It just has no staying power whatsoever and the fact that you will need three coats for true opacity means you'll go through the bottle in no time. There are definitely better and cheaper coral polishes out there. 5/10

Incoming: Pacific Blue

420 Pacific Blue ($6.95)

And now I'm back to the blues! This is Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear polish in 420 Pacific Blue (0.4oz, 11.8ml). It's a gorgeous cobalt blue with a purple undertone. I've had a few misses from this range (usually the lighter or glittery/pearly colours) but this is a definite hit. It goes on extremely smoothly, can be opaque in one coat, dries quickly and I always get comments on it when I wear it. It's great for summer but I think you can definitely still wear it during winter because it's quite an intense shade of blue and it'll make a great contrast against any grey skies. 

L-R: Flash, No flash

In the photo above I have a base coat, two layers of polish and a top coat. From what I remember, it had good lasting power but this will be the first time I actually keep track of it so lets see how it actually goes! Fingers crossed because I've got high hopes!

xoxo
Thanks for reading!

Mad about Matte

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balms

I have an unhealthy obsession with lip crayons. I think it's an extension of my primary school obsession with twistup crayons but there is just something about them that makes me want to collect them all. And I have tried a lot! So ever since I first saw the Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm crayons on YouTube, I have been not-so-patiently waiting for their arrival in Australia. I've even gone into different retailers to ask about them multiple times! I was so excited to see the displays get rolled out a few weeks ago and now they are FINALLY here!

These were released at the same time as the lacquer balms and both ranges come in ten shades. I believe I showed great restraint by only purchasing four - 3 mattes and 1 lacquer.

Say hello to Elusive (matte), Unapologetic (matte), Standout (matte) and Vivacious (lacquer).

L-R: 205 Elusive, 210 Unapologetic, 250 Standout, 120 Vivacious

Here are some swatches. The top image shows the colours with one swipe and the bottom shows the colours more built up. As you can see they are quite pigmented and there's not much difference. 

Swatches L-R: Elusive, Unapologetic, Standout, Vivacious

The photo below shows how the swatches fared after one firm pass of a baby wipe. As expected, the darker colour performed much better. Unapologetic came off almost completely while Standout and Vivacious left a bit of a stain. 

Post baby wipe L-R: Elusive, Unapologetic, Standout, Vivacious

Colour Breakdown

Elusive (205): Cool, medium pink that's comes off as a light, dusty rose on me. It will suit a lot of complexions and is perfect for an easy day look.
Unapologetic (210): A warm reddish-pink that will lean slightly towards neon on some skin tones. Definitely bold, but nothing too scary. 
Standout (250): This neutral, berry red joins the ranks of great Revlon reds. This has the most matte finish of all three and is perfect for the upcoming cooler seasons.
Vivacious (120): Also a reddish pink but deeper and redder than Unapologetic. The shimmer in this lacquer shade isn't noticeable on the lips and it just gives off a nice sheen. Quite cool toned on my lips.   

The following review is only for the matte shades and not the lacquer one. That will come at a later date and probably as a comparison with a different lip crayon.

Verdict?
Colour/Pigmentation: Good. The shades I have are highly pigmented and go on smoothly without patchiness. Once coat is definitely enough. The shade range is also diverse enough that everyone will be able to find a shade to their tastes. 
Lasting Power: Good. Obviously these can't compare to the stains but they still last a good amount of the time. The darker shade - Standout - lasts the longest but I can get a good 5hours out of all of them.
Blendability: Average. They are soft and just glide on but they aren't really balmy to me. They do nothing for smoothing out chapped lips and like most matte finishes just end up emphasising them. You will need to thoroughly exfoliate. Some of the lighter shades will also emphasise fine lines but this isn't an issue with my three shades. 
Packaging: Good. I LOVE the gorgeous matte packaging! It's also quite solidly made i.e. the crayon doesn't move a lot inside the tube. Some crayons are too small for the tube and end up creating a mess because they get pressed against the rim as they're applied. These didn't have that problem. The lids also stay on quite firmly. Very travel friendly.
Final thoughts: I really love how these looks on my lips but I am not a fan of how much prep I need to do beforehand. I know matte finishes tend to emphasise fine lines and chapped lips but I thought this would be less of an issue since the crayon is called a balm. They're not balmy, and they're not as convenient as I hoped. 7.5/10


Give these a go! When applied on smooth lips, these look fantastic. Fantastic enough that I know I will be exfoliating and applying balm more regularly so I can wear these minty friends more often. 

An extra incentive might be the deals that are happening everywhere for these lippies. I know at the moment both Myer and Big W are offering 2 for $20 deals but the best place to go is Priceline because until April 7th they are having a buy one get one free sale on all Revlon lip products so you can get two for $17.95.

xoxo
Enjoy your weekend!