Makeup Favourites of 2013

Hey ladies! Sorry this is a bit late. I know we're already halfway through January 2014 but I've been really busy plus, I wanted to film this rather than type up another boring post. Wanted to change things up for the New Year, you know?

Anyway, here it goes.


If you're too lazy to watch this video, that's okay. I won't make you sit through 6 minutes of torture just to find out what my favourite makeup products are. Here's a list:
1. Benefit Primping with the Stars Kit
2. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer
3. Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder
4. Urban Decay Naked Palette
5. MAC Blush in Dame
6. MAC Lash #32
7. Shiseido Eyelash Curler
8. Kiss Me Heroine Long & Curl Mascara
9. Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers in Celestial and Apocaliptic
10. Benefit Hydra-smooth Lip Colour in Dare Me

I've written reviews for some of the products. If you'd like to read them, just click on the link of each individual product and it'll take you to the blog post.

What are your makeup favourites for 2013? 

Beauty Blogger Tag

Hey everyone, I was tagged by Lisa from Multitasking Damsel about a month ago and haven't gotten around to doing it until now. Sorry, Lisa! Anyway, here it goes!

Rules:

1. State that the tag was created by The Beau Bow 
2. Tag as many beauty bloggers as you would like 
3. Title this post the ‘Beauty Blogger Tag’ 

Questions & Answers: 
1. Name a beauty routine you barely do.
I never really do my brows 'cause they are ultra bushy and I'm too lazy. Even though, I have a patch that I should fill in, I feel like I can get away with a natural thick brow look. After all, Cara's brows are the trend right? 

2. Is washing your brushes something that you regularly do?
Hmmm, define "regularly"? Does whenever I feel like it's dirty count? I don't use makeup or brushes frequently, so it's a bit hard to answer this question.

3. How long do you last with chipped nail varnish?
One or two days? Can't stand them. Even a single small chip, makes me want to wipe all of it off.

4. How often do you put off buying/replacing a beauty item or nail polish, even if you need it? 
When it comes to buying beauty items, I never put it off!

5. What is your worst beauty habit? 
Not putting on sunscreen everyday. That's the only one I can think of at the moment.

6. Name something non-beauty related that you tend to put off all the time.

Uh, laundry? Chores? 

7. When going out somewhere do you leave getting ready until the last minute or not? 
No, I feel rushed if I have to get ready right up to the last minute.

8. Can you commit to spending bans?

So far, yes. But I think it's 'cause my spending bans haven't been that long or strict! 

9. How organised is your make up and nail polish collection? 

Err... They once were! 

10. What is the longest time you have gone without writing a blog post?Oooh, probably 6 months or more? But that was before I converted this into a beauty blog. 

Okay, now it's your turn! I'd like to tag the following bloggers: 

1. Sandy from Eyes for Makeup

2. Kerri from Beauty and Things 

3. Ms Jelena's Blog

4. Sarah from breathebeauty

December 2013 Haul

I recently went back to Singapore and Malaysia for yet another holiday. Now, if you remember my previous haul, you'd know that I bought some goodies from Singapore. YSL to be more exact. This time round, I did not buy anything from Singapore because duty-free prices seem to have gone up. On the other hand, I had the opportunity to shop to my heart's desire at Sephora while I was in Malaysia.

Here's a list of what I bought.
1. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Blissful
2. Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara
3. Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Turn On
4. Kiss Me Heroine Make Mascara Remover
5. Benefit Hydra-Smooth Lip Color in Dare Me
6. MAC Brush #109
7. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in Ozone
8. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Rockstar
9. Urban Decay Naked Skin in 4.0
10. Shu Uemura Heart and Flower by Murakami S Curler
11. Benefit Brow Zings

Individual reviews and swatches to come! I can't wait to share with you my opinion of these products. I've tested quite a few of them out and I look forward to announcing my favourites.

Have you tried any of these products? Which are your favourites? 

YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Review

Le Teint Touche Eclat
Claims: "Targets shadowy areas and highlights the contours of the face. With buildable coverage and free of opaque fillers, the perfecting texture evens the complexion and conceals imperfections, enhancing the skin’s natural beauty."
RRP: AUD78
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Review: This is probably the most expensive makeup item I own. Particularly in terms of it's value. I was lucky enough to pick this up at the Duty Free section of Changi Airport as I mentioned in this post. Okay, let's get the obvious out of the way first. The packaging is absolutely gorgeous yet simple. I don't expect any less from YSL. I love that it comes with a pump for you to dispense the product. Plus points for hygiene!

This is a light coverage foundation that can be built up to medium with more layers (I demonstrate how this foundation covers up a lot of my facial imperfections below). It is also very lightweight and I don't notice its presence throughout the day. The lasting power is not excellent but is greatly improved when paired with a primer. I like to apply Benefit's Porefessional primer before hand.

Bare and cleansed

Visible pigmentation 

Using one full pump 

Applied with fingers, blended out with a Beauty Blender sponge

Less visible pigmentation 

The shade I own is B30 and it's a very good match for my skin, particularly my neck. This foundation can cover most of my pigmentation very well. I usually only need very little concealer for one or two very dark spots and a bit more for under my eyes. To the naked eye, my skin looks practically flawless. Whether it makes my skin look radiant, I cannot tell because I don't see it when I look in the mirror. But sometimes, when I look back at photos, I feel like it does.

Would I repurchase this product when it runs out? I'm not sure. It's very pricey and I get the feeling that I'm not completely head over heels with this product. I mean, I love it but I can live without it. I'm gonna try other foundations first before I can definitively say this is the only one for me.

What's your favourite foundation? How much are you willing to spend for the perfect foundation for your skin? 

Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment Review

Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment 
Claims: "Fertilises your follicles whilst going deep down into the cortex to condition and strengthen from within. Reduces irritation and moisturises the scalp."
RRP: AUD16.99
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Review: I don't generally write negative reviews but this product, unfortunately, warrants one. I bought this because Sharon Farrell on Youtube recommended. She loves this product and says that it has helped her grow her hair longer. Upon further research, I found more positive reviews than negative ones. With my fingers crossed, I went out and bought this product.

This product has a very strong floral scent. The first few times I smelled it, I thought it was nice. After that, it started irritating my nose. That's the first strike. The first couple of times I used this treatment, my hair felt nice and soft afterwards. With subsequent uses, I felt like my hair was not benefiting from the use of this product. I did not see an increase in length of my hair. What's worse? Every time I used it, a pimple would pop up on my scalp a couple of hours later. And that was the last straw for me.

I've stopped using this treatment but have yet to get around to throwing it out. Just as well I bought it at 40% off. Otherwise, it would have been an even bigger waste of my money! I am not trying to say that this is an absolutely horrible and disgusting product. All I'm trying to do is warn you. This product could potentially cause scalp acne if it's not suitable for you. If this product has worked wonders for you, then that's good for you and I envy you!

Have you ever experienced any negative effects from using a hair treatment product?