Moved!

Friday 13 March 2015

Moved to my new beauty and makeup blog apricotowl.wordpress.com.


See you there at my new beauty blog address! :)

Bare Minerals: Prime Time Primer Shadow

Sunday 2 March 2014


"Prime Time"! Get it? Yes? Yes. Haha, don't kill me, I just had to!

Officially my first purchase from Sephora - and it won't be the last! I wish I had heeded my friend's advice and gotten gunmetal too. Actually, I'm desiring the entire range now. This has effectively converted me to the eye primer craze!


The tube is tiny at 3ml/ 0.1 fl.oz., but a little 1-2mm dot goes a long, long way!



 Great ways to wear it? Bare Minerals Prime Time in Sundance is a beautiful, rich shimmering tangerine shade. Absolutely gorgeous on warmer skintones! The tangerine brightens up the complexion, doesn't look overdone and is perfect for a daytime look. You can layer darker shadows on top to transit to night time as well.



 I love wearing this under my KATE Real Create Eyes in BR-2 (as above). The result is a beautiful, dimensional look that almost looks mildly duochrome - peach/gold, anyone? Unfortunately the camera doesn't capture the intense tangerine and the beautiful shift in colour. But we can picture it mentally, right?

Doesn't it make you want to sun-dance?  

Okay I'll stop, I can feel you cringing behind the screen.


Here, you can see it offers a solid base for your shadows. However, it doesn't really enhance their vibrancy unless the shadow is similar to the primer (e.g. Peachy/pink shadows).
Top without primer, bottom with primer.
From left to right: Revlon Photoready Primer + Shadow in Pop Art (535), Kate Real Create Eyes in BR-2 (pale pink and peach), Loreal Colour Infallible 004 & 002, Silkygirl Blockbuster Colour Palette.

 Pros...
  • Lasts all day - no kidding!
  • Doesn't irritate my eyes at all. Perfect
  • Highly pigmented, gorgeous colour
  • Non-sticky
Cons...
Mine was a little on the dry side when I opened it (brand new). May I suggest a seal to prevent that?
Otherwise, can't think of any other cons! (Well, maybe the price to quantity ratio for heavy users)

Verdict...
Trust me when I say you'll love it! 

Now I'm really interested in Bare Minerals. It just might be the perfect fit for my sensitive skin/eyes/everything!

Majolica Majorca: Honey Pump Gloss Neo (BE133)

Tuesday 25 February 2014

 


This came in a set with the Jeweling Pencil at Watsons. Grab them before they're gone!

I'm not (read: never) sponsored. Just so you know. I'm as unbiased as humanly possible, haha!

The unused gloss. See that air space below? It goes away once you use it. This is BE133 (Secretly). It's a delicious milky peach with fine gold shimmers. Contains honey and royal jelly to nourish your lips.






For the benefit of those who might be interested in what it says. 6.5g, made in Japan.

 Made the little paper rose for this. For presentation's sake. Ok no, it was the perfect excuse to satiate my rose obsession.


Consistency is really thick. Interestingly, it doesn't really cause hair to stick. So thumbs up for that. Colour is sheer so don't expect much pigmentation. I normally hate sugary/artificial candy scents, but this is light and sweet so it's alright! Glossiness is moderate. Moisturising? Yes!

However, for some reason it makes my lips sting!? :( I am really sensitive though. Are there lip plumpers or something fancy in these? (Please let me know)

Verdict...
I really wanted to like this. But even my passionate feelings for MM can't change the fact that this really irritates my lips >: Sorry babe. You might like this if you're a diehard MM fan and don't have sensitive lippies. Otherwise...

On a brighter note, though, just picked up a couple more Majolica Majorca items, including the Jeweling Pencil and Auto-liners. They'll be replacements for my awesome Maybelline Gel Liner - when it dries out. Stay tuned for all those reviews! ❤

Sally Hansen Double Duty Strengthening Base & Top Coat

Wednesday 12 February 2014


Just general thoughts on something I've been using for over a year or two now. The bottle isn't depleted since I only paint my nails on occasion.

From the website, the Sally Hansen Double duty Base & Top Coat is said to be...
"All-in-one patented strengthening base and top coat works double time...for double protection. As a base coat, Double Duty moisturizes and hydrates nails with Panthenol. As a top coat, Double Duty protects with Nylon."


It does what it promises to do. Prevents staining, reduces chipping. It's by no means a diamond coat though!

I can't exactly vouch for strengthening, since it's not something easily measurable. My nails are sometimes prone to chipping and peeling though, and this helps to somewhat control that, I suppose?

Details behind:
This bottle contains 0.45 FL OZ 13.3 ml
Lasts 24 months after opening






Pros...
  • Does what any decent top/base coat should do - Prevents staining, reduces chipping
  • 2-in-1
  • Self-levels
  • Applies smoothly
  • Somewhat strengthens
  • Flat back prevents rolling off your desk
Cons...
  • None in my experience
Verdict...
It works. Nothing crazy.

Majolica Majorca: Lash Expander Frame Plus Mascara

Saturday 1 February 2014


Majolica Majorca's packaging has always been right up my alley - victorian-inspired and regal. I've been absolutely in love with the victorian aesthetic since... forever!

I've lost count of how many times I've drooled over the MM section at Watsons. Needless to say, I snagged this immediately when it was on sale (A comparatively rare event for MM items).


Adore this detail. Wonder if I could clean out the container and keep it after I'm done with this?


The double-sided wand. The fine-toothed end works well for separating lashes.






Makeup done, but silly little camera didn't pick up the eyeshadow for some reason. Lashes curled.





After mascara. I've kept it only on the top lashes. Hey, I'm minimalist!




 The finished look!

Pros...
  • Lasts all day. No smudging, no transfer.
  • Lengthens well!
  • Held my curl fairly well
  • Dries and sets quickly
Cons...
  • Doesn't volumise well
  • Minor fibre fall-out 
  • Hard to remove (Use a good eye make-up remover!)
Verdict...  
I like it! It does the job well and is a warrior when it comes to staying power.
Go easy on it. Too many coats causes odd, stick straight spidery lashes.

Those looking for more dramatic, va-va-voom lashes may find this mascara to be lacking, however.

What do you think about this mascara?