Pressing Issue - Pressed Powders

Previously, I've always used a two way cake to set my make up. After a while, I felt that it was just way too heavy and appears cakey. So I switched to using pressed powders.

After Googling long and hard, I opted for the M.A.C Mineralized Skin Finish in Medium Dark. The review for this product was marvellous! So I thought that it would be a sure win. Boy, was I wrong. On first application, it did give me that dewy glowing look. But after a while, somehow the oil glands on my face tends to be more active and I end up oily and shiny. I also hate the fact that when my brush or sponge is slightly damp, and it comes to contact to the product, it somehow becomes hardened, and I have to scrape that part off. Causing wastage to a super expensive product!

Frustrated, I thought perhaps me and pressed powders, were just not meant to be together.

Then e.l.f had a promotion, and I thought, why not try their Studio Pressed Powder. After all, its really cheap (Normal Price : USD 3, but I bought it during the 50% off promotion).

I bought the e.l.f Studio Pressed Powder in the colour Caramel. And from the first application, I just fell in love with it.

It has almost a sort of creamy texture which works well on the skin, and blends seamlessly into my foundation. Hardly any weight on the skin. It gives a light to medium coverage, and is super easy to blend! Compared to the M.A.C Mineralized Skin Finish that gives you a dewy glow, this powder by e.l.f gives you a matte finish instead. I love it so much that I'm currently on my second pack, and I've even purchased 3 more just as spares.

I would usually prefer to use a brush to apply this powder. And oh, I've also gotten myself the powder in Coco (the darkest colour offered). I use Coco for shading purposes, and it's perfect! Most bronzer have shimmers which I hate to use for shading. While most shading powder does not blend well. Coco fixes this two problem well. It's matte, and blends seamlessly, so I can have a natural looking contouring. :D

Beauty Favourites

Topic for the day, beauty favourites. Now, these items are not necessarily make up products. They're just products that I feel beautifies me. ;)

I actually do have like a gazillion favourites. I've cut it down to just 5. These 5 items are to my opinion, the holy grail of beauty products. Some are recent buys, some I've constantly been repurchasing after my first buy.

1. Skin 79 BB Cream

Where do I begin? This item deserves a love poem from me. It smooths my skin, making it appear flawless and dewy. When I first tried the product I was a tad bit disappointed with the colour of the cream. Its almost like an ashy, pink beige colour and IT DOES NOT SUIT MY SKIN TONE AT ALL! However, after a good blend, it is more acceptable, though my skin still does appear ashy. I later brushed my pressed powder over it (as I normally would with any cream/ liquid items) and it almost absorbs the powder. My skin does not look patchy at all, nor is it cakey.

The best part of this BB Cream, is that it has somewhat repaired my skin. Even without it I feel that my pores are smaller, my skin is lighter and pimples rarely come. I'm currently on my 3rd bottle. It is a little pricey, but I've tried to live with other BB Creams and none of them gives me the effect that this Skin 79 BB Cream has. It will definitely be a staple in my kit.

2. Eucerin Dermo Purifyer Cream-Gel

I've been on a constant search for a perfect moisturiser and I believe that this is it. Let me first brief you on my skin situation. It is generally normal, but my T-zone is so oily you could fry a fish with it. In my quest, I've tried Clinique's moisturiser (which I hated because it left my skin feeling 'wet'), Neutrogena (which to me had absolutely no effect), as well as Garnier (cleared my T-zone, dried up the rest of my face).

This moisturiser on the other hand, was quickly absorbed by my skin thus there's no wet or oily feeling once this is applied. As the name suggests, it comes in a cream-gel state. Its not runny, but it's still easy to use. I love that cleared up my T-zone and at the same time gives enough moisture to the other parts of my face. I'd some times nowadays, skip my primer ritual, and my skin stays matte longer than ever.

3. Smith's Rosebud Salve

This is the only lip balm that I tolerate. It is not oily nor greasy. And it has an awesome rose scent with it. What's not to love? The tint gives my lips a sheer colour that makes it appear healthy and kissable. I wear it under my lipsticks to make the colour glide easier, and also on top of my lip colour as a gloss.

Another plus point for this balm is that it is multi-purpose. After my recent trip to Penang, my skin became so dry that it flakes. So I used the balm as a moisturiser to give my skin the desperately needed extra hydration. If I forgot my eye shadow primer, or if I'm too lazy to grab it from my kit, I'll even use this balm to help my shadows stick better to my lid.

4. ZA Energy Water

MAC has this popular product called Fix+. This is a cheaper alternative to it. I wouldn't call it a dupe just yet, because I've yet to try the Fix+. But This little baby is able to do the duties of Fix+ at one sixth of its cost. The energy water is another multi use product.

Its main use is as a pick-me-up to your face. Freshens up your skin, and gives it a booster after a long day. But I've used it to liquidise eye shadows, I've also used it to remove cakeyness from my make up. It also helps to set your make up, thus making it stay longer. I've also found another purpose for this liquid, it is unorthodox but I also use it on my scalp. On a hot day, a spray of this water can act as a mini bath to cool down your scalp, making your scalp less sweaty later on.

5. E.L.F Studio Endless Eyes Pro Mini Eyeshadow Palette (Warm)

This is my cheaper version of the Naked palette by Urban Decay. The best part of this palette is its price. Its only $5! Converted to Malaysian Ringgit, its around RM15, while the Urban Decay Naked palette is priced around RM170 (I think!).

This palette has 32 colours that are mainly the basic nude and earthy colours. You can do a sexy smokey look, or even a toned down sweet sultry look. Some colours are in deed chalky and not well pigmented, but it generally does the job. And for the price that you're paying it's definitely money well-spent! I've got this palette for about 2 weeks now and I've been using it EVERYDAY!

So that's all for now. Hope this entry is of any use to anyone.

Look Book

Did all these looks.

Beauties and such..

Decided to make this blog my hobby blog. Perhaps I shall write some "notes" and such. But mainly, I'll share my makeup looks and all. Not hoping to become a makeup guru in any ways, just want to showcase my hobby. I hope it helps someone. Sorang pun takpe. Even if it doesn't, I am doing it for fun. Just for the sake of it. ;)

Did a look today. Wanted something easy, minimal and clean. Plan to do this look when I start my classes again next semester.

The idea was to not change anything on my face, just hide the flaws and enhance the goods. Seriously, this was an easy look. only took me 5 items.

1. Stage Photo Pro Creme Camouflage in 07 (Ginger)

2. Elf Studio Pressed Powder in Caramel

3. Miss Rose Eyeliner in no. 09

4. Elf Contouring Blush and Bronzer Powder in Blushed/Bronzed

5. Smith's Rosebud Salve Balm

Basically the steps are easy, use the concealer under your eyes, to hide your eyebags. Also use if to cover any scars or blemishes. Then set it all with the pressed powder. Use the eyeliner to line your eyes. This liner is in brown. So it gives a softer look than if you were to use black. With the same pencil, I drew my brows. Now, this step is completely optional. I only do it because I have Alopecia. I later used the bronzer from the contouring kit to do some slight shading on my cheeks and jaws. Use the blusher on the apple of my cheeks. End it all with the balm. Walla, the look is done.

If you prefer, substitute the balm with a gloss to add colour. I just prefer the balm because my lips are in need to serious loving!

Hope This first entry does the blog some justice. ;)