Affordable Concealer That Does The Job

It's been a while since I have ventured out into trying new concealers. For a while I was using the Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer which ended up being too drying and I switched to the NARS Radian Creamy Concealer. The NARS concealer I liked, but since the brand started selling in China, I am no longer supporting it. I also wasn't too fond of spending a lot of money on a product that I go through like water. As such I decided to look into more affordable options and picked up the Catrice Liquid Camouflage Concealer. 

Catrice Liquid Camouflage Concealer in 005 Light Neutral and 020 Light Beige

I got it in two shades: 005 Light Neutral and 020 Light Beige. The 010 Porcelain was too cool toned, greyish looking for my liking. Both shades actually work well and I use them interchangeably. If I haven't gotten enough sleep I use 005, as it brightens up the under eye area really well. If I fancy a more "no-makeup makeup look" I use 020, as it's closer to my actual skin colour.

The concealer comes in a standard packaging with a doe-foot applicator. It's cruelty-free and has a very affordable price point. The shelf life is 6 months after opening. It claims to provide high coverage, be long-wearing and even waterproof. I tested it for a month and can confirm that indeed it offers good coverage and wears well throughout the day. It also doesn't settle into fine lines under the eyes and is non-drying. Whether it's waterproof or not remains to be seen. 

T-B: 020 Light Beige and 005 Light Neutral

Regardless there are a few things that I am not too keen on. Firstly, it's very heavily fragranced. It beats me why anybody would think it's a good idea to make an under eye product so fragrant. Granted the scent doesn't linger and disappears after the product is blended into the skin. Secondly, it has a VERY limited colour selection. There are only three shades to choose from and all of them fall into the fair - light category. 

Overall I am pleasantly surprised by this product and will continue using it. It's definitely one of the better concealers in the market considering the price. It actually covers and doesn't make your under eye area look like a dry prune. I do hope that Catrice expands the colour range by making it more inclusive and makes it fragrance-free.

Until next time,
Muffy

Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask

I have been on a hunt for a reasonably priced hydrating mask after I have run out of the Glam Glow one which is extremely pricey and not in my budget at the moment. Having looked around I decided to pick up the Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask and see if it's any good. I have been using it for a good few months and now feel comfortable sharing my thoughts with you. 

As always let's start with the packaging. It comes in a squeeze tube with no outer cardboard packaging. The design is pretty basic and non-offensive. You get 118ml of product which is a good amount and should last for quite some time. It has a shelf life of 12 months after opening. It has no distinct scent. It's cruelty free, non-irritating, fragrance free and made in the USA. It's suitable for normal, dry and very dry skin.

When it comes to ingredients it's packed with various oils such as borage seed oil, evening primrose oil, olive fruit oil and apricot kernel oil. It doesn't contain PEGs which I personally try to avoid in my skincare. 

In terms of consistency it's on a thicker side but non-greasy. It glides over the face easily and absorbs quite quickly without leaving a sticky residue, which I appreciate. You can use this product as a typical mask leaving it for 20 min and rinsing it off or as an overnight mask. I prefer using it as an overnight mask. Occasionally when my skin feels exceptionally dry I use it as a night cream on consecutive days and it has worked well in this way too.

I will continue using this product and think it's a good one if you want a basic straightforward hydrating mask. It won't do miracles but no skincare will, but it will help relieve dry, irritated skin. It doesn't cost a fortune and the squeeze tube packaging helps retain the properties of light and air-sensitive ingredients.

I hope you found this helpful. I'd be happy to hear if you have tried Paula's Choice skincare and what you would recommend!

Until next time,
Muffy

Budget Pick - Essence Lipliners

It has been a while since I posted on my blog and I decided to get back on track with a budget friendly product review. Today I will be talking about Essence Lipliners. I've had these in my collection for sometime now and they are among my top lipliners that I grab for especially if I fancy a darker lip. Let me walk you through the shades I have and why I love them so much.

Essence Lipliners

T-B: Wish Me A Rose, Satin Mauve and Soft Berry

In my current possession I have three shades: 12 Wish Me A Rose - rosy pink, 06 Satin Mauve - dark mauve nude and 05 Soft Berry -  purply mauve. My favourite out of the bunch has to be Satin Mauve just because I wear darker nudes and mauves on regular basis. It has that Kylie Jenner vibe to it, therefore if you want to be rocking the Kylie Jenner lip I suggest you pick this one up. Soft Berry is particularly great for this time of year. It goes so well with purple and berry hues. 

The formula of these lipliners is incredible. They are creamy, non-drying, easy to apply and are long-wearing. I mean what else would you want from a lipliner? I think these are hands down one of the best lip liner formulas at the drugstore (besides of course my all time favourite Rimmel Exaggerate Lipliner in Eastend Snob). My only complaint would be the colour selection. I think they should definitely extend their colour range and introduce more every day type of shades something along the lines of Mac Subculture & Mac Soar. For instance Wish Me A Rose is a tad too pink for my liking. I would have preferred it to be slightly more dusty and muted for everyday wear. Needless to say Essence is a cruelty-free brand in case, like me, you are looking for more ethical makeup alternatives. 

Wish Me A Rose, Satin Mauve and Soft Berry

L-R: Wish Me A Rose, Satin Mauve and Soft Berry

Overall I think you can't go wrong with these lipliners. If you have been unsure about lipliners and consider them as an unnecessary step in your makeup routine I say check these ones out. They will change your mind. They are creamy, glide on the lips like a dream and are extremely affordable. They will make your lip colour last for ages without making your lips feel uncomfortable. In Finland you can find Essence products including these lipliners at Tokmanni. 

Let me know if you have tried these lipliners and what is your favourite shade!

Cheers,

Muffy

Mud Mask That Actually Works

I have tried an array of mud masks both affordable and higher-end. The thing is that none of them have ever left me feeling like they were doing anything to my skin. Well, that was about to change when I discovered the Sephora Collection Purifying and Mattifying Mud Mask. If you want to find out what is so special about it then keep on reading!

Sephora Collection Mud Mask Purifying & Mattifying

First of all it comes in a pretty large jar, you get 60ml of product. You don't need a lot so this guy will last you for a really long time especially compared to the Glam Glow Masks. It claims to cleanse the skin, remove impurities, unclog the pores and reduce the appearance of pores. The formula is enriched with copper, zinc and white clay. It's dermatologically tested and non-comedogenic. It's formulated without parabens. 

Sephora Collection Mud Mask Purifying & Mattifying

Many people compare this mask to the Glam Glow Supermud Clearing Treatment. I have tried a few samples of the Glam Glow Supermud Clearing Treatment and have to say that the concept is similar but the texture is slightly different. Sephora Mud Mask has a thicker texture while Glam Glow is more liquidy. They both follow the same logic. You apply an even layer on your face and let it dry. Eventually you are left with a dried out mud mask and you can see certain areas on your face, usually the T zone, where the impurities have been pulled out. I personally enjoy that since I can actually see that it's doing something! 

Sephora Collection Mud Mask Purifying and Mattifying

Sephora Mud Mask does have a pretty strong scent to it but I actually like it. I think what also sets it apart from the Glam Glow counterpart is that it's less abrasive to the skin. I have sensitive, prone to eczema skin and I feel like Glam Glow Supermud Clearing Treatment can be a bit too harsh for me. I don't have this problem with Sephora Mud Mask. I think Sephora Mud Mask delivers what it says. After I use it I feel like my skin looks radiant and the pores have been cleared out. I can see that the access sebum has been absorbed. What I also highly appreciate is that it does not dry my skin out, which is the case with the majority of mud masks. And of course let's not forget about the price point. Sephora Mud Mask is extremely affordable so you can't really go wrong with it. Of course for those of us who don't have Sephora nearby it can be harder to get.

Overall I am very happy with this mask. It gets the job done and does not break the bank. If you have been eyeing the Glam Glow Supermud Clearing Treatment and could not justify buying it, I highly suggest opting for Sephora Mud Mask Purifying and Mattifying instead. It's as good if not better. Now that I think about it, Sephora Mud Mask also reminds me of the Murad Blemish Control Clarifying Mask, but again it's cheaper and has a more pleasant scent!

Let me know if you have tried Sephora Collection Purifying and Mattifying Mud Mask and what are your thoughts!

Cheers,
Muffy

The Best Cream-Coloured Eyeshadow

If you have been following my blog for some time you know it's not the first time I mention Wet n Wild single eyeshadow in Brulee. I decided why not make a separate post on it since it has a special place in my makeup collection. As a matter of fact it's the only single eyeshadow that I have used up completely and as soon as I did I had to get a new one. If you want to find out why this little guy is so special then keep on reading!

Shortly Wet n Wild is an affordable cruelty-free brand. In my opinion they make one of the best eyeshadow pallets on the market which can easily rival some of the higher-end ones. One of my all-time favourites is the Comfort Zone palette which I have raved about earlier. Recently I have tried their Megalast Liquid Lip Color but more on that in another post. From their single eyeshadows I have used obviously Brulee, but also Nutty. Both are fantastic, but Brulee is a definite winner. 

Wet n Wild Single Eyeshadow in Brulee

Wet n Wild single eyeshadows come in simple plastic packaging, nothing fancy. I personally don't mind the design and think it's quite sturdy for what it is and pretty compact for travelling. You get 1,7g of product which is a good amount for an individual shadow. For comparison Makeup Geek single eyeshadows contain 1,8g of product. Brulee to me is a perfect creamy-nude colour. It's not too warm and it's not too cool. For example Makeup Geek's eyeshadow in Baby Face is more cool toned while Peach Smoothie is warmer/peachier. The texture is buttery smooth and you need a tiny bit of product to get full opacity. It can be slightly powdery, but I don't see it as a problem with such a light colour. Plus you can always tap your brush to get the excess product off. Now that I think about it, in terms of consistency it reminds me of the Urban Decay eyeshadows. When you apply Brulee on the lids it doesn't feel or look chalky and it doesn't leave any streaks or gaps. I use this colour every time I do my makeup. It works great as a base to help other colours blend easier or you can wear it on its own with a darker colour in a crease.

Wet n Wild Single Eyeshadow in Brulee

The only downside I can think of is when you hit pan on it big time, it can crumble/fall apart easily. To be fair I witnessed it happen to other powder products such as powders and blushes. Just don't take it with you on the go when it's in that state. Besides great quality this eyeshadow comes at an extremely affordable price point. Of course that varies depending on the location but I got mine from Bulgaria and it was around 1,99€. For my Finnish readers out there you can get Wet n Wild products from Pretty.fi or BeautyJoint (ships internationally). 

If you are looking for a staple to be added to your makeup collection I suggest you check Wet n Wild's Brulee out. It's a perfect cream-colour eyeshadow that can be used in multiple ways. Once you try it I guarantee you will never want to use any other skin-toned, neutral, cream-colour shadow. At least I haven't found anything better and I have tried a ton!

Let me know if you know of any other hidden gems out there that I should try!

Cheers,

Muffy

Milani Amore Matte Lip Crèmes

Today I am bringing your way a truly exciting post. If you follow beauty blogs, instagram and other social media you know all the hype about liquid lipsticks. Pretty much every brand is coming up with their version. I am all about matte lips regardless of the trend or season, therefore I am the first to jump on the matte liquid lipsticks bandwagon. The ones I have tried come at a relatively high price point since they are not from a mass market. Imagine me going all bananas when I heard that finally a mass market brand was coming out with matte liquid lipsticks, I just could not resist. I am referring to the Milani's Limited Edition Amore Matte Lip Crèmes. If you want to know if you need to run out and get them, then stay tuned!

Milani Amore Matte Lip Crèmes

Milani is an affordable USA brand. I haven't tried a lot of their products, just the Shadow Eyez, because it's not readily available where I live. I was very happy to discover that Milani has an actual European website, so there is no need to order directly from USA. Amore Matte Lip Crèmes come in 8 shades and they are limited edition. This means if you want to get your hands on these you need to be quick. They are cruelty-free and infused with Vitamins A & C for added hydration. I picked up two colours: Lust, a muted-pink and Crush, a brownish-red shade. I figured for me to make a proper review on these I need to try both lighter and darker shades. I honestly think these are the two stand out shades from the entire collection. 

L-R: Milani Amore Matte Lip Crèmes in Crush and Lust

Milani Amore Matte Lip Crèmes in Lust and Crush

Now let's start with the packaging. I personally like it. It's sleek, non-bulky and doesn't feel cheap. You get 6g of product which is a standard amount. For comparison Sephora Cream Lip Stains contain around 5g of product, while Sleek Matte Me Lip Creams have 6g of product. Milani Amore Matte Lip Crèmes come with a flat doe foot applicator which I find easy to work with. You need just a tiny bit of product, therefore prior to application I suggest you wipe off the excess from both sides. The consistency is quite liquidy compared to some other formulas that are creamier or mousse-like. In my opinion it's most similar to La Splash Lip Couture's and Aromi Liquid Lipsticks textures. They have a sweet vanilla butter cup scent to them which I don't mind. I much prefer it to the La Splash chemical scent, which puts me off every time I use their products. 

When it comes to longevity they work really well. I have been wearing Lust for the whole day including drinking and eating. It did fade a little bit in the centre of the lips but nothing major. Since it's such a "my lips but better" colour you don't really notice the stark line as much. With Crush it's way more noticeable. In my opinion these are not as drying as for example the La Splash Lip Coutures and feel comfortable on the lips. Both colours applied beautifully with one coat and no streakiness was detected. I would say that you need to exfoliate your lips especially if you are planning on wearing darker colours. This is applicable to all liquid lipsticks brands. You will see why in the lip swatch below. 

Milani Amore Matte Lip Crème in Crush

Milani Amore Matte Lip Crème in Lust

Overall I am very content with these lippies. Would I recommend them? Hell, yes! I have been wearing Lust non-stop for the past few days and I just can't get enough. The formula is comfortable, cruelty-free, stays all day and is affordable. I wanted to get this post out as soon as possible so you could have a chance to try these out before they are gone. If you have been wanting to try liquid lipsticks but could not justify spending twenty euros and maybe not liking it at the end, give these ones a go. They retail for only 7,16€ and have a pretty good colour selection. If I had to recommend one, Lust would be it, as I think it's a universally flattering shade. If you want something more unique and bold, Crush fits right that bill. I would not suggest Flirt just because I read some negative reviews of it being streaky and hard to work with. I like these so much that I am contemplating of buying a backup of Lust and that's unlike me as I think there will always be something better.

Let me know if you have been converted to the liquid lipsticks and what are you favourites! 

Cheers,
Muffy

Budget Pick - Essence Nail Polishes

Let's talk a bit about nails today. I have to say I can be pretty fussy when it comes to nail polish. If I am going to paint my nails I want it to be fast, easy and opaque. Very often I wouldn't do it just because I don't want to go through the trouble. Therefore I need a nail polish to meet the above criteria for me to even get motivated! My all-time favourite nail polish is YSL La Laque Couture. Let's be honest, nobody has the money to spend on a luxury nail polish, including myself. Surely I can treat myself once in a while but that is that. Recently a friend of mine introduced me to the Essence Gel Nail Polishes. To find out if it's a hit or a miss, then keep on reading!

Essence The Gel Nail Polishes

I spoke about Essence blushes shortly in my recent post, which I think are great especially for the price. I am still quite new to the brand but there are some products that have impressed me more than others. The Gel Nail Polishes come in cute little bottles containing 8ml of product. For comparison Essie nail polishes have 13,5ml of product and YSL contains 10ml of product. I don't mind that the bottle is smaller than average since I never go through an entire bottle of nail varnish anyhow. In terms of colour range I think it's alright considering it's an affordable brand. You will not find as wide a selection as with Essie but you can get some pretty good basics. They vary in textures as well: some are creamy, others have a slight shimmer and if you like glitter they got you covered too! There is a reason why they are called The Gel Nail Polishes. When you apply them they actually dry to a glossy finish, so you don't necessarily need a top coat. 

L-R: 36 Dare It Nude, 37 Serendipity, 18 I Don't Care

I picked up three shades: 36 Dare It Nude, 37 Serendipity and 18 I Don't Care. I think this is a good set that will take you from day to night. You have your average nude that is great for work or job interview type of situations. You have your classic orange-red for special occasions and classy look, and you have your purply-grey that is a modern twist on an everyday colour. My favourite out of the colours I have has to be the 18 I Don't Care. It's that perfect mix of orange-red and applies beautifully on the nails. I would say with all these nail polishes you need two coats, which is fine by me. The brush is flat and wide just how I prefer it. This makes it so easy to distribute the polish just with few swipes. The reason why I avoid OPI nail polishes altogether is because I can't work with their brush, it's too skinny. 

Essence nail polishes wear on me for a good 3-5 days without a top coat. Usually Essie nail polishes chip on me the next day or within a couple of days. With YSL the longevity depends on the colour. For instance YSL Rose Baby Doll stays put for a week, while YSL Bleu Celadon chips within couple of days. Overall I think if nail polish doesn't chip within 4 days it's a keeper! 

Overall I really like these polishes. The formula and finish (in particular of the 18 I Don't Care shade) reminds me of the YSL nail varnishes but for a fraction of the price. I can speak only for the shades I have tried, so I can't guarantee that it's consistent throughout the whole line. Essence is cruelty-fee and you can find the nail polishes in Finland at Tokmanni and they retail for 1,99€. 

Let me know if you have tried Essence nail polishes and what nail polishes are your favourites!

Cheers,
Muffy

Underrated Lip Liners

I don't hear anyone talk about the Kiko Automatic Precision Lip Liners. I have tried many lip pencils and I am always on a hunt to find something better and these are among my top lip liner formulas ever. Besides, the colour range is extremely vivid ranging from nudes to reds to pinks and to deeper tones. So far I have two shades 500 and 502 and believe me when I say, this is just the beginning!

Kiko Automatic Precision Lip Liners

Kiko is an affordable Italian makeup brand. I came across it for the fist time - surprise surprise - in Italy but you can also buy their products online. I have also tried their blushes, lipsticks, eye primer and nail polishes. Out of the entire selection these lip liners are surely the standout products for me. The 500 is a natural rose while the 502 is a deep pink. I use 502 more frequently just because it's closer to my natural lip colour. I get so many compliments when I wear this particular colour!

T-D: 500 Natural Rose and 502 Deep Pink

Let's talk about packaging. As the name implies they come in a retractable format, which I appreciate. On one end you have an actual pencil while on the other a silicone-tip applicator. I don't really use the applicator and honestly fail to understand its function. You can take the applicator out and there's a sharpener, which is quite handy. A similar concept with the NARS Velvet Lip Liners if you are familiar with those. I don't normally use the sharpener these products come with but in case you need to, there is that option. The formula is extremely pigmented and creamy. It doesn't tag or pull on your lips like for example MAC lip pencils tend to do. As such Kiko lip pencils do not emphasise the lines on your lips. The staying power is exceptional. It claims to be long-lasting and water-resistant which I completely agree with. These pencils do not budge. I think in my collection this is the longest-wearing lip liner formula hands down.

L-R: 500 Natural Rose and 502 Deep Pink

In my opinion when it comes to texture they are most comparable to the Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liners, which I also adore. I have reviewed one, in Eastend Snob which happens to be my all-time favourite shade. If you want retractable lip liners that are cruelty-free and in the similar price range these are it. I can't really fault these products, maybe only for the fact that you can't go to the store and buy them as easily as Rimmel, Maybelline or L'Oreal. 

If you love lip pencils and haven't tried Kiko's Automatic Precision Lip Liners you have been missing out! Even if you are not into lip liners but want to give it a go, check these ones out. They are affordable, cruelty-free, long-wearing and have fantastic pigmentation as well as colour selection. You just can't go wrong! I will be surely picking up 501 Salmon Pink next time I am near a Kiko counter.

Let me know what's your go-to nude lip liner!

Cheers,

Muffy

Budget Pick - Essence Blushes

If you have been reading my blog for a while it's no secret that I have a special love for blush. I am convinced that you can't have too many blushes. They're something I like to collect and also something that actually gets used up. And let's be honest, who doesn't like a good deal. I asked a friend of mine to bring me a few blushes from Central Europe and I have put them to a test. These are Essence Silky Touch Blushes from a permanent line and the Nauti Girl Blush from a limited edition collection. To find out my thoughts, stay tuned!

Essence is an affordable cruelty-free makeup brand that has recently become available in Finland, yes! In Finland you can find it at the Tokmanni chain. I got mine from Austria but now I know if I want to repurchase I can get it locally. In the USA you can purchase Essence at Ulta. Besides blushes, I have also tried their lipliners, nail polishes and lipsticks. A separate review will be coming up on those, so keep your eyes peeled. Essence Silk Touch Blushes come in a round compact and you get 5g of product. I appreciate that the packaging is see-through. This means you can easily find the right colour amidst an overwhelming amount of blushes, if you are like me. It's plastic but doesn't feel flimsy. Sure it's nothing fancy but considering the price point it serves it's purpose well.

Essence Silky Touch Blush in 10 Adorable and 40 Natural Beauty

Now let's talk about the actual product. The shades I got are 40 Natural Beauty (brownish-nude) and 10 Adorable (rosy-pink). On the Essence website they have 6 shades altogether. In Finland I saw only 4 shades on display. I have to say that the colour range isn't too diverse. For example 10 Adorable and 20 Babydoll are very similar. The texture of these blushes is silky soft, hence the name. It doesn't kick off a lot of powder when you dip your brush, which was a positive surprise. In the pan they look pretty matte but when swatched or applied on the cheeks you can see a sheen. I don't mind a slight sheen as long as it's not chunky glitter. They are quite well pigmented. They are not as opaque as the Makeup Geek blushes but they are not bad at all. I would have expected no colour payoff whatsoever, but they swatch beautifully and you can build up the colour to your liking. When applied on the cheeks I haven't noticed any patchiness or streakiness. They also wear nicely throughout the day, I would say a good 5 hours. They have no scent to them, which is a plus. I don't know if you have tried the Lancome blushes, but the scent gets to me every time. In terms of ingredients Essence Silk Touch Blushes do contain talc and parabens. 

Essence Nauti Girl Blush in 01 Anchors Aweigh!

Next I have here the Nauti Girl Blush in 01 Anchors Aweigh! from the Essence Nauti Girl limited edition collection. As the name implies it has been inspired by sailing, marine style and the nautical colour scheme of red, blue and grey. This blush comes in a slightly different packaging. It's still see-through but a square shaped compact with a cute anchor imprint on the actual product. You get 8g of product and it's the only blush in the collection. I would describe the colour as a bright coral. The packaging doesn't feel flimsy but a tiny bit bulky for my liking. In terms of pigmentation I think it's quite sheer and not as impressive as the original Silky Touch Blushes. If you want the colour to translate exactly like you see it in the pan you need a lot of building up. That being said, it could be a good thing if you are starting up with makeup and afraid to overdo it in the blush department. The texture is not as silky smooth as with the Silky Touch Blushes but still decent and not powdery. I wore it the other day and it started to fade after about 5 hours. As with the other Essence blushes it contains talc. 

L-R: 01 Anchors Aweigh!, 10 Adorable and 40 Natural Beauty

Overall my thoughts are that these are good budget options. If you are looking for everyday neutral colours you can't go wrong with these. They are smooth, easy to blend and wear well throughout the day. Would I say these are better than Catrice blushes I reviewed recently? I don't think so. But if you can't get your hands on Catrice then these are really good alternatives. However, if you are sensitive to talc or parabens I would say skip these. Instead try the Makeup Geek blushes, they are paraben and talc free. Essence Silk Touch Blushes retail for under 3,00€ depending where you buy them, but nevertheless it's a bargain! These would be amazing for travel and even if they do get damaged you can easily replace them as they don't cost a fortune. I don't take my expensive powder products with me when I travel and I had to learn it the hard way.

Let me know what your all time favourite blush is, maybe I am missing out on something!

Cheers,
Muffy

My Top 5 Makeup Brushes

If you have been following my blog for sometime now, you know that I love me some brushes. I am a strong believer that good brushes can make a difference in your makeup application. Today I decided to share with you my Top 5, well in reality I could not narrow it down, so my Top 6 brushes that I use on regular basis. Let's get right into it!

T-B: Real Techniques Multi Task , Zoeva 102 Silk Finish,
Real Techniques Contour, Sigma Tapered Blending E40,
Zoeva 227 Soft Definer Vegan and Real Techniques Shading

First up is the Real Techniques Multi Task Brush. As the name suggests it's meant to be used for multiple purposes. It comes with an ultra-soft synthetic taklon bristles and is cruelty-free. I use this brush for applying powder, blush or bronzer. I think it's especially good for bronzing up the face. It's versatile no doubt, as it essentially replaces three brushes and as such it comes with me every time I travel. The only downside you can't buy it individually. It's sold as part of the Travel Essentials Kit only.

Real Techniques Multi Task Brush

Real Techniques Multi Task Brush

Staying in the theme of face brushes next up is Zoeva 102 Silk Finish. It comes with vegan taklon bristles and is cruelty-free. It's not as fluffy as the Multi Task brush. It is more dense, which is ideal for buffing in foundation, BB cream or any makeup base of your choice. This is my go-to brush. It doesn't shed, it's easy to wash and it hasn't lost its original shape. You can purchase it in a set or individually from Zoeva website. 

Zoeva 102 Silk Finish Brush

Zoeva 102 Silk Finish Brush

Another handy brush for the face is the Real Techniques Contour Brush. It has soft synthetic taklon bristles and is cruelty-free. This brush is also a multi-tasker. I usually use it for setting the under eye area or applying highlighter on the cheekbones. As the name implies it's aimed at contouring and you can do that, it works well. However, I have a pretty wide face therefore I prefer something a little bit less precise. As with the Multi Task brush this one comes in the Core Collection Kit. Unfortunately you can't purchase it separately. 

Real Techniques Contour Brush

Real Techniques Contour Brush

Now we are getting to my favourite part - eye brushes. I think this is where you can see the biggest difference in terms of your makeup application. Let's start with my "holy grail" eye brush, the Sigma Tapered Blending E40. I will not go into much detail why you need this brush in your life, as I have a separate post dedicated to it. In a nutshell it's an extremely fluffy rounded tip brush that is great for swiping transition colour into the crease and for blending out any harsh edges. It is made out of synthetic bristles and is cruelty-free. I highly recommend trying this brush out. You can purchase it individually from Feelunique.

Sigma Tapered Blending E40

Sigma Tapered Blending E40

Zoeva 227 Soft Definer Vegan is a sure stand out as well and one I have reviewed earlier. You can check it out here. It is very similar to Mac 217, but better. It's softer, has synthetic bristles and doesn't shed. Added bonus it's suitable for vegans and is cruelty-free. If you have been looking for a good all-rounder, this is it. You can use it for blending and for applying eyeshadow especially for those no-fuss-one-colour-type of looks. You can purchase this brush from Zoeva website and it's surprisingly affordable. If you could pick only one eye brush, I suggest getting this one. 

Zoeva 227 Soft Definer Vegan

Zoeva 227 Soft Definer Vegan

And an honourable mention goes to Real Techniques Shading Brush. This brush has synthetic taklon bristles and is cruelty-free. It's ideal for smudging under the lower-lash line. It's not too big and is relatively flat, so it gets right under the lower lashes. If you are like me and you like to wear eyeshadow on your lower lash line, you need this brush. It's extremely soft and doesn't scratch or pull on the delicate area under the eye. A definite winner in my books. If you are not into that sort of look, you can use it for highlighting the browbone. You can buy it individually from Feelunique. 

Real Techniques Shading Brush

Real Techniques Shading Brush

These brushes is all I need to create a full face of makeup. Of course since I am a beauty junkie, I do have way too many brushes. But if I had to let go of most of my collection, these are the ones I would keep. They are tried and true and get the job done. I don't think you have to buy particularly expensive brushes for them to perform well. Nowadays a lot of cheaper brands make equally good if not better brushes. I hope this was helpful and you have learned a thing or two about makeup brushes!

Let me know what are you all-time favourite brushes!

Cheers,
Muffy

BB Cream that Covers and Delivers Skin Care Benefits

Yesterday I posted about essence, an essential skincare item in Asia. Today I am bringing your way a BB cream that's also essential but in an Asian makeup routine.  I have gone through tubes of this BB cream and it always has a place in my makeup bag. I am referring to the Lioele Triple The Solution BB Cream SPF 30 PA++.

Lioele Triple The Solution BB Cream SPF 30 PA++

Lioele is a Korean makeup and skin care brand. It has an extensive range of products. I haven't tried anything but the BB creams. However, I have been considering branching out and seeing if there's something else that intrigues me. This BB cream promises to whiten, prevent wrinkles, nourish and moisturise the skin as well as protect from UVA/UVB rays. Key active ingredients are: ylang ylang flower, liquorice, strawberry, fermented yogurt, arbutin and adenosine. It comes in one shade and a 50ml tube.

Let's start with the consistency. It's quite thick compared to the BB creams available in the European market. In my opinion it has a similar texture to a foundation. It offers a fantastic coverage. To be fair it will not completely cover scarring and pigmentation, those will pick a little bit through but nothing major. If you want you can build up the coverage by applying extra to the areas that require it. It blends easily into the skin with both brushes and fingers. It does come in one shade but don't be alarmed. It actually adopts to your skin tone. However, if you have medium to deep skin I am afraid it will be too light for you. It has a slight scent to it but I don't mind it. It's quite pleasant and refreshing. I can't stress enough how much I appreciate that it has a pump! The packing in general is sleek and pleasing to the eye.

Lioele Triple the Solution BB Cream Packaging

Lioele Triple The Solution BB Cream Shade

This product performs great. I have been using it as a replacement for a foundation. I can't recall the last time I used a foundation. This BB cream is moisturising, offers good coverage, has a proper SPF factor and is packed with ingredients that nourish your skin. I don't necessarily care too much about the whitening properties but it's a good bonus. This product leaves your skin with a dewy finish, as expected. In Korea it's all about radiant and glowing complexion. If you are not a fan of that I suggest setting it with a powder. It lasts well through the day but I need to touch up the T-zone. I have to do it with any makeup base since my skin is combination. My sister who has dry skin and uses this product as well, she really appreciates the dewiness and leaves it as is. The obvious downside is of course the lack of shades, which is a shame for those ladies and gents with deeper skin tones. It's also not readily available in Europe. You can purchase it from Amazon or eBay. 

Overall I am very content with this product. As said it's a staple in my makeup. Every time I decide to be adventurous and try something else, I always come back to this one. It's also surprisingly affordable. Depends where you buy it but on average it's about 15,00€. If you have been wondering what's all the fuss about BB creams or have tried a few and were left disappointed, I recommend giving this one a shot. It's what I expected the ones offered in Europe to be like. Lioele also carries a version called Lioele Beyond the Solution BB Cream that has no SPF. I tried it and it's equally good. It's great for bridal or if you know you will be photographed. 

Let me know if you have tried Asian BB creams and would you recommend any!

Cheers,
Muffy