My Take On Contouring

All the buzz surrounding contouring and highlighting on social media is pretty overwhelming. And let me tell you never in a million years did I think that I would fall into the hype but here we are talking about contouring. Now, there are plenty of powders, creams, sticks and tools on the market that can help you achieve those modelesque cheekbones. Here are just a few of my personal favourites.

Makeup Geek Contour Powder in Infidelity and MAC Sculpting Pro Powder in Sculpt

Let's start with contour powders. My go to ones are Makeup Geek's Contour Powder in Infidelity (which is a newer addition) and MAC's Pro Powder in Sculpt. Both are great shades for mimicking a shadow, easy to use and blend like a dream (especially for those like me who are newbies in this department). In terms of colour payoff Infidelity is a sure winner and you need just a tiny bit to chisel those cheeks. It does kick-off a bit of powder when you dip your brush into the pan but that doesn't bother me (as it's super soft and is to be expected). If I compare the two MAC's Sculpt is a bit more neutral rosy-toned, while Makeup Geek's Infidelity is darker and more of an ashier cooler tone. Personally I think that Sculpt works better for my complexion, since I do have more of neutral/warmer undertones. I am thinking of picking up Makeup Geek's Bad Habit (which is described as Warm Fair) once I run out of MAC's Sculpt. 

Elf Blending Brush and Makeup Geek Angled Stippling Brush

Now let's talk about brushes. I have tried quite a few and eventually settled down on two: Elf's Blending Brush and Makeup Geek's Angled Stippling Brush. I like them for different reasons. Elf's Blending Brush is great for a smooth, everyday, barely there application. Hence I use it on a daily basis. Due to its unique shape I place it right where I want to contour and since it's so fluffy it blends out the product seamlessly. It has synthetic bristles, it's cruelty-free and vegan. If I want more of a sharper contour I opt for Makeup Geek's Angled Stippling Brush. It has an angled tip which is great for more precise application. I place it right where my cheekbones are and just push the product in. I don't blend the product out as vigorously as I would with Elf's Blending Brush. Makeup Geek's Angled Stippling Brush is also cruelty-free.

L-R: Makeup  Geek Infidelity and MAC Sculpt

These are my go to products for contouring. I am by no means a pro but for my purposes a.k.a normal everyday life, these work great. I would say that if you are on a hunt for a cruelty-free, blendable and affordable contour powder, Makeup Geek is where it's at. 

I hope you found this post useful and I would love to hear if contouring is an essential step in your everyday makeup routine or not!

Cheers,
Muffy

YSL Eyeshadow #4 Facon and A Possible Dupe

I am a sucker for neutral matte eyeshadows. In my mind there is no such thing as too many neutral matte eyeshadows. Recently I was visiting my friend who kindly let me look through her makeup stash, since she is downsizing. I could not help but notice a YSL Couture Mono Eyeshadow in #4 Facon, which had to be mine based on the earlier statement. As soon as I got home I went through my collection and surprise surprise managed to find a dupe for it. To find out what it is, keep on reading!

YSL Couture Mono Eyeshadow in #4 Facon and Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Barcelona Beach

Let's start with addressing the fact that the YSL single eyeshadow in #4 Facon featured here is a tester, just so you know. When you do buy this eyeshadow, it comes in a nice sleek golden packaging with a YSL logo. This particular colour can be found in the permanent YSL Couture Mono Eyeshadow line, so there is no need to rush out and buy it. The shade itself can appear boring to some people but to me this is perfection. It's that ideal medium sand shade with taupe undertones which is perfect for mimicking the natural shadow of your crease. Is it a unique colour? Anything new that we haven't seen before? Of course not. But it's sophisticated, timeless and versatile. Simply something you can't go wrong with. 

YSL Couture Mono Eyeshadow in #4 Facon

In terms of pigmentation it's alright. It's not the best I have tried compared to for example Urban Decay and Makeup Geek, but you can work with it. It's not patchy nor chalky, but needs building up. That could be a good thing especially for those that are intimidated by highly pigmented shadows or have a heavy hand. The texture I would describe as satin. It's not completely matte but not shimmery either and feels very smooth to the touch. Now, as with all YSL products you can expect this little guy to be pretty pricy. As such if you want a more budget alternative with an added bonus of being talc and cruelty free I suggest you take a closer look at Makeup Geek's Barcelona Beach single eyeshadow.

L-R: YSL #4 Facon and Makeup Geek Barcelona Beach

When compared side by side you can see that YSL single eyeshadow in Facon has a slight sheen, whereas Makeup Geek's Barcelona Beach is matte and a tad bit richer. However, when you put them on your eyes you can't tell the difference (but as said earlier you need to build up Facon to get the same colour payoff). 

I will continue using both eyeshadows. That being said if you are on a budget (or not) and looking for a great crease colour that has fantastic pigmentation and great ingredients I say look no further then Makeup Geek's Barcelona Beach. I think YSL makes some of the best nail polishes on the market but the single eyeshadows are yet to impress me. 

I hope you found this comparison helpful and if you have any suggestions for must-have matte crease shadows, let me know!

Until next time,
Muffy

P.S Did you know that Makeup Geek's Barcelona Beach can also double up as a contour shade for your cheeks.   

Urban Decay 1993 vs Mac Whirl

I don't know about you, but when doing my research on Mac Whirl and Urban Decay 1993 lipstick I couldn't find many comparison swatches of both colours side by side (besides of course Temptalia).  As such I figured why don't I get Mac Whirl and see how do they actually compare, and perhaps make the purchasing decision somewhat easier for some of you.

Mac Whirl and UD Matte Revolution Lipstick in 1993

In terms of texture they are pretty similar, with Urban Decay 1993 being a little bit more creamier. But for a matte formula Mac Whirl is surprisingly creamy and glides effortlessly on the lips. I have a few other Mac lipsticks from the matte range, but they are slightly drier in texture. Mac Whirl has been added to the permanent line quite recently, so I assume they might have improved the formula. When it comes to pigmentation both lipsticks are extremely pigmented and don't need building up. When it comes to the shape of a lipstick bullet I actually prefer Mac's since I find it more user friendly in terms of application. Urban Decay lipsticks can be a bit tricky when you want a precise application especially with deeper colours. I use Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Lip Pencil in 1993 with both lipsticks and it works great.

Mac Whirl and UD Matte Revolution Lipstick in 1993

Now, when looking at the colour they both fall under that brown-mauve lipstick category which is extremely on trend nowadays. At first glance I thought they were identical, but after swatching a few times and applying on my lips (1993 on the top lip and Whirl on the bottom lip) the difference was quite evident. Mac Whirl is more mauve and lighter, while Urban Decay 1993 is more brown and darker. Despite being brown I feel like 1993 translates a tad bit cooler on me (this will however depend a lot on your skin colour and undertone, I have more of a neutral/warm undertone).

Top :Urban Decay 1993, Bottom: Mac Whirl

T-B: Mac Whirl and UD 1993

Having worn both lipsticks I feel like Mac Whirl is more wearable just because it has more of that mauve, dusty rose undertone to it, so more people can get away with it. For me it's difficult to chose favourites since I am all about this type of shades and I can justify having both of them. However, if you want to get just one 90's grunge lipstick it all boils down to your ethical values and preferences. As said earlier a more flattering colour in my opinion would be Mac Whirl especially if you are of lighter complexion, however if you want to support a cruelty-free company Urban Decay 1993 would be your best pick. In terms of price they are very similar and equally hard to get, since they are sold-out all the time.

I hope this was helpful to some of you and you have a better idea of which one to get if either.

Until next time,
Muffy

P.S For those living in Helsinki, Finland and wanting to get their hands on Mac Whirl as it has been sold-out for forever at the Mac's counter in Stockmann, I got you covered. A friend of mine picked one for me at the Helsinki-Vantaa airport and I hear that there are still plenty left and let's not forget you save a few pennies as well ;). 

Orange - Red Lips Yes Please!

I don't know about you but I have been loving orange-red lips. It is a good colour to rock if you want a statement lip with a retro vibe to it. Since I have warm undertones, I feel like red colours with a little bit of orange suit me best. Today I am sharing with you a set of three lipsticks that fall into that category and tell you my thoughts. 

Let's start with the least affordable from the bunch but the one that surely kicks a punch - Lancome L'Absolu Velours d´Orange #172. It is a creamy matte lip colour that applies fully opaque. It feels very comfortable on the lips and doesn't dry completely to a matte finish. Hence, it doesn't dry out your lips by no means. However if you prefer a matte look you can always dust a little bit of powder over it and it takes the sheen away. The lasting power is pretty good considering that it is a relatively creamy formula. It does stain your lips a little bit. I also like the applicator, it is shaped perfectly to fit the contours of your lips. The colour itself is a vidid orange-red and I like it a lot. Lancome falls under the L'Oreal umbrella which means that it's not necessarily cruelty free. You can purchase it at your closest Lancome counter or Feelunique.

The lipstick that has solidified my obsession with this colour is Rimmel's 660 In Love With Ginger. It is from their re-formulated Moisture Renew line. This colour is just perfection. It is one of my most worn bold lipsticks. It is a perfect mix of orange and red. It is not as bold as the Lancome's L'Absolu Velours but applies opaque in one coat. I can't fault the texture. It is creamy and feels good on the lips. It lasts a good few hours if you are not drinking or eating. If you are sensitive to scents it could be an issue with this one. All Rimmel lipsticks have a relatively strong artificial floral scent. Some people like it, some people hate it. I am not a fan but I can look past it since the colour is so gorgeous. Rimmel is an affordable brand but it's not cruelty free. Rimmel is readily available but I purchased mine from Feelunique. 

L-R: Kiko Cream Lipstick 508 Orange,  Rimmel In Love with Ginger,
Lancome L'Absolu Velours 172

L-R: Kiko Cream Lipstick 508 Orange, Rimmel In Love with Ginger,  
Lancome L'Absolu Velours 172

Last but not certainly least, is the Kiko's Luscious Cream Lipstick in 508 Orange. As the name suggests it has a creamy consistency which simply glides on the lips. It is more of a sheer formula compared to Rimmel but you can build it up. The colour is not as bright as the other two and it has more orange hues. In my opinion it is a wearable orange. You can decide how opaque you want the colour to be. It is the least long-wearing but the easiest to touch up. In terms of price it is extremely affordable. Kiko does not test on animals and this lipstick is hypoallergenic. I get Kiko products from their online shop.

To wrap up, it's a pretty good set of options. If you want to treat yourself and get a more higher end lipstick try Lancome's creamy matte lip colours. If you are looking for an all rounder Rimmel's In Love with Ginger fits right that bill. However, if you are not too familiar with orange-red lippies and looking for a cruelty free alternative, Kiko has a pretty good offering. 

Do you have any recommendations for lipsticks I should try that fall under the same colour scheme?

Until next time,
Muffy

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 vs Lush Honey Trap

Nobody likes the look and feel of dry lips. Lip balm is an essential product in anybody's everyday routine. Despite being such a staple, it is difficult to find one that actually works. Now I became even more picky as I want it to be cruelty free, paraben free and do it's job. Lately I have been testing out Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 and Lush's Honey Trap lip balm. If you want to hear my thoughts, then keep on reading!

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 and Lush Honey Trap Lip Balm

Kiehl's lip balm comes in a squeeze tube which I think is a big plus, as you don't have to dip your finger to get the product out. You get 15ml of product, and it retails for 8,00€, which is reasonable. It doesn't have any distinguishable fragrance, but to me it is very reminiscent of vaseline scent. My biggest problem with this lip balm is the consistency. It is very slippery, it doesn't absorb into my lips and just pretty much sits on top of them. Hence, you are left with a glossy finish on your lips. The list of ingredients is not too impressive either. At the very top you get Petrolatum and a few natural ingredients appear at the end like the Aloe Leaf Extract. Kiehl's is considered a brand that tests on animals since its products are sold in China, which requires imported cosmetics be tested on animals.

Lush Honey Trap Lip Balm and Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 Packaging

Next up is the Honey Trap lip balm from Lush. Unlike Kiehl's lip balm it comes in a pot so you have to scoop the product out, which I am a little bit iffy about. It comes with 8g of product and is sold for 11,50€. I really like the consistency, it is very moisturising without feeling greasy. It gives your lips a slight sheen but nothing too glossy. I personally really like the scent, I can definitely pick up the notes of honey and vanilla. In term of ingredients it is packed with nourishing goodies like shea butter, almond oil, honey and extra virgin olive oil. It does contain Beeswax, so it is not suitable for vegans. But don't you despair, Lush also has a vegan version called None of Your Beesewax. It replaces beeswax with an extra virgin coconut oil and shea butter to give it a light texture and a slip. Among other ingredients are exotic mandarin oil, murumuru and cupuaçu butters. I don't own this one but I tried it at the store and I think I will be picking it up when I run out of the Honey Trap.

Overall my verdict is that Kiehl's lip balm #1 is an overrated vaseline with not so good ingredients. Honey Trap on the other hand
ticks all the boxes for me: it is cruelty free, paraben free and helps my dry lips. If you are looking to try a new lip balm, I say skip Kiehl's and check out Lush's Honey Trap instead! You can get it at your nearest Lush store or online. 

If you know of a good cruelty free, paraben free lip balm with an spf, let me know!

Cheers,
Muffy