Lifesaver for Dry and Flaky Eyelids

Today let's talk a little bit about eyelids and eyeballs. Recently with my skin getting more sensitive and dry I stumbled across a problem of extremely dry eyelids. I am talking about eyelids that flake and any eyeshadow you put would emphasise it like no other. Besides the not so pretty look the itching also gets to you. Therefore I was determined to find a solution. I have tried multiple eye creams from different price points and nothing seemed to work, until I went with my friend to get her makeup done at the YSL counter. There her makeup artist nicely suggested I try an eye cream that contains Omega 3. She recommended Biotherm Aquasource Biosensitive Fragile Eye Contour. This eye cream doesn't leave my sight and to find out why keep on reading!

I haven't tried a lot of products from Biotherm, a few moisturisers and a serum. They were ok but I haven't been really wowed. Biotherm Aquasource Biosensitive Fragile Eye Contour has been specifically developed to target redness, tightness and itching while soothing and reducing puffiness. Its key ingredients are Omega 3 & 6 and pure thermal plankton. It's alcohol free, colorant free and fragrance free. It comes in a sleek packaging with a pump. I really appreciate the fact that I don't have to dip my finger into a pot which is the case with most eye creams. You get 15ml of product. You can control how much product you pump out from the tube. I usually use a pea size amount for both eyes. The consistency is not too thick which I like. It absorbs quickly into the skin so you can proceed with applying your concealer and eyeshadow without having to wait around for long.

Biotherm Aquasource Biosensitive Fragile Eye Contour

It comes in a plastic container which is good for traveling as it's less likely to break and leak. But the best part is that it actually works! This is the only eye cream that has been able to combat my dry as a desert eyelids. After using Biotherm Aquasource Biosensitive Fragile Eye Contour for a few days I could already tell the difference. My eyelids were less itchy and within around a week the flakiness was gone. It's a true miracle worker for me. As said I mainly use it for my eyelids and the area slightly above it but you can of course apply it under the eyes as well. Weirdly enough I don't have as dry and sensitive skin under my eyes so I opt for something that happens to be in my stash. Currently I am using Kiehl's Rosa Arctica Eye Cream. The only downside of the Biotherm Aquasource Biosensitive Fragile Eye Contour is that it doesn't have any anti-aging or wrinkle reducing properties as such.

If you struggle with dry eyelids and your eyeshadow always clings to dry patches, give this one a go. It will change your life, no joke. You can purchase it at your closest Biotherm counter or online. In my opinion it's not ridiculously expensive for an eye cream and I would gladly pay more if I had to. 

Let me know if you have any other remedies for dry eyelids. I would love to know!

Cheers,
Muffy

By Terry Ombre Black Star Worth the Splurge?

I am always up for finding great products at an affordable price. However, there seems to be a lack of cream eyeshadow sticks in the mass market. The very few I found and tried haven't performed too well. For example the Kiko Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadows crease on me if I don't use a primer. The very reason why I opt for a cream eyeshadow stick is because I want a fast one step solution. As such I decided to bite the bullet and get the By Terry Ombre Black Star Melting Eyeshadow in Misty Rock. To find out if it's worth the splurge, keep on reading!

I am quite new to the By Terry products. I haven't tried anything but the Ombre Black Star Melting Eyeshadow in Misty Rock. By Terry is a luxury makeup line that is cruelty-free. Neither its finished products nor ingredients are tested on animals. It's an independent company that doesn't sell in China. By Terry Ombre Black Star Melting Eyeshadows are meant to deliver intense, light-catching pigment with long-wear results. They are packed with Tahitian Black Pearl Extract which is rich in calcium, trace elements and pearl proteins. 

Let's start with packaging. It's sleek with no unnecessary bulkiness. It's surprisingly light weight. I would have imagined it to be a little bit more weighty. But other than that it looks and feels expensive. I appreciate that it's also colour coded, which means if you have several shades you can see which one is which. The eyeshadow comes in a stick format that you can twist up or down. Extremely handy for if you are on the go. The colour I picked is Misty Rock. I figured if I am going to spend a considerable amount of money on an eyeshadow I want it to be wearable yet unique. This shade did not disappoint. It's really difficult to describe as it's so multidimensional. To me it looks like a dusty-rose mauve with flecks of silver running through it. I heard that this shade is a chameleon since it looks different on everyone depending on your complexion. 

By Terry Ombre Black Star in Misty Rock

By Terry Ombre Black Star in Misty Rock (the swatch doesn't do it justice)

Besides the beautiful colour the formula is out of this world. This is one eyeshadow in my collection (and I have plenty) that I can wear on its own and it won't fade or crease. I can't stress enough how crease-proof this little guy is. A lot of cream eyeshadows claim to be long-lasting and crease-proof but most of them fail to deliver in that department. This one does exactly what it promises. The texture is creamy and glides effortlessly on the lids. I will however recommend doing one eye at the time as it dries pretty quickly. I apply it directly on my lids and smudge it with a fluffy blending brush, usually Zoeva 227 Soft Definer Vegan. I always suggest using a synthetic brush with cream products. 

What I also appreciate about this product is that it can take you from day to night. You can swipe a sheer layer of colour all over your lids for a day time look and when going out at night you can intensify the colour by applying a little bit more (until reaching the desired effect). The only downside of this product is the price. I purchased mine from Feelunqiue but you can also find it on Net-a-Porter. At the time of this post going live, Feelunique is running a 20% off site wide including By Terry products. If you wanted to try this product, now is the time to get it! In general, always be on the lookout for offers and discounts, as Feelunqiue has those quite frequently. 

Overall this is one of the favourite products I have purchased in a long while. If I want a no-fuss eyeshadow look that won't budge, I pick this one up. It's pricey but, in my opinion, worth it. I am thinking of getting at least one more shade - Bronze Moon - in the future. A not so little hint, this would make a wonderful gift for a special other. 

Let me know if you have tried anything from By Terry and what you would recommend!

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

Charlotte Tilbury Norman Parkinson Collection Lipsticks

When I heard that Charlotte Tilbury was coming out with a limited edition collection, I knew I had to have at least something from it. It was not just any limited edition collection. It was in collaboration with the famous British photographer Norman Parkinson and was vintage-inspired. I am not gonna lie the items in this collection are pricey. Therefore, I decided to go with the least damaging but still quite damaging option and picked up two lipsticks: Miss Kensington and 1975 Red.  

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipsticks in
 1975 Red and Miss Kensington

Let's start with the most obvious - packaging. It is no different than her permanent lipsticks, but it's nevertheless beautiful. I think there was no need to make a special packaging for these lipsticks as they already have a vintage look and feel to them. I adore the rose gold sleek bullets. In terms of texture these do not disappoint. No wonder it's called modern-matte, since they don't feel drying at all. They are creamy and glide on your lips. They also have an unusual sheen to them, featuring innovative 3D glowing pigments. Charlotte says it was designed to make your lips look more full and plumped. It's especially evident with the 1975 Red. As with all her lipsticks they have a light vanilla scent, which I personally like. I prefer it to for example the fruity scent that YSL Rouge Volupte lipsticks have (it's not bad by no means).

L-R: Miss Kensington and 1975 Red

Now to the most intriguing part - the actual shades she picked for this iconic collaboration. First up is Miss Kensington. Charlotte Tilbury describes it as a rose petal shade, inspired by the quintessentially English, ‘haughty but naughty’ girls of the swinging ‘60s in Chelsea and Kensington and the pastel hues in Norman Parkinson’s pictures of his muses: Audrey Hepburn, Twiggy and his wife Wenda. This colour she suggested especially for fairer skin tones and I agree with that. In my opinion the colour is more of a peachy-pink, I can definitely see some peach hues in it. It surely reminds me of the 60s. Next up is 1975 Red and it's a beauty. This one is by far my favourite. It is described as the classic ‘70s sunset red that captures the fun, naughty and glamorous mood of the decade. It is inspired by Jerry Hall’s Jamaica Blue & Beautiful, British Vogue cover from May 1975, shot by Norman Parkinson. It is a stunning colour. It applies like a dream. It's that perfect combination of orange-red with a vintage vibe to it. Unlike Miss Kensington I think this colour would be flattering on both light and medium skin tones.

Miss Kensington

1975 Red

L-R: 1975 Red and Miss Kensington

In terms of ingredients these contain: lipstick tree extract (I could not figure this one out), orchid extract, carica papaya fruit extract and safflower seed oil. Charlotte Tilbury's products are cruelty-fee. I don't think these lipstick are particularly long-wearing, especially if you eat or drink. But due to their unique shape they are extremely easy to re-apply, even the darker colours. I wore 1975 Red without a lipliner and it looked great.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in 1975 Red

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Miss Kensington

Here comes not so nice part. I have to be honest and say I was disappointed with Miss Kensington. Don't get me wrong the colour is pretty but the pigmentation is not there. The swatch you see above is not with one or even two or three swipes. I had to seriously build up the colour to get the opacity. It's extremely sheer, not something I would have expected from a modern-matte lipstick at all. I will try to make it work by mixing it with other shades or pairing it with a lipliner, we shall see. I do love the colour, therefore I am willing to go through the extra trouble. The point being if you are looking for an opaque colour payoff with just one swipe like with NARS Audacious Lipsticks or 1975 Red, it's not going to happen. 

Overall, I am happy I have both. Even though Miss Kensington was a bit of a let-down, I like having it for sentimental reasons. However, if you are not into the whole vintage-inspired have to have it all type of thing, I say skip Miss Kensington. Instead pick 1975 Red. Even if you don't wear bold colours, this one just might make you do it! These lipsticks retail for 30,00€ a piece. You can purchase it from Charlotte Tilbury's website or Net-a-Porter. 

Let me know if you have tried anything from Charlotte Tilbury, I'd love to know!

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