The Body Shop Blusher Brush Review

[UPDATED REVIEW]

The first makeup brush I ever reviewed! The Body Shop blusher brush. Highly rated and here’s my review!

The brush.

Up-close shot of the bristles.

Pretty loosely packed and incredibly soft.

Testament to how loved this brush is. The label is kinda fading.

Name of the brush.

Description;

Bristles: Synthetic bristles. The bristles are tapered and extremely soft. Dual coloured with a lighter brown at the base that deepens into dark brown at the tip. It is slightly flattened to allow contouring. Bristles are not densely packed thus product can be deposited easily.

Ferrule: Sturdy shiny silver metallic ferrule.

Handle: Wood handle with black matte finish. The handle is slightly tapered with the larger end at the bottom that actually allows the brush to stand upright on a flat horizontal surface. 

Price: MYR 69 (not factoring in possible promotions at The Body Shop)

Where to buy: The Body Shop outlets nationwide and online at http://www.thebodyshop.com.my/ (shipping price and details are available on the website)

 

Pros:

The brush has been carefully designed for its purpose.

The size is perfect for blusher and contour.

It picks up enough product and blends out powder blush beautifully.

It can also be used to dab powder onto the face under the eyes and knock out excess powder from the face.

Blending out contours are also a dream with this.

The brush I own is about a few years old and no noticeable fraying and no bristle fall out thus far. If it is being used I spot clean all the time and deep cleanse about once a month so it is noteworthy that there were no bristle fall out! AT ALL!

The ferrule is sturdy and the shiny metallic surface gives it a luxury feeling.

Extremely soft; perhaps the softest brush I own.

 

Cons:

The tapered handle makes it difficult to fit into a makeup brush case.

Price is mid range. 

 

Rating: 9.1/10

It is a brush worth buying, more so if you’re a makeup artist. Although the labels have started fading, it is still visible and the words can still be worked out.

Has been highly rated on their website.

From The Body Shop E-store

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Product Empties #18

I have already reviewed this. Link here.

This is a shimmery green eyeshadow from the brand Savee. It is a local retail brand with really affordable products (almost bordering on cheap) but not really talked about. I crushed this eyeshadow up to use for the NYX Face Awards entry. Ended up using most of it but I did manage to retain some to do a hand swatch.

Initially I wanted to do just this for the #faceawardsmy but realised this isn't an original creation. It is a legitimate style of Indian classical dance makeup albeit done with makeup products instead of products actually used by the dancers (which is manayola, a type of yellow coloured stone which is powdered and mixed with blue and coconut oil to create a green paste; all other colours are made the same way, au-naturale). #makeupblogger #beautyblogger #beautyblog #malebeautyblogger #malaysianbeautyblogger #malaysianmalebeautyblogger #msianblogsquad #msianbloggram #msianbeautysquad #msianbeautygram #fiercepaint #fiercepaintmy #boysinmakeup #meninmakeup #malebeautyblogger #malemakeupblogger

A post shared by Harivaindaran K.Veeriah (@harivain) on May 6, 2017 at 9:48am PDT

Entry for #faceawardsmy @nyxcosmetics_my Indian dance makeup re-imagined. #nyxprofessionalmakeup #nyxcosmeticmy

A post shared by Harivaindaran K.Veeriah (@harivain) on May 4, 2017 at 6:25pm PDT

Ingredients list.

Hand swatch.

In terms of performance, it was pretty good for a MYR 2 eyeshadow. It is a local brand and I guess that’s the reason for the price tag. The ingredients are questionable though. I probably wouldn’t repurchase but I do believe these are discontinued and they have a new line of eyeshadows.

I have already reviewed this. Link here.

Purchased because I wanted to redeem the 100 points free sample. Again, I am one of those people who do not see much difference after using a mask! And this was the same. I did like the cooling, almost plumping kind of effect.

This tiny tub is about 3/4 full but I have stopped using it. Here’s the story; there were specific times in the past where my lips would crack and split, making it sting and I used to always dismiss it off as me not being properly hydrated. However, when that happened even with me being hydrated I  started thinking of what I was doing differently and realised it may have been because of this. And so I deliberately experimented and found out that this was the culprit. I know that there has been mixed reviews with this product. Some people swear by it, others didn’t really feel much of a difference. Mine seems to be little more extreme. This would have been a product regret if I did purchase it but this was a gift so no regrets here. Would NOT purchase.

Avon Femme Exclusive EDP and Homme Exclusive EDT

When it comes to reviews and products, makeup, I know! I won’t give that up. That being said, I am no perfume expert. So this review is based solely on my views of these two new fragrances launched here in Malaysia by perhaps one of the most well known brand dedicated to all things woman; AVON!!!

Avon is not only huge in Malaysia but they have also been in the business for quite a while. They may not have so much online presence (which may make them not so often discussed and reviewed on social media) but they do put out some pretty amazing products.

So I got this PR package from Avon Malaysia and boy was I excited! Disclaimer; although these were sent to me, opinions are my own.

YES! I LOVE this PR package!

THANK YOU AVON!

The boxes.

The bottles.

Description on the back of the Homme EDT box.

Description on the Femme EDP box.

Let me talk about the Homme EDT first because I did give that a fair run. Let me be honest, when I initially sprayed it, there was something I didn’t really like about how the citrus component and woody component mixed together. But when it sits on the skin after a couple of minutes, the citrus mellows down and then, it smells amazing! Fragrances do that sometimes.

A very macho, manly kind of a fragrance this one. I put it a couple of times to test out its longevity. On an active day when I heavily perspired, right around the 4 hour mark it started fading and at about 6 to 8 hours it ran its course. But with indoor leisure activity, I got about 6 to 8 hours of good dissipation and then it started to fade. However, even towards the end of the day, I could still detect the scent albeit faintly.

The Femme EDP on the other hand was lovely right from the first spritz! The jasmine is perfectly proportioned to not be overpowering but still allowing its magic to come trough. Very sophisticated yet not stuffy. Two thumbs up. Can’t really tell in terms of longevity (because I didn’t want to be wearing it out and people asking me why I smell cute) but since it is an EDP it would perhaps last quite long.

These retail for MYR 89.00 (West Malaysia) and MYR 102.40 (East Malaysia), each but if you purchase any two of them the price is MYR 159.00 (West Malaysia) and MYR 182.90 (East Malaysia).

I’ve linked below, all of Avon Malaysia’s information so you can check them out!

Avon Malaysia website: https://www.avon.my/

Avon Malaysia Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AvonMy/

Avon Malaysia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avonmy/ (handle: avonmy)

Avon Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/avonmy (handle: @avonmy)

Again, thank you Avon Malaysia!

Essence Longlasting Lip Liner Review

I was excited when these came out because I love the formula on the original ones and I hate sharpening. So these were perfect! Read my review on the standard lip liners here.

The pencils.

I would love to show you the label and descriptions, but they have worn off. 😛

Product inside.

A little hand swatch.

Description: A retractable lip liner, that comes in 0.23 grams / 0.008 oz product.

Price: MYR 8.90 (WHAT??? What’s the need for discount? These don’t go on sale often but if it does, don’t hesitate!)

Where to buy: Watsons.

I used one of these in my NYX Face Awards entry (01 ready for red). Skip to 5.09 to see it.

Pros:

Very pigmented.

Very opaque! If you have hyperpigmented lips, it will cover.

Can be used on its own as a lipstick.

Comfortable.

Long wearing.

Creamy, soft and glides on easily.

Does not dry out lips.

Doesn’t settle into fine lines.

PRICE! Are you kidding me???!!!!

No strong odour or taste.

 

Con:

Perhaps not as long lasting as a drier lip liner.

Not transfer proof.

Lesser product compared to the pencil.

 

Rating: 9.1/10

Even with the lesser product, for the price, are you kidding me???? If this doesn’t work on you I’d genuinely feel sad for you…

Product Empties #17

Previous product empties;

#16 – here

#15 – here

2016 collective empties – here

 

I realised I had included a product that has already been featured on Product Empties #16 already, apologies for that. I usually keep the eyebrow pens even after it is emptied for the spoolie.

I have reviewed this product. Review link here.

Product already reviewed. Link here.

This was pretty good. I did a whole battle of the cleansing waters (post link here). I wouldn’t repurchase because I already do have my fave from the drugstore (click here to find out which).

Already featured this on the battle of the drugstore micellar water post. I wouldn’t repurchase this although some beauty influencers are hooked onto to this to cleanse before washing their face. You know, the whole double cleansing thing.

YouTube Video Version of My Top Post

My latest YouTube video is based on my most viewed post on FiercePaint (at over 12 thousand views!).

My Top 5 Most Affordable Drugstore Makeup Brands in Malaysia (link here).

This has been long in the works and I kept editing it a little bit every now and then. It has finally seen fruition!

So, here’s the video version of it!

Enjoy!

Subscribe to me on YouTube!

Follow me on;

Instagram @harivain

Twitter @Harivaind

Like my Facebook page; FiercePaint

THANKS!

I love you all!!!

Bloop Lip/Eye Liner Brush (028) Review

[UPDATED REVIEW]

Bloop is a range of makeup and skin care products that is available in Malaysia in certain places. Their stall/booth locations can be found on their website. I will link their web page at the “Where to buy” section. This particular brush was a gift from my cousin when I helped her with a makeup favour a couple of years ago.

The brush.

Bristles up close.

After years and the brand logo is still there.

The brush code.

 

Description:

It is a thin, fine eye and lip brush.

Bristles: No info.

Ferrule: No info. Although it is most probably metal with a glossy finish.

Handle: Wooden with a natural finish.

(Note: I emailed the company asking for info about the brush but they never replied)

Price: MYR 14.90

Where to buy: Bloop counters nationwide and from their website. A list of places where they have a counter/booth is available from their website (http://bloop-bloop.com/).

 

Comparison with normal sized brushes. If the picture looks familiar, you may have seen it in the review for the brush in the middle which is Elianto Nose Shading Brush (review post link here).

Comparison with H&M blending brush (on the left; which is about the size of a standard blending brush like Zoeva) and a tiny lip brush by Bloop Cosmetics (on the right).

There! Thin winged liner with the brush!!!

Pros:

The tiny brush allows precise eyeliner and lipstick/lipliner application.

I have used it for a couple of years and it has stood the test of time.

No shedding of the bristles and/or problems with the ferrule or handle.

Sturdy!

Affordable!

 

Cons:

Their products are so difficult to find!!! So few places to buy them!

 

Ratings:

9/10

A great brush! If you come across Bloop anywhere do give this brush a try. Hey, it’s just MYR 14.90!!!

NYX Powder Blush (PB01, Mocha) Review

[UPDATED REVIEW]

I have written a first impressions post on this powder blush here (excuse the poor pictures). This is the review!

The product.

Significantly dented! Yes, I can wear blush have it go undetected or indistinguishable. 🙂

Description and ingredients.

Description;

It is, as the name says, a powder blush in a very muted darker dusty rose colour with a matte finish (PB01 Mocha). The packaging is plastic in a very simple and sleek design. There’s 4 g of product and they come in many different colours and also in both matte and frosty finishes.

Price: MYR 30 at Sephora.

Where to buy: Sephora stores nationwide.

Finger swatch. Picks up better with a brush! Trust me!

Pros:

Well pigmented.

Blends out very seamlessly.

Beginner friendly; you cannot go wrong with this blush.

It can be built up to as thick or as sheer as necessary.

Suitable for a wide array of skin tones (it is especially lovely on my skin tone 😛 ).

 

Cons:

It doesn’t seem like much on the brush when picked up and, due to that, one may end up picking up too much of the product (as I have done before 😀 😛 ).

Since it is a powder blush it does fade easily if used on top of powder foundation. This blush in particular does not have much staying power; it can yield approximately 4 to 5 hours of use before it begins to fade.

 

Ratings:

8.1/10

It is a pretty gorgeous blusher and I love it even more since it is matte. My only qualm is its lasting power. However, I am giving it a higher rating because it blends so amazingly and the colour is suitable for many skin tones.

Dupe #3

I have been wanting to do this dupe post for quite a while now! Ever since I saw the cheaper option at the drugstore. Let me tell you that this isn’t an exact dupe but when put on, looks pretty identical.

Here’s the expensive version.

And this is the cheaper option.

Wand comparison. Top one is the Essence and bottom one is Benefit.

Swatch comparison.

 

Definitely a difference in colour. The Benefit one is in the shade 05, Deep and the Essence one is in the shade 02, Browny Brows. Both darkest shade.

Here’s the kicker, one is MYR 125 and the other is MYR 12.90!!!!!! And I’ve purchased the cheaper one for as low as MYR 9.90!!!!

I’ll pick the Essence one all day, any day!

Elianto Face Powder Brush (H) (01S) Review

[UPDATED REVIEW]

Elianto is a brand name that gets mentioned a lot on my blog and I do love a lot of their products because they’re so cheap! I have reviewed products from Elianto in the past here (mascara) and here (makeup brush). Today I shall review the Elianto Face Powder Brush.

The product. The fact that it comes with a brush guard is a huge plus point!

Bristles.

The bristles are very loosely packed.

Very soft.

Description:

Large face powder brush.

Bristles: Synthetic, loosely packed long fibres. It is extremely soft and the colour gradually darkens at the tip.

Ferrule: Metal ferrule with a glossy black finish.

Handle: Black finish wooden handle (I’m assuming).

Price: MYR 35.90 but Elianto constantly offers discounts so watch out for them!

Where to buy: Elianto counters nationwide and from their E-store at elianto.biz.

 

Pros:

Soft, really really soft!

Because of its long fibres and the fact that is it loosely packed, it is efficient in picking up powder and dusting it on the face very effortless.

The brush guard!!! That is highly appreciated!

It has not shed or frayed thus far and I’ve had it for years.

The ferrule and handle are sturdy.

 

Cons:

Cleaning is a little bit of a pain because it is a larger brush.

 

Ratings

9/10

I love this brush. It is a good brush to dust bronzer or powder and also dust off excess powder from the face. If one is skilled enough even blusher can be applied using this brush.