I love Essence products; affordable and the brand offers a wide range of products. Essence is owned by Cosnova which is a company based in Germany. This review is on the I ❤ STAGE eyeshadow base which is an eyeshadow primer.
The product.
Description on the side of the tube.
The wand. Standard doe-foot applicator.
Description:
It is an eyeshadow base that has a very similar consistency to a concealer. There is about 4ml of product and it comes in only one shade.
Price: MYR 15.80
Where to buy: Watsons and Mydin (yes, Mydin!!!).
Swatch
It is very light in colour and appear even lighter when blended out which makes for good primer since colour would show up nicely.
With some poorly pigmented eyeshadows.
With flash. It seems a little bit more obvious here.
Pros:
It is one of the cheapest (if not the cheapest) eyeshadow primers available in Malaysian drugstores.
As seen in the pictures above it really does enhance the colour of the eyeshadow.
Although the colour is pretty light, it does not show through eyeshadow (as in the hand swatch picture).
Blends seamlessly into the skin and it is not patchy or streaky.
Eyeshadow blends very seamlessly on the eyelids with this primer.
Eyeshadow lasts longer on the eyelids (7 hours of wear on my friend and the eyeshadow had just faded a tiny bit).
Helps with creasing of eyeshadow (used it on a friend with eyelids that have lines – and that’s not a bad thing, merely an observation – and it worked!).
Cons:
I don’t know just how long eyeshadow would last but 7 hours of wear is pretty amazing for a drugstore eyeshadow primer.
The ashy look to it might just cause a problem on very deep skin tones if over applied (only the tiniest dollop is necessary).
Rating:
8/10
It’s cheap, gets the job done pretty well and is available at the drugstore! Enough said!
**MOST OF THESE EYESHADOWS HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED EXCEPT THE ONES IN THE INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING.**
Elianto is a local retail makeup brand that comes at very affordable prices. I collected these eyeshadows over a period of time. I don’t have names of the older ones because I never imagined I’d ever start a makeup blog 😛 . I am going to be swatching and reviewing ALL the Elianto eyeshadows I own. The only ones that are currently available to purchase are the three single shadows not in the palette. So this is just a big swatch-fest parading as a review. HAHAHA!
The two palettes and the single shadows I own. I bought the palettes separately and each pan individually.
Only after taking that collective shot did I realise I had this quad in my collection which I won from a giveaway from who is now my blogger bestie Lakshmi (author of Big is Compatible; link here).
The matte pink shade on the left is one I already have; ballet pink (scroll down). The shimmery pink one is called pink lady; the grey one is called cool grey and the dark one is called taupe. These are all in plastic pans; all also discontinued.
From left to right, cool grey, pink lady, taupe.
Moving on to the large palette.
1-5 are the older ones when they came in metal pans. I don’t have the names of these (these have been discontinued).
1- Deep brown with a little bit specs of gold glitter. Doesn’t really show up in a swatch.
2- Gold glittery.
3- Matte deep purple.
4- Dark blue with blue glitter.
5- Light blue, iridescent.
6-10 are the newer ones when it was switched to plastic pans (these I have shade names for, all mattes, and these have also been discontinued).
6- Burlywood (dark peachy transition shade).
7- Sienna Gold (brownish ochre).
8- Scarlet Red (red).
9- Venus Brown (matte deep brown).
10- Ballet pink (sweet pink).
A closer look. YES! Hit pan on the gold!
AND on the brown! It works well as a contour shade! Metal pan and plastic pan difference can be spotted here.
Hand swatch. All the old ones in the metal pan. They do pick up better with brushes though.
The newer ones in plastic pans.
This is the 6 pan palette which only has 4 shades housed.
The smaller palette. It comes with a full sized mirror!
From left to right, plum purple, night blue, lilac purple, evergreen. All mattes!
And these are the ones still available; the single eyeshadows.
The three single ones. These are still available.
These are just mono eyeshadows in 01 White, 13 Cocoa, B138 Espresso.
Description: Individual eyeshadows from Elianto that come in several finishes. They no more come in just pans, each single shadow come with its own plastic packaging. They contain 2.5 grams of product.
Price: The mono shadows retail at MYR 9.90. The 6-colour empty palette retails for MYR 21.90.
Where to buy: Elianto booths nationwide and also online at www.elianto.biz
I used the white shade for my Halloween look (post link here).
I also used them on my YouTube video. If you opened up the description box they’re all listed.
Pros:
All the shadows are pretty well pigmented.
Some shades blend very well.
They are smooth, pick up well (both with a brush and the fingers) and deposit on the eyelids very well.
Price is a huge plus for the amount of product in the pan.
Decent wear time (5 hours before it begins to start fading).
Cons:
Some shades can be a tad bit streaky and patchy especially the matte shades.
Some of the newer ones are a little powdery and may result in fallout.
Some of the newer ones are not very long lasting.
Just demonstrating the powdery attribute I mentioned.
Ratings:
7.9/10
These are nice eyeshadows and the cons are things I can work around. They are not just affordable, they are actually cheap. Great for experimentation! Some shades are a bit of a miss so I’d suggest doing a swatch first before purchasing.
I can’t believe I am finally reviewing a MAC product! MAC is huge in Malaysia; ask someone who knows makeup to name a high end makeup brand and MAC is perhaps the first brand they suggest.
Today I review the first ever MAC Viva Glam lipstick launched in 1994!
So for you people not in the know, the first ever MAC Viva Glam line was endorsed by Rupaul Andre Charles!!! Look it up darlings! LOOK IT UP!!!!
The outer packaging.
Ingredients list on the side of the box.
The name of the shade.
The iconic bullet shaped lipstick tube.
Isn’t that a beauty???
YASSS!!!!!! I love that red!!!!
Shade name on the bottom of the tube.
Swatch.
Description: This particular line of lipsticks comes in several shades and are always celebrity endorsed. Part of proceeds from sales of these lipsticks go the MAC AIDS Fund. MAC lipsticks come in 3 grams/0.1 oz of product. This particular shade has a matte finish.
Where to buy: MAC counters; counters are available in Penang, Pahang, Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak usually in shopping malls.
Price: MYR 78
Pros:
Smooth and easy to apply.
Very pigmented!
Very opaque!
VERY long wearing!
VERY comfortable (like you are wearing nothing on the lips).
Does NOT at ALL emphasize fine lines on the lips.
This shade in particular is very complimentary for a wide range of skin tones!
Re-application is perhaps just one swipe and done kind of deal. VERY easy!
Although not particularly moisturising, it doesn’t dry out the lips either.
Cons
Not smudge proof or transfer resistant.
Price (which isn’t that bad considering some drugstore lipsticks in Malaysia can cost up to MYR 59 and I have not met MAC’s worthy competitor although there are dupes in terms of shade and finish).
Rating:
9.6/10
STELLAR!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *applause*
I have reviewed several Silkygirl’s products (two mascaras here and here, makeup remover here, chubby stick here, and a retractable eyeliner here) and also put it in my top 5 most affordable Malaysian drugstore makeup brand (here).
This review is on the Silkygirl Natural Brow Pencil.
The product.
Name and code.
Description and ingredients.
Up close of the nib.
Swatch.
Description: Eyebrow pencil. Comes in two colours, 01 Soft Black and 02 Dark Brown. There’s a clear cap for protection and comes in 1.14 grams or about 0.04 oz.
Where to buy: Most drugstores and supermarket/hypermarkets in Malaysia.
Price: MYR 10.90 (it’s drugstore so wait for promos!!)
Bare brows.
For a black pencil (if used properly) it’s quite natural looking!
Pros:
It is cheap!
Black eyebrow pencil that isn’t too black so it has a natural finish.
Stays put (doesn’t just melt away with sweating).
Cons:
Very stiff and dry.
I never liked sharpening.
No spoolie.
Tip/Hack:
Use your hair dryer to slightly heat up stiff and dry eyebrow pencil to allow ease of application. Just a few seconds of exposure to the hot air will slightly loosen the product.
Rating;
6.8/10
It is a basic eyebrow pencil that I like because it matches my eyebrow colour. It may or may not work for you so discretion advised!
NOTE; THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE.
Elianto is a cosmetic brand with items sourced from countries like Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Korea. Prices are hard to beat for the quality of their products and the brand is rather popular in Malaysia. This is a review of the Elianto shading brush [Nose Shading Brush (H) (07P)]. Although it is called a nose shading brush, it looks a lot like a small pencil brush.
The brush.
Bristles close up.
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).
This picture was from the original post because I discarded the package. It’s pretty nice and sturdy actually.
And the description on the back. This was also an old picture. It has been edited to my best of ability. 😛
Description;
Bristles: Pony hair and slightly tapered towards the tip. Bristle colour gradually darkens at the tip. Very loosely packed; more like a blending brush rather than a pencil brush.
Ferrule: Metal with a shiny finish.
Handle: No information about this (I am assuming it is wooden). It has a matte finish and is quite sturdy.
Price: MYR 19.90 (Elianto often has discounts, so this price is subject to discounts and offers).
Where to buy: Elianto counters nationwide.
Pros:
The price is amazing for a specialised brush made out of natural hairs.
The ferrule and handle are pretty sturdy.
Does quite a good job at blending although I have never used it for its intended purpose (nose shading).
Perfect for precise blending because it is so small and loosely packed.
Cons:
The bristles initially shed because of the fact that it is made of natural hair.
A lot more goes into caring for them (not beginner friendly). I use a gentle two in one shampoo and conditioner. Also takes a longer time to clean and dry.
Rating
6.5/10
I am completely on the fence with this one and it is entirely your choice to make a decision.
Silkygirl, a homegrown makeup brand, has so many underrated products and is perhaps one of the most accessible makeup brands in Malaysia. It is also available in Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia.
The product.
Collagen for eyelashes?
Wand. Yea…. I know… I’ll address this.
Description: Waterproof mascara with slightly tapered rubber bristles.
Price: MYR 28.90
Where to buy: Most drugstores in Malaysia; Watsons, Guardian, Caring, etc.
Swatch
Bare lashes.
One coat.
Two coats.
Pros:
Lengthens and thickens very nicely.
The wand is pretty effective at separating and curling the lashes.
Doesn’t clump.
No smudging.
Wand is easy to use.
Cons:
The wand deteriorates at about the three month mark because the individual bristles break off (it can be seen on the up close bristle picture).
Doesn’t really hold a curl (not on me at least).
Rating:8/10
I guess the hype surrounding this mascara is true! It is pretty good. However, it isn’t a mascara I personally like because I prefer natural looking lashes. But it is a really amazing mascara.
Essence is one of my favourite makeup brands from the drugstore and perhaps even one of the most affordable here in Malaysia.
This is a review of the Essence Liquid Ink Eyeliner (waterproof).
The product.
The wand.
Close up of the brush applicator.
Description: Waterproof liquid eyeliner with a fine brush applicator. Comes in 0.1 fl. oz/3ml product. Comes in only black and dries down matte.
Price: MYR 13.90 (and as always, look out for a discount or promotion)
Where to buy: Watsons and Mydin.
Swatch
Water test
It is waterproof duh!
Oil test.
With some Vaseline (This surprised me; it doesn’t move with oil! It only crumbles a tiny bit).
Pros:
Black and opaque.
Brush is fine for the sharpest application!
Doesn’t skip because the formula is pretty smooth.
Very affordable.
Pretty good staying power.
Cons:
Layering is a mess as it cracks when the skin moves.
Funky smell (or perhaps I got a bad tube)!
Crumbles off sometimes.
You can see it a tiny bit here. I do believe you’d be able to see it better if you watch the video. Just click on the picture and skip to to 3.03 see it.
Rating:
6.5/10
If you can get away with a single layer then this liner would be great! For me, since I do mostly use this with dance makeup or stage makeup, it needs to be done quite thick and thus it cracks. Pass!
This is going to be a short review because I have already written a first impression post on it (here). Here are some pictures! The one I have here is Apple Ginger and Tea Rose flavour.
So cute!
Easy to open tab! This packaging is one you will not complain about being difficult to open.
Love that lip shaped indent!
It used to be a perfect round dome!
Description: A egg-shaped lip balm enriched with olive oil, macademia nut oil, and rosehip oil. It doesn’t have any colour or tint to it. It has a lovely fruity flavour and tastes slightly sweet.
Price: Anywhere between MYR 15 to 25.90 depending on where you buy it and factoring in discounts.
Where to buy: Major drugstores like Watsons and Guardian.
Pros:
It glides on the lips smoothly.
It hydrates, soothes (because there is menthol added) and moisturises.
It smells and tastes pleasant.
It effectively remedies cracked lips.
Does not feel waxy or uncomfortable on the lips.
Cons:
The screw-cap has to be handled rather carefully because it can scrape the product and can be potentially over-tightened, spoiling the snap lock mechanism.
I did a first impressions post on this particular lipstick (post here) and I got to test it out properly because I was involved in a stage play that required me to wear some makeup. Background information on the brand is on the first impressions entry.
The product.
Product inside.
Shade code underneath the tube.
Swatch. Pretty colour!!!
Description:
It is, like its name suggests, a matte lipstick with a velvety finish unlike a completely matte lipstick. There’s 4.2 g of product in the tube and about 27 different shades available. The one featured in this review is a muted rose pink colour (VML12).
Price: MYR 27 not factoring in possible discounts and offers. Just to give you all the information, I got this lipstick as a prize for entering a competition by Colours Cosmetics Malaysia.
Where to buy: Online at Golden Rose Malaysia official website; they only ship to Malaysia but the products are available worldwide. Information is a little scattered on their Malaysian website but I do know of a store in Sunway Putra Mall, Kuala Lumpur, one in Alamanda Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan and one in Sunway Carnival Mall, Seberang Jaya, Pulau Pinang.
Pros:
It is opaque.
The colour is absolutely lovely and would flatter deeper, tanned skin tones.
Lovely vanilla scent.
It is one of that swipe-once-for-colour-payoff kinda lipstick.
Goes on absolutely smooth without any tug and isn’t drying.
Comfortable on the lips.
Wide selection of shades including even deep vampy ones.
Cons:
The tube cover is not so secure.
The twist mechanism is such that it actually allows the tube to be twisted up even without opening the cover. A downside because your lipstick can accidentally twist up and smear the insides of the cover thus spoiling the lipstick.
May not work for lips with lots of lines (ok, I’ll say it, wrinkles!!! *cue horror music*). This is why it didn’t work for my wrinkled lips; upon application the lipstick looked like a dream. However, when I started moving my lips and talking, within the first half hour, the lipstick moved around and settled into every crevice and line. I was able to see vertical thin patches of lipstick across my lips every time I smiled or talked.
Not very long wearing.
Ratings:
7/10
It is a beautiful lipstick but I did wish it didn’t settle in the lines in my lips. I have suggested it to some friends and they absolutely love it! She chose a darker shade and the darker shades seem to be a lot better!
IN2IT is a cosmetic brand registered under Hong Kong based Asia Pacific Cosmetics Corporation but the products are developed in Southeast Asia using technology from Germany and Japan. The products are affordable and pretty widespread in Malaysia.
The product.
Description and ingredients.
The bottle.
The nylon brush tip.
Swatch.
One could create the thinnest sharpest line!
Water test.
As claimed it does peel off which means it is easy to remove. However, there is a little gentle rubbing needed to remove it. It doesn’t exactly just melt off.
With Vaseline for the oil test. It does stay put but a little rubbing does move the product a little which isn’t too bad.
Liner used with this makeup.
Description: It is a liquid eyeliner with a brush applicator that dries down to a matte finish. Among the colours that I could see were, black, blue and brown. They also come in a box of two, one black and one coloured (buy 1 get 1 free). The one in this review is LM01 (all black). IN2IT claims that the liner has a peel off formula that is easy to remove.
Price: MYR 15.90 (the price is subject to in-store discounts and offers).
Where to buy: All major drugstores; Watsons, Guardian, and even Sasa.
Pros:
Long wearing (but I don’t have oily eyelids so this should be taken into account).
Does not come off with sweating (because I danced and perspired with it).
The thin brush applicator allows for detailed work.
Very cost efficient!
Hasn’t irritated my eye upon application and prolonged wear (I don’t have sensitive eyes and this ought to be taken into consideration as well).
Cons:
Because it can be easily removed, rubbing your eyes will cause the liner to flake off and fallout.
The formula doesn’t dry very fast and thus can be tricky for beginners (more so because it is a liquid liner).
Ratings:
7.5/10
I personally LOVE this product because it is very cost efficient and drugstore brands like this are constantly going on sale. In addition to that, this liner works well with my dance makeup because it does not melt when I perspire. However, I didn’t give it a higher score because, since it does have an easy-to-remove formula, rubbing your eyes with this eyeliner on is going result in fallout and missing gaps in your eyeliner. The other reason for not giving it a higher score was because liquid eyeliners aren’t usually very user friendly and especially if it has a very wet formula that doesn’t dry fast. So, make your choice! One of these two outcomes may happen; it will be MYR 15 that you’ll never get back or a discovery of a holy grail product.
