So are felt tip liquid liners easier to use? Silkygirl liquid liner review.

I love eyeliner. It is the most satisfying part of makeup to do for me. People say it is difficult but not for me. I get so much satisfaction from being able to drag that black liquid across the lid in one sweeping motion.

UGHHHHHHH……. YASSSSS!!!

And evidently, liquid liners are my choice of product.

It’s the Wing It Sharp Liner liquid liner from Silkygirl.

Shade and some description.

Claims.

Felt tip.

Description:
Felt tip liquid liner that comes in 0.5 g or about 0.02 fl. oz. and in one shade (01 Super Black).

Ingredients:
WATER (AQUA), ACRYLATES/ETHYLHEXYL ACRYLATE COPOLYMER, CARBON BLACK (NANO), PROPYLENE GLYCOL, ACRYLATES/DIMETHYLAMINOETHYL METHACRYLATE COPOLYMER, LAURETH-21, PHENOXYETHANOL, PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, SODIUM LAURETH-12 SULFATE, C11-15 PARETH-7, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE, DISODIUM EDTA.

Price: MYR 23.90 (wait for a discount!)

Where to buy: Major drugstores/pharmacies across the country (also available in Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar & Mongolia).

Black and opaque! Love the formula…

Water test. It doesn’t really melt off but you can see chunks missing.

Just a slight rub with water moves it. Which is why it is an easy to remove formula.

Oil test. With a bit of petroleum jelly. Definitely moves easily.

Pros:
> Opaque and very black!
> Long lasting formula.
> Definitely VERY easy to remove.
> Easy to use felt tip.

Cons:
> The felt tip tends to dry out at the tip. It can be revived by applying some pressure at the base and shaking the pen but it sometimes happens in the midst of drawing the line causing skips in the line.
> Due to the easy to remove formula, it flakes off sometimes after prolonged use causing some missing patches.
> Although fine, the felt tip is still far thicker than a brush tip applicator which, to me, hinders a really sharp wing. Doubled with the dry tip, this becomes more difficult to achieve. Not impossible. Just difficult.
> For some reason the felt tip got progressively harder making it more difficult to work.


Rating:
6.3/10
YES, absolutely! This type of product is far easier to use than a brush tip to practice your wing! A pen is easy to hold, use and a felt tip pen can be used to just stamp a wing liner easily. However, I have used better felt tip liquid liner pens in the past including one I’ve reviewed in the past which is no longer available (link here).

Try using a brush to apply your foundation! SERIOUSLY! The Body Shop foundation brush.

There’s a reason professionally trained makeup artists don’t go directly onto the face with dots of foundation and blend it out with a sponge. In addition to soaking up too much product, a sponge tends to press product onto your face without distributing it it evenly.

Which is why a brush can be useful. Not necessary, but useful. I am definitely a proponent of, if something works for you, go ahead! Keep doing it. So if using your fingers is comfortable for you and you can still achieve your makeup goals then just skip this review! If using a sponge is your preference then by all means go right ahead!

This is The Body Shop foundation brush.

Bristles up close.. The shape is very useful for getting right into the area between the eyes and the nose.

The tapered brush is perfectly suited to hold enough product without waste.

Description:
A makeup brush meant for application of cream and liquid products.
Bristles: Synthetic (material unknown)
Ferrule: Metal
Handle: Wooden painted with black (I am just guessing because there isn’t any information on their website).

Price: MYR 65 (by the way, based on a previous The Body Shop brush review, link here, their prices haven’t changed at all since at least 2015)

Where to buy: Online on thebodyshop.com.my and at their stores nationwide.

EXTREMELY soft bristles.

They flex very perfectly onto any surface.

Pros:
> The brush is designed very suitably for its purpose.
> Size, shape and bristles are perfect for cream and liquid products.
> Applies product beautifully.
> A few years old and has evidently stayed intact!
> Not a single strand has frayed or shed.
> VERY sturdy! So well made!
> For synthetic bristles, they are EXTREMELY soft! Softer than any of its kind I own or have touched.

Cons:
> The handle is wider at the bottom making it unable to fit traveling cases.

Note: I initially wanted to add the price as a con but the brushes are definitely worth the price! Specialty brushes of the same kind would cost a LOT more.

Rating:
9.1/10
LOVE LOVE LOVE this brush! Will definitely invest in more brushes from the brand in the future.

PORE-fessional skin smoother? Haha Benefit Cosmetics! You’re so punny!

Yes, the product is called PORE-fessional! Get it, get it??? If you haven’t guessed already, it is a pore filling silicone based primer for the face. If you’re just finding out about the fact that there is something called primer for the skin, it’s ok! It isn’t something you absolutely need. Chances are, if you’re into makeup and haven’t heard about primer, you probably didn’t need it to begin with. Otherwise, do check out this review and go on and go forth and open yourself up to the wonders of makeup primers.

Disclaimer, this was a free sample but I had to “sign up” for it. Here in Malaysia samples aren’t handed out freely as it is in, lets say, the US. Malaysians, much like me, would live off samples if that was the case. Hahaha! We love free stuff! Opinions are 100% my own.

Yes, this is a travel size product but don’t be deceived. For something you don’t need much of, this tiny tube went a long way!

Description. Scroll down further for ingredient list…

It is truly a tiny tiny tube! I love miniature stuff!

They actually managed some writing on that teeny tiny tube!

Description:
A silicone based makeup primer to fill pores and give the skin a smoother appearance. Comes in three sizes, a value size one which is the biggest one at 44 ml or 1.5 fl. oz.; a full sized one at 22 ml or 0.75 fl. oz.; and a travel or mini sized one at 7.5 ml or 0.25 fl. oz.

Ingredients:
CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, DIMETHICONE, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, ISONONYL ISONONANOATE, SILICA, DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, ISODODECANE, PHENOXYETHANOL, POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, FRAGRANCE (PARFUM), MICA, IRON OXIDES (CI 77492), LIMONENE, IRON OXIDES (CI 77491), IRON OXIDES (CI 77499), TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, BHT.

Price:
Value size (MYR 284)
Full size (MYR 168)
Mini size (MYR 68)
The one I have is smaller than the mini size at 3 ml or 0.1 fl. oz.

Where to buy: Online on Sephora, Hermo and Lazada and at Sephora and Benefit boutiques nationwide!

It’s has a nude tint to it and that was a really smart move!

Blended out. You can clearly see the blurred effect on the right side.

Pros:
> Really does fill pores.
> Really does blur the skin.
> Helped makeup last longer without breaking down (this I have tested. I am pretty sure there are other products that would work better but this one definitely helped, albeit not perfectly; ideal for combination skin).
> Doesn’t move around once applied and in place.
> Comfortable on the skin.

Cons:
> Unless you have really pronounced pores, pore filling primers don’t really do anything for the skin or makeup application.
> Didn’t really blur lines. Although overall skin was smoother, fine lines weren’t really minimised.
> EXPENSIVE!!!


Rating:
8.1/10
As good as it is and as much as I like it, I would never purchase a primer like this for that much money and I know better primers from different brands with a lower price tag that contain more product.

Do I like this popular mascara? Hmppphhh…

Trust me when I say this mascara has a HUGE following. I have not heard or read a single bad blog review for it. It has even been compared to the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara which has its own loyal following (I’ve reviewed it, link here, you should read it, my review might surprised you). I speak of the Maybelline Lash Sensational waterproof mascara.
However, that doesn’t mean I’m going to like it right? Or do I like it? Keep reading…

The product…

The wand.

Bristles up close. They are like flexible rubbery plastic bristles. The wand itself has a very ergonomic shape that mimics the curve of the eye. The bristles are varied and, as the Maybelline website says, “fanning brush”. Definitely well thought out.

Description: Mascara that comes in 9.5 ml or 0.3 oz. I believe there’s only one colour available here in Malaysian drugstores. Rubber plastic wand with a very ergonomic shape.

Ingredients:
WATER, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, STYRENE/ACRYLATES/AMMONIUM METHACRYLATE COPOLYMER, POLYURETHANE-35, CERA ALBA/BEESWAX/CIRE DABEILLE, SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE, GLYCERYL STEARATE, CETYL ALCOHOL, PEG-200 GLYCERYL STEARATE, ETHYLENEDIAMINE/STEARYL DIMER DILINOLEATE COPOLYMER, COPERNICIA CERIFERA CERA/CARNAUBA WAX/CIRE DE CARNAUBA, STEARIC ACID, PALMITIC ACID, ETHYLENE/VA COPOLYMER, ALCOHOL DENAT., PARAFFIN, AMINOMETHYL PROPANEDIOL, GLYCERIN, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, XANTHAN GUM, SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE, DISODIUM EDTA, TETRASODIUM EDTA, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE, SILICA. [MAY CONTAIN : CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499/IRON OXIDES, CI 77007/ULTRAMARINES, CI 77891/TITANIUM DIOXIDE, MICA, CI 75470/CARMINE, CI 77288/CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS, CI 77742/MANGANESE VIOLET, CI 77510/FERRIC FERROCYANIDE].

Price: MYR 39.90 (as I always say, WAIT FOR A SALE!)

Where to buy: Most drugstores/pharmacies in Malaysia, Guardian, Watsons.

Eyelash swatches.

Bare lashes.

One coat.

Two coats… I will say, when it was freshly opened it performed a whole lot more dramatic than it did when I shot this picture.

Pros:
> As advertised, the fanning brush effect of the mascara is very evident and true to claim. It separates and coats every individual lash because bristles are positioned in a staggered configuration and have varying length.
> No smudging.
> Ergonomic shape of the bristles is very useful for mascara application. I’m definitely keeping the wand.
> Although a wet formula, it isn’t stringy or messy on the tube or upon application.

Cons:
> I get so much fallout with this mascara which has worsened in spite of the product in the tube not being dried out.
> This mascara (one of two mascaras I’ve tried so far) makes the end of my lashes droop drown (picture below).
> Volume is not very impressive, (even with the third coat).
> Such a pain to remove! This is my deal breaker!

Lashes drooping at the end… This happens every time. Only way to remedy it is to use it with another mascara but I don’t like doing that when there are mascaras that do everything without needing a companion.

Rating:
6/10
Not a bad mascara considering I’ve only heard positive reviews so far. BUT, definitely not for me… As for comparing it with the Too Faced BTS mascara, I don’t think its a dupe because both the formulas and the wands on both mascaras do different things. Don’t take my word for it… Do give it a go.

A local (Malaysian) indie makeup brand that’s in Watsons! What?!

Yes, this indie brand started with a single makeup brush way back in 2015. The brand now boasts brush sets, makeup sponges, lip products, an eyeshadow palette, a mascara, a liquid liner and even hand sanitiser!

Founded by local beauty blogger and YouTuber Sabrina Tajuddin in 2015, it is now available at Watsons and PlayUP stores!!! Definitely an incredible achievement!

When the brand launched with its first product I immediately placed an order (review here). Later that year two more brushes were released and I purchased them too. A year after that more brushes and brush sets were launched during when I won a giveaway and received a whole 6-piece brush set (there’s a first impressions post if you want to see the brushes when they came out of the box all fresh, link here). The brushes are now 4 years old and very much used and loved.

I believe the packaging has changed but the brushes are still the same six brushes.

There are descriptions on the back of the box of what is contained in the box…

Intended purpose of the brushes suggestions on how to use them.

Even comes with care instructions!!!

The brushes. Either my photography skills have improved leaps and bounds or the brushes really are beautiful or a combination of both! I’ll let you be the judge of that…

Both the description and the brush code are painted with rose gold paint with engraved words.

B211; Fluffy blending brush. It is, as the name says, a fluffy brush intended for blending eyeshadow. The faded label is kind of my fault! 😛 I used 60% alcohol thinking it would be effective and I was right. It was a little too effective.

Nice loosely packed bristles for its intended purpose. I love using this to blend out under-eye concealer.

B212; Basic Eyeshadow. This is an eyeshadow brush. Usually used to apply colour.

It is another staple eyeshadow brush. Tightly packed bristles to apply eyeshadow. Densely packed shadows apply pigments more vividly then a brush with loosely packed bristles.

B213; Crease blending. It is just a flattened version of the B211. Basically for the same purpose of blending eyeshadow.

It is interchangeable with the B211 but I do suppose the slightly flattened bristles serve to fit the crease of the eye.

B214; Shadow Smudge. Supposed to be used to smudge cream liner or eyeshadow for a smoked out look.

The square shaped and tightly packed bristles help with smudging and with a precise line.

B215; Pencil Brush. For precise application and smudging in a concentrated spot.

Has a pretty pointed tapered tip. Would help to apply product at precise points, for example the inner corner.

B216; Brow Definer. The newer version of this brush is dual ended with a spoolie.

Bristles. Supposed to be used for brows and liner. It really is designed for its intended purpose. It is one of those basic essential brush that I would recommend you have in your kit if you like makeup in any capacity.

Description:
A set of makeup brushes intended for eye makeup.
Bristles: Synthetic bristles (material undisclosed).
Ferrule: Metal in rose gold colour.
Handle: Wooden painted white engraved with rose gold labels.

Price: MYR 168. Also available individually at MYR 28 each (do look out for sales during special holidays).

Where to buy: Online at https://www.breenabeauty.com/ or selected Watsons stores and PlayUP stores nationwide.

Pros:
> Sturdy and durable brushes.
> Works very well for each of its intended purpose.
> For being a staple in my makeup kit, having traveled with and been constantly used and washed, it has stayed intact and viable.
> Nice design.
> Local Indie brand (I don’t typically list this as a pro, but yes, the fact that it is an indie local brand definitely gives, to me, a reason to purchase).
> Soft bristles.
> No shedding.
> Affordable.

Cons:
> Although bristles are soft the smaller brushes are a little bit stiffer than I would like it to be making it a tiny bit unwieldy. Particularly B214 and B215.
> The white finish on the handle is not very fool-proof. Even alcohol tends to melt it away. During a show, something melted the finish away on one of mine.

So sad…

Note: Perhaps the paint should have been a stronger, more unforgiving material. More of a lacquer paint than just paint or perhaps a protective finishing layer might serve it better. This might have already been improved since this was the first version of the brushes.


Rating:
8.7/10
Lovely brushes!

I was not gone silly! I didn’t have my makeup with me during quarantine!!! Back with a mascara review…

As the title says, here’s another mascara review! Yes, I love mascaras! This is the It Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing mascara. As a disclaimer this was given to me as a door gift for attending a makeup workshop organised by It Cosmetics at a Sephora outlet in Penang, Malaysia (Lol! Only my bestie, Lakshmi and I turned up for the “workshop” so perhaps it was more of a personal consultation?!). I am not obliged to Sephora Malaysia or It Cosmetics to review this product. Opinions are 100% my own.

Just to briefly address the “elephant”, I was quarantined at my parents without any of my makeup. I ran out of pre-written and scheduled posts, all of which have been published… Hence the gap in new posts. 😀

The product. It is a travel size one. Wow, many bold claims!

So much information!

Some directions and description.

In French!!! Eh voila!

Ingredients.

The tube. IMHO the best means of testing out a mascara to see you’d commit to purchasing a full sized tube is to get a travel sized one first. Especially if it going to cost as much as this one does.

Wand.

Natural bristles wand.

Description: Mascara that claims to add volume and length to lashes. Comes in a single shade and in both 5 ml (0.17 oz) and 9 ml (0.3 oz). Doesn’t claim to be waterproof.

Ingredients:
WATER, COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, ORYZA SATIVA CERA (RICE) BRAN WAX, HYDROGENATED OLIVE OIL STEARYL ESTERS, ALCOHOL DENAT., PALMITIC ACID, STEARIC ACID, TRIETHANOLAMINE, ACACIA SENEGAL GUM, CANDELILLA CERA/EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, PHENOXYETHANOL, VP/VA COPOLYMER, AMINOMETHYL PROPANEDIOL, POLYVINYL ALCOHOL, CHLORPHENESIN, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, GLYCERIN, ASCORBIC ACID, ASCORBYL PALMITATE, BIOTIN, EQUISETUM ARVENSE EXTRACT, HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN, OLEA EUROPAEA FRUIT OIL, PERSEA GRATISSIMA OIL, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS SEED OIL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, PANTHENOL, HYDROLYZED KERATIN, SERENOA SERRULATA FRUIT EXTRACT, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, BIOTINOYL TRIPEPTIDE-1, IRON OXIDE (CI 77499)

Price: MYR 104 (9 ml/full size), MYR 55 (5ml/travel); the travel one is actually cheaper per ml!

Where to buy: Sephora outlets nationwide and online on sephora.my

Eyelash swatches.

Bare lashes. (If you’re wondering, hmmmphh, doesn’t this look exactly like the bare lash picture in all his previous reviews? And YES! You’re be absolutely right! I re-use this picture simply because age hasn’t caught up enough to see stark differences and my eyelashes have stayed pretty much the same although I am well aware that they do fall off and fresh ones grow back. I’d definitely shoot a new one if I begin to notice a difference.)

One coat. (I still look the same, don’t you think?) YESS!!! Them brows have gone native too!

Two coats.

Pros:
> Nice separation.
> Gives lashes a natural looking length and volume.
> No smudging.
> The tapered shape of the bristles are very helpful for application.

Cons:
> Formula becomes too dry and clumpy VERY fast.
> The drier the formula became, the more the fallout I got.
> Not a very dramatic effect to lashes (certainly no where close to its claims on the packaging).
>With regards to the previous con, it does work better initially and then goes downhill as the formula dries out.
> Pricey!

Rating:
5.2/10
Underwhelming is overstatement for this mascara. Not a downright terrible one but for the price and all that it claims to be, calling it “meh” would be a disservice to the expression “meh”. Would NEVER purchase!

Would I pay for this eyebrow pencil? A lighthearted review amidst trying times…

I know what’s up, you know what’s up. I really don’t want to bother acknowledging it because I’m assuming you’re here for makeup because you want some semblance of relief, normalcy or escapism. So let’s go!

This is my first time reviewing a Makeup Forever product. Actually spelled Make Up For Ever (seriously, look at one of yours if you have one), it was founded by a French artist turned makeup artist called Dany Sanz in 1984. It is more of a mid-range makeup brand but if MAC is high end for me, Make Up For Ever is high end too!

To disclose; I received this product as prize for winning a makeup competition by RiceDolls in collaboration with Make Up For Ever Malaysia. RiceDolls is a Malaysian beauty website featuring makeup looks from various content creators and artists (they’re most active on Twitter; handle @RiceDollsMY). Basically a network of local beauty and makeup enthusiasts.

This is the Make Up For Ever Brow Pencil Precision Brow Sculptor in 40, Dark Brown.

The product.

Descriptions on the pencil including shade code, 40, Dark Brown. The “Paris, France” makes me feel so fancy!

The pencil.

Swatched.

Description:
A conventional eyebrow pencil that comes in 1.79 grams or 0.06 oz. of product and in 5 shades.

Ingredients:
STEARIC ACID, RHUS SUCCEDANEA FRUIT WAX, POLYBUTENE, HYDROGENATED MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX, CERESIN, HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, TALC, CERA MICROCRISTALLINA (MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX), SILICA, TOCOPHEROL, ASCORBYL PALMITATE, BHT, [+/- : CI 19140 (YELLOW 5, YELLOW 5 LAKE), CI 42090 (BLUE 1 LAKE), CI 77007 (ULTRAMARINES), CI 77163 (BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE), CI 77288 (CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS), CI 77289 (CHROMIUM HYDROXIDE GREEN), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77510 (FERRIC FERROCYANIDE, FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE), CI 77742 (MANGANESE VIOLET), CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE)]

Price:
MYR 83

Where to buy:
Sephora Malaysia or Make Up Forever boutiques in Malaysia (a list of their boutiques are available on the Make Up For Ever Malaysia Facebook page)

Here is how it looks like on the brows.

“Natural”

Sharp and defined.

Korean style straight brows.

Pros:
> Long lasting.
> Easy to blend.
> Not too pigmented (in my opinion this is a good thing as too much colour can be catastrophic should a mistake be made).
> Can be sharpened to achieve precision.
> Easy to use.
> Good colour selection and a great colour match for me.
> Although priced higher, amount of product to price is very pretty good.

Cons:
> No spoolie.
> Needs sharpening (I hate it! Absolutely hate sharpening).

I already have a dupe for this which I’ve reviewed before (link to review here). They both work and apply the same. I’ll attach a YouTube video of me swatching both products.

Rating: 8.2/10
I love this product and for something of that price would actually consider repurchasing simply because there’s plenty of product. It would last pretty well. The lack of spoolie is something to consider though.

Why you need a skinny brow pencil… NYX Micro Brow

NYX is no more in Penang!!!! WHY NYX WHY???????? Please open a store here! PLEASE!!!!!!!!! Well, it’s very simply because Sephora Malaysia, which was previously the only place to get NYX products, parted ways with the brand. If you didn’t already know, I am severely averse to online shopping. So this is just annoying since one of my favourite concealers is the NYX HD Studio Photogenic Concealer (review here). But today, I bring you the NYX Micro Brow Pencil. Alluding to the title, as much as I believe you need a skinny brow pencil, is this the one? Do keep reading to find out…

The product.

This box is jam packed with descriptions!

Ingredient list.

More information.

Shade name and code.

The pencil.

Information galore! I was genuinely surprised that there are NYX products made in Korea.

Wow, they even managed to get their website printed!

The twist up part. Yes, I’ve run out of the product. I had to take it apart for a swatch.

Spoolie on the other end.

Oh how much I worked for this swatch.

Description:
A retractable brow pencil that comes in 8 shades and in 0.003oz. or 0.09g product (the 8 shade full range would depend on where you’re purchasing them from; here in Malaysia the NYX stores carry 5 shades).

Ingredients:
POLYETHYLENE, C12-15 ALKYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, HYDROGENATED COCO-GLYCERIDES, OZOKERITE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 TRIISOSTEARATE, C20-40 ALCOHOLS, EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX/CANDELILLA CERA/CIRE DE CANDELILLA, ZINC STEARATE, MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX/CERA MICROCRISTALLINA/CIRE MICROCRYSTALLINE, DIMETHICONE, SORBITAN TRISTEARATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE. MAY CONTAIN / PEUT CONTENIR (+/-): MICA, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE (CI 77510). 

Price: HIGHLY depends on where you’re purchasing it from. The official store price is MYR 48 (as of the date of this published post). I’ve seen it priced at 50 and 53 as well (online). When I initially purchased it I got it for MYR 40.50 (10% discount).

Where to buy:
NYX official stores (IOI City Mall Putrajaya, Sunway Pyramid, MidValley Megamall, SOGO KL, Fahrenheit 88, Suria KLCC) and online at Hermo, Shoppee and Lazada (although they’re, more often than not, sold out).

Attaching a YouTube video of mine using the product. Oh yeah! This is a new video! 🙂

Pros:
> Easy to use because of the thin brow pencil design.
> Precision and ability to create brow-like strokes due to tiny product tip.
> No need to sharpen.
> Long wearing.
> Colour perfect for warm, dark tanned skin tones (and with so many shades, anyone is sure to find a match).
> Blends well.
> Not too pigmented which is a pro for a brow pencil because it is more forgiving. A mess-up wouldn’t as difficult to fix as using a highly pigmented product. For perspective, imagine using a gel eyeliner for your brows.

Cons
> It is a measly amount of product for MYR 48 (or even 40.50 for that matter)!!!
> The twisting mechanism is very flimsy and it’s not just mine. Even the testers and a friend’s product does that.
> Although long lasting I have other products that out-perform this (click here to see which one).

Rating: 7.6/10
Although it performs very well and is kind of foolproof to use, the price per amount of product and the fact that I have cheaper alternative that out-performs this, made me give it the lower rating.

So yes, you NEED a microbrow or a brow pencil with a tiny tip but IMHO this NYX is NOT really the best out there.

Trying out gel eyeliner. Do I recommend it? Is it beginner friendly?

HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS!!!
I’ve always seen gorgeous videos of beauty gurus using gel eyeliner to create such perfect winged eyeliners that I had to try it myself. So when I looked for the most accessible, best eyeliner that was also cost effective, this particular one kept being suggested to me by various sources. It is the Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Liner. By the way, it’s my first gel eyeliner review.

The outer packaging.

Description on the back.

The product.

Yes! It comes with a brush! And it’s pretty good too!

Mine’s pretty done… 😛

Description underneath the tub. Plus the shade name.

Oh getting this swatch was a task!

Description:
It is a gel eyeliner that comes in 2.5 grams or 0.08 oz. It comes with a synthetic bristle brush and comes in two shades (in Malaysia), 01 Black and 02 Brown.

Ingredients:
TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, ISODODECANE, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, CERESIN, CAPRYLYL METHICONE, SILICA SILYLATE, LAUROYL LYSINE, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, HYDROXYAPATITE, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, CI 77499 / IRON OXIDES, CI 77007 / ULTRAMARINES, CI 77266 / BLACK 2

Price:
MYR 43.90 (wait for a discount, SERIOUSLY!)

Where to buy:
Major drugstores/pharmacies across the countries.

I actually used it in one of my Halloween looks. Used it for the dark hollows around the eyes.

Pros:
> Very black and opaque.
> Glides easily and applies smoothly.
> Stays put. I didn’t experience smudging (there is a caveat; see “Cons”)
> Longlasting.
> Yes, to resolve the title question, it is beginner friendly because you can work slowly, tracing each step as you go since the dry down time on a gel eyeliner is longer than a liquid eyeliner. Very forgiving.

Cons:
> Even after drying down the product stays a tiny bit tacky that annoys me to no end! I almost always have to use a black eyeshadow to set it.
> Not particularly comfortable to wear as it felt like I used glue on my lids.
> Although it doesn’t smudge, I would notice patches of the liner missing as it wears down. And I found that peculiar.
> Although longlasting, the aforementioned patches missing presents an issue.
> I ALWAYS place the lid back on PROPERLY but it still dried out faster rather than later.

Rating: 5.5/10
Although beginner friendly, a gel pen would be a better option than this particular product. This doesn’t mean I think pen eyeliner is objectively better than gel eyeliner. Personal preference trumps all. But no, I didn’t like this product although I got my money’s worth.

My Unique Views on the Cult Classic BeautyBlender (Review)

HAPPY CHRISTMAS! Hoping that you had a good one!

Yes, do you like the new title format??? Simply the name of the product and the word “review” after it is so 2019!!! Let’s move forward shall we not?
So today, let’s see what I think about the cult favourite BeautyBlender.

Although I own two of these sponges, I don’t have a picture of the original outer packaging because the first one was shared purchased with a couple of other friends that came as 5-in-a-pack. The second one was a gift from my bestie Lakshmi. She’s a blogger too! Do check out her YouTube channel (link here) and her blog (link here)! The gift was a BeautyBlender, Too Faced collaboration set. Check out unboxing of the product here (forgive me if you can’t understand, it’s a video in my national language).

So here are the pictures…

The one on the left is the Too Faced collaboration one. The one on the right is the one I purchased.

Dampened. It grows CONSIDERABLY larger!

Description: A tear drop shaped makeup sponge. Although the website suggests dampening the sponge, I know of people who have used it dry as well. As far as I am aware the sponge material is an industry secret. But it is believed to be latex free.

Price: MYR 99

Where to buy: Sephora stores nationwide and on Sephora website (Malaysian website link here).

Before my pros and cons I have a few notes:
> I have used a couple of other sponges and as many influencers, makeup artists and enthusiasts will tell you, I too agree that there is a difference between the BeautyBlender and other generic sponges.
> Most sponges I’ve used are either soft or bouncy, never both. Softness and the delicate texture of the BB serves for a pleasant experience on the skin. The facial skin is soft and you don’t want something hard and coarse working on it. On the other hand the bounciness lends to better product application because the product is distributed and pressed into the skin much more effectively. I’ve personally never felt or used another sponge that is as soft and tender as it is robust and bouncy. I’ve reviewed its biggest competitor, the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponge (link here) and that one matches the BeautyBlender’s softness but it isn’t quite as bouncy.
> There’s something to be said about the size of the pores on the sponge. Some sponges are too smooth rendering it impenetrable to product making a terrible sponge. Others are too large that they end up eating the product. However, with the BeautyBlender, I’ve never seen a construct that takes away product as needed for a flawless finish and yet doesn’t soak up too much.
> Dyes on some of the more vibrantly coloured BeautyBlender sponges tend to run out the first few washes because the company claims to have used non toxic, water soluble dye. So don’t be alarmed…
> All that being said, with the availability of so many sponges in the market these days I’m pretty sure you can get one that provides the same effect as the BeautyBlender. I know I have.

Pros:
> Works beautifully with liquid and cream products! COMPLETELY idiot proof!
> Durable (in fact more durable than any other sponge I own).
> VERY soft and VERY bouncy.
> The teardrop shape is perfect for any kind of blending. The pointed ends help get the narrower parts on the face (around the nose and under eyes) the larger round part helps overall blending on the face.
> Doesn’t eat product.

Cons:
> PRICE! DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN!!!

Rating: 9.2/10
Yes! This is great sponge! BUT, unless and until I have disposable income, I am NEVER going to re-purchase this on my own! I can get like FOUR Real Techniques sponges for the price of ONE!

Oh and, Happy NEW YEAR GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whatever reason it is you visit or revisit my blog, thank you from the bottom of my heart.