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.

A shopping list??? All my >9 reviewed product!

I have been blogging since February 2015. That’s 5 years! FIVE YEARS!!! Wow. In those five years, I have written 98 reviews. Yes, I counted (Lol, if you do decide to re-check then let me know!). And in those reviews, very few products have gotten over a 9/10 rating. So here they are! All of 15 them!

Like all of my reviews, these are my own opinions. You may have had bad experiences with these products and that’s ok.

Also these are in reverse order. From the oldest to the newest (because that’s how I looked through each of my reviews! HAHAHA!).

Also also, I am only sharing products that are still available for purchase.

Paula’s Choice for Men (PC4Men) Face Wash
I have given few products over 9 rating, I have given far less “no cons”. This was one of it!

Review link: https://fiercepaint.wordpress.com/2016/02/26/paulas-choice-malaysia-pc4men-skincare-review-giveaway/

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray
This is one of those products that I’ve repurchased. Multiple times. Enough said!!!

Review link: https://fiercepaint.wordpress.com/2016/05/25/urban-decay-all-nighter-makeup-setting-spray-review/

Daiso Detergent for Puff and Sponge
If you have to try a single thing on this list, try this one! SERIOUSLY!!!

Review link: https://fiercepaint.wordpress.com/2016/12/05/daiso-detergent-for-puff-and-sponge-review/

MAC Viva Glam I Lipstick
My first MAC review. I was so proud to post this! MAC lipsticks are some of the VERY best! No question!

Review link: https://fiercepaint.wordpress.com/2017/05/22/mac-viva-glam-i-lipstick-review/

The Body Shop Blusher Brush
The Body Shop brushes are pro quality! I wish they would come out with a wider range.

Review link: https://fiercepaint.wordpress.com/2017/09/18/the-body-shop-blusher-brush-review/

Sephora 10HR Wear Perfection Foundation
Honestly! This foundation has a WIDE shade range!!! Do try it! It is very combination skin friendly!

Review link: https://fiercepaint.wordpress.com/2017/12/11/sephora-10hr-wear-perfection-foundation-review/

Maybelline Hypersharp Power Black Liquid Eyeliner
I love liquid liners. And I prefer ones with brush tips as opposed to a felt tip. Which isn’t really what most people prefer. Hmmmmppphhh…

Review link: https://fiercepaint.wordpress.com/2018/06/04/maybelline-hypersharp-power-black-liquid-eyeliner/

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
The introduction of these expanding sponges meant to be used by dampening it with water has CHANGED the makeup game!!!

Review link: https://fiercepaint.wordpress.com/2018/12/24/real-techniques-miracle-complexion-sponge-review/

Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask
FIVE STAR review with 222 reviews on the Althea official website! That should be enough to convince you to at least try… TIP: I usually wait for more than 60 seconds. 😛

Review link: https://fiercepaint.wordpress.com/2019/01/07/althea-milk-peel-cream-mask-review/

A’Bloom Mask
Trust me, I am just following order of post. This is not a promotion for Althea. A’Bloom is a sister brand to Althea Collection (i.e. the previous product brand). They both are Althea’s brand of products. The review includes more than just the mask but not all the products have a 9 rating. BTW, these masks are cheap too! CHEAP!

Review link: https://fiercepaint.wordpress.com/2019/05/15/altheas-abloom-collection-review/

Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Press Powder
This made my all time fave list of products! Need I say more? And cheap! GOD SO CHEAP!!!

Review link: https://fiercepaint.wordpress.com/2019/05/27/rimmel-stay-matte-long-lasting-press-powder-review/

Zoeva 227 Luxe Soft Definer/ Blender Brush
This is part goat hair so discretion advised. Otherwise, they are simply the best for the price. Freaking John McLean loves this exact brush!

Review link: https://fiercepaint.wordpress.com/2019/07/24/zoeva-227-luxe-soft-definer-blender-brush-review/

L.A. Girl HD Pro.Conceal Concealer
This product is so hard to find in a physical store! I am very iffy about shopping online! I hate it!

Review link: https://fiercepaint.wordpress.com/2019/08/05/l-a-girl-hd-pro-conceal-concealer-review-fawn/

NYX HD Studio Photogenic Concealer
NYX STORES ARE CLOSING IN MALAYSIA AND THEY ARE NOT IN SEPHORA ANYMORE!!! If you can’t tell, I am frustrated.

Review link: https://fiercepaint.wordpress.com/2019/09/16/nyx-hd-studio-photogenic-concealer-review-cw-07/

BeautyBlender (the original!)
I love this sponge. My GOD! So good! But unless I had throwaway money I, PERSONALLY, would never repurchase this…

Review link: https://fiercepaint.wordpress.com/2019/12/30/my-unique-views-on-the-cult-classic-beautyblender-review/

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

Product Empties #13 (18 products)

It’s been a while since my last product empties and needless to say it has piled up, 18 products high!!!

MAKEUP! (One product is missing but I’ll be sure to insert it).

SKINCARE!!!

PRODUCTS TOO BIG TO FIT IN THE FRAME! 😛

I bought this box of 8 pairs of false lashes and put it to good use on my co-stars during a stage play. They were cheap ones but I have forgotten the price. At most 2 to 3 uses then the band sort of starts pulling apart when I tried to take off excess glue. The band is thick and unwielding. Definitely not good falsies but they are thick and give the eyes a dramatic effect. Definitely not repurchasing this one.

How the lashes look.

Eye open…

This is the I ❤ Stage Eyeshadow Base from the brand Essence. I have reviewed it in the past. I plan on updating the post and re-blogging it but meanwhile read about it here! I have already repurchased this.

 This is an eyeliner that I bought from Daiso after watching a YouTube video but I didn’t really like it. I just used it to scribble on my hand with all those hand art stuff that I do and also draw on a moustache for a fellow stage actor. I find that it is not as smooth on the eyelids and tugs on the skin. Not repurchasing it (costs MyR 5.30).

This is the Silkygirl Perfect Stay 20HR Eyeliner. I have reviewed it before (link here) and in fact, it has shown up in another product empties post (link here) but the one in this picture was their limited edition packaging that I got for the fun of it. Purchased it at MYR 10. Don’t plan on repurchasing just because I do have other eyeliners to try out.

This is a lip balm from the brand Bell Star which I bought from my trip to Thailand (trip post here and haul post here). It was an ok lip balm, didn’t really do anything phenomenal for my lips nor was it all that bad. Even if I could I don’t think I’d repurchase this.

This is the Muji facial cottons, a cult classic in the beauty world. This is said to be a dupe for the Shiseido facial cottons. I do plan on reviewing it but at the moment, lets just say that I love it. It costs MYR 10.90 here in Malaysia. Yes, I have backups!

There’s one product which is not in the picture because I had tossed it away not knowing that I hadn’t put it into an empties post.

This is the Elianto Activewear Mascara which I have reviewed before so thank God I have a picture of it (review link here). I wouldn’t repurchase it because I have got at least 3 different unopened mascaras and one I am still working on.

Moving on to the two big products…

This is the Bath and Body Works Fine Fragrance Mist in Wild Madgascar Vanilla. It was given to me by my director as a token of appreciation for starring in his play. I freaking love this scent! Sweet vanilla scent, a lot like some scented lip products and some of you may know that I happen to love this (little things in makeup I love post). Yes, I have repurchased it (for MYR 38; original price MYR 73).

This was from the first haul I ever posted on FiercePaint (link here), I used it once and I hated it because it has an intense warming effect on the skin perhaps due to the fact that it claims to sculpt the body. However, when I started trying to loose weight, I just used by mixing it with my regular body shampoo. I still hated it and I have no idea if it actually “sculpted” my body. Not repurchasing it at the moment but I am very curious if continued usage may help. Hmmmppphhh. Cost; MYR 13.30.

Moving on to the rest of the bunch.

 This is a hand cream from the brand Eubos that was in one of my haul posts (link here) and I just could not get over how oily my hands felt everytime I used it, however, I found better use for it! I used it on my feet! Oh boy did it work wonders! Try it! I may just repurchase it for the feet exclusively (price; MYR 7.90 for a trial size)!

 This is the Biore Facial Foam in Pure Mild. It’s ok. Not great, not bad, not going to re-purchase. Costs MYR 10.80.

This is the Ponybrown Happy Sense Baby Whip hand cream. I’ve used up one before (product empties post link here). I like it because they absorb well into the skin and does not feel sticky. I do prefer the previous one but this is nice too. I won’t repurchase this because I do want to try others (cost MYR 19.90 for 3).

I got this Dettol Gold body wash trial pack from a dear friend, Daniel (hi love!!!). He purchased something else and got this for free, so he gave it to me. There appears to be gold flakes in it which, I am pretty sure, for a product this cheap cannot be real gold flakes. It was alright. Body feels clean. Thumbs up! May just purchase the full bottle if it isn’t too pricey.

This is the Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner. This was featured in one of my haul post (link here). This burned my skin! But since it was a 60 ml bottle I powered through and finished it. Surprisingly didn’t dry my skin out and my skin did stay blemish free! I would repurchase but I simply cannot stand the burning sensation (original price MYR 13.70, purchased for MYR 6.85).

This is the Nivea In-Shower Body Moisturiser. This was featured in a haul post (link here) and I’ve used another in the white tube (product empties post link here). I kinda love this stuff. Plan on purchasing the full bottle when there’s a promotion (costs MYR 2.90).

I pulled this picture from my archives because I forgot to shoot a close up picture! Damn it!!! Anyways, I featured this in a Products I Stopped Using post (link here) and also a hack post (link here). Click those two links to see how I ended up finishing this. Not repurchasing. Costs MYR 11.50, purchased for MYR 9.80.

I got this sample from Facial Malaysia (website link here and Facebook page link here). Nana, the person that runs Facial Malaysia is the nicest person ever! She sent me some skincare products from Paula’s Choice to try out for an honest review exchange and I absolutely loved them (review link here). This one was good too! It worked well and my skin did alright considering that I am very prone to razor burns because I don’t shave unless necessary (I typically trim my beard). If you need more information do check out the Facebook page and the website.

This is the SK-II Facial Treatment Mask which I won from Fiona of Street Love (the most read Malaysia beauty blog! Blog link here). I featured the product in a I Won post (link here). This nice rejuvenating mask revived my tired skin which was suffering from heavy makeup application. About repurchasing, I don’t think I would, only because it is so expensive here!

Phew!!! That was A LOT! Thanks for being with me guys!

Lots of love!

Hari

*air kisses*

The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter Review

The Body Shop is known world wide for its natural ingredients and cruelty free stance. It is noteworthy that they aren’t vegan but do have products that are.

I won this Camomile Cleansing Butter from a competition The Body Shop Malaysia hosted (post link here).

The product.

Its a white solid product much like solidified coconut oil.

It stays solid until heat from the skin warm it up.

Description: Lipid cleanser with a shea butter base. Comes in 90ml (2.7 OZ or 76g). It is camomile scented and the tub containing it is metal and screws open.

Where to buy: The Body Shop stores nationwide and online at https://www.thebodyshop.com.my/

Price: MYR 75

 

I swatched some long lasting lipsticks, liquid lipsticks and a lip and cheek tint, let them dry and then went in with the same amount of product I digged up in the earlier picture.

Product applied and wiped onto the swatches.

It was effortless i.e. no harsh rubbing and not much product is needed. ALL of the products came off except the tint.

The tint is obviously there but hey, tints are meant to stain the skin anyway.

Here’s another one with foundation, concealer, eyeshadows, liner and it was just as effective.

Please excuse the tint!

Pros:

Works well! Especially on liquid lipsticks.

• It makes the lips really soft!
• I don’t leave it on the face because I don’t really like the feeling of oil on the face. Regular cleansing the face after using the cleansing butter does the trick.

Smells amazing!

Only a small amount of product is needed.

 

Cons:

Pricey (yes, I am a cheapskate!).

I don’t like the fact that I need to double cleanse.

 

Rating:

8.5/10

Go to The Body Shop and take a whiff of it and you’ll love it!!!

I WON!!!

I think the title says it all.

I won two giveaways recently.

First was by the talented and gorgeous Fiona who blogs at Street Love (link here). She is a long time Malaysian blogger who takes absolutely beautiful pictures! Eye candy at its most appealing! She knows her way around the local beauty industry and is very knowledgeable about beauty products and brands. Go follow her!

I did post the picture of my winnings on Instagram already and I am sharing the same picture here…

SK-II is a giant in the skincare industry and I can’t wait to try and write about these!!! It is the SK-II Pitera Essence Set.

____________ .. ____________

The next one was by the beautiful Rachael from the UK.  Her blog is absolutely beautiful and she is very honest with her reviews! I love her blog and she also takes lovely pictures! She knows her products well and writes effortlessly. Go follow her too (link here)!!

Let me tell you I LITERALLY squealed like a little pig upon seeing the package because I thought I was only getting the Instablur Primer from The Body Shop. Rachael evidently went above and beyond to send me so many extra products! She also sent me a lovely paisley print card which I decided to keep to myself. THANK YOU RACHAEL!!!!!!!!

Just some information on these products.

– I got the Instablur primer from The Body Shop as promised.

– I also got two products from Makeup Revolution and although not available in physical stores, Makeup Revolution has a Malaysian web store and local beauty bloggers and enthusiasts are aware of this brand. I would have never in my wildest dreams think she would include an eyeshadow palette!!! And it’s the Iconic 2 palette, famously a dupe for a certain naked palette. She also included this lovely deep peachy coral blush in the shade Sugar!!! 😀 😀 😀

– Freedom is a new makeup brand and is a sister company to Makeup Revolution. I have already heard rave reviews of their brow pomades by the famous beauty blogger and YouTuber Miss Budget Beauty, Mikhila. Rachael sent me TWO of their products! A higlighter and a lipstick! WHAT?????!!!!!!!! I am so SO happy!!! 😀 😀 😀 I may be one of the very first Malaysian beauty blogger to try Freedom Makeup!!! YEAY!!!

And to think she sent this from all the way from the UK! Thank you so so much gorgeous!!!

Product Empties #2

Why I do product empties and include more than just makeup is all detailed in my first product empties post which you can read about here. I previously just took the picture collectively but this time around I have decided to take each picture individually as well to attach beside each description.

 

This is the package in which the smaller bottle came in as a free gift.

 1; This is the Silkygirl Gentle Eye & Lip Makeup Remover. There are 2 bottles, a small one and a larger one. The smaller one isn’t one that can be purchased unless it came in the double product package in the picture to the left which costs MYR 13.80. The other larger bottle is actually the smaller one (55ml) for sale and retails for MYR 7.90. The larger bottle for retail contains 110 ml of product and retails for MYR 16.90 (not shown in picture). It is a bilayer makeup remover with oil and water which needs to be shaken before use. It is a pretty good makeup remover since makeup like waterproof eyeliner and matte liquid lipsticks need some kind of an oil based makeup remover to remove them. I am definitely going to repurchase this but only the smaller one and do a review on it in the future.

 

 

 

2; This is the Biore Perfect Cleansing Water which I have previously reviewed here. I love this makeup remover and I also use it as a cleanser if I am in a rush to cleanse my face. It does not strip my face of moisture and does not leave a sticky feeling on my skin. Definitely going to repurchase this! Caution, it tastes very bitter so beware of it getting around your mouth/lips and God forbid you should lick your lips then!

 

 

 

 

3; This is The Body Shop, Indian Night Jasmine body lotion. This smells simply amazing! The scent is pretty strong that it would smell like I am using perfume although it isn’t long lasting. The sticker on the bottle can be removed easily and the bottle can be reused because the cover is a screw cap and it is a squeeze bottle. I actually got this as a giveaway but the price tag shows that it retails for MYR 21.90. I want to repurchase this but I can’t seem to find the small bottle.

 

 

 

 

4; This is the uptownvisions pressed powder in Tender Brown. I purchased it at Guardian quite a while ago and I don’t remember exactly how much it cost me but I think it was under MYR 15. It is probably one of the best pressed powder I have ever used and I would compare it to my high end pressed powder foundations. However, I have tried and tried to look for it and it is no more available here. I can’t even find it online! No website, no nothing! 😦 There is still a little bit of product left and I love using it as a setting powder to set my foundation and eye primer. I even mix it in with a darker greyish brown powder and use it as a cheek contour on my friends with lighter complexion (of course I’d use this only if it was a favour and I don’t get paid for helping someone with their makeup but if I was getting paid, I would use my more expensive products).

 

5; This is the Jordana Oil-Free Liquid Foundation that I reviewed here. It is an ok foundation for me and I do mix it with other foundations to bring down the orange-ish tint that it has when it oxidises on my face. I am not going to repurchase this because I would like to try out other drugstore liquid foundations. There is one last portion left in it for a full face but hey, it’s basically empty.