Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow in Taupe

Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow in #34 Taupe

Newsflash! I have fallen in love with a new brow product! If you've read my Holy Grail post, you'll know that the Shiseido Natural Eyebrow Pencil is hands down my favourite brow pencil that I've tried so far, but I've recently started using the MUFE Aqua Brow and it is now joint Holy Grail status with the Shiseido one.

Jo Malone Limited Edition Elderflower and Gooseberry Cologne (Sugar & Spice Collection)

The recently launched limited edition Sugar & Spice Collection from Jo Malone comprises of five fragrances that embodies what I can only describe as "yummmmm.......". The scents are as follows... brace yourselves because you may likely be mentally transported to the Land of Yummmmm... Bitter Orange & Chocolate - a very sweet and almost smells like it could be edible dark chocolate laced with orange peel scent, Redcurrant & Cream - a slightly musky sweet fruity summer scent, Ginger Biscuit - literally smells like a ginger biscuit, Lemon Tart - refreshing citrus-y fruity scent, and last but not least, the one that I instantly knew I wanted to check out just from reading its name - Elderflower & Gooseberry! Key word here being elderflower... I LOVE elderflower. The scent described on the Jo Malone website:

"A voluptuous gooseberry fool. Crushed, summer-green gooseberries, juicy with lychee, enfolded into the soft delicacy of elderflower. Tender and feminine."

Benefit Cosmetics Dr Feel Good

I've rediscovered an oldie but definitely a goodie - Benefit Cosmetics' Dr Feel Good! When I first started really getting into make up and finding out about the wonders a primer could do for one's complexion, Dr Feel Good (one of Benefit's top sellers) was the first face primer I dabbled in. Since then, I've repurchased this at least 3 times over the years. But being a beauty junkie, I've strayed away from it for several years now for the sake of trying other primers... but recently I decided to repurchase it and I've been using it ever since! On my first use/rediscovery, I asked myself "Girrrrl, why did you ever stop using this?!"

MAC Lipstick - Speak Louder

I've added yet another MAC lipstick to my ever-growing collection! This time the star of the post is MAC's Lipstick in Speak Louder. MAC describes it as a "clean poppy blue pink". It's definitely a muted blue-based pinkish red, the colour is actually brighter and more vibrant in person than it comes off in the photos... but definitely still a very wearable day or night colour.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden

I picked up the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden which is the nude matte version of their cult favourite eyeshadow primer. I absolutely love their original version, it was my first ever eyeshadow primer and I actually still have it in its original doe-foot applicator genie bottle glory... which probably needs to be depotted soon! I also have Greed, which has a golden shimmery finish in their new squeeze tube packaging, which is a bit more convenient and hygienic (also no more depotting the genie bottle!), but I'm still trying to get used to squeezing the right amount out!

L'Oreal Lash Architect 4D Mascara (Waterproof)

I first tried the L'Oreal Lash Architect 4D (non-waterproof version) when it first came out and I was very impressed! It gave me length, volume and was super black! It also didn't smudge that much on me throughout the day which is always a plus. I've been wanting to try the new waterproof version for a while now and finally picked it up and I love it just as much! It does pretty much the same thing as the non-waterproof version just that it holds my lash curl better and last longer. 

Forever 21 Jewellery Haul!

I personally think that Forever 21 do some really good affordable jewellery but I always get so overwhelmed in their accessories section (and their clothes section for that matter!), there's always so much going on in that store and everything is all over the place. I recently went to Forever 21 in Causeway Bay and my sole purpose was to check out their jewellery section because I really wanted some chunky chain necklaces and I definitely found a few as well as other pieces!

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm

I've been looking for a tinted lip balm for ages, I used to use the Carmex Moisture Plus Ultra Hydrating Lip Balm Peach Sheer Tint SPF15 (what a mouthful!), which I love because it gives a really beautiful sheer colour to the lips. Unfortunately, it's not available in Hong Kong...or at least I can't find it! I've been debating on trying the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments but they are quite pricey! I recently came across this Burt's Bees offer on all their lip products (2 for 159 HKD) and I couldn't pass on the offer!

NOTD: Essie Turquoise and Caicos

I first bought Essie's Turquoise & Caicos, a beautiful turquoise with a creme finish, because I thought it would be a close colour match to the Tiffany blue colour but it's definitely darker. Perfect for Spring and Summer! Unfortunately, the formula is quite thin and streaky, I applied 4 coats for opacity and topped it off with the Deborah Lippmann Addicted to Speed top coat... so it took much longer to dry (and a lot of my patience...). I highly recommend this colour if you're looking for a true to turquoise colour but bear in mind that you will need to apply several coats.

1st Blogversary!

A year ago today, I decided to finally start my very own blog! I'm not sure why it took me so long but better late than never, as I always say! And how time flies, it has already been a whole year! I remember my first post was a review on the special Valentine's edition Glossybox, here's the post if you're interested in checking it out. I was snapping away, eager to get the best quality photos and then typing away my very first post. It was slightly nerve-racking pressing the 'publish' button but I did it. Although I must admit, my blog posts are not as frequent as I would like them to be (I need to figure out a schedule that works!) but I do plan on blogging more often this year, at least try to! I've got so many thoughts on a bunch load of beauty products that I would love to share! Last but not least, thank you to all my lovely readers!! I'm so glad that there are people who actually read my blog posts ( I think that was probably one of my worries...that no one would read my blog)... it means a lot! So once again, thank you to you all!

My First Diptyque Candle!

I love scented candles and Diptyque do some really good ones. Every time I come across them I'm always "um-ing" and "ahh-ing" about them... Yes, they smell absolutely divine but they are quite pricey! The question that always comes to mind: Is it really worth paying so much for something I'm just going to burn away?? Recently, a friend of mine generously gifted one to me... I was over the moon to say the least! I got Baies, one of their best-sellers, which is a beautiful blend of roses and blackcurrant leaves. My goodness... it smells amazing!! I burned it for half an hour the first time, blew it out, went grocery shopping, came back and I could still smell it as I was outside my flat! Very impressed! I think I may be tempted to splurge on other Diptyque scents in the future or I would be happy to get more gifted to me *hint hint* ;)

Dolly Wink Eyelash Fix Black

A new eyelash glue I've been trying out - Dolly Wink Eyelash Fix in Black! I've always used the Duo Eyelash Adhesive (both dark and normal one) but I thought I'd try out something different. The Dolly Wink one also comes in two types - white and black. First off, I love the packaging! It's so cute... as with a lot of Japanese cosmetics! The applicator took me a while to get used to because I'm so used to using Duo now (which is quite fiddly when it comes to squeezing out the right amount for the false lashes), but it's pretty straight forward with the applicator you just brush it onto the false eyelash band and wait a little bit for it to get tacky and pop them on! This is great for thin lash bands because the brush distributes just the right amount but for thicker lash bands you will need to go through it a few times with the brush. I found that my lashes stayed on comfortably and didn't need reapplying. Most importantly the glue didn't irritate my eyes which is something I'm always very weary of when it comes to eyelash glue. Overall, I think this is really good! Does its job! It is pretty much the same price as the Duo Adhesive so it's really up to personal preference but of course Duo Adhesive is more easily accessible than Dolly Wink!

Deborah Lippmann - Addicted to Speed Top Coat

The Seche Vite top coat has been a staple for me for the last 3 years or so, I love it because it's quick drying, affordable and makes my nail colour last for several days. One thing I hate about it is that it tends to thicken about halfway through the bottle (sometimes even one-third!)... which is super annoying! I know you can thin it out but I have yet to try that method. But I thought I'd try out a new top coat and decided to go for the Deborah Lippmann Addicted To Speed top coat which I've heard good reviews about. It dries super fast (slightly quicker than the Seche Vite) and as it's infused with Cellulose and Dimethicone it leaves the nails ultra shiny. My nail colour last for ages and doesn't chip which is pretty impressive! The tip colour wears out a little after a few days but that's normal for me. When I first got the Seche Vite, I found the scent extremely strong...industrial-strength smell! I got used to it after a while though but I find that the DL Addicted To Speed is even stronger!! I'll probably get used to it eventually but dang it smells strong! As with all DL nail polishes, this is quite expensive but I managed to get it slightly cheaper, I forgot the exact HK price unfortunately...sorry! Overall, I think it's a good top coat but for the price is it really worth buying this over the Seche Vite which is much cheaper and has more or less the same result?? I'll see how this bottle lasts and whether it thickens up halfway...

Urban Decay Naked Basics

Yes, I caved. I bought the new and absolutely beautiful Urban Decay Naked Basics palette. To be honest, it wasn't really a tough decision to make! I'm a huge fan of the original Naked palette, I recall when I first saw it in Boots and exclaiming: "Oooohhh pretty!!", but stupidly didn't buy it at the time (I contemplated and oogled for far too long!). Christmas came along and it was sold out everywhere! Luckily, UD brought it back and I picked one up immediately, no questions asked! Then came Naked 2, which I am/was tempted in buying just to have it as I am a makeup hoarder...ahem, collector! But I feel the colours in the Naked 2 are a bit too cool-toned for my skintone so I've managed to steer myself away from that one (...whether I've steered myself far enough, is another question!). I must say Urban Decay outdid themselves with the Naked Basics palette, no surprises there though...

NOTD: OPI Did You 'Ear About Van Gogh?

From OPI's Spring 2012 Holland Collection, Did You 'Ear About Van Gogh? (Get it?) is a light beige colour... seriously, a gorgeous neutral polish! The colour goes on perfect in two coats. I was meant to be giving my nails a little breather from polishes because they are becoming quite stained but when I bought this my nails were just itching for this colour!

My Insolence by Guerlain

Another perfume rediscovery from my perfume stash... Guerlain's My Insolence Eau de Toilette! The notes include raspberry, jasmine, almond blossom, vanilla, patchouli, and tonka bean. It's a very sweet and feminine with a slight powdery-ness to it, I don't find the scent overpowering ...it's actually quite soft and pleasant once it has settled. Excuse my poor sense of describing scents! I've been loving this for day and night, it lasts for hours on me and I can still smell it the next day on my clothing or scarves.

Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Mascara

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!! 

I hope 2013 will be a great one for you all! 

xx

For today's post, I'm going to start off by mentioning that my short straight Asian lashes are very picky when it comes to mascara. What I look for is pretty much the "full package": volume, length, curl, no smudging/flaking and long-lasting... I know, that is a lot to ask for! So my review of the Benefit They're Real! is entirely based on its effect on my high maintenance eyelashes!