Hello~ ^^
I got the idea to do this off a video I saw on youtube! :D
Disclaimer: I am FAR from pro at makeup, so not everything I say here is necessarily 100% right! This is just based on what I've learned from my past experiences~
I've been experimenting with makeup for about 4-5 years now, and wearing makeup on a regular basis for 2 years, so I still have a long way to go! >_<
So in no particular order:
1. Not using concealer
Until about 2 years ago, I just put foundation over my entire face until my blemishes were pretty much covered. Yeah... Don't do that ^^;
What works better (at least for me), is to put a fairly thin layer of BB cream (for everyday wear) or foundation (for heavier makeup looks) to even out skin tone, and then use concealer to add extra coverage over areas that need it, like over blemishes or dark circles.
2. Not matching my foundation
Again, until quite recently, I never matched my foundation properly. I just bought colours that looked 'close enough' without really thinking about it. I always ended up getting foundations too dark/orange for my skin, which was especially bad, because I tend to prefer looking a bit lighter >_<
Now, I use mostly BB creams for everyday wear since it's better for your skin, and since most asian BB creams are made to suit oriental skin tones, the colour almost always matches me perfectly. When it comes to foundation, I've gotten WAY better at estimating what colours will match me well, but I always try the testers first if at all possible.
3. Just putting black eyeliner all round my eye.
Some people look amazing with any style of eyeliner, including just a black rim around their entire eye. I am NOT one of those people. When I first started out with eyeliner, I completely disregarded my eye shape, and would just draw around my entire eye with black eyeliner. It ended up just making my small eyes look even smaller >_< (Also, totally emo XD)
I've found that what tends to look better for me is top liner only for a light everyday look, and for heavier looks, I need to vary the line length/placement etc.
I'm not going into detail for this one, because very different eyeliner looks good on different people~
4. Using just my favourite colours
There are very few skin tones where every colour looks good, and it took me a while to realise this. I used to love pinks and purples, so I used those eyeshadow colours, which just ended up making my eyes look a bit swollen ^^;
I find that for my skin tone, I should stick to neutrals, blacks/whites or bright cool colours. This is another one that varies person to person of course~
5. Not doing my eyebrows
My natural eyebrows aren't very sparse or very thick, but are far from perfect, with quite a lot of stray hairs, which I used to just ignore.
Eyebrows make a huge difference to the overall face, so it's important to keep them nice and clean looking! Even if you don't want to change their shape, it's still good to get rid of the messy stray hairs around the main shape to give a neater look. I have a full front fringe these days, so you actually can't see my eyebrows, but I make sure to fix them up every week or 2, just in case~
6. Not matching my eyebrow colour
I put highlight in my hair for the first time when I was 13, and dyed it fully when I was 15, so I haven't had completely black hair for many years now, even though it's still pretty dark. I would fill in my eyebrows with a black eyeshadow or eyebrow pencil, and never noticed how harsh and strange it looked.
Now that my hair is a medium-dark brown, I need to fill in my brows with a medium/light brown if I want to show them without looking strange, since they're naturally black. Thinning out my eyebrows and filling them in with colour is especially important when I cosplay and wear different wigs. For me, I've found that with dark hair, the eyebrows look best a shade or two lighter, and with light hair, the eyebrows look best the same colour, or slightly darker. I've seen waaaaay too many girls walking around with light hair and black eyebrows, don't be one of them! >_< (Unless you're doing it on purpose of course XD)
7. Not using eye primer
I have incredibly oily eyelids (and super dry skin almost everywhere else >_>), and my eyeliners and eyeshadows crease/smudge really easily. When I wore just liner on my top lid, it would smudge on the outer corner within a few hours of putting it on, and even with touchups, by the end of the day, my makeup would look very messy.
I'm quite obsessive with eye primers now, I never wear eye makeup without it! If you have monolids, small eyelid folds, or oily eyelids, a good eye primer will most likely allow your makeup to stay on for longer without smudging or creasing~
8. Not doing any conturing, highlighting or applying blush
I first started doing makeup on a regular basis because of cosplay, and since anime characters' faces are just one colour, I would only ever put one colour of foundation/BB cream (often a little lighter than my natural skin colour) over my face and move on. And then, one day, I looked at my face in the mirror at school under bright lighting, and I looked almost sickly O_o
I have a very wide and flat face, so a little bit of very basic conturing does a lot. Also, applying base makeup tends to cancel out any natural pinkness in the cheeks, making you look a bit washed out and unhealthy. When time allows, I always make sure to apply at least a little bit of blush for a natural glow.
9. Buying only cheap makeup
Although many cheaper makeup brands have some pretty good stuff, I was not good at finding them when I was younger. I would usually buy the least expensive things I could find, since I didn't have much money. Combined with my oily eyelids and no primer, cheap eye makeup just would not stay for very long.
I still don't tend to buy high end makeup, since I'm still a student, but I've gotten better at deciding what cheap products are good to use (Eg. Eyeshadows, brushes), and what products I should invest a bit more in (Foundation, eyeliner etc.)
10. Not checking my makeup under different lighting/in different mirrors
Bright lighting like in my bathroom, and slightly dirty/scratched compact mirrors can make your makeup and skin look better and smoother than it really does. I never used to check my makeup under natural lighting, in a perfectly clean mirror before going out, so my makeup would sometimes be messy/uneven, and I would not even notice it unless someone pointed it out (Which nobody really ever does)
I always make sure to take a proper look at my makeup before going out these days, ESPECIALLY if I'm going to be taking photos, just in case~ ^^
So those are my 10 makeup mistakes I've made in the past! Of course, these are not even half of the mistakes that I've ever made, and I am still making heaps of makeup mistakes even now, so hopefully I will continue to learn from my mistakes! ^^
~ アキ
Saturday, 2 June 2012
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Photoshoot for My Friend's Art Folio~
Hello!~ ^^
These are a few of the photos my friend took for her art folio, I'm wearing half of my Sonohara Anri (Durarara) cosplay and half of my Secret Police Luka (Vocaloid) costume, I didn't really want to upload these photos on deviantart since they're far from an accurate cosplay... So I will be slowly uploading them here instead!~ ^^
Will update as more photos get sent to me~ ^^
These are a few of the photos my friend took for her art folio, I'm wearing half of my Sonohara Anri (Durarara) cosplay and half of my Secret Police Luka (Vocaloid) costume, I didn't really want to upload these photos on deviantart since they're far from an accurate cosplay... So I will be slowly uploading them here instead!~ ^^
Will update as more photos get sent to me~ ^^
Kao Prettia (Leise) High Bleach Bubble Dye Review
I (finally) redyed my hair today!~ ^^
(My roots are starting to look terrible >_<)
This time I decided to use Prettia because I'd heard a lot of good things about it from my friends! I chose a medium/light honey brown colour this time~ ^^
The box says 'high bleach' (or 'hi bleach'?), but other than that I don't seem to see a colour name... (Correct me if I'm wrong!) I do remember seeing a lighter shade of Prettia high bleach in the shop though~
Let's get started with this review!~ :D
So here's the packaging and all the stuff that came in the box~
I don't trust the colour charts since my colour never comes out nearly as light as the charts predict, so I left the dye in for 40 minutes (not including the ~10 mins used to apply it) instead of the 20-30 minutes I needed to achieve the colour that I wanted. I also turned the heating in my house up because hair dye works better/faster when heated a bit.
Here's the result!~
Before and After:
Under bright lighting, the colour turned out quite similar to the 'after 20 minutes' colour I was aiming for, a honey toned light/medium brown, but under normal lighting it's a bit darker. The change in colour is still very visible though, and I honestly love the result! The colour is very even and covered up my roots perfectly, which is the most important part! ^^
After applying the conditioner that came with the dye and drying my hair, it didn't feel super damaged, although the ends do seem slightly drier than they were before, but that was to be expected~
The Final Verdict: 9/10
I really like this dye! The colour was much more true to the colour chart than the other dyes I have used (L'Oreal, Garnier and Palty), and wasn't very damaging either. The fumes and stinging were slightly annoying but definitely tolerable. The instructions were easy to follow, and the bottle was easy to use. I remember seeing Prettia dyes for quite cheap when I was in Japan (Equivalent to a bit over $10 AUD), and I got mine for $21 at a shop in in city, which was the best price I could find over here, so it's a bit on the expensive side, but definitely worth the price, and I would definitely recommend it to people hoping to dye their hair lighter from a fairly dark colour! ^^
So that's all for now!~ Might upload a some more photos in a week's time after washing a few times~ ^^
~アキ
(My roots are starting to look terrible >_<)
This time I decided to use Prettia because I'd heard a lot of good things about it from my friends! I chose a medium/light honey brown colour this time~ ^^
The box says 'high bleach' (or 'hi bleach'?), but other than that I don't seem to see a colour name... (Correct me if I'm wrong!) I do remember seeing a lighter shade of Prettia high bleach in the shop though~
Let's get started with this review!~ :D
So here's the packaging and all the stuff that came in the box~
Two bottles of dye mixture, pump lid, sachet of conditioner, rubber gloves, instruction booklet
My original color is quite close to the 2nd 'before' picture and I was aiming for the 1st or 2nd shade from the 2nd row
Taken less than 1 month after dyeing with Palty Creamy Caramel
Recent photo, almost 4 months after dyeing, it barely faded but roots are becoming obvious~
My disgusting roots today~ Please excuse the oiliness! I've been told never to dye hair soon after washing and my hair gets oily VERY quickly >_<;
So to mix the dye, you pour the liquid from the little bottle into the larger clear bottle and close the lid, then tip it upside down a few times (do NOT shake it). Then you replace the normal lid with the pink lid with the nozzle. To make the foam/bubbles, you just squeeze the bottle~
I thought it looked really awesome, since the stuff in the bottle was just normal liquid and came out as pretty bubbles~ *easily amused* XD
The first thing I noticed about the dye was how strong the fumes were, although I did expect it since the product is meant to contain bleach. I just spread a bunch of foam over all of my hair and combed through/massaged with my fingers (making sure to wear gloves!), then repeated a few times, since there was a LOT of product! It only took about half the bottle to cover all of my hair, but for it to be covered with a layer of foam like on the diagrams, it did take most of the bottle. My hair is quite thin and layered, but the longest bits are around quite long, about waist length, although the bulk of it is chest length or shorter.
The fumes stung my eyes a bit when I first started applying it, but it was bearable, and stopped stinging after the first few minutes. My scalp stung a little bit too the whole time the dye was on, but again, it didn't bother me too much, and I have a pretty low tolerance for pain. Also, the foam doesn't drip, which is especially awesome for me, since I spill everything everywhere~ XD
I don't trust the colour charts since my colour never comes out nearly as light as the charts predict, so I left the dye in for 40 minutes (not including the ~10 mins used to apply it) instead of the 20-30 minutes I needed to achieve the colour that I wanted. I also turned the heating in my house up because hair dye works better/faster when heated a bit.
Here's the result!~
Under bright lighting, the colour turned out quite similar to the 'after 20 minutes' colour I was aiming for, a honey toned light/medium brown, but under normal lighting it's a bit darker. The change in colour is still very visible though, and I honestly love the result! The colour is very even and covered up my roots perfectly, which is the most important part! ^^
After applying the conditioner that came with the dye and drying my hair, it didn't feel super damaged, although the ends do seem slightly drier than they were before, but that was to be expected~
The Final Verdict: 9/10
I really like this dye! The colour was much more true to the colour chart than the other dyes I have used (L'Oreal, Garnier and Palty), and wasn't very damaging either. The fumes and stinging were slightly annoying but definitely tolerable. The instructions were easy to follow, and the bottle was easy to use. I remember seeing Prettia dyes for quite cheap when I was in Japan (Equivalent to a bit over $10 AUD), and I got mine for $21 at a shop in in city, which was the best price I could find over here, so it's a bit on the expensive side, but definitely worth the price, and I would definitely recommend it to people hoping to dye their hair lighter from a fairly dark colour! ^^
So that's all for now!~ Might upload a some more photos in a week's time after washing a few times~ ^^
~アキ
Saturday, 21 April 2012
Dolly Wink No. 2 Sweet Girly + No. 6 Baby Cute
Hey guys!~ ^^
I've always been a huge fan of Tsubasa (She's so gorgeous~ X3), and I've recently started collecting stuff from Dolly Wink! So far I have the eyeliner (haven't tried yet) plus 4 boxes of falsies from the original series~ ^^
I really love Tsubasa's makeup, because it's not super super dramatic like a lot of other gyarus, but still very pretty and dolly~
I'll also start collecting Candy Doll products when my current heap of makeup starts to run out/expire~ :D
No. 2 Sweet Girly was the first pair of Dolly Wink eyelashes I bought, and No. 6 Baby Cute was the first pair of bottom lashes I bought. It wasn't until almost a month later that I realized they are supposed to be worn together~ (Skills!) ^^
Now, on with the review!~
No. 2 Sweet Girly
Packaging: 10/10
The packaging is super pretty of course! It's easy to open (I cannot stand packaging that is really strongly sealed and takes forever to open >_<), and has a nice little box inside the main box that's easy to carry around in my bag.
Design: 9/10
I absolutely love the design, it's very flattering and as natural looking as lashes this dramatic can possibly look~ XD
The thick part near the middle emphasizes the middle of the eye and makes it look wider which I really love.
They're perfect for me since I love wearing quite heavy makeup when I go out, but should probably be saved for special occasions if you prefer to wear mostly light makeup.
The only (tiny) problem was that these lashes need to be curled before or after you put them on, or else they tend to look quite droopy (unless you like that look?), I had to curl mine before and after applying them for them to curl up significantly~
Also the band is really loooooong because I have small eyes! Even though I wear my lashes with at least a few millimeters extra to extend the eye, it was still a little bit too long. It would be the perfect length for people with big eyes though!
Comfort: 9/10
The band is flexible and easy to apply into the shape that you want, although they are quite long, they are not too heavy, although they do start to feel a bit heavy after wearing them for 12+ hours, but that is to be expected~ XD
Price: 7/10
I've looked around in almost every asian makeup store in the city over here, and the cheapest price that I found was $21.95 AUD, which is quite expensive, considering I've bought boxes of 10 lashes for less than $20, however, the price in Japan/China is a fairly reasonable $13-15 AUD. Also, the quality/design of these are far more flattering than most eyelashes from Australian brands that I've tried that cost around $10 a pair, so can't really complain~ ^^
It also comes with a little tube of eyelash glue, the glue works well, and there is quite a generous amount.
Reusable? 9/10
Yes! I used my first pair of No. 2 at least 6-8 times (My memory sucks) before it started to lose it's shape and glue started to get everywhere, and I wasn't particularly careful with it either, so the quality is definitely good! Considering I paid $11 for each pair and used it about 7 times, that's less the 2 dollars per use.
Overall: 9/10
I love these and am definitely stocking up at least a box or two next time I go to Japan! ^^
No. 6 Baby Cute
Packaging: 10/10
Same as No. 2, the packaging is gorgeous! This shade of pink is so pretty~ :3
Design: 9/10
I was a little bit iffy about the design when I first saw it in the box, but they looked amazing on Tsubasa (doesn't everything?) and I had a bit of extra money, so I thought why not? Each of the little sections are separate which I didn't realize until I tried them up, and then were quite hard to apply.
HOWEVER, they looked awesome! ... Or at least I think that they do?
I used a bit of light eyeliner/eyeshadow as a guideline for where to stick them, and used tweezers to apply them, and it actually didn't nearly look as strange as I had expected, although it did take quite a few minutes to get them all on. The separate chunks also mean that you don't need to worry about bending the bands into shape, which is something that is a huge relief to me, since the bands of bottom lashes usually hate me. XD
Comfort: 10/10
These are super comfortable since they don't have a whole band, and I could barely feel them at all. The only problem with this is that I'm constantly paranoid and checking if they're still stuck on ^^;
Price: 7/10
Again, the same as before, a bit on the expensive side over here, but well worth it! ^^
Reusable? 8/10
I've used the first pair 3 times already and they're still fine to reuse. The only problem (and this might just be me) is that since you need tweezers to apply them, I sometimes squeeze a bit too hard and ruin the shape of the lashes >_<
Overall: 9/10
They're my new favourite bottom lashes, but they're definitely not for people who think that spending more than 30 minutes on makeup is too long~ XD
Here's a few photos of what they look like on me~ ^^
(Might add a few more after this weekend~)
I've always been a huge fan of Tsubasa (She's so gorgeous~ X3), and I've recently started collecting stuff from Dolly Wink! So far I have the eyeliner (haven't tried yet) plus 4 boxes of falsies from the original series~ ^^
I really love Tsubasa's makeup, because it's not super super dramatic like a lot of other gyarus, but still very pretty and dolly~
I'll also start collecting Candy Doll products when my current heap of makeup starts to run out/expire~ :D
No. 2 Sweet Girly was the first pair of Dolly Wink eyelashes I bought, and No. 6 Baby Cute was the first pair of bottom lashes I bought. It wasn't until almost a month later that I realized they are supposed to be worn together~ (Skills!) ^^
Now, on with the review!~
No. 2 Sweet Girly
Packaging: 10/10
The packaging is super pretty of course! It's easy to open (I cannot stand packaging that is really strongly sealed and takes forever to open >_<), and has a nice little box inside the main box that's easy to carry around in my bag.
Design: 9/10
I absolutely love the design, it's very flattering and as natural looking as lashes this dramatic can possibly look~ XD
The thick part near the middle emphasizes the middle of the eye and makes it look wider which I really love.
They're perfect for me since I love wearing quite heavy makeup when I go out, but should probably be saved for special occasions if you prefer to wear mostly light makeup.
The only (tiny) problem was that these lashes need to be curled before or after you put them on, or else they tend to look quite droopy (unless you like that look?), I had to curl mine before and after applying them for them to curl up significantly~
Also the band is really loooooong because I have small eyes! Even though I wear my lashes with at least a few millimeters extra to extend the eye, it was still a little bit too long. It would be the perfect length for people with big eyes though!
Comfort: 9/10
The band is flexible and easy to apply into the shape that you want, although they are quite long, they are not too heavy, although they do start to feel a bit heavy after wearing them for 12+ hours, but that is to be expected~ XD
Price: 7/10
I've looked around in almost every asian makeup store in the city over here, and the cheapest price that I found was $21.95 AUD, which is quite expensive, considering I've bought boxes of 10 lashes for less than $20, however, the price in Japan/China is a fairly reasonable $13-15 AUD. Also, the quality/design of these are far more flattering than most eyelashes from Australian brands that I've tried that cost around $10 a pair, so can't really complain~ ^^
It also comes with a little tube of eyelash glue, the glue works well, and there is quite a generous amount.
Reusable? 9/10
Yes! I used my first pair of No. 2 at least 6-8 times (My memory sucks) before it started to lose it's shape and glue started to get everywhere, and I wasn't particularly careful with it either, so the quality is definitely good! Considering I paid $11 for each pair and used it about 7 times, that's less the 2 dollars per use.
Overall: 9/10
I love these and am definitely stocking up at least a box or two next time I go to Japan! ^^
No. 6 Baby Cute
Packaging: 10/10
Same as No. 2, the packaging is gorgeous! This shade of pink is so pretty~ :3
Design: 9/10
I was a little bit iffy about the design when I first saw it in the box, but they looked amazing on Tsubasa (doesn't everything?) and I had a bit of extra money, so I thought why not? Each of the little sections are separate which I didn't realize until I tried them up, and then were quite hard to apply.
HOWEVER, they looked awesome! ... Or at least I think that they do?
I used a bit of light eyeliner/eyeshadow as a guideline for where to stick them, and used tweezers to apply them, and it actually didn't nearly look as strange as I had expected, although it did take quite a few minutes to get them all on. The separate chunks also mean that you don't need to worry about bending the bands into shape, which is something that is a huge relief to me, since the bands of bottom lashes usually hate me. XD
Comfort: 10/10
These are super comfortable since they don't have a whole band, and I could barely feel them at all. The only problem with this is that I'm constantly paranoid and checking if they're still stuck on ^^;
Price: 7/10
Again, the same as before, a bit on the expensive side over here, but well worth it! ^^
Reusable? 8/10
I've used the first pair 3 times already and they're still fine to reuse. The only problem (and this might just be me) is that since you need tweezers to apply them, I sometimes squeeze a bit too hard and ruin the shape of the lashes >_<
Overall: 9/10
They're my new favourite bottom lashes, but they're definitely not for people who think that spending more than 30 minutes on makeup is too long~ XD
Here's a few photos of what they look like on me~ ^^
(Might add a few more after this weekend~)
No. 2 + No.6
No. 2 + No. 6
The top ones tend to droop after wearing them for a few hours~ >_<
Friday, 2 December 2011
Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream #2 Sheer Glowing Skin
Hello!~ ^^
I meant to make this review a looooooong time ago when I finally found Etude House's Precious Mineral BB Cream that I'd been looking for! X3
I had actually seen it before, but it was selling for quite a ridiculous price, so I passed on that one, then recently found it on sale for $35 (Still quite a bit, I know), and couldn't help but buy it! :D
I was looking for this BB cream since I started hearing heaps of good stuff about it... And maybe also because Etude House was promoted by some of my favourite actors... <_< >_>
*totally not obsessive* ^^;
The shade I will be reviewing is the #2 Sheer Glowing Skin, it is the medium shade, and is formulated for dry skin. I had actually wanted to buy the paler shade for oily skin (and just wear extra moisturizer), but it wasn't available at the store >_<
Packaging Design: 8/10
The packaging is quite pretty, the colours and design are both really nice, and it comes with a very easy to use pump~
I don't find it quite as awesome as Skin79's BB Cream, but I still love it! ^^
Coverage & Colour: 9/10
The base colour of this BB cream is peachy-yellow (is that even a colour? XD), and it is good for a medium skin tone like mine. It is a bit lighter than my hands, and almost the same (slight lighter) as the skin on my face (I am medium-light, about a NC20-25).
The coverage is at medium-full, and is buildable. I find that it can cover light blemishes easily, and even medium blemishes if you build up a few layers, but you would almost definitely still need concealer for very dark spots or shadows, I always still need concealer to cover my very dark under eye circles. The finish is quite matte compared to most other BB creams, but I still prefer to powder over it. This easily lasts all day (10+) hours when I powder over it~
Consistency & Feel: 7.5/10
The consistency is quite similar to liquid foundation, and blends out quite easily, however, it does seem to dry quite quickly. It feels quite light I do not need to use a lot, as even a thin layer provides pretty great coverage.
Moisturising/Oil Control: 7/10
Since this was formulated for dry skin, I had hoped it would be a bit more moisturizing than it is. it would probably be pretty good for people with normal or slightly dry skin, but my skin is quite dry and this was not as moisturizing as my other 3 BB creams. the oil control is pretty decent, other than a tiny little bit around my nose, I don't get oily even after 7+ hours at school.
Smell: 8/10
The smell is pleasant and not overwhelming... Not much to say about it really~ ^^
Negative Effects?:
As I have mentioned before, I have very sensitive skin and even mild irritants and chemicals can sometimes give me a rash. I'd say that this bb cream would be alright for people with sensitive skin to use, but as always, I recommend testing a little bit out before using it~
Overall Rating: 8/10
Would I Recommend It?
Yes! This bb cream is a very flattering colour and (for me at least), and provides good coverage with just a thin layer, it is great for everyday use, it does not look cakey. I would definitely buy this again if I run out... Which may not be for a while since I currently have 4 bb creams in use XD
I meant to make this review a looooooong time ago when I finally found Etude House's Precious Mineral BB Cream that I'd been looking for! X3
I had actually seen it before, but it was selling for quite a ridiculous price, so I passed on that one, then recently found it on sale for $35 (Still quite a bit, I know), and couldn't help but buy it! :D
I was looking for this BB cream since I started hearing heaps of good stuff about it... And maybe also because Etude House was promoted by some of my favourite actors... <_< >_>
*totally not obsessive* ^^;
The shade I will be reviewing is the #2 Sheer Glowing Skin, it is the medium shade, and is formulated for dry skin. I had actually wanted to buy the paler shade for oily skin (and just wear extra moisturizer), but it wasn't available at the store >_<
Packaging Design: 8/10
The packaging is quite pretty, the colours and design are both really nice, and it comes with a very easy to use pump~
I don't find it quite as awesome as Skin79's BB Cream, but I still love it! ^^
Coverage & Colour: 9/10
The base colour of this BB cream is peachy-yellow (is that even a colour? XD), and it is good for a medium skin tone like mine. It is a bit lighter than my hands, and almost the same (slight lighter) as the skin on my face (I am medium-light, about a NC20-25).
Blotchy skin~ D8
The coverage is at medium-full, and is buildable. I find that it can cover light blemishes easily, and even medium blemishes if you build up a few layers, but you would almost definitely still need concealer for very dark spots or shadows, I always still need concealer to cover my very dark under eye circles. The finish is quite matte compared to most other BB creams, but I still prefer to powder over it. This easily lasts all day (10+) hours when I powder over it~
Consistency & Feel: 7.5/10
The consistency is quite similar to liquid foundation, and blends out quite easily, however, it does seem to dry quite quickly. It feels quite light I do not need to use a lot, as even a thin layer provides pretty great coverage.
Moisturising/Oil Control: 7/10
Since this was formulated for dry skin, I had hoped it would be a bit more moisturizing than it is. it would probably be pretty good for people with normal or slightly dry skin, but my skin is quite dry and this was not as moisturizing as my other 3 BB creams. the oil control is pretty decent, other than a tiny little bit around my nose, I don't get oily even after 7+ hours at school.
Smell: 8/10
The smell is pleasant and not overwhelming... Not much to say about it really~ ^^
Negative Effects?:
As I have mentioned before, I have very sensitive skin and even mild irritants and chemicals can sometimes give me a rash. I'd say that this bb cream would be alright for people with sensitive skin to use, but as always, I recommend testing a little bit out before using it~
Overall Rating: 8/10
Would I Recommend It?
Yes! This bb cream is a very flattering colour and (for me at least), and provides good coverage with just a thin layer, it is great for everyday use, it does not look cakey. I would definitely buy this again if I run out... Which may not be for a while since I currently have 4 bb creams in use XD
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Top 10 Essential Makeup/Skincare Products~
Hey guys!~
Recently, a few of my friends from school have just started learning about the basics of makeup, so I got the idea to write about what I would consider to be the 10 most important makeup and skincare products, that I would recommend for everyone to have~ ^^
(Disclaimer: I am no expert on makeup, but I've been experimenting with makeup quite a lot for about 4 years now, so this is advice from what I've learnt so far!~ ^^)
1. Moisturizer
A good moisturizer that suits your skin type is really important! Especially if you have dry, flaky skin, a suitable moisturizer is absolutely essential, and even if you have oily skin, it's still good to use a light moisturizer. If you have combination skin like I do, try using two separate moisturizers: a richer one on the drier parts of your skin, and a lighter one on the more oily parts, it really does make a difference!
2. Brushes
They're not exactly makeup products, but having a small range of brushes makes a huge difference when applying even very basic makeup, I learned this the hard way! You don't need a huge amount of very expensive professional brushes, especially to begin with, just a small kit of about 5 or so brushes will do: One large foundation/blush brush, at least two eyeshadow brushes of different sizes, one sponge tip brush, and one pointed or angled eyeliner brush
I would recommend buying brushes in a set rather than separately, as a set is usually better value (One brush of decent quality usually costs upwards of $5AUD, whereas a pretty good set of 5+ brushes can cost as little as $10-20), and gives you a good assortment of brushes.
Remember to keep your brushes clean!
3. Concealer
It's quite safe to say that everyone gets blemishes occasionally, some people more than others, and concealer is the best way to cover them up. Although small spots can be covered up with foundation, darker blemishes and under eye shadows often cannot be, no matter how much you apply. However, they can be fixed with just a small amount of concealer~
When buying concealer, always go for a shade lighter than your skin tone for maximum effectiveness.
4. Foundation
A good foundation (or BB cream) is absolutely indispensable! A bit of coverage can be the difference between dull, slightly unevenly toned skin, and bright, smooth looking skin! Finding the right shade of foundation isn't difficult, as long as you put in a bit of effort. Make sure to always try a foundation before buying it, and be sure that it is what you are looking for. Since foundation is used on a large area of your face, don't skimp and buy a cheap brand, if there is one type of makeup that is worth paying a bit of extra money for, it's foundation!
5. Makeup Primer
Primer is applied before makeup, smoothing out the skin to make a good base, and helps your makeup last longer without smudging. The two main types of primer are foundation primer which is applied all over your face before foundation, and eye primer, which is applied on your eyelid before eye makeup.
I personally do not use foundation primer (because I'm lazy), but eye primer is something I have used quite obsessively since I discovered it! I have noticed that my eyeshadow colours look much more vibrant and holds better when I use a primer, and my eyeliner does not smudge off like it used to.
6. Eyeliner
A basic black or brown eyeliner is very easy to find, and even one of decent quality shouldn't cost a fortune. There are 3 main types of eyeliner: Pencil liner, liquid liner, and gel liner.
Pencil liner is great to begin with, it smudges out quite easily for a softer look, and is usually easier to remove, and harder to mess up with.
Liquid liner can come in a little container with a brush, or as a brush pen. I find pen liquid liners to be the most convenient and easy to use, and is great if you want darker, sharper lines. I usually carry around a pen liquid liner when I go out, since it's great for quick makeup touchups.
Gel liner is similar to liquid liner, it generally comes in a little container, sometimes with a brush (However, I'd recommend buying your own brush, a small angled brush is best). I find that gel liner tends to last longer, so I actually prefer to use gel liner over liquid liner when I cosplay or wear heavy makeup.
7. Eyeshadow
A small palette of eyeshadows in colours that are flattering to your features may not seem like much, but it can really help brighten up your eyes. For a natural look, you want to stick to beiges and browns, mostly just to create a bit more depth, but I personally love experimenting with lots of different colours and combinations of eyeshadows to create new looks.
My recommendation would be to buy an assortment of inexpensive eyeshadows to try out in order to find your best colours, before investing more money into good quality ones. Remember, your favourite colours aren't always the ones that look best! (Another thing I learned the hard way...)
Eyeshadows can also be used to fill in and define your eyebrows, giving you a nicer, tidier look overall. (I don't really like eyebrow pencils, they are a bit too harsh looking for my tastes~)
8. Mascara
Although I have a small obsession with wearing false eyelashes, a good quality mascara is still something I consider really important to have.
Mascara is something that is worth paying a proper amount for, cheap mascaras just don't cut it, especially if you have short eyelashes. I find that curling your eyelashes and applying mascara really opens up the eyes. Layering different mascaras is great if you have short eyelashes, using a lengthening mascara under a thickening one can really give your eyelashes (and your overall look) a huge boost!
For school, I'm usually too lazy to put on much makeup at all, but I almost always curl and mascara my eyelashes. I only use waterproof mascara because it holds curl better, the other ones weigh my eyelashes down~
9. Makeup Remover
As great as makeup is, it is obviously not good for your skin if it is left on for a long time, so a good makeup remover is almost just as important as good makeup. Acne/pimples/blemishes can be easily caused by not removing your makeup properly, and can be just as easily prevented. Make sure to get a good makeup remover that works for your skin type, especially is you have sensitive skin like me. I find that many makeup removers irritate my skin, so do be careful when you buy one!
10. Facial Cleanser/Scrub
Cleansing and exfoliating is quite basic skincare. It removes impurities, as well as dead skin cells, giving you nicer, smoother skin. There are so many types of cleaners and scrubs to choose from(Blackhead removing, oil control, brightening etc.), so it's probably best to choose a few, and switch between products regularly for a wider range of benefits, and so that your skin does not get immune to it.
When it comes to scrubs, be careful when choosing one if you have sensitive skin. Very coarse scrubs can irritate your skin, and cause more harm than good. Try to find a product with less and smaller grains in it~
Other Highly Recommended Products:
And that's it! I know it might sound like a lot to have, but trust me, it really isn't~ XD
Over the years, without even trying to, I've built up quite a large collection of makeup, much more than what I have suggested here! ^^;
It's not much compared to those (lucky) people with entire suitcases full of makeup, but it's quite a bit for a teenager with strict and disapproving asian parents~ XD
And another thing: Even if you don't finish using a makeup product, don't just keep it for ages! If you use very old makeup, it can irritate your skin and eyes! >_<
As a very rough guide, never keep liquid/cream products (Liquid eyeliner, mascara, liquid/cream foundation etc.) for longer than a year, and dry products (Power eyeshadows, powder foundation etc.) should be replaced at very least once every two years. Note that these are the absolute maximum time limits, most people would tell you to replace these products much more often!
I hope that you guys will find this guide somewhat useful!~ ^^
~アキ
P.S. Please leave a vote on my polls so I know what I should post next!~ ^^
Recently, a few of my friends from school have just started learning about the basics of makeup, so I got the idea to write about what I would consider to be the 10 most important makeup and skincare products, that I would recommend for everyone to have~ ^^
(Disclaimer: I am no expert on makeup, but I've been experimenting with makeup quite a lot for about 4 years now, so this is advice from what I've learnt so far!~ ^^)
1. Moisturizer
A good moisturizer that suits your skin type is really important! Especially if you have dry, flaky skin, a suitable moisturizer is absolutely essential, and even if you have oily skin, it's still good to use a light moisturizer. If you have combination skin like I do, try using two separate moisturizers: a richer one on the drier parts of your skin, and a lighter one on the more oily parts, it really does make a difference!
Baviphat Peach All-in-one Waterfull Cream
2. Brushes
They're not exactly makeup products, but having a small range of brushes makes a huge difference when applying even very basic makeup, I learned this the hard way! You don't need a huge amount of very expensive professional brushes, especially to begin with, just a small kit of about 5 or so brushes will do: One large foundation/blush brush, at least two eyeshadow brushes of different sizes, one sponge tip brush, and one pointed or angled eyeliner brush
I would recommend buying brushes in a set rather than separately, as a set is usually better value (One brush of decent quality usually costs upwards of $5AUD, whereas a pretty good set of 5+ brushes can cost as little as $10-20), and gives you a good assortment of brushes.
Remember to keep your brushes clean!
Cerro Queen Brush Set + 2 random brushes~ XD
3. Concealer
It's quite safe to say that everyone gets blemishes occasionally, some people more than others, and concealer is the best way to cover them up. Although small spots can be covered up with foundation, darker blemishes and under eye shadows often cannot be, no matter how much you apply. However, they can be fixed with just a small amount of concealer~
When buying concealer, always go for a shade lighter than your skin tone for maximum effectiveness.
NYX Concealer in a Jar
4. Foundation
A good foundation (or BB cream) is absolutely indispensable! A bit of coverage can be the difference between dull, slightly unevenly toned skin, and bright, smooth looking skin! Finding the right shade of foundation isn't difficult, as long as you put in a bit of effort. Make sure to always try a foundation before buying it, and be sure that it is what you are looking for. Since foundation is used on a large area of your face, don't skimp and buy a cheap brand, if there is one type of makeup that is worth paying a bit of extra money for, it's foundation!
Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream, Skin79 Super+ Beblesh Balm, NYX Twin Cake
5. Makeup Primer
Primer is applied before makeup, smoothing out the skin to make a good base, and helps your makeup last longer without smudging. The two main types of primer are foundation primer which is applied all over your face before foundation, and eye primer, which is applied on your eyelid before eye makeup.
I personally do not use foundation primer (because I'm lazy), but eye primer is something I have used quite obsessively since I discovered it! I have noticed that my eyeshadow colours look much more vibrant and holds better when I use a primer, and my eyeliner does not smudge off like it used to.
La Splash Eyeshadow Base/Sealer
6. Eyeliner
A basic black or brown eyeliner is very easy to find, and even one of decent quality shouldn't cost a fortune. There are 3 main types of eyeliner: Pencil liner, liquid liner, and gel liner.
Pencil liner is great to begin with, it smudges out quite easily for a softer look, and is usually easier to remove, and harder to mess up with.
Liquid liner can come in a little container with a brush, or as a brush pen. I find pen liquid liners to be the most convenient and easy to use, and is great if you want darker, sharper lines. I usually carry around a pen liquid liner when I go out, since it's great for quick makeup touchups.
Gel liner is similar to liquid liner, it generally comes in a little container, sometimes with a brush (However, I'd recommend buying your own brush, a small angled brush is best). I find that gel liner tends to last longer, so I actually prefer to use gel liner over liquid liner when I cosplay or wear heavy makeup.
Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Liner, MAC Smolder Eye Kohl, Heavy Rotation Gel Liner, Super Skinny Eye Marker
7. Eyeshadow
A small palette of eyeshadows in colours that are flattering to your features may not seem like much, but it can really help brighten up your eyes. For a natural look, you want to stick to beiges and browns, mostly just to create a bit more depth, but I personally love experimenting with lots of different colours and combinations of eyeshadows to create new looks.
My recommendation would be to buy an assortment of inexpensive eyeshadows to try out in order to find your best colours, before investing more money into good quality ones. Remember, your favourite colours aren't always the ones that look best! (Another thing I learned the hard way...)
Eyeshadows can also be used to fill in and define your eyebrows, giving you a nicer, tidier look overall. (I don't really like eyebrow pencils, they are a bit too harsh looking for my tastes~)
88 Colour Eyeshadow Palette, L.A. Girl Mega Pearl Eyeshadows, Maybelline Eye Studio Palette
8. Mascara
Although I have a small obsession with wearing false eyelashes, a good quality mascara is still something I consider really important to have.
Mascara is something that is worth paying a proper amount for, cheap mascaras just don't cut it, especially if you have short eyelashes. I find that curling your eyelashes and applying mascara really opens up the eyes. Layering different mascaras is great if you have short eyelashes, using a lengthening mascara under a thickening one can really give your eyelashes (and your overall look) a huge boost!
For school, I'm usually too lazy to put on much makeup at all, but I almost always curl and mascara my eyelashes. I only use waterproof mascara because it holds curl better, the other ones weigh my eyelashes down~
Maybelline Lash Stiletto
9. Makeup Remover
As great as makeup is, it is obviously not good for your skin if it is left on for a long time, so a good makeup remover is almost just as important as good makeup. Acne/pimples/blemishes can be easily caused by not removing your makeup properly, and can be just as easily prevented. Make sure to get a good makeup remover that works for your skin type, especially is you have sensitive skin like me. I find that many makeup removers irritate my skin, so do be careful when you buy one!
Jurlique Cleansing Lotion, La Prairie Cleansing Water
10. Facial Cleanser/Scrub
Cleansing and exfoliating is quite basic skincare. It removes impurities, as well as dead skin cells, giving you nicer, smoother skin. There are so many types of cleaners and scrubs to choose from(Blackhead removing, oil control, brightening etc.), so it's probably best to choose a few, and switch between products regularly for a wider range of benefits, and so that your skin does not get immune to it.
When it comes to scrubs, be careful when choosing one if you have sensitive skin. Very coarse scrubs can irritate your skin, and cause more harm than good. Try to find a product with less and smaller grains in it~
Nivea Visage Gentle Exfoliating Scrub, Baviphat Mango Steam Scrub, Neutrogena Rapid Clear
Other Highly Recommended Products:
- A good lip gloss/lipstick/lip stain
- A white/pale/glitter eyeliner to brighten up the eyes
- Good quality false eyelashes and glue (Smaller pairs can look quite natural, not too obviously fake~)
And that's it! I know it might sound like a lot to have, but trust me, it really isn't~ XD
Over the years, without even trying to, I've built up quite a large collection of makeup, much more than what I have suggested here! ^^;
It's not much compared to those (lucky) people with entire suitcases full of makeup, but it's quite a bit for a teenager with strict and disapproving asian parents~ XD
And another thing: Even if you don't finish using a makeup product, don't just keep it for ages! If you use very old makeup, it can irritate your skin and eyes! >_<
As a very rough guide, never keep liquid/cream products (Liquid eyeliner, mascara, liquid/cream foundation etc.) for longer than a year, and dry products (Power eyeshadows, powder foundation etc.) should be replaced at very least once every two years. Note that these are the absolute maximum time limits, most people would tell you to replace these products much more often!
I hope that you guys will find this guide somewhat useful!~ ^^
~アキ
P.S. Please leave a vote on my polls so I know what I should post next!~ ^^
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Skin79 Super+ Beblesh Balm (BB Cream) Review~
Hey guys!~ ^^
Sorry for not posting for so long~ I've been very busy with exams lately, but I'll definitely try to get a few more makeup tutorials and cosplay shoot photos up soon!~ :D
So today I bought my second BB cream(I've tried 4 different ones so far), and I absolutely love it, so since I have next to nothing to do, I decided to write a review for it~
This is my first makeup review, I'll try my best!~ ^^
The BB cream I will be reviewing is Skin79's Super+ Beblesh Balm~
I got this from a little shop near Chinatown for $35AUD, although I have seen it in a few other shops in the area for a bit more ($40-$60).
It is supposed to have 'Triple Functions', whitening, UV protection SPF25 and wrinkle prevention~
Packaging Design: 10/10
I absolutely love the designs of the box and container! Although I'm not a huge fan of the colour pink, the simple but nice design really stood out to me, and was one of the reasons that I bought it. Yay for impulse buying? ^^;
I think that the little pink bottle is really cute and pretty (Yes, I am a weirdo that finds bottles cute XD), and the pump is very easy to use~
Coverage and Colour: 7.5/10
The coverage is medium-light, it works nicely as a light foundation if you have pretty good skin, and it is buildable if you want more coverage, but it might not cover any large/dark blemishes or acne. I like to first use a little bit of concealer on any very dark blemishes or dark under eye circles before putting on the BB cream. It also has quite a dewy finish, but I personally prefer my skin to be a bit more matte, so I also like to but a light layer of powder over it.
This BB cream is not very pale, it is only a little bit lighter than the skin on my face (I am slightly paler than average Asian person I guess? About a NC20-NC25), and I really like it, since I prefer to look lighter rather than darker. This BB cream might be a bit too light for anyone whose skin is tanner than average.
It also seems to have a bit of a grey-ish undertone as opposed to a yellow or pink undertone. I actually really like this, as it helps cover up redness quite well, which I something I often have a problem with.
Consistancy and Feel: 8/10
The consistency is about the same most liquid foundations. It blends out very easily and quite thinly, and doesn't feel heavy even when I build up a few layers.
Moisturising/Oil Control: 9/10
My skin is quite dry, apart from my nose which can get quite oily. Most of my face often tends to feel dry when I only wear powder foundation for more than a few hours, even after I moisturize, especially since I wear my foundation quite thick when I cosplay. However, if I wear a layer or two of this BB cream under powder foundation, my skin feels significantly less dry than the usual.
As for oil control, it also seemed to help. When I go out, only wearing powder foundation, I find that on average, I need to powder over my nose every 3 or so hours. However, when I wore this BB cream under my cosplay makeup for about 10 hours on Sunday, I only had to powder over it once for the entire day~
My makeup did not flake off or rub off at all like it usually does either, so I would really recommend this as a makeup base for those of you who like to sometimes wear heavy makeup like me~
This BB cream seems to work quite well for my skin, which is quite dry in some places, and slightly oily in others, so I think that it would be appropriate for most skin types other than the extremes.
Smell: 8/10
The smell is quite pleasant and light, but nothing amazing. If I had to describe it's I'd say that it smells sort of like perfume mixed with a little bit of baby powder?
Whitening/UV Protection/Wrinkle Improvement:
My skin tone changes on an almost daily basis depending on the amount of sleep I get, and I don't go out in the sun much, so I'm probably not the best person to judge the effects of whitening and UV protection. As for wrinkle improvement... I'll tell you guys in about 20 years? XD (Jk~~)
Negative Effects?:
I have quite sensitive (read: annoying) skin that reacts badly to many types of chemicals, and a few types of makeup, but this BB cream has not caused me to have any breakouts or rashes after using it for a week. I would say that it is quite safe to use on most skin types, but always be careful, and test a small amount of the product on your skin first if you know you have allergies or sensitive skin!
Overall Rating: 8.5
Would I recommend it?
Yes, I would definitely recommend this! Out of the BB creams I have tried so far (Baviphat Sugar Girl Moist Collagen, Baviphat Magic Girls, Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector, Skin79 Super+), I definitely like this one the best!
I would recommend this to anyone with light to medium skin tone, who is looking for a medium, natural coverage, or a just great base to use under thicker makeup~ ^^
Sorry for not posting for so long~ I've been very busy with exams lately, but I'll definitely try to get a few more makeup tutorials and cosplay shoot photos up soon!~ :D
So today I bought my second BB cream(I've tried 4 different ones so far), and I absolutely love it, so since I have next to nothing to do, I decided to write a review for it~
This is my first makeup review, I'll try my best!~ ^^
The BB cream I will be reviewing is Skin79's Super+ Beblesh Balm~
I got this from a little shop near Chinatown for $35AUD, although I have seen it in a few other shops in the area for a bit more ($40-$60).
It is supposed to have 'Triple Functions', whitening, UV protection SPF25 and wrinkle prevention~
Packaging Design: 10/10
I absolutely love the designs of the box and container! Although I'm not a huge fan of the colour pink, the simple but nice design really stood out to me, and was one of the reasons that I bought it. Yay for impulse buying? ^^;
I think that the little pink bottle is really cute and pretty (Yes, I am a weirdo that finds bottles cute XD), and the pump is very easy to use~
Coverage and Colour: 7.5/10
This BB cream is not very pale, it is only a little bit lighter than the skin on my face (I am slightly paler than average Asian person I guess? About a NC20-NC25), and I really like it, since I prefer to look lighter rather than darker. This BB cream might be a bit too light for anyone whose skin is tanner than average.
It also seems to have a bit of a grey-ish undertone as opposed to a yellow or pink undertone. I actually really like this, as it helps cover up redness quite well, which I something I often have a problem with.
Consistancy and Feel: 8/10
The consistency is about the same most liquid foundations. It blends out very easily and quite thinly, and doesn't feel heavy even when I build up a few layers.
Moisturising/Oil Control: 9/10
My skin is quite dry, apart from my nose which can get quite oily. Most of my face often tends to feel dry when I only wear powder foundation for more than a few hours, even after I moisturize, especially since I wear my foundation quite thick when I cosplay. However, if I wear a layer or two of this BB cream under powder foundation, my skin feels significantly less dry than the usual.
As for oil control, it also seemed to help. When I go out, only wearing powder foundation, I find that on average, I need to powder over my nose every 3 or so hours. However, when I wore this BB cream under my cosplay makeup for about 10 hours on Sunday, I only had to powder over it once for the entire day~
My makeup did not flake off or rub off at all like it usually does either, so I would really recommend this as a makeup base for those of you who like to sometimes wear heavy makeup like me~
This BB cream seems to work quite well for my skin, which is quite dry in some places, and slightly oily in others, so I think that it would be appropriate for most skin types other than the extremes.
Smell: 8/10
The smell is quite pleasant and light, but nothing amazing. If I had to describe it's I'd say that it smells sort of like perfume mixed with a little bit of baby powder?
Whitening/UV Protection/Wrinkle Improvement:
My skin tone changes on an almost daily basis depending on the amount of sleep I get, and I don't go out in the sun much, so I'm probably not the best person to judge the effects of whitening and UV protection. As for wrinkle improvement... I'll tell you guys in about 20 years? XD (Jk~~)
Negative Effects?:
I have quite sensitive (read: annoying) skin that reacts badly to many types of chemicals, and a few types of makeup, but this BB cream has not caused me to have any breakouts or rashes after using it for a week. I would say that it is quite safe to use on most skin types, but always be careful, and test a small amount of the product on your skin first if you know you have allergies or sensitive skin!
Overall Rating: 8.5
Would I recommend it?
Yes, I would definitely recommend this! Out of the BB creams I have tried so far (Baviphat Sugar Girl Moist Collagen, Baviphat Magic Girls, Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector, Skin79 Super+), I definitely like this one the best!
I would recommend this to anyone with light to medium skin tone, who is looking for a medium, natural coverage, or a just great base to use under thicker makeup~ ^^
~アキ
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