ILLAMASQUA: Powder Blusher In Nymph

ILLAMASQUA has been in Singapore for quite some time now, located at Robinsons Orchard. Singapore is the second country in Asia – Thailand being the first – to welcome the brand. They picked our sunny island partly because they’ve seen a consistent stream of Singaporean tourists shopping at the Illamasqua counters in Bangkok. The prices here are lower than those in Thailand. (Hurrah!)

I have been eyeing on their blushes for quite a while now, since last year (yes I finally caved in and bought it!). Their blushes are all extra finely milled, super soft, super pigmented and very easy to blend.

ILLAMASQUA: Powder Blusher (Nymph) ( SGD$44 ) is describe this as warm candy pink with matte finish by them. I don't know about you, but I definitely put this in the cool pink category especially on my skin tone. It has good colour pay off, their blushes never disappoint no matter whether it's in matte finish or other finishes. The only thing that is bothering me is their packaging! I wouldn't say I'm in love with their packaging, I do like the their shape and design but it is just way too bulky and inconvenient.

Left: Normal swatch Right: Blended swatch

ILLAMASQUA blushes are great investment and they are cheaper then Nars blushes. If I'm to choose I would go for them rather then Nars blushes. I'm definitely going to get some more colours soon.

What are your favourite blushes from? 

Nars: Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow in Phoebe

I'm always drawn to eyes make up and eyeshadows since I started learning about make up and very attentive in my class when I was taking my Diploma in Make Up Artistry. I always believe that eyes is a window to your soul!

Yes I admit that I have got a hoarding problem with my eyeshadows..... there are quite a number of palettes, quads, trios, duos, singles, etc in my make up collection from drugstore to high-end. I really can't help myself when I saw these from Nars and decided to pick one up to try.

NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow (Phoebe) ( SGD$44 for 0.05 oz.) is a deep shimmering amethyst, a plummy purple with warm undertones and a metallic finish. When applied dry, it was semi-opaque but had a lighter, softer look, as when it was applied with a dampened brush, it was deeper, richer, and fully opaque. It is supposed to be a wet/dry formulation that yields sheer color when applied dry, “intense, opaque color” when applied with a “dampened brush.” They are blendable when applied either wet or dry. The texture is soft, finely-milled, not powdery and very smooth. I think that the formula is fabulous and the only and biggest problem is the price, they're more expensive and contain less.

Left: Dry swatch Right: Wet swatch

Huge thumbs up for the wonderful formula from Nars but for the price point for just a single eyeshadow is way too much. I wouldn't repurchase not because I don't like the product.. I actually love it but it is way too over price and there are a lot of brands which makes darn good eyeshadows which is much cheaper.

What do you think? Tried them yet?

My other Nars products review links

Link to: Nars: PRO-PRIME Smudge Proof Eyeshadow BaseLink to: Nars Light Reflecting Setting Powder - Pressed

The Balm: Cindy-Lou Manizer

Hi everyone, remember my previous post reviewing  The Balm: Mary-Lou Manizer (Linked is below if you want to check it out) which I is one of my favourite highlighter! I bought their Cindy-Lou Manizer about 2 months back and am very prepared for a review now since I have been using it for quite sometime now.

The packaging has the same pin-up vintage vibe which alway makes me feel whimsical. Inside you will find a generous sized mirror.

The Balm: Cindy-Lou Manizer (SGD $36.90 @ Sasa Singapore) This product contains 8.5g/0.3 oz which is double the average amount of your average blush and I don't think I will ever finish it. It is a soft pinky-peach colour with a beautiful frosted sheen when applied. It adds luminosity, warmth, glow and can be used on cheeks, lids and as well as the rest of the face. I'm considered quite fair for an Asian Chinese I can even use it as just a subtle blush.  It doesn’t have a chalky or white base, so it should work as a highlighter on deeper complexions. The finish is high-shine but forgiving, so it doesn’t emphasize pores. This powder had such a soft, buttery, silky texture that it was easy to apply and blend, and it’s very, very pigmented–a little goes a long way.

I can’t say this has replaced my love for Mary-Lou, but it’s still something I wear a lot when I’m looking for a shimmery pink blush. Which do you prefer Mary-Lou Manizer or Cindy-Lou Manizer? 

Link to: The Balm: Mary-Lou Manizer

Stila: In The Know Eye-Shadow Palette

Can you believe it took me donkey years just to buy and try Stila's eyeshadow palette! I always pass by and swatch them while thinking OMG they are so pigmented and so buttery soft and smooth, but I'm really not sure why I never got them?!?.. In Singapore there isn't a lot of decent matte eyeshadows around because a lot of people prefer shimmery, glittery eyeshadows here due to the trend here are geared more towards Japan and Korea.

I had always love matte eyeshadows I think that they excellent for simple day to day classic look and they never really go out of style or trend in my opinion.

Stila: In The Know Eye-Shadow Palette (SGD $55) The shades are pigmented, super easy to blend and apply. What I didn’t fancy is the lack of contrast in some of these shades placed side by side, which makes me feel like you’d be limited in the number of combos you could create using just this palette all by itself. Mixing it with other eyeshadows you already have would deliver a wider range of looks, in my opinion. 

They have a look-book if you are out of ideas creating new looks, sometimes it does comes in handy.

 (Top Row, L to R) Air, Wind, Desert, Clay, Earth

                                       (Bottom Row, L to R) Driftwood, Fire, Rain, Smoke, Ebony

Air – Matte beige

Driftwood – Mid-tone brown

Wind – Soft matte peach with yellow tones

Fire – Matte brick orange

Desert – Soft matte tan with warm tones

Rain -Matte brown

Clay – Matte warm pink

Smoke – Matte charcoal grey

Earth – Deep  matte chocolate brown

Ebony – Matte black

And as a bonus they come with a Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Halfmoon which I much prefer then always getting an 2 ended eyeshadow brush like most brand would give. I like that it is a dark charcoal grey shade and it's a staple in my makeup bag some where.

Overall it's a great matte palette and a great addition to whatever you have, plus its a bargain with 10 shades and comes with a great eyeliner.

Have you tried stila's "in the know" palette?

Love it? Hate it?

What's your current everyday palette/quad/trio/etc.?

Do share!

xoxo - Diana

My other stila's product review
Link to: Stila: Custom Colour Blush - Pink

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick (Melted Nude)

A new and permanent Liquid Lipstick from Too Faced that's supposed to have "intensely saturated lip colour with a precise tip applicator and has the shine of a gloss, lasting power of a stain, and pigment packed colour of a liquid lipstick."

I really wanted to get their other colour Melted Peony but it was the first to sold out and its not back in stock yet, they sold like hot cakes right here in Singapore! This is what I picked up,

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick (Melted Nude) (SGD $30)  is described as a 'neutral nude', it's a medium beige with warm undertones and a satin -matte finish. The consistency is light-medium–not too thick but not runny or watery–and is squeezed out of the tube through a flocked, angled applicator.  A little goes a long way, there is not a need to squeeze too much at once.The application of the colors was smooth, and delivered even, opaque color that didn’t settle into lip lines or feather/bleed outside of the natural lip line. They were neither drying nor hydrating over time. The finish is a satin, which turns to a matte after three to four hours of wear, but they never fully set, so these aren’t transfer-proof. It had intense pigmentation that was opaque and smooth on the lips. This shade wore well for five hours without eating.

I do really love the formula and intend to get more shades when they're back in stock! It is definitely worth the try and buy. What do you think try any of them yet?

Links to my other Too Faced products review

Link to: Too Faced La Creme Color Drenched Lip Cream: Lollipop

Link to: Too Faced: Chocolate Bar Eye Shadow Collection

Link to: Too Faced La Creme Color Drenched Lip Cream: I Want Candy

Nars: PRO-PRIME Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Nars: PRO-PRIME Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (SGD $37) have a doe-foot applicator (like the kind you see in lipgloss). It has an incredibly thin, slightly creamy consistency. When applied, it looks white on the applicator, but it is virtually colorless when it is on. It works really well. It lives up to all the claims NARS makes about it: lightweight, extends the wear, smooths the surface, and maximizes color. I didn’t experience any budging, smudging, creasing, or migration when I used this as a primer underneath my eyeshadows. It is a clear, matte primer that merely smooths over the lid and acts to hold and bond all the eyeshadow together. Colors definitely didn’t look muted at all, and they held their intensity throughout the day.

I do not like Urban Decay Primer Potion at all, as for Too Faced Shadow Insurance I am not sure because I never tried any of them at all. Its quite a surprise for myself that I actually like this Nars Primer because I had always used cream shadows as a base.

It is definitely a great investment if you wear eyeshadows a lot, slightly pricey I think but at least it is worth it. What do you think?

My other Nars products review links

Link to: Nars Light Reflecting Setting Powder - Pressed

The Body Shop: Colour Glide Lip Colour (#14 Pink Ginger)

This is an impulse buy, I definitely do not need anymore lipsticks with my ever growing collection of lipsticks! I got this in a sale and this was mark down quite a bit plus I've never tried any lipsticks from The Body Shop before and that is why I got it.

A moisturizing lip colour that provides lasting shade and glides on effortlessly, while taking care of your lips with naturally-derived moisturising ingredients. They have 19 lip-tastic shades

The Body Shop: Colour Glide Lip Colour (#14 Pink Ginger) (SGD $22.90 Original price) is slightly mauvey plummy colour with a a bit of purple undertone on my lips. It felt smooth and glides on easily giving me a wash of colour that has a medium coverage with glossy finish. They're not drying but do not last that well on me for 2 hours maximum. I'm not bother by the lasting power because this is such an easy lipstick to put on day to day similar to the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter.

I did enjoy this lippie quite a bit but if it wasn't on sale I don't think I'll get them because I would rather get the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter because they are cheaper. I do think it is a good product still.

Tried them yet? Love it or Hate it?

Hugs & Kisses XOXO

Check out my other The Body Shop Reviews!

Link to: The Body Shop: Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter

Link to: The Body Shop: Tea Tree Cool & Creamy Wash

Link to: The Body Shop: Olive Textured Body Scrubs
Link to: The Body Shop: Almond Body Butter & Macadamia Body Butter Duo

Link to: The Body Shop: Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder 

Revlon: The Classic Super Lustrous Lipstick (#415 Pink In The Afternoon)

In Singapore one of the most common brand from the 'drugstore' is Revlon which happens to be one of my favourite 'drugstore' brand I love a lot. They always have great quality products and one of them happens to be their Super Lustrous Lipsticks Line. I remembered loving their #477 black cherry when I was really a really young teenage girl and back then it was a very trendy colour to wear dark lips.

But Singapore doesn't carry that shade anymore, the selection of shades here aren't that much. One of my favourite shade now happens to be a pink shade.

Revlon: Super Lustrous Lipstick (#415 Pink In The Afternoon) (SGD $18.90) is a beautiful soft coral pink, incredibly smooth and creamy with good pigmentation. It has a creme finish and not to say a great bargain for such a great quality product. Lasting power in such a hot and humid country like Singapore is always max 3 hours on me which is fairy common.

I'm not sure whether they are discontinuing this line a not because most of the time when new products comes out a lot of other older product might get discontinued, it's very common here in Singapore that we don't have a great variety compare to the States or even UK or Europe. I really hope not because they are the cult classics and not to mention great lipsticks!!

I really love their Super Lustrous line! What do you think?

Hugs & Kisses XOXO

My other Revlon Reviews link if you're interested

Link to: Revlon Colorburst Matte Balms: Shameless (#215), Showy (#220) & Unapologetic (#210)

Link to: Revlon Photo Ready Two-Way Powder Foundation SPF 19

Link to: Revlon PhotoReady Concealer (#002 Light Pale) 

Butter London Nail foundation Flawless Basecoat

I've been trying tons and tons of different brands of base coat but never found one as amazing as this Butter London Nail Foundation Flawless Base Coat. Its so difficult to find one that dry fast, stain-resistant, hides and smooths tiny ridges and yet non-toxic.

Butter LONDON does not add formaldehyde, toluene, or DBP to any of its nail formulas. It's color without compromise.

Butter London Nail foundation Flawless Basecoat (SGD $28) dries very fast to a matte finish. Definitely stain-resistant! I had tried so many brands of base coat promising stain free but non I've found as good as this, you will notice a huge difference once you've try this. It does make your polish last reasonably longer (if you want polish to last very long then it is a must that you try gel polish brands from Korea or Japan they are pure gel without harmful chemicals and quality is better then most America or Europe brands, for people who change nails colour quite a bit then Butter London is your best bet to make them last longer).

There is nothing I find I do not like from this base coat except the price of cause, quite a pricy basecoat for sure but I'll repurchase it again once I've finish it up. My holy grail base coat!! It works extremely well with my holy grail top coat Seche Vite, the best combination I found so far.

 Any other cheaper recommendation? Or have you tried and fell in love like me?

Love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to leave a comment down below and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.