Before & After

Some more Indian Occasion looks...!

Review: WOW Moisturizing Lipsticks with Swatches

I've never been one to buy a lot of lipstick shades. I generally stuck to the few shades that I was happy with. Recently, I've become more adventurous and ordered a whole lot of shades from the WOW range and find myself recommending it to my clients as touch up lipsticks for their functions as they are very inexpensive and safe to use- (by safe, I mean they are not the 'made in China' brand)

They have 2 types of lipsticks in their range- the moisturizing lipsticks and the long lasting, matt lipsticks. The ones I have swatched is the moisturizing lipsticks which has about 90 different shades. I hope to slowly buy a lot more to build up a collection as I really like the quality of the product-especially since it is not overly priced.

They apply very easily with little effort and have a glide on application with no tugging on the lips. As the type suggests, it's moisturizing and has an amazingly pleasant smell. They are creamy and highly pigmented. The color pay off is excellent and did I mention that they are cheap??? Lol.

I realized after swatching them that I was attracted to shades very similar to each other in color. But, I'm not complaining as I'm thoroughly happy with each and every shade that I've bought. Right now, in Durban, u can purchase it through individual agents and the prices range from R25/R30 for a 3.8gr tube.

The swatch colors on my hand are bang on but the pictures of the lipstick itself is not the best. My apologies....

Review: Essence 3D Duo Eyeshadows- Irresistible Mermaid Kiss, Irresistible Green Dreams, Irresistible Purr-ple

Last week I purchased 3 of Essence Cosmetics 3D duo eyeshadows. Each shadow comes in 2 tones- a lighter shade which can be used as a highlighter or on the inner corner of the eyes and a deeper, darker shade that can be used across the entire lid, on the crease line or just to smoke out the look.

Each of the shadows has a nice soft feel to it and the darker shades are extremely well pigmented. What I like about them is that they are packed with fine, blend-able shimmer(and who doesn't love shimmer?) If you want a deeper intensity, try applying them wet and watch the colors POP. They have a long enough wear time on their own but if you want more than 6 hours of wear, apply them over an eyeshadow primer and base. One thing that I really loved about these eyeshadows is when a bit of pressure is used to apply it, it did not go on patchy- instead it leaves a very evenly pigmented layer that is very easy to build and blend. The lighter colors in this duo pick up powdery but once applied, gets the job decently done. They are currently retailing at R39.95 for 2.8gr of product and can be found at most Clicks, Hub and Dischem pharmacies.

Essence 3D Duo Eyeshadows

The colors that I purchased are:

• Irresistible Mermaid Kiss(No 06)-  this is a mint green color, just like the green of the deep ocean waves.
• Irresistible Green Dream-(No 01)- the lighter shade in this duo leans more towards a very pale mint green but the darker shade is more of a darker avocado green. It's an amazingly beautiful shade which you would definitely enjoy using...alone or accompanied by a complementing shade.
• Irresistible Purr-ple(No 02)- this duo comprises of 2 shades of purple from either extremes...the lighter shade borders more on a silvery lilac shade whilst the main color is an intense mauve color with shimmery blue specks. Here again....a color not to be ignored.

Swatches

Irresistible Mermaid Kiss- No 06

Irresistible Green Dream- No 01

Irresistible Purr-ple- No 02

Colors swatched without any base or primer.

Shimmer Versus Glitter- 5 advantages that shimmer has over glitter

Shimmer powders have all the bling and glamour that glitter has but it is not as heavy. It is exactly as it's name suggests....fine, soft, weightless sparkly powder. Shimmer reminds me of soft twinkling stars nestled comfortably in the horizon. Most of us use it in our makeup application to give a hint of radiance and shine. I love this product because of its multi purpose use and it's soft butterfly feel. Shimmer reminds me of fairies...I guess that's where the term 'fairy dust' came about.


Shimmer Vs Glitter

Shimmer offers a more sheer and subtle application compared to glitter

• The one property I love about shimmer powders is that it can be built up from a sheer, subtle look to a heavy, glamorous effect unlike its counterpart (glitter). 
• Although I also love using glitter to create certain looks, I feel that it doesn't allow you much control in terms of the effect- and if you are not practiced at applying it, may end up being quite heavy handed and looking like a drag queen or disco ball.
• With shimmer, it's easier to clean up any fall out unlike glitter which sticks onto the skin and is difficult to remove. 
• Shimmer can be used on the body to give a subtle glow to the skin and also as a highlighter on brow bone, for contouring the face and as a blusher.
• Because shimmer powder is so fine and powdery, it is 100% safe to use around eye area with little concern for irritation if it accidentally gets into the eye. Glitter on the other hand can be most uncomfortable and sometimes painful if it gets into the eye.

2 looks created using shimmer & glitter as the eyeshadow.

Both shimmer and glitter are exceptional products on their own. Their use depends greatly on the look that you are going for. When I look at shimmer, I see radiance.....when I look at glitter, I see dazzling. Glitter is a product that is excellent for use in stage work and in more definitive looks like glitter lines. If you want a brilliant reflective shine, glitter is what you'll want to use whereas shimmer is not only ideal but perfect for achieving a soft, dewy luminous finish.

Makeup Must Haves for over 40's

As we get older, our makeup style changes. With our bodies giving in to gravity and other forces that are beyond our control, we find that what had worked in our beauty and makeup regime over the years that we've left behind, no longer seems to be doing their magic. As we age, every aspect of our bodies needs change and embracing this transformation should not have to be done grudgingly. When you are aware of how to accommodate these changes, shifting gear to a higher mode becomes an effortless and welcoming transition.

Now what I fail to understand is why do we always have to see young 20 somethings promoting makeup products and us 30/40/50 something's promoting anti-ageing creams, lotions and potions? This type of blatant stereotyping leaves us with beliefs that as we get older, the need for makeup does not really matter. But it's a proven fact that when we look good, we feel better about our selves and our confidence is boosted.  Therefore we have more and more women of all ages taking the help of makeup to enhance the way we look. Even star actors and actresses do not get out of bed looking the way they do in pictures. So why are we mature women always sidelined in the makeup world-  someone needs to let the secret be known....women are like fine wine...we get better with age!!!

The key rule for mature makeup is....KEEP IT SIMPLE! As we age, wearing your makeup in a way that naturally defines your features is what we should be aiming for. Let's see what beauty must haves we need to get our hands on to keep us looking radiant at any age.

Soft, simple, sheer....simply stunning!

1. First up, apart from exfoliation, cleanser, toner and moisturizer is your concealer and foundation. With fine lines and wrinkles creeping in, stay away from powder foundations. They only help in exaggerating the creases and wrinkles as they find a way to creep and settle into these lines. Your best bet would be to buy a liquid or cream based foundation- it's lightweight and sheerness not only lends a glow to your skin, but the oils contained in them helps to keep out the dryness. If you are lucky and do not have patchy skin, you could opt for a tinted moisturizer. However, with most women, their complexion tends to become blotchy and the biggest problem we face as Indians is the patchy pigmentation of the skin. I'd say that evening out our sallow complexion to give it a more healthier look is probably the most daunting task to achieve in our mature years. An even skin tone will add years of youthfulness to your face therefore, conceal dark under eye circles, pigmentation and color correct red patches, veins and rosacea. 

2. Invest in soft pastel and neutral shade eyeshadows. Soft, warm colors help draw attention away from loose eyelid skin. Stay away from glitter, shimmers and pigment eyeshadows.

3. For the over 40-50's, use eye pencils instead of liquid liners for lining the eyes. Liquid eyeliners are too bold. Avoid clumpy, dry mascara's...and stick to colors of browns and black. The time for purple and blue mascara is long gone...

This is certainly NOT what we want to look like

4. Fill in thinning brows with an angled brush and brow powder or brown/ black eyeshadow for a youthful look. It's amazing how a well shaped brow opens up the face to look like a mini face lift. Pencilled in eyebrows is an absolute NO NO... and DONOT over tweeze...yes you...step away from the brows and put down your tweezer....NOW!!!

5. Blushers and bronzers are an absolute must...you should use the bronzers to contour your face and highlight the 'T' zone before applying blush. Cream blushers tend to work well as powder blushers can settle into the fine lines. However, if you do not have deep smile lines on your face, powder blushers will work perfectly.

6. I don't know why majority of makeup artists recommend darker shade lipsticks for older women. Darker lipsticks tend to add years to your look. Softer, lighter shades give a younger, youthful appearance. Matt lipsticks are out and in with moisturized lipsticks...save the gloss for just a dab in the middle of your pout....less is more!

Picture Source: Google

As we get older, we need to nurture our skin more...yes, makeup cannot reverse your age from 60 to 16 but it can certainly help you feel as young....do you have any tips that you would like to share with us?

Mac Dupes- NYX

For most people, paying R190 for an eyeshadow is just being lavish. For others, it's feeding an addiction and who would sell a kidney to feed this addiction....lol. However, we should always bear in mind that not everything that comes with a low price tag is poor in quality. NYX is a range of makeup that has certainly carved a niche for itself in the makeup industry for its quality and affordability. There are several colors in the NYX eyeshadow range that are very similar in color...in fact the similarity is just uncanny.

So I have done some intense research and have come up with these Mac dupes from the NYX range. Ok, ok...you can all thank me later lol. What is a dupe: a dupe is a duplicate of a makeup item that matches the others quality, performance and color....and in our case, at a more affordable price. Basically, it's a brand wannabe...hahahaha.

Here's a list of pictures and names of some of the colors. Since these were taken off various sources, there may be a couple of repetitions.

 

The following pictures are courtesy of 'itscarlasampson'

                                                     

Do you have any Mac dupes that you would like to share with us? We'd love to hear from you....

Review- Coloressence 8 Palette Pearl Eyeshadow, EP2

Coloressence is a sub-brand of the company Natures Essence which has its roots in India. It has been available in South Africa for quite a while now but I had never really given much attention to it until a few weeks ago when I happened to see it on display at a local beauticians shop. I was attracted to the intense depth of the dark colors on the 8 shadow palette and it's satiny feel to it. I placed my order for both palettes and received them last week.

 A bit about the cosmetic range of Natures Essence- all products manufactured by Natures Essence are 100% natural ingredients and have NO animal content in them. They have a vast range of beauty products used for facials etc and a complete range of makeup products from foundation to lipsticks. They are well within the reach of the average and below average consumer but as I always say, makeup is a personal choice and what may work for one, may not necessarily work for another.

Having said that, let me tell you about my experience with the Pearl 8 eyeshadow palettes. The packaging is sleek and classy being black in color and slim and light enough to slip into your handbag without causing an unsightly bulge. It comes in a similarly designed box and the eyeshadows are nestled in a plastic casing. When you open it, you have a large mirror, a firm double ended sponge applicator and 8 eyeshadows of 3.5 gr each. The shelf life of the palettes are 2yrs.

I loved all the colors on this EP2 pearl palette with the exception of the light yellow gold and lime green colors. I found that the majority of the colors in this palette are highly pigmented and they scoop up quite a bit of product in a single swipe. They have a satiny, pearlised finish which I love. It packs on perfectly but certain colors move out of place easily leaving certain areas uneven & patchy. You would have to go back and pack on a bit more if this happens to even  it out.  The duration of the wear was about 3-4 hrs after which it started to fade. When applied without a base primer, the lighter colors were sheer and a bit powdery. A good base primer is a MUST.

The white & gold shimmer colors I used as a highlighter in these pictures.

So to sum up my pros & cons.....

Pros

• Darker shades are highly pigmented
• Has a beautiful satiny finish with a lot of sparkle and fine glittery look
• Excellent packaging
• 100% natural ingredients
• R250 for 8 x 3.5gr eye shades(now that is a steal even if 1 or 2 colors  turn out to be not your favorite)
• It has lovely, shimmery bridal colors
• Doesn't really have to be paired with a second color to give it a rich glamorous look(check pictures above) but looks even better when paired with a second shade.

Cons

• Doesn't stay on as long as I would like it to(3-4hrs max before it starts fading)
• Lighter shades are a bit sheer and powdery- BUT this can easily be overcome if you use a good base primer that will grab the product and give it some intensity and depth
• Not as blend-able as I would prefer... takes a bit of time and patience. If you are using it as the lids main color, and another product color to blend out the edges, it will work perfectly to give you the desired look. 
• Slight fallout- but not much more than I've experienced with some Mac and Inglot Matt shades

Would I buy these again? I don't want to be quick to jump the gun just yet and commit to either a yes or no without having another go at it but I certainly am eager to try out their other products eg the eyeliners and jumbo pencil eyeshades.

What do I rate it??? 7 out of 10

What have your experiences been with Coloressence eyeshadows? Let us know if it's worked any better for you than it did for me....

More Makeup Ideas

Eyeshadow Tutorial:Smokey True Blue Picture Tutorial

Phyllis Li's Vibrant Eye Makeup.

Recreate this look by using any product similar to these colors. 

This look was created by Phyllis Li of makeupforlife.net

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Blue Eyeshadow Ideas

How to Apply Lipstick Perfectly

I could have a hernia every time I see someone with lip liner that's too dark for their lipstick. I literally have to fight off the urge to wrestle them, pin them down and wipe off the makeup eyesore. Not only does black liner with brown lipstick or chocolate liner with pink lipstick look hideous but it also totally ruins the final finish to your makeup. Its an application easily and confidently taken for granted. Correctly applied lipstick ties in all the colors on your face giving it a complete, final finish.

Another big mistake that girls make is ending up with 'drawn on' lips in an effort to correct lip shape. Remember, lipliners highlight the shape of your lips and any over shaping leaves it looking unnatural. Lipstick is an important element of makeup which one cannot afford to mess up. Lets see how we can  go about getting that perfect pout....

1. In the final steps of your foundation routine, don't forget to apply a thin layer of foundation to your lips. This will help your lipstick last longer.
2. Outline your natural lipline(or in the case of asymmetrical lip shape, just outside or inside your lipline- depending on the shape correction) with a lipliner or pencil not more than a shade darker than the lipstick. Lining the lips prevents bleeding of the lipstick.
3. Clean up any mistakes with an earbud or Qtip.
4. If you want to add depth to the color of your lipstick or would just want to intensify the color, fill in the rest of the lips with the lipliner. doing this also prolongs the wear of your lipstick.
5. Some may opt to outline the lip area with foundation to give it a crisp finish.
6. Using a lipstick brush, apply the lipstick to your lips taking care not to smudge any outside the lined area.
7. Using a tissue, blot out any excess lipstick to prevent the ghastly 'lipstick teeth'.
8. Add some lipgloss(optional) to the middle of your lips for a sexy, dewy look.

That's it.....simple.

Here's how you can correct any asymmetry of the lips.

 

 

 

Free Blank Makeup Charts

What are makeup charts and why do we use them?

For most of us that are not in the professional makeup business, you would not know or find the need to know about makeup face charts. These are drawings of a clean face printed on a special type of paper on which mua( makeup artists) plan their looks especially when they need to visualize what the end product will look like. They also use it to record a trial look of a bride or at a photoshoot when they would need to refer back to the record of products used to recreate that specific look.

Apart from creating the look on paper, you make notes of the exact products and tools that you used to create the look. MUA also use these charts to catalogue their looks by filing them away for future reference. When catalogue- ing your face charts, they need to be sealed with a spray sealer(or simple old hairspray works just as well) so that the makeup does not smudge and dust off the paper.

Use it to practice sprucing up a day look into a glamorous night look. Whatever it is, if you are someone that loves experimenting or preparing yourself before doing your makeup or keeping track of color combinations face charts allows you to let your creativity soar.

Spruce up Day Looks For Glamorous  Night  Looks

You can also print these charts on your printer using watercolor paper or lightly textured sketch paper. Plain printing paper is too sheen and smooth and the makeup will not hold on.

Most people recommend treating the chart as you would a face and using the exact makeup you would use creating that specific look while others argue that doing this can damage your brushes and using coloured pencils work just as well. I guess it's just a matter of personal preference and what works for you.

Here are a few charts which you can save and print for future use.

The Body Shop's 3 for 2 Sale

Hurry over to The Body Shop's 3 for 2 sale. Started on 12 August till 1 September. Valid on ALL 'Love Your Body' products. Limited to members only....so if you are not a member yet, hop into your closest TBS and fill out a simple form and you are ready to take advantage of their exclusive offers. What's more is that as a member, you accumulate points after each purchase which is then converted to cash and you could be getting your next purchase ABSOLUTELY FREE.....