Review 101: Revlon Matte Single Shadows -- Vintage Lace and Peach Sorbet

Review Disclaimer:

The reviews I post on my blog are from my personal, unbiased opinion; I use the products I review so I will be basing my review on the experience I had with the product. Again, the review will be based on my experience, which may differ from yours. I will, however, welcome any comments on my reviews. I was not paid by any entity or organization to make a review on any product. I purchased each of the products I review using my own money. If there are any inconsistencies on my review, please leave a comment below.

Revlon Matte Single Shadows-- Vintage Lace and Peach Sorbet

I love eyeshadows! I think I mentioned in an older post that I am currently on my eyeshadow phase. I want to buy different eyeshadows from different brands. As I can't afford a palette yet, I'm into collecting single eyeshadows. I have some from cheaper brands, but I actually got lucky that I was able to get these shadows on sale. I just hated the fact though that the prettier shadows (perle and satin) were so not on sale. Darned it.

Anyway, I promised that I would review these, so here it is!

According to the manufacturer:

Classic mono eye shadow from Revlon in timeless shade Vintage Lace & Peach Sorbet.

-- Sorry. I couldn't find a product description from Revlon, so I stuck with something I found online.

Packaging:

Matte Eyeshadow in Peach Sorbet

Matte Eyeshadow in Vintage Lace

It comes in a black, plastic snap-lid box. It's a bit dirty in the picture because of the plastic seal for the lid. I can't brush off the feeling that the box is cheaply made. Like, I know it's an authentic Revlon eyeshadow and all, but I really feel it's cheap because of the plastic packaging. Anyway, it has clear plastic for you to see the color of your shadow underneath.

Close-up of Vintage Lace

Close up of Peach Sorbet

It comes with an applicator, which I would have wanted to show you, but I have unfortunately thrown out. I don't keep those applicators. They just crowd in my Kikay Kit. The back sticker was sloppily plastered. It's kinda annoying because it adds to the cheap aura of the product.

You had one job.

This looks better

Quantity:

2.4 g -- I think it could be enough to last a couple of months. 

Quality:

They're too sheer. I honestly had to rub my fingers onto the product a number of times then swatch it on my arm a couple more times before I could get a decent swatch. Check it out:

Peach Sorbet on the left; Vintage Lace on the right

Color pay-off for this product, well, doesn't look too good. It's really too sheer. I love using them as highlight though, and for under the eyes. Other than that, I really don't have much use for this product. Not much fall out; well, considering that almost none stick to your brush brush or fingers. The consistency of the product is kinda powdery. Staying power, very minimal.

Price:

I got these on sale for 150 PHP a pop, but I think the normal prices for these would be about 450 PHP -- pricey for a single shadow.

PROS:

* Compact

* Quantity

* Availability

CONS:

* Sheer

* Doesn't stick to the applicator

* Cheap packaging

* Minimal staying power

* Limited color options

* Too powdery

VERDICT:

I won't give a verdict just yet. I'll try other colors first to see how they fare. But for Vintage Lace and Peach Sorbet, they'll continue to gather dust in my Kikay Kit. I don't find myself reaching for these two at all. No repurchases for these two products.

Till the next review!

Ja ne, pretty ladies! ^^

Make-Up 101: Basic Eyeshadow Application

It's been a while! I haven't gotten around to posting new stuff since I've been quite busy over the past two weeks, getting hospitalized and all. I just thought of taking a break for a bit and add a few more posts before the holidays.

So anyway, a lot of people have been asking me about eyeshadow application. I,myself, have only recently learned how to apply eyeshadows correctly. I'm still practicing a bit, but I do know how to do basic eyeshadow application. 

People tend to have this idea that you just need one shade, or put two shades together side by side, and that should do the trick....WRONG! To effectively utilize your eyeshadow/s, you have to at least have three basic colors that you need to layer and blend. Blending and layering is the secret!

What colors should I choose?

Well, that depends on your skin tone. Nowadays, though, many people cross the skin tone barrier, and would often sport colors which aren't suited for their skin tone. I, personally, do not like to use colors which don't compliment me. I'm warm toned, so I usually use neutral and orange-based colors. I love wearing browns because they give depth and contour to my otherwise crease-less and boring eyes.

For general reference, warm toned individuals should choose coral, red, neutral and brown colors for their eyeshadow as they best compliment their skin tone. For cool toned individuals, you can use most colors, but the ones in grays, blues, silvers, and emerald greens suit you best. 

It is important to understand that you CAN choose to use any eyeshadow color, but you do so at your own RISK. Your undertones generally dictate which colors you can wear. Simply try to wear ones that flatter you, and believe me, you will look better doing that rather than choosing to wear shades for the opposite undertone.

What colors/shades should I start with?

For beginners, like me, its best to start out with 3 shades, and work our way up to more shades later on. You can choose any color, they need not be in the same color family, just make sure they compliment each other. You need to have a very light, shimmery color for your brows and inner tear ducts, then you need a medium color for your base color, and you have to have a very dark color to contour your crease. 

How do I apply them?

The most basic technique in applying your eyeshadow, would be to first choose a base color. I do this first so I can determine what crease and highlight colors I can use to compliment it. 

* Sweep the base eyeshadow all over your lid, up until the crease. Try not to go over to your crease. Just keep the color on your lid.

* Apply the dark color onto your crease, starting from the outer corner of your eyes, going to about half-way to up your crease. This is where you form the outer "V". For those who do not have a crease, you can make your own crease by making the outer V. 

* Apply your highlight on your brow bone, and on your inner tear ducts as well.

* With a fluffy blending brush, or with whatever eyeshadow brush you have, blend the crease color inward to your base color. Once you see that the demarcation is no longer too obvious, blend the shadow up half-way to your highlight. Keep the upper part of your highlight clean.

* Bring the crease color down to your lower lash line, starting from the outer corner. Work the color to about three quarters of your lash line towards the inner corner.

* Apply the highlight to the remaining quarter or your lash line.

To finish the look...

* Take an eyeliner pencil with a pearl color and apply it to your lower water line.

* Apply a black eyeliner on your upper lash line. Make sure to tight-line first. Try to wing the outer corner to give you a more "come-hither" look. -- I usually use a liquid or gel eyeliner for this look rather than a pencil or kohl liner as it is more precise; I am not a big fan of smokey eyeliners and I really do not like smudging my eyeliners. I love a defined line. But for tight-lining, I do use a pencil liner.

* Groom your brows

* Apply a blush that compliments your skin tone.

* Apply your lipstick and gloss.

***Done!***

Till the next tutorial!

Ja ne, pretty ladies! ^^

Review 101: IN2IT Eye Colour Palette -- Island Sands

Review Disclaimer:

The reviews I post on my blog are from my personal, unbiased opinion; I use the products I review so I will be basing my review on the experience I had with the product. Again, the review will be based on my experience, which may differ from yours. I will, however, welcome any comments on my reviews. I was not paid by any entity or organization to make a review on any product. I purchased each of the products I review using my own money. If there are any inconsistencies on my review, please leave a comment below.

  IN2IT Eye Colour Palette -- Island Sands

As of the moment, I'm on an eyeshadow phase. I've recently graduated from my primer phase, by buying all available primers that I could afford. I'm quite fascinated how one can create multiple looks by just using a single palette! It's really just limited to your imagination. I also like single shadow pots. I like the idea of being able to get the shadow that you like, without having to get tied to other annoying colors that don't seem to go with the rest of the palette. 

So anyway, I was watching SasakiAsahi's Tutorials on Youtube and I came across a look where she used IN2IT's eyeshadow palette. I love all her looks, but damn it, I couldn't find most of the products that she used, here in the Philippines! You could just imagine my excitement when she used this palette! Finally, something I can get locally! 

So anyway, the following  is my review on the palette, Island Sands.

 According to the manufacturer:

Soft, sheer eye colour, that shimmers with very fine pearl and glitter. Enriched with Vitamin E and Kernel Butter for a smooth and creamy texture. Each palette contains 5 shades, in a mirror compact, for a variety of eye looks. 

Packaging:

Sorry for the crappy pic. My Tab is out for the rest of the month, so I'm taking this using my phone.

I have to say, I really love IN2IT's packaging. It's always neat and elegant. No matter how I look at it, it always makes me want to open it and check what's inside. It comes in a white box with silver lettering, which comes off after constant handling. It comes with the same snap-lid box as with the Waterproof Eyebrow Powder. 

IN2IT Eye Colour Palette in Island Sands

It comes in 5 neutral and golden colours, which you can mix and match for any occasion. I love the fact that it comes with big mirror; great for those on-the-go applications.

I love the BIG mirror!

Quantity:

You get 4.5 g, not too bad.

Quality:

I love the color payoff for the golden, bronze color, as well as the darkest shades. The rest of the colors aren't too great. The two darkest shades really have very nice consistencies, but the rest have this powdery consistency which I really am not a fan of, and I noticed little fall-outs. They also seem have these flaky glitters that fall off when you apply them, especially the white shade. If you put them together though, they seem to compliment each other.

Swatches

Price:

For 389 PHP, it's not too bad a deal. Lot's of mixing and matching to do!

PROS:

*5 Different colors
*Great packaging
*Great shades
*Color pay-off is good
*Definitely wearable
*Compact
*Comes with a mirror
*Cheap

CONS:

*Some shades are powdery, or too sheer
*There is significant fall-out


VERDICT:

I will be repurchasing this product. I think this will be a staple in my Kikay Kit. I really love the colors. Definitely wearable and eye-transforming. You can mix and match the different colors for different looks. Really worth the price, even with the fall-outs and all that.

Till the next review!

Ja ne, pretty ladies! ^^

Review 101: IN2IT Water-proof Eyebrow Colour

Review Disclaimer:

The reviews I post on my blog are from my personal, unbiased opinion; I use the products I review so I will be basing my review on the experience I had with the product. Again, the review will be based on my experience, which may differ from yours. I will, however, welcome any comments on my reviews. I was not paid by any entity or organization to make a review on any product. I purchased each of the products I review using my own money. If there are any inconsistencies on my review, please leave a comment below.

 IN2IT Water-proof Eyebrow Colour

I am fairly new to grooming my brows. I really never paid much attention to them till recently when I began to notice how much my face changes when I groom my brows. I tried doing it before around 2008; I used a black eyebrow pencil and lined my way through both. I ended up looking like well-groomed monkey, so I put my pencil down and walked away, seemingly forever..till I picked up IN2IT's brow powder.

According to the manufacturer:

Water-proof and long lasting eye brow colour in a three shade collection. Intense color and easy to blend. Soft and smooth with the moisturizer Vitamin E. Easy to apply with the Nylon hair applicator and mirror compact.

Packaging:

IN2IT Waterproof Eyebrow Powder in Eyebrowns

It comes in a compact box with a clear plastic upper half cover which gives you a peak of the colours in the palette. There are The snap-lid box is very reassuring as it means the product won't be kissing my other products in my Kikay Kit. The colors are placed side-by-side in the pan, which I don't like because, well, I don't know, I just want my products independent from each other.   

You can choose from 3 colours: Light Brown, Medium Coffee Brown and Dark Brown. You can use the colors for your eyeshadow as well.

Colors: Light Brown, Medium Coffee Brown and Dark Brown

It has an angled brush in the kit which is very precise. I love using it to apply my brow powder. It has the right amount of synthetic hair, and it is very stiff; perfect for applying the powder in precise strokes. It also has a small mirror, in case there are no mirrors in sight.

It comes with an angled brush and a compact mirror

Quantity:

The product totals to 3.5 grams, enough to last you a couple of months.

 Quality:

I cannot rave enough about this product! It's simply amazing! Applying the powder is a breeze and it's staying power is amazing. I don't really have to touch up, even at the end of the day. I love its consistency; not sticky but not powdery at all. And I never noticed any fall-outs, ever. The color options are perfect. I usually apply the Medium Coffee Color, but there are 2 other colors to choose from, depending on your natural hair color. It really looks natural, not like something you just applied to your brows. Uber amazing.

Swatches: T-B, Dark Brown, Medium Coffee Brown and Light Brown

 Price:

I got mine on sale for 239 PHP, but regular prices would place it at 299 PHP at Watson's or any major department store.


PROS:

*Perfect quality
*3 colors to choose from
*Compact, you can put it even in the smallest purse
*Comes with a brush an mirror for on-the-go applications
*Available anywhere
*Versatile, can be used as an eyeshadow
*Water-proof
*Stays on even till night

CONS:
*Price is cheap, if you are already earning your own keep, but for our sistah's who are tight on the purse-strings, or for student, it's already quite steep
*As far as I know, I don't think this is available in the US and Europe.

VERDICT:

I will definitely purchase, and repurchase this product again and again! This is super amazing. I'm not tempted at all to buy those tattoo brow pencils. I just love this product sooooo much!

Till the next review!

Ja ne, pretty ladies!

Make-Up 101: How to Conceal

Concealing is a hit or miss process. You have to get it right for it to look right. We conceal because we want to hide imperfections on the face to create a more uniform and flawless look. You may skip concealing IF: a.) you're going for a natural look, sans foundation and concealer, or b.) you have porcelain-perfect skin. But for us, imperfect mortals, a concealer is definitely a must. 

Concealing is not only dabbing concealer in your problem area; you have to dab the correct concealer on to your problem area. There is something that we call corrective concealing -- concealing the spots and blemishes using correct colors.

Foundation first, or concealer?

It actually depends on your preference. There is really no set rule as to what should come first. I apply my concealer before I apply foundation. The reason being that I want to cover up all the blemishes first before I apply a coat of foundation for uniformity. Aside from that, I do not often use foundation, but I do use concealer a lot. Just keep in mind though that if you are applying your concealer ahead, you may want to add an extra coat, because, upon adding & blending your foundation, you may erase your concealer.

How to: Basic Concealing

*Use an opaque concealer that is one tone lighter than your own. It has to match your foundation for both to work together.

*The best applicator would always be your fingers. They warm up the concealer so it blends easily to the surrounding skin. For smaller areas that need precise application, like the sides of your nose, the corner of your eyes, and the corners of your lips, you may want to use a stiff, pointed brush, and blend after with your fingers.

*To apply the concealer, take a small amount using your fingers, and gently dab the product on the blemish till it blends. If the blemish is still visible, gradually add more product till it no longer shows and the skin shows uniformity.

Corrective Concealing

Corrective concealing means using correct colors to neutralize the colors of the blemishes on your face. As a general rule, the color opposite to another in the color wheel neutralizes it. 

Image was taken from uwgb.edu

Corrective concealers typically come in 3 color families; Yellow, Blue & Green. 

*Yellow: Colors range from yellow to orange. This corrective concealer is used to neutralize bluish or purplish blemishes. Used mainly for under the eyes.

*Blue: Colors range from blue to purple. This color is used to conceal yellowish or brownish spots like bruises that are close to healing, brownish scars, etc.

*Green: Colors range from green to pale green. Used mainly to counteract reddish spots such as rosacea, acne, zits, etc.

There are corrective concealers that can be immediately applied to the blemish and it will just blend with the surrounding skin. There are some raw concealers that need to be mixed with your opaque concealer then applied to the blemish. After applying the concealer, you can then apply your foundation.