Essence Oil Control Make-Up Base Review & Comparison

 

I have been using the NARS Pro Prime Pore Refining Primer for quite a few months now and I'm just about out of it. I was tossing up whether or not I wanted to repurchasing it because of the price.

Around the same time, Essence came out with a new "Oil Control Make-Up Base" which claims to be "Pore Refining and Long lasting" as well. I was a little hesitant to try it because, although I love Essence, I was never really sure about using their face products. I decided to go ahead and get it anyway since it was only $5.75.

The consistency for both are very similar, both a white gel texture.

I applied a thin layer of the primer on top of my moisturizer, It absorbs pretty quick and doesn't give a greasy or sticky feeling.

I found that it did help refine the appearance of pores once I put my foundation on.

I was always quite impressed because, being an oily skin girl, after a few hours where my skin would usually be oily, My foundation actually looked as good as it did when I first applied it.

After using this for a couple of weeks, I haven't broken out or anything from it which is always a good sign.

I highly recommend trying this product if you wanted something similar (If not more effective...shhh) Then the Nars Primer, considering it's basically 1/10th of the price here in Australia.

I definitely give it my 2 thumbs up!

L'oreal Colour Riche Moisture Matte Lipstick Review: Glamor Fuchsia & Red Valentine

Are you one, who likes the finish & longevity of matte lipsticks but hate the dry feeling and application of them?

This range of lipsticks may interest you.

Earlier this year L'oreal came out with their Moisture Matte lipsticks. I was very interested in trying these out as I am a fan of Matte lipsticks (but ones that aren't too drying). I was lucky enough to be one of the first people at my local store to try their tester, since they were new i applied them straight to my lips. I absolutely loved them. But I was too indecisive on the colours and didn't want to pay $21.95 at the time.

The application was smooth. It didn't drag along my lips and accentuate the dryness of them which is never a good look. These lipsticks contain Jojoba oil which assist with the moisture side of the lipstick.

I quite liked the finish as it appeared Matte, without looking dry (thanks to the jojoba oil) and lipsticks last quite a long time. I did find that I had to touch up after eating, which is quite standar for most lipsticks anyway.

Here in Australia we have 8 shades available. I picked up two of them.

Glamor Fuchsia & Red Valentine

Swatches taken with flash on

These lipsticks retail at $21.95, but Priceline currently has a Buy 1 get 1 free offer on all lip products which ends on the 11th May. It's the best time to get them as I find it's hard to get L'oreal for a good price here.

I definitely recommend them and I will most likely be purchasing more colours!

Review: Rimmel Matte BB Cream 9 in 1 Skin Perfecting Super Makeup

For anyone who lives in Australia with a skin tone that's anywhere near a MAC NC42, I'm sure you know how difficult it is to find a BB cream that's anywhere near dark enough, especially for a decent price.

Rimmel recently came out with a Matte version of their BB cream which claims to do 9 things.

1. Minimises the Appearance of Pores
2. Evens Skin Tine
3. Mattifies
4. Controls Shine All Day
5. Smoothes
6. Soothes
7. Conceals Dark Circles
8. Helps Prevent Blemishes
9. Gives all day coverage

(Facts copied from the back of the packaging)

This BB cream contains 30mls of product at the rrp price of $12.99

I purchased this BB cream in a Medium/Dark which worked pretty well for my NC42 skin.

I was hesitant to try this because of my past experiences with a now discontinued Rimmel foundation, though after seeing that the colour was dark enough for my skin, I decided to give it a go.

For a BB cream, it actually gave decent coverage and as it states, it is also Matte, but not so much that my skin looked dry. Now I have pretty oily skin, so Unfortunately this didn't "control shine all day".

I usually use the Covergirl 3 in 1 foundation but decided to wear this one day instead. I asked my co-worker what she thought about my makeup and if she liked it (without telling her what I was wearing). She said that the coverage was quite good and it looked more natural to what I usually wore, which is exactly what I thought.

What I like about it:

• Colour is dark enough for Anyone who's around an NC42
• Decent Coverage
• Matte Coverage without looking dry
• Doesn't start separating on face after a few hours
• Controls shine for most of the day
• Easy to apply
• Evens out skin tone 
• The consistency isn't too thick, but also isn't as runny as the Garnier bb cream

I can't really say much for if it really prevents blemishes or not, but that's what Rimmel claims.

Overall it is a pretty decent product especially for the price of. You can always fine it cheaper, I was lucky enough to get mine from a pharmacy for only $5.99.

Have you tried this yet? If so, what do you think about it?

E.L.F Cosmetics Haul - Now Available at Kmart!

Hi Everyone,

As you may or may not already heard, A couple of days ago, Kmart added something very exciting to their shelves!

It looks a little bit like this...

Yes! We now have (some) Eyes Lips Face products available to us in Australia! First NYX in Target now ELF in Kmart. Of course the prices are a lot higher but for easy access, they are still a good price.

I'm not too sure if they will bring in more products but it is definitely a good start! Prices range from $3 - $12.

I picked up a couple of items, of course.

Mechanical Eyelash Curler $3: One of my favourite Eye lash curlers. I'm so glad they brought this over.

Blending Brush $3: For the price, It's pretty decent! I used to have one before but I have lost it so I thought I'd pick up another.

All Over Stick In Golden Peach $3: I have always wanted to try these out but I could never decide which one to get. They also had pink lemonade, but with the darker skin tone I have, I thought this one would be better.

Studio Blush in Candid Coral $8: One of my Favourite blushes of the line. I've almost hit pan so I thought I'd pick up another one before they sell out. They sell about 6 different shades here.

Studio Matte Lip Color in Tea Rose $8: I have the red one and wanted to try this one out but at the time when I was buying it online it had sold out. They had about 5 different shades in this product!

Have you picked up anything from E.L.F in Kmart yet? It's definitely worth checking out to see what they have. I'm so glad they have it available in Australia now.

Good Work Kmart!

Priceline Haul: Maybelline 50% Sale

As some of you may have seen in Priceline's "Famous Brands" catalogue, Maybelline is having 50% their whole range.

I decided to pick up a few items since I was quite impressed with the ones I bought in my previous Maybelline hauls.

• I bought a back up of the Master Precise liquid liner - absolutely love this eyeliner!
• The Fit Me! range. I've heard good things about these so I thought I'd finally try it
• Superstay Foundation - I tried this years ago when it first came out, I liked it but didn't have the right shade. Loving  this one so far!
• Color Tattoo Metal in Inked Pink (You all know how much I like my colour tattoos)
• Eyestudio Quad in Copper Chic. Love the colours and pigmentation of this.

The sale is on until Monday 26th August if anyone wants to pick up a few items too! :)

Ebay 11 piece Synthetic Makeup Brush Set

Last month, I purchased a brush set from eBay. I was looking for some eyeshadow brushes, but I didn't want to spend a whole lot on them. I came across this set. They remind me of the Sigmax brushes & for 11 brushes, it only cost me $12.50. I wasn't expecting too much from them being so affordable.

I was so surprised when I received them, they are so soft! Comparable, or even softer then the Sigma & Real Techniques brushes.

They came in a calico bag

Each brush was individually wrapped in plastic

Eye Brushes:  Fair large dome brush.. which is kind of too big for your eyes & to small to use on your face. If anything, it would be good to use for undereye concealer, or to set it.

Blending brush

Angled Shadow Brush

Pencil Brush

Concealer Brush

Angled Liner Brush

You get 5 face brushes;

Short Handled Flat Top Kabuki

Short Handled Powder Brush

Blush Brush

Foundation Brush

Mini Handled Flat Top Kabuki Brush

Overall, I am very impressed with how soft these brushes are. Definitely a bargain, yet pretty decent quality!

The flat top brushes are a good dupe for the Sigma F80, What I also like is that the handles are short which make it easy to pop in your handbag.

If you are interested in purchasing these brushes, just type in "11 piece brush set" into the search bar on eBay. If you can't find them, let me know & I will give you the link :)

July Favourites ♥

I'm going to keep this months favourites fairly short as I've been using mainly the same items featured in my other monthly favourites. I have however, tried new things this month that I absolutely loved!

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation
  My favourite foundation at the moment! I won't say too much about it as I have a review here. It has basically been by go to foundation because I don't have to worry about it as the day goes on. It stays right in place!
  
• Lush Cupcake Mask
  I have been wanting to try this for the longest time. It's always sold out & this month I finally tried it. I love it more as a pampering mask then a treatment mask. It makes your skin feel amazing & smells delicious too!
  
• Rimmel Apocalips
  Nothing much to say but, yep, I love them! I love the colour pay off & staying power! I currently own 7 and I will be doing a review & swatch on these soon.
  
• Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal - Barely Branded
  This has been my go to base colour. I love the Color Tattoos & I'm glad they brought out a nude one that I can use at any time, by itself and as a base.
  
• Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
  I picked this one up after falling inlove with the other Real Techniques brushes. I like how this one is so dense but soft so it gives a flawless coverage while blending the foundation at the same time. I also like it's shape. Since it's kind of thin/flat, I'm able to get right under my eyes & beside my nose.

I'm always looking at trying new things, so if you have any recommendations, let me know :)