HOW TO: Conceal Under Eye Circles ft Medik8

Unfortunately puffy under eye circles runs in the family, I can't escape it! If I don't sleep enough, over sleep, eat too much junk or dehydrated, my eye circles can be more prominent than usual.

I personally hate them, I feel that puffy or dark under eye circles can age a person significantly. So here's a little post going through my 4 simple steps to hide those circles!


STEP ONE: Eye Cream

Eye cream is always the first step. I like to apply an eye cream to clean skin to prep and hydrate the skin as concealer tend to dry out my under eye area.

I have gone past my gel eye cream period as my under eye area love rich eye creams. Medik8 Hydr8 Night Eye* is a fantastic rich and hydrating cream. I personally like to use this for day and night, it's high performing.


STEP TWO: DE-PUFF

I like to use a treatment product as a second step to assist with de-puffing the under eye area. Medik8 Dark Circle* has now been in my stash for about 4 months now. I have read a lot of reviews for this product online and it is a bit of a hit and miss, works miracles for some but not others. Luckily for me, this works quite well in terms of de-puffing. This can be used as a treatment product alone or under concealer/makeup.


STEP THREE: CORRECT

A salmony peach concealer is your key to rid any darkness under your eyes. I've seen a lot of tutorials with red lipsticks, but that's just TOO much for me! I find salmon/peach coloured concealers to work just fine! The salmon shade concealer I own is from Shiseido in No. 6 Honey.


STEP FOUR: CONCEAL

My last and final step is to conceal away that peachiness! I am using a beige concealer that is lighter than my skin tone, applying this over the peachy concealer for an instant brightness. Here I am using a concealer from Bloom's Secret Weapon Concealer Kit.

VIDEO DEMO

*These products were provided for editorial purposes, all opinions are my own.

Beauty Favourites All Star

Initially, I was planning to call this post, "My Favourite Beauty Products of All Time".

That just reminded me of Kanye West telling the whole world how Beyonce has one of the best music videos of ALL TIME. It'll ring in your head like a hangover, so I decided to change the title to "All Star".

I guess this is a little more "high end", I do have a range of budget beauty products I love and adore, but I'm still trying to build my list, so I'll save that for another time.

I am a picky person and it takes a lot for me to re-purchase, so I don't have enough favourites to make monthly posts, but here's a handful of products I swear by/use religiously for the past year or five..
 

Dolly Wink Volume Mascara is a new-comer, I purchased this mascara out of curiosity while I was in Japan. It ended up being my favourite waterproof mascara. It will lengthen, thicken and curl. The wand is designed to reach smaller lashes. I will have a separate review up shortly.

Eye of Horus Eyeliner is incredible. I've tried too many eyeliners that smudged all over my hooded lids. When I received this from one of the beauty boxes, I was gobsmacked. Needless to say, the colour is gorgeous, the consistency is smooth and won't tug at your lids. Most importantly, it stayed put, no more smudging! I anticipate to try their mascara, I heard it's equally incredible. See my previous review here

Shiseido Eyelash Curler. I have been using this curler for the past 5 years and it had never failed me. It will reach most hard to reach lashes and dare I say, designed for short lashes and almond/hooded eyes. I'll have a post dedicated to battling out Shiseido VS Shu Uemura curlers in the upcoming weeks.

Shiseido Foundation Brush. I know, I know, there's a couple of Shiseido products in this post. I previously worked for Shiseido, however, this doesn't skew my view. There are good and bad products in each brand, I just happened to be lucky enough to test and try all their beauty products during my time there. I've tried a few brushes and have experienced a significant amount of fall outs, this brush is excellent in the sense that you will so nil to minimal fall out and it will work with pretty much all types of base. Cream, liquid, powder, BB creams... etc.. with the exception of mineral foundations, which I don't use too much because it gets too messy and I'm always in a hurry. You will receive an even spread with no brush marks.

Bobbi Brown Bronzer is something I discovered while I was in Hong Kong. My aim was to purchase as much Chanel, Dior and Guerlain products as my wallet can possibly allow... but I ended up getting Bobbi Brown products. This bronzer is perfect for my olive skin, my previous Bourjois bronzer made me look dirty. This is excellent for contour, cheeks and even as an eye shadow. See my detailed review here

I went to the Clinique counter for a free makeover and a foundation sample. I told the consultant about my pores and she gave me a generous sample of Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Foundation. I took it home, didn't have very high hopes about it and used it a week later. It worked really well with my skin and evened out my skin tone without clogging my pores. Apparently my pores will become less visible as I continue to use it.. I haven't got to that stage yet, but it's a great instant cover up.

The Giorgio Armani lipstick is another accidental encounter. I wanted to get a MAC lipstick, I stood around their counter for a good 10 minutes waiting for someone to help me and got ignored. Giorgio Armani just happened to be right next door, the consultant was brilliant and treated me like a decent human being. This product was purchased partially based on excellent customer service and partially based on quality and texture. Creamy, velvety with sleek packaging.. What more can a girl as for?

Korres Lip Butter reigned supreme within the blogosphere a couple of years back. I was in search for a lip product that was actually effective (Unfortunately, EOS did not work for my chapped lips). This is my go-to lip product, it is soft, creamy, sheer and treats my chapped lips well. Great for everyday wear if you want a light tint on your lips.

What are your "All Star" products?

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Review: Shiseido - The Makeup - Stick Foundation SPF 15 ~ O20 & O40

Product Information

 "A creamy stick foundation that glides on effortlessly providing versatile coverage and a comfortable long-lasting lustrous finish while offering exceptional skincare benefits."

Shade: O20 and O40 (one for winter and one for summer!)

RRP: $67 AUD

Size:  10g

                  Shade: O40                                                        Shade: O20                                

O20                                                    O40

O in the shade represents Ochre; ideal for olive undertones. As the numbers goes up, the shade becomes darker (i.e., 00, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100). If you are unsure of your shade, head to a Shiseido counter, the consultants are all trained to provide exceptional service. Even after leaving the company for a couple of years, I would still repurchase their products. I also plan to try their Maquillage range! ^_^


Application

I like to draw horizontal lines (as shown below) with my foundation stick across my cheeks, chin and forehead. Vertical for the space between my eyes and nose.

If I'm using this at home, I'd blend it with a flat top brush. Otherwise fingers will suffice.

Verdict:

Pros

• The creamy texture is great for dry and sensitive skin 
• Easy application - can be used "on the go"
• SPF 15
• Sleek packaging, easy to store in handbags
• Initially light coverage, but you can layer to build up coverage. Although, I would recommend this product for "good-skin-days"
• Covers redness
• No off-putting chemical scent
• Dermatologically tested

Cons

• You'll receive a little over half a pinky's length of product. I find myself to use up stick foundations faster than liquid.
• It will not cover your freckles or heavy blemishes
• $67 is a fair bit to pay for a foundation, but I'm happy to pay for quality products.

 Have you tried this product? Which type of foundation do you prefer - liquid, stick, powder?

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Shiseido Perfect Mascara Full Definition - Black

 

Product Information

• Maintains a just-applied 16 hour look
• The dual-textured brush is designed to coats every lash; firm tip captures smaller lashes 
• Volumnise
• Lash separation 
• Non Clumping formula
• Allows smooth, multiple coats
• Fibers for lash extension
• Contains Camellia Oil Complex to nourish and condition lashes
• Shades: Black and Brown

Size : 8ml

Shade for Review: Black

RRP: $50 AUD

Ingredients

Water, Sucrose Tetraisostearate, Iron Oxides, Microcrystalline Wax, Polyethylacrylate, Dipropylene glycol, Polyvinyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, hydrogenated polyisobutene, sucrose stearate, Sorbitan stearate, Carnauba Wax, Batyl alcohol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, poentarythrityl tetrabehenate, polyethylene, Nylon-12, Polysorbate 60, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Alcohol, Bentonite, Arginine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Camellia reticulata Seed oil, simethicone, Isobutylene, Pantheyl ethyl ether, silica, BHT, CI 77492.

The Brush

Application- Before and After

** Note: Lashes were curled using Shiseido Eyelash Curler in "After" pictures***

Before

 

After

Before

After

Verdict

• The formula is wet, therefore it doesn't clog, but you may still get chunks on your lashes, however you'll be able to spread them out with the brush. Easily build-able.
• To be honest, I didn't find this brush to be any different. I get all the smaller lashes just the same.
• Due to the wetness, it takes longer to dry, avoid blinking after application
•  I hate the fibers. They will fall out throughout the day, I often find random fibers on my face after a few hours. I usually try and avoid brushing it onto my lashes or pick them out before the mascara dries.
• It's long-wearing to some extent. Bottom lashes are prone to smudging half way through the day  - but it's easy to clean.
• Product is not waterproof, therefore easy to clean, rinse under lukewarm water. 
• As for lengthening and volumnising... refer to the pictures. 
• In comparison to their original perfect mascara.. I think this mascara lengthens more and doesn't weigh your lashes down as much.  

7 Hours later....

 Repurchase?

No, I don't think this is the "perfect" mascara for me. I like that it's easy to wash off but I think Shiseido Perfect Mascara Defining Volume is still my favourite out of all their mascaras.


Website

http://www.au.shiseido.com/

Shiseido Perfect Mascara Defining Volume Review

Ahoy from the past! today is the month of May.. I'm prewriting a series of make up posts... gonna trial this "scheduling post" thing ... it's a win-win situation.. You guys get some shit to read, and I don't need to come here everyday picking my brains out.

I received a sample for this mascara a while ago.
Lets just say this tube of gold deserves a rave.

Lets look at the pros.

• Keep your lashes curled, gives it a good lift
• Waterproof, I walked around in pouring rain and my lashes were still perfect
• Does not flake when you remove (A lot of the drugstore waterproof mascaras starts coming off in flakes when you apply make up remover)
• Thickens, Lengthens, darkens... everything... just go listen to black eyed pea's Pump It
• I've worn this baby to every crazy drunken party and slept in this mascara, I'd wake up the next morning.... guess what... perfecto. I don't even need to reapply. No smudge, no raccoon eyes, no flakes
• Doesn't weigh your lashes down. 

Now the Cons

• It is definitely harder to remove, but I've been using cybercolour and lancome make up remover with a cotton pad, press it against your lashes, it'll dissolve. How the hell do you expect a perfect waterproof mascara to be easily removed!? Get a better make up remover.
•  It clumps a little bit, you gotta be careful with your application, be quick, it dries quickly once it's on your lashes.

RRP $50

Here's some pictures. I know my eye hair is thicker and darker than most, but I only curled it once SINGLE COAT APPLICATION GUYS... SINGLE COAT (no base, no nuttin'). GO OWN THIS TUBE! I'm DEFINITELY gonna try their nourishing base in conjunction with this tube of miracle.

Shiseido Perfect Foundation Brush Review

I first started wearing foundation because of my job a year ago. I didn't have a lot of tools so I always applied my foundation with my fingers... some times palms, that's the pivot of lazy and being late.

A few months in, I finally decided to get a brush. I got a regular foundation brush it was "OK" but streaked.

6 months ago, I was introduced to my first ever flat top foundation brush....

Holy shit. I will never apply my foundation with anything else again.

I haven't used any other flat top brushes previously, so I don't have anything to compare it to. But I am very very happy with this brush. The bristles are synthetic (smoother application) and are extremely dense so it will blend out the foundation evenly. I usually take quite a bit applying foundation and making feeble attempts to even it out... you won't have that issue with this brush. Go through it once and it's done, fast and easy! I can see why it's called "Perfect Foundation Brush now, this baby gives the perfect, none-cakey coverage!

I use this brush for my liquid foundation and powder foundation. Apparently this brush is also great for cream and stick foundation (haven't tried yet). The bristles are designed on a slight tilt so you can get the tricky parts like the edge of your nose and under eyes.

 Size wise, it's quite petite but big enough to do the job! The only downside is hygiene.. because the brush is so dense particles get caught and accumulate at a rapid rate... so you'll need to clean it regularly (shedding is very very minimal, I wash it on a regular basis and have been using this brush for at least 6 months the brush is still as dense as I first got it.) This tool is never leaving my stash,  highly recommended!

RRP $30 AUD

Shiseido Shimmering Rouge Lipstick Review

In addition to the current line of 13 gorgeous shimmering lipstick, Shiseido welcome 7 new additions!

I've been using the slightly pinky shade from the original collection, always wanted to go a bit darker but RD 601 was little out of my comfort zone, so I'm eternally grateful that Shiseido bought out the new shades.

For the moment, I've only been able to capture 2 of their 7 shades on my camera (rest of the shades will be posted up later, except for PK214... my mother "borrowed" it:))

Left to Right: RS619 (Venus) & RD718 (Sugarplum)

I was ecstatic to see that they bought out RD 718 in lipstick format, I've been using Shiseido's RD 718 lip pencil for about a year now, it was pretty much the only colour I'd wear.

RD 718- Sugarplum

 It's a very warm tone, somewhere between brown and red. Though the picture came out more brown.

RS 619- Venus

I love this colour, it's so vibrant... this colour goes well with both netural or smokey eyes. The camera lightened the actual colour, it's a lotttt more brighter! I never thought I'd be able to pull off something so... "exuberant".. this colour is very wearable, simply ensure the appropriate use of a lip brush around the border of your lips.

Overall, I've been very impressed with shiseido's shimmering lipsticks. The shimmer is amazing, the colour pay off is highly adequate, texture is super creamy (It does keep my lips moisturised for a few hours-- this is a lot longer than other lipsticks I've used--- however I would still strongly encourage generous coats of a good lip balm [may I suggest Elizabeth Arden's 8 hour balm] prior to your lipstick application.. just to insure that your lips won't start chapping throughout the day.)

Does it last? Yes it does, long enough! Although like any other lipstick it will wear off after eating and drinking, the pearlescent coating will diminish somewhat but not completely. It'll leave you with a nice tint. One thing worth mentioning is that these lipsticks won't set in your lip crease!!!! (I absolutely hate that about other lipsticks I've tried). Do they bleed after a while? Yeh they do, but it's not severe in comparison to a few other cheapies I've tried... this issue is counteract-able by the use of a good lipliner (Shiseido also make brilliant lipliners, It really works!). This lipstick also claim to have lip plumping effect.. although I didn't "feel" any typical menthol plumping "effect" I did notice my lips to be fuller (maybe the illusion of the smooth texture + shimmer?).

RRP $45 AUD

Thoughts?

Shiseido Autumn Launch: Shimmering Cream Eye Color

It's been a while since I've blogged a post on make-up, promise I will do that more often...

 I'm not being bias when I say that Shiseido's shimmering eye shadows are my all time favourite. Their new formula is super long lasting. I've gone through my fair share of eye shadows and they all either run, crease, smudge or all of the above. Maybe it's the humidity, maybe it's the retard formulation of my eye lids. I wear on my bird's grave that this doesn't run, smudge, crease, clump into balls or anything obscure. I love them so much I've ditched my eyeliner, if I need to line I'd grab a pot of these.

The texture is incredibly smooth and easy to work with. This stuff lasts on my lids ALL day and night. It's the only thing (and shiseido's mascara) I'd wear if I'm going to an event or on rainy/potentially rainy days. What I really loved from this line (previous launch) was the purple and the antique leather colour. Although I prefer the colour pay off more from the original cream colours, but the silkiness of this cream shadow definitely won me over. Few people felt that they've downsized from the previous pots, but there's no disparity in quantity. Another thing worth mentioning is that the new formula consists of jewel reflecting powder, great for gals who love their shimmer also an apposite match for matte lips.

 OR313 (Sunshower), PK 214 (Pale Shell), BL215(Ice)

Sorry, bad camera/lighting

 Ice is a crisp and some what metallic baby blue colour, I'm NOT a blue person... I'm boring with my eye shadows.. I only really only wear grey, browns some times purples and green is newly introduced. But theses are quite pretty all over the lid or as an eyeliner. It's actually more blue than this but again.. bad lighting

Sunshower--- Reminds me of a very warm, sweet salmony colour :)

Pale Shell-- Probs my favourite. You can use this on it's own or dab it on top of any other powder shadow for long-wearing + shimmer!

RRP $45 AUD