Review | Max Factor CC Colour Corrector in Yellow

A few weeks ago, the new CC Colour Correctors from Max Factor caught my eye in one of the brand's stands and seeing that I am always on a quest to find the best possible solution to cover up my dark under eye circles, I went ahead and bought the yellow one which is specifically meant to cover dark circles.

Max Factor CC Colour Corrector comes in a jumbo pencil format with a twist-up mechanism. While I do like the concept, I would have preferred if the product went all the way down into the tube so as not to nick it with the cap; but at the same time, this way you get more product so I'm not really sure why I wrote the first part...I guess it's the OCD part of my character that forced me to. One thing I do like about the packaging though is that there is the area the product is meant for printed on the front.

The formula of the product is very creamy and it effortlessly transfers onto the skin and blends in perfectly well. I like to combine it with a skin coloured concealer through as it would otherwise look too white. I always set mine with powder and I don't have any issues with it budging or fading or anything. I think it does a very good job at counteracting the blue tinge of said dark circles.

There are 4 more variations of this Colour Corrector, each targeting a specific problem so you are sure to have perfectly even skin every single time! So don't put up the white flag just yet if you still haven't found your perfect concealer and try this range first.

Max Factor CC Colour Corrector retails for €10.40 and can be purchased from authorised stockists. To keep up to date with product launches and competitions, don't forget to like the Max Factor Malta Facebook page.

Review | Makeup Revolution Ultra Base Corrector Palette

After reading a lot of rave reviews from fellow bloggers, I finally caved and put a small order on the Makeup Revolution website for two of their newest products; the Ultra Contour Palette and the Ultra Base Corrector Palette which I shall be reviewing today.

For the price, I was immediately impressed with the quality and sturdiness of the palette and I like that it is so sleek and has the name of it written on both top and bottom. It also comes in a box that has all the corrector shades at the back, making the palette feel all the more expensive than it actually is.

On the inside you get a very good sized mirror on one side of the palette and on the bottom side you get 7 correctors/concealers and an illuminator, all in a cream formula. Basically you get a corrector for any skin imperfection. Here's a breakdown of the shades and what they are used for:-

Top Row (left to right)

- Salmon Pink to brighten your complexion

- Lavender to neutralise yellow tones

- Green to neutralise redness

- Light Beige to neutralise blue tones and correct

Bottom Row (left to right)

- Peach to balance out discolouration

- Pearly White to illuminate

- Yellow to cover up under eye dark circles

- Medium Beige to neutralise ashiness in darker skin tones

The ones I use most are the green and yellow and they really do an amazing job! I also like to use the medium beige as a concealer on top of them and on other areas that need it now that I am tanned. I like that you have everything you would possibly need in this palette and especially if you want to build your makeup kit, this is a great palette to start with. It is also excellent for travelling.

All correctors have a nice, creamy consistency that is very easy to blend into the skin and produce the desired effect.

I didn't have any issues or adverse reactions to any of the shades and I am really satisfied with the quality, pigmentation and staying power.

The Makeup Revolution Ultra Base Corrector Palette retails for £6/€8.19 from the Makeup Revolution website.

Review | Catrice Cosmetics All Round Cover Stick 010 Nude vs Catrice Camouflage Cream 010 Ivory

Concealer is a big part of my makeup routine so I tend to stick to the ones that I know will get the job done. Recently, however, I had to change up my game because the concealer I was using just wasn't cutting it anymore and it was oxidizing on my skin. I switched to NYX HD Concealer for my under eye area but since it is not exactly cheap, I wanted a cheaper alternative for everyday use.

Luckily for me, Catrice Cosmetics have launched the All Round Cover Stick concealer and I got the shade 010 Nude to try out. Now if you have been following me for a while you would know that I already love the Catrice Camouflage Cream but since it is not that good to over up dark circles I like to keep it for covering up blemishes and minor imperfections on the rest of my face. Nonetheless, I am still going to compare both of these concealers to help you make a choice if you really have to ;)

Packaging wise, I like the All Round Cover Stick better for hygienic reasons because you just twist the bottom and the bullet comes out just like a lipstick and you apply it where you want; whereas the Camouflage Cream comes in a small pot that you either have to dip your brush or fingers in and I am not a big fan of that. That said, the latter closes more securely. Another minor issue I have with the All Round Cover Stick is that the product doesn't go all the way down in the packaging hence you have to be careful when replacing the cap. As for the amount of product you get, with the All Round Cover Stick it's 2.6g while with the Camouflage Cream it's 3g so you get slightly more. I'm not sure about the price though but my wild guess would be that the All Round Cover Stick comes at a slightly cheaper price.

Both shades bear the number 010 and while they are almost the same shade, the All Round Cover Stick is just a smidge paler and has more of a pink undertone than Camouflage Cream thus I think is perfect for use under the eyes to brighten the area further. The texture is somewhat creamy for both of them but the Camouflage Cream has an even creamier formula but both blend nicely into the skin.

Left: Catrice All Round Cover Stick 010 Nude
Right: Catrice Camouflage Cream 010 Ivory

Both concealers need to be set with a little powder and Catrice even claim that Camouflage Cream can be rendered waterproof in doing so. There really is no difference in staying power for the two of them though as I find they last all day on me.

Now I already said that the Camouflage Cream is not the best concealer for the under eye area just because it tends to settle in fine lines and crease after a couple of hours but it works wonders to cover-up blemishes on the rest of the face. However, with the All Round Cover Stick, as the name implies, you can use it to cover up dark circles and blemishes. So if I'm in a rush, I would just dab this concealer on the problem areas and I'm good to go!

That said, I really can't choose between the two because I like both these concealers and I will probably repurchase both of these. Both concealers are available in three shades that are not really suited for darker skin tones.

You can find Catrice products in authorised pharmacies and you can keep up to date with product launches and offers by following the Catrice Malta Facebook page and website.

Catrice All Round Cover Stick was given to me as a PR Sample.

Review | Catrice Camouflage Cream 010 Ivory

A good concealer is a must have for flawless looking skin. You know how much I love the Essence Stay Natural Concealer for my under-eyes as it does the job and doesn't feel heavy at all. However, when it comes to redness and zits, it doesn't seem to counteract such problematic areas that well so I tend to reach for the NYX Concealer in a Jar in the shade CJ12 Green but I always use this when wearing foundation because the light green tinge can still be visible so for me it's not good for everyday use as I do not wear foundation everyday.

 

I wanted a concealer that I can use on problem areas, conceal/correct them effectively and that blends well with my skin and only needs to be set with powder. Enter Catrice Camouflage Cream which has been on my wishlist for a while and I was convinced to get it after I read Davinia's review on her blog Lady With No Name.

 

Catrice Camouflage Cream comes in a black plastic pot featuring a screw-on cap with a transparent window bearing the brand's logo and product name. The shade name and number are printed on a sticker at the bottom. While I think the packaging is very sleek and pro-looking, I don't think it is very sanitary especially if you tend to apply makeup with your fingers. I always recommend using brushes for a more professional result and to keep makeup clean and free from bacteria. To apply this, I use a small concealer brush.

 

I chose the shade 010 Ivory which is the lightest out of the three available and luckily for me it was the last one on the stand at the pharmacy I bought it from. I'm glad they had testers available and I was able to swatch shade 020 Light Beige as well to see which one of the two suited me best. I swatched both of them on my jawline and waited for a few minutes while I browsed for other products I needed. I then looked in a mirror to see if any of them was visible. When I first applied them, both shades were undetectable but upon time passing, shade 020 kind of oxidised on me and turned to a darker shade while 010 was completely invisible so my choice was obvious.

The product has a thick, creamy texture which is easy to blend and allows you enough time to work with it before it 'dries'. It is odourless and I like that it lasts so long even without setting it with powder. I do recommend you set it though because it lasts that extra bit longer and the skin looks nicer; I was only testing it out for the purpose of this review when I didn't set it.

The one time I didn't like this concealer is when I tried it under my eyes. It felt quite heavy and it sort of clumps after some time so I will be sticking with the Essence one for this area.

I paid €3.49 for 3g of product and I would recommend this to anyone who wants
 a good concealer that won't break the bank and will last for a long time.

Catrice Cosmetics are available from various pharmacies around Malta and Gozo.

Review | Wjcon Primer Corrective Anti-Redness

Today I will be reviewing another product I bought from Wjcon recently and as you can tell by the title of this post, the spotlight will be on their green Anti-Redness Corrective Primer.

First off, the primer is supplied in a black carton box that bears the ingredients and a swatch of the primer colour. The product information is printed on the back of the actual tube which is the same colour as the actual primer. The tube holds 30ml and it is very conveniently sized for travel. However, to see how much product is left, you have to put the tube against the light as it is opaque.

 

Here's a word about primers and their use in makeup... A primer is applied before foundation and after moisturizer to help create an even base and help your makeup last longer.  This one in particular also has a mattifying effect, counteracts wrinkles and being green, it contrasts any redness. I am still too young to have wrinkles so I cannot really comment on that but I can definitely give my two cents on this primer's other properties!

To begin with, I bought specifically the green corrective primer because I really liked the effect when Maria did my makeup at the Wjcon Bloggers' Night. I do get a little redness on my cheeks and from pimples so I thought this would be a great complement to my NYX Concealer In A Jar CJ12 Green.

What impresses me the most with this primer is that although it is green in colour, it goes onto the skin very sheer and it blends well effortlessly so that if you don't feel like applying foundation, you can skip it altogether and still look very natural.

 

 

The texture is creamy but a little on the watery side, hence very easy to blend into the skin. I use this primer when I am doing full face makeup mostly, because it helps keep the makeup on longer and my skin is kept oil free. The primer has no scent whatsoever and is rapidly absorbed into the skin. I haven't had any issues with breaking out while using the product.

 

To sum up, I would really recommend this primer to anyone whose skin tends to get red and acne prone people. It is available in another three varieties to suit everyone's individual needs; white to illuminate the face, purple to freshen up dull complexions, skin coloured to counteract pigmentation, dark spots and dark under eye circles.

 

Available from Wjcon in Naxxar Road, Birkirkara for €9.90 for 30ml. *Throughout the month of June, Wjcon are giving you a free nail polish with a purchase of €35 or more worth of products*.

Follow Wjcon Malta on Facebook for updates and special offers.

 

Essence Cosmetics Haul

Hello ladies, I managed to find Tony's Pharmacy open today after failing last Thursday and I was even luckier to find all the products that I needed as most of what I got were the last ones left *yayy* :) Here is what I purchased:

Stay natural concealer in 01 Soft Beige (back-ups)

24h Hand Protection Balm in Vanilla Apple Pie

Multi-Action False Lash Effect Mascara in Black

Stay with me lipgloss in I Like Cotton Candy

I love Stage eyeshadow base

Color & Go nail polishes in Irreplaceable, Blue Addicted, Where's the Party & Choose Me

I'm so eager to try out all these products and the hand cream really smells divine!! I just can't stop smelling it! Here some close up photos:

Stay tuned for reviews :) Have a good weekend cupcakes :)

Make-Up Collection {Part 1 ~ Storage Cabinet & Face Products}

Hello loves :) I thought of sharing my make-up collection with you in a series of posts where I will divide the products in different categories.  I will also link the reviews to the different products so you would know which I have already reviewed and if you would like me to review any of the non-reviewed ones (if any) or  you simply want to know if I still like the product as much as when I initially bought it or if I have changed my mind about it or anything, just leave a comment down below :) 

I will start with face products today.  You will see that I as much as I love to collect make-up, I am not much of a hoarder in this regard as I just don't get the point of having say 10 peach blushes when you only have one face lol but that's just me! So don't expect a huge collection.  Also, my make-up is mostly drugstore with the occasional high-end product or two.

Anyway, first up are some pictures of the cabinet where I store all my make-up.  The cabinet is located in my room just under a half-length mirror and I apply my make-up standing up.  Mum & Dad had bought it for me after I had been complaining that I didn't have any more space to store all my make-up.  I quite like it being white and the drawers are all very spacious especially the wicker baskets.  Mum will however take off the flowery cloths and sew some out of left-over fabric from my curtains and bed-spread so that the cabinet matches my room more.  

Here's a quick rundown of how I store all my make-up in the cabinet, starting with the smaller drawers first...

In the first one, I mainly keep face products as well as some lip products while in the one beneath it, I keep my false eyelashes and other eye products.  In the third drawer, I keep all bits and bobs I use to tie my hair as well as fancy bobby pins etc and in the last one, I keep all my taller nail polishes such as China Glaze and Orly.

In the first wicker basket, I keep my brush-roll and other loose brushes in their covers as well as the brush shampoo and daily cleaner.  The second basket, houses all my eyeshadows while the third one, holds all my perfumes and some body lotions.  In the bottom-most one, I keep my Philips hair-dryer and New Look straighteners.  

On the top of the cabinet, I keep the brushes I use on a daily basis, basic make-up products I reach for most often and my hair brushes and deodorant.

That out of the way, I will let you have a nosey into my face products collection :P

e.l.f. Studio Blush in Candid Coral

e.l.f. Mineral Blemish Kit

e.l.f. Mineral Booster in Sheer

e.l.f. Studio Warm Bronzer

NYX Concealer in a Jar in CJ12 Green

Max Factor Creme Puff in 85 Light 'n' Gay

essence stay natural concealer in 01 Soft Beige

e.l.f. Tinted Moisturizer in Rosy Beige

Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin in 180 Sand Beige

NYX HD Foundation in HDF02 Soft Beige

Lioele Triple the Solution BB Cream

e.l.f. Studio Complexion Perfection

Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation in 100 Ivory

Inglot Under the Make-up Base

e.l.f. Studio Make-Up Mist & Set

Rimmel Powder Blush in 004 Pink Rose

e.l.f. All Over Color Sticks in Pink Lemonade & Persimmon

So that's all of my face products collection ladies! Do we have any common products? Do you like these kind of posts?

Review: NYX Concealer in a Jar in CJ12 Green

Here's a review on a product I have only recently introduced to my make-up routine, the NYX Concealer in a Jar in CJ12 Green.

I bought mine on ebay for €5.18 and I think it was a good deal. It only took around a week and a half or so for the order to arrive and the jar was nicely packed in bubble wrap and the envelope was also marked as fragile so proper handling was ensured.  So much so, that the concealer arrived in one whole piece all the way from the US.

Let's have a look at the actual packaging of the product:

The concealer comes supplied in a small transparent glass jar that holds 7g of product and a black twist-off plastic cap.

You will need to find a good concealer brush to apply this product with as it doesn't come with one of its own.  The texture is really creamy and you do not have to tug at your skin to transfer the product as it glides on smoothly, enabling very good blending on your part.  I was actually very surprised at the creaminess of this concealer the first time I used it!

Why the odd colour choice you may ask? I was looking for some good coverage green concealer for ages to conceal and neutralize redness I get from occasional spots and blemishes.  Although in the picture above, it looks whitish, the actual colour is a very nice minty green.  Don't worry about your skin looking like Shrek's though as when blended, you can hardly tell where you have applied it! This concealer also carries a nice scent which I cannot really describe but I like sniffing at lol.  It does not linger on your skin though so it's nothing major.

Swatch of concealer: top, unblended; bottom, blended out

This concealer provides medium to high coverage and therefore does an excellent job at neutralizing the redness.  Despite being so creamy, I never had to touch-it up as it stays on for a good number of hours and does not crease at all.

The Concealer in a Jar range consists of 13 concealers out of which 9 are the usual skin-tinged shades to complement a variety of skin tones as well as the green one, a lavender one, a yellow one and the newly added orange shade.

I would recommend this concealer to anyone looking for a good coverage concealer to hide their blemishes as I'm sure they will be satisfied with the results as much as I am! 

You can get your NYX Concealer in a Jar from the NYX website, ebay or even check Cherry Culture :)

Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass: Concealer

Hey guys! Next make-up item that goes on our faces after foundation, is concealer. There are different types of formulations and colours to suit everyone no matter how dark or fair you are and what your problem areas are as you will find out if you keep on reading.  Concealers are an invaluable make-up product especially if like me, you have dark circles or blemishes you want to cover up.  As I said before, concealers do not only come in flesh-toned colours, but there are also those known as colour correctors which are usually either green, lavender or yellow.  These serve to neutralize redness, brighten up dark areas and neutralize blueish under-eye circles respectively.

Now let's see the different types of concealers available and what are the best uses for each one!

Stick Concealers really resemble lipsticks and they have quite a thick/dry consistency, making them a little bit hard to blend.  Due to the thick texture, they offer a medium - high coverage and are thus best for covering up blemishes. These concealers are best avoided under the eyes as they tend to sink in fine lines.  To make blending easier, the best way to apply such concealers is with your fingers as the warmth will soften the formula, enabling you to blend it better.  Small amounts are recommended when working with stick concealers as they look cakey very easily.  If you feel you need more coverage, build it up gradually.

Liquid Concealers are probably the most widely used type of concealer and they are usually presented in either a squeezy tube, or in a lipgloss-like tube or else in a twist-up format.  The consistency of liquid concealers is somewhat lightweight and blends easily.  Since they are neither oily nor heavy, they are suitable for all skin types.  It usually doesn't crease and it has good staying power, offering light to medium coverage, but you can layer it to achieve almost full coverage.  Liquid concealer is suitable for use on both the face and under eye area, but you have to work fast, because it dries pretty quickly and if you don't blend it in correctly it can look patchy. The best way to apply it is to dot it on the area you want to cover either with your finger or with the applicator and then blend it in with your finger using a gentle, patting motion until it looks nice and even!

Cream Concealer is usually supplied in little pots or pans. As the name suggests, it has a nice, creamy consistency, making it ideal for people with dry skin. It can be used both on the face and under eye area as it provides medium to full coverage and lasts pretty well even without any setting powder.  There are various ways of applying this type of concealer such as with your fingers, a sponge or concealer brush.  For hygienic reasons, I always recommend the use of a brush especially if you are covering zits to prevent the spread of infection and contaminating your concealer (this applies for all types). Also, make sure to sanitize your brush after each use.

Mineral Concealer is the latest formula to hit the market and it has gained quite a lot of popularity.  It comes in powder form and because it is mineral, it is free from parabens and preservatives and is therefore hypoallergenic.  It usually offers a light - medium coverage and stays on for quite some time.  It is suitable for most skin types but is especially good for people with oily skin as it absorbs oil.  On the other hand, if you have dry/mature skin, steer clear of it as it will make dry patches/fine lines/wrinkles more visible. The best way to apply it is by using a full and fluffy brush and tap the brush on the areas you want to cover until you achieve the coverage you want.

A tip to remember when using concealer is keep in mind what type of foundation you are using; if you are using a mineral foundation, the concealer goes on after the foundation because otherwise, the powder will stick to the concealer and look cakey.  If on the other hand, you are using liquid foundation, it doesn't matter when you apply concealer but I prefer applying it before foundation but you may apply it afterwards if you so desire.

Blogger Templates

Small Nail Polish Haul

As you are aware, I am currently taking a nail art course and thus I had to buy a few essentials. I picked up fours striping polishes, a creme grey nail polish and also a concealer because I am running low on my current one:

Essence Colour &Go Quick Drying Nail Polish in 35 Movie Star, Striping Polishes & Essence Stay Natural Concealer in 01 Soft Beige

I also bought a set of 6 nail paints which allow for mistake correction and are also much easier to work with than nail polish:

While I'm at it, I also bought some nail art supplies off ebay so stay tuned for an ebay haul post as soon as I receive my items :)

Blogger Templates

Review: e.l.f. Mineral Blemish Kit

Today's review os about the e.l.f. Mineral Blemish Kit.  My brother bought this for me as part of the birthday order he placed for me on the elf website a little more than a month ago.  I don't usually have a lot of blemishes and pimples going on but occasionally I have to struggle with some bad break-outs. I have tried heaps of facial washes, scrubs, moisturizers, treatments, creams, etc and although I have noticed a decrease in the frequency of breakouts and number of pimples (I have also made some changes to my lifestyle which I will share with you in my November favourites), I still get the odd one or two occasionally.  Therefore, I decided to give the Mineral Blemish Kit a go as well.

With regards packaging, the kit comes in a white box (which I threw away but you can have a look at here) and in this box is the small plastic jar that contains 2.8g of powder (on the site it says 3.3g but on my jar there's written 2.8g) and a brush.

Discrepancy in amount of product

The jar, like I said is made of plastic and the cap doubles up as a mirror.  However, it can be a bit deceiving in terms of how much product you get.  Now you know you only get 2.8g, but looking at the jar when it is closed, you may be tricked in thinking there's actually more; however, when you open it, you will see that the sifter is in fact lower in the jar, therefore 8mm less of product. The powder is however tightly packed and I heard the packaging of the mineral line is the same for all the powder-form products. Here are some pictures to show you what I mean:

The kit and how the jar appears when opened

The brush is a very good quality brush and blends the product really well. It has never shed a single hair and is an excellent concealer brush as well.  The hairs are really soft and since it is from the mineral line, I guess they are Taklon coated synthetic hairs more than real hairs.

As for the Mineral powder itself, it is a very finely milled translucent powder. It contains spot-healing ingredients such as Tea-Tree and Sulfur (full list of ingredients can be found on the bottom of the jar and on the elf website).  It is described as 'Clear' and in fact I couldn't get a good picture of it on my skin as it blends in instantly.  Since it matches my skin tone, I like to use this as a mineral concealer during the day to help treat and fight the blemishes and I also like to dab some powder on blemishes and sleep in it so that I have 24 hour protection against break-outs.  The small jar and brush make the kit easy to carry around with you to work/school and touch-up as needed.

It took quite a while for me to notice any difference at first, but gradually, the pimples started to get smaller in size and redness in a shorter time than before I started using this product.  Moreover, I found that when I used this product at the first signs of a new spot, it healed even quicker.

I like this product and even though it retails for €6.80 for 2.8g (3.3g according to the site) I think I will repurchase it because of the results it delivered .

Have you tried this ladies? Any different thoughts?


Blogger Templates