Miniso Eyeshadow REVIEW + SWATCHES!

Hi Beauties!
Today I'm bringing you my first MINISO REVIEW + SWATCHES! I have discovered this brand last year in Singapore and owned a few of their makeup products, which I will review over a few weeks!

Let me give you some heads up about this brand. Obviously, this brand tried to replicate DAISO. But be wary, this is not a Japanese brand! I've been told this is a CHINESE brand trying to put off as a Japanese brand. Most if not all of their products are made in China or Taiwan.

First of all, I have tried this Quadro Eyeshadow kit a few times already and have some thoughts on it. I bought this at a discount at $3.90 in January 2017. Its really a good price.

However, I did feel some form of sensitivity on my eyes which went away about 1 hour after I have finished my makeup, nothing to worry about. The pigmentation is really great! However, me being me, I do not like dark coloured shadows as they add age to my face.

Miniso Eyeshadow kit

Comes with a nice brush and applicator

Gorgeous shimmery colours!!!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE all the colours except the darkest colour as I do not like to wear dark colours, BUT all Miniso Eyeshadow Kits comes with a dark shade (Got on my nerves)

My favourite colour is the copper colour as the trend now is to wear copper coloured shadows.

In the pictures below, I took the lightest yellowish shade on my inner tear duct and my brow bone, the reddish wine colour on the eyelids, the darkest shade on the outer V of my eyes and lastly, the copper colour as my transition shade. Very nice indeed, So pretty.

Sorry, a bit blurry

Eyes closed

All in all, I love these eyeshadows, and if i see another EYESHADOW KIT from MINISO with light to medium natural shades, I WILL BUY IT! Meanwhile, I'm troubled over how to use the darkest shade in this palette. I may not even use it again if I do not need to.

Rating: 3.5/5  (Colour selection and sensitivity)

Price: $3.90 

I hope you found this review helpful! Stay tuned to my next post!

XOXO!

Be a smart beauty!

Essence Match2Cover! Cream concealer Review + Swatches!

Hi Beauties!!!!
Today I have another product from Essence which is still in the permanent line! It is the Essence Match2Cover! Cream concealer! I have bought this about 1.5 years ago from Watsons, but only started using it recently because I do not want to wait any more!!! I have held this back because I still have not gone through my Maybelline concealer. However, I was trying to explore a smokey eye look, that's why I decided to open this concealer.

I bought it in the colour 10 Natural Beige because it was the only colour left on the display!

I take the lighter shade under my eyes

Beware! It is made in Taiwan, not Europe!!!

Quite smooth and pigmented

To be honest, I feel a little bit disappointed because this product is not made in Europe, but it was made in Taiwan! Generally, most of their line is made in Europe. I would feel safer if it was made in Europe, but oh well, I can't do anything about it...

The concealer is pretty smooth, albeit a little bit oily, so remember to set it with face powder ok! I used the lighter shade on my dark circles and the darker shade to cover zits all over my face

After foundation, but before concealer

After I used the lighter concealer

My skin looks more evened out! Nice effect

Actually, I like the concealer as it makes my skin tone better! I think it covers quite well, but it does need a little building up. I don't mind the slight oiliness as it goes away after powder. I definitely will use it again! It also does not crease under my eyes and mouth lines.

Overall, I like the concealer, doesn't matter where it was made
Rating: 4.5/5
Price: $ 4.90 (Found at Local Singapore Guardian and Watsons)

Hope you found this review helpful
Stay beautiful!
XOXO
Be a Smart Beauty

Should I make my own MakeUp setting spray???

Hi beauties! Today I've tried and tested a makeup hack and I shall give you my opinion on it. Today's makeup hack is on making a DIY Makeup Setting Spray!!!

As many of you know, most of the make up setting sprays are not to be used on top of make up, but rather, should be used below makeup like a primer! I've only heard that Urban Decay's All Nighter is the only on that really sets your makeup in place all night long! Others are probably not meant to set your makeup, but either to assimilate your makeup into the skin, or used as a primer.

Today, I'm trying to make a product that is similar to a makeup overall mist to assimilate my makeup (Not claiming it would act like a Urban Decay All Nighter).

As proposed by most people who posted hack on this, the materials they used are:
1) Glycerin
2) Water
3) Vitamin E

I have personally omitted Vitamin E (Although I do have them) is because Vitamin E itself is quite oily, I prefer not to use oil on top of my makeup.

However, even with just the combination of glycerin and distilled water, the end result was still not good! It just wouldn't dry down even after 30 mins, and I know why.

After 30mins

Because glycerin is a humectant, it is slightly oil and sticky at the same time. After I sprayed on my face, the only thing that wouldn't evaporate or sink into my skin is the glycerin. When I touched my face, it feels really sticky and oily, the texture is very similar to my sweat after a run.

Even after I blotted my face with a tissue, it still feels the same. Whats worse is that my make up actually wore off sooner than expected, and my eyeliner and mascara which used to be waterproof, is easily transferable after I sprayed my face with this solution!

I'm thinking if my one part Glycerin to 3 parts water is still a bad ratio, I shall try out another ratio next time.

All in all, I think this hack for a after makeup setting spray is all wrong. It should be used below makeup only. I will use it below makeup next time, as this glycerin does carry some sticky texture, should be good for my makeup to stick to skin.

Yes I know that DIY is way cheaper than the other setting sprays out there (This Glycerin only cost me SGD $7.80 for 250ml, got it off from Iherb.com). I only used about 10-15ml in this tiny 50ml spray bottle). However, I am not sure if this DIY can replace the other setting sprays out there....

Overall, I would say this hack is a fail as an overall setting spray! But would it pass as a face primer? We'll have to find out soon.
See you in my next post beauties!
XOXO!

CATRICE Prime and Fine Eye shadow primer REVIEW + SWATCHES!

Hi Beauties! Welcome back to my blog again!
Today I will be writing about my first CATRICE product review here!
Just some background on this brand, CATRICE is actually the sister brand of Essence! Actually, CATRICE is targeted more at the mature audience while Essence is targeted more at the youths, if you've not already noticed the branding and packaging. But who cares, makeup is free for all ages, so we can of course use which ever brand, no matter our age!

I've used this primer for the past 2 years and it has not yet finished! I've hit pan but there is still plenty in the container.

Today I will give you my thoughts on CATRICE Prime and Fine Eye shadow primer.
Honestly, I don't really like it. I'm so sorry for being so harsh on a product. First, please take a look at my swatches below

CATRICE Prime and Fine Eye shadow primer

Its chunky and thick

Swatches patchy

First of all, I am usually not this mean on brands that I support, but this product is too difficult to deal with. I know by saying harsh words, I may be stepping myself on the foot, but its TRUE!!! See how patchy it is on my arms! This is not suffice to say how patchy it is on my eyes! It takes me ages and ages to try to blend it out on my eyelids, which resulted in so much tugging! I hate wrinkles!

But of course, by my nature, I will always finish my products and not to throw them away. My tip to you for using this product, is that take very very minimal amount on your fingers before putting on your eyelids. This may result in too little product at one go, but I still prefer to build it up slowly than put a whole chunk of thick substance on my eyelids and taking such a long time to blend.

Overall, I prefer the Essence mousse eye shadow primer, which is why I was so ecstatic when Essence came up with that primer! Finally man! You can check out my review on that primer here : http://beasmartbeauty.blogspot.sg/2017/04/essence-2-in-1-eyeshadow-and-primer.html

Of course, Essence is usually cheaper than CATRICE for the same product/ dupe, so do check out its sister brand if you are keen. 

Overall rating: 1/5
Price: $6.90 (I kind of forgot its price)

See you in my next post!
XOXO!
Be a smart beauty

Essence Maximum definition Volume Mascara REVIEW + TESTING!

Dear Beauties,
Today I'm going to give a first mascara review on my blog! I'm sorry I've been holding this back because I think I'm in no position to talk about Mascaras because my lashes are so short and straight! In my review below, I did not curl my lashes because in general, I'm always in a hurry and hardly curl my lashes unless I'm going for important events

Today I will be discussing about a very popular and longstanding mascara : Maximum Definition Volume Mascara. This mascara comes with a flexible brush, which is its main selling point here

Essence Maximum Definition Volume Mascara

Flexible brush made of rubbery material

And of course, even though my lashes are so short, I should still test it out for you, see the below

Lashes with nothing, and did not curl eyelashes

Lashes with the mascara, did not curl eyelashes.

Honestly, it did not add much length, but it did add quite a lot of volume. My eyelashes are also very slightly curled, although not significant.

All in all, it did what it claimed, to volumize the lashes, not to lengthen or curl, so I should give credit for it. It is also waterproof. However, my most preferred kind of mascara are those that lengthens and curls. 

My overall rating: 3.5/5 

Price: SGD$ 4.50

See you in my next post! 

XOXO!

Be a smart beauty

ESSENCE 2 in 1 Eye shadow and Eyeliner REVIEW + SWATCHES!!!!

Hi Beauties! It's been a while since I last reviewed Essence products! As promised, I still have more things to share with you girls, so stay tuned alright! Im thankful for you to keep on reading.
I have another exciting Essence product to share today! It is the Essence 2 in 1 Eye shadow and Eye liner! I have been testing it for a while and have gathered some of my thoughts on them! They are a relatively new item so they are definitely still available in Singapore!

From left to right: 01 Go Bro'nze, 02 Peach perfect, 06 She's got the mauve

They are so pigmented and glides on relatively easily! Hardly any thug on my eyelids and arm.

Essence 2 in 1 eye shadow and Eye liner

Check out the amount of product in there! It's so mind blowing omg! Imagine a pressed shadow, it will not contain as much product as this stick here! To me it is the amount of a jumbo lip crayon I would say

Essence 2 in 1 eye shadow and Eye liner arm swatches

Check this out! In this picture, I have already tried to wash my arm rigorously with lots of Dettol hand soap and had been rubbing at it for quite a while, the shadows just wont budge! I would say, it is 100% waterproof.

To be honest, I have tried to take a new eye swatches for your girls, but it all didn't translate very well in pictures! It would do the product no justice when its in the pictures. My eyelids have some texture and hence I prefer to do hand swatches for this product. 

My favourite colour is definitely "02 Peach Perfect"! 

During application on the eyes, it did feel quite smooth. However as it dried down, I did feel there is a slight tightness on the lids as it turns completely waterproof. This didn't bother me at all as the feeling was only minimal. No problem with sensitivity issue unlike most other cream products I've tried on the eyes. It didn't crease on me even after 2 hours on the eyelids.

All in all, I really appreciate the improvements in their eye cream products as it did do what it says!

My rating: 4.5/5

Price:SGD $4.90

I hope you found this review useful. Until next time!

Be a smart Beauty!

XOXO

PHYTO Hair products Reviews!!!

Hi Beauties!!!! Today I'm back with another exciting review! This time its an expensive product! I spent $229 on these products! I got 3 PHYTO products to mention today namely : Phythocyane Revitalising Serum Ampoule, Phytocyane Densifying treatment Shampoo and Phytopolleine Universal Elixir Scalp Stimulant.

PHYTO Phytopolleine and Phytocyane

 Above shown on the left is the Scalp Treatment and on the right is the Anti hairfall shampoo.

The shampoo comes in an Aluminium bottle, 200ml

Revitalising serum ampoule PHYTO

Let me break down my analysis:

Phytopolleine comes in 100ml size. The benefits are

1) All natural ingredients which means that there will not be any product or silicone build up on your scalp

2) Strengthens and Nourishes scalp which will result in Less hair fall 

3) Purifies and Rebalances Oily Scalp

4) Soothes Sensitive & Irritated Scalp

5) Promotes Hair Growth

6) Eliminates Dry Scalp & Dandruff

7) Each 100ml bottle is made with 7kg of plants containing pure essential oils

To use this, rub it in each section of your scalp and rub vigorously for oil build up, silicone build up and other chemical residues to come out from scalp. If you look carefully after the rub, you may see some white dots. Advice to leave on for 30mins after that before shampooing. If you wish, you can leave it overnight to sleep, if you don't mind the unsightly white particles on your hair.
Advised to use 2 times a week

Phytocyane Densifying treatment shampoo comes in 200ml size. The benefits are
1) Reviving thinning hair with its unique combination of botanicals, and other good ingredients.
2) Free from chemicals and silicone
3) 100% natural ingredients
4) No withdrawal symptoms when stop using
This shampoo is very thin in nature and looks like a brown thin solution on the hand. Be careful when pouring as you may over pour it and waste! Its a very expensive shampoo. Its regular price is SGD $41++ . I got it yesterday 3 bottles for SGD $ 50! I advice that you look out for discounts when you pass by the "Beauty By Nature" shop when you pass by Ion Orchard.
Notice that the product is being kept in a aluminium can so as to maintain the balance of the product. Active ingredients of this product may react with plastic if kept in plastic container. Aluminium can is also evidence that the product contains no silicone as silicone may clump up inside aluminium bottles.

Phythocyane Revitalising Serum Ampoule 
1) Helps in increasing hair growth
2) Balance scalp PH
Each tube contains 7.5ml. As bad as it sounds, you have to USE UP each tube right after you opened it. You cannot keep it overnight and use it the next day because the ingredients inside will oxidize and lose its effects! I advise you share it with your sister or something, if you can't finish it at one go.

I've used all these products once, because I just bought it.
Hope you like my review! Do follow me to keep updated in new posts!
XOXO!
Be A Smart Beauty!