Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette (Natural Beauty , Beauty Glow , Seductive Beauty)

Charlotte Tilbury, Makeup, Swatch & Review

When I get an email about a new launch, it’s relatively rare that I immediately click the “SHOP NOW” button, travel to the website and checkout all in one go. Yet this happened with the Charlotte Tilbury Look in a Palette Beauty Glow face palette (and that in itself should be enough indication for you to prepare that wallet).

A couple of weeks back, Charlotte Tilbury launched their third face palette, Beauty Glow, an all-in-one palette comprised of rose-gold and bronze tones to achieve a healthy, glowing look in just 5 minutes. The Beauty Glow is inspired by Poppy Delevingne’s wedding makeup but works for any occasion where you want dreamy, ethereal perfection.

Similar to the first and second palettes of the collection, Natural Beauty and Seductive Beauty, these palm sized compacts include three eyeshadow shades to brighten, enhance and smoke out the eyes; a bronzer for contour; two blushes; and a highlighter.

The eyeshadow and blush compartments hold 2g each and the bronzer and highlighters have 6g of product.

Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette BEAUTY GLOW Swatches

I have been a fan of Charlotte’s beauty line every since her best-selling Filmstar Bronze & Glow. I love how her formulations don’t emphasize imperfections or create texture that you never knew existed. I have dry/combo, acne-prone and sensitive skin thus anything that aggravates these factors quickly end up abandoned in my makeup collection.

CharlotteTilbury Instant Look in a Palette MACRO on texture (no primer / base)

This post will be photo heavy mainly to compare the three palettes and hopefully aid in your selection of the perfect one for you… or see if you need the Beauty Glow if you already own one or two of the others (the answer for me, in short, is yes).

CharlotteTilbury Instant Look in a Palette Natural Glow Seductive — CharlotteTilbury Instant Look in a Palette Natural, Glow, Seductive

The eyeshadow formulas are similar to her eyeshadow quads. Good pigmentation with minimal powder kick-up, practically undetectable fallout, and splendid blendability. I would recommend using a primer with these eyeshadows for longevity, especially if you have oilier lids.

Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette Eyeshadow Swatches

Comparing the three palettes, they all veer towards the warmer spectrum. Shades 2 (NB), 1(BG) and 1(SB) are all very similar and to be honest, you can’t tell much of a difference once applied. If we were talking about eyeshadows alone, I’d choose the Beauty Glow for daytime and Seductive Beauty for night.

Face Bronze and Face Highlight both have the same formula as the Filmstar Bronze & Glow. I have not tried any Charlotte Tilbury blushes so I can’t make a comparison for the quality to her existing line; however, they blend nicely into the skin for a natural flush. My only complaint is the size of the blushes since I can’t really swirl my blush brush in each individual shade.

CharlotteTilbury Instant Look in a Palette Bronzer Highlight Swatches — Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette Bronzer Highlight Swatches & Filmstar Bronze & Glow

Let’s put it this way… if you are pale-skinned and want a very natural contour that is neither warm nor cool, Beauty Glow (BG) is for you. Medium skin tones may prefer Natural Beauty (NB) and summertime tans would enjoy Seductive Beauty (SB). The bronzer in BG is very similar to the new Hourglass Cosmetics bronzer in Nude Bronze Light.

NB and BG highlighters are virtually the same. SB highlighter has more rose tones and the filmstar has more champagne. Which means … if you already own Filmstar and either one of NB or SB palettes and the eyeshadows or blushes don’t catch your eye… then you can pass on the Beauty Glow.

CharlotteTilbury Instant Look in a Palette Blush (Swish & Pop) Swatches

When comparing the three palettes, the blushes are what makes each palette unique. I really enjoy the darker blush (5) included in the Beauty Glow palette that holds more mahogany undertones. I can wear this alone to double as a contour and blush. I don’t tend to wear blush on a daily basis because I’ve been having issues with my skin on the cheeks but the SB combo is my favourite out of the three.

In the end, it really boils down to what you already own and what shades match your style. If I could only have one palette, the Beauty Glow would have most of my favourites. I believe it has the greatest variety of shades that compliment each other and complete a healthy visage.

The CT face palettes are perfect for travel, especially short trips where everything you need is neatly packed in this slim case. The snap closure ensures the lid won’t open inadvertently in your bag, and the full-sized mirror is also a plus. You can purchase all three from CharlotteTilbury , Holt Renfrew , and your local counters (85$ each, Made in Italy).

What would be your pick?

Kelly |

TONYMOLY Inked Cushion Gel Liner Swatches & Review (03, 04, 05)

Eyes, korean, Makeup, Swatch & Review, TONYMOLY

Earlier this year, TONYMOLY launched a very uniquely packaged product that caught my immediate attention. Shaped like the well-adored quill pen and ink sets from the medieval era, the TONYMOLY Inked Cushion Gel Liner (2g / made in Korea) is hands-down the prettiest eyeliner in my collection.

“Formulated to go on intense like ink and glide on light as a feather, this liquid gel-type cushion liner never skips, clumps, or drags, helping you achieve the perfect winged look. The cushion pot helps control the amount of product that is picked up and the built-in brush is designed to work perfectly with the formula so you always get an intense payoff with precision and ease.”

I definitely appreciate the quill brush included with the cushion liner and it works very well for a precise winged line. The brush “handle” fits perfectly in your hand and the bristles are flat and rounded to a tip so you can use both the larger surface and the side for varying line widths. I love how it fits perfectly in the pot so you never have to rest the brush on the table. The swatches below were made with one swipe and both surfaces to showcase the different widths achieved with the built-in brush.

TONYMOLY Inked Cushion Gel Liner — Swatched in natural direct sunlight.

TONYMOLY Inked Cushion Gel Liner Swatches — Swatched in shade.

As advertised, the formula is great. It dries very quickly and doesn’t budge at all. Even with water and some scrubbing, it only slightly fades by flaking off (rather than smudging) which will be really nice for the rain-filled days ahead. It washes off easily with makeup remover and is gentle on the eyes. One of the key ingredients is Althaea Officialis Root Extract which conditions the skin.

My first cushion experience was with the Stila Got Inked Cushion Eye Liner and I didn’t like it at all hence my initial reluctance to try a similar cushion eyeliner from TONYMOLY. Obviously the packaging won me over as I ordered three… (yep). I’m so glad I gave in. The cushion pot is great for controlling the amount of product on your brush – you simply apply a bit more pressure whenever you want to saturate the bristles. The downfall with cushion liners is that they dry out quicker than gel pots so you really have to make sure you close the lid tightly. Cushion liners also don’t last as long because you use up more product each time.

There are currently 5 shades available for purchase:

#01 Black
#02 Brown
#03 Pearl Brown (lighter than brown with more copper tones)
#04 Plum Wine
#05 Olive Black

I chose the three shades that are more unique since I have a lot of pure black and brown liners.

Bottom line, if you’re looking for an affordable smudge-proof brush-included liquid cushion liner that doubles as a pretty desk or vanity piece… look no further. Here it is.

Available now at tonymoly (US), testerkorea (international), amazon, Jolse, and more.

MARC JACOBS BEAUTY Le Marc Liquid Lip Creme Swatches & Review

lips, Makeup, Marc Jacobs Beauty, Swatch & Review

Among all the new releases from each and every brand, the releases from Marc Jacobs Beauty are definitely the most-anticipated for me. From their sleek black lacquer packaging and creative naming sense to the exceptional formulation, MJB has captured my heart since the very beginning when I first purchased their Contour Powder in Mirage. Which is why, despite the damage on my card from Black Friday sales, I didn’t even hesitate to grab a few of their new Le Marc Liquid Lip Cremes released on Cyber Monday.

The new Liquid Lip Cremes claim to be long-wearing one-swipe nudes which exemplify creaminess and hydration. These lip cremes glide onto lips and keeps them looking plump and full for 8 hours of wear.

Available in a range of 6 bold nudes, all of which have full coverage and a subtle satin-sheet sheen. Each tube is housed in a sturdy black plastic tube with a spin top and doe-foot applicator. 28 USD / 38 CAD each (0.19 oz/ 3.49 mL).

The entire collection is formulated with brazilian cupuaçu butter and collagen which creates a very creamy texture that always feels cushiony and never leaving the lips looking lined or cracked. This really got me interested as I have dry lips year-long no matter what I do.

As usual, I picked the lightest and most true nudes I found: 450 Yours to Try, 452 Fawn Over Me, and 460 Hot Cocoa. The other shades in the collection include: 454 Truth or Bare, 456 Shush Blush, and 458 Slow Burn.

450 Yours to Try – Light Buff

452 Fawn Over Me – Peach-Nude

460 Hot Cocoa – Cinnamon-Cocoa

At first swipe, I noticed these lip cremes to be thicker in consistency than others I have tried in the past. It feels almost like a very creamy concealer. These three shades definitely hold up to the full-coverage claim. One swipe covers all the colour of my lips and I have pretty dark lips. I found 450 Yours to Try to be slightly drier which is usually the case for lighter shades. I really enjoy the finish. It doesn’t seem to need setting time since it never dries to a full-matte.

Swatches below were made with one swipe, no second dipping into the tube.

I was most amazed by how nicely they applied despite the consistency. After 4-5 hours of wear, I didn’t notice any bleeding around the edges and the lasting power is quite remarkable. It did fade slightly after some light snacks and water but natural enough that you don’t have to feel self-conscious and touch up each time (in fact, I didn’t touch up at all). Since this isn’t a matte lip, it will transfer on contact. I didn’t notice any obvious plumping effects although my lips definitely felt very comfortable. At the same time, although it neither hydrated my lips nor sapped moisture, it definitely didn’t accentuate any dry patches which is a really, really good thing for me!

There is no distinct scent to these lips although there is a slight chemical undertone which isn’t noticeable after application.

My favourite shade out of the trio is 452 Fawn Over Me. I find 450 Yours to Try slightly washes me out and almost feels like I used a dark concealer on my lips. It may work better for fairer skin-tones. As with other liquid lips and lipsticks in general, I imagine the darker the shade, the creamier the application will be although all three blended very well without any tugging, pulling, or patchiness.

In all a winner and I’m definitely looking to obtain the rest of the shades!

Are you looking to pick up any from this range?

Kelly (takaraboxx)

JOUER Powder Highlighters Swatches & Review

Jouer, Makeup, Swatch & Review

Earlier in September, Jouer launched powder highlighters to compliment their best-selling line of creme highlighters. The Jouer Powder Highlighters contain ultra-fine pearls and luminescent pigments, perfect to be worn alone or layered on top of the cream highlighters for a radiant finish and “lit-from-within” glow. I’ve always been more of a powder highlighter girl as opposed to cream highlighters so I was thrilled for this launch. These highlighters claim to be long-wearing, paraben- free, gluten-free and dermatologist tested.

Powder: 24USD each (0.16oz / 4.8g)

Cream: 22USD each (0.07oz / 2g)

Available at Jouer & Nordstrom

These highlighters come in three different shades: citrine, topaz, and rose quartz. Unlike the original brown plastic packaging with interlocking system, the new highlighters feature a sleek golden overlay when snap closure.

CITRINE – shimmering gold

TOPAZ – shimmering rose gold

ROSE QUARTZ – shimmering champagne pink

Swatches below, applied heavily using my finger then blended out. When blended all the way, it almost disappears into the skin for a very natural and healthy sheen.

Jouer Cream & Powder Highlighter Swatches (natural daylight)

Similar to the original three cream highlighters in Camellia, Tiare, and Champagne, the powder highlighters provide an illuminating sheen rather than full-on sparkle which suits me much more. Although the shades are similar, varied from a cool pastel to warm golden and peach tones, each product is unique.

Camellia – shimmering pearl white

Tiare – shimmering gold (more of a true yellow gold compared to Citrine which has more peach undertones)

Champagne – shimmering pink (quite similar to Topaz but pulls a tad more salmon) I really enjoy this shade as a blush/highlight together.

My favourite out of the collection is Citrine. It matches my skin tone very well and blends seamlessly for a very subtle glow. I don’t wear highlighter every day; however, when I do, I definitely pick this one.

As marketed, Jouer does recommend layering cream and powder highlighters together so I made some swatches below with this method:

Jouer Cream & Powder Highlighter Layered Swatches in natural daylight

When layered, the glow is definitely more pronounced. I typically use my fingers to pat cream highlighter whereas I use fluffy synthetic brushes for powder.

As with most highlighters, these don’t dry out my skin or accentuate dry spots and imperfections. I absolutely adore the smooth texture from the powder highlighters – they feel like butter in the pan.

In all a very solid lineup of highlighters by Jouer Cosmetics with multiple shades for a variety of skin colours and undertones. For personal preference, I still like powders more than creams; however, I really enjoy Champagne from the cream collection.

Stay warm,

Kelly || takaraboxx

ETUDE HOUSE Dear My Enamel Eyes-Talk (RD 301, OR 201, PK 002) Swatches & Review

Etude House, Makeup, Swatch & Review

On average, Korean brands have new releases and collaborations every month whether it’s new packaging, new formulas, additions to existing lines or a completely new line itself. For the Korean makeup and skincare giant ETUDE HOUSE, whenever an entire collection is released, they often have promotional prices. One of their current promotional events is the Enamel Look for Fall/Winter 2016. Essentially, they chose three shades from their Dear My Enamel Lips-talk and Eyes-talk releases and combined them into a package at a discounted price.

There are three different looks, each with a lipstick and eyeshadow:

Etude House Dear My Enamel Eyes-talk — *Courtesy of Etude House*

My review on the Etude House Dear My Enamel Lips-talk can be found HERE.

When purchased together, you get 30% off the retail price. You can also purchase the lipstick and eye shades separately at 20% off.

I’ll be reviewing three shades from the Dear My Enamel Eyes-Talk, a softly melting eyeshadow with high colour pay-off and long-lasting effects. There are 12 shades in this line which are separated into 5 categories based on colour undertone: Beige (BE), Brown (BR), Orange (OR), Pink (PK) and Red (RD).

These come in a clear acrylic case with snap closure and silver embossed letters on the lid. I adore the simple yet elegant lace pattern on the product itself which ties it nicely to the Dear My Enamel collection (this print is also featured on the Lips-talk tubes). Each shade currently retails at 6.80 USD each.

RD 301 Berry Berry Vitamin – A vibrant cool-toned red.

Honestly I think this is such a nice shade … FOR LIPS. I don’t tend to wear bright reds on my lids; however, I must admit it ties in nicely with a bold red lip – especially if you use it as a transition colour with the slightest sheen peeking through.

OR 201 Afternoon Tea – A grapefruit peachy shade with satin finish.

Such a feminine shade with a slight innocence to it. This shade actually melds very nicely with RD 301 and also as a blush. Because there is a slight shine to these shadows, Afternoon Tea can work as an all over lid colour.

PK 002 Lover of Sun – Golden sand with the slightest pink undertone.

I love this shade for everyday. It brings attention to the eyes in a very natural way.

This is a new eyeshadow texture from Etude House which they claim to be a “melting shadow” – shadow that keeps colour fresh without creasing for long hours compared to cream shadows. The texture is very creamy to the touch yet you can also tell it’s made from a powder form. If I had to compare… it’s very similar to the L’Oreal Infallible eyeshadow pots (reviewed HERE).

These blend very nicely on the lids without any tug or pull. I would highly recommend using your fingers to get the best effect from these shadows rather than a brush. I have dry lids so these do last all day. If you have oily lids, I’d definitely put an eyeshadow primer first.

In all, another fun collection from Etude House. I love how the eye shades compliment the lip shades previously released. I’m not too fond of RD301 since I won’t be wearing it on a daily basis but the formula itself gets a thumbs up. I’m interested in more brown and earthy shades such as BR402 and RD302 and will be looking to purchase those!

These are available for purchase at Etude House .

Until next time,

Kelly (TAKARABOXX)

THE ITEMS FEATURED IN THIS POST WERE KINDLY SENT TO ME BY THE ETUDE HOUSE GLOBAL TEAM FOR REVIEW CONSIDERATION; HOWEVER, AS ALWAYS, ALL OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE UNBIASED, GENUINE, AND MY OWN.

ETUDE HOUSE Dear My Enamel Lips-talk Swatches & Review (BE101, OR205, RD306)

Etude House, Makeup, Swatch & Review

Here with another launch from Etude House, the Dear My Enamel Lips-talk moisture lipsticks!

Quick overview courtesy of Etude House:

With the hybrid of moisturizing effects and beautiful vivid colors, the Enamel Lips Talk will leave your lips dead-skin-free and smooth for a long time.

I have always suffered from dry and flakey lips which is why I used to always opt for lip glosses or just pure lip balm. In recent years, the beauty community has advanced tremendously in lip care and lip innovations which allow those with dry lips like me to enjoy colour once again. Lipsticks are now infused with moisturizing and enriching ingredients to, if not keep your lips luscious throughout the day, at least prevent drying out the lips. However, one downfall from moisturizing lip products is the lack of colour longevity – not only do they transfer, they fade after a few sips of water.

With the launch of Etude House’s Dear My Enamel Lips-talk, I am pleasantly surprised to find a new lip product that will accompany me through the harsh Canadian winters.

These lipsticks combine the vivid colouring from a traditional lipstick with the moisturizing shine from a lip gloss. Available in 20 shades from Beige and Orange to Pink and Red. Each tube contains 3.4g / 0.11oz of product housed in a cute baby pink plastic case with snap closure retailing at 24 USD each (recently reduced to 12.60 USD).

I have three shades to review for you today: Beige (BE) 101, Orange (OR) 205 and Red (RD) 306.

Etude House Dear My Enamel Lips-talk BE101

BE 101: there are two shades under the beige category (BE 101 & 102) which contain more brown neutral tones compared to the rest of the collection. BE101 is the lighter of the two and gives your lips a very natural MLBB finish.

Etude House Dear My Enamel Lips-talk OR205

OR 205: there are four shades under the orange category (OR 203, 204, 205 & 206) which are the coral toned lips. I tend to not veer towards coral lips because they don’t flatter my skin tone and OR205 is quite orange. I can’t wear this lip alone but I do enjoy layering it with other red or neutral lipsticks for a gradation effect.

Etude House Dear My Enamel Lips-talk RD306

RD 306: comprising the majority of the Enamel Lips-talk collection, there are 8 Reds in total (RD 301-308). These shades make up the darker side of the spectrum and are especially fall-appropriate. RD 306 is a mid-toned red with blue undertones.

Etude House Dear My Enamel Lips-talk Arm Swatches (Daylight) — Etude House Dear My Enamel Lips-talk Arm Swatches (Natural Lighting)

Etude House Dear My Enamel Lips-talk Arm Swatches (Flash)

True to its claim, all three of these lipsticks feel very moisturizing on the lips and diminish any flakiness you may have (even after exfoliating). They don’t settle in the lines and dry to a demi-gloss finish. The flat tip of the lipsticks make application a tad more challenging compared to traditional pointed tips (similar to Tom Ford Moisturecores) but apply smoothly nonetheless. If you want to use a lip brush, you can. If you want to dab on some colour, you can. If you want to layer it on top of another shade, you can. I love the versatility of this because no matter how you choose to apply it, it keeps your lips looking moisturized and feeling great.

The Etude House Enamel Lips-talk lipsticks take about 5 minutes to fully set (you could always put a tissue overtop the lips and brush some loose powder to remove the shine). All three shades are fairly opaque even on my pigmented lips and last around 3 hours. These will fade with any food or drink intake. I didn’t notice any feathering during wear but these lipsticks do stain your lips (especially the red). It took a lot… and I mean A LOT of effort to remove the swatch stains from my pale arms!

In all, I’m getting more and more sold on Etude House lip products. Their formulas are hydrating and flattering on the lips. My favourite shade from the three is BE101 and I’m very tempted to get BE102 and some from the Pink and Red categories!

You can shop their entire collection HERE .

Have you tried any lip products from Etude House? Let me know!

Kelly (takaraboxx)

THE ITEMS FEATURED IN THIS POST WERE KINDLY SENT TO ME BY THE ETUDE HOUSE GLOBAL TEAM FOR REVIEW CONSIDERATION; HOWEVER, AS ALWAYS, ALL OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE UNBIASED, GENUINE, AND MY OWN.

ETUDE HOUSE Pink Skull Collection for Fall 2016

Etude House, Swatch & Review

Etude House released their new fall collection in Korea last month: Pink Skull Collection. The new collection features a chic and funky style which is slightly different from their usual cute and playful existing lines. Etude House has been rebranding their image since 2016 and I can’t wait to see what they have planned for 2017!

The Pink Skull collection embraces a strongly chic, stylish and bright edgy pink theme. The entire collection is comprised of:

2 x “Pink Skull Color Eyes” Eyeshadow Palettes (#1 Lovely Skull & #2 Funky Skull)
2 x “Pink Skull Twin Shot Lipstint” Dual Lip Tints (PK003 Pink x Pumpkin Shot & RD304 Funky x Skull shot)
2 x “Pink Skull Cream Blusher” (#1 Skull Rose & #2 Funky Pink)
2 x “Pink Skull Curl Fix Mascara” (in black and brown)
1 x “Pink Skull Curl Fix Mascara Long Lash” (currently sold out on EH)
1 x “Colourful Scent Eau de Perfume”
3 x Nail Polishes (currently sold out on EH)

If you choose to purchase your items through www.etudehouse.com (ships internationally), they currently have promotions of 10% off single items, 20% off eye kits (eyeshadow & mascara), and 30% off face kits (eyeshadow, mascara, lip).

I will be reviewing two items today: eyeshadow palette in #1 Lovely Skull and twin shot lip tint in RD304 Funky x Skull shot.

Pink Skull Color Eyes #1 Lovely Skull

Housed in a rectangular plastic case with clear top and snap closure, this lightweight palette is both travel friendly and perfect to display on your vanity. I love the cute skull design with heart eyes and also the heart embossing on each individual shadow. Compared to #2 Funky Skull, Lovely Skull features a much warmer variety of shades with 3 shimmers and 6 mattes.

I’ve tried Etude House eyeshadows in the past and I’d say the formula is very similar. Compared to western brands, I find korean colour makeup is more subtle with a soft wash of colour. The colour intensity also varies in this palette depending on the shade chosen. I adore the three shades in the upper right corner. I find they are perfect for every day with a hint of shimmer to bring light to the eyes. I have a light skin tone which varies between fair-light to light-medium depending on the season. I an currently in the middle of that spectrum and all of these shades appear on my skin. #1 is a almost purely shimmer with a slight cream undertone. I find #8 to be a very nice dusty rose and #5 is a sweet pink that applies more naturally on the skin than it appears in the pan.

There is medium powder kick-up with a brush, similar to Too Faced shadows. Most of the shades blend flawlessly aside from #7 and #9 which requires a bit more work. In terms of longevity, I noticed minor fading after 4 hours without an eyeshadow primer; however, the palette is very convenient to bring with for touch-ups (it doesn’t have a mirror though). The shadows fade naturally without creasing on my lids even without a primer.

ETUDE HOUSE Pink Skull Collection Lovely Skull Eyes Swatches (with FLASH)

ETUDE HOUSE Pink Skull Collection Lovely Skull Eyes Swatches (indoor artificial lighting WITHOUT flash)

ETUDE HOUSE Pink Skull Collection Lovely Skull Eyes Swatches (natural lighting)

Retailing at 20.52USD for BOTH eyeshadow palettes (10.26 each), it’s a pretty good deal. If you enjoy Pink/Brown makeup looks (which I find appropriate for winter months), I believe you will enjoy this one!

Pink Skull Twin Shot Lip tint RD304 Funky x Skull Shot

When I saw this in the box I thought I’d never wear that insanely sparkly tube of darkness. Then I swatched it and thought hmm… this isn’t too bad… and when I tried it on my lips Yes. This will work!

While the Mousse side has a very smooth and opaque deep pink that supplies most of the colour and minor gloss, the Pearl Tint offers the extra shine and sparkle with a purple undertone. Layered over each other, it forms a luscious glossy lip. On days where I don’t want such an intense look, I pat a bit of the Mousse on the inner lip, blend it out as a gradient then add the Pearl Shot on top. Because the Mousse also leaves a stain after removal, sometimes I deliberately remove the colour and apply a gloss over the stain.

ETUDE HOUSE Pink Skull Collection Twin Shot Liptint Swatches

The two ends have different applicators with the mousse side shaped more like a paddle with rounded contours for ease of application.

Overall, I was most pleasantly surprised with the lip tints. I haven’t tried lip products from Etude House in the past but I will definitely experiment more with them from now on.

Are there any items from the collection that caught your eye?

Until next time,

Kelly (takaraboxx)

The items featured in this post were KINDLY SENT TO ME BY THE ETUDE HOUSE GLOBAL TEAM FOR REVIEW CONSIDERATION; HOWEVER, AS ALWAYS, ALL OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE UNBIASED, GENUINE, AND MY OWN.

ETUDE HOUSE Play 101 Blending Pencil Review

Etude House, Makeup, Swatch & Review

ETUDE HOUSE is a very popular South Korean cosmetics brand mainly known for their cute packaging and affordable assortment of colour beauty products. Owned by Amore Pacific, the brand has been expanding its global outreach and can be considered one of Korea’s makeup giants. It’s been a year or two since Etude House first launched their Play 101 series which gained much fame from their versatility. A single pencil was no longer limited as an eyeliner – it doubled as an eyeshadow, a concealer, a lip liner, a blush… basically anything and everything. Using a similar formula, Etude House has launched their Play 101 Blending Pencils to compliment the best-selling Play 101.

Disclaimer: As part of Etude House’s Global Pink Bird Program, I was sent the following products for review consideration; however, as always, all opinions expressed are unbiased, genuine, and my own.

For those who are unfamiliar with the Pink Bird Program, it is a blogger and influencer program where Etude House sends a box each month to highlight their newest launch. The Pink Box of July features the newly launched Play 101 Blending Pencil Sweet Box which is a collaboration with Dear My Universe, a Korean fashion brand popular among Korean girls.

EH Pink Bird July 2016: Etude House Play 101 Blending Pencil x Dear My Universe

Contents include:

Play 101 Blending Pencil in #5
Play 101 Blending Pencil in #20
Universe Bag

The Universe Bag is a navy blue drawstring pouch with a heart-shaped planet embroidery on the front. The material itself feels sturdy and will definitely hold some weight without deforming. For the purpose of this review, I will be focusing on the ETUDE HOUSE Blending Pencils in shades #5 and #20.

The entire Play 101 Blending Pencil Collection features 25 toned-down moody colours for eye, cheek, and lip.

There are four textures:

Creamy: like soft cream, it delivers smooth drawing and natural blending. Useful for eye base, contouring and shading, concealer, or eyebrows. (SHADES 2-10, 14, 15)
Jewel: it delivers a twinkling effect with pearls. May be used as eye shadow, highlighter, or lower eye makeup depending on the colour. (SHADES 1, 11-13)
Velvet: the velvet-soft matte texture delivers soft and clear application and delicate colours. Useful as blusher and for gradient lips. (SHADES 18-20, 22-25)
Jelly: it delivers a dewy and glossy finish to make fuller lips and can be used as a blusher to apply on the cheeks and other wider parts of your face. (SHADES 16, 17, 21)

You can think of shades 1-14 to be geared towards eyes, contouring and brows whereas 16-25 are red-tones mainly for the lips and cheeks. Shade 15 is unique and doubles as a concealer or to blur the lip lines before applying a lip shade on top.

These pencils claim to be smudge-free with long-lasting adherence (except Jelly textures). These sticks are housed in a lightweight plastic tube with a twist-up mechanism. Unfortunately, they don’t come with a built-in sharpener similar to the original Play 101 Pencils (or Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Eye Crayons); however, since these are blending pencils, a sharp tip isn’t that important.

They retail for $9.80 USD each and are currently on sale at www.etudehouse.com for $6.86 USD.

Each pencil weighs 14g and contain 1.1g / 0.04 oz (shades 1-14) or 0.9g / 0.03 oz (shades 15-25) of product.

For comparison, Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Sticks and NARS Velvet Shadow Sticks contain 0.05 oz of product retailing at several times the price.

Etude House Play 101 Blending Pencil Ingredients

If you’ve been following me on Instagram (takaraboxx) , you must know I adore eyeshadow sticks. Someday I will collect every single shade – I love them that much. They’re convenient, effortless, and perfect on-the-go. If you aren’t a morning person and you find yourself rushing out the door, I would definitely purchase at least one. It’s great to apply all over the lids then blend with your finger. When I saw Etude House launching these Blending Pencils, I was beyond thrilled. I have high expectations of eyeshadow sticks because I’ve tried so many. It feels tough to base my thoughts on the entire collection based on one shade and one texture alone, but I have tried ETUDE HOUSE in the past and their formulas were quite consistent.

Shade #5 is a creamy matte warm brown. It reminds me of milk chocolate with some splashes of orange. Application was easy – it glides on the lids without tugging on the skin. The formula tends to dry more quickly than other cream shadows I’ve tried so your play time is somewhat limited. If you tend to pack on all different eye colour sticks then blend it at the end, you may find blending the shades together more difficult. When applying this, I put 2-3 strokes on the lid then blend it immediately with my finger for a flawless gradient.

What I love about EH Play 101 Blending Pencil is how it dries very matte yet doesn’t crease. The texture is very similar to an eyeshadow base and allows any other powder shadow you apply on top to really adhere to the lids and enhance their colour. I’d love some lighter neutral shades to use as an eyeshadow base – #5 is a tad too orange for my skin tone.

This shade in particular lasted 4.5 hours before fading with a tinted remnant after a 9 hour day. I have noticed though that if you really pack on the colour, once it sets, it doesn’t budge. Water alone won’t wash off the colour.

Shade #20 is a matte/velvet tomato red that actually looks very similar to the nail shade “Espadrilles” by Chanel with tints of orange. There was some tugging on the lips when applying the lip pencil but it went on fairly evenly. The rounded edges and small tip made precise application a breeze. The formula tends to be on the drier side and I would highly recommend exfoliating your lips before applying the lip colour as it tends to settle into the lines and dry areas.

Etude House Play 101 Blending Pencil #20

If you don’t eat or drink, the lip colour can last several hours; but it definitely fades after a meal.

EtudeHousePlay101BlendingPencilSwatches — Shade #5 on the left, heavy swatch and blended. Shade #20 on the right.

Etude House Play 101 Blending Pencil #5 & #20

In all, I am impressed with the Etude House eye colour shade in #5; however, I would have liked more from the lip product. If you decide to try out this line, I recommend the eye shades (1-14). I think the Jelly texture lip products would have suited me more as I prefer glossy natural lips; nevertheless, shade #20 is a very pigmented and matte alternative.

– Kelly (takaraboxx)

This box was kindly sent to me by the ETUDE HOUSE GLOBAL team for review consideration; however, as always, all opinions expressed are unbiased, genuine, and my own.

NARS Laguna Tiare Bronzer

Makeup, nars, Swatch & Review

Already halfway through summer, I can safely say that my favourite seasons are still Spring and Autumn where the sun is bright yet accompanied by a cool breeze. This constant humidity where just a few minutes outdoors makes you feel all sticky is just not my favourite. Nevertheless, summer means bronzer galore and here I am presenting the NARS Laguna Tiare Bronzer, part of the Tahiti Bronze Collection 2016.

The Tahiti Bronze Collection is composed of 6 items to compliment the best-selling NARS Laguna Bronzer including:

Laguna Liquid Bronzer: a sheer bronzing fluid, a versatile innovation used over the skin as is or to blend with makeup for an allover, healthy-looking glow
Laguna Tiare Bronzer: reviewed below
Monoi Body Glow: a rich bronzed luster enriched with hydrating essences of Monoi (known to leave skin smooth and glowing)
Monoi Body Glow II: a companion to the Monoi Body Glow without the bronze luster. Both Monoi Body Glow oils can be used daily after bath, shower, sun exposure, or as a massage oil
Monoi Candle: “A rich and enveloping bouquet of tiare blossom, white frangipani, ylang-ylang, and vanilla transport and transfix. Created with rich essential oils, allowing for an optimum burn time of 70 hours.”

I actually don’t own a full-size NARS Laguna Bronzer but I have a deluxe mini (0.08 oz / 2.5g). When I saw the launch of Laguna Tiare (LT) in all its gorgeous packaging glory and included mini ita kabuki brush, I opted to purchase this one rather than the original.

Retail: 59 USD / 75 CAD (0.35oz / 10g) available at your local Sephora, Holt Renfrew, Nordstrom, NARScosmetics.com, and NARS counters. Limited Edition.

NARS Laguna Tiare / Mini Laguna Size Comparison

In terms of price, Laguna Tiare retails at 7.50 CAD/g whereas the full-size Laguna Bronzer (52 CAD/8g) retails at 6.50 CAD/g. At first glance, LT may seem more expensive; however, when you factor in the Ita Kabuki brush which retails at 70 CAD, you may reconsider.

Taking a closer look at the brush, the included Ita Mini brush head is actually full size with a smaller handle compared to its original counterpart. The bristles are very similar in material and texture to the larger brushes. It feels soft to the touch and blends well. The unique Ita Kabuki Brush head is ideal for sharp contouring; however, I usually prefer a fluffy round brush such as Tom Ford Bronzing Brush or ZOEVA 106 Powder Brush for an allover glow.

Let’s talk about packaging. It’s gorgeous. Although featuring the classic NARS black colour theme, the rectangular case is, in fact, plastic with intricate tree bark wooden details and glossy NARS lettering on top. The compact is lightweight with a snap closure and a large mirror inside.

The powder pan measures 6 x 7.5 cm in diameter which provides ample space to swirl your brush and ensure proper powder distribution.

NARS Laguna Tiare Bronzer with Mini Ita Kabuki

If you are familiar with NARS Laguna or any of NARS powder formulas, you can expect the same quality to be found in Laguna Tiare. The powder feels buttery to the touch and blends seamlessly. I found this bronzer to be difficult to pick up using my finger but effortless with a regular synthetic powder brush. Be aware that, like most bronzers, it takes time after the initial application for the colour to settle in. If you’re looking for a subtle and very natural summer glow, then wait a bit before applying more.

In the pan, Laguna Tiare is a tone or two deeper than the original Laguna; however, unless you create intense layering on the skin, the colour difference is unnoticeable. It is marketed as a diffused brown with golden shimmer and tends to veer slightly towards the warmer spectrum.

NARS Laguna Tiare / Laguna Swatches (in indirect sunlight)

NARS Laguna Tiare / Laguna Swatches (in shade)

The bronzer lasted easily for 6 hours on a non-powdered face with foundation and 8 hours on top of powder and foundation (I almost always use a setting spray overtop).

What sold me, aside from the packaging, formula and included brush, is the scent. The entire Tahiti Bronze Collection is infused with Monoï de Tahiti, a blend of tiare blossom, white frangipani, ylang-ylang, and vanilla found naturally in the Polynesian islands. It is a very calming and relaxing scent that is neither overpowering or non-existent, but rather a perfect balance between the two. ~~The scent alone is making me want to purchase the candle and hydrating beauty oil from the same collection.~~ Correction, by the time this review is posted I already ordered Monoi Body Glow II (aha!). If you already own the Monoi Body Glow from previous releases and fell in love with the scent, the Laguna Tiare would definitely be up your alley.

In all, NARS has continued to impress with a solid bronzer / brush duo cased within a beautifully crafted compact. I am very pleased to add this to my collection.

xx Kelly

Burt’s Bees Lipstick (Nile Nude) Swatches & Review

Makeup, Swatch & Review

“A lipstick that loves you back.”

First off, Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadians! It’s going to be a gloomy day in eastern Canada with rain and thunderstorms but nevertheless, hope you have a lovely day celebrating!

For the longest time, I’ve been using Burt’s Bees lipbalms for my excessively dry lips. I recently switched to Forever Living Aloe Lips (with Jojoba oil) lip balm after purchasing a large bulk order of them, but Burt’s Bees is definitely easily accessible and does a very good job.

A couple months back, I saw Burt’s Bees released their line of moisturizing lipsticks and I was anticipating their arrival in Canada. Two weeks back I finally came across them in Shopper’s Drug Mart and immediately purchased one. Without a doubt I chose the palest shade in the collection: Nile Nude.

Packaging Details

Burt’s Bees prides itself on “the Greater Good” in which their philosophy follows three main foundations: people, profit, planet. The company strives to look look out for their employees, customers, families and our environment, too. Their ingredients are simple, natural, and responsible and the same can be said about their packaging. Each lipstick is made to be recycled with 100% #5 plastic and 60% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.

Burt's Bees Lipstick Nile Nude — Burt’s Bees Lipstick Nile Nude; honeycomb pattern on removable lid.

Despite the simple ingredients, they included a very signature beehive hexagonal lattice on all four surfaces of the lid (which changes colour depending on the lipstick shade).

The tube is lightweight and perfect to fit in your pocket; however, I must note that the lid comes loose quite easily.

Burt’s Bees Lipstick Information

Intense colour meets conditioning 8-hour moisture. Full-coverage, vibrant colour in 14 shades made with 100% naturally moisturizing ingredients like moringa and raspberry seed oils to help soften and condition your lips all day long.

Burt's Bees Lipsticks — Burt’s Bees Lipsticks

It features a smooth satin finish that helps to hydrate and moisturize the lips leaving them feeling soft throughout the day.

Application / Longevity

The formula is very smooth and glides effortlessly on the lips. It leaves a very natural glow (no shimmer) and the shade Nile Nude is a perfect MLBB. Burt’s Bees Lipsticks feel very lightweight on the lips and doesn’t leave any sticky residue.

Although the release statement claims 8-hour moisture, the lipstick itself does not last 8 hours. It is indeed hydrating and may supply moisture to the lips (like their lipbalm), but the colour does not remain for that duration. I’d say the colour lasts up to 2 hours if you don’t eat or drink (unless you’re drinking with a straw) but it definitely transfers and disappears after a meal; therefore, re-application is a must.

On the positive side, it fades very naturally and you don’t have to run to the mirror every few minutes to touch-up in fear it will look obvious.

Swatch Comparisons

Nile Nude is a very natural warm-toned nude pink. Compared to Laura Mercier’s Amaretto Swirl, it has more brown tones and is less glossy. To the left is a swatch of Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche in Meringue which is two or three tones darker and more matte.

BiteBeauty Meringue Burt's Bees Nile Nude Laura Mercier Amaretto Swirl Swatches — Bite Beauty Meringue, Burt’s Bees Nile Nude, and Laura Mercier Amaretto Swirl Swatches (under artificial lighting)

Final Remarks…

I’m very satisfied with Burt’s Bees Lipstick in Nile Nude. The colour is buildable and supplies a natural enhancement to the lips. It is an effortless lipstick that, although needs retouching, does not need constant attention especially for those who have busy days. Nile Nude is the perfect everyday shade for me as I work in a professional environment where heavy colour makeup is not permitted – it’s also wonderful for casual days out doing errands.

At the price point of 9.99 CAD, I’ll definitely repurchase and experiment with more shades.

You can buy these from www.BurtsBees.ca or your local Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall pharmacies.

Until next time! ❤

– Kelly (takaraboxx)

GUERLAIN Terracotta Summer 2016 – The Bronzing Powder – 02 Natural Swatches & Review

Makeup, Swatch & Review

Guerlain Terracotta Natural 02 - Limited Edition, Summer 2016 — Guerlain Terracotta Natural 02 – Limited Edition, Summer 2016

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening!

I’ve been experimenting with my blog lately. I would like to make a combination of shorter reviews (maybe even just swatches or product shots etc. with a few words) because each comprehensive blog post as it is takes a good full day to complete (I’m very picky). I really hope my thoughts and swatches help you (especially for products you can’t physically test in store) so I would love to find a way to better convey that to you. I have always been a very visual person and followed the saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words.” In the future, I may incorporate more photos in a creative manner rather than having many paragraphs to read (of course you can always skim though).

Without further ado, let’s introduce my first Guerlain Bronzer : The Terracotta in Natural 02.

Continue reading “GUERLAIN Terracotta Summer 2016 – The Bronzing Powder – 02 Natural Swatches & Review” →

Bobbi Brown Nude on Nude Eye Palette Swatches & Review

Makeup, Swatch & Review

Helloooo~! Back with some more swatches and a review! This time featuring the Bobbi Brown Nude on Nude Eye Palette that I picked up from Hudson Bay during their beauty sale a couple weeks back . . . actually I think it’s been a month now ¯\_( – ﹏ – )_/¯.

Continue reading “Bobbi Brown Nude on Nude Eye Palette Swatches & Review” →

L’Oréal Infallible Eyeshadow Swatches & Review

Makeup, Swatch & Review

It’s been a busy past few weeks with the weather acting up. We had one day of snow, one day of summer, one day of rainfall and one day of spring all in one week. I’d seen people wearing winter jackets accompanied with boots and scarves then suddenly the next day wear shorts and flats. Canadian weather ._.

Nevertheless, I recently heard about the L’Oréal Infallible Eyeshadow Pots (they’re not new, but they’re new to me). Amazing pigmentation with the creaminess of a high-end product at a fraction of the price. With those selling points, I went and purchased 6 shades.

L'Oreal Paris Infallible Eyeshadow (inverted) — L’Oreal Paris Infallible Eyeshadow (inverted)

Continue reading “L’Oréal Infallible Eyeshadow Swatches & Review” →

CLINIQUE Lid Pop Eyeshadow Swatches & Review (Cream Pop / Cocoa Pop)

Makeup, Swatch & Review

I have always been a fan of CLINIQUE skincare. It’s been years since opening my very first bottle of their world-renowned Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion/Gel (I have since switched to their Moisture Surge and have expanded my skincare repertoire). CLINIQUE prides itself in producing high quality goods which are allergy tested and 100% fragrance free – this includes their colour makeup lines.

My very first experience with their makeup is from Bonus sets (if you’re from Canada you will recognize this at Hudson’s Bay, Sears, Nordstrom etc.). I often enjoyed their mascaras and eyeshadow duo/trios. Not too long ago, CLINIQUE came out with 8 individual eyeshadow shades to compliment their POP collection : CLINIQUE Lid Pop.

Continue reading “CLINIQUE Lid Pop Eyeshadow Swatches & Review (Cream Pop / Cocoa Pop)” →

Tarte Quench Lip Rescue Swatch & Review (Opal)

Makeup, Swatch & Review

There have been many exciting releases for spring 2016, but among the most anticipated stands Tarte’s Rainforest Under the Sea collection. This collection may be one of Tarte Cosmetic’s largest releases which includes an eyeshadow palette, a highlighter palette, many lipsticks (quench & drench), serum based foundation and concealer, an assortment of skincare and multiple brushes.

Official Release Date: February 29th (in-store March 14th) 2016.

Among the collection, I chose two items:

Quench Lip Rescue in Opal
Lip Brush (dual-ended brush with a cap on one end and a spring mechanism on the other)

The Quench Lip Rescue

According to Sephora:

What it is:
A moisturizing lip balm in an array of sheer color shades.

What it does:
Save lips from the signs of aging while delivering intense hydration and soft, subtle color. This tinted lip balm is infused with an antioxidant and vitamin-rich lip quencher that’s powered by a blend of essential extracts and oils to help restore the appearance of your lips’ softness, moisture, and elasticity that’s reduced over time while providing a protective antioxidant barrier against daily aggressors. The tinted, everyday formula gently melts into skin to smooth over the look of lip lines, leaving a radiant, dewy finish.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
– Parabens
– Phthalates

What else you need to know:
This product is vegan friendly and dermatologist tested.

whereas the Drench Lip Splash Lipsticks are marketed as a matte lipstick with more intense colour pay-off.

There are 4 shades in this lip balm collection: Opal, Nude, Rose, and Berry.

Packaging

Nestled in a lightweight paper tube with an intricate flower and under-sea coral design superimposed on a pastel blue background, the Tarte Quench Lip Rescue Lip Balm is for sure to be noticed by others (of note, the colour and design varies depending which shade you choose but they all have an undersea design and embossing) . It’s pretty to look at and convenient to use. The cap interior is lined with plastic which is useful if you’re clumsy like me and don’t have the hand-eye coordination to properly close the tube (yep…).

Application

Creamy and emollient without any pull on the lips. As you apply the product onto your lips you will feel a soothing sensation similar to lip treatments used to “plump” the lips to appear fuller. There is a pleasant peppermint fragrance which is noticeable after the cap is popped off, during application and up to an hour after.

Opal is a milky pastel pink which can vary in opacity depending on how many layers you apply. Beware of applying too much as it slips and slides (it is a lip balm afterall). You can definitely notice the moisturizing effects of this lip balm which linger even after the balm has faded.

Arm Swatch, one swipe under artificial lighting

Tarte Quench Lip Rescue Opal Swatch on Arm

Lip Swatch below (left = before, right = after) under natural sunlight

BEFORE

Tarte Quench Lip Rescue Opal Swatch on Lips

It’s my absolute first time doing a lip swatch…. so do bare with me that they’re not very good! I will improve though so any tips and comments are much appreciated 🙂

Longevity

It’s a lip balm. It doesn’t last and performs a disappearing magic act after 1-2 hours without eating or immediately after a meal. It will transfer. It will get caught in your hair on windy days. Think of it as an extremely hydrating lip gloss.

Overall, I am satisfied with this purchase. Retailing at 23$ CAD / 19$ USD, it’s quite a luxury lip product but it performs as stated: a smooth application with noticeable hydration and a glossy effect. Given its’ sheer-medium coverage, it is generally forgiving if it spreads and you can definitely apply it without a mirror and be worry-free of drawing out of the lines. Would I purchase the other shades? Maybe. Not sure. I was interested in Opal because it would lighten my lips… the other shades would do the opposite. But as for formula it would be a yes.

The only caveat… if your lips are sensitive to minty products or if you don’t enjoy tingling sensations / strong scents, I would avoid this product.

Available at Sephora and tartecosmetics.com

Have you tried this? What other products in Tarte’s Rainforest Under the Sea collection are you eyeing?

Kelly (takaraboxx)