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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 |

memebox PONY Shine Easy Glam Review & Swatches

Eyes, korean, PONY Effect

I first came across PONY Makeup when I watched “Pony’s Makeup Diary”, a special beauty segment of OnStyle (YouTube channel). Pony (real name Hye-Min Park) is one of South Korea’s most prominent beauty gurus and celebrity make-up artists. All of her videos are subtitled in English hence why she has followers around the globe. In the past couple years, she created her own YouTube channel “PONY Makeup” where she has makeup tutorials, GRWMs, brand-specific videos and travel diaries. Working in the beauty industry for many years as a self-taught MUA, Pony’s knowledge of both makeup and skincare really shines through in her videos. I learned a lot about skincare and korean skincare routines as well as Korean makeup trends from her expertly executed and edited clips. Her makeup transformation videos are also very inspiring and I have linked two for you to view at your leisure:

With her extensive background in both Korean and western makeup, I had high expectations with the quality of her products. Her first releases were in collaboration with memebox, an online company which delivers top trending beauty products from Korea (unfortunately they no longer deliver to Canada). At the time of this review, there are two PONY Shine Easy Glam palettes released. I will be reviewing the first.

Pony has since released her own beauty line which includes a plethora of products such as foundations (in both bottle and cushion format), lip collections, eyes and cheek palettes as well as sheet masks. From the products I’ve tried, I adore her eyebrow pencils and eyeshadow sticks.

On to the review! I had so much fun styling these shots 🙂

The memebox x PONY Shine Easy Glam palette features 8 hand-picked shades (15g, made in Korea) curated as must-have shades to create a classic Korean-style eye look.

Key Features:

Skin-fit System – The eyeshadows contain silicone powder oil which makes every shade easy to blend. It hugs the eyelids better in order to give a smooth, vivid finish.

High-Gloss Effect – Having pearl powder as one of its main ingredients, each eyeshadow has a pearl shine finish that looks gorgeous under any type of light.

Double Coating Powder – Its advanced double coating technology keeps the color and shimmers intact with minimal fallouts.

Jewelry Complex – The shimmer shades (Shine Rosegold, Shine Gold, Glam Cocoa, Glam Espresso) are improved with premium jewel extracts such as Ruby, Pearl and Amethyst which add to each shade’s ravishing finish.

Rosehip Oil – Each shade in the palette is enriched and fortified with natural rosehip oil which makes the eyeshadows go on buttery smooth.

The palette is free from parabens, sulfates, formaldehyde, mineral oil, alcohol, tea, peg, phthalates, coal tar, formaldehyde-releasers, triclosan, propylene glycol, mit, sodium lauryl sulfate, and dye.

I separated the shades according to finish (matte vs. shimmer) and swatched them in a Z shape for each group:

Easy Base – pale beige

Easy Shadow – warm yellow-brown

Easy Brown – warm toasted almond

Easy Charcoal – cool ashy dark brown

Shine Rosegold – pearl champagne

Shine Gold – sunset copper

Glam Cocoa – dark bronze

Glam Espresso – reddish dark brown

memebox Pony Effect Pony Shine Easy Glam Swatches Shade — Swatches in shade

memebox Pony Effect Pony Shine Easy Glam Swatch Sunlight — Swatch under natural sunlight

The shades are housed in a durable black plastic with shine finish. A full-length mirror occupies the underside of the lid. I love the portability of this sleek palette which makes it perfect to bring along on a trip or slip into your purse. I’m also thrilled that the palette doesn’t come with a built-in brush compartment which usually just ends up collecting excess powder because I remove the brush and use my own most of the time.

All shades feel buttery smooth in the pan and blend effortlessly although there is minor powder kick-up with Easy Base and Easy Shadow. The shimmer shades apply truer to colour and more evenly with your fingers. The pigmentation is top-notch for korean brands (which generally have a softer finish for natural beauty) and the four mattes rival KVD and UD mattes. They last 5 hours on my normal lids without a primer and extend to 6.5 with a primer (I tested with Urban Decay).

If you have a warm undertone, Easy Shadow can definitely be used to naturally contour the finer features of your face such as the inner eyes for depth and around the nose.

memebox Pony Effect Pony Shine Easy Glam Swatches Flash — Swatches with flash

The shimmer isn’t too noticeable with normal shade and light but really shines with direct sunlight / flash.

My favourite shades in this palette are Easy Shadow & Easy Brown for the lid and contour, and Shine Rosegold for the inner corner.

With all the variety of shades in the market, this palette may not seem like anything special but I really enjoyed all the shades. These work especially well for asian skin and meld together with our yellow undertones. If you’re in the market for a good value eyeshadow palette that can easily transform a natural daytime look into a sophisticated date night glam, definitely consider looking into this one!

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

ZOEVA Spectrum Collection : Swatches & Review (Pink Blush Spectrum & Cool Eyeshadow Spectrum)

Makeup, Swatch & Review

Minimalistic. Elegant. Sophisticated. These are the words I’d use to describe ZOEVA Cosmetics new launch – The Spectrum Collection.

“Just like a raindrop breaks the light of the sun into a spectrum of infinite hues and with the manifestation of a rainbow brings to life one of the most beautiful, ethereal wonders of the universe, the ZOEVA Spectrum Collection worships color in all of Mother Nature’s splendor. Experience a radiant burst of endless color with ZOEVA’s Spectrum Collection, consisting of three distinctive eyeshadow palettes and three blush palettes for all skin types and unlimited makeup looks.” – ZOEVA Cosmetics

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