I first saw Essence at BHG bishan and because the handcream was super cheap, I bought it coz I just need to buy something.
The second time I saw it was at Freidburg, in a supermart, it has all the cosmetic range and it was super cheap too! So I bought the concealer palette since MUFE palette was out of my budget.
The third time I saw Essence was at Watson at Jem. For a moment I thought this brand looked familiar, unable to register the handcream and palette with it. Anyway, I thought the eyeshadows looked really nice, but I didn't test them.
So while I was roaming at City Square Mall, I went to play with the eyeshadows.
IT WAS GORGEOUS!!!!!
Essence essentially erase my prejudice with cheap stuffs = lousy products!
Each eyeshadow pot cost S$3.50, I could buy all the colours and it won't be more than S$50!!! And the pot size is almost similar to MUFE eyeshadow, but quality is almost same.
Essence also have eyeshadow palette and it is S$6.50 each. I'll go for the individual eyeshadow anytime.
I didn't know I can't take photos, so I managed to take some before I was stopped. I don't understand this no photo restriction. Wouldn't it boost Watson's sale since it seemed to be available exclusive there. I don't know if BHG carries the makeup coz I only remember seeing the handcream.
There are 16 colours for the individual eyeshadows. Sorry for the lousy angle, I'll try to swatch it soon!
Update:
Here's the picture of the palette I bought. I really like this palette, the size of my palm contains 8 shadows, a blush, bronzer and lip gloss. This was a 2011 collection.
I love all the colors, however, they are very chalky. When I dipped my brush to pickup the colors, there were major fallout. And I really hate mess.
Out of the 8, only the brown one was matt, the rest was very glittery. Combined with it's chalky texture, it doesn't makes application fun at all. The only redeeming factor was the eye shadows colors are really deep, especially the brown one, so light hand is preferred.
I love love love the blush, it may looked very pink, but it actually gives a natural blushing effect. It reminds me of Benefit's Coralista which I love so much. I hated the glitter though, same for the bronzer. Why do they want to put glitter in bronzer?
Haven't try the lip gloss yet. Will update on it soon.
I bought a Too Faced mini makeup palette for SGD30, because I was going clubbing tonight and I had no makeup with me.
I didn't use in the end. -_-|||
Anyhow, I do like the eyeshadows and blush colours!
Yeah!!! I got a new job and I'm starting in Jan, so time to update my work look!
My previous job wasn't an office job, and in fact, it was on-site, hence, I really saved a lot of cosmetics over the 2 years coz I really hardly put on any makeup, except my sun block and pressed powder.
So, now that my new job is at town area, I finally can break in my new clothes and makeup!!!
So, I have a few stick eyeshadows and found them really convenient. As per last post, I'll list down the products in order of appearance and review them!
1) Lancome Teint Miracle Instant Retouch Pen
I bought this on impulse, coz I'm a huge fan of Michelle Phan, and hence the Lancome products. This pen wasn't as smooth as I thought I saw in her videos. When I apply, it's a bit dry and I have difficulty spreading them. If apply them after eye cream, it spread a lot more easier.
But the coverage is good, and although it appears whitish at first, the color soon blend to a skin color, and it brightens the area, hence it's good as a highlighter too.
Personally, I had not try the YSL pen, will compare them should I buy it one day. Heard lots of rave reviews about it.
2) The Face Shop FaceIt BB Sun Balm SPF50 + The Body Shop Foundation Brush
This sun balm was a curious purchase, coz I had always used tube BB creams and I thought the compact sun BB balm was interesting. BIG MISTAKE! It was a pain in the ass coz I had to use brush to apply, so that I won't contaminate the compact so much. I didn't use the sponge provided coz it is such a waste to suck blobs of BB bream stuck inside the sponge. Packaging wise, not so smart.
The product itself, is wonderful. It is less oily compared to the early generation BB creams, had better coverage too. As you can see in the video, it spreads smoothly when apply with brush, so I guess if we spread with our fingers, it will glide better and smoother after warming the cream with the heat from the fingers. However, wait till it came out as a pump bottle will be even better! Like all BB creams, it makes the face look a bit too white.
As for the brush, normal lor... nothing much. I find the brush a bit too big.
3) The Balm Sexy Mama Invisible Anti-Shine Powder + The Body Shop Mineral Foundation Brush
This is one good impulse purchase. I was looking for powder after I finished my I Nuovi Immaculate Powder, and I saw this at Sa Sa. I was attracted to the packaging, coz Sexy Ma Ma. I do feel that my face is less oily. Being a translucent powder, it doesn't give a ashy color to my face, in fact,it gives a nice warm color to it.
See how my face warm up after I apply?
I think I mention this mineral powder brush before, it's my favourite.
4) Anna Sui Eye Brightener (Heh, what's new? I always use this)
IDunnoIfYouSickOfMeTalkingAboutThis. It's my favourite eye product, coz I find it so multipurpose! It brighten, highlight the eyes yet it could cover some dark eye rings.
5) TheBodyShop Eyeshadow in Vanilla Cream (No. 13) + EcoTools Eyeshadow Brush
I was looking for a dupe to my Bobbi Brown Navajo eyeshadow coz I was too lazy to keep unzipping the palette to use just one color. So I saw that this colour was pretty similar.
The Body Shop is famous for it's bath items and not makeup, so let's not grade this too high. Powder is a bit chalky, but the color is good, at least for me.
I love the EcoTools Brushes,so soft!
6) Kate Lasting Color Eye in GY-1
I bought this color I wanted a "gunmetal" color after seeing Urban Decay Naked Palette. This one contains a little glitter, but after spreading it, the color isn't so intense and I think it is perfect for day time look, with a little bling on the eyes,m kinda wake the look a bit. To glam it up for night look, just bring this stick shadow and darken it. Very convenient and versatile!
7) Lancome Crayon Kohl Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Raisin Noir (Finally got the name right from online)
The kohl itself spreads easily, despite being waterproof, but not sebum proof, coz it still smudge when my eye lids turn oily. The sponge is a pain, too stiff and hurts when I try to smudge my eyeliner with it. Prefer the Rimmel one.
Update: If u read the last post, I was kinda contradicting myself with this. I think the difference was the eye cream, which makes application smoother, but smudge faster too... Well, we can't have the best of both worlds, right?
8) Maybelline Unstoppable Eyebrow Pencil
Nah, just an eyebrow pencil.
9) Benefit Blush in Coralista + EcoTools Powder Brush
After using it, I know why Coralista is such a popular blush! It's so nice, on any skin tone! It has shimmer, hence it gives a glow to the cheeks as well. And it smells nice too! I'm converting to be a Benefit Cosmetics fan!!!
10) Benefit Lip Gloss in Friends in High Places (My new favourite lip gloss!!!)
I'm not a lipgloss person, coz I find them too sticky. So far, my last love was the Clarins Sorbet. I finally found somethin better! While the color looked very raspberry, it is in fact very sheer, gives a nice subtle glow to the lips, smells nice and not sticky!
I think I'm really getting good at editing video and writing post. I finish this one in 4 hrs! And reviewing the products on each tutorial is better too, since I will remember my thoughts when I was using them!
Hope you pple like this arrangement! I'm translating an article of bad habits of skin, will post it up soon!
The title seemed a bit oxymoronic, coz smoky eyes are usually very intense, but the one I did was really so light that it was as if I had nothing on. But if you see the before and after, there's really a great difference!!! I looked more awake and less sick.
Most of the time I went really light on my strokes, hence the hardly can see colors. If I were to use a heavier hand, the look will be smokier, and it will be really suitable for a date night. =)
I hope you all enjoy this look!
Products used in order of appearance:
1. ZA Groovy Smoovy
2. I Nuovi Immaculate Powder + The Body Shop Mineral Powder Brush
3. Anna Sui Eye Brightener
4. The Body Shop Matt Eye Shadow in No. 13 + Ecotools Eye Shadow Brush (Mini)
5. Bobbi Brown Cement (Light Brownish Beige), Hot Stone (Brown) + NYX Eyeshadow Contouring Brush
6. Artistry 3D Face Shimmer + Ecotools Concealer Brush
7. Bobbi Brown Smoke (Darkest Brown) + NYX Concealer Brush
8. Lancome Le Crayon Khol Waterproof in Raisin Noir
9. DHC Eyelash Tonic
10. Fasio Pure Blush in 460 Red Apple
11. RedEarth EcoColour Natural Baked Highlighting Compact
12. Maybelline Unstoppable Natural Brow Liner
13. Bobbi Brown Everything Mascara
14. Etude House Apricot Stick
[Update]
Finally, got the photo. It was on a card, hence the lousy quality. I looked like I don't have makeup on, but if I didn't have any, myface would be oily, skin lack lustre, spots all over. Acne marks a lot these days...
Here's the photo!!!
From left up down to right in a U-shape: Navajo (Eye), Gray Denim (Eye), Cool Rose (Creamy Lip), Iced Lilac (Lip Gloss), Hot Rose (Lip Gloss), Indie Rose (Creamy Lip), Dark Rinse (Eye), Pink Granite (Eye). The bigger pan in the middle is the blush in Pink Rose.
This Denim and Rose Palette from Bobbi Brown was the Fall 2010 collection. I love love love it! I could do a day look, or night look, just using this palette. For the size of a palm, it really packed a lot of goodies inside!!! It contains 4 eye shadows which 2 are matte and 2 shimmer, 1 blush, 2 lip glosses and 2 lip colours! So, if I ever go travelling, all I need is to bring my foundation, eyeliner ands travel brushes and I'm good to go!
So the day I was doing this makeup look, I was going to the Chippendale show at RWS Singapore. I figured all the women going there was going to dress up, so I decided to wear a dress instead of my usual T-shirt and jeans. I wore a denim dress, which was a perfect match to use the eyeshadows!
I wanted something chic and maybe a little sultry (which means smoky eyes!!!) looking makeup, the denim eye shadow really put a punch of color to my lid. Not the usual boring kind, you know?
Steps:
I used the Anna Sui Eye Brightener to highlight my eye area. It doubles up as a primer too.
I shade the socket area with the Gray Denim and a flat eye brush.
Using a contour brush, I smudge the gray color to give a smoky effect.
Using the flat eye brush, I picked up the Dark Rinse and shade them on my lid only.
I used Navajo as my highlight on my brow bone, using a soft brush with long bristles.
Tight-line my upper and lower waterlines with black waterproof eyeliner pencil.
With a cotton bud, I picked up the Gray Denim again and set them over the lower eyeliner, and shading a little on the outer edge to smoke it up. =)
Color my inner corner with a white eye pencil. This will act as a base for the next color I would put on. Makes my eyes look brighter and more alert looking too. Blend using ring finger.
Picking up the Pink Granite with a small flat eye brush, I set it over the white eyeliner.
Using the waterproof eyeliner pencil, I draw on over my lashline, to make the lashes appear fuller. Fade a bit at the tail end.
Draw my brows.
I didn't realize my camera was shut off, so the remaining steps are just mascara, blush and lips. For my lips, I used the Indie Rose, and blush is Pink Rose, both are from the palette.
Let me know what you think of this look in the comment box! Thank you!
I know I know, I'm not sexy, but I'm talking about the look lah. Anyway, after watching the vid nth times, I think it is an epic fail! Ha ha. Jiat lat Jiat lat somemore!
This post is way too late for Vday. Just post for fun for laughter lah, =D.
My friends have gave me very encouraging comments about my channel. Things that I really need to improve on is START TALKING! Seems that the narration is very essential, coz they eyes can only focus on either my action or the words.
Finally, I'm writing this post on my Chinese New Year Look. I had this idea of using red and gold colors for it. For the eyes, it is gold being the main color, and brown to pair it up and give it a more classic look. Then I use peach red on the cheeks, because LNY is usually during a cold weather which makes those people living there have really red cheeks! That's also why they and we have steamboat! We get red cheeks from those steaming hot soup too! ^_^ And for the lips, I keep it down with a little orange hue lippy.
The look can be paired with a red lip too, then to complement red lips, the cheeks have to be a little more subtle such as using a bronzer and apply them under the cheek bones instead of on the cheeks.
I have to talk about this wonderful product, Lancome Maquicake UV Infinite. I am so in love with this powder because it is sweat-proof! Very good for me who is a sweaty piggy! I can use tissue to dab infinitely and the powder doesn't smear so much!
Hi, finally uploaded this vid. I was experimenting with the voiceover, and I really suck at picture description (I recorded it while looking at the video). I tried talking while doing my makeup but I failed terribly, coz I couldn't speak and do the makeup at the same time. Heh, talk about women being multitaskers... So, in the end, I swap my voiceover with song and type notes on the vid..
Anyway, I did a simpler version compared to the one she wore in the movie. It is less smoky and really wearable for everyday look, eh, less time consuming too. The 2 colors, Smoke and Cement were from my favorite Bobbi Brown duo palette. I had used the smoke eyeshadow to fill in my brow, so I can bring one item less if I go out with this look and wanna touch up. Heh heh.
Finally, a third video! I did this vid as I need to take photos for making my passport, and who doesn't want to look nice on passport right? I spent about 1 hr doing the whole makeup, but I edited the main parts out into an 8 mins clip. I quite like this look, simple, but a lot of focus on the eyes, and my brows. I thicken the eyeliner as I want my eyes to look balanced (one is longer the other is rounder.)I did put a little too much highlight in the end, but thank goodness I did, because the photo became black & white in the passport, =_=, so can't see any color except the highlight (shine).
Finally... I have 2 clips up for viewing!!! As it was my first time, I was still trying to figure out the crooks and crannies (is this the way to say it?) For example, the speed of the clip, or rather my own speed, the quality of the clip (definitely a lot of room for improvements), the way I show my makeup (I think I just wanna be different from the rest of those makeup channels, display my personality in it, heh heh).
When I first put up these clips, and saw myself, I thought it was so weird, watching myself where I used to watch Michelle Phan or Marleena from MakeUpGeek in the YouTube interface. Then, later I realized, I was actually showing whole world my little private ritual for every morning, something which my sisters don't even get to see in real life.
Beauty Routine for Work
This is the facial routine that I do on work day morning. The only thing I didn't do on weekends was using the BB cream. If I'm going out, I'll use my foundation, for better coverage.
My Daily Makeup
So this is the makeup I put on for my work. I try to be as basic and as simple and as natural as possible. I worked with a lot of guys, so putting too much makeup might make me look a little too ladylike. Well, I'm an engineer and you know what they says about female engineers. And to be truthful, I really have female engineer friends who don't dress up. The last one I put makeup on for her forgot she had makeup on.
Please comment after watching so that I can improve!!! Thanks!!! One thing I notice about myself is frown less smile more. I look so unhappy doing those vids hor?
