Brought VS Actually Used

I'm back from Bangkok and well shopped out. Nope, no beauty haulin' but I thought it would be interesting to let you know what I had on my face in crazy 35 degree celsius weather. I was sorely tempted to go barefaced (since no one knows me any way and it was incredibly hot and humid) but my pride stopped me. I also thought that I had managed to pack rather lightly but who knew, I managed to use even less than I had packed. So here you go - 35 degree proof makeup. 

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What I Actually Used:

Bourjois Happy Light Base Serum Matite - I don't own any other primers and I couldn't bring my Urban Decay Sprays because I went on a budget airline and did not purchase check in luggage. This really surprised me and did indeed keep my face matte for a good 7 hours. My mom (yes, this was a mother daughter trip, sweet right?) was blotting away and I there I was with not a hint of shine. Whoop! Don't fancy the scent though. 

Hada Labo BB Whitening Cream SPF 32 PA+++ - I had forgotten just how much I love this. I stole my mom's La Roche Posay SPF50 Sunscreen, but in any case, the built in SPF 32 PA+++ is still brilliant. This BB cream's liquidy consistency is so light on the skin it's almost like a serum in my opinion. I just don't feel it at all, which is brilliant for weather where you don't want anything on your skin. 

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - I brought this because it's on the ends of its life and I wanted to finish it up(sad face). I'm scarface galore and this amped up the BB Cream coverage very well indeed. Definitely a repurchase somewhere in the future.

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder - I've been using this powder for years now. In fact, this is my 2nd compact and I've hit pan already. And just in case you think I alternate this with other powders, I actually don't. That's just how long it lasts. Finely milled and virtually undetectable on the face, I also attribute my 7 hour shine free face to this powder.

Too Faced Papa Don't Peach Blush - One of the longest lasting blushes and pigmented blushes I own. This peachy blush with a gold sheen is something that would suit pretty much everybody and hangs around all day. It really lifts and slims my face (oddly) and it's my default blush when I don't know what to wear.

The Face Shop Eyebrow Designing Kit - Perfect ashy colour for dark hair. I see no need to switch out.

Star Lash Gel Eyeliner - Testing this eyeliner and I'm happy to say that it's passed the test. Just be sure to apply on dry eyelids (best if powdered) because oil does cause it to transfer. It applies marvellously on the waterline/tightline and lasts all day. When I remove my makeup with an oil cleanser in the night and massage my eyes, the area turns black - that's how I know it's still there in my tightline. Amazing stuff!


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Excess That Was Brought:

The Balm Time Balm Foundation - Brought this because I thought I might want something that keeps me matte and yet still have coverage. Turns out the concealer did the job and I had no reason to use this.

Natural Collection Blush in Pink Cloud - A peachy shade is just more attractive than pink in hot weather? Also did not want a completely matte face.

Sleek Face Form in Light (highlight & contour shade) - Highlight and contour slipping around my face? No. thank. you. not. taking. that. risk.

MAC Eyeshadow in Naked Lunch - Too. hot. to. want. more. makeup. on. my. face.

MUA Undressed Eyeshadow Palette (2 shades) - Ditto.


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A minimal routine is really the most attractive in such hot and humid weather. I would not want to be worried about having my makeup slipping and sliding when I could be doing "more important" things (like shopping hoho). I think the extras would've come in useful if I had to go to a fine dining restaurant (chances were low considering I only packed slippers) or if I had gone with friends and we wanted to head out to bars/clubs. No lip products because... it's Bangkok and I'm eating pretty much all the time! Also, one more tip - the more products you can apply with a sponge/fingers, the more hygienic (you can wash your sponges/hands faster than a brush) it is!

It is a relief to be back to raining and somewhat cool Singapore - that's how hot bangkok was! What do you guys usually pack on trips? Let me know - I have another trip planned for a few months down the road so that would be really helpful!

too faced papa don't preach and collection 2000 shimmer shades review

I like to sleep. I really do. I think this weekend alone I might've slept more than 24 hours in total. That also probably explains why I don't really have time to choose a different blush colour every morning before heading off to work. I can't explain it but when in doubt, this is my most reached for blush colour. It is also the blush that I dump into my bag when I'm heading somewhere at night and I need to touch up my blush. It's the Too Faced Papa Don't Peach Blush.

It comes in a very retro, very cute cardboard magnetic case, which I have to say, is very hardy considering how much I throw it around. This photo was taken after about a year of usage (and mind, it was the only blush I used for 5 months abroad because it was all I brought and didn't have a choice), and the cardboard is still quite dog-eared free though how the powder looks might not fare well with some people (for that I apologize). It is not that compact but compact enough, sitting nicely/squarely in my palm. Also comes with a mirror, which I've never used, but again, might be useful for some. No brush, but brushes that come with blushes usually are quite terrible, so no complaints there.

I paid SGD$20 for it from smoochiezz.com, though it's not available anymore through there, + that site is quick becoming very overpriced. I think it's much more expensive when bought in store (google tells me USD$20) but I'm going to tell you why it's worth it.

It comes with 6.69grams of product, more than the 6grams that you get with the mac powder blushes (though I don't know how this compares on $/g) and practically lasts forever. As mentioned, I've used it for a year and there is not even a dent in my compact. 

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The colour is a wonderful wonderful peachy coral colour that has fine golden and silver shimmer. I say both colours because the sheen that arises from the shimmer seems to lean warm when I'm wearing warm clothes and cool when I'm wearing cool clothes. It truly is amazing. And also, on close inspection it does look like there's both shimmers involved. Fear not, there is no chunky glitter in this, only healthy glow! The colour doesn't apply too intense, but can be built up in just 2 coats, so really just anybody can wear this. It will suit you pale, tanned, warm, cool, everyone!

It is a super duper fine powder that applies so creamily and silkily on the skin. If I may say, this melts into the face and you can't see the powder at all.

credits: http://bunbunmakeuptips.com/too-faced-papa-don%E2%80%99t-peach-blush-review-for-beautiful-warm-peachy-cheeks/#more-3412

It is mentioned on some blogs for being a dupe of Nars Orgasm. I do not own Nars Orgasm, but I think the above review mentions some wonderful things with a great photo. Well, imo, not at all close on the swatch, but, the funny thing about Papa Don't Peach is that it turns pinker the darker it is swatched. See my swatch below.

It's plenty pink and less peach right? I did a much darker swatch because I'm ... obviously more tanned. If you compare my swatch and the swatch above, I would say, pretty damn similar. Well then again, wouldn't know unless I had the Orgasm, which I don't see the point in buying because I love this. 

I did also find a cheap dupe for Papa Don't Peach. People in the UK, you are so lucky. Collection2000 shimmer shades in Blushalicious is a palette that I love. 

For those who don't know how it looks like, here's a picture. The middle swatch is the bottom right peachy shade, and the last swatch is the bottom 2 shades layered together to try to achieve a more intense colour. The reason why the colours don't look as intense as Papa Don't Peach in the swatch is because they were more shimmery and hence the shimmer showed up more than the colour when the photo was taken. But trust me on this, they are pretty damn close in real life. 

So, using basic logic, Papa Don't Peach = Nars Orgasm. Collection2000 Shimmer Shades = Papa Don't Peach. Collection2000 Shimmer Shades = Nars Orgasm! For cheapos like me THAT IS PERFECT. 

Unfortunately for me, my own Collection2000 Shimmer Shades HAS SHATTERED AND SO HAS MY HEART. Kidding I'm not that dramatic, but really, I was quite sad when I took it out of my handbag one day and found it in pink dust. Luckily for me, the Boy is in London right now so I will definitely be asking a little favour of him. (:  I will do a proper review on the Shimmer Shades when I get a new one because I can't really take photos of a shattered one. If you can't wait then I thoroughly recommend it as awesome bang for buck!

Here's my face with Shimmer Shades on the right (left cheek) and Papa Don't Peach on the left (right cheek). Lasting power is crazy. I don't have oily cheeks, but this IS Singapore after all. Temperatures are a daily 36 degree celsius and I SWEAT. I sweat from every pore of my body. (That sounds disgusting, especially for a girl, but oh well). There are days where I get dragged to the construction site in afternoon scorching sun(yeah, balls for that part of being an architecture intern) and I literally wipe off the makeup on my face because sweat is just pouring down my face. But whaddaya know when I check my face in the mirror after I get home, my cheeks are still pink! Collection2000 definitely doesn't compare to this in terms of staying power though it's not too bad itself. 

This is hands down, the best blush that I have owned.

Summary:

Pros:

• Beautiful colour that will suit everybody
• No glitter, just gives a healthy glow
• Super fine powder that melts into skin
• Nars Orgasm Dupe (if you're into that sort of thing)
• Stays PUT

Cons:

• Cardboard packaging may feel a tad cheap
• Does not come with brush

blush collection

I apologize for the lack of updates, it's been a really busy week and continuing into the next one.

Just a sneak peak at my blush collection, and a list of my top few blushes. I forgot about the maybelline mineral blush, but since I've already blogged about that....

So here are most of my blushes, I took this pictures quite quickly so I didn't manage to dig out some of my blushes, but this is most of them. As you can see... I have a broken blush. That is not the only one, sadly. I tend to drop my blushes T_T. Owell, I will get around to fixing them (resolution haha).

So anyway, maybe if anyone wants a review on any blush in particular, just let me know! To list the brands present, they are:

• too faced
• nyx cream
• nyx mosaic
• nyx powder
• bourjois
• collection 2000 (bought in uk)
• the balm liquid tint/stain
• majolica majorca
• maybelline mineral blush
• barry m (bought in uk)
• mac
• mark & spencer (bought in uk)
• famous (bought in uk)

These are my top 5 in no particular order. As you can see I tend to favour peachy/coral colours more than true pinks.

• too faced in papa don't peach
• topshop cream blush in neon rose
• nyx cream blush in natural
• nyx powder blush in natural
• m&s lip and cheek tint in peach

M&S lip and cheek tint - peach

Coral cream blush. True cream, leaves a very dewy finish. I love it for days I pretend I don't wear blush. Needs to be layered quite a bit for a more obvious cheek. 

NYX powder blush - natural

True pink powder blush. Excellent pigmentation. Suitable for the very fair. Also for days when I don't want blush too be too obvious. Can be used with a heavy hand and still not be too obvious. 

NYX cream blush - natural

More peach in the cream blush than powder blush even though they're named the same colour. Lovely cream when used with a stippling brush or fingers. Dewy finish with high pigmentation. Use sparingly. Like the colour states, it's very natural on.

Too faced - papa don't peach

Peachy powder blush with shimmers, excellent excellent colour payoff. Gives gorgeous glowy cheeks! Only blush I brought with me and used for 5 months in Sweden. I LOVE THIS. THIS IS MY MOST USED BLUSH. MUCH BETTER THAN MAC IMO.

Topshop cream blush - neon rouge

Coral cream to powder blush. Looks scary in the pan but natural on the cheeks. Matte finish. 

Hope this tiny condensed review helps. Will do better reviews on each later on. Oh, I got my Too Faced blush from www.smoochiezz.com for $20 only! I think it's sold at SASA but it's definitely cheaper online.