The Balm Balm Shelter Tinted Moisturizer SPF 18 Review and Swatches

The Balm claims that their Balm Shelter Tinted Moisturizer SPF 18 is weightless and silky smooth and I totally agree.  During colder months when my skin was drier, it did not cling to dry patches and accentuate them.  Instead it goes on smoothly and give me a bit of a glow.  In warmer month, it feels light and comfortable, does not melt off.

I love that it is so smooth and easy to blend, I can use my fingers and quickly apply this, it is also fool proof.  I tried it with both stippling and kabuki brush and it works find.  With a stippling brush, you have to buff it in rather then stipple because it is too thin for that. 

Shade:  Light

 Before and After

From the picture above, you can see that the coverage is definitely sheer to light coverage, you can build it up, but not much.  It "blurs" out imperfection, but you can still see my mold and some freckles.  Overall, it gives me my skin but better look, very natural.  Any blemish or serious redness will need a concealer.  However, I did not love this tinted moisturizer for it coverage but rather because it is "no fuss" base makeup, if I have a bad skin day, I don't need to worry about it making me look worse or covered up.

Price: $25 for 2.15 oz or 64ml  (tip: sometime Hautelook carries this for half off)

Overall Rating:  4.5 out of 5


Disclosure: The products being review was purchased by me. 

Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30 Review and Swatches

 

Clinique Age Defense BB Cream contains antioxidants for prevention and SPF 30 for sun protection.  This BB cream contains both chemical and physical (both zinc and titanium dioxide) sunscreen ingredients.  There is no specific on what kind of antioxidants is in this but this is not a big deal for me because I don't rely on makeup as a source for skin nourishment.  It comes in 4 shades, 01 through 04, with 04 being a new release for golden or deeper complexion.   

Bare Skin (R) Clinique BB Cream in 02 (L)

I am NC 20 and I am using shade 02, which is describe as Very Fair to Moderately Fair with Golden Undertones.  As you can see from above, it gives me a nice dewy, natural finish.  Cover up pretty much all of my redness and you can only see a little bit of freckles.  I would say this BB cream is light to medium coverage that can be build-able.  It is also very easy to apply, I can quickly apply this with my fingers and there is no cakiness.  Overall, I like this base makeup very much. 

Price:  $37 for 1.4oz

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5


Disclosure: The products being review was purchased by me.

Pop of Spring: Essie Splash of Grenadine

 (please excuse my dry cuticles)

I was at the salon doing my nails and I picked Essie Splash of Grenadine.  OMGosh, I love this color so much, I just want to share the swatches with you.  It is a cool pinkish purple, part of Essie permanent collection.  The formula is like milky jelly.  It is on the semi sheer side, you will need a good 2-3 coats to get it looking opaque.  It last about 5 days before it starts to chip, however, I do use my hands a lot to do chores so it may last longer on others.  Overall, what a lovely spring color and easy to remove formula.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro Nail Polish in Wild Orchid

 

 

Hi there.  I must have a thing for purple nail polish, every Spring, I am on the hunt for some variation of purple/lavender.  This year, I landed on Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro in Wild Orchid.  Wild Orchid is a cream, medium grape purple.  I think the color is unique because most purple nail polish are either really dark or light, you don't find too many in between.  The formula is great, no streaking, opaque with first coat (but I personally always do two coat).  It did not chip on me until about the 5th or 6th day which I think is pretty good considering I use my hands alot.

 

One thing I want to mention is the brush...I love this wider flat brush.  More coverage area and easier to wipe off any excess.  Overall, I am happy and would recommend this affordable nail polish, particularly this color.

 

 

Price:  $3.99 at drugstores and Ulta.

 

Overall Rating:  4.5/5

 

Disclosure: I purchased this item.

 

 



DHC Moisture Care Liquid Lipcolor Review and Swatches

Hi there!  What happened to Spring?  We had a very long Winter, it was cold, snow and windy...I was so looking forward to Spring.  Then all of the sudden, it gets hot, like 80 degree.  I hate it when the weather just skip over Spring, which tend to happen a lot in this area.  Oh well, at least it is finally warm now.

With the warmer weather, I am busting out all my peachy, coral makeup.  Which bring me to this review, DHC Moisture Care Liquid Lipcolor in PK05 Pink Sand.  First off, how adorable is the packaging?  Beauiful packaging is always a welcome added bonus.  I also really like the applicator.  It is flat, longer, and also bendable, making it an ease to apply.

Pink Sand is a pinkish coral with very fine gold irredescent.  As for the formula, it is light, moisturizing, and non sticky.  I like that there is no funky smell (it is my pet peeve).  I really like this lipcolor, the only thing I wish is that it is more pigmented.

 

 

Price:  $18, available at DHC

Overall Rating:  4/5


Disclosure: I purchased this item.

MAC Lustre Drops in Pink Rebel Review and Swatches

I am so looking forward to Spring.  Flowers are blooming, the days are longer, warmer.   For me, Spring is fresh, dewy makeup and I am loving MAC Lustre Drops in Pink Rebel as a pretty highlighter.

Price:  $20

Is this a limited edition?  No
 

 

MAC Lustre Drops in Pink Rebel is a pearlescent golden pink liquid highlighter.  It is advertise as a bronzer but I think it is too light for that purpose, unless you are lighter than NC/NW20 then perhaps it may works.  Regardless, it is one of the most beautiful liquid highlighter I have ever tried.  It gives a natural, subtle luminous glow.  Beside using this as a highlighter for specific area on your face, it also works well when mix with foundation for an all over glow.  I love using this during summer to sheer out heavier coverage foundation.  The only cons is that it is a little expensive in my opinion. 

  

Rating:  4.5/5

Disclosure:  The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

Shop M.A.C. Cremeblend Blush in Restores Dazzle! Review and Swatches

Today review and swatches is for Cremeblend Blush in Restores Dazzle! from the Shop MAC collection.

Price: $20

Is this a limited edition? Yes

I would describe Restores Dazzle! cream blush as a deep berry color. I ordered this online, had I seen it in person, I probably would not have purchased it because it looks too dark for my fair to light complexion. It is pigmented, however, apply with a light hand and it sheer out beautifully to a soft raspberry color. It is buildable and I think will work with both light and darker skin tone. I love this color because it is something I do not already owe.

The texture of MAC Cremeblend is not as creamy as NYX cream blushes therefore it will not be as slippery and less glowy. Oily or combination skin will probably prefer MAC but it still work for drier skin like mine. I do miss the dewiness that you sometime get from cream blushes so I do pair it with a liquid highlighter. It has lasting power of the entire work day for me.

Rating: 4.5/5

Disclosure: The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

Too Faced Absolutely Flawless Concealer Review and Swatches

Too Faced Absolutely Flawless Concealer claims to “banish imperfections and erase stubborn dark circles while customizing your coverage from sheer to full with this luxurious, peptide-and-vitamin-rich formulation”.

Price: $20 for 8ml/.27oz

Pros: I love the texture of this; it is creamy and blends like a dream. It is creamy and hydrating enough for me to use under my eyes without any problem. I normally have to use a separate face and eyesIt is also very pigmented, a little goes a long way. The texture and pigmentation remind me of my favorite concealer, Kevin Beautymaker BB Cream Concealer. The advantage about Too Faced Absolutely Flawless Concealer is that it is more accessible and you can stop by the store and test to find out which shade is best for you.

Cons: The shade selection for this concealer is very limited. It only comes in 3 shades: Vanilla, Perfect Nude, and Honey. I am NC20 and Vanilla seems a bit light and too pink for my warm complexion. Perfect Nude is a bit dark for me right now but if I blend well, it is not noticeable. It will be better suited for summer when I am a little darker, around NC25.

Shade Perfect Nude

 

Overall: The only reason I would not give this a perfect score is the lack in shade selection. If you can find one that match you perfectly then you definitely have to give it a try.

Rating: 4.5/5


Disclosure: The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

Sephora Glossy Gloss Review and Swatches

Price: $10 for 15ml/.5oz

You get a lot of product for your money, 15ml. It is semi opaque with a non-sticky texture. It has decent lasting power, especially for a non-sticky lipgloss. I applied the gloss over a lipstick and after breakfast, my lips are still pigmented with a glossy sheen. I also find it moisturizing.

The color I have is Rusted Rose, which is a neutral brownish rosy pink, a my lips but better kind of color. The website description said there is shimmer but I don’t really see any. They are very fine compare to say those from BE Buxom where you can actually see the glitter in the tube.

Rating: 4.5/5

Disclosure: The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blushes Review and Swatches

The new Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush is a powder-gel formula that is actually bouncy when you apply pressure, like a marshmallow. These comes in 10 shades available, the one I purchased are 15 Rose Petal and 20 Peach Satin.

Price: $7.99 each

Pros: I like this new packaging much better than the old Maybelline Dream Blush. The dome shape of the blush makes it much more accessible versus having to stick my finger in a pot (old version).

The formula applies and blends like a cream blush but has the finish and lightweight of a powder blush. It goes on fairly sheer and is buildable. I just use my finger, by the way. Peach Satin last on me the whole day and only fade slightly.

Cons: The lighter shade like Rose Petal is so gorgeous on pan but it goes on sheer, even after a few layers.  I think it show up a little better on swatch than on my cheeks.  Unless you are fair to light, I would recommend skipping the lighter shades as I am not sure if it will show up on darker skin tone.

Rose Petal (L) and Peach Satin (R)

Overall: A part of me wishes these blush are pack with more pigment for lighter shade like Rose Petal because it is so pretty in pan. Then on the other hand, they give a natural flush and are hard to overdo the way they are. Plus, darker shade like Peach Satin, I think the pigmentation is just right. I can also see this possibly being a hit for oilier skin gal whose skin cannot hold a cream blush.

Rating: It is tough; I am torn between a 4 and 4.5 out of 5


Disclosure: The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

Bling Bling With OPI Only Gold For Me Top Coat

Sephora by OPI Only Gold For Me Top Coat, price $9.  It is a great way to add some sparkles to your holiday or party look.

Two coats

 

Two coats layer over a golden pink champagne base (I used Ulta brand).  It is easy to apply and dry fast.  Picture taken under white light.

Picture taken under indoor lighting.

Disclosure: The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

ELF Swatches

I bought some stuff from E.L.F. lately and I know it would be awhile before I get a chance to write review for them.  I thought I show you guys some swatches for now. 

Studio Blushes in Tickle Pink and Gotta Glow

Studio Cream Eyeshadow in Natural Glow and Eggplant

Studio Cream Eyeliner in Metallic Olive

I also have a few of their brushes from this purchase and prior.  Reviews for all of these coming up...

OPI I Vant To Be A-Lone Star

I do not know what it is about this particular polish that make it last on me for so long, 7-8 days without any chipping.  I was also lazy that day and did not even wear a top coat.  I never have any color last on me this long, OPI or any other brands, so I was more than happy.

It goes on sheer and took me 3 coats.

Disclosure: The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

Jordane Easyshine Glossy Lip Color Review and Swatches

With a baby on the way, I have to be more conscious with my spending (at least I am trying to). I was happy to find cheap thrill like Jordane Easyliner Retractable Eyeliner. Let’s see if these lippies are also as great.

L to R: Watermelon, Strawberry

Price: $1.99 each at Walgreens.

Pros: Jordane Easyshine Glossy Lip Color is tinted lip balm that live up to its claim and maybe even more. These has the hydration of a lip balm; the shine of a lip gloss, and the pigmentation of a sheer lipstick. They are comfortable to wear, without any stickiness and pretty long lasting power.

Cons: Watermelon has a very strong scent when I first opened it; it takes some getting used to. I however did not have any problem with the Strawberry shade.

Overall: I recommend giving these a try, not just because they are cheap but because I really like the formula. I like the convenience of a tinted lip balm; I can use one instead of two products. Also, for something that is so lightweight, it is hydrating, pigmented, and long lasting.

Rating: 4.5/5

Top: Strawberry, Bottom: Watermelon

 

Lip swatch in Strawberry

 

Disclosure: The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

Jordana Easyliner For Eyes Retractable Pencil Review and Swatches

Price: $1.99 at Walgreens

Pros: It is super cheap! It works! These eye pencils are pigmented, easy to glide, no tugging and they stay in place all day, without smudging. I also love that they are retractable so I don’t have to deal with sharpening them. I love using the purple on the bottom lash for a pop of color. It goes very well with my brown eyes.

Cons: I have not seen this brand outside of Walgreens so it may be hard to find if you don’t have a Walgreens nearby.

Swatch: Purple Fusion and Denim Blue

Overall: If you can find them, I would highly recommend giving these a try. I don’t think you will be disappointed with the formula and there are many shades to pick from. Plus, they are only $1.99.

Rating: 5/5

Disclosure: The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

OPI Steady as She Rose

Steady as She Rose is a gorgeous cream finish, muted lavender with gray undertone for the Fall. I love the color and it lasted 4-5 days on me before chipping which is really good. What I don’t like about it thought is that it streak like crazy, you have to be careful and it takes a little longer to apply. Still, I love the color.