Products I Regret Buying

Hi guys

I don’t know if you noticed but I was browsing through my recent blog posts and I realized I didn’t have many reviews on products I didn’t like, especially lately. If most of my reviews always state that “this product is good” or “that product is great”, it’s not because I always say nice things about every products. It’s actually because I don’t talk about products I don’t like. I’m always excited about products that I like and can’t wait to share it on my blog yet products I don’t like won’t make such an interesting topic.

But I was rummaging through my makeup container and I found some products I have for quite some times yet I never use anymore. So I figure might as well gather them all in one post and tell you guys what I think about those.

Because some people could act overly sensitive about this kind of post (I don’t understand how someone could be too attached on some objects and take insult when other people stated different opinions), there are few things to note. First of all, these are not products that I tried once and ditched. I gave these products fair amount of chances but they just didn’t work. Second, just because these don’t work for me, doesn’t mean they won’t work on you.

Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer

I just don’t see the point of this product. What does it do, really? Let’s start with no coverage. I know tinted moisturizer supposed to give light coverage. Light coverage means, there’s something there but a little. This tinted moisturizer just disappears when rubbed on the skin. This also looks super greasy on me. Even powder couldn’t help. And then, they add shimmer to it. Seriously? It’s like applying margarine on the face.

Benefit Some Kind-a Gorgeous

I just can’t figure out what the product actually is. Even Benefit can’t! They described it as foundation-like product. So apparently it’s not foundation. So what is it? I purchased this after Stila Tinted Moisturizer failed on me. I needed something I can use daily for my complexion that doesn’t feel heavy and look too much. So I decided to try this. It has only one color back then, and then Benefit expanded it to three color choices. I think mine is Medium. But the color doesn’t blend very well with my skin. It looks like I wear something whitish on my skin and my complexion looked dull. The oil control isn’t the best either.

MAC Lipstick ‘Cut-a-Caper’

This is a limited edition from Tartan Tale collection and it was everyone’s favorite from the collection. The swatches I found were impressive so I really took time to hunt this lipstick. Unfortunately this color is just not for me. It’s way too bright. I’m not against bright lipstick. But this one is hard to pair with. When I put this on I couldn’t stop starring at my lips, not in a good way. Every blush and eyeshadow I try to pair it with always looked wrong, I couldn’t come up with harmonious look when I used this lipstick. Thankfully when it comes to lipstick, I can always mix it with lip gloss and make it wearable. But that’s the point, I have to make it work.

Guerlain Parure Gold in Beige Natural

I already did a review in this foundation so I’m not gonna talk a lot about it. As I said previously, this is a great foundation except for the color selection. It looks really red on me despite the name, natural. This makes me really self conscious when wearing it. In my opinion, it’s the only flaw about this foundation. But the price tag makes it unacceptable.

MAC Paint Pot Rubenesque

Everybody raves about this color so I decided to purchase it only to find out this product just doesn’t worth all the hype. Yes, it’s a pretty color… in the pan! When applied, it’s just another gold. Nothing new here. But that color isn’t what turned me off. When applied, it appears dry on my lids, looked kind of cracked. And the texture isn’t really the best either. Now this is my only paint pot so I don’t know if the same condition applies to all paint pots. The texture is tacky and I had a hard time picking it up from the pan, let alone spread out the product evenly. I kept using it, hoping something will change. But now this product just sits inside my makeup container. Untouched.

NARS Powder Highlighter ‘Albatross’

Again, another hyped product. I love highlighter. But Albatross is definitely not my favorite. Highlighter supposed to accentuate facial features by creating contrast. But since it appears as a strong yellowish gold, it doesn’t contrast with my skin. It just looks like I apply a gold color that seems wrong on my face. While it might still be acceptable on cheek bone (well, not really), it looks just weird when applied on the center part of the face.

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So those are products I could found in my makeup collection, that didn't work on me. There were other stuff too but I think I sold it already. I think I know now why I don't do reviews on products I don't like. I tend to be grumpy which I think give a negative energy to the whole entry (I tried to restrain myself while writing this post). LOL! Anyway, do you find product that works or doesn't work on you in this post? Let me know your what you think!

FOTD: Kim Kardashian Inspired Makeup

I was browsing around my laptop and found this look I did a couple months back. It's the look that I submitted for looxperiments makeup challenge, which is Kim Kardashian Inspired makeup look. Here's the look that I use for my inspiration.

It's Kim's makeup, done by Troy Jensen. I think it's one of her remarkable looks, with her fuchsia lips using NARS Schiap lipstick. If you google, "Kim Kardashian fuchsia lips" then you'll find this picture on the very top. I, for one, don't have NARS Schiap or any products Kim uses for the look. *Troy Jensen uses mostly NARS for the look* So I just used whatever I have.

And here it is.

And here's the close up look of the eyes

For the smoky eyes, I only used Stila Smoky Eye Talking Palette. I wanted to copy Kim's super-long lashes. Unfortunately, my false lashes are long enough but not bold enough so it's unnoticeable in the picture. Oh well.. As for my lips, I used Revlon Colorburst lipstick in 'Fuchsia' and top it with Stila Lipglaze in 'Plum Fairy'.

That's all guys. Hope you enjoy.

[Review] My HG Foundation Brush

Happy Sunday, everyone! How’s your Sunday doing? It’s a lazy Sunday for me. I have to wake up early for six days a week, Sunday is my only sweet escape. Nothing beats snuggling up under my bed cover and sleep until noon. Anyhow, I didn’t sleep till noon. I slept at eleven last night and woke up at nine this morning. Now that’s one long beauty sleep.

Okay, sorry for rambling on and on. Let’s just continue to my review.

Have you found your foundation brush yet? I mean like, your HG one? I tried a stippling brush before. And I’m not a fan. It was okay, but not great. I think the pixelated bristles that suppose to give that ‘airbrushed’ look make foundation application feels never ending. When I do my make up using the stippling brush, I’m always the last one who gets out of the house along with mom’s voice yelling at me to hurry up! Plus, I don’t see any airbrushed look whatsoever.

As for paddle brush, still not a fan. Back when I had only stippling brush and paddle brush, I always reached for paddle brush. It’s denser than stippling brush so at least I could apply my foundation faster. But it makes my foundation kinda streaky. So I have to, either make short strokes or, go back to back to the part I’ve applied my foundation on, and fix it.

The first time I laid my eyes on Stila Double Duty Cheek and Contour Brush, in my heart I KNEW that this will be a great match for my foundation. It was like…. Magic (yes, I’m quoting Sleepless in Seattle, in case you’re wondering. I’ve watched the movie for like a gazillion times). I mean, look at the dense bristles, I bet that’ll help spread my foundation in no time.

You’re probably wondering about the name. But you know what Shakespeare said, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose; By any other name would smell as sweet." According to Sephora, “A corner edge applies color precisely beneath the cheekbone for a contoured cheek look. The flat circular top of the brush puts cheek color down on top of the cheekbone in one sweep.”

After contemplating for some times, I finally decided to purchase this brush at Sephora Hong Kong. And no regret! As I thought, I love how dense the bristles are. The brush helps transfer my foundation on my face with just the tiniest amount of it. When I use this brush, I love to pat the foundation in a quick motion, instead of swirling it, to give me that full coverage. The bristles of the brush are at the perfect length. They don’t bent on your skin and gives you more control. The bristles do shed a little the first time I washed it (I always wash brushes I just bought, before I use it). But that’s it.

Other than liquid and powder foundation, this brush also great for applying loose or compact powder (although I rarely use powder these days) and I use this for my mineral make up. This brush is multitasking when it comes to complexion!

As for what this brush is intended to, blush brush and contouring, I find the top of the brush is way too big for my cheeks. It smeared color all over the places I need no blush on. And do you know how hard it is to contour using the edge of a flat top brush? That being said, I’m gonna skip this brush when it comes to applying blushes and contouring.

The only downside of this brush, I think, that this is so overpriced. This brush sells for US$45. I bought it for HK$420 (times Rp1200), considering that this is a China made brush. I really have to save up to buy this.

But still, I’m glad I have this brush. It’s my one and only foundation brush now.

Stila Can Cam Palette

According to Stila website, Stila Can Cam Palette was a Japan only palette. But now it's available on Stila website so everyone outside Japan can have this palette too.

As for the name, Can Cam, I googled and found out that it's actually a name of a fashion magazine in Japan, targeting school age girls and young women. It was first published in November of 1981. And this Stila Can Cam palette is specially made to celebrate the magazine's 25th anniversary.

The palette comes in a simple square box and it opens like a book with magnets on the side to keep the palette shut. It's so sleek, you can just slip it inside your bag or make up pouch without taking too much space.


There are four colors inside. Three eye shadows and one blush, all shimmery. On the back, there's an information on where you should put the colors (yeah, like you need one). For base is a lightest color, more like a champagne color. For crease is the purplish pink with subtle gold shimmer. And the dark brown color with gold shimmer for liner. But of course this is just suggestion and the application is totally up to you. The cheek color looks like a light coral color on the pan, kinda like the much lighter version of NARS Torrid, but it turns light pink on my cheek. The blush is so sheer, almost unnoticeable on my cheeks.


I tried the palette immediately once the palette arrived. Since I wasn't going anywhere, I applied the eye shadow colors without primer. Texture wise, as pressed eye shadows, the pigments are kinda loose. So you might wanna be careful applying it and don't let the pigment fall on your face (It's annoying when that happened). As for the color pay off, well, kinda disappointing. I have dark lids and those colors don't cover that. Although the base color looks pretty as highlight. The crease color and the liner color are just as bad. I have to re-apply all these colors just to make colors show up but it doesn't make any difference. Those colors are just too sheer. I use the liner color for my outer V and as the darkest color in the palette, the pigmentation is the.. poorest (is that a word?). And the texture is kinda muddy too, it's hard to blend. Meh..

I thought, it's probably because of the loose texture. So I try to apply the colors wet on my other eye. The result? Not working either. I mean, yes, the colors show up better when applied wet but the texture makes the colors even harder to blend. Oh gosh...

So for the second time I try these eye shadows, I use primer. And apparently, primer is what the eye shadows need. The colors show up better and blend well.

Anyway, these eye shadows are not my first Stila eye shadow. I have Stila Kitten shadow, and never have I had any problems like this. I thought that goes for every Stila shadows. Apparently not. When most eye shadows need primer to help the colors last, eye shadows in Can Cam palette need primer to make the color show up. It's kinda disappointing, though. But then again, I never apply eye shadows without primer, anyway. So I'm just gonna keep this.

So my conclusion about this palette, had I known this is how the colors would turn up, I'll never even consider buying the palette. But know that I have it, (and I paid good money for this. This palette cost $18 with extra international and domestic shipping for me) I have to make it work.


Here's my FOTD using Stila Can Cam Palette with a step-by-step following the information from the back of the palette. Well, not so much, but pretty close.

1. After primer (I'm using UDPP) apply the base color all over the lid, all the way to the browbone area.
2. Apply crease color on the crease.
3. Apply liner color on the outer lid, as outer V.
4. Once again, apply base color. This time apply the color wet, concentrating on the lid. The texture is kinda sticky, so never forget to blend.
   
5. Line lower lash line with liner color.
6. Add eye liner and mascara. Fake lashes for more dramatic effect.
   

And... Voila! Anyway, can't you tell that this is my first time wearing fake lashes myself? I'm such a rookie, the inner part of the lashes don't stick very well to my lash line. Haha..

And here's the rest of the face. This is how the cheeks color from the palette appears on my cheeks. Can you see?
Face

• MAC Face and Body Foundation in C4
• Revlon Colorstay Concealer in Medium
• Nars Loose Powder in Beach

Eyes

• UDPP
• Stila Can Cam Palette Eye shadows
• Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero
• Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus
• The Face Shop Lashes in XLH

Cheeks

• Stila Can Cam Palette blush

Lips

• NYX Round Lipstick in Pandora
• Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited in WH 001
• Lancome Color Fever Gloss #206

Stila Holiday 2009 Lip Glaze Collection

Told ya I love Stila lip glaze and gonna buy more colors. And stila answered my prayer and the answer is Stila Holiday 2009 Lip Glaze Collection. Comes in simple brown box with hole in the middle so you can see the colorful middle part of the tube. Notice the snowflakes pictures all over the box, they're screaming 'holiday' to me.

Contains eight.. yes, eight mini lip glazes, including four new shades:

plum fairy - a sheer plum with pink pearl
candy - sheer pink-coral with subtle rainbow shimmer
marmalade - sheer peach with pink and white pearl
pinkle twinkle - sheer mid-tone pink with rainbow shimmer

And four bestseller shades

kitten - nude pink champagne shimmer with golden pearl
starfruit - neutral pink-coral with white pearl
cranberry - sheer brick red
blackberry - deep purple wine

And here's the swatches:

L-R: blackberry, plum fairy, cranberry, candy, pinkle twinkle, starfruit, kitten, marmalade

You get this set for $38. I think that's a steal!

Travel in Stila Style

A Stila girl never takes a vacation from beauty. So True!

I just got this from Fashionesedaily's Beauty Warehouse. This is actually an old set. If I'm not mistaken, this set was out on January 2009. Originally, Travel in Stila Style contains:
Multi-effect Mascara - black
Convertible Color - Peony
Lip Glaze - Brown Sugar
Kajal Eye Liner - Onyx
Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 - Shade 01
Stila Sun SPF 15 Bronzing Powder - Shade 01

I bought this set from another forum member, minus the mascara and the tinted moisturizer. But it doesn't matter because everything inside are all brand new.

Stila Sun SPF 15 Bronzing Powder
To be honest, I am a bronzer rookie and this Stila bronzer is actually my first bronzer ever. So I think this is the right time to start learning and wearing bronzer. Anyway, since I don't know what we're looking for from a bronzer, so I don't think I'm gonna review this.

Convertible Color Peony
This is my second convertible color. I've been in love with convertible color since I got my gerbera. Before I got this set, I searched for peony's swatch and found out that the color is kinda brown. I wasn't really excited about it But when I tried it myself, the color actually looks plum-ish on my cheeks. It's very sheer and yet you can tell that you're blushing. Looks so natural on my cheeks, and I love it so much! It looks even better on my lips. It's a natural healthy lip color. It looks just.. fit! I love this!

Convertible Color Peony on NC37-40 and pigmented lips

Lip Glaze - Brown Sugar
Again, my first. I've never tried any lip glazes before. Some review said that this lip glaze feels kinda sticky. But when I tried it, I love the texture so very much. I mean, yes it's sticky. But it's lip gloss, of course it's sticky. But not in an annoying way. And it's very pigmented too for a gloss. As for the color, Brown Sugar, it's actually dark plum color with gold shimmer. Too dark for me although it's still wearable when applied really sheer. Not really my favorite. But I'll definitely start collecting other colors. I love this lip glaze!

Stila Lip Glaze in Brown Sugar

Kajal Eye Liner - Onyx
When I first take a look on the color, I was amazed on how dark the color is. Seriously, even before I applied it, I can tell that this eyeliner is so very black. And when I applied, again, I was amazed with the texture. It's so soft. I don't even need to tug my skin and press the pencil, the eyeliner glides easily on my skin. Until I went out of my house with this liner on my eyes. I learned, once you applied this eyeliner, hands off eyes. It won't set on your skin, it stays creamy and therefore, it smudges like crazy. I feel like I hate this eyeliner so much!

Pardon me, that this is my first experience with kajal liner. I searched on fashionesedaily about eyeliner and found out that that's kajal. It's soft, so very dark, smudges and not waterproof. That's just the way it is. So I gotta find a way to wear this eyeliner. Right now, I wear this eyeliner by smudging it. Dot tiny amounts of Kajal liner on your lash line, and smudge it with your flat eye brush. I'm sorry, I'm so in love with the dark black that I have to compromise with this liner. I think I'm gonna repurchase!

Stila Convertible Color in Gerbera

Ok, another order finally arrived. Hmm.. am I shopping too much? (please don't answer the question)

This time it's Stila Convertible Color, and my order is in Gerbera. I ordered it from one of FD member in Kuala Lumpur. She said something about warehouse... or something, I wasn't really paying attention. All I know is, this Convertible Color worth $25 and I only have to pay for Rp185000. Isn't it a good deal? ;)

As for the Convertible Color, it's actually cream that you can use for your cheek and lips. And here's mine:


The color is too pretty, I just can't wait to try it. I used my MAC 187 brush to apply the color on my cheek, and my 194 brush to apply the color on my lips.

STILA Convertible Color in Gerbera on NC37-NC40
and pigmented lips

I think the color looks beautiful on my cheek but looks kinda dull on my lips. But that's fine, I can always mix it with other lip color. I can't say anything about the staying power of this product yet, because I haven't tried it that long (I just swatched it on my cheeks and lips for this entry). But, so far, I'm loving it! Maybe I should add other colors for my collection. And here's the swatches for other Convertible Colors. Maybe my next CC would be Petunia and Poppy.. Hmm..

pic taken from karlasugar.blogspot.com