June 2014 Favorites ^_^

Ello ello guys!

So... this month's "favorite" post probably won't be that exciting to most of you... at least for my long-time readers :") (hello if you're reading!) because lot of them are rediscovery of old favorites XD So you probably have seen most of them at some point. And the newer favorites I believe I've already done reviews on all of them, kkk. 


Let's first start with the new items I have for this month XD  Those are probably more exciting for you guys to read!

1. Canmake Cream Cheek Blush in 01

Guys. This thing. Is amazing!!!!

I used to avoid cream blushes-- I used to have this one from Stila called Convertible Color in Gerbera and I loved that color! But somehow I reasoned with myself that it's more hygienic to dip my brush into the cream blush than using my fingers =_= so that kind of ruined the blush for me (lint, brush hairs getting stuck in the blush... all that good stuff). So I pretty much avoided cream blushes after that. So glad I decided to give these a try!!! I have 3 colors but this is my favorite (review and swatches for the rest will come up soon). Been pretty much reaching for it non-stop over the last couple of months ^_^ Haha my new blush love affair after the Benefit Rockateur lol.



Swatch



It's sooo pretty. It honestly goes with every look, and just makes my complexion look super super healthy and glowy :)


Caution: This blush does contain glitters. However it doesn't look glittery at all when applied to the face in my opinion. But if you really hate glitters then perhaps you might want to keep that in mind before purchasing.

What it looks like on me:

Application


Honestly... blush is the hardest thing to photograph. Didn't want to overdo it but at the same time the color always comes off more washed out. But I hope you guys can kind of see it





2. LUSH BB Seaweed Fresh Face Mask

My attitude toward LUSH is always kind of ambivalent... I think their products are fun, but overpriced (aka luxurious items haha!)

But! This mask is pretty awesome *-*  This is kind of like a last-minute favorite for me... because I've only used this mask 4 times. But I'm loving it!


You can see chunks of seaweed in it




Skin feels super moisturized and baby soft after ^_^b Love it! Now I'm super interested in trying out more LUSH fresh masks. I wonder if they come in bigger tubs... cuz I kind of want one *-*


Ok from here on out all the products are old... I apologize ahead of time if I'm boring you guys XD


3. YSL Glossy Stain in #29 and Etude House Kissful Tint Choux in #4

I think because I'm working now I try to use more neutral colors T^T these two are the ones that I keep in my pocket to reapply :P these and a lip balm of course. I like how these don't require a mirror to put on-- I just dab a bit on the center on my lips and rub my lips together :) or smooth out with my fingers if I can. Super convenient.

Me wearing YSL

I've done a review/swatches on this lip stain before, please refer here if you're interested. But I decided to post these pics because they do look quite different from that post. I was more heavy handed here so I thought I'd put them so you guys can see the different finishes it offers.




As for the Etude House one, I have plenty of pictures here.

4. SkinMD Natural Shielding Lotion

Remember a while back I said I feel like this lotion wasn't moisturizing enough? Well along comes summer and hello the perfect summer moisturizer =DDD

I put it side to side with my summer standby moisturizer-- the Shiseido Pureness Matifying Moisturizer, because the two are quite similar. Shiseido being more watery, and SkinMD being a bit thicker and more slippy in texture. But in any case, the hydration level of both is really similar. I'm glad to have SkinMD because now I can replace my Shiseido moisturizer with it! SkinMD is like half the price of Shiseido ^_^b


Top: Shiseido. Bottom: SkinMD


Granted it still might not be enough for dry skin. For my combination skin, it's perfect for the hot, humid summer weather. Recommend for combination (normal/oily) and oily skin ^_^



5. Canmake Blush in 02 as eye shadow application

I don't think I need to elaborate on this item since I pretty much raped your eyes with selfies where I was wearing this eye shadow. Been obsessed with using this as my eye shadow! Drama influence LOL. Check here if you want to see what this blush looks like as an eye shadow. Well also I'm wearing this as my eye shadow in all my pics for this post hehehe. 



6. IPSA Face Color Palette in #201

This is also an old favorite. This palette happens to contain my all-time favorite highlighter! I personally wouldn't waste money to buy this palette-- I personally can't wear that peachy blush on the upper right corner because it makes me look sun-burned. The setting powder on the lower left corner is completely and utterly rubbish-- it has no oil control whatsoever. The "contour" shade on the lower right corner I do like for a tan-blush look :)  but I don't think it's unique enough for me to want to go out there and purchase it. Also as a contour it's way too orange and unnatural. This highlighter though :") I really don't know what it is about it, but I just love it so much!!! You guys probably wouldn't think it's anything unique XD it looks really similar to the "Virgin" eye shadow from the NAKED 1 palette, but Virgin translates just ever so slightly on the silvery-white side on me... which can look a bit stark for highlight. This color on the other hand... just looks completely natural and subtle ❤ I wonder if IPSA sells the highlighter individually? I'll have to look it up.

I sort of did a review post on this palette, check here if you want to see my thoughts on this product when I first got it :)




It really doesn't look that special as a swatch XD


Okay these swatches photos are not doing this product justice. Need some face action here!



I like to apply some above my eye brows, and between my eye brows, like shown in this picture


Then I bring it half way down my nose bridge. The reason why I only do it half way and leave out the tip of my nose is because my nose gets mega oily -_- so I just skip the tip to avoid the mess.


I don't always do this step but sometimes I highlight the C shape here too. Nowadays forehead and nose bridge is more fun for me to highlight XD


Result *-* Even I think my skin looks pretty freaking amazing here. LOL the tricks of makeup PUAHAHA. 




Me no like this angle of my face, but thought you can the see highlight super well on my nose bridge XD I don't usually use this much, I was very heavy handed just for the purpose of taking pictures, so normally it wouldn't look so obvious LOL.



Comparison photos. Small difference, but difference nevertheless? :)

Left: Without highlight
Right: With highlight


Left: Without highlight
Right: With highlight

Readers probably be like... I didn't even notice any difference until you pointed it out XD




Here's an old pic of me, with no highlight whatsoever.


Here's a pic with highlight on forehead and nose bridge. Sorry I'm recycling old pics... in my defense... 回收也是一種美德啊!!! (遮臉) How do I translate that... recycling is a virtue XD *covers face*


Also with highlight on nose bridge. Nose looks just a wee bit taller??? Yes?? Can't see any difference??? XD I feel like if anything it makes my nose look straighter @_@


Is the difference better manifested in these pics?


Kkk, it looks like I have a nose bridge. Puahah




There's hardly any difference when you look at my nose from the front, but from side view I feel like it does a little sumthin' sumthing XD kind of crazy what a little bit of highlight can do to your face. 



I was surprised at how tall my nose looks (well I think so). It's probably the angle too but I think the highlight probably helped. I mean you guys have been reading my blog for a while now and you all know I have a relatively flat nose. This is kind of fun XD

So yeah I've been into highlighting my face again =P Truth be told, I'm never the person who cares a whole lot about nose... I'm all about eyes XD but it seems like people are getting nose jobs/rhinoplasties left and right these days. I wonder what I would look like with a super tall nose bridge and pointy tip... probably super fake and unnatural hahahaha.



That's all I have for my favorites! Sorry about the sparse posting. I'm actually on an off block now so I have some time. Hopefully I can get more blogging done! Is there anything you guys are interested in seeing?

Enjoy the beautiful summer ^_^ Time for me to hit the gym!


Laters :D

<3 Frances

Etude House Fresh Cherry Tint and Kissful Tint Choux Swatches & Review

Hi guys!

Guess what... it's that time of year... to bust out bright colors =D
Maybe a lot of you are already sick of the gradient lips trend... but personally I'm still digging it XD 
Totally just reorganized my lip product drawer so my most-used Spring/Summer products are in the front half of my drawer =D

So a friend's friend was in Korea and I shamelessly asked her to pick up these products for me XD
These are the Etude House Kissful Tint Choux, and Fresh Cherry Tint. Really wanted to try them ever since reading about them on Bubzbeauty =D 


From left to right:
- Kissful Tint Choux in No.4
- Fresh Cherry Tint in PK001 Cherry Pink
- Fresh Cherry Tint in PK002 Cherry Hot Pink

Here are the swatches in the same order:
 


To be honest... PK001 and PK002 look the same to me -_- On my hand there's a subtle difference, on my lips I can't tell the difference.


Fresh Cherry Tint PK001








Lip action:












Fresh Cherry Tint in PK002













Honestly... can you even tell if there's a difference b/w PK001 and PK002? -_-"







My conclusion is... PK001 and PK002 look the same. 囧

By the way, you totally do NOT need these products to create the gradient lip look... I did one a long time ago with Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains. Click here to check it out. The KBS give a more matte finish compared to those stains-- however I think the effect is similar enough :P But I'm currently still pretty interested in trying out more lip tint/stain products =D



My thoughts on the Fresh Cherry Tints?

I like! The formula is wayy better than the Benefit lip cheek/lip stains. It stains much better (unlike Benefit I have to do quite a few layering to get the intensity I want), and it is a lot less drying. I wouldn't go as far to say it's moisturizing because I definitely need a balm when I use these tints, but at least they don't make my lips crease the way the Benefit tints do (if you keep reapplying without using a lip balm in between then yes they do dry your lips out. And I do found that I have to reapply these tints quite often). Overall, the formula is better, and the price tag is much much cuter (with a lot less product though, but I personally prefer smaller quantity/cheaper price =P)

Oh year I forgot to mention, the longevity of these stains are meh -_- Kind of disappointed in that. They lose that initial finish really quickly (and that's without eating, drinking or talking). My lips are still stained but they just don't look as nice or vibrant and I found that I would want to keep reapplying to get that finish back.  


Now onto Kissful Tint Choux in No. 4




Upon first application, it looks like a nude pink color


Lol was trying to let you guys see lip product on my ring finger vs. on my lips. But it didn't show up well. FAIL.





Really really like this color! It looks so soft. Super work-appropriate too. Me very likey.


However, I noticed that after this lip product sets, it kind of turns more pink

looks like nude pink


Hmmm pinker?


Ok really pink now O_O


Lol so interesting (PS: the color change is more obvious on a PC monitor).


Another day. Was trying to capture how it looks pinker on me but I guess it didn't show up that well -_- I was in a hurry to leave so I didn't check to see how the photos turn out ~_~

Was feeling lazy that day but still wanted to be somewhat presentable... so a light dusting of powder foundation + blush + eye brows +  lip color. Basically everything minus the eye makeup ahaha.


My thoughts on Kissful Tint Choux?
I really like the formula! It's actually pretty moisturizing! I feel like this product is more oil-based? When you squeeze the product out of the tube you can see just a little of the color/oil separation. I think the oil base is what gives this product a really glossy finish.  




So when I put on the Fresh Cherry Tint PK001/002, it reminded me of my Benefit Posie Tint. And the Kissful Tint Choux reminded me of my YSL Glossy Stain in #29. So I thought I could do some comparison swatches.

By the way, I have done a "full" review on the Benefit Posie Tint. Click here to see the review and swatches. Please scroll all the way to the middle of the page XD

For YSL Glossy Stain #29 review, click here.

Here are the side-by-side swatches:

I must say... I was shocked that YSL swatches SO dark next to the Kissful Tint Choux (KTC). If you look at my review from before, it honestly looks more like the KTC No.4. All I can say it... it's all relativism.... LOL.

Even though YSL looks so dark in these pics, you guys should still use my other review as reference. That's a better representation of what YSL looks like on my lips. 

Like in the pics shown before, KTC No. 4 actually turns pretty pink as it sets, while YSL remains a true nude/tawny/brown pink. So it just depends on what kind of look you're going for.


To be honest, I thought Fresh Cherry Tint (FCT) in PK001 was going to look more like Benefit Posie Tint (talk about misleading packaging), and PK002 was going to look like PK001 (which is almost the same as PK002 anyway but you know what I'm saying-- I was expecting PK001 to be lot more milky-looking pink, and PK002 to be just the way it is). 







Another day, I decided to compare Benefit Posie Tint again with the FCTs just to see if I can capture any differences.

Left to right:
- FCT PK001
- FCT PK002
- Benefit Posie Tint




I guess you can kind of see the subtle differences... Posie Tint like I said is a baby milky pink. PK001 is just ever so slightly brighter/more neon. But like I said before, you won't be able to tell the difference once they're on the lips. I essentially bought the same thing twice.... ha, ha, ha


Before I end this post, word of caution to you guys: I noticed when these lip stains fade (all 3 of them), they kind of fade in patches

This day the majority of the stain has faded, but I was left with some stain on the inner part of lips, which is no biggie at all.


This day though, I was left with those weird patches O_O So my suggestion is, make sure you reapply/check your lips throughout the day, otherwise you might end up with uneven, awkward, patchy-looking lips. They were easily removed by makeup remover though, so no worries there.









Do you like lip tints? If so, what's your favorite color/brand? I want to look for more red colors =D



Hope you guys enjoyed this review! ^_^ happy weekend :D


<3 Frances