Nail polish collection

Today I had a massive clear out of all my nail varnishes. Honestly, it was a hard job, I had many desperate hoarder moments when I couldn't let go of unsalvageable polishes that are no longer produced. Shall I keep it as a momento? I kept telling myself. I was STRONG and chucked a butt load away!! 

L'oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara Review

Hands down this is the best mascara ever and every Asian girl or any girl with non existent, straight, sparse lashes should give it a go. It is one of the only fiber mascaras in the UK market that really does work. The plastic brush, ensures that the lashes don't clump and if you buy waterproof, it holds a curl extremely well. 

This mascara works best in the middle of its lifespan. At the beginning, it's a bit too watery and therefore lacks volume; at its end, clumping can be more of issue as it tends to thicken quite quickly.

 ...and here is my scarey eye as proof!You can really see the fibers at the end of my lashes, normally my lashes end at the crease of my eye. 

Asian BB creams

The reason why I tend to stay away from non Asian BB creams is because the shade aren't quite a match for me. I also believe that BB creams made by non Asian brands tend to have high claims, when in fact it's only a tinted moisturiser with a slight SPF. I have three in my current collection, all with their pros and cons, so lets go!

Missha Perfect Cover (21),  Dr Jart Water Fuse, Ginerva Green Tea Nude Cover.

Missha, What they say...

Natural coverage, Moisturising, Whitening, Anti wrinkle, SPF42 and Suitable for all skin types.

What I say...

This is a thick BB cream but it doesn't take too much effort to blend. Due to the consistency, I do sue more than I would with other face products. Despite coming out the tube, a bit pinky grey, it adapts but does not oxidise! to blend into my skin colour. Excellent coverage and does not cake and lasts throughout the day. This product is also scented nicely!

Dr Jart, What they say...

Instant flawless skin and minimises the appearance of imperfections.Water technology helps hydrate and gives a dewy finish. Is oil free and apparently minimizes the need for foundation and extra concealer. SPF 25.

What I say...

I bought this product because of the water technology, yes you can really see the water bubbles when you rub it into the skin. It's a bit of novelty but does what it says, hydrates. However, the finish for me is more greasy than dewy and coverage does need for extra concealer. I'm not a big fan of this BB, when I matte the face with a bit of my usual powder, it does start to cake and it's not very long lasting. The line only has one shade and I feel it doesn't quite adapt to my skin tone. 

Ginvera, What they say...

Natural and flawless full coverage. One shade suits all and is non greasy and gives a matte finish. Provides all day hydration for soft and supple skin. SPF 30.

What I say...

This product is so light and so fluid, I would liken applying this product to a really good serum. It provides a matte finish but doesn't make the skin feel dry. Despite being light, a little goes a long way and it really does provide full-ish coverage. My skin tone is MAC Nc20-25 and it adapts really well. 

Left to right, Missha, Dr Jart and Ginvera (with flash).

Without Flash.

Foundations for yellow based skintones

There is nothing worst than buying foundation. Every month there is a new 'miracle' foundation out and there is nothing more I want than for it to be my holy grail face saver. The only trouble is finding the right texture for the skin type, the right coverage, the right lasting power and ultimately the right shade.

Growing up on drug store products as a little Chinese girl, it was hell finding a foundation! All we had back then was pink based tones more suitable for the majority of western faces. How on earth could they ignore, that the colour spectrum of all women, including white! Many of my girlfriends have yellow undertones and even if they didn't, they preferred it because yellow neutralises pinkiness! Luckily for me, the foundation market has improved, now I want it to improve for those with darker skin tones. Are you listening, beauty industry?

I have Four foundations on my beauty table. The others are hidden away in my beauty drawers therefore they are eliminated for review (for now) as I probably hid them for a reason. 

I have dehydrated skin with a slight oiliness in my tzone. For reference wise, my skin varies between MAC Nc20-25.

MAC Studio Sculpt (NC25) Loreal Lumi Maagique (DW3) Bourjois Healthy Mix (52) Estee Lauder Double Wear (Sandy)

Without flash. Foundations in the order of above picture

With flash.

Mac Studio Sculpt. What they say...

Gel based, Water resistant, Satin finish, Hydrating and Medium to high coverage.

What I say...

Good coverage but does however cake if skin is not in prime condition. Although it is gel based and it should be light, it feels slightly heavy. I also find this more matte than satin finish, it's not completely matte but can be trouble for dehydrated to dry skin. This is the reason why I wouldn't consider it a buildable foundation, the more you use, the more you cake.

Lumi Magique Light Infusing Foundation. What they say...

Infuses skin with a ray of light, illuminating your complexion. Perfect coverage without masking.

What I say...

This foundation is a no for me. It feels greasy and it has very little lasting power. This is not a foundation for this summers heat wave!It gives a medium coverage, I don't think this a buildable product, as it would make the face way too greasy. I feel it is also quite a heavy formula despite the coverage. This foundation is also too dark for me. I would say on the MAC spectrum it's Nc30+.

Bourjois Healthy Mix. What they say...

Vitamin enriched, Gel texture, Flawless coverage, Undetectable coverage, Lasts 16 hours.

What I say...

I bought it this morning, so I have no idea how long it lasts but it has held up pretty well so far. Coverage is perfect is light medium and I believe it can be buildable because it blends so well and doesn't cake. Doesn't oxidise and makes my skin look natural. Recommend. (Nc20)

Estee Lauder Double Wear. What they say...

Make up stays in place despite heat and humidity. It doesn't change colour and feels light weight and comfortable.

What I say...

It is so light and watery but provides good coverage. It does cake but only slightly for dry skin. I use this, when I know I'm going to be out all day. I really like it put application is difficult without a pump. (Between Nc20 &25)

Glossybox July 2013

This month's Glossybox theme is called seaside splash. Of course with it being summer, this theme is most definitely suitable. Often in the past themed boxes never really had related products in the box, so lets see how they did in July!!

Gone Gone Gone!!!

The topic of empty products people have used always intrigues me to have a peek. I haven't a clue why! If you think about it, it's actually quite a boring topic but I LOVE TO READ THEM!! Maybe because it's an opportunity to have a nosey, like rummaging through a celebrity's rubbish bin. Saying that I'm no celebrity or that interesting in fact but it's a good chance to see what products people follow through with.

Not a very good picture, I used my phone, sorry!  Here we have my empty bottles from this month. 

Sanctuary Body Butter. I actually received this product three years ago, yes THREE! Saying that, I have a lot of moisturises I rotate, so three years shelf life for a body product, sounds about right for me. It's heavily scented, so I like to use it before bed. The scent embeds itself into my sheets and I love it! Although a butter, it absorbs instantly and makes my scaley skin look fresh. I didn't use this product frequently enough to comment of it's lasting moisturising properties but if you want to pop a skirt on, it makes my pale legs look a bit more presentable.

Clinique 7 Day Scrub. This scrub is one of my favourites, the exfoliating bits are really fine, so it doesn't feel to harsh on the skin. The cream is really rich and creamy and I find it moisturises my face decently for a scrub. I like to massage this onto dry skin.

Yes To Cucumbers Shower Gel. Paraben free, green tea extract and dead sea extracts... basically has the whole deal! It's a lovely shower gel, the foam is light but it lathers well and the scent stays on the skin. If you have problem skin, for example dry or itchy, I find that paraben free is the way to go.

Super Facialist Una Brennan, Rose Cleanser. This is my favourite face product of all time!! It has rose (of course!), vitamin B5 and marshmallow as some of its ingredients. It leaves my face incredibly soft and clean. Although I have dry skin, this cleanser is also great for those with oily and acne prone skin, being that it's so gentle, it doesn't take away too much oil like products from Clearasil etc. I like to use this on dry skin, then cleanse off with a muslin cloth. 

June Glossybox 2013

I didn't blog about my last May box because I lost my camera charger, sorry! But it's back! and although I had initially decided not to blog about the boxes any more; I changed my mind after I opened this month's box of disappointment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Without further or do, here you will see probably the worst selection of products this month.

So here we are, I will just give you a quick brief on each product and my opinion.

Firstly, notice that Glossybox has not found any new partners. We are constantly receiving the same brands over and over again... Monu... Nuxe... BLOODY Paul Mitchell......

1. Figs and Rouge coco rose lip balm (£5) Fair product, would use, can't complain.

2. Paul Mitchell leave in cream  (£1.12) and textured gel (£1.19) Tiny samples and worst of all, I don't have curly hair!!!!!!!!!!!

3. Monu hydrating moisturiser (£17.97) Okay, this is a product I can live with. I'm using Monu beauty balm right now and if this one is just as brilliant, I would have been glad to try it in a sample first.

4. Q Body spray (£2.29) Supposedly these sprays are meant to smell like 'high end' scents, J'adore, Bulgari etc. Now I'm not sure what I have received but mine smells like an old lady's Impulse. Plus although they claim it smells high end, the price does not reflect this and  it therefore shouldn't be in a box that CLAIMS to distribute high end samples. 

5. Nuxe huile prodigieuse (£3.40) A dry bronzing oil... you all know and have seen a million times before.

What did you think of this months box?

Was it as bad as mine??!!