REVIEW: My Fav Recipe by NEULA

Holy crap its been like what, 5 months since my last review? I'm so bad at this. Someone please give me a good ol' talking to. 

But anyway, I am back with a review fresh from the oven, my oven. Get it? Heh. Recently I have been taking care of my skin since I'm hitting 22 this year, or since I've hit the big 2-0. I am a huge fan of masks, particularly masks that come in tubes or jars. I don't exactly have a thing for sheet masks, not too sure why though. 

I got myself two jars of the My Fav Recipe By Neula in Earl Grey Black Tea & Snail Moist. 

Earl Grey Black Tea Mask

What it claims:

Wash off Ear Grey Black Tea Mask is blended with black tea leaf which is rich in various types of minerals & vitamins that rejuvenates your skin. It contains black sugar that helps to exfoliate dead skin cells too. Skin will look brighter after every application.

My thoughts:

First of all, the smell of the tea is a little too strong for my liking but it doesn't linger. Thank goodness.  It does get really sticky after about 10 minutes in but it washes off easily. But the real question is: did my skin get brighter? My answer is yes it did. After the first application there was a noticeable change in brightness of my skin. I like how it exfoliates my skin without the harsh scrubbing.

What it claims:

Perfectly blended with snail excretion extract which is popular in moisturization & improves skin elasticity. The 2 way use mask where can act as wash off mask or sleeping mask for overnight care.

My thoughts:

For some reason there's a slight flowery smell? I'm not too sure but its very mild which I really appreciate cause we all know how much I dislike super strong smells in a skincare product. After the first application, my skin looked more plump & I noticed throughout the day, my skin felt more moisturized, not extremely oily like per usual. 

Overall:

So far these two masks from the drugstore has impressed me in terms of having instant effectiveness. I did think that was a little expensive for a drugstore mask, I realized that with these, a little goes a long way. I can see these masks lasting up to maybe 2 months even if I use it 2-3 times a week since both textures of the mask are quite thick. I got both of the masks from Guardian at RM35++ so you get what I mean by a little expensive but tbh if you don't spend a little extra on your skin, who will?

A Letter To The Girl Who Is Turning 21.

To the girl that's turning 21:

Growing up, turning 21 meant that you're a grown up, an adult. It meant that your life is supposed to be on course by now, that you'd have your shit together. But you find yourself, stuck in a place where you can hardly even figure out why you're still stuck in that place, a place you were supposed to NOT be. You blame yourself constantly day after day for not doing better, but you wonder if maybe there is a reason behind it all. 

You're surrounded by people, who deem to care for you. Most of them do, no doubt. Though you still doubt them, wondering if any of them will be there when you're crying at 3AM. You want to drop some of them, because deep down you know they aren't the ride or die types, even if you're all about them, still you don't dare cause you're afraid of having a small amount of friends. 

To the girl that's turning 21:

Your friends are getting diplomas, degrees & even getting married with their high school sweethearts. But you're still there, stuck. You attend their big day, wondering when will it be your turn. You're happy for them, not even the tiniest bit jealous. 

You think, you should be with the love of your life but why hasn't he walked through that door yet? Is he ever coming? You sort of give up, not wanting to hope for anything because hope & expectations killed you the last time. Your walls are built up sky high, made of steel even so no one could even come in. 

To the girl that's turning 21: 

Your family somewhat sees you as a disappointment, though they don't say it. Their silence speaks to you like no other. Their eyes could tell you more than their words ever could. You try, to make them happy while you're crying in the shower, wondering if you'll ever be enough. 

You wonder when will the time come for you to become enough for anyone. When? Because you're tired from waiting. You've tried to change yourself, so that everyone would see you with a better opinion. You, deep down do care about what they think of you. People constantly judge you, from your hair, to your clothes, to your body, even to the way you laugh. You've tried to change it all while posting a status on your social media account saying, "Who cares what other people think? I'll do me."

To the girl that's turning 21:

ITS OKAY. 

It will be okay. Everything will fall into place, one day. You will get to where you're supposed to be, you will get that diploma & degree, & that love of your life you've been waiting for? He'll walk through that door. Drop those friends who make you doubt them & appreciate those who truly care for you. Your family loves you for who you are, even if you don't live up to their expectations. They will always be proud of you. Your walls, oh my love your walls, lower them or better yet, destroy them. Let people in your life, always be kind. If they end up hurting you, forgive but never forget because that's a lesson that will build you, that will make you even stronger than yesterday. 

Most importantly, be you. Please don't be afraid to be you. Who cares if people don't like you for who you are? Don't ever change for them, but stay the way you are for the people who love you. Of course, if you have a habit that you should get rid of then this is the time to do it. Get rid of it, replace it with a better habit. You know what I mean. 

Live your life at your own pace, even if its a little slower than everyone else. Who are you trying to catch up to, really? 

Live for you, & no one else.

Its okay. 

Life is a crazy ride, just hold on & see where it'll take you. 

DRUGSTORE BB CUSHION SHOWDOWN: Maybelline Super BB Cushion VS Loreal Paris Lucent Magique Cushion Lumiere

I'm on a roll this week people, isn't it amazing? I don't know why but I feel very motivated to do write ups lately, how very unusual. 

Today I'll be doing a Drugstore BB Cushion Showdown, comparing the only two BB Cushions that are available in the drugstores. The reason behind this is because brands like Laneige, The Face Shop & etc, their BB Cushions can be a little pricey so as for a person who is broke 90% of the time, I like having a cheaper & more affordable option, WHO DOESN'T RIGHT?

So let's just jump right into it!

The 2 BB Cushions I will be comparing for you today are:

Maybelline New York Super BB Cushion

&

Loreal Paris Lucent Magique Cushion Lumiere

PACKAGING

The Maybelline Super BB Cushion has a matte taupe packaging while the Loreal Paris Lucent Magique Cushion Lumiere has a shiny rose gold packaging. I guess we all know who the winner is here!

SHADES

Both the Maybelline & Loreal Paris BB Cushions come in only 2 shades each which isn't a great thing especially if you have a darker skin tone. I got myself the shade 03 Natural for Maybelline & N3 for Loreal Paris. Both shades that I purchased are the darkest in the tiny range of shades. 

COVERAGE

What is said about both of these is that coverage is buildable by tapping which is to be said by every other company that comes out with BB Cushions. I do have to say that both brands give me the control over how much coverage I would like on my face & is buildable to full coverage.

Left to right: Maybelline 03 Natural & Loreal Paris N3 

FINISH

Both of these BB Cushions do give a slightly different finish if you put them together. The Maybelline Super BB Cushion gives a satin finish from my experience but they do not state the kind of finish it actually gives on the box description. As for the Loreal Paris Lucent Magique Cushion Lumiere, it gives dewy lucent finish. 

PRICE

Maybelline Super BB Cushion: RM54.90*

Loreal Paris Lucent Magique Cushion Lumiere: RM79.90

REFILL

Maybelline Super BB Cushion: No refill available 

Loreal Paris Lucent Magique Cushion Lumiere: RM39.90 per refill

MY EXPERIENCE

Okay let us breathe for a moment because this may be a long one. Let's touch on the Maybelline Super BB Cushion first. Basically, I will admit to all of you that I don't like it very much. Why? Because it made my skin so oily & the product caked around my nose & undereye area which never happens. Yes I know these type of products are not meant for oily skin, but using a mattifying primer, setting powder & the baking method should be able to make it hold up for a good amount of time; but sadly it did not. It only lasted me about 5 hours before everything started to go south. I wore it for about 9 hours straight & my face was an oil central & also made my face very dull.

Next is the Loreal Paris Lucent Magique Cushion Lumiere. Now this one, I was really surprised. I actually love this BB Cushion for several reasons. Firstly, the immediate finish was flawless. My skin looked very bright & healthy, as if I had enough sleep for once. I did of course applied a mattifying primer, setting powder & baked my face as I did for the Maybelline one but this BB Cushion actually held up pretty well! Passing the 5 hour mark, my face wasn't extremely oily, but for the first time, the oil that was on my face gave me that dewy look I never thought I'd be able to pull off. After the 9 hour mark, the oil was still bearable but not as overwhelming as the Maybelline Super BB Cushion, I still had that healthy dewy look. I AM SHOOK! 

The tables really did turn because I was expecting the Maybelline Super BB Cushion to work for me since the Loreal Paris Lucent Magique Cushion Lumiere emphasizes on the BRIGHT DEWY LUCENCY.. Even though the Loreal Paris one is a little on the pricey side, its seriously worth it!

Maybelline Super BB Cushion

Loreal Paris Lucent Magique Cushion Lumiere


THE WINNER?
Loreal Paris Lucent Magique Cushion Lumiere for sure!



Till then,

V

NEW & MUST HAVE FROM THE DRUGSTORE: Catrice Blush Artist Shading Palette & Prime & Fine Professional Contouring Palette

Hello again & welcome back to my blog my lovely people! I know I've been reviewing a whole lot of lip stuff lately so I decided to switch to something else this time, & that's some cheek products.

I know for a fact that I am not the only one who loves having that perfect contour, poppin' highlight & a beautiful flush of color on my cheeks. 

My contour powders are hitting pan & I am dying just a little bit inside. My latest want from Sephora is the Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette but it's a whopping RM250 which is a whole lot so I'e been on the hunt for another option & a lot of the bronzers that I find are very warm toned, instead of cool toned that's perfect to create that good sculpted shadow on the face.

I went into Guardian just yesterday to see whats new & happening on the beauty section & there were two things in Catrice that made me scream with excitement inside.

Blush Artist Shading Palette

Blush Artist Shading Palette in 010 BronzEclat

This beautiful palette comes in 3 different shades that vary & in each palette has 3 blush shades, not very good at describing colors but these are warm bronze & peachy shades. From the left is a full matte, then a slight shimmer blush & lastly a full on highlight shade. I am so in love with all 3 shades & even though the middle one doesn't look like much, it is possible to build it. I don't have to be too careful when it comes to swirling my brush into them because it allows me to control how much goes on to my cheeks & that's pretty awesome. My current favorite way to use this palette is to mix all 3 colors on to my brush then apply it on my cheeks, ugh so beautiful!

Prime & Fine Professional Contouring Palette

Prime & Fine Professional Contouring Palette in 010 Ashy Radiance

Now for this contouring palette, I LITERALLY DIED. The contouring palettes by Catrice has two shades & the contouring powders were available in a warm & cool toned. Of course I went for the cool toned one, the warm tone was a little too orange for me. As for the highlight shade, *heavy breathing* its a super gorgeous pearl color with tons of shimmer in it. The highlight is everything because it is makes my cheekbones pop & I would still look natural hehe.

As I have said on Twitter, these items are a MUST HAVE from the drugstore because who would've expected something so amazing as this to be so affordable? I am incredibly impressed with the quality of these products, because usually drugstore powder products would be very chalky & rough but these don't & blend like a dream. If you don't have these yet, YOU NEED TO GET THEM because they are life, literally. Go get them before I buy everything & there will be no more left for you! *evil laugh*

Again, the idiot that I am threw away the receipt so I can't remember what the prices are BUT what I do know is that they both retail for LESS than RM30 each. I got them on sale so it was less than RM25 each. I hope that helps lol.

Till then,

V

REVIEW & SWATCHES: Colourpop Ultra Glossy Lip

Welcome back my darling readers! All that's been going on in the world of beauty, this is the one that I am particularly excited about.

Back in the early 2000's, lip glosses were everyone's jam. They would make your lips look so healthy & juicy, it was so satisfying. For me, I was never into it because they made my lips feel so suffocated & heavy. The formula back then was so tacky & thick, it wasn't much of my thing. 

Recently, Colourpop launched a new collection of lip products called Ultra Glossy Lip which came in the most beautiful colours & also in 3 different finishes which are Sheer, Creme & Metallic! Tbh I was most excited about the metallic finish.

Of course, I jumped on the hype the moment the launched & got 3 of their Ultra Glossy Lip in shades My Jam, Bestie, & Wolfie.

• My Jam ; Metallic 
• Bestie ; Creme
• Wolfie ; Metallic

From left to right: My Jam, Bestie, Wolfie.

My Thoughts

As much as I love my Ultra Matte Lip & Ultra Satin Lip liquid lipsticks, I find it hard to wear them on an everyday basis unless I have a full face of make up on. Some days I just want to be lazy & just do my eyebrows & slap on a simple lip product which makes these lip glosses amazing for my lazy days. I was afraid of these being sticky or tacky but surprisingly, they're super comfortable on my lips. Other than that, the coverage is buildable. The more layers you add the more intense the colour. As for longevity, they last a decent number of hours & even if it fades, it fades to a pretty tint. Obviously, my favorite finish would be the metallics, they make my lips shine like no other so I'm really hooked on them omg you can't even feel that there's tons of glitter on em' so don't worry about having the grainy feeling! All in all, 5 FREAKING STARS I LOVE THEM omg

Till then,

V

Drugstore Lipstick Haul: SilkyGirl, Revlon & Maybelline

Hello my dear readers, welcome back to my blog! Yes, I do know that my last update was way back in April but life has been one heck of a ride for the past 2-3 months. The most exciting thing that happened was travelling to Cambodia, though that story is for another day.

For now, I'll be showing you my most recent lipstick haul from the drugstore brands SilkyGirl, Revlon & Maybelline. These lipsticks are new additions to their respective collections so lets get into it!

SilkyGirl Matte Junkie Lip Cream

The Matte Junkie Lip Creams come in 5 different shades but I picked out these 3 because I knew they would be most wearable and tbh more suitable for me. The shades I got were Retro, Glamour & Vintage. Basically what they are liquid lipsticks that dry to a full matte, which thankfully it does! 

SilkyGirl Matte Junkie Lip Cream in GLAMOUR.

SilkyGirl Matte Junkie Lip Cream in VINTAGE.

 These Matte Junkie Lip Creams are very lightweight surprisingly & comfortable too! The wear time is pretty fair, I would be left with a thin layer of the lipstick after eating or drinking but it still looks nice regardless. These lipsticks do not have a scent to them, thank goodness cause I can't do scents in lipsticks. Also on the plus side, these only cost RM21.90 a pop! So affordable right? The only downside of these are that there aren't many shades, hopefully they come out with more shades soon enough.

Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor

I actually spotted these when I was in Cambodia & they were launching them there. I was very skeptical about the matte finish it was supposed to give because when I swatched them in Cambodia, it didn't dry down to a full matte finish but just a semi-matte finish. So recently I went into our local drugstore & thought y'know what, I'll just get them & I might just like them because I seriously hate lipsticks that are semi-matte or semi whatever hahahaha sorry I just can't stand it! 

Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor in PASSION

Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor in Seduction.

The Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor Liquid Lipsticks come in so many beautiful shades from nudes to berries. These do not however dry down to a full matte finish but instead a semi-matte & satin finish but I think for the benefit of not drying out the lips. They are super moisturizing & really nice on the lips. What I don't like about these are that they have this vanilla cupcake scent that is pretty sweet & makes me feel sickly though the scent does fade after awhile. Also, the lipsticks are RM35++ I think, which is kinda pricey.


Maybelline Ombre Lipstick

Maybelline does one of my most favorite lipsticks which is their Vivid Matte so I was all for trying this new lipstick out. As you can see, there are 3 tones to it so it would create an ombre effect which has been on the rage ever since K-Pop stars had been rocking this kind of look. When I swatched them, picking out the colors to get, they were super pretty but I only bought one because these kinds of things were pretty gimmicky to me.

FYI, I have no idea what the actual name of the lipstick is because it's not anywhere online so... HEHE

Maybelline Ombre Lipstick in RD01

I'll be real & totally honest here because I believe in giving you lot my honest opinion. I was kinda let down because I was expecting an ombre effect. Yeah it does give a pretty tint to the lips, leaving a healthy color. But it applies like a normal lipstick would & thats pretty much it. The finish is a satin finish & quite moisturizing. Another downside is that it has this cherry scent which I definitely am not a fan of. Will I be tossing this? No, I'll just make do as a backup or lazy day lipstick. The price for this lipstick is RM30.

So that's all for my drugstore lipstick haul! Have you tried any of these lipsticks? Share your thoughts with me! 

Till then,

V

REVIEW: Colourpop x Kathleen Lights: Where The Night Is

As you all know, I am a die hard fan of the brand Colourpop & an obsessive hoarder of their amazing products. As for Kathleen Lights, I worship her & her videos. SHE IS QUEEN.

Kathleen Lights recently did a collaboration with them & once I heard she was coming out with yet another set of Super Shock Eyeshadows, I knew I had to get my hands on them. She came out with several products with Colourpop which included Where The Light Is Super Shock Eyeshadows, Aquarius Lippie Stix, Ultra Matte Lip Lumiere 2 & a few others.

Today I'll be blogging about Colourpop x Kathleen Lights Where The Night Is. I was mostly attracted to this particular quad because of the amazingly daring colors which are to die for.

If you're wondering why I didn't get the other quad which is Where The Light Is, its because I already have so many neutral everyday colors in my make up stash, I wanted to go a little more bolder with the eyes.

In this quad, its the total opposite of Where The Light Is. Where The Night Is is more focused on night time looks.

Weenie (Pearlized)

Telepathy (Ultra Metallic)

Porter (Metallic)

Midnight (Metallic)

Overview

I'd have to admit that I am extremely impressed with the quality of the shadows & the colors. The texture of the shadows are like no other. No one can ever seem to describe the odd texture. But hey, if they give a good color pay-off, I'm not complainin'. Although some might say that these colors aren't wearable, but to be completely honest, they are definitely wearable if you match them with the right matte shadows. I was most excited about Telepathy because when will you ever see such a bright yellow eyeshadow? Just pop it on your whole lid & you're good to go! 

All that's left to say is that I absolutely love this quad that Kathleen Lights created. They are like no other for sure! If you haven't tried Colourpop's Super Shock Shadows then I would definitely say GO GET EM' cause there is norhing else like these God sent eyeshadows. Also if you see a colour in this quad that you don't think you would actually wear, the shadows are available individually! Which is friggin' awesome! 

Till then, 

V