Haul: Bloomingdale's Bonus Box

Hey beauties!! I just wanted to share some goodies that I received from Bloomingdale's with you all. =)

Tory Burch Love Relentlessly Eau de Parfum Spray (1oz/30ml for $68) is a new fragrance from Tory Burch. It has a warm and sensual woody scent with a hint of sweetness. This is the type of perfume that I tend to gravitate towards. (For reference, I also use Dior J'adore and  Narciso Rodriguez For Her.) The perfume also comes in additional sizes, 1.7oz/50ml for $86 and 3.4oz/100ml for $115. The rollerball is 0.2oz/6ml for $28.

Notes: Pink Pepper, Pink Grapefruit, Sicilian Lemon, Sparkling Pear, Raspberry, Lychee, Rose Essential, Orris, Jasmine Sambac, Patchouli Heart, Ambertonic, Australian Sandalwood, Vetiver, Cedarwood Heart, Tonka Bean Absolute

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Swatches + Review: MAC Good Luck Trolls Glow Rida, I'm Into It Eyeshadow, Cremesheen Lipsticks + Pro Longwear Lip Pencils

MAC Good Luck Trolls Beauty Powder in Glow Rida
(Limited Edition, $28 for 10g/0.35oz)

Color: It's a warm peachy beige that leaves a subtle glow to the skin. 

Formula + Application: The pigmentation is very sheer and works best as a highlighter for my NC30/35 skin tone. I recommend using a dense natural brush, such as the Sonia Kashuk #17 (comparison pictures), because dense natural hair tends to pick up and pack on powder products much easier.

I love pairing Glow Rida with matte blushes when I want a subtle sheen on my cheeks. It gives me just enough luminosity without looking too dewy or frosty for day-time office wear. 

Longevity: It lasts at least 8 hours without fading when worn over foundation + setting powder. (I don't have issues with products lasting on my cheeks in general. I also have cheeks that are neither dry nor oily.)

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Swatches + Review: Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipsticks, Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Lipsticks and Burberry Lip Velvet Matte Lipstick

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipsticks (each retails $26 for 0.15oz)

Packaging: Each tube comes in a rubber type packaging and has a secure closure that snaps shut. 

Scent: They have a pleasant fruity citrus scent and taste.

Formula: The formula is packed with 12 nutritious and edible oils. They're slightly more hydrating than the Burberry Lip Velvet Matte lipsticks, but not as hydrating as the YSL Rouge Volupté lipsticks. They're still wearable for someone like me, who has extremely dry, chapped lips, as long as I prep my lips with a good balm. I love how creamy they are without slipping & sliding all over the place and that they don't "sit" on top of my lips. The formula reminds me alot like the MAC Satin lipsticks (review), except the Bite Beauty ones are slightly more hydrating. I also like that they're not too glossy and they do not emphasize my already full sausage lips.

In terms of pigmentation & longevity, they provide buildable, medium to full coverage with at least 4 hours of staying power. Sake, Pepper and Fig wear a little bit longer and leave behind a natural stain, while Meringue & Sugarcane fade away quicker, especially when eating & drinking.

• Meringue is a peachy nude with a satin finish. This is my favorite color of the bunch. It actually pulls more pink when worn on my lips and is the perfect nude for my NC30/35 skin tone. 
• Sugarcane is a pale pink with a satin finish. It's paler than Meringue and darker than YSL's Nude Beige #1. I find that Sugarcane complements lighter beauties better.
• Sake is a dusty mauve with a satin finish. It gives me the "vampy" look with a mauvey twist and is a great color for the night time.
• Pepper is a medium-dark dusty rose with a satin finish. 
• Fig is a nude rose with a satin finish.

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Review + Comparisons: Sephora Mara Hoffman Kaleidescape Charcoal Brush Set, Pro Flawless Airbrush 56 + Kat Von D Lock-It Edge Foundation Brush

Sephora x Mara Hoffman Kaleidescape Charcoal Brush Set ($64, Limited Edition) - This set contains 5 brushes and a reusable gift box. Each brush features a rose gold ferrule and a wooden handle in a custom Mara Hoffman print. They also feel very lightweight in the hand. As for the bristles, they're all made of cruelty-free synthetic fibers that are infused with bamboo charcoal and feel very soft. (Bamboo charcoal supposedly keeps bacteria at bay and are environmentally friendly.)

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Swatches + Review: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighters and Sephora x Disney Minnie's Inner Glow

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Opal

(retails $38 for 8g/0.28oz)

Packaging: I got the travel size (2.4g/0.085oz) as a free gift with purchase. The compact is made of plastic instead of Becca's typical rubber packaging. It's also perfect for travel! 

Color: Opal is a champagne shade with gold shimmers. This shade works best as a highlighter for my warm NC30/35 skin tone as it does not add any color to my skin. 

Formula: The Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors have a very soft, delicate, and creamy texture. They're also very pigmented and a little goes a long way. In terms of performance, they all apply smoothly, blend with ease and just "melt" right into the skin.

They're not as metallic as say, the Mac Extra Dimension Skinfinishes (review), but they're by no means subtle and still provide a high sheen finish. To apply, I recommend using the Inglot 4SS brush (comparison pictures) because it's dense enough to provide a concentrated finish, but it also has enough flexibility to blend product well. The shape also fits nicely on the bridge of the nose and on top of the cheekbones without covering too much area. For a more subtle glow, use a light hand and a fluffy synthetic brush, such as the MUFE #140 or check out the highlighter in the poured version. 

Longevity: All the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors last at least 10 hours when worn over foundation + setting powder. (For reference, I have cheeks that are neither dry nor oily.)

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Swatches + Review: Nars Long Hot Summer Eyeshadow Palette, Orgasm Blush, Audacious Lipsticks and Velvet Lip Liners

(Direct Sunlight)

Nars Long Hot Summer Eyeshadow Palette ($45, Limited Edition) - The palette is about three-fourth the size of my hand and measures approximately 3.80 inches x 0.25 inches x 2.20 inches. It's very sleek and travel-friendly. Each shade contains 0.03oz/1g of product. Nars' individual eyeshadows retail $25 (with compact) for 0.07oz/2.2g and $18 in pan form.

• Long Hot Summer I is a shimmering cream.
• Long Hot Summer II is a bronze taupe with a shimmery finish.
• Bellissima II is a matte gray-brown. This shade is also available in the duo compact. 
• Long Hot Summer III is a shimmering copper.
• Long Hot Summer IV is a shimmering warm brown.
• Bengali is a matte rich chocolate brown. Out of all the shades in this palette, Bengali is the only one that's available individually. 

Formula: The eyeshadows have great pigmentation, layer well and blend easily. Just make sure to tap off any excess before applying so you don't experience major fallout. I usually apply my eye makeup before foundation so I can easily wipe away any shimmers that have fallen down my cheeks or underneath my eyes. 

Longevity: They last at least 8 hours without fading or creasing. (For reference, I have extremely oily lids and always wear a primer underneath as a base.)

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Swatches + Comparisons: Benefit Cheekathon vs Tarte Tarteist Blush Palette

Benefit Cheekathon Blush & Bronzer Palette ($58, Limited Edition) 

Packaging: It comes with 4 full-size blushes, including Dandelion (0.25oz), Rockateur (0.17oz), Dallas (0.32oz) and Coralista (0.28oz), a full-size Hoola matte bronzer (0.28oz), a brush made of natural bristles and a sizable mirror. Each shade retails $29, which makes the value of the palette to be $145!

I never bought Benefit's individual blushes because I find the cardboard packaging to be too bulky. The palette is actually not as thick and is a huge space saver compared to buying the blushes/bronzer individually. (It measures 7 inches x 0.85 inches x 5 inches.) It may not be as travel-friendly as the Tarte Tarteist palette, but I would still take this with me on trips, especially if I'm going to be out of town for more than a week and want to create various looks. I just love that all the shades are conveniently laid out in one palette. 

The insert is removable and pops out easily. So, you can use the box for storing little trinkets when you finish the palette. You can also depot the pans and pop them into an empty Z Palette. 

The brush reminds me of the NARS Ita (review), except the Benefit one is a little bit wider and denser. It works really well for contouring because it's narrow enough to fit nicely on the hollows of the cheeks and fluffy enough to blend out any harsh lines with ease. For blush application, I prefer a domed-shaped brush, such as the Sonia Kashuk #29 (review) because it covers the entire cheek area more evenly and lightly. I also love that the pans are wide enough to fit any type of brush easily.  

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Swatches + Review: Collective Haul (MUFE, MAC, Chanel, Urban Decay)

I'm back with another haul! Some of these items are re-purchases, while others have been in my collection for a while now and have been rigorously tested. 

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Swatches: MAC Vibe Tribe, Brooke Candy, Simpsons, Style Warriors and Indulge Collection (Limited Edition)

I recently purchased a few goodies from MAC's Vibe Tribe 2016 Summer Collection and plan on picking up the Adobe Brick blush as well, which I will review in a later post.

When I was going through my stash to check for possible dupes, I realized that there were a few limited edition MAC products that I never reviewed on my blog. I decided to include them in this post because maybe you guys have forgotten about them too and this may remind you to use them again? You can also call your nearest CCO (The Cosmetics Company Store) to see if they still have them in stock. (The CCO carries products from Estee Lauder-owned companies, including MAC, Clinique, Bobbi Brown, Origins, Smashbox and Lab Series, and sells them for around 30% off retail price.)

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Swatches + Comparisons: By Terry Rouge Terrybly and Nars Sheer, Satin & Semi Matte Lipsticks

I purchased a few items from Beauty.com during their 20% OFF Friends and Family Event, which is still going on now and ends May 28, 2016. It's one of my favorite online retailers because I get 5% back in the form of beauty.com dollars, which can be spent on a future purchase, on top of however much cashback I get from Ebates, Mr.Rebates or TopCashBack. ^_^

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Review + Comparisons: MAC Prep + Prime, Pro Longwear and Becca Blotting Powder Perfector

Powders work well for setting your makeup and prevent your foundation, concealer & cream blushers/bronzers from fading throughout the day. The ones that layer well not only locks your makeup in place, but they are also suitable for mid-day touchups. The ones that go on sheer work best as a finishing powder and for those who don't want additional coverage as they can make your foundation look separated the more you pack on the product. There are also some powders that mattify the skin, while others provide a more natural finish. Continue reading to find out which one works best for your needs!

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Swatches + Comparison: Nude and Everyday Lipsticks (Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Dior, Lancome)

Products are not twisted all the way up.

I have full sausage lips that get easily chapped. I've tried countless lip balms and the Burt's Bees one is the best one that I've tried. Other ones either just sit on top of my lips or make my them peel and even more chapped. Full coverage and matte lipsticks tend to exacerbate the problem, while glossy and frosty ones tend to accentuate my lips, making it appear fish-like bigger. Therefore, I prefer sheer to medium coverage lip products that are not too matte or too glossy. Also, since my lips are already pigmented, I tend to gravitate towards shades that are "my lips, but better." 

L'oreal Color Riche Balm; Bathroom Lighting

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Swatches + Review: Drugstore Haul (Milani, Revlon, L'oreal)

Out of all the foundations in the market (drugstore, mid-range and high-end), the Revlon ColorStay and L'oreal Infallible Pro-Matte are one of the best foundations for those with combination and oily skin because of their lasting power. However, the way you prep the skin can make or break the results of both foundations. 

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Swatches + Comparison: Loose and Pressed Matte Powders by Surratt and NARS

I already made a post about setting powders; however, most of the products mentioned have been discontinued. So, I decided to make an updated post about the powders that I have been enjoying. 

I have an extremely oily t-zone and normal (not dry or oily) skin on the rest of my face. I find that when I don't set my foundation with a powder, my skin gets more oily throughout the day and my makeup tends to move or fade. So, I always set my face with a powder.

Generally, in the winter, I'll pair a luminous powder with a mattifying foundation or a mattifying powder with a dewy foundation to prevent over drying my skin & emphasizing dry spots. In the summer, I'm more likely to pair a mattifying foundation with a mattifying powder to prevent my greasy t-zone from looking like it got attacked by a lump of lard.

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Swatches + Review: NARS Laguna Tiare Bronzer, Mie Kabuki Brush + Goulue Blush

After trying out the NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint (review), I decided to check out more products from the brand. Besides the items mentioned in this post, I also purchased some of their loose and pressed powders, which I will review later. 

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Swatches + Review: Marc Jacobs Undercover Coconut Primer, Dolce & Gabbana Sheer Radiance + Perfect Matte Foundation

I've tried countless primers throughout  the years and have not found one that lengthens the wear of my foundation, substantially. At best, they allow makeup to apply smoother, while the silicone-based ones (review) fill in pores really well. The ones that are intended to mattify and to control oil do exactly what they're supposed to do, but they also can emphasize dry spots and over dry the skin, especially when they are over applied or applied to non-oily areas. It's important to find the one that's most suitable for you and to apply the product by using a targeted approach. (For example, I use silicone-based primers only on areas that have enlarged pores. I don't cover my entire face with the primer as it's not needed.)

I decided to try out the Marc Jacobs Undercover Coconut primer and the Dolce & Gabbana Sheer Radiance primer along with their Perfect Matte foundation. I've tested them rigorously, using a combination of various techniques, including the use of (1) light-weight and heavy moisturizers, (2) with and without a primer, (3) light, medium and heavy foundations, (4) mattifying and luminous setting powders, and (5) fingers, various brushes and sponge. I've also waited a few minutes for each product to absorb into the skin before applying the next product. Continue reading to find out about my results!

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Swatches + Review: MAC Haul (Blush, Eyeshadows, Paint Pot & Foundation)

This is really a collective haul of items that I purchased over the past few months. 

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Swatches + Comparison - Collective Haul of Cheek Products

I've been really enjoying products that leave a nice sheen to my skin without the glittery mess. 

The ones mentioned in this post have been great at perking up my dull winter skin.

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Review + Swatches: Mists, Masks and Moisturizers

These are some of the skincare products that I'm enjoying right now and that are in rotation. I find that if I keep using the same product over and over again, my skin gets used to it and the product ends up being less potent and less effective. Also, I get bored using the same thing all the time. Change is good!

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Swatches + Review: Dior Spring 2016 Forever Foundation + Powder

The Dior Forever Flawless Perfection Fusion Wear Makeup SPF 25 has been one of my favorite foundations for the past few years and I'm so sad that's it's being discontinued; however, it's being replaced with the Forever Everlasting Wear Pore-Refining Effect Foundation SPF 35, which sounds promising (and a mouth full).

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