Lip Balm

MARIO BADESCU

Long-lasting and wearable on its own, or what I do to spice it up a bit, is add some lip tint. Since the consistency of the lip balm is thick, non-sticky and is easily spread, lip tints just sink right in!

Winter is over now here in Australia and during the season my lips was constantly seeking for some heavy duty lip balm. This power-punching balm is infused with cocoa and shea butter, coconut and sweet almond oil, as well as Vitamin E. A thin layer is all that is required, as the balm is quite thick but at the same time, melts into your lips quickly. I did not find the balm greasy and no scent was detected. Definitely long-wearing, it keeps my lips highly supple, smooth and gives your lips a little shine to it.

Smart Drawing Blusher

INNISFREE

What drew me into this Innisfree’s blush, was the three shades available. The three shades similarly had that natural pinkish blush look, which I find is great to use for an everyday wear. The colour payoff is not harsh and looks almost airy, when applied and blended out. I believe I bought 03, which reminds me of a softer barbie baby orange-pink. I like the applicator actually, it helps with spreading out the cream blush first, but I wouldn’t recommend just using it to blend it out. I would just use my fingers to evenly blend the blush, as I could control the areas I want to concentrate in and give it a more satin-like finish.

For only $13, this blush is a steal! You can easily build the intensity, it is non-sticky and has no fragrance that I can detect. It has a sheer shine to it, no glitters and specks which is a plus! So it looks great over foundation or on days when you’ve just got face lotion/suncreen on.

Blemish Rescue Anti-Redness Mattifying Primer

BAREMINERALS

A generous amount is needed to cover completely, because I find it quite sheer when it spreads. The formula is weightless, no scent and is lotion-like. The primer is surprisingly green, which makes sense, as the green mineral pigments help neutralise any redness on the face. Additional ingredients that it is packed with to cover blemishes, are chamomile and arnica.

This primer is priced towards the mid-high end. I use this primer, especially on days when my redness won’t go away and on special occasions. I find that it works amazing on drier days and when I know I might be out in the sun. To some degree, this primer controls face shine.

The result is great, it does not feel sticky and truly diminishes mid-faint redness on my face. As it is quite sheer, more amount is required and is completely buildable, without it looking “cakey”.

Vivid Cotton Ink

INNISFREE

I am slowly building up this little collection of Innisfree’s cotton ink lip tints. I have been meaning to use lip tints more, just because of its natural finish look. For $16.10 you get 4g of lip tint and is available in 15 shades, I believe in the same colour palette. Mainly reds and browns.

I love the soft, flat-edge wand used, as it applies the shine essence oil-infused (camellia, mango seed, avocado, cotton seed oil) tint across the lips. I wonder how it would work on the cheeks mmm? Anyways, it feels moist, soft and non-drying once applied and has a slight fragrance to it. I would spread a tiny bit in the inner-most of my lips and then spread it out with my fingers. A little tint dabbed on, goes a long way! It is super pigmented so it lasts for a good 3-4 hours. Definitely buildable and once dried, it does not smudge. Non-sticky too! The finish is matte, with subtle shine.

Gold Spun Camellia Lip Balm

TATCHA | AMAZON

Can we take a minute and appreciate the packaging? It looks and feels luxurious! It was a definite treat opening it up and then finding the balm, cased within a beautiful circular clear case.

To be honest, what attracted me to this product, was the flakes of gold. Once applied, it gives your lips a slight simmer, which is prefect when your lips need that little oomph. The balm is a mixture of camellia oil and squalene, which will provide your lips with a generous amount of moisture throughout the day. The balm is not sticky and it glides, as well as dissolve, evenly when applied. There is quite a bit of balm in the container, which will sufficiently last you a while! A definite bang for your buck.

Photo Finish Primer – Pore Minimising

SMASHBOX | AMAZON

The consistency of Smashbox’s photo finish foundation primer, has this almost silicone feel that feels quite soft against the skin. I do however find the primer to be difficult to spread across evenly, at times it just sits on top of the skin and would clump. It somewhat blurs the pores, but like what I said earlier, because of the difficulty of spreading the primer you may find yourself with areas that are uneven.

I purchased this primer to see whether the ‘oil-free’ property of this primer, has any effect on my medium-oily skin-type… It keeps my skin matte looking for about 3 hours, but later throughout the day I definitely need to blot. I’d say this primer works well, if you have a smooth surface, tend to be on the non-oiler side or have an applicator to evenly spread the primer.

The primer is fragrance-free and has enough formula to last you 2-3 months!

Gloss Bomb

FENTY BEAUTY | AMAZON

Fenty Beauty’s gloss bomb lip luminizer has been out on the shelves for a while now and I have been loving this gloss for a few months now! First off the packaging is so chic, playful and it comes in a handy size, convenient to bring with you on the go. The amount of product you get out of it is amazing and if you only use gloss once in a while, this will definitely last.

The brush applicator spreads the gloss evenly and efficiently. My lips are pigmented more towards a mixture of medium brown and medium pink, which I find this rose nude shade blends perfectly well with. I generally apply mine on its own, but I have also used it on top of lipstick if I want an extra shine to it. For me, it lasts well between 2-3 hours after which I’d have to reapply. It is non-sticky even though the consistency is quite thick, has a slight peach vanilla scent and enriched with shea butter, keeping your lips looking youthful and conditioned. You will instantly see the shine come through and it does have tiny specks of glitter I think, which is another plus.

I’d repurchase this lip gloss, not because of the brand but because of the quality of this gloss. I don’t wear lip glosses often, but since this is not sticky, creates an illusion of fuller lips and keeps your lips hydrated it is worth the price for me.

Hangover 3-in-1 Replenishing Primer & Setting Spray

TOO FACED | AMAZON

Coconut-infused did you say? That is why is smells so refreshing,  as well as super hydrating. The only challenge with this product is that it doesn’t keep the oiliness at bay. I probably won’t recommend to use this primer/setter in the warmer seasons.

Yes! You read right, the Hangover 3-in-1 is primer, setter and an everyday face spray. As my skin tends to verge more on the oiler side, I would normally use this as a setter. It is on the pricer side, about $50. Size I got was 120ml and I am so happy that it sprays evenly. I most likely won’t repurchase as my skin is too oily.

Papa Don’t Peach Blush

TOO FACED | MECCA | AMAZON

Giving you a natural shade, this gorgeous peach-scented blush is great for daytime and afternoon wear. Buildable and I recommend applying it with either your fingertips or a dense brush, for a seamless look. The shade once applied, has a slight orange to warm pink undertone with light shimmer. I have also been using this blush over darker shades of blush, to bring dimension and luminosity.

I never have problems with scents from Too Faced, as this peach scent is not over-bearing which reduces after a few minutes. The amount of product given also justifies the price, as a little goes a long way! The cute design and case, of course is what you expect from a reputable brand.

Coco Rose Lip Conditioner

HERBIVORE | PIGEONHOLE | AMAZON

Use alone or under a lip tint, versatile to be applied either day or night. I have not tried it under lipstick yet, but it should be alright to use as it’s lightweight, non-sticky and won’t change colour.

It is a lip conditioner mainly used to smoothen and soften the lips, mixed with virgin coconut oil and rose absolute. For me I find it to be mildly hydrating, which requires a more application to feel the moisturising effects. Generous amount is given 0.17 oz in a 5ml glass pot.