Sunday, December 19, 2010

NP set primer, brozing primer, Graftoban setting spray and Pupa Kokeshi

Firstly, I never paid much attention to the NP stuff in Target, it me it looks cheap and tacky and is still pretty expensive for a 'lower end' marketed product. I've tried a few things here and there and have not been impressed. Until now!

I had read some reviews on their pre foundation primer (on makeupalley.com) and the reviews were fairly good. So recently (last week!) Target had 30% off cosmetic packs/sets and there just happened to be a pack with the Primer in it! The Pack was a two for one, you got the pre-foundation primer and the bronzing foundation primer!

So far I'm really impressed with the pre foundation primer! It has made my foundation stay on long, sits nicely and your skin does feel silky smooth after applying it! In all honestly It does what it should do and that is what we buy it for! I'm super keen to try out the bronzing primer but I will have to wait until I do a bronzed person's makeup... clearly cant use it on my super pale face!

So If you are keen, get into the "red circle boutique"  this week and look for the Pack, I think its $39 and you get two primers and 30% off. Awesome.



Next we have the Graftobian Setting spray. I have never really used a setting spray (some people use hair spray!) to keep makeup on and smudge proof. I guess because I never have a problem with makeup smudging on my self... but its good to have in a kit! I've tried it a few times and was pleased to see that it felt light on the skin, not tight or sticky. Sprays on easily and does make you feel a bit more confident about the longevity of whats on your face! Those with oily skins, who work in humid climates or who have to wear make up on for a LONG time (air hostesses!) might be interested in trying this and seeing if it's a product for them!
I bought this from www.camerareadycosmetics.com and it was under $8 i think!

Bronzing Primer, Setting Spray, pre foundation primer



Lastly we have the Pupa Koeshi Palette. I don't normally get into 'novelty' palettes but this is INSANELY cute and the makeup is really beautiful quality!
The palette is a little Japanese doll, and comes in 3 colours..I bought the white. Each different doll has different colours of makeup inside. When you open it, there are 6 eye shadows, 5 lip glosses, 2 blushes, a mirror and 1 applicator. Two of the eye shadows are on a fan which pulls out. SO CUTE! All the make up is embossed with a pattern and even her face. SO CUTE!! I hate the fact that I've used it, because I don't want to ruin it!

I have never used this brand before and it is really, really nice. The eye shadows are smooth and blend together beautifully!( I used it this morning, white, lilac and a kind of taupy colour eye shadows) I am planning on buying some of their plain rectangular palettes to give them a try! Such a lovely product and such lovely packaging! Everyone needs one of these little dolls. They are on strawberrynet.com right now too... such a steal! buy one!! BUY ONE!! and just so you DO, here is the link directly to them!

http://www.strawberrynet.com/makeup/pupa/?LineId=15635#15635

Kokeshi Closed


Kokeshi Open

Well, that is it until I buy more things!!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Abbey's Favourite Things... Foundation, Powder, Primer, Mascara, Eye Shadow and Blush

FOUNDATION:
Estee Lauder Double Wear in 'Ecru' Liquid foundation:
This foundation has awesome coverage and really does stay on all day! Does not oxidize! I find extra care has to be taken to make sure it is blended in super well!

Graftobian Cream Foundation in 'Prima Donna':
As I said in a previous post, this stuff is made for tv and photos so there is no ghost face in your happy snaps! Easy to use and blends perfectly. Lovely! Only problem is that I believe there is no where you can actually go to try this stuff, so if you choose to buy it online, its hit or miss with colour matching!

Studio Fix Powder in NW20 (and sometimes NW15):
I love the coverage of this stuff, you can just chuck it on and it really even outs skintone etc. Covers blemishes really well, though in photos it can give a horrid white ghost face from reflection.

Graftobian HD Pro Powder in 'Porcelain Doll':
So Far this powder seems to have the same/similar cover of studio fix but more colour choices, is cheaper and performs beautifully in photos. Winner?!

PRIMER:
Shiseido Refining Makeup Primer:
This new improved primer has a brightening product in it, which can look a bit white/pink on some :S. It keeps your make up fresh and long lasting. Gives the skin a lovely feel.

Laura Mercier: Possibly a new fave! Horrid smell, but will keep your makeup on longer, smoother and keeps it fresh. I love the matte feel of this. I'll be using this for the next few weeks and keep you updated about its performance!

MASCARA:
I do very much love YSL Faux Cils Mascara! I love mascaras that are all about volume!! This one works a treat but really truly only lasts 3 months. It has a strong rose smell which I do not love, but the end result it lovely!

CoverGirl Lash Blast: This so far is the only 'drug store' brand I have come across that I love!! Since becoming a student once again, I felt I should cut back on my YSL mascara purchase every three months and after trying hundreds of mascara I've come to this one. Again it's all about volume. Has the weird plastic brush but once you get the hand of it you can get it really fating up those lashes!! I find that it does not smudge, flake, or smear one me. I do very much enjoy it.

Eye Shadow: No matter how many I try, I always go back to my trusty MAC eye shadows. They come in so many different colours and if you buy the pro pans and palettes, it couldnt be easier! They are addictive. They come in matte, frosts, satins etc and most blend into one another beautifully.

NAPOLEON: Colour Discs are Awesome if you want some crazy brights. Hot pink, lime green, yellow, orange... These also blend beautifully and you get a huge disc!

SHISEIDO: Hydro-Powder eye shadows. These are Cream eye shadows THAT DO NOT CREASE. They are AMAZING. I use the white or platinum coloured one under my eye shadow every day as an eye primer. Using the shadows like this means that the the powder shadow will stay on all day, not crease and blends wonderfully. They can be used on their own too, there are some really pretty colours such as the purple and blue!!

BLUSH:
Again, for me its mostly about MAC. I Love mac blushes. Again, you can get into the pro palettes and pro pans. They have heaps of different finishes, such as satin, sheertone etc!

SCOTT BARNES: The palettes by Scott Barnes are really nice! each palette comes with 3 Blushes and they are highly pigmented.

SHISEIDO: These Blushes such as 'B4 Innocent Rose' are super soft and buildable. I love these blushes mixed with mac blushes becasue they really add a beautiful glow! Sadly they are now discontinued!! Nooo!

NARS: Clearly Nars are know for their blushes, In particular 'Orgasm', 'Super Orgasm' and 'Deep Throat'. Orgasm which is a peachy pink looks gorgeous on pretty much everyone (I like it paired with MAC's Improvise Mineralize' blush.) Nars blushes are super pigmented and stay on! a great reliable product!


Well, that's it for now! Clearly I have so many more faves... I'll get to them another day :)

ox

Laura Mercier Primer! Benefit Eyeshadows! Stila Smudge Pots!

 Yesterdays Parcels!! Primer, eye shadows, smudge pots...
Laura Mercier 'foundation primer' So far feels lovely and matte! Spread on smoothly, though has a pretty awful smell - which i had read about in reviews. Foundation seems to be sitting well on top of it so far! I think It could be a winner... might have to purchase a backup!

Benefit 'Silky powder eyeshad
ow' in fishnets and low profile are both matte and seem to blend fairly well. I was looking for plain matte colours and these are just that! Nothing spectacular, but decent enough! 
 Stila Smudge Pot - 'Golden Noir' Cream eye shadow that is black with pretty golden glitter. The colour of this is actually really pretty and not over the top. The product dried pretty quickly so i struggled to get a good smooth line with is as an eyeliner. Maybe ill try is as an eyeshadow at a later date. Or maybe I'll try it with some kind of thinner to smooth is out... My Shiseido Cream eyeliner still stands as the best cream, stay put eyeliner I have ever used. But this is a fun alternative. Ive ordered the blue now too... just for fun!
All of these products can be found on strawberrynet.com for some ridiculously good price. All worth checking out!
 
 

Graftobian Foundation Palettes, Cream and Powder!

Recently I've been pointed in the direction of a brand called Graftobian who produce foundations, lipsticks and other theatrical cosmetics.

GRAFTOBIAN SUPER PALETTES
I was drawn to this brand because I love the idea of being able to cart around pallets of foundations, not 13 different bottles of the damn stuff! So much more convenient!

I bought one of the three palettes, in 'Neutral'. Each has 18 cream foundations from light to dark.
They are made for HD television so they are awesome for photography! No white glow like many foundations (I'm looking at you Mac Studio fix!)

A tiny bit goes a long way when applied with a damp sponge.... spreads smoothly and has a buildable coverage! Not heavy (unless you want it to be) and so far this is prolly the best colour match I've ever had (and I don't even have to mix!) I'm currently using "prima donna' on myself (Mac NW20ish for reference)

I am so pleased with this palette that I have ordered the 'Warm' Palette and might even get the  'Cool' as well... Which means my other foundations might be getting the boot from my kit.... space is sacred!!

GRAFTOBIAN POWDER FOUNDATION
Today my powder foundation 12 palette arrived! YAY! this is a special palette which can only be bought from CameraReadyCosmetics.com and contains the most 'useful' selections of powders that should suit most people in one handy palette! I think the normal palettes hold about 8 colours? I cant remember!

Other reviews I have read say these powders are comparable to mac's Studio fix. Once again they are HD foundations....Perfect for TV and photos!

So far I'm happy with the coverage and how both cream and powder foundations are sitting on my skin and the darker powders also work well for contouring.

All of the cream and powder foundations can be purchased separately which is also handy for refilling or if you want one for personal use. The price range is much lower than well known brands... and the results are so much better!

So far I'm pleased with Graftobian! I also have two of their small lipstick palettes and they are lovely!

You can get it Australia from
http://lehved.com.au/

Or straight from the USA
http://www.camerareadycosmetics.com/products.php?cat=43

Hellos!

Okay, First Post!

A little bit about me! I'm a cosmetic enthusiast? cosmetic junkie? Basically i love make up. LOVE it. I love to buy pretty much anything just to try it. I'm always on the hunt for the 'Drug store HG' (Meaning - the cheap branded product that is way more amazing that the high end brand product... and basically i have only really found one - ever!)

I've worked in the cosmetic industry for few years. I used to be a counter manager for Shiseido, but stepped back due to uni commitments, and I freelance (usually weddings). Mostly I just really enjoy the whole process of applying make up.

The main point of this blog is to let other cosmetic junkies know what products I have found to be amazing and what products that I find to be less than impressive!

Okay, so that is that! Let the reviews begin!