Review: E.L.F Matte Lip Color

Today, I bring you a review on the E.L.F matte lip color. I got these online a long while back when e.l.f had 50% off their studio line. That was when I had the benefit of ordering online and having it shipped to my aunt who was staying in Tuscon at that time. These regularly retail for US$3 as is everything in their studio line but in Singapore, I usually get E.L.F from Smoochiezz and products from the studio line ranges from SG$6-7.

I got 3 out of the 6 shades that are available on eyeslipsface.com. The shades I did not get were Tea Rose, Praline and Rich Red as they were darker. So let's get started on the review... the 3 shades I bought are Natural, Coral and Nearly Nude. The matte lip pencil come in a black plastic packaging which I really like. It's a twist-up pencil with a built-in  sharpener at the back that you can pull out. 

Convenient sharpener that pops out at the back.

Left to right: Natural, Coral and Nearly Nude.

Sorry about my chapped lips for these swatches but I really wanted to get this post up. They do apply nicely when my lips aren't dried out like that.

Natural.

Coral.

Nearly Nude.

As their name suggest, these go on matte and are quite creamy to work with. They stay on for a pretty good amount of time even with eating and drinking. I still like to reapply them after meals though because they get kind of blotchy if I dab/pat my mouth after eating, so I rather just wipe it clean and put on a fresh new layer. I wouldn't recommend it to those with dry lips because it wouldn't apply as smoothly(as you can probably tell from my lip swatches) but they are pretty good for a matte product. Having said that, I really do enjoy them and am tempted to get more colours if I didn't already own so many lip products. Have a great day lovelies! (:

First Impressions on Smooch Cosmetics Eyeshadow Duo and Lipstick

Hi lovelies, I'm back with another first impressions! Today I am talking about Smooch Cosmetics. Smooch is a UK makeup brand that launched in 2011, with the idea of creating "cosmetics with sex appeal". I think they market themselves as a middle-range 'highstreet' brand but correct me if I'm wrong. Not sure if they are available in-store in the UK or just online but here in Australia, I found them stocked at Chemist Warehouse. They don't carry the full range but there is a good selection of products from the brand. And they don't have their own stand like Rimmel or Maybelline, I usually just find them on shelves or in display boxes around the cosmetic section. I only picked up their eyeshadow duo and lipstick as the other products didn't really appeal to me.

Pretty box packaging.

Smooch eyeshadow duo and lipstick.

The eyeshadow duo comes in a plain black rubberized packaging with "Smooch" across the front in white. The actual product is packaged similarly to NARS if you're familiar with them but with a larger pan. To my surprise, the pigmentation is amazing and the shadows are incredibly soft and blendable. The 2 shades of eyeshadow duo I picked up are Seattle and Gold Rush for AU$5 each. 

Left to right: Seattle, Gold Rush.

Eyeshadow duo in Seattle.

Eyeshadow duo in Gold Rush.

The lipstick packaging has delicate lace designs in pink similar to the cardboard box it comes in. There were about 3-4 shades available with a pink and dark burgundy in the mix but I chose Caramel Queen because it was the most neutral colour. It looks very shimmery in the tube but applied on the lips, it just looks glossy and muted. Nothing too glittery that I can't work with. A great thing about this lipstick is that it is doesn't dry out my lips and could actually even be quite hydrating. 

Lipstick in Caramel Queen.

My overall thoughts on Smooch is actually pretty decent. I'm not fully aware of the retail prices in the UK but from the Australian price point, it is good affordable makeup in my books. Definitely will enjoy these bits of Smooch in my collection, pity I won't be able to get my hands on more now that I'm back in Singapore. Anyway, hope this review was helpful. Have a lovely Valentine's day!

Collective Haul: Black Friday and KL Shopping

Today's post is a huge collective haul accumulated over the last 2 months of 2013. Mostly during black friday sales online and also on my trip to Kuala Lumpur in the first week of December. There's quite abit of stuff to go through, so let's get started!

I'll begin with Sigma because I've seriously been waiting all year for black friday to get free international shipping. I made 2 orders because that way I could get 2 free gifts since my order was going to be way above US$30. The first order I placed was for the Paris palette. I finally decided to get it because there was $10 off and I've been wanting it ever since it first launched.

My second order was for 2 brushes, one from the sigmax collection and another from the performance kit. The F82 round kabuki, which retails for US$12, was one I've been wanting to try to see how it compares to my Real Techniques buffer brush. The E36 blending brush, at US$21, was a nice addition to my eye brushes because I don't have alot of eyelid space, hence the fine brush seemed perfect for blending in the crease. 

Some time after all the black friday and cyber monday deals, Cherry Culture had an offer for free international shipping and of course I had to make use of the opportunity to get some items.

NYX Fall in Love in Paris eyeshadow palette in Parisian Chic (US$9).

Jordana 12hr liquid eyeliner pencil in Espresso Last (US$2.49) and Fabuliner in Brown(US$2.99).

Milani baked blush in Fantastico Mauve (US$6.99).

Beauty Blender Double the Sponge (US$28.95)

Cherry Culture lip balm in Peach.

Next up is my KL haul from Mid Valley megamall. I was really excited because Inglot is available in Malaysia and my boyfriend has so kindly agreed to buy me a little something from this brand. After browsing for the longest time at the multitude of shadows and blushes on display, I decided to create a eye and cheek palette. The empty palette, which fits 3 eyeshadows and a blush, retails for RM35. I picked the regular eyeshadow singles, which were RM30 each, and also blush duo for RM50. (FYI: The regular single blush is RM40)

The picks for my personalized palette are 153 AMC shine, matte 344, matte 357 and fusion blush and illuminator 204. They are seriously amazing in pigmentation and blendability! Can't wait to do a in-depth review on them!

Left to right: 153(AMC shine), 344 (matte), 357(matte) and blush & illuminator 204.

Also at Metrojaya (in Mid Valley), I bought Benefit's How To Look Your Best At Everything in Medium, which retails for RM120. Given the good exchange rate between Ringgit and Singapore dollars, turns out it is slightly cheaper than in Singapore. This set was perfect because it has everything that I've been wanting to try (well not the powder but I'll try it anyway), hence the decision to get it. (:

And that's a wrap! I know it seems kind of excessive in terms of the amount of makeup I bought but I couldn't resist the holiday sales. I am on a buying ban (sort of) now and have been playing with all my new makeup. Hopefully I can get some reviews out for you guys soon. xo Kristy