My Favorite Blush Brush!

I bet everyone know that I love Blusher!! ♥♥ If you know not, head on to read my Blush Fiend post. And when you own a blusher, you need a makeup brush (practially blush brush)! Of course, if you're using cream or liquid blushers you may not need them. But, it does makes a big different using them with brushes! I dislike using finger because I find them really unhygenic. 

So today I gonna share with you my favorite blush brush! And if you're a makeup beginner, this post is for you. I got a couple of questions from my readers asking me which are my favorite makeup brushes. I decided to share and split into different type of brushes and for today - blush brush.

Can you spot which brands are there? ^_^

September Favorite~ ❤

Wake me up when September ends!! September is my birthday month, and yes I forgot to mentioned it's my Blog Anniversary too!! =) (Giveaway anyone?) September treats me really well and hopefully October too! Here I would like to share some of my September favorite items. Most of the item are cosmetics - just because I put a lot of makeup more than usual. =p

Dupe Alert: NARS Blush & Bronzer Duo vs. ELF Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder.

Its a leap year!! And its only happens once every 4 years. That's the reason why I should post this highly requested dupe alert from my readers. =p

Speaking of dupe alert, there's so much comparison of my favorite brand NARS out there. NARS is one of the top notch cosmetic brand that actually drugged most of the girls out there. (Say yesss.... =) ) If you couldn't get your pocket to afford NARS, will ELF be a better choice for you?

So today, we'll have an argument with my lovely NARS Blush & Bronzer Duo and the dupe alternative ELF Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder.

NARS Blush & Bronzer Duo, a makeup masterpiece and my all-time-favorite product. Who would come with an ideal of having a blusher and bronzer together?? Initially this US$40 masterpiece is too far from cheap. So the ideal of blusher and bronzer came in from a drugstore product - ELF Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder to rescue our pocket.

Review: ELF Studio Cream Eyeshadow in Eggplant

ELF (Eyes Lips Face) is one of my favorite budget- cosmetic products. Their Studio Line products has been a hype in the blogging world. I never really into eyeshadow products, but I bought this ELF Studio Cream Eyeshadow quite long ago after reading lots of raves online. 

They says: 
" Line, shade and contour your eyes with this ultra pigmented and creaseless cream shadow. Easy to blend for layering and building color. The silky smooth and smudge-proof formula provides long lasting color for a beautiful look all day. "

Review: ELF Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder

This is one of my very first bronzer palette I purchased years ago and I couldn't believe it still nicely placed in my wardrobe till now. My bestie love this so much and I eventually gave it to her ever since my makeup table expanded. So far my purchases on ELF Studio line has been fairly good for me. Out of 10 products I have only one of them which I am not favorable with. 

When this palette released years ago, it got into hyped and raves online for a dupe of NARS but much more cheaper!! Without much consideration and I need my first bronzer and yes this is MINE!! Initially, during then there wasn't much bronzers for ELF Studio line. 

They say:

"Create a healthy and natural glow all year long. The Blush highlights the cheeks to add a flush of color, while the Bronzer accents and contours cheekbones for beautiful definition."

Review: ELF Mineral Lipstick in Nicely Nude

ELF (Eyes Lips Face) is well-known for their affordable price products. Besides their Studio Line which produced incredible good quality, I love their Mineral Line too!!  :) I bought their Mineral Lipstick way back in January, but it got stuck in US and it took months for me to retrieved my missing stuff. That's another long stories which I will talk about next time. 

The color I got for the ELF Mineral Lipstick in Nicely Nude. Don't blame me, I am very addicted to nude lips.

Review & Swatches: ELF Shimmer Eyeliner Pencil

I was browsing at the ELF website and I saw to this eyeliner. Colorful eyeliners for only one buck? I got tempted and bought 4 different shades of these eyeliners. Seriously I don't have high expectation on these as it only cost one dollar. But ELF may surprise us just like ELF studio line.

The ELF Shimmer Eyeliner Pencil are available in ELF website for 9 different shades. These liners are definitely metallic and gorgeous. They seems pretty pigmented and glides on and brighten the eyes with a pop of metallic color.

Top to Bottom: Plum Passion, Precious Pink, Boldly Bronze, Twinkle Teal

What's in your handbag?

Somehow this little tag game has been well known in the blogsphere for quite a time. I know I'm slow.. Anyway, today I'm going to show you what's inside my handbag.

I'm an exotic online shopper I got my bag online and fall in love the moment I saw this pic:

I have to admit I'm still yet to master the right photography skills. So it look very awkward here. But this bag is truly lovely in terms of quality. Here's the real pic:

Want to see what's inside?

Review: ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer

Ever since I've been addicted to cosmetic, there's always one product I want. An eye primer. Previously I've bought the ELF eye primer, but there came in the highly raved and cheap eye primer the ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer.

The best part of this is no paraben. Which is really good. I love how it has vitamin E oil in it and nothing I'm allergic too. (I had sensitive skin and tends to allergy to mineral - but this doesn't breaks me out)

The packaging come with a normal lip-gloss like and a brush applicator.

ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer is said to be sheer but I don't think is sheer due to its creamy texture. The creamy texture dries quickly and absorb into your skin leaving it smooth and ready for eye makeup application. I do not own a UDPP, therefore I can't compare with it. But many bloggers out there had raved this primer equivalent with UDPP. Not sure how true it is, but after all this ELF Primer only cost you US$3. Why not have a try?

Here's the comparison on my hand with and without the eyeshadow primer. From the picture, it does make my eyeshadow color more vibrant on its own. Besides, it makes my eyeshadow easier to blend with/apply (even cream and powder eyeshadow).

What we care most about eye primer is the power of long lasting and crease-free. Here I experimented it under the tap water. (I know it is not waterproof, just in case if we were under the rain/cry/sweat :p ).

After rubbing it for 3 times under the water, here's the result:
(Although is not really waterproof, but we can see with ELF primer the eyeshadow crease-less :) )

Seriously, this eyeshadow primer prevents my eyeshadow from creasing or fading all day (even the NYX jumbo eye pencils- which crease really badly).

Lasting power? It does last for at least 12 hours (I normal eyeshadow start crease on me after 5-6hours). For the price of US$3, this primer is definitely works great and amazing!!

Rating: 4.8/5

For the price, it's a steal! With the same product functions with UDPP, ELF primer is so much cheaper, so it's perfect for everyday/work wear. It definitely an alternative for those who doesn't want to fork out so much for an eye primer. This worth a try! Once I finish mine, I'll definitely re-purchase it.

Reviews: ELF Eye Primer and Liner sealer

It seems that I've given quite a lot of reviews on ELF. In fact, I'm in LOVE with the studio line from ELF. The products are great in term of quality and sleek professional packaging which of course the most affordable price you can get though there are a few disappointment.

I don't seems to get much reviews on this, therefore I give it a try. The ELF Studio Eye Primer and Liner Sealer. This product comes with two sides, the 'prime' which works as eyeshadow base/primer and the 'liner' tranforming your eyeshadow into liquid liner.


The 'prime' side sets your eyeshadow in so your color won’t fade, bleed or crease. The 'liner' side transforms your favorite eye shadow into a waterproof, smudge-proof liquid liner with this unique clear liquid and built-in felt tip precision eyeliner brush. Use the “prime” side to create a base for your eyeshadow. Apply to the eyelid and blend in. Use the “seal” side and mix your favorite eyeshadow color in with the brush and apply to the lash line as a liner. For best results wipe off and clean applicator before closing. Remove with eye makeup remover. [From ELF website]

You can get 2 products in about a size of a tube of mascara except it is bulkier. The primer was nude and matte in color. It was like a big round crayon which you swipe on your eyelid and blend it with the fingers or a brush. One or two swipes is more than enough as too much of the primer will make it looks cakey. So far, no creasing or fading happen when I applied this on. The only bad was it does not darken the color of the eyeshadow as UDPP does. One thing I do not like is it has a strange smell, much like latex smell.

The best invention I like about this product is the sealer. It transform any of your eyeshadow into liquid liner. I tried it with lots of eyeshadow colors and it worked like magic! Black, blue, green, yellow. You named it, you get it! Can safe a lot of money from buying different colors of eyeliner with this.

The sealer comes with a stiff sharp shape which you can even draw the inner corner of your eyes. I've tried it buy using the black eyeshadow and golden eyeshadow during dinners, after 6 hours it does not smudge. NO SMUDGING even it's on my undereyes. :) The tips of the sealer can be cleaned off easily by using makeup remover. Therefore, you can used it over and over again.

Rating: 4/5

Overall I love this product. I personally hope that it just came in one product which contains only the sealer. For the price, this product is worth. Especially for those who likes to have fun with colours.

Review: ELF Studio Complexion Perfection

Before I decide to purchase this, I've googled over the net and read many hypes and raves about this. I was so excited about thus but unfortunately is was a downturn to me. ELF Studio Complexion Perfection create a balanced and radiant complexion that is beautiful and healthy. The lightweight formula evens out the skin tone and absorbs excess oil. The sheer formula brightens, mattes and neutralizes the skin. All you need to do is just blend the powder over the entire face to brighten and even out the skin tone as well as neutralize any redness.
As you can see, the product come with a black sleek and sophisticated style compact which a big mirror. The 4 colors pastel containing yellow to correct the dark eye circles, blue for highlighting, green for correcting redness and neutralising red acne scars an pink to cover the green veins and give your face a perfect radiant glow.I've tried to swatch the colors but the colors is too sheer to show up. Thus this proved that the powder is very light and sheer. I've tried using a big buffer brush to swirl the powder on my face but it did nothing. This probably works better by using the color individually.

I used the yellow shade to set my under-eye concealer and it does great. But if you expect to use the powder to cover your dark eye circles, then it might disappoint you. For the blue shade, I never try it as I'm unsure about the purpose. The pink shade is said to give a radiant glow to my face but I guess it does not show up on my NC30 skin. Do let me know if it works for fairer skin?

I used the green shade with a tapered crease brush to blend on my nose and my red acne scars.
As the color is too sheer, I have to use surprisingly a large amount to neutralise the redness. Yet, the coverage is still blah for me.

Rating: 2/5

Overall, it was quite a disappointment to me. I reckon that this is just not suitable for acne-prone skin and darker skin. But if you have a fair and good skin, this might helps you a bit in correcting the little redness and dark-eye circles. If you expect higher coverage from this, you might as well look for another concealers.

Review: ELF Studio Concealer Pencil & Brush

The ELF Studio Concealer Pencil & Brush is used to conceal and heal your acne with on the spot treatment. It comes with 3 colors: fair, light and medium. The color I'm using now which is light suitable for NC30.


The ELF Studio Concealer Pencil & Brush has active Salicylic Acid & Tea Tree Oil to clear blemishes and reduce scarring (This is absolutely a plus point). The soft taklon bristle brush aids in creating a natural looking coverage under or over makeup so blemishes disappear and your true beauty shines through.

I've tried a lot of concealers in the past and none have worked very well for me. As you can see from the picture, the concealer consists of one pencil and brush. The “conceal” side of the pencil is used to cover up any unwanted blemishes or imperfections while the “blend” brush is to work the formula into the skin to create a beautiful and even coverage.
  The concealer pencil might be a bit dry when first applied. But it turns out to be creamier and easy to blend with the brush when it was applied on face. The concealer is creamy and slightly thick, therefore it is very good for covering up dark circles and any blemishes. (The picture above shows that how often I used it). While the brush is so dense and soft which is good for not hurting your pimples.
.Look at the picture above, mind you I did not do any photoshop-ing. The result was excellent!! It conceals all the pimples, blemishes and redness. I applied on my face to cover my discoloration and sometimes do use this to conceal my dark eyes circle and it did a pretty good job. I LOVE THIS CONCEALER!!!

The stick is sleek and black and looks very well made. It comes with a cap-sharpener which you can save on buying sharpeners but the sharpener seems to digs into the concealer! This left a pretty messy look on the sharpener's cap. But I have no complain on this as what more can you asked for when you can throw this in your purse or handbag which has pencil, sharpener and brush in one?!?

Rating: 4.5/5

Overall, I LOVE THIS!! The amazing result it delivers and travel-friendly size is absolutely what I want. I have two of this concealer which one is definitely stay in my handbag. Nothing can beat this especially the cheap price for US$3!! *heart*

Review: ELF Studio Eyeliner & Shadow Stick

I don't enjoy using eyeshadow pencil/stick after my bad experience with NYX. Since ELF Studio had come out with great product I gave myself a try on this. ELF Studio Eyeliner & Shadow Stick comes with 4different colors: Black/Smoke, Pearl/Glow, Brown/Basic, Green/Moss (The one I have).ELF Studio Eyeliner & Shadow Stick achieve color intensity for your eyes with twist-up ease (no sharpening required). Glide on the dark soft gel “liner” to create dramatic definition to the eyes. The light-reflecting pigments help line the eye subtly but intensely for a fuller more enhanced effect. Use the smooth glide “shadow” stick for soft highlighting color on the eyes to complement the liner for a polished and finished look.
As you see, this stick look like a black ball-pen to me which is quite portable especially for working woman who need this in their handbag. I bought mine in Green/Moss. When I first got it from a spree,I thought the eyeshadow was missing. So I flip it around and finally it dropped out from the cap. I had to insert it into the pen but it is quite loosely now as one day I bet it might go missing soon. ELF should improve to ensure their eyeshadow are save in pen. But at least the eyeliner still stick around. Lol.

The cream shadow (Moss) applies smoothly only with eyeshadow premier or foundation. Without it, it's kinda hard to glide. Yet the shadow is quite pretty and give a subtle green which I found it more silvery and good for smoky eyes. The best thing about the shadow is it does not smudge. I've tried to rub vigorously (till my hand is red), it only smudge a little. I was quite amazed with this. On the other hand, the Liner (Green) glides on easily and smoothly, although the color isn't as pigmented as the normal pencil eyeliners but it is a very pretty color. But I don't recommend it on waterline as the liner smudge too easily than the shadow which is boo!

Rating: 3/5

Overall, this is a good product. If only my eyeshadow wasn't loose and eyeliner doesn't smudge it would be my HG! For the price US$3 (not more than RM15 from spree) it's not expensive, it is definitely worth a try!

Review: ELF Studio Warm Bronzer

Everyone just heard lots of raves about this bronzer. The ELF Studio Bronzers come with 3 colors: Cool, Golden and Warm. Today I gonna review one of my favourite Warm.ELF Studio Warm Bronzer creates a healthy looking tan effect. The soft shimmery powders provide the perfect tan-like bronze which ideal for summer or year-round. (Do Malaysia have summer anyway?)As you can see from the palette, the product come with 4 different colors which combine to create a rosy/warm color. I bought the Golden Bronzer before this, but seriously I would much prefer this. Let's see why...What can say about this? The color is exactly pigmented and shimmery. You don't have to worry that the powder will fly all over just like the ELF Healthy Glow Powder. I really like these product!! It is very nice to use as highlighters/bronzers to dust on your cheekbones or all over to give it a sunkissed glow.

Compare to the Golden bronzer, this bronzer is less shimmery and has a bit of matte effect. Although they are quite shimmery when swatched but it gives you just a nice glow on your face. This is what exactly I like about it! However since it is quite pigmented, you only need to swirl your brush over the pan for once as too much product will make you look like a disco ball instead. Warm Bronzer would probably suit you if you are slightly darker with more of a medium to dark skintone. As for me it look absolutely great for contouring. :)

And if it don't work as a bronzer for you, you can use them as eyeshadows too. I sometimes use it as a neutral brown eyeshadow. Though it might not be as smooth as the eyeshadow but putting a base would help it to glide easier.

Rating: 4.5 /5

Overall, I really LIKE this product. It works exactly great for my skin color. But sadly, I do not use this product anymore because........Could someone teach me how to save my product?? I dropped it on the floor days ago when I clean up my cabinet. :"(

Review: ELF Studio Corrective Concealer

While I'm still searching for HG concealer. ELF Studio range come out with this, ELF Studio Corrective Concealer. I thought it would be worth for trying. As I really need a strong concealer to cover my dark eyes circle.
ELF Studio Corrective Concealer conceals under-eye darkness, blemishes and other skin imperfections with customized coverage. Brightens under-eye circles and neutralizes redness. Convenient size for on-the-go travel. The best part it come with 4 colours: nude, beige, lilac and green.You must be wondering how to use this product as it comes with so many colours. Use the nude and beige shades to conceal problematic areas. Use the green shade to neutralize redness like that of acne and the lilac shade to brighten yellow tones.
The compact come with a very professional sleek style and it fits well in your handbag. It also have a small mirror that enough for you to have a clear view of your eyes. It also comes with a tiny brush but it does not pick the product up well. So after using it once, I never use it anymore. Preferably to use my finger.

L to R: nude, green, lilac and beige

The texture of the concealer are quite smooth and lightweight. It is very easy to blend but the coverage is too sheer! At least for me. As the picture above, I have to swipe the product for 3 times or the color won't show up. But it turns out to be very sticky for my liking. The smell of this product is similiar as a plastic smell. Which I don't really like. Can't you imagine putting plastic on your face?

The nude is supposed to brighten your face but it is quite shimmery for my liking. (Why do you need a concealer that shimmer?) The green is to neutralize my redness especially my nose area. But it does NOTHING to it until I have to pick up so much product which look too cakey. Boo! The lilac just like a normal highlighter to me than concealer. The only colour that might work for me is beige. Which is a bit yellowish to me. I try to apply it under my eye circle and it does conceal a bit as I do have a terrible dark eye circles. But, it turn GREYISH after I applied my foundation.

Rating: 1/5 (Boo!)

I have a high hope on this product but it was a disappointment for me. I try to like this product by giving it a second chance, i applied and thorougly rubbed it yet it was pretty much like NOTHING. I think it will works well for those who has good skin with little blemishes problem and for those who have fair/pale skin. Anyone care to share? For me, it shows nothing.

Review: ELF Studio Translucent Matifying Powder

We've learn that ELF offered budget cosmetic which is good for our wallet. But do their product good for our face too? Let's see.

I've bought this ELF Studio Translucent Matifying Powder quite sometime joining a spree in LYN. The first impression I had on this powder was: "Wow! It was big!" The size of the product is twice bigger than a name card holder.
According to the ELF, this product helps achieve flawless skin that’s smoother, shine free and help set your makeup in so it lasts longer. It is almost the same function as a loose powder except the texture which I think is great as loose powder often makes my dressing table messier. I do not swatch it as the powder are translucent, you won't able to spot the differences.

This product comes with a huge mirror and a sponge for application. Is perfect to slide it inside your handbag for daily use. I usually use this powder upon my BB cream application. It gives me a flawless translucent and matte-look. Usually by afternoon, my BB cream will give me a little shine (showing that my skin is oily) but with this, my face stay matte up to 6hours. My friends even commented that my skin look healthier. ^^

The only cons I found in this product is the sponge. I don't use the sponge as the quality is bad. It is worst than the one I got at Watson. Instead, I use a brush to buffer on my face. It would be nice if ELF upgrade their sponge to a better one. But with only USD3, what do you expect?

Rating: 4/5

Overall, I LOVE this product. With this product I can say no-more-oily skin during the hassle day. For the price and the quality, this product worth more than those high-end brand outside. Thumb-ups for ELF Studio range.