Sunday, January 30, 2011

Review - NYX Black Label Lipstick with swatches

In light of the Cherry Culture sale going on now, I decided to review my favorite lippies from the NYX Collection - the Black Label Lipsticks!

The Round lipsticks are probably the most well known of the NYX brand, but I definitely prefer the Black Label lipsticks - both provide excellent coverage and color, but the BLL offers higher quality, more product, and most importantly (to me at least) - Moisture!

The Black label lipsticks come prepackaged in thin paper boxes - the lipstick itself is housed in a shiny square plastic tube.

Black label lipsticks

The lipsticks swiveled up with and without flash

Black Label Lipsticks open

NYX black label lipstick no flash

*Swatches*

Black Label Lipstick swatches

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The lipstick feels very slippery and smooth and glides on the lips with ease - the lipstick tastes like grapes which I found rather pleasant.

*Nude*
An opaque nude that provides excellent coverage - this particular nude leans a tiny bit towards the pink side

NYX BLL Nude

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*India*
An orange-y opaque nude

NYX BLL India

*Girly Pink*
A shimmery baby pink

NYX BLL Girly Pink

*Diva*
Easily my favorite of the bunch, and definitely the most wearable. A very pretty mauvey-pink

NYX BLL Diva

The downside of the packaging is the base of lipstick is not labeled - if you misplace the cap, there's no way of identifying the lipstick by name!

I actually love these lipsticks more than MAC since they don't dry me out and they feel oh-so good on the lips! They offer a large array of colors in varying finishes and are under $10. (If you purchase during a Cherry Culture sale, they should be around $4.80 USD a pop!)

Pros

Price - nab em' when they go on sale!
Great Quality
Moisturizing
Mild and pleasant taste
Wide variety of colors and finishes
Most colors have excellent coverage (one swipe!)
Sturdy packaging
No animal testing


Cons


X Limited availability
X Can't really think of anything else

I don't understand why these aren't more wildly popular! I can't rave enough!

Rating: ♥♥ (5/5)


FYI, the CherryCulture Sale is 20% off the entire site with code VDS20
**Sale ends tomorrow, Feb 1st!**

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Today was another 'late' day at work. I'm getting home an hour+ later than normal and it's throwing me off! To keep my energy (and spirts up) I need to continue my dedication to power-walking with my favorite Liz!

In random news...

Super cute sleep shorts from Juicy Couture

Juicy shorts


My JILL STUART package arrived!!! I am HEAD OVER HEELS in love. Will post swatches soon! :)

Take care and drive safe out there if you are in the colder parts of the world - it's supposed to go from the 60s to near freezing tomorrow here in Texas. Brrrrr....

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Review - Cosmagic Sweet Deco Cheek in peach pink with swatches

Hey Lovelies!

I hope everybody has been having a great new year so far! It tends to be relatively busy during the first month of the year at work, so I have been putting in extra hours every week to keep afloat. -_-

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That being said, I am glad to be back with reviews aplenty! Today, I'll be reviewing Kose's Cosmagic Sweet Deco Cheek in 02 or pink peach.

Cosmagic package

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Backside:

Cosmagic blush backside

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The packaging is super cute as expected - just check out the built-in adorable plastic jeweled heart!

Cosmagic plastic heart

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The lid is cut like a giant diamond and screws off easily. So princess-y!!!

Cosmagic shiny lid

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The set contains a minuscule blush brush which feels soft but doesn't serve any real purpose. Perhaps it might be good for contouring? There really is no place in the blush packaging itself that holds the brush securely so I stuffed it into my knick-knacks box where it will probably remain.

Cosmagic blush brush

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...Finally, a big dandelion-like puffball on a stick...

Cosmagic blush puff

...Much like the Puffy bird on my windowsill :) ...

Puffy bird

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If you open up the inner insert, there are some instructions on how to use the blush to achieve different looks...

Cosmagic instructions


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The blush itself in different lighting. The heart-shaped area is a shimmery coral cream blush, and the lower two compartments house a peachy-pink blush with golden shimmer and a lighter pink highlighter.

Cosmagic Sweet Deco Cheek PK2

Cosmagic Sweet Deco Cheek

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*Swatches* With an without flash

Cosmagic Sweet Deco Cheek swatch

Cosmagic Sweet Deco Cheek swatch natural

The cream blush reminds me a lot of NARS "Torrid" while the darker blush shade reminds me of a pinkier NARS "Orgasm"! Needless to say, very pretty colors and universally flattering IMO! I was surprised that the blush wasn't super shimmery and if used with a light hand, you could wear this to work on a Summer's day.

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The other color is perhaps the more popular blush of the two - 01 in Strawberry pink. I can see the strawberry color looking great on fair-skinned beauties, but I am willing to give it a a whirl in the future sometime!

Price is $145 HK dollars or around $18.61 USD at Adambeauty.com
(Both colors are in-stock)

Overall

Pros
Pigmented and pretty color
Lovely packaging
3-in-1 blush - versatile!
Extras = 2 freebie brushes
Universally flattering colors

Cons

Must be used with a light hand otherwise can be too shimmery/bright
Hard to find - overseas orders or e-bay


Rating: ♥♥ (4.5/5)


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My LOTD

...Some randomness from this past week...

Wore my H&M sweater dress with leggings and F21 "Love" necklace

LOTD December

Love necklace

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I wanted to share the beautiful Hello Kitty purse from Loungefly that I won as a giveaway prize from the ever-sweet RINA!

Super cute dustbag

Hello Kitty bag

The pattern is crazy kawaii with bows & hello kitty's face printed all over

Hello kitty bag pattern

The details on the purse are amazing! Even the hardware is Hello-Kittied out!

Hello Kitty bag hardware

Delicious hot-pink lining

Hello Kitty bag lining

Thank you so much Rina! Your gift really made my month! :)

Hello Kitty bag love


Giveaway, reviews and more coming soon!


♥ Irene


Sunday, January 9, 2011

Jill Stuart Spring 2011 Cosmetics Collection

Jill Stuart's Spring 2011 Collection - Innocent Sexy

Jill Stuart sure knows how to make super girly, sweet, and princess-y products - This upcoming Spring, she's rolling out a line that is lovely & elegant with colors that are feminine and delicate.

Jill stuart innocent sexy

JS Spring 2011


New Blush Blossom duo* - Blush Blossom in Little Anemone
(Anemone is a type of flower as well as the type you find underwater :D)

Image from http://www.fiftyflowers.com

I absolutely the ornate detailing on the compact casing and the included goat-hair brush with the PINK Swarovski crystal and little bow charm!

It comes as a loose powder that can be swirled together or used separately to create depth

This color is described as a "cute foggy pink combined with a girly anemone pink"

"Like the gentle blossoming of a wreath of pink flowers.
Loose powder cheek color that brings both innocence and luster to your cheeks"


Jill Stuart Spring 2011


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New Mix blush in Milky Strawberry

"Quad powder blush with pure luster. Blends smoothly and adds a touch of soft color to your cheeks"

I'm excited to try this - I have actually heard that Jill Stuart blushes are very subtle with buildable color - I'm trying to prep myself for initial shock as I know they are not nearly as pigmented as MAC or NARS. If this one works out, I think I may try the Baby blush (01) and Fresh Apricot (06)

Top two colors look like a pinky highlighter & bottom two are a warm pinky-peach

Described as a "sweet and fluffy milky pink, reminiscent of strawberry milk"
(I like that...fluffy pink!)

Jill Stuart Mix blush

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New Lip Jewel in ???* 12 New Colors!

"For full and pure lips, as though decorated with the glittering dust of gems.
A liquid rouge for fresh and clear color"


Jill stuart warm pink

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New Jewel Crystal Eyes Palette in Angelic Topaz and Sweet Amethyst

"Genuine jewel-like shine...
Eye color palette that enables eyes with deep lustrous colors and glorious shine"


Jill Stuart Spring Jewel Crystal Eyes


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New Nail Laquer colors include Dolly Bloom, Marshmallow Bonbon and Petal Shower


Jill stuart nail

Jill Stuart Spring 2011 nail

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Oooooh I wish I could be back in Hong Kong! If you spend over $5000 HK you get a free gift. ($5000 HK Dollars = $643.31 USD and $639.06 Canadian) ;_;

It reminds me of a fancy tea set of sorts. What a perfect (and Princess-y) way to display your makeup collection!

JS Special present

・Tray(W:31.9cm D:13.8cm H:2.1cm)
・Cotton box(W:10cm D:10cm H:8.7cm)
・Cosmetic item holder (Φ:8cm H:8.5cm)
・Petit tray(W:10.6cm D:10.6cm H:4.5cm)

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I found a lot of these blogs helpful when looking for swatches/reviews of various products:

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It's hard (if not impossible) to find Jill Stuart cosmetics in the States but relatively easy to find online...a few retailers:

iMomoko
Yesstyle
Ebay
Gooddealer

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I'm so excited for my first Jill Stuart Experience! I will be doing some reviews/swatches once I receive my order. (I picked up the blushes!) :)

In Hong Kong, the line will officially launch on January 10th, 2011

Are you planning on picking up anything from the Spring Collection?