What has your makeup done for you lately? Tarte Cosmetics Review

Hi all! Today I'm here to share a very popular cosmetic set that just launched recently on QVC. That is the Tarte Cosmetics - What has your makeup done for your lately? set. I'll be demonstrating a tutorial featuring all of the products in the set and a Tarte Amazonian Clay blush as that is not included in the bundle.

What has your makeup done for you lately?

All the products here have maracuja oil (passion fruit oil) in it as it's suppose to help moisturise and brightens your skin. My box also came with a premium tester of the Tarte Maracuja C-brightener Eye Treatment. 

I wasn't very smart and accidentally bought the foundation in a shade too light for myself. However I'll still be using the foundation without mixing in a darker colour in the tutorial. I start to lightly run the Pure Maracuja Oil on the spots of my face that are usually more dry, such as underneath the eyes, around the nose and mouth. Blend it out with your fingers.

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil

The oil absorbs into the skin quickly and is not scented. It smells a bit like any oil.. cooking oil. 

Maracuja Miracle Foundation in Fair

 BEFORE

AFTER

I used one pump of the foundation and blended it out with the brush that came with the set. Foundation is medium to high coverage. The brush smells pretty bad even though I've already washed it twice and it is rather scratchy to use it as a foundation blush. I would say this serves better as a contour or blush brush.

Tarte Modern Eyes Waterproof Creaseless Shadow/ Liner Duo in Plumberry/ Plum Brown

The eyeliner is probably my favourite product out of the set. It is super pigmented and soft. The colour is absolutely beautiful too! I used it for tight lining in this tutorial.

Tight line + shadow pencil

Creaseless shadow in Plumberry

Blend it out with your fingers. Ideally I would use this only as a base and top it off with a powder eyeshadow. Despite of what it claims, the shadow still creased on my eyelids. I do have particularly oily lids!

Progress so far... TOO WHITE OMG

I am very aware that the foundation it way too fair for my skin tone. Funnily enough though, in person it seems to have oxidised into a colour that is closer to my skin tone now! I only applied very little amount of the foundation this time.

Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara in Gifted

This mascara has a dry formula, which I love! Although it doesn't provide super voluminous lashes compare to MUFE's, it still does a pretty amazing job. Perhaps it will become better as I use it more.

Mascara

For the sake of a complete look, I pulled out my one and only Tarte blush.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour blush in Dollface

Tarte LipSurgence in Smitten

Love the LipSurgeon! I like the minty feeling it gives on the lips. The new packaging is no longer a twist up, it now comes with a sharpener so that your tip is always sharp!

Complete Look Close Up

Complete Look!

If you have a chance I would highly recommend you to get some Tarte products, especially this particular set as it is a super great deal! I just wished I picked the correct foundation instead of this one that is way too fair for me. Only $59 for all these!!! 

Thank you and see you in my next post! ^.^

Hard Candy Naturally Naughty Review & No Brush Makeup Tutorial

Hard Candy products are only available in Walmart and some of their products have been quite popular in the beauty community. Today I'm sharing a set that I recently purchased for about $8 at Walmart. It comes with 2 kal-eye-descopes eyeshadows, an eyeshadow primer, lash tinsel, take me out liner, & ginormous lash mascara.

Hard Candy Naturally Naughty Set at Walmart

I will be using my fingers for all the makeup application today. You certainly don't have to own brushes to do your makeup in you're on a budget! It's really quick and easy.

I applied L'oreal True Match Lumi Foundation and blend it out with my fingers. This colour was a bit too dark for me just about a month ago, but now it matches my skin perfectly.

L'oreal True Match Lumi Foundation in W5 Sand Beige

BEFORE (with foundation)

Firstly, apply a thin layer of the eyeshadow primer on your lids.

Hard Candy Eyeshadow Primer

Use your clean ring finger and pick up the lighter eyeshadow and apply it on the inner 2/3 of your lids.

Kal-eye-descope Baked Eyeshadow in High Maintenance

As such

Then use another finger and apply the darker shade on the 1/3 outer part of your lids. Blend lightly with another clean finger. You'll realise that the application is fairly smooth and seamless with fingers!

Eyeshadows complete

Line your upper lash line and 1/3 outer corner of your lower lash time with a brown liner.

Hard Candy Take Me Out Liner

Apply mascara and layer it with the glitter mascara provided.

Hard Candy Glamorous Lash Volumizing Mascara 

Hard Candy Lash Tinsel Glitter Mascara

Complete your face with your favourite blush and lip colour. Here I used an ELF All Over Stick as my blush/ highlight.

ELF All Over Color Stick in Golden Peach

Complete look close up

Eye makeup

Complete!

Although Hard Candy products are cheap, some of them are not that great in quality. Some of the products that are lacking in this set are:

1. The lighter colour of the baked eyeshadow. It was quite hard to pick up the colour, maybe foiling it would be the only way for it to be more vibrant.
2. Take Me Out Eyeliner. The pencil is quite drying, more like an eyebrow pencil than eyeliner.
3. Ginormous Lash Volumizing Mascara. It does nothing for my lashes. 

The 2 other products are decent but there is nothing special to say about it. Overall I would say give this set a pass unless you really want to try it out for yourself.

I do not like to provide negative reviews but I feel that it is important for companies to know that their products need improvement and consumers should not waste money on cosmetics that don't work.

Lazy day make up (suitable for work/going out)

*** GIVEAWAY : http://aivysbeautyadventure.blogspot.ca/2012/06/maybelline-dream-fresh-8-in-1-beauty.html ***

Hello there! Today I'll be demonstrating a look that I often wear out during my lazy days. It's suitable for work, hanging out, and humid days. This is also a very cost friendly look!

First remember to put on your sun screen! My apologies that I look sleepy here. I think I didn't open my eyes properly when the camera flashed at me!

Completed Look

Before

Begin with setting your face with some face powder. If you have anything you wish to conceal, do so before the powder.

Ecotools Angle Brush (available at drug store); Elf Powder Brush

ZA 2 Way Brightening Powder

Use the ELF powder brush to apply your favourite powder and blend evenly. 

Prestige Blackest Black Mascara, Physicians Formula Eye Bright Pencil in Black

Tight lining

Then tight line your eyes using the Physicians Formula pencil liner. This eyeliner is smudge proof and I am using it a lot at the moment!! 

Left eye: tight lined; Right eye: Bare

Tight lining makes your lashes look thicker and your eyes more awake. This technique is not for all as some people get very irritated on the eyes. Although it does come with practice and finding out which product suits you more. I particularly like doing this on myself, people with sparse eye lashes, or blonde lashes.

Close up

Use the eyeliner to go across only half of your lash line for a more natural look.

ELF Brightening Eye Color Quad in Hazy Hazel

Use Ecotools Angle Brush with the darkest colour on the palette and smudge it all across your lash line to blend out the eyeliner. I usually use a brown colour for this look so that it'll create a more natural effect.

Like so!

Apply the lightest colour on the inner corner and all over the lid to bring some light onto the eyes. Apply your favourite blush with the same ELF brush and blend, finish off with a lip colour of your choice!

ELF Studio Baked Blush in Passion Pink

ELF Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Raspberry

Close up of the completed look!!

Tomorrow Yoshi and I will be heading to Canada's Wonderland so I may do a theme park themed topic!

Favourite Asian Drug Store/ Affordable Make Up

For some of us, access to Asian cosmetics might be easier than others. If you are one of the lucky ones, please take the opportunity to drop by an Asian cosmetics store to find the products mentioned below. If you are from Asia, you are able to find the cosmetics in your local drug store or designated brand outlet in your shopping mall.

The reason I have this post dedicated to Asian make up as some of us have difficulty to get cosmetics that compliment our skin tone. Asian brands are often designed to enhance our yellow tone skin colour and less defined bone structure.

Etude House Miss Tangerine Sweet Shower Lips Lipsticks

Swatches

Unfortunately there are no specific name or code listed on the packaging itself, but this line has about 5 colours in total. They are moisturising and gives a gloss like finish upon application.

Etude House "I Love Paris" Lipstick in number 3

Perfect nude lipstick for Asian/ Yellow skin tone! Ideal for everyday wear. It is non drying, lasting power is decent.

Water Strong W Eyebrow Pencil and Eyebrow Liner

FTTB: Pencil swatch; liquid swatch

Brows are the most annoying but also most crucial part of the face! Due to my sparse eyebrows, I've been looking for the ideal brow product forever. I've tried brow powder, brow pencil, eyeshadow and everything in between. Currently I'm using this product as it gives a natural finish and does not smear off if I accidentally touched my eyebrows during the day. The liquid part provides a semi-permanent stain on your skin, suitable for pool/ beach wear. 

p/s: very difficult to find this eyebrow pencil. I purchased in while I lived in Japan. If anyone knows how else I can get my hands on more, please leave a comment :) Thanks!

Biore UV Aqua Sunscreen

This is an alcohol based sunscreen that provides a smooth finish to your face. I am a huge believer of sun protection and this product is good for the days when I like to have light make up on the face. It does not leave an oily residue, however if you are allergic to alcohol products on your skin, this is definitely a pass for you.

L'oreal UV Perfect Longlasting UVA/UVB Protector

I've used this product over 7 years. Although it leaves a slightly shiny finish, it acts as a great make up base for your foundation to adhere on it. It is slightly expensive but can be found in Duty Free zone in all airports. 

Majorlica Majorca Eyeshadow in BE286

This particular colour from Majorlica Majorca is absolutely beautiful on all skin tone! The pigmentation is great and long wearing. One thing to note about Asian brand eyeshadows is that they are generally more glittery or shiny rather than matt finish. 

Sweets Sweets Blusher in MP2

I purchased this is Japan for 720YEN in the local drug store. This brand is very affordable and has great quality. Usually I do not use the brush that comes in the palette but this one has served me well! 

ZA Brightening 2 Way Powder

Last but not least, the ZA Brightening 2 Way Powder is what a lot of people swear by! You can apply it dry or use it with a wet sponge for heavier coverage. It leaves a very natural finish and provides medium coverage. I usually wear this on humid days as it stays put on the skin.

Thank you for visiting my website and stay tune for tomorrow's update!