Makeup Stash | Blush, Bronzer, Highlighter

Ever since I've started wearing makeup about 5 years ago, I only have one or two blushers (yes, that's what we call it here in Malaysia); caked blusher from Bourjois and cream blusher from Aritaum, as I've only been  collecting lipsticks or eyeshadow palettes for my makeup collection. Oh, I also got a Kevyn Aucoin The Neo Bronzer in Capri but it fell down onto the floor and crashed to literally powders so in conclusion, I already gotten rid of those I mentioned above prior getting these new makeup items.

I fell in love with FENTY BEAUTY Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo in Ginger Binge/Moscow Mule when I first saw it during launching back in September last year and only few weeks ago, I've managed to grab one for myself along with the Cheek-Hugging Highlight Brush 120 as SEPHORA Malaysia restocked these babies. I just love how the colours complement my skin tone so well!

I was just gonna repurchase my HG pore primer; Benefit POREfessional Face Primer when I saw (I'm assuming}) the Holiday Set; Head Over Hills that includes full-sized version of their mascara, brow highlighter, the face primer and of course, the bronzer; Hoola Matte Bronzer. I promise myself that I'm going to try a bronzed look so I'll definitely post a look once I'm getting my hands trained for it.

Tell me, do you use these three things in your makeup routine?

Until next post, annyeong~

Makeup Stash | Foundations

When it comes to makeup base, I love using cushion foundations instead of traditional way of using foundation as cushion foundations are much easier to apply and I love the finishing as well as the fact that cushion foundations comes with SPF50+. Especially these days when my favourite brand for cushion foundations; LANEIGE have expanded the range shades and I've finally found the exact shade for my skin tone. For reference, I'm currently MAC NC40. 

Back in 2014, I got my first cushion foundation from LANEIGE; Snow BB Soothing Cushion SPF50+ PA+++ in No. 23, the deepest shade at the time and boy, it was way lighter than my skin tone at the time. I had to set it with MAC NC42 (also my shade at the time) face powder to tone down the whiteness but I've come to terms that it's definitely not for me. In 2015, I've discovered cushion foundation in No. 31  from Innisfree but it was too yellow for me (this is the moment when I discovered that I have neutral undertone) and then I've gotten myself LANEIGE BB Cushion (Whitening) in No. 31 Brown Beige. This one is only slightly brighter than my skin tone at the time but it's too dewy to my liking hence I got myself the BB Cushion (Pore Control) in the same shade No. 31 Brown Beige and I loved it to the point that I actually used up both of the refills. Located at second row from bottom. 

In 2017, LANEIGE came out with renewed cushion foundations, adding Anti-Aging version and they even changed the look of the cushion itself. Of course, they've made their base correctors into the form of cushion as well although I didn't get one myself as using primer-foundation-setting powder is already a stretch so I only got the BB Cushion Whitening and Pore Control both in No. 33 Cinnamon. The reason why I went one shade deeper because at this point, LANEIGE has expanded the shade range once again and added more shades hence more choices for me. This shade was exactly my skin tone. Located at third row from the bottom.

In between the release of new cushion foundations, LANEIGE has released a matte cushion; Powder Fit Cushion that doesn't come with refill. This is perfect on those days I'm feeling extra oily on my T-zone so I'll apply this cushion on that area only with other BB Cushion for the rest of the area. The most recent launch is that beautiful, Layering Cover Cushion that supposedly give not only coverage but a rosy look as well. I haven't gotten around of using this yet as I have many cushions are already opened at this point so let's just wait till July or August. Located at top row.

I also got that three cushion foundations from THE FACE SHOP but the brand has discontinued the third shade for cushion and I've only been keeping those for the sake of the cases only. Just look at the KAKAO FRIENDS Ryan and Apeach!! Until they're bringing in more shades to Malaysia, I'm not gonna get any cushion foundations from them.

The ones in Innisfree cases are merely sunscreens in cushion forms and at this point of using it, I do find it's way easier to blend the sunscreen and it's important to be careful while applying using the air puffs as you might pressed the cushion deeply which can resulted in excess product being picked up and can cause your face turning white as ghost. What's even worse, the sunscreen took longer to blends into your skin tone.

Now, I'm going to talk a little bit about the most recent makeup purchase that I've made from SEPHORA, Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation in the shade 290 Neutral Olive.

I've tried this at the store, with the primer sister and setting powder brother and I absolutely loving it. I got the perfect shade for my skin tone after trying 8 shades (yes, I thought I'm waaaayy darker than I look) and I just love the undertone for this foundation. I've only been using this less than 5 times (no occasions to attend at this time of the year really) so I'm going to do full review once I have enough experience of actually using it at least 8 hour-a-day. 

So I guess that's all from me, I'll see you guys on my next post. Annyeong~

Makeup Stash | Makeup Brushes and Beauty Blenders

Whether you're using brushes, sponges, puffs even your own fingers to apply your makeup, it's entirely up to you. It all boils down to how you want to express your own makeup style and your choice of finishings. My ideal finish for makeup bases is airbrush look but I can't afford that so I'm using makeup brushes and sponges to apply my primers and foundations. In today's post, I'll be talking about makeup brushes that I have in my makeup stash.

First off, FENTY BEAUTY makeup brushes! My new toys! I've been collecting the items slowly since the brand was first launched and at this point, I have the foundation brush, highlighter brush, mini touch up brush and the sponge. I honestly haven't use any of these yet (except while I'm at SEPHORA as I was testing them) and indeed I am excited! Of course, I had to get the makeup items to use these brushes for so stay tuned for that!

ZOEVA eye makeup brushes. I just got my essentials for eyeshadows and brow products. As you can see, I do love them especially the Luxe Crease brush as it blends my transition shades so beautifully. Definitely will  be continuing to grow my collection from this brand.

Etude House makeup brushes. I also got other brushes from Korean brands but I love these the most. Each of the brush is soft, does the job and pretty! I especially love the Powder and Cheek Brush because these respectively apply my powder and blush so nicely as they pick up the appropriate amount of product.

Real Techniques makeup brushes are among the first brush collection I got myself into about 4 years ago. I still use them, I still love them! The bristles are soft as they apply my makeup beautifully. I use the foundation and concealer brushes from this collection the most as they blend my foundation nice and even; not that other brushes that I have don't but maybe I'm just loving these a little bit more compared.

Last but not least, the original Beauty Blender. Lots of other brands came out with their own version but to me, only Real Techniques version comes to a close. On days that I want a simple application for foundation, I go for the Beauty Blender to get my airbrush finish. It's best to use this damped prior application as to let it bounce the base makeup evenly on facial area. I had yet to try the sponge from Fenty Beauty yet and again, I'm excited to!

As I'm moving places soon, I decided to place all these brushes and sponges in my SEPHORA Train case for easy access to them and to avoid them getting dusts from all the cleaning and packing I'm doing.


I guess that's all from me! I'll see you guys on my next post! Annyeong~

Makeup Stash | Primers

It's April already and it's a new category for my posts under Beauty Routine ; makeup items that I currently use in my daily and occasional makeup routine. Posts under this tag are mainly talking about number of products that I use at certain point of my makeup routine so for today's post, I'll be giving out my thoughts on makeup primers.

When it comes to face primers, I've only been focusing on getting my pores' appearances at my nose area being reduced and less oily T-zone. I'm taking care of my dehydrated cheek area with proper hydration so my choice of primers are:

• Benefit POREfessional Face Primer. I have nothing to say as you guys definitely are familiar with this primer especially if you have similar concerns as I am; huge pores and oily T-zone so this primer actually helps in preparing the 'canvas' for makeup application by blurring the pores and smoothing the lines, giving sebum-control at my T-zone. My base makeup stays intact on top of this primer and all I have to do is to set it properly with setting powder.
• LANEIGE Lumi Block Primer. This evens out my skin, gives sebum control, mattifies and overall soft-looking finish which is perfect for my cushion foundations. It's light and gives cool sensation as well and I sometimes used this on top of cushion foundation for touch-ups.
• FENTY BEAUTY Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Primer. I've only tried this at the store when I bought this and fell in love with its texture instantly. I'll let you guys know more details when I actually tried this under a foundation soon.

The three above are actually unopened primers and below are my the ones I'm currently using in my actual routine. Guess it's no surprise to see the first two are repurchases for me and the other primer that I recently tested is that Innisfree No Sebum Blur Primer that works similarly as Benefit's but I'm going to say that this is at 75% capacity of that of Benefit's to me i.e. works similarly but less. I won't be repurchasing this.

If you're new to makeup, I just have to say that when it comes to investing in makeup collection, base makeup products are those you should be splurging on because there are so many formulations, shades, undertones, etc out there and I did spent money on looking for a good foundations but at some point, I also realised that I need a good primer as well to ensure your look for the day stays on nice and smooth.

I guess that's all for today's post! I'll see you guys on the next one. Until then, annyeong~