Palette Review | Anastasia Beverly Hills - Modern Renaissance

11:44 Jayyangg 0 Comments


Buying a palette is always an investment. My last one was years ago in high school when I purchased my fist one - Urban Decay's Naked 1. After years of using it, I realised that there were tons of shimmery and metallic shades, but only 2 matte ones that I actually used the most!

Under the recommendation of a friend who works at Sephora, and online research like Temptalia, I was able to narrow my search to this one! 

 In total the palette cost $55 CAD and a total of 14 shades, making it around $4/shade. 
There are 11 "Ultra-Matte finish" shadows, 1 satin, and 2 metallic finishes. 
The combination of finishes, mix of warm wearable and fun colours, like Love Letter, is what really drove me to make the purchase!

 The formula is also very creamy and easy to blend. This came as a surprise because the palette had a bit of kickback and did seem very powdery. However, once you pat the shadow onto your lids it sticks really well even without a primer. It's almost as if the powder somehow sticks to itself and goes from powder to cream finish when you blend it together. 

 My only con would be I wish there were more darker shades. I find that I'm constantly going back to cyprus umber and not having another option. 

 Find it at Sephora by clicking here.

 **Swatches were done on bare skin without primer!

The case is a velvety material similar to the UD Naked 1. The challenge will be to try and keep the packaging clean!

Surprisingly the brush is actually good quality and something I would use. The fluffy side is great for blending in shadow and the other pencil side was great for packing it on.



Tempera: Ultra Matte Finish, light beige
Golden Ochre: Ultra Matte Finish, earthy yellow (sandy)
Vermeer: Metallic Finish, iridescent shell with a metallic finish
Raw Sienna: Ultra Matte Finish, Neutral amber

Burnt Orange: Ultra Matte Finish, Dee Range
Primavera: Metallic Finish,  Shimmery Gold (One of my favourite shades in the palette)
Buon Fresco: Ultra Matte Finish, Antique Lavender - a little cool tone
Red Ochre: Ultra Matte Finish, Sienna (reminds me of the Chanel Candeur et Experience Fall 2016 palette's #3 burn red-brown shade) 

Antique Bronze: Satin Finish, Metalic Sable, Mauvy bronze
Venetian Red: Ultra Matte Finish, Crimson
Love Letter: Ultra Matte Finish, Raspberry
Warm Taupe: Ultra Matte Finish, Earth Grey

Cyprus Umber: Ultra Matte Finish, Dark Coffee
Realgar: Ultra Matte Finish, Brick
Ultimately, I love this palette and there are a lot of wearable and fun combinations! I highly recommend it as the formula is also very creamy and easy to blend. How do you guys feel about this palette and which shade is your favourite? Can't wait to hear your feedback!

Overall Rating: 8.5/10


Love,

Jay


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Beauty | Sephora 2017 Birthday Gift & Reward

08:18 Jayyangg 2 Comments


Every year Sephora gives out deluxe samples to its members on the month of their birthday! The options this year were 1. Tart mini blush + lip gloss or 2. Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet + Serum. I picked the Caudalie skin care set mainly because of the beautiful pink packaging haha! Also, I redeemed a 100 points gift - Beauty Blender solid cleanser which was a very reasonable size!

Beauty Blender - Solid Cleanser
100 points gift - 0.558 OZ
Full Size - 1 OZ, $22

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet (For Sensitive Skin) 

Delux Sample Size: 0.33 FL OZ/ 10mL 
Full Size: 1.3 FL OZ/ 40ML

According to Sephora: 
  • The cream is good for all skin types whether you're oily or dry. 
  • It targets:
    • Dryness
    • Dullness and uneven texture
    • Fine lines and wrinkles. 
  • About: This cult classic gel-cream deeply hydrates, soothes, and softens all skin types—even the hypersensitive ones. Powered by Caudalie's organic grape water and patented grape-seed polyphenols, this cream not only provides hydration, but it also protects the skin from free-radicals, which causes wrinkles. This formula is rich in Vinolevure® to strengthen skin to become less sensitive and more resilient over time.  
  • What it is formulated WITHOUT: 
    • Parabens 
    • Sulfates 
    • Phthalates
The cream itself is a gel formulation that comes out thick and looking like rice pudding! But once blended it's very hydrating and light on the skin. There's a very subtle smell of fragrance but it's barely noticeable. The gel texture is easily absorbed into my combination dry-oily skin and I can definitely see why this is great for all skin types. Once absorbed, my skin felt very plump, hydrated but didn't feel greasy. I can see myself using this cream once summer comes and my skin gets a bit more oily!


Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum Eclat/Radiance Serum - S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum

Sample Size: 0.33FL OZ/ 10mL
Full Size: 1 FL OZ/ 30mL - $57

Sephora claims:
  • Solutions for:
    • Dryness 
    • Dullness and uneven texture  
    • Uneven skintone 
  • If you want to know more…This high potency serum will save dehydrated, dull skin. Powered by Caudalie's exclusive organic grape water, the formula immediately reactivates the skin’s ability to retain moisture over time. Rich in Caudalie's patented grape-seed polyphenols which provide antioxidant protection against UV rays and free radicals—a main cause of wrinkles—it is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. It’s also the ideal base for a moisturizer, allowing quick penetration to leave skin instantly refreshed, hydrated, and comfortably soft. 
  • What it is formulated WITHOUT:  
    • Parabens 
    • Sulfates 
    • Phthalates
The serum comes in clear glass packaging and with a dropper that makes it easy to pick up very little product. The texture is light and comes out milky and a bit tacky when I first put it on my skin but absorbs after a few seconds. My hands felt hydrated and comfortably soft like the product description. Similar to the sorbet, it has a little bit of fragrance but very light and refreshing. I've read many good reviews on the product about brightening and hydrating skin so I look forwards to using this product! 



Love,
Jay


2 comments:

Makeup | Valentines Day

09:30 Jayyangg 0 Comments

A photo posted by Jay 🌷🔔 (@jayyangg) on

Chocolates & Roses

With Valentines day coming up, I wanted to share with you guys what I plan on wearing when I go out! Inspired by milk and strawberry chocolate, I did a natural look with more wearable mauvy pinks and of course, browns. At first I had wanted to do a video, but unfortunately, I was sick for 2 weeks with a cold and a fever and ran out of time :(.
I hope that instead, these photos help give you a place to start or ideas for your vday makeup!

*Disclaimer: I am no professional makeup artist!! I just wanted to share with you my makeup ideas and the different pairings I've done, thank you!



Base Makeup:

  • Apply primer to oily skin areas: Sofina Primavista Ange Long Keep Base UV
  • And to the rest of your face apply: Benefit's POREfessional primer 
  • Foundation: Bourjois Healthy Mix (Read more about it here!) 
  • Conceal any additional spots and under eyes: Bourjois Healthy Mix Radiance & Anti-fatigue concealer
  • Set face with: Rimmel Stay Matte Powder #4 Sand, on T-zone, and Houglass Ambiant Lighting Powder in Diffused Light all other areas.
  • On Cheeks: Dior Rosy Glow Blush 
  • Contour: Nars Laguna Bronzer
  • Set it all with: Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray

Brows: 

  • Etude House Color My Brows #1 Rich Brown to fill in the body of my brows.
  • Tony Moly Lovely Eyebrow Pencil in #3 Grey Brown to perfect and fill in sparse areas.

Eye Makeup: 

  • Apply as primer: Essense I Heart Stage Eye Shadow Base
  • All over eye socket: SmashBox Full Exposure M4 (Matte peachy shade) 
  • All over the lids just a bit over the crease: Shiseido Hydro Powder Eye Shadow H4 Spring Plum(Mauve pink) as base then on top - Urban Decay Naked 1 Palette Toasted  (Shimmer medium pinky brown)
  • Outer Corners: Smashbox M6 (Matte dark brown)
  • Inner Corners: NYX Jumbo Pencil in Yogurt as Base (Pink champaign), and UD's Sin on top 
  • Line eyes with: CoverGirl Liquiline Blast Eyeliner in Brown
  • Perfect the wing with: Etude House' Drawing Show Brush Liner in Brown
  • Curl lashes and apply: L'Oreal Lash Out Butterfly Mascara in Black




Lips: 

  • YSL Rouge Volupté Shine #11 Corail in Touch (Peachy-pink hydrating cream formula)
  • YSL Volupté Tint-In-Oil #4 I Rose You (Pink Hydrating Gloss)


Scent:

  • Jo Malone London Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne 
    • Notes of peaches, nectarine, green notes. A perfect sweet but fresh, fruity light fragrance. 




I hope you enjoyed this valentines day makeup and got some ideas! 
Whether it's going out with friends, or with your significant other, have fun this Valentines day :) <3 

Love,
Jay


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Beauty | Winter Dry Skin Holy Grail Beauty Products

08:13 Jayyangg 4 Comments


As soon as the cold weather hit Toronto, the air got significantly drier and dried my skin out! I usually have combination normal-oily skin most of the year, however, the past winters have completely turned my skin to dry and flakey (I literally have skin peeling T_T). When in winter, I find myself really concentrating on skincare and a good base. This allows my makeup to sit better on my skin and minimises the dryness. 

Without these products, I wouldn't know how to deal with my dry skin!

Part 1: Skin Care


1. The Face Shop Honey Black Sugar Scrub

Price: ~$8 CAD
Main ingredients: Black Sugar, Honey Extract
Why I love it: It literally feels like a homemade DIY chunky sugar with honey, scrub! Unlike most exfoliators, it leaves my skin feeling moisturised, and soft after I use it. Additionally, I've noticed a warm sensation when rub it into my skin which is extremely comforting. The paste is very thick, and the grains, being black sugar, are a bit bigger and is best to rub it in gently! 




2. Vaseline Lip Therapy

Price: ~$3 CAD
Main Ingredients: Petroleum Jelly, Shea Butter,
This is a thick balm that has a very simple list of ingredients (only 4 on it)! It is a bit "heavy" but it doesn't really bother me because after I use this, my lips are super soft! Even when my lips are red, irritated and dehydrated from drinking too much coffee and tea, this lip balm soothes and hydrates without fail. I usually like to put this on at night before I sleep or else I'll see my lips peeling in the morning. 
Useful Tip: When my skin feels especially dry, I also use a little bit on those areas. The shea butter provides additional moisture. 


3. Avene Cold Cream 

Price: I got it in France for 7 euros - but sold for $18 CAD
Honestly, I've tried everything to help cure my peeling skin but nothing worked for me this past 2 years until I found this. The cream is the thickest one I've ever bought and instantly hydrates any dry patches I challenge it with! Due to the thick consistency, it does take some blending and can give the appearance of shiny/oily skin. I usually use it exclusively at night, but sometimes, on really bad days, I'll mix a bit into my daily moisturiser. Additionally, I find when my skin feels especially raw, it also soothes it and appears visibly less blotchy in the morning. I cannot recommend anything better than this cream for those suffering from dry skin!


You only need a little,  it really blends out 


Part 2: Base Makeup


1. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer (0.33 oz)

The Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer comes in 3 sizes- the smallest being the 0.33oz -$19.
This is perfect for travelling - and also has been raved online. Honestly, when I bought this and tried it when my skin was particularly oily, I threw it somewhere in my drawer, not expecting to ever user it again because it did nothing for me. Now that my skin's dry, I love to use this, sparingly because a little goes a long way, on my cheeks and areas where my skin tends to peel. It creates a really smooth canvas for my foundation and helps whatever goes on top of it not grab onto dry patches. 




2. Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation No.53

Price: ~$16 CAD
My skin was so dry on my trip to France over the winter break in December that I convinced myself to buy a foundation for dry skin haha And what better foundation for dry skin but the Bourjois Healthy Mix? It's been raved online and many people swear by it. I can completely see why, the foundation is beautiful! As long as I exfoliate before applying, it goes on like a dream! The foundation doesn't dry my skin and cause more peeling. The finish is natural- matte but there's something about it that makes your skin look healthier, and like it's glowing from within. For my NC25/30 skin- No.53 was a very good match - it appears a little light at first, but does oxidise slightly to match my skin. I highly recommend for dry, normal and combination skin. However, if you are oily - I would not recommend.

Pump is always a plus!



And those are products I use on the coldest and driest of seasons! 

Does anyone else get particularly dry skin in the winter and what products do you use to get you through this season?
I would love to hear from you in the comments :) 

Love,
Jay





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