A'pieu Start Up Pore Primer

Bonjour unicorns!

A'pieu is a brand that always catch my attention whenever I browse Korean cosmetics online. The prices are cheap but they still give efforts on the packaging and performance of the products. Unfortunately A'pieu is unavailable in my country so the only way of purchasing are through online. I've got this primer along with the Etude House Foundation that I've reviewed before. 

This product received an approval from Get It Beauty by getting No.1 during the blind test for face primers. If you're not familiar, Get It Beauty is a Korean talk show that discussed beauty trends and health tips for women. The "blind test" is a regular series within the show where they let the audiences in the studio to test certain products without knowing the brand. Later on they will vote on which item they favor the most. 

The primers have variation depending on one's skin concern. There's 3 options which are aqua,pore and bright. Obviously,I've chosen the pore primer since my biggest issue is enlarged pores. 

The squeeze tube comes in a faux metallic grey color with blue accent at the front. Everything is in Korean except for the front body. I love the narrow oepning,it prevents the primer from squirting out and gives decent control for my desired amount.

I have no problem with white primer because it will end up invisible once blended on the skin. I noticed an ever so slightly scent that's similar to the Porefessional primer. If I were to describe it, it smells like a fresh cologne. 

The texture is somewhat like an emulsion,not quite solid or liquid. It's not silicon-ey at all. When I proceed to blend it out,it legit melts off due to the heat of my skin and blend like a moisturizer. Super light and watery. So weird but I like it.  

I don't notice any blurring effect.

When applied alone. I didn't see any of my pores got blurred. However when I use foundation on top of it,my skin become poreless! I also love the moisture it gives when I'm blending the primer. My makeup do lasts longer than normal even when I'm wearing a low key foundation like the Essence Pure Nude Makeup Foundation. It also doesn't clog my pores compared to my other face primers. I can see why the audiences were wooed by this primer. 

If A'pieu is available at your place,do yourself a favor and buy this primer (or any depending on your skin's concern) ;)

NYX Cream Contour and Highlight Palette | 01 Light

I've recently bought this palette from my local Sephora store. It's slightly below RM100 (can't remember the exact amount). I've never had a proper cream contour palette and frankly speaking I'm not a big fan of cream products due to my oily skin. But I've decided to give it a try cause at the end of the day, it's just makeup and it's gonna wash off.

Let's jump into the review!

The packaging is made up of plastic with a transparent top. It's great since one can take a direct look at the product inside, unfortunately it means sacrifice to the mirror. It's a shame because it would be a nice big mirror. It looks like a typical NYX packaging; simplicity with a touch of sophistication. 

Judging by the pan size, there's a generous amount of product. From left; cool tone contour, shimmery pinkish highlight and a yellow shade for under eyes highlight.

There is no noticeable scent and I love how big the pan size because it's easy for my brush to pick up the cream product evenly. 

All products are a tad stiff yet they're still creamy to the touch. I need to swirl my finger on the product and heat up the cream for it to melt off. Once it does, I was able to pick up a lot. 

The contour shade glide on smoothly and not a single patchiness visible. It's cool tone contour which looks like real shadow once blended.

However the other two swatch slightly uneven but they are so pigmented. The tone of the products are also appropiate as of the shade "Light"

Bear in mind that the highlight shade has a chunk of glitter that sometimes migrate to the other part of my face. Not cute.

The banana shade is the most problematic of them all. I've tried using it under my eyes. It was impossible to blend! Even with a damp beauty sponge. In the end I have to use my finger (dabbing motion) and when I did, it took off almost all of my concealer. I did NOT like the banana shade.

I've set the cream contour with a powder contour by Makeup Revolution.

With the powder contour, it stays on for 5-6 hours without any fading. I'm impressed!

Overall, I'm in love hate relationship with this product but I'm willing to give it a few more tries before I decide whether to continue using it or to give it up.

Innisfree No Sebum Blur Primer

Hi y'all!

I've been gone for a week due to my assignments and tests. I'm back now with another review of a Korean brand; Innisfree. 

I assume this is the improved formula of the previous primer released under the name "No Sebum Mineral Primer." I've bought this since my Benefit Porefessional has almost finished. I realized I like thick, paste like primer more than the watery formulation simply because I have an extremely oily complexion and I think dry formulation suits me better. This retails for RM40 or 46 at my local Innisfree store. 

The primer claim to control sebum secretion, blurring the pores and comfortable on the skin. Simple packaging yet packed with information. The flexible plastic tube makes it easy for me to squeeze every single ounce out of it once it's almost empty.

The opening has a pointy tip to ensure control of product dispense. 

I am impressed at how much alike both primers look on the skin. They are extremely similar in term of appearance and texture. The only difference is that the Innisfree No Sebum Blur Primer has a herbal scent (typical Innisfree scent) while Benefit Porefessional has a fresh synthetic scent.

I squeezed out too much for the swatch and the blur primer is balling up when I blend it out. Hence, it's better to apply a small amount first and layer only where needed. Plus, this kind of primer works best when applied on areas with large pores or where you easily get oily.   

I can't see any difference between the Porefessional and Innisfree blur primer

DUPE ALERT!

Fresh applied 830AM

Lunch time 130PM

I get oily no matter how humid or dry my environment is. In this case, I was sitting in an air-conditioned room. The blur primer works wonderfully. It cover my pores and sits comfortably on the skin. It doesn't feel heavy and I didn't feel greasy at all. However I do get oily on my nose and cheeks after some time. 

This is a great primer for anyone on a budget or suffers enlarge pores (like me!). I'm delighted I've picked this up over the expensive ones at Sephora. Since Innisfree is a consumer friendly brand, their product also contain zero parabens.

I've posted a new video on my youtube channel. Feel free to watch it down below or visit my channel :)

Take care! XOXO

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer 10 Light

Hi earthlings!

I recently purchased one of the drugstore cult favorite concealer. This is unavailable in Malaysia and the only way to purchase it is online. I purchased mine through Carousell for RM30 (w/o postage). 

Initially, I have the hardest time to select the correct shade for my skin tone. I wanted to purchase the shade 20 Sand but after seeing the swatches comparison, I decided to go with 10 Light instead. Still it was a difficult decision because different swatches have different lighting. 

I was surprised to see such small doe foot applicator. I honestly think its kinda adorable LOL. I noticed that it doesn't pick up too much product in one dip. Which is a good thing because ain't nobody want a cakey undereyes.

The tools used.

A'pieu Air Fit Nude Foundation (No. 23) || Forever 21 Beauty Blender || Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder Pact  (Click to read reviews) 

 A concealer review is not complete without a demo, right?

Foundation on, bare undereyes.

Concealer dotted on the orbital bone.

Upon application, I find that the shade is misleading. It is not as fair as I thought it would be. Its basically the same shade as my foundation.

Do not be fooled by the camera. The naked eyes will see a warm peach undertone while in the camera it looks like it has a yellow tone.

How it actually look like

Sources - colors.findata.com

Before powder.

Once blended, it must be set immediately with powder. It creases so fast and accentuates the lines under my eyes D: I barely have time to put down the sponge and it already settle in my undereyes line. On the other hand, it doesn't accentuate the dryness under my eyes due to its hydrating texture.

I have to bake my undereyes when using this. Otherwise it WILL crease.

After powder

Both applied.

It is incredibly similar to the Collection Lasting Concealer in 02 Cool Medium.

This is the main reason I choose the shade Light instead of Sand. Cool Medium is my perfect shade and it can never go wrong.

However the consistency is considerably different. The Maybelline Fit Me has a thinner texture and less peach-ier than the Collection concealer. But both of them are still in the same colour spectrum. 

Overall, I think its a lighweight, medium coverage concealer. Its great for an everyday use but it needs to be set properly to prevent creasing. :)

Take care! XOXO

ELF Cosmetics Matte Magic Mist and Set Review

Hola earthlings!

I've recently hauled this mist in my March haul post. I've heard mixed reviews about it yet I still want to try it for myself. Since this is my first makeup setting spray, I figure I would go low end first to see whether I can save some cash from it. I bought this fro RM18.

The mist comes in a 80mL spray bottle. The sleek and chic design really gives out the bad bitch vibe LOL. I was attracted by the word 'matte' and 'set' due to my oily complexion. I want something that can further mattify and control my oiliness through out the day.

Quite small and handy to toss inside my makeup pouch. It doesn't take up a lot of space plus the cap is secure. No leaking and such.

Firsrt off, the spray mist is awful. Its not fine enough to lightly dampen the face, instead I find myself almost feeling wet even after I sprayed it from an arm's length. The mist also takes longer time than the UD Setting Spray (I tried the tester, it vaporizes within 30-60 seconds).

The scent is pleasant. Its nothing chemical-y or synthetic. Unfortunately it didn't give me a matte finish, in fact it gives a dewy finish. Notice the glow on my face. Normally, without setting spray I wouldn't get shiny on my cheeks but looking in the mirror, I can see a subtle glow whenever light hits my face. It looks pretty but not my cup of tea.

It prolong my makeup wear. Usually when I remove my makeup by 5pm, there's barely nothing on the wipes. Meaning most of it had wear off. But its a different story when I use the mist. Fyi, I'm using the same foundation for 8hours ; Maybelline Fit Me Matte+Poreless Foundation. The foundation is certainly not long lasting but paired with the mist, the wear time become exceptionally longer :O I'm impressed.

If you like dewy finish, prolong wear time and affordable makeup mist, go and buy this. :D

Take care! XOXO

Karreuche x Colourpop Ultra Matte Lips Review

Hi earthlings!

I just received this in my mail today and I am beyond excited that I'm doing an immediate review hehe. This is the Karrueche x Colourpop collab which is called Kaepop. The shade I own is Chi. I bought this for RM30.

I've been wanting to try Colourpop cosmetics for some time but I can never decide which shade to buy because there's so many to choose from! Even now they're expanding their products to brow pomade and brow pencil. O___O Finally I've jumped into the bandwagon when someone was selling this cheaply on Carousell.

The tube gives out an expensive vibe with the silver lid and rose gold accent. It is transparent and its made up of plastic. The design and presentation is simplistic with just enough attraction for the eyes to look at.

The liquid lipstick has a doe foot applicator and it pick up quite a lot of product which is convenient because I don't have to continuously dip back into the tube. 

The website describes it as "cool tone nude beige".

I was anxious whether it will appear too pale and greyish for my skintone. I googled the swatch and some of it look super pale :O Thankfully it did match my skintone pretty well, at least in my opinion. 

Upon trying it, I noticed its liquidy and thin texture. It doesn't feel heavy and it feels almost nothing on the lips. I heard complaints that the Ultra Matte Lips is too drying but I think they twisted the formula for this particular collaboration. The product glide smoothly on my lips and it emphasize all the lines on the lips. A lip primer will minimize the appearance of lip lines. Plus it does not have any noticeable scent. The LA Girls Pigment Gloss has strong paint scent.

It dries down matte and transfer minimally once it dried. I have not test it for a full day yet so I cannot comment on the longevity and effect of meals and drinks in between. But so far I'm liking it!

Take care! XOXO

Forever 21 Makeup Sponge Set Review

Hi y'all!

*First, I apologize for the dirty appearance of the product I'm about to show you

I bought this almost a year ago. Being a student, I can't afford to purchase the cult favorite Beauty Blender, so I settled for less. Fake it till you make it! :) This was around RM40 and sold at most Forever 21 outlets. I bought mine at Midvalley.

The main reason I bought this because I have a variation of sponges hence I am able to experiment and see which shape has the best performance. The packaging doesn't say where it was made of but I'm pretty sure this is imported from China and distributed under Forever 21 label.

Generic beauty blender shape.

Gourd shaped sponge which I believe popular in the Asian countries.

This one is just plain weird. I think they take inspiration from the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge.

All of them are dense and hard while dry. In wet condition, it expand 1-2x of its original size and it turn bouncy and airy. Sometimes when I wring out the excess water, it take a few seconds for it to return to its original shape. The latex hasn't shed or break to pieces (aka decompose) even after continuous usage. I've thrown away my Etude House baby doll puff that I reviewed HERE because it became stiff and crumble to small pieces after some time D: 

Of all three, I love the tear drop and gourd shaped sponges. They can easily blend my undereyes area seamlessly while reaching other area such as my nose. For me it absorbs the right amount of product and works perfectly with the baking method. Mind you, I bake on a daily basis because gurrrrrrl ain't no concealer stays put under my eyes except I bake it.

I've been using this non-stop ever since I purchased it. Obviously, my least favorite is the one with a flat side. I don't understand the shape. The flat side is excellent to blend a large surface area only if it has a pointy side. Without it, it just become awkward because it cannot fit the underyes or nose. Maybe this is only for foundation.

Using the tear shaped sponge (foundation,concealer and baking)

Overall, I highly recommend this item. Its affordable and you get different variation of sponges in one box. Good for beginners or broke people like me LOL.

Take care! XOXO